Looking for Soccer News?

The Freestyle Football Community, regarded as the world's fastest-growing sport, rewrote history this year as the South African Freestyle Championships 2020 had two female entrants, a historic first for the annual competition.

This is after efforts by the World Freestyle Football Association (WFFA) to add to the ever-growing wave of female development in a sport that is still very much in its infancy.

After announcing Laura Biondo as the first-ever Head of Female Development, the WFFA also announced the first-ever Women’s European Freestyle Football Championships. The Los Angeles freestyle community also initiated the first female-specific competition in the United States.

More history was made in South Africa as Ceeti Bodibe,17, and Rethabile Kola,12, submitted entries for the 2020 virtual event.

The Vanderbijlpark duo is mentored by Sipho 'Six' Busakwe, the current South African freestyle football champion and a semi-finalist for this year's event.

The ongoing 2020 event is currently in the semi-final stage where Rishaad Ebrahim takes on Emilio Nahamuja and Busakwe is up against Kyle Rinquest.

Goal will be publishing the winners of each round, all details and selected videos in their different platforms.

AFC Leopards will get Kakamega Homeboyz’ Peter Thiong’o even for KSh100 million despite Cleophas Shimanyula’s pride, chairman Dan Shikanda has vowed.

Shimanyula had earlier claimed that Ingwe are a broke club who cannot afford to sign the highly-rated winger but Shikanda has responded and said nobody will stand on their way if the player is on their transfer wish list.

“The players we want we are hopeful of getting them and it all depends on the interest we have as AFC Leopards. If [Peter] Thiong'o is in my list of the players AFC Leopards want, we will surely get him,” Shikanda told Goal.

“Even if [Cleophas] Shimanyula is going to ask for KSh100 million we will get him.

“We have not drafted any list of potential new signings so far and I do not know between Kakamega Homeboyz and AFC Leopards which side should be bragging of having more money than the other.

“Yes, you can brag you have got money when you have KSh1 million and another one may have KSh100 million and both can rightfully chest thump that they have got money.

“The word money is relative and it depends on what you are talking about. I wonder how much Shimanyula pays his players against what we pay our players so that he can brag that he has money and AFC Leopards have got no money."

Shikanda, who is serving his second year as AFC Leopards chair, did not want to engage his Kakamega Homeboyz counterpart on the money debate.

“We are only interested in players that we want and if Shimanyula thinks AFC Leopards have got money or not is none of our concern,” he continued.

“So, I do not understand why somebody should tell me that AFC Leopards have got no money. Let him continue thinking he has got money and AFC Leopards do not but let me say if Thiong'o is in my list Shimanyula will cry in the washrooms.

“But if we are not interested in the player then that is it. I am just sorry for Shimanyula if Thiong'o is on our list.

“Time will tell. It is not important to debate who has got more money and who has got no money.”

Shimanyula has been a critic of his rivals and when reports indicated Ingwe were in talks with Thiong’o, Derrick Otanga and Musa Masika, he quickly claimed the winger was above the purchasing power of the former Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions.

“AFC Leopards are simply broke and cannot afford to buy Thiong’o, they should try to sign players from elsewhere, they don’t have money to pay for the player and we all know they are struggling financially,” Shimanyula told Goal on Wednesday.

AFC Leopards and Kakamega Homeboyz are yet to sign any new players since the transfer window opened.

Ugandan Premier League side Onduparaka FC have denied reports of a mass exodus from the club.

The financial crisis has seen the team fail to pay players for six months and there have been speculations that some have been let go by the Caterpillars. However, Onduparaka have set the record straight regarding the issue.

They have also confirmed talks are underway with some unnamed players regarding contract extensions.

"The club hasn’t officially released any of its players but, however, we can confirm the departure of two players; Hassan Muhamud and Andama Sabir whose times ran out with us and opted to grow elsewhere in their career," the club confirmed through their official website.

"We are also aware of rumours surrounding the departure of a few of our players and members of the coaching staff but we cannot confirm these rumours because we have not had an official communication from the individuals.  

"We are in talks with our players whose contracts ran out and hope to confirm a few who will agree to extend their contracts in the subsequent days to come."

The Arua-based side had an ambitious project of buying a team bus and everyone associated with the club, including sponsors, had supported the idea.

