আইএসএল শুরুতেই মিডফিল্ডে শক্তি বৃদ্ধিতে এই তারকাকে নিল চেন্নাই

Bemammer, 36, arrives as a proven professional with over 300 senior career appearances, with more than 40 of those outings coming in the Indian Super League, where he has also chipped in with four goals. A former Morocco international, Bemammer earned 11 caps for his country and scored twice, underlining his pedigree at the highest level.

Upon completing his move, Bemammer said, “I am very happy to join this great team, and I hope to help the club achieve titles. I am also delighted with the return of football and am looking forward to training with the team.”

Renowned for his physical dominance, positional discipline, and game awareness, Bemammer is a classic holding midfielder who offers balance and protection in front of the backline. His experience and leadership are expected to play a key role in anchoring Chennaiyin FC’s midfield unit.

His trophy cabinet reflects his success, having won the CAF Confederation Cup, CAF Super Cup, and an African Nations Championship in 2020, along with several domestic honours. Bemammer later moved to India in 2023, representing NorthEast, and quickly adapted to the demands of Indian football. He also has a Durand Cup title to his name from his time in India.

Speaking on Bemammer’s arrival, head coach Clifford Miranda said, “Bemammer’s will help us to get solidarity & stability in the middle. His ability to hold the ball under pressure, break opponent attacks & find passes to initiate offensive transitions will add a very good dimension to our play. He brings leadership & character to our squad and has a strong personality which will help the team.”

A native of Fes, Bemammer began his professional journey with hometown club Maghreb Fes before moving on to represent Raja Casablanca, one of Morocco’s most storied and successful clubs. Much of his career was spent in domestic football, where he established himself as one of the league’s most reliable and consistent midfielders.

Bemammer will link up with his new teammates in the coming days and begin training as Chennaiyin continue building up to the new season.

 

 

 

 

 

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আইএসএল শুরুর আগেই বিরাট সুখবর দিল কেরালা

Capable of playing as a striker or on either wing, Bertomeu brings with him a strong competitive background across Europe and Asia, having featured in Spain’s domestic circuit and in leagues abroad, including stints in Hong Kong and Indonesia. Known for his direct running, sharp movement in the final third and high-intensity style of play, the Spaniard is expected to provide the Blasters with added firepower and depth in attack.

Bertomeu began his football journey in Spain and has represented clubs such as Gimnàstic de Tarragona, CF Pobla de Mafumet, CF Ascó, CF Peralada, and AE Prat, gaining valuable experience across different levels of Spanish football. In recent seasons, he has also played in Asia, featuring for Eastern FC in the Hong Kong Premier League, followed by a spell with Gresik United FC in Indonesia, where he continued to grow as a modern attacking player.

Kerala Blasters FC CEO, Abhik Chatterjee said, “We are delighted to welcome Victor to Kerala Blasters FC. He is a versatile attacking player who brings energy, experience and a strong work ethic to our squad. We believe he will be a valuable addition to the group as we continue to build a competitive team for the season ahead.”

‘মেসি ভগবান’কে ফ্রেম বন্দি করতে ভিন্ন রাজ্যের বাসিন্দারা, ২ নং গেটে একী কান্ড?

The ticket redemption process began at the end of last week. On the final day, fans coming to redeem their tickets displayed remarkable enthusiasm. Around the Yuva Bharati Stadium in Kolkata, Messi fans from different states were spotted gathering.

On this day, Argentine jerseys with Messi’s picture and the text “Welcome Messi” were being sold. Additionally, jerseys featuring East Bengal along with Argentina were available for ₹300. One seller stated, “Jersey sales have been quite good over the past few days. With Messi coming, we hope sales will increase even more on the day of the event.”

A buyer mentioned, “Messi is our god. To see him in person and wear his jersey—both are a huge privilege for me. We can’t miss this.”

Among the fans redeeming tickets, there were couples who were not residents of Kolkata. A pair from Odisha said, “We are Messi fans. We came here just to see our god in person.”

Fans like Sadanon from Manipur and Mounten and Mira from Assam also caught attention. A group of 30 friends came from Shillong. One of them, Danny, said, “Messi is the best among all footballers. If he had stayed a little longer in the stadium, our joy would have been even greater.”

In front of Gate No. 2 at Yuva Bharati, Andruman from Kerala was selling Messi stickers. He said, “I have been collecting these stickers for several years. I even designed some of them myself. Since Messi’s Kerala tour was canceled, I came to Kolkata. Messi has been my favorite footballer since childhood.”

