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Tag: PSG

  • Disregard fake news on Messi’s future at PSG – Father urges

    Disregard fake news on Messi’s future at PSG – Father urges

    Jorge Messi, the father of Lionel Messi, asserted that “false news” is being circulated regarding the future of the star striker at Paris Saint-Germain.

    Messi, a player for Argentina, will have his contract at the Parc des Princes expire at the end of the current season, which will further fuel speculation about where he will play next in his career.

    This week, reports stated Messi is seeking for €600 million to join the Saudi team Al Hilal and that PSG are unwilling to meet his wage demands under a new contract.

    Also, it was said on Friday that Messi skipped a training session this week as a result of a dispute with head coach Christophe Galtier.

    However, Jorge Messi took to social media on Friday to denounce all three articles.

    “When will you stop lying?” he posted on his personal Instagram account, alongside screenshots from the three articles.

    “Where’s the proof? Oh, it’s all false. OK. No matter how loud it is called. Do not believe it. We will no longer tolerate fake news to gain followers.”

    Messi has 18 goals and 17 assists in 31 games for PSG this season, but he came in for criticism for his displays in their Champions League last-16 elimination to Bayern Munich.

    Asked about the World Cup winner’s future at a press conference on Friday, Galtier said: “I know that Leo Messi and the board have been in talks.

    “As for whether Leo Messi will be here next season or not, I have said that it is about desire. I know people are discussing it, but Leo Messi is happy in the dressing room.

    “He has 18 goals and 17 assists this season. I know there was some criticism about the [Champions League] game against Bayern Munich, but he wasn’t the only one.

    “As for his future, it is too early to know what will happen.”

    Messi, who has also been strongly linked with a move to Major League Soccer, is in line to start PSG’s Ligue 1 meeting with Rennes at Parc des Princes on Sunday.

  • Ballon d’Or 2023: Concerns as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe exit Champions League

    Ballon d’Or 2023: Concerns as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe exit Champions League

    The 2023 award is in danger of being rocked by allegations of favouritism and daylight robbery because previous events like 2013 and 2010 are still being questioned.

    The decision to hold the FIFA World Cup in December may not have been the best one after all.

    Lionel Messi remains the front-runner to win a record eighth title when the ceremony goes down sometime in October this year. His World Cup heroics with Argentina have given him a perfect head start.

    Second on the list is Kylian Mbappe, who nearly led France to a lone World Cup victory.

    All of this occurred prior to Bayern Munich’s merciless elimination of Paris Saint-Germain from the Champions League.

    The World Cup dilemma

    Even though the Ballon d’Or award is frequently decided by individual merit, the Champions League typically has a significant impact on the outcome.

    In the case of a World Cup year, the once-in-four-years competition takes precedence over any other trophy – Luka Modric is a witness.

    Questions have already started streaming in on how this year’s award will be determined by a ‘seven-game tournament.’

    How can someone who got knocked out in the round of 16 of a competition as important as the Champions League receive the award?

  • Messi, Mbappe, Neymar suffer trolls from Augsburg after UCL PSG’s elimination

    Messi, Mbappe, Neymar suffer trolls from Augsburg after UCL PSG’s elimination

    Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar of Paris Saint-Germain were viciously attacked by Bundesliga club Augsburg after Bayern Munich eliminated them from the Champions League earlier this week.

    PSG was eliminated in the round of 16 by Bayern Munich over the course of two legs, prolonging their wait for their first Champions League victory.

    Against the Bavarians, PSG’s feared trio unexpectedly failed to score even once, with Messi and Mbappe in particular being muffled at the Allianz Arena. Due to an ankle injury that would end his season, Neymar was unable to play.

    Augsburg played Bayern Munich on Saturday in a top-flight game, and despite losing 5-3, they took solace in the fact that they did score thrice against the league champions – a fete PSG couldn’t.

    Ironically, had Christophe Galtier’s side scored three goals over the two ties, the game could have gone to extra time and possibly penalties. Mergim Berisha scored twice on march 11th to add to the strike he got in the first leg against the same opposition in a surprise 1-0 win in September.

    Fans reactions

    Fans trooped online to respond to the online troll.

    @jogabonito said: “Mbappé alone has more trophies than your club. Know your place.”

    @ahmdan said: “I’d never thought I’d see the day where Berisha outscores the whole PSG team”

    PSG bounced back to beat Brest in Ligue 1 on Saturday evening to cement their lead in France, while Augsburg’s defeat saw them remain in 13th place.

    Messi achieves new milestone Sports Brief had earlier reported that Messi reached 300 club assists as Paris Saint-Germain wiped their midweek wounds with a hard-fought victory over Brest.

    The genius number 10 added further gloss to his greatest of all-time claim when he set up Kylian Mbappe, who made no mistake by rounding the goalkeeper before slotting home from close range.

    PSG were coming off a 2-0 defeat at Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 in midweek, suffering a 3-0 aggregate loss.

    Messi’s latest milestone intertwined with PSG’s 3000th goal in the French top flight.

  • Kylian Mbappe allegedly at loggerhead with three teammates after 3-0 aggregate loss to Bayern

    Kylian Mbappe allegedly at loggerhead with three teammates after 3-0 aggregate loss to Bayern

    After their Champions League elimination, four of Kylian Mbappe’s teammates from Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly not “on good terms” with him. After losing 3-0 on aggregate to Bayern Munich, the Parisians were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in the round of 16 for the second consecutive year.

    It was the fifth time in the previous 12 seasons that PSG had been eliminated in the Round of 16. According to Sporkskeeda, Mbappe avoids communication with three teammates, including Marco Verratti, because he is dissatisfied with the team’s performance in Europe.

    The Frenchman is furious that Verratti, who was ejected twice and was the reason PSG lost 2-0 in Munich, was to blame for the team’s demise.

    The reports further state that there is already a factor of jealousy between Mbappe and the Italian midfielder.

    Verratti was reportedly the owner’s favourite before Mbappe’s arrival in 2017. Hence, losing that title hasn’t gone down well with the former Pescara midfielder.

    Mbappe also reportedly doesn’t talk with compatriot Presnel Kimpembe and Brazil star Neymar Junior. Mbappe and Kimpembe are not friends, nor are they enemies. They have just never been close, the reports indicate.

    For Neymar, he is still annoyed that Mbappe is trying to push him out of the club.

    Mbappe regrets not joining Real Madrid

    Meanwhile, Mbappe is apparently regretting his decision to extend his deal with Paris Saint-Germain, just a few months after signing a three-year contraction extension with the Ligue 1 champions.

    The 24-year-old forward made a U-turn on joining Real Madrid last summer despite having a verbal agreement to join the Spanish giants before the start of the 2022/23 season.

    According to Madrid Universal, Mbappe’s entourage called Real Madrid at the end of the last summer, admitting the forward regrets his decision to extend his contract with PSG.

    ‘Mbappe should join Real Madrid’ In related news, former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher believes Mbappe should leave PSG urgently for the sake of his career, Football Espana reported.

    Mbappe discusses his club future

    Sports Brief also reported on Mbappe discussing his club future following PSG’s early elimination from the Champions League. The 24-year-old has been linked with a move away from France despite signing a bumper deal with PSG earlier this season.

    Mbappe has now revealed he is solely focused on winning the Ligue 1 title with PSG but did not discuss what the future held.

  • PSG superstar Neymar has successfully undergone ankle surgery

    PSG superstar Neymar has successfully undergone ankle surgery

    Brazil’s Neymar underwent successful surgery at a hospital in Qatar on his right ankle after suffering an injury that will keep him out for the remainder of the year.

    The 31-year-old was forced off the field last month during PSG’s Ligue 1 match against rival Lille due to an ankle injury.

    The Brazilian magician scored in the tense 4-3 victory, but he landed awkwardly after a tackle in the 51st minute and required extensive treatment before being carried away.

    Neymar was seen arriving at Aspetar Hospital in Doha at the crack of dawn on Friday, and the procedure was over in a matter of hours.

    “Neymar Jr was successfully operated on late this morning,” Paris Saint-Germain said in a statement. “The player will now follow a protocol of rest and treatment.” The operation was led by British surgeon, James Calder, who has treated several European football stars.

    As reported by Mirror Football, Neymar suffered the same ankle injury during Brazil’s World Cup game against Serbia in Qatar.

    It was reported initially the playmaker had suffered a sprained ankle, but further tests suggest he has weakened his ligaments, which – if not treated – might end his career. Neymar spent two years sidelined Neymar joined PSG from Barcelona in a move worth €222 million in the summer of 2017.

    His latest injury, which has sidelined him for four months, means he has been out of action for PSG for 731 days, equivalent to two full years, as per Marca.

    Neymar failed to play 104 matches in a PSG shirt in all competitions, making only 173 appearances. This means he has been injured in approximately 37.5 percent of the games in which he has been available for the Parisian club.

    Neymar keen on PSG extension

    Sports Brief also reported on Neymar reportedly having unfinished business at PSG and not being willing to leave even if close ally, Lionel Messi departs.

    The Argentine genius has been touted to be on his way out despite only linking up with his former Barcelona teammate at the Ligue 1 champions in 2021. However, Neymar wants to win over his critics and is eager to help deliver long-awaited European glory to PSG by winning the UEFA Champions League.

  • Corinne Diacre fired as coach of France football team

    Corinne Diacre fired as coach of France football team

    Just four months before the Women’s World Cup, the coach of the French national football team has been fired. Several of the key players on the national team had revolted against Corinne Diacre.

