Sports Talk Blog: December 2014

Pictures of the player at the Airport was shared by the club's official twitter account ''First words from @Torres in Madrid: "I'am happy and looking forward to begin" #TorresIsBack

Friday, 26 December 2014

Cristiano Ronaldo in Dubai for Christmas (See Pictures)

Pictures courtesy of @CTB on Sportlobster

Wednesday, 24 December 2014

Christmas message from Chelsea stars led by Didier Drogba

It's Christmas indeed! Chelsea stars wishing you a merry Christmas.

Ahmed Musa and wife Celebrate 3rd wedding anniversary

Super Eagles player Ahmed Musa and his wife are celebrating the 3rd wedding anniversary today 24th December.

The CSKA Moscow of Russia forward shared on his Instagram account ''Happy anniversary,today making 3yrs of my marriage,Thx be to Allah''

Barcelona wants Neymar to remain at Barca until 2020

Neymar's agent, Wagner Ribeiro has claimed that Spanish club Barcelona want Neymar to remain at the club until 2020.

The Brazilian moved to Camp Nou from Santos in 2013 and his current deal is set to expire in 2018, but his representative has said the club want to tie the player down for a further two years.

"Of course Barcelona want to renew his contract. Until 2020? Yes," he said.

Speaking at the launch of a project designed to help the disadvantaged in Brazil, Neymar said: "I'm happy in Barcelona. I have a contract there and there's still a lot left for me to do."

Manchester United Players handed Christmas Day Off

Manchester United has asked his players to sit at home and enjoy Christmas with their families and would not be training as usual.

The Red devils face Newcastle on Boxing day and the manager has chosen to reward his players with the day off, report on the club website states.

''I have changed that, I have given them free time and Christmas day with the family,'' the boss told MUTV on Friday. “We shall come together the next day here at our Aon Training Complex. Then we will have all of the meetings like we have done all season.

''I believe in a total human being so the environment is also important. I think they are more pleased to be at home with their wives and children. I hope they shall give everything to beat the opponent then.''

Van Gaal was manager of the Dutch national team this time last year and was able to enjoy his Christmas holidays at home in the Netherlands. Although he enjoyed that time, the boss is just as happy to lead the Reds into action against Newcastle.

''When you are a national team coach then you don’t have to do anything at Christmas because in the Netherlands the players are also free and have holiday,” van Gaal explained. “But here we play football and that is also nice.''

Suarez sends Christmas Gifts to Children in Uruguayan Hospitals

Uruguay and Barcelona striker Louis Suarez has sent 500 Baskets of gifts to kids at Uruguay hospitals.

According to reports, each basket contains food and drinks and the Uruguay forward donated them as part of his ambassadorial role at Uruguayan foundation ''Scremini Pérez'', a children’s cancer charity.

Suarez wrote the message ''Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2015 with your loved ones. Luis Suarez and family'' on each of the package delivered to the Pereira Rossell hospital in Montevideo.

AYC: Manu Garba picks 30 players to represent Nigeria

Nigeria U-20 coach Manu Garba has named 30 players for camping ahead of the Africa Youth Championship.

He selected 21 home-based players and 9 foreign based to prosecute the championship in March 2015, with hopes of qualifying for the FIFA World Youth Championship to hold same year in New Zealand.

Here’s the full list of players:

Goalkeepers: Joshua Enaholo, Dele Alampasu, Olorunleke Ojo, Adamu Abubakar

Defenders: Kingsley Madu, Musa Muhammed, Mustapha Abdullahi, Wilfred Ndidi, Zaharadeen Bello, Prince Izu Omego

Midfielders: Ifeanyi Matthew, Akinjide Idowu, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Obinna Nwobodo, Kingsley Sokari, Abdullahi Alfa, Chidiebere Nwakali

Forwards: Taiwo Awoniyi, Isaac Success, Kelechi Iheanacho, Usman Hassan, Alhassan Ibrahim, Sulaiman Abdullahi, Abubakar Lawal, Bernard Bulbwa, Chidera Eze, Billy Auta, Musa Yahaya, Moses Simon, Wasiu Jimoh

Monday, 22 December 2014

PHOTOS of Cristiano Ronaldo's statue in his birthplace

All photos courtesy @CTB via http://www.sportlobster.com/fan/CTB

Weekend Roundup: Liverpool, Arsenal, Mourinho, Muhammed Ali, Madrid all in the News

Hello, lets keep you informed on stories making the rounds in the world of sports.

