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      Wayne Rooney reveals why he kept match ball after Man Utd’s 3-1 Champions League final loss to Barcelona

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      WAYNE ROONEY has revealed why he kept the match ball from the 2011 Champions League final despite losing to Barcelona.The reason was Lionel Messi.
      Wayne Rooney kept the match ball from the 2011 Champions League final despite losing to Lionel MessiCredit: AP
      Rooney was left dejected as Barcelona celebrate at the final whistleCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      England’s joint-top-ever goalscorer explained how he felt he was “part of something special” after sharing a pitch with “the best ever” player.
      And now the former United striker, now 37, has doubled down on his statement.
      Rooney wrote in The Times: “Only once in my career did I go home with the match ball from a game where I wasn’t given it for scoring a hat-trick.
      “That was the 2011 Champions League final, when Barcelona beat Manchester United with one of the best team performances I’ve ever seen.
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      “At the end I grabbed the ball and sought out Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro — Barcelona’s scorers.
      “I got them to sign it and, as the scorer of United’s goal, put my own signature on it too. I still have the ball in my house.
      “Why would I do something like that? We’d lost a final and I was gutted but I also had this sense of having been part of something special.
      “It was a feeling that I had just shared a pitch with some of the greatest players who ever played. Barcelona were incredible and Messi was the catalyst for all of it.
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      “In 2012, I wrote the following on Twitter: ‘Messi is a joke. For me the best ever.’
      “On Wednesday morning, after watching him lead Argentina to the World Cup final with a masterclass against Croatia, I retweeted it with the words: ‘Nothing has changed.'”
      35-year-old Messi scored twice on Sunday as he finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy.
      The Argentina captain helped guide his team to victory past France on penalties.
      Rooney has previously mentioned that he rates the Argentina hero above Cristiano Ronaldo.
      And the Englishman added: “I have the greatest respect for Cristiano and, when people argue he is the greatest, I know where they are coming from and respect that opinion.
      “But, for me, Messi is just different. I played against him several times and it’s his ability to take and hold the ball, to control games, run at players, pass and score and be the difference.
      “Close up, you just can’t get near him. He is always in control. If he has the ball at his feet, he determines everything, your decision-making included.
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      “Being his opponent is a difficult place to be. You want to go and press him but know that if you do, you’re not going to win the ball. 
      “There are times you can tackle him, like when he is dribbling directly at you, but usually you’re just not going to dispossess him.” More

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      Vivianne Miedema ‘gutted’ by ACL rupture with Arsenal star ‘ruled out for extended period’ following injury

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      Vivianne Miedema confirmed she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament days after being stretchered off during Arsenal’s loss to Lyon in the Champions League. The Gunners forward, 26, will undergo an operation on her injury in the coming days and has been ruled out for ‘an extended period’.
      Vivianne Miedema admits she knew straight away that she had injured her ACLCredit: Getty
      The Arsenal forward is set for extended period on the sidelines following her injuryCredit: PA
      Arsenal say a more detailed timescale will be established after surgery on the Netherlands ace has been carried out. 
      Last Thursday the WSL’s all-time record scorer looked visibly distressed after sustaining the injury which occurred after she was stretching for the ball and appeared to land awkwardly.
      The Gunners ace said there will be ‘plenty of difficult days ahead’ and thanked friends, family and her team-mates for their support. 
      In a statement shared via her Twitter account this morning Miedema said: “Absolutely gutted to share that I’ve ruptured my ACL in our last game against Lyon.
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      “It was one of those moments, where I knew straight away. 
      “So many things going through your head: I won’t be able to help my team anymore this season, no World Cup, surgery and rehab for a long, long time.
      “I won’t be telling you I’ll come back stronger or that I’m looking forward to spending the next however many months in the gym. 
      “It will be tough with plenty of difficult days (plenty of crying, which we’ve had a lot of already), but sadly enough it’s part of football.
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      “I’m lucky enough to have amazing team-mates, friends and family around me and Beth, who can guide me through everything that’s coming while only being a couple of weeks ahead of me.
      “Thank you for all your messages, I do really appreciate them and they are helping a lot!
      “For now, I’ll be getting myself ready for surgery and it’s time for a much-needed Christmas break.”
      Miedema’s injury comes a month after her team-mate and partner Beth Mead ruptured her knee ligament during the late stages of Arsenal’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United at the Emirates. 
      The England star, 27, who signed a new contract with the club this month, was also revealed to have sustained an ACL injury.
      The loss of Miedema and Mead is a blow for Arsenal who are in the race for the WSL title and currently second and three points behind leaders Chelsea.
      Miedema’s team-mate Beth Mead sustained an ACL injury in NovemberCredit: Getty
      Both players are among the most formidable forwards in the women’s top-flight and notched up a combined total of 25 goals in the league last season. 
      And Miedema finished as the top tier’s second highest goal scorer last term.
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      Their club are due to play Zurich on Wednesday in their final Champions League group stage game.
      The Gunners have already qualified for the contest’s quarter-final stage having notched up three wins, one draw and one defeat. More

