Arsenal now plotting summer move to sign "magic" Zubimendi alternative

With plenty of work to do in the summer, Arsenal have already reportedly set their sights on signing a midfield reinforcement who could arrive instead of top choice Martin Zubimendi.

Arsenal transfer news

Just days after Mikel Arteta told reporters that Arsenal would not give up on the Premier League title over his dead body, a blunt 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest signalled the entrance of the grim reaper in the guise of what has been an unstoppable Liverpool side. Now 13 points behind Arne Slot’s side, the Gunners are all but down and out.

What Arsenal’s recent collapse has done, however, is expose just how much work there is to be done in the summer transfer window. Even before injuries to Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli, their frontline was faltering. All those injuries have done is increase the need for an extreme overhaul when the transfer window swings open.

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The dream name at this stage seems to be Alexander Isak. Whether the Gunners have the spending power or profit and sustainability limit to match Newcastle United’s reported £150m valuation remains to be seen, however, and they may have to settle for their second choice. The same, meanwhile, can be said for their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi.

With Real Madrid lurking, those in North London have already turned their attention towards a potential alternative to the Real Sociedad star. According to The Boot Room, Arsenal are now plotting a summer move to sign Pablo Barrios from Atletico Madrid.

A rising star, the 21-year-old has played a key part in Diego Simeone’s side this season as they set their sights on pipping Barcelona and Real Madrid to another La Liga title.

That success could come with the consequence of losing Barrios though, especially if Arsenal come calling when the transfer window swings open.

"Magic" Barrios would ease Zubimendi blow

If it’s not to be Zubimendi, then Barrios wouldn’t exactly be a disappointing second choice. The Atletico Madrid man has emerged from his side’s academy to have a growing influence on Simeone’s side, earning the praise of Jacek Kulig in doing so in the last year or so. Dubbed “magic” by the football talent scout last season, the midfielder has only pushed on ever since.

A younger option than Zubimendi too, Arteta would have the chance to watch Barrios reach the peak of his powers at the heart of his Arsenal side next to Declan Rice, who has looked in possession without such a player next to him at times in recent months.

League stats 24/25 (via FBref)

Pablo Barrios

Martin Zubimendi

Starts

18

23

Progressive Passes

91

143

Key Passes

17

13

Ball Recoveries

85

105

Whilst it seems that Zubimendi remains Arsenal’s first choice this summer, Barrios should not be far behind given the potential that he has shown in La Liga this season when compared to his fellow Spaniard, making his name one to watch.

Tocantinópolis, fora de casa, abre 12ª rodada da Série D batendo o Pacajus

MatériaMais Notícias

Com direito a gol marcado já nos acréscimos do segundo tempo, o Tocantinópolis venceu por 3 a 2 a equipe do Pacajus no confronto que abriu a 12ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro da Série D.

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Em partida que aconteceu no Estádio Municipal João Ronaldo, Debu inaugurou a contagem ainda aos dois minutos, mas Daniel Passira igualou o marcador em território cearense no tempo inicial, mais precisamente aos 25 minutos.

Já no segundo tempo, Debu voltou a marcar aos 11, Claudivan voltou a equiparar o placar em Pacajus com 18 minutos em resultado que dava a entender que persistiria até o apito final. Todavia, Jheimy, artilheiro do Tocantinópolis no ano, assinalou seu 13° tento já aos 49 minutos e decretou o triunfo do Verdão do Norte.

Com o marcador, o time de Tocantins se isolou na segunda posição do Grupo B com 19 pontos, três a menos do que o Moto Club. Por sua vez, os donos da casa estão em quarto na chave com 16.

رد قوي من مورينيو على أنباء عودته إلى إنتر ميلان

رد البرتغالي جوزيه مورينيو، المدير الفني لفريق فنربخشة التركي، على أنباء عودته لتدريب فريقه الأسبق إنتر ميلان الإيطالي.

وأعلن إنتر ميلان قبل أيام، إنهاء عقد المدير الفني سيموني إنزاجي، والذي تولى تدريب الهلال السعودي.

وتولى كريستيان كيفو تدريب إنتر ميلان بعد رحيل إنزاجي، وانتشرت شائعات أن مورينيو كان الخيار الأول لإنتر ميلان.

ونفى مورينيو الأمر في رسالة إلى الصحفي الإيطالي إيفان زازاروني، نشرتها صحيفة “مترو” البريطانية، وقال: “إنها كذبة كبيرة، لم يكن هناك أي اتصال على الإطلاق”.

