Saido Berahino‘s decision to play for the country his family fled when he was 10 paid off at the weekend as the Stoke forward helped Burundi qualify for their first-ever African Nations Cup finals.

Stoke’s Saido Berahino helped Burundi to qualify. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo

A 1-1 draw at home to Gabon in Bujumbura on Saturday ensured qualification for Burundi, sparking wild celebrations in the east African country.

“It’s amazing, I cannot find the words. I need to take myself away for a moment to try and properly realise what has happened because I have not really been able to do that yet,” Berahino told Radio France International.

“It was crazy from start to finish, from the moment we went to the stadium until when we left. It’s been totally unimaginable.

“I can only thank God for the fact that I have always wanted to represent a team at a big tournament, and I can do with my homeland. It’s perfect. It’s a dream come true.”

Berahino fled the country along with his mother after his father was killed in civil unrest.

He was given refugee status in United Kingdom, where he began his career at West Bromwich Albion, played for the England under-21s and was called up to the senior squad.

Last year, FIFA approved a request to change Berahino’s international allegiance to the country of his birth, and he has been a regular in the 2019 Nations Cup qualifying campaign since scoring on debut at Gabon in September.

The 25-year-old’s addition to a team without much experience provided a boost as did the decision to expand the size of the Nations Cup field to 24 teams, allowing two from each four-team qualifying group to progress.

“That decision made us more motivated and it gave us more of the determination we needed to get our name on this Africa Cup of Nations,” Berahino said.

“It wasn’t a simple task, but we are a very united squad. We were successful thanks to our unity. Being the first generation from Burundi to qualify for the Cup of Nations is something we will always have.”

Source – ESPN

The Portuguese was linked with a return to the Bernabeu, but has now insisted that the Frenchman deserved the managerial position.

Photo by: Getty

Jose Mourinho has said that he believes Zinedine Zidane is the right man for the Real Madrid managerial position.

Zidane was re-appointed as Madrid’s head coach earlier this month, just 10 months after he had resigned from the same position.

The Frenchman replaced Santiago Solari, who himself had replaced Julen Lopetegui earlier in the 2018-19 campaign.

After Solari’s dismissal, many tipped Mourinho to return to the Santiago Bernabeu after he had been sacked as Manchester United boss in December.

Mourinho was Madrid’s manager from 2010 to 2013, but the Blancos instead opted to bring back three-time Champions League winner Zidane.

And Mourinho himself has now said that the Blancos made the right call, adding that the Frenchman is just getting started in his managerial career despite what he has already achieved.

“I do not think we can talk about a career for him yet,” Mourinho said of Zidane on Canal Plus.

“But in a very short time, he did what no one had done before, that is winning three consecutive Champions Leagues”.

“Now he is starting a new step in his career. He has to build a team, he has to make choices, buy players, sell them. He has to train them, give them his philosophy of play.

“I think he’s probably the best person for this club.”

Mourinho has not been shy about his desire to return to club management, and said this week he has already turned down a number of job offers. 

The Portuguese said that he’s growing more eager to return every day.

“Day after day, I miss training. I’m not going to hide it,” Mourinho said.

“There’s something going on in my head, winning a fifth league and a new Champions League with a third club.”

Source – Goal.com

The Belgian is a top summer target for the Blancos, but should they be pursuing the Chelsea star when they already possess the Brazilian sensation?

Photo by: Getty/Goal

The only certainty at Real Madrid right now is that absolutely nothing is certain. Back-to-back Clasico defeats were bad enough, but a humiliating Champions League reverse at the hands of Ajax was the final straw for the fuming Bernabeu faithful, spoiled after years of European success.

Zinedine Zidane has been be drafted in once more as Madrid’s firefighter, the man whose legendary standing can placate supporters more than anyone else. But who will the Frenchman turn to in his efforts to rebuild? Will the likes of Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale, cornerstones of four Champions League wins, stay and fight or opt to vacate this leaky, if not yet sinking ship?

All will be decided in what will undoubtedly be long, tense months to come before the start of the 2019-20 season and a chance for a fresh start.

Amid such confusion and hurt the temptation to spend big and rebuild will be huge after years of relative inactivity in the transfer market. Indeed, one of the reasons Zidane agreed to return is that he was promised a huge transfer budget – reported to be in the region of €300 million (£257m/$338m).

Eden Hazard, an eternal target and very much appreciated by Zidane, will be pursued more than ever – with Madrid already making first contact over a €116m (£100m/$131m) move.

