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T.G.I.
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Drogba announces international retirement
The Chelsea striker has decided to focus on his club career after scoring 65 goals in 104 appearances for the Elephants
Cote d'Ivoire icon Didier Drogba has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 36.
The Chelsea striker represented the Elephants at this summer's World Cup in Brazil but has now decided to focus on his club career after scoring 65 times in 104 appearances for his country.
"It is with much sadness that I have decided to retire from international football," Drogba wrote in a statement released on Friday.
"These past 12 years in the national team have been full of emotions. From my first call-up to my last match, I have always tried to give my best for my country.
"I am very proud to have been captain of this team for eight years and to have contributed to placing my country on the world stage of football, taking part in three World Cups and two African Cup of Nations finals.
"I cannot convey enough thanks to the fans for all the love and support during these years. All my goals, all my caps, all our victories are for you - I love you."
Drogba made his Cote d'Ivoire debut in September 2002, against South Africa, and broke his international duck the following February, in a 3-0 win over Cameroon.
The attacker captained his country in their first ever appearance at the World Cup, in 2006, netting in the Elephants' opening game, a 2-1 loss to Argentina.
Drogba struck again at South Africa 2010, against Brazil, but he failed to find the net in his three appearances at this summer's tournament as Cote d'Ivoire failed to make it out of the group stage for the third time in a row.
Having since completed a free transfer to Chelsea following the expiration of his contract with Galatasaray, Drogba has now called time on his long and illustrious international career.
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d;awww
Benedikt Howedes is getting married to his longtime girlfriend Lisa.
I hope someone has broken the news to Mats and Manuel MAYBE THEY SHOULD HAVE DECLARED THEIR LOVE FOR HIM FIRST JS
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I hope someone has broken the news to Mats and Manuel MAYBE THEY SHOULD HAVE DECLARED THEIR LOVE FOR HIM FIRST JS
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Rio Ferdinand interviews Jose Mourinho
Mostly about the Premier League, fairly interesting.
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Adams slams Wilshere's lack of professionalism
The Gunners icon lead his side to a League and Cup double in 1998 and is unimpressed with the most recent high-profile Englishman at the Emirates, lambasting his work ethic
Former Arsenal captain Tony Adams has launched a scathing attack on Jack Wilshere, slamming the midfielder for his lack of professionalism.
The 22-year-old has struggled with injuries and has had his judgement called into question this summer when he was pictured smoking on holiday.
And Adams has accused the England international of letting his talent go to waste, insisting that Arsene Wenger wouldn't have had to bring in Mesut Ozil if Wilshere had been fulfilling his potential.
"He must show more hunger and professionalism. He's in danger of not fulfilling his potential and his career could be over in the blink of an eye," said Adams in an interview with The Sun
"If push came to shove, for a cup final or big match, Arsene would pick Ozil ahead of Jack.
"He should have taken it as a personal insult that Arsenal went out and signed Ozil when they already had the same talent at their disposal in him.
"He has to be more verbal, shake things up and show more fire in his belly."
Jack Wilshere has made just two appearances for Arsenal in pre-season, following his return from England's World Cup campaign, but could be in line to start in the Community Shield against Manchester City on Sunday.
Source
Laughable that he's considered being anywhere near as good as Ozil. I think if he doesn't have a good season, he'll be gone next summer. It's getting more and more competitive for places in the squad. The only thing on his side, is the home grown rule.
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FC Bayern München/Season Opening
Today is the day of the official Season Opening for the team. It starts out with a family event in the early afternoon, is then followed by the Team Presentation at 16.00 European Standard Time and the conclusion is an AllStars match between FC Bayern and ManUnited legends at 18.00 (or 18.15).
I don't know about the Team Presentation, but http://www.rojadirecta.me has links for the AllStars match, in case you are interested. If you have access to German TV you can watch it on Kabel 1.
And I didn't see it on the calendar!
