Kiev (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp is in no doubt that Zinedine Zidane has shown himself to be as good a coach as he was during a wonderful playing career, as the two men prepare to lead their Liverpool and Real Madrid sides into Saturday's Champions League final. "If a lot of people think Zinedine Zidane […]

Uyo (Nigeria) (AFP) – Nigeria can surpass expectations at the World Cup finals by demonstrating the same fighting spirit and teamwork that got them to Russia, captain Mikel John Obi said on Friday. The Super Eagles are currently 47th in the FIFA world rankings — the lowest of their opponents in Group D, Argentina (5th), […]

London (AFP) – Brighton completed the signing of Deportivo La Coruna striker Florin Andone for an undisclosed fee on Friday, the Premier League club announced. The Romania international will join the Seagulls on a five-year contract when the window for international transfers opens on June 8. The 25-year-old scored 19 goals in 69 appearances during […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool's mayor says his bid to get stranded football fans to Kiev for the Champions League final against Real Madrid is "really not looking good" after he was unable to find a crew for a back-up plane. Hundreds of supporters face missing the showpiece match in Ukraine after operator Worldchoice Sports cancelled […]

Kiev (AFP) – Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson urged his team-mates to take "one more step" to write themselves into the club's storied history in European competition by winning the Champions League for a sixth time on Saturday. To do so Liverpool must end Real Madrid's reign as European champions as the Spanish giants go for […]

Kiev (AFP) – When Julie Pierson and her companion Jorge Ramirez had their apartment reservation for Saturday's Champions League final in Kiev cancelled, they did not expect to end up being hosted by a minister. But when the Real Madrid supporters from Luxembourg arrived for the big match with Liverpool, it was Information Minister Yuriy […]

Kiev (AFP) – Liverpool and Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian striker whose goals took his side to the Champions League final, hope their brand of attacking football can prevent Real Madrid from becoming kings of Europe for the third year in a row on Saturday. The Spanish giants have seen the Champions League as their competition […]

Kiev (AFP) – Liverpool's Mohamed Salah admitted it would be "a dream" to cap a sensational debut season at Anfield by ending Real Madrid's European reign in Saturday's Champions League final. However, Salah says he would be happy if Roberto Firmino or Sadio Mane grabs the goal that takes the Reds to a sixth European […]

Kiev (AFP) – "We've won it five times," Liverpool supporters sing to celebrate their five European Cup final victories, but Jurgen Klopp, manager of the English giants, is attempting to end a very different run of results in Saturday's Champions League final. Klopp has lost his last five finals, three with Borussia Dortmund before moving to Anfield […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta's decision to join Japan's Vissel Kobe could make the J-League a serious option for the world's top footballers, former Shimizu S-Pulse manager Steve Perryman said. The 34-year-old Spanish World Cup winner, who lifted 32 major trophies at Barca and made over 600 appearances for the Catalan giants, completed […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid will be targeting their fourth Champions League success in five years on Saturday as they go up against Liverpool in the final in Kiev. Here, we look at how Real held their nerve at the last stage to lift the cup in 2014, 2016 and 2017. 2013-14: Real Madrid 4-1 […]

Kiev (AFP) – A thrilling run inspired by Mohamed Salah has taken Liverpool to Saturday's Champions League final in Kiev against Real Madrid, where now Jurgen Klopp's side must stop the Spanish giants from winning the trophy for the third year running. Real have seen this as their competition ever since winning the first five […]

Kiev (AFP) – A stunning burst of goals in extra time allowed Lyon to come from behind and beat Wolfsburg 4-1 as the French side made history by winning a third straight women's Champions League title on Thursday. Amandine Henry, Eugenie Le Sommer and Ada Hegerberg all scored in a crazy first period of extra […]

Doha (AFP) – Xavi Hernandez could play on until the age of 40 after it was announced on Thursday he has signed a two-year extension to his contract with Qatari club Al Sadd. The legendary former Barcelona and Spain midfielder will stay with the Doha-based club until the end of the 2020 season, according to […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has signed a new five-year contract, ending speculation over his future at the Premier League club. The Argentine, who has led Spurs to three successive top-three finishes in the Premier League, has penned fresh terms to keep him in north London until 2023. "I am honoured to have […]