..::Football III::..

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Januzaj earns more than Ronaldo & Messi did at 18, claims agent

Adnan Januzaj's agent claims the Manchester United winger is the highest paid young player in world football and says Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were both earning less when they were 18.

The Belgian has made 33 appearances this season after being given his first-team debut by former manager David Moyes and signed a five-year contract with United back in October.

Prior to signing the deal, Januzaj's agent claims the 19-year-old was targeted by several of Europe's top clubs and revealed that Paris Saint-Germain launched an "insane" last-ditch offer.

"I can only say that he is the highest paid young player in the world," Dirk De Vriese told Sport/Voetbalmagazine.

"At 18, he has a larger contract than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi at that age. That really says a lot and I'm very proud of that.

"All the big clubs have pulled at his sleeve. Especially Paris Saint-Germain, who wanted to go very far for him.

"Five minutes before we signed the contract extension [with United], an adviser to the president of Qatar offered us an insane deal.

"Because Adnan could have left as a free agent, the Qatari investors were able to do the impossible. As well as with his salary, as with the signing on fee."

 

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Januzaj Patta!​

 

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Pirlo: I'm too old to join PSG

Andrea Pirlo has dismissed rumours linking him to a move to Paris Saint-Germain, jokingly insisting he is "too old" to join the Ligue 1 champions.

The Juventus star has been the subject of foreign interest several times in his career, as he revealed in his autobiography that he almost joined Barcelona and Real Madrid, and he was most recently among a list of players PSG player Thiago Motta said he would like to see join the French giants in the summer.

However, the 34-year-old insisted he hopes to spend a few more years with the Bianconeri, despite admitting that the idea of playing outside of Italy is appealing.

"It is true that I would like to try to play in another league," he told L'Equipe. "I had several opportunities in the past and I get proposals regularly."At the end of the day, I always end up choosing to stay in Italy. We'll see what happens in the future, but I'm too old for PSG.

"I want to stay at Juventus for a few more years, I am happy here. It is a club with an ambitious project that has led to where we are now."The midfielder, who won a third consecutive Serie A title with Juventus at the weekend, says he does not intend to retire any time soon.

"I feel motivated to play football because it's something I love. I still feel pleasure in playing - I'm not tired or bored, it's fun."

 

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Van Persie praises youngster Wilson for 'special' Manchester United debut

Robin van Persie paid tribute to the "special" debut of James Wilson after the young striker inspired Manchester United to a 3-1 win over Hull City at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening.

Wilson, 18, scored both of United's opening two goals on his first senior Red Devils appearance and, though Matty Fryatt pulled one back for the visitors, Van Persie made sure of the win late on.

An emotional evening at Old Trafford also saw fellow youngster Tom Lawrence make his debut and interim manager Ryan Giggs come on for what might be his last ever home appearance as a player for the club.

And Van Persie believes Wilson's goalscoring heroics will ensure it remains an unforgettable evening for the youngster.

"James played really well," the Dutchman told MUTV.

"I know how hard it is to make your [United] debut - I made mine when I was about 29! I know how special it can be. He made it very special for himself and for everyone tonight. To score two goals is really special."

United captain Nemanja Vidic also bade a final farewell to the Old Trafford crowd, having agreed a summer move to Italian giants Inter, and Van Persie hailed the Serb's unique qualities."Nemanja has been great," he added. "He's been playing here for eight-and-a-half years and the thing I always say about him is that he puts his head where people are scared to put their feet!

"That is Nemanja. He wants to dive for the cause, in a good way. He is very brave, a great player and he's won everything at Manchester United. It was a special day for him too."

Van Persie also had kind words for the impact made in the dugout by Giggs, who is set to be replaced by Louis van Gaal as United manager this summer."I witnessed two team meetings as I came in a bit late," relayed the fit-again striker. "The one from the last game against Sunderland, and today's game, were incredible. They were Sir Alex-esque.

"He's been brilliant and I think he came on without even warming up tonight! Am I correct? He came on without a warm-up, put in some fantastic passes and almost scored. He's a legend and I think he shows that every day."

