John Obi Mikel suggested Eden Hazard had it in him to be as good as Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi… if only he had tried in training!
Mikel admitted that the Chelsea legend wasn’t a fan of getting down to work at the club’s Cobham training ground, something that may have stopped him from reaching his potential.
6
Hazard is one of the best wingers to have graced the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
Hazard, who joined from Lille for £32million in 2012, is a Chelsea legend.
In his career with the club, he made 352 appearances for the Blues, scoring 110 goals and providing 85 assists along the way to helping the club to two Premier League titles, two Europa League crowns and an FA Cup.
Having played together for five years, Mikel knew all about Hazard’s talents but admitted that his stellar career could have been even better.
Asked who the best player he’s ever played with Mikel told talkSPORT Drive: “Technically? Eden Hazard.”
Asked if he fulfilled his potential, Mikel said: “No. He didn’t train. He didn’t apply himself. Imagine if he did?
“Imagine if he worked out like a Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi?
“He didn’t like training, he didn’t fancy it because he was so technically gifted that he didn’t need it.”
Jason Cundy then asked if football came easy to Hazard, to which Mikel replied: “Too easy.
“He didn’t train, then went out on a Saturday at 3pm and wins you the game and wins man of the match.
“What can you say? Nothing.”
6
Hazard is a Chelsea great but could have rivalled Messi and RonaldoCredit: Getty
6
Mikel was full of praise for his former Chelsea teammate on talkSPORT
Responding to Mikel’s comments, Claude Makelele said: “You can say many things!
Mikel replied: “We told him, Claude.
“He’d say ‘no, leave me alone’. He’d say ‘I don’t want to go and train, you go and train’.”
Makelele then added: “Do you remember when we were starting with (Arjen) Robben, it was the same but every single day on the training ground we told him because we knew that we needed him in a game.
“Sometimes it needs to come from your teammates.”
Meanwhile, Cundy said: “When it comes so easy, and Eden Hazard is the best Chelsea player I’ve ever seen. He’s the best I’ve ever seen.
6
Hazard earned legendary status at Chelsea having won a number of major honoursCredit: Getty
John Obi Mikel Chelsea honours
Premier League: 2 (2010, 2015)
FA Cup: 4 (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012)
League Cup: 2 (2007, 2015)
Champions League: 1 (2012)
Europa League: 1 (2013)
Community Shield: 1 (2010)
“But when it comes so easily, and he didn’t want to be the best in the world. He didn’t want to be a Cristiano, he didn’t want to be a Lionel Messi.
“He was happy doing what he was doing. And you’re absolutely right, the problem you’ve got, he would be the best player on the pitch on a Saturday.
“Now I don’t know what he did midweek because I didn’t see that. But every Saturday that he turned up, he was the best player on the pitch.”
In an interview withL’Equipe, Hazard was asked to weigh in on the eternal debate which pits the Argentinian superstar against the Portuguese icon – and to offer an opinion on how he measured up himself.
6
Hazard’s numbers for Chelsea were rather impressive
6
Mikel suggested his former teammate found football too easyCredit: Getty
“Individually, Messi is perhaps the only one [better than me],” he said.
“I loved watching the Barcelona player, less so at the end, but he’s the greatest in history.
“It’s impossible to take the ball away from him.
“Cristiano is a bigger player than me but, in terms of pure football, I honestly don’t think so.
“Neymar, maybe.
“After that, he’s no better than me, but at Real, you’ve got the best, also in terms of their careers: [Karim] Benzema, [Luka] Modric, they were the best, [Toni] Kroos, Kevin [De Bruyne], they all exude football.”
Eden Hazard’s reaction after barber tries to troll him with Spurs prank
After seven years with Chelsea, Hazard joined Real Madrid for a fee in excess of £88.5million.
Despite struggling to recapture the form he showed in west London, Hazard did win two LaLiga titles and a Champions League while scoring seven goals and providing 12 assists in 76 matches.
He was also a part of Belgium’s golden generation, scoring 33 goals in 126 matches for his country before retiring from football in 2023.
John Obi Mikel suggested Eden Hazard had it in him to be as good as Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi… if only he had tried in training!
Mikel admitted that the Chelsea legend wasn’t a fan of getting down to work at the club’s Cobham training ground, something that may have stopped him reaching his potential.
5
Hazard is one of the best wingers to have graced the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
Hazard, who joined from Lille for £32million in 2012, is a Chelsea legend.
In his career with the club, he made 352 appearances for the Blues, scoring 110 goals and providing 85 assists along the way to helping the club to two Premier League titles, two Europa League crowns and an FA Cup.
Having played together for five years, Mikel knew all about Hazard’s talents but admitted that his stellar career could have been even better.
Asked who the best player he’s ever played with Mikel told talkSPORT Drive: “Technically? Eden Hazard.”
Asked if he fulfilled his potential, Mikel said: “No. He didn’t train. He didn’t apply himself. Imagine if he did?
“Imagine if he worked out like a Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi?
“He didn’t like training, he didn’t fancy it because he was so technically gifted that he didn’t need it.”
Jason Cundy then asked if football came easy to Hazard, to which Mikel replied: “Too easy.
“He didn’t train, then went out on a Saturday at 3pm and wins you the game and wins man of the match.
“What can you say? Nothing.”
5
Hazard is a Chelsea great but could have rivalled Messi and RonaldoCredit: Getty
5
Mikel was full of praise for his former Chelsea teammate on talkSPORT
Responding to Mikel’s comments, Claude Makelele said: “You can say many things!
Mikel replied: “We told him, Claude.
“He’d say ‘no, leave me alone’. He’d say ‘I don’t want to go and train, you go and train’.”
Makelele then added: “Do you remember when we were starting with (Arjen) Robben, it was the same but every single day on the training ground we told him because we knew that we needed him in a game.
“Sometimes it needs to come from your teammates.”
Meanwhile, Cundy said: “When it comes so easy, and Eden Hazard is the best Chelsea player I’ve ever seen. He’s the best I’ve ever seen.
