Newcastle coach speaks out about the chance to buy Ronaldo and Neymar; Messi responds to PSG

Newcastle coach speaks out about the opportunity to buy Ronaldo and Neymar

Asked about the possibility of signing Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, the Newcastle boss said: “Rumours like this have been around since the first days I took over the team. Everyone thinks the biggest names in world football will come to Newcastle. But we don't recruit that way at the moment. Financially, we can't recruit those names either."

"The team needs to bring in the right players. The current transfer market is quite complicated, we need to consider carefully. You cannot just pick a name but have to consider a lot about both the financial aspect and the suitability of that player," coach Howe shared.

Ronaldo is rumored to be joining Newcastle. Photo:Reuters

Newcastle have a great chance to compete for a place in the top 4 of the Premier League. CR7 has included a clause to join Newcastle from Al Nassr in the 2023/24 season. In case the "Magpies" win a place in the Champions League, this clause will be activated. Newcastle is owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), while Al Nassr is also a club of this Middle Eastern country.

Messi responds to PSG

On the evening of May 5, on his personal page, Messi spoke up about the controversy: "I think we will have a day off after the match like usual. I have planned this trip and cannot cancel it anymore. Before that, I had canceled trips during the season."

However, the Argentine superstar only apologized to his teammates. He said: "I apologize to my teammates and I am waiting for what the club wants to do with me." This is considered Messi's strong response to the punishment given by his home club.

Messi claimed he did nothing wrong because he thought he had a day off after the PSG match as usual. Photo:Reuters

On May 1, Messi arrived in Riyadh with his family under a commercial agreement with Saudi Arabia. Messi's trip took place less than a day after PSG's humiliating 1-3 defeat to Lorient at home at the Parc des Princes.

PSG immediately banned Messi from training, from playing and from being paid for the next two weeks. Not stopping there, Leo also angered PSG fans. They gathered in front of PSG headquarters to protest against the 2022 World Cup champion.

According to the French press, Director Luis Campos was not happy with Messi when the player born in 1987 refused to renew his contract. After Messi went to Saudi Arabia without permission, Mr. Campos insisted on dealing with the World Cup champion. It was also this director who called "El Pulga" on May 2 to announce the punishment.

Malaysia confident to beat Vietnam at SEA Games

After the opening match of beating Laos 5-1 on May 3, Malaysia will play Thailand on May 6, then Vietnam on May 8.

Mr. Hamidin Mohd Amin admitted that Malaysia's next two matches are vital. "We will treat the matches against Thailand and Vietnam as finals," the FAM President said on the evening of May 4. "If we beat these two teams, Malaysia has the right to believe in the possibility of winning the gold medal."

FAM President Hamidin Mohd Amin spoke to Malaysian media in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on the evening of May 4, 2023. Photo:FAM

Mr. Hamidin believes that Malaysia can defeat both Thailand and Vietnam, when the players are mentally relaxed and have nothing to worry about. "Hopefully after the victory over Laos, the Malaysian players will be in good shape and ready to compete with Thailand and Vietnam," he added. "The important thing is that the whole team must be united and determined both on and off the field."

Malaysia was in high spirits after beating Laos 5-1 in their opening match on May 3. They and Thailand have only played one match in the tournament, while Vietnam has played two. These three teams have won all of them and will compete for two spots in Group B. In the remaining three matches, Malaysia will meet Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. Vietnam will meet Thailand in the final match on May 11.

Mr. Hamidin also said that the Malaysian squad for the tournament is even, with no difference between the starting and reserve players. They also have no injured or suspended players after the match against Laos.