November 20th: Weekly Football News Catch Up: Lewandowski Ban From 3 Matches; Osimhen Wins Emerging Player Of The Year Award; Barcelona Blocked From Buying More Players; Others

Barca Blocked From Signing New Players In January Window.

Joan Laporta, president of Barcelona, stated that due to LaLiga’s financial fair play regulations, the club might not be allowed to make any signings in the January transfer window.

Laporta stated that the club’s finances are “strong” once again, with an estimated income of €1.23 billion and a predicted profit of €274 million this season.

Speaking to Spanish news agency, EFE, Laporta said, “We had to make some levers, which were economic operations that saved the club from ruin, and now the club is in economic recovery.

“But despite that, according to the rules of financial fair play of the Spanish league, we cannot sign.”

Laporta further stated that they are trying to persuade LaLiga “to be more flexible.”

Barcelona sold a 49% ownership in Barca Studios as well as 25% of their domestic broadcast rights for more than €700 million,

This made it possible for the Catalans to spend almost €150 million to sign Jules Kounde, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski.

Barca leads the Spanish top division with 37 points, two points ahead of rivals Real Madrid as the league goes on the World Cup break.

Karim Benzema Ruled Out Of The 2022 World Cup.

Karim Benzema, the recent Ballon d’Or winner, has been ruled out of participating in the World Cup due to an injury he sustained in training.

The French international’s first full training session ended his chances of playing in the World Cup after suffering an injury on November 17.

The 34-year-old was thereafter sent to Doha for a scan, which later revealed a femoral rectus damage that will put him out of action for three weeks.

The French national team announced on their social media platforms that “Karim Benzema is forced to give up participating in the World Cup.

“The whole team shares Karim’s sadness and wishes him a speedy recovery.”

This is France’s second setback after prolific RB Leipzig attacker Christopher Nkunku was previously ruled out due to an injury sustained in training.

Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe, and goalkeeper Mike Maignan also make the list of French players who will not be at the World Cup due to injuries.

Lewandowski To Miss 3 Matches For Barcelona After Receiving A Red Card.

Robert Lewandowski, a striker of Barcelona, has been suspended for three matches after being shown a red card during a LaLiga win against Osasuna two weeks.

During the game, Lewandowski, who is currently representing Poland at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, received two yellow cards.

He elbowed David Garcia in the face during his match with Osasuna, earning him his second yellow card.

The 34-year-old will now miss Barcelona’s La Liga matches against Espanyol, Atletico Madrid, and Getafe after returning from the World Cup in Qatar,

Gerard Pique, a teammate of Lewandowski, also received a four-game suspension after insulting the referee at halftime for his decision.

However, the decision doesn’t matter as Pique retired from playing football after the match.

Barcelona has stated that they will contest Lewandowski’s suspension, which the Spanish Football Association handed down in response to a gesture that displayed a “contemptuous attitude towards the referees.”

Player, Ex-Players And Others React To Ronaldo’s Interview.

Many have reacted following Cristiano Ronaldo’s interview with Piers Morgan, where he slammed Manchester United, his current club.

The Portuguese striker had taken a hit at the club’s owners, board and manager stating different issues he had with them.

The 5-time ballon-dOr winner stated that he felt disrespected by the manager, Erik ten Hag and therefore doesn’t respect him.

He pointed out that the club owners, the Glazers family, have no care for Manchester United, as view the club as just a business.

Following the interview, many have reacted including players, former players, and even former Manchester United coach, Ralf Rangnick.

Jesse Lingard, a former Manchester United player, commenting on the interview, said, “It’s his situation, you know what I mean? I dealt with my own situation with the club (Man United),” he told talkSPORT.

“Also we kept it behind closed doors. Still ended on good terms, of course, I still support the club.

“That’s his situation. I don’t know what’s been said or what’s happened between him and the manager. That’s not my place to say, I can’t really comment on something I don’t know too much of. Like I say, it’s his situation and that’s how he’s dealing with it.

“Football’s crazy sometimes. Ronaldo’s the greatest player in the world, you know what I mean, so he must be hurting. But I can’t comment on that situation at the moment.”

Gary Neville, a Manchester United legend said, “He wouldn’t have done this interview if he wanted a way back.

“I’m wondering what Man Utd are doing because the reality of it is they know they have to terminate Cristiano’s contract. Or they basically open up a precedent so any player can criticise them in the future.”

Former Liverpool player, Jamie Carragher said, “He wants to be sacked, that’s obvious.

“He told the club in the summer that he wanted to leave. There were no takers, maybe because of his wages or the price Man Utd wanted.

“I think he knows that’s going to be the same in this next transfer window and he is now trying to be sacked or wants to leave on a free.”

Ralf Rangnick, who was Manchester United’s manager last season, responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s criticism of him not being a manager, saying: “I’m the team boss of Austria’s national team, it’s not my job to judge that. (It’s) the job of Manchester United and the sports journalists.”

Christian Eriksen, a Manchester United midfielder said, “I have not spoken to him in the last couple of weeks.”

Former United’s defender, Patrice Evra said, “It is a really low moment for Cristiano right now, and there are a lot of people criticising him about his attitude, but at the end of the day, we are all human.

“I am not trying to defend anybody, but sometimes, when you are hurt, you can make mistakes.

“I think Cristiano Ronaldo will take his chance to show he is the best player in the world.

“‘In the last game, he was being booed by his own fans, so he will be really hurt. He has already won something with his country, but I’m sure this tournament will be personal for him.

“He needs to think about the team, and they have a strong squad, and I think Portugal can surprise some people. They have got an angry Cristiano Ronaldo right now.

“This could be his last world cup, and with everything that is going on with Manchester United, I am sure he can’t wait to start. In his head, he will already be training and getting ready.”

Ronaldo And Messi Both Post A Picture Of Them Together On Their Instagram Handles.

Superstar footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi recently shattered the internet when they posted a photo of themselves posing for luxury brand Louis Vuitton on their respective official Instagram accounts.

Football fans all across the world are reacting strongly to the image that has gone viral, with many writing in the comments section to share their joy at seeing the two greatest players of all time together.

Ronaldo and Messi shared 12 Ballon d’Or victories from 2008 to 2021. Compared to Ronaldo’s five wins, Messi has won the prize seven times.

Ronaldo and Messi will both be representing Portugal and Argentina, respectively, at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Victor Osimhen Wins the “Emerging Player Of The Year Award.”

Victor Osimhen, a striker for the Super Eagles and Napoli has won the “Emerging player of the year award” at the 2022 Globe Soccer Awards.

The renowned prize was presented to the 23-year-old Napoli sensation during the event, which took place on November 17 at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.

The Globe Soccer Awards issued a statement on its official Twitter handle, @Globe_Soccer, saying, “Congratulations to Victor Osimhen on winning the 2022 #GlobeSoccer Award for POWER HORSE EMERGING PLAYER OF THE YEAR.”

Osimhen won the award intended for the top young football talent in the world, defeating Gavi of Barcelona and Federico Valverde of Real Madrid.

Some others who were nominated but left out of the final are Rafael Leao of Milan, Hareb Abdullah, Julian Alvarez, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Francisco Conceiçao, Ryan Gravenberch, Josko Gvardiol, Nuno Mendes, Ilaix Moriba, Jamal Musiala, Pedri, and Bukaio Saka.

Osimhen has had an incredible season so far, scoring 10 goals in 14 games across all competitions.