Mbappe inherits French Player of the Year crown from Kante

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After bursting onto the scene as a precociously-gifted teenager at Monaco, a big-money transfer had taken him to Parc des Princes.
Another Ligue 1 title triumph was enjoyed in 2017-18, as PSG swept the board in terms of domestic honours.
Mbappe then headed to Russia with his country and a shot at World Cup glory.
He helped Les Bleus to go all the way, with a fine individual effort netted in a
4-2 final triumph over Croatia.
His efforts were recognised with the Young Player Award, and his game has continued to go from strength to strength.
Mbappe has hit 16 goals in 19 appearances for PSG this season, as they continue to chase down more trophies at home and abroad.
Alongside those heroics, he has also become the inaugural winner of the Kopa Trophy – the prize bestowed upon the finest under-21 player on the planet.
He finished fourth in the vote for the 2018 Ballon d’Or, with that lofty standing placing him above five-time winner Lionel Messi.
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@francefootball
Kylian Mbappé is your France Football french player of the year!
625 2:23 PM - Dec 25, 2018
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Those in his native France have now recognised him as the country’s finest performer.
Mbappe was awarded that gong by France Football, having edged out Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann.
He inherits the title from Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, who came out on top in 2017.
While this is the first time that he has scooped the award, it is unlikely to be the last.

Allegri hails Ronaldo as world’s best

The Juventus manager also praised the match officials after a VAR-influenced win over Sampdoria.

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri hailed Cristiano Ronaldo and referee Paolo Valeri following the Serie A leaders’ 2-1 win over Sampdoria.

Ronaldo took his tally for the season to 14 league goals with a brace in what was a VAR-dominated contest at the Allianz Stadium.

The Portugal forward gave Juve the lead with an early strike, and after that was cancelled out by a 33rd-minute Fabio Quagliarella penalty, Ronaldo converted a spot-kick himself in the 65th minute. Both penalties were awarded for handballs after Valeri had consulted the pitchside monitor, with the second decision looking harsh.

Sampdoria then thought they had drawn level in stoppage time through a superb strike from substitute Riccardo Saponara, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside once Valeri had again checked the replay.

Ronaldo was back in the champions’ starting line-up after coming off the bench and netting an equaliser in the 2-2 Boxing Day draw at Atalanta.

Allegri was quoted on Juve’s official website after the Sampdoria game as describing the 33-year-old summer signing from Real Madrid as “the best player in the world.”

And he added: “It was important to end the year on a high and it wasn’t at all easy.

“We had our chances against a good side, but we lost our way after their penalty.

“In the second half we restored our lead after several opportunities and almost conceded another at the end but thankfully it was offside.

“It’s right to use VAR when it’s considered appropriate to do so. Valeri officiated well and he was helped by technology.

“We played well but we were winning 2-1 at the and all we had to do was keep the ball without forcing anything. Instead we get caught on the counter too many times after losing possession. We shouldn’t be making mistakes like that.”

While Juventus’ haul of 53 is a new Serie A record for most points registered in the first half of a season, Allegri was focused on another number as he said: “Thirty-seven, give or take a few, is the number of points we need to secure the Scudetto.”

Ronaldo himself said: “The first half of the season has gone really well.

“We’ve won nearly all our games and we’re a solid side but there’s still a long way to go. We must stay focused and keep working away if we want to achieve great things.”

Regarding VAR, Ronaldo added: “I like it a lot because it reduces the number of mistakes. It’s not easy for the match officials to analyse everything that goes on in a match. We just have to let them get on with their jobs.”

Sampdoria boss Marco Giampaolo made his unhappiness with the second penalty decision clear.

He was quoted on Sampdoria’s official website as saying: “The team would have deserved a draw today, morally for me it’s 2-2. And this I will tell my boys.

“For me the penalty given to Juventus is a gift. You can only give it if you’ve never played football, if you’re a bureaucrat. Otherwise you never give it in life.”

Giampaolo, whose side started Saturday in fifth place, added with a smile: “A goal like that of Saponara, (it) is a crime to cancel it.

“Also because the touch of the player who gives the ball is not clear. But I will not dwell on this.

“I do not feel defeated today.”

