Robinho Returning to Santos for Just Above Brazil’s Minimum Wage Rate

Posted on October 12, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Robinho isn’t afraid to earn a lot less to play for his boyhood club…

The 36-year-old Brazilian professional footballer and former Manchester City forward has signed a five-month contract with former club Santos, and he’ll earn $271 (R$1.500) a month, which is just above the country’s minimum wage.

Robinho re-joined his boyhood club for a third stint as a free agent, having left Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir shortly after helping them win their first Super Lig title last season.

“I will play for a minimum wage, but the most important thing is to be here,” Robinho told the club’s official website.

“I am well physically and mentally, obviously there is still a little bit of rhythm [missing], but that over time we will gradually evolve.”

Robinho, who shot to fame after making his professional debut with Santos in 2002, went on to play for Real Madrid, City and AC Milan, among other clubs.

He won two national championships, two Paulista tournaments and the Brazilian Cup in his previous two spells with Santos.

“I have many fond memories here,” Robinho added. “The fans can be certain that I will give my best to help Santos FC on and off the pitch.

“Santos FC is going through a difficult financial time. So this is the time for those who can do something. I want to help the club that always gave me everything. Santos FC has already done a lot for me and this return is still little.”

Santos are going through financial difficulties and could soon face a transfer ban from FIFA over unpaid debts.

Chilean club Huachipato are demanding Santos to complete the $3.4m deal over the signing of Venezuelan striker Jefferson Soteldo, while Colombian outfit Atletico Nacional claim they are still owed $774,000 from the sale of defender Felipe Aguilar.

Thiago Silva Agrees to Two-Year Deal with Chelsea F.C.

Posted on August 25, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Thiago Silva is switching sides…

The 35-year-old Brazilian professional footballer will sign a two-year deal for Chelsea F.C. this week after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, according to ESPN.

The PSG captain’s contract at the French club ran out at the end of the previous campaign, but he played all the Champions League knockout matches — including in the team’s 1-0 final defeat to Bayern Munich — but was not offered a new deal after eight years at the Parc des Princes.

Silva has agreed to personal terms with Chelsea, although minor details are still left to sort out. He’ll reportedly have his medical on Thursday ahead of his official signing.

The big attraction for Chelsea is they won’t have to pay a transfer fee for the former AC Milan defender.

Silva feels he can still play at the top European level for three or four years. He wanted a two-year deal and Chelsea were happy to offer it him.

PSG boss Thomas Tuchel wanted to keep him in Paris but sporting director Leonardo was against it.

Silva had also been offered a two-year deal by Fiorentina, but has opted to join Chelsea rather than return to Serie A.

Lola Ponce to Perform for AC Milan & Roc Nation’s Virtual Live Tribute Concert

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Lola Ponceis honoring Italy’s frontliners…

Italian soccer club AC Milan and Roc Nation have joined forces to stage a virtual live event on Sunday, featuring the 37-year-old Argentine-Italian singer/songwriter and actress.

Headlined by Alicia Keys, the concert will pay tribute to workers fighting the coronaviruspandemic in Italy and beyond.

Funds raised through the event will benefit global humanitarian aid organization Direct Reliefand AC Milan’s philanthropic foundation.

Viewers will be able to donate via the “From Milan with Love” fundraising site and AC Milan’s Facebook page.

The hour-long tribute is scheduled for Sunday at 9:00 pm (1900 GMT) and will be hosted by Grammy-winning producer DJ Khaled and Italian TV presenter Diletta Leotta.

In addition to Ponce and Keys, other performers include Kelly Rowland, Robin Thicke, Gavin Rossdale and Chris Traynor of Bush, and Jay Buchanan of Rival Sons.

“This crisis has presented unprecedented challenges for all of us, but the contribution that these key workers have made is humbling, inspiring and will never be forgotten,” Milan chief executive Ivan Gazid is said. “The participation of such an amazing array of talent in this event will provide a fitting tribute to them and I hope will help to spread a message of hope and optimism during this difficult period.”

Milan’s last Serie Agame was on March 8 before the league was suspended.

More than 27,000 people are known to have died from coronavirus in Italy. However, the number of daily new cases of COVID-19, as well as the fatalities, have steadily declined, and the country is set to ease lockdown measures on Monday, allowing individuals to practice sport outdoors.

Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez in Talks to Transfer to LA Galaxy

Posted on January 17, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez may be heading to a new galaxy…

The LA Galaxyare in talks with the 31-year-old Mexican professional footballer, who plays as a striker for Spanish club Sevillaand the Mexico national team.

A Galaxy spokesperson told ESPN that the club continues to speak to Hernandez and Sevilla about a transfer. A report from Marcastated that Sevilla is willing to part with Hernandez for a $10 million transfer fee, which would be a Galaxy record, but the Galaxy spokesperson said no deal was in place, nor was one imminent.

Galaxy general manager Dennis Te Kloese told the Los Angeles Times about the possible acquisition of Hernandez, adding: “I think he could be good for us. We’ll give it a serious try.”

Hernandez, Mexico’s all-time leading scorer with 52 goals, is in his first season with Sevilla after moving last summer from West Ham Unitedfor $8.7 million, but he has found playing time hard to come by. Hernandez has made just 15 league and cup appearances, scoring three goals.

The Mexico legend would be tabbed to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who, after scoring 31 league and playoff goals last season, departed the club and eventually signed for AC Milan.

Given his Mexico roots, Hernandez figures to be a massive box office draw, should he sign with the Galaxy.

After breaking in with Liga MXside Chivasin 2006 and spending four years with the club, Hernandez has spent the bulk of his career in Europe, suiting up for the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham and eventually Sevilla.

At club level, Hernandez has scored 156 goals in 424 club appearances. He was on two Premier League-winning sides with Manchester United in 2010-11 and 2012-13, and he won the 2006 Apertura with Chivas.

At international level, he has been part of three World Cupsquads with Mexico, making 109 appearances.

Pepe Reina Joins Aston Villa on Short-Term Loan

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Pepe Reina is headed to the United Kingdom…

The 37-year-old Spanish footballer and former Liverpool goalkeeper has joined Aston Villa on a short-term deal from AC Milan.

Reina, who has also played for Barcelona, Villarreal, Bayern Munich and Napoliand was part of the Spain squad that won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championshipin 2008 and 2012, was mainly a back-up to Milan No. 1 Gianluigi Donnarumma during his time at the San Siro.

Reina spent eight years at Liverpool between 2005 and 2013, winning an FA Cup, a Football LeagueCup, a FA Community Shieldand a UEFA Super Cup.

He ended his Liverpool career with a yearlong loan move to Napoli before permanently joining Bayern in 2014. He lasted just one year at the Allianz Arenabefore returning to Napoli for three years.

Reina made his international debut against Uruguayin 2005 but spent much of his career with Spain as the second choice goalkeeper to Iker Casillas.

Villa were keen to sign a goalkeeper after their first choice Tom Heatonsustained a season-ending injury.

Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos to Join Arsenal on Season-Long Loan

Posted on July 23, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Dani Ceballosis weaponizing…

The 22-year-old Spanish professional footballer has agreed to join Arsenal on a season-long loan with the Gunners expected to finalize the terms of the agreement with Real Madrid soon, according to ESPN FC.

Tottenham Hotspur, Sevilla and AC Milan also tried to sign the midfielder but different sources told ESPN FCthat Unai Emery has been decisive in Ceballos accepting Arsenal’s proposal even though they won’t participate in the Champions League this season.

Another key factor in Ceballos’ decision was Arsenal’s flexibility to accept a personal loans deal without an option to buy as opposed to the Spurs‘ insistence on a permanent deal being an eventual feature of any deal they made.

Ceballos has failed to establish himself at Madrid since joining from Real Betis in 2017, but club sources trust that this loan will help him to earn “regular time” and prove why Real Madrid “made a big gamble” on him in the summer of 2017.

Ceballos caught the attention of Milan, Tottenham, Sevilla and Arsenal after helping Spainwin the European Under-21 Championshipearlier in the summer.

Ceballos wanted to leave on loan to find regular playing time and decided the Premier Leaguewas the best place to continue his development.

Tottenham looked the favorites but sources close to Emery said he has been “key” in the decision as the Arsenal manager is ready to “to give him regular game time to prove his worth” and to “give him freedom to shape the game in the midfield.”

The agreement between clubs is also on track and several media outlets in Spain are even claiming that that the player could undergo his medical exams this week before travelling to USA to join Arsenal in their preseason tour.

