<p>Lionel Messi lifted Barcelona out of their recent slump with a magical display as his side beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 in a thrilling Champions League Group B clash on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The Argentine maestro scored two goals to take his Champions League haul to 105, was the instigator in two others and was twice denied by the woodwork as he lit up Wembley Stadium.</p>

<p>Messi, 31, was applauded off by both sets of fans at the end of an absorbing contest that kept Barca at the top of the group and Tottenham in trouble after two defeats.</p>

<p>Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic scored in clinical fashion as Barcelona went in 2-0 ahead at halftime.</p>

<p>But Barcelona needed Messi at his best to repel a tenacious Spurs fightback as Harry Kane and Erik Lamela gave the hosts hope.</p>

<p>Only when Messi struck his second in stoppage-time could Barca coach Ernesto Valverde breathe a little easier.</p>

<p>Barcelona, without a win in their last three La Liga games, were supposed to be vulnerable but on a pitch baring the scars of British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua's fight against Alexander Povetkin they took only two minutes to land a blow straight in the solar plexus.</p>

<p>Tottenham allowed Messi time and space to curl a pass to Jordi Alba on the left and with keeper Hugo Lloris, back from injury, charging out of his goal Alba cut the ball back to Coutinho who drilled home through a gaggle of defenders.</p>

<p>The hosts responded with Kane firing in a shot that did not have enough venom to worry Marc-Andre ter Stegen.</p>

<p>Messi opened up Tottenham again in the 28th minute. His floated pass was chested down by Luis Suarez to Coutinho whose volley sliced up in the air before the quick-thinking Brazilian hooked the ball back to Rakitic who rifled a picture-perfect right-foot volley in off the post from 25 yards.</p>

<p>Messi ran riot at the start of the second half, twice teasing the Spurs defence before thudding shots against Lloris's right-hand post.</p>

<p>Tottenham capitalised on their good fortune and Kane halved the deficit in the 52nd minute with a clinical finish.</p>

<p>Messi shook his head in disbelief but he silenced the home crowd again -- this time side-footing inside the post from Alba's cross to finish a flowing move he had started.</p>

<p>There was no let-up in the furious pace and after Kane worked hard to win the ball, Lamela gave Spurs another lifeline when his 66th-minute shot flicked off Clement Lenglet and spun past Ter Stegen.</p>

<p>A gallant Tottenham side, missing the likes of Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen, swarmed forward looking for a point that had earlier seemed inconceivable.</p>

<p>They left yawning gaps at the back, though, and Messi finally ended their resistance when he struck again in stoppage time.</p>


Lionel Messi lifted Barcelona out of their recent slump with a magical display as his side beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 in a thrilling Champions League Group B clash on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi lifted Barcelona out of their recent slump with a magical display as his side beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 in a thrilling Champions League Group B clash on Wednesday. The Argentine maestro scored two goals to take his Champions League haul to 105, was the instigator in two others and was twice denied by the woodwork as he lit up Wembley Stadium. Messi, 31, was applauded off by both sets of fans at the end of an absorbing contest that kept Barca at the top of the group and Tottenham in trouble after two defeats. Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic scored in clinical fashion as Barcelona went in 2-0 ahead at halftime. But Barcelona needed Messi at his best to repel a tenacious Spurs fightback as Harry Kane and Erik Lamela gave the hosts hope. Only when Messi struck his second in stoppage-time could Barca coach Ernesto Valverde breathe a little easier. Barcelona, without a win in their last three La Liga games, were supposed to be vulnerable but on a pitch baring the scars of British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua's fight against Alexander Povetkin they took only two minutes to land a blow straight in the solar plexus. Tottenham allowed Messi time and space to curl a pass to Jordi Alba on the left and with keeper Hugo Lloris, back from injury, charging out of his goal Alba cut the ball back to Coutinho who drilled home through a gaggle of defenders. The hosts responded with Kane firing in a shot that did not have enough venom to worry Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Messi opened up Tottenham again in the 28th minute. His floated pass was chested down by Luis Suarez to Coutinho whose volley sliced up in the air before the quick-thinking Brazilian hooked the ball back to Rakitic who rifled a picture-perfect right-foot volley in off the post from 25 yards. Messi ran riot at the start of the second half, twice teasing the Spurs defence before thudding shots against Lloris's right-hand post. Tottenham capitalised on their good fortune and Kane halved the deficit in the 52nd minute with a clinical finish. Messi shook his head in disbelief but he silenced the home crowd again -- this time side-footing inside the post from Alba's cross to finish a flowing move he had started. There was no let-up in the furious pace and after Kane worked hard to win the ball, Lamela gave Spurs another lifeline when his 66th-minute shot flicked off Clement Lenglet and spun past Ter Stegen. A gallant Tottenham side, missing the likes of Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen, swarmed forward looking for a point that had earlier seemed inconceivable. They left yawning gaps at the back, though, and Messi finally ended their resistance when he struck again in stoppage time.

Champions League: Maestro Messi lights up Wembley as Barcelona sink Tottenham Hotspur

<p>Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday was left out of the Portugal squad for upcoming fixtures against Poland and Scotland.</p>

<p>However, it is still unclear if his omission is related to the rape allegations against him.</p>

<p>The Juventus forward has been making headlines from past many days over an investigation into an alleged rape case from 2009 - which Ronaldo denies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Portugal star was rested for the previous international fixtures against Croatia and Italy, and has not featured for his country since the last-16 World Cup defeat to Uruguay.</p>

<p>The 33-year-old will sit out the Nations League match against Poland on October 11 and the friendly against Scotland on October 14.</p>

<p>He also missed Juventus' Champions League win against Young Boys on Tuesday after serving a one-match ban.</p>

<p>Ronaldo won the 2016 European Championships with his country and is both Portugal's most capped player ever and the nation's all-time top goalscorer.</p>


Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday was left out of the Portugal squad for upcoming fixtures against Poland and Scotland. However, it is still unclear if his omission is related to the rape allegations against him.

Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday was left out of the Portugal squad for upcoming fixtures against Poland and Scotland. However, it is still unclear if his omission is related to the rape allegations against him. The Juventus forward has been making headlines from past many days over an investigation into an alleged rape case from 2009 - which Ronaldo denies. The Portugal star was rested for the previous international fixtures against Croatia and Italy, and has not featured for his country since the last-16 World Cup defeat to Uruguay. The 33-year-old will sit out the Nations League match against Poland on October 11 and the friendly against Scotland on October 14. He also missed Juventus' Champions League win against Young Boys on Tuesday after serving a one-match ban. Ronaldo won the 2016 European Championships with his country and is both Portugal's most capped player ever and the nation's all-time top goalscorer.

Cristiano Ronaldo left out of Portugal squad

<p>Manchester City overcame a first-minute setback to relaunch their Champions League campaign with what manager Pep Guardiola hailed as an "important" 2-1 victory at Hoffenheim, clinched by a late David Silva winner, on Tuesday.</p>

<p>The Premier League champions and current leaders, urgently needing a win after their opening week Group F defeat at home by Olympique Lyonnais, had been rocked by an Ishak Belfodil goal after just 44 seconds.</p>

<p>Sergio Aguero's equaliser seven minutes later seemed to have set them back on course as they dominated most of the match but the Bundesliga side, set up in an attacking 4-3-3 mode and dangerous on the break, held firm until Silva cashed in on a late defensive error.</p>

<p>Guardiola felt it was another major learning experience for his side, who had looked as if they could be frustrated and deprived of a win they deserved when denied a clear-cut second-half penalty.</p>

<p>The win pushed City into second-place in the group on three points after two matches, one point behind Lyon, who later drew 2-2 with Shakhtar Donetsk. Ukrainian champions Shakhtar, City's next opponents, are third on two points.</p>

<p>"After losing the first game, it was important that we didn't lose today," he told BT Sport.</p>

<p>"We need to live this type of experience as a club to improve, to get better. You cannot make the next steps if you don't suffer or live this kind of experience, where you have to fight against everything."</p>

<p>Hoffenheim's home debut in the Champions League group stages at their Rhein-Neckar-Arena started perfectly for the high-flying 'village club' who have come so far so quickly in the Bundesliga, with Algerian Belfodil latching on to a neat through ball from Kerem Demirbay to slot home.</p>

<p>The quickest goal City had ever conceded in the competition was another shock to their system after their loss to Lyon, their only defeat of the season in any competition so far.</p>

<p>Normal service was quickly resumed, though, when a fine ball from Silva found Leroy Sane, outstanding on his return to Germany, who picked out Aguero to bundle home his eighth goal in 10 matches in all competitions this season.</p>

<p>Raheem Sterling, after a lightning end-to-end break, and Aguero, who was a livewire all evening, went close to putting City ahead as they piled on the pressure.</p>

<p>Yet after the break, 31-year-old Julian Nagelsmann's side, reflecting the enterprise of the youngest manager in Champions League history, held on staunchly as City ramped up their attacks.</p>

<p>It seemed as if Guardiola's men would be deprived of the win when Sane was clearly brought down in the penalty area in the second half when rounding goalkeeper Oliver Baumann but no penalty was awarded.</p>

<p>Asked about the penalty, Guardiola, who had been back on the touchline after serving a one-match European ban, said he would not comment because he did not want to end up back in the stands.</p>

<p>His side kept their patience, though, and David Silva's quick thinking, robbing central defender Stefan Posch in the box and shooting home a sharp left-footed winner, secured them the three points.</p>

<p>"We knew we had 15 points to fight for and we now have three. Now it's in our hands unlike before and, of course, we cannot make the mistake we did against Lyon," said Guardiola.</p>

<p>"We are not quite at the level of our opponent," a philosophical Nagelsmann told reporters. "We did a good job, tactically we gave a great performance, but they are a world-class team, you cannot forget that."</p>


Manchester City overcame a first-minute setback to relaunch their Champions League campaign with what manager Pep Guardiola hailed as an "important" 2-1 victory at Hoffenheim, clinched by a late David Silva winner, on Tuesday.

Manchester City overcame a first-minute setback to relaunch their Champions League campaign with what manager Pep Guardiola hailed as an "important" 2-1 victory at Hoffenheim, clinched by a late David Silva winner, on Tuesday. The Premier League champions and current leaders, urgently needing a win after their opening week Group F defeat at home by Olympique Lyonnais, had been rocked by an Ishak Belfodil goal after just 44 seconds. Sergio Aguero's equaliser seven minutes later seemed to have set them back on course as they dominated most of the match but the Bundesliga side, set up in an attacking 4-3-3 mode and dangerous on the break, held firm until Silva cashed in on a late defensive error. Guardiola felt it was another major learning experience for his side, who had looked as if they could be frustrated and deprived of a win they deserved when denied a clear-cut second-half penalty. The win pushed City into second-place in the group on three points after two matches, one point behind Lyon, who later drew 2-2 with Shakhtar Donetsk. Ukrainian champions Shakhtar, City's next opponents, are third on two points. "After losing the first game, it was important that we didn't lose today," he told BT Sport. "We need to live this type of experience as a club to improve, to get better. You cannot make the next steps if you don't suffer or live this kind of experience, where you have to fight against everything." Hoffenheim's home debut in the Champions League group stages at their Rhein-Neckar-Arena started perfectly for the high-flying 'village club' who have come so far so quickly in the Bundesliga, with Algerian Belfodil latching on to a neat through ball from Kerem Demirbay to slot home. The quickest goal City had ever conceded in the competition was another shock to their system after their loss to Lyon, their only defeat of the season in any competition so far. Normal service was quickly resumed, though, when a fine ball from Silva found Leroy Sane, outstanding on his return to Germany, who picked out Aguero to bundle home his eighth goal in 10 matches in all competitions this season. Raheem Sterling, after a lightning end-to-end break, and Aguero, who was a livewire all evening, went close to putting City ahead as they piled on the pressure. Yet after the break, 31-year-old Julian Nagelsmann's side, reflecting the enterprise of the youngest manager in Champions League history, held on staunchly as City ramped up their attacks. It seemed as if Guardiola's men would be deprived of the win when Sane was clearly brought down in the penalty area in the second half when rounding goalkeeper Oliver Baumann but no penalty was awarded. Asked about the penalty, Guardiola, who had been back on the touchline after serving a one-match European ban, said he would not comment because he did not want to end up back in the stands. His side kept their patience, though, and David Silva's quick thinking, robbing central defender Stefan Posch in the box and shooting home a sharp left-footed winner, secured them the three points. "We knew we had 15 points to fight for and we now have three. Now it's in our hands unlike before and, of course, we cannot make the mistake we did against Lyon," said Guardiola. "We are not quite at the level of our opponent," a philosophical Nagelsmann told reporters. "We did a good job, tactically we gave a great performance, but they are a world-class team, you cannot forget that."