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      Messi becomes ninth member of elite club to win World Cup, Champions League and Ballon d’Or… can you name them all?

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      LIONEL MESSI became the newest member of an elite footballing club following his World Cup victory.The Argentine captain helped his side to their third World Cup after beating France in the final.
      Lionel Messi is the ninth player to win the World Cup, Champions League and Ballon d’OrCredit: Getty
      In doing so, Messi has now completed his trophy cabinet, which also includes multiple Champions League and Ballon d’Or awards.
      Only eight other players in history have managed to lift the Champions League, Ballon d’Or and World Cup.
      Here, we take a look at the exclusive club…
      1. Sir Bobby Charlton
      Sir Bobby Charlton was the first player win all three awardsCredit: PA:Press Association
      The first player to complete the trio was England’s Sir Bobby Charlton.
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      The attacking midfielder won the World Cup and Ballon d’Or in 1966 before winning the Champions League with Manchester United in 1968.
      2. Gerd Muller
      Gerd Muller became the second player to complete the featCredit: Getty
      The second footballing legend to join the club was German forward Gerd Muller.
      The prolific goalscorer won the Ballon d’Or in 1970. He then went on to win the World Cup and his first Champions League title in 1974.
      Muller went on to win the Champions League in both of the next two seasons in 1975 and 1976, with Bayern Munich.
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      3. Franz Beckenbauer
      Franz Beckenbauer captained Germany to World Cup glory in 1974Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The German defender completed the hat-trick of awards in 1974, the year that he won his first Champions League and World Cup titles.
      He had already his first Ballon d’Or in 1972. Beckenbauer then went on to win two more Champions Leagues in 1975 and 1976, as well as another Ballon d’Or in 1976.
      4. Paolo Rossi
      Paolo Rossi was key in Italy’s World Cup win in 1982Credit: Bob Thomas Sports Photography – Getty
      The Italian starred for his side in the 1982 World Cup, scoring six goals on the way to the trophy.
      He also won the Ballon d’Or that year and then completed the trio in 1985 when he won the Champions League with Juventus.
      5. Zinedine Zidane
      Zinedine Zidane won the Champions League as a player and as a managerCredit: PA:Press Association
      The brilliant French midfielder became the fifth player to complete the hat-trick of awards.
      In 1998, Zinedine Zidane won the World Cup and Ballon d’Or before going on to win the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2002.
      He also went on to win the club trophy with Los Blancos as manager on three times in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
      6. Rivaldo
      Rivaldo completed the hat-trick of awards in 2003Credit: Getty
      Rivaldo was one of the vital players in Brazil’s World Cup win in 2002 in the tournament in Japan and South Korea.
      He had already won the Ballon d’Or in 1999 after a brilliant season with Barcelona.
      The midfielder then won the Champions League with AC Milan in 2003.
      7. Ronaldinho
      Ronaldinho was the seventh player to enter the elite clubCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The skilful Brazilian attacker also won the World Cup alongside Rivaldo in 2002.
      He collected the other two awards later in his career. Ronaldinho won his Ballon d’Or in 2005, a year before completing the feat with his Champions League victory in 2006.
      8. Kaka
      Kaka was the last player before Messi to win all threeCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Kaka also won the World Cup with Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, but it was not until 2007 that he hit his peak.
      The attacking midfielder won both the Champions League and Ballon d’Or when he was at AC Milan.
      9. Lionel Messi
      Credit: Getty
      Messi becomes the latest member of the club after winning the World Cup in Qatar.
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      He already boasted an incredible SEVEN Ballon d’Or triumphs.
      And he won the Champions League four times during his years at Barcelona. More

