Sports
Roberto Carlos Picked His Dream Champions League 11
It’s rare for a full-back to break into the conversation for the coveted Ballon d’Or, but Roberto Carlos managed exactly that when he finished runner-up in the 2002 vote following another trophy-laden season.
During that campaign, the Brazilian secured his third Champions League crown in just five years, further underlining his reputation as one of the finest defenders the competition has ever seen.
A World Cup winner, Carlos competed in an era stacked with some of football’s greatest talents and regularly came up against them on Europe’s biggest stage. When asked to select his all-time Champions League XI, he assembled a team brimming with superstars — though inevitably, several outstanding names were left on the outside looking in.
Marcelo Named His Dream Teammates 11
Sergio Ramos, Ronaldo and Luka Modric all feature in Marcelo’s best XI of teammates from his incredible career.
Goalkeeper and Defence: Casillas; Cafu, Cannavaro, Maldini, Carlos
Having shared the pitch with the Spaniard on more than 300 occasions, it was hardly a surprise that Carlos selected Iker Casillas as his goalkeeper. The former Real Madrid captain claimed three Champions League titles — a record no other keeper has surpassed — and his 177 appearances in the competition remain unmatched.
Any forward coming up against Carlos’ chosen centre-back pairing would have faced a daunting challenge. Ballon d’Or recipient Fabio Cannavaro lines up alongside fellow Italian icon Paolo Maldini. While Cannavaro never managed to lift the Champions League trophy, Maldini more than compensates with an extraordinary five triumphs with AC Milan.
Carlos was effusive in his praise when outlining his reasons for choosing the duo.
“Played against him [Paolo Maldini] for Madrid and Brazil, and he always showed so much composure as a defender. The sort of composure you want to be playing alongside.
“How often do defenders win world player of the year? The fact Fabio [Cannavaro] did, tells you everything you need to know.”
At left-back, Carlos had no shortage of worthy candidates — but there was little need to look elsewhere. He named himself in the role, and with good reason. Few, if any, can claim to have been a greater left-back in Champions League history than the Brazilian.
Occupying the right flank is fellow former Brazil international Cafu. Widely regarded as one of the best to ever play in that position, the ex-Milan star lifted the Champions League in 2007 and remains his country’s most capped player. Carlos even described him as “one of the top five Brazilian players ever.”
20 Best Defenders in Football History [Ranked]
From Paolo Maldini to Javier Zanetti, the 20 best defenders – past and present – in world football have been ranked in order.
Midfield: Seedorf, Makelele, Zidane
Clarence Seedorf is the first name in what is an extraordinary three-man midfield. The Dutch star’s legacy in the Champions League is highlighted by a remarkable achievement: he remains the only player to have won the competition with three different clubs — Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan, lifting the trophy twice with the latter.
You don’t win the Champions League with three different clubs without being a special player, but what many people do not know he is such a leader. He was always ready to teach and to advise. Special player and a special man.
Alongside him is former Chelsea icon Claude Makelele, whose outstanding displays at both domestic and European level cemented his reputation as one of the greatest holding midfielders of all time. His impact was so profound that the term “Makelele role” was coined to define the position he mastered. Having played with him at Real Madrid before his move to Stamford Bridge, Carlos admitted his team “really missed” the Frenchman after he left.
Rounding off the midfield is Zinedine Zidane, a player who left a lasting imprint on the competition. His unforgettable volley in the 2002 Champions League final remains one of football’s most iconic moments, and Carlos spoke glowingly of the former Juventus star, holding him in the highest regard.
“One of the all-time greats, what Zizou could do with a football will be remembered forever. An honour to say I have played with him.”
25 Greatest Midfielders in Football History [Ranked]
Zinedine Zidane, Luka Modric and Andres Iniesta all make the top 10.
Attack: Figo, Ronaldinho; Ronaldo
Carlos’ all-time Champions League front three is stacked exclusively with Ballon d’Or winners, beginning with Ronaldinho on the left. The Barcelona icon is often credited as the player who made countless fans fall in love with football, his flair and imagination captivating audiences worldwide. Yet beyond the dazzling tricks, he consistently delivered decisive contributions when it mattered most.
Magic feet, but was not just about tricks – he created and scored the goals to match his ability.
Ronaldinho lifted the Champions League trophy in 2006 with Barcelona — matching the tally of the man stationed on the opposite wing in Carlos’ XI, Luis Figo. The Portuguese great secured his crown in 2002 with Real Madrid, adding it to a long list of honours collected over the course of his illustrious career.
