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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has now personally requested the board sign a “special” star, with a £105m opening offer now in the works.

Man City looking to sign successor to Rodri

After spending the majority of the 2024-25 campaign sidelined due to an ACL injury, 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is starting to show signs he is getting back to his best, most notably impressing in the 2-0 Champions League victory over Napoli.

The Spaniard received an 8.3 SofaScore match rating against the Italian side, the second-highest of any City player, after making a number of key contributions and touching the ball 109 times, more than anyone else on the pitch.

Esteemed Kompany’s Steven McInerney also sung the central midfielder’s praises after his display against the Serie A champions, but it has since emerged that Guardiola is now running the rule over potential long-term successors.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Pep is keen on Bayern Munich’s Aleksandar Pavlovic as an heir to Rodri, and the manager has now set his sights on a different young midfielder.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states Pep has personally requested the Man City board sign Paris Saint-Germain’s Joao Neves, with the manager said to be a keen admirer of the midfielder.

Such is City’s level of interest, they are already preparing a massive initial offer of €120m (£105m) for Neves, but it could be difficult to tempt the French club into a sale.

Man City in race to sign "generational" £70m Man Utd star, Pep's a big fan

The City boss is an admirer of a Premier League player, with a shock move now on the cards.

By
Dominic Lund

Sep 18, 2025

The 20-year-old is regarded as an essential part of PSG’s project, given that the youngster has already established himself as one of the best players in the world in his position, so his current employers are extremely hesitant to sanction a departure.

"Special" Neves would be statement signing for Man City

It seems like it will be very difficult to get a deal done, but the Portuguese maestro could be a statement signing for the Blues, with scout Ben Mattinson suggesting he is destined for the very top.

Much like Rodri, the PSG star is an incredibly well-rounded midfielder, placing in the 96th percentile for tackles per 90, the 97th percentile for pass-completion rate, and the 92nd percentile for non-penalty goals over the past year, compared to other midfielders.

Despite his age, the starlet is already vastly experienced at the highest level, making 17 Champions League appearances en-route to PSG’s maiden triumph last season, which suggests he could be a top signing for Man City.

That said, given that Neves remains under contract until 2029, PSG should be in a strong negotiating position, and it remains to be seen whether he would even be willing to leave the reigning European champions.

Despite finishing 15th in the Premier League last season, judgment was withheld on Ruben Amorim’s tenure as Manchester United manager after taking the reins midway through the 2024/25 campaign.

The 40-year-old was subsequently handed £200m worth of funds to improve the first-team squad and help the club rise up the table after a dismal year last time around.

However, it’s safe to say pressure has continued to mount on the manager’s shoulders, especially after falling to a 3-1 defeat against Brentford on Saturday afternoon.

Such a result was the Red Devils’ ninth Premier League defeat in their last 15 outings, highlighting the issues currently facing the side at present and in the near future.

Despite the latest slump in form, the board still continue to back Amorim, a decision which could raise eyebrows given the failure to right the wrongs of last campaign.

His decision-making in the role has certainly been called into question as of late, with his constant selection of one first-team member, one that has baffled many supporters of the club.

Luke Shaw’s lack of form at Man Utd in 2025/26

After a torrid run of injuries over the last couple of seasons, defender Luke Shaw has enjoyed an injury-free run in the first-team squad in the opening stages of 2025/26.

The 30-year-old has started every single game in England’s top-flight to date, but that’s not to say he’s met the standards expected of a United defender in the Premier League.

He’s operated on the left-hand side of Amorim’s back three, but has come under fire for his lack of impact – rightfully so given the poor figures he’s produced over recent weeks.

The Englishman has only ranked in the 16th percentile for duels won, whilst ranking in the 82nd percentile for fouls committed – often struggling to contain the opposition’s attackers.

Shaw has only ranked in the 31st percentile for passes completed, often hitting possession away and being just as ineffective with the ball as he is without.

The injuries have ultimately taken their toll on his career, with the defender no way near the level of an English top-flight side, with Amorim needing to take action and drop him from his side.

