Latest news with #SofaScore
Daily Mail
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
How Ollie Watkins and Benjamin Sesko compare as Man United chop their striker shortlist to two - and the stats that show the biggest improvement on £72m Rasmus Hojlund
The signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo will no-doubt offer a boost to the worst Manchester United squad in Premier League history, but there remains one gaping hole in Ruben Amorim 's side - a striker. It's a shocking state of affairs given, you may forget, United have spent north of £100million on frontmen in the last two summer windows. The £72m they splashed out on a then-promising Rasmus Hojlund looks like daylight robbery two years on and Joshua Zirkzee, who United signed as a No 9 for £36m last summer, has had to be reinvented into an attacking midfielder. The pair scored seven Premier League goals between them last season in 64 appearances. Such statistics don't hold a candle to those racked up by United strikers of years gone by - Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo to name a few. The time has therefore come for United to find the right man to lead their line, and Ruben Amorim knows it. After missing out on prime targets Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres, the news broke on Tuesday that David Wilcox, Omar Berrada and Amorim have at last settled on two top targets, Ollie Watkins and Benjamin Sesko. United believe a bid of £45m would be enough to prize Watkins away from Aston Villa, while RB Leipzig's Slovenian forward is seen as a more expensive option at £60m. The Red Devils - currently on a pre-season tour of the US - are said to be in contact with both players' camps but haven't chosen which target to prioritise yet. So, as United edge closer to making their decision, how do Watkins and Sesko's SofaScore statistics compare to current No 9 Rasmus Hojlund? With 184 top-flight appearances, I don't think many would argue that Premier League-proven Watkins at the age of 29 isn't the safest option. He's netted an impressive 75 goals in that time and provided 34 assists. In comparison, Sesko, still just 22, has bagged 27 goals and offered seven assists in his 64 appearances in Europe's top-five leagues, while Hojlund has scored 23 in 94 appearances, providing just four assists. Stats considered, Watkins - a selfless runner who's particularly strong in the air - is easily the most creative option. But who of the three is the most prolific is an entirely different question, with 6ft 5in Sesko boasting a far superior goal-per-minute ratio than his two rivals in this case. The Slovenian, who has already racked up 41 appearances for his national team, fires home every 145 minutes, which eclipses Watkins with a ratio of a goal every 203 minutes and Hojlund every 261. How the three strikers compare Top-five European Leagues Ollie Watkins Rasmus Hojlund Benjamin Sesko Games played 184 94 64 Games started 174 68 47 Minutes played 15,249 6,014 3,927 Goals 75 23 27 Assists 34 4 7 Mins/ goal 203 261 145 Mins/ goal or assist 140 223 116 Total shots 451 124 115 Shots per 90 2.7 1.9 2.6 Shots on target 211 62 56 Shots on target per 90 1.2 0.9 1.3 Touches in the opp' box 1014 327 197 Touches in the opp' box per 90 6.0 4.9 4.5 Shot conversion rate 16.6% 18.6% 23.5% Meanwhile, Sesko - who still just 22 - has bagged 27 goals and offered seven assists in his 64 appearances in Europe's top-five leagues, making him a highly attractive forward target Hojlund had a torrid 2024/25 season at Old Trafford, netting just four Premier League goals And Sesko too possesses a far superior shot conversation rate of 23.5 per cent, exceeding Watkins' 16.6 per cent rate which is even below that of United's current Danish striker, who scores 18.6 per cent of his efforts on goal. Such stats make for worrying reading for Watkins, who - given United's well-detailed struggles to create chances - will need to be clinical in order to be a success at Old Trafford. He does see more action in and around the 18-yard box than his two competitors nevertheless, with the bustling forward - who learned his trade at Exeter City - enjoying six touches per 90 minutes in the opposition box. Hojlund and Sesko meanwhile average 4.9 and 4.5, respectively. While, as with any big-money signing, the stats reveal that both Watkins and Sesko come with their risks, it's fairly evident that they both present an upgrade on Hojlund, who has looked devoid of confidence in recent months. Watkins, providing he doesn't buckle under the pressure of the famous shirt, has a proven track record of scoring goals in the top flight and would no-doubt earn the adulation of United fans with his work rate. While the more inexperienced Sesko comes as perhaps a more exciting option, though whether he can emulate his Bundesliga success in the Premier League remains to be seen. United must make a decision either way, and fast, with their opening league fixture against Arsenal now a little over two weeks away.
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Business Standard
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Lionel Messi surpasses Ronaldo in non-penalty goals with historic milestone
Lionel Messi has once again etched his name in football history by surpassing longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo in total non-penalty goals scored in official matches. During Inter Miami's clash with New York Red Bulls, the Argentine superstar netted a brilliant brace, bringing his tally of non-penalty goals to 764, one more than Ronaldo's 763. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the fact that Messi reached this milestone in 167 fewer appearances than the Portuguese forward. The comparison not only highlights Messi's clinical efficiency in front of goal but also his sustained brilliance over nearly two decades at the top level. ???????? Lionel Messi masterclass ???? New York Red Bulls: 90 mins played 2 goals 1 assist 68 touches 6 duels won 4 chances created 1 big chance created 10 final third passes 100% tackles won ⭐️ Perfect 10 SofaScore rating. Too easy for him. ???? — HF World (@hfworld_) July 20, 2025 Since returning from the FIFA Club World Cup, Messi has been in sensational form in Major League Soccer. The 2022 World Cup champion has scored back-to-back braces in five consecutive MLS matches, an unprecedented streak in league history. His goal-scoring spree includes dominant performances against teams like CF Montréal, Columbus Crew, and Nashville SC. No other player in MLS history has scored two or more goals in five straight games, further underlining Messi's enduring class and consistency. Players with non-penalty goals Players Non-penalty goals Lionel Messi 764 Cristiano Ronaldo 763 Robert Lewandowski 622 Luis Suarez 537 Zlatan Ibrahimovic 488 Karim Benzema 456 Edin Dzeko 426 Edinson Cavani 403 Sergio Aguero 378 Samuel Eto'o 378 Messi maintains his legacy in the United States Even in the later stages of his career, Messi continues to deliver at an elite level, silencing any doubts about his longevity. His presence has been instrumental in Inter Miami's resurgence, especially after a tough 3–0 loss to FC Cincinnati. Messi's leadership and goal-scoring prowess have reinvigorated the team, keeping them competitive in the playoff race. With this latest milestone, Messi strengthens his claim as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Not only has he outshone his closest rival in a key statistical category, but he has done so with flair, humility, and efficiency that define his legendary career. As his MLS journey continues, fans and critics alike are witnessing a masterclass in late-career dominance. Many fans still debate over Messi playing in the MLS where the competition is not quite difficult as compared to that of in Ronaldo's Saudi Pro League as was seen in the FIFA Club World Cup when Al Hilal gave Real Madrid a run for their money and grabbed a crucial draw in the tournament as well against the Spanish heavyweights.
