Hazard, Ronaldo, Mbappe & More Shortlisted For 2018 FIFA Player Of The Year (Full List)

FIFA's #TheBest trophy

FIFA has today, revealed the shortlisted candidates for four of the individual trophies, which will be presented at The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in London on 24 September 2018.

The announcement comes fresh following a spectacular 2018 FIFA World Cup, where football’s finest showcased their immense passion and unrivalled skill across Russia in the race to be crowned 'The Best'.

Ten candidates in each of the following four categories have been named:

The Best FIFA Men’s Player:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid CF/Juventus FC)

2. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City FC)

3. Antoine Griezmann (France/Atlético Madrid)

4. Eden Hazard (Belgium/Chelsea FC)

5. Harry Kane (England/Tottenham Hotspur FC)

6. Kylian Mbappé (France/Paris Saint-Germain FC)

7. Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona)

8. Luka Modric (Croatia/Real Madrid CF)

9. Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool FC)

10. Raphaël Varane (France/Real Madrid CF).

The Best FIFA Women’s Player:

1. Lucy Bronze (England/Olympique Lyonnais)

2. Pernille Harder (Denmark/VfL Wolfsburg)

3. Ada Hegerberg (Norway/Olympique Lyonnais)

4. Amandine Henry (France/Olympique Lyonnais)

5. Samantha Kerr (Australia/Sky Blue FC/Perth Glory FC/Chicago Red Stars)

6. Saki Kumagai (Japan/Olympique Lyonnais)

7. Dzsenifer Marozsán (Germany/ Olympique Lyonnais)

8. Marta (Brazil/Orlando Pride)

9. Megan Rapinoe (USA/Seattle Reign FC)

10. Wendie Renard (France/Olympique Lyonnais).

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach:

1. Massimiliano Allegri (Italy/Juventus FC)

2. Stanislav Cherchesov (Russia/Russian national team)

3. Zlatko Dalic (Croatia/Croatian national team)

4. Didier Deschamps (France/France national team)

5. Pep Guardiola (Spain/Manchester City FC)

6. Jürgen Klopp (Germany/Liverpool FC)

7. Roberto Martínez (Spain/Belgian national team)

8. Diego Simeone (Argentina/Atlético Madrid)

9. Gareth Southgate (England/English national team)

10. Ernesto Valverde (Spain/FC Barcelona); Zinédine Zidane (France/Real Madrid CF).

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach:

1. Emma Hayes (England/Chelsea Ladies FC)

2. Stephan Lerch (Germany/VfL Wolfsburg)

3. Mark Parsons (England/Portland Thorns FC)

4. Reynald Pedros (France/Olympique Lyonnais)

5. Alen Stajcic (Australia/Australian national team)

6. Asako Takakura (Japan/Japanese national team)

7. Vadão (Brazil/Brazilian national team)

8. Jorge Vilda (Spain/Spanish national team)

9. Martina Voss-Tecklenburg (Germany/Swiss national team)

10. Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands/Dutch national team).

FIFA will announce the final lists of the three nominees for each of the four categories listed above in early September.

Messi Replies To Ronaldo On Their Rivalry And His Transfer To Juventus

gentina captain, Lionel Messi, has reacted to the departure of his greatest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo from the Spanish La Liga.

Ronaldo’s 100 million euro move from Real Madrid to Juventus was announced last week while he was unveiled at the Alianz Turin yesterday. He told reporters at the press conference that he joined the Old Ladies because he was different from other players.

Ronaldo said he wants to show that he was “different” from other players of his age who move to China or Qatar for mega-money deals. The Portugal superstar also spoke on his rivalry with Messi after completing his move to the Italian champions.

Asked about his rivalry with Messi, Ronaldo replied, “I do not see other players as rivals, that’s not who I am. “It was a good challenge with Messi. All of you liked it and it was interesting. “But I never saw it as a rivalry. You always want to give it you’re all for your team.”

