Former England manager Sam Allardyce don dey yarn about how Harry Maguire show patience for Manchester United, and e compare am to how Cristiano Ronaldo behave when things no dey go well for am for Old Trafford. Allardyce talk say Maguire na “the most patient man in football” after all wetin e pass through.
Maguire just sign new contract this week wey go keep am for United until 2027, with option for another year. The 33-year-old defender don become one of the first names on the teamsheet since Michael Carrick take over as interim head coach in January after Ruben Amorim dismissal.
Na true say United defence dey struggle when Amorim dey force them play back-three system, but Maguire and some other players don benefit from Carrick change of formation. Maguire popularity don reach all-time high now, and e don redeem himself after some difficult years for Old Trafford.
Remember say there was time wey Maguire become scapegoat for United, after the club spend plenty money buy am and Erik ten Hag collect captain armband from am. Summer of 2023, dem dey link am with move to West Ham, but just two months into next season, Ten Hag comot for injury crisis force am to bring back the defender.
That one lead to Maguire redemption as e turn things around by performing at high level and score unforgettable winners last year against Lyon and Liverpool. Some people dey argue say Ten Hag for don sack sooner if not for Maguire important contributions, because Matthijs de Ligt wey the Dutchman sign don dey struggle with injuries.
For Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce hail Maguire professionalism and draw comparison to how Ronaldo behave once things no dey go well for am for Old Trafford. Ronaldo fall out with Ten Hag after e see say game time don reduce, before e set up that infamous interview with Piers Morgan to badmouth the club.
Allardyce talk say: “Well, he’s the most patient man in football, the way he’s been treated, and I think that going from the England captain to being almost destroyed by the manager at Man United, and no matter what he did or what he tried to do, Man United weren’t great at centre-half at the time. Harry Maguire. And that put his England place under threat. And then it took its toll on him. It took him a long, long time. Kept his mouth shut, didn’t come out and criticise, didn’t come out and say, I’m off. You know, you’re in a position, you know, Ronaldo did it as soon as he wanted to leave. Went viral like many players do. You know, not turning up and that. So never any of that. And of course, his love for Man United in the end, he must have loved the club that much to stay and put up with that.”
Maguire don start every game since Carrick become interim head coach. But that run go end against Leeds on Monday night because of suspension. The Yorkshire-born defender wey graduate from Sheffield United academy, don score at Elland Road during him time as captain of Red Devils.
Maguire don play against Leeds for four different clubs, while e sit on bench when Sheffield United host them for 2010/11 season. E never lose game against Leeds for United shirt, win four matches and draw twice. Maguire go hope to avoid further suspension after dem charge am with improper conduct for arguing against him red card for United 2-2 draw against Bournemouth last time.
Meanwhile, for Saudi Arabia side, Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr don gain significant ground for title hunt Wednesday after Al Ahli controversial 1-1 draw against Al Fayha. After the result, Al Ahli Galeno take to social media to imply say Saudi Pro League dey orchestrate path for Portuguese superstar to claim trophy.
Galeno write for him X account say: “Hand over the trophy, that’s what they want. They want to knock us out of the championship by any means necessary. They want to hand the trophy to one person.” While Galeno no name anyone, him reference to handing trophy to “one person” na widely viewed as jab at Ronaldo.
Al Nassr currently dey top of table, and Ronaldo still dey search for him first official piece of silverware since e join the club. The frustration stem from Al Ahli 1-1 draw with Al Fayha, match wey define by three separate penalty claims wey no get call. Striker Ivan Toney also slam the officiating, suggest say decisions “clearly influenced” by outside factors.
Tension reach breaking point for 98th minute when VAR review fail to overturn non-call on wetin appear to be blatant handball by Al Fayha defender. Despite the review, referee stand by him original decision, deny Al Ahli potential game-winning opportunity.
