Latest news with #AfricanFootballeroftheYear
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Sadio Mane to miss England match after making 'personal request' to Senegal boss
England are due to host Senegal at the City Ground on Tuesday, but Sadio Mane will not be in action for the visitors after asking to be left out of Pape Thiaw's squad Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane asked to be left out of Senegal's showpiece friendly against England after being targeted by critics and trolls over his recent performances for the African country. Mane, 33, the winger who thrilled Anfield for six years playing in tandem with Mo Salah, was gutted to be singled out for widespread stick after the two World Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Togo in March. His request to miss Friday night's clash against the Republic of Ireland and the meeting with England at the City Ground in Nottingham on Tuesday night 'for personal reasons' was reluctantly accepted by coach Pape Thiaw. Mane, who plays alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, already faces an uncertain future at club level after being told by the Saudi Pro League club that he is free to find new employers this summer. Senegal coach Thiaw said: 'It is a personal decision that belongs to Mane - and I respect it as a coach. Sadio is a very important player for us. 'But I don't coach one player, I coach 26 players, and so the most important thing is the collective. I have put together a squad of players who are available and ready to fight with pride for the national jersey.' Mane has scored 45 goals in 113 appearances for Senegal since making his international debut in 2012. He scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out win over Salah's Egypt in the African Cup of Nations final in 2021 after missing a spot-kick early in the game. Mane was named player of the tournament that year after scoring three times and also weighing in with two assists. But the two-time African Footballer of the Year now believes he is first in line to be criticised - despite becoming a national hero for his exploits on the pitch and his charity work off it. Senegal's squad includes Premier League stars like Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace, Tottenham's Pape Sarr and Idrissa Gana Gueye of Everton. But the spotlight continually falls on the player who excelled for Metz, Red Bull Salzburg, Southampton, Liverpool and Bayern Munich during 12 years in Europe. Senegal are currently second in the 2026 World Cup qualification table, a point behind DR Congo after being held to a goalless draw with Sudan before beating Togo 2-0. Mane said: 'A lot is said about me and I think I'm the most criticised player in Senegal. 'I don't have a problem with it. Everyone is free to give their opinion. But there must be better things to do than criticise Sadio Mane. What does it even get you?' Augustin Senghor, the president of the Senegalese Football Federation, said: 'Of course, it's a heartbreak because everyone knows what Sadio means to our team. Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise, both for him and for us. 'We hope to have him back in top form for future matches, but this is a great opportunity for others to show themselves. The most important thing is that Sadio is there and ready for the big events to come.'
Metro
6 days ago
- Business
- Metro
Ian Wright says he 'would love' Arsenal to sign £22m former Everton midfielder
Ian Wright says he would love Arsenal to sign Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman this summer. Lookman has enjoyed another impressive season at Atalanta, scoring 15 goals to help the club finish third in Serie A, while he also found the net five times in the Champions League. The 27-year-old, who Everton sold to RB Leipzig for £22.5 million in 2019, was crowned the 2024 African Footballer of the Year in December off the back of his brilliant campaign with Atalanta in which he helped the Italian club win the Europa League with a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen. Arsenal, meanwhile, are in the market for a versatile forward in the summer transfer window, while reports in Italy have suggested that Atalanta would listen to offers in excess of €40m (£33.6m) for the Nigeria international. Wright believes Lookman would relish the chance to return to the Premier League and feels the winger could make an impact at Arsenal. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. 'I'm going to go with Ademola Lookman winning the African Player of the Year in respects of that man's journey,' Wright said on Wrighty's House podcast. More Trending 'I remember him from Charlton, it didn't worth out £10 million to Everton, then moving all over the place, the journey from loan to this, then I think that's one of the most devastating performances I've seen in any final with that hat-trick he scored. 'You know, it's just… I can't help but look at his dark moment where it would have been dark for him. You know, especially all those loans going to another country. And you know what? He never had no problem going wherever he needed to go to find it. And then obviously, like you say, you find your place. Like Scott McTominay's found that, like he's found with Atalanta. 'I hope we can buy him, Arsenal. I would love someone like him to come back to the Premier League and say, 'listen, I have unfinished business here so I am going to help Arsenal win the league'. 'But I just admire his journey and now he's recognised rightly as a top player, unbelievable.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Arsene Wenger's dream Arsenal signing revealed for summer transfer window MORE: Arsenal told to block Mikel Arteta's 'crazy' transfer move for Man Utd target MORE: Napoli eager to sign second Man Utd star after Alejandro Garnacho interest
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Everton star is now considering Liverpool transfer
Ademola Lookman back on the menu for Liverpool Those wingers leaving would mean gaps appearing in the team - as well as the wage bill - and Ademola Lookman could be one of the contenders to arrive. The 27-year-old African Footballer of the Year is a former Everton player - and has also had spells at Fulham, RB Leipzig and Leicester. Advertisement Currently starring for Italian side Atalanta, the Nigeria international has been tipped to move back to the North West this summer. Liverpool 'an option' for Lookman And now it's been claimed by well-connected journalist Diego Otero that Liverpool are indeed an 'option' for the winger who would consider the Reds should they make an offer for him. 'Ademola Lookman's departure from Atalanta is more than likely,' he wrote on X. 'No team has gone all out yet, and we're waiting to see how the market develops. Arsenal, Liverpool, or Manchester City would be some options for the Nigerian.'
