Sports
Alejandro Garnacho’s bicycle kick wins 2024 FIFA Puskás Award
Alejandro Garnacho’s breathtaking bicycle kick against Everton has officially been crowned the 2024 FIFA Puskás Award winner, recognising the most spectacular goal of the year.
The Manchester United forward’s acrobatic effort, which left fans and pundits in awe, has etched his name into football history.
A Premier League video statement and announcement revealed this on Tuesday night.
The Manchester United winger’s breathtaking bicycle kick against Everton in November 2023 has now earned global recognition, solidifying its place in football history.
A club statement obtained from its website also disclosed this.
The announcement was made by football legend Alessandro Del Piero at The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar.
Garnacho’s stunning strike, which had already claimed Manchester United’s Goal of the Season and the Premier League’s Goal of the Season for 2023/24, has now been deemed the very best in the world during the August 2023 to August 2024 qualifying period.
Reflecting on the incredible goal, Manchester United praised Garnacho’s moment of magic:
“Our no.17’s goal was simply stunning, as he somehow contorted his body to connect with Diogo Dalot’s cross in the early stages of our meeting with the Merseysiders.
The timing couldn’t have been any more perfect, leaving Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford helpless and all those in attendance – and watching on screens further afield – open-mouthed at the sheer brilliance of what they’d just witnessed.”
Garnacho’s achievement carries historic weight for the club. He becomes only the second Manchester United player to win the prestigious Puskás Award, following in the footsteps of his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.
United’s former iconic no.7 was the first-ever recipient of the award in 2009 for his long-range strike against Porto in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Manchester United celebrated the milestone, emphasizing the caliber of past winners:
“Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar, Mohamed Salah, and Son Heung-min are among the iconic names to have followed in Ronaldo’s footsteps in the intervening years, although there have been some less-heralded winners, given the award’s nature, as it encompasses all levels of senior football.”
The voting process for the award was a combination of fan participation and deliberation by a panel of FIFA legends. Garnacho’s strike ultimately rose above 10 other nominated goals to claim the accolade, a testament to its technical brilliance and the moment’s significance.
The club concluded their statement with a message of pride and gratitude:
“Well done to our no.17 and thanks to all those who supported him. It’s a goal that we’ll cherish for years to come.”
For Garnacho, this recognition is not just a personal triumph but a moment of inspiration for Manchester United fans worldwide, celebrating what will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable goals in recent football history.
News
Haaland signs 10-year contract with Manchester City
By Francesca Hangeior.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2034, the club announced on Friday.
The 24-year-old Norwegian, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, has been a pivotal figure in the club’s recent successes.
His initial contract was set to expire in 2027, but the new deal reflects the club’s confidence in Haaland’s importance to their future.
“Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year Manchester City contract, keeping him at the Club until the summer of 2034,” the statement said.
Reflecting on the new contract, Haaland expressed his delight at extending his stay.
“I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club.
“Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters, and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody,” he said.
Haaland thanked his teammates, manager Pep Guardiola, and the City staff, stating, “They have made this such a special place to be, and now I am City no matter what. I want to keep developing, keep working to get better, and help us achieve more success going forward.”
Since his arrival, Haaland’s impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. In his debut 2022/23 season, he scored 52 goals across all competitions, the highest-ever tally by a Premier League player in a single season, breaking the previous league record of 36 goals.
His goals were instrumental in City’s historic treble-winning campaign, which included the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles.
In addition to collective success, Haaland garnered numerous individual accolades in his debut season, including the PFA Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year awards.
Despite an injury that sidelined him for nearly two months during the 2023/24 season, Haaland continued his prolific form, scoring 38 goals in 45 appearances, including 27 in the Premier League, securing a second consecutive Golden Boot.
Sports
SAD: Footballer slumps, dies during match in Osun
By Francesca Hangeior.
Osun State Police Command has confirmed the death of Adeyemi Adewale, a football player for the Ilesa West Local Government Area team, who slumped during a match in Osogbo, the state capital.
Adewale, 29, was participating in the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final match at the Ataoja School of Science on Thursday when he collapsed on the field.
Efforts to save him proved futile as he was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead upon arrival.
Spokesperson for the Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident in a statement, adding that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death have commenced.
“Today, (Thursday) while the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final match was going on at Ataoja School of Science, one Adeyemi Adewale ‘M’ 29yrs, a player of Ilesa West Football team, slumped on the pitch.
“He was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead by a doctor,” the statement said.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the teaching hospital’s morgue.
Sports
Remarkable Comeback As Amad Diallo 12 Minute Hat-trick Seals Victory For Manchester United Vs Southampton
Three late goals from Amad Diallo dragged a below-par Manchester United to a 3-1 comeback victory over Southampton in the Premier League on Thursday.
Amad Diallo proved the saviour for Manchester United once again as they came from behind to sneak a late win against basement club Southampton.
United will have fancied their chances of getting back to winning ways against bottom of the table Southampton, but the hosts were second best from the off, deservedly falling behind to a Manuel Ugarte own goal just before halftime.
Staring down the barrel of another home defeat, United upped the ante after the break, getting back on level terms through Diallo eight minutes from time, before the Ivorian completed the turnaround in the 90th minute.
Amad Diallo is the hero for the hosts, his hat-trick getting them out of a huge hole against a Southampton team who deserved more than they got from the game.
An absorbing and entertaining game ends in a home victory.
Manchester United and Ruben Amorim have Amad Diallo to thank for saving their blushes.
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