Lionel Messi: Argentina forward retires from international football

Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international duty after missing in a penalty shootout as Argentina lost a fourth major final in nine years.

"It's not meant for me. For me the national team is over. I've done all I can, it hurts not to be a champion," the 29-year-old said after defeat by Chile at the Copa America.With Barcelona, Messi has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.

But his only major international honour is 2008 Olympic gold.Argentina were beaten 1-0 in the 2014 World Cup final by Germanybefore two Copa America final defeats by Chile on penalties. Messi was also on the losing side against Brazil in the 2007 Copa America final.

"It's been four finals, I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's over," he added.

"I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, and then for everyone. I think there's a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it.'

"It's very hard, but the decision is taken. Now I will not try more and there will be no going back."Messi had scored five times at the tournament, including a superb free-kick in the semi-final against hosts the USA to become his country's record scorer with 55 goals.

Argentina and Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero said he hoped Messi would "reflect" on his decision and reconsider, adding: "I think he spoke while he was heated, because a beautiful opportunity escaped us. I can't imagine a national team without Messi."

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero described the mood in the Argentina dressing room as "the worst I've ever been in", and was quoted by South American media as saying: "There are several players who are evaluating not continuing with the national team."

Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international duty after missing in a penalty shootout as Argentina lost a fourth major final in nine years.

"It's not meant for me. For me the national team is over. I've done all I can, it hurts not to be a champion," the 29-year-old said after defeat by Chile at the Copa America.With Barcelona, Messi has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.

But his only major international honour is 2008 Olympic gold.

Argentina were beaten 1-0 in the 2014 World Cup final by Germanybefore two Copa America final defeats by Chile on penalties. Messi was also on the losing side against Brazil in the 2007 Copa America final.

"It's been four finals, I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's over," he added.

"I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, and then for everyone. I think there's a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it.'

"It's very hard, but the decision is taken. Now I will not try more and there will be no going back."

Messi had scored five times at the tournament, including a superb free-kick in the semi-final against hosts the USA to become his country's record scorer with 55 goals.

Argentina and Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero said he hoped Messi would "reflect" on his decision and reconsider, adding: "I think he spoke while he was heated, because a beautiful opportunity escaped us. I can't imagine a national team without Messi."

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero described the mood in the Argentina dressing room as "the worst I've ever been in", and was quoted by South American media as saying: "There are several players who are evaluating not continuing with the national team."

After Sunday's match finished 0-0 in 120 minutes, Chile won 4-2 on penalties.

Messi's miss was Argentina's first attempt in the shootout and it ballooned over the bar after Romero had denied Chile's Arturo Vidal.

Lucas Biglia also missed from 12 yards, with Chilean substitute Francisco Silva scoring the decisive spot-kick in the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Messi made his debut for Argentina in 2005, going on to make 113 appearances.

For Barca he has scored 453 times in 531 games, including a La Liga record 312 goals. He has won the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player five times.

In 2014 he was named as the best player at the World Cup, with then-Fifa president Sepp Blatter saying he was "a little bit surprised" and Argentina legend Diego Maradona calling the decision "unfair".

Argentina are already six games into their qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup. They are third in the table, two points behind leaders Uruguay.

The top four teams progress automatically to the finals in Russia, while the team finishing fifth qualifies for a two-legged play-off against the best team from Oceania.

source:bbc.com

Shareef O'Neal, Shaq's 6-7 son, working on his own legacy

Even to the teenage girls in the back hallways of Rancho Mirage High School Saturday afternoon, he’s a household name.

Well, his last name, anyway. Shareef O’Neal, son of future NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, still has work left to do to make even the casual basketball fan know him as more than just The Big Aristotle’s slightly shorter son. But he’s got the body, the pedigree and the time to do just that.

“I want to be able to do it all: shoot, bring the ball up, be in the post,” said the sophomore forward for the Windward Wildcats. “I know my dad has the same goal for me, too. He doesn’t want me to just be a guy in the post.”

Saturday in the first round of the MaxPreps Holiday Classic Open Division tournament, the Jonesboro Cardinals—the back-to-back defending Georgia AAAA state champs—kept O’Neal’s lanky frame at bay before cruising to a 67-49 victory.