After match, Al Ahli issue formal statement on X demand full review of match footage and communications between officiating crew and VAR room, while dem seek formal explanation for controversial decisions. The stalemate leave Al Ahli four points adrift of top, while Al Nassr dey first place with 70 points and game in hand.
If Al Nassr defeat Al Akhdoud on Saturday, April 11, Ronaldo side go open five-point lead over second-place Al Hilal with just 18 points left to play for. With six matches remaining (seven for Al Nassr pending Saturday result), Ronaldo dey on verge of ending him trophy drought for Saudi Arabia and secure him first official championship since him arrival early 2023.
For another news, Al-Hilal striker Karim Benzema don reignite sensitive debate for him captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, by issuing fresh claim about greatest forward for history. Ronaldo don repeatedly state for interviews say e regard himself as greatest player for history, both individually and as team player.
Such claims don draw criticism, as many football experts instead rank him eternal rival, Argentine star Lionel Messi, ahead of am. 1986 World Cup champion Oscar Ruggeri join the conversation, make clear difference between the two stars throughout their careers.
For exclusive interview with Bolavip, Oscar Ruggeri talk say: “It wouldn’t even cross my mind to discuss the subject, because there’s a huge difference between the genius we have and the other one, who is a great player. Messi is a genius and Ronaldo is a star. He’s truly a star, a very good player, but he’s not a genius like Messi.”
Throughout him career, Lionel Messi don make impact far beyond him goal-scoring prowess. Starting from right wing, Argentine establish as team primary creative force, consistently link up play. As result, e don rack up 407 assists, lead am to take different role for him later years.
Nevertheless, e shine as scorer with 903 goals, prove say e be one of most complete players for history. While Ruggeri no consider Cristiano Ronaldo genius, Ronaldo don shatter every stereotype. Initially embark on him career as brilliant left winger, injuries transform am into historic center forward.
Far from falter, e don consistently rank among world top scorers for over 20 years, amass 967 goals and near elusive 1,000-goal mark. Now 41 years old, e continue to shine for Saudi Pro League. After shine for MLS and Saudi Pro League, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stand out as clear candidates to compete for 2026 World Cup.
Although dem already veterans, both remain leaders of their national teams, consider key figures for their head coaches. Unlike previous editions, this could be their final tournament, make outcome potentially historic. If dem confirm their presence with Argentina and Portugal, dem go become players with most World Cup appearances for history, cement their names for tournament legacy.
In addition, Ronaldo could aim to win this major trophy for first time for him career, while Messi go look to defend him title, provide historic opportunity for their long-standing comparison. After more than 20 years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dey unmistakably approach retirement.
Nevertheless, dem dey engaged in another major duel: The 1,000-goal milestone. While Argentine sit at 903 goals, Portuguese get 967, make am clear favourite to reach am first. However, focus may no be on who get there first, but on who ultimately achieve am, put pressure on Inter Miami star.
Marcelo wey enjoy unique career wey allow am share pitch with Cristiano Ronaldo and face Lionel Messi regularly, don answer question about who more difficult to play against. The Brazilian first encounter Ronaldo as opponent for Brazil vs Portugal friendly for 2008, before become him teammate at Real Madrid for years of success.
Against Messi, Marcelo test repeatedly for competitive fixtures, including intense clashes between Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as international meetings between Brazil and Argentina. For interview with Romario, Marcelo answer say: “Messi. Messi is unbelievable, I’m still trying to catch him to this day.”
E explain wetin make Argentine so difficult to defend, talk say: “He understands all the positions on the field very well. When a guy passes the ball, he already knows where he has to go in, where he has to go out.” Numbers underline intensity of that rivalry. Marcelo face Messi 33 times during him career, more than any other opponent, record 10 wins, 7 draws and 16 defeats.
Despite pick Messi, Marcelo show appreciation for both players greatness, as e state: “I am grateful for that, I was able to live in the time of both of them.” E add say play for their era na privilege, compare am to previous generations wey witness legends such as Romario himself, Ronaldo, Diego Armando Maradona and Pele.
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