oleh admin | Agu 19, 2025 | football clubs, football players, lionel messi, soccer, sports
Dhaka, Aug. 19 — Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has praised teenage signing Franco Mastantuono for his maturity while playing down the Argentine’s choice of Lionel Messi as the world’s best player.
The 18-year-old midfielder recently signed a six-year contract with Madrid and, during his unveiling last week, said he considered compatriot Messi the greatest player.
it’s perfectly normal for messi to be his role model,” alonso said to journalists on monday. “he’s argentine and uses his left foot, so i’m not surprised.
Mastantuono’s remarks, which referenced a Barcelona legend and long-time rival of Madrid, drew headlines in Spain and left some Madrid fans displeased. For over a decade, Messi battled Cristiano Ronaldo, who is regarded by many as Madrid’s all-time great, during the iconic La Liga rivalry. Ronaldo now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, while Messi is with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Madrid secured Mastantuono from River Plate after he turned 18, reportedly paying €45 million ($52.5 million) for the transfer.
Naples striker Lukaku could have an operation after suffering a thigh injury.
Alonso said he was impressed by the youngster’s personality early on. “When I first spoke to him at 17, he was confident and unfazed by the prospect of joining Real Madrid. His maturity has stood out since day one. I’m convinced he’ll adapt quickly on and off the pitch.”
The trainer suggested that Mastantuono could be included in Madrid’s La Liga match against Osasuna on Tuesday.
He will provide us with quality and enthusiasm, along with a powerful defensive approach,” Alonso remarked. “He possesses that Argentinian fighter mentality coupled with excellent skill and an outstanding left foot, whether during set pieces or the last assist. He’s young, yet he’s already competing at a reliable standard. It’s our responsibility to mentor him.
Source: Agency
oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | european football, football clubs, football players, soccer, sports
AC Milan’s Kyle Walker dismissed Chelsea’s struggling player Joao Felix with a reference to Lionel Messi during their Serie A match against Napoli on Sunday, March 30.
Kyle Walker didn’t hold back when confronting Joao Felix in the tunnel following AC Milan’s fourth Serie A loss in six games against Napoli.
The big European teams gave away within two minutes soon after Tammy Abraham and Felix were unable to connect.
During a counterattack initiated by Antonio Conte’s Napoli, Matteo Politano found the back of the net. In the 19th minute, former Manchester United and Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku added another goal for Napoli.
Walker allowed Lukaku to stay onsides, and his frustration was evident. As they headed back to the locker room following the half-time whistle, Walker expressed displeasure towards Felix.
“We are not Lionel Messi; nobody compares to him around here,” Walker stated through Football London.
Felix, who struggled to make an impact at Chelsea during the initial part of the season, managed only 14 touches in the first half and completed 12 passes. After halftime, he touched the ball just six times before being substituted in the 55th minute.
In the 79th minute, Walker was substituted as Napoli managed to stay close to league leader Inter Milan.
Felix has played eight times in Serie A for AC Milan and provided one assist. He scored his lone goal during the Italian Cup match.
More to follow
oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | football clubs, football players, german, soccer, sports
German soccer boasts a rich legacy of scorers stretching back to the start of the tournament.
1963, featuring some of the finest we have encountered.
Ever since, the tournament has largely been under the control of Bayern Munich, which has claimed victory 32 times. In distant second place are Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach, both having secured five championships apiece, indicating a clear dominance over the league title.
This trend extends to the players too, with four out of the top 10 scorers in the tournament’s history all playing for Bayern, and several legendary goalscorers having made their mark in Germany.
After concentrating on other major European leagues before, we’ve chosen to examine the leading 10 goal scorers here.
Bundesliga
chart and commemorate the finest individuals in history.
10. Mario Gomez – 170 goals scored
Mario Gomez demonstrated his consistency as a dependable forward by scoring goals regularly for Bayern, Wolfsburg, and Stuttgart, proving himself repeatedly at the upper echelons of German football.
Throughout his entire career, he played mainly in Germany with the exception of a brief stint at Fiorentina. He was known for being both astute and imposing as a forward.
