Lookman scores twice as Atalanta stun Napoli 3-0 – Newstrends
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Lookman scores twice as Atalanta stun Napoli 3-0

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Ademola Lookman

Lookman scores twice as Atalanta stun Napoli 3-0

Atalanta moved to within three points of league-leaders Napoli at the top of Serie A as they prevailed 3-0 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, winning a fifth successive league game.

Prior to kick-off, Napoli had been almost impenetrable this campaign, conceding just five times in their opening 10 Serie A matches, which gave them the best defensive record in the division.

Atalanta, though, are the Italian top flight’s most prolific goalscorers, and it was the visitors’ forward line that had the upper hand during the first half, particularly Ademola Lookman.

While Romelu Lukaku had the first shot on target of the game as his tame header was easily held by Marco Carnesecchi, it was Nigeria international Lookman who broke the deadlock at the other end, crashing a close-range volley into the bottom corner following Charles De Ketelaere’s flick-on.

In response, Scott McTominay was unlucky not to equalise within seconds when his fierce effort from outside the area struck the woodwork, but that proved to be the closest Napoli came during a disappointing opening 45 minutes.

Instead, La Dea doubled their advantage, with Ballon d’Or nominee Lookman again the hero. On this occasion, however, Alex Meret really should have done better than to palm the 27-year-old’s curling attempt into the bottom corner.

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Shortly before the half time whistle, Mario Pašalić almost made it three, but couldn’t quite get on the end of De Ketelaere’s inviting cross.

Napoli fans may have expected the Partenopei to come out all guns blazing after the interval, but that couldn’t be any further from the truth. Antonio Conte’s side barely laid a finger on their opponents.

In fact, Atalanta looked far more likely to extend their lead, which Lookman really should have done when he hit the side netting following a swift counterattack.

In the end, it was a serene afternoon for Gian Paolo Giasperini and Co., and they even added extra gloss to the scoreline when substitute Mateo Retegui – surprisingly left out of the starting XI – volleyed in his league-high 11th goal of the term in injury time.

Atalanta are now well in the title race after a performance like this away at one of Serie A’s top outfits. Napoli, meanwhile, lose for the first time in 10 matches, although it will be the lacklustre way in which they approached the second half that will worry Conte the most.

Things don’t get much easier for the Azzurri, who travel to reigning champions Inter Milan next week in the final fixture before the international break.

Lookman scores twice as Atalanta stun Napoli 3-0

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Ronaldo, Vinicius, Yamal win big at 2024 Globe Soccer Awards [Full list of winners]

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December 27, 2024

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Ronaldo, Vinicius, Yamal win big at 2024 Globe Soccer Awards [Full list of winners]

The winners of the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards were unveiled Friday evening in Dubai, celebrating outstanding achievements in football over the past year.

The event honored players, managers, and clubs across various categories.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior stole the spotlight, clinching both the Best Player and Best Forward of the Year awards, reinforcing his status as one of the world’s finest talents.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Al Nassr captain, added another accolade to his storied career by securing the Best Middle Eastern Player Award, while Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal was recognized as the Best Emerging Player of the Year.

Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti was awarded Best Coach of the Year, and Jorge Mendes received the Best Football Agent Award, further cementing their influence in the football world.

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2024 Globe Soccer Award categories and winners

Alongside the standout men’s and women’s categories, here is a rundown of the other winners:

Best Men’s player (18 finalists): Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Best Midfielder (11 nominees): Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

Best Forward (10 nominees): Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Best Women’s player (12 finalists): Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)

Best Men’s club (10 finalists): Real Madrid

Best Women’s club (4 finalists): Barcelona

Best Coach (7 finalists, all in men’s football): Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)

Best Emerging player (7 finalists, all men): Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

Best Agent (7 nominees): Jorge Mendes

Best Sporting Director (6 nominees): Piero Ausilio (Inter Milan)

Best Middle Eastern player (5 finalists): Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

Best Middle Eastern coach: Jorge Jesus (Al Hilal)

Best Middle Eastern club (4 finalists): Al Ain

Revelation award: Olympiacos

Maradona Award: Jude Bellingham

 

Ronaldo, Vinicius, Yamal win big at 2024 Globe Soccer Awards [Full list of winners]

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Vinicius should have won Ballon d’Or, not Rodri – Ronaldo

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9 hours ago

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December 27, 2024

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Vinicius Junior and Cristiano Ronaldo

Vinicius should have won Ballon d’Or, not Rodri – Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has reignited controversy surrounding the 2024 Ballon d’Or, accusing the organisers of unfairly denying Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior the prestigious honour.

Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Friday, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner openly criticised the decision to crown Manchester City’s Rodri as the year’s top player.

“In my opinion, he [Vinícius] deserved to win the golden ball [Ballon d’Or award],” Ronaldo declared on stage.

“It was unfair in my opinion. I say here in front of everybody. They give it to Rodri, he deserved it too, but they should have given it to Vinícius because he won the Champions League and scored in the final.”

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Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win, attributed to his pivotal role in Manchester City’s historic treble-winning season, has sparked ongoing debates.

Ronaldo’s remarks have added weight to criticisms that the award often overlooks key performances in favour of broader narratives.

Vinicius’ absence from the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris this October, along with his Real Madrid teammates, was widely interpreted as a silent protest against perceived biases in the voting process.

Despite missing out on the Ballon d’Or, Vinícius has enjoyed an exceptional year.

The 24-year-old Brazilian winger was crowned FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player earlier this year and was recently named the Best Men’s Player at the Globe Soccer Awards.

His consistent performances, including his decisive goal in the Champions League final, have cemented his reputation as one of football’s most dynamic players.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who received the Best Middle East Player Award during the ceremony, praised the Globe Soccer Awards for their fairness and transparency.

“Globe Soccer does things differently, and they recognise players in a way that truly respects their contributions,” he said, commending the organization for its inclusive approach to recognising talent across various regions of the footballing world.

Ronaldo attended the gala with his partner, Georgina Rodríguez, and used the platform to voice his admiration for Vinícius while challenging the Ballon d’Or organisers, France Football magazine, to reevaluate their selection process.

Vinicius should have won Ballon d’Or, not Rodri – Ronaldo

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Why I named my dog Messi – AC Milan star

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December 27, 2024

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Lionel Messi and Tijjani Reijnders

Why I named my dog Messi – AC Milan star  

AC Milan midfielder, Tijjani Reijnders, has shared the reason behind naming his dog after Argentina football legend, Lionel Messi.

The 26-year-old Dutchman, who joined AC Milan from AZ Alkmaar in 2023 for a reported €20 million, said Messi had always been his idol.

Reijnders explained that he made the decision to name his dog Messi due to his admiration for the legendary player.

“My dog’s name is Messi, when I was young I always said if I got a dog I would name him Messi, because for me [he] is the best player in the world,” Reijnders said in an interview with All About Argentina.

“Then we decided we would get a dog, and the first thing I said to my wife is if we got a dog we would name him Messi.”

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Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami in the US after an illustrious career at Barcelona, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

He has won the Ballon d’Or record eight times and is the highest goalscorer in the history of European football, with 704 goals and 303 assists in 853 games. Additionally, he has scored 112 goals and assisted 58 in 191 matches in the US.

Reijnders’ dog is a Pomsky, a crossbreed between a Pomeranian and a Husky, as he had previously revealed in an interview with Sempremilan.

The midfielder’s deep admiration for Messi has now extended to his furry companion, making the dog’s name a tribute to the football icon.

Why I named my dog Messi – AC Milan star

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