Author: d0509

Manchester United fans haven’t been left short of news during the international break. The club’s sale process ahead of a potential takeover is continuing following a dramatic week which saw the deadline for follow-up bids extended. Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, through his Nine Two Foundation, and INEOS chief executive Sir Jim Ratcliffe both lodged fresh offers alongside a newcomer into the race: Finnish billionaire Thomas Zilliacus. In the meantime, United’s star players have been strutting their stuff on the international stage. With amount of reports flying around, it also seems that Erik ten Hag hasn’t spent much time relaxing before what’s set to be a testing run-in, as he’s looking…

March 28 (Reuters) – Lionel Messi stepped out of Diego Maradona’s shadow by leading Argentina to World Cup victory last year and a statue of the diminutive forward will stand alongside those of his predecessor and Brazil great Pele at the South American federation’s museum. South American soccer’s governing body on Monday presented the the 35-year-old Argentine star a with statue, which will be placed in the CONMEBOL museum next to those of legendary players Pelé and Diego Maradona. Messi also received replicas of the World Cup and the Finalissima trophy, which Argentina won against Italy, during the ceremony before…

Kylian Mbappe was recently named the captain of the France national football team ahead of the highly anticipated UEFA Euro Qualifiers. Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has stated that the club will spare no effort to retain Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe’s services. Two of the biggest superstars of world football, Messi and Mbappe are at crucial stages in their contracts. With Messi’s contract expiring after the current season and Mbappe’s having only twelve months remaining it will be interesting to see Paris Saint-Germain’s course of action for the next few months. ‘We are working to keep…

BRUNO FERNANDES risked the wrath of Cristiano Ronaldo after publicly disagreeing with his Portugal captain. Ronaldo, 38, scored twice in the 6-0 thumping of Luxembourg last night. He was also mobbed by a pitch invader wearing an Al-Nassr shirt and combined his two celebrations for an unprecedented new version. The result ensured Roberto Martinez continued his perfect start to life as Portugal boss, backing up the 4-0 win over Lichtenstein on Thursday in Euro 2024 qualifying. Ronaldo claimed the new manager, who replaced Fernando Santos after the World Cup, brought a “breath of fresh air” to the national team camp. Santos was in charge for eight…

By Andy Hampson, PA Nicky Butt believes Erik ten Hag was “born” to manage Manchester United. The former Ajax boss has overcome a difficult start to make a huge impression in his first season in charge at Old Trafford. United, who won the Carabao Cup earlier this month, are third in the Premier League and still in contention in two other knockout competitions. It is a far cry from last season when the team was managed by three different people and finished in sixth place, 35 points behind champions Manchester City. Former United midfielder Butt told the PA news agency:…

LIONEL MESSI could complete a shock move to the MLS this summer, according to reports. The 35-year-old has just three months remaining on his current contract with Paris Saint-Germain. He is yet to agree terms for a new deal but has the option to stay in France for another year. Messi has been linked with several clubs since the start of the year, including Inter Milan and Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. He has also been tipped to make a triumphant return to Barcelona where he won four Champions League titles and a whopping 10 LaLiga titles. However, according to Spanish outlet Sport, the seven-time Ballon…

Already he is one of the most famous players in football and has won multiple trophies and individual awards. He has packed so much into his first 20 years and we look at 20 of the most important moments he has experienced so far. 1. A sporting family One of the most defining moments was his birth into a sporting family. His father Wilfried was a player and a coach and his mother Fayza Lamari used to play handball, so Mbappe knew from a young age what it meant to compete. His adopted older brother Jires Kembo Ekoko is also a professional footballer and plays for Bursaspor, while his…

The now Man United loanee was involved in an incident with Lionel Messi at the World Cup. A World Cup row between Lionel Messi and now Manchester United loanee Wout Weghorst has again returned to the fore as fresh footage of their altercation has resurfaced. The incident happened inside the bowels of the Lusail Stadium after Argentina knocked the Netherlands out in the quarter-finals following a penalty shootout. Messi had put the World Cup winners 2-0 up during the second half before substitute Weghorst scored two late goals to take the game to extra time. Argentina’s captain would have the last laugh by scoring the opening…