5
Hazard earned legendary status at Chelsea having won a number of major honoursCredit: Getty
“But when it comes so easily, and he didn’t want to be the best in the world. He didn’t want to be a Cristiano, he didn’t want to be a Lionel Messi.
“He was happy doing what he was doing. And you’re absolutely right, the problem you’ve got, he would be the best player on the pitch on a Saturday.
“Now I don’t know what he did midweek because I didn’t see that. But every Saturday that he turned up, he was the best player on the pitch.”
In an interview withL’Equipe, Hazard was asked to weigh in on the eternal debate which pits the Argentinian superstar against the Portugese icon – and to offer an opinion on how he measured up himself.
5
Hazard’s numbers for Chelsea were rather impressive
“Individually, Messi is perhaps the only one [better than me],” he said.
“I loved watching the Barcelona player, less so at the end, but he’s the greatest in history.
“It’s impossible to take the ball away from him.
“Cristiano is a bigger player than me but, in terms of pure football, I honestly don’t think so.
“Neymar, maybe.
“After that, he’s no better than me, but at Real, you’ve got the best, also in terms of their careers: [Karim] Benzema, [Luka] Modric, they were the best, [Toni] Kroos, Kevin [De Bruyne], they all exude football.”
Eden Hazard’s reaction after barber tries to troll him with Spurs prank
After seven years with Chelsea, Hazard joined Real Madrid for a fee in excess of £88.5million.
Despite struggling to recapture the form he showed in west London, Hazard did win two LaLiga titles and a Champions League while scoring seven goals and providing 12 assists in 76 matches.
He was also a part of Belgium’s golden generation, scoring 33 goals in 126 matches for his country before retiring from football in 2023.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah may be producing the greatest individual Premier League season of all-time.
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher declared on Sky Sports that Salah is “having a Messi and Ronaldo season”.
Salah’s former Reds teammate Daniel Sturridge said “we’re talking Ballon d’Ors now”.
When you dive into the numbers, it is clear to see why the praise is so high.
The Egyptian has chalked up 41 goals and assists so far this season.
With 11 games to go, he is only six shy of Alan Shearer’s Premier League record.
Salah is leading the golden boot race with 25 goals, six clear of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
The 32-year-old is also the first player in a Premier League season to score 25 or more goals, and provide 15 or more assists.
His goal and assist in Liverpool’s 2-0 win at City on Sunday made him the first player in Premier League history to have 40 or more goals and assists in a season twice.
It was the 11th time Salah has scored and been a provider in a game this season, the most by a player in one of Europe’s big five leagues since Lionel Messi also did so 11 times in 2014/15.
Salah is putting the ball into the back of net or setting up a teammate to score every 58 minutes, which is better than the current record of 63 set by Manchester City star Erling Haaland in his record-breaking 36-goal 2022/23 season.
This season, Salah is the first player from a Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga or Serie A club to register 50 goals and assists in all competitions.
It is little wonder that Liverpool are 11 points clear on top of the Premier League table, finished top of the table in the Champions League’s league phase and will face Newcastle at Wembley next month in the final of the Carabao Cup.
“This is going to end up being the greatest season we’ve ever seen from an individual,” Carragher said.
“I have no doubt about that and it’s not whether he finishes above those players in terms of numbers, it’s how far – and he sets the bar so high that in the future nobody can ever get there ever again.
“We are seeing something special. We’ve known that over the last seven or eight years, but this an all-time season.”
Salah has produced his heroics among the back drop of intense speculation about his future considering he is out of contract at season’s end.
So too are fellow Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
But the trio’s status has not proved to be a distraction for Arne Slot’s side.
Salah has seemingly dropped hints about his future throughout interviews this season, and after the City win he said that he and the other experienced players in the team “need another title”.
Saudi Arabian clubs as well as French behemoth PSG and German giants Bayern Munich have been preparing to swoop on Salah, but reports from Spanish football news outlet Fichajes in recent days suggest that Liverpool may be closing in on a new deal for their superstar.
The Reds “worked intensively to avoid his exit without a fee at the end of the season, and everything indicates that the negotiations have progressed positively,” the report said.
“The possibility of him renewing his contract with the club seemed uncertain a few months ago, but now the scenario has changed and everything points to his relationship with the English team continuing for a longer time.”
Liverpool were reportedly hesitant to meet Salah’s wage demands given his age, but his breathtaking season has supposedly altered that view.
His is currently earning £350,000 a week, and Manchester United great Gary Neville revealed earlier this year that the 32-year-old is looking for a deal of around £400,000 a week over three years — which eqautes to a total contract value of about A$125m.
No matter what happens, Salah will undeniably go down as one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players, but Carragher believes a contract extension would cement his standing among the Premier League as a whole.
“I think most people would say, when we talk about the Premier League, we probably always put Thierry Henry on top. For me, Mo Salah is definitely second and if he signs another contract, that’s going to be a fairytale finish,” Carragher said.
It is often forgotten that Salah was once a Chelsea flop.
Thirteen appearances Salah made in a blue shirt for just two goals under Jose Mourinho.
The London club even loaned him out to Italian outfits Fiorentina and Roma, where he shone with 35 goals across 81 appearances for the two club, before joining Liverpool in 2017.
“For a start people try to identify me as the coach that sold Salah. I am the coach that bought Salah. It’s completely the wrong idea,” Mourinho recalled in 2019.
“I pushed the club to buy him and at the time we already had fantastic attacking players—Hazard, Willian, we had top talent there. But I told them to buy that kid.
“He was just a lost kid in London. He was a lost kid in a new world.
“We wanted to work him, to become better and better and better. But he was more of the idea of wanting to play and not wait.
“I think that he doesn’t regret that move because everything went well. Everything went well for him and the progression went well for him but, at that moment, he was just a kid with a huge desire to play every week, every minute and we couldn’t give him it.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 27: Mohamed Salah of Chelsea is tackled by Jon Flanagan of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on April 27, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The move to Anfield has been an incredibly fruitful one.
Salah is a Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and two-time League Cup champion with the Reds.
He is the club’s all-time leading goal-scorer in the Premier League with 180 goals, has won the golden boot three times as well as player of the season in his 32-goal 2017-18 campaign.
