Pepsi® and UEFA have revealed that legendary rock musician Lenny Kravitz will headline the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi. The highly anticipated performance is set to take place on June 1, 2024 at Wembley Stadium in London, marking the eighth consecutive year of this spectacular curtain raiser.
Lenny Kravitz, the Grammy-award-winning artist known for his dynamic stage presence and iconic hits, is set to captivate audiences with his genre-defying sound just minutes before the biggest final in the club football calendar. Kravitz, who recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is currently generating buzz with his upcoming album, Blue Electric Light, that was launched on May 24, just one week before his UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show performance.
Pepsi has further built anticipation for the event by releasing an energetic short film titled ‘Wembley Is Blue | Lenny Kravitz x UCL Final Kick Off Show by Pepsi’. The film features the unmistakable echoes of the UEFA Champions League anthem as Kravitz walks down a tunnel, paintbrush in hand, covering the walls in Pepsi Blue before stepping onto the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium. The camera reveals a blue mural of his face on the pitch, setting the stage for an unforgettable show.
“I’m really looking forward to my performance for the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi in London, a city which holds a special place in my heart,” said Kravitz. “It’s going to be such an exciting event ahead of a final that means so much to so many. We can’t wait to show you all what we have in store.”
Eric Melis, VP of Global Brand Marketing at PepsiCo, expressed the brand’s excitement about the upcoming event. “As a brand with a rich heritage in both music and football, we are proud to bring together once again, in the host city, millions of viewers from around the world and one of the most iconic names in music for an electrifying performance live from iconic Wembley Stadium in London, the home of music, sports, and entertainment. Lenny Kravitz adds unparalleled dynamism and energy to the show. He lives by our ‘Thirsty For More’ philosophy, which celebrates people’s thirst for life - and we can’t wait to see how fans react to this unmissable show.”
Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA Marketing Director, highlighted the significance of the performance. “This year’s UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi will bring fans to their feet as legendary rock and roll icon Lenny Kravitz takes the stage to deliver one of his signature performances ahead of this year’s UEFA Champions League final. Our longstanding and fruitful partnership with Pepsi fills us with enormous pride as we collaborate to make this flagship match on the football calendar more memorable and entertaining for fans inside Wembley and those watching around the globe.”
Pepsi and UEFA have consistently marked the UEFA Champions League final with momentous music performances, uniting football and music fans through one compelling entertainment spectacle. The UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi will air in over 200 countries and territories globally, just minutes before the standout fixture of the club football calendar, embodying Pepsi’s ‘Thirsty For More’ global platform.
Pepetho Barrett, a devoted Real Madrid fan, is walking on air after winning an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the UEFA Champions League final between Dortmund and Real Madrid at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London courtesy of JustBet and SportsMax.
Overflowing with excitement, Barrett exclaimed, "I am still in shock. It's a dream come true to watch my team live. I'm so grateful to JustBet for providing me with an opportunity that seemed out of reach," he added. “Winning this trip is amazing and knowing that I get to watch my team, Real Madrid live, makes it a trip of a lifetime!”
JustBet, Jamaica's premier sports betting and entertainment brand presented Barrett with a symbolic boarding pass at Sabina Park during the hotly contested Jamaica Premier League semi-finals on Sunday, May 12, 2024.
In addition to the main prize, Anthony Belcher secured the third-place prize, claiming a brand new Apple iPhone 15 Prom Max. Steven Lindsay emerged as the second-place winner, walking away with a cutting-edge entertainment system complete with a TV, PS5, and soundbar.
“Sports betting is our fastest growing segment at Supreme Ventures and so it made sense for us to enhance our customers betting experience by partnering with Sportsmax to offer a chance to win a once-in- a-lifetime experience at the UCL Finals,” remarked, Kamal Powell, Head of Marketing at Supreme Ventures Limited. “There’s much more in store for us here at JustBet so we encourage our players to join the action and don’t miss an opportunity to feel the thrill of winning.”
The highly anticipated match that represents the pinnacle of club football is set for June 1.
Barcelona have been fined 25,000 euros (£21,400) by UEFA for racist behaviour by their fans during the Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie at Paris St Germain.
