Premier League club Chelseaannounced that midfielder Enzo Fernández will be sidelined for the remaining six games of the season after undergoing groin surgery.
Fernández, an Argentina international, had been dealing with a hernia issue since December.
Despite this, he started in Chelsea’s recent 5-0 defeat to Arsenal but was later substituted in the second half.
“Enzo Fernandez has today undergone successful surgery on a groin issue and will now begin a period of rehabilitation, sidelining him for the remainder of Chelsea’s 2023-24 season,” Chelsea said in a statement on Thursday.
“The 23-year-old midfielder will work with the club’s medical department on his rehabilitation at Cobham.”
Fernández’s absence adds to Chelsea’s challenges as they currently sit ninth in the league and are set to face fourth-placed Aston Villa on Saturday.
Argentina will be eager for Fernández’s swift recovery, especially with the Copa America scheduled to take place in the United States in June and July.
Rashford has been the target of criticism from both fans and pundits due to his underwhelming performance this campaign, where he scored only eight goals in 40 appearances.
In response to a post on X (formerly Twitter) characterizing the treatment he has received as “absolutely disgusting” and “cruel”, the 26-year-old English international expressed his belief that the extent of criticism directed towards him has become intolerable.
He wrote: “It is abuse and has been for months. Enough is enough.”
Despite reaching a career milestone of 30 goals in all competitions last season and securing a new long-term contract at Old Trafford over the summer, Marcus Rashford has struggled to replicate his previous form this year.
Following a lackluster performance in United’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle in December, Rashford was benched for two subsequent games by manager Erik ten Hag, who also criticized the player’s off-field conduct.
In particular, Rashford faced scrutiny for hosting a birthday party at a Manchester nightclub shortly after a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in November,a decision deemed “unacceptable” by Ten Hag.
Further disciplinary action was taken against Rashford in January after he missed training ahead of an FA Cup match against Newport County due to attending a nightclub in Belfast.
Unfortunately, Rashford was sidelined for Wednesday’s 4-2 victory over Sheffield United due to an injury sustained during the FA Cup semifinal against Coventry City.
His availability for Saturday’s match against Burnley at Old Trafford remains uncertain as he left Wembley with a noticeable limp.
Manchester City securedanother significant victory in their pursuit of a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title.
Phil Foden, enjoying his best scoring season yet, netted twice in a dominant 4-0 win over Brighton on Thursday.
Foden’s brace in the first half was complemented by goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Julián Álvarez, as City stretched their unbeaten league run to 18 games.
The win narrowed the gap to league leaders Arsenal to just one point.
“I don’t know if it was statement, obviously every game is a lot of pressure but the only thing we can do is try to perform as well as we did today,” De Bruyne told Sky Sports.
With five games remaining, Manchester City, holding one more than Arsenal, are displaying unwavering form as they approach the final stretch of the season.
Their upcoming fixtures include trips to Nottingham Forest, Fulham, and Tottenham, along with home matches against Wolverhampton and West Ham.
Securing victories in all five encounters would crown City as champions once more, a feat unprecedented in English soccer history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfJXn47Pva0
Since their goalless draw with Arsenal on March 31, City have been on a rampant winning streak, triumphing in four consecutive league matches and netting an impressive 17 goals along the way.
Despite the absence of injured Erling Haaland, who shares the league’s top scorer title with 20 goals, City maintained their momentum, allowing Phil Foden to potentially enter the race for the Golden Boot.
Foden, with 16 league goals this campaign and 24 in 48 appearances across all competitions, delivered yet another clinical performance in front of England coach Gareth Southgate at Amex Stadium, a mere seven weeks before the commencement of the European Championship.
City took the lead in the 17th minute courtesy of Kevin De Bruyne’s diving header from Kyle Walker’s right-wing cross. Foden doubled the advantage in the 26th minute, his free-kick shot deflecting off Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross and finding the back of the net.
“It doesn’t happen too much, does it? I think the only way I could reach it was jumping to the ball, and it goes in like a little lob, but it’s obviously not something I’m really good at,” De Bruyne said after netting his first headed goal in the Premier League.
Foden added a third in the 34th by curling home a low finish from just inside the area after Brighton lost possession attempting to play out from the back.
Alvarez, starting up front in place of Haaland, slotted in for 4-0 in the 62nd after Walker was given space to roam down the right wing and cut inside before sliding in to challenge goalkeeper Jason Steele and get the ball across to the Argentina striker.
VfB Stuttgart’s Ghanaian-born German midfielder, Roberto Massimo, is facing a setback as he is set to miss the upcoming game against champions Bayer Leverkusen due to muscular issues.
The 23-year-old winger has been sidelined from training this week, a fact confirmed by head coach Sebastian Hoeneß during a pre-match briefing on Friday.
Hoeneß assured that Massimo’s injury is not anticipated to be prolonged, indicating a hopeful outlook for his recovery.
However, it’s unlikely that he will regain fitness in time for Saturday evening’s away match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
“He hasn’t trained this week. It probably won’t be long-term and it will get better, but it won’t be enough for the weekend,” Hoeneß said.
Massimo’s absence is unlikely to greatly affect VfB Stuttgart’s lineup, considering his role as a substitute for much of the season. His last appearance was on matchday 19, during VfB Stuttgart’s 5-2 victory against Leipzig at the MHP Arena.
Real Madrid has identified AC Milan’s center-back Malick Thiaw as one of their primary targets for the upcoming summer transfer window according to Bild.
The 22-year-old joined Milan from Schalke 04 two years ago for a modest fee of €5 million and has since established himself as a regular starter at San Siro, despite enduring a lengthy thigh injury earlier this season.
Thiaw earned his full international debut for Germany last June and has since accumulated three caps.
Although he is under contract with Milan until 2027, Bild suggests that a transfer fee of €30 million could be sufficient to secure his signature.
Real Madrid reportedly views Thiaw as a valuable addition to their squad, potentially serving asa key player for the club in the long term.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian (PSG) Mbappe showcased his brilliance by outmaneuvering Ghanaian defender Nathaniel Adjei during PSG’s dominant victory over Lorient on April 24, 2024.
Mbappe’s dazzling skill left Adjei trailing behind as he executed a mesmerizing nutmeg before delivering a pinpoint assist to Dembele, who converted from close range.
The video of Mbappe’s exceptional dribble and assist has rapidly spread online, with many hailing it as one of the finest assists in football history.
In addition to his impressive assist, Mbappe netted twice in the match, contributing to PSG’s 4-1 triumph at Stade du Moustir.
With his brace, Mbappe increased his goal tally to 26 in 30 Ligue 1 appearances, placing him in prime position to secure the league’s top scorer award.
Jonathan David trails behind with 17 goals.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel Adjei, currently on loan from Hammarby, has enjoyed a commendable season despite the encounter with Mbappe.
His standout performances earned him a debut call-up to the Black Stars squad for Ghana’s matches against Uganda and Nigeria in March 2024.
Sports journalist Saddick Adams has commended theGhana Football Association (GFA)for the recent installation of floodlights at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
In a post dated April 25, 2024, he highlighted that the new floodlights will greatly facilitate evening training sessions for national team players at the facility.
“For the first time ever, players of our national teams can train at night at our National Training Complex. Shouldn’t have taken this long but better late than never. A major step. Kudos to the GFA,” the caption of his post read.
Accompanying the article were three aerial photographs of the facility taken at night. These shots displayed the fully illuminated pitch at the center, with the Prampram township visible in the background.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has faced consistent criticism for the inadequate facilities at this center.
