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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted that he's not done scoring after breaking the all-time men's international goals record.

Ronaldo scored two late headers to give Portugal a 2-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland in their latest World Cup qualifying fixture on Tuesday night.

The 36-year-old took his tally of goals to 111 in 180 games for his country, moving two clear of Iran legend Ali Daei in the all-time international scoring charts.

What has been said?

Ronaldo took to social media after the game to outline just how much the record means to him and pay tribute to Daei, who he admits he doubted he would catch.

"From all the records that I have broken during my career - and fortunately there have been a few - this one is very special for me and it's certainly on the shelf of the achievements that make me truly proud," the veteran striker wrote on Instagram.

"First of all, because every time I represent my country is a special moment, for knowing that I'm defending Portugal and showing to the world what Portuguese people are made of.

"Secondly, because national teams competitions have always had a very strong impact on me as I was growing up, watching my idols playing for their flags every other summer in Euros and in World Cups.

"Finally and above all, because scoring 111 goals for Portugal means 111 moments like the ones we experienced today in Algarve, moments of worldwide union and happiness for millions and millions of Portuguese citizens all around the globe. For them, every sacrifice is worth it.

"Another reason for me to appreciate this achievement as much as I do right now, is because Ali Daei has set the standards in such a high level that at some point, even I started thinking that I might never catch him.

"Congratulations to the 'Shariar' for holding the record for so long and thanks for always showing so much respect for me every time I scored and as I became closer and closer to his outstanding number.

"Thank you Portugal. Thanks to all my team-mates and opponents for making this journey so unforgettable. Let's keep meeting inside the pitch in the years to come. I'm not closing the count just yet."

Ronaldo's legend

Ronaldo will have the chance to increase his haul of international goals even further when Portugal take on 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar in a friendly and travel to Azerbaijan for their next Group A qualifying game over the next seven days.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner will then report to Old Trafford for club duty, having completed a sensational £20 million ($28m) return to United from Juventus on deadline day.

Further reading

Angel Di Maria says he "didn't give a f*ck about the Manchester United No 7" after being handed the jersey at Old Trafford in 2014 and claims Louis van Gaal is the main reason for his failure in English football.

The Argentina international forward generated plenty of excitement when making his £59.7 million ($82m) move from Real Madrid.

However he flopped badly - leaving for Paris Saint-Germain a year later with just 32 appearances and four goals to his name - and a man who had an iconic shirt thrust upon him says the experienced Dutch coach was responsible for his inability to emulate the efforts of fellow No.7s such as Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

What has been said?

Di Maria told TyC Sports: "I didn't give a f*ck about the Manchester United No. 7, at first they talked to me a lot about it, it was just a shirt.

"My problem at Manchester was the coach. Van Gaal was the worst of my career. I would score, assist, and the next day he would show me my misplaced passes. He displaced me from one day to the other, he didn't like players being more than him."

Who did Di Maria thrive under?

While Van Gaal was never right for Di Maria, the South American did enjoy considerable success under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

He was taken to Santiago Bernabeu by Mourinho in 2010 and hit 26 goals under the Portuguese coach as the Blancos won La Liga and Copa del Rey glory.

Di Maria said: "Mourinho is insane, with me he was always a good guy. He fought with anyone though, he didn't give a f*ck. One time he fought with [Cristiano] Ronaldo telling him he didn't run, that everyone ran for him."

Di Maria is now into his seventh season at PSG - with 266 appearances for the Ligue 1 giants - and is looking to chase down more major honours under the guidance of fellow countryman Mauricio Pochettino, with Lionel Messi drafted in alongside him.

Further reading

Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga insists it is an honour and privilege to get the opportunity to captain the team against sworn rivals Uganda in the 2022 World Cup qualifier at Nyayo on Thursday.

The Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee led-charges will be hosting their neighbours in Group E, hoping to start on a high. A win by more than a goal will be enough to take either side top of the group after Mali edged out Rwanda by a solitary goal on Wednesday in Bamako.

