Football features

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Ronaldo vs Messi: Juventus superstar has scored 20-plus league goals in past thirteen seasons, but who has most?

      by

      THERE’S no doubt about it, in this past decade we have witnessed two of the greats of football push each other to their goalscoring limits.
      On Tuesday night, Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, scored his 20th league goal of the season as Juventus defeated Spezia in Serie A.

      It’s the 12th consecutive season the Portuguese legend has managed to register 20-plus goals in a league campaign across Europe’s top five leagues.
      But how does that compare to his great rival Lionel Messi, 33, who also has managed 20-plus goals in his last 12 campaigns – and is just one away from making 13 in a row.
      SunSport takes a look at their numbers in the past years.
      2008-09
      The first time any one of these greats registered 20 goals came in Messi’s fifth season with Barcelona.

      23 goals in 31 league games saw Pep Guardiola’s team roar to the title – some nine points ahead of nearest rivals Real Madrid.
      It wasn’t enough for Messi to win The Pichichi Trophy – with Diego Forlan netting the most – an astonishing 32 goals.
      Ronaldo, in his final season as a Manchester United player managed 18 Premier League goals.

      Lionel Messi registered his first 20 league goals a season haul in the 2008-09 seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      2008-09 was Cristiano Ronaldo’s last year at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      2009-10
      After his £80million transfer to Real Madrid, Ronaldo and Messi would go head-to-head for the first time.

      Having the benefit of experience playing in LaLiga, the Argentine was top goalscorer in the competition with 34 goals in 35 games.
      Ronaldo, who wasn’t even Real’s top scorer (Gonzalo Higuain managed 27), scored 26 goals in as many games. Ronaldo might’ve marginally had the better goalscoring ratio, but Messi had the numbers.

      Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid in 2009 for £80m to ignite his rivalry with MessiCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      2010-11
      With Messi setting the bar, Ronaldo knew he had to record special numbers to defeat his rival in the goalscoring charts.
      Astonishingly, he bagged 40 goals in the 2010-11 season – nine more than Messi managed.
      Still, for all his efforts, Barça were champions once again.
      2011-12
      The numbers went astronomical in 2011-12, with both players reaching the peak of their powers.
      Between them they managed an incredible 96 league goals, in a season where Jose Mourinho wrestled the title off Guardiola after three years of Barcelona dominance.
      Messi hit a remarkable 50 league goals, while Ronaldo managed an equally impressive 46. Nearest to them was Radamel Falcao with 24, which was a measure of how far ahead the pair were of everyone else.

      At the peak of their powers Ronaldo and Messi managed 96 league goals between them in the 2011-12 campaignCredit: EPA
      2012-13
      Barcelona reclaimed their title in impressive fashion – by 15 points in the end.
      Messi, was of course, central to that with 46 in just 32 games and was top scorer again.
      Ronaldo was second with 34 in as many games. Although he did finish top scorer in the Champions League that season.
      2013-14
      Injuries meant both Messi and Ronaldo didn’t play as many league games as they had managed previously.
      The latter won back the Pichichi Trophy with 31 goals to Messi’s 28, but both both missed out on the LaLiga title, as Atletico Madrid were crowned champions.

      Messi and Ronaldo’s fight to be crowned the GOAT continues to rage on
      Again, it’s worth noting Ronaldo excelled in the Champions League – with 17 in a campaign that saw Real crowned European champions. It’s a record that’s not been broken.

      Ronaldo landed the Pichichi Trophy for the 2013-14 seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
      2014-15
      In one of the closest title races in years, Barcelona pipped Real by just two points in the end.
      But Ronaldo amassed his highest ever league goal total – scoring 48 goals in 35 matches.
      Messi’s 43 would’ve done it any other year, if the former Manchester United player wasn’t around.
      2015-16
      The top scorer mantle was passed on in 2015-16 to Luis Suarez – the first time it wasn’t Ronaldo or Messi in six seasons.
      Messi’s 26 was his lowest since 2008-09, while Ronaldo’s 35 showed he was still on top of his game.
      Again, Barcelona were champions by just one point in what was a nail-biting climax to the league season.

      For the 2015-16 Messi had to share his goals with Neymar and Luis SuarezCredit: Corbis
      2016-17
      Despite recording his lowest amount of league goals (25), Ronaldo’s Real were champions for the first time since their 2011-12 season.
      Messi, who had the presence of Suarez and Neymar around him, managed an impressive 37 goals.
      However, he would’ve been frustrated to see Ronaldo’s lifting ANOTHER Champions League trophy.
      2017-18
      Domestically, Messi proved he was king again.
      His 34 strikes helped propel the Catalans to the LaLiga trophy. Ronaldo’s 26 were an improvement from the previous season.
      However, a new challenge was around the corner.