Saddick, also known as Sports Obama, played a leading role in organizing a recent protest against the mismanagement of football in the country.
Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL)in the Western Region has announced a disruption in water supply, affecting the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.
According to a statement issued by GWCL on Thursday, April 25, the interruption is caused by a power outage at the Inchaban and Daboase Water Treatment Plants.
GWCL clarified that the interruption directly results from the power outage, which has impacted the plants’ ability to treat and supply water to the affected areas.
In response to the situation, GWCL has been in communication with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), which has assured them of efforts to promptly resolve the power issue.
The company has further assured its customers that water supply will resume immediately upon the restoration of power to the treatment plants.
“Management of Ghana Water Ltd in the Western Region wishes to inform the public that due to a power outage at the Inchaban and Daboase Water Treatment Plants, water supply to the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis has been interrupted.
Engineers of Electricity Company of Ghana Limited have assured us that they are working around the clock to resolve the problem and restore power supply.”
“Management assures our cherished customers that as soon as power supply is restored to the plants, water supply to the metropolis will resume. We apologize unreservedly for any inconvenience this supply interruption may have caused,” it stated.
Electoral Commission (EC) has refuted allegations made by National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, regarding the appointment of Returning Officers for the 2024 polls.
During a recent interview at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Mr. Mahama accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of appointing its members to the EC and expressed concerns about the EC’s impartiality in the upcoming elections.
He alleged that the election management body had requested MPs and DCEs to disclose the names of NPP members during the recruitment of Returning Officers and their deputies.
However, Fred Tetteh, the Deputy Director of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation, rebuffed these claims in a statement dated April 25. He criticized Mahama for condemning a practice he had employed during his term.
The EC clarified that the recruitment process for Returning Officers and their Deputies was conducted fairly and transparently, countering Mahama’s assertions.
“Per the attached public announcement, the Commission invited ALL interested Ghanaians to apply for the positions of Returning Officers and Deputy Returning Officers. The allegation by former President Mahama that Ministers and DCEs were asked ‘to write the names of party apparatchiks and present them so that they would be appointed as the returning officers’ IS NOT TRUE.
“The Commission rejects this unfounded allegation coming from the former President. The process of recruiting Returning Officers and their Deputies was conducted in an open, fair, and transparent manner. Following the publication of the vacancy announcement in the Daily Graphic on the 5th of February 2024, the Commission received a total of 20,561 applications.
“An in-house Committee was established to shortlist suitable applicants to be interviewed.For the information of the general public, all successful applicants at the interview have no less than 8 years of working experience with the Commission as Temporal Election Officials,” the statement said.
He alleges that the recent bill from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) was fraudulent, as it purportedly did not accurately reflect the reading on the meter.
Speaking at a press conference in Kumasi on April 25, he said “the actual reading on the meter as of yesterday was 23,498 units. The bill that they submitted which definitely the meter would have been read far earlier is 25,355 units a whopping difference of more than 1,900 units.”
“I am asking ECG to withdraw, retract and apologise to me else I will do the needful to redeem my reputation,” Mr Osei-Mensah said.
Following a disagreement between the electricity distribution company and the Minister, a staff member of the company has threatened to disconnect the Minister’s residence if the debt remains unpaid.
This incident stems from a dispute that arose when a Regional manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) was arrested at the Minister’s behest for disconnecting electricity to the Kumasi Technical University.
Mr. Osei Mensah asserts that the recent bill was fabricated to tarnish his reputation. Despite irregular billing from the company to his private property, he affirms that he consistently pays his bills on time.
As such he said, “I am also telling ECG to withdraw the fraudulent bill they have sent to me and bring the actual bill because I am responsible and I honour my obligation.”
“They didn’t come to tell me to go and pay. On 2nd April, I paid GH₵1,600 because I know always it is less than even GH₵1,500. Most often less than GH₵1,000 because nobody stays there so it’s only light that I use except on a few occasions when I decide to visit my hometown.”
Background
This tension between the workers of the ECG and Mr Osei-Mensah comes after the Ashanti Regional Minister reported the Ashanti East General Manager, Ing. Michael Wiafe, to the police for refusing to reconnect power supply to the Kumasi Technical University after cutting supply to the school for owing GH₵600,000.00.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, April 16, PUWU stated that the university had been served with a notice demanding payment of their debt and outlining the consequences of not negotiating for payment.
The statement further revealed that the University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Dumor, engaged Ing. Wiafe to negotiate payment terms since they could not afford the 75 percent upfront payment required for re-connection.
The European Parliament has conveyed trust in Ghana’s adherence to its human rights commitments, expressing hope that the controversial Promotion of Human Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the Anti-LGBT+ bill, will not be enacted into law.
Commissioner for Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, speaking on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell, underscored the EU’s position in a speech. He highlighted Ghana’s ongoing dedication to human rights, which has faced scrutiny following the bill’s passage in the Ghanaian Parliament.
“The constitutionality of the Bill has been challenged and it is currently scrutinised by the Supreme Court. It is also to be noted that the Bill also still requires presidential assent to enter into force.
The President has publicly reiterated his commitment to the respect of Human Rights and has expressed his concern about seeing a ‘backsliding‘ on human rights in the event of the adoption of the Bill.
“Senior members of the Ghanaian Government have also highlighted the Bill’s potential financial consequences and losses for the 2024 budget.
“We are, therefore, confident that Ghana will stand firm in the commitments it has made on national and international Human Rights,” he stated.
After enduring years of deliberation in parliament and navigating through various stages, the bill faced persistent opposition and efforts by its opponents to either nullify it entirely or at least amend certain sections. Nevertheless, on February 28, 2024, parliament ultimately passed the bill.
Amid mounting concerns surrounding the legislation, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has opted to await the Supreme Court’s ruling before making a decisionregarding the bill’s assent.
National Communications Authority (NCA) has granted approval to Space X Starlink GH LTD, the operator of Starlink Satellite Broadband, to offer Satellite Broadband Services within the country.
The NCA’s decision, conveyed through an official statement on April 25, represents a crucial milestone following the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation’s backing of the Satellite Licensing Framework in Ghana.
“The administrative processes towards the issuance of the license is ongoing and will be completed shortly,” the statementadded.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has issued a warning regarding the sustainability of Ghana’s Social Security and National Insurance Trusts (SSNIT),stating that its funds may be depleted by 2036.
According to a report on myjoyonline.com, a recent study has revealed that SSNIT’s income will not be sufficient to cover its yearly expenses starting in 2029. This shortfall is projected to result in a gradual depletion of its reserves over time.
By the year 2036, the reserve ratio, which measures the ratio of reserves to total expenditures for the year, is anticipated to decline from 3.4 to zero.
“Starting in 2029, total income (contributions, investment income and other income) is no longer sufficient to pay for annual expenditures.
“The reserve starts to decrease. During the year 2036, the reserve drops to zero,” the report stated.
The primary cause of this situation is the government’s tardiness in fulfilling its obligations.
As of December 2021, the government’s debt to SSNIT stood at GH¢9.35 billion, with GH¢6.9 billion attributed to late payments.
This delay in government contributions has resulted in a 1.3 percent reduction in SSNIT’s investment returns.
The report indicates that the government’s failure to meet its financial responsibilities on time has shifted a considerable financial burden onto the private sector.
“Past experience suggests that, by not paying on time and not paying the interest incomeon delayed contributions, the government shifts an important part of the cost to the private sector,” the study stated.
