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Barcelona star abandons car in mid-road

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Barcelona star abandons car in mid-road

To confront a young fan in furious spat

 

Martinez, who joined Barcelona in the summer of 2023, got out of his car before the fan approached

 

Barcelona star Inigo Martinez left Athletic Bilbao for Barcelona over the summer and could be seen going face-to-face with a youngster believed to be a fan of his former club, Tom Victor reports for Mirror UK

 

Barcelona star Inigo Martinez was filmed leaving his car and confronting a young football fan on the side of the road.

 

Reports indicate the youngster supported Athletic Bilbao. Martinez, who joined Barca over the summer, had previously spent five years on athletics books after starting his career with rivals Real Sociedad.

In a clip shared on social media with the caption, ‘If you leave Athletic, you end up losing,’ Spain international Martinez can be seen stopping his Range Rover in the middle of the road before the fan walks in his direction. The 32-year-old then gesticulates and exchanges words with the youngster before returning to his vehicle.

 

It is not clear at the time of writing when exactly the encounter took place. Martinez played 90 minutes over the weekend as Barcelona scraped a 1-0 win against Las Palmas to stay on track for Champions League qualification.

 

Barcelona’s victory on Saturday ensures they ended the weekend second in the league. Girona, their rivals for the second spot, claimed a narrow win against Real Betis, with Cristhian Stuani bagging a last-minute winner.

 

The Catalan club will part ways with manager Xavi at the end of the season. The former club captain led his team to the title last term but has decided his time at Camp Nou is up.

 

Despite the impending changes in the dugout, though, Barca has progressed to a Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain. Martinez started the first leg of the round-of-16 victory over Napoli but was on the bench for the second-leg victory, which captain Sergi Roberto hailed.

 

“An incredible night, it’s been four years away from being where this club should be,” Sergi Roberto said. Very happy. Let’s enjoy this moment. The fans have been with us, and that is very important.

 

“The Camp Nou is very different, but we need this atmosphere in every game. Thank you to the fans. We started well and, in the end, we got good results and were very happy. I think that we already had a tremendous first half in Naples. We needed to finish with goals like today. Usually, a team like Napoli can score against you.

 

“I could have scored, but the play went perfectly. I saw that Robert [Lewandowski] was alone at the penalty spot, and I’m happy to assist him.”

 

Ten Hag ecstatic over Man Utd ‘super offer’

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Ten Hag ecstatic over Man Utd ‘super offer’

As Old Trafford hijacks Real Madrid’s move for the next Lionel Messi

 

Estevao Willian could become the best of Brazil’s golden generation. Image credit: Planet Football

 

Manchester United have reportedly made a ‘super offer’ for Palmeiras wonder kid Messinho as they look to beat Real Madrid to his signature, Harry Watkinson reports for Team Talk

 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen to make Old Trafford the best place to develop the hottest prospects in the world, and the 16-year-old certainly fits into that category.

 

Man Utd has been criticized for spending significant sums on lackluster players since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure from the club. Ratcliffe has said he would prefer to sign ‘the next Kylian Mbappe’ rather than continue that trend.

 

“It’s not that clever. He was buying Mbappe in a way. Anyone could figure that one out. But what is much more challenging is to find the next Mbappe or the next [Jude] Bellingham or the next Roy Keane,” he said.

 

Estevao Willian has earned the name ‘Messinho’ due to his supposed similarities with the disputed GOAT Lionel Messi, which is highly praised.

 

The teenager generally plays as a winger and has only made five senior appearances for Palmeiras so far, but his youth-level performances have earned him rave reviews.

 

Real Madrid has been pursuing a deal with Messinho for some time and hopes that he will replicate Brazilian Vinicius Junior’s success at the Bernabeu.

 

However, fresh reports suggest that Man Utd will look to hijack Real Madrid’s move for the youngster.

 

Man Utd ‘willing to pay over €90m’ for Brazilian superstar

 

According to reports from Spain, as noted by our friends at Football365, Man Utd has already lodged a ‘super offer’ for Messinho as they try to lure him to the Premier League.

 

Real Madrid is continuing to scour the transfer market for another superstar, Endrick, who is set to join them at the end of the season. They have ‘found a new gem in Messinho.’

 

Man Utd is ‘willing to go all out and offer more than €90m (approx. £77m) on Palmeiras’ table to secure’ Messinho’s signature ahead of Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

 

It’s claimed that none of the talented attacker’s other suitors would be willing to pay that amount for him, and therefore, the Red Devils are now considered favorites to bring him in.

 

Erik ten Hag has reportedly ‘asked club chiefs’ to make a ‘significant financial effort to achieve Messinho’s signing,’ so he is a player for Man Utd supporters to keep a close eye on over the next few months.

