Paris Saint-Germain will challenge Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe to follow their phenomenal World Cup feats by delivering a Champions League title in the new year.
The Qatar-owned club have European glory in their sights, and a difficult last-16 tie against Bayern Munich awaits them, with games against the German champions coming up in February and March.
After seeing Mbappe win the Golden Boot as top scorer, and Messi take the Golden Ball prize as the outstanding player, PSG undoubtedly had a strong World Cup.
The sight of Mbappe and Messi in opposition with France and Argentina, as they were in Sunday s World Cup final, will soon be replaced by them uniting on the field, possibly even by the end of the month.
PSG have a Ligue 1 game against Strasbourg …
Valencia will try to sign Javier Chicharito Hernandez from West Ham United, according to Spanish outlet Levante-EMV.
After four years with Guadalajara, Hernandez moved to Manchester United in 2010. He made a total of 157 appearances for the Red Devils and scored 59 goals, winning two Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson. He spent the 2014/15 season on loan at Real Madrid, and having returned to Old Trafford briefly, he moved to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2015. He arrived to the London Stadium two years later.
The Mexico international is currently out of action due to a hamstring injury, but he has been in fine form for the Hammers this season, netting five times in 16 appearances under manager Manuel Pellegrini. On the other hand, Valencia have been stru…
Arsenal are ready to open contract talks with Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, according to the Mirror.
However, the North London outfit expect the negotiations to be tough with the Wales international keen to be on similar terms to the likes of Mesut Ozil and new signings Henrik Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Ramsey doubled his goals tally to six goals this season after bagging a superb hat-trick in Saturday afternoon’s 5-1 victory over Everton, while he also has six league assists to his name also.
Both he and Jack Wilshere are in line for new deals at the Emirates Stadium while Danny Welbeck is set to end the final year of his current contract.
Ramsey moved to Arsenal from Cardiff City in the summer of 2008 and has since racked up th…
Sofyan Amrabat plans to bring energy to Manchester United after joining from Fiorentina until June 2024, subject to international clearance and registration requirements.
The PA news agency understands United have paid a 10million euros (£8.6m) loan fee for Amrabat, with the season-long deal including the option to trigger a permanent move.
If that option is taken, Fiorentina will receive a 20m euros (£17.1m) transfer fee and up to 5m euros (£4.3m) in potential add-ons.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd)
Morocco midfielder Amrabat said: “It is a huge honour to become a Manchester United player. I’ve had to be patient for this moment but I’m someone who always listens to my heart and now I am representing the club of my dreams.
�…
Spain legend and World Cup 2022 global ambassador Xavi believes a 48-team tournament in Qatar will not be good .
In 2017, FIFA voted to add an extra 16 teams to the 2026 competition, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Qatar tournament is currently scheduled to take place between November 21 and December 18 2022 with 32 teams, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino is pushing to bring forward the expansion.
At a FIFA Council meeting in Miami on Monday, the governing body decided to defer the final expansion decision.
Official Statement from the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy on the ongoing discussions around the possible expansion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar
— Qatar Football Association (@QFA_EN)
…
Mauricio Pochettino has described Arsene Wenger as one of the best managers in the history of football, ahead of his final home match in charge of Arsenal.
The 68-year-old, who will step down at the end of the season after nearly 22 years as Gunners boss, is expected to be given a guard of honour by the players when Burnley visit Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Wenger, whose side lost their Europa League semi-final tie with Atletico Madrid 2-1 after a 1-0 second-leg defeat on Thursday, will then conclude his Arsenal career with trips to Leicester City and Huddersfield Town.
Tottenham counterpart Pochettino says it is hard to find enough words of gratitude for the impact the Frenchman has had on the game.
It will be difficult to say thank you enough, he told…
Xavi insists he does not feel “alone” despite the pressure building on the Barcelona coach.
The Blaugrana have suffered back-to-back defeats heading into Saturday evening’s encounter with Valencia.
Xavi’s men sit fourth in the table having been beaten 4-2 at home by La Liga leaders Girona last Sunday, leading to speculation around the former playmaker’s long-term future at Camp Nou.
Xavi: I never feel alone. I feel like I have support and strength and I feel that we can have a great season.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)
However, Xavi is confident he has the backing of the club’s leadership and rated the fans’ support for his team as a “perfect 10”.
“I never feel alone. I feel like I have support and strength and I …
Gerard Pique hopes Barcelona can convince Lionel Messi to stay at the club for years to come.
Messi, 33, sensationally requested to leave the LaLiga giants during the close season, but ended up staying at the club.
However, the six-time Ballon d Or winner is linked with the likes of Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
But Pique hopes Messi will remain at Barca, where he has spent his entire professional career.
We will have to ask Leo. It is his personal decision … and we will see what happens, the defender told Radio Marca on Friday.
I believe that as long as he continues to wear the Barca shirt there is always hope.
We hope they can seduce him so that he stays more year…
Uruguay will be aiming to improve on their disappointing group-stage exit from three years ago when they kick off their 2019 Copa America campaign against Ecuador on Sunday.
Oscar Tabarez s side have won the competition a record 15 times, most recently in 2011, but they fell short at the first hurdle in 2016 and far more is expected this time around.
Boasting a squad including the likes of Diego Godin, Edinson Cavani, Fernando Muslera and Luis Suarez on course to play a full part in this opener after recovering from knee surgery Uruguay are considered third favourites behind Brazil and Argentina.
They begin their latest bid for glory in Belo Horizonte against 2024 hosts Ecuador, who enter the tournament on the back of a poor run of form.
Hernan Dario Gome…
Sadio Mane struck a superb hat-trick as Liverpool put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Porto on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp s side are the top scorers in this season s competition and they showed all of their attacking prowess as Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino put the tie to bed before the second leg at Anfield.
Mane opened the scoring after 25 minutes with the help of some questionable goalkeeping from Jose Sa, the Porto number one diving over his low shot after a driving run from Georginio Wijnaldum.
The visitors were two ahead before the half-hour as Salah made it 30 for the season, becoming the first Liverpool player to reach that figure since Luis Suarez in 2013-14.
Liverpool s attacking tride…