..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

PSG ace Verratti does not expect Barcelona transfer

Marco Verratti expects to stay at Paris Saint-Germain next season, despite an underwhelming season for the club and persistent links with a switch to Barcelona.
The Italy international helped Unai Emery's side win a third domestic competition of 2016-17 in Saturday's 1-0 Coupe de France win over Angers, adding to their Trophee des Champions and Coupe de la Ligue triumphs.

However, the Ligue 1 title was surrendered to Monaco and Champions League success eluded the Parisian club once again, following a record-breaking second-leg collapse against Barcelona in the last 16.

The 24-year-old's agent, Donato Di Campli, said earlier this month that talks would be held after the Coupe de France final, and Verratti was quick off the mark with his thoughts."It's the club that decides, but I think I'll be there [next season]," he said. "Afterwards we will talk with the club like every year.

"I still have four years left on my contract and I'm not thinking about leaving. I am very happy to be a part of this project and I have always said that winning with PSG is different from winning with all the other teams because I have been here for five years and I would really like to win something very important here in Paris."

The diminutive playmaker conceded it had been a tough season, but praised Emery for helping to develop his game and expressed his happiness at helping to give departing veteran Maxwell a fitting send-off.

"I think I have made progress," said Verratti. "We have a very demanding coach, who always wants a good game and attack. I think I also improved thanks to him.
"Mentally this season was hard, but I am very happy to finish with a trophy and happy for Max that he can finish with a trophy, he already has many. I am very happy."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man United target Matuidi drops PSG exit hint

Blaise Matuidi offered no guarantees over his Paris Saint-Germain future, saying it remains unclear where he will end up.Matuidi, who is contracted with the Ligue 1 giants until 2018, has been linked with a switch to Manchester United.

Speaking after helping PSG win the Coupe de France on Saturday, the midfielder said there were still decisions to be made.

"I don't know yet. I am feeling good in Paris. It's hard as you don't know the real position of the club," Matuidi said."PSG made a proposition to me. They are open to everything when it comes to me. There is no decision taken so far."

Matuidi, a France international, arrived at PSG from Saint-Etienne in 2011 and has spent his entire career in his homeland.If he leaves, Matuidi said he would remember PSG fondly after winning four Ligue 1 titles and 11 other trophies at the club.

"Honestly, I don't want to lie, I don't know yet. I am feeling good in Paris. I am feeling good in Paris," he said."Playing for the club of your heart is beautiful and Paris is the club of my heart. Don't forget that."Even if in the future I should leave, Paris stays the club of my heart. And it would be always like that."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd will challenge for PL title next season - Lingard

Jesse Lingard believes Manchester United are "capable of anything" and expects them to challenge for the Premier League title next season.Jose Mourinho's first season at the Old Trafford helm yielded two trophies as United won the EFL Cup – with Lingard netting in the final against Southampton – and Europa League, the latter success securing a Champions League return.

However, a sixth-placed top-flight finish underlined how far the club still has to go to recapture the glory days, although Lingard cited the 25-match unbeaten run in the league as evidence of their potential."It shows we're capable of anything," the England midfielder told the club's official website.

"If we'd managed to convert those draws at home into wins we'd have been up there with Chelsea and Tottenham, so it's all there for us, but it's just about doing it on matchday.

"I think finishing inside the top four and winning the league was our ambition at the start of the season. We know we've got the players capable of winning the league but it didn't happen – we've had to play through the Europa League to get to the Champions League.

"Individually, we could have done better and as a team we could have done better, but football is all about learning and you're always going to learn with every game. We'll take this experience into next season.

"There have been a lot of positives this season; the manager has got us well drilled and if we take that into next season with more goals and turning draws into wins, I don't see why we can't be challenging for the title."United finished 24 points behind champions Chelsea, with a league-high 15 draws.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Varane: I'll talk to Mbappe about Real Madrid move

Raphael Varane would love to see Kylian Mbappe move to Real Madrid and says he hopes to discuss the possibility with the Monaco star.

Mbappe is one of Europe's most promising young players, scoring 15 goals in 29 Ligue 1 appearances with a further six in nine Champions League games.The France international has attracted interest from Europe's best teams, including Madrid, and Varane hopes he ends up at the capital club.