Virgil van Dijk is optimistic about the prospect of Feyenoord manager Arne Slot becoming the next coach at Liverpool, as the club seeks a successor for Jurgen Klopp.
Slot has emerged as the leading candidate for the position, with discussions regarding a move to Anfield already in progress.
While former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has expressed skepticism about Slot’s ability to transition from the Eredivisie to the Premier League, team captain Van Dijk seems to support his compatriot.
He told ViaPlay: “I think Slot is one of the better Dutch coaches at the moment. With the way he plays and the philosophy he has, he can be a Liverpool coach.
But I read and hear that it is far from complete. We shall see. We will focus on that next season, but that is still a long way off.”
Liverpool faces a monumental challenge in finding a successor to Jurgen Klopp, who has achieved significant success during his time at Anfield. After failing to secure Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen, the club has now set its sights on Slot.
The Dutch manager, who has won both the Eredivisie and the KNVB Beker with Feyenoord since 2021, emerges as the top candidate following Ruben Amorim’s withdrawal from consideration.
While discussions between Liverpool and Feyenoord continue, the team, led by Van Dijk, aims to recover from their recent defeat toEverton as they face West Hamin Saturday’s early kick-off.
According to The Sun, they have chosen the unique name “Rezon” for their baby boy, sticking with the tradition of starting their children’s names with the letter ‘R’.
The couple recently reconciled after a split last December, following reports of Walker’s infidelity.
Despite the challenges, they decided to focus on the well-being of their children, including Rezon, who was born during this time. The newborn joins siblings Roman, Riaan, and Reign.
While they have yet to officially register the name, Walker remains focused on his football commitments, with City facing Brighton on Thursday in a crucialPremier League match.
Canada has shown interest in American Jesse Marsch and formerManchester United managerOle Gunnar Solskjaer for their vacant head coach position.
According to The Standard, both Marsch and Solskjaer have been approached by the Canadian Soccer Federation regarding the position.
Solskjaer has been without a job since his dismissal in 2021, while Marsch has been available since February 2023 when he was relieved of his duties at Leeds United.
The report also mentions other candidates in the running, including former Chelsea and Real Madrid assistant Paul Clement, Forge FC manager Bobby Smyrniotis, and former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka.
Canada, along with the U.S. and Mexico, is set to co-host the 2026 World Cup.
While they qualified for the 2022 World Cup, their first appearance in 36 years, head coach John Herdman departed shortly after for MLS side Toronto FC.
Frank Lampard and Jose Mourinho declined interview offers for the role, prompting Canada to explore alternative options as they prepare for the next World Cup.
Canada is also scheduled to participate in the 2024 Copa America this summer, where they will face Argentina, Peru, and Chile in the group stage, including a match againstLionel Messi and the defending champions.
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has announced the allocation of $20 million for the expansion of the left bank of the Kpong Irrigation Scheme.
The implementation of this project will be overseen by the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP).
Dr. Acheampong made this announcement during a speech at a grand durbar held to commemorate the 20th anniversary celebrations of Golden Exotic Company Limited, Ghana’s leading banana exporter, in Kasunya, Asutuare, on Thursday, April 25.
This funding follows a previous injection of $20 million from the Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP) in 2011, which initiated the Kpong Irrigation project. The scheme benefits farmers in the Asutuare enclave, including the Golden Exotic Company Limited.
The rehabilitation of the irrigation scheme is set to enhance water availability and assist farmers in improving their crop yields.
“The people of this community must know that the government has pumped $20 million into the irrigation scheme around this area and I have also approved another $20 million to expand the left bank of the irrigation scheme in this area which is going to be implemented by the Food Systems Resilience Programme and that will amount to $40 million in this area alone.”
The Managing Director of Golden Exotic Company Limited, Benedict Rich, in an interview with an Accra based TV station mentioned that the company has leveraged on drone technology to improve productivity.
“Drone technology has really advanced in the last few years and we have been trying it and a lot of the work that can be done by hand has now been done by aeroplanes and drones are just a gamechanger and we use them to apply fertiliser and use them to count the bananas and use them to monitor diseases.”
About the project
The Kpong Irrigation Scheme (KIS) is a significant agricultural infrastructure project in Ghana designed to bolster food security and self-reliance by enhancing irrigated farming practices.
Situated within the Accra Plains, this scheme harnesses water from the Volta River, facilitated by the Kpong Dam. Encompassing an area of 2,200 hectares under gravity irrigation and an additional 1,000 hectares under pump irrigation, it serves as a vital resource for agricultural development.
Initiated in 1968, the project began with the introduction of irrigation across portions of the Accra Plains. Subsequently, with the completion of the Kpong Dam in 1982, the KIS has effectively utilized gravity from the dam to irrigate land, marking a significant milestone in Ghana’s agricultural landscape.
AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic could find himself in high demand if he considers a move away from the club in the upcoming transfer window.
The USMNT star has enjoyed a standout debut season at San Siro since his switch from Chelsea in 2023, notching up a personal-best tally of 13 goals.
However, uncertainty looms over his future amidst speculation surrounding manager Stefano Pioli’s tenure. Rumors suggest that Pioli may face the axe this summer, potentially leaving Pulisic surplus to requirements.
This scenario marks an ironic turn of events for a player who has excelled since his arrival at Milan.
Former USMNT defender Alexi Lalas has no concerns when it comes to Pulisic’s future, telling his State of the Union podcast of why another top club will not be hard to find: “I don’t have to tell Christian Pulisic, he has been around long enough, he knows this stuff.
He’s a grizzled veteran, even at a relatively young age in his career, in that he has seen how quickly things can change. I got a question about ‘Has he done enough?’ Yeah, he’s done more than enough to prove his worth, to prove his value to Milan.
“You could argue that he’s been their best player. But it doesn’t matter because when there is a changing of the guard, there is often a change of mentality and you have people that come in with their preconceived notions and their baggage and the direction they want to go.
Christian Pulisic might be in a situation where he is in a place where thousands of players have been, where they are just not part of the plans going forward. The good part for Christian Pulisic is that I think there will be a lot of suitors out there, there will be plenty of people that will want him going forward. It would be ironic that arguably the best season he’s had results in him having to go elsewhere.”
Pulisic, at just 25 years of age, has already spent time in Germany, England and Italy with Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Milan. He has also collected 66 caps for his country and will be hoping to lead them into Copa America action on home soil this summer – before any questions regarding his club future are answered.
Manchester Unitedmanager Erik ten Haghas indicated that Mason Mount is likely to make his return to action against Burnley this weekend.
Mount, who joined United from Chelsea in a £55 million deal, has been plagued by injuries since his transfer, restricting him to just 17 appearances for the club.
Despite recently recovering from a calf injury, the 25-year-old experienced another setback, causing him to miss United’s last two matches against Sheffield United in the league and Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final.
Ten Hag told BBC’s Match of the Day: “For coming back for the game against Burnley, I don’t expect (the majority of United’s players to make a comeback). Mason Mount, he will return, I think.”
However, Ten Hag also disclosed that there would be no additions to the defensive line, as several key defenders are sidelined due to injury. These include Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Raphael Varane, and Willy Kambwala.
This has left the Dutch tactician with few options in defense, leading him to deploy Brazilian midfielder Casemiro in central defense.
Despite partnering with Harry Maguire, Casemiro’s inclusion has failed to bring stability to United’s backline, resulting in the team conceding five goals in their last two games.
