United News of Bangladesh

New Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti brought back midfielder Casemiro on Monday for World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay next week. The 33-year-old Casemiro was the Brazil captain at the 2022 World Cup but has been absent from the national team for about a year. Striker Neymar, who is still struggling to return from injury, was not picked. Ancelotti arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday night after leaving Real Madrid, and the Italian is the first foreigner to coach the five-time World Cup champion full-time in a century. Brazil: Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Hugo Souza (Corinthians) Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Ortiz, Wesley (all Flamengo), Alexsandro (Lille), Lucas Beraldo (Paris Saint-Germain), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan), Vanderson (Monaco).  Salah finishes Premier League season as top scorer and with another record Midfielders: Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Ederson (Atalanta), (Gerson) Forwards: Antony (Real Betis), Estêvão (Palmeiras), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid). 

The Kool-BSJA Media Cup Football Tournament’2025, an yearly football meet for the journalists, organised by Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA), began here on Monday at the Paltan Maidan with seven matches deciding on the opening day. President of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Tabith M Awal inaugurated the meet this morning as the chief guest.  Women footballers in Amman for two FIFA friendlies Secretary of the National Sports Council (NSC) M Aminul Islam, Brand Manager of the meet’s sponsor “Kool” Adib Bin Shahid, BSJA president Arifur Rahman Babu, general secretary SM Sumon, tournament committee convener Raihan Al Mugni and BSJA joint secretary Arafat Zubair were also present on the occasion. Seven matches were finalized on the opening day Monday. SATV beat Boishakhi TV, Dainik Jugantor defeated Dainik Manobzamin, Channel i beat Ittefaq, Dhaka Tribune defeated ATN News, ATN Bangla beat Rising BD by 2-0 goals each. News24 defeated Dainik Kalbela by 1-0 goal, Prothom Alo overcame Maasranga TV by 3-2 goals in the tie breaker as the match was locked in goalless in the stipulated period. Desh.TV got walkover against Ekattor TV in the day’s other match. Eight more matches will be held on the 2nd day (Tuesday) from 8:30 am to 12 noon.  Salah finishes Premier League season as top scorer and with another record Thirty two teams from different media houses, split into eight groups, are taking part in the Knock out basis tournament.

Bangladesh national women's football team left Dhaka for Amman on Monday to play two International friendlies against higher ranked Indonesia and hosts Jordan during FIFA women’s international window. A 23-member Bangladesh national women’s team left Hazral Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka Monday morning and scheduled to reach the Jordan capital Amman on the same day via Bahrain to play touring Indonesia on May 30 and hosts Jordan on June 3 in a three-nation tournament in Jordan.  Earlier, the Head Coach of Bangladesh Women's Football team Peter Butler announced a 23-member final squad of Bangladesh Women’s team dropping five senior national booters, who boycotted the national training camp alongwith 18 rebel booters from January 30, raising several allegations against him.  Salah finishes Premier League season as top scorer and with another record The five players, now playing in the Bhutan National Women’s League and signed six-month contracts with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).as national pool players are: recent captain Sabina Khatun, Sanjida Akhter, Krishna Rani Sarkar, Masura Parvin, and Matsushima Sumaiya. Five other Bangladeshi rebel players out of 10, who also registered to play in the Bhutan women’s league, returned home and accompanied the Jordan bound-Bangladesh team on Monday, are  Maria Manda, Monika Chakma, Ritu Porna Chakma, Rupna Chakma and Shamsunnahar Sr.  Members of Jordan bound Bangladesh Women's team are: Rupna Chakma, Sheuly Azim, Shamsunnahar Sr, Shamsinnahar Jr, Monika Chakma, Ritu Porna Chakma,  Maria Manda, Tohura Khatun, Afeida Khandakar, (Captain) Sagorika, Shaheda Akhter Ripa, Munki Akter, Swapna Rani, Khohati Kishku, Sourovi Akhand Preeti, Sultana, Megla Rani Roy, Joynob Bibi Rita, Halima Akhter, Nabiran Khatun, Ferdoushi Akter Sonali, Umhela Marma and Shanti Mardi.  

Mohamed Salah finished the Premier League season with a fourth Golden Boot award and yet another record after his latest prolific campaign with Liverpool. The Egypt forward grabbed a late equalizer for Liverpool in the champion's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday to move onto 29 goals — six more than Newcastle's Alexander Isak in the competition's scoring list. Salah was the league's outright top scorer in the 2017-18 season with 32 goals and shared the Golden Boot in the 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons. Barcola brace helps PSG to another French Cup heading to Champions League final By adding 18 assists, Salah also tied the Premier League record for most goal involvements — 47 — in a campaign with Andy Cole (1993-94) and Alan Shearer (1994-95). Those were both achieved in a 42-game season, however, whereas each team in the Premier League now plays 38 games.