However, he’s not alone in struggling to make a positive impact, with one other first-team member also enduring an extremely below par start to the 2025/26 season.

The United player who’s becoming a “problem” in 2025/26

Seven points from the first six games of 2025/26 is a hugely disappointing return for United, especially given the huge spending during the summer transfer window.

Benjamin Sesko scored his first goal for the club in the recent defeat against Brentford, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to catapult the Red Devils to a third league win of the season.

Bryan Mbeumo blanked against his former employers, but the Cameroonian international has already netted twice for the club after his £71m transfer in the summer.

However, despite the heavy spending, alarm bells are still ringing out at Old Trafford, with the manager still not getting the best out of his current crop of players.

Bruno Fernandes was a shining light last campaign, notching 37 combined goals and assists in all competitions – often saving the side in numerous key moments.

The Portuguese international, who’s the current club captain, has since had to take up a new role after the summer spending spree – subsequently dropping into a deeper midfield role.

While he’s previously operated in such a position, it’s now become his permanent role in the side, but one that has yet to have a desired effect in the early stages of the new season.

The 30-year-old has failed to match his heights from 2024/25, scoring twice to date, but ultimately costing the side in key moments – in a complete switch from his success last time around.

Bruno has already missed two spot kicks in the Premier League this campaign, with his latest against the Bees undoubtedly costing them the opportunity to walk away from the clash with at least a point.

Away from his spot kick failures, he’s been unable to dominate in the centre of the park, often being overrun in such an area – once again showcasing the failure to land a new ball-winning option during the off-season.

The 30-year-old’s lack of impact has led to analyst Adam Clery labelling the captain as a “problem” with the summer additions certainly contributing to his recent demise.

Minutes played

90

Touches

81

Passes completed

54

Ground duels won

3

Possession lost

18x

Long balls completed

5

Key passes

1

Penalties missed

1

It’s clear that Bruno is a player who possesses a lot of talent, but his attitude and lack of leadership at the heart of the side has undoubtedly added to the poor form once more.

Amorim desperately needs to get a grip on the situation to prevent the club spiralling out of control – which could even lead to the former Sporting CP boss losing his job.

Nearly a year into the job, it’s clear the 40-year-old still doesn’t know his best central midfield partnership, but it’s clear Bruno needs to be taken out of such a position in the coming matches.

Worse than Bruno: "Shocking" Man Utd flop showed why he should never start

Man United lost 3-1 away to Brentford and this flop showed why he should not start again.

2 ByJoe Nuttall Sep 27, 2025

Real Madrid have decided against renewing Antonio Rudiger's contract, which expires next summer, due to his reduced role in the team, a report claims. The German international has failed to convince new head coach Xabi Alonso, despite being a key figure in defence for the previous three years. Madrid want to free up space in their wage bill, with Rudiger being viewed as an expensive backup by the coach.

• Real Madrid oversee defensive overhaul

  This past summer, Madrid invested heavily in the summer, with three of their five signings reinforcing the backline. Indeed, the Spanish heavyweights signed Trent Alexander-Arnold for free from Liverpool, before splurging a combined fee of €110 million (£95m/$129m) on centre-back Dean Huijsen and left-back Alvaro Carreras. Raul Asencio, after an impressive debut season in 2024-25, earned a promotion from Castilla.

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  Huijsen and Militao: Madrid's reliable pairing

  Huijsen has already nailed his spot in the Madrid starting XI following some solid displays. Rudiger and Asencio featured alongside the former Bournemouth defender in the Club World Cup, with both defenders showing frequent lapses in concentration. However, since the start of the 2025-26 season, it has been Huijsen's partnership with Eder Militao which has given the highest sense of calm and authority in defence. The Brazilian, having suffered anterior cruciate ligament injuries twice in the previous two seasons, looks like a man on a mission, sometimes even outshining the ever-impressive Huijsen. 

