France Ligue 1

CRISTIANO RONALDO has been told to “shut up” by Chelsea legend Frank Leboeuf.The Portuguese, 39, ruffled feathers with his recent comments about Ligue 1.Cristiano Ronaldo made a staggering claim about Ligue 1Credit: GettyChelsea icon Frank Leboeuf was unimpressed by Ronaldo’s commentsCredit: GettyBack in January, the former Manchester United star made the staggering claim that the Saudi Pro League is better than the French top flight.Frenchman Leboeuf, 56, was not impressed by Ronaldo’s claim at all – and believes there was one reason alone that the Al-Nassr striker chose which division to target.He told BetVictor: “It annoys me when I hear Cristiano Ronaldo saying that the Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1.”Why do you think he chose to make that comment about Ligue 1 rather than the Portuguese League?READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”It’s because Lionel Messi played in Ligue 1. I have lots of respect for him as a player but come on, just shut up! It is unfair to Ligue 1.”Ronaldo had said: “Saudi League is not worse than Ligue 1.”Saudi Pro League is more competitive than Ligue 1, I can say that after one year spent there. We are better than the French league already now.”Leboeuf then claimed that Portugal can win the Euros this summer… but not if Ronaldo is involved.Most read in FootballHe continued: “For me, Portugal are actually one of the contenders for this summer’s European Championships.”I actually think they can win the Euros, but only if Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t play.Georgina Rodriguez drops massive Cristiano Ronaldo retirement bombshell at Paris Fashion Week after crazy tribute dress“You cannot take away anything that Ronaldo has done for football just because he has gone to retire in the Saudi League.”I want to thank him for taking the sport to another level, but there is an end for everyone.”He has every right to play in Saudi Arabia, although I’m not sure he needed even more money!”Leboeuf, who became an actor after hanging up his boots, then had kind words for both Messi and Ronaldo.He added: “I have no problem with players coming to the end of their careers going to play in lesser leagues to earn more money, the same has happened with Lionel Messi.”Both of them were fantastic players but they have chosen not to play at the top level anymore and we have to respect that.”You can never take away what they have done for football.”The competition between those two actually made the entire sport better. It made it more attractive.”Thank you Ronaldo, thank you Messi, enjoy your retirement!”READ MORE SUN STORIESRonaldo has scored 42 goals and laid on a further 13 assists in 48 appearances for Al-Nassr since leaving European football behind.Messi, meanwhile, has 14 goals and six assists in 17 games for MLS side Inter Miami.Leboeuf, 56, also commented on Inter Miami star Lionel MessiCredit: AFP More

KYLIAN MBAPPE was subbed off at half-time during Paris Saint-Germain’s 0-0 draw at Monaco.And he ended up watching the rest of the game in the stands alongside his mum.Kylian Mbappe watched PSG’s 0-0 draw at Monaco in the stands with his mumMbappe was subbed off at half-time before Luis Enrique made a shock admissionKylian Mbappe was subbed off at half-time and this was him minutes later…On the phone to Florentino Perez…? 👀 pic.twitter.com/cAURkfgGd9— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 1, 2024

Mbappe, 25, had a dire time in attack as PSG failed to get the better of their rivals on Friday.Luis Enrique’s men dominated the ball but could only muster seven shots on target.And Mbappe felt his manager’s wrath as he was hauled off at the break.The France star is reportedly leaving PSG when his deal expires this summer.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIt’s reckoned he’s already agreed a free transfer to Real Madrid.And after being taken off, Mbappe did not return to sit on PSG’s bench.Instead, he was seen next to his mother Fayza in the Monaco stands.And he watched the remainder of the match there, leaving fans stunned.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMbappe was also seen winking at the camera as he walked through the tunnel later on while engaged on his mobile phone.One fan said: “He doesn’t care.”PSG take training to the next level with ROBOT WALL as fans joke ‘all this to convince Mbappe to stay’Another declared: “Bro already thinking of winning the UCL with Real next season.”One noted: “Wow, not even on the bench.”Another added: “Mbappe and PSG both need a new direction.”Mbappe joined PSG from Monaco for £150million in 2018, having spent the previous season on loan in the French capital.He’s since scored 244 goals in 292 games while winning five Ligue 1 titles.Explaining the decision to take Mbappe off, PSG boss Enrique said: “I have been in football for quite a long time, you must know that everything is important in this kind of club.“Sooner or later we will play without Mbappé, we have to get used to that”. More

