Some fans have claimed that Mohamed Salah's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or this year are "dead" after Liverpool's exit from the Champions League.
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Fans says Salah's Ballon d'Or hopes over
Liverpool exit Champions League at the hands of PSG
Raphina billed as new favourite for Golden Ball
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Salah, who has had a stellar outing with Liverpool in the 2024-25 campaign so far, was being considered as one of the frontrunners to win the Ballon d'Or in 2025 until Liverpool's Champions League round of 16 second-leg fixture against Paris Saint-Germain. As the French champions progressed to the quarter-finals after beating the Reds 4-1 on penalties at Anfield on Tuesday, many fans claimed that Salah's hopes of winning the Golden Ball are now over. Salah was seen breaking down in tears after the defeat, and some social media users attempted to rub salt in his wounds.
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WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING
On X, reacting to photos of the emotionally-drained Liverpool star, a fan named Juje Punter wrote: "Balon d'or hopes are dead now. That's his pain. The best chance he possibly got. Soon to be Raphina's award."
Barca Spaces posted: "No Ballon d’Or for him. It’s Raphinha’s."
An X handle named DesmundOris wrote: "He knows his chances of getting the Ballon D’Or just got slimmer. The fear of Raphinha is real."
MOOD-Football posted: "Salah gave everything this season, but football is cruel. From Ballon d'Or frontrunner to crashing out early, this one hurts deep."
Imran Rafiq sympathised with the Egyptian star as he wrote: "Mo Salah has had an outstanding season, but Liverpool's loss to PSG yesterday likely ended his Ballon d'Or chances. This Liverpool side relies heavily on him. He’s bailed them out countless times this season, but yesterday just wasn’t his night."
AFP
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On the day Salah failed to deliver for his team, Barcelona winger Raphinha once again starred for his club with a brace as they thrashed Benfica 3-1 in ther second leg of their tie to progress to the quarter-finals 4-1 on aggregate. The Brazilian is now the top scorer in the Champions League with 11 goals to his name. He has also scored 13 goals in La Liga, which makes him the fourth-highest scorer in Spain. As Raphinha continues with his incredible form, he has now emerged as a serious contender to bag his maiden Ballon d'Or in France later this year.
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WHAT NEXT FOR MOHAMED SALAH?
Salah will now dust himself off before trying to bag his first trophy of the season for his club on Sunday as Liverpool lock horns against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.
كشف مصدر خاص داخل الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، حقيقة وجود صدام منتظر بين النادي الأهلي ومنتخب مصر بسبب معسكر شهر يونيو المقبل.
وأوضح المصدر في تصريحات خاصة لـ بطولات، أنه لن يكون هناك أي صدام أو أزمة مع النادي الأهلي بشأن انضمام لاعبيه إلى معسكر منتخب مصر خلال فترة التوقف الدولي في يونيو المقبل.
ويأتي ذلك في ظل ارتباط فريق كرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي بالتحضير لمشاركته المرتقبة في كأس العالم للأندية 2025، خلال معسكر منتخب مصر المقبل.
بـ جوائز مليار دولار.. تعديلات غير مسبوقة على كأس العالم للأندية 2025
وأوضح المصدر أن هناك تنسيقًا مستمرًا بين الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم وإدارة النادي الأهلي، لضمان تحقيق أقصى استفادة للطرفين، بحيث يتمكن منتخب مصر من الاستفادة بجهود لاعبي الأهلي خلال المعسكر، وفي الوقت ذاته يحصل الفريق على فرصة للتحضير الجيد للبطولة العالمية دون التأثير على جاهزية لاعبيه الأساسيين.
وأضاف المصدر أن معسكر يونيو لا يتضمن مباريات رسمية لمنتخب مصر، وإنما ستتم مناقشة بعض العروض لإقامة مواجهات ودية خلال هذه الفترة، مما يفتح المجال أمام المرونة في التنسيق بين الاتحاد والجهاز الفني للمنتخب والنادي الأهلي بشأن اللاعبين الدوليين المنضمين للمعسكر.
