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23Jun

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Loew tips Goetze for Germany recall after Frankfurt move | Football News – Times of India

BERLIN: World Cup winner Mario Goetze has been tipped for a Germany recall by former national team coach Joachim Loew after returning to the Bundesliga by signing for Champions League side Eintracht Frankfurt. Goetze completed his transfer from Dutch Eredivisie runners-up PSV Eindhoven by signing a three-year contract. "I'm really looking forward to playing for Eintracht Frankfurt," said Goetze, who scored an extra-time winner in Germany's victory over Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final. "The club has developed incredibly and embarked on an exciting, ambitious path which I am glad to be a part of." Frankfurt have qualified for the Champions League for the first time since losing the 1960 European Cup final to Real Madrid after winning the Europa League last season. Sporting dire...

17Jun

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Tottenham Hotspur congratulate Sunil Chhetri for equalling Ferenc Puskas’s tally of 84 goals | Football News – Times of India

LONDON: In something that normally doesn't happen, Indian football team captain received a congratulatory message from English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur for equalling Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas' tally of 84 international goals. By scoring India's second goal in their final AFC Asian Cup Qualifying game against Afghanistan on Tuesday, Chhetri drew level with Puskas while becoming the fifth-highest international goal scorer of all time. He now stands just two goals behind Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi's tally of 86 goals. "Congratulations to India's @chetrisunil11 for equalling the great Ferenc Puskas with his tally of 84 international goals! #IndianFootball," Tottenham Hotspur wrote on their Twitter handle. 👏👏 Congratulations to India's @chetrisunil11 for equa...

16Jun

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Igor Stimac one of the best managers I played under: Sunil Chhetri | Football News – Times of India

KOLKATA: Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri on Thursday said head coach Igor Stimac is one of the best tacticians he has played under and the team is "very comfortable" playing under the Croatian whose contract is expiring in September. The 54-year-old Stimac guided India to a historic Asian Cup berth when the Sunil Chhetri-led side made the cut as Group D toppers with three wins on the trot. This was for the first time India made the continental showpiece for a second time in a row. Often criticised for his defensive approach, the Croatian won many hearts after they signed off their campaign with an emphatic 4-0 win over Hong Kong. "He (Stimac) is one of the best managers that we have played under. The boys are very comfortable. He's very approachable, talks to everyone, treats everyon...

14Jun

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Anwar Ali among scorers as India rout Hong Kong 4-0 to top group | Football News – Times of India

KOLKATA: Told to hang up his boots after a medical condition, Anwar Ali's persistence and optimism in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds paid rich dividends on Tuesday. Thanks to goals from Anwar, Sunil Chhetri -- he does that almost every other day -- Manvir Singh and Ishan Pandita, India capped off their historic AFC Asian Cup qualification campaign in style, sweeping aside a strong Hong Kong side 4-0 under heavy rains at the Salt Lake Stadium. Igor Stimac's side brought out it's A game on a stormy night and started off with a blitz as Anwar (2nd) and Chhetri (45') gave India a 2-0 lead. It was then a tale of super subs as Manvir (85th) and Pandita (90+3rd) came off the bench to complete the rout and help India (nine points) top group D with three wins on the trot, ahead of Hon...

14Jun

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I laugh when media asks about Sunil Chhetri’s retirement: IM Vijayan | Football News – Times of India

KOLKATA: The legendary IM Vijayan feels veteran striker Sunil Chhetri still has a lot to offer to Indian football and finds the occasional chatter about his retirement laughable. India opened their Group D campaign in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers with a 2-0 win over Cambodia in which Chhetri scored a brace. Chhetri also scored the first goal against Afghanistan -- with a stunning free-kick -- in the team's second match. Vijayan believes the national team skipper still has a lot to contribute despite being 37 years old. "Sunil is a marvel. He is a personality and a player that all players should emulate. His goal in the match against Afghanistan was of excellent quality. All youngsters need to see and learn how easily he handles open chances. I laugh when the media asks about his retirem...

