The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honorable Olivia Grange, has congratulated Michael Ricketts on his re-election as Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President.

Ricketts has been returned to the presidency of the Jamaica Football Federation following elections held in Negril, Hanover on Sunday.

He defeated challenger Raymond Anderson 39-17 in the vote count that was completed at the Royalton Resort in Negril, shortly before 5 pm Sunday.

Ricketts, who has been president since 2017, will now serve a second full term at the helm, after riding out the buffeting winds of controversy most of which centered around the fallout between Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz and the administration over alleged unpaid fees and general disrespect.

Minister Grange said, “I anticipate an early meeting with the new administration to hear of the plans for the Federation going forward.”

“I believe differences should be put aside and that the focus should be on what is best in the interest of the further progress of Jamaica’s football, in both the men and women’s game. The mantra should be renewal, recommitment and repair. Let us all work together, there is much more still to be done.”

Tottenham forward Richarlison feels ready to carry the weight of expectation again for both club and country as the Brazil squad prepare to face England at Wembley.

The 26-year-old returned from minor groin surgery in November to hit nine goals for Spurs as Ange Postecoglou’s side chase Champions League qualification.

Richarlison admitted it was a tough spell dealing with his injury setback, which saw him avoid shooting during warm-ups because of the pain, and he also sought the help of a club psychologist to support his mental well-being.

Richarlison, who is closing in on 50 international caps, knows the pressure which comes with the Brazil number nine shirt – having been in tears when taken off after failing to score in the World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in September.

However, the Spurs frontman is determined to lead by example.

“(It is a) very big responsibility,” Richarlison said at a press conference.

“I myself carry a very strong image, where children like me a lot. I always try to walk the line, so as not to disappoint.

“I know the responsibility I carry with this shirt, (and) for a big club in England (also).”

On his work with a therapist, Richarlison added: “As a national team player with an active voice, I tell people to seek help because it saved my life. I was already at rock bottom.

“It is very important for the national team to have a psychologist to help the athletes.

“Only we know the pressure we suffer, not just within, like off the field. I suffered more even outside. It is important to have a psychologist.

“We know the prejudice that exists when someone says they are looking for help – I myself had it, but I don’t have it any more.”

Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira was handed a first call-up to the Brazil squad for six years by new head coach Dorival Junior, the pair having worked together during a spell on loan at Flamengo from Manchester United.

The 28-year-old – who was born in Belgium and had played for their youth teams up to Under-17 level – is relishing the opportunity to tackle England at Wembley.

“Of course we know their qualities, they have many good players,” Pereira said.

“We respect England, but we know our qualities. In Brazil we will always have big players and a big team.

“We know it is going to be a tough game, but we for sure are ready and know what we are capable of.”

Juventus defender Gleison Bremer has now joined up with the rest of the Selecao squad at their St Albans base, having replaced Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, who withdrew through injury.

After facing England, Brazil then travel to Spain for a friendly in Madrid on Tuesday.

John Carver admitted Grant Hanley’s lack of recent game time for Scotland is a concern but he remains hopeful that the injury-plagued Norwich defender can prove his fitness in time for the European Championship.

The 32-year-old was due to join up with the squad this month for the first time in a year after recovering from an Achilles problem that sidelined him from April to December last year.

Having made nine appearances since returning to action on Boxing Day, however, Hanley withdrew on Tuesday from the Scotland squad for the upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland after missing the last two Norwich matches with an ankle injury that forced him off against Middlesbrough earlier this month.

Canaries boss David Wagner said he felt Hanley had not been “as explosive and sharp” as he was prior to his eight-month injury lay-off and that it had been agreed “to pull him out of team training and give him a proper individual programme in the next couple of weeks, or how long it will take, to get back to that level”.

Hanley was a Scotland mainstay before he got injured last Easter, but he has not played for the national team since the win at home to Spain last March.

“It is a concern because he’s one of our squad,” said Carver on Tuesday afternoon. “But it’s up to Grant to get fit again and make sure he’s OK.

“That’s one of the reasons he’s stayed behind to work with the people at Norwich. It’s important he’s in good condition.

