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Tag: football news

  • Steven Gerrard says ‘circle of relatives feeling’ was once a key reason why for becoming a member of Al-Ettifaq

    Steven Gerrard mentioned a “circle of relatives feeling” at Saudi Arabian Professional league membership Al-Ettifaq was once probably the most issues that persuaded him to just accept a training activity with the aspect.

    The previous England and Liverpool captain signed a three-year contract closing week after prior to now announcing he would now not be taking over an be offering to sign up for the crew.

    The 43-year-old Gerrard had a metamorphosis of middle and has grow to be the newest giant identify to sign up for the Saudi league.

    “Once I went to Saudi I were given an actual circle of relatives feeling. It made me in fact really feel welcomed,” Gerrard informed Al-Ettifaq’s Twitter account on Sunday.
    “There are 3 issues I at all times imagine so as — it must be proper for my circle of relatives in the beginning. We need to be excited and motivated via the problem,” he mentioned.

    “Secondly I feel the soccer undertaking must be formidable, it must be for the suitable causes, after which after all you wish to have to really feel safe with the contract, however this comes on the very finish.”

    The transfer is the newest in a variety of high-profile offers since Al-Nassr signed Cristiano Ronaldo closing December. Former Actual Madrid striker Karim Benzema joined Al-Ittihad in June.

    Gerrard follows within the footsteps of his former crew mate Robbie Fowler who was once appointed trainer of Saudi 2d department crew Al-Qadsiah on Thursday.

    Gerrard guided Rangers to their first Scottish Premiership identify in 10 years in 2021 earlier than leaving for Aston Villa, the place he was once sacked closing October.

    Al-Ettifaq completed 7th within the top-tier Saudi Professional League closing season.

  • Guy Utd nonetheless in discussions with keeper De Gea as contract runs out

    Manchester United stay in discussions with goalkeeper David De Gea even because the Spaniard’s contract with the Previous Trafford facet expires on Friday, the Premier League membership stated.

    De Gea, who joined United in 2011 when Alex Ferguson used to be supervisor, is the present squad’s longest-serving participant having made just about 550 appearances for the membership.

    “David De Gea’s contract is because of run out however discussions stay open with the long-serving keeper,” United stated in a remark.

    De Gea gained his 2nd Premier League Golden Glove final season after he stored 17 blank sheets however the four-time membership participant of the yr has come underneath the microscope for his shortcomings and mistakes in recent times.

    The 32-year-old shot-stopper is without doubt one of the highest-paid avid gamers on the membership consistent with British media however has no longer featured for Spain since 2020.

    The BBC reported that De Gea is getting married this weekend and any new deal may not be signed till he resumes face-to-face talks at United.
    United have additionally been connected with a transfer for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.

  • Lionel Messi anticipated to make his Inter Miami debut on July 21

    Lionel Messi is anticipated to make his Main League Football debut with Inter Miami at a July 21 house sport, the staff showed on Tuesday.

    Proprietor Jorge Mas advised decided on shops on Monday that his membership and Messi have agreed to phrases and are finalizing forms and a visa. The staff showed positive main points Tuesday to The Related Press, together with that Messi will probably be signing a freelance in the course of the finish of the 2025 season with an choice for 2026.

    Messi’s contract will probably be value $50 million to $60 million in step with yr, the staff mentioned Tuesday. He can’t signal till someday in July, after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires.

    Messi, 35, introduced on June 7 that he used to be becoming a member of Miami. The Argentinian nice’s first sport in Castle Lauderdale can be towards Cruz Azul within the Leagues Cup.

    The staff additionally showed Tuesday that it’s expanding capability at DRV PNK Stadium via 3,000 to a few,200 seats within the subsequent 4 weeks via filling within the corners, elevating capability to about 22,000.

    “I feel there’ll at all times be a sooner than and after Messi after we communicate in regards to the game in the US,” Mas advised the Miami Usher in. “I’ve an excessively, very robust held trust that we will be able to create in North The united states and the US if now not the best league, one of the vital best two leagues on the earth. I will not over emphasize the magnitude of this announcement.”

    Miami is also finalizing a freelance with midfielder Sergio Busquets, Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, the Usher in mentioned, mentioning a league supply.

    Mas additionally mentioned he hopes to start out building all over the following two weeks on Miami Freedom Park, the staff’s long-term house close to Miami World Airport, and is focused on to have the venue open in the summertime or fall of 2025, the Usher in reported.