      Messi proved he was the domestic king in 2017-18 scoring 34 times in the leagueCredit: AFP or licensors
      2018-19
      At 33, Ronaldo embarked on a new challenge and moved to Juventus in an £88million deal.
      With his rival gone, Messi still continued to deliver – scoring 36 times in La Liga.
      In his debut season in Italy, Ronaldo just passed the 20 goal threshold with 21 in 31. He finished a disappointing fourth in the Capocannoniere hunt.
      2019-20
      Ronaldo came back with a bang in 2019-20 – recording 31 goals in a campaign that delivered back-to-back league titles for his club.
      It wasn’t enough to be crowned top scorer – with Ciro Immobile managing an amazing 36 – equalling a Serie A record of most goals in a season.
      Messi ended his LaLiga campaign on 25, six less than Ronaldo, but as Pichichi Trophy winner.

      In his second season at Juventus Ronaldo scored an impressive 31 Serie A goalsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      2020-21
      This season, with still plenty of games left to play, Ronaldo leads the Serie A scoring charts with 20 goals in his 21 games.
      He beat Messi to 20 by a fraction, who has 19 in his 23 league games.

      Even though they’re perhaps past their peak, the numbers still remain positive, despite current advesity.
      Their clubs are trailing behind in their respective title races, which hasn’t helped their cause.
      But who will finish on top? Messi or Ronaldo?

      Cristiano Ronaldo sulks in Juventus dressing-room in unseen footage for Amazon Prime All or Nothing trailer More

    • 238 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Ronaldo v Messi: Juventus superstar has scored 20-plus league goals in past 13 seasons, but who has the most?

      by

      THERE’S no doubt about it, in this past decade we have witnessed two of the greats of football push each other to their goalscoring limits.
      On Tuesday night, Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, scored his 20th league goal of the season as Juventus defeated Spezia in Serie A.

      It’s the 12th consecutive season the Portuguese legend has managed to register 20-plus goals in a league campaign across Europe’s top five leagues.
      But how does that compare to his great rival Lionel Messi, 33, who also has managed 20-plus goals in his last 12 campaigns – and is just one away from making 13 in a row.
      SunSport takes a look at their numbers in the past years.
      2008-09
      The first time any one of these greats registered 20 goals came in Messi’s fifth season with Barcelona.

      23 goals in 31 league games saw Pep Guardiola’s team roar to the title – some nine points ahead of nearest rivals Real Madrid.
      It wasn’t enough for Messi to win The Pichichi Trophy – with Diego Forlan netting the most – an astonishing 32 goals.
      Ronaldo, in his final season as a Manchester United player managed 18 Premier League goals.

      Lionel Messi registered his first 20 league goals a season haul in the 2008-09 seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      2008-09 was Cristiano Ronaldo’s last year at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      2009-10
      After his £80million transfer to Real Madrid, Ronaldo and Messi would go head-to-head for the first time.

      Having the benefit of experience playing in LaLiga, the Argentine was top goalscorer in the competition with 34 goals in 35 games.
      Ronaldo, who wasn’t even Real’s top scorer (Gonzalo Higuain managed 27), scored 26 goals in as many games. Ronaldo might’ve marginally had the better goalscoring ratio, but Messi had the numbers.

      Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid in 2009 for £80m to ignite his rivalry with MessiCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      2010-11
      With Messi setting the bar, Ronaldo knew he had to record special numbers to defeat his rival in the goalscoring charts.
      Astonishingly, he bagged 40 goals in the 2010-11 season – nine more than Messi managed.
      Still, for all his efforts, Barça were champions once again.
      2011-12
      The numbers went astronomical in 2011-12, with both players reaching the peak of their powers.
      Between them they managed an incredible 96 league goals, in a season where Jose Mourinho wrestled the title off Guardiola after three years of Barcelona dominance.
      Messi hit a remarkable 50 league goals, while Ronaldo managed an equally impressive 46. Nearest to them was Radamel Falcao with 24, which was a measure of how far ahead the pair were of everyone else.

