Iran’s national football team was headed to Turkey on Monday to play a final friendly match and apply for visas to fly to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, Iranian media reported.

The team plan to participate in the tournament despite co-host Washington having launched a war against Iran with a massive wave of attacks alongside ally Israel on February 28.

The fighting has been on hold for weeks thanks to a ceasefire, but peace talks have failed to make a breakthrough and new drone attacks against Gulf countries at the weekend combined with threats from US President Donald Trump raising fears of a return to fighting.

The team “departed this morning for Antalya, Turkey to play its final friendly match before flying to the United States for the 2026 World Cup,” the Tasnim news agency reported.

It said the squad consisted of 22 domestic-based players alongside their coaching staff.

On Saturday, head coach Amir Ghalenoei said they would also be completing visa applications for the US while in Turkey.

– ‘Let ’em play’ –

Iran secured their spot at the World Cup in March 2025, but since then the United States has twice launched attacks on the country.

US officials have insisted that Iran is welcome at the tournament, while organiser FIFA has said it will go ahead as planned and rejected Iranian suggestions that their games be moved to co-hosts Mexico or Canada.

“I think let ’em play,” Trump said in late April.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said any problem would not be with Iranian players but “some of the other people (they) would want to bring with them”, suggesting they may have ties to the Revolutionary Guards, which Washington has branded a terrorist organisation.

Last month, officials from Iran’s football federation abandoned a trip to the FIFA congress in Canada, saying they had been “insulted” by Canadian immigration officers.

One of their delegation, Mehdi Taj, is a former member of the Revolutionary Guards, which Canada has also designated a terror group.

The Iranian football team hope to play two friendlies in Antalya.

They have already confirmed one match, against The Gambia, on May 29, said Sam Mehdizadeh, an Iranian-Canadian who heads a company that sets up friendlies for the team.

“No visas have been issued yet,” Taj, the head of Iran’s football federation, told Iranian media on Thursday.

On Saturday, FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom held a meeting in Turkey with the federation, describing it as constructive, as did Taj.

When the squad reaches the United States, Iran will set up their base camp in Tucson, Arizona.

The team, who are in Group G, are due to kick off their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June, before facing Belgium in the same city and then Egypt in Seattle.

The post Iran’s World Cup football team leaves for Turkey appeared first on Vanguard News.

Portuguese manager José Mourinho is set for a sensational return to Real Madrid, according to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Romano posted on X on Monday that all terms had been verbally agreed between Mourinho and the Spanish giants, with only the signing of official documents remaining before the deal is completed.

The report added that Mourinho is expected to sign an initial two-year contract and travel to Madrid after Real Madrid’s clash with Athletic Bilbao.

Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013 during his first stint at the club. Under the Portuguese tactician, Los Blancos won the 2011-12 La Liga title with a record 100 points, as well as the 2010-11 Copa del Rey.

Nicknamed “The Special One”, Mourinho also guided the club to three consecutive UEFA Champions League semi-finals before leaving for a return to Chelsea in 2013.

The post Just in: Mourinho set to return as Madrid coach – Report appeared first on Vanguard News.

Antoine Griezmann bade farewell to Atletico Madrid fans on Sunday after playing his final home match for the club, and apologised again for his decision to leave for Barcelona in 2019.

The 35-year-old is joining MLS side Orlando City at the end of the season after 10 seasons with the Rojiblancos, split in two by an ill-fated move to join the Catalan giants.

Griezmann gave a speech on the pitch after Atletico beat Girona 1-0 in La Liga, with the French forward setting up the only goal for Ademola Lookman.

“I know many of you have (forgiven me), but some still haven’t, so I apologise again,” said Griezmann at a packed Metropolitano stadium.

“I didn’t realise how much love I had here, I was very young, and well, I made a mistake.

“I reconsidered and we did everything to come back here and enjoy it again.”

Griezmann joined Atletico from Real Sociedad in 2014 as a left winger but became a world-class striker under coach Diego Simeone.

The forward is Atletico’s all-time top goalscorer with 212 strikes in 500 matches for them. He arrived at the stadium for the match visibly emotional.

“I want to thank all my teammates from 2014 until today,” continued Griezmann.

“It’s incredible to share everything with them. Every battle, every victory, and every defeat.”

The forward also thanked his family, the club’s staff, and coach Simeone, saying the Argentine had “changed everything” for Atletico.

Simeone led Atletico to La Liga titles in 2014 and 2021, but Griezmann arrived after the first and was at Barca when they secured the second.

Griezmann’s only major trophy with Atletico was the 2018 Europa League, which he lifted before triumphing with France at the World Cup in Russia that summer.

Atletico greats including Fernando Torres and Diego Godin appeared to take part in the celebrations of the forward’s career, along with his family and president Enrique Cerezo.