Yet Tan Hag backed Casemiro’s abilities as a centre-back and said: “I think he’s a very good centre-back, together with Harry. Very stable in and out of possession.”
Mount’s potential return could provide a timely boost to United’s midfield, offering additional creativity and attacking impetus in the crucial stages of the season.
They currently sit in sixth place in the Premier League table, three points ahead of Newcastle United but seven behind Tottenham Hotspur who are holding on to the Europa League spot.
After hosting Burnley, they will be in line to faceCrystal Palace, Arsenal,Newcastle and Brighton in the Premier League.
Cancelo has been sidelined from City’s lineup since January 2023 due to a disagreement with Guardiola. Subsequently, he was loaned to Bayern Munich and then to Barcelona.
However, Cancelo has faced harsh criticism during his time at Barcelona, particularly for notable errors in matches against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Real Madrid in La Liga.
“We’ll see at the end of the season,” Guardiola told a press conference when asked whether Cancelo had a future at the club.
Cancelo has experienced three significant incidents during his time at City. Shortly after his arrival from Juventus in 2019, the Portuguese expressed frustration over Guardiola’s preference for Kyle Walker at right-back.
In 2020, Sporting director Txiki Begiristain intervened to encourage Cancelo’s greater engagement in training.
Then, in late 2022, Cancelo was reportedly distracted during team meetings, even listening to music on his headphones while Guardiola was speaking. Despite these challenges, Cancelo remains under contract at City until 2027, signing a lucrative deal in 2022 before being loaned out to Bayern.
His loan spell with Barcelona is set to conclude at the end of this season, but he has expressed a desire to stay at the Catalan club for two or three more years.
City will face Brighton on Thursday with the aim of regaining their position in the Premier League title race, especially after Arsenal’s 5-0 victory over Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the table.
City face Brighton on Thursday looking to reclaim their grip on the Premier League title race after Arsenal hammered Chelsea 5-0 to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Guardiola said: “I can’t think past Brighton, trying to figure out how they are. I know with Roberto how we need to find the weakness, it will be really tough, they’ll test us in ways we are not used to. We have to be strong – it might be the toughest game. not saying the others are not but the way they play is so difficult and we have to be ready.”
Former Germany teammate Mario Gomez has likenedMesut Ozilto “a little Cristiano” following his remarkable transformation since retiring from professional football.
Throughout his playing career, Ozil was often criticized for being lightweight and lacking in aggression, despite his successes with clubs like Real Madrid and Arsenal and winning the World Cup in 2014.
Known for his laid-back style of playmaking, the 35-year-old has now significantly bulked up, spending more time in the gym than ever before.
Even former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo has been impressed by Ozil’s physical transformation, commenting “bro not bad” on one of his social media posts.
Gomez has now had his say on the new hulking version of Ozil, telling the Phrasenmaher podcast: “First of all, it’s admirable how he pulls it off.
However, I am someone who believes in the happy medium because I have experienced swings in both directions and know that extremes often lead to nothing good. I don’t know what his mission is behind this.
“It looks a bit crass and wouldn’t be my thing – but that’s not the point. When you come out of a career in which you received a lot of encouragement and praise for years, you naturally look for something that fulfils you. Mesut now seems to have found this in the gym.
Jurgen Klopp emphasized that Liverpool’s Premier League title aspirations hinge on a “crisis” occurring at Arsenal and Manchester City following a 2-0 loss in the Merseyside derby against Everton.
With four games remaining, Liverpool finds themselves three points adrift of the top spot.
Everton secured their first home derby victory since 2010 with goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, effectively alleviating relegation concerns by establishing an eight-point cushion above the relegation zone.
The Everton supporters taunted their rivals by singing “You lost the league at Goodison Park” and Klopp, who will step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season, said his side were now struggling to stay alive in the title race.
“I don’t know why I need to answer the question, but I know how it works,”Klopp said. “You can see the table. We need a crisis at Arsenal and City, so they need to not win games as we haven’t done tonight. Arsenal and City must have a very bad moment.
“I can only apologise for today to the people. We should have done better but we didn’t. Our performance wasn’t good enough and I am very disappointed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ-XK7pKn9M
“We defended the first goal three times and handed it to Everton on a plate and the second goal could probably have been defended better.
“And for us, each miss gave Everton more momentum. We never had it, but we gave them more.”
Klopp added that his would have to recover physically and mentally, but that the second part is difficult when you lose a game like this.
“West Ham will probably be waiting for us [on Saturday] and rubbing their hands, hoping that we turn up on one leg, but we have to recover for that,” Klopp said.
The jubilant Everton supporters celebrated their team’s victory with fervent enthusiasm, staying at Goodison Park long after the final whistle to sing and applaud the players. Manager Sean Dyche attributed the win to the loyal fans who have endured a challenging season marked by two points deductions imposed by the Premier League.
“That win is for the people,” Dyche said. “We should be on 41 points and thestory’s different. But thats now three clean sheets in three home games. The challenge for the players is to go and do it again.
“We spoke about the desire and the energy of the team and the physical side of the game. The lads did it on Sunday and they’ll have to do it again. That’s the challenge.”
Manchester United’s captain Bruno Fernandes stepped up with a crucial performance in a 4-2 victory over Sheffield United, rescuing his team just as manager Erik ten Hag faced increasing pressure.
Despite trailing twice, with Jayden Bogle and Ben Brereton Diaz finding the net for Sheffield United, Fernandes played a pivotal role in turning the tide.
He equalized from the penalty spot in the 61st minute after a foul on Harry Maguire, who had earlier scored United’s first equalizer.
Fernandes then showcased his skill with a powerful left-footed shot to put his team ahead before setting up Rasmus Højlund to secure the win against their determined opponents.
“At the end we came back. We put ourselves in a position where it’s tough to win games. But also it shows a bit of character,” the Portuguese midfielder said.
“We’re scoring lots of goals. It’s just about that compactness we need to have as a team.”
It was another far-from-convincing display from Ten Hag’s side although victory moved United into sixth place to keep them in the hunt for a European qualifying spot.
“Many positives today,” Ten Hag said. “The resilience to fight back after losing two times. But also there were negatives. We gave it away, it can’t happen, unacceptable, we have to learn from this.”
Time is nearly up forSheffield United who have only 16 points from 34 games and could be relegated at the weekend.
Erik ten Hag likely to facinga 25% reduction in pay as Manchester United manager next season if he manages to retain his position following the team’s failure to qualify for the Champions League, sources informed ESPN.
Ten Hag, who joined Old Trafford after leaving his role as Ajax head coach in May 2022 on a three-year contract, is under increasing pressure as United currently sit in seventh place in the Premier League, trailing by 16 points from a top-four spot.
The scrutiny on Ten Hag has intensified, particularly after the team’s recent collapse at Wembley, where they surrendered a 3-0 lead to Championship side Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final.
According to sources, United’s new football leadership, led by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has been exploring potential alternatives to Ten Hag.
However, despite the disappointing performances and Champions League elimination this season, the club is still preparing for the next season with Ten Hag at the helm.
Ten Hag, 54, like most of his senior players, has a performance-based contract at Old Trafford. Failure to secure Champions League qualification would result in a 25% reduction in salary for the season when the team does not participate in UEFA’s premier competition.
With Ten Hag currently earning £9 million-a-year ($11.2m), missing out on the Champions League next season would see his salary drop to £6.75m. Additionally, it could potentially lead to a less generous compensation package if the decision is made to terminate his contract with one year remaining this summer.
While United still have 18 points up for grabs this season, they are not mathematically out of contention for a top-four finish.