    Miami plans to reinforce safety, bussing gamers into the stadium for video games, Mas mentioned.

  • Kai Havertz is helping Germany salvage 3-3 draw with Ukraine, proceeds going to struggle sufferers

    Kai Havertz helped Germany salvage a 3-3 draw with Ukraine in a charity pleasant that left neither crew glad from a carrying point of view on Monday.

    Viktor Tsyhankov had scored two times for Ukraine to come back from at the back of and lead 3-1 in Serhiy Rebrov ’s debut as trainer, hanging his crew on target for the rustic’s first ever win over Germany.

    However Havertz pulled one again within the 83rd and used to be then fouled for a penalty that Joshua Kimmich transformed in stoppage time for the equalizer.

    The German football federation used to be donating the proceeds to sufferers of Russia’s struggle in Ukraine. The fit used to be additionally billed because the federation’s 1,000th, however the crew’s efficiency will do little to revive battered German self assurance a yr sooner than the rustic hosts the Ecu Championship.

    The accumulation used to be overshadowed through the struggle in Ukraine with each groups taking to the sector accompanied through youngsters who had fled their nation to flee the invasion.

    Each visiting participant used to be draped in a Ukrainian flag. The groups posed for person footage — with Ukraine’s in entrance of every other large blue-and-yellow flag — sooner than German and Ukrainian gamers posed for a blended picture at the back of a banner with the phrase “peace.”

    The German gamers additionally had a peace image at the hands in their jerseys.

    Niclas Füllkrug, enjoying in his house stadium, used to be proficient an enormous probability through Mykhailo Mudryk in the second one minute however the Werder Bremen ahead neglected with handiest the goalkeeper to overcome.

    Füllkrug used to be credited with the outlet function within the 6th when he deflected Marius Wolf’s shot previous Anatoliy Trubin within the guests’ function.

    Germany neglected additional just right probabilities in opposition to the disorganized guests sooner than Tsyhankov equalized on a counterattack within the nineteenth.

    Mudryk pressured an personal function from Antonio Rüdiger 4 mins later to make it 2-1, delighting the visiting supporters. The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, celebrated with restraint beside German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who smiled and held out his hand to congratulate him.

    Buoyed through the targets, Ukraine driven for extra sooner than the house crew recovered.

    Nevertheless it used to be an ordinary show of past due from Germany — reputedly in keep an eye on, growing probabilities, but nonetheless vulnerable to pricey errors.

    Trainer Hansi Flick reacted through bringing on Havertz and Lukas Klostermann for the second one part, however little modified.

    Artem Dovbyk capitalized on every other mistake to arrange Tsyhankov for the 3rd function within the 56th.

    Additional German errors resulted in whistles from some within the crowd.

    They had been in any case given reason why to cheer when Rüdiger despatched a protracted ball ahead for Havertz to attain.

    Havertz used to be then fouled as he driven for the equalizer and Kimmich, the Germany captain, made no mistake from the spot.

  • ‘Champions League is a coin toss, however identify was once written in stars’: Manchester Town boss Pep Guardiola

    ISTANBUL: Manchester Town’s Champions League ultimate victory over Inter Milan was once “written within the stars”, supervisor Pep Guardiola stated after his facet secured the treble on Saturday.

    The 52-year-old Spaniard finished his assortment at Town as compatriot Rodri fired house the one purpose within the 68th minute for a hardfought 1-0 victory towards the dogged Italians.

    Guardiola has now emulated Alex Ferguson, whose Manchester United facet additionally swept to a Premier League/FA Cup/Champions League treble in 1999, and has delivered 12 main trophies for Town.

    Now not handiest that, however he’s the primary trainer to win two trebles, having accomplished the Spanish model as Barcelona supervisor in 2009, profitable Los angeles Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League.

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    — Kevin De Bruyne (@KevinDeBruyne) June 10, 2023

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    Guardiola has now claimed 3 Champions League titles as a supervisor and handiest Carlo Ancelotti with 4 has gained extra.

    He stated he had won a just right good fortune message from Ferguson, whose 38 trophies for United nonetheless dwarfs Guardiola’s haul of 17 with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Town.

    “It’s an honour for me to be along Alex Ferguson,” Guardiola informed journalists. “I had a message from this morning that touched me so much, that was once so great.”

