Manchester United top world soccer money list

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United have retained their position as the highest revenue-generating soccer club in the world, edging out Spain’s Real Madrid by the narrowest margin ever between the top two.

The Premier League club topped the Deloitte Football Money League for the 10th time by posting a revenue for the 2016-17 season of 676.3 million euros ($827.25 million), 1.7 million euros more than the reigning European champions.

Barcelona were third on 648.3 million euros.

The combined revenue for the top 20 highest-earning clubs rose by six per cent to a record 7.9 billion euros.

The top 20 was made up of 10 English clubs, who were boosted by the fact that 2016-17 was the first season of the current Premier League broadcast rights deal.

The remaining 10 clubs comprised of three each from Spain, Germany and Italy and one from France. Seven-time European champions AC Milan dropped out of the top 20 for the first time.

The 44.5 million euros United received from UEFA for their victory over Ajax Amsterdam in the 2017 Europa League final was crucial to retaining their number one status, although broadcast revenue is now the largest individual revenue stream for the top 20, accounting for 45 per cent.

Read More: https://ca.reuters.com/article/canadaSportsNews/idCAKBN1FC01J-OCASP?rpc=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=sportsNews&rpc=401

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane reveals uncertainty over future

Real Madrid are currently having a nightmare season as they sit fourth in the La Liga table, 16 points behind Barcelona.

And they have also been less than convincing in the cups as they finished second in their Champions League group and drew 2-2 with second division side Numancia last night.

Zidane signed a contract extension with Real in September but pressure has been growing on his position in recent weeks.

And he understands the need to turn results around quickly.

"I just go game to game, year to year," said Zidane.

"I cannot think two or three years down the line, as I know how it is here, even having a contract, which means nothing.

"It is not easy for the players who play less. We played a good game. We maybe lacked a bit of gas at the end."

Lucas Vazquez scored a brace as Real progressed to the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey with a 5-2 aggregate win last night.

And Zidane says he was pleased with how his side played.

Read More: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/903059/Real-Madrid-Zinedine-Zidane-future-La-Liga-news

Real Madrid, Barcelona transfer news: Mo Salah, Zinedine Zidane, Arda Turan, Philippe Coutinho

REAL Madrid are plotting an audacious Anfield raid of their own to steal the spotlight back from Barca, while Zinedine Zidane is at loggerheads with club president Florentino Perez.
That and more in a La Liga edition of Rumour Mill!

REAL TO RAID LIVERPOOL FOR SALAH

Not fans of being outdone, Real Madrid are preparing an audacious counter to Barcelona’s signing of Philippe Coutinho, by sanctioning an Anfield raid of their own.

Despite manager Zinedine Zidane’s assertion that Los Blancos wouldn’t sign anyone in January, Los Blancos are being linked with a big-money swoop for Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, according to Sky Sport Italia.

Barca smashed their transfer record with the signing of Coutinho, and now Real are determined to splash the cash themselves in a bid to counter the deal.

Salah has been on fire since joining Liverpool in the summer, netting 17 goals in 21 appearances after signing for £37m from Roma.

Read more: https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/la-liga/real-madrid-barcelona-transfer-news-mo-salah-zinedine-zidane-arda-turan-philippe-coutinho/news-story/ffb0108fcaaa4391931d213318035e61

Madrid-bound Vinicius soars with Nene and Rockets

Real Madrid-bound Vinicius Junior spent some time with countryman Nene and NBA franchise the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Before soaring with Spanish and European giants Real Madrid, teenage sensation Vinicius Junior is taking off in the NBA.

The 17-year-old Brazilian, who will officially become a Madrid player upon his 18th birthday on July 12 in a deal reportedly worth €45million, spent some time with countryman Nene and NBA franchise the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Vinicius watched the Rockets beat the Orlando Magic 116-98 in Houston, before later rubbing shoulders with Brazilian center Nene as the pair exchanged jerseys.