“If he gets himself fit and starts playing again, there’s no reason why he can’t get back into this squad.”

Centre-back Scott McKenna was yesterday being assessed by national-team medics after picking up a knock playing for Copenhagen, while key duo Callum McGregor and Aaron Hickey were not named in the squad as they recover from their respective injuries.

Brentford wing-back Hickey has been sidelined since late October with a hamstring problem and, like Hanley, appears to be in a race against time to be fit.

“They’re saying he could be around two or three weeks before he’s back training with Brentford, so we’re waiting for that final medical report to find out where he is,” said Carver.

“You’ve got that situation with Aaron but there are other players too. It’s a difficult time for everyone because they’re all coming towards the end of their seasons with their clubs, playing competitive games, and we’ve just got to keep our fingers crossed that we don’t have too many injuries going into the championships.”

Scotland have selected four goalkeepers – Hearts pair Craig Gordon and Zander Clark plus Norwich’s Angus Gunn and Motherwell’s Liam Kelly – for this month’s double-header but Carver refused to divulge how game time will be carved up among the quartet, with one of them set to miss out on the final Euros squad.

“That will be down to Steve and who he selects but what it (having four keepers) has added is a huge amount of competitiveness,” he said.

“We saw that yesterday in training because every single one of them was right on it.

“Normally the first day they ease their way in but we had a small-sided game towards the end of training and the four goalkeepers were outstanding.”

Carver has been impressed with the way Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland has played his way into contention after being called up as a late replacement for Che Adams in November. Since then, the 28-year-old has scored a stoppage-time equaliser in Georgia plus 17 more goals for his club.

“I think he’s been great,” said Carver. “I’ve watched quite a bit of Hearts lately. He just gets himself in the right areas. People talk about, ‘he doesn’t do this, he doesn’t do that’, but he scores goals and they’re worth their weight in gold.”

EFL chairman Rick Parry has rejected the idea that an independent regulator risks killing the golden goose of the Premier League.

The Football Governance Bill, which will establish the regulator in law, was introduced to Parliament on Tuesday.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has said she is confident the legislation will pass through Parliament “before the end of the parliamentary session” – in other words before a general election.

The regulator will have a raft of powers to ensure clubs are sustainably run, to force unfit owners to divest their stakes in clubs, to ensure fans are consulted on major issues affecting their clubs and to block teams from joining unapproved competitions such as the European Super League.

Arguably the most eye-catching aspect, though, is the backstop powers it will have to impose a financial settlement on the Premier League and the EFL if they cannot agree one themselves.

One of the leagues would have to apply to trigger the powers, and the regulator would then accept that application if it believed one of its key objectives – such as the financial sustainability of clubs and financial resilience across the leagues – would not be delivered if the powers were not triggered.

Ultimately the regulator would ask the Premier League and the EFL to submit final proposals and choose the most suitable one.

The process appears to chime to a large degree with what the EFL has previously called for and potentially gives it greater leverage in the ‘New Deal’ discussions between now and the establishment of the regulator.

The Premier League has reiterated its concern around any “unintended consequences” of an independent regulator, and the prospect of any settlement that impacts the competitiveness of the top flight, but Parry said on Tuesday: “Nothing is going to change the competitiveness of the Premier League.

“The gap (in terms of wages paid) is just getting bigger and bigger between the Premier League and the rest (of Europe), so the idea that the Premier League is going to be unduly constrained or no longer competitive, I just don’t even see how that argument gets to first base.”

An independent expert panel would assess the proposals and take into account the impact on club competitiveness, sporting competition and the commercial interests of both parties in making its decision, but the leagues would then be required to distribute broadcast revenue in line with that decision.

Parry added: “It’s to do with the regulator making an objective decision that it can’t meet its primary objectives of the sustainability of the game.

“If the regulator decides everything’s fine, if the regulator’s happy with the imbalances, fine. We’re not running to the regulator to say, ‘You’ve got it wrong’. All we want is some objective and independent assessment.”

Fiorentina director Joe Barone has died after suffering a cardiac arrest on Sunday.