What is Olunga expecting?

"It will be a very tough game against Uganda considering the fact that they are our bitter rivals. We are from the same geographical area and the matches between the two teams have always been difficult," Olunga told Goal.

"We are playing at home meaning we have to show a good game. All players in the camp have the ability of playing a good game, and I am optimistic we will give everything to get the three points to give us a headstart ahead of our second game away to Rwanda.

"It feels good to represent Kenya, it is an honour and to be given an opportunity to captain the team is an amazing feeling. We are here for a reason; we have to start our campaign well.

"We have had a good camp and training sessions and the boys are eager to go and play against Uganda."

What did Mulee say?

Meanwhile, head coach Mulee has reiterated his stance that his main desire is to make sure Kenya qualify for the 2022 Fifa World Cup to be held in Qatar.

"I think God gave me this job with a purpose and I am also here with a purpose, I have been with this team to the Africa Cup of Nations before, and I also have that huge desire to reach Qatar, so I will do all I can to make sure I succeed with this team and we play in Qatar," Mulee told Goal.

"I know it will not be an easy task, looking at the group we are pooled in but if God will give us a passage past the group stage [maybe by topping the group], because that is our desire and target [to top the group], then we will get ready for the knockout stage where only 10 teams will remain from Africa."

On whether he is feeling pressure heading into the ‘Migingo derby, Mulee said: "It is a huge responsibility for sure handling the national team, 50 million Kenyans behind your back and we know what is ahead of us, we respect Uganda a lot and we know head to head they have an advantage over Kenya."

Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning return to Manchester United during the summer transfer window was the best option for all concerned, claims Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero, with a former Serie A rival of the Portuguese claiming he is "no longer the Ronaldo he wanted to be".

A five-time Ballon d'Or winner brought a three-year stint in Italian football to a close when pushing for the exits and securing an emotional return to Old Trafford in a deal worth €23 million (£20m/$27m).

Juve, who failed to land Champions League honours with an all-time great on their books, were happy to rid themselves of the 36-year-old's salary as he entered the final year of his contract, and Ferrero claims the agreement with United made sense to all parties.

What has been said?

The Sampdoria president has told Sky Sport Italia of seeing an iconic figure leave Serie A, with Juve offering little resistance: "At times it’s better to give up on a few Euro rather than keep someone who doesn’t want to stay with you and because of that isn’t giving their best.

"It’s better for all concerned that Ronaldo left and it’s better for him that he realised he was no longer the Ronaldo he wanted to be."

How many goals did Ronaldo score for Juventus?

While the Bianconeri are happy to move on without Ronaldo, he did maintain remarkable standards while in Turin.

He hit 101 goals for Juve through 134 appearances - becoming the fastest man to reach a century for the club - and helped them to two Serie A titles and a Coppa Italia crown.

Will Ronaldo star for Man Utd?

The Portugal international, who has become the all-time leading goalscorer in men's international football after recording 111 efforts for his country, has agreed a two-year contract at Old Trafford.

He previously spent six productive years with United between 2003 and 2009, before taking in a record-setting spell at Real Madrid, and already boasts 118 goals for the Premier League heavyweights.

Ronaldo has three title triumphs in English football to his name - along with FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League successes - and will be eager to pick up where he left off when potentially making a second debut for the Red Devils against Newcastle on September 11.

Further reading

Jesse Lingard should have "flown the nest" after his loan spell at West Ham says Gary Neville, who has admitted he is "disappointed" the Manchester United star didn't leave in the summer transfer window.

Lingard was sent out on loan to West Ham in January after falling down the squad pecking order at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Fred and Scott McTominay all ahead of him.

A change of scenery gave Lingard a new lease of life as he rediscovered his best form to inspire the Hammers to a sixth-placed Premier League finish, but they were unable to sign the 28-year-old outright and he is now back on the fringes in Manchester.