      At the peak of their powers Ronaldo and Messi managed 96 league goals between them in the 2011-12 campaignCredit: EPA
      2012-13
      Barcelona reclaimed their title in impressive fashion – by 15 points in the end.
      Messi, was of course, central to that with 46 in just 32 games and was top scorer again.
      Ronaldo was second with 34 in as many games. Although he did finish top scorer in the Champions League that season.
      2013-14
      Injuries meant both Messi and Ronaldo didn’t play as many league games as they had managed previously.
      The latter won back the Pichichi Trophy with 31 goals to Messi’s 28, but both both missed out on the LaLiga title, as Atletico Madrid were crowned champions.

      Messi and Ronaldo’s fight to be crowned the GOAT continues to rage on
      Again, it’s worth noting Ronaldo excelled in the Champions League – with 17 in a campaign that saw Real crowned European champions. It’s a record that’s not been broken.

      Ronaldo landed the Pichichi Trophy for the 2013-14 seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
      2014-15
      In one of the closest title races in years, Barcelona pipped Real by just two points in the end.
      But Ronaldo amassed his highest ever league goal total – scoring 48 goals in 35 matches.
      Messi’s 43 would’ve done it any other year, if the former Manchester United player wasn’t around.
      2015-16
      The top scorer mantle was passed on in 2015-16 to Luis Suarez – the first time it wasn’t Ronaldo or Messi in six seasons.
      Messi’s 26 was his lowest since 2008-09, while Ronaldo’s 35 showed he was still on top of his game.
      Again, Barcelona were champions by just one point in what was a nail-biting climax to the league season.

      For the 2015-16 Messi had to share his goals with Neymar and Luis SuarezCredit: Corbis
      2016-17
      Despite recording his lowest amount of league goals (25), Ronaldo’s Real were champions for the first time since their 2011-12 season.
      Messi, who had the presence of Suarez and Neymar around him, managed an impressive 37 goals.
      However, he would’ve been frustrated to see Ronaldo’s lifting ANOTHER Champions League trophy.
      2017-18
      Domestically, Messi proved he was king again.
      His 34 strikes helped propel the Catalans to the LaLiga trophy. Ronaldo’s 26 were an improvement from the previous season.
      However, a new challenge was around the corner.

      Messi proved he was the domestic king in 2017-18 scoring 34 times in the leagueCredit: AFP or licensors
      2018-19
      At 33, Ronaldo embarked on a new challenge and moved to Juventus in an £88million deal.
      With his rival gone, Messi still continued to deliver – scoring 36 times in La Liga.
      In his debut season in Italy, Ronaldo just passed the 20 goal threshold with 21 in 31. He finished a disappointing fourth in the Capocannoniere hunt.
      2019-20
      Ronaldo came back with a bang in 2019-20 – recording 31 goals in a campaign that delivered back-to-back league titles for his club.
      It wasn’t enough to be crowned top scorer – with Ciro Immobile managing an amazing 36 – equalling a Serie A record of most goals in a season.
      Messi ended his LaLiga campaign on 25, six less than Ronaldo, but as Pichichi Trophy winner.

      In his second season at Juventus Ronaldo scored an impressive 31 Serie A goalsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      2020-21
      This season, with still plenty of games left to play, Ronaldo leads the Serie A scoring charts with 20 goals in his 21 games.
      He beat Messi to 20 by a fraction, who has 19 in his 23 league games.

      Even though they’re perhaps past their peak, the numbers still remain positive, despite current advesity.
      Their clubs are trailing behind in their respective title races, which hasn’t helped their cause.
      But who will finish on top? Messi or Ronaldo?

      Cristiano Ronaldo sulks in Juventus dressing-room in unseen footage for Amazon Prime All or Nothing trailer More

    • 225 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      The world’s shortest football season, in Greenland’s Arctic Circle, lasts just seven days, amid the icebergs and whales

      by

      THIS has to be one of the world’s most bizarre football tournaments.
      Every year since 1971, Greenland’s best footballers come together to play in the Grønlandsbanken Final 6 – a week-long competition (the shortest in the world game) played in the Arctic Circle.

      Greenland’s footballers compete in the week-long Grønlandsbanken Final 6Credit: Alamy

      Over the course of a week Greenland’s football season is finishedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Incredible landscapes surround the unforgiving playing pitchesCredit: Rex Features

      Matches can take place on an ancient volcanic island, where icebergs are visible in the distance and whales can be seen coming up for air in the waters.
      Incredibly, 10 per cent of Greenland’s population participate in the league.
      However, the brutal and unforgiving plastic pitches, rock-hard because of the climate, see many of its stars suffering terrible injuries, including broken legs.
      FOOTBALL IN THE ARCTIC CIRLCE
      Greenland is as big a country as Germany, France, Spain and Italy.

