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There have been some iconic left-backs in previous generations – from AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini and free-kick specialist Roberto Carlos to Premier League greats like Ashley Cole.

Previously, a top left-back was a world-class defender who could also chip in with the odd goal going forward. Now, we have a new up-and-coming class of attacking left-backs who are crucial to their team’s build-up play, but who is the best in the world right now?

Ranking factors

To help rank the left-backs in order, we have considered the following criteria:

Current form – how well a player has been performing Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their team Role – how unique their skillset is Reputation – what others are saying about them

Top 15 left-backs in the world

Rank

Player

Age

Club

Nation

1

Nuno Mendes

23

PSG

Portugal

2

Alejandro Balde

21

Barcelona

Spain

3

Federico Dimarco

27

Inter Milan

Italy

4

Alphonso Davies

24

Bayern Munich

Canada

5

Alejandro Grimaldo

30

Bayer Leverkusen

Spain

6

Riccardo Calafiori

23

Arsenal

Italy

7

Milos Kerkez

21

Liverpool

Hungary

8

Myles Lewis-Skelly

19

Arsenal

England

9

Alvaro Carreras

22

Real Madrid

Spain

10

Andrea Cambiaso

25

Juventus

Italy

11

Theo Hernandez

28

Al-Hilal

France

12

Ferland Mendy

30

Real Madrid

France

13

Destiny Udogie

22

Tottenham

Italy

14

Rayan Ait-Nouri

24

Man City

Algeria

15

Marc Cucurella

27

Chelsea

Spain

15 Marc Cucurella Chelsea and Spain

The Premier League has plenty of impressive left-backs, and Marc Cucurella has been making his mark at Stamford Bridge over the last 12 months.

Now one of the first names on the teamsheet under Enzo Maresca, Cucurella has shown why Chelsea splashed the cash on him from Brighton back in 2022.

Maresca called Cucurella “very important” and even wants seven players like him in his Blues side.

Marc Cucurella: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

European Championship

2024

Club World Cup

2025

Europa Conference League

2025

Copa del Rey

2018

14 Rayan Ait-Nouri Man City and Algeria

New Man City signing Rayan Ait-Nouri is another who has been catching the eye at former employers Wolves in recent seasons.

The 24-year-old now holds a career-high €35m Transfermarkt valuation and hit double figures for Premier League goal contributions in what has been a struggling Wolves side.

13 Destiny Udogie Tottenham and Italy

Spurs have seemingly struck gold after signing Destiny Udogie from Udinese, with the Italian’s market value more than doubling since moving to north London.

Once called “the most underrated player in the Premier League” by Paul Merson and a full-back who “has everything” by Luciano Spalletti, Udogie, who is still just 22, may only get better in the coming years.

12 Ferland Mendy Real Madrid and France

Ferland Mendy has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, but when fully fit, is one of the best left-backs around in Europe.

The Frenchman has made more than 200 appearances for Real Madrid since signing from Lyon and was dubbed a “quiet force” by fellow teammate and countryman Kylian Mbappe. Carlo Ancelotti called him “the best in the world”, however, his lack of attacking output has him low down the list.

Ferland Mendy: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Champions League

2022, 2024

La Liga

2021

Nations League

2021

Copa del Rey

2023

UEFA Super Cup

2022, 2024

Spanish Super Cup

2020, 2022, 2024

11 Theo Hernandez Al-Hilal and France

Since leaving Real Madrid for AC Milan in 2019, Theo Hernandez has gone from strength to strength and has earned the praise of legendary left-back Paolo Maldini, who hailed the Frenchman as “special”.

Hernandez, who sealed a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in 2025, also has the blistering pace required to get back from attacking phases and show his defensive qualities.

Theo Hernandez: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Champions League

2018

Serie A

2022

Nations League

2021

FIFA Club World Cup

2018

UEFA Super Cup

2017

Spanish Super Cup

2017

Italian Super Cup

2025

10 Andrea Cambiaso Juventus and Italy

Arguably a player who has been going under the radar is Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso. Labelled as an attacking left-wing back with “world-class” vision and “elite passing ability”, the 25-year-old’s Transfermarkt valuation has rocketed to €35m.