Three charges were brought against Barca following the fixture at Parc des Princes on April 10, which included acts of damage and lighting of fireworks.
UEFA’s Appeals Body announced on Thursday Barcelona will be fined for the racist behaviour of their fans and will be banned from selling tickets to their away supporters for the Spanish club’s next UEFA competition match.
That ticket ban has been suspended for a probationary period of one year, which started from the date of the present decision.
Barcelona must also pay a 2,000 euro fine for lighting fireworks and a further 5,000 euro fine for acts of damage.
After Barca won the first leg 3-2 in Paris, they lost 4-1 in the second leg at home this week to exit the Champions League 6-4 on aggregate.
The prospect of five English clubs competing in next season’s Champions League is hanging by a thread after Manchester City and Arsenal were knocked out of the continent’s premier club competition on Wednesday night.
Here, the PA news agency explains the situation.
Why is there an extra place?
From this season, the two countries who collectively perform best in this season’s men’s European club competitions will each gain a European Performance Spot (EPS) for one of their clubs in the following season’s Champions League, which will feature a 36-team league phase from 2024-25 replacing the familiar eight groups of four.
For each of the best-performing countries, the EPS goes to the highest-finishing club in those countries who have not already qualified for the Champions League via their domestic performance. In England’s case, that would be the team finishing fifth – currently Tottenham.
How do the rankings look at the moment?
The rankings – known as the association club coefficient – are led this season by Italy. Germany were already ahead of England in the race for the second spot heading into the quarter-final second legs, but the exits of City and Arsenal – coupled with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund making progress – have widened the gap.
Last Friday – after the Europa League and Conference League first legs had been played – Germany had 16.785 points compared to England’s 16.750, a gap of 0.035. On Thursday morning the gap had grown to 0.767, with Germany on 17.642 and England on 16.875.
How are the points worked out?
Teams gain points for wins (two) and draws (one) from the start of the group phase in all three of UEFA’s men’s club competitions. Teams also earn points for participation in the Champions League group phase and for making progress beyond certain rounds in all three competitions.
The association coefficient is calculated by working out an average score – dividing the total number of points the clubs win by the number of clubs representing that country in Europe. So in England’s case any points won by the Premier League representatives are divided by eight.
Can England still do it?
In theory yes. West Ham and Liverpool could still meet in the Europa League final if they can overturn first-leg deficits to Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta respectively on Thursday night, and Aston Villa could still go all the way in the Conference League. That, coupled with the remaining German teams stumbling, means there is still very slim hope.
But Germany certainly have the edge and could even end up with six teams in next season’s Champions League. If Dortmund finish fifth in the Bundesliga but win the Champions League, it would be the second of those achievements which would secure them their Champions League place for 2024-25. The EPS would then be awarded to whoever finishes sixth – currently Eintracht Frankfurt.
Declan Rice believes a Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich is the “perfect” game for Arsenal to overcome defeat to Aston Villa.
The Gunners were deservedly beaten 2-0 by Unai Emery’s men at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins scored the goals to boost Villa’s top-four hopes.
Arsenal would have returned to the Premier League summit with a win but now sit second, two points behind reigning champions Manchester City.
There is no time for Mikel Arteta’s players to lick their wounds, however, as they travel to Germany for the second leg of their finely-poised Champions League quarter-final against Bayern.
A 2-2 draw in north London last week leaves the tie on a knife-edge and Rice feels such a big game is just what Arsenal need after a rare slip-up.
“It’s the perfect game for a reaction,” he said.
“We need a reaction on Wednesday night and it is a great chance to show our character and leadership. It’s time to go out there and hopefully get into the semi-finals of the Champions League.
“We have to park this to the side now. It’s gone, it’s a game of football. We’ve lost but we need to bounce back, that’s for sure.
“Going to the Allianz Arena, it’s going to be a special night. It’s time to pull our socks up and show everyone why we’re in this position.
“We’re gutted and disappointed we’ve lost a massive game but, it’s time for a reaction. We’ve been on such an amazing run since January, won so many football matches and got ourselves back into an unbelievable position after being written off at Christmas.”
This was former Arsenal boss Emery’s first trip back to the Emirates Stadium as Villa manager and the Spaniard severely dented the title charge of his old club.
