Sport

Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane both claim individual accolades for their role both on the pitch and off the pitch for the past football year. The Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award, while the Bayern Munich and Senegalese forward Sadio Mane became the first-ever recipient of the Socrates Award. Benzema, 34 became the oldest footballer to win the Ballon d'Or for the first after his 44-goal season fired Real Madrid to Champions League and LaLiga double beating the likes of Sadio Mane, who came in second and Kevin De Bruyne third.

Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood will remain behind bars on Sunday evening ahead of his appearance at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday. Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and assault. The forward was arrested in January following allegations that emerged in images and videos posted on social media platforms. After being released on bail around February, Greenwood was arrested again on Saturday for allegedly breaching his bail by contacting the alleged victim and making threats. Confirming the decision to charge Greenwood on Saturday, Janet Potter, the Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Mason Greenwood, 21, with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Real Madrid will be without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois when they face Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. Courtois who had been sidelined with sciatica he felt since the last FIFA break did not train with the squad this Friday, and head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that the Belgium international will not feature.

Following the slated clash against Arsenal at the Emirates stadium today, Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp is confident that Mohammed Salah will drive home their victory in the game. Liverpool will be playing away at the Emirate with the Gunners who will be aiming to win to move up the table in the league. According to some analysts, since Mane left the Reds, they have struggled with difficulties since the start of the season winning only twice so far in the league emerging with only 11 points behind Mikel Arteta’s team even though with the game at hand with gunners.

Former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuaín has confirmed that he is hanging up his boots after a 21-year career span. The 35-year-old joined Los Blancos in December 2006, after impressing during his rise through the youth ranks at River Plate.

Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez yesterday break a record held by former Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane when his boys cling to victory in the LaLiga 1-0 against Real Mallorca last night. Barcelona secured a win in an away match against Real Mallorca, ushering Xavi into another level of victory, thanks to Lewandoski who scored the goal of the match. Barcelona's victory against Mallorca was its 18th in away matches in the season since last November when Xavi joined the Catalan club.