The 60-year-old inspired Argentina to victory at the 1986 FIFA World Cup and quite famous for his contentious goal against the Three Lions of England tagged as the 'Hand of God'

When it comes to sheer talent and exquisite artistry of the game of football, nobody else comes close to prime Maradona.

He made up for his lack of height with extraordinary speed and close control of the ball.

Maradona had a remarkable synergy with the ball - similar to to the romance story of Romeo and Juliet.

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Josep Maria Bartomeu has stepped aside from his position as Barcelona president after a vote of no-confidence and rumored rift with Lionel Messi.

Bad decisions and poor results on the pitch ensured Bartomeu lost support of the fans and the board.

Read more: https://www.sportscrooner.com/bartomeu-resigns-as-barcelona-president/

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba reportedly retires from the French National team due to the comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron, saying Islam is the root of international terrorism.


French government’s decision to honour the teacher who made offensive images of Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W), is also said to be part of the reasons why Paul decided to quit.



Read more:
https://www.sportscrooner.com/paul-pogba-reportedly-retires-from-french-international-football/

Iconic football star Ronaldinho has gone into isolation in Belo Horizonte after testing positive to COVID-19.
The former Brazil and Barcelona star addressed the issue on his Instagram account saying he’s asymptomatic.

Read More:
https://www.sportscrooner.com/ronaldinho-self-isolating-after-testing-positive-to-covid-19/

Its all to play for in the UCL game between Real Madrid and Borussia M'gladbach - the Spanish giants need maximum points to boost their chances of making it out of the group stage.
Read more� https://www.sportscrooner.com/real-faces-must-win-ucl-tie-against-mgladbach/

Sources close to the club confirm that Manchester United want to keep Paul Pogba beyond 2022 (when his contract expires).
But they’ll not be bullied into coughing out unjustifiable figures to tie down the 27-year-old to a new contract.
Read more� https://www.sportscrooner.com/united-will-not-overpay-to-extend-paul-pogbas-contract/

Stats
Manchester United have only lost one of their last 16 Premier League games – Tottenham are unbeaten in 9.
Both teams have found the back of the net in five of United’s last eight PL matches.
Both teams have scored in five of Tottenham’s last seven PL games; they’ve won 4 times, drawn twice and lost once in that time.
Manchester United have for wins in the last six meetings between these two teams [4W, 1D, 1L].

Read more: https://www.sportscrooner.com/man-united-vs-tottenham-preview-stats-and-prediction/

It appears there was no love lost between Jose Mourinho and Frank Lampard as Tottenham knocked Chelsea out of the Carabao cup yesterday.
Tempers flared on the touchline and the duo seemed to be engaged in a war of words some minutes before the half-time mark.

Lampard has however played down the incident – the former Chelsea midfielder who played under Jose Mourinho says they were only having fun and he has maximum respect for the Portuguese.

“We were having some fun on the line. I get on well with Jose and I think he said that to me.

“I commented on the fact that he seemed to speak more with the referee than he speaks with his players so it is just a moment with us. I have a huge respect for Jose, no matter what he says on the touchline.


Read more: https://www.sportscrooner.com/ive-huge-respect-for-jose-lampard-plays-down-feud-with-former-boss/

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men secured their first win of the 2020-21 season, beating Luton 3-0 in the Carabao cup on Tuesday.

Having lost at home to Crystal Palace last weekend, they’ll be looking for a strong response against Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend.

The Seagulls have won three consecutive matches since they lost to Chelsea on the opening day of the Premier League.
They’ve kicked off the season on a good note and will provide some form worry for Manchester United.

Stats
Brighton are yet to concede a goal in their last three games; they’ve scored 9 goals in that period.

The Seagulls have one win in their last ten Premier League games on home patch.

In fact they’ve picked up 1 point out of a possible 15 at the American Express stadium.

Manchester United have one win in their last three competitive matches.

However, the Reds Devils have won six of their last nine Premier League games.

United are undefeated in the league away from home since a 2nil loss at Anfield to Liverpool in January.




Read More: https://www.sportscrooner.com/brighton-vs-man-united-preview-stats-and-prediction/

In Manchester City, Leicester face their toughest opposition yet this term.
The Citizens have won every of their last six Premier League fixtures.
Leicester City will be without Wilfred Ndidi, the Nigerian is set to be out of

action for around 6-10 weeks.
City will be hoping to reclaim the title they lost to Liverpool last season.

