Football

Manchester City's Phil Foden has been crowned the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season, a testament to his exceptional performances that propelled City to an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title.Foden's contributions were pivotal in City's triumph, as he netted 19 goals and provided eight assists, playing a key role in the team's success. His impact was particularly evident in the thrilling title race, where City pipped Arsenal to the crown on the final day of the season."Winning this award is a huge honor and something I'm incredibly proud of," said Foden. "To be recognized by my fellow professionals means the world to me, and I want to express my gratitude to everyone who voted for me."Foden's accolades extend beyond the PFA award, as he also claimed the 2023-24 Premier League Player of the Season and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year awards. His achievements highlight his exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to excellence.Manchester City's Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, hailed Foden's triumph: "We're thrilled for Phil to receive this award. To be recognized by his peers in this way is a testament to his exceptional abilities and dedication.""Phil embodies everything we stand for at Manchester City. He's a supremely talented player who constantly strives for improvement. He's a humble and popular figure throughout the club, and we're immensely proud of him."Foden's success is not limited to the individual level. He has also played a crucial role in City's dominance in the Premier League, helping the team secure four consecutive titles. His determination to achieve further success is evident in his aspirations for a fifth successive crown."Last season was unforgettable for everyone at the club, but our focus is now on achieving even more this season," said Foden.Foden's PFA Player of the Year award is a fitting recognition of his outstanding contributions to Manchester City's remarkable achievements. His talent, dedication, and unwavering pursuit of excellence make him a true inspiration for aspiring footballers.

Cristiano Ronaldo's recent defeat in the Saudi Super Cup final has reignited speculation about his future, with former Manchester United teammate Luis Saha suggesting a sensational return to Old Trafford.Ronaldo, known for his unwavering determination, was visibly disappointed after Al-Nassr's loss to arch-rivals Al-Hilal. Saha believes that this setback could motivate Ronaldo to consider a return to the club where he first rose to stardom."Cristiano Ronaldo has the passion and dedication to return to Manchester United one day, that could be as a coach or even a manager," Saha told TVSporten. "His second spell didn't end how everyone had hoped and you can see why that frustrated him."Ronaldo's second stint at Manchester United was marred by a lack of success and a perceived disconnect with the club's younger players. Saha believes that Ronaldo's experience and winning mentality would make him a valuable asset to the club in a coaching or managerial role."He will know that he needs to find a new way to communicate when he becomes a coach, which maybe isn't as harsh or direct as it was when he was at the club," Saha said. "He will work out how to be successful and use all his knowledge to do that."Ronaldo's next appearance will be on Thursday when Al-Nassr faces Al-Raed in the Saudi Pro League. While his future remains uncertain, Saha's comments have fueled speculation that a return to Manchester United could be on the cards.

Peruvian Footballer Receives Red Card for Urinating on PitchIn a bizarre incident that has sent shockwaves through the football world, Peruvian third-division player Sebastian Munoz was shown a red card for urinating on the pitch. The incident occurred during a Copa Peru match between Atletico Awajun and Cantorcillo FC on Sunday.With the game tied at 0-0 in the 71st minute, Atletico Awajun was awarded a corner kick. However, the game was halted due to an injury to Cantorcillo goalkeeper Lucho Ruiz. As the delay continued, Munoz, who was waiting to take the corner, decided to relieve himself on the side of the field.Alert Cantorcillo players spotted Munoz's actions and immediately alerted the referee. The referee, after consulting with the assistant referee, promptly issued Munoz a red card. Munoz was left in disbelief at the decision, but had no choice but to leave the field of play.The incident has sparked a debate about the appropriate punishment for such behavior. Some argue that Munoz's actions were disrespectful and unsporting, while others believe that the red card was an excessive punishment.This is not the first time that a player has been caught urinating on the pitch. Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann once jumped over advertising hoardings to relieve himself mid-game, while legendary English striker Gary Lineker defecated during a World Cup match in 1990. However, neither Lehmann nor Lineker were sent off for their actions.Munoz's red card has made him an unlikely member of an exclusive club of players who have urinated or defecated on the pitch. While his actions may have been inappropriate, they have certainly provided a moment of amusement in the often-serious world of football.