The project was started in February, and the Caterpillars have commented on the issue as well.

The team had managed to raise $8175 against a proposed budget of $200,000 and the team is optimistic the target will be realised. The procurement partner had also pledged $100,000.

"This being a very costly venture that will require at least $200,000, we are far from over but halfway there," Onduparaka updated.

"We have since halted the [bus project] initiative in acknowledgement of the challenges posed by Covid-19 which has affected all of us. As the situation gradually returns to normal, we intend to reignite the fire with more interesting strategies and ideas.  

"We, therefore, intend to continue to play our part in fundraising through our networks and we implore you our fans to do the same as we reintroduce this initiative bigger and better.  

"We are very determined and optimistic that we shall achieve this goal with your support and God's grace."  

Amadou Haidara has expressed his joy after RB Leipzig defeated Atletico Madrid in the quarter-final of the Champions League on Thursday.

The Red Bulls reached the last eight of the European competition after thrashing Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 in the Round of 16.

Julian Nagelsmann’s men continued their impressive showings at Estadio Jose Alvalade, handing a 2-1 defeat to Atletico.

Tyler Adams scored the match-winning goal with two minutes left to play after Joao Felix’s strike had cancelled out Daniel Olmo’s opener.

Haidara made his seventh appearance in the European competition as a second-half substitute after replacing Christopher Nkunku.

The Mali international has taken to social media to express his delight with the progress of the Red Bulls in the tournament.

“Yes, semi-finals here we come,” elated Haidara posted on Instagram.

Manager Nagelsmann has praised the performances of Haidara and his teammates in the encounter and now looks forward to their semi-final game against French champions Paris Saint-Germain on August 18.

"We're very happy and I'm so proud of the group. We defended with a lot of passion and were the better team against a very good and experienced side. We were brilliant,” Nagelsmann told the club website.

“We got off to a strong start and were highly-motivated. The boys stayed calm, which is great to see. I was happy that the match didn't go into added time. This way, we can save our strength for the upcoming game.

“Paris Saint-Germain are a top-level side with a top-notch coach. They have a lot of quality and are a threat right until the final minute.

“You saw that during the match against Atalanta Bergamo. They have a star-studded squad. We will need to give it 100 per cent, but we are looking forward to the match and will go in highly-motivated."

Haidara has made 28 appearances for RB Leipzig across all competitions this season and will hope to play a more impactful role in their semi-final against PSG.

The 22-year-old midfielder has 12 caps for Mali since he made his debut against Ivory Coast on October 2017 in a World Cup qualifying game.

Only a fortnight after football in Scotland restarted for the first time since mid-March, it has been threatened with a fresh shutdown over the behaviour of some players.

The 2020-21 campaign opened with Rangers’ 1-0 victory away against Aberdeen, yet hours later, it immediately found itself put under question as it came to light that eight Dons players had breached strict protocols designed to minimised the chance of players contracting the virus.

After the tepid display against Steven Gerrard’s side, Bruce Anderson, Craig Bryson, Sam Cosgrove, Michael Devlin, Jonny Hayes, Matthew Kennedy, Dylan McGeouch and Scott McKenna broke their sporting bubble by visiting a bar on the evening a fresh cluster took hold in the north east that has since caused the region to move back into a state of stricter lockdown. 

Two subsequently tested positive for Covid-19, and while both were asymptomatic, the SPFL was forced to postpone last weekend’s match with St Johnstone, the only UK match due to be televised live that day, leaving the whole of Scottish football red faced.

To the club’s credit, chairman David Cormack did state that they were “fully prepared” to play the fixture due to “the fact we caused it ourselves”. Of course, the eight players in question would not have been eligible. 

“As a player group, we once again apologise unreservedly,” a joint statement issues by the group said. “We, as a small group of players, made a huge error of judgement last weekend by thinking it was OK to visit a city centre venue together.

“None of us could have foreseen the escalation of Covid-19 cases in the Grampian area.”

The Scottish Government, though, was left unimpressed.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon admitted that she was “pretty furious” over the situation, adding: “We are expecting members of the public to behave in a highly precautionary manner right now and, when a football club ends up with players infected with Covid - and let's remember this is not through bad luck but through clear breaches of the rules - we cannot take even the small risk that they spread the infection to other parts of the country.”

