Paper Talk: England trio reveal golden generation’s fatal flaws, Ronaldo’s new bust, Balotelli’s City surprise

WHY ENGLAND’S GOLDEN GENERATION FAILED

At the peak of their powers, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard were among the best players in the world at their respective clubs.

However, when it came to performing for England, the Three Lions’ ‘golden generation’ failed to live to the hype.

In a revealing interview with BT Sport, the trio explained how their competitiveness at club level, issues with formation, and problems with managers thwarted England’s performances on the international stage.

CRISTIANO RONALDO’S NEW BUST

A new bust of Cristiano Ronaldo has been unveiled by Spanish sculptor Jose Antonio Navarro Arteaga.

Artist Emanuel Santos was panned for his original bronze bust of the 32-year-old at the renaming of an airport in Madeira.

However, the new work of the Real Madrid star has received great acclaim. The bust is 35-inch-high, weighs 9.5 stone and has an uncanny likeness to the Portuguese captain.

Jose Antonio told Spanish daily El Mundo: “I used several photos of Cristiano to work from.”

“What I wanted to reflect was his interior strength, when he was preparing to take a free kick or a corner.”

Read More: https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/world-cup/paper-talk-england-trio-reveal-golden-generations-fatal-flaws-ronaldos-new-bust-balotellis-city-surprise/news-story/f2399fbfeeac540e238bed07e147eb54

La Liga: Valencia Hold Barcelona Amid Lionel Messi Ghost Goal Controversy

Jordi Alba's late equaliser maintained Barcelona's four-point lead over Valencia at the top of La Liga in a 1-1 draw at Mestalla on Sunday overshadowed by the league's lack of goal line technology. Lionel Messi's first-half effort clearly crossed the line, but wasn't allowed to stand as, unlike other major European leagues, La Liga has refused to introduce the technology on cost grounds. Rodrigo's opener on the hour mark rubbed salt into Barca's wounds, but the visitors responded when Messi picked out Alba eight minutes from time to ensure both sides remain unbeaten in La Liga.
However, just a second slip up from Barca this season does allow Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid to close to within eight points of the leaders.
"It was a monumental error by the referee," Alba told Movistar.
"Even I could see it was in from the middle of the pitch. We saw the replay at half-time and it's clear."
La Liga does, though, intend to introduce video assistant refereeing (VAR) for controversial decisions next season.

Read More: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/la-liga-valencia-hold-barcelona-amid-lionel-messi-ghost-goal-controversy-1780362

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

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen tops Sky Sports La Liga Power Rankings

Barcelona 'keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has topped the Sky Sports La Liga Power Rankings ahead of Valencia stopper Neto.

The German international made seven saves and kept his eighth clean sheet in the league during a 3-0 win at Leganes on Saturday to help Barca maintain their four-point lead atop La Liga.Valencia held their runners-up spot after beating Espanyol 1-0, with 'keeper Neto making four saves to keep his sixth league clean sheet this term and midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia (No 4, up 33 places) netting the winner.

Neto and Ter Stegen will come head to head at the Mestalla Stadium live on Sky Sports Football from 7.40pm on Sunday, with Valencia looking to move within one point of Ernesto Valverde's side.

Source: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11137016/barcelona-goalkeeper-marc-andre-ter-stegen-tops-sky-sports-la-liga-power-rankings

Antoine Griezmann insists he does not regret Atletico Madrid stay

Antoine Griezmann insists he does not regret staying at Atletico Madrid, and says he has had no discussions about leaving the club in January.

The Frenchman has been constantly linked with a move away from Diego Simeone's side, who are 10 points off La Liga leaders Barcelona and are on the brink of exiting the Champions League at the group stages.

Sky Sports' Guillem Balague said in his weekly column that Atletico are preparing for Griezmann's summer exit, with Barcelona and Manchester United heavily linked, but the 26-year-old has said he hasn't regretted staying at Atletico for this season.

He told French TV channel Telefoot: "I do not regret having stayed at Atletico. It was my choice, I am happy with my choice, even though I have gone seven games without scoring. I will score again soon."

Asked if he had discussed a potential January exit with anyone at Atletico, Griezmann added: "No. In addition, Diego Costa and Vitolo will come, so we'll try to keep the team high enough. These two reinforcements will do us good. An exit agreement? I did not speak about that with the president."

Source: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11838/11136467/antoine-griezmann-insists-he-does-not-regret-atletico-madrid-stay

Win a trip to see El Clasico by guessing Guillem Balague's all-time Real Madrid XI!

Fancy going to El Clasico in 2018? For the chance to win, try to guess Guillem Balague's all-time Real Madrid top XI.

From Puskas to Ronaldo, Real Madrid - Europe's most decorated club - has been the home of some of the world's greatest players, but who are the greatest eleven?

If you can match the selection of Sky Sports' Spanish football expert you'll be entered into the prize draw for the chance to see Real Madrid take on Barcelona at the Nou Camp in May - a showdown that could be a crucial title decider!

The winner will receive the following prize:

• Return flights to Barcelona including transfers
• 2 nights' hotel accommodation in Barcelona
• 2 tickets to Real Madrid v Barcelona on May 6, 2018

The closing date is 23:59 on December 31, 2017.

Full terms and conditions can be found on www.skysports.com/top11

Source: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/20876/11135288/win-a-trip-to-see-el-clasico-by-guessing-guillem-balagues-all-time-real-madrid-xi