More stories

  • in

    Why has Marcus Rashford been dropped to the bench for Man Utd’s clash at Wolves?

    ERIK TEN HAG has wielded the axe as Marcus Rashford has been dropped to the bench for Manchester United’s Premier League clash at Wolves.The England international, 25, has been in red-hot form this season but won’t start against Wanderers.
    Ruthless Erik ten Hag has dropped Marcus Rashford for United’s game at WolvesCredit: Getty
    And he has bagged two goals in his last two games, following his three-goal haul at the World Cup for the Three Lions.
    Why has Marcus Rashford been dropped for Manchester United at Wolves?
    When asked by BT Sport ahead at Molineux why Rashford was not in United’s starting XI, Ten Hag said: “Internal discipline.”
    In the studio for BT, former United stars Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes said: “It’s difficult to know the truth. he said internal disciplinary, maybe lateness.
    “He’s got the lad in the form of his life but for him to stand by it, we will see if it’s a wise decision.

    “I love [Ten Hag] – he doesn’t care who it is, he’s obviously done something that’s upset him.
    Ferdinand said: “We saw it with the Ronaldo situation, if a manager showed weakness, the most important people are the people in the changing room.
    “If they nod and respect the decision, that is positive. Over the last few years, United have needed a hardness and discipline.
    “Ten Hag is cold, he’s concise, direct and to the point, the players will appreciate that.”
    Most read in Football More

  • in

    Who are Al Nassr? All you need to know about Saudi Arabia side Cristiano Ronaldo has joined

    CRISTIANO RONALDO has become world’s highest paid athlete after joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr. The Portuguese superstar – who has been a free agent since his Manchester United contract was ripped up last month – will earn £173MILLION a year in the Middle East after penning a two-year deal.
    Ronaldo pictured with his new Al Nassr shirtCredit: instagram.com/cristiano/
    Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United earlier this monthCredit: Reuters
    The 37-year-old has spent his career playing for Sporting Lisbon, United, Real Madrid and Juventus before joining the Red Devils again last year.
    But this season he fell out of favour with United boss Erik Ten Hag, who disciplined Ronaldo after he refused to come off the bench in a win over Tottenham earlier this season.
    And it is now the Saudi Arabian league for CR7.

    Al Nassr are sitting second in the Saudi Premier League this season
    Most read in SPORT
    Who are Al Nassr?
    Al Nassr are a Saudi Arabian football club who play their games Saudi Pro League (SPL).
    They were founded in 1955 and are one of Saudi Arabia’s most successful football teams, winning nine league titles, three Crown Prince’s Cups, three Federation Cups and two Saudi Super Cups.
    They are managed by ex-Lyon manager Rudi Garcia, who has also managed Roma and Lille previously.
    Al Nassr play their home games at Mrsool Park, which holds a capacity of 25,000 fans.
    The club have also been previously managed by World Cup winning captain with Italy – Fabio Cannavaro.
    Last season, Al Nassr finished third in the SPL, but they were knocked out of the King Cup and the AFC Champions League by Al-Hilal.
    And this season, the nine-time Saudi champs are sitting second in the league, three points behind Al-Shabab.
    One notable footballer who plays for Al Nassr is ex-Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, who joined in the summer. More

  • in

    What clubs did Pele play for?

    FOOTBALL fans around the world are in mourning following the passing of Pele. The Brazil legend had been battling cancer for over a year and his condition deteriorated at the end of November before his passing on Thursday night.
    Pele scored over 1200 goals during his spectacular careerCredit: AFP
    But now tributes for the three-time World Cup winner are in full flow after his glittering life and career.
    Pele first burst on the scene in the 1950s and capped off his incredible rise to stardom by winning the 1958 World Cup with Brazil.
    But before that, Pele had already made somewhat of a name for himself at club level.
    KING OF FOOTBALL PELE DIES AGED 82 
    Pele tributes live blog – world of football paying respects to footballing icon
    Brazil legend Pele, probably the greatest footballer of all time, passes away after cancer battle
    Pele’s daughter shares heartbreaking final photo of football legend in hospital bed
    Pele has three World Cup winner’s medals – no footballer can match that
    Football world pays tribute to icon Pele after World Cup hero’s death aged 82