However, if they fail to secure awin against Sheffield United, their faint hopes of qualifying for the Champions League would be dashed, resulting in the confirmed 25% salary reduction for next season.
Xavi Hernández has opted to extend his tenure as Barcelona coach until the conclusion of his contract in 2025, as confirmed by a source to ESPN.
This decision marks a reversal of his previous announcement to step down at the end of the season, citing mental fatigue amidst disappointing results.
After a meeting with president Joan Laporta on Wednesday, the former Spain international has committed to fulfilling his contractual obligations with the Catalan club. Xavi, who took over as Barça coach in 2021, guided the team to their first league title in four years last season and inked a contract extension until June 30, 2025, with an option for an additional year.
Despite encountering challenges earlier in the season with defeats in various competitions, including a notable loss to Villarreal in January prompting his initial resignation announcement, Xavi’s leadership sparked a resurgence on the field.
Barça went on a 13-game unbeaten streak, prompting support from club officials for Xavi to stay on.
Although recent setbacks, including elimination from the Champions League and a defeat in El Clásico, have dimmed their title hopes, sources indicate that Barça remained steadfast in their desire for Xavi to continue.
Financial considerations and Xavi’s success in nurturing young talents further reinforced the club’s commitment to him.
While other candidates were considered as potential replacements, the Barcelona board ultimately reaffirmed their preference for Xavi during discussions on Wednesday.
A final agreement was reached later in the day following a meeting between Xavi and Laporta, solidifying his decision to remain at the helm of the club.
He proposed conducting these exams three times a year to ensure that referees have a thorough understanding of the game’s rules, thereby enhancing their performance during matches.
“The Regional Referees Associations have to be honest and more scientific.
There should be mandatory theoretical exams conducted three times in a year, with these exams being computerized for all referees across the country”, he said.
“In the past, we dwelt a lot on physical training as a yardstick to determine the quality of referees; over time, we realized that they tended to be physically fit but did not have a firm grasp of the laws governing the game,” Kurt Okraku said during a one-day training workshop for Referees Managers of the ten Regional Football Associations in Accra.
Under his administration, Kurt Okraku has ensured serious investments to improve refereeing.
He is the brain behind the Catch Them Youth refereeing policy.
Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan expressed heartfelt appreciation for former Black Stars defender Samuel Inkoom’s selflessness, dedication, and commitment.
Speaking to the press during the unveiling of a partnership between the Samuel Inkoom Football Management Agency (SIFMA) and HK-Invest, Gyan shared insights into his relationship with Inkoom and praised him for his progress over the years.
To exemplify Inkoom’s virtues, Gyan reminisced about a memorable moment where Inkoom selflessly assisted him during a national team training camp in Winneba.
“During my time at acadamicals, I saw him in Winneba. He was one of the academy boys. He saw something in me and even started washing my stuff for me at the age of 14. When he came to the national team he tried to remind me and I said ‘You were that boy?’. So he has always been humble, committed and hard-working,” he said.
Asamoah Gyan further noted that the initiative taken by Inkoom to unearth talents for Ghana inspired him to attend the launch.
“I’m here to support Samuel because I like to give back (to society). That’s what we want. We want to help the younger generation to succeed, so when I see an initiative like this, I always want to support it.”
“He’s been a brother to me and has been very supportive of me. Every event I do, he supports but I’m not looking at that. It is the fact that he is helping these young ones to have a life, so why not?”
The Samuel Inkoom Football Management Agency (SIFMA)on Friday, April 19, 2024, unveiled its partnership with HK-Invest with both organisations pledging their commitment to the discovery and harnessing of Ghanaian football talents.
Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellinghamhas reportedly ended his relationship with Turkish-Ghanaian social media influencer Chitty Asantewaa and has found new love with Dutch model Laura Celia Valk according to The Sun.
Bellingham had been dating Asantewaa since 2022, but their relationship has come to an end, with Bellingham now romantically involved with Valk.
The Sun’s report suggests that Valk and Bellingham’s newfound romance was initially kept private until Valk accidentally revealed it to her make-up artist during a photoshoot.
“Laura has been telling everyone about the relationship,” a source told the Sun as quoted by Dailymail.com.
“She’s been staying at his place in Madrid over the past few weekends and is completely smitten.”
Valk was recently seen among the girlfriends of Madrid players during their visit to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium to watch Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Athletic Club on March 31, 2024.
The following day, Laura shared pictures of herself on a date at The Madrid EDITION hotel in Spain with an unidentified man.
Although Valk and her new partner appear to be enjoying their budding relationship, there is no information available regarding the reason forJude Bellingham’s breakupwith Chitty Asantewaa.
Ghanaian international Jordan Ayew played a crucial role for Crystal Palace on Wednesday night in their 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in theEnglish Premier League.
The two teams clashed at Selhurst Park to resolve their outstanding Week 29 fixture of the league campaign.
Starting for Crystal Palace, Black Stars forward Jordan Ayew put on an impressive display throughout the game.
Following a goalless first half, Ayew provided an assist for Jean-Philippe Mateta, who opened the scoring for Crystal Palace in the 55th minute.
Later in the 88th minute, the French striker netted his second goal of the match, securing an important 2-0 win for Crystal Palace againstNewcastle United.
A five-member para-athletics team has left Ghana for Morocco’s 2024 Marrakech World Para Athletics (WPA) Grand Prix competition.
The tournament, set for April 22–28, is a qualification event for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The competition would also allow the classification of the first Ghanaian Para Athletes in shot put and standing javelin, among others.
Other team members who have already been classified include 21-year-old Amos Ahiagah, a right-arm amputee who will compete in the 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, and men’s long jump events.
19-year-old Diana Kuubetegr, also an arm amputee, will compete in the women’s 800-meter and 1,500-meter events.
Zinabu Issah, an experienced para-athlete, will also compete in the women’s sitting shot put, discus throw, and javelin events.
Speaking to the Chairman of the Ghana Para Athletics Association, Mr Foster Kwarteng, he called on corporate bodies to support the Samson Deen-led Ghana Paralympic Committee to enable many more heroes yet to gain classification to attend other Paris 2024 Paralympic Games qualification events coming up in Japan, Switzerland, and France respectively.
With the support of NPC Ghana, Ghana’s Dr Abena Tannor, a WPA international classifier, is currently in Morocco as one of the elected officials worldwide.
The African Paralympic Committee: AfPC Paris 2024 Qualification Grant sponsored the team and ten other selected athletes in Africa, a program to sponsor para-athletes across the African Region.
The president of the Ghana Paralympic Committee and African Paralympic Committee, Mr Samson Deen, has received support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Authority to promote para-sports in Ghana through its 2020-2027 strategic plan.
Former captain of the Togo national team, Emmanuel Adebayor, reflected on his journey from humble beginnings in his West African homeland to a prestigious invitation to the French presidency.
The former Arsenal player shared photos of his visit to the Palais de l’Elysée, where he was invited by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Adebayor was in Paris to participate in a charity football match organized by Varieties CF, aimed at raising funds for sick children.
The post, dated April 24, 2024, featured Adebayor alongside other African football legends such as Didier Drogba from Ivory Coast and El Hadji Diouf from Senegal.
In his caption, Adebayor expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “SEA, from ‘Kodjoviakopé’ to the ‘Palais de l’Elysée’.
Humbled to be invited by French President Emmanuel Macron to the Palais de l’Elysée, surrounded by legends.”
