Today's top global international football news, transfers and more - 30th Jan

Catch Up On Today's Top Global International Football News.

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed a heartwarming and humorous anecdote about his son, Mateo. In a recent interview, Ronaldo shared that his youngest son believes that Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappé is a better player than his father.

“My son Mateo really likes Mbappé. He teases me sometimes, saying, ‘Dad, Mbappé is better than you.’ I tell him, ‘No, Dad is better than Mbappé, I have more goals than him (laughs),” Ronaldo said.

The Portuguese superstar's candid admission offers a glimpse into the personal life of one of the world's most famous athletes. It also highlights the impact that social media and the constant comparisons in the world of football have on even the youngest fans.

Among the various surprises that Santos FC is preparing for the presentation of Neymar this Friday is an appearance in two stadiums, first in Pacaembu in downtown Sao Paulo and then a transfer to Santos of 80 kilometers in a helicopter to be at the home of the team, the Urbano Caldeira. This would cost about 10 thousand dollars for the transfer of about 20 minutes.

The world of football is a constant coming and going of players, but some leave a deeper mark than others. This is the case with Julian Alvarez at Manchester City, where his charisma and talent made him a beloved teammate. This was revealed by Bernardo Silva in an interview with ESPN Argentina, where the Portuguese player did not hide his appreciation for the Argentine striker and how much he misses him at the English club.

A Great Teammate On and Off the Pitch "I miss him because he's a great teammate," said Bernardo Silva with a smile on his face. It is evident that the relationship between the two players transcended the professional, creating a bond of friendship that endures despite the distance. Silva highlighted Alvarez's human qualities, noting that he is a very dear person in the City dressing room. "I have a lot of affection for him," added the Portuguese, making it clear that Julian Alvarez's departure left a void in the team.

Julian Alvarez's Success: A Reason for Joy Despite the nostalgia for his absence, Bernardo Silva was very happy for Julian Alvarez's present. "I'm very happy that he's doing well," said the City player, referring to the great performance of the Argentine in his new club. Silva acknowledged that Alvarez deserves all the good things that are happening to him, highlighting his humility and dedication to the sport. "He deserves everything," said the Portuguese, making it clear that he admires the work ethic and human quality of his former teammate.

Deciding who is the best footballer between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is a complex task and, to a large extent, subjective. However, if I had to lean towards one, I might argue that Lionel Messi has a slight edge, and here is why.

1. Technical Skill and Creativity

Lionel Messi is renowned for his extraordinary technical ability. His dribbling skills, ball control, and vision of the game are aspects that set him apart. Messi can create opportunities not only for himself but also for his teammates, making him a more complete player in terms of teamwork. His style of play is fluid and artistic, appealing to both fans and critics alike.

2. Consistency Over Time

Throughout his career, Messi has demonstrated impressive consistency in his performance. From his beginnings at FC Barcelona, he has maintained a level of excellence that has allowed him to be the club’s all-time top scorer and the top scorer in La Liga. His ability to make a difference in the most important matches is remarkable, and he has proven to be a decisive player on numerous occasions.

3. Success with Club and Country

While Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved success in various leagues and teams, Messi has had a special connection with FC Barcelona, where he spent over 20 years. During his time at the club, he won multiple league titles, cups, and Champions League trophies, in addition to setting goal-scoring records. Regarding the national team, Messi finally lifted the Copa America in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022, solidifying his legacy on the international stage.

4. Style of Play

Messi's style of play is more associative and dynamic. His ability to read the game and anticipate his teammates' movements is exceptional. This makes him a player who not only scores goals but also contributes to the collective play. His focus on teamwork and creating opportunities for others makes him stand out.

5. Impact on Football

Messi has influenced football in ways that go beyond statistics. His style of play has inspired countless young footballers to follow in his footsteps. Moreover, his humility and dedication to the sport have made him a role model off the pitch.

