He's made me love football again. You know, before, when there were players like Maradona, Riquelme, Veron... that's why I love football. People who dared to take on defenders, who did crazy things and simply took risks.
"We wanted to create an award that recognised most kids growing up dream of playing for one club. On the other side, we wanted to show despite all the big-money transfers in modern-day football, there are top players all over the world who want to become one-club players."
Heimir Hallgrimsson's approach to the friendly match against North Macedonia could be indicative of his overall coaching strategy. The players seemed disinterested, reflecting a lack of engagement that is concerning for future performances.
After the game, Ancelotti had an embrace with Modric who he knows well from his two spells at Real Madrid. During it, he was spotted asking the midfielder: "You don't have a Brazilian grandfather, do you?" This was a clear reference to the enormous qualities of the Croatian phenomenon, who at 41 would still be useful in any midfield, even that of Brazil.
And it was late when it leaked on a Tuesday night. I think the players had a golf day with some of the staff at that time. I never played golf, so I wasn't there that day. But I remember another member of staff texting me. He says, 'Listen, you know, the players got a lot of messages on the phone that possibly so Alex Ferguson is retiring after the season. Do you know anything about it?'
I scored a volley from a long way outside the area for England against Sweden at the 2006 World Cup, Cole recalls to FourFourTwo. I grew up watching England at tournaments and idolising Gazza for his goal against Scotland at Euro 96. Every time I had the shirt and heard the national anthem, I thought, Wow, I'm in the best 11 players in the country.'
Refreshing Instagram, there was a thousand [likes] here, another thousand there. It was one of the most surreal things I have ever been through. I remember the actual moment of the goal, I can picture it and tell you exactly what happened. It was more the aftermath I don't really remember. Even being on that pitch and travelling to that game was enough for me. Then to score took it to another level. It's definitely one of the best days of my life.