What Ronaldo told teammates who said Messi is better

Cristiano Ronaldo’s team-mates at Manchester United used to motivate him by telling him Lionel Messi was a better player.

Ronaldo joined the Old Trafford club from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 and spent six years with the Premier League side.

During his time there, teammates including Rio Ferdinand, would wind him up.

Peter Crouch reveals in his new book: “Rio Ferdinand would tell us stories about how Cristiano Ronaldo would stand in front of the mirror naked, running his hand through his hair, and say, ‘Wow. I’m so beautiful!’.

“The other United players would try to wind him up [by saying] ‘Whatever, Leo Messi is a better player than you’.

“He would shrug his shoulders and smile again. ‘Ah yes. But Messi does not look like this…’”

Ronaldo joined Juventus this summer in a £89million move from Real Madrid.

Messi opens up on Neymar’s return to Barcelona Ifreke Inyang

Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi, has said he would love to have Neymar back at Camp Nou.

In an interview with Marca, he also ruled out the possibility of leaving the Catalan side.

Neymar, 26, left Barca to join Paris Saint-Germain in a world record €222million deal in 2017.

Since leaving, he has regularly been linked with a return to the club, as well as a move to rivals Real Madrid.

And, while Messi said he believes a reunion for the pair in Spain is unlikely, he would be delighted should it happen.

“It would be difficult.We would love it if he came back for what he means as a player and in the dressing room.

“We are friends, we enjoyed nice moments, as well some which were not so nice, but we spent a lot of time together. It is undoubtedly difficult to imagine him leaving Paris. PSG won’t let Neymar go,” Messi said.

Lionel Messi responds to Cristiano Ronaldo's offer to join him in Italy

Lionel Messi appeared to be a man on a mission before the Spanish football winter break.

After his questionable fifth-place finish in the Ballon d'Or rankings, the Argentine superstar sought to remind the world of his generational talent in Barcelona's next three La Liga games.

Messi found the net on six occasions, with Barca now going into the new year at the summit of the table.

Their 31-year-old talisman is now Europe's leading goal scorer yet again on 14 league goals, despite missing nearly a month of action with a fractured arm.

There's no doubting that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two finest players of their generation and there is a school of thought suggesting that they're the two greatest to have kicked a ball.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

The pair may have never lifted a single World Cup between them, but the strength of the Champions League and their remarkable consistency surely outweighs a single international triumph.

One other thing that weighs Messi down in the eyes of some is the fact that he has spent his whole career with Barcelona.

Ronaldo on the other hand has enjoyed success with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

In a recent interview, the Portuguese even suggested that Messi should follow him to Italy to prove himself in a new environment.

Well, the Argentine has now responded to his rival and it doesn't sound like he'll be joining Ronaldo anytime soon.

Messi said in an interview with Marca: ”Accepting Ronaldo's challenge to join Italian football? I don't need any change. I'm at the best team in the world.

"My challenges are renewed year after year. I do not need to change teams or leagues to set new goals. I am at home and I do not need to change.”

Messi's main goal appears to be bringing the Champions League trophy back to Catalonia, rather than thinking of a move elsewhere

Modric should not have been ‘even in the Top 3’ of the Golden Ball:nani

Croatian Luka Modric has enjoyed the best moment of his career this year. He was voted as the best player at the 2018 Russian World Cup as well as the best of Europe and the World, besides having received the traditional Ballon d’or. Portuguese Nani, however, the player should not even be among the top three in this award.

“For me, Modric should not be even in the Top 3 of the Golden Ball,” he said in an interview with the Portuguese newspaper Record. “In his position, he is one of the best. But in fact he can not win the Golden Ball in front of Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar and others.”

The 32-year-old from Sporting said his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, former Modric teammate at Real Madrid and currently at Juventus, should have been left with the trophy. “Ronaldo would have been the fair winner.”

For Nani, Modric is not as decisive as Ronaldo. “The best players in the world are the ones who are unbalanced with their individual game and make a difference in their clubs.” That is what happened to Ronaldo, who was even in the same team as Modric, and now he has moved to Juventus, where he continues to beat records, “he said.

Andre Silva prefers to play as Barcelona or Man City

It's still a funny anecdote, but Sevilla striker, Andre Silva, has confessed on more than one occasion that one of his great hobbies is to always play as one of the 'bigger' football teams on his video games console.

