PSG’s stance comes days after Joan Laporta announced Barcelona is planning to get Messi back, without offering much detail on how such a plan would work.

Despite being a winner of the biggest trophies in club and national team football, Messi is hungry for more. The 35-year-old surprised the PSG hierarchy with his pre-season form, but also with his performance from the French Super Cup. After convincing Kylian Mbappe to forget about his agreement with Real Madrid and stay in Paris, PSG plans to stop Messi from going through the exit door as well. Apart from FC Barcelona, various MLS clubs are also interested in having Messi on their ranks starting 2023.

It was previously reported that Messi is considering becoming part-owner at Inter Miami, but the player’s representatives denied such claims, assuring that Leo’s focus is 100 per cent on his playing career. Messi does own a luxury property in Miami and has been linked to Inter on more than one occasion, so the club certainly remains one of his potential destinations.

Messi is expected to make a decision after the World Cup in Qatar, which he dreams of winning with Argentina. It’s the only major trophy in football that he’s missing.

🚨 "I feel in a moral debt with the best player in our history. We will do our best to have Messi ending his career at FC Barcelona."

Barcelona president Joan Laporta wants Lionel Messi back at the Camp Nou.🍿

🎙️@Nicocantor1 @JacobsBen pic.twitter.com/o3GhBjIwE2

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) July 29, 2022

Laporta: ‘I love Messi and I will try my best to get him back’

During an interview with CBS Sports Golazo, Laporta said that in 2021 he did “what had to be done”, but promised to make every possible effort to get Messi back in the Blaugrana shirt before his retirement.

“I did what had to be done, put the club above the best player in history,” Laporta said. “I’ve known Messi since he was a child. I love Leo. Barça loves Leo. How do I feel? I think we owe it to Messi to bring him back,” the Barcelona president added.

“I will do everything in my power to ensure Messi has the best end to his career, in a Barcelona shirt. With the applause of the crowd,” Laporta vowed.

Asked if he told Messi of his plans to bring him back, Laporta said: “This is just an idea that we have at the moment. I will do everything in my power to make it happen. This is what I can say now. It will not be easy, but I believe it is possible with the right plan and strategy.”

Laporta didn’t want to disclose if he plans to have Messi back this summer or in 2023 when he’s free to walk out from PSG.

“It is a wish that we have and we want to make it come true through a specific plan. We want him back to wear the Barcelona shirt because the club loves Leo and the fans love Leo. I love him too and I will try my best,” Laporta stressed.

The post PSG Wants Messi to Stay Beyond 2023, Despite Comeback Offer from FC Barcelona appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

But talking to viaplay.nl, Ten Hag said it wasn’t him who allowed Ronaldo’s early exit. Even more, Ten Hag found it “unacceptable” for Ronaldo to leave before the match ended. According to reports, several other first-team players who had watched the game from the stands also left before the final whistle, saying they wanted to beat traffic.

Erik ten Hag gaat in op het gedrag van Cristiano Ronaldo. Net als andere spelers ging hij afgelopen weekend na de rust naar huis toe. Hoe gaat de trainer van Manchester United hiermee om?⁰
Het hele interview is later te zien in de Viaplay-uitzendingen van de Premier League. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/gIFJcL8QQE

— Viaplay Sport Nederland (@viaplaysportnl) August 3, 2022

“I certainly don’t accept this. I think this is unacceptable. For everyone,” Ten Hag said.

“We are a team, and then you stay until the game is over,” the Dutchman added.

Ronaldo set to stay

Ronaldo and Ten Hag also exchanged a few words during the minutes the forward spent on the pitch, with his gestures being highly commented on by the media. Cristiano has been trying all summer to force a move away from United, but found no Champions League club ready to bid for him. He’s expected to either be on the bench or omitted from selection against Brighton, in United’s season opener on Sunday.

🗣️ "It's unacceptable [Ronaldo leaving early] …. we are a team and you have to stay until the end"

Erik Ten Hag reacts to Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Old Trafford before full time on Sunday ⚽ pic.twitter.com/8gZupSNI2w

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 3, 2022

The bookies tend to believe Ronaldo is going to be a Man. United player even after the closure of the transfer window. Cristiano is now at -230 to stay at Old Trafford, with a move to Sporting at +300 and a transfer to Atletico Madrid at +750.

