OBotafogose desdobra para continuar nas primeiras colocações da Taça Guanabara (primeira fase do Carioca). Neste domingo (5), os botafoguenses encaram o Boavista às 16h, em partida no Mané Garrincha válida pela sétima rodada da competição.
Mandante da partida, o Verdão de Saquarema se esforça para encontrar um caminho na competição. A equipe comandada por Leandrão tem apenas dois pontos e está na última colocação (na luta contra o rebaixamento). O lateral-esquerdo Peu, o meia Matheus Alessandro e o atacante Wandinho são esperanças do Boavista.
+ Veja a tabela do Campeonato Carioca e simule os resultados!
RelacionadasBotafogoBotafogo divulga relacionados para duelo com Boavista; veja provável escalação!Botafogo04/02/2023BotafogoFerj confirma alteração do horário de Botafogo x BanguBotafogo04/02/2023
O Botafogo tenta deixar para trás o tropeço no meio de semana, com o empate em 0 a 0 diante do Nova Iguaçu. Para isto, contará com o retorno de Tchê Tchê no meio de campo. Porém, terá duas baixas: Daniel Borges foi liberado para acompanhar o nascimento da filha, enquanto Carlos Alberto, que sofreu uma pancada no tornozelo, fica de fora da equipe.
O Glorioso está atualmente com dez pontos na competição e ocupa a terceira colocação. O técnico Luís Castro tem uma dúvida no setor ofensivo do Botafogo. Lucas Piazon e Gustavo Sauer disputam a titularidade.
FICHA TÉCNICA
BOAVISTA x BOTAFOGO
Data e horário: 05/02/2023, domingo, às 16h Estádio: Mané Garrincha, em Brasília (DF) Árbitro: Matheus Carneiro Torres Assistentes: Thiago Rosa de Oliveira e Wallace Muller Barros Onde ver: BandSports
BOAVISTA (Técnico: Leandrão)
Fernando; Jairo (Diego Rangel), Kevem, Elivelton e Peu; Jairo, Israel Ryan e Matheus Alessandro; Wandinho e Marquinhos.
BOTAFOGO (Técnico: Luís Castro)
Lucas Perri, Rafael, Adryelson, Cuesta e Marçal; Tchê Tchê, Patrick de Paula e Gabriel Pires; Lucas Piazon (Gustavo Sauer), Victor Sá e Tiquinho.
Dillon du Preez will take over in an interim capacity for South Africa’s tour of India with a new coach to be appointed after that
Firdose Moonda10-May-2024Long-serving South Africa Women head coach Hilton Moreeng’s tenure has ended after a period of 11 years and four months.Moreeng was originally appointed in the role in December 2012, and oversaw South Africa’s transition to professionalism in 2014 and their greatest successes in the decade since. He took them to two ODI World Cup semi-finals, two T20 World Cup semi-finals, and was in charge when they became the first national senior side to reach a World Cup final, at home in the 2023 T20 World Cup. He was South Africa’s first black African national coach.Dillon du Preez, Moreeng’s assistant since September 2020 and a former first-class cricketer, will take over from him in an interim capacity for South Africa’s tour of India in June-July with a permanent coach to be appointed after that.Moreeng’s departure came after a period of short-term extensions to his contract since 2020 – originally for three years until after the 2023 T20 World Cup, and then for periods of time in the months that followed.CSA have confirmed it was Moreeng’s decision to step away.”He opted not to continue. And the timing of it is not great, but we really respect and understand his position,” Enoch Nkwe, South Africa’s director of cricket, said at a press conference on Friday. “He’s invested a lot, you know, obviously into women’s cricket. He’s taken this team from basically nothing to great heights. He’s reached a point where, and he was completely honest, he needs to allow the next person to take the team to the next level.”In his latest extension, Moreeng was contracted for the 2023-24 season, initially until the end of 2023, and then until the end of the summer, after his contract expired last year. He was also retained in 2020 when CSA first appointed a director of cricket – Graeme Smith – who undertook a major overhaul of the organisation’s coaching structures.