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      World Cup final referee Marciniak infuriated ex-Chelsea boss Tuchel by LAUGHING with Ancelotti after loss to Real Madrid

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      POLISH referee Szymon Marciniak will make history as the first man from his country to take charge of a World Cup final.But he is the official who infuriated former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel after the club’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash against Real Madrid last season.
      Thomas Tuchel clashed with referee Szymon Marciniak in the Champions League last seasonCredit: AP
      The official was spotted laughing with Real Madrid boss Carlo AncelottiCredit: Getty
      Marciniak, 41, was the man in charge when the Blues won 3-2 after extra time only to lose 5-4 on aggregate.
      Tuchel was fuming with Marciniak after Marcos Alonso had a goal ruled out by VAR for handball in the 62nd minute.
      And at the end of the game, Tuchel went to shake hands with the ref who was caught laughing with Real boss Carlo Ancelotti.
      Tuchel said: “I think this is very, very bad timing – and I told him that.”
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      After Alonso’s goal, slow-motion video replays eventually showed clearly that the ball had touched Alonso’s right hand before he lashed it into the net.
      Yet Tuchel, clearly angry, said: “When you play against Real Madrid, maybe you don’t expect everyone has the courage. I felt the little decisions in the first leg and today as well.
      “I didn’t see the goal but I am super disappointed he didn’t come out and check it on its own.
      “You should stay the boss and not give the decisions to someone in a chair and who is isolated.”
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      Marciniak oversaw France’s group-stage victory over Denmark and Argentina’s last 16 defeat of Australia.
      He was in the middle for Liverpool’s first-leg semi-final victory over Villarreal last season. More

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      Hayes’ Chelsea side aim for top spot finish in Champions League group and defeat of Paris Saint-Germain