    Corinne Diacre will no longer serve as the head coach of France’s national team, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Thursday.

    The FFF praised Diacre’s “involvement and seriousness” in a press release, but claimed that a four-member committee that had been formed to examine how the women’s national team is run had “unanimously” recommended firing the coach.

    “The numerous hearings conducted have made it possible to establish a very important gap with some top players,” it said. “This gap has reached a point of no return that damages the team’s interests.”

    Player resignations

    The move wasn’t completely unexpected, as Diacre had been under growing pressure since captain Wendie Renard announced her resignation from the national team last month.

    “I can no longer support the current system which falls a long way short of the demands required to compete at the highest level,” Renard said. 

    Paris Saint-Germain forward Kadidiatou Diani, the top scorer in the French league, who like Renard was nominated for last year’s Ballon d’Or, also quit, along with her PSG teammate Marie-Antoinette Katoto.

    The federation said interim President Philippe Diallo had asked a committee to speak to potential candidates to replace Diacre as head coach “as soon as possible.”

    Adding to the FFF’s crisis

    The move could hardly have come at a more inopportune time, with France set to compete in the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July and August.

    The French federation was already in crisis following the resignation of its scandal-hit 81-year-old president, Noel Le Graet, last week.

    Diacre, who took charge of the French national team in 2017 and was under contract until August 2024, said on Wednesday that she had become the victim of a smear campaign.

    Under Diacre, France, as hosts, lost to the United States in the quarterfinals at the last World Cup in 2019.  Les Bleues then lost to Germany in the semifinals of last year’s Euros in England.

    Diacre, who as a player made 121 appearances for the national team, previously coached second-division outfit Clermont — making her the first woman to coach a men’s team in a competitive match in France.

  • Messi trolled after PSG Champions League exit

    Messi trolled after PSG Champions League exit

    Football fans have made fun of Lionel Messi, the star player for Paris Saint-Germain, on social media, particularly Twitter, for going eight years without taking home a UEFA Champions League trophy.

    Many people thought the legendary football player would be inspired to end his lengthy quest for a fifth UCL championship after helping Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

    But on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich defeated PSG 2-0 (3-0 overall) to eliminate the French team, ending his quest to end the curse.

    Choupo-Mouting and Serge Gnabry’s goals in the second half guaranteed Bayern’s qualification.

    The exit means that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has now gone almost a decade without winning the competition. His last triumph came in 2015 when he inspired Barcelona to a 3-1 win against Juventus and his last goal in the final dates back to 2009.

    This is also the second time the Argentine has suffered a round of 16 exit in his second season at PSG.

    Following yet another disappointing night for Lionel Messi, some rival fans have branded his move to PSG as a bad investment by the club.

    A section accused him of not turning up for his team in UCL when it matters most.

    Others also argued that Messi’s biggest rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the competition five times(won his last in 2018), would have done better and that the defeat typifies the difference between the two.

  • Muller grateful for Bayern’s luck after beating PSG

    Muller grateful for Bayern’s luck after beating PSG

    Thomas Muller conceded that Bayern Munich needed some luck to defeat Paris Saint-Germain and advance to the quarterfinals of the Champions League on Wednesday.

    At the Allianz Arena, in the first half, Matthijs de Ligt’s goal-line clearing from Vitinha saved Julian Nagelsmann’s team after Yann Sommer’s mistake gave the PSG midfielder an open goal.

    After Kingsley Coman’s first-leg goal, De Ligt then hooked off the line to keep Bayern ahead 1-0 in the tie. After that, Nagelsmann’s team took control of the second leg.

    Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting came back to haunt his former side PSG with a second-half strike before Serge Gnabry sealed progression, though Muller was thankful for the fine margins fell for Bayern.

    “You have to be honest, in a football game like this there are always moments when you need luck on your side,” Muller told DAZN.

    “We had that one moment when Yann loses the ball, which Matt clears the ball on the line. If it goes to 1-0 there, you don’t know how the teams will react to that.

    “But we shed our shyness in the second half in particular, we were clearer in defence, so we played the better game in the second half and deserved to win.”

    A 3-0 aggregate triumph saw Bayern progress to the Champions League quarter-finals for the 21st time, no other club has managed to reach the last eight as often.

    A battling performance, coupled with clinical finishing, marked continued progression under Nagelsmann, whose side have put a poor start to 2023 behind them to fight back in the Bundesliga title race.

    Nagelsmann was disappointed with what he saw in the first half as PSG twice went close to levelling the tie on aggregate, but the Bayern coach was impressed with his team’s second-half response.

    “In the first half we did what we discussed before the game wrong, PSG pulled a lot of players into the build-up, we then let ourselves be pulled into position, were too impatient,” he told DAZN.

    “The spaces were too big. We had a lot of space with the ball, but we were too scared.

    “We didn’t do that anymore in the second half, we won the ball well and gained a lot of depth down the right. We were clearly better in the second half and deserved to win.”

  • Mbappe keen on seeing Champion League glory

    Mbappe keen on seeing Champion League glory

    Even though Kylian Mbappe is focused on winning the Champions League, he reaffirmed his dedication to Paris Saint-Germain.

    Mbappe set a new PSG record for goals scored on Saturday by securing a 4-2 victory over Nantes.

    When the 24-year-old slammed home in stoppage time, he eclipsed Edinson Cavani’s 200 goals for the team. Mbappe scored 201 goals in 247 games, compared to Cavani’s 200 goals in 301 games.

    Mbappe, who has a runners-up medal from the 2020 final when PSG fell to Bayern Munich, hasn’t won the Champions League despite winning the 2018 World Cup with France and five Ligue 1 championships.

    Bayern stand in the way of PSG’s progress this season, with the Bundesliga giants holding a 1-0 lead heading into the second leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday.

    While Mbappe sees himself as an eventual Champions League winner, he refuted the suggestion Wednesday’s result will have a direct impact on his PSG future.

    “I don’t think so,” he said in a press conference.

    “I think if I read my future it’s [winning] the Champions League, and I’m not disrespecting the club. I will have gone very far. 

    “I am here, I am very happy. I’m very happy here, and for the moment I’m not thinking about anything else but making Paris Saint-Germain happy.”

    Mbappe’s sole focus is now on propelling PSG to a result in Munich. He returned from injury in the first leg and saw an equaliser disallowed for offside.

    “It’s a good moment for me [becoming PSG’s all-time top scorer], but for the team, the good moment is the three consecutive victories after the defeat against Bayern and that’s the most important thing,” he added.

    “Of course, I’m happy, it’s important for the team. But the most important thing is that the team has got its head together and is ready for the challenge in Munich on Wednesday.

    “[Can I score my] 204th, 205th? We don’t know. Yes, as I said, the goal is clear, we want to go there to qualify. We have a lot of confidence, and humility too because we play a great team.

    “But we are Paris Saint-Germain, and we always go to win matches and we will go to Munich to win, to qualify, to come back happy.”

    PSG coach Christophe Galtier, meanwhile, is honoured to be coaching Mbappe.

    “It’s already a privilege to experience this, live, in real-time. It’s a privilege for a coach to have a player like Kylian, who in my eyes is the best striker in the world,” Galtier told reporters.

    “Our fans, but also people who love French football must appreciate the value of having such a player in our league.

    “He is determined to break many records, to make sure that the team wins, and that the team goes as far as possible.

    “It is a privilege for me to have witnessed this. It’s a privilege for Paris Saint-Germain to have a striker like Kylian. You have to appreciate it for what it is.”

  • Mbappe becomes PSG’s record goalscorer

    Mbappe becomes PSG’s record goalscorer

    Paris Saint-Germain defeated Nantes 4-2 to secure the victory and extend their lead atop the Ligue 1 standings to 11 points, with Kylian Mbappe becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer.

    PSG took the lead after 18 minutes thanks to a goal from Lionel Messi, and it appeared like they would have an easy evening until only 17 minutes had passed. An own goal from Jaouen Hadjam increased their lead.

    In an exciting first half at Parc des Princes on Saturday, Nantes had different plans, with Ludovic Blas providing them a lifeline by catching Gianluigi Donnarumma out at his near post and Ignatius Ganago putting them level.

    Paris Saint-Germain defeated Nantes 4-2 to win the match and move 11 points clear atop the Ligue 1 standings. Kylian Mbappe established a new record for the club.

    Once PSG went ahead thanks to a goal from Lionel Messi, their 18th of the year, they appeared to be in for an easy night until an own goal from Jaouen Hadjam made it 2-0 just 17 minutes later.

    The first half of Saturday’s match at Parc des Princes was filled with action, but Nantes had other plans. Ludovic Blas gave Nantes a chance by catching Gianluigi Donnarumma at his near post, and Ignatius Ganago scored a goal to tie the score.

    Nantes looked to be in danger of suffering a hammering but Blas halved the deficit from out of the blue just after the hour-mark, beating Donnarumma at his near post from wide on the left when the PSG goalkeeper was expecting a cross.

    PSG were caught out again seven minutes later, Ganago meeting Florent Mollet’s corner with a near-post header that looped into the net in a breathless first half.

    The champions were back in front just before the hour-mark, though, with Danilo rising to meet Mbappe’s pinpoint cross with a towering downward header.

    Mbappe was denied a chance to break the record when the VAR ruled Hadjam had upended Mukiele just outside the box after referee Jeremy Stinat pointed to the spot.

    But the lethal forward’s big moment came two minutes into stoppage time, when he spun sharply in the box and rifled home in typically clinical fashion.

