SOCCER WORLD REACTS TO PSG WINNING CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL AGAINST ARSENAL

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Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League title on Saturday, defeating Arsenal in a dramatic penalty shootout after the final finished 1-1 following extra time at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.

The result made PSG only the second club to win back-to-back Champions League titles since the competition was reformatted in 1992, joining Real Madrid’s run of three consecutive crowns between 2016 and 2018. The French champions also became the 10th club in European Cup history to win consecutive titles.

Arsenal appeared on course for a historic victory after Kai Havertz gave the Premier League champions an early lead in the sixth minute. However, PSG responded in the second half when Ousmane Dembele converted a penalty after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was fouled inside the box. The match eventually went to penalties, where Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães missed the decisive kick as PSG secured a 4-3 shootout victory.

Emmanuel Macron, Rio Ferdinand and Fans React to PSG’s Historic Triumph

The victory quickly sparked reactions from across the soccer world.

French President Emmanuel Macron celebrated PSG’s achievement on social media.

“A new star shines over Paris! Bravo to PSG for making all of Europe dream. France is proud,” Macron wrote.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand also praised the French club and manager Luis Enrique after the final.

“Back to Back Champions Leagues… Congrats to PSG! Luis Enrique absolute genius 🏆,” Ferdinand posted.

He also acknowledged Arsenal’s effort during their domestic and European campaign.

“Shout out to Arsenal, brilliant season, changed the narrative. Gabriel an absolute rock & no shame when it comes down to penalties! Respect 👊🏽,” Ferdinand added.

Supporters also flooded social media following the final whistle.

One fan wrote: “Let’s go!!! Great games intense till the end!! Congrats.”

Another described the dramatic finish by saying: “Ice in their veins. PSG hold their nerve to defend their Champions League crown, while Arsenal endure absolute heartbreak at the death. What an unbelievable night in Budapest! 🏆🔥”

A third supporter praised the champions’ accomplishment.

“Well deserved. No team should win a champions league final through the back door. Arsenal almost succeeded 😅.”

Another fan highlighted PSG’s journey over the past two seasons.

“A tremendous achievement for PSG, who let their star players leave, won the hearts of fans around the world and came out on top. Two years in a row, and today was a tough one, because they were up against a defensive wall.”

ESPN Notes PSG’s Place in Champions League History

Paris Saint-Germain’s Spanish head coach Luis Enrique touches the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League final. Getty

The final result also added another chapter to PSG’s growing European legacy.

ESPN Stats & Information highlighted the significance of the achievement shortly after the match concluded.

“PSG are back-to-back UEFA Champions League champions 🏆🏆,” ESPN posted.

The network added: “They become just the 2nd club to repeat as UCL winners, joining Real Madrid, who won three straight from 2016-18.”

ESPN also noted the broader historical context.

“Overall, PSG are the 10th club in European Cup history (since 1955-56) to win consecutive titles.”

The final itself was tightly contested.

Arsenal struck first through Havertz after a defensive mistake allowed the German forward to break through and finish from a narrow angle.

PSG pushed for an equalizer throughout the second half and finally found one when Dembélé converted from the penalty spot following a foul on Kvaratskhelia.

Neither side could find a winner in extra time, sending the Champions League final to penalties for the first time since Real Madrid defeated Atlético Madrid in a shootout 10 years ago.

PSG ultimately held their nerve from the spot, completing another successful European campaign and becoming the first club since Real Madrid to retain the Champions League trophy.

For Arsenal, the search for a first European Cup title continues despite winning the Premier League and reaching their first Champions League final in two decades.

- Debayan Biswas

FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED STAR RIO FERDINAND WITH HIGH-CLICK CEO & ARSENAL STAUNCH FAN WILLIAM MSHEY INSIDE THE SGR TRAIN TO DODOMA, TANZANIA'S CAPITAL CITY

 

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CRISTIANO RONALDO: I WANT TO SCORE 1,000 GOALS, ALL 'ON VIDEO'

Cristiano Ronaldo is targeting 1,000 goals for club and country. Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images

Needing just one goal to reach 900 in his career for club and country, all-time leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo said he is setting the bar at 1,000 to unquestionably leave his mark on the game.

In a sit-down interview with former England star Rio Ferdinand released to his YouTube channel, the 39-year-old Ronaldo spoke about keeping his level of play high as he builds on his scoring record.