وأضاف: “يقولون هذا لأشخاص غاضبين (جماهير إنتر ميلان)، ولذلك يرددون أنه كان من الصعب مغادرة فنربخشة، وما إلى ذلك”.

مورينيو سبق وتولى تدريب إنتر ميلان في الفترة من 2008 إلى 2010، ونجح في التتويج بـ5 ألقاب رسمية، خلال فترة قيادته للنيراتزوري وهي: “الدوري الإيطالي (مرتان)، كأس إيطاليا، السوبر الإيطالي، ودوري أبطال أوروبا.

ومن بين الألقاب الخمسة، حقق الثلاثية التاريخية في موسم 2009-2010؛ وهي الدوري، الكأس وأبطال أوروبا.

يذكر أن مورينيو يرتبط بعقد مع فنبرخشة التركي يمتد حتى 30 يونيو 2026.

He’s now worth 4175% more: Wilder must regret selling Sheffield United star

Chris Wilder very much has Sheffield United woven into his DNA, with the Blades boss a United player on two occasions during his playing days, on top of now also taking on the Bramall Lane reins the same amount of times.

He will be gunning for his third promotion at the helm come the end of this long and dramatic Championship campaign, with the South Yorkshire outfit in a healthy spot in the division to do just that, even with the demoralising 3-1 defeat to promotion rivals Leeds United still hurting.

SheffieldUnitedmanagerChris Wilder reacts after the match

Over the past couple of promotion stories, Wilder has relied on some lethal attackers to get his team over the line, away from the current crop of Tom Cannon and Co.

Down memory lane: Chris Wilder's best strikers at Sheffield United

Of course, no list chronicling some of the revered United manager’s best forwards would be complete without a mention of Blades icon Billy Sharp.

The EFL veteran – who has ten goals this season on the books of nearby Doncaster Rovers – would fire home a ridiculous 129 strikes from 377 United appearances, with his sublime 23 league strikes during the 2018/19 season getting his team over the line to move up to the top-flight.

Away from the much-adored 39-year-old, Wilder has also had the likes of Oli McBurnie and David McGoldrick to call upon down the years, with McGoldrick still firing in the goals for Notts County in the same division Sharp now plies his trade in.

Amazingly, the ageing attacker has 13 strikes in 26 games for the promotion-chasers during 2024/25, with his time in South Yorkshire seeing him bag a memorable 30 times from 136 outings.

McBurnie would blow hot and cold a lot for Wilder’s men, but the Scotsman’s heroics last campaign – even as the Blades sunk down to the Championship – saw him land a bold switch to Las Palmas out in Spain, having kept his head held high with six strikes from 26 league encounters.

But, there is another former face that is removed from this conversation unfortunately, having been sold on during the fledging stages of his Bramall Lane education by Wilder, before then becoming a top striker elsewhere.

The ex-Sheffield United attacker now worth 4175% more

Worth around £290k during the peak of his playing days in South Yorkshire – according to Transfermarkt – it’s fair to say Che Adams’ short but sweet stint with the Blades set him up for a path to stardom.

Adams would only don a United strip for 55 clashes before moving onto pastures at Birmingham City, but the former non-league hotshot would take the EFL by storm with 15 strikes across those games.

Fast forward to last season and it’s clear that the Scotsman has been able to cement himself as a deadly sharpshooter in the second tier, having fired home 15 total league goals for Southampton on the way to the Saints tasting promotion.

Amazingly, Serie A side Torino would come calling for the “terrific” forward – as he was once lauded by Ally McCoist – services after that, with Adams now worth way more than his once meagre £290k price tag since making this leap to Italy.

Adams’ numbers since leaving United

Stat

Adams

Games played

373

Goals scored

100

Assists

37

Career hat-tricks

3

Highest value at United

£290k

Value now

£12.4m

Percentage increase

4175%

Sourced by Transfermarkt

As can be seen looking at the table above, Adams’ current inflated value stands at a way heftier £12.4m, with Torino winning themselves an outrageous steal, considering the 28-year-old joined on a free transfer.

Still, when weighing up his £290k price tag next to his new £12.4m valuation, that is a percentage increase of 4175%, with Adams settling in well to his new environment in Turin with eight strikes coming his way during 2024/25 to date.