Man City earn late win at Hoffenheim through David Silva

<p>Champions League holders Real Madrid slumped to a rare defeat in the competition as they went down 1-0 away to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, while Jose Mourinho's Manchester United misfired again in a 0-0 draw with Valencia.</p>

<p>While Bayern Munich were also held by Ajax, it was a happier evening for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City as they beat Hoffenheim 2-1, and Juventus were also comfortable winners thanks to Paulo Dybala's hat-trick.</p>

<p>Real were not expected to struggle in Group G as they look to continue their recent dominance of the Champions League, but Julen Lopetegui's side went behind inside two minutes in Moscow following a mistake by Toni Kroos.</p>

<p>The German's drilled backpass turned into a gift for Nikola Vlasic, and the winger on loan from Everton fired past Keylor Navas to put CSKA ahead.</p>

<p>Casemiro hit the post in the first half -- one of three attempts that found the woodwork for the visitors -- but Real were weakened by the absences of Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos, while Luka Modric started on the bench.</p>

<p>CSKA held on, despite having goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev sent off in injury time, and they move above Real to the top of Group G.</p>

<p>"I am sure we will soon be scoring again and winning again," said Lopetegui, whose team have not found the net in three matches.</p>

<p>It was only Madrid's third defeat in the Champions League group stage this decade, but Real will nevertheless expect to bounce back next against Czech champions Viktoria Plzen, who were crushed 5-0 by Roma.</p>

<p>Edin Dzeko scored a hat-trick for the Italian side, with Cengiz Under and Justin Kluivert also netting.</p>

<p>At Old Trafford, the pressure continued to build on Mourinho as United produced another insipid attacking display in their goalless stalemate with Valencia.</p>

<p>They are now four games without a win, and Mourinho's decision to recall Alexis Sanchez -- after dropping the Chilean for the weekend defeat at West Ham United -- failed to pay off.</p>

<p>"Our attacking players aren't in their best moments of confidence and individual level," moaned Mourinho. "We thought with three or four chances we would score and win the game."</p>

<p><strong>Dybala shines in Ronaldo absence</strong><br />
Mourinho's side are second in Group H, two points behind Juventus.</p>

<p>Juve eased to victory against 10-man Young Boys in Turin, with Dybala scoring a hat-trick to take centre stage in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was serving a one-game ban.</p>

<p>"We were without Cristiano, and at times it is easier with him in the side, but we have to be a great team both with and without him," said Dybala.</p>

<p>Guardiola saw Manchester City come from behind to beat Hoffenheim in Germany in Group F.</p>

<p>David Silva scored three minutes from time to get the Premier League champions back on track after they started their campaign with a 2-1 home defeat against Lyon.</p>

<p>Ishak Belfodil had put Hoffenheim ahead after just 44 seconds, but Sergio Aguero equalised in the eighth minute before Silva's late winner.</p>

<p>"This competition isn't always a red carpet. Manchester City is a fantastic club, but we don't have a history of having to fight and we fought for absolutely everything here," said Guardiola.</p>

<p>"This is one of the happiest days I have had at this club as it will help us going forward."</p>

<p>City next face Shakhtar Donetsk, who squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Lyon in France, in a game played behind closed doors.</p>

<p>Brazilian forward Junior Moraes scored twice for Shakhtar, but Lyon fought back to draw with goals from Moussa Dembele and Leo Dubois.</p>

<p>It was a good result for Lyon, whose fans were missing as a punishment for trouble at a game against CSKA last season, and they now top the group.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Bayern could not hang on to the early lead given to them against Ajax when Mats Hummels headed in Arjen Robben's cross. Young full-back Noussair Mazraoui equalised to give the Dutch side a 1-1 draw.</p>

<p>Those sides are level atop Group E ahead of Benfica, who won 3-2 in a thriller at AEK Athens with Alfa Semedo scoring the deciding goal.</p>


Champions League holders Real Madrid slumped to a rare defeat in the competition as they went down 1-0 away to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, while Jose Mourinho's Manchester United misfired again in a 0-0 draw with Valencia.

Champions League holders Real Madrid slumped to a rare defeat in the competition as they went down 1-0 away to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, while Jose Mourinho's Manchester United misfired again in a 0-0 draw with Valencia. While Bayern Munich were also held by Ajax, it was a happier evening for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City as they beat Hoffenheim 2-1, and Juventus were also comfortable winners thanks to Paulo Dybala's hat-trick. Real were not expected to struggle in Group G as they look to continue their recent dominance of the Champions League, but Julen Lopetegui's side went behind inside two minutes in Moscow following a mistake by Toni Kroos. The German's drilled backpass turned into a gift for Nikola Vlasic, and the winger on loan from Everton fired past Keylor Navas to put CSKA ahead. Casemiro hit the post in the first half -- one of three attempts that found the woodwork for the visitors -- but Real were weakened by the absences of Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos, while Luka Modric started on the bench. CSKA held on, despite having goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev sent off in injury time, and they move above Real to the top of Group G. "I am sure we will soon be scoring again and winning again," said Lopetegui, whose team have not found the net in three matches. It was only Madrid's third defeat in the Champions League group stage this decade, but Real will nevertheless expect to bounce back next against Czech champions Viktoria Plzen, who were crushed 5-0 by Roma. Edin Dzeko scored a hat-trick for the Italian side, with Cengiz Under and Justin Kluivert also netting. At Old Trafford, the pressure continued to build on Mourinho as United produced another insipid attacking display in their goalless stalemate with Valencia. They are now four games without a win, and Mourinho's decision to recall Alexis Sanchez -- after dropping the Chilean for the weekend defeat at West Ham United -- failed to pay off. "Our attacking players aren't in their best moments of confidence and individual level," moaned Mourinho. "We thought with three or four chances we would score and win the game." Dybala shines in Ronaldo absence Mourinho's side are second in Group H, two points behind Juventus. Juve eased to victory against 10-man Young Boys in Turin, with Dybala scoring a hat-trick to take centre stage in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was serving a one-game ban. "We were without Cristiano, and at times it is easier with him in the side, but we have to be a great team both with and without him," said Dybala. Guardiola saw Manchester City come from behind to beat Hoffenheim in Germany in Group F. David Silva scored three minutes from time to get the Premier League champions back on track after they started their campaign with a 2-1 home defeat against Lyon. Ishak Belfodil had put Hoffenheim ahead after just 44 seconds, but Sergio Aguero equalised in the eighth minute before Silva's late winner. "This competition isn't always a red carpet. Manchester City is a fantastic club, but we don't have a history of having to fight and we fought for absolutely everything here," said Guardiola. "This is one of the happiest days I have had at this club as it will help us going forward." City next face Shakhtar Donetsk, who squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Lyon in France, in a game played behind closed doors. Brazilian forward Junior Moraes scored twice for Shakhtar, but Lyon fought back to draw with goals from Moussa Dembele and Leo Dubois. It was a good result for Lyon, whose fans were missing as a punishment for trouble at a game against CSKA last season, and they now top the group. Meanwhile, Bayern could not hang on to the early lead given to them against Ajax when Mats Hummels headed in Arjen Robben's cross. Young full-back Noussair Mazraoui equalised to give the Dutch side a 1-1 draw. Those sides are level atop Group E ahead of Benfica, who won 3-2 in a thriller at AEK Athens with Alfa Semedo scoring the deciding goal.

Champions League: Real Madrid suffer shock loss, Man Utd misfire again

<p>The relationship between Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and midfielder Paul Pogba has worsened even more as the midfielder completely ignored the Special One during the training session on Monday.</p>

<p>The team were preparing for Tuesday's (October 2) Champions League match against Valencia.</p>

<p>This is the most recent angle to the Pogba-Mourinho saga which showed no signs that the spat will be subsided.</p>

<p>Previously, there had appeared to be a frosty atmosphere between the two at a training session last week, when Mourinho asked Pogba to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/pogba-filmed-tense-exchange-mourinho-after-being-sacked-vice-captain-167836">"get out" from the session</a>.</p>

<p><em>Watch the video:</em></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">JUST IN! 😳<br />
<br />
Frosty footage just in from <a href="https://twitter.com/ManUtd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ManUtd</a>'s training session between Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho… ❄️<br />
<br />
What has been said between the pair this morning? 👀 <a href="https://t.co/nRiTEgDJlH">pic.twitter.com/nRiTEgDJlH</a></p>
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1044906594318929921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>After a weekend in which United lost 3-1 to West Ham with Pogba being substituted in the 70th minute, there was a similar atmosphere between the two at Monday's training session when the French World Cup winner completely ignored Jose.</p>

<p>Recently, there were rumours that the Man Utd&nbsp;have <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/gossip-or-truth-zinedine-zidane-replace-jose-mourinho-man-united-168807">contacted former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane</a>.</p>

<p>Mourinho is convinced that the United hierarchy have sounded out Zidane's agents and are making contingency plans for his departure.</p>


The relationship between Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and midfielder Paul Pogba has worsened even more as the midfielder completely ignored the Special One during the training session on Monday.

The relationship between Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and midfielder Paul Pogba has worsened even more as the midfielder completely ignored the Special One during the training session on Monday. The team were preparing for Tuesday's (October 2) Champions League match against Valencia. This is the most recent angle to the Pogba-Mourinho saga which showed no signs that the spat will be subsided. Previously, there had appeared to be a frosty atmosphere between the two at a training session last week, when Mourinho asked Pogba to "get out" from the session. Watch the video: JUST IN! 😳 Frosty footage just in from @ManUtd's training session between Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho… ❄️ What has been said between the pair this morning? 👀 pic.twitter.com/nRiTEgDJlH — Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 26, 2018 × After a weekend in which United lost 3-1 to West Ham with Pogba being substituted in the 70th minute, there was a similar atmosphere between the two at Monday's training session when the French World Cup winner completely ignored Jose. Recently, there were rumours that the Man Utd have contacted former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. Mourinho is convinced that the United hierarchy have sounded out Zidane's agents and are making contingency plans for his departure.

Watch: Pogba, Mourinho ignore each other at training session

<p>Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has denied the media reports that claimed that his job is on the line after the rumour started spreading that Man Utd&nbsp;have contacted former Real Madrid boss <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/gossip-or-truth-zinedine-zidane-replace-jose-mourinho-man-united-168807">Zinedine Zidane</a>.</p>

<p>The reports also stated that Zizou contacted Mourinho to explain that he isn't plotting to take over behind his back, saying, his representatives had simply asked him if he would be interested in the job.</p>

<p>On being asked about whether Zidane has talked with him he remained coyed with a smile on his face.</p>

<p>He also said that some of his players care more than others ahead of the Champions League Group H match against Valencia on Tuesday (October 2).</p>

<p>"I think that some care more than others," said Mourinho.</p>

<p>United have struggled this season, collecting 10 points from their opening seven Premier League matches and being dumped out of the League Cup by second-tier Derby County.</p>

<p>They did, however, secure an emphatic 3-0 victory over Young Boys in their first Champions League group match.</p>

<p>Also, the reports of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-pogba-and-mourinho-ignored-each-other-training-session-168843">unrest with leading player Paul Pogba</a>, which led to the Frenchman being demoted as vice-captain, have led to suggestions that Mourinho is losing his influence at Old Trafford.</p>


Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has denied the media reports that claimed that his job is on the line after the rumour started spreading that Man Utd have contacted former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has denied the media reports that claimed that his job is on the line after the rumour started spreading that Man Utd have contacted former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. The reports also stated that Zizou contacted Mourinho to explain that he isn't plotting to take over behind his back, saying, his representatives had simply asked him if he would be interested in the job. On being asked about whether Zidane has talked with him he remained coyed with a smile on his face. He also said that some of his players care more than others ahead of the Champions League Group H match against Valencia on Tuesday (October 2). "I think that some care more than others," said Mourinho. United have struggled this season, collecting 10 points from their opening seven Premier League matches and being dumped out of the League Cup by second-tier Derby County. They did, however, secure an emphatic 3-0 victory over Young Boys in their first Champions League group match. Also, the reports of unrest with leading player Paul Pogba, which led to the Frenchman being demoted as vice-captain, have led to suggestions that Mourinho is losing his influence at Old Trafford.

Some players care more than others,' says Mourinho

<p>Title holders Real Madrid have started training for the upcoming UEFA Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow in the absence of Welsh forward Gareth Bale, who was out due to injury.</p>

<p>While Spanish media reported that Bale has not suffered a thigh injury and will return to La Liga action for Real Madrid at the weekend.</p>

<p>During the match against cross-town rival Atletico, was taken off at half-time after suffering discomfort in his thigh.</p>

<p>Coach Julen Lopetegui left him out of the Champions League squad to face CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Madrid sports newspapers AS and Marca said tests on Monday showed Bale had no serious injury, adding he was expected to return to training on Thursday ahead of Saturday's game at Alaves.</p>

<p>Lopetegui led Sunday's training, in which the starters against Atletico performed a recovery session.</p>

<p>Isco, who recently underwent surgery for appendicitis, and Marcelo, who suffers a muscular problem, did not exercise on Sunday, while Alvaro Odriozola worked out normally.</p>

<p>Vinicius Jr, who made his La Liga debut against Atletico, also joined the training and is looking to make his Champions League debut in Moscow.</p>


Title holders Real Madrid have started training for the upcoming UEFA Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow in the absence of Welsh forward Gareth Bale, who was out due to injury.

Title holders Real Madrid have started training for the upcoming UEFA Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow in the absence of Welsh forward Gareth Bale, who was out due to injury. While Spanish media reported that Bale has not suffered a thigh injury and will return to La Liga action for Real Madrid at the weekend. During the match against cross-town rival Atletico, was taken off at half-time after suffering discomfort in his thigh. Coach Julen Lopetegui left him out of the Champions League squad to face CSKA Moscow on Tuesday. Madrid sports newspapers AS and Marca said tests on Monday showed Bale had no serious injury, adding he was expected to return to training on Thursday ahead of Saturday's game at Alaves. Lopetegui led Sunday's training, in which the starters against Atletico performed a recovery session. Isco, who recently underwent surgery for appendicitis, and Marcelo, who suffers a muscular problem, did not exercise on Sunday, while Alvaro Odriozola worked out normally. Vinicius Jr, who made his La Liga debut against Atletico, also joined the training and is looking to make his Champions League debut in Moscow.

Media reports say Gareth Bale fit and set for weekend return

<p>Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has been ruled out of Wednesday's Champions League group-stage match with Barcelona at Wembley, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said on Saturday.</p>

<p>Alli, who suffered a hamstring injury earlier this month, missed the 2-0 victory at Huddersfield, and Pochettino said there was no chance of the England international facing the Spanish side.</p>

<p>The midfielder suffered the injury during England's Nations League defeat to Spain earlier this month and missed the matches with Liverpool and Inter Milan.</p>

<p>Although he was back again as a substitute against Brighton last weekend and scored in the League Cup against Watford on Wednesday, he has suffered an aggravation of the injury.</p>

<p>Pochettino said it was too early to evaluate the injuries to Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele, who were both substituted at half-time in the win at the John Smith's Stadium.</p>

<p>"It is not clear if they are muscle (injuries) or knocks," said the Spurs manager, who used the injuries to emphasise his unhappiness at criticism of his squad rotation.</p>

<p>"The season is a massive challenge for everyone. A lot of teams have the same problem. The players are not machines. We want to push and push and push them -- it is not easy.</p>

<p>"No-one helps, all want that in every single game play the same players," he added, highlighting the criticism he received for resting players.</p>

<p>But the Spurs manager said muscle injuries were a risk facing a number of teams.</p>

<p>"I think the teams that had players involved in the World Cup are going to have this kind of problems," he added.</p>


Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has been ruled out of Wednesday's Champions League group-stage match with Barcelona at Wembley, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said on Saturday.