 

CAF Champions League QF action starts

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CAF Champions League QF action starts

Highly tactical opening to TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals

 

Image credit: CAFonline

 

  • Al Ahly, the only victor in the first-leg quarter-finals
  • Highly tactical duels in all four encounters
  • Close results set up exciting return leg fixtures

 

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Quarter-Final action got off to a highly tactical start this past weekend. The exciting race towards the semi-finals kicked off on Friday, March 29, CAFonline reports.

 

On Friday, defending champions Al Ahly showed their pedigree away from home when facing a spirited Simba AC side at the Benjamin Mkwapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

 

Despite being pinned in their half for most of the encounter, the defending champions managed a crucial 1-0 win over the Tanzanians thanks to an early Ahmed Koka goal.

 

The same venue hosted former champions and reigning African Football League kings Mamelodi Sundowns the following day, as they were welcomed by last season’s TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup finalists, Young Africans.

 

A highly tactical battle between coach Rulani Mokwena and former Sundowns assistant coach concluded with a goalless stalemate ahead of the return leg in Pretoria this weekend.

 

In Lubumbashi, TP Mazembe was frustrated by a resilient Petro de Luanda side who denied them a result in front of their fans.

 

Despite the Angolans’ good defending, Mazembe will hope to be more clinical this weekend when facing the Angolan champions in Luanda.

 

Another goalless draw concluded the first-leg Quarter-Final fixtures in Tunis. Four-time champions Esperance Sportive de Tunis were also held to a goalless stalemate by a stubborn Asec Mimosas side determined to end their continental drought this season.

 

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League QF First Leg Results:

Simba AC 0 – 1 Al Ahly SC

TP Mazembe 0 – 0 Atletico Petroleos

Young Africans 0 – 0 Mamelodi Sundowns

Esperance de Tunis 0 – 0 Asec Mimosas

 

Quarter-Finals Return Leg Fixtures: 

Friday, April 05

18h00 GMT | Mamelodi Sundowns v Young Africans

20h00 GMT | Al Ahly SC v Simba SC

 

Saturday, 06 April 

16h00 GMT | Atletico Petroleos v TP Mazembe

20h00 GMT | Asec Mimosas v Esperance

 

Abdelhak Benchikha rues Al Ahly loss

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Abdelhak Benchikha rues Al Ahly loss

Simba coach regrets missed chances in defeat to Ahly

Image credit: CAFonline

Abdelhak Benchikha, the coach of Tanzanian giants Simba SC, has expressed regret over his team’s missed opportunities following their defeat to Al Ahly on Saturday, CAFonline reports.
The home side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Egyptian giants in the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League quarter-finals.
Despite playing in front of a roaring 60,000-capacity crowd, Ahly displayed their experience as they managed the hard-fought 1-0 win to take to Cairo next week.
An early goal by Ahmed Kouka was enough to secure the first-leg victory for the Egyptian giants, who did well to absorb the ongoing pressure from Simba throughout the encounter.
Despite failing to find the back of the net, Simba’s relentless pressure pinned Al Ahly in their half for extended periods.
Addressing the press after the match, Benchikha apologized to Simba fans and acknowledged Al Ahly’s efficiency in capitalizing on their limited chances.
He lamented, “They got only one chance and used it, yet we had several chances but never utilized them appropriately.”
Emphasizing the importance of converting opportunities at this level of competition, Benchikha stressed the consequences of squandered chances against formidable opponents like Al Ahly.
“At this level of football, you must use your chances against a big club like Al Ahly, or else you suffer the consequences, which are usually bitter,” he remarked.
Despite the disappointing result, Benchikha remained resolute about his team’s prospects in the upcoming second leg in Cairo.
“We have not given up. We want to use the second leg away in Cairo. As tough as it will be, we will have to push to the end,” he affirmed.
Simba’s spirited performance, particularly in the second half, showcased their determination to challenge the reigning champions in the return leg in Cairo on Friday.
The Tanzanians will draw inspiration from their positive display later in the game and look to capitalize on their opportunities to overturn the deficit and progress to the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament.

African Football Weekend in Quotes

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African Football Weekend in Quotes

As TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup hot up

 

Stanley Eguma, Rivers United coach Image credit: CAFonline

 

The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup officially entered the exciting knockout stages of the Quarter-Finals this past weekend.

 

All eight clubs in the two competitions acted in the highly contested first-leg duels.

