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Giorgio Chiellini Named the Two ‘Worst’ Teammates He Ever Played With

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One of the greatest defenders of all time, Giorgio Chiellini is a nine-time Serie A winner with Juventus and a Euros champion with Italy. With such a decorated career, in tandem with remarkable consistency and quality during his playing years, he has rightfully earned utmost respect from the football world.

With such a legacy, his opinions on the game naturally carry weight, and when a player of his stature speaks, people listen. But while legends often use their platform and reputation to shed a positive light on other players and former teammates, Chiellini did something a little different in his autobiography. He went out of his way to name not one, but two players he would consider the worst he has played alongside.

Chiellini Named Balotelli and Felipe Melo his Worst Ever Teammates

Via his autobiography, titled “Io Giorgio”, Chiellini highlighted Mario Balotelli and Felipe Melo as the worst players he has ever played with, for their “lack of respect”. He wrote:

“I was really let down by two players and I confirm everything I wrote in the book. Balotelli is a negative person, with no respect for the group. During the Confederations Cup against Brazil in 2013, he didn’t lend a helping hand for anything, he really did deserve a slap.

“Some people thought he was among the top five strikers in the world, but I never even considered him in the top 10 or 20.

“However, there was someone worse, Felipe Melo: really the worst of the worst.

“I cannot abide people who lack respect, those who always want to be contrarians. With him around, it was permanently likely to break out into a brawl. I told the directors that, too: he is a bad apple.”

During the aforementioned 2013 Confederations Cup campaign, Chiellini and Balotelli both featured side by side for Italy, and the latter netted twice in the tournament, before suffering an injury prior to the semi-finals round. That was among a number of international competitions in which the pair played together, including the 2012 Euros in which Italy were named runners-up to rampant winners, Spain.

Giorgio Chiellini

Chiellini did later admitti on live TV in 2020 that he may have gone too far with his comments in his autobiography:

“I made a mistake and I learned from it and will continue to learn from my mistakes every day.”

But the 40-year-old is yet to truly bury the hatchet with Felipe Melo, who he played alongside 65 times in Juventus colours. In fact, the Brazilian, who has been considered one of the dirtiest players since 2000, fired back at Chiellini later, claiming he had “never apologised” for the comments in his book:

“He just has a problem with me because I headbutted him when we were playing against Siena.

“I haven’t spoken to him since and he wrote this book

“Chiellini never apologised to me, but that’s fine, as long as he takes responsibility for what he said.”

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt.com – Correct as of 04/02/2025

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Boris Becker Names Steffi Graf, Not Serena Williams, as GOAT of Female Tennis

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When asked about the women’s GOAT of tennis, you would imagine many picking Serena Williams, but not Boris Becker.

With the most female Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era at 23, Williams isn’t just in the discussion when it comes to the GOAT of female tennis players, she is also up there as one of the best tennis players, male or female.

With 836 wins compared to 155 losses throughout her career, anyone coming up against her would feel threatened.

The former world number one tennis player, Becker, does not see these achievements as enough to make her the greatest of all time in the women’s game, though.

Boris Becker Snubs Serena Williams & Reveals His Women’s GOAT

Boris Becker Annegret Hilse via Reuters

Eurosport Germany had the chance to ask Becker about who he believes is the best female and male players to grace the court.

His male pick was not the most surprising, with Novak Djokovic taking the title. The Serbian has won one more Grand Slam singles title than Williams, with 24 to his name, so with that you might have then thought that he would go for the American with her impressive tally as well, but he did not.


Ranking the best female tennis players in history


10 Greatest Female Tennis Players in History [Ranked]

The likes of Venus Williams, Martina Hingis, Billie Jean King, and Serena Williams all make the list.

Who you might be wondering has taken his top spot. Is it Martina Navratilova? No. Could it be Chris Evert? Not quite. His vote went to German Steffi Graf.

Graf achieved 22 singles titles during her career, seven of those happening at Wimbledon. One way to compare these two greats of the female game is through win percentage, with Graf finishing her career at a crazy 91.4%. Williams finished at a slightly lower 86.8%. Maybe this is one of the factors Becker took into account when deciding on who he believes to be the greatest.