During his tenure at Bayern, he led the scoring charts once when playing in Germany, a period during which many believe he delivered his finest performances. Between 2010 and 2012, he experienced his most outstanding phase, amassing an impressive tally of 80 goals over two successive campaigns, solidifying his status as one of Europe’s premier forwards at that juncture.
Moreover, in his peak years, he was instrumental in guiding Germany to the UEFA Euro 2008 final and securing a third-place spot in both the FIFA World Cup 2010 and UEFA Euro 2012.
9. Dieter Müller and Klaus Алloffс – 177 goals
In the 1970s, both forwards started scoring prolifically, and they went on to become legends at FC Köln due to their contributions.
Dieter Müller played a key role in helping his team secure one league championship and two German Cup victories. He also topped the scoring charts consecutively over two seasons. Only the best two players listed surpass him in terms of goals per game ratio, and with 159 goals scored across 248 matches, he proved himself as an exceptional forward.
READ:
The leading 10 goal scorers in Europe’s premier five leagues for the 2024-25 season: Is anyone able to outpace Salah?
Klaus Allofs had a comparable career trajectory. Despite scoring goals less frequently but in more matches over time, he accumulated a greater number of titles across several teams, which included winning the European Championship with the West German national team in 1980.
He was also crowned the Bundesliga’s top scorer twice. Although he missed out on securing the championship during his time at Köln, where he did claim victory in the German Cup, he later achieved success with Werder Bremen by winning both the league title and another German Cup. Following his retirement from playing, he went on to clinch the Bundesliga as a team manager.
8. Stefan Kuntz – 179 goals
Even though Stefan Kuntz boasts the lowest goals-to-game ratio on this list, he was an esteemed individual who dedicated nearly his entire professional career to playing in Germany.
Most of his goals were scored during his tenure at Kaiserslautern; however, he also found the net consistently throughout his spells at Bochum and Arminia Bielefeld.
KFC Uerdingen.
In 1991, he received the honor of being Germany’s Footballer of the Year following his team’s achievement of winning both the league and the supercup with Kaiserslautern.
Examining his most successful seasons, his greatest number of goals scored in one league campaign was 22 out of 34 matches played. However, he frequently managed to score over ten goals each season, thereby etching his legacy within the annals of sports history through these consistent performances.
7. Ulf Kirsten – 181 goals
In addition to appearing high up on this list, Ulf Kirsten made history during his career by becoming the
the first athlete ever to achieve 100 appearances across two separate national teams (initially for
East Germany
, then
Reunified Germany
).
Furthermore, he earned recognition as a three-time Bundesliga leading goalscorer, won the German Cup, reached the UEFA Champions League final, and was named the 1990 East Germany Footballer of the Year.
All of his objectives were scored against Bayer Leverkusen, making him clearly their leading scorer in team history, surpassing Stefan Kiessling and Dimitar Berbatov.
6. Claudio Pizarro – 197 goals
Notably, Claudio Pizarro’s initial and final goals in the Bundesliga were separated by 21 years, highlighting his enduring career. The Peruvian forward represented several teams throughout his tenure.
Bayern Munich
,Werder Bremen and Köln, with whom he had several stints at the latter club.
Having won 16 titles during his tenure at Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen, he has experienced significant success throughout his career. However, his true legacy lies in the numerous records he continues to uphold.
These records encompass: the highest number of appearances in Bundesliga by a non-German player (490 matches), as well as securing the second position for the most goals scored in the Bundesliga by an international player.
,
achieving the record for the oldest player to score in Bundesliga history at 40 years and 227 days, as well as becoming the most senior player to ever score a hat-trick in Bundesliga history at 37 years and 151 days.
READ MORE:
The leading 10 scorers in European football’s top five leagues’ history: Lewandowski advances to third place…
TRY A QUIZ:
Could you list all of Bayern Munich’s managers from the year 2000 onwards?
5. Manfred Burgsmüller – 213 goals
As we approach the prestigious 200-club, Manfred Burgsmüller joins this elite group after scoring for four different German teams, with his most fruitful tenure being at Borussia Dortmund.