The Madrid-bound star is in the midst of his off-season after Flamengo – where he will remain on loan for the duration of Madrid's 2018-19 campaign – finished sixth in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Read More: https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/madrid-bound-vinicius-soars-nene-and-rockets

SERGIO AGUERO: HARRY KANE WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM PLAYING FOR REAL MADRID

The Manchester City star believes that players like the Tottenham forward would fit in with any team
Sergio Aguero doesn't believe that Tottenham forward Harry Kane would have any problems fitting in with Real Madrid.

Rumours have been floated of a possible deal that would see Kane move to the La Liga giants, with Gareth Bale heading back to his old club in part-exchange.

Kane has been a goalscoring machine for Spurs, setting a Premier League record for goals in a calendar year with 39 in 2017, and his manager Mauricio Pochettino has come out to say that it would be impossible to put a price on his star man.

But with transfer season in full swing, the 24-year-old will undoubtedly continue to draw links with the likes of Madrid, and Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero doesn't think he would have any issues playing for the biggest clubs in the world.

"The truth is that players of this quality, I think they wouldn’t have a problem playing for such an important club as Real Madrid is," Aguero told reporters after scoring in his side's 3-1 win over Watford on Tuesday.

Aguero, who sits four goals back of Kane in the Premier League top-scorer race, dropped another hint about his future away from City, but says what the Spurs man decides to do is none of his concern. 

"I don’t know what he is thinking but that’s not my problem, it’s his," the Argentine said.

Aguero and City are enjoying a memorable season, while Kane and Tottenham are fighting for a Champions League spot.

Read More: http://www.goal.com/en/news/sergio-aguero-harry-kane-would-have-no-problem-playing-for/4sibyb7fnclv1nshrnfmzlv5u

Arsenal legend compares Salah to Leo Messi

Following his brilliant performance in Liverpool’s comeback against Leicester City in the league, Arsenal former star Ian Wright compared Mohamed Salah to Barcelona’s legendary Lionel Messi.

Salah’s brace gave Liverpool a much needed win over Leicester City as the match ended 2-1 for the Reds. The young Pharaoh is enjoying the best season of his career so far since he has been involved in 22 goals in 21 premier league appearances for Liverpool since his move to the Anfield, scoring 17 goals and assisting five. He is one goal behind the Premier League’s top scorer Harry Kane.

“I’m not saying he is as good as who I am going to say but dare I say it, He reminds me of Lionel Messi, the scampering way he plays, he has a Messi vibe,” Wright said during his analysis of the game on Saturday comparing Salah to five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Premier League’s all-time top scorer Alan Shearer also praised the Egyptian international saying that he is good in any position and can play anywhere across the frontline. “He can play on the left, the right or through the middle,” he said. “He has got such quick feet, the way he gets away from defenders, they know that once he is there they can’t touch him. You can’t go anywhere near him, the balance is superb.”

Read More: https://www.kingfut.com/2017/12/31/ian-wright-salah-style-messi/

Barcelona rumors: Christensen wanted, Man City to make Umtiti offer and Real Madrid eye Oriol Busquets

Barcelona eyeing Christensen

Today’s rumors start in west London and with Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen, who has apparently been catching Barcelona’s eye.

According to the Mirror, Barca are “long-time admirers” of the defender and are monitoring his progress as they seek to strengthen defensively.

Christensen has become a regular for the Blues in recent months, since replacing David Luis in Antonio Conte’s starting XI.

Barca to seal £125m Coutinho deal

Over at the Daily Express, they have a hot new ‘exclusive’ which tells us that Barcelona are hoping to finally land Philippe Coutinho next week for £125 million.

A meeting is set for Wednesday where the Catalans are hoping to reach agreement with Liverpool owners FSG.

Apparently both parties are now keen to get the deal done as soon as possible to prevent it dragging on throughout January.