• Rudiger has lost his starting place at Real Madrid

  According to a report from , Alonso is unconvinced by Rudiger's abilities, with the head coach believing that the German international has become extremely injury-prone and inconsistent. Indeed, a hamstring injury in September and subsequent operation means the ex-Chelsea man will remain on the sidelines until at least the start of December. Once he recovers, it is unlikely that he will displace either Huijsen or Militao in the heart of the defence, unless Alonso opts for a three-man defence. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  The end of Rudiger's time at Real Madrid?

  Rudiger's contract with Madrid expires next summer. Aware that he will turn 33 in March, and the fact that his role has been reduced to that of a backup, the club's hierarchy are not considering offering an extension to the two-time Champions League winner. Madrid are keen on freeing up space on their wage bill by offloading Rudiger, who currently earns an annual gross salary of €14m (£12m/$16.5m). 

  Moreover, the record La Liga and Champions League holders have been heavily linked with a move for Ibrahima Konate, who will become a free agent next summer. The likes of Marc Guehi and Dayot Upamecano are on Madrid's shortlist, too.

Pakistan, meanwhile, rode on half-centuries from Muneeba and Aliya to go to the top of the table

Firdose Moonda11-Apr-2025

West Indies survived a major scare against Ireland on their way to their first points of the Women’s World Cup Qualifier. Chasing 182 in a match reduced to 33 overs a side, Ireland were 57 for no loss in the 11th over, then lost 4 for 23 and needed 98 runs from 96 balls with six wickets in hand. The required rate ebbed and flowed as wickets fell, and at nine down, Ireland needed 26 from 23. That became 15 off 12 and eight off the last over, but Hayley Matthews once again had the decisive say and claimed the final wicket to finish with figures of 4 for 24.Ireland will rue their batting effort in the immediate aftermath, but once the dust has settled will know the game was lost in the field, where they dropped six catches and allowed West Indies to post a challenging target. At least in the batting department, West Indies had contributors other than Matthews as they shook off a slow start in the tournament, following defeat to Scotland two days ago, and criticism over the lack of contributions from other senior stars. This time, a pair of 46s from Stafanie Taylor and Chinelle Henry anchored the innings.Related

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Matthews did provide a rapid start. She hit five boundaries in the 18 balls she faced and was on 23 when Orla Prendagast dismissed her in the fifth over, taking a tumbling catch off her own bowling. Qiana Joseph followed in the next over when tried to hit her way out of trouble but skied Jane Maguire straight up for Arlene Kelly to take a simple catch. Joseph had already been dropped once in her short time at the crease.Zaida James could have gone cheaply for 2 but Ava Canning was unable to hold on and James went on to score a composed 36 off 54 balls and shared in an 87-run stand with Taylor, who was put down on 22. Just as the pair were looking settled, Maguire removed both in the same over. Taylor slashed at a wide ball and was caught at extra cover and James was undone by a slower ball and bowled.From there, Ireland could have run through West Indies’ middle order but they gave Henry chances on 1, 11 and 38 and had to content themselves with wickets at the other end. Henry finished unbeaten on 46 off 36 balls and hit the innings’ only six, and both she and West Indies seemed to have left some runs in the middle.That sentiment was confirmed with the way Ireland started. Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter put on 57 for the first wicket inside 11 overs before Matthews made a telling double-strike. She bowled Lewis with the fourth ball of her third over and then gave Prendagast a taste of her own medicine, taking a catch in her follow-through. Hunter was bowled 19 balls later for 48 by Afy Fletcher, and when Leah Paul fed Matthews a chance at slip, Ireland looked done and dusted.Laura Delany and Christina Coulter Reilly steadied them with a 42-run fifth-wicket stand and the game was slipping away from West Indies. Ramharack didn’t let it. She was at point when Delany cut with little control. The ball reached Ramharack at chest height and she held on. That wicket sparked another collapse as Ireland slipped to 146 for 7, but still stayed in the hunt.Matthews brought herself back at the death when Ireland needed 32 runs off 30 balls, and trapped Ava Canning lbw though the Irish No. 9 seemed to suggest she thought the ball was missing leg. A run-out off the next ball left Ireland teetering, and it was Matthews who had the final say when Arlene Kelly slashed her to Henry at long-on and left Ireland seven runs short of a first win over West Indies since 2003.File photo – Muneeba Ali’s 71 set up Pakistan’s successful chase of 187•Asian Cricket Council

