With the last round of the champions league set to start, the Champions League will see the clash of the titans: Manchester City vs. Real Madrid. After a close match against Athletico, Pep’s Manchester City is in the semis. While on the other hand, Ancelloti’s Real Madrid had a nail-bitter finish against Chelsea. The first leg of the semi-final is on the 27th of April, while the second leg is on the 4th of May. This post will contain Manchester City vs Real Madrid UEFA Champions League Semi-Final Predictions, Team News, and probable XI.
The Los Blancos will like to forget the errors that they had committed at the Etihad in the 2019/20 season. Similarly, The Citizens will have to leave their defeat against Chelsea in the finals of the 2020/2021 season behind. Manchester City vs Real Madrid will also be a battle between adaptability and free-flowing football. Both these clubs are meeting for the third time in the semi-finals in recent years. Both Manchester City and Real Madrid are sitting comfortably at the top of their respective league tables. However, while the Los Blancos have won the silverware 13 times, the Citizens have yet to put one in the kitty.
Date, Time, and Where to watch Manchester City vs Real Madrid?
Manchester City vs Real Madrid at the Etihad is scheduled for 27th April 2022, 12:30 AM (IST). To watch the match live, Indian fans can tune into Sony tv networks, while for online streaming, the best platform will be either Sony Liv or Jio TV.
Whereas for the British fans, the scheduled kick-off time is at 8 pm GMT on Wednesday, 27th April 2022. It will be televised live on BT Sport networks.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Line-Up Predictions
Manchester City:
Joao Cancelo is set to miss the semi-final clash after picking up 3 yellow cards. In the absence of Joao Cancelo, Oleksandr Zinchenko will be the first choice LB.
Kevin de Bruyne had a knock while Kyle Walker twisted his ankle in the second half of the quarter-finals. However, as of now, there has been no update on their injury.
The clash against the Liverpool in the FA Cup is an important fixture that will decide whether there are any further changes to the team line-up or not.
Raheem Sterling also can get a go-ahead over Bernardo Silva if the city decides for a fast-paced attack.
Probable playing XI: Bernardo Silva/Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Aymeric Laporte, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Emerson.
Real Madrid:
The Los Blancos will be fretting over the fitness of their talismanic striker Karim Benzema after he sustained a minor niggle. However, they are yet to release an official statement regarding the same.
However, Real is more concerned about the players for the LB position. With both Ferland Mendy & Marcelo Viera having sustained minor injuries, Ancelloti might give a chance to Miguel Gutierrez. The Los Blancos, however, have not said anything specific regarding the same.
Questions are also there on the form of Nacho Fernandez. With the attacking power that City possesses, Ancelloti might be tempted to pair up David Alaba with Eder Militao.
Real has a rock-solid midfield in the form of Kroos, Casemiro, and Modric, while at the back, they have their ever-reliant goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid is having a very crucial game on the 18th of April, which might add a few changes to their lineup against City.
Probable XI: Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Junior, Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal, Nacho/Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy/ Marcelo/ Miguel Guiterrez, Thibaut Coutois.
Players to watch out for:
As of now, both the teams will be coming in this match at the back of a tough-fought battle in the champions league. However, both the teams will be having a full team when they take on the field on the 27th.
Manchester City: The Citizens will be having their striking duo of Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez. In the midfield, City will have the trio of Gundogan, KDB & Rodri. At the back city will be having the duo of Aymeric Laporta and John stones.
Real Madrid: The Los Blancos will be having their talismanic striker Karim Benzema. Their midfield also looks rock-solid with the likes of Kroos, Casemiro, and Modric. With the inclusion of David Alaba in the team, Real has also managed to have a rock-solid defense.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid Score Line Prediction
Both the teams are going through a purple patch, and hence it will be an even competition. Pep Guardiola is known for experimentations and adaptations when it comes to playing XI, while Carlos Ancelloti is known for fielding a side that believes in a long ball and total football. It will not be a surprise if the match ends in a 0-0 draw and goes to the penalties. However, one thing can be ascertained, Manchester City vs Real Madrid promises to be a battle of strategy. Now, time will only tell who can outwit whom.
Meeting for the 3rd time this season, their FA Cup draw did not disappoint. A thrilling match till the end, we saw two top teams in Europe go head to head. Liverpool was able to triumph only after a costly mistake by City goalkeeper Zack Steffen who took an extra touch in front of his goal, which allowed Sadio Mane to pounce on the opportunity and seize a goal that would later prove to be decisive.
Liverpool is en route to becoming quadruple champions which would be historic, to say the least. From the start of the match, Liverpool had a clear focus and was determined enough to capitalize on a lethargic City side who were too slow to start. The aggression and intensity shown by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side would soon prove to be too much for Manchester City to handle.
Liverpool stands victorious after a strong first half to eliminate Manchester City.
In the 9th minute, Ibrahima Konate would soar above the City defenders and power through a header provided from a corner cross by Andy Robertson to put his team in the lead. In quick succession within 8 minutes, Sadio Mane’s quickness allowed him to capitalize on a loose touch by City goalkeeper Zack Steffen and rushed in to bundle it into double Liverpool’s lead. Being handed a start in place of the reliable and cool Ederson, this mistake can certainly prove costly for his career as nobody was impressed by the casualness of the occasion. To make matters worse, just before halftime, Sadio Mane would again add to his goal after latching on to a pass by Thiago Alcantara and volleying it in the City net past Steffen.
A monumental task laid before Manchester City going into halftime, and they almost delivered. Just after half-time, Jack Grealish would open the scoring for Manchester City after being played through a square ball by Gabriel Jesus. The Cityzens soon amped up their attacking prowess and were gifted two more chances when Jesus shot on goal. However, the ever-reliable Alisson was able to cover it and kept Liverpool alive. However, things became hectic when Bernando Silva added to the tally and doubled City’s lead in the 90th minute. A panic-stricken Liverpool was ultimately able to hold off Manchester City for 4 more minutes and secure an important win to reach the FA Cup finals. City was also on the lookout for a treble this season. However, after this past week, City now has the European Champions League and the Premier League to look forward to.
Post-Match Comments
After the match, Jurgen Klopp was quick to heap praises on his side. He commended his side for the first half, which he claimed to be one of the best halves they have ever played.
Manchester City once again had to endure the heartbreak of not reaching the FA Cup finals for the 3rd straight time. Pep Guardiola, in his post-match conference, said, “We gave everything after a tough first half.” He was also noted admitting to Liverpool’s strong suit being the set pieces.
Liverpool vs Chelsea: Loading
With this win, Liverpool will now have a tryst with Chelsea as destiny might have planned it for a League Cup rematch. This past February, the two sides met in the League Cup finals, which went to the penalties only to be triumphed by Liverpool. Chelsea will be looking for redemption and act as a party pooper for Liverpool. Nonetheless, come May 14th, we will be in for an exciting encounter, to say the least.
Karim Benzema's solo effort put a damper on Chelsea's Champions League ambitions this year.
Maybe it was the instability at the hierarchy of the club, or maybe it was just Karim Benzema at his best, Chelsea seemingly had no answer for the talismanic French forward as he steamrolled through opposition single-handedly and dealt a massive blow for Chelsea to recover in the 2nd leg. In impeccable form, Karim Benzema shows no sign of stopping with back-to-back hat tricks in the Champions League.
With two headers after assists from Vinicius Jr and Luka Modric, Karim Benzema seemed like a man on a mission. He was able to head past the Chelsea goal in quick succession. However, Chelsea did manage to get a goal back when Kai Havertz managed to put one past Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after latching onto a cross from Jorginho in the 40th minute.
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 6, 2022
However, Benzema had other plans when he went on to grab his 3rd goal of the evening in the 46th minute after capitalizing on an error by the Chelsea shot-stopper, Eduoard Mendy. A loose pass by Mendy back to Antonio Rudiger left both of them in no man’s land, only for Karim Benzema to come sweeping in to complete his treble. With this hat trick, Benzema took his season’s tally to 37 goals in 36 games throughout all competitions.
A Carlo Ancelotti masterclass
The struggles of Chelsea were plain to see as Real Madrid dominated the game tactically. Additionally, Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid claimed he was able to outmaneuver Thomas Tuchel’s side by deploying Federico Valverde on the wings to tighten up the left wing of Chelsea. This move was able to restrict Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea, with Valverde working in tandem with the positioning of Azpilicueta.
