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أكد الأرجنتيني ليونيل ميسي أن هدفه ليس التفوق على كريستيانو رونالدو نجم مانشستر يونايتد، رغم المنافسة بينهما خلال أكثر من 10 سنوات.

ليونيل ميسي حصل على جائزة الكرة الذهبية السابعة له يوم الإثنين الماضي، ليتفوق على البرتغالي كريستيانو رونالدو صاحب الـ5 كرات فقط.

وقال ميسي في تصريحات لمجلة “فرانس فوتبول” الفرنسية: “أردت دائمًا أن أتفوق على نفسي وألا أنظر إلى ما يفعله الآخرون”.

طالع أيضًا | ميسي: عانيت من عجز هرموني في طفولتي ولم أستسلم مع برشلونة

وأضاف: “كريستيانو رونالدو لاعب رائع، معه حافظنا على المنافسة خلال نفس البطولة لسنوات عديدة، وكان رائعًا وساعدنا بعضنا البعض على التطور في مسيرتنا المهنية”.

وشدد: “دون النظر إلى بعضنا البعض، أردت فقط أن أتفوق على نفسي لأكون الأفضل وليس أفضل من شخص آخر، أريد التفوق على نفسي وأتطور كل يوم من أجل أن أكون الأفضل بشكل عام”.

وعن هدفه في نهائي دوري الأبطال ضد مانشستر يونايتد في 2009 بالرأس، قال ليونيل ميسي: “في ذلك الوقت كنت أتطور، وتشافي كان يعرف طولي، وأرسل الكرة لي كما يجب، لقد كان يرى أنني أفعل ذلك في التدريب وتحدثنا في غرفة الملابس عن أن نكررها في المباراة”.

وواصل: “لم يعتقد هو ولا أنا أنه يمكن أن أسجل هدفًا برأسي هكذا، لقد كان هدفًا خاصًا بالنسبة لي في وقت صعب ومباراة حاسمة ونهائية”.

وأردف بالحديث عن هدفه في آرسنال عام 2011: “من الصعب تخيل هذا الهدف، إنه ليس عملًا مثل الآخرين، لكنه جاء بشكل عفوي، أنا أتدرب وأحاول التحسن كل يوم، وفي هذا الموقف قررت سحب الكرة من فوق ألمونيا، وشعرت أن هي الطريقة الأفضل لتسجيل الهدف”.

واختتم بالتعليق على تصريح هنري بأنه ليس بشريًا، قال ليو: “تيري شخص رائع شاركت معه غرفة تبديل الملابس وفزنا بالألقاب المهمة معًا، وكانت لدينا علاقة جيدة لسنوات عديدة، إنه لأمر مدهش أن يقول هذه الأشياء عني، ومن الجيد أن تتلقى هذه الإشادات من لاعب مثله”.

West Brom owner Guochuan Lai hasn’t been one to open the chequebook since taking the helm from Jeremy Pearce in 2016, even despite a reported net worth of £2.8bn.

It is easy to forget this amidst all the success that the Baggies had last season but they now find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle thanks to the Chinese businessman’s lack of spending this summer.

According to the Express & Star, Albion only had around £20m at their disposal, which is why we saw a couple of players come in on loan and only really two big splashes – one of which being Grady Diangana.

The 22-year-old impressed during last season’s loan spell so much that the club parted way with £12m of that budget to bring him back. to the Hawthorns permanently. The deal, eventually, could exceed £17m.

On their way to clinching promotion, the Hammers academy graduate delivered eight goals and six assists in what was really his first full season in the men’s game.

And whilst things are yet to go to plan this season for the enigmatic wide man this term, he remains a key player under Slaven Bilic.

In eight starts, Diangana has found the net once and is averaging 1.8 dribbles, 1.1 shots and 2.1 tackles per game, via WhoScored.