He also won the Puskas Award for his stunning strike in the Merseyside Derby that season.
Such an impressive resume drew high praise from Manchester United great Roy Keane when speaking on Sky Sports after the Reds’ win at City.
“I think if you’re going to be successful, any big club, you do need that world class player,” Keane said.
You can have brilliant players around you, but you need that one player who is almost ahead of everyone else just to get you over the line. Make the difference in tight games. Salah does that week-in, week-out.”
Liverpool fans will have an abundance of opportunities to watch Salah showcase his world class skills with seven of their remaining 11 Premier League fixtures this season to be played at Anfield.
As they waltz towards the title, Salah may continue to set records along the way.
There remains a lot to play out with his contract and individual accolades, it will be fascinating to witness whether he remains a Red next season, and how he fares in the Ballon d’Or voting in October.
Mohamed Salah equalled an incredible record for goals and assists in the same game with Lionel Messi during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City.
The Egyptian forward continued his electric form by adding a 25th league goal this term before assisting Liverpool‘s second goal scored by Dominik Szoboszlai at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
5
Salah matched an incredible record held by the great MessiCredit: Getty
5
Szoboszlai assisted Salah’s opener before the roles were reversed for the secondCredit: Getty
Salah opened the scoring from a well-worked Liverpool corner. Szoboszlai flicked the ball back which found Salah to coolly slot in the opening goal via a deflection.
Moments later, Salah returned the favour to the Hungarian midfielder, squaring a pass for Szoboszlai to fire in Liverpool’s second with his left foot.
It equalled a stunning record held by Lionel Messi, with Salah now having scored and assisted in 11 Premier League matches this season so far.
This is the most by a player in a single season in one of Europe’s big five leagues since Lionel Messi managed it for Barcelona in the 2014/15 season, also on 11.
The 32-year-old broke some more impressive records during the match too.
Salah also became the first player in Premier League history to be involved in 40+ goals in two different seasons.
He also was the first player in Premier League history to score and assist in both games against the reigning champions in a season.
His goal moved him to third on Liverpool’s all-time top scoring charts across all competitions, with a total of 241 goals.
It moves him joint third with Gordon Hodgson, with Roger Hunt in second on 285 and Ian Rush leading the table on 346.
In the top-flight however, Salah comfortably sits atop Liverpool’s list on 180 goals. And this season he has shown no signs of slowing down.
5
Salah has continued to break records this seasonCredit: Getty
5
You’re not doing bad if you’re competing with Messi
It brought his total across all competitions to 30 goals and 20 assists this campaign so far – which is far from over.
Salah has netted 16 away goals in the Premier League this season, matching the joint most by a player on the road in one campaign.
He matches Kevin Phillips in 1999/00 and Harry Kane in 2022/23.
He also now has both the most goals, nine, and assists, six, of any player against sides managed by Pep Guardiola in his top-flight league managerial career.
The win sends Liverpool 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League after title rivals Arsenal suffered a shock defeat to West Ham on Saturday.
Liverpool next face Newcastle at Anfield on Wednesday before the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie with PSG.
5
Is that the title race done?
What are the lyrics to Liverpool fans’ chant for ‘The Egyptian King’ Mo Salah?
Brazilian superstar Neymar has left sections of the football world in meltdown with an announcement about his return to boyhood club Santos expected to be made within days.
Watch every ball of The 2025 Women’s Ashes Series LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
Saudi giant Al Hilal on Monday night released a statement to confirm the club had reached a mutual agreement to release the former Barcelona star from his mega-contract.
The Champions League winner shared a message on Tuesday night, saying goodbye to his Saudi Pro League fans.
“To everyone at Al Hilal, to the fans, Thank you,” he posted on X.
“I gave everything to play and I wish we enjoyed better times on the pitch together.
“To Saudi, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences I now know the real Saudi and have friends for life. I always felt your love and passion for the game. I will be following your journey ahead as a club and a country towards 2034.
“Your future will be incredible, special things are happening and I will always support you.”
Al Hilal’s Brazilian forward Neymar warms up. Photo by AFP.Source: AFP
Neymar’s deal was reported to have been worth a staggering $215 million (£129m) per-year, The Sun reports.
And after leaving following 18 months at the club, it meant he earned £193.8m in total.
That breaks down to an outrageous $4.1 million (£2.5m) per-week.
Combined with his transfer fee, Al-Hilal effectively paid $452 million (£271m) for Neymar’s single goal and three assists in seven matches.
Al Hilal’s nightmare isn’t even over yet.
Neymar will still pocket $87 million (£51.9m) of the wages he was owed for the remainder of the season, agreeing to give up just 15 per cent – which works out to $13 million (£8m).
That means by the end of the season, his single goal will have cost over $554 million (£322m), while each appearance will have been worth £46m.
If all that wasn’t enough, Neymar also raked in a cool £136m from commercial income, separate to his wage from Al-Hilal.
The former Paris Saint-Germain winger played just seven times since joining the club in August 2023.
Neymar was the subject of what is still the biggest transfer in football history when he joined Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2017 for a fee of 220 million euros.
He followed fellow superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to the lucrative Saudi league.
But two months after his arrival in Riyadh, he ruptured a cruciate ligament in his left knee while playing for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier in October 2023, which kept him on the sidelines for a year.
He returned for Al Hilal with two brief appearances in October and November but injured a hamstring and has not played since.
Club’s blunt Neymar statement as boyhood fairy tale nears
Al-Hilal’s statement confirming Neymar’s exit was short and sweet.
“The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career with Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career,” said a club statement posted on social media.
The decision to release Neymar came after boss Jorge Jesus admitted the player was no longer capable of the required physical demands.
He said: “Neymar can no longer perform at the level we are used to.
“Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately.”
While Neymar had been courted by MLS teams in the United States, reports in Brazil said Santos, the club where Neymar made his name, was in talks for him to return to his homeland.
A return to Brazil would likely be the last chance for a player who is his country’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 127 matches.
Neymar scores for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.Source: Getty Images
Club president Marcelo Teixeira took to Instagram to deliver the message to Neymar on Tuesday night but did not officially confirm the 32-year-old’s return to the club where he first broke through in 2009.