Previously linked with Man City, Cambiaso, who actually doesn’t have a weak foot, could soon be the next star left-back to try his luck in the Premier League.

Andrea Cambiaso: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Coppa Italia

2024

Serie B

2021

9 Alvaro Carreras Real Madrid and Spain

Part of Real Madrid’s youth set-up from 2017 to 2020 before joining Man Utd, Alvaro Carreras is now back at the Bernabeu after impressing for Benfica in recent seasons.

Madrid paid €50m and gave Carreras a six-year contract, and he has slotted straight into Xabi Alonso’s defence.

Alvaro Carreras: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Taca da Liga

2025

8 Myles Lewis-Skelly Arsenal and England

Another impressive youngster starring on the big stage has been Myles Lewis-Skelly at Arsenal. The Englishman has even featured as a left-back under Thomas Tuchel with England, despite coming through the Gunners academy as a midfielder.

Mikel Arteta has used the 19-year-old as a left-back at the Emirates, and Jamie Carragher has even compared Lewis-Skelly’s “football arrogance” to Jude Bellingham and Wayne Rooney.

7 Milos Kerkez Liverpool and Hungary

Milos Kerkez only cost Bournemouth £15m from AZ Alkmaar back in 2023, and the Cherries made a nice profit on the left-back who has joined Liverpool.

The Hungarian is already on his way to the top, so it’s no surprise to see the Reds come in for “one of the most talented left-backs in world football”.

6 Riccardo Calafiori Arsenal and Italy

Riccardo Calafiori now appears to have taken over at Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s first choice left-back, with the Italian also capable of filling in at centre-back if required.

Arteta hailed Calafiori’s unpredictability, saying his attacking edge can be “very difficult to control for the opponent”. His stunning first Gunners goal against Man City highlights that.

Shadab Khan puts in a strong all-round show as Bangladesh fall for 164 in pursuit of 202 in the first T20I in Lahore

Mohammad Isam28-May-2025

Hasan Ali marked his return to T20Is with a five-for•Associated Press

Hasan Ali bagged career-best figures of 5 for 30 in his first T20I in a year and Shadab Khan produced a strong all-round performance as Pakistan eased past Bangladesh in the series opener in Lahore on Wednesday.After captain Salman Agha, who top-scored for Pakistan with 56 off 34 balls, and Shadab, who scored 48 off 25 balls, lifted Pakistan to 201, Hasan led their defence. After removing the Bangladesh openers with the new ball, Hasan returned to dismiss the dangerous Jaker Ali, Tanzim Hasan and Shoriful Islam.Litton Das top-scored for Bangladesh with 48 and Jaker hit 36 off 21 balls lower down the order, but it was not enough to stop Pakistan from claiming a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.Bangladesh rock Pakistan earlyThe sight of Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman walking out to open for Pakistan must have been soothing for their fans. But both the openers were back within two overs. Ayub, in his return for Pakistan from an ankle injury suffered in South Africa last year, got out first ball. He closed the face of his bat too early, offering a return catch to Mahedi Hasan. Shoriful then removed Fakhar next over, darting an inswinger back into the pads. Shoriful became the fourth Bangladesh bowler to take 50 wickets in T20Is.Mohammad Haris, however, brought Shoriful down to earth with three boundaries in a row, as the left-arm fast bowler went for 16 in the fourth over. Salman hit Mahedi for three fours in the next over, too, to help Pakistan cross fifty in the powerplay. Haris, though, fell in the seventh over for 31 off 18 balls.Mahedi Hasan celebrates with his team-mates after dismissing Saim Ayub•AFP/Getty Images

