Category: Football

It rained on his parade, but Lionel Messi greeted his new Inter Miami fans and was hailed by the club’s owner as “America’s number 10” at a damp but celebratory unveiling event on Sunday.

Miami’s 20,000 capacity stadium was close to full despite a huge thunderstorm just before the event to celebrate the arrival of the Argentine World Cup winner was due to begin.

A massive tropical downpour forced organizers to delay the start of “The Unveil” as fans took cover or waited out the rain in their cars.

The event started around two hours later than originally scheduled with wet but delighted fans chanting Lionel Messi’s name as the lights dimmed on the venue.

The club’s co-owner David Beckham opened the ceremony saying Messi’s arrival was a “dream come true”.

“Leo, we are so proud that you have chosen our club for the next stage in your career,” said the former Manchester United player whose move to MLS’s Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 was the league’s previous biggest arrival.

“Welcome to our family Leo,” Beckham added in Spanish, to roars from the crowd.

Inter Miami’s majority owner Jorge Mas then whipped the crowd up with his own bilingual speech.

“Tonight is a gift and celebration to the city that opened its arms to my family,” said the Cuban-American businessman.

“Tonight we are doing this in the rain. “This is holy water!” he added.

“This is our moment! Our moment to change the football landscape in this country,” he added, before introducing Messi as “Your new number 10, America’s number 10”.

Lionel Messi, who arrived in Inter Miami on Tuesday with his family and caused a viral sensation after being photographed shopping with them in a local supermarket, thanked the supporters.

“Thank you very much to all the people for supporting me and giving me this love. I am very happy to be here in Miami,” he said.

“I really want to start training, to compete, I have the same desire that I always had to compete, to want to win, to help the club continue to grow.

“I am very happy to have chosen to come to play in this city with my family, to choose this project and I have no doubt that we are going to enjoy it a lot, we are going to have a good time and very good things are going to happen,” he said.

Inter Miami, the bottom club in Major League Soccer, confirmed on Saturday that the seven-times Ballon d’Or winner had signed a deal that will keep him with the club until 2025.

The former Barcelona great opted to join Miami after his contract with French club Paris Saint-Germain expired last month.

His former Barcelona team-mate, Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets, was also presented to the crowd after completing his move.

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber praised Mas for his determined pursuit of Messi for the club which is in only its fourth season.

“Lionel Messi was on his radar from the very beginning. I have to say, when he would say that many years ago, I didn’t think that he would be able to deliver it,” Garber told reporters.

“But here we are today with a player that I think, without doubt, is not only a generational player, but in my opinion, the greatest of all time.”

He was scheduled to hold a press conference on Monday but the club said Sunday that had been postponed. No explanation for the decision was given.

Lionel Messi could make his debut for the club on Friday against Mexico team Cruz Azul in the new Leagues Cup, which features teams from both MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.

However on Saturday, the team’s new Argentine coach Gerardo Martino urged “patience” after watching his side’s winless streak extend to 11 games.

“We look to the future with hope (given) that the best player in the world will play for our team, but also with the patience that we have to have so that he can get in good physical shape and can play at the right moment,” he said.

Latin music stars Camilo and Ozuna were set to entertain the crowd at the DRV PNK Stadium, about an hour’s drive north of downtown Miami.

The stadium, Inter Miami’s temporary home on the site of the old home of the now defunct Fort Lauderdale Strikers, was not completely full as the event got under way with fireworks.

Inter Miami are planning their own purpose-built stadium, Freedom Park, in Miami but it is not expected to open until 2025.

READ: Qasim Akram’s six-fer leads Shaheens to thump UAE in Emerging Asia Cup

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s street football team outclassed the United Nations Pakistan representatives’ team by 5-0 ahead of their participation in the Norway Cup.

The Pakistan Street Child Football team, who are currently undergoing a final training camp at the Islamabad Sports Complex to participate in this year’s Norway Cup — the largest international football tournament for players between 10 and 19 years old – played a friendly match to bolster their preparations for the event.

The national team dominated the friendly match and thumped the UN representative XI by a massive 5-0 margin and gathered massive praise from foreign ambassadors.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan’s street football team will participate in the Norway Cup, scheduled from July 29 to August 5 in Oslo.

Last year, Pakistan finished second in the Street Child World Cup in Doha, Qatar after impressive performances.

They remained unbeaten throughout the tournament but lost the final against Egypt on penalties (4-3).

Pakistan’s forward Tufail Shinwari, who scored 13 goals, was adjudged the best player of the tournament. The 16-year-old hit back-to-back hat-tricks against Bosnia and Qatar before his side entered the knock-out stage.