“We’re going to be engaging with them later in the month, at a camp, to try and gauge, obviously, where they’re feeling and where everybody’s at. We also want to see how we can help Dillion to make sure that the team can pull in one direction, which I have no doubt he’ll be able to do”Enoch Nkwe on the transition
Most recently, Moreeng remained in the job despite senior players expressing unhappiness with the length of his tenure. In August last year, six months after South Africa reached the final of the T20 World Cup, a group of players wrote to CSA to express their desire for change, but ESPNcricinfo understands that the process to replace Moreeng was delayed, and he was allowed to continue. As it turned out, CSA changed the captain and replaced Sune Luus, who led at the T20 World Cup and prior to that in Dane van Niekerk’s injury-enforced absence, with Laura Wolvaardt.A process was then put in place to recruit Moreeng’s replacement, who was expected to take over after the home series against Bangladesh last December, but that never happened. In early November, Nkwe told reporters that CSA “had interviews last week and we are still finalising a couple of things”. “As soon as we are done with the post-interview process, we will be able to make an announcement,” he said, and indicated the new support staff would be in place for South Africa’s January-February tour to Australia. He has since said CSA was not satisfied with those who put their hands up for the job. “We did advertise the position and unfortunately we couldn’t find the fitting candidates to take the team forward,” Nkwe said. “We went into the process of headhunting as well and unfortunately we couldn’t find anyone.”Moreeng then took South Africa to Australia, where they beat Australia for the first time in both a T20I and an ODI (though they lost both series) and was in charge for the home series against Sri Lanka. South Africa lost a T20I series to Sri Lanka for the first time and shared the ODI spoils, as Sri Lanka successfully completed the highest chase in women’s ODIs. It was after the Sri Lanka series that Moreeng decided his time was up, Nkwe said.CSA had initially hoped that Moreeng would continue until the 2025 World Cup, during which time they could plan a transition phase for his successor but “the process didn’t work out as planned”. Du Preez will now take the team to India and it is possible a new coach will be in place ahead of the T20 World Cup. Asked if the players are comfortable with du Preez, who has been in his role since September 2020, Nkwe suggested it may take some time for things to settle.”They’re still a little bit shocked because they didn’t expect [Moreeng’s departure] so soon; immediately at the end of the season. A lot of them are still processing what just transpired,” Nkwe said. “We’re going to be engaging with them later in the month, at a camp, to try and gauge, obviously, where they’re feeling and where everybody’s at. We also want to see how we can help Dillion to make sure that the team can pull in one direction, which I have no doubt he’ll be able to do.”Under Hilton Moreeng, South Africa Women became the first national senior side to reach a World Cup final•ICC via Getty ImagesAsked if he would consider putting himself up for the job full-time, du Preez stayed on the fence, for now. “I see myself as someone who has to do this at this stage of my life. Whether or not I try to do it going forward, this will allow me to grow. I see it as a positive move, even if it is for a month or two,” he said. “I think I will want to [have the job permanently] but it’s too early to give you a 100% answer. But that’s where you want to be, at the highest level. I would really want to coach there. I enjoy it a lot. But let’s talk after India.”Du Preez also indicated he would not change too much to begin with, having been mentored by Moreeng. “He’s been here for 11 years in this space and to learn from him, meant a lot to me. Whatever you know about cricket, the moment you move into the women’s space, you actually find out that you might know nothing,” du Preez said. “It’s been an emotional week. Hilton has left big shoes for me to fill. What he has done for women’s cricket, it feels like no one is going to match. I couldn’t pick a better guy to learn from.”There is no suggestion that CSA will continue to look for a women’s director of cricket, and that Moreeng could be considered for that. Nkwe said the former coach needs “time” to “continue reflecting and to see what his journey is going to look like moving forward”. But, Nkwe said, CSA would be open to engaging Moreeng in the future. “From our point of view, we would like to retain him in whichever way, because you don’t just let go of such experience, especially in women’s cricket.”In parting, Moreeng offered thanks to everyone he met along the way. “It has been an honour and a privilege to lead such a talented group of athletes over the years,” Moreeng said in a statement. “I want to express my sincere appreciation to all the players and team management who have been instrumental in this journey. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside each of you. I would also like to thank the South African fans and the media for their unwavering support throughout this journey. Your encouragement has been a constant source of motivation. Last but certainly not least, I am deeply grateful to my family and friends who have stood by me through the highs and lows along the way. Your love and support have been my rock.”CSA has also appointed a new batting coach in Baakier Adams, previously with the Warriors provincial team, and Bongani Ndaba as fielding coach alongside a new physiotherapist Neline Hoffman-Kellerman.