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      EMMA HAYES warns Chelsea will not be ‘downing tools’ in their final Champions League group game despite reaching the quarter-finals. The Blues boss was reflecting on her players’ performance after they comfortably trounced Albanian side Vllaznia 4-0. 
      Sophie Ingle opened the scoring for Chelsea against VllazniaCredit: Reuters
      Fran Kirby netted her first goal in the Champions League this season doubling visitors’ leadCredit: Reuters
      Fran Kirby’s first goal of the season in Europe and two assists for summer signing Jelena Cankovic were among the efforts that helped the WSL leaders stay top of group A.
      The result saw the Blues, who made a surprise exit at this stage of the tournament last season, pick up their fourth win from their first five Champions League group games.
      It saw them move  three points clear of Paris Saint-Germain before the French side’s 2-1 defeat of Real Madrid.
      And that result saw the Spanish club knocked out of the competition 
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      Chelsea boss Hayes said: “The questions in and around the group stage last year we don’t have to answer anymore. 
      “This team does so well to learn in its hardest moments.
      “We understand what the group stage is in this competition and I think we’ve navigated them really well this season. 
      “We didn’t get out of second gear but we should credit Vllaznia too as they made it difficult.
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      “They stuck a lot of numbers behind the ball in the corridors and you have to be patient. 
      “It’s not always the best thing to watch because you’re playing against so many numbers behind the ball but we kept our patience. 
      “We probed and the finishers came into the game to add a couple of goals so we’re really happy.Our objective now is to finish top of the group.”
      When asked if Chelsea’s quarter-final qualification gives them the freedom to take things easier against PSG, Hayes added: “I don’t think you can switch it on and off.
      “The minute we down tools in something, I don’t like us when that happens. 
      “There’s two conversations on the table for the team – the first is how hard we’re going to train next week and the second is how are we going to finish top of the group. 
      “Everything else is nothing. I don’t want to hear about Christmas or the quarter-finals.
      “I’m not interested in any of that, just what we need to do to win the game next week.”
      Hayes made six changes to the line-up that beat Reading 3-2 in the WSL on Sunday. 
      Captain Magda Eriksson and Millie Bright were rested with Sophie Ingle wearing the skipper’s armband. 
      Maren Mjelde scored Chelsea’s final goal during their 4-0 defeat of Vllaznia in AlbaniaCredit: Getty
      Vllaznia – who have conceded more goals than any other team in this stage tournament – were pinned back in their own half for large spells. 
      And they found themselves a goal behind in the 12th minute as Ingle side-footed the ball home after deflected Guro Reiten pass. 
      The hosts, who had no shots on target attempted a lobbed effort shortly after with Megi Dolci spotting Blues shot stopper Zecira Musovic off her line. 
      But they found themselves 2-0 down in the 20th minute with Kirby sweeping the ball home after being teed up by Cankovic following a quickly taken free-kick
      The Albanian side reacted angrily being caught off guard and yet to get into position, but their protests were waved away by the referee 
      The Blues came close to a third at the half hour mark with Aniek Nouwen heading Ingle’s corner kick directly at Vllaznia keeper Kaylin Williams-Moisier. 
      The Blues will take on Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge in their final group stage game with both teams qualifying for the quarter-finalsCredit: Getty
      The second spell saw Hayes shuffle her deck with Lauren James, Maren Mjelde and Katerina Svitkova entering the fray 
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      The visitors saw Sam Kerr’s tapped-in finish flagged offside in the 68th minute before Svitkova struck late to make it 3-0 win with an assist from Cankovic.
      And a late handball led to Mjelde netting from the penalty spot to wrap up a comfortable win on the road. More

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      Newcastle make £50m Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia major transfer target as Real Madrid and PSG monitor Georgian ace

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      NEWCASTLE have identified Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as a major transfer target, according to reports. Kvaratskhelia, 21, has been lighting up the Serie A and the Champions League with Napoli.
      Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been a star for Napoli this seasonCredit: AFP
      He caused nightmares for Liverpool’s defence in the 4-1 loss to NapoliCredit: Getty
      The winger has eight goals and 10 assists in 17 games for the Italian giants this season.
      And following his good form he has now gained the attention of financial powerhouses Newcastle.
      The Toon are on the lookout for ways to improve their team, and have already landed major talent on the continent such as Sven Botman and Bruno Guimaraes.
      Kvaratskhelia is the latest star identified to improve their team.
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      The Times report Newcastle sent scouts to watch the Georgian prior to the World Cup.
      Their findings have determined the Magpies will make him one of their primary targets in the next two transfer windows.
      The report suggests Kvaratskhelia, affectionately nicknamed “Kravadona” by Napoli fans in reference to club legend Diego Maradona, is rated in the region of £50million.
      This represents a big profit line for Napoli considering their investment of just £10m in acquiring him from Dinamo Batumi last summer.
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      However, Newcastle will face stiff competition from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, with the pair also monitoring him.
      Kvaratskhelia represents a new breed of winger which is both technically brilliant and physically imposing – with Manchester United transfer target Cody Gakpo another example.
      He stands at 6ft tall, is quick, and has footwork not too unlike his Argentian namesake.
      Indeed, his dangerous exploits were made painfully aware to Liverpool in the Champions League as he starred in the 4-1 demolition of Jurgen Klopp’s side in September. More

