In today’s football news on July 18th, Marseille implements its « loft » for players, Harry Maguire steps down as captain, and Cristiano Ronaldo shares his thoughts on European football.
Following the example of PSG and several other Ligue 1 clubs, Marseille is setting up its own « loft. » Players who are expected to leave the club will be separated from the rest of the team to facilitate their departure to new clubs. The Provence reports that Marseille is looking to offload several unwanted players, including Jordan Amavi, Pol Lirola, Konrad de la Fuente, and Salim Ben Seghir. These players are no longer allowed to park their vehicles in the designated players’ parking area and must park among other club employees.
According to Arsène Wenger, Arsenal is on track to win the Premier League next season. Wenger believes that Arsenal has made good investments, citing their recent acquisition of Declan Rice for €120 million. Despite operating under a policy of « zero investment » during his tenure, Wenger believes Arsenal’s improved financial situation will contribute to their success in the upcoming season.
Harry Maguire has announced that he will no longer be the captain of Manchester United. Maguire expressed his disappointment in relinquishing the captaincy but stated that he will continue to give his best whenever he wears the club’s shirt. His message of gratitude to the Manchester United supporters indicates a potential farewell, with the club reportedly open to selling him if a €50 million offer comes in.
Cristiano Ronaldo recently expressed his opinion on the quality of European leagues. According to Ronaldo, he does not intend to return to Europe and believes that the European leagues have lost their quality. He praised the Premier League as the highest-quality league but criticized the Spanish and German leagues. Ronaldo stated his preference for playing in Saudi Arabia, as he believes it offers better football than the United States or Europe. He predicted that the Saudi Arabian League will become highly competitive within three years, attracting more top players and providing an enjoyable spectacle for fans.