Retime

Subterms

    More stories

    • 175 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      I ‘lived unnaturally’ playing football at the highest level, claims ex-Chelsea star Gonzalo Higuain

      by

      GONZALO HIGUAIN says he’s “lived unnaturally” playing top-level football for the last 15 years.That’s because the former Chelsea star claims players “don’t have the same rights” as ordinary folk when it comes to criticism.
      Gonzalo Higuain has opened up over his ‘unnatural life’ as a footballerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Higuain, now 35, has played for some of football’s top clubs during a glittering career which started at River Plate.
      The ex-Blues striker also starred at Real Madrid, Napoli, Juventus and AC Milan.
      And Higuain finished his career in America with David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
      The former Argentina star has amassed numerous goals and trophies – not to mention a vast sum of money.
      read more football news
      But there’s one thing Higuain wishes he had received more of – respect.
      The hitman reckons once footballers start playing at the highest level, they instantly becoming dehumanised.
      Higuain complains he “can’t go out on the street” after having a bad game due to the insults that come his way.
      But after a lifetime of criticism when he hasn’t performed, Higuain now insists he will “no longer tolerate it.”
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
      He told TyC Sports last year: “I said that I lived 15 years unnaturally. People think that we have an easy life, and no, not at all.
      “We don’t have the same right that you go down the street, they insult you and you can’t react, because if you do, the impact is double. 
      “If you lose a game, If you miss a goal or lose an important game, you can’t go out on the street.
      “The soccer player lives conditioned by a result. It’s a sport, a job, and it shouldn’t be confused. We’re all human.
      “I find it very unfair to have lived 15 years in the elite and not have been able to react to moments when I had to bow my head to insults and disrespect. At this time in my life I can’t tolerate it anymore.
      “I no longer tolerate ignoring, disrespect or aggression. I never suffered them in person, only because of anonymous people on social networks. But I’m sure this will end when they have to show their faces. 
      “Today jokes are made with everything kinds of things, but we have to be aware of what is generated, because with five seconds in front of a computer you can ruin a person’s life.
      “I am in one of the best moments of my life. The only thing that matters in football is success and not the journey that one takes.
      Read More on The Sun
      Read More on The Sun
      “I’m already at a point in my life where neither praise makes me feel better nor criticism makes me feel worse. The most important thing is balance, and when one is calm with oneself, the other is secondary.
      “I am calm because I gave my life and more for the Argentine National Team. I am proud of what I gave for the National Team and I do not regret anything at all.” More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      I was an Arsenal Invincible – but after retiring I set up a successful fruit and veg business

      by

      AN ARSENAL Invincibles star looks a new man with grey hair and a beard a decade on after retiring from football – and he now runs a successful fruit and veg business.The 47-year-old goalkeeper played for the Gunners for two years between 2002-04.
      The ex-goalkeeper (right) played five times for ArsenalCredit: twitter@shaabanrami
      The 16-capped Swede was at the North London club for two yearsCredit: Instagram/rami.fresh
      He was a part of Arsenal’s Invincibles but didn’t pick up a 2004 medalCredit: Instagram/rami.fresh
      He now runs a fruit and veg business out of SwedenCredit: Instagram/rami.fresh
      He made just five appearances for the North London club.
      The 16-capped Swede was a part of Arsenal’s squad that went unbeaten in the 2003-04 but didn’t pick up a Premier League medal.
      He was also loaned to West Ham in January 2004 before being released by Arsenal in the summer.
      A year was then spent at Brighton before playing in Norway and then finishing his career at Hammarby IF in 2012 in his home country.
      read more arsenal news
      But a decade on since his retirement, now rocking grey hair and a beard, the ex-Prem footballer is in the fresh food business.
      His company is a specialist in the supply from Egypt of fruit and vegetables segment.
      Rami Fresh are based in Sweden and offer an assortment of fruit and vegetables from the best farms in Egypt.
      And the mystery footballer can be revealed as… Rami Shaaban.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Shaaban still pays attention to football and is good friends with fellow Swede and ex-Arsenal team-mate Freddie Ljungberg.
      He was also pleased to see Arsenal dominate Tottenham in the North London Derby last weekend.
      Sharing a throwback picture of Thierry Henry’s iconic knee slide from Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Spurs in 2002, he tweeted: “It’s this kind of day today!”
      Shaaban started in the iconic 2002 win over Tottenham, where the game ended 3-0Credit: PA:Press Association
      Shaaban still keeps an eye on football, and Arsenal, despite running his successful businessCredit: EPA More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Juventus legend Chiellini confesses he was a ‘fool’ to snub Arsenal’s £66k-a-year offer when he was just 16-years-old