Steffi Graf in action

Graf also takes the crown when it comes to the number of weeks ranked as the world number one, with a staggering 377 weeks under her belt.

Due to injuries, Graf had to cut her career short, retiring at 30 years old. Who knows where the now 57-year-old’s career could have taken her if she’d been able to stay in the game a bit longer.


TENNIS_Greatest Rivalries


10 Greatest Rivalries in Tennis History [Ranked]

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are well on their way to creating one of the best rivalries ever.

Despite many expecting Williams to get the title from Becker, if you look further back in history, there have been many dominant and impressive female tennis players that also deserve to be held in the same high esteem that Williams is in.

What we do know, though, is that everyone will have a different opinion when it comes to the GOAT of female tennis. Some may say Graf, some may say Williams, and some may go for another incredibly successful lady.

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Police Confirm Investigation Into Ryan Mendes ‘Over an Alleged Rape’

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Police have confirmed that an investigation is ongoing regarding an alleged rape by Cape Verde’s Ryan Mendes, who is currently playing at the 2026 World Cup.

Cape Verde, the third smallest nation in World Cup history, have progressed to the Round of 32 after drawing with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. Mendes has captained his country in all three group stage games and is one appearance away from his 100th cap.


England at 2026 World Cup


Supercomputer Ranks Every 2026 World Cup Team’s Chances – Argentina Above England

Opta’s Supercomputer claims Lionel Messi’s Argentina have a stronger chance than England

But it has now been reported that the 36-year-old is being investigated by police over an incident that allegedly took place in March this year.

Cape Verde’s Captain Investigated By Police

Ryan Mendes (Cape Verde) Troy Taormina (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

According to Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte, the incident took place while the Cape Verde team were staying in Oceania for two friendly matches. They played against New Zealand and Chile during the FIFA Series.

A Brazilian woman living in New Zealand was contracted by the New Zealand Football Federation as a translator for the Cape Verde team and staff. The complaint alleges the incident happened on March 27 at the hotel in Auckland, New Zealand, where the team were staying.


Vozinha in action for Cape Verde against Spain


Meet Vozinha: The 40-Year-Old Cape Verde ‘Dreamer’ Who Has Become A World Cup Hero

Cape Verde keeper stunned Spain with an incredible display at the World Cup

Mendes allegedly entered her room, strangled her, punched her, bit her and raped her while she was trying to defend herself. The medical report noted bruising in several areas of her body, such as her neck, lips, and areas of tenderness.

A genital examination reportedly found ‘two circular lesions, painful to the touch, at the base of the labia minora’. The alleged victim and her husband sent extrajudicial notices on May 10th to the Cape Verde Football Federation and FIFA with evidence and her account of events.

Cape Verde Statement on Mendes Situation

Cape Verde Paul Childs via Reuters

However, they reportedly received no reply. Globo claim to have revealed a WhatsApp conversation which shows an official from Cape Verde’s camp telling the alleged victim that the matter was ‘Ryan’s personal problem‘. The implication appears to be that they would not be looking into the complaint.

But New Zealand police have confirmed the matter has been under investigation since April and the country’s football federation said in a short statement: “We understand that this matter is with the New Zealand Police, so they would be more appropriately positioned to comment on the situation.”

FIFA, however, have declined to comment on the matter involving Mendes, who plays for Igdir FK in the Turkish Second Division.

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Supercomputer Predicts Entire F1 Race After Qualifying

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It’s a return to the Red Bull Ring this weekend for Formula One, with many Dutch fans making their way over to support their hero Max Verstappen.

With this race already being declared as a heat hazard for the drivers, meaning the temperature is predicted to be over 31 degrees Celsius, tomorrow’s race is already looking like it will be a tough one.


George Russell


Reason Why George Russell Kept Pole Position For Austrian GP Despite Infringement Explained

It was a controversial ending to qualifying in Austria, as George Russell kept his pole and Max Verstappen crashed out.

Last year it was McLaren‘s Lando Norris who took the chequered flag first ahead of his teammate Oscar Piastri and Ferrari‘s Charles Leclerc. This year, though, McLaren don’t look so dominant, with Mercedes currently being the team to beat in the Constructors’ Championship.