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has been ruled out of Wednesday's Champions League group-stage match with Barcelona at Wembley, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said on Saturday. Alli, who suffered a hamstring injury earlier this month, missed the 2-0 victory at Huddersfield, and Pochettino said there was no chance of the England international facing the Spanish side. The midfielder suffered the injury during England's Nations League defeat to Spain earlier this month and missed the matches with Liverpool and Inter Milan. Although he was back again as a substitute against Brighton last weekend and scored in the League Cup against Watford on Wednesday, he has suffered an aggravation of the injury. Pochettino said it was too early to evaluate the injuries to Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele, who were both substituted at half-time in the win at the John Smith's Stadium. "It is not clear if they are muscle (injuries) or knocks," said the Spurs manager, who used the injuries to emphasise his unhappiness at criticism of his squad rotation. "The season is a massive challenge for everyone. A lot of teams have the same problem. The players are not machines. We want to push and push and push them -- it is not easy. "No-one helps, all want that in every single game play the same players," he added, highlighting the criticism he received for resting players. But the Spurs manager said muscle injuries were a risk facing a number of teams. "I think the teams that had players involved in the World Cup are going to have this kind of problems," he added.

Dele Alli ruled out of Tottenham's Barcelona clash

<p>Spain coach Julen Lopetegui will take over as Real Madrid manager on a three-year contract after the World Cup, the European champions said on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Frenchman Zinedine Zidane stepped down two weeks ago, days after leading Real to a third consecutive Champions League title.</p>

<p>Lopetegui, who last month signed a new contract through to 2020 with Spain, spent three years with Real as a player, making a solitary first-team appearance in 1990.</p>

<p>The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said in a statement that it would receive “the full buy-out clause so the current national team boss can sign for Real Madrid”.</p>

<p>“The RFEF asks for maximum respect in order that normality is kept in the national team’s training camp just ahead of our first game at the World Cup against Portugal,” the statement added.</p>

<p>The 51-year-old took over as Spain coach in 2016 following the retirement of Vicente Del Bosque who led his country to victory in the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship.</p>

<p>Spain, unbeaten in 20 games under Lopetegui, play neighbours Portugal on Friday in their opening World Cup Group B match in Sochi, Russia before facing Iran and Morocco.</p>

<p>Former goalkeeper Lopetegui spent a season as coach of Real’s B-team Castilla from 2008-09 before taking over as Spain Under-19 manager in 2010.</p>

<p>He enjoyed success with the country’s youth sides, winning the 2012 Under-19 European Championship before repeating the feat as Under-21 boss 12 months later.</p>

<p>Lopetegui’s forays into club management have been less successful. He was sacked from a brief spell in charge of Rayo Vallecano in Spain’s second division in 2003 and left Portuguese club Porto after failing to win any silverware from 2014-16.</p>


Frenchman Zinedine Zidane stepped down two weeks ago, days after leading Real to a third consecutive Champions League title

Spain coach Julen Lopetegui will take over as Real Madrid manager on a three-year contract after the World Cup, the European champions said on Tuesday. Frenchman Zinedine Zidane stepped down two weeks ago, days after leading Real to a third consecutive Champions League title. Lopetegui, who last month signed a new contract through to 2020 with Spain, spent three years with Real as a player, making a solitary first-team appearance in 1990. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said in a statement that it would receive “the full buy-out clause so the current national team boss can sign for Real Madrid”. “The RFEF asks for maximum respect in order that normality is kept in the national team’s training camp just ahead of our first game at the World Cup against Portugal,” the statement added. The 51-year-old took over as Spain coach in 2016 following the retirement of Vicente Del Bosque who led his country to victory in the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship. Spain, unbeaten in 20 games under Lopetegui, play neighbours Portugal on Friday in their opening World Cup Group B match in Sochi, Russia before facing Iran and Morocco. Former goalkeeper Lopetegui spent a season as coach of Real’s B-team Castilla from 2008-09 before taking over as Spain Under-19 manager in 2010. He enjoyed success with the country’s youth sides, winning the 2012 Under-19 European Championship before repeating the feat as Under-21 boss 12 months later. Lopetegui’s forays into club management have been less successful. He was sacked from a brief spell in charge of Rayo Vallecano in Spain’s second division in 2003 and left Portuguese club Porto after failing to win any silverware from 2014-16.

Real Madrid name Spain's Julen Lopetegui as new coach

<p>Croatia's national soccer team have started the last phase of their build-up for the June 14-July 15 World Cup tournament in Russia this week.</p>

<p>Although the star-studded team, captained by Real Madrid's Luka Modric and featuring the likes of Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, Juventus' Mario Mandzukic, and Liverpool's Dejan Lovren, suffered a 2-0 defeat last Sunday (June 3) in a friendly against Brazil at Anfield, the players are confident that this team might reach the knockout stage for the first time since the nation's tournament debut in 1998.</p>

<p>"Well, as I said, we will fight to the end. We have quality, we have experience, we just need to show that on the pitch," Lovren told reporters in Rijeka on Tuesday (June 5).</p>

<p>He was one of two Croatians who played the Champions League final last month, the other being Modric, who won his fourth title with Real Madrid in Europe's top club competition.</p>

<p>But Lovren added that an exhausting season behind them is not a problem, as playing in the World Cup for one's national team is an experience any player dreams of.</p>

<p>This will be Croatia's fifth appearance in the tournament, and even though they were a surprise of the tournament in 1998 when they finished third, they failed to progress out of the group stage in 2002, 2006, and 2014.</p>

<p>Manager Zlatko Dalic, who took over the team last October, had announced on Monday (June 4) the final 23-man squad that he would take to Russia, dropping Club Brugge defender Matej Mitrovic for lack of fitness and picking Red Bull Salzburg's young Duje Caleta-Car instead.</p>

<p>After their return from Liverpool, the Croatian squad will continue training in the Adriatic city of Rijeka before leaving for the eastern city of Osijek to play Senegal in a friendly on Friday (June 8).</p>

<p>The match is meant to prepare them for their opening World Cup match against Nigeria on June 16 in Kaliningrad, before facing Argentina on June 21 in Nizhny Novgorod and Iceland on June 26 in Rostov-on-Don.</p>


Lovren said that an exhausting season behind them is not a problem, as playing in the World Cup for one's national team is an experience any player dreams of

Croatia's national soccer team have started the last phase of their build-up for the June 14-July 15 World Cup tournament in Russia this week. Although the star-studded team, captained by Real Madrid's Luka Modric and featuring the likes of Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, Juventus' Mario Mandzukic, and Liverpool's Dejan Lovren, suffered a 2-0 defeat last Sunday (June 3) in a friendly against Brazil at Anfield, the players are confident that this team might reach the knockout stage for the first time since the nation's tournament debut in 1998. "Well, as I said, we will fight to the end. We have quality, we have experience, we just need to show that on the pitch," Lovren told reporters in Rijeka on Tuesday (June 5). He was one of two Croatians who played the Champions League final last month, the other being Modric, who won his fourth title with Real Madrid in Europe's top club competition. But Lovren added that an exhausting season behind them is not a problem, as playing in the World Cup for one's national team is an experience any player dreams of. This will be Croatia's fifth appearance in the tournament, and even though they were a surprise of the tournament in 1998 when they finished third, they failed to progress out of the group stage in 2002, 2006, and 2014. Manager Zlatko Dalic, who took over the team last October, had announced on Monday (June 4) the final 23-man squad that he would take to Russia, dropping Club Brugge defender Matej Mitrovic for lack of fitness and picking Red Bull Salzburg's young Duje Caleta-Car instead. After their return from Liverpool, the Croatian squad will continue training in the Adriatic city of Rijeka before leaving for the eastern city of Osijek to play Senegal in a friendly on Friday (June 8). The match is meant to prepare them for their opening World Cup match against Nigeria on June 16 in Kaliningrad, before facing Argentina on June 21 in Nizhny Novgorod and Iceland on June 26 in Rostov-on-Don.

Croatia's Lovren says the team will 'fight to the end' in the World Cup

<p>Real Madrid defender and captain Sergio Ramos has denied all the accusations related to the concussive blow to Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius in the UEFA Champions League finale.</p>

<p>Thirty-two-year-old Sergio Ramos talked humorously and said, "All that's missing is Firmino saying he got cold from bead of my sweat."</p>

<p>In the finals of Champions League, Karius had complained to match officials in the 49th minute that he had been elbowed in a clash by Sergio Ramos which went unpunished.</p>

<p>Recently, two Boston doctors who examined Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius revealed that Karius suffered a concussion shortly before the blunders which gifted Real Madrid their Champions League final crown.</p>

<p>A statement from doctors Ross Zafonte and Lenore Herget said Karius had undergone a comprehensive examination at Massachusetts General Hospital on May 31, five days after Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Madrid in Kiev.</p>

<p>Ramos was also the reason for Mohamed Salah's injury as the left hand of Egyptian striker got stuck with Madrid's defender Sergio Ramos as there was a strong challenge made by Ramos to tackle Salah while defending that resulted in Salah's ouster from the field in the 30th minute.</p>


Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos said, 'All that's missing is Firmino saying he got cold from bead of my sweat'

Real Madrid defender and captain Sergio Ramos has denied all the accusations related to the concussive blow to Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius in the UEFA Champions League finale. Thirty-two-year-old Sergio Ramos talked humorously and said, "All that's missing is Firmino saying he got cold from bead of my sweat." In the finals of Champions League, Karius had complained to match officials in the 49th minute that he had been elbowed in a clash by Sergio Ramos which went unpunished. Recently, two Boston doctors who examined Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius revealed that Karius suffered a concussion shortly before the blunders which gifted Real Madrid their Champions League final crown. A statement from doctors Ross Zafonte and Lenore Herget said Karius had undergone a comprehensive examination at Massachusetts General Hospital on May 31, five days after Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Madrid in Kiev. Ramos was also the reason for Mohamed Salah's injury as the left hand of Egyptian striker got stuck with Madrid's defender Sergio Ramos as there was a strong challenge made by Ramos to tackle Salah while defending that resulted in Salah's ouster from the field in the 30th minute.

Sergio Ramos mocks Mo Salah's injury, Loris Karius' concussion claim

<p>Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius suffered a concussion shortly before the blunders which gifted Real Madrid their Champions League final crown last month, two Boston doctors who examined the shot-stopper revealed on Monday.</p>

<p>A statement from doctors Ross Zafonte and Lenore Herget said Karius had undergone a comprehensive examination at Massachusetts General Hospital on May 31, five days after Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Madrid in Kiev.</p>

<p>"After carefully reviewing game film and integrating a detailed history ... physical examination and objective metrics, we have concluded that Mr Karius sustained a concussion during the match May 26, 2018," the statement from Zafonte and Herget said.</p>

<p>Karius had complained to match officials in the 49th minute that he had been elbowed in a clash with Madrid defender Sergio Ramos which went unpunished.&nbsp</p>

<p>Two minutes later, Karius committed a howler when he attempted to throw a pass out to the Liverpool defence only for it to go straight to Real striker Karim Benzema for the opening goal of the final.</p>

<p>Karius also erred with Real's third goal, fumbling Gareth Bale's long-range shot into his own net to complete a miserable night for the German goalkeeper.</p>

<p>Zafonte and Herget's statement said it was possible that the concussion had impacted Karius's performance.</p>

<p>"At the time of our evaluation, Mr. Karius’s principal residual symptoms and objective signs suggested that visual-spatial dysfunction existed and likely occurred immediately following the event," the statement said.&nbsp</p>

<p>"Additional symptomatic and objectively noted areas of dysfunction also persisted. It could be possible that such deficits would affect performance."</p>

<p>It added that Karius had shown a "significant and steady improvement since the concussive event".</p>

<p>"We expect him to make a full recovery based on the results of the examination," it added. "We have encouraged vigilance and an emphasis on safety in his eventual return to full activity."</p>


Two Boston doctors who examined Loris Karius revealed that Karius suffered a concussion during the finals of UEFA Champions League

Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius suffered a concussion shortly before the blunders which gifted Real Madrid their Champions League final crown last month, two Boston doctors who examined the shot-stopper revealed on Monday. A statement from doctors Ross Zafonte and Lenore Herget said Karius had undergone a comprehensive examination at Massachusetts General Hospital on May 31, five days after Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Madrid in Kiev. "After carefully reviewing game film and integrating a detailed history ... physical examination and objective metrics, we have concluded that Mr Karius sustained a concussion during the match May 26, 2018," the statement from Zafonte and Herget said. Karius had complained to match officials in the 49th minute that he had been elbowed in a clash with Madrid defender Sergio Ramos which went unpunished. Two minutes later, Karius committed a howler when he attempted to throw a pass out to the Liverpool defence only for it to go straight to Real striker Karim Benzema for the opening goal of the final. Karius also erred with Real's third goal, fumbling Gareth Bale's long-range shot into his own net to complete a miserable night for the German goalkeeper. Zafonte and Herget's statement said it was possible that the concussion had impacted Karius's performance. "At the time of our evaluation, Mr. Karius’s principal residual symptoms and objective signs suggested that visual-spatial dysfunction existed and likely occurred immediately following the event," the statement said. "Additional symptomatic and objectively noted areas of dysfunction also persisted. It could be possible that such deficits would affect performance." It added that Karius had shown a "significant and steady improvement since the concussive event". "We expect him to make a full recovery based on the results of the examination," it added. "We have encouraged vigilance and an emphasis on safety in his eventual return to full activity."