Salman and Nawaz combine wellDespite the departure of Haris, Salman kept going for Pakistan. He struck Tanzim and Rishad Hossain for boundaries, before Hassan Nawaz, fresh from his PSL 2025 heroics, bashed Rishad for his first six. Salman mixed his big-hitting with delicate shots, like scoops and late cuts, as Pakistan’s run rate got a big boost.In the tenth over, Salman flicked Tanzim for a six, before pasting him through point and then dabbing him past the keeper. Nawaz, meanwhile, kept the pressure on Bangladesh with a pair of sixes off Rishad and Hasan Mahmud, before the latter removed Salman with a dipping full toss. It ended a 65-run stand for the fourth wicket.Nawaz batted on for Pakistan, smashing Rishad for a six over extra-cover, followed by two more fours. The second four was a chance, but Parvez Hossain Emon ended up dropping a sitter at long-on and parrying the ball into the boundary. Nawaz, however, fell next ball, caught and bowled by Rishad, for 44 off 22 balls.Shadab bosses the death oversPakistan went 18 balls without a boundary after Nawaz’s dismissal. Shamim Hossain was the surprise package with his part-time offbreaks; he dismissed Khushdil Shah in the 17th over for his maiden T20I cricket.Shadab, though, went after Rishad in the 18th, taking him for a sequence of 6, 6, 4. Faheem Ashraf launched Shamim over midwicket in the penultimate over before Shadab struck two more fours off Shoriful in the last over. Shadab’s hits were vital to Pakistan crossing 200.Shadab Khan’s big hits were crucial for Pakistan at the death•AFP/Getty Images

Hasan wrecks Bangladesh’s chaseHasan struck his first blow when he had Parvez caught at mid-on for 4 in his first over. In his next over, Tanzid took him for a brace of fours, but the fast bowler hit back to knock him over with a knuckle ball.When Hasan returned to the attack in the 18th over, Bangladesh were 141 for 6, still needing 61 off 18 balls. Jaker was on 30 off 18 balls at that point, with his big-hitting offering Bangladesh hope. Hasan conceded a six with his first legal ball in his second spell, but bounced Jaker out next ball for 36 off 20 balls. In the same over, he had Tanzim caught and bowled for 1.In the final over, Hasan completed his five-for and dismissed Bangladesh for 164.Litton, Hridoy get stuckLitton and Towhid Hridoy had added 63 for the third wicket, but they didn’t find the tempo that could have hurt Pakistan. Hridoy managed only 17 off 22 balls, with just one four. It was his slowest knock in a T20I in which he has faced at least 20 balls.His captain also had a slow start – Litton was on 11 off 12 balls at one point – but a four off Shadab saw him break free in the eighth over. Litton went on to hit three sixes before Shadab had the last laugh, having him caught at backward point. Litton’s dismissal precipitated Bangladesh’s slide.

Something has to change at West Ham United.

As things stand, the East Londoners are in the relegation zone with just one win from four games and a goal difference of negative seven.

If things don’t start to improve, and fast, the Hammers could be in real danger of losing their Premier League status come May.

It may be time for Graham Potter to be replaced, and while there is talk of Slaven Bilic taking his place, reports now suggest the club could be looking at someone who’d be even better.

West Ham target Potter and Bilic upgrade

Although it’s still early in the season, West Ham have been linked with several potential replacements for Potter.

One name that keeps coming up this week is former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who guided his former side back to European football last season.

Another name that has been consistently linked with the Hammers this month is Frank Lampard, who appears to be doing a decent enough job with Coventry City in the Championship this year.

However, another manager has now been thrown into the ring, someone who’d be a better option than Bilic: Gary O’Neil.

Yes, according to a recent report from Dean Jones, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss has been “mentioned” by some at the club.

The Englishman has been out of a job for over nine months, and while he might not be the most glamorous of options, we reckon he would be an upgrade on Potter and a better choice than Bilic.

Why O'Neil would be a better hire than Bilic

So, there might be a number of you wondering why we are advocating for O’Neil over Bilic.

Manager Focus

Expand Collapse

After all, the Croat achieved a higher points-per-game average in his last job than the Englishman did in his.

Well, their last jobs are, in fact, one of, if not the most important reasons, as while the former West Bromwich Albion boss’s previous role saw him manage in the Saudi Pro League, O’Neil’s saw him in charge of Wolves.

Moreover, he wasn’t just tasked with overseeing a relatively stable mid-table side; the 42-year-old was handed the incredibly challenging job of saving the Old Gold from relegation, which he did do in his first season.