Osasuna have completed a deal to sign 21-year-old winger Victor Muñoz from Real Madrid for €6 million (£5m).
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Los Blancos hold 50% sell-on clause
Muñoz has made four first team appearances
Winger made LaLiga debut in El Clásico
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
WHAT HAPPENED?
Fabrizio Romano reports that Madrid have negotiated a 50% sell-on fee as part of the deal. Muñoz has made just four appearances for Los Blancos' first-team, most recently featuring as an 80th minute substitute in the 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup.
Advertisement
AFP
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Muñoz joined Real Madrid's academy in 2021 from Catalonian club Damm. The winger started his career at La Masia, playing with notable graduates to Barcelona's first team, including Alejandro Balde and Fermin Lopez. Muñoz's debut for Madrid came in the 4-3 defeat against his boyhood club earlier this season.
DID YOU KNOW?
Muñoz is known for his electric pace. Despite sharing a locker room with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, the Spaniard was given the nod as the fastest player in Los Blancos' squad in a 2024 article published in
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images Sport
WHAT NEXT FOR MUÑOZ?
A move away from the Bernabeu will likely mean increased playing time for the speedster. Osasuna will hope Muñoz can help them break out of mid-table and push for European qualification; Los Rojillos have finished between 7th and 11th every season since their return to LaLiga in 2019.
Once Head returns, Smith may have to give his No.3 position to Marsh, who opened in Head’s absence and play two-down
Sidharth Monga27-Oct-2023
Smith said after the last match that he was “a bit shocked” when told he would have to move down to No. 4•Getty Images
As the snow on the higher peaks melted under the sun in perfect weather for cricket, Australia’s nets in Dharamsala suggested they were ever closer to playing a full-strength XI for the first time in this ODI World Cup.Travid Head, who narrowly missed out on the last game recovering from a broken left hand, batted in the nets for about 20 minutes without discernible discomfort, and had a bowl too. Marcus Stoinis, who missed the last match with a sore calf, had a long bowling stint and a decent hit towards the end of their session.However, Australia captain Pat Cummins finished his press conference before the training so there is no confirmation either of them will be back for the match against New Zealand. Yet he didn’t shy away from what has become a bit of a thorny topic since the last match: where does Head bat when he comes back, and consequently where does Mitchell Marsh bat?Related
Australia talking points: Starc, middle-order tempo and allrounders
Cricket Australia chief: Context vital for bilateral ODIs
Warner: 'World Cups are what I get up for'
Mitchell Marsh will drop to No. 3 when Travis Head is back
The expectation all the while was for Head to slot right back into his opening role, for Marsh to bat at No. 3, and for Steven Smith to move a slot down. Smith, though, said after the last match that he was “a bit shocked” when told he would have to move down to No. 4.”It’s a different sort of mindset I think, when you come in at 3 to 4,” Smith had said. “So yeah, I got told if Trav was playing that I was going to be batting 4. I’ll do whatever the team wants. I’ve got a pretty good record at three, so I was a bit shocked in a way, but I’ll do what I need to for the team.Cummins said Smith didn’t take much convincing to agree to the switch. “I think he said himself, do whatever is best for the team,” Cummins said. “And Trav’s been amazing [at the top of the order] over the last 12 months. Mitch Marsh at the top has been amazing. Davey Warner’s obviously a superstar up there.”We think that’s the best way to set up the team and we’re really excited with how the batting line-up looks like. No, it’s been fine. We all do some roles that maybe is not your preference but it’s what’s best for the team so it’s fine.”They might only now be getting close to getting their best personnel together, but Cummins believes Australia have nailed the way they want to play after a slow start.”Our group’s big on talking about the style that we want to play,” Cummins said. “I think in the first two games not only did we not win, but I think we didn’t really nail the style that we wanted to play. In the last few games you’ve seen us be a bit more aggressive: batting and bowling. Bowling, everyone’s been really open-minded, tried different things; trying bouncers, different fields, one-over spells and it’s just been a real buy-in from the whole team, and yeah, it’s been fantastic last few games. That’s a standard we want to keep going with for the rest of the tournament.”
