Latest news with #No.66
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool told they're to blame for Trent Alexander-Arnold's bitter Anfield exit
Trent Alexander-Arnold's 21-year stay at Liverpool ended in sour fashion as he joined Real Madrid this summer, and one former Red blames the club for not acting sooner Former Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson has blamed the club for failing to tie Trent Alexander-Arnold down to a new deal prior to his Real Madrid transfer. The academy graduate ended his 21-year association with the Reds this summer and moved to Spain after failing to agree fresh terms. Word first emerged in 2024 that Real were interested in signing the 26-year-old as a long-term solution at right-back. It was confirmed in May that two-time Premier League champion Alexander-Arnold would indeed leave Anfield, and Los Blancos snapped up his signature for £8.4million one month later. Despite being born and raised in Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold was condemned by some sections of the Liverpool support. One fan went viral after posting a video burning the player's No. 66 shirt, while Alexander-Arnold was booed by certain supporters before and during a clash against Arsenal in May. But Johnson, who made 200 appearances for Liverpool between 2009 and 2015, has said it's the club's fault their star got away. And their failure to act sooner now means local lad Alexander-Arnold's reputation has been tainted, as far as many supporters are concerned. "It's hard to say," Johnson told Mirror Sport (via 888sport) when asked if he would have done the same in Alexander-Arnold's shoes. "But look, if Madrid come for players, everyone's ears prick up. And Trent's won everything at Liverpool. He's been there many years. "I think Liverpool should never have allowed him to have that option. You know, he should have signed a deal two years before. And then we don't have this conversation. So, you can't blame the player when he hasn't got a contract. What can he do? "He hasn't got a contract, and he's four months away from signing for Real Madrid for free. Every player's going to think, 'Well, look, you should have given me a contract years ago and looked after me. And you haven't.' So, this is what happens." Liverpool also came dangerously close to seeing club stalwarts Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk also leave the club this summer. However, the Reds managed to tie down each of those talismans on new deals at the 11th hour. Reports indicated Liverpool did try and convince Alexander-Arnold to stay with multiple contract offers. And it's understood the player would have been one of the highest-earning full-backs in world football had he signed the best of those. By then, though, it appears the damage was done after Real advanced their operation to recruit the England regular. And the promise of joining close pal and international team-mate Jude Bellingham in Spain's capital apparently proved too tempting to turn down. Liverpool's infrastructure, recruitment and acumen in maintaining squad harmony has often been the envy of most other clubs over the past decade or so. Fenway Sports Group have repeatedly reaped the benefits of stellar appointments with managers, board members and backroom staff, revolutionising their status as regular title contenders as a result. However, the case of Alexander-Arnold and how external forces were permitted to get their claws in may go down as one of their poorer case studies. And it's Johnson's belief a little more initiative in recognising the player's value sooner could have avoided one of their most dramatic transfer sagas in the modern age. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
66 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.66?
The Houston Texans are less than 100 days away from kicking off the 2025 season in Los Angeles against the Rams at SoFi Stadium and we're counting down the days until a victory ensues on the west coast. Texans Wire will each day tell you which player has worn the number of the day leading up to kickoff and pick the player who ensured the number best during their time at NRG Stadium. As for today, let's take a look at who has won No. 66 since the inaugural season in 2002. Advertisement Texans players to wear No. 66 No. 66 currently belongs to no one. That doesn't mean someone won't wear it this year, but it would likely come after roster cutdowns with a new addition off waivers. OL Cole Toner (2021) OL Nick Martin (2016-2020) OT Andrew Gardner (2011-2013) DL Deljuan Robinson (2007-2010) Best Player: Nick Martin While Martin ended up becoming a liability in pass protection, he was the starting center for a majority of the Texans' success in the Deshaun Watson era. Drafted in the second round out of Notre Dame in 2017, the brother of All-Pro Zach Martin started 62 games over four seasons for the Texans before leaving in free agency after the 2020 season. Houston made two postseason appearances and won a pair of division titles while Martin hiked balls to Watson, so that has to count for something. Meanwhile, Toner spent most of his lone season in Houston on the injured reserve, while Gardner and Robinson were depth pieces. Advertisement It's really a moot point to argue anyone other than Martin, even though his tenure ended with one of the worst seasons in franchise history. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: 66 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.66?