“Today is Antoine’s day — he’s surely the best any of us have seen here with our own eyes,” said Torres.

Simeone echoed Torres’s words. “You arrived playing on the wing and we put you in the middle, and you became insatiable for goals,” said the coach.

“You have something that’s contagious for your team-mates, and it took you to the place you deserve.”

The post Greizmann apologises to Atleti fans for departure to Barcelona in farewell speech appeared first on Vanguard News.

Modern football is no longer just about what happens on the pitch. The game’s biggest footballers are increasingly building businesses as entrepreneurs: investing in brands, startups, real estate, hospitality, and social enterprises while still playing at the highest level.

What stands out in 2026 is that these ventures are no longer side projects; for many players, they are structured business portfolios.

Below are 10 active footballers who have successfully turned their fame into functioning businesses or investment vehicles.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo remains the benchmark for athlete entrepreneurship. Beyond his playing career at Al Nassr, his CR7 brand operates across fashion, fragrances, gyms, hotels, and lifestyle products. The Pestana CR7 Hotels partnership and his expanding global retail presence show a fully integrated commercial ecosystem built around personal branding, scale, and longevity.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has built a quieter but highly structured business portfolio. His MiM Hotels chain in Spain anchors his hospitality investments, while his broader strategy focuses on real estate holdings and long-term brand partnerships. Messi’s approach is less about product branding and more about stable asset growth and equity-backed ventures.

Neymar Jr

Neymar Jr operates one of the most commercially active personal brands in football through NR Sports, which manages his image rights and sponsorship ecosystem. Outside football, he has invested in gaming, digital entertainment, and fashion collaborations, positioning himself strongly within youth-driven digital economies.

Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé represents a newer generation of player-owners. While still performing at elite level with Real Madrid, he has already moved into club ownership through a controlling stake in SM Caen. His model blends athlete income with strategic sports investment, giving him early influence in football governance and asset ownership.

Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah has developed a strong commercial footprint beyond football through endorsements, real estate investments, and business partnerships in Egypt and the Middle East. While less brand-heavy than some peers, his portfolio reflects steady diversification into property and long-term wealth preservation structures.

Sadio Mané

Sadio Mané has taken a more community-driven entrepreneurial path. In Senegal, he has funded schools, hospitals, and local infrastructure projects, effectively blending philanthropy with structured investment. His business model prioritizes social impact alongside sustainable regional development.

Héctor Bellerín

Héctor Bellerín has become one of football’s most visible voices in sustainable entrepreneurship. He invests in eco-conscious fashion brands and environmental initiatives, aligning his off-field identity with ethical consumption and climate-conscious business models.

Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy has built the V9 Academy, a platform designed to identify and develop non-league talent into professional footballers. Alongside this, he has engaged in lifestyle and sports-related investments, positioning himself as a developer of talent pipelines rather than traditional commercial branding.

N’Golo Kanté

N’Golo Kanté has focused his business involvement on football development and grassroots investment structures. His approach is conservative but long-term, supporting academies and sporting infrastructure projects that extend his influence beyond his playing career.

Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema has expanded his portfolio while playing in Saudi Arabia, leveraging endorsements and private investments linked to sports, real estate, and lifestyle branding. His business activity reflects the growing trend of elite players using Middle Eastern leagues as platforms for broader financial diversification.

Vanguard News

The post 10 active footballers with successful businesses appeared first on Vanguard News.

Bruno Fernandes equalled the Premier League record of 20 assists in a season as Manchester United secured third place with a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.

Fernandes, who was recently crowned the football writers’ player of the season, moved alongside Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne when his cross was turned in by Bryan Mbeumo for United’s third goal.

Mbeumo was also involved for the game’s most controversial moment when his handball in the build up to Matheus Cunha’s strike went unpunished despite a VAR review.

Both sides had secured their principal targets in recent weeks with United set to return to the Champions League, while Forest only guaranteed survival last weekend.

The low stakes made for a wide open contest that burst into life when Luke Shaw volleyed United in front after just five minutes.

Both sides wasted plenty of chances for more goals before the break, but Forest did level just seven minutes into the second period.

Elliot Anderson’s inviting delivery was headed in at the back post by defender Morato.

United raced down the other end and Cunha swept home after the ball rebounded off Mbuemo’s thigh onto his arm.

In an extremely rare occurrence, Michael Salisbury stood by his original decision to award the goal despite being called by VAR to review the incident.

Morgan Gibbs-White almost immediately leveled once more for Forest but was denied by Senne Lammens racing off his line.

Fernandes’ record-equalling moment arrived 14 minutes from time when Mbeumo prodded in his drilled cross for his first goal since February.

Still Forest refused to go away as England internationals Anderson and Gibbs-White combined to reduce the arrears.