READ: Saud, Salman rescue Pakistan before rain forces early stumps

History-making 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Morocco must win a group including Zambia to ensure qualification for the next edition in Canada, Mexico and the United States. 

Congo Brazzaville, Tanzania, Niger and Eritrea complete Group E after a draw made on Thursday in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast’s commercial capital, by former African stars.

Morocco became the first African or Arab country to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals last December in Qatar before losing to France and finishing fourth.

With Europe-based stars like Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat and Youssef en-Nesyri available, they look likely winners of the section with Zambia posing the greatest threat.

Morocco are the highest-placed African team in the latest FIFA rankings, ahead of Cup of Nations title-holders Senegal with Tunisia third.

Senegal are in Group B and the biggest danger to them is likely to come from the rapidly improving Democratic Republic of Congo, who played in the 1974 World Cup when known as Zaire.

Like Morocco, Sadio Mane-inspired Senegal are seeking a third consecutive appearance at the four-yearly global showpiece, with the next edition set for mid-2026.

Tunisia are in Group H with Equatorial Guinea, a rising force in Africa who beat the north Africans in a Cup of Nations qualifier last month.

Long-time rivals Nigeria and South Africa will clash in Group C, which includes Zimbabwe, whose FIFA ban for government interference in football was lifted two days ago.

Ghana, who made an early exit in Qatar, will fancy their chances of finishing first in Group I above Mali, the only first seeds who have not qualified for the World Cup.

Cameroon, who hold the African record for World Cup qualification with eight appearances, have been poor in recent Cup of Nations matches, offering hope to Cape Verde and Angola in Group D.

Algeria, who lost out to Cameroon for a place in Qatar, appear likely winners of Group G with unpredictable Guinea probably the main challengers.

Ivory Coast, hosts of the next Cup of Nations in January and February 2024, are another country who will be satisfied with the draw.

The biggest threat to the three-time World Cup qualifiers could come not from second seeds Gabon, but from shock 2021 Cup of Nations quarter-finalists Gambia.

Egypt have won the Cup of Nations a record seven times, but often struggle to qualify for the World Cup, reaching the final only three times.

They are in Group A, where Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau could trouble the Mohamed Salah-captained Pharaohs.

With the number of finalists expanding from 32 in Qatar to 48 in North and Central America, Africa are guaranteed a record nine places, and possibly 10.

Each group winner will qualify automatically and the best four runners-up enter play-offs with the winner going to inter-confederation play-offs, with two places up for grabs.

Apart from an African team, the confederation play-offs will include two teams from North/Central America and one each from Asia, South America and Oceania.

Matchdays one and two in Africa will be played this November, with a further two rounds next year and six in 2025.

The draw was scheduled for Wednesday this week, only to be delayed 24 hours at the last minute without an official explanation.

READ: Pakistan Shaheens off to winning start in Emerging Asia Cup with Nepal win

India’s footballer Sunil Chhetri came up with a shocking comparison as he claimed himself to be better than star footballers Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo when it comes to representing the national team.

Sunil Chhetri, who has been leading India’s national football team for over a decade is considered one of the most decorated footballers in India’s history. The striker is in the list of the top 10 highest goal scorers alongside Ronaldo and Messi.

The star Indian footballer denied any comparison of him with the rest of the leading goal scorers before claiming that he could be even better when it comes to representing the national team.

“There’s no comparison with the rest of the nine names on the list. I mean, I am a fan of players like Ronaldo and Messi, just like so many other fans of them. There’s just no comparison, and I don’t take this list, or whatever this list is, too seriously. But, yes, when it comes to representing the national team, I can be even better than them,” Chhetri said.

“Right now, international football is such that no one knows what will happen, and underdogs, too, can win! You just never know what is going to happen in football. That’s why we have to give our best, and that’s a message I am trying to send to the rest of the team,” he added.

Earlier this month, Sunil Chhetri led India to South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship title victory and finished the tournament as the leading goal-scorer and was also named the Player of the Tournament.

Speaking about the tournament, Sunil Chhetri gratefully acknowledged the support and encouragement that he and the rest of the Indian team had received.

“It has been great, the support, right from day 1 (of the tournament). On the pitch, the way fans were and encouraged us throughout the game was something special and something magical. Also, the fact that Kuwait and Lebanon — who were India’s opponents in the final and the semi-finals, respectively — are not exactly SAFF teams. They were invited, and they are really good quality sides. So beating them, competitions like them, also felt great.”

READ: Pakistan dominate SLC President XI but tour match ends in a draw

David de Gea announced Saturday he is leaving Manchester United after 12 years, saying “it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge”.

The Spanish goalkeeper, who won the Premier League Golden Glove award for most clean sheets last season, was criticised for a number of high-profile errors in the final weeks of the campaign.

