Steven Gerrard is widely considered to be one of the best players in Liverpool and English football history.
The dominant midfielder was all-action in his prime, capable of doing everything, and is without doubt the best player to never win a Premier League title during his illustrious career with his boyhood club.
But while he did secure victory in the Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup, one former teammate believes that he was a ‘let down’ for his country, as he looks to continue a long-standing public feud between them.
Diouf: Gerrard Let England Down
El-Hadji Diouf and Steven Gerrard played together at Anfield during the early 2000’s, notching up 66 appearances together during their time at the club.
Now, during an interview with Spotlight Africa, Diouf has taken aim at his former captain once again, claiming that while Gerrard may be Mr. Liverpool, he is Mr. Senegal, and Senegal is bigger than Liverpool.
“Stevie G was a very good player, people like him in Liverpool. But he never did [anything] for his country,” he said.
“He’s a good player for the club. But for his country, when they need him, he’s never been there. That’s why he can say whatever he wants about me. I’m Mr. El-Hadji Diouf, Mr. Senegal. But he’s Mr. Liverpool, and Senegal is bigger than Liverpool. They have to know that.
“Maybe he didn’t like my character when I was there. I was a strong character. He knows he can’t talk to me like how he wants. He has to give me respect. That was the problem. He was a strong character, I’m a strong character, we’re never going to get along together.
“I never had a problem with him. He never came to see me and talk to me. But after, he can go to the newspaper and talk, whatever he wants to say. That’s not my problem, that’s not my business.
“But only one thing I’ll say – I’ve got character, I want people respecting me. And I know when I used to play in the Premier League and when I used to live in Europe, they don’t treat foreigners like they treat people from the country. But I don’t regret nothing about my life.”
Diouf Has No Fans in Liverpool
It’s no surprise to see Diouf continuing his feud with Liverpool legend Gerrard after their public spats over the years, but Gerrard is not the only one who has had a problem with the former Bolton and Blackburn forward.
It’s safe to say that he isn’t the most popular man on Merseyside, and continuing to make provocative comments like this will only continue to see fans and others keep their animosity towards him.
His career has continually been littered with controversy too, having seen him banned for spitting at opponents and fans, charged with motoring offences off the pitch, and recently given a suspended prison sentence for unpaid child maintenance fees to his ex-wife.
Gerrard Bites Back at Diouf
Gerrard has never been one to bite his tongue about his former teammate Diouf, and in his book in 2015 he blasted the Senegalese star.
“I don’t really want to waste time thinking about El Hadji Diouf but it’s worth highlighting his wasted seasons at Liverpool as an example of how it can all go wrong,” he wrote.
“Gerard Houllier, a very good manager and a usually wise judge of character, signed Diouf in the summer of 2002. Gerard bought Diouf for £10m from Lens – solely on the recommendation of his former assistant, Patrice Bergues, who had coached Diouf there.
“I understood why Gerard rushed through the signing, but he did not really know Diouf as a person. He was one of three new signings which were meant to turn Liverpool into Premier League champions.
“We had finished as runners-up to Manchester United the season before and a combination of Diouf, Salif Diao and Bruno Cheyrou was supposed to drive us to the title. It was probably the biggest waste of £18m in Liverpool’s history.
“We finished the season in fifth place and Diouf had sealed his place at the top of the list of Liverpool signings I liked least.
“It seemed to me that Diouf had no real interest in football and that he cared nothing about Liverpool. For example, the way he spat a huge globule of gunky phlegm at a Celtic fan in a UEFA Cup match at Parkhead in March 2003 summed up his contemptuous and spiteful demeanour.
“A few people have since asked me if I saw any comparison between Diouf and Mario Balotelli – and I’ve always said no. I’ve got respect for Balotelli; I’ve got none for Diouf.”
Former FIFA referee Darren Cann has cast a strong verdict on the decision that saw Enzo Fernandez given his marching orders for a second yellow card during the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday night.
Just moments after the Argentina star had been shown a first caution for a heavy tackle on his Spain opponent, the Chelsea midfielder then received a second for showing dissent.
It is unconfirmed that was the case for why the second booking was issued, but commentary seemed to believe so, despite the tackle itself being described by Wayne Rooney as ‘silly’ as well.
