Latest news with #FootballLegend
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
'What "arrogant and unpleasant" Cristiano Ronaldo is REALLY like on the football pitch': Former LaLiga rival lets rip with revelation on star's behaviour
A former LaLiga star has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo 's behaviour at Real Madrid 'left a lot to be desired', as he branded the star 'arrogant' during his time at the Spanish giants. Ronaldo enjoyed a trophy laden spell at Real Madrid which included four Champions League triumphs and two LaLiga titles, as well as multiple Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup triumphs. The football legend, who now plays for Al-Nassr, also became Real Madrid's all-time top goalscorer, after netting 450 goal in 438 matches at the club. Ronaldo, however, had several clashes with opposition players during his nine years with the Spanish giants. One of the most infamous incidents came in the 2011/12 season, when he was involved in a confrontation with Osasuna forward Walter Pandiani. The pair squared up to each other at half-time during Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat by Osasuna, with Ronaldo accused of taunting his opponent by asking how much he earned. Make your 7 picks by 12.30pm every Saturday to win £1,000* Pandiani had claimed at the time that Ronaldo should be 'more humble' and learn from Messi, with accusing him of 'having a screw loose'. Speaking about the incident 14 years on, as Real Madrid faced Osasuna in their LaLiga opener on Monday, Pandiani remained forthright in his opinions of Ronaldo during his time at Real Madrid. Pandiani, now 49, claimed Ronaldo had been riled up by the Osasuna fans pre-match and accused him of aiming free kicks at the crowd, before sparking an 'unpleasant' incident on the pitch. 'The crowd there is very aggressive, and they were whistling and insulting him from the moment he came out to warm up,' told Spanish newspaper AS. 'That p****d him off, and he was practicing free kicks, shooting at people. That's why he started the match so heated. 'During a foul against Real Madrid, Cristiano pushed my teammate [Javier] Camunas, and I went to defend him. I pushed him, and he asked me who I was and how much I was paid. 'The brawl continued in the changing room tunnel with him and Sergio Ramos. I was very angry, and so were they. 'I didn't like his attitude at all. He was an arrogant guy. He was tremendous as a goalscorer, but his behaviour left a lot to be desired. 'Then [Jose] Mourinho came out and said I was looking for free publicity after playing in the First Division for eleven years. It was very unpleasant.' Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat by Osasuna, with Camunas scoring the winner, would prove a damaging one as rivals Barcelona beat them to the LaLiga title by four points that season. Pandiani, who played for multiple LaLiga clubs and had a spell with Birmingham City, had enjoyed an impressive career. The Uruguayan scored 82 goals in 279 LaLiga matches during his career and won the Copa del Rey with three different clubs, as well as the Spanish Super Cup twice with Deportivo La Coruna.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Baidui Cup grows into global stage for youth football in Beijing
A player goes for goal during a Baidui Cup match, August 2025. Players vie for the ball during a Baidu Cup match, August 2025. BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 August 2025 - The 42nd "Baidui Cup" Football Tournament kicked off in the rain on the August 8. It brought a refreshing coolness of summer to the young players and once again ignited a football fever in Beijing, the "Dual Olympic City".As 51-year-old Chinese football legend Yang Chen watched children playing joyfully at the ongoing Beijing youth football tournament, vivid memories of his own participation over four decades ago came flooding back."I really enjoy those exciting and delightful moments, running side by side with my young teammates, trying to perform our best, and pursuing victories. This is where my dream began," noted the Beijing native, who participated in the first two editions of the Beijing youth football tournament is also known as the Baidui Cup. In 1984, 112 teams signed up for the inaugural event, while the number has expanded to over 1,000 in recent year, the 42nd edition of the Baidui Cup runs through August 8 to 17. "More kids are getting involved in this traditional tournament. They learn from each other and improve their skills through matches. Their passion shows the great football atmosphere here," Yang the current tournament, young players competed on football fields across six districts in Beijing, while their parents and other family members cheered for them throughout, no matter whether it was rainy or sunny in the hot summer."The Baidui Cup is my most anticipated event in summer vacation. It is like a football party," said the 10-year-old Li Jinglin during his fifth appearance at the tournament. "I started playing football as a left wing midfielder at the age of five. Two years ago, our goalkeeper got injured, and I replaced him and have stayed in that position since. I want to defend the victory for our team."Nine-year-old forward Wang Yibo, whose parents, grandmother and younger sister are his loyal fans, made his debut in the Baidui Cup after playing football for over two years."At first, I just hoped that