Loris Karius suffered concussion in Champions League final - doctors

<p>Manager Mauricio Pochettino has reiterated his happiness at Tottenham Hotspur in some of his first public comments after he emerged as a leading candidate to replace Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid, news agency Reuters reported.</p>

<p>Zidane announced his shock decision to quit as Real coach on Thursday, five days after winning the Champions League for the third season in a row.</p>

<p>Pochettino, who led Spurs to third place in the Premier League this past season, is one of the most admired managers in the world because of his ability to develop players and the attractive, high-energy brand of football his teams play.</p>

<p>The Argentine signed a new five-year deal with Spurs last month, but that has not deterred 13-times European champions Madrid from making him their preferred candidate to succeed Zidane, according to media reports in Britain and Spain.</p>

<p>"I signed a new contract 10 days ago," Pochettino told reporters in Barcelona at the Spanish launch of his new book, A New World, adding that attempting to force a move to Madrid would be disrespectful to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.</p>

<p>"I've just renewed with Tottenham and I am happy."</p>

<p>The 46-year-old did not, however, completely rule out a move to Madrid in the future.</p>

<p>"The link now with Madrid is normal and I take it with all normality," he added. "What is going to happen tomorrow, I don't know, but I will always tell you 'football is football,' football will put you in your place always."</p>

<p>Pochettino has previous experience of Spain, where he played for 10 years with Espanyol in La Liga, before going on to manage the Catalan club for four years.</p>


Zidane announced his shock decision to quit as Real coach on Thursday, five days after winning the Champions League for the third season in a row.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has reiterated his happiness at Tottenham Hotspur in some of his first public comments after he emerged as a leading candidate to replace Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid, news agency Reuters reported. Zidane announced his shock decision to quit as Real coach on Thursday, five days after winning the Champions League for the third season in a row. Pochettino, who led Spurs to third place in the Premier League this past season, is one of the most admired managers in the world because of his ability to develop players and the attractive, high-energy brand of football his teams play. The Argentine signed a new five-year deal with Spurs last month, but that has not deterred 13-times European champions Madrid from making him their preferred candidate to succeed Zidane, according to media reports in Britain and Spain. "I signed a new contract 10 days ago," Pochettino told reporters in Barcelona at the Spanish launch of his new book, A New World, adding that attempting to force a move to Madrid would be disrespectful to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy. "I've just renewed with Tottenham and I am happy." The 46-year-old did not, however, completely rule out a move to Madrid in the future. "The link now with Madrid is normal and I take it with all normality," he added. "What is going to happen tomorrow, I don't know, but I will always tell you 'football is football,' football will put you in your place always." Pochettino has previous experience of Spain, where he played for 10 years with Espanyol in La Liga, before going on to manage the Catalan club for four years.

Football: Pochettino says he is 'happy' at Spurs as Madrid circle

<p>Frenchman Zinedine Zidane called a press conference on Thursday to announce that he has resigned from the post of Real Madrid's manager.</p>

<p>Zidane confirmed that he will leave Real Madrid this summer.</p>

<p>Twitter is overflowing with messages to bid farewell to one of the greatest Madrid's managers&nbsp;in history.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was suspected that Zizou has called the press conference to tell the future of mentioned players but he gave a shocker instead.</p>

<p><em>Here are some Twitter reactions:</em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Zidane: "My best time as Real Madrid coach was when we won La Liga, it was incredible. The worst moment was when we lost against Leganés in Copa del Rey."<br />
<br />
But according to Real Madrid fans, winning Champions League > Winning La Liga and Copa together.<br />
<a href="https://t.co/7J2aTejolD">pic.twitter.com/7J2aTejolD</a></p>
— Messi World (@MessiWorId) <a href="https://twitter.com/MessiWorId/status/1002151461680271360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid coach in two and a half year. (2016/2018)<br />
<br />
UEFA Champions League<br />
???<br />
UEFA Super Cup<br />
??<br />
Club World Cup<br />
?? <br />
Spanish Super Cup<br />
?<br />
La Liga<br />
?<br />
<br />
True legend. ⭐️ <a href="https://t.co/mEgjNXNS7n">pic.twitter.com/mEgjNXNS7n</a></p>
— ??????????  (@kakyuds) <a href="https://twitter.com/kakyuds/status/1002151419384741890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Zidane's black magic was clearly wearing off as shown against Juve and Bayern. He's taking a break to recharge his black magic before coming back and winning 4 more UCL in a row</p>
— Lewis (@wannbec) <a href="https://twitter.com/wannbec/status/1002151356856139777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Who should replace Zidane at Real Madrid? <a href="https://t.co/8foZ6I7ISD">pic.twitter.com/8foZ6I7ISD</a></p>
— Stadium Astro (@stadiumastro) <a href="https://twitter.com/stadiumastro/status/1002151656937603072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The whole press room on their feet applauding Zidane as he leaves. Fuck, this hurts! ?</p>
— SB (@Realmadridplace) <a href="https://twitter.com/Realmadridplace/status/1002152418891780097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Zidane basically saying he's leaving because he doesn't see how he can keep the team winning next season. Incredibly rare and commendable honesty.</p>
— Andy West (@andywest01) <a href="https://twitter.com/andywest01/status/1002151721886519296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Leave when the applause is loudest! Kudos Zidane!!! <a href="https://t.co/Zr46hKndGG">pic.twitter.com/Zr46hKndGG</a></p>
— Lexis Bill (@lexisbill) <a href="https://twitter.com/lexisbill/status/1002151752450404357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Someone convince this man to stay with us please ?? Zidane Quedate ? <a href="https://t.co/JebN5s04hB">pic.twitter.com/JebN5s04hB</a></p>
— Reyes de Europa¹³ (@imsask13) <a href="https://twitter.com/imsask13/status/1002150912658325505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Zidane leaves the press conference room and Real Madrid. There are no words that can give you your due. Thank you mister we wish you as much happiness as you brought us Madridistas. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GraciasZidane?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GraciasZidane</a> <a href="https://t.co/G65Pp6PlOm">pic.twitter.com/G65Pp6PlOm</a></p>
— Real Madrid Info (@RMadridInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMadridInfo/status/1002153010712268800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Zidane confirmed that he will leave Real Madrid this summer

Frenchman Zinedine Zidane called a press conference on Thursday to announce that he has resigned from the post of Real Madrid's manager. Zidane confirmed that he will leave Real Madrid this summer. Twitter is overflowing with messages to bid farewell to one of the greatest Madrid's managers in history. It was suspected that Zizou has called the press conference to tell the future of mentioned players but he gave a shocker instead. Here are some Twitter reactions: Zidane: "My best time as Real Madrid coach was when we won La Liga, it was incredible. The worst moment was when we lost against Leganés in Copa del Rey." But according to Real Madrid fans, winning Champions League > Winning La Liga and Copa together. pic.twitter.com/7J2aTejolD — Messi World (@MessiWorId) May 31, 2018 × Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid coach in two and a half year. (2016/2018) UEFA Champions League ??? UEFA Super Cup ?? Club World Cup ??  Spanish Super Cup ? La Liga ? True legend. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/mEgjNXNS7n — ??????????  (@kakyuds) May 31, 2018 × Zidane's black magic was clearly wearing off as shown against Juve and Bayern. He's taking a break to recharge his black magic before coming back and winning 4 more UCL in a row — Lewis (@wannbec) May 31, 2018 × Who should replace Zidane at Real Madrid? pic.twitter.com/8foZ6I7ISD — Stadium Astro (@stadiumastro) May 31, 2018 × The whole press room on their feet applauding Zidane as he leaves. Fuck, this hurts! ? — SB (@Realmadridplace) May 31, 2018 × Zidane basically saying he's leaving because he doesn't see how he can keep the team winning next season. Incredibly rare and commendable honesty. — Andy West (@andywest01) May 31, 2018 × Leave when the applause is loudest! Kudos Zidane!!! pic.twitter.com/Zr46hKndGG — Lexis Bill (@lexisbill) May 31, 2018 × Someone convince this man to stay with us please ?? Zidane Quedate ? pic.twitter.com/JebN5s04hB — Reyes de Europa¹³ (@imsask13) May 31, 2018 × Zidane leaves the press conference room and Real Madrid. There are no words that can give you your due. Thank you mister we wish you as much happiness as you brought us Madridistas. #GraciasZidane pic.twitter.com/G65Pp6PlOm — Real Madrid Info (@RMadridInfo) May 31, 2018 ×

Twitterati bids farewell to Real Madrid's coach Zinedine Zidane as he resigns

<p>Injured Mohamed Salah will&nbspmiss the opening match of Group A against Uruguay on June 15 as the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has announced after meeting Salah in Spain, where he is undergoing treatment, that the Liverpool striker won't be able to play for minimum&nbspthree weeks.</p>

<p>"The football federation reiterates that Salah will be at the World Cup, God willing, and will be out for no longer than three weeks," said Egyptian FA.</p>

<p>Egyptian Federation officials including the president Hani Abu Reda and the team doctor paid a morale-boosting visit to Salah in Spain where he is getting his treatment done.</p>

<p>The doctors said that Salah will at least need three weeks to recover completely from the shoulder injury that he received during the finals of UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid. In the absence of Mo Salah, Liverpool lost to Real 3-1.</p>

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<p dir="rtl" lang="ar">تحديث | أفاد الدكتور محمد أبو العلا طبيب المنتخب أن الجهاز الطبي بنادي ليفربول قد ابلغوه بعد إجراء الآشعة على كتف صلاح وأفادت نتيجتها بأن اللاعب أصيب بجزع في أربطة مفصل الكتف وأضاف انه وفقا لهذا التشخيص عن تفاؤله بأن يلحق صلاح بالمنتخب الوطني في كأس العالم ????<a href="https://twitter.com/MoSalah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoSalah</a></p>
— Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pharaohs/status/1000493162014629896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Salah arrived for rehabilitation in Valencia on Sunday, the day after he injured his shoulder after being wrestled to the ground by Sergio Ramos in the Champions League final Real Madrid won 3-1.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Egyptian FA have confirmed Mo Salah will be fit for the Egypt's final two group games at the World Cup. Great news for Mo! <a href="https://t.co/BzGE7JO7JY">pic.twitter.com/BzGE7JO7JY</a></p>
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFCFansCorner/status/1001858111710351363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Egyptian Federation officials including the president Hani Abu Reda and the team doctor paid a morale-boosting visit to Salah in Spain

Injured Mohamed Salah will&nbspmiss the opening match of Group A against Uruguay on June 15 as the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has announced after meeting Salah in Spain, where he is undergoing treatment, that the Liverpool striker won't be able to play for minimum&nbspthree weeks. "The football federation reiterates that Salah will be at the World Cup, God willing, and will be out for no longer than three weeks," said Egyptian FA. Egyptian Federation officials including the president Hani Abu Reda and the team doctor paid a morale-boosting visit to Salah in Spain where he is getting his treatment done. The doctors said that Salah will at least need three weeks to recover completely from the shoulder injury that he received during the finals of UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid. In the absence of Mo Salah, Liverpool lost to Real 3-1. تحديث | أفاد الدكتور محمد أبو العلا طبيب المنتخب أن الجهاز الطبي بنادي ليفربول قد ابلغوه بعد إجراء الآشعة على كتف صلاح وأفادت نتيجتها بأن اللاعب أصيب بجزع في أربطة مفصل الكتف وأضاف انه وفقا لهذا التشخيص عن تفاؤله بأن يلحق صلاح بالمنتخب الوطني في كأس العالم ????@MoSalah — Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) May 26, 2018 × Salah arrived for rehabilitation in Valencia on Sunday, the day after he injured his shoulder after being wrestled to the ground by Sergio Ramos in the Champions League final Real Madrid won 3-1. The Egyptian FA have confirmed Mo Salah will be fit for the Egypt's final two group games at the World Cup. Great news for Mo! pic.twitter.com/BzGE7JO7JY — LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) May 30, 2018 ×

Mohamed Salah to miss opening Group A match against Uruguay due to injury

<p>Mohamed Salah got injured during the finals of UEFA Champions League while playing against Real Madrid and there were speculations that he could miss the football World Cup due to a suspected shoulder injury.</p>

<p>The injury was identified as shoulder dislocations, however, Egypt's FA is optimistic and tweeted that the team doctor had spoken with Liverpool officials who confirmed an x-ray showed ligament damage in his shoulder, rather than a fracture.</p>

<p>Egyptian star has finally spoken about his injury and tweeted, "It was a very tough night, but I'm a fighter. Despite the odds, I'm confident that I'll be in Russia to make you all proud. Your love and support will give me the strength I need."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It was a very tough night, but I'm a fighter. Despite the odds, I'm confident that I'll be in Russia to make you all proud. Your love and support will give me the strength I need. <a href="https://t.co/HTfKF4S70e">pic.twitter.com/HTfKF4S70e</a></p>
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoSalah/status/1000777691187109889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The incident happened at the 30th minute when Mo Salah's right hand got stuck with Real Madrid's defender Sergio Ramos and he fell to the ground injuring his left shoulder.</p>

<p><strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/over-15-lakh-sign-petition-urging-punish-sergio-ramos-for-intentionally-hurting-mohamed-salah-140172">Over 1.5 lakh sign petition urging, 'punish Sergio Ramos for intentionally hurting Mohamed Salah'</a></strong></p>

<p>Although, Salah had returned to the field after receiving the treatment but the injury prevailed and led to his ouster from the game.</p>

<p>It was heartbreaking to watch 44-goal sensation leaving the field in tears and the injury was one of the causes that led to Liverpool's defeat.</p>


It was heartbreaking to watch Egyptian star leaving the field in tears after the injury

Mohamed Salah got injured during the finals of UEFA Champions League while playing against Real Madrid and there were speculations that he could miss the football World Cup due to a suspected shoulder injury. The injury was identified as shoulder dislocations, however, Egypt's FA is optimistic and tweeted that the team doctor had spoken with Liverpool officials who confirmed an x-ray showed ligament damage in his shoulder, rather than a fracture. Egyptian star has finally spoken about his injury and tweeted, "It was a very tough night, but I'm a fighter. Despite the odds, I'm confident that I'll be in Russia to make you all proud. Your love and support will give me the strength I need." It was a very tough night, but I'm a fighter. Despite the odds, I'm confident that I'll be in Russia to make you all proud. Your love and support will give me the strength I need. pic.twitter.com/HTfKF4S70e — Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) May 27, 2018 × The incident happened at the 30th minute when Mo Salah's right hand got stuck with Real Madrid's defender Sergio Ramos and he fell to the ground injuring his left shoulder. Over 1.5 lakh sign petition urging, 'punish Sergio Ramos for intentionally hurting Mohamed Salah' Although, Salah had returned to the field after receiving the treatment but the injury prevailed and led to his ouster from the game. It was heartbreaking to watch 44-goal sensation leaving the field in tears and the injury was one of the causes that led to Liverpool's defeat.

