Pundit backs Vieira to welcome big names to Crystal Palace

Patrick Vieira will have no problem attracting big names to Crystal Palace, according to Carlton Palmer.

Former Arsenal captain Vieira succeeded Roy Hodgson as the Eagles’ new manager earlier this month.

His appointment came after chairman Steve Parish had initially been frustrated in his attempts to attract a new boss, having ended negotiations with Nuno Espirito Santo and seen former Borussia Dortmund chief Lucien Favre turn down the opportunity to move into the Selhurst Park dugout.

Vieira will have to lead a squad rebuild ahead of the new season kicking off next month after Palace allowed several players to run down their existing contracts.

Eleven players saw their deals expire at the end of June, although some may return following talks with Vieira.

Palmer, who won 18 England caps in his playing days, has backed Vieira to make some eye-catching new signings and also welcome some free agents to south London.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Palmer said: “Patrick is well-known in the game and has a good reputation. People will want to come and play for Patrick Vieira so if he can get one or two players in on frees and has £80million, he can use that wisely.

“I don’t think Patrick will be going out to sign anybody for £40million, but he certainly needs to bring in five or six players to strengthen the squad.”

Welcome to Wrexham documentary mocked for wildly inaccurate map showing where British football clubs are based, as Londoners Brentford joke they 'have questions' for producers Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney

The Welcome to Wrexham documentary has earned plenty of plaudits, but it is now being mocked for a wildly inaccurate map of British football clubs.

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  • Dragons star in their own show
  • Hollywood co-owners at the helm
  • Geographical mix-up causes amusement
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The series, which is produced by Dragons co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has lifted the lid on goings on in North Wales since a stunning takeover of the club was completed in the spring of 2021. It has followed Wrexham’s adventures on and off the field during a memorable era in the club’s long and distinguished history.

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  • FX/GOAL composite

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Reynolds and McElhenney have often been the stars of the show – as they are most comfortable on camera – but household names have been made of the likes of star striker Paul Mullin and local pub landlord Wayne Jones.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Welcome to Wrexham – which airs on the FX network – has helped to raise the Dragons’ profile, particularly in the United States, but “questions” are being asked of a bizarre map that has features in series two which is supposed to highlight where certain teams are based in the United Kingdom.

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  • WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

    The map in question has led Premier League outfit Brentford – who are based in west London but sit in the North East according to the Wrexham doc – to quip on social media: “We’re just a bus stop in Hexham.” The likes of Blackburn, Newcastle, Everton, Cardiff and Swansea will also be taking issue with their supposed geographical locations, with fans across the British game being given a good laugh at Wrexham’s expense.

WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo makes young fan's day ahead of Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League clash with Persepolis

Cristiano Ronaldo made a young Al-Nassr fan's day when he met up with him ahead of their AFC Champions League clash with Persepolis.

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  • Ronaldo met up with fan
  • Posed for picture
  • Signed boy's Al-Nassr shirt
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The youngster was sporting an Al-Nassr jersey with Ronaldo's name on the back and was escorted into a room where the Portuguese superstar was waiting. Ronaldo posed for a picture and signed the child's jersey.

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  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The meeting occurred ahead of the Saudi Arabian side's opening Champions League match against Iranian side Persepolis in Tehran on Tuesday. Ronaldo's side are on a five-game winning run heading into the tie.

  • WHAT THEY SAID

    "Hey! How are you?" Ronaldo asked when the boy walked into the room. "Are you good? Give me a hug!"

    The young fan even showed off his impression of Ronaldo's famous goal celebration.

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    WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

    Al-Nassr will hope to get their Champions League campaign off to a strong start. They are in a group with Persepolis, Al-Duhail and Istiklol.

Like father, like son! Thiago Messi joins Inter Miami academy ranks following dad Lionel’s stunning move to the United States

Thiago Messi may be following in the footsteps of his famous father Lionel, with the 10-year-old linking up with Inter Miami’s academy.

