World Cup

Subterms

    More stories

    • 313 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      I wolfed down 16 scoops of ice cream on my Home Alone 2 holiday, then Pep subbed me on two days later… I was knackered

      by

      JACK GREALISH ticked a major item off his bucket list by visiting the locations of his favourite film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.Now the England and Manchester City midfielder is hoping his team can finally achieve something at the top of everyone’s list — the Three Lions to win a major tournament.
      Jack Grealish believes he’s in the form of his life due to extra confidenceCredit: Getty
      Jack Grealish is a huge fan of Macaulay Culkin in the Home Alone movies
      Grealish ordered 16 scoops of ice cream on room service on his New York holiday… just like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone 2Credit: Kobal Collection – Shutterstock
      Grealish goes into the Euro 2024 qualifiers, starting with tomorrow’s big clash against Italy in Naples, in the best form of his career.
      The ex-Aston Villa midfielder has been box office after the World Cup, which included a pre-Christmas trip to the United States where he visited all the filming spots of the 1992 film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
      Grealish is a fan of Macaulay Culkin who rose to fame as Kevin McCallister and the £100million star even stayed in the Plaza Hotel hotel where the film was set.
      He said: “It was a little bucket-list moment for me.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      “I stayed in the hotel and you could get some mad room service, like 16 scoops of ice cream — like what he got in the film. I’ve got an addictive kind of personality!
      “I love that film, man. Someone had told me about the tour so we went round Central Park. I felt like a right little tourist.
      “I was in the back of a horse-drawn carriage thing and every now and again someone would say: ‘I swear that’s Jack Grealish’. I was saying: ‘Mate! Quick! Speed up!’
      “It was good to have a few days off. It was difficult going out of the World Cup. I thought we played so well in the whole of the tournament.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      “People who I play with, who were there with other countries, told me they thought we were going to win it, which is a credit to us.
      “Going out in the quarter-finals in the way we did, it was a game we could have won. So obviously it wasn’t the best.”
      And after his mountain of ice cream, Grealish was shocked to be called into action again so soon after the break by Pep Guardiola at City.
      He said: “The manager gave us eight or nine days off.
      “I didn’t actually do a lot of running or anything because I just felt I needed a little break.
      I thought, ‘There’s no chance I’ll be involved’. Then in the f***ing 70th minute Pep Guardiola tells me, ‘Jack, you’re going on’. I was like, ‘F***ing hell!’ because I was blowing out of my arse!Jack Grealish
      “We went to New York and then I went back into training on the Wednesday and we were playing Liverpool on the Thursday in the Carabao Cup on December 22.
      “I thought, ‘There’s no chance I’ll be involved’. Then in the f***ing 70th minute Pep Guardiola tells me, ‘Jack, you’re going on’. I was like, ‘F***ing hell!’ because I was blowing out of my arse!
      “Luckily we went on to win. I just didn’t think I’d be involved.”
      City beat Liverpool 3-2 in that cup match and since then, Grealish has clearly grown as a player.
      But he wants to contribute even more for England.
      He made five sub appearances in Qatar but did not start a game.
      And Grealish is hoping England can finally deliver  at a major tournament.
      Grealish believes his face finally fits at the Etihad and hopes it will lead to more England starts with Harry Kane and CoCredit: Getty
      Grealish looks to be enjoying himself as he poses with photos for fans at the England training centre at St George’s Park in BurtonCredit: Getty
      Tomorrow, they face Italy, who beat them on penalties in the final of Euro 2020.
      Grealish, 27, said: “We have come close so many times.
      “The last three tournaments have been a semi-final, a final and then the quarters.
      “It is obvious what we want to do and  we are getting better and better. The players are coming through and playing with so much confidence.
      “I feel like the next one really could be our one.
      “Everyone will be in their prime. I actually feel old at the moment but, when I think about it, I will only be 28 at the Euros.
      “It’s no secret we all want to win a tournament — and I do think it is there to be done.”
      Grealish has played 45 games in all competitions for club and country this season — making 28 starts for City.
      He said: “I was speaking to Rio Ferdinand and he asked me, ‘Are  you doing anything different?’ ‘I’m actually not’, I said.
      “I genuinely can’t put my finger  on what it is. I feel I am in the best form, especially since I moved to City.  
      “If you were to ask me one thing I probably would say confidence. At the moment, I just feel a bit like I did when I was at Aston Villa.
      “I feel like one of the main players, it is the fittest I have been, especially since I have been at Man City.
      “That comes down to playing a lot of games on the bounce and playing in big games.
      Read More on The Sun
       “Just making an impact really, scoring against Arsenal and Manchester United, getting assists at Chelsea away and then Arsenal at home in the Cup, big games like that.
      “I’m really confident at the moment.” More

