Brendan Rodgers has responded to claims made by his former player, Mario Balotelli that he is his “worst ever coach. The Nice forward who joined Liverpool in 2014 and left in 2016 after scoring just one goal was asked by Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport to name his worst coach of his career. He described his relationship with Rodgers as ‘a disaster’ & ‘the biggest disappointment’ of any coach he has worked under. The Irish football coach has however affirmed that his statement isn’t far from the truth.
The Celtic manager told talkSPORT, “He was probably absolutely spot on. I just couldn’t really connect with Mario. He was one that came in very late in the window. It was a gamble taken from a club perspective. It was one where, he’s a big talent, he’ll come in and develop, he’s got all the tools.
“In all fairness, I just find it very difficult to connect with Mario. On the field, he tried his best. But yeah, it certainly wasn’t something that worked out as everyone would like. If you sit with him in the office, the guy’s a good fella, a good guy. If he could ever match that intensity with his talent, then he’d be one of the best players in the world.
“On the field, it was something that never worked out. That season was difficult for us. But now I hope he’s got a club, that might be a final chance over in France. But hopefully it can work out for him.”
Barcelona announce one of the biggest shirt sponsorship deals in football history
Barcelona have announced Rakuten; a Japanese online retailer as their next shirt sponsor the next four years. The new deal which is valued at £200m ($59 million) a year is arguably one of the biggest shirt sponsorship deals in football history. Rakuten will replace Qatar Airways, who have been their main sponsor since 2013.
Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu told a news conference at the club’s Camp Nou stadium “I have the pleasure and honour to announce that the board of directors has approved that RAKUTEN be the new main and global sponsor of the club for the next four years.” .
Messi leads media boycott over false accusations.
Following their 3-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Columbia yesterday, All 26 players of Argentina National Team led by Lionel Messi declared that the team will no longer be speaking to the press.
The decision was made after a radio station accused one of the players, Ezequiel Lavezzi of smoking marijuana after a training session, a report which turned out to be completely false.
Addressing a team of reporters who converged after the game, the Barcelona helmsman said,
“We have decided not to speak anymore with the press. We’ve received many accusations, a lot of lack of respect and we never said anything. We know there are lots of you who are not in the game of not showing us respect, but getting into one’s personal life is very grave.”
Having made this clear, the team walked out on the reporters.
Lavezzi is reportedly suing the radio journalist who reported the false story.
Paul Pogba's dab used to teach maths.
The dab movement just got more popular.
A teacher has used a picture of Paul Pogba’s dab celebration to solve a pythagoras theorem in a French school and the post has gone viral and has more than 5000 shares across many social media platforms.
The teacher printed the photo of the Manchester United player and asked: “Is it perfect dab?”
The former Juventus star has seen the picture and we are certain he is happy with the fact that his image has been adopted as a learning tool.
Credit: 101 Great Goals
Yaya Toure, Aubameyang, 3 others nominated for BBC African Footballer of the Year 2016 award.
Algeria forward Riyad Mahrez, Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Senegal international, Sadio Mane, Ghana’s Andre Ayew, and Yaya Toure of Ivory Coast are the five-man shortlist for this year’s BBC African Footballer of the Year award.
Mahrez scored 17 goals and delivered 11 assists for current title holder, Leicester last season and also scored two goals to help Algeria reach the African Nations Cup. Aubameyang who won the award in January, scored 25 goals for Dortmund last season and has 11 on the score sheet this season. Mane netted 11 goals for Southampton last season and now has 6 goals for Liverpool this season. Ayew, scored 12 Premier League goals for Swansea last season, and netted 3 goals as Ghana cruised to the African Nations Cup,. Yaya Toure’s nomination for this year’s prize has been nothing short of shocking. The Ivorian who has won it four consecutive times scored 3 goals last season and provided 1 assist. He hasn’t also featured in the Guardiola-led team this season.
Fans have until 18.00 GMT on Nov. 28 to vote. The winner will be unveiled on Dec 12.
Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are leaving the MLS.
Premier League return?
Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are leaving the MLS.