Guardiola to offer £50m for Umtiti

Meanwhile, The Sun are reporting that Pep Guardiola is set to offer Barcelona £50 million for defender Samuel Umtiti.

Having missed out on Virgil van Dijk, Pep is ready to spring Umtiti’s release clause as he looks to add another defender to the ranks.

A centre-back is apparently a priority for City this winter as the club aim to continue their brilliant form and end the season with four trophies.

Read More: https://www.barcablaugranes.com/fc-barcelona-transfer-rumors-news/2017/12/31/16835206/barcelona-rumors-christensen-wanted-man-city-to-make-umtiti-offer-and-real-madrid-eye-oriol-busquets

FC Barcelona News: 30 December 2017; Holiday Break Ends, Juventus Looking at Sergi Roberto

FC Barcelona training resumes on Saturday 30 December | FC Barcelona
Since ending the year with a fantastic win at the Santiago Bernabéu, Ernesto Valverde and his squad have been getting some well-earned rest with their families, but they are due back at the Ciutat Esportiva at 6.00pm CET on December 30.

How many kilometres have Barça travelled in 2017? | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona have done no less than 53,398 kilometres on the road this calendar year spread over 36 trips. Starting back on 5 January with an away game in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey in Bilbao and ending with the victorious trip to the Santiago Bernabéu to take on Real Madrid which saw Ernesto Valverde’s men take a 3-0 win that left them nine points clear of their nearest rivals in the league at the turn of the year, the squad have travelled around the world to great success.

Juve eye Barca star, if Can plan fails | Calciomercato
Juventus are said to admirers of Liverpool midfielder Emre Can and their tactic of signing players once their contracts expire will help them sign the German. But Liverpool’s resistance means that the Old Lady could be forced into looking at possible alternatives. One of them happens to be Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto.

FC Barcelona's Most Viral Tweets of 2017 | FC Barcelona
See which Twitter posts on the Club's official account were the most heard 'round the world over the last 12 months.

Real Madrid star requests affordable selling price

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has requested that the La Liga and European champions set their asking price for the forward at an affordable £89m in order to attract potential suitors next summer, reports the Daily Record.

The 32-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu for some time now, even if he penned a new deal in November 2016.

However, the release clause in that contract is set at a staggering £887m and Ronaldo’s representatives are asking club president Florentino Perez to lower that figure in order not to deter long-term suitors PSG and former club Manchester United.

Tensions between Ronaldo and Perez are believed to be at their lowest, with the former looking to secure a move away from the Spanish capital.

Football’s World Player of the Year is supposedly angered by Perez’s decision not to bring his basic pay to match his accolades, with the 32-year-old basic salary bettered by Neymar and Lionel Messi, of PSG and Barcelona respectively.

Ronaldo’s current deal with Real Madrid runs until 2021, though his time at the Bernabeu could draw to a close next year, with PSG and United willing to match his astronomical demands. 

Read More: https://www.whoscored.com/News/iBaGk-uC50Cf2HZKDChAiw/Show/Real-Madrid-star-requests-affordable-selling-price

Real Madrid ‘Close To Signing Alexis Sanchez’

Reports in Spain today are suggesting that Real Madrid may be closing in on a move to sign the former Barcelona attacker Alexis Sanchez in the January transfer window. The reports also suggest that the player himself is set on a return to Spain, with Los Blancos as his most likely suitors.

The Chile international’s contract at English Premier League club Arsenal is due to expire at the end of the current season and he has shown no intention of signing a new deal. The Gunners would rather not lose such a valuable player on a free transfer in the summer, so are likely to try and recoup whatever money they can in January.

Alexis Sanchez very nearly left Arsenal to join Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City last summer but the deal fell through after Arsenal could not complete a deal for a replacement.

The Player Wants La Liga Return
Alexis spent three years in Spain as part of Real’s rivals Barcelona, and it looks as if the player wants to return to Spain, this time in the famous white of Real Madrid. He has been at Arsenal since 2014 and individually has been very successful. The club have also claimed a couple of trophies in his time in London.

