LiveScore Daily: Ex-Juve chief admits Ronaldo was 'challenging'

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Challenging relationship

Former Juventus CEO Beppe Marotta has admitted Cristiano Ronaldo was challenging to work with at times.

The 38-year-old superstar joined the Serie A side from Real Madrid in July 2018, winning five trophies and scoring 101 goals in 134 appearances across all competitions.

Marotta has now shed some light on what Ronaldo was like behind the scenes prior to his return to Manchester United in August 2021.

The Italian said: "He [Ronaldo] was a very good player, he still is and above all he is a great champion. The champion is that person who manages to convey beliefs to his team-mates.

"He was a bit of a leader of the team, he was the most famous and he dragged the others into the game.

"So, it was challenging, but he didn't make me angry."

Ten Hag speaks

Under-fire Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag downplayed his side's "bad performance" at Newcastle last weekend and also addressed the ban handed out to some journalists for today's press conference.

Several members of the media were unable to attend due to the publishing of stories concerning a potential dressing room revolt without contacting United first to give them "the opportunity to comment, challenge or contextualise".

Ten Hag said: "They should come to us first and not go around our back printing articles. That's not the right thing. 

"I think we have another relationship, and then they should give that to us beforehand. We have a normal and professional discussion and debate about it."

When asked whether the information in the stories was true, Ten Hag replied: "No. Of course there are always in every team players who are less playing, who are less happy, but not different as normal.

"You have to wait for their chance and that can come, but, no, there are no issues."

A great opportunity

Unai Emery is relishing Aston Villa's match against Manchester City on Wednesday evening, with just one point separating the two sides in the Premier League table.

The Villans have won their last 13 top-flight home games while Pep Guardiola will be without key midfielder Rodri and Jack Grealish due to suspension.

Emery said: "It's a great opportunity to show how we can face the best team in the league, who won this title last year. 

"We are going to see how we can show our performance, how we can show our moment and try to be consistent like we are doing at home.

"Tomorrow is another test and an awesome test of how we can show our potential. We are analysing the opponent and analysing them more collectively than individually. 

"I think their structure is very strong, it's very difficult to stop their ball possession. They will have some players out but they are going to play with other very good players."

Haaland in the running

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is one of six stars in the mix for the 2023 BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year award.

The 22-year-old is joined by a host of champions, including Women's World Cup and Ballon d'Or Feminin winner Aitana Bonmati and South Africa's Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi.

Tennis great Novak Djokovic, Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen and the most decorated gymnast in history Simone Biles are also eyeing glory.

The winner will be announced on December 19 with voting closing at 10pm on December 12.

For voting criteria on all the awards, further information and updates please visit bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality.

Jill inducted

Lionesses legend Jill Scott has been inducted into the National Football Museum's prestigious English Hall of Fame.

Scott, 36, was a key part of the England side which won Euro 2022, while she starred for years in the Women's Super League with Everton and Manchester City.

The former midfielder said: "It's such a massive honour. I was here on opening day with Rachel Brown-Finnis at the museum, so to see how much the museum has grown, and then to get inducted into the Hall of Fame and see how far the women's game has grown.

"I feel so fortunate that I've had the chance to live this journey in women's football. 

"When I look at some of the names that are in there — Rachel Yankey, Kelly Smith, Karen Carney — they are all fantastic football players, but also fantastic people, so to have my name alongside them is something very special.

"It's something I can show the family and hopefully they will be very proud."

Brotherly love

Jude Bellingham has named three possible future winners of the Golden Boy award after collecting the accolade at a ceremony in Turin on Monday evening.

The Real Madrid sensation, 20, became just the third Englishman to receive the honour after Wayne Rooney in 2005 and Raheem Sterling in 2014.

And Bellingham believes his 18-year-old brother Jobe, who plays for Sunderland, could continue the family success story and scoop the accolade. 

He said: "Aside from those born in 2003, I can name three players. Arda Guler, who has recovered from injuries that have prevented him from making his debut with Real Madrid.

"He is a phenomenon and we see it in training, we are all amazed by him.

"Then, my former Borussia Dortmund teammate Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and my brother Jobe — a striker like our father."