 

These are reactions from the coaches post the first leg results:

 

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League

Simba AC 0 – 1 Al Ahly SC

Abdelhak Benchikha – Simba SC Coach 

“I want to apologize to Simba fans for the loss to Al Ahly. They got only one chance and used it, yet we had several chances but never utilized them appropriately. At this level of football, you must use your chances against a big club like Al Ahly or else you suffer the consequences, which are usually bitter. We have not given up. We want to use the second leg away in Cairo as much as possible, as it will be tough; we will have to push to the end”.

 

Marcel Koller – Al Ahly SC Coach

“I am happy for my players. They played according to my plans. It was an adamant game. Our opponents pushed us, but we used the opportunity and finished them. The win away has given us confidence, and we hope to maintain the same tempo in the second leg. The players’ determination was key to our positive results, and the substitutes we had played a key role in maintaining the win that was very important for our ambitions in the competition”.

 

Young Africans 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns 

Rulani Mokwena – Mamelodi Sundowns Coach

“We lost too many chances and second balls. We looked a little better in the second half, and I think we played with more intensity going forward. We can play better, we can do better, we can use the ball better. We have to play better in the second leg and be tight in the second leg to win the game”.

 

Miguel Gamondi – Young African Coach

“This was an adamant game, and we can consider it a tactical battle between two good teams. I am very proud of how the players applied themselves. They tried their best, and I think we created clear chances that we should have won the game. This game is still open, and I will definitely go to fight there and try to qualify.”

 

Esperance Sportive de Tunis 0-0 Asec Mimosas

Julien Chevalier – Asec Mimosas Coach

“I would like to congratulate my players for their performance. It was an intense and difficult match. I consider a draw here in Tunis heroic against a club like Esperance in such an electric atmosphere. We did not deliberately choose defense, but it was our situation. There is still a second round in Abidjan, which we must prepare and approach well”.

 

Miguel Cardoso – Esperance Sportive de Tunis Coach

“Just look at the match statistics and possession to realize our total control over the match. We did everything, tried everything, and changed strategy during the match. The only thing missing was goals. The players were not sad after the match, but they felt frustrated because they gave everything, but they were unlucky. I remain optimistic about our chances of making it to the quarter-finals”.

 

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup

 Future FC 1 – 2 Zamalek SC

Tamer Moustafa – Future FC Coach

“Our performance was not at the desired level. Zamalek’s experience made the difference between us. Also, we were unlucky, especially with the ball that hit the post. A draw would have been satisfying for me. However, all attempts to deny them from scoring didn’t work, and they scored the second goal, which I believe wasn’t worth a penalty. Anyway, this is the first leg, and we will meet again soon in the second leg, where we still have another chance. It’s not over yet.”

 

Jose Gomez – Zamalek SC Coach

“First of all, I must say, in my opinion, we know our mistakes, but we deserved to win this game. We created many chances to score through counterattacks in the second half, which is why we deserved the win. I am not happy with the game we played. Thank God that we won the game, but it was not easy. I was not happy with the players at half-time. The same way I tell them when I am happy, I do the same when I am not happy”.

 

Rivers United FC 1 – 0 USM Alger 

Juan Carlos Garrido Fernandez – USM Alger Coach

 

“We came here to win, but the conditions were difficult. Playing at 40 degrees and my players observing Ramadan was a challenge. We tried to hold our ground, and I think we came close to getting a draw. We will go back home and prepare hard for the second leg. We are the defending champions and determined to retain the trophy.”

 

Stanley Eguma – Rivers United FC Coach 

“We created many chances, and I am not happy we converted only one. Our team had a big opportunity to win in this match. Nevertheless, we will continue working hard and focusing on the prize. Last year, we lost our first leg 0-2, and despite a good game in the return leg, we were out. Now, we have an advantage, no matter how slim.”

 

Balor in freak injury before WrestleMania

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Balor in freak injury before WrestleMania

As fans are left shocked over blow ‘the size of a boulder’ dealt in star’s latest title defense

 

A WWE star has been dealt a freak injury just days before they are due to perform at WrestleMania.

  • The star will defend their title this weekend in WWE’s premium event of the year
  • He has had to deal with several injuries, including another head blow last year
  • The injury occurred during a title defense at a house show on Sunday evening

 

A WWE champion has shown off a sickening new injury just days away from WrestleMania.

 

The 40th edition of WWE’s flagship show will take place in Philadelphia this weekend. The company is preparing for its biggest two nights of the year once again.

 

A plethora of matches will take place on Saturday and Sunday night, including high-stakes matches featuring The Rock, Roman Reigns, and Cody Rhodes.

 

One of the matches will be a six-team ladder match for the tag team titles, currently held by The Judgement Day duo Finn Balor and Damian Priest.

