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Hansi Flick faced the media ahead of Barcelona’s meeting with Athletic Club, addressing a wide range of issues surrounding his squad as the new season gathers momentum.The Barcelona manager was aske...
Barcelona had a major decision to make on Andreas Christensen at the end of last season, with his contract at the club coming to an end.The Danish central defender joined Barça from Chelsea ahead of ...
Michael Carrick has not picked Chido Obi in a competitive fixture (Picture: Getty Images) Manchester United teenager Chido Obi has become a target for Feyenoord, who want to snap up the striker on a loan deal. The 18-year-old moved to Manchester United from Arsenal in 2024 and was seen as one of the brightest prospects in the top flight due to prolific goal-scoring in the youth ranks. The forward was handed his first team debut last year and made eight appearances for the Red Devils in the second half of the 2024/25 season. The Dane failed to score in any of those appearances and dropped out of first team contention last season, not making a single appearance. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Obi does not appear to have worked his way back up the pecking order under Michael Carrick and has been made available for loan. Reports from the striker’s home country earlier this month suggested there was ‘massive interest’ in a short-term deal for the youngster. Dutch side Feyenoord have emerged as one of those interested parties, with De Telegraaf reporting that they hope to take the Dane on loan. Chido Obi did feature in pre-season this year with the Manchester United first team (Picture: Getty Images) The report from the Dutch publication suggests that Obi could struggle to make an impression on the first team at Feyenoord given the competition he would face. Giovenni van Bronckhorst already has Ayase Ueda, Ignacio Ferri and Shaqueel van Persie as options up front. It seems unlikely that Manchester United would want to loan out a prospect to a club unlikely to provide him with regular first team minutes, but Feyenoord’s position could change before the transfer window closes. Ueda has been linked with an exit and if he does, then Obi could be brought in as an option with more chance of getting on the field. Feyenoord do offer Champions League football, having already booked their spot in the league phase of the competition. Obi made seven Premier League appearances in 2025 (Picture: Getty Images) The Daily Mail report that FC Koln have also shown an interest in the 18-year-old this summer. Manchester United will be hoping their first team strikers are more potent at the weekend after drawing a blank in the 2-0 defeat to Hull City on Saturday. Matheus Cunha played up top, with Benjamin Sesko coming off the bench as he continues his return to full fitness. The Red Devils host Ipswich Town on Sunday and Sesko may be back in the starting XI against the Tractor Boys. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
With the FIFA elections approaching, Argentina icons Javier "Pupi" Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso, and Javier Pastore offered Gianni Infantino their support in a public letter. Gianni Infantino‘s grip on the FIFA presidency has been severely shaken since the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup amid mounting controversy surrounding a proposed private equity deal. With several European federations rescinding their backing, three prominent Argentine figures, Javier “Pupi” Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso, and Javier Pastore, have offered Infantino a high-profile show of support ahead of the upcoming FIFA presidential election. The proposal to establish a subsidiary entity known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to manage media and commercial rights for premier FIFA competitions, while selling an equity stake to private investors, drew immediate pushback from member associations. Numerous governing bodies, led by UEFA members such as England and Ireland, have already withdrawn their support for Infantino while publicly calling for structural leadership reform at FIFA. Facing an increasingly hostile political environment marked by high-level executive departures, including the dismissal of FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, Infantino received some crucial breathing room from prominent alumni. Via their respective Instagram accounts, Zanetti, Cambiasso, and Pastore posted a unified statement endorsing the sitting FIFA president: “Over the last decade, we have witnessed the commitment of FIFA and President Infantino to ensuring player representation in the football world, something that previously did not exist. Current and former players have had a voice and an active role in our sport through their participation in committees, projects, and working groups. Our opinions are heard, and many initiatives that benefit football are taking shape thanks to our contributions, ideas, plans, and active participation.“ Javier Zanetti’s endorsement letter to Gianni Infantino. (@javierzanetti) “We have seen firsthand how football can transform lives, improve societies, and increase opportunities for everyone globally; we are committed to continuing to bring this hope to people. We will continue to support the remarkable evolution that has characterized our sport over the past decade, so that it can continue to reach and benefit people in every country where football is played around the world,” read the statement published by Zanetti. Zanetti, currently serving as vice president of Inter Milan, also holds the position of vice president on the FIFA Social Responsibility Committee for the 2025-29 term, while Cambiasso serves on the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG). Pastore remains the only member of the trio without an official FIFA appointment, operating through his agency, The Elegant Game, which represents high-profile talent such as Enzo Fernandez. Javier Zanetti of FIFA Legends blue team lifts the trophy alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (Carl Recine/Getty Images) Legends divided over Infantino’s leadership Zanetti, Cambiasso, and Pastore were prominent figures throughout the 2026 World Cup in North America, featuring regularly in luxury suites as official guests for Argentina games. Their public endorsement of Infantino stands in sharp contrast to another open letter endorsed by an opposing group of legendary players who joined national federations in voicing discontent with FIFA’s current direction. Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre served as a central voice in that pushback, issuing a critical statement regarding FIFA’s executive governance on X on Monday: “For too long we’ve seen major decisions taken without players being consulted or considered, and without any regard for the fans who sustain the sport. Change is necessary. Power has blurred the current leadership’s ability to distinguish between its own interests and what is best for football. Enough is enough,” part of the statement read. Enough is Enough ! pic.twi
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