أشاد ماتياس هاجي، رئيس كشافين نادي بريدا الهولندي، بقدرات اللاعب الفلسطيني الشاب آدم كايد، بعد اقترابه من الانتقال إلى نادي الزمالك في الميركاتو الصيفي الحالي.
ووصل كايد إلى القاهرة بحسب مصادر بطولات في نادي الزمالك، قبل التوقيع على العقود الرسمية مع المدير الرياضي، جون إدوارد، والتقديم الإعلامي عبر المنصات الاجتماعية.
اقرأ أيضًا | ميكالي يكشف كواليس مثيرة عن سداسية المغرب.. ورفض تدريب الزمالك
وقال هاجي في تصريحات خاصة: “آدم لاعب رائع، يعجبني كثيرًا، هو الأفضل في المراوغات السريعة في المساحات الصغيرة، لكن حان الوقت ليحصل على فرصة للعب بشكل منتظم”.
وأشار الكشاف الهولندي إلى أن قلة دقائق اللعب كانت أحد الأسباب التي دفعت اللاعب للتفكير في خوض تجربة جديدة، موضحًا: “أعتقد أن انتقاله خطوة منطقية لأنه بحاجة للمشاركة باستمرار”.
وشارك كايد مع بريدا خلال 24 مباراة ولكن بإجمالي دقائق وصل إلى 674 دقيقة فقط مع تسجيله هدفًا في الدوري الهولندي ضد تيفنتي.
وعن شخصيته داخل الفريق، كشف هاجي: “آدم محبوب جدًا من الجميع، اجتماعي إلى أبعد الحدود، ولديه رغبة دائمة في التعلم والتطور، إنه شخص رائع داخل وخارج الملعب”.
واختتم حديثه: “أتمنى له كل التوفيق في هذه المرحلة الجديدة مع الزمالك، لأنه يستحق الأفضل”.
An inside source has suggested Maya Jama is already thinking about tying the knot with Manchester City star Ruben Dias.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Stars spent romantic week in Italy
Dias and Jama confirmed relationship in April
Love Island host said to be "head over heels" in love
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
WHAT HAPPENED?
With Love Island set to return, and Manchester City's involvement in the Club World Cup, the pair took the opportunity to head to Italy and the Amalfi Coast. Jama shared a number of photos from the trip to her Instagram account at the end of May.
Advertisement
THE BIGGER PICTURE
It appears the pair have become more serious about their relationship of late. Dias and Jama went public in April, and have been spotted at a number of events together. A source told Heat that Jama's protective pals have tentatively signed off on their union, as Dias appears to be the model boyfriend. The 30-year-old presenter had previously been in an on-and-off again relationship with grime megastar Stormzy.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
A source close to the couple said: "The trip to Italy was incredibly romantic. There was no wild partying – they just enjoyed some quality couple time and it gave them a chance to talk about their future. Maya knows it’s early days, but she’s head over heels. She wants to settle down, get married and have a family – and she doesn’t want to wait much longer.
"Rúben seems genuine so far, and she really thinks he could be The One. What Maya loves about him is that Rúben doesn’t come across someone who would mess her about. He was with his last girlfriend for around three years – he’s not been involved in any cheating scandals, like a lot of footballers. In fact, there’s no red flags at all at the moment. He’s got a good sense of humour, and they have such a laugh together, but they’re also focused on their careers and passionate about what they do.
