United News of Bangladesh

 Lionel Messi is about to tell the world which of his many goals was his favorite. The Inter Miami star, eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup champion announced Tuesday that he will unveil his favorite goal on May 22. A depiction of that goal will then be turned into a work of art that will be auctioned off for charity. Messi has plenty of options to choose from: He's scored more than 800 goals for club and country over his long career with Argentina, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. Messi and the artist, Refik Anadol, will both sign the art piece, which will be unveiled in New York by auction house Christie’s on June 11. Atalanta secures Champions League spot and Venezia boosts Serie A survival with win “Choosing just one goal out of them all is very difficult," Messi said. “Each one is special in its own way, and some are really important or bring back incredible memories. But highlighting one as a favorite for the first time, to make this unique project possible is worth it. There’s a strong purpose behind it, and I’m really happy to be part of it.” The auction will close on July 25.

Atalanta secured a 2-1 win over Roma on Monday, clinching third place in Serie A and guaranteeing a spot in next season’s Champions League. The win put the Bergamo-based side seven points ahead of both Juventus and Lazio, with only two matches left to play. The top four teams earn automatic qualification for the Champions League. Nigeria's Ademola Lookman opened the scoring in the ninth minute with his 15th league goal of the season. Roma equalized before halftime with a header from former Atalanta player Bryan Cristante. Ibrahim Sulemana then netted the decisive goal for Atalanta. Despite the loss, Roma still had hope. The capital club sat in sixth place, just one point behind both Juventus and Lazio. Venezia looks safe Venezia beat Fiorentina 2-1 and took a giant step towards securing its Serie A status for another year. Brazil names Carlo Ancelotti as new manager It rose out of the relegation zone and into fourth-from-last place. The last three teams go down and with two matches left to play Venezia holds its destiny in its own hands. It is a point above Lecce and Empoli, and its two final games are at Cagliari and at home to Juventus. Fali Cande on the hour mark and Gaetano Oristanio eight minutes later put Venezia in the driving seat at Stadio Pierluigi Penzo. Rolando Mandragora pulled a goal back for the visitor with 13 minutes remaining. The result was a massive blow to Fiorentina’s hopes of securing European football next season. It remained ninth, three places and four points outside the European spots.    

Carlo Ancelotti has been appointed manager of Brazil's national team on a deal that runs until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Monday. The 65-year-old will leave his current role at Real Madrid after the club's last La Liga match of the season against Real Sociedad on May 25. "The greatest national team in the history of football will now be led by the most successful coach in the world," the CBF said in a statement. It added that the Italian would officially begin his tenure with the five-time World Cup champion on May 26. Ancelotti replaces Dorival Junior, who was sacked on March 28 following Brazil's 4-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires. The CBF had reportedly also considered former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, ex-Benfica manager Jorge Jesus and current Palmeiras head coach Abel Ferreira for the role. Ancelotti, whose 30-year managerial career has included spells at Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, among other clubs, becomes the first foreign manager of Brazil's national team. "Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil is more than a strategic move. It is a statement to the world that we are determined to reclaim the top spot on the podium," CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues said. "He is the greatest coach in history and now he is leading the greatest national team on the planet. Together, we will write new glorious chapters for Brazilian football," Rodrigues added. Ancelotti won 15 trophies across two spells as Real Madrid manager and last season led the Spanish club to a Champions League and La Liga double. Brazil is currently fourth in the 10-team South American World Cup qualifying group, 10 points behind leader Argentina with four matchdays remaining. The top six teams will earn an automatic place at football's showpiece tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada next year. The seventh-ranked side will advance to an intercontinental playoff.

Brazil’s soccer confederation said on Monday it has a deal with Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti eyeing the 2026 World Cup and possibly beyond. The 65-year-old Italian, who is yet to talk about the deal, will be Brazil's first full-time foreign coach in a century. Brian White scores twice, Whitecaps rally to tie LAFC 2-2 and extend unbeaten streak to 11 Ancelotti is still under contract with Madrid until the last round of the Spanish league on May 25. The CBF said in a statement that he will officially take over Brazil the following day. Brazil’s next two fixtures in South American World Cup qualifiying will be at Ecuador on June 5th and five days later against Paraguay in Sao Paulo at the NeoQuimica Arena in Sao Paulo.