The 57-year-old Italian-American businessman was taken to a cardiac intensive care unit in Milan hours before Fiorentina were supposed to play against Atalanta in Bergamo, with the Serie A fixture being postponed as a result.

A statement on the club’s official website on Tuesday read: “It is with deep sorrow and immense sadness that Fiorentina confirms the loss of one of its figureheads, a person who has marked the recent history of the club and who will never be forgotten. General director Giuseppe Barone passed away today at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan after suddenly falling ill on Sunday.”

Barone, who began working for Rocco Commisso’s Mediacom business in 2017, joined Fiorentina when the latter purchased the Tuscan club in November 2019, working closely alongside sporting director Daniele Prade and with head coach Vincenzo Italiano as La Viola showed clear improvement in the league and reached the 2023 Europa Conference League final, losing to West Ham.

The statement continued: “Rocco Commisso and his family, Daniele Prade, Nicolas Burdisso, Alessandro Ferrari, Vincenzo Italiano, Cristiano Biraghi and everyone associated with Fiorentina are utterly devastated by the terrible loss of a man who showed great professionalism and gave his heart and soul for these colours. He was a treasured friend who always stayed strong in the happiest and, above all, the most difficult moments.

“The entire Viola world sends its heartfelt condolences to Giuseppe’s wife Camilla, his children and the entire Barone family during this time of immense sorrow.”

Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo has been called up to the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

The 18-year-old midfielder has been promoted into Gareth Southgate’s senior group for the first time having initially been named in the Under-21’s squad.

Mainoo, a former U17 and U19 international, has burst onto the scene at Old Trafford this season, racking up 20 appearances so far.

He joins the 25 other players who reported for duty at St George’s Park on Tuesday and get the chance to stake a claim for a possible place in the squad for the summer’s European Championship.

Southgate has had the youngster on his radar for some time and recently said at February’s Nations League draw: “He’s doing brilliantly.

“I’m not certain he’s necessarily going to be a defensive midfielder, as such.

“He’s quite a progressive player but he’s had a fabulous start to his career and it will be good to monitor him as we go forward.”

The midfielder joined United as a nine-year-old and made his debut at the start of 2023 in a League Cup game with Charlton.

He has progressed at speed and has often been a starter in Erik ten Hag’s starting XI.

Mainoo will be hopeful of making his debut when England play Brazil on Saturday or against Brazil on Tuesday.

Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo has been called up to the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

The 18-year-old midfielder has been promoted into Gareth Southgate’s senior squad having initially been named in the Under-21’s squad.

Mainoo, a former U17 and U19 international, has burst onto the scene at Old Trafford this season, racking up 20 appearances so far.

Fabian Reid and Chevany Willis both scored twice, as Arnett Gardens produced one of, if not, their most dominant display of the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (WNJPL) season in a 5-1 win over Humble Lion at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday.

After a lukewarm win over Lime Hall Academy last week, Head coach Xavier Gilbert requested more from his team, particularly in the attacking third with the intent of making their South St Andrew base a fortress heading into the business end of the season. The "Junglists" responded with aplomb, as they were rampant from start to finish in extending their unbeaten run across five games.

Though they had to come from behind after Afiba Chambers gave Humble Lion a ninth-minute lead, Arnett Gardens were comfortable in the end as Willis scored a header and a delightful freekick in the 39th and 84th, while Reid's double in the 69th and 75th were also well taken, with Jaheim Thomas (59th) in on the act of the five-star performance that gave the moderate crowd much to cheer about.

Despite not getting on the score sheet, Rushike Kelson was also among the highlights of Arnett Gardens' classy execution, as he proved menacing to their Clarendon-based opponents’ backline with timely runs coupled with a consistent show of nippy footwork on the right channel.

"It was good. I thought we played well, but disappointed that we conceded a goal from another set piece, and we have to defend better. But nevertheless, we rose to the occasion, and I think we dominated possession and created quite a number of opportunities in both halves, so it was a deserved win for the gentlemen tonight (Monday).

"I thought he [Kelson] and Jaheim were good, especially in the first half and it’s unfortunate that Rushike didn't score. But Willis was a deserved man of the match with first half equaliser and that wonderful freekick at the end. So, we were a lot better offensively and it showed with the number of goals we scored," Gilbert said in a post-match interview. 