"Her friends and family are obviously protective of her. After the big heartbreak of her last relationship, they want to make sure Rúben is the right guy for her. But even her most protective friends have found it hard to find any real fault with him."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images Sport
WHAT NEXT FOR MAYA JAMA AND RUBEN DIAS?
Dias is now in the US with his City team-mates as they prepare for their opening game against Wydad AC on Wednesday, while Jama is busy presenting the latest season of Love Island.
Some of the most exciting young players on the planet are set to be on show in the U.S. this summer
The much-discussed Club World Cup is now just days away from getting underway in the United States, and while the competition will see established superstars such as Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi face off, it also offers the opportunity for some of the best young players on the planet to strut their stuff on the global stage.
It's not unusual for previously little-known teenagers to become a household names the world over thanks to their performances during a summer tournament, and while the Club World Cup isn't yet at the level of its international counterpart given the expanded format is only making its debut in 2025, there will still be plenty of eyes watching out for the next superstars of the game to emerge.
But who are those who need to be on your radar ahead of Saturday's kick-off in Miami? GOAL breaks down the top 10 NXGN-aged (born in 2006 or later) starlets to keep track of over the next month…
AFPEstevao Willian (Palmeiras)
Fans outside of South America have likely seen the umpteen viral clips of Estevao Willian in action for Palmeiras over the past 12 months, but the Club World Cup will offer many their first chance to watch the most exciting Brazilian talent since Neymar play a match in full.
Having already agreed to join Chelsea for a fee of £56m ($71m) this summer, it wasn't initially known whether Estevao would represent the Blues or his boyhood team at this tournament. However, the decision was made for the 18-year-old to use the Club World Cup as a farewell to Palmeiras, for whom he has already scored 26 goals in 78 competitive appearances.
A fleet-footed forward who was nicknamed 'Messinho' as he came through the ranks in Sao Paulo due to his similarities in style to the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Estevao will come up against the legendary Argentine and Inter Miami in the group stages as he aims to show the world just why everyone at Stamford Bridge is so keen to get him to west London ahead of next season.
AdvertisementAFPFranco Mastantuono (River Plate)
Real Madrid fans, meanwhile, will be licking their lips at the prospect of catching their newest teenage signing from South America in action during this tournament. Franco Mastantuono has been turning heads for over a year with his performances for River Plate, and he will bid farewell to his boyhood club this summer after a deal was agreed for him to move to the Spanish capital after the Club World Cup.
Madrid are set to pay €40m (£33m/$45m) to sign Mastantuono after pushing themselves ahead of Paris Saint-Germain to the front of the queue for the 17-year-old midfielder. The youngest goal-scorer in River's storied history, Mastantuono has taken his game to new levels in 2025, with his superb free-kick goal against Boca Juniors in the Superclasico an illustration of both his talent and confidence on the biggest stage.
He has also just become the youngest player to ever make their debut in a competitive match for Argentina, and this summer promises to be a real coming-out party for one of the very best teenage players on the planet.
Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowGetty Images SportIan Subiabre (River Plate)
River aren't finished when it comes to producing young stars, though. The same academy that has recently nurtured Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Claudio Echeverri and Mastantuono has plenty more where they came from, with Ian Subiabre set to be the next teenager to take the Monumental by storm.
The 18-year-old, who can play either as a winger or central striker, has started to earn regular opportunities with the River first team, while Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have all been credited with interest in signing Subiabre. Given the success of some of his predecessors, don't be shocked if he becomes a household name in the not-too-distant future.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Alvaro Montoro (Botafogo)
While River possess the most-talked about Argentine academy right now, the work being done at Velez Sarsfield shouldn't be ignored. World Cup winner Thiago Almada is the pick of a number of high-quality youngsters who have emerged from the current Primera Division champions' youth sector over the past decade or so, and there is a suggestion that Alvaro Montoro could be the pick of the lot.