 

Just days before the event, however, Balor posted about a gruesome injury on social media, though it is unlikely to keep him out of The Showcase of Immortals.

 

Finn Balor showed off a head injury he suffered at a house show in New York on Sunday night.

 

Balor and Priest will defend their titles against Awesome Truth, New Catch Republic, DIY, The New Day, and A Town Down Under in a ladder match that will see them, in theory, be up against it to retain their titles.

 

The pair have reigned since September, when they defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn at Payback to take gold to their Judgement Day faction that also includes Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Rhea Ripley.

 

There was a brief moment of doubt over Balor’s participation on Monday, however, when the Irishman took to social media to reveal he had suffered a head injury.

 

In a post captioned ‘Easter Egg,’ Balor can be seen starting a video with his back to the camera before slowly turning round to reveal a massive bulge on his forehead.

 

The injury appears red-raw in the video and shows swelling on the right side of his head, which is assumingly caused during in-ring action.

 

Balor teamed with Priest to defend the pair’s titles at a house show in Syracuse, New York on Sunday night against The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods.

 

As is common in house shows, the champions retained, but it seemed to have come at a cost for Balor.

 

It’s not the first time the star has been dealt a severe head injury, with his skull busted open in a Hell in a Cell match against Edge last year, leaving him needing 14 staples to close the wound.

 

Balor will team up with Damian Priest (pictured) to defend his tag team title over the weekend.

 

and were left concerned about his injury, with one branding the blow as big as a cocoanut or a boulder.’

 

Another added: ‘You’re always injuring your head, man. Be careful,’ while a third said: ‘Damn Finn, I hope you’re ok. You and Priest have Mania this week.’

 

Rivers United edges USM Alger

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Rivers United edges USM Alger

In TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup first-leg

 

Rivers United

 

Rivers United secured a crucial 1-0 victory over USM Alger of Algeria in the first leg of their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final clash in Nigeria on Sunday.

Augustine Okejepha emerged as the home side’s hero, breaking the deadlock in the 10th minute with a clinical strike from the edge of the box at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

Abubakar Adamu’s well-executed assist from a corner kick set the stage for Okejepha’s decisive goal, putting the home side in the lead early in the match.

Despite USM Alger’s efforts to contain Rivers United, the Nigerian team’s physical dominance was a significant factor throughout the game.

USM Alger struggled to match the intensity of their opponents, who looked eager to score more goals.

However, the arrival of rain after 70 minutes provided a brief respite for the Algerian side, allowing them to regroup and minimize the damage to a single-goal deficit by the final whistle.

Looking ahead to the second leg in Algiers on April 7, USM Alger faces an uphill battle to overturn the deficit and secure passage to the semi-finals.

With home advantage on their side, USM Alger will be determined to mount a strong comeback and keep their hopes alive in the competition. Judging by Rivers United’s performance, they will also put up a strong challenge in Algiers next week.

The stakes are high for USM Alger, and qualification to the next round offers an opportunity to continue defending their title and pursuing continental glory.

In the event of qualification, the overall winner of this tie will face the winner of the double confrontation between Abu Salim and RS Berkane in the semi-final.

 

Zamalek wins Egyptian derby

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Zamalek wins Egyptian derby

Former TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup champions came from behind to snatch a late victor in a closely contested Egyptian derby

 

 

Former TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup champions Zamalek SC came from behind to snatch a late victory from Future FC in the Quarterfinals of the competition, which were played at the Al Salam Stadium on Sunday evening.

 

Ahmed Sayed’s stellar performance saw him assist Hamza Mahlouthi before getting the all-important win that canceled Khaled Abdelhamid’s opener. The White Knights walked away 2-1 victors.

 

The former champions were all over their opponents, who did well to absorb the pressure throughout the tie.

 

Zamalek first showed probing signs. The evergreen Shikabala almost opened the scoring with a brilliant solo run in the 27th minute, but an alert Mahmoud Elrhim saved his strike.

 

The lead unexpectedly came for Future, who broke in transition after absorbing most pressure. The game concluded with Mohamed Salama laying off a perfect ball for Khaled Abdelhamid, who found the opener against his former club.

 

With just seconds to the break and Future looking at going into the break with the lead, the White Knights showed their pedigree as Hamza Mahlouthi headed home the equalizer from a delightful corner by Ahmed Sayed.

 

Returning from the back, the 2018/19 champions continued surging forward in search of the lead. They were almost rewarded early into the second half after Shikabala again eliminated numbers to set himself up for a long-distance strike, which was met by the safe hands of Elrhim.