Brian White scored a header in the 70th minute, helping the Vancouver Whitecaps come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against LAFC on Sunday, extending their unbeaten run to 11 matches in all competitions. With a record of 8-1-3, the Whitecaps sit atop the MLS standings with 27 points, maintaining a five-point lead over Minnesota in the Western Conference. During their current streak, they’ve recorded six wins and five draws. White’s equalizer came after second-half substitute Ali Ahmed delivered a header into the middle of the penalty area, where White finished with a well-placed header into the net. He had earlier scored in the 26th minute to cut LAFC’s lead in half. SAFF U-19 Champs : Holders Bangladesh reach semifinal with unbeaten record beating Bhutan 3-0 White is tied for the MLS goals lead with eight and has 13 goals across all competitions. He returned to the lineup Sunday after missing a victory last week over Real Salt Lake because of a tight hamstring. Mark Delgado opened the scoring for Los Angeles (5-4-3) in the eighth minute, and Denis Bouanga connected on a penalty kick in the 19th.    

Defending champions Bangladesh smartly reached the semifinal final of the six-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Men's Under-19 Championship as the first team beating Bhutan by 3-0 goal in their last Group A match at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, in the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh on  Sunday. With the day's feat, Bangladesh dominating the Group A to reach the semifinals securing four points from two group encounters and will play semifinal on May 16  In Group B, hosts India comfortably dominated group crushing Sri Lanka by 8-0 goal in their first match last Friday. Bangladesh entered the field on Sunday in a must win situation to qualify for the last four stage after playing 2-2 draw with the Maldives despite of dominating the first half 2-0 goals in the opening match last Friday. In the day match, Murshed Ali put Bangladesh ahead in the 13th minute by an accurate angular shot from small box that kissed the Bhutan net hitting the side bar  (1-0).  Sumon Soren scored the 2nd goal for Bangladesh in the 28th minute by an straight shot from goalmouth melee (2-0)  Bangladesh  sealed the fate of the match in the 6th minute of added time (90+6 minute) by a ground shot from the danger zone, utilizing a ready made right wing  pass from teammate (3-0). In the opening match against the Maldives on Friday, , captain Nazmul Huda Faysal and Rifat Kazi scored for Bangladesh,  both in the first half Earlier, Bangladesh team put in Group A of the regional youth soccer meet with Bhutan and the Maldives while hosts India was placed in Group B  with Nepal and Sri Lanka. The top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the semifinals on May 16 while the final match is billed for May 18.    

 Prince Owusu scored the game's only goal and CF Montreal defeated New York City 1-0 on Saturday for Montreal's first win of the MLS season. Montreal's Jonathan Sirois made two stops for the clean sheet and Matt Freese made seven saves for NYCFC. In the third minute of the second half, Owusu scored with a difficult left-footed shot from the right side of the box to the top left corner. Victor Loturi assisted. NYCFC had 60.5% possession but was outshot 22-9 overall and 8-2 on goal. The victory ended Montreal's 11-match winless streak. Man United and Tottenham reach Europa League final and are one win away from Champions League New York City played without Malachi Jones, Kevin O’Toole, Keaton Parks, and Birk Risa. NYCFC (5-5-2, 17 points) had won three of its last four MLS matches. Montreal (1-8-3, 6 points) hosts Columbus on Wednesday and New York City visits DC United. 

