India vs Afghanistan: Super-8 match (image: InsideSport)
Team India has entered the Super-8 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup in a commanding fashion. So have the Afghanistan side, who seemed very dominant until they faced the mighty Windies.
Despite having a comfortable entry into the second group stage, India has not found any form, as batters and bowlers have not appeared to be at the top of their game. On the other hand, Afghanistan has played in a far more trendy way, thanks to the better playing conditions in the Caribbean.
As far as the pitches are concerned, India will play their 3 matches of the Super-8 stage at different venues across the islands. These will be better playing conditions for the Men in Blue, and hence their batters will look to start dominating.
Under such comfortable playing conditions, Afghanistan bowlers have bowled with a different spirit and have failed the mighty Kiwi batting order. India will now want the two maestros, Virat and Rohit, to hit a different level against the Afghan players.
Afghanistan’s leading wicket-getter of T20 World Cup 2024(image: English Jagran)
Fazalhaq Farooqi, Afghanistan’s leading wicketkeeper, will introduce the angles against the two Indian greats, and once he can get it done, half of the job will be done for the Afghans. The rest would pin their hopes on Rashid Khan, the greatest of the generation, when it comes to the shortest format of the game.
However, it takes a genius to counter the other, and luckily for India, they have Suryakumar Yadav, who is undoubtedly the most unique talent suiting the high standards of the format. SKY has scored at a massive strike rate of 141 since 2023 against the Afghan spinner, and so has Dube, who has been a great contributor against the Afghan skipper as well.
Another major battle would be between Afghanistan opener Gurbaz and the world’s pace bowling sensation Jasprit Bumrah; the two will be in the quest for hunting down the other.
Let’s see who will lead their way into the Super-8 in a commanding fashion, be it India or Afghanistan. This will be a thrilling encounter for either team to begin their hunt for the Super-8.
Estonia batsman Sahil Chauhan who is from Indian origin made a new record of making fastest century in T20 international. He performed this feat in the second T20I of Estonia tour of Cyprus 2024. Sahil chauhan exhausted Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton’s record for the fastest T20I century in men’s cricket reaching the milestone in just 27 balls during the second T20I of Estonia tour of Cyprus 2024.
Sahil Chauhan makes new T20I records
Sahil Chauhan explosive performance also made a new record for the most sixes in a men’s T20I innings with 18 maximum.
Cyprus posted a competitive total of 191 for 7 by batting first. Estonia chase began poorly losing both openers within initial eight balls for a nine runs. Sahil Chauhan turned the game on its head from the moment he stepped to the crease. When he was facing Buddika Mahesh, he comes into action, smashing 6,4 and 6 off his first three legal deliveries. He has loss his two partners Stuart Hook and Steffan Gooch soon after, left Estonia at 60 for 4 in the seventh over. In this time he had already scored to 66 off just 17 balls with five fours and three sixes.
The explosions start in the sixth over of the chase, where Sahil Chouhan hitting 4 sixes and a four to complete his fifty off just 14 balls. He continued his attack smashing four more sixes off Chamal Sadun in the eighth over and three more off Neeraj Tiwari in the ninth, the last of which brought up his century. He finished the with an surprising strike rate of 351.21.
Football is a vastly well-known sport in several countries across the world, and several greats of the game have played the game.
But as informed, the game has a legacy of over 170 years, and people who are keen on the game have been from different generations, like this generation witnessed the great Lionel Messi, but to seek his brilliance, one must know about the previous legends to whom he is compared, which primarily includes the great Maradona.
This greatness developed by the previous players has been introduced to this generation with the help of the most legendary filmmakers who have made football documentaries and have augmented perfection by adding acute details from the historic moments in world football.
Let’s take a look at the extensively popular and knowledgeable football documentaries that remain a must-watch for the new generation of football fans.
The Figo Affair: The Transfer that Changed Football
Netflix in the year 2022 came up with one of the finest documentaries on football, which brought more facts to the limelight about the infamous Figo controversy. The movie shows how Florentino Perez agreed to trigger a buyout clause and broke all records for the most expensive transfer in football history, which took the world by surprise.
The star himself was featured in the movie and described in detail the incidents that occurred at that time.
Hillsborough
The film was made by Charles McDougall and released in 1996 over the world-famous and most tragic moment in the history of football.