 

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Valladolid 1-1 Real Madrid: Osorio equaliser leaves Los Blancos' title hopes in tatters

 

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Manchester United will be back, warns Van Persie

Robin van Persie has warned the rest of the Premier League that Manchester United will re-establish themselves as the dominant force in English football.

United have endured a torrid season which cost the job of Sir Alex Ferguson's successor David Moyes and appears set to condemn the club to a campaign without European football next term.

But Van Persie, who scored United's third and final goal in Tuesday's 3-1 win over Hull City at Old Trafford, is adamant this season's struggles will prove only a temporary setback.

At the end of an interview with MUTV, the Dutchman promised: "Trust me, we'll will be back. Trust me. Save this interview!"

Tuesday was an emotional evening at Old Trafford as club captain Nemanja Vidic came on for his final home appearance for the club before departing for Serie A giants Inter this summer.

Interim manager Ryan Giggs also brought himself on for the final 20 minutes of the match amid ongoing speculation surrounding his future at the club as a player and coach.

The veteran Welshman replaced youngster Tom Lawrence, given the chance to make his senior United debut along with striker James Wilson, who marked the occasion with two well-taken goals.

Afterwards Lawrence tweeted: "Wow what a feeling that was tonight and loved every minute of it! Coming off too be replaced by a legend like giggs #whatafeeling"

 

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Kuipers to referee Champions League final

Uefa has announced that Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers will be in charge of the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in Lisbon on May 24.

The 41-year-old was in charge of the 2013 Confederations Cup final between Brazil and Spain and last season's Europa League final between Chelsea and Benfica.

"Bjorn Kuipers will take charge of the 2013-14 Champions League final, between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in Lisbon on Saturday 24 May," a statement on the Uefa website reads.

"The 41-year-old Dutchman Bjorn Kuipers, who was awarded his Fifa badge in 2006, has overseen 68 matches in Uefa competition, including four in this season's Champions League and three in the Europa League. He also oversaw the 2011 Uefa Super Cup, and Chelsea's win against Benfica in last season's Uefa Europa League final at the Amsterdam ArenA, and becomes the fourth Dutch official to take charge of a European Cup final after Leo Horn (1957, 1962), Charles Corver (1978) and Dick Jol (2001).

"In Lisbon, Kuipers will be assisted by fellow countrymen Sander van Roekel and Erwin Zeinstra. The fourth official will be Turkey's Cuneyt Cakir, and the two additional assistant referees, Pol van Boekel and Richard Liesveld, are also from the Netherlands. A Dutch reserve assistant referee – Angelo Boonman – completes the lineup of the refereeing team."

Kuipers refereed Madrid's match with CSKA Moscow in 2011-2012 prior to being named an official for the Euro 2012 tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

 

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PSG crowned Ligue 1 champions

 

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Sunderland 2-0 West Bromwich Albion: Colback & Borini complete great escape

pattama escape ekak

first game 7n 1point aran thibbe

 

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pattama escape ekak

first game 7n 1point aran thibbe

Aniwa broSeason 1ke mula idalama meh widiyata play kalanam Top 10 teams walata hoda gemak denna thibba
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Aniwa broSeason 1ke mula idalama meh widiyata play kalanam Top 10 teams walata hoda gemak denna thibba
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Alves: I'll leave Barcelona if the energy doesn't change

Dani Alves has cast doubts on his future at Barcelona, saying he will leave unless there is a "change in energy" at the club.

The 31-year-old right-back joined the Catalan giants from Sevilla in 2008 and has won a plethora of trophies at Camp Nou, including four La Liga titles as well as two Champions Leagues and Club World Cups.

But the Brazilian, who has been linked to a move to Paris Saint-Germain recently, said that he feels hurt by the amount of criticism he and the team have received this term as they crashed out of the Champions League and continue to trail Atletico Madrid in La Liga. As a result, he claimed he could leave the club this summer.

"It’s very hard to get the chance to play for Barcelona and, whether people like it or not, I’m part of the history of this club," he told RAC1. "I need energy, it’s what motivates me; I’m an upbeat, happy person.

