Traditionally, players who represented the national team received an actual cap for every time they played for the national team. I know this is true for England, not sure for other nations.
In 2023, Indonesia were stripped of the under-20 World Cup for refusing to allow the Israeli team entry.
Fifa's justification then was the vague "due to the current circumstances".
Quite a contrast to the hardline "FIFA is not involved in host immigration processes" now.
This is utter bullshit. When Indonesia refused to grant the Israeli under 17 team visa’s for the 2023 U-20 World Cup, FIFA stripped Indonesia’s hosting rights and moved it to Argentina. So @FIFAcom can stop with the lies.
🚨 Cunha on his celebration and how it affects teammates and opponents:
🗣️ Reporter:
“With your celebration style, do you hope it doesn't create some kind of controversy in the Champions League next season like what happened with Vinicius Jr?”
🗣️ Cunha:
“(laughs) Scoring goals for Manchester United brings me a lot of joy, so the dance is just my way of showing it. But I'll be honest... I think it annoys opponents a little bit. And I think my teammates enjoy it even more.
As for what happened with Vini, I really can’t tell why. If somebody wants to get upset because I'm dancing after scoring for United, that's their problem. (laughs) And if somebody wants to get silly because of it, I'd advise them to stay offline. United fans don't play online. Trust me.
I've seen enough already. (laughs) The support from this fanbase has been incredible. So every time I dance, it's my way of giving some of that joy back. The funny thing is that even after I score, the guys are reminding me. Bruno, Mbeumo, Amad...they're all shouting: 'Do the dance! Do the dance!'
And now they've convinced themselves that whenever I score and do the celebration, we don't lose. So at this point, I don't think I have a choice. The dance is staying.”
I have never seen Bruno Fernandes cry like this. This board really needs to do better and sign the right players for this man to win the Ballon D'or not only the league. Bruno Fernandes is a Ballon D'or material.
EUROPA LEAGUE was never the dream.
Not because I didn’t want it.
Because if I’m being honest, I never thought it was possible.
What kid would?
Especially when 12 years ago I was playing non league football in the Ryman Premier and Conference South, just trying to stay alive in the game.
What kid dreams about Europe when, two weeks into the off season, his dad has to tell him he’s been released by Watford F.C. over the phone?
I was heartbroken.
My dad looked at me and said:
“What are we doing tomorrow?”
To which I replied with the words he’d drilled into me my whole life:
“We’re training, Dad.”
So we trained.
Every single day.
My dad emailed every EFL club asking for an opportunity.
One club replied.
One.
That was all I needed.
An opportunity.
@WealdstoneFC and @wwfcofficial , I’ll always be indebted to you.
Then came the move to @SunderlandAFC .
A massive club.
A massive opportunity.
And I couldn’t wait to prove myself.
But 45 minutes into my debut… hooked.
“Rabbit caught in headlights. Waste of money. Get rid.”
Then came the Championship.
“He’s not good enough for this level.”
Then the Premier League.
“Let’s give him a debut and then get rid of him.”
I understood the doubt.
I’ve faced it my whole career.
And truthfully, you doubt yourself too at times.
But I’ve always tried to live by one mindset:
Outwork your doubt.
You don’t always need to see the full journey.
You just need to take the next step.
Then the next one.
And then another.
Even when social media tells you you’re not good enough.
Even when the voice inside your own head whispers the same thing.
Keep working.
Keep learning.
Keep showing up.
Because sometimes the places you end up are bigger than anything your younger self could’ve ever imagined.
To any young player reading this, don’t put a ceiling on yourself too early.
You genuinely have no idea where this game and life can take you.
And to the boys… thank you.
You removed the glass ceiling I’d placed on myself.
What a team.
What a club.
What a fanbase.
Sunderland… rocking all over Europe ❤️🤍
And in the words of Granit Xhaka:
“This is just the beginning.”
Man Utd: final points tally behind league champions
25/26 - 14 pts
24/25 - 42
23/24 - 31
22/23 - 14
21/22 - 35
20/21 - 12
19/20 - 33
18/19 - 32
17/18 - 19
16/17 - 24
15/16 - 15
14/15 - 17
13/14 - 22
This season is joint 2nd best (14 pts) behind league champions post Sir Alex