His contract with United expired at the end of June, with no new deal agreed despite talks that took place throughout the season.

United have been linked with a move for Inter Milan keeper Andre Onana.

In a message on social media, David De Gea, 32, thanked United fans for their support, but said: “Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings.

“Manchester will always be in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me.”

When David De Gea’s contract expired last Friday, Manchester United said they remained in talks with the Spanish international goalkeeper.

That followed reports De Gea had signed a contract extension only for the club to withdraw that offer and come back with reduced terms.

David De Gea wrote: “I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years. We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club.

“I took incredible pride every time I pulled on this shirt, to lead the team, to represent this institution, the biggest club in the world was an honour only bestowed upon a few lucky footballers.”

United boss Erik ten Hag thanked David De Gea for his service to the club in a statement.

“It takes great quality and character to reach the level of even playing one game for Manchester United,” he said.

“To do it 545 times over 12 years is a special achievement, particularly in the goalkeeping position where every game puts you in the spotlight.

“To have won player of the year awards from both the fans and his team-mates, each on four occasions, shows the level of his performance and he will always be remembered as one of the very best goalkeepers in the history of the club.”

Real Madrid’s Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti will take over as head coach of Brazil’s national team for the 2024 Copa America, a source at the Brazilian Football Federation told AFP on Tuesday.

The federation had announced earlier that Fluminense’s Fernando Diniz would take charge of the team in the interim period.

Carlo Ancelotti has a season remaining on his contract with Real and will take over Brazil in time for the Copa America which will be held in the United States from June 2024.

The former AC Milan and Chelsea coach will become the first foreigner to coach Brazil in almost sixty years.

The last foreign coach of Brazil was Argentine Filpo Nunez who was in charge for one game in 1965.

Among his many successes, the 64-year-old Carlo Ancelotti has won the Champions League twice with both AC Milan and Real Madrid.

He has also won domestic league titles in England with Chelsea, Germany with Bayern Munich and France with Paris Saint-Germain as well as with Real and Milan.

Brazil were coached by Tite at last year’s World Cup, but he stood down from the role after their elimination at the quarter-final stage to Croatia.

Ramon Menezes has been in charge of the team since on a caretaker basis.

The CBF had earlier issued a statement saying that Diniz would be in charge of the team for the coming year.

“Fernando Diniz will lead the Brazilian team for a year, and I’m sure he will do it with great competence, as always during his professional career,” said CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues in a video statement.

“It is a dream, an honor and a huge pride to serve the national team,” Diniz said.

The 49-year-old will be in charge of the six South American qualifying games for the 2026 World Cup that will be played this year, including the clashes with Argentina and Uruguay.

Brazil will start their qualifying campaign in September at home against Bolivia and then away against Peru.

READ: James Anderson left out of England’s Playing XI for third Ashes Test

BENGALURU: Sunil Chhetri-led India edged Kuwait 5-4 on the penalty shoot-out at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium to win the SAFF Championship 2023 after the nailbiting final finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.

Kuwait started the high-stake match on a high as the invitee side found the breakthrough in the 15th minute, courtesy of a fine finish by Shabib Al Khaldi.

India, backed up by a raucous home crowd, reacted in style, peppering the Kuwait box with assaults before Lallianzuala Chhangte levelled for the hosts at the 40-minute mark.

Both teams were unable to add to their first-half goals, and the enthralling SAFF Championship final between India and Kuwait entered into extra time.

The two sides remained inseparable despite the completion of the extra time and remained tied at 1-1 at the 120-minute mark.

Indian captain Sunil Chhetri stood up for his side to take the first penalty kick and cannoned it into the back of the net after the ball deflected from the left side of the crossbar.

Click to watch SAFF Championship Live on ARY ZAP

Mohammad Abdullah Daham took the first penalty for Kuwait but his decision to opt for power went against his will as the ball went over the top after thudding onto the crossbar.

India’s Sandesh Jinghan and Lallianzuala Chhangte and Kuwait’s Fawaz Al Otaibi and Ahmed Al-Dheflri all fired the ball at the back of the net as India’s lead remained intact.

India’s Udanta Singh Kumam made a costly error when he scooped the ball over to pave the way for Kuwait to make a comeback after missing the first penalty.

With both sides levelled at 4-4, Subhasish Bose held his nerves calm to deliver under pressure before Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a diving effort to stop Khalid El Ebrahim’s strike and powered India to a thrilling victory.

The victory propelled India to their record-extending ninth SAFF Championship title victory.

READ: Ireland edge Nepal to finish seventh in CWC Qualifier

Manchester City on Tuesday announced they had completed the signing of Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea following the loss of captain Ilkay Gundogan.

