Daily Sports
Didi Hamann scorches Cristiano Ronaldo in out-of-nowhere World Cup rant
Cristiano Ronaldo is assessing his next club options, but World Cup hurt for sting a while longer.
Ronaldo came into the World Cup hoping to lead Portugal to glory but, after a tactical switch for the knock-out stages, he ended up as a substitute as his country was eliminated. Didi Hamann still has a bad taste in his mouth over the manner of his exit.
Following the Last 16 victory over Switzerland, Ronaldo walked around the pitch separate from his teammates, applauding fans, before being the first Portugal player down the tunnel.
In the quarter final, after Portugal were stunned by Morocco, their captain made a beeline for the tunnel without sticking around to console his crestfallen, younger teammates. A couple of Moroccan players tried to commiserate, but he stalked toward the tunnel, where TV cameras caught him in floods of tears.
Following Morocco’s 2-0 defeat to France in Wednesday’s semi-final, Hamann took an almighty schlep off Ronaldo for his post-match actions.
Didi Hamann on Cristiano Ronaldo
The final whistle sounded in the semi-final and the Morocco players slumped to the ground in despair. They reached further than any other African nation in a World Cup, to date, but their 2-0 loss means they will now play in Saturday’s 3rd place playoff against Croatia.
Didi Hamann praised Morocco for bringing ‘the human side back to the World Cup’ before blasting Cristiano Ronaldo. He commented:
“You talk about these superstars, top earners, top players, and one of the greatest players, who left the scene about a week ago, in Ronaldo. He couldn’t even congratulate them, after the game.
“Morocco won that game, they did something historic, and he didn’t even have the dignity to congratulate them for what they had achieved.
“And now you watch them, and how they shake hands with the French, and the dignity and graciousness they show in defeat. Brilliant.”
FT 🇫🇷 2-0 🇲🇦
"I think they, in a way, brought the human side back to this World Cup…" – Didi Hamann pays tribute to Morocco after their defeat to France #FRAMAR
📺Watch the final live on @RTE2 & @RTEplayer this Sunday #RTEsoccer #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/lOq1MlBYaF— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 14, 2022
Ronaldo is said to be training at Real Madrid’s facilities as he plots his next move, after being released from his Manchester United contract.
As for Portugal, he insists he wants to play on until Euro 2024. We would not put it past him.
Daily Sports
Antony and Bruno Fernandes clash as Crystal Palace dent Man United’s title notions
Antony was not happy with Fernandes
Manchester United duo Antony and Bruno Fernandes were seen clashing with each other in the first half of United’s draw against Crystal Palace.
Fernandes looked to have secured United the three points with a goal on the stroke of half time only for Michael Olise’s stunning free kick in second half stoppage time ensured a share of the spoils.
Wout Weghorst also made his debut for the club after they paid Beşiktaş to cancel his loan spell in Turkey and move to Old Trafford from Burnley until the end of the season, with United desperately in need of a striker
The majority of the first half saw Erik ten Hag’s side find it difficult to break down a resilient Palace defence with Antony in particular struggling to get the best of full back, Tyrick Mitchell.
It seemed as if tempers began to flare amongst the United ranks on the half hour mark as Antony and Fernandes were caught exchanging verbals with each other, leading to many speculating on social media.
Bruno fernandes and Antony arguing 🤔 pic.twitter.com/YaOagxqrBD
— YOUYOU_7 (@__YOUYOU___) January 18, 2023
One person wrote: “Bruno Fernandes beefing with Antony, all this bollocks about how they’re now a United team not individuals is hilarious.”
Another tweeted: “Bruno is right to be upset at Antony but it’s so funny seeing him get get taste of his own medicine.”
Bruno is right to be upset at Antony but it's so funny seeing him get get taste of his own medicine 😂😂pic.twitter.com/zzAcfw7gV0
— 🇨🇩🇸🇱 (@8Flavs) January 18, 2023
A third said: “The people saying Bruno & Antony shouldn’t be arguing with each other on the pitch have never played football.”
The people saying Bruno & Antony shouldn't be arguing with each other on the pitch have never played Football.
— Paul, Manc Bald and Bred (@MufcWonItAll) January 18, 2023
United now prepare to face Arsenal at the weekend, where they will be without Casemiro after he was booked, taking his total tally to five, meaning he will miss out through suspension.
He did get in for a selfie with a pitch invader, though…
Casemiro poses for a selfie with a fan 🤣🤳
— Barstool Football (@StoolFootball) January 18, 2023
Daily Sports
Lionel Messi’s wife responds to Shakira ‘betrayal’ post after Gerard Pique break-up
Lionel Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo has come out in support of Shakira following her high-profile split from Gerard Pique – Messi’s former Barcelona team-mate.
Colombian popstar Shakira shared a candid message with her fans on Instagram as she welcomed in the new year, taking a thinly-veiled swipe at her former partner by referencing “betrayal” and “heartache”.
“Even if our wounds are still open in this new year, time has a surgeon’s hands,” the Hips Don’t Lie singer wrote. “Even if someone’s betrayed us, we must continue to trust others.”
In response, Antonela sent Shakira three heart emojis in the comments section, in the latest suggestion that she and her husband are taking the singer-songwriter’s side in the ugly saga.
Shortly after their split, it emerged that Pique was dating 23-year-old Barcelona-born Clara Chia.
Messi and Pique spent over a decade playing together at Barcelona, having emerged from the club’s famed La Masia academy at around the same time.
Messi moved to PSG in 2021, while Pique hung up his boots in November, bringing the curtain down on a trophy-laded 19-year career that saw him win the World Cup, the European Championship, the Champions League, La Liga and the Premier League.
Source: Daily Star
Daily Sports
Alisha Lehmann told she ‘won’t be single for long’ after wowing fans in pink ʙικιɴι
Alisha Lehmann has kept her social media followers updated during a recent holiday in Miami – with many left asking how she is still single after her split from Douglas Luiz.
The 23-year-old Aston Villa forward and Switzerland international has been catching the eye both on and off the pitch in recent seasons – with her Instagram following growing to over 10 million.
Following a recent trip in which she posed on the beach for no less than nine separate ʙικιɴι snaps, many of her followers had one thing in mind.
One comment read: “She won’t stay single for long.”
A second said: “I was looking for the meaning of perfection and I found this.”
A fourth then concluded: “The most beautiful soccer player in the world.”
The WSL star was recently back in the headlines after splitting up with Villa midfielder Luiz and then removing their shared snaps from Instagram.
The couple are said to have split over a row regarding her 2023 calendar which reportedly led to a furious row between the pair.
The split came after countless displays of public affection between the loved up couple – as well as him defending her for a comment made by a TV presenter.
Lehmann has also shared several clips of her Soccer AM cameo, in which he bagged a top bins in some style.
One of those to react was fellow Villa professional and Brazil international Luiz, who wrote on her upload with heart and fire emojis: “The best.”
Source: Daily Star