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Ruben Amorim Set for Manchester United Managerial Role: From Qatar Challenges to Old Trafford, Backed by Wife Maria

2025-10-12 05:53:12 By Harper Jenkins

The 'next Jose Mourinho' with a wife who gave up engineering to follow his dream

Manchester United is on the brink of a managerial change, with the club moving swiftly to replace Erik ten Hag after his dismissal on Monday. Ten Hag's tenure was cut short due to a season start that saw the team lose four of their first nine league matches and no victories in European competitions. Ruben Amorim, currently at the helm of Sporting Lisbon, is tipped to be the next manager, with reports suggesting he has agreed to a contract that will see his salary double to £5 million per year. What can we expect from the man who may soon be in charge at Old Trafford? Amorim's potential move to Manchester will be a significant one, but he can rely on the unwavering support of his wife, Maria Joao Diogo. Amorim and Maria tied the knot in 2013, and their relationship was tested when he decided to leave his boyhood club, Benfica, for Al-Wakrah in Qatar two years later. Maria had built a successful career in telecommunications engineering and had established her own interior design firm, Dois Tons, while Amorim was making his mark in football. She chose to put her career on hold to accompany Amorim to the Middle East, and he has spoken about their time in Qatar, acknowledging the challenges they faced. 'I had never played abroad, I had travelled abroad, but I hadn't played,' he shared. 'Qatar is a spectacular country to live in, very family-oriented... If I had to choose to live with my family, I would go to Qatar. 'My wife came to see me, I went ahead to take care of things. She asked me what kind of clothes I could take, where we could live, if it was traditional or not. I told her to take a certain type of clothing and she came there and said to me: "Ruben, I didn't bring clothes to wear here." It was very hot and I told you to be more covered up. When we started investigating, it seemed like they opened the doors. 'There were certain things that confused me: things were not certain, it was always tomorrow. I spent six months in a hotel room with my wife. [When it was time to go to a house], they were always saying 'Insha'Allah tomorrow' ['Tomorrow, God willing']. Amorim's time in Qatar was brief, and he returned to Portugal in 2016 to retire from playing. His coaching career began shortly after, and it seems his move to United has been in the works for six years. In 2018, Amorim completed a performance internship under Jose Mourinho at United, getting an early taste of life in Manchester.

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Emi Martinez and Partner Face Hostility at Ballon d'Or Gala

Emi Martinez and his spouse were subjected to relentless heckling upon their entrance at the Ballon d'Or ceremony. Despite this, the 32-year-old Argentine goalkeeper triumphed by retaining the Yashin Trophy. His actions during the 2022 World Cup final have made him a figure of scorn among French supporters. Emi Martinez and his spouse were subjected to relentless heckling upon their entrance at the Ballon d'Or ceremony. However, the Argentine, aged 32, had the final word as he successfully defended the Yashin Trophy. His antagonistic behavior during the 2022 World Cup final has made him a figure of scorn among French supporters. Martinez not only delivered an exceptional performance and played his psychological games during the penalty shootout but also incited French fans with his provocative celebration with the Golden Glove trophy. Nevertheless, Martinez was awarded the Yashin Trophy in 2023 for his World Cup achievements. Upon his return to Paris on Monday evening, he faced another hostile reception. Dressed in a black tuxedo, the Aston Villa goalkeeper walked the red carpet hand-in-hand with his elegant partner Mandinha, who wore a flowing red dress. The boos from the crowd were unmistakable, and neither seemed amused by the situation. Martinez briefly gave a thumbs-up, but it was unclear whether this was a genuine gesture or a sarcastic reply to someone not visible in the frame. The couple then posed for photographs before entering the Theatre du Chatelet for the prestigious awards ceremony. Inside, Martinez was recognized as the world's best goalkeeper for the second consecutive year, following his contributions to Aston Villa's Champions League campaign and Argentina's Copa America victory. He outperformed the likes of Spain's Unai Simon, Real Madrid's Andriy Lunin, and Gianluigi Donnarumma, becoming the first goalkeeper to retain the title. In the overall Ballon d'Or rankings, Martinez placed 18th in the voting, surpassing Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Antonio Rudiger, Cole Palmer, and others. Rodri claimed the top men's award for his performances with Manchester City and Spain's victory at Euro 2024. Rodri defeated Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Erling Haaland, and local favorite Kylian Mbappe in the voting. His fellow Spaniard Lamine Yamal finished eighth but secured the Kopa Trophy for the best young player under 21. The 17-year-old's standout performance at the Euros made him the third Spaniard in four years to receive the honor, following

