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Puma have today launched their stunning new football boot, the ULTRA 1.1.

Engineered to deliver the game’s fastest football boot, it combines a dynamic silhouette that utilizes a fully engineered and technologically advanced, lightweight MATRYXEVO® upper with an instinctive running spike outsole to create the ultimate weapon for speed.

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The new design follows years of testing and player feedback from some of the world’s best attacking players, including Antoine Griezmann, Sergio Aguero and Nikita Parris.

Speed is in PUMA’s DNA, continuing this legacy PUMA introduce the next generation of speed. The ULTRA 1.1 features PUMA exclusive MATRYXEVO® technology, providing elite-level stability, durability and traction, bringing groundbreaking innovation and uncatchable speed to the world of football.

“A key feature of the new MATRYXEVO® material is that it is one layer. We wanted to embed all the functionality into one upper material to make it as foot-friendly as possible,” said Romain Girard, Senior Head of Innovation, PUMA.

“This helps to create a superior fit without perforating the material to keep it lightweight, strong and durable. The feedback from our professional players and our consumer testing has been exceptional.”

The MATRYXEVO® upper enables PUMA to utilize a single layer of material that is closer to the foot, whilst providing outstanding support at an extraordinary light weight. This signals the first time this material has ever been utilized in a football boot.

A GripControl Pro skin has been applied to key areas of the upper to provide complete and decisive control of the ball when moving at uncatchable speeds. Bonded to the upper is a lightweight PEBA SpeedUnit outsole, featuring a split sole design inspired by PUMA running spike DNA for dynamic acceleration. The sole plate combines subtle ‘spikes’ in the forefoot and V-shaped blades for added aerodynamics, configured for explosive speed.

The PUMA ULTRA 1.1 launches in the Chasing Adrenaline color combination of shocking orange, black and white and is available on pre-sale from August 12th at PUMA.com and key football accounts, with global release on August 24th at PUMA.com, PUMA stores and at leading football retailers worldwide.

Former Uganda captain David Obua has called on the government to lift the ban slapped on sporting activities in the country.

Like many East African nations and across the world, Uganda moved to ban all its social gatherings and sporting activities immediately after the coronavirus pandemic struck the country.

Football was not spared either as the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) was halted for some weeks before it was prematurely ended, and the Federation of Uganda Football Association (Fufa) moved to award the league title to Vipers SC, who were sitting top at the time the league was suspended.

Since Uganda has only registered 1,000 cases since the virus struck the East African nation, Obua now feels it is high time the government moved to lift the ban on sporting activities.

“In spite of the unfortunate realities of Covid-19, I’d wish for African countries to find a way through consultations, naturally through the ministries of health, to have our football leagues getting back gradually. I hope it’s not done [too] late which can affect team preparations,” Obua, who captained the Cranes, is quoted by Daily Monitor.

Obua’s sentiments have also been supported by Cranes keeper Denis Onyango, who plays in South Africa for Mamelodi Sundowns, where football returned at the weekend, who called on the government to relax the rules and allow football to return in Uganda.

“But at the same time, my humble appeal goes to the government to look at measures that will enable sports activities to resume soon,” Onyango also told Daily Monitor.

“In Uganda’s case, I think the deaths have been few and the infection has not been so high. Sports employs a lot of people and a lot of youths play football. Sports in general has not been mentioned anywhere in the President’s speeches.”

Seven days ago, Uganda President Yoweri Museveni sent a strong indication that sporting activities could resume in the country soon.

The long-serving head of state has left Ugandan sportsmen and women in joy after he tweeted he was considering lifting the ban of sporting activities so that sports can be played without fans.

"On the Covid-19 pandemic, I welcome the positive suggestions like the idea of sports without audiences that have been tried in other countries of Europe,” Museveni tweeted.

Initially, the UPL was set to return on April 19 after the elapsing of the initial 32 days of lockdown, only for time to be extended after the situation failed to normalise. Already, teams in the top-flight are currently busy in the transfer window as they wait for the date to resume the league.

