Innehållsförteckning för May 2020 från World Soccer

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“The SC maintains that it strictly adhered to all rules and regulations for the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process and any claim to the contrary is baseless and will be fiercely contested”Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy The only man to have coached Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona has died, aged 71. Born in the former Yugoslavia, he played for Sloboda Uzice, Partizan Belgrade, Turkey’s Fenerbahce and Spain’s Zaragoza before joining England’s Luton Town in 1980. A midfielder, he scored 10 goals in 108 games, helping the Hatters to win promotion to Division One in the 1982 campaign. However, it was his strike against Manchester City at the end of the following season that earned his hero status at Kenilworth Road. Luton were moments away from relegation…

Ronaldinho Brazilian held in Paraguayan prison Saturday March 21 was not the 40th birthday that Ronaldinho had imagined. It would seem fair to assume that he’d been looking forward to spending the day with close friends and family, perhaps some other glamorous company, with a barbecue and music and dancing and life – and freedom, always freedom. With a ball at his feet Ronaldinho illustrated maybe better than anyone else the liberating possibilities of football, the chance the sport opens up of joyful self-expression, of freeing the inner child. And now the symbol of liberty is behind bars as he spent the landmark occasion in a Paraguayan prison. The train of events is truly baffling. Ronaldinho had no need of a passport to visit Paraguay as his Brazilian ID card…

“It is the biggest game in our history,” runs the Argentinian FA campaign. “And we need to win.” Amid the slightly laboured football analogy imploring people not to go out – “if you leave home you’ll be caught offside and hurt the team” – was the simple message of unity in a time of crisis. Star players appeared in another video saying: “There are no colours, we have to wear the same shirt.” Carlos Tevez no doubt had similar good intentions when he said players were not the most affected by the coronavirus pandemic. “Footballers can go six months, or a year, without being paid,” claimed the Boca Juniors captain. “We are not in the same desperate situation as kids who live day to day.” Tevez grew up in an…

NOV 9, 2010 Scores a hat-trick on his debut for Germany under-15s in a 5-1 win against Poland. MAY 16, 2012 Scores his spot-kick as Germany lose to Holland on penalties in the Euro Under-17 Final. AUG 1, 2013 Appears against Botev Plovdiv in the Europa League and becomes Stuttgart’s youngest-ever player, at17 years, four months and 25 days. AUG 17, 2013 Plays in the Bundesliga for the first time, in a1-0 loss at home to Bayer Leverkusen. SEP 22,2013 Becomes Stuttgart’s youngest-ever scorer with a goal against Eintracht Frankfurt. NOV 10, 2013 Scores twice in a 3–1 win over Freiburg to become the youngest player to get a Bundesliga double. JUN 11, 2016 Agrees a four-year contract with RB Leipzig, who pay a club record €10m for him. SEP…

JUDE BELLINGHAM (Birmingham City) Probably the most accomplished youngster to come out of St Andrews since Trevor Francis ruled the roost in the early 1970s. A box-to-box midfielder, he has Manchester United, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund on his case. EDUARDO CAMAVINGA (Rennes) Still only 17, the defensive midfielder plays with the assurance of a senior pro. With an exemplary touch and great awareness, he bears a passing resemblance to Dutch icon Ruud Gullit when he gallops forward. Real Madrid and PSG are admirers. RAYAN CHERKI (Lyon) Never mind that the attacking midfielder has spent just 16-and-a-half years on this earth, only made his debut for OL in October – when introduced for the last few minutes of a goalless Ligue 1 draw with Dijon – and has mainly been used…

TRINCAO (Braga to Barcelona) In a sign of just how highly Barca value the 20-year-old winger, his five-year deal at Camp Nou contains a €500m release clause. Ahead of his €31m arrival he was in the Portugal team that won the 2018 Under-19 Euros and has been capped at under-21 level. HAKIM ZIYECH (Ajax to Chelsea) On the face of it, the London club has engineered quite a coup in snapping up the right-winger for only £36m. The 27-year-old has plenty going for him: a great left foot, trickery on the ball, and the variety and fluidity he adds to the attacking mix. ANTONY (Sao Paulo to Ajax) “It’s a sale that no one wanted,” said Sao Paulo’s director of football, Rai, in February when the club announced that winger…

For much of the past month it has been hard to focus on football, but the extraordinary global events have provided a reminder, to borrow a phrase from Arrigo Sacchi, that football is the most important of the unimportant things in life. With no football to report on, we have focused instead on two things. Firstly, the varying response to the virus around the world, from the leagues that have carried on (Belarus, page 20, and Nicaragua, page 24) to the extraordinary circumstances of Atalanta’s Champions League game against Valencia (page 22). To borrow a phrase from Arrigo Sacchi, football is the most important of the unimportant things in life Secondly, our Most Wanted feature (page 51) places the focus on the players who will be in most demand when…

