Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has been appointed France captain to succeed Hugo Lloris, the French football federation (FFF) said on Monday.
French media reported that Mbappe had accepted the captaincy after speaking with coach Didier Deschamps.
“Didier Deschamps has named Kylian Mbappe the new captain of Les Bleus. Antoine Griezmann is the vice-captain,” the FFF said on Twitter.
“Kylian meets all the requirements to have this responsibility. On the field as in the life of the group, by being a unifying element,” Deschamps was quoted as saying.
Mbappe, 24, had been touted as one of the candidates for the role since goalkeeper Lloris retired from international football in January.
This had come weeks after leading France to a second straight FIFA World Cup final, where they were beaten by Argentina.
Mbappe has been capped 66 times and played a key role in their successful 2018 World Cup campaign as well as their runners-up finish in 2022.
France take on the Netherlands at the Stade de France in their first Euro 2024 qualifier on Friday, before travelling to Ireland next Monday.
Bayern Munich consolidated on their first leg 1-0 away win over Paris Saint Germain at Parc Des Princess to inflict another 2-0 win in the reverse fixture at Allianz Arena to dent PSG’s hopes of winning the elusive trophy.
The visitors enjoyed the best chance of the first half, with Vitinha dispossessing Yann Sommer inside the box before poking his shot towards an open net – but Matthijs de Ligt slid in brilliantly to divert his effort off the line.
The Parisians struggled to create thereafter, with Kylian Mbappe rendered anonymous for most of the proceedings.
Vitinha though he had put the host ahead in the first half of the game but Matthijs de Ligt on the line clearance ensured status quo remained.
However, Bayern went ahead just after the hour mark, Leon Goretzka setting up the unmarked Choupo-Moting for an easy finish after Marco Verratti had been dispossessed in his own box.
Retired Spain defense marshal, Sergio Ramos came closest to equlizing for PSG but the keper Manuel Nuer came up with a save to deny the visitor of a goal.
In the dying minutes of the encounter, Gnabry clinched Bayern’s victory late on in the game to set up a Quarter-final placement for the German club side.
Spain’s most capped player Sergio Ramos, has announced his international retirement after being told by new coach Luis de la Fuente that he was not part of his plans.
The 36-year-old Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defender, who won the FIFA World Cup in 2010 as well as two European Championships, has not played for Spain since March 2021.
But he said he should have been given the chance to show he could still be of service to his country.
“The time has come, the time to say ‘goodbye’ to our beloved and exciting national team,” Ramos, who captained Spain 52 times, said in a statement.
“This (Thursday) morning I received the call from the current coach who told me that he doesn’t and will not count on me, regardless of the level I can show or how I continue my sports career.”
The Spanish FA (RFEF) confirmed to Reuters that the conversation between coach De la Fuente and Ramos took place on Thursday, but provided no further details.
Ramos was dropped by former Spain coach Luis Enrique and had not made an appearance since coming on as a late substitute in a 3-1 win over Kosovo in a World Cup qualifier two years ago.
“Humbly, I think that my path deserved to end because of my personal decision or if my performance was not up to the level that our national team deserve, but not because of age or other reasons,” Ramos said.
“Being young or less young is not a virtue or a defect, it is only a temporary trait that is not necessarily related to performance or ability.
“I look with admiration and envy at (Luka) Modric, (Lionel) Messi, Pepe… the essence, tradition, values, meritocracy and justice in football.
“Unfortunately, it will not happen to me because football is not always fair and football is never only about football.”
French and Paris Saint-Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe has revealed that he wasn’t supposed to feature in the Champions League round of 16 first-leg tie against Bayern Munich at Parc Des Princess.
Mbappe was still recuperating from a thigh injury but was introduced in the second half of the encounter, however, his introduction didn’t make any difference.
The France international suffered a hamstring injury on February 1 and the Ligue 1 club initially said he would be out for three weeks.
However, Mbappe came on in the 57th minute and changed the tempo of the game, scoring two goals
but they were ruled out for offside.
After the game, Mbappe said he wasn’t suppose to play in the game “I wasn’t supposed to play but I wanted to play and help my mates.
“We did everything, we worked night and day to get me some game time.
“I wanted to [start the game]. But sometimes you have to be satisfied with what you can do, and that’s all I could do,” Mbappe said.