Vipers, who will carry the country’s flag in the Champions League, have already signed three players, among them midfielders Ibrahim Orit from Mbarara City, Jamil Kalisa from Bright Stars, and defender David Galiwango from Express FC.

KCCA have also signed midfielder Bright Anukani from Proline, midfielders Denis Iguma from Kazma FC, Stefano Mazengo Loro from Sheffield FC (Futsal), Charles Lwanga from SC Villa, Ashraf ‘Fadiga’ Mugume from Police FC and Brian Aheebwa from Mbarara City.

Leading betting firm Betika has extended its sponsorship of Sofapaka FC by a further two years.

The deal, worth Ksh 77 million, is a massive upgrade from the initial Ksh 15 million given in the 2017/18 season, and the Ksh 35 million in 2019.

Batoto ba Mungu president Elly Kalekwa has welcomed the deal, stating it will go a long way in motivating his charges.

"We are glad to see the partnership with Betika growing from strength to strength," Kalekwa told reporters during the signing of the contract on Wednesday. 

"The firm has come again to our rescue at a time when we as a club are facing difficult times with the [Covid-19] pandemic.  

"Our players were feeling demotivated from the league but through Betika’s input, our performance on the pitch will improve and we hope to do more.

"Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, our target has always been to fight for the title and this financial help that has been extended to us will go a long way in motivating the players and giving them the support they need to do better."

Betika's head of business John Mbatiah assured all that the firm will continue investing in Kenyan football to ensure it develops.

"Investing in Sofapaka is one of the nationwide activities that we have focused on," Mbatiah said during the unveiling. 

"Apart from Sofapaka, we commit to continue investing in the National Super League, through a partnership with FKF and grass-root football through the ‘Betika Na Community’ initiative." 

The firm has already contributed Ksh 50 million in cash and much more in the form of training gear and equipment.

However, more teams are also benefiting across the country.

"Betika remains committed to the growth of football in Kenya and to date, we have kitted over 3,000 football teams across the country and we commit to doing more as the country continues to open up after the pandemic," Mbatiah continued.

"Our plan is to continue holding Sofapaka’s hand as they identify and nurture football talents and acquire peak performance from all the players, consequently achieving the best possible results."  

Villarreal have completed the signing of Francis Coquelin from rivals Valencia, with Dani Parejo seemingly set to follow.

Former Arsenal midfielder Coquelin has signed a four-year deal with Villarreal, having spent the last two-and-a-half seasons of his career with Valencia.

The 29-year-old expressed his delight after being unveiled at his new club on Wednesday, saying: "I am very happy to sign for Villarreal today, we hope it will be a great season. Endavant!"

Coquelin joined Valencia from Arsenal in 2018, bringing to an end his 10-year stay in north London.

The Frenchman never quite managed to establish himself as a key member of the first team at Emirates Stadium, but he quickly became a mainstay in the starting XI at Mestalla.

Coquelin took in 89 appearances across all competitions for Valencia, and helped the club win the Copa del Rey during his debut season.

It is anticipated that Spain international Parejo, the current Valencia skipper, will join his team-mate in making the short trip to El Madrigal.

Parejo had previously spoken of retiring at Valencia but was subsequently criticised by new Manchester City signing Ferran Torres, who completed a £21 million ($27m) move to Etihad Stadium earlier this month.

Goal reported on Monday that both Coquelin and Parejo were set to join up with the Yellow Submarine for a combined fee of €13 million (£12m/$15m) after being deemed surplus to requirements at Mestalla.

New Villarreal boss Unai Emery has been busy in the transfer market since replacing Javier Calleja in the managerial hot seat at El Madrigal, with Real Madrid winger Takefusa Kubo also signing for the club on loan at the start of the week.

After a fifth-place La Liga finish in 2019-20, Emery will be expected to guide Villarreal back into the Champions League next term, with a view to repairing his damaged reputation after being sacked by Arsenal in November 2019.

If Neymar is worth £200 million ($260m), then Ronaldinho would be priceless in today’s transfer market, according to former Germany international Roberto Hilbert, who lists the former Barcelona No.10 as the greatest player he ever faced in his career.

