There is nothing that the other-worldly No. 10 desires more than a trophy with his national team, after so many near-misses over the years.

Photo by Getty Images

Lionel Messi may have won every trophy possible with his club, but failure to gain a major title at international level still haunts the Barcelona talisman.

Barring a minor miracle, however, he will not be breaking that drought at the head of Argentina‘s 2019 Copa America squad. To put it bluntly, this is possibly the weakest and most disorganised national team he has been a part of to date.

The debate over whether Messi deserves the tag of Greatest of All Time, tiresome as it is, continues to rumble. If it were to be judged on pure footballing achievements the little Argentine wizard would perhaps have no peers, having performed feats on the pitch which have never been seen before and doing so consistently now for the best part of 15 years.

Some, though, continue to hold his lack of a World Cup or Copa America winners’ medal as evidence that he does not deserve to be considered in the same breath as a Diego Maradona or Pele. It is a disingenuous argument, to say the least.

Former Inter and Roma playboy Adriano, for instance, not only won the Copa with Brazil in 2004 but also finished that competition as top scorer, and nobody in their right mind would place the striker, as explosive as he was at his best, on the same level as Leo. Julio Baptista has two Copa medals; Uruguay pairing Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan each boast their own medal.

While all of the above are fine players, winning an international title does not put them above Messi, who has practically redefined everything we thought possible in the game and will most likely be remembered as the most scintillating natural talent ever to kick a football. What is undeniable, however, is that his legacy will be marked with an asterisk unless he can couple his heroics with Argentina with silverware.

“I want to finish my career and win something with the national team,” Messi told Fox Sports in an uncharacteristically extended, candid interview after flying home in preparation for the Copa.

“I don’t want to be left with the thought that things didn’t work out. I want to pick myself up and try again. That’s life: fall down, get back up again and fight for your dreams.”

That drive to set the record straight is what motivated Messi to return to the Argentina setup in 2019 after almost nine months of inactivity following the nation’s World Cup exit to France. But if success looked unlikely in Russia, this time round their chances of running out champions appear downright minimal.

Coach Jorge Sampaoli was sacked for his part in the Albiceleste’s chaotic, failed campaign; and for want of a more established candidate Lionel Scaloni stepped into the breach. A brief period at the helm of the country’s Under-20 side was Scaloni’s sole experience as a head coach, and the year that has followed his appointment hints at a man learning the ropes through trial and error.

Scaloni has picked a bewildering number of players prior to this Copa America, some 50 in nine matches. Part of that indecision owed to the logical need to renovate an ageing squad. Just nine men have survived the post-Russia cull to line up in Brazil; a drastic alteration that, while necessary has left Argentina rudderless and disconcerted going into this tournament.

Those who have made the cut are almost strangers, with many playing together for the very first time in Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing of pre-Copa cannon fodder Nicaragua, a game that provided precious few lessons due to the weakness of the opponents, many of whom only managed to catch up with Messi at the final whistle to request a selfie.

A double for the captain and for the promising Lautaro Martinez, as well as a fine showing from Giovani Lo Celso, nevertheless gave the Albiceleste a few glimmers of hope. But Colombia, their first test in Group B on Saturday, will be a far greater challenge and there is little certainty that Scaloni’s men will be ready to hit the ground running in a match that could prove vital to their Copa chances.

Victory in this opening match could prove crucial. Whoever prevails – Paraguayand Qatar complete the quartet – is likely to go on to finish top of Group B. This would probably mean they avoid falling into the half of the knockout draw occupied by hosts Brazil, overwhelming favourites even without Neymar.

Even that outcome, however, may only serve to delay the inevitable. In their current state of uncertainty it is difficult to see Argentina prevailing against the likes of Colombia and Uruguay, let alone the host nation. The presence of Messi, the finest player of his generation and perhaps of all time, is of course a boost – but it is unlikely to be enough to deliver the title he so desperately craves and match Maradona as an Albiceleste idol.

Source – Goal.com

Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi is the world’s highest paid athlete, earning $127m (£99.8m) in the past 12 months, according to the Forbes top 100 ranking.

Messi has scored 603 goals in 687 games for Barcelona

Juventus’s Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo is second on $109m (£85.6m) with Paris St-Germain’s Brazil forward Neymar in third on $105m (£82.5m).

Last year’s highest earner, boxer Floyd Mayweather, has dropped off the list.

Serena Williams is the only woman in the top 100, earning $29.2m (£22.9m).

Five-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua are the highest earning British athletes, sitting at 13th on $55m (£43.2m).

