Love it or hate it, agents play a crucial part in modern football. They shape the path of some of Europe’s top stars and come at quite the cost as a result. But just how powerful are they?

Last summer, alone, some of the top agencies in European football helped broker some of the most expensive deals around as Manchester United completed an attacking overhaul and Liverpool tied star man Virgil van Dijk down to a new contract.

Now, Sportingpedia have taken a deeper dive into the likes of Wasserman, CAA Stellar and Jorge Mendes’ famous GestiFute, ranking their power in the modern game based on the market value of their clients.

10 HCM Sports Management – €0.63bn

With Viktor Gyokeres and Frenkie de Jong as their standout clients, HCM Sports Management remains one of the top agencies in the world of football. Their portfolio stretches far and wide across Europe, with Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger also amongst their clientele. They, of course, also enjoyed quite the summer transfer window last time out when Gyokeres was at the centre of attention, before sealing a £55m move to Arsenal.

9 ROC Nation – €0.64bn

Just ahead of HCM, ROC Nation are currently valued at €0.64bn in the world of football and can boast clients such as Vinicius Junior and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli. Interestingly, it’s also not just football that they’ve had great success. In the music industry, they also manage A$AP Rocky, Alicia Keys and more – showcasing their success across two industries.

8 AS1 – €0.78bn

Based in London, AS1 have a number of Premier League stars in their portfolio, including Moises Caicedo and Bruno Fernandes. They also played an important part in Luis Diaz’s transfer from Liverpool to Bayern Munich in the summer, which cost the German club around £65.5m and has since proved to be a successful move. In total, 285 players are signed up with AS1 agents.

7 Bertolucci Sports – €0.86bn

Just below the €1bn-mark, Bertolucci Sports do not boast the same portfolio as AS1 and others, but their main clients have more than helped their rise in value. Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes is now one of the best defenders in world football, whilst Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes is one of the best midfield stars that the Premier League has to offer and Matheus Cunha just sealed a £63m move to Manchester United.

6 ROOF – €1.07bn

Although ROOF have a clientele which includes established stars like Van Dijk, who recently penned a new deal at Liverpool, and Leon Goretzka, it was their rising stars who enjoyed eventful summers as the agency used their power to full effect.

Tyler Dibling, for example, completed a move to Everton worth as much as £42m, Thierno Barry joined him to become one of Everton’s most expensive ever signings at £27m and Mohammed Kudus joined Tottenham Hotspur for £55m.

5 Unique Sports Group – €1.21bn

With 654 clients, Unique Sports Group is one of the most powerful agencies across football. They’ve signed Anthony Gordon, Brennan Johnson and Malick Thiaw in recent years to see their value soar.

They also came within hours of seeing their client, Marc Guehi, complete a move to Liverpool in the summer before the deal broke down late on. Now, the Crystal Palace star is a man in-demand with his contract expiring next summer.

4 CAA Base – €1.36bn

Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze, Pedro Porro, Rico Lewis and a number of others all make up CAA Base’s impressive portfolio of 658 players and staff, which has helped their value reach €1.36bn. Signing Palmer has proved to be a particular stroke of genius, given how he’s thrived since joining Chelsea from Manchester City in 2023.

They also manage former Real Madrid manager and current Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti, who will be looking to add a World Cup to his stunning list of achievements next summer.

3 Gestifute – €1.62bn

Although Cristiano Ronaldo split from super-agent Jorge Mendes in 2022, he remains a Gestifute client with their value soaring. The iconic forward led the way with Mendes to become one of the most successful players of all time and the agency can now boast the likes of Lamine Yamal, Vitinha and Joao Neves.

The fact their portfolio includes two of the 2025 Ballon d’Or’s top three highlights their impressive impact on top stars, whilst their list of managers is also impressive. Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery and Benfica’s Jose Mourinho are all Gestifute clients.

2 CAA Stellar – €2.01bn

One of just two agencies to hit the €2bn-mark, CAA Stellar manage players such as Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush, who is their most valuable client at €75m. Their portfolio ranges to as many as 896 clients, with Eduardo Camavinga, Ibrahima Konate and Rayan Ait-Nouri all standing out as impressive coups.

CAA Stellar’s value could also increase in the summer if Konate moves on from Liverpool and Nottingham Forest’s Eliott Anderson secures the big-money move that he has earned in recent months

1 Wasserman – €2.23bn

At an eye-watering €2.23bn, Wasserman top the list as the most powerful agency in football. They manage as many as 1,238 players, which includes stars such as Federico Valverde, Curtis Jones and John Stones.