To that juncture, football had escaped censure for what were perceived to be minor infractions of the new rules. Rangers, Motherwell and Hibs all received little more than a slap on the wrist for breaching testing protocols in pre-season, while testing itself was stepped up to twice per week after St Mirren had eight members of staff test positive, albeit six of these were false positives. 

The Aberdeen incident, however, thrust the game firmly into an unwelcome spotlight.

Step forward Celtic left-back Boli Bolingoli, then, who put the whole future of the campaign in doubt a matter of days later.

The 25-year-old’s response to being given two days off by Neil Lennon following the club’s opening weekend victory over Hamilton was to fly out to Spain on Monday, then back again the following day. 

The Scottish Government’s instructions on quarantine after returning from Spain are clear: “If you arrived or returned from Spain from 00:01 on 26 July you will need to self-isolate,” it states.

But Bolingoli, who had not told anyone in the club about his trip, appeared last weekend as a late substitute against Kilmarnock, sparking universal outrage having failed to self-quarantine. 

“We have been bitterly and sorely let down,” Lennon said. “The players are angry, disappointed and frustrated. The selfish actions of the individual is baffling. I’m livid, it was a total betrayal of trust.”

It was the action that has brought Scottish football to the very brink. Another similar infraction could halt the season in its tracks. 

“Consider today the yellow card. The next time it will be the red card because you will leave us with absolutely no choice,” the First Minister explained at her briefing with the press on Tuesday.

“We can't have privileged football players just deciding that they are not going to bother [following government guidelines]. This can't go on.”

It left the midweek fixture card bereft of two matches: Celtic’s encounter with St Mirren joining Aberdeen’s scheduled clash with Hamilton as being postponed. Furthermore, the scheduled match between the two clubs for Saturday, August 15 has also been pushed back to a later date.

Greater implications are afoot, however, with new rules set to be hurried in by the SPFL in order to clamp down on players who breach coronavirus guidelines. Among the punishments being considered are community service, fines and long suspensions, according to reports.

Reacting to the stern warning of the First Minister, Rod Petrie, the chairman of the SFA, said: “Clubs and players are in no doubt there is no more margin for error.”

With Celtic chasing a record 10-in-a-row, the stakes could barely be higher, but by the time they kick a ball again on August 22 when they visit Dundee United, they could find themselves a daunting 11 points behind Glasgow rivals Rangers. 

For now, though, there is more on the line than just a league title: the immediate future of the season sits on a knife edge.

Barcelona legend Rivaldo has responded to German icon Lothar Matthaus's assertion that Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski is the best player in the world ahead of Friday's Champions League clash, with the Brazilian still convinced Lionel Messi holds that honour.

Both of the attackers are their teams' main goalscoring threat and will endeavour to do their part to seal a spot in the semi-finals as the European heavyweights face off in Lisbon.

While Rivaldo believes that Messi has no peers when it comes to quality of consistency over his decorated career, he concedes that Lewandowski's current form could see him named player of the season if his Bayern side can knock out the Blaugrana.

“German legend Lothar Matthaus has said that Messi is about to face his successor as the world's best player - Robert Lewandowski,” Rivaldo wrote in a column for Betfair.

“Lewandowski is in such extraordinary form, and is well placed to be the best world player in 2020, but he still has to beat the current best player. It will be fascinating to see how the two players perform on Friday.

“As we know, Messi tends to show up on the big stages, raising his game when needed. Lewandowski has scored more than 50 goals this season and will be desperate to reach the semi-finals.

“Whoever goes through the next round out of these two stars can call himself the best in the world in 2020.”

Bookmakers have Bayern down as favourites for Friday's match-up, with strong collective performances having seen the Bavarians overcome a poor start to the season to clinch yet another Bundesliga title.

Rivaldo, however, still feels that Barca have a good chance of seeing off their German opponents due to the individual brilliance of their talismanic captain.

“Barcelona have excellent players who can capitalise on opponents' slips and, for that reason, I think Barca have a good chance of qualifying,” he said.

“If they maintain their concentration for 90 minutes and take advantage of any Bayern errors, they can get through to the semi-finals. Bayern are an excellent team but in Lionel Messi Barca have the best player, and the most effective match winner, in the world.”

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has revealed Elvis Rupia will remain at the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) club.