The American business magazine calculated the athletes’ earnings by adding up their prize money, salaries and endorsements between June 2018 and June 2019.

The top 100 includes athletes from 25 countries and their $4bn (£3,1bn) combined earnings are up 5% from the previous year, when Mayweather was first with $285m (£224m).

The American boxer’s only fight since August 2017 was an exhibition boxing bout against Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in December.

Athletes had to earn a minimum of $25m (£19.6m) to make this year’s list.

Messi is only the second footballer to top the rankings after Ronaldo, and only the eighth different athlete to take the number one spot since the rankings began in 1990.

It is also the first time that footballers have ranked as the top three earners in sports.

Messi is one of 38 non-American athletes on the list, with 62 US stars in the top 100.

The NBA accounted for the most athletes with 35, with LA Lakers’ LeBron James the sport’s highest paid athlete in eighth on $89m ahead of Golden State Warriors pair Stephen Curry (9th on $79.8m) and Kevin Durant (10th on $65.4m).

Manchester United’s Paul Pogba is the highest earning Premier League player in 44th place with $33m (£25.9m).

Top 10

1. Lionel Messi $127m (£99.8m)

2. Cristiano Ronaldo $109m (£85.6m)

3. Neymar $105m (£82.5m)

4. Canelo Alvarez $94m (£73.8m)

5. Roger Federer $93.4m (£73.3)

6. Russell Wilson $89.5m (£70.3m)

7. Aaron Rodgers $89.3m £70.1m)

8. LeBron James $89m (£69.9m)

9. Stephen Curry $79.8m (£62.7m)

10, Kevin Durant $65.4m (£51.3m)

Source – BBC News

The former Manchester United defender says giving the club legend the manager’s job makes perfect sense, comparing him to the Man City boss.

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Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Frank Lampard can be Chelsea’s answer to Pep Guardiola.

Ferdinand has described the former Blues midfielder, currently in charge at Championship club Derby County, as the “perfect” candidate for the Stamford Bridge hot seat.

As Goal revealed on Tuesday, Lampard is in the frame to take over from outgoing boss Maurizio Sarri, and has already held talks with Chelsea bosses about making an emotional return to west London.

Former Juventus manager Max Allegri is also believed to be in the running after leading the Turin giants to their fifth Serie A title in a row last season, but Ferdinand has insisted his former England team-mate is the only logical appointment.

“He is the perfect choice,” he told The Mirror . “I will actually be surprised if they look elsewhere.

“They have tried with all these great managers. No disrespect to Allegri, he’s done unbelievable things at Juventus, but they have had Carlo Ancelotti, they have had Conte, Sarri, Mourinho – all managers who have done great things – and never stuck with them.

“So are you going to continue doing that, and keep blowing money away with these managers who you have to pay up after two years? Or are you going to go with someone who the fans are going to love to have back?”

A transfer ban that could potentially cover the next two windows currently hangs over Chelsea, but Ferdinand claims this could work into the club’s hands – if they give the top job to the right candidate.

And if there are those displaying signs of nerves in the Blues’ boardroom due to Lampard’s lack of top flight experience as a manager, he points to the job carried out by Guardiola, who also had just a year of coaching under his belt before he took the reigns at Barcelona in 2008.

“If Chelsea are going to get a ban transfer-wise, I don’t think they can look anywhere but Frank if I am honest,” said Ferdinand.

“Chelsea have had the best young kids in the country for a while now – Manchester City are coming around to that but for a good few years Chelsea have had the best kids and none of them get in the first team.

“As a football club, you would think they would like to change that.

“If they want to change that, there is no one but Frank. He is someone who their young players are going to look at every day and say ‘wow! Frank is gonna play us’.

“He invigorates not only the first team and the fans but the kids coming through. At a time when managers are scared and under pressure not to play kids, I think it will be refreshing.

“People talk about experience and what-not, but what experience did Pep have when he went into Barcelona’s first team? He trained the younger kids at the club.

“Would Lampard wilt under the pressure when big players throw a wobbly in training? I don’t think he would. Frank knows Chelsea, he knows the players and the players will respect him.”

Source – Goal.com

Spain made it four wins out of four and took control of their Euro 2020 qualifying group by beating closest rivals Sweden 3-0 on Monday after overpowering the visitors in the second half with two penalties and a late strike from Mikel Oyarzabal.

Sergio Ramos has now scored in seven of his last eight matches with Spain. Getty

Captain Sergio Ramos scored for the seventh time in eight internationals to give his side the lead with a penalty in the 64th minute and Alvaro Morata also converted from the spot to double the home side’s advantage in the 85th.