Speaking on Ronaldo’s departure from the league, Messi, who refused to join his national teammates to Argentina but headed back to Barcelona after the World Cup, told reporters, “I wish him well. “Italy is fine. Juventus have always been in Europe, with great players.

“He did a lot for Real. But I think it was his personal decision to leave. He [Ronaldo] brought a lot to the game in Spain. He’s a great player.” Asked about the rivalry between him and Ronaldo, Messi added, “The media create those rivalries. I give my best for my team, so did he for Real.”

Super Eagles To Play Atletico Madrid On May 22nd In Uyo (Drop Your Predictions)

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on LaLiga club, Atletico Madrid, on May 22 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.

It is the first time the Spanish team will be visiting the country and the game will serve as preparation for Gernot Rohr’s men, as they prepare for next month’s World Cup in Russia.

“We are delighted to bring one of the three biggest clubs from LaLiga to Nigeria in what we believe will be a historic visit.

“As you all know Atlético Madrid is one of the top clubs in LaLiga. Football fans in Nigeria will have the rare opportunity of watching the stars play the Super Eagles right here on Nigerian soil.

“MultiChoice is undoubtedly the continent’s leader in sports and we have repeatedly shown this not only by the exclusive content we broadcast, but also by the way we support sports in Nigeria and put the country on the global sports map through exciting initiatives like the GOtv MAX Cup,” Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Sales and Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, told reporters.

The President of LaLiga, Javier Tebas, added:-

“This is a historic announcement and we are excited to share this news with our Nigerian fans: Atletico Madrid, one of LaLiga’s greatest clubs, will come to Nigeria and give our fans the chance to enjoy watching their stars up close. Africa and Nigeria in particular are very important for us and have a lot of love for Spanish football, something we are proud of.”

Guardiola dedicates Brighton game to departing Toure

Pep Guardiola has dedicated Manchester City’s final home game of their championship-winning season to Yaya Toure, a player he has described as one of the most important figures in the club’s history.

The Ivory Coast international, who turns 35 on the final day of the season on Sunday, will start a Premier League game for the first time in the current campaign when City play Brighton at the Etihad.

It is the manager’s way of allowing Toure to bid farewell to a club he joined when Guardiola sold him to City from Barcelona for £24 million ($32 million, 27 million euros) in 2010.

Since then, Toure has been an integral part of City’s success, fuelled by the wealth of their Abu Dhabi owners, and has collated three league titles, two League Cups and one FA Cup winner’s medal.

That body of work has led Guardiola to describe Toure as “an extraordinary person” and guarantee him an emotional farewell on Wednesday.

“He has been big,” said Guardiola. “Football players make the clubs bigger and bigger and bigger and without doubt he was, is, one of the most important players in our history.

“He helped this club make a step forward and hopefully we can make a good game for him.

“We dedicate it to him. Tomorrow we are going to play for Yaya.”

Guardiola’s early relationship with Toure when they were reunited in Manchester was not an easy one, with the manager angered by comments from the midfielder’s outspoken agent Dimitri Seluk.

However, Toure played his way back into Guardiola’s plans and was rewarded with a one-year contract extension last summer.

‘Maybe I was wrong’ 
This season, Toure has so far been limited to nine substitute appearances although Guardiola, rightly, believes he should not be judged on one season alone.

“I am not going to judge Yaya for what happened this season,” he said.

“Maybe I was wrong in my decision this season, I don’t know. We have to analyse a career, not just in Manchester, in Russia, in Barcelona and Monaco.

“He is a player with a huge personality. Sometimes it doesn’t matter about his physical condition, he doesn’t feel the pressure, it doesn’t matter where he plays. He loves to play football.

“Of course the decisions I took this season depended on what I saw every day in the training sessions and, from what I saw, from what I saw about him, nothing changed my opinion.

“He was the only guy last season we extend the contract. His behaviour was good. Hopefully he can stay in football and come back maybe here.”

Guardiola stopped short of predicting whether Toure will look to continue his career although the City manager is in no doubt that he could continue to play at the Premier League level should he so choose.