The striker, who was signed from Wazito FC in the last January transfer window, was almost at the exit door as his short-term contract was set to end in mid-20202 but Shikanda has said he remains an Ingwe player.

“[Elvis] Rupia is a player for AFC Leopards. He has got a contract and that means he is a player for AFC Leopards,” Shikanda told Goal on Friday.

Rupia, a former Nzoia Sugar and Power Dynamos striker, was brought to fill the void left by John Makwatta, who had left for Zambian giants Zesco United.

In his latest interview with Goal, Rupia had indicated that his contract had not been renewed as discussions had not been conducted.

“My contract with AFC Leopards was just short term and I am now a free agent," the former Nzoia Sugar star said.

“Of course the [Leopards] officials have approached me over a contract extension but I have told them to wait.

“It is something which needs keenness and consultations before making the final decision.”

The chairman is confident that AFC Leopards will land their transfer targets as they look to strengthen for the 2020/21 season.

They have so far been linked with Peter Thiong’o of Kakamega Homeboyz, Musa Masika of Wazito FC and former Sony Sugar’s striker Derrick Otanga, who was recently released by Wazito.

The former KPL champions have already lost Vincent Oburu, who signed for the 2019 National Super League (NSL) champions Wazito.

“Those players who we feel are good for the team will be retained and those who we feel are surplus shall be released of course,” Shikanda added.

“The ones who we want and are elsewhere we will surely get them.”

AFC Leopards have not confirmed any new signings so far and Austin Odhiambo’s situation has not been resolved either.

The youngster had indicated he wants to leave the club with his probable destination being arch-rivals Gor Mahia.

Shikanda had said they were keen to sign just three to five players in order to bring in experience and help build their current relatively young squad.

AFC Leopards midfielder Eugene Mukangula has revealed going without pay for months made him think about changing his career.

Many Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clubs were negatively impacted after the exit of the title sponsors SportPesa and Ingwe and Gor Mahia were the ones who were badly affected considering the betting firm was also their main sponsor.

"I have been through many challenges in my football career, it is normal for any player," Mukangula told Goal.

"However, going for months without pay was my worst challenge which made me think about changing my career. But the passion for the game keeps you going; because you wholeheartedly love the game hoping things will become better in the future.

"Basically, it is the biggest challenge I have faced in football; it is not easy going for months without salaries."

The 13-time champions' fans were also on the heels of the player in the 2019/20 season after he picked up some weight. Abuse came from some of them and the former Thika United player has revealed its impact on him.

"The mocks, abuses did not affect me that much negatively because if you analyse the situation, they had some sense in it and it gave me something to think about as well," Mukangula continued.

"I took it positively and I started working on it to ensure I play better. It is not about body size, it is how you understand the game and how you played. Regardless, I took it positively and started working on my weight.

"To be honest, my performance had gone down; I knew where the problem was and I started working on it. My weight limited me from achieving my set targets and I struggled a lot trying to reduce it.

"If it could have affected me negatively, I could not get the energy to work, I could easily start thinking about it and it would have been worse. But it was a motivation for me to give my best to ensure I get back to my former self."

The midfielder has also set a target for next season.

"A player is defined by numbers, and for that reason, I want to have more assists and goals in the new campaign," he concluded.

Although there were rumours that Malaysia will play Japan in a friendly, the Malaysian FA (FAM) general secretary Stuart Ramalingam has denied that anything concrete has been agreed between the two countries' associations.

Earlier this week, UK tabloid Daily Mirror wrote that Japan will play Malaysia sometime in September, in a story on Liverpool FC star Takumi Minamino.

However, in a press briefing held by FAM on Friday, August 14, Stuart explained that the job of organising friendly matches has become more difficult due to restricted overseas travel under Covid-19 pandemic conditions.

Stuart Ramalingam

Most recently, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has postponed three rounds of the World Cup Asian qualifying stage that had earlier been scheduled for October and November this year, due to the increased number of Covid-19 cases throughout the continent. The 2020 AFF Championship had also been postponed to 2021.

"There have been preliminary, open discussions between me and my colleagues from the other FAs, but no confirmation can be made due to difficulties in organising overseas travel. On our part, we don't have the authority to travel abroad as the power is with the National Security Council and the health ministry. Only the matches against Bahrain and Kuwait had been confirmed earlier to take place later, and even these two look doubtful now. But they will be discussed with the national team committee later.