Cầu thủ người Bồ Đào Nha là cầu thủ xuất phát không thể tranh cãi của United trong vai trò số 10 mùa này và anh chỉ bỏ lỡ 2 trận đấu với Aston Villa và Charlton Athletic do án treo giò. Do đó, anh ấy đã thể hiện mức độ thể lực vượt trội trong một chiến dịch bận rộn nhưng điều này không cản trở màn trình diễn của anh ấy. Phong độ của anh ấy đặc biệt ấn tượng kể từ đầu năm. Cầu thủ 28 tuổi này đã ghi 7 bàn thắng và 8 pha kiến…

The couple tied the knot in Kochi and then raced to Thiruvananthapuram 206 km away in time to watch the final. When people marry, they usually want a partner who has common interests and hobbies. For people who are ardent followers of football, watching the FIFA World Cup is a must, even if it is on the day of your wedding. A couple in Kerala, a state known for its passion for football, are going viral for wearing the jerseys of the teams they were supporting in the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. While the groom, Sachin, is an…

The Casa de Ezeiza in Buenos Aires, which houses the national team set-up, will now be known as Lionel Andres Messi “in tribute to the best player in the world,” AFA president Claudio Tapia wrote on Twitter. “Welcome to the world champion’s house,” Tapia said at the unveiling ceremony attended by current and former Argentina players. Messi ended Argentina’s 36-year wait for the World Cup, emulating the late Diego Maradona when he led them to victory against France in a pulsating final in Qatar in December. “I feel very happy. This tribute is very, very special,” Messi, 35, said after…

That’s according to talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino, who admits the Manchester United striker’s social media posts from the Big Apple are not a good look. Rashford went to extreme lengths to not be recognised as he touched down in the United States. Rashford picked up the injury in Man United’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Fulham. Rashford was initially called up to the Three Lions squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine, but withdrew this week with a toe injury. It was a blow to fans hoping to see the in-form forward back in an England shirt for the first time since the…

Bruno Fernandes and Portugal secured another straightforward win over the international break. They followed up a Euro 2024 qualifying 4-0 win over Liechtenstein with a 6-0 victory over Luxembourg. Bruno Fernandes started both games despite being in need of a rest, playing 75 minutes of Sunday night’s win. Portugal raced into a 4-0 win in the first 30 minutes, and then just played out the rest of the game like an exhibition, adding two late goals. Fernandes finally provides an assist for Ronaldo Arguably the biggest frustration about Cristiano Ronaldo‘s recent spell at Manchester United was that he did not really click…

Former Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick believes that Austria midfielder Marcel Sabitzer is playing with more confidence since his January switch to Old Trafford. Ralf Rangnick has credited Manchester United and Erik ten Hag for the role they have played in rebuilding Marcel Sabitzer’s confidence after the midfielder helped Austria get their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign off to the perfect start. Sabitzer, who moved to Old Trafford in the final throes of the January transfer window in a loan deal from Bayern Munich, scored twice and grabbed an assist in Austria’s emphatic 4-1 win over Azerbaijan on Friday. And Rangnick, who was appointed as the manager of the Austrian national team back in…

Argentina soccer team skipper Lionel Messi was in party mode with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo after their win against Panama. Messi captained Argentina to triumph in the FIFA World Cup 2022. The mood from that win in December 2022 has not yet been lost as Messi and co. were caught dancing at a bar in Argentina. Messi’s moves were so slick that one fan commented, “Im taking him over micheal [Michael] jackson” https://twitter.com/AlbicelesteTalk/status/1639881616947392513 The Argentina soccer team is back in their home country for the first time since winning the World Cup. Lionel Messi won the player of the tournament award, Emiliano Martinez won the goalkeeper of…

A ‘hugely bitter’ Karim Benzema snubbed a France retirement tribute on the night new captain Kylian Mbappe fired the Blues into a new era by crushing Holland. The two superstar strikers were meant to be honoured together at the Stade de France on Friday before their opening Euro 2024 qualifier. Instead, Benzema, 35, sent the France Football Federation a courtesy email saying: ‘I won’t be available’. He was furious that France manager Didier Deschamps sent him home from the Qatar World Cup in December, despite a thigh injury only requiring minor treatment. The Ballon d’Or winner even turned down an offer from French president Emmanuel Macron to fly…