On top of that, while he was let go by Bournemouth for the more exciting Andoni Iraola, he also did what genuinely seemed impossible at the time and kept them in the league when taking the reins from Scott Parker in August 2022.

Also, that isn’t some reimagining of the situation; it was a pretty standard opinion that the Cherries would be going down at the time, so much so, in fact, that the club ended up making a snarky compilation of pundits and content creators saying so at the end of the season.

So, while he has been sacked from his last two jobs, the former Bournemouth boss did incredibly well in keeping both of them in the top-flight, and remains popular among the fans of both.

In contrast, Bilic was fired from his job in the Saudi Pro League, fired by Watford before that for underachieving and then prior to that spent a year managing Beijing Guoan.

In other words, while some fans might have positive memories of him from around a decade ago, the Split-born coach has not managed at a high level for a very long time.

Bilic’s recent jobs

Team

Joined

Left

Al-Fateh

07/23

08/24

Watford

09/22

03/23

Beijing Guoan

01/21

01/22

West Brom

07/19

12/20

Al-Ittihad

10/18

02/19

All Stats via Sofascore

Finally, while re-hiring Bilic might seem like a romantic idea to some, it’s hard to think of many instances of managers returning to clubs and doing better the second time around.

Moreover, both played for the club, so the Beckenham-born boss still has that connection to West Ham that should help him get to grips with things quicker.

Ultimately, even though both managers would be upgrades on Potter, we really think the Irons would be better off hiring O’Neil.

Related "Fantastic" manager now tempted to replace Graham Potter at West Ham

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Posts ByEmilio Galantini Sep 19, 2025

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are known to go hard with the bat. That’s why they are expected to be the first team to score 300 in the IPL. Their method of attacking from the get-go got them a win in their opening match of IPL 2025. But they have lost two in a row since, the latest being a seven-wicket loss against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Vishakhapatnam. But SRH captain Pat Cummins believes that with the approach they have, “it happens”.SRH lost four wickets inside the powerplay and yet did not stop attacking. They were 58 for 4 after six overs, 105 for 4 after ten, and were bowled out for 163. That they reached there was thanks in large part to Aniket Verma, who hit a 41-ball 74.”We just never really got going,” Cummins said after the match. “Aniket gave us a score, but we lost a few early wickets. I think not all of them are bad shots. It happens. Obviously, a run-out and a couple [of batters] were caught on the fence, so yes, it happens.Related

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“I don’t think it’s big margins. On another day, you get going, you play one or two shots, and suddenly you’re into your innings. Not everything has gone our way in the last two games. Everything just about went our way in that first game. You review it, maybe there’s one or two options you could have done differently and the result looks a lot different.”One of the key battles ahead of the match was between Travis Head and Mitchell Starc, and DC captain Axar Patel’s move to give Starc a third over in the powerplay paid off.Mitchell Starc picked up his maiden T20 five-for•BCCI

“The plan [generally] is that I will bowl two overs [of Starc] at the start and two at the death,” Axar said. “But the situation was such that he was in rhythm, he had already given us two wickets, they [SRH] had lost three wickets. So I was thinking that in this over, I know what the opponent is going to do – they were going to attack. If we get a wicket, we could close the game. That was the plan and it was successful.”Coming into this game, Starc had dismissed Head five times in 42 balls for 24 runs across formats. Head began in the right manner today, hitting Starc for back-to-back fours in the opening over. But in Starc’s third over, Head gloved a ramp shot to a back-of-good-length offcutter to wicketkeeper KL Rahul.”I’ve played for long enough that I think guys obviously know what I’m trying to do,” Starc, the Player of the Match for his 5 for 35, said. “You’ve got to try and think of different ways or outside-the-box ways to be effective in T20 cricket these days. Even as an older player, you’ve still got to try and find new balls or find different ways to try and get batters out. It was nice to play a little bit of a different role.”I’m not sure there’s too many egos in the bowlers these days in T20 cricket,” he said. “It’s just you hang on for dear life sometimes. As a bowler, you have to think outside the box a lot more now with how the scores are trending and try and do things that you wouldn’t normally do and try and find a little bit of a leeway against these batters. It was nice to contribute in that way today.”