  • Morocco star Achraf Hakimi allegedly accused of rape

    Morocco star Achraf Hakimi allegedly accused of rape

    Achraf Hakimi, a Moroccan defender, has reportedly been accused of rape, according to an Agence France-Presse report (AFP).

    The 24-year-old woman’s accusations against the full-back for Paris Saint-Germain have led to an indictment and subsequent charges.

    On March 2, 2023, the 24-year-old was questioned by detectives before being put under judicial supervision by an examining magistrate.

    On February 25, Hakimi is alleged to have raped the woman at his Paris home.

    According to AFP, PSG have refused on commenting on the incident after contacting the club.

    The player was present for group training on Friday as they prepared for the home game against Nantes on Saturday.

  • Best FIFA Men’s Player: I wouldn’t be here without you -Messi thanks team-mates

    Best FIFA Men’s Player: I wouldn’t be here without you -Messi thanks team-mates

    After winning the Best FIFA Men’s Player award for a second time, Lionel Messi thanked his Argentina team-mates for a “dream” year.

    At the awards ceremony on Monday in Paris, the superstar from Paris Saint-Germain beat out Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and clubmate Kylian Mbappe for the top prize.

    Messi was a key player in Argentina’s victory at the 2022 World Cup, winning the Golden Ball after contributing to three more goals and scoring seven of his own.

    In the first half of the 2022–23 season, which was considered in the voting, he also made an impression at the club level, contributing to 14 goals and 11 goals in 18 games.

    That matched the 35-year-old’s total of 34 games during his first season at Parc des Princes in both categories.

    Upon collecting his Best FIFA award, which he previously won in 2019, Messi said: “Wow, this is amazing. It’s been a tremendous year, and it’s an honour to win this award.

    “Without my team-mates, I wouldn’t be here. I achieved the dream I had been hoping for so long. Very few people can achieve that and I have been lucky to do so.

    “It’s the most wonderful thing that’s happened to me in my career.“

    Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski as two-time winners of the trophy, with Luka Modric the only other winner since the award was first handed out in 2016.

    Lionel Scaloni was crowned the Best FIFA Men’s Coach, meanwhile, and Emiliano Martinez ensured it was a clean sweep for Argentina by taking the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award.

    In the women’s prizes, Sarina Wiegman took the Best FIFA Women’s Coach award for a third time and Alexia Putellas pipped Beth Mead to the Best FIFA Women’s Player accolade.

    England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps was named the Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper.

  • Lionel Messi named Best Male FIFA player of 2022

    Lionel Messi named Best Male FIFA player of 2022

    The award ceremony, held in Paris this year, aims to “crown the outstanding figures in world football.”


    And after a year in which his long quest for a World Cup finally came to an end, Messi most certainly embodies that.

    The superstar of Paris Saint-Germain assisted Argentina in winning the World Cup in Qatar, which was probably his final opportunity to win the biggest prize in international football.

    Messi won the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player after scoring seven times in as many games.

    One of the greatest footballers of all time, his legacy was further cemented by victory in the Middle East. He contributed to PSG winning the Ligue 1 championship at home in 2022, scoring 17 goals and registering 24 assists in 37 appearances.

    But it was an international calendar year which included 18 goals, six assists and a World Cup which put him above the competition. Recognition from FIFA means Messi has scooped the award for the second time since its inception in 2016.

    And with a pair of gongs, he joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski as two-time winners. In the seven editions of the ceremony, Messi has only been out of the top 3 once and was a narrow runner-up to Robert Lewandowski 12 months ago.

    In a typically humble acceptance speech, Messi said: “I’d like to express thanks to my team-mates, to Scaloni [Argentina coach] and without them I wouldn’t be here. My coach, he is part of this victory as well. I’d like to pay tribute to all of my team-mates. It was an amazing year and I achieved a dream I’ve been hoping for so long.

    “Finally I achieved it. It’s a dream for any player. Very few players can achieve that and I’ve been lucky enough to do it.”

    This time around, his main competition came from French duo Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe. Benzema won the Ballon d’Or back in October of last year thanks to his stunning performances during Real Madrid ’s run to the Champions League. Messi wasn’t even nominated for that particular award, although he appears a shoo-in for a record eighth in a matter of months.

    As for Mbappe, he enjoyed a similarly historic World Cup to his PSG team-mate Messi. The 24-year-old was the top scorer in Qatar and became the first person since Sir Geoff Hurst to score a hat-trick in the final.

  • Galtier praises Mbappe after winning, breaking previous PSG record

    Galtier praises Mbappe after winning, breaking previous PSG record

    Christophe Galtier hailed Kylian Mbappe for his “magnificent” feat of becoming Paris Saint-Germain’s joint-record goalscorer in Sunday’s dominant 3-0 win at Marseille.

    Mbappe scored a terrific volley to match Edinson Cavani’s tally of 200 goals for PSG as the Ligue 1 leaders went eight points clear of their old rivals with a crushing win at the Stade Velodrome.

    Mbappe and fellow attacking star Lionel Messi had earlier put PSG in command by exchanging assists before the break, and they have now combined for 10 goals in Ligue 1 this term — more than any other duo.

    Speaking to Amazon Prime Video after the win, Galtier said: “Mbappe is a player who has a sense of movement, who obviously goes very fast; he is technically fast too. 

    “He not only has the legs but an exceptional speed of execution. These are players of stats and records; he equalled this magnificent record of Cavani, and it is obvious that he will beat it. 

    “His presence is important to the team, it gives us other options in the game, especially with our depth and his presence in front of goal.”

    PSG suffered an early setback when a tearful Presnel Kimpembe was carried off injured, but they hit the front 25 minutes in as Messi found space to send Mbappe through on goal, with the striker applying an unerring finish.

    Mbappe repaid the favour four minutes later, combining with Nuno Mendes on the break before teeing Messi up for a tap-in with a pinpoint low cross.

    Messi should have had a second when he somehow blazed over from just six yards out, before Marquinhos fired narrowly wide of the bottom-left corner after beating the hosts’ offside trap.

    Mbappe nodded Vitinha’s cross narrowly wide of the left-hand post six minutes after the restart, but the France star had his landmark goal four minutes later. 

    A flowing move ended with Messi scooping a wonderful ball into the path of Mbappe, who lashed a left-footed volley beyond Pau Lopez to effectively end the contest.

    Alexis Sanchez and Marseille’s Vitinha went close to pulling one back, but Gianluigi Donnarumma denied both with sharp saves to preserve PSG’s clean sheet. 

  • Mbappe is at it again! Now PSG’s joint-record scorer, Messi hits 700

    Mbappe is at it again! Now PSG’s joint-record scorer, Messi hits 700

    Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain defeated rivals Marseille 3-0 on Sunday, as Kylian Mbappe set a new joint-record for goals scored and Lionel Messi scored his 700th goal for a senior club.

    As the visitors sprinted to a 2-0 halftime lead, Mbappe and Messi traded assists. Messi’s tap-in gave him 700 goals in senior football for Barcelona and PSG.

    The pair saved their best for last, though, as Mbappe scored PSG’s 200th goal on a memorable night for Christophe Galtier’s team by volleying in Messi’s dinked pass to join Edinson Cavani in the feat.

    The outcome put PSG eight points ahead of Marseille in the Ligue 1 standings, relieving Galtier of some of the pressure that had been mounting due to their lacklustre start to 2023.

    PSG suffered an early setback when a tearful Presnel Kimpembe was carried off injured, but they hit the front 25 minutes in as Messi found space to send Mbappe through on goal, with the striker applying an unerring finish.

    Red Devils march on to rd of 16 – Mangers reaction

    Mbappe repaid the favour four minutes later, combining with Nuno Mendes on the break before teeing Messi up for a tap-in with a pinpoint low cross.

    Messi should have had a second when he somehow blazed over from just six yards out, before Marquinhos fired narrowly wide of the bottom-left corner after beating the hosts’ offside trap.

    Mbappe nodded Vitinha’s cross narrowly wide of the left-hand post six minutes after the restart, but the France star had his landmark goal four minutes later. 

    A flowing move ended with Messi scooping a wonderful ball into the path of Mbappe, who lashed a left-footed volley beyond Pau Lopez to effectively end the contest.

    Alexis Sanchez and Marseille’s Vitinha went close to pulling one back, but Gianluigi Donnarumma denied both with sharp saves to preserve PSG’s clean sheet. 

  • Kylian Mbappe’s swoop maybe daunting for triumvirate – Football Insider

    Kylian Mbappe’s swoop maybe daunting for triumvirate – Football Insider

    Football Insider claims that Kylian Mbappe’s situation is being watched by Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea.

    The 24-year-old is allegedly dissatisfied at Paris Saint-Germain, and the Premier League trio is said to be aware that any potential deal will be difficult to execute.

    The difficulties the triumvirate faces in trying to sign the forward this summer are highlighted by the French superstar’s contract with PSG, which runs through 2025, and his reported salary of more than £1.2 million per week.

  • Neymar may miss Bayern clash due to ankle ligament damage

    Neymar may miss Bayern clash due to ankle ligament damage

    Neymar may not play against Bayern Munich for Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League due to ankle ligament damage.

    On a stretcher, the 31-year-old was removed from the field during PSG’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Lille on Sunday.

    Neymar scored PSG’s second goal after setting up Kylian Mbappe for the first, but he injured his right ankle in a collision with Benjamin André early in the second half.

