The Lioness line! England women to be honoured as plans to rename London Overground lines revealed by TfL

Transport for London has announced that it will name one of its London Overground lines after the Lionesses to honour the England team's achievements.

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England women honoured with London Overground line'The Lioness line' will run through WembleyFollows iconic achievements under Sarina WiegmanWHAT HAPPENED?

TfL announced last year that it would be renaming six of its London Overground lines and on Thursday it was revealed that one of them will be known as 'the Lioness line', following the remarkable milestones that England have hit under Sarina Wiegman's charge over the last 18 months. The line will run from Euston to Watford Junction and through Wembley.

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It was at Wembley that the Lionesses won their first major tournament in the summer of 2022, lifting the European Championship trophy after beating Germany in extra time. They then followed that up last year with a run to the World Cup final, becoming the first senior England side to get there since the men won the tournament in 1966.

DID YOU KNOW?

When the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022, they did so in front of a crowd of 87,192. That is a record attendance for a Euros match, across both the men's and women's tournaments.

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England will play their first fixtures of 2024 later this month, taking on Austria and Italy in a pair of friendlies in Spain.

Aston Villa fans react as former manager candidate Thierry Henry is sacked by Monaco

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As reported by BBC Sport, Monaco have given manager Thierry Henry the boot after the Arsenal legend failed to impress given 20 games at the helm. Henry took over from Leonardo Jardim in October but has been unable to lift Monaco out of the relegation zone.

The 41-year-old was linked with the vacant Aston Villa job after Steve Bruce was sacked but ended up taking a role in his native France instead, while Villa appointed then Brentford boss Dean Smith as their new manager.

Smith has done an unremarkable job so far but has kept his side in touching distance of the play-off spots, even if the Villans will have to both pull off some excellent results and count on others going their way between now and the end of the season if they are to earn promotion.

The 47-year-old currently boasts a 35% win rate with Villa having emerged victorious in six out of 17 games so far, while Henry won five out of 20 during his short tenure at Monaco, equalling a 25% win rate. However, the Frenchman lost a whopping 11 games, while Smith has been on the losing end of just 5 matches.

While many were surely hoping for the commercially appealing appointment of Henry when the Midlands outfit were in managerial limbo, it seems most of the Villa faithful are counting their lucky stars that the former striker snubbed them, meaning they went for sensible Smith.

You can check out the best of the reaction on Twitter below…

Thogden has ranked his top 5 sets of Championship away fans for Pl>ymaker FC. Did your club make the list? Find out in the video above…

Revealed: When Cristiano Ronaldo ‘will finish’ & what needs to happen before Al-Nassr superstar considers retirement

Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will only “finish” his remarkable career when his body begins to give up, says Portugal manager Roberto Martinez.

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All-time great showing no sign of slowing downContinues to star for club and countryWill not hang up his boots any time soonWHAT HAPPENED?

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still going strong at 38 years of age, with nobody in world football bettering his return of 54 goals for club and country across the calendar year of 2023. The all-time great is showing no sign of slowing down, with the expectation being that he has several years left at the very highest level.

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Ronaldo has suggested in the past that he will play on into his 40s, providing that he steers clear of serious injury, with there no desire on his part to consider retirement. He has worked relentlessly to keep himself in peak physical condition, while demanding nothing but the best from himself and those around him.

WHAT MARTINEZ SAID ABOUT RONALDO

As long he retains that hunger and fitness, Martinez sees no reason why Ronaldo would give any thought to hanging up his boots. Portugal’s head coach has told when asked when the all-time great could call it a day: “Cristiano will finish the day he decides that his body cannot give him what he wants on the pitch. At the moment he still wants to win everything. There are no other 38 year olds that can give you the level that he gives physically in two international games within a space of three days.”

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Former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star Ronaldo is working on a contract at Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr through to 2025. He is expected to grace Euro 2024 with his country, while playing on towards the 2026 World Cup, and will continue to enhance international records in the men’s game that have already seen him earn 205 caps and score 128 goals for Portugal.

