標籤: inspiration

newcastle united Midfielder Bruno Guimarães has revealed he has spent two months out due to his injury analyzing xG and how he can improve his goalscoring tally.

GE Globo has an interview with the Brazilian today. He admits that he believes he is in a blessed period for scoring goals and intends to score more in the future.

newcastle return

Bruno Guimaraes returned to action for Newcastle on Saturday after a two-month absence. The 28-year-old player was out of action since February due to a hamstring injury.

This resulted in him spending 63 days on the treatment table and missing 12 games during that time. It was a blow to Eddie Howe’s team, who missed their captain dearly.

Guimaraes has again been a key player this season. But he has added another dimension to his game, goals. He has scored nine goals and five assists in 24 appearances in the Premier League this season. Morgan Gibbs-White is the only midfielder with more than 12.

This is his best goalscoring total in the Premier League so far, surpassing his previous best of seven in 2023/24. A better tally, according to the Newcastle midfielder, simply comes from taking more shots.

“The freedom I have to step into the box, attack and attack the ball inside the penalty area are things I have always loved to do, since my beginning at Athletico,” he said.

“Finally, I am more mature now, more experienced, and I know how to score runs more effectively. And, without a doubt, I am taking a lot more shots as well.

“I think the more shots you take, the better your chances of scoring goals – although I also think I’m in a “blessed moment” right now, I would say.”

XG numbers analyzed

The recent injury break may have been a blow, but it provided the Newcastle midfielder with ample opportunity to analyze his game.

This saw the Brazilian take a deep dip in his XG numbers. And when he did he discovered something interesting.

“Man, during that time I was sidelined, I actually took a look at my “expected goals” (xG) stats, and my expected goals figure was sitting at four. [per season]“He said.

“I have nine goals; the ball is connecting, and it’s going into the back of the net. So, you just have to keep shooting, no matter what.

“Even if there’s an unmarked teammate available, take the shot, because right now, it’s resulting in goals. The goals are flowing; I feel like I’m in a moment of divine inspiration.”

special goal vs burnley

The standout goal of this season was undoubtedly the striker’s header from a corner kick against Burnley.

That moment seemed to be of divine inspiration. But Bruno Guimaraes says it was actually part of a targeted plan by Newcastle.

“Of course, full credit for the execution of the kick goes to me,” he concluded.

“However, it was something we really worked on during the week; we noticed that Burnley were struggling quite a bit against direct balls into the box. So, I spent practically the whole week practicing hitting the ball towards goal, and it paid off beautifully.

“It was a brilliant strike, the most beautiful goal of my entire career. I’ve actually tried it a few more times since then, twice the ball hit the post, so who knows? Maybe there will be another one coming soon!”

Sunderland striker Eliezer Mayenda has revealed his preference for Liverpool stems from his love for Fernando Torres.

world madrid Interviewed the Sunderland striker this week.

He discussed his career so far, his international aspirations and how Torres was instrumental in a big decision in his career.

Sunderland player has Spanish roots

Born in 2005 to a Congolese father and a Togolese mother, Mayenda grew up moving between countries.

The family later moved to Zaragoza, Spain, where he was born. He left the city for Paris at the age of nine, but his time in Spain never left him.

He started his football career with CD Ebro and has been a part of the Spanish youth team since 2022. He has already played for them at U17, U20 and U21 level.

The decision to represent him was left up to the 20-year-old and he was heavily influenced by the former Liverpool striker.

“Torres debuted at a very young age, at a time when it was not common to do so early,” The Sunderland striker explained.

“I recognize him. It’s also important that when I played Pro Evolution Soccer with my brother, Fernando Torres was there, playing for Liverpool. I really enjoyed playing with the English team.”

Torres’ love is equal to Liverpool love

In fact, it is the relationship with Torres that has endeared him to Torres’ former club as well.

He is one of Liverpool’s most prolific strikers, scoring a record 81 goals in 142 appearances in all competitions in three and a half seasons at Anfield.

At the time, Torres was the fastest Liverpool player in history to reach 50 league goals, having done so in just 72 matches. He also broke the record of most goals scored by a foreign player in the first season of the Premier League with 24 goals.

That record, along with several others, propelled him to third place in the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year rankings in 2008.

And it also left a big impact on young Mayenda.

sunderland valor

“I identify with Fernando Torres; he also debuted at a very young age… I love Liverpool,” He added.

For now, the focus is on impressing at Sunderland. He’s already a hero there after scoring the goal against Sheffield United in last year’s play-off final.

Now he wants more experiences like this with the Black Cats, and maybe score a goal at the World Cup like his hero Torres.

“God willing, there will be more important goals in the future,” He concluded.

“That match at Wembley was special because all my family were there. I seem to be a very nice person, but at that moment I felt like I was swimming.”

There is plenty of time for the youngster to create more special memories with Sunderland. Now away from the Spanish U21 team, which is a very talented group, Eliezer Mayenda will be seeing his ambitions grow even further.