With the win, Arnett Gardens provisionally moved up to third on 45 points, same as second-placed Portmore United and Cavalier, with goal difference separating the three. Cavalier who started the Matchweek in second, slipped to fourth after their 0-1 loss to Portmore United in the curtain-raiser at the venue. 

Reigning champions Mount Pleasant (49 points), with Tivoli Gardens (42 points) and Dunbeholden FC (34 points), occupying the other playoff positions.

Given the close nature of business in the top half of the standings, Gilbert is well aware of the quality that their rivals possess but backs his team to remain competitive going forward.

“Our chance is as good as everybody it’s going to be tough, we know it’s not going to be easy, so we just have to maximise on our potential and the opportunities that we create, as well as tighten up on areas that needs strengthening. So that is what we are going to focus on in the next couple of weeks leading up to the playoffs,” Gilbert noted.

It was a frantic start to the contest for Arnett Gardens, who signalled intentions in the sixth minute, when Thomas rifled a right-footed effort into the upright. But it was Humble Lion that broke the deadlock three minutes later when Chambers applied an acrobatic finish to an Andrew Vanzie corner.

Instead of riding the momentum from the goal, Humble Lion were forced on the defensive as Arnett Gardens applied consistent pressure through Reid and Kelson, who tested Hasani Barnes on a few occasions, but the Humble Lion custodian proved equal to the task.

The “Junglists” thought they were back on level terms in the 32nd when Kelson again showed nippy footwork to dismiss two defenders, but his intended shot caught the arm of Reid on its way in and the goal was disallowed by referee Oshane Nation.

However, they inevitably pulled one seven minutes later when Willis rose highest to head home a weighted cross from Joel Jones. They should have gone to the break in front, but Thomas’s stinging right-footer from deep inside the 18-yard box, was tipped unto the crossbar by Barnes, who ensured the score remained 1-1 at the break.

Still, Arnett Gardens were in no mood to relent, as they maintained their momentum on the resumption with Thomas getting another effort from the top of the 18-yard box on target, but Barnes again did well to parry.

Given the marauding nature in which Arnett Gardens were attacking, it was only a matter of time before they found lead, which they eventually did when Kelson provided a pass for 20-year-old Thomas to fire past Barnes.

Kelson went close a few minutes later, but his effort was kept out by Barnes. From there, it was time for the Reid show, as the veteran striker went on a break and fired past the advancing Barnes in the 69th, and later registered his ninth goal of the season when he sidewined his way past a defender to create space for a thumping finish to put Arnett Gardens 4-0 up at that point.

The fact that he opened the scoring for Arnett Gardens, it was only fitting that Willis capped the win, and he did so in dazzling fashion when he drove one of his trademark free kicks from just over 30 yards out past Barnes, who was beaten all ends up.

Linval Wilson, who took the reins from Vassell Reynolds at Humble Lion felt the team’s loss was a result of poor defending.

“When you make those mistakes playing Arnett Gardens at home you are going to get punished and that’s what happens. When you look at the goals, they were just some simple errors in crucial areas, so when you’re playing against a class team this is what happens, we just lapsed in concentration,” Wilson said.

Results

Portmore United 1, Cavalier 0

Arnett Gardens 5, Humble Lion 1

Senior Reggae Boyz Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson is now left to rethink strategy as young Sheffield Wednesday striker Bailey Cadamarteri has opted to represent England Under-19s instead of taking up his spot in Jamaica's team for their Concacaf Nations League semi-final clash with United States on Thursday. 

After naming Cadamarteri in his 23-man squad, Hallgrimsson praised the attributes of the rising star, who he believed could add value to the senior Reggae Boyz setup. However, shortly after Hallgrimsson's announcement, England released its youth squad which also included Cadamarteri.

Despite having his Jamaican passport, the 18-year-old Cadamarteri placed the senior Reggae Boyz option on hold for the time being and will be hoping to get his first runout in England colours this week when the Under-19s play Morocco and the United States in North Africa.