Villa had already hit the woodwork through both Watkins and Youri Tielemans before substitute Bailey tapped home to break the deadlock late on.
With the hosts pushing for an equaliser, Watkins raced from his own half to latch onto a long ball and double the lead with a deft finish.
The win means fourth-placed Villa opened up a three-point gap on Tottenham in the battle for what looks like being the final Champions League place.
Like Arsenal, they now turn their attention to Europe as they prepare for the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final with Lille, having won the home leg 2-1.
“I definitely will take confidence from it and I think the team should take a lot of confidence from this game as well,” Bailey said of the victory at Arsenal.
“The way we played, coming to the Emirates – I think the way we set out was so strong and I think the team really didn’t give up too much and we created opportunities at the same time.
“I think from this, we should really take this game into consideration and give ourselves a lot of confidence moving forward.”
Declan Rice believes a Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich is the “perfect” game for Arsenal to overcome defeat to Aston Villa.
The Gunners were deservedly beaten 2-0 by Unai Emery’s men at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins scored the goals to boost Villa’s top-four hopes.
Arsenal would have returned to the Premier League summit with a win but now sit second, two points behind reigning champions Manchester City.
There is no time for Mikel Arteta’s players to lick their wounds, however, as they travel to Germany for the second leg of their finely-poised Champions League quarter-final against Bayern.
A 2-2 draw in north London last week leaves the tie on a knife-edge and Rice feels such a big game is just what Arsenal need after a rare slip-up.
“It’s the perfect game for a reaction,” he said.
“We need a reaction on Wednesday night and it is a great chance to show our character and leadership. It’s time to go out there and hopefully get into the semi-finals of the Champions League.
“We have to park this to the side now. It’s gone, it’s a game of football. We’ve lost but we need to bounce back, that’s for sure.
“Going to the Allianz Arena, it’s going to be a special night. It’s time to pull our socks up and show everyone why we’re in this position.
“We’re gutted and disappointed we’ve lost a massive game but, it’s time for a reaction. We’ve been on such an amazing run since January, won so many football matches and got ourselves back into an unbelievable position after being written off at Christmas.”
This was former Arsenal boss Emery’s first trip back to the Emirates Stadium as Villa manager and the Spaniard severely dented the title charge of his old club.
Villa had already hit the woodwork through both Watkins and Youri Tielemans before substitute Bailey tapped home to break the deadlock late on.
With the hosts pushing for an equaliser, Watkins raced from his own half to latch onto a long ball and double the lead with a deft finish.
The win means fourth-placed Villa opened up a three-point gap on Tottenham in the battle for what looks like being the final Champions League place.
Like Arsenal, they now turn their attention to Europe as they prepare for the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final with Lille, having won the home leg 2-1.
“I definitely will take confidence from it and I think the team should take a lot of confidence from this game as well,” Bailey said of the victory at Arsenal.
“The way we played, coming to the Emirates – I think the way we set out was so strong and I think the team really didn’t give up too much and we created opportunities at the same time.
“I think from this, we should really take this game into consideration and give ourselves a lot of confidence moving forward.”
Pep Guardiola remains undecided about which of his goalkeepers will start the first leg of Manchester City’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
Ederson, who was forced off in City’s 1-1 draw at Liverpool last month, was on the bench for the Premier League title-holders’ 4-2 victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Stefan Ortega put in another solid performance, including a first-half Cruyff turn to deny in-form Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta the opportunity of breaking a 1-1 deadlock at half-time.
Guardiola said: “I have to think about it because Eddie (Ederson) comes from injury, he feels good, I think so, so now I have to decide if a lack of rhythm for that match, I have to decide, but we are really pleased with the (performance) from Stefan. He is an exceptional keeper.”
There was speculation over whether Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne would start at Selhurst Park, but both were on the pitch at kick-off, shortly after which Mateta fired in the opener.
It was a De Bruyne masterclass that would win it for City, who were challenged by Oliver Glasner’s hosts throughout the first half but returned from the break a far more organised side.
Rico Lewis fired the visitors into an early second-half lead before De Bruyne set up Haaland’s 19th of the league campaign, then brought up a century of goals for City with his second of the afternoon.