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN will leave the iconic Parc des Princes stadium for a new home.President Nasser al-Khelaifi confirmed “it’s over for us” after PSG were blocked from buying the stadium by Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo.
PSG will leave the Parc des Princes after failing to buy it from the City of ParisCredit: Getty
It’s another headache for the French champs, who are set to lose Kylian Mbappe to Real MadridCredit: Rex
And it’s another headache for PSG to deal with as they prepare to lose Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid.
The French champions have resided at the Parc des Princes since 1974, four years after their inception.
And the lease on their tenancy runs until 2043.
PSG’s Qatari owners were eager to buy the Parc des Princes, built in 1967, from the City of Paris for a sum of around £85m.
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They had already spent over £70m on maintenance issues and estimated a further £420m would be needed for an expanded upgrade.
But Mayor Hidalgo refused to bow and quoted an eye-watering figure of £250m.
She said: “There will be no sale of the Parc des Princes. It is the heritage of the Parisian people. The subject is closed.”
And PSG chief Al-Khelaifi has now confirmed the end of his side’s run at the iconic 48,000-seater stadium.
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Speaking at the Uefa executive committee today, he said: “It is easier for us now.
“We know what we want. It’s over for us.”
Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozers
PSG are looking at options, including the Stade Jean-Bouin to the right of the Parc des Princes (c)Credit: AFP – Getty
La Defense Arena is another option but plays host to music shows and eventsCredit: AFP
90Min claims PSG are now scouring the area for a new stadium.
And there are no less than three options on the table.
Next door to the Parc des Princes is the 20,000-capacity Stade Jean-Bouin, also owned by the City of Paris.
It currently holds PSG’s women’s team while playing host to rugby and American football matches too.
Likewise, the government-owned 20,000 seater Stade Sebastien Charlety could also be an option.
Minnows Paris FC play there these days, and PSG would look to knock it down before building a new mega venue potentially holding up to 75,000 punters.
PSG have already turned down the chance to bid for the Parc des PrincesCredit: PA
One option could be to build a stadium by their Poissy training baseCredit: Getty
The third site is the 30,000-seater Paris La Defense Arena, home of rugby side Racing 92.
They are set to return to their renovated Yves-Du-Manoir stadium after the Olympic Games, leaving La Defense free.
However, its location in the business district, plus its popularity as a music and events venue, could be an issue.
A fourth option is to build a brand new stadium by the training camp in Poissy.
But that would pose logistical problems, as it is based 15.5miles from the centre of Paris.
PSG had also looked at the Stade de France but declined to make an offer in last month’s bidding.
The decision to move comes as Kylian Mbappe reportedly closes in on a free transfer to Real Madrid.
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The World Cup winner is out of contract this summer.
But it’s reckoned that Mbappe has agreed to link up with Jude Bellingham and Co on a mega-money deal. More

TAKUMI MINAMINO quickly put his Asian Cup heartache behind him… by playing for Monaco under 24 hours later.The former Liverpool star was in action for Japan on Saturday as they took on Iran in Qatar.
Takumi Minamino was in action for Japan on SaturdayCredit: Alamy
Japan were knocked out by Iran in QatarCredit: AP
Minamino was named on Monaco’s bench under 24 hours laterCredit: TNT Sports
The 29-year-old was brought on with 20 minutes to goCredit: AFP
He came on in the 68th minute of the match with the score level at 1-1.
Disaster struck for Hajime Moriyasu’s side deep into stoppage time when Ko Itakura conceded a penalty, which was dispatched by former Brighton ace Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
The match had kicked off at 11:30am UK time, with Minamino and Co trudging off defeated shortly after 1:30pm.
Japan had been aiming to win a record fifth Asian Cup.
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Rather than dwell on the disappointment, Minamino jetted straight to Monaco – remarkably playing for the Ligue 1 side earlier today.
Kicking off at midday on Sunday, Monaco took on Le Havre at Stade Louis II.
The Principality is around 2,800 miles from Al-Rayyan, Qatar, where Japan had taken on Iran.
A flight from Qatar to Monaco takes around six-and-a-half hours.
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Rather than resting Minamino, boss Adi Hutter named him on the bench.
With the score level at 1-1, Hutter opted to chuck the 29-year-old on in the hunt for a winner.
But he was unable to find the net, with the match ending all square.
Regardless of the results, fans were impressed with the attacking midfielder’s dedication to play in both games.
Accompanied by a salute emoji, one fan wrote on social media: “He did it for his country.”
While a second commented: “That’s crazy.”
A third gushed: “Man’s a machine.”
And another even claimed to have seen him yawning during his warm-up.
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Minamino has been in decent form for Les Monegasques this season.
He has scored five goals and laid on a further four assists in 16 Ligue 1 outings. More

POLICE raided the French Ministry of Finance on Monday as they continue to investigate Neymar’s 2017 transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports.The Brazilian moved to PSG from Barcelona in a world-record £198million deal six-and-a-half years ago.
Neymar signed for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017Credit: AFP or licensors
Neymar, 31, left France to move to Saudi Arabia last summer.
But his previous transfer to Ligue 1 continues to be put under the microscope.
According to French outlet Mediapart, cops from the Central Office for the Fight against Corruption and Tax Fraud raided the General Directorate of Public Finances on Monday.
Mediapart’s investigation alleges that PSG were helped to not pay taxes on their record swoop for Neymar.
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They claim that Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin, his chief of staff at the time Jerome Fournel and then vice-president of the National Assembly Hugues Renso were all involved in helping PSG dodge paying taxes on the transfer.
Fournel, 56, is accused of coming up with ideas to help PSG avoid taxes in the deal.
He, along with Darmanin and Renso, is claimed to have been in contact with PSG’s then-general director Jean-Claude Blanc and former director of communications Jean-Martial Ribes.
The raid is said to have taken place as cops investigate alleged “acts of active corruption and influence peddling” and “passive acts”.
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French Minister of National Education and Young People Amelie Oudea-Castera recently claimed that nothing “illegal” took place.
While Darmanin himself said on Monday: “I am very happy that football or rugby players come to our territory and pay a lot of taxes and charge a lot of revenue taxes.
“If Neymar had not come, no taxes would have been paid, no football shirts would have been sold in his name and no social security contributions would have come in.”
Neymar left PSG for Al-Hilal in a deal reportedly worth an initial £77.6million last summer.
He subsequently played just five times for the Saudi Pro League side before suffering a serious knee injury in October.
The Brazilian international appeared 173 times during his time at PSG, scoring 118 goals and laying on 77 assists.
Neymar, 31, joined Al-Hilal last yearCredit: Reuters More