(btw ... wasn't there a sticky post for the calendar? Where did it go?)
Edit to add: I just saw that Sport 1 is airing the Team Presentation.
I don't know about the Team Presentation, but http://www.rojadirecta.me has links for the AllStars match, in case you are interested. If you have access to German TV you can watch it on Kabel 1.
And I didn't see it on the calendar!
(btw ... wasn't there a sticky post for the calendar? Where did it go?)
Edit to add: I just saw that Sport 1 is airing the Team Presentation.
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Barca gets Vermaelen...
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Diego Lopez will join AC Milan
So the Süddeutsche Zeitung writes here: http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/neuer-torwart-fuer-ac-mailand-inzaghi-freut-sich-auf-diego-lpez-1.2083659
Interesting development if you ask me.
Interesting development if you ask me.
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Benzema signs new deal with RM up to 2019
Karim Benzema has ended speculation over his future by signing a new contract that will keep him at the Bernabeu until 2019.
The France striker hit 24 goals in 52 appearances last season as Real claimed their first Champions League title in 12 years and followed his good form up with a star turn for Didier Deschamps' men at the World Cup - but as is seemingly always the way in Madrid, it was thought that the former Lyon hitman could be on his way out of the club.
Real have been linked strongly to Radamel Falcao of Monaco in recent weeks - a move that would have thrown Benzema's future with Los Blancos into doubt.
Instead, Madrid's interest in the Colombian would appear to have been ended by Benzema's five-year deal.
Since moving from Lyon in 2009 Benzema has been a consistent source of goals at the point of the Real attack, with 111 strikes in 235 appearances.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/real-madrid-transfer-news-karim-benzema-off-the-transfer-market-after-signing-new-deal-9654278.html
what does karim have on perez for him to keep enjoying the club's favor when bigger stars have been discarded for less? all i can say is, get it!!
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Samir Nasri isn't happy with Arsenal fans
Samir Nasri says fans are STUPID to abuse players as Man City star prepares to face former employers Arsenal at Wembley
![1407619925419_wps_21_Manchester_City_s_Samir_N]( "1407619925419_wps_21_Manchester_City_s_Samir_N")
Having taken dog’s abuse from Arsenal fans for daring to leave The Emirates, Manchester City’s Premier League title winner Samir Nasri is in no mood to deliberately open up old wounds ahead of the Community Shield clash against his former club at Wembley on Sunday.
But ask the 27-year-old son of Marseille a direct question and you’ll usually get a direct answer, which is why he doesn’t consider Arsene Wenger’s new-look team, boosted by the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, genuine challengers for City’s championship crown just yet.
‘I think Chelsea will be the biggest threat. For me, Arsenal still have a weakness in defensive mid and at centre-back,’ he says without any thought of shirking the issue.
‘Chelsea’s signings have really caught my eye. Cesc Fabregas is a great replacement for Frank Lampard, I know that from playing with him at Arsenal. They had a weakness up front so they've signed Diego Costa who was great for Atletico Madrid last season. They lost Ashley Cole but bought in Filipe Luis.
‘They have also done their business fast so the players have had time to spend working together. They will be really dangerous.’
As for the rest, Nasri is slightly skeptical, particularly as he thinks Chilean World Cup star Sanchez will need time to bed in after his £35million move from Barcelona.
‘Liverpool have bought a lot of players but they have also lost (Luis) Suarez and it’s really hard to replace a guy like this.
‘For Arsenal, Sanchez has the quality, but the Premier League is not La Liga. It is really, really hard.
‘We saw that with Mesut Ozil last year. We expected a lot from him and at the start of the season he was brilliant. But he found out when every other league has a break in December, you carry on playing in England.
'It is tough and I think players need a year to adapt. We had the same with Stevan Jovetic at City. He had a lot of injuries in his first year, now he’s come back second time around and is flying in pre-season.
‘The only player I know who came in from abroad and made an impact during his first season was Sergio Aguero at City. The rest at some point have all had their ups and downs.’