In another reality, United might well have kept a firmer grip on Adams for longer, but Wilder will hope his camp at it is can triumphantly win promotion.

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فيديو | الأردن يهزم عمان بثلاثية ويتأهل لأول مرة في تاريخه إلى كأس العالم 2026

حقق منتخب الأردن فوزًا غاليًا على نطيرة عمان، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما اليوم الخميس، في إطار تصفيات آسيا المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026.

والتقي منتخب الأردن مع عمان، في إطار مواجهات الجولة التاسعة من عمر منافسات المرحلة النهائية لتصفيات كأس العالم.

وفاز منتخب الأردن بثلاثة أهداف دون رد، سجلها اللاعب علي علوان في الدقيقتين 45+7 من الشوط الأول و51 و64 في الشوط الثاني.

وبهذا الفوز، يحقق منتخب الأردن 3 نقاط ثمينة، ووصل إلي النقطة 16 محتلًا المركز الثاني في ترتيب مجموعته بـ تصفيات كأس العالم ويحسم التأهل المباشر إلى كأس العالم لأول مرة في تاريخ النشامي.

وجاء تأهل منتخب الأردن، بشكل رسمي، بعد خسارة منتخب العراق أمام كوريا الجنوبية بهدفين دون رد، ليتأهل منتخبا كوريا الجنوبية متصدرًا والأردن في المركز الثاني، مباشرة إلي نهائيات كأس مصر. 

طالع | ترتيب مجموعة الأردن في تصفيات كأس العالم بعد الفوز على عمان

ويتواجد منتخبا الأردن وعمان في المجموعة الثانية من المرحلة النهائية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم، بجانب منتخبات العراق وكوريا الجنوبية وفلسطين والكويت.

طالع | المنتخبات المتأهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026 من قارة آسيا 

تجدر الإشارة إلى أن أصحاب المركزين الأول والثاني من الـ 3 المجموعات في المرحلة النهائية تتأهل مباشرة إلى نهائيات كأس العالم 2026.

بينما سيخوض المنتخبات صاحبة المركزين الثالث والرابع محلقا قاريا من مجموعتين يتأهل منها المنتخبان أصحاب الصدارة ليصبح المتأهلون من قارة آسيا 8 مقاعد.

فيما تقام مباراة أخيرة بين وصيف المجموعتين، يتأهل الفائز منها إلى الملحق العالمي، ليكتمل نصاب قارة آسيا في المونديال. أهداف فوز الأردن على عمان في تصفيات كأس العالم 3-0

Injured Rohit and Saini ruled out of Dhaka Test

It is understood Rohit is healing well, and is likely to undergo a medical assessment next week

Shashank Kishore19-Dec-2022

Rohit Sharma had injured his thumb while fielding in the slips in the second ODI•Walton

Rohit Sharma, the India captain, has been ruled out of the upcoming Dhaka Test as he continues to nurse a thumb injury that he picked up during the ODI series in Bangladesh. Rohit is currently recuperating in Mumbai. Fast bowler Navdeep Saini has also been ruled out* with an abdominal muscle strain.Rohit injured his thumb while fielding in the slips in the second ODI, and was immediately flown home with the aim of having him ready for at least the second Test. Scans in the aftermath of the incident revealed a dislocation that needed a few stitches.ESPNcricinfo understands Rohit’s injury is healing well, but is still deemed risky given the volume of cricket India are due to play over the next two months. He is likely to undergo a medical assessment next week.A BCCI statement sent out on Tuesday said Saini would report to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru “for further management of his injury.”With Saini ruled out, India’s pace reserves in Bangladesh have taken another hit, with the first-choice new-ball pair of Jasprit Bumrah (back) and Mohammed Shami (shoulder) already missing the tour. Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav are set to remain India’s preferred quick-bowling options in Dhaka, but should they need a third seamer – or should there be another injury – they are left with only two options to choose from, in Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat.India play six ODIs and as many T20Is in January against Sri Lanka and New Zealand at home, the squad for which will be announced in due course. The white-ball leg will be followed by a four-Test series at home against Australia beginning February 9.It isn’t clear yet if the new selection panel will be in place before the squad is chosen for India’s home season. As on Monday, no interviews had taken place.With Rohit unavailable, KL Rahul will continue to lead India, with Cheteshwar Pujara as his deputy. Rohit’s absence also means Shubman Gill, who hit his maiden Test century in India’s 188-run win in Chattogram, is expected to continue opening the batting with Rahul. Abhimanyu Easwaran is the reserve opener in the squad.The Indian team arrived in Dhaka on Monday morning after wrapping up victory in Chattogram in the opening session of the final day on Sunday. They’re expected to hold two training sessions – on Tuesday and Wednesday – in the lead-up to the second Test at the Shere-Bangla Stadium.*December 20, GMT 0800 The story was updated with the news of Saini’s injury.