      But, unlike those football-obsessed nations, only 20 per cent of Greenland’s land is actually habitable. The rest is ice sheet.
      There are very few grassy areas and for around nine months of the year it’s impossible to play football because the pitches are suffocated by 79 inches of snow.
      Because of the challenging weather conditions, travelling is also often difficult – even in the summer – so organising games is a nightmare.
      However, the people of Greenland won’t let logistics get in the way of enjoying their football.

      The beautiful game is thriving here, and is still the country’s most popular sport.

      The beautiful game is thriving in GreenlandCredit: Rex Features

      There are 5,000 players in the country in the Arctic CircleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      There are roughly 5,000 players in Greenland, which is a remarkable 10 per cent of the population.
      DISKO ISLAND
      Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island is a favoured spot for the Grønlandsbanken Final 6 – where teams including B-67 or G-44 will compete for the trophy.
      In recent years, the volcanic island was recipient of an artificial pitch that has red flattop mountains the locals call The Grand Canyon on one side of it and a black sand beach on the other.
      To get there teams have to sail to the island with their players.
      There are eight sides that compete in the week-long tournament from all over the country.
      They got there by winning regional qualifying matches that happen during July.
      Qeqertarsuaq’s artificial pitch, though, is certainly an upgrade on what Greenland’s footballers had before.

      Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island is a favoured spot for Greenland’s football competitionCredit: Alamy

      The artificial pitch is an upgrade to what was on offer beforeCredit: Alamy
      LEG-BREAKER
      Injuries are part-and-parcel of any sport.
      But, the sort that Greenland’s footballers suffered – broken legs, kneecaps, noses, and arms would be more akin to the UFC and can be partly blamed by the conditions and the facilities.
      Before 2016, the championship was played on pitches of sand and rock.
      It kept the physios busy and the players expecting to get hurt.
      “It was just basically a hard sand pitch,” B-67 captain Johannes Groth told CNN Sport.

      Hard football pitches used to be the norm for Greenland’s footballersCredit: Rex Features

      Players would get hurt playing on pitches of sand and rockCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “Sometimes there were big rocks so when you played hard it would hurt very much.”
      Goalkeepers had it worse.
      “In order to be a goalkeeper on those pitches you really had to give your full self,” ex-G-44 captain Johan Frederik Zeeb said.
      “You had to have several layers of clothing to be a goalkeeper on dirt ground. You got a lot of scratches all over your body.”
      THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN’
      This year, plans are afoot to ensure Greenland gets Fifa status.
      The Danish FA are aiding their plight, and the construction of more artificial pitches is ongoing.

      Greenland is gearing up for Fifa status this year with six more artificial pitches in constructuonCredit: Alamy

      The future of football in Greenland is brightCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “We have an agreement between the Danish Football Association and the Greenland Ball Games Union to develop football in Greenland,” Danish FA boss Jesper Møller revealed.
      “It was our plan to build six full sized artificial pitches by 2021 but there are already 11 or 12. It has been a great success.
      “It’s a long journey but we’ve started it. The future of Greenland football is bright.”

      Man Utd set to block Bruno Fernandes from playing for Portugal over quarantine red list fears More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Barcelona wonderkid Ilaix Moriba was JUST two when Lionel Messi won his first LaLiga title, now he’s playing with him

      by

      IT’LL be the way out of financial ruin for Barcelona – concentrating on promoting talent from their famed La Masia academy.
      Prospects in the past have included Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

      Ilaix Moriba was just two when Lionel Messi won his first LaLiga title, now he’s playing alongside himCredit: Instagram @ilaixmk

      Moriba grabs a photo opportunity with MessiCredit: Instagram @ilaixmk

      While Ansu Fati has shown in the past year he’s ready to take on Messi’s mantle, should the Argentine legend leave for pastures new.
      But in the last month a new talent has emerged – a powerful 6ft 1in midfielder, aged 18, who is being gradually blooded by Ronald Koeman into the first team set-up.
      In a LaLiga game against Sevilla, Spain U18 international Ilaix Moriba provided a sumptuous assist for Messi in a 2-0 win – and had Barça supporters looking forward to the future.
      Incredibly, even though they’re now team mates – when Messi picked up his first La Liga title in 2005 Moribe was just a two-year-old toddler growing up in Guinea.

