Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 101 i Soccer 360 Magazine

‘THE PASSION THAT GOES WITH FOOTBALL IS WHAT MAKES IT THE GREATEST SPORT ON EARTH’ The legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly produced perhaps the most re-produced quote about the beautiful game: “Football is not a matter of life and death - it’s much, much more important than that”. It is, as with many of Shankly’s, a brilliant line. It is also, as events continue to remind us, not true. The Liverpool icon was being tongue-in-cheek, of course. Raised one of nine children in a poor family, Shankly grew up in the mining village of Glenbuck in Ayrshire, Scotland, a desolate and unforgiving place where the wind rips down off the hills and would have chilled the bones of the Shankly family in the days before central heating or even running…

The Atatürk Stadium in Istanbul has been waiting patiently for the return of Europe’s blue riband event. UEFA awarded the stadium the Champions League showpiece event for the 2020 final. But that - and the following final - were both relocated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the big game will return to Turkey’s capital in May. But will this year’s final have any chance of living up to the drama of the last time it was held here? That year Liverpool pulled off the greatest escape in European football history, eventually beating Milan on penalties after falling 3-0 down by half time. The Serie A side were the overwhelming favourites to win the cup and went ahead in under a minute thanks to their talismanic captain Paolo Maldini from…

Mikel Arteta’s quest to secure a first Premier League title for Arsenal since the famous Invincibles of 2004 has reinvigorated even the most cynical of fans. Gunners supporters have been fed on a diet of history and frustration across the last two decades as they battled to stay relevant against the might of Man City and the resurgence of Liverpool. The celebrated team that achieved so much under Arsene Wenger is steeped in Premier League grandeur, but as the seasons have ticked by, their place among the elite has come under a never-ending threat. From the difficulty of Wenger’s final days at the club, through the ill-fitting tenure of Unai Emery, Arteta’s boldness has changed the narrative at the Emirates Stadium at the most critical of points. Following Emery’s exit…

Pep Guardiola has won 184 of his 250 matches in the Premier League, the most wins by any manager after 250 games in charge in the competition. Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho has been directly involved in four goals as a substitute this season in the Premier League (2 goals, 2 assists), the most of any player. Ivan Toney won 12 of his 13 aerial duels against Arsenal (92%); the most won by a player in a Premier League match this season. Miguel Almiron has scored 10 goals in 22 Premier League games in 2022-23, one more than he scored in 110 appearances in his first four seasons in the competition combined (9 goals). Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brentford was the first time Arsenal failed to win a Premier League home…

VICTOR OSIMHEN Napoli are flying and their attack has been terrifying defences in Serie A. Osimhen has been a driving force with his all-round centre forward play. He is a poacher in the box, drops deep to link play, can finish inside and outside the box and presses hard out of possession. The Ngerian striker has 15 goals in 23 games for his country and has been clinical in Serie A this season too. With 17 goals and four assists in his first 18 games, Osimhen leads the league goalscoring charts by five goals. His ability to affect the game in so many different ways has established him as the leading scorer in Serie A as well as being considered one of the best strikers in world football. Having been…

Sergio Canales has scored and assisted in the same LaLiga match with the Real Betis on six occasions, the second player from the Betis team to have achieved it the most times in the 21st century after Ruben Castro (11). No player has won more points for his team with his goals than Pedri Gonzalez in LaLiga this season (10 points with 6 goals, level with Borja Iglesias, 10 points with 9 goals). Barcelona have recorded seven wins by 1-0 in 21 games in LaLiga 2022/23, equaling their highest total in a full season in the history of the competition (7 in 44 games in 1986/87 and 7 also in 42 games in 1995/96 and 1996/97). Only Jude Bellingham (10) has scored more goals than Pedri Gonzalez (7) this season…

No side has dominated a major European domestic league with the same regularity as Bayern Munich since 2012. Their progress has been unchecked by impressive Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Schalke 04 sides as the Bavarians have simply strong armed their way to title after title. Any challenge has simply melted away in the crunch point of the season, with Bayern relishing the chance to end their challengers’ chances. Games billed as title deciders have become an opportunity for Bayern to flex and send a reminder of their place as top dogs. While 2022-23 does have the potential to be different, fans of the other Bundesliga teams have been here before and seen their hopes of a shock ruthlessly ended. Dortmund and Leipzig will put up their traditional challenge, but…

