Dusan Vlahovic has been labelled a coward by Fiorentina ultras for joining fierce rivals Juventus.
The Serbia international completed a €70million switch between the Serie A sides on Friday, the day he turned 22.
Vlahovic had previously turned down the offer of a new contract with Fiorentina, forcing the club s hand somewhat as he had just 18 months to run on his existing deal.
After reportedly rejecting proposals from Premier League sides Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle United among others, Vlahovic instead opted for fellow Italian club Juventus.
Having also lost Federico Bernardeschi and Federico Chiesa to Juve in recent years, Vlahovic s choice of club did not go down well with Fiorentina s devoted supporters.
The Partizan Belgrade academy p…
Lionel Messi emerged from the shadow of his fellow Argentinian phenomenon Diego Maradona by leading his country to World Cup glory, says 1994 runner-up Arrigo Sacchi.
Messi clinched the World Cup Golden Ball after producing a series of talismanic displays in Qatar, scoring seven goals and adding three assists during a dream campaign.
The seven-time Ballon d Or winner scored twice in Sunday s thrilling final against France, also converting in the subsequent penalty shoot-out as he became the first Albiceleste captain to lift the trophy since Maradona in 1986.
Sacchi, whose great Milan side battled with Maradona s Napoli in the 1980s, refused to compare the two Argentina greats but was delighted to see Messi replicate his compatriot s success.
When Messi r…
Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon is looking forward to seeing Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho tangle in the Premier League and will not let Clasico loyalties obscure his admiration for the ex-Barcelona boss.
Guardiola s Manchester City will make the short trip to face Mourinho s Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, with both men having inspired 100 per cent starts from their new clubs so far this season.
Mourinho was appointed at Madrid in 2010 to go toe-to-toe with Guardiola s all-conquering Barca side and Calderon prefers the Catalan.
They are very different personalities. Personally I prefer Guardiola s style, his attitude, he s humble and faces trouble without making a fuss, Calderon told Omnisport.
Mourinho is more explosive …
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has signed a new five-year contract with the Premier League champions.
The Belgium centre-back has established himself as one of the best defenders in the top flight following his move to the Etihad Stadium from Hamburg six years ago and the club confirmed on Wednesday that he has put pen to paper on a new deal that will run until 2019.
Kompany, who lifted the Premier League trophy for the second time in three years in May, follows David Silva, Samir Nasri and Aleksandar Kolarov in signing fresh terms with Manuel Pellegrini s side.
And the 28-year-old had no hesitation in extending his stay at the club.
When I arrived in 2008, I could never have dreamed that we could achieve what we have over the last six years but…
Barcelona dismissing Xavi after the head coach initially reversed his decision and seemed set to stay came as a shock to some, no more so than Blaugrana winger Lamine Yamal.
The LaLiga giants were expected to part ways with former midfielder Xavi at the end of the season, only for the Spaniard to change his mind and opt to fulfil his contract with the club.
Yet in another unexpected turn of events, Xavi was given his marching orders as Barca president Joan Laporta acted swiftly to bring in former Germany and Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick.
As Yamal prepares for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament with Spain in Germany, the Barca forward admitted Xavi s sacking raised a few eyebrows.
It was a very strange moment, the teenager told Spanish outlet Mundo…
La Liga champions Barcelona continued their search for defensive reinforcements with a trip to Italy and a visit to the Derby della Madonnina at the weekend.
The Spanish media outlet reveals that Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez and two of his associates travelled to Milano to watch Milan versatile defender Mattia De Sciglio in action against the city rivals.
The Catalans are in the market for a replacement for Aleix Vidal who is being widely tipped to make a January move out of Camp Nou and the 24-year-old Italian has emerged as another possible replacement.
De Sciglio is a full-back who is able to operate as either right or left back and his versatility makes him a hot property for a club such as Barcelona, who could put his talent to best use wit…
All eyes will be on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the Africa Cup of Nations gets underway on Saturday with hosts Gabon facing debutants Guinea-Bissau.
The Panthers are hosting their second edition of the tournament after co-hosting with Equatorial Guinea in 2012, and will hope to do better than their quarter-final appearance five years ago.
Aubameyang s form will be key to their success but the Borussia Dortmund striker is confident the whole squad, rather than just himself, have the quality to go all the way.
I think it is a really important challenge, he told CNN. I think it is an opportunity for our country to win this trophy for the first time.
I think we have a good team, young players but talented players, we know it will be hard but we are at ho…
After once more impressing for Arsenal at Manchester City, Santi Cazorla has been labelled as the ideal role model by Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has heralded Santi Cazorla as the perfect role model for young players aspiring to impress at the top level.
Spain international Cazorla was in impressive form as Arsenal triumphed 2-0 at Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday, scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot.
Wenger believes the attacking midfielder is reaping the rewards for his versatility and feels the young players in his squad can learn from the way he plays the game.
Cazorla has started playing centrally he played wide a lot and now he s at a level of his career where he can have more influence centrally, Wenge…
Sebastian Giovinco has made the move from Toronto to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, the MLS club confirmed on Wednesday.
Giovinco, 32, joined Toronto from Juventus in 2015 and starred for the club, scoring 83 goals and providing 64 assists in 142 games in all competitions.
The Italian led the club to the Supporters Shield and MLS Cup in 2017, while he was named the MLS MVP in 2015.
I d like to thank the fans and my team-mates for four special years playing for Toronto FC, Giovinco said in a statement.
I d also like to thank the club for helping me as I transition into the next phase of my career.
| Welcome GIOVINCO
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN)
Toronto president Bill Manning paid tribute to Giovinco, labelling the for…
Raheem Sterling should move on from frustrations with referees and opponents and follow the example of Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, according to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
England winger Sterling has proved a key figure in a triumphant campaign for City, with Guardiola s men picking up the Premier League title and EFL Cup.
A rampaging performance in a 4-1 win at West Ham last weekend returned three assists, taking Sterling s overall Premier League tally this season to 11 alongside 18 goals.
The 23-year-old was also bafflingly denied a clear penalty when he was brought down by West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell during the second half and, as his team-mates celebrated at full-time, he remonstrated with referee Neil Swarbrick.
Guardiola him…