FOOTBALL
Angel Alarcon, the latest teenage sensation from Barcelona
Remember the name – Angel Alarcon.
Touted as the next big thing to come out of the Barcelona talent factory after Pedri, Alarcon has been attracting a lot of attention.
Let’s find out more about him.
Alarcon was born on 15 May 2004 in Castelldefels, a town on the outskirts of Barcelona where Lionel Messi also lived during his time at the club.
He began playing football at his local club Vista Alegre and joined Espanyol at the age of six.
Alarcon’s performances at Espanyol were so impressive that by the age of 14, both Barcelona and Real Madrid were vying to sign him.
In the end, he chose Barcelona and soon proved why the two biggest clubs in Spain had been desperate to secure his signature.
In 2019, Alarcon finished as the top scorer in the Kevin De Bruyne Cup, an under-15 tournament set up by the Manchester City star in collaboration with his boyhood club KVE Drongen in 2016.
He scored 37 goals in his first two seasons with Barcelona, and despite not being the typical silky and skilful winger that people picture from La Masia, he impressed with his power, vertical movement, and special sense for goal.
Former Barcelona sporting director Ramon Planes recalls a conversation he had with first-team manager Ronald Koeman at the end of the 2020-2021 campaign.
Planes suggested taking two academy players, Alarcon and Gavi, to the next pre-season tour, even though they hadn’t completed a season with the Barcelona B team.
The club told both players that they would be part of the first team’s pre-season tour in the summer of 2021.
However, Alarcon tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the last game of the previous campaign, an under-19 cup tie against Deportivo La Coruna, and missed pre-season as a result, as well as the entire following season.
Despite his injury setback, Alarcon spent last season recovering and has returned to his best form this campaign.
He has scored nine goals in 17 league games with the Under-19 team this term and has made six goals contributions in as many games in the UEFA Youth League.
Xavi was convinced by his performances and called him up to the first team, where he has been reunited with Gavi.
Alarcon has become the latest Barcelona academy graduate to make the step up to the first team this season after catching the eye of coach Xavi.
Since Memphis Depay’s departure to Atletico Madrid in January, the 18-year-old Alarcon has trained with the senior squad every day.
He and the 19-year-old midfielder Pablo Torre have been the two young prospects regularly included in Xavi’s matchday squads in recent months.
Despite spending 14 months on the sidelines due to his injury, Alarcon has come back stronger than ever.
Alarcon made his first team debut on 19th Jan, 2023 in the Copa del Rey game against Ceuta. The 18 year old was the 198th player from ‘La Masia’ to make his senior debut.
Xavi has been hugely impressed by his performances in training and gave him his La Liga debut in Barcelona’s 2-0 win against Cadiz last month.
While Alarcon’s chances were helped by Barca being unable to sign a replacement for Depay, he has earned his place among his team-mates with his talent and hard work.
Looking ahead, Xavi believes that Alarcon has a bright future ahead of him.
The teenager’s ability to operate at any position in the attacking front and his special sense for goal mean that he could end up as a No. 9 at Barcelona.
For now, though, Alarcon is focused on continuing to improve and helping Barcelona to achieve their goals.
With his talent, determination, and the support of his team-mates and coaches, he has the potential to become one of the best players in the world.
Georgina Rodriguez made a huge claim on the future of her husband and star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, in Football. In a brief interaction with a host recently, Rodriguez was asked about the time left for Cristiano to make an impact at the highest level. Georgina looked honest in her approach to the question of the host and claimed something the fans would not love to hear.
Georgina claimed that the Portugal star has maybe one year more from him at the highest level. She felt that Ronaldo might play two more years before retiring and not more than that. She was however not sure if he would play for just one or two years and added that the Al Nassr star could also play more than that.
Watch the video of Georgina Rodriguez here –
🚨🎙️| Georgina Rodriguez on Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Paris Fashion Week yesterday:
“Cristiano one more year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know.”
(via @ArobaseGiovanny)pic.twitter.com/4dxw2j5DuC
— Pubity Sport (@pubitysport) March 3, 2024
“Cristiano one more year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know,” said Rodriguez in the little chat she had with the host. The video has gone viral on X and the fans have started sharing it on different platforms. Some of the fans feel that Georgina might be right, while others feel that she could be wrong, given the fitness and longevity of the star player.
Legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo
On the 5th of February, Ronaldo celebrated his 39th birthday. He is currently one of the oldest players in the world. In the past, players at this age would have retired way back. But the fitness and consistency of Ronaldo make him play the sport as long as he wishes. In his career so far, Ronaldo has won many major leagues for Portugal and league teams like Real Madrid, Al Nassr, and Manchester United.