The £10.8m-rated sensation, who earns around £45k-per-week in the west Midlands, has received many a glowing endorsement in the past 12 months with former WBA legend Carlton Palmer recently tipping him to become a £40m-plus player.

He also added: “He is a fantastic talent, I think it’s a great acquisition for West Brom. You can’t put huge pressure on a 22-year-old who has never played in the Premier League, but he’s definitely one for the future, he’s a talented, talented boy.”

Even Sky Sports’ EFL punditry duo, Keith Andrews and Lee Hendrie both lauded Diangana to the EFL podcast last season, calling him “explosive” and a “total nightmare” to play against.

If Lai has got anything right recently, it’s certainly the gamble on signing the England U21 international permanently. It may well be his finest parting gift and at least one positive to be remembered for.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Harewood tips one manager to bring West Brom back up if they are relegated…

Celtic missed out on signing £25million Tottenham Hotspur acquisition Ryan Sessegnon, who is currently on loan with Hoffenheim until the end of the season. His admirable versatility and strong presence in front of goal during his Fulham days attracted a lot of attention, but he has fallen down the pecking order at Spurs.

Whilst Jose Mourinho is a fan of his and has labelled him a “fantastic” player, the 20-year-old still has a lot to learn. This loan spell could be the making of him under the Portuguese icon, or it could attract interest from other clubs.

Celtic must revisit Sessegnon talks

The Hoops registered their desire to sign the England youth international just before the summer transfer deadline. Sky Sports reported that the Premiership outfit were very keen on Sessegnon, but finances proved to be a problem in getting a deal over the line.

Indeed, the current climate has hit many clubs hard and sacrifices have been made. But with plenty of clubs interested in Odsonne Edouard, Neil Lennon could be looking to cut his cloth there and use the funds to invest in a player like Sessegnon.

His final season with Fulham saw him take on a multitude of roles, including right-back, left-back, left-wing and centre-forward (via Transfermarkt). As it stands, this kind of versatility would be hugely beneficial to Celtic, who have seen an ongoing change in their starting lineup.

It’s been a tough 2020/21 season for the Hoops so far, who have fallen out of favour in the league and are having a torrid time in Europe. Lennon appears to be jamming square pegs into round holes as he juggles an injury-ridden squad. The recent controversy with Mohamed Elyounoussi could also see him lose the clinical striker, who has made a big impact on the club this term.

This is exactly where the manager would have benefited from Sessegnon, who has shown his confidence in slotting into almost any position on the pitch and performing to the highest standard.

In other news, Shane Duffy was biggest Celtic disappointment against Sparta Prague…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Sheffield Wednesday legend Carlton Palmer has tipped Tony Pulis to make a bold move when the transfer market opens next month.

The 62-year-old took over from Garry Monk at the start of November but is yet to record his first win in charge of the Owls having lost two and drawn three in the Championship.

During that run, the Hillsborough giants have scored just three goals, failing to score more than once in any outing as well as managing just 0.6 goals per game.

It can be argued that the Yorkshiremen are yet to truly replace the presence of Steven Fletcher as their two top goalscorers, Barry Bannan and Callum Paterson, only sit on two for the season.

And when asked if he thought his former club would make any moves in the upcoming transfer window, Palmer hinted that a new forward could be in order before naming Newcastle United talisman, Dwight Gayle.

He told FFC:

“Dwight Gayle. He’d be a good fit.

“I mean, there are lots of players. Right now, I know the types of money that Sheffield Wednesday pay and they pay very good salaries, so you could get players down from the Premier League.

“The way to get out of the Championship is to get players who played in the Premier League, right?”

The 30-year-old, who is valued at £7.2m by Transfermarkt, is yet to play this campaign having undergone knee surgery back in September, but his initial diagnosis was positive for a return to action by 2021.

It was only two seasons ago that Gayle scored for fun in this division whilst on loan to West Brom. He bagged 23 goals in just 39 appearances before the Baggies were unable to strike a permanent switch due to his wage demands.

