Former Portugal star Luis Figo expects Lionel Messi to raise his game at the World Cup, which he believes could be the Argentine s last chance to lift the football s most famous trophy.
Figo, whose five-year spell at Barcelona ended in 2000 four years before Messi broke through at Camp Nou highlighted the differences between international and club football when assessing the 30-year-old s chances of success in Russia.
Messi made his World Cup debut in 2006 when Argentina reached the quarter-finals and was part of the team that made the last eight in 2010, before helping them to a first final in 24 years in 2014.
But the five-time Ballon d Or winner has only showed glimpses of his very best football on international football s biggest stage and Figo told Omnisport…
The United States first international friendly on Cuban soil since 1947 ended with Chris Wondolowski and Julian Green inspiring a 2-0 win, as the hosts wasted several chances.
The two countries restored diplomatic relations in July 2015 after decades of political tension and Friday s meeting was their first in Cuba in any capacity since a World Cup qualifier in 2008.
USA unsurprisingly looked superior technically, but the Cubans enjoyed the better chances throughout, with Ethan Horvath forced into a few saves before the break.
Horvath was then rescued by the post in the second half as Maykel Reyes went close, just a few moments before substitute Wondolowski opened the scoring at the other end.
Cuba struck the post again through Alejandro Gomez and were made to rue their profligacy…
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal from the Football Association of Serbia (FAS) to annul Kosovo s membership of UEFA.
Last May, the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) became UEFA s 55th member association at its Congress in Budapest, with the motion passing by 28 votes to 24.
Kosovo then joined FIFA one week later, allowing it entry into the current qualification campaign for Russia 2018.
Serbia has not recognised the Kosovan state since it declared its independence in 2008 and, although CAS ruled the FAS had a case, it upheld UEFA s decision to admit the FFK.
A statement from CAS read: The CAS panel in charge of this matter noted that FAS had both standing to sue in this matter and reasonable cause to file its appeal, cons…
Tottenham have announced Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff with Ryan Mason staying on at the club in an assistant coach capacity.
Former Spurs midfielder Mason took charge of the final six matches of the 2022-23 campaign, but doubts were cast over his long-term future.
Mason, 32, repeatedly stated his readiness for management during his second interim stint with his old side.
The Club is pleased to confirm Ange Postecoglou s team of coaching staff
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial)
However, the once-capped England international will remain at Tottenham as part of Postecoglou’s backroom set-up.
Spurs have also recruited a number of other coaches to work with their new manager with Chris Davies, formerly Brendan Rodgers’ assistan…
Lucas Vazquez and Brahim Diaz scored as Real Madrid ran out 2-1 victors over Chelsea on Tuesday.
In the final game of their U.S. tour, Chelsea failed to recover after going 2-0 down inside the opening 27 minutes at the Bank of America Stadium.
Vazquez s deflected shot crept into the bottom-left corner to open the scoring in the 19th minute, with Dani Ceballos claiming to have got a touch, though the replays were inconclusive.
There were no question marks over Madrid s second goal, with Vinicius Junior sliding a ball in behind for Diaz, who coolly rounded Chelsea s new goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen before slotting in from a tight angle.
Raheem Sterling squandered a great chance to tee up Christopher Nkunku for a tap-in, though Chelsea did pull one back when N…
Jordan Pickford has revealed England s defeats in the 2018 World Cup semi-final and Euro 2020 final have provided added motivation ahead of Qatar 2022.
Everton goalkeeper Pickford has been a key man in the most successful England team since becoming world champions in 1966.
But tournament glory has still evaded the Three Lions, who let early leads slip to Croatia in the last four in Russia and Italy in last year s Wembley decider.
The penalty shoot-out loss in the Euros final was particularly painful in front of a home crowd, yet Pickford is confident that experience can benefit Gareth Southgate s side.
Yes, Pickford replied when asked if England can win the World Cup this year.
Obviously it is going to be challenging against the best teams in t…
Newly promoted Premier League club Nottingham Forest have broken their transfer record to sign forward Taiwo Awoniyi.
Forest, who have returned to the top flight for the 2022-23 season after 23 years away, reportedly triggered a £17.2million (€20m) release clause in Awoniyi s Union Berlin contract.
The Nigeria international spent six years at Liverpool but only received a UK work permit last year, shortly before departing for Union in a permanent transfer.
Liverpool are reportedly due to receive 10 per cent of the fee paid by Forest for Awoniyi, who scored 15 times in 31 Bundesliga games last season.
In all competitions, the striker – who spent the previous campaign on loan at Union and was also linked to Newcastle United – netted 20 goals in 43…
Fans of Cardiff City may be somewhat bewildered when they see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the opposition dugout when Manchester United visit the Welsh capital on Saturday.
The Norwegian has been handed the United reins until the end of the season following the sacking of Jose Mourinho and is tasked with steering the club into the Premier League s top four.
Solskjaer s appointment at one of the world s biggest clubs comes despite the total failure of his last shot at management in England s top flight, with Cardiff in 2013-14.
Cardiff had been guided to promotion from the Championship by Malky Mackay in the previous season but the Scot was sacked in December 2013 after a public falling out with eccentric owner Vincent Tan and with the club battling against the drop.
Trezeguet thumped home a stoppage-time winner as Aston Villa beat Leicester City 2-1 to reach the EFL Cup final.
The winger got on the end of Ahmed El Mohamady s superb cross from the right and sent a fine volley across goal and into the right corner.
It gave Villa a 3-2 aggregate triumph and left Leicester distraught, with the match having looked destined to go to extra time.
Matt Targett had given Villa a 12th-minute lead, but Leicester deservedly levelled through Kelechi Iheanacho in the 72nd minute.
A clash with Manchester City or Manchester United awaits Dean Smith s team, while Brendan Rodgers Leicester must put the disappointment behind them. Leicester at least remain in the FA Cup, while they also sit third in the Premier League.
We re g…
Gerrard captained Liverpool during Dalglish s second spell in charge at Anfield, which ended in May 2012, and the pair have a close relationship.
Now manager of Rangers, Gerrard wrote: Get well soon king.
Liverpool s current goalkeeper Alisson sent his well wishes, writing: Love from Becker family to Sir Kenny Dalglish!!
Reds past and present, Robbie Keane and James Milner, both sent Get well soon Sir Kenny messages, echoed by former England striker Gary Lineker and the Scottish Football Association.
Celtic, the club where Dalglish began his playing career, said: Sending our love and best wishes to @kennethdalglish following tonight s news. Get well soon, King Kenny.
Newcastle United and Blackburn, who he also managed, also rallied behind Da…