      by

      FORMER Juventus centre-back Giorgio Chiellini has lifted the lid on his failed move to Arsenal in 2001 and says he was a “fool” to reject the club.The ex-Italy international claims the Gunners offered him a huge salary when he was just 16, but felt it would be a betrayal to leave Livorno.
      Giorgio Chiellini has revealed he turned down the chance to join Arsenal in 2001Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Arsene Wenger was keen to bring the defender to North London, but Chiellini has revealed he was too loyal to Livorno, a decision he now regrets.
      The nine-time Serie A champion has stated that he was offered a whopping 200million Italian Lira-a-year by Arsenal, which was roughly around £66,000-per-year.
      Speaking to So Foot via Goal in February 2021 about his failed move, the 38-year-old said: “In hindsight, I was a fool to decline that offer.
      “I was 16, I played in Serie C, I got a huge offer for just under 200 million lira-a-season.
      read more football news
      “I didn’t feel ready. If I had accepted, it would have given the impression of betraying Livorno.”
      Chiellini would leave the following year for Roma, before linking up with Juventus 15 years ago.
      He received 117 caps for Italy before retiring from international football earlier this year.
      The centre-back then also bidded farewell to Juve in 2022, as he joined Los Angeles FC.
      Most read in Football
      latest arsenal news
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Chiellini could have ended up at Arsenal later in his career after Robin van Persie revealed he urged Wenger to sign him, however his plea was ignored.
      On the Effe Relativeren Podcast last year, the ex-Gunners skipper said: “At a given moment I felt called upon to say what Arsenal could do better in order to win the league.
      “I felt we lacked a winning mentality, and asked Arsene Wenger to sign Giorgio Chiellini.
      “I have played against him a few times, and he is a genuine winner. You could see that when he played against Holland a few weeks ago.
      Read More on The Sun
      “He is 36-years-old, but he’ll dish out nine elbows every game with a smile on his face. He’ll keep smiling and never get a yellow card.
      “You need those types of winners and killers in your side. I felt we should get him.” More

    • 238 Shares149 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton claims he rarely drives on normal roads outside of F1 track because he ‘finds it more stressful’

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed that he rarely drives on normal roads outside of F1 circuits as he finds it too stressful. The seven-time World Champion, 38, has made tearing round tracks and overtaking rivals at nearly 200mph look easy in his long career.
      Lewis Hamilton’s struggles on normal roads are not reflected on F1 circuits, where he has often been a cut above the restCredit: Rex
      He is among the most experienced drivers on the current grid – and has the record to back up his skills.
      But the Brit made the ironic confession that while the high-speed, twisting roads of Silverstone during a Grand Prix weekend do not scare him, normal roads do.
      Hamilton admitted to Vanity Fair that the experience of driving in a normal road car left him feeling under too much pressure.
      He said: “I just think I find it stressful. I try not to do things that don’t add to my life.”
      read more f1 news
      Driving around the south of France during his interview, he added to the magazine: “This is now stressful for me. This road is crazy. So much going on here.
      “I’m going to turn around in a second. Look, we’re on these roads, anything can happen.
      “People say: ‘Dude! You drive around at 200 miles an hour!’ And I’m like, in terms of fear factor, that’s easy for me. I guess we’re just all wired differently.”
      Despite his road concern, Hamilton is still known to be a big collector of different vehicles and has in his collection Ferrari LaFerrari, a McLaren P1 and an MV Agusta bike.
      Most read in Sport
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      As he tries to become more environmentally conscious, the star will now mostly only drive his electric Mercedes EQC.
      The 37-year-old also revealed it was not just normal driving which unsettled him, and revealed his long-term fear of spiders.
      It’s been a below-par season for Hamilton, who saw rival Max Verstappen clinch his second consecutive title last month.
      He currently sits fifth in the rankings after failing to win a single race.
      And Hamilton’s hopes of ending his duck at the Brazilian GP were hit when teammate George Russell beat him to the chequered flag by just over 1.5 seconds. More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Coventry and Newcastle legend Brian Kilcline: A colossus on the pitch, ‘Killer’ was a unique personality