The agency has also left its mark in the technical area, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta signed up alongside Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe. They remain the most influential agency around and that is only likely to grow as European football continues to reach new heights in the transfer market.

All 20 Premier League managers' salaries (lowest to highest)

How much each Premier League gaffer earns.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 21, 2025

Defending a low total, NZ fought back courtesy Neesham’s spell but Marsh stood tall till the end

Andrew McGlashan04-Oct-2025

Mitchell Marsh led from the front with a magnificent maiden T20I century to carry Australia to a 2-0 series victory over New Zealand after they had suffered a major stumble against James Neesham.At 62 for 1 in the seventh over, Australia were comfortably placed chasing an underwhelming 157 but Neesham claimed four quick wickets to leave the game in the balance. Marsh, though, remained unstoppable to continue his recent surge in form, bringing up his century from 50 balls, joining the group of those with centuries across all formats, in an innings where the next-best score was 14. Sean Abbott showed his calmness and experience by helping get the job done, unbeaten on 13.Australia’s three frontline quicks had all impressed after Marsh followed his usual route of bowling when winning the toss. Josh Hazlewood set the tone and was well backed up by Xavier Bartlett and Abbott as the trio shared seven wickets, while Marcus Stoinis claimed the important figure of Daryl Mitchell with his first ball.This early-season Chappell-Hadlee series was played across just four days in chilly, damp conditions – with the second match mostly lost to the weather – and New Zealand will now prepare to face England in white-ball cricket. Australia, meanwhile, return home to play India in ODIs and T20Is ahead of the Ashes.Marsh’s lone handMarsh joked after the second T20I’s abandonment that he’d never felt such pressure being 1 off 5 balls in a nine-over slog. Today he was 4 off 5 when he got into himself into top gear with consecutive fours and a pulled six off Matt Henry. Then in the final over of the powerplay he took down Ben Sears, starting with a perfect lofted on-drive for six before showing extraordinary power to loft six over cover off the back foot – in all, the over cost 21.Marsh lost Matt Short, flicking Neesham into the deep, but consecutive sixes against Ish Sodhi – the second taking him to a 21-ball fifty – continued Australia’s momentum. Then the wheels threatened to come off. Tim David swung a big outside edge to deep third, Alex Carey was brilliantly caught at deep point by Mark Chapman – who held the catch horizontal to the ground – and Neesham put himself on a hat-trick when Stoinis drove to mid-off.He nearly claimed it, too, as Mitchell Owen got an inside edge into the pads. Owen launched a mighty six over long-on to suggest he might hurry the game to a conclusion but soon skied into the off side. Marsh scored 22 of the 23 added with Bartlett, but 24 were still needed when the seventh wicket fell, although there was never any run-rate pressure.Marsh moved to 97 with his seventh six, muscled over the leg side when he didn’t middle a pull off Neesham, and brought up three figures when a top edge landed safely.Hazlewood’s four in a rowFor the second time in the series, Hazlewood struck in the first over of a match when Devon Conway skewed a catch to mid-off after Tim Seifert had scooped his third ball for six. Three overs later, with New Zealand having made decent progress, he produced a superb delivery which nipped and climbed at Tim Robinson to graze the edge, although the DRS was needed after the on-field umpire didn’t hear the nick.In an attacking move, with the ball nibbling around, Hazlewood was given his four-over spell on the trot by Marsh – the first time he had bowled all his overs straight through in his T20 career. His top-class spell was somewhat dented in his last over when Seifert and Mitchell took a boundary a piece.David’s catch, Stoinis maidenAustralia were poor in the field during the opening match, but they caught safely in this one. Their highlight was David’s terrific effort, running back from mid-on take Chapman’s lofted drive over his shoulder, managing to hold onto the ball as he landed and it left New Zealand three down inside the powerplay.Another notable contribution was Stoinis’ opening over. He started by finding Mitchell’s outside edge with a delivery that moved considerably, and ended up completing a wicket maiden. It was his first maiden in a full T20 match, although earlier this year he completed two maiden ‘sets’ in the Hundred which are categorized among T20 statistics.In the end, Stoinis would end up Australia’s most expensive bowler as his last three overs went for 43 with Neesham taking 16 off him in the space of four balls in the 15th over including two sixes. Neesham and captain Michael Bracewell tried to rebuild from 99 for 5 but in felt like New Zealand were someway short although with the ball, Neesham nearly proved it otherwise. One player stood in their way.

