..::Football IV::..

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Gabi: I hope this isn't Griezmann's last final with Atletico


Atletico Madrid captain Gabi hopes the Europa League decider against Marseille will not be Antoine Griezmann's last final with the club as speculation mounts over his future .

A third Europa League title is on the line for Atletico, who face Marseille in Lyon on Wednesday amid Griezmann's links with Spanish champions Barcelona.France international Griezmann – who opted to remain in Madrid for the 2017-18 season despite strong interest from Manchester United – is a rumoured target for Barca.

And veteran midfielder Gabi hopes the 27-year-old remains at Atletico beyond this season's Europa League showpiece."We've been talking on Antoine [Griezmann] the whole year," Gabi told reporters. "He is fine.

"I see him very good, physically very good, focused in this game, because it is very important for him to win a title. "With his level, he just wants to win titles. I wish it won't be his last final with Atletico. Because we need him, and he knows that we all want him to stay."Griezmann has 27 goals in 47 appearances for Atletico this term.

 

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'Man Utd were bad under Ferguson as well' - Mourinho's methods defended by Neville


Manchester United’s much-maligned brand of football has been defended by Gary Neville, with an eight-time Premier League title winner saying the club were not always great under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Anyone at the Old Trafford helm will inevitably be compared to an iconic manager of the past, with the legendary Scot considered to have established an era of domination on the back of an attacking mindset.Mourinho has been accused of making United overly defensive, with the club deserting the philosophies which made them so successful and entertaining to watch.

Neville, though, believes that memories of the past have become clouded, with United having struggled at times under Ferguson.He told the Daily Mail when assessing a side which finished the 2017-18 Premier League season in second place and has an FA Cup final to come on Saturday:

“Under David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho it’s been suggested the football is not very good.“And every game that goes by Sir Alex Ferguson’s football gets better and better because you forget the bad games, the 1-0s, the horrible defeats.

“I think we’ve become a bit idealistic about what the football was at times under Sir Alex. I was there for a large part of it, 21 years, and saw every game.“Yes, it was mesmerising at times, but from 2003 to 2006 it wasn’t good. I played in that team, it wasn’t good. We weren’t playing at a high level. We were pretty average.

“So you think about this three-year period or so now and what are you measuring against? Sir Alex’s 1999 or the 2003-2006 period when the football was pretty poor and Jose Mourinho was at Chelsea and destroying us?”Mourinho delivered three trophies in his debut campaign and remains in the hunt for another this term as he prepares to face former employers Chelsea at Wembley.

He will also be looking to force United back into title contention next season, with Neville claiming that capturing that crown would make the Portuguese more successful that Pep Guardiola – who has just guided Manchester City to a record-breaking triumph during his second season in England.“These two managers have been at Real Madrid and Barcelona and both won leagues there,” added Neville.

“Ultimately at the end of next season if Pep wins another league that will be a big problem over a three year period but if Jose was to win the league next year you could actually argue Jose has done the better job. Next season will be critical.”

 

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'Winning the league is where Man Utd need to be' - Young positive but looking for more


Ashley Young admits “winning the league is where we need to be” as Manchester United seek to follow up a runner-up finish in the Premier League with FA Cup glory.

The Red Devils appeared ready to challenge for the top-flight crown having burst out of the blocks in 2017-18 amid a flurry of goals and clean sheets.Jose Mourinho’s side were unable to maintain those levels, though, and were forced to watch on helplessly as arch-rivals Manchester City swept to 100 points in a record-breaking campaign.

United can secure the consolation prize of major silverware at Wembley on Saturday when they take on Chelsea, but Young admits everyone associated with the club is hoping for more in 2018-19.

The England international told MUTV: "If we win at the weekend, and finishing second, it will be a very good campaign but, if you ask all the players and staff, winning the league is where we need to be at. I think that's the disappointment but, overall, I think it's been a good season and, if we win the FA Cup, it's been a very good season.

