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Thiago Alcantara’s passion for self-expression and art: ‘I love quality in things’

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9 months ago

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Thiago Alcantara
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It’s fitting a player who can make football look like art enjoys the creativity of others outside the sport.

Thiago Alcantara, the gifted and accomplished Liverpool midfielder, chose to give his tattoo artists the freedom to create when it came to the sleeve on his right arm.

“As I play, I see life, I love quality in things, I love quality in work in any action,” the 32-year-old tells Liverpoolfc.com in the latest of Carlsberg’s Inked series, exploring players’ tattoos and the stories behind them.

“For me it’s a great experience to try to interact with great artists and see how they work, see how are the pictures and if I want a tattoo on myself I try to think what I like most by giving a lot of room for the creativity of the artist.”

Thiago got his first tattoo the day after he turned 18 and would then add to his ‘collage’ to mark his journey through life.

In his mind, there was no question if he would ever get one.

He explains: “I came from a family where we were on the beach a lot in Brazil and loads of people have this culture for the body and most of them with tattoos. My mum has a lot as well.

“I grew up where it’s more of a self-expression of moments of life or in some situations you remember the good and bad moments or the not-so-good moments. It’s a kind of self-expression.

“I always wanted [one]. I think it’s something when you see for the first time, you say, ‘OK, I like it.’ And then your second thoughts are, ‘It suits me or not.’ There are people that love tattoos but they don’t have any because they say, ‘OK, it’s not for me.'”

The starting point of Thiago’s glittering career in Europe was cause for him to get his opening design.

Aged 14, he left home for FC Barcelona and their famed La Masia academy, with his mother’s parting words leaving a mark that is now materialised on his skin.

A line from the Brazil national anthem related to his father and a guardian angel, among others, then found a place on the dad-of-three’s tapestry of ink.

“It was a message [from] a bittersweet moment because I was leaving home but at the same time I was going to achieve my dreams,” Thiago says of his first.

“I did everything separate because you’re doing it at a young age, you’re putting everything together, doing like a kind of collage. There’s not a big harmony between but there’s a lot of things that I went through in my life and I want to express that in tattoos.”

The Reds No.6 also carries a symbol of his love of football, as someone who was born into a footballing family – with his dad, Mazinho, winning the World Cup with Brazil back in 1994.

Thiago, a bona fide winner himself, has helped the clubs he’s represented lift the Champions League, La Liga, Bundesliga, FIFA Club World Cup and Emirates FA Cup – to name the standouts – ever since making his professional debut nearly 15 years ago.

And while on the theme of permanence, football is a game he adores for its ability to imprint forever-held memories on everyone associated with it. You can leave your own mark.

“Football creates these kind of special relationships,” Thiago finishes. “We can see also in the streets that people that you never saw in your life, they treat you like it’s part of their family or it’s a friend – because they see you every three days on TV or in the stadium.

“So for us it’s to create this kind of relationship here because you spend more time with your teammates, with the staff members than most of your family members. Liverpool has a story and you’re just a small part of this big club and history.”

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Lagos state government announces traffic diversion for Women marathon on Nov 9

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1 day ago

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November 8, 2024

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Lagos state government announces traffic diversion for Women marathon on Nov 9
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The Lagos State Government has announced the closure of 11 key roads on Lagos Island and Victoria Island for the Lagos Women Run, to be held on Saturday,October 9.

In a statement issued on Thursday, November 7, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said that in view of the annual Lagos Women Run, the Lagos State Government had implemented a traffic diversion plan to facilitate smoother movement for motorists during the event.

“During the event, the race route, starting from Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) inwards Water Board, Old NITEL, Outer Marina, Bonny Camp Bridge, Ahmadu Bello Way, Akin Adesola Street, Falomo Bridge, Falomo Roundabout, Awolowo Road, and Onikan Roundabout to Mobolaji Johnson, would be partially closed,” he said.

Consequently, Osiyemi explained that alternative routes had been designated to ease commuting.

He advised motorists heading to the Third Mainland Bridge from Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue to go via Bonny Camp, connecting Onikan Underpass towards Marina Exit to access Force Road, linking Outer Marina and the Third Mainland Bridge to reach their destinations.

“Motorists heading to Ikoyi Road from Apongbon are to use Odunlami Street to connect Igbosere Road and continue to Moloney Street to access Ikoyi Road for their journeys. There was minimal impact on traffic flow within these routes,” he added.