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  • Argentine icon now in MLS
  • Family has moved to Florida
  • Youngster showing potential

  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The youngster was not attached to any other club, so he is free to take on an exciting new challenge of his own. His dad has certainly been catching the eye since moving his family to Florida, with 11 goals recorded by the Argentine superstar through nine straight victories.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Thiago, who turns 11 on November 2, is now in America alongside his two brothers Mateo and Ciro. The entire Messi clan – including Antonela Roccuzzo – have been regulars at Inter Miami games over recent weeks, allowing them to take in Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup and MLS triumphs.

  • AND WHAT'S MORE

    Thiago will be looking to make his way through the youth system in Fort Lauderdale, with the sons of David Beckham and Phil Neville – Romeo (who is now at Brentford) and Harvey – earning contracts with Inter Miami.

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    WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

    Inter Miami have given no fanfare to acquiring Thiago Messi, but they are rightly proud of their efforts when it comes to producing home-grown stars. Academy director Victor Pastora has told the club’s : “We look forward to another great season after a highly successful 2022-23 season. Our Academy program potential and success was best reflected by the contribution of our 6 academy homegrowns in our first team, the 15 academy players that have been part of our MLS NEXT Pro this season, and the 20 academy payers called up to Youth National teams. We want to give a warm welcome to our competitive players, their dedicated parents, and our hard-working staff. Our academy program was established to give talented South Florida players the opportunity to achieve their dreams. We show our appreciation for this privilege, by giving our best effort to make the most of each day. We will continue to grow our partner club’s collaboration and will work to establish a relationship with every youth program in South Florida. We thank our owners and sporting director for their constant support and commitment to providing a great platform for us to achieve our dreams.”

Juventus duo Weston McKennie and Tim Weah prove club competition brings chemistry! USMNT Winners and Losers from win over Uzbekistan

While several World Cup exclusions made their mark, two familiar faces combined for a game-defining early goal.

For the first 90 minutes of Saturday's match between the U.S. men's national team and Uzbekistan, it looked like there would be just one moment of magic. An early goal in the fourth minute seemingly set the tone but, ultimately, it didn't. What came after was a largely-tepid attacking performance for the U.S., who couldn't put the game away until the very last moments.

That early moment of magic came via Tim Weah and Weston McKennie, who combined on the opening goal. It was a fantastic sequence, particularly for McKennie, who showed off that technical skill that his critics so often, unfairly, take aim at.

In the end, the U.S. emerged victorious via a 3-0 result, one that was a bit flattering thanks to two late goals from Ricardo Pepi and Christian Pulisic. It was a game that showed both the good and bad of this USMNT: the effort, technical skill and possession, but also the attacking ineffectiveness that partially doomed them in Qatar last cycle.

Still, it's a start to the second Gregg Berhalter era, one which saw several players left out of the 2022 World Cup squad make big statements in their first opportunity since the coach's return

  • Getty Images

    WINNER: Ricardo Pepi

    With the Copa America less than a year away, Pepi needs to create as many big moments as he can. On Saturday night, he did just that.

    His 45 minutes were, largely, a bit quiet, much like Folarin Balogun's were before him. Both strikers, though, had one big chance. Balogun's clattered off the post. Pepi's? Well, it almost went right on through the net.

    Pepi hit his goal with force, smashing a Brenden Aaronson layoff for what turned out to be the first of two stoppage time goals. It was a big goal for Pepi, who now has five goals in as many games since the start of the year. That comes after he went scoreless in five games in 2022, effectively ending his World Cup hopes.

    How Pepi would react to that setback was always a big question mark. Would he use it for bad or good? So far, Pepi's answer has been perfect, as he continues to show why he should, at the very least, should be a lock for that backup striker spot, if not more.

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    LOSER: Yunus Musah

    If the USMNT do switch to something of a 4-2-3-1, one member of the famous MMA midfield will need to be sacrificed to get Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman or some other attacking midfielder on the field.