"I want to reach 1,000 goals," said the Al Nassr and Portugal star, estimating that the historic mark could come around the age of 41. "If I don't have any injuries, this for me is the most important [thing], I want that. For me, the best mark that I can have in football is to reach, first, 900 goals. After, my challenge is to be at 1,000 goals."

Ronaldo spoke candidly with Ferdinand, his former Manchester United teammate, on topics ranging from the quality of play in the Saudi Pro League to the passion he has maintained and the criticism that stems from it.

Ever competitive, Ronaldo was quick to point out what would set his goals apart from those by other all-time scorers, including legends such as Pele and Alfredo Di Stefano, who played in eras when cameras weren't as prevalent.

"All the goals I have scored, they have video," he said. "They all have video. Listen, I respect all of them [Pele and Di Stefano]. And if you want more goals, I can bring them from training, too. And I will prove to the people after. They prefer this player, or this is the best one. I don't care about that."

Asked about adapting to playing in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo said it's been relatively easy given the challenges he has endured since entering the spotlight at a young age.

"No country is perfect, so for me the adaptation was easy and I really love to be there," he said. "In my opinion, the league is very, very good."

As for the criticism he received for crying after missing a crucial penalty against Slovenia with a trip to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals on the line, Ronaldo said it's all part of the scrutiny that comes with being "the most followed guy in the world." Portugal would win the match in a shootout 3-0.

The tears, he said, were the result of the pressure he has put on himself since he was 11 years old.

"When you have passion for what you're doing, you cannot be worried about how you're feeling," he said. "I failed because I've made pressure for myself since I was 11 years old. 'Cristiano, you are the best player in the world,' I'm always thinking in that way.

"But when I missed the penalty, I felt bad with myself, the fans, family, not because of other stuff that people say."

Though he realizes he is close to the end of his career, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner could not predict when he will finally hang up his boots.

"I don't know when I'm going to finish," he said. "Since you play more, you learn many, many things. One thing that I've learned is, enjoy the moment. Because you don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. I know I'm still looking good. The day that I start to feel I don't produce nothing, listen, I'll pack my bags and I'll go away. But it's far from that."

- ESPN

ADIDAS UNVEIL ARSENAL AND MANCHESTER UNITED THIRD KITS IN EPIC FASHION USING CLUB LEGENDS PATRICK VIEIRA AND RIO FERDINAND

The third kits of Arsenal, United, Real, Juventus and Bayern have been unveiledCredit: X @adidasfootball

Adidas have won the summer award for the best kit announcement after unveiling the third strips of five European giants.

The new designs of Arsenal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich were confirmed on Sunday in an epic social media post.

Five football legends have used in a brilliant picture, which has sent social media into meltdown.

Each club have since shared their new strip, where they confirmed fans can get their hands on it from August 12.

Patrick Vieira modelled the Gunners' blue kit, which had been leaked in May, where it was well received by Gooners.

Meanwhile Rio Ferdinand wore United's slick white jersey, which boasts red and black stripes across the middle.

Supporters of the Red Devils though are all too familiar with the bold style after MUTV accidentally showcased the design last month,

As for Madrid, they were represented by Zinedine Zidane, with Alessandro Del Piero and Bastian Schweinsteiger wearing the new Juventus and Bayern kits respectively.

And just as talkSPORT reported in October 2023, all five of the shirts boast the iconic Adidas trefoil logo.

Ferdinand was quick to reply to the social media post, where he and his four fellow icons could be seen enjoying a laugh by a swimming pool.

He wrote on X: "5 aside team don’t get beat… Rush goalie vibes for me!"

Adidas' announcement has also gone down a storm with fans, as one user messaged: "Excellent way to announce the third kit."

MUTV accidentally leaked their third kit in JulyCredit: MUTV

Another commented: "So many legends in one picture."

A third added: "That's a great way to launch the third kits."

This fan then remarked: "This advert is insanely iconic."

One then posted: "This is one of the coldest jersey reveals ever! Fair play, Adidas."

Meanwhile another simply stated: "Goosebumps seeing this."

- Jake Lambourne

ARSENAL FANS LEFT FURIOUS WITH RIO FERDINAND OVER CONTROVERSIAL BUKAYO SAKA ANALYSIS

 

Arsenal fans have been left furious with Rio Ferdinand after he claimed that Bukayo Saka is not yet world-class.