But with the teenage Vinicius Junior one of the few Madrid players to escape scathing criticism over these past few disastrous weeks, the Merengue would be advised to save their money and look elsewhere in their bid to strengthen.

The 18-year-old Brazilian’s talents are evident, but what has been even more impressive is the character shown at such a tender age to step into the breach and command a regular first-team place at the Bernabeu.

Zidane’s predecessor Santiago Solari utilised his former Castilla charge primarily on the left side of attack, playing a bigger part in Madrid’s build-up than inside the penalty area – a role that explains his relatively slim return of four goals in 26 matches in all competitions so far. But his real contribution has been far greater.

In the Copa del Rey alone, Vinicius added a further six assists – and he has generally made life uncomfortable for defenders with his mazy dribbling and astonishing turn of pace from a standing start. The ex-Flamengo wonderkid must yet add a calmer head when finishing to his repertoire, with too many shots still ending up in row Z or nearer the corner flag than the back of the net. But there is no doubting his exceptional ability, which has led him to earn second place in the 2019 NxGn – Goal’s list for the 50 best teenagers in the world born this millennium.

Where would that leave Hazard, then? The Chelsea star is seen as filling a similar role, cutting in off the left flank and creating while also providing his own quota of goals to the general effort. Madrid have long coveted his services and the Belgian is keen to make the move, especially as Zidane was his footballing idol as a youngster.

Negotiations will not be easy. Chelsea face 12 months of transfer inactivity after receiving a FIFA ban, which is currently under appeal. Losing their talisman with no prospect of replacing him from the outside would be an unacceptable scenario, one perhaps even less palatable than letting him run down his deal and leave as a free agent just over a year from now.

The first priority, of course, will be to tie the 28 year old to a new contract. Hazard will have the opportunity to become Chelsea’s best-paid player in return for a ‘deal for life’ that will bind him to Stamford Bridge until the twilight years of his career.

The Blues will have to hope that cold hard cash overcomes Hazard’s professed love and admiration for Real. “Real Madrid is the best club in the world. I don’t want to lie today. It is my dream since I was a kid,” he admitted back in October.

“Sometimes in my head, I wake up in the morning and think I want to go. Sometimes I think I want to stay. It is a hard decision. It is my future.” The Merengue also have a hard decision to make: should they break the bank on the Belgian and convince Chelsea to sell, or else place their trust in their teenage superstar?

Whether he joins or not, Madrid are safe in the knowledge that at least one spot in their forward line has a suitable occupant for perhaps the next decade. Vinicius seems impervious to the pressure-cooker atmosphere around him, taking in his stride even the challenge of filling a spot left by none other than Cristiano Ronaldo.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo are both set to play for their countries for the first time since the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Cristiano Ronaldo has not played for Portugal since their 2-1 loss to Uruguay in the last 16 at the 2018 World Cup

Messi is due to start Friday’s friendly for Argentina against Venezuela in Madrid, with Ronaldo in the squad for Portugal’s opening Euro 2020 qualifier at home against the Ukraine in Lisbon.

Both men have missed six international matches since the World Cup.

Portugal reached this summer’s Nations League semi-finals without Ronaldo.

The 34-year-old has scored 85 goals in 154 international games and could also play in Portugal’s game in Serbia on 25 March.

Portugal defender Joao Cancelo, Ronaldo’s team-mate at Juventus, was delighted to have him back in the national squad.

“Cristiano adds quality to any team,” said Cancelo. “It’s a pleasure to play with him and he’s very important for us.”

Messi, 31, has scored 65 goals in 128 international appearances and, while he is set to play at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano stadium, Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Chelsea’s Gonzalo Higuain and Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi are not in the squad.

“It’s a joy for me and for everyone that he’s back – we’re all very happy,” said Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni of Messi’s return.

The news Messi has ended his self-imposed exile from international football also pleased Venezuela coach Rafael Dudamel.

“The presence of the best player in the world lifts the game’s expectation,” Dudamel said.

“For us to take on Argentina is a good way to see how we stack up. The return of Lionel Messi makes the demands on us extremely high.”

Source – BBC News

Banking group Barclays will become the first title sponsor of English football’s Women’s Super League in a multi-million pound partnership running until 2022, the Football Association have announced.

Chelsea Ladies are the Women’s Super League reigning champions. Nigel French/PA Images via Getty Images

The FA said it was the biggest ever investment in British women’s sport by a brand, with the BBC reporting it was understood to be worth more than £10 million ($13.2m).