Skrtel rescues Liverpool as Reds force Arsenal to 2-2 draw

It was a last gasp for Brendan Rogers' men as Martin Skrtel scored after 90 minutes to help 10-man Liverpool secure a 2-2 draw at home against Arsenal.

Mourinho opposes retroactive punishment for diver

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has opposed the view on punishing players after analyzing video evidences. “The independent panels don’t do their job well in any case,” he argued. “When you go to an independent panel to analyze and suspend players by video evidence, it is a disaster. It is a disaster.

Sterling announced as best young player in Europe

Liverpool youngster Raheem Sterling has been named the Golden Boy of Europe, an honour given to the best young player on the continent. He received the award before the Sunday cracker against Arsenal which ended in a stalemate.

Muhammed Ali hospitalized with Pneumonia

Boxing great Muhammad Ali has been taken to hospital with pneumonia. The three-time world heavyweight champion, who has Parkinson’s disease, was being treated by his team of doctors and was in a stable condition, said his spokesman, Bob Gunnell

''We are like complete idiots now'' - Dortmund manager bemoans poor run of form

Jorgen Klopp has admitted that his side's performance has left the team looking like idiots after finishing 2014 in 17th place but also grateful that the break has come to their rescue hoping they can return in better fashion come January for the remainder of the season.

Quadri, Oshinake win Nigeria Table Tennis Players of The Year Award

The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation has named African champion Aruna Quadri and veteran female player, Funke Oshonaike, as Players of the Year in 2014. The award ceremony was held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium during the finals of the NTTF President’s Cup.

Real Madrid wins Club World Cup

Spanish giants confirmed their supremacy in the world for the year 2014 after beating Argentine club San Lorenzo 2-0 to clinch the FIFA Club World Cup.

Friday, 19 December 2014

Flashback: See what Thierry Henry did to Liverpool defenders (VIDEO)

What do you make of this? That commentator is just spot on about the Frenchman

Video courtesy of YouTube

Ronaldo partners with a Portuguese Clothing line

Portugal and Real Madrid forward has announced his new ambassadorial deal with a Portuguese clothing brand Saccor Brothers.

He shared the news via his social media accounts on Friday. ''Hey guys. Today I proudly announce my new partnership with SACOOR BROTHERS, a Portuguese clothing brand. See all the 7 reasons for this wonderful partnership'' - a statement on his official Facebook account reads.

Another addition to the already exiting partners with the star.

Gerrard feels Sterling can become a legend at Liverpool

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrarrd has urged his teammate Raheem Sterling to remain at the club and become a legend at Anfield.

Speaking ahead of Premier League game against Arsenal this weekend, Gerrard said in a report on Sky Sports "I think this club is perfect for him, certainly for the next few years. He's going to play most weeks and the fans love him here.

"He can progress here and become a top, top player so I hope the people around him give him the right advice - he should stay.

"He's great to watch and great to play with. When you look up he's always giving you an option, and that's what I've thrived on throughout my career at Liverpool with the likes of Fernando Torres and Michael Owen.

"Raheem's got the potential to be top drawer, for sure."

Balotelli accepts FA punishment, tenders apology to teammates and Liverpool

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has apologized to his team mates and for the punishment he brought upon them and the club over his Super Mario post via social media.

Google Image: Mario Balotelli

He has accepted the charge and he tweeted "Following the recent events related to my 'Super Mario' post, the FA decision has made clear that it was wrong," he wrote on Twitter.

"I am sorry that my team-mates and supporters of Liverpool FC have to be penalised for something I did and now come to regret.

"It is my intention to comply with the decision of the FA and make sure it never happens again."

Former Manchester City forward Balotelli reposted an image of computer game character Super Mario on Instagram which included the words "jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew."

The former Manchester City striker has been fined £25,000 and will miss Sunday's Premier League clash with Arsenal at Anfield after deciding against an appeal.

