Latest news with #Aspas
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Premier League flop, 37, known for awkward Anfield moment to be given statue at proposed World Cup stadium
The Prem flop has gone on to become a club legend in his homeland 'LAST MEMORY' Premier League flop, 37, known for awkward Anfield moment to be given statue at proposed World Cup stadium A PREMIER League flop is set to be immortalised outside a proposed World Cup stadium. The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Iberian neighbours Spain and Portugal, as well as Morocco. 5 Celta Vigo's Estadio Balaidos will potentially host matches for the 2030 World Cup Credit: GETTY 5 A statue of flop Liverpool striker Iago Aspas is set to be erected outside the ground Credit: ACTION 5 Aspas will be honoured with a statue after scoring 214 goals for the club Credit: GETTY One of the Spanish stadiums touted as a potential match venue is the home of La Liga side Celta Vigo - the Estadio de Balaidos. And visiting fans will be greeted by a statue of flop Liverpool striker Iago Aspas. The 37-year-old joined the Merseysiders in the summer of 2013 but left Anfield after two seasons on their books. He found goals incredibly hard to come by, finding the back of the net ONCE in 15 appearances. That, however, wasn't the case at his boyhood team Celta, whom he's scored a whopping 214 goals for during two stints. Aspas is beloved by the Celta faithful, so much so that the club are commissioning a statue in his honour. Club president Marian Mourino said: "When we were in Manchester, there was a statue of Bobby Charlton in front of the stadium. "The same will happen here with Iago Aspas." 5 Iago Aspas was responsible for one of the worst corners in Premier League history against Chelsea Credit: Sky Sports 5 Anfield let out a collective groan as the Spaniard played a side-footed pass straight to Willian in the 91st minute as the Reds trailed the visitors 1-0. Credit: SKY SPORTS Aspas' 80th-minute winner against Getafe on the final day of the La Liga season last month secured Celta Europa League football for next season. He'll forever be remembered by the Celta fans for his incredible haul of goals. The Sports Desk EP13_AP_V2 But Liverpool supporters will likely remember him for his awful corner against Chelsea in April 2014. Aspas irked the Anfield faithful by playing a sidefooted pass straight to Willian in the 91st minute as the Reds trailed the visitors 1-0 in a crunch title clash. When recalling the horror corner in 2017, he told the Daily Mail: "It was a great season for Liverpool… I just wish I could have played a bigger part. 'The corner is the last memory they have of me but football always gives you another chance. 'Let's hope the new lasting memory of me in England is knocking Manchester United out of Europe, for the sake of Celta Vigo, and for the happiness it would bring to Liverpool supporters too.'
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Premier League flop, 37, known for awkward Anfield moment to be given statue at proposed World Cup stadium
A PREMIER League flop is set to be immortalised outside a proposed World Cup stadium. The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Iberian neighbours Spain and Portugal , as well as Morocco . Advertisement 5 Celta Vigo's Estadio Balaidos will potentially host matches for the 2030 World Cup Credit: GETTY 5 A statue of flop Liverpool striker Iago Aspas is set to be erected outside the ground Credit: ACTION 5 Aspas will be honoured with a statue after scoring 214 goals for the club Credit: GETTY One of the Spanish stadiums touted as a potential match venue is the home of La Liga side Celta Vigo - the Estadio de Balaidos. And visiting fans will be greeted by a statue of flop Liverpool striker The 37-year-old joined the Merseysiders in the summer of 2013 but left Anfield after two seasons on their books . He found goals incredibly hard to come by, finding the back of the net ONCE in 15 appearances. Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS That, however, wasn't the case at his boyhood team Celta, whom he's scored a whopping 214 goals for during two stints. Aspas is beloved by the Celta faithful, so much so that the club are commissioning a statue in his honour. Club president Marian Mourino said: "When we were in Manchester , there was a statue of "The same will happen here with Iago Aspas." Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive 5 Iago Aspas was responsible for one of the worst corners in Premier League history against Chelsea Credit: Sky Sports 5 Anfield let out a collective groan as the Spaniard played a side-footed pass straight to Willian in the 91st minute as the Reds trailed the visitors 1-0. Credit: SKY SPORTS Aspas' 80th-minute winner against Getafe on the final day of the La Liga season last month secured Celta Europa League football for next season. He'll forever be remembered by the Celta fans for his incredible haul of goals. Advertisement The Sports Desk EP13_AP_V2 But Liverpool supporters will likely remember him for his awful corner against Aspas irked the Anfield faithful by playing a sidefooted pass straight to Willian in the 91st minute as the Reds trailed the visitors 1-0 in a crunch title clash. When recalling the horror corner in 2017, he told the 'The corner is the last memory they have of me but football always gives you another chance. Advertisement 'Let's hope the new lasting memory of me in England is knocking Manchester United out of Europe , for the sake of Celta Vigo, and for the happiness it would bring to Liverpool supporters too.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Bruised Real Madrid Must Stay in Title Fight against Celta
After crushing defeats by Arsenal in the Champions League and Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid have one remaining ambition -- defending their La Liga title. Los Blancos host Celta Vigo on Sunday aiming to stay hot on league leaders Barcelona's tail, despite bruises from the cup final fallout this week, AFP said. Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was banned for six matches for throwing an object at the referee, and also chose to undergo a knee operation, meaning he is out until the end of the season. Ferland Mendy and David Alaba were also ruled out injured for the rest of the campaign, joining long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao on the sidelines. Carlo Ancelotti's defense, one of the team's weak points in general this season, is in tatters as a Celta side hoping to secure European football next season visit the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid, second and trailing Barcelona by four points, have lost five matches in La Liga this season after stumbling just once in their previous campaign, as they lifted the title. Coach Carlo Ancelotti, poised to leave the club at the end of the season, still believes his team can defend their crown. Out of the Champions League, Madrid have had a week to rest and recover from the Copa final defeat on Saturday. "We have time to prepare the games against Celta and Barcelona, we have to continue competing until the end," insisted the Italian coach. After Celta, Madrid visit the Catalan giants at the Olympic Stadium in a clash which could go a long way to deciding the fate of the title race. Madrid need to arrive at that match without the four-point gap growing, with Barcelona in action at Real Valladolid on Saturday, between the two legs of their Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan. Madrid beat Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey last 16 on the way to the final, although it was a controversial night after the Galician side were not awarded what looked a likely penalty. "All of Spain saw it," said Celta striker Iago Aspas this week ahead of his team's return to the Bernabeu. Despite Madrid's struggles, Aspas said he would not rule them out of the title race. "In football you can never rule out anything, sometimes it seems a team might lose but then they win," added Aspas. "We'll try to be the protagonists, have the ball, attack... and after that, it could go well or not for us." Player to watch: Ayoze Perez As Villarreal close in on a Champions League spot for next season, striker Ayoze Perez is also hoping to finish the season as the top Spanish scorer in La Liga. The Villarreal forward has 14 goals, one behind Athletic Bilbao's Oihan Sancet, who is currently recovering from injury. Perez could add to his tally as Osasuna visit on Saturday.
