‘I’ve never thought this tournament was balanced' – Tigres' Javier Aquino joins growing number of Liga MX players and managers to criticize Leagues Cup

The Felinos have earned two victories in the tournament, meaning qualification is in their hands.

They beat San Diego FC 2–1Ángel Correa scored a braceThey will face LAFC on TuesdayGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Tigres are one of the few teams still boasting a perfect record at the Leagues Cup, after recording back-to-back wins against MLS opponents. Under Guido Pizarro’s watch, they cruised past the Houston Dynamo and then defeated San Diego FC – with Ángel Correa netting a brace in both outings.

Following the win over San Diego, Javier Aquino spoke in the mixed zone and joined the criticism aimed at the tournament, insisting it has never been balanced between the leagues.

“I’ve never thought this tournament was balanced – honestly, fairness would be them having to come play at our place too, travel, leave their families and their homes. That would make things more even. But the rules are there and we have to respect them,” he said.

Aquino added that Tigres feel a responsibility to step up for Liga MX and showcase the quality of Mexican clubs.

“We have to show the level the Mexican league is known for and try to uphold the reputation of both the league and our club. We’re trying to do our best and represent Tigres properly,” he said.

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Aquino's comments reflect the growing frustration among Liga MX sides, who have been vocal about their discomfort with the competition’s format – especially the fact that every match is staged in the United States. While several MLS teams have been able to play at their home stadiums, Mexican clubs have had to travel constantly from city to city, fuelling the perception that the tournament is lopsided. Still, after two rounds of action, the level of play has been strong, and both leagues continue to feed a rivalry that is growing rapidly.

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Pizarro also praised Ángel Correa’s form since arriving from Atlético de Madrid.

“I’m happy for Ángel, he’s getting more comfortable every day – credit to the group for helping him settle. We’ve only played two games, nothing is decided yet, it’ll all come down to the last match,” he said.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR TIGRES?Tigres will look to close out a perfect group stage next Tuesday when they take on LAFC at BMO Stadium.

Walter: Nortje not 'very far away' from returning to his best

Anrich Nortje is not “very far away,” from being back to his best, according to South Africa’s white-ball coach Rob Walter, who is not too disheartened with the fast bowler’s figures since returning from a six-month absence caused by a stress fracture.Nortje did not play a match between September 2023 and March 2024 – missing the ODI World Cup and the full South African home summer as a result – and opted out of a central contract for this year. Since returning to action, he has played 11 T20 games across the CSA T20, the IPL and – most recently – a series against West Indies, bowling 40 overs to pick up nine wickets for 449 runs. He has an overall economy rate of 11.22, and went at a rate of more than 12 runs an over in his two T20Is, but Walter remains confident in his ability ahead of the T20 World Cup.”They’ve been tough conditions for a fast bowler and [Nortje was] coming up against a side who were pretty brutal if you were off the mark. He probably experienced the exact same thing having come off a break into his first four games at the IPL. So he probably landed himself in a perfect storm, which in many ways can harden you and get you even more ready,” Walter told a press conference on Tuesday. “I still don’t believe he’s very far away. A world-class performer finds a way and I don’t doubt that he will as well.”Related

  • Burger and de Zorzi get CSA contracts; Nortje and de Kock omitted from list

  • Nortje returns in Markram-led South Africa T20 World Cup squad

  • 'Can't keep making the same mistakes,' says van der Dussen

Nortje was chosen in South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad ahead of Lungi Ngidi, who sat out the IPL with a lower back concern but returned during the CSA T20 Challenge, where he took eight wickets in eight matches at an average of 19.37 and conceded at 8.30 runs to the over.Despite Ngidi’s wide-range of slower-ball variations, when the T20 World Cup squad was announced, Walter explained he opted for Nortje for raw pace, and he stands by that choice. “The ideal is to use every person’s x-factor to the best of our ability. His x-factor is his pace so we are definitely always looking to use that 150-plus speed that he has,” Walter said.In the two matches Nortje played against West Indies, he reached above 150kph with some deliveries – and those were often dispatched as quickly as they arrived – but also took pace off, going down to 110kph. “He is more than that (pace), really, and he has developed a good set of skills from a slower ball point of view,” Walter said. ” So I do believe he can bowl on different surfaces and in different positions of the game. But his main job is to strike, really, and break the game open, and then finish it, and then close it up.”For slower balls, South Africa will also look to Ottneil Baartman, SA20’s second-highest wicket-taker this season, who made his debut against West Indies. Baartman took 3 for 26 in his first international and dismissed batters with the new and old ball but picked up a lower-limb injury that forced him out of the next two matches but has returned to training.Ottniel Baartman can mix up pace and offer variation to South Africa’s attack•SA 20