“A reminder that no matter where you come from, believe in yourself and your dreams. Anything is possible with perseverance and belief.”
Adebayor, Drogba others at France Parliament
The game was played at the Stade Bernard Giroux.
Other notables who graced the game were Ruud Gullit, Eden Hazard,Arsene Wenger, Marcel Desailly, Robert Pires, Laurent Blanc and Didier Deschamps.
Ahead ofProf. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang’sintroduction as the running mate of the National Democratic Congress for the 2024 presidential election, Ellen Ama Daaku, a failed Women Organiser aspirant of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), expressed skepticism regarding the significance of the appointment.
Daaku questioned the attention surrounding Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s nomination, arguing that her previous selection as the running mate to former President John Dramani Mahama in 2020 had little impact on the election outcome.
She suggested that the same would hold true for the upcoming December 7, 2024, polls.
“My issue this morning is that I believe we have a lot of things to discuss in this country.
The NDC as I said, they are not ready for this election. If they were, there are other pressing matters with their campaign and getting themselves ready, not outdooring somebody you outdoored four years ago; it did not make an impact.
“You announced her three months ago, it has not made any impact. In fact, it was after that announcement that the famous statement by Kwesi Ahwoi came, you have not addressed that and you are going for another outdooring,” she said.
During her inaugural address following her introduction by the NDC on Wednesday night, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang accused the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government of pushing Ghana towards the brink of collapse.
She highlighted corruption as a prevalent issue under the current administration and emphasized the NDC’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable.
“John and I have agreed, that whoever has participated in the plunder of the state must be held accountable.
“This is not a threat; it is a promise, premised on the wishes of our citizens across the various political and social divides, and hinged on the principle of accountability,” she stated.
Announcing Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as Mahama's running mate didn't make any impact 4 years ago, and it hasn't made any impact recently… – Ellen Ama Daaku#GHToday#GHOneTVpic.twitter.com/Kb4uEWgXgh
Founding president andCEO of Imani Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has praised Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang for her speech delivered on April 24, 2024, in Accra.
The speech, presented at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), was described by Cudjoe as presidential and inspiring.
The occasion marked the official announcement of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, the former education minister, as the running mate to John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming 2024 presidential elections.
“What a speech! Presidential and uplifting!” Cudjoe posted on Facebook hours after the speech, he added: “Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang says she will never consider herself a “driver’s mate”. Interesting days ahead.”
The highly attended event was graced by prominent figures from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), including former President Mahama himself, along with the party’s National Chairman and General Secretary.
As widely anticipated, Naana Jane was officially named as Mahama’s running mate for the upcoming polls, marking their second consecutive partnership following their unsuccessful 2020 bid.
During her speech, she passionately addressed NDC supporters, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Naana Jane dedicated significant time to delivering politically charged statements aimed at highlighting the government’s alleged mismanagement of affairs since 2017.
Contractors working on the Kumasi International Airport have officially handed over the completed project to the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport.
The handover took place during an inspection and testing of the terminal facilities by officials from the Ministry of Transport and the GACL, led by Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, on Tuesday.
The purpose of the visit was to assess whether the facilities meet international standards.
Mr. Asiamah expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the contractors and expressed confidence that the airfields would also be completed promptly. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that all facilities function optimally to facilitate smooth operations.
The Minister highlighted the need for a strong maintenance culture to ensure the longevity of the facility, noting that many infrastructures in the country suffer from maintenance deficits. He expressed optimism that the facility would be commissioned before the end of May 2024.
Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, Managing Director of GACL, praised the quality of work done after testing and expressed gratitude for the continued guidance for the sustainability of the facility.
She emphasized that the completion of the facility would significantly increase passenger traffic, particularly from the Ashanti and northern regions.
Nana Ametepe, the Resident Engineer/Consultant for GACL, led the team on a tour of various operational departments of the facility. These included the information desk, profiling box, VVIP lounge, wrapping area, luggage scanning rooms, among others.
The Kumasi Airport Project, Phase Two,commenced in June 2018, following the sod-cutting ceremony by President Akufo-Addo.
The scope of work included extending the existing runway pavement, constructing new taxi links and aprons, as well as installing aeronautical ground lighting systems.
Complete the DS-160 form by providing the followingdetails on the first page after receiving your I-20:
Full Name (as it appears on your passport)
Marital Status
Date of Birth
Full Name in Alphabetical Order (if not applicable, indicate “Does Not Apply”)
Ensure that all information is accurately filled out. Save the first page for future reference. The DS-160 confirmation number, located on the top right corner of the DS-160 page, will be needed for scheduling an appointment in the CJI portal. Take a screenshot of the confirmation number for booking purposes.
https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/ Link to CJI portal to book visa appointment date or Visa Interview date. Make sure you have your DS160 confirmation number I-20 And Passport with you!
For Ghana Pay it at GT bank
Register with your full name and email address Location click Ghana/ IC register and generate coupon before
After Registering, on your left hand side of your screen you will see Scheduled Appointment or New Appointment click that
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Select F1, M, F2 etc
Fill this page with your passport, I-20 and DS160 details
Click Continue and Input your GT bank payment Receipt Reference number
Dates will pop up, Select earliest available date and Hunt for favorable dates available to your start date.
Anytime you can go and check if the are favorable dates available. Just click on Reschedule Appointment and check if there are favorable dates available
National Sports Authority (NSA) has requested Dreams FC to pay GH₵36,070.00 for their use of the Baba Yara Stadium in their upcoming CAF Confederation Cup semi-final second-leg match against Zamalek FC.
Dreams FC has utilized the stadium since the qualifying stage and has established it as a stronghold throughout their successful debut campaign in the competition.
In response to Dreams FC’s announcement offering free entry to the center line and Popular Stands at the Baba Yara Stadium, the NSA has taken action by sending a letter to the General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association.
In the letter, the NSA formally demands a total of GH₵36,070.00 from Dreams FC for their use of the Baba Yara Stadium.
It details various expenses associated with the facility’s usage, including field preparation, janitorial services, sanitation, and the provision of a standby generator.
Signed by Kwame Baah Mensa, the Regional Director of the NSA, and dated April 23, the letter is addressed to the General Secretary of the GFA.
It meticulously itemizes the costs involved in utilizing the stadium.
Traditionally, arrangements for facility usage have involved sharing gate proceeds, with agreed-upon percentages covering costs.
However, given the announcement of free entry, the NSA promptly reminds Dreams FC and the GFA of their financial responsibilities in this regard.
Dreams FC is set to face African giants Zamalek in the second leg of their semi-final clash in the ongoing CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday, April 28. The first leg ended in a goalless draw.
Two 19-year-oldPremier League footballers have been arrested in connection with an alleged rape, according to police reports.
The players, who have not been named, were interviewed by authorities and later released on bail.
Both individuals are reported to be from the same club, which has chosen not to comment on the matter.
A police spokesperson confirmed the arrests, stating, “Officers have arrested two men following a report of a rape.”
One player was arrested on suspicion of assault and aiding and abetting a rape, while the other was arrested on suspicion of rape.
The alleged incident, reported by The Sun newspaper, supposedly occurred on Friday.
The club’s response to the situation, including any potential suspensions pending the outcome of the police investigation, remains undisclosed.
The Premier League mandated sexual consent training for players and staff in 2022, following several high-profile incidents involving top-flight footballers.
This recent development arises amid ongoing concerns about how cases involving professional athletes are handled and underscores the importance of thorough investigation and accountability.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Parteyexpressed his delight at participating in the team’s resounding 5-0 triumph in Tuesday night’s London derby against Chelsea.