According to Spotrac, the Magpies outcast is earning £40k-per-week at St James’ Park and with that contract due to expire in the summer, it would not be a surprise to see him leave next month.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Carlton Palmer makes Chris Wilder claim…

MatériaMais Notícias

Ex-jogador do clube em 2003, auxiliar de Luxemburgo durante a última passagem do técnico pela Raposa, treinador interino durante um jogo neste Campeonato Brasileiro e, desde o dia 4 de setembro, integrante da comissão técnica permanente do Cruzeiro. Deivid passa a ser, segundo Thiago Scuro, diretor de futebol cruzeirense, uma possibilidade para assumir o comando do time caso Mano Menezes, de fato, deixe o clube rumo ao Shandong Luneng, da China.

– Dentro do processo, o Deivid é um dos profissionais que vamos aprofundar a conversa. Deivid é sim uma das alternativas, considerando o conhecimento que ele já tem do clube – destacou Scuro antes de citar a contratação do ex-lateral-direito Gary Neville pelo Valencia, oficializado nesta quarta-feira tendo contrato até o fim desta temporada europeia.

– A gente tem inúmeros casos de grandes treinadores que assumiram grandes equipes e que tiveram sucesso. O Valencia hoje (nesta quarta) assinou o Gary Neville como técnico principal sem nunca ter dirigido grande equipe. Temos inúmeros casos, como Pep Guardiola, em situação parecida. Meu grande sonho é construir um legado em que o clube tenha uma identidade mais forte do que o profissional que se sentar nessa cadeira – completou.

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Deivid, de 36 anos, deixou a condição de atleta em abril do ano passado, após ter defendido o Coritiba. Na oportunidade, ele afirmou que já trabalhava com a hipótese de se tornar técnico desde 2010, quando voltou a atuar no futebol brasileiro.

Guto Ferreira, que comanda a Chapecoense, e Diego Aguirre, que comandou o Internacional até agosto, também estariam entre as possibilidades. O primeiro garantiu, em entrevista à Rádio Globo de Minas pela manhã, que seria uma honra trabalhar no clube.

Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards are reportedly ‘more than happy’ with the amount with which they have to work at Liverpool in this transfer window.

According to Matt Addison of the Liverpool ECHO, the Reds duo are pleased with the transfer budget that they have been given by Fenway Sports Group. The exact amount hasn’t been disclosed, however, which leaves a sense of mystery in the air.

The Reds welcomed their first signing of the window this week after agreeing an £11.7m deal for Kostas Tsimikas from Olympiakos (via BBC Sport). The Greece international will serve as backup and potential competition for Andy Robertson at left-back.

The only other name with which Liverpool are heavily linked is Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who appears to be a fan favourite already.

A lot of supporters have responded to this update and many are taking the sides of Klopp and Edwards, claiming that they are happy if the duo are happy with the budget.

One fan believes that it is ‘only a matter of time’ before a new signing is announced, whilst another thinks this means that they have a secret lofty budget, or a ‘war chest’ as they’ve described it.

Read more replies from the Anfield faithful here:

How much do you think Liverpool will spend this summer? Have your say in the comments below…

Many Aston Villa fans have reacted to a report that claims the club are looking to negotiate a lower transfer fee with Brentford for striker Ollie Watkins.

Championship striker Watkins was one of the most in-form goalscorers in English football last season, netting an impressive 25 goals and gaining three assists in 46 appearances during the 2019/20 season.

Narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier League with the Bees, the 24-year-old is now gaining interest from a number of top-flight sides, including Villa.

With Transfermarkt setting Watkins’ value at £10.8m, the striker, who was signed by Dean Smith at Griffin Park when the Villa boss was in charge, is now set to be subject of a bid from the Villans ahead of a potential summer move.

Villa, who struggled to find a regular goalscorer last term, are said to be in negotiations over a deal but a reported asking price of £25m is proving to be a sticking point.

