Latest news with #Villarreal
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Flick convinced Raphinha to stay at Barcelona
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Villarreal - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - May 18, 2025 FC Barcelona's Raphinha lifts the trophy after winning LaLiga REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo (Reuters) -Barcelona winger Raphinha said he had considered leaving the club but decided to stay after a call with coach Hansi Flick, who gave him a fresh opportunity to prove himself. Raphinha initially struggled under previous coach Xavi Hernandez, saying the Spaniard and his staff did not show much trust in his abilities. He became a regular starter under Flick, compared to just 17 starts in LaLiga during the 2023–24 season. The 28-year-old Brazilian was instrumental in Barcelona's LaLiga title run, contributing 34 goals and 25 assists. However, Raphinha said he had not even thought about reaching those numbers before the campaign began. "Honestly, I didn't expect it. The personal goals I had were below these numbers... It has been the best season of my life," Raphinha told Spanish daily SPORT in a interview published on Friday. Raphinha conceded that neither he nor those around him saw him continuing at Barcelona before Flick arrived and persuaded him to stay. "I didn't think it was just me, a lot of people wanted me to leave here. Many fans, maybe the board was not happy with what I was doing, many people. I am a person who thinks that if you are not welcome in a place, it is better not to be in it," he said. "There is no point in banging your head against the wall. I know the way I dedicate myself to my profession and I knew that when the coach changed I had a new opportunity to show my potential and my way of working. "The coach had called me and told me that he was counting on me. That call was very important because it changed my way of thinking. The only person who could stop me was him and he did." Last week, Raphinha signed a contract renewal that will keep him at the club until 30 June 2028. He is set to play in Brazil's World Cup qualifiers, facing Ecuador away on June 5 and Paraguay at home on June 10. (Reporting by Shifa Jahan in BengaluruEditing by Christian Radnedge)
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
GM selling off Korean assets, but denies exit rumors
General Motors has once again dismissed speculation that it plans to end its Korean operations despite the US automaker's decision to sell off loss-making businesses and idle assets in Korea. According to auto industry sources on Thursday, Hector Villarreal, president and managing director of GM Korea, met with the leadership of the company's labor union the previous day to explain that the selloff decision was not part of a process to exit the Korean market but rather to increase profitability. He added that it will not impact the employment status of GM Korea workers. Rumors of GM's possible withdrawal from Korea were reignited when the company sent out a notice on Wednesday to its employees announcing that it will begin discussions with stakeholders to gradually sell its nine directly operated service centers nationwide as well as underutilized assets and land at its Bupyeong plant in Incheon. 'Maximizing the value of idle assets and streamlining the operation of loss-making service centers are important to maintaining the company's sustainability,' said Villarreal. 'We still have a few years left of our vehicle production program, and these measures are important to ensuring the business efficiency of the company.' The notification mentioned that the asset sales will not impact GM Korea's planned production. The automaker said it will continue to offer customer services at 386 service centers run by its partners while employees at the directly operated service centers will be relocated to other positions to maintain their employment. GM's exit rumors surfaced early this year when US President Donald Trump said he would impose "reciprocal" tariffs on auto imports. The 25 percent auto tariffs went into effect on April 3. GM Korea sold about 500,000 vehicles last year, and approximately 420,000 of them were shipped to the US. If the levies stay, GM Korea is on pace to suffer serious damage to its businesses that heavily rely on US exports. Despite GM's continued denials of plans to withdraw, industry watchers have been warily eyeing the US brand's future business in Korea. For instance, GM Korea said it had no plans to roll out new vehicles at its Korean plants during a presentation on its current business status at its headquarters in Bupyeong last week. The company operates two manufacturing plants -- one in Bupyeong and the other in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. It owns another plant in Bupyeong but it has been closed since November 2022. The automaker currently makes only two models in Korea: the Chevrolet Trailblazer, a compact sport utility vehicle, and the Chevrolet Trax, a crossover SUV. 'GM has a deal with the Korean government to continue its operations in Korea through 2027,' said an auto industry official. 'GM has exited Australia, Europe and India by selling off its local manufacturing plants. They could be laying the groundwork for the same action plan in Korea.' In 2018, the Korean government signed a contract with GM for the company to continue its business in the country until the end of 2027, offering GM 810 billion won in financial support amid the US headquarters' global restructuring.