Manchester United is at +2500 to win the Premier League, behind Man. City at -200, Liverpool at +220, Chelsea at +1300 and Tottenham +1400.

The post Ten Hag Says Ronaldo’s Decision to Leave Rayo Match Early is ‘Unacceptable’ appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Ahead of the new season, #PL club captains have reaffirmed their commitment to fighting racism and all forms of discrimination.

The players have decided to use specific moments during the upcoming campaign to take the knee. #NoRoomForRacism

More: https://t.co/C8HxAVA9qs pic.twitter.com/vtZ6r9D2E7

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 3, 2022

Players will still take the knee before the opening fixtures of the season this weekend, and also during dedicated ‘No Room for Racism’ match days in October and March, Boxing Day fixtures after the World Cup in Qatar, Premier League matches on the final day of the season and the FA Cup and EFL Cup finals.

Premier League’s stars remain committed in their fight against racism

The Premier League has said it supports the players’ decision, as they will use specific opportunities to elevate anti-racism messaging as part of the league’s No Room for Racism Action Plan.

“We have decided to select significant moments to take the knee during the season to highlight our unity against all forms of racism and in so doing we continue to show solidarity for a common cause,” read a statement from the Premier League captains released on Wednesday.

“We remain resolutely committed to eradicate racial prejudice, and to bring about an inclusive society with respect and equal opportunities for all.”

The taking the knee gesture was imported from American football and was used in the Premier League following the 2020 lockdown in reaction to the killing of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police, and in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Premier League has since launched its own ‘No Room for Racism’ campaign, and the league says a total of $290,000 will be donated to designated youth clubs on behalf of the Premier League captains after $145,000 was raised from the royalties of the “No Room For Racism” sleeve badges sold on club shirts last season.

The post Premier League Captains Decide Against Taking the Knee Before Matches This Season appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

City found Brighton’s valuation of Cucurella exaggerated and dropped out from the negotiations. Chelsea moved fast and is set to reach a deal for the Barcelona Academy graduate. Brighton asked to be paid $61 million to allow Cucurella to switch clubs just a year after signing him from Getafe for $20 million on a five-year contract.

The 24-year-old had an impressive first season in English football, being voted his club’s ‘Player of the Year’. Cucurella handed in a transfer request on Friday, hoping to facilitate talks with City. But his wish to leave didn’t affect Brighton’s stance, with his price staying the same. City’s final bid didn’t go higher than $50 million, still $10 million short of Brighton’s demands.

After being turned down by Joules Kounde, who opted to sign for FC Barcelona instead, Chelsea is continuing its search for defensive reinforcements. Wesley Fofana from Leicester City and Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milano are both on Thomas Tuchel’s wishlist. Leicester values the center-back at around $100 million, with Chelsea hoping to include at least one of its current players in the deal to facilitate a move.

The west London club is also poised to lose Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta this summer, as both want to play for Barcelona and were promised they’ll be allowed to go. Missing out on Kounde and Raphinha just weeks after Andreas Christensen left on a free with the same destination didn’t help cement a relationship of trust between Chelsea’s new owners and Barca.

According to the bookies, Chelsea is third-favorite to win the Premier League title this season, behind Manchester City (at -175) and Liverpool (at +220). At +1300, the Blues sit ahead of Tottenham (+1400) and Manchester United (+2500) in the odds race.

A bet on Chelsea doing the Premier League & FA Cup double stands at +8000, while a historic treble with the Champions League trophy included sits at +50000.

The post Chelsea in Advanced Talks to Sign Brighton’s Cucurella appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner tried to find another club, but all the big names turned down the chance to sign him. New United manager Erik ten Hag insists Ronaldo is part of the plan for next season, while the club’s hierarchy has informed the player and his representatives that they don’t plan on selling him.

Ronaldo played the first 45 minutes in the game against Rayo before being subbed off at halftime to make way for the young Amad Diallo. The Ivory Coast attacker went on to score United’s only goal of the day just three minutes after coming on. Ronaldo chose not to watch the second half from the stands or the United bench, leaving the stadium early.

