World Soccer June 2022

COUNTDOWN TO QATAR 2022 Eight countries battling for the final three World Cup spots in the play-offs June 2022 FINALISSIMA The champions of South America & Europe go face to face at Wembley WOMEN’S TALISMANIC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL TALENTS Barcelona v Lyon SPOTLIGHT ON BRENDEN AARONSON, preview DIOGO JOTA AND CODY GAKPO £5.99 PLUS HEADLINERS EMMANUEL DENNIS UEFA YOUTH BENZEMA CARVALHO LEAGUE STARLETS ASANOVIC ASIAN CL GROUP WOLLACOTT VAN NISTELROOY STAGE REVIEW UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE AFCON 2023 QUALIFIERS SRI LANKA & AZERBAIJAN



June 2022 FEATURES THE WORLD THIS MONTH 22 40 46 Diogo Jota People in the news...on and off the pitch Player biography 4 In pictures 10 From the Editor 54 Talent scout 11 The month in numbers 2021-22 UEFA Youth League’s biggest prospects 12 On the radar 13 Jim Holden Finalissima 14 Keir Radnedge Financial Fair Play with teeth 16 Jonathan Wilson The gulf on Merseyside 18 Ins & Outs HEADLINERS 60 22 Karim Benzema 24 Jojo Wollacott 25 Ruud van Nistelrooy 26 Aljosa Asanovic 27 Fabio Carvalho EYEWITNESS 28 USA 32 Mauritius 36 Azerbaijan 40 Spain SPECIAL FEATURE 64 56 Emmanuel Dennis 60 Brenden Aaronson 64 Cody Gakpo WOMEN’S FOOTBALL 68 UEFA Champions League final MY BIGGEST GAME 98 Rio Ferdinand Follow World Soccer online FOOTBALL 24-7 SAVE MONEY ON 74 Race for Qatar Exclusive Inter-confederational World Cup play-offs subscription offer See page 8 Follow @worldsoccermag Like World Soccer Magazine 86 European World Cup play-offs 2022-23 UEFA Nations League Exclusive reports from our worldwide AFCON 2023 qualifiers network of correspondents Asian Champions League Tahiti P L U S 87 Global diary 88 Squads 94 Results, tables, fixtures Sri Lanka Greenland WORLD SOCCER 3

THE WORLD THIS MONTH The global game caught on camera 4 WORLD SOCCER

Egypt…a game in the Mit Rumi Ramadan football tournament in Dakahlia – one of the oldest street football tournaments in Egypt WORLD SOCCER 5

THE WORLD THIS MONTH France…Declan Rice and Vladimir Coufal celebrate after guiding West Ham United into the Europa League semi-finals Germany…Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze celebrates after stunning Bayern Munich in the dying moments of their Champions League quarter-final Germany…Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann is drenched in beer after winning his first Bundesliga title 6 WORLD SOCCER

Brazil…tributes are paid to IN PICTURES Colombia legend Freddy Rincon Spain…Real Betis by his former club Corinthians legend Joaquin following his tragic death celebrates with the Copa del Rey trophy Poland…a flare is lit as Legia Warsaw play Dynamo Kyiv in a “Match for Peace”, with all profits from the game’s ticket sales going to support Ukrainian refugees WORLD SOCCER 7

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FROM THE THE WORLD THIS MONTH EDITOR Our countdown to the 2022 World Cup continues in this issue as we preview the remaining European, Asian and inter-confederational play-offs to determine the final three qualifiers for Qatar. Kicked out…Russian teams face further Three players already with their eyes on the World Cup UEFA sanctions are this issue’s cover stars – Netherlands hot-shot Cody Gakpo, UEFA Portugal forward Diogo Jota and United States wonderkid Brenden Russia hit with further sanctions Aaronson – and we shine the spotlight on the talented talismanic Russia’s bid to host the European Championship trio who are all having terrific seasons for their clubs. in 2028 or 2032 has been dismissed by UEFA, while the country’s women’s team will not take The Ukraine conflict continues to cast its shadow, but countries part in this summer’s Euros in England either. around the world persist in showing their support for the war-torn In March, the Russian federation declared an interest in hosting the men’s tournaments, nation. James Nalton provides an exclusive EyeWitness report into despite having already been kicked out of 2022 World Cup qualifying and having how America’s East Coast is proving an unlikely destination for its their club sides eliminated from European competitions. Yet UEFA ended any distant show of solidarity and awareness-raising efforts through football, hopes of a Russian-hosted tournament by ruling their bid ineligible. while Jared Tinslay previews what should That ruling means that the joint-bid from prove to be an emotional international England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Republic of Ireland remains the favourite comeback for Ukraine as they travel We shine to host in 2028, with Turkey declaring an to take on Scotland in the European the spotlight interest in hosting both the 2028 or 2032 World Cup play-offs. on talented tournaments, while Italy are also in contention for the latter. European champions Italy may not Meanwhile, UEFA have also extended have a World Cup to look forward to, but talismanic trio their ban on Russian teams to its 2022-23 club tournaments, the next Nations League, they face South American champions Cody Gakpo, the 2021-23 European Under-21 Championship Argentina in the Finalissima, giving Diogo Jota and qualification for the 2023 Women’s World the Azzurri a chance to atone for their and Brenden Cup, while Portugal will take Russia’s place qualifying disappointment. Jim Holden at this summer’s Women’s European Championship after losing to them discusses the merits of the newly-revived Aaronson, who in the qualifying play-offs. contest, formerly known as the Artemio are all having Incidentally, the ban on Russian teams Franchi Cup. terrific seasons from next season’s Champions League is a for their clubs boost to the Scottish Premiership, with the Following in this issue’s theme of giving winners of this season’s title set to qualify exposure to young talents such as Gakpo automatically for the group stage. and Aaronson, this month’s instalment of Talent Scout highlights the standout stars from this season’s UEFA Youth League, with Nick Bidwell giving us an insight into the Champions League’s next generation. One player most definitely part of the Champions League’s current golden generation is Karim Benzema who, at 34, is enjoying the best form of his already wonderful career. Colin Millar offers his incisive analysis on the purple patch for the likely frontrunner for this year’s Ballon d’Or. Whether Benzema will be able to add another Champions League winners’ medal to his vast collection this season remains to be seen. Our print deadline for this edition didn’t allow us to preview this season’s finale (with the semi-finals concluding after our press date), but be sure to catch next month’s issue which will review UEFA’s showpiece occasion, along with all of Europe’s other elite competitions and leagues, in our annual season review special. Stephen Fishlock, Group Editor 10 WORLD SOCCER

GLOBAL FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE “This is an enormous step forward in providing much-needed reform for football” Former sports minister Tracey Crouch reacts to the government’s decision to establish an independent regulator in English football ITALY The month in numbers ‘Super agent’ Eye-catching facts and stats from the world of football this month… Mino Raiola 43 1 dies aged 54 Championship goals scored by Fulham’s Serbian In Melbourne City’s 2-1 win against Jeonnam striker Aleksandar Mitrovic during the 2021-22 Dragons in Thailand, Yoshimi Yamashita made Mino Raiola, one of the most high-profile campaign, a record for the 46-game format. history by becoming the first female to referee agents in football, has died after suffering a men’s Asian Champions League match. with illness since January. 3 12 Typically, for a figure who divided opinion Consecutive home defeats for Barcelona in throughout his career in football, Raiola’s April – the first time in the club’s history Players that Bayern Munich had on the pitch death was fraught with controversy. On that they have suffered such a streak. for 17 seconds during their win at Freiburg, Thursday, April 28, multiple sources reported prompting a complaint from the home side. that the agent had passed away, only for him £4.25bn to directly respond to the reports by tweeting 41 that he was still alive. Two days later though, Value of the late bid for Chelsea from British a statement from his family confirmed that billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe at the end of April. SPFL clubs to have voted for the introduction he had since passed away. of VAR into the Scottish Premiership from next season, with just one side voting against it. Born in Italy but raised in the Netherlands, Raiola cultivated a reputation as one of the $1.1bn most prominent yet divisive agents in football. Former Manchester United manager Alex Valuation of Serie A club Milan according to Ferguson insisted that he would never deal with him again after Paul Pogba’s departure a private equity firm from Bahrain, who wish from Old Trafford in 2012. to purchase the Italian giants. Yet to his clients Raiola was a mentor and hero. Erling Haaland and Matthijs de Ligt, for Spanish champion… 6 instance, both posted tributes on social media, Ancelotti celebrates with the former describing him as “the best”. African FAs sanctioned by FIFA following with his players Both Pogba and Haaland are set for high-profile moves this summer, with the 1 the World Cup qualifying play-offs in March. Frenchman out of contract at Manchester Algeria, Egypt and Morocco will pay fines, as United and Manchester City reportedly close to agreeing a deal for the Norway striker. Carlo Ancelotti is the first coach in history will Senegal, Nigeria and DR Congo, who will Both players – as well as the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Romelu Lukaku and Gianluigi to win all five major European leagues after also play one match behind closed doors. Donnarumma – will now have to decide their futures without Raiola’s counsel. guiding Real Madrid to La Liga glory. The Italian $5m has also won titles with Milan, Chelsea, Paris Super agent…Raiola with one of his many Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. Opening bid for Diego Maradona’s “Hand high-profile clients, 0 of God” shirt, which was put up for auction. Zlatan Ibrahimovic Number of matches played in Panama’s top flight 1 in gameweek 12 after the league’s players went Oldham Athletic became the first former on strike to demand contractual improvements. Premier League representatives to drop 6 out of the Football League following their relegation from League Two. Number of days per month, according 17 to media reports, that Ralf Rangnick will work at Manchester United next Years since Real Betis’ last major season after agreeing to take charge trophy, a sequence ended by their of the Austrian national team. penalty shootout win over Valencia 60 in April’s Copa del Rey final. Years since Benfica 2 last won a UEFA title Year contract extension for (1962 European Cup) Jurgen Klopp, after the prior to their Under-19s’ Two more Liverpool boss penned victory in this season’s years… a new deal keeping him Youth League. Klopp at Anfield until 2026. WORLD SOCCER 11

THE WORLD THIS MONTH “Girls and women are more emotional than men. So, they take a goal going in not very well” Kenny Shiels, manager of Northern Ireland women, draws criticism while discussing his team’s 5-0 defeat to England. He later apologised for his comments TETE (Lyon) For most of the footballers fleeing Henrique ARAUJO Jamie BYNOE-GITTENS Ukraine following the invasion by (Benfica) (Borussia Dortmund) Russia, simply finding a new club The Portugal Under-21 international In April, the 17-year-old forward, a former and the opportunity to continue was the star of the show in Benfica U19s’ Chelsea, Reading and Manchester City their careers has been success. But 6-0 thrashing of Red Bull Salzburg in academy graduate, made his senior for some, it has been an opportunity the UEFA Youth League final, bagging debut for Borussia Dortmund, two to thrive, like Brazilian winger Tete. a hat-trick against the Austrians. years after moving to Germany. The 22-year-old hadn’t played in Jonathan GOMEZ Angel DI MARIA almost four months when he made (Real Sociedad) (Paris Saint-Germain) his Ligue 1 debut at the start of April, The 18-year-old full-back is the latest PSG have reportedly chosen not to take yet still netted an 80th-minute winner player to be drawn into an international up their one-year option on Di Maria’s with a smart finish in Lyon’s 3-2 victory tug of war between USA and Mexico. He contract, meaning that he will be a free over Angers. His arrival boosted the made his Mexico debut in April – in a agent this summer. Juventus are said club’s hopes of qualifying for Europe friendly against Guatemala – a year to be in talks with the Argentine. next season, while also putting himself after winning his first USA cap. in the shop window. Festy EBOSELE Ben DOAK (Derby County) The future of Ukrainian football (Celtic) The Republic of Ireland Under-21 remains highly uncertain, and Tete The highly-rated 16-year-old recently international wideman will become would have been closely observed by confirmed that he will be joining the latest player to depart Wayne scouts even before the invasion after Liverpool at the end of the season, Rooney’s side after agreeing to join scoring ten goals for Shakhtar Donetsk for a reported fee of £600,000. Serie A club Udinese this summer. before Christmas, including one in the Champions League. Lyon will be hoping to make his loan deal permanent. QR CORNER Use a tablet or smartphone to scan the QR code. Barcelona SC’s Damian Diaz scored directly from a corner in outrageous style in the Copa Libertadores. 12 WORLD SOCCER