Ferdinand was speaking on TNT Sports after Manchester City's 3-1 win over Danish side FC Copenhagen in the Champions League.

Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden all got on the scoresheet as Pep Guardiola's side put themselves in an almost ideal position ahead of the return leg at the Etihad Stadium later this month.

It was Foden's fourth goal in three games, after the 23-year-old scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Brentford last Monday.

And on TNT Sports, Ferdinand angered Arsenal fans with his comparisons between Foden and Saka, who recently brought up 50 goals in a Gunners shirt.

He said: "I think you've got to be looking at him [Foden] like that [world-class]. For what he does for the team, his importance to the team, with goals, assists and the rhythm of the game, especially this season.

"He's got to be in the conversation, and nearing that at least.

"I don't think [Saka] has done it at the top level, winning trophies at a team like this.

"He's not [in as good a team as City's]. You've got to respect and appreciate that Foden's done this, where the medals are handed out, he's performed. Against the best teams as well, consistently.

"You have to look at Phil Foden as world-class for what he does for his team" 🌟

"Bukayo Saka needs the opportunity to perform on that platform" 🙏@rioferdy5 assess two of England's brightest talents 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

"I think Saka is more about, he needs the opportunity to perform at that platform, that level, consistently, and you can consider him then [as world-class]."

Arsenal fans were not happy with Ferdinand's comments, with one writing: "Ruling out Saka cos his team never played the Champions League before is like ruling out Haaland cos Norway never made it to the World Cup."

A second said: "He has performed on that platform. Consistently."

And a third added: "By this logic, Harry Kane isn't world class."

Others though, agreed with Ferdinand: "Saka is a very good player but Foden is the world class bracket now. Saka isn't yet in my opinion."

Another said: "Difference between Saka and Foden is that one has trophies to show for it and the other doesn't."

- Ryan Smart

RIO FERDINAND HAS NAMED 12 PLAYERS HE CONSIDERS AS WORLD-CLASS AS A CONTROVERSIAL JUDE BELLINGHAM CLAIM WAS MADE

 

PA Wire

Since retiring from professional football, former Manchester United defender Ferdinand has been working as a pundit, often appearing on TNT Sports’ coverage.

On Wednesday night, Ferdinand was tasked with naming a list of world-class players.

The 12 players were - Ederson, Kyle Walker, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Harry Kane, Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland.

However, fellow pundit and former Arsenal man Martin Keown questioned whether Bellingham can be considered as world-class.

He said: “I think Bellingham is one I question. He’s in amazing form, what he’s doing at Real Madrid right now, but we look at Saka.

“Saka’s been the England Player of the Year. Bellingham hasn’t got a look in. Maybe Rio is being a bit mischievous with Arsenal fans.”

Ferdinand then explained: “They’ve actually got that list a little bit wrong, because Bellingham was on the list just below that on his own, edging into there. I think the thing that lets him not be on that list, for me right now, is just time. He will be there – he’s in world-class form. You just need that time – and that’s where I see Saka.

“Saka’s got that world-class potential, he just hasn’t been exposed to the knockout stages of the Champions League – the longevity is the difference. If you look at that list, you can see they’ve played in the top, most prestigious games and they’ve produced in those moments. And they’ve all done ridiculous things over a long period of time.”

Ferdinand received criticism from Arsenal fans after claiming Saka is not world-class, he said: “Not yet. Listen, I think Saka’s been unreal. I actually think he needs a bit of a rest, so many games for a young kid.

“But I think, it’s almost like what is world-class? He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages. Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.”

Marcus Chan

ARSENAL STAR BUKAYO SAKA RESPONDS TO RIO FERDINAND'S CLAIMS THAT HE ISN'T WORLD-CLASS

Bukayo Saka appeared to respond to Rio Ferdinand’s claim that the Arsenal star isn’t a world-class player.

Recently, former Manchester United and England defender Ferdinand received criticism from Arsenal fans after claiming Saka is not world-class, saying: “Not yet. Listen, I think Saka’s been unreal. I actually think he needs a bit of a rest, so many games for a young kid.

“But I think, it’s almost like what is world-class? He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages. Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.”

On Saturday evening, Saka scored a brilliant solo goal as Arsenal made Premier League history during their emphatic 4-1 win over Newcastle United.

After the match, Saka was interviewed by TNT Sports reporter Jules Breach.

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