The City manager still has two games remaining — Brighton and the visit to Southampton on Sunday — and was in no mood to discuss the future prospects of players or his coaching staff, with his coach Mikel Arteta one of the names to have been linked with the soon to be vacant Arsenal job.

“I don’t know what is going to happen,” he said. “In football today maybe a player comes and says I want to play more and we have to find a solution. We will have to see.

“We are going to play these two games, try to win points and finish well. After, we will see what happens.”

Atletico Madrid manager, Simeone banned from Europa League final

Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, will be forced to watch the Europa League final against Marseille from the stands, after receiving a four-match European ban for insulting a referee, UEFA said on Friday.

Simeone was dismissed during last week’s 1-1 draw in the first leg of their semi-final with Arsenal, after confronting French referee Clement Turpin.

He watched Thursday’s 1-0 home win in the return leg, from the directors’ box at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Simeone will now also miss the May 16 final in Lyon and his side’s first two European matches of next season.

The Argentine has also been hit with a fine of 10,000 euros ($12,000).

FIFA name Amuneke on 2018 World Cup technical study group

FIFA have named former international Emmanuel Amuneke as a member of their technical study group for the Russia 2018 World Cup.

The former FC Barcelona winger and AFCON winner with Super Eagles in 1994 confirmed this to Thursday.

“I’ve been notified. We’re filing the papers and I must commend FIFA for recognising me with such responsibility”, Amuneke said.

The 1996 Olympic Games soccer gold winner in Atlanta assisted Manu Garba in 2013 to win the FIFA U17 World Cup in Dubai.

In 2015, the former Zamalek of Egypt star headed the U17 Golden Eaglets coaching crew to retain the global silverware in Chile, drawing the attention of FIFA with Eaglets extraordinary scintillating play.

The 1995 African Player of the Year buried his father Friday. His father, Pa Nze Michael Amuneke was 86 and was buried at their family compound, Eziokele, Eziobodo in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

Wenger reveals when he will make decision on future

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has said he will take at least one month off after the season, to decide what he will do next.

Wenger will leave the Gunners after 22 years in charge, but insists he will not retire from football.

“I have decided to take a little distance for four or five weeks before I make a decision.

“I need to move away a little bit to take perspective on my situation and analyse it in the most objective way possible, even if it is not easy.

“I will then decide where I go from there,” the Frenchman told Sky Sports.

With the end of his reign in sight, Wenger admitted it will take some time getting used to life away from the club.

“It is strange for me because for 22 years I have had 1,200 games or something like that for Arsenal Football Club,” he said.

“It’s not 50, it’s 1,200 and every time you prepare the team you are tense. It’s a complete part of your life, it’s more than part of your life, it is your life. Arsenal was my life and so of course it is special.”

Barcelona celebrates La Liga, Copa del Rey double win

Thousands of Barcelona fans lined the streets of the city Monday to celebrate the club’s La Liga and Copa del Rey double, although the pain of an early Champions League exit was omnipresent.

Wearing the club’s trademark blue and claret-coloured shirts, fans cheered as an open-top bus passed by carrying Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and other stars who were taking photos with their mobiles, throwing confetti or singing “champions, champions.”

It is the eighth time Barca have achieved the feat, although the celebratory parade through the city centre was not as well attended and less exuberant than in past years.

Not only did it take place in the middle of a long weekend, when many locals leave the city, but Barca fans are still reeling from their shock elimination by Roma in the Champions League quarter-finals.

“It’s an incomplete season, it feels like two titles is not enough,” says Enric Vilalta, a 57-year-old supporter who went to the victory parade with his two children wearing Barcelona shirts.

“The Copa (del Rey) is not the biggest award and La Liga is good but the Champions (League) is what generates excitement. You can lose in semi-finals or in the final, but not in the quarter-finals and against a lesser team.”

“What happened with Roma is a thorn in our side,” says Javier Gibello, a 37-year-old civil servant who also brought his son.

“But if I had to mark them, I’d give them a B plus.”