In the day’s other match, also reduced (but to 32 overs a side), Pakistan secured a second win to go top of the points table and a step closer to the World Cup. They beat Scotland by six wickets, with eight balls to spare, in a batting display that started nervously and became more assured as it went on.Chasing 187, Pakistan’ were 36 for 2 in the eighth over after both Gull Feroza and Sidra Amin were out stumped, but half-centuries from Muneeba Ali and Aliya Riaz, who put on 93 for the third wicket, steered them towards victory. Muneeba’s passed 50 for just the fourth time in her 45-match career and her innings was crucial to Pakistan’s cause. She was particularly strong on the pull shot, scored at almost a run a ball – she finished with 71 off 72 – and combined well with Aliya. When Chloe Abel had Muneeba caught at mid-wicket trying to clear the inner ring, Scotland’s chances were all but gone. Though Fatima Sana was dismissed cheaply, Aliya (68* off 70) and Sidra Nawaz eased Pakistan to victory.Pakistan will also be fairly pleased with their bowling performance as only Kathryn Bryce and Aisla Lister put any real pressure on them. Sadia Iqbal and Diana Baig made the early breakthroughs and had Scotland in trouble on 17 for 2 before the Bryce sisters shared a 51-run third-wicket stand. After Sarah was dismissed for 21, Kathryn and Lister put on 55 and were separated by Sadia Iqbal, and only then did the captain see fit to bring herself on. Sana bowled from the 24th over and challenged Scotland’s middle and lower order with her yorkers, one of which bowled Megan McColl. Kathryn stood alone and delighted with excellent footwork and confident sweeping before her opposite number dismissed her nine short of a century. Sana picked up 4 for 23 in five overs.Pakistan have now won matches defending what seemed a below par score of 217 against Ireland and chasing what looked a tricky target of 187 in 32 overs against Scotland, and will feel ready for their big match against West Indies on Monday.

USMNT midfielder Malik Tillman found the net as Bayer Leverkusen battled Borussia Monchengladbach to a 1-1 draw in a Bundesliga clash on Sunday. The former PSV man broke open an otherwise drab affair with a tidy finish inside the box after 70 minutes. Fellow midfielder Gio Reyna came off the bench for Gladbach but was largely ineffective.

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  Tillman breaks open the game

  It seemed that Monchengladbach and Leverkusen were heading for a scoreless draw until Tillman broke the game open in the 70th minute. The U.S. midfielder needed a stroke of luck to score, but did so all the same.

  Striker Patrick Schick fluffed his lines inside the box, and the ball fell kindly to Tillman, who sent it home via the thigh of an opposing defender. It was his second Bundesliga goal for his new club.

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• Leverkusen throws away a late lead

  It seemed that would be enough for Leverkusen, who defended admirably after going ahead. However, they let the 1-0 lead slip late.

  Veteran striker Haris Tabakovic was allowed to ghost into the box late on, and nodded home a corner in the 92nd minute to grab an equalizer that wasn't quite deserved. Still, Leverkusen fell asleep, and failed to track the big Bosnian .

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  Reyna nothing more than late sub

  After starting last week – and appearing to gain the trust of former manager Gerardo Seoane – Reyna had few opportunities under interim boss Eugen Polanski. The former Hoffenheim head coach left Reyna on the bench, and granted him just 10 minutes of action. 

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• Draw in battle of new managers

  Both sides will likely take the point after a tense clash. Leverkusen made headlines two weeks ago when they elected to fire former Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag after less than two months in charge. Monchengladbach followed suit soon after by letting Seoane go after just three games. 

