In Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Napoli on Wednesday, Robert Lewandowski made history by becoming the oldest player for Barcelona to score in a Champions League knockout game. The Poland international found the net in the 60th minute, breaking the record at 35 years and 184 days old. This achievement surpasses Lionel Messi’s previous record, who was 33 years and 259 days old when he scored against Paris Saint-Germain in March 2021. The match against Napoli also marked a significant moment for Barcelona, as winger Lamine Yamal became the youngest player ever to feature in the Champions League knockout stages at…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Lionel Messi played a pivotal role in both goals as Inter Miami secured a victory over Real Salt Lake in the Major League Soccer’s season opener on Wednesday. The Argentina forward assisted Robert Taylor for the first goal, with the midfielder’s shot finding the net in the first half. Messi also contributed to Miami’s late second goal, scored by Diego Gomez. Notably, he showcased a strong connection with former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, who made his MLS debut and registered an assist. Miami coach Gerardo Martino commented on Messi’s performance, stating, “He looked loose, fine, and showed a lot of…
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has stated that Manchester United will conduct a fresh evaluation of Mason Greenwood’s future, leaving the possibility open for him to play for the club again. Greenwood, who faced charges of assault, attempted rape, and coercive control following his arrest in 2022, was believed to have played his final game for United after being loaned to Getafe towards the end of the last summer transfer window. After an internal investigation by United, prompted by the Crown Prosecution Service dropping the case due to key witness withdrawals and new evidence, there were initial indications of Greenwood’s potential reintroduction.…
Ilkay Gundogan has expressed admiration for departing Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel, who is reportedly a contender to succeed Xavi at Barcelona. Recently, Barcelona confirmed Xavi’s departure at the end of the 2023/24 season, with the team’s performance falling below expectations compared to the previous season’s La Liga triumph. Despite Barcelona’s recent improvement, earning ten points from the last 12 available, they lag behind Real Madrid by eight points and have been eliminated from the Copa del Rey after a significant defeat to Athletic Club. As speculations swirl about Xavi’s potential successor, Thomas Tuchel, a former Champions League winner set…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attributes Lionel Messi’s individual brilliance as one of the contributing factors to the Gunners’ failure to progress beyond the Champions League last 16 since 2010. During Arteta’s playing career at Arsenal, the team was eliminated in the last 16 in all five seasons he spent at the club. This trend continued in the year before his arrival in 2011 and persisted in the year following his retirement in 2016, resulting in seven consecutive exits in the initial knockout stage. As Arsenal’s current manager, Arteta dismissed the notion of a mental block but emphasized the impact of…
Liverpool delivered a second-half masterclass on Wednesday night, rallying from an early setback to secure a 4-1 victory over Luton Town in the Premier League. The Reds, fielding a depleted squad ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, were caught off guard when Chiedozie Ogbene’s header gave Luton Town a surprising lead. However, a remarkable turnaround ensued after the break, with Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, and Harvey Elliott all finding the net, allowing Jurgen Klopp’s side to extend their lead at the top of the table. Despite Luton’s spirited performance at Anfield, they find themselves still in the…
Arsenal faces an uphill battle to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years after succumbing to a stoppage-time winner from Porto in their last 16 first leg. Galeno, Porto’s winger, scored a remarkable long-range strike with virtually the last kick of the game, deciding a contest that lacked intensity for the preceding 93 minutes. This leaves Arsenal with a 1-0 aggregate deficit to overturn at the Emirates Stadium next month. Game Recap: Following a nervous opening five minutes, Arsenal asserted control over possession, yet Porto’s defensive organization and resilience thwarted their efforts. The Gunners encountered…
Dani Alves has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison by a Spanish court after being found guilty of sexual assault. The former Brazilian right-back faced allegations of ‘sexual assault by penetration’ at a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022. Prosecutors had sought a nine-year prison term along with ten years of probation and €150,000 in compensation. In January 2023, Alves was incarcerated in a Barcelona prison without bail. During the course of the trial, his testimony changed multiple times, initially denying knowledge of the victim and later asserting consensual relations while admitting concern about the impact on…
Donyell Malen has thrived since his departure from Arsenal and is now being linked with a potential return to the Emirates Stadium. Numerous young players have left clubs to find success elsewhere, a phenomenon observed in various football leagues. In Malen’s case, the 25-year-old Dutchman initially began his football journey at Ajax’s academy before joining Arsenal in 2015 at the age of 16. During his two-year tenure at Arsenal, Malen showcased his talent by scoring in both the quarter-final and semi-final of the FA Youth Cup. Despite being part of the club’s pre-season tour of Australia in 2017, it marked…
Barcelona faced a setback as Napoli held them to a draw in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash. Despite dominating much of the match without reaching exceptional heights, Barcelona took a deserved lead in the 60th minute through Robert Lewandowski. Victor Osimhen, marking his return to Napoli’s lineup, leveled the score 15 minutes later, concluding the game in a 1-1 draw. The upcoming second leg on March 12 remains an open contest for both teams. Game Recap: Napoli supporters anticipated a potential resurgence following Walter Mazzarri’s departure, but their sluggish start established an initially lackluster display…
Bayern Munich has opted to part ways with manager Thomas Tuchel at the conclusion of the current season. This decision follows the club’s recent poor run of form, experiencing a 3-0 defeat to league leaders Bayern Leverkusen, a 1-0 loss to Lazio in the Champions League, and a 3-2 defeat against VFL Bochum on Sunday. In a statement posted on Bayern’s website on Wednesday, the club’s CEO, Jan-Christian Dreesen, stated, “In an open, constructive discussion, we reached the mutual decision to conclude our collaboration in the summer.” Tuchel is set to depart from Bayern when the season concludes.
