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Ex-Manchester United starlet Ravel Morrison is "misunderstood" and has immediately improved Derby County, according to Wayne Rooney.

Morrison was once revered as one of the most talented young players in English football, having been part of United's 2011 FA Youth Cup-winning side alongside Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard.

The midfielder never made the grade in the Red Devils' senior team, and has since played for a host of clubs across Europe without properly settling, but Rooney has handed him a lifeline at Pride Park ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.

What's been said?

Morrison is currently on trial at Derby, having been released by Dutch outfit ADO Den Haag back in January, and got valuable minutes for Rooney's side against his former club on Sunday.

The 28-year-old put in a solid shift during the Rams' 2-1 friendly defeat to United, and after the match his new manager talked up the impact he has had on the rest of the squad.

"I think with Ravel, he's very misunderstood," the Derby boss told reporters after the game. "His ability is clear for everyone to see.

"Since he's been with us, the standards in training have gone up. There are things he does on and off the ball that I can recognise immediately. That's where he's brought the levels up in training.

"He showed some nice touches on the pitch against United but we need to remember he hasn't played for a very, very long time. So it was natural that physically he was going to tire."

Morrison's turbulent career

United sanctioned Morrison's departure in 2012 amid talk of the Jamaican being a disruptive presence in the dressing room, with West Ham snapping him up on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Morrison also struggled to make his mark in east London, and after loan spells at Birmingham City, Queens' Park Rangers and Cardiff City, he was released in February 2015.

Lazio then took a chance on the playmaker, but he only made eight first-team appearances for the Rome-based club in four years before a brief spell with Swedish outfit Ostersunds.

Morrison returned to English football with Sheffield United for the start of the 2019-20 season, but was released the following summer after an unsuccessful loan stint with Middlesbrough.

ADO Den Haag then signed the Jamaica international on a free transfer, but were also unable to bring the best of him, and Derby supporters will likely be sceptical over whether he can finally discover a consistent streak under Rooney should he be offered permanent terms at Pride Park.

Further reading 

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega believes Al Ahly tactician Pitso Mosimane is ripe to coach in Europe.

The South African has been a success on the continent and recently he bagged his third Caf Champions League title after leading the Red Devils to a 3-0 win over Soweto heavyweights Kaizer Chiefs. 

It was his second title in a row, with another earned when he was Mamelodi Sundowns coach in 2016. The tactician has also won two Caf Super Cups and he further helped Al Ahly to a third-place finish in the 2020 Fifa Club World Cup.

"European clubs can look in Africa to find new coaching talents. Mosimane for example has many talents and can work in Europe," Vega told Al Ahly as quoted by KingFut.

"Al Ahly have top quality players that can play in major European leagues and I predict some of them will. Al Ahly can get a good place in the next Fifa Club World Cup. They are a team that can achieve a lot."

Meanwhile, Sally Bolo believes Mosimane is the best coach in African football after guiding the club to continental glory.

The former Gor Mahia official has described the South African coach as the greatest of all time in African football after his latest success, and also maintained Al Ahly were the best team and deserved to be crowned champions.

"In Al Ahly's history, Pitso [Mosimane] is a GOAT! He’s won the Champions League twice in a row, congratulations to him, he is the best in Africa,” Bolo told Goal.

"For the tenth time, Al Ahly have won the Champions League, and it is highly merited, they deserved it. Mosimane is the first and only coach from Sub-Saharan Africa to lead teams to three Champions League finals and win all three, that’s Sundowns and Al Ahly 

"In the three Champions League finals he has reached, he has a perfect record. So Ahly has it all: experience, great players, and a great coach. They're simply better in Africa."

"This season, Al Ahly was the better team, losing only one game by a little margin, and they were outstanding [in the final]."

Newcastle intend to keep "badgering away" at Arsenal in the hope of getting another deal done for Joe Willick, with Steve Bruce eager to take the 21-year-old midfielder back to St James' Park.

The highly-rated product of the Gunners' academy system enjoyed a productive loan spell on Tyneside during the second half of the 2020-21 campaign.

Willock hit eight goals through 14 appearances for the Magpies, making history when finding the target in six successive games, and a permanent deal is now being sounded out.

What has been said?

Mikel Arteta has been hinting that Willock still has a role to play in north London, but Bruce is pushing to see that stance relaxed to the point that a summer transfer can be pushed through.

