VINICIUS JR AGREEMENT CONFIRMES AS DECISION BETWEEN ARSENAL, REAL MADRID MADE

Vinicius Junior has reached an agreement, with Arsenal and Real Madrid learning who the Brazil superstar will play for next season, according to a report.

On the back of lifting their first Premier League title in over two decades, Arsenal sought to attack the transfer market to help launch a dynasty.

Bruno Guimarães is arriving to the tune of £75m and the Brazilian has passed a medical. Personal terms are already sealed.

However, The Gunners aimed to sign an even higher profile Brazil international in the form of Real Madrid winger, Vinicius Junior.

The 26-year-old is in the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu and Real Madrid have no intention of losing such a highly valuable asset to free agency next summer.

As such, only two outcomes appeared to be in play – Vinicius re-signs at Real or joins Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side made a huge play for Vinicius, with the Spaniard personally contacting the winger to discuss his role at the Emirates.

Arsenal also made it crystal clear they were fully prepared to demolish their wage structure and make Vinicius Junior by far their highest paid player ever.

However, the player’s preference always remained re-signing with Real Madrid. And on Wednesday, a crunch round of talks between he, his agents and the LaLiga giant took place.

While no agreement was struck at that time, Ben Jacobs and Fabrizio Romano were among many more trusted sources to stress Vinicius was now likely to remain a Madridista.

Ben Jacobs wrote on X: ‘Understand Real Madrid are confident this evening that Vinicius Jr will extend after productive talks.’

Fabrizio Romano took to the same platform when stating: ‘Real Madrid are increasingly confident to receive final green light from Vinicius Jr on new contract.

‘New proposal being discussed but Madrid optimistic and Vini Jr’s camp also positive after today’s meeting. José Mourinho also got involved.’

He subsequently added: José Mourinho, personally involved in Vinicius Jr new contract discussions as he’s been pushing for the Brazilian to stay.

‘Real Madrid are confident, José told the club he wants Vini to stay and also told Vini about plans for him to continue.’

Vinicius Junior agrees new contract at Real Madrid

And on Thursday morning, Spanish reporter, Ramon Alvarez de Mon, claimed an agreement has now been struck that will see Vinicius sign a contract extension at the Bernabeu, thus ending Arsenal’s hopes.

The reporter, who boasts over 300,000 followers on X: wrote: ‘Vinicius and Real Madrid reach an agreement for his contract renewal, which is expected to be signed soon.’

Missing out on Vinicius Junior will be a painful blow to Arsenal who have already tried and failed to sign another major name for the left side this summer – Morgan Rogers.

The Gunners could now reignite interest in PSG’s Bradley Barcola, though there could be more heartache for the Gunners.

Barcola is Liverpool’s top target and according to Jacobs, the Frenchman will prioritise signing for Liverpool over Arsenal if both clubs strike a deal with PSG…

- Steve Pearson

'JUST THE BEGINNING' JAY-Z'S ROC NATION SPORTS ENTERS AFRICAN MARKET WITH EIGHT-PLAYER HAUL

 “We’ve always recognized the immense footballing potential that exists across the continent… the sheer volume of promising young players [in Africa] is astounding.” – Nathan Campbell

Roc Nation Sports International (RNSI), a division of entertainment company Roc Nation founded by American music mogul Jay-Z, has committed to the African football market by signing up eight promising youngsters from the continent.

While they are not the agency’s first cohort of African football players–17-year-old Cape Town City winger Emile Witbooi achieved that feat earlier this year–their latest additions indicate a global company geared for long-term investment on the African continent.

“We believe Africa is a hotbed of untapped footballing potential, and our expansion here is a natural progression of our global vision,” RNSI’s Head of Global Recruitment for Football, Nathan Campbell, said in a statement.

“Our strategy is built on deep collaboration with local partners, allowing us to understand and address the unique needs of African players, ensuring they receive the best possible support to reach their full potential.”