      by

      THEY don’t make them like Brian Kilcline any more.A wonderful and unmistakable one-off, the now 60-year-old former towering centre-half may only have one FA Cup winners’ medal on his CV.
      Brian Kilcline was a one-off as a proCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      But in a career that spanned nearly two decades and took him from Notts County to Coventry, from Oldham to Newcastle and Swindon to Mansfield, he established himself as one of the characters of the modern game.
      He’s always ploughed his own furrow…
      And not just in the hair stakes.
      When he was signed for Swindon in 1994, he rejected the club’s offer to stay in a local hotel with his wife Lynn and instead bought himself a narrow boat in Osney Mill Marina in Oxford, as you do.
      “Lynn must have looked at 50 narrow boats because the criteria was I had to be able to stand up in one,” he explained at the time.
      “The lads knew about it. I remember having a game of chess against Andy Mutch on the boat once.”
      His long locks and moustache stood out in a career that spanned nearly two decadesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      His life off the pitch was just as interestingCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      He was once reprimanded by Joe Royle for driving to training in a Dacia DusterCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      His taste in cars was just as left-field…
      While most footballers are known for their taste in luxury vehicles, the same couldn’t be said of Kilcline.
      During his time at Oldham Athletic, ‘Killer’ was reprimanded by then manager Joe Royle for turning up to training in a Dacia Duster that looked more like a ‘war truck’ than something a professional footballer should be seen in.
      Kilcline once said: “I remember Joe pulling me in the office one day and saying: ‘What the f***’s that outside?’ He said: ‘You can’t be coming in in that.’
      “I said: ‘Joe, I either had central heating or a nice car. And central heating won.'”
      He never really liked the fame that came with football…
      At 6ft 4in tall and with long, lustrous locks and a huge moustache, ‘Killer’ was always going to be recognised whenever he ventured out in public.
      But he did his best to avoid it.
      Once, when he was in a DIY store in Walsgrave buying some paint, he was approached by his two lads. “Oi mate,” said one, “you look just like that footballer, Kilcline.”
      Kilcline was never comfortable with fame outside the gameCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      At 6ft 4in Kilcline was always instantly recognisableCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      He won the FA Cup with Coventry in 1987Credit: Getty – Contributor
      It was the only trophy he ever won in his careerCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
      “Yeah, a lot of people say that,” replied Killer before heading off in the direction of the emulsions.
      “I just carried on walking,” he added.
      “I couldn’t be bothered.”
      But then he never really thought of himself as a footballer anyway…
      Football, he once reflected, was just something he did, not something that defined him and as a player in age before the big salaries came along, it was a fun way to make a living, nothing more, nothing less.
      “When we were playing it was more about playing the game and having the craic afterwards – and I loved the craic!” he said in 2018.
      And he certainly knew his limitations when it came to playing too.
      “The way I’d describe it is we were shirehorses,” he said.
      “Footballers today are thoroughbreds. But there are still some Brian Kilclines out there.”
      Kilcline once lived on a boat when he was playing for SwindonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Not blessed with skill, Kilcline knew his limitationsCredit: PA:Press Association