Paul Pogba pay cut! Juventus plan contract talks with World Cup winner as he struggles to justify €8m salary

Juventus are reportedly planning contract reconstruction talks with Paul Pogba, with the France international bracing himself for a pay cut.

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Frenchman returned to Italy in 2022Has struggled with injuryBianconeri looking to revise termsWHAT HAPPENED?

The World Cup-winning midfielder returned to Turin in the summer of 2022 amid much fanfare. He had endured a tough time at Manchester United, on the back of a record-breaking move to Old Trafford in 2016, but was still a hero to many at the Allianz Stadium.

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Pogba has found form and fitness hard to come by back in Italy, with a string of injury issues restricting him to just 11 appearances in a little over 12 months. Juve are seeing little return on their investment, with the 30-year-old working on a deal that delivers an €8 million (£7m/$9m) annual salary.

DID YOU KNOW?

reports that Bianconeri director Cristiano Giuntoli will soon meet with Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta to talk terms. It is claimed that the Frenchman will be asked to take a pay cut, or agree to a revised deal that will see his basic wage topped up to €8m-a-year through a series of performance-related bonuses.

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Pogba has started just one game for Juventus since rejoining their ranks, with his efforts at present falling a long way short of what he produced during a previous stint in Italy – with 34 goals recorded and four Serie A titles claimed between 2012 and 2016.

Luis Suarez cleared for Lionel Messi reunion at MLS side Inter Miami as Gremio boss confirms Uruguayan striker’s imminent departure

Luis Suarez has been cleared to take in a reunion with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, with Gremio confirming the striker’s imminent departure.

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Veteran frontman has impressed in BrazilSet to be released from his contractFree to join ex-Barca team-mates in FloridaWHAT HAPPENED?

The veteran frontman will be bidding farewell to Brazilian football at the end of the calendar year, with an early termination of his contract being agreed. Suarez will then be free to head to the United States and link up with former Barcelona team-mates Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at MLS side Inter Miami.

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Renato Gaucho has told reporters when asked about bidding farewell to Suarez – who has hit 26 goals through 51 appearances for Gremio: “Are we going to miss him? Certainly, without a doubt, he is very loved by everyone. I had the pleasure of working with a great professional, one of the best in the world, fourth highest scorer in the world. This void will remain for the next year, because it's not easy to find someone of his talent and ability. When you find someone else, it's unfeasible to bring him in financially. Unfortunately, as I said before, it was very difficult for him to stay. Everyone wanted it, but only he could reverse this decision. Unfortunately, he will leave and there will be this vacuum in Gremio's attack. Then it's up to the board and president to try and find another striker. It was a great pleasure, not only for me but for the whole club. A guy who always gave himself, an exemplary professional.”

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Renato added on the impact that Suarez has made during his time in Brazil, with the 36-year-old still boasting boundless energy and a desire to win at all costs: “It's a great sadness for everyone. He arrived at the beginning of the year, he has helped us a lot, the fans were enchanted with him. He is an extraordinary professional on and off the field. He arrived quietly, he was letting go, playing, accepting the games. I often wanted to take him out of training or a game, but he wanted to continue. He wants to play every game and it doesn't hurt."

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Suarez will take in his final home game as a Gremio player on Sunday, against Vasco da Gama. His last outing will be away at Fluminense on December 7, with a path then being cleared for him to take in a short break before potentially joining up with Messi and Inter Miami for pre-season training ahead of the 2024 MLS campaign.

Chelsea forward Sam Kerr sends birthday message to fiancee and USWNT star Kristie Mewis as couple jet off to Paris to celebrate

Chelsea star Sam Kerr wished fiancee Kristie Mewis on her birthday on social media as the couple jetted off to Paris.

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Sam Kerr wished fiancee Kristie Mewis on her birthCouple celebrating Mewis' birthday in ParisKerr ruptured her ACL in JanuaryWHAT HAPPENED?

United States women's national team and West Ham star Mewis turned 33 on Sunday as she is celebrating her special day with fiancee Kerr in Paris. The Chelsea forward took to social media to share a heartfelt birthday wish for her partner.

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Taking to Instagram, Kerr shared a series of photos with a beautiful caption that read, "Happy birthday to my love. No one keeps me more entertained than you & always happy birthday to Mac!"