Napoli have opened initial talks to sign Freiburg’s fast-rising midfielder Johan Manzambi as he is advancing in his standout Bundesliga season. The 20-year-old Swiss talent has emerged as one of the league’s most complete midfielders, attracting interest across Europe. With no release clause and a contract until 2030, Freiburg hold full control, but Napoli are pushing.

• Manzambi wanted: Napoli move early for Freiburg starlet

  Napoli have officially held initial discussions over a potential move for Freiburg midfielder Manzambi, who has become one of the Bundesliga’s most eye-catching breakout performers this season. reports that the Italian giants have positioned themselves strongly in the race, with Manzambi’s rapid rise pushing him toward the summer transfer market spotlight.

  The 20-year-old has become a regular starter under coach Julian Schuster, delivering mature, high-impact displays in central midfield. With two goals and three assists across 15 appearances so far, Manzambi has been central to Freiburg’s attacking sequences, and his profile has naturally drawn the attention of clubs across Europe.

Advertisement

• Freiburg hold firm

  The report describe Napoli’s interest as “the most concrete” so far. The Serie A side reportedly view Manzambi as a key part of their long-term plans and have already opened conversations regarding a potential future deal. However, Freiburg hold all negotiating power with Manzambi is contracted until 2030 and does not have a release clause, meaning only a major offer would force the club to consider a sale.

  Manzambi joined Freiburg’s U19 setup in 2023, earned promotion to the senior team within a year, and has now become one of the Bundesliga’s most intriguing young midfielders, a trajectory that has not gone unnoticed in Naples.

  ’s report indicates that Manzambi has received “numerous transfer offers”, but Napoli have moved fastest and with the clearest intent. Their scouting department has closely monitored his development, especially his ability to operate as advanced midfielder, a versatility that has made him invaluable to Freiburg.

  With Kevin De Bruyne sidelined for months after recent injuries, Napoli see Manzambi as a dynamic midfield presence who can fill multiple roles. In his breakout season, Manzambi has shown an impressive blend of physicality, awareness, and attacking instinct.

• Bundesliga moments drawing attention across Europe

  Manzambi’s rise has unfolded during a turbulent yet compelling season for Freiburg. His header from a corner against Bayern, giving his side a shock 2-0 lead before the champions roared back to win 6-2, was a major highlight. The Swiss midfielder’s early-season form has mirrored Freiburg’s resurgence under Schuster, and he has become a reliable figure despite his age.

  His versatility has allowed him to seamlessly fill defensive, central, and attacking midfield roles, prompting analysts to describe him as one of the Bundesliga’s most complete young midfielders. Napoli scouts are leading at this stage, but more Premier League and Bundesliga clubs are expected to join the conversation as the summer window approaches.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Napoli pursuit continues

  While Napoli are pushing early, Manzambi’s current focus remains with Freiburg, meanwhile, preparing for a decisive run of games in the Bundesliga as they seek European qualification. With the club holding a contract until 2030, they are under no pressure to sell, meaning any bidder must make a substantial offer to test their resolve.

  Napoli plan to advance talks in the coming months, particularly ahead of the summer window, when they aim to strengthen their midfield after key injuries. For now, Manzambi’s performances in Germany will dictate the tempo of negotiations, with every strong display increasing his value and widening interest.

In an instant blow for new manager Vitor Matos, “top clubs” are now reportedly making moves in an attempt to sign Swansea City’s Harlan Perry, who has been the academy’s Player of the Year for four consecutive seasons.

It’s the last thing that Matos needs, with the pressure on to arrive and turn things around in Wales. As things stand, the Jacks sit 20th and only four points above the Championship’s dropzone with the manager’s debut against Derby County up next.

Upon arriving, the former Liverpool coach shared how optimistic he is that Swansea can turn their season around – telling the club’s website: “Swansea, for me, have always had a style. Something that distinguished the club from all the others.

“Somehow we have got a bit far away from what is the DNA of the club. So it will take steps, it will take a bit of time, but I really believe we can take steps in the right direction.

“For that, we will need everyone, the whole club, all the fans and us all to have the same vision. That’s what I want. I see the fans are still behind and pushing the team, we will need them and I see players who want to change the momentum and we need to find the right idea and the right vision to do it.

“That’s the most important thing. It is clear we need to win games and points, but we need to focus on the process and I really believe if we can play to our best then the more chances we will have to win. That’s the direction we need to have.”

It’s a DNA built from the first-team to the academy, but one that Swansea’s best young player may yet miss as contract concerns continue to emerge.

"Top clubs" now moving to sign Harlan Perry

As reported by Rudy Galetti, “top clubs” are now moving to sign Perry from Swansea in what would be a free deal. The 17-year-old has been the academy’s Player of the Year in the last four seasons, but is yet to sign a professional contract – opening the door for a potential exit.