He told reporters: "As I’ve said, it’s really Arsenal’s decision, and until Arsenal make a decision - a bit like all the big clubs, they have a look over pre-season - we’ll keep monitoring and badgering away.

"We’d love to do something but it’s still Arsenal’s call."

Any other movement at Newcastle?

The Magpies are working hard to get fresh faces on board ahead of the 2021-22 season.

They are, however, also clearing the decks, with Andy Carroll among those to have been released.

The injury-ravaged 32-year-old has reached the end of his contract and seen a second spell with his hometown club brought to a close.

Bruce said of the striker: "He's out of contract. I had a conversation with Andy. I think he wants to go and play. I wish the lad all the best.

"I hope it goes well for the rest of his career. He's certainly been a big help to me in the last couple of years, that's for sure."

Further reading

Retired Bafana Bafana star Reneilwe ‘Yeye’ Letsholonyane has revealed why he was almost tired of trying hard in football before his career took a positive turnaround at Kaizer Chiefs.
 
Letsholonyane launched his career at 15 years of age while at Kagisano Masters in White City but when he joined Jomo Cosmos and there was not much progress as his peers got promoted, the South African legend admitted he was tired of trying.
 
"I watched as others were being promoted and nothing was happening. So, I decided to leave," Letsholonyane told FARPost.
 
"I was going through emotions, not sure if I wanted to continue. I was tired of trying too hard, Porto was a new team, on the same street where I was schooling [Kelokitso High in Meadowlands], so they approached me. I thought ‘why not’ since most of their players came from my neighbourhood and I enjoyed playing football."

Letsholonyane's move to Premier Soccer League giants Kaizer Chiefs was facilitated by prominent radio DJ Glen Lewis, who saw an unfulfilled promise in the dreadlocked midfielder when he was in his 20s.

"When I met him he was at PJ Stars. It so happened that we got a deal at Cosmos. Like anyone else, he wanted to reach certain levels. What I knew in my heart was that he wanted to go to Chiefs. He never wanted to go to Orlando Pirates," Lewis said.

"I used to call Bobby [Motaung], saying there’s this player Yeye, but because everyone knows me as a DJ, they all ignored me. So, fortunately, I got a call from Roger De Sa."

The former Highlands Park star had agreed to join Bidvest Wits, but that could not materialise as a call from Kaizer Chiefs changed the plan.

"We arranged a meeting at Eastgate Shopping Centre. Wits made a good offer for him, but I didn’t want us to sign it immediately. I said I needed to speak to his parents," Lewis added.

This is how Yeye remembers how it happened:

"On the day I was to sign the Wits contract, I remember getting a call from Motaung ‘Bobsteak’. I couldn’t believe it," the midfielder admitted. 

"They had so much swag," he said.
 
"Their jersey was the most colourful and when they played it looked like they did it effortlessly. But they were working hard. I knew the previous generations [of Chiefs] were not called Glamour Boys for nothing. They did what the chairman lives for – making fans happy. We also did it while having fun."

Letsholonyane's childhood friend Kgori ‘Dinho’ Mokoro revealed the midfielder had no interest at all in joining either Orlando Pirates or Mamelodi Sundowns.

"He said ‘I’ve been waiting for these people', referring to Chiefs. He didn’t want to go to Pirates or Sundowns. I think he looked at the position he played and loved the Chiefs identity. He felt he would enjoy his football at Chiefs," Mokoro explained.

After making his name with Amakhosi, the South Africa star left in 2016 and was given a standing ovation during a game against Chippa United at FNB Stadium. He won two Premier Soccer League titles, two MTN trophies as well as the Telkom Knockout and Nedbank Cups. He was also part of the Bafana Bafana team that featured in the 2010 World Cup.

Dylan Kerr believes the red card shown to Kaizer Chiefs player Happy Mashiane turned the Caf Champions League final in favour of Al Ahly.

The 23-year-old was sent off after a reckless tackle on Akram Tawfik at the stroke of half-time and his exit saw the Soweto giants concede three goals in the second period courtesy of Mohamed Sherif, Mohamed Magdi Afsha, and Amr El Solia at Stade Mohammed V in Morocco on Saturday.

The former Marumo Gallants FC tactician has told Goal that Chiefs were in command of the game until Mashiane was sent off allowing the Egyptian giants to capitalise and carry the day.