"And due to the sudden availability of time because of the postponement of the qualification, we'll ask head coach Tan Cheng Hoe whether he wants to hold a brief national team centralised camp during that time," explained Stuart.

When asked by the press, he also stated his belief that Cheng Hoe, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the year, has performed well and is likely to have his tenure extended.

"I'm glad that we now have more time and Cheng Hoe is at the office more! We have started discussions on his contract and I think the national team has been performing well since last January, in that our form has not dipped. 

"Both parties have a good relationship, and the discussion is on how we are going to move forward together," noted Stuart.

Rio Ferdinand believes Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski should start up a petition to ensure the Ballon d'Or is awarded this season. 

France Football announced last month that they wouldn't be handing out the award this year due to the “lack of sufficient fair conditions” as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Ballon d'Or had previously been awarded every year since it was first founded in 1956 with Lionel Messi taking home the honour for a record sixth time in 2019.  

While Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo loomed as strong candidates for the trophy this year, 2020 looked like it was going to be Lewandowski's year with the Polish striker proving unstoppable in front of goal. 

The 31-year-old has scored 53 goals in all competitions so far this season for Bayern, with 13 of those coming in the Champions League, and Ferdinand is adamant Lewandowski deserves to be recognised for his efforts. 

"If I’m Lewandowski and they have cancelled the Ballon d’Or, I’m starting up a petition to get it back on," Ferdinand told TEAMtalk. 

"Aside from the year when Luka Modric won it, Messi and Ronaldo have dominated that award for the last 12 years and Lewandowski has taken himself to the next level this season.

"I can’t believe they have cancelled it. It’s cruel, that is a good word to describe it. Lewandowski deserves to win that award for what he has done this season and if he leads Bayern Munich to the Champions League and they still decide they won’t give it out to him, it’s not right.

"People say Ronaldo takes the award too seriously, but I’m not having that. What the award means to the history of the game, I think it’s a disgrace that they have taken it away for this year.

"Why can’t they give the award out, even if they don’t have a big ceremony to hand it over like they normally do? I think it’s really out of order.

"This is a big deal. You talk to Michael Owen and ask him what the best trophy was in his career and he might say it was the Ballon d’Or in 2001.

"To be on that list as the best player in the world is special. All these players want to be there. That’s the elite, the ultimate for a top player, and in this generation now there are two players who have dominated it for so long.

"That would have made it all the more special for Lewandowski to get his name on that list and I can’t believe they have taken it away from him."

RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano has got future ahead of him, according to Gary Lineker and Luis Figo.

The 21-year-old defender of Bissau-Guinean descent turned in an imposing display at centre-back during Thursday’s 2-1 defeat of Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final.

Upamecano kept the Spaniards’ attacking line-up led by Diego Costa under constant check as Tyler Adams’ late minute strike ended Los Rojiblancos’ title aspiration.

Seeing every minutes of action, the Bundesliga side’s No. 5 had a 100% dribble and tackle successes, made 99 touches, five clearances and a passing accuracy of 92% to walk home with the man-of-the-match prize.

Awestruck by the performances of the former Red Bull Salzburg man, the respected football icons believe the youngster has a lot to offer in the future.

“That RB Leipzig goal will liven things up. Highlight thus far has been watching the outstanding Dayot Upamecano. Massive future ahead for the young French defender. Superb with and without the ball,” Lineker tweeted.

The ex-Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Barcelona striker also rated him as the most outstanding player at Lisbon’s Estadio Jose Alvalade.

“Head and shoulders above every other player on the pitch.”

Accentuating this fact is 47-year-old Figo who won the Uefa Champions League title with Real Madrid in 2002, albeit, he summarised his thoughts in three words. “Great Young Player,” he tweeted.

With Leipzig’s triumph, they become the first German side outside of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund to reach the tournament’s last four since Schalke in 2010/11.

They will now focus their attention to their semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain which will be played on Tuesday as they look to pull off another upset.

Upamecano signed a contract extension with the Red Bulls, with the agreeing of fresh terms through to 2023 bringing an end to the rumours linking him to Premier League giants Arsenal.

In the recently concluded 2019-20 German elite division campaign, he featured in 28 games as Julian Nagelsmann’s side finished in third spot - 16 points adrift of Bayern Munich.