Iconic Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo added a new celebration to his repertoire during Portugal’s 6-0 away victory against Luxembourg in their Euro 2024 qualifier. Manchester United hero Cristiano Ronaldo was booked for diving on Sunday night… despite Portugal boasting a four-goal lead against minnows Luxembourg. Ronaldo, 38, won his 198th senior cap and bagged a brace during Portugal’s comfortable 6-0 win at the Stade de Luxembourg. The result means Roberto Martinez’s side have won their first two qualifiers for Euro 2024, which takes place in Germany next summer. Ronaldo opened the scoring for Portugal in the eighth minute and debuted his new celebration, which was a combination…

Scott McTominay scored his first goals in 2023 as helped Scotland to an international victory. The Manchester United midfielder netted two goals in Scotland’s 3-0 Euro 2024 qualifying victory over Cyprus. Scotland manager Steve Clarke had actually started Scott McTominay on the bench, a role he has been stuck in at Manchester United in recent months. After coming on with 23 minutes to go with the score at 1-0, McTominay struck two late goals to wrap up the home victory. Fernandes message to McTominay Scott McTominay struck in the 87th minute and then in injury time to send the Tartan Army crowd…

Anthony Elanga has barely featured for Manchester United since the World Cup break amid heightened competition for places in the wide areas. Anthony Elanga has held conversations with Erik ten Hag over a ‘frustrating’ lack of game time at Manchester United. Elanga was a favourite of last season’s interim manager Ralf Rangnick, but his progress at Old Trafford has stalled since the arrival of Ten Hag. The Dutchman brought Antony in from Ajax last summer, pushing the Sweden international further down the pecking order on the wings. He has been on the fringes of the United matchday setup since that signing of Antony, starting seven matches…

Kylian Mbappe made fun of Real Madrid again, and this one is more serious. Real Madrid was in the footsteps of Kylian Mbappé and made an offer that he could not refuse, however PSG did not let him and they practically gave him the keys to the team, where he can choose the next signings, who will leave, etc. The Frenchman is now the one who leads the project and is already analyzing for the following season. Despite the fact that Real Madrid wanted to make a big effort to hire Kylian Mbappé, he insulted them and was caught on…

Argentina captain Lionel Messi and his team-mates were given a hero’s welcome against Panama on Thursday night after winning the World Cup in Qatar three months ago. Lionel Messi has thanked the Argentinian Football Association after they renamed the national team’s training centre after him. Messi, 35, led his country to victory at last year’s World Cup. The forward was outstanding in Qatar, as he scored seven goals – including two in the final against France – and provided three assists. He also received the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. Argentina played their first game since the World Cup final on Thursday night,…

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is set to wait until the current takeover saga has concluded before making any decisions over a new contract and his long-term future. Marcus Rashford is ready to wait for the Manchester United takeover saga to conclude before putting pen to paper on a new long-term contract with the club. Rashford, 25, is currently enjoying a renaissance under the guidance of Erik ten Hag and is already on course for his best ever goalscoring season after plundering 27 goals in 44 games this term. The current Old Trafford hierarchy are desperate to tie the England forward down to fresh terms as Rashford will have…

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to form while Lionel Messi has not had as enjoyable a start to the year as he would have hoped. Ronaldo parted ways with Manchester United and moved to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr in January 2023. At the time, it looked like the legendary footballer was taking a step towards winding down his career. Meanwhile, Messi was going all guns blazing for club and country. By the time 2022 drew to a close, Messi had won the World Cup and it looked like Ronaldo was set to fade into obscurity given his drop in form. But life can be unpredictable. The…

MARCEL SABITZER netted a worldie of a free kick on Friday night. The Manchester United loanee opened the scoring for Austria against Azerbaijan, but it was his second goal that caught the eye. Marcel Sabitzer celebrates after scoring for Austria Sabitzer curled a beauty into the top corner from outside the box Sabitzer, 29, bent a beauty of a free-kick into the top corner from 25 yards out. His second strike came after Michael Gregoritsch had added to Sabitzer’s opener. The United man is currently on loan at Old Trafford from Bayern Munich. There is no option to make the deal permanent, but United…