17
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have scored in the same Premier League game 17 times for Manchester United, the second-most of any duo for the club.
BACKROOM BOY
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has held talks with AC Milan over a hybrid coaching staff role, according to Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport. The position would see the 42-year-old act as a club ambassador and member of head coach Stefano Pioli’s backroom staff. Zlatan returned to AC Milan in 2020 for a second spell with the club and lifted the Scudetto. Overall, he scored 93 goals in 163 appearances for the Rossoneri.
15
As of match week 13, Douglas Luiz has been directly involved in 15 goals in the Premier League in 2023 (10 goals, five assists); only Bruno Fernandes (17) and James Maddison (16) have more combined goals and assists among midfielders this year.
PROUD SUPPORTERS
ASD Staletti, an amateur soccer team from the scenic town of Staletti, known for its rich cultural heritage, was established to foster local soccer talent and embody the town’s sporting spirit. In a pioneering move, Soccer 360 Magazine has become the team’s sponsor, marking the magazine’s first-ever sponsorship of a local team. This collaboration highlights ASD Staletti’s growing prominence and Soccer 360’s commitment to supporting grassroots soccer. The team, a beacon of local pride, brings together passionate players and fans, symbolizing unity and sportsmanship in Staletti, while benefitting from the visibility and support provided by a major soccer publication.
MUCH KNEEDED
After overcoming a significant knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2022 season, Sporting Kansas City forward Alan Pulido has been named the 2023 MLS Comeback Player of the Year. The Mexican international produced an MLS career-best and club-high 14 goals in 2023 alongside three assists as SKC returned to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
THE LAST WALTZ?
Inter Miami has denied that it agreed to participate in the Riyadh Season Cup friendly tournament in February 2024 against Al Nassr, which could have seen Lionel Messi face off with great rival Cristiano Ronaldo one last time. Event organizers in Saudi Arabia had announced “The Last Dance” event via social media at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh with no exact dates yet set. The post was later deleted.
DID YOU KNOW?
◼ Manchester United’s 3-0 away victory against Everton was their first Premier League away game win by 3+ goals despite having fewer shots than their opponent since October 2015 against Everton (also 3-0).
◼ Aged 38 years and 140 days, Ashley Young (right) is the third-oldest outfielder to give away a penalty in the Premier League, after Richard Gough for Everton v Liverpool in April 2001 (39y 11d) and Stuart Pearce for West Ham v Everton in March 2001 (38y 341d).
GOALIE GIROUD
AC Milan hilariously included striker Olivier Giroud in their goalkeepers’ list after a stunning performance between the sticks. Giroud went viral during Milan’s 1-0 Serie A victory at Genoa as he was forced to go in goal. The Frenchman’s brave performance in goal sealed the
