Will Abbos move to Italy? – Sports Digest

Eldor Shomurodov, who has become an integral part of Roma, will soon be without a head coach. Abbosbek Fayzullaev, considered one of the brightest prospects in Uzbek football, may follow Shomurodov to Italy. While the European football season is coming to an end, there is still plenty of intrigue in the Italian league. QALAMPIR’s Sports Digest brings you the week’s most important sports developments.

Fayzullaev set for summer move to Italy – source

Uzbekistan national team and CSKA Moscow midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev may continue his career in Italy’s Serie A, according to a QALAMPIR.UZ source.

The source reports that Fayzullaev could leave his current club at the end of the season and join an Italian side. Several teams from Italy have shown interest, and their offers are currently under consideration. However, the names of the clubs have not been disclosed.

Fayzullaev’s contract with CSKA runs until next summer. The 21-year-old has made 37 appearances this season, scoring three goals and providing seven assists. According to "Transfermarkt", his market value is currently estimated at 8 million euros.

Yamal to receive iconic number at Barcelona

Spanish club Barcelona will assign the legendary number 10 shirt to rising star Lamine Yamal, according to Memorabilia1899.

The iconic number will be given to Yamal after he turns 18 on July 13. The number 10 is currently registered to Ansu Fati. The report notes that the number change will proceed regardless of whether Fati remains with the club.

Barcelona’s management hopes the move will boost merchandise sales, particularly jerseys. Spanish media previously reported that the club is working on a new long-term contract with Yamal, which includes a salary increase.

Notably, the number 10 shirt has a rich history at Barcelona, having been worn by football legends such as Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Romario.

Lamine Yamal has played for Barcelona since 2023. During this time, he has won the Spanish league twice, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup, and the 2024 European Championship with the Spanish national team. This season, he has made 59 appearances across club and international competitions, scoring 19 goals.

Date and Venue announced for Ballon d’Or Ceremony

The Ballon d’Or ceremony, which honors the best footballer of the year, will be held on September 22 at the Châtelet Theater in Paris, France. The announcement was made on the award's official website.

The list of nominees will be revealed on August 6.

The Ballon d’Or was first established in 1956 at the initiative of France Football editor-in-chief Gabriel Hanot. Initially limited to European players, the award has been open to non-European players since 1995, provided they played for a European club. Since 2007, it has been open to players from around the world.

Last year, the award went to Spanish and Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who was named the tournament's best player and helped Spain win the 2023/24 European Championship. He also played a key role in Manchester City’s English Premier League title win.

Roma and Shomurodov defeat Milan

On May 18, Roma secured a convincing home victory over AC Milan in the 37th round of the Italian Serie A. Uzbekistan national team striker Eldor Shomurodov featured in the starting lineup and played 84 minutes.

The match, held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, ended 3-1 in favor of the hosts. Roma opened the scoring in the 3rd minute through defender Gianluca Mancini. Milan equalized in the 39th minute with a goal from striker João Félix. However, midfielder Leandro Paredes restored Roma’s lead in the 58th minute, and Bryan Cristante sealed the win in the 87th.

Notably, Milan were reduced to 10 men in the 21st minute after Santiago Giménez was shown a red card.

With this win, Roma climbed to 5th place in the Serie A table with 66 points. Milan remain in 9th place with 60 points. This match marked the final home game for Roma’s head coach Claudio Ranieri, who will retire at the end of the season.

Cristiano Jr. claims first trophy with Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., son of five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, has won his first trophy with the Portuguese national team. A photo of him with the trophy was shared by TCR on X.

The 14-year-old was recently called up to the Portuguese U-15 national team. In the final of an international tournament, Portugal defeated Croatia 3-2. Ronaldo Jr. scored twice, in the 13th and 44th minutes, playing a key role in the win.

These were his first goals in international competition, just days after making his debut as a 54th-minute substitute in a 4-1 group stage victory over Japan.

After the match, Cristiano Ronaldo congratulated his son on Instagram, writing:

"Congratulations on your debut for Portugal, my son. I'm so proud of you!"

IFFHS names Lionel Messi greatest player of all time

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) has named Argentine forward Lionel Messi the greatest footballer of all time in its latest ranking.

Brazilian legend Pelé ranked second, followed by fellow Argentine icon Diego Maradona in third.

Cristiano Ronaldo, widely regarded as Messi’s greatest rival and the all-time top scorer in official matches, was ranked fourth.

Rounding out the top ten were:

- Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) – 5th
- Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil) – 6th
- Zinedine Zidane (France) – 7th
- Franz Beckenbauer (Germany) – 8th
- Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentina/Colombia/Spain) – 9th
- Ronaldinho (Brazil) – 10th

In addition, IFFHS declared Soviet legend Lev Yashin the greatest goalkeeper in football history.

The top three goalkeepers were:

1. Lev Yashin (USSR)
2. Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
3. Manuel Neuer (Germany)

Also featured in the top ten were:

- Iker Casillas (Spain) – 4th
- Gordon Banks (England) – 5th
- Petr Čech (Czech Republic) – 6th
- Dino Zoff (Italy) – 7th
- Sepp Maier (Germany) – 8th
- Ricardo Zamora (Spain) – 9th
- Oliver Kahn (Germany) – 10th

Lev Yashin remains the only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d'Or, which he received in 1963. FIFA has also named him the greatest goalkeeper of the 20th century.

Yashin spent his entire club career at Dynamo Moscow, earned 74 caps for the USSR national team, and won gold at the 1956 Olympics and the 1960 European Championship.