Sports
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Named His Greatest Player in Football History
Fox Sports pundit Zlatan Ibrahimovic named a World Cup legend as the greatest footballer ever – but his choice was not reigning champion Lionel Messi.
The former Sweden star only ever made five appearances in international football’s most illustrious competition, despite being considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, but has chosen one of the most dominant individuals in World Cup history as soccer’s ultimate GOAT.
Messi, who lifted the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, is widely considered to be the greatest footballer in the sport’s history, but Ibra holds an alternative point of view.
Samuel Eto’o Named the Only Striker in Football History That Was Better Than Him
Eto’o was never short of confidence but admitted he was bettered by just one all-time great.
During an interview with beIN Sports in 2021, Ibrahimovic stated that two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo Nazario was his pick for the best player the sport has ever seen, with the 43-year-old even describing the Brazilian as the embodiment of football.
“I always tell everyone who plays with me: Ronaldo is football. That Ronaldo is football. The way he moved, the way he did those stepovers, those mazy runs. In my view, he is the best player in history, no doubt about it.”
‘R9’ won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, while he also reached the final in 1998. Overall, from 19 World Cup appearances he scored 15 goals, provided five assists and won 16 games.
It’s possible that Ibrahimovic’s view may have changed since 2021, considering Messi won the only accolade that was missing from his career honours list when Argentina lifted the World Cup crown four years ago.
But there is a reason Ronaldo is monikered as ‘O Fenomeno’ (The Phenomenon), and Zlatan appeared certain in his view that R9, rather than Messi, personified football itself.
Ronaldo Nazario and Zlatan Ibrahimovic Compared
There are, interestingly, a number of similarities between the careers of Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic. Both players first made their name in European football in the Netherlands, with Ronaldo doing so at PSV and Ibrahimovic at Ajax. They also later represented three of the same clubs – Inter Milan, Barcelona, and AC Milan.
When it comes to trophies, both are counted among the best players to have never lifted the Champions League. However, it was Ibrahimovic who ended his career with the greater haul of team honours, winning 32 in total compared with Ronaldo’s 16.
Sadly, the two never got the opportunity to play together. Ronaldo departed AC Milan two years before Ibrahimovic arrived at the red and black side of the city.
Sports
Newcastle ‘Front of the Queue’ to Sign Johan Manzambi
Newcastle United are ready to step up their interest in a number of transfer targets, and they have been told they are at ‘the front of the queue’ for one target.
The Magpies are set for a major rebuild of their squad during the summer transfer window after selling Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £70m, while Sandro Tonali has joined Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth a total of £100m including add-ons.
Eddie Howe has already moved to sign Bazoumana Toure as Gordon’s replacement on the wing, and now the Toon are ready to accelerate their move for a new midfielder.
Newcastle ‘Front of the Queue’ for Manzambi
According to the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, Newcastle United have been told that they are ‘at the front of the queue’ to sign midfielder Johan Manzambi this summer.
Manzambi, who has been described as ‘incredible’, has been one of the breakout stars of this summer’s World Cup while featuring for Switzerland in a midfield role, and Howe has identified him as someone he wants as part of his squad for next season.
Initial talks have been held between the clubs, and while they haven’t progressed as some reports have suggested, there is confidence that a deal can be struck to take the 20-year-old to St James’ Park.
It’s understood that Freiburg’s demands are not a huge hurdle for Newcastle, but there is still some scepticism following the situation with Victor Munoz earlier in the window, where they had a deal agreed only for Liverpool to swoop in and hijack it at the 11th hour.
Man Utd are among the clubs who have a long-standing interest in the player, but the Magpies believe a deal can be completed and are planning to send a formal bid imminently.
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Manzambi The Perfect Profile for Newcastle
Howe has made it his trademark to have a team that is high intensity, high energy, and full of players who will run until they drop. The most successful midfield of his career has been combining the strengths of Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes in recent years.
Tonali is now gone, and Joelinton’s form is not what it once was, so adding Manzambi to the team shows great initiative to target a young star ready to explode, but also adds someone who fits the manager’s style immediately.