    Later, PSG declared that Neymar had sustained a sprain rather than a fracture.

    On Tuesday, they announced further scans had indicated ligament damage, and Neymar must now wait until next week for a firmer timescale to be put on his recovery.

    According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, the standard recovery time for such an injury is between six and eight weeks, which would rule him out of the second leg of PSG’s last-16 tie with Bayern on March 8.

    PSG, who face Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday, head to Munich trailing 1-0 from the first leg.

  • PSG allegedly prepared to re-appoint Timothy Tuchel

    PSG allegedly prepared to re-appoint Timothy Tuchel

    Thomas Tuchel has been jobless since Chelsea fired him in September, but he might soon start coaching again.

    The German has previously led top European clubs Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and the Blues, whom he took to the 2020-21 Champions League title.

    The 49-year-old has reportedly turned down two Premier League offers despite being linked to numerous open positions in recent months.

    TOP STORY – PSG WILLING TO ADMIT TUCHEL ERROR

    According to the Evening Standard, PSG are fed up with head coach Christophe Galtier and are ready to re-appoint Thomas Tuchel.

    The club sacked Tuchel in December 2020 after two and a half years in charge with the best win percentage in Ligue 1 history.

    But PSG are reportedly willing to admit their mistake in letting him go as they try to convince Tuchel to return following their recent run of three straight defeats, which was ended by Sunday’s 4-3 win over Lille.

    The report claims Tuchel would need assurances from the club, but it is the type of role he has been waiting for, joining a top side competing for major trophies.

    ROUND-UP

    – According to Football Insider, Tottenham is keeping an eye on Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio. Spurs will need to compete with Arsenal and Manchester United for the 27-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of this season.

    Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United are all circling for Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram, according to Talksport. The Athletic claims Thuram will leave Gladbach in the off-season as a free agent, with Bayern Munich also interested.

    Relevo reports Bayern are weighing up a move for Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, with head coach Julian Nagelsmann an admirer, although no contact has been made yet.

    ESPN claims Manchester United and teenage sensation Alejandro Garnacho have agreed in principle to a new five-year contract, warding off interest.

    Manchester United will need to fork out €80 million (£71 million) to land Tammy Abraham from Roma, according to Calciomercatoweb.

    According to Calciomercatoweb, Juventus will make a move for Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz after this season. Diaz is currently on loan at Milan, but the Rossoneri will not trigger their option to buy him.

  • Man United bid from Qatar raises concerns about PSG’s future

    Man United bid from Qatar raises concerns about PSG’s future

    Concerns have been raised about the potential effects on Paris Saint-Germain, which was taken over by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) more than ten years ago, after it was revealed that a consortium led by a Qatari banker is in the running to buy Manchester United.

    For just 70 million euros ($74.7m at the current exchange rate), QSI, a division of the sovereign wealth fund of the Gulf state of Qatar, acquired control of the French club in 2011.

    PSG is now used by Qatar to project soft power because, while still the dominant club in France, they are also a major player on the European stage and a household name thanks to QSI’s ownership.

    More than 1.5 billion euros have been splashed on transfers over the last dozen years, including the two biggest fees in the history of the game for Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in 2017, although all that money has not yet delivered Champions League glory in which Qatar could bask.

    But now the tiny, gas-rich state is aiming even higher with its sights set on United, the most successful club in the history of the most powerful league in the world, with commercial and broadcasting income far greater than what can be generated in the French top flight.

    The bid, led by the chairman of the Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, is believed to be worth between four and six billion euros, according to several sources.

    “This means nothing has been done without the approval of the emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.”

    However, there is no suggestion of the Qataris abandoning PSG in the short or medium term. New strategy? If the Qatari bid for Manchester United succeeds, “the plans for PSG would not change at all. The two clubs would be totally separate on the field and off it. The QIB is totally separate from QSI,” a source close to PSG’s owners insisted to AFP.

    Last December, PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi also shut down any suggestion of a possible withdrawal when he said in an interview with the Financial Times “we have a long-term project here”.

    At the same time, Khelaifi admitted the French champions had been in discussions with several investors about potentially selling a 15 percent stake. “Qatar is capable of persisting with the two clubs. That doesn’t mean that it is finished with PSG. It is above all a demonstration of Qatar’s power that it is able to show an interest in a club like Manchester United,” Raphael Le Magoariec, who specialises in the Gulf and sport at Tours University in France, told AFP.

    “It is unlikely that they would withdraw from Paris because that would be seen as a failure.” Nevertheless the dispute with Paris city council over PSG’s attempts to buy their Parc des Princes stadium from the local authority has left a bitter taste with the club’s owners. Qatar, according to Le Magoariec, “has invested a lot and thinks that its generosity is not being respected”.

    Despite that, the ties between France and Qatar, which possesses stakes in numerous French multinational corporations, make it unlikely the country will divert its capital away from a club like PSG.

    “Paris is the type of platform which gives Qatar standing in the world,” says Le Magoariec. Yet it is possible a slight change in strategy at PSG is taking place, given the club is being closely watched by UEFA to ensure they fall in line with the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules of European football’s governing body.

    The club made huge losses last season of 370 million euros and has an enormous wage bill, weighed down by the salaries of superstars Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar. “There is maybe less investment.

    They have already tightened their belts because of FFP constraints,” said Guegan. “But they are going to open up to foreign investors, and depending on the identity of these investors we will see if the club continues to be an asset in Qatar’s strategy of visibility or if they move on to a different stage.”

  • Mbappe trains ahead of heavyweight tussle with Bayern

    Mbappe trains ahead of heavyweight tussle with Bayern

    Prior to Paris Saint-Champions Germain’s League match against Bayern Munich, Kylian Mbappe resumed training, increasing the likelihood that the attacker will play after initially being expected to sit out.

    Mbappe suffered a hamstring injury in PSG’s 3-1 victory over Montpellier on February 1, prompting the French powerhouses to predict a three-week absence for him.

    PSG manager Christophe Galtier has emphasized the need to properly manage Mbappe’s injuries, while Julian Nagelsmann of Bayern Munich has accused PSG of “playing poker” with Mbappe’s availability.

    On the eve of Tuesday’s round-of-16 first leg between the two European giants, PSG were handed a boost as Mbappe was pictured in training with his team-mates.

    Mbappe’s potential return could be pivotal for a PSG side that has struggled in his absence, exiting the Coupe de France against Marseille last week before being beaten 3-1 by Monaco in Ligue 1.

    Since making his PSG debut in 2017, Mbappe has recorded 57 goal contributions (34 goals, 23 assists) in 50 Champions League appearances – no other player has managed 20 goals and 20 assists in the competition during that span.

    Lionel Messi was also absent for PSG’s dire defeat at Monaco, though Galtier maintained he would return to training on Monday, and the World Cup winner was seen alongside Mbappe as the side stepped up their preparations for Tuesday’s game.

  • Galtier celebrates Messi after winner against Toulouse

    Galtier celebrates Messi after winner against Toulouse

    After Paris Saint-Germain defeated Toulouse 2-1 to move eight points clear atop the Ligue, Christophe Galtier praised Lionel Messi for yet another game-winning performance.

    Renato Sanches, a midfielder, left the pitch in tears after joining the injured list that now includes Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and Sergio Ramos on Saturday, dealing PSG an early setback at Parc des Princes.

    After 20 minutes, Toulouse unexpectedly took the lead with a free-kick by Branco van den Boomen, which changed the course of the game.

    Seven minutes before halftime, Achraf Hakimi equalized with a beautiful left-foot finish from 20 yards out after cutting in from the right. They responded like champions.

    The mercurial Messi then received a helping hand from Hakimi, and his first-time effort from outside the box increased PSG’s lead over Marseille, who will play Nice on Sunday.

    For the 16th consecutive season, Messi has scored at least 10 goals in one of the top five European leagues. This is the first time he has done it for the Parisian giants.

    Galtier, the head coach of PSG, was pleased with how his team bounced back after losing Sanches and falling behind.

    He said: “We had a tough start to the match with Renato’s injury early on. I decided to bring on El Chadaille [Bitshiabu] very quickly, he’s been showing for many weeks that he’s Ligue 1 level.

    “We knew Toulouse’s quality from set-pieces. They are one of the most dangerous teams in Ligue 1 from set-pieces. But overall we controlled the game. We had to get back on level terms and take risks against a very compact defence.

    “In that sense, Achraf, as he did against Montpellier even though the goal was ruled out, this time scored with his left foot.

    “Then the second half was much better for us going forward even though we needed to be careful of the balance of the team. Marqui [Marquinhos] and Chad, who I think won the ball most today, were great centre-backs today, one young and one with experience were able to stop the Toulouse counter-attacks.

    “We were able, thanks to Leo’s quality and his determination, to take the team to victory and win in a game that seemed like we should have won.”

  • Mbappe’s injuries are “part of the job”, Galtier says

    Mbappe’s injuries are “part of the job”, Galtier says

    Since the World Cup, Kylian Mbappe has not been mistreated by Paris Saint-Germain, and injuries are “part of the job,” according to coach Christophe Galtier, who spoke on Friday.

    Mbappe sustained a hamstring injury in PSG’s victory over Montpellier on Wednesday and is anticipated to miss the opening leg of their Champions League round of 16 matchup against Bayern Munich on February 14.

    Mbappe will miss three weeks of action, which includes the Coupe de France match against Marseille as well as Ligue 1 games against Toulouse, Monaco, and Lille.

    Given that Mbappe has scored 25 goals in 26 games for PSG this season and that Neymar is also out injured, this is a severe setback at a critical point in the campaign.