Daily Mail report that the Midlands are looking for a deal worth around the £18m mark and that has led fans to respond. One even suggested they should offer £15m but include ex-Bees striker Scott Hogan as part of the deal…

Do you think Watkins would be a good signing for Villa? Let us know in the comments section below…

Referees aren’t just the guys in the middle of the pitch making sure the rules are being followed anymore, now they’re almost just as talked about as the players themselves.

Nine times out of ten they’re making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Whether it’s a dodgy penalty, missed handball, a goal kick given instead of a corner, and more recently, VAR and goalline technology mishaps, referees all around the world are now well-known names amongst the fans.

As a result, many are accused of favouring certain clubs over others and some have built reputations for being either no-nonsense or just a soft touch. Whether it’s Mike Dean or Michael Oliver, fans will have their opinions on them, mostly without much substantiation other than the fact they made one or two mad decisions that went against their team once upon a time.

Judging referees is a football fans’ favourite pastime in modern football, but do the stats back up the opinions? Well, TOFFS have recently completed a very interesting referee report that will completely change some fans’ opinions on the most recognised referees in the Premier League.

Click through the gallery to see what clubs are favoured more by certain referees, and those who should always dread having a specific man in the middle the next time they play…

Arsenal

Over the last decade, Mike Jones is the referee who has overseen the highest Arsenal win percentage (80%) when refereeing games involving the Gunners, while Michael Oliver has the lowest win percentage (22.22%).

As for cards, Stuart Attwell has the highest cards-per-game ratio for Arsenal matches in the Premier League with 2.67, although Mike Dean has dished out more cards to Arsenal players than anyone else.

Aston Villa

Lee Probert is Aston Villa’s luckiest referee over the last 10 years with a win percentage 42.86%, while Phil Dowd only ever refereed one Aston Villa victory during his career in the middle!

Mark Clattenburg has shown more cards to Villa players in the Premier League than any other referee, while Neil Swarbrick’s average of 2.13 cards-per-game is the highest ratio where Villa matches are concerned.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth fans will be hoping to see more of Kevin Friend in the near future, with the referee officially being the Cherries’ luckiest referee.

That said, Friend also loves to show Bournemouth players cards!

Bournemouth’s unluckiest referee is Lee Mason, who has only overseen one Bournemouth victory from the 12 games involving the club in which he has refereed.

Brighton

John Moss is the referee Brighton fans will not want to see in the middle of their matches in future as the referee has never been involved in a Seagulls victory from six Premier League matches.

But Craig Pawson is Brighton’s luckiest, ref, with a 50% win percentage!

John Moss also holds the record for the highest cards-per-game average for Brighton with 2.67 while Chris Kavanagh is the referee who has shown Brighton the most cards in the Premier League – 20!

Burnley

Martin Atkinson dominates the rankings here for Burnley.

He’s not only Burnley’s luckiest ref with a win percentage of 55% from 20 matches involving the Clarets, but he’s also the man who has shown more cards to their players than any other referee over the last 10 years in the top-flight – 45 yellows and 1 red, averaging 2.3 cards-per-game.

Burnley will dread seeing Michael Oliver appear in the middle of the park for their matches in future, as the ref has only see Burnley win once from 12 games he’s been involved in.

Chelsea

Over the last decade in the Premier League, Neil Swarbrick has been Chelsea’s luckiest referee with a win percentage of 83.33% from 12 games.

While Kevin Friend is the ref who has the lowest win percentage for Chelsea – 45%.

Mike Dean has dished out more cards to Chelsea players over the last 10 years (88), while Anthony Taylor has the highest cards-per-game average with 2.23.

Crystal Palace

Lee Mason is Crystal Palace’s luckiest referee with a 50% win percentage from the 12 Eagles matches he’s refereed. Kevin Friend is their unluckiest, having been in charge of one Crystal Palace victory in 13.

