Tag: FIFA World Cup

5 great scorers who never won the football World Cup

For a footballer, there is nothing quite like winning the World Cup for the country. Many of the game’s most iconic players like Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, have had the privilege of winning the World Cup. 

However, there are plenty of all-time great scorers of the game who have never won soccer’s most coveted prize. There are some amazing football players, the greatest scorers of football, who could never win the World Cup trophy and while this doesn’t mean they aren’t legends, it does leave us with a strong feeling of what it ‘could have been’. Here is a list of 5 such players.

 

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Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

One of the greatest scorers of football, Cristiano Ronaldo has won the UEFA Euro Cup with Portugal in 2016, three Premier League titles, two La Liga titles, the Champions League five times, and the Ballon d’Or five times. One of the most decorated players in the game’s history is missing one major accomplishment, that is, the World Cup. He will be 37 by the time Qatar World Cup is played and it seems unlikely that he will participate in the tournament, even if Portugal qualifies. 

 

 

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Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Lionel Messi’s Argentina were beaten 4-3 by France in the last 16 in 2018 World Cup, and having prematurely retired from international football in 2016, this is likely to be the 31-year-old’s last World Cup appearance. The closest he came to lifting the World Cup came in 2014, an extra-time defeat by Germany in Brazil. If our worst fears turn out to be true, Lionel Messi will not be playing the next World Cup and hence it will be the trophy that ‘the best player to play the game’, would never be able to lay his hands on. 

 

 

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Ferenc Puskas (Hungary)

Losing the World Cup final to West Germany with the Hungary team in 1954 was one of Ferenc Puskas’ most disappointing moments in his professional soccer career. Playing until he was 39, the top-level player scored 514 club goals within 530 appearances. Regarded to be one of the greatest of all time, Puskas career as a forward was one of the most memorable ones to date. During the 1954 World Cup, he was named the best player of the tournament without winning the Cup, which is still regarded to be one of the biggest World Cup upsets. Plus, he won three out of the five European Cups he attended in eight years, as well as five straight La Liga titles.

 

 

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Eusebio (Portugal)

Eusebio played in one World Cup, but made his mark, scoring a tournament-high nine goals and leading Portugal to a third-place finish in 1966. The Mozambican-born Portuguese forward scored an unbelievable 423 goals in 431 appearances at club level and another 41 for the Portuguese national team. Most known for his technique, speed, and spot-on shot, Eusebio was an incredible goal scorer and a groundbreaking athlete. Nicknamed Black Panther, Eusebio is still Portugal’s most renowned player.

 

 

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)

Zlatan played his football for the European giants like Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, A.C. Milan, PSG and Manchester United. One of the prolific scorers in the history of the game, Ibrahimovic also has netted 62 goals for his native Sweden, but unfortunately, there was never enough talent around him to make winning a World Cup a possibility. With Ibrahimovic, Sweden did not qualify for the World Cup in 2010 and 2014 and it’s only strange that without him, they have reached the quarterfinal this time. He participated in the 2002 and 2006 World Cup, as well, but the team could only make it to the round of 16, both the times.

 

5 footballers who have won the Champions League, World Cup and Premier League

5 footballers who have won the Champions League, World Cup and Premier League

Winning major trophies is what every professional footballer dreams of, but there are only five stars in the history of the game to have won a FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and English Premier League. 

The UEFA Champions League is a yearly encounter between top clubs in Europe battling it out to be regarded as the best club in world football while the FIFA World Cup takes place once in 4 years as the world’s top nations compete to be named as the top football-playing countries in the world. Premier League is one of the most exciting leagues in the world, which is most watched. 

 

Here are the five players who have won the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Premier League.

 

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Thierry Henry

His football career started with Monaco youth ranks under manager Arsene Wenger, from where he moved to Juventus where he majorly played as a left winger. Post-2000, Henry got converted into a striker and became one of the most feared players in Europe. He then moved to Arsenal where he won Premier League two times, and then to Barcelona where the team captured the Champions League Trophy in 2008-2009. Henry had a fantastic career with France as he won the FIFA World Cup, Euro Championship in 2000, FIFA Confederation Cup in 2003 and also reached the finals of FIFA World Cup 2006.

 

 

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Fabien Barthez

Fabien Barthez is a player underrated by many football fans, dismissed as a clown that can only be relied upon to eventually make a mistake. While it is true that he had his moments, what shouldn’t be forgotten is his outstanding record as a goalkeeper. He won the Premier League with Manchester United in 2000-01 and 2002-03, UEFA Champions League with Marseille in 1992-93 and 1998 FIFA World Cup with France.

