Latest news with #PepeReina
The Independent
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
David Raya eyeing third successive Golden Glove award after joining elite club
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya is aiming to win a third consecutive Golden Glove award in the Premier League next season after he retained the honour alongside Nottingham Forest's Matz Sels. Both keepers kept 13 clean sheets this campaign with neither able to claim the prize outright on the final day. Raya was beaten by a header from Southampton's Ross Stewart in the Gunners' 2-1 win at St Mary's while Chelsea's Levi Colwill tapped in past Sels as Forest lost 1-0 to miss out on the Champions League. With 34 goals conceded to Forest's 46, Arsenal rounded off the campaign with the best defensive record in the division, and having collected the goalkeepers' award in 2023/24 the Spain international is hoping for a hat-trick. 'Every award is special but the way we defended this season, we had a lot of injuries and different back fours,' said Raya. '(On Sunday) we played with KT (Kieran Tierney) in the centre-back and (Oleksandr) Zinchenko came back in as a left-back and Kuba (Jakub Kiwior) as a right centre-back and Ben White as a right-back. 'That just shows the willingness to keep doing the right things and credit to everybody who helped the team to keep their feet. 'It is a special moment. To do something like this at this amazing club and put something into the history of the club, it's incredible. I'm very proud to achieve this so now let's go for the third one.' It is only the fourth time that a goalkeeper has won the award in consecutive seasons after Liverpool's Pepe Reina and Manchester City pair Joe Hart and Ederson. Arsenal triumphed over Southampton thanks to an 89th-minute goal from Martin Odegaard as Mikel Arteta's side finished second for the third season running. The game was also marked by a goal on his final Arsenal appearance for Tierney who is set to rejoin former club Celtic when the transfer window opens. It brought to an end six years in north London for the Scotland international. His goal, swept home in the first half from close range after getting on the end of White's cross, was his first in the league since Boxing Day 2021. Paying tribute to the defender, Arteta said: 'He said it (Saturday), I'm going to score on my last Arsenal match and he's done it. So credit to him, a special thank you to him. He's been part of the journey and he's won with me. 'It's true that he went to (Real) Sociedad for a few months but it's been a joy to work with him, a really special character. We wish him and his family all the very best. 'The doors of this club are open for him. He's someone very, very liked at the club, in the dressing room and we want to wish him the best.'
Metro
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Liverpool legend breaks silence after getting sent off in final ever match
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has retired from football – after getting sent off in his final ever match. The 42-year-old announced earlier this week that he was hanging up his boots and gloves for good, with Friday night's Serie A clash between Como and Inter Milan to be his farewell game. But the match turned into a nightmare for Reina who was shown a red card on the stroke of half-time following a VAR check. The Como keeper was judged to have bought down striker Mehdi Taremi as he rushed out of his box and attempted to clear the ball. An emotional Reina remonstrated with referee Davide Massa before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation from both sets of fans and being consoled by manager and former teammate Cesc Fabregas. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Inter would go on to win 2-0 at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia but missed out on the Italian league title to a Scott McTominay inspired Napoli team. 'It wasn't the ending I expected but having you there was my most beautiful gift!!' Reina later posted on his Instagram story along with a picture of his family and friends on the pitch. 'Starting a different path and let's go for it.' One of the best keepers of his generation, Reina began his career at Barcelona before joining Villarreal and then Liverpool in 2005, beginning an eight-year spell at Anfield. He would make 394 appearances for the Reds, winning the FA Cup and League Cup and reaching the final of the 2007 Champions League. After winning more trophies with Napoli and Bayern Munich, he would go onto play for AC Milan, Lazio, Aston Villa and Villarreal again before joining Como last summer, making a remarkable 954 club appearances in total across 25 years. More Trending Capped 36 times by Spain, Reina was also part of his country's golden generation who won Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. 'To you my friend!! Thank you with all my heart for everything I've experienced as a partner and coach!!' Fabregas wrote on Instagram. 'You're going to be a reference for a lot of us coaches already! I love you so much.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Liverpool to offer player in swap deal for Florian Wirtz with agreement reached MORE: Kevin De Bruyne reaches agreement with new club ahead of final Manchester City game MORE: Jurgen Klopp blasts Liverpool fans for booing Trent Alexander-Arnold
The National
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Antonio Conte leads Napoli to Serie A title but does nothing to dispel rumours he will leave