ويسعى اتحاد الكرة لتحقيق التوازن بين التزامات منتخب مصر والمصالح الفنية للأندية المصرية، لا سيما في ظل مشاركة الأهلي في بطولة كبيرة مثل كأس العالم للأندية، التي تعد حدثًا مهمًا للكرة المصرية والعربية على الساحة الدولية.
Ex-Manchester United coach Carlos Queiroz has revealed how a challenge he set Cristiano Ronaldo helped to make the Portuguese a GOAT.
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Ronaldo was snapped up from Sporting in 2003Took first steps towards greatness at Old TraffordMentality forged back then has been maintainedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Queiroz was working alongside legendary Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson when the opportunity to sign Ronaldo presented itself in 2003. Two exciting talents on Sporting’s books were being considered at that time, but it was CR7 that ultimately made his way to Old Trafford.
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Speaking to , Queiroz has said of the advice that he offered which led to another iconic No.7 arriving in Manchester: “I was in my office and they called me to say that Ferguson needed me. At that time, I had no responsibility for scouting. I sat down in front of him. 'Here we are looking at two names from a club you know well and they are two Portuguese players. I want to know what you think. One is called Cristiano Ronaldo, the other Ricardo Quaresma', he told me. And I answered 'both', twice. Then, when I had to choose just one, I said it had to be Cristiano.”
DID YOU KNOW?
That call proved to be particularly shrewd, with Ronaldo going on to become a Premier League, Champions League and Ballon d’Or winner with United. His first spell in England delivered 118 goals through 292 appearances in all competitions.
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GettyWHAT CARLOS QUEIROZ SAID
Queiroz added on how he set about unlocking the potential in Ronaldo’s game that has allowed him to go on and become an all-time great: “One day I called him into my office, when we were starting to introduce certain technological approaches. 'I have a challenge for you. You were born to be the best player in the world and that is a privilege, you should be grateful for that blessing. I am here to help you, but you have to tell me if you are available to work because, if you are not, I don't have the patience to waste time'. The next morning, he knocked on the door to ask when we were starting. He was always one of the first to arrive.”
تفاعل الإعلامي خالد الغندور مع تساؤل أحد المتابعين حول فكرة انسحاب الأهلي من الدوري المصري والانضمام إلى الدوري السعودي، مؤكدًا أن هذا الأمر غير منطقي على الإطلاق.
ورد الغندور على السؤال، عبر إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”، قائلًا: “هذا الكلام مُضحك، مصر تظل صاحبة أقوى دوري في المنطقة، سواء اتفقنا أو اختلفنا، فالمسابقة المحلية لدينا تمتلك أفضل اللاعبين”.
وأضاف: “والدليل، أن الأهلي والزمالك سبق لهما الفوز على أندية الدوري السعودي، رغم ما تملكه الأخيرة من محترفين مميزين، وهذا يثبت أن كرة القدم ليست أموالًا فقط”.
طالع أيضًا | أيمن يونس مهاجمًا بعد أزمة مباراة القمة: الرياضة عندنا مصدر توتر وتفرق لا تُجمع
وأردف: “لا يمكن أن نرى الأهلي يشارك في الدوري السعودي أو الهلال يتواجد في الدوري المصري، كل نادٍ له شعبيته وجمهوره في بلده، وهذه أمور لا تتغير”.
واختتم حديثه بالإشارة إلى أن الأزمة الحالية ستنتهي قريبًا، قائلًا: “في النهاية، هي بطولة وستمر كما حدث من قبل، حين انسحب الزمالك من لقاء القمة، ورغم الجدل الذي صاحب الموقف، مرت الأزمة وانتهت”.
جاءت تصريحات الغندور في ظل الجدل الدائر حول أزمة مباراة القمة بين الأهلي والزمالك، التي كان من المقرر إقامتها يوم الثلاثاء الماضي، ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري، قبل أن يعلن الأحمر عدم خوض اللقاء، اعتراضًا على عدم تعيين طاقم تحكيم أجنبي.
