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      Cristiano Ronaldo loved his iconic goal against Porto so much he got it on DVD as it won inaugural Puskas Award

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO revisited the scene of arguably his greatest goal on Wednesday night – with a DVD to hand to refresh his memories.
      Porto’s Estadio Dragao saw the superstar winger launch a spectacular long-range strike back in 2009, in his latter days as a Manchester United player.

      Cristiano Ronaldo loved his goal against Porto so much he got it on DVDCredit: EPA

      The winger launched an effort from 40 yards that hit the back of the netCredit: AFP – Getty

      The 40-yard hit rocketed into the far corner – and was clocked at 64.2mph.
      But it also came against the backdrop of serious jeers from the home faithful, at every sight of the former Sporting star.
      With the goal, United led the Champions League quarter-final tie 3-2 and held on for the 80-plus minutes remaining of the second leg to qualify.
      On the night, Ronaldo vowed to get a DVD of the goal and described it as his best ever.

      The winger, then aged 24, stated: “It is the best goal I have scored.
      “It was a fantastic strike and I can’t wait to see it again on DVD. I am very happy with it.

      “We have an opportunity to win everything and we are very confident that we can.
      “We did not play fantastic in the last five or six games but we expect the next ones will be better because of what we did last night.”

      United went on to reach the final, although they were beaten by Barcelona 2-0 in Rome.
      Just months later, Fifa established the Puskas Award for the best goal in world football and Ronaldo’s effort claimed the inaugural prize.
      A jubilant Sir Alex Ferguson agreed that the effort was among the best he had seen.
      The then-United boss declared post-game: “I will have to trawl a long way back through my memory bank to come up with anything as good as that.
      “It was a sensational goal. It was a great strike and to do it so early gave us the platform to go on and win.”
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      Ronaldo did not enjoy a joyous return to Porto on Wednesday nightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      However, ten years later and Ronaldo had found his new favourite goal, a remarkable overhead kick past Juventus for Real Madrid in 2018.
      He told France Football two years ago: “If you ask me to choose [a favourite], I would say the goal against Juventus because it’s a goal I’ve been trying to score for years.”
      Fast forward to earlier this week and the Portuguese winger returned to the scene as a Juventus player.
      Alas, he could not repeat his heroics with a quiet performance in the Old Lady’s 2-1 defeat to Porto.
      Following the game, which was summed up when Ronaldo was tackled by his own team-mate, he was sharply criticised for his display.
      Former Italy forward Antonio Cassano brandished the superstar ‘selfish’.

      Cassano told Bobo TV: “He’s always been a bit selfish, he doesn’t give a damn about others scoring goals, he’s the kind of player who lives to score.
      “He does not live for the game, for the great match.
      “He lives for the goal and in this moment the situation is getting worse, the years pass for us all and he is having difficulties.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Wenger comments on the VAR decision that denied Ronaldo a penalty against Porto More

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      Europa League venue changes: Arsenal in Rome, Man Utd in Turin, Tottenham in Budapest

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      EUROPEAN football is back with the knockout stages, but for a number of English clubs it will look very different.
      Despite ties continuing to take place over the traditional two-leg format, some teams will be forced to forfeit home advantage due to Covid restrictions.

      The Stadio Olimpico in Rome will host Arsenal’s away game against BenficaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Which Champions League ties will have venue changes?

      Both Liverpool and Man City will visit the Puskas Arena in BudapestCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      RB Leipzig vs Liverpool – Puskas Arena, Budapest

      RB Leipzig are unable to host Liverpool in their home stadium as entry to Germany from the UK has been banned for all non-residents.
      Jurgen Klopp himself was unable to return to the country to attend his mother’s funeral under the entry rules.
      Borussia Monchengladbach vs Man City – Puskas Arena, Budapest
      For the same reason as RB Leipzig’s game against Liverpool, Borussia Monchengladbach vs Man City will be unable to go ahead as planned.
      Therefore Budapest has stepped in to host both matches.

      Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea – National Arena, Bucharest
      Entry to Spain from the UK has been banned for all non-residents.
      Therefore this match has been moved to Bucharest.
      Atletico Madrid will have fond memories of the National Stadium as Diego Simeone won his first trophy – the 2012 Europa League – there.
      Which Europa League ties will have venue changes?

      The Juventus Stadium will host Real Sociedad vs Man UtdCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Benfica vs Arsenal – Stadio Olimpico, Rome
      The UK bans all non-residents from entering the country from Portugal.

      Were Arsenal to play Benfica in Lisbon, the entire squad would be forced to undergo a ten-day hotel quarantine on return.
      Therefore, the match has been moved to Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
      Real Sociedad vs Man Utd – Juventus Stadium, Turin
      Due to the Spanish government’s travel restrictions, Real Sociedad will host Man Utd at Juventus’ stadium in Turin.