With two goals inside 14 minutes against Wolfsburg, Kingsley Coman scored the earliest brace in a game by a Bayern player in the Bundesliga since September 2001, when Giovane Elber scored two goals after 13 minutes against Stuttgart. FC Barcelona, Union Berlin, and Borussia Dortmund are the only teams across top five European leagues to have won all of their first five matches in 2023. FC Bayern’s Jamal Musiala has been directly involved in 23 goals in his 27 competitive games this season (14 goals, 9 assists) - no Bundesliga player has more goal contributions (Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani also has 23). Thomas Muller made his 427th appearance for Bayern Munich when the Bavarians played Wolfsburg this season. In doing so, he equaled Gerd Muller’s record of making the highest…

The Nations League could definitely be seen as a success, replacing the need for pointless and unnecessary friendlies during a busy season that neither the watching public nor clubs really wanted, for massive showdowns with old rivals or Europe’s best teams. Despite that, the use of the competition by UEFA to help decide the rankings and seedings for playoffs has been described by some as puzzling at best. Three spots are up for grabs after the 2024 qualifiers come to an end and they will be decided by playoffs based on where countries finished in the 2022-23 edition of the Nations League. With the top two in each of the 10 Euro 2024 qualification groups automatically joining hosts Germany in next summer’s tournament, 12 teams will fight it out in…

MESSI HOLIDAY SNAPS Lionel Messi has shared some holiday photos with his fans after taking a trip to the Alps with his family. Messi, wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three children all feature in the collection of snaps that the Paris Saint-Germain forward uploaded to Instagram. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Cristiano Ronaldo turned 38 on Feb. 5 and celebrated his birthday with family and close friends in an intimate gathering in Saudi Arabia. His longtime partner Georgina Rodriguez and oldest son Cristiano Jr. were also present for the celebrations. FORGET-ME-NOTS Juventus star Federico Chiesa did not forget to get his girlfriend Lucia Bramani flowers on Valentine’s Day. The couple publicly announced their relationship in May 2022. BACK AT IT Vinicius Jr. has been one of Real Madrid’s best players this season. But…

First World Cup 2022 Scored 12 Goals In World Cups 92 Career Hat-Tricks The Greatest of All Time. If you said that to Luis Lionel Andrés Messi directly, he’d probably curl up in embarrassment such appears to be the humility of the man who has won the lot, literally. However, it is a statement; not a fact, mere opinion, but seemingly the echoed thoughts of millions around the world. Such a vast quantity of people cannot all be wrong, can they? Millions also say Pele, or Maradona, or Ronaldo is the G.O.A.T. and all like Messi have statistics to back up their supporters’ claims. OnDecember18, 2022thingschanged for many people. At his fifth time of trying, Messi finally landed the big one. The World Cup. It was the last gap in the…

Birth Date: OCTOBER 23, 1940 Death Date: DECEMBER 29, 2022 Birth Place: TRÊS CORAÇÕES, BRAZIL Birth Name: EDSON ARANTES DO NASCIMENTO Father: JOÃO RAMOS DO NASCIMENTO, KNOWN AS “DONDINHO,” FOOTBALL PLAYER Mother: CELESTE ARANTES DO NASCIMENTO Marriages: MARCIA CIBELE AOKI (2016-2022), ASSÍRIA LEMOS (1994-2010, DIVORCED), ROSEMERI CHOLBI (1966-1978, DIVORCED) Children: WITH ROSEMERI CHOLBI: KELY, EDSON AND JENNIFER; WITH ANISIA MACHADO: SANDRA (DIED OF CANCER IN 2006); WITH LENITA KURTZ: FLÁVIA CHRISTINA; WITH ASSÍRIA LEMOS: JOSHUA AND CELESTE September 7, 1956: SCORES HIS FIRST PROFESSIONAL GOAL IN HIS LEAGUE DEBUT, DURING A MATCH BETWEEN SANTOS FC AND CORINTHIANS FOOTBALL CLUB. 1967: THE TWO SIDES INVOLVED IN THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR CALL A CEASE-FIRE TO WATCH PELÉ AND THE SANTOS TEAM PLAY AN EXHIBITION GAME IN LAGOS. 1974: ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT. 1,281…

WINNING THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL LAST SEASON MUST HAVE BEEN A PRETTY SPECIAL MOMENT FOR YOU? To win The Champions League at 22 years old was a big moment for me and to score in the final was special. Everybody knows what the competition means to Real Madrid and how important it is to win it for them so to now be part of that history is a big thing. I have many more Champions League seasons ahead of me I hope. CAN YOU TRY AND PUT INTO WORDS WHAT THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MEANS FOR REAL MADRID AND THEIR FANS? There is always the expectation for Madrid to win The Champions League - we are the most successful club in the history of the competition and because of that the…