Lampard who joined NYCFC from Manchester City in 2015 and netted 15 goals in 31 appearances made the confirmation on his instagram account.
“As my time at NYCFC comes to an end I would like to thank so many people for the kindness and support that they have shown me over the last two years,” Lampard wrote in a statement on his instagram account. My teammates have been a pleasure to play alongside. The amazing fans have given me incredible support and backing. All the people that work behind the scenes at NYCFC have made it so easy for me to work and settle here. I have very much enjoyed my time, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to play for such a great club and in such an incredible city. I leave with many great memories as I embark on the next stage of my career and I’ll be making an announcement very soon.” He wrote
Gerrard’s spell might also be over at the US club. The Liverpool legend who signed an 18-month deal with the MLS side in January 2015 gave a hint on his instagram page. He captioned a picture on his instagram account: “Special place incredible view I will miss you LA.”
Both Lampard and Gerrard scored 20 goals in 67 games between them.
Reports: Messi will not renew his contract with Barcelona
According to spanish media outfit, Marca, Lionel Messi won’t renew with Barcelona mainly due to tax problems in Spain and will see out current his deal before deciding his future. The newspaper claimed the 29 year-old whose current contract with the Catalans ends on June 30, 2018 made the decision in July 2016 during a family vacation in Ibiza. Messi’s representatives and Barcelona have reportedly not made any official contacts since July.
Mikel denies being punished by Chelsea
Nigerian midfielder, John Mikel Obi has rubbished comments credited to the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr claiming he was being punished at Chelsea for participating at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in August. Mikel maintained that the national team manager’s remark was taken out of context by the Nigerian media adding that he got the club’s backing to attend the event. The 29 year-old has however released a statement to that effect.
“I’d like to clarify that the recent media claim that I’ve been punish the Suoeed by Chelsea for participating at the Rio 2016 Olympics are completely inaccurate.
“Unfortunately, comments made by Gernot Rohr before yesterday’s 3-1 win over Algeria were both mistranslated and taken out of context by the Nigerian media as English isn’t Mr Rohr’s or much of the Nigerian media’s first language.
“To be absolute clear, Mr Conte and Chelsea were always in support of my captaincy of the Nigerian team in Rio.
“The manager gave me his full blessing to participate at the Olympics and even encouraged me to bring back the gold medal- something I spoke to the media about that time.
“It goes without saying that there’s nothing but absolute respect between myself, the Nigerian national team and Chelsea FC, something that was demonstrated by Mr Rohr’s recent visit to Cobhams.
“My only focus now is on winning more silverware with Chelsea and getting Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup. Two challenges I can’t wait to face.”
World Cup Qualifier: Super Eagles beat Algeria
Two goals from Victor Moses and one from John Obi Mikel gave Nigeria the expected win over Algeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier held at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Moses who is in top form for both country and club opened the scoring for the Eagles in the 24th minute before sealing the victory with another goal in added minutes and that earned him the man of the match honour.
Mikel who scored his 5th goal in 76 appearances for the Eagles also put up a very impressive display.
Nigeria has now secured 6 points from 2 games and are now in firm control of group B
Cristiano Ronaldo wins 2016 Goal50 award.
Cristiano Ronaldo has had a very momentous week.
The Portuguese signed a new Real Madrid contract worth £19m-a-year, a whooping new Nike life-time deal worth £21m-a-year and he’s just picked the #Goal50 prize for best player in the world for 2015/16 season. He dethroned arch rival, Lionel Messi to win the prize.
From firing home the penalty that handed his side the 2015/2016 UEFA Champions league trophy to inspiring Portugal to Euro 2016 glory, the Real Madrid star has enjoyed a wonderful 2015/2016 campaign and is in a pole position to win the next FIFA Ballon d’Or award.
“It is an honour to receive this recognition again”. Said Ronaldo who has now won the award for the 4th time. It’s for all my teammates at Real Madrid and in the national team. I feel very happy and proud. Nothing is achieved without ambition, personal effort and without a team of colleagues and workers who support you day in day out. That day-day is the most important thing.”
The 31 year-old said while receiving the award in Madrid.