Bangladesh national women's football team will leave for Jordan Monday morning without five senior footballers to play two international friendlies against their higher ranked hosts Jordan and touring Indonesia. Head Coach of Bangladesh Women's Football team Peter Butler announced a 23 member final squad of the Bangladesh women's football  team at a press conference here on Sunday. He announced the national team without five senior rebel players of the SAFF Women's champions Bangladesh team, to play  two International friendlies  against Indonesia on May 31 and hosts Jordan on June 3, both in Jordan. Earlier on January 30, 18 rebel national women’s footballers led by captain Sabina Khatun boycotted the national training camp under the head coach Peter Butler, raising several allegations against him. In the day's team, Peter Butler cut five senior rebel  booters out of 10 including good performers Sabina Khatun and  Masura Parvin , registered to play in the  Bhutan National Women’s Football League, although all the 18 rebel national players including the ten players of Bhutan league, signed six-month contracts with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). They are : recent captain Sabina Khatun, Sanjida Akhter, Krishna Rani Sarkar, Masura Parvin, and Matsushima Sumaiya. The remaining five national players, who returned from Bhutan after playing just one match included in the day' s national squad are : Maria Manda, Monika Chakma, Ritu Porna Chakma, Rupna Chakma, and Shamsunnahar Sr .  Members of Jordan bound Bangladesh women's team are: Rupna Chakma, Sheuly Azim, Shamsunnahar Sr, Shamsinnahar Jr, Monika Chakma, Ritu Porna Chakma,  Maria Manda, Tohura Khatun, Afeida Khandakar, (Captain) Sagorika, Shaheda Akhter Ripa, Munki Akter, Swapna Rani, Khohati Kishku, Sourovi Akhand Preeti, Sultana, Megla Rani Roy, Joynob Bibi Rita, Halima Akhter, Nabiran Khatun, Ferdoushi Akter Sonali, Umhela Marma and Shanti Mardi.

Red-and-white streamers exploded into the air as Arsenal lifted its second Women's Champions League trophy after stunning defending champion Barcelona 1-0 in the final on Saturday. Tough defense and a goal by Stina Blackstenius in the 75th minute from a pass by fellow second-half substitute Beth Mead powered Arsenal to glory at Estádio José Alvalade. Arsenal’s title came 18 years after it became the first — and still the only — English club to win the top club title in women’s soccer. Arsenal’s players embraced on the final whistle and ran to celebrate in front of the corner of the stands where their supporters reveled in the shock result. “We had to be basically perfect to beat Barcelona," Arsenal captain Kim Little said. "Our players who came on today had an incredible impact.” Little and Leah Williamson raised the trophy and streamers and glittering confetti shot over the podium. Meanwhile, Arsenal forward Mariona Caldentey, who played for Barcelona until this season, consoled Barcelona star Aitana Bonmatí before she stepped up to collect her fourth Champions League winner’s medal. Barcelona was the heavy favorite. It was aiming for a fourth title in five years and to become the only team other than Lyon to win three consecutive titles. The team led by two-time Ballon d’Or winners Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas won nine straight in the competition and blew out Wolfsburg and English champion Chelsea in the knockout rounds. Barcola brace helps PSG to another French Cup heading to Champions League final But Arsenal locked down in defense — except for early in the second half — and created the best chances. Only two superb saves by Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll to deny Frida Maanum and Blackstenius kept it scoreless until Blackstenius finally beat her. Defense wins championships The victory marks an incredible finish to a rocky season for Arsenal, which included coach Jonas Eidevall resigning and being replaced by assistant Renée Seglers. Since taking over, Seglers steered the team through a spectacular European campaign. Arsenal built its confidence from come-from-behind wins over Real Madrid and eight-time champion Lyon in the knockout rounds before laying low the almighty Barcelona. Seglers delivered a masterful coaching performance in the final, getting her substitutions right and devising a way to stop the highest scoring team in the tournament. “What we did so well was using all possible tools to speed the game up, to disrupt it, but to stay true to who we are. This was key to why we won today," Seglers said. “Barcelona are so good, but we tried to exploit weaknesses where we could. We said beforehand that the midfield of Barcelona was the engine. So we wanted to stop them.” Arsenal defender Katie McCabe said it was all about the work rate the entire side put in. That started up front, where England striker Alessia Russo was a rock for Arsenal, using her size to win balls and keep the attack going. “We respect them but we can’t give them too much respect either,” McCabe told The Associated Press. “We needed to put pressure on them and we know we are a really good pressing team and our frontline and the midfield really worked their socks off today.” Barcelona falls short on biggest stage The loss was a huge disappointment for the more than 15,000 Barcelona fans who filled the stadium that is home to Sporting Lisbon. Blue-and-burgundy shirts and flags outnumbered the red-and-white section, but their calls of “Yes we can!” in the final minutes weren’t enough to inspire a comeback by the Catalan club. The closest Barcelona came to a goal was a shot by Claudia Pina that hit the crossbar just after halftime when the Spanish team had its best period. Otherwise, the game was to Arsenal’s liking. Bonmatí was the only Barcelona player who seemed to be in the flow before halftime. Her dribble moves through the middle created a few threats and kept Arsenal on guard in defense. Leah Willamson blocked her best shot deep in the box in the 12th. Tottenham players left without medals after Europa League final victory “I feel sadness and frustration for our fans," Bonmatí said. "I love this club's colors as much as they do, and they travelled here in their thousands to support us. I'm sorry that we didn't give them what we all wanted. But we'll be back.”

