Manchester United forward, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has won a defamation lawsuit in Sweden against a former athletics coach who who accused him of doping at Juventus.
Ulf Karlsson, the head coach of Sweden’s national athletics team from 2001 to 2004 told Journalists “Zlatan gained 10 kilos of muscle in six months at Juventus. That is impossible in such a short time.” He also added, “I think he was doped. I am convinced.”
A district court in Varmland, in west-central Sweden, on Monday convicted Karlsson of defaming the player with the comments and fined 24,000 kronor.
John Terry pays glowing tribute to Mikel
Chelsea legend, John Terry has has penned a tribute to John Mikel Obi, who joined Chinese side, Tianjin Teda last week on a £140,000-a-week deal after failing to feature under Chelsea’s new boss, Antonio Conte.
Mikel left Chelsea having won eight major domestic honours and two European trophies, as well as tasting global success last summer by winning bronze in the Olympic Games. Terry spoke of his admiration for ‘great friend’ Mikel and picked out a favourite performance from his ex-team-mate.
Speaking ahead of the Blues’ 4-1 victory over Peterborough in the FA Cup, the former England International said, “On Friday, we said goodbye to John Mikel Obi after more than 10 years with us in which we won everything – two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League,”
“He has been a big part of this club’s success over the past decade and put in some great performances, none more so than in Munich, where he was immense. I want to say on a personal level, that he was a great friend and a great player. I wish you well “Old Boy”.
Love ya.”
La Liga Weekend: Zizou's Unbeaten Army, Pique's conspiracy theory and more.
By: Olawale Adigun
ZIZOU’S UNBEATEN ARMY
This was supposed to be a job too big for him. How was he supposed to cope with the high demands of Florentino Perez ? How was he going to deal with the ego of Cristiano Ronaldo, was he ready for Barcelona? Can he even retain the Champions League ?
These were questions posed when Frenchman , Zinedine Zidane was appointed as Real Madrid manager, but, 55 games later, Zizou has shut his critics with results, performances and trophies. Infact, Zidane has won more trophies than he has lost games (lost 2, but won the Uefa Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup).
Real Madrid produced another effective performance against Granada to make it 39 games unbeaten, equaling Barcelona’s record of 2015/2016 under Luis Enrique. All through Zizou’s reign as manager till date, some sections of the media have still questioned Zidane’s ability as a manager and gradually he’s winning them over, same way he’s won over his players. Managing Cristiano Ronaldo has not been an easy feat, but the 1998 World Cup winner has done that effectively, kept him out of the last laliga game of 2016, same as the first game of the new year but restored him back at the weekend against Granada. Although, Ronaldo’s position on this rotational policy is not publicly known, one feels that CR7 is cool with it.
Anyone who feels Zidane is still lucky, would need a brain MRI because the results don’t lie. Real are four points clear at the top and five clear of Barcelona and guess what, the World champions still have a game to spare. Players like James Rodriguez and Isco might be discontent with the game time they are getting but Zidane still offers them a chance to fight for their place, but to be objective, when everyone is fit, its difficult for James and Isco to break through. And if everyone remains fit, Real Madrid would be on their way to the second Liga title in nine years.
PIQUE’S CONSPIRACY THEORY
Gerard Pique remains a divisive figure in Spain, at political and at football levels and the reasons are not far fetched. The Catalonian has always advocated for Catalonian independence from Spain, this makes him an easy target especially when he plays against teams based in the capital, Madrid. Pique speaks three languages, can form opinion, arguments that are purely non-football, very intelligent, seen as a future Barca president.
But Pique has to stop being a cry-baby and focus on getting Barcelona’s flailing title charge back on track. At the Ceramico, (Villareal over the weekend re-christened El Madrigal to El Ceramico) Villareal couldn’t hold on to Nicola Sansone’s goal and Lionel Messi’s magical freekick (30th of his career) in the 90th minute rescued a point for Barcelona.
After the game, Gerard Pique was seen pointing fingers at Laliga Chief, Javier Tebas shouting “Did you see that, yes You, you, you !” . Pique was obviously furious with referee Ignacio Igliesas who failed to spot Bruno’s handball in the area but Shakira’s boyfriend has to realize that whatever campaign is on to stop Barca from retaining the title only exists in his head. Real have won the title once in 8 years, its been his Catalan club dominating everybody. Villareal could have also had a penalty of theirs and it was still Pique who would have been the culprit.
Pique has to realize that creating a siege mentality wont work in Barcelona’s favour, they have enough problems to deal with, problems Luis Enrique’s future, Neymar’s form, Ivan Rakitic’s on and off involvement with the team and the general air of vulnerability on the pitch .
Five points behind Real is worse, but if Zidane’s charges beat Valencia (game at hand) that makes it eight, even a Clasico victory won’t solve any problem. There’s also the case of Sevilla who are a point and place above Barca. Maybe its time to focus more on the Copa and the Champions League.
RESULT IS KING FOR ATLETI
2016 ended with plenty questions rather than answers for Diego Simeone, but he will be happy with Atleti’s start to 2017, a comprehensive result away from home in the Cup and another away win at Ipurua where Eibar threatened fire and brimstone with nothing to show for it at the end.
Saul Niguez and Antoine Griezmann got the goals (it was Grizzy’s first Liga goal in 10 games). The performance wasn’t up there but Simeone would take the result as it puts them in touching distance between them and Barcelona and Sevilla. Winning the title shouldn’t be in the discussion for now but staying touch with the top 3.
Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Micheal Owen, others present as Ronaldo presents 4th Ballon d'Or trophy!
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Ballon D’Or trophy presentation at the Bernabeu on Saturday was not only witnessed by club officials, colleagues and fans, the ceremony which took place ahead of their clash with Granada was also witnessed by past football heavyweights. Brazilian football legend, Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Kopa, Michael Owen and current manager Zinedine Zidane were there to pay tribute to the Portuguese talisman.
The 31 year-old also watched a video message by ex Real Madrid men, Kaka and Fabio Cannavaro.
‘We love each other’. Diego Costa dismisses feud with Pedro
Diego Costa has dismissed reports of a lingering beef between him and his colleague Pedro during Tottenham loss. The pair had a long argument during the game which took place at the White Lane and that moment did not go unnoticed. Explaining what went down during the seeming bust-up, Costa said they were discussing about their different wavelengths in that counter attack
The Spaniard told IB Times “Nothing happened. We have a great understanding with each other. When you have a trusted relationship and intimacy with a teammate it is normal for these things to happen.
“It was just a moment during the game, and that’s it. It was nothing. I told him: ‘You have to get in there, why didn’t you go?’ He said ‘I went’ and I said he didn’t. That’s it. Pedro is my brother and we love each other.”
"We were admiring his boots". Aguero recalls his first meeting with Messi.
Argentinian forward, Sergio Aguero has recalled his first meeting with fellow compatriot, Lionel Messi. Speaking to Fifa.com, the Manchester City forward said, “We were having lunch with the national U-20 team. Lionel was sitting next to me. All my team-mates were talking about the boots he’d brought from the USA, and I just couldn’t work out how he’d got hold of them. Who was this kid? I asked him his name and he said: ‘Lionel, Lionel Messi,’ but I had no idea who he was.
He continued, “I was just trying to work out how he’d managed to get those boots. Then one of my team-mates said to me: ‘You don’t know who he is? It’s Messi, the kid from Barcelona’. That’s when I realised who he was. I tell you one thing, though: he knew who I was!”
Messi has been nominated for the Best FIFA Men’s Player of 2016 alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann. Tipping his friend to scoop the gong, Aguero said, “He’s ahead of the rest, including the other nominees… And I’m not just saying that because he’s my friend. I train with him and I see it with my own eyes. He does things I don’t see anyone else doing. He’s the best there is.”
Source
Iwobi, Iheanacho pick GLO/CAF Awards. See Full List Of Winners!
Nigeria internationals, Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi were named Most promising talent and African youth player of the year respectively at the 2016 edition of the GLO-CAF Awards which took place at Abuja, Nigeria yesterday January 5, 2017. Riyad Mahrez was named the winner of the 2016 Glo-CAF African Player of the Year award. The Algerian beat Gabon striker and last year’s winner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to second place, while Senegal’s Saido Mane finished third.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
African Player of the Year
Riyad MAHREZ (Algeria & Leicester City)
African Player of the Year – Based in Africa
Denis ONYANGO (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
Women’s Player of the Year
Asisat OSHOALA (Nigeria & Arsenal Ladies)
Most Promising Talent
Kelechi IHEANACHO (Nigeria & Manchester City)
Youth Player of the Year
Alex IWOBI (Nigeria and Arsenal)
Coach of the Year
Pitso MOSIMANE (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Club of the Year
Mamelodi Sundowns
National Team of the Year
Uganda
Women’s National Team of the Year
Nigeria
Referee of the Year
Bakary Papa GASSAMA
Football Leader of the Year
Manuel LOPES NASCIMENTO, President of Guinea Bissau Football Federation
Legend Award
Laurent POKOU, Former player of Cote d’Ivoire
Emilienne MBANGO, Former player of Cameroon
Meanwhile in a very disappointing twist, no Nigerian made made CAF’s Africa Best 11.
Mikel becomes Nigeria's highest paid player again, pens emotional goodbye to Chelsea
Done Deal!
Nigeria International has confirmed his exit from Chelsea FC in an emotional letter which he penned few hours ago. The ace midfielder who joined The Blues in 2006 is joining Chinese club Tianjin TEDA n a £140,000 weekly deal. has become Nigeria’s highest paid player once again as he will earn £140,000 weekly at Tianjin TEDA in China.
In his 10 years at Stamford Bridge, the 29 year old made 374 appearances, won 2 Premier League titles, 4 FA cups, 2 League Cups, 1 Community Shield cup, 1 Europa League cup and 1 Champions League cup.
Marco Silva unveiled as Hull City new manager
2 days after showing Mike Phelan the exit door, Hull City have unveiled Marco Silva as their new manager.
The club’s vice-chairman, Ehab Allam said: “Marco is a young coach who has impressed us with his philosophy and football style.
“He has a great track record and we feel this is a bold and exciting appointment in our aim to retain the club’s Premier League status.
“Marco will be bringing in his own back-room team who have all played their part in his recent success.
“We are already working hard with Marco and his team to deliver some key additions to our squad during this transfer window.”
Mikel off to China in £140,000-a-week deal
According to reports, Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi is set go leave The Blues for Chinese Super League club Tianjin TEDA in £140,000-a-week deal . The Nigeria international who has been at the Stamford Bridge since 2006 is reportedly undergoing a medical today and will sign a 3-year contract in the coming days.