Real Madrid No 11, Gareth Bale is expected to be out for three weeks after being diagnosed with a “grade 2 injury in his left calf.” The Welsh footballer who was included in the starting lineup against arch-rivals Barcelona on Sunday struggled on the pitch before he was being substituted in the first half. The Blancos said his recovery will continue to be assessed.
He will miss the Champions League semi-finals.
Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos renew rivalry
Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos and Barcelona’s Gerard Pique‘s rivalry is far from over, not in the nearest future.
The pair renewed their feud during last night’s el-clasico which ended 3-2 in favour of Barcelona, thanks to a late strike by Lionel Messi. Ramos was banded a red card at the 77th minute after an attempted two-footed tackle on Messi; his 5th red card in the fixture and 22nd in his entire career.
As Ramos was leaving the pitch, he sarcastically clapped at his arch enemy, uttering some unclear words which seemed to suggest that that the war was far from over.
During his post-match Gerard Pique wasted no time in attacking his opponent. “When Sergio Ramos gets home, he’ll regret for what he did. The red card is very clear. He goes in two-footed and Messi was away. Here in Santiago Bernabéu, they’re used to very lenient refereeing and when a referee does a good job he’s then the bad guy.”
Ramos sprang up in his own defence saying, “Piqué likes to talk about the referees, and with so much pressure & with his tweets that he complains all the time. For me the red card has been excessive , I admit that I’m late with my tackle but I wasn’t looking to hurt him. I do not regret the gesture to Pique. I regret leaving my team down to 10 men. I have no problems with Pique but just don’t ask me all these questions expecting that I’ll hug him right after. I was clapping at Pique, not at the ref. He defends his & I defend mine. When we aren’t together we defend what is ours. They always talk about the refs but we won’t. Perhaps give the result they won’t this time.”
He added in another interview, “Messi did very well against my tackle, he jumped and you could see that I didn’t touch him. I know Pique said that I’d regret it once I saw the images, but after five minutes of cooling off, I feel the same way.”
Elclasico: Check out these hilarious memes of Messi's goal celebration
Messi came through for Barcelona yesterday during the second leg of the el-clasico. The Argentine scored a brace in the pulsating 3-2 game, bringing a total of his career goals to 5oo. He is now the all-time top-scorer in El Clasico in La Liga with 16 goals, surpassing Alfredo Di Stefano with 14 goals.
One of the most memorable moments of the game was the 29 year-old’s celebration after he netted the an extra-minute goal, the 5th goal of the game and third for Barcelona, at the Bernabeu. Shortly after firing past Keylor Navas, the 29 year-old removed his shirt and held it in front of the Madrid fans.
Mischievous football fans and photoshoppers got into action. The outcome!
N'golo Kante crowned PFA Player of the Year 2017
N’Golo Kanté has been named PFA Player of the Year 2017. He is the first French player to win the PFA Player of the Year since Thierry Henry in 2004. The France international has had an impressive first season at the Stamford Bridge following his transfer from Leicester last summer. He saw off competition from Eden Hazard, Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexis Sanchez.
He was presented with the award at the Grosvenor Hotel in London while Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli won the Young Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
“It means the world to be chosen by the players to be Player of the Year. So proud for such a honour! So amazing. As I always said, it’s a team work: Thanks to my teammates, Chelsea FC members and all the fans.” he said.
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Arsenal edge Manchester City to reach FA cup final.
Pep Guardiola’s side, Manchester City were dumped out of FA Cup race, courtesy of Alexis Sanchez’s extra-time strike. The club came from behind to secure a hard fought 2-1 victory at the Wembley.
Meanwhile Alexis Sanchez has scored more goals for Arsenal at Wembley (4) than any other player in the club’s history.
Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola will end a season without a trophy for the first time in his coaching career.
Ibrahimovic to miss the rest of the season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic to miss the rest of the season, following last night’s injury sustained during Manchester United’s Europa League quarterfinal against Anderlecht. The 35 year-old ruptured his cruciate ligament. The former PSG player has been involved in 37 goals across all competitions for Man Utd this season scoring 28 goals and providing 9 assists. His injury comes as a huge blow to Man United who are looking to win the Europa League cup and be named in the top 4 in the Premier League.
Tottenham cancel all academy matches following the death of U-23 coach, Ugo Ehiogu
In the wake of the sudden death of Tottenham U-23 coach, Ugo Ehiogu this morning, Tottenham FC have decided to cancel all academy matches over the weekend. The former England defender suffered a cardiac arrest at Tottenham’s training ground, was rushed to the hospital and died in the early hours of today.
May his soul find repose. Amen.