Carlo Ancelotti
All to play for in the 2nd Leg
An entertaining game, to say the least, it was a showcase of strikers. With Benzema leading the charge of Real Madrid and Kai Havertz getting one back for the team. However, expensive signings like Romelu Lukaku missed a precious chance. He had a clear header off Azpilicueta’s cross, but he put it past the Real goal. Further, Timo Werner was not deemed good enough to even be bought on as a substitute. It is a known fact that the struggles of Chelsea off the pitch are filled with turmoil. Nonetheless, Thomas Tuchel’s side will look to bounce back in the 2nd leg when they face Real Madrid away from home in the prestigious Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
With the away rule advantage, Chelsea might be able to pull back a miraculous victory. However, they would first need a strategy to overcome the one-man army, namely Karim Benzema. Real Madrid will host Chelsea on the 13th of April, 2022, for the enticing 2nd leg.
The beautiful game of football where passion runs high and the rewards are tremendous. A victory on the football field can turn you into an overnight sensation. However, winning a trophy in football means your name will be etched in the history books forever. That is the legacy of football trophies. There are many football tournaments all over the world. Some are extremely famous and with that fame comes a price which makes these trophies some of the most expensive in the whole wide world. Let us delve into the top 10 most expensive football trophies in the world and find out the legacies and stories each of them hold.
Also Read: Top 10 Biggest Football Stadium In The World
La Liga -$29,000
The Campeonato Nacional de Liga de Primera División, or La Liga as known to English-speaking countries, is one of the oldest tournaments in the world. Established over 93 years ago, it serves as the top division of Spanish football. It isn’t much known about the current history of the trophy. However, it is supposedly valued at $29000 and made of silver and wood. It has weighed around 18 kgs and is 70 cm in height. Being one of the oldest leagues in the world, the prestige and importance of the trophy cannot be overstated.
La Liga
UEFA Champions League – $50,000
The showcase of the immortals. UEFA Champions League is an annual tournament played among the best clubs in Europe. Qualification is based on the top standings in the respective leagues across the whole of Europe. Playing in the UEFA Champions League is considered as one of the greatest club achievements in European football. The tournament began in the year of 1955, with the inaugural champions being Real Madrid. Over the years, the tournament has garnered its prestige due to the quality of football it offers. Specifically, a grand stage for world-class players to compete against each other.
UEFA Champions League
The inaugural trophy was permanently awarded to Real Madrid in 1967. The current iteration of the trophy was forged in 1967 for 10000 Swiss Francs. Which amounts to around $50000 by today’s standards certainly places it among the Top 10 Most Expensive Football Trophies in the world. Made of pure silver, weighing 11 kgs and 74 cm in height, it is one of the most recognizable trophies in the world today.
Bundesliga Meisterschale – $57,102
The Bundesliga Meisterschale has been awarded to the top-tier German Football League champions since 1949. Literal translation of Meisterschale means champions’ bowl, it is considered as the highest honor in the German Football hierarchy. It was forged in the year 1949 and was first awarded to VfR Mannheim. Made of pure gold, silver, and tourmaline, the Meisterschale is estimated to be around $57,102. Currently, Bayern Munich have the distinction of holding being the league champions 32 times in their history, out of which they have been awarded the Mesiterschale 31 times. Before the Meisterschale, there was another trophy by the name of Viktoria, which went missing in 1944 during the second world war. Since then, the Meisterschale took its place and remains in contention to this day.
Bundesliga Meisterschale
Serie A trophy – $66,000
The Coppa Campioni d’Italia was forged in 1960 by sculptor Ettore Calvelli. Awarded to the champions of the Serie A, it remains one of the most prestigious and coveted trophy in world football. Made out of blue sodalite base and a gold ring in the middle, the trophy is the perfect representation of the legacy, importance, and the quality of the players involved in the tournament. The trophy is considered among the costliest in European football and thus is among the top 10 most expensive football trophies in the world. The passion and desire the Italian fans encompass is visible in the creation of this trophy. Valued at around $66,000, it certainly upholds the year-old traditions captured within the trophy.
Serie A trophy
DFB-Pokal trophy – $108,000
Standing at 52 cm tall and weighing 6.2 kgs, the DFB-Pokal trophies is one of the most coveted prizes in German football. Bayern Munich has the distinction of lifting the gem-studded trophy 18 times in their history. The trophy comprises of 42 gems in total comprising of tourmalines, rock crystals, and nephrites and is forged in pure sterling silver. It was created by Wilhelm Nagel in 1965 and is valued at $108,000. The trophy was recently expanded in 2021 in order to accommodate the names of future winners. This year the final will be played among SC Freiburg and RB Leipzig. A match to certainly look forward to for the fans of Bundesliga.
DFB-Pokal trophy
Africa Cup of Nations trophy – $150,000
There has been 3 iterations of the Africa Cup of Nations trophy. The current iteration of the trophy is a gold-plated cup that was forged in Italy in the year of 2001. Considered as the most precious and well-known trophy for African football, the gold-plated trophy is currently valued at $150,000. It is among one of the most expensive trophies in world football, and it stands to occasion of the fact that the passion the African football fans possess. Moreover, Egypt hold the distinction of being the only nation to win the competition 3 times and thus have a full-size replica awarded to them.
Africa Cup of Nations trophy
The FA Cup trophy – $1,180,000
Now we are getting into the absurd territory in regards to value of trophies. The FA Cup tournament is considered as the oldest national competition to exist in the world. Founded in 1871, the first trophy which was awarded cost $25.68 to make. At the time, it was considered a huge amount. However, the trophy was stolen in 1895, and a replica was used in place of the original.
The FA Cup trophy
In 1911, the trophy got a redesign, and the design is still currently in use till this day. The second iteration of the trophy standing at 61.5 cm in height, was manufactured by Fattorini’s of Bradford. The trophy was further replicated two more times. Once in 1992 and the other in 2014. The 2014 iteration of the trophy was forged using 925 sterling silver and weighed around 6.3 kgs. The height of the trophy has remained the same since 1911. It was evaluated to be around a whopping $1,180,000 in 2016.
UEFA Europa League trophy – $4.5 million
According to UEFA, the Europa League trophy is the heaviest among all UEFA trophies. It weighs around 15 kgs in weight and has a height of 65 cm. The Europa League trophy is awarded to the winners tournament, which is the second-tier competition of European club football, ranking below the UEFA Champions League. The trophy is made of silver and placed on a yellow marble plinth. It was designed and forged in Italy by the Bertoni workshop. Evaluated at an impressive $4.5 million, the Europa league trophy certainly is much more expensive than its first-tier competition, the UEFA Champions League.
UEFA Europa League trophy
Copa Libertadores trophy – $8.5 million
The Argentinian league trophy, Copa Libertadores, is simply astonishing. Valued at around $8.5 million, the trophy is made out of sterling silver, bronze, and hardwood plywood. . Originally, the trophy was not made to last a long time since there were only space for 18 names to be added to the trophy. However, the legacy and passion of South American football withstood the test of time, and the tournament is now one of the most important events in South American football. Similar to the UEFA Champions League, the tournament invites the champions and runner-ups of the respective football leagues across South America.
Copa Libertadores trophy
FIFA World Cup trophy – $20,000,000
Valued at a massive $20 million, the FIFA World Cup trophy is the most expensive trophy in the world. The trophy weighs around 6.175 kgs and stands at 36.5 cm tall. Made out of 18 carat gold, the structure of the trophy is made hollow. This is due to the fact that a solid trophy would weigh near about 80kgs and would be difficult to lift. The trophy was manufactured by the famed Bertoni workshop in Italy.
FIFA World Cup trophy
The trophy has undergone a few modifications over the years, like the addition of a plate on the bottom side of the trophy, which would contain the engravings of the winners. The winners name are engraved in their native language. Undoubtedly the most prestigious trophy in the footballing world. The price tag surprisingly defines the importance and legacy of the tournament it portrays.