Napoli climbed back to the top of Italian football after sealing the Serie A title on Friday, bouncing back from disaster to win the Italian championship for the fourth time. Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku netted in a 2-0 win over Cagliari at a packed and wild Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as Napoli secured their second league crown in three years on the final day of the season. Napoli finished the season a point ahead of closest rivals Inter Milan who won 2-0 at Como, the outgoing champions' opponents having to play half the match with 10 men after goalkeeper Pepe Reina was sent off just before half time of his last ever match. Friday's triumph crowned a season which started with few thinking Napoli could challenge Inter after finishing 10th as reigning champions last term. "It's happened again and it's fantastic ... we've had a really great season and it's all thanks to the boys who wanted to put themselves out there, especially those who won the league two years ago," said coach Antonio Conte. Conte has taken Napoli by the scruff of the neck but did nothing to squash rumours that he will leave in the summer after one season in Naples due to his frustrations at a lack of investment from owner Aurelio De Laurentiis. "I have a good relationship with the president and his family," said Conte when pressed on his future by DAZN. "I've had the opportunity to get to know him and him me, we're celebrating together and we're two winners. Maybe we're a bit different, but we're two winners." Inter's win meant nothing as another Scudetto party was kicked off in Naples by the fans' new heroes McTominay and Lukaku, with fans lighting flares and setting off fireworks in the streets in celebration. Scotland midfielder McTominay, named Serie A player of the season, signed with the league campaign already underway in August and immediately made an impact on a team still reeling last season's disaster. His 12th goal of his first Serie A season, three minutes before half time, was a fitting way for Napoli to break the deadlock as he has been the symbol of the team's renewal under Conte. "I'm lost for words. It's incredible you know, the sacrifice that every single player in the group has put forward to the cause," said McTominay. "And the people deserve it because they've been behind us from day one, and for me to come and experience this is a dream." McTominay's acrobatic volley from Matteo Politano's cross broke the ice in a tense stadium, as supporters watched a clutch of good chances come and go while Inter took the lead through Stefan de Vrij in the 21st minute in Como and briefly moved top of the division. And Lukaku made sure that Napoli would secure title glory five minutes after the break when he collected Amir Rrahmani's long pass and held off Yerry Mina before ramming home the goal which sealed the deal. Joaquin Correa doubled Inter's lead just as Lukaku scored, cutting inside Ivan Smolcic before confidently sliding home his second goal of the season. But Inter now turn their attentions to the Uefa Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Munich, where Simone Inzaghi's team will try to win club football's biggest prize after conceding the Scudetto to Napoli. Twelve points lost from winning positions played their part in Inter losing the title and the second-string team sent out at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia suggested that Inzaghi was already thinking ahead to next weekend. Inter had been gunning to repeat the treble won under Jose Mourinho in 2010 earlier in the season but the Champions League is now their only chance for a trophy from a long, and draining campaign which they could end with nothing.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Pepe Reina, 42, endures NIGHTMARE end to his career - as Liverpool legend and World Cup winner is sent off in final game before retirement
Pepe Reina endured a nightmare end to his professional career as he was sent off in his final game before retirement. Reina, 42, revealed earlier this week that he was set to hang up his gloves after an illustrious career of more than 1,000 matches. The Liverpool legend, who made 394 appearances for the Reds, was playing his 13th game of the season for Como after joining the Serie A outfit last summer. Como faced an Inter Milan team chasing the Italian title and things got off to a perfect start for Simone Inzaghi's side when Stefan de Vrij gave them a first half lead. However, disaster struck for Reina on the stroke of half-time when he ran outside the penalty area but was beaten to the ball by Mehdi Taremi. The Spaniard clipped the heel of the Inter striker and Reina subsequently received a red card following a VAR check. The 42-year-old, who was captaining Como on the night, looked devastated as he remonstrated with referee Davide Massa. It did appear to be a slightly harsh call given Taremi was going away from goal and there was a covering defender. But, despite the ignominy of his final game ending in a red card, Reina received a standing ovation from supporters and both sets of players as he left the pitch before he was consoled by Como boss Cesc Fabregas. He was later lifted into the air by his Como team-mates and given another warm reception by their fans. Inter went on to win the game 2-0, but it wasn't enough as Napoli's 2-0 victory against Cagliari ensured Antonio Conte's side would be taking home the Serie A title. Reina came through Barcelona 's academy and made his debut for the club in 2000, before he joined Villarreal in 2002. After impressing there, Reina moved on to Liverpool three years later. He would go on to spend eight years with the Reds, making 394 appearances across all competitions. The Spanish shot-stopper will always be remembered fondly by Liverpool fans for his heroics in two penalty shootouts that helped the club win major silverware. A RED CARD FOR PEPE REINA, IN HIS LAST PROFESSIONAL GAME ❌ After a VAR check, the legendary Pepe Reina is dismissed for Como, making their task significantly harder... 