The 30-year-old has faced challenges with playing time due to injuries and competition from players like Jorginho and Declan Rice.
However, he made his fifth Premier League start of the season against Chelsea, signaling a return to the starting lineup.
Partey played a crucial role in Arsenal’s impressive victory, demonstrating his midfield prowess for 72 minutes.
Following the match, he expressed his joy and satisfaction with the team’s outstanding performance.
“I’m happy to be back in the team and also to get a win in the derby,” he said as quoted by Arsenal.com. “It’s a really important game, so I’m very happy. Everything depends on us. We have to continue winning our games, we have a few more games left and we have to win them all.
Arsenal will target another win when they visitOld Trafford to play Manchester Unitedwho are aiming to make seal a place in European competitions next season.
Thomas Partey will have a year left on his contract at the end of the season and get consistency to the side will be key in determining his future as Arsenal chase their first Premier League trophy in 20 years.
Despite the initial risk of a lower income, the Reds were attracted to Nike’s established presence and marketing expertise.
They had to overcome a legal battle with New Balance in 2019 to secure the Nike deal, arguing that New Balance’s marketing couldn’t match the proposed benefits.
However, it seems the partnership is nearing its conclusion.
Reports suggest that adidas has won the bidding for the next contract, which would run from the 2025/26 season to 2029/30, beating out competition from Nike and Puma.
While the potential adidas deal could bring in more annually than the Nike agreement, it falls short of Manchester United’s lucrative £90 million deal with adidas.
Liverpool has a storied history with adidas, having had kits from them in two previous spells, notably during the iconic shirts of the 1985-1996 period.
Victor Osimhen has opened up about the emotional toll he would face upon departing Napoli, amidst ongoing speculation surrounding his future with the Italian giants.
The 25-year-old forward has emerged as a prime target for several top European teams, including Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal.
As reported by the Daily Post, Osimhen confessed that he anticipates feeling overwhelmed when the time comes to bid farewell to Napoli.
Having endeared himself to the club’s supporters by playing a pivotal role in securing their first Italian league title in 33 years last season, he has become a beloved figure among the fans.
“For me, it’s a fantastic feeling, in some clubs it’s the history that creates the identity, in Naples, it’s the fans who make the team what it is.
“Sometimes I understand why some legends of the past cried when they left Naples because it is an extraordinary emotion to play in the stadium and hear your name shouted from the first minute to the 90th, supporting the team and cheering.”
Osimhen has been widely tipped to leaveNapoli at the end of the season and is expected to cost a whopping €130m after having his release clause increased by the Italian club.
Legendary manager Fabio Capello, who led Real Madrid to glory twice, has once again sparked the everlasting debate betweenLionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The duo’s dominance is staggering, with an astonishing 13 Ballon d’Or awards shared between them, Messi clinching a record-breaking eight.
With such remarkable success, opinions have perpetually been split on who truly deserves the title of the greatest of all time.
Capello has now joined the ranks of high-profile figures to weigh in on the GOAT debate.
Capello chooses between Messi and Ronaldo
While acknowledging Ronaldo’s immense talent, the legendary manager does not place the Portuguese on the same pedestal as the Inter Miami star.
“Ronaldo’s a phenomenal player, a goal-scoring machine. He’s stacked trophies and Ballon d’Ors, but he hasn’t reached Messi’s level of genius,” Capello declared via Sportskeeda.
“I saw Messi at the Gamper trophy, and within 25 minutes, I was asking Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard if I could loan him! He was a genius on the pitch,” Capello reminisced.
The Red Devils booked their spot in the final after a tense encounter against Coventry City, a match that has been widely criticized as ’embarrassing’.
United initially took control with Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire netting before halftime, followed by Bruno Fernandes extending their lead. However, their defensive frailties resurfaced, allowing Coventry to level the score with three quick goals within 19 minutes.
Despite the threat of an upset from the Championship side, United managed to hold their nerve and emerged victorious in the penalty shootout, as reported by Sky Sports.
This sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown with reigning champions Manchester City in the final.
Securing a place in the final of the oldest football competition presents a golden opportunity for Ten Hag’s team to clinch silverware at the season’s end. Yet, they are fully cognizant of the formidable challenge posed by their arch-rivals, who triumphed over them in last season’s final.
Ten Hag vows to sink Man City in FA Cup final
However, the Dutchman remains unfazed by the daunting prospect of facing the Citizens and exudes confidence in his team’s capability to seize victory in the final.
“We are not satisfied by being in the FA Cup final; we want to win it,” the 54-year-old gaffer boldly claimed as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
He underscores the team’s resolve and confidence in their capacity to attain their objectives via their mentality and strategy.
“That is what we will go for, and it’s our mentality. That is why we are successful,” “That’s why I am successful over 10 years as a manager, I always bring out the maximum of each squad”.
Man United to sack Erik ten Hag before FA Cup final?
It was reported that Manchester Unitedhave reportedly reached a decision regarding Erik ten Hag’s future at the club amid calls for his dismissal before the FA Cup final.
Former Argentina international and renowned footballer, Carlos Tevez,has been admitted to the hospital due to chest pain, as announced by Club Atletico Independiente, the Argentine club he currently coaches.
Tevez, who has represented Argentina in 76 matches and played for prominent clubs such as Boca Juniors, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Juventus, assumed the coaching role at Independiente in August 2023.
The Buenos Aires-based club stated that Tevez was hospitalized at the Trinidad Hospital in San Isidro after experiencing discomfort in his chest.
“They (the hospital) carried out the corresponding studies and they were satisfactory,” said in a statement.
“Carlos Tevez will be hospitalized as a precaution until the corresponding studies are completed.”
Tevez won two Premier League titles with United and one with City, as well as two Serie A titles with Juventus. After retiring in 2021, Tevez had a stint in charge of Rosario Central in 2022.
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick revealed on Wednesday thatBayern Munich had reached out to him as they seek a replacement for departing manager Thomas Tuchel.
However, Rangnick clarified that he is currently not engaging with any potential interest from Bayern, as his primary focus remains on the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament set to kick off in Germany in June.
“There has been contact from the side of Bayern Munich and I have informed the Austrian Football Association,” Rangnick told Austrian website 90 Minuten.
“We have a very trusting relationship. My focus is on the Austrian national team. We are focusing completely on the European championships.”
“I feel very well here. At the moment there is no reason to intensively deal with this,” he added.
Bayern, who had won the previous 11 league titles, missed out on this season’s Bundesliga trophy with Bayer Leverkusen securing their first ever league crown five matches before the end of the season.
Tuchel, who had taken over Bayern just over a year ago, is leaving a year earlier than his contract after a disappointing domestic campaign that also saw them eliminated in the German Cup by third-tier Saarbruecken.
Bayern, however, are still in the running for one title, having reached the Champions League semi-finals where they face Real Madrid next week.
The 65-year-old Rangnick, who has coached Manchester United and RB Leipzig among others, said he would only deal with Bayern if and when the club made him an offer.
“If Bayern say ‘we want you’. And then I would also have to ask myself ‘do I really want this?’. If I want to do something else I will first discuss it with the Austrian FA,” he said.
Austria face France in their opening Euro 2024 Group D match on June 17 and also play Poland and the Netherlands.
Lalas comments on Lionel Messi’s recent goals against Nashville as solid but not extraordinary, yet highlights Messi’s consistency as making Inter Miami a “must see” team.