As arch-rivals Real Madrid continue their bid for a record-extending 13th Champions League title, Barca fans are left pondering what might have been had their turbulent season gone differently.

The departure of Brazilian star Neymar last summer came before defeat to Real in the Spanish Super Cup.

Barcelona regrouped, dominating their rivals on the pitch to win the Copa del Rey with a 5-0 demolition of Sevilla last week and then securing the league title, in their first season with Ernesto Valverde as coach, with a 4-2 win at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.

It is Barca’s seventh La Liga title in 10 years and their fourth consecutive Copa del Rey victory.

“The problem is we always want more,” says Trini Lorente, a 58-year-old supporter.

“But the season is really good, especially if tomorrow (Tuesday) Real Madrid loses,” joked her husband Jordi Olive, referring to the semi-final between their arch-rival and Bayern Munich.

Real, who beat Bayern 2-1 in the first leg of their semi-final last week, host the Bundesliga giants for the second leg on Tuesday.

I am judged based on assists, goals and that’s the truth – Pogba

Paul Pogba says he is “judged differently” from other Premier League midfielders after a frustrating season that has seen him dropped by Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on several occasions.

The Frenchman was widely criticised for a lacklustre display in this month’s 1-0 home loss to West Bromwich Albion that handed the title to Manchester City — the latest in a long line of disappointing efforts from the former Juventus star since his move to United two years ago.

There was even talk that Mourinho had told United to put Pogba up for sale, just days after City manager Pep Guardiola said he had been offered the chance to sign the midfielder by his agent in January.

But the 25-year-old has produced some improved displays in recent weeks, including a man-of-the-match performance in the comeback win at Manchester City and is looking for more of the same when Arsenal visit on Sunday.

“It’s quite funny because we don’t judge me on the midfield part,” Pogba, who joined the club for a then world record fee of £89 million ($123 million), told Sky Sports.

“We judge me on assists and goals and that’s the truth. I can make an outstanding game, but if I don’t score or make an assist they will say, ‘that is normal’, or whatever.

“But if someone else does it, it is different. They will maybe be man of the match. I think I’m judged differently, but it’s good.”

The France international, who has scored five goals and made 10 assists in the Premier League this season, said he saw the criticism as a challenge and it helped him improve.

“I don’t take it in a bad way,” he said. “I’ll try to score and make assists and that’s it. I still want to do my job in midfield.

“If I can help the team in attack and defence and make a difference I will do it. If I can score and assist it is even better.”

If Chelsea accepts my £500m stadium bid they will play at Wembley – Khan

American businessman Shahid Khan has said he will do “everything possible” to give Chelsea the option of using Wembley as a temporary home if his £500 million ($698 million) bid to buy the iconic London ground is accepted.

England’s governing Football Association confirmed Thursday that Khan, the owner of Chelsea’s local London rivals Fulham, as well as the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, had made an offer to buy the national stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur, like Chelsea a London-based club in the Premier League, are currently using Wembley as a temporary base while a successor ground to their White Hart Lane home is built.

Chelsea want to redevelop and increase the capacity of their Stamford Bridge ground in west London.

The Blues are set to vacate their home at the end of the 2019/20 season and it may be up to four years before they are able to return.

Wembley’s 90,000 capacity makes it an obvious choice for Chelsea, particularly as the 82,000-seater Twickenham, the southwest London headquarters of English rugby union, has been ruled out of the running.

Khan’s plan to stage even more gridiron games at Wembley, and maybe even base the Jaguars there permanently, could complicate matters for Chelsea.

But Khan said he would welcome the Blues playing at Wembley — for the right price — having made it clear he has no intention of moving Fulham, pushing for promotion to the Premier League from the second-tier Championship, out of Craven Cottage.

“Absolutely we would discuss it with them (Chelsea) and really encourage them because that is part of the tradition and stewardship of Wembley, just like with Spurs being there this season,” Khan told Friday’s edition of the London Evening Standard.

“Chelsea would be welcome to use it

“Obviously, they would be paying for it, just like Spurs did, but I think it is really important because our goal is to get the usage up and that would be part of it,” he added.