FIFA World Cup always tends to be a special occasion for most people. With the Qatar 2022 World Cup just around the corner, FIFA, in association with Adidas, released the picture for the Qatar 2022 World Cup Official Match ball on their Twitter. The match ball has always been an integral part of the tournament as it encapsulates the true nature of game along with the culture of the host country. FIFA World Cup balls have always held the prestige of being a monumental part of the whole tournament. Even after the conclusion of the tournament, the FIFA World Cup balls carry on the legacy and memories of the event to future generations.
Ever since the inception of the tournament in 1930, the world cup has seen its fair share of memorable World Cup specific balls. With that in mind, let us take a stroll down memory lane and look at some of the World Cup footballs which were in use.
The first-ever football World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930. There was no official ball allotted at the time, and thus a very controversial decision was made to swap out the footballs at halftime to give both the teams a fair chance with their own footballs. The finalists were Uruguay and Argentina in the 1930 World Cup. Argentina’s ball was called the ‘Tiento‘, and Uruguay used T-Model‘, which was a bit heavier. This proved to be a crucial factor in deciding the victor. With Argentina leading at halftime with a score of 2-1, the introduction of Uruguay’s football after halftime prompted the hosts to fire three goals. Thus they became the inaugural World Champions.
The footballs which started it all. Tiento and T-Model.
Federale 102 (1934)
Italy took the responsibility to host the 2nd World Cup, and they came up with the Federale 102 ball for the tournament. Over the course of 4 years, they were able to understand the importance of not switching the balls at halftime and instead stuck to a single ball throughout the competition. However, there were concerns raised regarding the quality of the ball. The finished product at the time depended on the ball inflater and how well versed was he at his craft. The more skillful they were, the more round the ball turned out to be. Unfortunately, the quality was not up to the mark, and they were often replaced by a backup ball which was made by the English people. Before each match, both the captains had the choice to select the match ball, and more often than not, the English ball was picked. This did not matter though, for the Italians as they marched on to win their first World Cup.
The official ball for the 2nd World Cup.
Allen (1938)
The third World Cup, which was held in France, saw a Paris-based manufacturer Allen be given the responsibility to produce the match ball for the tournament. This also marked the first time a company was able to brand their product. The design of the ball was more or less the same as the Federale 102, however the edges of the panels on the Allen ball were much more rounded than the Federale. This allowed for a more smooth and rounded finish for the ball. However, everything again depended on the skill of the inflater. As a result, there were still back up balls used to counter poor quality balls. The smooth design however would allow future manufacturers to adopt and work on perfecting the design of the ball in the years to come.
Allen was the official football for the 3rd World Cup held in France.
DUPLO T (1950)
With the unfortunate event of World War II, the tournament was put on hold for 12 years. That allowed the technology to advance almost a decade. In 1950, when the tournament was back in action, a complete overhaul of the ball was made which eliminated the requirement of a skilled inflater. The official balls were now made using closed leather sphere without laces, which was then protected by an outer layer of leather sheets. It was named the Duplo T.This allowed for the ball to be inflated with the help of a pump and needle through a tiny valve. Thus marking the first time a ball was used uniformly across all matches in the tournament.
Duplo T made a complete overhaul of the ball was made which eliminated the requirement of a skilled inflater.
Swiss World Champion (1954)
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The next FIFA World Cup ball was manufactured by a Swiss company named Kost Sport. The event was held in Switzerland, and this time, they made another important innovation to the ball, which would define it for decades. The Kost Sport Company came up with the idea of an 18-panel structure, with the panels interlocking together in a zig-zag pattern. They named the ball the Swiss World Champion, and it had bright yellow color.
Top Star (1958)
For the 1958 World Cup, which was held in Sweden, FIFA decided to invite manufacturers from all over. They decided to put up a competition to select the official match ball. This was the first time FIFA decided to hold a competition to decide on the official match ball. They received 102 entries, out of which they selected the ball made by a company from Angelholm. They named the winning ball Top Star, and it was the first ball to be used in the World Cup to have 24 panels.
A competition was held to decide on the official match ball, and after 102 entries, Top Star was selected.
Crack (1962)
The Crack was a bold name at the time, and it certainly gained the notoriety of being one of the most divisive FIFA World Cup balls to be ever made for the tournament. The ball was created for the 1962 World Cup by a Chilean company Custodio Zamora. The unique feature of the ball which made it infamous was the fact that all 18 panels of the ball were of irregular shape. These probably were the reason for the poor performance of the ball as the players encountered abrasion, brittleness, and waterlogging. Nevertheless, one of the most important innovations to come out of the ball was the latex inflation valve, which was adopted for later iterations.
Crack was another ball which did not have a favorable review.
Challenge 4-Star (1966)
In 1966, the World Cup was hosted by England, which was considered as the birthplace of football. The English Football Association took a double-blind peer review process to select the FIFA World Cup Balls. Out of the 111 sent in that year, they managed to narrow it down to 8 final balls. In the end, Challenge 4-Star ball which was made by a racket-sports equipment company named Slazenger. The ball had 25 panels instead of the usual 24 and was used throughout the tournament.
Challenge 4-Star
Telstar (1970)
Telstar marked the arrival of Adidas into the foray. They were assigned with the task to create a ball which would improve the visibility of the ball on television. The 1970 FIFA World Cup also marked the first time it was set to be broadcast worldwide. Thus Adidas came up with the iconic black-and-white panels, which would ease the viewing experience from home. The Telstar was a 32-panel ball, and it the design became synonymous with football even to this day.
The iconic Telstar.
Telstar Durlast (1974)
Such was the brilliance of the first Telstar, Adidas decided it would be wise to leave the design alone. No need to fix what isn’t broken. This philosophy guided Adidas, who were now the official partners of FIFA, thus, they held the right to leave their branding on the ball. They applied a thicker coat of ‘Durlast’, and the FIFA World Cup ball was renamed as Telstar Durlast. The ball again was a huge hit worldwide and became iconic over a period of time.
With a thicker coat of ‘Durlast’ and the FIFA World Cup, ball was renamed as Telstar Durlast.
Tango (1978)
The 1978 FIFA World Cup saw the introduction of Tango. It was named after a famous dance in Argentina. Adidas were riding the success of Telstar balls, and they hit it out of the park once again. The FIFA World Cup ball had an all-white base with black triangles arranged in a circular pattern, creating a certain effect when the ball rolled across the grass. Once again a huge hit and easily became one of the most recognizable ball in the world at the time. However, the ball also marked an important phase in the history of FIFA World Cup balls. The Tango marked the end for the leather ball, which was soon set to be discontinued.
The success of Telstar was followed by Tango, which also was a extremely profitable for Adidas.
Tango Espana (1982)
With the success of Tango, they again followed their philosophy of not fixing which isn’t broken and introduced an improved version of the Tango, named Tango Espana. The improvements included water-resistance, durability of the ball, and no longer needing the coating of Durlast. This was mainly because the seams were welded together. The later years saw them adding a water-repellent polyurethane layer which would completely do away with requiring leather for the ball.
With an extra thick layer of Durlast, Adidas chose to stick with practically the same ball as its previous iteration.
Azteca (1986)
In 1986, the World Cup was hosted by Mexico, and they named the ball Azteca, which was named after the Aztec architecture and murals in the country; the design of the ball also honored the Aztec architecture in the country. The ball marked an important moment in the history of World Cup balls. The Azteca was the first synthetic ball to be used at a World Cup. They also started the tradition of designing the balls after the culture and heritage of the host country.. Something they follow it to this day. Synthetic balls proved to be a massive success as they did not require the use of animal leather, they were able to hold their shape after being kicked, they were extensively more water-resistant, and at the end of the day, a much more durable option than leather balls.
The design of the Azteca ball looked to honor the Aztec architecture in the country of Mexico, where the 1986 World Cup was being held.
Etrusco Unico (1990)
The Etrusco Unico paid homage to the Etruscans, which was a civilization of ancient Italy. The design was reminiscent of the Azteca and Tango, however, the triads were decorated with the heads of Etruscan lions. They continued their trend of using a fully synthetic ball. The ball had improved water resistance, durability, and rebound. It was also the first of its kind to receive an internal layer of black polyurethane foam.
With a design was reminiscent of the Azteca and Tango, the Etrusco Unico paid homage to the Etruscans, which was a civilization of ancient Italy.