'I'm confident that I'll be in Russia,' says Mohamed Salah to dismiss World Cup doubts

<p>Real Madrid beat Liverpool to clinch the European Cup for the third consecutive year. The credit goes to Welshman Gareth Bale who came off the bench to score twice, including a stunning overhead bicycle kick.</p>

<p>Bale was substituted in the 64th minute and scored a jaw-dropping reverse kick to produced an outstanding goal and gave Real 2-1 lead.</p>

<p>The goal proved vital for Real Madrid as Sadio Mane's equalizer had given winning hopes to the Reds after the dramatic start to the second half in which Karim Benzema gave Real the lead as a result of a Loris Karius howler.</p>

<p><strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-goalkeeping-errors-that-cost-liverpool-champions-league-title-140070">Watch: Goalkeeping errors that cost Liverpool Champions League title</a></strong></p>

<p>Another Karius' blooper happened just after few minutes as a disappointing and lose attempt to save Gareth Bale's splendid effort gave Real 3-1 lead.</p>

<p><em>Watch the video Gareth Bale's overhead bicycle kick here:</em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">⚽?? <a href="https://twitter.com/GarethBale11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GarethBale11</a>, WHAT. A. GOAL!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHAMP13NS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHAMP13NS</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HalaMadrid</a> <a href="https://t.co/1dciApRNyR">pic.twitter.com/1dciApRNyR</a></p>
— #CHAMP13NS ???? (@realmadriden) <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadriden/status/1000666121085865984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Bale’s crazy Bicycle Kick goal from a fans view ? How did you enjoy the game? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bale?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bale</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ramos?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ramos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChampionsLeagueFinal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChampionsLeagueFinal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Liverpool?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Liverpool</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/APorLa13?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#APorLa13</a> <a href="https://t.co/6Lo1iN2tfL">pic.twitter.com/6Lo1iN2tfL</a></p>
— TheSkillShow (@TheSkillShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSkillShow/status/1000559383774945284?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Jurgen Klopp's and Liverpool's own evening was marred by the loss of a distraught Mohamed Salah to injury in the first half, the Egyptian coming off half an hour in having damaged his shoulder.</p>

<p><strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/over-15-lakh-sign-petition-urging-punish-sergio-ramos-for-intentionally-hurting-mohamed-salah-140172">Over 1.5 lakh sign petition urging, 'punish Sergio Ramos for intentionally hurting Mohamed Salah'</a></strong></p>

<p>This was not to be Salah's night, with Real allowing Zinedine Zidane to become the first coach ever to win the Champions League three years in a row.</p>


Gareth Bale came off the bench to score twice, including one of the all-time great goals in a Champions League final

Real Madrid beat Liverpool to clinch the European Cup for the third consecutive year. The credit goes to Welshman Gareth Bale who came off the bench to score twice, including a stunning overhead bicycle kick. Bale was substituted in the 64th minute and scored a jaw-dropping reverse kick to produced an outstanding goal and gave Real 2-1 lead. The goal proved vital for Real Madrid as Sadio Mane's equalizer had given winning hopes to the Reds after the dramatic start to the second half in which Karim Benzema gave Real the lead as a result of a Loris Karius howler. Watch: Goalkeeping errors that cost Liverpool Champions League title Another Karius' blooper happened just after few minutes as a disappointing and lose attempt to save Gareth Bale's splendid effort gave Real 3-1 lead. Watch the video Gareth Bale's overhead bicycle kick here: ⚽?? @GarethBale11, WHAT. A. GOAL!!!#CHAMP13NS | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/1dciApRNyR — #CHAMP13NS ???? (@realmadriden) May 27, 2018 × Bale’s crazy Bicycle Kick goal from a fans view ? How did you enjoy the game? #Bale #Ramos #ChampionsLeagueFinal #Liverpool #APorLa13 pic.twitter.com/6Lo1iN2tfL — TheSkillShow (@TheSkillShow) May 27, 2018 × Jurgen Klopp's and Liverpool's own evening was marred by the loss of a distraught Mohamed Salah to injury in the first half, the Egyptian coming off half an hour in having damaged his shoulder. Over 1.5 lakh sign petition urging, 'punish Sergio Ramos for intentionally hurting Mohamed Salah' This was not to be Salah's night, with Real allowing Zinedine Zidane to become the first coach ever to win the Champions League three years in a row.

Watch: Gareth Bale's stunning & jaw-dropping overhead bicycle kick

<p>Great players thrill us and enthrall us. They do so with their skills, talents and, at times, audacity. The best, however, do a little more. They remind us, even in finals, that football ultimately remains a game, to be played and to be enjoyed, to be watched and to be admired. With a delightful bicycle kick, Gareth Bale lit up the European Cup final.</p>

<p>The final had promised attacking intent, slack defending, and goals, plenty of goals. This was to be a romantic, high-octane, old-fashioned showpiece match. This was going to be Cristiano Ronaldo, the sculpted super athlete, versus Mohamed Salah, a talismanic next-better. They were to be protagonists in a grand-scale gala night in the Ukrainian capital, but, alas, Sergio Ramos and his dark arts curtailed Salah’s final, and Cristiano Ronaldo, for once, was truly peripheral in the plenitude of the word: he didn’t score.</p>

<p>So, it was left to Gareth Bale to enchant. The Welshman proved to be a super sub for Real Madrid, replacing Isco. He scored the goal that won Madrid a third consecutive European Cup in superlative style. For a moment, the rippling of the net filled the stadium with silence, then there was applause. In celebration, Bale threw himself, sliding face-down, to the ground, but he seemed among the few to have realised what had just happened.</p>

<p>Liverpool’s end was stunned. The entire stadium was stunned. On the touchline, even Zinedine Zidane was in disbelief. Bale had just scored a goal that bears watching again, and again. He took flight and in the Kiev sky he conjured up a marvellous bicycle kick, a gracious demonstration of split-second improvisation, excellent timing and superb athleticism. This time Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius, whose final was a horror show, had no chance.</p>

<p>The goal was not only splendid, but almost with the cockiness that emanates from this all-conquering Real Madrid team. Zidane applauded Bale’s strike. Ronaldo seemed nonplussed. He had scored an astounding overhead kick of his own in the quarter-finals against Juventus. And so the French coach, remembering his sumptuous volley against Bayer Leverkussen in the 2002 Champions League final, and the Portuguese superstar might well have had a word with the Welsh winger.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The final match had promised attacking intent, slack defending, and goals, plenty of goals

Great players thrill us and enthrall us. They do so with their skills, talents and, at times, audacity. The best, however, do a little more. They remind us, even in finals, that football ultimately remains a game, to be played and to be enjoyed, to be watched and to be admired. With a delightful bicycle kick, Gareth Bale lit up the European Cup final. The final had promised attacking intent, slack defending, and goals, plenty of goals. This was to be a romantic, high-octane, old-fashioned showpiece match. This was going to be Cristiano Ronaldo, the sculpted super athlete, versus Mohamed Salah, a talismanic next-better. They were to be protagonists in a grand-scale gala night in the Ukrainian capital, but, alas, Sergio Ramos and his dark arts curtailed Salah’s final, and Cristiano Ronaldo, for once, was truly peripheral in the plenitude of the word: he didn’t score. So, it was left to Gareth Bale to enchant. The Welshman proved to be a super sub for Real Madrid, replacing Isco. He scored the goal that won Madrid a third consecutive European Cup in superlative style. For a moment, the rippling of the net filled the stadium with silence, then there was applause. In celebration, Bale threw himself, sliding face-down, to the ground, but he seemed among the few to have realised what had just happened. Liverpool’s end was stunned. The entire stadium was stunned. On the touchline, even Zinedine Zidane was in disbelief. Bale had just scored a goal that bears watching again, and again. He took flight and in the Kiev sky he conjured up a marvellous bicycle kick, a gracious demonstration of split-second improvisation, excellent timing and superb athleticism. This time Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius, whose final was a horror show, had no chance. The goal was not only splendid, but almost with the cockiness that emanates from this all-conquering Real Madrid team. Zidane applauded Bale’s strike. Ronaldo seemed nonplussed. He had scored an astounding overhead kick of his own in the quarter-finals against Juventus. And so the French coach, remembering his sumptuous volley against Bayer Leverkussen in the 2002 Champions League final, and the Portuguese superstar might well have had a word with the Welsh winger.

Sensational Gareth Bale and two goalkeeping bloopers hand Real Madrid Champions League title

<p>Sensational Gareth Bale scored two stunners as Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the finals of UEFA Champions League 3-1 at NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine.</p>

<p>Zinedine Zidane has created history and became the first coach to win the competition in three successive seasons.</p>

<p>But the victory came with a shocking news for Real Madrid followers as Cristiano Ronaldo said that he could have played his last game for the Spanish giants.</p>

<p>After the match, Ronaldo told BeIN Sports Spain, "I am going to enjoy this moment and in the next few days I will give an answer to the fans, who have always been at my side."</p>

<p>"It was very nice to be at Real Madrid. In the next few days, I will speak."</p>

<p>"It wasn't the perfect time. I don't want to take away any credit from what Madrid have done. To win three consecutive Champions Leagues is a unique moment," he added.</p>

<p>"Personal situations are not important at this moment," said Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo.</p>


'It was very nice to be at Real Madrid. In the next few days I will speak,' says Cristiano Ronaldo

Sensational Gareth Bale scored two stunners as Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the finals of UEFA Champions League 3-1 at NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine. Zinedine Zidane has created history and became the first coach to win the competition in three successive seasons. But the victory came with a shocking news for Real Madrid followers as Cristiano Ronaldo said that he could have played his last game for the Spanish giants. After the match, Ronaldo told BeIN Sports Spain, "I am going to enjoy this moment and in the next few days I will give an answer to the fans, who have always been at my side." "It was very nice to be at Real Madrid. In the next few days, I will speak." "It wasn't the perfect time. I don't want to take away any credit from what Madrid have done. To win three consecutive Champions Leagues is a unique moment," he added. "Personal situations are not important at this moment," said Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo hints to quit Real Madrid after Champions League triumph

<p>Real Madrid clinched the title for the third consecutive time after defeating Liverpool 3-1 in an action-packed match at NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine.</p>

<p>Gareth Bale who was substituted in the second half scored two stunners and that handed Real Madrid Champions League title.</p>

<p>Also, Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius did two major errors that were an add-on advantage for Real Madrid.</p>

<p>It was a night that will haunt Karius forever and it might also end the career of the distraught goalkeeper.</p>

<p>A careless, casual and foolish attempt of goalkeeper while defending gave Kareem Benzema to take an advantage over Liverpool.</p>

<p>Karius was also at fault for having allowed Gareth Bale's second goal – a long-range effort – to escape his grasp.</p>

<p><em>Watch the video when&nbsp;Loris Karius fumbled:</em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Loris Karius highlights vs Real Madrid <a href="https://t.co/jOMoSpJdGB">pic.twitter.com/jOMoSpJdGB</a></p>
— yousef (@kuwatits) <a href="https://twitter.com/kuwatits/status/1000483441438285824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A howler for Loris Karius & the nightmare evening is complete for the German goalkeeper <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLFinal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLFinal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bale?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bale</a> <a href="https://t.co/gIGJqhJN4P">pic.twitter.com/gIGJqhJN4P</a></p>
— Liam (@krochocinco) <a href="https://twitter.com/krochocinco/status/1000474985411031042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp said that the entire Liverpool team is with Loris Karius after his horror show in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.</p>

<p>Another German legend Oliver Kahn, a Champions League winner with Bayern in 2001 interacted &nbsp;with media and said, "I'm lost for words, I can't remember having experienced something more brutal from a goalkeeping point of view than in this final."</p>

<p>He further added, "An evening like this can destroy a career."</p>

<p>Initially, the Reds were dominating the game but after Mohamed Salah's ouster, the level of Liverpool's performance dropped especially in the second&nbsp;half.</p>


German legend Oliver Kahn said that Karius' performance in the final is the stuff that could ruin his career

Real Madrid clinched the title for the third consecutive time after defeating Liverpool 3-1 in an action-packed match at NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine. Gareth Bale who was substituted in the second half scored two stunners and that handed Real Madrid Champions League title. Also, Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius did two major errors that were an add-on advantage for Real Madrid. It was a night that will haunt Karius forever and it might also end the career of the distraught goalkeeper. A careless, casual and foolish attempt of goalkeeper while defending gave Kareem Benzema to take an advantage over Liverpool. Karius was also at fault for having allowed Gareth Bale's second goal – a long-range effort – to escape his grasp. Watch the video when Loris Karius fumbled: Loris Karius highlights vs Real Madrid pic.twitter.com/jOMoSpJdGB — yousef (@kuwatits) May 26, 2018 × A howler for Loris Karius & the nightmare evening is complete for the German goalkeeper #UCLFinal #Bale pic.twitter.com/gIGJqhJN4P — Liam (@krochocinco) May 26, 2018 × Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp said that the entire Liverpool team is with Loris Karius after his horror show in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. Another German legend Oliver Kahn, a Champions League winner with Bayern in 2001 interacted with media and said, "I'm lost for words, I can't remember having experienced something more brutal from a goalkeeping point of view than in this final." He further added, "An evening like this can destroy a career." Initially, the Reds were dominating the game but after Mohamed Salah's ouster, the level of Liverpool's performance dropped especially in the second half.

