German Defender Hints He Would Be Open to Joining Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool

 

 

Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes has hinted he could be interested in joining fellow countryman Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, according to ​Bild.

Howedes has spent his entire career with the German outfit but has been linked with a move to the Premier League on a number of occasions - with Arsenal recently considered a prime candidate to sign him.

However, the 27-year-old confirmed he turned down offers from the Gunners and AC Milan in the summer in favour of staying put.
According to ​Sky Sports, he had said: "Arsenal and AC Milan were really keen on my services. But I have decided in favour of Schalke."

However, in a recent interview with Bild he confirmed that he would consider a move away from his homeland now if the chance came his way, naming England as a potential destination.

Howedes says Liverpool and English football are now privileged to have a man like Klopp in their league, and while he stopped short of confirming that he would definitely like to move to Liverpool, the player spoke highly of the club's history. He did however stress that there are no ongoing talks or potential deals on the table.




“English football is very fortunate to have someone like Klopp in the league, Liverpool is a club with great tradition and values.”

Klopp was appointed Liverpool's manager last week, while he has been preparing his team throughout the last few days ahead of his first Premier League match in charge of the Merseysiders.

Liverpool face Tottenham at White Hart Lane in Saturday's early kick off, however they will now be without Joe Gomez and Danny Ings, who could each miss the rest of the season.

 

  

Barcelona announced on Sunday evening that they had to come an agreement with Europa League winners Sevilla for the transfer of midfielder Aleix Vidal.

The 25-year-old is set to undergo a medical before being presented at the Camp Nou on Monday, according to a statement on the club's ​official website.

Aleix Vidal set to sign for Barça on Monday http://t.co/SdGdVHDpJu pic.twitter.com/ecmW4uqfeU

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) June 7, 2015

The 25-year-old wing-back is set to sign a five-year deal at the Camp Nou to keep him at Barcelona until 2020.

There was no mention of the transfer ban the club are supposed to be restricted by, but is expected that Vidal will join Barca in January when the ban is due to be lifted.

Vidal has only been with the Andalusian-based side since last summer after signing from Almeria for €3m. The 25-year-old has been a key player in Sevilla's Europa League triimuph this season, making 47 appearances in all competitions, scoring six and assisting 11 more.

The imminent signing of Vidal will surely cast more doubt on Dani Alves' future at the Catalan club, especially given the Brazilian's comments following the Champions League final that he would welcome a move to AC Milan.

Alves' contract expires at the end of the month and has refused to pen to paper on a new deal, reportedly citing the club's lack of respect towards him as a reason for leaving Barcelona after seven years.

 

Premier League Clubs Alerted by Zlatan Availability

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ByAiden Cusick

on8 Jun 2015

​ Premier League clubs are on alert after Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic decided he has had enough in the French capital, according to ​the Independent.

The Sweden international, 33, will reportedly seek a move away from the Parc des Princes over the summer and is thought to prefer a return to former club AC Milan.

Arsenal are allegedly keen on Ibrahimovic, who could cost as little as £11m due to his waning contract situation, while both Chelsea and Liverpool are understood to have expressed an interest.

The Gunners are believed to be in the market for a new centre-forward to take them to the next level but whether manager Arsene Wenger would fancy a player of Ibrahimovic's character remains to be seen.

Wenger famously missed out on Ibrahimovic in 2000, when the then 19-year-old turned down his offer of a trial.

Speaking in 2012, the player said: “Arsene gave me the famous red and white jersey - the No. 9 shirt with Ibrahimovic on it and I was so pleased I even posed for a picture wearing it.

“It was a fantastic moment for me. Arsenal had a great team then and here was an Arsenal shirt made just for me.

“So then I waited for him to convince me that I should join Arsenal. But he didn't even try.

“He never actually made me a serious offer, it was more, ‘I want to see how good you are, what kind of player you are. Have a trial’.

“I couldn't believe it. I was like, ‘No way, Zlatan doesn't do auditions’.

“I thought ‘You either know me or you don't and if you don't know me you can't really want me’.”

