Sports
Philipp Lahm Claims Manuel Neuer Deserved a Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or hasn’t had a consecutive winner in almost a decade, signalling an end to the shift in the Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi dynasty-era.
However, their dominance halted various world-class stars from taking home the gong, including a player that Bayern Munich legend Philipp Lahm claims was on par with the duo.
Ronaldo won the title in 2016 and 2017, and whilst Messi did win consecutive Ballon d’Or titles in 2019 and 2021, the 2020 voting was cancelled due to the pandemic, essentially robbing Robert Lewandowski of a famous award.
Since then, nobody has won back-to-back Ballon d’Or titles, representing a more level playing field when it comes to the famous award.
Philipp Lahm Thinks Manuel Neuer Should Have Won Ballon d’Or
However, that power struggle at the top saw the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Neymar and Antoine Griezmann miss out on the famous award.
And the same goes for goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who Lahm believes was on par with Ronaldo and Messi at points.
Speaking to The Athletic [via Goal], ahead of Bayern’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, Lahm said: “For nearly two decades, the football world has marvelled at Manuel Neuer —and once again.
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“Against Neuer, an 80% effort with your shot isn’t enough; even 100% is not enough. You have to take 110 per cent risk.
“That’s why some shots quickly sail wide, over, or lack the placement to trouble him.
“In the 2014 final, Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuaín were so precise with their shots that they missed chances they usually convert. And last week in Madrid, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé failed to hit the target because Neuer’s earlier saves had already impressed them.
“Many goalkeepers make mistakes in big games, but that is when Manuel Neuer raises his game and helps teams win titles—even now.
“Neuer is on a par with the all-time greats of football history, on a level with Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. And he really should have won the Ballon d’Or at some point. Who wouldn’t have agreed with that?”
Only One Goalkeeper Has Won the Ballon d’Or – It’s Incredibly Rare
Only famed Soviet star Lev Yashin can boast being a Ballon d’Or-winning goalkeeper.
Five other gloved stars have been named on the ‘podium’ in certain Ballon d’Or awards ceremonies; Italian legends Dino Zoff and Gianluigi Buffon made the running in 1973 and 2006 respectively, Czech stopper Ivo Viktor came third in 1976, and fellow German keeper Oliver Kahn came third to Michael Owen and Raul in 2001.
However, Neuer is the latest goalkeeping entry into the famous gong, having picked up 15.72% of votes in the 2014 competition. He was just a mere 0.04% short of Lionel Messi in second, though Cristiano Ronaldo won it with ease having secured 37.66% of the votes overall.
When it comes to 21st century goalkeepers, there aren’t many better than Neuer. Names such as Petr Cech stand out in the English game, whilst Iker Casillas and Buffon are well respected in further European circles.
Though it’s Neuer’s longevity at 40, as well as his revolution of the ‘sweeper-keeper’ role, that means Lahm has massively praised his talents.
Sports
Kim Kardashian Slammed For Second ‘Classless’ Act at Monaco Grand Prix
Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix was full of headline-making moments. From Max Verstappen’s Red Bull stalling on the grid to Charles Leclerc’s race-ending crash that resulted in a red flag that temporarily halted the Grand Prix, there were plenty of highlights to enjoy long before Mercedes‘ Kimi Antonelli took the chequered flag.
However, the biggest viral moment of the afternoon came courtesy of influencer and reality television star, Kim Kardashian. The American socialite was attending the race in support of her boyfriend, Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton.
In the build-up to the race, Kardashian was taking in the atmosphere on the grid when she was approached by Sky Sports’ Martin Brundle. The much-loved broadcaster is famed for his quirky chats with celebs while walking the grid prior to races.
Kim Kardashian Angered Fans With Her Behaviour at Monaco Grand Prix
Kim wasn’t in the mood to engage Brundle and was heavily criticised online for her decision to blank the veteran Formula One personality.
Her pre-race conduct, though, wasn’t the only time she came under the microscope for her behaviour at Circuit de Monaco.
Having watched her partner claim his second-successive P2 finish, Kardashian again caught the attention of F1 fans for all the wrong reasons.
Kim Kadashian Goes Viral For Her Actions After Monaco Grand Prix
Kim was captured on camera in the waiting area before Antonelli, Hamilton and third-placed Isack Hadjar took to the podium. Fans spotted the polarising star helping herself to the towel that had been reserved for the race winner from Mercedes.
Kardashian treated the situation as a playful joke, but that wasn’t the way that fans saw the situation, with many upset that she had picked up an item that was specifically reserved for the winner of the race.
“Literally, who does she think she is? Wow,” exclaimed one user. A second chimed in: “Totally classless”.
“The fact that she completely ignored Brundle during the grid walk had me enraged already. This takes the cake,” declared a third, while a final fan summed up the general feeling towards Kardashian’s actions.
“It was never just about a towel. It’s about a growing feeling that some celebrity guests treat the paddock and podium like a VIP lounge. The spotlight should be on the people who earned the moment, not the guests who were invited to watch it.”
Despite the largely negative reaction Kardashian received, Hamilton made it clear that he was delighted that his partner had come to support him.
“It is amazing to have her come this weekend and to have that support. It is amazing to have good people around you, good people supporting you, and she does that for me every day,” he told reporters after the race.
