Cristiano Ronaldo has had the Airport in his hometown of Madeira, the Madeira International Airport named after him. It is now called Aeroporto Cristiano Ronaldo. A new sign with the Portuguese’s face and name has been placed on the front of the airport.
Reacting to the huge honour, the La Liga star said, “Seeing my name being given to this airport is something very special, everyone knows that I am proud of my country and my country. I know some people do not agree, but I am not a hypocrite and I assume that some are here right now. We all have the right to have an opinion. I always prefer people who voice their positions to those who hide behind them.”
Brazil become first nation to qualify for 2018 World Cup
Brazil have become the first team to qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup after an emphatic 3-0 win over Paraguay.
What a goal from Neymar 💥💥💥 pic.twitter.com/rdjbADxSij
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) March 29, 2017
Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho gave the team a lead in a low opener, Neymar doubled the lead with an incredible goal at the second half before Marcelo sealed a late third.
Brazil are the only country that have appeared at every FIFA World Cup finals
I am happy at Man City – Bravo
Claudio Bravo has said he is happy to stay at Manchester City despite losing his place to Willy Caballero. The former Barcelona skipper also branded reports of his exit from the English club, ‘fake news’. And he is not moved by reports that coach Pep Guardiola wants to sign a new goalkeeper.
“The issue that I was not playing came out, many examples of fake news have come out. Things that, above all, have no information about them. Many things also come out from this country that are not true – that I have a psychologist, or an English teacher to have a faster adaptation to life in England. It’s all false, that I’m looking for another place to play, because I want to leave, things that are not true. I’m happy in England and so is my family.” he said after Chile’s 1-0 defeat against Argentina on Saturday.
In other words, the Chilean is staying put in England until the powers that be decide otherwise.
Barca to name training ground stadium after Johan Cruyff
Barcelona have revealed their intention to name their new stadium in the Ciutat Esportiva training complex after club legend, Johan Cruyff who passed on last year, March. The Dutch who passed on at age 68 donned the Barcelona kit 143 times between 1973 and 1978, scoring 48 goals. He managed the club between 1988 and 1996, winning four La Liga titles consecutively from 1991 to 1994,the 1989 European Cup Winners Cup and the 1992 European Cup final.
A three time winner of the Ballon d’Or trophy (1971, 1973 and 1974), the 1974 trophy as well as his number 9 shirt have been donated to the club by the Cruyff family for display in the FC Barcelona Museum that will have a section dedicated to the life of Cruyff. There are also plans to have a commemorative sculpture at the new Camp Nou.
Lionel Messi gets 4-game ban
Untypical of him!
Argentina/Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi has been banned for four international matches for directing insulting words at a match official during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Chile on Thursday, March 23. Messi reportedly used the ‘F’ word on the linesman. The 29 year-old who was also handed a £8,100 fine discovered his fate six hours before kick-off in Argentina’s qualifier away to Bolivia in La Paz today.
Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Bolivia as well as games against Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru before returning for the final match against Ecuador.
My kids don't want to talk about their mother's death- Rio Ferdinand
Ex England player, Rio Ferdinand has said it has been difficult getting his children to talk about their mother’s death. The former captain who lost his 34 year-old wife, Rebecca to cancer in May 2015 told BBC that he gets shut down by the three children, aged 10, 8 and 5 each time he asks about their feeling.
He told BBC Radio 5 live, ahead of a BBC One documentary, “I didn’t know any techniques to speak to the children. I didn’t know what buttons to push. I’d been starting conversations with them to try and get how they were feeling out, and they would just shut me down, walk away, close the conversation down completely.”
He continued, “It kind of opened everything up and it was a beautiful moment just seeing them talk happily and being joyful about their mum rather than it being sad and negative moments. It switched it from dark to bright.
"You just don't believe that the worst scenario can happen"@RioFerdy5 lost his wife to cancer in 2015.#BeingMumAndDad. Tomorrow. 9pm. pic.twitter.com/isRz0uc6gP
— BBC One (@BBCOne) March 27, 2017
“When you come into this situation you understand suicide, you understand people who do that and have those thoughts. I didn’t think about it myself but I understand now how people get to that situation. I can’t judge people like that now, whereas before I’d be sitting there, probably with Rebecca, saying that guy is so ignorant and selfish how has he just done that – left three beautiful kids.Now I could say I understand how he got to that point. I wouldn’t do it, but I understand how he’s there. You do get to those levels – and so it’s a work-in-progress.
“At the beginning I’d sit and think how am I ever going to be happy? I can’t see a point where I’m ever going to be able to smile, because I can get happy over here, but then I look at my children – and that brings you right back into sadness again because they haven’t got a mum.”
Source: BBC
Not Again! Police seize £73 million worth of Lionel Messi-branded cocaine.
£73million worth of cocaine branded with Lionel Messi’s face and kept inside of 1,200 giant squid fillets has been seized in Peru.
The packages which had Messi’s logo, name and the royal seal of the King of Spain on them weighed 1,417 kilograms. They arrived from the Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers Valley region in Peru and were destined for Belgium.
In September 2015, the New York Post reported that $3 million worth of cocaine, with ‘Messi’ label were seized from two men in the Bronx.
Obafemi Martins Foundation donates to Nigerians with disabilities.
Ex Nigeria international, Obafemi Martins has made a huge donation to some disabled Nigerians.
Through the Obafemi Martins Foundation, the former Inter Milan player gave out more than 1,000 walking aids. over 500 wheelchairs and clutches to incapacitated Lagosians at an event held at the National Stadium in Lagos on Tuesday.
I received death threats after Ranieri's exit – Jamie Vardy
Leicester City star, Jamie Vardy has revealed that he received death threats following Leicester’s sacking of Claudio Ranieri. The 30-year-old claimed people believed he played a major part in the dismissal of the Italian who guided the foxes to their first Premier League victory.
Speaking to pressmen recently, the Englishman said, “I read one story that said it (the meeting) was straight after the Sevilla game. It said I was personally involved in a meeting when I was actually sat in anti-doping for three hours. A few of you (media) waited around for an interview after. Then of course the story is out there and people pick it up and jump on it and you’re getting death threats about your family, kids, everything. On social media, you name it – walking down the street. To be honest I get them every week.
He continued, “Football fans don’t seem to like me. I just get on with it but when people are trying to cut your missus up while she’s driving along, with the kids in the back of the car, it’s not the best. It is terrifying. All that can happen is they get banned on Twitter. People get cut up but if there’s no cameras you’re screwed.”
Jamie and Rebekah Vardy have however been given extra security after following the death threats reports.
Ronaldo named Portugal player of the year
For the eighth time, Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as Portugal’s player of the year 2016. He received the honour after leading his country to their first major title at the European Championship last summer and converting the winning penalty that saw Real Madrid clinch their 11th Champions League triumph last May.
He beat off competition from club teammate Pepe and Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio.
Receiving the prize at the Quinas de Ouro gala on Monday, the 32-year-old forward said, “It was a very special year for me because the Euros was the only trophy I was still missing, I want to thank the Portuguese people again, they gave us confidence on our way to the title.”