“The time has come, Neymar. The time has come for you to return to your people. To your home, to our beloved club,” said Teixeira.
“Welcome back, Ney boy!… Come and be happy again in the sacred jersey. The Santos nation awaits you with open arms.”
Earlier in January, Neymar said he was aiming to play the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico.
“I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance and I will do everything I can to play in it,” he told CNN.
At the start of his career he was cast as the heir to Pele.
After scoring 107 goals in 177 appearances for Santos, he joined Barcelona in 2013, becoming the young star of a team that also featured Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, which swept to the Champions League title in 2015 by beating Juventus 3-1 in the final in Berlin.
A year later he scored the winning penalty in a shootout as Brazil won the men’s football gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In 2017, Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain prised him away from Barcelona with what is still a world-record transfer fee of 220 million euros ($230 million).
He won five Ligue 1 titles and he and prolific French forward Kylian Mbappe led PSG to the final of the Champions League in the Covid-blighted 2019-2020, but they lost to Bayern Munich.
PSG reunited Neymar with Messi in the French capital, but the trio with Mbappe failed to gel as personal rivalries got in the way and he was pushed to the exit, and to Saudi Arabia, by the Parisian management in 2023.
Football’s hottest young talent is going nowhere, with Barcelona wunderkind Lamine Yamal saying he will sign a new contract with the Spanish giants soon.
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
The 17-year-old has pledged his long-term future to the Catalan club despite massive interest from French titans PSG and Barcelona being embroiled in financial controversy.
Yamal burst onto the scene as a key cog of the Spanish side that won last year’s Euros.
He became the youngest ever player to feature in the tournament at just 16, and the youngest ever goal scorer when he curled an absolute stunner into the top corner in the champion’s 2-1 semi-final win against France.
His left-footed strike from outside the box also won goal of the tournament.
More than a year earlier, he made his first team debut for Barcelona as a 15-year-old after coming up through the club’s academy, and the records have continued to tumble in club football.
In October he became the youngest ever player to score in El Classico history as he found the back of the net in Barca’s 4-0 win against Real Madrid.
He scored again on his return to the side from an ankle injury in their 2-0 Spanish Super Cup semi-final win against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday to take his season tally to seven goals and 12 assists from 22 games.
So, it’s clear to see why the Parisian club put forward an offer of €250 million for his services.
Barca, of course, rejected it and they have done their best to make it near impossible for any rival to pry away from the Olympic Stadium and then their traditional home of the Nou Camp when renovations are complete in 2026.
That is the year that Yamal’s current deal expires, and it includes a €1 billion release clause.
If that was not enough to alleviate any concerns about him potentially leaving Barcelona, ESPN have reported that there is an agreement lined-up to extend his deal until at least 2030.
“I don’t know when [the contract will be signed], but I believe it will be soon,” Yamal told CNN.
“At the end of the day, Barça is the club of my life. I hope to renew my contract with them and to be with them for as long as possible.
“I want to play in the Spanish league. I want to play for Barça, and yes, I will renew my contract. I will.”
The teenager’s comments are music to the ears of Barcelona officials after Yamal’s teammate Raphinha suggested that a recent fiasco might discourage potential transfer targets from joining the club.
Dani Olmo and Pau Victor were both unregistered on New Year’s Day after Barcelona missed a December 31 deadline to prove they are compliant with La Liga’s financial fair play rules.
Both players travelled with the squad to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final, but neither were eligible to play.
Raphinha experienced similar issues when he joined the club in 2022.
The Brazilian had to wait for Barcelona to sell club assets to register him with the Spanish league.
“I think it could,” Raphinha said on Tuesday when asked if the situation could force players to avoid signing for Barcelona.
“I can’t say otherwise because I would be lying and that’s not me, I don’t like lying or telling stories. The truth is that if I was at another club and seeing the situation Pau and Dani are in, maybe I would think twice if it was best to be here.”
La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation confirmed in a joint statement that Barcelona are compliant with financial fair play regulations at present, but they cannot register Olmo or Victor this season.
Barca are challenging the decision with an appeal to Spain’s highest sports court, and they have requested a temporary allowance for the players to play as a resolution to the issue is not expected soon.
Regardless of what happens, Barcelona will be confident that Yamal’s commitment will outshine any reputational damage inflicted by the registration saga.
Raphinha may be correct that players will think twice before joining the Spanish giants, but the club’s officials will be certain that the opportunity to play with the sport’s most exciting young talent, in an expanded Nou Camp once it’s completed, in the shirt worn by the likes of Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona is too appealing.
Manchester United could be tempted to cash-in on defender Lisandro Martinez if Real Madrid step up their interest in the World Cup winner.
Martinez is one of a number of Premier League stars being tracked by the Spanish giants, along with top summer target and Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.
5
Martinez is yet to play in Spain in his careerCredit: Getty
While Martinez is seen as a fan favourite in the eyes of many United followers and viewed as one of the few success stories from recent transfer windows, talkSPORT understands the Argentine is not considered off limits for any potential buyer.
The Red Devils are keen to keep young stars Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, and Alejandro Garnacho, but are open to offers for virtually every other player to help stay on the right side of PSR rules.
This includes England forward Marcus Rashford, who has previously been linked with PSG.
While it’s unlikely a deal of that magnitude can be done in January, the Red Devils are willing to consider selling their £300,000-a-week academy poster boy after several months of poor performances and concerns over his off-field lifestyle.
Los Blancos have also identified Martinez’s Old Trafford teammate Diogo Dalot and Tottenham’s Pedro Porro as a potential Trent Alexander-Arnold alternative. They also have a long-standing interest in Spurs star Cristian Romero.
5
Ancelotti and co have their eyes on the Premier League defendersCredit: Getty
We do talk about Bruno
Newcastle are braced for a January bid from Manchester City for star midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
While City are not usually big spenders in the winter window, they are expected to back manager Pep Guardiola after he committed his future to the Etihad Stadium last month.
