..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Madrid players get €1.5 million each for Champions League victory

Real Madrid’s players had a historic night in Cardiff when they defeated Juventus 4-1 in the Champions League final. They also had a very lucrative one.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a brace, while Casemiro and Marco Asensio added goals of their own as Madird entered the record books as the first team since AC Milan to repeat as the champions of Europe, and the first to do so since the modern Champions League era began in 1992-93. It was the club’s 12th time capturing Europe's top continental crown.

But as it turns out, the squad will earn more than just historic silverware for their efforts, as Marca reports the squad negotiated some very lucrative bonus payouts.

The Spanish publication reported before the final the Madrid players demanded an individual payout of €1.5 million if they managed win both La Liga and the Champions League, which the club accepted.

Last year’s payout was a mere €700,000, plus another €100,000 for a Camp Nou Clasico win, meaning the squad nearly doubled their haul as they returned to the Champions League summit for the second straight year.
Not bad for a night’s work.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Zidane revels in 'historic' Real Madrid Champions League win

Zinedine Zidane was in no mood to play down a "historic day" for Real Madrid after they beat Juventus 4-1 to retain their Champions League crown.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, with further goals from Casemiro and Marco Asensio consigning Mario Mandzukic's blockbuster to a scant corner of European Cup history.

Zidane has not yet served two full seasons as a head coach but has a pair of Champions League crowns to his name, adding to the 2002 title he won as a player at the Santiago Bernabeu.Madrid also secured a league and cup double for the first time in almost 60 years, leaving Zidane ecstatic in his post-match news conference.

"No one did it [defending the Champions League] and we did it so you can say today is a truly historic day for all Madrid fans, for myself, for the whole [Madrid] family," he said.

"But you know how things are. Next year it's going to be even more difficult and we are going to have to work very hard to be able to win once again."Today we can say that we are a very good team and that we deserve to win the league and the Champions League, which was not easy."

The final in Cardiff was finely poised at 1-1 heading into half-time but Juve wilted in the second period as Madrid ran away with it."It's been a spectacular year, I couldn't dream for better," Zidane said."In the end you're playing against a great team and it's a 50-50 chance but we started with difficulty.

"Second half we were clearly superior, we kept the ball, physically I think we won the game there as well. Thanks to the determination we showed I'm so very happy."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

&

meh sare UEFA Super Cup 1ke thiyenne Real Madrid Vs Manchester UnitedPatta patta

--------------

UEFA Super Cup 2017

-------------------------------------------------------

Real Madrid Vs Manchester United

(8th August 2017)
​

 

[Alucard_SxE]

Congratulations C.Ronaldo!​

I would've given it to carvajal, modric or kroos to be honest. They were they best players who created so many chances. Marcelo was phenomenal as well.

But cristiano deserves it oo. Congratz!!! One step forward to another Ballon D'or​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Half Time

Manchester United 2008 XI 1 Vs 1 All Stars XI


​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United 2008 XI 1ka play karanawa dakinakotath asa hithenawa
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I would've given it to carvajal, modric or kroos to be honest. They were they best players who created so many chances. Marcelo was phenomenal as well.

But cristiano deserves it oo. Congratz!!! One step forward to another Ballon D'or​

​

 

[Alucard_SxE]

&

meh sare UEFA Super Cup 1ke thiyenne Real Madrid Vs Manchester UnitedPatta patta

--------------

UEFA Super Cup 2017

-------------------------------------------------------

Real Madrid Vs Manchester United

(8th August 2017)
​

I feel like James will sign for utd & score against us in this game That would be sick ​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Full Time


Manchester United 2008 XI 2 Vs 2 All Stars XI

Manchester United 2008 XI Goal(s)

Vidic 28'
Carrick 83'

&

All Stars XI Goal(s)

Mendieta 22'
Keane 65'


​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Very enjoyable match 1kakPatta

2008 team 1ke Vidic - Rio ,Carrick - Scholes Partnersip 1ka dakinakota godak asai & Giggs,Evra,EVS,Berba,Fletch,Park,Roo

Congratzzzzz everyone!
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Carrick on target in emotional Manchester United testimonial

Michael Carrick was among the goalscorers as he led a Manchester United '08 XI to a 2-2 draw with an all-star squad made up of former professionals from the Premier League and Europe.