Stats
Manchester City are unblemished in their last six Premier League, winning three of those fixtures by a scoreline of 5-0.
Pep Guardiola’s team have scored 24 goals and conceded 2 in half a dozen league games.
Leicester City have three wins in five PL fixtures.
The Foxes are poor on the road, they failed to win any of their last 8 away matches in the league last season.
All of Man City’s last six games have seen a minimum of 3 goals; five of those games had a minimum of 4 goals.






Read More: https://www.sportscrooner.com/man-city-vs-leicester-stats-preview-and-prediction/

Manchester United have officially completed the signing of Donny Van De Beek from Ajax for a deal worth around €40m.


The 23 year-old who came through the famous football academy signed a five-year deal with the Red Devils.




Read More: https://www.operanewsapp.com/ng/en/share/detail?news_id=e8ddfebe524e32a9f9b9a77dcf165aa7&news_entry_id=s2e9efc42200902en_ng&open_type=tanscoded&request_id=news_ae376f0b-66c6-460e-a874-9388aa6ca5d1&from=news

Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr and two other PSG players have tested positive for coronavirus.


UEFA Champions League finalist PSG confirmed earlier today that three of their players have contracted the virus after the latest round of testing.


Read more: https://www.operanewsapp.com/ng/en/share/detail?news_id=ebdf319a68fb7ebcdf316c5e5c718fce&news_entry_id=s6273f10a200902en_ng&open_type=tanscoded&request_id=news_47b0d98c-e1ff-4bcd-9bf9-d7453551765a&from=news

The 24 year-old is part of the players called picked by Luis Enrique to represent Spain in the Uefa Nations league later this month.

But Traore will not be part of the squad after he was confirmed that he has been infected with the virus.
Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal was the first player in the squad to test positive for COVID-19.

Every player must undergo testing as part of UEFA’s mandatory protocol for the any Uefa Nations League match to hold.

Adama Traore is yet to be capped by Spain all thanks to the injury that ensured he pulled out from the Spanish squad that faced Romania and Malta in November 2019.



Read more: https://www.sportscrooner.com/adama-traore-tests-positive-for-covid-19-set-to-miss-spains-squad/

Chelsea have signed English defender Ben Chilwell from Leicester City for a fee around £50m.

The left-back has been top of Frank Lampard's transfer window shopping list for many months.


The Blues boss will certainly be happy that the deal has been wrapped up and he can finally have the player he has always wanted.

Read More: https://www.operanewsapp.com/ng/en/share/detail?news_id=4f105612009c3a5c5809f34a8bf63e0b&news_entry_id=s73a9744f200826en_ng&open_type=tanscoded&request_id=news_fa3e83f4-e8b9-4fca-a54c-558be7ad5f39&from=news

NFF boss Amaju Melvin Pinnick has spoken about his ambition to run for the CAF presidency position.


During an interview on Lagos Talks 91.3, the presenters of the Sports Zone show asked if he’s likely to run for the top position at the Confederation of African football.
Pinnick being the witty fellow that he is replied: “It is not impossible”.

The former senior vice president emphasized that he is a “prayerfully adventurous human being”.
But he will need to consult his family and other necessary people before he decides to contest.



Read more:
https://www.sportscrooner.com/amaju-pinnick-running-for-caf-presidency-not-impossible/

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has announced how the funds received from FIFA, CAF, and two of their sponsors will be shared amongst the worthy beneficiaries.


Read more:

https://www.sportscrooner.com/nff-outlines-sharing-formula-for-fifa-caf-and-sponsors-relief-funds/

Arsenal have formally offered Brazilian winger a three-year contract as they hope to lure him away from Chelsea for free. The 31-year-old looks to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge after an illustrious career at Chelsea.





Read more:
https://www.sportscrooner.com/arsenal-offer-willian-three-year-deal/

Mauricio Pochettino says he would pick a move to Barcelona over returning to his farm in Argentina contrary to the statements he made a few years ago.

While he was manager of Tottenham, Pochettino said he’d rather return to his farm than coach the Camp Nou side.


Read full story here:

https://www.sportscrooner.com/pochettino-flirt-with-barcelona-you-never-know-what-will-happen/

Manchester United are doing all it takes Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund this summer, this is according to fresh reports emanating from Sky Sports.




Read more:
https://www.sportscrooner.com/man-united-ignore-grealish-make-sancho-top-transfer-target/

English Football Legend and television pundit, Paul Merson believes that Manchester United is seeking the wrong player in Jadon Sancho. Merson highlights that Man United needs a striker like Harry Kane and another Centre back and move for Sancho is in the wrong direction.