“Ottneil bowled yesterday”, Walter said. “He performed excellently well, and continues to perform excellently well so I’m very excited by what Ottneil has brought to the side. He is a very simple and highly talented and skilled individual who sort of slides under the radar in terms of the job that he’s doing. He bowls in the toughest parts of the game and finds a way to get it done well.”Tabraiz Shamsi, who did not play in the West Indies series and also suffered a niggle, has also been in the nets and that is all the practice South Africa will get. Their official warm-up match, scheduled for Wednesday in Florida, has been cancelled for logistical reasons.”With the IPL unfolding the way it was, as well as this tour in the West Indies, it would have meant that we played the 24th, 25th, 26th, traveled on the 27th, and then played on the 29th, being unsure as to who was going to arrive when from the IPL. So it just wasn’t tenable for us to play a game,” Walter said. “We would have loved to have had one warm-up game; it’s not like we’ve been short of playing.”Three South Africans – Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen – were involved in the IPL final on Sunday while one other, Keshav Maharaj, was part of the Rajasthan Royals squad that played the Eliminator last Friday. South Africa will now hold intra-squad scenario training before traveling to New York for their first match against Sri Lanka on June 3.

Liverpool appoint former Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor ahead of new Women's Super League season

Liverpool have finally filled their managerial vacancy ahead of the new Women's Super League season, appointing former Man City boss Gareth Taylor.

  • Taylor appointed as new Liverpool head coach
  • Reds without permanent boss since February
  • Former Man City manager out of work since March
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The Reds have been without a permanent head coach since the departure of Matt Beard back in late February. Amber Whiteley, his assistant, took charge of the team on an interim basis for the remainder of the 2024-25 season and did her best to stake a claim for getting the job on a full-time basis. However, Liverpool have gone in a different direction, announcing Taylor's appointment on Friday.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Taylor left his post as Man City boss back in March, when he was shockingly sacked just five days before his team were set to play the League Cup final. League results had been disappointing, with City's title charge well and truly over by that point and their chances of secure a Champions League spot in danger. As such, the club tried to make a change in time to improve their chances of European football, but it did not work. It brought to an end an almost five-year spell in charge for Taylor, who delivered an FA Cup and a League Cup in that time.

  • WHAT TAYLOR SAID

    "I am delighted to have been appointed as Liverpool’s new head coach," Taylor said upon the announcement. "Everyone in football knows about the history, size and potential of this club, and I am really looking forward to the task ahead. Our aim is to create a team that supporters can be proud of, which plays good football and which will hopefully bring success along the way."

    Andy O'Boyle, the managing director of Liverpool's women's team, added: "I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Gareth to the club. This has been a very detailed process and it was clear that Gareth was the outstanding candidate. He has a proven track record of building successful, identity-driven teams and his ability to develop players and help them reach the next level is second to none. We have a very clear vision of how we will return [this team] to the upper echelons of the game and this is a crucial step on that journey. We want our team playing with a clear identity as a Liverpool team, playing Liverpool football in front of passionate Liverpool fans. Gareth shares that vision and we believe he has the qualities and experience to deliver it."

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  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Taylor should have plenty of money to spend in what remains of the transfer window as Liverpool sold Olivia Smith, their star player, to Arsenal for a world-record fee of £1 million ($1.34m) last month. It is a blow to lose the 21-year-old but the hope among fans will be that the club can use those funds to strengthen the squad overall, after an underwhelming seventh-placed finish in the WSL last term. In the season prior, the Reds – champions in 2013 and 2014 – came fourth.