Throughout France’s victorious World Cup campaign, Barthez was an integral part of the team, letting in just two goals in the seven matches Les Bleus played. He was given the Yashin award for those performances, as well as being named European Goalkeeper of the Year, an award he would win again in 2000.

 

 

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Juliano Belletti

Juliano Belletti is another player in this elite list. Belletti, who won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, had spells in Europe at Villarreal, Barcelona, and Chelsea, winning two La Liga titles, one Premier League trophy, and a Champions League title. He won the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2005-06, Premier League with Chelsea in 2009-10 and 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil. In 2015, he retired from international football.

 

 

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Gerard Pique

Spanish center-back Gerard Pique is another star to win the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Premier League. In 2007-08 he won the Premier League with Manchester United, UEFA Champions League with United in 2007-08 and with Barcelona in 2008-09, 2010-11 and 2014-15. He won the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Spain in South Africa.

 

 

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Pedro Rodriguez

Chelsea footballer Pedro Rodriguez won UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2008-09, 2010-11 and 2014-15, he won Premier League with Chelsea in 2016-17 and World Cup with Spain. Pedro started his career with Barcelona and stayed there for 9 seasons before moving to Chelsea in 2015. Since 2010 he has played in 64 matches for the Spain national team and scored 17 goals. His honors with the national team: winner of the UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Cheryshev – Valencia sign World Cup star from Villarreal

Cheryshev - Valencia sign World Cup star from Villarreal

Valencia have completed the signing of Russian World Cup sensation Denis Cheryshev on a season-long loan from fellow La Liga side Villarreal.

Denis Cheryshev will play for the Spanish side on loan until June 30, 2019.

The La Liga club announced the deal through their official website.

A statement read: “Valencia CF has reached an agreement this Tuesday with Villarreal CF, pending formalization, for the loan of player Denis Cheryshevuntil the end of the season.”

When the possibility of returning to Valencia, earlier having spent 4 months there on loan from Real Madrid in 2016, was presented, Cheryshev did not think twice. The 27-year-old arrives as one of the stars for Russia in the World Cup this year ending the campaign as the 2nd top scorer of the competition with 4 goals.

Cheryshev said: “For me, it’s a huge opportunity. I am very happy and grateful to be here, to the club, to the coach who has trusted me. I really want to start with my team-mates.

“I think I’ve done things right at this time and physically I feel very well. The World Cup has given me a lot of confidence and a lot of strength and I hope Valencia CF will benefit from all that. “

Cheryshev will be a part of the squad of Valencia CF Centenary, in a period that will be truly special for all the Valencia fans.

Speaking about the Centenary, Cheryshev said: “I hope we enjoy a lot this season, the fans, the team … especially that we make them enjoy. That is the most important thing that the fans feel proud of their players and that is what we are going to try. The Centennial shirt I had seen in pictures, but here in the first person and having it in your hands is very beautiful. I’m looking forward to wearing it. “

Cheryshev becomes the 8th signing of the summer for Valencia after the arrivals of Geoffrey Kondogbia, Kevin Gameiro, Mouctar Diakhaby, Cristiano Piccini, Daniel Wass, Uros Racic and Michy Batshuayi.

Pickford set for Everton talk | Premier League

Jordan Pickford - Everton

Sources from Sky sport say that Everton will hold talks with their number one Jordan Pickford over a lucrative improved contract to keep him at the Merseyside club. Pickford has been on an extended holiday after his heroics for the Three Lions in Russia. He was undoubtedly one of the finest goalkeepers in the World cup and this has led to him grabbing the attention of many clubs around the world. Sources say that a move away from Everton will be extremely unlikely and Everton’s player of the year last season, looks to be rewarded with a new lucrative deal that reflects that.

Pickford signed for Everton last summer for a reported fee of £30m and has been a stellar performer for them ever since, saving them from tight situations between the posts. One of the major assets of his game are his distribution skills. His ability to pick out a player at his will and with relative ease is just one of the few aspects that make him one of the best in the Premier League. Everton would be desperate to ward off any team from signing him and keep him at the club. He is surely one of Everton’s most important player and is a true leader on the pitch.

Recently, there have been many rumours that say that Pickford is a Chelsea target if in case they sell Courtois to Real Madrid, a move that looks really likely. Pickford would surely fit the bill at the new look Chelsea under Sarri. Sarri being a manger whose game style demands his keepers to be quick off their lines and have good distribution skills. They are looking at numerous options and Pickford is surely one of the obvious names on the list. As things stand, however, it looks like the English shot-stopper is going nowhere.