“Could it happen for four years? Obviously you would have to move things but from our viewpoint, we would love that to work.”

Real Madrid must heed Juventus lesson to beat Bayern Munich, says Zidane

Zinedine Zidane says Real Madrid must heed the lessons from their Juventus scare in order to finish off Bayern Munich in next Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final, return leg.

Real took a step closer to a third straight European title after Marco Asensio hit the winner in a 2-1 first-leg come-back victory in Munich on Wednesday.

But having suffered an almighty scare at home in the quarter-finals, when Juventus won 3-1 in Madrid after Real had beaten them 3-0 in Turin, Zidane says nothing is decided despite Real’s slender advantage.

“We will have to fight in the second leg, nothing is decided, that showed in the second leg against Juventus,” said Zidane.

“We will have to suffer again and face Bayern in a different way at home, because if we don’t, we could have a bad result next week,” he warned.

The hosts took the lead at the sold-out Allianz Arena through Joshua Kimmich, but Marcelo equalised just before the break.

Substitute Asensio hit Real’s winner after finishing a counter-attack to seal Real’s sixth straight win over Bayern in the knock-out stages of Europe.

“We can be happy with the result, we had difficulties at the start of the match in imposing our game,” said Zidane.

“It’s not easy to come and win here, we can do better, but we’re happy with the result.”

Zidane pulled a surprise before kick-off by dropping Gareth Bale, but insisted he does not have a problem with the Welshman.

“I have a lot of quality players here, he has been playing well and I know I can count on Gareth Bale the same way I do those others who also didn’t play,” said Zidane.

Toni Kroos was unimpressed with Real’s performance at his former club.

Wasted chances
“It was an average performance from us in the end, we had a lot of work to do, a lot of running,” said Madrid’s Germany midfielder.

“The result is good, nothing more than that.

“Bayern were probably a bit better than us, but we took our chances well.”

Bayern captain Thomas Mueller admits the result does them no favours.

To compound Bayern’s woes, they could have lost both Arjen Robben and Jerome Boateng for the return.

Both suffered leg injuries in the opening half an hour and will be examined on Thursday.

“Madrid is Madrid, we saw their how coolly they took their chances,” said Mueller.

“We need another mentality in front of goal, which could have been very different in my opinion.”

Mueller says last year’s 2-1 second-leg win over 90 minutes at Madrid in the quarter-finals — before Bayern eventually lost 6-3 on aggregate after extra-time — gives them hope.

“We won’t give up, we won there last year, but we need a different mentality and a killer instinct,” he said.

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes was not happy to see his team throw away the lead and waste a string of chances.

“It was a curious game, we had a lot of chances we didn’t use, so it’s no wonder we lost,” fumed Heynckes

“I’m not accusing anyone, but our defence was poor for the goals they scored — we gave them away.

“What team has so many chances against Real and doesn’t use them?

“We have nothing to lose in Madrid and go there with a free spirit.”

Super Eagles’ friendly against Congo to be moved to Abuja

The Super Eagles’ farewell pre-World Cup friendly match against DR Congo, may now hold in Abuja instead of Uyo or Port Harcourt.

The change in plans, is to ensure President Muhammadu Buhari, is present at the stadium as the team is sent off to Russia.

Consequently, the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) were at the Abuja National Stadium on Monday, to inspect the pitch of the main bowl to ascertain its readiness or otherwise to host the game on May 28.

“The minister of sports has directed that the Abuja National Stadium should to put in shape for the Nigeria and DR Congo friendly match. We are putting everything possible in place to ensure that the turf is ready on time. As you can see, the pitch is now lush green, safe for some few patches which we are working on.

“We are putting in every effort to ensure that the pitch is put in good condition to be to host the Eagles versus DR Congo match. The Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr was also here to inspect the pitch and he is more favourable to playing here from the way he spoke,” an official told Complete Sports.

EPL: Details of Mohammed Salah’s Liverpool contract revealed

Details of the contract Mohammed Salah signed with Liverpool, when he completed a £34million move last summer have emerged.