Replacing the injured Rodri is seen by Guardiola as key to getting the champions’ stuttering season back on track and Guimaraes featured prominently on their list of summer targets.
talkSPORT has been told Newcastle remain under pressure to sell players to avoid breaching Premier League spending rules and Guimaraes and Alexander Isak are their two most lucrative assets.
5
The Brazilian is a fan favourite at St. James’ ParkCredit: Getty
Patient Potter
Graham Potter remains on standby to make his managerial return at West Ham, with Julen Lopetegui still on thin ice even after Monday’s much-needed win over Wolves.
Lopetegui would almost certainly have been fired had the Hammers failed to come out on top in a game dubbed ‘El Sackico’ with both Lopetegui and Wolves counterpart Gary O’Neil under immense pressure.
While the Hammers’ Jarrod Bowen-inspired win should earn Lopetegui a stay of execution, several board members are unconvinced by the Spaniard, who faces a crunch run of games between now and the end of the month against Bournemouth, Brighton, Southampton and Liverpool.
talkSPORT understands a deal for Potter to replace Lopetegui initially until the end of the season will stay on the table, with the ex-Brighton boss keen to get back to work 20 months after being axed by Chelsea.
Lopetegui has had several dressing room fallouts with players since replacing David Moyes in the summer.
5
Potter has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023Credit: Getty
¡Bienvenido!
Brighton’s latest South American star has jetted into the UK to complete his £14m move from David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
Both clubs have confirmed a deal for midfielder Diego Gomez to swap playing alongside Lionel Messi to join the Seagulls, in a switch set up in the summer to be completed in January.
The 21-year-old is a key part of the Paraguay side that are on the cusp of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and looks another smart piece of business by Brighton owner Tony Bloom.
Brighton already have Gomez’s Paraguay teammate Julio Enciso on their books, as well as Argentine Facundo Buonanotte and Brazilians Igor and Joao Pedro and Colombian Pervis Estupinan – giving the dressing room at the Amex Stadium a distinctly Latino feel.
5
Gomez made 28 appearances for Miami last seasonCredit: GETTY
The English champions did snap a five-game losing streak but did little to boost confidence ahead of Sunday’s trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool by conceding three times in the final 15 minutes.
Pep Guardiola admitted his star-studded squad were “fragile” and lacking in confidence after the worst run of his managerial career, while a shock stat was exposed.
We lost a lot of games lately, we are fragile and of course, we need a victory,” he said to Prime Video.
“The game was good for the confidence, we were playing at a good level and then for the first time something happened, we have problems.”
Manchester City became the first team in the history of the Champions League to be leading by three goals as late as the 75th minute, before failing to win.
Two goals from Erling Haaland, either side of Ilkay Gundogan’s deflected effort, looked set to restore some order for City.
But the defensive frailties that have been the root cause for a staggering collapse in recent weeks was exposed in the closing stages.
Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez and David Hancko hit back to salvage a vital point for the Dutch giants.
A draw leaves City with plenty of work to do to reach the knockout stages with trips to Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain to come in their next two Champions League games.
Only the top eight progress directly to the last 16 with a place in the top 24 of the 36-team table enough to reach the playoff round.
City drop to 15th on eight points from five matches, just one point ahead of Feyenoord in 20th.
Guardiola reacted to a first home defeat for two years in a 4-0 humbling by Tottenham on Saturday by making three changes.
Jack Grealish, Matheus Nunes and Nathan Ake came into the starting line-up but it still took City time to find their rhythm.
Nerves around a far from full Etihad Stadium were frayed when Igor Paixao wasted a big chance to give the Dutch giants the lead.
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Manchester City and Feyenoord at City of Manchester Stadium on November 26, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Instead, City got the break they needed when Haaland was fouled inside the box from a corner.
The Norwegian missed from the penalty spot in City’s 4-1 thrashing by Sporting Lisbon last time out in the Champions League.
This time Haaland was clinical and smashed the ball into the net in relieving his frustrations of recent weeks.
Gundogan’s volley from the edge of the box that deflected in off Hancko gave City breathing space early in the second half.
Haaland then slid in to meet Nunes’ cross for his 46th Champions League goal in 44 appearances in the competition to seemingly put City on easy street.
But there was a sting in the tail for the home side after Josko Gvardiol’s slack backpass allowed Moussa in to round Ederson and fire in from a narrow angle.
Guardiola held his head in his hands in response and worse was to come when Ederson failed to deal with Jordan Lotomba’s near-post effort and the ball fell kindly for Gimenez to make it 3-2.
More kamikaze defending gifted Feyenoord an equaliser as Rico Lewis played Paixao onside. He eased around the onrushing Ederson and crossed for Hancko to head into an unguarded net.
City have now conceded two or more goals in six consecutive games for the first time since 1963.
There was still time for more drama as Grealish’s shot came back off the crossbar in City’s search for a late winner.
Instead they had to settle for a point that will feel just as damaging as the previous five defeats for a side so used to winning.
ARSENAL’S RUTHLESS ROUT
Arsenal extended their revival with a ruthless 5-1 rout of Sporting Lisbon to bolster their bid to reach the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.
Mikel Arteta’s side ended a three-match winless run in all competitions by beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the Premier League last weekend.
And the Gunners built on that success with an even more dynamic display at the Jose Alvalade stadium.
Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal an early lead and Kai Havertz increased their advantage before Gabriel Magalhaes struck just before halftime.
Goncalo Inacio got one back for Sporting, but Bukayo Saka’s penalty underlined the gulf in class between the teams.
Leandro Trossard netted late on to give Arsenal five away goals in a Champions League game for the first time since 2008.
Arsenal’s third win in five Champions League matches this season lifted them into seventh place, with the top eight teams in the revamped tournament earning automatic qualification for the last 16.
Sporting’s first defeat in Europe’s elite club competition this season leaves them below Arsenal on goal difference.
Arsenal are nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after their dip, but this swaggering effort suggested they are finally back in the groove.
Arteta had challenged Arsenal to make a statement against Sporting and they responded in emphatic fashion.
The north Londoners’ first away win in the Champions League in six attempts was a welcome tonic after a 1-0 loss at Inter Milan in their last European fixture.