    • 238 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Cristiano Ronaldo’s right-hand man quits Portugal role as boss Martinez begins new era – after Pepe listed as captain

      by

      CRISTIANO RONALDO’S right-hand man has quit his Portugal job and will take a bigger role with the legend in Saudi Arabia.Agent Ricky Regufe was involved with the national team for 20 years and part of its delegation.
      Ricky Regufe was instrumental in his friend and client Cristiano Ronaldo landing a contract with Al-Nassr worth around £175million a yearCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Icon Ronaldo, right, is playing on for Portugal, having won 196 capsCredit: Getty
      He was also the key to Ronaldo’s big-money move to Al-Nassr after the ex-Manchester United hero split from long-term representative Jorge Mendes.
      It comes as Roberto Martinez prepares for his first two games as Portugal boss.
      And Regufe’s announcement follows speculation over the captaincy – long held by Ronaldo
      Centre-back Pepe, 40, was listed as skipper at the recent FIFA Best Awards.
      READ MORE ON CRISTIANO RONALDO
      But Martinez has yet to make any decision on the matter public.
      On stepping down from his Portugal position, Regufe posted: “It was a pride and a privilege to have served my country as a member of the National Team over two decades.
      “I lived unforgettable moments and made friendships for life. 
      “I saw up close the National Team winning the two major trophies it has won so far and I watched Cristiano Ronaldo become the best player in the world. 
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      “I thank the players, coaches and staff for everything we’ve experienced together. A new stage begins but the desire to see our National Team win is always the same!”
      Regufe added a picture of Portugal triumphing at Euro 2016, which was followed by winning the Nations League three years later.
      38-year-old Ronaldo remains in Martinez’s plans despite bowing out of the World Cup in tears after only coming on as a sub in the last two games, including a shock quarter-final loss to Morocco.
      Portugal manager Fernando Santos stepped down following that humiliation. More

    • 188 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Lionel Messi looks startled as he’s mobbed by hundreds of fans leaving Buenos Aires restaurant

      by

      LIONEL MESSI looked startled as he was mobbed by hundreds of fans when leaving a restaurant. Amid mounting speculation regarding his future at Paris Saint-Germain, Messi has headed home for the international break.
      Lionel Messi is seen leaving a restaurantCredit: Twitter
      With a huge crowd of fans outsideCredit: Twitter
      Messi looked startled as he leftCredit: Twitter
      Messi captained Argentina as they won the World Cup in QatarCredit: AP
      It is the first time he has been home on Argentina duty since leading the nation to win the World Cup in Qatar in December.
      And as he left a restaurant in Buenos Aires hundreds of adoring fans swarmed the 35-year-old.
      Messi could be seen leaving the restaurant accompanied by bodyguards, with chefs and other restaurant patrons all gathering to try and get a glimpse of him.
      As he stepped outside, the crowd became more animated.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      They could be seen visibly pushing and shoving, with one fan capturing footage of Messi’s startled face as his bodyguards guided him through the crowd.
      The ex-Barcelona star had cast a nervy broad smile, appearing to both enjoy the adulation he was receiving but also be scared because of it.
      Fans online rushed to the comments to share their thoughts.
      One fan said: “This is the face of pure joy and terror at the same time.”
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      A second commented: “He is national treasure.”
      A third added: “He is getting bullied and he is loving it 😭😭.”
      Argentina are in action against Panama and Curacao over the international break. More

    • 138 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Unique Lionel Messi 2022 World Cup sticker sells for eye-watering sum

      by

      A UNIQUE Lionel Messi 2022 World Cup sticker has sold for £115,000.It was the only one framing the Argentina footballing great with a black border.
      A unique Panini sticker of Lionel Messi issued for the 2022 World Cup has sold for a staggering £115,000 at auction in the USACredit: BNPS
      Henry Barrios found it among 300 Panini packs he bought in September.
      The American realised it was the sticker world’s equivalent of the holy grail — and put it up for sale when Argentina won the tournament last year.
      After white, less common borders were blue, red, purple and green.
      All players had just one with a black frame, with the Messi sticker the most sought-after.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      For the 2022 World Cup Panini decided to issue a limited number of stickers for all 600 players with different coloured borders to go alongside the standard white outlines.
      It sold at Goldin Auctions, New Jersey.
      A spokesman said: “It was a very lucky find.”
      A 1980 Panini sticker of Diego Maradona sold for a record £470,000 in 2021.
      Most read in Football
      That beat the previous record for a Pele sticker from 1958 that sold for £237,000 in 2020.
      Last year a Panini sticker of a young Cristiano Ronaldo from his time at Sporting Lisbon in 2002 sold for almost £60,000. More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd ace Marcus Rashford one of three England stars to pull OUT of squad as Gareth Southgate names shock replacement

      by

      THREE England stars have pulled out of the squad ahead of Thursday’s trip to Italy.Gareth Southgate named a 25-man squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers last week, including the likes of Ivan Toney and Kyle Walker.
      Gareth Southgate has had to make changes to his England squadCredit: PA
      Marcus Rashford picked up a knock in the 3-1 win over FulhamCredit: Getty
      But the Three Lions have confirmed Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Nick Pope did not link up with the team today.
      Goalkeeper Pope managed to get through 90 minutes for Newcastle at Nottingham Forest on Friday but has been nursing a minor injury.