Founded in 2019 as Roc Nation’s sports wing, RNSI represents over 100 football players, headlined by Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Endrick, alongside Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne.

The global music personalities affiliated with Roc Nation include such names as Rihanna, Alicia Keys, and J Balvin.

Roc Nation’s concerted move into African football seemed only a matter of time. The earliest sign came in 2021 through a consultancy agreement with South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns—a partnership that continues to this day.

With Witbooi signing on in February this year, it seemed only a matter of time before more African talent followed. The scale, however, was unknown.

“Africa has been a key part of our long-term global vision at RNSI,” says Campbell in an interview with FORBES AFRICA. “We’ve always recognized the immense footballing potential that exists across the continent… the sheer volume of promising young players [in Africa] is astounding.”

Six African nations are represented in their eight-player haul, from Kaizer Chiefs striker Neo Bohloko (South Africa) and Benab FC midfielder Joseph Narbi (Ghana), to Al Nasr attacker Mamadou Diallo (Guinea) and Sibonor United winger Francis Gomez (The Gambia).

The remaining four include Ifeoluwa Olowoporoku (Nigeria), Tadiwa Chakuchichi (Zimbabwe), Siyabonga Mabena (South Africa), and Ali Umar (Ghana). All players, except the latter two (18), are between 16 and 17 years old.

“We saw the opportunity not just to identify elite talent, but to partner with local stakeholders and provide the comprehensive support these young athletes need both on and off the pitch… The African players currently on our roster are just the beginning.”

RNSI has confirmed it is currently scouring Zambia and the Ivory Coast for more talent. The opportunity opens unique commercial avenues for players previously limited by access and exposure, thus uncovering Africa’s next crop of footballing prodigies.

- Freddie Hiney, Forbes

MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS IN THE WORLD

 

MAN CITY LACK OF BELIEF AND AGEING TEAM EXPOSED BY RUTHLESS REAL MADRID

Manchester City's fans started the night by unfurling a huge flag taunting Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior for their angry reaction to Rodri beating the Brazilian to last year's Ballon d'Or.

'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' was the message, the words of the Oasis hit accompanied by an image of Rodri kissing the coveted trophy at the ceremony boycotted by Real in protest at the decision.

Firing barbs at the most ruthless and experienced operators in Champions League history is a dangerous occupation, and so it proved.

All the tears belonged to City and their supporters at the final whistle after a trademark smash-and-grab late surge gave Real a potentially decisive 3-2 advantage after the first leg of this play-off to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

Manchester City's fans started the night by unfurling a huge flag taunting Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior for their angry reaction to Rodri beating the Brazilian to last year's Ballon d'Or.

'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' was the message, the words of the Oasis hit accompanied by an image of Rodri kissing the coveted trophy at the ceremony boycotted by Real in protest at the decision.

Firing barbs at the most ruthless and experienced operators in Champions League history is a dangerous occupation, and so it proved.

All the tears belonged to City and their supporters at the final whistle after a trademark smash-and-grab late surge gave Real a potentially decisive 3-2 advantage after the first leg of this play-off to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

Manchester City fans taunted Real Madrid about Rodri's Ballon d'Or win

There was ill-fortune, too, as Jack Grealish went off injured after 30 minutes, having played in the manner of a man with a point to prove to his manager.

Real could scent the nerves and anxiety on the pitch and off. Jude Bellingham's injury-time winner almost had a sense of inevitability as City's scrambled minds led to mistakes. The punishment came from close range, England's talisman turning home with erratic keeper Ederson out of his ground after being lobbed by Vinicius Junior.

Vinicius Junior, understandably given the pre-match banner, relished the moment and revelled in Real's victory celebrations. The perfect answer.

It was Real Madrid being, well, Real Madrid. Nothing is ever settled against them until the final whistle sounds.

The holders only led in this game for 90 seconds. Crucially for them, and perhaps fatally for Manchester City, it was for the final 90 seconds.

