Serie A

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Lionel Messi ‘desperate’ to face Cristiano Ronaldo for first time in two years as Barcelona prepare for Juventus clash

      by

      LIONEL MESSI will be granted his wish to play Cristiano Ronaldo in Barcelona’s Champions League clash against Juventus.
      The two footballing superstars have enjoyed one of the greatest rivalries in history.

      Lionel Messi will be granted his wish to play Cristiano Ronaldo in Barcelona’s Champions League clash against JuventusCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ronaldo and Messi have enjoyed one of he greatest footballing rivalries Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      They have come against each other 35 times, with Messi winning six more, scoring 22 times, three greater than Ronaldo.
      And according to The Mail, the Argentine is ‘desperate’ to line up against his competition once more.
      Messi has been rested for Barca’s last two Champions League matches, where they beat Dynamo Kiev 4-0 and Ferencvaros 3-0.
      But the forward is expected to be recalled for the mammoth match against Juve.

      They need just a point to top the group, having beaten the Serie A champions earlier in the campaign, with Messi on the scoresheet.
      But Ronaldo, 35, missed out in the tie due to coronavirus, meaning he has not played against Messi, 33, since 2018.
      The debate will long rage on between who is the superior talent between the iconic duo.
      And Barca boss Ronald Koeman was in no mood to settle the argument either – instead opting to admire the pair equally.

      How Ronaldo and Messi compare statistically in their careers

      He said: “It’s fantastic that these two players have been so long at this top level in the world.
      “They are the best players, in my opinion, in the last 10-15 years. Being successful all this time is incredible.
      “It’s a great compliment to those players.
      “They are different, but they have incredible stats about scoring goals, hat-tricks, about winning prizes.
      “It’s not nice to say who is better because both are incredible, I admire both players because they gave us so many nice evenings with great goals, with great titles.”

      Neymar sensationally admits he wants to he wants a reunion with Lionel Messi next year More

    • 200 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Barcelona star wins in head-to-head battles ahead of Champions League showdown

      by

      IT IS the question that divides football fans across the globe –  who is better: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
      They gave El Clasicos a bit of extra spice for nine years and now, as they prepare to face off in the Champions League, SunSport looks at how they compare in matches against each other.

      How Messi and Ronaldo compare in head-to-head battles

      How Ronaldo and Messi compare statistically in their careers

      The greatest managers of the modern era have had their say, fans have had their say and even former team-mates have waded in on the never-ending GOAT debate.
      So we thought we’d look past the trophies and accolades to see how they fared when they were in direct competition.
      The pair know each other well, of course, having gone toe to toe in dozens of El Clasico contests down the years.
      Not only would the rivals share the same pitch whenever Real Madrid played against Barcelona, but they would tussle for LaLiga supremacy season after season.

      El Clasico has always been more that just a football match to the clubs’ fans and having the two best players in the world took it to a different dimension.
      Ronaldo has gone up against Messi 35 times in total during his spells at Manchester United and Real Madrid as well as on the international stage – but has not done so at Juventus yet.
      The Portuguese legend was ruled out of the first group stage game between Juve and Barcelona due to coronavirus – but hopes to make it out onto the pitch for Tuesday’s night clash.
      Messi – Barca’s all time leading goal-scorer – pipped the former Los Blancos ace by three goals in all of their meetings, finding the back of the net 22 times.

      Ronaldo and Messi have enjoyed a career-long rivalry

      While Ronaldo may have three goals fewer, he holds the record for the scoring in the most consecutive El Clasicos – in six consecutive games in 2012.
      Messi poetically netted his 500th goal for the Catalan giants against Real in a thriller in 2017, which also put Barca top of LaLiga.
      The Argentina ace famously celebrated by whipping off his No10 shirt and holding it aloft to the away support to prove why he is considered to be the greatest footballer of all time.
      Ronaldo later had to have his say too, of course.
      The next time he visited the Nou Camp and scored in the Supercopa de Espana final first leg in August 2017, he mimicked his great frenemy’s celebration by showing his No7 shirt to the crowd.
      In that same clash, Ronaldo’s night hit a sour note when he was shown a second yellow card for diving, which resulted in the forward PUSHING the referee.
      He had already been booked for taking his shirt off after mimicking Messi’s celebration.
      That has been the only red card shown to either hero in the duo’s 35 stand offs with Messi managing to keep his cool and escape with three fewer yellows than his arch-rival.

