Football
UEFA run out of medals for Spurs players after Europa League final win
UEFA came under heavy scrutiny after a significant oversight during the Europa League final medal ceremony, leaving key Tottenham Hotspur players without winners’ medals despite their victory over Manchester United.
Tottenham ended a 17-year trophy drought with a 1-0 win in Bilbao, thanks to Brennan Johnson’s decisive goal in the first half. The historic moment was supposed to be a full celebration, but confusion unfolded as the squad collected their medals.
As players stepped forward to receive their medals from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, it quickly became apparent that the box of medals was insufficient for the entire team. The handout came to a halt when midfielder Yves Bissouma accepted his medal.
Ceferin was then seen conferring with a UEFA official, seemingly addressing the issue of the now-empty box. Rodrigo Bentancur, next in line, received only a handshake.
Defender Cristian Romero, who had been named Player of the Match for his commanding performance, was also left without a medal. Son Heung-min, Tottenham’s captain, had a short exchange with Ceferin before finally receiving the trophy—but no medal.
The bizarre moment forced Son, Bentancur, and Romero to pose on the pitch with the Europa League trophy without gold medals around their necks. The scene didn’t go unnoticed by fans and media, prompting criticism of UEFA’s logistics during such a high-profile event.
Romero, despite the snub, expressed immense pride in the team’s achievement. Speaking after the final whistle, he reflected on the journey to the title.
“We were fair winners and we’re very happy. We deserved to finish like this. There was bad talk about this club and our coach, but we silenced a lot of people today,” Romero said.
“We ended a season that many thought was going downhill, but we finished it as European champions and we’ve qualified for the Champions League.
I always give everything for this club. I came here to win and make history with Tottenham. Now it’s time to celebrate with my family, who mean everything to me.”
Son Heung-min also spoke after lifting the trophy, sharing his emotional response to finally achieving his dream. “This is what I’ve always dreamed of. Today is the day it came true. I am the happiest man in the world,” said the South Korean forward.
“There are always tough moments in a season, but we stayed united. I felt so much pressure. I wanted this more than anything. I’ve been dreaming about this match every night for a week. Now it’s finally done, and I can sleep peacefully. Tonight, we celebrate—maybe I’ll even miss the flight tomorrow.”
The match, held at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao on May 21, 2025, capped off a dramatic campaign for Tottenham under manager Ange Postecoglou.
While the medal mix-up created an awkward scene, the triumph itself secured Spurs’ return to the Champions League and ended a nearly two-decade-long wait for silverware. Despite the blunder, the victory stands as one of the club’s most significant European moments.
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.
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
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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