Latest articles by Dani Gil
Youri Djorkaeff explains how Johan Cruyff's future influenced his move to Inter Milan
EXCLUSIVE After claiming a European title with Paris Saint-Germain, the France international was on the move
"Gianni Infantino asked me to become his advisor, at a time there was a lot of criticism about FIFA. Now, I spend 99 per cent of my time working alongside him" Youri Djorkaeff on working with the FIFA chief
EXCLUSIVE The France World Cup winner now has a senior role at FIFA
‘It wouldn’t be fair to compare Kevin Nolan with Zinedine Zidane – but maybe he was a better warrior’ Youri Djorkaeff on two of his very different former team-mates
EXCLUSIVE The France midfielder played alongside some very different types of players
"Life stopped in that moment – in a second, everything could have changed. France were inches from the World Cup" Javier Zanetti on Emi Martinez’s brilliant 2022 World Cup final save
EXCLUSIVE One moment stood out three-and-a-half years ago for the Argentina legend
‘Ronaldo was the best in the world. Even if you ask Zinedine Zidane, I’m sure he’d say the same’ Youri Djorkaeff on what it was like to line up alongside two legends
EXCLUSIVE The French midfielder was club and country team-mates with two of his generation’s greatest players
‘Sam Allardyce was the best manager Bolton could have had at that time. We were tough on the pitch and had a bit of magic – the perfect formula’ Youri Djorkaeff reflects on his Bolton Wanderers stint
EXCLUSIVE The World Cup winner spent two seasons at Bolton Wanderers between 2002 and 2004
‘I went into Brazil’s dressing room before the 1998 World Cup final to check Ronaldo was OK after his convulsions – I told him, “Don’t leave me out there playing alone”’ Youri Djorkaeff recalls the troubled build-up to the France vs Brazil final
EXCLUSIVE Brazilian great Ronaldo fell ill during the run up to the 1998 World Cup final against France
‘Zinedine Zidane was supposed to take the corner in the World Cup final, not head it in. But I said, “No, let me take this one, you stay in the box”’ Youri Djorkaeff on his part in France’s 1998 World Cup final win
EXCLUSIVE Djorkareff provided the assist for Zidane's vital second goal against Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final
‘I have no regrets about turning down Liverpool and Manchester United. I needed that Bolton experience in my life’ Youri Djorkaeff on his 2002 Bolton move
EXCLUSIVE The French legend snubbed two north west giants to join Bolton Wanderers in 2002
‘Failing to reach the 1994 World Cup was one of the biggest disappointments in France’s football history. There were even fights in the dressing room’ Youri Djorkaeff on France’s 1994 failure
EXCLUSIVE The former France midfielder broke into the national team during their doomed World Cup 1994 qualification campaign
‘With Lionel Messi, Argentina will be a major contender again for this World Cup. He knows better than anyone what the team needs’ Javier Zanetti assesses Argentina’s chances this summer
EXCLUSIVE The former Argentina skipper believes his successor will again be vital for the Albiceleste this summer
‘Lionel Messi didn’t need the World Cup to be among the greatest of all time, but he deserved it. He brought glory to Argentina’ Javier Zanetti on how Messi created history in 2022
EXCLUSIVE Lionel Messi captained Argentina to the World Cup victory four years ago in Qatar
‘Lionel Messi has been fundamental to football’s growth in the US. He’s a benchmark for the opponents in MLS, as they discover what it means to truly compete’ Mauricio Pochettino on how Messi is raising the standard stateside
EXCLUSIVE The Argentine icon joined Inter Miami in 2023
‘Lionel Messi plus Neymar plus Kylian Mbappe made everyone anticipate an enhanced version of all three, but you need a structure behind them. They were all born to be number one’ Mauricio Pochettino on his key Paris Saint-Germain challenge
EXCLUSIVE Despite having three of the world’s best attackers in his Paris Saint-Germain side, Pochettino could not deliver the Champions League
Mauricio Pochettino discusses Pep Guardiola's 'Harry Kane team' comment
EXCLUSIVE Spurs saw off City on away goals following a thrilling second-leg tie
Javier Zanetti clarifies intent behind Argentina's bus window celebrations at France 98
EXCLUSIVE Argentina knocked out their old rivals after an enthralling World Cup last-16 clash
Mauricio Pochettino says he is open to a future return to Tottenham
EXCLUSIVE The Argentine left north London in November 2019
EXCLUSIVE: Mauricio Pochettino on how Harry Kane matches up to Messi and Ronaldo
EXCLUSIVE Pochettino managed Kane for five years at Tottenham
‘David Beckham’s red card at France 98 was excessive. He shouldn’t have been sent off, but Diego Simeone was clever’ Javier Zanetti’s World Cup 98 admission
EXCLUSIVE England and Argentina's World Cup 1998 last-16 clash had everything
‘Manchester United have always shown interest in me, but the ideal scenario to manage there has never quite materialised’ Mauricio Pochettino on his Old Trafford opportunities
EXCLUSIVE The former Tottenham boss has been linked with Manchester United on a number of occasions
‘I had the opportunity to join Real Madrid after Zinedine Zidane left, but I’d promised I would stay at Spurs until the stadium was built’ Mauricio Pochettino on turning down the Bernabeu
EXCLUSIVE The Argentine could have swapped White Hart Lane for the Bernabeu almost a decade ago
‘I showed Michael Owen a photo that proved I never fouled him at the 2002 World Cup. He signed it and wrote, ‘You definitely touched me’ along with a smiley face’ Mauricio Pochettino relitigates fiery England vs Argentina clash
EXCLUSIVE The Three Lions claimed a narrow win over Argentina in Japan 24 years ago
‘Not winning a trophy at Spurs hurt because of the momentum that built around us, but those years should still be spoken about as a huge success’ Mauricio Pochettino on reflects on his Tottenham successes
EXCLUSIVE The Argentine was in charge at Spurs for five years
‘Marcelo Bielsa knocked on my parents’ door at 1am to offer me a trial. The streets were empty except for stray dogs’ The extreme methods used to discover Mauricio Pochettino
EXCLUSIVE The USA boss was discovered by Bielsa as a 13-year-old in Rosario
‘I was playing tennis with Ruud van Nistelrooy – Alex Ferguson started joking to distract him and I ended up winning’ Diego Forlan recalls his first conversation with the legendary Manchester United boss
EXCLUSIVE The Uruguayan striker often saw a different side to the fiery Manchester United legend