      Kilcline was a dab hand at DIY in the houseCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      He could weld, build dry stone walls and was a keen carpenterCredit: Getty – Contributor
      He’s handy about the house…
      How many footballers do you know that can weld? Or build dry stone walls? Or know their way around carpentry?
      Yes, ‘Killer’ is a dab hand when it comes to DIY and has also made a successful business of his rental properties in and around his home on Holmfirth, Yorkshire.
      He really should have been sent off in the 1987 FA Cup Final…
      Towards the end of Coventry’s epic 3-2 FA Cup Final win over Spurs, Kilcline bulldozed into Tottenham’s Gary Mabbutt with such ferocity that he had to be taken off with a minute to go of normal time.
      He was lucky not to get sent off in the FA Cup final in 1987Credit: Hulton Archive – Getty
      Luckily, he was able to limp up Wembley’s 39 steps and lift the trophyCredit: PA:Press Association
      Remarkably, he didn’t even get booked.
      Instead, referee Neil Midgeley just asked him, “What the effing hell was that?”
      A little over half an hour of extra time later and Coventry had won their first and only FA Cup title, leaving Kilcline to limp up Wembley’s 39 steps to lift the famous trophy.
      “I couldn’t move after that,” he recalled. “My leg just locked up. There was an internal bleed inside the muscle. I remember we did the open-top bus and the day after they sliced the leg open and drained it.”
      While at Notts County, Kilcline was once booked for calling a linesman an egg
      Kilcline wasn’t afraid to mix it up on the pitchCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
      But he did once get booked for something, well, strange…
      During his time at Notts County, Kilcline found himself yellow carded during a game even though he had no idea why.
      A few days later the club received the League’s report detailing why ‘Killer’ had been cautioned.
      “I opened it up and it said – ‘The player Brian Kilcline went over to the linesman and called him an egg’,” he says.
      “It could have been so much worse – it was totally out of character for me to call him an egg!”
      Kilcline had a career resurgence at Newcastle UnitedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      He was Kevin Keegan’s first signing in 1992Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      But he was a colossus on the pitch…
      When Kevin Keegan became Newcastle manager in 1992, he made Kilcline his very first signing, and instilled him as club captain.
      And it reaped huge rewards.
      That season, Newcastle won the old First Division championship title, gaining promotion to the Premier League and Keegan is in no doubt about the contribution Kilcline made.
      “Brian was brilliant,” he said.
      “He doesn’t think the world owes him a living. A great pro. He got in among the players and helped turn the club around.”
      Or to sum up: “The best signing I ever made for Newcastle United.”
      The feeling was mutual…
      Although Kilcline made his name at Coventry, he still has a special place in his heart for the Newcastle fans.
      “They just took to me,” he once explained.
      “I have played in front of 100,000 at Wembley, but the Newcastle fans were and are something else.
      “Pardon my French,” he adds, “but there is so f****** many of them.”
      Kilcline helped Newcastle gain promotion to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He is loved on Tyneside and in Coventry still to this dayCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Kilcline was the epitome of maverick, whoever he played forCredit: PA:Empics Sport More

    • 188 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Seven Liverpool flops who become success stories, including Peter Gulacsi and England ace Conor Coady