A Valencian artist, Víctor Navarro, has reported receiving death threats and insults after unveiling a satirical fallero figure depicting Real Madrid's Brazilian star, Vinícius Jr. The figure, which portrays Vinícius watering a garden filled with tears after winning a satirical "Golden Poo" award instead of the Ballon d'Or, has sparked a fierce backlash on social media.

Navarro, visibly shaken by the threats, took to social media to express his shock at the vitriol directed towards him. "The last 24 hours have been the most surreal of my professional life," he wrote. "After wishing me death and receiving all kinds of insults from people who don't even know me, due to the creation of a fallero figure of footballer Vinicius, I'm closing this chapter now."

The fallero artist lamented the violence of the attacks and rejected attempts to explain the nuances of Fallas, a traditional Valencian festival, to those who misunderstood his work. "I'm not going to waste another second explaining to people who don't care what Fallas are or the work of fallero artists," he said. "Nor am I going to explain what humor is, something as subjective as there are people in the world."

Steven Gerrard, the retired Liverpool icon, has amassed a fortune exceeding £70 million, thanks to a combination of his illustrious playing career, lucrative endorsements, and burgeoning managerial ventures. His journey, from a working-class lad from Merseyside to a global footballing figure, continues to evolve, with recent links to a Saudi Arabian club adding another chapter to his story.

Gerrard's earnings began at Anfield in 1998, rising steadily throughout his 17-year tenure at Liverpool. A brief stint with LA Galaxy in the MLS further boosted his financial standing. However, it's his transition to management that has significantly contributed to his current net worth, estimated around £71 million.

Lionel Messi, the global football icon, recently experienced a tale of two countries during his pre-season tour with Inter Miami. While his visit to Mexico was marred by jeers and whistles from a section of the crowd, his time in Peru was a stark contrast, filled with warmth, applause, and genuine appreciation.

In Mexico, Messi and Inter Miami faced Club America in a friendly match. Despite his legendary status, a segment of the Mexican supporters chose to express their discontent, booing and whistling whenever Messi touched the ball. This hostile reception drew criticism from many within the football world, who felt that such behaviour was disrespectful to a player of Messi's calibre.

However, the negativity of Mexico was quickly replaced by the positive energy of Peru. As Inter Miami travelled to Lima for their next friendly against Universitario de Deportes, Messi was greeted with open arms. From the moment he arrived, the Peruvian fans made it clear that they were thrilled to have him in their country.

In a heartfelt plea to one of Real Madrid's brightest stars, club legend Iker Casillas has urged Vinícius Júnior to reject a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia and remain at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Speaking at a charity padel match in Madrid, Casillas expressed his admiration for the Brazilian winger's growth and development since joining the club. "As a Madridista, I would love for Vinícius to stay at Real Madrid," Casillas said. "He's had a fantastic evolution since he arrived. At the beginning, he was the butt of many jokes, but he has become one of the best players in the world. I hope he continues like this."

Casillas' comments come amid persistent rumors linking Vinícius to a move to the Saudi Pro League. The Brazilian's electrifying performances and undeniable talent have made him a target for some of the richest clubs in the world. However, Casillas believes that Vinícius's future lies at Real Madrid.

The Mexican football transfer market is about to explode with news that has shocked everyone: Sergio Ramos, a legend of Real Madrid and a World Cup winner with Spain, is reportedly very close to becoming a new player for Rayados de Monterrey!

The information, revealed by journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, has caused a tremor in the world of football. At 38 years old, Sergio Ramos, one of the most decorated and recognised defenders in history, would be willing to cross the Atlantic to join the team managed by Martin Demichelis.

How is it possible that a player of Sergio Ramos's stature, with a career full of success at the best clubs in the world, has decided to head to Mexico? The answer is a combination of sporting, economic and personal factors.

Firstly, the ambition of Rayados de Monterrey. The Regiomontano club, one of the most powerful and popular in Mexico, has demonstrated in recent years its ability to sign players of international renown. The arrival of Sergio Ramos would be a media and sporting coup without precedent in the history of Mexican football.