Football

    La Liga: Barcelona edge past Almeria, Bilbao grab last minute win

    Madrid: FC Barcelona returned to winning ways, but once again were not impressive as they clinched a narrow 3-2 win at home to bottom side Almeria. Almeria traveled to Barcelona without a win and with just five points from their first 17 games of the season, and Barca were expected to win with relative ease. However, after Raphinha scored from close range following Ronald Araujo’s header from a 32nd minute corner, Leo Baptistao needed just eight minutes to equalize after a long VAR check to confirm he was not offside, reports Xinhua. Almeria keeper Luis Maximiliano made several saves to keep the scores level, but could do little to stop Sergi Roberto making it 2-1 to Barca with a header from a corner. The visitors leveled the scores again in the 72nd minute when Barca keeper Inaki Pena lost a high ball after colliding with Araujo, allowing Edgar to score from…
    Football

    December 18: When Messi lifted FIFA World Cup and completed football

    Hyderabad: Lionel Messi, known as one of the greatest footballers of all time, lifted the most coveted trophy in the sport a year ago on this date – December 18. Messi had achieved everything at club level with FC Barcelona, as he won the Champions League and the La Liga with FC. But he was riddled with the missing international trophies along with Argentina. With the Copa America in 2021, he silenced critics, however, the one thing that he valued the most was the World Cup trophy. At a news conference in 2016, Messi was asked what he would prefer, “five Ballons d’Or or World Cup?” He said, “I would prefer to win a World Cup rather than five Ballons d’Or (award for best men’s player). Coming out of retirement Messi and Argentina had a trophy drought, as the national side lost 4 finals. Having been a part of the losing sides in…
    Football

    Inter Miami makes shocking move: Lionel Messi joins MLS club as free agent

    The MLS team won the race to sign Lionel Messi as a free agent. Miami: Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami have confirmed the signing of Lionel Messi on social media in a transfer that has stunned world football, as reported by Goal.com. Before leaving Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)at the end of his contract, the MLS team won the race to sign Messi as a free agent. The club used a 32-second video to announce Messi’s signing on social media. The American team clipped out tweets and news stories about the situation, concentrating on the ones that suggested Messi might leave to Barcelona or Saudi Arabia. The club’s official colours are pink and black, and they cut away to a huge pink “M” on a black wall. On the other hand, following Lionel Messi’s signing to Inter Miami, Barcelona issues a formal statement to clarify discussions with him. “On Monday, June 5, Jorge Messi, the player’s…
    Football

    Lionel Messi announces Inter Miami move

    Lionel Messi will sign for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, the player said Wednesday in interviews with Spanish media, choosing the United States as his next destination over a Barcelona reunion or blockbuster deal to play in Saudi Arabia. The Argentine forward, 35, has spent the last two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, playing his final game for the club on Saturday, after moving from Barcelona in 2021, where he spent the majority of his career. Messi said that he did not want to have to wait for Barcelona to find a formula to be able to sign him given their financial situation — they were unable to keep him before his move to PSG, leading to a tearful departure. “I was afraid that it would happen again,” Messi told Spanish newspapers Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo. “I’ve taken the decision that I am going to Miami, I don’t have…
    Football

    Real Madrid star Karim Benzema heads to Saudi Arabia, joins Al Ittihad as free agent

    Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema made a significant move by joining Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad as a free agent. After leaving Real Madrid following 14 successful years, Benzema signed a three-year deal with the Saudi champions and will wear no. 9 shirt. Benzema stated that he is eager to experience a new football league in a different country. He acknowledged his achievements in Spain and Europe, adding that the time is right for a new challenge and elevate both the club and the game in Saudi Arabia. “I am excited to experience a new football league in a different country. I have been fortunate to achieve amazing things in my career and achieve everything I can in Spain and Europe,” Benzema said. 🚨 Introducing our newest superstar, Karim @Benzema! Ready to light up our stadium soon ⚽️💥 #Benzema2Ittihad#here2inspireKSA pic.twitter.com/XSQcyRghpO— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) June 6, 2023 “It now feels the…
    Football

    Messi wants to return to Barcelona, says his father Jorge

    Jorge Messi made a brief declaration to the press while he was in Barcelona to meet with Barca president Joan Laporta over Lionel’s possible move back to the club. Madrid: Lionel Messi’s father has said that if possible, his son wanted to return to FC Barcelona for next season. Jorge Messi made a brief declaration to the press while he was in Barcelona to meet with Barca president Joan Laporta over Lionel’s possible move back to the club he left two years ago to join Paris Saint-Germain. “(Lionel) Messi wants to return to Barca and I would be delighted if he returned,” confirmed Jorge on Monday, adding “It’s an option: Am I confident he can return? Yes.” This declaration follows words from Barca coach Xavi Hernandez, who said he would be delighted to welcome the 35-year-old back to the club, a Xinhua report said. The main problem for FC Barcelona is whether they will be…
    Football

    Eden Hazard leaves Real Madrid after mutual termination of contract to end lacklustre four-year spell