The match took place on Sunday at Old Trafford, and featured United legends from that Champions League-winning 2008 squad like Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes going up against a side including John Terry, Clarence Seedorf and Michel Salgado.Carrick's 84th-minute strike capped off a match that also saw goals from Gaizka Mendieta, Nemanja Vidic and Robbie Keane.

The match helped raise money for the Michael Carrick Foundation.Before kick-off, the 35-year-old addressed the crowd and extended condolences to those affected by the recent attacks in Manchester and London.

"This game's now got extra signficance in the weight of what's happened over the last couple of weeks. It's been a tough time", Carrick said. "Again, all our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected and we'll stay together and stay strong."

While the match had a serious undertone, there was definitely some fun had by the participants, including a father-son "dabbing" moment featuring the man of the hour.

In addition, the official team sheet somehow managed to misspell Carrick's name, along with that of Seedorf and Harry Redknapp.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Zidane's magnificent Madrid can define an era

It looked like a final roll of the dice. President Florentino Perez was under pressure early last year from fans following the unpopular decision to remove Carlo Ancelotti and the subsequent slump under Rafa Benitez. After sacking the Spaniard, he had to get it right.

Up stepped Zinedine Zidane, a club legend but a man with no coaching experience at the highest level and only a moderate record at Madrid's youth team, Castilla. It led El Mundo Deportivo to describe him as a "plaster" on their front cover - and that description merely summed up what many were thinking.

But fast forward exactly 17 months and Zidane has written his name in the history books at Real. The French coach inherited a team in trouble, but reinstilled belief and led Los Blancos to the Champions League after just six months in charge.

A few months after hitting the wonderful winner that gave Madrid their ninth European Cup in 2002, Zidane said: "I want La Decima (the 10th), La Undecima (the 11th) and La Duodecima (the 12th)." And now he has them all.

Zidane was an assistant to Ancelotti as Real edged out Atletico in Lisbon to claim their 10th title in the continental competition and thereby end a 12-year European drought. And it was clearly a partnership that worked, with Madrid fading in the Italian's second season (after the Frenchman stepped down to coach Castilla).

The 11th European Cup crown came courtesy of a win on penalties against Atletico again - this time at San Siro. Madrid did not play well that night in Milan, but still found a way to win. Just six months earlier, Real had been a club in crisis. Now, they were a team transformed.

The UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup followed in 2016-17, with both of those titles on the verge of being lost until late levellers (from Sergio Ramos in Trondheim and Cristiano Ronaldo in Japan). That led to Zidane being described as a "lucky" coach, but if anything, it was a compliment - because the very best bosses have fortune on their side.

Luck is usually a result of hard work and preparation, after all. And having led Madrid to La Liga for the club's first title since 2011-12, Zidane steered the Spanish side to a 12th European Cup on Saturday. It was fully deserved, too.

Juventus had Real on the ropes after Mario Mandzukic's wonderful equaliser in Cardiff. But Madrid ended the first half with the ball and emerged in the second to push the Italian side back. They took the iniative while the Bianconeri defended deep - and while there was an element of fortune about Casemiro's deflected long-range effort that made it 2-1, Madrid had earned it with a dominant display early in the second period.

Real went on to score four goals past a team that had kept two clean sheets against Barcerlona earlier in the Champions League and conceded only three times in the entire competition, with only one of those scored from open play.

Ronaldo, as so often, was the principal protagonist with two more goals to add to the five he netted against Bayern Munich in the last eight and the hat-trick he hit past Atletico in the semi-finals.

But Zidane can take some credit for that, as well, because it was his clever rotation (and ability to convince the Portuguese that rest would be better for him and the team) that saw the 32-year-old fresh and firing when it mattered most.

"No one did it [defending the Champions League] and we did it so you can say today is a truly historic day for all Madrid fans," Zidane said on Saturday night. "For myself, for the whole [Madrid] family."