Jim HOLDEN AT THE HEART OF THE GAME The Finalissima: a welcome return for Europe against South America Does the world of soccer, already Finalissima is different, certainly when Predecessor… It’s true also of Roberto Mancini, the jam-packed full with a myriad of the fixture is Italy v Argentina, two of France’s Michel Italian head coach and current World competitions, really need to squeeze the most storied national teams. It Platini holds the Soccer Manager of the Year. On his another trophy into its relentless will have a sharp edge this time also Artemio Franchi personal website he boasts 14 trophies schedule? Are we truly excited by the because the Italians have failed to Cup in1985 captured as a manager, including the latest bauble on offer: the Finalissima? qualify for the World Cup later this Super Cups and Community Shield. year, and at Wembley will be handed If number 15 is the Finalissima, it The sporting public has already a swift chance of some redemption. will provide further vindication of delivered its emphatic answer. Tickets his reputation as a winning boss. for the showdown between Italy and Trophies count for so much in Argentina, to be staged at Wembley football careers – even the lesser As for managers, so for players. The Stadium on June 1, sold out in just ones, even the newly revived ones. one caveat in the monumental career a matter of days. There will be an Look, for example, at the “Palmares”, of Lionel Messi has been the lack of 86,000-capacity crowd for the glory with Argentina, a failure some clash between the champions critics have used as ammunition for of Europe and South America. their argument that he could not be considered the greatest player of all Many people were surprised by the time without national team success. clamour to attend. I can’t think why. This is an occasion to cherish, a match Messi began to rectify that with with serious pride and honour at stake, Copa America victory last year. That a match with a touch of history to add triumph is why he won the Ballon d’Or meaning and context. The “Finalissima” for a seventh time, and why Argentina name may be freshly-minted, but this will be at Wembley. He will now want is actually a revival of a contest played to emulate Maradona in winning this twice before, in 1985 and 1993, for extra trophy, driving the momentum the Artemio Franchi Cup, when the of his Argentine side before a final winning captains were Michel Platini attempt at the World Cup. and Diego Maradona respectively. Then there is Argentina’s coach Watch the grainy video footage Lionel Scaloni, back on an English of Argentina against Denmark in stage for the first time since the the 1993 encounter and you see a 2006 FA Cup final when playing bravura match between two skilful for West Ham United. He created and committed national teams. Brian one goal for his team, but is forever Laudrup almost wins it for the Danes remembered as the player who with a curling shot against the bar. foolishly gave the ball away in the Diego Simeone’s thunderbolt is then dying seconds of the match, and tipped away by Peter Schmeichel. allowed Steven Gerrard to score a fabulous long-range 3-3 The “Finalissima” name may be freshly-minted, equaliser for Liverpool. but this is actually a revival of a contest played twice before, in 1985 and 1993 Scaloni’s one and only honour as a manager is the Copa America, which It goes to penalties, and Maradona the honours list of the greats. Pep was also Argentina’s first trophy for 28 is among the scorers as Argentina Guardiola has won 32 trophies as years. He will not underestimate the win 5-4 in the shootout. a manager, and he includes them value of another in quick succession. all in his own mind – the Spanish Following that match the event third tier with Barcelona B, the No, we should not be surprised the was subsumed into the Confederations Super Cups and Community Shields, Finalissima tickets sold out in a flash. In Cup, a tournament itself abandoned in as well as the Champions League and the 1993 video you can see the furious 2017 because it became too intrusive domestic league titles. Jose Mourinho despair of Peter Schmeichel when he in the global soccer calendar and does the same in his haul of 25 got his fingertips to the final penalty featured too many lightweight games. trophies; they all add lustre. of the shootout but could not save it. You can see the delight on the face of A one-off showdown like the Diego Maradona as he celebrated the last trophy of his career. Enough said. WORLD SOCCER 13

THE WORLD THIS MONTH Keir RADNEDGE THE INSIDER ‘Financial Fair Play with teeth’ – UEFA’s latest attempt to crack down on football finances Remember Financial Fair Play, aka how it was intended. Platini’s idea Punished… Infantino to make them work. FFP? Michel Platini’s magic wand to was simple: clubs that wanted Manchester City Nowadays Platini believes Infantino put European club football finance to compete in Europe should were sanctioned to have been anything other than on the straight and narrow, clean out provide audited proof that wages under FFP rules trustworthy but that is another story. the swindlers and the fraudsters, and expenditure did not exceed revenue. present the game in a shiny-bright In many ways FFP was Infantino’s new light. Illogically this was the case for proving ground. He understood the dozens of clubs whose survival practical intricacies and made it It’s back. Under a new name and depended on handouts from work. Along the way this introduced with the same flaw: it does nothing supra-wealthy owners with him to a network of influential to address the gap between the European politicians and lawyers hand-to-mouth majority and the to ensure FFP was compatible with Champions League elite who want European Commission regulations. a closed shop to suit themselves The eventual edifice comprised and their “historical status”. a multi-layered strata of analysis, assessment, disciplinary sanctions Former UEFA president Platini and appeal procedures. aimed to prise the game out of the greedy hands of those he dismissed The effect was measured in hard sarcastically as “administrators”. cash. Platini, in reviewing the first Sepp Blatter noted the jibe and three years, said: “Financial Fair Play never quite forgot or forgave. has led to a dramatic improvement in club finances and has restored Platini drove into UEFA HQ at business credibility in our sport. Nyon, near Geneva, with a host of When we began this process, ideas, some sensible, some banal. financial losses stood at €1.7bn Among the latter was a desire to per year but now they are in the turn the Champions League back €400-500m range. In a short into the knockout cup competition of its formative years. Then the accountants gently explained the facts of financial life to him, how the group stage guarantees of multi-million TV and sponsorship contracts rendered the European federation richer than FIFA. Hence Platini contented himself with commanding his minions to “Financial Fair Play has led to a dramatic improvement in club finances and has restored business credibility in our sport” Michel Platini speaking in May 2015 devise various complex formulae personal, commercial or political to offer a handful of middle and reasons for burnishing their populist lower-rank European clubs the images. Few better vehicles than possibility of squeezing up among a successful football club, whether the elite in the Champions League that success is judged on a national group stage. or international stage. Then came FFP, a paradise Platini would come up with the for lawyers and accountants and ideas and then hand them over to loophole-gougers. That was not his trusty general secretary Gianni 14 WORLD SOCCER

GLOBAL FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE BOOKS THIS MONTH period of time, Financial Fair Play of the window as clubs scrambled but, before the pandemic, it was GOLDEN is achieving what it set out to do: for cash, in whatever amount and between 60-70 per cent. Now that ByJames Kelly (Pitch restore the financial health of from whatever source. COVID killed spectators and sponsors are coming Publishing, £16.99) European football and put clubs off Financial Fair Play as we knew it back we expect the ratio to come on a much better and more solid and forced UEFA to come up with down naturally but still it remains The definitive story financial foundation.” something new. challenging for a number of clubs.” of football in Belgium, Golden: Why Belgian That was in May 2015. Just a few The lately-revealed Financial Traverso believes the squad costs Football is More Than months later Platini was banned over Sustainability Regulations sound like limit will be hard to circumvent One Generation goes the $2m “disloyal payment” from a system to power floodlights with because breaches, whether through beyond the current Blatter’s FIFA that would ultimately wind turbines and solar panels. Not direct pay or media rights deals, team of stars. Exploring see both men in the dock in true. A better way to consider this would risk players falling foul of both domestic and Bellinzona in June accused is Financial Fair Play with teeth. national tax laws. international success, of fraud (charges they deny). Just be aware that the “fair play” it relives the forgotten label has been ditched out of Punishments are another Belgian triumphs By the time of Platini’s embarrassment at its circumvention issue entirely. They could include against football’s enforced exit, FFP was working by PSG and Manchester City. prohibitions on the use of certain biggest names. Packed but reservations were growing. players, squad limits, the deduction with unsung heroes and The system did nothing to redress Wage caps and the like would of points or possibly even relegation pivotal figures from an expanding imbalance between the be crushed by the courts so UEFA from one UEFA competition to Antwerp to Waregem, rich and the poor. Also punishments has come up with a 70 per cent another. it tells the tale of how a such as competition suspensions squad cost ceiling on the pay of nation with a population appeared to be applied far more players, managers and agents Ceferin says: “UEFA’s first financial of under 12 million has readily to the have-nots than to the when set against club revenue. regulations served their primary continued to make its haves. That suspicion exploded into The system kicks off this summer. purpose. They helped pull European mark on world football. daylight when high-spending (and Implementation will be graduated football finances back from the brink high-paying) Paris Saint-Germain over three years so clubs have time and revolutionised how European NOT GERMAN, and Manchester City slipped to adapt. Full imposition of the new football clubs are run. However, the I’M SCOUSE through the regulatory net. regime begins in 2025-26. evolution of the football industry, By Carsten Nippert alongside the inevitable financial (Pitch Publishing, £16.99) A voluble critic that the system Andrea Traverso, UEFA’s director effects of the pandemic, showed was broken was La Liga president of financial sustainability, believes a need for wholesale reform.” Carsten Nippert’s first Javier Tebas. In Manchester in 2017 that the original Financial Fair visits to Anfield were he told me: “It’s not that I don’t like Play regulations had laid a solid The new controls are welcome if characterised by fear PSG. But what happens when this foundation. He says: “The average they prove loophole-free. But they when he encountered [Qatari] money comes into European squad cost at the moment is closer do not address that financial chasm. vitriolic Mancunians football? There is an inflation of to 90 per cent than 70 per cent Ceferin’s “wholesale reform” remains and Kopites whose salaries and transfer fees. This is a long way off. dialect confused him, damaging football. There is an but his adventures as incredible risk when such money Financial Fair Play mastermind…the man behind the idea, former UEFA president Michel Platini a passionate young fan comes in from these states. would eventually take him to Istanbul, Athens, “It is not just about PSG but also Kyiv and Madrid. Not Manchester City. I will always need German, I’m Scouse is more money from TV, otherwise the hilarious, emotional Manchester City with its Abu Dhabi and compelling story of oil will take all the best players.” an unlikely Liverpool fan who became a Of course by now UEFA had Scouser at heart. more problems than FFP to resolve. Platini’s removal from the presidency WORLD SOCCER 15 caused a considerable hiatus before Aleksander Ceferin had got to grips with the complexities of the job. He had thought he might commute on a part-time basis from Slovenia but soon found he had been badly mistaken. UEFA was already working on a revision to FFP when COVID-19 wreaked financial havoc across the European club game. FFP went out

THE WORLD THIS MONTH Jonathan WILSON TECHNICALLY SPEAKING Everton’s struggles are all of their own making Everton’s aim was simply not to their net spend is £60 million more Miles apart… make a similar error, even on a lose against Liverpool; or at least than that of their Merseyside rivals. Liverpool smaller scale, it can affect their to ensure that if they did it would Yet while Liverpool emerged from the and Everton spending plans for years. not be too humiliating, would not derby with the quadruple still to play do too much damage to either their for, Everton found themselves in the But just spending money isn’t self-esteem or their goal difference, bottom three, facing the prospect enough. It has to be spent well. both of which could be vital in the of a first relegation in 71 years. Everton have spent money, but battle against relegation. It was grim have done so appallingly. They have to watch: one team playing football, developed a habit of signing players one team doing nothing but trying to who have been found wanting stop them, slowing the game down, elsewhere, often at bigger clubs – breaking up play, wasting time. the likes of James Rodriguez, Alex Iwobi, Theo Walcott and Dele Alli. Everton managed 17 per cent Yes, sometimes a little experience, possession – which, depending which a little glamour, can be beneficial, source you prefer, is either the lowest or the second-lowest ever recorded in a Premier League game – and, to an extent, achieved their objective: they held Liverpool for an hour and got away with merely a 2-0 defeat. Had they been awarded a penalty when Anthony Gordon went down after a nudge from Joel Matip, perhaps they could have nicked a point or more. Certainly no team should ever be criticised for playing defensively against a side of far greater ability. Defending is as much a part of the game as attacking – even if there were occasions when an understandable caution dipped into something less palatable. Just spending money isn’t enough...Everton have spent money, but have done so appallingly And, given where Everton were in the This has been mismanagement Dejected… table heading in to the Merseyside on a staggering scale. Richarlison reacts derby, their approach was easy to to Everton’s understand. It’s easy to say that football is defeat to Burnley dominated by money these days But what is less straightforward is and that all that really matters is how Everton find themselves in such how much you can spend. And to a mess in the first place. This is not a a large extent that is true. Spain and case, as so often in modern football, England have between them provided of one club simply not being able 50 of the last 80 Champions League to match the financial power of the semi-finalists. Money matters, and other. Everton have their own wealthy it can mitigate a host of failures of owner in Farhad Moshiri, although management. The likes of Chelsea the sanctions imposed on Alisher or Real Madrid can make a big Usmanov, forcing the club to cut signing who doesn’t work out and ties with its sponsor, may force there is no real consequence. If a cutbacks. Since he arrived, Borussia Dortmund or an Atalanta 16 WORLD SOCCER