Former Referee Casts Verdict on Enzo Fernandez Dismissal in World Cup Final
Maria Lysaker /IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters
Cann, who himself has managed the high-pressure situation of officiating a World Cup final, said while live on duty for the BBC’s coverage:
“Correct, no argument guys, it’s a clear second yellow card for Enzo [Fernandez], and the red card is absolutely correct in my opinion. I do not expect the VAR to intervene.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was always going to be massive, with the introduction of more teams and more games across three nations. However, long before a ball had even been kicked, the main talking point for fans was the ticket pricing.
Tickets were originally being sold for a normal cost, but thanks to resellers and FIFA’s new dynamic ticket pricing model, ordinary group stage matches were costing fans thousands to attend. Tickets for the final had been selling for hundreds of thousands; however, the most expensive of all were the VIP tickets, which were being sold for $1million.
What Does a World Cup Final VIP Seat Look Like?
New York/New Jersey Stadium via Reuters
Whilst there was an array of VIP experiences available to fans throughout the tournament, the hospitality provider at MetLife Stadium took it to another level.
Tickets were labelled as ‘on-the-pitch seating’, with 12 luxury seats positioned at eye level with the pitch on the halfway line. The images also appeared to show fans given hats to deal with the fun.
Sports Knightsbridge Circle, a luxury concierge firm, also offered a $4 million hospitality package for those wanting to splash the cash in New Jersey. They sold six front-row seats on the halfway line, with fans given access to the pitch during the trophy ceremony.
The images above show how extreme FIFA have gone with their hospitality packages. Whilst the tickets do allow the fans to get up close to some of the game’s biggest stars, $1 million for a 90-minute, potentially 120-minute, game of football doesn’t seem like a good sign of things to come in the finances of football.
Fan Reaction to $1 Million VIP Seats
New York/New Jersey Stadium via Reuters
After seeing images of the seats posted to VIP seats, fans were quick to reply with their thoughts on the most expensive tickets in football history.
One fan wrote: “Probably the worst view for a football game. It might work for the NBA or NFL.”
A second wrote: “All that to sit on a polyester Amazon Couch…”
Another wrote: “Stupid people who think basketball courtside seats are best applies to football too. These are s****y seats. But hey, f*** you all if you are willing to pay a million bucks for a football match seat.
A fifth said: “Worst seats and view, but let’s be real, anyone buying those tickets are not there for the football.”
You scored
out of 20
Clearly, to the average fan, these VIP tickets aren’t worth the price just to sit up close to the pitch, even it is the biggest game in international football. Whichever side of the debate you may be, the numbers from this tournament paint a horrid picture. For a game that was once for the fans and built around accessibility, it has now became a game based on revenue and tickets that are worth four times the price. FIFA will argue the model is fair and has worked, with high attendances to most games, but the debate around ticket pricing has almost become more talked about than the 90 minutes on the pitch itself.
Leeds have opened talks to sign a new midfielder in the summer transfer window as they look to bolster Daniel Farke’s options in the middle of the park.
Reports have claimed that Leeds remain confident that they will sign the Northern Ireland international, with a deal close to reaching a positive conclusion.
Whether Leeds are in the market for another midfielder after that remains to be seen, but they have opened talks to secure another signing.
Leeds have completed two new additions in the summer transfer window so far, signing Harry Wilson on a free and Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo.
It remains to be seen whether Musah is being eyed as an alternative to Charles in case they fail to get a deal over the line, or whether they are looking to sign both this summer.
AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim wants to evaluate the American international in pre-season after he spent the previous campaign on loan at Atalanta.
The Italian club could be willing to let Musah leave on loan once again, while Leeds face competition from the likes of Lazio for his signature.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Musah deal could raise doubts over other targets
Daniele Mascolo-REUTERS
Leeds’ potential pursuit of Musah could raise doubts over whether they are going to get a deal over the line for other targets.
Signing both Charles and Brandt, followed by Musah, feels unlikely, so they may be simply preparing for the worst in case the likes of Charles or Brandt don’t arrive.
Either way, it certainly feels like a move to sign a midfielder is their next priority after securing deals for both Wilson and Muharemovic earlier in the window.