Despite actually playing for the Andalusians, he never uses the team when having some down time with friends and family.

"I love to play the PlayStation but to win, I can't play with Sevilla and that's why I choose Barcelona or Manchester City," he said to O Jogo.

"Sevilla's game isn't so strong and my cousins always choose other very strong teams."

"Since I don't like to lose at anything, it has to be this way."

It's one more sign of the character of the player, who will sign permanently for Sevilla if the Andalusian club makes his purchase option effective.

He still won't say a word about his future as he doesn't want to be wrongly quoted.

Sevilla have the upper hand in that negotiation, because they have agreed the amount and the length of contract with the player.

He would be the first stone of a more ambitious future project, and maybe in time he can play as Sevilla on the PlayStation too.

Ultrafast anti-ship missiles offered for sale :China

China is promoting an ultrafast anti-ship ballistic missile, said to be the first of its kind in the international market, to buyers seeking a reliable and affordable deterrence against threats from the sea.

China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, the nation's largest maker of missiles, has brought the CM-401 supersonic anti-ship ballistic missile to market, saying it is capable of making rapid, precision strikes against medium-sized or large vessels, or against land targets.

It said the weapon uses a "near-space trajectory", which means it flies between 20 and 100 kilometers above the earth, and that it maneuvers at hypersonic speeds throughout its flight.

The missile will ascend to a certain altitude until its target is acquired. It will then enter an ultrafast terminal dive toward the target, according to CASIC.

The company said the CM-401 features strong destructive power, good penetration capability and a mix of trajectories. It added that the missile can be mounted on various platforms, such as ships or land-based launch vehicles.

According to the CASIC, the missile flies at an average speed of 1,360 meters per second - 4,900 kilometers per hour - or four times the speed of sound, during most parts of the flight, and reaches a maximum velocity of more than 2,000 m/s, six times the speed of sound as it approaches the target. It can carry a 290-kilogram warhead and has a maximum strike range of 290 km and a hit rate of 90 percent, meaning there will be nine effective hits on target out of 10 shots.

The State-owned defense conglomerate made the missile system public at the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition that was held recently in Zhuhai, Guangdong province.

Meanwhile, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, the country's major rocket maker, recently offered its M20B anti-ship ballistic missile to the international market.

The road-mobile M20B also features supersonic speed and a maneuverable trajectory. Carrying a 480-kg warhead, the missile can hit a ship 120 km to 280 km away. It is suitable for rapid, precision attacks on frigates and destroyers, the academy said.

Before the CM-401 and M20B, all anti-ship missiles available in the international market were sea-skimming models such as China's C-802 and CM-302 and the United States' Harpoon.

China is the only country that currently fields anti-ship ballistic missiles. Its DF-21D and DF-26 are called "trump cards" in naval warfare by the Chinese military, but are not allowed for export because of a strike range said to be more than 1,000 km - far exceeding the restrictions on the export of missiles set by the Chinese government.

Wu Peixin, a defense industry observer in Beijing, said that ultrafast anti-ship ballistic missiles like the CM-401 can potentially become a game changer in modern naval operations because it is very difficult for existing air-defense radars and weapons on ships to intercept such missiles due to their unique trajectories and hypersonic speeds. Therefore users will be able to effectively deter an enemy's vessels, especially aircraft carriers, from approaching their coast, Wu said.

Arthur: 'I am praying for Neymar to come back to Barcelona'

PSG forward has been linked with a return to Barcelona this autumn as he is reportedly unhappy in Paris and has realised that his move to Ligue 1 in 2017 was a mistake. Barcelona haven't refuted the rumours but it is understood that the transfer is extremely difficult to orchestrate. 

"I am praying for him to come back because he's a great player," Arthur told Mundo Deportivo. "He makes the team better. I don't know if there are negotiations or options for him to come back however."

"Neymar is a great friend of mine and he's a professional. I would be very happy if he came back to Barca," the midfielder added.

However, the Catalans are likely to be closely following the recent developments in PSG's Financial Fair Play case. It has been reported by Mediapart on Monday, that the French champions are forced to sell one of their main stars in order to recoup 170 million euros to sort out their accounts. 

