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Lionel Messi named 2015 Goal 50 winner
Argentine forward, Lionel Messi has won the Goal 50 award for the fourth time. The Barcelona hitman who snatched the gong in 2009, 2011 and 2013 fought off competition from his Nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo who won it last year and teammates, Luis Suarez and Neymar who came third and fourth respectively.
“I always say that, for me, the most important awards are collective ones, the ones that recognise us as the best at the end of the season. But I am also happy when I receive individual awards like this one. I am very grateful. Thank you.” The 28 year-old told Goal.
The Goal 50 is an annual award that both recognises and ranks the world’s 50 best footballers of the past 12 months.
Chief editors and correspondents from Goal’s 37 editions around the world all cast their votes, with candidates judged on their level of consistency over the previous year of action, their big-game performances, footballing legacy and the success of their teams at both club and international level.
Top Ten Goal 50 2015 winners.
1) Lionel Messi
2) Cristiano Ronaldo
3) Luis Suarez
4) Neymar
5) Eden Hazard
6) Thomas Muller
7) Arturo Vidal
8) Carlos Tevez
9) Paul Pogba,
10) Kevin De Bruyne
Credit: Goal.com
Short Story: Wonderland. | By VictorMaria
Pep Guardiola set to take over at Manchester City?
Reports emanating from Spain claim Bayern Munich boss, Pep Guardiola has signed a contract with Manchester City. The Spaniard who is yet to renew a contract with the German outfit mentioned few weeks back that he is still undecided about his future at the club.
“I have not yet decided what is best for this club and I want to do the best for this club. I have not made a decision yet.” He was quoted months back.
Spanish radio station Cadena COPE says Guardiola will move to the Premier League, Manchester City to be specific next season.
“Pep Guardiola will leave Bayern Munich at the end of this season and will train Manchester City next season.
“Guardiola has decided on a change of scenery. He considers his time in Germany will end on 30 June after three seasons and he will, therefore, fulfil one of his wishes: to coach in England.” The report read.
48 luxury watches confiscated from FIFA officials to be donated to charity.
Real Madrid have more players on the FIFA FIFPro World XI shortlist. See full list.
Barcelona surpass Real Madrid as top all-time European scorers
Spanish giants, Barcelona have surpassed their fierce rivals on the goalscoring charts. The Catalan side who are having an impressive run this season netted in their 1,037th goal this season, just one goal more than Real Madrid who have recorded 1,036.
Top 20
Barcelona (1,037 goals)
Real Madrid (1,036)
Bayern Munich (856)
Juventus (746)
Anderlecht (640)
Benfica (639)
Liverpool (612)
Milan (612)
Ajax (606)
Inter Milan (606)
Manchester United (594)
Porto (542)
Valencia (529)
Red Star Belgrade (507)
PSV (503)
Celtic (500)
Atletico Madrid (488)
Sporting Lisbon (463)
Rangers (461)
Club Bruges (458)
(Photo) Didier Drogba unveils his autobiography in London.
More photos from Chief HID Awolowo's burial
Oh my! Ex-Chelsea defender takes Jose Mourinho to the cleaners
Ex Chelsea defender, Paul Parker has launched a scathing attack on Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho for criticizing a former Chelsea player, Graeme Le Saux. Speaking before his team’s Champions League clash with Maccabi Tel-Aviv on Tuesday, the Portuguese manager had pointed out that, “I didn’t have a single problem within the squad. I didn’t have a Graeme Le Saux. I had everybody without fears, just wanting to come.”
Infuriated by the comments Park told The Sun: “Jose Mourinho just can’t help himself, can he? It’s horrible to see. Mourinho had actually gone out of the spotlight a little bit in the last few weeks, and there was a part of me that wondered if he’d finally realised that silence is golden, and that a manager can act with dignity and respect.
“Obviously, that was a pipe dream.”
He continued: “But what else would you expect of Mourinho?
“What else would you expect of a man who stayed safely behind one of his colleagues during a touchline row, but reached around and poked opposition coach Tito Vilanova in the eye… and later tried to justify it?
“That incident has always summed him up, to me; he’s like the kid at school who watches a playground fight from a safe distance, then sidles up quickly to kick one of the fighters in the stomach when he’s sprawled on the floor.”