Veteran batter replaces David Lloyd having previously led county between 2012 and 2016

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Mar-2025

Wayne Madsen scored more than 1000 runs in 2024•Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Wayne Madsen has been reappointed as Derbyshire’s club captain and will lead the team in County Championship cricket this summer.Madsen, 41, agreed to take on the role less than a month before the start of the season, following the decision of David Lloyd to stand down. Madsen was previously Derbyshire’s captain between 2012 and 2016, overseeing promotion from Division Two of the Championship in his first season.”Wayne has always shown great leadership qualities and he’s a popular member of our dressing room, so I’m delighted he will be leading our team in 2025,” Derbyshire’s head of cricket, Mickey Arthur, said.Related

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“His experience is invaluable; he has won promotion once as a captain already and I’m looking forward to seeing how his ideas play out on the field.”Wayne is a player who always leads by example, he is the one that sets the standards in training and with his professionalism, and I know he will approach the role with real pride and enthusiasm.”In a disappointing 2024 campaign, which saw Derbyshire claim the wooden spoon after finishing bottom of Division Two, Madsen was the club’s leading Championship run-scorer, with 1005 at 50.25 – the seventh time in 12 seasons that he has crossed the 1000-run mark.Overall, he has scored 14,601 first-class runs for Derbyshire, putting him ninth on the list for the club.Madsen said: “It’s a real privilege to captain Derbyshire again. I know what it means to represent this great county and its members, and I take immense pride in leading the team on the field.”David [Lloyd] has done a fantastic job in laying the foundations for me to build on. While results didn’t always go our way last season, he and Mickey, with his vast experience and knowledge, have fostered a real sense of togetherness and resilience within the squad – qualities I want to carry forward this year.”I’m proud to lead this team and excited about what we can achieve under Mickey’s guidance. With the talent and character in this squad, we’re determined to win games and bring success to our supporters.”

Otago fast bowler has played ten ODIs, and was impressive during the recent home series against Sri Lanka

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jan-2025Fast bowler Jacob Duffy has been added to New Zealand’s squad for the ODI tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa beginning in Lahore on February 8. His inclusion is primarily as cover for Lockie Ferguson, who is currently playing in the ILT20 in the UAE.Duffy, 30, has played ten ODIs, and taken 18 wickets at an average of 25.94 and economy of 6.25. He recently took four wickets in two ODIs, and eight in three T20Is against Sri Lanka in a home series that ended earlier in January.The New Zealand squad departs for Pakistan on February 3 to play the tri-series followed by the Champions Trophy. Their two round-robin fixtures in the tri-series are in Lahore, against Pakistan on February 8 and South Africa on February 10. The final is in Karachi on February 14.New Zealand then play a Champions Trophy warm-up game against Afghanistan on February 16, followed by the tournament opener against Pakistan on February 19, with both those fixtures also being in Karachi.They then travel to Rawalpindi to play their second Group A fixture against Bangladesh on February 24, followed by a trip to Dubai for the game on March 2 against India, who are not playing any of their Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan because they did not get government clearance to travel.New Zealand squad for tri-series and Champions TrophyMitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Jacob Duffy (tri-series only)

تحدث البرتغالي المخضرم جوزيه مورينيو المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي بنفيكا، عن عودته مرة أخرى لملعب ستامبفورد بريدج لمواجهة فريقه القديم تشيلسي ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ومن المقرر أن يواجه بنفيكا نظيره تشيلسي مساء اليوم، الثلاثاء، على ملعب “ستامبفورد بريدج”، في إطار منافسات الجولة الثانية من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وقال مورينيو، عن عودته مرة أخرى لملعب “ستامبفورد بريدج” في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس”: “إنه موطني، النادي عظيم، إنه من تلك الأندية التي يمر بها الناس لكنه يبقى في التاريخ، لا أحد يحاول محو التاريخ، فهناك أندية تفعل ذلك”.

وأضاف: “لندن لها معنى كبير داخلي لكن أعظم معانيه هو وجود ابني هنا ينتظرني، لم أعد أزرق أنا أحمر وأحمر جدًا الآن، أنا من بنفيكا أعمل مع بنفيكا. لقد حدث لي هذا مرات عديدة أثناء اللعب ضد فرق عريقة، ولا توجد أي مشكلة أثناء المباراة”.