The Commissioner reiterated that all junctions and intersections from Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) to the destination, Mobolaji Johnson Arena, would be blocked with barriers and staff by LASTMA, NPF, FRSC, and LSNC officials to prevent other road users from accessing the main race corridor and to minimise inconvenience for motorists and athletes.

“Motorists are implored to be patient, as the partial road closure is part of the traffic management plans for the race event highlighted,” he said

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“Better than Mbappe”: Lewandowski receives high praise after reaching 99 UCL goals

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1 day ago

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November 8, 2024

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Robert Lewandowski celebrates one of his goals against Crvena Zvezda in the Champions League. Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic. Source: Getty Images
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  • Red-hot Barcelona hitman Robert Lewandowski continued his rich scoring form this season with a brace against Crvena Zvezda
  • His double helped La Blaugrana seal a thumping 5-2 win over the Serbian giants, stretching their winning streak to six games
  • Meanwhile, the 36-year-old, who is nearing 100 Champions League goals, received endless praise from fans for his performance

Robert Lewandowski has garnered widespread acclaim for his remarkable display in Barcelona’s recent UEFA Champions League triumph over Crvena Zvezda.

The Polish striker was unstoppable, netting twice in the 5-2 dismantling of the Serbian side on Wednesday night.

Lewandowski strikes twice as Barcelona thump Crvena

In classic poacher fashion, Lewandowski opened his account by capitalising on a rebound from Raphinha’s shot, which had rattled off the post.

According to Barca Blaugranes, the goal, coming just before the break, doubled Barcelona’s advantage.

Despite missing a few other promising chances, Lewandowski made no mistake when Jules Kounde delivered a pinpoint cross, allowing him to slot home his second of the night.

https://twitter.com/SSFootball/status/1854265373912162531?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1854265373912162531%7Ctwgr%5Eb585b13297846a638d1d864a22f5cc6d6e5a2735%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuko.co.ke%2Fsports%2Ffootball%2F568208-mbappe-robert-lewandowski-receives-high-praise-reaching-99-ucl-goals%2F

Raphinha, whose relentless pressing and dribbling added a dynamic edge to the Catalans’ attack, also found the back of the net before making way for a substitution.

With his brace, Lewandowski has now tallied an impressive 99 Champions League goals, per Fabrizio Romano, trailing only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the all-time scoring charts.

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1854271121064919483?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1854271121064919483%7Ctwgr%5Eb585b13297846a638d1d864a22f5cc6d6e5a2735%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuko.co.ke%2Fsports%2Ffootball%2F568208-mbappe-robert-lewandowski-receives-high-praise-reaching-99-ucl-goals%2F

Fans sing Lewandowski’s praises

His stellar performance ignited a wave of admiration on social media, with fans quick to laud his enduring quality and prolific nature.

TUKO.co.ke compiled some of the notable reactions:

@_FaridKhan asserted:

“Better than Mbappe.”

@Miss_Jasmine_1 extolled:

“Best striker in the world right now… no one comes close.”

@ChanceDaMayor remarked:

“Lewandowski setting his own records. Better than Mbappe.”

@scolaridaniels celebrated:

“Best striker super, man warrior.”

@Gemedia_ wrapped up the sentiment, simply stating:

“He is him.”

Lewandowski’s performance reminds fans that, even at 36, his instinct in front of goal remains as sharp as ever, proving crucial to Barcelona’s ambitions on Europe’s grandest stage.

Lewandowski equals Messi’s La Liga record

A previous report by TUKO.co.ke highlighted that Robert Lewandowski continues to display remarkable scoring consistency, keeping pace with Lionel Messi’s records.

After scoring against Valladolid, Lewandowski reached four goals in his first four league matches, a milestone last achieved by Messi.

Lewandowski chooses between Messi and Ronaldo

In a related report, TUKO.co.ke noted that Robert Lewandowski offered a unique perspective on the enduring Messi-Ronaldo debate.

Despite fans keeping the rivalry alive as both stars approach the end of their careers, Lewandowski avoided choosing between them.

Instead, in 2021, he playfully suggested himself as the best.