    With Lionel Messi and his fellow top forwards out of the Toulouse match, PSG will be looking to increase their five-point lead over second-place Marseille. The match is on Saturday.

    Since Mbappe returned from Qatar 2022, Galtier has questioned whether he has played the France striker too much. He concludes that PSG has done all necessary to keep Mbappe safe.

    “We are in a unique season, with a World Cup in the middle,” Galtier said, “and I realise that at many other clubs with many internationals, there has been fatigue that has generated automatically and injuries.

    http://tigpost.co/galtier-rejects-messi-mbappe-and-neymar-being-an-unbalanced-attack-claim/

    “As a philosophy, I am in the habit of saying injuries are part of the job.

    “We’re sorry above all for Kylian. He is a competitor and always wants to be involved, but we can’t have a season where we don’t have physical problems, that’s part of a season and part of the competition. 

    “It’s even more so for a club with internationals who are in demand all the time, as much with club as with country.”

    Galtier said PSG “took a lot of precautions for Kylian’s return”.

    The striker reported for duty with the capital giants in the midweek after France’s World Cup final penalty shoot-out loss to Argentina in December, illustrating his eagerness to get back into club action.

    He was then allowed a holiday in January, with Mbappe travelling to the United States for that break.

    “I don’t think Kylian played too much,” Galtier said, “and from the moment you play, there is always an element of risk.”

    Veteran defender Sergio Ramos, hit by a thigh problem at Montpellier, is another who will sit out the Toulouse game. The onus will fall on Messi to drive PSG to victory on Saturday, and the Argentine great scored in the 3-1 success at Montpellier.

    “Leo Messi was able to take matters into his own hands against Montpellier, as soon as Kylian Mbappe and Sergio Ramos went off,” said Galtier.

    “He was a natural leader and the players put themselves at his service. I congratulated everyone for doing the work necessary to get this victory, which was difficult to obtain.

    “The absence of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe is inevitably damaging since there were many connections between these three players. I now have to organise the team, taking into account these combined absences.

    “Leo Messi will continue in his usual role. It will be up to the players who will be at his side to seize the opportunities and for everyone to raise their level of play.”

  • PSG likely to appeal after Chelsea paperwork issue prevents Ziyech loan

    PSG likely to appeal after Chelsea paperwork issue prevents Ziyech loan

    According to reports, the loan agreement that would have brought Hakim Ziyech to Paris Saint-Germain was thwarted by a paperwork blunder on the part of Chelsea.

    Ziyech, 29, landed in Paris on Tuesday to finalize the transfer, with both clubs on board after he struggled to break into Graham Potter’s plans despite being a former £35 million signing.

    The Moroccan international has only made four starts and six brief substitute appearances in the Premier League this year. On January 15, he assisted against Crystal Palace to contribute to his maiden goal.

  • Galtier rejects Messi, Mbappe and Neymar being an unbalanced attack claim

    Galtier rejects Messi, Mbappe and Neymar being an unbalanced attack claim

    In order to balance his Paris Saint-Germain team, Christophe Galtier rejected suggestions that he should lose Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, or Neymar.

    The Ligue 1 giants’ most recent title charge has been led by the attacking trio, who is probably the most gifted frontline in European sport.

    However, the squad has only won two of its last five games in the top level since the World Cup, where Argentina captain Messi upset France forward Mbappe in the championship game.

    Prior to Wednesday’s game against Montpellier, Galtier scoffed at claims that the team is overly top-heavy.

    “We have three incredibly strong attacking players,” he said. “Are you saying that we have to lose one of these three players to be balanced? That would be a mistake.

    “[Our level] is insufficient though, in terms of points per game. We must quickly find a higher level of play, and above all score points.

    “It happens in any season, that there is a bad period. We have a busy month ahead of us. January was not good, but now we are all working to remedy it.”

    Galtier further acknowledged star men Mbappe and Messi underperformed in the 1-1 draw with Reims, but he stressed the blame lies with the collective rather than the duo.

    “Kylian and Leo didn’t achieve what they usually achieve on an attacking level, but it is not a question of their state of mind,” he added.

    “With our organisation and our balance, we must find something else. We are working on it. Whatever the system, everyone has to give more on the pitch.”

  • Kimpembe unaware of losing vice-captaincy to Mbappe

    Kimpembe unaware of losing vice-captaincy to Mbappe

    Presnel Kimpembe, a defender for Paris Saint-Germain, claimed he was not notified that Kylian Mbappe would take over as the team’s vice captain.

    In the absence of usual captain Marquinhos, Mbappe led PSG to a 7-0 victory over Pays de Cassel in the Coupe de France on Monday. Mbappe scored five goals in the victory.

    Mbappe is now PSG’s vice-captain, the team’s head coach Christophe Galtier announced to the media following the game.

    Marquinhos’ predecessor was Kimpembe, who hasn’t played since November because of a heel ailment.

    Rumours on Tuesday suggested Kimpembe had agreed to step down from the position to allow Mbappe to take up a leadership role.

    However, he insists such reports are inaccurate, instead accusing PSG of failing to inform him at all.

    “In the last few hours I have been able to hear and read a lot about myself,” he wrote on his official social media accounts.

    “I therefore wish to make things clear in order to avoid continuing to spread false information in this regard.

    “I was not made aware of this decision, this is completely false… That said, I will always respect the decisions of the club.”

  • Ronaldo to make his debut in friendly against PSG

    Ronaldo to make his debut in friendly against PSG

    After being selected captain of the Riyadh ST XI for an exhibition game against Lionel Messi’s Paris St. Germain, officials revealed on Monday that Cristiano Ronaldo would play in Saudi Arabia for the first time since joining Al Nassr.

    In the most recent installment of the storied international soccer rivalry, the 37-year-old Portuguese will captain a group of players from the Saudi clubs Al Hilal and Al Nassr against Messi’s PSG.

    Salem Al-Dawsari, who scored in the shocking World Cup group-stage victory over Argentina, and Saud Abdulhamid are both included in the starting lineup for Saudi Arabia.

    http://tigpost.co/when-is-al-nassr-vs-psg-ronaldo-vs-messi-reunion-date-confirmed/

    The eagerly awaited match, for which more than two million online tickets were reportedly requested, will occur on Thursday in Riyadh.

    An auction that is scheduled to expire on Tuesday has already attracted bids of more than 10 million riyals ($2.66 million) for a VIP “Beyond Imagination” ticket to the game.

    After receiving a one-match ban from the English Football Association for kicking a fan’s phone out of his hand in April, Ronaldo missed Al Nassr’s opening two domestic matches.

    The Portuguese forward joined the Arab squad earlier this month with a contract that will last until 2025 and is worth, according to the media, more than €200 million.

    When Al Nassr plays Al Ettifaq on Sunday, Ronaldo will make his professional debut in the Saudi Pro League.

  • Galtier fires reminder to PSG stars after defeat to Rennes

    Galtier fires reminder to PSG stars after defeat to Rennes

    Christophe Galtier has warned his World Cup players they need to regain their focus after Paris Saint-Germain suffered another heartbreaking Ligue 1 loss.

    After losses to Lens and Rennes, who defeated PSG 1-0 on Sunday, PSG’s lead at the top of Ligue 1 has been reduced from seven to three points.

    Given the superstars at his disposal, head coach Galtier will be held accountable for such domestic losses, and he is aware that both he and the team need to start performing at their peak once more.

    Galtier told Prime Video: “I’m mainly disappointed with our performance. We didn’t create anything, we had very few favourable situations.

    “We focused on having possession of the ball and we had far too many players who dropped back without having players high enough to secure the Rennes defensive line.”

    Only one of PSG’s eight shots on goal, their fewest in a league game this year, was successful. The setback was their third in their past four league visits to Rennes, solidifying the Breton team as a bogey team for the capital heavyweights.

    Galtier mentioned that Neymar and Lionel Messi struggled to find clear targets when trying to advance the ball, and that problem persisted after Hugo Etikike was replaced by the ineffective Kylian Mbappe early in the second half.

    The former coach of Lille, Saint-Etienne, and Nice claimed that PSG needed to turn things around “urgently.”

    “Obviously we’re going to have to find a lot more play and connection between the lines,” he said. “We knew we would have a difficult match, and we had it. The opposing goalkeeper was barely troubled. We need to find a lot more rhythm, intensity and technical relationship between one another.

    “I’m not going to talk about worry, but there has to be awareness. We can find a thousand excuses, but the World Cup is over.

    “Even if we have been dispersed for eight weeks, we need to find cohesion and rhythm in our game.”

    PSG will head to Saudi Arabia next to face a Riyadh Season Team, made up of players from Al Hilal and Al Nassr, in an exhibition game on Thursday.

    Al Nassr’s new signing Cristiano Ronaldo could be involved in that game, but Galtier wants intense focus from his players when they get a chance to train on the getaway.

    They do not have another Ligue 1 game until Reims visit the Parc des Princes on January 29, although there is a Coupe de France tie against minnows Pays de Cassel on January 23.

    “We will have 10 days to work,” Galtier said.

    Lens are their nearest challengers, but Marseille are only five points adrift of PSG.

    “The championship is tight,” Galtier said. “I’m not used to looking at the standings but I’m concentrating on performance and I have work to do.”

    Warren Zaire-Emery, at the age of 16 years and 313 days, became the youngest player in PSG’s history to start a Ligue 1 match. He played 72 minutes before being replaced by Carlos Soler.