What has been said?

Neville feels Lingard is one of a handful of United players who should have followed Daniel James in seeking a permanent move, with the winger joining Leeds in a £25 million ($34m) deal on deadline day.

"I would actually have thought that a couple more players at Manchester United [would have left]. I’m disappointed for Jesse Lingard that he’s not left Manchester United," the Red Devils legend told Sky Sports.

"He’ll get a few games, he’ll get moments on the pitch, he’ll contribute, but I think he had something going at West Ham last year that meant Jesse Lingard in his own right was standing up as a really good player.

"To go back to being a squad player again I think, for me, is disappointing. I think you sometimes have to sort of fly the nest and go. I thought he’d already done that with what he did last year.

"So I think there’s two or three players that won’t get a lot of game time this year that could have joined Dan James and really furthered their careers and got more football."

Neville backs James at Leeds

Neville went on to predict James will fit into Marcelo Bielsa's set-up at Leeds perfectly and doesn't see the move as a backwards step for a man who found himself in and out of Solskjaer's line-up at United.

"I think it’s really good for Dan James. I think this is one of those where it’s a win-win, there’s no sadness for me in Dan James leaving because I think he came to United, he always did his very best, he was a massive threat on the counter-attack," he said.

"Manchester United have got a lot of players in those types of areas and I think it’s really important for young players to go and play. Leeds have always wanted him, they wanted him first time around when Manchester United got him.

"He’ll suit the way in which Leeds play. You think of the way Leeds play on the counter-attack with such speed, one-on-ones all over the pitch, he’ll love it there.

"The crowd there is a big crowd, they’re a club who demand a lot as well, so I think it’s a good thing for United to get the money that they’ve got and I think it’s a good thing for Dan James that he furthers his career at a good club."

Further reading

PSV starlet Noni Madueke is hoping he can match the "confident arrogance" he sees in some of his idols like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Madueke has made a name for himself in the Netherlands after joining PSV's academy from Tottenham in 2018.

The 19-year-old has attracted interest from Premier League clubs, and was profiled in Goal's NXGN series last year.

What was said?

After being called up to England's Under-21 side, Madueke told reporters: “All my idols – people like Neymar, Ronaldo, Messi and the new generation guys like [Kylian] Mbappe – play with a confident arrogance. That is something I like and try to implement in my game as well.

“I have high expectations of myself. To me I feel I can be one of the best players in the league and that’s what I want to do. I want to do well for my team. We have already won the Super Cup, got a taste of what it is to win something.

“I want to make sure I am as important to this team (under-21s) as my team back home at club level. We have to keep that mindset and hunger and competitive desire, and there is talent enough for us to be successful.”

Madueke's future

The teenager has already scored six times for PSV this term and though he recently penned an extension with PSV, he indicated he'd be open to playing back in England in the future.

“Yeah, definitely. The Premier League is the best league in the world and every young English player wants to be there,” said Madueke.

“But also I am not someone who is afraid to venture elsewhere so whatever is best for my development, whichever country, I am a person who won’t be scared to take the leap.

“In terms of signing a new deal I feel comfortable committing my future to the club at this point and it has been a great start to the season and I am playing happy.

“When you are doing well there is always interest. My focus is playing well for my club. It is best to stay this summer. It is the right decision.”

Further reading

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken the all-time international scoring record by netting Portugal's opener in their World Cup qualifying clash with the Republic of Ireland.

Ronaldo showed off his fabled predatory instincts once again as he scored in the 89th minute to tie the score at 1-1 at Estadio Algarve, making history in the process.

The 36-year-old had only scored once in his country's opening three Group A matches, but has doubled his account with another finish, becoming the most prolific frontman to ever grace international football in the process.

The history-making goal

Ronaldo's big moment came in the 89th minute, with the Portugal star already squandering a chance earlier in the game.

