Category: Soccer Players

Robinho in Brazil squad for Chape fundraiser versus Colombia

Veteran forward Robinho has been called back into Brazil’s national team for Wednesday’s friendly against Colombia – a match that will raise funds for the families of the victims of the Chapecoense team air crash. The former Real Madrid, Manchester City and AC Milan player has not played for Brazil since the 2015 Copa America.

Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi stepping out of brother’s shadow

Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi follows the Italian Cup, Round of 16 soccer match between Lazio and Genoa at the Rome Olympic stadium Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017. Lazio’s Ciro Immobile, top, celebrates after scoring during the Italian Cup, Round of 16 soccer match between Lazio and Genoa at the Rome Olympic stadium Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017.

Koeman open to moves for Deulofeu and Jagielka

Ronald Koeman would be happy to let Gerard Deulofeu leave Everton – and captain Phil Jagielka could also be nearing the exit door. AC Milan have been in negotiations over a loan move for winger Deulofeu but the terms of the deal have been a sticking point and no agreement has been reached.

Chelsea interest will disappear if Traore loses focus – Karanka

Adama Traore has been warned not to risk losing his place in the Middlesbrough team by getting carried away with Premier League leaders Chelsea’s pursuit of him. The Blues are understood to have registered an interest in the 20-year-old Spanish winger, who only joined Boro from Aston Villa in August, after a series of high-octane individual displays in the top flight.

Bayern sign Hoffenheim duo Rudy, Suele for next season

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich have bolstered their defensive options by signing Hoffenheim team mates Sebastian Rudy and Niklas Suele for next season, the German champions said on Sunday. With captain Philipp Lahm and Spaniard Xabi Alonso nearing the end of their careers, Rudy, 26, will provide another option in defensive midfield, while 21-year-old Suele will be charged with plugging holes in Bayern’s central defence.

Bending it like Faiz

Would Manuel Neuer, arguably the best goalkeeper on the planet, have saved Faiz Subri’s freekick goal that won him the Puskas Award? That was a question that Bayern Munich social media team asked their fans in a tweet. The tweet was accompanied by a selfie of Neuer and Faiz, taken by the former.

Barca president predicts ‘happy ending’ on Messi contract

BARCELONA, Spain – Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says extending Lionel Messi’s contract is “essential” for the club and predicts negotiations will have “a happy ending.” Messi’s current deal ends in 2018, and Bartomeu says he has been personally leading the talks to renew the contract of “the best player in history.”

How China is fuelling the African Cup of Nations with stadiums

The African Cup of Nations may not feature many Chinese-based players, but it will be a good demonstration of their soft power on the continent With the 2017 African Cup of Nations about to start in Gabon, one could be forgiven for switching one’s attention away from Europe’s big leagues and also from the transfer frenzy prompted by the newly re-opened Chinese player transfer window. The African Cup of Nations is a showcase for the continent’s best football talent, although it inevitably causes controversy as players based in Europe often face a choice of leaving their clubs mid-season or else missing out on playing for their countries.

Manchester United 2-0 Hull City: Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini…

LIVE: Manchester United v Hull… Mourinho on the way to Wembley again as Mata and Fellaini strike to break Hull’s resistance Bet you can’t wait for the replay! Can reveals he was given a ‘wet willy’ during FA Cup draw with Plymouth World Cup madness: 48 countries, 16 groups and shoot-outs to decide ALL draws… FIFA chiefs vote for bloated new format If the 48-team World Cup was today, here’s who would line up… from Brazil to Curacao but Scotland would MISS OUT The ultimate football fairytale? Last month, this kid was made redundant at the Bentley factory in Crewe.

Mourinho keen to continue EFL Cup love affair

Jose Mourinho has pledged to give Manchester United’s EFL Cup semi-final against Hull everything, despite this weekend’s mouth-watering clash with Liverpool looming large. United will look to extend an eight-match winning run in all competitions when the Premier League’s bottom side arrive at Old Trafford for tonight’s first leg.