"Of course there's excitement [for the final]. There is not anyone who is not excited. We've been there before and must prepare this week in the right way, which we will do. Everybody is wanting to be starting, wanting to play, and I'm no different. "I want to play in the FA Cup final and obviously want success. There is no better feeling than when you win the FA Cup and walk up those stairs to pick up that trophy. Hopefully, we can do that."

Young is also waiting on the announcement of England’s preliminary squad for World Cup 2018, with Gareth Southgate set to reveal his selection on Wednesday.The versatile 32-year-old could get the nod, with an experienced performer at Old Trafford having reinvented himself this season as a hard-working left-back.

"It's been a massive boost for me, playing week in and week out," said Young."I'm playing in a new position and feel like I can adapt. I've got a good footballing brain. I know where to be on the pitch and when to attack and when to defend.

"I've enjoyed the season and it's gone even better than I had thought as I've got myself back in the England squad. Fingers crossed for when the squad is announced, hopefully that would be an achievement in itself.”

 

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Guardiola looking for 'one or two' additions as Man City move away from £300m spends


Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City will not be spending “£300 million every season”, with the plan to make just “one or two” additions this summer.

Since taking the reins at the Etihad Stadium, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has received considerable backing in the transfer market.City have invested heavily in the likes of John Stones, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus, Ederson, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Aymeric Laporte.

Those additions have helped to restore domestic dominance, on the back of a Premier League and Carabao Cup double in 2017-18, and Guardiola feels his squad now requires mere minor tweaking.A man who has added LMA and Premier League Manager of the Year awards to his roll of honour told Monday Night Football: "[We will sign] one or two more, no more.

"We cannot invest…maybe people don't believe me but we don't have the money to invest £300m every season. "We invested a lot of money and will invest less in the future, because instead of doing it in two or three transfer windows, we did it in one. We needed it for the age [of the squad].

"The fundamental success of this season is the quality of the players. People say you won because you invest a lot, they are right."Ederson, for example, was perfect, but then at the end you are saying 'go and try the Premier League and try to play' and you don't know if it's going to happen."

One of the positions that Guardiola will be looking to strengthen is in the middle of the park, with Yaya Toure preparing to leave City after eight trophy-laden years.

The Catalan coach is, however, playing his recruitment cards close to his chest when it comes to possible targets.Pressed on where he intends to add, Guardiola said: "Maybe in front, but I don't know."We have to think and talk more with Txiki [Begiristain] and the staff. It's four competitions, we need new faces to compete with the guys from this season."

 

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De Gea admits 'second place is simply not enough' for Man Utd


David de Gea admits “second place is simply not enough” for a club of Manchester United’s ambition as they seek to take something from 2017-18 in the FA Cup final.

The Red Devils have wrapped up a runner-up finish in the Premier League with the minimum of fuss, with Jose Mourinho’s side having delivered the level of consistency required to secure Champions League qualification.The final standings did, however, see them left trailing 19 points adrift of record-breaking rivals Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola’s troops having swept to title glory at a canter.

De Gea concedes that more is expected of United on that front, with it now up to them to ensure that the season is not a complete write-off by overcoming Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.

The Spanish goalkeeper told United Review: "I believe that for a club like United, even second place is simply not enough. We have to be fighting hard to win something and we have that opportunity next week [in the FA Cup final]."You get nothing for coming second or getting close to the league leaders. In the end you always have to be fighting to win as that’s what this club and the fans really deserve, and so it’s just that: second place is not enough.

"This club has an obligation to get through to cup finals, go on to win them, win silverware, and continue to make this club even bigger. I believe that’s the most important thing, always being in the shake-up, fighting to win trophies and battling to keep making United exactly what it is: a massive, massive club."While frustrated at seeing United come up short in a title quest, De Gea has enjoyed another memorable season on a personal level.

A first Golden Glove award has come his way on the back of 18 clean sheets, while history has been made at Old Trafford after collecting a fourth Player of the Year prize.
"I think it’s been a very complete season for me, my best since I’ve been at the club, I reckon,” added the 27-year-old."It’s always good to be able to help out the team, and to try and be at your highest level of form possible to be able to earn points for the team.