      HE DESTROYED REAL MADRID
      It was in 2018, as a 15-year-old, that Barcelona’s best-kept secret began to get talked about.
      In a game against Real Madrid’s U19 side he made a mockery of players who were much more senior than him.
      The star of a 5-0 rout of Barcelona’s biggest rivals, Moriba netted an astonishing hat-trick.
      He scored a stunning goal from the halfway line straight from a kick off, a 25-yard screamer and a half-volley.

      Midfield talent Moriba has broken into Barcelona’s first team in the past monthCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      £86M RELEASE CLAUSE
      Knowing they have a gem on their hands, Barcelona wasted no time in securing the precious talent on a long-term contract.
      With his contract expiring in 2019, and the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Juventus circling, the Catalans tied Moriba down to a record deal reportedly worth around £1.7million-per-year.
      Barcelona also protected their investment by inserting a staggering buyout clause in his agreement.
      Should anyone want to buy him, they will have to pay a fee of £86million.

      Standing at 6ft 1in Moriba, 18, is a commanding presence on the pitchCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Moriba is renowned for his brilliant dribbling skillsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      COMPARISONS TO POGBA
      Blessed with skill and physicality, it’s been said Moriba has the assets needed to conquer the English game.
      While he’s also been compared to France World Cup winner, Paul Pogba.
      “He’s physically very strong, but he’s also a very intelligent player,” ex-Barcelona youth coach Denis Silva Puig told Bleacher Report.
      “Most people don’t appreciate this. Here he’s called the ‘Pogba of Barca’ because he’s like a young Pogba, but also he is very, very intelligent—and that is his big potential. He is a top player, no doubt.

      Moriba has been capped at U18 level for SpainCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The future of Barcelona’s midfield looks promising with the addition of the talented MoribaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “He’s a little bit, maybe modern—in the English football kind of sense. It’s good to have him at Barca.
      “The academy can’t be all about the Riqui [Puig]s or the Monchus—small players with a lot of talent.
      “Football trends change every year, every month, but Ilaix is here not because he is tall or strong, but because he is very good in every facet of the game.”

      Man City slash Lionel Messi contract offer by £170m to £430m as they look to land Barcelona superstar on free transfer More

    • 263 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Ronaldo v Messi: The Juventus superstar has scored 20-plus league goals in his past 13 seasons, but who has the most?

      by

      THERE’S no doubt about it, in this past decade we’ve witnessed two of the greats of football push each other to their goalscoring limits.
      On Tuesday night, Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, scored his 20th league goal of the season as Juventus defeated Spezia in Serie A.

      It’s the 12th consecutive season the Portuguese legend has managed to register 20-plus goals in a league campaign across Europe’s top five leagues.
      But how does that compare to his great rival Lionel Messi, 33, who also has managed 20-plus goals in his last 12 campaigns – and is just one away from making 13 in a row.
      SunSport takes a look at their numbers in the past years.
      2008-09
      The first time any one of these greats registered 20 goals came in Messi’s fifth season with Barcelona.

      23 goals in 31 league games saw Pep Guardiola’s team roar to the title – some nine points ahead of nearest rivals Real Madrid.
      It wasn’t enough for Messi to win The Pichichi Trophy – with Diego Forlan netting the most – an astonishing 32 goals.
      Ronaldo, in his final season as a Manchester United player managed 18 Premier League goals.

      Lionel Messi registered his first 20 league goals a season haul in the 2008-09 seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      2008-09 was Cristiano Ronaldo’s last year at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      2009-10
      After his £80million transfer to Real Madrid, Ronaldo and Messi would go head-to-head for the first time.

      Having the benefit of experience playing in LaLiga, the Argentine was top goalscorer in the competition with 34 goals in 35 games.
      Ronaldo, who wasn’t even Real’s top scorer (Gonzalo Higuain managed 27), scored 26 goals in as many games. Ronaldo might’ve marginally had the better goalscoring ratio, but Messi had the numbers.

      Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid in 2009 for £80m to ignite his rivalry with MessiCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      2010-11
      With Messi setting the bar, Ronaldo knew he had to record special numbers to defeat his rival in the goalscoring charts.
      Astonishingly, he bagged 40 goals in the 2010-11 season – nine more than Messi managed.
      Still, for all his efforts, Barça were champions once again.
      2011-12
      The numbers went astronomical in 2011-12, with both players reaching the peak of their powers.
      Between them they managed an incredible 96 league goals, in a season where Jose Mourinho wrestled the title off Guardiola after three years of Barcelona dominance.
      Messi hit a remarkable 50 league goals, while Ronaldo managed an equally impressive 46. Nearest to them was Radamel Falcao with 24, which was a measure of how far ahead the pair were of everyone else.