8Jun

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Sunil Chhetri brace sinks Cambodia as Indian team begins Asian Cup qualifiers campaign with a win | Football News – Times of India

KOLKATA: Talismanic Sunil Chhetri was once again the man of the moment as he struck a brace to inspire India to a 2-0 win over Cambodia in their opening match of the Asian Cup qualifying final round match at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Wednesday. Igor Stimac's side were far from their best and failed to make use of their better possession against a weak side but the 37-year-old returned Chhetri from an injury layoff to score on either side of the break (13th and 59th minute). The double strike brought him back to the third place in the list of highest scorers among active footballers in the world. With 82 goals from 127 matches, Chhetri now sits behind Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (117) and Argentine virtuoso Lionel Messi (86). Following a tense start that saw their star centr...

8Jun

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Virat Kohli becomes the first Indian to cross 200 million followers on Instagram

Former India and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain, Virat Kohli on Tuesday became the first Indian to have 200 million followers on Instagram. A number that affirms the popularity of the cricketer across the planet. Kohli had breached the 100 million mark only last summer. “200 mil strong, thanks for all your support insta fam,” wrote Kohli on his latest Instagram post. The 33-year-old is only the third athlete to touch the 200 million followers mark on Instagram after Lionel Messi (334 million) and Cristiano Ronaldo (451 million), who has the most followers on the app. Last year, Kohli had given up his T20 captaincy for India and RCB after the T20 World Cup and the IPL season respectively. A month later Rohit Sharma was named as India’s new ODI captain after already being named...

7Jun

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Lewandowski looking for ‘more emotions’ than Bayern Munich can offer | Football News – Times of India

WARSAW: Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski revealed Tuesday he wants to call time on his career with the Bundesliga giants because of his desire for "more emotions in life". The Polish forward announced last week that his time with Bayern "had come to an end" without specifying his future plans. Asked Monday during a podcast on Polish website Onet.pl if his departure was dictated by a desire for more money or emotions in life, the 33-year-old answered without hesitation it was for him "emotions in life". "Firstly, something went out inside me and it's something you can't recover, can't make up for," he explained. Barcelona are reported to have made an offer of 32 million euros ($34 million) for Lewandowski, FIFA men's best player for 2020 and 2021, whose contract with Bayern expir...

6Jun

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‘The Messiah’: Twitter reacts as Messi scores five for Argentina vs Estonia

For only the second time in his illustrious career, and for only the first wearing an Argentina shirt, Lionel Messi scored five goals in a football match. The Argentina captain was the only name on the scoresheet as the Copa America champions beat Estonia in a friendly at the El Sadar Stadium in Pamplona, Navarre, Spain. The seven-time Ballon D’or winner also became the first Argentina player to score five in a game since Jose Manuel Moreno against Ecuador in 1942. The 34-year old capped off what had been a memorable week for him and his teammates as they won the Finalissima against Italy 3-0 at the Wembley Stadium on Wednesday. Messi hadn’t graced the scoresheet but was named player of the match for his performance on the night. Safe to say, Football Twitter rose to the occasion and g...

6Jun

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Lionel Messi nets 5 for Argentina for 1st time, overtakes Ferenc Puskas

Lionel Messi scored five goals for Argentina for the first time in a 5-0 rout of Estonia in a friendly match in Spain, becoming the fourth-highest scorer for a national team in men’s soccer. Messi scored twice in the first half, including from a penalty kick, and three times after the interval to reach 86 international goals. He moved past the 84 goals of former Hungary great Ferenc Puskas. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list with 117 goals — including two on Sunday as Portugal routed Switzerland 4-0 in the Nations League — followed by Iran’s Ali Daei with 109 and Mokhtar Dahari of Malaysia with 89. Messi had never scored five times before for Argentina at senior level. He scored five goals with Barcelona in a 7-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16 of the 2011-12 Champi...

