Boubacar Kamara marked his return to the Aston Villa squad with a goal in the 3-1 pre-season victory over Thai Premier League side, BG Pathum United. First half goals from Victor Lindelof and Emi Buendia gave Unai Emery's side a comfortable victory in Thailand. Kamara has not featured for Villa since January 2026 after suffering a knee ligament injury.
It has almost felt inevitable that this summer's headlines would centre on Iliman Ndiaye. There have been claims for some time that clubs from around the globe were monitoring the winger but, with three years left on his current deal, has he really played his last game for Everton? For at least the past season, it has been known the Senegal international was someone of interest to not just fellow Premier League sides, but also clubs in Europe - but David Moyes remained adamant Ndiaye would not be sold.
If Everton were to sell star forward Iliman Ndiaye to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, they would likely receive a significant financial windfall. The Senegal international may have chipped in with a modest six goals — two of which were penalties — and three assists in the Premier League last season. For Everton last season, he attempted 136 dribbles and completed 73, 77 and 46 more than any other player in the squad, respectively.
Aston Villa needed to move after Amadou Onana suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury on duty at the World Cup with Belgium, which threw a major spanner in Villa's transfer plans this summer. With Youri Tielemans being sold, Villa had a gaping hole in their midfield, even if Boubacar Kamara is due to return from his own serious knee injury, which he suffered in January. Joao Gomes arrives with the experience and Premier League know-how to hit the ground running under manager Unai Emery.
Liverpool are continuing their search for a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah and Bournemouth winger Rayan has emerged as a player of interest, according to Teamtalk. The Reds have made enquiries about the Brazilian youngster, who is understood to be a player discussed in detail with new head coach Andoni Iraola. As Liverpool plan for […] The post Liverpool enquire about Rayan appeared first on SoccerNews.
Throughout history, Egypt have been one of the most competitive national teams in Africa. However, their stars have names such as Ziko or Trezeguet, which demonstrate influences from soccer powerhouses in their development. Egypt have remained one of the most competitive national teams in Africa. Led by Mohamed Salah, they have managed to be protagonists, reaching the final stages of the African Cup of Nations. Although their main star is already 34 years old, they still maintain numerous talents in their squad. However, several of them have well-known names such as Ziko or Trezeguet, clearly reflecting their influence from soccer powerhouses in their development. In the 2026 World Cup roster of Hossam Hassan, Mahmoud Hassan, Trézéguet, Nabil Emad Dunga, and Mostafa Zaki Abdelraouf (Ziko) are an essential part of Egypt’s project. Their names are reminiscent of the legends David Trézéguet, Carlos Caetano Bledorn (Dunga), and Arthur Antunes Coimbra (Zico). However, none of the Egyptian stars officially carry these surnames in their names, so these are presented as a tribute. Badr Ragab, Mahmoud Hassan’s coach, revealed to AFP that the nickname ‘Trézéguet’ was his idea. “From his first days… I noticed (Hassan’s) resemblance to Trézéguet, both in appearance and playing style… He was strong in the air and scored goals in a similar way, so I gave him the name. I never imagined it would stay with him for so long,” he revealed. In the same way, Dunga’s nickname was born. In the same way, Mostafa Zaki’s brother revealed that the nickname ‘Ziko’ emerged because of him, as he used to be named ‘Ziko’ while playing professional soccer. “When Mostafa started playing, coaches called him ‘little Zico’ because he was my younger brother,” he revealed, via AFP. Being 29 years old, he keeps his nickname, playing at Pyramids FC and Egypt, showcasing the inspiration in the Brazilian legend. Mostafa Zico #11 of Egypt is challenged by Maxim De Cuyper #5 of Belgium. Pavel Nedved and David Beckham inspire Egyptian League players Despite only Mahmoud Trézéguet, Mostafa Ziko, and Nabil Emad Dunga being in the Egyptian national team, in the Egyptian League there remain some names that recall soccer legends such as Pavel Nedvěd, and David Beckham, who have not yet reached the national team. Karim Walid, known as Karim Nedved, is one of the stars of Cleopatra FC in the Egyptian Premier League, who played for Egypt U-23. As happened with Mahmoud Hassan, the same coach who gave the nickname “Trézéguet” supposedly gave him the nickname at the Al-Ahly academy. Similarly, Ahmed Ramadan from Al-Ahly emerges, who plays under the nickname David Beckham.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