Even before Messi’s arrival, Kolkata was already buzzing with Messi fever. Football fans were seen at every corner, eagerly waiting to see their beloved star, holding jerseys and stickers in hand.

Meet & Greet and Virtual Statue Unveiling

The day kicks off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday with a Meet & Greet event. From 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., the virtual unveiling of LM10’s statue will take place. Following that, he will head to the Youth Stadium, where stars will be arriving one after another:

11:30 a.m.: Shah Rukh Khan

12:00 p.m.: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

Legendary cricketer Sourav Ganguly will also be present

A special session of football, celebrity interaction, and felicitation will run from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. After that, Messi will head to the airport and fly to Hyderabad at 2:00 p.m. In all, it will be just 12.5 hours – but an emotionally charged visit.

Unprecedented Security Arrangements

With the presence of the Chief Minister, Shah Rukh Khan, and Sourav Ganguly, security measures are being taken to the highest level. Around 2,000 police personnel will be deployed under the leadership of the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate. Inspectors, SIs, and constables from various parts of the city will be on duty, alongside the RAF. Strict traffic control and special parking guidelines have been prepared.

The city has seen legends like Pelé, Maradona, and Messi before, yet the excitement of his return is unique. The young talent of 2011 has now become a legend. Once again, Kolkata will witness history, and the city will rediscover itself amid the frenzy of Messi mania.

Messi’s Main Event in Kolkata — 13 December

9:30 AM — Special programme at his hotel with sponsors

Around 10 AM — Departs for the Salt Lake Stadium (Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan)

At the stadium, he will attend the Mohun Bagan ‘Messi’ All-Stars vs Diamond Harbour ‘Messi’ All-Stars match, which he will watch from the ground

After the match, he will interact with the players of both teams

Later, from the hotel, he will virtually inaugurate a 70-foot statue of Messi

By afternoon, he will fly to Hyderabad

On 14 December, he will take part in various events in Mumbai, and on 15 December, in Delhi. During the tour, he is also expected to meet Shah Rukh Khan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Didn’t get tickets? Don’t worry! Where to watch Messi?

Even though many people could not get tickets to the stadium, the good news is that Messi’s entire tour can be enjoyed right from home.

Messi’s Kolkata tour will be streamed live on the Sony LIV app and website.
(A Sony LIV subscription is required.)

Selected events of the GOAT India Tour 2025 will also be broadcast on—

Prasar Bharati YouTube channel

DD Sports TV channel

Preparations are at full swing everywhere from Kolkata airport to the Salt Lake Stadium. The city’s streets are filled with Messi posters, fans singing, flags and blue-and-white lights reflecting Argentina’s colours. Many say that seeing Messi once in their lifetime is their greatest dream come true. Kolkata, the football-loving city, feels like it has once again transformed into the football capital of the world. Just a few more hours — and India will see its dream man. All of Bengal waits eagerly for the Messi Magic.

With a coveted spot in the 2026–27 AFC competitions on the line, the winners of the last two editions—East Bengal FC in 2024 and FC Goa in 2025—are determined to reclaim the Super Cup crown and become the first Indian club this season to secure continental qualification.

Under Spanish head coach Óscar Bruzón, East Bengal have shown steady improvement as the tournament progressed. After a nervy 2–2 opening draw against Dempo SC, they bounced back emphatically with a commanding 4–0 victory over Chennaiyin FC. A composed 0–0 draw against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan SG, in a match they largely controlled, ensured the Red & Golds topped Group A and advanced to the semifinals.

In the first semifinal, East Bengal defeated Punjab FC 3–1 with goals from Mohammed Rashid, Kevin Sibille, and captain Saul Crespo, securing their place in the Super Cup final for the third time after appearances in 2018 and 2024.

Unbeaten so far, the Kolkata giants have scored nine goals—more than any other team in the competition. However, they will be without head coach Bruzón on the touchline for the final after he received two yellow cards and was sent off just before halftime in the semifinal.

Manolo Márquez’s FC Goa, meanwhile, are striving to become the first club to successfully defend the Super Cup and clinch their third title, having previously won in 2019 and 2025.

The Gaurs progressed from Group B with wins over Jamshedpur FC (2–0) and Inter Kashi (3–0), despite a setback against NorthEast United FC (1–2). They then edged Mumbai City FC 2–1 in the second semifinal, courtesy of quickfire first-half goals from Brison Fernandes and David Timor.