However, Zidane knows this club better than most and he added: "You know how things are. Next year it's going to be even more difficult and we are going to have to work very hard to be able to win once again."

With the world's strongest squad at his disposal and a chance to bring in some more top talent this summer, plus his knack of winning the biggest prizes, Zidane will want even more in 2017-18 - and now this team can go on to define an era. Don't put it past them.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Griezmann rules out Man Utd move by confirming Atletico stay

Antoine Griezmann has confirmed he wants to stay at Atletico Madrid in the wake of the club's transfer ban.

The France star has been heavily linked with Manchester United throughout the season, while Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest.Griezmann suggested he could be tempted to move to Old Trafford when he said that his prospects of a transfer were "six out of 10" last month.

However, the 26-year-old has decided that it would be unfair to quit Atletico after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the transfer ban that prohibits them from registering any new players before next January.

"The CAS sanction has been passed. I've decided to stay," Griezmann told Telefoot."It's been another good season and hopefully we can make some good signings in January."It's a tough moment for the club, for my team-mates, and it would be a low blow to leave now."

Griezmann hinted he would stay loyal to Atletico when, following the CAS decision, he tweeted: "Now more than ever #Atleti #Alltogether" In January 2016, Atleti were fined and banned from registering players for two consecutive transfer windows after being found guilty of breaching FIFA rules relating to the signing of minors.Real Madrid were given a similar sanction but had their ban halved on appeal, meaning they can sign players in the next window.

After the FIFA Appeal Committee upheld Atleti's punishment last September, they took their case to CAS and had their fine reduced from 900,000 Swiss francs (CHF) to CHF550,000 but failed in their bid to have the ban reduced.It was reported in England this week that United had dropped their interest in Griezmann, as speculation mounted that he would not seek a move.


The forward, who registered 26 goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season, has been tipped to sign a contract extension with Atleti in the coming weeks.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Thawath nam ithin Griezmann gana balagena ida;a wadak nahawena alternative 1kakata yanna thiyenne

Lukaku,Lacazette,Belotti,Morata,Dembele​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hazard: I would consider Real Madrid offernaby keita whoscored

Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard would consider a move to Real Madrid if the Champions League winners were to make an approach.The Belgium international played a key role in Chelsea's successful 2016-17 campaign, scoring 16 goals in 36 Premier League outings to help them to the title.

His sublime performances have reignited speculation that Madrid are interested in signing the 26-year-old and Hazard is keeping his options open."Of course, I would consider it if Madrid made an offer," Hazard told reporters.

"I am keen to win trophies. It would be great to win the Champions League. But Chelsea's goal is to win the Champions League as well. Honestly, I do not know what will happen.

"I only know that I still have a contract with Chelsea for three seasons and that we just had an amazing 2016-17 campaign. We want to continue on this path and want to build on this in the Champions League.

"I am feeling very well at Chelsea. But you never know what will happen.
"I have not met with the board yet to discuss a new deal. I have two games with Belgium coming up first and I am off on my holiday after that. I want to think about football as little as possible."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Netherlands 5 Ivory Coast 0: Veltman the unlikely hero for Oranje

Joel Veltman was Netherlands' unlikely hero as he netted twice to help his side to a resounding 5-0 win over Ivory Coast in Sunday's friendly at De Kuip.The Ajax defender had yet to score for the national team coming into the game, but opened his account early on with a good header from a corner.

Arjen Robben doubled the lead with a penalty before Veltman got his second of the evening after another corner, with Davy Klaassen and Vincent Janssen completing the scoring after the break.

The win comes as a welcome boost for Netherlands ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg, for which Dick Advocaat will be in charge following Fred Grim's interim stint.

Netherlands currently sit fourth in Group A with seven points from five games and cannot afford to slip up again if they are to have a chance of making it to the finals in Russia.

Ivory Coast started the match with attacking intentions and came close to an early opener when Giovanni Sio tested Jasper Cillessen with a powerful shot from a narrow angle after being set up by Jean Michael Seri.

The Dutch slowly grew into the game after a difficult start and Veltman handed the hosts the lead in the 13th minute following Memphis Depay's corner from the left, placing a header past the helpless Badra Sangare after being left totally unmarked.

