On July 17, 1994 (32 years ago) American singer and actress Whitney Houston delivered one of the most memorable musical performances in history at the FIFA World Cup 94' closing ceremony held at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California.
Houston opened the show with her 1987 hit "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" after she was escorted onto the pitch and to the stage by Brazilian soccer legend PelαΊΉ́
Her unparalleled vocal performance left world cup fans stunned as she nailed every note!
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| NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Bruno Guimaraes (l) and Sandro Tonali react during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Newcastle United FC and Athletic Club at St James' Park on November 05, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) |
Newcastle United will stick to their guns if Bruno Guimaraes decides to hand in an official transfer request - with the Sandro Tonali sale an example of the club's sale policy.
Tottenham Hotspur did not want to pay £100m for the Italy international and were irked by Newcastle's stubborn stance on the deal. And Chronicle Live understands that Newcastle won't be prepared to do any business that isn't on their terms, with Arsenal yet to make an official approach for the Toon skipper.
Guimaraes is taking some time after his World Cup exit but remains in conversation with his representatives. Here's how things stand in the respective camps in the aftermath of news Bruno is considering his future:
The Brazil international is not for sale and one well-placed source suggested recently that even if an email dropped with the subject reading "Bruno offer", it would not be opened as the skipper is deemed as a vital cog in the wheel at St James' Park.
However, as of the close of play yesterday, the club had not received any type of official offer for the player's services. CEO David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson aren't naive and know that there is interest being drummed up by third parties and those close to the player's agency, but as things stand, there is no question to answer, although that is likely to change.
The Gunners have an interest in Bruno and a decision was made behind the scenes at Arsenal that of the two Newcastle midfielders with uncertain futures out of the Brazilian and Sandro Tonali, the South American was their pick.
Like Newcastle, Arsenal have their own ideas on valuation, and the conversation on Bruno with intermediaries and dealmakers is understood to have begun at £45m. That was dismissed immediately by those at the other end when it was put to them verbally.
The suggestion was that it would take a bid north of £60m for Bruno, but Arsenal may not be willing to meet that. Of course, it is all transfer brinkmanship and negotiation tactics, but the Gunners' case on the player is that he is 29 on his next birthday and his value is only going to go down.
One source at the Arsenal end has suggested that the Gunners may drop the idea if it becomes too expensive for their liking and move on to another target. Bournemouth star Alex Scott and Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi have been linked also.
Newcastle's dilemma could be if Arsenal do offer £60m, Bruno makes it clear he wants the move and pressure builds from the agency.
Bruno is represented by Bertolucci Sports, which is headed by Sao Paulo super agent Giuliano Bertolucci.
His close pal and representative on Tyneside is Alexis Malavolta, who runs the day-to-day life of Guimaraes, but the Arsenal situation, deemed transfer poker by industry insiders, could now be above Malavolta's head and be in the hands of Bertolucci and his legal team.
When the story that Bruno wanted to quit emerged last night, there was a suggestion from somebody close to the player's camp that the midfielder had not told anybody he wanted to leave.
What has been said, according to those on the inside at Arsenal, is that Bruno is concerned about the sporting project at Newcastle and the exits of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and Tonali to Spurs are understandably making him wonder.
He left the World Cup having missed a penalty against Norway in the last 16 and while the player is emotional, it should have no bearing on how he feels about his future.
- Lee Ryder
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| Image via Radar BioBio |
Former Barcelona star Neymar Junior’s international career has ended in tears, following Brazil’s exit from the 2026 World Cup in disappointing fashion. The 34-year-old was a major doubt for the tournament due to injury, but having made it into Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, he could not contribute in what turned out to be a nightmare ending to his Brazil career.
The major upset from the Round of 16 at the World Cup came in the form of Norway on Sunday night, as Erling Haaland’s brace put Brazil to the sword in emphatic fashion, albeit the Selecao did miss a first-half penalty that proved costly. Neymar was brought off the bench in the 67th minute as Brazil desperately searched for an equaliser, but he struggled to make an impact. He did put away a penalty of his own in the 96th minute, but it was too little too late.
At the final whistle, Neymar broke down with emotion and heaved out the tears, with several teammates coming over to console him. He would pass through the mix zone on his way out of Metlife Stadium, announcing that his international career was over.
“I tried, I tried. Now it’s over. I started here, I’m finishing here,” MD quote. Neymar began his career against the United States in 2010 in the same ground.
It brings to an end a successful but fraught career for Neymar, who won the 2013 Confederations Cup, and the 2016 Olympics, but failed to bring home a major title. As a teenage prodigy, Neymar was dubbed the successor to Pele, and as such, the hope was that he would deliver the sixth World Cup in Brazil’s history. However his became a tale of constant heartbreak, best exemplified by the broken back that he suffered in 2014, ruling him out of a run at the trophy on home soil.
- Ruairidh Barlow
Did you know that Dunga still holds two of the most remarkable records in FIFA World Cup history?
At the 1994 World Cup, the Brazil captain completed an astonishing 692 passes, the most ever recorded by a player in a single tournament. As if that wasn't impressive enough, he also made 57 tackles, another all-time World Cup record for a single edition.
What's even more extraordinary is that both records were set in the same tournament.