  Leverkusen's fixture list gets slightly easier, with St. Pauli, Union Berlin and Mainz all to come in the Bundesliga. Monchengladbach's slate is less kind. They play surprise Champions League contenders Frankfurt next week. 

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo deve contar novamente com Marçal no clássico diante com o Fluminense. O atleta, que não atuou na derrota por 3 a 2 diante do Athletico-PR, na Copa do Brasil, devido a questões físicas, está confirmado para o Clássico Vovô marcado para este sábado, às 18h30, no Nilton Santos.

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O técnico Luís Castro, porém, ainda tem dúvidas para montar a equipe que lutará pela manutenção da liderança da competição nacional.

+ Veja a tabela e os jogos da Série A do Brasileirão 2023

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

As dúvidas se voltam principalmente para o meio de campo alvinegro. A forte sequência física ainda deixa em aberto algumas vagas. Marlon Freitas e Tchê Tchê podem ter um descanso.

A provável escalação conta com: Lucas Perri; Di Plácido, Adryelson, Cuesta, Marçal; Marlon Freitas (Gabriel Pires), Tchê Tchê (Lucas Fernandes) e Eduardo; Júnior Santos, Tiquinho Soares e Victor Sá.

كشف هيثم حسن، لاعب ريال أوفيدو الإسباني، كواليس انضمامه المنتظر إلى صفوف منتخب مصر خلال الفترة المقبلة، في معسكر أكتوبر.

ويمتلك هيثم حسن، لاعب الفريق الإسباني، أصولًا مصرية وتونسية، لكنه يفضل الانضمام إلى صفوف الفراعنة.

ومن المنتظر أن يتواجد هيثم حسن في المعسكر المقبل، بعد التواصل معه من جانب مسؤولي اتحاد الكرة.

وقال هيثم حسن، في مداخلة لبرنامج “الكورة مع فايق”، على قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “تم التواصل معي عن طريق وكلائي والجهاز الفني السابق، وفي النهاية استطعنا أن نتفق سويًا، كان هناك اتصال بشكل مباشر ومتواصل لكي أنضم للمنتخب وهذا هو اختياري منذ البداية”.

وبسؤاله لماذا اخترت تمثيل منتخب مصر؟، تابع: “أنا لم أتوصل لاتفاق نهائي للانضمام للمنتخب المصري، ما زلت في مرحلة الاتفاق، فخور أنني مصري، لكن ما زال وكلائي في محادثات مع المسؤولين، كما أن ما زال أمامي الكثير وعلي تقديم أداء أفضل، لكني لم أتخذ حتى الآن القرار الرسمي لانضمامي لمنتخب مصر، وسأتخذ القرار بعد التشاور مع وكلائي”.

طالع مهاجم ريال أوفييدو يوجه نصيحة إلى هيثم حسن بعد تصريحات ضعف إنهاء الهجمات

وبسؤاله، هل هناك طلبات معينة تسعى للاتفاق عليها مع وكلائك وهل أنت وضعت شرطًا بتمثيل منتخب مصر الأول وليس المنتخب الثاني بقيادة حلمي طولان؟، كشف: “لا لم يكن لدي أي شروط بالطبع، ليس لدي شروط نهائيًا، سأكون فخورًا بتمثيل منتخب مصر، كما قلت أنا على تواصل مستمر مع المسؤولين، وأنا أحترم حسام حسن كثيرًا، وأؤكد أنه ليس هناك شروطًا، ولن أقوم بالطبع باختيار المدير الفني للمنتخب، ليس لدي أي شروط”.

ورد على سؤال متى ستحسم موقفك من الانضمام لمنتخب مصر؟: “لا أعلم، ولكن أعتقد أنه في القريب العاجل بالطبع، أنا الآن في مسيرتي علي التركيز جيدًا، كما أن كأس الأمم وكأس العالم اقتربا وعلي اتخاذ القرار سريعًا، وبالطبع سأتخذ القرار قريبًا لكن لا أعلم متى بالتحديد”.

