Javier Mascherano believes Barcelona’s attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are the best forward line he has seen. Once again the South American trident have been in fantastic form this season for the treble winners, scoring 46 goals between them in all competitions. Mascherano has praised the synergy between the three players on the pitch as Barca continue to impress, but also paid tribute to their chemistry off it. “It’s the best [trio] I have seen,” he told the club’s official website. “To say we will see nothing like it again, you never know. “The most surprising…
Author: David Folami
PSV defender Joshua Brenet hopes to have the opportunity to face Barcelona trio Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in the Champions League. Phillip Cocu’s side booked their spot in the last 16 on Tuesday as a 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow saw them leapfrog Manchester United, who lost 3-2 away at Wolfsburg. Reigning champions Barca have already confirmed their place at the top of their pool ahead of Wednesday’s Group E finale against Bayer Leverkusen, making them potential opponents for the Dutch side in the knockout stages. While 21-year-old Brenet will be happy with any draw, he would love…
Brendan Rodgers would likely still be manager of Liverpool had Luis Suarez not been sold to Barcelona, according to former Uruguay international Gus Poyet. Liverpool finished just two points behind champions Manchester City in 2013-14, with Suarez scoring 31 goals en route to winning the Premier League and PFA player of the year awards. Suarez subsequently left Anfield to join Barcelona and lifted the treble with the Catalans in 2014-15, while Liverpool have since replaced Rogders with Jurgen Klopp following disappointing results in the past year. Poyet has hailed his compatriot for making “football history” alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar…
Lionel Messi believes Barcelona team-mate Neymar has developed into a “more complete” player since their meeting in the Club World Cup final in 2011. The Brazilian was regarded as an unproven teenager when his Santos team took on Pep Guardiola’s Barca four years ago, losing 4-0. However, Neymar has since established himself as one of the world’s top players following his move to Camp Nou, recognised by his inclusion – alongside Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – on the shortlist for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d’Or. And four-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has been impressed by his team-mate’s progress. “A lot…
Former Leicester manager Nigel Pearson thinks the club will keep hold of Jamie Vardy this month and finish in the top four of the Premier League. Leicester have been this season’s surprise package, transforming themselves under the guidance of Pearson’s successor Claudio Ranieri from relegation battlers to title challengers. Vardy has been instrumental in the Foxes’ rise, with his 15 goals making him the division’s joint-leading scorer alongside Everton striker Romelu Lukaku. The 28-year-old’s exploits in front of goal have inevitably led to speculation surrounding his future, with Chelsea and Real Madrid reported to be interested in signing him. But…
Make no bones about it: Manchester City were far from good in their 2-1 victory over Watford on Saturday. When the Hornets scored midway through the second half to take the lead, there were few visiting fans who were expecting to come away from Vicarage Road with three points, yet two moments of brilliance ensured just that. Yaya Toure — who had been underwhelming up to that point — fired in a shot at the near post from a corner, and 2½ minutes later the visitors were in front thanks to a sublime header from Sergio Aguero. The Argentine had…
Arsenal edged to a 1-0 win over Newcastle United at the Emirates on Saturday thanks to a scrappy goal from Laurent Koscielny. After a busy festive period, the Gunners looked somewhat insipid for most of the game, but were able to grab a goal to snatch a vital three points. Steve McClaren’s men will be left ruing a couple of crucial misses, particularly two one-on-one chances either side of halftime. For their part, Arsenal will once again be grateful to Petr Cech, who made several vital saves to help Arsene Wenger’s team to their clean sheet. Arsenal have begun 2016…
Theo Walcott says Arsenal “know what we need to do” to end their long Premier League title drought. Arsene Wenger’s Gunners haven’t lifted the trophy since 2004 but find themselves two points clear atop the table through 20 fixtures. Saturday’s 1-0 win over Newcastle was not Arsenal’s most impressive victory of the season, but Walcott said in the past his side would have dropped points in games like that. “The three points are crucial at this moment in time, especially when teams slip up as well,” he told Arsenal’s website. “We’ve had a blip at times but it’s important that…
Former Netherlands star Ruud Gullit has blamed Memphis Depay’s struggles in his first season at Manchester United on the 21-year-old’s extravagant lifestyle. Depay turned heads last week by arriving at training in a luxury Rolls Royce convertible, just days after his back-pass blunder cost Manchester United in a 2-0 defeat to Stoke. And former Chelsea manager Gullit said the young winger needs to focus on his game. “Memphis should concentrate fully on football,” he wrote in De Telegraaf. “It would be a shame if someone like Memphis is going to be wasted because of all this side stuff. “He has…
Guus Hiddink is backing Eden Hazard to re-discover his best form in 2016, insisting that the Belgian is “very determined” to emerge from his prolonged slump. Hazard won the PFA Player of the Year award as Chelsea surged to the Premier League title last season, but has failed to score in 25 club appearances this term with the Blues languishing in 16th in the table halfway through the domestic campaign. Chelsea’s nightmare run cost Jose Mourinho his job and Hazard was accused by some supporters of lacking commitment after he publicly clashed with the Portuguese in his final weeks, leaving…
