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Romario Names Franco Baresi as ‘Toughest Player’ He Ever Faced

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In his prime, there were few more frightening strikers on the planet than Romario. His most iconic moment came at the 1994 World Cup, as he scored five goals on his way to lifting the trophy with Brazil.

That was enough to see the forward named the best player of the tournament, and cemented his status as an all-time great. Beyond that, his career delivered two Copa America triumphs, and he also won silverware with Vasco da Gama, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, and Flamengo.

It’s said that Romario actually scored over 1000 times in his career, although FIFA only recognises 760 of his goals in official matches between clubs, the senior national team and the Olympic side. Regardless, he was prolific in his day, with very few defenders able to stop him.

However, there is one man who caused the Brazilian real problems.

Romario Praises ‘Incredible’ Italian Defender

Romario celebrating a goal for Brazil

Romario is certainly not shy when it comes to talking about his great qualities. After all, when listing his greatest six footballers of all time, he happily ranked himself alongside the best, remarking: “I consider myself one of the five greatest players of all time. Pele, [Diego] Maradona, [Lionel] Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, me and Ronaldo. That’s it. I’d give myself an 11 out of 10 as a player.”

With that in mind, it’s interesting to note that one former defender sparked true humility from the iconic Brazilian. Indeed, Romario named Italian legend Franco Baresi as the ‘toughest player’ he ever faced in his career.

Speaking after the defender’s tragic passing in July 2026, aged just 66, Romario expressed his grief with an emotional tribute on social media. He said:

“Guys, today football woke up a lot sadder with the death of Franco Baresi. When I was playing for PSV Eindhoven, I faced Milan twice, and I could already tell that Baresi was incredible. Then we met again in the 1994 World Cup Final, one of the most important matches of our lives.”

“I can say it without a single doubt, he was the toughest player I faced in my career.”

“In ’97, I had the honour of taking part in his farewell game. The guy was on another level! It was a symbol of Milan and a world champion with the Italian national team. One of the greatest defenders in history. It is my respect for everything he has done for football and my affection to his family and friends. May the Father in Heaven receive him in peace.”

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Baresi will be remembered as one of the greatest defenders of all time, with Romario’s comments capturing just how highly thought of he was in the game. The Italian may have lost the 1994 final to Brazil, but had already won the World Cup in 1982.

On top of that success with his country, he remains one of the greatest one-club players in football history, spending his entire career with AC Milan. At the San Siro, he won six Serie A titles, three Champions League trophies and even finished runner-up for the Ballon d’Or award at one point during his illustrious career.

After his death, Milan spoke of his importance to their club. An emotional statement read: “The entire history of AC Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will be forever etched into the Club’s DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is. The condolences AC Milan extends to Franco Baresi’s family at such a difficult time are shared by every Rossonero, who feels this loss as their own.”

He truly was a legend of the sport.

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Crystal Palace Handed Huge Dilemma as Sarr Makes Transfer Decision

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Crystal Palace could be set to lose another one of their most important players in a huge blow for new manager Pierre Sage.

Last season’s UEFA Conference League triumph put many of Palace’s star players in the spotlight. Maxence Lacroix impressed and earned himself a £52 million move to Chelsea.

Replacing Lacroix should be a priority but Sage does have an excellent pool of central defenders in his squad. The same can’t be said for out wide, and their single most influential player could be on the move.

Crystal Palace’s Sarr Says Yes to Fenerbahce

Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr reacts after missing a chance against Man City

The standout performer for Palace last season was Ismaila Sarr, who won the Conference League’s Golden Boot with nine goals in 13 games. He finished with 21 goals in 45 games, becoming the first player since Glenn Murray in 2013 to reach 20 goals in a single campaign.

Sage will have been eager to start his reign with Sarr, but Italian journalist Marco Conterio has suggested the Senegalese winger could be on his way to Turkey. He is said to be “one step away” from a move to Fenerbahce, and he has already said yes to the Turkish Super Lig giants.

Fenerbahce are now “pressing for an agreement with Palace”, and they have accelerated a move for the 28-year-old after failing to sign Rafael Leao. With the player seemingly agreeing on a switch, it’s a nightmare situation for Steve Parish and the South Londoners.

Sarr, dubbed “incredible”, has been at Selhurst Park since August 2024 when he arrived from Marseille in a £12.5 million deal. He has won the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the Conference League in that time.

Palace Must Get Tough With Sarr

Steve Parish Hannah Mckay via Reuters

Unless Palace receive a club-record fee for Sarr, he shouldn’t be going anywhere and the club can’t let him depart without a suitable replacement. Their transfer business in January has come into question amid Brennan Johnson’s disastrous spell thus far.

Johnson has failed to live up to expectations and, as a result, isn’t a worthy backup to Sarr, let alone a permanent option for the right-wing berth. With Sage only just arriving as Oliver Glasner’s successor, the Senegal international is probably the one player he wouldn’t want to be sold.

Palace must insist on an astronomical fee for the former Watford man, who had previously said that he’d only move if the club wanted him to. He has three years left on his contract and has also been linked with Manchester United.