      Lionel Messi scored a last-minute winner to give Barcelona a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in April 2017

      Cristiano Ronaldo showed the Nou Camp who was boss in his celebration
      Football is a results business so when it comes to score lines, the Argentine maestro leads the way.
      In the 35 matches, Messi has 16 wins, Ronaldo has ten and there have been nine draws.
      Ronaldo’s United got the better of Barcelona in the 2008 Champions League semi-finals with a 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp and 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
      Messi and Co got their revenge a year later, winning the 2009 final 2-0 as Messi scored a header.
      That started a run of five consecutive wins for Messi over Ronaldo including a 5-0 Barca win and a 2-1 victory for Argentina over Portugal in an international friendly as both players found the net.
      Arguably their greatest contest came in the 2012-13 LaLiga campaign as both players scored twice in a 2-2 draw in Barcelona.
      The Portugal icon left Los Blancos for a new challenge at Juventus two years ago meaning their last meeting was way back in May 2018, another 2-2 draw.
      Messi has played his entire career so far for Barcelona but is set to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season after a blazing row with club chiefs – with Manchester City a potential landing spot.
      And with Man Utd linked with making a move to bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford, there head-to-heads could go on for years to come in the Premier League…

      Arsenal legend Thierry Henry weighs in on Messi vs Ronaldo debate More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s wild ‘schoolboy’ attempt to score straight from kick-off in Juventus’ win over Torino

      by

      CRISTIANO RONALDO had a spectacular go at scoring straight from kick-off during Juventus’ win against Torino on Saturday.
      The Portuguese’s wild effort was the sort of thing you would see on a school playground but the ball ballooned over the bar.

      Cristiano Ronaldo tried to score direct from kick-off in Juventus’ win over Torino

      CR7 attempted the spectacular skill on Saturday but the ball sailed over the bar

      The 35-year-old tried to pull off the stunt at the very start of the Turin derby which his side eventually won 2-1.
      Juve went 1-0 down to their local rivals through Nicolas Nkoulou’s opening goal on nine minutes before the Old Lady staged a late comeback.
      Weston McKennie headed home on 77 minutes before Juve legend Leonardo Bonucci secured all three points with an 89th minute header.
      Carlo Pinsoglio was shown a red card for Juve just a minute later but they held on and the win was enough to move them into fourth in Serie A.

      However, some of the focus after the game was Ronaldo’s speculative effort to start proceedings in Turin.
      As referee Daniele Orsato – the man who sent Fred off during Manchester United’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last week – blew the whistle, Ronnie stepped up and lashed the ball goalwards.
      A team-mate had rolled him the ball which seemed to make it a more difficult skill and rather than start the game with a bang, it was more of a whimper as the ball sailed over the crossbar.
      Once footage of the brazen attempt surfaced online, fans were quick to poke fun at the global superstar – although he probably won’t mind.

      Trying out for NFL when he can’t even enter USA 😭😭
      — EQUINOX 🌞🌚 (@EquiFCB) December 5, 2020

      One wrote: “Ronaldo trying out for the NFL apparently.
      Another quipped: “Man wants to score by all means.”
      Elsewhere, it emerged Man Utd were given a huge boost in their pursuit of their former star.

      Manager Andrea Pirlo only pockets £1.6million-per-year after taking charge of the club
      Reports in Brazil suggest United’s shirt sponsor Chevrolet are willing to help finance a deal to bring the Portugal international back to Old Trafford.
      Ronaldo dazzled Red Devils fans between 2003 and 2009, before departing for Real Madrid for a then world record £80million fee.
      He then spent nine record-breaking years at Real Madrid before joining Juventus two years ago.
      But with the perennial Serie A winners feeling the financial pinch of the coronavirus pandemic, their most expensive star may become available next summer.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Man Utd BOOST in Cristiano Ronaldo transfer hunt with sponsor Chevrolet ‘ready to help finance’ huge move from Juventus More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Paulo Dybala ‘offered to Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea as Juventus star opens door to Premier League transfer’

      by

      JUVENTUS star Paulo Dybala is reportedly considering his future in Turin after being offered to a number of Premier League clubs.
      The 27-year-old – who is tied down at the club until 2022 – has featured in just six Serie A matches this season.