It’s the type of signing that could convince captain Bruno to stick around amid interest from Arsenal, and could help to accelerate their return to the Champions League.
Alongside Toure: Newcastle Eyeing Move to Sign ‘Elite’ £87m Forward
Newcastle are keen on the forward.
Sports
Man Utd Move to Sign Ederson Collapses
Manchester United’s move to sign Atalanta star Ederson has collapsed, according to insider Djameel.
The Red Devils had agreed a deal with the Serie A club worth £38m including add-ons for the Brazil international, who is representing his nation at the World Cup this summer.
Ederson had agreed a five-year deal at Old Trafford, and was expected to complete a medical and the formalities of his contract once the World Cup was over later this month. However, it has now been claimed that a deal has fallen through.
Ederson Will Not Sign for Man Utd
According to a report on X by Djameel, who is followed by reliable journalists Fabrizio Romano and Santi Aouna and has previous for breaking stories, the deal has now collapsed despite an agreement on all fronts.
It’s stated that Ederson will not be signing for Manchester United anymore, in a huge blow for the Red Devils, who have already missed out on a number of midfield targets in the current window.
United had made Elliot Anderson their top target for the window, but the England star has since joined local rivals Man City from Nottingham Forest in a record £116m deal.
The club were also keen on a deal for Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, but they were gazumped by Tottenham Hotspur, who agreed to pay a fixed fee of £85m for the 21-year-old despite him being relegated to the Championship.
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Man Utd Pivoting Strategy?
GIVEMESPORT correspondent Sam Cohen reports that Man Utd’s official line is that they still intend to go ahead with the deal, but should they change their mind then it could point towards a change of strategy.
The club had been keen to add up to three midfielders to their squad this summer following Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury, but having missed out on a number of targets, they may have to pivot and find a way to bring in less midfielders for the same money, with the market demanding bigger fees.
For now, United say the deal is still on, but it’s something to keep a very close eye on in the coming weeks.
Man Utd Eyeing £87m Deal to Sign ‘Deadly’ Brazil Forward Alongside Ederson
Man Utd are eyeing a deal for Ederson’s Brazil teammate.
Sports
Man Utd Eyeing £87m Deal to Sign Brazil Star Rayan
Manchester United have already got an agreement in place to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson this summer, but now they are eyeing up his Brazil teammate.
The Red Devils have made upgrading their midfield a priority in the transfer window, but a new forward and left-back have also been shortlisted if the budget can stretch that far, while the goalkeeper department is set for an overhaul too, with Altay Bayindir expected to move on.
The winger position is expected to be one that the club keep a close eye on, depending on what happens with the future of Marcus Rashford following the World Cup, and it has now emerged that they are closely monitoring a Brazilian sensation.
Man Utd Eyeing Rayan Deal
According to AS journalist Edu Burgos, Man Utd are among the clubs showing a very strong interest in Bournemouth star Rayan.
The Brazil winger, who has been described as ‘deadly’, joined the Cherries in the January transfer window for £35m and excelled immediately as Antoine Semenyo’s replacement, netting five goals and registering two assists in 15 appearances.
Those performances earned him a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad, and he has started on the right-wing ahead of Neymar, Luiz Henrique, and Gabriel Martinelli since Raphinha suffered an injury in the win over Haiti.
His performances have seen United hold internal discussions about making a move for his services, although Bournemouth are adamant that he will spend the 2026/27 season at the Vitality Stadium.
However, the 19-year-old has a €100m (£87m) release clause in his contract that becomes active in the summer of 2027, and it now seems inevitable that he could be on the move next summer at the very latest.
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Man Utd Could Skip the Queue With Big Rayan Bid
Rayan is someone who has had eyes on him since he was tearing it up in Brazil, and it was somewhat a surprise when Bournemouth won the race for his signature in January.
But with his performances showing he is ready for the top level, a number of clubs are circling and waiting in anticipation for that release clause to come into effect.
Man Utd could skip the queue by making a mega offer this summer and getting a deal done early, but it won’t be easy to convince Bournemouth to sell early. It’s one to keep an eye on as the summer goes on, regardless of how unlikely it seems at this stage.
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Man Utd eyeing midfield reinforcements.
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