Dissing Arsenal’s title chances and politely suggesting we might have to wait 12 months to see the best of Sanchez isn’t going to go down well with Gunners fans who accused Nasri of joining City for the money in 2011. A video of him being abused by Arsenal supporters was posted online last year when he went to The Emirates as a spectator to see them play City.
Nasri doesn’t seem to think the situation will ever alter but describes the animosity as “stupid” and believes fans are misguided to think professional players should feel the same blind loyalty to clubs as they do.
‘The abuse doesn’t affect me on the pitch, I just think it’s stupid. I’m not an Arsenal fan, I am not from London. If we want to be honest, we are players who look at what is in the the best interests for us and our career,’ he says.
‘When Manchester City came, it was the best choice for me to come here. And today I have won trophies, I am really happy, I have everything and I have a better life.
‘If the fans can’t move on then it’s too bad. But me, I am not trying to have a problem with that. They do what they have to do, they love their club, maybe they saw it as treason or that I betrayed them. But it’s not that. I’m not like that.
‘I just look at for what’s best for me; and that’s what Bacary Sagna did, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure.’
Those three players have all left Arsenal for City in recent seasons, as well as Nasri and Gael Clichy. Nasri accepts financial reasons play a part – City pay the biggest wages per player than any team in world sport – but insists it’s not the only consideration top players take into account.
‘Fans think it must be for the money. But it’s not just the money. Ok, it’s a factor, it’s important nowadays. But if someone earns 200 (thousand) a week or 150 or 100 a week, it’s not going to make a difference or an impact on your life, so that’s not true.
‘I am in debt to Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. If I am this player today, it is because of him. But I don’t need to explain myself, what I have done with Manchester City should be enough and I don’t have to point to it all the time.’
Nasri has won two Premier League titles and a Capital One Cup in three seasons at City, vindication that moving to The Etihad was the right thing do to even if Sir Alex Ferguson went on a charm offensive at the time to take him to United.
The midfielder was excellent last season, a player who benefitted from Roberto Mancini leaving and Pellegrini arriving, and now wants to improve again, particularly to help City in the Champions League after three consecutive failures.
A five-year contract signed this summer underlines he is firmly part of the club’s long-term plans.
‘I think we have the best squad,’ he states. ‘We have four strikers that I would qualify as world class – Edin Dzeko, Alvaro Negredo, Jovetic and Aguero.
‘Then we have four on the wing in Jesus Navas, David Silva, James Milner and myself. We have Yaya Toure who can score 20 goals and have improved the group from last year with some players at the back which was our weakness.’
His club form hasn’t translated onto the international stage and having been axed from the French World Cup squad, won’t wear the dark blue of his country again.
It’s allowed his mind to focus fully on what lies ahead with City. First up, it’s Wembley this afternoon. ‘It is not a glorified friendly,’ he declares. ‘Playing Arsenal is always something special and we need to show we are ready for the start of the Premier League the following weekend.’
Source: MailOnline
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Arsenal plays Manchester City tomorrow at 3pm BST
Having taken dog’s abuse from Arsenal fans for daring to leave The Emirates, Manchester City’s Premier League title winner Samir Nasri is in no mood to deliberately open up old wounds ahead of the Community Shield clash against his former club at Wembley on Sunday.
But ask the 27-year-old son of Marseille a direct question and you’ll usually get a direct answer, which is why he doesn’t consider Arsene Wenger’s new-look team, boosted by the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, genuine challengers for City’s championship crown just yet.
‘I think Chelsea will be the biggest threat. For me, Arsenal still have a weakness in defensive mid and at centre-back,’ he says without any thought of shirking the issue.
‘Chelsea’s signings have really caught my eye. Cesc Fabregas is a great replacement for Frank Lampard, I know that from playing with him at Arsenal. They had a weakness up front so they've signed Diego Costa who was great for Atletico Madrid last season. They lost Ashley Cole but bought in Filipe Luis.
