Tag: La Liga

Another Signing with Lionel Messi!

Argentina megastar and global icon Lionel Messi once again put pen to product for Icons.com at his fourth and final signing of 2022. With the signing done, the legendary forward’s sights will now be firmly set on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The official signing took place in Paris on November 5th, 2022 and was his final session of the year before heading off to Qatar to prepare for the biggest show on earth: the FIFA World Cup.

Messi’s form has been electric so far this season and he is currently a key part of arguably the most potent attack in world football. He will be hoping to carry that form over to the FIFA World Cup where his side, Argentina, are favourites to lift the iconic trophy.

This will be Messi’s fifth FIFA World Cup and he is set to break even more records at this year’s competition, most notably the most minutes played at a FIFA World Cup finals, a record currently held by Italian legend Paulo Maldini.

Icons have been working with Messi since the age of 17 and in turn have developed a wonderful relationship with the world’s greatest player. Icons is the only source of authentic Official Messi Signed Merchandise.

Every single piece of Official Messi Signed Merchandise comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) that shows Messi signing one of the items at the session, as well as the date and location of the signing. The COA is created under license by Icons.com.

For the latest on who we sign with next, as well as early access to products and exclusive discounts, giveaways and much more, make sure you’re subscribed to the Icons.com email newsletter. Sign up today via icons.com/newsletter.



Luka Modric Again Signs for Icons.com!

Icons.com are delighted to announce yet another signing with an iconic player – this time, it’s Real Madrid superstar and Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric!

The private signing session took place in Madrid on November 4th, 2022 at which Modric added his signature to an array of fantastic new items including shirts, balls and photos.

Modric-signed Croatia, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur shirts are available to buy not only in sleek Icons.com presentation options but also in our official and exclusive UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup memorabilia collections.

After starting his career at Dinamo Zagreb, Modric was snapped up by Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur where he spent four years as a fans’ favourite.

Real Madrid signed Modric for £30million in 2012 – a shrewd move as the Croatian has gone on to win three La Liga titles and a staggering five UEFA Champions Leagues.

The mercurial midfielder also inspired his nation to an unlikely FIFA World Cup final in Russia in 2018. Modric will be hoping to go one better at the FIFA World Cup this year in Qatar and has his eyes set on winning that illustrious trophy so many dream of lifting.

Each and every item of Luka Modric signed memorabilia from Icons.com comes with an official Certificate of Authenticity, which serves as your proof that Modric’s signature is 100% authentic and was genuinely signed by the man himself during this private signing session, organised and conducted by our dedicated signing team.

The full range of Modric signed memorabilia is available to buy from Icons.com right now.

For all the latest on the next global megastar to sign with Icons.com – as well as early access to products and exclusive discounts, giveaways and much more – make sure you’re subscribed to the official Icons.com email newsletter. Sign up today via icons.com/newsletter.



Spain Legend Cesc Fabregas Signs for Icons.com!

We are thrilled to announce the latest iconic name to sign memorabilia for Icons.com: former Arsenal, FC Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas!

The private signing session took place in Barcelona on Wednesday July 6th where Fabregas added his autograph to a vast array of stunning new items including shirts, boots, photos, balls and much more.

The midfield maestro was an important part of the Arsenal, FC Barcelona and Chelsea engine rooms between the years of 2003 and 2019.

His honours include but are in no way limited to the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Spain, along with two UEFA EURO wins in 2008 and 2012. Club honours include the FA Cup with Arsenal, two Premier League medals with Chelsea and the La Liga title with FC Barcelona, making him one of the most coveted players both on the domestic and international stage. 

Fabregas signed Spain, Arsenal, FC Barcelona and Chelsea shirts will be available to buy not only in sleek Icons.com presentation options but also in our official and exclusive FC Barcelona, UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup memorabilia collections.

The full range of Fabregas signed memorabilia will be available to buy from Icons.com in the coming days/weeks – so stay tuned!

Each and every item of Cesc Fabregas signed memorabilia will come with an official Certificate of Authenticity, which serves as your proof that Fabregas’ signature is 100% authentic and was genuinely signed by the man himself during this private signing session, organised and conducted by our dedicated signing team.

For all the latest on which global megastar we sign with next, as well as early access to products and exclusive discounts, giveaways and much more, make sure you’re subscribed to the Icons.com email newsletter. Sign up today via icons.com/newsletter.



We Predict… The 2020-21 Season

Usually when we write the intro to our predictions blog we try to make an impassioned case for why the upcoming football season will be the very best and most exhilarating to date. But seeing as 2019/20 finished only what seems like fifteen minutes and two ad breaks ago we’re going to cut to the chase: this season could be a difficult one to watch.