    Who did Pele play for?
    Pele began his senior career in 1956, just 18 months before the 1958 World Cup.
    He joined Santos and progessively worked his way up into a starting position before being called up to the Brazil squad for the World Cup in Sweden.
    Pele stayerd with Santos for 18 years, finally leaving them in 1974 to finish his career in the US.
    The Brazilian legend joined New York Cosmos, where he spent two seasons and scored 37 league goals in 64 games.
    After his success with Brazil in 1958, Pele went on to win the 1962 World Cup in Chile and the 1970 tournament in Mexico.
    Most read in Football
    Pele’s goalscoring record is reported by FIFA as 1,281 goals in 1,363 games, a record which stands until this day.
    For Brazil, Pele scored 77 goals in 92 games and is their joint-top scorer with Neymar. More

  • in

    Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea: Stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for Premier League clash

    CHELSEA face Nottingham Forest in their next Premier League clash this weekend. The Blues are coming off a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bournemouth – their first game after the World Cup.
    Chelsea beat Bournemouth 2-0 in their first match back after the World CupCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Forest, on the other hand, lost 3-0 to Manchester United in a tame performance at Old Trafford.
    Chelsea boss Graham Potter will see this as the perfect chance for his side gather some momentum ahead of the new year.
    Currently in eighth position, Chelsea will be keen to get as close as possible to the top four spots as the season goes on.
    When is Forest vs Chelsea?

    Chelsea take on Nottingham Forest on Sunday, January 1 – New Year’s Day.
    The game will be held at the City Ground in Nottingham.
    Kick-off is schedule for 4.30pm GMT.

    What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

    Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Football.
    You can live stream the action from the Sky Go and NOW TV app, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

    Team news
    Reece James has suffered another injury setback, coming off in the 53rd minute against Bournemouth with a knee injury.
    Ben Chilwell is also still out of action, having suffered a hamstring injury just before thge World Cup. N’Golo Kante is thr Blues’ other long term worry.
    Wesley Fofana is still also out with a knee problem while Ruben Loftus-Cheek has an issue with his calf.
    Most read in Football
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may be afforded a start after sitting on the bench against Bournemouth.
    Odds

    Forest – 4/1
    Draw – 29/10
    Chelsea – 13/20

    *Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

  • in

    Brighton vs Arsenal: Live stream, TV channel, team news, kick-off time for HUGE Premier League clash

    ARSENAL look to wrap up a stunning 2022 when they play in the final Premier League match of the year against Brighton.Though the Seagulls have already defeated the Gunners this season – a 3-1 win in the Carabao Cup third round at the Emirates.
    Takehiro Tomiyasu could return for ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Arsenal will finish the year at the top of the Premier League after making a terrific start to the season.
    And the Gunners continued where they had left off in their first match back since the World Cup, with a 3-1 comeback win over West Ham.
    While Brighton defeated Southampton in the Prem but lost on penalties to Charlton in the Carabao Cup since domestic football resumed.
    The game is the final of six huge Premier League clashes on New Year’s Eve, which start with Wolves vs Manchester United.
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
    When is Brighton vs Arsenal?
    Brighton vs Arsenal takes place on Saturday, December 31.
    The match kicks off at 5.30pm UK time.
    Brighton’s AMEX Stadium plays host.
    What TV channel and live stream is Brighton vs Arsenal on?
    Brighton vs Arsenal will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Sky begin their coverage at 5pm.
    Most read in Football
    Alexis Mac Allister has been given leave after World Cup heroicsCredit: Getty
    What is the team news?
    Takehiro Tomiyasu is back in training ahead of the trip to Brighton.
    Tomiyasu’s World Cup adventure with Japan in Qatar came to an end in the last 16 when they lost to Croatia on penalties.
    And the defender declared he needed to take some time off before rejoining Arsenal’s group.
    Emile Smith Rowe is closing in on his return to action, though the Brighton clash could be too soon.
    While Brighton’s Argentinian World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister has been given two weeks off by the club and will not feature.
    What are the odds?
    Brighton to win: 5/2
    Arsenal to win: 11/10
    Draw: 13/5
    Odds via Betfair More

  • in

    How many children did Pele have?