Bradley Barcola scored two goals and set one up as Paris Saint-Germain beat Reims 3-0 in the French Cup final on Saturday and stayed on course for its first continental treble. Barcola was assisted twice by Désiré Doué and created a goal for right back Achraf Hakimi late in the first half. The victory gave PSG a record-extending 16th French Cup — six more than next-best Marseille — and completed a domestic double after a record-extending 13th Ligue 1 title was sealed in dominant fashion. The only trophy missing in the cabinet of the cash-rich Qatari-backed club is the Champions League's. That might change next Saturday. Coach Luis Enrique's PSG will attempt to win the Champions League for the first time when it faces Inter Milan in Munich. PSG lost its only other final to Bayern Munich during the pandemic-shortened 2020 competition. FIFA president hints Ronaldo could join Club World Cup Reims was once France’s top club and reached the Champions League final twice — when it was the European Cup — losing both times to Real Madrid in the 1950s. But Saturday's contest was a total mismatch with the first half almost resembling a training session for PSG. Doué sent Barcola clean through in the 16th minute with a superb angled pass from midfield and the France winger finished neatly into the bottom left corner. Three minutes later, Doué found space on the right and his quick pass gave Barcola an easy finish from close range. Doué was named in the starting team only shortly before the start after winger Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia reportedly pulled out with headaches. With halftime approaching, Barcola whipped over a left-wing cross and Hakimi volleyed in neatly from close range. PSG dropped off in the second half and and created little except for Ousmane Dembélé's effort hitting the crossbar. Real Madrid makes Ancelotti's departure official, calling the coach a 'true legend' Luis Enrique is within sight of his second continental treble in 10 years after achieving the first with Lionel Messi-led Barcelona. PSG is clearly in form but Inter may be the more match-fit side having contested a tough Serie A title race all the way to Friday night, when Napoli sealed it. 

The six times champions Dhaka Abahani Limited consolidated their claim for the runners-up position in the 10-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football despite of playing 1-1 draw with mediocre Rahmatganj MFS at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla on Saturday. In the day’s other match, last time champions Bashundhara Kings made their runners-up hope uncertain after playing 1-1 draw with Fortis FC at the home ground of Bashundhara Kings Arena Saturday evening. Dhaka Mohammedan SC, which clinched the first-ever BPL crown with three matches spare earlier, now bagged 39 points from 17 matches with 12 win, three draw and two defeats and will play lowly Youngmen’s Club Fakirerpool in their remaining match on next Tuesday (May 29). The sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani Ltd, which bagged 32 points from 17 encounters with nine win, five draw and three defeats, now needed just a draw against Brothers Unions Club in their remaining match on next Tuesday to assure league runners-up spot. After a barren first half in Cumilla, Nigerian forward Emeka Ogbugh scored first for Dhaka Abahani Ltd in the 64th minute (1-0) while Ghanaian striker Samuel Boateng neutralized the margin for Rahmatganj MFS in the 74th minute (1-1). At the Kings Arena, midfielder Mohammad Abdullah put Fortis FC ahead in the 67th minute (1-0) while national colored forward Shekh Morsalin leveled the margin for the Kings in the 80th minute (1-1).. Bashundhara Kings, bagged 29 points from 17 matches with eight wins, five draw and four defeats, now have to win their remaining match with lowly Dhaka Wanderers Club on Tuesday and also have to await for Dhaka Abahani’s defeat against Brothers Union to decide their fate. In the day’s another match, Bangladesh Police FC beating relagated side Chittagong Abahani Limited by 2-1 goals at the Mymensingh District Stadium Saturday afternoon. Al Amin scored both the goals for Police FC in 11th and 49th minutes while MS Islam netted the lone goal for port city team Chittagong Abahani in the 64th minute. 

