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Iniesta to leave Vissel Kobe but vows to play on

 Spanish footballer Andres Iniesta, former Barcelona star and a present midfielder with Japanese club Vissel Kobe, leaves at the end of a press conference in Kobe on May 25, 2023. Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta will leave Vissel Kobe after five years at the Japanese club. The 39-year-old will play his final match for the side on 1 July, midway through the J-League season. Iniesta, who has made just three substitute appearances so far this season for league leaders Vissel, has no plans to retire immediately. “I want to finish my time here properly and then see what options are available to me,” he said. “I want to keep playing and then retire while I’m still active. That’s difficult for me to do here, so I want to find a place where I can eventually retire.” ...
NEWS

Marcelo Bielsa named Uruguay manager until 2026 FIFA World Cup

 Marcelo Bielsa the head coach / manager of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on February 26, 2022 in Leeds, United Kingdom.Marcelo Bielsa was named coach of Uruguay on Monday, the 67-year-old Argentine tasked with taking them to the 2026 World Cup. Bielsa, who was sacked by Leeds United in February last year, takes over from Diego Alonso after he oversaw a disappointing World Cup campaign which ended in the group stage. “The man from Rosario will take the reins of the squad after his tenure at Leeds, a club which he managed between June 2018 and February 2022,” Uruguay’s football association said in naming Bielsa to the post. Bielsa will be presented to the media on Wednesday. He has had a long career in football ma...
NEWS

AC Milan can reach Champions League final – Pioli

 Milan head coach Stefano Pioli during the match Roma v Milan at the Stadio Olimpico. Rome (Italy), April 29th, 2023. AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli believes his side can reach the Champions League final, despite trailing Inter Milan 2-0 after the semi-final first leg. The two teams play the second leg on Tuesday at the San Siro, with Inter the designated home team. Goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan gave Inter victory in Wednesday’s first leg. “We know we are starting with a disadvantage, but we also have the quality to overturn it,” said Pioli. “Now, more than ever, nobody thinks Milan can reach the final. “We can play a great game and I know how strong my players are. We’ve made some mistakes, but the past is irrelevant. “We have an important goal in mind – to win an...
NEWS

Gatti snatches Juventus late draw against Sevilla in Europa League semi

 Federico Gatti of Juventus scores the equaliser during the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg match between Juventus and Sevilla FC at Allianz Stadium on May 11, 2023 in Turin, Italy.Federico Gatti headed home in the 97th minute to earn Juventus a 1-1 draw against Sevilla in their Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday. Youssef En-Nesyri gave the record six-time champions the lead in the first half and they seemed set to take that advantage back to Seville before Gatti’s late intervention. Moroccan international En-Nesyri finished a sharp counter-attack in the 26th minute to break the deadlock in Turin. Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side deserved their lead at the break and although Juventus improved, the Andalucians shut them out well in their bid to take their advantage back ...
NEWS

Mourinho mocks PSG links: ‘They didn’t find me’

 Roma head coach Jose Mourinho during the match Roma v Milan at the Stadio Olimpico. Rome (Italy), April 29th, 2023. AS Roma boss Jose Mourinho brushed off persistent speculation around taking a managerial role at Paris Saint-Germain, as his team prepares for the first leg of the Europa League semifinal against Bayer Leverkusen at home on Thursday. Despite talk of potentially taking over the Ligue 1 club from Christophe Galtier next season, Mourinho reaffirmed his loyalty to Roma, where he is under contract until 2024.. “If they called, they didn’t find me,” Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia on Wednesday ahead of the prematch news conference. Roma are set to confront a formidable challenge as they go head-to-head against Xabi Alonso’s side on Thursday. Alonso played a pivotal role i...
Cristiano Ronaldo, NEWS

Ronaldo becomes highest-paid athlete after Saudi move

 Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to a missed chance during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Fayha and Al-Nassr at the al-Majmaah stadium in the city of al-Majmaah on April 9, 2023.Cristiano Ronaldo became the world’s highest-paid athlete after his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr nearly doubled his annual playing salary while Paris St Germain (PSG) duo Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe round off the top three, according to Forbes. Ronaldo, who joined the Saudi soccer club on a deal until 2025 after leaving Manchester United last year, earned $136 million with Forbes saying his annual playing salary went up to an estimated $75 million. PSG forward Messi, 35, was next on the list after bringing home a combined $130 million while club teammate and France...
CHELSEA FC, NEWS, Romelu Lukaku, UCL

Romelu Lukaku “will be given the opportunity to stay at Chelsea”

 Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between US Salernitana and FC Internazionale at Stadio Arechi on April 7, 2023 in Salerno, Italy. Romelu Lukaku will reportedly be offered the opportunity to remain at Chelsea during the summer transfer window. Despite scoring 15 goals from 44 appearances during his first year back at Stamford Bridge, it was widely perceived that his £97.5m return to the club had been a failure. As a result, the Belgium international was allowed to immediately reunite with Inter, where he struggled to make an impact during the first half of 2022-23. Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta even hinted that Lukaku would definitely return to Chelsea on the back of his poor form, but the 29-year-old has since improved in recent weeks. Backing up h...
Julian Nagelsmann, NEWS, UCL