Figo was frequently the direct opponent Carlos had to contend with, as the two often operated down the same flank. Reflecting on their battles, the Brazilian recalled his many on-pitch duels with the former Barcelona talisman.
“He was so good; he used to give me such a hard time when we played Barcelona. When he signed for Madrid I thought excellent, until I then realised I would get a hard time every day in training.”
Completing the side up front is one of football’s greatest-ever strikers, Ronaldo Nazario. It remains a genuine injustice that a striker of his extraordinary ability never managed to win the Champions League. Even so, he claimed virtually every other major honour available during his glittering career, and Carlos described him as the “most complete striker” he had ever witnessed.
Sports
Man Utd Will Make Offer to Sign Mateus Fernandes
Manchester United will make a move to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the coming weeks, according to the iPaper.
Man United have made rebuilding their midfield the main priority of the upcoming summer transfer window, which officially opens on June 15.
The Red Devils are already closing in on a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta, according to Fabrizio Romano, but they are unlikely to be done there thanks to the confirmed exit of Casemiro, and with South American compatriot Manuel Ugarte up for sale.
Despite the opening of the window being more than a fortnight away, United chiefs are already working on agreements ahead of time, and if a deal is completed for Ederson, he won’t be the last midfielder arriving at Old Trafford in this window.
One report has suggested that if Ugarte does go, United could attempt to sign up to three midfielders to significantly boost their squad ahead of a Champions League campaign.
The club is said to want to sign an elite, big-money replacement for Casemiro, with two lower-priced midfielders arriving alongside that player.
Priced at just below £40m, the Atalanta star would fit into the latter category, as could Fernandes.
Man United ‘Intend to Move’ for Mateus Fernandes
While a deal for Ederson progresses, according to the iPaper, United will also make an offer to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham in the coming weeks.
The Red Devils were interested in signing the Portugal international even before the Irons’ relegation to the Championship was confirmed at the weekend, with many Premier League clubs likely to sense an opportunity to sign the 21-year-old at a lower price.
It had previously been suggested that Fernandes would be valued at £80m, so it will be interesting to see how much West Ham will demand now they have gone down to the second tier.
Man United Move is ‘First Pick’ for Mateus Fernandes
According to the iPaper’s sources, Fernandes has already made United his top pick if he is to leave West Ham this summer.
Previous reports have suggested that the youngster would love to play with one of his idols, Bruno Fernandes, at Old Trafford, with his more experienced compatriot also said to have suggested that the Red Devils sign him.
Despite suffering two successive Premier League relegations with West Ham and Southampton, the 21-year-old often stood out as being head and shoulders above his teammates, suggesting he is ready for a move to an elite club.
United have certainly been impressed with what they’ve seen in his two seasons in England, noting his ability to receive the ball all across the midfield.
Fernandes has shown that he can play as a number 6, 8 and 10 during his time with West Ham and Saints, and that versatility and his room for growth is unsurprisingly attracting the Red Devils’ recruitment team.
Sports
Neymar Could Still Be Excluded From Brazil’s World Cup Squad
Neymar’s hopes of leading Brazil at the 2026 World Cup have been thrown into doubt after confirmation that the forward has suffered a grade two muscle injury in his right calf, just three weeks before the tournament begins.
The Brazilian superstar picked up the injury ahead of Brazil’s opening match against Morocco at MetLife Stadium on the 13th of June, leaving fans concerned over whether he’ll be fit in time for the competition, with the injury carrying a 2-3 week recovery time.
Despite the setback, the Brazilian Football Confederation isn’t considering Neymar’s removal from the squad for the time being. Instead, the plan for the 33-year-old is to undergo treatment over the coming days before another scan takes place on the 12th of June in New Jersey.
FIFA regulations allow teams to replace injured players up to 24 hours before their opening fixture, meaning Brazil technically has until the day of the scan to make a final decision on Neymar’s availability.
Neymar Facing Race Against Time for the World Cup
Under FIFA rules, any replacement must first be approved by the organisation’s medical committee, with federations required to provide evidence that a player is unable to take part in the tournament (per ESPN Brazil).
That leaves Brazil with a difficult balancing act. If Neymar isn’t fit, but remains in the squad beyond the deadline, the Selecao risk carrying a player who isn’t capable of contributing during the World Cup at all.
The situation is particularly worrying given Neymar’s history with injuries during major tournaments. He’s not featured for Brazil since 2023 and has spent time out injured in two of the last three World Cups.