All eyes will be on Arsenal and Napoli in the Premier League and Serie A respectively over the remaining weeks of the season, with both clubs in positions to come under real pressure from their chasing packs. Both Mikel Arteta and Luciano Spalletti have the nous and strength of character to weather all incoming storms, but the sharp edge of an end of season run in can cause cracks for squads in unfamiliar territory. Diego Maradona was the leading light for Napoli in 1990, and while it was the outrageous exploits of Thierry Henry that caught most of the headlines for Arsenal back in 2003-04, it was the calm brilliance of Dennis Bergkamp that regularly tipped the balance. Maradona represented the enduring ability of a maverick genius capable of dragging…

A Napoli title push does fit the fairytale criteria of history and nostalgia, as well as being the most exciting Italian side in over a decade. After 33 years of frustration, it could all come to an emotional end in May as Luciano Spalletti looks to ensure that Napoli sprint over the line as their rivals fade away into the distance. The pressure of replicating the Diego Maradona inspired success of 1990 has proven to be too much for decades of players and managers in Naples, but in Spalletti and his impressive side, Napoli have found the ideal formula. Juventus’ continued inconsistency and subsequent 15-point deduction, alongside the Milanese duo failing to really build on their progress of the past few years, has left the door wide open for Napoli…

Lecce have gained nine points at home against teams currently in the top half of the table in Serie A this season, only five teams have done better (Juve, Napoli, Milan, Inter and Lazio). Courtesy of Nicolo Cambiaghi’s goal, Empoli have three goalscorers born in 2000’s to have scored 2+ goals so far, a joint-high in Serie A this term. Daniele Verde scored his first brace in Serie A in Spezia’s 2-2 draw with Empoli, becoming the fifth Spezia player to score multiple goals in a single game in the competition. Cristiana Girelli is the first Juventus player to score 100 goals in all competitions: 70 in Serie A, 13 in Coppa Italia, 3 in the Italian Super Cup and 14 in the Champions League (including qualifying). AC Milan’s Olivier…

VINÍCIUS JÚNIOR We are now getting used to La Liga without Leonel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. New superstars are transforming the league and Real Madrid once again have one of the greats of the league. Vinícius Júnior has become a key piece in the Real Madrid side since his move from Flamengo in Brazil in 2018. He arrived for around $35 million and has started to become a key figure in the goalscoring charts. A right-footed winger who operates on the left, he will cut inside and cause chaos in defences across La Liga and in the Champions League. 2021/22 was a real breakout year with 17 goals and 13 assists in 35 La Liga games and he has again managed to be effective in and around the box, scoring…

Union Berlin have won nine points from losing positions in the Bundesliga in 2023, the most by any team in Europe’s top five leagues. Union Berlin won five matches in a row for the first time in their history. They reached the landmark by beating RB Leipzig away from home earlier this season. Freiburg forward Vincenzo Grifo scored his second brace of penalties of the Bundesliga season against Stuttgart – in this century, only Arjen Robben in 2011/12 also scored two penalty braces in a single Bundesliga season. Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens scored BVB’s 15th goal by a teenager in the Bundesliga this season (excl. own goals) - as many as all other teams combined. Moussa Diaby and Jeremy Frimpong have assisted each other for six goals in this season’s…

‘BELLINGHAM’S MATURE DEMEANOUR HAS SEEN HIM EARMARKED BY MANY AS A FUTURE ENGLAND CAPTAIN’J Jude Bellingham announcing himself on the world’s biggest footballing stage was bound to happen at some point, and very well likely sooner rather than later. Every four years, fans are treated to the opportunity to watch the FIFA World Cup, a competition which for many young players represents a great chance to put themselves in the shop windows for a move to a bigger club. In the case of Bellingham, he headed to Qatar to join England on their World Cup journey not as an unknown young aspirant featuring for a small team in one of Europe’s less prestigious leagues, but rather as an already-established starlet playing for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. There is truly…

After a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss on home soil in the 2016 MLS Cup to the Seattle Sounders, many Toronto FC fans were left wondering if they would ever see their club lift the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy. After all, they had finally made it the MLS showpiece and were favourites in front of their own fans at BMO Field before that utter disappointment. However, 2016 would prove to be just the warm-up act for the incredible highs that the 2017 campaign would produce. Toronto FC set an MLS single-season record at the time for the most points with 69, bringing home the Supporters’ Shield for the first time in franchise history. As a result, TFC earned the right to play on home soil again if they were able to…

