Antoine Griezmann is proud to have been on the Ballon d Or podium but expressed his surprise at missing out on the top prize.
Griezmann won both the Europa League and World Cup in 2018, the striker inspirational in the respective triumphs of Atletico Madrid and France.
But he finished third in the voting for the Ballon d Or, with Cristiano Ronaldo in second while Luka Modric became the first Croatian to win the honour.
Griezmann has made no secret of his desire to win football s top individual honour and was left frustrated by being overlooked in favour of Ronaldo and Modric.
When I found out you didn t have to be at home with me the first two days, Griezmann joked.
No, it s a great pride to be on the podium, to be a world champion.
I …
Thierry Henry departs Monaco with great sadness but is confident they have the squad of players to remain in Ligue 1 under Leonardo Jardim s stewardship.
Henry was suspended on Thursday and his sacking was confirmed 24 hours later, the club s former striker leaving after just three months in charge having replaced Jardim and failed to inspire a turnaround to move them away from the relegation zone.
Franck Passi will take charge for the relegation six-pointer against Dijon on Saturday before Jardim reassumes control.
Henry s departure comes with the club a point and a place above the bottom of the Ligue 1 table, with the former Belgium assistant having overseen a Champions League group-stage exit and a Coupe de France humbling at the hands of second-tier Metz duri…
Championship strugglers Middlesbrough have appointed Michael Carrick as their new head coach.
The former Manchester United and England midfielder replaces Chris Wilder, who was sacked this month less than a year after taking the Boro hotseat.
Carrick worked under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford before taking charge of United on a caretaker basis for three games late last year.
The 41-year-old stepped down as Red Devils first-team coach following the arrival of Ralf Rangnick last December and has now been given his first opportunity as a head coach.
The club is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Carrick as Head Coach
Welcome to , Michael!
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro)
I m really excited to be …