Latest news with #EuropeanTrophy
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Official: Barcelona icon announces retirement from football
Former Barcelona midfielder and club icon Ivan Rakitic has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37. The Croatian ace took to Instagram to confirm his decision as he posted a farewell video with a message. Advertisement In the video, the former midfielder said: 'Dear football, you've been a part of my life from the very first day. 'From the pitches of Mohlin, my hometown in Switzerland, to the biggest stadiums in the world, you were always there. 'You gave me my first opportunity at FC Basel. I was just a kid, but you made me believe that anything was possible. And that was only the beginning. 'At Schalke 04, I grew with you. It was my first time away from home, and I learned to face new challenges, new cultures, and new lessons. You made me stronger, and that growth opened new doors.' 'That's how I arrived at Sevilla FC. And there, I experienced something different. You gave me so much more, you gave me a home. I had the honor of being captain, of lifting my first European trophy, and most importantly, that's where I met the love of my life.' 'Thanks to you, I found my partner, the mother of my daughters. And just when I thought I had lived it all, you surprised me again. Then came Barça.' 'You made me live a dream I wouldn't have dared to imagine. I played alongside the best, lifted trophies, and lived magical nights at Camp Nou. You gave me the privilege of becoming a part of your history. 'But you didn't stop there. You let me return to Sevilla to close the circle, to say thank you, to feel at home once again… and to win again. Talking about his stint in the Middle East, Rakitic wrote: 'When I least expected it, you took me to a new place with a new rhythm and a new way of experiencing you – Al Shabab. It was a special and proud chapter, where I made lifelong friends. Advertisement 'And as if you knew how much it meant to me, you gave me one last unforgettable chapter. Returning to my roots, playing for the first time in Croatia, representing Hajduk Split… It was an experience I'll carry with me forever. 'But above all, you gave me the greatest honor of all. Wearing my country's jersey. Representing Croatia. For a small country like ours, reaching the World Cup final is more than just a sporting achievement, it was an eternal moment, a gift to an entire nation.' 'Football, you gave me more than I ever dreamed of. You gave me friends, emotions, joy, and tears. You gave me a whole life, a life I'll carry with pride. Now it's time to say goodbye. 'Because even if I walk away from you, I know you'll never walk away from me. Thank you, football.' Rakitic spent six years at Barcelona between 2014 and 2020. During that period, he made 310 appearances for the club, scoring 35 goals. He won four La Liga titles, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, two Spanish Super Cups, and four Copa del Rey titles. Advertisement Barça themselves posted a message on social media following Rakitic's announcement, which read as follows. 'Football will miss you, Ivan. We wish you the best in this new stage of your life.' Farewell, legend!
BBC News
02-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Do West Ham struggle to attract 'big name' players? Transfer window Q&A
BBC Sport's football reporters have been taking questions all day, including chief football news reporter Simon in Leeds asked: Given the size of our fan base and stadium, being a London club, and having recently won a European trophy, why do West Ham struggle to attract and afford bigger-name players? Is our board to blame for the way it runs things?Simon answered: Hiya Andy. I am not sure what you mean by 'big names'. West Ham spent a lot of money on Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta etc. What they can't do is spend lots of money on players who are going to sit on the bench (they have spent a lot on players who ended up sitting on the bench but that is different).West Ham did win a European trophy and under David Moyes qualified for Europe for three seasons in a row. But that was something they had never done before in their entire history - and in two of their last three seasons, they have finished 14th, which is around where they have tended to finish.I have always felt there was potential for growth at West Ham - but competition in the Premier League is harder than its ever been. Newcastle and Aston Villa are similar sized clubs but have qualified for the Champions League under relatively new and hugely ambitious owners. West Ham have lost the momentum they had under Moyes. They can get it back under Graham Potter but it takes more of the Q&A with our reporters
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Am I dreaming?'
Am I dreaming?Did Brennan Johnson really bundle the ball over the line? Is Micky van de Ven secretly an acrobat? Has Ange Postecoglou just completed the most spectacular mic-drop of all time?Let's be honest - it was not an enjoyable watch... until it it was substitutes and staff sprinting onto the pitch to jump, cheer and dance with the rest of the fans were crying tears of joy and relief, and there were limbs and drinks Son Heung-min was lifting the trophy, accidentally cutting his head on it, and sobbing all the happy tears onto his dad's I am not dreaming. A Tottenham Hotspur captain has lifted a European trophy once again – and the consequences are is a victory of epic proportions – not simply because it has come after 17 years of trophy-less seasons – because of what it signals for the future of our now have a winning foundation to build upon. It does not mean all the old issues suddenly disappear, but it does mean that the mood shifts, that we shrug off that 'Spursy' tag, that we know what it takes – and how it feels – to be also means Champions League football and more money to who will be in charge to benefit from all of this next season remains to be seen – and the fanbase seems more divided than ever about it after Wednesday way, Ange has delivered what no other manager could for too long – and for that we should all be moments have not come around very often for us Spurs fans and so, whatever the future holds, let's enjoy the here and glory, Tottenham more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
World Football Ange Postecoglou: Australia's path-finder
Ange Postecoglou is the first coach from outside Europe or South America to win a European trophy, but what does that achievement mean for Australian football? Former Australia goalkeeper Mark Bosnich and journalist Michael Lynch tell World Football's Mani Djazmi about the significance in the context of Australian sport, and chart Postecoglou's rise from immigrant to European winner. Photo: Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, celebrates with the UEFA Europa League trophy after his team's victory in the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Credit: UEFA via Getty Images)
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'What scenes and limbs' - commentator cam as Spurs win Europa League
"The long wait is over, Tottenham players drop to their knees and the substitutes spill onto the pitch."Relive the winning moment as Tottenham claim their first European trophy in 41 years on BBC Radio 5 Live with Ian Dennis.
