Latest news with #YoungPlayeroftheSeason
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eagles Captain Joel Ward to Leave Crystal Palace After 13 Years
Joel Ward to Depart Crystal Palace After 13 Years of Service Loyalty and Legacy in Red and Blue Joel Ward will leave Crystal Palace this summer, concluding a distinguished 13-year spell at Selhurst Park. The veteran defender, who has become synonymous with the club's identity during the Premier League era, will move on once his contract expires. Advertisement Having signed from Portsmouth in 2012, Ward quickly embedded himself into the culture and fabric of the south London side. More than just a reliable right-back, he evolved into a leader, a mainstay, and eventually club captain — embodying the values of consistency, humility and commitment. His departure brings to a close a remarkable chapter for Palace, with Ward leaving as the club's eighth-highest appearance maker, racking up 363 games across all competitions. In April 2024, he became the first Crystal Palace player to reach 300 appearances in the Premier League. From Championship Arrival to Premier League Stalwart Ward's journey with Palace began in the Championship under Dougie Freedman. It was under Ian Holloway, however, that he played a pivotal role in the club's promotion campaign in 2012-13 — a season which ended at Wembley with victory in the play-off final. His efforts that year earned him the club's Young Player of the Season award. Advertisement From there, he established himself as a Premier League regular, outlasting several managerial changes and squad overhauls. Perhaps most memorably, Ward featured in every minute of Palace's run to the FA Cup final in 2016. The Eagles ultimately fell to Manchester United after extra time, but Ward's consistency throughout the tournament stood out. Now 35, his departure signals the end of an era — not only in terms of service but the character he brought to the dressing room. He remained a dependable figure, both in defensive duties and as a cultural touchstone within the club. Emotional Farewell from Player and Club Ward's goodbye was heartfelt. Speaking to club media, he said: 'For me, it's been a huge privilege to wear this shirt, to represent this club. 'It's been an incredible journey with so many fond memories, so many incredible moments – moments that will live on in my mind for the rest of my life. 'Obviously, I came from somewhere else. But I've been a part of this club and a part of the furniture for so long that I'd like to think I'm part of the family. 'This isn't 'goodbye' – it's merely a 'see you later.'' Advertisement Club chairman Steve Parish paid glowing tribute to the departing captain: 'From the very day he joined Crystal Palace, Joel has been an incredible ambassador for this Football Club: open, friendly and professional, but also competitive, driven and uncompromising in the standards he sets. 'Simply put, over the course of 13 years' service, Joel has been an example for all Palace players who have gone before him: in his values, in his presence, and in his dedication to representing this club with pride. 'This is a great time to celebrate Joel's achievements and reflect on many great memories here with a truly treasured player and friend. Good luck, Joel, with your next adventure – and thank you.' End of an Era, Start of a Legacy Ward's influence extends well beyond statistics. His professionalism set a benchmark for younger players, and his status as club captain was earned not just through experience but through leadership, humility, and unwavering dedication to the badge. As Crystal Palace look to the future, the legacy left by Ward will remain a reference point — a reminder of what it means to represent the club with distinction.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
2nd Barcelona star misses out on Champions League award
Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has officially missed out on the award for Young Player of the Season in the Champions League. This comes owing to the scintillating performance put forth by Désiré Doué in Saturday's tournament finale. Advertisement The 2024/25 Champions League campaign was of course brought to a definitive end over the weekend, upon Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan locking horns in Munich. When all was said and done, it was the former who emerged dominant victors, by five goals to nil. And the aforementioned Doué proved himself the star of the show in the rout, notching a fine brace, alongside an assist. After Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal was previously considered a shoo-in for the prize, PSG's talented young attacker, in turn, was on Sunday officially named Champions League Young Player of the Season. As much marks the 2nd blow for a member of Hansi Flick's Blaugrana squad over the last 24 hours, after Raphinha, despite finishing as the tournament's top scorer and assist-maker, missed out on the Player of the Season accolade to Ousmane Dembélé. Conor Laird – GSFN
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rice named in Champions League Team of the Season
Paris Saint-Germain have well and truly stamped their authority on this season's Champions League, with seven of their players named in UEFA's Team of the Season after their stunning 5–0 demolition of Inter Milan in the final. The only English inclusion is Declan Rice, recognised for his excellent performances throughout Arsenal's run in the competition. Advertisement Gianluigi Donnarumma was selected between the sticks, with a back four of Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, and Alessandro Bastoni. Rice features in midfield alongside PSG's Vitinha. The attacking line-up includes Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Désiré Doué, and Ousmane Dembélé. Raphinha shared the top scorer award with Borussia Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy, both bagging 13 goals, and also finished as the leading assist provider with nine. Dembélé was named Player of the Tournament, while Doué picked up the Young Player of the Season award. It rounds off a dream campaign for PSG, who not only secured their first-ever Champions League title, but also became the first French side to win a historic treble under the guidance of Luis Enrique.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
2024-25 European season awards! Who makes the Team of the Season + Lamine Yamal or Mo Salah for POTY?
Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros give us their European season superlatives including their teams of the season. They also give us their best transfer, biggest disappointment and best moment. Christian and Alexis then dole out their end of season awards including Player, Manager and Young Player of the Season. Later, Christian and Alexis tell us their favorite celebration and kit of the season. (6:15) - Alexis and Christian's teams of the season (15:15) - Best Transfer, Biggest disappointment, Best moment & Surprise of the Season (27:30) - Player, Manager & Young Player of the Year (33:45) - Best Kit & Best Celebration 🖥️
Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah named Premier League Player of the Season for second time
– Mohamed Salah was named the English Premier League Player of the Season on May 24 after the Egyptian enjoyed a stellar individual campaign as Liverpool cruised to their second Premier League title, while team mate Ryan Gravenberch was named the Young Player of the Season. Salah scored 28 goals and provided 18 assists to guide the Anfield club to the title, with Arne Slot's side winning it with four games to spare. The Reds will be presented with the trophy after their final game against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Anfield on May 25. Having also earned the award in 2017-18, Salah became only the fifth player to win it twice after Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nemanja Vidic and Kevin de Bruyne. The 32-year-old is on course to win another Golden Boot and is five strikes ahead of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak going into the final day of the season. No player before has had 46 goal involvements in a 38-game season and Salah could even break the record of 47 held by Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole, who achieved the feat in a 42-game campaign. With six more assists than any other player, Salah can become the first footballer to win the Golden Boot, Golden Playmaker and Player of the Season awards in the same campaign. Salah, who also won the Football Writers' Association men's Player of the Year for the third time earlier in May, said in an interview with Sky Sports this week that he feels this is his best chance to clinch the Ballon d'Or. 'I would say I never had a season like this and winning big trophies so I would say this is my best chance to get it right now while I'm in the club because it's been a crazy year, a crazy season with a trophy,' he said. 'It's given me a good chance.' Gravenberch, who was deployed as a deep-lying midfielder, has become a crucial part of Liverpool's spine, with the 23-year-old Dutchman making 36 appearances this season. Separately, Liverpool manager Arne Slot said Trent Alexander-Arnold 'deserves' to be part of Liverpool's title celebrations, despite revealing he was unhappy with the defender's performances in training at the start of the season. The England international announced his decision to quit his boyhood club earlier in May and is widely expected to join Real Madrid. He was booed by Liverpool fans when he came on as a second-half substitute in last week's 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Anfield and did not play in the 3-2 loss at Brighton & Hove Albion on May 19. Slot has not made a decision on the extent of the right-back's involvement against Palace, but said 'this should be a day that everybody is going to enjoy'. 'It's been 35 years everybody is waiting for this moment,' he added, referring to Liverpool lifting the 2020 Premier League trophy behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions. Their last English top-flight title came in 1990. While Slot hopes Alexander-Arnold gets a fond farewell from fans, he was critical about the right-back's efforts in training during his early weeks as Liverpool manager. 'I said to him 'You are a better defender than everybody tells you, but unfortunately you don't show it all the time',' he said. REUTERS, AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
