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Former Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto has restarted a feud with Paris Saint-Germain sensation Kylian Mbappe.

Assou-Ekotto previously took a swipe at the teenager via a tweet in the spring, suggesting that the forward does not care as much about his heritage as he would profess.

Like Assou-Ekotto, Mbappe was born in France to parents of Cameroonian extraction, but unlike the 34-year-old former Lens, Saint-Etienne and Metz full-back, he chose to play international for the country of his birth.

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The PSG star had spoken of his desire to honour his family’s roots by helping to develop the game on the continent of his heritage over a dinner meeting with French president Emmanuel Macron and Liberian president George Weah.

“European players of African origin who hold Africa in their hears and who want to help the sport in Africa… blah, blah, blah… while rushing to play for a European national team make me chuckle,” the former Cameroon defender, who was born in Arras said. 

“It looks good when you have a cause though.”

It sparked a sarcastic response from Mbappe, who twisted Assou Ekotto’s own words as he tweeted a reply.

Assou Ekotto responded with a quote from French author Victor Hugo: “A lion who copies becomes a monkey.”

Now he has reopened the debate while speaking with RMC.

“Put yourself in the place of the players from Cameroon,” he said. “You, a French player are going to come to develop us… Stay at home, help your guys in Bondy, in your neighbourhood, in your France.

“Yes, you love Africa, but you never go there. So what’s the story? Yes, you love your wife, but you go out with another. It’s a game I know, manipulate public opinion, blah, blah blah.”

The feud seems to have had its roots in a clash between PSG and Metz at the start of last season, in which Assou-Ekotto was sent off for clashing with the young France international.

He has, however, since hung up his boots, while Mbappe’s star has only risen, becoming the second teenager ever to score in a World Cup final as he helped France to Russia 2018 glory in the summer.

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Swedish club Malmo are interested in bringing superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic back to the club, according to the man himself!

Ibrahimovic joined Malmo’s youth ranks in 1995 and made his senior debut four years later before leaving for Ajax in 2001.

The powerful centre-forward seemed to have made his last big move when he left Manchester United for LA Galaxy, but it appears one final, nostalgic transfer is on the cards

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“I received an offer and [Malmo] want me to come home and finish my career there,” he told Swedish presenter Calle Schulman.

The striker was cryptic about his response to this offer, however, but appeared to suggest it was a proposal he was taking seriously.

“I do not know, I do not close the doors. It’s a championship that I miss.” 

Ibrahimovic reflected on his early critics in light of a glittering career that has seen him turn out for the likes of Ajax, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter, Barcelona, PSG and Manchester United, winning league titles across the continent, as well as a Europa League and League Cup double in his debut season with United.

“I had a chance to play with all the big clubs I played with and all the big players and still produce the goals I did,” he told reporters. 

“The most fun is when I started my career they said this player is good but he’s not able to score goals, but this goes for all of them also.

The Swede also scored his 500th career goal in acrobatic fashion against Toronto recently, and was typically flamboyant in his self-praise.

“Apparently I know how to score goals. I reached 500 – that is a crazy number for playing soccer.

“The last goal cannot happen again. Only I can score a goal like that.”

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Fred has become the 500th player to score a goal for Manchester United.

The Brazil international fired home from the edge of the box after Paul Pogba’s delightful pass during United’s clash with Wolves on Saturday, and won the distinction of being the 500th player to hit the back of the net in all competitions, excluding own goals.

Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer for a £52 million fee, Fred had been left out of both of United’s recent wins over Burnley and Watford, but he completed 69 minutes in the 3-0 Champions League win over Young Boys in midweek, prior to his start against the promoted side.

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Of course, Fred will have to hit the back of the net a few more times to match the leading goalscorers in United history, with Wayne Rooney the current leading scorer.

Now at D.C. United, Rooney hit 253 goals between 2004 and 2017, ahead of second-placed Sir Bobby Charlton, who scored 249 goals between 1956 and 1973.

500 – Fred is the 500th different player to score a competitive goal for @ManUtd (exc. own-goals). Milestone. pic.twitter.com/ysOZmKQHp7
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 22, 2018

 

The highest-scoring player currently at United is attacking midfielder Juan Mata, who has netted 39 times, with Anthony Martial just two behind on 37.

Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku have 32 and 31 goals respectively, with Antonio Valencia next on 25.

As it stands, Fred joins the likes of goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, defender Jaap Stam and left-back Luke Shaw on one goal for United.

The moment will have been extra special for the Brazilian as former manager Sir Alex Ferguson was there to see the ball ripple the net after making a recovery from a brain haemorrhage.

The 76-year-old was pictured arriving at the ground ahead of United’s match against Wolves in the Premier League, and told MUTV of his health.

A special moment at Old Trafford. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/vU8YWstnk1

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 22, 2018

 

“I’m really good. Obviously, it’s been a long journey. I’m gradually making steps forward, doing what my surgeon tells me and the doctors tell me so, yeah, I’m really good,” he said.

“I’m a bit nervous (about being back at Old Trafford) to be honest with you, maybe a bit tense really because I think my last game was Arsenal back in April some time, so it’s a long time. But it’s great to be back and I just hope we get a win today.”

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Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero says his improved relationship with manager Pep Guardiola was a factor behind his decision to sign a new contract that keeps him at the club until 2021.

The pair did not appear to have a positive relationship during Guardiola’s first 18 months at the club, with young Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus often preferred up front.

However, Aguero has adapted to the Spanish tactician’s style and has praised his boss for helping him to improve as a player after signing his new deal.

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“I can say I have learned a lot, especially with getting to know [Guardiola] better,” he said.

“Obviously, at the start you don’t know each other but as time goes by you get to know him. And this was part of the reason for extending my contract.

“Every player would like to work with Pep to learn lots of things.”

The forward had previously stated that he was planning to return to his boyhood club Independiente in Argentina upon the expiry of his previous contract, but he has had a change of heart.

Guardiola claimed he was convinced his star striker would stay at the club and was adamant that their working relationship was always positive.

“The relationship [with Aguero] was always top, was perfect, and I’m delighted he can continue playing here,” said Guardiola.

“Now he knows me better, I know him better, like a football player, like a human being, and that is the most important thing.”

The former Barcelona coach also asserted that his team selection would not be affected by Aguero’s decision, and that the Argentine would not be guaranteed a starting spot.

The City boss added: “Always when he didn’t play few, few, few times it’s because I believed Gabriel could play, or play with a false nine or whatever. That is going to happen the next three years.”

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Brazil great Ronaldo plans to lose weight in the hope he can contribute in Real Valladolid training after becoming the majority shareholder of the Spanish club.

The former Real Madrid striker acquired a 51 per cent stake for a reported €30 million at the start of September, becoming chairman of the club’s board of directors as a result.

It had been unclear as to how much input Ronaldo would have with respect to the first-team squad, with it being suggested that a former player of such standing could have a strong impact on the training pitch.

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• Why Salah’s ‘poor form’ is good news for Liverpool
• Ronaldo’s hair pulling to Costa’s spitting – Juve need cooler heads to win Champions League

The World Cup winner, who struggled with weight issues towards the end of his playing career, has now outlined plans to get fit and involved with training.

“I have not come to play,” Ronaldo told El Norte de Castilla. “I am not in shape for that.

“I will start training and getting fit so I can train with the boys and contribute a bit in the technical area, always in agreement with the coach.

“This is going to be a very important year for this project, the most important one.

“We do not have the best facilities in the world, but it is about getting the best out of our facilities for our players, for our academy.”

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