John Moss is the man who seems to love showing Palace players cards, having dished out 52 to Eagles stars with an average of 2.26 per-match.

Everton

Everton’s favourite referee over the last 10 years is Paul Tierney, who has a win percentage of 60%. Then man in the middle they’ll dread seeing in future is Craig Pawson, who has reffed three Toffees victories out of a possible 15!

Michael Oliver has dished out the most cards to Everton players over the last decade with 53, but Bobby Madley has the highest cards-per-game average with 2.2.

Leicester City

Anthony Taylor has overseen the highest win percentage for Leicester City over the last decade, with 53.33%. Martin Atkinson is the Foxes’ unluckiest ref with a win percentage of just under 19%.

Mike Dean is the man who loves showing Leicester players a card the most, with 37 cards shown in 21 games, but Chris Kavanagh is the most card happy where Foxes players are concerned – he averages 2.27 cards-per-game.

Liverpool

Liverpool’s luckiest referee over the last 10 years is Lee Probert, who has reffed a Reds victory in almost 77% of the 13 games he’s been involved in.

Howard Webb is Liverpool’s unluckiest referee, so Reds fans will be delighted that he’s no retired.

Martin Atkinson is the man in the middle who loves giving Liverpool players cards the most – he’s handed Reds players a whopping 71 cards in the 44 games he’s been involved in.

Manchester City

Over the last decade, Neil Swarbrick is the referee who has overseen the highest Man City win percentage (90%) when refereeing games involving City, while Mark Clattenburg has the lowest win percentage (39.29%).

As for cards, Chris Foy has the highest cards-per-game ratio for Man City matches in the Premier League with 2.12, although Mike Dean has dished out more cards to Man City players than anyone else.

Manchester United

Over the last decade, Lee Probert is the referee who has overseen the highest Manchester United win percentage (75%) when refereeing games involving the Red Devils, while Michael Oliver has the lowest win percentage (39.29%).

As for cards, Mike Dean leads way for cards in Man United matches. He’s dished out 96 cards at an average of 2.34 cards-per-game – more than any other referee over the last 10 years.

Newcastle United

Over the last decade, Chris Foy is the referee who has overseen the highest Newcastle win percentage (47.37%) when refereeing games involving the Magpies, while Mike Jones has the lowest win percentage (16.67%).

As for cards, Howard Webb has the highest cards-per-game ratio for Newcastle matches in the Premier League with 2.34, although Andre Marriner has dished out more cards to Newcastle players than anyone else.

Norwich City

Over the last decade, Howard Webb is the referee who has overseen the highest Norwich win percentage (55.56%) when refereeing games involving the Canaries, while Mike Jones has the lowest win percentage (0%).

As for cards, Kevin Friend leads way for cards in Norwich matches. He’s dished out 29 cards at an average of 2.23 cards-per-game – more than any other referee over the last 10 years.

Sheffield United

Andrew Madley, Jon Moss, Peter Bankes and Robert Jones have all refereed a Sheffield United win in the one and only game they’ve overseen involving Chris Wilder’s side.

Lee Mason, Mike Dean and Simon Hooper are all among the most card-happy referees in games involving the Blades.

Southampton

Over the last decade, Martin Atkinson is the referee who has overseen the highest Southampton win percentage (57.14%) when refereeing games involving the Saints, while Lee Probert has the lowest win percentage (0%).

As for cards, Bobby Madley has the highest cards-per-game ratio for Southampton matches in the Premier League with 2.3, although John Moss has dished out more cards to Saints players than anyone else.

Tottenham

Over the last decade, Neil Swarbrick is the referee who has overseen the highest Tottenham win percentage (81.82%) when refereeing games involving Spurs, while Lee Probert has the lowest win percentage (25%).

As for cards, Craig Pawson has the highest cards-per-game ratio for Tottenham matches in the Premier League with 2.4, although Mike Dean has dished out more cards to Spurs players than anyone else.

