Latest news with #N'GoloKanté
New York Times
15 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Olivier Giroud on facing a very ‘different' Chelsea and seeing ‘where MLS stands' vs Europe
Olivier Giroud has fond flashbacks of his time with Chelsea, enough of them that in normal circumstances, Monday would be cause for a series of happy reconnections, albeit amid a backdrop of competitive hostility. The LAFC forward and French World Cup winner takes on his former team in Club World Cup action in Atlanta (3pm ET, 8pm UK) and speaks with a smile about occasions such as big Champions League victories, or, during an interview with The Athletic last week, his goal from the 2018 FA Cup semifinal. Advertisement That particular highlight, a penalty box dance party that left half the Southampton team sprawling on their backsides before Giroud clipped the ball beyond Alex McCarthy, lights up his face. He remembers N'Golo Kanté gleefully chuckling over a goal that set the team on course for one of his three trophies during a three-season spell at Stamford Bridge. 'Oli,' Kanté joked with his trademark good nature. 'I didn't think you were capable of that.' But while Monday will be a reunion in one sense, in another it is anything but — which puts in stark focus how much Chelsea has changed since Giroud left for Milan in 2021. 'Everything is different,' he said. 'From the ownership, the manager … also people working for the club, communication, marketing, not much is staying. But hope I will see some familiar faces.' Reece James and Trevor Chalobah remain at Chelsea from Giroud's time, and that's about it. Now 38, Giroud has been impressed by how Enzo Maresca's ultra-youthful side performed this past season, hanging on in the hunt for a Champions League spot and eventually pouncing on the fourth position as others, Nottingham Forest included, faltered at the end. Paired with victory in the Conference League, that accomplishment bodes well, Giroud believes, even if it didn't constitute the most spectacular haul when compared against past glories. 'You need to be patient when you get a team with a lot of young players,' Giroud said. '(The club is) producing every year more and more players. It is a good strategy but you can't ask them to win the best trophies straight away, you need time to build the team to get habits and link in the team. It's a very young team but very talented also so we expect a really tough game.' Giroud shakes his head as he reflects how quickly the years have passed by. He hasn't had things all his own way in MLS since joining LAFC last summer, so much that it took him until April this year to notch a first league goal. Advertisement With a Club World Cup opportunity looming, however, he is keen to remind an international audience that we're not so long removed from when he was playing in the 2022 World Cup final and just over a year since he ended a profitable stint in Serie A. Along with LAFC and former France teammate Hugo Lloris, he could have been forgiven for thinking occasions such as this, squaring off against some of the world's best teams in games that matter, had disappeared forever. Even two months ago, that was still the case. But then León got kicked out of the Club World Cup, FIFA announced a play-in game between LAFC and Mexico's Club América, the MLS side won it in extra-time, and here we are. 'Yeah, it's very true, you never know what can happen in football and I am very glad that the boys can play this competition,' Giroud said. 'Maybe the first time, maybe the last time they will play it, so I will try my best to have them ready for the moment and really enjoy it. 'It is kind of a World Cup but with your club, because you go into a base camp, same system. You stay in one place and then let's see if you go through the group stage, so it is quite a big thing. For the fans it also means a lot and we can also see where MLS stands now compared to Europe. 'We are doing this job for these kind of games so we just need to seize the moment and to enjoy every single moment.' As he alluded to, it is also an opportunity to cast MLS in a more positive global light, with the performances of LAFC, Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders doubling as a referendum of sorts on the league. A signature win against a team with the profile of Chelsea would be a bold statement. Make no mistake, LAFC will go in as a sizable underdog. Giroud insists MLS has improved a lot in the past 10 years, adding: 'I know it's not very watched in Europe so now we have the opportunity to show what we are made of and where we stand compared with Europe. Advertisement 'Club América was a great atmosphere, I loved it, it reminded me of Turkey or Greece and the crazy atmosphere,' said Giroud. However, LAFC will not have any kind of home city advantage in the tournament, with all its group games stationed outside of California. 