    United’s treble was once accomplished with a phenomenal last-gasp comeback towards Bayern Munich and whilst Town’s was once much less dramatic, they have been nonetheless made to undergo.

    Desires come true ?#UCLfinal %.twitter.com/A0TjIdD91C

    — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 10, 2023

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    TOUGH NUT

    As Guardiola predicted, Inter proved a tricky nut to crack they usually threatened to increase Town’s look forward to the trophy that proprietor Sheikh Mansour has longed for since purchasing the membership in 2008.

    “Drained. Calm. Happy. It’s so tough to win it,” stated an emotional Guardiola after hugging each one in every of his avid gamers and the membership’s hierarchy who joined the pitch celebrations.

    “Inter are actually just right. Be affected person, I stated at halftime. You must be fortunate. This festival is a coin toss.

    “It was once written within the stars. It belongs to us.”

    Guardiola’s facet, who arrived within the ultimate with just one defeat of their final 27 video games in all competitions, have been a ways from their very best, even supposing credit score will have to pass to Inter who disrupted Town’s rhythm with a tenacious show.

    Town additionally needed to get well from dropping leader playmaker Kevin De Bruyne to harm within the first part whilst Erling Haaland, scorer of 52 objectives this season, was once neatly shackled via Inter’s defence.

    “We weren’t at our very best degree. After the Global Cup the workforce made a step ahead and we have been there. It wasn’t our very best efficiency,” Guardiola stated.

    Dreamland. #UCLfinal %.twitter.com/8XBXUDVxud

    — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 10, 2023

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    Town will probably be going for a fourth successive Premier League crown subsequent season and will probably be one of the most favourites to assert the Champions League once more.

    “I don’t have any power to take into accounts subsequent season, it’s inconceivable. We want a spoil, it’s too lengthy,” Guardiola stated.

    “Our avid gamers have world video games now. UEFA and FIFA, take into accounts it. The Premier League completed two or 3 weeks in the past, now other people have to return again. It’s an excessive amount of.”

    And whilst Town have now joined the ranks of Ecu champions, Guardiola stated they have got a protracted solution to pass sooner than they may be able to be declared true Ecu heavyweights.

    “We at the moment are handiest 13 (Champions Leagues) in the back of Actual Madrid,” Guardiola, who was once applauded out and in of the click convention, joked. “In case you they sleep just a little we will catch them.

    “Some groups disappear after profitable the Champions League, so we need to keep away from that. However now you’ll forestall asking me concerning the Champions League.”

  • FA Cup hero Ilkay Gundogan mum on long term with Manchester Town

    If Ilkay Gundogan does go away Manchester Town when his contract expires subsequent month, he gave the membership’s enthusiasts a parting reward to bear in mind via scoring each targets in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over cross-town competitors Manchester United within the FA Cup ultimate.

    The outcome left Pep Guardiola’s males one win clear of finishing a miles sought-after treble because the Premier League victors will face Inter Milan in subsequent weekend’s Champions League ultimate.

    The 32-year-old Gundogan, whose brace integrated the quickest target ever scored in FA Cup ultimate historical past when he netted after simply 12 seconds, used to be non-committal when requested about his long term.

    “To be truthful, I don’t want all these days to really feel preferred and to really feel particular on this membership,” he instructed the BBC.

    “I do know that, that’s why I’m already right here seven years with all of the up and downs that I’ve had to this point, and not anything is made up our minds but. So we’re going to look what’s going to occur.”

    Guardiola had no solutions both, announcing he used to be “hopeful” his staff can re-sign the German world who has been related to a number of different golf equipment together with AC Milan and Arsenal.

    Enthusiasts had slightly settled down of their seats when a gorgeous lengthy volley from Gundogan ended up in the back of the online.

    “The ball simply used to be positioned amazingly for me and I simply needed to hit it,” he mentioned. “Clearly it used to be fairly a just right strike and it went in and it used to be superb.”

    He scuffed a 2nd volley previous United keeper David De Gea to seal the victory for Town.

    Gundogan has been an unsung hero for Town at the back of goal-scoring gadget Erling Haaland, who has scored 52 targets in all competitions in his debut season for the membership.

    The German just about netted a hat-trick on Saturday at a sun-soaked Wembley Stadium, however what would were his 3rd target used to be flagged as offside.

    With Town aiming to turn into handiest the second one English membership to finish the treble, and emulate Manchester United’s 1999 feat, Gundogan’s focal point temporarily switched to the showdown in Istanbul in opposition to Inter.

