Ronaldo's super agent scores with €26m profit

Pre-tax profits at the Irish branch of the football super agency Gestifute, which represents Cristiano Ronaldo, last year soared by 26.7pc to €25.97m.
New accounts filed by Gestifute International show it enjoyed soaring pre-tax profits after its operating profit climbed from €20.5m to €25.73m.
The Dublin firm paid €20m during the year in dividends to its shareholders and this followed the company paying out €12m in dividends in 2015 and €6m in 2014.

Gestifute was founded by super agent, Jorge Mendes who represents Ronaldo (pictured) along with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and a host of other international players. The Irish company's principle activity is providing consultancy and marketing services to professional sports people and sporting organisations.
The directors state that the results for the year were considered satisfactory.

Gestifute International had accumulated profits of €16.53m while its cash pile soared from €202,986 to €7.22m.
The accounts show that the firm's tax bill for 2016 totalled €3.28m arising from Ireland's competitive 12.5pc corporate tax rate.

The company's controlling party is Start SGPS, a Portuguese-registered firm that is Mendes's holding company for his businesses in sport.
The accounts show that one of the Dublin company's Irish directors, consultant Liam Grainger, resigned in April of this year.

Read More: https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/ronaldos-super-agent-scores-with-26m-profit-36358401.html

What Lionel Messi said to referee after controversial Barcelona no-goal against Valencia

Barcelona star Lionel Messi was denied a goal in the 1-1 draw with Valencia at the Mestalla over the weekend, with replays showing his effort had clearly crossed the line.

Such was the controversy caused by the incident, it’s still being discussed days later, as it could have allowed the Catalan giants to open up a more commanding lead at the top of the La Liga table.

Instead, despite Valencia goalkeeper Neto spilling Messi’s effort over the line, as seen in the image below, the goal wasn’t given and the two sides played out a draw as Messi was left to remonstrate with the officials but to no avail.

Mundo Deportivo claim to have discovered what the Argentine international told the officials, specifically referee Ignacio Iglesias, with the report noting that he told him: “You are wrong, now you are going to see it”.

Read More: http://www.caughtoffside.com/2017/11/28/what-lionel-messi-said-to-referee-after-controversial-barcelona-no-goal-against-valencia/

Cristiano Ronaldo gets a new bust that actually looks like him

The original bust, which was commissioned to commemorate an airport being renamed after him, depicts Ronaldo, equally famous for his handsome looks than his football skills, with an awkward grin and unevenly plump cheeks.

One social media user even likened it to the character Sloth from the film 'The Goonies'.

But fans of the Real Madrid hero were far more receptive of the new bust, which was unveiled at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid over the weekend.

If anything the statue, designed by famous Spanish sculptor Jose Antonio Navarro Arteaga, could be accused of going too far the other way and making Ronaldo look too handsome.

Read More: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/football/99322941/

European Paper Talk: Barcelona plan cut-price January move for Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil

The transfer window does not open until January 1, but clubs across Europe are busy planning and contacting the players they hope to sign.

Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the European newspapers and websites to bring you the latest transfer gossip and news from the continent.

Spain

Barcelona are accelerating their plans to sign Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil. The Germany international is out of contract in the summer and could be sold for a cut-price in January with the Gunners wary of losing a player of his quality for free. Barcelona are frontrunners for his signature, with Ozil open to the idea of playing at the Camp Nou despite spending three years at their bitter rivals Real Madrid. The 29-year-old is also thought to be a Manchester United transfer target after working with Jose Mourinho in Spain. (Mundo Deportivo)

Real Madrid will revive their long-standing interest in Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea with a €70m (£62m) bid. De Gea has been the subject of Real Madrid transfer rumours for years and came close to signing for the Spanish giants in 2015, until the deal fell through.

Source: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11136875/european-paper-talk-barcelona-plan-january-move-for-arsenals-mesut-ozil

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