Too often, Jonseboro sophomores Jamari Smith (6-foot-4) and Jamari Mosely (6-foot-6) managed to grab rebounds away from the outstretched finger tips of O’Neal. Sometimes O’Neal was completely out of position.

He only got on the board with two free throws in the final minute of the half—the first time he used his size to get to the line all afternoon. The pair of swishes sent the Wildcats into the locker room down 37-27.

“I don’t think we came out with the same intensity we usually do,” O’Neal said. “I could have brought more of my regular self into the game. I know we needed a lot more of that.”

The Cardinals’ sought-after swingman MJ Walker, the 6-foot-4 junior shooting guard, took over the third quarter, scoring the bulk of his game-high 25 points. Walker’s speed and shifty ball-handling skills allowed him to wiz by and around O’Neal in the paint, and his four 3-pointers allowed Jonesboro to pull away with a 56-35 lead after the third quarter.

At times, O’Neal showed an amazing resemblance to his father, whose storied NBA career includes four NBA titles, one league MVP, three NBA Finals MVP distinctions and two league scoring titles. His dunk with 5:08 left in the third quarter, sent echoes throughout the gym.

In fact, “Shareef” and “Shaquille” sound fairly similar as they’re sent booming through the speakers.

But the younger O’Neal prides himself in being everything his dad wasn’t, too.

“I do have a shot, unlike he does,” said Shareef after the game with a chuckle.

After three narrowly missed attempts earlier in the game, Shareef sunk a 3-pointer with just over two minutes left in the game with a stroke as smooth as anyone’s. He finished with 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and a block.

Shaq made just one 3-pointer during his 19 NBA seasons.

His son’s 4-of-5 free throw shooting was proof enough teams later this week and beyond won’t be employing a “hack-a-Shareef” technique any time soon.

Windward High School forward Shareef O’Neal in action against Jonesboro on Saturday at Rancho Mirage High School during the MaxPreps Holiday Classic. (Photo: Richard Lui/The Desert Sun)

The younger O’Neal said he’s tried to fashion his game after perennial NBA All-Star Kevin Durant and up-and-comer Anthony Davis after growing four inches over the past year. His confidence dribbling through the lane, shooting from beyond the arc and throwing down the occasional dunk prove it.

At the heart, O’Neal is still just a high school basketball player, not unlike the thousands flocking the Coachella Valley this week. Unlike the rest, he has a legacy that preceded him, one that kept some eyes glued to the entrance of the gym he was playing in, hoping his father might make an appearance.

That kind of pressure isn’t easy.

 “It’s kinda overwhelming, but I just have to play my game,” Shareef said. “I can’t get distracted by the crowd or whatever they say.”

When his dad is able to come watch O’Neal in between his busy schedule on air with TNT, Shareef said he looks forward to the hugs from The Diesel himself, no matter what kind of game he has.

But Saturday, two high school-age girls greeted him, instead, asking for a picture. Shareef obliged, then walked of down the hallway.

“That was so cool. We may never see him again,” they whispered to each other.

But if The Little Aristotle matures and evolves like his father, look for him of a TV screen and in gyms much larger very soon.

source: usatoday

Jordan ranks strike against Newcastle one of his best

Jordan Ayew has described his stunning finish for Aston Villa in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle on Saturday as one of his best goals ever.

The 24-year-old has clearly been Villa’s breakaway performer in recent weeks as they struggle to beat the drop in the Premier League.

Ayew rescued a point for Remi Garde’s side with a spectacular strike at St. James’ Park to draw praise from the manager and the entire sporting world.

The Ghana international admits the well-controlled strike on Saturday ranks amongst his best goals thus far in his career.

“I think that was one of my best goals,” the former Olympique Marseille man said after the game.

Ayew, who has now raised his tally to four, keeps getting let down by Villa’s poor defending.

They have not won a Premier League match since the opening day as they keep shipping in goals.

Ayew, however, during this period, has recovered from a difficult start since arriving from Lorient in the summer to be the biggest performer in the side.


source:ghanaweb.com

Ayew reveals Gomis talks before Chelsea clash

Ghana ace Andre Ayew has revealed French international ‘talked a lot with him’ before his English Premier League debut at Chelsea on Saturday.

