A year after he seemingly backed out of a move to the La Liga champions, the star forward has spoken for the first time about joining the club.

Photo by Getty Images

Antoine Griezmann has said the time was right to join Barcelona after completing a long-awaited switch from Atletico Madrid.

The France forward has signed a five-year deal after Barca agreed to trigger his €120 million (£107m/$134m) release clause.

Griezmann was seemingly set to join Barca in the summer of 2018 only to confirm during a television documentary he was staying at Atletico.

The 28-year-old forward signed a new contract with Atletico soon after, but reports surfaced in the second half of the 2018-19 campaign that he was hoping for another chance to join the Liga champions.

And the attacker acknowledged that U-turn in his first public comments since becoming a Barca player on Friday, saying he was taught as a child that opportunities can come around again.

“When I was a boy, my dad taught me that trains don’t come around just once,” Griezmann said in a video posted on Twitter by Barcelona.

“Now it’s time to take on the challenge of a new destination. Finally, our paths cross.

“I’ll defend the Barca colours with all my determination and commitment. It’s our time.”

In addition to last year’s documentary and the player’s subsequent reversal, the transfer saga has seen Atletico levy accusations of improper conduct at both Barcelona and Griezmann, claiming they had been in negotiations while Diego Simeone’s side was still battling in the Champions League.

And despite Friday’s announcement by the Liga champions, the saga does not appear to be over, as Atletico are insisting Barcelona should have paid €200m to activate his release clause.

Atletico contend the France international agreed terms with Barca before his clause dropped on July 1 and thus they are entitled to the €200m figure.

Griezmann’s former club released a statement Friday indicating they will take legal action to recoup that fee.

“Atletico Madrid believes the termination of the contract occurred before the end of last season due to events, acts and demonstrations carried out by the player and that is why it [the club] has already started procedures it considers appropriate for the defence of its rights and legitimate interests,” said the club’s statement.

Source – Goal.com

Everton’s Idrissa Gueye fired Senegal into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations by sealing a 1-0 win over 10-man Benin.

Idrissa Gueye celebrates scoring the winning goal

The midfielder struck after 69 minutes before Olivier Verdon was dismissed for Benin late on.

Senegal progressed in Cairo despite Sadio Mane having two goals disallowed for offside by VAR, which had been introduced for the quarter-finals.

Aliou Cisse’s side will meet Madagascar or Tunisia in the last four on Sunday in Cairo as they try to win the competition for the first time.

Goalkeeper Alfred Gomis almost gifted Benin the lead when he miscontrolled a backpass and saw the ball go wide.

But Gueye won it with 21 minutes left when he ran from deep, swapped passes with Mane and fired in from 12 yards.

Verdon was then sent off with eight minutes remaining for a foul on Gueye.

William Troost-Ekong’s late strike sent Nigeria into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of South Africa.

Nigeria celebrate reaching the semi-finals

The Udinese centre-back struck in the 89th minute to seal a 2-1 win at the Cairo International Stadium.

Samuel Chukwueze opened the scoring for Nigeria in the first half only for Bongani Zungu to level in the second period after VAR intervened.

The Super Eagles will play Ivory Coast or Algeria in the semi-finals in Cairo on Sunday.

Chukwueze opened the scoring after 27 minutes when he linked with Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi to score at the second attempt.

Zungu levelled with 20 minutes remaining when he nodded in from a free-kick and it was given after a VAR check showed the ball came off Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo before it fell to an initially offside Zungu.

But Nigeria won it with a minute left when goalkeeper Ronwen Williams missed his punch from Moses Simon’s corner to allow Troost-Ekong to bundle in the winner.

Source – Sky Sports

After Champions League success with Liverpool and a Copa America triumph with Brazil, does individual glory await the 26-year-old shot-stopper?

Photo by Getty/Goal

“Best in the world? Really?”

Maybe Alisson Becker was just being modest. Or maybe he genuinely was surprised to learn he had been voted the world’s No.1 goalkeeper by Goal back in November.

If it was the latter, he wasn’t alone. The reaction to that vote, on social media in particular, was mixed to say the least.

How, we were asked, could we possibly pick that guy as our No.1 ahead of Jan Oblak/David de Gea/Marc-Andre ter Stegen/Hugo Lloris/Manuel Neuer/anyone else? What had we been watching? Did we really get paid for these opinions?!

Fast forward eight months, and the conversation has shifted somewhat.

Whisper it quietly, but where Alisson is concerned, we may need to start talking about the Ballon d’Or.

It’s been a special few weeks for the 26-year-old, who followed up Champions League glory with his club by adding the Copa America with his country. For Liverpool and for Brazil, he has been a game-changer.

