Rafa Benitez has long been one of football’s most polarizing managers, with a reputation for countless dressing-room bust-ups that often overshadow his achievements. Remember the 2005 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul? There’s a dark backstory involving one of Liverpool’s players from that night—and it all centers on Benitez.
Harry Kane did some lasting damage at the MEWA Arena. No, he did not score goals. Instead, he collided with Mainz’s goalkeeper, Robin Zentner, who was left injured and required a lengthy treatment.
Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag chapter is done and dusted. The man who came to Old Trafford to end Man City and Liverpool’s eras, has left before making a mark in the Premier League. There were positives of course – the two cup wins Ten Hag loved to point out. But the negatives outweighed them with former club captain Gary Neville pointing out two signings made by the Dutchman which in his opinion, were the worst in the club’s history.
With Rodri stealing the headlines at the 2024 Ballon d’Or award ceremony, it was easy to overlook a remarkable achievement by Barcelona’s superstars Aitana Bonmati, Caroline Graham Hansen, and Salma Paralluelo. These three accomplished something the Catalan club hadn’t achieved since 2010.
In the 32nd minute of Manchester United’s game against West Ham on Sunday, Diogo Dalot missed a shocking chance to score despite having an open goal right in front of him. Fans at London Stadium, including West Ham supporters, couldn’t believe it. Ultimately, that bizarre miss contributed directly to United’s 2-1 loss, but manager Erik ten Hag has other players he feels are to blame.
Oh, Kylian Mbappe, the stage was set. This is what he was brought to the Santiago Bernabeu for — to ignite the pitch with his blistering runs and clever finishes in big matches. But his nightmare El Clasico debut will live in infamy for Real Madrid fans for years to come. In one aspect, however, he did outshine his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, on Saturday.
In football, rivalries are sometimes set aside to achieve a common goal. For instance, getting to Paris? That’s what Manchester United had in mind. According to Mail Sport, United hoped for one plane carrying the city’s football stars to Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in the French capital.
Earlier this month, FIFA announced that Inter Miami would be the 31st team in its inaugural Club World Cup, set to be hosted in 2025. While their inclusion is expected to add value to the tournament, especially with Lionel Messi in the squad, the decision has sparked significant controversy, including criticism from football pundits.
There isn’t any individual award in football more prestigious than the Ballon D’Or, and every year, in the weeks leading up to it, pundits, players and fans engage in heated debates—unless there’s a clear cut winner—over who should win it. Last year, Pep Guardiola did not hesitate before labeling Lionel Messi as the clear winner, but this year, he simply cannot care.
Manchester United will travel to Istanbul to face Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe, a special match for the Red Devils’ fanbase as they reunite with ‘the special one,’ their manager from 2016 to 2018.
