Football

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has bid farewell to the club after nine seasons, confirming his departure when his contract expires at the end of June. The 28-year-old Frenchman joined the Red Devils from AS Monaco in 2015 and has since made 317 appearances, scoring 90 goals.Martial's departure was widely anticipated, as he has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and has not featured regularly for United. He was not included in the squad for the team's 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City on Saturday.In a heartfelt Instagram post, Martial expressed his gratitude to the club and its supporters: "It's with great emotion that I write to you today to say goodbye. After nine incredible years at the club, the time has come for me to turn a new page in my career.""You have been an unwavering support, through the good times and the difficult. Your passion and loyalty have been a constant source of motivation for me."Martial's exit follows that of French defender Raphael Varane, who announced his departure from United earlier in May. The club is expected to undergo a significant overhaul in the summer transfer window, with several other players also rumored to be on their way out.Martial's departure marks the end of an era for Manchester United. He was one of the club's most promising signings under former manager Louis van Gaal and played a key role in the team's FA Cup triumph in 2016. However, injuries and a lack of consistency have prevented him from fulfilling his full potential at Old Trafford.The Frenchman will now be looking for a new club where he can rediscover his best form. He has been linked with a move to several clubs in Europe, including Juventus, Inter Milan, and Sevilla.

Cristiano Ronaldo has etched his name into the history books of Saudi Arabian football by becoming the league's all-time top scorer in a single season. The Portuguese superstar capped off his first full campaign with Al Nassr in style, scoring a brace in their 4-2 victory over Al Ittihad on the final matchday.Ronaldo's tally of 35 goals in the Saudi Pro League surpasses the previous record of 34 goals set by former Al Nassr forward Abderrazak Hamdallah in the 2018-19 season. The 39-year-old has been in scintillating form since joining the Saudi Arabian club in January 2023, scoring at an astonishing rate of over a goal per game.Ronaldo's goalscoring exploits have played a pivotal role in Al Nassr's success this season. The club secured the Saudi Super Cup in January and are currently in contention for the league title, sitting just one point behind leaders Al Shabab with one game remaining.The Portuguese forward's arrival in Saudi Arabia has not only boosted the league's profile but has also inspired a new generation of young players. Ronaldo's dedication, professionalism, and unwavering pursuit of excellence have set an example for aspiring footballers across the country.Ronaldo's record-breaking season is a testament to his enduring quality and his ability to adapt to different leagues and challenges. Having previously played for Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, the Portuguese icon has now conquered another league, proving that he remains one of the greatest goalscorers of all time.

Pep Guardiola's illustrious tenure at Manchester City is nearing its end, with the legendary manager expected to depart next season. Since his arrival in 2016, Guardiola has transformed City into a European powerhouse, guiding them to six Premier League titles in the past seven seasons. This remarkable achievement includes an unprecedented four consecutive league triumphs, a feat no other club has accomplished.Guardiola's departure is anticipated as his current contract expires at the end of the 2024-2025 season. Despite City's desire to extend his stay, the report suggests that Guardiola is likely to seek a new challenge. The club is already initiating succession planning following their FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United.Guardiola has hinted at his impending departure, stating that he is "closer to leaving than staying." However, he has assured City fans that he will remain at the helm for the upcoming season. Replacing Guardiola will be a daunting task for City, given his profound impact on the club's legacy. Under his guidance, City secured their maiden UEFA Champions League title last season.Despite clinching their fourth consecutive Premier League title with a 3-1 victory over West Ham on the final matchday, City's season ended on a sour note with their FA Cup final loss. Guardiola has vowed that the team will bounce back next season, promising to reclaim the FA Cup.The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has committed to seeing out his contract next season, but his long-term future remains uncertain. Guardiola's departure would mark the end of an era for Manchester City, as they bid farewell to one of the most successful managers in their history.