Gibbs-White, playing for the first time since suffering a horrendous facial injury in a clash with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez earlier this month, steered into the bottom corner from Anderson’s driven cross.

Casemiro was given a standing ovation on his final Old Trafford appearance when the Brazilian was replaced by Mason Mount nine minutes from time.

Fernandes was inches away from a record-breaking 21st assist of the campaign when Diogo Dalot hit the post from his pass deep into stoppage time.

United, though, held on to add another victory to their impressive run since Michael Carrick took charge in January.

The former midfielder is expected to sign a two-year deal to remain in charge at Old Trafford in the coming days.

The post Bruno Fernandes equals EPL assist record as Man United beat Nottingham appeared first on Vanguard News.

Chelsea’s new manager Xabi Alonso has outlined his priorities as he prepares to take charge of the Premier League club.

Speaking in an interview with Chelsea’s official website, Alonso said his focus will be on building a strong work ethic, establishing the right team culture, and delivering trophies for the club.

“There is great talent in the Chelsea squad, and it’ll be my great honour to lead it,” he said. “Now my focus is on hard work, the right culture and winning trophies.”

The former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen coach was appointed after Chelsea’s FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.

The 44-year-old will officially begin his role on July 1, 2026, after signing a four-year contract with the west London side.

Vanguard News

The post Alonso lists three changes he’s bringing to Chelsea appeared first on Vanguard News.

FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described as “excellent” and “constructive” the meeting held on Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian federation to ensure Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The Iranians are scheduled to be based and play all three of their group matches in the US in spite of the war currently being waged in the Middle East.

“We’ve had an excellent meeting, a constructive meeting together with the Iran FA,” said Grafstrom.

“I think we’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them to the World Cup.

“We’ve had the opportunity to discuss some of the operational matters, like we do with every member association.

“But I’m very happy that we were able to have this positive exchange, and both the Iran FA and FIFA are very happy with the meeting and looking forward to welcoming Team Melli in the USA, Canada and Mexico.”

The president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, had said on Thursday that no visas had yet been issued for Iran’s team.

But he also described Saturday’s meeting as “positive and constructive” without going into details.

“We discussed our concerns and expressed our joint commitment to ensure the smooth participation of Team Melli,” he said.

– Coach defends selection –

The meeting, which was held at the headquarters of the Turkish Football Federation, comes as the Iranian team prepares to leave on Monday morning for a training camp in Turkey before heading to the United States.

Iran hope to play two friendlies in Antalya. They have already confirmed one match, against The Gambia, on May 29, said Sam Mehdizadeh, an Iranian-Canadian who heads a company that sets up friendlies for the team.

They are taking a squad of 30 players, which will have to be trimmed to the World Cup maximum of 26.

While Porto striker Mehdi Taremi is on the list, this is not the case for the other star striker, Sardar Azmoun, who has scored 57 goals for the national team and previously played for Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma.

The forward, who had previously voiced support for anti-regime protesters, was recently accused of “treason” by Iranian state media after a photo was published in March showing him alongside the Emir of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, where he plays and resides.

Coach Amir Ghalenoei, however, has defended his decision.

“I swear before God that nothing other than technical criteria played a role in the selection of the players, and I chose the 30 players solely on that basis,” he said.

Iran have qualified for their fourth consecutive finals and, when the squad reaches the US, will set up their base camp in Tucson, Arizona.

They are due to kick off their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June, before facing Belgium in the same city and then Egypt in Seattle, in Group G.

Vanguard News

The post FIFA holds talks with Iran over 2026 World Cup participation appeared first on Vanguard News.

Chelsea appointed Xabi Alonso as the club’s manager on Sunday on a four-year deal with the Spaniard the latest coach tasked with turning around the club’s fortunes.

The Blues lost the FA Cup final to Manchester City on Saturday and lie ninth in the Premier League with two games of the campaign to go.

Alonso rose to prominence as one of Europe’s brightest coaches by guiding Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten German league and cup double in the 2023/24 season.

However, he lasted just seven months in the Real Madrid hotseat. Appointed last year, he departed the Spanish giants in January.

“Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as manager of the men’s team,” Chelsea said in a statement.

“The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.”

Alonso faces a huge task to get Chelsea back in the running for major honours.

Defeat at Wembley on Saturday means they have now gone eight seasons without a domestic trophy despite huge investment in the transfer market.

Vanguard News

The post Chelsea appoint Xabi Alonso as coach on four-year deal appeared first on Vanguard News.

Going an entire campaign without defeat is usually enough to guarantee a league title for most clubs.

But football has also produced a few extraordinary exceptions: seasons where teams refused to lose a single match, yet still did not finish as league champions. These rare cases are among the most controversial and fascinating in football history.

Below are the most well-documented clubs in major European leagues that went unbeaten for an entire league season but did not win the title.