    Eden Hazard will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season after agreeing to terminate his contract with the Spanish giants a year early, the club announced on 3rd June, Saturday.  This brings an end to a dismal four-year spell for the 32-year-old Belgian winger at the Spanish capital, after joining them in 2019 to become the club’s most expensive signing of all time.  Hazard joined Real Madrid from Chelsea for a club record fee that was reported as an initial amount of 88.5 million pounds ($110 million) before add-ons, and a salary of 400,000 pounds per week, making him one of the team’s top earners. However, the Belgian winger struggled to settle in Madrid as injuries hampered his progress. Hazard has only completed 392 minutes during the 2022-23 season and hasn’t completed the full 90 minutes for the Spanish giants since December 2021.  The incredible form of Vinicius…
    Football

    Cristiano Ronaldo puts transfer rumors to rest, Commits to Al Nassr

    In his first season, Portugal’s goal-scoring machine Cristiano Ronaldo scored 14 goals in 16 games. New Delhi: Portugal’s goal-scoring machine Cristiano Ronaldo cleared the air of uncertainty about his future that started to build around him after his team Al Nassr failed to clinch the title this season. Ronaldo now 38 years old began his journey in the Saudi League following his January move after his Manchester United contract was cancelled by mutual consent last November. In his first season, he scored 14 goals in 16 games. With Ronaldo’s arrival, Al Nassr had a realistic chance to clinch the league after falling short consecutively in the past three seasons. Rumours started to build up and the Portuguese forward was in contention to return to the Premier League with Newcastle United. However, his recent interview has put them to rest. “I am happy here, I want to continue here, I will continue here. And in my opinion,…
    Football

    Manchester City clinches third straight English Premier League title.

    Manchester City clinched a third straight English Premier League title after second-placed Arsenal lost at Nottingham Forest 1-0 to cap its end-of-season collapse on Saturday. City holds an unassailable four-point lead, with Arsenal — the once long-time leader — having only one game remaining. It is City’s seventh league crown in a 12-year period during which the Abu Dhabi-owned club has changed the face of the English game. City’s latest title is the fifth in Pep Guardiola’s seven years at the club and owes as much to its end-of-season streak of 11 straight victories as it does to an implosion by Arsenal, just when a first league title since 2004 was in sight. Arsenal led by eight points on April 1 but has since won only two of eight games. A win at the City Ground likely would have delayed the inevitable but Taiwo Awoniyi’s 19th-minute goal brought an end…
    Football

    Lionel Messi wins Laureus Sportsmen of the Year 2023 award

    Lionel Messi won the award after leading Argentina to a famous triumph at the FIFA World Cup last year. This is his second Laureus award. Paris: Argentina’s World Cup winning captain, Lionel Messi, has won the 2023 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award. The announcement was made at a ceremony held in Paris on Monday. The Argentina superstar was given the nod ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Max Verstappen, and Rafael Nadal after the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner realized his ultimate ambition in Qatar. Messi won the award after leading Argentina to a famous triumph at the FIFA World Cup last year. This was the second time that Messi was named the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award. Lionel Messi and his World Cup-winning Argentina scored a double by being named Sportsman and Team of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards. He is the first athlete to win the team and individual…

    Football

    • Mar- 2023 -
      16 March
      343

      Mohamed Salah’s stolen medal is recovered by Egyptian police

      Egyptian police said on Wednesday they have recovered a silver medal which was stolen from the home of Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah. The theft took place on March 2 and police were able to identify the two thieves, including a former security guard in the residential complex, the Ministry of Interior added in a statement. All the stolen goods were seized, which include a silver medal, a number of sports shoes and TV receivers. A security source confirmed to Reuters that the player intended in the statement is Salah. The photo, published by the police on Facebook, showed that the silver medal was for the African Cup of Nations. Salah finished on the losing side in both the 2017 and 2021 Cup of…

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    • 6 March
      351

      Liverpool thrash Manchester United 7-0 in historic defeat

      Liverpool have thrashed Manchester United 7-0 in the Premier League – United’s heaviest defeat since Boxing Day 1931. It is the first time the Red Devils have lost by seven goals in any competition since that loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers more than 90 years ago. Our Egyptian king 🥰 pic.twitter.com/0yKFrp8HIu— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 5, 2023 “It’s one for the history books,” said Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler at Anfield. “No one could have predicted this scoreline.” The fact that United won their first trophy for almost six years just seven days ago, beating Newcastle 2-0 at Wembley to lift the Carabao Cup, will make it even harder to take. Former club captain Gary Neville said the performance had been an…

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    • 2 March
      373

      Arsenal move five clear in Premier League, Sheffield Utd and Grimsby cause FA Cup shocks

      Two goals in the last five minutes before halftime swung the game Arsenal’s way, with Bukayo Saka putting them ahead and Gabriel Martinelli adding a second in injury time. London: Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League on Wednesday night after a comfortable 4-0 win at home to relegation-threatened Everton. Two goals in the last five minutes before halftime swung the game Arsenal’s way, with Bukayo Saka putting them ahead and Gabriel Martinelli adding a second in injury time. Martin Odegaard made the result safe in the 71st minute, and Martinelli’s second of the night made it 4-0 with 10 minutes left to play. Goals from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah in the 73rd and…

