Author: admin

Salah has scored 28 goals and provided 18 assists to help Liverpool win the Premier League title, breaking the record for the most goal involvements in a single 38-game Premier League campaign.

The Egyptian also scored three goals and provided four assists as Liverpool reached the last 16 of the Champions League.
Last month the 32-year-old signed a new two-year contract to stay at Anfield until 2027.
Salah won 90% of the votes cast by over 900 FWA members, marking the biggest winning margin this century.

Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk came second in the vote, with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak third and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice fourth.
Salah joins Thierry Henry as the only player to win the award three times.
Russo beat last year’s winner Khadija Shaw to become the second Arsenal player to win the prize.

The England striker has scored 12 goals and set up a further two in the Women’s Super League this season, with Arsenal 12 points adrift of champions Chelsea with one game remaining.
The 26-year-old has scored eight goals and provided two assists during her side’s 14-game run to the Women’s Champions League final, where Arsenal will face holders Barcelona in Lisbon on 24 May.

Arsenal team-mate Mariona Caldentey came third in the vote with Chelsea defender Millie Bright fourth.

Aston Villa’s hopes of catching Newcastle United in the race for a Champions League place have been dealt a major blow by the news key midfielder Youri Tielemans could miss the rest of the season.
The Belgian playmaker has been a key player for Unai Emery’s side this season, scoring the only goal of their 1-0 win over Fulham last weekend. That victory brought Villa to within three points of Newcastle United, as five sides battle it out for a top-five place in the Premier League.

However, reports from the Athletic suggest Tielemans may not play again this season after picking up a muscle injury. He is out of their game at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, and the home tie with Tottenham on Friday, May 16. There is some hope he may be fit for the final-day showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford, but remains a doubt. Viila are already expected to be without Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford for the rest of the campaign.

Tielemans has played in every Premier League game for Villa this season, with Emery’s side in excellent form going into the final three fixtures. While Newcastle hold an advantage over Villa and Nottingham Forest, they are currently level on points with Chelsea, who they face at St James’ Park on Sunday lunchtime.

Manchester City are only a point ahead of Eddie Howe’s side in third, with Arsenal just four points off in second – and United have to go to the Emirates a week on Sunday. Newcastle have injury issues of their own, of course, with Joelinton and Lewis Hall expected to miss the rest of the season.
Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier came off in the 1-1 draw at Brighton last weekend, although both are expected to be fit to face Chelsea this Sunday.

Luis Enrique took aim at criticism of Ligue 1 after his Paris Saint-Germain side dumped Arsenal out of the Champions League to reach the final.
PSG earned a 2-1 victory over the Gunners in the second leg of their semi-final on Tuesday, sealing a 3-1 aggregate triumph.

Luis Enrique took aim at criticism of Ligue 1 after his Paris Saint-Germain side dumped Arsenal out of the Champions League to reach the final.
PSG earned a 2-1 victory over the Gunners in the second leg of their semi-final on Tuesday, sealing a 3-1 aggregate triumph.

The league of farmers, no? We are the league of farmers,’ Luis Enrique joked to TNT Sports.
‘It’s nice. Now we are enjoying not only the results but also the compliments of everybody speaking about our team.
‘We are a young team but the mentality and character, and also how we play football, I think is nice.
‘I also have to congratulate my players because they are great.’
PSG earned a 2-1 victory on the night, with Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi scoring to give the French champions a three goal lead in the tie after a 1-0 first leg win.
Bukayo Saka pulled a goal back for Arsenal late on, but Mikel Arteta’s side were unable to mount of a late fightback, with their hopes of silverware this season coming to an end.
PSG will now aim to win the Champions League for the first time later this month against Italian giants Inter Milan.
Luis Enrique’s side could complete a Treble having already sealed the domestic title and progressed to the French Cup final against Reims.

It’s going to be tough, but I think they have the same feeling,’ the PSG boss responded when asked about the Champions League final.
‘It’s going to be an interesting final, very difficult for both teams, but it’s a special moment for all of us, for them also
‘It is their second final in three years, which means they are a great team, but we have time to analyse Inter.
‘Now it’s time to celebrate, to enjoy and have some rest.’

PSG will be competing in their second Champions League final, having lost to Bayern Munich back in 2020.