Vitor Matos decides to take Swansea City job as release clause cost revealed

A major boost for the Swans.

By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 20, 2025

The midfielder turns 18 this week – it’s then that clubs will be able to offer him a long-term contract to deal those in Wales a major blow.

Whilst Matos’ first priority should of course be turning results around, he must also ensure that Swansea keep hold of players with impressive potential like Perry, even if it means selling for a larger profit at a later date.

Instant blow for Matos as "one of Swansea's key players" could now leave

Wolverhampton Wanderers are looking to make a splash in the January transfer market and could sign a Premier League ace who loves playing against the Old Gold.

Wolves’ defensive and attacking problems Edwards needs to fix

The task facing new Wolves manager Rob Edwards is a big one after his return to Molineux involved club chiefs paying Middlesbrough around £3m in compensation.

Edwards, a former Old Gold defender, will need to shore up the Wolves defence, with no other Premier League side conceding more than Wolves so far after 11 games (25).

Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, Edwards’ new side have also struggled to finish chances.

Still without a win and on two points from a possible 33, Wolves have scored just seven league goals, again a division low, and have failed to find the net in six of their 11 top-flight fixtures.

Fosun are looking to back Edwards in the January transfer market, and it appears as if Wolves are eyeing a new goalkeeper to rival both Jose Sa and Sam Johnstone.

Wolves and Edwards keen to sign "aggressive" £90,000-p/w Premier League flop

He’s cost £1m for every appearance made so far.

ByCharlie Smith Nov 14, 2025

A loan-to-buy bid for Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas is thought to be in the pipeline, whereas an offer is also in for Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia.

Wolves eyeing move to sign Everton winger Dwight McNeil

Now, according to reports from Football Insider, Wolves are also looking to sign Everton winger Dwight McNeil when the winter market opens.

It is suggested that both loan and permanent offers will be explored for the Toffees ace, whereas Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips is another target for Edwards and Wolves chiefs.

McNeil made the move to Everton from Burnley for £20m back in 2022, and during his Premier League career, has enjoyed playing against Wolves for both the Clarets and the Toffees.

Games

12

Wins

5

Draws

4

Losses

3

Goals

1

Assists

6

The left-footed winger has registered multiple assists against the Old Gold, and his ability from set pieces even saw him compared to Arsenal star Declan Rice by pundit Chris Sutton.

However, McNeil has fallen out of favour on Merseyside under David Moyes this season following the arrival of Jack Grealish, playing just 51 minutes of Premier League football in 2025/26.

Therefore, a move to the Midlands could make sense for all involved, and by the looks of things, it will be one to watch over the coming months.

£55m spent & Hackney signs: Dream Wolves XI Edwards can build in January

Wolverhampton Wanderers are now reportedly prioritising a deal to sign Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas, who is now available at a cut-price ahead of the January transfer window.

It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for those in the Midlands. After sacking Vitor Pereira, Wolves went on the hunt for a new manager and landed on Rob Edwards, who controversially left Middlesbrough to take the vacant position. He’s since claimed that no other job would have lured him away from Riverside and he now has the chance to keep his dream club afloat in the Premier League.

Related Fosun in contact to sign £30m Premier League ace who Wolves feel is perfect

The Old Gold haven’t got the reply they’d have wanted.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Nov 21, 2025

Speaking to reporters after arriving, Edwards said: “It feels amazing to be back. I’m really proud. I’m genuinely proud and I’ve told all the staff and players that. I won’t lie about it, it has been an aim of mine since I first got the under-18’s job here 11 years ago. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.

“But this was something that I’ve wanted to do for a long, long time, and I didn’t know if this job would ever come up again for me. The opportunity might never, ever come up for me to be the head coach of this club. I didn’t want to look back in 10, 15, 20 years, and think I turned down a chance to manage Wolves in the Premier League.

“I didn’t want to regret that, so here I am. I know the size and the scale of the task, but I’m really enthused by it, I’m excited by it, and this week has been really enjoyable. But now the games start, so let’s see.”

He will be well aware that the task on his hands is far from easy, but Wolves are seemingly willing to back their new manager when the January transfer window arrives – starting with a new shot-stopper.

Wolves prioritising Christos Mandas move

As reported by Ben Jacobs for GiveMeSport, Wolves are now prioritising a move for Mandas in January as they search for a new goalkeeper. The shot-stopper is open to a move away from the Serie A club after going from the No.1 under Maurizio Sarri to without a league appearance all season under Marcos Baroni.