Cristiano Ronaldo and other #mufc players in the director's box left the match early which was sanctioned by Ten Hag, reportedly to beat the traffic and crowds.

— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) July 31, 2022

Who can make a deal for Ronaldo happen?

The 37-year-old returned to Manchester last week, holding talks with club officials. According to sources inside United, he couldn’t be convinced that staying is his best option. Ronaldo wants to play Champions League football and continue his chase of records at the highest level. At the moment, Sporting Lisbon is best placed to sign him if he’s to leave Manchester a year before the end of his contract. Atletico Madrid could also become an alternative if the club figures out the numbers behind such an impactful financial move.

Last season, Ronaldo netted 24 times for United across all competitions, topping the goal-scoring list at the club. In the Premier League alone, he scored 18 times, just behind the league’s Golden Boots Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min, who were tied at 23 goals each.

Cristiano Ronaldo seemingly left Old Trafford before the full-time whistle #mulive [@CantonaManc] pic.twitter.com/7I1H0pk0w5

— utdreport (@utdreport) July 31, 2022

Odds drop on Ronaldo staying at United

Compared to Friday, the bookies have lowered the odds on bets predicting Ronaldo won’t leave United before the end of the transfer window. Ronaldo staying went from -200 to -180 despite his early exit from Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. Ronaldo is at +300 to join Sporting Lisbon and at +750 to sign for Atletico Madrid. Chelsea, who at one point this summer considered a bid for Ronaldo, now stands at +1100.

The post Ronaldo Left Old Trafford Before the End of Rayo Match After Being Subbed Off at Halftime appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Ronaldo started the match, but was subbed off at half-time, without impressing during the minutes he spent on the pitch. Ronaldo tried to link up with the midfield players, but most of his ideas failed to materialize. He also missed a chance from inside the box, when his shot from a closed angle went far off from target.

A first sight of goal for @Cristiano 🎯

Click below to enjoy the game live 👇#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 31, 2022

Cameras caught Ronaldo and new United manager Erik ten Hag having a brief talk about tactics on the sidelines, with Ronaldo shrugging before covering his face with his palm.

Erik ten Hag 🆚 Cristiano Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/6iRiJQ2SIG

— S Sport (@ssporttr) July 31, 2022

Amad Diallo, the man who replaced Ronaldo at half-time, opened the scoring just three minutes into the second half. Alvaro Garcia equalized in the 57th minute to set the final score at 1-1.

Instant impact.

Well played, @AmadDiallo_19! ⚽#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 31, 2022

Ronaldo’s most important moments vs Rayo

First United starts for Martinez and Eriksen

Against Rayo, summer arrivals Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen started for the first time in the Man. United shirt. Ten Hag changed the entire starting 11 from the Saturday defeat vs Atletico Madrid in Oslo. Despite Ronaldo playing, Raphael Varrane captained United in the final test before the Premier League season kicks off.

45': Cristiano Ronaldo subbed off at HT as Man Utd is level with Rayo Vallecano 0-0.

48': His direct replacement Amad Diallo scores. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/SDd3HYoICO

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) July 31, 2022

Moves to Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain failed to materialize for Cristiano Ronaldo, who’s now expected to stay at United for the season. The 37-year-old is at -200 to be with United even beyond the transfer window.

United changed management and signed new players, but the bookies don’t see the Red Devils as having a big improvement from last season’s sixth place classification. Man. Utd is at +170 to finish inside the top four at the end of the campaign, thus qualifying for the Champions League. A top two finish is at +750, while United winning the Premier League after a nine-year break is at +2500.

The post Ronaldo Makes Man. United Comeback, as He Plays 45 Minutes vs Rayo Vallecano appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

City are still keen on the player, but made it clear there’s no chance that such a high demand will be met. According to The Athletic, the latest City bid for Cucurella went as high as $48 million on Friday.

Cucurella, a 2021 signing from Getafe, had a consistent first season in Brighton. He played a total of 38 games, scoring once and assisting two goals. He had remarkable stats in the attack and defense as well, including tackles and passes in the opponent final third. Cucurella was voted Brighton’s ‘Player of the Season’. The club paid Spanish side Getafe $18 million before the start of the previous campaign to land the Barcelona Academy graduate, who proved an instant hit in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old submitted a transfer request, trying to force his move to City, but Brighton didn’t seem impressed, as the club’s board insists he won’t move for less than their current valuation. Cucurella wasn’t involved in Brighton’s 5-1 win over Espanyol in a friendly on Saturday.