GLOBAL FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE REPORTS WE COULDN’T MAKE UP but signing a player in their late 20s 1VAR DRAMA: FROM Gutted… 3ELITE CHICANERY is always a gamble: they command 2-1 UP TO 2-1 DOWN Huracan Meanwhile, a match in high wages and are unlikely to have If you think your team has goalkeeper Spain was interrupted not much resale value. And sometimes been the victim of a cruel VAR Marcos Diaz by a dog but by one of the coaches. older players or rejects can be decision, then just listen to this Villanueva del Pardillo were drawing bargains too – as it seemed, earlier report from a recent clash in Heart warming 1-1 with Colmenar Viejo when one in the season, that Andros Townsend Argentina’s Copa de la Liga …Dmytro Keda of the visitors’ coaches ran onto and Demarai Gray might be. But Profesional. With less than three the pitch to intercept the ball as picking up expensive cast-offs from minutes left on the clock, Huracan Villanueva launched a promising, elsewhere makes no economic thought they had sealed a dramatic late counter-attack. The coach was sense as a long-term strategy. victory against local rivals Barracas instantly sent off, but the ploy worked Central through a Matias Coccaro as his side held on for the draw. It hasn’t worked either, though, header. The jubilant celebrations when Everton have gone for players were soon stopped, though – not 4 GOING UP, GOING DOWN on the way up. Moise Kean never by an offside, but by a handball by Going up and down is looked the player he had occasionally their own goalkeeper. In springing a familiar tale for Norwich threatened to be at Juventus. Yannick the counter-attack that resulted in City, as they return yet again to the Bolasie suffered serious injury. the goal, Marcos Diaz was shown Championship after one year in Yerry Mina has been out most of by VAR to have handled the ball the Premier League. Yet for their this season. Richarlison has been outside of his penalty area – not sporting director, Stuart Webber, occasionally devastating but never only ruling out the winner, but giving going up and down is an idea that he consistent enough to justify the Barracas a chance to score one of is keen to take quite literally, having £50m Everton spent on him, nor their own with a free-kick on the set out to climb Mount Everest. After the £85m offer from Barcelona edge of the penalty area. Inevitably, revealing this ambition to The Times, that they reportedly rejected in Ivan Tapia stepped up to sweep the 38-year-old came under fierce 2020. That suggests issues of the ball home – via a wicked criticism from fans at Carrow Road fortune and scouting. deflection – though not before for a perceived lack of commitment several minutes of arguing. The due to its timing. “If we lose I’m And then there has been the drama didn’t end there, with upset, but my life isn’t to appease total incoherence of some decisions. Barracas full-back Facundo Mater Norwich fans,” he said in the interview, Why move on Lucas Digne and sign shown a second yellow card in before explaining that he climbed Anwar El Ghazi to comply with Rafa the ninth minute of stoppage time, Kilimanjaro in January and will take Benitez’s wishes, only to then sack yet his team held on for a famous on Chimborazo in Ecuador and Mont him almost immediately? It smacked win and the local bragging rights. Blanc before tackling Everest next. of a complete lack of joined-up thinking, of decisions made on 2CANINE CAMEO 5GLOBAL TOUR FOR PEACE the hoof with no thought for This won’t be the first time With the Ukrainian league the consequences. that this column reports on suspended, Shakhtar Donetsk a dog interrupting a football match, have embarked on a series of charity But look at the managers Everton and it is unlikely to be the last. The games around Europe in a “Global have had under Moshiri: Ronald match in question was the first leg Tour for Peace”. Their visit to Polish Koeman, Sam Allardyce, Marco of Brazil’s Pernambucano State top-flight side Lechia Gdansk was Silva, Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez, Championship final between Nautico particularly heart warming, with Frank Lampard…it’s an astonishing and Retro, and the dog – a German 12-year-old Dmytro Keda – a mix of styles, from modern Dutch shepherd called Boris – was with refugee from the heavily bombed to traditional English to ambitious the police. As his handler came city of Mariupol – brought on to Portuguese to famous former player. onto the pitch to collect him, the pitch for the final moments, No wonder the squad is a mess Boris picked up the ball in his with the scores level at 2-2. After when, if it has been constructed mouth and continued to run a kick-around with the Shakhtar according to any plan, it has been rings around the players, before players, Keda was allowed to score to meet the demands of half a finally being put on a lead. the winner, before celebrating on dozen very disparate managers. the shoulders of the visiting players. Perhaps Lampard will keep them up, but if Everton do go down, it will be because of problems that long pre-date him. Having money is one thing, spending it to a well- devised and consistent plan something entirely different. WORLD SOCCER 17

THE WORLD THIS MONTH “We can’t fight any more because of the sanctions and now Toni will leave. Our hands are tied. I don’t know what would have been the outcome [without the sanctions]” Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel explains the imminent departure of Antonio Rudiger PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Next United boss EUROPE The Dutch FA confirmed that Mass Ukrainian …Erik ten Hag RONALD KOEMAN will return to his departures continue Manchester United confirmed the role as Netherlands manager when appointment of Ajax head coach ERIK Louis van Gaal steps down after the Ukraine-based footballers have TEN HAG, with the Dutchman set 2022 World Cup in Qatar. continued to seek clubs abroad to take charge in the summer. following Russia’s invasion and AFRICA the official termination of the La Liga side Granada appointed 2021-22 league campaign. former Real Madrid assistant AITOR Marseille-born midfielder KARANKA to replace caretaker Ruben BOUBACAR KAMARA announced Shakhtar Donetsk’s large Torrecilla. Fellow strugglers Alaves hired that he will play for African champions Brazilian contingent continued JULIO VELAZQUEZ as their third Senegal at the World Cup in Qatar. to disperse, with forward Alan manager of the season. Patrick and defender Vitao moving EHAB GALAL was appointed Egypt to Internacional, and midfielder Former Senegal and Newcastle coach to replace CARLOS QUIEROZ, Maycon joining Corinthians, while United midfielder MO DIAME joined who left the role after the World Cup winger Tete joined Ligue 1 side Fuenlabrada in the Spanish second tier. qualifying play-off defeat to Senegal. Lyon. Israeli winger Manor Solomon has been closely linked with Fulham. RB Leipzig agreed a deal for Senegal promising Genk goalkeeper MAARTEN switch… Elsewhere, Luxembourg VANDEVOORDT to join them in 2024, Boubacar internationals Gerson Rodrigues, while Monaco’s Spanish youngster Kamara and Olivier and Vincent Thill left ADAM MULELE will join Hoffenheim. Vorskla Poltava on loan, with the CONCACAF latter joining Orebro (Sweden) and Former France international REMY the other two Eyupspor (Turkey). CABELLA joined Montpellier having In MLS, New England Revolution Dynamo Kyiv said goodbye to left Russian side Krasnodar, while paid Atletico Mineiro $4 million for promising wingers Vitinho (Athletico DIDIER LAMKEL ZE joined Metz on Colombian winger DYLAN BORRERO, Paranaense) and Georgiy Tsitaishvili loan from Royal Antwerp after his own FC Cincinnati signed Nigerian midfielder (Wisla Krakow), while English winger spell in Russia at Khimki was cut short. OBINNA NWOBODO from Turkish side Kadeem Harris joined Tuzlaspor Elsewhere, JORDAN LARSSON left Goztepe, and GYASI ZARDES joined on loan from Metalist Kharkiv. Spartak Moscow for a loan at AIK, and Colorado Rapids from Columbus Crew. BOLI BOLINGOLI returned to Celtic Ukraine exit…Tete arrives at Lyon on loan after his spell at Ufa was cancelled. SOUTH AMERICA EUROPE Talented Georgia winger KHVICHA Flamengo signed left-back AYRTON KVARATSKHELIA agreed a five-year LUCAS on loan from Spartak Moscow. With the club rooted to the bottom of contract to join Napoli from next season. Serie A, Venezia fired PAOLO ZANETTI. China striker ELKESON returned ALON HAZAN was appointed head to Brazil after departing Guangzhou FC Bundesliga strugglers Arminia coach of the Israeli national team. in January, joining Serie B side Gremio, Bielefeld sacked FRANK KRAMER, with while winger PEDRO HENRIQUE joined Marco Kostmann appointed as caretaker. Real Madrid agreed a deal to sign Internacional after a decade in Europe. Germany defender ANTONIO RUDIGER Standard Liege fired manager LUKA on a free transfer from Chelsea. Argentine centre-back KEVIN ELSNER, with the club struggling in the LOMONACO became the latest purchase bottom half of the Belgian top flight. Madrid- for the Red Bull group, leaving Lanus bound… in his come country to joined Red Bull Manchester City’s FERNANDINHO Antonio Bragantino in Brazil, while Uruguay’s Rudiger AGUSTIN CANOBBIO left Penarol for Athletico Paranaense. scored against his future club in April 18 WORLD SOCCER

GLOBAL FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE “I didn’t know it – you gave me the news! We will see what happens at the end of the season. We don’t know what’s going to happen” Pep Guardiola reacts to the news that Fernandinho will leave Manchester City at the end of the season OBITUARIES Appointments, sackings and loans confirmed that he will leave England Freddy RINCON He returned to Brazil to join and return to Brazil this summer. (1966-2022) Corinthians in 1997 and led them to the first Club World Cup in 2000. Nantes terminated the contract of Colombia record signing ANTHONY LIMBOMBE legend… Wolfgang FAHRIAN after a two-year absence from the team. (1941-2022) Freddy Former West Germany goalkeeper, Hibernian sacked SHAUN MALONEY Rincon starting between the sticks at the 1962 as manager after just four months in World Cup despite playing outside the charge of the Edinburgh side. Colombia’s generation of footballers top flight with club TSG Ulm. Later played that emerged in the 1990s to guide the for Hertha Berlin, 1860 Munich, Fortuna Italy defender GIORGIO CHIELLINI nation to three consecutive World Cups Dusseldorf and Fortuna Cologne. announced that he will retire from the – after a 28-year absence from the national team, with the Finalissima clash competition – are among the most Joachim STREICH against Argentina set to be his final game. revered in the nation’s history. (1951-2022) An iconic player for East Germany, Burnley parted company with Azzurri legend… Rincon is perhaps second only holding the record for both goals long-serving manager SEAN DYCHE, Giorgio Chiellini lifts to Carlos Valderrama as the finest (53) and caps (98), including two with Under-23s coach Mike Jackson the Euro 2020 trophy Colombian of that era. The two of them strikes at the 1974 World Cup – the taking caretaker charge. In the EFL, dovetailed beautifully to score one of only pre-unification appearance for the League One basement club Crewe Colombia’s most significant goals of all country. A prolific striker, Streich also Alexandra fired DAVID ARTELL. time. With time running out on their holds the goal record for FC Magdeburg, Italia ’90 campaign, Rincon raced on the team he fired to three East German AFRICA to a Valderrama through ball to slide cups. After retiring in 1985, he then past West Germany goalkeeper Bodo managed the club for five years. In the wake of Nigeria’s failure to Sacked…Sean Dyche Illgner, and send his team into the qualify for the World Cup, AUGUSTINE knockouts for the first time ever. Terry DARRACOTT EGUAVOEN resigned as manager, while (1950-2022) Ivory Coast elected not to renew head He remained an integral part of The youngest debutant in Everton’s coach PATRICE BEAUMELLE’s contract the squad for both the 1994 and 1998 history when he played his first game after they failed to reach the final finals, and shares Valderrama’s record in 1968 aged 17 years and 122 days, stage of World Cup qualifying. of ten World Cup games for Colombia. left-back Darracott went on to feature 179 times for the Toffees, and later ASIA Either side of USA ’94, Colombia worked as a coach under legendary finished third at consecutive Copa manager Howard Kendall. Ex-West Ham United and Australia America finals, with Rincon on target striker RICHARD GARCIA was sacked in both tournaments as Colombia Bill SHIPWRIGHT by Perth Glory after two years in charge. cemented their status as a rising (1932-2022) force in South American football Former Watford and Aldershot Town Brazilian forward ALAN KARDEC as the nation emerged from the defender who made 159 appearances ended his six-year stay in China by infamous drug wars that had come for The Hornets during the 1950s. leaving Shenzhen FC. to define it during the 1980s. Freddy HALL CONCACAF In his club career, Rincon won (1985-2022) trophies both at home with Santa Fe The ex-Northampton Town, Toronto FC, In MLS, San Jose Earthquakes fired and America de Cali and in Brazil with Telford United and Limerick goalkeeper head coach MATIAS ALMEYDA, and Palmeiras before departing for Europe. was tragically killed in a car crash in DC United sacked HERNAN LOSADA. He joined Napoli on loan in 1994, his native Bermuda aged just 37. before becoming the first Colombian SOUTH AMERICA to join Real Madrid a year later. Steve ROWLEY (1958-2022) After failing to qualify for the World Former Arsenal chief scout who is Cup, Colombia, Chile and Bolivia all credited with discovering Tony Adams, parted company with their managers: Ray Parlour, Cesc Fabregas, Robin REINALDO RUEDA, MARTIN LASARTE van Persie, Gael Clichy, Olivier and CESAR FARIAS, respectively. Giroud and Serge Gnabry. WORLD SOCCER 19