The director reminds us of the worst day in the history of football, as a disastrous fatal human clash took place in the Hillsborough stadium during an FA Cup semi-final match played between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest back in April 1989.
The Class of 92
The Class of 92 is a revolutionary football documentary made on the rendezvous journey and making of the great double trio of Manchester United featuring Beckham-Butt-Ryan Giggs and Garry Neville-Phil Neville-Paul Scholes under Sir Alex Ferguson, who introduced a new wave of youth success to British football as he step by step brought these players to the limelight.
Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait
(image: Wikipedia)
Zinedine Zidane was often referred to as the most controversial and short-tempered player in the history of football. The film was said to resemble some features from a previous documentary on George Best.
The film was shot during a real match sequence as it purely focuses on Zidane playing his match at Santiago Bernabeu against Villarreal, as it documents the controversial move over Zidane where he was sent off during a match brawl.
Maradona by Kusturica
The most inspiring football documentary (image: HBO)
Maradona is the most well-known footballer for several generations and has been the reason for inspiration and has drawn many players towards the game.
Though several documentaries have been made about this great player, this is a special version of his life, which includes a detailed campaign of his encounters at Napoli and Argentina documented by the award-winning Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica from the Argentine great himself. It to date remains to be the most reputed sports documentaries to be filmed at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008.
Top Football Rivalries in the World (image: Pulse Sports Nigeria)
Football is a game that gets intensified with the great spirit of competition, and clubs from around the world have intense rivalries between them. Some rivalries have immense legacies, sometimes even a century old, that have grown to be well-known derbies.
Derbies are often considered to be the fiercest contests between teams, as in different eras the players, the managers, and even the spectators may change, but the rivalry keeps prevailing.
Derbies are not just mere matches, but they are intensified contests that may be formed due to the location of the clubs, a series of crucial games that adds fuel to the fire of rivalry. On such special occasions, the ground echoes with the cheers of the fans, and the electrifying atmosphere intensifies for the players who toil themselves to deliver their best performance in the match derbies.
Lazio vs. Roma
The local derby between the two very old teams with immense legacy in Serie A. The match between Lazio and Roma, two Roman sides, is commonly known as the Derby della Capitale. It is one of the most immensely contested derbies in European football, as it started in 1929, and the 2 teams have encountered 182 matches officially, with Roma being the heavyweights with 67 wins. Roma legend Francesco Totti is the highest scorer with 11 goals in the history of the derby.
Porto vs Benfica
The two clubs are from the two biggest cities in Portugal, Porto and Lisbon, and two of the three most popular teams in Portugal’s Primeira Diviso. The two teams have been rivals for over a century now and have met a total of 250+ times; however, neither of these sides has ever met in any European competition match. Porto has a slight advantage over Benfica with 101 wins over the opposition’s 91 wins in the O Clássico.
(image: Portugal GOAL)
Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahce
The two Turkish giants are mostly known for being part of the big three in the Turkish first-division games. Considered one of the most intense fixtures of Turkish football, the contest between the 2 clubs is commonly called the Intercontinental Derby. The legacy of the derby lasts over 115 years, with the most wins for Fenerbahçe, and their legend Zeki Riza Sporel to date remains the highest scorer in the derby.
Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspurs
The Premier League consists of several clubs from all around England, while the two best teams hailing from North London—Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs—play in the North London derby, which was played for the first time in 1909. Arsenal are the more successful side with 81 wins, and Harry Kane remains the top scorer with 14 goals.
Inter Milan vs. Juventus
The most glorious game in Serie A and the most highly-rated derby among the three derbies of Italy is known as the Derby d’Italia, which involves Internazionale with Juventus in a contest over 115 years. Juventus have always been the heavyweights and the dominators with the most wins in the Italian derby. Many heated incidents have occurred every time these two teams have played against each other.
The biggest clash of Bundesliga giants (image: Fear The Wall)
FC Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund
Der Klassiker is the German for the clasico, which is the name for the clash of the giants of the Bundesliga. Such amazing is the monopoly of these teams in the Bundesliga that they have lifted 26 titles of the 30 games together.
However, the derby between these two sides is not based on region or past rivalries; rather, it is based on the two clubs’ intense form and the quality of their gameplay. Bayern have been the dominant side, with ace striker Robert Lewandowski being the highest goal-getter with 32 goals.