What has been said? 

Asked by Goal to give his views on the game, Kerr said: “Sending off did not help for Kaizer [Chiefs], it was the turning point, it killed the fighting spirit by Chiefs and Al Ahly took advantage.”

On whether Chiefs could have won the trophy had they played eleven against eleven, Kerr said: “The game wasn’t full of excitement in the first half but it would have been a better game in the second period, but then Moshiane was sent off.

“It was always going to be a tough game for both teams had they played eleven against eleven but being a man down and being a final, and then conceding so early after the sendoff, it means Chiefs could not sustain the Al Ahly pressure.”

On whether the red card to Moshiane was justified, Kerr, who has also handled Kenya’s Gor Mahia and Simba SC of Tanzania, said: “Yes it was a red card, but remember it was given by VAR, I hate VAR as a football fan.”

Kerr, who is currently clubless after he turned down an offer to renew his contract with Gallants, has further revealed respect for Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane, stating he had sent him a message to congratulate him after the success.

“I messaged Pitso [Mosimane] and Cavin after the game sending both congratulations, respect to [Mosimane], he deserves recognition,” Kerr continued.

The win against Chiefs saw Mosimane win a third Champions League trophy in his career.

Further Caf Champions League final reading 

Wayne Rooney has given his take on Manchester United's imminent signing of Jadon Sancho, with the Red Devils legend considering the England international winger to be a shrewd addition.

A £73 million ($100m) agreement is in place that will see the 21-year-old forward return to his homeland from German giants Borussia Dortmund.

Once a few loose ends in that deal are tied up, a protracted transfer saga will finally come to a close and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will add another proven creative influence to his squad.

What has been said?

Rooney, who is United's all-time leading goalscorer, is expecting Sancho to shine at Old Trafford, telling Sky Sports on the back of a 2-1 friendly defeat for his Derby side against Solskjaer's troops: "He scores goals, creates goals, so I think it's a very good signing."

The Red Devils icon added: "I think there will be a lot of pressure, which there should be with Manchester United.

"Sancho coming in, they are rumoured to be in for a few more players.

"They are in a period now where the fans will be wanting success, silverware, and Ole and his coaching staff will be under pressure to deliver that."

Can Man Utd win a trophy in 2021-22?

The Red Devils finished as runners-up in the Premier League and Europa League last season, while also reaching the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and last eight of the FA Cup.

A trophyless run is now set to extend into a fifth year, but Rooney believes new additions will help to fire an ambitious outfit into contention for the biggest prizes.

A man who won five league titles and the Champions League during his time at Old Trafford added on United's claims to a top-flight crown in 2021-22: "(Manchester) City, Chelsea the Champions League winners, Liverpool, there are some very good teams, but you can see with Manchester United they are getting gradually better.

"I think they will be in a place where they really will challenge next season."

United are set to open their new Premier League campaign with a home date against old adversaries Leeds on August 14.

Further reading

Nigerian goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo believes he is learning after his mistake for Arsenal against Hibernian in a pre-season friendly.

The English shot-stopper of Nigerian descent was at fault on his debut as the Gunners ended up losing 2-1 in the pre-season friendly played at Easter Road.

Although he was at fault, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta once again trusted him to start in the game against Rangers where the Gunners managed a 2-2 draw at Ibrox.

The 19-year-old has now responded to his display against Hibernian admitting he made a mistake but vowed to learn from it.

“First senior pre-season and senior minutes. We keep learning and working,” the custodian wrote on his Instagram page.

Against Hibernian, the Scottish side scored in the 21st minute after the young Arsenal keeper failed to deal with a back pass from Cedric Soares, allowing Martin Boyle to stab the ball into an empty net.

Hibernian went 2-0 up in the 69th minute courtesy of Daniel MacKay before Emile Smith Rowe pulled a goal back for Arteta's men eight minutes from full-time.

In a recent interview, former Nigeria U20 goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo lept to the defence of Okonkwo, who is one of the keepers at the club with Runar Alex Runarsson and Bernd Leno, following his howler against Hibernian.

"It was quite unfortunate that such happened to him on his debut for one of the greatest clubs in the world," Ojo told Goal.

"I really feel for him. Truth is even great goalkeepers commit blunders despite their years of experience.