He scored 135 out of his 213 goals for Dortmund during a prolific career that spanned from 1969 to 1990.
Even though he scored numerous goals, he represented West Germany only thrice internationally and secured merely two titles throughout his career. Both victories were achieved with Werder Bremen when they claimed the Bundesliga and the German Super Cup.
4. Jupp Heynckes – 220 goals
Although numerous contemporary supporters may recognize Jupp Heynckes for his coaching achievements, he was also a formidable player during his peak years, and he ranks third in terms of scoring efficiency among the players mentioned.
During his tenure at Borussia Monchengladbach, he scored an impressive 195 goals in 283 matches as the team was experiencing a highly successful period.
This led to four league championships, a German Cup victory, a UEFA Cup win along with making it to the European Cup final. Subsequently, he aided West Germany in winning both the World Cup and European Championships, and he also claimed the title of top league scorer twice.
3. Klaus Fischer – 268 goals scored
Throughout his entire career, Klaus Fischer excelled at scoring goals in Germany across four different teams, earning him legendary status in his homeland.
Although his overall trophy count included only two German Cups victories at two distinct clubs (Schalke and FC Köln), he boasted an impressive track record, notably at Schalke where he scored 182 goals in 295 matches—a feat still unmatched as a club record.
Throughout his career, one notable attribute he possessed was his skill at scoring bicycle kick goals. His most celebrated strike occurred during a 4-1 win over Switzerland in an international game held in 1977; this particular goal won the Goal of the Year award from German TV spectators.
Subsequently, it was declared the Goal of the Decade and the Goal of the Century. Moreover, during the 1982 FIFA World Cup semifinal against France, he netted an iconic scissor-kick equalizer in extra time. The game concluded with a penalty shoot-out victory for West Germany, though they ultimately fell short in the final.
2. Robert Lewandowski – 312 goals
In terms of the modern greats, Robert Lewandowski stands tall as one of the very best. One of the best poachers we’ve ever seen, the Polish forward had quick feet, good technical fundamentals and brilliant positioning and physicality.
His average of 0.81 goals per match is astounding but even this figure pales in comparison to the legendary Gerd Muller’s achievements. Nonetheless, he claimed 10 league titles and amassed an impressive total of 25 trophies during his stints with both Bayern and Dortmund.
A seven-time Bundesliga leading goalscorer, he stood out in the European scoring rankings excluding Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He won the Best FIFA Men’s Player award twice—in 2020 and 2021—while playing for Bayern but was denied a Ballon d’Or during these years because the awards ceremony was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He boasts numerous records, yet his 41 goals during one season stands as the pinnacle, remaining unmatched in German league annals.
READ:
When comparing Robert Lewandowski’s statistics following his 30th birthday against those of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, we can observe some interesting trends.
1. Gerd Müller – 365 goals
Even though Lewandowski might have surpassed the legendary German striker, Gerd Muller still stands out as one of the most prolific goalscorers in the annals of football history, full stop.
All of his Bundesliga goals were scored with Bayern, giving him an astounding ratio of 0.85. He was the trailblazer during his career from 1965 to 1979 in Germany, breaking numerous records along the way.
He is an exceptionally talented athlete who stands out as one of only nine players to achieve victory in both the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Ballon d’Or.
He was not only a recipient of the Ballon d’Or but also secured the title of Bundesliga topscorer seven times. Additionally, his remarkable record includes having scored more goals than appearances made for West Germany.
Der Bomber
is considered one of the genuine greats.
oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | football clubs, football players, lionel messi, soccer
Lionel Messi
during his
Barcelona
Prime notably stands out among the 10 players with the highest number of assists in a single season since 2000. However, which other athletes complete this top 10 list?
The playmaker position has evolved into a refined role, with supporters placing significant emphasis on ‘assist statistics’ to identify the most inventive players. While some are inherently suited for this position, they often accumulate substantially more assists compared to goals, excelling at crafting plays both during set pieces and in open play as key architects within their teams.
Truly exceptional playmakers function in the space between the midfield and the attacking zone, exploiting gaps behind the defensive line where they can utilize their vision, agile footwork, and precise passing to set up teammates in ideal scoring situations.