Nagelsmann talks collapse in latest twist to Chelsea manager search

 Former head coach Julian Nagelsmann of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern München at BayArena on March 19, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. Julian Nagelsmann will not become the next manager of Chelsea after talks between the two parties collapsed. The Blues had made the German one of four candidates to succeed interim boss Frank Lampard in the summer, along with Mauricio Pochettino, Burnley boss Vincent Kompany and another unnamed candidate. However, talks collapsed on Friday with the club and coach not seeing eye to eye on the decision to undertake a lengthy process to hire the new manager. Chelsea were left unconvinced that Nagelsmann, 35, was the right man to take the club forward after receiving mixed feedback on him during...
EUROPA LEAGUE, Jose Mourinho, NEWS, UCL

Mourinho: ‘I’ve seen it all in Europe, Dybala found joy at Roma’

 AS Roma player Paulo Dybala and coach Josè Mourinho during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal second leg match between AS Roma and Feyenoord at Stadio Olimpico on April 20, 2023 in Rome, Italy.Jose Mourinho hails Roma for knocking Feyenoord out in extra time to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League semi-final, explains why he has ‘white hair and have seen it all’ and how Paulo Dybala rediscovered his joy. The Giallorossi had a battle on their hands at the Olimpico to overturn the 1-0 first leg deficit and were on the verge of elimination when Igor Paixao’s free header cancelled out the Leonardo Spinazzola opener. However, Dybala came off the bench and his fantastic control and turn forced extra time. Stephan El Shaarawy and Lorenzo Pellegrini – with a long VAR wait for the Tamm...
Achraf Hakimi, NEWS, Saida Mouh, UCL

Hakimi’s mother breaks silence on son’s fortune transfer

 Morocco's defender #02 Achraf Hakimi (R) is greeted by his mother at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Belgium and Morocco at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 27, 2022.Saida Mouh, mother of Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has broken her silence on the trending wealth transfer saga. She however emphasised that if her son had not done so, he would not be able to get rid of his ex-wife, Hiba Abouk. Hakimi’s wife, Abouk, had filed for a divorce, seeking to get 50 percent of the player’s assets but was told in court that his assets and wealth are registered under the player’s mother’s name. The pair started courting in 2018, married in 2020 and have two sons. She filed for divorce in March 2023. Reacting, Mouh told Moroccan media – Mor...
Champions League, Erling Haaland, NEWS, UCL

Man City see off Bayern to set up Real Madrid semi

 Erling Haaland of Manchester City reacts to Benjamin Pavard of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal second leg match between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester City at Allianz Arena on April 19, 2023 in Munich, Germany. Manchester City set up a Champions League semi-final clash with holders Real Madrid as Erling Haaland’s goal ended Bayern Munich’s hopes of a comeback. Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel felt his side needed a miracle to go through after losing the first leg 3-0 – and they squandered plenty of opportunities to get back into the game. Haaland made them pay as he lashed home a shot into the top corner to cap off a swift counter-attack, 15 seconds after Ederson had saved Kingsley Coman’s shot at the other end. That was the Norwegian’s 48th goal for City this s...
Champions League, Inter Milan, NEWS, UCL

Inter see off Benfica to set up Milan derby semi-final

 Rafa Silva of SL Benfica is challenged by Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between FC Internazionale and SL Benfica at San Siro Stadium on April 19, 2023 in Milan, Italy.Inter Milan secured a historic Champions League semi-final with arch-rivals AC Milan despite being held by Benfica at an ecstatic San Siro. Leading 2-0 from the first leg in Lisbon, Inter increased their aggregate lead following Nicolo Barella’s sumptuous finish before a bullet header by Fredrik Aursnes gave Benfica hope. Argentina World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez and substitute Joaquin Correa made it 5-1 on aggregate before Benfica scored two late goals through Antonio Silva and Petar Musa. Inter have lost four of their past five games in Serie A to ...
EUROPA LEAGUE, Marcus Rashford, NEWS, UCL

Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw return to Manchester United squad for Sevilla clash

 Marcus Rashford of Manchester United reacts during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground ahead of their UEFA Europa League quarterfinal second leg match against Sevilla FC on April 19, 2023 in Manchester, England.Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has named his 21-man squad for the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla at Estadio Ramon on Thursday night. The headline news is that there is a return to the squad for Marcus Rashford, who has missed the team’s last two matches with the problem that he suffered against Everton on April 8. A statement from Man United in the aftermath of the match said that the England international would be out for ‘a few games’, and he was absent for the first leg against Sevilla, which finished 2-2, an...
EUROPA LEAGUE, Juventus, NEWS, Rafa Benitez, UCL