"Talking from experience, I'm sure Okonkwo would not be happy with the blunder that cost his team victory. We will keep making mistakes as humans and we'll keep learning every day. 

"All I know is that he'll come back better and stronger. The Premier League side's goalkeeper trainers also have a role to play in this too."

Ojo continued: "That does not make him a poor goalkeeper and you can’t define his ability by just one game. All he needs now is encouragement from people around him.

"Although, if he had kept a clean slate against Hibernians, he would have earned rave reviews, and now that it is the other way around, he should not let that affect him.

"The deed has been done and the game can never be replayed. He is a fantastic goalkeeper and he has a very bright future ahead of him."

It’s pretty hard to not empathise with recent Arsenal transfer target Andre Onana, who could be set for a move to Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais imminently.

If recent reports are to be believed, the former Barcelona goalkeeper could be set to depart Ajax after six years with the Dutch giants.

“Yes, they are interested. The clubs are in talks,” Albert Botines, Onana’s agent, told Voetbal Primeur recently.

Of course, it’s not lost on anyone that the current Lyon manager is Peter Bosz, who took over from Rudi Garcia in May, two months after his Bayer Leverkusen dismissal.

The Cameroon star owes the 57-year-old boss his ascent to prominence after the ex-Vitesse boss handed him his debut and made the goalkeeper his first choice in 2016/17.

Bosz left after only 13 months with the Dutch giants, but Onana kept his place under subsequent managers at the Johan Cruyff Arena, where performances in the Eredivisie and Champions League made him arguably Africa’s number one shot-stopper.

In that sense, a reunion of the pair at the Groupama Stadium makes sense.

Both already have an adequate working relationship after their year together in the Eredivisie, so they would essentially be picking up where they left off four years ago.

Ajax, meanwhile, would be getting a fee for a player entering the final year of his contract. This is obviously preferable to losing him for free in 12 months.

For the Central African, a move to one of Europe’s top five leagues is understandable. Having never tested himself in the continent’s biggest divisions, a transfer to Les Gones makes sense in that regard.

However, are the seven-time French champions the right fit for the 25-year-old?

The Kids haven’t lifted Hexagoal since their last triumph in 2008 and have failed to end second since 2015/16. While last season represented an opportunity to claim an open title race, their damaging gameweek 34 3-2 defeat by eventual winners Lille more or less ended their dream.

Perhaps more damaging for OL was their fourth-placed finish, which means they will be without Champions League football for the second season running.

Garcia’s men still had an outside chance of claiming third spot going into the final day, but a second-half collapse at home to Nice saw them throw away a 2-1 advantage to lose 3-2. Monaco finished third, despite a goalless encounter with Lens, thus beating Lyon to third place by just two points.

The upshot of the final standings means the seven-time French champions will take no part in CL football for two years running, having also missed out in 20/21.

While the last two absences are disappointing, the Kids participated in four of the five campaigns in the continent’s top club competition between 15/16 and 19/20, notably eliminating Manchester City post-lockdown in 2020 to reach the semi-final.

Having said that, the exit of Memphis Depay — the club’s talisman in the last four years — and the expected departure of Houssem Aouar — weaken the club to an extent.

It remains to be seen if Karl Toko Ekambi can still be as influential as during last term’s success, and if Tino Kadewere can build on a commendable debut campaign at the club; while Lucas Paqueta will look to become one of the side’s on-field leaders following Depay’s Barcelona move.

The uncertainty at the Groupama Stadium leaves many questioning the logic of Onana’s Lyon move. They aren’t a destination club, didn’t play in the Champions League last term and will miss the competition this year. The loss of their star player also casts further doubt on the upcoming season.

Perhaps, the ideal scenario for the Cameroon goalkeeper would be playing out the final year of his Ajax contract before seeking a move in 12 months.

The 25-year-old’s conundrum is pretty discouraging: he’s seemingly good enough to play at an even bigger club than Lyon, but the possible destination clubs are either not seeking goalkeepers at this time or face complicated choices.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have Thibaut Courtois and Marc-Andre ter Stegen respectively, Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer may remain in Bavaria until 2023 and Manchester United already face a tricky situation with David De Gea and Dean Henderson.

Juventus are committed to Wojciech Szczesny until 2024, AC Milan already signed Mike Maignan and Inter Milan still value 37-year-old captain Samir Handanovic.