Hilbert’s Stuttgart side faced the Blaugrana on two occasions during the group stage of the 2007-08 Champions League but lost both matches, 3-1 and 2-0.

Barca also had Thierry Henry, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and a young Lionel Messi in their squad that season, but one player stood above all others, as far as Hilbert was concerned.

"The best player I ever faced was Ronaldinho," Hilbert told Goal. "For me, he is possibly the best player ever still.

“He was quick, strong and always happy. [It was] Stuttgart versus Barcelona and it didn’t go so well for us but I say it was an experience! I just tried to hit him but it wasn’t easy to hit him.

"Him and Franck Ribery, who was the best I faced in Germany, they play football for fun and not work. They are happy to be on the pitch and play with the ball at their feet, they love it, feel it in their hearts and they play for fun.

"They have that talent that God gives them and no one else has it. They are difference-makers because no one else can do what they do.

“Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar all do it too. They love it and have fun at the top level.

“They are never insecure or thinking they are not good enough. They think they are the best player in the world when they enter the pitch which is why they are so good.

“I think Ronaldinho or Ronaldo would be too expensive to buy in the market the way it has gone.

"If Neymar was £200m ($260m) and with his salary, then I think Ronaldinho and Ronaldo Fenomeno would cost even more to the point that they would be impossible to afford."

Hilbert now coaches the second team at Greuther Furth, where his playing career began, in the fourth tier of German football.

Manchester City-linked Houssem Aouar could leave Lyon this summer, the club's sporting director Juninho has admitted.

Aouar has established himself as one of the most consistent performers in Ligue 1 since breaking into the Lyon first team in 2017.

The 22-year-old has contributed 24 goals and 25 assists to the French outfit's cause in 135 appearances across all competitions, and has played a key role in their run to the Champions League quarter-finals this season.

His performances have not gone unnoticed among Europe's elite clubs, as City and Juventus have both been credited with an interest in his services in recent months.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas insisted in April that the club will do everything possible to keep hold of a prized asset who still has three years left to run on his current contract.

“Houssem has not said he wants to leave," Aulas said. "We want to try to keep him even though the interest is considerable. There are no negotiations ongoing.”

However, Juninho has now opened the door to a potential sale, hinting that Lyon will have to consider any substantial offers for their best players, with Aouar reportedly valued in the region of €50 million (£44m/$54m).

Quizzed on the French midfielder's future by RMC Sport, the Lyon chief responded: “Houssem Aouar? When you have great players in the squad, it is quite logical that other bigger teams with greater economic power come to seek the players.

“There is a risk of losing important players. If we lose important players, I have already spoken with the president, we will have the right to balance the workforce.”

Aouar is in line to feature against his potential suitors on Saturday, with Lyon scheduled to face City in a last-eight Champions League showdown in Lisbon.

The talented young playmaker got 90 minutes under his belt in last week's 2-1 round of 16 second-leg loss to Juventus at the Allianz Stadium, which ensured that Rudi Garcia's side progressed on away goals.

City, meanwhile, knocked out 13-time winners Real Madrid 4-2 on aggregate, and will be favourites to advance against a Lyon outfit that must win the trophy to qualify for the competition again in 2020-21.

For the first time, the quarters, semis and final of the UEFA Champions league will be played in a tantalising two-week competition.

And Mastercard are setting out to capture fans’ joy at the return of word football’s most prestigious club competition with a #PricelessWave, creating a new and unforgettable experience that connects football fans and players as they support their teams while watching the games from home.

The target is to create the world’s largest wave and help fans everywhere celebrate their love of the game and their love of the competition.

It will be amplified through a partnership with the world’s fastest-growing social media platform, TikTok and be further leveraged across all social platforms including Instagram and Facebook.

Kick-starting the #PricelessWave challenge are football legends Fernando Torres and Marcel Desailly, encouraging their fans to start the wave.