Três atletas retornam ao Flamengo após empréstimos e treinam no CT

MatériaMais Notícias

Emprestados pelo Flamengo nas últimas temporadas, três atletas com passagens pelas divisões de base do clube estão de volta ao Ninho do Urubu: os zagueiros Rafael Santos e Thuler e o volante Richard Rios. Em diferentes situações contratuais e físicas, os três atletas têm os respectivos futuros indefinidos, mas treinam no CT.

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Os empréstimos de Richard Rios e Thuler ao Mazatlán, do México, e Montpellier, da França, respectivamente, se encerram nesta quinta, dia 30 de junho. O volante sofreu uma grave lesão no joelho direito, em setembro de 2021, e só voltou a atuar em abril. de 2022 Por conta da cirurgia, Richard Rios fez apenas seis jogos pela equipe mexicana.

Atualmente, o meia colombiano está treinando com os times da base do Flamengo, com quem seu contrato é válido até junho de 2023.

Já Thuler, que fez 42 partidas pelo time principal do Flamengo entre 2017 e 2021, atuou 18 vezes pelo clube francês na última temporada. Como o Montpellier não exerceu a opção de compra, o zagueiro está de volta ao Rio de Janeiro e terá o futuro definido junto à direção.

Aos 23 anos, o garoto do Ninho tem contrato até dezembro de 2024.

Já Rafael Santos, de 24 anos, esteve no Apoel nas últimas duas temporadas. Uma lesão no joelho direito, em setembro, também interrompeu a sequência do zagueiro no clube do Chipre, com o qual seu empréstimo foi encerrado em 31 de maio. Assim como Richard Rios, o defensor voltou ao Rio para fazer a recuperação da cirurgia.

Com contrato até dezembro de 2022, Rafael Santos não será procurado pela atual diretoria para estender seu vínculo no Fla.

Vitor Gabriel (Juventude), Thiaguinho (Houston Dynamo), Ramon (Red Bull Bragantino) e Noga (Atlético-GO) são outros atletas emprestados pelo Flamengo até 31 de dezembro de 2022, e podem ser negociados em definitivo. Foi o caso de Hugo Moura, pelo qual o Athletico pagará 1,2 milhões de euros (cerca de R$ 6,6 mihões) para exercer a compra.

Liverpool eye bid for "quick" £25m Trent replacement with club set to sell

With Trent Alexander-Arnold still on course to become a free agent at the end of the season, Liverpool are reportedly plotting a summer swoop to sign a potential replacement worth £25m with his club ready to sell.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds took one step closer to Premier League glory at the first time of asking under Arne Slot last weekend, as Arsenal slipped up yet again. With just five wins and a draw needed to secure the silverware, Liverpool look more certain than they have done since their dominant 2019/20 campaign to take their seat on the throne of English football and may even receive a guard of honour from Arsenal to rub salt in the Gunners’ wounds.

It’s not all perfect for those at Anfield, however. On the pitch, they have been ruthless. Away from the pitch, however, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have seemingly lacked conviction in contract talks, with Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Alexander-Arnold all set to depart as free agents as things stand this summer.

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Their departures at the cost of nothing would quickly cut celebrations short, but they’re exits that the Reds must plan for, especially in the case of Alexander-Arnold amid Real Madrid’s reported interest.

With that said, according to The Boot Room, Liverpool are plotting a summer move to sign Wesley Franca after sending scouts to watch the 21-year-old Flamengo right-back in action.

The talented South American is certainly one to watch, and given that he’s reportedly valued at just £25m, there’s a real possibility that he could become one of the bargains of the summer with Flamengo ready to cash in on their full-back.

Replacing Alexander-Arnold will be no easy task for whoever has the job this summer, however, be it Franca or the likes of Conor Bradley. Yet to reach the peak of his powers at 21 years old, whether Liverpool hand that task to the Brazilian remains to be seen.