Indian Super League club Punjab FC has bolstered its midfield with the signing of Argentine playmaker Norberto Ezequiel Vidal for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The 29-year-old joins the club as their fifth foreign signing, bringing a wealth of experience and creativity to the Punjab FC squad.Vidal, born in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, began his professional career with Club Olimpo in 2011. He spent eight years with the club, making 45 appearances and scoring three goals. During his time at Olimpo, he was loaned out to several clubs, including Atletico Independiente, Delfin SC, and Atletico Juventud.In 2019, Vidal joined Argentine Primera B side San Martin SJ, where he made a significant impact. He scored five goals in 37 appearances for the club, showcasing his attacking prowess. The following year, he represented Atletico Alvarado, where he continued to impress with his performances.Vidal's impressive form caught the attention of Indonesian top-flight side Persita Tangerang, who signed him in 2022. He spent two seasons with the club, scoring 17 goals in 60 appearances. His performances in Indonesia earned him a move to Punjab FC, where he is expected to play a key role in the club's midfield.Punjab FC's technical director, Nikolaos Topoliatis, expressed his excitement about the signing of Vidal. "He is an exciting player who will add more speed and creativity to our midfield," Topoliatis said. "We believe that he can make a significant contribution to our team and help us achieve our goals for the upcoming season."Vidal's arrival at Punjab FC is a significant boost to the club's ambitions. His experience, creativity, and attacking ability will be invaluable assets to the team as they look to make a strong impact in the upcoming Indian Super League season.

Kylian Mbappé's departure from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has been marred by a financial dispute between the French striker and the club's Qatari owners, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI). Mbappé is claiming unpaid wages amounting to approximately €55 million, prompting him to file a complaint with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).The unpaid wages include three months of salary (April, May, and June), an "ethical bonus" for the same period, and the final installment of a €36 million signing bonus that was due in February. According to French newspaper Le Monde, PSG received an official notice from Mbappé's camp in mid-June.Mbappé's complaint was initially filed with the legal committee of the French Professional Football League (LFP), citing article 259 of France's professional football charter. The matter was subsequently referred to UEFA via the French Football Federation (FFF).The dispute has further strained the relationship between Mbappé and PSG, which ended on a sour note after the striker's seven-year stint at the club. Reports emerged of a verbal altercation between Mbappé and PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi.Mbappé has since joined Real Madrid, where he has made an immediate impact. He won the UEFA Super Cup in his first game and played a role in the team's 1-1 draw against Mallorca in their La Liga opener.The financial dispute between Mbappé and PSG highlights the complexities of player contracts and the potential for disputes when clubs fail to meet their obligations. It also raises questions about the financial management of PSG, which has spent heavily on player acquisitions in recent years.

Jamie Vardy, the 37-year-old striker, proved that age is just a number as he rescued a point for Leicester City in their Premier League return against Tottenham Hotspur. Vardy's second-half header canceled out Pedro Porro's early goal for Spurs, who had dominated the first half but failed to capitalize on their chances.Tottenham started the match with a flurry of attacks, but their profligacy in front of goal allowed Leicester to stay in the game. Dominic Solanke, the new signing from Bournemouth, was among those guilty of missing clear-cut opportunities. It was Porro, the Spanish defender, who finally broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, heading home James Maddison's cross.However, Leicester refused to be disheartened and came out with renewed vigor in the second half. Vardy, who has been a key figure in Leicester's success over the years, was left unmarked and headed home an equalizer in the 60th minute. The goal changed the momentum of the game, and both teams had chances to win in a thrilling last half hour.Vardy had a golden opportunity to put Leicester ahead in the 70th minute, but his shot was saved by Guglielmo Vicario. At the other end, Richarlison sent a header wide deep into injury time, with the last chance of the match.Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou expressed disappointment with his team's performance, saying, "We need to be more ruthless in front of goal. We were that dominant, we should have been well away from the opposition."Leicester manager Steve Cooper praised his team's resilience, saying, "Tottenham are a really good team, but we gave them too much respect. We started getting after them and it changed the momentum."The game was halted for eight minutes late in the second half after Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur sustained a head injury. The Uruguayan received oxygen and was taken off on a stretcher, but Postecoglou said he was "conscious and communicating."