The Citizen
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Bruised Real Madrid must stay in title fight against Celta
Madrid Madrid are second and trailing Barcelona by four points. Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid will host Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday. Photo: Guillermo Martinez / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP After crushing defeats by Arsenal in the Champions League and Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid have one remaining ambition — defending their La Liga title. Los Blancos host Celta Vigo on Sunday aiming to stay hot on league leaders Barcelona's tail, despite bruises from the cup final fallout this week. ALSO READ: Barcelona fight back against Inter in sensational semifinal draw Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was banned for six matches for throwing an object at the referee, and also chose to undergo a knee operation, meaning he is out until the end of the season. Ferland Mendy and David Alaba were also ruled out injured for the rest of the campaign, joining long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao on the sidelines. Carlo Ancelotti's defence, one of the team's weak points in general this season, is in tatters as a Celta side hoping to secure European football next season visit the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid, second and trailing Barcelona by four points, have lost five matches in La Liga this season after stumbling just once in their previous campaign, as they lifted the title. Coach Carlo Ancelotti, poised to leave the club at the end of the season, still believes his team can defend their crown. Out of the Champions League, Madrid have had a week to rest and recover from the Copa final defeat on Saturday. 'We have time to prepare the games against Celta and Barcelona, we have to continue competing until the end,' insisted the Italian coach. After Celta, Madrid visit the Catalan giants at the Olympic Stadium in a clash which could go a long way to deciding the fate of the title race. Madrid need to arrive at that match without the four-point gap growing, with Barcelona in action at Real Valladolid on Saturday, between the two legs of their Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan. Madrid beat Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey last 16 on the way to the final, although it was a controversial night after the Galician side were not awarded what looked a likely penalty. 'All of Spain saw it,' said Celta striker Iago Aspas this week ahead of his team's return to the Bernabeu. Despite Madrid's struggles, Aspas said he would not rule them out of the title race. 'In football you can never rule out anything, sometimes it seems a team might lose but then they win,' added Aspas. 'We'll try to be the protagonists, have the ball, attack… and after that, it could go well or not for us.' Player to watch: Ayoze Perez As Villarreal close in on a Champions League spot for next season, striker Ayoze Perez is also hoping to finish the season as the top Spanish scorer in La Liga. The Villarreal forward has 14 goals, one behind Athletic Bilbao's Oihan Sancet, who is currently recovering from injury. Perez could add to his tally as Osasuna visit on Saturday. Key stats 7 – outfield players who have taken part in each of their club's 33 league matches so far this season 69 – Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe has the most shots on target this season 100 – Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, who made his debut two years ago, reached a century of games for the club this week against Inter Milan Fixtures Friday (all times GMT) Rayo Vallecano v Getafe (1900) Saturday Alaves v Atletico Madrid (1200), Villarreal v Osasuna (1415), Las Palmas v Valencia (1630), Valladolid v Barcelona (1900) Sunday Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (1200), Sevilla v Leganes (1415), Espanyol v Real Betis (1630), Real Sociedad v Athletic Bilbao (1900) Monday Girona v Mallorca (1900)
Malay Mail
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
It's La Liga or bust as Real Madrid look to salvage their season
MADRID, May 2 — After crushing defeats by Arsenal in the Champions League and Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid have one remaining ambition — defending their La Liga title. Los Blancos host Celta Vigo on Sunday aiming to stay hot on league leaders Barcelona's tail, despite bruises from the cup final fallout this week. Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was banned for six matches for throwing an object at the referee, and also chose to undergo a knee operation, meaning he is out until the end of the season. Ferland Mendy and David Alaba were also ruled out injured for the rest of the campaign, joining long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao on the sidelines. Carlo Ancelotti's defence, one of the team's weak points in general this season, is in tatters as a Celta side hoping to secure European football next season visit the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid, second and trailing Barcelona by four points, have lost five matches in La Liga this season after stumbling just once in their previous campaign, as they lifted the title. Coach Carlo Ancelotti, poised to leave the club at the end of the season, still believes his team can defend their crown. Out of the Champions League, Madrid have had a week to rest and recover from the Copa final defeat on Saturday. 'We have time to prepare the games against Celta and Barcelona, we have to continue competing until the end,' insisted the Italian coach. After Celta, Madrid visit the Catalan giants at the Olympic Stadium in a clash which could go a long way to deciding the fate of the title race. Madrid need to arrive at that match without the four-point gap growing, with Barcelona in action at Real Valladolid tomorrow, between the two legs of their Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan. Madrid beat Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey last 16 on the way to the final, although it was a controversial night after the Galician side were not awarded what looked a likely penalty. 'All of Spain saw it,' said Celta striker Iago Aspas this week ahead of his team's return to the Bernabeu. Despite Madrid's struggles, Aspas said he would not rule them out of the title race. 'In football you can never rule out anything, sometimes it seems a team might lose but then they win,' added Aspas. 'We'll try to be the protagonists, have the ball, attack... and after that, it could go well or not for us.' — AFP
