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Emiliano Martinez booed at Ballon d’Or ceremony

Emiliano Martinez was booed at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday night as he collected the best goalkeeper’s Yashin Trophy.

Martinez thwarted France in the 2022 World Cup final, making a crucial one-on-one save from Randal Kolo Muani in extra time to take the game to penalties, before making two more saves in the shootout to help clinch Argentina’s first World Cup since 1986.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper was criticised in the aftermath of the final, however, for his overzealous celebrations when he was pictured carrying a doll of France captain Kylian Mbappe during the trophy parade in Buenos Aires.

Martinez arrived at Ballon d’Or ceremony to chants of “Mbappe!” outside the venue. Later, after receiving his award from his father on stage, boos could be heard as he was interviewed by host Didier Drogba while a video played his famous save from Kolo Muani in the background.

Martinez’s teammate Lionel Messi won a record eighth Ballon d’Or for the best player in the world, beating Norway’s Uefa player of the year and treble winner Erling Haaland of Manchester City to the prestigious prize. The 36-year-old is now three Ballons d’Or clear of rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the last of his five trophies in 2017.

Messi has now finished among the top three a record 14 times in total, finishing runner-up on five occasions.

“I couldn’t imagine having the career that I’ve had. Everything that I’ve achieved. The fortune I’ve had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It’s nice to win these individual trophies. To win the Copa America and then the World Cup, to get it done is amazing,” Messi said.

“All of them (Ballon d’Or awards) are special for different reasons,” he added. “I’m happy to get that recognition that I’m getting thanks to what we have achieved with the national team,” Messi told Reuters. “This (World Cup) title we had been aiming for for so many years makes it even more special.”

Asked if he would carry on until the 2026 World Cup, Messi said: “I don’t think about it. I’ll enjoy (my career) day by day. There will first be the Copa America in the United States (in 2024). (The World Cup), I don’t think about it.”

Spain’s World Cup winner and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the women’s Ballon d’Or. “It’s an individual trophy but it can’t exist without a team,” she said.

Messi, who won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 and claimed four in a row until 2012, finished second to Haaland at the Uefa awards in August.

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Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw

Roy Keane reacting angrily during a football analysis session

Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.

Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.

And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.


“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots

After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.

According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.

Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.

He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.

In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.


Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”

Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.

While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:

  • United lost control after scoring

  • They failed to win second balls

  • They should have killed the match earlier

  • The inconsistency is becoming a real problem

For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.


West Ham Deserved Their Point

To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.

United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.


Where Do United Go From Here?

Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.

Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.

What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.


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Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania

David Beckham Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold posing with the gunmetal adidas Predator Mania boots

Beckham Links Up With The New Generation

Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.

The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.

It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.


How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon

In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.

Thanks to players like:

  • David Beckham

  • Zinedine Zidane

  • Steven Gerrard

…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.

Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.

And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.


A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns

The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.

Adidas describes it as:

  • “Metallic, polished and aggressive”

  • Featuring crisp white Three Stripes

  • And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold

Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”

Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.


Engineered For Today’s Game

While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.

The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.

Key enhancements include:

  • Upgraded comfort

  • Subtle structural refinement

  • Increased responsiveness

  • Modern fit for today’s style of play

In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.


Back On The Bernabéu Grass

The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.

From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.

Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.


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Galatasaray Vs Samsunspor: Can Cimbom Break Samsunspor’s Unbeaten Run In A Heated Super Lig Clash?

Galatasaray players celebrating a goal ahead of their match against Samsunspor.

Galatasaray Vs Samsunspor Match Preview

The Turkish Super Lig title race is heating up, and Friday’s clash between Galatasaray and Samsunspor carries huge implications for both ends of the table. Cimbom remain top, but their recent dip in form has opened the door for rivals — and Samsunspor are arriving in Istanbul with confidence and a 14-game unbeaten streak.

This matchup promises intensity, tactics, and a battle of resilience versus home dominance.


Galatasaray Searching For Lost Spark

Galatasaray head into this fixture frustrated after conceding a 95th-minute equaliser in the derby against Fenerbahce — a result that denied them a chance to go four points clear.

Their early-season sharpness has faded:

  • 9 wins in their first 10 games

  • Only 1 win in their last 4

  • Three matches without scoring during Victor Osimhen’s absence

The Nigerian striker’s return instantly improves their attack, but Okan Buruk’s side still need to rediscover the fluid, cohesive football that put them top of the table.


Samsunspor’s Incredible Unbeaten Run

Samsunspor enter the match in fantastic form:

  • Unbeaten in 14 across all competitions (7W, 7D)

  • 10 straight games unbeaten in the league

  • A habit of rising to big games — drawing against Besiktas, Fenerbahce, and Trabzonspor

However, three consecutive draws — including a late 1-1 against Alanyaspor — show they sometimes struggle to finish opponents off.

Thomas Reis’s men sit 5th with 25 points, but defeat could drop them down the table. Still, their discipline and structure make them one of the most difficult teams to break down this season.


Head-to-Head: A Fixture Dominated By Galatasaray

History heavily favours the hosts:

  • Galatasaray have won the last eight meetings

  • Samsunspor’s last victory over Cimbom feels like a lifetime ago

  • Recent games have been high scoring and entertaining

With form and past meetings combined, Galatasaray remain favourites — but Samsunspor’s current resilience cannot be ignored.


Team News

Galatasaray

Out injured:

  • Ismail Jakobs

  • Wilfried Singo

Suspended (betting scandal):

  • Eren Elmali

  • Metehan Baltaci

Osimhen is fit but still regaining full sharpness.

Samsunspor

Long-term absentees:

  • Olivier Ntcham

  • Ebrima Ceesay

  • Bedirhan Cetin

  • Tanguy Coulibaly

  • Afonso Sousa

Also missing:

  • Lubomir Satka (injured)

  • Celil Yuksel (betting scandal)

  • Joe Mendes (red card suspension)


Probable Lineups

Galatasaray:

Cakir; Sanchez, Bardakci, Lemina, Karatas; Torreira, Sara; Sane, Gundogan, Yilmaz; Osimhen

Samsunspor:

Kocuk; Yavru, Borevkovic, Van Drongelen, Tomasson; Makoumbou; Musaba, Aydin, Holse, Kilinic; Ndiaye

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