Sports updates and news

Messi💫 Named Best FIFA Men’s Player🌟

Barcelona's *Lionel Messi* won the best men's player at the Best Fifa Football Awards in Milan as Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk missed out on the top prize.

It is the sixth time Messi has been voted the best player in the world.

Liverpool manager *Jurgen Klopp* won the men's coach of the year. Klopp was nominated for the award along with two other Premier League bosses - Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino.

Liverpool goalkeeper *Alisson* was also a winner as he took the best goalkeeper prize ahead of Manchester City's Ederson and Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

*Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa* won the fair play award after he ordered his team to allow Aston Villa to score an uncontested equaliser during their 1-1 draw in their Championship match in April.

Eighteen-year-old *Daniel Zsori* won the Puskas award for the best goal with his spectacular 93rd-minute overhead kick for Debrecen against Ferencvaros, just after he came on as a substitute for his Hungarian league debut in February.

Best Fifa Football Awards 2019: Lionel Messi wins best men's player of the year Barcelona's Lionel Messi wins the men's player prize at the Best Fifa Football Awards ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk.

Megan Rapinoe Named FIFA Best Women's Player of the Year💥

*Megan Rapinoe* won the women's player award - ahead of fellow American Alex Morgan and England's Lucy Bronze - at the Best Fifa Football Awards in Milan.

Rapinoe, 34, had won the Golden Ball for being the best player at the 2019 Women's World Cup as she helped the United States win the competition.

Lyon right-back Bronze, 27, was named in the women's team of the year - the only English player to feature.

Best Fifa Football Awards 2019: Megan Rapinoe wins ahead of Lucy Bronze and Alex Morgan Megan Rapinoe wins the women's player award at the Best Fifa Football Awards, ahead of fellow American Alex Morgan and England's Lucy Bronze.

Spain Coach Luis Enrique👔 Confirms Death of Daughter X**a😯

Former Barcelona and Spain head coach Luis Enrique has confirmed his daughter X**a has died after suffering from bone cancer.

Luis Enrique stepped down from the Spain post in June after missing their three previous matches, having been granted leave in March for what was described as a family emergency.

Robert Moreno was confirmed as Luis Enrique's successor, although Luis Rubiales, head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said: "Our doors will always be open to him".

On Thursday, the ex-Barcelona boss confirmed nine-year-old X**a has passed away.

"Our daughter X**a has died this afternoon at the age of nine, after fighting for five intense months against an osteosarcoma," he said in a statement posted on Twitter.

An outpouring of support has followed for the coach and his family, from players, clubs as well as many outside the sport.

Former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique announces death of daughter X**a | Goal.com Former Barcelona and Spain head coach Luis Enrique has confirmed his daughter X**a has died after suffering from bone cancer.

Cantona's Bizarre Award Speech Stuns Everyone😂

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona left onlookers baffled when he gave a bizarre acceptance speech after collecting an award at the Champions League group stage draw.

Cantona was presented with the President's Award from UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin during Thursday’s ceremony in Monaco to honour his illustrious playing career and charity work.

While most of the male attendees wore smart suits, Cantona took to the stage wearing a flat cap and red shirt with top buttons undone.

After being handed the award, the 54-year-old, who also enjoyed a career as an actor after retiring from football, quoted Shakespeare’s King Lear as part of a unique acceptance speech that left the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the audience a little confused.

"As flies to wanton boys, we are for the Gods. They kill us for the sport,” he said.

"Soon the science will not only be able to throw down the ageing of the cells, the science will fix the cells to the state, and so we’ll become ... only accidents, crimes, wars will still kill us.

"But unfortunately, crimes and wars will multiply.

"I love football. Thank you."

Eric Cantona speech: 'As flies to wanton boys, we are the Gods' - Man Utd legend gives bizarre acceptance after winning UEFA award | Goal.com Manchester United legend Eric Cantona left onlookers baffled when he gave a bizarre acceptance speech when collecting an award at the Champions league draw ceremony.

Van Dijk's UEFA Award Recognition🙌 for Liverpool - Klopp

Jurgen Klopp hailed Virgil van Dijk's UEFA Men's Player of the Year award as a prize for all of Liverpool's players.

Van Dijk enjoyed a supreme 2018-19 campaign, helping Liverpool to Champions League glory and captaining Netherlands to the Nations League final.

The former Southampton defender has maintained his form heading into this season and edged out superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to the honour in Monaco on Thursday .

Klopp was quick to laud Van Dijk's individual displays but pointed out his triumph was one that would not be possible without all of Liverpool's squad.

"Brilliant! It's really big. I wanted to call him immediately, but he had to go on stage. I'm so happy for him," Klopp told Liverpool's official website .

"I'm happy for us as well because he knows that without the boys around him, he cannot win that prize.

"It's a prize for all of us – but we send our big man there to get it. It's really rare for a defender. Yes, we all love goals – we want to score them and see them – but more and more and more people get excited about defending."

Virgil van Dijk wins UEFA Player of the Year: Defender's victory is a prize for all Liverpool players, says Klopp | Goal.com Jurgen Klopp hailed Virgil van Dijk's UEFA Men's Player of the Year award as a prize for all of Liverpool's players.

CR7⭐ Hoping for Kinder Reception at Atletico Madrid🏟

Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping for a kinder reception from the Atletico Madrid faithful after Juventus were drawn against Diego Simeone's side in the Champions League group stage.

Juve met Atleti in the round of 16 last season with former Real Madrid star Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick in the second leg to overturn the Rojiblancos' 2-0 lead from the first match.

Ronaldo was jeered by the Atleti support during the first leg and responded by gesturing a "five" to the home fans, demonstrating the number of Champions League trophies he has won.

