Football

Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane has been crowned the European Golden Shoe winner for the 2023-24 season, receiving the prestigious award at a ceremony in Munich on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Kane's remarkable tally of 36 goals in the Bundesliga propelled him to the top of the scoring charts across all European leagues.Despite being the Premier League's top scorer on three occasions, Kane had never previously won the Golden Shoe. The award recognizes the highest goalscorer in any European football league, and Kane's achievement marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career."It's a fantastic feeling," Kane said after receiving the award. "The award is for everyone. Without you, I wouldn't be standing here today."Kane's success in Munich has been a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. After a trophyless debut season with Bayern, the first time the club had failed to win silverware since 2012, Kane has bounced back with a vengeance."I feel good and am looking forward to the new season," Kane added. "I feel a new energy."Kane's goal tally of 36 in 32 Bayern appearances is just five shy of the single-season record held by former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored 41 goals in the 2020-21 season. However, Kane remains humble about his chances of breaking the record."Once we get to April and we're a little bit closer, maybe it's something we can talk about, but for now it's just taking it game by game, trying to help the team by scoring goals," Kane said.This season's Champions League final will be held in Munich, and Kane is eager to lead Bayern to glory on home soil. "We have to be there," he said.Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen praised Kane's character and contributions to the team since his arrival in Munich. "Harry has been an exceptional player for us," Dreesen said. "His goalscoring ability is unmatched, and he has also been a great leader in the dressing room."Kane's Golden Shoe award is the latest in a long list of personal accolades, but he remains focused on team success. "I want to continue on as I started last season, but it is important to win titles," Kane said. "We want to achieve success as a team."

Calicut FC, a football club founded by Technocrat V.K. Mathews, has ambitious plans to establish itself as a top-tier team in Indian football. To achieve this goal, the club has appointed Australian coach Ian Gillan, who brings a wealth of experience from his stints in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.Gillan's vision aligns with Mathews' long-term development plans for football in Kozhikode. He believes that Super League Kerala is a progressive concept that can foster the growth of local talent. By playing alongside experienced foreign players, young Indian footballers can gain invaluable experience and improve their skills.Gillan emphasizes the importance of developing a strong foundation for football in the state. He believes that the development of local talent is crucial for the overall growth of Indian football leagues. By providing opportunities for young players to showcase their abilities, Super League Kerala can contribute to the creation of a robust football ecosystem in the country.The club's aspirations extend beyond the Super League Kerala. Gillan and Mathews share the ambition of seeing Calicut FC compete in the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League in the future. The club's long-term vision and its commitment to developing local talent have attracted Gillan to the project.Gillan's appointment is a significant step in Calicut FC's journey towards becoming a major force in Indian football. His experience and expertise will be invaluable in guiding the club towards its goals. With a clear vision and a dedicated team, Calicut FC is poised to make a significant impact on the football landscape in India.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese footballer, has hinted at a potential retirement from international football and a future outside of coaching.Ronaldo's illustrious career has spanned over two decades, with stints at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al-Nassr. He has scored an astonishing 820 goals in 1183 games for club and country, making him one of the most prolific strikers in history.In a recent interview with Portuguese TV channel NOW, Ronaldo expressed his contentment with his current club and his desire to continue playing for Al-Nassr. However, he acknowledged that retirement may be on the horizon within the next two to three years."I don't know if I will retire soon, in two or three years, but probably I will retire at Al Nassr," Ronaldo said. "I'm very happy at this club, and I feel good in this country too, I love playing in Saudi Arabia."Despite his age, Ronaldo remains a formidable force on the pitch. He has scored 61 goals in 67 games for Al-Nassr and is the all-time leading scorer for Portugal with 118 goals.However, Ronaldo emphasized that he does not want a farewell tour with the national team. "When I leave the national team, I won't tell anyone beforehand and it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part, but also a well-thought-out one," he said.Ronaldo also dismissed any talk of him becoming a coach after retirement. "In my mind, at the moment, it is not about being a first team coach, or a coach of any team. I don't see my future being that way," he said.Instead, Ronaldo hinted at pursuing other interests outside of football. "I see myself doing other things outside of football, but only God knows what the future holds," he concluded.

Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant return to their home ground, the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, for a highly anticipated semi-final clash against former champions Bengaluru FC in the 2024 Durand Cup on Tuesday.Mohun Bagan, who edged past Punjab FC 6-5 in a thrilling penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw in regulation time in the quarter-finals, will be eager to make the most of their home advantage. Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Kerala Blasters thanks to a 95th-minute strike from Jorge Pereyra Diaz.Mohun Bagan head coach Jose Molina expressed his respect for Bengaluru FC but emphasized his team's focus on their own strengths. "Bengaluru FC are a good team with some really good players, but I am thinking about the whole team, not any individual players," said Molina. "We are going to miss Jamie Maclaren and Ashique Kuruniyan tomorrow, but the rest of the team is ready to give their best."Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza acknowledged the quality of Mohun Bagan's squad but remained confident in his team's abilities. "Mohun Bagan Super Giant is a team that has really talented players across the pitch, and we are sure that this will be a fixture that demands us to be focused," said Zaragoza. "I was happy with the way we defended together as a unit and stayed compact against the Blasters."Both teams have been in impressive form throughout the tournament. Mohun Bagan topped their group with three wins and a draw, while Bengaluru FC won all three of their group matches, scoring ten goals and conceding just twice.The semi-final clash promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of Indian football's most decorated clubs. The winner will advance to the final on Saturday, where they will face NorthEast United.

Villarreal's dramatic late penalty secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Celta Vigo on Monday, propelling them to the summit of La Liga. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams trading blows throughout the 90 minutes and beyond.Celta, who entered the match as league leaders, took an early lead through Borja Iglesias' opportunistic strike. However, Villarreal responded swiftly, with Sergi Cardona equalizing from a corner. Oscar Mingueza restored Celta's advantage before halftime, but Villarreal's substitutes proved to be game-changers.Thierno Barry, who had just entered the fray, headed home an equalizer on the hour mark. Minutes later, Celta defender Jailson inadvertently turned a Nicolas Pepe cross into his own net, giving Villarreal the lead. Carl Starfelt's header brought Celta level once more in the 80th minute.As the match entered stoppage time, Villarreal was awarded a penalty after Hugo Alvarez fouled Barry. Dani Parejo's initial spot-kick was saved by Ivan Villar, but the Villarreal captain pounced on the rebound to secure the dramatic victory.The win propelled Villarreal to the top of the La Liga standings with seven points, while Celta dropped to third place. The match showcased the attacking prowess of both teams and highlighted the importance of substitutes in modern football.

Juventus continued their impressive start to the Serie A season with a dominant 3-0 victory over Verona on Monday, extending their winning streak to two matches. The victory propelled the Bianconeri to the top of the early standings, as they aim to reclaim the Scudetto they last won in 2019/20.Dusan Vlahovic emerged as the star of the show, scoring twice to lead Juventus to victory. The Serbian striker opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, giving the visitors a crucial advantage. Nicolo Savona, making his full debut for the club, doubled Juventus' lead with a well-taken header from Samuel Mbangula's cross.Mbangula, a Belgian youngster promoted from the youth ranks, has made an immediate impact for Juventus, contributing a goal and two assists in his first two games. Vlahovic sealed the victory with a penalty just eight minutes into the second half, putting the game beyond Verona's reach."He is certainly working hard on our aggression and our attitude," Vlahovic said of new boss Thiago Motta. "We all agree that our attitude is the key to everything, if we have the right mentality, it all works better. We play for each other, but also there are tactical changes that we know about."Juventus will face their biggest test of the early season when they host Roma on Sunday. Meanwhile, Como secured their first Serie A point since 2003 with a 1-1 draw at Cagliari, thanks to Patrick Cutrone's second-half equalizer.