Questra (1994)
The United States of America were the hosts of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, with Adidas introducing the official match ball to be the Questra. They went with the design owing to the space exploration programs (most notably the Apollo 11 mission) at the time and made a space travel-themed ball to honor that event. They improved the ball with a layer of polystyrene foam on the outside of the ball. This innovation apparently made the ball feel softer and easier to control, all the while increasing its speed at the same time. This was proven to be somewhat true as the tournament saw some of the most spectacular goals and was one of the highest-scoring World Cup.
The design was a homage to the space exploration programs (most notably the Apollo 11 mission) at the time.
Tricolore (1998)
Adidas kept up with their idea of reusing the design they started with Tango, however, blue, white, and red flairs were added to signify the French national flag.
The Tricolore was introduced to the world for the 1998 World Cup held in France. The Tango triads were present however, Adidas gave it a red, blue, and white flair to honor the French flag. The ball was more or less the same, with slight improvements in the foam layer that was introduced in the 1994 Questra. Other than the slight improvements, the addition of color to the ball gave it a new and refreshing feel, which felt long overdue after a series of similar designs. The next World Cup changed all of that,
Fevernova (2002)
The 2002 World Cup is iconic for various reasons. The Brazilian dream team, the surprising performance of South Korea, the dominating performance from the German team, and the Fevernova ball. The design of the ball at the time was unlike anything we had seen. A futuristic look for the ball with green, gold, and red triangular patterns made the ball feel special. They also made the ball feel lighter, according to the players than previous models. Adidas also claimed that the ball was their most precise ball they have ever made. It was a hit among the players and fans alike. Also, personally, the Fevernova holds a nostalgic place for the 90s kids growing up. It is still considered to this day as the best FIFA World Cup ball ever made, and we are not here to argue that.
The Fevernova. No explanation required. One of the best footballs in the history of FIFA World Cup.
Teamgeist (2006)
The 2006 World Cup was held in Germany, and the ball was named Teamgeist, which means team spirit. This was a tribute to hosts Germany’s tradition of collective strength over individual brilliance. Adidas had now begun experimenting with their designs. The success of Fevernova ignited their passion for a much more inspiring looking ball. The ball had a 14-panel design with fewer seams. This allowed the ball to be more rounder, consistent, and it was able to perform more consistently regardless of where it was hit. However, due to the over emphasis of making it rounder and smoother, it gave the ball a ‘knuckleball’ effect when the ball was airborne. This made the ball difficult and unpredictable at times.
The Teamgiest meant team spirit which encapsulated the German emphasis on teamwork.
Jabulani (2010)
Continuing their fascination of making the ball more round and consistent, Adidas produced an anomaly in the form of the Jabulani. The decreased the number of panels to 8 in order to make it smooth and round. However, that only increased the unpredictability of the ball tenfold. The goalkeepers were up in arms against this travesty. Famous players like Iker Casillas and Julio Cesar termed the ball as horrible and cheap. All aspects of the game was affected by the horrible design of the ball. Later it was found that the smooth surface allowed the ball to move much more in the air than intended making it unpredictable. With the conclusion of the 2010 World Cup, people were happy to put the ball to rest and never to speak again.
Quite infamous due to its excessive roundness. Jabulani remains one of the worst footballs to be made for the World Cup.
Brazuca (2014)
Adidas went back to the drawing board after their horrible time with the Jabulani. This time they rectified all their mistakes and stuck to the basics. There was a reduction of the number of panels on the ball with just 6 panels however the ball went on to perform adequately, and it was sent to players and teams worldwide to have extensive feedback before the tournament. After they were happy with the feedback, they launched the ball with the name Brazuca, which is a slang word for ‘Brazilian’. According to FIFA, the word was used to describe national pride or anything “Brazilianish”. The ball aimed to capture the spirit and passion of Brazilians when it comes to football, and it was the perfect name to honor that.
Brazuca is slang for all things Brazillian. No better way to capture the passion of Brazil when it comes to football.
Telstar 18 (2018)
Adidas were back at it again, with Telstar 18 bringing back the old classic, which made them iconic, however, with a modern twist in the design. The design of the ball comprised of a gradient, mosaic effect with black sections all over. A hint of gold was present throughout the ball, and the Adidas logo along with the name Telstar printed on the white surface of the ball. It had 6 panels arranged in a such a manner that it gave an effect of the classic 32-panel Telstar ball when it rolled. However, there were some criticisms regarding the grip of the ball. Goalkeepers David de Gea and Pepe Reina branded the ball as “strange”. However, the overall consensus of the ball was mediocre.
The Telstar 18. A re-imagining of the iconic Telstar.
Al Rihla (2022)
Al Rihla is poised to be the next FIFA World Cup ball for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The ball design comprises of three stripes accompanying the logo of Adidas without the naming. A chic design, to say the least. Also, Adidas claims to have tested the ball numerous times and made it the fastest in flight’ ball in the history of the World Cup. We still need to hold out till the start of the tournament to have a conclusive decision as to how the football fares compared to others, but going by design, it looks pretty impressive for the tournament.
Al Rihla will be the official ball for the FIFA 2022 World Cup.
Born in the city of Lyons, in France, Karim Benzema right now is one of the best strikers in world football. In a family of nine siblings, Karim Benzema is the third youngest of the family. From his early days in his hometown club of Bron Terraillon SC, Benzema was always a standout performer. His talents soon were noticed by some of the biggest clubs in Europe. It did not take long for Benzema to showcase his talents and skills in the top flight. That is when Lyon came calling. He was registered as a youth academy player and soon burst into the main team. After a breakthrough 2007 season with Lyon, he was seen as the club talisman. Soon after, Real Madrid came calling in 2009, and there was no looking back for Benzema.
Net Worth in 2022
Karim Benzema’s net worth was clocked in at a massive €140 Million. He was offered a lucrative wage at Real Madrid ever since the day he joined way back in 2009, and it has exponentially grown since. Now a bonafide club legend and has a release clause of €1billion is a testament to his career and the impact he has in the world of football. Currently, Karim Benzema is on a £275,920-per-week wage and has around a £14.3million annual salary.
Karim Benzema
Player growth
Since joining Real Madrid in 2009, Karim Benzema’s talent was bought into the forefront by the legendary Jose Mourinho. His use of Benzema’s skills led them to a Spanish Cup victory and solidified Benzema’s position in the club as a valuable member. Later having been paired with the likes of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mesut Ozil, Benzema, along with Real Madrid, tasted European as well as Spanish League success consecutively. Throughout his career, Benzema’s club resume is what dreams are made of. Karim Benzema has won 4 Champions League titles, 3 Club World Cups, 3 UEFA Super Cups, 4 Spanish Super Cups, and 3 La Liga with Real Madrid. Further, he has been awarded numerous individual awards throughout his career.
Karim Benzema first met Cora Gauthier in 2015, and after a year, they got married. Cora Gauthier is a French model, and she has a net worth of €1.8 million. The couple also has two children together named Melia and Ibrahim Benzema.
Assets
Karim Benzema is not just a footballer but also a smart business entrepreneur. Benzema has other ventures spread out for multiple sources of income. An avid enthusiast of luxury cars, Karim Benzema, has a collection amounting to around €2.7 million. His collection includes the likes of Bugatti, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Mercedes, to name a few.
His other ventures include sponsorship deals with Hyundai, SFR, and Bwin, all offer him lucrative contracts which are certainly deserving of an international footballing megastar. Further, he also owns a YouTube channel, and nowadays, it is also considered a viable source of income due to the monetized channels revenue system. Plus, he is also the brand ambassador for Electronic Arts, promoting the FIFA Series (EA Sports).
Karim Benzema
Overall, Karim Benzema has always been a no-nonsense footballer. He is known for his professionalism and is dedicated to the trade, which made him famous. A footballer cut from the cloth which has stopped its manufacture. Karim Benzema is undoubtedly one of the most famous footballers in the world today. Given his current form and gaining the moniker of “One Man Army”, his popularity and net worth is sure to soar once again.
Chelsea were able to see off Crystal Palace in the FA Cup Semi Finals this week.
Goals by Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount delivered the finishing blow to Crystal Palace’s hopes of reaching the FA Cup finals. Chelsea hosted Crystal Palace at Wembley on Sunday. They able to come out on top after a 2-0 victory sees them through to the finals to meet Liverpool. It’s as if destiny is handing Chelsea another chance at redemption for the League Cup loss back in February this year.