ورفضت رابطة الأندية تأجيل المباراة، ما دفع الأهلي إلى اتخاذ قراره بعدم الحضور، وهو ما أدى إلى اعتباره منسحبًا، وفقًا للوائح، وبعدها، قرر مجلس إدارة القلعة الحمراء تقديم شكوى للجنة الأولمبية المصرية، مؤكدًا أن النادي لم ينسحب وإنما التزم بمطالبه التي لم تتم الاستجابة لها.
Following a recent injury crisis at the heart of Daniel Farke’s midfield, Leeds United are now reportedly considering a move to sign a versatile midfielder in what would be a bargain deal.
Leeds transfer news
As if Ethan Ampadu’s injury wasn’t bad enough, Ilia Gruev’s spell on the sidelines has left Farke scrambling for options in the middle of the park, having lost two key men in the Whites’ pursuit of Championship promotion. The Yorkshire club confirmed the news that the midfielder required surgery to follow the news that Ampadu will miss as many as 10 weeks through a ligament injury of his own.
Leeds wanted to sign £50m "warrior" for Bielsa, they got Koch instead
Leeds United will rue not getting this major deal done.
ByKelan Sarson Oct 11, 2024
Without the heart of their midfield, those at Elland Road have faltered in their last two games, with Illan Meslier at the centre of headlines after he arguably quite literally threw away all three points against early promotion rivals Sunderland last time out.
However, with a long season ahead, the 49ers Enterprises seem to be well aware of their need to strengthen even outside of the transfer window following recent injuries, which could see one veteran midfielder arrive.
Leeds midfielder Ethan Ampadu.
According to Graham Smyth of The Yorkshire Evening Post, the 49ers are now considering a Leeds move to sign Cheikhou Kouyate, who became a free agent at the end of his Nottingham Forest contract during the summer.
A player who can play defensive midfield, central midfield and centre-back, Kouyate very much still represents a solid option, having only just featured in the Premier League last season. What’s more, the fact that the deal would be without the risk of an expensive transfer fee – or one at all, for that matter – means that Leeds would be pursuing a risk-free option.
"Great" Kouyate could be wise move from Leeds
Whilst they could wait things out until the January transfer window, Leeds may yet pull off an intelligent move by welcoming free agent Kouyate to ease their problems caused by injuries to Gruev and Ampadu. A player who has played for West Ham United, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, among others, throughout his career, the 24-year-old has 32 goals to his name for club and country.
Praised by former boss Steve Cooper, the ex-Nottingham Forest man said via Nottinghamshire Live after Kouyate returned from injury in 2023: “He’s in contention to start. Cheikhou has great experience in the Premier League and he’s a big voice in the dressing room. He’s a fantastic character, a great guy, very happy, but very committed as well. He’s a real man’s man in terms of leadership.”
Given that the midfielder is currently without a club in the latter stages of his career, one last big move would certainly make sense for Kouyate too, who could round off an impressive career with Championship promotion added to his list of achievements should Leeds secure his signature.
A currently unemployed manager, whose last job was in the Premier League, is keen on becoming Wolverhampton Wanderers’ next boss, according to a new report. It has been a poor start to the campaign for the Midlands side, so much so that despite doing an impressive job last season, Gary O’Neil is coming under considerable pressure.
John Percy: New update shared on Gary O'Neil's future as Wolves manager
The poor start to the season continued against Brentford.
ByHenry Jackson Oct 6, 2024 Gary O’Neil under pressure at Wolves
Wolves are winless in their opening seven league games of the Premier League season; they have picked up just one point from a possible 21, and that came in a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest in August.
That form has put O’Neil’s side at the bottom of the table with a 5-3 defeat to Brentford over the weekend doing nothing to ease the pressure. However, despite the poor run of form, O’Neil still has the backing of the club’s hierarchy for now, according to John Percy of The Telegraph.
The former Bournemouth manager is reportedly going to be given time to turn the club’s fortunes around, with him set to consider changing the defensive structure. This update goes on to state that November fixtures appear to be crucial – Wolves face Manchester City and Brighton in October before playing Crystal Palace, Southampton, Fulham, and Bournemouth in November.