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      Jamie Carragher slams Fifa’s 32-team Club World Cup as ‘ridiculous’ and says players are ‘treated like cattle’

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      LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher has slammed Fifa’s 32-team Club World Cup as “ridiculous” and says players are being “treated like cattle”.Fifa president Gianni Infantino revealed the controversial 2025 plans on Friday as they look to compete with Uefa’s Champions League.
      Carragher has slammed plans for a 32-team Club World CupCredit: Getty
      Infantino insists player welfare is being consideredCredit: Getty
      It means the Fifa-run club tournament will more than quadruple in size from the current format with seven sides.
      The world football governing body initially wanted to increase the size of the Club World Cup from seven teams to 24 for China in 2021 – before the pandemic hit.
      Big clubs have already rejected the proposal – and the Premier League has also followed suit.
      And Liverpool legend Carragher has taken aim at Infantino and Co, saying players “need rest at some point”, and that they’re being “treated like cattle”.
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      Carragher also slammed the idea of a 32-team Club World Cup as “ridiculous” after recently discussing the possibility of a World Cup every two years.
      The Champions League winner fumed: “Like the ridiculous idea of the @FIFAWorldCup every two years, this is another one from Infantino.
      “Players need rest at some point, they are getting treated like cattle.
      “FIFA hate the Champions League and want something similar themselves. 
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      “European clubs should boycott it.”
      However, Infantino says Fifa are considering “the health and wellbeing of players” in their decision to create and expand competitions.
      In his lengthy press conference, Infantino said: “We have to take into consideration the health and wellbeing of players.
      “We need to ensure there is a rest period for players, a holiday period, ideally 72 hours between games.
      “Of course we need to be pragmatic on these topics. We will now consult on all these topics and elaborate.” More

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      Fifa to launch new Club World Cup in 2025 with THIRTY-TWO teams, setting themselves on collision course with clubs

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      THE CLUB WORLD CUP is being expanded to 32 teams in a major shake-up.It means the Fifa-run club tournament will more than quadruple in size from the current format with seven sides.
      Fifa president Gianni Infantino revealed the details of the new Club World Cup plansCredit: PA
      Chelsea beat Palmeiras in the 2021-22 edition in FebruaryCredit: AFP
      The major changes are set to come into effect from 2025, as revealed by Fifa president Gianni Infantino today.
      The world football governing body initially wanted to increase the size of the Club World Cup from seven teams to 24 for China in 2021 – before the pandemic hit.
      The new format of the 32-team tournament will take place every four years with an extended international break merging the current September and October slots to facilitate the changes.
      It is unclear at this stage how the 32 teams will be comprised – currently each continent sends one team with the host nation’s league champions making up the seven.
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      Chelsea won the 2021-22 version as reigning Champions League winners, beating Copa Libertadores champs Palmeiras in the February final.
      The European and South American clubs joined in the semi-finals with the teams from the other confederations in Africa, Asia, Oceania and North, Central America and Caribbean as well as the host nation’s league champions joining earlier.
      Real Madrid will be the European representative at the 2022-23 edition following their victory over Liverpool in Paris in May.
      And Infantino confirmed that tournament will be hosted in Morocco, just as it was in 2013 and 2014.
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      The Club World Cup was launched in 2000 with Chelsea becoming the third English team to win it after Manchester United in 2008 and Liverpool in 2019.
      Real Madrid are the most successful side in the tournament’s history with four titles, one more than rivals Barcelona.
      Brazilian side Corinthians and Bayern Munich have won two each while 14 of the last 15 have been won by the European team.
      Infantino also added that a Women’s Club World Cup will be launched – although no further details were given at this stage.
      And a Fifa World Series will also start, with the friendly tournament taking place in even years to “increase the possibilities for teams from different confederations to play each other”.
      There was a hint, too, of future winter World Cups following the success of Qatar 2022. More