It leaves City, given their current form and propensity for collapse, almost needing a miracle in the second leg at The Bernabeu. And miracles only tend to happen to the team in white in that iconic, unforgiving arena.

The tale was also told in the tired legs that consumed City in the second half, when Real ran the show, missing a host of chances as they assumed control, before Kylian Mbappe's half-hit finish equalised Erling Haaland's early strike.

It was totally against the run of play when the striker restored City's lead, which they held until Real's trademark late surge.

City may yet defy the odds in Madrid, but come what may, this season continues to carry all the air of an era ending, a great team reaching the end of the road.

Bellingham's winner was his third goal of this Champions League campaign

Ederson, so reliable in goal for so long throughout City's many glories, now looks vulnerable. The great Kevin De Bruyne, at 33, and 30-year-old Bernardo Silva, were laboured and peripheral.

John Stones tried to act as a defensive screen but Real carry too much threat in the shape of Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, with Bellingham always ready to add his own menace, as he did to decisive effect.

Guardiola looked pained and frustrated, as well as frantic at times in his technical area, saying: "Many times it happens this season. I know the quality of Real Madrid. We took the game in the second half and tried to attack too quickly. It happens because they are an exceptional team.

"It happens many times this season. Bad decisions, that's all. I take it. It's not about you and me, or just the team, it's everyone."

He added: "We are just not stable enough. I've been here for many years and we've been an extraordinary team, a machine every three days.

"This year, I accept when the opponent is better but at the moment I'm not good enough to give composure to the team to manage these situations. It's the truth.

"The accountability belongs to all of us, not just the players. For me, it would be easy to blame a specific player but that is ridiculous and doesn't work. It is me first and the players as well.

"The truth is that we are not stable enough in those moments. Today is not an exception, it happened many times. Today is what it is, tomorrow you have to continue and have fresh legs and fresh minds."

Guardiola has a monumental task to pull off a victory at The Bernabeu – but the body of evidence is also increasing to suggest he has a similar job to revive Manchester City's fallen champions.

- Phil McNulty, Chief football writer at Etihad Stadium

JUDE BELLINGHAM GRABS REAL MADRID LATE VALENCIA WIN AFTER VINÍCIUS RED

AFP

Jude Bellingham made amends for missing a penalty by snatching 10-man Real Madrid a 2-1 victory at Valencia on Friday to take them top of La Liga after winger Vinicius Junior was sent off.

Jude Bellingham made amends for missing a penalty by snatching 10-man Real Madrid a 2-1 victory at Valencia on Friday to take them top of La Liga after winger Vinicius Junior was sent off. Huro Duro sent the hosts ahead in the first half of a feisty clash but Luka Modric levelled for Carlo Ancelotti's side before Bellingham pounced in stoppage time. Vinicius, who squared off with Valencia supporters who racially abused him at the same stadium in 2022, was dismissed for shoving Los Che goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in the back of the neck with little over 10 minutes remaining.

Madrid were trailing at the time but Bellingham set up veteran midfielder Modric to level in the 85th minute and spark a superb comeback.

Bellingham broke in to strike in the 96th minute after a Valencia defensive error, sending Madrid two points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top of the table, having played a game more than Diego Simeone's team.

"(Bellingham had a) great game, he didn't dip after the missed penalty, it gave him extra motivation," said Ancelotti.

"He made an extraordinary effort... (scoring) was a reward for him for the game he had."

Ancelotti said he did not think Vinicius' push deserved a red card and was surprised by his team's poor start to the match.

"We didn't think it was a red card... he went off and the team reacted, to the red, the missed penalty.

"It's hard to explain how badly we did in the first half and how good we did in the second, even with 10 men.

"It's three very important points, deserved, but we can't show these two sides (of ourselves)."

Los Blancos' trip to face Valencia was postponed at the end of October after devastating flooding in the region on Spain's east coast.

Sitting 19th, Valencia appointed Carlos Corberan to replace former coach Ruben Baraja during the winter break, pinching the Spaniard from English Championship club West Bromwich Albion.