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi will be making a return to the second round of this year’s Champions League last -16 first leg tie against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Mbappe was expected to be out for three weeks after suffering a thigh injury earlier this month.
The French forward trained on the eve of Tuesday’s heavyweight contest, a repeat of the 2020 final,which Bayern won 1-0.
“We’re not sure yet whether he will be on the match sheet,” said PSG boss Christophe Galtier on Monday.
Galtier added: “Kylian did the whole session today. We made the decision that he would train with everyone today.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina Lionel Messi who has received treatment for a hamstring problem, has also been named in the PSG squad.
Mbappe and Messi return to the PSG side will be a huge boost for Paris St-Germain, who have lost their past two domestic matches.
The Ligue 1 leaders have never won the Champions League and PSG know they must raise their game to get past Bayern, the six-time European champions.
Bayern Munich have been unbeaten in all competitions since 17 September. 2022.Forward Thomas Muller is relishing two games against PSG, with the return leg in Germany on 8 March.
“Two very good teams with very good players,” said Muller, a two-time Champions League winner, when asked about the tie.
“Sadly one cannot go through to the next round. A big game of football.”
Liverpool Egyptian forward Mohammed Salah has been proposed to be Lionel Messi’s ideal replacement at Paris Saint Germain (PSG).
According to the formation, Egyptian football icon will partner Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in PSG’s attack, El Nacional reports.
Although, Messi’s current deal will run out at the end of the current season and nothing has been finalized on a new contract.
However, another report says the Argentine could get another short term deal but no new duscussion has taken place between Messi and the club for now.
Additional reports say the Argentine is looking at some jaw-dropping offers from Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer and could be on his way out of PSG.
The PSG President for this reason is said to have identified the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finalist as a potential replacement for the football king.
Salah has scored 17 goals and has provided seven assists in 31 games across competitions for the Red this season despite Jurgen Klopp’s side struggles.
The Egyptian forward, who moved to Anfield in 2017, has scored 173 goals in 285 games and provided 70 assists for the Reds, helping them win the Champions League and the Premier League.
Salah has only spent half a season in his renewed three-years contract at Anfield.
Argentine and Paris Saint-Germain forward, Lionel Messi has revealed that he will return to Barcelona anytime he’s done with his professional football career.
Messi who played virtually all his life at Barcelona before leaving for PSG in the summer of 2021, described Barcelona as his home.
Messi warmed his way to the hearts of many Barcelona fans with his heroics and talent in the round leather game.
The 35-year-old is widely regarded as one of Barcelona’s greatest footballers of all time.
Speaking to Olé (via Albiceleste Talk), the Argentina World Cup winner said, “When I finish my career, I will return to live in Barcelona, it’s my home.”
Messi spent 17 years of his illustrious career from 2004 to 2021 in Barcelona.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner won several silverware with the Blaugrana, including the UEFA Champions League and La Liga, among others.
Messi’s PSG contract ends at the end of the season in June and talks are still ongoing for an extension of his contract with the Ligue 1 side.
France and Paris Saint-Germain PSG midfielder Jean-Michel Larque has berated the attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar for always being attacking minded only.
He noted that the three attackers do not help the club in defence.
Larque is concerned about the defense of PSG, nothing that the present defense line not good eneough to win UCL this season.
He lamented that the club’s hierarchy is focusing more on their superstar- attackers and doing nothing about the defence which is still in great difficulty.
“[Sergio] Ramos’ performance crystallizes criticism, but I wouldn’t want to blame all the ills, all the responsibilities of an unbalanced team on a single player,” Larque said according to PSG Talk.q
“We often speak, tactically, of an unbalanced team with three attackers who do not defend.
“It breaks my heart to say it, we do not have at PSG a defence which gives hope of a great performance in the Champions League. And I hope I’m wrong.”
This is despite Lionel Messi scoring 8 goals and making 10 assists, Neymar netting 10 with 10 assists and Mbappe hitting 13 goals this season.
Larque further noted that veteran defenders such as Marquinhos are no longer in their prime, suggesting that the French champions should invest in younger players in their backline.
Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo, on Thursday, scored twice in his first non-international match (Saudi debut) despite being punched in the head by a former team-mate, Keylor Navas.