      by

      LIVERPOOL have had an endless list of stars play for them through the years.And while some have been hits during their time at Anfield, many have only made their name elsewhere.
      Coady was once on the books of Liverpool before becoming an England starCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The likes of Xabi Alonso, Luis Suarez, Steve McManaman and Michael Owen all quit the Reds in their prime.
      But there are other players the likes of Rafa Benitez and Gerard Houllier allowed to leave before they were household names.
      We take a look at seven of the biggest frustrations for Liverpool fans in Premier League history…
      CONOR COADY
      Coady played just one PL game for the Reds but is now in England’s squadCredit: Reuters
      Coady, 30, joined Liverpool in 2005, aged just 12 before working his way through the youth ranks.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Despite his obvious potential, the England star made just two appearances for the Reds – and just one in the Premier League.
      After a successful loan spell at then-League One side Sheffield United in 2013-14, Coady was sold to Huddersfield that summer.
      After playing in 45 of the Terriers’ 46 Championship games, Coady joined Wolves after a single season.
      The centre-back helped them gain promotion to the Premier League and even obtain European football, before returning to Merseyside on loan at Everton.
      Most read in Football
      Coady made his England debut against Denmark in 2020, earning the man of the match award in the process.
      And he was included in Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad, though failed to make an appearance.
      PETER GULACSI
      Peter Gulacsi never played a competitive game for Liverpool and is now a star at RB LeipzigCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The Hungarian goalkeeper, 32, spent six years at Liverpool – one on loan and then five after signing permanently.
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      But Gulacsi never played for the Reds – more often than not acting as their second or even third-choice keeper, behind the likes of Pepe Reina and Brad Jones.
      Gulacsi was loaned to Hereford, Tranmere and Hull before being sold to RB Salzburg in 2013.
      After two impressive years in Austria, the goalkeeper moved to the German Bundesliga with giants RB Leipzig.
      Gulacsi has spent eight years at Leipzig after quickly becoming their No1, helping them mount a charge for the league title AND Champions League.
      Gulacsi has played 284 times for the Germans and is still going strong.
      RAHEEM STERLING
      Raheem Sterling left Liverpool as a good player with raw potential – but now he’s a global superstarCredit: Reuters
      Sterling, 28, signed for Liverpool in 2010 after seven years at QPR, aged just 15.
      He made headlines a year later when he scored FIVE in a 9-0 youth team win over Southend.
      Sterling broke into the first-team in 2012 and spent just over three seasons in the squad.
      While Sterling was arguably already a ‘star’ during his final season at Liverpool, he was still very raw.
      Even the most-ardent of Reds fans must concede the winger has gone from strength-to-strength since joining Manchester City.
      Since leaving Liverpool without a trophy, Sterling has helped Pep Guardiola’s side win three Premier League titles, an FA Cup and four League Cups.
      Sterling joined Chelsea last summer and has also played a starring role for England in the last three major tournaments.
      ALVARO ARBELOA
      Arbeloa quit Liverpool in 2009 and became a first-team regular at Real MadridCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The Spanish right-back, 40, only spent two seasons at the club – sharing minutes with Steven Finnan in his first.
      In 2008-09, Arbeloa was Liverpool’s undisputed first-choice, but was quickly pinched by Real Madrid.
      Arbeloa went on to spend seven years at the Bernabeu – becoming a regular for Spain’s national team in the process.
      The right-back played 233 times for Real, winning the LaLiga title and two Champions League crowns.
      Arbeloa earned 56 international caps, helping his team win THREE straight tournaments – the Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
      And he retired in 2017 after a brief spell at West Ham, where he made three appearances.
      IAGO ASPAS
      Aspas was a laughing stock at Liverpool but became a Spain international after leavingCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      The Spanish forward, 35, is arguably one of Liverpool’s all-time biggest flop signings.
      Aspas played just 14 times in the Premier League – failing to score a single goal.
      He will also go down in footballing folklore for his horror corner kick in the 2013-14 title-defining defeat to Chelsea.
      Aspas left the club after just one season, moving to Sevilla, before re-joining boyhood club Celta Vigo the following year.
      He has since scored 143 times in just 290 games – while earning his first 18 Spain caps.
      To rub salt into the wound, Aspas even scored in the 2-2 draw with England in 2016.
      Aspas was part of the Spain squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
      But he did not make the plane for Euro 2020, where Spain lost in the semis to eventual winners Italy.
      SUSO
      Suso was frozen out at Liverpool after 14 PL games in his debut season with the first-teamCredit: Getty
      Suso, 29, joined Liverpool’s youth ranks from Cadiz in 2010, before stepping up to the first-team within two years.
      After 14 Premier League appearances in his first season, Suso was loaned out to Almeria the following season.
      He was then sold to AC Milan with very few Liverpool fans thinking much of it – especially after he was loaned off to Genoa in his second season having played just five times in his debut year.
      But since 2016, Suso has become a star, turning himself into a regular at the San Siro for three-and-a-half seasons, before joining Sevilla.
      Suso has scored seven goals in 103 games from the right wing for Sevilla.
      And he helped them win the Europa League in 2020.
      DANNY INGS
      Danny Ings has become of the of the league’s most-feared forwards since leaving LiverpoolCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Ings, 30, joined Liverpool in 2015 with a reputation for being one of England’s top young talents.
      But in four years at Anfield, Ings played just 14 times in the Premier League due to injuries.
      Jurgen Klopp always insisted he was a huge fan of Ings.
      But ultimately he decided it was best for the player to sell him to Southampton in 2019 following a year-long loan on the south coast.
      Ings netted 46 goals in 100 games during his three years with the Saints.
      Read More on The Sun
      The striker then joined Aston Villa for £25million and scored 14 goals before a £15m switch to West Ham in the January transfer window. More