      Paulo Dybala is said to be ready to depart Juventus after a lack of game time this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Dybala – who has failed to register a goal or assist in the Italian top-flight – has started just six matches in all competitions this term.
      The Old Lady are keen to tie the Argentine international down to a new deal, however talks are said to have stalled, leading to a possible move away.
      And according to 90min, Dybala is now said to be ready to depart Juve having previously rejected the opportunity to leave in 2019.
      They claim that the forward has been offered to the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ by his representatives.

      Manchester United and City, as well as Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham have all been alerted to the possibility of a move for Dybala.
      However due to his reluctance to leave the club last year, English sides will only look to sign him should the player himself signal his intentions to go.
      It has also been claimed that Paris Saint-Germain are keen on prising Dybala away from Juventus.
      And it is understood that Real Madrid are also an option for Dybala with Zinedine Zidane a huge admirer.

      Dybala was slammed by the Italian media over the weekend following his performance in the 2-1 win against Torino.
      According to Tuttomercatoweb, the ex-Palermo ace was ‘slow and useless’ as he once again failed to prove his worth to Andrea Pirlo.
      He was given just a 5.5/10 by the news outlet, while La Gazzetta dello Sport awarded him a shocking 4.5 rating.

      Paulo Dybala shows his ball control in a game of ping pong football More

    • 200 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Cristiano Ronaldo’s brother ‘investigated for fraud’ following claims he ordered production of 13k replica fake shirts

      by

      CRISTIANO RONALDO’S brother is being investigated for fraud, according to reports.
      It is claimed Hugo Dinarte Aveiro – ten years older than the five-time Ballon d’Or winner – ordered the production of 13,000 fake replica jerseys.

      Cristiano Ronaldo’s brother Hugo Dinarte Aveiro is allegedly being investigated for fraudCredit: Getty – Contributor

      According to La Stampa and La Repubblica newspapers, via Football Italia, the Mussara company – owned by the Juventus star and run by his brother – ordered special edition jerseys to be manufactured.
      The reports add that Pegaso, a Turin company, were commissioned with the project.
      They were to be paid £450,000 for the production of the shirts which were completed with the CR7Museu logo – Ronaldo’s museum.
      It is then alleged that Mussara denied ever giving Pegaso permission to go ahead and begin production of the fake replica jerseys.

      They are thought to be exact copies of Adidas’ designs.
      The German brand have made Juventus’ kits since 2015 and are under a £46million-a-year contract with the Serie A giants until 2027.
      The report adds Mussara demanded Pegaso hand over the shirts for £3.60 each in order for them to be destroyed.
      However, Pegaso believe they spotted the very same products on sale at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum in Madeira for £36 each.

      Manager Andrea Pirlo only pockets £1.6million-per-year after taking charge of the club

      As a result, Pegaso are understood to be suing Mussara with Hugo Dinarte Aveiro among those being looked into for any possible wrongdoing.
      Torino Corriere also report that there is a legal dispute between Mussara and Juventus over the use of legal rights to Ronaldo’s trademark.

      It is claimed the Mussara company commissioned fake replica jerseys which are identical in design to Adidas’ kit designCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Pegaso believe the jerseys are on sale at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum in Madeira for ten times the price they were paidCredit: AFP – Getty

      Watch Cristiano Ronaldo shred on the guitar in Christmas-themed advert for Portugese telecom company MEO More

    • 250 Shares179 Views

      in Boxing

      Cristiano Ronaldo naps five times a day and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s snoozes for four… how much sports stars sleep

      by

      BEING one of the most well known sporting icons on the planet is tiring work.
      But rather than sleep all night, Cristiano Ronaldo instead takes FIVE naps a day while Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson snoozes for just four hours to keep himself going.

      Cristiano Ronaldo takes FIVE naps-a-day

      Earlier this month, it emerged Juventus superstar Ronaldo, 35, grabs 40 winks five times each day and sleeps in the foetal position.
      And here SunSport can reveal the different sleep patterns of several other sporting icons from across the globe and how many hours of ‘Zzz’ time they get, according to Online Mattress Review.
      Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson – 4 hours

      The Rock survives on just four hours sleep every nightCredit: Getty – Contributor

      The WWE icon turned movie star hits the sack for just four hours-a-night.
      At 48, Hawaiian born Johnson clocks off between midnight and is up and about again at 4am.