Despite representing France at the U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels, the defender is eligible to represent Guinea Bissau at the senior level.

RB Leipzig head coach Julian Nagelsmann dismissed talk about winning the Champions League title and revealed a 'spat' with Diego Simeone after his side upstaged Atletico Madrid to reach the semi-finals.

Tyler Adams' deflected strike with two minutes of regulation remaining saw Leipzig top Atletico 2-1 in Lisbon on Thursday.

Dani Olmo's 50th-minute opener was cancelled out by Atletico star Joao Felix's penalty with 19 minutes remaining, but Adams' 88th-minute effort proved the last word as Leipzig reached the last four of the competition for the first time.

Leipzig will face Ligue 1 powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain in Tuesday's semi after becoming the first German club outside of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund to make it to the semi-finals since Schalke in 2010-11.

Speaking post-match, Nagelsmann told reporters: "I'm not going to say anything about the title. But of course, we do want to reach the final now.

"That's just normal, I think. If we get there, we can speak about other things.

"The team as a whole beat Tottenham [in the last 16] before and now Atletico. It's not about duels between coaches – not against [Jose] Mourinho, not against [Diego] Simeone and now not against [PSG coach Thomas] Tuchel either. It is a team game and the guys did brilliantly today."

Nagelsmann also revealed he had a half-time spat with Diego Simeone, though the 33-year-old German played down the incident as he hailed the Atletico boss.

"Simeone congratulated me afterwards, it was very sincere. He said, it was a great game and a deserved win for us," added Nagelsmann.

"At half-time we had a little spat, but that wasn't very serious. He's just an incredible winner who even wants to win on the way to the dressing room.

"But that's not bad, I actually want to point out that I think he's personality as a coach is awesome. So, everything's fine."

Simeone himself praised Leipzig for their performance on Thursday, declaring Atletico had no excuses for losing. 

"We haven't been able to play the way we wanted. I liked Leipzig," he told Movistar. "They had great determination, enthusiasm and freshness. That cost us. There are no excuses.

"We gave our best and made it to the quarter-finals. We are going out fairly and we have to congratulate our opponents."

Manchester United's pace is something Sevilla must be wary of heading into their Europa League semi-final, according to captain Jesus Navas. 

Navas spent four seasons playing for Manchester City in between spells at Sevilla and is no stranger to the Red Devils. 

While the Spaniard has stressed Julen Lopetegui's side must stay focused on themselves, he did note that United's quick attackers could cause Sevilla problems as the club targets a sixth Europa League crown. 

"I’ve played against them several times. I recall the passion surrounding the [Manchester derby from my time at Manchester City]. I was lucky enough to appear in some really special games and those were great times," Navas told UEFA.com.

"We know they’re tough opponents and it’ll be difficult. We’re clear about what we have to do and are focused on what we have to do at every stage of the game. Let’s hope we can go out and win the match.

"In terms of their individual players, they’ve got some quick players up top who are dangerous. We’re focusing on ourselves and knowing what we have to do in each game – and, particularly, keeping calm when necessary and then attacking at pace.

"The important thing is that we go into [Sunday's game] with all the hope in the world of reaching the final. We’ll be going all out.

"Given the difficult times we’re all experiencing, being able to win the Europa League for the fans and all of us would be really great. It would also be special, as captain and as somebody from Seville, to enjoy lifting the trophy. It would be really nice for me." 

Navas, who can now play as either a winger or full-back, also heaped praise upon Sevilla manager Lopetegui, noting his communication skills have been a real asset this season. 

"He’s a coach who makes sure the team’s really well-drilled right throughout the side and has a very clear idea of what he wants," Navas said.

"He gets his message across really well. We give our all on the pitch. He’s been really important to us. Let’s hope we’re in that final because he deserves it." 

Jonathan David has explained why he rejected offers from the Premier League after completing his €30 million (£27m/$35m) move from Gent to Lille this week.

The Canada striker had been tracked by Arsenal, while there was also reported interest from Manchester United and Leeds.

But, after scoring 30 league goals in 60 games in two seasons in Belgium, the 20-year-old David was keen to move somewhere he could continue his development on the pitch, rather than on the bench.

“Everyone knows the Premier League is a high-quality league,” David told France Bleu Nord.

“But my choice was dictated by the fact that above all, I wanted to be sure of playing.”