Unveiling Ballon d'Or Votes: El Salvador's Journalist Reportedly Omitted Vinicius, Adding to Madrid's Frustration

The anticipation for the complete Ballon d'Or voting results is high, with one nation notably omitting Real Madrid's Brazilian star Vinicius Jr. from their top 10 picks. The absence of Vinicius Jr. from the 2024 Ballon d'Or list has sparked widespread discontent among Real Madrid fans, media, and even the household pets, who are reportedly incensed that Manchester City's standout player, Rodri, has claimed the prestigious golden award. With the full list of Ballon d'Or votes yet to be revealed, it's been observed that one country has not placed Real Madrid's Brazilian winger within their top 10 selections. The outrage in Madrid over Vinicius Jr.'s exclusion from the 2024 Ballon d'Or is palpable. Fans, journalists, and even the pets in your home are said to be seething with anger over Rodri, Manchester City's top talent, winning the coveted trophy. If tempers are already flaring, avoid mentioning El Salvador. Understanding the Ballon d’Or Process For the men's category, 100 journalists—one from each of FIFA's top 100 ranked countries—cast their votes for the winner from a list of 30 nominees. They also vote for the Yashin Trophy (for the best male goalkeeper), as well as the Men's Coach of the Year and Men's Club of the Year. Conversely, the women's Ballon d'Or is decided by a panel of 50 journalists, one from each of FIFA's top 50 ranked countries for women's football, who also choose from the same 30-player list. This panel is responsible for the Women's Coach of the Year and Women's Club of the Year awards. Each voter ranks their top 10 candidates for the Ballon d'Or, allocating points in descending order: 15 points for their first choice, then 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point for the subsequent picks. The Ballon d'Or is awarded to the player with the highest aggregate points from all votes. Reports from Spain suggest that the journalist from El Salvador did not consider the Real Madrid winger in their top 10 for the Ballon d'Or. While official confirmation is pending, it is suggested that Bellingham, Haaland, and Kroos were among the top 3 choices of the journalist in question. Rest assured, as soon as we have the verified news, it will be reported on AS USA.

From Scrutiny to Mastery: Zaïre-Emery Joins Neves and Vitinha in PSG’s Midfield Masterclass Against Marseille

 Paris Saint-Germain's recent triumph in Le Classique has left fans and pundits alike praising the synergy of their midfield. The game, which ended in a decisive 3-0 victory over Olympique de Marseille, showcased the exceptional performance of the young midfield trio of Joao Neves, Vitinha, and Warren Zaïre-Emery, propelling PSG to the summit of Ligue 1.    Following their commanding win, the Parisian side is riding high, and the starting midfield of Neves, Vitinha, and Zaïre-Emery has been lauded for their contributions to the team's success. This dynamic trio was instrumental in securing the win against Marseille, with each player demonstrating exceptional skills that have elevated them to the top of the French league. Neves opened the scoring for PSG within the first seven minutes, demonstrating his exceptional passing and close control throughout the match. Vitinha displayed remarkable playmaking and dribbling skills, along with an impressive level of composure on the field. Zaïre-Emery, who had been under scrutiny for inconsistent performances, delivered what could be his finest display of the season. The French midfielder's tireless work rate was evident, as he fought for the ball and initiated numerous counterattacks for PSG. The trio's on-field chemistry was evident, suggesting that manager Luis Enrique might consider maintaining this combination for the long term, as their diverse skill sets complement each other effectively. Neves seems perfectly suited to his role as the team's orchestrator, adept at reacting swiftly to on-field developments and maintaining possession in tight spaces. Vitinha's swift ball control and ability to deliver the ball into threatening areas were a significant challenge for Marseille, while his abilities also disrupted the opposition's transition game. Zaïre-Emery's performance against Marseille was a testament to his maturity and endurance, providing balance to PSG's midfield. This marks the third occasion this season that the trio has started together in midfield, and each time they have secured a resounding victory for their team. All three were part of the midfield when PSG achieved a 6-0 victory over Montpellier HSC and a 3-1 win against LOSC Lille. Initially, Enrique had opted to break up this combination, but given their recent performance, it seems unlikely he will do so again in the near future. GFFN | Joel Lefevre

Manchester United's veteran players reportedly believed that Erik ten Hag's disciplinary measures against Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho were excessive. Ten Hag was dismissed by the club on Monday, following a poor start to the season and a tenure marred by conflicts with players, notably Ronaldo.