Andy Flower: We need highly skillful bowlers at Chinnaswamy

The RCB head coach was reluctant to talk recruitment for next season, but acknowledged bowling at home will be key

Alagappan Muthu23-May-20242:03

Who is RR’s MVP? And will RCB be happy with their season?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru must focus on building a team that can do well at home when the mega auction comes around according to their head coach Andy Flower in the aftermath of their Eliminator exit against Rajasthan Royals. That means they have to buy “highly skillful bowlers” who will be able to cope with the small boundaries at the M Chinnaswamy stadium.”I think our guys have fought brilliantly over the last 10 weeks to come back from our first half of the tournament was a great effort,” Flower said, “And I certainly would pay tribute to Faf du Plessis for his captaincy and Faf and Virat [Kohli] for the way they’ve led from the front as role models and professional sports people. But also the way they’ve played. They both really been great role models for everyone else and the rest of the boys fought really hard to get us back into the tournament.”Related

RCB team director Mo Bobat: 'Winning the IPL is our target, but the way we play is our obsession'

Royals eliminate RCB to set up knockout against SRH

'We needed a little bit more' – Faf du Plessis on the runs RCB failed to score

How Hetmyer and Boult helped a Royal plan to tie up loose ends

RCB won six matches in a row to improve their net run-rate to make a dramatic last-minute dash into the playoffs. But they had a poor run in the first half of the season, winning just one out of seven games. Their bowling was one of the biggest concerns, with captain du Plessis then admitting that his side was struggling because their bowlers did not have “as many weapons”. RCB also struggled to convert their high-scoring home venue into a fortress, winning just one out of four games in the first half. But they returned to win the last three games at the venue.”As far as recruitment for next year,” Flower said, “it’s a bit early to talk about that. Quite frankly, I don’t want to talk about that yet. I do think though the Chinnaswamy has some particular qualities that we need to be able to exploit. You certainly need highly skillful bowlers at Chinnaswamy. Simply pace is not going to be the answer there. You need skillful, intelligent bowlers and people that can bowl to really specific plans at Chinnaswamy”And I think we’ve all seen how the power game has affected T20 cricket recently. So on the batting front, you certainly need to recruit batsmen with that sort of power that can keep up that sort of tempo.”T20 leagues vs internationals: ‘A bit of a problem that cricket has at the moment’One batter who did give RCB that kind of tempo was Will Jacks, who helped them in their quest to up their net run-rate enough that they could beat three other teams into the playoffs. However, having got there, RCB did not have access to Jacks because he was called back to England to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup.”It is a bit of a problem that the cricket world and the cricket calendar has at the moment,” Flower said. “We saw at the Big Bash recently, a lot of the overseas players left before the playoffs and the finals so it really devalued the tournament to a certain extent. You saw in the ILT20 as well, you saw a lot of coming and going with people that had finished in the SA20 and then came in even just for the finals of the ILT20. I think competitions have to be careful about that because the integrity of the competition is really important.”With a World Cup just around the corner, it’s very difficult. I completely understand why England wanted to recall those players. If I were England coach, I think I will be doing the same. So there are conundrums for the game that have to be ironed out. I’m not sure how with the busy-ness of the calendar at the moment. But it is a pity.”Will Jacks really hit his straps with us. He enjoyed the tournament with us and we enjoyed his power at No. 3 obviously. And it was a pity not to have him. But Cameron Green stepped into those shoes really well. [He] did really well for us, batting in a preferred position for him actually. At the moment that’s something I can’t control so we just try to make the best of it.”