The hosts made a strong start, shackling Madrid's star-studded attack before making the breakthrough after 27 minutes.

Dimitri Foulquier cut the ball back for Javi Guerra, whose shot was superbly saved by Thibaut Courtois but Duro turned the rebound into the empty net.

'Thanks team'

Mbappe was kept silent in the first half but a burst of pace in behind early in the second earned Madrid a penalty, when Tarrega was adjudged to have brought him down.

Bellingham was tasked with dispatching the spot kick but jumped just before he struck the ball and skidded a low effort against the post.

Replays indicated Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski was off his line when the penalty was taken, but it was not spotted by the officials.

Mbappe, who missed two penalties for Madrid before Christmas himself, thought he had pulled Los Blancos level when he skipped around Dimitrievski and tucked home, but he was fractionally offside.

Madrid were reduced to 10 men when Vinicius shoved Dimitrievski in the back of the neck after Valencia's goalkeeper had pushed him, after the Brazilian hit the deck under a fair challenge in the box.

Despite their numerical disadvantage Madrid pulled level when Bellingham nudged the ball through for substitute Modric, 39, to stab home.

The former Borussia Dortmund man snatched the winner when Foulquier's poor pass put team-mate Hugo Guillamon under pressure, and Bellingham raced on to his attempted back pass to finish with aplomb.

It was his sixth goal in his last seven games across all competitions, with Bellingham once again showing the goalscoring form that helped him become an instant hit with Madrid last season.

"Sorry and thanks team," said Vinicius on social media platform X after his colleagues spared his blushes.

Valencia's Luis Rioja struck the post with a vicious effort from distance in the 100th minute, inches away from snatching his side a last-gasp draw.

Valencia, who have not won in La Liga since November, are four points from safety.

"I don't care (about scoring), the important thing was the three points and we didn't get them," said goalscorer Duro.

"I hope I don't score a single goal in the rest of the season and we win the rest of our games 1-0 with an own goal."

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

- Agence France-Presse

BALLON D'OR: MESSI, RONALDO BOTH MISS OUT FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2003

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were both left off the list of nominees for this year's Ballon d'Or award, marking the first time neither star was nominated since 2003.

Record eight-time winner Messi, and his longtime rival Ronaldo, who has five Ballon d'Ors to his name, did not feature Wednesday in a list of 30 players in the running for this year's prize, which will be presented Oct. 28.

Vinicius Junior, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane are among the names nominated.

Teammates Vinicius and Bellingham helped Real Madrid win LaLiga and the club's 16th Champions League title last season, while Haaland led the Premier League in goals scored and Kane did the same for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.

Earlier this summer, Mbappé finally sealed his expected move to Madrid after spending six seasons at PSG.

Messi, who is working his way back from injury with club side Inter Miami, won the award last year.

Messi, 37, won his first Ballon d'Or in 2009 -- the start of a four-year streak of taking the top prize. He was first nominated in 2006.

Ronaldo and Messi turned the competition into a nearly two-way contest during the peak of their careers -- winning it a combined 13 times from 2008.

Ronaldo's first nomination was 2004.

On the women's side, five U.S. stars made the list of nominees, including captain and midfielder Lindsey Horan, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and forwards Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson, a few weeks after helping the Americans win the 2024 Olympic gold medal in women's soccer.

Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey, Patri Guijarro, Salma Paralluelo and Alexia Putellas are the five Spanish players nominated for the award. Spain finished fourth at the Olympics, one year after winning the World Cup. The award has gone to Spanish players in each of the past three years, twice to Putellas and last year to Bonmatí.

England, beaten by Spain in the 2023 World Cup final, has three nominees -- Lauren Hemp, Lauren James and Lucy Bronze.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

- ESPN News Services

JAY-Z CELEBRATES REAL MADRID'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WIN WITH VINICIUS JÚNIOR SELFIE

ADAM VAUGHAN/EFE

 The Brazilian attacker, who scored Madrid’s second goal against Dortmund at Wembley, caught up with the rapper after lifting the trophy.