Liverpool vs. Manchester United
The rivalry between the two most famous sides of the Premier League makes this rivalry one of the highest-honored inter-city rivalries, as these two sides have been the most decorated with over 67 trophies each. Played over a century, the Red Devils have had the upper hand, while Mo Salah with 12 goals is the highest scorer in this derby, which is played at either Anfield or Old Trafford, the two grounds with the most enthusiastic crowd in English football.
Manchester United vs Manchester City
Manchester Derby – England’s biggest rivalry (image: Opta Analyst)
The best city rivals of world football include the two modern-day giants of English football. Man City has always been the thorn in the paved ways of the Red Devils, who have had an immense legacy in their contest. The crowd from the same city, which is divided into two colors, gets very noisy when the two giants clash against each other, with Rooney being the dominant side with the highest number of goals.
AC Milan vs. Inter Milan
Derby della Madonnina is a derby between the two Milanese sides Inter Milan and AC Milan. Once the game was very famous due to the Inter team riding motorcycles to the stadium. Officially, these two giants of Italian football saw AC Milan win the maximum number of games.
Among these two sides, Maldini remains the favorite with the highest number of appearances against a single side, while Shevchenko scored on 14 occasions for AC Milan and is the highest goalscorer of the derby.
Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona
The football match between the two giants of not only Spanish but also world football—Real Madrid and Barcelona—is commonly known as the El Clasico. Played at the two most iconic grounds, Camp Nou and Santiago Bernabeu, the rivalry is intensified by the different sets of political representation.
El Clasico is a celebrated game between the two sides, who have played 256 official matches, while Barcelona are the heavyweights with dominant form. The great Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi playing for the opposite colors have made this game more of a personal rivalry for not only the fans of either side but also devotees of the two greats of modern football.
Topmost Football Managers of All Time (image: Sportskeeda)
Football though spread its roots in England, the nation that was the founding father of the game, it spread the glory of the game from European to South American nations. But football is not only played internationally but also domestically and the greatest clubs have held a long legacy in the sport.
With millions of players who have played the sport under several jerseys, the teams have enjoyed major success under the reign of managers who with their tactical geniuses have made these teams shine with individual glory. From time to time several managers have worked with different teams and have left an unprecedented mark in the history of football.
Today we will list the 10 most widely popular managers in football history who have turned fortunes for several sides by their tactical brilliance.
10. Bill Shankly
Famous manager Shankly was more widely known during his managerial career than during his playing days with the Scottish side. He had a vast managerial career which spanned over 25 years but the peak of his career came during his time with Liverpool
For Liverpool, he managed the club on a 15-year-long stint and rebuilt Liverpool as a major European force as he earned them a promotion to the top level of the first division in 1962. With Liverpool, he managed to win several FA Cups and even a UEFA Cup.
9. Johan Cruyff
Though Cruyff was a widely-known player for both Ajax and the Dutch side during his playing days, when he entered his managerial career he managed the same teams as Ajax and Barcelona.
With Ajax, he led a young sporadic side to the European Cup Winners Cup and later went to Barcelona where he was the main architect in building Barcelona’s Dream team as he included several greats of the game in their squad and led them to be crowned as the top team in Europe.
8. Manuel Pellegrini
Pellegrini during his Man City days (image: Sky Sports)
Pellegrini is one of the most senior managers of modern football and has had a managerial career spanning over 30 years. Despite 20 years of his career, he came into the major front with his successful reign with Villarreal.
It was then that Real Madrid removed him after a very quick season to fancy the arrival of Jose Mourinho. However, after Villarreal, he turned Malaga and later Manchester City to their first-ever Champions League quarter and semifinals respectively. He came back to Spanish football with Real Betis in 2020 and earned them their first trophy in 17 years as they won the Copa Del Rey under him in 2022.
7. Antonio Conte
Antonio Conte has been the most fated manager who has managed the best of sides across several widely known leagues which included clubs from Serie A, PL and even the national side of Italy from 2016 to 2018.
Conte’s most successful reign came under the prolific days with Chelsea and later Inter Milan as he, unlike other managers, believed in a higher work rate and hence played with a defence line composed of wing backs who could trail the entire field with their agility and excellence.
6. Arsene Wenger
Wenger was Arsenal’s most successful manager as he spent his illustrious career with the Reds from 96 to 2018 and in his vast career with the side he built the best 11 of their side.