    It almost certainly won't be Tyler Adams, the USMNT captain and based on this performance, it probably won't be Weston McKennie, either. Musah, though, could be the one to make way.

    It didn't help that the newly-signed AC Milan midfielder was somewhat anonymous against Uzbekistan, failing to make the impact that those around him did. He tried to make several dribbled forward, but none of them were particularly memorable or effective.

    As the game rolled on, it was quite clear that there was a gigantic pocket of space right where a No. 10 should be. The U.S., as assembled, had no one capable of occupying that space. That is not a Musah issue; it's a USMNT issue, to be clear.

    However, as the fight for midfield spots reopens after a pretty locked-in 2022 World Cup cycle, Musah's starting spot could very well be in danger, especially if he isn't quite able to get going over these next few games.

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    WINNER: Malik Tillman

    Speaking of attacking midfielders, Tillman's time on the field was brief, but it certainly was impactful.

    The PSV star drew a penalty late on with some good footwork in the box, paving the way for the team's third goal. It wasn't a long cameo for Tillman, who came on for just the last 10 minutes, but it was the type of performance that could, and should, lead to more chances.

    At one point, Tillman looked like a potential World Cup gamechanger. It didn't quite work out that way, as he was left out of the squad. However, if the U.S. does end up playing with a No. 10, Tillman very well could be the guy, particularly if Gio Reyna's injury issues continue to limit his availability.

    Tillman is a player that impacts games. He did it for Rangers last year and has offered glimpses so far at PSV. He deserves a chance to show he can do it with the USMNT, too, as we begin this new cycle.

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    LOSER: Luca de la Torre

    Not a loser in the "had a bad game" sense of the term. Moreso a loser in that it would have been better to see more of him.

    De la Torre was cooking right up until he had his nose broken, forcing him out of the game. It was an unfortunate exit for the Celta Vigo midfielder, who was among the best players on the pitch before his injury knocked him out.

    In his 35 minutes, the midfielder completed 98 percent of his passes, including five into the final third, while winning the ball back several times in midfield. Playing a bit behind McKennie and Musah, De la Torre was looking fantastic as Adam's replacement.

    Gregg Berhalter said that De la Torre's status for the Oman game remains to be seen as the medical team assesses the status of his nose. It was an ugly injury, for sure, but also one that robbed De la Torre of a chance to continue putting on what looked like was going to be a heck of a performance.

Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Marcus Rashford and the eight candidates to replace axed Harry Maguire as Man Utd captain – ranked

Erik ten Hag has a long list of potential skippers after stripping Harry Maguire of the armband

No one should have been surprised by the news that Harry Maguire is no longer the captain of Manchester United. The defender was only skipper in name after slipping all the way down the pecking order to fifth-choice centre-back last season, and it had long been reported that Erik ten Hag was going to officially strip him of the armband this summer.

Maguire had been an able if unremarkable captain during the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer years and was particularly important in United's run to second place and the Europa League final in the 2020-21 season. But after his form dramatically declined over the next two campaigns there were always going to be doubts about his position in the long term.

And it made no sense for a player who started only eight Premier League matches last season to have such a prestigious role. Indeed, Maguire was only brought on in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle so that he could lift the trophy. That was a nice touch from Ten Hag but it also served to highlight the fact Maguire was no longer a suitable captain due to his declining presence in the team.

Maguire didn't even get on the pitch in the FA Cup final against Manchester City and towards the end of the season, Ten Hag started to refer to Bruno Fernandes as captain even though the England defender was still officially skipper.

Fernandes is the No. 1 candidate to succeed Maguire permanently, but there are a number of other contenders for the role. GOAL runs through the choices…

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    8Mason Mount

    Mount probably saw himself spending most of his career at Chelsea. But the relationship soured as the club focused on making as many new signings as possible without looking after one of their own.