City allowed Ukrainian left back Oleksandr Zinchenjo to join Arsenal this month, looking for an upgrade for the position. The Premier League champions added Erling Haaland, Kalvin Philips and Julian Alvarez to their ranks.

Cucurella would be a massive upgrade on Zinchenko left back based on the stats below.

Cucurella Zinchenko pic.twitter.com/xSzT4WPfG0

— Blue moonⓂ️ (@blue_moon_army) May 18, 2022

City on top

Manchester City sits at the top of the favorites’ list to win the 2022-23 edition of the Premier League. It would be the third consecutive league triumph for Pep Guardiola’s boys and their fifth in six years. City sits at -200 to win the Premier League, ahead of Liverpool at +220. Chelsea is regarded as an outsider in the title race at +1300, with Tottenham behind at +1400. Manchester United is even further away at +2500.

City also tops the Champions League odds compiler, at +275. Liverpool comes second at +500, while Paris Saint-Germain stands third at +600.

The post City Refuses to Match Brighton’s $61 Million Valuation of Cucurella, as They Turn to Other Left-Back Options appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Liverpool won the match 3-1 after an electric outing. Fans were eager to watch summer arrivals Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez in action, with the latter winning the first battle of the campaign. Haaland missed two huge chances for City, while Nunez hit the net in extra time to set the final score of the encounter.

The other star-signing in City’s attack, Julian Alvarez, was also involved in the match, netting in the 70th minute to make it 1-1.

Triumph for @LFC in the first bout of the 2022-23 season! 🏆

The Reds dealt the first blow of the new season to @ManCity, as they claimed a 3-1 win to seal victory in the 2022 #CommunityShield! 🥊 pic.twitter.com/1LZUe0Cvee

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) July 30, 2022

Guardiola congratulated his players for “giving everything” during the game, but accepted his team “needs to improve”. “We need games to get our tempo. We will do it,” Guardiola commented.

🗣️ "We will do it."

Pep Guardiola reacts to their 3-1 defeat against Liverpool in the Community Shield 🔵 pic.twitter.com/U2k9ZiACyY

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 30, 2022

Guardiola: ‘Haaland is strong. He was always there’

Talking about Haaland, Guardiola said he wasn’t worried by his lack of efficiency in front of goal against Liverpool. The 22-year-old got to a flying start at City netting just 12 minutes into his club debut friendly against Bayern at Lambeau Field earlier this week.

“He’s strong, another time he will put it in the net,” Pep assured. “It’s football, he was there… He had another goal disallowed because the ball was out, so he has this talent and he will score. He had chances – two or three in the first half and one at the end. Haaland was always there,” Guardiola added.

Haaland missed the chance to bring City level 👀 pic.twitter.com/hUnxTwFZ9N

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 30, 2022

“He fought a lot and made the movements. It is good for him to see the reality in a new country and a new league but he was there. He didn’t score. He has incredible quality and he will do it,” Guardiola said.

🗣️ "He has incredible quality."

Pep Guardiola says he is not worried about the chances that Erling Haaland missed in his competitive debut against Liverpool 💬 pic.twitter.com/NEazpph53a

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 30, 2022

“I’m not concerned or worried. I’d have been happy to win and him to score goals but the reality is we have 11 months ahead of us that are so intense – with the World Cup we [will soon] play every three days – and he is going to help us,” Pep concluded.

How did Erling Haaland miss this…

🎥 @ESPNFC pic.twitter.com/KlEDD9RjRT

— The Athletic Soccer (@TheAthleticSCCR) July 30, 2022

Who’s going to score more goals this season: Haaland or Nunez?

Well, according to the bookies it’s Haaland. The in-form Norwegian is the main candidate to finish as the Premier League’s ‘Golden Boot’. At +260, Haaland sits ahead of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah at +450 and Tottenham’s Harry Kane at +500. Gabriel Jesus follows at +1100, while Son-Heung Min and Darwin Nunez are tied at +1300. Cristiano Ronaldo is even further behind at +1700.