Benfica (1977/78, (2025/26) – Portugal

S.L. Benfica are one of the few clubs in European football history to complete a league season unbeaten and still fail to win the title.

In the 1977/78 season, Benfica went through the Portuguese top flight without losing a single match but finished second to FC Porto on goal difference in one of the most dramatic title races in the country’s history.

Nearly five decades later, history repeated itself.

In the 2025/26 campaign, José Mourinho guided Benfica to another unbeaten Primeira Liga season. The Eagles sealed the feat with a 3-1 victory over G.D. Estoril Praia, finishing with:

• 23 wins
• 11 draws
• 0 defeats

Despite earning 80 points, Benfica ended the season in third place behind Porto and Sporting CP. The 11 draws proved costly, and the club not only missed out on the league title but also failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

The achievement makes Benfica’s 2025/26 campaign one of the rarest and most extraordinary seasons in European football: an unbeaten team finishing outside the top two and without a major trophy.

Perugia (1978/79) – Italy

Perugia produced one of Serie A’s most remarkable campaigns, going the entire season unbeaten.

However, an unusually high number of draws meant they could not convert consistency into enough points to win the league, finishing behind AC Milan.

• League: Serie A
• Record: Unbeaten season
• Outcome: Finished 2nd

This season is often cited as the clearest example of how draws can cost a title even without a single defeat.

Vanguard News

The post Clubs that went whole season unbeaten but failed to win league title appeared first on Vanguard News.

José Mourinho has led S.L. Benfica to a remarkable unbeaten season in the Primeira Liga, but the Portuguese giants still finished a disappointing third in the title race.

Benfica completed the campaign without a single defeat, recording 23 wins and 11 draws, but ended with 80 points—eight behind champions FC Porto and two adrift of runners-up Sporting CP.

The Eagles closed the season with a 3-1 victory over G.D. Estoril Praia, with goals from Richard Ríos, Alexander Bah and Rafa Silva.

Although Mourinho restored Benfica’s defensive strength and consistency, a high number of draws proved costly as Porto and Sporting maintained stronger winning records. The third-place finish means Benfica will compete in the UEFA Europa League next season.

Mourinho’s future remains uncertain, with growing speculation linking the 63-year-old to a sensational return to Real Madrid CF. Regardless of what happens next, his unbeaten league campaign has secured a unique place in Benfica’s history.

Vanguard News

The post Mourinho’s Benfica go unbeaten but finish third in league table appeared first on Vanguard News.

Cristiano Ronaldo suffered heartache for the second time in a week when his Saudi club Al Nassr were stunned at home 1-0 by Japan’s Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final on Saturday.

Ronaldo’s wait for his first piece of major silverware since signing a big-money deal to join Al Nassr in 2023 was extended by the Japanese club, who withstood a second-half barrage by the Saudi side.

In front of 26,000 fans at the King Saud University Stadium, Al Nassr were hot favourites to become the first Saudi Arabian side to win the AFC Champions League Two, the second-tier Asian continental crown equivalent to UEFA’s Europa League.

But it was Gamba who struck the only goal of the game, against the run of play, when forward Deniz Hummet latched onto Issam Jebali’s through ball and buried his finish from the edge of the box after 29 minutes.

“We had prepared well but they were very fast and they surprised us,” said Al Nassr’s Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus.

“For the first 30 minutes, we were not at our best but after that, we dominated. They only had one opportunity and they scored from it.”

Earlier in the week, Ronaldo had been forced to wait longer for a first Saudi Pro League title when Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento conceded a bizarre injury-time own goal that gave second-placed Al Hilal a 1-1 draw.

A win would have secured a first Saudi domestic title for the Portuguese great, who then endured more agony in Riyadh four days later.

“The dream is close,” the 41-year-old wrote on X to his 107.5 million followers on Wednesday, after his side had been seconds from the league title glory against Al Hilal.

“Heads up, we have one more step to take! Thank you all for the amazing support tonight!”

Al Nassr are two points ahead of Al Hilal with one game to play and can seal the title at home to Damac on Thursday.

Al Hilal play their final match away to Al Fayha on the same night.

“We didn’t get what we wanted here but there is one more final for us, the Saudi Pro League title, which is very important to us,” Jesus said.

“We have five days to recover and prepare and there is no time for grieving. We have to get going again.”

Vanguard News

The post Ronaldo suffers more agony as Al Nassr lose 1-0 in AFC final appeared first on Vanguard News.

Iran’s World Cup squad will travel to Turkey on Monday for a training camp, friendlies and to complete visa applications before heading to the United States, head coach Amir Ghalenoei said on Saturday.

Team Melli will be returning to Antalya where they trained and played friendlies in March.