      Wolfsberg vs Tottenham – Puskas Arena, Budapest
      Like Liverpool and Man City, Tottenham will also play the away leg of their European tie at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.
      This is because all non-EU/EEA citizens except residents are banned from travelling to Austria from the UK.
      Molde vs Hoffenheim – Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal
      Despite stadiums in Spain not being allowed to host British clubs, Villarreal have been given permission to stage Molde vs Hoffenheim.
      The game has been moved as Norway has closed its borders to all non-resident foreign nationals.
      Arsenal vs Benfica – Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens
      The Benfica team are currently banned from travelling to the UK, along with all non-residents entering from Portugal.
      Arsenal have announced that Olympiacos’ Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens would host the match.

      What happens if a home team can’t move its tie to a neutral venue?
      Where travel restrictions are imposed by the home team’s government, the club must find a new venue or be deemed to have forfeited the match 3-0.
      Where travel restrictions are imposed by the away team’s government, that club will be asked to find a new venue or have Uefa choose one for them.
      Do away goals still count double?
      Uefa have confirmed that away goals WILL count double in all European ties this year.
      That means, for example, that the rule will apply even if Benfica host Arsenal in Italy and Arsenal host Benfica in Greece. More

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      Erling Haaland feared he wouldn’t be able to hack it in Bundesliga before Dortmund transfer and setting world alight

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      ERLING HAALAND feared he wouldn’t be able to hack it in the Bundesliga before his transfer from RB Salzburg to Borussia Dortmund.
      But the Norwegian has ripped things up in Germany and become one of the game’s biggest stars.

      Erling Haaland was nervous he would not make it in the BundesligaCredit: Rex Features

      Haaland moved from the Austrian side to the German giants in January 2020.
      Before that he bagged 28 goals in just 22 games for Salzburg after joining them from Norwegian side Molde just 12 months before.
      And there has been no stopping him since his Dortmund switch with the goal machine hitting the net a staggering 41 times and providing ten assists in just 42 games.
      But that has come as no surprise to his old Salzburg boss Jess March who revealed Haaland sought reassurance from him about his ability to succeed in the Bundesliga at just 19.

      Marsch told Sportbuzzer: “That was exactly what he asked me at the beginning of his time in Dortmund.
      “I replied: ‘What would have really surprised me is if you do not end up succeeding.
      “I was convinced that the Bundesliga was made for him.
      “I keep in touch with Erling. We usually write or talk on the phone.”

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      Haaland and Mbappe are already well on their way to taking over from Ronaldo and Messi as football’s kings

      Haaland scored a brilliant brace against Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday night as his team won 3-2.
      After the game he revealed he was inspired by Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick for Paris Saint-Germain against Barcelona the night before.
      And stats since have suggested the pair are replacing Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the world’s best players.
      Haaland also admitted ‘it’s nice when people are interested in you’ when asked about interest from Real Madrid.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Erling Haaland teases Real Madrid transfer as Dortmund star admits ‘it’s always nice if someone wants you’ More

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      Wenger says Arsenal’s Cristiano Ronaldo transfer collapsed after Queiroz joined Man Utd and urged them to hijack move

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      ARSENE WENGER revealed Cristiano Ronaldo almost joined Arsenal in 2004 instead of Manchester United.
      The former Gunners boss thinks he could’ve persuaded the Portugal superstar to move to north London instead of Manchester.

      Arsene Wenger thinks he could’ve signed Cristiano Ronaldo for Arsenal in 2004Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Carlos Queiroz joined Manchester United, and then Cristiano Ronaldo followed suitCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      But Carlos Queiroz joining Sir Alex Ferguson’s back-room staff at Old Trafford sealed the deal for Ronaldo.
      An 18-year-old Ronaldo joined Manchester United in 2004 from Sporting Lisbon for £12million.
      He won three Premier League titles and the Champions League before leaving for Real Madrid in 2009.
      Speaking on BeIN Sports’ Champions League coverage, Wenger recalled the Ronaldo move but also revealed he could have signed a young Kylian Mbappe.

      Wenger said: “The bad luck for us was Carlos Queiroz joining Manchester United, and in a week he persuaded Ferguson to buy Ronaldo.”
      He laughed: “It was quite a good buy at the time.”
      The ex-Gunners boss added: “We speak about Ronaldo, he was at our training ground with our shirt, but with Mbappe we were at his home when he was undecided to extend his contract in Monaco.
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      Just seven players have managed to score a hat-tricks of CL hat-tricks
      “He could’ve come to Arsenal for free, but I would say every club is full of histories like that.”
      Wenger won three Premier Leagues and seven FA Cups during his time at Arsenal.