The treble winners said the 29-year-old had signed a four-year contract after the clubs reportedly agreed an initial fee of £25 million ($32 million), with a potential £5 million in add-ons.

Mateo Kovacic joins Pep Guardiola’s side after five years at Chelsea, where he won the Champions League and Europa League and made 221 appearances.

He is City’s first signing of the transfer window and his arrival compensates for the departure of Gundogan, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer on Monday after seven years at the club.

“This is a brilliant move for me and I cannot wait to get started with City,” said Kovacic.

“Anyone who has watched this team under Pep knows how good they are. For me, they are the best in the world.

“The trophies they have won are clear for all to see, but they are also the best footballing side out there.”

Mateo Kovacic is a four-time Champions League winner having also enjoyed success in Europe’s elite competition three times with Real Madrid before joining the Blues.

The midfielder, who began his career with Dinamo Zagreb before a spell at Inter Milan, has earned 95 caps for his country.

City director of football Txiki Begiristain said Mateo Kovacic was a versatile player.

“He can play as a ‘six’ or an ‘eight’, has plenty of experience at top-level clubs and he understands the Premier League.

“It was a very simple decision to bring him to City because he has the tactical and technical qualities we are looking for in a midfielder.”

READ: Imad Wasim joins Nottinghamshire Outlaws for third T20 Blast stint

BENGALURU: Skipper Hassan Maatouk’s first-half goal lifted Lebanon to edge Maldives 1-0 and stormed into the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship semi-finals on Wednesday.

Maatouk gave Lebanon an early lead from a direct free-kick. He had luck in his favour as his attempt took a deflection off the defenders’ wall and caught the Maldives goalkeeper by surprise, who failed to stop the ball.

Mohamad Sadek missed the goal from close range after goal scorer Maatouk delivered a flawless cross, costing Lebanon a crucial chance to momentarily extend their advantage.

Having the scoreboard in their favour, Lebanon eased up a bit and allowed Maldives to make more threatening attempts but could not convert.

Following the first half, Lebanon again decided to be more aggressive and made several efforts in search of the second but the scoreboard remained intact and thus, the middle-east side ran away with the victory.

Click to watch SAFF Championship Live on ARY ZAP

The 1-0 victory over the Maldives marked their third straight win in the ongoing SAFF Championship and made their way into the semi-finals of the tournament.

Lebanon topped Group B standings with nine points in three matches and will take on hosts India in the second semi-final on June 1.

Notably, Lebanon remained the only team to win all their group fixtures in the ongoing SAFF Championship.

It is worth mentioning here that Bangladesh will take on Bhutan in the last group tie and have their semi-final berth fate in their own hands after Lebanon’s victory.

Bangladesh now sit at the second position in Group B with three points in two matches, followed by Maldives with as many points but in three matches.

Meanwhile, a victory would propel Bangladesh to the semi-final and even a draw will be enough for them.

Maldives, however, would want that Bangladesh to lose by a difference of at least two goals for them to progress to the semis.

READ: Late own goal sees India settle for a 1-1 stalemate with Kuwait

BENGALURU: A late own goal by Anwar Ali in the stoppage time restricted India to settle for a 1-1 draw against Kuwait after an ill-tempered South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship last Group A fixture on Tuesday.

Hosts, India got an upper hand just at the stroke of the half-time when Sunil Chhetri opened the scoring by converting the corner with great ease.

A corner coming from the right landed perfectly for an unmarked Sunil Chhetri inside the box, who made no mistake to guide it into the nets.

Tensions erupted in both camps during the second half when India’s head coach Igor Stimac received his second red card of the tournament.

The tensions persisted as the game continued and India’s Rahim Ali and Kuwait’s Hamad Al Qallaf were also given the send-off in the 90th minute.

With the completion of the regulation time, India were looking favourites to register a close 1-0 victory over Kuwait.

However, Kuwait then received unexpected support and equalised in the stoppage time, courtesy of an own goal by Anwar Ali.

Amrinder Singh had little opportunity to save the ball after a low cross from the right took a deflection off Anwar’s leg and landed in the far corner of the post.

India captain Sunil Chhetri was disappointed with the result but backed his teammate, Anwar, stating an error such as this can happen to anyone.

“It’s not Anwar, it is the country that conceded,” said Chhetri.

“It can happen to anyone. We didn’t even talk about it now (after the match) and we are all professional enough to not talk about it. I hope the kid shrugs it off, we all have his back as it can happen to anyone,” he added.

Following the 1-1 stalemate, both India and Kuwait remained unbeaten in the group stage but the latter occupied the top Group A standings due to superior goals scored.

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