🇩🇪 Exclusive: Castello Lukeba ‼️

➡️The formula confirms this @Kaus_Pandey17 There is interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United
➕ Defender tempted to move to Premier League
➡️ Summer decision will depend on the proposed projecthttps://t.co/2VZ2ljcDv7 #afc #lfc #afc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 25 March 2026

Paolo Banchero praised Jayson Tatum after the Boston Celtics forward returned to action after suffering an Achilles injury during last year’s postseason.

Banchero shared the comments Saturday after leading the Orlando Magic to a 119-92 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 22-year-old forward finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds and three assists while shooting 10 of 18 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line in 35 minutes.

After the win, Banchero was asked about Tatum’s return to the court.

“It was great to see him out there. I just have to give him a lot of credit. I think his mentality was there from the beginning when he first got injured, I watched him over the summer and you could tell he was going to try to get back sooner than everyone thought. I didn’t know it would happen this season, but you could tell he was already working, even right after the injury.”

Banchero continued by emphasizing the challenge of returning from an Achilles injury and the impact of seeing Tatum back on the floor.

“So, it was great to see him out there and I think he’s an inspiration to everybody… Just for him to be completely recovered in front of the whole world and to come out and have a great game last night. It’s not easy to get over that injury, and I can only imagine how he had to deal with it mentally and all that stuff, but happy for him, man. Looking forward to getting down there against him. I think we’ll play Boston once again, see him in the playoffs, But yes, he is happy, for sure.”

Paolo Banchero praises Jayson Tatum as Celtics, Magic can meet again in playoffs

Tatum returned to the lineup in Boston’s 120-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, helping the Celtics improve to 42-21, the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.

In his first game, the 28-year-old recorded 15 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and one steal, while shooting 6-for-16 from the field and 3-for-8 from three-point range in 27 minutes.

Banchero and Tatum share a connection dating back to their college careers. Both players starred at Duke University before entering the NBA, with Tatum playing one season for the Blue Devils in 2016–17 and Banchero following a similar path during the 2021–22 season.

The Celtics and Magic also met in last year’s postseason, when Boston defeated Orlando in five games during the first round.

With the Magic currently positioned in the Eastern Conference play-in race, a postseason rematch is possible. Orlando improved to 34-28 with Saturday’s win and the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The Magic are tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for sixth place and one game behind the Toronto Raptors for the fifth seed.

Orlando will conclude its two-game road trip on Sunday night when it visits the Milwaukee Bucks (26-35) at 8:00 pm ET.

Casemiro has said that he grew up watching Manchester United under Alex Ferguson and studying Paul Scholes closely, citing the former Red Devils midfielder as a reference point for his game.

talking to DAZN in SpainThe Brazilian was asked which players he admired as a youngster. His reply immediately brought the conversation back to Old Trafford.

He first mentioned Zinedine Zidane. However, he made it clear that Manchester United’s era of dominance under Ferguson had a major impact on him.

“Especially, especially Zidane. Of course Zidane is number one, for me he is the one I always look at closely.” Casimiro said.

“But I also watched a lot of football in the period when United was winning everything [Alex] Ferguson. So one player I really liked was Paul Scholes, who played a bit in my place. I used to watch him very closely when he played.”

Manchester United’s influence during the Ferguson era

Casimiro explained that as a child he absorbed everything he saw on television. United’s success made their matches inevitable.

“When you’re a kid, everyone on TV becomes someone you pay attention to. You’re always watching a lot of football. I really enjoyed those players.” He added.

This is a clear reflection of a player who has since established himself as one of the finest midfielders in Europe.

For Manchester United supporters, there is a certain symmetry in hearing that praise. Scholes defined a generation at Old Trafford. Years later, Casemiro would arrive in Manchester as an established star.

Although He spoke at the end of last year Regarding his plans for the future beyond United, his name has already been written into the club’s recent history.

What does this say about Casemiro’s mentality

Although the Brazilian made his legacy elsewhere before moving to England, these comments underline how deeply Ferguson’s Manchester United era resonated on the world stage.

Furthermore, his reference to the Scoles study highlights a detail that is often overlooked. Casemiro’s role has always been one of defensive solidity. Yet he clearly valued on-ball intelligence and positional awareness.

Ultimately, this quote provides information about his football education. Before becoming a reference for others, he was a young fan studying United’s midfield and dreaming of reaching that level.

Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Yerson Mosquera has admitted he is using the club’s difficult Premier League season as motivation to reach the 2026 World Cup with Colombia.

Spoke to the 24-year-old centre-back AS ColombiaWhere he reflected on Wolves’ struggles near the bottom of the table. Despite the collective problems, he believes his recent individual performances can strengthen his claim to the national team.

Mosquera made it clear that regular minutes in England are central to his ambitions. “It’s clear that if you play you have a higher chance of getting into the national team”He accepted.

“It’s no secret to anyone how many quality players there are in the national team, it will not be easy at all. I talk with many of them, I have told them that I will not make it easy for them, that I am going to fight for my place, that I will fight there yes or yes. Tell them I am trying to make my place there to go to the World Cup.”He said.