Keir RADNEDGE THE INSIDER Franz Beckenbauer is the greatest German footballer of all time: captain and then coach of World Cup-winning teams in 1974 and 1990, creator of the attacking sweeper role and an international on 103 occasions. He later put that reputation to triumphant service as leader of his country’s bid to host the 2006 World Cup, and then as president of the organising committee of the finals. But, like Icarus, he flew too close to the sun. He was a compromised member of the corruption-scarred FIFA executive committee which awarded the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar. The wax melted, the wings dropped off, and “Der Kaiser” tumbled back down to earth. In recent weeks Beckenbauer’s shadow has clouded the legal skies over the Swiss…

“My first match for France was also his first match so we started and grew together. Michel was not a great tactician but a man who knew who he could trust and how to select the right players”Michel Platini remembers Michel Hidalgo IN EUROPE HANSI FLICK agreed a deal to coach Bayern Munich until 2023. The 55-year-old – who was placed in interim charge in November and then given a permanent deal the following month until the end of the season – had won 18 of his 21 matches in charge as the side went four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga. STEPHEN KENNY succeeded Mick McCarthy as manager of the Republic of Ireland. He had originally been set to take over after Euro 2020 but the postponement…

“My dream as a young boy was always to play in a big league in front of big crowds”RB Leipzig’s former Liverpool keeper is now rated one of the best in the Bundesliga Can RB Leipzig end the long reign of Bayern Munich as Bundesliga champions? '' The way we played against Bayern [0-0 away], the strongest team in Germany, should give us courage. We are doing well and we are a young side, a hungry side. Experience is important in football but it’s not everything. It’s always a question of small details, about moments of magic or mistakes. We have to minimise our mistakes and use our talent, but it’s all open – and that is really great after Bayern dominating for so many years. It is exciting for…

1 Big Hitters The superstars who could be on the move 2 Premier League-bound Players on the radar of English top-flight clubs 3 Beyond the Big Leagues Names from outside Europe’s big five leagues 4 African Aces Talent from the African continent 5 Second Bite at the Cherry Those recovering from early career setbacks 6 Crowbar Required In-demand names who will need a big offer to shift 7 Injured but Valuable Out of action but not out of the spotlight 8 Teen Sensations New kids on the block 9 Left-Field Curios Names that might make an unexpected move 10 Bosmans Players available on free transfers 11 Done Deals Transfers that have already been agreed 12 South Americans Latin stars who could be heading to Europe…

JONATHAN DAVID (Gent) Both clubs may be renowned for their keen eye for fledgling talent, but don’t remind the decision-makers at Red Bull Salzburg and Stuttgart of the fact they once let this 20-year-old sharpshooter slip through their fingers. The pair brought the Canadian to Europe for trials as a teenager, in 2016 and 2017, only to decide that he did not fit the bill. Coaches at Salzburg informed him he’d struggle to make their B team and they only wanted imports who were better than their own academy pupils. Stuttgart’s under-21 boss did not even bother to observe him in action. David returned home to Ottawa with mixed feelings; he was deeply disappointed, of course, but equally convinced that he had what it takes to make it overseas. And…

SADIO MANE (Liverpool) Given his goals and intensity, it would be quite remarkable if the Merseysiders let the Senegalese international go. Several clubs, led by Real Madrid and PSG, are courting him but they may end up disappointed. DAYOT UPAMECANO (RB Leipzig) The ball is very much in the court of the 21-year-old French centre-back who has only 14 months left on his contract and has hinted he’d like to move on. Leipzig hope a €60m release-clause will deter would-be buyers for the time being. KALIDOU KOULIBAY (Napoli) Anyone who thinks that Napoli owner and president Aurelio De Laurentiis will sell his centre-back for anything less than €100m needs to quickly re-evaluate. However, according to French media sources, the 27-year-old recently bought a luxury apartment in Paris. FEDERICO CHIESA (Fiorentina)…

ADOLFO GAICH (San Lorenzo) Big centre-forward who brings back memories of Martin Palermo and is better than his clumsy appearance might indicate, sniffing optimistically in search of goals. Nearly went to Belgium in the last window. KLUIVERTH AGUILAR (Alianza Lima) Strapping attacking right-back whose father was a fan of Holland’s national team. Has been capped by Peru at under-23 level this year despite being just 16. Manchester City are among the many clubs that are watching his progress closely. EVERTON (Gremio) Exciting winger who was the breakout star of Brazil’s Copa America win last year. A few seasons ago such a leading role would have instantly earned him a move to one of the European giants. However, at 24 his options going forward might be slightly more restricted. FACUNDO PELLISTRI…