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Headliners Karim Benzema The France and Real Madrid striker is in the form of his life “H e is like a Edouard Mendy for his third at Jubilant…Benzema pain on the opposition and whose game fine wine,” Stamford Bridge – the Senegalese, celebrates scoring has constantly evolved throughout his Real Madrid under pressure from the striker, saw against Chelsea in glittering career. boss Carlo his pass go astray and leave a virtually the quarter-finals Ancelotti open net. The unfortunate Liverpool Now aged 34, Benzema’s career beamed goalkeeper Loris Karius is unlikely to can be divided into three very clear in the ever be forgotten for his high profile stages. The first was his spell as a Champions League post-match error in the 2018 Champions League teenage wonderkid at Lyon, where he press conference at Stamford Bridge. final, yet it less well-remembered that debuted as a 17-year-old and almost “Every day he is getting better, showing it was Benzema whose running had instantly established himself as a star. more leadership and he has so much prompted the mistake. His self-belief and drive were evident personality. He knows how important when telling his team-mates, who were a player he is for us.” Benzema is a striker who ticks all in the midst of romping home to seven Ancelotti could have been speaking the boxes and whose all-round game is successive Ligue 1 titles: “Do not laugh, of any number of the superstars in his as good as any; capable of power and I am here to take your place.” squad, from the midfield core of Luka accuracy with either foot and imperious Modric and Toni Kroos – so crucial in the air, as Chelsea found out with his The second stage was the first nine in the four Champions League titles two stunning headed goals in West years of his stint at Real Madrid, playing between 2014 and 2018 – to the London. Strongest when playing off the primarily as a foil to Cristiano Ronaldo. thrilling 21-year-old Brazilian Vinicius shoulders of the last defender, he has Both players arrived in the Spanish Junior, who has emerged as a vital always been the master of finding and capital in the summer of 2009 and difference-maker this season. creating space in which he can inflict would go on to form key components Yet Ancelotti was hailing the player of a fearsome attacking unit that won whom he is compelled to praise after almost every single game, a player he described as “magic” only weeks earlier after a similarly devastating game-defining spell. Karim Benzema had just netted a spectacular hat-trick against Chelsea within a 25-minute spell of play, a period which ultimately proved decisive in an exhilarating Champions League quarter-final tie. In the previous round, with the Spanish titans on the brink of elimination against French giants Paris Saint-Germain – trailing 2-0 on aggregate with just 30 minutes of play remaining – Benzema scored a goal out of nothing. The Frenchman’s pressing forced a dawdling Gianluigi Donnarumma into surrendering possession inside his own area, with Benzema ultimately finding the net. Fifteen minutes later, Benzema scored again. Then, practically straight from the beleaguered visitors’ kick-off, he completed a stunning hat-trick. The back-to-back Champions League trebles against the Parisians and the defending European champions – against whom Benzema scored the winner in extra-time of the second leg – were completed within a sum total of 75 minutes of play. That is the thing with the France striker; he smells blood. Benzema’s hassling of Donnarumma mirrored a mistake by Chelsea goalkeeper 22 WORLD SOCCER

PEOPLE ANDPEPOLPALECAENSD PILNACTESHIEN TNHEENWEWSS The Frenchman notched just five penalties in Pamplona and twice La Liga goals during the 2017-18 Benzema stepped up. Both times, campaign, his worst return since Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera arriving in Spain. Yet the decision- saved; it was the first time ever that makers at Los Blancos were in no a Madrid player had missed two doubt that he could fill Ronaldo’s penalties in the same La Liga game goalscoring boots; thus began the – and the first time since 2005 that latest – and most impressive – any player from any side had done so. stage in Benzema’s career. The following week, Ancelotti’s side Speaking to Mirror Football travelled to Manchester City for the earlier this year, Aitor Karanka – first leg of their Champions League the new Granada boss who was semi-final. Trailing by two early City assistant to Jose Mourinho at Real goals, Real Madrid were on the ropes. Madrid between 2010 and 2013 Benzema then scored a goal out of – explained on Benzema: “The key nothing, directing a wayward cross into moment for Karim was when Cristiano the corner of the net with a controlled left. His body language can fool you finish, while off balance, on his weaker when you do not know him, but I knew left foot. It was typical Benzema. that he would replace Cristiano as the City restored their two-goal leader of that team.” advantage in the tie before the Benzema’s goal numbers have visitors were handed a chance to always been fairly impressive, but halve the deficit with a late penalty. he exceeded the 30-goal tally in a Less than a week after his spot-kick single season just once when playing failures, it was Benzema who stepped alongside Ronaldo. Since the summer up. Remarkably, he chipped a Panenka- style penalty down “The key moment for Karim was when the middle and into Cristiano left – I knew that he would replace the net; the coolest man in Manchester. Cristiano as the leader of that team” Goal number 41 of the campaign. Aitor Karanka, former Real Madrid assistant coach Immediately after the match, Benzema of 2018, his completed campaign told Spanish TV: “If you don’t take goal tallies have been 30, 27 and penalties, you’ll never miss them. 30, and this season he has already It’s confidence, nothing more. It’s all surpassed 40 goals. mental.” If ever there was a quote to His first attempt at hitting that sum up the successes of Benzema four Champions League crowns. On magical 40-goal landmark came in and Real Madrid, a player and a team paper, Benzema was at the centre of an attacking trident, with Ronaldo to his left a La Liga trip to Osasuna in mid-April. who always step up in the biggest and (usually) Gareth Bale to his right. In reality the team was set up to get Standing on 39 strikes for the season, moments, it is that. the best out of Ronaldo, with Benzema tasked with creating space, occupying Real Madrid were twice awarded Colin Millar defenders and chipping in with assists for his prolific team-mate. Not that he Passing on the was short of goals – 192 in those first Madrid mantle… nine seasons – but the dynamic was clear: Ronaldo was top dog. Ronaldo and Benzema This continued to be the case until Ronaldo’s move to Juventus in 2018. By that stage, he had obliterated Real Madrid’s goal record with a scarcely believable 450 goals in 438 club appearances. His position had changed too, moving more centrally to play alongside Benzema, whose goal output dropped as a result. WORLD SOCCER 23

Headliners Jojo Wollacott The Swindon Town and Ghana goalkeeper has risen from England’s eighth tier to becoming World Cup-bound The first time Ghanaians unanimously cheered for Joseph “Jojo” Wollacott was in Kumasi, when the Black Stars faced West African rivals Nigeria in the first leg of the Qatar 2022 World Cup play-offs in March. For a stadium that was bouncing with over 40,000 spectators, the Baba Yara went dead silent for a moment when Moses Simon worked out a rare opening in the 54th minute. With one deft touch, the Nantes winger was through on goal, leaving him one-on-one with Wollacott. If the stadium was already quiet, that chance escalated the atmosphere to extremely inaudible levels when Simon adjusted his body to shoot. It was almost inevitable that the ball would end up in the back of the net… almost. A second later, though, the stadium erupted with applause as Simon’s effort struck Wollacott’s outstretched foot. That save revitalised the home fans and gave the Black Stars a huge lift, as they battled on to hold Nigeria to a goalless draw. AFCON 2021… Wollacott Four days later, in front of 60,000 competes for hostile supporters in Abuja, Wollacott a cross with would prove his Gabon’s Aaron Boupendza importance again “Playing for Ghana, I didn’t realise before I after he failed to keep a single clean as Ghana drew sheet and conceded five goals in three matches. 1-1 with the went just how much expectation there is from That it had to take the 25-year-old Super Eagles the country” his eighth and ninth caps to win over to qualify for the Ghanaian fans typifies Wollacott’s long road to redemption. the World Cup on “There was pressure on the game, away goals. Thomas Partey was at the 2021 AFCON – where the not just to qualify for the World Cup but for the bragging rights of the Ghana’s goalscorer on the day, but team suffered a humiliating group- country,” Wollacott said after his heroics. “Playing for Ghana, I didn’t Wollacott was the star of the show, stage exit – further emboldened realise before I went just how much expectation there is from the country. having pulled off three point-blank Wollacott’s unbelievers, especially Football is massive in Ghana, so to deliver and make Ghana proud is the saves to deny Augustine Eguavoen’s best feeling. It was probably one of the best feelings of my career.” side the winner. Catechised, vilified and criticised Playing for one’s national before he even made his international debut last October, Wollacott used team comes with tremendous pride, the World Cup play-offs to turn the censures into applause, and also but sometimes it can also be a litmus test of a player’s character and mental toughness. For Wollacott, the jury was out on him from day one. There were those who considered him merely lucky. Some felt Ghana deserved better than a goalkeeper playing in the fourth tier of English Swindon Town… football and others simply wrote Wollacott has him off as not good enough. established himself as No.1 at the The Black Stars’ disastrous showing County Ground 24 WORLD SOCCER

PEOPLE AND PLACES IN THE NEWS Ruud van Nistelrooy Legendary Dutch striker set to take charge of his former club PSV from next season cement his position as Ghana’s “V an Our Man”, Brands though, who will replace Toon first-choice goalkeeper. declared Gerbrands this summer. Tasked with PSV’s Twitter appointing his first head coach, the In many ways, Wollacott’s rise at account former Everton director of football had international level is similar to how after they his sights firmly set on Van Nistelrooy. he emerged from the dungeons of confirmed club football to become a regular Brands hatched a plan to convince in League Two. Born in Bristol, the goalkeeper joined hometown club the identity his top target: first, by appointing former Bristol City as an ambitious teenager looking to fledge into a world-beater. of their new manager for next season. PSV boss Fred Rutten as assistant However, his dream would be rocked He may have had an outstanding playing manager. Then, by simply pointing out by several loan moves. Wollacott spent eight years at his boyhood club without career that took him to England, Spain Van Nistelrooy’s CV to him. “He showed making a single first-team appearance, and was farmed out on loan to one and Germany, but Eindhoven can rightly me my resume,” said the former striker. club after another. claim to be his true home. “Two years assistant of Guus Hiddink Swindon Town became the ninth loan club of Wollacott’s career when “I’ve been heading for this moment at the national team; assistant at Euro he arrived in February 2021, with the move made permanent that summer. for years,” Van Nistelrooy said. “I’m 2020; assistant of Phillip Cocu at the Six years earlier, the goalkeeper was plying his trade at Clevedon Town in proud and convinced that I’m ready first team; three years coaching PSV the Southern Football League Division One South & West (England’s eighth to take a leading role at this club.” Under-19s and one season at the tier) and, as recently as 2019, he was lining up for Gloucester City in the Convincing words, but in reality the reserve team. National League South (the sixth tier). former striker’s appointment came “Brands said: ‘What else could you While the majority of Wollacott’s loan spells were in the southwest of as a surprise. Current coach Roger do to get closer to the first-team job?’ England, he also had a brief stint with Norwegian fourth-tier side Bergsoy IL, Schmidt gets a lot of criticism for his That was the last push.” having grown frustrated by the lack of opportunities in England. occasionally inexplicable substitutions Van Nistelrooy, 45, retired as a player “I don’t think I had anything else and lack of silverware, yet the German in 2012 after an outstanding career on the table in England, so I thought I might as well just take a chance and was the club’s first go abroad, see how it is,” he told The Guardian in January of his decision choice for next “I’ve been heading for this to try his luck in northern Europe. season. But after moment for years. I’m proud and “Norway was another really good life two seasons experience. At the time it opened doors for other things when I got Schmidt has convinced that I’m ready to take back.” decided to call it a leading role at this club” a day, with Benfica Wollacott has gone through that door, and risen through the ranks. His his probable next is a story of hard work, patience and sheer determination. From being destination – although not without involving Den Bosch, Heerenveen, passed around in the oubliettes of English football, Jojo has risen to answering one of his criticisms, having PSV, Manchester United, Real Madrid, become one of the best goalkeepers in League Two, keeping his tenth defeated Ajax in the Dutch Cup final. Hamburg and Malaga. He scored 349 clean sheet of the season in April. PSV didn’t have to go far in their goals in 592 games in club football. And from playing in front of crowds of just over 200 supporters a few years hunt for a replacement, turning to their He also hit 35 goals in 70 national ago, he now stands as Ghana’s No.1; primed to represent the Black Stars former striker and current reserve team team appearances. under the microscope of millions of fans in Qatar later this year. coach. Initially, Van Nistelrooy, who is Soon after hanging up his boots, he Emmanuel Ayamga carefully developing his career step by started his coaching career. This season, Next PSV boss… step, insisted that the timing was wrong: his Jong PSV side are on course for a Van Nistelrooy “The ambition is there, but it is too early.” mid-table finish in the second tier, but has worked at His statement wasn’t enough to turn more importantly he has helped nurse the Eindhoven talents like Cody Gakpo and Jordan Teze. club since 2018 off incoming general manager Marcel He will not be the first club icon to sit in the PSV dugout in recent years, and the club hopes that he will follow in the footsteps of Phillip Cocu – three-time Eredivisie champion and Dutch Cup winner in 2012 – rather than Mark van Bommel. The latter, a former midfielder who also learnt his trade in the youth ranks and as an assistant, initially had the board’s full confidence. Yet despite winning his first 13 league games, a club record, he was sacked in his second season due to poor results and a poor relationship with people at the club. Van Nistelrooy can only hope that he remains PSV’s man for a longer period. Klaas-Jan Droppert WORLD SOCCER 25