This is as European heavyweights begin to circle the player.

Salah has four years remaining on the £90,000-per-week deal he signed. The the Reds are very keen to review those terms and have a strong relationship with his agent, Ramy Abbas.

Real Madrid’s interest in the PFA Player of the Year became clear in December, when head coach Zinedine Zidane spoke about him at the Club World Cup.

At that time, his value was close to £100million, but Liverpool would demand a fee closer to £200m.

After scoring 43 goals this season, Salah has become an Anfield icon and one of the biggest stars in world football.

2018 FIFA WC: Ighalo, Musa, Iwobi will score goals for me — Rohr

brilliant Eagles teach, Gernot Rohr said his strikers will not permit him down on the 2018 FIFA world Cup event starting June in Russia.

Gernot Rohr
Rohr, who's being predicted to launch his provisional squad for the event any time quickly, said he has no concerns about his strikers.

“when you see what befell closing weekend, Odion Ighalo scored four dreams, Ahmed Musa scored two, Victor Moses scored one and had an help, Kelechi Iheanacho performed very well at Leicester, however didn’t rating

“Alex Iwobi played also. So, I’m not pessimistic approximately this branch. we've got Mikel Obi, who can give good balls and also rating.

“I think we will be capable of score a few goals at the arena Cup.”



Nigeria scored 11 goals in total in the course of the 0.33 spherical of the 2018 international Cup qualifiers, with Victor Moses the leading marksman with three dreams.

in the meantime former top notch Eagles defender, Ifeanyi Udeze has advised Iheanacho to work tough to gain his actual potentials.

“Iheanacho is a great player however I trust he needs to attention on his profession.

“He has outstanding soccer approach and all sorts of talent but he desires electricity. He’s young and has room to improve in every region however critically desires to work on his energy considering he gets tired too fast in game situations,” he said.

Champions League: Why Bayern Munich lost 2-1 to Madrid – Heynckes

Bayern Munich supervisor, Jupp Heynckes has revealed why his aspect fell 2-1 at home to real Madrid within the Champions League semifinal first leg on Wednesday.

Heynckes said his group gifted actual Madrid their 2-1 win.

Joshua Kimmich gave Bayern the lead at Allianz arena, however real Madrid hit back through Marcelo and Marco Asensio.

Bayern did not clear the ball on Marcelo’s intention, whilst Rafinha’s turnover caused Asensio’s second-1/2 strike.

The supervisor lamented the way the Germans conceded and their incapability to make the maximum in their probabilities, giving them paintings to do in advance of next week’s 2d leg.

“We gave actual Madrid  dreams with clear errors,” he advised ZDF.



“We had a sequence of chances that we did not take advantage of, so it is not surprising that we misplaced.”

Heynckes, however, stated that the possibilities his aspect created offers them hope of accomplishing the very last.

He introduced, “The group have created so many probabilities towards Madrid.

“we've not anything to lose in Madrid and we will play freely there.”

Salah Wins Admiration Of Israel’s Defence Minister

Egyptian celeb Mohamed Salah’s devastating performance for Liverpool within the Champions League has brought him an surprising fan — the Israeli defence minister.

“I could be calling the chief of workforce straight away to inform him to lease Mohamed Salah to the Israeli military,” Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman wrote on Twitter after Salah inspired Liverpool to a 5-2 victory over Roma inside the first leg of the Champions League semi-very last.

The Egyptian scored  dreams and grabbed  assists Tuesday, however did no longer celebrate after scoring as a mark of admire for his former membership.

He has forty three goals in all competitions this season and become voted the first-class participant inside the finest League via his fellow gamers.

despite the tongue-in-cheek call for from Lieberman, there seems no threat that Salah will flip out for an Israeli team.

although Egypt is one in every of only two Arab international locations to have made peace with Israel, public opinion stays largely adverse to the us of a and supportive of the Palestinians.