This means Hallgrimsson, will not only have to wait to get the six-foot tall player in Jamaica's colours, but will also have to call up a replacement of equal or better quality.

“Firstly, he's like Kaheim Dixon (another young Jamaican attacker). He has got goals written all over him...in his youth career, he’s scored a lot of goals. But for me, as a striker what catches my eye is that he’s really hard working, he’s got constant running in behind defences, and he’s a good link up player," Hallgrimsson said of Cadamarteri in a recent press conference. 

“He’s clever using spaces and his technique is really good, so I think he has all the attributes that a good striker should have - but he’s still young, like Kaheim Dixon," he added.

Cadamarteri is believed to be very open to the idea of playing for Jamaica in the future, something that won’t be affected by turning out for the Three Lions at youth level.

Cadamarteri, who earns his Jamaican stripes through father Danny, a former Everton stalwart in the 1990s and early 2000s, also qualifies to represent Italy through heritage.

By virtue of the FIFA ruling regarding youth caps, Cadamarteri still has the option to switch his senior international allegiance from England.

Hallgrimsson is expected to address the issue during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

Grant Hanley has withdrawn from the Scotland squad for the friendlies against Netherlands and Northern Ireland as Norwich strive to get the defender back to full fitness.

The 26-year-old has made nine appearances for the Canaries since returning on Boxing Day after eight months out with an Achilles injury.

However, Hanley has missed his club’s last two matches in the Championship after limping out of their defeat at Middlesbrough earlier this month.

It was confirmed by the Scottish Football Association on Tuesday morning that Hanley will not feature in Scotland’s upcoming friendly double-header, meaning he will not have played for the national team for more than a year by the time Steve Clarke selects his squad for the European Championships.

Norwich manager David Wagner said after Saturday’s win at Stoke that, after conversations with Hanley and the club’s fitness and medical staff, they had agreed to “pull him out of team training because he is not as explosive and as sharp as he was when he was on his best.”

“He is a very physical centre-half,” added Wagner. “If he is physically on his best then he is one of the best, or the best, in the division. We have to make sure, and he feels the same, to get him back to that level.

“So we now pull him out of team training and we give him a proper individual programme in the next couple of weeks, or how long it will take, to get back to that level.

“Obviously, we all together know it was a very serious injury and it takes time, even if we are happy that his Achilles is fine. But we have to get him back to the explosive, sharp Grant Hanley he was before his injury.”

It remains to be seen if Scotland will call up a replacement centre-back for Hanley, who won the last of his 48 caps in the home win over Spain a year ago.

Paul Gallacher revealed how Zander Clark and Craig Gordon are pushing each other to new heights as he backed the two Hearts goalkeepers to go to Euro 2024 with Scotland.

Clark and Gordon are both currently with Steve Clarke’s squad preparing for friendlies against Netherlands and Northern Ireland, alongside fellow goalkeepers Angus Gunn of Norwich and Motherwell’s Liam Kelly.

The Scotland boss has said that – barring injury – three of those four will go to the Euros, and Hearts goalkeeping coach Gallacher would be “immensely proud” if he is waving both of his main men off to Germany this summer.

“They’ve both worked ever so hard to get to where they are, both for different reasons,” the former Scotland goalkeeper told the PA news agency.

“It’s a privilege to work with the two of them and I truly hope they both go to the Euros.”

Gordon, 41, was the undisputed number one for both Scotland and Hearts prior to sustaining a career-threatening double leg break 15 months ago.

Clark took the gloves at Tynecastle after Gordon’s injury and has held on to them since the veteran returned to contention in December.

The 31-year-old former St Johnstone keeper has kept 14 clean sheets in 30 league matches this term and also won his first three Scotland caps in the first half of the season.

Gallacher has been impressed with how both men have dealt with their respective challenges over the past year and a bit.

“Craig’s back, he’s absolutely back,” said the goalie coach. “You see him make saves every day in training and you just go ‘yep, that’s him back’.

“He’s got himself into a fantastic condition, he’s back to where he was before the injury. He’s top-notch, he’s world class at times, he really is.

“Obviously he’s not getting any younger but he keeps on pushing, and I think that’s pushing Zander on as well. You can see the level Zander’s hit. From where he was to where he is now is night and day.