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    • Feb- 2023 -
      28 February
      222

      Sports|Football

      Messi, Putellas named FIFA’s Best for 2022 Messi won the men’s player of the year award after leading Argentina to World Cup glory; Putellas scoops best women player’s award. Paris Saint-Germain’s Lionel Messi, the winner of The Best FIFA Player award 2022 [Sarah Meyssonnier] Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi has been named FIFA men’s player of the year while Spain’s Alexia Putellas, who won the Ballon d’Or last year, was named women’s player of the year. Messi, 35, scored two goals in the World Cup 2022 final against France, with Argentina emerging triumphant on penalties. “It’s amazing. It was a tremendous year, and it is an honour for me to be here tonight and win this award”, said Messi on Monday,…

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    • 18 February
      213

      Qatar confirms Man Utd bid ahead of deadline with “debt free” admission

      Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jaber Al Thani, the chairman of one of Qatar ’s biggest banks, has confirmed he will bid for a 100 per cent takeover of Manchester United. Al Thani is the son of former Qatari prime minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani. The deadline for interested parties is 10pm on Friday night as the Raine Group, who are acting on behalf of the Premier League club, look to finalise their options. Brit Sir Jim Ratcliffe is among those who have confirmed his interest whilst parties from Saudi Arabia and the US could yet come forward. Al Thani said in a statement: “Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani today confirmed his submission of a bid for 100 per cent of…

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    • 12 February
      234

      Real Madrid beat Al-Hilal to win Club World Cup

      Vinicius Junior scores twice, assists Karim Benzema to lead Real Madrid to record-extending fifth Club World Cup title. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema kisses the trophy and celebrates with teammates and coach Carlo Ancelotti after winning the FIFA Club World Cup final in Rabat, Morocco [Susana Vera/ Reuters] Real Madrid has won the Club World Cup for a record-extending fifth time after beating Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal 5-3 in the final in Rabat, Morocco. Vinicius Junior scored twice and helped Karim Benzema with a third, while Federico Valverde added two more for the European champions in Saturday’s final. Al-Hilal never led the match but showed it was no fluke that it had upset Brazil’s Flamengo to reach the decider in Morocco’s capital. Luciano…

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    • 11 February
      237

      Messi, Mbappe and Benzema nominated for 2022 FIFA Best Men’s Player

      Mbappe’s compatriot Benzema won last year’s Ballon d’Or for winning UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles with Real Madrid but missed the World Cup due to injury, reports news agency Xinhua. Geneva: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema have been named as the finalists for The FIFA Best Men’s Football Player Award in 2022, soccer’s world governing body FIFA announced on Friday. Messi captained Argentina to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy in Qatar last year, beating France in a dramatic final. Messi won the tournament’s Golden Ball, while his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Mbappe secured the Golden Boot with eight goals. Mbappe’s compatriot Benzema won last year’s Ballon d’Or for winning UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles with…

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    • 9 February
      285

      Real Madrid beat Al Ahly 4-1 to reach Club World Cup final

      Madrid thrashed the Egyptian side to set up a clash with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in Saturday’s final in Rabat, Morocco. Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, left, celebrates scoring their third goal against Al Ahly with Dani Ceballos [Susana Vera/Reuters] Real Madrid has secured its place in the Club World Cup final with a 4-1 win against Egyptian club Al Ahly to keep alive its quest for a record-extending eighth world title. Vinícius Júnior, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo and Sergio Arribas scored for the Spanish side at the sold-out Prince Moulay Abdallah stadium in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, on Wednesday, to set up a clash with Al Hilal in Saturday’s final. The Saudi Arabian team shocked Brazilian club Flamengo 3-2 on Tuesday. Madrid has…

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    • 9 February
      267

      Emir of Qatar wants to buy Man Utd for £4.5 BILLION – but they’d need crucial UEFA rule change to play in Champions League

      Qatar want Man Utd Glazers in process of selling club But UEFA ruling presents stumbling block WHAT HAPPENED? As a potential sale of Manchester United continues to progress, prospective buyers have been blown out of the water by the news that the Emir of Qatar has an interest in purchasing the club. A Qatari bid is believed to be one that would squash all other interested parties, but according to The Guardian, the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani would be presented with a headache thanks to a UEFA ruling. © Provided by GOAL THE BIGGER PICTURE: The Emir already owns Paris Saint-Germain, having completed a takeover in 2011. A UEFA rule states that clubs with the same owners are unable to face each other in their competitions,…

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    • 4 February
      214

      Lionel Messi considering playing on until 2026 World Cup: Report

      The Paris Saint-Germain forward previously declared the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would mark his last appearance in football’s showpiece event. Buenos Aires: Argentina captain Lionel Messi has left open the possibility of playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but says his participation will depend on ‘many things’. The Paris Saint-Germain forward previously declared the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would mark his last appearance in football’s showpiece event. But Argentina’s triumphant campaign — in which Messi scored seven goals and won the best player award of the tournament — has prompted him to reconsider the possibility of playing in a sixth World Cup. Messi will turn 39 during the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. “I don’t…

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