These words outline his mentality. He recognizes the competitiveness under Colombia manager Nestor Lorenzo. However, he says he will compete for a spot.

Difficult season may not help Wolves

Wolves have had a turbulent campaign. The club are bottom of the Premier League table and face a real relegation battle.

Mosquera didn’t shy away from that reality. He described the season in honest terms. “Honestly, it’s been a very difficult season because of everything that’s happened.”He said.

“Regardless of any situation, the only thing left is to take advantage of it, keep the possibilities that still exist and keep growing as a player and a person. These situations make you stronger.” He concluded.

That assessment reflects maturity. Rather than distance himself from the club’s problems, he sees them as part of his development.

Bottom line for club and country

From Wolves’ perspective, Mosquera’s focus on development is important. The defender arrived in England with promise but faced adaptation challenges.

Now, with regular performances in high-pressure environments, he appears determined to turn adversity into progress.

At the age of 24, he is entering an important phase of his career. Consistent Premier League performances will not only help Wolves in their battle for survival but also strengthen their bid for Colombia’s World Cup squad.

For Wolves supporters, that ambition could work in their favour. A player who struggles to make it on the world stage often raises his standards.

If Mosquera continues to perform individually despite the team’s struggles, both club and country could benefit from that campaign.

Anthony Edwards once again looked close to his best performance against the Dallas Mavericks as his 40 points helped them suffer their tenth consecutive loss. At the same time, Ant wasn’t the only superstar to score 40 points, with Cade Cunningham also coming back with 42 in the Detroit Pistons’ recent win over the New York Knicks.
And as it turns out, ANT took inspiration from the Pistons’ main man.

“I actually do this shit in my sleep… I woke up today and I knew I was about to turn 40. I saw Cade [Cunningham] Go for 40 and I said bullshit, that means I have to go for 40 too,” Edwards revealed after the game, according to a clip on the X posted by ClutchPoints. Not only did the Timberwolves star watch his fellow young superstar put in one of the best performances of his career, but he also used it to push himself.

“I actually do this shit in my sleep… I woke up today and I knew I was about to turn 40. I saw Cade [Cunningham] Go for 40 and I said nonsense, that means I should get 40 too.”

Anthony Edwards on his huge game last night against the Mavs 🔥

(via @timberwolves)pic.twitter.com/zAAudJn61B

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 21 February 2026

The Timberwolves won 122–111 as Edwards scored 40 points on 16-of-30 shooting with five threes and six rebounds, his eighth 40-point game of the season. This included 14 points in the fourth quarter, showing the same kind of efficiency Cunningham showed a few days earlier.

Cunningham proved exactly why he previously said he loved playing at Madison Square Garden. The Pistons guard had one of his most complete games of the season, posting 42 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds on 50% shooting in a 126–111 win over the New York Knicks.

Cunningham scored 14 points in the first quarter and even had a stretch where he scored 11 consecutive points for the Pistons, who extended their run to 41–13, best in the Eastern Conference.

And yet the biggest contribution may have come in the form of inspiration provided by ANT, who responded with a memorable night of their own. The All-Star MVP returned to familiar form with Minnesota’s third consecutive win.

They will now face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Chicago native Matas Buzzelis continues to move forward. The second-year guard for the Chicago Bulls participated in the Rising Stars Game on Friday to kick off NBA All-Star Weekend. In the process, Bouzelis has long-term All-Star aspirations.

Derrick Rose’s desire to go far can be attributed to seeing his jersey retired by the Bulls. According to SiriusXM NBA Radio, during All-Star weekend, Bouzelis reflected on the ceremony and what it meant to him.

“It really put more motivation in my mind,” Buzzellis said.

“It really put more motivation in my mind.”

Bulls forward Matas Buzelis shares what it meant to him to see Derrick Rose’s jersey retirement.

For more NBA All-Star Weekend coverage: https://t.co/j3RPgmlH7e pic.twitter.com/pbmW5bmRXu

– SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) 14 February 2026

Rose had his jersey retired after the Bulls’ game against the Boston Celtics on January 24. He is one of four other Chicago players to receive this honor. The others were Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Jerry Sloan and Bob Love.

Currently, Bouzelis is at a point where he is making his mark. Of course, he’s still adjusting to a new dynamic after the Bulls traded seven players during the trade deadline. Those players included Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Nikola Vucevic, all of whom played important roles in mentoring Buzzellis in his freshman year.

Right now, the Bulls are 24-31 and in the midst of a six-game losing streak. Also, they have lost 9 of their last 10 matches.

Currently, Bouzelis is averaging 15.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Buzzellis attended Hinsdale Central High School in the Chicago suburb of Hinsdale for his freshman and sophomore years.

Rose is a native of Englewood. NBA All-Star Weekend will conclude with the All-Star Game on Sunday.

Next, the Bulls will return to action on Thursday, February 19 against the Toronto Raptors.