وعن توقعاته لمباراة القمة بين الأهلي والزمالك وهل يتابع المباريات الكبيرة في الدوري المصري؟، اختتم: “لكي أكون صريحًا فأنا لا أعلم سوى الأهلي والزمالك وهما من كبار الأندية الإفريقية، والدي مُشجع قديم لـ الزمالك، وأنا سوف أتبع والدي وأقول أنني أشجع والدي، لكني أتمنى التوفيق لجميع الفرق، وأعلم أن الدوري المصري يضم عددًا كبيرًا من الأندية الكبيرة”.

Australia’s women’s T20 world champions want to pile on the runs in Brisbane before heading “into the unknown” to defend their title in Dubai

AAP23-Sep-2024

Australia have banned the pre-game activity that threatened to derail Ashleigh Gardner’s T20 World Cup as the allrounder challenged her side’s batters to fill their boots in the third T20I against New Zealand in Brisbane on Tuesday.Gardner missed the series opener against New Zealand in Mackay last Thursday after colliding with team-mate Georgia Wareham attempting to catch a soft “Vortex” ball in a warm-up drill.The reigning Belinda Clark Medallist initially laughed off the incident before leaving the ground in tears, fearing an eighth career concussion as she was ruled out of the contest.Related

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She was cleared though and returned on Sunday with a Player-of the-Match effort, her 3 for 16 the headline act of a disciplined bowling performance in a 29-run win over New Zealand.The 27-year-old saw a neuropsychologist in 2018 after suffering four concussions in the space of 20 months.”It’s been nice to get back out there after a weird occasion, a head collision in a warm-up,” she said. “It was weird to wrap my head around, but I’ve felt really good the last couple of days.”I’ve had a lot of head knocks in the past; I know when I am concussed and when I’m not.”There was no sign of the Vortex before Sunday’s game, Gardner confirming their pre-match routine had been tweaked.”That’s the end of the Vortex for the rest of the tour,” she said.Ashleigh Gardner returned three wickets after missing the opening game due to a concussion scare•Getty Images

Usually happy to chase, captain Alyssa Healy opted to bat first on Sunday and force her team to set the pace ahead of next month’s World Cup defence in Dubai.Healy (38 off 25) got off to a flyer but Australia’s innings stalled, the hosts recording their worst collapse in the format when they lost their last seven wickets for 28 runs as Amelia Kerr returned career-best figures of 4 for 20.A total of 142 proved more than enough thanks to Australia’s bowlers. But Gardner wants to see improvements in their final hit-out in Brisbane on Tuesday before flying to the UAE.”There’s still a lot left in the tank; hopefully in this last game if we do bat first we can put a massive total on the board,” she said.She said there were no excuses given the side’s incredible batting depth meant Annabel Sutherland entered at the fall of the sixth wicket.”Sutherland at eight is pretty ridiculous,” she said. “Going into conditions like Dubai, we haven’t played there before [for Australia] so we’re kind of going into the unknown a little bit.”But knowing we have a defendable total like 140, we know our bowling unit is good enough to restrict them”The skill we possess, in all facets… it was pretty clinical.”

تحدث مارتن برايثوايت مهاجم برشلونة السابق، عن طريقة رحيل الأسطورة الأرجنتينية ليونيل ميسي من برشلونة، قبل أن ينضم لباريس سان جيرمان في 2021.

ويعتقد مهاجم برشلونة وإسبانيول السابق أن قائد المنتخب الأرجنتيني لم يكن يستحق الرحيل عن برشلونة بهذه الطريقة، حيث لم ينجح خوان لابورتا رئيس النادي بالوفاء بوعده وتجديد عقد اللاعب.

وقد أعرب برايثوايت عن أمله في عودة ليونيل ميسي إلى برشلونة في أقرب وقت للاعتزال في النادي، ويلعب النجم الأرجنتيني حالياً مع نادي إنتر ميامي الأمريكي وقد حقق معهم بطولتي كأس الدوريات ودرع المشجعين الأمريكي.

