Sports
Lionel Messi Believed England had ‘Once-in-a-Generation’ Player in Their Squad
When Lionel Messi has the ball at his feet, the whole world stops and watches. When he does something brilliant, the world soon knows about it, too. So, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to say that, when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner gives his opinion on something to do with the beautiful game, the rest of the world sits up and takes note.
Many consider the Argentine World Cup winner the greatest of all time, a player in a league of his own. England fans, still clinging to the hope of ending a six-decade trophy drought, would have given anything to have a player of Messi’s calibre in their ranks. Yet, as the Three Lions have cycled through multiple so-called golden generations, the Inter Miami metronome believes one player in recent memory truly deserves the title of a “once-in-a-generation” talent.
Back in 2015, Messi named Wayne Rooney a “once-in-a-generation” player after the Manchester United forward became England’s all-time leading goalscorer, having equalled a record previously set by Sir Bobby Charlton 45 years prior. Indeed, that record has since been broken again by Harry Kane, but Messi’s comments still remain relevant today. As per The Standard, he said:
“Wayne Rooney is for me a once-in-a-generation player. One of those special players, who is not comparable to any other.
“There are many special players, but Rooney has exceptional quality and technical ability as well as being one of the strongest players I have faced with an exceptional work rate – there is nobody like him.”
During the time of the interview, Rooney had just helped the Three Lions become the first team to qualify for Euro 2016. Messi also highlighted the former Everton graduate’s team-first mentality as a reason why he was so imperious. “Rooney is a winner. He will just be focused on success with England in the European Championship,” the Argentina and then-Barcelona star said.
“I have always said the same is true of myself and Argentina – breaking caps and goals records mean nothing unless they come with trophies.
“Like I say, Wayne is a winner. It will always be the team first and personal records second.”
Wayne Rooney’s England Career
There can be few athletes in any sport who have lived up to expectations as heavy as those placed upon the broad shoulders of a young Wayne Rooney. Tipped for the top while still in Everton’s youth team, Rooney racked up more than 40 Premier League appearances before officially becoming an adult.
Shortly before starring at Euro 2004 as an 18-year-old, already upheld as the brightest star of England’s so-called Golden Generation, Rooney was likened to Pele by Sven-Goran Eriksson. Few dared question the comparison. Faced with impossible standards to meet, Rooney somehow exceeded them, finishing his career as the all-time leading scorer for Manchester United, having won five Premier League titles and a Champions League mantle. To this day, he also remains the second-highest goalscorer for his nation. See England’s best goalscorers below:
|
England’s all-time top goalscorers |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Games |
Goals |
|
Harry Kane |
112 |
78 |
|
Wayne Rooney |
120 |
53 |
|
Sir Bobby Charlton |
106 |
49 |
|
Gary Lineker |
80 |
48 |
|
Jimmy Greaves |
57 |
44 |
A stellar Euro 2004 was sadly the highlight of this magnificent footballer’s international career as the former Man United talisman, like many of his cohorts, failed to meet expectations when wearing the famous white jersey. While tournament success was not found though, he could never be blamed for those shortcomings, as he also sits third among his nation’s top assist-providers with 21.
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt (correct as of 24/03/26).
Sports
World’s Richest Tennis Player Refuses to Stay at Same Hotel as Other Players
A billionaire tennis player has chosen not to share a hotel with her Wimbledon competitors, previously claiming that she needs better facilities to help her recover efficiently and effectively.
Staying at the official Wimbledon hotel is the default expected choice for many of the tournament participants. It serves as a financial necessity for many lower-ranked players, juniors, and doubles specialists who rely on the tournament’s organisers to cover the expensive costs of hotels during their time competing.
This does rule out those that can afford to prepare for the tournament while prioritising comfort over free accommodation.
World’s Richest Tennis Player Chooses Her Own Hotels
From Monday, as the tournament gets underway, the widely considered world’s richest tennis star will be staying in a premium, independent hotel of her own choosing, and will be looking to improve on her best-ever run to the quarter-finals in 2023.
She will enter the prestigious tournament as fourth seed, but has still yet to reach a major championship, with her run to the US Open final in 2024 being the closest she has ever come.
She believes that choosing her own hotel room, away from the other players, could lead to success, explaining that as she has become older, the small details matter, like having a better pillow and a quiet space to relax, with both being vital for recovery.
Why She Chooses Her Own Hotels
“We’re either on the court or we’re in the hotel room,” she said. “It’s such a big part of our lives, and as I’ve gotten older, a good hotel has become more of a priority.
“When you’re 20, and you’re just starting to travel, you’re not complaining that much: you’re more out there grinding and embracing life on tour. Once you hit 30 and kind of need a better pillow, that stuff honestly becomes really important.”