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 23, 2025 He saved three spot-kicks in Liverpool's dramatic 2006 FA Cup final win over West Ham, and was also in goal when the Reds overcame Cardiff City on penalties in the 2012 League Cup final. Reina won 36 international caps for Spain, and was part of the squads that won two European Championships in 2008 and 2012, either side of the World Cup in 2010. The majority of his prime years came at Anfield, but he also played for Italian giants Napoli, AC Milan and Lazio, and enjoyed brief spells at Bayern Munich and Aston Villa. After calling time on his playing career, Reina will move into coaching. He is set to return to his homeland to take charge of Villarreal's Under-19s next season. When announcing his decision earlier this week, Reina had said: 'A very beautiful career is coming to an end, a very full life. I feel very fortunate for what I've experienced. 'It's been many years… I didn't expect it, but I think the time has come and I feel like bringing it to a close here.'
Japan Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Napoli back on top in Italy after sealing fourth Serie A crown
Napoli climbed back to the top of Italian soccer after sealing the Serie A title on Friday, bouncing back from disaster to win the Italian championship for the fourth time. Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku netted in a 2-0 win over Cagliari at a packed and wild Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as Napoli secured its second league crown in three years on the final day of the season. Napoli finished the season a point ahead of closest rival Inter Milan, which won 2-0 at Como. Inter had to play half the match with 10 men after goalkeeper Pepe Reina was sent off just before halftime of his last ever match. Friday's triumph crowned a season which started with few thinking Napoli could challenge Inter after finishing 10th as the reigning champion last term. "It's happened again and it's fantastic ... we've had a really great season and it's all thanks to the boys who wanted to put themselves out there, especially those who won the league two years ago," said coach Antonio Conte. Conte has taken Napoli by the scruff of the neck but did nothing to squash rumors that he will leave in the summer after one season in Naples due to his frustrations at a lack of investment from owner Aurelio De Laurentiis. "I have a good relationship with the president and his family," said Conte when pressed on his future by DAZN. "I've had the opportunity to get to know him and him me, we're celebrating together and we're two winners. Maybe we're a bit different, but we're two winners." Inter's win meant nothing, as another Scudetto party was kicked off in Naples by the fans' new heroes McTominay and Lukaku, with spectators lighting flares and setting off fireworks in the streets in celebration. Scotland midfielder McTominay, named player of the season, signed with the league campaign already underway in August and immediately made an impact on a team still reeling from last season's disaster. His 12th goal of his first Serie A season, three minutes before halftime, was a fitting way for Napoli to break the deadlock as he has been the symbol of the team's renewal under Conte. "I'm lost for words. It's incredible you know, the sacrifice that every single player in the group has put forward to the cause," said McTominay. "And the people deserve it because they've been behind us from day one, and for me to come and experience this is a dream." McTominay's acrobatic volley from Matteo Politano's cross broke the ice in a tense stadium, as supporters watched a clutch of good chances come and go while Inter took the lead through Stefan de Vrij in the 21st minute in Como and briefly moved to the top of the division. And Lukaku made sure that Napoli would secure title glory five minutes after the break when he collected Amir Rrahmani's long pass and held off Yerry Mina before ramming home the goal which sealed the deal. Joaquin Correa doubled Inter's lead just as Lukaku scored, cutting inside Ivan Smolcic before confidently sliding home his second goal of the season. But Inter now turns its attention to the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Munich, where Simone Inzaghi's team will try to win club soccer's biggest prize after conceding the Scudetto to Napoli. Twelve points lost from winning positions played their part in Inter losing the title and the second-string team sent out at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia suggested that Inzaghi was already thinking ahead to next weekend. Inter had been gunning to repeat the treble won under Jose Mourinho in 2010 earlier in the season, but the Champions League is now its only chance for a trophy from a long and draining campaign.