Xavi Hernandez, the legendary Barcelona midfielder, is reportedly in high demand following his departure from the Catalan club. Despite guiding Barcelona to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals and a second-place finish in La Liga, Xavi's tenure was marked by disagreements with the club's hierarchy.According to journalist Pedro Almeida, Chelsea are set to initiate talks with Xavi to assess his potential as their next manager. The Blues parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino after a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Premier League.Xavi's departure from Barcelona was a surprise, as he had initially announced his intention to leave at the end of the season but later reversed his decision. However, his recent comments about the club's financial struggles and his belief that Barcelona would struggle against European giants next season reportedly irked club president Joan Laporta and other members.During his two-and-a-half-year tenure, Xavi compiled an impressive record of 90 wins, 23 draws, and 29 defeats in 142 games. He also led Barcelona to the La Liga title in his first full season.However, Xavi expressed disappointment at the end of the season, feeling that his work was not sufficiently appreciated. "I have the feeling that everything I have done in these two and a half years has caused an earthquake. I have been targeted many times in many situations," he said."I think that the work has not been sufficiently appreciated. This year we haven't been up to the task because of details. We had four key games in which we couldn't finish the good work we had done," he added.Chelsea are reportedly considering Xavi as one of several potential candidates to replace Pochettino. Other managers linked with the Blues include Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Frank, Kieran McKenna, and Enzo Maresca.

Xavi Hernandez's tenure as Barcelona coach came to an end with a bittersweet 2-1 victory at Sevilla on Sunday, marking the conclusion of the La Liga season. Despite finishing second, the Catalans ended the campaign trophyless, but they managed to secure a triumph in Xavi's final match before his departure.Xavi's departure was announced by club president Joan Laporta on Friday, just weeks after Barcelona had declared that he would remain for the following season. The coach had previously stated in January that he intended to resign in the summer.Appointed in November 2021, Xavi led Barcelona to the Spanish title last season. However, this year, his team finished 10 points behind bitter rivals and champions Real Madrid. German coach Hansi Flick is expected to be named as Xavi's successor next week.Xavi acknowledged the challenges that await his replacement. "They should be aware that they are entering a difficult situation because Barca is a demanding club, and there is also an unfavorable financial situation – it will not be easy at all," he told DAZN."I believe that the work we have done has not been sufficiently valued given the difficult circumstances we inherited. When we arrived, Barca was ninth in the table, and we finished second... (then) we won a double, and this year we fell short due to four crucial games."Barcelona suffered defeats in both matches against Real Madrid in La Liga, as well as against third-place neighbors Girona and Villarreal. They ended on a positive note, however, with a victory at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium.Robert Lewandowski gave Barcelona an early lead, but Youssef En-Nesyri equalized for Sevilla, whose coach Quique Sanchez Flores is also leaving at the end of the season.One of Xavi's accomplishments during his tenure has been the promotion of young players, including starlets Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, as well as midfielder Fermin Lopez. The 21-year-old put Barcelona back in front in the second half with a low strike from outside the area. Lopez celebrated his goal by embracing Xavi."As a professional, he has given us so much; he worked tirelessly every day for our success," Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen told DAZN. "We are extremely grateful for his time here. We wish him the best – on a personal level, he has been a friend for many years, and it is never easy to see him go."Before the game, some Sevilla fans protested against the board, wearing black and entering the game 10 minutes late, following another disappointing campaign in which the Andalusians finished 14th.

Southampton's triumphant return to the Premier League was sealed with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Leeds United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium. Adam Armstrong's first-half strike proved decisive, sending the Saints back to the top flight after a one-year absence.The victory marks a remarkable turnaround for Southampton, who were relegated from the Premier League last season. The club's immediate return to the elite division is a testament to the transformative work of manager Russell Martin, who has instilled a possession-based style of play that has earned widespread admiration.Southampton's dominance in possession was evident throughout the match, as they controlled the ball for the majority of the game. Leeds, who finished three points ahead of Southampton in the regular season, struggled to create clear-cut chances and were ultimately unable to find an equalizer.Armstrong's goal came in the 24th minute, when he latched onto a pass from Will Smallbone and fired a superb strike into the far corner. The goal was a testament to Armstrong's predatory instincts, as he has now scored 24 goals this season.Leeds pushed hard for an equalizer in the second half, but Southampton's defense held firm. Daniel James' blast cannoned off the bar, and Alex McCarthy made a crucial save in stoppage time to deny Leeds a late equalizer.The victory is a huge financial boost for Southampton, who are estimated to receive a windfall of £140 million due to the increased revenue streams available in the Premier League. However, it is the prestige of competing with the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal that has fueled Southampton's hunger to regain their Premier League status.Southampton's success is a reminder of the importance of a clear philosophy and a belief in a particular style of play. Martin's unwavering commitment to his principles has paid off handsomely, and Southampton can now look forward to another season among the elite.