At Lille, David will be a direct replacement for Victor Osimhen. The Nigeria forward has joined Napoli in a deal reported to be worth €50 million (£45m/$59m), after scoring 18 goals in 38 games for Lille.

David seems to be relishing the challenge, and says his mind was made up on the move some time ago.

“My choice was made quite early,” he said. “But I understand that it took a little while to finalise between the two clubs.

“Gent wanted to keep me one more season, but I had made my choice and they respected it.

“I always knew it was going to be done, even if it took a little while. I really liked the sports project that Luis Campos (Lille’s sporting director) and the club management sold to me.

“That's really what encouraged me to join Lille. In fact, I especially wanted to join a club where I know that I will keep playing and getting better. There is a very good team here with very good players.”

David also dismissed any suggestion he would be under extra pressure after becoming Lille’s all-time record signing.

“It is an honour that they have valued me so highly, but it does not put any pressure on me," David said.

“It's football, it's like that. For me, the only important thing will be to perform on the field. It's that simple!

“Everyone is under pressure. But I'm a calm person and that helps me a lot.”

Koke believes Atletico Madrid were simply second-best against RB Leipzig following their 2-1 loss in the Champions League quarter-finals on Thursday. 

Leipzig took a deserved lead after 50 minutes with a brilliant team goal finished off by Dani Olmo, only for Atletico to equalise via a Joao Felix penalty 20 minutes later. 

Diego Simeone's side did appear to have the momentum approaching full-time, but Leipzig's Tyler Adams struck in the 88th minute to ensure the Bundesliga side progressed to the final four. 

While quite a tight game on the scoresheet, Koke conceded that Leipzig were better than Atletico in every aspect of the game and were worthy winners on the night. 

"They were better, they did not allow us to match their intensity," Koke told Movistar.

"At all times they were better, they had more possession. They were better, faster and more intense. When they are better, you try to give your all and if things do not work out, you have to congratulate your rival and reflect. 

"When we were better, at 1-1, their second goal came.

"On the field, there are times when you are better and others worse. Coldly, when we analyse the game, we will see where we have failed and what we have lacked. We have to get up to try again next season.

"When you lose you are hurt and sad. This is a different competition, with a single game, and in three games you could win a Champions League.

"We have had bad luck for the second goal, that's how football is. We were very excited about this Champions League and we have to get up as we always do." 

Leipzig ended the game with 57 per cent of possession and had one extra shot on target compared to their Spanish opponents. 

Julian Nagelsmann's side will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals next week with the Ligue 1 champions beating Atalanta 2-1 in their quarter-final on Wednesday. 

The French giants looked to be heading for another quarter-final exit before late goals from Marquinhos and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting saw them produce a stunning comeback in the final minutes.

Julian Nagelsmann says RB Leipzig deserved their late stroke of luck as Tyler Adams’ deflected shot took them past Atletico Madrid and into the Champions League semi-finals.

With the game tied at 1-1 following goals from Dani Olmo and Joao Felix, Adams’ shot looped past Jan Oblak in the 88th minute thanks to a huge deflection off Stefan Savic.

Leipzig were unsurprisingly the more enterprising of the teams, with Atletico sticking to their tried-and-tested approach under Diego Simeone – and Nagelsmann felt his players deserved their win.

"We became a little passive after it went 1-0 and it was very close,” Nagelsmann told Sky Sports.

“We definitely were a little lucky with how we scored the winner. Still, we were the better team overall and we showed maturity.

“I can't remember many dangerous situations Atletico had. The boys worked for this themselves, you can only have a small influence from the touchline.

“We stayed calm after we conceded the equaliser, that was very important. We mustn't let panic into our game."

Leipzig’s ascent in recent years has been a remarkable, if highly controversial one.

Founded in 2009 after Red Bull took over fifth-division side SSV Markranstadt, Leipzig flew through the German league system and are now just one win away from the biggest game in European club football.

"The club has developed very quickly, Nagelsmann noted.

“We reached the Bundesliga and now qualified for the Champions League three times. We're still in the Champions League. The progress is faster than usual.

"Great emotions for the club and our team. As a manager you have to look forward. We have to prepare for the next game.

“There's not a lot of time to celebrate but maybe we will have a beer in the hotel then we focus on PSG.

