logo
PSG's Marquinhos wants a fight against Inter

PSG's Marquinhos wants a fight against Inter

Express Tribune2 days ago

Paris St Germain captain Marquinhos knows what it is like to lose a Champions League final and is not going to let a second chance slip without a fight when they face Inter Milan in Munich, the Brazilian defender said on Friday.
Marquinhos was a member of the PSG side which lost the 2020 final to Bayern Munich, but has the opportunity for redemption as the club look to secure their first Champions League trophy on Saturday.
"We've been through highs, we've been through lows," Marquinhos told reporters.
"Tomorrow we've got a beautiful opportunity. We could go down in history. This would be great for the club, for the players.
"This is my second chance to win a Champions League final and I'm not going to go down without a fight."
Earlier this season, PSG were in danger of not even making the knockout stages, losing three and drawing one of their opening five games, before squeaking through on the final day of the league phase.
Since then they have gone from strength to strength, wrapping up the Ligue 1 title with six games to spare and winning the French Cup, and the PSG players are now ready to cap their season with the ultimate prize.
"We're going to pull out the performance of a lifetime tomorrow on the pitch because it will be very difficult and actually we've had to fight all season now to get to the final," Marquinhos said.
"We've done everything we can to get to the final of the Champions League. This is the best moment of our season. It's that cherry on the top and it's up to us now.
"We need to take the silverware back to Paris so that we can share this with our fans who have supported us over the season. Time is of the essence now, we're going for the silverware tomorrow and we're going to take it home." REUTERS

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Khabib Nurmagomedov's sparks praise for Islamic commitment
Khabib Nurmagomedov's sparks praise for Islamic commitment

Express Tribune

time15 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Khabib Nurmagomedov's sparks praise for Islamic commitment

During CBS's Champions League final broadcast, UFC icon Khabib Nurmagomedov once again found himself at the centre of cultural conversation—not for his undefeated record in the octagon, but for a quiet moment of religious adherence. As the post-match panel, hosted by sports anchor Kate Scott, reflected on Paris Saint-Germain's 5-0 demolition of Bayern Munich, Nurmagomedov joined the live set alongside YouTuber IShowSpeed. Greeted warmly by the panel including Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards, and Thierry Henry he offered firm handshakes all around. But when Scott extended hers, he respectfully declined. After refusing to shake hands with the female TV presenter, Thierry Henry should have refused to welcome Khabib Nurmagomedov. It would have been a powerful act # — Michaël Pilater (@mikapilater) June 1, 2025 What could have easily turned awkward was instead navigated with calm professionalism. Scott quickly offered a warm apology on-air. 'I apologise, thank you so much. Khabib, UFC fighter, it's a pleasure to have you,' she said, swiftly shifting the conversation to football. Viewers online quickly lauded Nurmagomedov for remaining true to his values. As a devout Sunni Muslim from Dagestan, he follows a tenet of Islam that forbids physical contact with women outside one's family. The act, to many, was more than etiquette; it was a visible expression of religious conviction. Khabib Nurmagomedov is a devout Muslim and a true ambassador of Islam. We admire you for upholding Islamic values, including your respectful stance on avoiding handshakes with women. Much respect, but I wish you were a Barca fan, brother! — Extraordinary Ustaz 👳🏾‍♂️📿 (@bapphah) June 1, 2025 Some people see boundaries as threats. They can't comprehend that respect in Islam isn't shown by physical contact, but by restraint, principle, and self-discipline. We saw this clearly when @TeamKhabib respectfully declined a handshake during a Champions League panel — a… — Goran Milutinovic (@YouthMLWins) June 1, 2025 refusing to touch another man's wife is the ultimate respect anyone can give someone — H 🦅🔭⚽️ (@OrangeMentosSzn) June 1, 2025 The former UFC lightweight champion has long been open about his beliefs, previously refusing to train with female fighters for the same reasons. While critics may view such decisions through a Western liberal lens, many others see in him a quiet dignity and unwavering spiritual compass. The moment has since drawn praise from Muslim viewers and conservative commentators, calling Nurmagomedov a 'true ambassador of Islam' in the global spotlight an athlete whose faith shapes not only his words, but his every action.

Was Saltbae denied entry to the Champions League party? Here's what really happened
Was Saltbae denied entry to the Champions League party? Here's what really happened

Express Tribune

time17 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Was Saltbae denied entry to the Champions League party? Here's what really happened

The Champions League final in Munich wasn't short on drama, and not all of it unfolded on the pitch. After Paris Saint-Germain's emphatic 5–0 victory over Inter Milan, the spotlight shifted briefly to a familiar off-field presence Nusret Gokce, better known as Saltbae. A viral video clip circulating online appears to show Saltbae in a heated exchange with security personnel outside what was rumoured to be a post-match celebration. Many on social media were quick to assume the worst: had the flamboyant restaurateur, known for his love of the limelight, been kicked out of the party? Nusret yaka paça dışarı atılmış. Yapanın eline sağlık 😁 — PIPS HUNTER (@PipsHunter_) June 1, 2025 Some reports even claimed that Saltbae was denied entry for failing to produce an official invitation—suggesting the incident was a form of public rebuke, perhaps for past antics on the pitch. Memes followed, as did the speculation, reigniting old debates over celebrity behaviour in sports spaces. But Saltbae himself has since weighed in, offering a very different version of events. 'There was no organisation such as an invitation-only party,' he wrote in a statement posted to social media. 'We arrived at the hotel after the match with the UEFA bus because thousands of fans were waiting outside. I was simply there to take photos with them.' He added that what looked like a confrontation was actually a security guard dentified as 'Mr. Dormen' directing him toward the exit while he waited for his car. 'Don't worry about such small things,' he concluded with a swipe at online speculation, 'the rest is artificial intelligence.' So, was Saltbae really bounced from the party or just caught in a digital whirlwind of misinterpretation? For now, it seems the answer depends on which clip you watch and how much you trust your eyes over AI.

Man Utd sign Brazil forward Cunha
Man Utd sign Brazil forward Cunha

Express Tribune

timea day ago

  • Express Tribune

Man Utd sign Brazil forward Cunha

Manchester United signed Brazil forward Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a deal worth a reported £62.5 million ($83 million) on Sunday. Cunha is expected to pen a five-year contract with the Old Trafford club, who have the option of extending the deal by a further 12 months. "Manchester United has reached agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers for the signing of Matheus Cunha," a United statement said. "Everyone at Manchester United looks forward to welcoming Matheus to Old Trafford." The 26-year-old was in Manchester over the weekend to put the finishing touches to his move, which is subject to a visa and registration. Cunha, who has won 13 caps for Brazil, scored 18 goals in all competitions for Wolves this season, winning the club's player of the year award. The Brazilian finished his Wolves career with 33 goals in 92 appearances in all competitions after signing from Atletico Madrid in January 2023. United activated the release clause in Cunha's Wolves contract to ensure he becomes boss Ruben Amorim's first signing of the summer transfer window. Wolves said the deal was a club-record fee received as they thanked Cunha "for his contributions in old gold" in a statement confirming his departure. Cunha will join up with Brazil ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Ecuador, which will be Carlo Ancelotti's first game in charge of the Selecao. Amorim's side lost the Europa League final against Tottenham to cap a dismal season featuring a 15th place finish in the Premier League that ranked as their lowest final position since 1973-74. Cunha will add his predatory instincts and creative guile to a United attack that struggled throughout this season. United's lack of cutting edge was evident yet again when they failed to find a solution to Tottenham's defensive tactics in the Europa League final. Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo has also been linked with United, whose transfer business has been made harder by their failure to qualify for the Champions League.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store