Sports

Haaland rated best striker in the world ahead of Mbappe

Published

3 months ago

September 10, 2024

Austria head coach, Ralf Ragnick, has said Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has moved ahead of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe in the list of best strikers in the world.

Haaland has begun the 2024-25 season in stunning fashion, having already scored seven times in just three Premier League matches.

Last season, he finished with 38 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions at club level.

On the other hand, Mbappe has found himself under criticism following his underwhelming outing at Euro 2024 with France and a slow start to life in LaLiga.

“Until a few months ago, I would have said that [Haaland] and Mbappe were the best strikers in the world. At the moment, I think Haaland is the best, but that is also because Kylian is not in top form,” Ragnick said ahead of their UEFA Nations League clash with Norway.

“[Haaland] hardly has any weaknesses. For his size, he is extremely fast, agile and has incredible jumping power.”

Sports

Bundesliga: Boniface misses Bayer Leverkusen final game of 2024

Published

20 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Seyi Babalola

Victor Boniface has been ruled out of Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga clash with Freiburg.

Boniface returned to full team training this week after a short injury layoff.

The 23-year-old sustained a muscle injury on international duty last month.

Leverkusen manager, Xabi Alonso stated that the powerful striker has not fully recovered from the injury and will not face Freiburg on Saturday (Saturday).

“Victor Boniface, Amine Adil and Jonas Hoffmann are unavailable for the game due to injuries,” Alonso said during his interaction with the media.

The Nigeria international has scored eight goals in 15 appearances across all competitions for Die Werkself this season.

Sports

FIFA Intercontinental Cup: Ancelotti becomes Real Madrid’s most successful manager

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Seyi Babalola

Carlo Ancelotti has become Real Madrid’s most successful manager after the club defeated Pachuca 3-0 to win the FIFA Intercontinental Cup on Wednesday night.

Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo all scored as Los Blancos clinched their latest piece of silverware.

It is also a record-breaking 15th trophy for Ancelotti with the Spanish giants across two spells.

He has won three Champions League trophies, two La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys, two Spanish Supercopas, three UEFA Super Cups, two Club World Cups, and the Intercontinental Cup.

Ancelotti has surpassed Miguel Muñoz, who led Real Madrid from 1959-1974 and won 14 trophies, including nine league wins and two European Cups.

Sports

Peseiro reveals reason behind Lookman’s impressive form

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Seyi Babalola

Former Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro says Atalanta manager, Gian Piero Gasperini must take credit for Ademola Lookman’s remarkable rise this year.

Lookman has thrived at Atalanta since arriving from Bundesliga outfit, RB Leipzig in 2022.

The 27-year-old has also excelled at the international level, playing a key role in Peseiro’s side that finished second at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

“I think giving Lookman the freedom to move around has allowed him to show his quality, both in terms of decision-making and execution,” Peseiro told Sportitalia.

” Of course, the club and Gasperini have provided Lookman with the environment to grow as a player in all aspects.”

Lookman was named African Footballer of the Year this week.

Peseiro said his former deserved the accolade.

“I think Lookman’s victory is deserved given his performances both for Atalanta, his club and for his country, Nigeria,” added the Portuguese.