Why wouldn’t Cristiano Ronaldo swap shirts?! Girona player reveals all

Cristiano Ronaldo is a competitive man and he really doesn’t like losing.



Nevertheless there’s a certain unwritten code when it comes to footballers, that no matter what the score you will swap shirts when asked. This is especially pertinent for someone like Ronaldo, who is one of the most desirable shirts to receive.

Yet, as it turns out, he wasn’t in a particularly swapping mood after Real Madrid’s 2-1 loss to Girona on the weekend.

Girona vice-captain Alex Granell revealed in an interview on Spanish radio that Ronaldo had told him he didn’t want to swap shirts because of how Girona saw out the game.

Read More: http://lebuzz.eurosport.co.uk/viral/hadnt-liked-managed-final-minutes-girona-player-reveals-ronaldo-wouldnt-swap-shirts-33287/

Valverde: We took a step forward despite draw

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde felt his team took a "step forward", but he lamented their 0-0 draw with Olympiacos in the Champions League.

The LaLiga leaders failed to score in a Champions League group-stage match for the first time since 2012 as they were held in Greece on Tuesday.

Despite the result, Barcelona retained a three-point lead atop Group D after Juventus drew with Sporting CP.

Valverde praised his players for their efforts despite not getting the result they wanted.

"We were lacking a goal. We tried to get closer to their area on the basis of longer possession," he said.

"But they did a great job in defence and tried to hit us on the counter-attack, spurred on by their fans.

"You could see what amazing people there are here. We wanted to secure qualification but we failed.

"It was still a step forward, but not the one we wanted. The players emptied their tanks out there."

The clash marked a return to his former club for Valverde, who coached Olympiacos in two stints in 2008-09 and 2010-12.

Despite being on the opposite side of the fanatical Olympiacos support, Valverde praised the fans.

"The answer to everything is how well our opponents played. They stuck tight together as a unit. We were up against an opponent that did their job well from start to finish," he said.

"I always had this atmosphere in my favour and today it was against me. I know what the Champions League means to these fans because I've experienced it myself many times.

"It may have come as a surprise to people coming from Barcelona, even though everyone knows how intense Greek football support can be. It was extraordinary. Really nice."

Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/valverde-we-took-a-step-forward-despite-draw#a53AsT1srS6WjmTd.99

Neymar plotting shock Real Madrid move due to PSG discomfort

Unai Emery's tactics and a mammoth contract would mean the end of the Brazilian's adventure in France to join Los Blancos.

Neymar's return to La Liga might happen sooner than expected, but some fans will be disappointed by the team he's set to return to.

According to a report by Spanish outlet Don Balón, Neymar's father has been holding meetings with Florentino Pérez to have his son joining Real Madrid. The Brazilian player, currently the world's most expensive footballer. would be keen on returning to La Liga if things don't improve for him at PSG.

The report states that Unai Emery's tactics at PSG are not satisfying enough for the Brazilian, especially because he hasn't been able to establish himself as the group's leader. Furthermore, his complicated relationship with some members of the squad -namely Edinson Cavani- have him ready to force a move back to Spain, but wearing Real Madrid's jersey.

Even if he has a wonderful relationship with his former team-mates, things between the player, his father, and Barcelona's execs didn't end in the best of terms, ruling out the possibility of a comeback. The option of playing for Real Madrid seduces Neymar, especially if he takes the starring role as Cristiano Ronaldo's replacement.

Both parties have allegedly agreed to wait, as Neymar still wants to give it a try as PSG's star. If the Brazilian sees that winning the UCL and the Ballon D'Or with Les Parisiens is possible, he will not push for an exit. If the team's run this season isn't satisfying enough, then his move to Los Blancos could take place next summer.

Read More: http://www.livesoccertv.com/news/24429/neymar-plotting-shock-real-madrid-move-due-to-psg-discomfort/

Barcelona, Liverpool move in on Arsenal target Thomas Lemar

With the January window on the horizon, there's plenty brewing in the transfer market. All the latest deals and potential deals can be found here.

TOP STORY: Arsenal face stiff competition for Lemar

Arsenal maintains an interest in Thomas Lemar but the Mirror reports that Barcelona and Liverpool will now rival them for the Monaco star.

The Gunners identified the France international as a potential replacement for Alexis Sanchez in the summer following Manchester City's late push for the Chilean.

Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev insists a deal for Lemar to move to the Emirates was "really close" with a £90 million offer tabled. But with the deal falling through ahead of the deadline, the Gunners pulled the plug on Sanchez's proposed move to the Etihad.