Unlike in the summer, Wolves also have the chance to land a bargain deal. When those in the Midlands previously set their sights on Mandas, they were quoted a £22m fee. Now, as Lazio look to climb out of their financial struggles, he’s set to be available for a maximum of £12m when January arrives.

Described as “reactive” by his agent, Diego Tavano, Mandas arguably needs Wolves just as much as they need him. The one-time Manchester City target would provide Edwards with an instant upgrade on Jose Sa, who is 32 years old and struggling for consistency.

At 24, there’s also every chance that Mandas rediscovers his best form by leaving Lazio. The Italians sit mid-table in Serie A and the goalkeeper still hasn’t been able to win back his starting place.

Wolves now want to sign £20m set-piece specialist compared to Declan Rice

رد جيمي كاراجر، محلل قنوات سكاي سبورتس ولاعب ليفربول السابق، على التصريحات التي أدلى بها محمد صلاح، نجم الريدز، عقب التعادل مع ليدز يونايتد، ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي.

وخرج صلاح مساء أمس بعد انتهاء المباراة وتحدث لوسائل الإعلام وفتح النار على الجميع وعلى رأسهم مدربه آرني سلوت، بسبب جلوسه على دكة البدلاء لثلاث مباريات متتالية.

كان ليفربول قد تعادل أمام ليدز يونايتد بثلاثة أهداف لمثلها، بعدما كان الريدز متقدمًا بنتيجة 2/0 وكل الأمور كانت تسير بشكل إيجابي.

وكان من ضمن التصريحات التي قالها صلاح: “أنا في ليفربول منذ سنوات وأعلم ما سيحدث وأتوقع أن ينتقدني كاراجر غدًا لكن لا بأس”.

اقرأ أيضًا | سكاي سبورتس: أسلوب فرض القوة.. محمد صلاح يسير على خطى رونالدو

استغل كاراجر الفرصة للرد وقال في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية: ​​”اسمع يا صلاح، أنت ملك مصر، أفضل جناح في تاريخ الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وأتفهم شعورك بالإهانة”.

وأكمل: “لكن الحقيقة هي أنك كنت سيئًا للغاية والآن لا تغضب إلا عندما يتعلق الأمر بنفسك”.

وأردف: “أساطير مثل كيني وراش وآخرين ما كانوا ليتصرفوا بهذه الطريقة، وهو يتصرف تصرفات طفولية في رأيي”.

واختتم كاراجر حديثه قائلًا: “لماذا يقول هذا الآن؟ عليه الآن أن يخجل من نفسه ويعتذر لآرني سلوت عن سلوكه”.

SEATTLE — The most dangerous hitter in the Detroit Tigers lineup has never hit 30 homers, driven in 70 runs or made an All-Star team. Injuries and left-handed pitchers have kept Kerry Carpenter from elite statistical thresholds and acclaim. But don’t do what the Seattle Mariners did in Game 1 of the ALDS: overlook him.

Carpenter is a career .507 slugger who mashes high fastballs. This year he slugged .571 against high fastballs (at least 33 inches off the ground), the 12th best mark among hitters who saw at least 350 such heaters—ahead of Shohei Ohtani, Jose Ramirez and Cal Raleigh.

“One thing about Carp,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said, “is he can be streaky. But no matter what, he’s looking to get off his A swing. Even if it’s two strikes, he can do damage. And that’s why he is so dangerous.”

The Mariners did not respect the danger ever present in Carpenter’s bat, and that is why they suffered a brutally painful 3–2 loss Saturday. They burned their closer for six outs and still lost, knowing they are staring at seeing the best pitcher on the planet, Tarik Skubal, two of the next four possible games, including Game 2 Sunday. Ouch.

Yes, a 73-mph, 15-hop single from Zach McKinstry plated the winning run in the 11th inning, a run set up by two egregious mistakes by Seattle reliever Carlos Vargas at such a juncture: a leadoff walk and a wild pitch.

But it was one swing by Carpenter that changed everything, a swing that should never have been permitted by the Mariners. Seattle manager Dan Wilson, running his first postseason game, held a 1–0 lead in the fifth with one on, two outs and first base open with George Kirby on the mound. Wilson had his best lefty, Gabe Speier, up in the pen with Carpenter due to bat with another lefty, Riley Greene, behind him.

Wilson sent pitching coach Pete Woodworth to the mound for a conversation with Kirby.

“Yes, in the back of my mind I thought they weren’t going to pitch to me,” Carpenter said, adding with a laugh, “Maybe my first two at-bats convinced them.”

