ANAN WORLD OF FOOTBALL

Lionel Messi signed his first Barcelona contract on a paper napkin Almost everyone uses a paper napkin, throws it away, and forgets about it, right? Barcelona were definitely not throwing this paper napkin away after use, though. On December 14th 2000, they had just formally signed 13-year-old Lionel Messi. This was an on-the-fly decision by ex-Barcelona player and then-Barcelona executive Carles Rexach, at a restaurant with Josep Maria Minguella, a player agent who had brought some players to Barcelona, Joan Gaspart, president of Barcelona at the time, and Messi’s contact in Spain, Horacio Gaggioli, threatened to offer the Argentine to Real Madrid, who were also interested. So Rexach used a paper napkin that was handed to him by a waiter and wrote: “In Barcelona, on December 14, 2000 and in the presence of Messrs. Minguella and Horacio, Carlos Rexach, Technical Secretary of F.C.B. is committed under his responsibility and despite some opinions against signing the player Lionel Messi a...

 Cancelo made 16 league starts for City this season but has not played for the club since their derby loss to Manchester United earlier this month, missing the last three games. He started only three of 10 games after the World Cup break and lost his place to Nathan Ake while 18-year-old Rico Lewis also emerged as an option for manager Pep Guardiola this season. “We’ve signed him on loan now and have the possibility of signing him permanently in the summer,” said Bayern’s sports director Hasan Salihamidzic. “Joao is a player we’ve been thinking about for a while now because we very much appreciate his qualities. He’s the optimal fit in our system with his attacking style of play and dynamism, and his mentality and experience fit very well in our team.” Cancelo has been instrumental for City since his arrival in 2019, winning two league titles, while he was also named in the Premier League Team of the Year in the past two seasons. The versatile 28-year-old has predominantly played a...

Lionel Messi   has been given a major incentive to finally move to the United States - because he won't have to deal with Salt Bae. If you somehow haven't heard of him, Salt Bae - real name Nusret Gokce - is the enigmatic chef who somehow got in with the  Argentina  team on Sunday as they celebrated winning  2022 World Cup  following a  pulsating penalty shootout victory  over  France  in  Qatar . Having gone viral in January 2017 for his unique technique for preparing and seasoning meat, Salt Bae's social standing has skyrocketed and he owns a chain of luxury steakhouses under the name of Nusr-Et which constantly attract celebrities. But he wasn't well liked by football fans when he  awkwardly joined the Argentina players on the pitch at Lusail Stadium  - and it's prompted another tournament's organisers to hilariously ban him The US Open Cup, the oldest ongoing football competition in the United States which pits around 100 t...

  Manchester United returned to training at Carrington on Thursday in cool conditions as their focus moves to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. The Reds  progressed to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after victory over Burnley this midweek. Christian Eriksen gave United the lead in the first half thanks to a great assist from Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Marcus Rashford's superb solo effort made it two after the interval as the Premier League side overcame their Championship opposition. Fixtures continue to come thick and fast this festive season so Erik ten Hag had his men back in training on Thursday to prepare for Forest next week.' Rhys Bennett edging towards first United appearance Unlike Mainoo, Bennett was on the bench against Burnley this week as United's centre-back depth was pushed to its limits. Harry Maguire pulled out of the Carabao Cup clash through illness and this meant Casemiro was moved into centre-back. Should Ten Hag opt not to play the Brazilian in defence, Bennett is...

  Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to make a decision over a record-breaking offer from Saudi Arabian outfit Al Nassr in the coming days. The Portuguese superstar is believed to have a £173million-a-year deal on the table - which would make him the highest paid player in the world. Ronaldo is a free agent after tearing up the final six months of his contract with Manchester United earlier this month. Ronaldo signing with Al Nassr will bring an end to his elite European chapter and Champions League dreams as he failed to find a club which would offer him UCL action, according to reports. Ronaldo was in search of a new team after his former team Manchester United ended his contract after a controversial interview with Piers Morgan in November. In his interview, Ronaldo has blasted United and manager Erik ten Hag, saying he feels “betrayed” by the club and that senior figures have tried to force him out of Old Trafford. When asked on the program “Piers Morgan Uncensored” whether United’s...

  The party continues in Buenos Aires after Lionel Messi and Argentina beat France to win the World Cup in Qatar. In fact, the celebration went so crazy that some fans even decided to unofficially rename a street after La Pulga  In one of the celebratory videos shared on social media, a group of fans in Argentina were spotted changing a street name to Messi Av. in recognition of his efforts at the World Cup.  The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner scored seven goals, including a brace in the final as Argentina emerged champions. In a thrilling encounter, his Paris Saint Germain teammate, Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick to force the match into penalties. Emiliano Martinez was the hero of the night as he saved Kingsley Coman's penalty while Aurélien Tchouaméni strike went off target.  Emiliano Martinez was the hero of the night as he saved Kingsley Coman's penalty while Aurélien Tchouaméni strike went off target. Argentina have now won the World Cup three times, their firs...