PSG are thought to be looking to the future beyond Ibrahimovic, who has a fractured relationship with fellow striker Edinson Cavani - another reported Arsenal target.

Ibrahimovic, who is yet to play in England, has won league titles with every club he's been at - including Milan, Ajax, Juventus and Barcelona - since leaving Malmo 14 years ago.

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REAL MADRID fans hurled abuse and attacked Gareth Bale's car after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona last night.

Madrid supporters waited for the stars to arrive back at their Valdebebas training ground and vented their frustrations by hurling abuse at their own team.
Spanish television channel Cuatro captured one fan throwing punches at Bale's white Bentley while the Welshman attempted to drive home.
Team-mate Jese rolled down his window to confront the unhappy fans, but continued driving to avoid the same fate as Bale.

     

Vice captain Sergio Ramos blasted the fans for their actions, he said: "What’s the matter? Do you think that’s the right attitude?"
Bale has repeatedly been booed by sections of the Bernabeu crowd, and described as a selfish player - so tensions were already high.
It could have been a completely different story had Bale's goal not been incorrectly given offside.

THERE won’t be many things Brendan Rodgers and Siegfried and Roy have in common.

But one thing the Liverpool boss and the Las Vegas entertainers do is trying to tame something that simply does not want to be told what to do.
Siegfried and Roy trained tigers for a famous show at the Mirage in the capital of gambling that drew in millions over a decade ago.
But it all came to an end when one tiger took a chunk out of Roy Horn’s throat and almost killed him back in 2003 live on stage.
Kop boss Rodgers’ life is certainly not on the line, but trying to keep Mario Balotelli in check has been a right pain in his neck.

      

The manic striker caused yet another stir on Thursday night when he took the ball from stand-in skipper Jordan Henderson for their late penalty against Besiktas in the Europa League last-32 clash.
Balotelli calmly slotted home the winner as the whole of Anfield watched from behind their fingers.
Rodgers insisted there was no issue after the game, but skipper Steven Gerrard’s claim from the punditry box made it clear that team orders were broken by the Italian.
Gerrard insisted Henderson should have been the penalty taker and Balotelli was again the centre of attention not only for his winning goal.
Henderson was the designated spot-kick taker for the game, he was the one who got the ball, he wanted to step up.

    

But Balotelli does not play by the rules, or orders from above on this occasion.
Rodgers reckoned he could tame the former AC Milan striker when he spent £16m on him in the summer as he searched desperately for a front man.
But many believed he bit off more than he could chew as he struggled with form on the pitch and rumblings of off-field issues would not go away.
Siegfried and Roy called a halt to their show when an untameable tiger tucked in, but even they could not help bringing “Mantecore” back for a swansong show some years later.
Balotelli’s Liverpool career looked over until recently when Rodgers turned to him once more as just like the Vegas duo, the Kop boss wanted to gamble again.

   

The Nigeria topflight league is billed to commence in the first week of March according to the League Management Company

The League Management Company has fixed March 7, 2015 as the date for the commencement of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for the 2014/2015 season.
The LMC recently gave two options of January 21 and March 7 for the start of hostilities and circulars were sent to various clubs for them to choose the more preferred of both dates but the league body has opted for the latter with a fresh date for the start of the 2015 general elections being fingered as the brain behind the new development.
Owing to this, the LMC has announced a registration deadline of February 20 for clubs to submit their licensing documents for the new season or risks severe sanctions.

The documents expected to be submitted by the 20 clubs in the top flight include proof of no debts carried over, financial guarantee and medical passport of players.

The LMC Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salihu Abubakar announced this and said the clubs have been put on the alert that mid-week fixtures will hold to accommodate the socio-political developments in the country.

“As part of the registration process for the new season, Clubs are to mandatorily provide a quarterly Financial Performance Guarantee of N50m which is a condition for licensing to participate in the league. Clubs that are in a position to provide a one-off Performance Guarantee of N200m is also encouraged to do so”, Abubakar stated.

