SPORTS

See The Top 5 Small Sized Players In European Football

Published

6 years ago

January 10, 2019

FAB.NG

It’s always eye-catching when you see a light skinned guy stopping or taking over a giant with big muscles. Thus, being small-sized is an advantage at some point, as it allows one to run with flexibility. Let’s take a look at 5 of the lightest players in European football.

Jesse Lingard (Manchester United) – 65kg

Jesse Lingard has always been criticized for his light skin. The English winger was just 60kg when the World Cup took place in Russia. Later, the 25-years-old went to the gym and saw his weight increasing to 65kg.

Takashi Inui (Real Betis) – 63kg

Takashi Inui is a Japanese footballer who plays for Spanish club Real Betis as a winger or attacking midfielder.

Dries Mertens (Napoli) – 61kg

Even weighing at 61kg, Mertens can for sure create some troubles to the opponents if they don’t watch out well. Dries Mertens is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a striker or winger for Italian club Napoli and the Belgium national team. As a youth, Mertens played for Stade Leuven, Anderlecht and Gent, and made his debut on loan to Eendracht Aalst in the Belgian Third Division.

Joao Moutinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers) – 61kg

Joao is a Portuguese footballer who plays for English club Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Portugal national team. With his light skin, just 61kg, the 32-years-old still create spaces in the midfield of his team and does it well helping Wolves climb up the English Premiership Table gradually .

Lucas Torreira (Arsenal) – 60 kg

Guess the tackler who came to the Premier League with a mission to dethrone N’Golo Kante? It’s nobody else but Lucas Torreira. With his small size, Lukas is already been compared to former Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira.

Related Topics:Small sized players Top 5 small sized players in European football

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Former Manchester United Forward Anthony Martial Joins AEK Athens On A Three-Year Deal

Published

2 days ago

September 20, 2024

Reporter

Anthony Martial joins AEK Athens on a three-year deal | fab.ng

Anthony Martial, the 28-year-old forward, embarks on a new chapter in his career as he joins AEK Athens. The Greek club officially announced the signing on Thursday. They welcomed Martial as a free agent after his nine-year tenure at Manchester United concluded in June.

The talented striker commits his future to AEK Athens with a contract extending until 2027. Further, he chose to don the number 26 jersey for his new team. This move marks a significant addition to the roster of the 13-time Greek champions.

While AEK Athens kept the financial aspects of the deal confidential, British media outlets have shed some light on the terms. Reports say that Anthony Martial will command an annual salary of 2.5 million pounds (equivalent to $3.32 million). Indeed, this will position him among the top earners at the club.

🟡✈️ 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Anthony Martial arrives in Greece to sign for AEK Athens! ✅

Many fans waiting for him at airport. 🧨🇬🇷 pic.twitter.com/z1OauTAasW

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) September 18, 2024

This substantial investment underscores AEK’s ambition and their faith in Martial’s abilities to make a significant impact on the pitch. The French international brings a wealth of experience to Athens. They have notched an impressive 90 goals across 317 appearances for Manchester United in all competitions.

His contributions played a crucial role in United’s success, helping the English giants secure the Europa League title, an FA Cup victory, and two League Cup triumphs. However, persistent injury problems marred Martial’s final years at Old Trafford, with his last appearance for the Red Devils coming in December.

AEK Athens continues to demonstrate their intent to compete at the highest level, with Martial’s signing following the acquisition of former Tottenham Hotspur and Sevilla midfielder Erik Lamela earlier in the transfer window.

The Greek club currently sits atop the Super League Greece standings, having accumulated 10 points from their opening four matches. They aim to maintain their strong start to the season as they prepare to face Kallithea in an upcoming away fixture on Sunday.

With these strategic reinforcements, AEK Athens looks poised to challenge for domestic honours and make their mark in European competitions. Indeed, they’re leveraging the experience and skill of their new star signings.

Check out more sports news here.

SPORTS

Sparta Prague’s Nigerian Star, Victor Olatunji Sets Champions League Record

Published

2 days ago

September 20, 2024

Reporter

Victor Olatunji, Sets Champions League Record | fab.ng

Victor Olatunji, at 25, made history as the first Nigerian to both score and assist on his Champions League debut. He achieved this during Sparta Prague’s 3-0 win against RB Salzburg on Wednesday.

The Sokoto-born forward, lined up with Veljko Birmancevic and Lukas Haraslin, made an immediate impact in European competition. From the start, his performance stood out. He helped his team to a victory.

Lars Friis’ side extended their unbeaten streak to 15 matches across all competitions. They wasted no time at the Epet Arena, taking an early lead in the second minute through Kaan Kairinen. The Finnish midfielder reacted swiftly to a loose ball, calmly slotting home after a brilliant save by Salzburg’s goalkeeper Janis Blaswich.