Guardiola’s 2023 treble-winners remain in contention to repeat the feat this season but remain one point shy of both table-toppers Arsenal and Liverpool, who are level on 71 points and separated by the Gunners’ advantage on goal difference.
Though City have experience in finding themselves deep in multiple competitions late in the season, Guardiola admitted more injuries this campaign has made the task of fielding a fresh side for every match a bigger challenge this time around.
That may mean a few changes for Tuesday’s contest – and watching a bit more of the opponent.
He said: “I know everyone wants to play but I’ll have to see. The doctors will knock on the door and say, ‘OK, you can count on this player, you can count on this player’, and after we’ll try to see Madrid.
“Because still I didn’t see a lot. I will talk with my staff that see more games than me and change the line-up and try to win.”
Palace are still looking for their first win since Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson in February but showed plenty of promise in the first half of Saturday’s home contest.
Captain Joel Ward, who recorded his 300th Premier League appearance for the Eagles on Saturday, told the club website: “I think there’s a lot of positives that we can take from that game. Obviously we created a good few chances as well and scored two goals. I think from front to back we were solid for large spells of the game.
“You’re always going to have your back up against City. Against another team we’d probably go on to win that game.”
Do you have Lay’s? Well, this seemingly simple question could lead to unexpected rewards, at unexpected moments, and sometimes by unexpected people. Lay’s, the world’s number one chip brand and official snack partner of the UEFA Champions League, has launched No Lay’s, No Game 2024, rewarding fans who are game day ready with Lay’s throughout the tournament. Through an ambitious “Chip Cam” stunt featuring football superstars David Beckham and Thierry Henry.
“We’ve heard from football fans from all over the world and they tell us the same thing: whether watching with a group of friends or at home solo, the experience is always better when sharing a bag of Lay’s,” said Ciara Dilley, vice president of marketing, Global Foods Group at PepsiCo. “This year, No Lay’s, No Game is giving fans even more reasons to have Lay’s in hand. For those who do, something truly remarkable might happen.
This year, Lay’s took a bold approach to its campaign and invited Beckham and Henry to ask, “Do you have Lay’s?” to a crowd of 75,000 cheering fans at San Siro during one of the most anticipated matches of the UEFA Champions League season between AC Milan and PSG. Just before kick-off, Beckham discovered, and couldn’t believe, that Henry had eaten all of his Lay’s chips. To solve it in just five minutes, the two put out a call through the Lay’s “Chip Cam” – an unexpected spin on the traditional kiss cam.
In what turns out to be a nail-biting, yet humorous, search for someone with Lay’s, the Chip Cam scans the crowd. Beckham and Henry see spectators offering up items on the jumbotron – like pizzas, empty Lay’s bags, even a couple kissing – desperate to be selected. Finally, to Beckham and Henry’s delight, two lucky fans, a father and daughter, are found with Lay’s and are invited to watch the game with the iconic football stars – proving having Lay’s can unlock a truly mind-blowing football watching experience. This epic hunt to find fans with Lay’s – and opening the door to a once-in-a-lifetime viewing experience for the lucky winners – serves as the main feature of this year’s No Lay’s, No Game commercial and will air throughout the UEFA Champions League 2024 tournament season.
“We had a great day filming at the San Siro stadium for No Lay’s, No Game. Whenever Thierry and I get together it’s always a lot of fun – and it was fantastic being able to surprise 75,000 fans,” said Beckham.
“Last year, I teamed up with Lay’s to surprise some of football’s biggest fans by literally going to their doors to see if they had Lay’s – and if they did, I stayed and watched the match with them,” said Henry. “This year, we really upped the ante with the Lay’s Chip Cam, and it was truly an exhilarating experience being back in the stadium with David. We spent a lot of our careers playing against each other on the pitch, so there’s something special about coming together with Lay’s in a whole new way to offer a once in a lifetime experience for fans.”
The campaign was created in partnership with Slap Global and directed by award-winning commercial and television director Andrew Lane.
You can catch UEFA Champions League action on Sportsmax and the Sportsmax app.