    Mount was determined to move to United and seems utterly delighted to be there. It would be a bold choice to give the club's brand new signing the armband but it would also be a huge vote of confidence in the midfielder and give him responsibility early in his Old Trafford career.

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    7Christian Eriksen

    Eriksen's career was practically written off after he suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch at Euro 2020, with Inter ending his contract soon after.

    But Brentford took a chance on him and a few months later the Dane earned the biggest move of his life by joining United. The midfielder took no time to settle into the team and formed a formidable axis in the middle of the park with Fernandes and Casemiro.

    Few players in the squad can match his wealth of experience and it takes a hell of a lot of character to rebuild your career in the way he has. He is certainly captain material.

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    6Luke Shaw

    Shaw is United's longest-serving player now that David de Gea has departed. And that would be enough to make him captain at many of Europe's top sides.

    The left-back is a leading voice for club and country, as well as being one of the team's most consistent performers. He is also fully committed to United after recently signing a new contract until 2027.

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    5Raphael Varane

    You can't argue with the Frenchman's CV: four Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles and a World Cup winner's medal. Varane has seen it all, working with some of the best managers in football including Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane and Rafa Benitez.

    He is not a tub-thumping leader but he has always done his talking on the pitch and led by example. He is also fluent in three languages, making him a suitable captain of a modern, international dressing room such as United's.

Where next for Christian Pulisic? USMNT star's best possible landing spot

The Chelsea winger has come to a crossroad – GOAL takes a look at the 24-year-old's options heading into a career-defining summer

There's a pretty good chance that we've seen the last of Christian Pulisic in a Chelsea jersey. He may not admit it publicly, at least not yet, but there's a feeling that this summer is the right time for all involved to move on. Pulisic and Chelsea won a Champions League together, and one would hope that leaves a lasting legacy, but, given the dysfunction of this past season, both sides would benefit from moving on.

Pulisic, set to turn 25 in September, is no longer in the 'young player' category. He's still developing, for sure, but the U.S. men's national team star is at a point in his career where he needs to be playing regularly. That didn't happen this past season at Chelsea, where he managed just over 1,000 minutes under three different coaches while struggling with fitness and form.

Chelsea, meanwhile, need to clear up the squad, having signed just about every player under the sun over the last year. The club could certainly use some money, too, making Pulisic a prime candidate to move on.

So, that brings us to the summer, one full of juicy transfer rumors from all over the continent. Pulisic has been linked to just about every major club, but no clear-cut frontrunner has truly emerged for his services. It is believed that a fee between £20 and £40 million would get the job done, and reports have said that Pulisic is willing to take a pay cut to go to the right club.

But which club is the right club? GOAL breaks down Pulisic's options…

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    Newcastle

    Of the clubs in England, Newcastle felt like the most logical fit.

    They're outside the big six, but now have big-six money. Pulisic, a Champions League winner, is seemingly the right kind of player for them to be signing as they look to steadily move into that elite tier in England.

    However, according to the Athletic, Newcastle are no longer interested as they themselves prepare for a massive summer. They had previously enquired about taking Pulisic on loan, according to reports, but the club is now said to be moving on to other targets.

    Which is a shame for Pulisic, really, as Newcastle would have seemingly represented the right kind of move for him to be making: not a step up, not a step down, but a step right back into the Champions League.

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    Manchester United

    Manchester United have previously been linked to Pulisic, although it seems that interest has somewhat cooled.

    In reality, the move would represent progress for Pulisic, who would leave a struggling Chelsea for a Manchester United team seemingly on the rise. With several key players at the club also facing uncertain futures, there's a path to more regular playing time at Old Trafford than there ever was at Stamford Bridge.

    Man Utd, though, need a striker more than anything. The club is very much a No.9 away from competing at a higher level, and one would expect them to throw everything they have at that position. Their winger depth is also pretty solid, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho with the club, and Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo on the way up.