Football: Human Race, the only race that should matter

Football

195 countries, 7.6 Billion people and 6,500 spoken languages. The World is so diverse, and each Nation is different than the last, the only thing we have in common is that we’re all part of the Human Race. Finding things that unite the World as one are hard to come by but Football comes pretty damn close and has proved itself as a true Global Unifier.

The prime example of this can be seen in the French Football team. France has had a dark history with Race and Discrimination going all the way back to 1315, but we aren’t going to delve into that, let’s stick to Football. The French National team comprises of players from over 13 different ethnic origins ranging from Ivory Coast to Germany. 

It wasn’t any of these 13 Nations that won the World Cup; it was France that one it. There is one thing that we have to observe here, a lot of these players were immigrants and the likes of N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba are first-generation immigrants i.e. Their parents immigrated to France. Frenchmen whose parents immigrated to France from Mali and Guinea became such big players and irrespective of their color and origin. This is bound to unite the Country and be more accepting of French citizens with different ethnic backgrounds. 

Racism and Discrimination are ugly realities of our World and bringing Football into the conversation may not be ideal, but it exists even there.

Romelu Lukaku is probably one of the most improved strikers in the Modern-game. For most players, a bad run of games for your country can be accounted to bad form, injury concerns or even tactical adjustment. In Lukaku’s case, the fact that he is a player of Congolese descent seems to come up pretty often. 

Check out- Lukaku- Talent his Passport away from poverty

Racial discrimination exists and cannot be solved overnight. But I think the fact that Kylian Mbappe the French player and not Kylian Mbappe of Algerian Player is remembered, We’re on the right track.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Flop XI

FIFA World Cup 2018 Flop XI

Every World Cup has some standout performers, players that will be remembered for a very long time. At the same time, some players had forgettable tournaments and performed way below average. So let’s see who made our 2018 FIFA World Cup flop XI.

GK- David De Gea (Spain)

De Gea was widely renowned as the best shot-stopper in the present-day, and the Spaniard has proved his credentials on multiple occasions. But De Gea had a shambolic 2018 World Cup and looked completely out of place.

LB-Raphael Guerrero (Portugal)

The Borussia Dortmund left-back was poor in Russia. Guerrero was ineffective with his crosses and even made some blunders in defence, letting Edinson Cavani run in from behind and shoot in the Round of 16 was the most prominent one.

CB- Jerome Boateng (Germany)

Jerome Boateng was poor for Bayern Munich last Season and the German Centre-back carried his poor form into the World Cup. Boateng looked out of place and was even sent off against Sweden. Horrific Performance.

CB- Nicolas Otamendi (Argentina)

Otamendi was an integral part of Man City’s title-winning Season but without Guardiola to Manage him, Otamendi looked like a shadow of his usual self in this World Cup. 

RB- Joshua Kimmich (Germany)

Joshua Kimmich is a talented player and is the Future of the German team, but the 23-Year-old, like most of his compatriots, had a World Cup to Forget.

CDM- Sami Khedira (Germany)

Sami Khedira looked sluggish and ineffective in Midfield. His performances were way below average and the 2014 World Cup winner just didn’t show up.

CM- David Silva (Spain)

David Silva is undoubtedly one of the best Midfielders going around and the Man City player came off a very good Season in the Premier League. But the Spaniard couldn’t work his magic in Russia and his passing was surprisingly inaccurate. 

CAM- Thomas Muller (Germany) 

Muller has the highest number of World Cup Goals for an active player (10). The German International didn’t even come close to add to his tally and was probably Germany’s most disappointing player.

CF- Lionel Messi (Argentina)

This may have been the GOAT’s last World Cup appearance ever and it’s disappointing to see that he turned up only against Nigeria with one Goal. The rest of the tournament was forgettable for Messi and it’s a shame that this could very well be his last.  

End of the World Cup for Messi and Ronaldo?

ST- Timo Werner

Werner is the fifth and Final German on the list and was supposed to be one of the Players to watch out for in Russia. The Leipzig Striker showed blistering pace but had nothing else going for him in the 2018 World Cup. 

Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

 

The Polish captain scored 16 Goals in the World Cup qualifiers and is even regarded as the Best striker in modern-day Football by many. Lewandowski didn’t find the back of the net in Russia, 0 Goals in 270 Minutes. Disappointing is an understatement.

Jorge Sampaoli sacked by Argentina post FIFA World Cup

Jorge Sampaoli - Argentina

Argentina sack manager Jorge Sampaoli after a dismal campaign in the World Cup 2018

Argentina and manager Jorge Sampaoli have reached a mutual agreement over his termination from in charge of the Argentine national team after a disappointing World Cup 2018.

