Mesut Ozil, the former Arsenal and Germany midfielder, has expressed his affection for Juventus, highlighting the Italian club as the only one absent from his illustrious career. Ozil, who retired from professional football at the conclusion of last season, enjoyed a remarkable career, securing numerous prestigious titles with Real Madrid, Arsenal, and the German national team. Taking to his X handle on Friday, he tweeted: “Proud of my career and all the amazing clubs I’ve had the privilege to play for – with only one club missing: my Italian love, Juventus.” In the past, Ozil has also represented Werder Bremen…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has chosen Lionel Messi as his favorite Argentine player, excluding Mac Allister. During a recent interview with ESPN Argentina, the Egyptian expressed his admiration for Messi, stating, “My favorite Argentine player apart from Mac Allister? Messi.” Salah reiterated his admiration for Messi, emphasizing, “I love Messi. He is Messi; I love Messi.” Additionally, Salah mentioned his appreciation for Gabriel Batistuta, whom he had the opportunity to meet in Argentina. He shared, “I love Batistuta as well; I met him once in Argentina and got his shirt signed, but yeah, I love Messi.”
Former Portugal winger Nani has remarked that Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho bears more resemblance to him than to Cristiano Ronaldo. Garnacho scored twice on Thursday night as United suffered a 4-3 defeat against Chelsea in the Premier League. Throughout this season, the Argentina international has earned high praise from fans and analysts alike, drawing comparisons to Ronaldo. However, speaking to The Mirror, Nani stated: “When I observe Garnacho, he evokes memories of myself. He even wears the No. 17 jersey—the same number I wore. Since adopting that number this season, he’s found the net on several occasions, which has been…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has thrown his support behind Bukayo Saka to lead the team’s charge for the Premier League title. Arteta expressed his confidence in the England winger during a media briefing on Friday, stating that he is “extremely positive” about Saka’s potential impact and believes he will “excel and make crucial contributions.” Saka currently leads Arsenal’s scoring charts this season with 13 goals in the league. Among the forwards, only captain Martin Ødegaard has logged more minutes on the field this season than Saka. Responding to concerns about Saka potentially experiencing fatigue as the season nears its climax,…
South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana, a standout in the Banyana Banyana squad, is confident that the support of their fans will give them the upper hand in the upcoming second leg of the 2024 Olympic Games qualifier against Nigeria. Despite a 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Abuja on Friday night, Desiree Ellis’ team is determined to turn the tables in the return match and secure their spot in the Olympics, having missed out on qualification four years ago in Tokyo. Kgatlana emphasized that there is still plenty at stake in the upcoming match. “The final outcome will be determined…
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez believes Manchester United will feel the pressure to take on the role of aggressors in Sunday’s showdown at Old Trafford. The Reds travel from Merseyside this weekend with the aim of maintaining their momentum in the Premier League title race. Following a disappointing 4-3 loss to Chelsea, where they surrendered a 3-2 lead in stoppage time, Erik ten Hag’s side is eager to bounce back. Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, Gomez emphasized that the responsibility will fall on United to adopt an attacking approach at home. “With the game being at their home ground, I don’t…
The Manchester United academy area was sealed off after the disturbing revelation of human remains found near the training ground, prompting a murder investigation by the Greater Manchester Police. In a startling development, the vicinity surrounding Manchester United’s training ground in Greater Manchester has been cordoned off subsequent to the discovery of human remains nearby. The finding, just a short distance from the club’s training academy, has initiated a murder investigation. The details of the incident have deeply unsettled the local community in Salford and beyond. Investigation Commences After Disturbing Discovery As reported by the Telegraph, the recent closure of…
Chelsea and Manchester United have emerged as potential suitors for Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy, as per a report from Spain. Mendy, who joined Madrid from Lyon in 2019, solidified his place in the starting lineup, displacing the legendary Marcelo. However, with Madrid eyeing a move for Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, Mendy’s position at the Santiago Bernabeu is now uncertain. As Mendy’s contract enters its final year this summer, questions loom over his future with Madrid. Mundo Deportivo suggests that both Chelsea and United are monitoring the situation, eyeing a potential summer move for the French defender. Madrid’s pursuit of…
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has affirmed his contentment with the club despite ongoing rumors connecting him to a move abroad. Given a rare start against Luton Town on Wednesday night after missing much of the 2023/24 season due to injuries, the 30-year-old’s contract runs until 2025 and various destinations including Spain, Italy, and Saudi Arabia have been speculated upon. However, Partey has dismissed suggestions of a summer departure and hinted at the possibility of extending his stay at Arsenal. Addressing the media after his first start for Arsenal since August, Partey stated, “My focus is solely on Arsenal. I’m delighted…
Liverpool reclaimed the top spot in the Premier League table on Thursday night, although they had to endure a scare before securing a 3-1 victory over Sheffield United. Jurgen Klopp’s team is known for facing challenges head-on, and despite expectations of a comfortable win against the relegation-threatened Blades, they found themselves pushed by their resilient opponents in the second half. Alexis Mac Allister’s remarkable strike settled the nerves at Anfield after Sheffield United managed to draw level. Liverpool’s triumph propelled them back to the top of the league standings with a two-point lead. Match Recap: While Liverpool was anticipated to…
