Latest news with #2010WorldCup
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Greatest football team of all time decided as fans vote for legendary side
Manchester United's 1999 Treble-winning side have been voted the greatest football team of all time in a poll of 2,000 football fans - with a mix of club and international sides making up the top 20 Manchester United's legendary 1999 'Treble Winners' side has been crowned the greatest football team of all time, edging out Pep Guardiola's tika-taka masters Barcelona for the top honour in an ultimate fan vote. Pep Guardiola's mesmerising Barcelona, spearheaded by the likes of Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta, were narrowly beaten to the summit of footballing greatness by the iconic '99 Manchester United squad. Brazil's style-masters of the 1970 World Cup complete the prestigious top three, staking their claim as another unforgettable international powerhouse. Liverpool's dominant era from 1975 to 1984 claimed fourth place, adding yet another trophy of sorts to their already crowded cabinet of glory throughout that decade. Fans can now delve into hypothetical battles with a knockout format featuring the top 16 teams, pitting these legendary sides against each other to determine the champ of champs. According to a poll involving 2,000 fervent football fans, the pantheon of all-time greats includes both celebrated club sides and national teams, with Real Madrid appearing twice amongst the top 20. Featuring also are Arsenal's iconic 'Invincibles' and Manchester City's recent treble winners, flying the flag for English football's finest hours. OLBG, seizing on this moment of passionate debate, put them head-to-head in a bespoke knockout tool, inviting supporters to play out their own fantasy finals. OLBG's football aficionado Jake Ashton remarked: "There have been some incredible teams for both club and country over the years." He mused on the nature of footballing success, saying: "Domestic sides often have periods of dominance, lasting as long as five or six years at a time, but international sides usually shine at one particular tournament. "With things like the World Cup's global audience, it's little surprise Brazil's 1970s heyday is still so fondly remembered." Other teams that made the top 20 list include Spain's dominant side from 2008-2012, which swept up European Championships and the 2010 World Cup. France's squad from 1998 to 2000, which clinched both World and European titles, was also featured. Seven out of ten respondents felt that at least one of the teams listed has greatly influenced their love for football. This is either because they were a delight to watch (73%), their teamwork was inspiring (66%) or they had a distinctive style of play (60%). In a separate query, fans weighed in on the perennial club versus country debate, with 44% favouring club competitions over international matches. The tradition and history of these teams (48%) emerged as the main reasons for this preference, based on findings from The domestic game also tugged at supporters' heartstrings, with 36% opting for their club team to win a trophy over 26% who would choose their country's success if faced with the decision. Fans predict a tight contest in a hypothetical match between the best international team and the top domestic 11, with the club side narrowly winning the vote (41% vs 39%). When asked about the key elements that make a truly great team, fans pointed to skill and talent (64%), exceptional teamwork (61%), and consistency (56%) as the most crucial factors. Jake Ashton from OLBG commented: "Trying to agree on the best football team of all time is one of the great debates that unites and divides fans in equal measure. "Whether you grew up watching the dominance of Brazil in 1970, the flair of Barcelona under Guardiola, or the invincibility of Arsenal's 2003-04 squad, everyone's got a strong opinion - and that's what makes it so much fun. " Football isn't just about stats or trophies - it's about memories, passion and the moments that made us fall in love with the game." THE TOP 20 FOOTBALL TEAMS OF ALL TIME: Manchester United (1998-99) - Historic Treble winners Barcelona (2008-12) - The Guardiola era of dominance Brazil (1970) - World Cup champions with a lasting legacy Liverpool (1975-84) - A decade of unparalleled success Real Madrid (1955-60) - Five consecutive European Cup titles Spain (2008-12) - Euro and World Cup winners with a golden generation Arsenal (2003-2004) - The 'Invincibles' with an unbeaten season Manchester City (2022-2023) - Treble winners with a record-breaking season Manchester United (1966-1968) - Domestic league and European Cup champions Real Madrid (1984-1990) - Five successive league titles with a star-studded team France (1998-2000) - World and Euro champions with a talented squad Manchester City (2017-2018) - A record-breaking 100-point season Brazil (1982) - Attacking flair and innovation with the 4-2-2-2 formation Barcelona (1993-94) - League winners and European finalists under Cruyff AC Milan (1988-90) - "The Immortals" with back-to-back European Cup titles Nottingham Forest (1978-80) - "Miracle Men" with consecutive European Cup wins Bayern Munich (1973-76) - European Cup hat-trick with a dominant team Ajax (1971-73) - Three-time European Cup winners with Total Football West Germany (1972-74) - Euro and World Cup winners with a strong squad France (1982-1986) - The 'Magic Square' midfield and European Championship winners.