The league organizer further disclosed that clubs in the elite division must provide their  Financial Performance Guarantee on or before March 5, if they are to be considered among the 20 to vie for points.
Kano Pillars are the defending champions of the league and they have emerged victorious since the last three seasons while Enyimba and Warri Wolves came second and third last season.

 

Thibaut Courtois could be lining up for Real Madrid next season with the Spanish giants said to be lining up a deal for Chelsea’s No.1.
According to reports in Spain,it suggested the Los Galaticos are lining up a summer bid for the Blues’ Belgium shot-stopper.
Courtois, who rose to success with Madrid rivals Atletico, has becomes first-choice since returning from a loan spell with the La Liga outfit this season – with such performances not going unnoticed over at the Bernabeu.
With Iker Casillas making another howler during the 4-0 drubbing at Atletico at the weekend, the Italian may well want to put a fresh pair of hand between the posts.
And although Chelsea will not want to part with a prized asset, a swap deal involving target Raphael Varane has not been ruled out.

     

Starsport revealed in November that the Atletico Madrid boss was being lined up by City.

And it is understood that senior figures at the club have been in touch with the Argentine about potentially replacing Pellegrini.

Pellegrini faces a fight to save his job as City's season threatens to slip away from them.

The Premier League champions have fallen seven points behind leaders and face an uphill struggle to retain their title.

To make matters worse Pellegrini's men have crashed out of both domestic cup competitions as a result of shock home defeats.

Pellegrini has managed to lead City into the knockout stages of the Champions League despite being drawn in a group of death alongside Bayern Munich, Roma and CSKA Moscow.

But it now looks like Pellegrini will have to land the biggest club prize of all if he is to avoid the sack at the end of the season.
Chairman Khaldoon-Al-Mubarak set Pellegrini a target of winning five trophies in five seasons when he appointed him Roberto Mancini's successor.
While the former Real Madrid boss landed two in his first season in charge, he is not expected to survive a campaign without adding at least one more piece of silverware to his collection.
Owner Sheikh Mansour is not afraid to wield the axe and has made Simeone his No.1 choice to replace Pellegrini if he decides to make a change.
It is understood the billionaire believes Simeone has better credentials when it comes to winning the Champions League.

Simeone has emerged as one of the most sought-after bosses in Europe following his impressive exploits at Atletico.
He led them to the Spanish title last season to break the dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
He also took Atletico to within seconds of winning the Champions League before Real battled back to claim a 10th European Cup in extra time.
Simeone, 44, who took charge at Atletico in 2011, has let it be known he would relish the chance to manage in the Premier League.
He knows he faces a losing battle to dominate in Spain and has become fed-up with Atletico's constant failure to keep hold of their big name stars.
The former midfielder also knows he can triple his wages at the Etihad to become one of the highest paid bosses in Europe.

 

Owen Hargreaves doesn't believe that Manchester United should be looking to sign Mats Hummels from Borussia Dortmund this summer and should concentrate their efforts on going after someone in the mould of ex-captain Nemanja Vidic instead.

The Old Trafford club have been linked with a move for the German World Cup winner for several months, with many fans and pundits seeing him as the solution to all of Louis van Gaal's problems.

However, Hargreaves, who was a Champions League winner with United in 2008, doesn't think things are quite so clear cut.

"He's the captain of Borussia Dortmund, they're last in the Bundesliga. Is that the measuring stick for Manchester United? I'm not so sure."

   


In a Cote d’Ivoire shirt, Wilfried Bony hasn’t been particularly prolific.
He may have racked up enough goals at club level with Vitesse and Swansea City to persuade English Premier League champions Manchester City to part with €35 million, but a return of 11 in 36 international fixtures had left many in his homeland feeling short-changed.
He failed to score in any of the three nip-and-tuck group fixtures which saw the Elephants scrape through to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. That stretched his scoreless streak in his nation’s orange colours to six matches.
But against Algeria on Sunday, Bony netted only his second double for Cote d’Ivoire in a 3-1 win to seal a semi-final against DR Congo. His return to scoring form couldn’t have been better timed.
Billed as a clash of the two favourites – of the overwhelming underachievers of the Afcon – it summed up the countries’ wider reputations in the competition that one entered the match as runners-up in their group, the other having squeezed through with a single win.
As a contest, it was everything it was expected to be, but Bony proved to be the difference.
In the build-up to the tournament many had questioned whether Africa had the kind of talent that could push Yaya Toure for future Caf Player of the Year crowns after he won a record fourth successive trophy.