They will be looking to become just the second French side to win the competition after Marseille in 1993.

Paris Saint-Germain weathered one attack after another and showed remarkable adaptability to hold off and defeat an inspired Arsenal 2-1 to reach the Champions League final.
Deprived of the ball possession they so often enjoy, PSG looked in trouble early on but found the right answers to hurt the Gunners in the match on Wednesday.

They relied on counter-attacking football and an excellent Gianluigi Donnarumma to prevail, advancing 3-1 on aggregate.
“The feedback straightaway from their bench is that we were much better than them,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports after the game.
“When you look at the two games, the best player on the pitch has been their goalkeeper. He has made a difference for them in the tie.
“We were much closer than the results showed. I am very proud of the players, the way we handled the pressure, and after 20 minutes, it should have been 3-0.

“We are not there, and that has to hurt.”
PSG reached the final of Europe’s elite tournament for the second time in five years. They will take on Inter Milan on May 31 after the three-time champion defeated Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in one of the greatest semifinals in the competition’s history.

PSG had lost to Borussia Dortmund at this stage last year and was beaten by Bayern Munich in the 2020 final.

PSG broke the deadlock in the 27th minute from a set piece after the Arsenal defence cleared a free kick towards the edge of the area. The ball bounced back into the path of Fabian Ruiz, who smashed a stunning half-volley into the back of the net.

Achraf Hakimi curled in a precise finish in the 72nd minute to make it 2-0 on the night, before Bukayo Saka pulled one back for the Gunners.

Achraf Hakimi curled in a precise finish in the 72nd minute to make it 2-0 on the night, before Bukayo Saka pulled one back for the Gunners.

United are currently a lowly 15th in the 20-team table — and only scraped through to the last four of the Europa League after a remarkable comeback against Lyon.
But they now have one foot in the final after a 3-0 semi-final first leg win against Athletic Bilbao last week ahead of Thursday’s return encounter at Old Trafford.
An all-English final is in prospect should Tottenham Hotspur defeat Bodo/Glimt, giving the sides 15th and 16th in the Premier League at present a chance to win a continental trophy, with the considerable added bonus of qualifying for the Champions League.

“In the end of this season, we can be the worst (United) team in Premier League history with a European title, so it will change nothing,” Amorim told reporters on Wednesday.
“We know that this season was really disappointing for everybody. Nothing is going to change,” added United manager Amorim, who took charge of the fallen English giants after replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag in November.

Lose our mind’

United may be well-placed but Amorim believes they must guard against their tendency to “lose our mind a little bit” if they are to reach a final that will be played at Bilbao’s San Mames ground on May 21.
Casemiro’s header and two goals from skipper Bruno Fernandes in Bilbao put them in a strong position in Spain, with the hosts reduced to 10 men following Dani Vivian’s red card.
All 133 teams in the competition’s history to have scored three or more goals away from home in the first leg have gone through.

But Amorim is taking nothing for granted and believes United must score at least one more goal to book their place in the final.
“If you look at our season, anything is possible, so we have to understand one goal can change anything, the momentum of the game,” he said.
“One sending off, you saw it a week ago, so we are prepared to fight to win the game not thinking about the result.
“Of course that matters and the way we are going to do things, especially when we start the game, but of course we are thinking about winning the game.”

Athletic face a tough task, but United have lost 3-0 at Old Trafford three times so far this season and were beaten 4-3 at Brentford last weekend.
“I feel that we need to score to go to the next round, so that is clearly the way we are going to face the game,” Amorim said.
Athletic boss Ernesto Valverde insisted his side still have a chance of a stunning victory despite the absence of four key players.
Vivian is suspended after his first leg red card, while Nico and Inaki Williams have been ruled out through injury, along with top scorer Oihan Sancet.

There’s no point thinking about the ones who aren’t here. We know we’ve got some key injuries, but it’s about the ones who are on the field tomorrow,” Valverde said.
“They’re the ones who will be trying to turn this tie around. It’s not going to be easy. We also know how high quality our opponents are and their stadium, but this is football. Anything can happen.
“That’s what we always hope for, and we’re hoping for the best like we always do.”

Donald Trump stated that Russia’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup could contribute to peace in Ukraine. Russia has been suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions following the invasion.