Real Madrid won the Champions League/European Cup for the 15th time in their history against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, where a whole host of stars turned out to watch the biggest game in club soccer.

Many of them were among the sport’s biggest names, including former Madrid star Gareth Bale, ex-Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp and Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson.

However, others were names we perhaps might associate less with “the beautiful game,” including pre-game performer Lenny Kravitz and rapper Jay-Z, who watched on from the stands.

What is Jay-Z’s connection to Vinícius Júnior? Why did they take a selfie together?

The 54-year-old, real name Shawn Corsy Carter, does, however, have a close link to one of the men who decided the game in the Spanish team’s favour: Vinicius Junior.

After Real Madrid had secured the win and lifted the trophy, the Brazilian winger briefly interrupted his celebrations with his teammates to take a selfie with the musician. Roc Nation Sports, a sports management company founded by Jay-Z in 2013, last year acquired the Brazilian TFM agency, which represents Vinícius, who scored the LaLia giants’ second goal against Dortmund.

The rapper also has another tie to soccer through his friendship with former Arsenal, Barcelona and New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry and has previously spoken of his liking for The Gunners. Reports even surfaces that at one point he had contemplated investing in the Premier League club.

- Roddy Cons

PICKING 2023 WINNERS: MBAPPÉ, HAALAND AND LEWIS DUNK?

You know Erling Haaland will feature in this best of 2023 recap, but for what? Michael Regan/Getty Images

Everybody loves a good, completely arbitrary cut-off point, right? They can be useless, but sometimes they can, quite usefully, twist the lens through which we view something ever so slightly, just enough to reveal a new perspective. And so what better time to do that than the end of the calendar year?

While typically we constrain ourselves to the 38-game season model spanning across two calendar years, what if we take a different view? Rather than looking at this season and last season as two separate entities, what if we just let them bleed together and become one for the calendar year?

We know who won everything last season and who scored all the goals. We know who's winning this season and scoring all the goals. But who won the most and who scored all the goals in 2023?

Let's take a look at the defining players and teams of the past calendar year.

NO EXCUSES FROM REAL MADRID, AS INJURY-HIT REAL FACE NAPOLI

Reuters 

Real Madrid go into their Champions League tie against Napoli with plenty of injury problems, but manager Carlo Ancelotti said his side have proved they are strong enough to cope with these challenges.

Real's injury list includes Aurelien Tchouameni, Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Camavinga, while Luka Modric is a doubt after going off injured in their 3-0 win at Cadiz on Sunday.

RIO GOVERNMENT NAMES ANTI-RACISM LAW APFTER VINICIUS JR

Reuters 

The Rio de Janeiro government named an anti-racism law after Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr on Wednesday which will see sporting events stopped or suspended in the event of racist conduct.

Brazil forward Vinicius was racially abused by fans when Madrid played Valencia in May, the 10th such incident involving the 22-year-old that LaLiga has reported to prosecutors that season.

TOP 6 DRIBBLERS IN THE WORLD AT THE MOMENT

Twitter

Football dribbling is an essential component of the game, and football fans have always had a soft spot in their hearts for skilled dribblers.

Football requires dribbling for more than just moving the ball around; it also requires it to get past defenders and eliminate them from the play.

Skilled dribblers can frequently make a difference when teams sit deep inside their own halves to defend and look to hit the opposition on the break.

With their quick movements, agility, and burst of speed, they can get around obstacles and overcome such defences.

POWERFUL VINICIUS JR. STATEMENT

 

XAVI WEIGHS IN VINICIUS JUNIOR CONTROVERSIAL CELEBRATIONS | BARCELONA

VINICIUS JUNIOR SAMBA CELEBRATIONS PROVOKED KOKE AND MADRID FANS

VINICIUS JUNIOR 2022/23 | AMAZING SKILLS & GOALS