 
Yet a combination of the Manchester City midfielder’s listlessness in Equatorial Guinea and his new club-mate’s timely double suggests that the African public may review their rankings in the near future.
While Cote d’Ivoire largely deserved their win – they were bigger, stronger and, for long spells, simply better – they wouldn’t have managed it but for Bony.
First, he nodded home Max Gradel’s excellent cross midway through the opening period only to see it cancelled out by a comedy piece of defending by Kolo Toure and more notably Max Bailly, which led to Hilal Soudani equalising.
Soudani could have given Algeria the lead soon afterwards but was denied by a wonderful save from Sylvain Gbohouo, and within minutes Bony was at it again. Yaya Toure, with his first memorable moment of the tournament, fired over a pinpoint free-kick from the right and the former Swansea man headed superbly home.
The Elephants’ defence showed signs of crumbling once more late on but just about held it together before Gervinho clinched the win in injury-time. Difficulties in their rearguard signifies that they shouldn’t be considered champions elect just yet, as if they haven’t given enough examples in tournaments past as to why nothing should be taken for granted.
But Cote d’Ivoire are in a fourth semi-final in six attempts, and have a €35m striker back in goalscoring form. Watch out, Africa.

   

Diego Simeone, in a recent interview, says he would reject all the money in the world if it meant coaching Real Madrid, but his son Giovanni Simeone hinted that his father doesn’t feel that way a certain Italian team.

Giovanni told Italian daily La Gazzetta dell Sport, as quoted by ​AS, that his father has a special place in his heart for Serie A, in particular, the one and only Inter Milan.




  

CHELSEA could be in danger of losing Eden Hazard to either Real Madrid or PSG this summer after talks over a new long-term contract stalled.

       

According to reports, the Belgium international could leave the Blues at the end of the season despite manager Jose Mourinho revealing in December that his star player was close to committing his future on a five-year deal.
Hazard, who currently earns £175,000-a-week on a contract which expires in 2017, is looking to become the club's best-paid player after taking the Premier League by storm following his £32million move from Lille in 2012.
Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas are Chelsea's highest earners on £200,000-a-week, but Hazard wants to move into the same bracket as other Premier League super-stars such as Sergio Aguero, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, with the latter raking in an astonishing weekly wage of around £300,000

The attacker's demands have subsequently put Real Madrid and PSG on alert, with both clubs keen to add him to their hugely-talented squads.
However, a move to the French capital looks unlikely unless Laurent Blanc manages to offload the likes of Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi this summer, but a big-money switch to Madrid has already been mooted by the Los Blancos hierarchy.
The futures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are in doubt, with both linked with returns to the Premier League, and Carlo Ancelotti has earmarked Hazard and Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus as potential replacements.
Despite the rumours of an exit, Hazard wants to remain at Chelsea, and Mourinho will now press the club to make the winger their most highly-valued player as he looks to lead the Blues to victory over Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title.

CHELSEA are plotting a sensational double swoop for West Ham's Enner Valencia and Shakhtar Donetsk's Douglas Costa as they close in on the signing of Fiorentina star Juan Cuadrado.

The Colombia international is expected to be unveiled as Jose Mourinho's latest signing later today after the Blues agreed to meet his £26.8million release clause.
Misfit winger Mohamed Salah will ship out to Florence on an 18-month loan as part of the deal, whilst Andre Schurrle is on the brink of joining Kevin De Bruyne at Wolfsburg in a £22m switch.
And according to reports, Mourinho is not yet finished in this month's transfer market as he looks to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title.