He was the first foreign manager to win a premier league and FA Cup. He also led Arsenal in the season of 2003/04 when they were invincible. During his days Arsenal got through to 3 Premier Leagues and seven FA Cups and remains a prominent name in the books of the Gunners.
Jurgen Klopp has been a sensational manager as he has dominated professionally as a football manager. He first attained success in a major league when he took Borussia Dortmund and turned their fates bringing them the German titles in 2011 and 12 and ending Bayern’s monopoly in Bundesliga. With Dortmund, he went on a 28-match unbeaten stint where he reached the Champions League finals in 2013.
(image credit: beIN SPORTS)
With his stunning counter-attacking ability he established Liverpool as another major force in EPL, and alongside the Premier League, he also secured the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup in 2020. Klopp’s success is quite astonishing in modern club football.
4. Carlo Ancelotti
Ancelotti is an obvious inclusion on this list, as he has had an illustrious career with several sides across different leagues of Europe. A career spanning over 3 decades Ancelotti has filled his trophy cabinets with numerous accolades. To date, he remains to be the only manager to have won all major European top league cups.
He managed Milan, then Chelsea in the PL and then PSG and Real Madrid. On all occasions, he enjoyed immense success with all these teams after he won the top-level leagues in all 4 European nations alongside his Champions League success for AC Milan and Real Madrid. The later days of his career he spent with Bayern and Napoli and later returned to Real Madrid in 2021 where once again he won the Champions League with them in 2022.
(image credit: Medium)
3. Jose Mourinho
One of the most celebrated managers, Mourinho can easily be referred to as the greatest manager of all time. He has an alluring success rate, as he delivered wonders with whichever club he went on to play with.
Mourinho formulated the most unbreakable stats in football history, starting from Porto’s Champions League victory back in 2002. His later reigns with Inter Milan and Real Madrid also led them to amazing Champions League glory however the later days of his career with Man U and Spurs he failed to portray equal prominence for which he is widely known.
2. Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Ferguson is a pioneer manager in football best known for managing Manchester United from 1986 to 2013. He was best known for his tactical brilliance and his sense of making future stars from youngsters.
Under Alex Ferguson, Man U recognised players like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and later Paul Scholes. Not only the players from the early 90’s they also gave the world the two greats of the forward line Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Under him, Manchester United won a total of 38 trophies, of which they had 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups and 2 unbeaten Champions League glory before retiring with them in 2013.
1. Pep Guardiola
(image: The Mirror)
During a great career as a deep-lying defensive playmaker, he was part of Barcelona’s dream team under Johan Cruyff. However, he is known widely for his brilliance in his managerial career. Guardiola first started the La Liga with the team he had spent most of his career with, in his 4 years stint with Barcelona he set a record for the club with 14 trophies which also included 2 Champions League trophies.
From there he moved to the Bundesliga where with Bayern he found national success but his brilliance worked once again with the huge spending Manchester City when he built an invincible squad and led to City’s miraculous glory in 2017 and set a PL record to attain 100 points in a single season. He also led Man City to consecutive Champions League finals and won their debut league final in 2022-23.
Internationally he is the best manager to have won the FIFA Club World Cup on four occasions while managing teams like Barcelona, Bayern and also Manchester City.
After months of guessing over India’s next coach, former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir appear as the guide to replace Rahul Dravid. Reports came that Gautam Gambhir is all set to appear for an interview in Mumbai on 18th June 2024 to meet BCCI secretary Jay Shah and other officials.
Gautam Gambhir is mostly confirmed to become the next head coach of the Indian cricket team. Gauti(Gautam Gambhir) yesterday went to Mumbai for the interview at BCCI Headquarters. BCCI agreed to the terms he presented for the head coach. As per report Gautam Gambhir has put forward few demands to the BCCI for the head coach position which included full command of the team and separate teams for red-ball and white-ball. Cricket board has agreed to all of his demands. The new coach’s contract will be valid for all three formats– Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Indian board of control for cricket had earlier invited for nomination for coach position and deadline was 27 May 2024.The new coach’s contract would be valid from July 2024 to December 2027.The current head coach Rahul Dravid contract was extended until ICC Men’s T20 World cup 2024.Rahul Dravid has taken the charge after the T20 world cup 2021 in November.