Higuain helps Juventus to record 26th straight home win

Roma’s Brazilian defender Bruno Peres, second from left, celebrates with his teammates Bosnian forward Edin Dzeko, Argentinian defender Federico Fazio and Brazilian defender Emerson Palmieri, after Genoa’s Italian defender Armando Izzo scored an own goal during a Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Roma at Genoa’s Luigi Ferraris Stadium, Italy, Jan. 8, 2017. Inter Milan’s head coach Stefano Pioli gives directions to his players during a Serie A soccer match between Udinese and Inter Milan, at Friuli stadium in Udine, Italy, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017.

A Man Utd great – Rooney deserves his place in Old Trafford history

The skipper racked up his record-equalling 249th Manchester United goal on Saturday, and Kris Voakes argues that he should be regarded as one of the club’s greatest players “It’s a strange twist of fate that if Newcastle hadn’t come in for him he wouldn’t be here, he’d probably still be at Everton,” explained the legendary manager. “Once we knew Everton were talking to another club we had to do something.

Rooney equals record by scoring his 249th Man United goal

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney warms up ahead of during the English FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Reading at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017. MANCHESTER, England – Wayne Rooney became Manchester United’s joint leading scorer of all time when he scored his 249th goal for the club on Saturday in the FA Cup third-round match against Reading.

Premier League is very difficult, says Thomas Muller

Johannesburg [South Africa], Jan. 7 : German footballer Thomas Muller, who plays for Bayern Munich, has insisted that the English Premier League is very difficult and thus struggles of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola in this season come as no surprise. [NK Sports] Guardiola’s team has been struggling for consistency in the ongoing tournament, although they are just seven points behind top-ranked Chelsea who suffered a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.

Ronaldo favored to win his 4th FIFA award as world’s best

Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarkable run of success can continue with a fourth FIFA award as the world’s best player on Monday. A European champion with club and country last year, the Real Madrid and Portugal forward is favored to beat great rival Lionel Messi and France forward Antoine Griezmann when winners of the rebranded Best FIFA Football Awards are presented in Zurich.

Sport24.co.za | Firmino loving life on Merseyside

Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is aiming to stay at Anfield “for many years”, having cemented his place in Jurgen Klopp’s starting line-up. The 25-year-old has played an important role in the Merseyside outfit’s strong start to the 2016/17 campaign, netting six times and providing three assists in 19 league appearances.

Messi scores stunning free-kick yet Barcelona lose first leg…

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates with his teammate Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona after scoring their opening goal during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 first leg match between Athletic Club and FC Barcelona at San Mames Stadium on January 5, 2017 in Bilbao, Spain The defending champs have it all to do in the second leg which takes place next Wednesday at the Nou Camp. King’s Cup holders Barcelona have a fight on their hands if they are to remain in the competition after losing a fiery first leg of their last-16 tie at Athletic Club 2-1 on Thursday despite playing the final 10 minutes with a two-man advantage.

Derby County bid A 2.5m for Henri Lansbury as Nottingham Forest…

Middlesbrough v Leicester LIVE: Can champions make it back-to-back wins? Follow all the Riverside Stadium action as it happens United are rediscovering their groove and returning to the club’s winning traditions… but how has Mourinho returned belief to flagging stars? New Year’s resolutions for the Premier League: From Arsenal’s contract woe to the next step for United – how clubs will hope to make 2017 a great year Oscar’s Chinese adventure begins as he meets adoring fans at airport after A 52m move from Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG CHRIS SUTTON’S transfer window guide: Griezmann can be Ibrahimovic’s long-term, while Chelsea will make a statement if they get Rodriguez… The Harry and Dele show: Kane and Alli both strike twice as Tottenham run riot in four-goal Watford win to push Man City out of the top four Work of art: Wenger hails Giroud’s scorpion kick as the greatest goal he has … (more)

Middlesbrough make transfer move for Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu as the winter window opens

The 22-year-old forward has moved down the Toffees ‘ pecking order since Ronald Koeman took charge, starting just four league matches so far this season, and Boro boss Aitor Karanka is a fan. The Spaniard has also inquired about his countryman Bojan Krkic at Stoke – like Deulofeu, a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy – as he looks to move on a few players from his ranks.