Fans can then take part in the #PricelessWave by accessing the challenge on TikTok and recording themselves. By raising their arms from the bottom of the screen to the top they will instantly be rewarded with the Mastercard football sonic as well as a ‘confetti of football’ to encourage further celebration.

Get involved and join Mastercard’s #PricelessWave challenge by filming your own celebratory virtual wave on TikTok to show support for your team. https://www.tiktok.com/tag/pricelesswave.

Atletico Madrid have made Eibar's Marko Dmitrovic their top goalkeeping target in the transfer window, with the Serbian being eyed to provide back-up for Chelsea-linked Jan Oblak between the sticks.

With Oblak's current understudy Antonio Adan looking increasingly likely to join Portuguese side Sporting CP, the Rojiblancos see Dmitrovic as the ideal replacement for the 33-year-old former Real Madrid youth player.

Sources close to the situation have revealed to Goal that the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic is complicating matters, however, as Dmitrovic's €20 million (£18m/$24m) buyout clause is steep for a man who would likely be playing second fiddle to first choice Oblak.

On the other hand, what does work in Atleti's favour is the fact that the 28-year-old, who continues to improve under the guidance of Jose Luis Mendilibar, has only one year left on his contract, meaning Eibar have a decision to make if they do not want to lose him for free next season.

As such, an agreement between the sides could be reached to see Dmitrovic swap the Basque Country for the Wanda Metropolitano at a price lower than his release clause, providing the Serb is open to being behind Oblak in the pecking order.

Oblak, widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, remains an undisputed starter under Diego Simeone and Goal reported in July that Chelsea would have to pay the Slovenian's full €120m (£110m/$138m) buyout clause if they want to act on their interest.

Current Blues shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga is no longer Frank Lampard's automatic first choice after a string of error-strewn performances and the club are actively looking to replace him as Willy Caballero deputises in the meantime.

With few teams having cash to spend, it seems unlikely that another side would gamble on the former Athletic Club man, though, and any move for Oblak would surely require Kepa being moved on first.

Should Atletico fail in their pursuit of Dmitrovic, the Spanish capital club will turn to Olympiakos's Jose Sa or Granada's Rui Silva.

Simeone's men return to action in the Champions League on Thursday when they face RB Leipzig in Lisbon for a spot in the semi-finals.

Azam FC have welcomed the latest move by the Tanzanian government for clubs in Mainland Premier League to continue signing 10 players from a foreign land.

On Tuesday, Minister for Information, Culture, Artists, and Sports Dr. Harrion Mwakyembe confirmed the majority of clubs wished for the quota-rule to remain the same rather than reducing it by half hence the decision to uphold the same.

“Clubs can continue signing up to 10 foreign players to strengthen their teams,” Mwakyembe told reporters.

“We had to involve others before reaching the decision and carried out a poll where 977 people participated.

“809 voted in favour of allowing teams to sign up to 10 foreign players and we have no problem with it. Only that the ministry has recommended that those foreign players should learn the Swahili language.”

Azam, who have already signed five new players so far this window, have become the first club in the top-flight to support the move by the government with CEO Abdulkarim Amin ‘Popat’ terming it as good news.

“It is a great decision, otherwise, the clubs to have been affected if the government chose to trim the number could be us (Azam), Simba SC, and Young Africans (Yanga SC) because we have more foreign-based players,” Amin is quoted by Daily News.

“We have received the decision wholeheartedly and we thank the government for listening to opinions made by football fans in the country.

“Until now, most countries have not yet opened up their borders that is the setback we are facing to finish the deals but soon, everything will be done.”

On making the decision, the minister also opined on the quality of the players to be signed by teams in the country.

“It will be good if players signed are of good quality and of exceptional talent,” Mwakyembe continued.

“If possible, we should have players from countries ranked below 50 in Fifa rankings joining the teams; this is just an opinion and not a law.”

The Board of Sports will continue regulating the imports made by the teams in the Tanzania Mainland League and other divisions in the country.

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) picked September 9 as the date to kick off the 2020-21 Mainland Premier League campaign.