"Mbappe is a very good youngster with a huge potential," the France defender told Telefoot . "It would be a pleasure to see him here."In addition to that he is French, so he would be welcome. We will surely get the chance to discuss this."

His current team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo has enjoyed yet another stellar campaign, scoring 25 top-flight goals to help Madrid to their first La Liga title since 2012, while surpassing 100 Champions League strikes en route to the final against Juventus.

Ronaldo is aiming for a fifth Ballon d'Or, but there is growing support for legendary Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to win it, and Varane was effusive in his praise for both players.He said: "They are immense. They made history. Their duel in the next game will have an influence on the Ballon d'Or.

"We're not acknowledging enough how Ronaldo is making football history right now. I'm lucky to play with him."Zinedine Zidane's men face the Serie A champions in Cardiff next Saturday as they seek to become the first side to retain the Champions League title.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

As long as Messi stays, Barca's golden age can continue

It was all about Lionel Messi. It always has been, really. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner turned in another masterclass against Alaves on Saturday night to show that, even with Luis Enrique leaving, this golden age can continue for Barcelona.

As the match kicked off at the Vicente Calderon, it was clear that Alaves had done their homework for the Copa del Rey final. Mauricio Pellegrini's side squeezed spaces in midfield and made Barca look rather ordinary in the early exchanges.

There was one exception, of course. Messi. The Argentine beat several rivals in one action in the first few minutes and floated over a delightful ball for Paco Alcacer (in the team for the suspended Luis Suarez), but the Spain striker was unable to control.

Messi was popping up all over the place and dribbling past rival players at will, with Alaves' defenders stopping him any way the could. For half an hour, Barca did not play well, but there was the sensation that - as so often before - one Messi moment could change everything.

It did. The Argentine played a one-two with Neymar on the edge of the area and although there appeared to be little on, he picked out a spot in the corner with an inch-perfect curler that beat Fernando Pacheco to his right in the Alaves goal.

It was reminiscent of the last-gasp winner he had scored away to Real Madrid in La Liga last month - and even though Theo Hernandez hit back almost immediately for Alaves with a fantastic free-kick, more Messi magic put the game out of sight before half-time.First, the 29-year-old took up a pass from Neymar and advanced to the edge of the area, drawing defenders his way before picking out the unmarked Andre Gomes, the Portuguese squaring for the Brazilian to tap home for 2-1.

And in stoppage time at the end of the first half, Messi got away from five defenders on an astonishing run as he cut in from the right before taking three of those out of the equation with a wonderful no-look through-ball to set up Alcacer for Barca's third.

It turned out to be the final goal in an official match at the Vicente Calderon, the final goal for Barca in 2016-17 and also the final goal with Luis Enrique as Blaugrana boss - a fitting finale for the stadium, the season and the coach.

“Messi is an extraterrestrial in every sense and I’m very fortunate that I was able to enjoy the best, or one of the best, versions of him,” Luis Enrique said after the match. "Without a doubt he’s the number one and to be that you have to control every aspect and be very strong physically. He takes perfect care of himself, and there’s still a lot more to come from Messi."

There appears little doubt about that. So even though there is an element of disappointment as Barca missed out on the biggest prizes this term and also uncertainty as Luis Enrique departs this summer (to be replaced by Ernesto Valverde), with rebuilding and recruitment also needed, Messi remains a shining light for this team.

The Argentine is yet to sign a new contract, but will end up penning a renewal this summer and going on to produce perfect, peerless performances just like he did on Saturday. And with Leo in this kind of form, the club's golden age is set to continue for some time yet.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Courtois: I hope Chelsea reward me with new contract

Thibaut Courtois is hoping to be rewarded with a new Chelsea contract after helping his team to win the Premier League title.

Courtois claimed the Premier League Golden Glove award after his 16 clean sheets edged out Tottenham's Hugo Lloris for the prize, although his side missed the chance to win the double when they lost 2-1 to Arsenal in Saturday's FA Cup final.The Belgium international has previously been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but the 25-year-old is keen to commit his future to Stamford Bridge.

"Contract talks haven't opened but I am happy at Chelsea," Courtois told Sky Sports after Chelsea's loss to Arsenal at Wembley."I hope they reward me with a good contract, then there will be no doubt I will sign it."

