🚨🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo: “The coach had broken his word to me.
At the end of the match I only wanted everything to finish with the victory and to be alone. I did not go to greet the fans. A failing that is solely my responsibility and that should not have happened. I apologise to the Portuguese who supported us intensely there, I apologise to the fans, and I apologise to those who, without being Portuguese, may have travelled there to see me and whom I may have disappointed.
Forty-eight hours later we had a conversation — myself, the coach and Simão Coutinho — since he had been the one accompanying our conversations in August. It was a deep moment, very frank, without any kind of filter.
We agreed that there was only one way to close this “case”: that the coach repeat what he had just told me in private, in the presence of Simão Coutinho, but in the press room.
What was agreed was simple: the coach would begin the press conference with this subject, seeking to close the matter by telling the truth. He would say that I never asked to play any minutes, that it was the coach and no one else who proposed the plan for this camp to me, and that it was a mistake to put me on to warm up and then not bring me on, and that if it happened again he would not do it.
We ended that meeting with the coach asking me for a hug, promising me that he would say at the conference what he had just said to me, and that the matter would be overcome. I would not play in Denmark and I would play the match at the Dragão. All of this in the presence of Simão Coutinho, always.
At the coach’s request, a meeting then took place between himself, Simão Coutinho and Tiago Craveiro by videoconference, in which what we had discussed was summarised.
A short document was produced which I myself validated and which, with my knowledge, was delivered to the coach, as he had requested.
The conference was what is known: the posture had nothing to do with our meeting; I heard expressions and an aggressiveness that I do not believe I deserved, an attitude of “I want, I can and I command” that he never showed me, not even remotely, in private the day before.
The notes I validated were the following:
“I think it is important, also because it is the truth, to clarify a few things before talking about Denmark:
1. I myself, and no one else, proposed to Cristiano a plan for him this sporting season with the National Team. It was a long and very good conversation.
2. I know how much he lives and loves the national team and the weight he has in the world, and even more the weight and the positive influence he has had on the national team for 24 consecutive years.
3. The plan I proposed to Cristiano was accepted.
4. He never questioned my options. He was exemplary, loyal and professional.
5. The match in Norway was not part of the plan I drew up for him. However, I felt that he had managed to recover physically from the first match and I warned him that I might have to use him. Cristiano agreed.
6. I made a mistake by putting someone of the stature of Pelé or Maradona on to warm up and then not putting him in the game. If it were today I would not do it.
7. To close the subject: I want Cristiano in the National Team. In fact I do not want him a little, I want him a lot. Fortunately he also believes in me. He believed at Al Nassr and he does here as well.
8. About not greeting the fans. We have already spoken about that. Someone who has played more than 230 matches for the national team does not receive lessons from me on love for Portugal. It was a moment of frustration that erases nothing. He is the player who gives the most autographs, takes the most selfies, and shows the most affection to the fans. Let us not invent problems where they do not exist. When we are not happy we react. That was all.
None of these notes, therefore, said that the coach should even apologise to me.
It was the second time he had broken his word to me”.
🚨 Thomas Tuchel on Kobbie Mainoo: “I expect him to be on the pitch. It’s my duty”.
“He didn't put a foot wrong in the World Cup, that was totally on me”.
“He was class in behaviour and on the training pitch. It was a big competition. But it’s my responsibility”.
🚨 OFFICIAL: Pro Ref confirm “an error of judgement” in Haaland’s goal — also informing Man United directly.
“Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday's Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland’s awarded goal.
“The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position.
“In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.
“Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.”
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United closing in on deal to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion. #MUFC offer for 22yo Cameroon midfielder ~£60+5m; below #BHAFC valuation but amicable talks continue as all parties work to reach agreement @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/WmP1bD2JuT
All 55 UEFA countries have unanimously voted to boycott the World Cup due to FIFA's plans to sell stakes in the tournament to private investors, per The Times
"The World Cup is not for sale"
@logan_gaz99193@SkySportsNews Since 2022 when Messi won it I guess because he didn’t do anything meaningful for PSG but he won it based off his performance in 7 games in Qatar
Argentine streamer, Davo Xeneize:
🗣️ “Have you noticed that Argentina, every time it won the World Cup, it was in an even year? 1978, 1986, 2022. We're in 2026… I'll leave it there, every time we won the World Cup, it was played in an even year.”
Argentine streamer, Davo Xeneize:
🗣️ “Have you noticed that Argentina, every time it won the World Cup, it was in an even year? 1978, 1986, 2022. We're in 2026… I'll leave it there, every time we won the World Cup, it was played in an even year.”