Porto’s Gonzalez Hands MVP Award to Ball Boy Who Started Winning Goal Move

 FC Porto's Brazilian forward #11 Pepe celebrates scoring his team's second goal the Portuguese league football match between FC Porto and SC Braga, at the Dragao stadium in Porto on October 6, 2024. (AFP)
FC Porto's Brazilian forward #11 Pepe celebrates scoring his team's second goal the Portuguese league football match between FC Porto and SC Braga, at the Dragao stadium in Porto on October 6, 2024. (AFP)
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Porto’s Gonzalez Hands MVP Award to Ball Boy Who Started Winning Goal Move

 FC Porto's Brazilian forward #11 Pepe celebrates scoring his team's second goal the Portuguese league football match between FC Porto and SC Braga, at the Dragao stadium in Porto on October 6, 2024. (AFP)
FC Porto's Brazilian forward #11 Pepe celebrates scoring his team's second goal the Portuguese league football match between FC Porto and SC Braga, at the Dragao stadium in Porto on October 6, 2024. (AFP)

Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez, who assisted in the winning goal during Sunday's 2-1 home win over Braga in the Portuguese league, gave his MVP award to the ball boy whose quick supply started the move that led to the goal.

The ball boy's quick throw to Martim Fernandes helped the defender find Gonzalez with a prompt throw-in. Gonzalez played a one-two with forward Pepe before sending it through to the box, with Pepe's right-footed shot going past the keeper near the far post.

The 59th-minute goal restored the hosts' lead, ensuring second-placed Porto's seventh win in eight league matches as they trail defending champions Sporting by three points.

Gonzalez handed the ball boy his MVP award after the match.

"We got another three points today thanks to him too. He'll get the tribute he deserves," Porto head coach Vitor Bruno told reporters.

"These boys are very important. It's also necessary for those who are on the sidelines and don't directly interact with the game to realize how they can help, even from the sidelines."

Porto, who held Manchester United 3-3 in the Europa League last week, will visit Sintrense in a Portuguese Cup match on Oct. 20.



Ousmane Dembélé Back in PSG Squad to Take on Nice in French League

PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, center, duels for the ball with Rennes’ Christopher Wooh during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, center, duels for the ball with Rennes’ Christopher Wooh during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
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Ousmane Dembélé Back in PSG Squad to Take on Nice in French League

PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, center, duels for the ball with Rennes’ Christopher Wooh during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, center, duels for the ball with Rennes’ Christopher Wooh during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Ousmane Dembélé is back with Paris Saint-Germain after he was left out from the squad that lost 2-0 to Arsenal in the Champions League midweek.

PSG coach Luis Enrique was criticized after the loss for not selecting Dembélé, one of the most creative players in the team following the departure of Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid.

Dembélé was selected in a group of 21 players named by Enrique traveling to Nice on Sunday night. PSG can move back to the top of the French league standings with a win, The AP reported.

Enrique had blamed Dembélé for a perceived lack of commitment from the France forward but did not give more details. He denied he had a personal argument with him after L’Equipe reported the duo verbally clashed following PSG’s 3-1 win against Rennes in the French league last weekend. Dembélé had an assist in the match.

“There is just a problem of commitment toward the team, it’s not a problem between the player and the coach,” Enrique said through a translator.

PSG traveled to London with 22 players but without Dembélé, who has been a key element in PSG’s unbeaten start to the season. In six Ligue 1 matches, Dembélé has scored four goals and added three assists.

“I took the best possible decision,” Enrique said, adding he was supported in his choice by the club director.

Enrique’s other options up front to cover Dembélé include Randal Kolo Muani and Désiré Doué.

“Other players will be able to take over,” PSG right back Achraf Hakimi said. “The most important thing in the team is the group, and our group is united.”