Hinch had set a trap for Wilson by batting Greene and Carpenter back-to-back. By showing he will pitch-hit for either one with lefty masher Jahmai Jones, Hinch puts the onus on the other manager early in a game. No matter what option you choose, Hinch will have the platoon advantage.

Wilson chose to have Kirby pitch to Carpenter, even though Carpenter had four home runs in 10 at-bats against Kirby. Even though Carpenter is a high fastball hitter.

“Yeah. It’s a tough one,” Wilson said, “and you do the best you can and try to take the information that you have and what you’re seeing. And we thought George continued to throw the ball pretty well there and still had pretty good stuff and a lot left in the tank, and he had been in a couple of tough spots earlier, but really pitched out of it well.”

Kirby, a high-fastball pitcher, has the stuff to better attack Greene, not Carpenter.

“With Carpenter,” Wilson said, “you're trying to keep it down in the zone or trying to get him to chase up in the zone.”

Said Carpenter: “I always feel like the more I face people, the more opportunity I have to have success. And so yeah, I was hoping to get another opportunity off him.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Andreas Pereira é uma das peças versáteis no meio-campo da Seleção Brasileira de Dorival Júnior. O jogador do Fulham tem ao lado diversos companheiros de Premier League em que a parceria não é só dentro de campo. Para o atleta, a amizade ajuda no entrosamento do time.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasSeleção BrasileiraSeleção Brasileira treina com trio do Real Madrid, mas tem baixa na zagaSeleção Brasileira05/06/2024Seleção BrasileiraVini Jr e campeões da Champions com Real Madrid se apresentam à Seleção BrasileiraSeleção Brasileira05/06/2024Seleção BrasileiraBremer mantém pés no chão sobre titularidade na Seleção Brasileira: ‘Tenho pouco tempo’Seleção Brasileira05/06/2024

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

A gente tem um meio de campo muito móvel, dinâmico, que está acostumado a jogar na Premier, que é muito intensa

---

disse Andreas Pereira. E completou:

– A gente está muito bem servido nas posições, qualquer jogador vai fazer um bom trabalho, mas com certeza mudou a estrutura, não tem alguém fixo na frente da defesa, como era antes com o Casemiro, são três jogadores dinâmicos, intensos, para ajudar os atacantes e a defesa também.

O meia do Fulham é um velho conhecido de Dorival Júnior. Andreas Pereira trabalhou com o técnico ainda quando jogava no Flamengo. Pela Seleção Brasileira, o jogador já desempenhou diversas funções.

– O Dorival me conhece como segundo volante, mas também como meia, como venho atuando no meu clube, na Inglaterra. Ele sabe que eu posso ajudar em muitas funções no meio de campo, pede para eu exercer essas coisas, posso jogar mais ofensivo, como segundo volante, posso ajudar nessas funções. Tento fazer meu melhor possível nos treinos e nos jogos – contou o volante do Fulham. E emendou:

continua após a publicidade

– O futebol vem evoluindo bastante, é difícil ver uma equipe que joga com um 5 fixo. Para mim, como segundo volante, há alguns ajustes. Você vai estar em dois para defender na frente da defesa, tem que ter em conta que ninguém pode ir para o ataque e deixar a defesa vulnerável, por isso o professor fala em atacar marcando. Como sou segundo volante, tenho esse pensamento de estar mais presente para defender. Para mim, não muda muito, tem que entrar na área para fazer gol e ter a recomposição para parar qualquer tipo de jogada. Para jogar nas posições do meio, tem que estar ligado e ter disposição.

A Seleção Brasileira entra em campo neste sábado para enfrentar o México em amistoso preparatório para a Copa América. A bola rola às 21h30.

🎙️ MAIS RESPOSTAS DE ANDREAS PEREIRA:

VOLTA POR CIMA NA INGLATERRA
– A saída do Brasil iniciou essa retomada com o próprio Dorival no Flamengo, foi o primeiro técnico que me levantou, levantou a cabeça, quando cheguei na Inglaterra o treinador do Fulham, Marco Silva, me ajudou muito. Graças a essas pessoas estou aqui, só tenho a agradecer a essas pessoas que me ajudaram, à minha família.

continua após a publicidade

AMIZADES BRASILEIRAS NA PREMIER LEAGUE
– Eu conhecia o João, o Douglas também, o Paquetá vindo do Flamengo têm essa conexão, o Bruno de jogar contra, essa amizade… fomos no parque juntos, aproveitamos, foi muito bom, é bom ter amigos na Seleção para defender um ao outro em campo. Estamos aproveitando a cada treino, a cada momento, vamos nos preparar para ganhar esse torneio.