Headliners Aljosa Asanovic Zambia’s new head coach tasked with returning the nation to its former status Just over a decade ago, Missing out…Zambia Zambia won their first went out in the second Africa Cup of Nations as their modest squad round of 2022 World saw off the mighty Didier Cup qualifying Drogba and his Ivory Coast team-mates on the national team.” Talented generation… league as competitive. “It’s strong penalties in Gabon. But since the In his first games in charge in Enock Mwepu (L) and and athletic and with powerful heady success of 2012, Zambia have Patson Daka (R) players, maybe lacking a little on suffered a rapid decline after decades March, as they beat Congo in a of being perennial qualifiers for the AFCON finals. friendly but lost to Iraq and Benin, the tactical discipline side but in The defence of their title proved Asanovic picked all too brief in 2013 in South Africa, and they also went out in the group English-born stage of the 2015 finals in Equatorial Guinea. For the three subsequent defender Frankie “I really believe I know how I can put Zambian tournaments, they failed to qualify in what has been a major blow. Musonda, who football back to a high level” plays at Raith Changing that narrative is the immediate ambition of new coach Rovers, and Aljosa Asanovic, appointed in January and eager to begin the rebuilding unheralded Aime Mabika, fresh from the national team this is something process when the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers start in June. signing his first professional contract we can easily work on.” “Qualifying for the 2023 Cup of with MLS outfit Inter Miami. With the locally-based players he Nations finals in Ivory Coast is my main target and, for a football-mad But Asanovic also sees much talent says they will have a good tilt at the country like Zambia, it’s the absolute minimum,” the Croatian tells World domestically and rates the Zambian next African Nations Championship, Soccer. “It’s not a maybe for me. People might think I’m being over- optimistic or arrogant, but I have to set this goal to convince the players to come with me on the journey.” Asanovic, 56, spent six months before his appointment as the technical director of the Football Association of Zambia and so had something of a head start when he replaced Beston Chambeshi. Getting to know the local league has been a bonus but the focus is working on building a team with the likes of UK-based Patson Daka, Enock Mwepu and Fashion Sakala as the core of his selection. “We have guys who are playing in the Premier League, which is the best championship in the world as far as I’m concerned,” he says of Leicester City striker Daka and Brighton midfielder Mwepu. “Everyone is talking about them, and this they deserve, but there are many others who can also be crucial for us. “We have about 17 players at clubs in Europe and they are the ones who will bring the extensive experience to 26 WORLD SOCCER

PEOPLE AND PLACES IN THE NEWS Fabio Carvalho Highly-rated Fulham youngster agrees summer move to Liverpool the tournament for quasi national I f at first you don’t succeed, Edwards) had played more minutes teams made up of home-based try again; that was Liverpool’s in the top two divisions this season. players only. The next CHAN finals attitude to the capture of are in Algeria in January 2023. Fulham youngster Fabio Regular watchers of Fulham highlight Carvalho. After time ran his work rate without the ball, as well as Before his move to Zambia, out on deadline day of the his technical ability with it, making him Asanovic had been an assistant coach an attractive recruit for Jurgen Klopp’s for his own country’s national team, before scouting the diaspora for the January transfer window as notoriously high-pressing side. federation. He also worked at clubs in Russia, Australia and Saudi Arabia. the Reds tried to secure a last-minute The move will see Carvalho reunited The much-travelled former deal for the 19-year-old, they have now with his former team-mate Harvey central midfielder is hoping his own experience as a player with got their man. Elliott. As well as graduating from the the burgeoning Croatia team of the 1990s will help as he takes Fulham academy together, the pair on his first national team job. also played in the same England In the last years of Yugoslavia, he was one of the league’s leading Under-17s side. players with Hajduk Split and in 1990 played for Croatia in their Carvalho remains a target for Gareth first international since World War II, going on to win 62 caps and reach Southgate and England, despite winning the 1998 World Cup semi-final in France. His club career took in spells two caps for Portugal’s Under-21s in at Metz, Cannes, Montpellier, Real Valladolid, Derby County, Napoli, March. Born in Lisbon, he moved to Panathinaikos and Austria Vienna. London at the age of 13 and remains “I’ll never forget these parts of my life, but that was a long time ago. eligible for the Three Lions, and Now I’m a coach and I really want to put everything I can into the job. Southgate recently told The Athletic This is a crucial moment for Zambian football, and I really believe I know that he is a fan of the youngster: “We how I can put Zambian football back to a high level. would like him in our Under-21s but “We have massive potential, he hasn’t got an English passport,” he and I will do everything to make this country happy again,” he adds. explained. “He was able to play in our Mark Gleeson younger age groups without a passport New man in charge…Aljosa Asanovic but he’s got to pass the tests to be able to get the passport, so we couldn’t select him for the [Under]-21s. We’d like to have done that.” In form…Carvalho In reality, the delay makes no Whether an outright tug-of-war celebrates scoring difference, given that the initial plan breaks out between Southgate and in this season’s Championship was to loan Carvalho back to the his Portuguese counterpart Fernando Championship leaders until the end Santos will depend on how quickly of the season anyway. A move to Carvalho settles on Merseyside. Klopp’s Anfield was inevitable, with his current tendency is to break players in slowly contract due to end in the summer as they adjust to his style of play, but and a five-year deal at Anfield already a successful pre-season could see the agreed. Given his age, a fee had to be youngster elevated into the first team negotiated: £5 million up front, £2.7m – as Elliott proved last summer, starting in add-ons and a 20 per cent sell-on fee. “We would like him in our So, what have Liverpool got for Under-21s but he hasn’t got their money? An an English passport” outstanding young talent, it seems. England manager Gareth Southgate Fulham’s return to the Premier League had been all but the campaign as a first-team regular mathematically safe for a while, before before suffering a fracture dislocation finally confirming promotion in mid-April of his left ankle in September. with a 3-0 win over Preston North End. Fulham may harbour hopes of Carvalho has played no small part in landing Carvalho on loan for another that: operating behind Aleksandar season, as they bid to end their cycle of Mitrovic, the Championship’s record- yo-yoing between the top two divisions, breaking goalscorer, he had nine goals but if he lives up to his reputation as and seven assists when Fulham’s one of the most promising young promotion was confirmed, while only players in the country, Liverpool two teenagers (Alex Scott of Bristol will want to keep him close. City and Peterborough’s Ronnie Jamie Evans WORLD SOCCER 27

eywe itness James Nalton reports UNITED STATES Ukrainian solidarity alive and well on America’s East Coast Thousands of miles from Ukraine, of a larger Ukrainian sports club on the East Coast of the United States, and group of institutions that retain two distinctly Ukrainian soccer clubs the language and emblems of their are flying the flag for the Eastern country of origin. Some of this has European nation, showing solidarity rubbed off on others, and has in turn and raising awareness through football. helped raise awareness of the current plight of people in Ukraine. Like many lower league clubs in the area, the Ukrainian Nationals and the “Our cooperation is part of a New York Ukrainians were formed broader community,” says Eugene by immigrant communities in their Luciw, an executive on the board of respective cities, and retain to this directors at the Ukrainian American day the identity evident in their Sport Center – Tryzub, of which the clubs’ names. Nationals are part. “We ourselves are not by any means exclusively In Philadelphia, the identity of Ukrainian players. I would say that the Ukrainian Nationals Soccer Club maybe 15 to 20 per cent of our is one of a wide range of cultures players are of Ukrainian heritage. in the diverse Pennsylvanian city. The Nationals themselves are part “Our effort to open up to the Culture clubs…players of New York Ukrainians and FC Japan pose ahead of a match 28 WORLD SOCCER

broader community ultimately led Flying the flag… but also go beneath the political layer our minds and our hearts are in to the success of our club but, the way I put it, we turned the broader a Ukrainian flag on to help where it’s most needed. This Ukraine,” says Iurii Vovk, a former community into Ukrainians. They display in Brighton has been reinforced in recent months. player and now a board member at call themselves Ukrainians, they Beach, known as New York Ukrainians. “We have to do call themselves Ukrainian families, “Little Odessa,” Football in Ukraine has so I think we raised awareness, which then precipitates further action.” New York understandably been put on hold what we can, and this is how we can Internationally, football’s support during the crisis, but by continuing to respond to the crisis. If we stopped for the Ukrainian people in response to Russia’s invasion of their country play in their own country the Nationals playing we wouldn’t be able to meet has been compassionate, genuine and, most important of all, useful. The and the Brooklyn-based New York our opponents and no one would get definition of football in the sense it is used here is the game, the supporters, the chance to ask the clubs, their staff or volunteers, and their communities. The sport has “We play here in Brooklyn, but our minds and our any questions. shown throughout history that it is We spread the able to highlight political problems hearts are in Ukraine” word within the Iurii Vovk, New York Ukrainians board member community, within the Cosmopolitan Ukrainians have been able to raise Soccer League where we play. funds as well as awareness. This has “If people know that tomorrow’s also encouraged opposition sides to game is against the New York support these efforts. Ukrainians, before the games players “We play here in Brooklyn, but from different teams come to us, WORLD SOCCER 29

eyewitness History…excerpts sides have won it more – Bethlehem from a late1960s Steel and Maccabee Los Angeles – matchday programme and they are both now defunct. shake our hands, and ask: ‘How are regionally, and even nationally, such In terms of the wider picture of you guys doing? Do you have any that the word Ukraine, the colours, US sport, where the concept of the relatives there?’ and what’s going leads to constant awareness.” “franchise” can sometimes mean teams on. Everyone is so supportive.” struggle to forge an identity, these The success Eugene speaks of is clubs and many others like them in the This is reflected in Philadelphia perhaps a surprise to some outside lower leagues offer it naturally rather where the Nationals have been raising the United States. It’s easy to think of than through branding or marketing. funds for the Philadelphia-based American soccer solely in terms of the United Ukrainian American Relief relatively short-lived National American Therefore, it’s not just past success Committee (UUARC), with whom they Soccer League (NASL), graced by the that makes these clubs important. That have partnered. “Two of our opposing likes of Pele, Johan Cruyff and George they retain roots that date back to the teams delivered cheques made payable Best, and the current top division, middle of the last century is also a big to the UUARC, one in the amount of Major League Soccer (MLS), which achievement in the American soccer $1,000, one just under that, because itself is only 27 seasons old. landscape. these opposition teams took up collections,” adds Eugene Luciw. But the side from Philadelphia are In a nation where, over the years, “All of the teams we play, will, at among the most successful teams in sports teams regularly disband, this time in some way, shape or American soccer history. The US Open rebrand, or even relocate due to form, show solidarity with Ukraine. Cup is the longest-running national the franchise model seen at the competition in the country, having top level, these clubs have endured, “Typically there will be a joint first been contested in 1913-14, and and this sees them come into their photograph taken with the Ukrainian the Nationals have won it four times. own in moments like these. flag. I was touched by one opponent that arrived to play with the Ukrainian In a country where true regional- “It becomes a natural community,” flags pinned to their jerseys. to-national competition is rare due Eugene Luciw continues. “Folks who to the franchise system and a lack of never experienced that natural tie of “Our teams simply being Ukrainian promotion and relegation, the Open community, even in soccer fellowship, and having the Ukrainian colours and Cup is one of the ways to measure with a heritage to it, however that emblem just lights up awareness historical success, and the Ukrainian heritage may be defined, that’s where throughout. We’re a very well-known Nationals are right up there as one of they felt a strength. They didn’t need to and successful club in our area the most successful clubs. Only two develop the brand. If you are branded, 30 WORLD SOCCER