Goalkeepers, traditionally, don’t fare too well when it comes to the Ballon d’Or. In fact, in the 63 years the award has been in existence, only one has ever won it. Lev Yashin, the great Soviet shot-stopper, stands alone with his 1963 triumph.

Since then, only four others have made it into the top three.

Dino Zoff was second to Johan Cruyff in 1973, while Gigi Buffon was behind Fabio Cannavaro in 2006. Oliver Kahn, third in both 2001 and 2002, is the only ‘keeper to have been honoured twice, while his fellow German, Manuel Neuer, was the last to be shortlisted, finishing third in 2014.

Alisson’s case, though, is a compelling one. In an era dominated by attacking stars – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had shared the previous 10 awards prior to Luka Modric’s success last year – the man from Novo Hamburgo has moved, almost unnoticed, into contention.

His form has been remarkable. In his last 10 games for club and country, Alisson has conceded just one goal. Even that was a penalty, converted by Peru’s Paolo Guerrero in the Copa America final on Sunday. He’s shut out Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero.

And Lionel Messi, of course. Twice.

“He’s proved this year he’s a great goalkeeper,” says Ray Clemence, considered by many to be the greatest in Liverpool’s history. “He deserves all the accolades.”

In May, he picked up the Premier League Golden Glove award, the first Liverpool goalkeeper to do so since Pepe Reina in 2008. He ended his debut season in England with 21 clean sheets in the league, the last line behind the division’s meanest defence.

His performances have been good enough to kill any discussion about the fee Liverpool paid Roma for him last summer. At £65 million (€72.5m/$81m), Alisson already looks a bargain.

“If I knew he was this good, I would have paid double!” said Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool’s Champions League win over Napoli in December.

Alisson had secured that victory – and with it progression to the last 16 – with a remarkable last-minute save from Arkadiusz Milik, and he would maintain his form as the Reds went all the way to the final.

There, in Madrid, he stood firm, making a series of saves as Liverpool saw off Tottenham to lift their sixth European title. He was, along with Virgil van Dijk, the game’s outstanding performer.

“He makes spectacular things look really easy,” says Klopp. The German waxes lyrical about Alisson’s positional play, concentration and temperament.

“He deserves all the plaudits because sometimes I don’t understand how he is able to get a part of his body behind the ball,” he added.

As for the Ballon d’Or, competition will be strong. Virgil van Dijk is the current favourite, just ahead of Lionel Messi. Cristiano Ronaldo, winner of both Serie Aand the Nations League, remains a contender as ever.

Alisson, though, is very much in the picture. His odds have tumbled in recent weeks, and should he maintain his form into the new season, he could well find himself in the final three.

Not that the man himself is too fussed, mind.

“There are a lot of top players aspiring for that prize,” he said recently. “I just limit myself to doing my job. I’m just a goalkeeper.”

There’s that modesty again. If the last 12 months have proven anything, it is that Alisson Ramses Becker is far, far more than that. Just ask Klopp. Or Tite.

“Best in the world? Really?”

Really.

Source – Goal.com

Wednesday’s clash in Dublin saw the club legend get his tenure as boss off to a slow start with a draw against the Irish side.

Photo by Getty Images

Frank Lampard’s tenure as Chelsea boss started with a friendly draw on Wednesday, with Michy Batshuayi scoring for the Blues before a late leveller from Irish side Bohemians saw the London club held to a 1-1 stalemate.

Lampard picked a side headlined by Batshuayi and Pedro for the friendly which marked the start of his reign as Chelsea boss, and it was Belgium international Batshuayi who kicked things off by opening the scoring just eight minutes in.

Left-back Kenedy – back from a loan spell at Newcastle – laid on the opener, driving in from the left side and firing a shot that was blocked into the path of Batshuayi. The 25-year-old did well to hold off a defender and fire home, giving Lampard’s side an early lead.

But there was little more to come from the Blues, who struggled to break down an opponent in mid-season form and playing with a number of first-teamers in the starting side.

Lampard rung the changes at half-time, with the like of Danny Drinkwater, Cesar Azpilicueta and Willy Caballero, all starters on the day, replaced in favour of a group that included Tiemoue Bakayoko, Kurt Zouma, Lucas Piazon and Davide Zappacosta.

The changes would have little impact on the match, with Bohemians also shuffling the pack throughout the second half as both sides struggled to create much in the way or real goal-scoring chances.

Chelsea looked a good bet to walk away with a slender victory, but a late Eric Molloy strike, aided by some sloppy work at the back from the Blues, was enough for the home side to pull level and hold on for a 1-1 draw on the night.

Lampard’s side will be back on the pitch on Saturday to face off with another club from Ireland, St Patrick’s Athletic, before stepping up their preparations for the new season later in the month.

They will travel to Japan to take on Kawasaki Frontale on July 19 before facing Barcelona four days later.