Martin Odegaard insists Arsenal cannot head into a long-awaited Champions League quarter-final draw fearing any opponent and called for Tuesday’s penalty shoot-out win over Porto to act as the catalyst for a Premier League title tilt.
The Gunners ended a 14-year wait to reach the last eight of Europe’s top-level club competition after David Raya saved two spot-kicks to seal progression following a 1-1 aggregate draw with Porto.
Leandro Trossard’s first-half strike at the Emirates Stadium drew Arsenal level in the last-16 tie, but the two sides could not be separated until Raya took centre stage, with all four of the hosts’ penalty takers finding the back of the net.
Arsenal had crashed out at the first knockout stage for seven consecutive years under Arsene Wenger and went on to endure a seven-year exile from the Champions League until they finished second in the Premier League last season.
Mikel Arteta’s side sit top of the table at present and Odegaard, who converted the first penalty of the shoot-out, believes Arsenal cannot fear facing the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Manchester City in the next round.
“To be honest, we can’t think like that,” he replied when asked if there was anyone he wanted to avoid in Friday’s draw.
“It’s the biggest tournament in the world and, no matter what team we get, it’s going to be a good team. We will just take what we get and we will try to win.
“That’s where we want to be. We want to be on the biggest stage. We want to play the biggest games and fight for the biggest trophies.
“When I came here I believed in the project, in the club, what they were doing, everything around the club, I believed in it – and now we are here doing well.
“We just have to keep pushing each other and make sure we get a little bit better every day. We will see where it takes us.”
Those improvements could also yet take Arsenal to a first Premier League crown in two decades, having fallen agonisingly short last year.
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After leading the way for 248 days of the campaign, they were pipped at the post by Treble-winning City.
However, a 2-1 victory over Brentford on Saturday followed by a draw between City and Liverpool means Arsenal will be top heading into the international break.
They travel to the Etihad Stadium on March 31 and Odegaard wants the win over Porto to act as fuel for their title drive.
“I think it is a massive boost for everyone,” the Norway international added.
“The way we did it also, it maybe wasn’t the best game, but you just saw everyone pushing so hard, digging so deep.
“I think you saw the mentality in the team when we stepped up for the penalties. I am really proud of everyone. We have to use this in a good way.
“I think we have to use this, we have to grow off this. It is a massive night for everyone. We are still a young squad, but this was another big experience for everyone.
“We have to keep building on that and use it in a good way going into the end of the season. It should be a massive boost for everyone.
“Every time we play, we want to win. We want to fight for all the trophies we can.”
Mikel Arteta has called on his players to control their emotions when they host Porto on Wednesday as he looks to guide Arsenal into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years.
A late Galeno winner gave Porto a 1-0 win in the first leg of the last-16 clash in Porto last month on a tough night for the visitors.
There were 36 fouls during the match – a Champions League high this season – with Porto boss Sergio Conceicao claiming after the game: “They (Arsenal) wanted to play, we wanted to win.”
The Gunners have won eight straight Premier League matches either side of the loss in Portugal, and head into the second leg top of the table.
Arteta has asked supporters to “bring your noise” and create a passionate environment at the Emirates Stadium – but has warned his players to remain in check.
Asked if there has to be a level of control on the pitch, he replied: “For sure. The game context is very important.
“We know that we have a long match to play. There are moments that could go your way and that it can change dramatically quick.
“That’s the Champions League and you have to be ready for these kind of games.
“We’re certainly going to have to tweak a few things to generate much more than we did (in Porto). It’s the level of the Champions League.
“You’re facing top teams. The fact that there are two games plays in your mind and we have to be better (on Tuesday).
“That’s the opportunity that we have (on Tuesday). In front of our people, in our stadium for 96 minutes. Bring your energy, bring your noise and let’s do it together. I think the impact that they can make is incredible. I don’t think they realise.
“It’s a beautiful opportunity to live one of those nights. It’s been 14 years (since a Champions League quarter-final) so everything that we put in there is going to be worth it.”
Arsenal have been in fine form domestically of late, winning 5-0 at West Ham and 6-0 at Burnley and Sheffield United, while beating Newcastle 4-1 at home.
Their last game ahead of the visit of Porto was a tighter contest as a late Kai Havertz header earned Arteta’s side a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brentford.