UNITED STATES you can quickly become de-branded NY Ukrainians still compete in ambassadors of Ukraine. When if your success level goes down. New York’s Cosmopolitan League, Ukraine had no embassy, clubs like “When we might sag, which happily while the Philadelphia Ukrainian ours, cultural centres like ours, we hasn’t happened in a while in terms Nationals will participate in the were the ambassadors of Ukraine, of success level, we have the heritage National Premier Soccer League’s we kept that concept going.” to hang on to and it’s almost as if you (NPSL) Keystone Conference for These two clubs, formed don’t feel that little bump in the road. 2022 as they look to return to independently of each other in Even a non-Ukrainian can say: ‘This is winning ways in senior football. the middle of the last century and a Ukrainian club, this is where I belong,’ When describing what keeps existing thousands of miles from but others belong here because we’re the Ukrainian Nationals going Ukraine, are helping the country’s part of a heritage. I don’t have to brand and what compels those involved people as best they can. myself and recreate myself in a in such organisations to run them They are well positioned to do so commercial way.” so passionately, Eugene Luciw thanks to a heritage that goes back There is a sense that though they explains that it is all rooted in to the 1950s and thanks to the way have a distinctly Ukrainian identity, the football can Nationals are an international family. raise awareness through the Americans, Irish, German or other “What drives this in our community? Too many heritage who have passed through people have tried to get us to stop. If people meetings of have tried to obliterate you and wipe you off team-mates, the club will still refer to it as their the map, you can at least have a dedication fans, staff and to preserving that culture” the equivalent Ukrainian family. on opposing There is a similar social aspect to the New York Ukrainians whose doors are open to all in the City’s five boroughs Eugene Luciw, Ukrainian American Sport Center – Tryzub teams each week. and beyond. “People come and see the players, They have they talk to them, they come to the past and current events which have had a spotlight shone on them in club and they say: ‘Wow, this is a threatened the very existence of undesirable circumstances, but from history’,” explains Iurii Vovk. “Here Ukrainian identity and culture. their visual identity as soccer teams you can get a beer after the game “What drives this in our community? US champions…a to the related work those involved Too many people have tried to get us poster advertising with the clubs do from day to day, and hang out with your colleagues and talk about soccer. They feel this to stop,” he says. “If people have tried Manchester United’s and because of it, they have been to obliterate you and wipe you off the tour match against key responders in football’s is not just a regular team where you map, you can at least have a dedication Philadelphia Ukrainian international effort. Nationals in June1960 come just to stay fit or just to play the games. This is where it gives to preserving that culture here. you a little extra, this is like a That’s what I think drove family, a team that’s united.” people to have a club like this. -, New York club also have an Open mission. It’s an obligation. You can’t not do it. Because of the Cu win to their name, in 1965 (a f ,’ yea bef a . fou th), n n e pas , we were e Lea ue itl s n an . Ope Cup P il del ia U r i ia r il WORLD SOCCER 31

eywe itness Steve Menary reports MAURITIUS A year without football Caption Flying the flag…the players line up for the national anthems (Credit: MFA) A handful of fans cling to the wire fencing in Mauritius. Home advantage would want me to go,” says the team’s titanic outside of Mauritius’ new sports centre have been a big help for Mauritius, but centre-half and captain, Lindsay Rose, at Cote d’Or. Inside is a sight hardly seen a defensive mix-up gifted Sao Tome’s who plays in Poland for Legia Warsaw. on the Indian Ocean island for the last journeyman striker Luis Leal a goal. year: a football match. Born in Rennes, Rose represented Mauritius have only qualified for one France from Under-18 to Under-21 level And not just any game; a vital 2023 AFCON finals, back in 1974. Since then, before being persuaded to play for the Africa Cup of Nations preliminary qualifier pickings have been slim. In the 2017 land of his father in 2017. In four years, between the home side and Sao Tome AFCON qualifiers, they stunned Rwanda Rose managed just five appearances and Principe. The winners go to the – a team 100 places higher in FIFA’s prior to the Sao Tome ties and bemoans group stage and a guaranteed six rankings – and also beat Mozambique, the inequalities of the qualifying system. matches with some of the continent’s but have not played in the group major players. The losers are left with qualifying stages since. “If we lose then we don’t play for two friendlies and regional tournaments. years. That’s why I haven’t played so Mauritius have won the football at the many games,” he says. “We have to play Financed by China and Saudi Arabia, multi-sport Indian Ocean Games twice, qualifiers to play in the qualifiers. It’s the Cote d’Or National Sports Complex in 1985 and 2003, and reached the unfair. In Europe, there are countries is the impressive new home of Mauritian final at the last edition in 2019, losing that would not make the groups. We sport with a pool, athletics track, judo 1-0 on penalties to Reunion after a 1-1 hall and football ground with a top draw, but that is only for locally-based notch artificial surface. players. Producing a consistent team for big matches like AFCON qualifiers The site’s first international was just is difficult as bringing overseas-based three days earlier, when Mauritius lost players over for friendlies is problematic. the “away” leg of their AFCON qualifier to Sao Tome. Sao Tome’s home ground “If I was going to somewhere far away is not certified by FIFA as safe to stage to play a friendly I would come back internationals so both games are tired and I don’t think my club would 32 WORLD SOCCER

need to play as many qualifying games Pre-match photo… on 30 points after 13 rounds but never of friendlies at the start of 2022, as Europe. Mauritius players resumed. which were both lost 1-0. The team before kick-off went on a training camp in Portugal “I’m in a WhatsApp group with Kevin (Credit: MFA) As COVID-19 restrictions eased, and played local sides. There was also Bru and some of the other overseas a new season started. Grande Riviere a 0-0 friendly draw at home to players. All the overseas players want established a commanding 15-point Seychelles, but the lack of regular to play. This is my dream and I want league at the top but games ceased club football is hardly ideal. to show Mauritius in Africa. in March 2021, again after 13 rounds. Since then, there has been no club Francois met overseas-based players “It’s a big honour for us. But it’s a football at all. for the first time in the week before the disaster for Mauritius that they stopped AFCON games, while others like Rose the league. If they can’t play, then we Incredibly, a national team is and Bru return after lengthy absences. can’t qualify.” expected to play its most important set of matches in two years with a pool The ageing but influential Bru – now And there lies the rub. The Mauritian of local players who have not played in France with Versailles – has managed national league has not been completed any matches for a year. 19 appearances in just over a decade since 2019. In March 2020, the Super but remains committed to the cause. League stopped with Grande Riviere New coach Tony Francois did get “The last time I played was three years ahead of Bolton City on goal difference to take his team to Nepal for a pair WORLD SOCCER 33

eyewitness Opening goal…Kevin Bru opens the scoring from the penalty spot (Credit: MFA) ago,” says Bru. “It’s very important that Football was stopped, all clubs were Head coach…Tony gained strong following. we qualify for the group. When you are dissolved and new teams formed based Francois (centre-right) While there were no games being in the group, you know you will play the on towns, but some ties have never sings the national good teams. really gone away – Pamplemousse anthem with his played, interest in local football withered draw support from Fire Brigade’s old staff (Credit: MFA) and local fans switched to watching the “When you are preparing to play a base and Grande Riviere remain linked Premier League on TV. There are few game and you have not played for two to Sunrise – and new teams have not better examples of the damage that years it’s crazy. It’s terrible that there the English top flight can inflict on is no league. In France or England you could never stop the league because of the money.” Unfortunately Mauritius is no stranger to the club game grinding to a halt. The last hiatus was not due to a global pandemic but was equally deadly. Unlike most countries, football in Mauritius developed on communal grounds with teams like the Tamil side Sunrise, Muslim Scouts and Fire Brigade, whose support came from the African Creole community. Crowds were large, but communal differences were often settled inside football stadia. The government forced clubs to drop communal names, but the ties remained. In 1999, a title decider game between Scouts and Fire Brigade led to a riot that spread to Port Louis and a fire at the L’Amicale Casino that killed seven people. 34 WORLD SOCCER

MAURITIUS home a penalty on 25 minutes after Top facilities… territory of Reunion. Nursing an injury, a clear handball. A lack of composure Mauritius’ new sports he did not start against Sao Tome but saw the visitors equalise immediately centre at Cote d’Or after being introduced equalised late from the restart though, through (Credit: Steve Menary) on to set up a rocking finish. Finnish-based forward Ricardo Cardoso, who slid home. Driven on by the appearance of a drum, Mauritius poured forward but When Leal scored a second a few Sao Tome ultimately held on. Mauritius minutes later, Mauritius looked doomed created sufficient chances to win the and the handful of supporters outside game but were undone by a lack of the stadium dissipated. composure. Asked what he needed to have won the tie, Francois sighed “If we lose then we don’t play for two years. afterwards: “More time.” small footballing That’s why I haven’t played so many games” For Mauritius, there will be plenty economies than of that now. The Indian Ocean Games in Mauritius. Lindsay Rose, Mauritius captain returns next year in Madagascar but only for local players. The regional At one point, COSAFA Cup offers international football but the next AFCON the government even stepped in to help Francois’ tactics of playing with qualifiers remain two years away. fund full-time professional squads, but a single forward left Dylan Collard “It’s been difficult times, we’ve lost a lot of time to COVID and the restrictions,” those grants were disappearing as the isolated, and while Rose controlled says Mall. “Our pathway is to mirror what Comoros have done and make sure that virus hit. the centre of defence the flanks we can play on the continental stage. COSAFA is fine but we need the MFA technical director Zunaid Mall were frequently exploited by the continental stage.” says: “There are a lot of Liverpool and lively Cardoso. Mauritius have talented junior players and in 2017 reached their first major Manchester United fans in Mauritius. Collard equalised early in the second youth final at the COSAFA Under-17 tournament, losing only to Zambia. We need to think about when we are half but Mauritius again conceded from “It was a full house at the St playing games so it doesn’t clash with the restart following a fantastic Cardoso Francois Stadium, it was bouncing and they had to close the gates,” the Premier League and the other big strike. Francois’ team never gave up and adds Mall, who was there. “You can see the passion of the people.” leagues. Friday nights under lights the late introductions of experienced The player of that tournament, would be good as there’s a good midfielder Kevin Perticots and one of Jean Yannick Aristide, was playing for Mauritius against Sao Tome. Mall atmosphere.” the island’s most promising players believes that now is the time to bring through more youngsters as football Even when the league resumes, nearly won a thrilling game. in Mauritius remerges from the twilight of the virus into an uncertain future. further changes to COVID-19 rules will After netting 53 goals in 86 be needed as gatherings of more than appearances for club side Boulet 50 people are banned. The government Rouge and a strong performance made an exception for the two Sao at the 2019 COSAFA Cup, forward Tome games. Up to 250 people, Ashley Nazira won a contract with including players, staff, officials and San Diego Loyal in the USL. media were admitted to Cote d’Or, No player from Mauritius had including the Republic’s president, ever played in the USA. Nazira only Prithvirajsing Roopun. managed a couple of appearances Francois’ team could not have made before being released and returning a better start with Bru coolly slotting to play in the neighbouring French WORLD SOCCER 35

eywe itness Emanuele Giulianelli reports AZERBAIJAN A long-awaited homecoming Qarabag are on course to win the describe this rocky and harsh patch ninth Azerbaijani Premier League of land, wedged between Armenia title of their history. And maybe, and Azerbaijan and disputed by the for the first time, they’ll be able two countries for decades. to celebrate this achievement in their hometown, Agdam. The First Nagorno-Karabakh War ended in 1994 with the Bishkek The club belongs to a disputed Protocol, which was nothing more region that, sadly, has become than a ceasefire agreement between famous for a long war between the contenders, failing to solve the the Azerbaijani army and the self- territorial disputes and leaving the proclaimed independent republic war without real winners or losers. of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. The conflict is one of the many To cut a long and messy story short, legacies of the Soviet Union. after the break-up of the USSR the region was officially considered part The name Nagorno-Karabakh of the newborn Azerbaijan Republic. embodies all the complexity, cultural But the majority Armenian population richness and contradictions of a region didn’t accept this and decided to in which the word “peace” disappeared proclaim their independence. They were from the vocabulary 30 years ago. supported in this decision – politically While Nagorno is a Russian adjective and militarily – by Armenia, another that translates as “mountainous”, newly independent post-Soviet state. Karabakh – the traditional pre-Soviet name for the region – is made up Agdam itself had never been part of two words of different origin: kara, of Nagorno-Karabakh, but was in one meaning “black”, and bakh, meaning of the districts that the Armenian “garden”, a term from the Farsi army occupied during the war and language. To make the mixture was torn away from Azerbaijan. The even richer and the tangle more city was captured in July 1993, for the inextricable, the local Armenian importance of its strategic position, population uses the term Artsakh to and razed to the ground. In the same year, Qarabag won the top flight of

