JORGE BURRUCHAGA : “Diego fue un extraterrestre. Más allá del futbolista, trascendió la persona. Trascendió desde su comportamiento, desde sus mensajes, sus frases. Diego tiene frases mágicas.
"Diego fue uno de los primeros que luchó por los derechos del futbolista. Hoy no estaría mal que traten de hacer algo por el calendario que tienen."
"Nos hizo a todos mejores. Fue una bandera y nos enseñó a los deportistas argentinos lo que es la defensa de la camiseta. Eso tiene un valor agregado que solamente él lo podía hacer. Fue un monstruo más allá del futbolista, fue un monstruo en todo sentido.
EL DIEGO LO FUE TODO.
2001 — Há 25 anos: Diego Maradona realizou sua histórica partida de despedida na Bombonera.
A Argentina enfrentou uma seleção de estrelas mundiais e venceu por 6 a 3. Maradona marcou duas vezes e protagonizou uma das despedidas mais emblemáticas da história do futebol.
“Eu me equivoquei e paguei por isso, mas a bola não se mancha.” 🥲
🚨🌍 ARSÈNE WENGER REPORTEDLY READY TO CHALLENGE GIANNI INFANTINO FOR FIFA PRESIDENCY!
Arsène Wenger has reportedly made his decision and agreed to stand against Gianni Infantino in the race for the FIFA presidency.
His influence within world football is expected to attract significant support, with UEFA reportedly set to play a leading role in his campaign.
Wenger is expected to make a public announcement later this week, with sources claiming he has already accepted the challenge.
👀 Could we be heading towards a major contest for the leadership of world football?
#FIFA #ArseneWenger #Infantino #UEFA #Football
🚨 Martin Odegaard on the man who helped Arsenal believe again:
“When people talk about Mikel rebuilding Arsenal, they usually start with the transfers. I understand that. But every player who arrived had to make a decision before his name appeared on a team sheet.
You had to believe in what he was describing.
I came on loan in January 2021. Arsenal were not offering the easiest route to success. There was pressure around the club, and I was trying to find somewhere I could play regularly and grow.
What mattered was feeling that the manager could see a place for me.
In my mind, that first conversation captures the whole project. A player asking, ‘Where do I fit?’ And a manager being able to explain the answer so clearly that the future feels a little closer.
That is the feeling I want people to understand.
I returned permanently that summer. Then we lost our first three league games. The 5-0 defeat at Manchester City left us bottom without a goal.
Imagine joining something because you believe in its future, then looking at the table and seeing that.
We could hear the criticism. Of course we could. Footballers have phones. We do not finish a match and disappear into a cupboard until training.
But the next morning, someone still has to lead.
That is where a manager earns your trust. In how he explains what went wrong. In whether he gives you something useful to work on. In whether he keeps treating you like a player capable of helping him put it right.
Mikel kept working with us.
The improvement came through so many people. Gabriel gave us strength at the back. Ben brought composure and versatility. Aaron brought personality. Tomi made the group stronger.
Bukayo kept taking responsibility, even while he was still so young. Emile and Gabi gave the supporters that wonderful feeling of watching their own young team grow.
Then Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr arrived with experience of winning at City. Declan later gave us so much presence and quality. Kai, Jurrien and David added different strengths.
William returned and became a huge part of the defence. Mikel did not sign him, but helping a young player find his place matters too.
A squad becomes special when all those different journeys begin moving in the same direction.
And the supporters changed with us. You could feel the connection growing. A tackle, a recovery run, somebody chasing a ball that looked lost. The stadium started recognising the effort behind the football.
For a player, that gives you something extra when your legs are tired.
I became captain of this club. Sometimes I still think about the player who arrived on loan, simply hoping to find his rhythm again.
Mikel helped turn that uncertainty into responsibility. He trusted me to help lead the place he had once captained himself.
That means a great deal.
When I picture this story, I think about the mornings after the defeats. The staff arriving early. Players listening. A manager explaining the next step while everybody outside wanted the final answer.
Those mornings belong in the story too.
Because the Arsenal people enjoy watching grew out of them. And I hope, when Mikel hears our supporters singing, he feels how many people are grateful that he stayed and kept building.”