Likened to Andres Iniesta as he came through the ranks at Velez, Montoro scored three goals in five Copa Libertadores games this season before he was snapped up by the reigning South American champions, Botafogo, ahead of their appearance at the Club World Cup.
As such, given he is so new to the Brazilian side's squad, Montoro might have to be patient for opportunities during the tournament. However, if the 18-year-old attacking midfielder does see the pitch in the U.S., he will be keen to show just why Borussia Dortmund, among others, were so keen to bring him to Europe before Botafogo swept in.
The extent of the injury, which he picked up while leaping on the boundary to intercept a six, is not yet known
ESPNcricinfo staff31-Mar-2023
Kane Williamson injured his knee while saving a six•BCCI
Kane Williamson was forced off the field 13 overs into his Gujarat Titans debut, against Chennai Super Kings, after injuring his right knee. He had done the damage while fielding on the deep-square leg boundary, where he had leapt to intercept a ball headed for six off Ruturaj Gaikwad’s bat. He managed to save two runs, palming the ball into the field of play before it bounced onto the boundary boards, but by that point Williamson was on the ground clutching his right knee.He had fallen awkwardly with his right foot thudding the ground, seemingly with his whole body weight on it. Despite receiving treatment for a few minutes, his face twisted in pain all the while, he could not come back on, with Titans bringing B Sai Sudharsan on as substitute fielder first and later swapping the two in the XI via the Impact Player rule.*Had Williamson managed to parry the ball and complete the catch, it would have been a spectacular take, stopping an on-song Gaikwad on 71 off 36. Gaikwad would go on to make 92 off 50.Kane Williamson had to be helped off the field•Associated Press
New Zealand coach Gary Stead said Williamson’s injury “is a big blow” for the team and it’s too early to talk about the intensity of the injury and if it would affect his participation in the upcoming ODI World Cup in India, later in October.”Obviously Kane [Williamson] got injured last night in the IPL in the first game. First thoughts are obviously with him,” Stead said. “We’re not sure at this stage about the severity of the injury. He is being assessed in the next sort of 24-48 hours, so we will know more after that. All we know at this stage is his right knee. It’s early in the tournament and unfortunately I can’t give you much more than that until we find out more information… You don’t wish it on anyone, let alone your captain of the white-ball team Kane Williamson. So, yeah, it’s a big blow for him and it’s a big blow for us.”This game, the IPL 2023 opener, was Williamson’s first outing for Titans, his first new IPL team in eight seasons. He had played for Sunrisers Hyderabad since 2015, and captained them fully in 2018 and 2022, and partially in 2019 and 2021.Williamson was returning to the Motera for this game for the first time since his Test debut, back in 2013, when he had become New Zealand’s youngest player to hit a century on Test debut.He had only recently fully recovered from a long-standing elbow injury, which had plagued him over the past two years. Subsequently he had an IPL to forget in 2022, scoring just 216 runs in 13 innings. Last December, he had given up the New Zealand captaincy, and was showing signs of hitting top form once again with centuries in back-to-back thrilling Test matches and then a double-hundred leading up to the IPL.*
This season has been littered with issues for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal troops. There has been very little rest for the coaching staff, let’s put it that way.
Ever since Declan Rice’s nonsensical red card against Brighton early in the season, things have gone from bad to worse for the Gunners.
A tale of woe concerning red cards, strange ones at that, have plagued their season, as too have injuries, particularly in 2025.
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz are all nursing hamstring problems with the German now out for the season.
He joins Gabriel Jesus (ACL) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) as long-term absentees in the Colney treatment room.
It’s unsurprising that with so many forward players missing Arsenal are struggling to score goals. Across their last three matches, they have scored just twice, both coming from the boot of makeshift centre-forward Mikel Merino.
While it’s true that the forward line is a big issue, the Gunners need to see more from some of the senior players who are still fit. Chief among them is captain Martin Odegaard.
Why Martin Odegaard is struggling this season
When in full flow, it’s safe to say that the Arsenal skipper is one of the most aesthetically pleasing footballers around.