Real Madrid made it official on Friday that Carlo Ancelotti is leaving the club after the end of the Spanish league this weekend. Ancelotti had already been announced as the next Brazil coach but the Spanish club had yet to make any announcement about his departure. Ancelotti had another year left on his contract. “Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti have reached an agreement to bring an end to his time as Real Madrid coach,” the club said in a statement. “Our club wishes to express its gratitude and appreciation for a man who is a true legend of both Real Madrid and world football.”  Messi's favorite goal, a header for Barcelona in 2009 Champions League final, to become work of art Madrid will pay tribute to Ancelotti on Saturday during the team's final match of the league season against Real Sociedad in the Spanish league at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Also bidding farewell on Saturday will be veteran midfielder Luka Modric. “Carlo Ancelotti will forever be part of the great madridista family," Madrid club president Florentino Pérez said. "We feel incredibly honored to have had the chance to enjoy a coach who has helped us achieve so much success, but who has also embodied our club’s values in such exemplary fashion.” Madrid had not released any reaction or statement about its coach since Brazil’s announcement. The official announcement of Ancelotti's departure opens the way for Madrid to announce its next coach, who is widely expected to be Xabi Alonso. The former Madrid player recently confirmed he is leaving Bayer Leverkusen. Ancelotti is leaving after four mostly successful years in his second stint with Madrid, which won both the Champions League and the Spanish league last season. Ancelotti also coached the club from 2013-2015. In total, he was in charge of Madrid in more than 350 matches and helped it win three Champions Leagues, three Club World Cups, two Spanish leagues, two Copa del Reys, three UEFA Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups.  Man United faces more financial turmoil after Europa League final loss Madrid began the season by winning the UEFA Super Cup title but has mostly struggled since then. Many Madrid fans blamed Ancelotti for its relatively poor season, saying he lost control over the squad and wasn’t able to get the team ready for the clasicos against Barcelona, which won the league. Madrid lost all four matches against the Catalan club this season.

Lionel Messi has revealed his favorite goal, and it wasn't one of the hundreds he has scored with his legendary left foot. It was a header — one that sealed Barcelona's 2009 Champions League final win over Manchester United. The Inter Miami star, World Cup champion for Argentina and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner made the announcement on Thursday, saying that goal from 16 years ago stands above the many he has logged for club and country over his unparalleled career. “I’ve scored many goals that might have been even more beautiful and valuable — also because of their importance — but the header in the Champions League final against Manchester United has always been my favorite,” Messi said. Messi had plenty of options to choose from: He’s scored more than 800 goals for Argentina, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. The reason that he picked one to stand out is for charity. A depiction of that goal is being turned into a work of art, one that will be auctioned off to raise money for various causes. Messi and the artist, Refik Anadol, will both sign the art piece, which will be unveiled by auction house Christie’s on June 11. Lionel Messi speaks after latest Inter Miami loss, says reeling team must stick together There will be a public exhibition period, along with an auction from July 15-22. A statement from Inter Miami on Thursday said that people within Christie's “suggest this one-of-a-kind work has all the makings of a record-breaking sale.” “Leo Messi’s goal is more than a defining moment in sport — it is a complex expression of human intent, memory, and motion," Anadol said. “By integrating biosensing technologies and advanced AI systems trained on data from that singular event, we are exploring a new frontier in AI art — one in which data becomes emotion, and memory becomes form.” The goal put Barcelona up 2-0 in the 70th minute, and that was the final score of the match. It was like few others in Messi's career. Barcelona's Xavi Hernández came down the right side of the field and lofted a chip into the penalty box. Messi — not known for headers — leaped to reach the ball that was estimated to be nearly 9 feet (2.70 meters) in the air, redirecting it with his head past Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van de Sar. Messi tumbled to the ground, losing one of his cleats in the process. He picked up the shoe and took off in celebration. “I already knew how special Refik Anadol’s work is, and after we had the chance to meet in Miami, it’s going to be exciting to see how he can transform a goal — a moment in sports — into a unique piece of art, like the ones he creates,” Messi said. Allende scores twice to help Inter Miami tie the Earthquakes 3-3 in Messi's MLS Bay Area debut Proceeds from the sale will benefit multiple nonprofits, the team said, including the Inter Miami CF Foundation’s global partnership with UNICEF.