 

The lead did eventually come in the dying minutes of the game after the troublesome Seifeddine Jaziri was brought down in the box for the referee to point to the spot kick, as Sayed capped off a five-star performance with a conversion that took his goal tally in the competition to four.

 

Meanwhile, Abu Salim SC held former champions RS Berkane of Morocco to a goalless draw in a simultaneous fixture played in Libya. While the result may be disappointing for the Libyan side, who gave it their all against the Moroccans, they will head to the return leg with their heads held high from the positive performance against the two-time champions.

 

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup First-Leg Results:

Rivers United FC 1 – 0 USM Alger

Stade Malien 1 – 2 Dreams FC

Abu Salim SC 0 – 0 RS Berkane

Future FC 1 – 2 Zamalek SC

 

Sunday, 07 April | Second Leg Fixtures

16h00 GMT | Dreams FC v Stade Malien

19h00 GMT | Zamalek SC v Future FC

21h00 GMT | RS Berkane v Abu Salim SC

21h00 GMT | USM Alger v Rivers United

 

Antwi brace inspires Dreams FC

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Antwi brace inspires Dreams FC

 To sensational away win over Stade Malien

 

Experienced striker John Antwi proved instrumental as Dreams FC clinched a remarkable 2-1 triumph over ten-man Stade Malien in Bamako. The team showcased its mettle in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals, CAFonline reports.
Antwi’s heroics stole the spotlight. He netted a brace to propel the Ghanaian side to victory on foreign soil in the first-leg clash in Mali.
The away triumph marks a significant milestone in their maiden continental campaign, underscoring their determination to impact the continental stage ahead of next week’s second leg.
The result means Stade Malien faces an uphill battle as they seek to overturn the deficit away from home and salvage their hopes of progression in the competition.
Trailing initially to a Yoro Diaby free-kick, Dreams FC rallied courageously, with Antwi leading the charge.
In the 66th minute, Antwi ignited his team’s resurgence with a clinical finish past N’Golo Traoré, breathing new life into Dreams FC’s aspirations.
Buoyed by the equalizer, the Ghanaians intensified their onslaught, exposing Stade Malien’s defensive frailties.
The turning point arrived in the 74th minute when Antwi calmly dispatched a penalty, awarded after Issa Yacoubou’s handball, to complete his brace and secure a vital lead for Dreams FC.
Stade Malien’s hopes suffered a severe blow as Fadi Sidiki Coulibaly received a red card, reducing his side to ten men for the remainder of the encounter.
The numerical disadvantage compounded Stade Malien’s woes ahead of the return leg in Kumasi next week.
With momentum on their side, Dreams FC sets their sights on the return fixture, aiming to capitalize on their advantage and secure passage to the semi-finals.

‘Talks more than he scores!’

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‘Talks more than he scores!’

Luke Littler mocks Neal Maupay after dig at Man Utd star

 

Neal Maupay has scored four goals in his last seven top-flight games (Picture: Getty)/Metro UK

 

Darts sensation Luke Littler has criticized Neal Maupay after the Brentford striker mocked Manchester United star Scott McTominay, Tony Mogan reports for Metro UK.

 

United thought they had secured a late winner against the Bees on Saturday night when Mason Mount scored his first goal for the club six minutes into added time.

 

However, Brentford, who dominated the game at the Gtech Community Stadium, rescued an even later draw with Kristoffer Ajer scoring after 99 minutes to equalize.

 

Maupay, never afraid to wind up a member of the opposition, aimed a dig at McTominay after the contest, sharing a picture of the midfielder almost hauling the Frenchman’s shirt off during one tussle.

 

Alongside the picture, he wrote: ‘This fan was desperate for my shirt [laughing emoji].’

Littler, a massive United fan, aimed Maupay in response, writing on Instagram: ‘Talks more than he scores.’

 

Maupay scored eight times in 30 appearances this season, having managed just one in 29 last season.

 

He has also been involved in heated exchanges with Tottenham star James Maddison and Manchester City’s Kyle Walker recently.

 

Brentford manager Thomas Frank warned earlier this month that Maupay thrives on riling the opposition, insisting it makes the striker ‘tick.’

 

‘When he came here, he hadn’t scored a goal for ages. So what he has done to be at his current level is incredible. He deserves a lot of praise,’ Frank said.

 

‘I know there’s a lot of talk [over his antics], and I understand why it’s an excellent question to ask and something you want to discuss.

 

‘What I believe in is that every player is different. They need to find their own way for what makes them tick and makes them perform. I’m a big believer in that.

 

‘Then it’s my responsibility to guide them sometimes. Of course, I have spoken to Neal about it. I will keep that to myself, but he needs to do what he thinks is important.’

 

 

 

 

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