At the pre-match press conference, East Bengal assistant coach Bino George stated:
“East Bengal never enter a tournament just to participate. We always compete to win. FC Goa are the defending champions and we respect them, but we have prepared rigorously for this day and will give everything to bring the trophy back to Kolkata.”

Captain Saul Crespo added:
“Our preparations have been excellent and the team bonding is visible to everyone. We have one last hurdle ahead of us, and we will give our all to execute our game plan to perfection.”

The match will be streamed live on JioHotstar and broadcast on Star Sports Khel.

Messi said, “I’ve said before that I’m hopeful about playing in next year’s World Cup. But if things go really badly, I might just watch the games from home. Even that would be special for me. The World Cup is special for everyone, especially for the participating countries. And we (Argentina) experience it differently when it happens.”

Having joined Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami after leaving Europe in 2023, experts believe Messi can adapt to the weather conditions in the host countries—USA, Canada, and Mexico. However, even if Messi doesn’t play, his teammates have enough strength to try to retain Argentina’s title.

He added, “Everyone in the Argentina team is a champion. They all have a strong mentality and a hunger for more victories. It’s contagious. You can see it in their training—they give everything they have.”

Messi also emphasized the crucial role of coach Lionel Scaloni and his staff in maintaining a healthy and strong team environment. He revealed that he stays in constant communication with Scaloni regarding participation in the World Cup. Messi said, “He is ready to play me in any position I prefer. Our relationship is very trusting. We can openly discuss anything.”

Lionel Messi told ESPN there’s a chance he may not play at the 2026 World Cup, though he said he still has the desire to be there. pic.twitter.com/TCYtTgmCh4

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 4, 2025

Overall, Messi’s participation in the 2026 World Cup remains uncertain, leaving fans in suspense. Meanwhile, according to Indian time, the draw for the upcoming World Cup is scheduled to take place Friday night, heightening anticipation for fans worldwide.

The Kolkata giants started brightly and took the lead in the 12th minute through Mohamad Bashim Rashid. A rehearsed short-corner routine saw Miguel Ferreira’s delivery only partially cleared, and the ball fell invitingly to Rashid at the edge of the area. The Maldivian midfielder controlled superbly before drilling a low shot that slipped under goalkeeper Muheet Shabir’s glove—his first goal for the club.

Punjab FC responded with urgency and were rewarded in the 34th minute. A mishap in the East Bengal box saw Ricky Shabong’s clearing header rebound off Bipin Singh’s arm, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Daniel Ramirez converted confidently, sending Prabhsukhan Singh Gill the wrong way to level the score.

But East Bengal regained control at a crucial moment, striking just before the interval. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Miguel Ferreira delivered another pinpoint corner, and defender Kevin Sibille rose highest to nod home a powerful header. The goal sparked jubilant celebrations, which also saw head coach Oscar Bruzon receive a second yellow card for overexuberance.

After the break, East Bengal tightened their grip on the contest. Bipin Singh and Hiroshi Ibusuki both came close to extending the lead, but it was captain Saul Crespo who delivered the decisive blow in the 71st minute. Once again, Ferreira was the architect—slaloming past multiple defenders before laying the ball off for Crespo, who placed a tidy left-footed finish into the bottom corner.

Punjab FC struggled to break down East Bengal’s disciplined defensive structure in the closing stages. Their best late opportunity came when Ramirez threaded a pass to Bede Amarachi Osuji, but the Nigerian forward’s effort was comfortably saved by Gill.

East Bengal nearly added further gloss to the scoreline when Ferreira danced past defenders again, only to fire narrowly wide. Nevertheless, the Red and Gold brigade held firm until the final whistle, celebrating a well-earned spot in yet another major final.

With momentum and confidence on their side, Oscar Bruzon’s men now turn their focus to lifting the coveted AIFF Super Cup trophy.

FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC (20:00 IST)

The second semi-final brings together two teams with contrasting momentum but identical ambitions. Mumbai City FC arrive after a long training block without competitive fixtures, while FC Goa come into the game battle-hardened from their AFC Champions League Two campaign. Beyond a spot in the final, both teams are fighting for a route back to continental football.

East Bengal, Punjab FC Set for Blockbuster Super Cup Semi Final

Mumbai City FC: “Heart, Character, Commitment”

Head coach Petr Kratky expressed confidence in his squad’s preparation:

“I’m very happy with the work we’ve done over the last few weeks. Goa are a very good team and in full rhythm because of the ACL Two, but we’ve prepared as best as possible.”