Watford

Over the last decade, Roger East is the referee who has overseen the highest Watford win percentage (50%) when refereeing games involving the Hornets, while Martin Atkinson has the lowest win percentage (16.67%).

As for cards, Mike Dean has the highest cards-per-game ratio for Watford matches in the Premier League with 2.64, although Anthony Taylor has dished out more cards to Watford players than anyone else.

West Ham United

Over the last decade, Martin Atkinson is the referee who has overseen the highest West Ham win percentage (41.94%) when refereeing games involving the Hammers, while Phil Dowd has the lowest win percentage (7.14%).

As for cards, Neil Swarbrick has the highest cards-per-game ratio for West Ham matches in the Premier League with 2.21, although Martin Atkinson has dished out more cards to Hammers players than anyone else – 65!

Wolves

Over the last decade, Phil Dowd is the referee who has overseen the highest Wolves win percentage (50%) when refereeing games involving the Molineux club, while Peter Walton has the lowest win percentage (11.11%).

As for cards, Stuart Attwell leads way for cards in Wolves matches. He’s dished out 38 cards at an average of 2.92 cards-per-game – more than any other referee over the last 10 years.

MatériaMais Notícias

Apesar de ainda nem sequer ter entrado em campo para enfrentar o São Bento no próximo sábado, na Vila Belmiro, pelas quartas de final do Paulistão, o Santos já está de olho na estreia da Copa do Brasil, diante do Santos-AP, no dia 21 deste mês.

Caso avance à semifinal do Estadual, o Peixe teria o compromisso pela Copa intercalado entre as quartas e semi. Por estrear no torneio nacional na quinta-feira, no Amapá, e pela distância entre a Baixada e o local da partida, o presidente Modesto Roma Júnior admite utilizar os reservas no dia 21.

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– O Santos também joga a Copa do Brasil, que aliás vamos jogar em Macapá, que é bem mais longe que Buenos Aires. Temos um elenco grande. Eu não preciso colocar Gabriel, Ricardo… Não se esqueçam que eu tenho, se passar pelo São Bento, um jogo na semana seguinte. Então, eu não posso arriscar. Mas isso tudo depende da nossa performance contra o São Bento. Se eles ganharem, aí jogamos com o time principal. Mas se ganharmos, não podemos fazer uma viagem pra Macapá, em um jogo na quinta-feira, onde só tem vôo de volta às 17h de sexta, pra chegar sábado de madrugada e ter que jogar sábado ou domingo pelo Paulista – lamentou o dirigente.

Caso não consiga uma vitória por dois gols de diferença no jogo de ida em Macapá, o Peixe terá de disputar a partida de volta uma semana depois, no dia 28, que intercalaria eventuais semifinais e finais do Paulistão.

Football.London’s Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold has delivered a fresh update over Eric Dier’s immediate future under Jose Mourinho at Tottenham Hotspur.

In recent seasons a lot has been made about the Englishman, who appears to be torn between two positions right now – Is he a defensive midfielder? or a centre-back?

Well, Gold has hinted towards the latter in a recent Q&A where he claims that both Dier and Mourinho see him as a defender.

He said:

Interestingly enough, former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino believed the 26-year-old was more naturally suited to the central defensive role, but at the time, Dier didn’t agree.

The 6 foot 2 star has been restricted to a total of just 891 minutes in the Premier League this season but has split playing time between midfield and the backline, via Transfermarkt.

Is it Mido or Pedro Mendes? This Spurs quiz will separate the loyal from the fake…

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

Over the course of his career, as per Transfermarkt’s recorded matches, Dier has played 137 times as a CDM and 94 times as a CB.

Given Jan Vertonghen’s likely departure this summer and the uncertainty surrounding the future of Juan Foyth, the England international could well become a permanent resident alongside Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld.

AND in other news, Spurs fans drool over the prospect of signing French starlet…