With that in mind, we’ve decided to look at the top 10 campaigns in terms of assists in Europe’s top five leagues in the 21st century, counting assists from competitions in their country as well as European tournaments as well.
10. Mesut Özil – 2009-10 Season (25 appearances)
Mesut Özil appears multiple times on the list and stands out as one of the most naturally gifted playmakers to have graced football in the 2000s. Endowed with skill, an elegant playing style, and exceptional foresight, he was the quintessential offensive midfielder. This season, he recorded 29 assists across all competitions, including four during the Europa League qualification round.
Keeping the number 25, this impressive performance occurred during a season when he excelled atWerder Bremen. His efforts contributed significantly as his team secured third place in the Bundesliga, progressed tothe Round of 16in theEuropa League, and made it all the way to thefinalof theGerman Cup. Following this remarkable run, he promptly transferred toReal Madridthat same year.
9. Thomas Müller – 2019-20 (26)
At Bayern Munich, Thomas Müller might as well be regarded as an integral piece of their legacy by now. He is intricately linked with the team’s modern-day story and is approaching his 750th appearance for the club.
Throughout that period, he has emerged as a crucial offensive force, scoring almost as many goals as providing assists, and he ranks among the topassist providers in the annals of football.
In the 2019/20 campaign, the team managed to score from various parts of the field, with their striking force led by Robert Lewandowski, who seized every opportunity presented to him.
In Hansi Flick’s inaugural season, they secured the treble and dominated both the league and the Champions League, famously putting eight past Barcelona in the semifinal. At the center of this success stood Müller, who excelled brilliantly throughout.
READ MORE:
The seven active players with the highest number of assists in football history include Messi, Ronaldo, and others.
8. Lionel Messi – 2019-20 (27)
Lionel Messi appears thrice on this list, making his inclusion inevitable. A complete megastar, he can score goals and set up teammates effortlessly. In his most authentic role, however, he shines as a creator who generates opportunities for fellow players so seamlessly that playing alongside him would likely have been exhilarating for any forward.
During the 2019/20 campaign, he coached the team to only 27 wins across all competitions, resulting in them not securing any trophies—a rarity throughout his tenure with Barcelona. This outcome wasn’t due to him though; over just 44 matches, he achieved an impressive tally of 31 goals and 27 assists.
7. Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 2015-16 Season (28)
Maybe one of the most overlooked campaigns over the last twenty years, Henrikh Mkhitaryan astonished European soccer with his performance of scoring 23 goals and providing 32 assists across 52 matches for Borussia Dortmund under Thomas Tuchel.
The attacking trio consisting of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Marco Reus created significant chaos during the season when they secured second place in the league, reached the final in the cup, and yet surprisingly allowed Liverpool to stage an incredible come back after leading at Anfield.
During his most impressive season, Mkhitaryan recorded an astounding 28 assists across various competitions including the Bundesliga, Europa League, and German Cup. Following this success, he secured transfers to both Manchester United and Arsenal; however, these moves did not quite meet the high expectations set for him. Nonetheless, nobody can argue with the exceptional talent he displayed while playing in Germany.
6. Mesut Özil – 2010-11 Season (28)
During his debut season with Madrid, he became part of an exclusive team headed by Cristiano Ronaldo. As a result, he found himself providing assists not only to Ronaldo but also to teammates like Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuaín, receiving recognition for his contributions in return.
When Barcelona dominated the era, his efforts assisted them in clinching the Spanish Cup; nevertheless, they failed to secure victories in either the league or the Champions League against their arch-rivals, Barcelona. Throughout the season, Ozil displayed exceptional brilliance, with his tactical acumen becoming evident as he swiftly adjusted to the game.
READ:
A homage to Mesut Özil at Real Madrid: A ‘one-of-a-kind’ assisting maestro
5. Kevin De Bruyne – Season 2014-15 (28)
Following his departure from Chelsea, Kevin De Bruyne was determined to show both the London club and Jose Mourinho they were mistaken. With players like Eden Hazard, Oscar, Willian, Andre Schurrle, and a budding Mohamed Salah ahead of him, he realized he needed to find another path for growth. At Wolfsburg, not only did he flourish but also surpassed expectations.