While O’Neil appears to have the backing of the club’s board at this moment in time, a manager who is currently out of work looks keen on landing the job should it become available.
"Genius" boss who Pep loves wants Wolves role
According to Football Insiders’ Pete O’Rourke, former Chelsea manager Graham Potter is keen on the Wolves job should it become available.
Graham Potter as Chelsea manager
This report states that Potter, who has been hailed as a “genius” by journalist Sam Morton, is keeping tabs on the ongoing situation regarding Wolves and O’Neil, as he sees it as an attractive job at an established Premier League team. It goes on to add that “many people” are monitoring the situation at Wolves, with the managerial position at Molineux having plenty of interest, including from David Moyes.
The update does also confirm what has been reported by Percy, but the manner of the defeats have been a concern for the club’s hierarchy.
Potter, who has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in April 2023, is said to be keeping an eye on the situation. The 49-year-old has seen his reputation suffer after the job at Stamford Bridge, but he is someone who is well liked in the game, as Man City boss Pep Guardiola heaped praise on Potter while he was struggling at Chelsea.
Games
141
Won
41
Drawn
50
Lost
50
Points per game
1.23
Guardiola said of Potter: “I would say to Todd Boehly, give him time. I know in big clubs, results are important, but I’d say give him time. The second half is what he is. What he’s done at Brighton is outstanding, but… we need time in the first season. I had (Lionel) Messi in Barcelona my first season, so I didn’t need two seasons because Messi was there.”
Winner takes all when Brave and Invincibles contest final spot on Monday, Superchargers eliminated
Matt Roller15-Aug-2021Rashid Khan took three wickets and two catches to spark a collapse of 6 for 28 and send Trent Rockets into the knockout stages of the Hundred, with Dawid Malan shuffling up the order to hit his third half-century of the tournament to seal a straightforward chase.Manchester Originals, who had already been eliminated after consecutive defeats, were 70 for 1 after 40 balls when Rashid came into the attack, but he struck three times in his first six balls to set a middle-order slide in motion which proved decisive. He was unusually subdued in his celebrations, with the crisis unfolding at home in Afghanistan seemingly on his mind, but still delivered a clutch performance in a must-win game to set up an easy win.In the chase, Originals were unable to take the early wickets they needed as Malan put on 50 for the first wicket with Alex Hales, moving up to open in a bid to find some form before the knockout stages. Matt Parkinson struck twice through the middle, having Hales caught behind and Steven Mullaney top-edging to mid-on, but Samit Patel’s 35 not out saw them across the line.The result sets up a winner-takes-all fixture between Southern Brave and Oval Invincibles at the Ageas Bowl on Monday night and means that Northern Superchargers have been eliminated. In the event of a no-result or a tie on Monday, Invincibles would pip Brave to the final spot in the top three. Rockets are likely to play in Friday’s eliminator, though could go straight into Saturday’s final if Superchargers thrash Phoenix on Tuesday.King Khan Rashid gave an interview to the in the build-up to the Hundred in which he revealed he had spent 25 nights at home in the last five years, during which time both of his parents have passed away. He has been tweeting with increasing despair over the last month about the humanitarian crisis and deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and in the context of Kabul being seized by force on Sunday, it was a credit to his professionalism that he managed to keep his focus on the matter at hand at Trent Bridge.He came on with Colin Munro set on 25 off 12 balls and playing with the uninhibited calmness of a man whose team had nothing riding on the result, and his Sussex and Adelaide Strikers team-mate Phil Salt looking to accelerate after making it through the Powerplay. His first ball was his worst, a full toss sliding down the leg side, but Salt top-edged a sweep to short fine leg to give Rashid an early breakthrough.Two balls later, he pushed through a googly which struck Colin Ackermann on the shoulder as he got low in an optimistic attempt to sweep. After a long delay due to technical difficulties, ball-tracking confirmed it was hitting the top of leg stump and Rashid had two in three balls. He changed ends for his second set of five, immediately yorking Carlos Brathwaite, and conceded four runs across a set of 10 from the same end.His final set went for two boundaries through third man – once via the outside edge, the other through a late dab – but as if to make up for those runs, he held onto a superb running catch at deep square leg, to go with an earlier effort at long-on. It was not far off a one-man show.Malan’s the man Malan started the season with a fluent innings of 62 not out off 43 balls to help Rockets cruise to victory against Southern Brave, but managed only 86 off 79 across his next six knocks – after his sluggish 51 against Birmingham Phoenix, Moeen Ali even joked: “we kept Malan in, which was great for us”.This chase was an ideal situation for him, with limited pressure on the required rate, and he got up and running in the Powerplay with a series of trademark drives and punches through the off-side ring. He slowed down slightly through the middle and fell for a low-key 52 off 46, when miscuing to extra cover via the top edge, but had provided a foil for the right-handers and left an equation of 12 off 10 balls.Patel, who had earlier celebrated exuberantly after bowling his Nottinghamshire team-mate Joe Clarke, put the finishing touches to the chase with a pair of late sixes, before D’Arcy Short – shuffling down to No. 5 as Rockets ensured left-right partnerships throughout – thumped a full toss for four to seal the win.