    Aside from a striker, there are other positions of need, with a midfielder, defender and goalkeeper all possibly coming in.

    Chelsea may not be willing to sell to Man Utd either, which further complicates any potential move.

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    France

    Realistically, there's only one club in Ligue 1 that would likely be able to afford a move. And, while that club will need attackers this summer, no doubt, it doesn't seem that Pulisic really fits the bill.

    PSG have already lost Lionel Messi this summer, and it looks like Kylian Mbappe could be close behind. That would leave PSG totally reeling in the attack, with only the oft-injured Neymar returning from their three-headed monster up top.

    Should they sell Mbappe, PSG would have a massive transfer budget to work with, but is Pulisic really in the class of player they would look to attract? He has won a Champions League, of course, and that is the club PSG are so desperate to win, but is he the type of player that really gets them any closer, especially with Mbappe out the door?

    PSG really may end up being the most interesting team of the summer, especially if Mbappe moves. Pulisic could, logically, be an answer at winger, but who knows what the leadership in Paris will cook up as they look to replace one or two superstars?

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    Germany

    While Pulisic's reputation has taken a bit of a hit in England, those in Germany will still remember him fondly. He was a hell of a player for Borussia Dortmund and Bundesliga fans have long had a better opinion of USMNT players than most of their European counterparts.

    However, it's hard to see a landing spot in Germany for Pulisic, even with his good reputation there.

    Bayern Munich are, of course, managed by Thomas Tuchel, and it's unlikely either party will be desperate for a third go-around together. Pulisic's 2022 book took a shot at Tuchel and the relationship never seemingly recovered. The two worked wonders together at some points and struggled to work together at others. That time has passed.

    Dortmund, meanwhile, have plenty of depth in the attack. So much depth, in fact, that they've struggled to incorporate their own USMNT star, Gio Reyna. Plus, after selling Jude Bellingham this summer, they'll likely be looking to reinforce the midfield more than anything.

    Can any other club in Germany afford Pulisic? Probably not. Perhaps RB Leipzig or Union Berlin could figure something out due to their status as Champions League participants, but Germany doesn't look like a real possibility at this point.

The best men's football boots you can buy in 2023

We independently choose all products featured on our site. When you purchase something through the links provided, we may earn a commission.

Featuring classics like the Nike Mercurial and new releases from the adidas Copa range

There's no time like the present to get yourself out onto the pitch to play, and picking out the perfect football boots isn't just something you can leave to chance. These are precision-made pieces of well-honed craftwork made by some of the most popular manufacturers in the world, like Nike, adidas, New Balance, PUMA and many more.

It's only right that you put plenty of thought into your new footwear, from where you're going to play to what you're going to do with it – and luckily, you don't have to break the bank to shop for the perfect pair.

Before buying anything, though, it's vital to know just what you can find on the market and what you'll need, depending on how and where you play.

Click here to skip ahead to our round-up of the best men's football boots.

Our top three:

Best firm ground overall football boots: adidas Copa Pure.1

Best soft ground overall football boots: New Balance Furon v7 Pro

Best multi-ground overall football boots: adidas Copa Pure.3

FAQs:

What is the best football boot?

There is no "best" type of football boot, per se – with so many ways to play the game these days, the best kind of footwear is all down to the player's individual needs. Even before you split them into the types you can find, there will be no overarching "best" to go for, as it depends so much on what you want from them. That said, several brands have emerged over the past half-century as leading lights of the business – Nike, adidas, Umbro and more. While there are many manufacturers to choose from, these headline names have built their brands into global success stories because they know how to deliver the goods.

What type of football boot do I need?

The individual type of boot will depend on what you hope to achieve with your game and where you will be playing it. Football pitches can be split into roughly half-a-dozen different categories. Depending on which one you play on most, you'll want to purchase a boot that best enhances your performance on those particular surfaces.

What kind of surfaces are there?