They are taking a squad of 30 players, which will have to be trimmed to the World Cup maximum of 26. Perhaps the best known is 33-year-old former Porto striker Mehdi Taremi, now with Olympiacos.

“Selecting 30 players for this final training camp ahead of the World Cup was the most difficult technical decision of my coaching career,” Ghalenoei told the Iranian football federation website, adding that he had selected players solely on “technical criteria”.

Iran hope to play two friendlies in Antalya. They have already confirmed one match, against Gambia, on May 29, said Sam Mehdizadeh, an Iranian-Canadian who heads a company that sets up friendlies for the team.

Iran and the US cut diplomatic ties in 1980 and the players are expected to use their time in Turkey to complete the necessary procedures for obtaining visas.

“No visas have been issued yet,” Mehdi Taj, the Iranian football federation head, told Iranian media on Thursday.

Taj said players were expected to undergo fingerprinting in Turkey as part of the visa process but wished to avoid a trip of more than 450 kilometres (280 miles) from Antalya to Ankara.

Taj is expected to hold talks with FIFA president Gianni Infantino as Tehran seeks assurances for its squad amid tensions increased by the ongoing war.

When the squad reaches the US, Iran will set up their base camp in Tucson, Arizona.

They are due to kick off their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June, before facing Belgium in the same city and then Egypt in Seattle, in Group G.

AFP

The post Iran confirms squad heading to Turkey for World Cup preparation appeared first on Vanguard News.

Chelsea Football Club has reportedly reached a total agreement to appoint Xabi Alonso as the club’s new manager.

According to The Athletic, Alonso has accepted the opportunity to take charge at Stamford Bridge after visiting London earlier this month, following the departure of Liam Rosenoir.

The report stated that a four-year contract is currently being finalised, with an official announcement expected soon.

Former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola was also considered for the role before Chelsea moved closer to sealing Alonso’s appointment.

Alonso, 44, has been without a coaching role since leaving Real Madrid in January, less than a year into a three-year contract.

Before his stint at Madrid, Alonso guided Bayer 04 Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title during the 2023/24 season, finishing the domestic campaign unbeaten.

As a player, Alonso previously spent five years in the Premier League with Liverpool F.C., where he won the UEFA Champions League in 2005.

Chelsea parted ways with Rosenior in April after a poor run of results, including five consecutive Premier League defeats.

The post Chelsea reach agreement to appoint Alonso as new manager – Report appeared first on Vanguard News.

By Enitan Abdultawab

Liverpool F.C. forward Mohamed Salah has delivered a strong public critique of the club’s current struggles, urging a return to their “heavy metal attacking” identity after a 4–2 defeat to Aston Villa left their season further in crisis.

It was another disappointing night for Liverpool under manager Arne Slot, with the defeat at Villa Park marking their 12th league loss of the season and keeping their Champions League qualification hopes uncertain.

In a statement on Instagram on Saturday, Salah said the result was painful and not acceptable for a club of Liverpool’s stature, insisting the team must rediscover the identity that made them feared under former manager Jürgen Klopp.

“Us crumbling to yet another defeat this season was very painful and not what our fans deserve. I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies,” Salah said.

He added that the club’s identity should be non-negotiable and expected from every player who joins the team.

“I have witnessed this club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions,” he said.

“It took hard work and I always did everything I could to help the club get there. Nothing makes me prouder than that.”

Salah continued: “It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it. Winning some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about. All teams win games.”

He stressed that Champions League qualification remains the minimum standard for the club and vowed to contribute to achieving it.

“Liverpool will always be a club that means a great deal to me and to my family. I want to see it succeed for long after I have moved on. As I’ve always said, qualifying to next season’s Champions League is the bare minimum and I will do everything I can to make that happen,” he said.

Salah also referenced previous comments where he said he had been “thrown under the bus” after a draw earlier in the season, adding to speculation about tension within the squad and coaching setup.

Slot, meanwhile, admitted his side struggled to cope with Aston Villa’s intensity and quality but insisted improvements would come next season.

“I can understand at this moment of time that they don’t have a lot of confidence or a lot of feeling that things can be much better next season,” Slot said.

“But I think then they are underestimating what a window can do, what a new start can do, and I think we know quite well what to improve.”

He added: “I think one of the things we have to improve is also very, very, very obvious, and I would have preferred not to talk about it here, but you’re actually almost forcing me to.”

Slot also pointed to injury issues and squad depth as key challenges, saying missing players had significantly affected performances.

“If you miss nine players that can start a game of football… then that will automatically lead to much more,” he said.

Liverpool’s season has also been marked by poor defensive records, including conceding 52 league goals — their worst in a 38-game Premier League campaign — and multiple unwanted statistical milestones.

The defeat leaves Liverpool facing a tense finish to the season as they prepare for their final match against Brentford, with Champions League qualification still not guaranteed.

