Latest news with #AsianChampionsLeagueElite
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
All grown up: Vidmar ready to kick on from ALM triumph
With a maiden A-League Men championship finally in his grasp, Aurelio Vidmar feels a long way from the young coach who used to shoot his mouth off. Now he's ready to take Melbourne City up another gear, at home and in Asia. "Sometimes in life, sporting life, you can have all the luck in the world and be blessed and win multiple championships," Vidmar told AAP on Sunday, after City's 1-0 grand final win over Melbourne Victory. "And sometimes as a player, you can go 10 years, 15 years, your whole career, and not win anything. "So does that define you, who you are as a coach or as a player? Probably not. But everyone always likes to see, is he a winner or has he won a championship? "So if you want to call it a monkey off the back, whatever, it doesn't really faze me, but I'm rapt." The former Socceroos captain's early days as Adelaide United coach included coaching a young Mathew Leckie and taking the Reds to an Asian Champions League Final and ALM decider. But those achievements were arguably overshadowed by Vidmar's outbursts, which included calling Adelaide "a pissant town" and blaming "politics" for his team's 4-0 semi-final loss to Victory in 2009. "Well, when you're young, you sometimes do some silly things," Vidmar, now 58, said with a laugh. "You regret it when you get a little bit older, but sometimes you've got the passion, and those moments sort of just pop up and things happen. "But it is what it is. I'm so rapt for everyone here, the players are really working their backsides off and really deserved that last night." Vidmar hopes to keep most of his squad together, including Marco Tilio, whose loan from Celtic is ending. Grand final goal scorer Yonatan Cohen is off-contract. In finishing second behind Auckland FC, City were the highest-ranked Australian team and qualified for the Asian Champions League Elite. Vidmar noted that would help on the recruiting front as City attempt to stay at the top. He can't wait to return to Asia after City flopped in the group stages in their last involvement in 2023. "It's a great competition," he said. "Some of those nights have been the most memorable nights in my football career and there's so much more respect for it than it used to be 10, 15 years ago. "Now we've seen all the money that's been thrown out to the Saudis, for example; theirs are going to be strong. The Japanese are always going to be strong. "So a great tournament. We deserve to get there. So looking forward to that. It's going to be special." With a maiden A-League Men championship finally in his grasp, Aurelio Vidmar feels a long way from the young coach who used to shoot his mouth off. Now he's ready to take Melbourne City up another gear, at home and in Asia. "Sometimes in life, sporting life, you can have all the luck in the world and be blessed and win multiple championships," Vidmar told AAP on Sunday, after City's 1-0 grand final win over Melbourne Victory. "And sometimes as a player, you can go 10 years, 15 years, your whole career, and not win anything. "So does that define you, who you are as a coach or as a player? Probably not. But everyone always likes to see, is he a winner or has he won a championship? "So if you want to call it a monkey off the back, whatever, it doesn't really faze me, but I'm rapt." The former Socceroos captain's early days as Adelaide United coach included coaching a young Mathew Leckie and taking the Reds to an Asian Champions League Final and ALM decider. But those achievements were arguably overshadowed by Vidmar's outbursts, which included calling Adelaide "a pissant town" and blaming "politics" for his team's 4-0 semi-final loss to Victory in 2009. "Well, when you're young, you sometimes do some silly things," Vidmar, now 58, said with a laugh. "You regret it when you get a little bit older, but sometimes you've got the passion, and those moments sort of just pop up and things happen. "But it is what it is. I'm so rapt for everyone here, the players are really working their backsides off and really deserved that last night." Vidmar hopes to keep most of his squad together, including Marco Tilio, whose loan from Celtic is ending. Grand final goal scorer Yonatan Cohen is off-contract. In finishing second behind Auckland FC, City were the highest-ranked Australian team and qualified for the Asian Champions League Elite. Vidmar noted that would help on the recruiting front as City attempt to stay at the top. He can't wait to return to Asia after City flopped in the group stages in their last involvement in 2023. "It's a great competition," he said. "Some of those nights have been the most memorable nights in my football career and there's so much more respect for it than it used to be 10, 15 years ago. "Now we've seen all the money that's been thrown out to the Saudis, for example; theirs are going to be strong. The Japanese are always going to be strong. "So a great tournament. We deserve to get there. So looking forward to that. It's