Pato Transferring to Spain’s Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D.

Posted on July 31, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Alexandre Pato is ready to kick it in Spain…

The 26-year-old Brazilian soccer star will be presented on Monday as the newest member of Spain’s Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D.

Pato, who previously played for Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, will join Villarreal for the next four seasons.

He’ll be presented on Monday in a ceremony in the Paraje Ermita de la Virgen de Gracia Villarreal.

According to sources at Corinthians, Pato’s transfer will cost the Spanish side to pay Corinthians three million euros, of them 40 percent for the player.

Pato has played for Brazilian side Internacional, AC Milan, Corinthians, Sao Paulo and Chelsea.

At the beginning of 2016, Chelsea acquired the player, who won’t debut with the Blues until April 2. Despite only playing two matches he scored one goal for the London side.

According to the Villarreal official website, Pato has also had a long career with the Brazilian National Team, making his first appearance in 2008 and playing 28 matches, scoring 10 goals.

He has also been a member of the U20 National Team (12 matches, 8 gols) and the Olympic National Team (10 matches, 2 goals).

Robinho Reportedly Joining Chinese Club Guangzhou Evergrande

Posted on July 2, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Robinho is headed to Asia…

The 31-year-old Brazilian soccer player, known for his ball control, attacking instinct and dribbling, is reportedly set to join former Seleção Brasileira de Futebol coach Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande, according to Brazilian media.

The news comes as Robinho wrapped up his third spell at Santos Futebol Clube.

The former Real Madrid, Manchester City and AC Milan attacker, known for his elaborate stepovers, said he was hopeful of returning to Santos in the future after the club said they couldn’t afford to match the offers from overseas.

“Unfortunately it will not be possible to renew my contract. But Santos FC will always be in my heart,” Robinho said in a statement.

“FC Santos will go great, because it is above any player. I will try to remain happy doing what I like best, which is play football and hopefully one day return.”

Brazil media said Robinho, who was part of the Brazil side that exited the Copa America on Thursday following a quarterfinal penalty shootout defeat by Paraguay, would be joining four-times reigning Chinese champions Guangzhou.

The Chinese club appointed 2002 World Cup winning coach Scolari earlier this month after sacking Italian Fabio Cannavaro after less than half a season in charge.

Scolari has been quick to make changes and signed Brazilian midfielder Paulinho from English outfit Tottenham Hotspur on Monday for a reported fee of around $15 million.

Telo’s International Hit “Ai Se Eu Te Pego” Tops Billboard Latin Charts

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It may have been released more than four months ago, but Michel Teló’s international hit “Ai Se Eu Te Pego” has finally catapulted its way to the top of the Billboard charts.

The 31-year-old Brazilian country singer and songwriter’s song, which has reached No. 1 in 15 countries across Europe, Eastern Europe and Latin America since its release last November, has reached the peak on the Billboard Latin Songs chart and the Billboard Latin Pop Songs chart.

The single—which has been covered by Pitbull, praised by Perez Hilton and danced to by soccer stars like Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring goals has a catchy repetitive chorus, accordion hook and lyrics about a guy trying to seduce a girl.

The song was officially written in 2008 by Sharin Acioly, who first heard the phrase from a group of girls in Port Seguro who were singing and dancing to a song they’d come up with as a joke.

Teló heard the song in Salvador during a forro concert last year and decided he wanted to perform the song to a Sertanejo (Brazilian country music) rhythm. So he reached out to Acioly and they worked out a deal.

In no time, the soccer community helped bring “Ai Se Eu Te Pego” to millions around the globe. Teló has publicly thanked soccer star Neymar who plays for Brazil’s Santos club for popularizing the song with choreography he created in the team locker room.

Ronaldo and his teammate Marcelo followed in Neymar’s footsteps by celebrating goals by dancing to the song. Later a video was released of AC Milan‘s Robinho, Thiago Silva and Pato performing the choreography on a bus and suddenly the song was a global phenomenon.

“Ai Se Eu Te Pego” even made its way to the NBA thanks to Rudy Fernandez and a video of him and his Denver Nuggets teammates dancing to the track.

The official music video has been viewed more than 280 million times on YouTube, and has been translated and subtitled in multiple languages including English, Polish and Italian. And, Telo’s record label, Som Livre, estimates that the single has been downloaded two million times around the world.

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