The Independent
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Why Yaya Toure paid special visit to Brighton squad ahead of Newcastle clash
Yaya Toure was a special visitor at Brighton this week ahead of the Seagulls's Premier League clash with Newcastle. Toure is renowned as a cult legend of the Premier League, having ran the show for Manchester City during his eight years at the club, where he won three Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two League cups. The former Ivory Coast midfielder spent time at Albion's training ground talking to Fabian Hurzeler and his players, with the Brighton boss admitting his glee at the opportunity to pick the brains of one of the league's all-time greats. "In general we are a very open club and we always want to learn from other departments and other personalities," said Hurzeler. "He's an unbelievable personality. He was a great player so therefore we have two aspects when he was here. "The first one is he has a good relationship to the African players and I think it's very important we have someone there who can talk with the players, who has an understanding of where they come from, how is the culture there and what are their needs. I think that's something where I also can learn from. "And on the other side he was a great player so he can give me and the players some small advice on what it needs to be at the highest level. "We had a really interesting exchange. Although I didn't have that much time, I took away a lot of things and for sure we'll stay in touch and let's see how this relationship continues." Toure was voted African Footballer of the Year for four consecutive seasons, winning the prestigious award from 2011 through to 2014. Hurzeler hopes Toure's visit will have a positive impact on his side, who go into Sunday's game buoyed by l ast weekend's last-gasp 3-2 victory over West Ham, which ended a five-game winless run in the Premier League and reignited their European push. Albion trailed 2-1 going into the 89th minute but goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Carlos Baleba earned them three points. "I think the last game was very important because we showed character, we showed personality and we showed the belief in ourselves," said Hurzeler. "The group is full of positivity, the group is full of energy, and that's very important to have these attributes now in your team, especially for the last part of the season. "The main focus is we try to prepare for the next game. We know it's another big, big challenge for us but we are looking forward to it and I'm sure after this training week we are ready for it." Hurzeler confirmed defender Jan Paul van Hecke will be available after he missed the West Ham game with a head injury, while Adam Webster and Igor Julio could also feature. Record signing Georginio Rutter is also closing in on a return from his ankle injury and Hurzeler expects him to be available before the end of the season. The Brighton boss, meanwhile, said he remains in dialogue with Tariq Lamptey over his future, with the full-back out of contract this summer. "We have a really good relationship, we are always in an exchange," said Hurzeler. "That's what I always try to give the players - my honest opinion, a very transparent communication - and that's what I always will do."
BBC News
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Mo Salah: Fun Facts about the Liverpool and Egypt legend
It's a big celebration for Mo Salah, as he's has signed a new two-year contract with Liverpool also exciting news for the club's fans, as no-one was sure whether or not he would definitely stay on after the end of this season. After the new deal was announced Salah said "I have played eight years here, hopefully it's going to be 10. "I'm enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I have had the best years of my career here."So just much do you know about Salah and his achievements? Keep reading to find out more! How many goals has Salah scored for Liverpool? It's A LOT! So far with the team he's netted over 240 first came following a £34m move from AS Roma, scoring in a 3-3 draw at Watford on the opening day of the 2017-18 he's third in Liverpool's all-time goalscoring chartsHe's also a super-assist machine, meaning there's lots of goals scored by other players, that he's helped to created. Mo Salah: Player of the Year Every team Liverpool play against knows that Salah is an exceptional every defender knows that they have to watch his every fellow players have voted him the Player's Player of the Year twice, in 2017-18 and 2021-2022, and the Premier League have awarded him their Player of Year award too, in has often shone for his country, Egypt, in international football too and was voted the African Footballer of the Year in 2017 and 2018. How much money does Salah get at Liverpool? We don't get know how much Salah's will get under his new contract but according to BBC Sport his previous deal was worth more than £350,000-a-week - which made him the highest-paid player in the club's the star is also known for donating a significant portion of his wealth to various charities, particularly towards those in his home country of Egypt. In 2022 he was even named eighth in Sunday Times Giving List due to his charity donations. What has Salah won with Liverpool? With all his goals and teamwork Salah has certainly been helping his team bring home the far he's has won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Fifa Club World Cup with the he could be adding even more this season, with Liverpool well ahead in the Premier League table. Has Salah always played for Liverpool? Salah's first appearance in front of Liverpool's fans was back in 2014 but at that time he was playing for Chelsea - and the result wouldn't have made him very popular with the fans. On that occasion Chelsea not only beat Liverpool, but ended their 11-game winning streak. A bit awkward when you add to that the fact that Salah had rejected Liverpool to move to Chelsea four months earlier. But these days he is more than loyal to the club! Two months ago, he said he was "disappointed" at not having been offered a new deal by Liverpool, so it's good news for both him and the club that's he's set to stay put. What makes Salah such a special player? According to Liverpool manager Arne Slot, it's his humble personality and mental strength, as well his ability to score told BBC Sport: "He always wants to work hard and always puts a lot of effort into becoming the player he has become. "There are other players who can score goals, but Mo can score a goal even if he is not in the best half an hour, or best 15 minutes, and that's why he is mentally so strong."Slot has said he was "happy" Salah had chosen to stay given he could have gone to "probably any club in the world".
