Fifa world cup best player

From a blockbuster tie between Man City and Arsenal to Tottenham's trophy dream and Wrexham's Hollywood story, we pick out the FA Cup fourth-round talking points... Is it time for Pep's apprentice to become the master? Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola have been friends for more than two decades, colleagues at Barcelona and City and now, for the first time, title rivals. Arteta's links to Guardiola predate even before his professional debut. Both progressed through Barcelona's La Masia youth system - where despite being 11 years Pep's junior, the now-Arsenal boss was already weighed down by comparisons to the legendary midfielder and their remarkably similar styles of play. Guardiola took the teenager under his wing, offering him guidance and striking up a chord which would last for more than two decades, to the present day. But while Pep had gone on to make the middle of the Nou Camp pitch his own, Arteta - stuck behind the generational duo of Xavi and Andres Iniesta … [Read more...] about FA Cup fourth round: Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Wrexham stories to look out for

Getty Images Arsenal's visit to Manchester City serves as the highlight of the FA Cup fourth round weekend but in truth it may serve as little more than an appetizer for their tussle at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners hold a five-point lead over Pep Guardiola's side, who they will face at the Emirates Stadium on Feb. 15, and a win in the cup could give them the belief to hold out at the top of the table. City have not beaten Arsenal, the most successful club in the competition's history, in the FA Cup since 1904 and were beaten 2-0 in the 2020 semifinal. However, that was a rare victory for Mikel Arteta over his former boss. Guardiola has not lost a Premier League meeting with Arsenal. Here is how you can watch the match and what you need to know: Viewing information Date: Friday, Jan. 27 | Time: 3 p.m. ET Location: Etihad Stadium -- Manchester, United Kingdom Live stream: ESPN+ Odds: Manchester City -138; Draw +275; Arsenal +290 (via Caesars … [Read more...] about Manchester City vs. Arsenal live stream: FA Cup prediction, TV channel, how to watch online, start time

Getty Images While I'd never include the word, "exactly" in a phrase like this, I'll keep it more generic and say that I have an idea how most die-hard Padres fans feel right now. If you don't know why, that's OK. This is no place to elaborate. I'll just ask you to trust me. I've been in a very similar spot as a fan and it worked out pretty damn well. What you just experienced, Padres fans, was the year before the year. This doesn't necessarily mean the Padres are going to win the World Series next year. Winning it all is very difficult and requires so much along the way, including getting lots of breaks. Ask the team that just extinguished the Padres' exciting 2020 season. The Dodgers have been one of the best teams in baseball for years and still don't have a ring. What I mean about the year before the year is that before 2020, there were still questions on if this Padres group could actually be the one to start making the leap. After all, there were some reasons for … [Read more...] about Padres leave the postseason on a sour note, but the best is yet to come for one of MLB’s most exciting teams

Getty Images U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone said that Gregg Berhalter remains a candidate for the current U.S. men's national team coaching vacancy, but hinted that the upcoming cycle should be viewed as a "clean canvas." It may be the biggest indication made by USSF that Berhalter may not return for the 2026 cycle. In addition to the coaching search, the executive hierarchy will also see some change. The USSF on Thursday announced the departure of sporting director Earnie Stewart and general manager Brian McBride. Stewart is set to join PSV Eindhoven where he will serve as the technical director. He is expected to stay with the federation through mid-February to assist with transitioning the ongoing review of the last World Cup cycle. McBride "decided to move on" from his position as GM, Parlow Cone said. Parlow Cone expects the coaching vacancy to be filled "by the end of the summer." The federation has hired Sportsology Group to consult during the search for the … [Read more...] about Gregg Berhalter’s time as USMNT coach could be over, USSF president Cindy Parlow Cone calls for ‘clean canvas’

Hope Powell has revealed how she defied her Mum to play football, how she built England Women and the importance of representing her communities. Powell is perhaps best known for her time as a coach with the Lionesses, Team GB and, more recently, with Brighton. But she was also an experienced player herself, amassing over 60 England caps and a raft of other domestic accolades. However, growing up in West Indian culture in south London in the 60s and 70s, it was not the most conventional career path for a girl - and Powell's mother even tried to dissuade her from football. "When I was growing up and playing on the estate, I honestly thought I was the only girl that played," she told Jess Creighton on Inside the WSL. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player This week's episode of Inside The WSL takes a dive into the life of Hope Powell - one of the most influential figures in the game. Izzy Christiansen: WSL postponements a … [Read more...] about Hope Powell: Defying Mum to play football, building England Women and representing her communities

Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal are on the lookout for a new midfielder before the transfer window closes. Here we look at why the position is now a priority for the Gunners... What Arteta has said... Arteta spoke about his desire for a new midfielder to join his squad ahead of his side's FA Cup fourth-round tie with Manchester City on Friday. He revealed he wants further cover in the midfield area because of a fresh injury concern for Mohamed Elneny. The Egyptian midfielder was not named in Arsenal's matchday squad for the 3-2 win over Manchester United, with the Gunners recently linked with a move for Brighton's Moises Caicedo and Everton's Amadou Onana. Transfer Centre LIVE! | Arsenal transfer rumours January done deals | Premier League ins and outs Get Sky Sports | Download the Sky Sports App Speaking about Elneny's injury, Arteta said: "There are concerns. Mo is a player who never complains about anything but let's see. … [Read more...] about Mikel Arteta: Arsenal on lookout for new midfielder | Why a midfielder is a priority for the Gunners now

NEW ZEALAND TOUR OF INDIA 2023 by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on Share Tweet Hardik Pandya will be leading India in the absence of several senior players © BCCI "Broadcaster ko bhi sahi cheez dikhana chahiye" (The broadcaster should show things with context). That sudden burst of Hindi in the middle of a largely English press conference summed up Rohit Sharma's gripe. Speaking in Indore after his 30th ODI century, Rohit was frustrated at the marketed narrative that he had just hit his 'first ODI hundred in three years', when the fact was that he had only played 17 ODIs since his last century. You could blame the pandemic, his unfortunate injuries or simply more 20-over tourneys in view of back-to-back T20 World Cups, but Rohit wasn't really without an ODI hundred for three years; the world watching him was. Which is why this three-match T20I series feels oddly placed nine months before an ODI World Cup. More … [Read more...] about T20I timeout for India amid ODI drills and Test hysteria

CBS Sports After reaching the Western Conference Finals last season, there was a lot of pressure on the Edmonton Oilers to make another deep playoff run this year. The team got off to a shaky start in 2022-23, but it has the best player in the world on its roster. Despite some of the questions about the Oilers' goaltending and depth, Connor McDavid has been able to cover those up by scoring at a rate not seen in the post-lockout era. Through 48 games played, McDavid has already scored 40 goals and tallied 88 points. He has the Oilers riding a six-game winning streak. McDavid is on pace to finish the regular season with 68 goals, 82 assists, and 150 points. The NHL hasn't seen numbers like that since Mario Lemieux notched 69 goals and 161 points in the 1995-96 season. Edmonton may have some personnel deficiencies, but those don't matter when McDavid is averaging almost two points per game. As McDavid leads the Oilers up the Pacific Division standings, here are the … [Read more...] about NHL Power Rankings: Oilers are ascending, thanks to Connor McDavid’s sensational season

SOUTH AFRICA VS ENGLAND, 1ST ODI by Telford Vice • Published on Share Tweet The home side's challenge won't be made easier by the confirmed return of Jofra Archer © Getty "It seems like there's an echo in the room; it's the same question," Shukri Conrad said as he glanced at various parts of the ceiling during a press conference in Bloemfontein on Thursday. He had been asked, for the third time in not quite 13 minutes, about the importance of South Africa's World Cup Super League (WCSL) series against England . The truth is self-evident. If England win all three matches, South Africa will have to make an unprecedented trip to the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe in June and July to reach the World Cup in India in October and November. If South Africa beat England once they will need to prevail in both matches against the Netherlands on March 31 and April 2 to avoid the qualifier. Win two against England and just one … [Read more...] about Archer’s return adds to South Africa’s qualification tall order

India are set for a T20 appetizer ahead of their marquee Test series against Australia when they face the touring New Zealand in a three-match series beginning in Ranchi on Friday. With less than two weeks left for the Border Gavaskar Trophy matches against Australia that will determine India's World Test Championship Final fate, a T20 series in the midst of a packed ODI calendar ahead of the 50-over World Cup may seem purposeless. As a result, Hardik Pandya , who led a 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka earlier this month, is back leading the T20 side with some regulars and fringe players in the squad. While skipper Rohit Sharma , Virat Kohli , KL Rahul , Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami are being rested, the likes of Shubman Gill , Suryakumar Yadav , Ishan Kishan and Kuldeep Yadav will get an extended run before they assemble for Test series camp at Nagpur from February 2. There is also the welcome addition of attacking Mumbai opener Prithvi Shaw , who returns … [Read more...] about India Brace For T20 Appetizer vs New Zealand Ahead Of Marquee Australia Test Series | Cricket News