      At the peak of their powers Ronaldo and Messi managed 96 league goals between them in the 2011-12 campaignCredit: EPA
      2012-13
      Barcelona reclaimed their title in impressive fashion – by 15 points in the end.
      Messi, was of course, central to that with 46 in just 32 games and was top scorer again.
      Ronaldo was second with 34 in as many games. Although he did finish top scorer in the Champions League that season.
      2013-14
      Injuries meant both Messi and Ronaldo didn’t play as many league games as they had managed previously.
      The latter won back the Pichichi Trophy with 31 goals to Messi’s 28, but both both missed out on the LaLiga title, as Atletico Madrid were crowned champions.

      Messi and Ronaldo’s fight to be crowned the GOAT continues to rage on
      Again, it’s worth noting Ronaldo excelled in the Champions League – with 17 in a campaign that saw Real crowned European champions. It’s a record that’s not been broken.

      Ronaldo landed the Pichichi Trophy for the 2013-14 seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
      2014-15
      In one of the closest title races in years, Barcelona pipped Real by just two points in the end.
      But Ronaldo amassed his highest ever league goal total – scoring 48 goals in 35 matches.
      Messi’s 43 would’ve done it any other year, if the former Manchester United player wasn’t around.
      2015-16
      The top scorer mantle was passed on in 2015-16 to Luis Suarez – the first time it wasn’t Ronaldo or Messi in six seasons.
      Messi’s 26 was his lowest since 2008-09, while Ronaldo’s 35 showed he was still on top of his game.
      Again, Barcelona were champions by just one point in what was a nail-biting climax to the league season.

      For the 2015-16 Messi had to share his goals with Neymar and Luis SuarezCredit: Corbis
      2016-17
      Despite recording his lowest amount of league goals (25), Ronaldo’s Real were champions for the first time since their 2011-12 season.
      Messi, who had the presence of Suarez and Neymar around him, managed an impressive 37 goals.
      However, he would’ve been frustrated to see Ronaldo’s lifting ANOTHER Champions League trophy.
      2017-18
      Domestically, Messi proved he was king again.
      His 34 strikes helped propel the Catalans to the LaLiga trophy. Ronaldo’s 26 were an improvement from the previous season.
      However, a new challenge was around the corner.

      Messi proved he was the domestic king in 2017-18 scoring 34 times in the leagueCredit: AFP or licensors
      2018-19
      At 33, Ronaldo embarked on a new challenge and moved to Juventus in an £88million deal.
      With his rival gone, Messi still continued to deliver – scoring 36 times in La Liga.
      In his debut season in Italy, Ronaldo just passed the 20 goal threshold with 21 in 31. He finished a disappointing fourth in the Capocannoniere hunt.
      2019-20
      Ronaldo came back with a bang in 2019-20 – recording 31 goals in a campaign that delivered back-to-back league titles for his club.
      It wasn’t enough to be crowned top scorer – with Ciro Immobile managing an amazing 36 – equalling a Serie A record of most goals in a season.
      Messi ended his LaLiga campaign on 25, six less than Ronaldo, but as Pichichi Trophy winner.

      In his second season at Juventus Ronaldo scored an impressive 31 Serie A goalsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      2020-21
      This season, with still plenty of games left to play, Ronaldo leads the Serie A scoring charts with 20 goals in his 21 games.
      He beat Messi to 20 by a fraction, who has 19 in his 23 league games.

      Even though they’re perhaps past their peak, the numbers still remain positive, despite current advesity.
      Their clubs are trailing behind in their respective title races, which hasn’t helped their cause.
      But who will finish on top? Messi or Ronaldo?

      Cristiano Ronaldo sulks in Juventus dressing-room in unseen footage for Amazon Prime All or Nothing trailer More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Where England’s 2010 Under-17 European Championship winning team are now, including ex-Man Utd ace and Chelsea outcast

      by

      ENGLAND fans might remember 2010 as they year the Three Lions crashed out of the World Cup in the last-16 to Germany on the back of a highly contentious no-goal decision.
      But that same summer, the Young Lions were victorious at the Under-17 European Championships in Liechtenstein.

      England’s youth team fought back from a goal down to beat a Spain team featuring the likes of Paco Alcacer and Gerard Deulofeu 2-1 in the final.
      Many of the players in the squad from that day were tipped for big things in the future.
      However, despite their early promise, the starting XI have mostly flopped at senior level.
      Take a look back at the starters from that May day in 2010 and where they are now.