Fans storm Real Madrid hotel in Mrrakech for autographs

They were visited by members of several Real Madrid fan clubs in Morocco and students from three Foundation schools.

Real Madrid play Argentine club San Lorenzo in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Ike Uche signs contract extension at Villareal

Twitter/@Ikeuche9

Nigerian striker Ike Uche has extended his stay at Villareal for another two years which will keep him at the Spanish club until 2017.

The former Real Zaragoza and Getafe player shared on his Twitter account on Thursday, ''Proud to defend this jersey until 2017! Thanks to @VillarrealCF club, fans, teammates and staff! God bless you all!''

Congrats Ike Uche.

Photo of Lukas Podolski reveals his childhood dreams

Courtesy: Sportslobster/@sportsblog01

The Arsenal and Germany forward has always dreamt about the World Cup, his shirt says it all.

It could be recalled that Podolski was part of the Brazil 2014 winning team.

Friendly: Nigeria Super Eagles to play Ivory Coast and Mali

The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed that the Senior national team will take on Ivory coast and Mali during the FIFA free days next year.

Google Image: Nigeria vs Cote d'voire

According to report on Vanguard, the NFF General Secretary said the Eagles will also be engages during the period despite not qualifying for AFCON.

''We are working round the clock to make sure that the Super Eagles will have opponents for all the FIFA windows available in year 2015, and we are happy that the two games with the Ivorians and the Malians are sealed.

''The Elephants and the Les Aiglons are on their way to the 30th Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, so they are sure to give our team good games.''

Already, Assistant Coach Daniel Amokachi has drawn a list of 24 players who will do battle for shirts for the two matches.

Wednesday, 17 December 2014

'Soccer will miss you' - Ronaldo tells Thiery Henry

Hours after former French striker Thierry Henry announced his retirement from football, his erstwhile teammate at Barcelona Ronaldinho sent out his tribute.

Google Image: Henry and Ronaldinho hug

Ronaldinho share via his Instagram ''Googdluck to my friend Thierry Henry. Soccer will miss you. Congratulations for all you have done at the pitch and success in this new phase.''

According to reports, Henry tried recruiting the Brazilian for his last club New York Red Bulls in the MLS.

Real Madrid thrash Cruz Azul, land in Final of Club World Cup

Real Madrid defeated Cruz Azul 4-0 to progress to the final of the Club World Cup on Tuesday evening in Marrakech Morocco.

Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Isco registered their names on the score sheet as Iker Casillas maintained a clean sheet.

The UCL champions will play Wednesday’s match between Auckland City and San Lorenzo in the final on Saturday.

Tuesday, 16 December 2014

Zidane names Ibrahimovic, Messi, Ronaldo in ''dream'' Team

Former France international Zinedine Zidane during a show for Canal+ was asked to pick a team with players that he would want to manage and he came up with this star-studded list.

Zidane’s Dream XI to manage:

Starting Line-up: Iker Casillas – Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Daniel Alves – Yaya Toure, Luka Modric – Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Karim Benzema.

Among the seven selected substitutes, French youngsters Rafael Varane, Paul Pogba of Juventus made a cut to the star-studded bench.

Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar nominated for Globe Scoocer Fans Player of The Year Award

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Neymar, Ronaldino and a host of other football stars have been nominated for the Best Player of the year in the Globe Soccer Award.

The award is an annual recognition of stakeholder in global football are rewarded at an official Gala Dinner in Dubai with this year’s billed for 28/29^th December 2014.

Ronaldo was voted the fans best player of the year 2013 of the award and he is looking good for another this year.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, FC Basel and Ajax are the nominees for the Club of the year award.

Below are the categories of awards for the year 2014 but who do you think deserves to win?

Best Player of the Year;

Best Agent of the Year;

Agent Career Award;

Player Career Award;

Best Coach of the Year;

Coach Career Award;

Best Media Attraction in Football;

Best Club of the Year;

Marca Fan’s Favourite Player;

Best Fan of the Year;

Best referee (announced at the end of the most recent edition, in the presence of the refereeing directors from FIFA, Massimo Busacca, and UEFA, Pierluigi Collina);

Best Media Executive.