Ahead of the race, the Supercomputer has made its predictions on who will take the win this year. After a confusing qualifying session earlier today, we now know that George Russell will start from pole position tomorrow with the two Ferraris of Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton starting in P2 and P3.

Austrian GP predicted by Supercomputer (22-11)

Position

Driver

Team

DNF.

Fernando Alonso

Aston Martin

DNF.

Franco Colapinto

Alpine

20.

Lance Stroll

Aston Martin

19.

Nico Hulkenberg

Audi

18.

Gabriel Bortoleto

Audi

17.

Valtteri Bottas

Cadillac

16.

Sergio Perez

Cadillac

15.

Carlos Sainz Jr

Williams

14.

Esteban Ocon

Haas

13.

Oliver Bearman

Haas

12.

Pierre Gasly

Alpine

11.

Alex Albon

Williams

10

Arvid Lindblad

Racing Bulls

Arvid Lindblad

Starting in P10 and predicted to finish 10th, Lindblad had a good qualifying, and the Racing Bulls looks to have set up a good car for this weekend. Currently 13th in the Drivers’ Championship, the British driver will be looking to gain points on his next closest rival, Franco Colapinto.

9

Liam Lawson

Racing Bulls

Liam Lawson

Starting one place higher than his teammate and predicted to finish one place higher is Lawson. With the two Racing Bulls starting so close together, the team would expect no contact and fair play between the two of them, which, if things go as predicted, would result in a double points finish for the team.

8

Isack Hadjar

Red Bull

Isack Hadjar

Once again, the Supercomputer has predicted the eighth-place driver to finish in eighth. After finishing sixth in Spain, Hadjar will be looking to carry on a pretty solid job for Red Bull this season. After so many years of struggles with their second driver, this would be Hadjar’s fourth consecutive points finish since his retirement from the Miami Grand Prix at the start of May, so many would say a pretty successful run.

7

Max Verstappen

Red Bull

Max Verstappen

Fan-favorite Verstappen will be hoping not to disappoint the crowds that have gathered for him this weekend, but after a crash in qualifying today, the fast and furious Dutchman will be hoping to make up for missing out on a pole position that could have been his.

6

Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton

After a win two weeks ago in Spain, Hamilton will be hoping to continue his success by claiming a win here as well. With many now hoping that this could be the start of a championship challenge for the Ferrari driver, a win here would really keep that momentum going, but, alas, the Supercomputer has not predicted that and instead put him down in sixth.

5

George Russell

Mercedes

George Russell Lisa Leutner via Reuters

Pole sitter Russell is not likely to have a good race if we go off of these predictions. With Hamilton now between Russell and his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers’ Championship, and the young Italian seeming to be in top form this season, a bad race here is not what the 28-year-old needs if he wants to keep his championship hopes alive.

4

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari

Charles Leclerc

Predicted to just miss out on the podium is Leclerc. After a retirement in Spain, the Monegasque will be hoping to gain back some of the points that he lost out on at the last race weekend. With only two points separating Leclerc and Norris in the Drivers’ Championship, finishing behind the McLaren driver is not a good result for Leclerc.

3

Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes

Kimi Antonelli

The current championship leader is not predicted to come out on top this weekend. Starting in fourth place, Antonelli will have to pull off a few overtakes to get back to winning ways like he’s used to. If the Supercomputer is anything to go by, though, there will only be one overtake necessary for the Italian instead of the three for first place.

2

Lando Norris

McLaren

Lando Norris

With his home Grand Prix looming, Norris will want to go into next weekend with confidence and a back-to-back podium finish will provide that. After finishing in third last race weekend, Norris is predicted to go one step higher this weekend and claim second.

1

Oscar Piastri

McLaren

Oscar Piastri

A 1-2 finish is predicted for the British-based team, with the Aussie taking the top step. A third podium for Piastri and a first win this season would do a lot to boost his and the team’s morale going into an important weekend for them next week. Piastri will be starting from seventh tomorrow, so the possibility of a win may not seem terribly likely, but it is definitely not completely out of the question.

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