In his debut season, he managed to score 16 goals and provide 28 assists across 51 matches, helping them secure second place in the league, win the German Cup, but lose in the quarterfinals of the Europa League under coach Ralph Hasenhüttl. The next summer, he moved to Manchester City where he rapidly established himself among the top players in the Premier League. As they say, the rest is history.
4. Juan Mata – 2012-13 Season (30)
Back then, Juan Mata was regarded as one of the top attacking midfielders in the Premier League, with his performance during the 2012/13 season being particularly outstanding for him personally. During this period, he scored 20 goals and provided 30 assists in 64 matches as Chelsea participated in various tournaments.
Ultimately, they secured third place under Rafael Benítez, progressed to the semifinals in both domestic cup competitions, and finished as runners-up in both the Super Cup and Club World Cup. However, they emerged victorious in the Europa League during their inaugural participation in the tournament.
Mata’s late corner kick was powerfully headed home by Branislav Ivanovic to secure the victory, and he consistently showcased his dominance throughout the entire season.
3. Xavi – 2008-09 Season (31)
Referred to as the outstanding midfield maestro, Xavi was the central figure in both the dominant Spanish national team and FC Barcelona. However, few recognize just how reliably he set up goals for his fellow players during this period. It was also the notable year when Pep Guardiola assumed control, propelling the teams towards an impressive treble victory season.
Xavi was outstanding in midfield and crucial to his team’s new tactical approach, which would eventually revolutionize club soccer. He provided an assist during the Champions League final against Manchester United, helping to seal the victory.
A stunning cross from outside the box sliced through the United defense as Messi unleashed a rareheader to seal their win, with his precise assist at that moment perfectly illustrating his skill.
2. Lionel Messi – 2014-15 (31)
This was an iconic year for the Barcelona side as they went on to secure a famous treble, spearheaded by the incredible attacking trio of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez. That attack devastated almost every side as they picked up all the accolades, and Messi was at the centre of it all with 58 goals and 31 assists in 57 games.
His innovative skills contributed to Neymar scoring 39 goals, while Suarez scored 25 during his first season in Spain, with one notable goal being their team’s second in the Champions League final—a strike from Messi that rebounded off Gianluigi Buffon. It turned out to be one of the greatest players’ finest campaigns ever.
1. Lionel Messi – Season 2011-12 (32)
With each passing year, Messi’s performance during the 2011-12 season remains an ever-growing legend. Scoring 73 goals and providing 32 assists across merely 60 matches is nothing short of extraordinary. He went on to shatter the record for the highest number of goals scored within a single calendar year in 2012, amassing an astounding total of 91 goals.
During Guardiola’s final season leading the team, Barcelona secured victories in the UEFA Super Cup, the Spanish Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup, along with winning the Copa del Rey. However, despite Messi being at the pinnacle of his extraordinary abilities, they fell short in both La Liga and the Champions League.
Despite facing challenges, Messi led the league in assists by a significant margin and scored more goals than anyone else in club soccer that season, rendering this campaign nothing short of extraordinary and astonishing.
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Could you list the top 25 players who have recorded the most assists in the history of the Champions League?
oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | football clubs, football players, music, soccer, sports
Fans of AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia have transformed the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) into shades of blue, white, and green in anticipation of their match today.
The 96th Mashemeji Derby will be front and center starting at 4 PM at the Nyayo National Stadium, where much more than just three points will be up for grabs.
The match has already faced two postponements this season due to Kenya’s ongoing challenges in finding an approved venue capable of hosting such a significant event.
One of the venues approved for both CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027, Nyayo Stadium, has been declared fit to stage matches. The Kenya men’s national football team, known as Harambee Stars, recently competed in a World Cup qualifying match against Gabon.
Before the match began, supporters from both teams arrived in Nairobi wearing their vibrant team colors and singing their club anthems. Crowds congregated at the Kenya National Archives and outside the Nation Centre prior to setting off towards Nyayo Stadium as part of the parade.