Juventus and Atalanta kicked off their Serie A campaigns with emphatic victories, showcasing their attacking prowess and tactical adaptability.Juventus, under the guidance of new manager Thiago Motta, cruised to a 3-0 triumph over promoted Como. Samuel Mbangula, Timothy Weah, and Andrea Cambiaso found the net for the Turin giants, who dominated the match from start to finish. Despite hitting the woodwork twice, Dusan Vlahovic was denied a goal due to an offside call.Motta's Juve displayed a more fluid and attacking style of play compared to their previous regime under Massimiliano Allegri. The team created numerous chances and controlled possession throughout the match.Meanwhile, Atalanta, despite facing transfer turmoil and injuries, made a resounding statement with a 4-0 thrashing of Lecce. New signings Marco Brescianini and Mateo Retegui made their mark, scoring two goals each. Brescianini opened the scoring with a rebound, while Retegui netted a bullet header and converted a penalty.Brescianini, a local product from Bergamo, expressed his delight at his impressive debut. Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged the challenges posed by injuries and transfer requests but remained optimistic about building a strong team.Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi hinted at the possibility of reconciliation with Teun Koopmeiners and Ademola Lookman, who have been linked with moves away from the club.Both Juventus and Atalanta have set the tone for their respective seasons with impressive performances. Juventus will look to continue their winning ways when they face Sampdoria next, while Atalanta will aim to maintain their momentum against Monza.

Lionel Messi to Miss Argentina's World Cup Qualifiers Due to InjuryArgentina's hopes of securing a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup have been dealt a blow with the news that star forward Lionel Messi will miss the team's next two qualifying matches due to injury.Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni announced his 28-man squad on Monday for the matches against Chile on September 5 and Colombia five days later. Messi, who is still recovering from a right ankle injury, was not included in the squad.The 36-year-old Messi has been a key figure for Argentina in recent years, leading the team to victory in the 2021 Copa America. His absence from the squad will be a significant loss for Scaloni's side.In addition to Messi, Ángel Di María, who retired from the national team after winning the Copa America, is also not on the list.Despite the absence of Messi and Di María, Argentina remains the favorite to qualify for the World Cup. The team currently leads South American qualifying with 15 points after six matches.Argentina Squad:Goalkeepers: Walter Benítez (PSV Eindhoven), Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille), Juan Musso (Atalanta), Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Germán Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon), Valentín Barco (Brighton)Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma), Guido Rodríguez (West Ham), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham), Ezequiel Fernández (Al Qadisiya), Rodrigo de Paul (Atletico Madrid), Nico González (Fiorentina)Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Matías Soulé (Roma), Giuliano Simeone, Julián Álvarez both (Atletico Madrid), Valentín Carboni (Olympique Marseille), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan) and Valentín Castellanos (Lazio)

Igor Stimac, the former head coach of the Indian national football team, has filed a complaint with FIFA seeking compensation from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for breach of contract. Stimac's contract was terminated in June 2023, and he claims that he is entitled to compensation until June 2026, as per the terms of his contract.Stimac's lawyer, Davor Radic, stated that the termination of his client's contract was without just cause and that the compensation offered by the AIFF was unacceptable. The case is likely to be referred to FIFA's Players' Status Chamber, which handles employment-related disputes between associations and coaches of international dimension.Stimac was appointed as India's head coach in May 2019 and was responsible for some notable achievements, including a 0-0 draw against Asian champions Qatar and three tournament wins at home in 2023. However, India's poor performance in the Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers led to his dismissal.Under Stimac's contract, he was entitled to a monthly salary of $30,000 until January 2025 and $40,000 thereafter until June 2026. If AIFF is ordered to pay, the total amount could exceed ₹7.5 crore.The AIFF has not yet received any official communication from FIFA or Stimac regarding the complaint. However, acting secretary-general Satyanarayan Muthyalu stated that the federation will present its version of events to FIFA.Stimac's Croatian assistants, Luka Radman and Frano Srdarev, who had contracts until 2025, are reportedly willing to accept six months' salary from AIFF as compensation.