Lampard’s outfit also have matches lined up against Reading, Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Monchengladbach before opening their Premier League campaign against Manchester United on August 11.

Source – Goal.com

The sporting director admitted the French giants are willing to negotiate a transfer but said no offers have come in for him.

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Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has said Neymar is allowed to leave the club but says there have been no offers despite “superficial” talks with Barcelona.

Neymar’s future at PSG has been in doubt this summer amid reports he wants to return to his former side Barcelona, while Real Madrid have also been linked.

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu said last week that the Brazil international wants to leave the Ligue 1 champions , though he dismissed his side’s chances of buying him because “PSG do not want him to go”.

But Leonardo has now revealed that the French champions are willing to let him leave if a club matches their asking price.

“Neymar can leave PSG, if there is an offer that suits everyone,” Leonardo told Le Parisien .  “But to date, we do not know if anyone wants to buy him or at what price. All this is not done in a day, that’s for sure.

“It’s clear to everyone [that Neymar wants to leave], but in football, you say one thing today and tomorrow another. It’s amazing but it’s like that.

“We talked with his entourage too. Everyone knows everything. The position is clear for all participants. But one thing is concrete today: he still has three years of contract with us and since we have not received an offer, we cannot discuss anything.”

He added: “PSG wants to rely on players who want to stay and build something big. We do not need players who would do a favour for the club by staying here.”

Although Leonardo confirmed informal talks with Barcelona about a potential deal, he said no offer has been made for the 27-year-old.

“We have not received any offers. But we had, it’s true, very superficial contacts [with Barcelona]. They said they wanted to buy but we were not sellers.

“[Bartomeu] is the one saying it, but we did not see that Barcelona was really in a buyer position.”

Leonardo’s comments come on the same day PSG announced that they will take action against the Brazilian attacker after he missed training on Monday, though his father says the club had already agreed to the delay.

Responding to Neymar Sr’s claims, Leonardo said: “He wasn’t here in training. He had to arrive and he did not arrive. But he knew he had to be there.

“We will study the measures we need to take, as we would do for all employees.

“He made commitments to his institute and a sponsor, but these were not dates agreed with the club. However, he played his last game on June 6. The holidays were until July 8th and he didn’t come.”

Asked when Neymar will report for training, Leonardo said: “I do not know. The only thing I know is that he was not there on the scheduled date, July 8th.”

Source – Goal.com

Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt has agreed personal terms with Juventus, his agent Mino Raiola has confirmed.

Matthijs de Ligt captained Ajax to the Eredivisie title last season

Sky in Italy understand that the agreement is worth £10.8m (€12m) per year – which equates to around £230,000 per week – but the clubs must now agree a transfer fee, with Ajax asking for £67.3m (€75m).

Juventus are so far offering to pay £49.3m (€55m) plus £9m in bonuses (€10m) as negotiations continue for the highly-rated 19-year-old Netherlands international, who was previously linked with Barcelona.

“Matthijs has agreed personal terms with Juve,” Raiola told Dutch paper De Telegraaf. “We’re waiting for them to complete the agreement with Ajax soon.

Agent Mino Raiola confirmed the news to Dutch paper De Telegraaf

“An arbitration case is out of the question for us, I advised Matthijs [on this], because it does not suit his style.

“The player only hopes that Juventus and Ajax will show the will to get out and that the deal is completed quickly.”

Source – Sky Sports

Egypt coach Javier Aguirre became the first casualty of the Africa Cup of Nations as he was sacked just hours after the hosts were bundled out of the tournament by South Africa in the round of 16.

Javier Aguirre was fired after Egypt’s surprise round of 16 exit at the hands of South Africa. Islam Safwat/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Hosts Egypt lost 1-0 to an 85th minute goal from Thembinkosi Lorch on Saturday at the end of a lacklustre display in which their talisman Mohamed Salah looked out of sorts and they produced few goal-scoring chances.

Egypt Football Association president Hany Abo Rida announced the firing of the Mexican coach, and his own resignation, less than three hours after the game as a stunned host nation digested the defeat.

Abo Rida also called on his board members to step down, calling his resignation a “moral obligation, although the football association had given the national team full material and moral support.”

Aguirre told reporters after Saturday’s defeat that he took sole responsibility but was proud of all of his players.

“The game was open and saw many chances. The only difference was that South Africa managed to score,” he said.

Aguirre, 60, departs after less than a year in the job but not before setting a unique record by coaching at four different continental championships.

He won the CONCACAF Gold Cup with his native Mexico in 2009, took them to the final of the Copa America and was in charge of Japan four years ago when they went out in the Asian Cup quarterfinals.

Source – ESPN

The USWNT star took home the Golden Ball and Golden Boot in France, all while becoming a spokesperson for equality off the pitch.