      He never managed to win the Champions League, but that might have been different if he landed two more transfer targets.
      Wenger recalled: “We wanted to make the trio of Fabregas, Messi and Pique.
      “They all played together and at the time Pique went to Man Utd, Fabregas joined us and Barcelona were clever enough to keep Messi.”

      Wenger confirms ex-Arsenal stars Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira went head-to-head for Bournemouth job More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo slammed as ‘selfish’ as Italy legend Cassano claims he ‘doesn’t give a damn about others scoring’

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO was branded ‘selfish’ by former Italy striker Antonio Cassano last night.
      The ex-Real Madrid and Roma forward said Ronaldo doesn’t care about team-mates scoring.

      Cristiano Ronaldo had a frustrating Champions League night against PortoCredit: Rex Features

      Antonio Cassano called Ronaldo ‘selfish’ and said he ‘doesn’t give a damn about others scoring’Credit: EPA

      Ronaldo had a frustrating night as Juve were beaten 2-1 by Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday.
      The Portuguese superstar raged at the ref after being denied a last-ditch penalty, and was tackled by his own team-mate.
      And Cassano, 38, thinks Ronaldo is becoming a problem for Juve manager Andrea Pirlo.
      He said: “I have always said, he has scored a billion goals, but with Andrea Pirlo’s idea of ​​football it could be difficult.

      “He scores a goal per game but he struggles with Andrea’s idea.
      “He’s always been a bit selfish, he doesn’t give a damn about others scoring goals.
      “He does not live for the game – he lives for the goal and in this moment the situation is getting worse.”
      Cassano made 39 appearances for Italy and scored ten international goals.

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      Manager Andrea Pirlo only pockets £1.6million-per-year after taking charge of the club
      He played for eight clubs in Serie A, most notably Roma for five years before earning a move to Real Madrid.
      However, that Spanish capital transfer didn’t work out and he left for Sampdoria after a year.
      Federico Chiesa’s late goal gave Juventus a way back into the tie after an awful start in Portugal on Wednesday night.
      Porto ran out 2-1 winners thanks to an early goal from Mehdi Taremi and early second-half strike from Moussa Marega.
      Pirlo was furious at the opening goal conceded after 61 seconds after a mix-up between Wojciech Szczesny and Rodrigo Bentancur.
      Taremi pounced on a poor ball back to the goalkeeper from Bentancur to give the hosts a shock lead.

      Pirlo said: “We had prepared well for this game, it was not the attitude we wanted, but conceding a goal in the opening minute when we handed it to them on a silver platter made everything more difficult.
      “When you concede a goal after one minute, a strange one at that, it’s natural the players will lose confidence, especially against a side that knows how to clam up in defence.
      “Our approach was wrong after we conceded the goal. We had planned on attacking the deeper spaces, but if you take too many touches, things get complicated. We weren’t smart, the ball was moved around too slowly.”
      The second leg takes place in three weeks on March 9th.

      Watch Cristiano Ronaldo fume at being subbed as Pirlo says ‘there’s no contract clause that says he can’t be taken off’ More

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      Ex-Chelsea star Morata ‘felt faint and needed lie down’ after coming on as emergency sub in Juventus’ loss to Porto

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      ALVARO MORATA ‘felt faint and needed a lie down’ after Juventus’ loss at Porto, manager Andrea Pirlo revealed.
      The 28-year-old came on as an emergency sub in the 2-1 Champions League defeat on Wednesday.

      Alvaro Morata ‘felt faint and needed a lie down’ after Juve’s loss at PortoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The ex-Chelsea forward has recently recovered from flu, and he felt the ill effects after replacing Weston McKennie in the 63rd minute.
      Juve boss Pirlo said: “Morata hasn’t been at his best since returning from a bout of flu. He was only playing tonight because we needed him.
      “He felt ill in the locker room afterwards, he felt faint and needed a lie down, so he is not doing well.
      “Chiellini has a calf problem and Morata wasn’t in good shape before, then was sore at the end too, so we’ll see.”

      Federico Chiesa’s late goal gave Juventus a way back into the tie after an awful start in Portugal.
      The home side ran out 2-1 winners thanks to an early goal from Mehdi Taremi and early second-half strike from Moussa Marega.
      Pirlo was furious at the opening goal conceded after 61 seconds after a mix-up between Wojciech Szczesny and Rodrigo Bentancur.
      Taremi pounced on a poor ball back to the goalkeeper from Bentancur to give the hosts a shock lead.

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      Andrea Pirlo was furious at his team’s defendingCredit: EPA

      Pirlo said: “We had prepared well for this game, it was not the attitude we wanted, but conceding a goal in the opening minute when we handed it to them on a silver platter made everything more difficult.
      “When you concede a goal after one minute, a strange one at that, it’s natural the players will lose confidence, especially against a side that knows how to clam up in defence.
      “Our approach was wrong after we conceded the goal. We had planned on attacking the deeper spaces, but if you take too many touches, things get complicated. We weren’t smart, the ball was moved around too slowly.”
      The second leg takes place in three weeks on March 9th.

