Atletico Madrid coach, Diego Simeone has launched a very surprising dig at Real Madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese’s victory at the last Ballon d’Or awards must have really upset the Argentine as he took a sly dig at Ronaldo shortly after his side defeated Real Betis yesterday.
Ronaldo had a fantastic year winning the Champions League, Euro 2016, Club World Cup and recently The Best FIFA Award but perhaps to him, the best player in that Ballon d’Or category was robbed.
Speaking to reporters after their 1-0 win, the 46 year-old said, “You still doubt that results are the most important thing? If not, look at who won the Ballon d’Or.”
Atletico Madrid's gesture towards oldest season tickets holders is awesome.
For their game against Real Betis last weekend, Spanish club, Atletico Madrid invited the club’s oldest season ticket holders to be the mascots. They were blindfolded and till they got to the pitch. Awesome gesture
Neymar's son joins Barca
Following daddy’s foot steps!
Neymar’s son Davi Lucca has joined Barca’s FCB Escola. He will now train along with Thiago Messi, Benjamin Suarez and Milan Pique all at the club.
Their superstar parents attend their training sessions which take place near the Mini Estadi every Monday and Thursday between 5pm and 6pm. Suarez’s son, Benjamin is reportedly the most outstanding of all.
Barcelona sack director for comments about Messi
Barcelona director, Pere Gratacos‘s recent remark about Lionel Messi has cost him his job.
Shortly after Friday’s Copa del Rey draw in Madrid, Gratacos told reporters. “Leo is one of the most important people in the team, but it’s not just about him. He would not be as good without Andres Iniesta, Neymar and company, but Messi is the best.”
Not long after that, Barcelona released a statement confirming that Gratacos, who once coached Messi during his spell at La Masia, had been sacked
“FC Barcelona have dismissed Pere Gratacos as head of institutional sporting relations with the Royal Spanish Football Federation for having publicly expressed a personal opinion that does not match that of the club after the draw for the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey held today in Madrid.
“The decision has been taken by Albert Soler, director of professional sports, who will assume these functions directly from now on.”
The Argentine’s contract expires in 2018 and his club are keen to make him commit his future to Camp Nou.
Diego Costa dropped by Chelsea after a bust-up with fitness coach and coach
Diego Costa has been dropped from the Chelsea squad for Saturday’s Premier League fixture at Leicester City after a row with fitness coach, Julio Tous. The Spaniard has not trained with the rest of the squad for the past three days and reports are rife that he also fell out with The Blues manager, Antonio Conte.
In a not-too-surprising development, a club in China has reportedly offered him a £580,000-a-week deal. If he leaves, he will be the third Chelsea player after Oscar and Mikel Obi to be lured to the Chinese league.
The 28-year-old has scored 50 goals for Chelsea in all competitions
Paul Pogba becomes the first footballer to have his own emoji on Twitter.
Big Deal!
From bizarre haircuts to photo of him dabbing used to solve mathematics question in Pythagoras’ theorem, Paul Pogba sure knows how to get our attention. The Manchester United player has become the first footballer to get his own emoji on Twitter.
Head to Twitter.com, type #pogba and see his little emoji standing by.
Cool stuff
Giroud, Coquelin, Koscielny renew Arsenal contracts
The trio of Arsenal Olivier Giroud, Francis Coquelin and Laurent Koscielny have all agreed new contract extensions with Arsenal.
Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger made the announcement on Arsenal’s official website, www.arsenal.com, saying
“We are very pleased that three important members of our team have committed to us for the long term. Francis has made tremendous technical strides over the past few years because he’s so focused every day. Olivier has big experience in the game now and has become a more and more complete player since joining us. “Laurent is of course a key part of our squad and I believe one of the best defenders in the world today. So overall, this is great news for us.” He said
Meanwhile Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are yet to decide their Arsenal future. The duo’s contracts expire in the summer of 2018.
Fans go berserk after Dimitri Payet refuses to play for West Ham
West Hams fans have been pouring out venom since news surfaced that Dimitri Payet has refused to play for the club. The French hasn’t trained this week after claiming he has a back injury but fans are not having any of it.
The 29 year-old have reportedly told the club of his intention to leave. Initially, the club were not going to sell him but now, they made a u-turn and have decided to sell him at the best price. Asides the possibility of moving to Marseille, there are reports that Chelsea are making a shock £40 million move for the France international. Last September, Payet was paid £1m loyalty bonus and this and many more has hurt the supporters of the club badly.
Payet has been labelled a traitor and a snake. Asides vituperation on social media, Payet’s wikipedia page was also at the receiving end.
Ibrahimovic, Antonio Conte claim Premier League player awards
Manchester United forward, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been awarded the Premier League player of the month of December. The former Sweden international who moved to Old Trafford last summer was honoured after scoring 5 goals and providing 3 assists in 6 games. 
Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte has been named Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month for a record third time in a row (October, November and December). He become the first manager to achieve this feat . The Italian has been nothing short of extraordinary this season, leading the Blues to the top of the table with a run of more than seven successive victories.
I've conquered England – Zlatan
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made another vehement assertion.
The former Barcelona forward who joined Manchester United on a free transfer from Paris St Germain last summer has scored 18 goals for the Red Devils and has had more shots (86) than any other player in Europe’s top 5 league so far this season.
Speaking in a recent interview, the ex Sweden international said he is not after individual targets (awards/honours) as he has already proved his value in England.
“I’m chasing the head trophy – the Premier League. That is my aim.
“The individual things come as part of the main objective because that is like a bonus for every individual player. If the collective does well, then the individuals will do well.
“I try to help the team and try to do what I’m best at – scoring goals, playing good and creating chances for my team-mates. As long as I can do that, I know I will help my team.
“The same thing with them, they help me the way they can for the team. I have no individual targets because that I did already, after three months in England. I conquered England – it took three months.” The 35 year-old declared.