In 2013 Salah, then at FC Basel, changed into accused of changing his boots to keep away from shaking arms with the gamers of the Israeli group Maccabi Tel Aviv earlier than a preliminary round of Champions League.

before the start of the second leg, his preference of a “fist bump” instead of handshake hand additionally attracted attention.

He was roundly booed and whistled via Maccabi enthusiasts throughout the sport but still scored.

Salah then defined that there has been a whole lot of stress on him earlier than this in shape, but that he changed into now not interested in politics at all.

“The membership informed me if I don’t pass I may be suspended and there can be masses of troubles. So I went and thank god I scored,” he said in a 2014 interview.

2018 FIFA WC: Eagles can shock England in Wembley friendly, says Mikel

Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel said the team will not look ordinary when they play against the Three Lions of England at the Wembley Stadium on June 2. The international friendly is the last warm up match for both sides before they hit Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“The match comes up only two weeks before our first match at the FIFA World Cup,” Mikel told NFF website.

“It will be a big occasion and a big match for both teams as we both look forward to our respective first matches in Russia.

“England is a special place for me having spent so many years playing there, and it is one country I love to go to.

“We (Super Eagles) are already talking to ourselves and everyone is looking forward to the game.”

Both teams played out a 0-0 in their last meeting at the 2002 Fifa World Cup at the Nagai Stadium, Osaka.

Meanwhile, tickets for the blockbuster-friendly are on sale with the lowest ticket up for the sum of 35 Pounds Sterling, while there are tickets worth 45, 55 and 70 Pounds.

Nigeria take on Croatia in their first World Cup game on June 16 before facing Iceland and Argentina.

Bale has to repair relationship with Zidane in Bayern vs Real Madrid derby

Bayern vs Real Madrid : Gareth Bale’s future will come under fresh scrutiny when Real Madrid face Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.

Four years ago, Bale was powering through the heart of Bayern’s defence at the Allianz Arena before setting up Cristiano Ronaldo to score in a thumping 4-0 victory.

“This is why I came to the biggest club in the world,” Bale said, after helping Real reach their first Champions League final in 12 years. “To win trophies and play in massive games.”

Bale was then considered Ronaldo’s heir and Real’s next golden boy but he returns to Munich this week, not only pondering his place in the starting XI but surely at the club at all beyond this season.

Sources have told AFP that while Bale’s first choice is still to stay at Real, where his family are settled and he relishes representing the world’s most glamorous team, his relationship with coach Zinedine Zidane has become strained.

Zidane has shown himself resistant to grudges, most recently in the case of Isco, who has played his way back into favour following a strong run of form in recent weeks.

But there is a sense his tough, and often contradictory, handling of Bale has not provided the strongest platform for a revival.

The Welshman feels he was unfairly targeted when substituted at half-time in the quarter-final second leg against Juventus and harshly treated when not handed a single minute during the first leg in Turin, despite scoring twice against Las Palmas three days before.

“I am happy for his performance and that’s it,” Zidane had said.

– ‘A fundamental player’ –

The previous round against Paris Saint-Germain had offered similarly little room for encouragement.

Bale rebounded from a calf injury with five consecutive La Liga starts but, after being spared the preceding game against Real Sociedad, when the presumption was he was rested, Zidane left Bale on the bench against PSG for the crucial opening leg.

Before the return match, Bale played, capping a lively performance against Getafe with a goal, but found himself again a substitute at the Parc des Princes.

It means of this season’s 10 Champions League matches, Bale has started three, sat out four through injury, been on the bench for three and been taken off at half-time once.

“With Gareth I have no problem, he’s a fundamental player for us and very important,” Zidane said after Real’s win over PSG in the last 16.

Bale’s build-up to this week’s crunch match against Bayern has been no easier to dissect.

When he was among the large group left out of the trip to Malaga, Real insisted the plan had always been to rest those that played against Juve.

But while the likes of Ronaldo, Marcelo, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Raphael Varane returned against Athletic Bilbao last week, Bale was absent from the starting line-up, instead being handed 21 minutes as a substitute.

