Sports
‘I Was the Most Hated Player in England
Pulling on the Three Lions shirt is widely regarded as one of the greatest honours an English footballer can experience.
Representing your country at major international tournaments is the pinnacle of the sport, but that privilege also comes with enormous pressure, not only to perform but to carry the expectations of millions of supporters.
Few players understand that burden better than Gary Neville. The Manchester United legend was England’s first-choice right-back during one of the most challenging eras in the national team’s recent history, and he remains recognised among the Premier League’s all-time greats.
However, while many England players have endured criticism for their performances, Neville found himself at the centre of a very different controversy in 2003 — one that, according to his own admission, made him feel like ‘the most hated footballer in the country.’
The controversy stemmed from his decision to support Rio Ferdinand, who had been controversially removed from the England squad after missing a scheduled drugs test. Neville, alongside several experienced teammates, threatened to boycott a Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey in protest, believing the FA had treated Ferdinand unfairly.
The situation quickly escalated, and Neville ultimately found himself pushed to the brink as a consequence.
Neville later reflected on the events of 2003 in an interview with the Daily Mail, explaining how the episode almost destroyed the international career he had worked so hard to build.
“I’ll always be the one who takes the blame for the England team threatening to go on strike before the Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey.
“At 28, I would never play for England again. I’d be slaughtered by the media and fans. I’d definitely become England’s most hated footballer – if I wasn’t already. But that’s how strongly I felt about it.”
He added: “It was the week of England’s final qualifying match for Euro 2004 and my dad had just picked up me and my brother to take us to Manchester Airport so we could fly to London and meet the squad when I got the call: Rio had been dropped because of the missed drugs test. At first, I genuinely thought someone was joking.”
At 28, Neville was entering what should have been the peak of his playing career. By then, he had already represented England at two European Championships in 1996 and 2000, as well as the World Cup in 1998, having only missed the 2002 tournament through injury.
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At Manchester United, Neville was also on track to secure his sixth Premier League title in eight seasons. Walking away from football at that point would have been virtually unheard of, but the intensity of the media backlash made him seriously contemplate it.
“By the following morning, news of our decision had leaked and we were being branded a disgrace. The media certainly weren’t lining up to support a group of millionaires threatening to strike.
“Unless the FA changed its position, I was prepared to walk away, despite the serious consequences.
“The pressure was overwhelming. The more I thought about it, the more I convinced myself there was only one option — to leave.”
‘I’m a Man Utd Icon with 85 caps – My England Career was a Massive Waste of Time’
“Playing for England was one long roller-coaster: ups and downs, but also quite a few moments when you’re not really sure if you’re enjoying the ride”
Ferguson’s Phone Call Changed Neville’s Mind
Throughout his playing days, Neville regularly spoke about the immense respect he had for Ferguson. Therefore, when he found himself considering walking away from England, it was fitting that the legendary Scot was the person who convinced him otherwise.
“Look, you’ve trained too hard, played too hard, you can’t throw everything away. You’ve made your point, you’ve taken it as far as you can, now you’ve got to go and play the game.
“You just need to calm down and think that your England career could be over in one hit. What effect does that have on you as a player, as a person? Does that affect United? I can’t let you do that.”
When the Rio Ferdinand controversy finally subsided, Neville remained an England international, although his career with the national side never truly reached the heights many had expected.
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England again failed to live up to expectations at Euro 2004, suffering a heartbreaking quarter-final defeat to Portugal on penalties. Two years later at the 2006 World Cup, history repeated itself with another painful elimination at the same stage, against the same opponents, via another penalty shootout.
Neville eventually won the last of his 85 caps in 2007, retaining immense personal pride but achieving little tangible success with England. He later reflected on his international career and admitted that, in many ways, it felt like a “waste of time”.
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt.com – Correct as of 27-06-26.
Everton have made contact with Premier League rivals over a move for a striker, according to Football Insider, as the club aim to give some fresh options to David Moyes.
It comes as the Toffees look to improve on last season’s 13th-placed finish, which saw the team in the conversation for European football, but falling away late in the campaign.
Several areas could be addressed in the market to help give Everton a fighting chance of landing a return to Europe next time, but the forward ranks remain the most prominent in the club’s focus for this summer.
According to the report from Football Insider, Everton have made contact with Chelsea in an effort to sign Liam Delap, as work for a deal accelerates.
The 23-year-old is expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks, following a difficult debut campaign with the club last time around.
A mixture of injuries and poor form meant the striker looked a shadow of the player he was in his time with Ipswich Town the season before, having been described as a “beast” when at top form.
Everton are looking to take advantage of Chelsea’s decision to try and get Delap back to his very best, with plenty of potential clearly there.
The forward could offer a presence at the top end of the pitch, which would suit Moyes’s style of play, where the strikers often have to fight for the right service towards them.
It’s unclear exactly how much Everton value the striker at, with other reports claiming that £40 million could be enough to persuade the Blues to part ways this summer for the star who has been described as a “beast”.
That switch could prove to be the first deal of many for the Toffees, which could bring about some change in the forward departments.
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Everton’s Forward Changes
Everton are expecting a few ins and outs when it comes to the forward areas, with some possible deals being lined up in both directions this summer.