Gautam Gambhir had told at an event in Abu Dhabi in June’s first week “I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honour than coaching your nation team. You are representing 140 crore Indians and those across the globe as well.” Gautam Gambhir was the part of India’s T20 World cup winning team in 2007 and the 2011 ODI World cup side. Currently he mentors the Kolkata Knight Riders team.
Top 10 Comeback Victories in Football History (image : Bleacher Report)
Football is often known to be a wizard’s game as this sport is full of uncertainty, and hence, from the greatest to the weakest, all teams have one or the other time made remarkable comebacks that shocked the world.
Be it some unforeseen matches in the World Cup among the most uncommon teams who have appeared in the World Cups over the years. Except for the international comebacks, some epic battles have also been witnessed in the games of the Champions League, League Cup, and Premier League as well. Let’s enlist the most popular and iconic comebacks that have ever been made in the history of football.
Reading vs. Arsenal in 2012
We go back to 2012 for the highest-scoring match in League Cup history, where Premier League sides Arsenal and Reading contested for a League Cup quarter-final spot. Reading took everyone by shock as they had taken an early advantage over the Gunners with a 4-0 lead in the first 37 minutes.
However, Arsenal came back strongly, with Theo Walcott, Giroud, and the skipper Koscielny all leveling up the scores until the men in red ended the extra-time with a 5-7 win over the Reading side.
AC Milan vs. Deportivo (2004)
Trailing back in 2004, the Serie A giants AC Milan were well ahead of their opposition in their first-leg success after a 4-1 victory. However, Deportivo pulled back smartly as they made a good comeback with a 4-0 win in the 2nd leg as they made progress into the semis.
Tottenham vs. Manchester United (2001)
The Premier League match that trails back to a match almost 22 years ago where Spurs and Manchester United faced each other in one of the fiercest contests of football.
Tottenham players Richards, Ferdinand, and Ziege all scored goals in the first half to take a 3-0 lead over the Red Devils. However, the Red Devils pulled back a sensational comeback, which started with Cole’s early 2nd half goal, and the match ended successfully with Beckham’s 1st and Manchester United’s last of the 5th goals scored.
West Germany vs. Hungary, 1954
Often known as “The Miracle of Bern,” the match goes back years in the past to the 1954 World Cup, which witnessed the unbeaten Hungary side that raced to an early lead in the finals with a 2-0 lead in the 8 minutes of the game.
Then what happened was the most unexpected event in the history of the World Cup, as West Germany beat the Golden Team of that World Cup, scoring 3 goals in the second half of the game.
Newcastle vs. Arsenal (2011)
Another great and iconic clash between two Premier League teams featuring Arsenal, who can often be referred to as the master of comebacks.
However, to their surprise, Arsenal, who had an early lead over the trailing Newcastle side, were left shell-shocked when the underdog side scored four goals out of nowhere and ended the game in a draw.
Manchester City vs. QPR (2012)
Another historic moment in the PL was when Manchester City was in their quest for their first-ever title. They were threatened by Man U, their archrivals, and to go past them, Roberto Mancini’s men scored stunning stoppage-time goals from Edin Dzeko and newly included Argentine striker Aguero that took City to their first breathtaking title.
Liverpool vs. Barcelona (2019)
The 2019 Champions League would not have witnessed a much more thrilling match than the semis between the two modern club giants, Liverpool and Barcelona.
Barcelona in their home game at Camp Nou thrashed the Liverpool side hard with a 3-0 advantage while the most certain finalists were denied their chances by Klopp and men as they took a snap back in their home stadium of Anfield and secured a 4-0 victory that led them to a famous final in the 2019 Champions League.
Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich (1999)
The list itself would seem incomplete without mentioning this great match as the Red Devils snatched away a definite win from the jaws of the German giants.
Two Man U players, including Solskjaer, scored rapid stoppage time goals and hence went on to win the 99 UEFA Champions League finals.
AC Milan vs. Liverpool (2005)
The times when Milan was considered one of the greatest sides in the world and an obvious club giant, it was then that a much weaker Liverpool pulled an early trail of 3-0 from their opposition in the 2nd half.
The Reds went on to win their 5th Champions League finals as they defeated their opposition in the penalties, and hence it is marked as one of the most famous comebacks in football history.
Barcelona vs. PSG – 2017
The most memorable Champions League game reminds us of times when PSG consisted of players like Di Maria and Cavani while the men from Camp Nou played the heavenly forward line comprising Messi, Suarez, and Neymar.