Barcelona have confirmed one positive Covid-19 test, but their upcoming Champions League clash with Bayern Munich is not in doubt.

Barca have revealed that an unnamed member of the squad has contracted coronavirus, but the player in question was not included in Quique Setien's final shortlist for Friday's quarter-final tie against Bayern.

The club have released a statement via their official website, which reads: "Following PCR tests conducted this Tuesday afternoon on the group of nine players due to begin the pre-season today, one of them has tested positive for Covid-19.

"The player has no symptoms, is in good health and has been quarantined at his home. The club has reported the matter to the relevant sporting and health authorities.

"All persons who have been in contact with the player have been tracked to perform the corresponding PCR tests.

"The player has not been in contact with any of the senior team players who are scheduled to travel to Lisbon this Thursday to compete in the Champions League."

The statement also linked to a page confirming the nine players that had returned to pre-season training, including Pedri, Trincao, Matheus Fernandes, Jean-Clair Todibo, Moussa Wague, Carles Alena, Rafinha, Juan Miranda and Oriol Busquets.

Setien will still take his original 22-man squad to Lisbon on Thursday as the Champions League reaches its conclusion in a revised straight knockout format in Portugal.

All players within that group are still being subjected to regular testing, and as it stands, the fixture against Bayern will go ahead as scheduled.

This latest news comes just two days after a coronavirus scare in Atletico Madrid's camp ahead of their last-eight meeting with RB Leipzig.

Atletico confirmed that two members of their Champions League squad had been forced to self-isolate at home after testing positive for Covid-19, raising fears over the potential postponement of their tie against the German outfit.

However, Atletico announced changes to their preparations to ensure the safety of players and staff in the following club statement: "The corresponding action protocol foreseen for these cases has been activated, which requires new PCR tests to be carried out on the first team and members of the travelling party to Lisbon and the closest contacts of the positive cases.

"These tests will result in changes to training schedules, and in the structure and development of travel and accommodation in the Portuguese capital.

"The club will coordinate the new schedules with UEFA and as soon as there is a new plan, it will be made public."

Barca and Atletico could meet in the Champions League final, with the former set to face Manchester City or Lyon in the last four if they beat Bayern, and the latter in line to tackle Paris Saint-Germain or Atalanta should they overcome Leipzig.

Nantes winger Moses Simon has named Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo as the player he is modelling himself on.

The 25-year-old is a fan of Ronaldo, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, having won five Ballons d'Or in his trophy-laden career across England, Spain and Italy.

Simon, who was named Nantes’ Player of the Year after his outstanding debut campaign at the Ligue 1 club, disclosed his ambition is to keep working hard like the Portuguese superstar who turned 35 in February.

The Nigeria international ended the 2019-20 campaign with five goals and five assists in 25 league games for Christian Gourcuff’s side while Ronaldo played a starring role in Juventus’ Serie A triumph with a contribution of 31 goals and five assists in 33 appearances.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is the player I modelled my game after. I want to keep on working hard and improving like him,” Simon told Tribal Football.

After making a statement during his season-long loan from Levante, Nantes triggered the purchase option and handed Simon a four-year contract in July.

The versatile forward spent a single season in Spain, despite joining Levante on a five-year deal from Belgian outfit Gent.

During his brief stay in the Valencia-based club, Simon played 19 La Liga games and returned a goal in the 2018-19 campaign.

When quizzed about the differences between the Spanish top-flight and Ligue 1, the Super Eagles star cited the level of technicality and the level of physicality, aside from the language barrier.

"I think both leagues are very good, highly competitive and very exciting to play," he added.

"La Liga is more technical, while Lique 1 is more physical. That is the main difference aside from the language too. For me, it is a big honour to have played in both leagues."

Following the abrupt conclusion of the 2019-20 Ligue 1 season due to the coronavirus pandemic in April, the new campaign has been slated to begin on August 21.

Simon’s Nantes travel to the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux for their opening fixture of 2020-21 league campaign against Samuel Kalu and Josh Maja’s Bordeaux on August 22.  