US President Donald Trump has said that the possibility for Russia to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be an “incentive” to end the war in Ukraine. The Russian national football team was suspended from international competitions by FIFA and UEFA after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

According to current rules, Russia will not play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Qualification began in September 2023, and in addition to the three host countries, 45 places were available.
But speaking at the first meeting of his administration’s working group to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, Trump said that Russia’s return to the tournament could end the war in Ukraine.
Sitting next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump said he did not know that Russia had been suspended from the tournament.
That’s true. They are currently banned from playing, but we hope that something will happen and peace will come, and Russia will be allowed to compete again, Infantino said.

incentive, couldn’t it? We want them to stop. We want them to stop. Five thousand young people are killed every week – you can’t even believe it.”

2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA

The US will host 78 of the 104 matches, including the final. The World Tourism Forum Institute has warned that strict immigration policies in the US and global political tensions could “significantly” affect international arrivals.

The Club World Cup, which starts next month, is being held in 12 US stadiums. The tournament is expected to be attended by around two million foreign guests.

Earlier this year, the administration of US President Donald Trump called on the Ukrainian government to accept an unspecified number of migrants deported from the country.

The upcoming Champions League semi-final second leg between Inter and Barcelona on Tuesday night is expected to set a new record for the most money taken on an individual matchday by an Italian club, exceeding the 2023 semi-final between the Nerazzurri and rivals Milan.

Inter will host Barcelona in San Siro on Tuesday night for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final. The scores are currently level at 3-3 at the midway stage of the tie after goals from Marcus Thuram, Denzel Dumfries, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and a Yann Sommer own goal.

How much Inter’s Champions League semi-final 2nd leg will raise

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter are expected to earn around €14m from ticket sales and matchday sales alone on Tuesday night, which will comfortably surpass the €12.5m that was raised from the 2023 semi-final against Milan.

It will be a sold-out Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, with around 75,000 supporters expected to attend, including around 4,500 travelling supporters from Barcelona.
Those figures do not include prize money for qualification. Inter will earn an additional €18.5m in prize money alone if they go on to qualify for the Champions League final, and that figure will rise to €25m if they go on to win the whole competition.
La Gazzetta dello Sport estimates that with every revenue stream factored in, Inter have already earned in excess of €115m from the Champions League this season, including prize money, ticket sales and TV revenue.
That becomes around €133m if Inter qualify for the final and over €141m if they were to go on and win the whole thing.

Harry Kane said it feels “sweet” to have finally ended his career-long trophy drought as Bayern Munich lifted the Bundesliga title on Sunday.
The England captain, who joined the side from Tottenham in 2023, celebrated the long-awaited major title with his teammates after Bayer Leverkusen drew 2-2 at Freiburg at the weekend.
He played a major role in their top-flight success this campaign, scoring 24 goals in 29 games and breaking the record in November for the fastest player to register 50 Bundesliga goals, needing just 43 games.

“What a night last night, what a celebration with the players, with the staff,” Kane – sporting a Bayern Munich shirt – said in a video posted to social media on Monday. “I’m sure everyone’s feeling it a little bit this morning! But we’re here and I feel amazing.

It’s been a long time coming, obviously a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication. it just feels sweet to win the title, the first one of my career.”

Bayern had looked on track to secure the title against Leipzig on Friday but conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 3-3 and delay the celebrations until Leverkusen’s draw.

Kane was forced to watch on from the stands following a one-game ban for picking up his fifth yellow of the season, but will be eligible to play when Bayern host Borussia M’gladbach this Saturday and can celebrate in front of their home fans.
“Appreciate all the support as always, it never goes unnoticed and I can’t wait to enjoy these next couple of weeks,” Kane continued. “I can’t wait to be at the Allianz [Stadium] on Saturday and celebrate in front of the fans.

Then as always, we look forward to the next one, we go again and try to get number two.”
Kane’s first year with Bayern coincided with their first trophyless season in 11 years as Leverkusen ended their streak of 11 straight Bundesliga titles.
It led to quips that Kane’s 15-year career, which has seen him lose five major finals for both club and country, could extend indefinitely without winning a trophy, but despite disappointment in the Champions League this season the wait has finally ended.

