Top five contenders for Ballon d’Or 2021
1. N’Golo Kante (Chelsea)
Last time: 7th
In 2021: One assist. Won Champions League
2. Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
Last time: 1st
In 2021: 28 goals, four assists. Won Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions
3. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Last time: 3rd
In 2021: 31 goals, four assists. Won Bundesliga and Club World Cup
4. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Last time: 2nd
In 2021: Nine goals, eight assists. Won Premier League and Carabao Cup
5. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Last time: 5th
In 2021: 28 goals, nine assists. Won Copa del Rey
Source: Goal.com
* Aguero thrilled after securing two-year deal with Barca
Sergio Aguero says he has wanted to join Barcelona since he was a child and did not hesitate to accept their offer. The Argentina international had been linked with a move to Camp Nou for months before signing a contract with the club on Monday (31 May) after leaving Manchester City.
The striker says it has been his dream since the age of 14 to join Barca and is delighted to make the return to Spain. Speaking at the signing, he said, “I am very happy. I will try to do my best for the club and help the team win important things. It is an immense joy. For me, Barca has always been the best team in the world and Leo (Messi) is also there.
“I told Laporta before that as a boy I said ‘one day they will surely notice me’. And here I am. I didn’t imagine it, but anyone runs to sign for Barca. When Barca asked about me, I didn’t even hesitate. I told my agent that I didn’t want him to talk to another team, only Barca. It was an immense joy when they contacted my agent. I’ve been interested since I was 14 years old.”
The former Atletico Madrid star has signed a contract that runs until summer 2023. The club has set his release clause at Euro 100 million (Rs. 24.1 billion).
* Ancelotti back to Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti has been reappointed as Manager of Real Madrid, and has departed Everton following 18 months in charge of the Premier League side. Ancelotti returns to Los Blancos following the resignation of Zinedine Zidane, who departed after Madrid ended the season without a trophy. Madrid have turned to the veteran Italian Coach who departs Goodison Park with immediate effect.
In a statement on Everton’s website, Ancelotti said: “I would like to thank the board of directors, the players, and the Evertonians for the tremendous support they have all given me during my time at the club. I have complete respect for everyone associated with Everton and hope they can achieve the exciting opportunities they have in front of them. While I have enjoyed being at Everton, I have been presented with an unexpected opportunity which I believe is the right move for me and my family at this time.”
He was the man to deliver La Decima, with Madrid claiming their 10th European triumph in 2014. They also won the Copa del Rey that season and went on to capture the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. The Italian can claim to boast the best win percentage in the Blancos’ illustrious history, with 89 victories from 119 games at the helm.
* Copa America shifted to Brazil
Brazil will host the 2021 Copa America in four venues across the country, chief of staff Luiz Ramos confirmed on Tuesday (1 June). The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) revealed on Monday that the South American tournament would return to Brazil, which was also the host of the last event in 2019.
The last-minute change was made after both Argentina and Colombia withdrew from hosting duties due to the severity of the coronavirus pandemic and, in the case of the latter, ongoing social unrest.
The Federal District, which contains the nation’s capital Brasilia, Mato Grosso, Rio de Janeiro, and Goias will welcome South America’s best players between 13 June and 10 July. The venues have been chosen in large part to avoid stadiums where the top-tier Serie A, which will continue throughout the Copa, is taking place. Many states have also publicly declined to hold Copa games due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with South America currently being the world’s hardest-hit region. While Ramos did not specify which stadiums have been chosen, Rio de Janeiro’s Estadio Maracana will likely hold only the final, with the two groups based in one or more of the three additional states.
* An unlikely name at the top of the Ballon d’Or list
With the club season coming to an end, the race to the Ballon d’Or also comes to a halt before the beginning of the Euros in couple of weeks’ time. After the award was cancelled last year, players and fans from around the world are eagerly waiting to see who would take the award this year. However, there are few new names who come to the fore, with five-time winner Christiano Ronaldo and six-time winner Lionel Messi, dropping a few places behind.
After the conclusion of the Champions League, a certain French midfielder has become one of the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or. He is none other than the ever smiling N’golo Kante.