While not dispatching the Bees in the same emphatic manner, captain Martin Odegaard believes the stop-start nature of the game was good preparation for what they expect from Porto.
“We will take a lot of good things,” Odegaard said. “It was a really good practice for this game coming up. We had to deal with a lot of different situation, a lot of time wasting.
“We had to control our emotions the whole game and I think we did that brilliantly. It was really good practice for another big game and we did really well.
“Top of the table so of course we have to build on that momentum and the good feeling we have at the moment. That’s the goal, to keep that going.”
Bruno Fernandes says Manchester United need to knuckle down, rack up wins and improve in possession as they attempt to sneak into the Champions League spots.
This has been a season to forget for Erik ten Hag’s side, who put back-to-back Premier League defeats behind them by edging past relegation-threatened Everton 2-0 on Saturday lunchtime.
First half penalties from Fernandes and Marcus Rashford decided the contest at Old Trafford, with the former calling on United to ignore background noise and focus on themselves during the run-in.
Put to the Red Devils skipper that it feels like every match feels like a big game right now, he told MUTV: “It is actually.
“Obviously we know that this season is not being (as) good as we want, so we want to improve as much as we can until the end of the season.
“Improve obviously position-wise because we want to try to get as close as possible to the Champions League spots.
“We know that we don’t depend only on ourselves, but we have to do our job like we did today and win our games.”
United remain sixth after beating Everton and sit eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, who host Tottenham – the team between them – on Sunday.
Fifth could yet prove enough for Champions League qualification but the Red Devils will be relying on other teams to improve England’s UEFA coefficient.
United have 10 Premier League matches remaining and now turn their attention to keeping alive their hopes of ending a season to forget with silverware.
Ten Hag’s men host Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals next weekend, when a repeat of the kind of sloppiness seen against Everton, particularly in the first half, could lead to an ugly outcome.
“No one gives the ball away on purpose,” Fernandes told Stadium Astro.
“So, you miss the pass, sometimes it doesn’t go the way you want.
“Obviously, we need to get high focus in these kind of games (against Everton) because we know they have a really strong counter-press and a really strong counter-attack.
“We know that every ball that they could recover, they will try to get their space and their time to have their chances.
“But I think overall the performance was good, obviously there’s always margin to improve.
“I think keeping more on the ball, more spells with more passes, trying to play higher on the pitch in their half, keep the ball there and then still creating a lot of chances that we create today.”
United take on a Liverpool side whose FA Cup progress led next weekend’s Merseyside derby to be postponed.
That means Everton have three weeks to stew on an 11th successive winless Premier League match, with boss Sean Dyche taking his team on a European training camp next week.
“We want to remind the players of the good side of these performances while putting that demand on the next part of it,” said the Everton manager, whose side return to action at Bournemouth on March 30.
“So, what is it that changes this situation? What is it that occurs when we take responsibility? That’s where we’re trying to get to. That will certainly be part of the demand of these next three weeks.
“We’re all together, make no mistake about that. I lead it. I’ve got no problem with that.
“We’ve got to stay with the consistency of what we’re doing while adding… the only way I can describe it is the will and demand to get hurt to score a goal, where it means that much that you will score a goal.
“When you get tight then, of course, a bit of that freedom can go, but we’re the only ones who can change it.”
Manchester City youngster Micah Hamilton marked his senior debut with a dream goal as the holders finished the Champions League group stage with a 3-2 win at Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday.
With fellow 20-year-old Oscar Bobb also on the scoresheet, here the PA news agency looks at who these fresh faces are.
Who is Micah Hamilton?
The midfielder was born and brought up in Manchester and has been in the club’s system since the age of nine.
Also a City fan, he was a ballboy at the Etihad Stadium and pictures have emerged of him and manager Pep Guardiola on the touchline six years ago.
He is a versatile player who can play centrally or wide and has represented England at various youth levels.
Why has he been relatively low key until now?
Hamilton is highly rated and is currently the captain of City’s elite development squad but his progress has been hampered in recent seasons by injuries.
This is perhaps one reason why other recent City academy graduates such as Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis and James McAtee have had more attention.
He has been on the fringes of the first-team squad this season and was an unused substitute at Newcastle in the Carabao Cup and against Young Boys in the Champions League.
