JORDI ALBA RECEIVES SPECIAL BARCELONA FAREWELL AFTER CAREER DECISION
Barcelona legend Jordi Alba announces he will retire from football at the end of the MLS season with Inter Miami. The Spaniard won Euro 2012 and a treble with Barça in a storied career.
The left-back is involved in more goals than any defender ever to play for Barcelona
On Tuesday, Barcelona legend Jordi Alba revealed that he will retire from professional football at the end of the MLS season. At the age of 36, he has decided to end his career, similar to Sergio Busquets, who announced a few weeks ago that he is also retiring.
Alba, who made 110 games for Valencia and 459 for Barcelona, has announced his retirement on Instagram, according to MD.
"The time has come to conclude a transcendental chapter in my life: I have decided to end my professional career at the end of the current season. I do it with complete confidence, fullness, and satisfaction. I have travelled this journey with all of my passion, and now it is time to conclude one stage and open another with the best of illusions.
"I owe everything to football, my teammates, clubs, and technical staff." The clubs that have shaped my life deserve my gratitude. To Atlético Centro Hospitalense, where it all started; to Cornellà, which provided me with the tools I needed to develop; to Nàstic, where I learned how to mature with amazing teammates and live in a professional dressing room; to Valencia, the team that fulfilled my dream of making my La Liga debut; to FC Barcelona, the club of my life, the team that watched me grow up as a child and allowed me to reach the pinnacle of my career, to live more than ten unforgettable years and win every title imaginable; and, lastly, to Inter Miami, thank you for welcoming me with love and for opening your doors to me. I also want to thank the fans for their love.
Following the announcement, Barcelona pays tribute to Alba.
Barcelona paid homage to their former player on X just hours after Alba announced his retirement.
There is no full-back like him. He wrote his name in the history of Barça. Jordi, thank you.
Alba has two more games left in his career, both for Inter Miami during the MLS regular season and the playoffs, for which the Florida-based team has already earned a spot.
DISCIPLINARY BLOW: MADRID PLAYER SUSPENDED POST EL CLáSICO TUSSLE
Real Madrid's backup keeper Andriy Lunin has been handed a one-game suspension by the RFEF for his aggressive conduct on the bench during the heated final moments of El Clásico. Real Madrid's appeal was rejected.
El Clásico Scuffle - Photo Credit Getty Images
Los Blancos' goalie Andriy Lunin has been suspended for one game by the RFEF Disciplinary Committee for his involvement in the sideline dramas during the El Clásico's final moments. Although the cameras did not catch it, referee Soto Grado did record that he had sent the Ukrainian off.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the RFEF responded as follows when asked why Lunin received a red card.
The reason for Lunin, Andrii's expulsion in the 90th minute was that he had to be restrained by his teammates after he walked aggressively from his bench to the blonde bench.
The disciplinary committee of the RFEF
"When considered significant, those whose behaviour violates sporting order will be suspended for four to ten games or fined between 602 and 3,006 euros."
Because of Lunin's actions, which constituted a minor violation of the sporting order, he was suspended for one game. The ruling had been challenged by Real Madrid. However, the RFEF stayed steadfast, defending the referee's ruling and the evidence in the match report and on film.
Now, the backup goalie will not play against Valencia this weekend, where he is probably going to be benched. Fran Gonzalez and Sunico, both from the youth team, might be called up as the matchday squad's third choice, with Sergio Mestre serving as a backup.
No Barcelona players or any other Real Madrid players were slapped with bans following the two flash moments in the closing stages of the game. When Vinicius Jr. and Lamie Yamal argued, even players who were not on the team were spotted shoving on the side of the field. The RFEF, however, determined that nothing that came to pass would justify further prohibitions.
ARSENAL STAR DROPS CONFIDENT TITLE HINT AFTER STRONG OPENING
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is targeting a historic Premier League and World Cup double with England this season. The winger believes it's a "doable" feat as the Gunners lead the title race.
Bukayo Saka - (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC)
According to Bukayo Saka, it is feasible for Arsenal and England to win both games this season. The season has started well for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta's leadership.
Arsenal leads the Premier League standings by four points at the moment and is starting to look like a title contender. Manchester City is only one point ahead of defending champions Liverpool, who are seven points behind.
Saka, however, is not only interested in winning at his club; he also hopes to succeed internationally. Manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that winning the trophy is his ambition for England, who have qualified for the World Cup in the USA next year.
Saka is optimistic about his club's and his nation's chances of winning. "Yeah, that is my prayer," he remarked in an interview with Sky Sports. It is possible, of course.