FIFA Club World Cup
Diego Ribas has had an emotional rollercoaster of a year, one in which he suffered the worst injury of his career, while his club enjoyed a historic season.
His personal setback dates to 25 July, when he suffered a broken left ankle and ligament damage as a result of a heavy tackle during the second leg of Flamengo’s Copa Libertadores last-16 tie with Emelec. Surgery and a long layoff followed.
“I haven’t watched the tackle again,” he told FIFA.com. “It’s too painful.” But with less than 48 hours to go before he steps out against Liverpool in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019™, the Mengao captain at least has the satisfaction of knowing that this unhappy chapter of his career is over.
Diego Ribas has had an emotional rollercoaster of a year, one in which he suffered the worst injury of his career, while his club enjoyed a historic season.
His personal setback dates to 25 July, when he suffered a broken left ankle and ligament damage as a result of a heavy tackle during the second leg of Flamengo’s Copa Libertadores last-16 tie with Emelec. Surgery and a long layoff followed.
“I haven’t watched the tackle again,” he told FIFA.com. “It’s too painful.” But with less than 48 hours to go before he steps out against Liverpool in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019™, the Mengao captain at least has the satisfaction of knowing that this unhappy chapter of his career is over.
“No, it’s not impossible. We’re coming up against a really strong team, one of the best in the world. We do have a chance, though. We’re a quality side and we believe in the work we do. We need to be totally focused, on top of our game and tactically disciplined. We know that and that’s what we want to do.
FIFA Club World Cup
Having lifted the FIFA Club World Cup twice while wearing the colours of Barcelona, Xavi has returned in an altogether fresh guise.
Now coach of Qatar 2019’s host champions Al Sadd, the Catalan pass master will be orchestrating from the touchline.
That Blaugrana DNA is set to be very present, too, with possession and a selfish desire to hoard the ball key to his coaching ethos.
FIFA.com sat down with Xavi to talk past glories, his present switch to the dugout and the future Qatar has in store with the FIFA World Cup™ on the horizon.
Having lifted the FIFA Club World Cup twice while wearing the colours of Barcelona, Xavi has returned in an altogether fresh guise.
Now coach of Qatar 2019’s host champions Al Sadd, the Catalan pass master will be orchestrating from the touchline.
That Blaugrana DNA is set to be very present, too, with possession and a selfish desire to hoard the ball key to his coaching ethos.
FIFA.com sat down with Xavi to talk past glories, his present switch to the dugout and the future Qatar has in store with the FIFA World Cup™ on the horizon.
What I want is for my team to have control and I think you have that when you have the ball. That’s the way I was brought up at Barça and in the national team.
Brazil
Filipe Luis likened him to Eden Hazard. Argel Fucks said Cristiano Ronaldo. He reportedly has Barcelona, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain infatuated. The Brazil fans cheer the announcement of his name rhapsodically. Tite said, “It’s him, Neymar and another nine."
Yet Everton Cebolinha travelled to the Copa America 2019 having never started a game for Brazil and wholly expected to warm benches. Then Neymar suffered ankle ligament damage, Richarlison got the mumps, the Gremio attacker was promoted into the starting XI and the rest is history.
FIFA.com caught up with the 23-year-old to discuss the Seleção, Neymar, Renato Gaucho, the players he's most enjoyed watching and his career ambitions.
Filipe Luis likened him to Eden Hazard. Argel Fucks said Cristiano Ronaldo. He reportedly has Barcelona, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain infatuated. The Brazil fans cheer the announcement of his name rhapsodically. Tite said, “It’s him, Neymar and another nine."
Yet Everton Cebolinha travelled to the Copa America 2019 having never started a game for Brazil and wholly expected to warm benches. Then Neymar suffered ankle ligament damage, Richarlison got the mumps, the Gremio attacker was promoted into the starting XI and the rest is history.
FIFA.com caught up with the 23-year-old to discuss the Seleção, Neymar, Renato Gaucho, the players he's most enjoyed watching and his career ambitions.
There were players alongside me who I used to play as on video games. I was a big fan. So to have my name applauded, in the middle of them, was something that meant so much to me. I still can't believe it.
Belgium crowned Team of the Year, Qatar 2019’s biggest climber
Discover
Belgium
Pts. 1765
France
Pts. 1733
Brazil
Pts. 1712
England
Pts. 1661
Uruguay
Pts. 1645
Croatia
Pts. 1642
Brazil back in top ten as Kenya, Congo DR soar
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USA
Pts. 2174
Germany
Pts. 2078
Netherlands
Pts. 2035
France
Pts. 2033
Sweden
Pts. 2022
England
Pts. 2001
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