Dunga was often overshadowed by Brazil's attacking stars, but he was the heartbeat of Carlos Alberto Parreira's side. He controlled the tempo, broke up opposition attacks, organised the midfield and led by example throughout the competition. Every successful team needs a foundation, and Brazil's was built around their captain.
His crowning moment came in the final against Italy in Pasadena. With the pressure at its highest, Dunga delivered a commanding display, covering every blade of grass before becoming the first Brazilian captain since 1970 to lift the World Cup trophy.
The statistics alone are staggering. The context makes them even more impressive.
Most passes in a World Cup tournament. Most tackles in a World Cup tournament. World Cup winner. World Cup-winning captain.
One tournament. One leader. One of the greatest midfield performances football has ever seen.
- 90's Football
ADVICE FOR KAKΓπ
KakΓ‘’s wife left him because he “was too perfect” and she couldn’t handle it. That’s why many fans comment on his posts to give him advice on how not to be so perfect.
A world champion, Ballon d’Or winner, and remembered for his elegance on the field, KakΓ‘ is seen as a very proper figure, always polite, family-oriented, calm, and far from controversy.
Some of the comments are: When she says “I love you,” reply with a “thanks.” Drink juice straight from the bottle. Start hanging out with Neymar. Leave the toilet seat up, etc.
The trend quickly went viral because the real joke is that many fans feel they can’t find any obvious flaws in KakΓ‘, since he really is too perfect.
- The Cracks
Joao Pedro has detailed the "frustrations" he has faced at being left out of the Brazil squad for the World Cup this summer, with the Chelsea star claiming he will now focus on cheering on his national team during the tournament held in North America.
The versatile forward was one of a few surprise calls made in Carlo Ancelotti's 26-man Brazil World Cup squad named on Monday night, which included a recall for Neymar.
That, however, has seen Pedro miss out despite a standout campaign for Chelsea, which has seen the 24-year-old score 20 goals and assist nine across all competitions for the Blues.
After becoming one of the high-profile omissions from the Brazil squad announcement, Pedro released a statement on social media to give his thoughts on the situation.
He stated on his Instagram story: "I tried to give my best at all times. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to fulfill this dream of representing my country in a World Cup, but I remain calm and focused, as I always try to be.
“Joys and frustrations are part of football. From now on, I wish good luck to everyone who is there and I will be just another fan cheering for them to bring the sixth title home."
The Chelsea forward is one of several players who were expected to feature in the 2026 World Cup, but won't be doing so, as Eduardo Camavinga missed out on the France squad for this summer's tournament in another high-profile dismissal.
Pedro's national team career hasn't quite kickstarted yet, having made eight appearances for Selecao since his debut for the side back in 2023.
He was in and out of the squad during World Cup qualification, featuring four times out of a possible 12 appearances, though his appearances in the most recent March international break against both France and Croatia gave some hope that he would make the final 26-man squad.
It isn't to be for Pedro, at least for now, as he waits to make his first appearance for Brazil at a major tournament, with Ancelotti explaining the bold call to the national press during the unveiling of his squad.
It isn't to be for Pedro, at least for now, as he waits to make his first appearance for Brazil at a major tournament, with Ancelotti explaining the bold call to the national press during the unveiling of his squad.
- Luke Thrower
Brazil icon Neymar has been included in Carlo Ancelotti's final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup.
The Santos forward made the most recent of his 128 international appearances in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023.
Neymar's struggles with injuries over the last few years cast doubt over his involvement in the upcoming World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
However, the 34-year-old has ultimately done enough with Santos to prove to Ancelotti that he is in good physical condition and can perform to the level required in the upcoming tournament.
The Brazil boss confirmed Neymar's inclusion to a great reception in a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro on Monday.
Neymar, who is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, is set to feature in a fourth World Cup after representing his country at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
While Neymar has achieved his World Cup dream, there was heartbreak for Chelsea forward Joao Pedro.
The 24-year-old was a notable omission from the final 26-man squad, despite playing in Brazil's last two friendlies against France and Croatia.
Pedro has staked a strong case with 23 goals and six assists in 52 competitive appearances this season.
Rather than his club form, it seems that his failure to score in any of his eight international matches is a key factor in his omission.
Premier League well represented in Brazil World Cup selection
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)
Defenders: Gabriel (Arsenal), Danilo (Flamengo), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Roger Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris St-Germain), Gabriel (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg), Alex Sandro (Flamengo)
Midfielders: Casemiro (Manchester United), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo), Danilo (Botafogo)
Forwards: Neymar (Santos), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Rayan (Bournemouth), Endrick (Lyon), Igor Thiago (Brentford)
Brentford striker Igor Thiago is one of those who got the nod over Pedro, rewarded for his 22-goal return in 37 Premier League games this season.
There are spots for the Arsenal duo of Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli, as well as the Manchester United pair of Casemiro and Matheus Cunha.
Liverpool's Alisson Becker, Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes and Bournemouth's Rayan are the other three Premier League players who have made the cut.
Real Madrid are represented in the selection by Vinicius Junior and Endrick, the latter of whom has registered 16 goal contributions during a successful loan spell with Lyon.
Barcelona's Raphinha is also heading to the World Cup after returning from injury earlier this month.
- Ben Sully