This past Sunday, Ruben Loftus-Cheek came on as a substitute and scored the opening goal in the 65th minute of the FA Cup semi-finals. Soon, Mason Mount was able to double that score to book a ticket to the finals. A disappointing week at the UEFA Champions League saw Chelsea crash out of the European competition at the hands of an inspired Real Madrid. However, The Blues can get some respite after the fact that now they have a solid chance to win the FA Cup this season.
The tie was a quiet affair in the first half. Save for a couple of Palace chances, Chelsea had to wait for the 65th minute to find the Palace goal. It all began with Palace’s left-back Tyrick Mitchell succumbing to the press and losing the ball in his half. This opportunity was pounced on by Chelsea’s Kai Havertz whose low cross was hastily cleared by Palace, only to fall at the feet of Loftus-Cheek. He made no mistake to power home a powerful shot that found its target albeit with a slight deflection. This strike ended his goal drought from way back in 2019.
With Palace now pushing players forward in search of the goal, saw them vulnerable at defense. The match was soon wrapped up when Timo Werner put Mason Mount clear in Palace’s box, only for Mount to slot it past Jack Butland for Chelsea’s 2nd goal. With this goal, the England international registered his 12th goal for the season.
There were other close chances for Chelsea to further increase the lead when Romelu Lukaku came close to scoring. However, his shot went wide and we are still waiting for the star striker to end his goal drought and regain his form.
Manager’s Comments
With this win, Thomas Tuchel continues on his brilliant domestic form. Speaking to the press after the match, Thomas Tuchel defended his side for a poor and lethargic first half. He insisted that it was the correct approach to tackle, Crystal Palace’s counter-attacking style of football. With the troubles off the pitch concerning the sanctions against Roman Abramovich, it is commendable the work Tuchel has put in to keep Chelsea as a credible side.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Regarding Crystal Palace, Patrick Vierra, after the match commended his side’s efforts and admitted that they did all they could, however, Chelsea was too good on the day. He was also quick to commend the fans and the impact they bought. Taking charge of an aging side, the Crystal Palace board and fans know their priority of building a team for the future. A rebuild project will certainly take time and presently with Vierra at the helm, everybody is confident in him being the right man for the job. Even though their FA Cup campaign ended in heartbreak, Palace has nothing to be disappointed about. Their performance in the cup games and in the league has shown considerable progress overall and are looking at a stable future.
Final
Chelsea is now poised to face Liverpool in the FA Cup final. Liverpool is en route to a quadruple. Chelsea will certainly be wary of a strong and determined Liverpool side. With Jurgen Klopp’s relentless press football, Thomas Tuchel will have his work cut out. Notwithstanding the troubles at the club, Chelsea will also be looking forward to making sure they do not finish as runner-ups for the 3rd consecutive year. We will also see a rematch of the League Cup final, which saw Chelsea lose to Liverpool on penalties. They will be out for redemption and will certainly hope for a favorable result this time around. Nonetheless, we are in for an epic showdown on the 14th of May, 2022.
Height in soccer can be a huge advantage, especially if you are a striker, central defender, or goalkeeper. With great height comes great rewards. However, it can also limit the mobility of a player due to their hulking stature. Nonetheless, every team requires a balance of tall players in the squad to dominate the game and get those headers in! With that in mind, let us take a look at the top 10 tallest soccer players of all time. We are compiling this list based on the contributions and impact the player had in their career at a world-class level. Therefore we won’t be including players who have never been capped at the international level.
Also Read: Top 10 Football Managers with Most Wins of All Time
10. Stefan Maierhofer: Height: 6’7″
Stefan Maierhofer played for both Bayern Munich and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Yet he was never able to fully cement his place in the squad. Standing in at 6’7″ tall, Stefan eventually hopped around clubs to find more game time. However, he was able to earn a place for himself in the national team with Austria. He made 19 appearances for Austria and even scored a goal for his country. His height and international contributions earn Stefan a spot on our list of the top 10 tallest soccer players of all time
Stefan Maierhofer
9. Zat Knight: Height: 6’6″
Zat Knight has been a Premier League regular for many years. Playing as a central defender for teams like Fulham, Aston Villa, and Bolton Wanderers, his career has been overall been quite consistent. His 2005 performance even earned him a spot on the England national team.
Zat Knight
8. Nikola Zigic: Height: 6’7.5″
Nikola Zigic has played all over Europe for some of the top-flight clubs, and he is no stranger to a dominating style of play. Standing in at almost 6’8″ tall, Zigic used to tower over most defenders and use his height and physicality to be a target man with his back towards the goal. Additionally, Zigic used to utilize his height for set pieces. He was able to complement well another agile striker in the team to successful attempts. Nikola Zigic has also played for Serbia 57 times and even captained his side on a few occasions.
A successful and consistent career lands Nikola Zigic 8th on our list of top 10 tallest soccer players of all time.
Nikola Zigic
7. Costel Pantillmon: Height: 6’8″
Once an understudy of Joe Hart at Manchester City, Costel Pantillmon was a huge shot-stopper. Hailing from Romania, Costel had a decent run in the Premier League, plying his trade at Manchester City, Sunderland, and Watford. Like most Romanians, Costel, too, was blessed with a natural height of about 6’*” tall. Which meant his height provided an added advantage when it came to shot-stopping and cover a large area to protect the goal.
Costel has 27 caps under his name for his country of Romania, and his contributions places him amongst the top 10 tallest players of all time.
Costel Pantillmon
6. Lacina Traore: Height: 6’8″
Lacina Traore has everything a forward can desire for. However, his god-gifted height is certainly a benediction to him. Nicknamed “The Big Tree” and “Gentle Giant” owing to his 6’8″ stature, Lacina Traore has played in top-flight football with Monaco and Everton. However, the Ivory Coast forward isn’t only reliant on his benedictory height. Traore is a technically sound footballer whose play style compliments the smooth skills and passing aspects of the game. He has played for his country 13 times and has scored 4 goals. Currently, he is playing in the Portuguese club Varzim S.C, and he places 6th on our list.
Lacina Traore
5. Asmir Begovic: Height: 6’6″
The Bosnian Asmir Begovic has been a staple in the Premier League for quite some time. Currently playing for Everton, Begovic, at 6’6″ is quite the reliable stopper that teams might wish for. His hulking stature does not limit his reaction time, and has made a name for himself in the Premier League as a consistent performer and, at one time, was even considered one o the best in the league. With Bosnia and Herzegovina, he has made an impressive 63 appearances throughout his career and was even awarded the Bosnian Footballer of the Year in 2012. Begovic places 5th on our list of the top 10 tallest soccer players of all time.
Asmir Begovic
4. Per Mertesacker: Height: 6’6″
Per Mertesacker was a beast at defending. Towering, imposing, and commanding. Mertesacker’s no-nonsense style of play was mainly due to his towering figure. An excellent header of the ball and his impeccable use of standing tackles were a joy to watch. An Arsenal legend in his own right, Mertesacker was a leader on and off the pitch, even without the armband at times. However, his Achilles heel was his pace. Mertesacker was notoriously slow o and off the ball. Nonetheless, his impressive defensive capabilities would outshine those drawbacks.
Mertesacker also has 104 national team appearances with Germany. A club legend and leader, Mertesacker dominates his way at 4th on our list.
Per Mertesacker
3. Thibaut Courtois: Height: 6’6″
The Real Madrid keeper at 6’6″ is one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now. A short stint at Atletico Madrid, followed by a career-defining stay at Chelsea and now at Real Madrid. Thibaut Courtois is certainly one of the best players on our list. Our justification for placing him 3rd is solely because of his height. His achievements speak for themselves. Even with the Belgian national team. Courtois has capped 94 appearances till now, and he is the first-choice goalkeeper for both his country and club.
Thibaut Courtois
Also Read: Look at Real Madrid vs PSG 2nd Leg: How Benzema Rescued The Team?
2. Peter Crouch: Height: 6’7″
When we sat down to make this list, the only person who popped up in our mind was Peter Crouch. The former England forward has been known for his impressive 6’7″ height. With a keen eye for goal and first touch to die for, Peter Crouch is a Premier League legend. He has played for teams like Liverpool, Aston Villa, Southampton, and Tottenham Hotspurs. He was also known for his towering headers and acrobatic goal finishes, which, to be honest, never ceases to be amazing. Boasting an impressive 22 international goal record in 42 appearances, Peter Crouch certainly has the credentials to boost him to 2nd place on our list.