"And that’s the most important thing, to help the team in every way you can and to maintain that level of consistency which I believe is what makes the difference."

 

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Wenger: I'd be betraying Arsenal if I stayed in England


Arsene Wenger has reiterated he will not take another job in the Premier League as it would feel like a betrayal of Arsenal.

The veteran Frenchman is ending a 22-year stay at Arsenal but he has yet to confirm his next move, while former player Mikel Arteta is the front-runner to succeed him at Emirates Stadium.Wenger, who signed off with a 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town on Sunday, says he is mulling over his options but is unlikely to stay in English football.

As revealed by Goal, Wenger could even move away from club management and take a director of football role, or perhaps a national team job."It will be very difficult for me [without Arsenal]," Wenger told the official Arsenal website."At the moment if I want to continue to work, I think I have to move out of the country, because my gut feeling at the moment is that I would feel I would betray my club by staying in England.

"People might feel that I've betrayed what I've built here. That is the problem I face at the moment.

"My club is here, my heart is here and will be forever. As I said in my speech on the pitch after the Burnley game, I'm a fan above all."Arsenal will again miss out on a place in the Champions League next season after they finished in sixth place in the table and were knocked out of the Europa League semi-final by Atletico Madrid.

 

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Neuer & Reus included but no Gotze in provisional Germany World Cup squad


Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Borussia Dortmund winger Marco Reus have been included in Germany's provisional squad for the 2018 World Cup, although Mario Gotze has missed out.Neuer has been injured since September, when he suffered a fractured foot, and has made just four appearances since last April.

Manager Joachim Low has, however, included the Bayern Munich goalkeeper in his provisional squad, along with Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Bayer Leverkusen's Bernd Leno and PSG stopper Kevin Trapp.

Low has confirmed that the intention is to test Neuer's fitness ahead of the tournament starting, telling reporters: "We want to see for ourselves if Manuel Neuer is fit, we have a chance to see and assess him. And after the training camp we want to talk fair and square."

Reus, meanwhile, appears to finally have a chance to play in a World Cup, having returned to form and fitness at Borussia Dortmund since his comeback from injury in February.The winger missed the 2014 tournament in Brazil, despite being named in the initial squad, after sustaining an ankle injury in the team's warm-up win over Armenia.

His club-mate Gotze, who scored the winning goal in the final as Germany triumphed four years ago, misses out, however, after struggling for fitness and form at Signal Iduna Park this term.

Mario Gomez could add to his 73 caps in Russia, having previously played in Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup, Euro 2012 and Euro 2016. However, he missed out on playing in the 2014 World Cup due to an injury-hit season.

Seemingly as a result of Gomez's inclusion Sandro Wagner misses out, despite an impressive season at Bayern Munich. The 30-year-old has scored 15 goals and provided six assists in 34 appearances for the Bavarian giants thus far this term, and has also netted five goals for Germany in just eight caps.
However, Low has opted against calling him up for the tournament, instead selecting the likes of Thomas Muller, Gomez, Timo Werner and Nils Petersen.The Premier League is also represented in the squad, with Arsenal's Mesut Ozil joined by Manchester City duo Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane, along with Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger.

Arsenal centre-back Shkodran Mustafi is not included though, while Emre Can, who has been struggling with a back injury, is another name from England's top flight that failed to make the squad.

 

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Emery: Neymar will stay at PSG next season


Unai Emery believes Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar will remain with the Ligue 1 champions next season.

Neymar, 26, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid and Manchester United, despite being contracted until 2022.However, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said on Saturday he was "2000 per cent" sure the Brazil international would stay at the club.

Emery, who leaves the club after two seasons in charge, also feels Neymar will remain at PSG."This season there have been times when everything related to Neymar was oversized," he told Cadena SER."Neymar is not talking much. He told us he was tired of the lies that are told.