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
66 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.66?
The Houston Texans are less than 100 days away from kicking off the 2025 season in Los Angeles against the Rams at SoFi Stadium and we're counting down the days until a victory ensues on the west coast. Texans Wire will each day tell you which player has worn the number of the day leading up to kickoff and pick the player who ensured the number best during their time at NRG Stadium. As for today, let's take a look at who has won No. 66 since the inaugural season in 2002. Texans players to wear No. 66 No. 66 currently belongs to no one. That doesn't mean someone won't wear it this year, but it would likely come after roster cutdowns with a new addition off waivers. Best Player: Nick Martin While Martin ended up becoming a liability in pass protection, he was the starting center for a majority of the Texans' success in the Deshaun Watson era. Drafted in the second round out of Notre Dame in 2017, the brother of All-Pro Zach Martin started 62 games over four seasons for the Texans before leaving in free agency after the 2020 season. Houston made two postseason appearances and won a pair of division titles while Martin hiked balls to Watson, so that has to count for something. Meanwhile, Toner spent most of his lone season in Houston on the injured reserve, while Gardner and Robinson were depth pieces. It's really a moot point to argue anyone other than Martin, even though his tenure ended with one of the worst seasons in franchise history.
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Steelers countdown to kickoff — No. 66: a history of the number and who wore it best
The Steelers countdown to kickoff is here — and we're at 66 days until Pittsburgh faces off against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. In the spirit of the countdown, we're taking a look at the history of No. 66 and the players who wore it best. Current Steelers No. 66 wearer: OG Mason McCormick McCormick was drafted with the 119th pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft — and was arguably the biggest surprise of the rookie class. In Week 4 of the 2024 season, then-starting RG James Daniels suffered a torn Achilles, forcing McCormick into a starting role — but he didn't flinch at the opportunity. McCormick would allow just two sacks all season — both of which occurred in the same contest against the Ravens in Week 16. The healthy Steelers offensive line is projected to take a major step forward in 2025 — and a lot of it has to do with McCormick, who's looking to improve upon an already impressive rookie season last year. Last five Steelers to wear No. 66: Best No. 66 in Steelers history: OG Alan Faneca The best Steeler to ever wear No. 66 is without a doubt Alan Faneca. Drafted by Pittsburgh with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft, Faneca anchored the Steelers' offensive line for a decade — starting 153 games for the Black and Gold from 1998 to 2007. Faneca was dominant in both the pass and run game — and helped pave the way for the Steelers' Super Bowl XL championship. One of the most prolific guards of his era, Faneca was named six-time First-team All-Pro, two-time Second-team All-Pro, and earned nine consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2001 to 2009. He was also named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team, the Steelers Hall of Honor, and the Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was selected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 and remains one of the greatest offensive linemen in team history. There's no debating Faneca was the greatest Steeler to ever wear No. 66. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
66 days till the Arizona Cardinals' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No. 66?
With 66 days till the Cardinals open the season against the Saints, we look at the players who have worn No. 66. We are counting down to the start of the 2025 regular season for the Arizona Cardinals and are less than 10 weeks away. They will open the season on the road against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 7. That is 66 days away. As we count down the remaining days of the offseason, let's look at who has worn that number uniform over the years for the Cardinals. Who has worn No. 66? Cardinals players to wear No. 66 Offensive lineman McClendon Curtis currently wears No. 66. He is in his first season with the team after he spent the last two years with the Seattle Seahawks, mostly on the practice squad. Faneca, a Hall of Famer, was the best player for the Cardinals to wear No. 66, but Dobler was probably the greatest Cardinals player to wear it. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