Holders Bangladesh will play Bhutan in their last Group A match of the six-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-19 Championship on Sunday (May 11) in a must win situation to assure the semifinal berth. The match will kick off at 4:30 pm Bangladesh time at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, in the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh. Bangladesh, which made a frustrating start in the SAFF Youth meet after playing 2-2 draw with the Maldives last Friday, needed a win against Bhutan to assure their semifinal berth Earlier on Friday, Defending champions Bangladesh comfortably dominated the first half of their opening match  by 2-0 goals displaying an entertaining football, but, they lost rhythm in the 2nd half to share points with the Maldives in a 2-2 draw. Ahead of the Sunday's vital match, Bangladesh team held a recovery and light training session today (Saturday) at the R.G.Stadium in Naharlagun, the same venue used for the previous practice. Bangladesh's training session started at 3:30 pm Bangladesh time and focused on light drills and regeneration works. BPL Football: Dhaka Abahani Ltd further go down in title race after playing goalless draw with Police FC The players remained sharp and disciplined, showing strong team spirit and focus as they look to continue their positive momentum in the next match.  In the opening match against the Maldives on Friday, , captain Nazmul Huda Faysal and Rifat Kazi scored for Bangladesh,  both in the first half. But, the Maldives bounced back in the match in the 2nd half scoring two goals in a row to hold the title aspirants Bangladesh. Bangladesh team put in Group A of the regional youth soccer meet with Bhutan and the Maldives while hosts India was placed in Group B  with Nepal and Sri Lanka. The top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the semifinals on May 16 while the final match is billed for May 18.

Six times champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd further went down in the title race of the 10 -team Bashundhara Group Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football after playing goalless draw with lowly  Bangladesh Police FC at the Mymensingh District Stadium Saturday afternoon. Abahani midfielder Papon Singh got marching order in the 3rd minute of the added time (90+3 minute) after receiving 2nd yellow card in the match With the day's debacle, the sky blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani Ltd were almost out of the title race securing 28 points from 14 matches while Bangladesh Police FC remained at the 6th slot with 20 points from 14 matches After the 14th round matches, Dhaka Mohammedan SC are in handshake distance to clinch their first-ever professional league crown securing 35 points while holders Bashundhara Kings are in the distant 3rd with 25 points. In the day's other match, Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool upset Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society by 2-1 goals at the Fl. Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj on Saturday. India tour of Bangladesh, Asia Cup in doubt after IPL halt Despite the day's defeat, the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj MFS are in the 4th slot in the league table collecting 20 points while Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool are in the 8th place with 16 points, playing 14 matches each. Irfan Hossain put Youngmen's Club ahead in the 26th minute (1-0)  while Mosharraf Hossain Shanto doubled the Youngmen's margin in the 53rd minute (2-0) Mosharraf Hossain Shanto  scored a gifted goal for Rahmatganj MFS sending the ball to his own net in the 90th minute (2-1).

Holders Bangladesh made a frustrating start in the six-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-19 Men's Championship' 2025 after playing 2-2 draw with the Maldives in the opening match Friday afternoon. Defending champions Bangladesh comfortably dominated the first half by 2-0 goals displaying an entertaining football at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, in Arunachal Pradesh Friday afternoon. But, the Maldives bounced back in the match in the 2nd half scoring two goals in a row to hold the title aspirants Bangladesh. Bangladesh took lead in the 13th minute of the match when captain Nazmul Huda Faysal fired the Maldives net with a power-packed shot from top of the box (1-0). Rifat Kazi doubled the Bangladesh margin in the last minute of the first half , utilizing a cross of Mithu Chowdhury. (2-0). Anoof  Abdulla pulled back the Maldives margin in the 57th minute by a placing shot, off a Ibrahim Naser cross from left wing (2-1). Ehtan Ibrahim Zaki leveled the Maldives margin in the 73rd minute by a good shot (2-2). Despite of including the Bangladesh-origin foreign footballer, left winger Abdul Kadir of Italy in the day's squad, holders Bangladesh failed to make a good start However, in the last few minutes, Bangladesh made some good attempts towards Maldives territory, but failed to change the result. Bangladesh team, which put in Group A of the regional youth soccer meet with Bhutan and the Maldives, will play Bhutan on May 11 at 4:30 pm Bangladesh time at the same venue. The Group B team comprises hosts India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the semifinals on May 16 while the final match billed for May 18.