Azerbaijan flag… Qarabag midfielder Gara Garayev celebrates a Europa League victory WORLD SOCCER 37

eyewitness the independent Azerbaijan for the both the Karabakh breed of horse and “You’re a part of for almost three decades. first time. the two horses on the club’s crest. my motherland”… More recently, they’ve also earned Qarabag fans unveil a “Agdam was a beautiful city, with Qarabag won 1-0 thanks to a goal banner against Roma recognition for their consistent victories fertile ground for farming, fresh air, from Yashar Huseynov. It was to be the in the domestic league, and notable clean water and, most importantly, last match played at the Imarat Stadium. achievements in UEFA competitions. kind and courageous people,” says Elshad Khudadatov, born there in “It was a great game,” recalls striker “Do more research!” said Qarabag 1965, who built his entire career Mushfiq Huseynov. “I remember the coach Gurban Gurbanov to reporters as a footballer for Qarabag. moment I got the ball and passed it when he was asked to tell them about to my brother who scored. I’ve never his club on the eve of their Champions This history explains why Armenian forgotten that moment. It was incredible. League meeting with Chelsea. Their midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan chose My pass and Yashar’s goal. No one journey from one of the lowest-ranked not to travel with his Arsenal team- could have imagined that would be the domestic leagues to the group stage of mates to face Qarabag in the 2018-19 last game we would play in our town.” Europe’s biggest club competition was Europa League group stage. The return the result of a serious and forward- leg at the Emirates was interrupted by a “I’m sad and disappointed,” remembers looking plan by the new ownership pitch invader brandishing the Nagorno- Yashar, “to think that was the last goal that took over the club in 2001. Karabakh flag, with the Gunners fined I had the chance to score at the Imarat, €15,000 by UEFA as a result. in Agdam.” Until then, that 1993 title win was the only one in Qarabag’s history; May 12, 1993 is a date that remains Within a few weeks, the stadium had the Horsemen had generally hovered branded on the history of Qarabag and been destroyed in the conflict. Modern around mid-table, occasionally finishing the whole of Azerbaijan. Qarabag took pictures of the stadium’s ruins appear in the top three, yet with no prospect to the pitch at the Imarat Stadium in to simply show an empty field; there is of long-term success and, more Agdam to play Turan-Tovuz in the first barely any trace of the venue that saw importantly, fears for a very leg of the Azerbaijan Cup semi-final. one of the most important goals in uncertain future. News reports guessed the attendance Qarabag’s history. to be around 8,000, ready to get The club was saved thanks to its behind the Horsemen, as the club is The club haven’t played in Agdam acquisition by Azersun Holding, a food known. The nickname is derived from since that day, instead forced into exile manufacturing company owned by Iranian in the capital city of Baku. They have brothers Abdolbari and Hassan Gozal. become known as “the club from the ghost town” or “the homeless team” 38 WORLD SOCCER

AZERBAIJAN Pitch invader…Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Qarabag in 2018 is interrupted Azerbaijan boss…Gianni De Biasi In 2008, Gurban Gurbanov – Agdam. But there are projects to De Biasi. “They have an important patrimony to support, with economic Azerbaijan’s all-time record goalscorer develop new infrastructures in the resources that give them the opportunity to take the best – was appointed head coach after the region and maybe they’ll be able to foreign players of the league. unexpected departure of Rasim Kara play there again. “I visited Agdam in “The fact that there’s a coach like Gurbanov who’s been in charge for such to Khazar Lankaran a week before May, the ghost town, in a territory that a long time means that there’s big trust: and even if it happens that Qarabag the season started. was heavily mined during the conflict lose the league on the last day, like last season, it doesn’t matter because there’s Under Gurbanov, Qarabag against Armenia,” Gianni De Biasi, the trust in the manager and in the players. implemented a tiki-taka style of Italian head coach of the Azerbaijan “For me as a national team coach, Qarabag is a strong point of reference, play, characterised by short passes, national team, tells World Soccer. with about ten of their players regularly called up in my squad,” adds the former long periods of build-up and players “Thanks to a protected corridor, I was Torino boss. “My captain and his deputy come from that club and they are really interchanging their positions. He has able to juggle with the ball among the two important players for Azerbaijan.” ruins of what The last words of the head coach are about the future: “For next season, “I remember the moment I got the ball and was the Imarat Qarabag’s goal will be to do even better passed it to my brother who scored…No one Stadium, together than what they did this year in the Europa with my staff, Conference League”. They will also be dreaming of playing again in Agdam; a could have imagined that would be the last Keisuke Honda dream that has never been so concrete. game we would play in our town” [former Japan and Milan midfielder] Former Qarabag striker Mushfiq Huseynov and Elkhan Mammadov stayed in charge ever since, helping the [vice president and general secretary club achieve historic results in Europe of the Azerbaijani football federation]. and winning seven Azerbaijani Premier “Qarabag are confirmation that in Leagues in a row starting in 2013-14. football, when there are ideas and a Their winning streak was interrupted serious plan without impatience, at in 2020-21, when Neftci Baku pipped the end, the results arrive,” continues Qarabag to the title by two points. The victory re-established them as Azerbaijan’s most successful club with nine titles, one ahead of the Horsemen. In September 2020, the ceasefire was violated for the umpteenth time, in the latest escalation of the conflict. After six weeks of fighting Armenian forces, Azerbaijani took back control of the Agdam District. Qarabag players, staff and management were finally able to visit their hometown after such a long absence, ending fears that they would never see it again. In the current season, driven by Long serving… the thrill of going home, Qarabag are Qarabag manager dominating the league. For now they’re Gurban Gurbanov still playing in Baku, with no stadium in WORLD SOCCER 39

eywe itness Asif Burhan reports SPAIN A Nou record Towards the end of a typically this season. Moreover, it was a defining raucous Champions League night moment for the women’s game. at the Nou Camp, a number was announced on the public address The pre-match choreography, “More system which reverberated around Than Empowerment”, was unusually the football world: 91,553, the record displayed several times by the fans attendance figure for a match between during the match on a night to believe two women’s club sides. in the European women’s club game as commercially viable, justifying the This was not only a world record for faith shown by UEFA, and their the professional women’s game, but Head of Women’s Football Nadine the highest crowd figure at any football Kessler, in the re-branded Women’s match played in Europe to that point Champions League.

Record breaking ...the Nou Camp’s giant scoreboard reveals the game’s massive attendance WORLD SOCCER 41

witness Photo credit: Asif Burhan i Photo credit: Asif Burhan . . Photo credit: UEFA

SPAIN Established in 1979 as a residence in she received during the game are which to house the club’s young players printed and displayed on the wall living outside Barcelona, the original La of the female living room as an Masia (The Farmhouse) has long since inspiration for the others. been replaced by a state-of-the-art When World Soccer visits ahead training facility, part of the Ciutat of their record-breaking Champions Esportiva Joan Gamper on the edge League night against Real Madrid, Ona . of the city. There, the club’s young is having private tuition to catch up on protégées of football, futsal, handball the lessons she missed playing for the and basketball are trained, housed and first team away in Madrid the previous - schooled in the Barca philosophy. In the weekend. Everything at La Masia is reception to the building stands a huge geared up to indoctrinating the young photo of its most famous graduates, players in the “Barcelona Way”, from Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi, the dinner trays emblazoned with Barca who occupied the top three positions slogans to the pictures everywhere of the in the 2010 Ballon d’Or awards. likes of Cruyff, Pep Guardiola and Messi. Now central among the rows of t Female students at La Masia had only previously framed photographs is one featuring the club’s current Ballon d’Or winner entered the building to have lunch or study. and World Soccer Women’s World But last summer, female dormitories were Player of the Year, Alexia Putellas. The opened for the first time current captain of the side, the Catalan Putellas had to pursue opportunities at f other clubs before returning to play for Female students at La Masia had Barcelona aged 18. f only previously entered the building to According to the club’s general have lunch or study. But last summer, manager of women’s football, Markel female dormitories were opened for Zubizarreta (son of former Barcelona the first time. Nine players aged 16-18, goalkeeper, Andoni), Barca’s current including Ona, live on the third floor of crop of world-beaters like Putellas have the building, accessible only by facial known only a professional environment recognition, in single rooms outside since their late teens. The generation of which their portrait is painted. From the players that will graduate from La Masia, window of their communal living area, he believes, will be even better, having they can see the Estadi Johan Cruyff, benefitted from professional training the home stadium for the women’s and coaching since the age of ten. team since 2019. Since Ona made her The women who emerge from debut, her match-worn shirt has been the academy in future will have gone displayed in La Masia’s Hall of Fame through the five age-group teams now and the positive social media messages established by the club. In the last four Super Alexia…a street art tribute to Barcelona superstar Alexia Putellas Photo credit: Asif Burhan WORLD SOCCER 43

eyewitness years, the Under-10s, Under-12s and Under-14s have started to participate in boy’s leagues – the only female teams in Spain competing against boys. Even if this means the girl’s teams are not winning as many games as they may have done in a single-sex environment, the club believe the increased competitiveness will create a higher level of technically- skilled players further down the line. Allowing female residents to stay on the facility will, for the first time, allow the most talented girls from outside the city become part of the club from a younger age. This creates an opportunity for Barcelona to recruit the best players from around the world and maybe one day bring through the next Lionel Messi, who was first plucked from Argentina to live in Barcelona at the age of 13. Among the male students currently resident at La Masia, it is estimated that half are Catalan, 40 per cent from the rest of Spain and ten per cent from abroad. Of the nine female residents, only one, Mallorcan Lucia Corrales, is from outside Catalonia, and Zubizarreta insists the priority will always be on developing young players from the region: “When we started in 2015, the project was not to invest a lot of money and make the best signings in Photo credit: UEFA it is better or worse than any other way, but it is our way and that is something the world. We wanted to develop our are really proud of this. We need to try Clincher…Putellas that is really important.” own players and have a project that to keep this difference in the next few celebrates after we feel proud of as a club, to invest years. Everyone is investing in women’s netting Barca’s What Barcelona have done better in players in the academy.” football. Now we are there, but if we stop fourth goal than other women’s football teams is right now, the clubs that are behind us to convince their fans of their one-club He maintains that no other club in maybe will reach our level. philosophy. While many other leading the world demands as much from its teams around Europe have played academy players. “I talk about football “Of course, the philosophy of showpiece matches at their main club in a way that is completely different to the club was to become champions stadium, none have so far managed what they have heard in the past. We of Europe – but in our way. I don’t think to get them through the turnstiles as effectively as Barcelona. While people may argue that the majority of the 91,553 attendance at the Nou Camp were club members offered the opportunity to claim up to four free tickets, getting them to turn up on a weekday for a game kicking off before the end of the Spanish working day was no mean achievement. In the days leading up to the game, the club went on a public relations offensive, with club president Joan Laporta speaking on the radio urging all who had a ticket to attend or pass them on to someone who could. Full-page newspaper advertisements were run talking up the possibility of breaking the official FIFA world-record attendance figure of 90,185, which was set at the Pasadena Rose Bowl during the 1999 Women’s World Cup final. 44 WORLD SOCCER

SPAIN It is worth pointing out that there are Into the semis… two previous matches played at the are not a project of women’s football, we are a project of football,” he explains. still “unofficial” records to be beaten. The Barca players 60,260-capacity Emirates Stadium, “At a club like Barcelona, this means our celebrate with Arsenal Women only made 10,000 fan base is much bigger. There are a lot final of the unofficial Women’s World Cup the supporters tickets available for their Champions of people coming to our matches, not to see Barcelona’s women’s team but in 1971, for example, was watched by at to see good football. least 110,000 spectators in the Azteca League quarter-final against Wolfsburg, “If there is a Barca fan that puts on the television, they cannot recognise if Stadium in Mexico City. drawing in only 5,018 supporters. it is men or women playing, they know it’s a Barca team. The style of play Yet this was a huge moment for the In contrast, Zubizarreta insists that comes from the style of training.” modern women’s game. Remarkably, this loyalty to the women’s team is the new record embedded into lasted less than a “Right now, we are not a project the club’s month before it of women’s football, we are a philosophy. was beaten again, project of football” at the same “Right now, we ground in the Markel Zubizarreta, same competition, Barcelona Femeni general manager as 91,648 fans witnessed the 5-1 demolition of Wolfsburg in the home leg of the semi-finals. This is in stark contrast to the English Women’s Super League. Following a short-lived World Cup boom in 2019, crowd figures have struggled to re-establish themselves in a post-COVID season. Four days before the Spanish Clasico at the Nou Camp, Manchester United Women only attracted 20,241 for their first-ever match in front of an Old Trafford crowd, fewer than two women’s games at the stadium a decade earlier Selfie…Barca star during the London 2012 Olympics. Such Aitana Bonmati were the disappointing crowd figures at takes a picture with home fans WORLD SOCCER 45