“He was a good goalkeeper when he first came to the club but he has kicked on under severe pressure.

“Not a lot of folk could cope with that pressure of coming in to replace Craig Gordon, a Hearts legend, but he’s stood up and done it, which is no easy feat. That cannot be underestimated.

“There has been pressure on both of them but they’ve dealt with it brilliantly.”

Gunn appears to have become Scotland’s first-choice keeper since Gordon’s injury, but Gallacher is adamant both Hearts goalies would be perfectly equipped mentally and physically to play against Group A opponents Germany, Hungary or Switzerland in June if required.

“I know from working closely with them how the two of them can handle occasions,” said Gallacher, who won eight Scotland caps between 2002 and 2004.

“Zander, the way he’s playing, could handle it no problem at all. And Craig, with the number of caps he’s got (74), could be pitched in no problem at all.

“I know it might come across as biased but I’d have no qualms at all about either of them being in that starting line-up.”

Gallacher laughed off any notion that their mutual determination to play for club and country might have had a detrimental effect on the relationship between Gordon and Clark, who has been restricted to just three Scottish Cup outings since his rival’s return.

“They’re brilliant, honestly, there is no animosity whatsoever,” he said. “They’re great guys, brilliant to be around.

“But when they’re on that pitch, they push each other. They’re all about trying to improve and striving to be the number one for this football club.

“We are truly blessed to have two guys of that calibre battling for the number one jersey at Hearts.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has warned against the prospect of Manchester United trying to land superstar signings like Jude Bellingham or Kylian Mbappe.

The Ineos chairman is taking control of footballing operations at United following his recent minority purchase and wants to turn them back into the force they once were.

However, he believes spending big on marquee signings is not the way to prosper.

Appearing as a guest on Geraint Thomas’ Cycling Club podcast, the 71-year-old was asked whether he would try and sign England star Bellingham.

He replied: “He is a great footballer. It’s not where our focus is, the solution isn’t spending a lot of money on a couple of great players.

“They have done that, if you look at the last 10 years, they have spent a lot of money on a couple of great players.

“The first thing we need to do is get the right people in the right boxes who are managing and organising the club.

“And make sure we get recruitment right, it is such a vital part of football today.”

Later in the podcast he was given a choice of signing Mbappe for United or cyclist Tadej Pogacar for his Ineos team and he said: “I would rather sign the next Mbappe rather than spend a fortune buying success.

“It’s not that clever buying Mbappe. Anyone could figure that one out. More challenging is to find the next Mbappe or next Bellingham or next Roy Keane.”

Radcliffe is working with his long-term right-hand man Dave Brailsford at United, with Omar Berrada incoming as chief executive.

And he said it would be a “longer road” to make United great again.

“The two people who are most focused on it would be Dave and myself, in terms of how we resolve it all,” he added.

“We’ve now got Omar Berrada of course, our new CEO from Manchester City, who is still on gardening leave at the moment, he’ll be a big part of it.

“But it’s Dave and myself really.

“You have to believe with Manchester Utd, if we get all the details right, all the right people in the right boxes, doing the right things in the right environment, that sporting elite environment that the results will drop out the bottom.

“Those things are not right at Manchester United today as we’ve said very clearly.

“It’s not a light switch, it’s a much longer road to travel because there’s so many aspects to it.”

What the papers say

Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling will give Saudi Arabian clubs the cold shoulder this summer, the Evening Standard reports, with the 29-year-old England international – who was booed  by Blues fans at the weekend – set on helping the Stamford Bridge club get their hands on silverware next season.

Borussia Dortmund would be keen to bring on-loan winger Jadon Sancho back to the club on a permanent basis, but only if Manchester United are willing to accept half the £73million they bought the England international for in 2021, the Mirror reports.

Chelsea striker Cole Palmer, 21, is to be rewarded with a new and improved contract after an impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Manchester City, says Football Insider.

Social media round-upPlayers to watch

Joshua Kimmich: Bayern Munich are open to selling the Germany midfielder, however he is only interested in joining Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid or Barcelona, writes Florian Plettenberg.

