Inter Milan booked their tickets for the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 Final after defeating AC Milan 3-0 on aggregate. Internazionale got their lead in the first leg by 2-0 and it was pretty much ended from their side. AC Milan weren't good enough to go face-to-face with Inter Milan. It is not confirmed which team Inter will face in the Final between Real Madrid or Manchester City but it is a huge moment for them as they reached the final after 13 years. Lautaro Martinez has entered the all-time top goalscorers in the Champions League list for Inter Milan after scoring his 10th goal for the club. In this article, we'll have a look at the list consisting of the players with the most number of goals for Internazionale.

Read Also: Inter Milan vs AC Milan: Lautaro Martinez goal sends Nerazzurri to the UEFA Champions League final

All-time top goalscorers for Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League:

There are many Legends of the game who have represented Inter on the biggest stage of the Club Competition. Lautaro Martinez has already become a Legend for them after breaking so many records for them. He entered the list of the top goalscorers list in the Champions League for Inter after scoring the 10th goal for the club.

Adriano Leite Ribeiro | 14 Goals

Adriano was considered the long-term successor to Ronaldo but was marked by inconsistency and a decline in his performances which coincided with the death of his father. He scored 14 goals for Inter Milan in the Champions League and is still the all-time top goalscorer for the club.

Julio Cruz | 13 Goals

Julio Cruz has played six seasons for Internazionale in his career. He has represented the club in 39 European Competition games and has scored 13 goals during those games. All of those goals came in the Champions League for him. He wasn't able to win the title with the club but provided plenty of goals and assists during his tenure at the club.

Hernán Crespo | 11 Goals

The Argentine Known for his technical skill, speed, and intelligence, Crespo played for Inter for a total of four seasons, initially in the 2002/03 campaign and then between 2006 and 2009. He made 117 appearances for the Nerazzurri across Serie A, the Coppa Italia, the Italian Super Cup, and the Champions League, scoring 46 goals along the way and helping Inter to win three Scudetto titles and two Italian Super Cups. He didn't win the Champions League title but provided Inter with 11 goals in the competition.

Samuel Eto'o | 10 Goals

The Cameroonian was crucial to the club's stunning string of successes between 2009 and 2011. In 2009/10, Eto'o kicked off the campaign up front alongside Milito, firing Inter to Serie A glory, but it was in the Champions League that he made the biggest mark. The forward scored against Chelsea, played a nail-biter match against his former club Barcelona and then scored the crucial goals against Bayern Munich in the Final. Inter Milan lifted their third UCL trophy in 2010 and after 13 years they are in the Final once again.

Lautaro Martinez | 10 Goals

Lautaro Martinez is one of the best strikers Inter Milan have ever got in their history of Football. He matched the All-time top goalscorers tally after scoring the goal against AC Milan in the 2nd leg of the Semi-Final at San Siro. Martinez is now on the same goal-scoring table as Eto'o in the Champions League for Inter Milan. The Argentine forward won the World Cup in 2022 and he has a great chance to win the UCL in the same season too.

Set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025, the restructured global club football competition will bring together 32 teams from across the world to vie for the title of world champions.

The draw, held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Miami, showcased an impressive lineup of continental and domestic champions from every corner of the globe.

Among the standout contenders are Spain's Real Madrid, the UEFA Champions League winners, Brazil's Botafogo, the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions, and Egypt's Al Ahly, who are consecutive CAF Champions League winners.

New Format

Traditionally featuring six to eight teams, the FIFA Club World Cup will now adopt a new format, hosting the largest number of participants in its history. Teams earned qualification by winning their respective continental club tournaments, such as the UEFA Champions League, and based on the confederations' four-year rankings.

South America (CONMEBOL) includes six teams, whereas Europe (whose confederation is UEFA) has twelve, making up the largest representation of the 32 teams.

There are four teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), Africa (AFC), and Asia (AFC).

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami was given a spot, as the domestic champions of the host country, Oceania (OFC) got one spot as well. The top two from each of the 8 groups will advance to the knockout stages after a round-robin group stage.

The final will take place at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on 13 July.

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FIFA Club World Cup Groups

When is the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025, in the United States of America.

How many teams will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025?

A total of 32 teams from 6 continents will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Two of the top Asian football powerhouses, Japan and Qatar are being considered to compete against Argentina National Football Team for the exhibition matches In India. The matches are likely to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, Kerala.

Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman announced in a press conference on Tuesday that the world champions will grace the Indian soil in 2025. AFA representatives are set to visit Kerala within six weeks and finalize Messi and co's trip to 'God's Own Country'. 

#Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman revealed that the #Argentina football team, including legendary player #LionelMessi, will visit the state next year for an international match. 😲⚽ https://t.co/mYvR9OwP5Khttps://t.co/mYvR9OwP5K pic.twitter.com/gzeQP20eIF

— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) November 20, 2024

However, there have been no official confirmations on Argentina's potential opponents, but TOI has confirmed that AFA has asked for a list of opponents from the Kerala State Government, and AFA will choose their rivals themselves. 

Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also shared a heartfelt message on Facebook:

Confirmation awaits

Argentina will face two leading Asian teams for the friendlies in Kerala next year but the opponents are yet to be disclosed. However, the venue of the match is yet to be announced as the venue will be finalized after the AFA officials visit the State within the next six months. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi is the most suitable destination with a capacity of almost 42000.

🏟️ Messi to Kerala! Argentina 🇦🇷 is set to play a friendly match in Kochi in 2025, likely against Qatar or Japan.

📢 Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman confirmed the news after talks with the Argentine FA in Spain.

💸 Hosting costs estimated at ₹100 crore, including ₹36 crore… pic.twitter.com/swvhSJAMLJ

— football news india (@fni) November 21, 2024

The dates are not announced yet as well. However, two dates during the FIFA International break window in October 2025 are the tentative fixture as of now. Further discussions between the State Government and the AFA and the official announcement is yet to happen. 

Fans hope that Lionel Messi will come to India after 14 years since he played in Argentina's friendly match against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. However, Messi's arrival can only be confirmed after the official announcement as the Argentine legend will definitely be the center of attraction for Indian football fans.

Read Also | Trophies won by Argentina in International Football (Men's)

A remarkable crop of young talent continues to grace the football world in 2024, with under-21 players attracting enormous attention and high prices. In addition to being the sport's future, these up-and-coming talents are already having a big influence on their teams and the global scene. 

These U21 players are not only influencing the success of their clubs but also changing the economics of contemporary football as transfer markets soar to previously unheard-of heights. Let's take a look at the players leading the list.

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Lamine Yamal- €181M

Paul Pogba and Juventus have mutually agreed to part ways amid doping ban as the club announced on Friday via an official statement. The Turin-based club terminated the player's contract despite his ban being cut down to 18 months by CAS in October 2024.

🚨 OFFICIAL: Paul Pogba becomes free agent, he’s left Juventus terminating the contract on mutual agreement.

Pogba will be able to join new club with immediate effect, training from January 2025 and playing from March 2025. pic.twitter.com/IEjikxWzpM

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 15, 2024

The Serie A giants Juventus have stated in the official club statement:

"Juventus Football Club and Paul Pogba announce that they have reached a mutual agreement for the termination of their contract as of 30 November, 2024.
The club wishes Paul the very best for his professional future."

Paul Pogba confirmed his departure from the club via Instagram and expressed his gratitude to Juventus fans.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul Labile Pogba (@paulpogba)

However, Pogba becomes a free agent and will be available in the winter transfer window in January 2025. 

Pogba's doping ban

Paul Pogba made his long-awaited return to Juventus in 2022 but he has not played for the Bianconeri since September 2023. In August 2023, Pogba was tested positive for DHEA which is a banned substance. According to Journalist Julien Laurens, Paul Pogba admitted to Juventus that he took some food supplements not knowing they contained testosterone which led to his positive drug test. 

However, Italy's anti-doping court sanctioned Pogba with a four-year ban for doping in September 2023, and the decision was announced this year in February. Pogba appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) against the punishment stating that the verdict was incorrect. CAS reduced Pogba's ban to 18 months from four years as the 31-year-old Frenchman was able to prove that the consumption of testosterone was not intentional. Pogba stated afterwards:

"I always stated that I never knowingly breached World Anti-Doping Agency regulations when I took a nutritional supplement prescribed to me by a doctor, which does not affect or enhance the performance of male athletes, 

"I play with integrity, and although I must accept that this is a strict liability offence, I want to place on record my thanks to the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s judges who heard my explanation."

However, Pogba is eligible to play from March 2025 after receiving the punishment reduction.

