Hazard - Squad Without Trophy Is Meaningless

The Chelsea attacker has put pressure on his team-mates to live up to expectation at the World Cup and is excited to face England in the group stage

Eden Hazard says Belgium must win the World Cup with the current group of players or else their golden generation will have been a waste.

A lot has been expected of the Rode Duivels in recent competitions due to their talented squad made up of players from across Europe's top leagues.

Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Co. made it to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 in their most recent displays on the international stage, and are looking to go further this year to show they make up a historic Belgium team.

"We know what we are. We are good players, we all play in the big games in England, in Italy and in Spain, so we know what to do," Hazard told reporters.

"The golden generation thing - you have, 10 years or 15 years ago, this same golden generation in England, but you won nothing.

"Now I think the fans, journalists, all of Belgium, the country just want to win something. We have a golden generation, we just want to win something now.

"Maybe we can be different to England – we will see. Of course we are very excited about the World Cup, like always.

"We start the first game in 10 days, so we just want to be there and playing. We are in preparation, but we will be ready for the World Cup when it starts.”

Belgium begin their tournament in Russia in a group consisting of Panama, Tunisia and England, and Hazard is looking forward to meeting some familiar faces in the clash in Kaliningrad.

"That will be a special game for us but first we have two other games, against Panama and Tunisia, and that is the third game," he added.

"Maybe in the past England would have been favourites, but now it is different.

"I think we are quite the same - it is 50-50 - England have a lot of good players, and we also have good players so we will see.

"I get kicked a lot, I am used to that in England, it is something I know. After two minutes I am in the game, I like to be kicked.

"And I enjoy being captain, of course. I am a leader on the pitch, but in the team we have a lot of players who can talk, they can say something.

"I am not the only captain, I try to do my best on the pitch, and be the leader on the pitch."

Russia 2018: Super Eagles not yet ready for World Cup – Rohr

The 2018 FIFA World Cup starts in Russia in eight days’ time, but Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr has given a damning verdict that his team is not yet ready for the eagerly anticipated football showpiece.

Rohr gave his honest opinion after the Super Eagles were beaten in their second consecutive test game on Wednesday by a less fancied Czech Republic team in Austria.

After losing to England 2-1 at Wembley last time out, expectations were high that the Super Eagles should be able to handle a Czech Republic team that were beaten 4-0 by Australia in their own last outing.

That, however, was not the case on Wednesday as the Super Eagles were beaten 1-0 by their opponents.

Despite fielding a strong starting XI which could pass for what might obtain in the opening group game against Croatia in 10 days’ time, the Super Eagles fell behind to Czechs in the 25th minute.

Tomas Kalas was the goal scorer for the Czechs and Nigeria could not find her way back into the game despite the flurry of chances that came their way.

Despite the disturbing situation, Rohr insists that the results in Russia are more important that what obtained in the friendly games

“We’ve 9 days to be ready for our first match vs Croatia, as at today we are not ready,” Rohr said after the match.

“I am not sad because of this result, the result that matters will be in Russia.” Rohr was quoted as saying on the official twitter handle of the Super Eagles after Wednesday’s defeat against the Czech Republic.

It is now the fourth game in a row that the Super Eagles have failed to get a win.

The last victory for Gernot Rohr’s men was against Poland before losing against Serbia, England and forcing a draw against Congo DR.

The Super Eagles will open their World Cup campaign with a tie against Croatia on June 16 before they go on for the other clashes against Iceland and Argentina in Group D.

Rohr will be hoping his young Eagles eclipse the country’s best showing at the global showpiece which is Round of 16 finishes at the 1994, 1998, 2012 and 2014 editions.

Ramos On Liverpool - Maybe Firmino Had A Cold Also!!

The Spanish defender has issued a sarcastic response to claims that the goalkeeper sustained a serious injury during the Champions League final

Sergio Ramos has hit back at the furore surrounding his actions in the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Mohamed Salah sustained a dislocated shoulder during the Reds' 3-1 defeat in Ukraine, after a tangle with the Spain international.

It has now been claimed that goalkeeper Loris Karius sustained a concussion after being elbowed by Ramos, and the centre-back has defended himself, insisting that the claims can only get more outlandish from here on in.

"Damn, they've given this a lot of attention, the Salah thing," he told reporters, per Cuatro. "I didn't want to speak because everything is magnified. I see the play well, he grabs my arm first and I fell to the other side, the injury happened to the other arm and they said that I gave him a judo hold.

"After the goalkeeper said that I dazed him with a clash. I am only missing Firmino saying that he got a cold because a drop of my sweat landed on him."

Of course, Karius made two costly errors during the encounter, each coming after the encounter with Ramos.

Initially, the goalkeeper threw the ball out, only for it to be intercepted by Karim Benzema for Real's first goal, before he fumbled a long-range effort from Gareth Bale to give Real their third goal.

Following the contest, Salah's fitness has been the subject of much debate, but he is expected to play in the World Cup with Egypt this summer.

And Ramos insists that the forward could have played on, had he been given a pain-killing injection.

"I spoke with Salah through messages, and he was quite good," he added. "He could have played if he got an injection for the second half, I have done it sometimes but when Ramos does something like this, it sticks a little bit more.

"I don't know if it's because you're at Madrid for so long and win for so long that people look at it a different way."