You can buy football boots for five different surfaces – firm ground, soft ground, artificial grass, astro turf and indoor courts – while in addition, you can purchase a sixth type, multi-ground, which covers varied combinations of the above. On tougher grass that's frozen in the winter? You'll want firm ground. On grass that's soaked in the rain overnight? Soft ground is your best bet. Five-a-side at the local sports hall? Indoor courts are the way to go. Knowing what you'll be playing on is sometimes half the battle.

  • Firm Ground (FG) Football Boots

    Best overall firm ground boots

    adidas Copa Pure.1

    adidas£200.00 at adidas

    adidas have a few Copa options, but this is the best option for firm grounds. The upper sports old-school leather, that moulds to your foot for stability offers great touch and control of the ball. A fold-over tongue and stitched detailing keep things classic.

  • Best budget firm ground boots

    Puma King Match

    PUMA£70.00 at PRO:Direct Soccer

    Save your wallet taking a big hit with these budget-friendly King Match from PUMA. With a super soft microfibre upper and re-engineered design for modern playmakers, you won't be compromising on the quality, that's for sure. It also has a low-profile tongue to ensure comfort and ankle support.

  • Soft Ground (SG) Football Boots

    Best overall soft ground boots

    New Balance Furon V7 Pro

    New Balance £200.00 at New Balance

    How do you solve a problem like a lightweight upper when it brings too much drag? You make it weigh even less, which the Furon V7 Pro achieves with its lightweight TPU outsole. This minimalist cleat is designed to give you the feeling of direct contact with the ball and the ground. The upper is constructed from a Hypoknit upper for a smooth finish.

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  • Best budget soft ground boots

    Mizuno Monarcida II Select Mix

    Mizuno £45.00 at PRO:Direct Soccer

    Bringing progressive dynamism wherever you are on the pitch, the Mizuno Monarcida II Select Mix is one of the best soft-ground boots currently on the market. A hybrid stud ensures reliable traction of soft grounds and it also has a removable sock liner for maximum comfort. Also, the leather upper gives it a classic look which you can't beat.

13 fun facts about Mohamed Salah

Everything you need to know about the exceptional Egyptian!

Mohamed Salah is an Egyptian footballer who currently plays for Liverpool in the English Premier League. He was born on June 15, 1992, in Nagrig, Egypt, and started his professional career in Egypt's Premier League with Al Mokawloon in 2010.

Salah is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world and is known for his speed, agility, and goal-scoring ability. He has won numerous awards throughout his career, including the Premier League Golden Boot, the PFA Players' Player of the Year, and the FWA Footballer of the Year.

He is regarded as one of the greatest players to ever don the Liverpool jersey and was instrumental in helping the Reds win their first Premier League title in 2020 and their fifth UEFA Champions League triumph in 2019, a year after they had lost in the final to Real Madrid.

Salah is a devout Muslim and often celebrates goals by performing sujood, which is the Islamic act of prostration. He is also known for his charity work and is an ambassador for UNICEF.

Salah's success has made him a global icon and a role model for young people in Egypt and around the world. He has a huge social media following and is often featured in advertisements and campaigns.

But what are the 13 fun facts about Mohamed Salah that you absolutely need to know?

  • Football running in his genes

    Mohamed Salah's father, Salah Ghaly, was an avid football lover himself and used to play the sport in his Nagrig village.

    Being a football coach, he encouraged young Mohamed to pursue the sport, and was key to his early development as a footballer.

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    Won the Swiss Super League Player of the Year in his debut season at Basel

    After spending two years in his hometown club Al Mokawloon, Mohamed Salah was signed by Swiss Super League side Basel, where he scored five goals in the league and helped them win the Swiss Super League.

    Due to his performances, he was awarded the Swiss Super League Player of the Year in 2013.

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    A celebration inspired by his religion

    Mohamed Salah is a devout Muslim and that faith extends to the football pitch as well. He often celebrates goals by performing sujood, a Muslim prayer gesture of prostration.