He’s not a loudmouth and in-your-face captain like Roy Keane was but he usually lets his football do the talking. Remember that magical assist against Porto in the Champions League last season?
He leads the press, leads their chance creation and sets the pace of a game. Except, he’s not actually doing that too well this term.
The Norwegian is clearly suffering from his early season injury, an ankle problem sustained during the campaign’s maiden international break that subsequently saw him miss 12 matches for the Gunners.
Since then, the 26-year-old has struggled to impress and you could put some of that down to Saka’s absence since the back end of 2024. The pair usually combine to create most of the team’s chances and without the dazzling winger, Odegaard hasn’t found top gear.
Odegaard: 2023/24 vs 2024/25 PL stats
Stat (per 90)
2023/24
2024/25
Assists
0.3
0.2
Key passes
3
2.4
Big chances created
0.5
0.4
Accurate crosses
0.9
0.7
Crossing accuracy %
39%
20.4%
Stats via Sofascore.
Truth be told, the club’s number 11 is a shadow of his former self, having registered fewer key passes and accurate crosses per 90 this season in the Premier League.
To compound Odegaard’s woes, he only has one goal from open play all season, his neat finish against Manchester City in the 5-1 win.
So, what’s next? Well, you’d like to think that form is temporary, class is permanent here. The former Real Madrid wonderkid will no doubt be back but he should now be looking over his shoulder following the emergence of two bright stars in Hale End.
Hale End could threaten Odegaard's long-term future at Arsenal
While, for the time being, there are no long-term concerns regarding Odegaard’s form in red and white, he should be wary that once this Arsenal team has all of their main players back fit, his place in the team should not be a certainty.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
After all, how on earth are you going to leave Ethan Nwaneri out once Saka returns? Answers please, Arteta.
One solution could be to field the talented 17-year-old in a number 10 role, alongside Saka and behind Havertz.
That would leave Odegaard’s role vulnerable but Nwaneri isn’t the only Hale End superstar he may well have to compete with in the forthcoming years.
Step forward, Max Dowman. The teenager is only 15 years of age but has generated remarkable hype. If you haven’t heard of him yet, you will do soon.
He has been hailed as the “most exciting” prospect since Lamine Yamal by talent scout Jacek Kulig and is said to have “one of the greatest footballing brains that’s ever come through Hale End” by Arsenal academy expert Will Balsam.
No pressure, then, but when you watch him play, you’ll realise the hype is real. Dowman has already trained with the first team on multiple occasions and was among the travelling party for the squad’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai. At 15, that’s astonishing.
An attacking midfielder by trade, he’s got the Nwaneri swagger and aura about him, while his ball-carrying and speed already looks like it’s better than Odegaard’s.
Youngest goalscorers – UEFA Youth League
Player
Age
#1 Max Dowman
14 years, 8 months, 19 days
#2 Youssoufa Moukoko
14 years, 11 months, 3 days
#3 Rayan Cherki
15 years, 1 month, 2 days
#4 Naci Unuvar
15 years, 3 months, 6 days
#5 Sander Evjen-Brostrom
15 years, 4 months, 9 days
#6 Ryan Gravenberch
15 years, 4 months, 10 days
He only boasts one appearance for the U21s to date but Dowman has regularly dazzled for the U18s this term, scoring five goals and supplying two assists. Those might not be the most incredible numbers but his performance against Manchester United U18s in the FA Youth Cup on Friday evening showcased just how special he is.
During a 3-2 extra-time defeat in the quarter-finals, he scored the club’s second from the penalty spot after winning the foul himself courtesy of some remarkable play.
Dowman picked up the ball inside his own half and drove towards the box, dancing his way past a United defender before being brought down. As analyst Ben Mattinson said, he has ‘the Thanos “fine, I’ll do it myself” gene’ which is essentially the ability to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and take the team on his shoulders.
It’s not cocky, it’s just a realisation that despite his age, he is that good.