    Galtier will gather his players to show them video comparisons with how the team are performing now and how they played prior to the World Cup.

    Mbappe was the World Cup’s top scorer, while Messi brilliantly captained Argentina to the trophy, being named player of the tournament. Such form has been mostly lacking since resuming PSG duties, but they are not the only ones culpable.

    Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was absent from Qatar 2022 after Italy failed to qualify, said PSG’s players are furious by their collective drop-off in performance.

    “We are angry, and we have to bounce back immediately after this match, from this defeat, because we have no more time to lose,” Donnarumma said, quoted on the club’s website.

    “It was an avoidable loss. They didn’t have many chances but we should have done more. We have to learn from this game. We are upset, but now we have to focus on the next game.”

  • Galtier agrees that PSG may have underestimated Chateauroux

    Galtier agrees that PSG may have underestimated Chateauroux

    In their Cup of France match on Friday, Chateauroux may have been underestimated by Paris Saint-Germain, according to Christophe Galtier.

    Carlos Soler and Juan Bernat’s late goals helped PSG win the game 3-1 at Stade Gaston Petit, but not before their third-tier opponents had put up a fight.

    Hugo Ekitike, a 20-year-old PSG player who was forced to play without Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, or Lionel Messi, gave them the lead early on. Natanael Ntolla then tied the score just before halftime with a deflection off El Chadaille Bitshiabu.

    However, late pressure paid off for Galtier’s team as Soler and Bernat both scored, and the PSG head coach was just pleased to advance to the round of 32.

    “There is the satisfaction in being qualified,” he said. “Games like this are difficult. The start was in line with what I expected, with the opener. Afterwards, my team was cut in two and that gave Chateauroux a lot of hope.

    “Did we think things were going to be easy? Maybe.”

    Ismael Gharbi, Bitshiabu, and 16-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery were among the young trio that the former Lille and Nice manager made seven changes to from the lineup that began the 3-1 defeat at Lens last time out.

    Galtier was pleased with the performances of the young players despite the fact that it took the visitors until just after the hour to take the lead after Sergio Ramos and Fabian Ruiz were substituted for Bitshiabu and Gharbi. Galtier had anticipated a difficult night because several members of the first team were absent due to the World Cup.

    “I was satisfied with the young players,” he said. “They were serious and on pace. I really liked Ismael in the game. Warren was of a good level. El Chadaille was unhappy [about the goal against].

    “I expected a complex game with the absence of many players and the different states of form. We will see which ones we will recover for Angers [on Wednesday]. 

    “Teams that have had a lot of players at the World Cup are struggling to restart at the start of the year. We will quickly have to refocus on the objectives.”

  • Salis Abdul Samed puts on a stellar performance as Lens takes down PSG 3–1

    Salis Abdul Samed puts on a stellar performance as Lens takes down PSG 3–1

    Abdul Samed Salis, a member of the Black Stars, was in excellent shape at his club. RC Lens was defeated 3 to 1 at home by champions Paris Saint-Germain.

    Frankowski’s goal gave the home team the lead after five minutes, and Ekitike’s goal for PSG made it level three minutes later.

    To start 2023 with a victory, Lens added two more goals in the 28th and 48th minutes via Openda and Claude-Maurice.

    Salis lasted the entire game with impressive statistics that showed, among others, that he completed 46/50 passes, won 100% of his tackles with a chance created, and 11 recoveries.

    “In his last two games since the World Cup, Salis Abdul Samed has not dropped below 92% passing accuracy,” journalist Gary Al-Smith noted.

    Salis was part of Ghana’s team that played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

    Source:Ghanaweb.com

  • PSG await the return of World Cup heroes Mbappe and Messi for Champions League push

    Paris Saint-Germain will put the pressure on Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe to build on their incredible World Cup performances by winning the Champions League in 2019.

    The team, which is controlled by Qatar, is aiming for European success, and they face Bayern Munich in the final 16 of the competition. Matches against the German champions are scheduled for February and March.

    After seeing Mbappe win the Golden Boot as top scorer, and Messi take the Golden Ball prize as the outstanding player, PSG undoubtedly had a strong World Cup.

    The sight of Mbappe and Messi in opposition with France and Argentina, as they were in Sunday’s World Cup final, will soon be replaced by them uniting on the field, possibly even by the end of the month.

    PSG have a Ligue 1 game against Strasbourg on December 28, and it remains to be seen whether coach Christophe Galtier will have both men available for that game, given Messi is heading back to celebrate in Argentina in the coming days.

     

    In a string of messages on social media, PSG addressed the two chief protagonists in the final, in which Messi scored twice and lifted the trophy, while Mbappe hit a hat-trick but finished on the beaten side.

    “An extraordinary final from our two Parisians,” the club said. “One of them had to win. You’ll forever go down in footballing history, @leomessi.

    “What a final! Bravo @leomessi, thank you @k.mbappe for all these emotions. You have been heroic. You have marked this World Cup with your talent. You should be proud.”

    Whatever French envy there might be towards Messi should soon subside, with a photograph of Mbappe and Messi touching hands during the game receiving plenty of love from PSG’s players.

    Club-mates Nuno Mendes and Danilo Pereira both posted the picture, adding emojis of applauding hands.

    Midfield stalwart Marco Verratti addressed Messi’s success, writing on Instagram: “You deserve it friend. Congratulations.”

    To Mbappe, Verratti wrote: “Head high. You showed the whole world that you’re a phenomenon.”

    “Congratulations” was the message from defender Juan Bernat to Messi, and “Bravo to you too” he said to Mbappe.

    Former PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino praised Argentina coach Scaloni, saying in a message to his compatriot: “Congratulations Lionel. Thank you!”

    Addressing Messi, Pochettino added: “Deserved @leomessi. Thank you!”

    PSG have never won the Champions League, and it is the footballing holy grail for them now, with each incoming coach knowing winning domestic silverware alone is not considered to be fulfilling the remit of the job.

    They went closest in 2020, losing out in the final to Bayern, for whom Frenchman Kingsley Coman scored the only goal in Lisbon. Coman was one of two France players to fail from the spot in Sunday’s World Cup penalty shoot-out, along with Aurelien Tchouameni.

    Given the outstanding form that Messi and Mbappe have shown over the last month, PSG may never be better placed to strike for continental trophy glory.

    Yet there is another matter brewing, which is that Messi and Mbappe may be in the final throes of their club alliance.

    With Messi’s two-year contract at PSG due to expire at the end of this season, removing uncertainty over his future might become as great a priority as the next trophy.

    President Nasser Al-Khelaifi said in early December the matter would be discussed after the World Cup, with Messi having been linked with a possible end-of-season switch to Inter Miami.

  • Messi return to Barcelona possible next year, says club vice president

    Barcelona’s economic vice president Eduard Romeu has insisted the club can afford to bring Lionel Messi back to Camp Nou next year.

    The 35-year-old sees his contract with Paris Saint-Germain conclude at the end of the season and will reportedly decide his future after the World Cup in Qatar.

    Should Messi become available on a free transfer, a host of clubs would likely be attributed with an interest in the Argentina international, and Romeu has made it clear Barca could afford a deal.

    “As it would be on a free, surely it is something that we can do. But it’d be a technical decision, anyways,” he told Mundo Deportivo.

    While Messi would not require a transfer fee if his deal with PSG reaches its conclusion, significant funds would be required on his wages.

    He spent 21 years with Barcelona, scoring a record 672 goals in 778 appearances for the senior side, prior to departing to PSG on a shock free transfer in August 2021.

    After heavily investing in the squad in the transfer window, Romeu added further additions could be made in January.

    “There is margin but we have made a very important effort this summer and if any complement was needed, we would have to study it,” he added.



    Source: Livescore

  • PSG 2-1 Juventus: Uefa launches investigation into alleged racist behaviour of visiting fans

    Uefa has opened an investigation into alleged racist behaviour of Juventus fans during Tuesday’s Champions League game at Paris Saint-Germain.

    Social media footage shared by anti-discrimination network Fare appears to show some Juve supporters making monkey noises and Nazi salutes.

    French police say four individuals have been identified and arrested for “provocation to racial hatred within the framework of a sports arena”.

    PSG won the opening Group H game 2-1.

    “A Uefa ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding allegations of discriminatory behaviour by Juventus supporters,” European football’s governing body said in a statement.

    “Information on this matter will be made available in due course.”

    Source: BBC

  • Julian Draxler: Benfica take Germany midfielder on season-long loan from Paris St-Germain

    Benfica have signed attacking midfielder Julian Draxler from Paris St-Germain on a season-long loan.

    The Germany international, 28, moved to PSG in 2017 in a £35.5m deal and has won four Ligue 1 titles in France.

    However, he struggled to be a regular first choice with a large number of his 198 appearances coming as a substitute.

    Draxler’s departure comes during a hectic final few days of the window for PSG, who signed Fabian Ruiz on a five-year deal from Napoli on Tuesday.

    Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes also left the club on Wednesday to join Juventus on loan, while Senegal international Idrissa Gueye returned to Everton on a two-year deal for a fee of about £2m on Thursday.

    France left-back Layvin Kurzawa moved to Fulham, while Senegal defender Abdou Diallo also departed on a season-long loan to RB Leipzig.

    On Saturday, former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera returned to Athletic Bilbao from PSG on a season-long loan, with the La Liga side having the option to make the 33-year-old’s move permanent.