‘They have also done their business fast so the players have had time to spend working together. They will be really dangerous.’
As for the rest, Nasri is slightly skeptical, particularly as he thinks Chilean World Cup star Sanchez will need time to bed in after his £35million move from Barcelona.
‘Liverpool have bought a lot of players but they have also lost (Luis) Suarez and it’s really hard to replace a guy like this.
‘For Arsenal, Sanchez has the quality, but the Premier League is not La Liga. It is really, really hard.
‘We saw that with Mesut Ozil last year. We expected a lot from him and at the start of the season he was brilliant. But he found out when every other league has a break in December, you carry on playing in England.
'It is tough and I think players need a year to adapt. We had the same with Stevan Jovetic at City. He had a lot of injuries in his first year, now he’s come back second time around and is flying in pre-season.
‘The only player I know who came in from abroad and made an impact during his first season was Sergio Aguero at City. The rest at some point have all had their ups and downs.’
Dissing Arsenal’s title chances and politely suggesting we might have to wait 12 months to see the best of Sanchez isn’t going to go down well with Gunners fans who accused Nasri of joining City for the money in 2011. A video of him being abused by Arsenal supporters was posted online last year when he went to The Emirates as a spectator to see them play City.
Nasri doesn’t seem to think the situation will ever alter but describes the animosity as “stupid” and believes fans are misguided to think professional players should feel the same blind loyalty to clubs as they do.
‘The abuse doesn’t affect me on the pitch, I just think it’s stupid. I’m not an Arsenal fan, I am not from London. If we want to be honest, we are players who look at what is in the the best interests for us and our career,’ he says.
‘When Manchester City came, it was the best choice for me to come here. And today I have won trophies, I am really happy, I have everything and I have a better life.
‘If the fans can’t move on then it’s too bad. But me, I am not trying to have a problem with that. They do what they have to do, they love their club, maybe they saw it as treason or that I betrayed them. But it’s not that. I’m not like that.
‘I just look at for what’s best for me; and that’s what Bacary Sagna did, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure.’
Those three players have all left Arsenal for City in recent seasons, as well as Nasri and Gael Clichy. Nasri accepts financial reasons play a part – City pay the biggest wages per player than any team in world sport – but insists it’s not the only consideration top players take into account.
‘Fans think it must be for the money. But it’s not just the money. Ok, it’s a factor, it’s important nowadays. But if someone earns 200 (thousand) a week or 150 or 100 a week, it’s not going to make a difference or an impact on your life, so that’s not true.
‘I am in debt to Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. If I am this player today, it is because of him. But I don’t need to explain myself, what I have done with Manchester City should be enough and I don’t have to point to it all the time.’
Nasri has won two Premier League titles and a Capital One Cup in three seasons at City, vindication that moving to The Etihad was the right thing do to even if Sir Alex Ferguson went on a charm offensive at the time to take him to United.
The midfielder was excellent last season, a player who benefitted from Roberto Mancini leaving and Pellegrini arriving, and now wants to improve again, particularly to help City in the Champions League after three consecutive failures.
A five-year contract signed this summer underlines he is firmly part of the club’s long-term plans.
‘I think we have the best squad,’ he states. ‘We have four strikers that I would qualify as world class – Edin Dzeko, Alvaro Negredo, Jovetic and Aguero.
‘Then we have four on the wing in Jesus Navas, David Silva, James Milner and myself. We have Yaya Toure who can score 20 goals and have improved the group from last year with some players at the back which was our weakness.’
His club form hasn’t translated onto the international stage and having been axed from the French World Cup squad, won’t wear the dark blue of his country again.
It’s allowed his mind to focus fully on what lies ahead with City. First up, it’s Wembley this afternoon. ‘It is not a glorified friendly,’ he declares. ‘Playing Arsenal is always something special and we need to show we are ready for the start of the Premier League the following weekend.’