The post Salah slams Liverpool collapse, demands return to ‘heavy metal’ identity appeared first on Vanguard News.

Bernardo Silva said Manchester City still had a “small dream” of winning the Premier League after beating Chelsea 1-0 in Saturday’s FA Cup final to seal a domestic cup double.

Antoine Semenyo scored the only goal of a largely disappointing game at Wembley, producing a moment of magic in the 72nd minute to unlock the Chelsea defence.

Erling Haaland, who worked hard all game with little reward, crossed for Semenyo, who produced a brilliant right-foot flicked finish across Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez.

The long-serving Silva, leaving City at the end of the season, said he was delighted to add another trophy to his huge collection since arriving at the Etihad in 2017.

“Very special. I am really happy. Everything about my journey here at Man City was fantastic,” the City captain told the BBC.

“Hopefully we can still have a small dream that we can fight for the Premier League.

“Today we are very happy. It is just special for me, being my last season to give them another trophy. Hopefully, not the last one.”

City, who won the League Cup in March, trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by two points with two games to go.

The Gunners host relegated Burnley on Monday while City travel to Bournemouth the following day.

Silva, 31, hailed City manager Pep Guardiola’s influence on his career, saying he had “changed the way” he saw football.

“Eighty percent of my career was with him as my manager,” he said. “All the things I hoped to achieve were with him.

“The relationship we have got is very strong with the frustrations and the achievements.”I care a lot about Man City.”

The post Man City still dream of Premier League glory after FA Cup win – Silva appeared first on Vanguard News.

Antoine Semenyo produced one of the great FA Cup final goals with an audacious back-flick that sealed Manchester City’s 1-0 win against Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.

Semenyo illuminated a largely scrappy final late in the second half as he improvised a sublime finish to caress Erling Haaland’s cross into the net.

The Ghana winger’s moment of magic was enough to clinch City’s eighth FA Cup triumph and their second piece of silverware this season after the League Cup final win over Arsenal in March.

Semenyo joins Ricky Villa, Michael Owen, Roberto Di Matteo and Steven Gerrard among the ranks of iconic FA Cup final goalscorers.

Ironically, the 26-year-old — an inspired signing from Bournemouth in the January window — was born just a stone’s throw from Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge home in west London.

The third FA Cup success of Guardiola’s reign ended City’s run of two successive defeats in the final against Crystal Palace and Manchester United.

Guardiola, who also lifted the trophy in 2023 and 2019, has now won 20 trophies in his glittering decade as City manager.

His attention will turn back to City’s slender hopes of making it 21 pieces of silverware with a miracle in the Premier League title race.

City, on a 21-game unbeaten domestic run, will be five points behind leaders Arsenal if the Gunners beat relegated Burnley at home on Monday.

Guardiola’s men can close the gap back to two points with a victory at Bournemouth in their penultimate match of the season on Tuesday.

But Arsenal would still guarantee their first English title since 2004 by winning at Palace on May 24.

Ahead of his 24th trip to Wembley with City, Guardiola joked that he was “so disappointed” he has not had a stand named after him at the home of English football.

Whether he will be back with City remain a matter of conjecture.

Uncertainty has swirled around Guardiola’s future all season and, with just one year left on his contract, the 55-year-old is yet to give an indication if he plans to stay or go at the end of this term.

If it is about to be the end of an era, Semenyo ensured Guardiola will leave with at least one more golden memory.

– Knockout blow –

For Chelsea, the loss was the latest blow in another turbulent campaign.

Without a win in their last seven league games, they are languishing in ninth place with virtually no chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Under interim boss Calum McFarlane, they produced a battling but ultimately impotent display that underlined why frustrated fans protested against owners BlueCo before kick-off and chanted “we want our Chelsea back”.

With Chelsea content to sit deep in their five-man defence, City dominated possession for long periods of the first half, but couldn’t make the breakthrough.

It was a cagey and often flat occasion, in keeping with two teams who have underachieved this season.

Haaland fired wide from an acute angle after stealing possession on the edge of the Chelsea area.

Haaland threatened to prise open Chelsea’s well-drilled rearguard late in the first half, surging onto Marc Guehi’s pass for a stinging strike that Robert Sanchez saved at his near post.

Relying on only occasional counter-attacks, Chelsea felt aggrieved just before the interval when their penalty claim was rejected after Joao Pedro was bundled over by Abdukodir Khusanov.

Semenyo should have broken the deadlock immediately after the break, heading over from six yards after climbing to meet Nico O’Reilly’s cross.

Moises Caicedo’s header was nodded off the line by Rodri after City keeper James Trafford fumbled a corner.

But City finally delivered the knockout blow in the 72nd minute.