Leeds United will fly over a "quality ball striker" for a medical ahead of late Elland Road transfer, according to Graham Smyth.
Leeds’ deadline day plans
The Whites have made six summer signings, but that could turn out to be nine if things go the club’s way on the final day of the window. Talking on Thursday in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Hull City on Saturday, Daniel Farke was inevitably asked about new signings, to which he said:
"I just speak about players who are under contract for us. As long as players are under contract with other clubs, I never speak about players from other clubs. We have confirmed two important signings with Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon. We've made clear what position we need to strengthen. There's not much time yet, I hope and expect there will be some business.
“I spoke quite extensively that we definitely need a midfield player and also a full-back addition and to stay awake in the offensive positions. But everything is done when it's confirmed, medicals are done and everything signed. I never speak about a player as long as he's not under our contract."
One of the deadline day signings is set to be midfielder Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf, who is on course to fill the void left by Glen Kamara earlier in the window.
After Tanaka, there has been plenty of speculation over full-back Isaac Schmidt, who emerged as a real target on Thursday. Now, a new update has emerged.
Leeds on course to sign Isaac Schmidt
According to reliable reporter Smyth of The Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds are planning to fly Schmidt to Yorkshire for a medical and to complete the paperwork ahead of a late transfer.
Smyth said Schmidt will follow Tanaka through the door and he will be able to provide competition to Junior Firpo, Jayden Bogle and Sam Byram at right-back and left-back.
Meanwhile, reporter Ryan Taylor of The Daily Express has since added on X: “St. Gallen have given full-back Isaac Schmidt permission to undergo medical ahead of proposed move to Leeds United. Deal believed to be worth in region of £4.6m inclusive of performance-related add-ons.”
Schmidt looks set to offer Farke a versatile defensive option and even a goal threat after he scored for St. Gallen on what look to be his final appearance on Thursday evening.
All Leeds TV presenter Oscar Marrio reacted to his goal against Trabzonspor, saying ahead of his proposed move to Leeds: “I won’t pretend to know anything about Schmidt but he’s a really interesting profile and his versatility means at the very least he’s good depth if we do sign him. And adding another quality ball striker would be nice as well to help break down the teams who sit in vs us."
How Chelsea’s transfer window will finish is anyone’s guess. The Blues have been busy this summer and are looking to complete their extravagant spending with one or two emphatic deadline-day deals.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen
Sky Sports report that Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho is edging toward Stamford Bridge, while a convoluted situation involving Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen could see either wind up at Al Ahli or Chelsea before the end of the day.
Chelsea ready for late frenzy
The hours are flying by, never to be seen again, and Chelsea need to work double-time to ensure their frontline is bolstered before the deadline.
Sancho would be an excellent addition, but Stamford Bridge most desire a centre-forward, and according to TEAMtalk’s Harry Watkinson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a target – with the Englishman touted at around £25m.
