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Tag: PSG

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PSG, Dortmund, Milan, Newcastle in tough Champions League group

Paris St Germain (PSG) will kick off their quest for a maiden Champions League trophy in a strong Group F featuring Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Newcastle United following the draw on Thursday. PSG, AC Milan and Dortmund have crossed paths on multiple occasions in Europe’s elite competition, but it is a tough welcome back to the Champions League for Newcastle, who will be playing in the tournament for the first time in 20 years. Holders Manchester City will take on RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys in Group G. City captured their first European crown this year and Pep Guardiola’s side should have few problems in making the last 16, having handed Leipzig a 7-0 thrashing in last year’s tournament. The 2023/24 group stage draw ✅#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/kCTj9JfBFM — UEFA Cha...
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Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele ready to start for PSG, says Luis Enrique

Paris St Germain forwards Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele are both available and will be ready to start their Ligue 1 clash with Toulouse, manager Luis Enrique said on Friday. Mbappe was reinstated into PSG’s first team last week, a day after being omitted for their Ligue 1 season opener against Lorient and reportedly being frozen out of the main squad for weeks amid an ongoing contract stand-off. The league’s top scorer in the last five seasons watched the 0-0 draw with Lorient from the stands alongside new signing and fellow World Cup winner Dembele, who had completed his transfer from Barcelona for 50.4 million euros ($55 million). “Kylian is in great shape, he has a lot of desire, a very good state of mind. I am very happy to have a world-class player like Kylian,” Luis Enrique to...
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‘I am here in Saudi Arabia’: Neymar Jr. completes move from PSG to Al-Hilal

Just when you thought the Saudi Pro League had surprised you all it could with the names that it has acquired over the past few months from top European Leagues, another one arrived on Tuesday. And not just any other name. Neymar Jr. is now a Al Hilal player, as confirmed by the club statement. Financial details have not been disclosed but the transfer is reported to be for a fee of about 90 million euros plus add-ons and subject to a medical. It is done. Another supertstar of world football, who wore the Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain colors not long ago will now be a regular in the SPL. The club also confirmed the same with a video on social media with the 31-year-old stating, “I am here in Saudi Arabia, i am HILALI.” Neymar had moved from Barcelona to PSG in the summer of 2017 f...
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LaLiga files complaint over PSG’s Qatar subsidies

Spanish top flight LaLiga has filed a complaint with the European Commission against Paris St Germain’s “spending commissions”, alleging the Qatari-backed French club are distorting markets through subsidies from the Gulf state. The practices have allowed PSG, owned by Qatar Sports Investments since 2011, to sign top players and coaches “well above its potential in a normal market situation”, LaLiga alleges in the complaint filed on Saturday. The league said in a statement that “PSG has received foreign subsidies from the State of Qatar, which has allowed it to improve its competitive position, thus generating significant distortions in several national and EU markets”. A commission regulation on foreign subsidies that came into force last month gives it “the power to investigate financ...
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France forward Dembele leaves Barcelona to join PSG

Barcelona’s France forward Ousmane Dembele has joined Ligue 1 champions Paris St Germain on a five-year deal, both clubs said on Saturday. Barcelona said they had reached an agreement with PSG on Dembele’s transfer for 50.4 million euros ($55.16 million). Dembele, 26, last year extended his contract with the Spanish champions until June 2024 after his previous deal expired. He won three LaLiga titles and two Spanish Cups in six years. “I’m delighted to be joining Paris St Germain and can’t wait to play for my new club,” Dembele told the club’s website. “I hope I can continue to grow here.” Dembele started his playing career at French side Stade Rennais, making his debut in the 2015–16 season before moving to Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund. He signed with Barca for 105 million euros p...
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Kylian Mbappe likely to join Liverpool after turning down a world-record bid from Al-Hilal

For the past few weeks, speculation has been mounting as to where Kylian Mbappe will play his first game of the season. Will he stay at PSG, go to Real Madrid or fly far away to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal? However, the the french striker has make it sure that going to Saudi Arabia is not in his mind. For now, Kylian Mbappe finds himself in the unique position of training alone at home while his PSG teammates are playing abroad. According to the Mirror, Liverpool are reportedly in talks with PSG over a stunning one-year loan move for wantaway forward Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe recently turned down a world record bid of £259m from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal to join them for one season. Mbappe was in talks with Liverpool over a possible transfer before opting to join PSG in 2018 and has ...
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French players’ union backs Kylian Mbappe as PSG depart for Asia tour sans star amid contract row