The reports from Don Balon in Spain suggest that Sanchez would now prefer a move to the Santiago Bernabeu rather than joining Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Real are expected to put in a bid, but the final decision lies with manager Zinedine Zidane and club president Florentino Perez.

Read More: http://www.realmadridnews.com/real-madrid-close-to-signing-alexis-sanchez-23582?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+realmadridnewscom+%28Realmadridnews.com%29

Cristiano Ronaldo: I have a lot of space for trophies

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo retained the gong for the second successive year and fourth time overall following a stellar 2017.

Cristiano Ronaldo joked he has a lot of space for trophies after winning the Best Player of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards.

Real Madrid star Ronaldo retained the gong, winning for the fourth time overall following a stellar 2017.

The honour added to his record-equalling fifth Ballon d'Or and FIFA's The Best Award this year after helping Madrid to LaLiga and Champions League glory.

"It is a special moment and I am very happy to receive this award," said Ronaldo, whose agent Jorge Mendes was named Best Agent of the Year.

Read More: https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/cristiano-ronaldo-i-have-a-lot-space-trophies

Cristiano Ronaldo one of best in history, deserves respect: Ramos

Amid fresh doubts over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Real Madrid, the Spanish football club’s captain Sergio Ramos rated the Portuguese five-time Ballon d’Or winner as a “legend” who deserves respect.

“Our No. 7 is a forward like we have never seen,” Ramos said. “He is already a legend, and will be recognised as one of the best players in the history of football. Cristiano has a very important weight in the team, we all respect him,” Ramos told Telefoot and was quoted by ESPNFC.

Ronaldo’s goal helped Real win the the Club World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Gremio on Saturday.

According to another report by Marca, Ronaldo’s main bone of contention is moolah with both FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar possessing bigger contracts than his current Real deal.

Further complicating matters is Ronaldo’s ongoing issues with the Spanish tax authorities, who still maintain that he has committed a 14.7 million euro ($17.38 million) tax fraud.

Real president Florentino Perez on Saturday refuted the rumours saying the former Manchester United star should see out his career at the club, but added that the 32-year-old still has three-and-a-half years to run on a deal signed just over 12 months ago.

Read More: http://www.thestatesman.com/sports/cristiano-ronaldo-one-of-best-in-history-deserves-respect-ramos-1502547443.html

Clasico win will give Barcelona a happy Christmas, says Messi

Lionel Messi wants Barcelona to beat Real Madrid in Saturday's (AEDT) El Clasico clash to ensure his side can enjoy a happy Christmas.

Barca head to the Bernabeu with an 11-point lead over rivals Madrid in the La Liga table, and six points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid.

Victory for Ernesto Valverde's men would give Barca an overwhelming lead from last season's champions, who have a game in hand due to their trip to the FIFA Club World Cup.

And Messi, who missed out on this year's Ballon d'Or to Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, is keen for Barcelona to go into the winter break on a high.

Read More: https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2017/12/19/clasico-win-will-give-barcelona-happy-christmas-says-messi

Henk ten Cate proud of Al Jazira players after giving Real Madrid a fright in Fifa Club World Cup

The Arabian Gulf League leaders led at half time against the Spanish and European champions before goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale took Zinedine Zidane's men to a 2-1 victory.

On the eve of the biggest match of each of his players’ lives, Al Jazira manager Henk Ten Cate joked that they would have to park three buses in front of their goal to stop Real Madrid. And then maybe borrow a couple more, just to give themselves a chance.

In the end, all they actually needed was one Ali Khaseif. While the UAE national team goalkeeper was on the field, nothing that Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Isco, or any other Galactico you could care to mention could find a way past.

Khaseif’s heroism didn’t need a subplot. Fatefully, though, it got one, in the form of a first-half thigh strain. He battled on gamely, repelling everything that came near him, until he could last no longer.