        

Top of the Portuguese tactician's shopping list is Valencia, who has been a revelation after signing for the Hammers last summer.
The forward is capable of playing either as a striker or out on the wing, and Mourinho is ready to meet Sam Allardyce's £20m valuation.
Another player on the Chelsea radar is Costa, who is keen to join former team-mate Willian at Stamford Bridge.
The tricky playmaker would also command a transfer fee of £20m, and could be set to arrive in west London for a medical as early as this evening.

DIEGO COSTA is a major doubt for Saturday's title showdown with Manchester City after being charged with violent conduct.
    
Oliver has the final say as the rules are different in the Capital One Cup than the Premier League, where a panel of former referees makes the call.

Amazingly, if Oliver had decided both incidents were red card offences, Costa could have been facing a seven-match ban.
Each one would have carried a three-match punishment, but an additional one-match ban would be added as it would represent two red cards.
An FA statement read: "Diego Costa has been charged for violent conduct following an on-field incident which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.
"The charge is in relation to an incident involving the Chelsea forward and Liverpool's Emre Can which occurred in the 12th minute of the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.
"The player has until 6pm on Thursday, January 29 2015 to respond to the charge.
"Following a review of an incident during the game involving Costa and Liverpool's Martin Skrtel, The FA will not be taking any further action."
A three-match ban would rule Costa out of matches against Everton and Aston Villa, as well as City. There is no right of appeal.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who was fined £25,000 yesterday for claiming there is a campaign against Chelsea, insisted after the game that both stamps were "absolutely accidental".
* City will be without midfield talisman Yaya Toure and new signing Wifried Bony at Stamford Bridge after they helped Ivory Coast qualify for the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations with a win over Cameroon.

 

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has reacted angrily to Senegal's complaint to FIFA regarding their decision to field Diafra Sakho in the FA Cup last weekend.




Football chiefs in the West African country are said to be angry enough to demand that the player gets suspended and West Ham are thrown out of the FA Cup following the complaint.

   

The Atletico boss was delighted with the striker's two goals at Santiago Bernabeu and claimed he would not dare suggest his side have an edge over Real Madrid

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone believes Fernando Torres has gone some way to prove his doubters wrong after his double against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

The striker returned to Atletico this month on loan from AC Milan after a dismal spell with the Rossoneri and Chelsea, and was the hero for his side as his two goals on Thursday ensured a 2-2 draw and 4-2 aggregate win over the European champions.

"The arrival of Fernando Torres is good for us, although some people doubted it," Simeone told reporters after the match. "I'm happy for him and for all the people who came to welcome him at Vicente Calderon.

"We played a good game. We played against the best team in the world. It is normal defending near the box. We played an intelligent game. In the second half we did a very good job."

Madrid have now failed to beat their city rivals since the Champions League final last May, but Simeone claimed he would not dare suggest that Carlo Ancelotti's side have a mental block in the derby.

"We won La Liga last year against two teams that are obliged to win the Champions League and that's very difficult," he added. "I do not think Real Madrid are stuck against Atletico. I wouldn't dare to."

Atletico turn their attentions back to La Liga on Sunday, when they host Granada.

PAUL LAMBERT has pleaded with fed up Aston Villa fans to cancel their protests tomorrow.

Angry supporters are threatening to boycott the first eight minutes against Liverpool - one for every year Randy Lerner has owned the club.
The 82 minutes organisers do plan to watch will also mark 1982, the year Villa won the European Cup.
But under-fire boss Lambert claims their protests will do more harm than good.
He said: “Whoever has planned it, I hope the guy or girl next to them tries to keep them on their seat.
“I understand the fans’ frustrations, but we’ll have a better chance of winning a game of football if they don’t do it and if they stick with the lads, no matter how hard it gets at times.
“I’m hoping they don’t do it. I’m hoping, if the guy in the next seat gets up to go, someone says: ‘Come on, back the team.’