With United, Portugal won some major leagues like the FA Cup and the Champions League. With Real Madrid, the 39-year-old won the leagues like the UCL, Copa Del Rey and La Liga. He won it three consecutive times for Real Madrid. For Portugal, Cristiano had a huge contribution to Portugal. He has the most number of appearances and goals for an international team and won the Euro 2016 with Portugal.
England and Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham was slapped with a Red Card during the La Liga game against Valencia. In the game, the home team, Valencia was leading by 2-0 after 30 minutes before Madrid scored in the injury time of the first half. Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for Madrid while Hugo Duro (27′) and Roman Yaremchuk (30′) scored a goal each.
In the 76th minute, Junior scored an equalizer to keep the team in the game. However, in the injury time of the second half, Bellingham was given a red card as he argued with the referee against calling it a full-time before he could score. In reply, the match official decided to slap the England international with a Red Card. The team coach Carlo Ancelotti wasn’t happy with the verdict as the Three Lions player was making a pass at the time.
Jude Bellingham verbally abusing officials and other footballers at the slightest provocation needs to be talked about more. It’s embarrassing he gets applauded by Real Madrid Fans.
Mason Greenwood should’ve allowed La Liga to deal with this simp. pic.twitter.com/ixYSw6YxaC
— Herman Facundo© (@hermanfacundo_7) March 3, 2024
“I think what’s just happened is unprecedented. It’s never happened to me,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“We had possession of the ball and the match should have been finished when Valencia had the ball.
“What bothers us is the red card for Bellingham because he didn’t say anything insulting. He was frustrated of course,” said Ancelotti, adding that Bellingham had used a common English swearword when telling the referee it was a goal.
We are annoyed with Jude Bellingham’s Red Card: Carlo Ancelotti
“We were annoyed with Bellingham’s red card. He didn’t say any insults. He said in English ‘it’s a f—ing goal,’ but he was just saying what we were all thinking … [The referee] allowed play to continue. I think he made a mistake.”
“[Bellingham] was clear in what he said,” Ancelotti added. “He was quite vehement [in his reaction] but that’s normal, after what happened. It wasn’t an insult, not at all.”
FOOTBALL
PL 2023-24: MCFC vs MUFC Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI, Fantasy League Today’s Captain, Vice-Captain, and more for Manchester derby
Super Sunday is set to witness the Manchester Derby in the Premier League 2023-24. The match between Manchester City (MCFC) and Manchester United (MUFC) is set to take place in Etihad Stadium, the home ground of Manchester City. The two teams have had a contrasting journey in the league till now. The fortunes of City changed ever since Pep Guardiola took over the club as the manager.
While the home side are placed in the second position in the points table currently, United are in the sixth place in the points table. In their previous encounter, City hammered Luton Town by 6-2 in the FA Cup. United have shown massive improvements in the last few weeks after not having a good start to their campaign. United were involved in a thrilling game where they beat Nottingham Forrest by 1-0 in their last game.
Both teams feature some of the best players in the world. The likes of Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland, Marcus Rashford, Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and others would be taking part in the match. Manchester City will start the match as the favourites, given their record in the ongoing league so far and the match taking place in their home. United with their improved record can challenge the home side.
MCFC vs MUFC – Match Details
Match – Manchester City (MCFC) vs Manchester United (MUFC), Premier League 2023-24
Venue – Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Date and Time – 3rd March 2024, 21:00 IST
Live Coverage – Star Sports Network and Disney plus Hot Star
MCFC vs MUFC – Head-to-Head
Both the teams from Manchester have a rich history in the sport. they have been up against each other in 191 instances. In as many games, Manchester United have been historically the better side with 78 wins to their name. City have managed to win 60 wins, as 53 games ended in a draw. In the last five games between the two sides in the Premier League, City have won four of the five games.
MCFC vs MUFC – Likely XI
Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Akanji, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Alvarez, Haaland, Foden
Manchester United: Onana, Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Amrabat, Casemiro, Manioo, McTominay, Fernandes, Rashford, Garnacho
MCFC vs MUFC – Fantasy XI
Grand League Team
Goal Keeper – E Moraes
Defenders – M Akanji, K Walker, H Maguire
Mid Fielders – Kevin De Bruyne, B Fernandes, R Hernandez, Casemiro
Forwards – E Haaland (VC), J Alvarez, M Rashford (C)
MCFC vs MUFC, PL 2024 Dream11, Grand League (Source: X)
Head-to-Head Team
Goal Keeper – S Ortega
Defenders – M Akanji, K Walker, R Varane
Mid Fielders – K De Bruyne (C), B Fernandes (VC), B Silva, Casemiro
Forwards – E Haaland, J Alvarez, M Rashford
MCFC vs MUFC, PL 2024 Dream11, Head to Head (Source: X)
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