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Jordi Alba joins Messi and Busquets at Inter Miami

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Jordi Alba joins Messi and Busquets at Inter Miami

Jordi Alba has joined Inter Miami with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.

The 34-year-old Spain full-back has signed a contract extension through the conclusion of the 2024 Major League Soccer season, with a club option for 2025.

Alba departed Barcelona after 11 years with the Spanish giants this summer.

“We know that he’ll help Inter Miami achieve the club’s objectives this season and beyond,” said Inter Miami’s sporting director Chris Henderson.

Alba helped Barcelona win six La Liga titles and the Champions League in 2015, while also helping Spain win Euro 2012 and the 2023 Nations League.

Argentina World Cup champion Messi, 36, and Alba’s fellow Spaniard Busquets, 35, have already moved to Major League Soccer in the United States.

Messi and Busquets were unveiled to a jubilant audience of about 20,000 Inter Miami fans on Sunday at the club’s DRV PNK Stadium, escorted by co-owner and former England captain David Beckham.

Seven-time Winner of the Ballon d’Or Messi practised with his Miami teammates for the first time on Tuesday and is scheduled to make his debut against Cruz Azul of Mexico City in their Leagues Cup opener on Friday.

Alba, who has 459 Barcelona appearances and 93 Spain games, should be eligible to face Atlanta United on Tuesday.

“Jordi is an accomplished, dynamic and experienced player that we’re excited to acquire to continue bolstering our squad,” Henderson added.

“He has proven for over a decade that he is one of the best full-backs in the sport due to both his defensive solidity and capacity to contribute in the attack.”

“Jordi is an accomplished, dynamic and experienced player that we’re excited to acquire to continue bolstering our squad,” Henderson added.

“He has proven for over a decade that he is one of the best full-backs in the sport due to both his defensive solidity and capacity to contribute in the attack.”

Alba had one year left on his contract with Barcelona, which he signed from Valencia in 2012, but the club agreed to let him go in May.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami has been connected with another former Barcelona star, 36-year-old Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, who is presently playing for Gremio in Brazil.

Between 2014 to 2020, the ex-Liverpool attacker played with Messi, Busquets, and Alba at the Nou Camp.

“We haven’t had direct talks with Gremio or Suarez,” Inter Miami president Jorge Mas stated on Tuesday.

“I don’t know how Luis Suarez can leave Gremio. But if he does, we are free to talk to Luis and bring him to Inter Miami. That possibility would be there.”

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It feels like I’ve been here a long time – Mohammed Kudus after scoring his first goal for West Ham

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The Ghanaian international scored his first goal for the club in their 3-1 turnaround win against Serbian side TSC Backa Topola. The West London based club returned to Europa League action on Thursday night after their Europa Conference League win last season as the former Ajax attacking midfielder netted his first goal for the Hummers. Watch Kudus’ post-match interview below:

The Ghanaian international scored his first goal for the club in a 3-1 comeback victory over Serbian side TSC Backa Topola.

After winning the Europa Conference League last season, the West London club returned to Europa League play on Thursday night, with the former Ajax offensive midfielder scoring his first goal for the Hummers.

Below is Kudus’ post-match interview:

https://x.com/sportworldghana/status/1704994333353468177?s=20

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“Mohammed Kudus is yet another weapon for David Moyes” – Joe Cole

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Kudus' first goal for West Ham brings his season total to five goals in six games, following his five goals for Ajax before entering the London Stadium. To far, the 23-year-old has scored nine goals in 18 appearances in the Champions League and Europa League. Kudus will now look to make his Premier League debut against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Former West Ham and Chelsea player Joe Cole praised Mohammed Kudus after the summer signing scored his first goal for the club in the team’s 3-1 Europa League victory against Backa Topola.

Kudus, who joined the Hammers for £38 million from Dutch giants Ajax, made his debut appearance for the club. The Ghanaian international was instrumental in West Ham’s comeback after Petar Stanic handed the Serbian visitors an unexpected lead.

Kudus applied pressure at the back post, which resulted in Nemanja Petrovic turning Said Benrahma’s cross into his own net in the 66th minute. Kudus sealed the comeback four minutes later with a headed goal from a James Ward-Prowse corner.

Joe Cole, appearing on TNT Sports, praised Kudus’ performance and believes the attacker will become a useful asset to David Moyes’ West Ham club.

“He [Kudus] looked like he was happy and settled,” Cole remarked. “He is another weapon for David Moyes. I look at this team and I see goals everywhere; it was a great night for West Ham.

Kudus’ first goal for West Ham brings his season total to five goals in six games, following his five goals for Ajax before entering the London Stadium.

To far, the 23-year-old has scored nine goals in 18 appearances in the Champions League and Europa League.

Kudus will now look to make his Premier League debut against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

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George Owu justifies the choice of Andre Ayew in Ghana’s team, emphasising the need of experience

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The club will require Ayew more at this level, according to the former Hasaacas shot-stopper, because the existing players are not properly grounded. "This is a young team with only a few seasoned players. The only experienced players are Andre Ayew and Jordan. Kudus, for example, are suddenly finding their feet," George Owu told Onua Sports. "Andre Ayew has made significant contributions to Ghana football, winning the U-20 World Cup in 2009, but he appears unhappy whenever he plays for Ghana due to the way fans treat him." "We must be patient with [Andre Ayew]." He will undoubtedly declare his retirement at some point, but for the time being, he is still required.

Former Black Stars custodian George Owu has pleaded with Ghanaians not to be judgmental of Andre Ayew’s selection in Ghana teams, despite his uneven club activities in recent months.

The Ghana captain is now without a club after leaving Premier League team Nottingham Forest at the end of last season.

He was, however, included in Chris Hughton’s latest squad for Ghana’s matches against the Central African Republic in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, as well as an international friendly against Liberia, which Ghana won 3-1.

Despite many Ghanaians’ reservations over the inclusion of the 33-year-old, George Owu agrees with Hughton’s reasoning, emphasising experience as a major aspect in the player’s invitation.

The club will require Ayew more at this level, according to the former Hasaacas shot-stopper, because the existing players are not properly grounded.

“This is a young team with only a few seasoned players. The only experienced players are Andre Ayew and Jordan. Kudus, for example, are suddenly finding their feet,” George Owu told Onua Sports.

“Andre Ayew has made significant contributions to Ghana football, winning the U-20 World Cup in 2009, but he appears unhappy whenever he plays for Ghana due to the way fans treat him.”

“We must be patient with [Andre Ayew].” He will undoubtedly declare his retirement at some point, but for the time being, he is still required.

“There are players who lack motivation to play because they are afraid of being criticised, and it will take people like Ayew to boost their morale.”

“The insults and criticisms are unnecessary, and they will not aid the new player’s adjustment,” he continued.

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