Watch: Goalkeeping errors that cost Liverpool Champions League title

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-hopes-trump-summit-will-end-history-of-confrontation-south-korea-president-moon-140054">Kim Jong Un hopes Trump summit will 'end </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-hopes-trump-summit-will-end-history-of-confrontation-south-korea-president-moon-140054">history</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-hopes-trump-summit-will-end-history-of-confrontation-south-korea-president-moon-140054"> of confrontation': South Korea president</a></p>

<p>Kim Jong Un believes a summit with US President Donald Trump will be a landmark opportunity to end decades of confrontation, South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said Sunday following his surprise meeting with the North Korean leader.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-super-bale-sinks-liverpool-as-madrid-make-it-three-in-a-row-140046">Champions League: Super Bale sinks Liverpool as Madrid make it three in a row</a></p>

<p>Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale scored a jaw-dropping overhead kick and a long distance strike to give them a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final on Saturday (May 26), delivering a remarkable third consecutive title for the Spaniards.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-one-of-the-most-vulnerable-to-cyber-attacks--data-theft-third-behind-canada-us-140050">India one of the most vulnerable to cyber attacks & data theft third behind Canada, US</a></p>

<p>Phishing and malware-based attacks are the most prolific online fraud tactics globally and India is one of the top three target countries for such attacks, says a report.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-still-sees-june-12-singapore-summit-with-kim-140048">Talks with North Korea on summit going 'very well': US President Donald Trump</a></p>

<p>US President Donald Trump said Saturday that things are moving "very nicely" towards a summit on June 12 in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-announces-general-elections-on-july-25-140056">Pakistan announces general elections on July 25</a></p>

<p>Pakistan will hold general elections on July 25, a presidential spokesman said Saturday, offering the prospect of what would be only the second ever democratic transfer of power in the nuclear-armed country.</p>

<p>&nbsp</p>


Kim Jong Un hopes Trump summit will 'end history of confrontation': South Korea president Kim Jong Un believes a summit with US President Donald Trump will be a landmark opportunity to end decades of confrontation, South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said Sunday following his surprise meeting with the North Korean leader. Champions League: Super Bale sinks Liverpool as Madrid make it three in a row Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale scored a jaw-dropping overhead kick and a long distance strike to give them a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final on Saturday (May 26), delivering a remarkable third consecutive title for the Spaniards. India one of the most vulnerable to cyber attacks & data theft third behind Canada, US Phishing and malware-based attacks are the most prolific online fraud tactics globally and India is one of the top three target countries for such attacks, says a report. Talks with North Korea on summit going 'very well': US President Donald Trump US President Donald Trump said Saturday that things are moving "very nicely" towards a summit on June 12 in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Pakistan announces general elections on July 25 Pakistan will hold general elections on July 25, a presidential spokesman said Saturday, offering the prospect of what would be only the second ever democratic transfer of power in the nuclear-armed country.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah could miss the football World Cup due to a suspected shoulder injury he received in the finals of UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid.</p>

<p>Although, Real beat the Reds 3-1 and clinched the title for the third consecutive year.</p>

<p>On the other hand, Mo Salah's injury ended his&nbsp;Champions League's dream within 30 minutes of the game.</p>

<p>Salah's left hand got stuck with Madrid's defender Sergio Ramos as there was a strong challenge made by Ramos to tackle Salah while defending.</p>

<p>Now, there are speculations that Mohamed Salah might miss the FIFA 2018 which will start from June 14.</p>

<p>However, Egypt's FA is optimistic and tweeted that the team doctor had spoken with Liverpool officials who confirmed an x-ray showed ligament damage in his shoulder, rather than a fracture.</p>

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<p dir="rtl" lang="ar">خلال المتابعة الهاتفية التي تجريها بعثة المنتخب الوطني في إيطاليا للاطمئنان على حالة محمد صلاح أفاد المسئولون بليفربول أنه تم إجراء الآشعة على كتف صلاح وأظهرت أن الاصابة جزع في أربطة مفصل الكتف وأعرب الدكتور أبو العلا عن تفاؤله بأن يلحق صلاح بمباريات كأس العالم وفق هذا التشخيص .</p>
— EFA.eg (@EFA) <a href="https://twitter.com/EFA/status/1000492905587531776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Although, Salah had returned to the field after receiving the treatment but the injury prevailed and led to his ouster from the game.</p>

<p>It was heartbreaking to watch 44-goal sensation leaving the field in tears and it is equally saddening to hear the news the Salah might miss the football World Cup as he is carrying the Egyptian hopes on his 'shoulder.'</p>

<p>Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said, "It’s a serious injury, a really serious injury."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"He is in the hospital for an X-ray. It’s either the collarbone or the shoulder itself. It doesn’t look good, that’s it," Klopp further added.</p>

<p>"We lost a very important player, like probably Egypt lost for the World Cup a very important player.. I still hope it’s not like this," he said.</p>

<p>Egypt will play in the World Cup for the first time since 1990 and face hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group A.</p>


Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah could miss the football World Cup due to a suspected shoulder injury he received in the finals of UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid

Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah could miss the football World Cup due to a suspected shoulder injury he received in the finals of UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid. Although, Real beat the Reds 3-1 and clinched the title for the third consecutive year. On the other hand, Mo Salah's injury ended his Champions League's dream within 30 minutes of the game. Salah's left hand got stuck with Madrid's defender Sergio Ramos as there was a strong challenge made by Ramos to tackle Salah while defending. Now, there are speculations that Mohamed Salah might miss the FIFA 2018 which will start from June 14. However, Egypt's FA is optimistic and tweeted that the team doctor had spoken with Liverpool officials who confirmed an x-ray showed ligament damage in his shoulder, rather than a fracture. خلال المتابعة الهاتفية التي تجريها بعثة المنتخب الوطني في إيطاليا للاطمئنان على حالة محمد صلاح أفاد المسئولون بليفربول أنه تم إجراء الآشعة على كتف صلاح وأظهرت أن الاصابة جزع في أربطة مفصل الكتف وأعرب الدكتور أبو العلا عن تفاؤله بأن يلحق صلاح بمباريات كأس العالم وفق هذا التشخيص . — EFA.eg (@EFA) May 26, 2018 × Although, Salah had returned to the field after receiving the treatment but the injury prevailed and led to his ouster from the game. It was heartbreaking to watch 44-goal sensation leaving the field in tears and it is equally saddening to hear the news the Salah might miss the football World Cup as he is carrying the Egyptian hopes on his 'shoulder.' Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said, "It’s a serious injury, a really serious injury." "He is in the hospital for an X-ray. It’s either the collarbone or the shoulder itself. It doesn’t look good, that’s it," Klopp further added. "We lost a very important player, like probably Egypt lost for the World Cup a very important player.. I still hope it’s not like this," he said. Egypt will play in the World Cup for the first time since 1990 and face hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group A.

FIFA 2018: Is Mohamed Salah's World Cup in doubt?

<p>Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale scored a jaw-dropping overhead kick and a long distance strike to give them a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final on Saturday (May 26), delivering a remarkable third consecutive title for the Spaniards.</p>

<p>Substitute Bale, who also scored in Real's 2014 final win over Atletico Madrid, had only been on the pitch for three minutes when he rose to meet Marcelo's cross in the air from outside the box, sending it flying into the net to restore Real's lead in the 64th minute at the NSC Olympic Stadium.</p>

<p>French forward Karim Benzema had put Madrid ahead in the 51st minute by sticking out a leg as Liverpool's German keeper Karius attempted to throw the ball to a team mate, sending it trickling over the line, but Sadio Mane levelled from close range in the 55th for Juergen Klopp's side.</p>

<p>Bale then sealed Madrid's record-extending 13th European Cup win and piled more misery on Karius with a long-range strike in the 83rd minute which went straight through the hands of the hapless goalkeeper.</p>

<p>Real become the first side since Bayern Munich in 1976 to win the trophy three years in a row and Zinedine Zidane the is the first coach to win three back-to-back titles.</p>

<p>Liverpool's talismanic forward Mohamed Salah was forced off in the first half with a suspected dislocated shoulder after tangling with Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, while Real defender Dani Carvajal also left the pitch in tears after getting injured before halftime.</p>


Real become the first side since Bayern Munich in 1976 to win the trophy three years in a row and Zinedine Zidane the is the first coach to win three back-to-back titles.

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale scored a jaw-dropping overhead kick and a long distance strike to give them a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final on Saturday (May 26), delivering a remarkable third consecutive title for the Spaniards. Substitute Bale, who also scored in Real's 2014 final win over Atletico Madrid, had only been on the pitch for three minutes when he rose to meet Marcelo's cross in the air from outside the box, sending it flying into the net to restore Real's lead in the 64th minute at the NSC Olympic Stadium. French forward Karim Benzema had put Madrid ahead in the 51st minute by sticking out a leg as Liverpool's German keeper Karius attempted to throw the ball to a team mate, sending it trickling over the line, but Sadio Mane levelled from close range in the 55th for Juergen Klopp's side. Bale then sealed Madrid's record-extending 13th European Cup win and piled more misery on Karius with a long-range strike in the 83rd minute which went straight through the hands of the hapless goalkeeper. Real become the first side since Bayern Munich in 1976 to win the trophy three years in a row and Zinedine Zidane the is the first coach to win three back-to-back titles. Liverpool's talismanic forward Mohamed Salah was forced off in the first half with a suspected dislocated shoulder after tangling with Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, while Real defender Dani Carvajal also left the pitch in tears after getting injured before halftime.

Champions League: Super Bale sinks Liverpool as Madrid make it three in a row

<p>As Liverpool takes on Real Madrid in the Champions League final at Kiev later today, all eyes are on none other than Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian has been unstoppable since he arrived at Liverpool from Roma last summer for $49 million, a bargain considering transfer market after Brazilian Neymar Jr's $263 million over-rated move to Paris Saint-Germain. Salah's performance has been awe-inspiring and he has proved every pundit, who expressed doubts over his ability to adapt the high-pressing style of Jurgen Klopp's football, wrong.</p>

<p>The Egyptian has scored 44 goals in 48 appearances this season for Liverpool- a record that does not look out of place next to the elite attacking players in the game like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.</p>

<p>And there have been calls already for him to be the next winner of the most prestigious individual accolade in world football -- Ballon d'Or.</p>

<p>Red's talisman broke the back of his former club Roma, his former club, in the semi-final first leg scoring two goals and provided assists for Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, in the process setting up the summit clash with the 12-time winner Real Madrid.</p>

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<h5>The dribbling, dancing and grooving Salah helped send Liverpool to the Champions League final but things could have been so different if Chelsea hadn't sold him</h5>
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<p>The dribbling, dancing and grooving Salah helped send Liverpool to the Champions League final but things could have been so different if Chelsea hadn't sold him.</p>

<p>The Egyptian was on the books at the Blues, but his time was short-lived as he was shipped out on loan to Fiorentina and then eventually sold to Roma after a loan deal with the club.</p>

<p>Chelsea's loss is Liverpool's gain. Mohamed Salah has won the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award for 2017-18. Salah has also won the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year award among many others after a stunning debut season with Liverpool. The Egyptian winger has become the first African to ever win the prize.</p>

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<h5>Mo Salah has rapidly reached demigod level in Egypt because of his performances at Liverpool</h5>
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<p>The Egyptian king's success in England is a source of immense pride to those back home. He has rapidly reached demigod level in Egypt because of his performances at Liverpool.&nbsp;In fact, according to reports, such is the adulation being heaped upon Salah that it earned him hundreds and thousands of write-in votes in March's presidential election.</p>

<p>His status quickly rose beyond the boundaries of sport, cementing him as a symbol of Egyptian potential and hope even amid a gloomy period for the country, with a troubled economy and few outlets for free expression.</p>

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<h5>Mohamed Salah deserves to be mentioned for the Ballon d'Or</h5>
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<p>Dejan Lovren, Salah's Liverpool teammate, recently in an interview showered encomiums on him. Lovren said that when people talk about Ronaldo and Messi they should also talk about Salah. He deserves it, he deserves to be mentioned for the Ballon d'Or, he said and added at the start of the season he didn’t know he could do this, but you see how he is working, how he wants the ball, he is just a different player to what he was.</p>

<p>Having said that, there is no denying that Salah calls for mention when people talk about contemporary greats like Messi and Ronaldo. But the question is whether the Egyptian will be able to do it consistently over several seasons as Messi and Ronaldo have been able to do?</p>

<p>If the Egyptian's performance this season at the Merseyside is anything to go by, the answer to the question yes, he can.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


The Egyptian has scored 44 goals in 48 appearances this season for Liverpool- a record that does not look out of place next to the elite attacking players in the game like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar

As Liverpool takes on Real Madrid in the Champions League final at Kiev later today, all eyes are on none other than Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian has been unstoppable since he arrived at Liverpool from Roma last summer for $49 million, a bargain considering transfer market after Brazilian Neymar Jr's $263 million over-rated move to Paris Saint-Germain. Salah's performance has been awe-inspiring and he has proved every pundit, who expressed doubts over his ability to adapt the high-pressing style of Jurgen Klopp's football, wrong. The Egyptian has scored 44 goals in 48 appearances this season for Liverpool- a record that does not look out of place next to the elite attacking players in the game like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. And there have been calls already for him to be the next winner of the most prestigious individual accolade in world football -- Ballon d'Or. Red's talisman broke the back of his former club Roma, his former club, in the semi-final first leg scoring two goals and provided assists for Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, in the process setting up the summit clash with the 12-time winner Real Madrid. The dribbling, dancing and grooving Salah helped send Liverpool to the Champions League final but things could have been so different if Chelsea hadn't sold him × The dribbling, dancing and grooving Salah helped send Liverpool to the Champions League final but things could have been so different if Chelsea hadn't sold him. The Egyptian was on the books at the Blues, but his time was short-lived as he was shipped out on loan to Fiorentina and then eventually sold to Roma after a loan deal with the club. Chelsea's loss is Liverpool's gain. Mohamed Salah has won the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award for 2017-18. Salah has also won the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year award among many others after a stunning debut season with Liverpool. The Egyptian winger has become the first African to ever win the prize. Mo Salah has rapidly reached demigod level in Egypt because of his performances at Liverpool × The Egyptian king's success in England is a source of immense pride to those back home. He has rapidly reached demigod level in Egypt because of his performances at Liverpool. In fact, according to reports, such is the adulation being heaped upon Salah that it earned him hundreds and thousands of write-in votes in March's presidential election. His status quickly rose beyond the boundaries of sport, cementing him as a symbol of Egyptian potential and hope even amid a gloomy period for the country, with a troubled economy and few outlets for free expression. Mohamed Salah deserves to be mentioned for the Ballon d'Or × Dejan Lovren, Salah's Liverpool teammate, recently in an interview showered encomiums on him. Lovren said that when people talk about Ronaldo and Messi they should also talk about Salah. He deserves it, he deserves to be mentioned for the Ballon d'Or, he said and added at the start of the season he didn’t know he could do this, but you see how he is working, how he wants the ball, he is just a different player to what he was. Having said that, there is no denying that Salah calls for mention when people talk about contemporary greats like Messi and Ronaldo. But the question is whether the Egyptian will be able to do it consistently over several seasons as Messi and Ronaldo have been able to do? If the Egyptian's performance this season at the Merseyside is anything to go by, the answer to the question yes, he can. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Mohamed Salah - The Egyptian King who rules Liverpool

<p>Former Real Madrid player David Beckham has pleaded with his former team-mate and current Real Madrid coach, Zinedine Zidane to beat the rival club, Liverpool.</p>

<p>Beckham left Manchester United in 2003 but the bitter rivalry for Liverpool is still running in the veins.</p>

<p>Defending champions Real Madrid will meet Liverpool at NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kyiv Ukraine for the finals of UEFA Champions League on Sunday.</p>

<p>Recently, former England captain David Beckham sat down for an interview with Zidane ahead of the final game and the video was shared on the official Instagram page of Real Madrid.</p>

<p>In the video, Beckham said, "To have been successful as a player and now to be successful as the boss, the big boss, is incredible. I just want to wish Zizou, the boss, the president, the club good luck in the Champions League final."</p>

<p>He also begged, "Please beat Liverpool, please!"</p>

<p><em>Watch the video here:</em></p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0 padding:0 4px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BjMqKkQhl69/" style=" color:#000 font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px text-decoration:none word-wrap:break-word" target="_blank">⭐️?? European Memories... Real Madrid Legends: @Zidane and @DavidBeckham #APorLa13 | #HalaMadrid | #HereToCreate - ? Watch full interview on our Facebook & YouTube</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px margin-bottom:0 margin-top:8px overflow:hidden padding:8px 0 7px text-align:center text-overflow:ellipsis white-space:nowrap">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/realmadrid/" style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px" target="_blank"> Real Madrid C.F. ?</a> (@realmadrid) on <time datetime="2018-05-25T10:56:45+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px">May 25, 2018 at 3:56am PDT</time></p>
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Beckham left Manchester United in 2003 but the bitter rivalry for Liverpool is still there

Former Real Madrid player David Beckham has pleaded with his former team-mate and current Real Madrid coach, Zinedine Zidane to beat the rival club, Liverpool. Beckham left Manchester United in 2003 but the bitter rivalry for Liverpool is still running in the veins. Defending champions Real Madrid will meet Liverpool at NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kyiv Ukraine for the finals of UEFA Champions League on Sunday. Recently, former England captain David Beckham sat down for an interview with Zidane ahead of the final game and the video was shared on the official Instagram page of Real Madrid. In the video, Beckham said, "To have been successful as a player and now to be successful as the boss, the big boss, is incredible. I just want to wish Zizou, the boss, the president, the club good luck in the Champions League final." He also begged, "Please beat Liverpool, please!" Watch the video here: ⭐️?? European Memories... Real Madrid Legends: @Zidane and @DavidBeckham #APorLa13 | #HalaMadrid | #HereToCreate - ? Watch full interview on our Facebook & YouTube A post shared by Real Madrid C.F. ? (@realmadrid) on May 25, 2018 at 3:56am PDT ×

Watch: David Beckham requests, 'Please beat Liverpool, please'

<p>Defending champions Real Madrid will meet Liverpool at NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kyiv Ukraine for the finals of UEFA Champions League on Sunday, 12:15 IST.</p>

<p>Sergio Ramos-led Real Madrid is riding high on confidence following three victories in the last four years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also, Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane can create history and become the first coach to win the competition in three successive seasons.</p>

<p><strong>What the coaches say:</strong></p>

<p>Zinedine Zidane: "We're not favourites, nor are they. It's 50-50 as finals always are. We're happy to be here and play another final. We'll never live this again. We'll live other moments but we'll never have today and tomorrow again. We need to take advantage. If there's pressure, well, that's life. It makes it better."</p>

<p>Jurgen Klopp: "The boys are responsible for when we win. So they have nothing to lose. Experience is very important and I'm pretty sure a second before the game Madrid will be more confident than us. But it doesn't matter because the game doesn't stop there, it only starts."</p>

<p><strong>Recent form:</strong></p>

<p>Recently, Real Madrid's domestic form has been inconsistent but they have picked up the pace in the Champions League and managed to reach the finals.</p>

<p>On the other hand, Liverpool have won the European Cup five times and edge-past AS Roma in the semi-finals to reach the finals of Champions League.</p>

<p>If we talk about the recent performances, Madrid have been consistent but Liverpool winning two games in their last six games does not read too well for the Merseyside club.</p>

<p><strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-final-will-philippe-coutinho-receive-a-medal-139980">Champions League: Will Philippe Coutinho receive a medal?</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>Team news:</strong></p>

<p>Ronaldo leads the Champions League goalscorers charts for the sixth consecutive season with 15 but will come up against the world's most expensive defender in £75 million ($100 million) Dutchman Virgil van Dijk.</p>

<p>Salah has been the star turn of Liverpool's season, scoring 44 goals in his debut season at Anfield.</p>

<p>Overshadowed by Salah's sensational season, Firmino also has 10 Champions League goals to his name this season and is the key starting point for Jurgen Klopp's pressing game.</p>

<p>Madrid captain Ramos embodies this Real side as he tends to save his best for the big occasion. Also he said that Kyiv will always have a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/kiyv-has-special-place-in-heart-says-real-madrid-captain-sergio-ramos-139958">place in his heart</a> as In 2012, at Olympic Stadium, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/kiyv-has-special-place-in-heart-says-real-madrid-captain-sergio-ramos-139958">Sergio Ramos</a> won the Euro 2012 final with Spain against Italy.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/is-mohamed-salah-fasting-for-ramadan-during-champions-league-final-139931"><strong>Is Mohamed Salah fasting for Ramadan during Champions League final</strong></a></p>

<p><strong>Predicted line-up:</strong></p>

<p>Gareth Bale has regained his momentum but so far in the season has only started three Champions League games but he scored five goals in his last four starts which is a positive sigm for Real Madrid as can be lined-up ahead of Isco or Lucas Vazquez.</p>

<p>Also, Cristiano Ronaldo has recovered from the ankle injury.</p>

<p>Real Madrid (4-3-3) line-up (TBC): Navas Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo Kroos, Modric, Casemiro Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema</p>

<p>For Liverpool, both Emre Can and James Milner are fit to play in Kiev and also 44-goal sensation, Mohamed Salah is currently in a massive form.</p>

<p>Liverpool (4-3-3) line-up (TBC): Karius Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum Salah, Firmino, Mane</p>

<p><strong>Prediction:</strong></p>

<p>The winning probability is difficult to judge but still, the percentage is greater in favour of Liverpool with a predicted score 2-1.</p>


Defending champions Real Madrid will meet Liverpool at NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kyiv Ukraine for the finals of UEFA Champions League

Defending champions Real Madrid will meet Liverpool at NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kyiv Ukraine for the finals of UEFA Champions League on Sunday, 12:15 IST. Sergio Ramos-led Real Madrid is riding high on confidence following three victories in the last four years. Also, Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane can create history and become the first coach to win the competition in three successive seasons. What the coaches say: Zinedine Zidane: "We're not favourites, nor are they. It's 50-50 as finals always are. We're happy to be here and play another final. We'll never live this again. We'll live other moments but we'll never have today and tomorrow again. We need to take advantage. If there's pressure, well, that's life. It makes it better." Jurgen Klopp: "The boys are responsible for when we win. So they have nothing to lose. Experience is very important and I'm pretty sure a second before the game Madrid will be more confident than us. But it doesn't matter because the game doesn't stop there, it only starts." Recent form: Recently, Real Madrid's domestic form has been inconsistent but they have picked up the pace in the Champions League and managed to reach the finals. On the other hand, Liverpool have won the European Cup five times and edge-past AS Roma in the semi-finals to reach the finals of Champions League. If we talk about the recent performances, Madrid have been consistent but Liverpool winning two games in their last six games does not read too well for the Merseyside club. Champions League: Will Philippe Coutinho receive a medal? Team news: Ronaldo leads the Champions League goalscorers charts for the sixth consecutive season with 15 but will come up against the world's most expensive defender in £75 million ($100 million) Dutchman Virgil van Dijk. Salah has been the star turn of Liverpool's season, scoring 44 goals in his debut season at Anfield. Overshadowed by Salah's sensational season, Firmino also has 10 Champions League goals to his name this season and is the key starting point for Jurgen Klopp's pressing game. Madrid captain Ramos embodies this Real side as he tends to save his best for the big occasion. Also he said that Kyiv will always have a place in his heart as In 2012, at Olympic Stadium, Sergio Ramos won the Euro 2012 final with Spain against Italy. Is Mohamed Salah fasting for Ramadan during Champions League final Predicted line-up: Gareth Bale has regained his momentum but so far in the season has only started three Champions League games but he scored five goals in his last four starts which is a positive sigm for Real Madrid as can be lined-up ahead of Isco or Lucas Vazquez. Also, Cristiano Ronaldo has recovered from the ankle injury. Real Madrid (4-3-3) line-up (TBC): Navas Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo Kroos, Modric, Casemiro Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema For Liverpool, both Emre Can and James Milner are fit to play in Kiev and also 44-goal sensation, Mohamed Salah is currently in a massive form. Liverpool (4-3-3) line-up (TBC): Karius Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum Salah, Firmino, Mane Prediction: The winning probability is difficult to judge but still, the percentage is greater in favour of Liverpool with a predicted score 2-1.

UEFA Champions League final: Who will score the winning goal?

<p>The result of Champions league finale, which is between Liverpool and Real Madrid will decide whether Barcelona mid-fielder Philippe Coutinho will get silver or gold medal. As per media reports, Anfield officials have decided that Coutinho's contribution to Liverpool's campaign should be recognised, despite the fact he left for Barcelona in January.</p>

<p>Having played for Liverpool earlier in the competition, Coutinho wasn't eligible to play for FC Barcelona in the knockout stages.</p>

<p>As per the rule, a player may not play in a UEFA club competition (UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, excluding UEFA Super Cup) for more than one club in the course of the same season.</p>

<p>Coutinho is one of 25 players who have featured for Liverpool in Champions League action this season and despite the fact that he made a £142million move to Barcelona, a medal should be dispatched to Catalonia as he played an important role in inspiring the Reds to seal a place in the Champions League last 16.</p>


Despite the fact that Philippe Coutinho made a £142million move to Barcelona, a medal will be dispatched to Catalonia

The result of Champions league finale, which is between Liverpool and Real Madrid will decide whether Barcelona mid-fielder Philippe Coutinho will get silver or gold medal. As per media reports, Anfield officials have decided that Coutinho's contribution to Liverpool's campaign should be recognised, despite the fact he left for Barcelona in January. Having played for Liverpool earlier in the competition, Coutinho wasn't eligible to play for FC Barcelona in the knockout stages. As per the rule, a player may not play in a UEFA club competition (UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, excluding UEFA Super Cup) for more than one club in the course of the same season. Coutinho is one of 25 players who have featured for Liverpool in Champions League action this season and despite the fact that he made a £142million move to Barcelona, a medal should be dispatched to Catalonia as he played an important role in inspiring the Reds to seal a place in the Champions League last 16.

Champions League: Will Philippe Coutinho receive a medal?