Read more:
https://www.sportscrooner.com/manchester-united-do-not-need-sancho-paul-merson/

The 2020/2021 Premier League season is set to begin on the 12th of September after a teleconference meeting involving the 20 current stakeholders.

All the fixtures are expected to be released on August 21, about three weeks before the start of the league.
The 2020/2021 season has been scheduled to end on May 23 2021 barring any unforseen circumstances like what we witnessed this season.


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The Merseyside Police have made nine arrests after fans defied a Dispersal order to celebrate Liverpool's title win.

In a bid to avoid fans gathering to celebrate the team's on-field success, the City Council, Merseyside Police, Liverpool Football club and the Spirit of Shankly supporters' group appealed to fans not to assemble in large numbers to celebrate their first Premier League title in 30 years.


https://www.operanewsapp.com/ng/en/share/detail?news_id=e213f538cf65f7c358dc15ad6c7b2993&news_entry_id=s6b41ad200723en_ng&open_type=tanscoded&request_id=news_050bf0e1-ad54-401b-af3b-7afa61edcabb&from=news

Kylian Mbappe has reassured fans he will remain at PSG for at least one more year, quenching rumors of a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.


Read more:
https://www.sportscrooner.com/im-here-in-paris-mbappe-reassure-fans-hell-remain-at-psg-next-season/

The prestigious Wembley stadium is ready to host one of the biggest fixtures of English football as Man United lock horns with Chelsea in the semi-final of the 2019-20 FA cup this season.

Going by the past meetings between these two this season, Manchester United will be smacking their lips at this game.

Aside for a place in the final of the FA cup, Chelsea will be seeking revenge when they file out against the Red Devils this weekend.

Manchester United have won all three meetings against Chelsea this season, but can they make it a quartet of wins when both sides square up in the FA cup on Sunday?

Stats
Man United are unbeaten against Chelsea since May 2018.

The Red Devils have scored a minimum of two goals in their last 3 games against Chelsea.

The Blues have conceded eight goals and scored once against Man United this season.




Read more:
https://www.sportscrooner.com/can-man-united-make-it-a-quartet-of-wins-against-chelsea-this-season/

Paul Pogba is set to extend his contract at Manchester United in the coming weeks according to reports from England.
A little over one year ago, June 2016 to be precised, Pogba was heavily linked to some choice clubs across Europe.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and even Paris Saint-Germain were rumored to be interested in the Frenchman.
Just when fans were contemplating whether to believe the rumors or not, Paul Pogba dropped a bomb in the minefield when he said he wants a new challenge somewhere else.
“Like you said, there is a lot of talking and a lot of thinking as well. For me, I have been for three years in Manchester and have been doing great; some good moments and some bad moments, like everybody. Like everywhere else.
“After this season and everything that happened this season, with my season being my best season as well … I think for me it could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else. I am thinking of this: to have a new challenge somewhere else.” Pogba said.
Since then, the Frenchman’s time at club has been marred with injuries and inconsistency.


Read more:
https://www.sportscrooner.com/pogba-set-to-extend-his-stay-at-manchester-united/

Chelsea Football Club have officially launched their new away kit ahead of the 2020/2021 season.

The new away kit is an Artic blue jersey, the design is smooth and silk. It looks very much like something that will get a lot of credence especially from the younger generation.

Read more:
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Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandez will likely miss tomorrow’s Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth after the pair coincidentally clashed into themselves in training.


Read more:

https://www.sportscrooner.com/man-utd-duo-paul-pogba-and-bruno-fernandez-injured-after-training-ground-clash/

Clubs will resort to direct players swap deals when doing business in the transfer window instead of the widely practised money for player transactions we’re used to.

This is the reality that has befallen the world of football aftermath of the COVID-19 experience.
Many say the pandemic took the world by storm, well, it struck football and many other sports with the brute force of a Tsunami.
Major competitions were postponed, many others were cancelled as football struggled to deal with the short-term effects of the virus.

Read more: https://www.sportscrooner.com/clubs-must-embrace-players-swap-deals-post-covid-19/

The crunch La Liga tie between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid turned out to be a penalty contest between both teams.

Fans and viewers got more spot-kicks than they bargained for before the start of the game.



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Speaking at a news conference on Sunday, Groningen technical director Mark-Jan Fledderus said. : “We first went to Munich to speak to him about coming to play for us, just days after he retired in May last year.




Read more:

https://www.sportscrooner.com/arjen-robben-returns-from-retirement-to-play-for-boyhood-club-groningen/