Read More: https://www.thenational.ae/sport/club-world-cup/henk-ten-cate-proud-of-al-jazira-players-after-giving-real-madrid-a-fright-in-fifa-club-world-cup-1.684285

Man Utd star: My heart told me to join Manchester United instead of Real Madrid

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has revealed that he had been in contact with Real Madrid prior to his switch to Old Trafford from Juventus. The France international sealed his Old Trafford return in the summer of 2016 after United paid a then-world-record fee of £89.3m.

Speaking on the ‘Beyond the Pitch’ podcast, the 24-year-old confirmed that he had considered a move to the Bernabeu, but the opportunity to make a comeback with Manchester United changed his eventual decision.

“To be honest, Real Madrid came to me and I was thinking to go there, and I was thinking to go to Manchester United too. But I always felt it in my heart. My heart told me to come back here [Manchester], I don’t know why, I didn’t know what was going to happen. But I did it, and I don’t regret. I never regret my choice,” he said h/t Sky Sports.

Pogba had a mixed first season under Jose Mourinho as he struggled to find the right balance between attack and defence. The Frenchman’s tendency to push forward often left a space in midfield which the opposition could capitalise on.

However, he has made a vast improvement in his second year, although suspension and a hamstring injury have restricted him to just 11 appearances for United across all competitions. The Frenchman has still stood out with his showing, contributing three goals and five assists in the English top-flight.

Pogba is certain to miss the Bournemouth game on Wednesday night as he serves the second game of a three-match suspension, which he received for a rash but yet unintentional challenge on Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin earlier in the month.

Read more: http://www.thefaithfulmufc.com/man-utd-star-heart-told-join-manchester-united-instead-real-madrid/

Messi: Argentina Will Be Stronger At World Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- Argentina will be a better team at the 2018 World Cup than the one that struggled during the South American qualifying tournament, China's Xinhua news agency reported according to Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi.

The two-time World Cup champions avoided missing football's biggest event for the first time since 1970 when a Messi hat-trick ensured a 3-1 victory over Ecuador in the final CONMEBOL zone qualifier in October.

Argentina has been drawn in the same group as Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria for the June 14-July 15 tournament in Russia.

"We'll be in good shape when we get there because we're still growing," the Barcelona forward told FIFA.com.

"We had to go through something that we didn't expect or deserve because we had earlier matches against Venezuela and Peru that we could have won easily. If we had, then we wouldn't have had to go through what we did at the end.

"We've had four competitive matches with a new coach (Jorge Sampaoli), but the national team's going to change now that the Ecuador game is behind us. We're going to grow and get rid of all the tension and fear we felt because of that match and because of the risk of not achieving our objective."

The 30-year-old admitted the scars left by the team's extra-time loss to Germany in the final of the 2014 World Cup are yet to disappear.

"I don't know if they're ever going to heal," the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said.

"We're just going to have to live with it. It's going to be there forever. The World Cup is a very happy memory and a bitter one too because of how it ended, how it all worked out. But it's always going to be there."

Read More: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/wn/newsworld.php?id=1419378

Real Madrid beats Al Jazira, reaches Club World Cup final

United Arab Emirates champions Al Jazira earned all the plaudits despite losing 2-1 to European champions Real Madrid at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Sports City Stadium in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final.

The hosts produced a memorable performance and were 1-0 up at the break before Real Madrid turned the game around with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

Goalkeeper Ali Khaseif was called into action early on, making five consecutive saves inside the opening ten minutes. Two Ronaldo headers were repelled by the Al Jazira captain, before he dived low to save Luka Modric's shot from the edge of the area.

Ali Mabkhout came within a whisker of handing Al Jazira the lead in the 20th minute when he latched onto Mbark Boussoufa's pass to go through on goal, but his half-volleyed strike went narrowly wide of the post.