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The couple's romance rumours first ignited during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the confirmation of their relationship came shortly after when the Blues striker posted a heartfelt photo of them kissing on Instagram. Since then, the couple has openly shared their love on social media. They got engaged in September 2023.

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The Australia international ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a Chelsea training camp in Morocco in January which ruled her out of action for the remainder of the season. Mewis, on the other hand, was omitted from the USWNT roster for the ongoing 2024 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup.

Revealed: Real Madrid to submit FINAL offer for Kylian Mbappe in January transfer window – but it will come with one major catch for PSG superstar as Erling Haaland backup plan remains in place

Real Madrid are ready to make their final offer for Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe in January, but it will come with one major catch.

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Madrid will make Mbappe offer in JanuaryWill give striker just two weeks to decideOtherwise will target Haaland insteadWHAT HAPPENED?

Madrid are ready to make a final offer for Mbappe in January, but will only give the forward until the 15th of the month to make a decision on his future, according to AS. Mbappe is out of contract in the summer and will be free to negotiate with Los Blancos. Madrid have already missed out on Mbappe once, and are determined not to do so again. However, if he does not agree a deal by the club's deadline, then they will switch their focus to Manchester City's Erling Haaland instead.

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Mbappe remains a crucial figure for PSG and has scored 15 goals in 13 Ligue 1 appearances for the club so far this season. The French giants remain keen to keep hold of Mbappe but have not yet been able to reach an agreement on a new contract. It remains to be seen what Mbappe will do next, but Madrid appear to be willing to move on swiftly if he does not agree a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu. Haaland is said to have a release clause in his Manchester City contract that can be triggered by teams outside of England in 2024.

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Haaland has just broken Mbappe's record to become the youngest player to score 40 goals in the Champions League at the age of 23 years and 130 days. The Manchester City striker is also the fastest player to achieve the landmark, needing just 35 games to hit the milestone in Europe's premier club competition.

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WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE & HAALAND?

Mbappe's future could become clearer in the coming weeks, with the France international free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with other clubs from January 1st if he has not renewed with PSG. The 24-year-old has long been Madrid's top target, but will have to make a decision on his future quickly if he is to link up with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior in the Spanish capital.

Portugal player ratings vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: Cristiano Ronaldo can't stop scoring! Captain bags a brace in dominant win to stay perfect in Euro 2024 qualifying

The Al-Nassr striker scored his 126th and 127th international goals as Roberto Martinez's side cruised to a win

Cristiano Ronaldo was among the goals once more, while the group around him also chipped in, as Portugal thrashed Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Selecao led 4-0 after half an hour, and scored five by half time, running away 5-0 winners, and maintaining a perfect record in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Manager Roberto Martinez deployed a full strength lineup despite already sealing qualification to next year's tournament.

And his side wasted no time putting Bosnia and Herzegovina to the sword. Ronaldo opened the scoring inside 10 minutes, converting from the penalty spot after a handball in the Bosnia and Herzegovina box. The forward added a second 15 minutes later, latching onto Joao Felix's threaded pass and lifting the ball over the keeper.

Bruno Fernandes put the game beyond doubt soon after, ghosting beyond the Bosnia backline and lashing an effort into the roof of the net. And the floodgates soon opened for the Selecao. Joao Cancelo scored the fourth after 32 minutes, curling one into the top corner from the edge of the box. And Felix got a deserved one of his own, taking advantage of a defensive collapse to poke home the fifth.

Martinez rotated in the second half, and a much-changed side created admittedly little. But by that time, the damage was done.

GOAL rates Portugal's players from Bilino Polje…

Goalkeeper & Defence

Diogo Costa (6/10):

A spectator, was rarely used.

Diogo Dalot (7/10):

Got up the wing with regularity. Made himself a mainstay for his national team.

Ruben Dias (7/10):

Won the ball when he had to, but it was mostly an exercise in short-range passing.

Goncalo Inacio (7/10):

Provided a lovely lofted ball for Fernandes' goal. Connected with the midfield well.