Former Atletico Madrid loanee Courtois reflected on the disappointment of missing out on the FA Cup, with Aaron Ramsey heading the winner after Victor Moses was dismissed for a second yellow card after being deemed to have dived.

"It's not a good feeling now," Courtois told the Chelsea website. "I had the same thing in Spain when I won the league and then lost the Champions League."We wanted to end on a high, now we feel sad. Winning is everything so this is hard to face but we have to try to forget it."

Alexis Sanchez's early opener at Wembley was controversial, with referee Anthony Taylor consulting with his assistant before giving the goal, and Courtois insisted it should not have stood.

"The first goal should never have been allowed - it was clearly a handball and then Ramsey was offside because he was interfering in play," Courtois said. "I think it was a handball even if it was maybe not deliberate. His hands were not in a natural position. At the start of every season they tell us the rules and now the hands were not where they should be.

"I think it should have been disallowed for that but not only that. If Ramsey was not in an offside position, I could go out and touch the ball but I had to stop because he was there.

"They gained momentum after that and they dominated. They could have scored one or two more and we have to accept that as well. We knew they would play well as they have the last weeks. We knew we would face a tough game."

 

[Alucard_SxE]

The one & only

Totti

 

[Wolverine GTR]

The one & only


Totti

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Roma 3 Genoa 2: Perotti seals Champions League berth in dream farewell for Totti

Francesco Totti bowed out with a dramatic victory as Diego Perotti's last-minute winner gave Roma a 3-2 home win over Genoa that secured a second-place finish in Serie A.

In an unbelievable ending to the game, Daniele De Rossi fired in with a powerful finish to seemingly seal victory, only for Darko Lazovic to score a header and threaten to spoil the party.

But the hosts were not to be denied, Perotti scoring in the final minute to ensure they beat Napoli to second – the third time in four years Roma have been runners-up - and ensured they will qualify automatically for the Champions League group stage.On an emotional day, Roma legend Totti, 40, came off the substitutes' bench in his last match more than 24 years after making his debut for the club.

Fans will now wait to see if he takes up a new role with Roma or opts for a final playing stint elsewhere, while head coach Luciano Spalletti also faces an uncertain future amid big speculation linking him with the Inter job.

Pietro Pellegri, the 16-year-old who earlier this season became the joint-youngest player in Serie A history, scored his first senior goal after just three minutes as Genoa threatened to steal the show.But Edin Dzeko's 29th goal of the season brought Roma level and ensured he will finish the season as the league's top scorer.

Roma needed a win order to secure second spot - with Napoli romping to a 4-2 win at Sampdoria - and Dzeko set up De Rossi before Lazovic's prompt response at the other end set up a frantic finish.However, Perotti's strike ensured Roma and Totti would celebrate a dream victory on the veteran's farewell.

Genoa threatened a shock when Pellegri raced clear of Kostas Manolas to latch onto a throughball from Lazovic and slot a low, first-time finish past Wojciech Szczesny.

And it was almost two as Roma made a shaky start, Raffaele Palladino firing wide after Szczesny had taken a major risk in charging out of his goal.But the hosts were level after 10 minutes when Kevin Strootman chipped into Dzeko, whose initial left-footed effort struck the post before he threw his body at the ball to bundle in the rebound.

Roma saw Emerson Palmieri carried off on a stretcher with what looked like a serious knee injury, but that did not halt their momentum as Dzeko forced a save from Eugenio Lamanna and Stephan El Shaarawy sent an effort narrowly wide soon after, Strootman the creator on each occasion.

Dzeko then had a penalty claim turned down just before the break when he was challenged by Genoa captain Santiago Gentiletti at the far post as he tried to turn in Strootman's cross.

Totti was brought on for Mohamed Salah in the 54th minute, as some fans applauded and others were reduced to tears.The veteran made a positive impact, setting up Strootman to drill a long-range effort just wide before his cross led to El Shaarawy's header forcing a super save from Lamanna.

And Roma finally got in front with 16 minutes remaining, with Strootman finding Dzeko, whose impressive cut-back set up De Rossi to fire in left-footed and delight the home crowd.

Genoa levelled five minutes later against the run of play, Diego Laxalt's floating cross from the left catching out Szczesny and allowing Lazovic to net with a simple header from close range.Szczesny then did enough to deflect a Lazovic effort onto the post in a moment that could have ended Roma's hopes of second spot as a thrilling encounter continued.