Further described as an “insane left-footed 10-type creator” by Mattinson, the teenager is set to have an incredibly bright future in the game and, while it will take a few years for him to become a regular feature in the senior side, Odegaard should be on the lookout.
Both Dowman and Nwaneri, Arsenal’s academy jewels, could be coming for his throne.
Better than Odegaard: Arsenal must rue selling Ballon d'Or nominee for £21m
The incredible former Arsenal star has become a Ballon d’Or nominee after exiting the Emirates Stadium.
After winning the AFC Champions League last season, can the UAE's most successful club cause a shock this summer?
We're going to get it out of the way right here at the start: the Club World Cup isn't going to be easy for Al Ain FC. Hailing from the United Arab Emirates, Al Ain have been drawn into a group with Manchester City and Juventus. Good luck with that one!
But that's the fun part of this tournament, isn't it? Al Ain are the UAE's most successful club and, as they prepare to head to the U.S. for this summer's tournament, they'll be dreaming of causing an upset against one of the world's Goliaths.
Back on home soil, the club is known as , which translates to "The Boss". Rightfully so. They are far and away the UAE's top trophy winners, having won 38 in total, including 14 league crowns. Most notably, though, they are the only UAE side to have won the AFC Champions League, which has booked them their date with the world's best.
They do have a history in this competition, too. In 2018, as hosts of the Club World Cup, Al Ain topped Team Wellington and Esperance de Tunis to earn a clash with Argentine giants River Plate. They won that on penalties, thus getting a lucky ticket to face Real Madrid in the finale. The UAE side lost, 4-1, but it was a dream run, one that will give them hope ahead of this summer.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played in 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. cities, from the opener on June 14 until the final on July 13. In the U.S., fans can stream or watch matches on DAZN or TNT. Leading up to kickoff, GOAL will provide scouting reports on each of the 32 participating teams in the expanded field.
Next up is Al Ain, with a look at key players to watch, and expectations for the UAE side at the tournament.
Getty Images Sport
The Basics
DOMESTIC LEAGUE: UAE Pro League
CLUB WORLD CUP HISTORY: Second appearance (Finished second in 2018 edition)
GROUP: G (Al Ain, Juventus, Manchester City, Wydad Casablanca)
OPENING MATCH: Juventus – June 18, 9 p.m., Washington, D.C
Advertisement
AFP
How they got here
Al Ain are the reigning AFC Champions League winners, having run through plenty of familiar faces on their push to the trophy. En route, they took down Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr and the similarly stacked Al Hilal, who currently feature the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Malcom.
Once in the finale, they crushed Yokohama Marinos, 6-3 on aggregate, to win the club's second Champions League and, more importantly for the purposes of this preview, earn a spot in the Club World Cup.
AFP
The player to watch
Al Ain feature a familiar face for die-hard MLS fans: none other than former New York Red Bulls star Alejandro 'Kaku' Gamarra. The Paraguayan was a pretty good attacking presence during his three seasons in MLS, but his exit was unceremonious, to put it lightly. Kaku joined Al-Taawoun in February 2021, setting off a series of lawsuits related to his contract with the club.
That's all in the past now, and Kaku has been with Al Ain since 2023. The creator behind star striker Soufiane Rahimi, who led the AFC Champions League with 13 goals last season, Kaku has been quite prolific himself. With 18 goals and 22 assists in his two seasons so far with the club, Kaku is the one who will have to pull some strings if Al Ain are to cause an upset.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images Sport
Realistic expectations
Expectations aren't high, but emotions sure will be if they do find a way to get a result. Al Ain will head into the tournament knowing they aren't one of the favorites, but they do have enough recent tournament history to have the crucial thought: why not?
Al Ain were given a tough draw, for sure, particularly with Juve and Manchester City being their first two games of the tournament but, if they can somehow get a result out of one of those two games, Al Ain will be dreaming. Still, they'll need just about every break to go their way to get out of the group so, with that in mind, the more likely approach is to just be happy to be here and enjoy this chance to lead your club into matches against the world's best.