Latest news with #IvanToney
BBC News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Brentford are always entertaining'
Here's my quick assessment of Brentford's Premier League season - and a return to my August the season: 10thPre-season prediction: 17thWhat an outstanding job manager Thomas Frank continues to do at Brentford. They finished in the Premier League's top 10 and the days when many (guilty!) thought they would struggle to survive in the top flight are long made a nonsense of those pre-season pessimists. (Guilty again!)Brentford are always entertaining with those two outstanding forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. They barely missed a beat after the loss of Ivan I said in August: "Manager Thomas Frank continues to do a fine job but this may be his biggest test."Read my assessments of the other 19 teams here
Al Arabiya
7 days ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Cristiano Ronaldo wins Saudi Pro League Golden Boot again: Al Nassr captain's best moments
For the second year in a row, Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot - awarded to the division's top goalscorer across the season. Twelve months ago, Ronaldo made history as the highest single-season scorer in Pro League history with 35 goals in 31 games. In 2024-25, his total was a slightly more modest 25, but it was enough to see Ronaldo finish ahead of Ivan Toney and Karim Benzema as the Kingdom's leading marksman once more - the latest in a long line of scoring awards that Ronaldo has picked up in his glittering career. For more Saudi sports news, visit our dedicated page. He won the English Premier League's Golden Boot in 2008, the Pichichi Trophy in La Liga in 2011, 2014 and 2015, and the Capocannoniere in Serie A in 2021. Ronaldo has now finished as his league's leading scorer seven times in his career, as well as topping the goal charts in the UEFA Champions League seven times and winning the Euro 2020 Golden Boot. Here, Al Arabiya English highlights the best moments of the 25-goal haul that saw Al Nassr captain Ronaldo win the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot in 2024-25. Al Nassr 4-1 Al Fayha - Aug 27, 2024 For more than two decades, Ronaldo has been conjuring set-piece moments to remember and against Al Fayha - in the second match of the season - he added another to his impressive back catalogue. In the 10th minute of stoppage time, Al Nassr was awarded a free-kick and it was Ronaldo who placed the ball down, 20 yards from goal. The ex-Real Madrid forward hit a sweetly-struck effort up over the wall and into the bottom corner beyond Saudi goalkeeper Abdulraouf al-Duqayl. Al Nassr 2-0 Damac - Nov 29, 2024 Ronaldo had gone two months without scoring from open play in the Saudi Pro League - netting four penalties before finally getting back among the goals against Al Qadsiah in November. He followed that up with his first brace of the season at home to Damac. It was another penalty to put Al Nassr ahead - his fifth spot-kick of the campaign - but his second was an impressive, sweeping left-foot finish from Nawaf al-Boushal's pull-back. Not for the first time, Ronaldo's intervention was a match-winning one. Al Nassr 3-0 Al Fayha - Feb 7, 2025 Just two days after celebrating his 40th birthday, Ronaldo showed against Al Fayha that age is just a number as he rounded off Al Nassr's 3-0 victory at Al-Awwal Park. Ronaldo exhibited lightning reactions, racing into the penalty area and outpacing Al Fayha captain Mohammed al-Baqawi - 11 years his junior - to steal in ahead of the defender and poke home Nawaf al-Boushal's cross. Al Wehda 0-2 Al Nassr - Feb 25, 2025 Al Wehda's fans - and defense - are unquestionably sick of the sight of Ronaldo as the Portuguese superstar has scored more goals against them than any other club since he arrived in Saudi Arabia in January 2023. With Al Nassr's captain having previously netted two hat-tricks against Al Wehda, it was a little better for the team from Mecca in February as Ronaldo helped himself to just one goal. It was a strike for which Ronaldo has become synonymous as he climbed to an impressive height to head in Angelo's right-wing cross - his 10th goal in n six matches against Al Wehda. Al Hilal 1-3 Al Nassr - Apr 4, 2025 Ronaldo has generally endured a frustrating time against Al Hilal since moving to the Kingdom and heading into April's Riyadh Derby, he was on a seven-match winless run against the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League champion. But, determined to snap that streak, Ronaldo produced one of his most influential performances in a Al Nassr shirt - scoring twice to down the club's cross-city rival 3-1. His first, which put Al Nassr into a commanding 2-1 lead, was set up by Sadio Mane, who crossed for Ronaldo to thrash the ball left-footed past Bounou. Al Hilal got back into the game but Ronaldo then put the exclamation point on Al Nassr's Riyadh Derby victory as he kept his cool to convert an 88th minute penalty. Al Nassr 2-1 Al Riyadh - Apr 12, 2025 Just a week after he sunk Al Hilal, Ronaldo claimed another match-winning brace against another capital rival as his two goals secured a 2-1 victory over Al Riyadh. It was the visitor that surprisingly took the lead but Ronaldo struck twice in eight second-half minutes to turn the game around. The ex-Manchester United superstar's first saw him turn in Mane's inviting cross from close range, while Ronaldo's second was arguably his finest strike of the season as he crashed home a volley from the edge of the penalty area that rifled into the roof of the goal.