The newly-signed Manchester United star had a chance to seal the record from the spot in the first half, but was denied by 19-year-old goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

His big moment couldn't be held off forever, though, as Ronaldo scored on a Goncalo Guedes assist in the 89th minute.

And then, in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Ronaldo added a winner, sealing a 2-1 win for Portugal in the process.

Record-breaking Ronaldo

Ronaldo equalled Ali Daei's record of 109 international goals after scoring twice in Portugal's 2-2 draw against France in the Euro 2020 group stages earlier this summer, and has now surpassed the Iran legend.

The Juventus superstar moved two ahead of German great Miroslav Klose as the highest-scoring player in European Championship and World Cup competition (21) after netting that brace, and recorded his 110th strike against the Republic of Ireland in his 180th game for his country.

Ronaldo is also the outright top scorer in Euros history on 14, and he is the only player to ever play and score in five consecutive appearances at the tournament.

Ronaldo's overall career record

Ronaldo's staggering exploits in the final third for Portugal have helped cement his standing as one of the greatest players of his generation.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has also won two trophies with his country, including Euro 2016, but his achievements at club level are arguably even more impressive.

Ronaldo has scored 674 goals in 894 games across spells at Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, and has yet to show any signs of slowing down despite advancing towards his late thirties.

The Portuguese striker has lifted 30 club trophies, including seven league titles and five Champions League crowns, with a Suppercoppa Italiana and Coppa Italia double capping off his last campaign in Italy with the Bianconeri.

He shocked the football world by sealing a surprise return to United on deadline day, bringing to an end his three-year stay at Juve, and will be expected to continue to deliver the goods in the final third at Old Trafford over the course of his two-year contract.

Further reading

Granit Xhaka has tested positive for Covid-19, the Swiss federation announced on Wednesday.

The Arsenal midfielder was left out of the squad to face Greece on Wednesday after showing symptoms earlier in the day.

A PCR test produced a positive result, ruling Xhaka out, while a member of Switzerland's backroom staff has also gone into quarantine.

What was said?

"Xhaka was diagnosed with symptoms on the morning of the game and was immediately isolated in his room," the federation said in a statement.

"A quick test turned out negative, the subsequent PCR test, carried out to be on the safe side, produced a positive result in the evening. Xhaka stayed out of touch with his team-mates all day.

"He will do another PCR test on Thursday.

"The canton doctor of Baselland ordered no further measures for the team because the other players in the senior national team are all either vaccinated or have recovered [from Covid-19]. A member of the staff had to go into quarantine."

Up next for Xhaka

In addition to missing out on the clash with Greece, Xhaka looks like to miss out on a match against Italy on Sunday in Basel.

Following the conclusion of the international break, Xhaka is set to serve a suspension after being sent off in Arsenal's 5-0 loss to Manchester City over the weekend.

Further reading

Liverpool talisman Sadio Mane opened the scoring and Paris Saint-Germain defender Abdou Diallo scored his first goal for Senegal in their 2-0 triumph over Togo on Wednesday.

It was Senegal’s first victory in their maiden qualifying match for the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar on home soil.

Wednesday's triumph also served as a revenge for the Teranga Lions who punished Sparrowhawks for stopping them from making it to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, after they pipped them to the qualifiers top spot.

After a goalless first-half at the Stade Lat Dior, Mane continued his fine scoring run in the national team colours to put Aliou Cisse's side ahead in the 56th minute.

The Liverpool talisman took his international tally to 23 goals as he closes in on Henri Camara's all-time record of 31 goals for the West African nation.

Towards the end of the encounter, France-born centre-back Abdou Diallo broke his duck for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up as he doubled their lead nine minutes from time.

Mane played the entire duration alongside PSG’s Idrissa Gueye, Diallo, Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was in between the sticks to keep a clean sheet for the hosts.

Meanwhile, Watford's Ismaila Sarr, Crystal Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate and Villarreal's Boulaye Dia were replaced in the final 10 minutes.

