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Barcelona star rejects Man of the Match award after El Clasico win v Real Madrid

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Raphinha played a crucial role in Barcelona’s thrilling 4-3 El Clasico win over Real Madrid at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday, but the Brazilian winger made headlines for an unusual reason—he declined the Man of the Match award despite his standout performance.

The former Leeds United star scored twice, showcasing his relentless energy and sharp finishing, particularly with his second goal, which came after pressing and dispossessing Lucas Vázquez.

Although he was instrumental in the victory, Raphinha didn’t feel he was the game’s best performer. Speaking after the final whistle, he admitted to feeling underwhelmed by his own display. “I didn’t play well today.

I don’t deserve the Man of the Match award. I would have given it to someone else,” he said, reflecting critically despite his obvious contributions.

Raphinha’s form this season has been nothing short of spectacular. With 34 goals and 25 assists in just 54 appearances, he’s been a driving force behind Barcelona’s success across multiple competitions.

His efforts helped the Catalan club lift the Copa del Rey last month after defeating Real Madrid in the final, and now the team sits seven points clear at the top of La Liga.

Head coach Hansi Flick, in his first season with the club, praised the team’s resilience in the El Clasico clash after they came back from 2-0 down to seal a vital victory.

However, he emphasized the need for defensive improvements. “I’m going to have to check my heart after a match like that,” Flick joked. “It’s great to win, but we need to be stronger at the back. When we press high, it works, but individual errors can still cost us.”

Barcelona’s comeback against Real Madrid has put them on the brink of securing a domestic double. While Flick acknowledged their strong position, he cautioned that the title race isn’t over yet.

“We’re in a good spot, but anything can happen. We still need three more points, and every team we face will be trying to stop us,” he said.

The club had hoped to complete a treble this season, but that dream ended in the Champions League semi-finals. Barcelona were eliminated by Inter Milan in a dramatic 7-6 aggregate result. Inter will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the final, after the French side knocked out Arsenal in their own semi-final clash.

Even with Champions League disappointment, Barcelona’s campaign under Flick has been a major success. With Raphinha in top form and key victories in crucial matches, the team looks poised to close the season with silverware—and possibly even more to come in the future.

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Napoli-linked Sancho ‘attracting interest’ from new Serie A side

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Napoli-linked Sancho 'attracting interest' from new Serie A side

Juventus are reportedly set to compete with Napoli for the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer.

The 25-year-old is back at Old Trafford following a season-long loan at Chelsea, where he made a solid impact with five goals and 10 assists across 41 competitive appearances. He also found the net in Chelsea’s convincing 4-1 victory in last month’s Conference League final, though his efforts were not enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.

Chelsea were initially expected to secure Sancho for £25 million as part of their loan agreement but ultimately chose to walk away from the obligation. As a result, they were required to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty fee.

Despite being under contract with United, Sancho is not considered part of manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. If he fails to secure a transfer in the coming weeks, the winger is expected to be left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States.

Juventus enter the race for Sancho

Napoli had previously emerged as the frontrunner for Sancho’s signature, with the player reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the Serie A champions. However, a deal between Manchester United and Napoli has yet to be finalized.

According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have now entered the picture, exploring the financial and contractual terms of a potential move. The Turin-based side is seriously evaluating the opportunity to sign the England international, who has earned 23 senior caps.

Is Juventus the right fit for Sancho?

Juventus manager Igor Tudor is preparing for his first full season in charge after leading the team to a top-four finish last term. Known for deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Tudor’s system does not traditionally utilize wide wingers like Sancho.

If he joins Juventus, Sancho would likely compete for one of the two attacking midfield spots behind the main striker—a role that currently sees strong competition from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez. Unless one of these players is sold, Sancho might struggle to find regular playing time in Turin.

Napoli, on the other hand, could offer a more suitable environment for the former Borussia Dortmund star. With the club still looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January, Sancho may find more opportunities to thrive in his preferred position on the wing.

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Flamengo punish 10-Man Chelsea in 3-1 Club World Cup stunner (Highlights)

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Flamengo 3-1 Chelsea

Nicolas Jackson endured a nightmare cameo as Chelsea collapsed in the second half against Flamengo during their FIFA Club World Cup clash, suffering a 3-1 defeat that puts their tournament hopes at risk.

Chelsea initially took the lead through Pedro Neto, whose composed finish through the goalkeeper’s legs gave the Premier League side a promising start. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the break.

Flamengo responded in ruthless fashion, netting twice in quick succession. Substitute Bruno Henrique capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range, followed by another back-post finish from Danilo that stunned the Blues and put the Brazilian side ahead.

Matters worsened for Chelsea when substitute Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card just four minutes after entering the pitch.

His dangerous challenge saw his studs connect with Lucas Ayrton’s shin, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off immediately.

Flamengo sealed the win with a third goal, as Wallace Yan added the final blow to a chaotic second half that Chelsea will want to forget.

The result means Chelsea must now beat African side ES Tunis in their next match on Tuesday to progress to the last 16. However, finishing second in the group could set them up for a much tougher path, likely facing the winner of Group C, which may include Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.

Flamengo’s victory strengthens their bid to top Group D and extends the unbeaten run of South American teams in the Club World Cup’s newly expanded format.

Flamengo vs Chelsea Highlight

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Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan: Ramos opener earns shock draw after Lautaro misses sitter

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Monterrey vs Inter Milan

Monterrey secured their spot in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, now known as the CONCACAF Cup.

Fast forward four years, and the team returned to the international stage at the Rose Bowl with only one player from that title-winning squad still in the lineup: veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The club had not lifted any silverware since that 2021 triumph, which made what happened next even more unexpected.

In a surprising twist, Monterrey opened the scoring against Inter Milan in the 25th minute, as Sergio Ramos delivered a perfectly placed header.

The Spanish defender, who joined the Mexican outfit earlier this year on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, had cited the Club World Cup as a major influence in his decision to sign. His goal sent the Monterrey fans into wild celebrations.

However, their joy didn’t last long. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martínez—fresh off a World Cup win—responded with a close-range finish following a perfectly orchestrated set-piece.

The Argentine’s goal silenced the Rayados-dominated crowd and brought the game level at 1-1 before halftime.

The second half saw both teams tighten up defensively, limiting each other’s chances as the game wore on.

Inter, still recovering from a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, looked eager to reassert themselves. But it was Monterrey who rose to the occasion, matching their European opponents stride for stride and leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a gritty performance.

Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan Highlights

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