Real Madrid appoint Lopetegui as new manager

Real Madrid have confirmed that Julien Lopetegui will be the club’s new manager. Lopetegui, the current Spanish national team manager, will link up with Los Blancos after La Furia Roja’s 2018 World Cup campaign.

The news of Lopetegui’s appointment comes as a surprise- he had inked a contract extension with the Spanish federation last month and was not among the shortlisted names to be Zinedine Zidane’s successor.

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Strong Teams in Russia Suggest Most Open World Cup in Decades

Some World Cups have ‘inevitable’ winners. As hosts in 1998, France seemed destined to lift the trophy. In 2010, Spain’s run to the final and defeat of the Netherlands seemed to be a coronation of the decade’s best football team. Of course, there are always tournaments with no clear favourite which throw up a shock winner. For example, Italy winning in 1982 and 2006 certainly surprised many neutral observers. Continue reading

Argentina jersey numbers for World Cup 2018- Messi gets 10

Argentina have officially announced the jersey numbers that their 23 member squad will be wearing at the 2018 World Cup. The Albiceleste, who controversially chose not to take Mauro Icardi to the tournament, will again be banking on key talisman Lionel Messi, who will be in the No.10 jersey at Russia 2018.

Juve striker Gonzalo Higuain will don the No.9 shirt, with PSG’s Angel di Maria getting No.11. West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini has been given the No.15 jersey.

The trio of Armani, Meza and Pavon- the only players in the squad plying their trade in Argentina have been given numbers 12, 13 and 22 respectively. Continue reading