Durand Cup Semifinal: Kolkata Police Bans Tifo, Drums, and Inflammable MaterialsAmidst heightened security concerns following the RG Kar Medical College protests, the Kolkata Police has issued a notice prohibiting spectators from bringing tifo, drums, smoke candles, or other inflammable materials into the stadium for the Durand Cup semifinal between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Bengaluru FC on Tuesday.The notice, signed by the joint commissioner of police, Bidhannagar, states that these restrictions are necessary to ensure the safety and security of the event. The authorities have requested both teams and their fans to cooperate with the security agencies and adhere to the guidelines.The decision to ban these items comes after the city police and tournament organizers canceled the derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal due to security concerns. In a show of solidarity, supporters of both teams gathered near the Salt Lake Stadium to protest the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College.As the Durand Cup enters its final stages, Bengaluru FC faces a formidable challenge against defending champions Mohun Bagan. The Kolkata giants have scored 10 goals and conceded only three, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive resilience.Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, will be looking to upset the odds and secure a place in the final. The Blues have been in impressive form this season, winning the Indian Super League and reaching the AFC Cup semifinals.The semifinal clash promises to be an exciting encounter between two of India's top football clubs. However, the absence of tifo, drums, and other fan paraphernalia may dampen the atmosphere at the stadium. The Kolkata Police's decision is aimed at prioritizing safety and preventing any potential security breaches.

Prithviraj Sukumaran's Forca Kochi Team Aims to Ignite Football Passion in KeralaRenowned actor Prithviraj Sukumaran is enthusiastic about the potential of the newly formed Super League Kerala to inspire young people to pursue football. However, he remains realistic, acknowledging that significant progress takes time."We're not expecting a revolution, but rather the beginning of one," said Sukumaran, the owner of the Forca Kochi team, during the team's launch event. "We hope this league will provide opportunities for grassroots players and help them achieve greater heights."The Kochi team boasts an impressive roster, including six foreign players: Brazilian Raphael Augusto, Tunisian Said Mohamed Nidhal and Dziri Omran, Ivory Coast's Nangui Mockey Jean Baptiste, South African Ngubo Siyanda, and Colombian Rodriguez Ayoza Luis Angel. Former Indian goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury also joins the team.Additionally, the squad features several players from I-League clubs and Kerala's Santosh Trophy team, such as Nijo Gilbert, Arjun Jayaraj, and Hajmel Sakkeer.Sukumaran emphasized the importance of developing a strong foundation for football in Kerala. "We need to create a system where young players have access to quality coaching, facilities, and opportunities to compete," he said.The Super League Kerala aims to provide a platform for talented players to showcase their skills and aspire to higher levels of competition. By attracting foreign players and partnering with experienced coaches, the league hopes to raise the overall standard of football in the state.Former Olympic hockey bronze medalist P.R. Sreejesh, who unveiled the Kochi team's jersey, expressed his support for the initiative. "Football has the power to unite people and inspire young minds," he said. "I'm confident that the Super League Kerala will play a significant role in promoting the sport in our state."

Mario Lemos, a 38-year-old Portuguese coach, is set to make his Indian debut with Forca Kochi FC in the inaugural Super League Kerala. Lemos has a proven track record in Asian football, having guided Dhaka's Abahani Limited to stunning victories over former ISL champion Chennaiyin FC and former I-League winner Minerva Punjab. He sensationally led the Bangladesh side to the AFC Cup's inter-zone semifinals in 2019.Lemos's arrival in Kerala is seen as a significant step for the new league, which aims to provide a platform for talented players and coaches in the state. Lemos believes that the Super League Kerala can serve as a stepping stone for him to reach some of India's top clubs in the I-League and Indian Super League."I did a good job back in Bangladesh. Now, I think this is a stepping stone to show my work...I'll do it," said Lemos in an interview.Lemos's appointment comes at a crucial time for Forca Kochi FC, which is still awaiting the arrival of two foreign players and five Indians. However, Lemos remains optimistic about the team's chances in the league."I would say we have 70% of the team. The (Kerala) Police players are yet to come, they are the more experienced players...all the young ones have come," said Lemos.Lemos is confident that he can prepare the team for the first match of the league against Malappuram FC on September 7."I have to find solutions, I have to adapt. I think everybody is going to have some problem, it's a new league, it's normal. To be honest, I've been in worse situations...sometimes, I've had lesser time. Two weeks give me some time to work, I think I have a good idea what I want to do. In two weeks I can really push them for the first match," said Lemos.Lemos's experience and determination will be crucial for Forca Kochi FC's success in the Super League Kerala. The league is expected to be highly competitive, with several other teams also aiming to make a mark. However, Lemos is confident that his team has the potential to challenge for the title.