اقرأ أيضاً.. لامين يامال يثير أزمة بين برشلونة والاتحاد الإسباني بعد تصريحات فليك

وكان ليونيل ميسي قد غادر برشلونة عام 2021 كلاعب حر بعد أن عجز بطل الدوري الإسباني عن تجديد عقده قبل أن ينتقل لبطل دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وذكر برايتوايت في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “سبورتسكيدا”: “كان الأمر غريباً لأنه حدث فجأة، كنا جميعاً نتوقع تجديده، وكان كل شئ جاهزاً لتجديد العقد وفجأة غادر النادي”.

وختم: “ليونيل شخص محبوب جداً ويساعدنا ونشعر بالراحة معه، كان هادئاً جداً، أما بالنسبة لميسي كلاعب فلا أعتقد أنني بحاجة لقول أي شئ، لم يستحق ذلك وآمل أن يلعب مباراته الأخيرة في مسيرته هناك لأنه يستحقها حقاً”.

Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, and the Chicago Bulls legend once told a football superstar they shared the same status in their respective sports, even above Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Since bursting onto the global stage in the mid 2000s, Messi and Ronaldo have dominated the world of football. The Argentina and Portugal legends have won 13 Ballon d’Ors between them – eight of which belong to Messi – while scoring a combined 1,804 goals.

“It was spectacular and a great memory for everyone who enjoys soccer,” Messi said recently of his competition with the Real Madrid and Manchester United legend.

Ronaldo has also been full of praise for his long-time rival: “Amazing player, is magic, top. As a person, we share the stage 16 years, imagine, 16 years, we share.”

Who has won the most Ballon d'Ors in football history?

Player

Ballon d’Ors

Years won

Lionel Messi

8

2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023

Cristiano Ronaldo

5

2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017

Michel Platini

3

1983, 1984, 1985

Johan Cruyff

3

1971, 1973, 1974

Marco van Basten

3

1988, 1989, 1992

Franz Beckenbauer

2

1972, 1976

Ronaldo Nazario

2

1997, 2002

Alfredo di Stefano

2

1957, 1959

Kevin Keegan

2

1978, 1979

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

2

1980, 1981

Not only have the pair dominated the individual honours, they have also led their clubs to incredible periods of superiority. Ronaldo tops the UEFA Champions League scoring charts with 141 and won the competition five times during his time in Europe, while Messi is not far behind with 129 goals and four winners medals to his name.

Success on the continental stage is often considered the benchmark for greatness in football, but NBA superstar Michael Jordan thinks differently, once telling an iconic player who never won Europe’s elite competition that he is the ‘MJ of soccer’.

Michael Jordan names the greatest football player of all time

Jordan, who won six NBA titles during his time with the Chicago Bulls, is known to be a football fan and is often spotted at Paris Saint-Germain games due to his brand’s collaboration with the club.

But despite his connection to one of the Messi’s former teams, Jordan once told Ronaldo Nazario, often referred to as ‘R9’, that they share a similar status. The Brazil striker revealed the compliment after the pair met at Nike’s headquarters in Oregon, USA.

Messi himself called Jordan the greatest athlete of all time, so his opinion certainly holds some weight, and the Inter Miami star also once revealed that Ronaldo is actually his own favourite player: “Ronaldo Nazario was a phenomenom. Of all the strikers I have seen, for me he was the best. An impressive player from any aspect.”

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While Ronaldo never won the Champions League, he was crowned the best player in the world at the Ballon d’Or ceremony on two occasions, and his performance at the 2002 World Cup is one of the greatest sporting accomplishments of all time, returning from a serious knee injury to lead his team to victory.

“Without Ronaldo, Brazil were a shambles, fortunate even to get to the tournament,” South American football writer Tim Vickery wrote, as the then 25 year-old scored eight times en route to a famous triumph, including both goals in the final.

Although injuries cut his career short, there is no doubt Ronaldo’s ability to drag his team through matches almost single-handedly makes him comparable to Jordan.