Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal has had his contract terminated by mutual consent, the LaLiga club have announced.
The former France international s departure continues a post-season overhaul at Camp Nou, with head coach Quique Setien sacked following the humiliating 8-2 Champions League quarter-final loss to Bayern Munich.
A report by Sport suggested the majority of the Barcelona first-team squad are up for sale ahead of Ronald Koeman s expected appointment as Setien s successor.
Lionel Messi is not among the vast list of Blaugrana players thought to be on the market, although a report by Marcelo Bechler – the journalist who broke news of Neymar s shock move from Barca to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 – stated the six-time Ballon d Or winner wants to …
Cristiano Ronaldo conceded the feelings were bittersweet after Portugal progressed to the last eight of Euro 2024.
Ronaldo saw a penalty brilliantly saved by Jan Oblak during extra time of Monday s clash with Slovenia.
The 39-year-old was in tears at the interval during the extra 30 minutes, but stepped up to take Portugal s first spot-kick in the shootout and made no mistake with his finish.
Diogo Costa was Portugal s hero, as he became the first goalkeeper to save three shots in a European Championship penalty shootout without conceding.
Ronaldo teared up again during his media duties at full-time.
Even the strongest people have their [bad] days. I was at rock bottom when the team needed me the most, said Ronaldo, as quoted by BBC Sport.
<…
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker:
Getting their Conference League qualifying adventure underway on Thursday night, Motherwell will welcome Sligo Rovers to Fir Park.
Motherwell
Starting with the hosts, while Motherwell might have been disappointed to have signed off last season with a 6-0 drumming against Scottish giants Celtic, Graham Alexander s men have managed to find a summer boost. Picking up back-to-back friendly victories against Partick Thistle and Austrian outfit Vorwarts Steyr over the past fortnight, the one-time Salford boss should be confident that his side can pick up a first-leg advantage on Thursday night. However, winning just a trio of their final 18 Premiership contests last season and coming under real scrutiny, Alexander also saw his side gain a re…
Francisco Trincao has returned to Barcelona after Wolves opted against triggering their purchase option.
The 22-year-old winger joined Wolves on loan last July, reportedly paying £5.1million (€5.9m) to borrow him for the season.
As part of the deal, Wolves secured an option to buy the Portugal international for £25million (€29m) at the end of the loan, but that rarely looked a realistic outcome.
Trincao featured 28 times for Wolves in the Premier League, though only 16 of those appearances were as a starter, and he had a hand in just four goals.
Despite Wolves letting Trincao return to Barcelona, they will – according to a report published on Sunday by the West Midlands-based Express and Star – receive 20 per cent of his next transfer fee.
…
Bologna are convinced coach Roberto Donadoni will be with the club next season despite talk him of taking over as Italy boss, according to Marco Di Vaio.
Antonio Conte has confirmed he will not extend his contract with Italy even if they win Euro 2016, with the former Juventus coach reportedly poised to take over at Premier League side Chelsea.
Donadoni has steered Bologna away from relegation trouble since taking over as head coach in October.
Bologna were 18th in the table with just six points when Donadoni took over, but they have since collected 30 points from 20 Serie A games and sit eight clear of danger.
Despite overseeing a disappointing Euro 2008 campaign in his previous spell as Italy coach, Donadoni has been linked with a return to the job foll…
Lionel Messi insisted Paris Saint-Germain s objective is to win the Champions League after being paired with Real Madrid in the round of 16.
LaLiga leaders Madrid stand in the way of PSG and the quarter-finals following a chaotic redraw due to a technical glitch on Monday.
PSG – initially drawn against Manchester United – were Champions League runners-up in 2019-20, however, the French giants have never conquered Europe.
As former Barcelona superstar Messi prepares to reunite with Madrid – the first leg will be held on February 15 – the Ballon d Or winner reinforced PSG s ultimate pursuit.
The objective for PSG is to win the Champions League, that s everyone s aim, Messi said at the Dubai Expo 2020 via Marca.
The team has been very clo…
Arsenal and Liverpool played out the best game of the Premier League season so far, the Gunners coming from two goals down to lead only for Roberto Firmino to claim a dramatic 3-3 draw.
Philippe Coutinho had Liverpool deservedly in front at half-time, the Brazil international beating Petr Cech with a deft header after Mohamed Salah s cross looped up off Laurent Koscielny.
But while Jurgen Klopp s side dominated the first period, they were later left to rue missed chances.
An epic second half initially saw a rampant Liverpool double their advantage shortly after the restart, Salah s shot deflecting in after Firmino led a superb counter-attack.
Their two-goal lead was short-lived, though, as a resurgent Arsenal were in front with three goals inside five …
Having the chance to win trophies and the honour of being the captain of this club is something I will forever keep in my heart.
I have always been 100 per cent focused and committed on doing everything I can for this club which is why leaving without a real goodbye hurts – but that is football.
I m sad I did not get the chance to help my team-mates in the last few weeks, but I have nothing but respect for this club and truly wish all my guys and the fans all the best and many successful years in the future! Love, Auba.
Aubameyang scored 92 goals in 162 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal after joining from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018.
He won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2018-19, alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, an…
UEFA could decide to move the Champions League final from St Petersburg as European football s governing body closely watches the escalating crisis in Ukraine.
The 2022 final is scheduled to take place in Russia s second-largest city, one of the main venues during the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020, on May 28.
UEFA s present position is to hold the Champions League final in St Petersburg, but it is understood the situation could change, even at short notice. The previous two finals were moved due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
European football s governing body said in a statement on Tuesday: UEFA is constantly and closely monitoring the situation. At present, there are no plans to change the venue.
Staging European football s most prestigious club match in R…
Borussia Dortmund have been drawn against Borussia Monchengladbach in the second round of the DFB-Pokal, while holders Bayern Munich will travel to second-tier side Bochum.
Dortmund saw off lower-league opposition Uerdingen in the first round but have a far tougher test to come against Gladbach in one of two all-Bundesliga ties.
Bayern continue the defence of their crown with a trip to Bochum, who they beat en route to winning the competition in 2015-16.
Elsewhere, last season s beaten finalists RB Leipzig will take on top-flight rivals Wolfsburg for a place in round three.
The two remaining semi-professional sides in the competition, FC Saarbrucken and Verl, were paired with Koln and Holstein Kiel respectively in Sunday s draw.
The games will be…