"I'm not going to be Neymar's spokesperson, but I think the next season he is going to stay at PSG. It would be the right thing for the player and for the club."Neymar scored 28 goals in 30 games in his first season at PSG, but a serious foot injury in February saw his campaign ended prematurely.

Emery believes the star forward was on track for his best season yet before his injury. "I have really enjoyed Neymar. I was very happy with him. He is at the level of Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Lionel] Messi," he said."The injury has hurt him because he could have gotten his best numbers. I am convinced he will reach the maximum level."

 

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'God chose De Gea in goal and Messi on the pitch' - Herrera

Ander Herrera has put Manchester United team-mate David de Gea in the same bracket as Lionel Messi, stating that God chose both stars to play in their respective positions.

De Gea once again stood out across the 2017-18 Premier League season and was crowned the fans' Player of the Year for a fourth time.In addition, he also scooped the Premier League's Golden Glove award after keeping 19 clean sheets throughout United's domestic campaign.

And Herrera believes that it is a special innate talent that allows his countryman to consistently perform at the level only achievable by the very best in the game.“For me, David is the best by far,” he told The Big Interview.“I think he has something that comes from God – God chose him in the goal and chose Messi on the pitch.

“You cannot train what he did against Liverpool. You cannot train what he did against Kun Aguero when he was two metres in front of him and he put his hand out.“He's really good - you can see when he receives the ball he knows always what to do.

“He has some special abilities that I think he hasn’t trained them, because you cannot train them, you just have them.”Manchester United are next in action against Chelsea on Saturday as two of England's heavyweights go head-to-head in the FA Cup final. Kick off is at 5.15pm UK time.

 

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Arteta in pole position to land Arsenal job as Gunners begin major staff overhaul

Mikel Arteta has emerged as Arsenal's primary target to become the club's new manager.

The former Gunners midfielder, who currently works under Pep Guardiola as a coach at Manchester City , is now the frontrunner for the post after Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri all but removed himself from the running.Allegri and Arteta were seen as the two leading contenders ahead of Arsene Wenger's final match in charge on Sunday, but it is now felt that it would be extremely difficult to tempt the former away from Turin.

Instead focus is now firmly on Arteta, with chief executive Ivan Gazidis and head of football relations Raul Sanllehi - who has in turn warned the club off Luis Enrique following their time together at Barcelona - both now keen to appoint the 36-year-old.The potential appointment of Arteta is likely to signal the arrival of a whole new backroom staff at the Emirates Stadium, with stalwarts such as Steve Bould and Jens Lehmann unsure if they will be stay on under the new regime despite being told they still have a future at the club.

Should they depart they would follow the likes of Colin Lewin out of the door, with the club's head of medical services having seen his 23-year tenure at the club ended on Monday among a swathe of changes to the club's support staff.Players have been left particularly shocked by the departure of Lewin, with a number of the squad particularly close to the 44-year-old.

Such sweeping changes are part of an overhaul being overseen by Gazidis in the wake of Wenger's exit following 22 years in charge of the north London outfit.Gazidis himself has moved into a new office at the club's Colney training ground in a bid to mirror the approach taken by continental clubs and is actively looking to add a younger, potentially female face to the club's board.

He will also play a major role in the club's recruitment process alongside Sanllehi, head of recruitment Sven Mislintat and Wenger's replacement.

 

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UEFA Europa League Final 2018.05.16

UEFA Europa League Final 2018.05.16

Half Time

Marseille 0 Vs 1 Atletico Madrid

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Full Time

Marseille 0 Vs 3 Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid Goal(s)

A Griezmann 21',49'
G.Fernández 89'
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Atletico Madrid are the Europa League Winners 2018!

Congratulations Atletico Madrid!
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Marseille 0 Atletico Madrid 3: Griezmann nets double to seal Europa League glory

Antoine Griezmann scored twice as Atletico Madrid won the Europa League with a 3-0 victory over Marseille in Lyon on Wednesday.