Photo by Elsa

If it wasn’t already known before Sunday, then the World Cup final confirmed it: This was Megan Rapinoe’s tournament.

The U.S. women’s national team winger was the star during the World Cup and on Sunday she demonstrated exactly how she’s become such a transcendent figure both on and off the pitch.

Rapinoe scored the winner from the spot in a 2-0 win over Netherlands in Lyon, and picked up the Golden Boot and Golden Ball after the game to complete a clean sweep of post-tournament hardware.

After the game, Rapinoe again showed her effervescent personality while eloquently calling for equality and speaking about how her team overcame obstacles both on and off the field.

As she was speaking, she admitted something we’ve long already known: she was in her element.

“I love it. I do love it!” Rapinoe said about being in the spotlight.

“Obviously getting to play at the highest level at a World Cup with the team like we have is just ridiculous but to be able to couple that with everything off the field and to back up all those words with performances and then back up all those performances with words, it’s just incredible.”

The 34-year-old has become an iconic figure at this World Cup as she’s sparred with U.S. President Donald Trump and called out FIFA for giving short shrift to the women’s game , all while scoring six goals in seven games for the USWNT, all wins.

It was only fitting that on Sunday, Rapinoe would again deliver in the clutch as she buried a 61st-minute penalty.

“I think the bigger the spotlight the more she shines,” U.S. manager Jill Ellis said of Rapinoe. “I think the spotlights can burn people but for Megan they show what she is.”

After scoring the winning goal, Rapinoe continued her call for equality after fans chanted “equal pay” at FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the game.

“To have a full stadium in a foreign country, the movement is just swelling before our very eyes,” Rapinoe said of the chants.

“It’s time to sit down with everyone and really get to work. This game has done so much for all of us. We put so much into it, I think it’s a testament to the quality on the field and I don’t think everything else is matching that.”

Ellis acknowledged after the game that Rapinoe is the ideal person to speak out about issues that go beyond the game on the field.

“Megan was built for these moments – built to be a spokesperson for these moments. She speaks well, speaks from her heart. We need people in the game, to be honest, to call things as they are,” Ellis said.

Clearly Rapinoe has become an outsized personality but her growing stature has not caused any disharmony within the locker room. Far from it.

“She’s the best teammate someone could ask for,” U.S. forward Alex Morgan said.

“She had an incredible tournament, so deserving of the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball. It’s just a testament to her self-confidence and her self-belief and the true person that she shows every single day with us.”

This tournament, Rapinoe has truly shown the world who she is. After her incredible run at this World Cup, it’s clear that the world is listening.

Souce – Goal.com

Brazil survived Gabriel Jesus’ second-half red card to end their 12-year wait for a trophy with a 3-1 victory over Peru in the Copa America final.

Gabriel Jesus is shown the red card after picking a second yellow in the Copa America final

Jesus was the first-half hero in the Maracana, setting up Everton’s opener on 15 minutes before restoring Brazil’s lead on the stroke of half-time after Paolo Guerrero drew Peru level from the penalty spot.

But the Manchester City striker soon turned to the villain of the piece as his clumsy second bookable offence handed Peru the initiative with 20 minutes to play.

Five years on from their World Cup semi-final humiliation on home soil another upset looked on the cards, but substitute Richarlison’s late penalty sealed an ninth Copa America for Brazil – their first since 2007 – which banished the demons of that 7-1 defeat to Germany in the process.

Everton celebrates with Brazil team-mates Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho after opening the scoring against Peru

Tite’s men took the lead on the quarter-hour when Jesus created space for himself down the right before crossing for striker Everton to volley home.

Brazil assumed control as Peru’s efforts to respond yielded little and Philippe Coutinho fired just wide after latching on to a Roberto Firmino cross.

Paolo Guerrero celebrates scoring Peru’s equaliser

Peru were back in it a minute before the break when, after defender Thiago Silva was adjudged to have handled inside the box as he slid into a challenge, Guerrero sent Alisson the wrong way from the spot.

However, Brazil restored their lead in stoppage time when Jesus swept home Firmino’s cross to bring an end to an eventful first half.

Gabriel Jesus celebrates Brazil’s second against Peru

Coutinho and Firmino both went close as the hosts attempted to kill the game off immediately after the restart, but Jesus’ evening took a turn for the worse with 20 minutes remaining when he was sent off for a second bookable offence following a challenge on Carlos Zambrano.

Peru sensed an opportunity but two masterful substitutions from Tite – bringing on Richarlison and Eder Militao – ensured Brazil maintained a level of control.

Richarlison celebrates scoring for Brazil in the Copa America final against Peru

Peru’s hopes were extinguished when Richarlison converted from 12 yards with two minutes remaining after Everton had been felled by Zambrano.

Source – Sky Sports