Dani Alves and Neymar exchange pleasant words on instagram
Shortly after Juventus eliminated Barcelona out of the Champions League last night, Juventus player, Dani Alves, walked up to and hugged his ex teammate, Neymar who fought back tears. In a post-match interview, the Brazilian revealed that, “I told Neymar that this is life, unfortunately we had to face each other. I did not want to measure myself just on this, we have lived these moments together and now we live them apart so it is hard.”
The Brazilian who joined the Juventus on a free transfer last summer again reached out to his compatriot on on his Instagram page.
He wrote, “Te amo irmão” which translates to “I love you brother.” To which Neymar replied, “I love you too my brother… I wish you all the luck in the world!!! Be happy always.”
Outrage as Alexis Sanchez is excluded from PFA Team of the year
Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez’s exclusion from the PFA Team Of The Year has drawn a lot of criticisms from football fans all over the world with many suggesting that Sadio Mane is undeserving of a spot. The Chilean has been directly involved in 28 goals in the Premier League this seasonscored 19 goals, provided 9 assists was nominated for Player of the Season but shockingly didn’t make the team of the year list.
The team, on Thursday morning, released the list consisting of eight players; 4 from Chelsea and Tottenham each, 1 player from Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton each. Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic was also a surprise omission. The pair are the only two who were nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award but failed to make the XI.
- David De Gea
- Gary Cahill
- David Luiz
- N’Golo Kante
- Toby Alderweireld
- Dele Alli
- Sadio Mane
- Danny Rose
- Kyle Walker.
- Harry Kane
- Romelu Lukaku
It is the first time since the 2013/2014 season that no Arsenal player will be represented in the team.
'He's already no 6 in the world". Our top reactions to Serena Williams' baby announcement.
Serena Williams always causes a lot of frenzy on social media but this is one news no one saw coming. The tennis legend and her man Alexis Ohanian are expecting their first kid, a revelation which has sent shock waves into millions of spines. The 35 year-old is 20-weeks pregnant and shared a close up of her growing bump on Snapchat.
The world No 2 who has not played since the Australian Open in January was pregnant during her recent slam victory in Melbourne. She announced her engagement to Reddit co-founder, Alexis Ohanian back in December. Check out our best reactions.
Beyoncè and Serena Williams were both in the Sorry video dancing encouraging us to leave our men and now they're both pregnant. Bet.
— K— (@TheMavsQueen) April 19, 2017
Why make Serena Williams playing tennis with 1mnth pregnancy a big deal? 9ja women will break firewoods and pound yam while 8mnth pregnant
— MadameBlunt (@Madame_Blunt) April 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/AaronInskeep/status/854723518256336900
Serena Williams is 20 weeks pregnant, which means she won the Australian Open while being pregnant and didn't drop a single set. The GOAT.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) April 19, 2017
Serena Williams won the Australian open pregnant.
Idgaf who you think the greatest athlete ever is. They didn't win a major title pregnant.
— hardcore francophobe (@DavidEatsViagra) April 19, 2017
Serena Williams won the Australian open while pregnant which means it is now illegal for a man to ever complain about anything ever again
— Ali Griffin Vingiano (@alivingiano) April 19, 2017
Serena Williams is 20 weeks pregnant. That baby can already beat up 99% of men on earth.
— The Fake ESPN (@TheFakeESPN) April 19, 2017
Serena Williams is the GOAT; won Australian open BEING PREGNANT just like her friend Beyonce, rocking the stage with twins
— Jeebs irate genius (@AskFuhknJeebz) April 19, 2017
Serena Williams was pregnant when she won her 23rd grand slam tournament at the Australian Open. And did not drop ONE SET. Let that sink in.
— ☇ASAP Sports News☇ (@ASAP_SportsNews) April 19, 2017
BREAKING: Serena Williams is pregnant. Makes sense after she pulled out of so many tournaments. Won't be back till 2018. Maybe never?! pic.twitter.com/ZW0UHeRK92
— Uche Amako (@UcheAmako) April 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/_ghost_7/status/854773602343944194
Serena Williams announces she is 20 weeks pregnant on Maria Sharapova's birthday. Now that's how you throw major shade & I love it. 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/av9p5YIoSp
— #FeesMustFall (@MegaFunTweets) April 19, 2017
Serena Williams is pregnant and the kid is already ranked number 6 in the world.
— TheFloydSpin (@thefloydspin) April 19, 2017
Serena Williams' baby and Beyoncé's twins might be the Harry, Hermione and Ron we need to vanquish Tangerine Voldemort.
— Luvvie is currently writing book 2 (@Luvvie) April 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/TheChocoOtter/status/854734470867451904