Rafa Benitez backs Juventus to win the Europa League

 Former Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is seen working for TV company BT Sport ahead of the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 4, 2023.Former Napoli manager Rafa Benitez has backed Juventus to win the Europa League despite their current struggles and believes it could even serve as extra motivation for them to win the competition. The black and whites have had a turbulent season both on and off the pitch, but they could still win the Europa League and Italian Cup, which will make the season a success. The black and whites know these two competitions would give them an amazing chance to give something back to the fans after a terrible season. There are tough clubs left in...
Etihad Stadium, Manchester City, NEWS, UCL

Man City to expand Etihad to over 60,000 capacity

 General view of Etihad Stadium before the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leicester City at Etihad Stadium on April 15, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Manchester City have submitted a planning application to expand the capacity of their Etihad Stadium to more than 60,000, while adding a hotel, museum and other facilities in a £300 million investment. The plans will add around 7,000 new seats to the stadium as well as a new covered fan zone, club shop, museum and 400-bed hotel. Last week, the Etihad was included on the list of 10 stadia which would host matches if the UK and Ireland’s joint bid for organising Euro 2028 is successful, with the bid quoting a planned new capacity of 61,000. “Over several months we have been developing concepts and designs for a best-...
Argentina, NEWS, UCL, World Cup U-20

Argentina replace Indonesia as U20 World Cup host

 Leather soccer ball in empty gate behind net on green football field.Argentina has been chosen to host the Under-20 World Cup after Fifa stripped Indonesia of its right to stage the tournament. The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) bid for the tournament after the official draw for the tournament, which was to be held in Bali, was cancelled. Bali’s governor Wayan Koster refused to host the Israel team. The draw will now take place in Zurich, with the Under-20 World Cup set to be held from 20 May to 11 June. Indonesia does not have any formal diplomatic ties with Israel and protesters recently held marches demanding Israel be stopped from competing in the tournament, in support of Palestine. Indonesia was awarded hosting rights in 2019, before Israel qualified for the tournament ...
AC Milan, NEWS, Ricardo Kaka

Kaka Hopes to Emulate Maldini in Managerial Capacity

AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini (R), Filippo Inzaghi (C), and Kaka (R) celebrate their team's win over Argentina's Boca Juniors at the Club World Cup final in Yokohama, 16 December 2007. AC Milan won the match 4-2.Ricardo Kaka spent six wonderful years in the Rossoneri colours playing alongside Paolo Maldini, as the duo went on to conquer Italy and Europe in remarkable manner. In an exclusive interview with Radio Rossonera (via MilanNews, the Brazilian trequartista revealed the admiration he possesses for the legendary left-back, who many consider to be the greatest ever in that position. “I’m delighted to see Paolo who is doing very well as a manager. Not that I already knew it, but I already imagined it since he was playing . For how he is made, for his will, for his character and fo...
BUNDESLIGA, Florian Wirtz, NEWS

Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Union Saint-Gilloise: Wirtz denies underdogs another Bundesliga scalp

 Florian Wirtz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen scores the team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal first leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at BayArena on April 13, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany.A fine finish from Florian Wirtz rescued Bayer Leverkusen a 1-1 draw at home to Union Saint-Gilloise in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final. Wirtz struck in the 82nd minute just when it appeared a wasteful Leverkusen performance would make them the latest victims of Union’s sensational fairy-tale story. In the Belgian second tier just two years ago and now enjoying their first European campaign since 1964-65, Union had already eliminated another Bundesliga side in namesakes Union Berlin. Victor Boniface scored twice in the away leg of ...
Khephren Thuram, NEWS, TRANSFERS

Real Madrid, Liverpool must pay €60 million for recently-debuted French international

 Khephren Thuram of Nice controls the ball during the UEFA Europa Conference League quarterfinal first leg match between FC Basel and OGC Nice at St. Jakob Stadium on April 13, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland.Real Madrid and Liverpool will reportedly need to fork out €60 million to sign French international midfielder Khephren Thuram this summer. According to a report by French outlet Foot Mercato, Real Madrid and Liverpool are keen on signing Khephren Thuram. But OGC Nice will demand a premium to part ways with the recently-debuted French international. And the youngster will cost around €60 million in the summer transfer window. Khephren Thuram has come leaps and bounds since joining OGC Nice from AS Monaco in June 2019. The 22-year-old is the son of legendary former French footballer Li...
EUROPA LEAGUE, Lisandro Martinez, NEWS

Martinez injury does not look great – Ten Hag

 Marcos Acuna of Sevilla and Gonzalo Montiel of Sevilla carry off Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United after an injury during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal first leg match between Manchester United and Sevilla FC at Old Trafford on April 13, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says Lisandro Martinez’s injury during the Europa League quarter-final with Sevilla “does not look that great”. United, who had used all five substitutes, were reduced to 10 men when defender Martinez was helped off with the home side leading 2-1. United conceded a 92nd-minute equaliser and are likely to be without Martinez for the return leg next Thursday. Ten Hag said afterwards that it was not an Achilles injury. “There was no opponent involved,” said Ten Hag. “We’ll...
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