'I hope that we will have some of our fans that will travel because they are very important to us. 'We have to dream, it is the time to. But it is also the time to be focused and very demanding in every single thing we will have to do on that pitch, for 90, for 120 minutes. 'One more time, the most important thing is to say we gave everything. We don't have any regrets and that's most important and if they are better than us, like they should (be), shake hands and (say) thank you. I hope we will be at our maximum, really live with them in the moment.' LAFC's Group D campaign will continue on June 20 against Tunisia's ES Tunis, then Brazil's Flamengo four days later. Emerging from the group stage would be a hugely laudable achievement. In that sense, the later clashes may have even more importance, especially if Chelsea establishes a firm grip on the group. Yet for Giroud, given his history, his memories — even with a different version of Chelsea — Monday's game will be by far the most special. ( Top photo:)
Express Tribune
15-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
French footballer N'Golo Kanté donates $5 million to build hospital in Mali
N'Golo Kanté is showing the world that his impact goes far beyond the football pitch. The beloved French international midfielder has funded a brand-new, state-of-the-art hospital in Mali, a $5 million project that reflects both his generosity and his deep-rooted connection to his family's homeland. Born in Paris to Malian parents, the 33-year-old footballer has always stayed close to his roots. In fact, Kanté was named after Mali's emperor, Ngolo Diarra, a sign of the pride his family takes in their heritage. Despite his rise to global football stardom from winning the Premier League with Leicester City and Chelsea, to lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy and the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France, Kanté has remained humble and grounded. Now playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, Kanté reportedly earns around $25 million annually, according to Business Day. Yet, he's using that wealth not for excess, but to invest in change. The new hospital, located in Mali's capital, Bamako, is a continuation of his mission to uplift disadvantaged communities, particularly by improving healthcare for children. In previous interviews, Kanté has emphasized his desire to help families in need, and this project speaks directly to that commitment. It's also garnered wide praise across social media. One Facebook user commented under the announcement: 'Mali is so proud of you, N'golo Kante, as well as we Africans as a whole. Kudos to you, the true son of the soil, for your help.' Another added, 'He is good not only on the pitch but has got a golden heart. His genuine heart will make him remembered from generation to generation.' Known as a midfield maestro, Kanté's reputation as a tireless and selfless player is now matched by his off-the-field legacy. With this hospital initiative, he's shown that he's not just winning matches — he's winning hearts.
Saudi Gazette
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Kanté rescues Al Ittihad with last-gasp equalizer against Al Qadsiah
Saudi Gazette report DAMMAM — N'Golo Kanté salvaged a crucial point for Al Ittihad with a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Al Qadsiah in Dammam on Thursday, preventing what could have been a damaging defeat in their Saudi Pro League title defense. Al Qadsiah stunned the visitors in added time when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang capitalized on a defensive lapse to fire home from a cross. However, Al Ittihad responded with relentless pressure, and in the dying seconds, Karim Benzema delivered a pinpoint cross that Kanté converted to send the traveling fans into jubilation. Despite the late heroics, Al Ittihad dropped two valuable points but remained atop the table with 58 points, seven ahead of Al Hilal, who could narrow the gap if they defeat Al Fayha on Friday. Al Qadsiah, meanwhile, moved to 51 points in third place, four behind fourth-placed Al Nassr, who face Al Shabab in their upcoming fixture. In another match from Round 24, Al Kholood secured a 2-1 home victory over Al Fateh. The breakthrough came in the 31st minute when Jorge Fernandez inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. Jackson Muleka doubled the lead in the 70th minute before Amine Sebai pulled one back for Al Fateh six minutes later. The visitors' comeback hopes took a hit when Matheus Machado was sent off in the 82nd minute. With the win, Al Kholood climbed to ninth in the standings with 31 points, while Al Fateh remained in 16th place with 19 points, deep in the relegation zone.