Arsenal’s impressive performance was all the more notable as Sporting had crushed Manchester City 4-1 in their final Champions League game under Ruben Amorim, who has since taken charge of Manchester United.
Joao Pereira has replaced Amorim as Sporting boss but he was unable to maintain their unbeaten start to the season as the Portuguese champions were defeated for the first time in 19 games in all competitions.
Thomas Partey of Arsenal celebrates victory with teammate Bukayo Saka after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 26, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
It took just seven minutes for Martinelli to put Arsenal ahead. Jurrien Timber’s low cross was perfectly weighted and the Brazilian slid in to apply the finish inside the six-yard box.
In stark contrast to City’s capitulation at Sporting earlier in November, Arteta’s men were in complete command.
They picked the Sporting defence apart again in the 22nd minute as Thomas Partey’s incisive pass picked out Saka’s run beyond the hosts’ creaky off-side trap.
Saka guided a pinpoint pass into the Sporting area and Havertz timed his run immaculately to slot home from close range.
Sporting finally forced a save from David Raya when 17-year-old Geovany Quenda unleashed a fierce strike that the Arsenal keeper tipped over.
But Gabriel bagged his first Champions League goal on the stroke of halftime. Arsenal’s set-piece prowess was on show as the Brazilian defender rose highest to power his header past Franco Israel from Declan Rice’s inswinging corner.
Gabriel marked the goal with a cheeky celebration as he mimicked the eye-covering gesture used by Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres when he scores.
That inflammatory gesture briefly woke Sporting from their slumber and Inacio reduced the deficit two minutes after halftime.
Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori went to sleep at a corner and Inacio took advantage to volley past Raya from close range.
Sporting needed another goal quickly to put Arsenal under genuine pressure, but instead it was the visitors who struck again in the 65th minute.
Ousmane Diomande’s lunge tripped Martin Odegaard in the area and Saka drilled his penalty into the corner of the net.
Trossard put the seal on Arsenal’s demolition job in the 82nd minute, nodding home after Israel spilt Mikel Merino’s shot.
BAYERN BEST 10-MAN PSG
A first-half header from Kim Min-jae guided Bayern Munich to a 1-0 home win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, damaging the French side’s hopes of progressing in the Champions League.
The centre-back scored after an error from PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov, starting ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who spilt the ball into Kim’s path.
The South Korean’s effort was enough to decide the rematch of the 2020 Champions League final — won by Bayern by the same scoreline — and all but extinguishes PSG’s hopes of a top-eight finish and avoiding the playoff round.
Ousmane Dembele picked up a second yellow for an unnecessary challenge with half an hour remaining, with Bayern successfully shutting up shop as a result.
“It was an extremely intense game,” Leon Goretzka said to Amazon Prime. “You could see in the starting XI they were going to try and hold onto the ball and to test us with their pressing — and we pushed to the end and it’s nice we could be rewarded.” With just three games remaining, even making the knockouts is not a given for the French champions, who are in 26th spot — two outside the playoff placings.
PSG host Manchester City in January along with facing tricky away trips to Red Bull Salzburg and Stuttgart.
Bayern’s top-eight hopes look rosier after the win, which extended their run of clean sheets to seven straight games in all competitions.
Bayern now sit 11th and take on relative European minnows Shakhtar Donetsk, Feyenoord and Slovan Bratislava in their remaining games.
Both sides came into the game unbeaten and six points clear in their domestic leagues but in dire need of points in Europe.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender #05 Marquinhos (L) and Paris Saint-Germain’s Portuguese midfielder #87 Joao Neves react after losing the UEFA Champions League, League phase – Matchday 5, football match between FC Bayern Munich Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Munich, southern Germany, on November 26, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Source: AFP
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany opted for the speed of Leroy Sane over the creativity of France winger Michael Olise up front.
PSG boss Luis Enrique made five changes to his side but most notable was his decision to stick with goalkeeper Safonov, rather than Donnarumma, who had played all but one Champions League game this season.
Luis Enrique defended his call before the game, telling reporters: “I make my choices based on what I see on the pitch and what’s best for the team.” The decision appeared to pay off early, with Safonov responsible for good saves from Jamal Musiala and Sane inside the opening 12 minutes.
Kingsley Coman, the PSG academy product who scored the only goal in the 2020 final, almost broke the deadlock shortly afterwards, dribbling through five defenders and blasting just wide.
After PSG had a few opportunities of their own, including Joao Neves’ long-range effort whistling past the goalpost on 33 minutes, the Russian goalkeeper made a mistake which led directly to the opener.
Joshua Kimmich swung in a corner on the 38-minute mark which Safonov spilt. And Kim took advantage to power a header into the net for the first Champions League goal of his career.
Bayern were happy to let the game come to them in the second half but Dembele’s second yellow — his first had come for dissent — took the steam out of PSG’s hopes of a comeback.
Tillies already eyeing Asian Cup | 00:54
BARCELONA HIT BREST FOR THREE
Robert Lewandowski scored his 100th Champions League goal as Barcelona beat Brest 3-0 to climb provisionally second in the Champions League group standings on Tuesday.
The veteran striker slotted home from the spot in the 10th minute to fire the Catalans ahead and reach his milestone, adding a second late on after Dani Olmo’s goal to inflict the French side’s first defeat.
After dropping points in their last two outings in La Liga, coach Hansi Flick had urged his players to “eliminate” mistakes in their game and Barca produced a solid display.
They got off the mark quickly when Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot clumsily clattered into the back of Lewandowski after the forward controlled Pedri’s cross on his chest.
The striker dusted himself down and dispatched the penalty clinically to open the scoring after 10 minutes and bring up his century.
It made Lewandowski only the third player to reach that milestone in the competition, behind former Barcelona great Lionel Messi, on 129, and former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, with 140.
Under Flick, the forward’s form has improved significantly this season, reaching 22 goals in 19 appearances between La Liga and the Champions League.
The 36-year-old has made 125 Champions League appearances with Barcelona and before that German sides Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
“I am very happy, many years ago I did not think I could score more than 100 goals in the Champions League,” Lewandowski told Movistar.