وعن هتاف الجمهور باسمه قال: “أفضل ألا يحدث ذلك ولكن إذا حدث، فسيكون ذلك ثانيتين من الامتنان الصادق وسأركز على العمل الذي بين يدي، لم تكن مشاعري عند الوصول عميقة إلى هذا الحد فأنا أعيش هنا تقريبًا كل يوم، أعرف نفسي جيدًا لقد لعبت كثيرًا ضد تشيلسي مع فرق سابقة، سيكون بنفيكا هو الفريق الرابع الذي أتي معه إلى هنا، من حيث المبدأ لن أشعر بأي عداوة وهذا لن يضرني بأي شيء، يمكنني عزل نفسي عن هذا السياق دون أي مشكلة”.

اقرأ أيضًا | كاراجر: ما يحدث في مانشستر يونايتد “كارثي”.. ويجب إقالة أموريم

وعما قاله بيدرو نيتو إنه يرغب بالعمل مع جوزيه مورينيو: “هل أرغب في ضمه؟ بالتأكيد، أرغب في ذلك، إنه من أفضل لاعبي الأجنحة في العالم، روبرتو مارتينيز محظوظ لأنه يمتلك ثلاثة أو أربعة لاعبين بنفس مستواه بينما لا نملك مثله هنا بالطبع، أرغب في ضمه لكن وضعه المالي مختلف، وعلينا أن ننسى ذلك، آمل ألا يتعرض لإصابة”.

واستطرد: “سأظل دائمًا أزرقًا، أنا جزء من تاريخ تشيلسي وهم جزء من تاريخي، لقد ساعدتهم في أن يصبحوا أكبر وساعدوني في أن أصبح أكبر، عندما أقول إنني لست أزرقًا، فأنا أشير فقط إلى الوظيفة التي يتعين علي القيام بها غدًا، تشيلسي آلة فوز، في العامين أو الثلاثة أعوام الماضية لم يكن لديهم لحظات كثيرة بدون ألقاب”.

واسترسل: “عندما كنت هنا، استمر فريقي في الفوز، الآن كان هناك تحول ولم يفز المدربون الآخرون بالألقاب لفترة من الوقت، لقد فازوا قبلي ثم بدأوا في الفوز بالمزيد وما زالوا يفوزون، لديهم أكبر الألقاب لكن لا تخطئ تشيلسي آلة فوز كما قلت وحتى يفوز أحدهم بأربعة ألقاب في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز فلن يكون أحد أكبر مني في تاريخ هذا النادي”.

وعن عودته إلى تشيلسي مدربًا في يوم من الأيام: “لا أحد يعلم، بعد 25 عامًا، كنت أتمنى العودة إلى البرتغال مع المنتخب الوطني وليس مع بنفيكا، والآن أنا هنا في بنفيكا، لذلك ليس لدي أي خطط لمسيرتي المهنية، لا أفكر فيما قد يحدث والأهم من ذلك أينما كنت، أن أقدم أفضل ما لدي، يجب أن تترك الأندية دون أن تندم، لقد غادرت، وأنا سعيد جدًا في بنفيكا، حتى انطلاق المباراة، سيكون تشيلسي فريقي ثم خلال المباراة، سيكون بنفيكا فريقي”.

وعن عودته إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا مرة أخرى أتم: “لم تكن السنوات التي لم أشارك فيها في دوري أبطال أوروبا سيئة، فقد لعبتُ نهائي الدوري الأوروبي ودوري المؤتمر الأوروبي، من البديهي أن دوري أبطال أوروبا هو البطولة الأهم، البطولة التي تضم أهم الأندية في أوروبا، وهو يعني لي الكثير، لأن الفوز بلقب واحد حلم للجميع، والفوز بلقبين أفضل”.

توج النجم الفرنسي عثمان ديمبلي لاعب فريق باريس سان جيرمان، بجائزة الكرة الذهبية “بالون دور 2025″، في حفل أقيم بالعاصمة الفرنسية باريس.