The 25-year-old former Olympique Marseille star marked his Premier League debut with a fabulous stab as he inspired the Swans to hold Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at the Stamford Bridge.

Andre exhibited great composure and tenacity to he applied a scooping stab in a third attempt to beat Courtois in the Chelsea goal to level the scoring for the Welsh side after Brazilian Oscar had struck the opener for the league champions.

The Ghana deputy captain admits it was a tough debut and feels lucky to to have scored on his debut, he reveals the impact of Gomis on his debut.

“This is quite different from the French league. Bafi [Gomis] spoke to me a lot before the game. I will be getting better with few games to come,” he revealed in the post-match interview.

Andre played against Gomis on a number of occasions when the pair were in France with Gomis leading the lines at Olympique Lyon while Andre featured for Marseille.

source:ghanawe.com

Kevin Prince Boateng joins Sporting Lisbon

Kevin-Prince Boateng will sign for Sporting Lisbon today according to leading Portuguese outlet A Bola.

The former Portsmouth and AC Milan midfielder is jetting into Portugal to sign a two-year deal with the Lions.

He was let go by Schalke at the end of last season and has been linked with several clubs during the transfer window though he has struggled to reach an agreement with any of them due to his high wage demands.

The midfielder earns in the region of 8 million euros a year and it is unlikely the Portuguese club will pay the high wages.

source: ghanawe.com

'I haven't robbed anyone' - Gyan attacks Shanghai move sceptics

 The Ghana captain says that he is only interested in making money for his family after signing a contract with a Chinese club worth €325,000 per week


Asamoah Gyan is baffled by criticism of the lucrative deal he has signed with Shanghai SIPG, pointing out that he hasn't robbed anyone of their money.
The Ghana captain last week signed a two-year contract with the Chinese Super League outfit that will reportedly earn him €325,000 per week, making him one of the top 10 best-paid players on the planet.
Gyan has been attacked in some quarters for accepting another big-money deal - after leaving Sunderland for UAE outfit Al-Ain 2012 - but he says that he is merely doing right by his loved ones.
"I don't understand the criticism," the 29-year-old striker told BBC Sport. "I work hard for what I earn. I am focused on my job.
"It is not as if I am doing anything illegal or robbing people of their money.
"I have learned to turn the negatives into positives and so I make my decisions and understand that everyone works for money.
"At the end of my career, people will not criticise me anymore. They will move on to the next person.
"And at the end of my career the most important thing will be how well I did for myself, my family and those closest to me.
"This time is my era so I have to make sure I make the most of it."
Gyan has been capped 90 times by his country, scoring 48 times in the process, which is a Black Stars record.


source: goal.com

Dortmund: Aubameyang not for sale

 Aubameyang 

 

The Signal Iduna Park CEO has warned Arsenal and PSG that there is no way BVB will be cashing in on their star attacker.

 Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain have been warned off bidding for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang by Borussia Dortmund boss Hans-Joachim Watzke, who stressed the striker is not for sale.

The rapid attacker joined Signal Iduna Park from Saint-Etienne two years ago and was one of the positive aspects of BVB's topsy-turvy 2014-15, scoring 25 goals in 46 appearances.Aubameyang's performances have roused interest from Premier League title fighters Arsenal and Ligue 1 champions PSG, both of whom are in the market for a new forward.But Dortmund CEO Watzke claims new coach Thomas Tuchel will not be stripped of the versatile attacker, despite being without Champions League football for 2015-16."Aubameyang stays with us this season," the club chief told Bild am Sonntag amid rumours that Arsenal are willing to bid €40 million. "He's not for sale!"

The Gabon international is reportedly set to be offered a new contract – which currently runs out in 2018 – and will see his salary increased by €1m.With Ciro Immobile loaned to Sevilla for the season, Dortmund are throwing their faith behind Aubameyang as their attacking star this coming campaign.

 source: goal.com

Agyemang-Badu returns to Udinese

 Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has returned to Udinese to join their pre-season preparations despite heightened reports of his imminent departure.

