Sport
Benzema Defends Vinicius and Questions Rodri’s Ballon d’Or Win
Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema believes Vinicius Jr. was the rightful winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or. Benzema, who has been a mentor to Vinicius during their years at Real Madrid, expressed disappointment that the Brazilian talent didn’t take home the trophy.
In the recent Ballon d’Or results, Vinicius finished as runner-up to Manchester City’s Rodri, who was awarded the prestigious title during a ceremony held in Paris, France.
However, the decision sparked controversy, leading Vinicius and his Real Madrid teammates to skip the event entirely, a silent protest over what they felt was an unjust outcome.
Benzema shared his views on the situation, explaining he had recently spoken with Vinicius, who was understandably disappointed by the result.
“I talked to Vini, and he’s down… which is normal,” Benzema remarked. “He deserved to be recognized as the best.”
The former Real Madrid forward also commented on Rodri’s victory, emphasizing that while he respects the Spanish midfielder, he believes Rodri’s style lacks the electrifying impact Vinicius brings to the game.
Benzema candidly stated, “Rodri is a good player, but I’m watching from home, and there’s nothing in his game that makes you go ‘wow.’”
This year’s Ballon d’Or decision has sparked a wider conversation about how players are evaluated for the prestigious award and whether the voting system accurately reflects the skills and achievements of top talents.
Sport
Michael Owen Claims Manchester City is the Ideal Fit for Messi’s Premier League Return
Former Premier League stars Michael Owen, who played for both Liverpool and Manchester United, recently discussed the possibility of Lionel Messi making a move to the English Premier League.
Owen shared his thoughts in an interview with ESPN Argentina, where he explained why he thinks a move to the Premier League would be a good fit for the Argentine football legend.
The former striker emphasized that with Guardiola at the helm, Messi would seamlessly integrate into a team built on precise passing and attacking football.
At 37, Messi’s future has been the subject of much speculation, with numerous reports linking him to a potential Premier League switch.
His contract at Paris Saint-Germain has ended, and he has since moved to Inter Miami, but the idea of him returning to Europe, particularly to England, has continued to fuel rumors.
One such report, from Tuttosport via Hindustan Times, suggests that Guardiola is keen on securing Messi for a six-month loan, hoping to revitalize City’s form after a disappointing series of results.
Manchester City, despite being one of the most successful teams in recent years, has found themselves struggling with just one win in their last 12 matches.
Their latest defeat came at the hands of Aston Villa, who beat them 2-1 in a Premier League clash, adding to their growing list of poor performances.
Owen further mentioned that, despite Messi’s age, his skill set would suit any team in the world.
However, when it comes to Manchester City, he believes there’s no better match.
“It has to be Manchester City,” Owen said. “With Pep, he knows him so well.
They’re a passing team, and Messi is all about that. It would work perfectly.”
Sport
PSG Plan to Sell Kolo Muani to Make Room for Victor Osimhen in January
Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are set to reignite their pursuit of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen in January, according to reports from French news outlet RMC Sport.
The Parisians, led by manager Luis Enrique, are already in discussions with Osimhen’s representatives.
PSG’s interest in Osimhen dates back to the summer transfer window, when they were first linked with the 25-year-old forward.
However, the French giants were reluctant to meet the €100 million price tag set by Napoli, the Serie A club that currently owns Osimhen’s contract.
Currently, Osimhen is on loan at Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray, where he has continued to impress.
In just 14 appearances for the club, he has scored 10 goals and provided 5 assists, creating his reputation as one of the most dynamic attackers in Europe.
His performances in Turkey have only fueled PSG’s desire to bring him to Paris, with the club seeing him as a key player who could bolster their attacking options.
Osimhen’s loan move to Galatasaray includes a release clause, which allows him the option to leave the Turkish club during the upcoming winter transfer window.
This clause presents PSG with the opportunity to secure the striker’s services for a move to the French capital.
However, for PSG to make room for the Nigerian international in their squad, the club would need to offload Randal Kolo Muani, another forward who has struggled to secure a permanent spot in Enrique’s system.
Should the deal go through, Osimhen would join a star-studded PSG attack that already includes the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, further strengthening the club’s ambitions of European glory.
Sport
Carragher Says Arsenal Need a Stronger Left Wing and a More Reliable Striker
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has shared his thoughts on Arsenal’s current squad, suggesting that the Gunners need to strengthen in two key areas if they are to improve their chances of success in the future.
Carragher, who has been a regular pundit on Sky Sports since retiring from professional football, believes Arsenal’s squad is lacking in depth in both the left-wing and center-forward positions.
According to Carragher, Arsenal’s lack of a reliable starter on the left side of attack is a major issue.
Currently, manager Mikel Arteta has Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli competing for the spot, with neither player consistently cementing their place in the lineup.
Martinelli, known for his pace and direct running, has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with injuries and form this season.
On the other hand, Trossard, who joined Arsenal from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023, has impressed when given the chance but doesn’t offer the same explosive qualities as Martinelli.
Carragher pointed out that while these two players have potential, Arsenal might need to bring in someone more dependable for the left-wing role.
“I’ve always had reservations about Arsenal winning the title, and I’ve said it before,” Carragher explained.
“I’ve always felt they were missing a key player in attack. It’s not necessarily that they need a traditional striker, but they certainly need an upgrade on that left side.
Whether it’s Martinelli, Trossard, or Havertz up front, Arsenal need something more in those positions if they want to compete at the very top level.”
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