Next up for Senegal is a trip to Congo for their second Group H fixture on September 7 while Togo will shift their attention to hosting Namibia on Sunday after the disappointing loss in Thies.

Prior to Wednesday’s match, Togo coach Paulo Duarte described Aliou Cisse’s men as the favourites to progress from their group to the final qualifying round later in November.

“It’s a tight group, with Senegal starting out with a slight advantage,” Duarte told Fifa's website. “They’re the favourites and the best team in Africa right now. They’ve got a lot of quality players. On paper, they’re the team to beat in the group, though anything can happen in football.

“The reality on the pitch is different, though. Togo are in a transitional phase, with a lot of key players having retired in the last four years. We’ve gone from being a team that was feared throughout Africa and reached 36 in the world ranking to one that now lies 133rd.”

U.S. men's national team star Christian Pulisic has not traveled to El Salvador ahead of Thursday's World Cup qualifier, U.S. Soccer has confirmed.

Pulisic tested positive for Covid-19 last month, setting up a race against time for him to be ready for the USMNT's opening three World Cup qualifiers.

The Chelsea attacker won't be able to face El Salvador but could still play against Canada on Sunday or Honduras next Wednesday.

Pulisic looks to make quick return

After his diagnosis was confirmed, Pulisic took to social media to confirm he was fully vaccinated and not experiencing any symptoms.

Pulisic was forced to isolate in London, though he was still named to the USMNT roster for their three qualifying matches.

The 22-year-old was able to travel to meet up with his teammates in Nashville, Tennessee this week, where he participated in team workouts. 

But he was left back in Nashville as his teammates traveled to El Salvador on Wednesday.

Who could replace Pulisic?

With Pulisic out, U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter could hand a start to Konrad de la Fuente, who has started well at Marseille after a summer move from Barcelona.

The U.S. is thin at the winger position, with Tim Weah forced to withdraw from the roster due to injury. Brenden Aaronson, a more natural central player, could also potentially be shifted out wide for the U.S.

Jordan Pefok, Josh Sargent and Ricardo Pepi are the three center forward options at Berhalter's disposal. 

Further reading

Ghana international Gladson Awako wants Hearts of Oak fans to control their expectations for the club in the Caf Champions League.

The Phobians are set to lock horns with Guinean fold Club Industriel de Kamsar in the preliminary round of the elite African championship later this month.

It will mark the Ghanaians’ return to continental action for the first time in 10 years.

“They [Hearts fans] shouldn’t expect too much. We’ll do our best, we’ll do what we can to get to the money zone which won’t be easy,” Awako, who recently sealed a move to Hearts, told Joy Sports.

“But I know with the team, the management and support from the board chairman I know, we’ll do our best to get to the money zone.

“So they shouldn’t expect too much that we’ll go and win the trophy. They should limit the expectation, which will take some pressure off the team.”

Last month, Awako made a switch to Hearts, leaving city rivals Great Olympics to pen a two-year deal.

The Kamsar duel will likely provide a competitive debut for the attacker, who previously played for Congolese giants Tout Puissant Mazembe in the competition.

“It’s good to be part of this competition, to take part in the Champions League,” the 30-year-old remarked.

“Yes the supporters and I know the club itself want to get to the top there, which we all know isn’t that easy.

“It’s been a very long time that Hearts has participated in such tournament, so I will plead with the supporters that they should calm down and support us.”

Hearts, African champions in 2000, secured qualification for the Champions League by virtue of winning the 2020-21 Ghana Premier League.

It was indeed a glorious season for the Phobians who also clinched the FA Cup to seal a double. Their cup triumph also won a qualification ticket for the Caf Confederation Cup.

Against Kamsar, Samuel Boadu’s side are billed to travel away for the first leg, before making a return to Accra for the reverse fixture.

The winners after two legs will face Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in the next round.

