Latest news with #FrankRijkaard
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Tijjani Reijnders is £46million Man City signing who worked in ALDI and is named after legendary winger
TIJJANI REIJNDERS is perfectly placed to lead Manchester City's £130million supermarket sweep. The versatile midfielder used to stack shelves in Aldi but is now the first signing of a huge summer for Pep Guardiola. 11 Reijnders, 26, idolises Kevin De Bruyne and will now be tasked with filling the gaping void left by the Belgian superstar. When the Netherlands international joined Milan he was asked about his rise to the top and said: "I recently noticed an article 'from amateur to AC Milan '. "But when I think about it, I like 'from Aldi to AC Milan' even better!" Aldi to Manchester City will have an even better ring to it for Guardiola's new midfield general. It is quite the challenge for the midfielder, though he arrives with some stellar references. Milan and Netherlands great Frank Rijkaard is convinced Reijnders is destined for the top. Speaking earlier this season, he said: "I hope that Reijnders becomes one of the best midfielders in the world… I sincerely believe he's already on the right path. "I really like his style of play. He can cover all roles in the midfield and shows his generosity: he never holds back from a run for the team and always gives his best. "With the quality he has, he's excellent at creating dangerous chances for his teammates and setting up the play well." Reijnders can bring a bit of everything to a Manchester City midfield in need of a shot in the arm. The former AZ Alkmaar man made more interceptions than any other midfielder in Serie A this season as well as creating the most chances from open play. He may not have the craft of De Bruyne when it comes to creating chances - there are few, if any, who do - but Reijnders can also find the back of the net. Milan's maestro bagged 15 goals from midfield this term - two more than any other midfielder in the Italian top flight. Reijnders' path to the top has been carefully plotted, aided by his father and agent, Martin - a former player himself who was a team-mate of Jaap Stam at Dutch side Zwolle. The family clearly planned a footballing career for their son from day one, naming him Tijjani after former Nigerian winger, Tijani Babangida. Younger brother Eliano also plays for his father's former side, Zwolle. Martin revealed after sealing Tijjani's move to Milan that the pair had decided to turn down Barcelona in order to join the Rossoneri. Barca were on the lookout for an heir to Sergio Busquets and Reijnders' father made the brave and bold decision to tell his son that he was not quite up to the task. 11 11 He told Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad: "I immediately told Tijjani, 'You are not that type of player. Before you know it, you'll end up on the bench. And you'd become yet another player who fails abroad.'" There was Premier League interest two years ago, but Reijnders has rapidly developed in Milan and now feels prepared to take his biggest step yet. As well as carefully planning his progression, Reijnders has studied fellow players to add as much to his game as possible. Speaking to The Athletic, Reijnders said: 'When I got older, I looked a lot at Kevin De Bruyne. I watched his games, YouTube clips. 'Especially the way he was scanning the pitch before he gets the ball so he always knows where the space is. "I try to do the same.' Before looking to add elements of De Bruyne to his game, City's new man carefully studied another Guardiola stalwart in Andres Iniesta. There are few deals which can be a sure thing, not every signing is as obvious as Erling Haaland. But in Reijnders, Manchester City look to have identified a player capable of grabbing hold of a game who is primed to slot straight into a Guardiola side. 11 11 11 11
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Thierry Henry reveals why he left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007 - as he opens up on 'difficult' situation and family life at the time
Thierry Henry reveals why he left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007 - as he opens up on 'difficult' situation and family life at the time Thierry Henry has dived into the reasons he left Arsenal for £16million in 2007 His exit for Barcelona came as a shock after eight prolific years in London LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Is Ruben Amorim too honest? Thierry Henry has opened up on his shock exit from Arsenal in 2007, insisting he wanted to 'compete' rather than stay in his 'comfort zone'. The striker left London for Barcelona for £16million that summer, suddenly calling time on a prolific eight-season spell which saw him bang in 226 goals. He cried when he left the Emirates and was initially told he would be fourth choice, but he was determined to make a success of himself and win the Champions League. 'It's not always easy to have it a certain way at a club [Arsenal], and then you decide to go for various reasons that I mentioned so many times,' Henry told the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet. 'You arrive at a club that won the Champions League, with [Samuel] Eto'o in the middle, [Lionel] Messi on the right, and Ronaldinho on the left. I've been told that I'm going to start on the bench by Frank Rijkaard, but I said I'm coming – I need to battle. 