Joao Cancelo (8/10):

Scored an outrageous fourth, was involved for a further two. Is hitting his best for club and country, at the moment.

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Danilo Pereira (6/10):

Didn't really have all that much to do other than drop in and keep the ball moving. A strange selection choice, given the opponent.

Bruno Fernandes (8/10):

Tok his goal wonderfully and looked dangerous between the lines.

Otavio (6/10):

Covered a lot of ground, connected with the front line well, but didn't have a massive impact in front of goal.

Attack

Cristiano Ronaldo (8/10):

Scored twice, came close to bagging yet another Portugal hat-trick. What more can you ask?

Joao Felix (9/10):

Ronaldo may have been the finisher, but Felix was Portugal's most apparent threat. Assisted, took his goal wonderfully, and set everything else up.

Rafael Leao (7/10):

The only one of Portugal's front three not to get on the scoresheet. Still dangerous, though.

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Subs & Manager

Diogo Jota (7/10):

Looked dangerous in the final third. A good runout.

Pedro Neto (6/10):

Energetic without being impactful.

Ruben Neves (6/10):

Did little else other than crack a free-kick into the wall.

Vitinha (N/A):

No time to make an impact.

Joao Neves (N/A):

No time to make an impact.

Roberto Martinez (8/10):

Put out a full strength XI, despite already sealing qualification. Portugal turned in a dominant first half, and mostly controlled the second. Eight games, eight wins, 24 points.

Real Madrid left sweating! Eduardo Camavinga forced out of France training with knee injury

Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga suffered a knee injury in France training, as Carlo Ancelotti's injury issues mount.

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Forced off after collision with Ousmane DembeleWill undergo tests, thought not to be seriousMadrid already without Aurelien TchouameniWHAT HAPPENED?

The midfielder was forced off the training pitch after sustaining a knock and will require further tests to determine the extent of the injury. He is expected to receive treatment in the coming days, but the problem isn't thought to be serious, according to .

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Camavinga's knock comes at an inopportune time for Los Blancos. They already find themselves shorthanded in defensive midfield, with Aurelien Tchouameni not expected to return until the new year. There is, however, cover at left-back — Camavinga's other position — with Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy waiting in the wings.

Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

Camavinga is the youngest player since 1914 to represent the French national team, after making his debut at 17 years and 303 days, coming on at half-time against Croatia in September 2020. Paris Saint-Germain youngster Warren Zaire-Emery could break that record if he makes an appearance in either of France's Euro 2024 qualifiers this week.

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WHAT NEXT FOR CAMAVINGA?

The Madrid midfielder will undergo tests in the coming days to determine the severity of the injury, as Ancelotti will hope that another key player doesn't face an extended spell out of the side.

'Absolutely buzzing' – Lionesses legend Jill Scott reacts to being inducted into WSL Hall of Fame with Ellen White and Anita Asante

Lionesses legend Jill Scott says she is delighted to be inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame alongside former team-mates Ellen White and Anita Asante.

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Scott inducted into WSL Hall of FameJoined by Asante and WhiteDelighted to receive honourWHAT HAPPENED?

Scott was selected in the 2023 class along with fellow Euro 2022 winner Ellen White and former-Lioness Anita Asante at a ceremony in Manchester on Monday. The popular former-Manchester City and Everton star could not hide her delight as she discussed what the award meant to her.

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“I’m absolutely buzzing to be honest," beamed Scott at the event at the National Football Museum. "I’ve seen Kelly Smith, Rachel Yankey, Karen Carney, players like that getting inducted in.

“Just to have your name alongside those fantastic players who over the years were my heroes really – even when we played in England together I would question why I was even with those players at times."

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The WSL Hall of Fame was created in 2021 to honour players, coaches or officials that have served in the WSL with distinction. The full list of inductees is:

2021 – Emma Hayes, Rachel Yankey, Kelly Smith, Fara Williams

2022 – Karen Carney, Katie Chapman, Eni Aluko

2023 – Jill Scott, Ellen White, Anita Asanta

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WHAT NEXT FOR THE WSL?

The WSL continues this weekend with a a Manchester derby between United and City at Old Trafford the standout fixture.

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