Source: Goal

No One Shouts At Messi For Walking On The Pitch - Pogba

Arguing he's had success before while maintaining a similar flair, the Manchester United midfielder has dismissed the calls of pundits

Paul Pogba has hit back at critics who have questioned his style of play and off the field actions, arguing it would be no different than slamming Lionel Messi for “walking” on the pitch.

The Manchester United midfielder has starred for club and country in the past, starting both the 2015 Champions League final for Juventus the Euro 2016 final for France, though both matches ended in defeat for Pogba.

However since his record move to the Red Devils in the summer of 2016, Pogba has come under fire for everything from his social media accounts to his choice of hair colour , while also appearing to clash with manager Jose Mourinho.

Now ahead of the 2018 World Cup, where France are one of the pre-tournament favourites, Pogba has defended his style and flair, arguing not only has he done the same things during his periods of success, but also likening it to someone criticising Messi for not appearing to run enough on the field.

"I've always been like that,” Pogba told France Football . “When I've won, I've won being like that. That's my style of play.

“You're not going to criticise Messi when he walks on the park. If he scores three goals are you going to say: 'Ah but he's walking on the pitch?' No. You can't tell me how to play.

“If I'm here today, it's as I am. No one has told me how I must behave. That's my football, that's all.

“People can like it or not. Do I need this to be loved? Do I need people to judge me differently? Or do they talk better about me?"

Pogba also dismissed concerns over his perception, saying he chooses not to focus on the opinions of others, so long as he is doing what he enjoys and has the support of those close to him.

"I'm not going to live on what people think, for them to say that I'm nice, good, the best, perfect. Everyone has their opinion. And I respect that.

“I play football, I do what I like. My relatives support me, they're more important.

“We can't love everyone and be loved by everyone. That would be perfection and nothing is perfect in this world.

“I'm not going to be offended if someone says: 'I don't love you.' That's your right. You don't have to love me."

Pogba and France kick off their World Cup play June 16 against Australia in Group C. They then face off against Peru on June 21 and close out group stage play on June 26 against Denmark.

Source: Goal

Bendtner misses out on Denmark's World Cup squad

Head coach Age Hareide says the former Arsenal striker was unable to prove his fitness to be selected in his final squad for Russia

Denmark's final 23-man squad for the World Cup has no place for Nicklas Bendtner after the striker suffered an injury playing for Rosenborg.

Bendtner hurt his groin prior to travelling to Denmark's training camp and the former Arsenal man missed Saturday's goalless draw against Sweden in Stockholm.

Coach Age Hareide said he gave the forward a chance to prove his fitness, but Bendtner was unable to show he could play a part at the World Cup, where Denmark have been drawn with Peru, Australia and France in Group C.

Bendtner is the second top goalscorer in Denmark history, with 30, and his absence will be keenly felt by Hareide's men in Russia, with defender Andreas Bjelland also missing out due to injury.

"We don't believe they'll be fit in time for the first game against Peru, it's too tight and that match is very important," Hareide said.

"Most likely, we are battling Peru and Australia for second place, and that's why it's important to get a good start, and we have to have fit players."

Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen, whose hat-trick in November's play-off win over Republic of Ireland secured World Cup qualification, is the undoubted star name in the squad.

Thomas Delaney, linked with a switch to Borussia Dortmund, is also included along with Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen, Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and Ajax striker Kasper Dolberg.

Source: Goal

Life Goes On - Buffon Says As He Waves Goodbye To Juventus

Ahead of the legendary goalkeeper's final appearance for the Old Lady, the legendary goalkeeper has said goodbye to the Serie A champions

Gianluigi Buffon says it is time for a new journey to begin as the veteran goalkeeper prepares to play for Juventus for the final time.

The 40-year-old, regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers ever, announced he is leaving Juve at a news conference on Thursday.

Buffon, who also retired from international duty once more, suggested he could seek to play on away from Serie A, with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain reportedly ready to make an offer.

And Buffon posted an emotional farewell tribute to Juve ahead of Saturday's home game against Verona, his last match for the club.

"Thank you," Buffon wrote in a lengthy post on Instagram. "Thanks to everyone of you. Because each of you has helped to make every moment of my life special in black and white. A life that has become a second skin. 

"A skin that I have worn, loved and respected. And that I have guarded and protected with all of myself. With all my limitations, but also with all the passion that has always accompanied me. 

"With tomorrow, a path ends. End a book we wrote together. The emotion is so great. Too much. 

"A new path will inevitably begin. A new book. It must begin. For Juventus that will remain beyond any player, always! And they will continue to write other important pages of this book that I think and imagine infinite. Because theirs is a unique and unparalleled DNA. Unrepeatable and magnificent. 

"Juve is a family. My family."

Buffon ends his Serie A career with nine league titles and five Coppa Italias, as well as a World Cup winners' medal from the 2006 tournament, and the veteran suggested the opportunity to prove himself once more could entice him to play on.

"A new path will inevitably begin," Buffon continued. "A new book. It must begin. For me, I will learn to look at the future with different eyes.

"And I will feel the healthy fear of those who have experienced many challenges, sometimes won, many others lost, but who is aware that each of them is different from the previous one. And therefore more difficult."

Source: Goal