    Source; BBCsports

  • Neymar scores twice in emphatic PSG win

    Neymar scored twice as Paris St-Germain made it two Ligue 1 wins from two under new boss Christophe Galtier with a resounding defeat of Montpellier.

    While Kylian Mbappe saw a first-half penalty saved, PSG went ahead through Falaye Sacko’s own goal.

    Neymar scored from the spot and headed his second to put the hosts three up.

    Wahbi Khazri and Enzo Tchato were on target for Montpellier but Mbappe and Renato Sanches goals ensured another emphatic win for PSG.

    In Galiter’s first home game as boss, PSG dominated from the start, earning a 23rd-minute penalty after a Jordan Ferri handball.

    While Mbappe was denied by Jonas Omlin, Sacko turned the ball into his own net before Neymar continued his fine form with a double either side of the break – having scored one and set up another three in last week’s 5-0 win at Clermont.

    Former Sunderland forward Khazri pulled one back for Montpellier but goals from Mbappe and Sanches – either side of what would have been a Neymar hat-trick goal being chalked off for offside – put PSG 5-1 clear before Tchato’s superb consolation strike in added time.

    Source: BBC

  • FIFA 23 cover star revealed: PSG star Mbappe the face of EA Sports’ new game for third successive year

    Kylian Mbappe has been revealed as the cover star for FIFA 23, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward serving as the face of the game for a third successive year. The 28-year-old is still considered to be the leading talent of his generation, and his goals propelled PSG to the Ligue 1 title in the 2021-22 season.

    Mbappe was also named as a cover star for the FIFA 23 Ulitmate Edition, but is sharing that honour with Chelsea Women star Sam Kerr – who has become the first female player to appear on the cover of the popular EA Sports game.
    Image

    The 23-year-old was given the honour once again for FIFA 22 and has now completed a unique hat-trick, one year short of a run enjoyed by his PSG team-mate Lionel Messi while at Barcelona for FIFA 13, 14, 15 and 16.

    Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney still holds the record for the most consecutive cover appearances between FIFA 06 to 12.

    How did Mbappe perform in 2021-22?

    Mbappe recorded 39 goals and 26 assists in all competitions for PSG last season – career-high tallies for the Frenchman as he helped the club win back the Ligue 1 crown from Lille.

    When will FIFA 23 be released?

    FIFA 22 officially went on sale to the general public on October 21, 2021 – with EA Sports traditionally sticking to a Friday release date in the last week of September.

    Should that prove to be the case again this year, FIFA 23 will be released on Friday, September 30, 2021.

    Source: Goal.com

  • Tchouameni close to €100m Real Madrid transfer despite late PSG bid for Monaco star

    Real Madrid and Monaco are close to reaching an agreement for the transfer of Aurelien Tchouameni, GOAL can confirm.

    The France international midfielder has turned down advances from Liverpool and PSG to make the move to the European champions.

    The Spanish side hope to seal the arrival of the defensive midfielder in the next few hours.

    Tchouameni had decided he wanted to join Madrid weeks ago, turning down interest from Liverpool and, latterly, Paris Saint-Germain.

    What do we know about Tchouameni’s move to Madrid?

    After weeks of negotiations, Monaco and Madrid are close to reaching an agreement.

    The Champions League winners will pay around €100 million (£85m/$107m) including signing bonuses for the 22-year-old.

    PSG, led by incoming sporting director Luis Campos and Kylian Mbappe, moved in late to try an convince the France international to remain in his homeland, but his representatives met with the leaders of the Ligue 1 champions to inform them that Tchouameni had chosen Madrid.

    When will Tchouameni join Real Madrid?

    Tchouameni is currently with the France squad as they prepare for their UEFA Nations League matches this month.

    But he will undergo a medical in the coming days and then sign a contract with the Santiago Bernabeu outfit.

    Madrid have been working on the signing of Tchouameni for most of 2022, and have long been confident that he would agree to join.

    However, they stepped up their efforts to avoid any surprises after Mbappe surprisingly decided to reject their advances to sign a new three-year contract at PSG.

    Source: Goal.com

     

  • Kylian Mbappe: France forward says Real Madrid dream not over despite new PSG deal

    Kylian Mbappe says the dream of one day playing for Real Madrid is “never over” despite opting to sign a new contract and stay at Paris St-Germain.

    The France striker, 23, rejected a move to the Spanish champions at the weekend to sign a new three-year contract PSG.

    However, speaking to BBC Sport’s Guillem Balague on Monday, Mbappe has not ruled out a move to Real later in his career.

    “You never know what can happen in the future,” he said.

    “I give up to think about the future, I only think about the present and the present is I signed a new contract for three years more at Paris St-Germain.”

    Asked if signing the contract meant the Real Madrid dream was over, Mbappe said: “Never over.”

    ‘To be a great player you have to be honest’

    Kylian Mbappe
    Kylian Mbappe’s new deal keeps him at PSG until 2025

    Spain’s La Liga reacted angrily to the news, calling the deal “scandalous”.

    Mbappe, regarded as one of the best players in the world, says he spoke to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez directly to inform him of his decision before signing the contract extension at PSG.

    “It was last week I made the decision to stay,” he added.

    “First of all I spoke to the president of Real Madrid because I have a lot of respect for him and the club. I think it was important to say it personally that I wasn’t going to go.

    “To be a great player [you have] to be honest and everything was great and good because we have a good relationship.”

    ‘I’ve always stayed focused on the pitch’

    Speculation about Mbappe’s future gathered pace towards the end of the season although the forward says he never let it distract him from his duty on the pitch.

    Mbappe scored 28 goals in Ligue 1 to help PSG win the title.

    “I am 100% focused on my game,” he said.

    “I didn’t have to follow [the speculation]. During the season I was focused 100% because I had individual goals and collective goals.

    “It was important to stay focused on the pitch and make my decision when the season was over.”

    ‘I want to give pleasure to people’

    Kylian Mbappe
    Kylian Mbappe helped France win the World Cup in 2018

    Mbappe, a World Cup winner with France, says he is now looking forward to playing in many more important games for his club and country.

    “I have played in amazing games and important games,” he said. “I played in a World Cup and won a World Cup so I am happy and I want to continue this way.

    “I always want to give pleasure to people because I was young and in the stadium and I enjoyed the time when I came to watch some players and now it is my turn to give pleasure to people and to be respectful on and off the pitch.

    “I try to be an example because I know a lot of young guys watch me all the time and I want to give them the best way to enjoy life, even if it is not as a football player. You have to enjoy and stay focused on the real things of life.”

    Staying in France key for Mbappe

    Speaking earlier on Monday in a news conference, Mbappe said his decision to remain at PSG was partly based on sentimental reasons and believes there are “more wonderful chapters to write” at the club.

    “Leaving my country isn’t the right thing,” he said.

    “There is a sentimental aspect to this. It is my country.

    “The ongoing project has changed as well. That has made me want to stay here because I don’t think my story is over yet.

    “That goes for me collectively and individually. I think there are many more wonderful chapters to write.”

    ‘We want to win the Champions League’

    Kylian Mbappe celebrates with Neymar and Lionel Messi
    Kylian Mbappe formed a formidable front three with Neymar and Lionel Messi last season

    Mbappe started his career at Monaco before moving to PSG in 2017, initially on loan before joining permanently.

    Since being at the club he has won four Ligue 1 titles and three French Cups.

    Champions League success has so far eluded PSG but the club’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi believes that, with Mbappe now staying, European glory can be achieved.

    “We want to create more trophies. We have won plenty so far, we want to win many more,” he said.

    “We want to win the Champions League. We are headed down the same path with our sporting goals.”

    There had been reports PSG offered Mbappe more control over sporting decisions in an effort to convince him to stay.

    But the forward said his sole focus and responsibility for the club is what he can do on the pitch.

    “I remain a footballer, who is part of a team, and I will not go beyond this role,” added Mbappe.

    “Everyone knows that last year I wanted to leave and I was convinced that it was the best choice, but the years go by and things change.”

    ‘Ligue 1 needs respect as well’

    In its response to Mbappe’s decision to stay at PSG, La Liga announced plans to file a complaint to Uefa as well as French and EU authorities.

    As well as calling the deal “scandalous”, La Liga president Javier Tebas said it “threatens the economic sustainability of European football”.

    But Al-Khelaifi responded: “Maybe it is a good thing if Ligue 1 is doing better than La Liga.

    “La Liga isn’t what it was three or four years ago. I have respect for all the clubs, but we need respect as well.

    “We have the best player in the world, that’s what matters to us. As for what other people are saying, that is not an issue. I am not listening to that.”

    Source: BBC

  • Idrissa Gueye refuses to wear PSG shirt featuring rainbow symbol

    Paris St-Germain’s Idrissa Gueye refused to play in a match to avoid wearing a rainbow symbol in support of LGBTQ+ rights, BBC Sport understands.

    The 32-year-old former Aston Villa and Everton midfielder was absent from Saturday’s 4-0 win over Montpellier.

    PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino said only that Gueye missed the game for “personal reasons”.

    The French Football Federation (FFF) has reportedly written to Gueye to clarify why he was absent.

    BBC Sport has approached Gueye’s representatives for comment.

    Crystal Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate and Watford’s Ismaila Sarr have posted on social media in apparent support of their Senegal team-mate’s stance.

    Kouyate posted a picture of himself alongside Gueye on Instagram, with a caption calling Gueye “a real man”. Watford winger Sarr posted a picture of him and Gueye accompanied by three heart emojis and the caption “100%”.