    “Clearly we’re enjoying finals to win them and particularly that one will really feel much more particular,” Gundogan mentioned.
    “Attending to the overall for the second one time in 3 years, it’s already a super fulfillment, and I believe that now we need to do it. And that is the objective for subsequent week.”

  • Braga vs Porto Prediction and Making a bet Pointers | 4th June 2023

    Braga are set to play Porto on the Centro Desportivo Nacional do Jamor on Sunday within the ultimate of the Taca de Portugal.

    Braga come into this sport at the again of a 3-0 win over Cesar Peixoto’s Pacos de Ferreira within the league. Objectives from Spanish attacker Alvaro Djalo, winger Ricardo Horta and French ahead Simon Banza secured the win for Artur Jorge’s Braga.

    Porto, alternatively, beat ten-man Vitoria 3-0 within the league. Objectives from Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi, midfielder Otavio and Brazilian striker Evanilson sealed the deal for Sergio Conceicao’s Porto.

    Braga vs Porto Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
    In 40 head-to-head encounters between the 2 aspects, Porto have gained 21 video games, misplaced 10 and drawn 9.Portugal world Ricardo Horta has 22 purpose contributions in 30 league begins for Braga this season.French attacker Simon Banza has 13 purpose contributions in 15 league begins for Braga this season.Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi has 29 purpose contributions in 31 league begins for Porto this season.Brazilian winger Galeno has 11 purpose contributions in 20 league begins for Porto this season.,Braga vs Porto Prediction

    Braga are recently third within the league, and feature gained 3 in their closing 5 league video games. They’ve loved a excellent season locally, and a a hit cup ultimate would raise their season to any other degree.

    Attacker Ricardo Horta has been a key participant for Braga this season. The 28-year outdated has been a constant performer at membership degree for a while now, and Braga have completed smartly to stay grasp of him.

    Porto, alternatively, are second within the league. The cup ultimate may probably be supervisor Sergio Conceicao’s closing sport as supervisor of the membership; the previous Braga and Nantes boss has been connected with a transfer to Serie A champions Napoli. Conceicao has been at Porto since 2017; for a supervisor to closing this lengthy at a most sensible Ecu membership is surely an anomaly.

    Then again, it may be time for Porto to attract an finish to the Conceicao bankruptcy and get started contemporary. Benfica have appeared dominant below Roger Schmidt, and a few new concepts may well be had to revitalise Porto.

    Porto to win this sport.

    Prediction: Braga 0-2 Porto

    Braga vs Porto Making a bet Pointers

    Tip 1: Outcome- Porto

    Tip 2: sport to have over / below 2.5 goals- below 2.5 aims

    Tip 3: Porto to stay a blank sheet- sure

    Fast Hyperlinks

    Extra from Sportskeeda

  • Lionel Messi switch to Saudi Arabia: ‘Would whole jump made by means of Cristiano Ronaldo’, says Prez of Saudi Arabian FA

    Lionel Messi’s switch saga this summer time has taken any other flip after Saudi Arabia FA President Yasser Al-Misehal showed their hobby in bringing the Argentine celebrity to the center east.

    In step with a file on objective.com Saudi FA president spoke to SSC Information and mentioned, “I don’t have any information to be fair. There’s certainly that in my opinion, I want to see Messi within the Saudi Arabian league. It will whole the good jump that was once made by means of Cristiano.”

    If Messi does make a transfer to Saudi Arabia, then it’s going to be a very powerful second in soccer’s historical past.

    He’ll apply Ronaldo’s footsteps, and will likely be a significant addition to the Heart East, thus converting the area’s soccer panorama.

    The transfer may just additionally spice up the rising monetary energy of Saudi Arabia, which has been making an investment closely in soccer lately, and is now one of the crucial richest leagues on this planet.

    Messi’s doable arrival may just additionally draw in different most sensible avid gamers to the Saudi Skilled League.

    In the meantime, Messi was once featured in Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) promotional video for his or her 2023-24 equipment. This fuelled speculations that he may stay on the French membership for any other season.

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    — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) Would possibly 31, 2023

    Apparently, Brazilian big name Neymar additionally seems along Messi.

  • Dortmund in a position to raise Bundesliga trophy, Bayern hope for dramatic twist

    The degree is ready in Dortmund for essentially the most dramatic Bundesliga finale in additional than a decade with Borussia lovers determined to peer the group win their first league name in 11 years on Saturday in opposition to guests Mainz 05.