going to be special." With a maiden A-League Men championship finally in his grasp, Aurelio Vidmar feels a long way from the young coach who used to shoot his mouth off. Now he's ready to take Melbourne City up another gear, at home and in Asia. "Sometimes in life, sporting life, you can have all the luck in the world and be blessed and win multiple championships," Vidmar told AAP on Sunday, after City's 1-0 grand final win over Melbourne Victory. "And sometimes as a player, you can go 10 years, 15 years, your whole career, and not win anything. "So does that define you, who you are as a coach or as a player? Probably not. But everyone always likes to see, is he a winner or has he won a championship? "So if you want to call it a monkey off the back, whatever, it doesn't really faze me, but I'm rapt." The former Socceroos captain's early days as Adelaide United coach included coaching a young Mathew Leckie and taking the Reds to an Asian Champions League Final and ALM decider. But those achievements were arguably overshadowed by Vidmar's outbursts, which included calling Adelaide "a pissant town" and blaming "politics" for his team's 4-0 semi-final loss to Victory in 2009. "Well, when you're young, you sometimes do some silly things," Vidmar, now 58, said with a laugh. "You regret it when you get a little bit older, but sometimes you've got the passion, and those moments sort of just pop up and things happen. "But it is what it is. I'm so rapt for everyone here, the players are really working their backsides off and really deserved that last night." Vidmar hopes to keep most of his squad together, including Marco Tilio, whose loan from Celtic is ending. Grand final goal scorer Yonatan Cohen is off-contract. In finishing second behind Auckland FC, City were the highest-ranked Australian team and qualified for the Asian Champions League Elite. Vidmar noted that would help on the recruiting front as City attempt to stay at the top. He can't wait to return to Asia after City flopped in the group stages in their last involvement in 2023. "It's a great competition," he said. "Some of those nights have been the most memorable nights in my football career and there's so much more respect for it than it used to be 10, 15 years ago. "Now we've seen all the money that's been thrown out to the Saudis, for example; theirs are going to be strong. The Japanese are always going to be strong. "So a great tournament. We deserve to get there. So looking forward to that. It's going to be special."
West Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
All grown up: Vidmar ready to kick on from ALM triumph
With a maiden A-League Men championship finally in his grasp, Aurelio Vidmar feels a long way from the young coach who used to shoot his mouth off. Now he's ready to take Melbourne City up another gear, at home and in Asia. "Sometimes in life, sporting life, you can have all the luck in the world and be blessed and win multiple championships," Vidmar told AAP on Sunday, after City's 1-0 grand final win over Melbourne Victory. "And sometimes as a player, you can go 10 years, 15 years, your whole career, and not win anything. "So does that define you, who you are as a coach or as a player? Probably not. But everyone always likes to see, is he a winner or has he won a championship? "So if you want to call it a monkey off the back, whatever, it doesn't really faze me, but I'm rapt." The former Socceroos captain's early days as Adelaide United coach included coaching a young Mathew Leckie and taking the Reds to an Asian Champions League Final and ALM decider. But those achievements were arguably overshadowed by Vidmar's outbursts, which included calling Adelaide "a pissant town" and blaming "politics" for his team's 4-0 semi-final loss to Victory in 2009. "Well, when you're young, you sometimes do some silly things," Vidmar, now 58, said with a laugh. "You regret it when you get a little bit older, but sometimes you've got the passion, and those moments sort of just pop up and things happen. "But it is what it is. I'm so rapt for everyone here, the players are really working their backsides off and really deserved that last night." Vidmar hopes to keep most of his squad together, including Marco Tilio, whose loan from Celtic is ending. Grand final goal scorer Yonatan Cohen is off-contract. In finishing second behind Auckland FC, City were the highest-ranked Australian team and qualified for the Asian Champions League Elite. Vidmar noted that would help on the recruiting front as City attempt to stay at the top. He can't wait to return to Asia after City flopped in the group stages in their last involvement in 2023. "It's a great competition," he said. "Some of those nights have been the most memorable nights in my football career and there's so much more respect for it than it used to be 10, 15 years ago. "Now we've seen all the money that's been thrown out to the Saudis, for example; theirs are going to be strong. The Japanese are always going to be strong. "So a great tournament. We deserve to get there. So looking forward to that. It's going to be special."