NORWAY The Lions haven’t qualified for a tournament since Euro 2000 and will be hoping to end their years in the international wilderness. With Erling Haaland and a supporting cast that features Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, Leo Ostigard, and Alexander Sorloth, the Norwegians will cause problems for any side. GEORGIA Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has lit up Serie A and the Champions League since he joined Napoli last summer. The brilliant winger’s five goals in six games helped his country to win promotion to Nations League B, and he will be integral to their hopes of reaching a first ever major tournament. GREECE The Euro 2004 winners have found life very difficult in the decade since their most recent major tournament appearance, but good form in the Nations League suggests they are…

The Copa America is coming back to North America! CONMEBOL, the regional governing body of South America, announced in January that the 2024 edition of their top competition, the Copa America, will be returning to North America! This decision came after negotiations between CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, the regional football governing body for North and Central America, had begun during the 2022 Men’s World Cup in Qatar. In addition to the Copa America announcement, it was also announced that the 2024 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup will for the first time ever feature four teams from CONMEBOL. The two sides are also co-organizing a club competition in 2024 that will feature two of the top club teams from each confederation. The 2024 Copa America tournament is the second time that the Copa…

GOLDEN BALL - LIONEL MESSI It was all or nothing for Lionel Messi heading into the 2022 World Cup, faced with surely his last chance to crown his career with the biggest prize of all, and he was truly exceptional in rising to the occasion. At the age of 35, he provided magic throughout the competition and often at the most crucial moments, becoming the first player to score in every knockout round and leaving the whole world standing to acclaim. GOLDEN BOOT - KYLIAN MBAPPE To score a hat-trick in the World Cup final and end up on the losing side is a terribly cruel fate, but Kylian Mbappe couldn’t have done anymore to help France in their bid to defend their title. Mbappe was electric in Qatar, scoring…

It was a measure of Pelé’s status and universal appeal that high profile figures from the worlds of football, politics and entertainment joined to pay homage to the Brazilian legend after his passing. Current Selecao number 10 Neymar - who equalled Pelé’s record of 77 goals for Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar, made a heartfelt tribute on social media. He stated: “I would say before Pelé football was just a sport. “Pelé has changed it all. He turned football into art, into entertainment. “Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He’s gone but his magic remains.” Modern day great Cristiano Ronaldo wrote on social media that Pelé inspired millions and would never be forgotten by those that love the beautiful game. Manchester City and…

The FIFA Club World Cup trophy was brought back to Spain by Real Madrid, and not for the first time. After qualifying for this tournament courtesy of their Champions League success last season, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad travelled to Morocco and defeated Egyptian outfit Al Ahly 4-1 in the semi-finals and Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal 5-3 in the final. This is the fifth time that Real Madrid have won this tournament since it replaced the Intercontinental Cup and the eighth time that Los Blancos have become world champions in total, when including their Intercontinental Cup titles. Given that FC Barcelona have also claimed the Club World Cup three times, this means that the tournament has been won by a LaLiga club in eight of the 19 editions, which is 42…

‘THERE IS A VERY REALISTIC CHANCE OF AT LEAST SOME OF THE REIGNING CHAMPIONS IN EUROPE’S TOP LEAGUES FALLING SHORT THIS SEASON’ Title races have developed an unhealthy habit of consistency across the last decade in European football as monopolisation has largely dominated. Two horse races have become the only possibility for excitement in the majority of title bouts, but in reality, it has been thoroughbred racehorses up against the occasional plucky stallion. In England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France the chances of a bolt from the blue have become rarer and rarer with simple one club states in certain leagues. The German Bundesliga has crowned Bayern Munich as champions for the last 10 successive seasons, with eight of those titles coming by a minimum of a 10-point margin, as…

ERLING HAALAND There was so much excitement when Erling Haaland confirmed he would be leaving Borussia Dortmund to join his father’s former team, Manchester City. The Norweigan striker has been in incredible scoring form ever since he arrived at Red Bull Salzburg in 2019 where he scored 29 goals in 27 games for the Austrian side. He earned a move to Borussia Dortmund where he then scored 86 goals and assisted 23 in just 89 games for the German outfit. Haaland arrived at Manchester City in the summer of 2022 and has again carried on scoring at a terrifying rate. Supposedly the best league in the world, Haaland scored 31 and assisted four goals in his first 29 games for the blue half of Manchester. At just 22 years of…

Only Inter in 2006/07 (60) and Juventus in 2018/19 (60) have collected more points than Napoli 22/23 in the first 22 games of a Serie A campaign (59). Among the players in their debut season, Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the only player in the Big-5 European Leagues 22/23 to score at least 9 goals and to provide at least 9 assists. No Juventus players has scored more goals at home then Adrien Rabiot in the season 2022/23 (all competitions): six goals scored for him (6 also Dusan Vlahovic). Destiny Udogie’s goal after 25 seconds against Sassuolo is the fastest scored by Udinese in the Serie A since the one by Roberto Pereyra against Atalanta on January 20th, 2021 (24 seconds). Recording 13 saves during Lazio vs Atalanta, no match in…