    THERE’S only one name that comes to mind when you think of Brazilian top goal scorers – Pele.The footballing icon scored over 1,000 career goals which includes 77 international strikes for Brazil and he has unfortunately passed away.
    Pele claims he didn’t know how many children he had at one stageCredit: AP:Associated Press
    But Pele’s total amount of children is adding up too and it has come with a little bit of controversy.
    SunSport has info on the exact amount of children Pele has had during his illustrious lifetime.
    How many children does Pele have?
    Pele has been married three times but admitted to letting his eyes wonder elsewhere during his Netflix documentary.
    The Brazilian legend even revealed not knowing how many children he had at one point due to the number of affairs he had.
    read more pele
    Pele has children with four different womenCredit: Alamy
    Read more on Pele
    In February 1966, Pele got married to his first wife Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi and the pair had three children together – Kelly, Edinho and Jennifer.
    However, after splitting up with Rosemeri, the goal-scoring machine had a fling with his housekeeper Anizia Machado which led to the birth of his daughter Sandra Machado in 1993.
    But Pele refused to take a DNA test leaving Sandra no choice but to file a lawsuit for Pele to recognise her as her daughter as well as publishing a book titled “The Daughter Pele Never Wanted”.
    Pele would go on to lose the lawsuit as DNA evidence showed that Sandra was his biological daughter.
    Most read in Football
    Four years later, Pele had another daughter, Flavia Kurtz with journalist Lenita Kurtz.
    And then in 1994, Pele married psychologist and gospel singer, Assaria Lemos Seixas who was his second wife, and the ex-couple had twins Joshua and Celeste.
    Pele had twins with ex-wife AssariaCredit: Reuters
    So in total, Pele has seven children.
    Who is Pele married to now?
    Pele is married to Marcia Cibele Aoki and the lovebirds tied the knot in 2016.
    They do not have any children together as of all of Pele’s kids came before their relationship.
    Pele – all you need to know about Brazil iconPELE was widely regarded as the greatest footballer ever.
    Here is all the info you need on the soccer titan, who has passed away aged 82. More

  • in

    Who was Pele’s wife Marcia Cibele Aoki and did they have children together?

    MARCIA CIBELE AOKI was married to arguably one of the best footballers of all time – Brazilian legend Pele.But she enters a period of grieving along with the footballing world as the legend has sadly passed away after severe health issues.
    Pele and Marcia confirmed their relationship in 2016Credit: Reuters
    She supported him both on and off the pitch, including during his final days.
    Find out more about who Marcia Aoki is below…
    Who is Pele’s wife Marcia Aoki?
    Born to parents Paulo Aoki and Isaura Aoki, Marcia is of Japanese descent.
    Pele’s wife was born in Sao, Paulo, Brazil, and has a brother named Carlos Alberto Aoki.
    read more pele
    Marcia attended her local school in Brazil before heading off to high school to secure a bachelor’s degree, and that led to Aoki starting a business in the medical supplies sector.
    Aoki reportedly met Pele in the 1980s at a New York Party but they were rumors never surfaced of a relationship until 2010.
    And despite being pictured together often, the lovers never confirmed their relationship until July 2016 when they announced their marriage.
    Marcia is now Pele’s third wife.
    Most read in FootballPele – all you need to know about Brazil iconPELE was widely regarded as the greatest footballer ever.

    Here is all the info you need on the soccer titan, who has passed away aged 82.

    Have they got any children together?
    The lovebirds do not have any children together but Pele has seven children from previous marriages and reported affairs.
    Pele had three kids from his first marriage with Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi – Kelly, Jennifer and Edinho.
    He then had twins Joshua and Celeste with second wife Assiria Nascimento.
    And he also has two more children named Flavia and Sandra Regina Machado. More

  • in

    How many times did Pele win the World Cup with Brazil?

    PELE is undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game and has quite the CV.The Brazil legend is the leading goal scorer of all time, netting 1,283 goals during an illustrious career but has unfortunately passed away.
    Pele with the World Cup in 2014Credit: Getty – Contributor
    During his time with Santos, he became a world renowned name before finishing his career with the New York Cosmos.
    However, it was with his national team that saw Pele gain the worldwide recognition that he deserved.
    How many times did Pele win the World Cup?
    Pele made 92 appearances for Brazil between the years of 1957 and 1971.
    Incredibly, he netted 77 goals from these appearances and played on the highest stage of world football.

    Just six years after his debut, Pele lifted his first World Cup trophy for Brazil and then retained the title in 1962.
    Pele in action against Italy at the World CupCredit: Alamy
    Pele did not see his country lift it for a third successive time in 1966, as England claimed the title.
    However, Brazil had it again in 1970, seeing Pele make history as he became the first player to win the World Cup three times.
    It is unlikely that we will see a player match this feat, with Lionel Messi getting his hands on the trophy in 2022 in what is likely to be his final World Cup.
    Most read in Football More