      JACK BUTLAND
      Heralded as a potential goalie legend, Butland started off his career at Birmingham before moving to Stoke City in a £3.5million deal.
      He made his full debut for England in a 2012 defeat to Italy – and is still to this day the youngest goalie to ever play for the Three Lions.
      In 2015, he was handed the No1 jersey by Mark Hughes when Asmir Begovic left for Chelsea.
      However, a series of injuries to a bothersome ankle hampered his progress.

      Still only 27, Butland returned to form last season to be named player of the season by supporters.
      Currently, he’s down the pecking order at Crystal Palace after moving to the Eagles in the summer.

      Jack Butland is currently No2 at Crystal PalaceCredit: PA:Press Association
      BRUNO PILATOS
      Originally a promising Middlesbrough full-back, Pilatos signed for Swedish side Ytterhogdal in 2016 after failing to secure first-team football.
      He was released again in 2017, and in 2018 spent two months in Scotland with Livingston FC, according to his LinkedIn page.
      Currently Pilatos is a free agent.

      LUKE GARBUTT
      Predicted to be the heir to Leighton Baines, Garbutt was an attacking left-back in a similar mould to the Everton legend.
      But he failed to establish himself with the Toffees, and was sold to Blackpool in 2020.
      He also had several loans with Ipswich Town – and has enjoyed loan spells at Fulham, Wigan and Oxford United in the past.

      Luke Garbutt failed to make the grade at EvertonCredit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun
      NATHANIEL CHALOBAH
      When Chalobah was starring at centre half for England’s U17 team he was a promising Chelsea starlet, alongside brother Trevoh.
      In 2012 he enjoyed a loan at Watford, impressed at Middlesbrough and Reading, which saw a move to Napoli.
      Five years later, upon his return to the Blues, he was sold to Watford, where he has enjoyed some success but has suffered with injuries.

      Nathaniel Chalobah has struggled with injuries at WatfordCredit: PA:Press Association
      ANDRE WISDOM
      The central defender managed to make 22 appearances with Liverpool, often at right-back.
      But it was always going to be a big ask to break into a Reds side brimming with talent.
      He has been playing in the Championship with Derby since 2017 after impressing on loan there during the 2013-14 season.

      Andre Wisdom has been playing in the Championship with Derby since 2017Credit: JOHN CLIFTON
      CONOR COADY
      Coady failed to make the grade at Liverpool.
      However, at Wolves he has proven to be a steady Premier League player – and is captain of the side.
      In August he was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad, and has played three times for the Three Lions.

      Conor Coady is now captain at WolvesCredit: PA:Press Association
      WILL KEANE
      The Manchester United starlet played three times at Old Trafford, but was never good enough to make the grade.
      Most of his career has been spent plying his trade in the Championship with QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End, before he signed for Hull and Ipswich.
      He now plays for Wigan. He has also made himself available for the Republic of Ireland.

      Former Man Utd starlet Will Keane reps Ireland nowCredit: Rex Features
      ROSS BARKLEY
      The cream of the crop after breaking into the Everton side as a teen, Barkley showed flashes of brilliance that saw him compared to Paul Gascoigne.
      Sadly, he never managed to sustain his form with the Toffees, and a move to Stamford Bridge in 2018 for £15million was seen as a chance for him to start afresh.
      He hasn’t quite lived up to expectation at Chelsea, which is why he was shipped off to Aston Villa on loan.
      But with Dean Smith’s side, the 27-year-old is showing glimpses of the old magic.

      Ross Barkley moved to Chelsea in 2018 for £15millionCredit: Alamy Live News
      JOSH McEACHRAN
      Chelsea product McEachran was dubbed a class outfit at youth level for the Blues because of his brilliance on the ball.
      The tidy midfielder managed to play 11 times for the West Londoners, before he was sold to Brentford in 2017 for £750,000.
      In 2019, he moved to Birmingham for a free transfer. He was released at the end of the January transfer window in 2021.

      Josh McEachran played 11 times for the BluesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      BENIK AFOBE
      The former Arsenal starlet was once targeted by Barcelona before committing a deal as a youngster with the Gunners.
      Following a series of loans, most successfully at Wolves when they were in the Championship, Premier League Bournemouth paid £10million for Afobe’s services.
      He failed to live up to standards of the top division, and is currently playing in Turkey for Trabzonspor – on loan from Stoke.
      He has since gone on to play for DR Congo.