The first leg saw the rise and dominance from the PSG forward line, with all 3 scoring goals to take them 4-0 to the 2nd leg for their away game. However, in the 2nd leg game, despite early efforts from Suarez and Messi’s penalty, the game was on till its ultimate moment as it took the fans to their toes when Neymar Jr. scored twice alongside Sergi Roberto in the last 7 minutes of the game to win the Round of 16 game 6-5.
Top 5 Young Football Talents to Watch Out for in 2024 (image: Times of India)
Football has inspired several youngsters from nations around the world. Unlike cricket or baseball, football is not only played by prosperous nations but even in the small nations around poverty-stricken African and petty Latin American nations. The world’s most beautiful game sparks a silver lining of hope into the dark lives of the people of those nations.
From time to time, several young sporadic talents have provided the modern-day status of football. Youth academies around the world train several talented players who later go on to feature for the top clubs in the top divisions of football leagues. From the legendary Messi, Mbappe, and Cr7 to many other greats who have later been the stars of the game, they started astonishing the world with their skills at a very tender age of less than 17.
Even in the year 2024, many new talents are already leaving an eminent mark on the game as the spotlight from several big clubs and the sight of managers will be seeking them. Here we discuss all those young future talents of world football.
Endrick
(image: Sky News)
Endrick is the most sensational forward-line hope for the upcoming generation of the Brazilian national team, and years after Ronaldo in 1994, he became the youngest male player to be called for the World Cups in the senior national side.
He spent his entire youth career with Palmeiras, and even before turning 18, he entered the senior team with Palmeiras and startled the world when he was approached by Real Madrid in 2022 for a contract with the side from 2024 when he turns 18 and will be a great scope of talent to look after in the upcoming season of footballing action.
Vitor Roque
The sensational forward from Brazil has been a star attraction after Barcelona recognized his talent and signed him for a long contract until the 2030-31 season. His potential would be interesting to watch in the upcoming years for Barcelona, as he would play alongside players of high caliber, which already include the likes of talents like Gabi, Araujo, Gavi, and others.
He even will be recognized as the future hope for the Brazilian side alongside Endrick and others in the forward line.
Young German sensation Jamal Musiala (image: Sky Sports)
Jamal Musiala
The name has been quite renowned recently in football, as the Bayern sensation has been a real star in the midfield position and has been credited as one of the finest prospects for a playmaker role in the few upcoming years.
The 20-year-old England-born footballer has played for the German national side in the Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Being brought up in England, he spent days of his youth career in the academies of Southampton and Chelsea before he shined with his unique gameplay with Bayern Munich.
This Bayern Munich star is often known for his work rate, dipping crosses, incredible dribbling ability, and sublime passing accuracy. With his excellence, he will be deemed the most stunning player in the midfield and a great prospect.
Jude Bellingham
The Golden Boy of Europe was also the awardee for the Kopa Trophy as the world’s best player over the previous season. Bellingham gathered fame with Dortmund; however, after his million-dollar move to Real Madrid, he was recognized by the entire world as the most aggressive midfielder of this generation.
With unmatched stats in his early career, the player has been a regular goalscorer for Real Madrid, penning his excellence in La Liga as well as the Champions League. He will remain a key aspect of Real Madrid’s midfield alongside the veterans Kroos and Modric and other young, talented stars.
Agustín Ruberto
(image: Transfermarkt)
The list of upcoming talents would seem incomplete without the inclusion of this name, who has been referred to as one of the best upcoming targetmen by the pundits of the game. Born in Buenos Aires, his first interest was in the game of football. After a long-standing youth career at River Plate, he was finally offered a senior contract by the club till 2027 after his stunning contribution to the U17 World Cup for the Argentine side, where he won the Golden Boot with his 8 goals in the tournament. He will be a great aspect, and the world will witness a great striker in the upcoming days.
Top 10 Stars to feature in Copa America 2024 (image: Goal.com)
Probably home to the biggest superstars, there is not much to wait for in Copa America 2024. The biggest contest among the two American continents will be held in the United States, and several big stars are set to put in their valiant efforts.
Not only will some players put on a stellar effort for the first time, but many legends might be seen stepping onto the meadow for the last time in the tournament’s history.
Let’s take a look at the maestros alongside the other superstars in the making of Copa America 2024.
