Ruud gets the nod
Ruud van Nistelrooy has finally beaten Thierry Henry to one Player of the Year award. Arsenal ace Henry claimed the top prizes in the PFA and Football Writers´ polls. But Manchester United hotshot Van Nistelrooy was awarded with the Barclaycard honour yesterday - as voted by members of the media, governing bodies and fans. The Dutchman also picked up the Golden Boot. He helped United to the Premiership title by hitting 25 league strikes - to pip nearest challenger Henry by a goal. Van Nistelrooy said: " This rounds off a great season. It is a real honour to come top of the scorers´ league."
Max Short, The Sun
United ready to hijack Liverpool bid
United are ready to hijack arch rivals Liverpool’s bid for Fulham right-back Steve Finnan in an audacious £4million swoop following Wes Brown’s long-term injury.
Sports staff, Daily Mirror
Juventus 3 Real Madrid 1 - Juventus win 4-3 on agg
Real Madrid relinquished their hold on the European Cup as the so-called Superteam was put to rest at the Stadio Delle Alpi. Incredibly, it was Juventus who provided the sort of master class we were expecting from the maestros of Madrid - especially in the opening 45 minutes. With his side two goals up at half-time last night through David Trezeguet and the fabulous Alessandro Del Piero, Juve coach Marcello Lippi could have been excused for lighting up one of his famous cigars in the dressing-room. But, in the end, they had to survive five fraught minutes of added time after former Juve idol Zinedine Zidane scored to give the outgoing champions one last chance to climb out of a coffin that had seemed to be firmly nailed down. Juventus will now contest the first all-Italian European Cup final with AC Milan at Old Trafford on May 28 - much to the chagrin of hosts Manchester United.
Steven Howard, The Sun
Becks on tour
David Beckham is looking forward to a long break this summer because he is banned from England’s game with Slovakia and won’t go to the build-up in La Manga. Interesting, then, to note that he’s earmarked for a five-day tour, taking in Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. BP company Castrol have Becks signed up for the Far East, where he is even bigger than here, and they have him quoted as saying: “I’m impatient to do this tour. It was fantastic at the World Cup in Japan and I’m looking forward to going back to that country.” A far cry from this week’s comment: “I will enjoy my summer a lot more this year. It has been an immense season but it will be nice to get away and have a rest.”
Harry Harris, Daily Express
Global vision
David Beckham’s desire to become the world’s most famous sportsman will take him to three continents this summer, starting with an England tip to South Africa that is already in danger of descending into farce. The Football Association are so keen to introduce their England captain to Nelson Mandela that coach Sven Goran Eriksson and a selection of his players will make a special journey from Durban to Johannesburg the day before next Thursday’s friendly international.
Matt Lawton, Daily Mail
Beckham’s world of opportunities
If David Beckham collects air miles, a couple of free flights to Madrid should soon be within his grasp. In fact, he might just be able to throw the kids into the bargain – and head for Spain with the blessing of Sir Alex Ferguson. Manchester United’s manager has dismissed reports that have linked Beckham with a move to Real Madrid, but when he realises the full extent of the England captain’s summer plans he is unlikely to be impressed. At a time when Beckham should be taking a break, the world’s most famous footballer will embark on what is starting to look like a bid for global domination. Matt Lawton, Daily Mail
Van with the Golden Boot
Ruud van Nistelrooy has finally eclipsed Thierry Henry for one Player of the Year award. Having seen his Arsenal rival triumph in the Football Writers’ and PFA polls, van Nistelrooy has been rewarded for his 44 goals this season by being named Barclaycard Player of the Year. Van Nistelrooy’s 25 in the league – one more than Henry – helped him to the Barclaycard Golden Boot.
Sports staff, Daily Mirror
And finally, thanks for updating us on this one(!)...
Beckham at pink Palace
With wife Victoria hard at work recording in New York, David Beckham and his sons decided they were not going to stay at home. So the football star is enjoying holiday with nine-month old Romeo and Brooklyn, four, in the South of France. They are staying at pal Sir Elton John´s Pink Villa near Nice, close to where the Beckhams have just splashed out £2million on a chateau.
Martin Evans, in Cannes, Daily Express