      Ex-Arsenal starlet Afobe has found goals hard to come by at the top levelCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      CONNOR WICKHAM
      After showing promise with Ipswich in the Championship, the powerful centre forward signed for Premier League Sunderland in a deal worth £12million in 2011.
      In his four years with the Black Cats he struggled for goals – scoring just 15 times in 91 games.
      In 2015, Crystal Palace signed Wickham for £9million – but a serious knee injury put pay to his progress in South London.
      Now, he’s on a loan deal with Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.

      Connor Wickham celebrates scoring for Crystal PalaceCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      England World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst backs Boris Johnson’s offer to host Euros in the UK More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Bayern Munich shock signing Omar Richards, 23, owes career to single parent mum and had Fulham heartbreak before Reading

      by

      FAIRYTALES do come true.
      Last season, Omar Richards was grateful to have established himself as a first team regular at Reading.

      Omar Richards will join Bayern Munich in the summer following a pre-contract agreementCredit: Rex Features

      Now, he’s the talk of the football world since securing a sensational move to Bayern Munich.
      The 23-year-old left-back will link up with the Bundesliga champions this summer, after signing a pre-contract agreement on a four-year deal.
      It’s the pinnacle, so far, of a remarkable journey for Richards, who has been capped once at England U21 level.
      And it’s a path he’s managed to negotiate thanks to his mum, who made sure he followed his dreams.

      SOUTH LONDON-BORN
      Richards was raised in Lewisham, South London by his single parent mother, along with two brothers.
      He rarely saw his dad, in what were difficult circumstances. But football was his passion.
      The youngster played Sunday League football, before training with Fulham and then Reading.
      And it was his mother who made sure he never missed an opportunity to play the game.

      “Growing up, my mum made a lot of things happen for me,” he said.

      Richards grew up in South London and said he owes his career to his mum

      Now 23, Richards only established himself as a first team regular last seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “With football, she’d be taking me up and down to training and to matches all over the country. I’m very fortunate for that.
      “I grew up with my mum, single parent, I didn’t see too much of my dad. I’m fortunate for her making a lot of things work for me.
      “I owe a lot of it to my mum.
      “If it wasn’t for her taking me to all these training sessions from such a young age, I’m not sure I would have been so driven and stayed on with football, so a lot of it is down to her.
      “Even now, she comes to the games when she can.”
      HEARTBREAK AT FULHAM
      Richards, who started out as a left-winger, established himself in the Royals first team in 2019.
      The same year he was called up to England’s U21 squad and made his debut against Slovenia in a 2-2 draw.
      But before he became a pro, he played Sunday League football for his local side.
      It was there that clubs started to take note of his ability.

      Dedicated Richards played Sunday League football before he was scouted

      Reading offered Richards a scholarship after he was released as a 16-year-oldCredit: Rex Features
      “I’m not really sure how I got into football originally, but I started to play Sunday league with my local team,” he said.
      “I didn’t really know if I was any good at it, but I just played for fun then they signed me up down there.
      “I played there for a couple of years but then that team ended up folding, so I moved on to another local team where I went on to get scouted for Charlton, Chelsea and Fulham.”
      After a successful trial with the Cottagers, he joined the West London side at 10.
      However, he was left heartbroken six years later.
      “I remember getting released by Fulham at 16, and I didn’t know where football was going for me at that time.”
      REDEMPTION AT READING
      Luckily for Richards, the late Eamonn Dolan, Reading’s former academy manager, saw his potential and invited him to earn a scholarship.
      “When I came over to Reading and got signed, that was a big moment in my career – just to keep going and keep sticking with my dream,” Richards said.
      “Eamonn put belief in me, after getting released I lost quite a bit of confidence and he was able to restore that, and he helped me get where I am today.”

      The late Eamonn Dolan, Reading’s former academy manager, recognised the potential in RichardsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Richards wasn’t always a defender and often played as a forwardCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      An enforced switch before a youth game saw Richards play left-back and he’s been there ever sinceCredit: Rex Features

      And it was an enforced switch ahead of a youth game by academy coach David Dodds that Richards discovered his skills would be best set as an attacking left-back.
      “Before I was more of an attacking player, I used to be a number 10 or a winger – I liked the way David Silva used to play, I always looked at that,” Richards said.
      “I was a first-year scholar and the scholars didn’t have a left-back, David Dodds put me there for one game and it kind of worked – so I’ve been there ever since!”

      Arrey-Mbi and other new talent talk about playing for Bayern Munich More