    • 238 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Roy Keane picks Virgil Van Dijk as only Liverpool player to get into Man Utd’s treble-winning team from 1999

      by

      ROY KEANE believes Virgil van Dijk would be the only Liverpool star from their 2019-20 season to break into Manchester United’s treble-winning side.The former midfielder, now 51, was an integral part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s team that won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 1998-99.
      Roy Keane would only select Virgil van Dijk from Liverpool’s 2019-20 team to get into Manchester United’s treble winners side
      The Dutch star got the nod over Ronny Johnsen to partner Jaap Stam in defenceCredit: Rex Features

      But despite Liverpool now being one of the biggest forces in the Premier League, he reckons Van Dijk is the single player who could improve that team.
      Keane and Jamie Carragher selected their combined XIs on Monday Night Football in February 2020 from Liverpool’s 2019-20 squad and United’s 1998-99 team.
      And they certainly had a few differing opinions – but did at least agree on Van Dijk replacing Ronny Johnsen.
      Carragher said: “I don’t think it’s a big decision, put Van Dijk in next to [Jaap] Stam. But who’s the best out of those two?”

      Keane concurred: “I’m a big fan of Van Dijk. The guy’s a machine, but Jaap was a machine, Jaap was fantastic.
      “Van Dijk [is] a touch better on the ball. The two of them together you can’t imagine conceding too many goals.”
      Both former Prem stars picked Peter Schmeichel in goal with fellow United heroes Jaap Stam, Denis Irwin, David Beckham, Keane himself – despite by his own admission being a ‘very average player’ – Paul Scholes and Dwight Yorke.
      And the pair also opted for Liverpool’s colossus Van Dijk to partner Stam at the heart of the defence.

      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      DISAGREEMENTS
      But it was at right-back and in attack they struggled to agree.
      The Irishman opted for former team-mate Ryan Giggs on the left with Andy Cole up top alongside Yorke – Carragher, meanwhile, decided to bring in Mo Salah and now-Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane to form a deadly front three.
      Keane was left stunned when Carragher said: “Giggs is not getting in my team. Judging him on the 1999 season, do you know how many goals he scored that season?
      “I think Mane is the best left-sided winger in the world. Giggs, one of the best, but I don’t think at any stage he was the best.”
      Giggs managed three league goals in the treble-winning campaign and Keane refused to leave the Welshman out.
      Jamie Carragher opted for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane in his team
      He added: “Giggs did it year in, year out. Look what Giggsy did in the semi-final [of the FA Cup], tell me another player on this planet that could’ve done what he did against Arsenal.
      “The key to me is being a consistent player. I’ve got loyalty towards Giggsy, I don’t know Mane.”
      Keane eventually selected Gary Neville at full-back – not just because he gets Salford tickets for him – while Carragher snubbed his Sky Sports colleague, favouring Liverpool sensation Trent Alexander-Arnold instead.
      The ex-United man added: “I’d bring Van Dijk in, maybe the right-back, but leave the rest, 4-4-2. If they go on and win the treble this year, we’ll have a different conversation.”
      Liverpool didn’t win a historic treble, though they did claim their first top-flight title since 1990.
      The pair both wanted Keane in their team, despite the Irishman himself confessing he was a ‘very average player’Credit: Getty – Contributor
      The former Premier League stars selected their teams on Monday Night Football back in 2020Credit: Sky Sports More