"Quick" Franca could be handed impossible task

Truth be told, Liverpool will struggle to find a like-for-like replacement for Alexander-Arnold if he departs this summer. There’s arguably not a right-back in world football who has his passing range. It could even be argued that not many midfielders have such range. So, those at Anfield shouldn’t look to find a like-for-like replacement at all.

Instead, as Slot has done at times this season, Liverpool should adjust their system to remove the reliance on their right-back going forward – returning to a more natural full-back rather than the role Alexander-Arnold has excelled in.

Wesley Franca celebrates for Flamengo.

If that proves to be the case, then potential tasks handed to Franca would become that much easier. The 21-year-old would, of course, struggle to replicate the Liverpool academy graduate, but that doesn’t mean he lacks the potential to become a Premier League star.

South American football expert Tim Vickery was full of praise for the right-back when it was Aston Villa who were linked with a move for his signature in January, telling Sky Sports News’ Transfer Talk: “They think two things. First of all, they would like to use him for the Club World Cup because it’s very important to them.

“Secondly, they think they can get more. If the idea is around €20m (£16.7m) at the moment, it could be €30m (£25m) after the Club World Cup. He’s a very attacking full-back, very quick, bullet fast but he’s not the greatest defensive full-back.”

Com lenha para queimar! Veja seleção de experientes jogadores que ainda se destacam no futebol

MatériaMais Notícias

Já se foi a época em que os jogadores acima dos 30 anos eram vistos como velhos no futebol e, muitos deles, penduravam as suas chuteiras e curtiam a aposentadoria. Ao longo do século, a preparação física dentro do esporte evoluiu a ponto de proporcionar que os atletas prolonguem suas carreiras por muitos anos.

Para citar alguns exemplos: o ex-atacante Fred, ídolo do Fluminense, se despediu dos gramados no último dia 9 de julho, aos 38 anos, após longa carreira. Alguns conseguiram ir além, como o ídolo do Internacional, Andrés D’Alessandro, se aposentando em abril deste ano aos 41 anos, e Rogério Ceni, lendário goleiro e atual treinador do São Paulo, que pendurou as chuteiras aos 42.

O “Sites de Apostas” montou uma seleção com onze jogadores importantes que ainda continuam em atividade no Brasil e no Mundo.Confira abaixo:

Goleiro: Buffon (Parma – 44 anos)
Considerado por muitos um dos maiores goleiros da história, Gianluigi Buffon jogou por quase 20 temporadas na Juventus, onde conquistou 11 títulos italianos. O arqueiro também foi campeão do mundo com a seleção da Itália, em 2006. Em 2021, retornou ao Parma para ser o líder do clube onde jogou nos seus seis primeiros anos da carreira e que, atualmente, disputa a segunda divisão do Calcio.

Zagueiro: Thiago Silva (Chelsea – 37 anos)
O defensor brasileiro continua sendo importante por onde passa. Após 8 temporadas no PSG, Thiago Silva deixou o clube aos 35 anos, em 2020. Após assinar com o Chelsea, mostrou muita consistência e logo se tornou protagonista na defesa do time, onde conquistaria a Champions League em sua primeira temporada na Inglaterra. Aos 37, Thiago segue jogando muito bem e deve disputar a Copa do Mundo com a Seleção Brasileira.

Zagueiro: Miranda (São Paulo – 38 anos)
Um dos grandes zagueiros brasileiros das últimas décadas, Miranda passou muitos anos disputando os principais campeonatos da Europa. Após 8 temporadas entre Atlético de Madrid e Internazionale de Milão, foi transferido para o futebol chinês. Em 2021, voltou ao Brasil para defender o São Paulo, clube onde fez história quando conquistou o tricampeonato brasileiro de 2006, 2007 e 2008. Atualmente, tem sido escalado como titular do time dirigido pelo técnico Rogério Ceni.

Zagueiro: Chiellini (Los Angeles FC – 37 anos)
Depois de atuar 17 temporadas na Juventus e ser campeão nove vezes consecutivas do campeonato italiano, Chiellini acertou sua ida para o Los Angeles FC, da Major League Soccer. Capitão da Itália no título da Euro 2020, o zagueiro chega aos Estados Unidos aos 37 anos para completar a fase final de sua carreira.

Ala-direito: Daniel Alves (Pumas – 39 anos)
Após o fim da temporada europeia, Daniel Alves não teve seu contrato renovado pelo Barcelona e acertou com o Pumas, do México. O lateral voltou ao time Catalão e disputou 14 partidas depois da saída conturbada do São Paulo. O brasileiro, que detém o recorde de jogador com mais títulos oficiais na história do futebol mundial (43), vive a expectativa de disputar a Copa do Mundo deste ano.