وأقيم حفل الكرة الذهبية “بالون دور” للعام 2025 ليلة الإثنين على مسرح “دو شاتليه” في باريس، بحضور عدد كبير من نجوم كرة القدم.

وفاز ديبملي بالجائزة للمرة الأولى في مسيرته، بعدما قدم موسمًا رائعًا رفقة فريقه باريس سان جيرمان الفرنسي.

وقال ديمبلي عقب التتويج بجائزة الكرة الذهبية وسط تصفيق حار من المتواجدين: “شكراً جزيلاً لكم جميعًا، ما حدث لي للتوّ لا يُصدق، لا أستطيع وصف مدى سعادتي”.

وأضاف: “لقد كان موسماً رائعاً مع باريس سان جيرمان، عشتُ تجارب رائعة، لكنني أشعر ببعض التوتر؛ الأمر ليس سهلاً”.

وأردف: “إن استلام هذه الجائزة وتقديمها لي من رونالدينيو أمرٌ استثنائي، أود أن أشكر باريس سان جيرمان، الذي جاء ليأخذني معه في عام 2023، الرئيس، والفريق بأكمله، والنادي، الذي يُشبه عائلة رائعة، منذ اليوم الأول، كان الرئيس رائعاً معي”.

وواصل ديمبلي: “أود أن أشكر جميع موظفي باريس سان جيرمان الذين كانوا رائعين، لويس إنريكي، الذي أصبح بمثابة أب لي، إنه شخص مهم جداً لمسيرتي المهنية، مع أنها لم تنتهِ بعد”.

وأشار: “شكراً جزيلاً لجميع زملائي في الفريق، لقد حصلنا على كل شيء تقريبًا، لقد كنتم بجانبي، وتمكنا من الارتقاء بمستوانا لنتمكن من الفوز بالألقاب الجماعية، إنها جائزة فردية، لكننا جميعاً نحملها إلى ديارنا كفريق، لقد استفدنا من كل شيء تقريبًا”.

وأكمل: “لقد كنتم بجانبي، وتمكنا من الارتقاء بمستوانا لنتمكن من الفوز بالألقاب الجماعية، إنها جائزة فردية، لكننا جميعاً نحملها إلى ديارنا كفريق”.

واسترسل: “شكراً جزيلاً لجميع الفرق التي لعبت لها، ستاد رين، دورتموند، والنادي الذي لطالما حلمت به، برشلونة، تعلّمت هناك إلى جانب لاعبين مثل ميسي وإنيستا، لقد كانت تجربة تعليمية رائعة”.

وأتم: “أنا سعيد للغاية، عندما أنظر إلى قائمة الأساطير الذين فازوا بها… لقد عملت مع الفريق للفوز بدوري أبطال أوروبا والدوري الفرنسي… أن أتمكن من الفوز بهذه الكأس أمرٌ لا يُصدق، أنا سعيد للغاية”.

England Under-19 quick takes a hat-trick after Joe Weatherley, Nick Gubbins set up big Hants total