Netherlands were then fortunate not to concede an equaliser when Maxwel Cornet's fine header hit the upright, before Robben doubled their lead in the 32nd minute by coolly converting from the spot after Sangare had clumsily brought down Janssen inside the area.

The home side continued to cause Ivory Coast all kinds of trouble from set-pieces and Veltman doubled his personal tally 10 minutes before half-time, beating Sangare with a volley from close range after again escaping the attentions of his marker.

Janssen should have made it four early in the second half after some good work from Robben, but the Tottenham striker hesitated too long and failed to test the goalkeeper, wasting another gilt-edged chance soon afterwards when he aimed just wide after sending Sangare in the wrong direction.Grim's men continued to dominate proceedings and Depay was unfortunate when Sangare produced a magnificent finger-tip save to push his superb long-range strike onto the crossbar.

But there was no denying Netherlands and Klaassen eventually did make it four in the 69th minute with a cool finish after being set up by Janssen.Grim then brought on Wesley Sneijder for Klaassen to make the Galatasaray playmaker the joint most capped player in Dutch history, level with Edwin van der Sar on 130 games.

And the 32-year-old had reason to celebrate shortly after his arrival when Janssen got his goal at last, tapping home a rebound after Sangare failed to hold to Georginio Wijnaldum's shot.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Republic of Ireland 3 Uruguay 1: Cavani limps off as Ireland ease to win

Goals from Jonathan Walters, Cyrus Christie and James McClean gave Republic of Ireland a 3-1 win over Uruguay after Paris Saint-Germain star Edinson Cavani limped off in Dublin.

Uruguay were already operating without Luis Suarez and Diego Godin, and Oscar Tabarez's experimental line-up was unsettled by the early withdrawal of Cavani, who decided he was unable to continue shortly after a collision with Kevin Long.

Ireland were good value for taking the lead before the half-hour mark, when Walters finished superbly from 20 yards, but the Stoke forward went from hero to villain in first-half stoppage time when, after Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez headed an equaliser, he hit the crossbar from close range with the goal gaping.

There was an element of fortune about the hosts' second goal when a cross-cum-shot from Derby County full-back Christie skidded low into the corner but victory was sealed emphatically on the break by substitute McClean 13 minutes from time.
It meant Martin O'Neill's men bounced back impressively from losing by the same scoreline against Mexico two days ago and enjoyed a timely confidence boost ahead of their final World Cup qualifier of the season against Austria.

Visiting goalkeeper Esteban Conde was making his international debut at 34 and saved well as Uruguay waited to introduce Middlesbrough's Cristhian Stuani as Cavani's replacement, palming behind from Robbie Brady.

But Conde was in no man's land as he flapped at the resulting corner, with Shane Duffy just unable to find the decisive touch.Uruguay were struggling for fluency without their attacking focal point and fell behind in the 27th minute.

Walters collected a pass from Stoke team-mate Glenn Whelan and, with the help of some hesitant defending on the edge of the Uruguay box, Ireland's captain lashed a brilliant shot into the top corner.

Martin Caceres headed a 34th-minute corner against the bar for the South Americans and Ireland did not heed that set-piece warning, with goalkeeper Darren Randolph venturing errantly from his line before Gimenez's effort looped in.

Walters should have restored the hosts' lead in first-half stoppage time but inexplicably fired against the bar from two yards after Brady left him with the goal at his mercy.

Thankfully for the experienced forward, he would not have to dwell on the miss for too long as right-back Christie cut inside Caceres and clipped a left-footed effort into the far corner.

Stuani fell foul of the Ireland offside trap when he netted midway through the half, while Gimenez was denied a second when he again towered above the home defence but saw Randolph's half-time replacement Keiren Westwood save brilliantly to his left.

Uruguay must hope to muster more enthusiasm for their midweek trip to Italy than they showed here and Gimenez endured a more forgettable involvement in the 77th minute - diving in desperately and unable to halt McClean on the end of Daryl Murphy's thoughball, with the West Brom winger streaming clear to lash home across Conde.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Blow for Chelsea as Hazard suffers fractured ankle on Belgium duty

Chelsea star Eden Hazard faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a fractured ankle in Belgium training.The winger will consequently miss the upcoming international friendly against the Czech Republic and the World Cup qualifier with Estonia.