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Humble Cape Verde not looking down on Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: It's said that many top footballing nations are reluctant to play lower-ranked sides like Malaysia. Maybe, it doesn't benefit them at all, maybe it doesn't serve any purpose. Maybe they don't want to waste their time on us. But Cape Verde don't mind doing so. Terima kasih. The West African team, ranked 72nd in the world, much higher than any Southeast Asian teams, are in town to play two international friendlies against world No. 131 Malaysia this week. Cape Verde coach Pedro "Bubista" Brito said that his team's objective is to collect meaningful match experience rather than chase world ranking-related results. "It doesn't matter the rankings of the other teams. The more matches you play, the more experience you have. This is what brings us closer to our target, to qualify for the World Cup." This is Cape Verde's first visit to Malaysia, and Brito welcomed the opportunity to be in "a far country" as part of their journey toward global recognition. "It's very important for us to be here so people can know where Cape Verde is," said Brito. An island nation with a population of only 596,000, Cape Verde has produced stars like Logan Costa (playing for La Liga side Villarreal), Dailon Livramento (Serie A club Verona) and Bryan Teixeira (Bundesliga's Magdeburg). Brito made it clear that they are not taking lower-ranked Malaysia lightly. "No, it's never easy. I have all the respect for Malaysia. We are a small country, and this kind of matches are essential for our growth and experience." Brito is counting on their Selangor player, Alvin Fortes, to help them beat Malaysia in tomorrow's international friendly at KLFA Stadium.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Yamal extends Barcelona contract until 2031
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Villarreal - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - May 18, 2025 FC Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Spanish champions until 2031, the club announced on Tuesday. The 17-year-old forward, whose deal was due to expire in 2026, enjoyed a stellar season, helping Barca win LaLiga and the Copa del Rey, with 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 matches. Local media have reported that the exciting Spanish international could become the Barcelona squad's highest-paid player if he meets certain performance-related clauses. Having displayed such entertaining football this season, Yamal is a leading contender for this year's Ballon d'Or. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
eNCA
7 days ago
- Sport
- eNCA
African players in Europe: Salah rescues Reds after special season
Mohamed Salah completed a memorable season by scoring to salvage a 1-1 Premier League draw for champions Liverpool against Crystal Palace in the final round at the weekend. It was the 29th goal of the season for the Premier League Golden Boot winner and the 32-year-old Egypt captain also claimed 18 assists. Apart from a record-equalling fourth Golden Boot, Salah won the English football writers and Professional Footballers' Association player of the year awards. AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the major European leagues: ENGLAND MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool) Liverpool were heading for defeat when Salah delighted the Anfield faithful by bundling the ball home six minutes from time to help secure a 1-1 draw with FA Cup winners Crystal Palace. ISMAILA SARR (Crystal Palace) The Senegal forward threatened to upset Liverpool's trophy celebrations when he beat Alisson Becker in the ninth minute. ANTOINE SEMENYO (Bournemouth) The Ghana forward struck twice in the final 15 minutes to give Bournemouth a 2-0 win over relegated Leicester City. He scored from close range to break the deadlock, then struck with a precise finish from the edge of the area. AMAD DIALLO (Manchester United) The exciting young Ivorian winger nodded a superb Bruno Fernandes cross into the net to put United ahead on 73 minutes and they struck again for a 2-0 win over 10-man Aston Villa, who had goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez sent off just before half-time. MOHAMMED KUDUS (West Ham) The Ghana star set the seal on the Hammers' 3-1 win at relegated Ipswich when, after exchanging passes with Guido Rodriguez, he bent a shot beyond goalkeeper Christian Walton in the 87th minute. BRYAN MBEUMO (Brentford) The Cameroon striker opened the scoring for the Bees against Wolves with his 20th goal of the season after Algerian international Rayan Ait-Nouri was caught in possession. But a 1-1 draw ended the London club's slim hopes of European qualification. MARSHALL MUNETSI (Wolves) It was the Zimbabwe midfielder who dashed Brentford's dreams of continental competition with a superb first-time finish from 20 yards into the top corner 15 minutes from time. SPAIN YAN DIOMANDE (Leganes) The 18-year-old winger from the Ivory Coast sparkled as Leganes beat Real Valladolid 3-0 but were still relegated. Diomande teed up Javi Hernandez for the opener and then scored a fine second himself. The winger drove into the box, dodged a defender and finished neatly for his second goal in four matches. PAPE GUEYE (Villarreal) Senegal midfielder Gueye doubled his La Liga goals tally for the season with a brace as Villarreal romped to a 4-2 win against Sevilla. His first was a drilled strike from the edge of the box for the Yellow Submarine's second, and the second a lethal close-range finish to wrap up the win. Gueye has been an important part of Villarreal's rise to fifth and Champions League qualification. FRANCE ACHRAF HAKIMI (Paris Saint-Germain)