Akwa United manager Kennedy Boboye has advised Nigeria not to underestimate Liberia in Friday’s 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying encounter in Lagos.

The three-time African champions have previously played the Lone Stars 14 times across all competitions and they remain the dominant team with nine previous wins.

The last time Nigeria lost to Liberia was in July 2000 during a World Cup qualifying campaign, with ex-Arsenal star Christopher Wreh scoring their two goals as Sunday Oliseh grabbed a consolation for the visitors in Monrovia.

With the Super Eagles looking to advance to their third straight World Cup finals, the 2020-21 NPFL-winning coach urged Gernot Rohr’s men to get themselves ready for a good fight at the Teslim Balogun Stadium and keep their unbeaten home record against the Lone Stars intact.

“I will pray that we win convincingly because I don't think there is any small team again on the continent,” Boboye told Goal.

“We’ve got a shock from Liberia some time ago and I think that would be an eye-opener for us this time around. There is no small country again and all we need to do now is to put our house in our order and make sure we get the goals and the three points.”

The other teams in Group C, Cape Verde and Central African Republic, started their qualification campaign with a 1-1 draw in Douala earlier on Wednesday.

In addition, Boboye believes the 30 players in the Super Eagles’ camp are ready to give their all to help the team begin their qualification expedition on a winning note.

“The players they have invited are all playing at their clubs so I give kudos to all of them for making sure they bring their A-game into the team,” he continued.

“Anybody that is in camp will definitely want to give out his best because they are all good players.”

After Friday’s game in Lagos, the Super Eagles will travel to Cape Verde for their next Group C fixture next Tuesday.

They will face Central African Republic home and away in October before wrapping up their group outings in November.

Safa president Danny Jordaan has revealed Hugo Broos' mandate as Bafana Bafana's head coach.

The Belgian tactician is set to take charge of his first match since he replaced local coach Molefi Ntseki as the national team boss earlier this year. 

Bafana will lock horns with the Warriors of Zimbabwe in their opening 2022 Fifa World Cup qualification - Group G - match on Friday. 

Jordaan indicated that Broos has given the association some hope with South Africa having endured a disappointing 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign under Ntseki. 

“The Coach has all our [Safa] support," Jordaan told Safa's media department. 

"We have hope again and we have newness in a team in terms of staff and new when I speak of the players, some of them are very young and already playing international football."

Broos' predecessor, Ntseki was dismissed by Safa after Bafana's defeat to Sudan which ended the team's hopes of qualifying for the 2022 Afcon finals in March this year.

Jordaan made it known that Broos is expected to guide the national team to the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Afcon finals.

“What we will demand is qualification for the next Afcon and the next World Cup and we have faith that we can manage that with the calibre of Coach that we have," he added.

The last time Bafana qualified for the World Cup finals without hosting the showpiece was in 2002 after they finished at top of their final qualifying group which included Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Malawi and Guinea.

Since then the 1996 African champions have failed to qualify for the 2006, 2014 and 2018 World Cups, but they took part in the 2010 showpiece as the tournament hosts.

Broos was fired by Cameroon after he failed to guide the Indomitable Lions to the 2018 World Cup finals despite having steered the team to the 2017 Afcon title.

The 69-year-old mentor will be under pressure to ensure that Bafana start their qualifying campaign well as they will face Zimbabwe in Harare this week, before hosting Ghana on Monday.

Football Kenya Federation Premier League sides KCB and Sofapaka have shown interest to sign AFC Leopards defender Robinson Kamura.
 
The two top-tier sides have joined Gor Mahia in the race to secure Kamura's services, who has publicly shown an interest in leaving AFC Leopards due to a bad relationship with head coach Patrick Aussems.

"KCB and Sofapaka are the latest teams to have shown interest in Kamura," a source close to the player has told Goal.

"Although Kamura is yet to decide which team he will sign for, he has shown that he is no longer willing to play for AFC Leopards despite the fact that he signed a contract extension in 2020."
 
