THE BALL – General Otamendi says he is present a month and a half before 35! (Benfica)

THE BALL – General Otamendi says he is present a month and a half before 35!  (Benfica)

Centre-back Nicolás Otamendi will no doubt be in Benfica’s starting line-up defense for this Friday’s game at SC Braga as the Eagles return to the league. If so, the captain of the reds will be the first world champion to take the field after the Qatar championship. Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández could also return to … Read more

THE BALL – How Belenenses paved Pelé’s way to the ’58 World Cup (Brazil)

THE BALL – How Belenenses paved Pelé’s way to the ’58 World Cup (Brazil)

It is from images like this that the film is born Pele – Birth of a legend: Dondinho (the father) is cleaning a public toilet, with Dico (not yet Pelé) helping him – and, suddenly, he exclaims: – If you want to be a professional player, you don’t have to be ashamed of who you … Read more

THE BALL – Galtier finds it strange to play on the first day of the year: “I was still thinking of setting up a training session for 9.30pm on the 31st…” (Paris Saint-Germain)

THE BALL – Galtier finds it strange to play on the first day of the year: “I was still thinking of setting up a training session for 9.30pm on the 31st…” (Paris Saint-Germain)

Paris Saint-Germain kick off the year with a match on Day 1 and then against Ligue 1 runners-up Lens. Matchday 17 takes place on January 1 and 2, which PSG coach Christophe Galtier finds strange. «I had the idea of ​​scheduling a training session at 21.30 on the 31st (laughs)», he told PSG TV, «I’m … Read more

LA PALLA – Lewandowski’s comeback and surprise return (Barcelona)

LA PALLA – Lewandowski’s comeback and surprise return (Barcelona)

Robert Lewandowski, after all, will be able to play the last game of the year for Barcelona this Saturday, the Catalonia derby against Espanyol. The Central Contentious Court of Madrid has granted a precautionary measure to the sanction imposed by the TAD. Lewandowski was penalized with three games due to a gesture he made after … Read more

THE PALLO – «The duo Otamendi/António Silva is the mirror of our team» (Benfica)

THE PALLO – «The duo Otamendi/António Silva is the mirror of our team» (Benfica)

Roger Schmidt was the protagonist of an interview with UEFA, in which he underlined that “it didn’t take long to have an excellent understanding” with the players. “The quality of life in Portugal, and particularly in Lisbon, is very high. I already knew. What I didn’t know is that people make you feel at home … Read more

More than five million birds are slaughtered by AH5N1 avian influenza in Mexico

More than five million birds are slaughtered by AH5N1 avian influenza in Mexico

Mexico has already slaughtered 5.5 million birds, mainly laying hens, infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza AH5NI. The National Service for Health, Safety and Food Quality (Senasica) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader) have confirmed the presence of avian influenza of this variant also in Mexico City farms. The news began to … Read more

IL PALLONE – «There have been lies and I want to clarify things» (Aston Villa)

IL PALLONE – «There have been lies and I want to clarify things» (Aston Villa)

Philippe Coutinho, in his second season at Aston Villa, the club with which he was signed last summer for 20 million euros, has publicly denied having asked to be transferred. The 30-year-old player has been strongly associated with the Corinthians interest, but through social media he has decided to make a stand. “In the last … Read more

THE BALL – «I wish Rui many successes at the helm of the biggest Portuguese club» (Benfica)

THE BALL – «I wish Rui many successes at the helm of the biggest Portuguese club» (Benfica)

Nuno Gomes, who played with Rui Costa at Benfica, Fiorentina and the national team, sees “with great satisfaction the work done by Rui up to now as president”. “He is demonstrating that the experience gained as a player and coach, as well as the love he has for the club, are strengths that help Benfica … Read more

THE BALL – Is Messi the best ever? «This will not come out of my mouth» (Real Madrid)

THE BALL – Is Messi the best ever?  «This will not come out of my mouth» (Real Madrid)

Return to the Spanish championship after the World Cup, a theme that could not be missing from Carlo Ancelotti’s press conference, before the match against Valladolid. The Italian was asked if, now that he is world champion, Lionel Messi can be called the best player in history. “It’s hard to say. Messi has done very … Read more

THE BALL – “Clubism aside, Rui Costa deserves all the success in the world” (Benfica)

THE BALL – “Clubism aside, Rui Costa deserves all the success in the world” (Benfica)

Jorge Costa, under-20 world champion with Rui Costa as his partner, rival with a dragon on his chest on many occasions, had words that reveal friendship and affection for the Benfica president. Speaking about the A BOLA award, Jorge Costa said: “The truth is that it doesn’t surprise me and this must be the future. … Read more