Matheus Fernandes has opened up on his trophy ambitions at Barca while revealing that he takes inspiration from his "personal hero" Sergio Busquets.

Barca reached an agreement to sign Fernandes from Palmeiras for an initial €7 million (£6m/$8m) fee in the winter transfer window.

With the 22-year-old's transfer to Camp Nou not being finalised until July, he was sent out on loan to Real Valladolid for the second half of the 2019-20 campaign, but was made to wait for his La Liga debut amid the coronavirus crisis.

Fernandes was eventually handed his first taste of Spanish football when Valladolid were beaten 1-0 by Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano on June 20, and went on to appear in two more games for the club before joining up with his new team-mates at Barca.

The Brazilian is hoping he can help the Blaugrana fight for silverware across multiple fronts in the coming years, and would like to see out the remainder of his playing days in Catalonia after completing his "dream" move.

Fernandes told Barca's official website: "I want to win major trophies. It has always been my dream to play for Barca, and now I have got that chance I want to make the best impression possible - and if possible finish my career here."

"I have always had ambition and I always wanted to play alongside such great players, the kind of players that influenced me as a kid, and to follow in their footsteps.

"When I heard Barca was interested it was so rewarding to know that I have been doing things right. Because if a big club comes calling, that’s because you have been doing a good job."

The former Palmeiras star went on to admit that although he always looked up to Barca legends Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi, Busquets was the man he always tried to model himself upon.

"I have admired many players, but most of all Busquets," said Fernandes. "I always took inspiration from Busquets. There were others, like Xavi, Iniesta and Messi, who were all role models for me.

"I am so proud that people compare me to such a great player, my personal hero. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to do what he did in a Barca shirt, but I hope to have a good career here, doing all I can to make a contribution to FC Barcelona."

The midfielder added on the challenge of playing in Spain's top flight: "I had always dreamed of coming here and playing for Barca in La Liga.

"I think this is where the best football in the world is played. I had a few doubts before coming onto the field for the first time, but once you get the ball and hear the fans behind you, you know what to do and it all goes right. I think this is one of the best leagues in the world."

Sofapaka FC's hopes of landing former Gor Mahia captain Musa Mohammed have reached a dead end.

The 2009 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions were keen on landing the Kenya international, whose contract with the newly crowned Zambian Premier League champions Nkana FC had expired. 

However, it was not the case, as the player reportedly demanded a huge sign-on fee which the Kenyan side was not ready to part with.

"Musa is an exceptional talent, and the coach [John Baraza] was keen on working with him," a source close to both the player and the club told Goal.

"The only obstacle was on the sign-on fee where the player wanted Ksh 6 million before committing. It was too much for the club; the club is now working on plan B to ensure everything is seamless by the start of the new campaign."

When reached for comment, club owner Elly Kalekwa was not keen to reveal the details but he confirmed the deal is off.

"We did not agree on some things and we decided to chase other targets," the Congolese told Goal on Wednesday. 

"Sometimes also the coach decides who he wants to work with, in the team, so if he again recommends otherwise, we have to follow because he is the one who will work with these players and not the management."

Recently, the 29-year-old has been linked with a move to the 27-time Tanzania Mainland League champions Yanga SC.

"Yanga are still negotiating with my agent and so we can just wait and see how the talks will proceed. It is just my hope everything will turn positive," Mohammed told Goal in an earlier interview. 

Should Musa opt to join the Wananchi, the former Gor Mahia and Kenyan Premier League (KPL)-winning captain will be playing for the fourth club in his career.

Mohammed featured for K'Ogalo from 2010 to 2017 before moving to Albania for a short stint with KF Tirana. When he ended his contract with the European club, he returned home before moving to Zambia in 2018.

Should he cross to the Tanzanian league, he will be linking up with his international compatriot Farouk Shikalo, who joined the club right after the African Cup of Nations finals in Egypt in 2019.

Joao Felix hopes to emulate Antoine Griezmann's rise under the stewardship of Diego Simeone, whose style of football the Portugal star insists he has no problem with at Atletico Madrid.