RB Leipzig have made contact over a deal to sign Thierno Barry, which may open up the possibility of Delap making the switch to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton In Advanced Talks To Sign ‘World-Class’ England Star
Everton are closing in on a new potential signing for this summer, with an England star eyeing a possible return.
Beyond the French striker potentially leaving, reports have stated that Everton are interested in Jarrod Bowen following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship.
It would see Moyes reunite with the forward following their time together in the capital, which had plenty of success for the forward and the head coach.
Lionel Messi has a strong understanding of what separates the very best players from the rest, and his eight Ballon d’Or titles underline that better than most. Across more than two decades as a professional, he has faced plenty of England’s biggest football names. However, it is not Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane or Ashley Cole who the Argentine regards as the country’s finest ever talent.
Instead, Messi – one of the greatest footballers in the history of the game – chose Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard as England’s “greatest ever player.”
Back in 2016, the Argentine superstar was discussing the Liverpool legend shortly after his retirement. He made it clear just how much he admired the midfielder, wishing him “a happy retirement” and saying:
“Personally, I think [Steven] Gerrard is England’s greatest-ever player.”
Although he was not specifically weighing in on the famous Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes debate involving three of England’s most celebrated midfielders, Messi’s comments still make his preference for the Liverpool star over his former international teammates pretty clear.
The former Reds captain has a glittering list of individual honours to his name, having been selected in the PFA Team of the Year a record eight times and included in the FIFPRO World 11 on three separate occasions. That is the second-highest tally of any Englishman, behind only Chelsea great John Terry, who made the side five times. Gerrard was also named alongside Messi in UEFA’s “Team of the Century”, standing as the only English player included and one of just two members of the XI not to have represented either Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Gerrard Feared Messi
Gerrard, meanwhile, named Messi alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as the only two players he was ever “afraid” to play against. The pair met just twice during their long careers, facing one another in both legs of the 2006/07 Champions League last-16 tie. Liverpool progressed on that occasion, eliminating the Catalan giants on away goals after a 2-1 victory at the Camp Nou and a 1-0 defeat at Anfield. Messi did not find the net in either match.
Messi endured a similar outcome on his only other visit to Anfield, when Liverpool memorably wiped out a three-goal first-leg deficit in the 2019 Champions League semifinal to send Barcelona crashing out. The Merseyside outfit appeared to be among the few clubs capable of getting the better of Messi’s star-packed Barca sides.
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Messi yet to Face England
Against English clubs outside of Liverpool, the Inter Miami star generally had little trouble leaving his mark, producing 27 goals and seven assists in 36 matches against Premier League opposition. What stands out is that, even with relatively few direct meetings against Gerrard, Messi still selected the Liverpool man as England’s greatest. He shared a pitch with Frank Lampard on nine occasions and came up against Paul Scholes four times.
For all his admiration of Gerrard, Messi has surprisingly never faced England on the international stage. Argentina have not played the Three Lions at senior level since David Beckham’s penalty earned Sven Goran Erikson’s team a 1-0 victory at the 2002 World Cup. That match came three full years before Messi made his international debut. Their paths may yet finally cross at the 2026 World Cup in North America. “`
Manchester United are set to miss out on a deal for a midfielder this summer, as Mundo Deportivo claims that one target has rejected an exit from his club.
It comes as the Red Devils are considering their options in the central areas, with as many as three signings expected in the middle of the park in the coming weeks of the transfer window.
Ederson is set to join from Atalanta as the first signing in that position, but the other two options remain open, as Man United position themselves for some impressive players.
Mateus Fernandes has been a key target, along with Sandro Tonali, but there is a battle for the pair as Premier League rivals Tottenham have muscled their way into discussions for the midfield duo.
However, there are other options being assessed, though one of those now appears to be off the cards.
Marc Bernal Rejects Barcelona Exit
Manchester United have been among a whole group of teams monitoring a potential move for Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The 19-year-old, who has been described as a “special” talent, has impressed since making his breakthrough into the senior team from La Masia.
The midfielder has shown plenty of potential, making 33 appearances over the past season for the Blaugrana, which has caught the attention of the Red Devils.
That said, a deal looks almost impossible now, as the report claims that Bernal has fully committed his future to Barcelona and has rejected the motion of an exit.
The youngster has a €500 million release clause in his deal, which runs until 2029, meaning any move is unlikely to be completed for him in the near future.
It may leave Man United rocked, with another midfield option taken away from them, albeit one who is likely to be a long-term option for the club.
It shows how tough the market is for the stars in the central areas, as the merry-go-round continues.
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Man United’s Future-Proofing Plan
In the past, Man United have been caught in awkward situations by landing players who are in the latter part of their career. It has tied them down to expensive options without the longevity that comes with having a younger star.
This summer’s approach has certainly shifted away from that, with Fernandes still only 21 years old, while even Tonali is at the start of his peak at just 26 years old.
‘Outstanding’ Goalkeeper Set to Reject Man Utd For Deal With Premier League Rivals
Arsenal are set to miss out on a goalkeeper target this summer, with a deal on the horizon with a Premier League rival.
Throwing either alongside the likes of Kobbie Mainoo could create a pairing that will serve Man United for years to come. That strategy is clearly underlined in the club’s interest in a youngster like Bernal.
There is a long-term plan that the Red Devils have planned out. There is some hope that once all the pieces fall into place, there will be no need to change the central areas, and future windows can focus on adding quality elsewhere.
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