The France international has been persistently linked with a move away from the Wanda Metropolitano, with Barcelona reported to be among his biggest admirers.But if this season is to be his last with the club, Griezmann produced the perfect parting gift at the Groupama Stadium.A Marseille error opened the door for the forward to put Atleti in front after 21 minutes, before a delightful finish doubled the advantage for Diego Simeone's men early in the second half.

The Ligue 1 outfit had started brightly but had their momentum checked by Griezmann's opener, and an injury to captain Dimitri Payet before the break came as a further blow to their hopes.Their best chance to pull a goal back came 10 minutes from time, when substitute Kostas Mitroglou headed against the post, but Gabi wrapped up the victory with one minute remaining.

Atleti's win secures a third Europa League triumph, pulling them level with Juventus, Inter and Liverpool behind five-time winners Sevilla on the competition's roll of honour.


The lingering smoke of flares hung over the opening stages, and Jan Oblak will have been thankful to see Valere Germain lift an effort over after emerging from the clouds to run on to a Payet throughball in the fourth minute.As the haze started to lift, Simeone – watching from the stands thanks to a touchline ban – will have seen his side continuing to come under pressure from a Marseille side who looked lively.

But it only took one Marseille mistake for the Spanish side to snatch an undeserved lead.A calamitous touch from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa allowed Gabi to play the ball through for Griezmann, who slotted a simple finish beyond Steve Mandanda.Lucas Ocampos sent a looping header just over from a free-kick after 24 minutes, but more bad fortune would soon follow for Marseille.

Payet, who touched the trophy as he walked onto the field before kick-off, limped off in tears after having recovered from a muscle injury to make the starting XI.

The loss of their skipper sucked some of the life from Marseille's previously spirited display and Griezmann's second, four minutes after the restart, felt like being the match winner.Koke released the 27-year-old into the box and he lifted the ball over Mandanda to double his side's lead.And after the post denied Mitroglou when he got on the end of Morgan Sanson's cross, any faint Marseille hopes looked to be over.

Gabi made absolutely sure of Atletico's sixth trophy under Simeone with a strike from the right side of the penalty area, as Koke claimed his second assist, and the departing Fernando Torres was then brought on for a glorious swansong in stoppage time.

 

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Atletico CEO Gil Marin: Griezmann can become a great here or be forgotten elsewhere


Antoine Griezmann must decide whether he wants to make history at Atletico Madrid or join a club where he will never do so, according to chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin.

Linked with an off-season move to La Liga champions Barcelona, Griezmann was the hero for Atletico on Wednesday as his brace secured a 3-0 win over Marseille and the Europa League trophy.It may have been Griezmann's parting gift amid Barca's interest in the France international forward, who opted to remain in Madrid for the 2017-18 season despite Manchester United's efforts to lure the 27-year-old to the Premier League.

Asked about man-of-the-match Griezmann following Atletico's third Europa League triumph, Gil Marin told Cadena SER : "It will depend on his feelings more than anything else.

"If he wants to make history at Atletico Madrid where everything revolves around him or go to a club where he will never enter history."Contracted to Atletico until 2022, Griezmann – who has won two trophies since arriving from Real Sociedad in 2014 – was in no mood to discuss his future after the clash in Lyon .

Gil Marin, however, added: "If he decides that he does not want to continue with us, we have to respect his decision."I am not optimistic or pessimistic. I do not know what will happen, it is not a decision for him to say after the final."

Gil Marin also hit out at Spanish rivals Barca once again amid their public pursuit of Griezmann.Atletico have already slammed Barca for "an absolute lack of respect" in their attempts to prise Griezmann to Camp Nou after Luis Suarez suggested a deal to sign the Frenchman was a formality.

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu also claimed he met with Griezmann's representatives last October."It does not make sense what they are doing," Gil Marin said. "After the statement, Bartomeu has not answered me."

 

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'This cup has to be mine' - Neymar hungry for World Cup success in Russia


Brazil star Neymar spoke of his hunger to lead the nation to World Cup success in Russia.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward , 26, is on the comeback trail from a broken foot , less than a month out from the start of the showpiece event.Neymar is desperate to help Brazil – one of the favourites for the tournament – to their first World Cup title since 2002.