PSG forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting burgled again

Thieves escaped with jewels and handbags worth more than 500,000 euros (570,000) last month while Choupo-Moting was playing for PSG against Liverpool in the Champions League

PSG captain Thiago Silva had been the victim of a robbery on Saturday while he was playing in the club's 1-0 win over Nantes at the Parc des Princes

Paris: The home of Paris Saint-Germain forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was broken into by thieves for the second time in a month, a police source said on Tuesday. Thieves escaped with jewels and handbags worth more than 500,000 euros (570,000) last month while Choupo-Moting was playing for PSG against Liverpool in the Champions League. The Cameroon international was again targeted on Monday, as burglars reportedly forced open the door of his flat in the French capital and then fled after setting off an alarm.

PSG captain Thiago Silva had been the victim of a robbery on Saturday while he was playing in the club's 1-0 win over Nantes at the Parc des Princes. In December 2017, the Paris apartment of then PSG coach Unai Emery, now at Arsenal, was burgled as his team played Strasbourg in the French Cup.   

Paris Saint-Germain

Barcelona willing to offer Philippe Coutinho for PSG star Kylian Mbappe to keep Neymar away from Real Madrid

Spanish club Barcelona are willing to offer Philippe Coutinho for PSG forward Kylian Mbappe to stop Neymar from joining Real Madrid.

Photo Credit: AP

Phillipe Coutinho - Kylian Mbappe swap on cards?

Spanish giants Barcelona are willing to offer Brazilian superstar Philippe Coutinho to French club Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in exchange of their player and World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe. Neymar wants his people close to him and if Coutinho comes to PSG then he would drop a move to Real Madrid. If the transfer is successful then Barcelona would probably hit a masterstroke as they would add one of the brightest prospects in world football – Mbappe – to their ranks, while stopping Neymar to join their arch-rivals Real Madrid.

According to Don Balon,Barcelona are willing to exchange Coutinho for Mbappe as the Blaugranas try to put Neymar’s move to Real Madrid to bed. According to reports, the Brazilian winger is not content with his life in Paris as he misses his close ones, and with Coutinho being one of his closest friends, PSG would do anything to make the life of their biggest superstar a bit better. However, it is to be seen whether they would sell the Best Young Player in the FIFA World Cup 2018 after signing him from his former club AS Monaco for a mammoth £165.7 million.

Meanwhile, Barcelona sit atop the La Liga 2018-19 standings with 37 points in 17 matches. They have notched up 11 wins while losing two and drawing four matches in the league campaign till now. Whereas, Coutinho, who secured his dream move from English club Liverpool on the January transfer window of 2018, has contributed four goals and one assist so far in the league.

Whereas, PSG are still unbeaten in Ligue 1 after 17 matches with 47 points to their name. They have won 15 matches and have drawn just two games. Mbappe is currently the top scorer in the French league with 13 goals to his name.

Sadio Mane names his ‘world best defende

Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane has named his fellow teammate, Virgil van Dijk as his world best defender.
Mane stated this following Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Wolves in the Premier League fixture on Friday night.
Van Dijk has been impressive for Jurgen Klopp’s side since he joined the Anfield club for a reported £75million in January from Southampton.
The centre-back scored his first goal for Liverpool in their victory over Wolves.
Speaking to reporters, Goal quoted Mane as saying: “It’s been a big, big impact. We’ve all seen it. Of course at the time he signed people were thinking that the club had overpaid for Virgil.
“But since then everyone has forgotten about the fee because his form has been so good.
“He’s done such a great job for us back there. I am so happy to have him as a team-mate.
“He’s one of the leaders. You can see it in every single game. He’s one of the best defenders in the world, He has proved it.”
“I said to Virgil: ‘Finally, you have scored in the Premier League for us!’” Mane joked
“It had been a long time. Everyone is happy for him and he’s such a good player that I’m sure that more goals will follow for him”.