VISITAS DE EX-JOGADORES
– É uma honra ver os ex-jogadores aqui com a gente, orgulho imenso ver o Emerson, tirar foto, Rivaldo esteve aqui. Quando era criança, via jogos da Seleção com meu pai e queria estar na seleção, é sonho de criança.

ESPORTES AMERICANOS
– Gosto bastante de NFL, do Patrick Mahomes, acompanho sempre o Super Bowl, tento assistir, pela diferença de horário às vezes fica tarde. É uma experiência boa estar nos Estados Unidos, jogar nesses estádios incríveis, antes dos jogos vou bater uma fotinho nos estádios, é sempre bom. É um privilégio estar aqui.

DORIVAL JR
– Ele me ajudou muito num momento que eu estava precisando muito, é uma coisa que sempre vou levar no coração o quanto ele me ajudou e o quanto foi importante. Fico feliz de estar na Seleção com ele como técnico, só tenho que ajudar de todas as formas possíveis para retribuir.

FUTURO
– Eu acho que é difícil falar agora, estou completamente focado na Seleção, com certeza, se Deus quiser, após o título com a seleção brasileira vou pensar no futuro no clube, vou sentar com meu empresário e decidir.

Tudo sobre

Andreas PereiraBrasilFutebol NacionalPremier LeagueSeleção Brasileira

They’ve been the best of friends since Under-14 level. Now they’re set to rejoin forces at the top of the order in T20Is

Shashank Kishore09-Sep-2025Batting in adjacent nets on the centre pitches of the ICC Academy in Dubai on Saturday, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma took turns admiring each other’s strokes. On an occasion, Abhishek wasn’t entirely happy with the sound of bat on ball. He picked up one of Gill’s bats and began easing himself into his shots again.For the rest of the session, Abhishek was all power and connection and Gill poetic timing, until the coaches signalled the last set. Gill then began playing inventive strokes – reverse sweep, ramp, scoop. Abhishek, who by then had already finished his net, waited for Gill, and they walked off together, smiles on their faces.Last year in Zimbabwe, when Gill was T20I captain and Abhishek had earned a maiden India call-up on the back of a stunning IPL season, the two realised their dream of opening together for India. But that was a second-string side. The Asia Cup in the UAE could be even more special for Gill and Abhishek, because they are set to open for the first time for a full-strength India side that’s preparing for a T20 World Cup defence early next year.Related

Grassy Dubai pitch leaves India with tricky selection calls against UAE

UAE look to script upset of the year against T20 world champions India

Ind vs Pak: Suryakumar, Agha okay with aggression 'as long as it stays on the field'