While Bernd Leno faces an uncertain future at the Emirates Stadium, Onana will require guarantees of a starting role if he’s to opt for North London. Chelsea are certainly not considering the position following Edouard Mendy’s debut season success and Liverpool and Man City are secure with Alisson Becker and Ederson respectively.

Tottenham Hotspur have been mooted, even though they arguably don’t particularly fit the bill of a destination club. Hugo Lloris’ contract expires in a year and chances of renewing are up in the air for the 34-year-old Spurs and France captain.

Perhaps the Lilywhites could have swooped for Onana in 12 months if the plan was to release the 2018 World Cup winner in summer 2022, but the Indomitable Lion’s expected Lyon move means he’ll be locked into the Ligue 1 side for the foreseeable future.

A transfer to Europe’s top five leagues could be seen as a success for the Cameroon star, but the long-term merits leave much to be desired.

Goal fans can now take to FIFA 21’s streets wearing classic items and an exclusive, digital-only kit from GOALSTUDIO, all featuring the iconic Goal logo.

Available now until August 13, the Volta Football drop features the orange striker hoodie, player emblem jersey, heart-ball graphic t-shirt and Grab-ity Balance Pro sandals from previous GOALSTUDIO collections.

Exclusive to FIFA 21 is the GOALSTUDIO x VOLTA FOOTBALL Freestyle Shirts and Shorts pairing, which features a black and grey tie-dye pattern last seen in the Fall/Winter 2020 collection. 

All items can be unlocked by completing in-game challenges or purchased using Volta Football coins.

By appearing in Volta Football, GOALSTUDIO joins the likes of FC Harlem, PSG x Jordan, BALR, and Nowhere FC in the line of brands to have featured drops in the game.

Based in Korea, GOALSTUDIO concept stores can be found across the country with its flagship store in the trend-setting Gangnam district.

The clothing has been worn by many of Korea’s K-pop stars, with it being seen on Baekhyun, leader of K-pop supergroup SuperM; Kang Min-kyung, singer and one half of Davichi; and actress and singer Son Dam-bi.

As well as GOALSTUDIO apparel, the brand is home to capsule collections created with brands including Wolverhampton Wanderers and Slow Steady Football Club. Earlier this year, it became the kit supplier of K-League side Daegu FC.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has delivered positive updates on Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez as they continue their returns from injury.

The England international defenders are now in contention to figure in pre-season plans, says the Reds boss.

Gomez has been sidelined after suffering knee ligament damage in November 2020, while Alexander-Arnold saw his Euro 2020 dreams dashed with a thigh problem.

What has been said?

Ahead of friendlies with FC Wacker Innsbruck and Stuttgart on Tuesday, Klopp told Liverpool's official website with Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk also returning to fitness: "It’s different [for each of them]. I think there is absolutely no doubt Joel can play on Tuesday. 

"Trent looks for me like [he can] but I will have to speak to the medical department and they will tell me if it is too early. I don’t think [it is], I think he could play a few minutes on Tuesday.

"Then, Joe and Virgil are in a similar situation – not exactly the same, but similar. Both have done parts of our normal training and then they have to do extra parts. 

"Yesterday we had to do some sprints – hard sprints and these kind of things, which we didn’t do in the normal training – so they do extra stuff and sometimes a little bit less if the things what we are doing is too intense for them. They are getting closer and closer, that’s the impression we have.

"What they did in training so far worked really well and we will see when we can involve them in complete normal training – I don’t know that and I don’t rush it either. It makes no sense, we waited so long and now we can wait a few days longer, that’s no problem."

Did Gomez suffer a setback?

Liverpool are eager to get their first-choice defensive unit together, with Ibrahima Konate having been added this summer.

There were suggestions that Gomez had suffered a setback, but Klopp insists there is no substance to those rumours.

He added on the 24-year-old centre-half: "Not at all. No setbacks at all. Not for Joe, nothing – he’s trained completely normal.

"That’s the thing, these boys are not injured anymore, they are just not at 100 per cent yet. There are usually setbacks but so far there were no setbacks with Joe and Virgil and nobody [else] – they are all fine. What they had to do they did, no reaction with the knee, nothing, all fine. The world wide web had obviously too much time."

Further reading

Facundo Pellistri says he is determined to "push forward" after netting his first senior goal for Manchester United.