    In response to Sarr’s post, Watford reiterated their commitment to equality and diversity, adding “this includes the willingness to offer further education and support to any of its employees”.

    At a news conference on Wednesday, Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira said if his player had posted in relation to Gueye, he would speak to them. “It’s going to be an in-house conversation,” he added.

    Homosexuality is illegal in Senegal and punishable by prison sentences of up to five years.

    Angel di Maria and Lionel Messi
    French top-flight clubs wore rainbow-designed shirt numbers to show their solidarity with LGBTQ+ rights

    For the second successive season, clubs in France have been invited to mark 17 May’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia by wearing rainbow-design numbers on the back of their shirts.

    In addition to missing Saturday’s win over Montpellier, Gueye, who arrived at PSG for £30m in July 2019, missed last year’s show of solidarity citing gastroenteritis, according to Le Parisien newspaper, who first reported the reason for his absence.

    The AFP news agency said on Wednesday it had seen a letter from the FFF’s ethics board calling on Gueye to explain why he missed Saturday’s game.

    The letter, says AFP, calls for him to “issue a public apology” or to say that the rumours he refused to play are “unfounded”.

    The letter reportedly adds if he did refuse to play he would be “validating discriminatory behaviour”.

    PSG said on Wednesday that they were “very proud to wear this shirt”.

    “The biggest stars of world football were on the field on Saturday and expressed the club’s commitment to the fight against homophobia and all forms of discrimination,” it added.

    Gueye’s stance has been supported by prominent politicians in Senegal.

    The country’s president Macky Sall wrote on Twitter that Gueye’s Muslim beliefs must be respected, while sport minister Matar Ba wrote that Gueye was backed by his country’s people, alongside a picture of the midfielder on pilgrimage to Mecca.

    Source: BBC

  • Mbappe agrees Real Madrid terms and transfer for PSG star to be announced after Champions League final

    The World Cup winner is set to link up with the Blancos after his contract at Parc des Princes expires in June

    Kylian Mbappe has agreed terms with Real Madrid, GOAL can confirm, with a transfer for the Paris Saint-Germain star set to be announced after the Champions League final.

    Mbappe only has one month left to run on his current contract with PSG, who have been desperately trying to tie a prized asset down to a contract extension.

    The World Cup winner has insisted that he will wait until the end of the season before making a final decision on his future, but Madrid are now certain of securing his services on a free transfer.

    Mbappe closing in on Madrid switch

    GOAL has learned that Madrid have reached an agreement with Mbappe after four months of negotiations, and there are now only a few small details left to finalise before a deal can be announced.

    The Blancos are also waiting for the Frenchman to confirm his departure from PSG, which he could do straight after their last game of the 2021-22 campaign against Metz on May 21.

    Mbappe has always dreamed of playing at Santiago Bernabeu and Madrid have been confident of bringing him onto their books ever since their failed move for the forward last summer, with PSG officials now all but resigned to the fact he will be moving onto a new challenge this summer.

    When will Madrid announce Mbappe transfer?

    Even if Mbappe does announce his exit from PSG in the coming days, Madrid are not planning to make his transfer to the Bernabeu public until after the Champions League final.

    The Spanish giants will be aiming for their 14th European Cup when they take on Liverpool at Stade de France on May 28, and do not want any off-field dealings to distract from Carlo Ancelotti’s preparations.

    Mbappe’s arrival at Madrid will likely be confirmed at the start of June and GOAL understands that his official unveiling at the Bernabeu will be delayed until after he returns from international duty with France on June 13.

    Source: Goal.com

  • Andre Ayew celebrates Marseille’s first win over PSG since 2011

    Black Stars captain, Andre Dede Ayew has joined his boyhood and former club, Olympique Marseille to celebrate their victory over rivals Paris Saint-German on Sunday, September 13.

    The highly contested game ended with five players being shown the exit door for misconduct, including Brazilian superstar Neymar.

    Neymar was sent off on his return from Coronavirus quarantine after reacting to an alleged racist slur as Marseille snapped their 20-match winless run against Paris Saint-Germain with a 1-0 victory over the reigning Ligue 1 champions on Sunday.

    Marseille defeated the UEFA Champions League finalist 1-0 to record their first victory over the capital-based club since November 2011.

    Andre Dede Ayew took to Twitter to congratulate his former club for their triumphant.

    https://twitter.com/AyewAndre/status/1305254619329826816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1305254619329826816%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ghanaweb.com%2FGhanaHomePage%2FSportsArchive%2FAndre-Ayew-celebrates-Marseille-s-first-win-over-PSG-since-2011-1058884

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • PSG: 3 players test positive for coronavirus

    Three Paris St-Germain players have tested positive for coronavirus, the Ligue 1 club said on Wednesday.

    The French champions, who lost in the Champions League final last month, have not revealed the players involved.

    “All of the players and coaching staff will continue to undergo tests in the coming days,” a club statement said.

    The French league is already under way but PSG are due to start their title defence at Racing Lens on 10 September after being given an extended break.

    The opening game of the Ligue 1 season between Marseille and Saint-Etienne had to be postponed last month after four home players tested positive for Covid-19.

    The French league told clubs last week its protocol for dealing with coronavirus meant more than three positive cases at a club was likely to lead to a postponement.

    The 2019-20 campaign was curtailed in April because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with Paris St-Germain, 12 points clear at the top, awarded the title.

    Source: BBC

  • PSG goes on the offensive for Thomas Partey

    Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey is yet to accept a new deal at Atletico Madrid despite the club’s eagerness to keep him.

    The Ghana international has a release clause of €50 million that the Rojiblanco are aiming to double and also improve his wages, but the midfielder is determined to have a dream far from Spain, especially in England.

    Approaching the summer transfer window, PSG chief Leonardo continues to prospect all over Europe in the quest for a box-to-box midfielder, capable of fulfilling several functions in the side.

    After Lazio star Milinkovic-Savic, whose price is still considered too high, the Parisian club would have turned to the track leading to Partey in the summer transfer window.

    PSG have already gone on the offensive which according to Mundo Deportivo, Partey would have learned of their interest.

    The French club should fight with Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich or Manchester United to sign the Ghana ace.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Why Michael Essien rejected PSG in 2003

    Ex-Ghana star Michael Essien has blamed Vahid Halilhodži? for his decision to pull the plugs in joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2003.

    Essien blamed the Bosnian trainer for handing him a raw deal and rejecting him as a trialist when Halilhodži? was in-charge at Lille.

    So when Les Parisiens came calling after an explosive three seasons with Bastia, also in the Ligue 1, he decided to pay back Halilhodži?.

    “I turned down PSG because of their coach [Vahid Halilhodži?]. He was coaching Lille when I was with Bastia and I remember going to Lille but after four days I called my agent and told him I don’t want to be here,” Essien said on Carol Tsabalala’s ConvosWithCarol which was monitored by GHANASoccernet.com

    “They didn’t give us the opportunity to train and he later told my agent that he had about twenty Michael Essiens in the reserve team. I moved to Bastia and I was doing well and he went to PSG and he wanted me there.”

    Paris Saint-Germain made Bastia the best offer and it was accepted but the midfield icon had no love for the capital club.

    ”The PSG president was a big fan of me and he really wanted me so I told the board of my reasons for not wanting to sign for PSG but rather Lyon and they were like okay but we’re going to have a big problem,” he added.

    “The next day the PSG president had a lunch with me and asked why I don’t want to join his team. He’s a very nice man and I respect him up till date, he was so nice but I was straight and honest with him.

    ”I told him your coach didn’t want me when I was about 18, 19 years old so how come all of a sudden he want me. For me it didn’t make sense.

    ”Maybe I was young but I remember speaking to the coach on the phone when I went to trial at Lille but the manner in which we ended the conversation was a No for me.

    ”So I explained to the president and he understood me. After that, I packed my bags straight to Lyon.”

    Essien did not regret to decision to sign for the then two-time defending league champions in €7.8 million transfer.

    He spent two seasons at the Stade Gerland where he scored seven goals in 71 appearances.

    Essien was voted the 2005 Player of the Year by France’s National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) and also named Ligue 1 Player of the Year.

    He got nominated for the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year Award where placed 22nd.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • PSG president charged over Fifa rights awards

    Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been charged by Swiss prosecutors following an investigation into the awarding of media rights for Fifa tournaments.

    Al-Khelaifi is accused of inciting criminal mismanagement in connection with allegations Jerome Valcke “exploited his position” as Fifa general secretary.

    Valcke is charged with accepting bribes, criminal mismanagement and falsification of documents.

    It is alleged he accepted “undue advantages” in exchange for TV rights.

    Switzerland’s attorney general announced on Thursday that charges had been brought against Valcke, Al-Khelaifi and a third businessman over rights for various World Cup and Confederations Cup tournaments between 2018 and 2030.

    Valcke is accused of accepting rent-free accommodation in an Italian villa bought by Al-Khelaifi, who is chairman of the BeIN media group.

    The charges relate to Valcke’s time as Fifa general secretary between 2013 and 2015 when he is accused of influencing the award of media rights for Italy and Greece.

    A further bribery complaint against Al-Khelaifi has been dropped after Fifa reached an “amicable agreement” with the Qatari businessman at the end of January, the statement added.

    Those allegations were in connection with the award of media rights for the World Cup tournaments in 2026 and 2030.

    Al-Khelaifi, 45, joined Uefa’s executive committee in February after being elected by the European Club Association (ECA) to be one of its two Uefa delegates in January

    Source: bbc.com