France’s National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) has slammed Paris Saint-Germain after the Ligue 1 champions excluded Kylian Mbappe from their pre-season tour to Asia as a contract standoff between the forward and the club rumbles on. The 24-year-old France captain has been put up for sale by PSG, according to media reports, after relations between the two parties soured last month. Mbappe previously said he would not renew his contract, which expires at the end of next season, meaning he can leave for free in June 2024. But PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has said they will not let Mbappe, the French top-flight’s highest scorer for the last five seasons, go for free. “These players – all of them – must enjoy the same working conditions as the rest of the professional workfor...
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PSG appoint Luis Enrique as new coach | Football News – Times of India

POISSY, FRANCE: Former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique has been appointed as the new coach of Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal, the French champions announced on Wednesday.The 53-year-old, who had been a free agent since being sacked as Spain coach last December, replaces Christophe Galtier after his departure from the club was confirmed earlier in the day.Luis Enrique was unveiled by PSG at a press conference alongside the Qatar-backed club's president Nasser al-Khelaifi at their brand new training complex in Poissy, to the north-west of the French capital."I'm delighted to be joining Paris in order to enjoy a new experience," Luis Enrique said in a club statement."It's so exciting to meet new people, to live in this city, to learn a new language and, above all, to manage ...
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PSG to begin Ligue 1 title defence against Lorient | Football News – Times of India

PARIS: Paris St Germain will begin their Ligue 1 title defence at home to Lorient on the opening weekend of the season after the fixtures for the 2023-24 campaign were released on Thursday.The new season, which begins on Aug. 12, will have only 34 matchdays after the top-flight was trimmed from 20 teams to 18, with only two clubs promoted from the second tier while four Ligue 1 sides went down.PSG then visit French Cup winners Toulouse before they welcome last season's Ligue 1 runners-up Lens.Lens finished just one point behind PSG and will begin their new campaign at Brest. Olympique de Marseille, who finished third, host Stade de Reims.PSG's schedule does not get any easier as they take on arch-rivals Marseille on matchday six on Sept. 24 in 'Le Classique'.PSG sealed their 11th Ligue ...
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Messi reflects on challenging start at PSG, recalls ‘massive disappointment’ of Champions League woes – Times of India

Lionel Messi opened up about his difficult start at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), describing it as a "very tough" period in an exclusive interview with beIN Sports on Sunday. The Argentine superstar, who recently departed PSG and will now join Inter Miami in the MLS, expressed his disappointment over two successive failed Champions League campaigns, which he labelled as a "massive disappointment."Messi's decision to join PSG in the summer of 2021, following an illustrious 17-year career at Barcelona, was influenced by his fondness for the club and the presence of friends in the dressing room. He believed that these factors would facilitate his adaptation process compared to other potential destinations. However, the reality proved to be more challenging than he had anticipated, with the ne...
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Lionel Messi says he struggled to adapt after PSG move | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Following his transfer to Paris St Germain in 2021, Lionel Messi revealed that he and his family encountered difficulties in adapting to their new surroundings. Notably, he mentioned that both he and his teammates Kylian Mbappe and Neymar faced boos and jeers from the crowd towards the end of his tenure.After spending two years with PSG, the renowned Argentine decided not to renew his contract this month. On June 7, he officially announced his move to Inter Miami, a team in Major League Soccer (MLS). This decision left some fans disappointed with his overall performance.During his time with the French champions, Messi showcased his exceptional skills by scoring 32 goals and providing 35 assists over the course of two seasons. However, tensions arose between him and the fans w...
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Kylian Mbappe tells PSG he will not renew contract in 2024 – L’Equipe