Who is Oscar Bobb?
Bobb is another attacking player who is rated in his native Norway as one of his country’s most promising prospects.
He joined City from Valerenga in 2019.
Having shone in the club’s youth ranks, he is now with Guardiola’s first-team squad full-time. He has made regular substitute appearances this season with the game at Red Star being his second start of the campaign.
What has been said about them?
Brian Barry-Murphy, the former Rochdale manager who is now in charge of City’s EDS, speaks highly of both players and gave Hamilton a label of “street footballer” that seems to have followed him a little.
Barry-Murphy said: “I say to him he’s a street footballer. You see Oscar Bobb who’s very exciting to watch. Micah is the same, someone who can eliminate players one by one, no matter how the game evolves.”
What are their prospects?
Bobb’s involvement this season clearly indicates that he is in Guardiola’s thinking and further opportunities are likely to come his way. History suggests he will have to be patient, however.
Phil Foden was only introduced to the first team gradually and still, at 23 and one of England’s best midfielders, is not a regular starter. The process is still ongoing for Lewis.
Cole Palmer recently decided to leave to seek more chances elsewhere, as did the likes of Jadon Sancho and Brahim Diaz in the past.
Hamilton will have to work hard to even reach Bobb’s level of involvement in what is a star-studded squad.
Micah Hamilton admitted he was struggling to take everything in after his dream goalscoring debut for Manchester City in the Champions League.
The 20-year-old former club ball boy grasped his opportunity as manager Pep Guardiola made wholesale changes for Wednesday’s final group stage dead rubber at Red Star Belgrade.
Hamilton opened the scoring in the first half with a superb strike and also won a late penalty as holders City triumphed 3-2 to wrap up Group G with six wins from six.
“I don’t even know what to say,” the academy graduate told the club’s website.
“I started just trying to ease into the game and then the moment came and I just took the opportunity. I didn’t know what to do to celebrate!
“It’s not even sunk in yet. I’m just taking it all in. It’s amazing.”
Manchester-born Hamilton joined City at the age of nine and has worked his way through the club’s ranks.
Injury has hindered his progress but he shone in Belgrade alongside two other recent academy products in Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb, the scorer of City’s second goal.
Hamilton said: “I’ve played with (Rico) right through the age groups and now to be doing it on the big stage is something mad, and the same with Oscar. I played with him last season.
“Two top players. To have them there by my side felt so good.
“The academy system is top at City and especially when you train with the first team day to day, you improve every day. They make you feel comfortable and welcome and I just felt myself on the pitch.
“I’m just going to keep my head down, keep working and hopefully chances will come.”
The strikes from Hamilton and Bobb gave City a 2-0 lead before Hwang In-beom pulled one back. Kalvin Phillips, making a rare start, restored a two-goal cushion with an 85th-minute spot-kick before Aleksandar Katai headed a late consolation.
It was Phillips’ first goal for the club having struggled to establish himself since his move from Leeds last year. The England midfielder has been linked with a move away in January but Guardiola did not want to fuel any speculation.
“I don’t know what is going to happen,” he said. “Now he is here. There are a lot of games until the end of January, hopefully he can help us.”
Rasmus Hojlund says Manchester United must stick together if they are to emerge from a “tough period” that has put Erik ten Hag’s side under intense scrutiny and pressure.
Having won the Carabao Cup, reached the FA Cup final and finished third during the Dutchman’s first campaign in change, things have gone dramatically awry this term.
United have lost four of their opening seven matches for the first time in the Premier League era and are pointless after their first two Champions League group games.
There was no disgrace in the 4-3 loss at Bayern Munich a fortnight ago, but Tuesday’s 3-2 collapse at home to a Galatasaray side that had never won in England before is something else.
“Of course it’s not about the individual performance,” Hojlund said.
“It’s about getting the three points and at the moment we’re not doing good enough.
“We need to remember we can’t get goals (go in) right after we score.
“We’ve had a few games now where they just score after we scored.
“We need to go back and analyse that tomorrow and talk about it in the group.
“Of course it’s a tough period now but we need to stick together and that’s the only way we can get out of this period.”