The 2014 Finalists have endured a tough time in the World Cup, with almost getting knocked out of the tournament in the group stage after a draw against Iceland and a loss against Croatia.

Further, a win against the Nigerian side took the South American side to the knockout stages of the tournament where they faced a stern and tough France side in the round of 16’s.

Against France, the Messi led Argentina side went out of the tournament with an entertaining win for the French side. The 58-year-old Sampaoli took charge of the Argentine team in May 2017 and took his team through to the tournament.

AFA statement after Sampaoli’s termination:

The Argentina Football Association said: “Today, the Argentine Football Association and the former national team coach, Jorge Sampaoli, have mutually agreed to the termination of their contract.”

Sampaoli, earlier in the tournament “begged” for the fans’ forgiveness after a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Croatian side in the group stage of the tournament.

Further, Argentinian legend Diego Maradona, who himself was a World Cup winner had warned earlier in the tournament that Sampaoli “can’t come back to Argentina” after the Iceland game.

The loss against Croatia would be hurtful for the Argentinian supporters with their experienced goalkeeper Willy Caballero making a huge blunder in the lead-up to the goal for the Croatian side. It was Argentina’s heaviest defeat in World Cup since their humiliating loss of 6-1 to Czechoslovakia in 1958.

Who will replace Sampaoli at the helm for Argentina?

There are reports suggesting that two front-line contenders are in line to replace the departing Jorge Sampaoli.

Peru’s World Cup coach Ricardo Gareca is the No.1 candidate, while former Argentina manager and present Columbian head coach Jose Pekerman is in the list of the people who might replace Jorge Sampaoli at Argentina.

Ole report that Jose Pekerman’s name is emerging as a contender, with the Argentinian’s contract with Colombia, whom he coached to the round of 16 at the World Cup, expiring in August.

World Cup 2018: Revelation XI

Revelation XI - World Cup

The World Cup is the biggest platform in football. The greatest players are put to the task of taking their country as far as they can. The same old faces perform in new shirts and dazzle the fans, but sometimes, a few fresh faces surprise the fans and critics all around the world.

Here, we take a look at the eleven fresh players who stood out and awed the fans in the World Cup.

 

(GK) Cho Hyun-Woo

The Korean stopper made quite a name for himself following his sensational performance against Germany where he made 6 saves to deny the Germans a single goal in the game which South Korea won 2-0. The 26-year-old, who plays for Daegu FC, has surely impressed a number of teams.

(RB) Benjamin Pavard 

One of the hottest prospects in the game right now, Pavard has been indispensable for France, playing 6 matches and scoring a screamer against Argentina. The 22-year-old Stuttgart defender has not lost a single game in French colors playing for the u-19, u-21 and the senior team.

(CB) Yerry Mina 

A standout performer in the World Cup, Yerry Mina, scored 3 goals in 3 matches setting a new record in the World Cup. The 23-year-old Barcelona defender proved his worth on the biggest stage in football.

(CB) Domagoj Vida 

The 29-year-old defender, Vida, has been consistent at the back and registered a goal and an assist in his 6 matches in the World Cup. The Besiktas player has been linked to multiple teams after his performances in the tournament and might get a well-deserved move to a bigger club.

(LB) Lucas Hernandez 

The Atletico man was in top form for France in the World Cup. After making his international debut in March 2018, The 22-year-old ended his campaign with the highest number of assists (2) and tackles (16) by any defender.

(DM) Lucas Torreira 

One of the best performers in the Uruguayan outfit, Torreira, played in all 5 matches for his country and became somewhat of a national hero. The 22-year-old midfielder recently completed a big money move to Premier League giants Arsenal.

(CM) Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Loftus-Cheek participated in 4 matches for England in the tournament, providing an assist in the process. The 22-year-old has surely impressed his club by his mesmerising dribbling and pinpoint passing and will hope to get an important role at Chelsea or a transfer in the coming season.

(CAM) Aleksandr Golovin 

Golovin has impressed everyone since the opening game of the World Cup where he scored a goal and assisted 2. The 22-year-old CSKA Moscow midfielder also created the highest number of chances in the tournament. He has been linked with numerous European giant and is bound to complete a move imminently.

(LM) Denis Cheryshev 

Villarreal‘s Denis Cheryshev was a largely obscure figure ahead in world football of the World Cup. After scoring 4 times in just 303 minutes in the tournament, the 27-year-old winger has attracted plenty of attention from other clubs.

(RM) Ante Rebic

Another obscure player was Frankfurt‘s Ante Rebic who made his statement in the World Cup by performing consistently and industriously. The 24-year-old workhorse has been linked to numerous European giants, one of them being Manchester United.