Zidane is believed to have doubts over Bale’s defensive work when deployed wide in a 4-4-2, while the move to try him up front against Juve, instead of the misfiring Karim Benzema, did not even see the second half.

If he is given another chance against Bayern to redefine his role, Bale must take it as there may not be many more to come.

“There are players in good form and playing well,” Zidane said earlier this month. “But I have to be ready always to evaluate who are the best players for the team at any given time and I will continue to do that.”

Champions League: Why we lost 5-2 to Liverpool – Di Francesco

Roma manager, Eusebio Di Francesco has explained why his side was humiliated 5-2 by Liverpool in the Champions League semifinal at Anfield on Tuesday.

The manager blamed his central defenders for allowing much space for the opponents and also losing much of the duels.

He noted that his side were little below Liverpool in pace.

Liverpool were 5-0 ahead before Edin Dzeko and Diego Perotti scored in the final 10 minutes to give Roma hope.

Di Francesco told Mediaset Premium, “I don’t want to see anyone on trial now, as preparing games on paper is not the same thing and tactics become relative if we can’t keep the ball or make a simple pass.

“Their attacking moves almost all happened when we lost the ball. If they allowed us some three against three moves, it means we have the quality.

“Our centre-backs were caught when they should’ve turned and blocked.

“Losing all these duels showed we were a little below Liverpool in terms of physicality and pace.”

Unstoppable Ronaldo, Sole Survivor Of Real Madrid’s ‘BBC’

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Karim Benzema were once the untouchable trio, but only one of Real Madrid’s feted “BBC” can be sure of their place against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. 

Ronaldo has dragged Real into the Champions League semi-finals with, even by his standards, an astonishing goal glut that includes 22 in 12 games, and at least one in each of his last 11 matches in Europe.

“It’s impossible to completely stifle Ronaldo, we can only stop him as a team,” Bayern defender Jerome Boateng said on Monday.

“An attacker cannot be more complete than him — left foot, right foot, head, he controls everything and in front of the goal, he’s a machine”.

But while Ronaldo has enjoyed a fresh spurt in his new role of predatorial center-forward, his two partners have found their responsibilities reduced ahead of the first leg at the Allianz Arena.

Bale’s decline began first. After returning from injury earlier this year, he was on the bench for both legs against Paris Saint-Germain and the first leg against Juventus.

In the second leg, he did start, only to endure the humiliation of being taken off at half-time.

Benzema’s fall has been more surprising given the striker had been Zinedine Zidane’s preferred partner for Ronaldo, his work rate and supply highly valued despite the Frenchman’s lack of goals.

But Benzema’s link-up play has slackened, thrusting that dry patch — one goal in 10 games and only four in 24 — more clearly into view.

 ‘A little blip’ 

“He does suffer a little bit when he misses chances he suffers but the solution is easy,” Zidane said. “He has to keep working. It is just a little blip he is in at the moment.”

Bale and Benzema’s dip has coincided with Ronaldo’s golden run, a parallel that may not be entirely coincidental.

Ronaldo in a Real team centered on playing to his strengths is nothing new, but as the Portuguese has grown narrower in his scope, perhaps his team-mates have had to sharpen their focus in providing service to him.

Zidane has often deployed 4-4-2 in the biggest games this season, with Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio preferred on the flanks for their defensive discipline and willingness to send crosses into the box.

Bale is not viewed as conscientious enough in the wide midfielder role while Benzema’s key selling point was his link-up play. When that broke down, his appeal diminished.

“I don’t see anyone looking sad,” Zidane said. “I said to the pair of them the other day, they would both like to score more goals but everyone is working well.

“It is always going to happen in a side like ours, there are players in good form and in the team and playing well.”

Even if Isco is selected, it means Real are likely to line up with one of their more modest-looking attacks for a crunch Champions League tie.

“I’m not worried,” Zidane said last week. “It’s true that in the last two games we have had chances and we have not taken them but now we are going to have a game on Wednesday away from home.

“We are going to try to score and what we have to do is to think positively and realise that this is football anything can happen, no matter who is playing on the pitch.”