The pair’s story goes back over a decade, to the Under-14s camp in Punjab where they first met. From there to the Under-16s and Under-19s, through state-level cricket and the India age-group sides, their journeys have been intertwined.On tours, Gill and Abhishek would often be room-mates, a ritual that continued through much of their age-group days. At some point, they had to be separated only because the coaches wanted them to mingle with the other players in the group.Shivam Mavi, who was part of India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning class of 2018, recalls, “It was always Gill and Abhishek. Whether during team outings, team activities, or lunches and dinners, the two were always together.”Once, Gill and Abhishek along with Mavi’s new-ball partner Kamlesh Nagarkoti planned a birthday surprise for coach Rahul Dravid during that campaign. “They said, ‘let’s do a cake smash on Rahul sir’s face’. And they actually did it,” Mavi laughs.During India’s quarter-final against Bangladesh in Queenstown, tensions ran high. There was some history: Bangladesh had beaten India in a tense warm-up game. Words had been exchanged, to the extent that the umpires had to intervene.In the IPL, Abhishek and Gill are the best of frenemies•AFP/Getty Images”Before our quarter-final, Gill and Abhishek said, ‘we’ll give it back to them’,” Mavi says. They instructed Ishan Porel and Riyan Parag, the team’s Bengali speakers, to be at their chirpiest. “Then our two Punjabi boys would chip in from time to time.”Mavi’s recollections move to the semi-final against Pakistan. “Shaheen Afridi and Co were sledging Gill, saying, ‘our bowling attack is not Bangladesh”. Gill, batting at No. 3, went on to score a century that he celebrated aggressively, with pointed gestures. “Abhishek replied, ‘our batting is not like Pakistan either’.”India went on to beat Australia and win that Under-19 World Cup, and the paths of Gill and Abhishek soon diverged. Gill made his India debut a year later while also establishing himself in the IPL, initially with Kolkata Knight Riders. Abhishek navigated the challenges of proving himself in domestic cricket, unsure whether he was a top-order batter or a finisher.During the Covid-19 pandemic, the two were back together. The man who brought them under one roof, so to say, along with a number of other Punjab players was Yuvraj Singh. This time, there was no space for jokes or banter. Yuvraj was the boss, and Gill and Abhishek had to listen to every single thing he told them. Among his diktats: no phones at night, no parties, regimented sleep-and-wake-up schedules.To ensure the players stuck to their routines, Yuvraj boarded them at his residence for a month, and sought special permissions for training at a time when lockdown rules were strict. Both Abhishek and Gill remember this time fondly, and credit it for toughening them up.A blockbuster maiden tour of England as Test captain has turned Gill into Indian cricket’s all-format poster boy•Getty ImagesToday, Gill is Indian cricket’s all-format poster boy and the darling of brands. A bumper maiden Test tour as captain in England, where he peeled off runs with the consistency of his teenage days, has already thrust him into the conversation for ODI captaincy whenever the selectors look to the future. He’s also the T20I vice-captain now.Gill brings with him a body of work and a transformed game that took shape in 2023 at Gujarat Titans, when he lit up the IPL with a chart-topping 890 runs at a strike rate of 157.80, including three centuries. The most improved aspect of Gill’s game was his six-hitting – he hit 33 of them, the third-highest of all batters that season.It was because Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were locked in as openers that Gill was only picked as a non-travelling reserve for the 2024 T20 World Cup. It has been more than a year since he last played T20Is, but his recent T20 form is compelling: 650 runs at a strike rate of 155.87 in IPL 2025. He reclaims his spot at a time when his T20 stocks are at an all-time high.Abhishek’s journey has been less straightforward. He wasn’t an instant IPL sensation, and for a while he floated between roles: middle-order batter, occasional finisher, part-time spinner. Then came the realisation: his game was built to take bowlers on from the very first ball.

Having converged and diverged so many times over so many years, the journeys of Gill and Abhishek are running together once again, with a stretch of smooth road between now and next year’s T20 World Cup

Days spent training under Yuvraj during lockdowns in Chandigarh reshaped his approach. Yuvraj made him train on marble slabs so the ball would skid, asked the curator in Mullanpur to prepare raging turners to force Abhishek to sharpen his bat speed and footwork. It was bootcamp-style training, and it unlocked something within him.Abhishek emerged a different player. He was physically stronger, more fearless, and not afraid of losing his wicket in the pursuit of risk-taking. Shades of this transformation were visible as far back as in 2022, when he was Sunrisers Hyderabad’s leading run-getter with 320 runs at a strike rate of 133.12. But just when it looked like he had begun to make a mark, 2023 brought a new set of challenges – Abhishek found himself shunted up and down the order.The change in leadership at the franchise in 2024 was a turning point. Out went Brian Lara as coach and Aiden Markram as captain, and in came Daniel Vettori and Pat Cummins in those positions. Impressed by his hitting, they returned him to the top of the order, this time alongside Travis Head. The returns have been spectacular. The last two IPL seasons have brought Abhishek 923 runs at a strike rate of 198.92. No batter in the tournament with a cut-off of 500 runs has scored quicker.An extraordinary willingness to take risks has brought Abhishek extraordinary T20 numbers over the last two years•Associated Press”I stopped worrying about getting out,” Abhishek said in post-match chat last year, and it’s been clear to see whenever he has batted. With a settled role and the license to attack, he has become a destroyer of all kinds of bowling, with especially frightening numbers against spin. In all T20s since the start of 2024, Abhishek has a strike rate of 232.12 against spin. For context, Glenn Maxwell, who sits in second place among those with at least 500 runs against spin in this period (where ball-by-ball data is available), has gone at 173.31.The transition into T20Is has been smooth too: Abhishek’s strike rate of 193.84 is the best of all batters with at least 500 runs since his debut. He got his run in the India side at a time when the senior players were being rested, and now, when India have turned their full attention to T20Is with a World Cup imminent, he’s still there, keeping a batter as good as Yashasvi Jaiswal out of the squad.The moment Abhishek switched to Gill’s bat at training was a poignant one: it was with one of Gill’s bats in Harare that Abhishek had scored his first T20I hundred, in only his second match.Having converged and diverged so many times over so many years, the journeys of Gill and Abhishek are running together again, with a stretch of smooth road between now and next year’s T20 World Cup. If they click together like they did at the nets, or like they did as teenagers, there’s no telling how dangerous this partnership could be.