Tottenham are still being haunted by their title challenge collapse admits captain Hugo Lloris

But a 1-1 at home to West Brom, a draw from 2-0 up at halftime at Chelsea, a loss to visitors Southampton and then a 5-1 hammering on the final day against already-down Newcastle in the final four matches saw any hope of a first top-flight triumph for more than 50 years vanish. “The taste of the last few games of last season is still here,” said the 30-year-old France skipper.

Guardiola tuning up for Klopp’s heavy metal attack

No coach in football is better at crafting the type of attacking play Jurgen Klopp implements at Liverpool, says Man City’s Pep Guardiola. Pep Guardiola hopes not to be on the receiving end of another lesson from Jurgen Klopp when Manchester City travel to face Liverpool and a man he believes to be the best out-and-out attacking coach in world football.

Chinese soccer’s rising riches yet to bode well for the game

Chinese supporter cheers for their team before the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Preliminary Joint Qualification soccer match Qatar vs China at the Al Sadd Stadium in Doha, Qatar, October 8, 2015. [Photo/IC] A host of teams in the Chinese Super League, the country’s top soccer league, have witnessed big changes in their major shareholders as well as squads after this season.

Eden Hazard is the one player defenders really fear… the Chelsea…

Secrets of Conte’s success: After 16 years at Juve, he is so obsessed with winning his daughter’s name translates to ‘Victory’ – but he has a human touch to soften his ferocious work ethic Giggs in frame for Swansea job: Man United legend back on Welsh club’s wishlist despite poor interview last time Carragher: Bradley’s sacking inevitable after Boxing Day hiding but Swansea’s issues began when they got rid of Monk Klopp insists there was no way he would have dropped Firmino after Christmas Eve arrest as Brazilian stars in win Liverpool keep pressure on Chelsea by thrashing Stoke: Reds run riot after falling behind to leapfrog Pep’s City into second Sturridge insists he’s not had any issues with being left out after finally netting his first Premier League goal of the seaosn Manchester United target Lindelof set to sign new contract with Benfica that could raise buy-out clause to over A … (more)

Stoke’s poor league run at Liverpool continues after 4-1 loss as…

Secrets of Conte’s success: After 16 years at Juve, he is so obsessed with winning his daughter’s name translates to ‘Victory’ – but he has a human touch to soften his ferocious work ethic Giggs in frame for Swansea job: Man United legend back on Welsh club’s wishlist despite poor interview last time Carragher: Bradley’s sacking inevitable after Boxing Day hiding but Swansea’s issues began when they got rid of Monk Klopp insists there was no way he would have dropped Firmino after Christmas Eve arrest as Brazilian stars in win Liverpool keep pressure on Chelsea by thrashing Stoke: Reds run riot after falling behind to leapfrog Pep’s City into second Sturridge insists he’s not had any issues with being left out after finally netting his first Premier League goal of the seaosn Manchester United target Lindelof set to sign new contract with Benfica that could raise buy-out clause to over A … (more)

Evan Ream: My unsuccessful foray into Boxing Day football

After some basic research , I’m still not exactly sure what the holiday actually means or why many British Commonwealth countries observe such an oddly named tradition. But in the United States, celebration of the day has gained steam through the annual event most Americans likely associate with it: a full slate of Premier League football – the United Kingdom’s version of Thanksgiving pigskin.

Clint Hill applauds the Rangers fans at full-time at Ibrox on Saturday.

CLINT Hill has admitted he would dearly like to give Rangers supporters a late Christmas present – a win over Celtic at Ibrox which prevents their fierce city rivals from going the domestic season unbeaten. Mark Warburton’s side is currently 14 points behind Brendan Rodgers’s team, who still have a game in hand, in the Ladbrokes Premiership table and are unlikely to catch them.

Mkhitaryan masterpiece keeps Man United rolling in EPL

Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Monday, Dec. 26, 2016. Photo Credit: AP Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Monday, Dec. 26, 2016.