Why Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be a good signing
First, Calvert-Lewin’s shoddy injury record suggests that he will not be chucked into a role that would see him starting 30+ Premier League matches this season. Enzo Maresca has a large squad and a benefit to this is that Calvert-Lewin’s role could be managed effectively, prudently.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates against Liverpool
And injuries aside, let’s not forget that the 27-year-old is one of the most physically dominant strikers in English football, when fit, when firing. Of course, he needs to build himself back up to his erstwhile level, a level that struck fear into defences across the division.
Indeed, talent scout Jacek Kulig once remarked that “Carlo Ancelotti created a monster” as Calvert-Lewin went on to plunder 16 league goals in 2020/21, but injuries have indeed left him scoring just 14 times in the top flight since.
Still, he’s a target man and would serve as a wonderful counterweight to Nicolas Jackson, a focal point, ranking among the top 3% of forwards in the Premier League last season for aerial duels won per 90, as per FBref.
2024/25
2 (2)
0
0
2023/24
32 (26)
7
2
2022/23
17 (15)
2
1
2021/22
17 (15)
5
2
2020/21
33 (32)
16
1
2019/20
36 (30)
13
1
2018/19
35 (19)
6
2
2017/18
32 (18)
4
5
2016/17
11 (5)
1
0
The caveat, of course, is that he’s endured a few seasons of misfortune on the fitness front, though he did enjoy a resurgence last year and actually posted four goals and an assist across his final six outings of the term, suggesting that he has reclaimed his footing and could carry that into life at Chelsea.
Indeed, The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland remarked that he looked “like the DCL of old” after a commanding offensive display against Liverpool back in April.
Ivan Toney for England
Toney is a formidable forward too, but he’s also 28 years old and blanked across his final 12 matches of the 2023/24 campaign. Osimhen, conversely, is undisputedly one of Europe’s foremost strikers but his £480k-per-week salary demands are inhibiting his chance of moving to west London.
Calvert-Lewin would be a shrewd signing; perhaps not to everyone’s taste initially, but if he can maintain fitness, the England international might just come to surprise a few – allowing Jackson to continue his development too.
Chelsea closing in on deadline day agreement for £40m man who wants to join
New Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano has revealed he called Lionel Messi to "get his honest opinion" after taking over at the MLS side.
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Inter Miami appoint Mascherano as boss
Takes over from Tata Martino
Mascherano keen to hear Messi's opinion
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Mascherano has replaced Tata Martino as Inter Miami boss and signed a three-year contract with the MLS side. The appointment is the Argentine's first senior management role, although he has previously enjoyed coaching positions with the Argentina Under-20 and Under 23 teams. The move also sees Mascherano link up with former Barcelona team-mates Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez in Miami.
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Mascherano may lack managerial experience but he does possess a packed trophy cabinet after an impressive playing career that took in spells with West Ham, Liverpool and Barcelona, as well as the Argentina national team. Inter Miami's new boss spent almost a decade playing alongside Messi with Barcelona and says his relationship with the club's captain will be an advantage when it comes to managing the team.
WHAT MASCHERANO SAID
He told : "I had a talk with Leo to get his opinion. I am lucky to have a very fluid relationship with him and that allows me to be sincere and be able to talk to him in depth and for him to be honest with me about what he thought. He is a person who does not usually get involved too much. Obviously, we know the influence and importance that Leo has, and has had throughout his career in all teams and clubs. I am very happy to be here and look forward to starting training.
"We must remember that it is not that we're making that change [from teammate to coach] right now, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. I left Barcelona in 2018, and a lot has changed. We are grown-up people, we know how to differentiate things. I think life is easier when we do things naturally, and not force situations. I take it as an advantage to be able to know each other, to have had them as teammates and obviously to have great players like them now."
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DID YOU KNOW?
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has revealed the club tried to sign Mascherano back in 2019 in a move aimed at seeing him start off as a Designated Player and then head into coaching. "I always thought he would be an amazing mentor. Five years later, he's here. It's fate," he explained to ESPN.