But Roma had the last word, Radja Nainggolan's cross being flicked on by both Federico Fazio and Dzeko, with Perotti lashing in from six yards against his former club.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sampdoria 2 Napoli 4: Comprehensive win not enough to snatch second place

Napoli face a play-off to qualify for the Champions League after a 4-2 win at Sampdoria on a dramatic final day of the Serie A season was not enough to snatch second place from Roma.

Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne, Marek Hamsik and Jose Callejon all scored as Napoli finished the campaign strongly, winning 11 of their last 13 away games to end with a club-record 86 points. But, after Diego Perotti struck a late winner for Roma in a 3-2 win against Genoa in Francesco Totti's farewell, Maurizio Sarri's men had to settle for third place in the final table.

Napoli started brightly with Mertens and Insigne forcing saves from Christian Puggioni before Callejon failed to apply the finishing touch as Insigne flashed a centre across the Sampdoria box.But the breakthrough finally arrived in the 36th minute, Mertens marking his new long-term contract at the club with a spectacular long-range strike.

Sampdoria captain Vasco Regini miscued a clearance to the Belgian and, with Puggioni out of position, Mertens lifted home a beautiful finish from 25 yards for his 28th league goal of the season.

And Napoli doubled their lead with another beautiful goal before half-time, Insigne racing clear down the left and bending a sensational shot across Puggioni and into his top-left corner.Napoli's dominance continued after the interval as Marek Hamsik headed home from close range after Callejon nodded a Mertens cross back for the captain to provide a simple finish.

But Sampdoria replied immediately, veteran forward Fabio Quagliarella turning home Patrick Schick's flicked header against his old club.That lapse was soon forgotten as Napoli scored the best goal of the game, Callejon superbly volleying Insigne's cross beyond Puggioni for the team's 94th Serie A goal of the season.

In the last minute of normal time substitute Ricardo Alvarez squeezed home a second for Sampdoria, but more importantly, Perotti rifled home at the Stadio Olimpico to render Napoli's win irrelevant.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man City target Ederson expecting to leave Benfica

Ederson’s proposed move to Manchester City could soon be completed, with the goalkeeper admitting he has probably played his last game for Benfica.

The Brazilian has emerged as top target for Pep Guardiola as he seeks reliability and stability in a key area of the field.Claudio Bravo has flopped in the Premier League, while Joe Hart is expected to be offloaded once he returns from a loan spell at Torino.

Ederson could be the man to take the number one spot at the Etihad Stadium, with Goal revealing on Saturday that the 23-year-old is close to sealing a transfer worth upwards of £35 million .

“I still don't know but this was probably my last game for Benfica,” a man capped at U23 level by his country told RTP following a 2-1 victory over Vitoria on Sunday.If he is to depart, then Ederson will leave Benfica as a double winner.

He helped them to league and cup glory in 2016-17, taking in 34 appearances across all competitions.Benfica boss Rui Vitoria appears to think that an agreement will be reached, as he told reporters on the highly-rated keeper: "If Ederson leaves, he leaves with the gratitude of Benfica.

“He will always carry Benfica's name everywhere."City have already announced a deal for Bernardo Silva and have a number of others in the pipeline.Silva could be followed to the Etihad Stadium by former Monaco team-mate Benjamin Mendy, with Guardiola having positions to fill across his defensive line in the wake of several players being released.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter 5 Udinese 2: Perisic stars in crushing victory

Ivan Perisic starred in what could have been his final Inter appearance, helping his side to end the Serie A season on a high with a 5-2 battering of Udinese at San Siro on Sunday.Inter director Piero Ausilio has confirmed Manchester United's interest in signing the Croatia international and he rounded off the campaign in style with a goal and two assists.

Udinese were unable to cope with Perisic's speed and trickery, with Eder scoring twice and Marcelo Brozovic also getting his name on the scoresheet to ensure Inter finished seventh.Eder struck early to get Inter up and running, turning home Davide Santon's cross, before the striker set up Perisic for the hosts' second.

Perisic - also reportedly a target for Premier League champions Chelsea - added assists for Brozovic and Eder as Inter waved goodbye to striker Rodrigo Palacio and goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo, who are both set to leave the club.