"What inspires me the most is playing football. Being inside the field is my greatest joy," he told Desimpedidos in a Facebook interview."The World Cup is the biggest championship in the world, I just want to play and be a champion. This cup has to be mine."

Tite's men have been drawn with Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E, with their first outing on June 17. Having been sidelined since February, Neymar said he was slowly nearing a return."I've already started to train with the ball, I felt good, comfortable," he said.

"Of course I had a little fear, but I'm slowly coming back." Brazil and Neymar will also be looking to erase the taste of failure from the 2014 World Cup, when the side were throttled 7-1 by Germany in the semi-final on their home soil.

 

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'It is a fantastic ending' - Torres thrilled to fulfil childhood dream with Europa League final win


Fernando Torres says Atletico Madrid's victory in the Europa League final on Wednesday represented the realisation of a childhood dream.

Atleti triumphed 3-0 over Marseille in Lyon to win a sixth trophy under Diego Simeone.However, it was a first piece of major silverware with the club for Torres, despite having spent 11 seasons as a Rojiblancos player across two spells.

In what could well be his final appearance for Atleti as he prepares to leave at the end of the season, former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Torres was introduced in place of two-goal hero Antoine Griezmann in the 90th minute."Winning with Atletico was a dream I had as a child and it has become a reality," he said.

"Being part of this group is amazing, this is just the beginning of something very big.
"For me it is a fantastic ending. I'm going to be grateful to this team always."Atleti captain Gabi, scorer of the third goal, added that Torres deserved the honour "more than most".

"This cup has given us a lot," he commented. "Torres deserves it more than most - there's no better way to say goodbye to Atleti."

 

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'I hope Griezmann is happy here' - Simeone wants Atletico star to stay put


Diego Simeone hopes Antoine Griezmann's Europa League final brace for Atletico Madrid will help convince him to remain at the club next season.

Griezmann scored twice in Atleti's 3-0 win over Marseille in Lyon but has
persistently been linked to a move away, with Barcelona reported to be among his biggest admirers.The France international may have delivered the perfect parting gift to Atleti with his performance on Wednesday, but Simeone hopes there is more to come from the striker.

"Griezmann confirmed what I already know, which is that he is very good," said Simeone. "We hope he's happy and... with us."The result earned Simeone his sixth trophy as Atleti coach and his second Europa League crown.

"I am happy," he continued. "We have been working very well year after year, we have been close to the titles, with two lost Champions League finals. "Today we had the chance to win and we made a strong second half."And the Argentine believes his absence from the touchline due to suspension had no impact on his players.

"Watching the game from the box was a sad experience, with a feeling of loneliness," he explained."We've been working together for six years and I have great trust in the players. Even if I'm at home or in the hotel, they perform the same."

 

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England World Cup winner Ray Wilson dies aged 83


Former England and Everton left-back Ray Wilson has died aged 83.Wilson was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2004 and passed away in Huddersfield on Tuesday.He earned 63 caps for England and was part of the World Cup-winning side of 1966, adding to the FA Cup trophy he lifted with Everton that year.



Football Association chairman Greg Clarke said in a statement: "We are extremely saddened to hear the news about Ray Wilson."A wonderful player who was so well thought of across the game, Ray will forever be remembered for achieving a remarkable Wembley double in 1966.

"In one summer, he helped Everton win the FA Cup just weeks before being part of the England team that won the World Cup."A true great of English football, our thoughts are with his wife Pat, his family and friends."

Wilson's former England team-mate Bobby Charlton said: "Lady Norma and I are deeply saddened by the awful news that Ray has passed away."Ray was an excellent team-mate at international level for many years and a close friend. We shared some wonderful memories throughout our career and I had the pleasure of being his room-mate."Ray was a great man and he will be missed by so many people."

Wilson's former clubs Everton, Huddersfield Town, Oldham Athletic and Bradford City all paid tribute.