      So he has been replaced by Tottenham stopper Fraser Forster to join Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale.
      Forster has six England caps to his name, making his debut in 2013 and last featuring in 2016.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      He was last part of the camp in March 2022 – his first call-up for five years – but did not feature.
      Forster is currently filling in for Hugo Lloris at Tottenham.
      However, no one has come in for Rashford or Mount.
      The Manchester United striker withdrew from the squad after picking up a knock in Sunday’s FA Cup win over Fulham on Sunday.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      And the news is a blow for Southgate because Rashford, 25, has been in terrific form since the World Cup, scoring 19 goals in 25 games.
      Another injury is also a frustration because over the last three seasons, he has pulled out from a number of internationals with injuries.
      Mount, 24, was initially called up by Southgate with England not realising he was still not fully fit.
      The Chelsea midfielder last played on February 26 and although he has returned to training with his club side, he is not ready to feature on international duty.
      It means Mount will stay at Cobham to continue his rehab with Raheem Sterling but Ben Chilwell, Reece James and Conor Gallagher all travelled to St George’s Park.
      England play Italy in Naples on Thursday and Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday.
      Mason Mount is still not fully fit and ready to returnCredit: Getty
      Fraser Forster has not played for England since 2016Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

    • 188 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      England boss Gareth Southgate reveals reason why Fikayo Tomori missed out on Euro 2024 qualifiers

      by

      FIKAYO TOMORI must cut out the errors if he is to earn an England recall.Some Three Lions fans slammed boss Gareth Southgate for leaving the AC Milan defender out of the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.
      Fikayo Tomori must cut out the errors if he is to earn an England recall.Credit: Rex
      Gareth Southgate explained his Euro 2-24 qualifiers team selectionCredit: The Times
      But Southgate reckons 25-year-old Tomori’s good display in the 0-0 Champions League draw at Tottenham led some people to get carried away.
      The England manager said: “There are a lot of players playing at a very similar level. We’re looking at a lot of data on that as well.
      “Sometimes players making fewer key errors leading to goals in that position can be important.
      “Fik had a good game at Tottenham the other day, which was in England and so had more spotlight.
      READ MORE IN football
      “But there have been quite a few errors this season. The great thing is he is playing at a big club. There are high expectations every time.
      “He’s in a group that are close but at the moment we have one or two just ahead of him.”
      They include Harry Maguire — despite his lack of recent game time at Manchester United.
      World Cup winners Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are Erik ten Hag’s preferred pair.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Southgate added: “We are where we were ahead of the World Cup. It’s not a perfect scenario.
      “Harry has two World Cup winners in the team ahead of him. That’s the benchmark.
      “He dealt with that brilliantly in Qatar, his performances were exceptional.
      “And he had a lot of pressure going into those games because that spotlight was on him.
      “He dealt with that exceptionally well and he was without doubt one of our best players in the tournament.”
      England boss Gareth Southgate and Harry MaguireCredit: Getty More

    • 238 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Lee Mason must’ve drawn it’ – Sky Sports viewers left baffled by Kieran Trippier’s penalty graphic during Newcastle win

      by

      TV VIEWERS were baffled by a graphic of Kieran Trippier penalties amid his “sh*thouse” antics in Newcastle’s last-gasp win at Nottingham Forest.One fan joked ref “Lee Mason must’ve drawn it” as a Sky Sports image showed two amazing Trippier spot-kicks.
      Kieran Trippier duped Forest into thinking he would take a crucial stoppage-time penalty and was pictured in a bemusing graphic of two spot-kicksCredit: Rex
      Viewers wanted to see these two virtual Trippier penalties in real lifeCredit: https://twitter.com/AverageStriker/status/1637030021461057537
      Viewers hailed the England right-back for pretending he was going to take the stoppage-time penalty that Alexander Isak eventually fired home.
      Trippier’s tactic took the pressure off Isak and onto himself as Forest players tried to unsettle him.
      And although he confused the opposition on the pitch, it was Sky who left observers puzzled with their incredible graphic.
      It labelled a spot on the bottom left of the post as a “missed” Trippier penalty and another mark on the far angle of bar and upright as “scored”.
      READ MORE TOP FOOTBALL
      Noting the fine margins, one fan posted: “Would absolutely love to see that scored penalty.”
      Another wrote: “Broke the angle. Ref too scared to disallow it.”
      And a third blamed Mason – even though Paul Tierney was the ref in Friday’s comeback victory at Forest.
      In fact, 32-year-old Tripper has missed both his penalties at club level – for Tottenham and Atletico Madrid.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      But he did net confidently in England’s only ever triumph in a World Cup shootout.
      Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties to reach the 2018 World Cup quarter-finals.
      It follows supporters praising Tripper for his behaviour before Isak’s match-winning second goal.
      One said: “World class s***housery by Trippier pretending to take penalty so he got all the mind games then gave ball to Alex. Absolute genius never seen that before!!!”   More