“For me the most important thing is that we try to win every game, if I can score, then that’s the perfect solution.
“I don’t know how many games we have left before the end of the year but we have to win them all and rest over Christmas.” Barcelona were still without teenage star Lamine Yamal, recovering from an ankle problem, but Raphinha was busy on the right and the Catalans dominated proceedings.
They did not create many clear chances though until Fermin Lopez forced a fine save from Bizot with a diving header.
The Dutch goalkeeper made amends for his earlier mistake by denying the Spaniard with his leg.
Pedri and Gavi of FC Barcelona smile following the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Barcelona and Stade Brestois 29 at Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys on November 26, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Lopez again came close early in the second half when Lewandowski put him in with a neat flick but Bizot was alert to save his low effort.
Playmaker Olmo had an effort scrambled off the line by Brendan Chardonnet as Barcelona sought to put the game to bed.
The former RB Leipzig midfielder eventually grabbed the second in the 66th minute when he received Gerard Martin’s pass in the box, showing some nifty footwork to dodge Chardonnet and beat Bizot at the near post.
Brest thumped RB Salzburg 4-0 and had dropped just two points from their first four matches despite sitting in mid-table in Ligue 1, but were brought down to earth at the Olympic Stadium.
Mathias Pereira Lage drilled home to momentarily delight nearly 3,000 travelling supporters but their joy was curtailed when the linesman raised his flag for off-side.
Barca substitute Pablo Torre should have netted Barcelona’s third when he intercepted a pass with just the goalkeeper to beat, but fired wide.
Instead the job fell to Lewandowski and he rolled home his 101st Champions League goal with aplomb, beyond Bizot’s outstretched arm.
Brest fall a few places down the table but their strong start to the campaign means they are well placed to secure at least a playoff spot, while Barcelona are aiming to reach the last 16 directly.
Flick’s side travel to last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund next, before visiting Benfica and hosting Atalanta.
Gabriel Agbonlahor has called on Liverpool to open the chequebook for Mohamed Salah and avoid an ‘unforgivable’ mistake.
Salah is entering the final six months of his contract with the Reds, which means he will be able to speak to foreign clubs in January about moving for free at the end of the season.
6
Salah has starred for Liverpool this season in what could be his last year at AnfieldCredit: AFP
The Egyptian winger did little to silence rumours about a potential exit when he claimed he was ‘probably more out than in’ after Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Southampton on Sunday.
Salah added: “There is no club like this. But in the end it is not in my hands. As I said before, it is December and I haven’t received anything yet about my future.”
At present, the 32-year-old rakes in over an estimated £300k-a-week, which places him as the club’s top earner.
But former Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor believes Liverpool must be prepared to break the bank for their superstar forward given how well he continues to perform.
“First of all, Mo Salah is 32, I think Mo Salah is going to have the same length of career as [Cristiano] Ronaldo because he looks after his body, doesn’t look like he’s slowing down at 32, still rapid, still getting the same numbers as well,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT Drive.
“Mo Salah is probably on £300k-a-week at the moment. He’s probably saying, ‘You know what, I want £500k. Give it to me or I’ll get double that in Saudi Arabia.’
“I’ve heard from a good source that Saudi want him. They want him to be the face of the Saudi Pro League. So if you’re getting those silly numbers and you’re producing so well for your club, season after season after season, you want your worth.
“Yes, people will say £300k is enough, but it doesn’t matter. You want in life what you feel you’re worth. But Salah is probably thinking, ‘I’m 32, I’ve got three years left in me at the top of the Premier League.’
“Liverpool might be saying, ‘We can’t give you £500k-a-week for three years. We might be able to do £350k, £400k for two years.’
6
Salah recently claimed he hasn’t received any contract extension offers from LiverpoolCredit: X:@NBCSportsSoccer
6
Salah continues to star for Liverpool, with his contract running out
“Maybe that’s not where they are seeing eye-to-eye.”
Salah is not the only big name Liverpool have allowed to fall into the final six months of their deal.
Alexander-Arnold has been heavily linked with a move to European heavyweights Real Madrid, with former Reds star Michael Owen even putting his hand up to facilitate a deal to the Spanish capital.
As for Van Dijk, 33, the Reds may be reluctant to offer him a lengthy and expensive deal given his age.
But it is the idea of letting Salah, who has scored 223 goals in 367 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions, walk free that left Agbonlahor flabbergasted.
6
Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah are all entering the final six months of their Liverpool dealsCredit: Getty
The ex-Villa man also raised the concern of what happens to the wage requests of Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold if they see Salah getting what he wants.
“Unforgivable,” Agbonlahor said. It’s like [Lionel] Messi leaving Barcelona.
“Van Dijk, 33, he’s probably got his last deal, wants a big one.
“Their numbers go up as well. Before you know it, you might have Van Dijk wanting £300k, you might have Trent wanting £350k.
“Unforgivable, mate. Can you picture that Liverpool team without Salah? I can’t picture it. I just can’t picture a replacement.
“Even if you have to pay him £500k, the extra from what £300k-a-week is now, what’s it going to cost you to replace Salah?”
6
Salah has been a talismanic presence for Liverpool since he joined from Roma in 2017Credit: Getty
Agbonlahor’s Messi reference relates to when the superstar left Barcelona for free in 2021 and joined Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Messi’s departure was due to the club’s scandalous financial mismanagement and LaLiga regulations rather than dragging their heels over contract negotiations.
As for Salah, it appears his main option other than staying at Liverpool is a move to Saudi Arabia.
The winger was the subject of an eye-watering £150m bid from Al Ittihad in September last year, but the Reds turned it down.
talkSPORT also understands Al Hilal are keen to snap up Salah ahead of the Club World Cup, a tournament which could pit the Egyptian up against Messi and Inter Miami.
“All signs are Saudi are going to come back in and if Salah is a free agent then naturally he can get a bigger sign-on fee,” talkSPORT’s Saudi Pro League correspondent Ben Jacobs said earlier in November.