Despite an impressive effort from Real Sociedad, the chances of a genuine wildcard charge appear unlikely in Spain but a first title for Xavi’s Barcelona would prove their ability to check Real Madrid’s dominance. Four years is nothing in comparison to Arsenal or Napoli’s long wait for a league title but patience is a rare commodity in Catalonia with fans clear on their objectives each season. A slide behind Real Madrid, and intermittently Atletico Madrid, has seen a string of managers shown the Camp Nou exit door within an ongoing financial implosion. With the club still aiming to balance a farcical situation off the pitch, with every cent now being scrutinised by Joan Laporta, club legend Xavi has looked to protect his squad from the swirling negativity. The story of…

Theo Bongonda recorded two assists in a LaLiga match for the first time in his career during Cadiz’s 2-0 win against Girona this season. Rayo Vallecano have collected 32 points after 20 games of LaLiga 2022/23 (W9 D5 L6), being only the second time in their history that they have collected at least 32 points at this stage of the competition (34 in 19977/78). It took only 19 seconds for Alvaro García to score for Rayo Vallecano after coming off the bench against Almeria. This is the fastest goal scored by a substitute in LaLiga since February 2020 (Lucas Perez - 13 seconds). Oihan Sancet scored the first LaLiga Santander hattrick of 2022/23, doing so in Athletic Club’s resounding 4-1 win over Cadiz CF. Sancet scored a brace in the…

JAMAL MUSIALA After spells and Southampton and Chelsea’s academy systems, Musiala moved to Bayern Munich U17 side in 2019. Born in Germany he decided to return to finish his academy level development and in a short period of time has become incredibly valuable both to Bayern Munich as well as the German national team. Before turning 20 he has already racked up 20 international caps and one goal. He has appeared in European Championships and a World Cup as a starter for a nation which has such a successful history in the game. Musiala has grabbed the attention of the world with his mazy dribbling and direct attacking style. He has become a regular starter since making his first start in the Bundesliga back in the 2020/21 season. After 19…

CUCHO HERNANDEZ – COLUMBUS CREW Signed for a club record $10m in June 2022 after an impressive breakthrough season in the Premier League with Watford, the 23-year-old Colombian made a fantastic start to life in MLS by scoring eight goals in his first eight games. His technical ability, and occasional habit for producing moments of magic could lift Columbus Crew towards a playoff berth. EVANDER – PORTLAND TIMBERS The Brazilian midfielder inked a deal through 2026 with a club option for 2027 to ply his trade in Portland. The Timbers spent a reported $10 million for the 24-year-old, making him the most expensive purchase in franchise history and within the top 10 of most expensive incoming transfers in league history. MARTIN OJEDA – ORLANDO CITY SC The Lions had been…

PSG ARE NOW ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS IN EUROPE - WHAT IS THE AMBITION WITH THEM? The ambition is simple to win as many trophies as possible. With PSG and and of course with Italy as well. The feeling of winning the league with PSG last year and of course The European Championships with Italy as made me so much hungry for more. That is the thing with winning you get a taste for it and you want more. THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MUST BE NEAR THE TOP OF THAT LIST? Of course - at club level I think that The Champions League is the pinnacle for a player. The club made it very clear when I signed that it was a trophy they wanted to win and this season…

“Oh, he never trained! He was the laziest footballer I've ever seen in my life! But come the weekend he produced. He was the Man of the Match.”– John Obi Mikel says former Chelsea teammate Eden Hazard was the 'laziest footballer he’s ever seen' before describing what he was like in training. “You have to also understand that he’s come here at a time when we’re not in the best of form and he will need time to settle in too. I think he’s done well in the games he’s featured in so far. I hope that with time I’ll develop a great understanding and then go on to bring some joy to the Liverpool fans.”– Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez explains why Cody Gakpo has not hit the ground running.…

The transfer market has exhibited the worst sides of the sport for some time now and it’s only getting more and more extreme. Chelsea alone managed to out-spend all the clubs in Italy, Spain, France and Germany during the January window, as new owner Todd Boehly somehow manages to make Roman Abramovich seem tightfisted in comparison. This bull in a china shop approach to the world of football has been outright embarrassing. Even the Chelsea fans feel awkward about cheering on this latest incarnation of their club, especially as the results on the field have hardly reflected value for money so far. Now they are stuck with a squad so big that we will see the tipping point when strength in depth becomes an ugly, crowded mess. It’s not just…