Saudi Gazette
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Cristiano Ronaldo retains Saudi Pro League Golden Boot with 25 goals
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Cristiano Ronaldo has once again proven his enduring class by clinching the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot for the second consecutive season, finishing the 2024–25 campaign with 25 goals. The Al Nassr captain, who turned 40 earlier this year, topped the scoring charts ahead of Al Ahli's Ivan Toney (23 goals) in a thrilling race that went down to the final matchday. The Portuguese star delivered a consistently clinical season, contributing decisively for Al Nassr through both set pieces and open play. His sharp positioning and lethal finishing made him a constant threat in the box and reaffirmed his status as a world-class forward, even in one of the most competitive editions of the league to date. Al Ahli's English striker Ivan Toney impressed in his debut campaign with 23 goals, quickly adapting to the Saudi game and establishing himself as one of the league's most dangerous frontmen. Tied for third were Al Ittihad's Karim Benzema and Al Shabab's Abderrazak Hamdallah, each scoring 21 goals. Benzema overcame a season of injuries and internal challenges to maintain strong numbers, while Hamdallah enjoyed a resurgent campaign that reestablished him among the league's elite. Rounding out the top scorers, Colombian forward Julian Quiñones netted 20 goals for newly promoted Al Qadsiah, marking himself as one of the best signings of the season. Meanwhile, Al Hilal's Aleksandar Mitrović finished with 19 goals, despite missing several games through injury, continuing to be a crucial presence for his side. This season's Golden Boot race showcased the Saudi Pro League's attacking depth and international diversity. With scorers from Portugal, England, France, Colombia, and Serbia leading the charts, the league's global appeal and competitive standard continue to rise. Ronaldo's triumph adds another personal milestone to his career and underlines his continued relevance at the highest levels of the game.
Irish Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
‘It's not a bad run on paper if you had wins in it': The best quotes of the season
Least romantic: The West Brom fans who looked on at Carrow Road as Norwich City diehard Jack Garwood proposed to his girlfriend Brandis on the pitch at half-time. At which point they started chanting: 'You don't know what you're doing!' Room to Improve: 'I think a new goalkeeper is needed, possibly two centre halves, two centre midfield players and two centre forwards.' Apart from that, Paul Scholes felt Manchester United were well equipped for the season ahead. Shopaholics: 'They've signed any player with a pulse.' READ MORE Andy Cole on Chelsea's rather busy summer transfer work. Rock Bottom: 'I just hope our players have got plenty of Sudocrem because they've had their arses slapped today. I hope they can't sit down for a week – and I hope they run out of Sudocrem.' Michael Birmingham suggesting that his Isthmian League side Horndean were a shower of bums. Home from Home: 'He's loving life there because it reminds him of Milton Keynes. If it wasn't for the sunshine, you would think you were in Buckinghamshire.' A friend of Ivan Toney telling The Sun why he was settling in so well in, eh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia like the south of England for Toney. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA Honoured: 'He's an almost person. 'He's almost done this, he's almost won that'. You can't have someone with a knighthood if you're an almost. It's absolutely outrageous.' Royal author Angela Levin stopping just short of congratulating Gareth Southgate on his knighthood. Tunnel vision: 'Every time I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel, it turns out to be an oncoming train.' At least after a miserable season, Ange Postecoglou found some light at the end of the Europa League. Resurrected: 'When I heard the terrible news, I poured myself a small brandy. Being buried alive is quite stressful, really.' Petko Ganchev after his former club, Bulgaria's Arda Kardzhali, held a minute's silence for him having been somewhat mistakenly informed that he had died. If the Queen had ...: 'It's not a bad run on paper if you had wins in it.' Sean Dyche on Everton's five-game winless streak, which earned him the sack. Top Secret: 'Any leaks, whether accidental or intended, can be damaging to colleagues and the wider club.' An email sent to Manchester United employees by the club's owners warning them against leaking information to the media. The email was, eh, leaked. Restless: 'I have been trying to improve my sleep – but it doesn't happen overnight.' Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler on the stresses of the job turning him in to an insomniac. Bangers: 'Quite a few players need to be dropped, but who do you replace them with? It's like if your Ferrari's not been performing well and you want to use your other car, but that other car is a Ford Focus.' Manchester United old boy Paul Parker managing to offend Ford Focus owners and United's fringe players in fell swoop. Garlic bread!: 'The word over the last month or so with England has been 'freedom'. It's the new buzzword. It's the new garlic bread.' Roy Keane finding his inner Peter Kay. Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is interviewed by Sky Sports' Roy Keane. Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PA Caught with his pants down: 'My dad kept looking down at me with no trousers on. Mam was in the back with the needle and thread.' Damien Duff on his car journey to the Soccer Writers awards after splitting his trousers. Happily, they were mended by the time he accepted his Personality of the Year gong. Jungle King: 'The food was disgusting. The meat was a piece of wallaby wing. I just couldn't bring myself to eat a wallaby.' Six years after winning I'm A Celebrity, Harry Redknapp still thinks a wallaby is a bird. Salutes: 'If I was born and raised in Shrewsbury I'd probably be this angry as well 'cause it's an absolute cesspit full of inbreds.'; 'Rotherham fans stink of piss, came to the Racecourse and got dismissed.' Apart from that, James McClean got on quite well with away fans this season. Taking it on the chin(s): 'If I had a hundred quid for every chorus of 'you fat b*******' ... you need to take it on the chin – or, in this case, chins.' Hearts' Lawrence Shankland on highly rude terrace chants about his physical shape. Maybe?!: 'We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United.' By the end of the season, Ruben Amorim swapped maybe for deffo. Fate-tempting: 'Real Madrid cannot beat Man City. If they beat City, I will cut off my testicles!' Sergio Aguero left with, well, some pruning to do after Madrid did indeed beat City in the Champions League. Masters of the Universe: 'Liverpool are the best team in the world, never mind anywhere else.' Ally McCoist on Arne Slot's lads not just being the kings of Earth, but Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune too. Long Gone: 'We had to call Anti-Doping Norway and ask, 'is there a hidden camera?'. It was a bit late. Negative tests on both of them.' Norwegian manager Stale Solbakken after players Einar Gundersen and Jorgen Juve were called up for drug tests, 63 and 42 years after they died. In All Modesty: 'I've never seen anyone better. I say it from my heart: the most complete player that's ever existed.' Cristiano Ronaldo on being asked who is the greatest footballer of all time. Yes, yes, he picked himself. Bad Language: 'I learned Spanish for over a year – and then ended up in Italy.' Ben Godfrey on having to learn a whole new lingo.
Saudi Gazette
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Toney earns England recall after standout season with Al Ahli
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney has been recalled to the England national team for the June fixtures against Andorra and Senegal, capping off a stellar debut campaign in the Roshn Saudi League. The 28-year-old forward, who joined the Jeddah-based club from Brentford last August, has emerged as one of the league's standout performers. Toney played a crucial role in Al Ahli's AFC Champions League Elite triumph last month and has scored 22 goals in the domestic league this season. With one match remaining in the 2024–25 campaign, Toney sits second in the Golden Boot race behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who has netted 24 goals for Al Nassr. 'Toney deserves to be with us,' said England manager Thomas Tuchel on Friday.'He scored over 20 goals this season, won a major title in Asia, and has made a big impact with goals and assists. I couldn't visit Saudi Arabia as planned in March, so now we're bringing him back to join us.'Toney's last appearance for England came in the UEFA Euro 2024 final loss to Spain. He has earned six international caps to will face Andorra on June 7 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, followed by a friendly against Senegal in Nottingham on June 10 — a match that could see Toney line up against Al Ahli teammate Edouard Mendy, along with Al Hilal's Kalidou Koulibaly and Al Nassr's Sadio Ahli currently sit fifth in the league table, three points behind fourth-placed Al Nassr, heading into the final matchweek of the season.