"We have to be very fast along our defensive line. There will be situations where you cannot defend against these guys on your own.

“Atalanta tried to defend one-on-one. There are a lot of stars in this team - it won't be easy."

Leipzig will play PSG in Benfica’s Estadio da Luz on Tuesday, August 18.

Tyler Adams underlined the sky-high excitement levels in RB Leipzig's dressing room after Thursday's victory over Atletico Madrid set up a Champions League semi-final with Paris Saint-Germain.

Atletico had ousted defending champions Liverpool in the last 16 prior to the coronavirus pandemic halting this season's Champions League, but their run was ended by Adams' late strike as Leipzig triumphed 2-1 in Lisbon.

Dani Olmo's 50th-minute opener was cancelled out by Atletico star Joao Felix's penalty with 19 minutes remaining, but Adams' deflected strike proved the last word as Leipzig reached the last four of the competition for the first time .

After becoming the first German club outside of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund to make it to the semi-finals since Schalke in 2010-11, Adams told UEFA.com : "We're really, really excited.

"We know Paris are a great team, we saw what they did against Atalanta and they've got really good players."

Adams was the unlikely hero after scoring his first goal for Leipzig in what was the United States international's 28th appearance in all competitions.

Julian Nagelsmann's Leipzig – who finished third in the league this season – were already without top scorer Timo Werner following his move to Premier League giants Chelsea.

Leipzig are now set to tackle Ligue 1 title-holders PSG at the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday, though Adams and his team-mates are not daunted.

"Now it's about recovering in the right way, getting ourselves right mentally and working on the game plan," the 21-year-old Adams added.

"We're confident in ourselves, you saw that today."

While Leipzig started the match as outsiders in the eyes of many, by the time the final whistle was blown, few would argue they hadn't deserved their win.

Nagelsmann was confident his side had done enough, noting their late goal was on the lucky side but saying it was luck they had earned with a good performance .

Atletico talisman Koke came to the same conclusion, admitting the German side had been "better, faster and more intense."

Leipzig and PSG will now switch their attentions to the remaining quarter-finals, as they wait to see which sides could await them in the final.

Barcelona play Bayern Munich on Friday, before Manchester City's clash with Lyon on Saturday.

Zakaria Labyad scored a first-half hat-trick to lead Ajax to a 5-1 win over FC Utrecht in a pre-season game on Thursday.

After a below par outing in Saturday’s game where Erik ten Hag’s men mauled RKC Waalwijk 6-1, the 27-year-old was at his best against his former team in the six-goal thriller.

In the encounter played at Johan Cruyff Arena, Labyad handed Ajax a fourth minute lead – firing past goalkeeper Thijmen Nijhuis after Ryan Gravenberch’s initial effort had kissed the woodwork.

Utrecht had the chance to equalise in the 12th minute from the penalty mark after Noussair Mazraoui’s foul on Bart Ramselaar, however, Simon Gustafson’s careless attempt ended up on the post.

Ajax doubled their lead in the 21st minute through Noa Lang after he was played on the edge of the box by teammate Anthony.

It was the turn of Nicolas Tagliafico to find the net 13 minutes later with Anthony the architect. The Brazilian exchanged passes with Lang who assisted the Argentine defender to fire home from a very close range.

Labyad’s beautiful freekick in the 41st minute put the Sons of Gods four goals ahead, before the 27-year-old attacking midfielder completed his treble on the stroke of half-time.

After putting up an awe-inspiring shift, he was replaced by Burkina Faso Lassina Traore at the beginning of the last 45 minutes as well as his compatriot Mazraoui for Sergino Dest.

While it looked like no goals will be scored, Utrecht pulled one back in the 73rd minute through Othman Boussaid after curling the ball into Maarten Stekelenburg’s top corner from a short corner.

With this result, Ajax have now scored 11 goals in their last two games. They continue their preparation for the 2020-21 season with a tie against Austrian elite division outfit Wolfsberger AC on August 18, before locking horns with Red Bull Salzburg four days later.

Morocco international Labyad joined Hag’s team from the Stadion Galgenwaard in 2018. Before the Dutch league was abandoned due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, he featured in just two games against Heracles and Utrecht.

With his current form, he is expected to play a major role in the 34-time Eredivisie chmapions’ quest to have an impressive campaign.