Harry Kane can finally celebrate his first career title after Bayern Munich became Bundesliga champion with a little help from Freiburg on Sunday.

Freiburg drew with second-placed Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 to leave Bayern an unassailable eight points clear of the 2024 champion with two rounds of the German league remaining.

The 31-year-old Kane had never won a title in a career of runner-up finishes and defeats in finals with Bayern, Tottenham and England, leading some to speak of a “curse” against a player considered one of the world’s best forwards.
Kane’s arrival as Bayern’s record signing in 2023 was followed by the club’s first trophyless season since 2012.

Kane was ready to celebrate Saturday when Bayern looked set to win 3-2 in Leipzig. But Yussuf Poulsen equalized with the last kick of the game for Leipzig to draw 3-3 and postpone Bayern’s party.
“Next week, Harry!” teammate Thomas Müller wrote on Instagram.

He didn’t have to wait that long.
Leverkusen played without conviction in Freiburg, knowing that second place was already secured and that it only had a mathematical chance of defending its title with Bayern having a far superior goal difference.
Maximilian Eggestein fired the home team ahead before the break and an own-goal from Piero Hincapie after it put Freiburg firmly in control.

Leverkusen had to wait till the 82nd minute for Florian Wirtz to pull one back with his team’s first shot on target. Jonathan Tah equalized with the next in stoppage time, but it made no difference for the new league champion.
“We are the champions!” Kane sang with teammates in a Munich restaurant, where he and Joshua Kimmich were doused in beer or champagne as they sang Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds.”

It’s Bayern’s record-extending 34th German championship including the first for the club in 1932. Every other title came after the Bundesliga’s formation in 1963.
Bayern will be presented with the trophy after its home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach next weekend, when Müller will be given what’s sure to be an emotional send-off after 25 years at the club.

“He’s going as a legend,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said of Müller’s 13 Bundesliga titles.
Freiburg’s draw kept it fourth in the final place for Champions League qualification, just a point ahead of a resurgent Borussia Dortmund and two ahead of Leipzig.

Third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt stayed four points clear of Freiburg with a 1-1 draw at Mainz in the late game.
Only the top four teams qualify for Europe’s premier club competition.

Earlier, Holstein Kiel boosted its hopes of avoiding the drop with a 3-1 win at Augsburg. It moved Kiel one point behind Heidenheim, which occupies the relegation playoff place. Kiel next plays Freiburg, then Dortmund.

Six players that featured in the Champions League semi-final first leg between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain could miss the upcoming second clash at Parc Des Princes due to injury.
The Parisians lead the tie by a singular goal following Ousmane Dembele’s fine strike after just four minutes had been played at Emirates Stadium. In terms of building momentum for the second leg, it could not have gone much worse as both teams lost 2-1 in the league this past Saturday, but its fair to say under very different circumstances.

While a heavily-rotated PSG were beaten by Champions League challengers Strasbourg away from Paris, the Gunners controversially lost to Bournemouth at home with Mikel Arteta making just two starting XI changes. One of those was Bukayo Saka being brought back in while the other saw Jurrien Timber replaced by Ben White.

football.london understands the Dutchmen’s absence from the squad was due to a knock suffered in the first leg, but it is not though to be serious. Timber had also been captured in training earlier this week. Arteta however, is concerned he may remain absent.

“At the moment, no [not confident he will return against PSG], because he wasn’t able to play here and we play in four days,” he admitted in a press conference.
There is also slight worry surrounding club captain Martin Odegaard after he was subbed off in the late stages moments on from being kicked, but Arteta is hopeful he has not suffered any major issue.

The latter’s potential issue appears more serious as RMC Sport revealed he was finding it difficult to run after a strong challenge, while Hernandez seemingly struggled to recover from a collision with Joao Neves early on.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes and Marquinhos were all rested this past weekend but Dembele and Presnel Kimpembe were enforced squad absentees. The latter is expected to miss the second leg while Dembele is a huge doubt after suffering a hamstring issue, as the club confirmed in medical update on Friday.
“Victim of bone edema in the 2nd metatarsal of his [Kimpembe’s] right foot, will remain at rest for the next few weeks.

“Ousmane Dembele has strained his right hamstring. His condition is progressing well. A further assessment will be carried out shortly.” There is also some Arsenal stars facing late fitness tests with Arteta hinting one of Kai Havertz, Jorginho or Riccardo Calafiori could return.