More to follow.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | chelsea f.c., football clubs, football players, soccer, sports
Chelsea boasts one of the most outstanding youth development programs in England, consistently producing an abundance of talented players who often progress to play for the first team.
Recently, players like Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, and Reece James have excelled in the Premier League, followed by Gallagher’s transfer to Atletico Madrid.
On the flip side, some do not achieve great success, and in this case, we’ve explored five former individuals who did not make it big.
Chelsea
academy players who are now competing in non-league soccer.
Rohan Ince
Paul Ince’s nephew and Tom’s cousin, Rohan Ince, has participated in international football five times for Montserrat and has also played for several prominent clubs.
He didn’t stay long at Chelsea before getting released, but he was soon signed by Brighton, where he remained for five years during their tenure in the Championship. For the Seagulls, he made 91 appearances and went on several loans, one of which included playing for another Championship team, Fulham.
Following his departure from Brighton in 2018, Ince has competed in both League One and League Two matches. At 32 years old, he is now participating in the National League as part of Woking’s team. Simultaneously, his cousin Tom continues to play Championship football for Watford at the age of 33.
Michael Woods
Originally from York and having started his career at Leeds’ academy, Chelsea viewed Woods as sufficiently talented to invest £150,000 in him when he was still young. Additionally, he was part of the England team that went to the Under-20 World Cup in 2009, although he didn’t get to play any minutes during the tournament.
Two years after that incident, the player found himself without a team when his contract with Chelsea expired. He had only been part of the first-team squad on two occasions but did not get to play in either.
Initially selected by Yeovil, he was let go after half a year. Subsequently, a different League One club, Doncaster Rovers, took him under their wing. Following this stint, Woods experienced non-league football for the first time when he moved to Harrogate Town as a free agent.
He went back to the 92 with Hartlepool, yet he has been involved in non-league football ever since their relegation from League Two during the 2016/17 season. Since then, Woods has represented Harrogate, Dover, York, South Shields, and currently plays for Scarborough.
Alex Kiwomya
Across Chelsea’s U-18, U-21, and youth league teams, Kiwomya made 69 appearances, netting 12 goals and providing seven assists.
Although he didn’t play any senior games, the Blues attempted to unlock his potential by sending him on three loan spells. In 2017, he moved to Doncaster Rovers as a free agent and subsequently had more loan stints in the National League with teams like Chesterfield and Chorley.
After initially joining Chesterfield on loan, Kiwomya made the permanent move a few years later. Following a brief stint in Gibraltar during 2021, he has since been moving between various clubs in England’s non-league system. At present, he plays for Rylands in the Northern Premier League, which sits two tiers beneath the National League.
Luke McCormick
Midfielder McCormick scored 24 goals and provided 10 assists in 81 matches across under-18, under-21, and youth league teams at Chelsea.
In 33 Premier League 2 matches, McCormick managed to contribute a total of 12 goals, which initially indicated he could be ready to join the main squad. However, this potential was not realized in the end.
Rather than focusing elsewhere, he has largely built his career playing in League One, where he participated in 141 matches and contributed directly to 27 goals during stints with Bristol Rovers and Wimbledon.
Although League One club Rovers still owns him, McCormick is presently on loan in the National League with Forest Green.
Billy Clifford
During the 2013/14 Under-21 Premier League season with Chelsea, Clifford contributed six assists in just five matches. Notably, three of these assists were scored in a single game where Chelsea’s youth team thrashed Leicester 5-1.
Clifford laid on his three assists in just 45 minutes, having come off the bench, and outshone midfield partner Ruben Loftus-Cheek, while Nathan Ake and Andreas Christensen were also starters.
However, the mentioned threesome moved on to greater successes, whereas Clifford became a free agent two years later. During his career, he participated in nearly 75 matches across League One and League Two, but found himself playing at the non-league level come the 2018/19 season.
Clifford has represented clubs such as Boreham Wood, Hemel, Billericay, Slough, Wealdstone, Havant, Waterlooville, Ebbsfleet, and currently plays for Barnet, all of which compete outside the league system.
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