Neymar has been told he no longer possesses the intensity required to compete at the highest level of world football following his latest display for Santos. Former Brazil international Walter Casagrande has suggested that Neymar "doesn't deserve" a World Cup spot while claiming the forward would be an anonymous figure in a game at the level of Paris Saint-Germain's 5-4 Champions League win over Bayern Munich.
This year’s Champions League final will be upon us soon. Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, and Atletico Madrid have a chance of clinching the title.
Leeds United have reignited their pursuit of Sporting CP midfielder Hidemasa Morita as they begin planning for a second consecutive season in the Premier League. The Japan international is reportedly open to a move to Elland Road once the club’s top-flight status is mathematically confirmed, having opted to remain in Portugal last summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo could still star in the Champions League at 41 years of age, the Portuguese GOAT’s former Manchester United team-mate Louis Saha has told GOAL. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is now plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, is considered to have “three things” that make him “unique” and capable of gracing any stage.
Diego Simeone has questioned the tactical quality of Paris Saint-Germain’s nine-goal thriller against Bayern Munich, suggesting that high-scoring spectacles are often a nightmare for managers. The Atletico Madrid boss offered his blunt assessment after seeing his side battle to a tense 1-1 draw against Arsenal in their semi-final first leg.
Diego Simeone has found himself at the centre of a post-match firestorm after his touchline conduct during Atletico Madrid's 1-1 draw with Arsenal was labelled "atrocious". The Argentine tactician was accused of exerting undue influence over referee Danny Makkelie during a pivotal VAR review that saw the Gunners denied a second-half penalty.
Antoine Griezmann has opened up on a highly emotional night at the Metropolitano, with the touching reason behind his decision to turn away during the Champions League anthem having been revealed. The French superstar was the standout performer in Atletico Madrid's 1-1 draw with Arsenal, but his focus was as much on the stands as it was on the pitch during his European home farewell.
Kylian Mbappe has been unable to get his hands on Champions League and Ballon d’Or prizes, but former France international Louis Saha has used Cristiano Ronaldo as an example of why fortunes can change quickly for a “black cat”. Luck has not been on Mbappe’s side, despite being a World Cup-winning superstar, but the most prestigious of honours are expected to come his way eventually.
The match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal was a cagey affair on the pitch, but it was the post-match scenes that truly ignited. Diego Simeone was involved in a remarkable confrontation with Gunners defender Ben White following a tense 1-1 draw in the Champions League. The Rojiblancos boss appeared to hunt down the England international after taking exception to his conduct when leaving the Metropolitano turf.
Diego Simeone has offered a definitive update on Julian Alvarez's fitness following a late injury scare during Atletico Madrid's Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal. The Argentine forward was forced off the pitch late in the 1-1 draw at the Metropolitano, sparking fears he could miss the return leg in London next week.
Harry Kane is considered to have become “England’s greatest No.9”, with Joe Cole explaining to GOAL why the prolific Bayern Munich striker has eclipsed the efforts of Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer. As the Three Lions’ all-time leading goalscorer, and ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Kane is currently in the process of chasing down Champions League and Ballon d’Or honours.
Mikel Arteta was left in a state of disbelief after witnessing what he termed a "completely unacceptable" refereeing U-turn during Arsenal's 1-1 Champions League semi-final draw with Atletico Madrid. The Gunners boss saw a potential match-winning penalty for Eberechi Eze scrapped by VAR, leaving the tie on a knife-edge heading into the second leg.
Arsenal reportedly made a frantic last-minute request to UEFA officials just hours before their Champions League semi-final showdown against Atletico Madrid. The Gunners were concerned that the Spanish giants were employing tactical "dark arts" to disrupt their play at the Metropolitano Stadium.
The first leg of Arsenal's semi-final against Atlético has been marred by a controversial penalty incident that has sparked widespread debate. Arteta was visibly furious afterwards.
Arsenal were forced to settle for a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, but they will feel aggrieved to have been denied a late penalty that could have won it after Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez had already traded spot-kicks either side of half-time.
Atletico Madrid fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. Julian Alvarez netted from the penalty spot to equalise Viktor Gyokeres' own spot-kick as a tactical tweak from Diego Simeone helped the Rojiblancos battle back and avoid defeat on home soil in the Spanish capital.
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has delivered a scathing assessment of Martin Odegaard, claiming the Arsenal captain has become a "big problem" for Mikel Arteta. Despite the Gunners sitting at the top of the Premier League table, Scholes believes the Norwegian’s tendency to drop too deep is stifling the team's attacking fluidity.
Manager Vincent Kompany surprisingly opted for Alphonso Davies at left-back against Paris Saint-Germain instead of Konrad Laimer. Although the full-back did concede a penalty, the move ultimately did not come back to haunt the coach.
Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been labelled the "best player in the world" by AC Milan legend Clarence Seedorf following a masterclass in the Champions League. The Georgia international was at his devastating best on Tuesday night as the reigning champions edged out Bayern Munich in a nine-goal thriller at the Parc des Princes.
Vincent Kompany has issued a defiant battle cry following Bayern Munich’s breathless 5-4 semi-final first leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, insisting his players are willing to "die on the pitch" to reach the Champions League final. Despite trailing after a nine-goal thriller in the French capital, the Belgian coach remains adamant that the tie is far from over as the action heads back to Bavaria.
Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele has offered a blunt assessment of his side's second-half performance after they survived a late scare in a nine-goal Champions League thriller against Bayern Munich. Despite securing a 5-4 victory in the first leg of their semi-final clash, the Frenchman admitted that the hosts lost their way after establishing what looked like a commanding three-goal lead.
Harry Kane has etched his name further into the history books after breaking a long-standing Champions League record previously held by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. Despite Bayern Munich falling to a narrow 5-4 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in a pulsating semi-final first leg, the England captain’s personal landmark provided a silver lining for the German giants.
Luis Enrique has hailed Paris Saint-Germain's breathless 5-4 victory over Bayern Munich as "the best match I've ever been involved in as a coach". The Parc des Princes hosted a historic Champions League semi-final first leg that saw nine goals shared between the European heavyweights, leaving the Spanish tactician both exhausted and exhilarated.
Arsenal are about to experience a whole new level of pressure. After wrestling their teetering Premier League title chase back on course with a much-needed victory over Newcastle, the Gunners are now preparing to enter Atletico Madrid's Metropolitano cauldron in the Champions League semi-finals. However, while the prospect of a domestic and European double is tantalising, head coach Mikel Arteta must see the bigger picture.
Harry Kane found himself on the receiving end of a verbal volley from Wayne Rooney after the Bayern Munich star offered a bizarre assessment of the defensive displays in a nine-goal Champions League epic. Despite seeing his side ship five goals in a chaotic semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain, the England captain insisted the backlines were "outstanding", prompting a fierce response from Manchester United legend Rooney.
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