Elwiss fifty in vain as Sunrisers take the sting out of the Vipers

Sunrisers returned to the top of the table after holding their nerve in a seesaw affair

ECB Reporters Network08-May-2024Sunrisers’ Flo Miller smashed an unbeaten 47 from 59 balls to secure victory in a see-saw game against Southern Vipers at Radlett and take her side back to the top of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy table.Vipers, the defending champions, looked clear favourites after reducing the home side to 138 for 6 in pursuit of their 212 target, with off-spinner Charli Knott taking t3 for 35. But Miller, 20, shared a seventh-wicket stand of 60 from 71 with Jo Gardner and kept her cool to score the winning run, securing Sunrisers’ fourth win of the tournament with three balls to spare.Jodi Grewcock top-scored for the home side with 56 from as many balls, while Sunrisers seamer Nic Hancock (three for 45) took her tally of wickets in the competition to 14 as the visitors posted 211 for 9, built around a Georgia Elwiss knock of 53 from 63.Sunrisers, unchanged from last weekend’s defeat to South East Stars, also stuck with their preferred game plan of bowling first after winning the toss – and carried it out sufficiently to ensure the visitors’ innings never gained traction.Kate Coppack (2 for 33) was consistent in the powerplay, gaining the initial breakthrough when she trapped Ella McCaughan lbw before spin duo Grewcock and Mady Villiers stifled the scoring rate.Villiers dismissed the dangerous Knott, who drove her into the hands of midwicket and Abi Norgrove, having compiled a patient 35, fell to Coppack in identical fashion before Elwiss and Georgia Adams (42 from 64) began to make progress.But Hancock made an instant impact with her second spell, bamboozling the Vipers skipper with a slower ball that hit the top of off stump and varying her pace again later in the same over to remove Emily Windsor.Elwiss held the innings together, picking out gaps in the field and surviving after Gardner spilled a routine catch at deep midwicket off Amu Surenkumar to post her first half-century of the tournament.She was dropped again in the deep by Miller, who recovered to dispatch an accurate throw and complete the first of two run-outs in the final over as Vipers slithered towards the finish line.However, the home side also struggled at the start of their reply as Freya Davies (1 for 30) delivered two early maidens and Adams and Knott tied the opening pair down at the other end.That pressure told as Sunrisers lost two wickets to run-outs in the space of three balls, with Scrivens’ attempt at a second run doomed by Nancy Harman’s pinpoint throw and Cordelia Griffith well short after Norgrove pounced on Amara Carr’s sweep to backward square.Yet instead of triggering greater caution, that double blow seemed to galvanise Sunrisers as Grewcock displayed intent and kept the scoreboard moving along as she and Carr (42 from 94) dragged the required rate below five an over.Knott’s return proved critical, breaking the partnership of 78 when Carr played on and Villiers holed out to deep midwicket before Surenkumar and Grewcock both fell to leave Sunrisers 138 for 6 – but Miller and Gardner kept their side in contention, bringing the target down to 18 from as many balls.Although Gardner was caught at mid-off, Miller steered Mary Taylor to the deep third boundary and Hancock smashed four more to settle Sunrisers’ nerves before her partner closed out the win.

Tottenham icon Son Heung-min told the MLS is 'closing the gap' on Europe ahead of LAFC transfer

Tottenham icon Son Heung-min has been told that Major League Soccer is "closing the gap on Europe" ahead of an impending Los Angeles FC move.

Son leaving TottenhamSet to sign for LAFCTold MLS is "closing gap on Europe"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After much speculation, Son revealed he would be leaving Tottenham this summer after 10 years at the club. Ahead of an eye-catching move to LAFC, former Rangers striker Kris Boyd believes that the MLS has come a long way in recent years, that the South Korean star can be a hit there, and it's an "attractive" league to go to.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT BOYD SAID

The former Portland Timbers striker told BestBettingSites.com: "I was fortunate to get the chance to move to the MLS. At the time, it was a place where some people went to wind down their careers, but even then things were changing. I think David Beckham took the MLS to a new level, and it made people sit up and want to join him. A decade or more on from that, it’s incredible. The money that has been spent has created incredible infrastructure, and you can see why people are willing to spend fortunes to own a franchise. It’s an attractive league to go to. I think Son has been a top player for years at Spurs and now he will see this as one last move. It might be a step down for him, but the difference is MLS is bringing along some great young players. South Americans and African players can make the move and develop, and the club can get big money for them as they make a top career. The standard gets better every year. It’s a totally different competition from the one I played in, and it’s come on leaps and bounds. I see some really talented players over there now, and it’s one of the elite leagues. The Premier League is at the top, but the MLS is closing the gap on Europe, and their attendances are superb."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Son will go down as a Tottenham legend. He has spent a decade there, scored 173 goals, played 454 games, and helped them end their 17-year wait to win a trophy with their Europa League triumph. The ex-Bayer Leverkusen man has given everything for Spurs, so nobody can begrudge him a change of scene.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

It may just be a matter of time before Son completes his switch to LAFC. For Tottenham, they are losing a quality player, albeit his powers may be slightly on the wane. But they need quality replacements to fill his considerable shoes. 