(CF) Hirving Lozano 

The 22-year-old forward was one of the hottest prospects in world football, coming into the World Cup. Lozano has raised his stock as he scored a goal and assisted another in his 4 games for Mexico. The PSV Eindhoven star has attracted a huge number of clubs who are in a race to get his signature.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2018: Team Of The Tournament

Kylian Mbappe – Young Player of the Tournament | FIFA World Cup

Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe has won the FIFA Young Player Award for at the World Cup Russia 2018.

The France international had a spectacular campaign as France lifted the World Cup for the second time in history. Although many players were at the top of their game in the tournament, Kylian Mbappe was something else entirely.

Kylian Mbappe scored the crucial winning goal against Peru in the group stages, but he was the most impressive against Argentina where he won a penalty and scored a brace to knock Argentina out of the World Cup almost single-handedly. With this incredible feat, he became the first teenager to score twice in the same World Cup game since Pele in 1958 when he hit a double in their 4-3 victory of Argentina.

He later became the only teenager, after the legendary Pele, to score a goal in the World Cup final as he scored a wonderful goal against Croatia to comfortably see them off. What a name to be compared with. He also becomes the 2nd French player in a row to win the award, after team-mate, Paul Pogba won it four years ago.

“Technical qualities such as skill, style, and charisma are taken into account, but so are other important factors such as a sense of fair play and a genuine impression that the player is playing for the love of the game,” according to FIFA.

The PSG star scored 4 goals in his 7 appearances for them in the World Cup and was an absolute delight to watch on the pitch. The only player in the French squad who was not born when France won their first World Cup in 1998, the young forward immortalized himself with his performance in the tournament. 

The 19-year-old further made the headlines for all the right reasons as he donated his full earnings and winning bonus, which amounts to $550,000, from the World Cup to a charity that gives free sports instruction to hospitalized and disabled children in sports. What a way to mark the moment, you just can’t hate the lad.

FIFA World Cup: Semi-finals; Team of the Round

Team of the Semi-Finals

The semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup came to a dramatic finish last night as Croatia beat England in extra-time to qualify for the finals and face France on 15th July. This round was the one where everyone would give their best and some players managed to stand out, above others.

Here is a list of the eleven best performers of the round.

(GK) Hugo Lloris 

Tottenham‘s Hugo Lloris has been absolutely solid for Les Blues this year. With 3 clean sheets in the tournament already, the French skipper is certainly the first in line to be awarded the Golden Glove. Against Belgium, he made 3 crucial saves and led his team to the finals.

(RB) Kieran Trippier 

Tottenham‘s Kieran Trippier has been one of the most consistent performers for the Three Lions in the World Cup. The wingback scored the opener against Croatia but failed to help his side to the finals.

(CB) Samuel Umtiti

Barcelona man Samuel Umtiti played his best game in the tournament against Belgium where he was solid defensively, but more importantly, scored the only goal in the match to take France to the finals.

(CB) Dejan Lovren

Dejan Lovren has been one of the best defenders in the World Cup this year. The Liverpool defender played the full 120 minutes against England and did enough to knock them out of the tournament.

(LB) Sime Vrsaljko

Atletico fullback Sime Vrsaljko provided a vital assist for Perisic’s equaliser against England. The 26-year old showed defensive maturity and composure when his side needed it the most.

(CM) Paul Pogba

Manchester United star Paul Pogba has been the core to France’s success in the World Cup. The 25-year old was brilliant both offensive and defensively as France saw out Belgium 1-0 on Tuesday.

(CM) Blaise Matuidi

Matuidi was one of the best players on the pitch on Tuesday as France beat Belgium to reach the finals. The Juventus midfielder was a complete workhorse and a constant threat going forward as well. 

(LM) Ivan Perisic

Inter‘s Ivan Perisic had his best game for Croatia against England and was arguably the best performer of the semi-finals as he scored a goal and assisted another to send England packing. 

(RM) Kylian Mbappe

Even without a single shot against Belgium, Kylian Mbappe was phenomenal for Les Blues. The PSG forward was one of the biggest threat for France going forward in almost every attack the French attempted. 

(CF) Eden Hazard

One of the best performers not only in the Belgian squad but in the whole tournament, Chelsea‘s Eden Hazard gave his best against France but failed to lead his side to the finals.

(ST) Mario Mandzukic 

England’s enemy no.1 for now, Mario Mandzukic scored the winner in the 109th minute against England to send them home yesterday. The Juventus striker became an instant hero as he led his side to the finals for the first time in history.