Cole Palmer’s brace in the dying moments secured a remarkable 4-3 victory for Chelsea against Manchester United on Thursday night. Despite relinquishing a two-goal lead, Chelsea found salvation in their talented youngster, who netted in the 100th and 101st minutes. The result heaps pressure on Erik ten Hag, who faced scrutiny from the Stamford Bridge stands courtesy of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, following another staggering collapse. Match Recap: Chelsea seized an early advantage, with Conor Gallagher capitalizing on Enzo Fernandez’s delivery to slot past Andre Onana. In the 18th minute, the Blues doubled their lead from the spot, as Palmer confidently…
Lamine Yamal has disclosed his readiness to step into the shoes of footballing legends like Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, who previously sported Barcelona’s iconic number 10 jersey. In the esteemed annals of FC Barcelona, the illustrious number 10 jersey holds a revered status, having been graced by iconic figures such as Lionel Messi. Now, amid deliberations on who will inherit this prestigious number, a young prodigy has emerged as a leading contender: Lamine Yamal. At a mere 16 years of age, Lamine Yamal has already etched his name as one of Barcelona’s standout talents. Despite his tender years, Yamal has…
Argentinian maestro Lionel Messi was on the brink of gracing the English Premier League, but Manchester City couldn’t meet his demands. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner was prepared to part ways with his beloved Barcelona in 2020, after over two decades at Camp Nou. Several clubs, including Manchester City, vied for the opportunity to secure the services of one of the greatest players in history. However, Messi ultimately opted for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the French League instead of a move to England. The failed Manchester City pursuit stemmed from Lionel Messi’s desire for assurances regarding the presence of…
Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, has implored minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to exercise patience and refrain from “interrupting the process.” Ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford could be in jeopardy if the Red Devils fail to secure qualification for the Champions League. Nevertheless, as they prepare to face Chelsea on Thursday, the former Ajax boss has pledged to fight until the end. “I believe it’s crucial to adhere to the process,” Ten Hag asserted. “We have promising young talents emerging, showing significant progress in their development. We’re heading in a positive direction, and it’s imperative that we continue…
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has clarified his decision to bench Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne in the match against Aston Villa. Phil Foden netted a hat-trick as the Premier League champions secured a victory against a top-five team for the first time this season. Regarding resting Haaland and De Bruyne, Guardiola explained, “They were available to play, but we opted to rotate other players. Our intention was to secure a win, not solely to give rest to specific individuals.” “We prioritized fresh legs, especially considering our recent fixture against Arsenal just three days prior. It was essential for…
Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has expressed his belief that Arsenal will emerge victorious against Bayern Munich in their upcoming UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash later this month. Arsenal’s progression to the quarterfinals, their first since 2010, saw them pitted against the Bundesliga champions. The Gunners secured their spot by eliminating FC Porto in the last-16, while Bayern advanced by knocking out Lazio. The winner of the Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich tie will face the winner of the match between Manchester City and Real Madrid in the semi-finals. Gallas, speaking to Sportskeeda, noted Kane’s consistent scoring record against Arsenal and…
Here is the current list of the top 5 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets so far this season across Europe’s top leagues: English Premier League Clean Sheets: 1. David Raya – Arsenal: 11 Clean Sheets 2. Ederson – Manchester City: 9 Clean Sheets 3. Andre Onana – Manchester United: 8 Clean Sheets 4. Jordan Pickford – Everton: 8 Clean Sheets 5. Bernd Leno – Fulham: 8 Clean Sheets Spanish La Liga Clean Sheets: 1. Unai Simion – Athletic Bilbao: 15 Clean Sheets 2. Alex Remiro – Real Sociedad: 13 Clean Sheets 3. Ter Stegen – Barcelona: 11 Clean Sheets…
NFF Official Identifies Top Choice for Super Eagles Managerial Position According to a report, an official of the Nigeria Football Federation has disclosed that Portuguese coach Antonio Canceicao is currently the frontrunner to become the new manager of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The same source indicates that Canceicao meets the requirements for the role of head coach for the Nigerian team. It’s worth noting that Antonio Canceicao boasts extensive experience in African football, having previously managed the Cameroonian national team. Under his leadership, Cameroon reached the semi-finals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. However, Own Goal Nigeria also…
Jurgen Klopp has acknowledged that Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United in December marked a turning point in their pursuit of the Premier League title this season. Before that match, Liverpool had been showing promising results, but a string of draws against teams like Luton and Brighton, a loss to Tottenham, and a chaotic 4-3 win over Fulham had raised doubts about their title credentials. Since then, Liverpool’s performance in 2024 has been formidable. With just two dropped points this calendar year, they currently trail behind Arsenal in the standings but have a game in hand, which could see them…
Erik ten Hag acknowledges the challenges facing Manchester United in their quest to secure Champions League qualification this season and describes himself as a “pragmatic” individual. With a growing injury list and crucial fixtures on the horizon, Ten Hag recognizes the need for United to make up ground if they are to remain competitive for the rest of the campaign. Ahead of their Premier League clash against Chelsea, where key players such as Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw are sidelined, Ten Hag understands that securing a victory would only marginally reduce the gap between United and the top…