Substitute Oyarzabal completed the victory at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium two minutes later after coming off the bench to make his competitive debut, curling the ball into the bottom corner from just inside the area.

The win took Spain to 12 points at the top of Group F after four games. Sweden are second, level on seven points with third-placed Romania, who thrashed Malta 4-0 away.

Spain thought they had taken the lead in the first half when striker Rodrigoconverted a cross by Valencia teammate Dani Parejo from close range but the goal was wrongly ruled out for offside as video technology is not used in the qualifiers.

Spain coach Luis Enrique was absent for the third game in a row for personal reasons but they always looked in control without truly sparkling until Oyarzabal’s moment of brilliance.

The hosts continued to wear the dogged Swedes down and they got their breakthrough when visiting defender Sebastian Larsson‘s outstretched arm blocked the ball and Ramos calmly deceived keeper Robin Olsen to convert from the spot.

Sweden barely managed to trouble Spain goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who kept his place again at the expense of David de Gea, and the visitors conceded another penalty when substitute Morata was tripped by Filip Helander.

Ramos passed up the opportunity to score again and offered the ball to Morata, who also made no mistake from the spot, although Real Sociedad forward Oyarzabal got the biggest cheer of the evening for his impressive strike.

“We struggled a bit at first but in the second half we tried to break them down more and we’ve taken another step towards the Euros,” said goalscorer Ramos, who dedicated the win and Friday’s 4-1 victory over the Faroe Islands to Luis Enrique.

“This is an abnormal situation but at least we’ve managed to give a win to our coach. It was very important to get these six points and hopefully after the holidays everything will return to normal and we can all restart this journey again together.”

Romania took charge against Malta with an early double from George Puscasand a 34th minute goal from Alexandru Chipciu, who was sent off late in the game before Dennis Man completed the rout in stoppage time to leave the Maltese on three points.

Fourth-placed Norway have five points following a 2-0 win away to the Faroe Islands who are bottom with no points.

Source – ESPN

The new Red Devil’s meteoric rise in the last 12 months was taken to new levels by Marco Rossi, who compared him with two iconic sporting figures.

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Hungary head coach Marco Rossi has compared new Manchester United signing Daniel James to Usain Bolt and former Brazil striker Ronaldo.

Rossi is readying his Hungarian troops to take on James and his Welsh team-mates on Tuesday, in their Euro 2020 qualifier.

The 54-year-old appears to have earmarked James as one of Wales key men ahead of the game, despite the youngster earning just two senior caps to date.

The winger has gleamed a reputation for his unstoppable pace in the past year, which Rossi is all to aware of. In fact, so rapid is James, he has been compared to the world’s former fastest man, Usain Bolt.

“James’ speed reminds me of Usain Bolt – to be so fast like him is really incredible,” said Rossi.

“In the last years I don’t remember one player that gave me this sensation. His acceleration is so peculiar, which is why Manchester United have bought him.”

It’s not just figures from the world of athletics that James has been likened to – Rossi believes he even share similar characteristics with one of the all-time greatest strikers.

“In the past I played against a very fast player who, for me, was the best after [Diego] Maradona – Ronaldo,” said the Hunger coach.

“He was just not known for speed, but for everything. His acceleration looked like James, though at the moment the skills are a little bit different.”

James capped off a remarkable 12 months on Friday, when Manchester United announced that a deal was in place to sign the winger from Swansea, just one season on from being sent back from an unsuccessful loan spell at League one side Shrewsbury Town.

However, James excelled in 2018/19 with the Swans and his five goals and 10 assists in all competitions caught the attention of a number of Premier League sides.

In the meantime, the 21-year-old will be hoping for an improvement in Wales’ fortunes on Tuesday after they lost 2-1 to Croatia at the weekend.

Ryan Giggs’ men are currently fourth in the qualification group, but are just three points behind first-place Hungary.

Source – Goal.com

The 33-year-old defender believes the Belgian star will reinforce Zinedine Zidane’s side after his €100 million move was confirmed.

Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has hailed Eden Hazard as a “world-class player” who will strengthen the team.

The Belgian attacker brought an end to over a year’s worth of speculation when he joined the Spanish giants from Chelsea in a €100 million (£88m/$112m) dealthis week, signing a five-year contract.

Madrid have been in search of a new star to bolster their attacking line after selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus last summer and two-time Premier League winner Hazard is expected to fill the role.

Ramos is excited to welcome the 28-year-old to the Santiago Bernabeu, as he believes his club have added another top quality player to their squad.

Asked if he is excited to play with Hazard next season, Ramos joked reporters: “He is coming to play with us, we were already here, right? [laughs] I’m happy.