"I’ve always been like that, but because the results aren’t what people expect, they need someone to shoot at and I feel shot at. I really believe in energy, I live off this energy and, if you start to create negative energy, things don’t flow."If this energy doesn’t change, I’ll probably leave because it wears you down. If I'm to stay this summer, there has to be a change of energy."

Alves then turned his attention to his side's title run-in. With two weeks of the season remaining, they sit three points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid, who they face on the final day.“If we don’t win the league, this season is a disaster," he said. “We’re getting too many chances, and you can’t let chances slip. I trust this team 100 per cent and I guarantee we won’t disappoint."

He further indicated that the speculation surrounding Luis Enrique taking over from current coach Gerardo Martino comes at an inopportune moment for the team.
"As a player I think he was phenomenal and as a coach he’s doing a very good job at Celta, but I think that at this club people are often too hasty. We’re still fighting for the title. People need to take things a bit more calmly, not rush things so much, because the season hasn’t finished."

He was then asked for his thoughts on his side's signing of compatriot Neymar.
"Very strange things happen here. Real Madrid were going to pay €100 million for Neymar, Barca get him for €57m and people say it’s an incredible amount. What’s incredible is that he came here when €100m was being offered."

 

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Rami: I want to stay at AC Milan

On-loan defender Adil Rami has said he would prefer to stay at AC Milan on a permanent basis than return to parent club Valencia.

The 28-year-old fell out of favour at Los Che after a breakdown in his relationship with erstwhile coach Miroslav Dukic and subsequently joined the Serie A side on loan in January.

And the France international stated that he would like to join the Rossoneri permanently, although he indicated that he is not sure if Milan can afford to pay the transfer fee Valencia will demand.

"My priority is to stay in Milan," he told RMC. "I hope to stay to help this club to maintain its high status."I don't know if Milan can afford to buy me - negotiations are ongoing at the moment - I can only express my preference."

The defender admitted the current campaign hasn't been easy for him, but insisted that he does not regret how things ended at the Mestalla."This year has been very difficult for me. There were times I thought I would spend the rest of my career at Valencia. I arrived at Milan and I have worked hard on the field. What happened with Valencia? I don't talk about it.

"Like with all big clubs there were disagreements, arguments and I said what I thought. It didn't end well with Dukic because he took it the wrong way. But Valencia is still a big club.

"If the coach is interested in me and Milan cannot buy me, then who knows?
"I do not regret what I said, I'm a man and I take responsibility."

 

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Gervinho: Roma squad not complete enough to win Scudetto

Roma forward Gervinho believes his side didn't have enough strength in depth to challenge Juventus for the Serie A title this season.Despite winning their first 10 games of the season and going unbeaten for a further seven before suffering their first defeat at the hands of Juve, Roma ceded the league title to Antonio Conte's men last week.

Gervinho, one of star performers for the runners-up this term, believes the Bianconeri simply had a more complete squad than Roma, who still, he insists, enjoyed a successful season."It has been a positive campaign in the sense that our objective was to get back into Europe. We achieved that," he told Roma Channel.

"We could’ve done better, but we are satisfied. The Scudetto was decided by details. We have a good squad but perhaps not complete enough to be competitive throughout the whole season."We gave our all but Juve had more strength in depth."The 26-year-old says the campaign has been positive for him, adding that he is very content in the Italian capital.

"I think nine goals is a good tally and I can improve, as I created so many scoring opportunities that I didn’t take. It was a good season and I concentrated on giving my best for the team.

"The most important goal was the one against Juventus in the Coppa Italia. It might not have been the most beautiful goal, but it was the most important."If I had to choose the best goal, then I’ll say the one against Bologna. I hope to score against Juventus again this weekend."

The former Arsenal man admits he feels "important" at Roma and cited the influence of his coach at Lille in luring him to Serie A."I knew that Rudi Garcia would give me a lot of responsibility and believed in me, so that influenced my decision to come here.