<Ten Hag's tenure at Old Trafford was characterized by several disputes with players, including a notable disagreement with Ronaldo shortly after his arrival. In October 2022, tensions escalated when Ronaldo declined to come on as a substitute in a match against Tottenham, leading to his exclusion from first-team training, a decision that initially had the backing of the squad. However, the situation soured when Ronaldo was denied access to the dressing room to collect his training shoes, an act that some senior players viewed as an 'unnecessary humiliation,' as ESPN reported. In the wake of this incident, Ronaldo gave a controversial interview with Piers Morgan, in which he accused Ten Hag of disrespecting him. This led to the termination of Ronaldo's contract by mutual consent, and he subsequently joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. Ten Hag's time at United was not without other public disputes. The following season, he clashed with Sancho after the winger was left out of a match against Arsenal due to his training performance. Sancho responded on social media, accusing Ten Hag of making him a 'scapegoat,' leading to his exclusion from the squad. Despite encouragement from teammates to apologize, Sancho refused, and the standoff resulted in him being loaned to Borussia Dortmund in January 2024. Sancho's return to Germany was successful, as he helped Dortmund reach the Champions League final. However, United representatives reportedly asked pundits to stop speaking positively about Sancho, as it would reflect poorly on the club. Upon his return to Carrington in the summer, Sancho was reintegrated into the first team after reaching an understanding with Ten Hag. Nevertheless, Ten Hag's discomfort with Sancho's return led to his loan to Chelsea in August, with Chelsea obligated to buy Sancho for £23m next summer, a significant loss for United who had purchased him for £73m in 2021. Sancho has begun his time at Chelsea positively, contributing three assists in his first five league games, while Ten Hag has returned to the Netherlands following his departure from United.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. Misses Out on Ballon d'Or to Rodri, With Madrid Votes Diluted by Teammates

 The 2024 Ballon d'Or accolade eluded Brazil's Vinicius Jr., with Manchester City's Rodri claiming the prestigious title. Rodri's exceptional midfield contributions have been pivotal in Manchester City's remarkable achievements, both on home turf and on the global stage, setting a new benchmark in English football.    Despite being a frontrunner, Vinicius Jr. was not awarded the 'best in the world' title, which went to Manchester City's Rodri. Rodri's commanding presence in the midfield has been instrumental in Manchester City's unprecedented domestic and international triumphs, elevating the team to unprecedented heights in English football. While some view this as an injustice, the reality is that there is an abundance of talent in football, with Rodri being a prime example. At Real Madrid, where the team claimed the summit of LaLiga and the Champions League last season, the vote was dispersed among standout players such as Vini Jr., Toni Kroos, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal. The distribution of accolades among these players has diluted the votes for Vini Jr., with the English newcomer making a dream start at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, scoring goals and providing assists throughout the season. Dani Carvajal further enhanced his reputation at Real Madrid, winning the Euros with Spain and dominating both attack and defense from the right wing. Meanwhile, Toni Kroos continued to dominate the midfield, likely finishing the season with an impeccable pass completion rate. Given the widespread team success, it's unlikely that all journalists would unanimously select Vini Jr. as the standout star of Real Madrid, regardless of whether one believes he was the 'best in the world' or not. Vinicius Jr. scored 24 goals, while Bellingham netted 23. However, Bellingham outscored Vinicius in domestic competitions (19 vs 15) and provided more assists (6 vs 5). Carvajal's 7 goal contributions from right-back also warrant consideration. The debate from last night is a complex one. The truth is that playing at the highest level of football is challenging, and there are many who excel at it. Vini will have another opportunity; perhaps he will seize it next time.

The Rise and Disbandment of 2019 Ajax: A Golden Generation That Captivated Europe