<p>Kiev has attracted a wave of negative publicity due to the problems faced by supporters wanting to get there for Saturday's Champions League final, but Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos insists it will always have a place in his heart.</p>

<p>Fans of Madrid and Liverpool have had their plans for attending the game thrown into turmoil, with some hotels cancelling previously-made bookings to put the same rooms up for sale at exorbitant rates.</p>

<p>UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin confirmed that 1,000 Real supporters had handed back their tickets because it had become too expensive to get to the Ukrainian capital.</p>

<p>But Ramos is returning to the city, and to the same Olympic Stadium, where he won the Euro 2012 final with Spain against Italy.</p>

<p>"The truth is that Ukraine is a special place for me and brings back great memories," he told media on Friday ahead of the game.</p>

<p>"With Spain we became European champions in this city and this country. It is always gratifying to return to such a place."</p>

<p>Both teams had been given an initial allocation of around 17,000 tickets for the game, with Real hoping to win the Champions League for the third year in succession.</p>

<p>"It is true that due to the distance and the cost a lot of Spaniards have not been able to come, but we must not disregard countries that are harder to get to," Ramos added.</p>

<p>Since co-hosting Euro 2012 with Poland, Ukraine has seen Russia annex the Crimean peninsula, while Russian-backed rebels seized two eastern industrial regions.</p>

<p>And in 2014, president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted and fled to Russia after the pro-European Maidan revolution.&nbsp</p>

<p>"Some might have been thankful if it were somewhere closer that would make it easier to get to for those who don't have the salary to pay for a ticket, a flight, or a hotel room," Ramos said.</p>

<p>"But if this helps Ukraine bounce back as a country that would be great."</p>


In 2012, at Olympic Stadium, Sergio Ramos won the Euro 2012 final with Spain against Italy

Kiev has attracted a wave of negative publicity due to the problems faced by supporters wanting to get there for Saturday's Champions League final, but Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos insists it will always have a place in his heart. Fans of Madrid and Liverpool have had their plans for attending the game thrown into turmoil, with some hotels cancelling previously-made bookings to put the same rooms up for sale at exorbitant rates. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin confirmed that 1,000 Real supporters had handed back their tickets because it had become too expensive to get to the Ukrainian capital. But Ramos is returning to the city, and to the same Olympic Stadium, where he won the Euro 2012 final with Spain against Italy. "The truth is that Ukraine is a special place for me and brings back great memories," he told media on Friday ahead of the game. "With Spain we became European champions in this city and this country. It is always gratifying to return to such a place." Both teams had been given an initial allocation of around 17,000 tickets for the game, with Real hoping to win the Champions League for the third year in succession. "It is true that due to the distance and the cost a lot of Spaniards have not been able to come, but we must not disregard countries that are harder to get to," Ramos added. Since co-hosting Euro 2012 with Poland, Ukraine has seen Russia annex the Crimean peninsula, while Russian-backed rebels seized two eastern industrial regions. And in 2014, president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted and fled to Russia after the pro-European Maidan revolution. "Some might have been thankful if it were somewhere closer that would make it easier to get to for those who don't have the salary to pay for a ticket, a flight, or a hotel room," Ramos said. "But if this helps Ukraine bounce back as a country that would be great."

Kiyv has special place in heart, says Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos

<p>Liverpool's Mohamed Salah admitted it would be "a dream" to cap a sensational debut season at Anfield by ending Real Madrid's European reign in Saturday's Champions League final.</p>

<p>However, Salah says he would be happy if Roberto Firmino or Sadio Mane grabs the goal that takes the Reds to a sixth European crown.</p>

<p>Salah has won a series of individual prizes as he has contributed 44 of the 90 goals Liverpool's front three have scored this season.</p>

<p>But the goals have been far more evenly spread in the Champions League.</p>

<p>"It doesn't matter who scores," Salah told UEFA.com.</p>

<p>"Winning games, getting points, that's the most important thing for us because as you can see, I've scored ten goals in the Champions League, Sadio nine, Firmino ten, so all of us are the same.</p>

<p>"None of us is selfish or only wants to score. We try to help each other to score goals."</p>

<p>The Egyptian, who had a disappointing spell at Chelsea, has been a revelation since his return to England last summer from Roma.</p>

<p>His form has led to Saturday's clash in Kiev being billed as a Ballon d'Or decider against five-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.</p>

<p>And he stressed the importance of maintaining that form for a number of years to match Ronaldo or Barcelona's Lionel Messi.&nbsp</p>

<p>"The most important thing is to maintain that level, to (keep) doing what I've done next season as well," he said.</p>

<p>"I believed (that I was capable of this form). I was at Roma for two years, had two great seasons there and everyone told me to stay, but it was in my mind to come and be successful in England."</p>

<p>The contrast in experience will be stark in the Ukrainian capital as Madrid seek a fourth Champions League in five seasons.</p>

<p>By contrast, despite Liverpool's storied history in the competition, none of Jurgen Klopp's squad have ever played in a Champions League final.</p>

<p>"They've won the Champions League three times in the past four years, so they have a lot of experience," Salah said.</p>

<p>But he said the single-game format improves Liverpool's chances.</p>

<p>"It's one game, not two, so we just need to focus and not think about anything in the past. When you get to the game it's just 11 against 11."</p>


Liverpool's Mohamed Salah admitted it would be "a dream" to cap a sensational debut season at Anfield by ending Real Madrid's European reign

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah admitted it would be "a dream" to cap a sensational debut season at Anfield by ending Real Madrid's European reign in Saturday's Champions League final. However, Salah says he would be happy if Roberto Firmino or Sadio Mane grabs the goal that takes the Reds to a sixth European crown. Salah has won a series of individual prizes as he has contributed 44 of the 90 goals Liverpool's front three have scored this season. But the goals have been far more evenly spread in the Champions League. "It doesn't matter who scores," Salah told UEFA.com. "Winning games, getting points, that's the most important thing for us because as you can see, I've scored ten goals in the Champions League, Sadio nine, Firmino ten, so all of us are the same. "None of us is selfish or only wants to score. We try to help each other to score goals." The Egyptian, who had a disappointing spell at Chelsea, has been a revelation since his return to England last summer from Roma. His form has led to Saturday's clash in Kiev being billed as a Ballon d'Or decider against five-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo. And he stressed the importance of maintaining that form for a number of years to match Ronaldo or Barcelona's Lionel Messi. "The most important thing is to maintain that level, to (keep) doing what I've done next season as well," he said. "I believed (that I was capable of this form). I was at Roma for two years, had two great seasons there and everyone told me to stay, but it was in my mind to come and be successful in England." The contrast in experience will be stark in the Ukrainian capital as Madrid seek a fourth Champions League in five seasons. By contrast, despite Liverpool's storied history in the competition, none of Jurgen Klopp's squad have ever played in a Champions League final. "They've won the Champions League three times in the past four years, so they have a lot of experience," Salah said. But he said the single-game format improves Liverpool's chances. "It's one game, not two, so we just need to focus and not think about anything in the past. When you get to the game it's just 11 against 11."

It doesn't matter who scores, winning is important - Mohamed Salah

<p>Liverpool physiotherapist Ruben Pons has confirmed that Mohamed Salah will not fast before the finals of UEFA Champion League on Saturday. Pons also mentioned that 44-goal sensation, Salah will break his fast on both Friday and Saturday for match preparation and also for the final encounter.</p>

<p>An Egypt based newspaper claimed that Salah will uphold the fasting and has rejected the idea of breaking the fast as Mo Salah is a devout Muslim and has been abstaining from eating food and drinking any liquid during daylight hours of the Ramadan which is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims, the followers of Islam.</p>

<p>As the finals of UEFA Champions League coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, it was rumoured that Mohamed Salah will keep the fast but under Islamic teachings, it is permissible to break your fast with anything that is adequate need or if you are travelling during the day.</p>

<p>Also, Manager Jurgen Klopp gave his opinion and said, "Religion is private, how I understand it."</p>

<p>He further added, "Nothing to say about that but all fine you will see him out there. In training he is full of power - you need to be the day before a final."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Who will win <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChampionsLeagueFinal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChampionsLeagueFinal</a>? <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LFC</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadriden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realmadriden</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEFAChampionsLeagueFinal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEFAChampionsLeagueFinal</a></p>
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An Egypt based newspaper claimed that Salah will uphold the fasting

Liverpool physiotherapist Ruben Pons has confirmed that Mohamed Salah will not fast before the finals of UEFA Champion League on Saturday. Pons also mentioned that 44-goal sensation, Salah will break his fast on both Friday and Saturday for match preparation and also for the final encounter. An Egypt based newspaper claimed that Salah will uphold the fasting and has rejected the idea of breaking the fast as Mo Salah is a devout Muslim and has been abstaining from eating food and drinking any liquid during daylight hours of the Ramadan which is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims, the followers of Islam. As the finals of UEFA Champions League coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, it was rumoured that Mohamed Salah will keep the fast but under Islamic teachings, it is permissible to break your fast with anything that is adequate need or if you are travelling during the day. Also, Manager Jurgen Klopp gave his opinion and said, "Religion is private, how I understand it." He further added, "Nothing to say about that but all fine you will see him out there. In training he is full of power - you need to be the day before a final." Who will win #ChampionsLeagueFinal? @LFC or @realmadriden #UEFAChampionsLeagueFinal — WION (@WIONews) May 26, 2018 ×

Is Mohamed Salah fasting for Ramadan during Champions League final

<p>It is a ritual that's repeated every year at the very end of May. The minutiae are always the same: Anticipation and mass hysteria in the build-up, analysis and ecstasy or heartbreak at the end. UEFA, the press and the 'stakeholders' drive the narrative. It's about that one all-consuming match, the ultimate centre piece, the Champions League final.</p>

<p>This year that mass hysteria has been taken to a new level: Liverpool will play the European Cup final on Saturday in the Ukrainian capital against Real Madrid, the kings of the continental game, and from across the globe the club's fans have set their minds on 90 minutes of utter delirium in Kiev. There is, however, a complication: The host city is not easy to reach. In fact, it's rapidly become a nightmare destination.</p>

<p>"I gambled and booked my flight and accommodation before Liverpool had secured their spot in the final," says Lars Frosland, a fan from Norway. "However, the hotel prices were insane at that time too, so I went for Airbnb to a fraction of the cost. The craziest or most emotional thing was waiting for ticket ballot details."</p>

<p>Liverpool were allocated 16,626 tickets by UEFA for the final, prices ranging from £61 to £394. On Ticketbis, tickets were offered up to a staggering £14,000. Liverpool fans also faced soaring airfares and inflated hotel rates, with return flights to the Ukraine easily costing more than £1,000.</p>

<p>Still, they plotted their way to Kiev. They slogged their way around the continent, by airplane, by bus, by train, by car. "Our flight was diverted to Rome," says Arjun Gupta, a Liverpool fan from India. "The visa on arrival in Kiev took five and a half hours to process after which we found out that our luggage was still in Rome. We left New Delhi on Tuesday at 10pm. We stayed inside airports and flights for 40 hours straight without seeing the outside world. For two hours of football. Madness."</p>

<p>Fans happily fork out money to attend the climax of the European club season. UEFA considers supporters as 'fan customers'. That corporatism, a worldview envisages a different fandom: A middle class of lawyers, doctors and architects and their families, who go to the ground to enjoy a day out, but who are, in general, not emotionally invested in the game. Liverpool fans are different: Football matters for them and triggers deep emotions.</p>

<p>"UEFA should definitely consider logistics and infrastructure more," argues Frosland. "The city must be able to handle intense flight traffic and 100,000 visitors. Are there enough hotels? Will the airport handle the flight traffic? I am in favour of not going for Paris, London, Berlin every year, but UEFA must make sure the final city is convenient for supporters."</p>

<p>Behind closed doors, UEFA has discussed taking the final outside of Europe - to New York, to the Gulf. UEFA president Alexander Ceferin repeated on Thursday that it is a 'theoretical possibility'. The idea is very marketable - and the fans will repeat the ritual, but perhaps it will all feel a little more hollow.</p>


Fans happily fork out money to attend the climax of the European club season.

It is a ritual that's repeated every year at the very end of May. The minutiae are always the same: Anticipation and mass hysteria in the build-up, analysis and ecstasy or heartbreak at the end. UEFA, the press and the 'stakeholders' drive the narrative. It's about that one all-consuming match, the ultimate centre piece, the Champions League final. This year that mass hysteria has been taken to a new level: Liverpool will play the European Cup final on Saturday in the Ukrainian capital against Real Madrid, the kings of the continental game, and from across the globe the club's fans have set their minds on 90 minutes of utter delirium in Kiev. There is, however, a complication: The host city is not easy to reach. In fact, it's rapidly become a nightmare destination. "I gambled and booked my flight and accommodation before Liverpool had secured their spot in the final," says Lars Frosland, a fan from Norway. "However, the hotel prices were insane at that time too, so I went for Airbnb to a fraction of the cost. The craziest or most emotional thing was waiting for ticket ballot details." Liverpool were allocated 16,626 tickets by UEFA for the final, prices ranging from £61 to £394. On Ticketbis, tickets were offered up to a staggering £14,000. Liverpool fans also faced soaring airfares and inflated hotel rates, with return flights to the Ukraine easily costing more than £1,000. Still, they plotted their way to Kiev. They slogged their way around the continent, by airplane, by bus, by train, by car. "Our flight was diverted to Rome," says Arjun Gupta, a Liverpool fan from India. "The visa on arrival in Kiev took five and a half hours to process after which we found out that our luggage was still in Rome. We left New Delhi on Tuesday at 10pm. We stayed inside airports and flights for 40 hours straight without seeing the outside world. For two hours of football. Madness." Fans happily fork out money to attend the climax of the European club season. UEFA considers supporters as 'fan customers'. That corporatism, a worldview envisages a different fandom: A middle class of lawyers, doctors and architects and their families, who go to the ground to enjoy a day out, but who are, in general, not emotionally invested in the game. Liverpool fans are different: Football matters for them and triggers deep emotions. "UEFA should definitely consider logistics and infrastructure more," argues Frosland. "The city must be able to handle intense flight traffic and 100,000 visitors. Are there enough hotels? Will the airport handle the flight traffic? I am in favour of not going for Paris, London, Berlin every year, but UEFA must make sure the final city is convenient for supporters." Behind closed doors, UEFA has discussed taking the final outside of Europe - to New York, to the Gulf. UEFA president Alexander Ceferin repeated on Thursday that it is a 'theoretical possibility'. The idea is very marketable - and the fans will repeat the ritual, but perhaps it will all feel a little more hollow.

Champions League final: Fans spend 40 hours in flight to watch 90 minutes of football

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