Source: MailOnline
Arsenal plays Manchester City tomorrow at 3pm BST
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Nasri retires from international football
Manchester City's French midfielder Samir Nasri has decided to quit international football over a breakdown in his relationship with national coach Didier Deschamps and the French media.
The 27-year-old playmaker won the Premier League last season with City but was left out of the France squad for this year's World Cup in Brazil, where the side reached the quarter-finals.
Deschamps later filed a legal complaint for 'public insult' against Nasri's girlfriend, Anara Atanes, for messages she posted on Twitter after the player was omitted from the France squad. "Let's face it, as long as he (Deschamps) is going to be the manager I don't think I have a shot after everything that has happened," Nasri told reporters before Sunday's Community Shield against his former club Arsenal.
"I will only be 29 in 2016 for the European Championships (hosted by France) but the French national team doesn't make me happy. Every time I go there, there is just more trouble. "I face accusations about me and my family suffers from it and I don't want to make them suffer, so it's better to stop it and focus on my club career."
Nasri, who has been capped 41 times, has a reputation as a troublemaker and was banned for three matches after launching a foul-mouthed tirade at a reporter following France's quarter-final defeat by Spain at Euro 2012. The player also missed the 2010 World Cup when former coach Raymond Domenech left him out of the squad.
Nasri said Deschamps was not the only factor that drove him towards taking a decision to quit playing for France. "He did what he thought was best for his team. I understand his choice, it is not something about him, I don't have any problem with him. It's just everything," Nasri added.
"It is not him who talks in the press, it is the press who say things about me and the players as well. "Before this World Cup, they were saying that some players complain (about him). Why do you want me to be in the group with some players who can't even be true in front of me and tell me that they have a problem? "I don't want to be there. I am not happy. I don't want to go there any more."
http://asia.eurosport.com/football/disgruntled-nasri-announces-international-retirement_sto4354116/story.shtml
I'm sorry but I can't respect him when he blames the press, the coaches, the players and everyone else for his poor performance with Les Bleus. Like can he not even admit the least amount of culpability with his irresponsible behavior? I won't miss him
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FA COMMUNITY SHIELD: ARSENAL VS. MANCHESTER CITY
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kawaiii desu ne
So Schalke's English FB feed has really stepped up in reporting all the pre-season events and whatnot
And Uchida got to go to a farm. Why? Your guess is as good as mine.
And Uchida got to go to a farm. Why? Your guess is as good as mine.
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Prince Mats Hummels is the new captain of Borussia Dortmund.
.@matshummels ist neuer Kapitän, @woodyinho und Weidenfeller sind Stellvertreter. #bvb
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) August 10, 2014Translation: Mats Hummels is the new captain with Marco Reus and Roman Weidenfeller as seconds.
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS!!!!! I think it's time for a Hummels spam!
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ONTD fantasy league
What's the code for our league?
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Wenger Names Captain, Everyone Already Knows
Yes, I'll use any excuse to put Man Utd in the conversation
Wenger confirms everyone's (seriously you should have made a bet on this) guess that midfielder Arteta will take the captain’s armband for 2014/2015 Premier League season with Mertesacker acting as his deputy.
Wenger confirms Mikel Arteta as #afc captain for the season (he's out of contract in the summer). Per Mertesacker named vice-captain.
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) August 10, 2014Arteta comments:
Great to lift another trophy and a massive honor to be named CAPTAIN of ARSENAL FC!!Lets have a great season!! pic.twitter.com/JnwATZthzw
— Mikel Arteta (@m8arteta) August 10, 2014
So, have you ever hooked up with someone that stood 6'7", ONTD_FB?
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Bastian Remains Flawless: Wants Scholesy's Garments, Can't Even Wait Till the End of the Match
Basti eyeing Scholesy's movements, kit, essence
'I've given it to Schweinsteiger,' Scholes replied when the reporter asked about the whereabouts of his shirt.