At the other end of the pitch, Casemiro thought he had scored for the Spanish side on the half-hour mark, but after a video review, the referee ruled the goal out to keep the score at 0-0.

Instead, it was the Emirati champions who opened the scoring in the 41st minute. Boussoufa found Romarinho after a swift counter-attacking move and the Brazilian controlled with his left, before finishing with his right foot to put Al Jazira in front at the break.

Khaseif's night-to-remember was brought to an early end when he hobbled off to be replaced by Khalid Al Senani six minutes into the second period.

Al Senani's introduction to the match was, however, not a happy one as he conceded within two minutes of coming on.

Read More: http://www.china.org.cn/sports/2017-12/14/content_50102857.htm

Chelsea target “further than ever” from a new contract as Blues move in on potential free transfer

A few weeks ago Chelsea were named as one of the suitors of young Athletic Bilbao keeper Kepa.

The youngster has broken into the first team in the Basque Country, and is attracting the attentions of Real Madrid too.

He’s even an outside tip to beat out Pepe Reina to go to the World Cup as third choice.

His contract expires in the summer, so clubs from outside Spain can get the jump on the Spanish champions and start negotiating a Bosman move with the youngster from January.

Now according to flagship Spanish football gossip show El Chiringuito, “the stances of Kepa and Athletic are further apart than ever” with regards to his new deal.

Read More: http://www.chelsea-news.co/2017/11/chelsea-target-ever-new-contract-blues-move-potential-free-transfer/

Unsure of friendship with Cristiano Ronaldo: Lionel Messi

Barcelona star forward Lionel Messi claimed that he is unsure of his friendship with leading footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in the coming years.

The Argentine and Portuguese international share nine Ballon d’Or awards amongst themselves.

“I don’t know if we will be. Friendship is built through spending time together and getting to know each other,” the 30-year-old was quoted saying by Spanish website Marca on Saturday.

ALSO READ: Lionel Messi extends contract with Barcelona until June 2021

“We have no relationship, mainly because we only see each other at awards ceremonies and that’s the only time we speak. Everything is fine, but our lives don’t cross over very often,” Messi added.

The four-time European Golden Shoe holder also said promising youngsters Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and experienced striker Luis Suarez have the potential to win the Ballon d’Or in the coming years.

Read More: http://www.thestatesman.com/sports/unsure-of-friendship-with-ronaldo-messi-1502535272.html

Real Madrid star begs Ozil not to join Barcelona from Arsenal

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos is claimed to have pleaded with Mesut Ozil not to join Spanish giants Barcelona from Arsenal.

The Catalan giants are claimed to be keen on signing the German international, having been put off by first-choice target Philippe Coutinho’s Liverpool price-tag.

Ozil is out of contract come the end of the campaign and will be allowed to discuss terms over a potential free transfer from January, and Barcelona seem to be one of few options he remains keen on.

Manchester United are also strongly linked with his potential capture next summer, which would see him team up with manager Jose Mourinho once again, having worked under the Portuguese in the Bernabeu previously.

Former team-mate Sergio Ramos has urged his former colleague to snub the advances of Barca, with the Spaniard claimed to have called his counterpart in order to put him off betraying his former club Real Madrid.

Interestingly Ramos is believed to have stuck up for the midfielder in the dressing room when coming under scrutiny by Jose Mourinho, and the latter is who he could well be pushing for him to join.

Ozil has refused to rule out the possibility of extending his stay with our club, but many are refusing to be drawn into such a possibility as his departure remains the most likely outcome.

Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere are also in similar spots with their contracts also running out this summer, but the Chilean appears more certain to leave, while the England international has insisted that he wishes to sign a new deal with the club.

Would Ozil be put off a move to Barcelona due to his previous allegiance to Sergio Ramos and Real Madrid?

Read More:http://www.justarsenal.com/real-madrid-star-begs-ozil-not-to-join-barcelona-from-arsenal/83175