The deal will begin from the 2019-20 season and means that the top tier of women’s football in England, which began in its present guise in 2011, will be renamed the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.

The Super League will have an annual £500,000 prize fund, distributed according to the final positions.

Barclays was title sponsor of the men’s Premier League between 2004 and 2016 and remains that championship’s official banking partner.

Kelly Simmons, the FA’s head of women’s professional football, said the record deal “will support our ambition to make the Barclays FA Women’s Super League the world’s most successful league, on and off the pitch.”

The Super League is Europe’s only fully professional domestic female football league, now with 11 teams after starting out with eight. Chelsea are the reigning champions.

The partnership will also see the FA and Barclays work together to grow the women’s game at a grassroots level, with the bank becoming lead partner of a programme to develop female players’ access to the game in school.

“The FA Girls’ Football School Partnerships will help thousands more girls in England to take up sport and we look forward to partnering with the FA to deliver that,” Barclays Chief Executive Jes Staley said.

“Barclays’ multi-year investment is also our salute to the professionalism of The FA Women’s Super League players, and we hope it will help take the game to new heights, making England’s domestic league a world leader.”

Source – ESPN

The 19-year-old attacker, who finished 27th in this year’s NxGn countdown, studies the movement of two of the greatest strikers in the club’s history.

Photo by: Getty

Barcelona B striker Abel Ruiz says he is modelling his game on Luis Suarez and David Villa in the hope of becoming the club’s next great striker.

Villa arrived in Catalunya from Valencia in 2010 and won the treble in his first season at Camp Nou, even netting the killer third goal in the Champions Leaguefinal win over Manchester United at Wembley.

Five years later, Suarez enjoyed an equally successfully debut campaign, with the Uruguayan teaming up with Lionel Messi and Neymar to form arguably the greatest attacking triumvirate the game has ever seen.

While Villa has long since moved on, Suarez is still at Barca, and last month struck twice in a 3-0 win at Real Madrid to earn Ernesto Valverde’s senior squad a place in the Copa del Rey final.

Aspiring attacker Ruiz, who finished 27th in this year’s NxGn, was watching closely, once again left in awe as the 32-year-old converted his only two shots on target in the whole game.

“The first goal summed up his style,” the 19-year-old told Goal when asked about Suarez’s first-time finish from an Ousmane Dembele cut-back. “It was an amazing game and amazing goal.

“I am now focusing on Luis Suarez. I love his aggressive attitude and the way in which he goes looking for goals.

“But I also loved David Villa. He is one of the most complete strikers I’ve ever seen. I would like to have some of his movements.

“So, I am still learning from both of them. But thank you very much for including me on the NxGn list!

“It makes me feel so proud to see my work and my efforts recognised in that way.”

While Villa has long since moved on, Suarez is still at Barca, and last month struck twice in a 3-0 win at Real Madrid to earn Ernesto Valverde’s senior squad a place in the Copa del Rey final.

Aspiring attacker Ruiz, who finished 27th in this year’s NxGn, was watching closely, once again left in awe as the 32-year-old converted his only two shots on target in the whole game.

“The first goal summed up his style,” the 19-year-old told Goal when asked about Suarez’s first-time finish from an Ousmane Dembele cut-back. “It was an amazing game and amazing goal.

“I am now focusing on Luis Suarez. I love his aggressive attitude and the way in which he goes looking for goals.

“But I also loved David Villa. He is one of the most complete strikers I’ve ever seen. I would like to have some of his movements.

“So, I am still learning from both of them. But thank you very much for including me on the NxGn list!

“It makes me feel so proud to see my work and my efforts recognised in that way.”

onsequently, Ruiz’s team-mate Juan Miranda, who made his senior squad debut against Tottenham in December, says the chance to work alongside the likes of Jordi Alba offers invaluable insight into his role and what’s required at the highest level.

“I am so grateful that Valverde allows me to work with the first team,” the left-back, who finished 38th in this year’s NxGn list, enthused.

onsequently, Ruiz’s team-mate Juan Miranda, who made his senior squad debut against Tottenham in December, says the chance to work alongside the likes of Jordi Alba offers invaluable insight into his role and what’s required at the highest level.

“I am so grateful that Valverde allows me to work with the first team,” the left-back, who finished 38th in this year’s NxGn list, enthused.

“I pay particular attention to Jordi Alba’s movements because he plays in my position.