    • 250 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Troy Deeney: It’s silly Ivan Toney was snubbed for England’s World Cup charge and Southgate’s right to pick him now

      by

      GARETH SOUTHGATE was right to select Ivan Toney.Not everyone will agree with that.
      Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been called up for England but was in just as good form ahead of the World CupCredit: Getty
      It is more a reflection of the world that people are saying he shouldn’t be in it because he’s got things hanging over his head — we all have things hanging over our heads at some point in life.
      We should also be asking why this FA process has taken so long?
      Why is Ivan still having to wait for a hearing date? It is leaving him in the lurch.
      Based on his form, there is no reason why he shouldn’t be picked — and there was no reason for him not to be picked last season.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      The main question for me still is: why wasn’t he picked for the World Cup and yet he is picked for this squad?
      He was in exactly the same form, so is he going to get game time this time or are they going to completely ignore him again?
      It is easy to pick and play someone when there is no pressure, as opposed to a major tournament when you need to win.
      There is no point picking these players and then in pressurised moments just revert back to what you already know. I hope this is a sign there will be a change in approach.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      Ivan managed not being picked for Qatar really well, he carried on scoring and everyone else is doing the talking for him now.
      Before a World Cup, it is all about picking your best squad but what did Holland do in the quarter-finals against Argentina in Qatar?
      They were 2-0 down and just decided to launch the ball into the box for a big boy like Wout Weghorst. When can we do that?
      The goal that knocked us out against France was a ball into the box and a header from Olivier Giroud as a targetman. We didn’t have that option.
      Harry Kane is decent with his head but in any major tournament you will never substitute him, so you need a back-up option to chuck in alongside him for when things go wrong and we need a goal.
      The main question for me still is: why wasn’t he picked for the World Cup and yet he is picked for this squad?Deeney on Toney
      That is what Ivan will bring.
      You can’t just have people who run in behind.
      That’s why Jamie Vardy wasn’t always a great option at international level.
      When your biggest threat is to run in behind, most teams would just drop off.
      And if that game against France went to penalties, you have one of the best, if not the best, penalty taker in Europe right now.
      All of that just makes it strange and a bit silly that he has not been given a chance.
      Trent Alexander-Arnold deserves to be in the Three Lions’ squad as cliched fears over his defending are getting tiredCredit: AP
      In his time as England’s first-choice striker and captain, Kane will not have had someone behind him who is as hungry to prove himself and as confident to take his place as Ivan.
      He will have the mindset, ‘I can score just as well as you can’.
      Kane has earned the right to be the man but you need to have that mentality of wanting to take someone’s position.
      But bigger than that for Ivan, it is just about getting regular call-ups to show he can do it all the time.
      Until he starts and scores for England, he is going to have to keep proving himself time and time again — and prove to Gareth he doesn’t need to play Marcus Rashford down the middle in Kane’s absence.
      And Ivan needs to do that sooner rather than later, because if that betting ban kicks in, he may not get back into the squad straight away.
      Who knows what he will come back like after a period out of the game.
      Everyone wants players picked based on how they are playing for their clubs. But someone like Maguire or Jordan Pickford have never let Gareth down. So, as a manager, why would you suddenly change that?
      I am not surprised that Trent Alexander-Arnold was not picked but I fear his lack of form and defensive issues are just becoming a narrative more than reality.
      Because he is good going forward and is going through a bad time, that scrutiny has risen.
      The narrative is he can’t defend at all and I question that.
      Is he a great defender? No, but I don’t think there are many about.Kieran Trippier, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Harry Maguire, Eric Dier are not ‘great’ defenders but you don’t hear anything about them.
      If you offered Trent to Arsenal or Manchester City, you think they would turn you down?
      When you look at the squads, it is a difficult one.
      How everyone wants it is players are picked based on how they are playing for their clubs.
      But someone like Maguire or Jordan Pickford have never let Gareth down.
      Read More on The Sun
      So, as a manager, why would you suddenly change that?
      If you bring in new guys based on how they are doing and they fall short, ultimately, your job will be on the line. More