2022 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS The story so far… AFRICA section (5 finals places available) 1st round 1st legs - Sep 4-7; 2nd legs - Sep 8-10, 2019 Botswana v Malawi 0-0, 0-1 (agg 0-1); Burundi v Tanzania1-1, 1-1 (aet) (agg 2-2, Tanzania 3-0 on pens); Chad v Sudan1-3, 0-0 (agg1-3); Comoros v Togo1-1, 0-2 (agg1-3); Djibouti v Eswatini 2-1, 0-0 (agg 2-1); Eritrea v Namibia 1-2, 0-2 (agg 1-4); Ethiopia v Lesotho 0-0, 1-1 (agg1-1, Ethiopia on away goals); Gambia v Angola 0-1, 1-2 (agg1-3); Liberia v Sierra Leone 3-1, 0-1 (agg 3-2); Mauritius v Mozambique 0-1, 0-2 (agg 0-3); Sao Tome e Principe v Guinea-Bissau 0-1, 1-2 (agg1-3); Seychelles v Rwanda 0-3, 0-7 (agg 0-10); Somalia v Zimbabwe1-0, 1-3 (agg 2-3); South Sudan v Equatorial Guinea1-1, 0-1 (agg1-2) 2nd…

ather being called a “clasico” of some sort, you know the Krakow derby is going to be fiercer than most when it goes by the name of “The Holy War”. With their stadiums just 500metres apart and opposing fans living side by side in the sprawling estates nearby, there is certainly no love lost between the two oldest surviving clubs in Poland. The term was originally coined in the 1920s by Cracovia defender Ludwik Gintel and sums up the hostility between the two neighbours. In 2006, eight supporters were killed in events leading up to the centenary of the fixture. Once the club of the communist police, Wisla are by the far the more successful of the two teams, with 14 league titles – a record they share with Gornik…

When PAOK played host to fellow title contenders Olympiakos in February, a drone hovered above the Toumba Stadium while down in the stands the home fans raised a guttural wall of noise and lit an inferno of flares. Hundreds of police were at the ready for trouble. The game itself was a largely drab affair, with Olympiakos claiming a vital 1-0 victory, but the seething spectacle was an appropriate backdrop for what has become Greek football’s most explosive rivalry in recent years. PAOK of Thessaloniki versus Olympiakos from the Athens port of Piraeus is north Greece versus south Greece, second city versus capital, emerging power versus routine champions. PAOK won the title last year for the first time since 1985 and the pair were way ahead in the table this…

JADON SANCHO (Borussia Dortmund) No one should be under any illusion. The English winger is probably the biggest attacking draw in the Bundesliga. Quick, inventive, imaginative and full of goals, a nine-figure transfer fee could see him leave the Ruhr. KAI HAVERTZ (Bayer Leverkusen) It has been suggested in some quarters that Leverkusen are demanding a whopping €130m for their much in-demand attacking midfield prince. Contrary to received wisdom, Bayern Munich are not his preferred destination. TONI KROOS (Real Madrid) Although the German remains one of the best linkers and thinkers in world football, there have been signs this spring that his glorious six-year cycle at Real is coming to an end as he was left out of the starting XI in the Champions League at home to Manchester City.…

VICTOR OSIMHEN (Lille) In his first season in the French top flight after arriving for just €12m last summer from Belgian side Charleroi, the 21-year-old striker has enjoyed a rip-roaring time with LOSC. Interestingly, he is not one of Lille’s top earners, banking €80,000 a month. SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE (Villarreal) Shortlisted for the 2019 Kopa Trophy – the Ballon d’Or spin-off for the world’s best under-21 player – the Nigerian winger managed just one vote in the final poll. But he need not be too disappointed, especially as his sole backer was Lionel Messi… Messi knows an exciting, pulse-raising attacker when he sees one and the Villarreal star is most definitely that: lightning quick, an irresistible dribbler and able to effortlessly co-ordinate his upper body and lower limbs at high speed.…

HARRY KANE (Tottenham Hotspur) The England centre-forward has been out with a hamstring injury all year – not that it has affected his value. Any buyer would have to cough up at least £150m. And no one would expect Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to offer a discount. PAUL POGBA (Manchester United) It’s common knowledge that the midfielder is desperate to leave Old Trafford. His former employers at Juventus and Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane would both love to give him his own escape plan. Ankle trouble has kept him out for most of 2019-20. LEROY SANE (Manchester City) This buzz-saw of a winger, who tore ligaments in his right knee in August’s Community Shield and hasn’t made a competitive appearance this term, is one unlucky guy. At the time of…

There was something different about the USA women’s team when they ran out before the SheBelieves Cup game with Japan in Texas. Their warm-up shirts were inside out. This rendered the badge of governing body United States Soccer Federation (USSF) invisible but, because of the stitching, still revealed the badge outline and the four stars above it – one for each Women’s World Cup success. The whole squad, not just the starting line-up, then posed for a pre-match photo in the inside-out shirts, a photo subsequently tweeted out by some of the players. As protests go it was mightily effective. The following day the president of USSF, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned. “I don’t think a trial is good for either party or for soccer”Cindy Parlow Cone The kit change was a…