Bayer Leverkusen capped off a remarkable season by securing the German Cup, defeating second-division Kaiserslautern 1-0 in a hard-fought final in Berlin. The victory marks the club's second trophy of the campaign, having already clinched the Bundesliga title in April.Granit Xhaka's stunning long-range strike in the 16th minute proved to be the decisive moment. However, Leverkusen's triumph was overshadowed by the dismissal of Odilon Kossounou late in the first half, leaving them to battle with 10 men for the remainder of the match.Despite their numerical disadvantage, Leverkusen displayed resilience and determination, holding on to their slender lead. Kaiserslautern, who were aiming to become the first non-top-flight club to lift the Cup since 1992, pushed hard for an equalizer but lacked the cutting edge to break down Leverkusen's resolute defense.Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso praised his team's spirit and fighting qualities. "To win like that at the end, we showed our team spirit. We fought hard, we did it for everyone, the fans, the club," he said.Alonso also received plaudits from his opposing coach, Friedhelm Funkel, who was managing his final game before retiring. "To go through the Bundesliga season unbeaten, it's madness. That he could flick that switch in his first year, is incredible. I think he'll win many, many titles."Leverkusen's triumph is a testament to their impressive season, which saw them go unbeaten in the Bundesliga and reach the final of the Europa League. The German Cup victory doubles the club's trophy tally in their history, having previously won the competition in 1993 and the UEFA Cup in 1988.

Kylian Mbappe's illustrious chapter with Paris Saint-Germain came to a triumphant end as he bid farewell to the club with a French Cup triumph. The French superstar, whose contract expires this summer, expressed his pride in leaving with his "head held high" after PSG's 2-1 victory over Lyon in the final.Mbappe's departure has been widely anticipated, with Real Madrid heavily linked as his next destination. However, the 25-year-old remained tight-lipped about his future, stating that he would announce his decision "in good time.""I wanted to end things well with my club, with a trophy," Mbappe said. "I think there is a time for everything, and I will announce my future club in good time."Despite not scoring in the final, Mbappe leaves PSG as the club's all-time leading scorer with 256 goals in 308 appearances. His seven-year spell in Paris has been marked by six Ligue 1 titles, four French Cups, and two League Cups, as well as a Champions League final appearance in 2020.Mbappe admitted to feeling emotional ahead of the match, knowing that it would be his last for PSG. "With the protocol before a Cup final, you have a lot of waiting around and so there is a lot of time to think," he said. "You think and so all the memories start to come back. There is all the nostalgia, and the thought that in 90 minutes it will all be over."Despite the bittersweet nature of his departure, Mbappe expressed gratitude for his time at PSG. "There are only good memories and now I can go out with my head held high, with a trophy as well, so I will only remember the positives," he said.Mbappe will now join the France squad to prepare for Euro 2024, where he will undoubtedly be one of the key players for Les Bleus.

Olivier Giroud bid farewell to AC Milan with a poignant goal in their thrilling 3-3 draw against Salernitana on Saturday. The match marked the final appearance for both Giroud and coach Stefano Pioli, who guided Milan to the 2022 Serie A title.Giroud, who will join Los Angeles FC after Euro 2024, opened the scoring for Milan in the 27th minute. The veteran striker, who scored 49 goals in three seasons with the Rossoneri, was visibly emotional after netting his 17th goal of the campaign.Milan fans paid tribute to Giroud, chanting his name and holding up banners in his honor. The Frenchman, who played a pivotal role in Milan's Scudetto triumph, was substituted with five minutes remaining, prompting a standing ovation from the San Siro crowd.Pioli, who took over Milan in 2019, was also given a warm send-off by fans and players. The Italian coach, who led Milan to the Champions League semi-finals last season, was hoisted on the shoulders of his players at the end of the match."We won and lost together, shared joy and pain together," said Pioli. "You lit a fire in my heart that will not be extinguished. I won't forget you."Milan announced on Friday that Pioli would be leaving at the end of the season. He is reportedly set to be replaced by Lille coach Paulo Fonseca.In other Serie A action, Juventus secured a 2-0 victory over Monza to finish third in the standings. Goals from Federico Chiesa and Alex Sandro in the first half were enough for Juve to end their season on a positive note.Thiago Motta is expected to be appointed as the next Juventus coach after he decided not to renew his contract at Bologna. The former Italy midfielder guided Bologna to a respectable 12th-place finish in Serie A this season.