International

Messi comments on Ronaldo’s absence at the Golden Ball ceremony

Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi believes his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo did not attend the Golden Ball ceremony on Monday night as he was unable to attend.

Lionel Messi defeated Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk and Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo in the Ballon d’Or, becoming the first player to win six career Ballon d’Or at Monday’s awards ceremony. in Paris..

Cristiano Ronaldo was not among the people in that room in Paris, but Messi did not want the lack of Portuguese to become the story of the night.

“He’s not here because he couldn’t come. This should not be distorted. We enjoyed a wonderful ceremony,” said Messi.

Lionel Messi took this opportunity to reassure Barcelona fans of his future, expressing his desire to stay at the Camp Nou.

“People at the club know me. They know there is no problem beyond what the contract says. What I feel about this club goes beyond any signature or role, so no problem, “the Argentine added.

Speaking about the Ballon d’Or he won on Monday, the Argentine was very pleased.

“It’s very special. I am in a certain part of my life and am enjoying life both in football and outside of football with my family, my children. I am happy for this recognition.”

When asked about the possibility of retirement, the Barcelona captain explained that he still has much to give and that he feels as good as ever.

“I am 32 years old and will soon be 33 years old. I said a long time ago that it all depends on how I feel physically. But today I feel better on a personal and physical level, so hopefully this will last a long time.”

International

Ronaldo like Pogba in 2016?

Just like in the last European, that of 2016, Juve experiences the waiting competition to find out what will be the future of their star.

5 years ago the black and white executives remain anxious throughout the competition before the future of Paul Pogba was determined.

Reached the final with France, where he was defeated by Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Five years later, it is Ronaldo who keeps Juve’s market frozen, with his mind on the pitch and his staff trying to settle him away from Turin.

Different situations, but the summer of 2021 may have some analogies to what was experienced in 2016.

Pogba, after the European of France, decided his future during the holidays together with the agent Mino Raiola, between July and August.

He chose to return to Manchester United with a salary he could not refuse.

It was the most expensive transfer of the European market so far, an operation of 105 million euros, pretty good for Juventus who had received it four years ago with zero parameters.

Even the sale of Ronaldo would be positive for the financial logic of Juventus.

The player still has a one-year contract, with a net salary of 31 million euros, which costs the balance a total of 87 million euros, including fiscal obligations.

The Portuguese has not yet spoken about the future, but seems more inclined to leave Turin than in past summers.

For this reason he has given the mandate to agent Mendez to find an alternative.

PSG and Manchester United, where Pogba seems to be ending the adventure, remain valid hypotheses for the future of the footballer, who for now remains focused on defending the European title with Portugal.

He will decide on the continuation of his career later, as Pogba did in 2016.

International

Official: Hansi Flick is named Germany coach

It is now official.

Hansi Flick will sit on the bench of the German National Team officially after the end of the European Championship “Euro 2020”.

The news was announced by the German Football Federation, which has resolved the small details that were left to sign the agreement with the new German coach.

International

“If Ramos were Argentine, Messi would have won a World Cup”

One of Lionel Messi’s biggest disappointments is the loss in the 2014 World Cup, but Oscar Ruggeri believes that the Barcelona star would have that precious trophy if he had Real Madrid center-back Sergio Ramos as a teammate.

The former Boca Juniors defender, who won 97 games for Argentina, believes the team lacked a player of Ramos’ caliber.

“Argentina and Messi, with Ramos means a World Cup,” Ruggeri told ESPN. “He [Ramos] is a monster.

“If Argentina had Ramos on defense, they would be world champions.

“I would like to have a player like Ramos in my national team. If we had a player like Ramos today, we would be contenders for every World Cup.

“We had good central defenders but not the best of all time. Ramos is the best. It would have been nice if he had been Argentine. He is better than me, number one. He is above all,” said Ruggeri.

Messi will have one last chance in 2022 to win the World Cup, the trophy that the Argentine is missing.