Atleti stumped up €126 million (£113m/$148m) to sign the prodigious forward from Benfica after Griezmann departed for Barcelona, beating several suitors across European football to his signature.

It has been a hit-and-miss debut campaign for Joao Felix, who has so far scored eight goals and provided three assists in 35 appearances across all competitions.

Inconsistent form and injuries mixed with flashes of brilliance have been the story of his season, but the 20-year-old still harbours ambitions of becoming a star at Atleti like Griezmann before him.

"If I can do what Griezmann has done or improve it, it will be fine because he has made history in this club," Joao Felix told Marca. 

"He has done it very well, he has grown a lot with El Cholo [Simeone], and if I do it the same, better for me."

Some pundits have suggested that Joao Felix's attacking nature is at odds with the rigid nature of Simeone's coaching style.

Simeone has maintained Joao Felix will show his best form once he has fully adapted to La Liga, though, which the Portugal international agrees with.

"Many people say one thing, others say another, but I am here to play Cholo football and I do what he asks," he added.

"Let's see. I'm adapting to Spain, doing my football, I'm meeting the club and always thinking of improving."

Joao Felix's situation has been likened to that of Sergio Aguero, who scored just six La Liga goals in 38 appearances in his debut campaign at Atleti before becoming a fan favourite and earning a move to Manchester City.

"Kun is now a great player, but when he was at Atletico, I was five years old and I don't remember anything," Joao Felix, who overtook Aguero as the youngest Champions League goalscorer in Atleti history, said of such a comparison. 

"It's good to break records, all the players like to make history and of course I'm happy to be part of Atletico's history and to have surpassed a player like Kun." 

As for the criticisms, Joao Felix says the comments of others do not affect him.

"No, you [the media] do your job and I try to do mine, if things don't go the way you like it, I don't care," he said.

"As I said, I play because I like it and I am not worried about what the press or others think.

"I try not to see [the criticism], but there are some that I hear or come to me, but what am I going to do? Listen and follow my work."

There is high interest in Joao Felix this week as he returns home with Atleti to complete a Champions League campaign disrupted by coronavirus with the tournament being finished in a one-match knockout format in Lisbon.

Atleti face RB Leipzig in the quarter-finals on Thursday and Joao Felix is excited to be playing on home soil.

"Yes, the Champions League is always the high point of any player and even more so playing it here in Lisbon, at home, I am very happy and it is very good for me," he said.

Thomas Tuchel is convinced Neymar will play a pivotal role for Paris Saint-Germain against Atalanta in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Neymar was on target in both legs as PSG dispatched Borussia Dortmund in the last-16 and has been in fine form since returning to action after Ligue 1 was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic in April.

The Brazil international scored in warm-up friendlies against Le Havre, Waasland-Beveren and Celtic before notching the winner in the Coupe de France final against Saint-Etienne.

Tuchel is banking on Neymar again coming to the fore, particularly with Kylian Mbappe set to be limited to the role of substitute following an ankle injury sustained in the meeting with Saint-Etienne.

"I have the impression there's always a lot of pressure on Neymar. You can't imagine the pressure that's on Ney. But he is a lad who likes that, who's used to playing with that pressure," Tuchel told his pre-match news conference.

"We're glad he has the possibility of finishing the match with Kylian - they like playing together a lot.

"He likes the big matches and he likes decisive matches. He's a player you can trust in the big matches.

"I'm absolutely convinced he will put on a big performance and that he holds the keys for us, he has the mentality for situations like this."

PSG defeated Lyon in the Coupe de la Ligue final on July 31 to complete a domestic treble, with a final friendly against Sochaux taking place last week.

The squad travelled to Lisbon for the Champions League finale following a short training camp in Faro and Tuchel believes they are ready for the challenge of knockout football.

"It is hard to play against Atalanta. It is a huge challenge but there are always possibilities," he said.

"It will be a tactical game, but also a mental game. Our latest training sessions were a good mix of concentration and team spirit. We suffer together, but we also fight and play together.