The Wildest Fashion Looks From the 2018 MTV VMAs

The MTV Video Music Awards fashion is always a fun one to watch as we honestly don't know what to expect. Remember Lady Gaga's 2010 meat dress? How about Lil' Kim's 1999 pastie moment? Both went on to be some of the most over-the-top, unforgettable red carpet looks. Thus, we've got our eye out for the next iconic getup to strut across the carpet. From Nicki Minaj's bodysuit-and-see-through-tulle-skirt combo to Blac Chyna's pink chain mail ensemble, peek the head-turning looks ahead. 

PSG 'forced to sell either Kylian Mbappe or Neymar' as fair play rules bite

NEYMAR PRANKS TEAMMATEKYLIAN MBAPPE WITH HILARIOUS BOTTLE TRICK

Pressure is growing on Paris Saint-Germain to comply with financial fair play rules.

The signings of Neymar for €222 million (£195.8 million) and Kylian Mbappe for a reported €180 million (£158.7 million), are believed to have unbalanced the club's accounts.

But now PSG could be forced into a painful decision - which one of the global superstars to sell to re-balance the books.

Mediapart report that PSG will have to pay back around £170m Euros to appease FFP - which means selling one of the stars in 2019.

PSG could be excluded from the Champions League if they are found to have breached FFP rules.

UEFA are looking into the finances of the French champions and the impact of the signings of Neymar and Mbappe.

Neymar has been constantly linked with a move back to Barcelona

Mbappe on the other hand is younger - and a French World Cup winner - and would be looked on as the better assest. He's also been in terrific form this season.

Neymar and Mbappe in the stands during a recent Ligue 1 match(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

PSG face possible Champions League exclusion if guilty of FFP breach

PSG were sanctioned in 2014 when discrepancies were found in commercial dealings by the Adjudicatory Chamber of the UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB).

The case has now been reopened and and an investigation is underway into the club's finances for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 seasons.

Last month French newspaper L'Equipe report they could face trouble for deals signed with Qatari entities that were far above market value.

Star of the moment Kylain Mbappe(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

PSG do not agree with the decision to reopen the case and have decided to go before the Court of Arbitration for Sport to appeal.

The club's contracts with the Qatari entities, principally the Qatar Tourism Authority, have already been reduced by 37 percent from the year 2015 after the previous UEFA investigation.

The Adjudicatory Chamber sanctioned PSG on the condition the club kept its deficit below €30 million (£26.5 million).

(Image: X90079)

However the case has now been reopened after a court decided that condition was inadequate and have ordered a deeper review of the accounts.

The review into the accounts could affect PSG adversely as the club could be found to have been able to keep its deficit below €30 million using income from inflated contracts with Qatari enterprises from 2013 to 2015, according to L'Equipe.

Reports suggest if PSG are found guilty of using inflated contracts to balance their books for a second time by UEFA they could be banned from entering the Champions League.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport is currently looking into the case.

by miliyano.blogspot.com

Barcelona willing to pair Ousmane Dembele with €100M offer to seal transfer of quality attacker

Sam Wilkins

1 min ago

Dembele is reportedly 'totally committed' to Barcelona according to his teammate Semedo

Barcelona are reportedly ready to use Ousmane Dembele as a makeweight in a deal to bring PSG and France star Kylian Mbappe to the Nou Camp.

Mbappe is one of the hottest prospects in world football, and it seems like Barca are ready to go all out in order to get their hands on the 20-year-old Frenchman.

According to Diario Gol, the Spanish giants are prepared to offer Dembele and €100M to PSG for Mbappe, and that if PSG reject the offer, the Blaugrana will try to use Philippe Coutinho in a deal for the French international.

The report also notes that Barca are aware that if they do manage to sign Mbappe, it will deal a blow to Real Madrid’s transfer plans, as it means Los Blancos will find it extremely hard to pry Neymar away from the Parc Des Princes.

Barca signing Mbappe would be a massive boost for the club, as not only would the club be delivering a bitter blow to rivals Real Madrid, but the club would also be bringing in a player who’s more than capable of replacing Luis Suarez in their attack.

Barcelona are ready to push the boat out in order to bring Mbappe to La Liga

The Uruguayan turns 32 in January, and seeing as the forward has been rapidly declining in recent seasons, Barca are definitely going to have to replace the former Liverpool man sooner rather than later.

And it seems like Mbappe could very well be the man for the job if this report from Diario Gol is anything to go off…

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