Andrija Balic picked out the top corner from 20 yards to score his first Serie A goal with 15 minutes and Duvan Zapata tapped home late on but they were mere consolations for Udinese, who had earlier seen Gabriele Angella turn into his own net as Inter finished on a high.

Inter took the lead in the fifth minute after raiding down the left wing, Eder scoring his seventh goal against Udinese with a first-time finish.Brozovic played the ball out wide for Santon and the full-back created the chance with an incisive burst down the flank, Udinese leaving Italy international Eder unmarked in the box to beat Simone Scuffet.Angella should have equalised when he sent a free header from a corner wide before Duvan Zapata sent a snapshot at Juan Pablo Carrizo on the Inter goalkeeper's final appearance for the club.

Zapata then pulled an effort wide and his missed opportunities proved costly as Inter doubled their lead after 18 minutes.Eder was the provider this time as Thomas Heurtaux surrendered possession in his own half, the striker providing a low cross for Perisic to slide home an easy finish at the back post.

Inter extended their lead after 36 minutes, Perisic robbing Silvan Widmer and pulling the ball back for his fellow Croatian Brozovic to slam home a low finish across goalkeeper Scuffet.

The last four meetings between the sides had seen Inter win and they continued to dominate after the break, Eder adding his second goal of the game after 54 minutes.Perisic bamboozled Angella with superb skill and crossed for Eder to tap in from close range.

Inter's caretaker coach Stefano Vecchi brought on Palacio from the bench for his farewell appearance and the Argentine striker hit the post within moments of his introduction for Perisic - who applauded all four sides of the ground on his way off.
Vecchi handed a debut to Australia international Trent Sainsbury as Inter eased off in the second half and his side's lack of intensity told as Udinese struck through reported Juventus target Balic.

That woke Inter up, however, and they soon scored again, Angella inadvertently turning Geoffrey Kondogbia's cross into his own goal.Zapata finally struck in injury-time to complete the scoring, tapping in at the back post, but Inter end the season with back-to-back league wins.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mignolet concedes he is 'fighting Ter Stegen, Hart and Casillas' for Liverpool future

Simon Mignolet admits he will always be fighting for his Liverpool place, with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Joe Hart, and Iker Casillas among those being linked with the club.

The Belgium international has spent four eventful years at Anfield, making 179 appearances for the Reds.He was signed from Sunderland for £9 million and handed a new five-year contract in January 2016.

Mignolet has, however, spent time on the bench after being dropped and acknowledges that he can take nothing for granted regardless of his form, with there plenty of names ready to take his place.He told the Liverpool Echo: “Everyone will see the numbers and think I am fighting this guy and this guy. But that isn’t how it is.

“I’m fighting against Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Joe Hart, Iker Casillas. I know all those names are going to be flying around, I know what I did this season will be forgotten.

“I’m not fighting against the guys in the dressing room. I’m fighting against myself. There is no point gauging what is going to be around me.“I’m never going to look at them if something is going on around me. I have shown that I can deal with it. I’ll be coming back to show it again.”

Mignolet added: “As a goalkeeper, you are on your own and even now, after a solid season, the rumours are starting again with Casillas.“I’m 29 now. I know what happens when you are the Liverpool goalkeeper. Whether you have good performances, s*** performances, the scrutiny is always there. Always.”

Mignolet’s experiences in 2016-17 have made him all the more determined to be Jurgen Klopp’s first choice goalkeeper, having been left disappointed by his early-season axing.He said: “Yeah, inside I got angry. I don’t think anyone on the planet doesn’t get angry!“But I can never show it to the outside world. The minute when he told me there was this sudden rush of disappointment. I didn’t get it.

“This was the worst moment I had, worse than when Brendan dropped me for Brad Jones. There wasn’t really anything where I could blame myself as before with Brendan you can accept there were points when you could have done this, this or this better.

“After I was dropped that time, I just kept asking myself ‘why?’ but the only way to deal with it was to put my head down and get on with it.“I was determined to show myself in the best possible light. The last few months have given me a lot more settlement here. I understand things now and I can deal with it.”