Crouch Peter
1. Jan Koller: Height: 6’7.5″
Finally, Jan Koller leads our list with a 6’7.5″ stature. Owing to his height, Koller was an excellent header of the ball. Having played in teams like Borussia Dortmund, Anderlecht, and Monaco, Koller became a household name for the Czech Republic. Koller has been capped an impressive 92 times. Even more impressive is his goal-scoring record of 55 goals, making him Czech’s leading goal scorer of all time.
The transfer market shut close in January this past year, and we are now almost towards the end of the season. The UEFA Champions League and the rest of the European leagues will soon begin wrapping up their remaining fixtures. The inflated nature of the transfer market in football has given rise to some absurdly high valuations of squads. Over the years, football’s popularity has grown exponentially. Along with that popularity came the demand for superstar players and lucrative merchandising opportunities. These factors gave rise to some of the most expensive lineups assembled. Let us take a better look at the top 10 most expensive lineups in football history.
The secret to a successful team in football is the quality of the players. A team of brilliant and compatible players can raise a team’s worth from ashes to superstardom. However, with great quality comes a hefty price tag for the player. Footballing prodigies nowadays come with astronomical fees in tow. After all, these are the players who help the team gain that prestige and, in turn, championships.
10. Tottenham Hotspur:
Squad Size: 22 Squad Value: £522.23m League: Premier League
This season, with the transfers of Emerson Royal at the right back to replace the outgoing Serge Aurier, Rodrigo Bentancur at the middle of the park, and Dejan Kulusevski on loan from Juventus, certainly bolstered the Tottenham squad. The departure of club mainstay Dele Alli proved to be an integral turning point for the club. Many fans and pundits alike believed he was not performing at the level desired at the club. The arrival of new sporting director Fabio Paratici last year, together with the new acquisition of manager Antonio Conte, further allowed world-class players to join the likes of Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son, and LucasMoura. The Kane-Son partnership has proven lethal this season. The duo broke the all-time record of goal combinations previously held by Chelsea legends Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. Furthermore, Harry Kane, along with Heung-Min Son, are also two of the most expensive players in their respective positions. As a pure striker Harry Kane is the most valuable player in that role based on national duties.
A series of new signings, together with the presence of players like Kane and Son, place Tottenham Hotspurs in the 10th position in our list of the top 10 most expensive lineups in football history.
The addition of Bentancur and Royal certainly pushed their squad towards the more expensive side.
9. Atlético de Madrid:
Squad Size: 22 Squad Value: £581.85mLeague: La Liga
With the methodical victory over Manchester United this past week at the grandest stage of club football, the UEFA Champions League, Diego Simione and co. proved their worth once again when it mattered the most. Along with it, they certainly justified the money that they had splashed. The signing of Portuguese sensation Joao Felix for a record £ 112.9m from Benfica is an example.
Further, they went on to add the likes of Luis Suarez from Barcelona on a free transfer. More recently, the additions of Rodrigo De Paul for a sum of £31.50m from Udinese Calcio of Serie A and Antoine Griezmann on a loan transfer from Barcelona bolstered their squad for the season. These expensive signings have certainly paid off since they won the La Liga last year, competing against the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. Moreover, this year they have managed to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Furthermore, they are looking to pull off an upset win against one of the giants of the Premier League: Manchester City.
With a record-breaking signing of 2019 in a bid to secure the future, and the acquisition of star players throughout, Diego Simione has gathered a lineup that can topple any giants. Atlético de Madrid is 9th on our list.
Atletico Madrid this season have proved a credible threat all over
8. FC Barcelona:
Squad Size: 30 Squad Value: £585.90m League: La Liga
With the shocking departure of the club and footballing legend Lionel Messi, the squad of Barcelona took a massive hit both in the form of morale and performance. Without Messi at the helm and heart of the squad, FC Barcelona seemed in shambles. However, things have taken a turn for the better with the arrival of another, Xavi as the team’s new manager. Xavi being a bonafide Barcelona FC legend, has seemingly taken control of the nervy locker room.
Recently the team is on an 11-game unbeaten streak in La Liga. Additionally, their recent form in Europa League is certainly proving the squad value of Barcelona FC as one of the top 10 most expensive lineups. The return of Ousmane Dembele and the new signings of Ferran Torres for a sum of £49.50m from Manchester City, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal, and Adama Traore from Wolverhampton Wanderers, boosted the squad value exponentially. Adding to the list is the Golden Boy winner, Pedri, Frenkie De Jong, and Ansu Fati all contribute to a high valuation of the squad.
An impressive form under the new manager and Barcelona legend Xavi, the squad finds themselves invigorated. The relatively young squad of FC Barcelona places 8th on our top 10 most expensive football lineup list.
Barcelona on an 11 game unbeaten run in La Liga
7. Real Madrid:
Squad Size: 26 Squad Value: £702.00m League: La Liga
Real Madrid has always boasted a superstar lineup worthy of being amongst the top 10 most expensive lineups. There was a time when the Galacticos consisted of Ronaldo Nazario, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Raul, Iker Cassilas, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos. A dream team, to say the least, and it has since maintained the legendary status of the squad. With the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018, the squad took a massive hit. However, they quickly responded with the signing of Eden Hazard from Chelsea. Unfortunately, injuries plagued him, and he was not able to fully perform his Chelsea days magic. Nonetheless, the squad still consists of the likes of Luka Modric, a Balon D’Or winner, Vinicius Junior, Thibaut Courtois, Gareth Bale, and the talisman Karim Benzema.
The departures of Ronaldo in 2018 and then Sergio Ramos in 2021 left a void for leadership in the locker room. It was Karim Benzema, with his inspiring leadership and performance, who is intent on returning the European glory back to Real Madrid. Real Madrid is 7th on our list of top 10 most expensive football lineups.
Real Madrid’s Modric and Benzema have proven themselves to be integral to the team’s success.
6. Manchester United:
Squad Size: 26 Squad Value: £711.23m League: Premier League
Brand new signings, a new interim manager, and the return of a legend. The 2021-22 season of Manchester United had everything dreams are made of. However, things have not turned out great for the Red Devils. The firing of interim manager turned permanent manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer certainly paved the way for a much more tactical style of play under new interim manager Ralf Ragnick. However, aging players and the lack of a solid holding midfield player have impeded their success.
Also Read:Manchester United Eyes 23-Year-Old Defender
Nonetheless, the season saw some brilliant signings in the form of Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Raphael Varane. They were also able to secure the signature of Edinson Cavani, who further added his worth to the clubs’ value. Overall, Manchester United, since their glory days, boasted high-caliber players who are either homegrown in their academy or attracted by the legacy of Manchester United. The present valuation of the players places Manchester United 6th on our list.
Manchester United have been dismal in their 2021-22 season
Bayern Munich has become an unstoppable force in European competitions. They have developed an attacking style of play akin to steamrolling through opposition. Their resounding victory over RB Salzburg in the Champions League reminded us of what Bayern are capable of. In addition to their new manager Julian Nagelsmann, Bayern has increased their ranks with defender Dayot Upamecano and attacking midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.
The new signings, along with the likes of Alphonso Davies, Joshua Kimmich, and Robert Lewandowski, help boost up the squad valuation. At a whopping £733.73m squad evaluation, Bayern Munich is amongst the top 5 most expensive lineups in the world.
Muller and Lewandowski have been crucial pillars of Bayern Munich
4. Chelsea:
Squad Size: 27 Squad Value: £794.70m League: Premier League
The arrival of Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan for a sum of £101.70m was one of the highlights of the 2021 transfer market. Chelsea has experienced massive success in the European competitions, winning the Champions league 2020-21. The presence of superstar players like Jorginho, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, and Eduoard Mendy certainly help stake their claim as one of the best teams in Europe. In recent events concerning the Ukraine-Russia war, according to the statement released by Chelsea FC on their official website, owner Roman Abramovich has decided to sell the club.
Nevertheless, the squad value has not taken any hit. The leadership of Thomas Tuchel as the manager also played an important factor. He is playing a crucial role in holding the team together in these uncertain times for the club. Chelsea ranks 4th amongst the top 10 most expensive lineups in history.