Angel Di Maria: The Argentine maestro is about to put an end to his international career. A true legend of the game will be in the hunt for a decent departing gift, though the Argentine coach would only find him suitable for a much-reduced role.
Weston McKennie:- The United States side is not often said to be loaded with superstars; however, McKennie can’t be left aside. The Juventus star has been having one of the finest seasons of his career, and his terrific run in the tournament would give the USA a very strong tournament run.
(image: Sky News)
Endrick: The Brazilian who is set to make his debut soon for the Los Blancos. With a series of strong showings, no one would disagree that he deserves a spot in the starting XI. When put on, he can do wonders for Selaceo.
Luis Diaz: The Columbian forward, probably the only hope for the once-dominant Latin American side, the Liverpool forward would have a huge load to carry over his shoulders, as he would look to give Columbia a firm start while also looking to carry them as far as possible.
Darwin Nunez: Nunez is a constant surprise. In his day, he was the best finisher in modern football, while on the other hand, there is no worse player than him, as even the most obvious chance in front of the goal would be a chance missed by the Liverpool-aided Uruguayan star.
Christian Pulisic: The US captain has had the best of form in Serie A, which he can carry to his home soil. Probably, if Pulisic can fire with the ball, the USA is obviously in a better position to seek chances further into the tournament.
Federico Valverde:- The departure of legendary striker Edinson Cavani turned out to be disastrous for Uruguay until the Los Angeles superstar stepped forward to fill in his big shoes. Though he is yet in making, he has improved from time to time, and his excellence will be seen by the Uruguayan side in this Copa America as well.
Vinicius Jr.:- Though he doesn’t receive as much acclaim as Mbappe, Haaland, or even young players like Yamal, the Brazilian since his initial days has evolved to be the most reliable ever player of the generation. Still, under the shadows of Neymar, this is his first opportunity to star for the Selacao and create history in yellow, which is his repetitive act for the Los Blancos.
Julian Alvarez:- Since the 2022 World Cup, he has never seemed to step down from his irresistible form. Argentina already have a great bunch of players, and among them, Scaloni would look to emerge his best alongside Lionel Messi to help Argentina lift the Copa for the repetitive season.
(image credit: Times of India – India times)
Lionel Messi:- Some injury struggles, eyeing of international retirement, and many more, yet the GOAT remains to be the top choice for Copa 2024. Messi, with his dominance even for Inter Miami, is well aware of the US grounds, and the home crowd would also be in some way affectionate for the legend’s Copa journey in 2024.
As we know Australia won all four their matches with a good run rate of 2.791.Generally in any worldwide tournament, it shows some advantage. Josh Hazlewood disarranged some features when he discussed the possibility of Australia doing their bit to nudge England out of the tournament. He agreed to a question that it was in Australia’s best notice to perhaps prop up Scotland’s chances and take part an early exit for jos Buttler and Co. But matters in Group Concluded with the two powerhouses finalising first and second.
With good run rate of 2.791 Australia won all four of their matches. It mean in any global tournament that would have some lead. But it is not at the ICC Men’s T20 world cup 2024.Australia, who is top of Group B, were pre-determined to meet India who is on top of Group A, in the super 8 stage. Because India were Pre-seeded as A1 and Australia as B2 for super 8s,ignoring of weather they finished first or second in the group.
“I think there is a big question to be asked about the pre-seeding .I am not sure I’m a fan of that.” Australian pacer Mitchell starc told after the win against Scotland.
Group-stage matches were designed to have barely any effect on the super 8 stage that begins on Wednesday. Group 1 was to be A1,B2,C1,D2 and Group 2 was A2,B1,C2,D1-where 1 & 2 are not based on where the teams finished but on seedings that were pre-fixed.
If Afghanistan will be on top in Group C, the 1st super 8 group will feature three group toppers while the other will have three teams that complete second.
Any world cup in cricket is planed out to maximise India’s presence, it is no confidential.(Recall 2007 ODI WORLD CUP situation where India were confound in the group stage, after a shock defeat to Bangladesh.)
The ODI World cup format has transformed into a UEFA champions League of sorts and the supposed shorter T20 format too does everything to make sure India are unexpected to exit without playing at least five or six matches. In 2024, India had the comforts of minimal travel in the group stage(3 matches in Nassau followed by a quick trip to Florida) whereas most other team had to bounce.