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he is not planning to go into coaching once his playing career comes to an end. Ronaldo, 30, gave an interview to El Mundo in which he spoke about what is lying in store for him when he finally hangs up his boots. The Portugal captain said he will likely retire within five to 10 years, but that he has no desire to become a coach when that day comes around. “There is another life afterwards,” he said. “I think it will be difficult for me at first, but if you ask me now…
Manuel Pellegrini sent a warning out to the Premier League that Manchester City are ready to hit top gear in the title race after ending their away-day misery at Watford. Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero earned a 2-1 comeback win on Saturday as Manchester City won on the road for the first time since September 12. Despite their travel sickness, Pellegrini’s side remain just three points off leaders Arsenal. And the Manchester City manager said: “We are returning to our form by recovering important players and once they are 100 per cent fit the team will improve every game. “We…
Atletico Madrid moved two points clear of Barca at the top of the table, having played a game more, thanks to substitute Thomas Partey’s late winner to edge past Levante 1-0. Real Madrid now trail Atletico by five points ahead of their trip to Valencia on Sunday. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez hit the woodwork for Barcelona either side of halftime, but Espanyol’s physical approach was rewarded with a first point against Barca in eight matches. “The result in general was fair based on what both teams created, although I thought we had a lot of chances,” said Barca boss…
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has demanded more from his side in the second half of the season despite looking down on Spanish football’s perennial powerhouses Barcelona and Real Madrid. Thomas Partey’s late winner in a 1-0 victory over Levante on Saturday moved Los Rojiblancos two points clear of European champions Barcelona at the top of the table, albeit having played a game more. Real meanwhile trail their city rivals by five points ahead of their trip to Valencia on Sunday. Atletico’s success so far this season has been built on a rock solid defence that has conceded just eight…
World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed he will “live like a king” once his playing career comes to an end, but has ruled out a move into coaching when he hangs up his boots. Real Madrid’s all-time leading scorer is in action on Sunday as Los Blancos look to move level with eternal rivals Barcelona in the La Liga title race at Valencia. However, in a wide-ranging interview with Spanish newspaper El Mundo, he admitted football doesn’t always captivate his interest. “I have a top life, but I think I am going to enjoy it more when…
Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville is not targeting a long-term career in management and says he is “relaxed” about how long he stays at the helm of Spanish side Valencia. The England assistant coach made a surprise move to Valencia last month to take up his first managerial post until the end of the season, but insists his future lies in other projects. “I’m not going to say where I want to end up, and it isn’t in management or head coaching, so I want to be clear about that,” Neville, who has been linked as a…
Nigerian pop singer Yemi Alade has just lost her father. Information reaching us says her father passed away sometime this week. Speaking exclusively to Theinfostride, Yemi Alade’s manager Taiye Aliyu confirmed the news. No further information has been released. Yemi Alade has had a fantastic run since the release of her breakout single ‘Johnny’ late 2013. In 2014, she released her debut album ‘King of Queens’. She won a lot of awards in 2014 making her one of the top female artistes in the country. We will keep you updated on this story when we get more information.
Ever wondered the secret to Wizkid’s seemingly never-ending string of hits? Well its pretty easy, the ‘Jaiye Jaiye’ singer keeps things simple and uncomplicated at all times, so says Triple MG act, Tekno. In a recent chat, Tekno who shared the inspiration behind his hugely successful single, ‘Dance’ revealed that he was gunning for something uncomplicated and easy to sing along to, not unlike his fellow artiste, Wizkid. “Nigerians don’t really like complicated things, that’s why Wizkid keeps getting it everytime because he comes easy. His tracks are something that if you hear now, you can sing to it later…
Artiste under the Made Men Music Group Tekno Miles is the owner of a brand new black Range Rover. The blonde haired artiste who recently released new song ‘Anything’ shared the photo of his new whip on Instagram saying “If it’s not black, it’s not mine”. Theinfostride reached out to his manager Ubi Franklin who confirmed that indeed Tekno, whose real name is Augustine Miles Kelechi owns the Range Rover. Congratulations to him.
Snoop Lion has confessed to smoking drugs in the bathroom of the US President’s home – White House – while chatting with TV host, Jimmy Kimmel on his online show, Double G News Network (GGN). The 42 year old rapper said he ‘got help from the CIA or the FBI. The alphabet boys’ who allegedly helped him light a spliff. A report claims “The Drop It while Its Hot” crooner mentioned that a guard aided to light up after the he claimed he needed one to mask the smell of his Doggy business. “I said, may I use the bathroom…