However, Ronaldo is holding out for a less hostile return to the Wanda Metropolitano on his next return to Madrid.

"It's one more game. Atletico is a great team as we all know," Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in the Madrid derby, told Movistar.

"In Madrid I played many times and they were always a tough opponent. I hope they don't crush me again at the stadium, calling me unsporting things.

"Atletico has an excellent team and an excellent coach. The other two adversaries are tough. This is the draw."

Champions League draw: Cristiano Ronaldo hoping for warmer Atletico Madrid reception this season | Goal.com Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping for a kinder reception from the Atletico Madrid faithful after Juventus were drawn against Diego Simeone's side in the Champions League group stage.

Alexis Sanchez⚡ Completes Inter Loan Move🔁

Manchester United winger Alexis Sanchez has completed a loan move to Serie A side Inter.

The Chile international has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford and departs after a miserable two-and-a-half-year spell at the club that has seen him score just three Premier League goals.

Much was expected of the former Arsenal star after he completed a switch to United in the January transfer window in 2018 - a deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan head in the opposite direction.

But injuries and a lack of form have curtailed his progress, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sanctioning a loan exit as he puts faith in an attacking line that includes the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Daniel James.

The Nerazzurri do not, however, have an option to buy Sanchez included as part of the agreement.

"Football, in the life of Alexis Sanchez, has always represented everything: full joy and happiness has always connected him to having a ball at his feet," Inter's statement read.

"Now he will roll it wearing our colours: to him the good luck of the whole Nerazzurri family."

Alexis Sanchez joins Inter: Man Utd flop completes loan move | Goal.com Manchester United winger Alexis Sanchez has completed a loan move to Serie A side Inter.

Lukaku Convinced ⚡Sanchez to Move to Inter😯

Alexis Sanchez says he was convinced to join Inter Milan by his former Manchester United team-mate Romelu Lukaku.

Sanchez signed for Inter on loan until the end of the season on Friday, less than a month after Lukaku had completed a £73m move to the Serie A club.

Sanchez is hoping to revive his career in Italy, where he previously enjoyed success with Udinese, and the Chilean says Lukaku and former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte both persuaded him to return to Serie A.

"I am happy to return to Italian football, then we will see. I want to do only the best for me, for the team and for the Inter fans," Sanchez told Sky in Italy.

"We can talk about a championship, I am here to win something. The team has not won for eight years, but has everything to do it.

"The group is young and strong, there is a coach who wants to win. The presence of Conte was important, he conveys confidence to the players.

"Lukaku is happy to be here, he also convinced me to come here."

Alexis Sanchez: Romelu Lukaku key to Inter Milan loan move Alexis Sanchez says he was convinced to join Inter Milan by his former Manchester United team-mate Romelu Lukaku.

Blow for Juventus😱 as Chiellini Set for Lengthy Spell Out

Juventus have confirmed that veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini has suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Chiellini suffered the injury in training on Friday and is now set to miss several months, with his entire 2019-20 season now in doubt.

The Serie A champions said that the 35-year-old is set to undergo surgery in the coming days.

Chiellini's absence will be a major blow for Juventus as the club looks to win its ninth straight Serie A title in 2019-20, as well as its first Champions League title since 1995-96.

The veteran has been a stalwart for Juve since joining the club prior to the 2005-06 season, making 25 league starts last season as the Bianconeri won their eighth consecutive Serie A title.

Giorgio Chiellini injury: Defender set for lengthy spell out with ruptured cruciate ligament | Goal.com The 35-year-old is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a major knee injury in training on Friday

Confirmed💥: AS Roma Complete Smalling Move

Roma have signed England defender Chris Smalling on a season-long loan from Manchester United.

The 29-year-old flew to the Italian capital early on Friday to undergo a medical and finalise the move.

The Italian side will pay a €3 million (£2.7m/$3.2m) loan fee for Smalling, who has been handed the No. 6 shirt by the Giallorossi.

He will seemingly replace Kostas Manolas in the heart of the Roma defence after the Greek international joined Napoli earlier this summer.

“This is the perfect opportunity for me,” Smalling told Roma's website.

“The chance to experience a new league, with a big team that has got big aspirations is exactly what I needed.

"Hopefully I can hit the ground running. I’m looking forward to joining up with my teammates."

Man Utd transfer news: Smalling joins Roma on loan | Goal.com Roma have signed England defender Chris Smalling on a season-long loan from Manchester United.

Solskjaer🔈: Lingard Has Been Fantastic for Man Utd👊

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has again come to the defence of attacker Jesse Lingard, declaring his contributions to Manchester United this season as 'fantastic'.

Lingard has come in for criticism in recent weeks after failing to register a goal or assist in three starts this season for United.

The 26-year-old has not scored a goal in the Premier League since December of 2018, and following dropped points against Wolves and Crystal Palace in successive weeks, his presence in the United lineup has been questioned.

But Solskjaer claims to have no concerns over Lingard’s output, noting he’s never been known as a big goal scorer and says the England international contributes other qualities to the team.

"Jesse has never been the most prolific centre forward in front of goal," Solskjaer told reporters.

"If you look throughout his career he has other attributes and Jesse’s contribution this season has been fantastic for me, his first day in training he has shown that he is determined to stay in the team, to show me that he wants to because [of] his application in training and in games.

"Of course sometimes you want him to be more [clinical] in front of goal but he does so much other stuff. I left him out against AC Milan, he scored when he came on, and he scored two the day after when we played Blackburn here."

Manchester United news: Jesse Lingard's 'fantastic' contributions to Red Devils praised by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | Goal.com Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has again come to the defence of attacker Jesse Lingard, declaring his contributions to Manchester United this season as “fantastic.”