  

“When the stadium is behind the players it’s a great place to play football, and we’ve a better chance of winning if they don’t do it.
“It’s a brilliant support we’ve got, but we need those fans now.”
Fed-up fans have seen their side score just 11 league goals this season in 21 games, the worst record in the top flight.
Supporters turned on Lambert following last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at bottom side Leicester, while a local newspaper poll claims 67 per cent of fans want him sacked.
Lambert insists he won’t quit though.
“It’s not great,” said Lambert, “I’m human like anybody else, but I’m also big enough and strong enough to handle it.
“I understand the frustration, and nobody is more frustrated than myself.

“Everybody involved with Aston Villa is frustrated at what has happened over the last five or six years since Martin O’Neill left and the team was in the top six.
“Martin had this club buzzing at that time, vying for Europe, going great, and what’s happened has happened.
“But I don’t think you can look at the chairman and say it’s one guy’s fault. It’s unfair. He has the club’s interest at heart.
“The fans have been great with me up until late, and I guess now they are waiting for something to go wrong.
“Anybody that knows me knows I’m not one for downing tools and walking away.
“I’ve never done that in my football career, and I don’t intend to do it now.”

THORGAN HAZARD, brother of Eden Hazard, is set to be a part of Chelsea's first-team plans from next season.

     

The Belgian midfielder is currently out on loan at German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach, and has yet to make an appearance for Jose Mourinho's side.
Hazard joined the Blues in 2012 from Lens shortly after his brother was signed from Lille for £32million, but was immediately loaned out to Zulte Waregem, where he scored 22 goals and assisted another 30 during 90 appearances over two seasons.
The 21-year-old has been in fine form for Gladbach this season, scoring four times and assisting seven in 23 appearances, and Mourinho has reportedly decided to include him in first-team proceedings once the current campaign has come to an end.

Hazard, who has one senior cap for Belgium, is desperate to link up with his brother at Stamford Bridge, and although Gladbach are keen to extend his loan for another year, the winger has no intention of remaining in the Bundesliga.
Hazard's inclusion in the senior squad could spell the end of Mohamed Salah's Chelsea career, with the Egyptian failing to find the form which secured him a big-money move from FC Basel a year ago.
Mourinho is believed to have run out of patience with the attacker, whilst Andre Schurrle's future is also in question after being touted for a swap deal involving Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus.

 

    

COMMENT: Despite producing one of football’s biggest miracles last season, Diego Simeone's warriors received little acknowledgement in Zurich – unlike their city rivals

Real Madrid dominated the awards at the 2014 Fifa Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday to cement their status as the best team in club football.

Cristiano Ronaldo roared his way to yet another Ballon d’Or in the main category – becoming only the fourth player in history to win the prize three times. James Rodriguez scooped the Fifa Puskas Award for best goal of 2014, Carlo Ancelotti took silver in the Fifa World Coach of the Year, while four Madrid players were selected in the FIFPro World XI (including Manchester United’s Angel Di Maria). A further three Madridistas made the FIFPro reserve XI.

Despite clinching a stunning Liga title win on a limited budget, Real’s city rivals Atletico - who they welcome to Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday in the Copa del Rey - enjoyed next to no recognition in Zurich.

Only two Atletico-related players, Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois, were chosen on the Ballon d’Or’s original 23-man shortlist, both of whom went to Chelsea in the summer. The striker received just 1.02 per cent of the vote and finished in 11th position. The goalkeeper earned only 0.51% and was down in 20th place.

Diego Godin, Miranda and Filipe Luis were all ignored when Fifa and France Football drew up their long list, despite forming the best club defence in Europe last season. The omission of Godin, in particular, is inexplicable after he eliminated Italy at the World Cup, scored the goal that won La Liga, and also struck in the Champions League final. Midfield masters Arda Turan and Koke were also overlooked.

All of these above players were also snubbed for the Fifa FIFPro World XI, with only Courtois making the reserve selection. The FIFPro XI is one of the most democratic awards in football - voted for globally by over 23,000 professional footballers. Contrary to public opinion, it is not influenced by Fifa or politics at all and there is no shortlist to steer players. Yet Godin and Miranda were shunned, while David Luiz - part of the Brazil team humiliated by Germany at the World Cup - made the cut.