 Recalling the 2019 Ajax squad, they were heralded as the finest since Louis van Gaal's side that secured the Champions League in the mid-90s. That legendary team boasted the likes of the de Boer brothers, Kluivert, Overmars, Seedorf, and Davids, among others.    The echoes of those legendary players seemed to inspire the new generation, including de Jong, de Ligt, van de Beek, Ziyech, and Onana. Under the guidance of the rising star Erik ten Hag, Ajax's football was among the most impressive in Europe during the 2018-19 campaign. Nationally, they achieved a domestic double, triumphing in both the league and cup competitions. In Europe, their Champions League performances were remarkable, highlighted by a 4-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and a win against Juventus in Turin. Their campaign concluded in the semi-finals with a narrow loss to Tottenham on away goals. As is customary, Europe's elite clubs sought out Ajax's standout players, paying substantial fees to secure their services. De Jong moved to Barcelona for £65m, de Ligt joined Juventus for £75m, and ten Hag was later recruited to reinvigorate Manchester United. However, the disbandment of that team marked the beginning of a challenging period for the young talents and their coach. So, what led to their fortunes taking a turn for the worse? The Young Stars Contrary to the adage that 'you can't win with kids,' this Ajax team defied expectations, sweeping aside most opposition. Supported by Daley Blind in defense, who had struggled in the Premier League, the team had a youthful exuberance. De Ligt, winner of the 2018 Golden Boy award, became the first defender to claim the honor. De Jong, with his confidence on the ball, controlled the midfield and dictated the team's pace. Staggering statistics from that period showed De Jong completing 354 of 390 passes and making 53 recoveries. This led former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart to label De Jong the best player in Europe in possession of the ball. Goalkeeper Onana, a product of Ajax's academy, emulated Edwin van der Sar with his goalkeeping skills and distribution. Van de Beek, in the playmaker role, drew comparisons to Dennis Bergkamp for his performances. Moroccan Ziyech provided a threat on the wing, scoring 22 goals across all competitions during his breakout season. Together with Dusan Tadic, they scored a prolific 119 goals in 34 league games, including the four that rocked the Bernabeu. The Manager Ten Hag, influenced by Johan Cruyff's Ajax and Barcelona, and having studied under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, led the team with a deep respect for the game's history.

Rodri Celebrates Ballon d'Or Win at Restaurant with Man City Teammates, Despite Season-Ending Injury Premier League's First Ballon d'Or Winner Since 2008: Rodri Revels in Victory with Dias, Addresses Injury Napkins in the Air: Rodri's Joyful Celebration of Ballon d'Or Triumph, Joined by Man City Allies

Manchester City's Rodri was spotted reveling in his Ballon d'Or victory at an eatery on Monday evening. Despite being sidelined for the season due to a serious knee injury, the Spanish footballer made history as the first Premier League player to claim the prestigious award since Cristiano Ronaldo did so in 2008. Rodri, a key figure in Manchester City's fourth consecutive league title and Spain's European Championship triumph, was captured enjoying his Ballon d'Or win at a restaurant on Monday night. At 28 years old, Rodri has been a pillar of consistency, having lost only a single club match in the past 18 months. The celebration was somewhat marred by controversy as Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr boycotted the event following his exclusion from the nominations, but this did not affect Rodri's high spirits. Following his win, a clip surfaced on social media depicting Rodri's ecstatic reaction to receiving the award in a dining establishment. The video, shared on Manchester City's social media, featured Rodri joined by teammate Ruben Dias, joyfully singing a chant in his honor. Joined by a group of companions, the pair enthusiastically sang and tossed their napkins in the air in a show of jubilation. The festivities continued throughout the night with Rodri and his entourage singing and waving napkins overhead in celebration of his win. Basking in the accolades on Monday night, an emotional Rodri expressed, "Tonight has been incredible for me. If you allow me, I would like to speak in my native tongue." Switching to Spanish, he continued: "I always strive to better myself each day." He elaborated on his evolution from a traditional midfielder to one who contributes more in terms of assists and goals, stating, "You must embody the role of a forward because we often operate in advanced positions. That's the key to daily improvement." Describing himself as an ordinary individual, Rodri said, "I simply aim to enjoy my profession, be a good person, a leader, and learn from the best every day." He also shared a message for the youth, advising, "I am calm until provoked. I am just a regular person, and I tell my children that you don't need to be extreme; just do your best." Regarding his injury, Rodri remained optimistic, saying, "I am feeling much better. Such a significant injury is part of life and sport. I try to focus on the positive aspects."

Fabrizio Romano Confirms: Amorim's Deal with Manchester United is Fully Agreed

According to Fabrizio Romano, the contract terms, project outline, and all specifics of the deal involving Rúben Amorim and Manchester United have been fully agreed upon. Discussions are currently taking place with Sporting Lisbon to resolve the details of Amorim's departure. Fabrizio Romano states that all contract stipulations, project details, and agreement specifics between Rúben Amorim and Manchester United have been finalized. Talks are ongoing with Sporting Lisbon to determine the path for Amorim's exit from the club.