      Cristiano Ronaldo goes from goalscorer to action hero in thrilling advert for mobile game Free Fire More

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      Fans set to return for Champions League final with talks over 37,500 attending Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium

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      ANYWHERE up to 37,500 fans could attend this season’s Champions League Final.
      Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium is set to host the bumper spectacle on May 29.

      Upto 37,500 fans could be in attendance for the Champions League finalCredit: Getty

      Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium is set to host the spectacle on May 29Credit: Getty

      Mail Online claims ‘talks are at an advanced stage’ for between ‘30 to 50 per cent’ of the 76,092-capacity arena to be full of supporters.
      Today’s report also states the prospect of switching venues has also been raised amid concerns Uefa will be able to ‘generate sufficient revenue to make it worthwhile’ for the host.
      Discussions between the governing body and Turkish government are still ongoing.
      It is believed that between 22,500 and 37,500 fans could be permitted entry to the showpiece.

      However, the chances of ticket allocations being sent to the two clubs that reach the final remains slim – although it has not been ruled out completely.
      Premier League sides Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea remain in the competition.
      If tickets are only sold to Istanbul locals, then the chances are more likely that the Ataturk will have 50 per cent of its capacity in use rather than the 30.
      The stadium was due to host the 2020 Champions League final until the outbreak of Covid-19.

      That led to a major change, with the remaining knockout stages and final instead being shifted to Lisbon.

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      The news comes after fans in England were boosted when SunSport revealed yesterday they could be allowed in to watch the two domestic cup finals – in a trial to help ensure supporters for Euro 2020.
      The FA is determined to open up some of the Wembley turnstiles for the seven games due to be played in the stadium during the international tournament in June and July.
      And that could see up to 10,000 supporters in for the April 29 Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Spurs and the FA Cup final the following month.
      Both events would be staging posts towards the summer, with the FA hoping to be able to fill 30 per cent of Wembley’s 90,000 capacity by the Euros.
      FA chiefs are part of the Government’s Sports Technology Innovation Group, headed by Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross.
      Discussions over the past year have included concepts such as digital Covid passports for spectators, with football bosses signalling their willingness to act as “guinea pigs” for the safe re-opening of the country.
      And even getting reduced numbers in to Wembley in the spring would be a huge staging post in the right direction.
      Expectations of a lifting of Covid restrictions in the coming weeks will make the possibility of reopening turnstiles more realistic, although there is no expectation of fans being back in Prem grounds before next season.

      Just seven players have managed to score a hat-tricks of CL hat-tricks

      Jurgen Klopp reacts to Liverpool’s Champions League first leg win over Leipzig More

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      PSG slap £175m price tag on Kylian Mbappe amid Real Madrid interest with French star ‘leaning towards’ transfer exit

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN will demand £175million for Kylian Mbappe this summer, according to reports.
      Real Madrid want the Frenchman but he will not come cheap even though the superstar is reportedly ‘leaning towards an exit’.

      PSG have slapped a £175m price tag on Kylian MbappeCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

      Mbappe’s contract expires in the summer of 2022.
      But if he decides not to extend the deal, PSG may look to cash in at the end of this season.
      Even though the 22-year-old will only have a year left at that stage, the French champions still want £175m, according to Le Parisien.
      Mbappe enjoys playing for PSG but is said to be coming around to the idea of leaving.

      And after he left fans around the world in awe with his Champions League hat-trick against Barcelona on Tuesday, Mbappe said he’d be stupid to make a transfer decision after just one game.
      The World Cup winner scored three as PSG thrashed the Spanish giants 4-1 during the first-leg of the last-16 tie.
      Liverpool and Manchester City are among the list of other clubs keen to snap him up.
      But speaking after the win over Barca, Mbappe said: “The PSG shirt is one that I cherish and carry in my heart.

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      Mbappe scored three goals against Barcelona in the Champions League

      “My future? It would be stupid to decide my future based on just one game.
      “It’s something to reflect on for the long term.
      “I’ve always said that I’m happy here and games like that make you very happy.”
      Mbappe’s sensational performance at the Nou Camp left Marcus Rashford, Neymar and Jadon Sancho in awe.
      Ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole also said he is the best player in the world.
      Rio Ferdinand backed him up and insisted Mbappe is on track to ‘take over the throne’.
      Mbappe was also given a rare nine out of ten for his masterclass by L’Equipe.
      And Arsene Wenger urged PSG to focus on keeping Mbappe and Neymar rather than sign Lionel Messi.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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