Volante: Fernandinho (Athletico-PR – 37 anos)
Fernandinho está de volta ao Athletico-PR após 17 anos na Europa. Com passagens por Shakhtar Donetsk e Manchester City, também disputou as Copas de 2014 e 2018 pela Seleção Brasileira. Fernandinho assinou contrato até o final de 2024 com a intenção de encerrar a carreira no Furacão, o que lhe garantirá atuar pelo menos até os 39 anos.

Volante: Felipe Melo (Fluminense – 39 anos)
Sempre polêmico, seja dentro ou fora de campo, Felipe Melo continua em atividade. Com passagens pela Europa, Seleção Brasileira, Palmeiras e muitos títulos no currículo, chegou ao Fluminense em dezembro do ano passado. O jogador tem contrato até o fim de 2023 e segue sendo bastante utilizado num Flu que vive bom momento na temporada, classificado para as quartas de final da Copa do Brasil e brigando na parte de cima da tabela no Brasileirão.

Ala-esquerdo: Joaquín (Betis – 40 anos)
Revelado para o futebol na virada do século, Joaquín disputou as Copas do Mundo de 2002 e 2006 e era considerado uma grande promessa do futebol espanhol atuando pelo Betis, time que conquistou a Copa do Rei na temporada 2004-05. No entanto, teve passagens por outros clubes da Espanha, mas não conseguiu ter o brilho que todos esperavam. Retornou ao Betis em 2015 e, hoje, é o grande capitão e líder da equipe. Também acumula alguns recordes: é o jogador que mais vezes vestiu a camisa do Betis e o segundo atleta com mais partidas na história da La Liga. Em abril, o ídolo renovou seu contrato por mais uma temporada, logo após a conquista de mais um título da Copa do Rei.

Meia: Nene (Vasco – 41 anos)
Nene estreou no futebol profissional pelo Paulista de Jundiaí em 2000, quando tinha apenas 18 anos. Antes de ir para a Europa, teve passagens por Palmeiras e Santos. No auge da carreira, atuou por diversas equipes e foi peça-chave num PSG que ainda era pouco badalado. Voltou ao Brasil em 2015 para jogar no Vasco. Desde então, passou por Fluminense e São Paulo, antes de retornar à equipe cruz-maltina, seu clube atual. Possui contrato até o fim de 2023 e já disse que não pretende parar tão cedo.

Atacante: Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United – 37 anos)
Um nome que dispensa muitos comentários, um dos maiores atletas da história. Atualmente no Manchester United, o astro português está movimentando o mercado da bola após pedir para deixar o clube inglês. Ainda não se sabe qual será seu próximo destino (se é que ele realmente sairá), mas o fato é que ele segue mantendo ótimo nível dentro de campo e, mesmo aos 37 anos de idade, demonstra ter muito vigor físico para atuar por mais bastante tempo. Aceitaria o CR7 no seu time?

Atacante: Ibrahimovic (Milan – 40 anos)
Um dos principais nomes do futebol mundial do século 21, Ibrahimovic é mais um quarentão dessa lista que segue sendo peça indispensável para o sucesso de um dos grandes clubes do mundo. Zlatan, mesmo atuando parte da última temporada com o ligamento cruzado do joelho rompido, foi um dos líderes da conquista do Campeonato Italiano pelo Milan. O craque sueco ainda renovou seu contrato e seguirá na equipe rossonera por mais um ano.

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Fakhar, Babar, Rizwan fifties ensure Pakistan clinch opener

Earlier Naseem Shah’s five-wicket haul restricted New Zealand to 255

S Sudarshanan09-Jan-2023

Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman are all smiles after Pakistan got over the line by six wickets•AFP/Getty Images

The Pakistan ODI method was on show. Stymie the opposition to a par total. Make them, and everybody else, believe that they are struggling in the chase despite a good show from the top order and then overhaul the target rather comfortably.After Pakistan opted to bowl first, Naseem Shah picked up his second ODI five-for – in back-to-back games, having last played in August 2022 – to restrict New Zealand to 255 for 9. And then, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan stroked fine half-centuries to help Pakistan go 1-0 up in the three-match series in Karachi. Rizwan stuttered his way at the start and then suffered from cramps towards the end, before unleashing an assault of innovative measures on New Zealand to take the side home to a six-wicket win.Chasing 256, Fakhar and Imam-ul-Haq got Pakistan off the blocks quickly. Imam hit his first ball through midwicket – aided by a misfield – for four as both batters feasted on debutant Henry Shipley’s erring lines and lengths. All this before Imam looked to take on Michael Bracewell by skipping down the track and only managed to miscue one to mid-on.Fakhar Zaman hit a well-paced half-century•Associated Press