"I have to say I am also satisfied to have provided 10 assists, as that was an objective I had set myself this season. I wanted to score more goals, but the coach told me to help my team-mates score too."I have a good rapport with all my team-mates and we joke around, even with the gardeners. Trigoria is like a second family.

"I am happy to be a part of this club and hope we can achieve many more satisfying moments together next year. We’ll try to return after the holidays stronger than ever."As the World Cup approaches, the Gervinho was asked if he would prefer to win the summer's big prize or the Champions League with Roma.

"Why choose?" he replied. "I’d like to win with Roma and the Ivory Coast! Next season we need an even stronger side for the Champions League, so some new players to be even more competitive.

"We don’t just want to take part in this tournament, as we want to go as far as possible."

 

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Giggs set to make decision over playing career

Ryan Giggs says he may choose to prolong his Manchester United playing career into next season and beyond.

It was reported on Thursday that Giggs still feels fit enough to play for another season, and will inform incoming boss Louis van Gaal of his decision in the near future.

And the Welshman, who is currently interim manager following the sacking of David Moyes, has now revealed that he still enjoys turning out for United, after substituting himself into the 3-1 win over Hull City on Tuesday.

Discussing whether he will stay on next season, the Welshman told MUTV: "I'll take my time. I still enjoy training, I still enjoy playing."

Giggs has overseen two wins and one defeat since taking the Old Trafford reins and, if he extends his career, will combine his playing role with a coaching job.

The 40-year-old has made become synonymous with the club since making his first-team breakthrough over 20 years ago.

 

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Ronaldo, Pirlo and Iniesta included in list for Golden Foot Award

For the second year in a row Cristiano Ronaldo has been nominated for the Golden Foot award, having been included on a list of candidates alongside players such as Andres Iniesta, Franck Ribery, Andrea Pirlo and Yaya Toure.

The international award, which can only be won once, is given to players over the age of 28 who stand out for athletic achievements as individuals as well as team players, while their personality is also taken into consideration.

Alongside the Real Madrid star, the list of candidates is compiled of: Thierry Henry, Iniesta, Manuel Neuer, Pirlo, Ribery, Wayne Rooney, Toure, Thiago Silva and Brazilian women's player Marta.Voting will close on August 24 with the ceremony taking place on Sunday October 13 in Monaco. The winner will be chosen by fans via the Golden Foot website or Facebook page.

The award was created in 2003 and this year's winner will join a list which includes previous winners Roberto Baggio, Pavel Nedved, Andriy Shevchenko, Ronaldo, Alessandro Del Piero, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, Francesco Totti, Ryan Giggs, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Didier Drogba.

 

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Worker dies after electric shock at World Cup stadium

A worker has died at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, one of the stadiums due to host World Cup matches next month.At around 10.00am local time on Thursday, a construction worker was killed after suffering an electric shock at the stadium.

A statement from Secopa MT, the organisation body for the tournament in Cuiaba, confirmed the tragic news."The Special Secretariat of the World Cup Mato Grosso regrets to inform the death of Muhammad'Ali Maciel Alfonso, 32," it read.

"He was the victim of an accident caused by an electrical discharge on Thursday morning, while working on the 20th level in the eastern sector of the stadium.
"Ambulance teams and the fire department of the State of Mato Grosso assisted on site, where they went through all resuscitation procedures."Secopa MT send its sympathies to the family of Alfonso and will await the work of experts of the technical police, who will investigate the causes of the accident.

"The MT Secopa regrets the sad episode, which occurred on the eve of the inauguration of the Pantanal Arena and after the entire period of construction there has been no occurrences of other accidents on site."

The arena is due to host four World Cup matches at the finals, including Chile versus Australia on June 13, the second day of the tournament.The worker is the latest to die during the building of Brazil's World Cup stadia.In November last year, two people were killed when a crane struck the roof of the Arena de Sao Paulo, causing a partial collapse.

Further accidents have taken the lives of workers at the stadium in Manaus, while a third man lost his life in Sao Paolo following a reported fall in March.