Madson é oficialmente anunciado como reforço do Athletico-PR

MatériaMais Notícias

Quatro anos depois de ter feito sua primeira passagem no Athletico-PR, o lateral-direito Madson teve o seu retorno oficializado pelo Furacão. O acordo entre as partes foi assinado até dezembro de 2024 e não teve custo de transferência para a equipe da Baixada.

Após ter feito 32 partidas com cinco tentos, duas assistências e as conquistas tanto da Levain Cup como da Copa do Brasil, Madson se transferiu para o Santos, clube que defendeu até dezembro do ano passado.

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>Acompanhe o que acontece no vaivém do LANCE!

Fazendo um comparativo com as características que apresentava em sua primeira passagem no Athletico-PR, o lateral de 30 anos de idade enxerga evolução na sua capacidade de recomposição. Algo que, naturalmente, ele espera ser explorado na sua volta a equipe paranaense.

-Tive uma evolução na minha forma de jogar, principalmente ofensivamente. E venho para ajudar. Quem sabe ter o mesmo sucesso que eu tive em 2019. Que possamos, ao lado dos meus companheiros, obter sucesso e conquistar muitos títulos – disse Madson, agregando:

-Estou muito feliz com a oportunidade de voltar. O Athletico é um clube pelo qual tenho grande admiração e um carinho enorme. Todos me receberam muito bem aqui no clube neste meu retorno. Espero retribuir essa confiança.

فيديو | فان دايك يتسبب في طرد أنتوني جوردون بمباراة ليفربول ونيوكاسل

غادر أنتوني جوردون لاعب فريق نيوكاسل، المباراة أمام ليفربول في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بعد حصوله على البطاقة الحمراء المباشرة.

ويلتقي ليفربول ونيوكاسل على ملعب “سانت جيمس بارك” ضمن مباريات الجولة الثانية للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “البريميرليج” لموسم 2025-2026.

وخلال الدقيقة الأولى من الوقت المحتسب بدلاً من الضائع لشوط المباراة الأول، تدخل أنتوني جوردون لاعب نيوكاسل، بقوة من الخلف على فيرجيل فان دايك لاعب ليفربول.

وأشهر الحكم بطاقة صفراء للاعب نيوكاسل، وتدخلت تقنية الفار، والتي أشارت بوجوب حصول جوردون على بطاقة حمراء.

وقام حكم اللقاء بإلغاء قرار إشهار البطاقة الصفراء، وأشهر بطاقة حمراء مباشرة لجوردون، ليغادر أرض الملعب ويكمل نيوكاسل المباراة بـ 10 لاعبين.

وكان ليفربول تقدم بهدف أول في الدقيقة 35 من عمر اللقاء وذلك عن طريق لاعبه ريان جرافنبيرخ. طرد أنتوني جوردون بمباراة ليفربول ونيوكاسل

NWSL Power Rankings: Kansas City Current add Ally Sentnor to potent attack, rivalry week lives up to hype across the league

Who's hot, who's not? GOAL ranks all 14 teams across the National Women's Soccer League

NWSL rivalry weekend did not disappoint, with rowdy crowds, last-minute goals, and of course, some upsets. Going into the weekend, the big news was Kansas City Current adding young star Ally Sentnor, after being traded the previous week from Utah Royals.

The Current actually faced Utah this weekend, so Sentnor got to face her former team right away. The Current kept their winning streak alive, defeating the Royals 1-0 thanks to an 82nd-minute goal from Temwa Chawinga.

