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Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona sensation reveals his wishes for his 18th birthday
As Lamine Yamal's 18th birthday approaches on July 13, the FC Barcelona winger has laid out ambitious plans for the upcoming year. Speaking in the newly released Inside Barça documentary on Barça One, the young sensation opened up about his growth while highlighting his goals for next season and beyond. Advertisement Yamal, who played a key role in Barcelona's domestic treble this past season, is already looking ahead to greater triumphs: 'At 18, I ask for everything I had at 16 and 17, plus the title I'm missing and the World Cup. I don't think about the many years I have left to play, I want to win now. 'I tell the Cules that we will fight and that the Champions League will surely come home,' he said (h/t MARCA). Yamal and the Barcelona team were quite unlucky to miss out on the Champions League final this past season, as they lost narrowly to Inter Milan in the semis. The Spain international, fresh off Nations League duty, believes he still has massive room to improve, simply due to his age. Advertisement 'Because of my age, I'll improve every year because my body will grow and the difference with other opponents will be more noticeable. I'll be more comfortable on the pitch,' he said. Lamine Yamal is ready to win more titles with Barcelona (Photo by) The Barcelona documentary chronicles the final stretch of the 2024/25 campaign, highlighting the Copa del Rey and La Liga triumphs. Perhaps the biggest highlight of Barcelona's season was the win over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final. Talking about the memorable win, Yamal said, 'Losing a final at the beginning of the year against our biggest rival would have been difficult, but coming out on top was very good for the team.' Advertisement He also opened up about his experience in the Copa del Rey final: 'It was the first match in which I truly struggled, although I also enjoyed it.' However, the youngster most fondly remembers Barcelona's sheer dominance against Real Madrid last season, with the Catalans winning all four matches across all competitions. 'Winning against Real Madrid is always something very special, something you dream about since you're a kid. The team is very competitive; we've proven that. 'In the Clasico, you have extra motivation, and we left the Whites without touching the ball for 25 minutes in our own half. At Camp Nou, it will be even easier for people to come and enjoy it,' he concluded. Already regarded as one of Barcelona's most important players, Yamal has recently signed a contract extension at the club, which will be ratified when he turns 18 this summer.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Lionel Messi gets stand named after him at club he never played for as fans are left baffled
Lionel Messi's new stand could do with a bit of maintenance OH BOY Lionel Messi gets stand named after him at club he never played for as fans are left baffled LIONEL MESSI saw a football club naming a stand after him... even though he never played for that team. Messi, 38, is considered by many as the greatest player of all time after winning a record eight Ballon d'Or honours throughout his glittering 21-year career. Advertisement 5 A football club named one of its stands after Lionel Messi 5 Newell's Old Boys gave Messi the ultimate honour 5 That is despite the fact Messi never played for Newell's Old Boys 5 Fans were frustrated with that decision and many complained about the paint job The star forward's brilliant legacy was carved out at Barcelona where he spent 17 successful years that saw him winning 10 LaLiga titles, seven Copa del Rey honours and four Champions League trophies. The Argentina captain didn't enjoy the same level of success at Paris Saint-Germain where he played for two years after his heartbreaking exit from Barca in 2021. And now the Inter Miami superstar is enjoying the winter of his career in the MLS where he has fallen off the radar despite a string of impressive performances for David Beckham's club. But it was Newell's Old Boys that gave Messi the ultimate honour by naming one of their stadium's stands after him. Advertisement The Argentine great has history with the club as he joined their academy at the age of eight and spent five years within their youth ranks before moving to Barcelona esteemed La Masia set up. However, the legendary footballer never picked up a senior appearance with the Argentinean outfit. Nevertheless, Messi has always been a fan of the club and has repeatedly expressed his support. Old Boys issued photos of their new stand on social media and added the following caption: "Our home. The house of football history." Advertisement CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Some fans were left baffled and expressed frustration with the club for honouring a player that never competed for the team at senior level - even if it is someone of Messi's caliber. And a section of the fanbase was also angry with the powers that be as they didn't bother to repaint the bottom part of the stand. Watch Messi score stunning free-kick as Inter Miami stun Porto 2-1m One fan tweeted: "@Grok how many senior appearances has Lionel Messi made for Newells Old Boys?" Advertisement Another commented: "I thought it was us messing around, but no, they're just that clueless." A third wrote: "Can you give me the info on the number of official goals scored by Messi?" This fan said: "How sloppy, they didn't even paint below!! No wonder Messi didn't even thank them." And that one stated: "I feel second-hand embarrassment." Advertisement