Chelsea F.C. are looking for new owners with Roman Abrahimovich being sanctioned by the EU.
3. Liverpool FC:
Squad Size: 27 Squad Value: £800.10m League: Premier League
Jurgen Klopp was appointed as the man in charge for Liverpool FC in 2015. In that time, he has transformed the team into a serial winning team capable of toppling any team in the world. Over the years, Jurgen Klopp made several signings. Some of them didn’t work out as planned. However, the signing of Sadio Mane, Mohammed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, and most importantly, Virgil Van Dijk worked wonders for LFC. The solidity provided by Virgil Van Dijk at the back, coupled with the sweeper-keeping style of Alison, gave LFC much-needed stability. As often said, goals win matches, but defense wins trophies.
The current success that Liverpool FC experienced has been nothing short of remarkable. They are well worthy of carrying a tag of around £800m squad value. Liverpool FC is the 3rd most expensive squads in football history.
Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp has transformed into a championship winning team
Like Thanos collecting the infinity stones, PSG set out in 2021 to collect the brightest and most expensive stones money can buy. Undoubtedly, the shocking transfer of Lionel Messi rocked the footballing world to its core. Nobody expected Barcelona FC to not be able to resign Lionel Messi after his contract expired. However, a tryst with destiny enabled the transfer of Lionel Messi to PSG, reuniting him with his friend Neymar.
Along with Messi, PSG went on to sign, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos, Achraf Hakimi, Georginio Wijnaldum, Nuno Mendes and Danillo Pereira. However, it has not been a season worth remarking for PSG. A poor second leg game in the Champions League dumped them out of the competition at the hands of Real Madrid. Moreover, their league form has also been inconsistent. With news circulating that Mauricio Pochentino might be sacked, PSG is in a dire situation. Nonetheless, their squad value remains untouched, and PSG is the second most expensive lineup in football history.
PSG with the record new signings formng their own dream team
1. Manchester City:
Squad Size: 22 Squad Value: £879.57m League: Premier League
No other club comes close to the squad valuation of Manchester City. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, and the recent acquisition of Jack Grealish, but the Cityzens at the top of the mountain in regards to the most expensive squad in the world. In addition to having the most expensive squad in the world, Manchester City has won their league titles 5 times. Ever since the club’s takeover by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2008, Manchester City has emerged as a major threat.
However, the only success that has eluded Manchester City is that of European glory. This season Pep Guardiola and his Cityzens will surely look forward to make it a priority.
The Manchester City squad ranks as the most expensive lineup ever assembled in football history.
Manchester City have enjoyed tremendous success and rightly justified their squad value
Arsene Wenger is the most successful and the longest-serving manager in Arsenal History. You would be lying if you said you haven’t thought that Arsenal was named after Arsene in your childhood. Happens to everyone. Wenger was a revolutionary manager. He was tactically very smart. And, the man served attacking football at its finest. It was just a joy to watch. He was nicknamed “Le Professeur” by the media and the fans of the club. Under Arsene, the fans enjoyed the best time of their lives. They won everything domestically. They couldn’t achieve glory in European competitions after coming close multiple times under him. Which also includes the famous “Invincibles”. The only club to do so in Premier League history.
The man was earning handsomely at Arsenal. And he was amongst the highest paid in the league as well as the world. His net worth right now is at $48Million as per estimations.
Arsene Wenger’s Salary
Before his managerial career, he played as a midfielder for 4 teams in Mutzig, Mulhouse, ASPV Strasbourg, and RC Strasbourg. While only making appearances for 2 out of the 4 clubs in Mulhouse and RC Strasbourg. He only made 67 appearances across his playing career.
Before moving to Arsenal, he was an assistant manager in Ligue 2 in France. Back then, it was called the division 2. He joined them in 1981. He joined Monaco in 1987 and won the league championship in 1988. In 1991 Wenger guided Monaco in the Coupe de France. In 1995, he moved to Japan to coach J.League side Nagoya Grampus Eight and won the Emperor’s Cup and Japanese Super Cup in his first and only year. And then moved to Arsenal in 1996.
He was amongst the highest earning manager’s during his time at Arsenal. When Arsene joined Arsenal in 1996, the Frenchman’s salary was approx $658,000. Since then, as success came along, his salary kept seeing hikes. Wenger once made it to the top 10 highest-paid managers in the world during his stint at Arsenal. He was placed 6th, and his salary was $10Million. He was earning approx $11Million per year at the end of his Arsenal career. Although, Arsene would’ve made in excess of $100Million in wages if his final contract was honored. He still almost made that much in wages in all his years at the club. The former manager is currently serving as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development.
Wenger is the brand ambassador for the World Cup sponsors Castrol. Due to that deal, he takes part in various youth camps internationally. Wenger also had deals with Lexus, Jaguar, and Mercedes. It is also stated that Arsene is a brand ambassador of Nike and Fly Emirates alongside the Castrol sponsorships. French cars manufacturers Citroen has a partnership with Arsenal, therefore, he is often seen using their products. He also had a partnership with the Titans of watch manufacturing IWC. He earned quite a lot from that as well.
Arsene Wenger
Various other sources of income
Wegner has worked with IN Sport as a pundit and also at the 2016 European Championship for TF1. Furthermore, he has also worked with Robert Pires and Marcel Desailly as pundits. Wegner is also a part-time author. He has a variety of published books, such as Arsene Wenger: The Inside Story of Arsenal Under Wenger and Shōsha no Esupuri, which is specifically made for the Japanese market. And “My life in Red and White”.
As of this moment, he is a member of the Cobalt Data Centre 2 LLP, a business designed to invest in data centers tax efficiently.
In 2016 he invested his money in a tax relief scheme. He was one of the reported 675 investors. A tax relief scheme which has further built two data centers on Tyneside. Adding on to Arsene’s net worth.
Arsene’s net worth currently estimates to $48Million. His net worth also includes his five cars. Which are Mercedes Audi, and Lexus. He also has a Range Rover. He can also be seen in his Citroen. Which he has with him often due to the partnership with Arsenal. Arsene’s net worth also includes an expensive Villa. Which is located in Barnet in United Kingdom. The villa is valued at $2.2Million.
Xavi Hernandez was one of the greatest midfielders of the 21st Century and unarguably one of the greatest midfielders ever. He has had a stellar career. The player now turned manager has gone to his boyhood club to revive it’s prestige and pedigree and bring them back to challenging for stuff. Xavi won everything there was to win as a player. He won everything at a club level and at an international level as well. With two Euro trophies and one World Cup. He was a major part of the two of the greatest teams ever assembled. In Barcelona and in the Spanish side of 08-12. He was the master and he controlled everything on the pitch. They say the way he played made it look like he had eyes on the back as well. Everything went through Xavi. One of the sharpest minds to ever grace the pitch. And, now he wants to taste the same success as a manager. Xavi’s estimated net worth currently is $43,500,000. His estimated salary at Barca is at a $9,465,000. His contract runs through till 2024.
Xavi’s playing career salary
The Spaniard’s salary at Barca once touched an excess of $13 Million. His reported salary as a player at Al Sadd was $10.5Million. Which saw a hike after he was appointed as the manager of the club.
Apart from these, Xavi earned his money through several endorsements. He was a role model for players so it was always easy getting big brand deals. Furthermore,He was named the brand ambassador of Audi Qatar, the Qatari division of the German car manufacturer. The decorated ex-Barcelona superstar also maintains a sponsorship deal with Adidas, previously starring in numerous adverts with the likes of Robin Van Persie, Luis Suarez and Leo Messi.
Xavi
Xavi’s charity work:
Xavi does some charity work. And, he is involved in making the world a better place ever since his playing days. He has helped the Red Cross foundation and several others. And, When Xavi was awarded a cheque of €100,000 by UEFA after being named captain of the UEFA.com users’ Team of the Year in 2011, he donated the money to the ICRC for the Red Cross’ physical rehabilitation program in Afghanistan.
Xavi’s Car collection
Xavi owns a few lavish cars. Mainly which are an Audi Q5, Q7, MBW S6, Range Rover, Ferrari F430, Ford. He did not need to even purchase the Audis’ as he is the brand ambassador. His fastest in the collection is his Ferrari F430. The car has a reported top speed of 200 Miles.