Having been dropped in September, Mignolet replaced Loris Karius again in December and saw regular game time through to the end of the season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'I think Rooney wants to leave Manchester United' - Robson expecting departure

Wayne Rooney wants to leave Manchester United so he can get more first-team football, in the view of Bryan Robson.

After making what could be his last United appearance as a late substitute in the Europa League final on Wednesday, Rooney revealed he has "lots of offers from England and abroad" and is close to reaching a decision on his future.The forward struggled to establish himself in Jose Mourinho's plans for United this season, starting only 15 Premier League games and scoring five goals.

Robson, formerly United's captain and now a club ambassador, knows the current skipper well and thinks he will opt to join a new team for the 2017-18 season as a result of his reduced role.However, he is confident Rooney still has plenty to offer at the highest level despite speculation linking the attacker to lucrative moves to China or the United States.

"I would be very surprised if Wayne is with us next season because I think he wants to move on to get first-team football," Robson told BBC Sport."Wayne is one of those players who loves to play week in, week out. You get the best out of him that way and that hasn't happened for him this year.

"But when you break records like Wayne has, the England goalscoring record, Manchester United scoring record, all the appearances and amount of trophies he has won, you have got to be a top class player and people should remember that."

Rooney has been left out of the England squad to play Scotland and France next month – the second straight selection he has missed out on.And Robson, who does not agree with the decision, feels it would have come as a massive blow to the 31-year-old just 12 months out from the World Cup in Russia.

"I know Wayne really well and he will be really disappointed that he has been left out of the England squad," said Robson."I hear people saying he hasn't been a regular, but he has been involved with the squad all the time, he has been training, he has played a lot of the league games of late.

"When people say he shouldn't be in the squad because he hasn't been playing regularly, well that's a nonsense."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Man Utd are interested in signing Perisic' - Inter chief

Ivan Perisic is a transfer target for Manchester United, Inter director Piero Ausilio has confirmed.

United have been strongly linked with a move for the Croatia international, with Chelsea also reportedly considering a bid, but Ausilio said Inter have not yet received any offers from the Europa League winners.

Perisic struck his 11th Serie A goal of the season as Inter hosted Udinese on the last day of the Serie A season and Ausilio is keen to keep the 28-year-old at San Siro.

"[United] haven't made us an official offer for Perisic but their interest is there," Ausilio told Premium Sport on Sunday. "We want to improve Inter and this is why we do not have any sellable or un-sellable players as of now.

"We know that we already have many important players within our roster like Perisic and before we decide to sell him, we have to think about what's best for Inter.

"For me we have an as good squad or maybe even a better squad than most of the teams who finished ahead of us. We don't need all that much, we will certainly make some moves but we will first have to see what our new coach will want."

The club are yet to appoint a new coach after the sacking of Stefano Pioli, with Roma's Luciano Spalletti reportedly a front-runner, but Ausilio said no decision has been made.

"Inter will have a new coach - this is certain," the director added. "Contacts will restart tomorrow as we know what we have to do."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Perisic pattaIkman karala gatthoth nam niyamai

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'He's a born hitman' – Ramos says Totti could have played for any club

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos lauded Francesco Totti as one of the best of all-time and feels the Roma great could have played for any of the world's biggest clubs.Totti, 40, made an emotional final appearance for the Serie A giants on Sunday, coming off the bench in a dramatic 3-2 win over Genoa.

Ramos believes Totti, a World Cup winner with Italy who has spent his entire career at Roma but is not yet ready to retire, was capable of featuring for any top club."I think Totti would've had no problem playing in another big club," Ramos said in a video posted by Roma.

"He's a born hitman and great players always find a way to fit into a team."When the list is made of the all-time best players, Totti will certainly be in there. I really believe he will be remembered as one of the greats."

Totti won one Serie A title, two Coppa Italia crowns and a pair of Supercoppa Italiana trophies with Roma.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Totti: I'm not ready to say it's over

Francesco Totti suggested he could postpone his retirement and carry on playing after hinting at "a new adventure" during an emotional farewell following his final Roma appearance.

The club icon came off the bench to help Roma record a dramatic 3-2 home win against Genoa in the last game of the Serie A season, securing second spot and automatic Champions League qualification at Napoli's expense.

Totti was expected to take up a non-playing role at Roma after it was confirmed he would not sign a new deal, but in an poignant speech at Stadio Olimpico he implied he might have changed his mind.