Pellistri was handed his maiden first-team appearance for the Red Devils in a pre-season friendly against Derby County on Sunday, and marked the occasion by scoring the winner in a 2-1 triumph.

The 19-year-old, who moved to Old Trafford from Penarol in October last year, has only just returned to Manchester following an encouraging loan spell at Alaves, but hopes to make an impact for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side in 2021-22.

What's been said?

Asked if he is fazed by the strong competition for places, Pellistri told MUTV post-match: "There are a lot of young talents. All the guys want to improve. The training is really hard and I'm very happy with that because young guys are trying their best and looking for a place in the first team.

"I went on loan to Alaves [last season] and I felt good. Now I'm here, trying my best, I'm always pushing forward to be the best I can. I'm always working hard."

The Uruguayan added on his decisive 59th-minute strike against Derby: "I came into the middle asking Shola [Shoretire] for the ball. He saw me really well, I controlled and when I saw the goalkeeper [coming out], I tried to go one way and I scored."

Solskjaer's reaction

Solskjaer singled Pellistri out for praise after the game, highlighting the composure he showed to score and his impressive ability to dribble past defenders at will.

“It was a very good goal, the first touch set him up and he’s very good at dribbling. So going past the goalkeeper wasn’t a problem," said the Norwegian head coach. “He was bright when he came on. I think he showed what he is because he’s a difficult player to play against. One against one he can go past people so very pleased with him."

However, Solskjaer also revealed that he is ready to send Pellistri out on loan again after seeing several clubs register their interest in the teenage winger.

“I can see a loan deal for him," he said. "There’s been loads of interest and for his best interests a loan would be what we look for.”

Further reading 

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Group D (South Zone) matches are set to be held in Maldive, the AFC has confirmed.

Indian Super League (ISL) side Bengaluru FC will take on Maldives’ Club Eagles on August 15 in the playoff match and the winner of that match will join India’s ATK Mohun Bagan FC, Maldives' Maziya Sports & Recreation and 2020-21 Bangladesh Federation Cup winners Bashundhara Kings in Group D.

The AFC Cup (South) Group D matches will be held across three match days on August 18, 21 and 24, with the eventual group leaders advancing to the single-leg Inter-Zone Semi-Final.

More to follow...

Mexico got the result it needed on Sunday night to finish atop Group A in the Gold Cup - but the hero of El Tri's 1-0 victory over El Salvador was unexpectedly right back Luis 'Chaka' Rodriguez, who pushed forward to find the opener.

Rodriguez had scored just one career goal for his country before Sunday, previously netting in a 2019 friendly against Ecuador. After cutting inside his defender in the 26th minute, though, he beat goalkeeper Mario Antonio Martinez with the help of a deflection.

El Tri, who struggled at times to contain El Salvador in the second half, will face the runner-up of Group D - which could be Honduras, Qatar or Panama - in the quarterfinals.

What happened?

Social media reactions

Further reading

Football in the Olympics is not played at a senior professional level as teams are allowed to field U23 players thus making it a youth competition. Only three players over the age of 23 are allowed in the squad.

The U23 rule has been in place since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. A primary reason why the football competition was converted into a U23 affair so that to avoid competition with the World Cup which is the biggest tournament in football.

Several top players have played in the Olympics in the early part of their careers. Players like Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Samuel Eto'o represented their countries and have even won gold medals. Eto'o had won the Olympic gold medal in 2000 with Cameroon. He later went on to become one of the greatest African strikers of all time and one of the best players to have donned the FC Barcelona shirt.

Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria were an integral part of the Argentina squad which the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Current Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola and Spain national team coach Luis Enrique are also Olympic gold medal winners with Spain at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

In the last Olympics, Brazil along with their star player Neymar won their maiden gold medal. Here, we take a look at some of the players who won an Olympic gold medal and later went on to become superstars.

The Olympics is widely regarded as the 'Greatest Show on Earth' and is undoubtedly the most iconic sporting spectacle in the world.

Football in Olympics was started from its second edition in 1900 and ever since then it has been played in every edition barring once in 1932 at Los Angeles as reportedly FIFA wanted to promote the World Cup which started in 1930.

In 1992 at the Barcelona Olympics, FIFA decided to make football an U23 competition in the Olympics so that it does become a direct competition to the World Cup.

At the inaugural edition in 1900, Great Britain won the gold medal. Thereafter, Britain went on to win two more golds in the 1908 and 1912 editions making them the joint-most successful team along with Hungary in the Olympics.