The following incidents

According to a report by Fabrizio Romano on 7 October 2024, both parties would agree on a contract termination. Pogba's high salary of €10m per season also caused financial worries for the Turin club and his fitness issues would have taken time to recover. 

🚨 Paul Pogba and Juventus, expected to agree on contract termination as he will become a free agent.

Talks to follow from tomorrow after CAS verdict, as Paul will be available from March.

Paul Pogba also feels a fresh start would be best solution for him and his career. pic.twitter.com/niTvAzRbzt

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 6, 2024

The reports have come true and now Pogba has become a free agent and will be available in the winter transfer window. Paul Pogba is training in Miami to regain his fitness and be ready for his next club. It will be exciting to see which club pursues the French midfielder who will be available to train with his new club from January and play from March 2025.

AS Roma have reached an agreement to appoint Claudio Ranieri as the new head coach. The legendary PL-winning manager of Leicester City announced his retirement earlier this year in May after leaving his position at his last club Cagliari. However, Ranieri will take up the charge to be Roma's next manager as AS Roma fired Ivan Juric on 10 November 2024.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio and Florian Plettenberg of SkySports, the 73-year-old veteran manager completed the verbal agreement for a contract until the end of the season yesterday.

#SerieA | #Roma, #Ranieri: "Una bella gatta da pelare? Mi hanno chiamato per questo"https://t.co/IobobjOqMG

— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) November 13, 2024

According to Fabrizio Romano, Ranieri arrived at the club this morning and signed all the formal documents for his appointment as Roma coach for the third time in his career. 

🟡🔴✍🏻 Claudio Ranieri and his lawyers already signed all formal documents for his return to AS Roma as head coach.

Back home. 🔙🏡 pic.twitter.com/j9SjhImhH7

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 13, 2024

Ranieri himself confirmed his appointment after he met the AS Roma president Dan Freidkin and vice president Ryan Friedkin in London on Wednesday. He jokingly told the press on his way back:

"[Roma’s] a tough nut to crack? That’s why they called me!"

"We’re all set—the good guys are coming!"

via Ansa

An official announcement is expected from AS Roma today as Ranieri is all set for this return at his beloved club for the third time as the manager. 

One of my favorite moments when Ranieri was at olimpico for Roma Leicester and both sets of fans gave him the round of applause he deserved pic.twitter.com/hrUSlnEcXc

— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) November 12, 2024

The Scenario

The legendary Jose Mourinho was sacked by AS Roma in January this year. However, Roma legend Daniele De Rossi was appointed as the next head coach for the Giallorossi. Roma finished 6th in Serie A last season under De Rossi but he was eventually fired from his position in September 2024 after going winless in the first 4 matches of Serie A 2024-25. 

AS Roma have sacked Daniele de Rossi.

Football heritage 🤷 pic.twitter.com/ukee7Z4yFn

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 18, 2024

Following De Rossi's departure, the fans expressed their anger about the decision and Roma CEO Lina Souloukou stepped down. Former Torino coach Ivan Juric was appointed as De Rossi's successor but Roma's worst start in the Serie A in over two decades led to his sacking on 10 November 2024. 

AS Roma is currently facing a very difficult situation as they are 12th in this season's Serie A League table as of now, having earned 13 points from 12 matches. 

Ranieri's sensational return to Roma

Although Claudio Ranieri is mostly known for Leicester City's folkloric 2015-16 Premier League-winning journey under his managership, the 73-year-old Italian shares a close bond with Italian football, especially with AS Roma.

Ranieri announced his retirement from his managerial career after leaving Cagliari in May 2024 this year but now he has returned to his hometown to take up the mantle. Ranieri's third stint with AS Roma begins tomorrow with a first training session. Rome, where Ranieri was born and played for Roma later, has also managed Roma in two different spells before.

“Quando la Roma chiama, io devo rispondere sì”

Bentornato, Sir Claudio #ASRoma | #Ranieri 🟨🟥 pic.twitter.com/gNW2xEB11l

— Radio Romanista (@radio_romanista) November 13, 2024

Ranieri was appointed as Roma's manager in September 2009 and concluded his first stint in February 2011. His second stint was from March to June 2019.

However, according to Gazzetta, Ranieri will leave the position at the end of this season and he will join AS Roma's technical board. But as of now, AS Roma will look to get back on track with their old guard back in the business.