This is Mumbai City’s third consecutive Super Cup semi-final, and midfielder Brandon Fernandes is targeting his first-ever final with the club.

“It’s a massive semi-final for us. We want to reach the final and return to AFC competition — that’s our motivation.”

Will Joy Gupta Play Super Cup 2025 Semifinal?

Kratky emphasized Mumbai City’s attacking identity:

“We want to play aggressive, attacking football — the style Mumbai is known for. We are building an environment where every player is ready and important. What matters is heart, character, and commitment.”

Facing his former team, Fernandes added:

“The past is the past. Tomorrow is about the present. Goa is my former club, but my focus is on helping Mumbai win.”

FC Goa: Battle-Hardened but Weary

FC Goa head coach Manolo Márquez acknowledged that his squad is navigating a unique situation:

East Bengal coach Oscar Bruzon Weighs Defensive Options Ahead of Semifinal

“We are training more and playing more because of the AFC Champions League Two, but the long gaps between matches make it mentally demanding. Still, strong matches are better preparation than training alone.”

Defender Ronney Wilson Kharbudon, who made his debut against Al Nassr earlier this season, echoed his coach’s sentiments:

“Playing such matches helps every player improve. Training has been good since we returned from Iraq. We’re focused and want to reach the final.”

A Fixture Known for Goals

Whenever FC Goa and Mumbai City FC meet, entertainment is guaranteed — 16 goals in their last five meetings. Mumbai City enjoyed a 10-game unbeaten run against Goa before the Gaurs ended it with a 3–1 win in Mumbai last February.

Márquez expects another high-quality encounter:

“Every competition is different. Mumbai City are one of the biggest teams in the ISL, with strong foreigners and national team players. Both teams like attacking, possession football. It should be a good match, but in football, you never know.”

The action begins at 16:00 IST with a clash between 2024 champions East Bengal FC and first-time semi-finalists Punjab FC. Later, at 20:00 IST, defending champions FC Goa face Mumbai City FC. Both matches will be broadcast on Star Sports Khel and streamed on JioHotstar.

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Semi-final 1: East Bengal FC vs Punjab FC (16:00 IST)

Both teams arrive with momentum after navigating two of the competition’s toughest groups.
East Bengal sealed their spot with a gritty 0–0 draw against rivals Mohun Bagan SG, while Punjab FC advanced after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Bengaluru FC, having produced an identical defensive record with no goals conceded in the group stage.

Bruzon: “We trust our identity and game model.”

East Bengal head coach Óscar Bruzón highlighted the long-term preparation behind his team’s campaign:

“Our preparation has been ongoing for months. We started training in July, played pre-season tournaments, and integrated new players. This helped us build automatisms and collective understanding. We feel mature in what we do, and tomorrow we must bring that onto the pitch.”

Full-back Jay Gupta also emphasised the team’s motivation:

“This tournament offers a spot in Asia, something our fans truly deserve. We’re fully prepared and excited to get on the pitch.”

East Bengal coach Oscar Bruzon Weighs Defensive Options Ahead of Semifinal

Respect for Punjab’s defence

Punjab FC’s defensive solidity has been one of the stories of the tournament. When asked about possible weaknesses, Bruzón maintained a respectful but cautious tone:

“We have huge respect for Punjab. They haven’t conceded once. They’re aggressive, compact, and strong in transitions. We expect changes from them — new players, substitutions, maybe even a different system.”

On handling pressure and expectations from East Bengal’s massive fan base, Bruzón added:

“At East Bengal, if you don’t understand what it means to be part of this club, the job becomes difficult. We play with hunger and commitment. Thinking about the final or Asia now would distract us.”

Punjab FC: Calm, confident, and ready

Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis expressed confidence in his squad’s preparation:

“After qualifying, the players got a deserved break. Then we had three and a half weeks of full training and friendlies to fine-tune the team.”

Midfielder Leon Augustine echoed the positive mood:

“We’ve worked hard and had a good run in the group stage. The long training period helped. There’s no pressure on us — East Bengal are a good team, but we’re ready.”

Dilmperis on East Bengal and knockout football

Despite East Bengal defeating Punjab twice last ISL season — including a 4–2 comeback victory in Kolkata — Dilmperis remained measured:

“East Bengal are strong in every department. We respect them.”

On Punjab’s defensive focus, he added:

“A clean sheet is crucial in knockout football — it helps in extra time or penalties. We’d love to have possession, but we’re ready for any scenario.”