Sports

Ronaldo hits form in time for another go at familiar foe Atletico

Published

4 years ago

March 14, 2022

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo gave Manchester United fans a glimpse of what they thought they were getting from his second coming at Old Trafford with a trio of thumping finishes to see off Tottenham 3-2 on Saturday.

The 59th career hat-trick of Ronaldo’s career was just his second for United and a first in 14 years as his second spell has failed to match the hype around his signing in August.

United go into Tuesday’s finely balanced Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid, after a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital, knowing European glory is their only remaining chance of silverware this season.

Ronaldo has tended to save his best for the Champions League this season, scoring six goals in the group stage just to ensure United did not suffer the ignominy of a group stage exit for the second consecutive season.

However, his subdued performance as a frustrated and isolated figure up front the Wanda Metropolitano three weeks ago was more reflective of the problems Ralf Rangnick has faced during his interim spell as United manager.

The German is credited as the Godfather of the high-energy, pressing style of play that has inspired the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel to go on to be Champions League winners as coaches.

Rangnick has not been able to implement the same verve to United, much of which has been blamed on a 37-year-old Ronaldo’s inability or unwillingness to press.

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The Portuguese has also been pointed at as the source for stories of dressing room disquiet that seem to leak out after every poor result.

Amid reports he was set to be dropped for last weekend’s Manchester derby, Ronaldo jetted back to his homeland to rehab a hip injury that was given as the official reason for missing a 4-1 thrashing at the Etihad.

– ‘Keep playing’ –

Rangnick joked that maybe he should sanction that trip more regularly after Ronaldo returned to Manchester in scintillating form to put Spurs to the sword.

But he also did not hold back in his assessment of Ronaldo’s work off the ball in recent weeks.

“Today he showed for sure that he is physically capable to do that,” Rangnick said of Ronaldo’s defensive contribution.

“We also have to admit that it has not always been like that in the past weeks and months.

“Today showed exactly that he is still in physical shape to perform at that level.”

Ronaldo’s performance impressed the watching Tom Brady as the seven-time Super Bowl winner told his fellow superstar to “keep playing” as they embraced on the Old Trafford pitch after the game.

Whether he stays for the second year of his contract at United will depend heavily on if the Red Devils make it into the Champions League next season.

Into the twilight years of his career, he can ill afford a season off the biggest stage where he shines brightest.

Atletico know that only too well. Between 2014 and 2019, Ronaldo was on the opposite side for all five of their exits in the knockout rounds of the Champions League, twice inflicting the ultimate blow in final defeats to Real Madrid.

Ronaldo’s treble on Saturday set another goalscoring record as he now has the most goals in men’s professional football according to FIFA’s records with 807.

Only Sevilla have suffered more in that total than the 25 Atletico have conceded.

As United’s struggles have laid bare, Ronaldo may not be the force he once was.

But he is still the one Diego Simeone’s men will fear most coming back to haunt them on the big occasion.

kca/jc

Sports

Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to First MLS Cup Title with 3-1 Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps

Published

8 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Trends Admin

Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to First MLS Cup Title with 3-1 Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps

Lionel Messi inspired Inter Miami to their maiden Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup triumph, delivering a masterclass in a 3-1 victory against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Argentina superstar orchestrated Miami’s attack, providing two assists and creating another goal to secure the historic win, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.

Miami opened the scoring via an early own goal by Edier Ocampo, but Vancouver quickly fought back when Ali Ahmed equalised in the 60th minute. With the Whitecaps looking dominant, Messi struck again, assisting teammate Rodrigo De Paul to restore Miami’s lead. He then supplied the final pass to Tadeo Allende in injury time, sealing a 3-1 victory.

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The win fulfilled the dream of co-owner David Beckham, who had long envisioned bringing soccer success to Miami. Beckham praised the club’s journey: “We always promised our fans that we would bring success, and bring the best players, and today we’ve achieved that.”

Vancouver, led by Thomas Mueller, had seemed poised to snatch the trophy after leveling the match and nearly taking the lead when Emmanuel Sabbi’s shot struck both posts in the 62nd minute. However, Messi’s quick thinking and precision passing proved decisive, capitalising on a midfield error by Andres Cubas.

The victory marks a historic milestone for Inter Miami, which joined the league as an expansion team in 2020 and successfully attracted Messi in 2023. The MLS Cup triumph also coincides with the retirement of former Spanish internationals Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, key contributors to Miami’s rise.

Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to First MLS Cup Title with 3-1 Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps

Sports

Mohamed Salah Slams Liverpool Boss Arne Slot, Hints at Anfield Exit Ahead of AFCON Departure

Published

9 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Trends Admin

Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah Slams Liverpool Boss Arne Slot, Hints at Anfield Exit Ahead of AFCON Departure

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has launched a stunning attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing the club of “throwing him under the bus” after being benched for three consecutive matches. The outburst has sparked major speculation that the Anfield legend could be playing his final game for the club next weekend before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Salah, Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer with 250 goals in 420 games, was left out of the starting XI in Saturday’s 3–3 draw against Leeds and was not brought on at any point — a decision he said left him “very, very disappointed.”

Speaking in the mixed zone at Elland Road, the 32-year-old expressed shock at losing his place during Liverpool’s poor run, which has seen Slot’s side win just two of their last 10 Premier League matches and drop to eighth.

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“I have done so much for this club down the years… now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why,” Salah said. “It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. Someone wants me to get all of the blame.”

The Egyptian star claimed he was given assurances last summer about his role, promises he believes have since been broken.
“I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship,” he added. “It seems to me someone doesn’t want me at the club.”

Salah revealed he has already told his family to attend next weekend’s match against Brighton, suggesting it may be his farewell appearance at Anfield.
“I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans before I go to the Africa Cup. I don’t know what will happen when I’m there,” he said.

Despite enduring a difficult season, Salah remains one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players. His rare public criticism marks a dramatic escalation in tensions ahead of his departure for international duty with Egypt.

Mohamed Salah Slams Liverpool Boss Arne Slot, Hints at Anfield Exit Ahead of AFCON Departure

Sports

Ferran Torres Hat-Trick Leads Barcelona to 5-3 Thrilling Win Over Real Betis

Published

18 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Ferran Torres Hat-Trick Leads Barcelona to 5-3 Thrilling Win Over Real Betis

Barcelona moved four points clear at the top of La Liga after a thrilling 5-3 victory over Real Betis at Estadio La Cartuja, courtesy of a first-half hat-trick by Ferran Torres.

Betis took an early lead in just the sixth minute through former Manchester United winger Antony, who scored his fifth goal of the season. However, Barcelona responded quickly, with Torres equalizing from close range before putting his team ahead with a sublime volley two minutes later.

Swedish youngster Roony Bardghji then scored his first La Liga goal, converting Pedri’s assist to extend the Catalan side’s lead to 3-1 after 30 minutes. Torres completed his third goal of the match just five minutes before halftime with a spectacular long-range strike, making it 4-1.

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In the second half, Barcelona were awarded a controversial penalty after VAR ruled that Marc Bartra handled the ball. Lamine Yamal converted calmly, marking his sixth goal of the season. Betis fought back with goals from Diego Llorente and a penalty converted by Cucho Hernandez following a foul by Jules Kounde, but it wasn’t enough to stop Barcelona’s triumph.

The win strengthens Hansi Flick’s side’s position atop La Liga, keeping them ahead of Real Madrid and maintaining momentum in their title challenge.