2Jun

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While you were asleep: Ruud stops Rune to reach French Open last four, Petrakov dedicates Ukraine win to those fighting Russia and Argentina outclass Italy to win ‘Finalissima’

Eighth seed Casper Ruud battled past teenager Holger Rune 6-1 4-6 7-6(2) 6-3 on Wednesday to reach the French Open semi-finals and become the first Norwegian to reach this stage in any Grand Slam. He will play Croatian 20th seed Marin Cilic in the semi-final. Norway’s Casper Ruud celebrates after winning his quarter final match against Denmark’s Holger Rune REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes Petrakov dedicates Ukraine win to those fighting Russia Ukraine coach Oleksandr Petrakov said Wednesday’s World Cup qualification playoff win over Scotland had been a victory for his compatriots who “fight with every last drop of their blood”. The 3-1 triumph at Hampden Park leaves Ukraine knowing that a win against Wales on Sunday in Cardiff will earn them a place in the World Cup finals for just the second...

2Jun

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Messi inspires Argentina to 3-0 Finalissima win over Italy

Energized at Wembley by Lionel Messi’s assists, Argentina’s players threw their superstar teammate in the air after he inspired them to a second title in a year. National team success is finally coming for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, late in his trophy-filled club career. Argentina collected the first Finalissima trophy on Wednesday by beating Italy 3-0 in a meeting of the South American and European champions, with Messi having helped Argentina win the Copa America last July for his first major title with the national team. 🚨 TOR! 🚨👉 @Argentina 🇦🇷⚽ Ángel #DiMaría❄🆒😎📺 = @CopaAmerica 🔙#Finalissima | #ITAARG 0:2 (45') pic.twitter.com/H8Kb9WXv7HBest of Express PremiumPremiumPremiumPremiumPremium — 🏆 #Finalissima (@EURO2024DE) June 1, 2022 And judging by the two assists on his recor...

1Jun

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Argentina vs Italy Finalissima 2022 Live streaming: When and Where to watch ITA vs ARG match live?

ITA vs ARG Finalissima 2022 Live streaming: Italy and Argentina are facing each other at Wembley Stadium in London for a match between the most recent winners of the European Championship and Copa America. It is the first of three inter-continental championships that UEFA and CONMEBOL — the soccer bodies of Europe and South America, respectively — have agreed to stage. It will be the third time the champions of the world’s two most powerful soccer confederations face off in official competition. On the other two occasions, France beat Uruguay in 1985 and Argentina beat Denmark in 1993. Italy vs Argentina (ITA vs ARG) Finalissima 2022 match details: Where to watch live streaming of the Italy vs Argentina (ITA vs ARG) Finalissima 2022? The Italy vs Argentina (ITA vs ARG) Finalissima 2022 ...

30May

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Benzema deserves to win Ballon d’Or, says Messi

Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema deserves to win the Ballon d’Or this year after helping to guide his team to the Champions League title, seven-times winner of the award Lionel Messi said on Monday. Benzema had the best season of his 13-year career at Real, scoring 44 goals with 15 assists in all competitions as they won a LaLiga-Champions League double. 🚨 Limited Time Offer | Express Premium with ad-lite for just Rs 2/ day 👉🏽 Click here to subscribe 🚨 The 34-year-old topped the scoring charts in both competitions and netted hat-tricks against Paris St Germain and Chelsea in the knockout stages to secure Real’s progress.Best of Express PremiumPremiumPremiumPremiumPremium “There are no doubts, it’s very clear that Benzema had a spectacular year and ended up victorious in the Ch...

13May

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FIFA takes on EA Sports video game in soccer’s new rivalry

The name “FIFA” can bring to mind images of the World Cup and soccer’s greatest players, like Pele, Zinedine Zidane, and Lionel Messi. The acronym for the sport’s governing body may also remind some of shameless bribery and corruption. For many, though, it’s the video game that is synonymous with FIFA. For three decades, the Switzerland-based soccer body has enjoyed a flourishing, mutually beneficial relationship with EA Sports. The annual edition of the video game, alongside related products, has raked in billions of dollars and has proven to be so lucrative that FIFA thinks it can be making even more on its own. FIFA severed the licensing deal partnership with Electronic Arts Inc. on Tuesday, making FIFA23 the last new EA game with the involvement of both sides. They are now becoming ...