During last year’s French Open, Jessica Pegula, the daughter of the NFL Buffalo Bills owner, Terry Pegula, first decided to take this approach before realising how mentally draining it had become to share her space with her direct rivals.
“Oh my gosh, being away from everyone else is a massive thing for me,” Pegula admitted. “I think that’s what maybe sparked this, as well. I just felt like, ‘I can’t do [player hotels] anymore.’
“When you’re staying at a tournament hotel, I feel like it’s so mentally draining. It’s not like anyone is a problem.”
The American star is scheduled to come up against unseeded Czech Darja Vidmanova at 11am on Monday.
The 32-year-old has amassed over $2 million worth of prize money so far in her career and has really highlighted the importance of her recent decision.
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“If you were going to work with someone, you would necessarily want to eat breakfast with them, practice with them, have lunch, go to the locker room, and the physio room with them, and see them in the elevators and the hallways.
“I don’t think people realise that shouldn’t happen, not with the people you’re working and competing with every single week. We play pretty much every week together, and so, all of that together, you’re ready to lose it.”
Sports
Chelsea Submit £26m Bid for Sunderland Midfielder Granit Xhaka
Chelsea have reportedly submitted a £26m offer to sign a Chelsea star in the summer transfer window, as personally requested by Xabi Alonso.
The Blues will be looking to back their new manager after he took over earlier this year.
It’s been a difficult period for Chelsea, who won’t be competing in the Champions League next season, and they did superbly to attract a manager of Alonso’s calibre.
The club now needs to back him with new additions in order to suit his style, while the squad also needs a refresh after their disappointing campaign.
GIVEMESPORT sources have confirmed that Chelsea are set to sign Atalanta wing-back Marco Pelestra, kick-starting their summer spending.
Chelsea Submit £26m Bid
According to a report from journalist Luca Cerchione, Chelsea have submitted a £26m bid to sign Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka in the summer transfer window.
The potential signing is believed to have been personally requested by Alonso, who managed Xhaka during his time at Bayer Leverkusen.
It feels unlikely that Sunderland would be willing to accept a bid of just £26 million for Xhaka, considering he was their ‘best‘ player last campaign and won their player of the season award.
Alonso knows the midfielder well, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that they are targeting that profile of signing.
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England World Cup Quiz
You scored
out of 20
Chelsea Need to Add Experience
Chelsea have heavily focused their recruitment on bringing in young talent from around the world over the last few years.
Although it could be an effective method in the long term, they do lack experience in all positions.
The Blues are one of the most ill-disciplined sides in the Premier League, getting more red cards last season than any other team.
The signing of someone like Xhaka won’t only offer experience in himself. He’s also the type of leader who can help get the best out of other players.
Sunderland managed to qualify for European football last season, despite only being promoted the previous campaign, and Xhaka was a key reason behind that.
Sports
Man Utd Miss Out on Signing Goncalo Ramos
Manchester United look set to miss out on a potential new signing as he’s now agreed a deal to join another club in a record-breaking move.
The Red Devils have been incredibly busy in the summer market already, looking to strengthen their squad ahead of a season in the Champions League.
United showed they have a squad capable of finishing in the top four last season, but they were without the distraction of European football.
They are heading in a new direction under manager Michael Carrick, who was appointed as permanent boss earlier this year.
There’s no doubt they’ll need new additions in order to compete on all fronts next season, and they are working on multiple deals at the moment.
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Man Utd Miss Out on ‘Elite’ Star
Manchester United look set to miss out on one of their summer transfer window targets as he’s now agreed to join a different club.
According to a report from Team Talk, AC Milan have agreed a club record deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos.
Manchester United held talks with intermediaries representing Ramos earlier in the transfer window, and he was firmly on the radar of the Premier League club.
United didn’t make a formal offer for Ramos, who has been described as ‘elite’, and he is now set to join AC Milan for a fee in the region of £60m, eclipsing their previous record when they signed Rafael Leao for around £43m.
United were among a number of Premier League clubs to have held talks with Ramos, but it’s no surprise that PSG have accepted such a big offer from AC Milan.
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England World Cup Quiz
You scored
out of 20
Man Utd in Market for New Striker
Manchester United do appear to be in the market for a new striker in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are looking to bring in an experienced forward to help develop and provide cover and competition for Benjamin Sesko.
Reports have suggested that their dream target for this position is Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, but a deal could be difficult due to the finances involved.
United need to ensure that they do not ruin the pathway of development for Sesko. They also need to ensure he has strong competition and cover, especially as they prepare to compete in the Champions League.
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