Also across the league, the Cascadia rivalry was on display, with Portland Thorns jumping ahead of Seattle Reign in the league standings after a thrilling 4-2 victory. In New Jersey, Gotham FC played the Washington Spirit to a 0-0 draw, with all kinds of drama – from the return of Trinity Rodman to Esther Gonzalez back in action for Gotham. 

So, who's leading the pack, and who's falling short of expectations? GOAL presents the latest 2025 NWSL Power Rankings.

Getty ImagesUtah Royals

Prior Ranking: 14

Result: Lost to Kansas City Current 1-0

Ramifications: The Royals still have only won one game all season, and were faced with the near impossible over the weekend: playing top-team Kansas City and against their former star player, Sentnor. Utah has been struggling to score goals, prevent goals, and keep up all season – and can't seem to catch a break.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesChicago Stars

Prior Ranking: 13

Result: Drew Bay FC 1-1

Ramifications: The Chicago Stars were fun to watch against Bay FC over the weekend, with a thrilling goal from long-time NWSL player Shea Groom. Alyssa Naeher was also solid in goal, recording two saves.

The Stars have a lot of work to do to crawl up the league standings, as they are 1-9-5 with just eight points.

Getty ImagesBay FC

Prior Ranking: 11

Result: Drew Chicago Stars 1-1

Ramifications: Bay FC drops this week after a draw with Chicago. Bay FC showed some promise, with a solid finish from Taylor Huff to get the go-ahead goal in the 29th minute. Bay FC certainly isn't out of the conversation when it comes to playoffs, as they are sitting in 10th place with 17 points.

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Getty ImagesHouston Dash

Prior Ranking: 12

Result: Beat North Carolina Courage 2-1

Ramifications: The Houston Dash secured a nice home win, defeating the Courage. The Dash actually went down a goal in the first half, but were able to bounce back and score twice for the victory. From Yazmeen Ryan to Avery Patterson, the Dash are well equipped to make a late-season playoff run.

Júnior Santos se despede do Botafogo e do Sanfrecce Hiroshima: 'Grato demais pela oportunidade'

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de não conseguir estender seu empréstimo com o Botafogo, Júnior Santos publicou uma mensagem de despedida em sua rede social. No entanto, surpreendeu ao se despedir tanto do Glorioso, quanto doSanfrecce Hiroshima. Sendo assim, o jogador irá definir seu futuro nos próximos dias.

+ Confira as movimentações do Botafogo no mercado na bola no Vaivém do L!

Desde o fim do ano passado, ambas as partes iniciaram as conversas, porém estiveram longe de um acordo. O plano do clube japonês era conseguir uma transferência definitiva, visto que o atleta tinha apenas mais um ano de contrato. Contudo, o atleta não permanecerá em ambos os clubes para 2023.

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Cabe salientar que Júnior Santos chegou por empréstimo ao Botafogo no segundo semestre deste ano para reforçar o setor ofensivo. No entanto, o jogador pode atuar tanto como centroavante, quanto pelos lados. Desse modo, tornou-se titular do técnico Luís Castro, atuando na ponta direita, como segundo atacante e também como centroavante.

+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Carioca

Ao longo do último ano, Júnior Santos marcou um gol e deu duas assistências em 15 rodadas do Brasileirão. Sob o comando de Luís Castro, o atacante foi titular na maioria das partidas desde que chegou por empréstimo.

Confira a despedida de Júnior Santos

Hoje é dia de me despedir de dois clubes que só tenho a agradecer por tudo que vivi. Ao Sanfrecce Hiroshima, clube que mais atuei no Japão, obrigado por tudo. O carinho do torcedor é especial e vou levar eternamente em meu coração. Foram muitos aprendizados, feliz em ter ajudado com gols e muita dedicação.

Ao Botafogo, grato demais pela oportunidade e por abrir as portas para que eu voltasse ao Brasil. Vivemos grandes momentos em um semestre frenético e rápido, conseguindo manter o clube na Série A, que é onde sempre deve estar. Busquei me entregar ao máximo, tive meu nome ovacionado nas arquibancadas e nunca vou me esquecer disso. Deixei meu máximo em todos os jogos e saio com o sentimento de dever cumprido.

Obrigado, Sanfrecce!!!
Obrigado, Fogão!!!

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