Hojlund opened the scoring on Tuesday with his first Old Trafford goal, only for grinning former United forward Wilfried Zaha to level for Galatasaray.
Summer signing Hojlund raced through to score a superb second after he saw an earlier effort ruled out for offside, but Kerem Akturkoglu quickly equalise for the visitors.
That goal sent United into a tailspin. Andre Onana’s horror pass led to Casemiro getting a red card and the Turkish champions winning a penalty, which Mauro Icardi missed but quickly atoned for when racing through to dink home.
“We need to get some points now if we want to play in Champions League after the group stage,” Hojlund said ahead of matches home and away to former club FC Copenhagen.
“I am looking forward to playing against them because it’s a former club, my brothers are playing there, and I have a big heart for Copenhagen.
“But now I play in Manchester United and we need to get some points out of them.”
United players kept their heads down as they walked through interview area after a chastening loss in which Hojlund’s display was the only highlight.
The Old Trafford giants went for promise over a proven goalscorer when signing the 20-year-old international from Atalanta in the summer and he enjoyed his breakout moment on Tuesday.
“It’s about getting in there,” Hojlund told MUTV. “For me, I always try to get into the dangerous positions.
“Today I got the ball three times (there), if you count the offside goal as well.
“I’ve been bought to be scoring goals and now I was happy to score two today.
“Marcus (Rashford) and I talk to each other and he knows that I’m going to be there.
“He knows that I can keep up with his pace when we go on the counter and we saw a glimpse of that today.
“(The second goal) was a good feeling. I got cheated a little bit before because of the offside (with my second goal) but, yeah, it was an incredible goal.
“I like to call that a signature Rasmus goal – on the left side, running a lot so, yeah, it was nice.”
Eddie Howe is confident there is more to come from Newcastle after they took a point from their Champions League baptism of fire in Milan.
The Magpies found themselves under the cosh at the San Siro on Tuesday evening as they opened their Group F campaign with a tough trip to AC Milan and ultimately emerged with a creditable 0-0 draw.
Howe’s team will have to be significantly more progressive than they were in Italy if they are to bank the points they will need to progress, with Paris St Germain and Borussia Dortmund waiting in the wings, but the 45-year-old believes they will be.
Asked after the game if the overriding emotion in the dressing room on the final whistle had been exhaustion, disappointment or pride, he said: “It was a mixture of all of those things, definitely pride in the result and the performance, the mentality shown.
“Not internally in the squad, the result wasn’t overestimated. They are very honest payers and they acknowledge we can perform better. Yes, a bit of fatigue as well, but we’re now looking forward to our next match.
“For us to stand up strong and come back fighting in that second half – because I thought that was a good second half display from us – bodes well for the future. All we can try and do is try and win every game.”
But for goalkeeper Nick Pope and a glaring miss from Milan’s Portugal star Rafael Leao, Newcastle could have been in deep trouble by half-time, although having got there on level terms they produced a fine defensive display after the break to plug the gaps through which the Rossoneri had poured during the opening 45 minutes.
Indeed, they might even have picked the Serie A club’s pocket in stoppage-time when Sean Longstaff forced a fingertip save from substitute goalkeeper Marco Sportiello.
Howe said: “There were a few things we changed at half-time. We were looking to tweak a few things.
“The mindset was the most important thing. The blocking of the shots, recovery sprints when we are caught out of position was all out of the top drawer, especially when it needed to be in that second half.
“We had our moments in transitions going the other way and that’s where the quality was missing, and I’m a little bit frustrated with that. As I say, we will look to improve.”
Howe will now turn his attention to Sunday’s Premier League trip to Sheffield United, with opposite number Stefano Pioli, whose side lost 5-1 to derby rivals Inter last weekend, also able to take positives from a display which promised much but did not deliver the outcome he craved.
Pioli, who also lost goalkeeper Mike Maignan and midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek to injury, said: “I liked the performance, I liked the attitude. We attacked very well, we defended well, we showed that we were full of energy through the whole 90 minutes.
“We were as intense as they were – actually, we were more intense than they were – but we couldn’t win, and that’s a pity.
“Now we have to move on. There are very important games in Serie A and then we will have to play against Borussia Dortmund.”
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