Sergio Aguero Criticizes Real Madrid's 'Entitlement' Over Vinicius Jr's Ballon d'Or Snub

Sergio Aguero has taken a swipe at Real Madrid, calling them 'entitled,' following the club's response to Vinicius Jr's omission from the Ballon d'Or award. The Brazilian forward and his team were incensed by the decision to honor Manchester City and Spain's Rodri with the accolade, leading to a boycott of the Paris ceremony on Tuesday evening. Sergio Aguero has taken a swipe at Real Madrid, calling them 'entitled,' following the club's response to Vinicius Jr's omission from the Ballon d'Or award. The Brazilian forward and his team were incensed by the decision to honor Manchester City and Spain's Rodri with the accolade, leading to a boycott of the Paris ceremony on Tuesday evening. In a statement, Real Madrid claimed that the prize not going to either Rodri or Dani Carvajal demonstrated a lack of respect from UEFA towards the club. This was followed by a statement from Vinicius' camp on Wednesday, in which the 24-year-old suggested that his vocal stance against racism was the reason for his exclusion. Aguero, who played alongside Rodri for two seasons at the Etihad, believes his former teammate deserved the award and criticized Madrid's reaction to the outcome. 'Well deserved. Rodri is the best player in the world.' He said on his streaming channel. 'Football is for everyone, not just Real Madrid – they are so entitled.' https://img.allfootballapp.com/www/M00/59/93/720x-/-/-/CgAGVWchBoyAKVDGAAF7mi_AcDQ912.jpg Vinicius was a top contender for the 2024 Ballon d'Or after his significant contributions to Madrid's LaLiga-UEFA Champions League double. He scored six goals and provided four assists in ten Champions League appearances and had 20 goal involvements in 26 La Liga matches. He broke his silence shortly after an emotional Rodri received the award on Tuesday night, acknowledging his roles in Spain's Euro 2024 victory and his club's fourth consecutive Premier League title. 'I'll do it 10x if I have to. They're not ready,' he posted on X, implying future achievements. Reuters later reported that this comment was related to his fight against racism in recent years. 'The football world is not ready to accept a player who fights against the system.' A member of the Brazilian forward's management staff is quoted by the outlet as saying. Madrid's statement to AFP said: 'If the award criteria doesn't give it to Vinicius as the winner, those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner. 'As this was not the case, it is clear that

Pep Guardiola Respects Real Madrid's Absence from Ballon d'Or Gala

Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, respects Real Madrid's choice to abstain from the Ballon d'Or event, stating that it's their prerogative. Rodri was honored with the prestigious award in Paris, acknowledging his contributions to Manchester City's historic fourth consecutive Premier League triumph and his role in Spain's triumph at Euro 2024. Pep Guardiola acknowledges Real Madrid's decision not to attend the Ballon d'Or event, asserting that it's their right to do so. Rodri claimed the prestigious award in Paris, recognized for his instrumental role in Manchester City's record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title and his part in Spain's Euro 2024 win. The midfielder's significance is underscored by Manchester City's unbeaten streak in the 34 Premier League matches he played in this year. Rodri narrowly edged out Vinicius Junior for the honor, with the player and his club causing a stir by not showing up after learning he wouldn't be the winner. Last season, the Madrid winger scored 24 goals and provided 11 assists, contributing to the team's double win in LaLiga and the Champions League. Guardiola expresses sympathy for Vinicius, whom he believes also merited the award, and points out other close calls in past years where the outcome could have swung either way. "It's their decision," Manchester City's boss remarked. "If they choose to congratulate, that's acceptable. If not, that's fine too. We at Manchester City don't judge other clubs on their choices." "Last year, Erling [Haaland] achieved the Treble and scored over 50 goals. I told him: 'Just being nominated is a joy.' I conveyed the same sentiment to Rodri. Being among the top contenders is remarkable. You should be very proud." "Last season, could Erling have won? Certainly. Could Messi have won? Absolutely. It's not about who wins. It signifies that you and your teammates have achieved something special that season." "Should Vinicius have won? Possibly. It's [decided by] journalists worldwide, not a select group. It reflects a global consensus, not just one country's opinion. The diversity of views is what makes football great, isn't it?" "Of course, if [Vinicius] had won, it would have been well-deserved. The same goes for Erling [Haaland] last year. The competition is truly open. There are more opportunities to win." Guardiola also commended Rodri, who became only the third Spanish player to win the Ballon d'Or after Alfredo di Stefano (1957 and 1959) and Luis Suarez (1960). The midfielder was also the first Spaniard in the top three since Andres Iniesta in 2012, and Guardiola recognized the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo over the years. "Rodri gave an incredible speech," Guardiola added. "He spoke about his family, Manchester City, and Spanish football." "In the last decade, Spanish football has made a significant impact - they've won a World Cup, a Euros - yet Spain had never won this award before. Their contribution over the past 10 to