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'Jota was with me' - Alexander-Arnold after Real Madrid win

'Jota was with me' - Alexander-Arnold after Real Madrid win

BBC News13 hours ago
Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold said former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota "was there with me today" after helping the Spanish team reach the semi-finals of the Club World Cup.Alexander-Arnold and Jota spent five years together at Liverpool before the England full-back signed for Real in June.Jota, aged 28, died in a car crash on Thursday along with his brother Andre Silva, who was 25. Their joint funeral was held on Saturday in Portugal.Alexander-Arnold has been featuring for Real Madrid at the Club World Cup in the United States and assisted Fran Garcia's goal in their 3-2 win against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-final in New Jersey.He said the news of Jota's death had been "extremely difficult" to take in."I had to try and perform for the team and help them win the game, no matter how difficult it was," Alexander-Arnold told DAZN after Saturday's game."As hard as it was to do it, I had to push myself to focus on what my job and role was. I tried to do it as best as I could, but it was difficult and I am not going to lie about that."[Jota] was one of my close friends. And I am sure that's what he would have wanted me to do. And I'm sure we would have had a laugh and joke about the assist as well. He was there with me today, I am sure."Alexander-Arnold said the Portuguese forward was "someone who lit up the room when he was in it"."I shared the dressing room with him for five years - amazing memories on and off the pitch," Alexander-Arnold said."It goes without saying he will never be forgotten by anyone. He will live long in all our memories for the amazing man and the player he was."Alexander-Arnold added that it has been "very emotional and heart-warming to see the footballing world come together to show their love and support for [Jota], his brother and their family"."I've been around him, his brother, his family, his amazing wife, his amazing parents and his amazing children. It's truly, truly heart-breaking to wake up to news like that," he said."It's something you never expect."Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe was among the players who paid tribute to Jota on Saturday, with the France forward indicating number 20 after scoring an acrobatic goal, in recognition of Jota's Liverpool shirt number.Ousmane Dembele also paid a tribute to the Portuguese by copying his Fifa gaming celebration after sealing a 2-0 win for Paris St-Germain against Bayern Munich in another other quarter-final at the Club World Cup.
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Footballing icon reveals he nearly joined Man United - as he details Sir Alex Ferguson talks and explains why he didn't make the move
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A footballing legend has revealed that he was in talks with Manchester United and manager Sir Alex Ferguson over a possible move to Old Trafford in 1996. Edgar Davids played for the likes of AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Tottenham and Ajax. The midfielder, who is well remembered for both his play and his protective glasses, was a part of the Ajax team that won the Champions League in 1995 and went on to join AC Milan the following year. However, he has revealed that things could have been different with United having been seriously interested in securing his services. Davids revealed he was tempted by the move, having idolised Red Devils midfielder Paul Ince at the time. 'I mean it's really, how you say, that I look differently at United,' he said in an interview with MUTV. 'Because, you know, I already watched Manchester United as they had a player I really liked - Paul Ince. 'He was a midfielder who was unbelievable. I also played against him, when he played for Inter and I played for Milan. 'He was a big boy then and it was a really amazing derby. Him against Marcel Desailly, who was a big boy too, and that was like a big battle in the midfield. 'I got to talk to Sir Alex and it was one of the most incredible talks I ever had,' he disclosed. 'But I had already made my mind up to go somewhere else [Milan]. 'Yes, it was in 1996, when I was with Ajax, but it was just the way he [Ferguson] was. His personality and everything. It was a whole different level. 'I played against amazing players [at United], who started doing amazing things. When you play against certain teams, you then also follow the careers of these young players. 'But no regrets. I only considered Italy for me because Italy was the place I wanted to be. The best players were playing in Italy at the time, like it is now in the Premier League.'

'No regrets' for Wiegman - but who starts v Netherlands? Pick your XI
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