Hazard twisted his ankle during Sunday's training session and was quickly ruled out of Belgium's upcoming internationals, although the Royal Belgian Football Association (KBVB) was initially unable to provide any details on the extent of the injury.Nevertheless, they later followed up their initial statement on Hazard's physical misfortune with an update that he has suffered a fractured ankle.

"Eden Hazard is out of #belcze and #estbel due to injury after twisting his ankle today in training (individual action). More news in 48h," a brief statement on the official Twitter account of the national team read."Update | Medical imaging showed that Eden Hazard has a fracture in his right ankle #belcze #estbel #roadtorussia"

It remains unclear as of yet how long the 26-year-old will be out of action, but the injury could endanger his availability for the start of the 2017-18 campaign as Chelsea look to defend their Premier League title.

Belgium currently sit first in Group H with 13 points from five games. They hold a two-point lead over second-placed Greece, with Bosnia-Herzegovina in third on 10 points.

They beat Estonia 8-1 in Brussels back in November.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'It's a place we all love' - Beckham in heartfelt Manchester message

David Beckham sent a heartfelt message to those attending the One Love Manchester concert, arranged by Ariana Grande, at Old Trafford cricket ground on Sunday, urging them to celebrate the spirit of the English city.

Two weeks ago a terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena, where Grande was performing, claimed the lives of 22 people, including children.Grande subsequently decided to hold the concert this weekend to honour those lost, and the gig went ahead despite another atrocity in London 24 hours prior.

A clutch of pop stars from across the globe — including Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber and Liam Gallagher — performed in front of 50,000 fans, and Beckham was invited to be a part of the event.

Though he was unable to attend, the former Manchester United and England winger sent his best wishes to those who defied the terrorists and turned out in their droves."Sorry I can't be there this evening," Beckham began in a message broadcast at the stadium.

"Manchester is a place that was my home for many years. The people are some of the most special I have ever met in my life. It's somewhere that means so much to me.

"As a father, what happened made me truly sad and it's a day we will never forget. I'm proud of everyone there today, everyone in the crowd and all the artists."Tonight is about remembering those that suffered so much on that night, but also celebrating the spirit of this great city. It's a place we all love. Have a good evening."

Rio Ferdinand, who had earlier played at Old Trafford in Michael Carrick's testimonial match, was watching on and tweeted in the hope of an Oasis reunion.
The former defender asked, "where's Noel at?"Though Liam's sibling did not appear on stage, he was joined by Coldplay as he sang for the city he was brought up in.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Martial agent rules out leaving Man Utd

Anthony Martial has no intention of leaving Manchester United this summer, according to his agent.The 21-year-old was a regular for Jose Mourinho throughout the 2016-17 campaign, but was not always a starter and made only 25 Premier League appearances.

He managed only eight goals in his 42 outings across all competitions, with that return some way down on his haul of 17 from his debut campaign at Old Trafford following a £36 million move.

It has been suggested that he may be among those moved out during another summer refresh, with West Ham among those reported to be keen, but his representative has sought to rubbish the rumours by revealing that those in power at United are eager for the Frenchman to stay.

Philippe Lamboley told Journal du Dimanche: “Martial has two years left and there is no reason for him to leave Manchester today.“If [executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward tells me they want him to leave, things are different.“But that is not what he told me during our last meeting.”

Mourinho has challenged Martial to offer more to the collective cause if he does remain at Old Trafford.There is no denying his power and pace, but the youngster has been made aware that he needs to work harder.

Mourinho said in April: "Do I think Anthony is player with great potential? Yes. Do I think he can play successfully for me? Yes. But he needs to give me things that I like."


After sitting out a crunch clash with Chelsea, which United won 2-0, Martial did figure prominently over the remaining weeks of the season and stepped off the bench to help see out a Europa League final victory over Ajax – as the Red Devils secured their third trophy of the campaign.