Haaland made a clever run down the right-hand side of the Chelsea area and cut the ball back to Semenyo, who deftly back-heeled his supreme finish into the far corner from close range.

The post Semenyo’s magic moment fires Man City to FA Cup final win over Chelsea appeared first on Vanguard News.

Forward Harry Kane scored a hat-trick as Bayern Munich celebrated their 35th German title on a gripping final day of the German Bundesliga season on Saturday with a 5-1 win over Cologne.

Stuttgart secured Champions League qualification and St. Pauli and Heidenheim were relegated elsewhere on an action-packed final matchday.

England’s Kane scored an elegant volley and a direct free-kick in the first half before rounding off his fourth hat-trick of the season, ending as the league’s top scorer with 36 goals.

Said El Mala scored a superb solo goal for Cologne, but efforts from Kane, Tom Bischof and Nicolas Jackson saw Bayern run away with victory.

At the other end of the table, Wolfsburg won a dramatic, three-way fight with St. Pauli and Heidenheim to avoid automatic relegation.

The bottom three all began the day on equal points, but Wolfsburg’s pulse-racing 3-1 win over St. Pauli meant they secured the all-important relegation play-off place in 16th.

St. Pauli goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj kept Wolfsburg at bay with some smart saves in the first half before Konstantinos Koulierakis headed the visitors in front from a corner.

Half-time substitute Abdoulie Ceesay gave St. Pauli hope with a header on 57 minutes, but tempers flared after Wolfsburg restored the lead in controversial circumstances.

Vasilj claimed he had been pushed after deflecting the ball into his own net at a corner, but the goal was given after a nail-biting VAR check.

Christian Eriksen missed a penalty for Wolfsburg 15 minutes from time, but Dezan Pejcinovic sealed St. Pauli’s fate with a cool finish shortly afterwards.

– Wolfsburg not yet safe –

Wolfsburg will play one of Hannover, Elversberg or Paderborn in the play-off later this month, while St. Pauli return to the second tier after two years in the Bundesliga.

Heidenheim’s three-year spell in the top flight also came to an end after their hopes of a dramatic last-day escape were dashed by a 2-0 defeat to Mainz.

Philipp Tietz headed Mainz in front early on before setting up Nadiem Amiri for the visitors’ second just before half-time.

Stuttgart secured Champions League qualification with a 2-2 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Goals from Chema and Nikolas Nartey put Stuttgart in control in the first half, before Jonathan Burkardt rescued an inconsequential point with two late penalties for Frankfurt.

The draw kept Stuttgart above Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen, who secured Europa League qualification despite dropping points on Saturday.

Leverkusen were held 1-1 at home to Hamburg, Jarell Quansah equalising late on after Fabio Vieira’s superb second-half strike for the visitors.

Hoffenheim slumped to a bitter 4-0 defeat away to Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Hugo Bolin and Haris Tabakovic gave Gladbach a 2-0 lead at half time, before Kevin Diks and Robin Hack poured on more misery with two late goals.

Meanwhile, Freiburg secured seventh place and European qualification with a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig.

The Europa League finalists caught Leipzig cold with two quickfire goals from Niklas Beste and Igor Matanovic in the first half.

Forzan Ouedraogo pulled one back soon after, but Freiburg marched on with goals from Matthias Ginter and Derr Scherhant after the break.

Freiburg will either play in the Conference League or the Champions League next season, depending on whether they beat Aston Villa in the Europa League final later this month.

Elsewhere, Serhou Guirassy and Yan Couto fired Borussia Dortmund to a 2-0 win over Werder Bremen, while Union Berlin beat Augsburg 4-0.

Andrej Ilic, Woo-yeong Jeong and Andras Schafer got on the scoresheet as Union tore through Augsburg on the counter-attack, handing Marie-Louise Eta a memorable victory in her last game as interim coach.

The post Kane hits hat-trick, St. Pauli relegated from Bundesliga appeared first on Vanguard News.

Aston Villa have secured qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League after a commanding 4-2 victory over Liverpool on Friday night.

The crucial Premier League win confirmed Villa’s return to Europe’s elite club competition alongside Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Forward Ollie Watkins scored twice for Villa, while captain John McGinn added a brilliant late strike as Unai Emery’s side overwhelmed the reigning league champions.

The victory moved Villa to 62 points, placing them two points ahead of Liverpool with only one fixture remaining in the season.

Villa’s qualification means four Premier League clubs have now officially booked their places in the league phase of next season’s Champions League campaign.

The Midlands club are also preparing for the Europa League final against SC Freiburg next Wednesday.

Winning the Europa League would also have guaranteed Villa an automatic Champions League ticket. However, under that scenario, the team finishing sixth in the Premier League standings would have earned qualification instead.

The post 4 EPL teams confirm Champions League spots appeared first on Vanguard News.