The 24-year-old took part in his first summer pre-season training with Zebrette on Thursday having arrived in Italy the night before.Badu had been in his native Ghana on holidays.
He however during this period, made a quick return trip to the UK to hold talks with Stoke City over a move.The 2009 U20 World Cup is expected to join the English club but has insisted no deal is in place.He has now joined his team for pre-season training.

source: ghanaweb.com

Appiah reveals "I could have become an armed robber"

 Stephen Appiah has revealed he is good friends with notorious armed robber Atta Ayi and could have easily become a criminal himself if not for football.
The 34-year-old is one of the most loved personalities in Ghana due to his selfless dedication with the Black Stars.Appiah, born and bred in Chorkor revealed he could nearly have become a social vice just like his childhood friend Atta Ayi who is currently doing time in the Nsawam Prison.“I always say that if I had not become a footballer then I would have been an armed robber,” Appiah told Starr FM in an extensive interview with Bola Ray.“I went to Nsawam Prison for a program and 15% of the inmates were my friends in Chorkor.“The Atta Ayi that many people talk about was my friend. I ate with him in Chorkor.“Most of my friends I grew up with at Chorkor are now criminals, mad or even dead while robbing.”

Appiah officially hanged up his boots from active football earlier this year and had a good send off in a highly patronized testimonial game organized by Primeval Media.

source:ghanaweb.com

Gyan assures Shanghai SIPG "I am here to win"

Asamoah Gyan says he is determined to win titles with Shanghai SIPG at his official unveiling on Wednesday.The 29-year-old has signed a two-year contract to join the ambitious Chinese club from Al Ain.Gyan was officially out-doored as the club’s new signing at a ceremony on Wednesday afternoon where he declared his intentions of helping the club to grab all the titles it can.
“I am here to win,” Gyan said.“The target is to help the side achieve all of its objectives and that is what I am here for. I want to be able to help the side become successful.”

The former Sunderland hitman could make his Shanghai SIPG debut as early as Thursday when the side hosts Tianjin Teda in a league game.

source: ghanaweb.com

Kevin Boateng rejects China's offers

Ghana international midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has rejected offers to join Black Stars captain in China, according to his agent. A number of Chinese clubs have expressed interests in signing Boateng but his agent Edoardo Crnjar has stated Boateng wants to play for a top club and is not interested in a move to the Asian country.Boateng, 28, has been left out of the Schalke pre-season squad and is looking for a new club.
Turkish giants Galatasaray and AC Milan have all been linked with the former Portsmouth midfielder but there is no concrete offer yet.

source: ghanaweb.com(http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Kevin-Boateng-rejects-China-offers-367974)

Brazil's Neymar banned for rest of Copa America

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Brazilian star Neymar was banned for the rest of the Copa America on Friday, stripping the tournament of one of its biggest stars.

A disciplinary panel of the South American confederation ruled that he must sit out four games for his conduct in a match against Colombia, when he was sent off after the final whistle.

The Barcelona forward was also fined $10,000.

Brazil will appeal the ruling.

Neymar picked up a red card after apparently kicking the ball toward Colombia's Pablo Armero after the referee had blown the whistle in Colombia's 1-0 victory on Wednesday. He also appeared to head-butt another player who came to confront him, and Brazilian media said he confronted the referee before going into the change-rooms.

Colombia's Carlos Bacca shoved Neymar from behind during the altercation and also was sent off after the match. He was banned for two matches on Friday.

Neymar picked up a red card after apparently kicking the ball toward Colombia's Pablo Armero after the referee had blown the whistle in Colombia's 1-0 victory on Wednesday. He also appeared to head-butt another player who came to confront him, and Brazilian media said he confronted the referee before going into the change-rooms.

Colombia's Carlos Bacca shoved Neymar from behind during the altercation and also was sent off after the match. He was banned for two matches on Friday.

Neymar had already been shown a yellow card during the game, which would've been enough to keep him from playing in the key group match against Venezuela on Sunday. He had received his first yellow card of the tournament in Brazil's opening 2-1 win over Peru. Players are automatically suspended with two yellow cards.

Brazil, which has been heavily dependent on Neymar, could still be eliminated depending on its result against Venezuela on Sunday. If it advances to the knockout round, it could play three more games. If Brazil doesn't make it to the final, Neymar's suspension will be extended into the next Copa America.