While Kardashian continues to date Hamilton, it seems likely that F1 will need to get used to her presence on the grid from time to time.
Sports
Man Utd Want Pio Esposito Amid Joshua Zirkzee Swap Deal Chance
Manchester United are in the market for a new potential striker target, as TeamTalk reports that the club went on a scouting mission to monitor one star on the club’s shortlist.
The striker position is an area that the Red Devils have worked hard to improve, with Rasmus Hojlund leaving the club last summer before the arrival of Benjamin Sesko.
The 23-year-old wasn’t the complete package, but over time there were signs that he is capable of competing in the Premier League at the highest level.
There have also been chances for Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha as the number nine, but the summer transfer window could offer a chance to add another star into the ranks.
Pio Esposito Scouted By Man United
According to a report from TeamTalk, Manchester United recently spent time scouting Italy international Pio Esposito, as the star featured in friendly matches against Greece and Luxembourg.
The Red Devils are believed to be interested in the 20-year-old after monitoring him for a considerable amount of time, with the most recent matches only hardening their belief that he could be a top player in the future.
It’s unclear whether a move will be launched this summer, and indeed whether Esposito himself would be open to a switch to Old Trafford if the club came calling.
However, the ‘complete #9’ is one of several options that Man United are considering as they assess the forward options available before next season.
Esposito showed signs of quality throughout the most recent campaign for Inter Milan, scoring ten goals and assisting six across all competitions.
That led to some praise from manager Cristian Chivu, who believes the striker has it all, when he said last September: “The strikers complete each other… Pio can do a bit of everything. I’m happy for him.”
Other clubs are believed to be on alert over a possible deal, though no transfer valuation has been set on the youngster by Inter as things stand.
The report adds that Esposito wasn’t the only player being scouted, as Greek duo Christos Tzolis and Christos Mouzakitis were also being monitored in the most recent match.
Any move could hinge on the future of Joshua Zirkzee, however, in a deal that could take a twist.
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Joshua Zirkzee Swap Chance
While Man United hold interest in Inter Milan star Esposito, there is similar interest from the Nerazzurri in Joshua Zirkzee this summer.
The report claims that the interest adds an “interesting” subplot to potential discussions over a deal for the strikers in the coming weeks that have an impact.
Zirkzee is being heavily linked with an exit from Old Trafford this summer after a lack of game time, as the striker has struggled to make an impression in the Premier League so far.
Any move for a striker this summer could depend on a sale in the frontline, most likely to be the Dutch international, to help address the balance in the squad.
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That could throw up the possibility of a swap deal being on the cards, but would depend on the enthusiasm of Inter Milan to see Esposito move the other way, as well as the figures involved.
It remains to be seen what could come of the interest, but it sets up an intriguing few months for Man United on the transfer front.
Sports
Man Utd Handed Marcus Rashford Boost As Bayern Munich Eye Transfer
Marcus Rashford may finally have a new permanent club, but only if Manchester United are willing to meet one condition over his transfer exit, according to The Sun.
It comes as the forward looks set for a return to Old Trafford, despite a successful season on loan at Barcelona, with the Catalan club seemingly running down the time remaining on his permanent transfer clause priced at roughly £26 million.
Rashford‘s chances of staying with the Blaugrana were not helped when his England international teammate Anthony Gordon joined the club on a move from Newcastle United.
As all things seemingly point towards a return to Man United, questions persist over what is next for the 28-year-old in his career, as he searches for his next opportunity.
While Barcelona isn’t necessarily ruled out as an option, there is another European giant now seemingly in the mix for his signature.
Bayern Munich Want Marcus Rashford
According to a report from The Sun, Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have emerged as a potential suitor for Rashford in the summer transfer window.
It’s claimed that the Bavarian outfit are willing to meet Manchester United’s valuation of the forward, in the region of £34.5 million, but there is a stumbling block.
Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages are claimed to be a major factor in the deal, with Bayern far less keen on paying such a substantial figure for the England international.
It’s a wage that the club aren’t willing to shell out for, as there is no guarantee that he will be a guaranteed starter, even though they are on the hunt for more left-wing options.
Bayern Munich failed in their attempts to land Gordon, as he eventually joined Barcelona, while the enquiries over a move for Rio Ngumoha were shot down by Liverpool in recent days.
Rashford appears to be the next target, although links with Gabriel Martinelli at Arsenal have arisen again as an option for the side this summer.
It remains to be seen what decision will win out, and whether Man United will have to swallow the costs of the wages or whether Rashford will have to take a pay cut.
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Man United’s Wage Dilemma
There is a clear dilemma facing Man United when it comes to the possible exit of Rashford, as any move will likely incur the club taking a hit on some of the overall wage package he is on.
There may be a bitter taste about sending a player on loan and paying partially towards the success he may bring others, but the alternative options aren’t exactly easy decisions either.
One move could be to wait it out and hope that Rashford is the one to take a pay cut wherever he ends up, but that may prolong any possible exit and cause further problems down the line when the deadline draws closer.
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The other option is to keep the forward and try to fit him into the current squad. While that may work, it depends on the appetite of the player and manager to make it work, as well as the finances, as the club would then be taking all £325,000-a-week on.
It’s a dilemma that will continue until a decision is made on Rashford’s future one way or another, with a limited amount of possible destinations for a star of his calibre.
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