Eddie Nketiah: Wolves are in the hunt to sign the England striker, 24, who may leave Arsenal in the summer, reports Teamtalk.

Former England striker Michael Owen announced he would retire at the end of the season on this day in 2013.

Owen, then 33, had signed a one-year contract with Stoke after leaving Manchester United the previous summer but his time in the Potteries was hampered by a hamstring injury, contributing to his decision to call it a day.

Owen scored 40 goals in 89 England appearances – making him the fourth highest scorer for his country’s men’s team at the time – and played at the top level for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United.

“It is with an immense amount of pride that I am announcing my intention to retire,” Owen said on March 19, 2013.

“I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a journey I could only have dreamed of.

“I now feel it is the right time to bring the curtain down on my career.”

Owen burst on to the scene as a teenager at Liverpool and made England’s 1998 World Cup squad aged only 18.

His memorable solo goal against Argentina in that tournament made him a world superstar.

Owen scored 220 goals in club football, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Cup, as well as being a three-time League Cup winner.

The peak of his club career came at Liverpool where he scored 158 goals in 297 appearances, including a late double in the Reds’ 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Arsenal in 2001 – , before moving to Real Madrid in 2004.

Owen returned to the Premier League with Newcastle in August 2005 and, after four injury-blighted years on Tyneside, moved to Manchester United on a free transfer and won his sole Premier League title at Old Trafford in 2011.

He won the Ballon d’Or in 2001 – the first English player to collect the accolade since Kevin Keegan in 1979.

Eden Hazard has no regrets about how his dream move to Real Madrid unfolded as he enjoys life after football.

The Belgian forward joined the Spanish giants in 2019 after becoming one of the best players in the world at Chelsea but could not have the impact he hoped for.

Injuries and poor form restricted him to just 76 appearances in all competitions before leaving the club after four disappointing years last summer.

He decided to retire soon after, aged just 32, but will put his boots back on this summer after signing up to play for the World XI at Soccer Aid.

Hazard still looks back on his time at the Bernabeu with pride.

“It was my dream, I can tell you,” he said. “Even if the story was not that good, we all know injuries and this and that, but when you look back you can see some pictures of me wearing the Real Madrid shirt and it was something I am really proud of.”

Asked whether he could have carried on playing had things ended differently at Madrid, he replied: “That’s a good question, who knows? I think so, but my time playing football was over, I had a lot of injuries, so no regrets.”

Hazard’s involvement in Soccer Aid on June 9 will see an emotional return to Stamford Bridge, where he enjoyed a stellar seven years.

He won two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues, an FA Cup and a League Cup and reflects on “pure happiness” during his stay in west London.

 

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“I spent seven years, the best memories of my football career,” he said.

“I met great players, not just inside the team but also outside the club, it was seven years of pure happiness.

“When you leave you always feel a bit sad but this club is always in my head, so just good memories.”

Hazard, who has kept in shape because he doesn’t want to look like “Peppa Pig”, is enjoying life away from football.

He does not see a future in professional coaching or management, but would love to help his five children follow him into the game.

“I am enjoying it a lot, I miss being with the lads in the dressing room a bit but I have the freedom to do what I want now,” he told the PA news agency.

“I have kids, I have family, I can go to Belgium to see my mum and dad, so I can do a lot of things.

“I don’t know, now it is just good to be away, but I still love football, for sure I am going to do something in football in the future, but now I just want to relax and enjoy my retirement.

“I don’t think I will coach professionally, but I think I can coach for youth teams. I have kids, and I want to teach them how to play football.”

He will be managed by current Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino in the charity match, with the likes of Usain Bolt and Roberto Carlos joining him in the World XI.

“It’s going to be at Stamford Bridge with friends, so it is going to be a great night,” he said.

“So let’s have fun, score some goals and make the fans happy. They do amazing work, especially when you are a dad and you have kids and you see everything they do for kids.

“You want them to do more and that is why you want people to come to the game to have a good time at Stamford Bridge.”

:: Soccer Aid for Unicef 2024 takes place on June 9 at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, with tickets available at www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets.

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