6
Salah boasts incredible success in front of goal for Liverpool and is third on their list of greatest goal scorers
“Liverpool want him to renew, Saudi are pushing hard. [Saudi Pro League sporting director] Michael Emenalo, who has a good relationship with Mo Salah, is leading the drive.
“So the only thing that’s really changed is the club from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal and the expectation is that Saudi will make a big push.”
Every year budding footballers are dubbed the ‘next Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo’ but one star remains the original wonderkid.
Former Juventus midfielder Matteo Brighi still boasts the second-highest FIFA (NKA FC) rating of all time with a whopping 97 score.
9
Matteo Brighi had the world at his feet after a stunning loan spell at BolognaCredit: Getty
The Italian was crowned by EA Sports as the best in the world following the release of FIFA 03 in October 2002 – two months after a teenage CR7 made his professional debut with Sporting Lisbon.
Ironically, it is only Ronaldo‘s Brazilian namesake who has ever earned a higher overall than Brighi on any edition of the franchise’s history.
To put that into further context, Messi and Ronaldo, who have won a combined 13 Ballons d’Or between them, have never been higher than a 94 on any individual EA entry.
In defence of Brighi, the youngster had just been bestowed the Serie A Young Footballer of the Year award – following in the footsteps of Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta.
However, FIFA bigwigs had been overzealous in investing in the potential of a player tipped to be the next big thing.
Just two years prior Brighi was starring in Italy’s now-defunct fourth tier, formerly known as Serie C2, then Lega Pro Seconda Divisione.
The midfielder had come through the ranks of boyhood club Rimini where he caught the eye of now-Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti took the reigns at Juventus in February 1999 and hoped to make Brighi among his first signings for the club that summer as part of a drive to stockpile the best young talent in Europe.
The teenager surprised the ex-Chelsea gaffer by opting to stay at Rimini for a further season to finish his diploma in accounting.
9
Both Messi and Ronaldo have peaked at a rating of 94
9
Brighi partnered Pirlo in Italy’s U21 side that beat England in 2002Credit: Getty
“I didn’t feel like coming immediately, I wasn’t ready yet,” said Brighi in 2000. “It was better to wait, and have a little more experience.”
Brighi arrived instead a year into Ancelotti’s Juve reign having scored six goals in 34 games as Rimini ultimately lost in the playoffs.
The Bianconeri hierarchy waxed lyrical about their new prodigy, with controversial ex-club executive Luciano Moggi comparing him to Real Madrid legend Fernando Redondo – who had just won UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.
Ancelotti similarly was also struck by Brighi’s talents and even admitted his qualities were akin to his own as a player.
La Repubblica quoted him saying: “In some ways he resembles me, he’s a simple, straightforward player. He should just be less shy.”
That last piece of advice from Ancelotti proved to be a warning in hindsight, as it proved to be a theme of Brighi’s career.
9
Brighi has cemented his name in internet folkloreCredit: EA Sports
9
But soon he was watching younger stars reach levels he never quite hitCredit: Getty
Carlo Ancelotti signings at Juventus
David Trezeguet
Enzo Maresca
Edwin van der Sar
Gianluca Zambrotta
Matteo Brighi
Brighi did little to quell the doubts over his timid nature after expressing his doubts that he would be able to make the grade.
He said: “It’s early to make judgments, I don’t even know if I’m able to stay at these levels. I’m here to learn, in a couple of months we will decide if I can stay in the first team.”
Juventus already had Zinedine Zidane, Antonio Conte and Edgar Davids as midfield options at the time of Brighi’s arrival in Turin.
At age 19, he featured just 12 times during the 2000-01 campaign and was largely kept out of the spotlight by Ancelotti.
Brighi was loaned out to Bologna the following year which is where he showed the form that made EA Sports sit up and take notice.
He made 32 outings as Rossoblu finished an impressive seventh, where he was rewarded with a spot alongside Andrea Pirlo in midfield as Italy’s Under-21s reached the semi-finals of the European Championships.
Three months later that same summer Brighi was handed his senior international debut and by then, EA had seen enough.
9
Brighi played against Chelsea in the Champions League for RomaCredit: Getty
9
He also battled former England captain David Beckham in Serie ACredit: AFP
Juventus weren’t convinced that his future was at the Stadio delle Alpi and he was farmed out to Parma and then Brescia.
Brighi eventually joined Roma in 2004 in a package deal that saw Juventus land Emerson but he had to wait three years for his debut.
The former starlet spent three years on loan with Chievo Verona before finally wearing Giallorossi colours upon his return in 2007.
During this time, EA Sports had dropped his overall rating in FIFA 05 to 81, but still with a potential of 98 in case things started to click.
But a year later he was relegated to a 79 rating – a hefty 18 ratings lower than his 97 peak – and his rapid downward progression had led to a video-game revamp in how the Canadian publishers scored footballers each season.
The end of Brighi’s transfer merry-go-round did at least allow him to spark a brief career revival at Roma.
9
Brighi struggled under the weight of expectationsCredit: AFP
He ended his exile from the Italy national team, with legendary Azzurri manager Marcello Lippi bemoaning the enormous expectation he was put under in curtailing his rise.
“From the human point of view he is a splendid boy, and from the technical point of view he is one of those diligent midfielders that every trainer would want to have,” Lippi said.
“To my warning, at the beginning of his career, he was praised so excessively that too many expectations were created around him.”
In total, Brighi made 142 appearances for Roma – the most for any one club – before becoming a journeyman for his remaining playing days.
He was linked with transfers to Fulham and Celtic, but instead turned out for Atalanta, Torino, Sassuolo, Perugia and Empoli, before quietly hanging up his boots with the latter in 2019.
9
Brighi’s final card was 70-rated on FIFA 19Credit: Getty
“I’m not the type for announcements and goodbyes,” the four-cap Italy international told Roma’s club website the following year.
“I’ve started a new journey which is still in football and that suits me.”
Brighi oversees his own football academy back in Rimini, where he has the chance to nurture the next big thing coming through.
It seems he has his own views on why he never hit the heights expected of him, telling Sky Italia in 2013: “I like to work, not talk.
“Other players talk and sell themselves, certainly better than I do. I don’t blame them for it. It’s just not me.”