Business Upturn
2 days ago
- Sport
- Business Upturn
Who is Gonzalo Garcia? The 21‑year‑old striker sparks Real Madrid's revival
Madrid has completed the qualification to the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 after their 3-0 win over RB Salzburg. Real Madrid's FIFA Club World Cup campaign kicked off in Miami with a dramatic 1–1 draw against Al‑Hilal, but it was 21‑year‑old academy standout Gonzalo García who stole the spotlight, scoring Madrid's opener in what may turn out to be a defining moment in his early senior career. In his first senior start under new coach Xabi Alonso, and with Kylian Mbappé sidelined by illness, García took full advantage of the opportunity. At the 34th minute mark, he finished a swift counter started by Rodrygo, calmly chipping the ball past the Al‑Hilal goalkeeper to give Real Madrid the lead . His finish, though not the cleanest, showcased a composure beyond his years. Advertisement Born in Madrid in March 2004, García has been nurtured through Real's famed La Fábrica academy since 2014, with a brief stint at Mallorca before returning to climb the ranks to Castilla. In his breakthrough season (2024–25), he netted 25 goals in 36 appearances for the reserves, earning himself a promotion and catching the senior squad's attention. Earlier this year, he grabbed the headlines by scoring a dramatic late winner in the Copa del Rey quarter‑finals .
Evening Standard
2 days ago
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Who is Cristhian Mosquera? Why Arsenal FC fans should be excited 'as transfer talks begin'
Mosquera has established himself as one of La Liga's best young centre-backs, having made his senior debut for Valencia in January 2022 against Atletico Baleares in a 1-0 Copa del Rey win. He made his top-flight bow just three days later against Sevilla in a 1-1 draw, becoming the fourth-youngest player to feature for Valencia in La Liga.
Metro
2 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Xabi Alonso reveals why Arsenal target Rodrygo was dropped from Real Madrid team
Xabi Alonso has explained Rodrygo was left out of his Real Madrid team for 'technical' reasons as speculation over a move to Arsenal continues to grow. The Brazil international has emerged as a top transfer target for the Gunners if he decides to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer. Real are currently competing in the Club World Cup in the United States with Rodrygo providing the assist in their 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal in their opening group match. It was his first appearances for the club since being replaced at half-time in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona in April. Spanish reports claimed Rodrygo was desperate to leave the club at the end of their La Liga campaign but the arrival of Xabi Alonso as new head coach appeared to smooth over the issue. But doubts over the winger's future remerged after he was left out of the team Sunday night in the win over Mexican outfit Pachuca, remaining on the bench as an unused substitute. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Explaining his decision, Alonso insisted Rodrygo will be in contention to return to the side for the final group game against RB Salzburg this week. 'He looks good, enthusiastic,' Alonso said. 'The other day [against Pachuca] was a technical decision but he's still important, he's a special player. I think he'll play an important part at the Club World Cup.' Alonso has stated on more than one occasion since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen that Rodrygo is part of his plans moving forward in the Spanish capital. But reports suggests he is still to be given firm guarantees over his role in the team. Arsenal believe they can tempt the 24-year-old to north London with Mikel Arteta keen on another wide option who can offer a different threat down the left and offer cover to Bukayo Saka on the right. Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes meanwhile has urged the Gunners to sign his 'phenomenal' countryman. More Trending During his appearance on the Podpah Podcast, Gabriel was asked if he knows whether Arsenal will sign Rodrygo this summer. 'I don't. No, I don't, not really,' Gabriel replied. 'But I'd like obviously. Rodrygo is a phenomenon, for me. He's not at Arsenal… If it depended on me, I've told people already, he's a phenomenon. 'His name is mentioned a lot. If it was up to me, of course.' MORE: The reason Mikel Arteta wanted to sign Christian Norgaard instead of £20m target MORE: Man Utd star sent warning over his future as Bryan Mbeumo transfer looms MORE: Man Utd set new transfer fee for Chelsea to sign Alejandro Garnacho