All four teams in Group C have three points each heading into the final round. The top two teams in each of the three Copa America groups advance, in addition to the two-best third-place finishers.

Neymar arrived at the South American tournament boosted by the Champions League title with Barcelona and was carrying Brazil's hopes for a title in its first official competition since the World Cup at home last year.

The 23-year-old forward also couldn't play in the decisive stages of the World Cup after injuring his back in the quarterfinal against Colombia. Without Neymar, Brazil was humiliated in a 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semifinals and lost 3-0 to the Netherlandsin the third-place game.

Neymar was key for Brazil in the opening win against Peru in this year's Copa America, scoring a goal and setting up the last-minute winner by Douglas Costa. He struggled against Colombia, though, and appeared nervous from the start. He got into several confrontations with the Colombian players and constantly complained to Chilean referee Enrique Osses.

After the match, Neymar said everything was caused by a "weak referee."

He loudly complained of the yellow card he received during the match after the ball bounced off his hand inside the area, saying the touch was involuntary.

Neymar's substitute in Brazil's squad has not been announced yet, but veteran strikerRobinho is expected to take his spot in the attack.

source: usatoday/sports.

Abby Wambach announces 2015 Women's World Cup will be her last

EDMONTON, Alberta – Abby Wambach announced on Sunday that the current Women's World Cup will be the last of her glittering career.

Wambach is the United States' all-time leading scorer with 183 international goals and though it was considered unlikely that she would return to the tournament again in four years' time, she had previously refused to categorically rule out staying on until 2019.

However, that changed just 24 hours before the U.S. takes on Colombia in the round of 16 on Monday. If the South American team pulls off a major upset, it would be the end of Wambach's dream to add a World Cup to her long list of accomplishments.

"When I am on the field it is definitely all about business but this being my last World Cup I do want to stop and smell the roses at certain moments," Wambach said, admitted that following last Tuesday's victory over Nigeria she had ruefully reflected that the game would be her last ever World Cup group match. "For me that's what makes these tournament so awesome is that every continual game the stakes get higher, the pressure gets steeper.

"Whether you want to look at it as stress or pressure, however you want to put it, for me these are the moments of my life that I treasure."

Wambach is no longer the physical force of her prime, but remains a threat on aerial crosses and set plays. She captained the U.S. for its victories against Australia and Nigeria in Group D, and came on as a second half substitute in the 0-0 draw against Sweden

it is likely that Wambach will attempt to play another Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next summer, form and fitness permitting. She helped the team to gold in 2004 and 2012, missed the Games in 2008, and came desperately close to winning the World Cup in 2011.

Her remarks on Sunday reflected a sense of sadness that the end of the road is approaching, but also a realization that the end of the current campaign is the right time to end her World Cup career.

"I want to not only be able to share it with the fans and the millions of people watching and my teammates and my coaching staff, but the people who have been on my side and by my side to get me here," she added. "It hasn't always been easy. We sacrifice a lot. We are on the road for a lot of days of the year – it doesn't make it easy on any relationship whether it be a marriage or families or whatever."

Wambach married former professional player Sarah Huffman in 2013. She has spoken of her wish to become a mother and told USA TODAY Sports before the tournament that she was aware that the inevitable aging process meant retirement could be looming.

"We do live in a fixed period of time as a professional and our careers are very short," Wambach said. "You always have to be very mindful of the fact that it could be over tomorrow."

She, and the U.S.. hopes that "tomorrow" doesn't arrive for at least two more weeks.

source:usatoday

Chelsea literally parks bus to celebrate championship and enrage everyone

It’s no secret that in some of their biggest matches, Chelsea has elected to play an ultra-conservative, ultra-defensive style to frustrate opponents and ensure they do not concede goals. This is a very boring style. It’s not fun to watch, and also extremely effective.

Chelsea has won the Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup in recent years employing said strategy, aptly described as “parking the bus.” This year, they’ve managed to win the Premier League title with a month left in the season. Parked bus or not, 2014-15 was highly impressive.
Also impressive, the work of Chelsea’s social media team, ahead of the club’s victory bus ride.





This is a quality trolling and should be celebrated and applauded. It should also be printed out and put in every other Premier League club’s locker room for next year because this simply cannot be allowed to happen ever again.

source: usatoday