“I think it’s a great signing. He is a world-class player. It is good to reinforce the squad.”

Ramos’ own future became the subject of speculation as well recently when it was reported that he had notified coach Zinedine Zidane and president Florentino Perez of his desire to leave the club amid interest from a club in China.

But the 33-year-old confirmed he wants to stay in the Spanish capital until the end of his career.

And the World Cup winner is happy to have put the uncertainty behind him.

“I had to go out to give the press conference. I think it was the best for everyone. The important thing was to turn the page and no

“The goal is achieved. I am very happy in Real Madrid and playing for the national team is not a relief but a source of pride.

“When you have been injured, you really value what you do not have. I live it as if it were the last time. It’s all very well.”

Currently on international duty with Spain, Ramos is in action on Monday as his side face Sweden in Euro 2020 qualifying, a day before Hazard and his Belgiumteam-mates line up against Scotland.

Source – Goal.com

The Juventus star is still the main attraction, but there were plenty of other talents on display throughout the run to another trophy.

Photo by Getty 

A lot has changed since Cristiano Ronaldo’s first international with Portugal, all the way back in 2004, when they lost on home soil to Greece in the European Championship.

He is the only player involved that day who is still active as a professional, but this young Portugal team has gone one better than that illustrious Golden Generation.

No silver medals for them, here in Porto, in the first-ever UEFA Nations League final.

They may still have Ronaldo, 34, Jose Fonte, 35, and Pepe, 36, involved in the international scene but Portugal’s depth is astonishing. They turn out players quicker and with more quality than most nations in Europe, as evidenced here by their second tournament win in three years.

The Nations League may rank below the Euros and the World Cup in terms of priorities, but nothing begets winning better than winning. This is a squad now in the groove, with first international honours now coming to a clutch of emerging talents.

Fernando Santos, the coach, excels at tournament football. At his disposal he’s got players comfortable in a number of different systems in a number of styles.

They can keep the ball, they can play on the break, they can defend high, they can sit in. Between them they’ve got the wherewithal to morph into different shapes, as games and in-game situations develop.

That is why, so long as they get their act together during qualification, they will be among the favourites for the multinational Euro 2020.

By the time the next set of qualifiers roll around, one would presume Ronaldo will be available. He missed six matches after the World Cup before returning for the March Euro qualification phase.

They currently have only two points from two matches in that domain and badly need their top scorer back and firing.

It’s not so much that they rely on him like a one-man team but he adds so much even by his very presence.

It’s a falsehood to say he doesn’t work hard or expects nothing but silver-platter service. He is happy to pitch in, press, defend corners and the rest of it. And just by being there, Ronaldo puts fear in the heart of the opposition.

He stayed wide as a decoy as Goncalo Guedes put Portugal ahead on the hour from the edge of the box.

The Valencia man had swapped passes with Bernardo Silva to get into the position, with the Manchester City playmaker the closest thing Portugal will have to a superstar once Ronaldo decides to depart.

But all around the team, potential world-class talents are coming to fruition. Santos is probably strapped a little for choices at centre back but if they can source a decent young partner for Ruben Dias then they are on to a winner.

The 22-year-old Benfica man is every bit as assured as Matthijs De Ligt at the other end, and defends with his mind as much as his body.

The full backs here, Raphael Guerreiro and Nelson Semedo are at top clubs and are only 25. Joao Cancelo, of Juventus and coveted by Man City, didn’t get off the bench. Leicester City‘s Ricardo Pereira, regarded by some as the best right back in England last season, didn’t even make the squad.

To go along with established talents William Carvalho and Danilo in midfield you can add Bruno Fernandes, another one on the shopping list of the best European teams. It is easy to see why; he is tactically flexible, intelligent, adept at finding space and influential. Ruben Neves, who started the semi-final, is ready to step in while the likes of Joao Moutinho prepare to step down.

Then there’s champions of the Euros like Renato Sanches, Joao Mario and Andre Gomes, by no means out of the international reckoning although not present here.

And up front they have the coming force, Joao Felix. He had a difficult initiation to international football here, bundled about as he was by Switzerland in the semi-finals, but he will soon mature enough physically to do to better teams what he has been doing throughout 2019 for Benfica.

That is to say nothing of Guedes, now back on track after a difficult spell at Paris St-Germain. Andre Silva has a goals-to-games record of about one in two. Then there’s Rony Lopes and Gelson Fernandes.

Portugal are well stocked for the next decade or more, and there are no signs of the talent factories here in Porto or else at Sporting or Benfica closing down any time soon.