PLAYER BIOGRAPHY JOT SHOT Ignored by the academy scouts of Portugal’s giants and cast aside by Atletico Madrid, Diogo Jota is continuing to prove his doubters wrong at Anfield Words: Nick Bidwell T hese are extraordinarily No wonder he sports a smile as productive times for Diogo wide as the River Mersey. A devoted Jose Teixeira da Silva, aka follower of the Premier League as a Diogo Jota, the formidable schoolboy, he is currently living the Liverpool and Portugal frontrunner. dream at Liverpool. “I would go to my grandfather’s house at the weekend This season, everything the versatile because he had the sports channel 25-year-old attacker has touched has which showed English Premier League taken on a gilded hue, establishing games,” he recalled in a piece with the himself as a vital component in Wolverhampton Express and Star Liverpool’s attack, piling up the goals newspaper. “I’d watch the Saturday for the Reds – surpassing the 20-mark and Sunday matches and imagine for the first time in his career – and being part of it one day.” becoming increasingly important for the Portuguese national team. While the vast majority of Portuguese internationals cut their On signing for Liverpool in a teeth in the academies of Porto, £41 million deal from Wolverhampton Sporting or Benfica, Jota did not Wanderers in September 2020, some have this luxury. Unwanted by the mistakenly believed that he would only Portuguese club establishment, young have a bit-part role in the Anfield Diogo had to make do with a soccer squad, essentially recruited to provide education under the radar, spending emergency cover for the prodigious nine years with Sport Club Gondomar, trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane a second-tier outfit located some and Roberto Firmino. However Jota 15km southeast of Porto. has turned out to be much more than a rotation fix. Now clearly established Diogo, born and brought up in as one of Jurgen Klopp’s go-to guys in the Massarelos district of Porto, the attack, he has developed into a true city’s university quarter, first joined world-class operative; highly skilled, the Gondomar academy at the age of fast, imaginative, industrious and a seven and proved an outstanding pupil. ruthless finisher, while surprisingly Mainly used as a left-sided or central adroit in the air. midfielder or a playmaker, he was 46 WORLD SOCCER

Diogo Jota

BIOGRAPHY bright and lively, invariably made inroads when running with the ball and could finish with aplomb. One of his role models at the time was Benfica’s magical Argentine number ten Pablo Aimar, a player whom the adolescent Lionel Messi famously adored. Gondomar, a well-run club with good facilities, not only provided him with the technical ability and self- confidence to succeed; it was also there that he acquired his stage name – Diogo Jota. To mark himself out from all the other Diogos and Silvas at the club, he chose to go by the “Diogo J” moniker – “Jota” being the Portuguese pronunciation of the letter J. His final tour of duty at Gondomar in 2012-13 was to be a firework display. As the season progressed, he was “On the Saturday, he started and hit a hat-trick for the U19s, then came off the bench the following day to score twice for the U17s” Ruben Carvalho, Jota’s former youth coach increasingly picked as a striker and with the Gondomar first team. Another Emerging talent… degree of interest in him, only to scored for fun for both the Under-17s source of dissatisfaction was his failure Jota in action for eventually back off. Their reasons? and U19s, netting no fewer than 39 to land a deal with a top Portuguese Pacos de Ferreira The time-honoured clichés of goals in 37 games. club. Porto – whose ground was only rejection: too frail, too small. five miles from his home in Massarelos “I remember a weekend that year – Braga and Benfica all showed a “At the age of 16, I was paying to when Diogo played on consecutive play and playing to enjoy myself,” Jota days for the U19s and U17s,” Gondomar youth coach Ruben Carvalho told the SAPO Desporto website. “On the Saturday, he started and hit a hat-trick for the U19s, then came off the bench the following day to score twice for the U17s. As it happened, both games were against Candal and the same keeper was in the opposition goal – five goals in around 100 minutes! “He’d score lots of goals from different positions. On the Sunday, he was playing just behind the main striker; on the Saturday, he was in midfield. It made no difference. He’d score just the same.” Despite the goals flying in left, right and centre, Diogo still had feelings of frustration. It rankled with him that he had never been Timeline asked to train O C T 19 , 2 014 M AY 17 , 2 015 N OV 17 , 2 015 M A R 14 , 2 016 AU G 2 6 , 2 016 D E C 7 , 2 016 J U L 25 , 2 017 Makes his senior Nets his first league Wins his first Signs an agreement Returns to Portugal Scores his first Agrees a one-year debut for Pacos de goal for Pacos with Portugal Under-21 to join Atletico for a one-year loan Champions League loan to English Ferreira, scoring in cap in a European Madrid that a brace against summer on a spell at Porto. goal in Porto’s Championship club a 4-0 home win Academica de Championship five-year deal. 5-0 victory over Wolverhampton against Atletico de Coimbra, becoming qualifying victory Leicester City in Wanderers on a Reguengos in the the youngest player over Israel while season-long loan. Portuguese Cup. to score for the club the 2016-17 in the top flight. still only 18. group stage. 48 WORLD SOCCER

Diogo Jota told the OJogo sports daily in 2020. and his younger brother Andre – who club had come in for the youngster. He “I did train at a number of big clubs, now plays in midfield for Gondomar – vowed to promptly back his judgement. though nothing came of it. I was but what they could pass on was bags disappointed, but it all turned out OK of humility, unselfishness and realism. “Gondomar and Pacos de Ferreira in the end. The secret is not to give up.” were facing off in a youth game and “He could see the difficulties we Jota was making a big difference,” This all-powerful desire and had as parents,” said his father in an Andrade explained to the Diario de unshakeable self-belief has served interview with Maisfutebol. “We didn’t Noticias newspaper. “I went to speak as his personal suit of armour. earn much above the minimum wage. Whenever obstacles block his path, It was not easy to have two children Loan spells… he shrugs, takes it in his stride and in football and get paid what we did. lining up a redoubles his efforts. He is a stoical Diogo never asked us for anything. character, instinctively inclined to He never even said that he wanted shot against keep matters in perspective. a pair of branded football boots. Juventus He knew it wasn’t possible. for Porto Such was the case when a move from the Pacos de Ferreira club to “He never went out at night, even Head master…Jota Atletico Madrid swiftly turned sour as a teenager. He was always at home. nets for Portugal in the summer of 2016. A €7m For Diogo, if there was football in the against Turkey in recruit with a five-year contract in afternoon and PlayStation at night, the 2022 World Cup his back pocket, Jota would have he was happy.” qualifying play-offs been chomping at the bit to make his mark with the “Colchoneros”. Yet In the summer of 2013, he was sadly he never had the chance to finally granted his dream move to perform in La Liga, sent on a season- the Portuguese top flight, swapping long loan to Porto within weeks of Gondomar for Pacos de Ferreira, arriving in the Spanish capital. another city in Greater Porto. Gilberto Andrade, then Pacos head of youth Many have wondered why Atletico development, was the man who bought him in the first place, especially facilitated the transfer. Andrade could given their determination to see off not believe that no elite Portuguese Portuguese giants Benfica in a bidding war. A possible explanation is the “too much of a good thing” theory, with Atletico belatedly realising that two of their recruits that summer (Diogo and the former Benfica man Nicolas Gaitan) were too similar in style. The town was not big enough for both. Nor was it a walk in the park during his early days as a full Portuguese international. Winning his first cap in November 2019 in a European Championship qualifier versus Lithuania, he only made three starts in his opening ten games for his country and it did seem on occasion that national coach Fernando Santos had his reservations. Santos was heavily criticised in the local media for leaving Jota out of a Nations League defeat to France in November 2020. Coincidentally or not, Diogo has been an automatic pick ever since. Jota’s level-headed ability to roll with the punches has much to do with his upbringing. His parents, father Joaquin and mother Isabel, both factory workers, did not have piles of spare cash to lavish on Diogo AU G 15 , 2 017 JA N 3 0 , 2 018 JA N 19 , 2 019 J U N 9 , 2 019 NOV 14 , 2 019 D E C 12 , 2 019 Scores his first goal Agrees a deal to join Becomes only the Watches from the Makes his Portugal Completes a in England to help Wolves permanently second Portuguese bench as Portugal debut in a Euro 12-minute hat-trick seal a 3–2 away win that summer for a win the inaugural 2020 qualifier after coming on in against Hull City. player – after against Lithuania, the second half of fee of €14m. Cristiano Ronaldo UEFA Nations – to net a Premier League with a replacing Cristiano a Europa League League hat-trick in 1-0 win over the Ronaldo in the game against a 4-3 victory over Netherlands 84th minute. Besiktas. Leicester City. in the final. WORLD SOCCER 49

BIOGRAPHY Coimbra to become Pacos’s youngest- Promotion party… ever goalscorer in the Portuguese Wolves’ Portuguese players celebrate top-flight at the time (aged 18 reaching the Premier League in 2018 years and six months). to our president and insisted that we sign With the aperitif and starter him. He began talks with his Gondomar counterpart during the game itself and swallowed, he could now turn his they cobbled together an agreement. Jota was a wild horse, an innate talent.” attention to the main course – Jota, who spent his first season at establishing himself as a genuine Pacos de Ferreira in the youth team, initially found the going tough. “He Primeira Liga revelation. And what a was used to being the star of the show at Gondomar and training with less good job he made of it in 2015-16, intensity so he could play for two different teams at the weekend,” scoring 12 goals and making six explained Andrade. “He discovered a more competitive environment assists and forever catching the with us and took a while to adapt.” eye with his left-wing incisiveness The following season (2014-15) would prove much more fruitful, and brilliant breaks inside. with Pacos de Ferreira coach Paulo Fonseca – later to take charge of After his short-lived hiatus at Porto, Braga, Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma – deeming him ready for the Atletico, a return to his home city first team. In October 2014, he marked his first senior appearance with a goal in to wear the blue-and-white stripes of a Portuguese Cup tie against Atletico Reguengos and some four months Porto was just what the doctor ordered. Now part of an excellent front two alongside Andre Silva – these days with RB Leipzig – Jota celebrated his first start for the Dragons with a fine hat-trick in a 4-0 domestic league victory at Nacional and several other highlights would follow, including a goal in a “Classico” draw against Benfica and his first-ever Champions League strike in a 5-0 rout of Leicester City. A compelling combination of finishing power, “Diogo Jota can be the new Cristiano Ronaldo” craft and high energy, he could Jorge Simao, former Pacos de Ferreira manager not have wished for a better first season later, made his top-flight debut in at the Estadio do Dragao. Once upon a 2-2 draw with Vitoria Guimaraes. a time, Porto talent-spotters would Towards the end of that campaign the not have recognised him in a police New-look Liverpool teenager – usually deployed centrally line-up. All of a sudden, people were attack…Jota has as a striker or number ten – opened sitting up and taking notice. “Diogo linked up well with his league goalscoring account, netting Jota can be the new Cristiano Ronaldo,” a brace in a 3-2 win over Academica declared former Pacos de Ferreira boss Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane Jorge Simao in the autumn of 2016. “I’m not afraid to say it. It could happen. He has the potential.” When Jota opted in the 2017 off-season to accept a loan deal with drifting English second-tier side Wolves, a large proportion of Portuguese pundits thought he had taken leave of his senses. Indeed, even his uncle openly questioned the decision. But Diogo felt inextricably drawn to the project at the Black Country club. His agent Jorge Mendes was calling the recruitment shots there, the ambition was palpable and last but by no means least, he would SEP 5, 2020 S E P 19 , 2 0 2 0 NOV 3, 2020 DEC 9, 2020 J U N 19 , 2 0 21 FEB 27, 2022 Scores his first Joins Liverpool for Scores a hat-trick Suffers a leg injury Scores in Portugal’s Scores from the senior international £41m, a record sale in a 5-0 win over during a Champions group stage defeat penalty spot in for Wolves, before Atalanta to become to Germany at Euro Liverpool’s shootout goal in a 4-1 win the first Liverpool League match 2020, his second of victory over Chelsea over Croatia in the scoring on his player since Robbie against Midtjylland, four appearances at in the League Cup Nations League. league debut for Fowler to score the finals including final, his first trophy the club nine days seven goals in his ruling him out Portugal’s last-16 later in a 3-1 win first ten games. until March. defeat to Belgium. at the club. against Arsenal. 50 WORLD SOCCER