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
All grown up: Vidmar ready to kick on from ALM triumph
With a maiden A-League Men championship finally in his grasp, Aurelio Vidmar feels a long way from the young coach who used to shoot his mouth off. Now he's ready to take Melbourne City up another gear, at home and in Asia. "Sometimes in life, sporting life, you can have all the luck in the world and be blessed and win multiple championships," Vidmar told AAP on Sunday, after City's 1-0 grand final win over Melbourne Victory. "And sometimes as a player, you can go 10 years, 15 years, your whole career, and not win anything. "So does that define you, who you are as a coach or as a player? Probably not. But everyone always likes to see, is he a winner or has he won a championship? "So if you want to call it a monkey off the back, whatever, it doesn't really faze me, but I'm rapt." The former Socceroos captain's early days as Adelaide United coach included coaching a young Mathew Leckie and taking the Reds to an Asian Champions League Final and ALM decider. But those achievements were arguably overshadowed by Vidmar's outbursts, which included calling Adelaide "a pissant town" and blaming "politics" for his team's 4-0 semi-final loss to Victory in 2009. "Well, when you're young, you sometimes do some silly things," Vidmar, now 58, said with a laugh. "You regret it when you get a little bit older, but sometimes you've got the passion, and those moments sort of just pop up and things happen. "But it is what it is. I'm so rapt for everyone here, the players are really working their backsides off and really deserved that last night." When the Championship press conference gets GATECRASHED 😂🍾🎙️ Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) June 1, 2025 Vidmar hopes to keep most of his squad together, including Marco Tilio, whose loan from Celtic is ending. Grand final goal scorer Yonatan Cohen is off-contract. In finishing second behind Auckland FC, City were the highest-ranked Australian team and qualified for the Asian Champions League Elite. Vidmar noted that would help on the recruiting front as City attempt to stay at the top. He can't wait to return to Asia after City flopped in the group stages in their last involvement in 2023. "It's a great competition," he said. "Some of those nights have been the most memorable nights in my football career and there's so much more respect for it than it used to be 10, 15 years ago. "Now we've seen all the money that's been thrown out to the Saudis, for example; theirs are going to be strong. The Japanese are always going to be strong. "So a great tournament. We deserve to get there. So looking forward to that. It's going to be special."
Iraqi News
7 days ago
- Sport
- Iraqi News
Ronaldo announces Al-Nassr chapter ‘over'
Paris – Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo indicated on Monday that he could leave Al-Nassr after declaring that a 'chapter is over' hours after the Saudi Pro League finished. Ronaldo, 40, joined Al-Nassr in 2022 from Manchester United and his contract in Saudi Arabia ends this summer. A special transfer window runs from June 1-10 to allow the 32 clubs involved in the Club World Cup to sign players. 'This chapter is over,' Ronaldo cryptically said on social media with a photo of him in an Al-Nassr shirt. 'The story? Still being written. 'Grateful to all,' the former Real Madrid and Juventus attacker added. Al-Nassr missed out on the Asian Champions League Elite, losing to Japan's Kawasaki Frontale in April's semi-finals and were third in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo ended as the league's top goal scorer on 24. Last year, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said he could end his career wit Al-Nassr.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘Chapter is over': Cristiano Ronaldo hints Al-Nassr exit after 2-3 loss in last SPL 2024-25 match
Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at the end of his Al-Nassr exit after the team's defeat in the Saudi Premier League (SPL) 2024-25 season-ending match to Al-Fateh. Despite notching up his record 800th club goal of his career, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner could not prevent a 2-3 loss for his side, ending hopes of their Asian Champions League Elite qualification. With 70 points, Al Nassr finished third on the SPL standings, 13 behind league winners Al-Ittihad and five behind second-placed Al-Hilal. Ronaldo, who joined the Saudi side in 2022 after his second stint with Manchester United, has his contract with the club run out this summer. 'This chapter is over,' Ronaldo wrote on social media after the loss. 'The story? Still being written. Grateful to all,' the former Real Madrid and Juventus forward added. This chapter is story? Still being to all. — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) May 26, 2025 The 40-year-old Ronaldo can, however, keep his story running immediately by linking up with a FIFA Club World Cup team before the 32-team tournament begins on June 14. Ronaldo could be in the running to join one of the sides after FIFA set up a special trading window for the participating teams to sign new players between June 1-10. FIFA president Gianni Infantino also hinted at a probable move for the Portuguese legend in the special window. 'Cristiano Ronaldo might play in the Club World Cup,' Infantino said on the online streamer IShowSpeed's YouTube channel, which boasts over 39 million subscribers. 'There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup, who knows. There is still time; it will be fun.' Ronaldo could then reunite with his long-time rival Lionel Messi in the same tournament for the first time since the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Despite Al-Nassr's underwhelming finish, Ronaldo topped the Golden Boot race in the SPL with 24 goals, with his overall tally sitting at 99 goals in 111 appearances for the team.