11May

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For Federer, Woods, Kohli, loss of form doesn’t mean loss of income

If an elite sportsperson has a stirring body of work and an image that moves the needle – as marketing gurus would put it – it hardly matters if their skills have faded a shade. The 2022 Sportico list of the Top 100 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World is a who’s who of sporting greatness over the last couple of decades, but even if some of them may be at the fag end of their time at the very summit of their pursuits, it doesn’t reflect in their earnings. Someone like Virat Kohli – the sole cricketer in the list – may be struggling for runs, but that hasn’t made him a lesser star with earnings of $33.9 million (including $31m in endorsements) putting him in joint 61st spot. The top 10 in the list features usual suspects like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roger Federer and Tiger W...

17Apr

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Cristiano Ronaldo, ‘greatest of all times,’ says Argentina’s Garnacho; ‘You haven’t played with Messi yet,’ quips Aguero

If you have followed football in the recent past, it’s very unlikely that you have not been a part of the decade-long debate about Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi. The two modern greats of the game have always divided the footballing world, with each side having staunch supporters. Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, the 17-year-old Argentine starlet, had a big day on Saturday when he was named as a substitute in United’s game vs Norwich. After the match, he was given the match ball by Ronaldo, who scored his 50th club hattrick. To commemorate the day, the youngster posted a photo of himself alongside Ronaldo on Instagram after the match with the caption, “Greatest of all times.” Garnacho, a lifelong Ronaldo fan, has been recently called up to the Argentina senior squad, had a ...

21Mar

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There is no Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate anymore, Ronaldo is the best player of all time, says Liverpool legend David James | Football News – Times of India

Cristiano Ronaldo is 37 years old and he is still firing on all cylinders. His recent hat-trick for Manchester United against Tottenham, which was also incidentally the 49th hat-trick of his club career, saw him become the second oldest player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick. But more importantly perhaps it also saw Ronaldo become professional football's all-time leading goal scorer, going past Austro-Czech Josef Bican. Over the years, we have seen Ronaldo continue to remain an extremely fit and prolific player, across the leading leagues in the world - EPL, La Liga and Serie A - leagues where he also holds multiple records. His return to United colours was a huge shot in the arm for the Red Devils who are trophy-less since 2017. They did finish second behind Manchester C...

13Mar

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Neymar and Messi jeered by seething PSG fans in 3-0 home win

Record-breakers Neymar and Lionel Messi felt the heat from Paris Saint-Germain’s angry fans following another Champions League humiliation, getting whistled every time they touched the ball during a 3-0 home win against Bordeaux on Sunday. Even when Neymar scored the second goal against rock-bottom Bordeaux the fans jeered him. Even when Messi embarked on a trademark run from deep and hit the post he got booed. “I feel sad about what I saw today,” PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino said. “All of us were upset.” While the runaway leader moved 15 points clear in a league it usually dominates, the fans want success elsewhere. Mbappe getting applauded while Messi and Neymar get booed by the PSG fans lmaoooo pic.twitter.com/bAjOe6k7aw — Albi 🇽🇰 (@albiFCB7) March 13, 2022 Yet PSG blew it again in...

27Feb

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Ligue 1: Kylian Mbappe scores 2 as PSG move 16 points clear

Runaway league leader Paris Saint-Germain again relied on Kylian Mbappe as it rallied from a goal down to beat Saint-Etienne 3-1 at home. Mbappe has rescued PSG with late goals this season and this time he scored either side of halftime, before assisting on the third goal for midfielder Danilo in the 52nd minute at Parc des Princes on Saturday. Record seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi set up Mbappe twice as the Frenchman tied Monaco’s Wissam Ben Yedder on a league-leading 14 goals. Messi joined Mbappe as top of the passers with 10 assists. The victory moved PSG 16 points clear of second-place Nice but it was the 13th time in 26 matches that PSG has fallen behind in a game, raising further questions about its vulnerability against quick passing and transition play. Both sets of...