Just before halftime, Olatunji doubled the lead for Sparta Prague. He fired home from a tight angle, capitalizing on a well-placed assist from team captain Filip Panak. In the second half, Olatunji played provider, setting up Qazim Laci for a composed finish, sealing the game at the hour mark.

With his goal and assist, Victor Olatunji carved his name into the Champions League record books.

He became the first Nigerian to achieve this feat on his debut. Also, he joined an elite group of players and became the third footballer to score and assist in his first Champions League match. Ivorian international Serge Aurier and Gabonese legend Daniel Cousin are the only other players to have achieved this milestone.

3 – Victor Olatunji is the third African player to score and assist on his UEFA Champions League debut, after Daniel Cousin in 2007 (for Rangers vs Lyon) and Serge Aurier in 2015 (for PSG vs Shakhtat Donetsk). Indeed, he’s the first 🇳🇬 Nigerian player to do so. Eagle. pic.twitter.com/BhSQeW09oo

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 18, 2024

Cousin first accomplished the feat in 2007 with Rangers during their 3-0 win over Olympique Lyonnais. Eight years later, Aurier followed suit as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 in 2015.

Sparta Prague’s win also ended their long wait for a Champions League victory. This was their first since defeating Lazio 1-0 in December 2003. Additionally, it marked the first time they had opened the competition with a win. Yet, it is in their eighth appearance in the tournament.

“I feel good, I feel great and I’m very happy for myself because I worked hard to get to this point. I’m also happy for the team,” Olatunji told UEFA media after the match.

“We always play like a team – I really enjoyed it. For the third goal, I could have shot but I wanted to give us a bigger chance (of scoring) because missing that chance would not have been good for the team.”

Sparta Prague will next face Ceske Budejovice in a domestic league match on Sunday. Following that, they will travel to Germany to take on Bundesliga giants Stuttgart in their upcoming Champions League fixture on October 1st.

Get more updates here.

SPORTS

Retirement Can Make You Feel “Like An Alien” In Tennis, Says Roger Federer

Published

3 days ago

September 19, 2024

Reporter

Roger Federer says retirement make you feel 'like an alien' | fab.ng

Roger Federer, the 43-year-old tennis legend, discussed his post-retirement involvement in the sport on Wednesday. He revealed that staying connected to tennis has helped him avoid feeling “like an alien.” His remarks came as he prepared for this week’s Laver Cup tournament in Berlin.

Federer played a pivotal role in establishing the Laver Cup. He retired from professional tennis at this same event in London two years ago. Since then, he has remained closely involved with the competition, continuing to serve as an ambassador.

“I’m happy I went back right away to some tournaments,” the 43-year-old told reporters.

“I feel I ripped the bandaid off quite quickly and when I walk around the tennis sites I still feel I belong there.

“I don’t feel like an alien, which is a good thing because you can feel like that very quickly.

“People (and) players ask you ‘what are you doing here?’ and you’re like ‘exactly – if you keep talking like this, I will never come back’.”

He continued, “I’m happy I’m still able to feel comfortable in a setting like this because it would be so much easier just to stay home, get comfortable at home and realise you don’t need to be on tour anymore.”

The 20-time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer, expressed his admiration for rising stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. According to him, he looked forward to next year’s Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were absent from this year’s Laver Cup. But Federer remained optimistic about their future prospects.

“With Rafa we don’t know – it remains to be seen. It’s hard for me to make a prediction on Rafa because of the little tennis he has played this year.

“Novak, winning the Olympics and playing somewhat let’s say a full season – he didn’t bow out because of injuries, he chose to play less which is normal when you get a bit older. I feel like he has chances moving forward.

“I look forward to Australia which is the next Slam; I think he’s definitely going to be one of the favourites along with Sinner and Alvarez; I think the Australian Open story will be a very cool one to follow.”

Nadal withdrew from the Laver Cup due to an injury. However, his fellow Spaniard Alcaraz will participate as a member of Team Europe, competing against Team World. German player Alexander Zverev will also represent Team Europe.

Federer commented on Zverev’s Grand Slam prospects, stating that he was “so close” to securing his first major title. The tennis legend advised that Zverev needs to adopt a more aggressive approach during critical moments in matches.

“I see someone who’s playing much too passively, much too defensively when it matters the most,” he said.

“I think (Zverev) has to remind himself to try to not be too passive and then I think honestly something really great can happen for him.”

Team Europe claimed victory in the first four Laver Cup events, beginning in 2017. However, Team World has emerged triumphant in the last two competitions.

Check out more sports updates here.