Hold up, we said could be. While there’s every chance this season may be dogged by injury and fatigue owing to a unfathomably packed schedule (or cut short altogether) it could also be just as marvellous as ever. Think about it this way: with Pep, Frank, Ole and Jose on their tails, Liverpool are defending an English title for the first time in decades! Chelsea have bought a vast amount of exciting continental talent! Leeds United are back! The UEFA Champions League is as wide open as it has been for years! And there are still three episodes left of that Jose Mourinho documentary!

For all these reasons and more, we promise 2020/21 will be a lot of fun. And even if it isn’t, we still get UEFA EURO 2020 for dessert next summer.

So, on the eve of opening weekend in the Premier League, we, the staff of Icons.com, are back after a year off from embarrassing ourselves with wayward predictions like Spurs finishing second and Jean Michael Seri being signing of the season for 2018/19. This year we hope to more accurately answer the burning questions keeping everyone awake at night. But don’t just take our word for it, send us your predictions for the season ahead on our FacebookTwitter and Instagram pages. As ever, you can hardly do much worse.

And, of course, be sure to check out our fantastic range of signed items from Premier League stars past and present – available right now on Icons.com. Now then, let’s get to it…

Are Liverpool and Manchester City set to continue their dominance in England?

Edward Freedman, Non-Executive Chairman

Premier League winners: Pep Guardiola has learned from last year’s mistakes and has added to his MANCHESTER CITY squad well enough to overturn Liverpool who need to strengthen and haven’t. They don’t have the depth. Keep an eye on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal – hanging on to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was huge for the Gunners.
2nd – Liverpool 3rd – Chelsea 4th – Arsenal
Relegated: Fulham, Newcastle United and Aston Villa
Golden Boot: GABRIEL JESUS has to step up this season with Leroy Sane gone and Sergio Aguero ageing. It’s a bold choice but I don’t want to be boring and go with Harry Kane!

Serie A winners: If Luis Suarez ends up in Turin expect him to further improve JUVENTUS with goals. The man loves a challenge!
La Liga winners: There will be big changes at FC BARCELONA and while I don’t trust Ronald Koeman, I just see the club getting it right again. I don’t want to bet against them in any way.
Bundesliga winners: How can anyone bet against BAYERN MUNICH? They’re just a juggernaut who remind me of FC Barcelona at their 2011 peak.

UEFA Champions League winners: If Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann gel as well as they can, and Ansu Fati steps in to replace Suarez, FC BARCELONA get it done.
UEFA Europa League winners: I like NAPOLI here.

Signing of the season: KAI HAVERTZ could be the next Kevin De Bruyne. He’s the signing that closes the gap to the top two.

Mark my words… Erling Braut Haaland will sign for FC Barcelona in January. He’s a very marketable player and with all the departures at the club, the striker is just what they need.

Who can stop Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool from repeating their title heroics?

Dan Jamieson, CEO

Premier League winners: The best team of last season has not weakened. LIVERPOOL will top the table once again. City, definitely second best last year, now are without David Silva and Leroy Sane. Chelsea have made great signings on paper but it’ll be too difficult to integrate them all at once.
2nd – Manchester City 3rd – Chelsea 4th – Manchester United
Relegated: Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United
Golden Boot: MOHAMED SALAH does the business for the champions.

Serie A winners: Yawn… JUVENTUS.
La Liga winners: Half yawn… REAL MADRID.
Bundesliga winners: Big yawn… BAYERN MUNICH.

UEFA Champions League winners: This year brings lucky number seven to LIVERPOOL.
UEFA Europa League winners: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR secure a UEFA Champions League spot by winning this one.

Signing of the season: I was excited to see TIMO WERNER at Anfield but I have to say less so now.

My team, Liverpool, will… will own our perch once again with English title number 20 and European crown number seven.

Mark my words… Pep Guardiola will be gone from Manchester City by the end of the season. Everyone will fall in love with Leeds United boss Marcelo Biesla and Lionel Messi will decide to stay at Barça til the end of his career.

Can Lazio upset the odds in Serie A?

Ben Soley, Sales and Marketing Manager

Premier League winners: I could list the top four in almost any order as this year’s title race will be much closer than last year’s with Manchester United and Chelsea strengthening so much. That said, I’m sticking with LIVERPOOL.
2nd – Manchester City 3rd – Manchester United 4th – Chelsea
Relegated: Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa
Golden Boot: PIERRE EMERICK-AUBAMEYANG and MOHAMED SALAH will share top spot again unless Sergio Aguero stays fit for more than 30 games. Expect a valiant first season effort from Timo Werner as well.

Serie A winners: LAZIO-POOL with Lucas Leiva, Pepe Reina and Luis Alberto leading the way.
La Liga winners: Though Lionel Messi‘s form will be as strong as ever, a fully-fit Eden Hazard and better organisation from top to bottom wins REAL MADRID back to back titles.
Bundesliga winners: The same old story in Germany as BAYERN MUNICH fend off Dortmund and one other several games from the finish line.