    Salah performs a prayer of thanks by getting to his knees and placing his head on the ground.

    "It's not kissing the ground," the Egyptian star told CNN in 2018. "It's something like praying or like thank God for what I have received, but yeah, it's just praying and praying for a win.

    "[I’ve] always done that since I was young, everywhere.”

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  • A big fan of Kushari, an Egyptian delicacy

    Salah admitted that kushari, an Egyptian delicacy that originated in the 19th century and is made of rice, macaroni, lentils, and topped with spicy tomatoes, chickpeas, and onions, is his favourite food.

    "When I go back to Egypt, I call my friend from the airport to buy kushari for us to eat in the car. I pull my hoodie over my head, jump into the car and then I'm eating it straight away," he revealed in an interview with CNN in 2018.

PSG player ratings vs Lille: Kylian Mbappe & Lionel Messi step up just in time to win Ligue 1 thriller

The French superstar scored twice before the Argentine wizard netted a stoppage-time free-kick to seal a 4-3 victory

After three successive defeats in all competitions, Paris Saint-Germain got back to winning ways in dramatic fashion on Sunday, coming from behind late on to seal a 4-3 win over Lille.

PSG actually opened the scoring through Kylian Mbappe, who evaded two Lille defenders and finished to complete a sublime solo effort. Neymar made it two shortly after, bursting into the box to meet Vitinha's layoff.

Lille, though, pulled one back from through a Bafode Diakite header, and Jonathan David then equalised from the spot after Neymar had been stretchered off with an ankle injury.

The away side then took a 3-2 lead through Jonathan Bamba, but a late double from first Mbappe and then a free-kick from Lionel Messi in stoppage time saw PSG move nine points clear at the top of Ligue 1 – and perhaps save manager Christophe Galtier's job.

GOAL rates PSG's players from Parc des Princes…

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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Gianluigi Donnarumma (6/10):

    A mixed bag. Made some excellent saves, but shouldn't have been beaten at his near post for Lille's third.

    Timothee Pembele (5/10):

    An uneasy stand-in for Achraf Hakimi. Had the fewest touches of any PSG player.

    Sergio Ramos (7/10):

    Has gone from the forgotten man to the best central defender PSG have at the moment.

    Presnel Kimpembe (6/10):

    Uneasy start to the game with a poor header that almost gave up a goal, but improved as it went on.

    Nuno Mendes (5/10):

    Did little before being removed with a foot injury after 30 minutes.

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  • Midfield

    Vitinha (6/10):

    Never outworked, but not exactly full of quality. Provided a neat assist for Neymar.

    Marco Verratti (6/10):

    Lots of defensive work, some attacking thrust, but conceded a soft penalty. Just about a welcome return from suspension in the end.

    Fabian Ruiz (5/10):

    Expertly completed a disappearing act.

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    Attack

    Lionel Messi (7/10):

    Anonymous, then scored a stunning free-kick to win it. Baffling.

    Neymar (6/10):

    Scored PSG's second but subbed off with what looked like a very painful ankle injury early in the second half.

    Kylian Mbappe (9/10):

    Scored an absolutely superb goal to put PSG 1-0 up and added another to kick-off the late comeback. Reminded PSG exactly how badly they need him in the side.

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  • Subs & Manager

    Juan Bernat (7/10):

    Assisted Mbappe's second, put in a solid shift.

    Hugo Ekitike (6/10):

    Replaced Neymar, struggled to get involved.

    Danilo Pereira (6/10):

    A late entrant, probably should have started.

    Carlos Soler (6/10):

    Didn't make much of an impact

    Warren Zaire-Emery (6/10):

    One very nice run highlighted a solid cameo.

    Christophe Galtier (6/10):

    Was on the hot seat until Mbappe and Messi potentially saved his job. He will take the win, but the performances are beyond worrying.

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