eNCA
02-07-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
What Went Wrong In SA After 2010 World Cup
Dan Corder on Trevor Noah | What Went Wrong In SA After 2010 World Cup
Qatar Tribune
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
New Madrid coach Xabi Alonso hails return ‘home' but plans new era
DPA Madrid New Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso aims to bind his connection to the history of the club with a new era of dominance. 'It's certainly a very special day that I'll be marking in my diary for the rest of my life. I feel at home here and I'm happy to be here,' an emotional Alonso said on Monday during his presentation in the Spanish capital. 'The connection to Madrid has always been there and this feeling has been rekindled.' The former Bayer Leverkusen coach replaces Brazil-bound Carlo Ancelotti and will officially take up the post on June 1, ahead of the Club World Cup in the US from mid-June. Ancelotti coached Alonso during his first spell as Madrid coach and also at Bayern Munich. 'I will not forget Carlo. He was a coach who moulded me, a great person. I take over from him with honour and pride and hope that I can live up to expectations,' said Alonso. 'It's the start of a new era.' Madrid president Florentino Pérez said Alonso was one of the 'greatest legends' of Spanish football having won the 2010 World Cup, two European Championships, the 2014 Champions League at Madrid and trophies at Liverpool and Bayern before turning to coaching and giving Leverkusen their first Bundesliga title. 'You are returning to take on one of the greatest challenges of your life,' Pérez added. Alonso, who won a league and cup double while going unbeaten domestically with Leverkusen last season, finished second to Bayern this term. He is being replaced by Dutchman Erik ten Hag.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Liverpool keeper Reina sent off in his final game
Former Liverpool and Aston Villa goalkeeper Pepe Reina was sent off in his last match before retiring as his Como side lost 2-0 to Serie A runners-up Inter Milan. Reina, 42, had announced the final league match of the campaign would be the end of his 25-year career, which saw him win silverware at Liverpool, Napoli and Bayern Munich and be a part of the Spain squad that won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships. With Inter leading 1-0, Reina was shown a straight red card after he ran outside his penalty area and clipped the heel of Inter's Mehdi Taremi with the goalkeeper dismissed after a check by the video assistant referee (VAR). Inter's win was not enough as Napoli's 2-0 home victory over Cagliari gave Antonio Conte's side the Serie A title. Netherlands defender Stefan de Vrij headed Inter into a half-time lead and Joaquin Correa struck early in the second period. Defending champions Inter, who face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League final next Saturday, needed leaders Napoli to slip up, but the Naples club's victory leaves them on 82 points, one ahead of Inter on 81. Reina came through Barcelona's academy into their first team before moving to Villarreal and then on to Liverpool in 2005. During nine seasons at Anfield, he won the FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Super Cup and played in the 2007 Champions League final as the Reds lost to AC Milan. He also won the Coppa Italia with Napoli and the German Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and helped Aston Villa reach the League Cup final in 2020. After spells at Lazio in Italy and Villarreal in Spain, Reina joined Cesc Fabregas' Como side in July.
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Steven Gerrard in emotional message as Rangers keeper Jack Butland reacts to classy send off
The 44-year-old is the heavy favourite to make a stunning return to Ibrox as boss Steven Gerrard has taken to social media to praise retiring former Liverpool team-mate Pepe Reina. The former Rangers spent nine years at Anfield with the goalkeeper who has decided to hang up his gloves at the age of 42. Reina was most recently at Italian Serie A side Como and will now become a youth coach at Villarreal. And after the announcement, Gerrard - odds-on to return to Ibrox as boss - took to Instagram to praise him, with Rangers keeper Jack Butland one of the first to like it. Gerrard wrote: 'Congratulations on your incredible career and journey Pepe Reina. 'It was a pleasure not only to play alongside you but also to share many years together at Liverpool. 'A leader, standard setter and a top, top goalkeeper. Enjoy your time till you decide your next challenge. 'All the best Rossi La… what a guy.' Reina will bring the curtain down on his career when Como play the final game of their campaign when they host Inter Milan in Serie A on Friday. The keeper came through the Barcelona academy, was part of the Spain squad which won the 2010 World Cup and the European Championship in 2008 and 2012. He joined Liverpool from Villarreal in 2005 and won the FA Cup and League Cup with the Reds as he also claimed the Premier League Golden Glove award - given to the top-flight keeper with the most clean sheets - three seasons in a row from 2005-06. Reina made 394 appearances for Liverpool before leaving in 2014 and going on to have spells at Bayern Munich, Napoli, AC Milan, Aston Villa, Lazio, Villarreal and Como. He played the 1,000th competitive game of his career in 2023 when he turned out for Villarreal in 2023. He said: 'A very beautiful career is coming to an end, a very full life. I feel very fortunate for what I've experienced. I didn't expect it, but I think the time has come and I feel like bringing it to a close here."