Fakhar and Babar then added 78 off 103 balls for the second wicket to give Pakistan a strong base. While Fakhar looked at ease for most parts of his innings, Babar did have a tough time when Bracewell and Mitchell Santner were brought on after the first powerplay. Even though he slog-swept a six and pulled a four off successive deliveries off Santner, Babar was a tad unsure of the turn with Bracewell and Santner varying the flight, pace as well as the angle.Babar was ruled out lbw when he missed an arm ball from Santner on 24, but he was reprieved on review, with the tracker showing the ball would have missed leg stump. He also tried a few uncharacteristic reverse sweeps early against Bracewell. At the other end, though, Fakhar was milking the singles as well as using the sweep to good effect and got to his half-century. However, the partnership was broken when Bracewell sneaked one through Fakhar’s attempted slog to bowl him.Babar and Rizwan then added 60 off 82 balls. It was slow going, with the sluggish track not really aiding strokeplay. Kane Williamson then brought the part-time offspinner Glenn Phillips on to keep a leash on scoring. Babar soon got to another half-century – his tenth fifty-plus score in the last 11 ODI innings – even as Pakistan managed to keep abreast of the asking rate. But soon, Phillips managed to hoodwink Babar and have him stumped down leg to mount the pressure.Haris Sohail, who last played an ODI in 2020, then shifted the pressure back on to New Zealand with a 23-ball 32. Twice he thumped Tim Southee over deep midwicket to decisively shift the equation in Pakistan’s favour. After he fell, Rizwan saw them home and stayed unbeaten on 77.Naseem Shah picked up a five-for to stifle New Zealand•Associated Press

Naseem rattles New ZealandEarlier, Naseem struck on the last ball of the first over as Devon Conway’s back foot conspired to help the ball ricochet on to the stumps after he missed a flick. Williamson and Finn Allen were taking time to get the measure of the surface.But Allen finally started to get the ball to ping off the meat of his blade as New Zealand looked to put the slowish start behind them. He first hit Naseem for two fours in an over before smashing Haris Rauf for a troika of fours. But with aid from an athletic diving catch from Agha Salman off Mohammad Wasim, Pakistan managed to see the back of Allen for 29 off 27 balls.Meanwhile, Williamson had managed to get a fair measure of the surface and managed to hit some well-timed fours. However, a ripper from debutant legspinner Usama Mir ended his stay. Mir got one to drift and land on middle and leg before turning away to beat Williamson’s bat and knock the top of middle stump.Seeing the purchase – and turn – Mir managed to get, Babar pressed Mohammad Nawaz, and then the offspin of Salman, into service through the middle overs. New Zealand managed to score only 57 runs between overs 21 and 35, even though they lost just two wickets in the phase. Overall, the Pakistan spinners went for a combined 98 off 24 overs, picking up three wickets.While Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham managed to hang around and hit the occasional boundary, they couldn’t really break free. They added 56 for the fourth wicket before Mitchell was done in by a Nawaz delivery that landed on middle and straightened enough to beat his outside edge and clatter into the stumps.Latham was among the most fluent of the New Zealand batters and it seemed as if he would up the ante, given his strength against spin. But he only managed to pull a half-tracker from Mir straight to deep midwicket.New Zealand were in a spot of bother after which Phillips and Bracewell added 66 off 75 balls. Despite not getting the big shots away regularly, the pair rotated the strike and helped the tourists get a base for a final-overs assault. So much so that in the face of mounting pressure, Phillips played out four dots before hitting Naseem for a massive six – the first of the game – in the 40th over.But Naseem had the final laugh as he managed to dismiss both Phillips (37 off 53 balls) and Bracewell (43 off 42 balls) to hamper New Zealand at the death. He cleaned up Bracewell and Shipley off successive balls only for Southee to deny him a hat-trick. But a quick hand from Santner and Southee managed to see New Zealand cross the 250-run mark. It wasn’t enough, eventually.

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