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Back in form! Ronaldo scores as Al-Nassr clinch Asian Champions League win

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2 days ago

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November 7, 2024

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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with his teammates after ending his three-game scoreless streak. Photo by Abdullah Ahmed. Source: UGC
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  • Cristiano Ronaldo brought his mini-goal drought to a halt as Al-Nassr steamrolled past Al Ain in the AFC Champions League
  • Single strikes from Wesley and the Portuguese phenom, an own goal from Fabio Cardoso and a brace from Anderson Talisca sealed a 5-1 win
  • The comprehensive victory maintains Al-Nassr’s unbeaten run in the Asian equivalent of the UEFA Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo ended his three-game goal drought in style, leading Al-Nassr to a commanding win over Al Ain in the AFC Champions League.

The 5-1 victory carried a sense of redemption as Al-Nassr avenged last season’s heartbreaking semi-final loss to the Emirati side.

Ronaldo fires Al-Nassr to a thumping win

Desperate to halt a frustrating three-match winless streak, the Knights of Najd were quick to seize control.

Within five minutes of play, the home side set the tone, and it was former RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan who sparked the attack, surging through Al Ain’s midfield before finding Anderson Talisca.

https://twitter.com/AlNassrFC_EN/status/1853890089816097113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1853890089816097113%7Ctwgr%5E49163fc34472beb877f687ae94897f69f25a446a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuko.co.ke%2Fsports%2Ffootball%2F568029-cristiano-ronaldo-breaks-goal-drought-powers-al-nassr-champions-league-win%2F

According to Goal, Talisca, in top form during Ronaldo’s scoring lull, capitalised with a composed finish, giving Al-Nassr an early lead that thrilled coach Stefano Pioli.

Ronaldo’s goal spurs eventual victory

Building on this momentum, Al-Nassr pressed for more, and by the half-hour mark, their persistence paid off.

Ronaldo showcased his instincts by reacting first to a fierce shot that Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa parried into his path, allowing the Portuguese forward to finish with ease.

https://twitter.com/TheNassrZone/status/1853870198337454446?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1853870198337454446%7Ctwgr%5E49163fc34472beb877f687ae94897f69f25a446a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuko.co.ke%2Fsports%2Ffootball%2F568029-cristiano-ronaldo-breaks-goal-drought-powers-al-nassr-champions-league-win%2F

Just six minutes later, Al-Nassr struck again with a quick one-two exchange between Wesley and Sadio Mane.

Wesley’s powerful strike deflected off an Al Ain defender, adding a touch of fortune to Al-Nassr’s already dominant lead.

https://twitter.com/TheNassrZone/status/1853869598224818283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1853869598224818283%7Ctwgr%5E49163fc34472beb877f687ae94897f69f25a446a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuko.co.ke%2Fsports%2Ffootball%2F568029-cristiano-ronaldo-breaks-goal-drought-powers-al-nassr-champions-league-win%2F

Though Al Ain struggled to keep up, they managed a consolation goal courtesy of a Bento own goal, giving them a glimmer of pride amid Al-Nassr’s offensive onslaught.

https://twitter.com/TheNassrZone/status/1853879985645232322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1853879985645232322%7Ctwgr%5E49163fc34472beb877f687ae94897f69f25a446a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuko.co.ke%2Fsports%2Ffootball%2F568029-cristiano-ronaldo-breaks-goal-drought-powers-al-nassr-champions-league-win%2F

Despite Al Ain’s attempts to rally in the closing stages, it was Brazilian pair Wesley and Talisca who capped off the night with an 81st-minute strike and a stoppage-time goal, securing a comprehensive 5-1 victory for Al-Nassr, per Daily Sports.

Ronaldo’s 1st penalty miss in Saudi costs Al-Nassr

In an earlier publication, Ekwutosblog reported that Cristiano Ronaldo played a central role in Al-Nassr’s exit from the Saudi King’s Cup.

The 39-year-old missed a last-minute penalty, resulting in a narrow loss to Al Taawoun, which ended the Knights of Najd’s cup run.

Ronaldo develops new way of dealing with ‘Messi’ chants

In an earlier report, Ekwutosblog shared that Cristiano Ronaldo faced taunts from opposing fans attempting to provoke him during the Riyadh Derby on November 1.

Known for enduring chants of “Messi” from rival fans, the 39-year-old seems to have developed a more composed response to these provocations, demonstrating a mature approach to handling the gestures.

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