 

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Tottenham problems are signings not managers - Ardiles

Former Tottenham midfielder Ossie Ardiles believes his old club's signings, not their managers, are the cause of their failings this season.

Andre Villas-Boas was sacked in December last year and Tim Sherwood is expected to be fired at the end of the season with Tottenham likely to finish sixth in the Premier League.

But Ardiles said the summer buys were to blame with upwards of €120 million spent on Roberto Soldado, Erik Lamela, Paulinho, Christian Eriksen, Etienne Capoue, Vlad Chiriches and Nacer Chadli.

"When we started this season we were full of optimism, but somehow it has been a very disappointing season," the Argentine told talkSPORT.

"I believe that the players we have bought in this season have been the problem. They are not performing the way we expected. I don't want to name names, but basically all the people we have bought.

"This is a serious, serious problem.

"At the end of the day, whoever the manager is, AVB [Villas-Boas] earlier in the season and later on Tim, there is not a lot you can do with the kind of players we have right now.

"Whoever comes in, or if Tim stays, he has to make a big rebuilding of the team."

 

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Pellegrini: Manchester City style as important as title win

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini feels the way that his side have played this season is as important as winning the Premier League.

Pellegrini's men surged two points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table with one game left to play after a 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Wednesday, with a draw against West Ham on Sunday now enough to clinch the title on account of their superior goal difference.

City have netted 100 times in this season's Premier League and can top Chelsea's record of 103 with a convincing win the final day of the season, which would be just as significant as far as Pellegrini is concerned.

"Now we can talk about the title because if we win the next game we are going to win the title," said the Chilean, who is approaching the end of his first season in charge at the Etihad Stadium.

"It will be very important not only for the title, but in the way that we are going to win the title.

"I think that we have a style of play, I think that we are an attractive team, I think that we score many goals, that we are always thinking to score more goals and that for me has the same importance as the title.

"I am very happy to have managed this team in that way.

"That is what we've done the whole season, maybe with a lot of critics at the beginning because we lost two or three games playing away.

"There are different ways to win titles, I choose this one. This one has attractive football, that fans enjoy the season. Maybe you can win titles in another way, for me it is very important the aesthetic part of the game."

 

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Platini urges Juventus to add third star to shirt

Michel Platini has called for Juventus to add a third star to the club’s jersey next season to mark the club’s 30th Scudetto success.

The amount of Serie A titles won by the Old Lady remains a highly contentious issue in Italy, with the Bianconeri having been stripped of two championships because of their alleged involvement in the Calciopoli scandal of 2006, which also resulted in the Turin outfit being demoted a division.

Juve president Andrea Agnelli has claimed the club would not add another star to their shirts in protest at Lega Calcio's refusal to accept their 32 Scudetti wins but Platini is hoping that he has a change of heart.

“No third star for 30 official Scudetti? They have won 30 officially, so they should,” the former Bianconeri No.10 told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I understand Andrea; the reaction is of pride - he is the boss. But I would love the third star.”

Regardless, Platini believes that having clinched three successive Serie A titles, Juve's primary concern should now be re-establishing themselves as a major European force.

“They are physical, aggressive, offensive," the Frenchman enthused. "Three Scudetti is an obligation for Juve. In Europe, they need quality and good fortune.

“When I arrived they were people in Italy who had everything - the championship was routine; the cups brought emotion.

“I believe that Andrea Agnelli is more attached to the Scudetto because, having to rebuild, he needed a solid foundation. But [Antonio] Conte’s Juve has more grit than mine - they now want Europe.”

The Uefa president also dismissed suggestions that Serie A was falling behind the likes of the Premier League and Serie A, arguing that it is simply being perceived poorly because of its falling attendance figures.

“Italian football is no less spectacular than Spanish or English - the image is bad, those stadiums are empty and it is sad, and not inviting to champions,” Platini mused.

“Napoli, Fiorentina, Roma and Juventus all play on the attack, but I do miss AC Milan and Inter.

“But Atletico Madrid and Liverpool are another demonstration of unpredictability - and the fact that not only accounts matter.”