Grimacing in pain from his bruised cheekbone after about 30 minutes in Riyadh, Ronaldo steadied himself before scoring from the penalty spot for his first goal in Saudi Arabia against a Paris Saint-Germain team featuring old foe Lionel Messi.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry has been among the greatest ever.
Messi scored just three minutes into the exhibition game when Ronaldo was flattened boxing-match style by PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas after about 30 minutes in Riyadh.
It was not Anthony Joshua but Navas who caught Ronaldo flush in the face with his forearm under a high ball.
Both went down like felled boxers.
Ronaldo held his head, got back up, did a wide yawn as if to test his sore left cheek, and sent his former Real Madrid teammate Navas the wrong way.
Cristiano Ronaldo fired in a penalty for his first goal
By the end of the first half Ronaldo’s cheekbone was bright apple red but he was all smiles after netting his second goal, smashing in a rebound when his header came back off the post. Poking his tongue out, Ronaldo wheeled away in delight and was mobbed by teammates at the corner flag.
When PSG star Kylian Mbappé checked on the state of Ronaldo’s cheek just before the second half, Ronaldo milked the attention from France’s World Cup star and pointed to the red mark.
Mbappé smiled at him as if to say “You’ll be fine” and Ronaldo raised his arm in triumph like a heavyweight champion.
Messi’s Qatari-backed PSG won 5-4 against a combined XI of Saudi Arabian teams Al Nassr and Al Hilal, captained by Al Nassr’s new signing Ronaldo, in front of 68,000 fans at King Fahd International Stadium. Although his team lost, Ronaldo edged perhaps the final installment of Ronaldo vs. Messi as one of the greatest rivalries in soccer history resumed in an unusual location.
Messi’s shot led to a handball and PSG’s fourth goal, scored by Mbappé from the penalty spot.
Ronaldo came off to a huge ovation just after the hour mark followed by Mbappé and Argentina’s World Cup-winning star Messi, who was warmly hugged by countryman Marcelo Gallardo, coaching the combined Saudi Arabian team.
Ronaldo’s bruise darkened with the night sky as he collected his man of the match award.
He was locked in conversation with ex-Madrid teammates Sergio Ramos and Navas before the medal ceremony. Then he spoke to Portugal teammates Renato Sanches and Danilo, who play for PSG.
But Ronaldo was nowhere near Messi, almost like they avoided each other. They could not do that earlier on the field, when Ronaldo tackled Messi in the second minute.
Moments later, Messi smiled as he scored from Neymar’s lofted pass. Ronaldo looked annoyed with his teammates for letting Messi ghost into space. Harsh, because few defenders have ever tracked Messi’s runs, let alone stopped them. The World Cup proved that if it was ever in doubt.
There was scant interaction between former Madrid star Ronaldo and Messi, his arch-rival during Barcelona’s glory days.
It was Ronaldo who tentatively approached an impassive-looking Messi at the center circle seconds before the whistle blew to start perhaps their final game as opponents.
There was a polite exchange, the briefest handshake.
Messi stared at Ronaldo late in the first half, after PSG defender Juan Bernat had been sent off, and Ronaldo seemed to look away from Messi.
It was a different mood in the tunnel beforehand, when a grinning Ronaldo hugged Ramos, who now plays alongside Messi, and joked with Ramos that he’d forgotten to remove an ear stud.
The laugh was on Ramos later, when he air-kicked a loose ball on Ronaldo’s second goal. PSG’s Neymar also missed, from the penalty spot.
The atmosphere built before the start as fans waved Argentina flags while others held up the yellow jersey of Al Nassr, pointing proudly to Ronaldo’s No. 7 on the back. The ticker tape poured from the stands as Ronaldo led his team out. He smiled and winked when he got a loud ovation.
Ronaldo made it a brace after firing in a rebound
Ronaldo could end his storied career in Riyadh after signing a deal worth a reported $200 million a year, swapping Europe’s elite club competition for the Asian Champions League.
He makes his Saudi league debut for Al Nassr on Sunday against Ettifaq, far from the fields where he shone for Manchester United and Madrid.
It was a different mood in the tunnel beforehand, when a grinning Ronaldo hugged Ramos, who now plays alongside Messi, and joked with Ramos that he’d forgotten to remove an ear stud.