"I like to think of my career as a fairytale to tell - and this is the worst part," Totti said. "Now it really is over. "I take off my shirt for the last time. I will fold it nicely, even if I have to admit I'm not ready to say it's over and maybe I never will be.

"Sorry if during this period I didn't give interviews or clarified my thoughts, but it's not easy to switch that light off. Now I am afraid. It's not the same fear you have in front of the goal when you need to score a penalty. This time I cannot see through the holes in the net what lies beyond."So allow me to be a little afraid. This time I am the one who needs you and your warmth. What you've always shown me. With your affection, I will certainly be able to turn the page and throw myself into a new adventure."

Totti ends his Roma career having played 47,098 minutes in Serie A, the equivalent of 32 days and 17 hours, and he reminisced about his sole Serie A title in 2001.
"It is impossible to sum up 28 years in a few sentences," Totti said. "I'd like to do so with a song or poem, but I can't write any.

"Over the years, I've tried to express myself through my feet, which have made everything simpler for me ever since I was a child. Speaking of childhood, can you guess what my favourite toy was? A football, of course! And it still is today."At some point in life, you grow up – that's what I've been told and that's what time has decided. Damned time.

"Back on June 17, 2001, we all wanted time to pass a little more quickly. We couldn't wait to hear the referee blow the final whistle. I still get goosebumps now when I think back to it."Today, time has come to tap me on the shoulder and say: 'We have to grow up.

As of tomorrow, you'll be an adult. Take off those shorts and boots because starting today, you are a man. You can no longer enjoy the smell of the grass, the sun on your face as you bear down on the opposition’s goal, the adrenaline consuming you, the joy of celebrating.'

"Over the past few months, I've asked myself why I'm being awoken from this dream. Imagine you're a child having a good dream… and your mother wakes you up to go to school. You want to keep dreaming… you try to slip back into the dream but you never can."This time, it's not a dream, but reality. And I can no longer slip back in."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ter Stegen extends Barcelona contract

Barcelona have reached an agreement with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen over a new contract until June 2022.

The 25-year-old’s previous deal was due to expire in 2019, but he is now set to sign a three-year extension, with Ter Stegen scheduled to put ink to paper on Tuesday.

An official statement from the club reads:“FC Barcelona announces that is has entered into an agreement with Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the renewal of his contract until 30 June 2022.“His buyout clause is set at 180 million Euros.

“The new contract will be signed tomorrow, Tuesday 30 May at 13:30 at the offices of the club.”Ter Stegen joined Barcelona from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014 and initially had to settle for a role as deputy to Claudio Bravo, although he was the Catalans’ No.1 in the Champions League and Copa del Rey.He became Luis Enrique’s first-choice goalkeeper this term following the departure of Claudio Bravo to Manchester City and has now earned himself a new deal.

He has made 93 official appearances for Barcelona since his arrival at the club three years ago, winning two La Liga titles, lifting the Copa del Rey on three occasions, while also enjoying Champions League, Club World Cup, Spanish Supercup and European Supercup glory with the Catalans.The former Gladbach star is part of Germany’s squad for the upcoming Confederations Cup in Germany.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dortmund confirm knee ligament damage for Reus

Marco Reus faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering knee ligament damage in Borussia Dortmund's 2-1 DFB-Pokal final win over Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend.The Germany international was forced to stay behind in the dressing room at half-time after sustaining a knee problem, making way for Christian Pulisic.

He has since undergone further examination to determine the exact extent of the injury and BVB have now announced Reus has suffered a partial tear of the cruciate ligament in his right knee.

"Borussia Dortmund's Germany international Marco Reus will be out of action for several months after sustaining a partial tear of the cruciate ligament in his right knee in Saturday evening's DFB Cup final against Eintracht Frankfurt at Berlin's Olympiastadion," a statement on the club's official website reads."Further examinations will be conducted over the next few days to determine what course of treatment is required.

"With this in mind, Borussia Dortmund will not at this stage make any precise estimations as to the possible length of the player's absence."BVB wish their DFB Cup hero the speediest-possible recovery."Reus has endured a difficult 2016-17 campaign in which injuries limited him to 24 appearances in all competitions, the winger scoring 13 times.