Page 89 - Soccer360 Issue 106

DID YOU KNOW?
• Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán became the first player to net a Premier League brace against Liverpool as a substitute since Leroy Sane for Manchester City in September 2017.
• Cole Palmer (right) is just the third Chelsea player to score 20+ goals and provide 10+ assists in a Premier League season, after Frank Lampard (22 goals, 14 assists) and Didier Drogba (29 goals, 10 assists) in the 2009-10 campaign.
THE CODE IS IT
FC Bayern Munich’s 2024/25 home jersey isn’t just about style – it’s a game-changer. In a Bundesliga first, the jersey sleeve features a unique fusion of the Allianz logo and a QR code. This innovative move unlocks a world of exclusive content and promotions for fans, redefining the traditional sponsor partnership.
NORWEGIAN CLAN TOPS AMAZON
A Prime Video docu-series about the famous 1999 Treble winners has premiered lately. But fans heading to Printworks to watch it was greeted by an unfortunate sight. Manchester City star Erling Haaland’s face was plastered on a huge billboard above the entrance to the venue advertising his latest venture. The poster, promoting the Norwegian’s collaboration with mobile strategy game ‘Clash of Clans’, had the tagline: “He stole your trophies. Steal his gold.” Amazon will hope the advert does not take the shine off their three-part series.
17
Athletic Club have not lost any of their last 17 home games in LaLiga (W11 D6), equalling their best unbeaten run at home in a single campaign in the competition (in 1975/76 and 1977/78).
I’LL TAKE RONALDO
Soccer legend Fernando Torres made a
bizarre surprise appearance at the NFL Draft, announcing a sixth-round draft pick for the Miami Dolphins. Torres was shown on screen with the Metropolitano Stadium in the background, the home of Atletico Madrid, where he currently coaches. The former Chelsea and Liverpool striker started talking in Spanish to begin his appearance, but transitioned back to English to announce the pick.
It’s a win-win: Allianz deepens fan engagement, and FC Bayern embraces the future of fan experiences.
LIVE SET
Internationally renowned DJ Mahmut Orhan turned Coachella into a global stage for Inter Miami. The partnership, which began with a electrifying live
set during Inter Milan’s match against Atletico Madrid, reached new heights at the iconic music festival. Orhan donned the
Inter Miami shirt, showcasing
the club’s colors and logo to a massive, diverse audience. This innovative marketing strategy helped Inter Miami leverage the power of music to connect with a global fanbase.
PRO QUIDD
Premier League giants Manchester
City have partnered with Quidd, a leader in digital collectibles, to bring
a revolutionary experience to fans.
This multi-year deal goes beyond just collecting – it lets Cityzens swap digital player cards and unlock exclusive real- world rewards. Imagine scoring official merchandise, hospitality tickets, or even witnessing a first-team training session at the City Football Academy!
SOCCER FASHION
AC Milan has officially introduced the ACM x RL10 capsule collection, a collaboration with their celebrated Portuguese forward, Rafael Leão. This exclusive, limited-edition collection mirrors Leão’s unique style and dynamic presence
both on and off the pitch, encapsulating the essence of a modern football icon. The highlight of the collection is a special jersey, inspired by American football jerseys and crafted in Italy, representing a standout piece that merges sportswear with high fashion.
MIND THE CRYSTAL, PLEASE
Selhurst Park, the iconic home of Crystal Palace F.C., served as the stage for a high-profile professional boxing event. The arena hosted the world title fight featuring Richard Riakporhe,
a dedicated Palace supporter, as
he challenges Chris Billam-Smith
for the WBO World Cruiserweight Championship. This boxing event is
just one part of a series of activities planned to celebrate the centenary of Selhurst Park. The stadium, which has been a landmark in South London since its inception in 1924, has a rich history of hosting various sporting events, including memorable boxing matches dating back to the 1920s.
TIME TO GO
Thiago Silva was spotted in tears as he attended his final awards ceremony at Chelsea. The much-loved Brazilian had been announced as a Fluminese player just hours earlier. A supporter in attendance at the bash in West London shared footage shot on their phone that showed the fan-favourite wiping tears from his face while receiving a round
of applause. It is not the first time that the star has broken down as he was also in tears when confirming his exit from Chelsea in an emotional video that was released in April.
SOCCER360 SUMMER 2024 87
90TH MINUTE