Even if he recovers in time to stay in the squad, there’s no guarantee Neymar will be able to perform at his usual level straight away, if at all.
Who Could Replace Neymar in Brazil’s Squad?
Should Brazil decide they can’t risk taking Neymar, any replacement would need to come from the provisional 55-man squad already submitted to FIFA.
Several attacking options are available to manager Carlo Ancelotti, including Premier League quartet Gabriel Jesus, Igor Jesus, Joao Pedro and Richarlison. Former Manchester United winger Antony is also part of the men ready to step in, alongside Kaio Jorge, Pedro, and Samuel Lino, who play in the Brazilian Serie A.
Gabriel Jesus possesses World Cup experience and versatility across the front line, while Richarlison has previously delivered for Brazil on the international stage, particularly during the 2022 World Cup, where he won the Goal of the Tournament.
Joao Pedro could also be an intriguing option after impressing in the Premier League and the Club World Cup in his first season for Chelsea. His omission from the Brazil squad came as a surprise to everyone, with most feeling as though he was guaranteed to make the squad before Ancelotti’s announcement 10 days ago.
As it stands, Brazil remain hopeful Neymar will recover in time, but with the deadline fast approaching, the pressure is growing ahead of the World Cup, and there’s a host of fine players ready to step up in his place.
Sports
Man City Star Savinho Wants to Join Tottenham to Play Under Roberto De Zerbi
Tottenham Hotspur are hopeful of sealing a deal to sign Manchester City star Savinho this summer, and he wants to join to play under Roberto De Zerbi, according to Football Insider.
Spurs avoided relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season thanks to a 1-0 win over Everton, and the club have already agreed two deals to strengthen the squad this summer, with Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi expected to join on a free transfer from Liverpool and Bournemouth, respectively.
But the club are also keen to bolster their forward options heading into the new season to ensure they’re not facing the same predicament again, and the Brazilian has emerged as a target.
Savinho Wants to Sign for Tottenham
Savinho, who has been described as ‘extraordinary’, has struggled to make himself a regular in the Man City team since arriving from Troyes in 2024, and is now understood to be ready to move away in order to play more regularly.
Spurs were keen to sign the 22-year-old last summer, but City pushed to keep him as part of Pep Guardiola’s squad, and convinced him to sign a new long-term contract once the transfer window closed. However, he still managed just 821 minutes of Premier League action this season, and a move away now looks likely.
It’s understood that Savinho is very open to a move to Tottenham this summer, and the prospect of playing under De Zerbi is believed to be a big factor in his thinking.
Enzo Maresca is set to take over at Man City this summer, and it remains to be seen if he views the Brazil international as part of his plans. But with Guardiola gone, it’s believed that one of the biggest hurdles for the deal last year has now been removed.
Savinho is ready to push on his end to make a deal happen as he looks to play more regularly, and Spurs are ready to do what they can to add him to their squad.
Savinho Could Be Ideal De Zerbi Winger
This season, De Zerbi had to make do with limited attacking options due to injuries and stylistic clashes, but he managed to avoid the drop. Now, he will be fully backed in the window, and forwards are likely to be a priority.
Richarlison looks likely to be on the move, while Xavi Simons will be sidelined until 2027 after rupturing his ACL last month. There are also question marks over the long-term fitness of Dejan Kulusevski, and the future of Mathys Tel.
So bringing in a forward like Savinho, who loves to run at opponents and has a lethal left foot, could be the perfect addition for Spurs as they look to get back to being one of the top clubs in the division.
De Zerbi Wants Tottenham to Sign ‘Incredible’ Star After Andy Robertson
Roberto De Zerbi is targeting a player from his former club Brighton and Hove Albion this summer
-
Sports2 days agoWhy Arsenal Will Not Lift Premier League Trophy During Bus Parade
-
Metro1 day agoFire guts 10 shops in Katsina central market
-
Metro1 day agoPolice arrest three suspected motorcycle thieves in Sokoto
-
Sports2 days agoMan Utd Eye £100m Aston Villa Forward Morgan Rogers
-
Sports1 day agoNewcastle Star Anthony Gordon Reaches ‘Total Agreement’ to Join Barcelona
-
Sports21 hours agoDana White Reveals Why UFC Legend Anderson Silva Hates Him
-
Business2 days agoMaritime lawyers seeks stronger legal framework for NSW
-
Sports2 days agoGerman Media React to Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup Squad