"The entry of KCB and Sofapaka means three local clubs have shown an interest to have him in their ranks after Gor Mahia had made their interest known to Kamura before.

"There is still time to make up his mind as many more teams might show interest within the current transfer window."
 
Kamura saw himself go down the pecking order since the Belgian coach was appointed and the captain's armband was also taken away from him and given to Isaac Kipyegon, as Elvis Rupia took the assistant captain's position.
 
KCB, who finished second to Tusker in the just-concluded season, are expected to beef up their squad with fairly experienced players as they hope to remain a competitive side going forward, and Kamura fits the bill. 

Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku has charged the Black Stars to rise to the occasion as their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign gets underway on Friday.

CK Akonnor’s outfit are set to welcome Ethiopia to Cape Coast for a Group G opener on Friday, three days before travelling to play as guests of South Africa on matchday two in Johannesburg.

The West Africans will be chasing a fourth qualification for the World Cup.

“It is a moment I have been waiting for as the leader of this family because this is my first time,” Okraku, GFA president since 2019, told the Black Stars in a meeting, as reported by CitiSports.

“It is a moment each one of you should be looking up to if you are a top player. If you are top player you need to belong to the topmost platform in football.

“If any of you is not a top player, please this is the door and you can walk out [of the meeting].

“It means you don’t belong to this family and the platform that confronts us beginning on Friday.”

Ghana have set sights on a return to the World Cup after missing out on the 2018 gathering in Russia.

The Black Stars first reached the global showpiece at Germany 2006, where they went on to reach the Round of 16.

They secured a qualification ticket again for the 2010 edition in South Africa, a campaign which saw a run to the quarter-finals where they lost to Uruguay on penalties.

There was a third successive appearance at the 2014 gathering in Brazil, where they suffered a group stage exit for the first time.

“If you are a top player, Dede [Andre Ayew], this is the time,” Okraku added.

“If you call yourself a top player, the world cup is the biggest platform you can think about where all the big players assemble to show what they made of.

“If you are a top coach this is the time to show it, C.K. This is the time to show that you are the best.”

In the run to Russia 2018, the Stars lost out to Egypt.

Jorginho has opened up on some of the criticism he received early in his Chelsea career, revealing that being called "Sarri's son" made him "so angry."

Maurizio Sarri brought Jorginho with him from Napoli after he was named Chelsea manager, hoping the Italy international could run his midfield in London as he had in Naples.

After some early struggles in London, Jorginho had to deal with talk that he was only in the lineup because of his relationship with his head coach.

What was said?

"My start at Chelsea made me miss [Napoli] even more," Jorginho wrote in The Players' Tribune. "We all remember what they were saying, right? I was too slow. I was too weak. I was Sarri’s son. Man, it made me so angry. 

"But listen, they underestimated me. You see, I’ve had a turbulent start at every club I’ve been with. Every club. It’s incredible. When I came to Verona, nobody wanted me. They sent me on loan to the fourth division. Nobody wanted me there either.

"But I kept working and I won respect. I went back to Verona and we went up to Serie A. I had a hard year at Napoli, too, and then Sarri came and changed everything.

"So the Chelsea stuff? Puh! I just used the criticism as fuel. I was thinking, These people are going to be embarrassed.

"And now I’m sitting here with a Europa League title and a Champions League title. So to all the critics, I just want to say one thing. 

"Thank you. Really, thank you all."

Jorginho's turnaround

Though Sarri lasted just one season at Chelsea, Jorginho is now entering his fourth campaign with the Blues having enjoyed a banner year in 2021 thus far.

The 29-year-old helped Chelsea win the Champions League in May when they defeated Manchester City in the final. Less than two months later, he helped Italy win Euro 2020 when the Azzurri got past England in the final.

After his two major accomplishments, Jorginho was named UEFA Men's Player of the Year last week.

Further reading