Messi scored twice and assisted Sergio Busquets in a 3-1 victory over Nashville.
Lalas acknowledges the routine nature of Messi’s goals but emphasizes his ongoing productivity, likening it to the excitement he brought to Barcelona and Argentina.
“He is incredible,” Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast. “And this was such an interesting game because the goals that we have now started to associate him with MLS, we’ve been doing it for years with Barcelona and Argentina, we’re associating with these magical moments.
“And yet both of these goals were nothing. If it wasn’t Messi, we’d be like, yeah, okay, whatever, just scored a penalty and then a broken play that he did finish off.
“But, the greatness is in that Messi is doing this and he’s doing it consistently and for this team in pink, each and every time they go out, they must see TV. And more often than not, they are delivering. And individually, when it comes to Messi right now, he is on a torrid pace and if he were to keep this up, we would see a historic production.”
Messi has been in stunning form, tallying nine goals and five assists in just 724 minutes of play this year.
His contributions have propelled Inter Miami from being league contenders to clear favorites for the MLS Cup.
However, Lalas rightly points out the importance of keeping Messi fit, as minor injuries have limited his playing time since joining the team in Florida.
Despite this concern,Inter Miami remains at the top ofthe Eastern Conference standings after 10 matches, setting the stage for an intriguing clash against the struggling New England Revolution this weekend.
Manchester City will be without striker Erling Haalandfor their upcoming match against Brighton on Thursday, as he continues to recover from injury.
Erling Haaland is set to receive his award at the FWA Footballer of the Year 75th anniversary dinner in London on May 25
Haaland’s absence follows his injury during the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, which also caused him to miss the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
Manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that Haaland remains unavailable for the upcoming fixture at the Amex Stadium.
“Erling is not ready for tomorrow, the other two, they are ready,” Guardiola told reporters on Wednesday. “I know it is not a big issue, but he is not allowed for this game.”
Louis Saha believes Zinedine Zidane could be the catalyst to reignite Manchester United’sstruggling players, advocating for the Frenchman to replace Erik ten Hag.
Despite reaching a second consecutive FA Cup final, Ten Hag’s position is reportedly precarious if United fail to secure European qualification for the next season.
While Ten Hag maintains he extracts the best from his squad, recent performances have been lackluster, notably squandering a 3-0 lead against Coventry in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Various names, including Bayern Munich’s Thomas Tuchel, have been linked to the managerial role, but Saha favors Zidane’s appointment should Ten Hag depart.
In an interview with Betfred, Saha said: “For a few years, I’ve said that Zidane would be a fantastic appointment for the club. There’s nothing negative about it. We all know that his dream job is with the French national team, but we don’t know if he may have to wait a while for that position to become available.
“He can speak a bit of English, so that would be helpful. I don’t see anything that goes against him being Manchester United manager. He would definitely inspire the players to be more confident at the highest level and everybody admires him for what he’s done as a player and as a manager, so that’s certainly an advantage he’s got.
It would be a massive achievement for Manchester United to have Zinedine Zidane as their manager.”
Zidane has never managed another club outside of Real Madrid, where he set an incredible record of winning the Champions League in three successive editions.
The World Cup winner had been approached previously by United following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking but he chose to turn them down.
“Would I want to go to Manchester [United]? I understand English, but I’m not completely fluent in it,” Zidane has previously told L’Equipe.
“I know that there are coaches who go to clubs without speaking the language, but I work in a different way. Many elements come into play in order to win, it is a global context. I know what I need to win.”
Ten Hag potentially has seven matches to save his skinat United, including an FA Cup final against eternal rivals Manchester City on May 25. The Dutch tactician must string together a winning run at the business end of the campaign to finish as high as possible in the league table, starting with a fixture against Sheffield United on Wednesday evening.
USMNT prospect Benjamin Cremaschi has offered an intriguing glimpse into his experience sharing the field with Inter Miami teammate Lionel Messi.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who earned his debut for the Stars and Stripes last September, revealed insights into how the World Cup winner operates and communicates on the pitch.
Despite Messi’s reserved demeanor, Cremaschi explained that they share a mutual understanding when it comes to creating space and opportunities.
“He doesn’t talk much, right?” Cremaschi explained to Fulham’s Tim Ream on The American Dream podcast. “But he talks with his looks. Like, he’ll look at you and you’ll be like ‘Oh alright’. Literally in the field, I’m obviously constantly looking at him to see where he’s positioned because I play by his side.
So obviously, when he comes in, I need to create some space for him or maybe attract some players there so he can have some space. There are different little movements that I need to do to satisfy his game. Obviously, if we find him with time and space, it’s a goal chance, literally.”
Cremaschi’s breakdown is another intriguing insight into how one of the game’s greatest players goes about his business. Last week, Julian Gressel detailed how Messi’s presence on the field changes the energy of the side and raises the level of his Inter Miami colleagues just by his presence.
Messi, Cremaschi and company look to keep their strong start to the season rolling when they head north at the weekend to face the struggling New England Revolution in Foxboro.
Inter Miami are sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference on 18 points, two ahead of the New York Red Bulls, who have played a game more.
Erik ten Hag acknowledges that Amad Diallo deserves more playing time at Manchester United but emphasises the need for a gradual approach due to the player’s injury setbacks.
Despite being 21 years old, Diallo has only featured in six matches across all competitions this season and is yet to make a start for the club.
His absence from the pitch was largely due to a knee injury suffered during pre-season, keeping him sidelined from July until December.
Although Diallo showcased his talent with a crucial goal against Liverpool in the FA Cup in March, he has patiently waited for more opportunities.
Ten Hag recognises this but also highlights the intense competition for places within the squad and the importance of easing Diallo back into action given his injury history.
Ten Hag told reporters on Tuesday: “Amad deserves it, but don’t forget he had a long period in the season injured, so we rebuilt him and now he has had some opportunities and (made) a real contribution. (On Sunday) he played in a position that is not his best position. He started as a striker and then he had to play in the midfield, so he did well.
“We have a number of players in that area; there is big competition. He already deserved more game minutes, I would say, but I have to choose there. We have (Alejandro) Garnacho, Antony, and Omari Forson. We have a number of players in that position and we have to make choices there. But I am very happy with his performances and his progress; I see that his qualities and his assets can really contribute to our game.”
Amad arrived at Manchester United from Atalanta in January 2021 for a fee of £37.2 million ($46.2 million). However, his time at the club has been limited, making only 15 appearances and scoring two goals since his arrival.
Despite a somewhat disappointing loan stint at Rangers in the 2021–22 season, he showed promise during a more successful spell at Sunderland in the Championship last year.
Injuries have hindered his progress this season, adding to the challenge of making an impact at Old Trafford. With his contract set to expire in 2025, time is ticking for Amad to establish himself at United.
He will be eager to seize any opportunities for more playing time in the remaining fixtures of the season. United’s upcoming matches include a home fixture against bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, followed by a match against Burnley on Saturday.
According to the Daily Telegraph,Arsenal and Manchester City are eyeing a move for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães.
The 26-year-old is aware of the interest surrounding him, with a release clause in his contract allowing him to be signed for £100 million until the summer of 2028.
Newcastle may consider negotiating a deal for Guimarães at a lower fee to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
Despite the interest from top clubs, Guimarães has been in stellar form for the Magpies this season, contributing to 10 goals in 31 matches. Additionally, he has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain in recent reports.
However, it was also recently reported thatGuimarães has purchased a brand new house in the north east — so perhaps he has no intention of moving on just yet.