I wouldn’t rule all of them out [of PSG second leg]. Let’s see in the next few days how I feel they react,” he said on Friday. “Unsurprisingly, none of the trio featured against Bournemouth and it is likely to be Calafiori that is the player most that may return given the fact only recently was it made clear the other two could play again this season.
Three Arsenal players that will not be available for the remaining games however, is Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu. The trio have all undergone surgery with Gabriel likely to return in pre-season, Jesus expected back in the Autumn and Tomiyasu just hoping to play again before the end of the 2025.

Arsenal face PSG in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on April 29 and fans can watch it free with an Amazon Prime subscription or by signing up for a 30-day free trial.

Ahead of the final day of the Championship season, both Leeds and Burnley were on 97 points, although Farke’s side had a superior goal difference.
Burnley appeared on course to win the league as they were 3-1 ahead at home to Millwall, while Leeds were being held away to Plymouth Argyle.
But Manor Solomon found the net with a superb stoppage-time winner to send Leeds up to the Premier League as champions with 100 points.

During Leeds’ jubilant celebrations Farke was seen sitting alone in the dugout, sparking fears among supporters that the 48-year-old will be sacked before the start of their new Premier League campaign.

Speaking about his muted reaction after the full-time whistle, Farke, who has now won the Championship three times in his career following his two previous successes with Norwich City, said he ‘felt empty’.

I was so focused to win promotion but honestly I was a bit greedy for the title in recent weeks,’ Farke said.
‘We spoke about the only time we won this title was without supporters. I wanted this so badly.
‘I felt empty at the final whistle. I was too tired to celebrate. Even at half-time, it was complicated because I wanted to give the right message. I am proud to have achieved what we wanted to.
‘Looking forward to being on the coach home and to close my eyes. I have to be ready again to celebrate this evening. Next week will be celebrating. I need the summer to recharge my energy.’

can’t put into words what I’m feeling right now. It is a dream come true to score the winning goal and take this Championship,’ Solomon told BBC Radio Leeds.
‘Throughout the season we’ve shown we deserve this trophy and to finish in the first spot. I’m so glad it happened.
‘We all knew what was happening at Burnley and we knew we needed to score. It paid off and the ball went into the net. It will take me a few days to digest what happened today, right now I’m going to celebrate.

‘I want to celebrate with my partner, with the club’s employees. We deserve it. I’ve been focussed on this season, in two or three days we will talk and see what is happening. I don’t know what the future holds but I can just say I love [Leeds].

According to a fresh report from The Athletic, Real Madrid’s chances of landing Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah could receive a significant boost if Xabi Alonso is named the next manager of Los Blancos.
The Leverkusen boss, who has enjoyed a stellar tenure in Germany, remains a serious candidate to take over from Carlo Ancelotti, especially if the Italian follows through with his expected move to manage Brazil.

Amidst this, Real Madrid are also preparing to reshuffle their central defence after a string of setbacks. Eder Militao has endured two serious ACL injuries, while Antonio Rudiger recently underwent surgery.
Add to that the likely departure of David Alaba, whose persistent fitness issues and hefty wages have reportedly prompted the club to consider moving him on, and the need for reinforcements becomes all the more pressing.

Tah fits the bill for Real Madrid

In this context, Tah has re-emerged as a viable and increasingly attractive option.

The outlet mentions that while Madrid turned down the chance to sign him when he was first offered earlier in the season, after having also discussed terms with Barcelona, his situation has changed significantly.
Tah is out of contract in June and has made it clear he will not renew with Bayer Leverkusen, effectively making him a free agent.
The real twist, however, is the Alonso factor. Tah has thrived under the Spaniard’s guidance in Leverkusen’s title-winning campaign, and the connection between the two could play a crucial role.
If Alonso does take the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu, he is expected to push for the signing of key players he trusts, and Tah is one of them.
Still, the race is far from straightforward. Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United are all keeping tabs on the German international. But Real Madrid could gain a major edge through Alonso’s potential appointment.

With financial concerns around Alaba and lingering doubts over Militao’s and Rudiger’s long-term reliability, Tah would offer Madrid a more stable and cost-effective alternative in defence.