"We all have the feeling we've prepared in the best fashion. For us it was really important to win the two finals.

"It wasn't easy to restart after a four-month pause and then four weeks' preparation to play two finals as the big favourites. That was a big challenge mentally for the players but to win was the best preparation for this tournament."

Manchester United have been urged by Rio Ferdinand to continue their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho, with the ex-defender claiming that the England international is the best young player in the world “bar none”.

It is understood that Sancho is the Red Devils' top transfer target this window, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen to add more quality to a side that has seen a dramatic upturn in form since signing Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes in January.

Dortmund's sporting director, Michael Zorc, however, has stated that the club's prized asset will not be leaving before the end of the 2020-21 season, with the German outfit having set a deadline of August 10 for any interested parties to get a deal over the line.

Goal recently confirmed that United have not given up hope of signing Sancho despite Zorc's comments though, and Ferdinand has backed the 20-year-old to sparkle for the Old Trafford side should they eventually come to an agreement with Dortmund.

“He is fantastic,” the former centre-back told BBC Radio 5 Live. “If he does come he'll be an added value in terms of quality, no doubt.

“Manchester United need top players who are going to have an effect on their first XI and I think Jadon Sancho falls into that category.

“If you look at successful Man Utd sides over the years, successful periods, there were players fighting for every position and if you substitute one out and you brought one in there was no change in the quality or the output.”

Ferdinand's old club have struggled to hit the heights of years past since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, with the likes of Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho failing to win the hearts of fans and pundits alike.

Solskjaer's ongoing squad rebuild has given the United faithful renewed optimism, however, and Ferdinand feels that a return to “attacking, vibrant football” - as well as Europe's premier club competition – means his former side are heading in the right direction.

“That's been the most pleasing point,” he added. “He's ticked a box in terms of getting the team back into the Champions League, which I think would have been his remit at the beginning when he got his hands on the reins.”

New Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA FC) signing Samson Kigozi has opened up on why he signed for the side and what he wants to achieve during his stay.

The 22-year-old winger became the seventh signing to be unveiled at the Lugogo-based giants after he landed from Uganda Premier League (UPL) rivals Police FC ahead of the new season, which is set to kick off on October 17.

Kigozi, who scored a total of five goals in all competitions for the Law Enforcers, penned a three-year contract that will run from August 2020 until August 2023.

Kigozi has now revealed to the club’s official website, why he signed for the 13-time UPL champions.

“When joining KCCA I knew the kind of competition I am to face and I am ready for this. I am going to work hard and see that I fit into the manager’s plans," he said.

“KCCA has great players and is a great team so I know of the competition I am bound to face at my new home but such challenges make great players. I am ready for this.

“I feel so happy about joining KCCA. It is a dream come true. This is a team of trophies with great players and coaches and with great history and success.

“I want to play at the highest level, I want to compete with the best on the continent and at KCCA I have a chance to play in Caf competitions.

“This will give me more exposure as a player. The fans should expect a hardworking man and one who is ready to help the team achieve its goals.”

On signing the player, KCCA coach Mike Mutebi said: “I have really followed [Samson] for a very long time and I know he is one kind of a player, who can help us achieve our targets for the new season.

“I know we will be competing in several competitions and it is good to have such players, he can score goals and he proved that with Police last season and can also set up the goals, so he is a good addition to my squad.”

He was part of the Uganda squad preparing for the 2020 African Nations Championships (Chan) finals that were scheduled to be held in Cameroon before it was postponed owing to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kigozi has now become the seventh signing for the Mike Mutebi led side, after Lwanga Charles, Mugume Ashraf, Mazengo Stefano, Iguma Denis, Bright Anukani and Brian Aheebwa.

KCCA are keen to beef up their squad after losing the league title to Vipers SC when the Federation of Uganda Football Association (Fufa) moved to end the top-flight prematurely owing to the pandemic.

Vipers, who were by then topping the table, were declared champions and will represent the country in the Caf Champions League while KCCA, who were second, will take part in the Confederation Cup.