'I look for that challenge every day of the week, that's what I need – I'd rather compete than be in the comfort zone. To go there, to re-learn to play a certain way. Thierry Henry has opened up on the reasons behind leaving Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007 The Frenchman spent eight seasons with the Gunners but left suddenly for £16million He had three seasons in Spain, winning seven trophies including the Champions League He was going through a divorce at the time from his first wife Claire Merry (right) 'I was getting divorced, and I arrived there injured, learning a new language, a new style of play – people didn't care, and that's how it should be. It's life, you have to find a way. 'At the time, with the divorce, I didn't see my daughter too much because of what it was, and you have to perform. 'People are looking at you because you're the new guy – what are you going to do? What are you going to show us, we won the Champions League here and you've never won it – that's how it is, and I understand that and respect that. 'If you arrive at a club and people welcome you, so be it – but they don't have to welcome you. Show them that you can be here and perform. Was it difficult? Yes, it was.' Henry had been married to Claire Merry since 2003 and the duo had a home in London and a two-year-old daughter. But a divorce was granted in September 2007 and Henry married Andrea Rajacic, his current wife with whom he has three children, in 2011. Henry's decision to leave Arsenal did pay off - he won seven trophies at Barca, including two LaLiga titles and the 2008-09 Champions League. That team, which beat Manchester United 2-0 in the final, is widely considered one of the greatest of all time, with Lionel Messi on the right wing, Samuel Eto'o through the middle, and Henry on the left. Henry had to learn to be adaptable and selfless, being moved to the left side, but cemented his reputation as one of the era's greatest forwards by lifting the Champions League - something Arsenal failed to do in 2006 when they reached the final. Thierry Henry was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
Trade Arabia
27-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Football legend Rijkaard buys RAK waterfront residence
UAE-based Major Developers has announced that football legend Frank Rijkaard has officially bought a residence at the brand's landmark seafront development, Manta Bay, located on Al Marjan Island, in Ras Al Khaimah. Known across the globe for his legacy as a player and manager, leading teams like FC Barcelona and the Netherlands national squad, Rijkaard is now applying his strategic vision to real estate, choosing Manta Bay for both its elegance and its exceptional investment potential, said the Emirati developer. Lauding the decision, CEO Andrei Charapenak said: "We are honoured to welcome Rijkaard to the Manta Bay community. His storied legacy in football, rooted in vision, excellence, and purpose, aligns closely with our own development philosophy." "It is incredibly rewarding to see world-class individuals resonate with what we are building on Al Marjan Island, in Ras Al Khaimah. His trust is a validation of the investment credibility we have worked hard to cultivate," he stated. Rijkaard's stratergic buy stands as a powerful testament to the growing global appeal of Manta Bay, which has already captivated a discerning investor base, observed Charapenak. "His decision follows the footsteps of fellow football legend Francesco Totti, who has also chosen to align with Major Developers by investing in residences within the project," he stated. "As one of the fastest-selling projects on Al Marjan Island, Manta Bay has become synonymous with design-driven living, sweeping Arabian Gulf views, and seamless access to luxury hospitality with the region's first Sky Pool Beach," he noted
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Frank Rijkaard acquires residence at Manta Bay by Major Developers
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE – In a proud and defining moment for Major Developers, football legend Frank Rijkaard has officially secured a residence at the brand's landmark seafront development, Manta Bay, located on Al Marjan Island, in Ras Al Khaimah. Known across the globe for his legacy as a player and manager, leading teams like FC Barcelona and the Netherlands national squad, Rijkaard is now applying his strategic vision to real estate, choosing Manta Bay for both its elegance and its exceptional investment potential. Rijkaard's acquisition stands as a powerful testament to the growing global appeal of Manta Bay, which has already captivated a discerning investor base. His decision follows the footsteps of fellow football legend Francesco Totti, who has also chosen to align with Major Developers by investing in residences within the project. Andrei Charapenak, CEO of Major Developers, expressed his thoughts on this milestone: 'We are honoured to welcome Rijkaard to the Manta Bay community. His storied legacy in football, rooted in vision, excellence, and purpose, aligns closely with our own development philosophy. It is incredibly rewarding to see world-class individuals resonate with what we are building on Al Marjan Island, in Ras Al Khaimah. His trust is a validation of the investment credibility we have worked hard to cultivate.' As one of the fastest-selling projects on Al Marjan Island, Manta Bay has become synonymous with design-driven living, sweeping Arabian Gulf views, and seamless access to luxury hospitality with the region's first Sky Pool Beach. With the project nearing full occupancy, investor anticipation is now building around the forthcoming release of Major Developers' next major venture, poised to raise the bar yet again in Ras Al Khaimah.