There have been suggestions that Mauricio Pochettino should include Christopher Nkunku in the starting lineup for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool this Sunday. However, it would be a mistake for the Argentine manager to opt for the French attacker for several reasons. Despite Nkunku’s noteworthy performance in their recent 4-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield, it doesn’t guarantee success in the final against the Merseyside Red. Nkunku’s limited game time for Chelsea this season, coupled with challenges in settling due to injuries, raises concerns about his readiness for such a crucial match. For the Carabao Cup final, Chelsea requires…
Manchester United icon Ryan Giggs has encouraged British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe to prioritize changing the club’s ‘culture.’ Emphasizing that this should be the foremost concern, Giggs, in an interview with The Telegraph, stressed the need for a shift in the club’s ethos. Ratcliffe has recently agreed to acquire a 29% stake in Manchester United, pending approval from the Premier League. Giggs remarked, “That is the number one thing we have to change. The culture of the club. To get players who want to play for United and will do anything to win a game for United. That is something…
As per a BBC report, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a co-owner of Manchester United, recently provided key insights into the club’s future trajectory, covering crucial aspects such as ownership structure, player management, and strategic planning. Manchester United Co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Discusses Glazers, Greenwood, Transfers, Catching Man City & Liverpool Ratcliffe underscored the significance of collaboration with the Glazer family, expressing confidence in their shared vision for Manchester United’s revival. He highlighted a positive working relationship with Joel and Avram Glazer, indicating their dedication to steering the club back to its former glory. Regarding Mason Greenwood’s situation, Ratcliffe took a cautious…
Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, has affirmed that INEOS Chairman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is interested in collaborating with him. Following Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25% stake in the Old Trafford club last week, Ten Hag acknowledges that he has not had the opportunity to converse with him yet. Under mounting pressure as United currently occupies seventh place, Ten Hag addressed the situation in a Friday media interaction, stating, “The schedule is so condensed I didn’t have the time so far to speak with them but it will come. I look forward [to talking]. They want to work with me,…
Chelsea’s Thiago Silva has selected Blues legend John Terry as his ideal center-back partner. Speaking to the Premier League’s official YouTube channel, Silva expressed his admiration for Terry, citing their excellent rapport at Chelsea and acknowledging Terry’s legendary status in the club and English football. Silva stated, “I will go with John Terry since I am at Chelsea. We have a great relationship. There is always a good vibe every time I see him, and he is a legend for the club and English football.” John Terry, who had a brief stint at Aston Villa before retiring in 2018, boasts…
Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has identified 12 players whom he regards as world-class. This declaration follows his recent assertion that Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has not yet reached that elite level. During a discussion on TNT Sport, Ferdinand highlighted a quintet from Manchester City – Ederson, Kyle Walker, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, and Erling Haaland. Additionally, he included Liverpool’s formidable trio of Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah in his esteemed list. Beyond the confines of the Premier League, Ferdinand’s world-class selections encompass Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Vinicius Jr, and Jude Bellingham. Despite acknowledging Saka’s promising potential and…
Chelsea legend Eden Hazard has identified Antonio Conte as the manager who brought out the best in him during his career, albeit for an unconventional reason. Hazard, who retired from football at the age of 32 in October, decided not to join a new club after the conclusion of his contract with Real Madrid. Despite an injury-marred stint in Madrid, Hazard was widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s top players during his successful seven-year tenure at Chelsea, where he secured two league titles and four additional trophies, including the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award for the…
According to reports, Luka Modric has been offered an opportunity to join Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching staff if he decides to retire this summer. Over the last 18 months, Modric has seen a reduced role under Ancelotti, making only 11 La Liga starts in the current campaign. Speculation suggests that the 38-year-old might leave Real Madrid when his contract expires. Although retirement is a possibility, Modric, expressing his desire for more playing time this season, has not hinted at hanging up his boots. The Athletic reveals that Ancelotti discussed the coaching role with Modric about two months ago, but the Croatian…
Inter Miami has unveiled a new stadium naming rights agreement with the American banking giants JP Morgan Chase ahead of the upcoming MLS season. The rebranded venue, now known as Chase Stadium, marks Chase’s inaugural naming rights partnership with a professional soccer team. This move aligns with the anticipation surrounding Inter Miami, particularly with the presence of global football star Lionel Messi. Chase, which merged with JP Morgan in 2000, already holds stadium naming rights for the NBA franchise Golden State Warriors’ Chase Center in San Francisco, California. Xavier Asensi, Miami’s chief business officer, expressed the honor of partnering with…