🔁 Erling Haaland
❤️ Darwin Núñez

Who is going to score more goals in 2022/23? pic.twitter.com/UH8Jyfw6ux

— Squawka (@Squawka) July 22, 2022

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We appreciate you coming out, Oslo — we felt your support from the first whistle to the last 👏❤️#MUFC pic.twitter.com/CbDIHWpV5H

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 30, 2022

Cristiano hasn’t played any minute in the pre-season friendlies so far, with the club citing personal reasons to motivate his absence from first team preparation. The 37-year-old didn’t travel to Thailand and Australia, which United toured before returning to Carrington last week. Ronaldo was also left out of the squad to face Atletico Madrid on Sunday, in Oslo, despite training in Manchester this week.

United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed he is counting on Ronaldo for the Rayo match, which follows United’s 1-0 defeat by Atletico. Joao Felix scored the only goal in the game in the 86th minute.

“He will be in the squad,” Ten Hag said on Ronaldo. “We’ll see for how long he can play,” the Dutchman added.

“The players who played today from the start, they will not come on tomorrow,” Ten Hag revealed. “Tomorrow we will have a different starting 11,” he concluded.

Cristiano Ronaldo is back in Man United training 👀 pic.twitter.com/ubYB0KRrWb

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 30, 2022

According to sources inside the United dressing room, Ronaldo is still not convinced that staying is his best option for next season. The club insists he’s not for sale and the bookies tend to believe he’ll be at Old Trafford even beyond the end of the transfer window. Clubs are reluctant to sign him because of the financial implications such a move would bring, while Ronaldo would only accept a club that would fit his winning mentality.

United sits at -240 to keep Ronaldo, with Sporting next in the odds race at +300. Atletico Madrid stands at +750.

The post Ronaldo is Back in Man. Utd. Training and Will Play Against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

The Man. United hierarchy insists Ronaldo isn’t for sale, while ten Hag informed the media he’s preparing for the upcoming season with Ronaldo as part of his plans. Still, Ronaldo and his agent, Jorge Mendes, are working to find options on the market. It’s understood informal talks with Atletico Madrid have lost pace, while Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea decided not to go after Ronaldo when his services were offered to them by Mendes.

According to The Athletic, the last club to enter an initial phase of negotiations for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is Sporting Lisbon. Ronaldo’s first professional club is tempting him with Champions League football. Sporting will enter the group stage after finishing second in Portugal last season. The 37-year-old Ronaldo is desperate to continue his chase of personal records at the highest level — that being one of the main reasons behind his request to leave United. The Reds will only play in the Europa League starting in September after finishing in sixth place in 2021-22.

Sporting would need to work out a way to sign Ronaldo given his high wage demands.

Ronaldo isn’t expected to be involved in United’s friendly against Atletico Madrid in Oslo on Saturday, but could play a day later against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford. Ronaldo is said to be fit after training individually in Portugal while United was away touring Asia and Australia in the preseason.

Ronaldo hits out at the media

Ronaldo took to Instagram to comment on his current situation, attacking the media for what he calls ‘lies’ regarding his future.

“Impossible not to talk about me for one day,” he wrote. “Otherwise the press makes no money. You know that if you don’t lie you can’t get people’s attention. Keep going like that and one day you’ll get some news right.”

His sister, Elma Aveiro, also took to social media to defend her brother. She shared a post from a fan that read “You can keep talking like a parrot, he will shut everyone up in no time. Patience.”

The bookies believe Ronaldo will be with Manchester United even after the transfer window closes at the beginning of September. His odds of staying at Old Trafford are now -230. Sporting climbed over Atletico Madrid as Ronaldo’s most probable transfer destination in case he does leave this summer. The Portuguese side sits at +300 to sign Ronaldo, with Atletico now at +750. Chelsea is at +1100, while Bayern and Juventus stand at +1400.

Ronaldo was United’s top goal-scorer last season, netting 24 times across all competitions. He’s tied to the club until 2023.

The post Ronaldo Keeps Pushing to Leave Despite United’s Stance On His Future appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.