Kylian Mbappe has told Paris St Germain he will not take up the option of a one-year extension in his contract when it expires next June, L’Equipe reported, with the France forward adding that the club had been notified of his decision last year.Mbappe, a World Cup winner in 2018, confirmed his decision in a letter to the club and could even be sold this summer as PSG will seek to avoid losing him for free, according to the local reports.The player would be free to negotiate and sign a pre-contract agreement with a new club from January should he decide to see out the remaining year of his deal at PSG. In a statement sent to news agency AFP on Tuesday, Mbappe said PSG “were informed on July 15, 2022” of his decision to not extend his contract, adding that “the only aim of the letter was...
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Lionel Messi keen on rejoining Barcelona, says father | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Lionel Messi's father revealed on Monday that the Argentine forward is receptive to the idea of returning to his former club, Barcelona, after his recent departure from Paris St Germain.Last year, Barcelona was compelled to let go of their talisman due to concerns about his high wages and the stringent financial regulations imposed by LaLiga, which could have posed a risk to the club's future.Having joined Barcelona's youth academy at the age of 13, Messi went on to become the club's leading goal scorer and appearance maker, amassing an impressive record of 672 goals in 778 games across all competitions. Following his departure, he joined PSG as a free agent, signing a two-year contract.Barcelona's finances have slightly improved since then, but according to LaLiga, they are ...
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Lionel Messi’s final game for PSG ends in defeat – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Lionel Messi on Saturday faced jeers from a portion of the club's supporters as he played his last match for the Paris Saint-Germain. PSG suffered a 3-2 home loss to Clermont on Saturday. PSG officially confirmed Messi's anticipated departure from the French giants after a two-season stint in a statement released shortly before Saturday's game."His contribution to Paris Saint-Germain and Ligue 1 cannot be underestimated and we wish Leo and his family all the best for the future," said PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi.Yet Messi's name was jeered by some fans as the teams were announced at the Parc des Princes and the Argentinian World Cup winner was again whistled sporadically during the match.There was little riding on the game itself after PSG wrapped up a record 11th French...
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Lionel Messi: Argentina star Lionel Messi to play last game for PSG on Saturday: Galtier | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Argentina superstar Lionel Messi will conclude his tenure at Paris St Germain (PSG) after playing his final game for the club against Clermont on Saturday, coach Christophe Galtier said on Thursday."I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football. This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes," Galtier told reporters in Paris on Thursday.Having achieved an impressive record of 21 goals and 20 assists for PSG across all competitions this season, Messi's transition to the French capital from Barcelona in 2021, under a two-year contract, has been noteworthy."This year, he has been an important part of the team, always available. I don't think any of the comments or criticisms are justified,...
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Lionel Messi on target as PSG clinch Ligue 1 title, Lens return to Champions League – Times of India

PARIS: Lionel Messi found the back of the net as Paris St Germain bagged a record-breaking 11th Ligue 1 title with one game to spare with a mediocre 1-1 draw at Racing Strasbourg on Saturday.The result put PSG on 85 points, four ahead of RC Lens, who secured second place and a place in next season's Champions League - a first for the Sang et Or in 21 years - with a 3-0 hammering of AC Ajaccio in a boiling hot Bollaert-Delelis stadium."Everything was not perfect, but this title belongs to the players. Being French champions is always something," said coach Christophe Galtier."From a personal point of view I appreciate it a lot."Asked about his future at the club after one season in charge, Galtier said: "I've been reading a lot of things here and there but there is a difference between w...
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Barca will ‘do everything possible’ to sign Lionel Messi: Joan Laporta | Football News – Times of India

BARCELONA: Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Monday the club will "do everything possible" to bring Argentine superstar Lionel Messi back in the close season.The Paris Saint-Germain forward is set to leave in the summer when his contract expires and new La Liga champions Barcelona are hoping to lure their all-time top goalscorer back, despite strong interest from Saudi Arabia.Messi has had two lacklustre seasons in Paris after a glorious era at Barcelona where he won four Champions League and 10 La Liga titles, and is still worshipped by the fans there.Laporta said he has spoken with Messi to try and rebuild the relationship between them, which was damaged when he left in 2021.Messi wanted to stay at Barcelona but the club could not afford to keep him because of debt of over one ...
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Messi to start for PSG on Saturday after in-house suspension | Football News – Times of India

Lionel Messi will start Paris St Germain's Ligue 1 game against Ac Ajaccio on Saturday after returning to training following a club-imposed suspension, coach Christophe Galtier said on Friday."I spoke with him on Tuesday to see what his mindset was and I found him very determined to play... He will start tomorrow," Galtier told a press conference.!(function(f, b, e, v, n, t, s) { function loadFBEvents(isFBCampaignActive) { if (!isFBCampaignActive) { return; } (function(f, b, e, v, n, t, s) { if (f.fbq) return; n = f.fbq = function() { n.callMethod ? n.callMethod(...arguments) : n.queue.push(arguments); }; if (!f._fbq) f._fbq = n; n.push = n; n.loaded = !0; n.version = '2.0'; n.queue =...
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Lionel Messi to Saudi Arabia is a no go, representing company state: ‘Nothing with any club for next year’

Hours after reports surfaced that Lionel Messi will be following Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League next season, Team Messi, the company that represents the player and is headed by his father, Jorge have denied the same and stated that a decision on the Argentinean’s career shall be taken at the end of the season. “There is absolutely nothing with any club for next year. The decision will never be made before Lionel finishes the league with PSG,” reads the statement as quoted by Clarin. “Once the season ends it will be time to analyze and see what is there, and then make a decision.” It further reads, “There are always rumors and many use the name of Lionel to gain notoriety but the truth is only one and we can assure you that there is nothing with anyone. Neither verbal nor sign...