Though, it has to be noted that in 1900 the team which represented Great Britain in football was an amateur football club from London named Upton Park FC. The club was dissolved in 1911. The other two gold medals were won by a proper Great Britan contingent,

Among South American teams, Argentina and Uruguay have won the title twice each. Argentina's triumphs were in back-to-back editions in 2004 and 2008. In the 2008 edition, Argentina star and captain Lionel Messi took part and won the gold medal. Brazil, who are five-time world champions, have won the gold medal just once in history at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Only five countries have won the gold medal in football two or more times. Let us find out the most successful teams in Olympic football,

FC Barcelona are the most successful club in Europe with 95 trophies in their cabinet. They have 26 La Liga titles which is the second most in Spain after Real Madrid (34) and has won the Copa del Rey trophy a record 31 times.

Legendary players like Johan Cruyff, Ronaldinho, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta have donned the Blue and Garnet jersey over the years and have brought a lot of success to the club. 

But among all the greats who have played for Barca, the modern day great Lionel messi has played the most number of matches for the club. 

After graduating from La Masia, FC Barcelona youth system, Messi made his senior professional debut in 2004 and has played for the Spanish giants all through his career so far.

Messi's contract ran out with the club in the summer of 2021 but the Argentine is very close to sign a fresh contract with the club which will keep him at the Catalan club for five more years.

The Barcelona superstar gas appeared in 778 matches for the club. At Camp Nou, he has won every major trophy including the La Liga 10 times and the Champions League four times.

Another club and Spanish football legend and Messi's former teammate Xavi Hernandez is the second most-capped Barcelona player of all time. 

Like Messi, Xavi was also a Barcelona youth product who made his senior professional debut in 1998 and went on to play until 2015. In those 17 years, the World Cup-winning Spanish international appeared in 767 matches for the.

Among the top 10 players who have played the most matches for the club, seven are from the golden generation of the club which reached great heights during Pep Guardiola's tenure.

Here, we take a look at the top 10 players who have made the most appearances for the Blaugrana.

Further reading

Most-capped Real Madrid players of all-time

Most-capped Manchester United players of all-time

Forwards Andre-Pierre Gignac and Rogelio Funes Mori are among the biggest names set to feature for Liga MX in the 2021 MLS All-Star Game.

The squad made up of Mexican top-flight stars will be pitted against a team comprising the best MLS players of the past year.

It will be the first such matchup between North American leagues in this format.

Who has made the All-Star team for Liga MX?

Goalkeepers: Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Alfredo Talavera (Universidad Nacional), Guillermo Ochoa (America)

Defenders: Matheus Doria (Santos Laguna), Pablo Aguilar (Cruz Azul), Victor Guzman (Club Tijuana), Cesar Montes (Rayados), William Tesillo (Leon), Fernando Navarro (Leon), Salvador Reyes (Puebla), Juan Marcelo Escobar (Cruz Azul), Jesus Gallardo (Monterrey)

Midfielders: Luis Romo (Cruz Azul), Luis Montes (Leon), Fernando Gorriaran (Santos Laguna), Rubens Sambueza (Toluca), Guido Pizarro (Tigres), Pedro Aquino (America), Diego Valdes (Santos Laguna), Angel Mena (Leon)

Forwards: Jonathan Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Pedro Canelo (Toluca), Santiago Munoz (Santos Laguna), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Tigres), Rogelio Funes Mori (Monterrey) 

Manager: Juan Reynoso (Cruz Azul)

What is the format?

The best players of MLS and Liga MX will face one another in a one-off exhibition next month.

The first-of-its-kind event in the region will be part of a week-long series of activities including the MLS Skills Challenge and a concert.

“Fans have been looking forward to this historic matchup for more than a year, and we have no doubt the 2021 MLS All-Star Game ... will prove to be worth the wait,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber in a statement. “A game of this magnitude in Los Angeles, played in front of incredible fans in one of the greatest soccer stadiums in global soccer, is unlike anything our sport has seen. This event is a perfect expression of the groundbreaking partnership that continues to build between MLS and Liga MX.”

When is the 2021 MLS All-Star Game?

The match is scheduled for Aug. 25.

Where will it be played?

It will be hosted by Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, home of MLS club LAFC.

Further reading