      Presumably to work out at least 25 times a day to maintain his impressive physique.
      Muhammad Ali – 6.5 hours

      Muhammad Ali was a religious man and slept for 6.5 hours after dinner and prayers

      The greatest boxer of all time put many opponents to sleep in his time and would wind down between 10pm and 4:30am.
      As a devout Muslim, much of his time would be split between prayer and training.
      And his evening routine would include a walk after dinner, a quick wash, prayers and short stint in front of the TV before he dozed off.

      Serena Williams – 7 hours

      Serena Williams clocks up a solid seven hours of sleep after socialising and work
      You do not need hawk eye to tell when Serena is out for the count but we can neither confirm or deny whether her snoring makes a racket.
      The tennis sensation takes a solid seven hour sleep between midnight and 7am each day after a post-dinner routine of socialising and work.
      The 38-year-old former world number one is also a mum of a young daughter so her slumbers are no doubt interrupted by the littl’un every now and then.

      Cristiano Ronaldo – 7.5 hours

      Ronaldo sleeps in the fetal position to stay in top shape aged 35

      Ronaldo has perhaps the oddest routine of all the big stars.
      Rather than one lump of rest at the end of each day like most of us, Ronnie reportedly prefers to take short naps of an hour-and-a-half each time throughout the day.
      After dinner, he relaxes with his friends before a swim at 10pm.
      He then takes one of his signature naps until midnight and relaxes until another short burst of sleep from around 3am before waking up for the day.
      Ronda Rousey – 8 hours

      MMA star Rousey does not mess around when it comes to getting the right amount of rest

      MMA and WWE star Rousey’s routine seems pretty standard.
      Eight hours between midnight and 8am.
      Nice and simple.
      Tiger Woods – 8.5 hours

      Tiger Woods – perhaps the greatest golfer in history – spends more than a third of his day asleep

      Woods is generally considered the best golfer of all time.
      And to maintain such high levels, the superstar spends eight and a half hours dreaming of sinking putts and splitting fairways.
      He snoozes from 10pm to 6:30am – proving the early birdie really does catch the worm.
      Tom Brady – 9 hours

      Tom Brady is widely considered the best quarter-back ever to play American Football and he does not compromise when it comes to rest

      Like Woods, Brady is considered the greatest ever in his field.
      The former New England Patriots quarter-back is revered in across the world for his sustained and unrivalled talent.
      And the 42-year-old – who is still playing for the Tampa Bay Bucacaneers – makes sure he touches down to sleep for nine hours each day between 8:30pm and 5:30am.

      Stephen Curry – 9 hours

      NBA star Stephen Curry is one of the longest sleepers on the list with a solid nine hours

      Basketball star Stephen Curry is another record breaker who is set to go down in the NBA history books.
      The Golden State Warriors point guard is another who does not take rest lightly – opting to hit the hay for nine hours between 11pm and 8am every day.

      Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s luxury yacht as it flies through the water More

    • 200 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Davinson Sanchez lined up by AC Milan for transfer bid after falling down Tottenham pecking order

      by

      DAVINSON SANCHEZ is being tracked by AC Milan after falling out of favour with Jose Mourinho at Tottenham.
      Sanchez has failed to make the squad for four of the last five Premier League games by Mourinho and Joe Rodon is now ahead of him in the pecking order.

      Spurs’ former Ajax centre-back Davison Sanchez, who has 32 caps for Colombia, is interesting AC Milan after failing to land a regular Spurs placeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Tottenham are still thought to be keen on Inter’s Slovakia ace Milan SkriniarCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      That has alerted Milan to the potential that Spurs would be open to offers for the 24-year-old, who has failed to kick on having shown promise as a teenager.
      The Italian giants are looking for a new centre-back to help strengthen their bid to win the Serie A title this season and finally break the stranglehold of Juventus
      Sanchez is one of their options, and Mourinho may be open to trading in the Columbian if it helps provide him funds to help his own attempts to lead Spurs to the title this season.
      Tottenham paid a then-club record £42million to sign Sanchez from Ajax in 2017.

      And though he impressed initially, he has struggled to gain the confidence of Mourinho.
      It would take similar money for Milan to be able to convince Tottenham to sell.

      But with Spurs still harbouring interest in Inter’s Slovan ace Milan Skriniar, a January deal may be ideal for Mourinho and chairman Daniel Levy.
      Skriniar, 25, has also been linked to both Manchester United and City.

      And Tottenham were reportedly hovering in August when Jan Vertonghen joined Benfica on a free transfer.

      Tottenham vs Arsenal free live stream, TV Channel and kick off time for Premier League match More