International Football
TEAMMATE SIDES WITH US WOMEN CAPTAIN IN WAR WITH DONALD TRUMP
As the war of attrition rages on between US President Donald Trump and the skipper of the United States’ Women National Team, Megan Rapinoe who has vowed never to sing the national anthem or honour invitation to the White House if the president should host the team in the event of winning the World Cup, a teammate, Ali Krieger has taken side with the fellow footballer.
Both Rapinoe and Donald Trump
have been attacking each other on twitter.
United States defender, Ali Krieger has criticised the country’s
President Donald Trump after he expressed forthright views about her team mate
Megan Rapinoe.
President Trump responded to comments made by Rapinoe to football magazine Eight by Eight in January, which were released as part of their Women’s World Cup edition in May.
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“I’m not going to the f*****g White House,” Rapinoe was quoted as saying, after being asked whether she was excited to go to the White House should the US team win the Women’s World Cup.
“No, I’m not going to the White House.
“We’re not gonna be invited, I doubt it.”
The comments drew criticism from President Trump, who released a series of tweets criticizing Rapinoe.
He claimed the Californian should “win first” before talking about an invite to the White House, before adding what he would invite the team regardless of whether they win the tournament or not.
President Trump also claimed Rapinoe should not “disrespect” the country and the American flag.
“I am a big fan of the American Team, and Women’s Soccer, but Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job,” he tweeted.
“We haven’t yet invited Megan or the team, but I am now inviting the TEAM, win or lose.
“Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team.
“Be proud of the Flag that you wear.
“The USA is doing GREAT.”
Rapinoe has opted not to sing the national anthem at the Women’s World Cup in protest at a decision by US Soccer to ban players from kneeling during the anthem.
The decision was taken after she knelt during a game a month after American football player Colin Kaepernick had knelt to highlight police brutality and racism.
Rapinoe is also among 28 players suing the US Soccer in an effort to secure equal pay with the men’s national team.
The 33-year-old’s team mate Krieger leapt to her defence after President Trump’s tweets.
“In regards to the ‘President’s’ tweet today, I know women who you cannot control or grope anger you, but I stand by (Rapinoe) & will sit this one out as well,” Krieger wrote.
“I don’t support this administration nor their fight against LGBTQ+ citizens, immigrants & our most vulnerable.”
The dispute comes prior to the US team’s quarter-final match against the host nation France tomorrow at the Women’s World Cup.
The defending champions are the only non-European side in the last eight of the competition.
Rapinoe scored both goals from the penalty spot in the US’s 2-1 last-16 victory over Spain.
Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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In a compelling twist of football destiny, Davide Ancelotti is stepping into his own spotlight as he begins his first head coaching role at Brazilian club Botafogo—just months after parting ways with his legendary father, Carlo Ancelotti, at Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old has been appointed as Botafogo’s new manager, the club announced on Tuesday, following the sacking of Renato Paiva. Davide, who has spent the last decade working alongside his father at some of Europe’s top clubs—including Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid—has signed a one-year deal with the Rio-based team.
This marks a significant milestone for the younger Ancelotti, whose career has long been shaped by his father’s influence, but who now faces the challenge of carving his own identity on the touchline.
The move comes shortly after both father and son departed Real Madrid at the end of last season, with Carlo taking over the Brazilian national team. Now, in a poetic alignment, father and son find themselves on different paths within Brazilian football—one leading the Seleção, the other steering the fortunes of a storied domestic club.
Botafogo’s decision to appoint Davide follows a controversial parting with Paiva, who was dismissed just days after their exit from the Club World Cup. Though he oversaw a stunning win over Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, a 1-0 extra-time loss to Palmeiras in the round of 16 proved to be his final act after just four months in charge.
As Davide Ancelotti begins this new chapter, all eyes will be on whether the son of one of football’s most decorated managers can step out from his father’s shadow—and perhaps, in time, build a legacy of his own.
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