New Barcelona signing Arturo Vidal says he is stepping up a level in his career and is intent on winning the Champions League three times over his three-year deal.
The La Liga champions signed the 31-year-old Chile midfielder from Bayern Munich for a reported fee which could rise to €21 million ($24 million) and he was officially presented at the Nou Camp on Monday.
“To arrive at Barcelona is a much bigger step than Bayern,” Vidal said.
“I hope to be an addition who can help to win all the titles. With the confidence that the people have given me, I want to win it all.
“At 15 I promised my mother I would be one of the best. I’ve played for a lot of teams and now I’m arriving at the best in the world.”
Vidal, who won Serie A with Juventus four times between 2012 and 2015, and the Bundesliga in each of his three seasons at Bayern, has never lifted the European Cup.
Barcelona last won the Champions League in 2015, beating Vidal’s Juventus in the final, and rivals Real Madrid have won it in each of the three seasons since, twice knocking out the Chilean while at Bayern.
“I don’t have accounts to settle with anybody, just my objective, which is to win the Champions League, not settle scores with Real Madrid,” said Vidal.
“I hope to win three Champions Leagues in the three years I will be here.”
Barcelona new boy Arturo Vidal wants to win three Champions League titles in three years
Barcelona new boy Arturo Vidal wants to win three Champions League titles in three years
- Chile international has won a host of league titles but never lifted the European Cup.
- Moved to the Nou Camp after a €21 million move from German giants Bayern Munich.
Umar Zaib leads Pakistan U19 into tri-series final with commanding win over Afghanistan
- Pakistan posted 238 for nine in 50 overs, built around solid contributions from top order
- Afghanistan were bundled out for 105 in 30.2 overs as Pakistan’s pace proved too strong
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Under-19 (U19) confirmed their place in the final of the tri-series in Zimbabwe with a commanding 133-run win over Afghanistan U19 at the Sunrise Sports Club in Harare on Friday.
After opting to bat first, Pakistan posted 238 for nine in 50 overs, built around solid contributions from the top order. Sameer Minhas top-scored with a fluent 56, while Usman Khan (43, 59b, 3x4s, 1x6) and Ali Hassan Baloch (39, 68b, 1x4, 1x6) laid a strong foundation for the side.
In turn, Afghanistan were bundled out for 105 in 30.2 overs as Pakistan’s pace proved too strong.
“Right-arm fast bowler Umar Zaib led the charge with a match-winning spell, clinching five wickets for 31 runs, including early breakthroughs and key middle-order dismissals,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.
“He was adjudged player of the match. Support came from Ahmed Hussain and Momin Qamar – both taking two wickets each.”
Earlier in the tournament, Pakistan had edged Afghanistan U19 by one wicket, while their league match against Zimbabwe U19 was washed out after the first innings due to rain.
Pakistan U19 will now face hosts Zimbabwe U19 on Sunday in their final league fixture before meeting the same opponents again in the final on Jan. 6.
SCORES IN BRIEF
Pakistan 238-9, 50 overs (Sameer Minhas 56, Usman Khan 43, Ali Hassan Baloch 39; Salam Khan 2-48, Zaitullah Shaheen 2-50)
Afghanistan 105 all out, 30.2 overs (Mahboob Khan 29; Umar Zaib 5-31, Ahmed Hussain 2-2, Momin Qamar 2-26)