'He asked me for a shirt at half time so I gave it to him. He gave me a shirt too which was nice because he's an amazing footballer, he's just won the World Cup. It was nice to speak to him.
'It's nice to swap a shirt with such a great player - a man who's won the World Cup and many trophies with Bayern Munich and been a fantastic player - to speak to him for a few minutes was nice.' (SCHOLES IS SO HUMBLE AND GENEROUS AND GINGER)
Scholes scored United's second goal in a 3-3 draw at the Allianz and spoke about the tough task of completing 90 minutes at the age of 39.
'It's very difficult when you get to 40 but it was very enjoyable - six goals, hopefully the crowd enjoyed the game.'(PLEASE STOP AGING)
Aftermath of Basti's shirt greed
source.
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It's that time of the year for me to fail miserably.
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Jurgen Klopp taps my icon before Liverpool vs Borussia Dortmund
Jurgen Klopp taps 'Welcome toThis is Anfield' sign before Liverpool vs Borussia Dortmund
Jurgen Klopp was seen tapping Liverpool's famous 'Welcome toThis is Anfield' sign in the tunnel before he headed out on to the pitch.
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Touching the sign is supposed to bring good luck to the players before a match, but the superstition does not normally extend to Liverpool's opposition.
Klopp, though, could not resist taking part in the tradition.
Liverpool faced Dortmund in their final pre-season friendly game before the Premier League begins next weekend.
Brendan Rodgers' side played five games while on their tour of the US, and lost to Manchester United in the final of the International Champions Cup.
Liverpool, who finished second last season, will begin their league campaign at home to the heavily-depleted Southampton.
Source: MailOnline
The sign's power!
"Welcome to Anfield"
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Jurgen Klopp was seen tapping Liverpool's famous '
Touching the sign is supposed to bring good luck to the players before a match, but the superstition does not normally extend to Liverpool's opposition.
Klopp, though, could not resist taking part in the tradition.
Liverpool faced Dortmund in their final pre-season friendly game before the Premier League begins next weekend.
Brendan Rodgers' side played five games while on their tour of the US, and lost to Manchester United in the final of the International Champions Cup.
Liverpool, who finished second last season, will begin their league campaign at home to the heavily-depleted Southampton.
Source: MailOnline
The sign's power!
"Welcome to Anfield"
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Extraordinary things happened at Barcelona that nobody knows about
The French defender, who was unveiled by Olympiakos on Monday, hints that there was turbulence behind the scenes at Camp Nou about which nobody outside of the club knew.
Former Barcelona defender Eric Abidal claims many "extraordinary" things happened behind the scenes at the Catalan club that have never seen the light of day.
Abidal endured a traumatic time at Barca as he was laid low by cancer, underwent a liver transplant and was later forced to leave when, having made an emotional comeback, the promise of a new contract never materialised.
The former France full-back joined Monaco last summer but has now moved to Olympiakos after a single season in Ligue 1 and was unveiled by the Greek champions on Monday.
Of his time at Camp Nou, the 34-year-old told the press: "I will never forget what my team-mates did for me [during my illness]. I don't think there has ever been anything like it."
Right-back Dani Alves offered to donate part of his liver to help Abidal return to a normal life, while former captain Carles Puyol let the Frenchman lift the Champions League trophy in his place when Barca beat Manchester United in the 2011 final at Wembley.
However, Abidal was also involved in a pay dispute with the Catalan club and left under a cloud after the public promise of a new deal was never fulfilled by the Blaugrana board.
"Despite everything, at Barca many other things happened that have never seen the light, that have never been published and that the press don't know about," he remarked, "and they are extraordinary things."
Abidal, who will link up with former Barca team-mate Ibrahim Afellay at Olympiakos, added: "I hope my experience and knowledge can help this club to grow. Wherever I play, I always give everything and my sweat will be proof of that."
Source
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