    • 300 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Former Man Utd star Alan Smith says he struggles to walk 17 years after John Arne Riise’s shot broke his leg in FA Cup

      by

      FORMER England striker Alan Smith reveald he struggles to walk 17 years after a John Arne Riise free-kick broke his leg.The ex-Manchester United hitman suffered a broken leg and a dislocated ankle when blocking the Liverpool defender’s shot during a FA Cup fifth-round clash against Liverpool at Anfield in 2006.
      Alan Smith spent three years at Manchester United and suffered a gruesome broken leg in 2006Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Credit: PA:Press Association
      Smith has revealed that he is still struggling with his injury 12 years later
      He was stretchered off on gas and air before being sidelined for monthsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Sir Alex Ferguson described the incident – which left Smith with “about ten pins” in his ankle – as one of the worst injuries he had seen.
      Smith, now 42, made his comeback for United seven months later after the horrific injury and was still playing for League Two side Notts County until 2018.
      And that year, Smith admitted he still suffered from the consequences.
      The 19-cap England international said: “I knew with the injury it would be touch and go whether I could carry on playing – the surgeon said that.
      MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
      “It would have been easier to walk away and people remember you as a top Premier League player.
      “But I didn’t want that, because I loved playing football. Your love of it makes you go through the pain barrier.
      “Most of people I have played with, and managers, have respected me for staying in football when it would have been easy to walk away.
      “But I dropped down to the Championship, dropped down to League One and dropped down to League Two.
      “Loads of people would say to me, ‘Why I am bothering?’ Whether I was earning £500-a-week or nothing, if people felt I could still contribute I wanted to keep playing.”
      Smith continued to the Mirror: “The injury made me a better person after doing so well so young.
      “I learnt at any time, football can be over. I am lucky through sheer grit and determination I carried on playing.
      “The good people I met lower down the leagues probably drove me on to stay in football longer. But by the end, the day-to-day training was doing more harm than good.
      A free-kick from John Arne Riise caused the injury
      Smith dropped three leagues down in 2012 to Milton Keynes and Notts CountyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Smith started his career with Leeds and scored in his first-team debut against Liverpool, aged 18Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “I couldn’t compete at a level I felt I could easily before. I get out of bed and can’t walk properly, my ankle is stiff all the time.
      “I went for a run in the summer and managed to do a couple of miles but stopped and started walking because my ankle was hurting. I went back last month and the surgeon said, ‘I don’t want you doing any straight-line running’, just because it will damage the joint.
      “It is always difficult to walk away but when you see someone and they don’t want you running, you know it is the right decision. I have no regrets. For me, I see retiring early being the easy option.”
      Smith started his career at Leeds and then joined Man Utd in 2004 for £7million.
      He then went on to enjoy a spell at Newcastle three years later, making 84 appearances.
      In 2012, Smith dropped down the divisions with MK Dons and Notts County.
      After retiring following his release from Notts County, he applied for a US visa so that he could move to Florida in his quest to coach youngsters.
      Smith was released by Notts County at the end of the 2017-18 seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Smith’s dream of coaching in America eventually came true with XL Soccer Academy in Orlando – where he serves as Academy Director.
      The Yorkshireman said: “The goal of The XL Academy is to produce National Team players while giving every student the opportunity to perform to their greatest potential on the field and in the classroom.” More