Lemar is expected to use the increased interest to command wages of up to £250,000-per-week when he does eventually move -- likely after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.


Thomas Lemar Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

Barcelona monitor new deal for Dybala

Paulo Dybala's new contract with Juventus looks close to being finalised, but Barcelona are monitoring the details of the Argentinian's extension, according to Calciomercato.

The No. 10's release clause could be set at a huge €230m, which was a previously unthinkable sum before Paris Saint-Germain grabbed Neymar from the Blaugrana this summer for around £200m.

The former Palermo star's rise has continued for the Old Lady this term, striking 11 times in just 10 Serie A appearances, meaning that fee could become an attractive figure by next year for some of Europe's richest clubs.

A potential linkup with compatriot Lionel Messi has always fuelled speculation of interest from Barca, but the steep price could now dissuade them after forking out £135.5m for Ousmane Dembele last summer.

Juve offered Rafinha

While Barca are looking to boost Ernesto Valverde's squad, others may be moved on with Sport reporting that Juventus have been offered Rafinha.

The Brazilian, who is on the fringe of the first team when fit, has been plagued by injuries recently and has just two years remaining on his contract at the Camp Nou.

It remains to be seen whether the Old Lady will bite and submit an offer for the 24-year-old, possibly in January, with the player aiming to play at the World Cup next summer.

Arsenal prepare summer move for Jorginho

Napoli star Jorginho could be the centre of attention for Arsenal scouts tomorrow in their Champions League game with Manchester City, according to the Sun.

The Brazilian has already played international football for Italy but remains eligible for both countries having not played a competitive match for either. Giampiero Ventura's reluctance to select him for the Azzurri is baffling after Jorginho's excellent performances as the pass master for Maurizio Sarri's side.

The 25-year-old is under contract until 2020, but the Gunners appear to be readying an offer next summer to add a focal point to their midfield.

Read More: http://www.espn.in/football/blog/transfer-talk/79/post/3253391/barcelona-liverpool-move-in-on-arsenal-target-thomas-lemar

Barcelona’s improvement under Ernesto Valverde examined

Guillem Balague examines Barcelona’s improvement under new coach Ernesto Valverde.

Back in August, it seemed Barcelona were in for a long season.

Neymar's departure to Paris Saint-Germain had left a cloud over the club and their defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup did not bode well.

Ernesto Valverde had inherited problems on and off the pitch, but fast forward two months and the picture looks very different.

Barcelona's 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao was their ninth in 10 La Liga games. They are eight points clear of Madrid at the top of the table, with 28 goals scored and just three conceded.

Since those Spanish Super Cup defeats in August, Barcelona have won 13 of their 14 games in all competitions, and optimism has returned to Camp Nou.

So what's changed under Valverde? His use of Lionel Messi is the most significant factor.

The Argentine has been given a more central role and it has paid off. Messi has raced ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the scoring charts, hitting 12 in La Liga and 16 in all competitions.

Guillem Balague's weekly column: Real Madrid's two main problems after slow La Liga start

Guillem Balague brings you his five main talking points from the weekend's La Liga action, plus he answers your questions...

What's up with Real?

Real's 2-1 loss to Girona comes off the back of four victories so it is not a huge crisis. But they lacked the right attitude - you consider the fact Marcelo did not want to play - Toni Kroos and Luka Modric missed lots of passes, there was no movement and they went to sleep after scoring first.

On the other hand, the attitude shown by Girona was fantastic. The atmosphere was great and it was absolutely ridiculous to suggest - as some did before the match - there might have been trouble at the stadium. That kind of talk came from people that didn't understand Catalans or people in Girona.

Read More: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12087/11105826/guillem-balagues-weekly-column-real-madrids-two-problems-after-slow-la-liga-start

18-YEAR-OLD FRANCIS UZOHO GETS SUPER EAGLES CALL-UP

Just two weeks after making his La Liga debut, the 18-year-old shot-stopper has been handed an invite to the national team

Deportivo La Coruna’s Francis Uzoho has been handed his first Nigeria call-up ahead of the World Cup 2018 qualifier and worldwide friendly against Algeria and Argentina respectively.

Uzoho made his La Liga debut for the Blues and Whites in a 0-0 draw with Eibar on October 16.
And the 18-year-old has been extended an invite for the Super Eagles’ last Russia 2018 Qualifying match against the Desert Foxes on November 10 and a friendly against Jorge Sampaoli’s star-studded Albiceleste on November 14.

Read More: http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/francis-uzoho-gets-super-eagles-call-up/tua46g0h76ak1aakii8upst5u