Celtic snatched the Scottish Premiership title from Hearts in the dying minutes of the season on Saturday, scoring two late goals to earn a 3-1 win and a 14th title in 15 years.

Needing a win to usurp the Jambos at the top of the table, Celtic came from behind to deny Hearts a first title in 66 years.

The Jambos were within minutes of ending the stranglehold on the Scottish game exerted by Rangers and Celtic, which now extends to 41 years.

Derek McInnes’ men took the lead when Lawrence Shankland headed home a corner in the 43rd minute.

Celtic rallied to level before the break courtesy of an Arne Engels penalty in stoppage time.

Hearts resisted during an incredibly tense second half until three minutes from time, when Daizen Maeda bundled in.

The goal was initially ruled offside but a VAR review reversed that call.

Callum Osmand was then able to walk the ball in to the net with the final kick of the game after Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow came forward in the hunt for an equaliser.

Celtic fans spilled onto the pitch in celebration, but it was devastation for Hearts, who have once again fallen at the final hurdle.

A 2-0 defeat on the final day to Kilmarnock in 1965 saw them lose the league on goal average.

And 21 years later they were seven minutes away before Albert Kidd struck twice for Dundee and allowed Celtic to snatch the title on goal difference.

– Face-off –

Not since Rangers got the better of Aberdeen 35 years ago had the top two faced off for the title on the final day of a Scottish season.

Hearts boss McInnes said he expected “bedlam” with the visiting support less than 1,000 of the 60,000-capacity crowd at Celtic Park.

But the visitors dampened the atmosphere as McInnes’ gameplan worked a treat early on.

With so much on the line, the first half was frenetic and short on quality but Hearts took a crucial lead.

Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo got caught under Stephen Kingsley’s corner and Shankland headed in at the far post.

The days before the match had been dominated by the fallout from a controversial late penalty that handed Celtic victory at Motherwell on Wednesday to keep Martin O’Neill’s men in the race.

McInnes branded that decision “disgusting”, but there were few protests when Hearts conceded a penalty in first-half stoppage time.

Kieran Tierney’s cross hit Alexandros Kyziridis’ outstretched hand just inside the area.

Arne Engels’ spot-kick squeezed under Schmolow to give Celtic hope.

The introduction of Kelechi Iheanacho finally gave Celtic some cutting edge as they hemmed Hearts in.

Iheanacho struck the base of the post and Schwolow tipped over Benjamin Nygren’s drive as the pressure built.

The dam finally burst when Maeda turned in Osmand’s cross only for the flag to briefly halt Celtic celebrations.

VAR again came to the Hoops’ aid.

Osmand then rubbed salt in the wounds for McInnes’ men by bursting clear from inside his own half to roll into an unguarded net.

The post Celtic hit late double to break Hearts and win Scottish Premiership appeared first on Vanguard News.

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski said Saturday he is leaving the club this summer at the end of his contract.

The veteran Polish forward, 37, scored 119 goals for Barcelona in 191 games across all competitions since joining from Bayern Munich in 2022.

Lewandowski helped Barca to three La Liga titles, including this season’s trophy, and the Copa del Rey in 2025.

“After four years full of challenges and hard work, it’s time to move on,” said Lewandowski in a post on Instagram.

“I leave with the feeling that the mission is complete. Four seasons, three championships.”

The forward joined with Barca at a low ebb and struggling financially, helping restore them to the Spanish throne and also compete for the Champions League.

“Barca is back where it belongs,” continued Lewandowski.

“I will never forget the love I received from the fans from my very first days. Catalonia is my place on earth.”

Lewandowski will play for the last time at Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium on Sunday against Real Betis, with coach Hansi Flick confirming he will start.

“He spoke with the team, said goodbye, and that it was a great time for him here in Barcelona,” said Flick, who also coached Lewandowski at Bayern Munich.

“I’ve worked with Robert now for years, and we won together nine (trophies), all the titles I’ve won were with him.

“For me it’s a privilege to work with him. He’s a professional player… every day he gave the best with his body to be at the highest level.

“He’s a perfect role model for young players… this is why he’s still playing at this level.”

Flick said Lewandowski was a “fantastic human, but also a world-class player”.

“Thank you, Robert Lewandowski, for every goal, every (bit of) fight, and every magical moment wearing these colours,” said Barcelona on social media. “He arrived as a star, he leaves as a legend.”

Lewandowski is one of the most prolific strikers of his generation and finished as La Liga’s top scorer in his debut campaign under Xavi Hernandez.

This season Flick rotated him up front with Spain international Ferran Torres, with Lewandowski scoring 18 goals in 44 games.

The striker did not confirm his next destination but has been linked with clubs in Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The post Lewandowski to leave Barca with ‘mission complete’ appeared first on Vanguard News.