The Atletico defensive pair's omission for Luiz was a point of ridicule shared both by fans and pundits. Arda and Koke must be raising the same question about the inclusion of an ageing Andres Iniesta. Could it be that Atletico’s cynical style of play wins them few friends in the football fraternity? Or simply that many in football vote on reputation, not achievement?

This certainly seemed to be the case when FIFPro later presented the World XI as voted for in each of the participating 58 countries. Fifty-three nations didn’t select an Atletico player. Spain, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe included Diego Costa in their best XI, Uruguay selected their captain Godin. That equates to five out of 638 players.



In the Fifa World Coach of the Year award, Atletico were also left disappointed. Diego Simeone at least managed to make the podium, but he was well beaten into third place by Germany’s Joachim Low and Ancelotti – taking 19.02% of the ballot.

The lack of acknowledgment for Atletico in Zurich after such an incredible 2013-14 season is hard to digest.

A handful of super-clubs boast such a financial monopoly today over the rest of the competition that it is almost impossible for teams like Atletico to even dream of winning major trophies. Yet they did it anyway, and are in the mix again this season.

"What's the difference between Real Madrid and Atletico? About €400 million," Simeone once correctly noted.

As revealed in the 2014 Deloitte Money League, Real are the richest club in the world with a total revenue of €518.9 million from the 2012-13 season. Barcelona were second when Deloitte released that list with €482.6m. Atletico, meanwhile, just scraped into the top 20 with €120m – less than the likes of Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Hamburg.

This fact alone should have been enough for Simeone to take the coach’s gong. "Simeone is the best coach in the world and if he’d won the award I’d have been as happy as if they’d given it to me," Arda Turan tweeted, complaining that his vote had been changed in favour of Jose Mourinho.

Before last term, the Clasico duo had shared every Primera Division since 2004 – usually creating a gap of 20-30 points over third place. Low and Ancelotti’s achievements must be applauded, but history aside there was nothing unique about their victories. Atletico winning La Liga ranks as one of the greatest achievements of all time.






Atletico were consistent throughout the calendar year and excelled in the big games. In 2014, they beat Real at the Bernabeu and drew at home. They finished the season having not lost to Barcelona in six games, with Messi failing to score a single goal.

And Simeone so nearly clinched the Champions League, too. Having gone unbeaten throughout the competition and defeated the world’s seventh richest club Chelsea in the semi-finals, his men were heartbreakingly denied at the death in the final by Sergio Ramos.

The total cost of Real’s squad ahead of the showpiece was €521.9 million. Atletico’s was €79.05m – considerably less than the price the Blancos paid for either Ronaldo (€94m) or Bale (€100m).

And to prove last season was no fluke, Atletico immediately began the current campaign in style – despite selling Diego Costa and Filipe Luis to Chelsea, who also brought Courtois home from his extended loan. They overcame Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup and have since defeated their city cousins on two more occasions. They topped their Champions League group and are again proving to be a nuisance in La Liga.

Last week’s 2-0 success over Real in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last 16 tie was just further proof that Atletico deserved to share more of the Ballon d’Or awards with their city rivals.

Simeone and his troops will be keen to avenge this injustice on Thursday when Ronaldo parades his trophy.
 

      

Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski has admitted his decision to vote for Cristiano Ronaldo over teammate Manuel Neuer for the FIFA Ballon D'Or was a mistake. 


"Voting for Ronaldo instead of Neuer was a mistake," Lewandowski told Welt, as quoted by ​Goal.

"I would clearly vote for Neuer now if I had the chance. But I already cast my vote back in August or something. I would vote different now."

"I am sorry for Manu. I am really surprised that he did not even come in second and the big gap to Ronaldo also baffles me. Manuel is an amazing goalkeeper and person."

Despite not taking home the award he may have wanted, Neuer did not go home empty handed, as he was one of three Bayern Munich players to make the FIFA World XI along with Arjen Robben and Philipp Lahm.