    The Ruhr valley membership, who ultimate gained the Bundesliga underneath then trainer Juergen Klopp in 2012, are one win clear of ensuring they elevate the Meisterschale in entrance of a sold-out 81,000 house crowd at the ultimate matchday of the season.

    Dortmund are two issues transparent of Bayern Munich going into the ultimate sport and know {that a} draw and even defeat would possibly nonetheless be sufficient to safe the name relying on Bayern’s lead to Cologne.

    However in Dortmund there is not any function rather than to win.

    “We simply need to win yet another time,” mentioned Dortmund sports activities director Sebastian Kehl, captain of the 2012-title successful group.

    “Principally I’ve a excellent feeling however I do know that we need to carry out in reality smartly yet another time after which we will be able to deserve it.

    “When the gamers trip the bus to the stadium they’ll be cheered on by means of the crowds. That may push them.”

    Victory in opposition to Mainz to safe the name could be a big fulfillment for Dortmund trainer Edin Terzic, who needed to bear a rollercoaster season with the group virtually out of the race by means of the midway mark.

    It might additionally mark the largest luck of captain Marco Reus’ lengthy and injury-plagued profession, with the 33-year-old being one of the proficient gamers of his technology however having up to now didn’t win a league name.

    “What he has all the time been accused of is that he hasn’t ever gained the championship,” Kehl mentioned. “He feels sorry for that and he’s going to do the whole lot that we’re champions on Saturday, but additionally for him.”

    The ambience may just no longer be extra other in Munich, the place trainer Thomas Tuchel, whose group suffered a surprise 3-1 house loss to RB Leipzig ultimate week to give up the lead within the name race, is attempting to persuade his gamers that each one isn’t misplaced.

    And Bayern aren’t any strangers to dramatic name wins – in 2001 they bagged a stoppage time function at the ultimate day of the season to grab the name from Schalke 04.

    Ruling the Bavarians out, even at the ultimate matchday, is a dangerous trade.

  • Lionel Messi to Saudi Arabia is a no cross, representing corporate state: ‘Not anything with any membership for subsequent 12 months’

    Hours after stories surfaced that Lionel Messi will likely be following Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Professional League subsequent season, Group Messi, the corporate that represents the participant and is headed via his father, Jorge have denied the similar and mentioned {that a} determination at the Argentinean’s profession will probably be taken on the finish of the season.

    “There’s completely not anything with any membership for subsequent 12 months. The verdict won’t ever be made prior to Lionel finishes the league with PSG,” reads the commentary as quoted via Clarin. “As soon as the season ends it’ll be time to investigate and spot what’s there, after which come to a decision.”

    It additional reads, “There are all the time rumors and plenty of use the identify of Lionel to achieve notoriety however the reality is just one and we will guarantee you that there’s not anything with any individual. Neither verbal nor signed nor agreed, and there is probably not till the tip of the season.”

    The commentary additionally criticised he media for spreading “malicious rumors into information.”

    “It kind of feels to me a loss of recognize for the media the place they reply, that there are those that misinform consciously and intentionally, with out offering any evidence in their claims, and in need of to change into into information any malicious rumor or this is directed via somebody in prefer in their pursuits. They might have to provide an explanation for why they don’t take a look at their data. They gained’t need the reality to spoil their ‘information’.”

    The connection between the Parisian fanatics and Messi has reportedly taken a blow following the 2022 International Cup ultimate that noticed Messi and Co finish a 36-year wait to win the rustic’s 3rd International Cup towards France within the ultimate.

    PSG had suspended Messi ultimate week, terming a up to date shuttle to Saudi Arabia which got here with out the membership’s authorisation as the cause of the similar.

    Following the similar, Messi had recorded an apology video on his social media, “I believed we have been going to have a time without work after the sport as all the time. I had this shuttle arranged and I couldn’t cancel it. I had already canceled it prior to. I say sorry to my teammates and I’m looking forward to what the membership desires to do with me.”

    Messi, who moved from Barcelona to Paris in the summertime of 2021, has been connected to a transfer again to the Catalan membership. A transfer that has been publicly mentioned and thought to be via the hierarchies on the Nou Camp together with membership supervisor Xavi, who performed huge a part of his membership soccer along the Argentine.