“But I try to watch the whole team. I learn from every single player, how they apply pressure, how they attack and how they defend.

“It is a very complex team to understand!”

Source – Goal.com

An investigation into Paris Saint-Germain’s compliance with financial fair play rules has been closed by the Court of Arbitration for sport, following an appeal by the club.

FFP investigations were opened after PSG signed Neymar for £200m

Investigations were initially opened in September 2017, following pressure from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, after PSG signed Brazilian forward Neymar from Barcelona for a world-record £200m.

Within weeks the club had also agreed a deal to sign teenage striker Kylian Mbappe from Monaco, on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy for £166m.

Kylian Mbappe arrived in Paris just weeks after Neymar

UEFA rules mandate that clubs cannot spend more than they earn in any given season and deficits must fall within a 30-million-euro limit over three seasons.

In June the club was cleared of breaking FFP rules, but a few months later UEFA announced it was reopening the investigation.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has now looked into the matter and insists the original decision should stand and the case has been closed.

UEFA responded to the court’s decision on Tuesday evening:

“UEFA takes note of today’s decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), in Lausanne, by means of which the appeal filed by Paris Saint-Germain against UEFA with respect to the decision rendered by the CFCB Adjudicatory Chamber on 19 September 2018 was upheld and the challenged decision set aside,” a statement read.

“UEFA will analyse this latest CAS award in detail and will consider implementing as soon as possible any clarifications or amendments to its rules that may result from the analysis of the above mentioned award.

“The CAS decision does not put in doubt the objectives of the UEFA Club Licensing & Financial Fair Play system.”

Source – Sky Sports

On Wednesday, Goal will reveal its list of the world’s 50 best teenagers, with Vinicius Junior and Jadon Sancho both in contention for top spot.

NxGn is back! And the competition is stiffer than ever before.

Every year, Goal unveils its list of the 50 best Under-19s in world football, with the players rated and ranked in terms of first-team experience, potential and overall ability by experts from 42 editions across the world.

Justin Kluivert took home the title 12 months ago and the Ajax academy product subsequently sealed an €18.75 million (£16.2m/$21.3m) move to Roma.

The Netherlands international is still only 19 years of age but he is ineligible for this year’s accolade as he was not born on or after January 1, 2000.

So, who is in contention?

Well, Real Madrid sensation Vinicius Junior is certainly among the frontrunners after making a stunning start to his Blancos career, following last summer’s €45m (£38.8m/$51.2m) move from Flamengo. The 18-year-old has been so good, in fact, that he has just been called into the Brazil senior squad.

Jadon Sancho, though, has already been capped at international level by Englandon the back of his stunning performances for Borussia Dortmund. In January, the Manchester City product even became the youngest player ever to net eight goals in the Bundesliga.

Speaking of City, Phil Foden continues to bewitch former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola with his midfield magic, with the Catalan of the belief that the Etihad outfit have unearthed a true “diamond” in the ‘Stockport Iniesta’.

This is certainly an exciting time for English football, which is still riding the crest of a wave after last year’s surprise fourth-placed finish at the Russia World Cup, and Callum Hudson-Odoi has quickly become a fan favourite at Chelsea.

The only trouble is, though, the winger’s performances have made the rest of Europe sit up and take notice, and Bayern Munich tried to sign him for £35m ($46.2m) during the January transfer window.

Still, the Bavarians can take comfort in the fact that they already have Alphonso Davies on board, with Canada’s youngest ever international and goalscorer having arrived at the Allianz Arena from Vancouver Whitecaps during the winter break.

Madrid also moved swiftly to wrap up a deal for Vinicius Junior’s fellow Brazilian prodigy Rodrygo, who will move to the Spanish capital from Santos this summer for €40m (£34.5m/$45.5m).

Meanwhile, Diego Lainez has already had his first taste of La Liga, after joining Betis in January, and has also made his mark in the Europa League, becoming the second-youngest Mexican ever to score in UEFA competition.

Sandro Tonali has not even appeared in Serie A yet – let alone Europe – but the classy midfielder has already received his first Italy call-up.

But will the ‘new Andrea Pirlo’ finish No.1 in our countdown of the world’s best Under-19s?

The final tallies are now being calculated and the complete list – along with the victor – and lots of great content, interviews, features and video will be revealed on Wednesday at 1:00pm CET (12pm GMT/8am ET).

The 2019 NxGn is just hours away – don’t miss it!

Source – Goal.com