he [Wang] could have better physical strength by attending football training sessions every week. Gradually, I found he was self-motivated to make progress step by step. I believe football will always accompany him as he grows up," said Wang's mother Guo the tournament has further expanded its influence in recent years, more talents from other cities and even the rest of the world have joined this youth football Ma Zhiqiang brought his players from Rongjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province to experience the Baidui Cup in Beijing for the first time this year. Rongjiang is the birthplace of China's renowned Village Super League, also known as Cun Chao."My kids are all from the Chemin Primary School in Rongjiang. I have only been there for 10 months, but I already feel their tenacity and strong will to play. With no doubt, Cun Chao inspired them a lot, and they wish to play in front of their home audience in the future," Ma in mountainous areas generally have good leg strength but still need to polish their skills, particularly compared with young players from professional football clubs in Beijing. However, the performance of Rongjiang players at the Baidui Cup amazed remarked, "My team strictly implemented the game plan. In the first half, they concentrated on defense, while in the second half, they took advantage of their physical strength to make counter-attack. We are all excited to secure several victories here."Nine-year-old Lin Qihang, captain of the Rongjiang youth team, practices for more than three hours every day after school. He said, "Playing football made me more self-disciplined. Our trip to Beijing is an opportunity to learn from other teams and see a bigger world."Travelling from thousands of miles away, Zimbabwe's 11-year-old Christiano Konono competed in the Baidui Cup with his teammates, who are all from Jadel Football Academy, a youth football club in Beijing founded by former professional player Walter Musanhu in Football Academy dispatched five age-group teams to this summer's Baidui Cup, with about 150 players from China, Zimbabwe, Japan and other countries and regions. This winter, Musanhu will lead his Chinese players to Zimbabwe to experience African football culture."I have so much love for the kids, and they need to be encouraged. I want these kids to achieve more than what I achieved as a football player. I want these kids to have the best memories in their lives," remarked on the development of the Baidui Cup, Gao Jun, secretary of Beijing Football Association, said, "As the tournament grows in popularity, we organize it annually. There is simply no reason to stop."Indeed, the Baidui Cup has become an iconic youth football tournament pillared by the enthusiasm of young generations and the support from their families. Almost all elite Beijing native football players have showed their potential in the Baidui Cup, including former Chinese national team players Shao Jiayi and Liu Ying."A journey of more than 40 years is never easy. I hope more young players can stand out in the Baidui Cup and contribute to Chinese football and its related industries," said Shao, currently the head coach of Qingdao West Coast in Chinese Super #BaiduiCup The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Sport
- Zawya
Baidui Cup grows into global stage for youth football in Beijing
BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 August 2025 - The 42nd "Baidui Cup" Football Tournament kicked off in the rain on the August 8 th. It brought a refreshing coolness of summer to the young players and once again ignited a football fever in Beijing, the "Dual Olympic City". As 51-year-old Chinese football legend Yang Chen watched children playing joyfully at the ongoing Beijing youth football tournament, vivid memories of his own participation over four decades ago came flooding back. "I really enjoy those exciting and delightful moments, running side by side with my young teammates, trying to perform our best, and pursuing victories. This is where my dream began," noted the Beijing native, who participated in the first two editions of the tournament. The Beijing youth football tournament is also known as the Baidui Cup. In 1984, 112 teams signed up for the inaugural event, while the number has expanded to over 1,000 in recent years. This year, the 42nd edition of the Baidui Cup runs through August 8 to 17. "More kids are getting involved in this traditional tournament. They learn from each other and improve their skills through matches. Their passion shows the great football atmosphere here," Yang said. In the current tournament, young players competed on football fields across six districts in Beijing, while their parents and other family members cheered for them throughout, no matter whether it was rainy or sunny in the hot summer. "The Baidui Cup is my most anticipated event in summer vacation. It is like a football party," said the 10-year-old Li Jinglin during his fifth appearance at the tournament. "I started playing football as a left wing midfielder at the age of five. Two years ago, our goalkeeper got injured, and I replaced him and have stayed in that position since. I want to defend the victory for our team." Nine-year-old forward Wang Yibo, whose parents, grandmother and younger sister are his loyal fans, made his debut in the Baidui Cup after playing football for over two years. "At first, I just hoped that he [Wang] could have better physical strength by attending football training sessions every week. Gradually, I found he was self-motivated to make progress step by step. I believe football will always accompany him as he grows up," said Wang's mother Guo Lele. As the tournament has further expanded its influence in recent years, more talents from other cities and even the rest of the world have joined this youth football festival. Coach Ma Zhiqiang brought his players from Rongjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province to experience the Baidui Cup in Beijing for the first time this year. Rongjiang is the birthplace of China's renowned Village Super League, also known as Cun Chao. "My kids are all from the Chemin Primary School in Rongjiang. I have only been there for 10 months, but I already feel their tenacity and strong will to play. With no doubt, Cun Chao inspired them a lot, and they wish to play in front of their home audience in the future," Ma said. Children in mountainous areas generally have good leg strength but still need to polish their skills, particularly compared with young players from professional football clubs in Beijing. However, the performance of Rongjiang players at the Baidui Cup amazed everyone. Ma remarked, "My team strictly implemented the game plan. In the first half, they concentrated on defense, while in the second half, they took advantage of their physical strength to make counter-attack. We are all excited to secure several victories here." Nine-year-old Lin Qihang, captain of the Rongjiang youth team, practices for more than three hours every day after school. He said, "Playing football made me more self-disciplined. Our trip to Beijing is an opportunity to learn from other teams and see a bigger world." Travelling from thousands of miles away, Zimbabwe's 11-year-old Christiano Konono competed in the Baidui Cup with his teammates, who are all from Jadel Football Academy, a youth football club in Beijing founded by former professional player Walter Musanhu in 2019. Jadel Football Academy dispatched five age-group teams to this summer's Baidui Cup, with about 150 players from China, Zimbabwe, Japan and other countries and regions. This winter, Musanhu will lead his Chinese players to Zimbabwe to experience African football culture. "I have so much love for the kids, and they need to be encouraged. I want these kids to achieve more than what I achieved as a football player. I want these kids to have the best memories in their lives," remarked Musanhu. Reflecting on the development of the Baidui Cup, Gao Jun, secretary of Beijing Football Association, said, "As the tournament grows in popularity, we organize it annually. There is simply no reason to stop." Indeed, the Baidui Cup has become an iconic youth football tournament pillared by the enthusiasm of young generations and the support from their families. Almost all elite Beijing native football players have showed their potential in the Baidui Cup, including former Chinese national team players Shao Jiayi and Liu Ying. "A journey of more than 40 years is never easy. I hope more young players can stand out in the Baidui Cup and contribute to Chinese football and its related industries," said Shao, currently the head coach of Qingdao West Coast in Chinese Super League. Hashtag: #BaiduiCup The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Baidui Cup
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fecafoot: Samuel Eto'o's farewell message to the executive committee
Samuel Eto'o This Wednesday, Samuel Eto'o chaired the proceedings of the Fecafoot Executive Committee. It was an opportunity for the legend to begin bidding his farewells. The president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), Samuel Eto'o chaired the Executive Committee meeting on the morning of Wednesday, August 6. The session was held at the Caf Center of Excellence in Mbankomo. This is the final session under Samuel Eto'o's leadership. The African football icon expressed his satisfaction with what he and his team accomplished during his four-year term. "In every challenge, I could count on you. Time and again, we tried to push our limits in our commitments... What I know is that Cameroonian football will never be the same again. Because together, we always tried to show that it was possible to do things differently. Today is our penultimate executive committee session, as the next one will be to appoint the new board and the new president of FECAFOOT," Eto'o stated this morning.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lionel Messi scores insane solo goal in Inter Miami return after Club World Cup
Even for Lionel Messi, this was incredible. There's really nothing the Argentinian legend can do on the pitch that should surprise. But his latest solo goal for Inter Miami, in their return from the Club World Cup taking on Montreal in MLS action, was about as magical as can be. Advertisement Just watch it. There really aren't any words. This man is 38 years old. Seriously, 38 years old. Messi might be the greatest ever. And some might critique that now he's only plying his craft in MLS and not somewhere in Europe. But jeez, just appreciate the greatness. He weaved through everyone. The finish wasn't in doubt once he got there. But how on earth did he get there? Messi is magic. That's all there is to it. MORE: Notre Dame's 2026 WR room will feature 4 sons of NFL legends