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Guimaraes Replacement: Newcastle Eye Tyler Adams

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Newcastle United are likely to have a new-look midfield next season under new manager Matthias Jaissle as Bruno Guimaraes closes in on a move to Arsenal.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Magpies are looking for a new midfielder ahead of Guimaraes’ anticipated departure. He claims that the Brazilian is expected to join the Gunners ‘very soon’.

Guimaraes will be the latest midfielder to head for the exit door after Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham Hotspur for £100 million earlier this summer. There is also growing uncertainty over Joelinton’s future amid talk of a potential move to the Saudi Pro League.

Newcastle Line Up Guimaraes Replacement

Matthias Jaissle Al Ahli 2025 REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari via Action Images

That’s all three of Newcastle’s starting midfielders that could be sold, and Eddie Howe’s frustrations are understandable. The English coach opted to leave St James’ Park last week, and Jaissle is set to take over.

It appears that the Magpies have lined up a replacement for Guimaraes as Football Insider reports that they are keen on signing Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams. The American had previously been linked with Manchester United following an impressive season at the Vitality.

Adams, 27, was crucial in Andoni Iraola’s midfield, registering two goals and as many assists in 25 league games. He helped the Cherries qualify for the Europa League, and his eye-catching performances haven’t gone unnoticed.

Talk of a move to Old Trafford has quietened, and former Premier League scout Mick Brown told the aforementioned outlet that he’d be “surprised” if the Red Devils moved for him. He instead believes St James’ Park could be a destination for the 27-year-old, who has two years left on his contract.

Newcastle reportedly feel they can convince Adams on a move to Tyneside despite no European football next season. He has proven Premier League experience that could prove beneficial for Jaissle.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Adams Is An Ideal Signing For The Magpies

Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams playing for the USMNT

Moving for Adams, who scored an “unreal” goal against rivals Sunderland, would be a clever decision given the need to address Tonali and Guimaraes’ departures. He has been a huge hit at Bournemouth and could be reasonably priced.

The Magpies may have concerns about his injury record after he sat out last season’s winter period with a knee ligament injury. If he can stay injury-free and replicate the form shown during his time at the Vitality, he’ll surely be a success on Tyneside.

Adams’ importance at Bournemouth was made clear by club legend Steve Fletcher. He said that “every team needs a Tyler Adams” and that the American’s “knowledge is second to none.”

Jaissle will want a new midfielder sorted before the new season kicks off and a potential deal for Adams seems straightforward. It’s vital that the transfer chiefs explore other options in the meantime as they prepare for life without Tonali and Guimaraes.

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Vinicius Junior’s Agency Shares Explosive Statement Amid Arsenal Links

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This summer, one of the biggest potential transfers could see Vinicius Junior move from Real Madrid to Arsenal. Amid all the speculation, the winger’s agency, Roc Nation Sports, has shared an explosive statement.

Vinicius Jr is currently locked in contract talks with Madrid, but it’s unclear if player and club will be able to come to an agreement on new terms. If not, he could potentially leave for free next summer, with his current deal set to expire in 2027.

Los Blancos obviously don’t want to lose a star player for free, so may look to sell in the current market. If that is the case, Premier League champions Arsenal appear best-positioned to sign the Brazilian amid their firm interest in the player.

Roc Nation Sports Speak Out ‘Unacceptable’ Reports

Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura

Naturally, there have been many rumours about Vinicius. Adding fuel to the flames of speculation, Real Madrid are looking to sign another winger, Yan Diomande. That deal appears close, but a transfer from RB Leipzig has yet to be anounced yet.

Diomande is also represented by Roc Nation Sports. And with so many rumours swirling around some of their key men, such as the Ivorian and Vini Jr, the sports agency has shared an explosive statement:

“Roc Nation Sports International and our entire team cannot stand idle when unprofessional and uninformed media publish fake and damaging information for attention-seeking purposes.

“This is especially unacceptable when it personally targets our clients without any foundation.

“It is disruptive, harmful and libellous. Media outlets and journalists need to hold themselves more accountable.”

Vinicius Jr and Yan Diomande Both Linked With Huge Summer Moves

Joshua Kimmich (Germany) vs Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast) Thomas Mukoya via Reuters

It’s worth noting that the statement does not directly name any player or club; as such, Roc Nation Sports may not necessarily be talking directly about Vinicius.

Interestingly, trusted Arsenal insider HandofArsenal recently reported that the Real Madrid winger has agreed personal terms with Arsenal. The report also noted: ‘We fully expect Roc Nation to deny it but we stand on our information.’ Spanish journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon did indeed later report that Vinicius’ entourage denied the agreement.

There is a great deal of talk about a possible move to north London, but the statement could also relate to reporting around RB Leipzig star Diomande. Transfer journalists Florian Plettenberg and Fabrizio Romano clashed online over the player, with the pair disagreeing on the status of the player’s potential move to Madrid.

In short, Romano has given the deal the ‘Here We Go’ treatment, claiming a move will go through soon. Plettenberg insisted that a full agreement has not yet been reached. The pair argued online, as Plettenberg warned Romano he had ‘crossed a line’ by accusing him of ‘fake news’.

Of course, Roc Nation Sports represent many other players – such as Gabriel Martinelli and Endrick – so their comments could relate to a different topic altogether. They may also be talking generally about all the rumours, as opposed to taking issue with just one thing.

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