There isn’t much information about Xavi’s house. As, the great man likes to keep his life low-key. All we know is that he has a big beautiful house just outside of Barcelona and another house in Terrassa, Spain.
Xavi
Xavi achieved everything with F.C Barcelona as a player. And now wants to get them back on their perch as a manager. And, engraving the famous Tiki-Taka and bringing it back to Camp Nou.
He has done a good job so far as they sit second in the league table. Although they were knocked out of the Europa league. And they are going trophyless this season. But, the signs of improvement are there and the core is very young. The results will be evident in Europe soon, and it will not be a long time before he brings a trophy back to the club. Xavi is a certified legend of the game.
You can read more about his trophy haul and statistics on the official F.C Barcelona website.
The biggest club in England. And one of the biggest clubs in Europe. ‘The Reds’ have won it all across their glorious history. A club with one of the most beautiful messages you’ll come across in sports “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. The club had seen a 30-year drought for the league title before they won it again in the 19-20 season. Liverpool has seen its fair share of downs over the last two decades, but the arrival of Jurgen Klopp has revived the Merseyside club. They are one of the best teams in Europe, with arguably the best player in the world in Mohammed Salah, at the helm of it all. Jurgen has made Liverpool a scary force again. Setting records after records. Made them into a team that everyone is scared of and putting up a showcase of brilliant attacking football. Liverpool is as dramatic as it gets. Last minute winners, slips, a beach ball disrupting a game, historical Champions League comebacks, their goalkeeper scoring to get them champions league football. The Reds have seen it all and more. On that note, let’s move on to the Top 10 Greatest Liverpool Players of All Time.
10. Virgil Van Dijk
In just his five years at the club, Virgil is already a club legend. And is regarded by many as the best defender to grace the Premier League. If he continues the way, he is Virgil will be the best defender to have ever played in the League. He cost the club a record fee for a defender, and boy has he made himself worth every penny. Liverpool were a ‘nearly’ team. Virgil has transformed them from contenders into winners. And, as a result, cementing his status as a legend. He finished second in the Ballon D’or in his 2018/19 season, just behind some guy named Lionel Messi. Virgil didn’t get dribbled past for the entirety of that season. He is a true Liverpool legend, and it is crazy because he isn’t halfway done yet for the club. Virgil Van Dijk has transformed Liverpool and as a result, deserves his appearance in this list of the Greatest Liverpool players of All time. And, by the time he’s done, he will rank a lot higher here.
Virgil Van Dijk celebrating after scoring against Leeds
9. Jamie Carragher
A local lad. Jamie growing up, was an Evertonian. He is now a pundit/commentator. He made his debut for the club at 18 years of age. Jamie was really intelligent. As a result, he quickly became a fan favorite. He wasn’t the quickest. Despite that, he was a good defender. Due to his reading of the game. Jamie is the second-highest appearance maker for Liverpool. Although, he is the highest appearance maker for the reds in European competitions. He has won a Champions League, 2 Super Cups, 2 FA Cups, 3 League Cups, and 1 UEFA Cup with the reds. His time at the club wasn’t the most successful one. Yet, is quite cherished by the supporters. Due to all he has achieved and done with them.
8. Roger Hunt
The second-highest goalscorer in the history of the great club. Roger Hunt is big legend of the Merseyside Club. He is cherished as one of the greats due to all he has done. Nonetheless, Hunt is still the top goalscorer in the league for the Reds. As clinical as it gets. Hunt was a part of the WC winning England team in 1966. He was inducted in the English hall of fame in 2006. And, so Hunt ranks 8th on this list of top 10 greatest Liverpool players of All time.
Roger Hunt with a trophy
7. Graeme Souness
Souness is a club legend through and through. He was the captain of a very successful Liverpool side of the 80s. Bill Shankly’s trusted man. Souness loved a battle. And was never afraid to lunge in with a challenge. The Scottish midfielder stayed for seven seasons with the Reds. He netted a total of 38 times. Furthermore, he won everything with them. During his time at the club, the reds won 5 league championships, 3 European cups, and 4 League Cups. Souness was included in the PFA team of the century. Thus, he ranks 7th on this list of the greatest Liverpool players of All time.
6. Kevin Keegan
He is widely adored by the Kop. The man netted an exact century of goals for the club. Widely loved and cherished. Kevin Keegan has won the Ballon d’or twice. He was an integral part of the Shankly setup. He won the European Cup once with the Reds and three league titles. On his time at the Kop he quoted ” The only thing I fear is missing an open goal in front of the Kop. I would die if that were to happen. When they start singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ my eyes start to water. There have been times when I’ve actually been crying while I’ve been playing.”
A proper club legend for The Reds.
5. Alan Hansen
Another Centre back makes this list. But, Alan Hansen was no normal center back, not by any stretch of the imagination. He was nonchalant with the ball. Bill Shankly called him the best defender he had ever seen. In another world, Alan Hansen and Virgil Van Dijk could’ve made one of the greatest center-back pairings you could ever wish to see. Hansen was included in the PFA team of the century and the overall team of the century. And he won everything with the Reds. The best centre-back in the history of Liverpool FC. One of the biggest legends in their most successful era. And one of the most adored people by the Kop. He is a legend and a half.
Alan Hansen celebrating with a teammate
4. Ian Rush
The highest goalscorer in the great history of the Reds. Ian Rush was a lethal finisher. He netted goals for fun. And made defenders and goalkeepers look like fools. He could score with both his feet and was excellent in the air as well. A mesmerizing footballer and a great person. Rush netted in a staggering total of 346 goals for the Reds. A tally that won’t be broken anytime soon, if ever. He is also a member of the PFA team of the century. A living legend, and so he ranks 4th on this list of the greatest Liverpool players of All time.
A gem of a human being and an absolute legend. John Barnes is absolutely loved by the Kop. He was a genuine joy to watch on the ball. And, thus he attracted crowds. The man demanded attention, and people gave him. The Merseyside folk all ages absolutely loved him. When he was playing, you couldn’t keep your eyes off the television. One of the greatest players to ever have played for the Reds. And one of the greatest wingers ever. John Barnes has an unparalleled legacy. He also won everything with the Reds. Barnes was also inducted in the PFA team of the century. Furthermore, John Barnes was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2005. A true legend of the game.
John Barnes and Sir Kenny Dalglish
2. Sir Kenny Dalglish
“King Kenny,” as the Kop called him. And the Scott was their King. The man wearing No.7 used to terrorize opposition defenders. Not many players have had a greater influence on any club like Kenny Dalglish has had at Liverpool FC. Dalglish won everything with the Reds as a player and then came back as player-manager and won 3 league titles again. Bob Paisley signed him on a record transfer fee, and Boy, did he pay that fee back and more. One of the most adored players by the Kop ever. Kenny Dalglish is regarded widely as their greatest player ever. Sir Kenny was awarded as the greatest Scottish player of all time in 2020. Thus, cementing his legacy as one of the greats.
1. Steven Gerrard
By now, there would be no surprises as to who tops this list. The mighty Steven Gerrard. Perhaps, there is no man more loved in Liverpool than Steven Gerrard. He is revered as a god by the people on Merseyside. Stevie G is the greatest ever Prem midfielder. The man carried the weight of this big club on his shoulders all through his playing career. He had everything you wanted out of a midfielder. Arguably, the most complete midfielder the game has ever seen. Stevie had it all: tap-ins, volleys, long rangers, tackles, important goals, passing, and heading. The man is a phenomenal player. He breathed Liverpool. Had it not been for him, Liverpool might’ve been in a relegation battle for some part of this century. UEFA included him in the Team of the century. Among his many personal accolades.
Steven Gerrard celebrating
He won the Champions League with the Reds. In the most dramatic fashion. In the famous 3-3 final played between Liverpool and AC Milan, in which he scored. There are many quotes that define him but the one that kind of does him justice is what Jurgen said to King Kenny after they won the Prem.
“This club is built on your soul and Stevie’s legs”. And indeed, the success they’re tasting now is built on Steven Gerrard’s legs. If you want to know more about him here is the link for his documentary on Amazon Prime. And this concludes the list of the Greatest Liverpool players of All time.
Here is also a list of the most iconic players that have played for the great club.