In any case, judging by his current physical condition, Ronaldo probably has about another three or four years left. That will probably be long enough for the all-time international goalscoring and appearance records.

But when he does decide to go, he will be departing a coming force. He may well be the last man standing from the runners-up of 2004, but it will be a long time before this Portugal side are ready to depart the scene.

Source – Goal.com

Gareth Southgate says there is “no way” he would return to club management right now, saying he is committed to his role as England manager.

Gareth Southgate talks with his assistant Steve Holland (left) during England’s Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands

Southgate is also confident assistant Steve Holland will remain in his post despite being linked with Chelsea.

England are nursing their wounds after defeat by the Netherlands in their Nations League semi-final in Portugal.

Southgate is 50-1 with bookmakers to replace manager Maurizio Sarri should he leave Chelsea, but Holland is 9-1.

The bookies’ odds come with reports suggesting Holland is being considered for Sarri’s role.

Many Chelsea fans have expressed their discontent at tactics and team selections, and Sarri’s future has been under speculation for some time despite leading to Chelsea to a Europa League triumph and third in the Premier League.

However, Southgate was quick to focus on his side’s progress and the attempts to win Euro 2020 next summer in a tournament in which the semi-finals and final will be played at Wembley.

“The only thing on my mind is that we’ve got a European Championship next summer and we’ve got to keep improving this team to be the best possible team we can be for the country,” said Southgate, who is contracted until the 2022 World Cup.

“We brought 20,000 fans here [to Portugal] which is remarkable, a sign of their engagement back with the team and belief in what we’re trying to do.

“Why would I rush to leave that opportunity and chance to affect not just the football but the other parts that the role brings? It’s not something that I think you even think about.”

Asked if he would be interested in the Chelsea job if Sarri were to depart, Southgate said: “No. I’m committed to England, simple as that.

“I don’t need to hedge my bets in keeping doors open or keeping things alive. There’s no way that I would leave England at this moment in time, to take any job.”

‘Best assistant in the country’

Holland flourished during eight trophy-laden years at Chelsea as he went from reserve team manager to assistant first team coach – a role he left at the end of the 2016-17 campaign to work with England full-time.

Southgate says Holland is the “best assistant in the country” but he is sure his right-hand man would tell him about any approach.

“He is hugely important to everything we do,” Southgate said. “We are probably the two that live and breathe every single minute of preparation for England, selection of players, tactical preparation, because we are the two people who are full-time on that side.

“For me, he is hugely important in terms of his experience, his knowledge, the way he delivers the coaching as well.

“But I am sure at some point in the future he is going to want to be a manager and take that opportunity.”

On Sunday, England face Switzerland in the Nations League third-place play-off.

Source – BBC News

Ms. Najila Trindade gave six hours of testimony to local authorities over her claim she was raped by the Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain star.

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The 26-year-old woman who has accused Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar of rape testified to Sao Paulo police on Friday for six hours.

Najila Trindade was escorted to the police station by officers at midday, with a black jacket covering her head, through a scrum of media to deliver her testimony.

After her testimony, she was carried out of the police station by her lawyer and did not speak to reporters.

Though police have confirmed a complaint has been made against Neymar, they have maintained silence over the case and no details of Ms. Trindade’s testimony were released.

Ms. Trindade previously grave an interview to SBT Brasil, a Brazilian television channel, detailing her version of the events which allegedly took place on May 15 at a hotel in Paris, calling them: “an assault together with rape”.

She claimed that while her intention was to have sex with the Brazil star, she requested he wear a condom and alleges he refused and became aggressive.

Neymar has denied the accusations and has not been charged with any crime. He has yet to testify to authorities over the allegation.

The Brazil star has spoken with Rio de Janeiro police over his publication of videos and messages allegedly of his accuser to his Instagram account without her approval.

The messages and images were originally posted on Sunday morning to defend himself against the charges and were later removed.

Neymar’s father claimed he preferred “an internet crime to rape” and said the images were censored and the name of the woman not revealed.

After testifying for that investigation at the Virtual Crimes precinct on Thursday, Neymar thanked fans for their support while his lawyer, Maira Fernandes, claims to be confident her client will be found innocent.

On the field, Neymar is out of the Copa America after he sustained an ankle injury in a friendly against Qatar which saw him exit the contest after 21 minutes.

PSG released a statement on Thursday saying they would evaluate his injury to determine his recovery time.

Neymar has since been replaced by Chelsea star Willian on Brazil’s Copa America roster for the tournament, which kicks off with the hosting Selecao facing Boliviaon June 14.

Source – Goal.com