ECB Reporters Network07-Aug-2024

Dominic Kelly in action for England U19s•ICC via Getty Images

Dominic Kelly took Hampshire’s first List A hat-trick since 1981 and his first professional five-wicket haul to set up a crushing 143-run victory over Derbyshire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.Kelly, the 18-year-old quick, dismissed Zak Chappell, Harry Moore and Daryl Dupavillon to become just the third treble taker for Hampshire – after John Rice against Northamptonshire in 1975 and Malcolm Marshall against Surrey.Joe Weatherley had put the victory in motion with an authoritative 93 in tandem with Nick Gubbins’ 27th format fifty – the pair putting on 113 to set Hampshire towards 295.Other than Brooke Guest’s 44, Derbyshire failed to compete in reply before Kelly’s heroics.Last year’s losing finalists Hampshire end their Utilita Bowl games with a 100 percent record, and just one defeat so far to sit pretty for a knockout place. For Derbyshire this was their second loss.Derbyshire won the toss on their first visit to Utilita Bowl for a decade chose to bowl first, and exercised a great deal of accuracy to hold Hampshire to 32 in the first 10 overs.Top-order batting hadn’t thrived for Hampshire so far in the One Day Cup but each of the top three stole the limelight with a patient display which laid the foundations for a second half of the innings siege of runs.Fletcha Middleton scored 30 of the first 44 runs, in alliance with Weatherley, before a steepling top-edge gave Daryn Dupavillon his first of three wickets.But that breakthrough only began a foundation-setting stand of 113 between Weatherley and Nick Gubbins – one that never lacked control, although often felt like the par of 280 was a long distance off.Weatherley is signed with the Brave during The Hundred, but due to a lack of action has been allowed to feature for Hampshire. Last year he scored 100 and 40 in his two innings, and after just one against Lancashire, used his furlough to rack up the runs.His innings was a masterclass in seamlessly moving through the gears, with his seventh List A fifty coming in 88 balls, before starting to play more regular shots on his way to 93.Gubbins seemed to simply tick the runs upwards in his 59-ball half-century as the slow start began to flourish.The platform allowed wickets to fall regularly, but with runs accompanying. Gubbins was bowled by a stunning dipping yorker by Dupavillon before Tom Prest sliced to backward point.Weatherley’s hundred hunt was ended when he was run out attempting a third run, but Ben Brown came in to thump 31 off 22 balls.Brown’s stay was ended with a slog sweep to deep square, Felix Organ was lbw first ball, Dom Kelly clipped to mid off and Toby Albert holed out to the final ball of the innings – 85 runs had come off the final 10 overs through to get Hampshire to their highest List A total versus Derbyshire.Table-toppers Derbyshire’s reply never truly got going, especially after Luis Reece was adjudged to have been caught behind third ball.Matt Lamb needed a runner before he was caught off a top edge, before David Lloyd nicked a Brad Wheal snorter behind and Anuj Dal was bowled by Kelly’s pace.However, Brooke Guest was timing the ball exceptionally, in particular back-to-back offside sixes off Felix Organ. But his promise of dominating the run chase was ended after a running mix-up with Samit Patel, with Ross Whiteley picking out deep square leg soon after.The scene was then set for Kelly to end the 43-year itch, as Chappell swung high into the air, Moore was castled and – after Sam Connors had fallen in the intervening over – Dupavillon was leg before.

توقع كيليان مبابي، نجم نادي ريال مدريد، الفريق الفائز بلقب دوري أبطال أوروبا هذا الموسم، حيث من المرجح أن تحدث منافسة قوية بين كبار الأندية الأوروبية على اللقب بعد التدعيمات القوية هذا العام.

ريال مدريد يدخل هذا الموسم بهدف الفوز بلقب دوري أبطال أوروبا، حيث خرج الملكي من الموسم الماضي بشكل مخيب للآمال من دور ربع النهائي، وذلك على يد آرسنال والخسارة 3-0 ذهابًا و2-1 إيابًا.

طالع.. هويسن: لاعبو برشلونة سخروا مني بعد التوقيع مع ريال مدريد.. وسنرى في الكلاسيكو

ويرى مبابي في تصريحات لصحيفة “سبورت بيلد” الألمانية، أن ريال مدريد هو المرشح الأوفر حظًا للفوز بدوري الأبطال هذا الموسم.

وقال مبابي: ”توقعي للفائز بدوري أبطال أوروبا؟ أقول دائمًا ريال مدريد، هناك العديد من الفرق الجيدة في أوروبا، وقد رأينا ذلك العام الماضي مع النظام الجديد، هذا العام سيكون دوري الأبطال أفضل”.

وعن كبوة الموسم الماضي، أضاف مبابي: ”أعتقد أننا تعلمنا الكثير من الموسم الماضي، لكن حان الوقت لإظهار ذلك، بالطبع الأمر سيستغرق منا بعض الوقت لكي نصل إلى أفضل مستوى لدينا”.

واختتم كيليان: ”هذا الموسم مهم جدًا للنادي، ونحن نتجه أيضًا نحو كأس العالم، لذا فهو مهم أيضًا لكل لاعب يرغب في المشاركة في هذه البطولة بمن فيهم أنا”.