UEFA Champions League winners: MANCHESTER CITY will win an all-English final.
UEFA Europa League winners: AS ROMA take a UEFA Champions League spot with success in this tournament.

Signing of the season: Let’s go with the obvious choice of TIMO WERNER. Adam Lallana at Brighton and Hove Albion will be a close second.

My team, Liverpool, will… go out of the League Cup early, have a wobble in the Premier League but still end up on 85+ points and win silverware. The front three will be disbanded at the end of the season.

Mark my words… Abdoulaye Doucoure will earn a big move within 18 months of arriving at Everton – perhaps to Paris Saint-Germain? Cambridge United win automatic promotion from League Two. Aleksandar Mitrovic will get sent off at least once with seven plus yellow cards.

Is it now or never for Steven Gerrard and Rangers?

Alistair Hunter, Senior Editor

Premier League winners: Sadly, LIVERPOOL haven’t gone anywhere. It won’t be quite the stroll last year turned out to be but it’s clear Manchester City haven’t invested in the right areas (no offence, Issa Kabore). Could a change at the top come just below the title race?
2nd – Chelsea 3rd – Manchester City 4th – Manchester United
Relegated: Brighton & Hove Albion, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa
Golden Boot: I love the idea of TIMO WERNER coming into the league and tearing it up. Christian Pulisic in particular is going to love feeding this guy.

Serie A winners: This is it. This is the year INTERNAZIONALE prise the Scudetto away from Juve.
La Liga winners: FC Barcelona are a mess and Real Madrid don’t inspire me all that much. Perhaps it’s time for the highest paid manager in the world to go one better than simply closing the gap. Believe it: I’m picking Joao Felix and ATLETICO MADRID.
Bundesliga winners: Only a mad man would go against BAYERN MUNICH, right? Even I’m not bold enough to predict a changing of the guard in three of the top four major European leagues. 

UEFA Champions League winners: At some point PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are finally going to get it right and I’ll keep backing them until they finally do. We’re entering into year four of me being stubborn about this.
UEFA Europa League winners: So, TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR need to win a trophy and their manager is who exactly? Dare I say it’s all or nothing in Europe’s second tier.

Signing of the season: I can’t decide between RODRIGO at Leeds United and JAMES RODRIGUEZ at Everton. I’ll go heart over head and say James.

My team, Rangers, will… get the job done and finally win Scottish title number 55. Not only is it a must in 2021 to halt ten-in-a-row, it needs to be achieved while this particularly talented and somewhat expensive squad is still intact. Lest I give up on football and start following Kabaddi.

Mark my words… injury issues will plague a number of teams, not just in England, but all around Europe. We’ll see Mohamed Salah decelerate towards his Anfield exit as he wallows in the absence of dressing room bestie Dejan Lovren. There will be a 6-3 scoreline in the Premier League.

Is this the year neither FC Barcelona nor Real Madrid win La Liga?

Jamie White, Online Content & Social Media Producer

Premier League winners: MANCHESTER CITY
2nd – Manchester United 3rd – Liverpool 4th – Chelsea
Relegated: Fulham, West Browich Albion and Brighton and Hove Albion
Golden Boot: Chelsea new boy TIMO WERNER will top the scoring charts in his debut season in England.

Serie A winners: JUVENTUS get it done once again.
La Liga winners: ATLETICO MADRID upset the odds to displace the top two.
Bundesliga winners: There’s no question that it’ll be BAYERN MUNICH.

UEFA Champions League winners: Instead of focussing on the Premier League, which was finally won last season, LIVERPOOL win big in Europe.
UEFA Europa League winners: Them again: I’m going with UEFA Europa League specialists SEVILLA.

Signing of the season: Having spent quite a lot time watching AFC Bournemouth I can tell you Nathan Ake is a terrific player and a superb signing for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Timo Werner will also prove value for money.

My team, Liverpool, will… not be nearly as consistent in the Premier League but will instead focus on the UEFA Champions League.

Mark my words… null and void is coming. Another major breakout of Covid-19 will bring an early end to the season.


So, that’s what we think will go down during this season’s campaign. But what do you think? Send us your predictions by getting in touch via our FacebookTwitter and Instagram pages!

For our full range of Premier League signed products check out icons.com now!



We Predict… The 2018-19 Season

You do realise that it’s been nearly one whole month since the FIFA World Cup finished, right? Three-and-a-bit weeks have passed since France dismantled Croatia in Moscow, which in our minds means we’ve been deprived of top class football for far too long. It’s about time the 2018-19 season kicked off and we get back to what really matters. Cast aside the mundane pre-season tours and friendlies for the real, proper, competitive, edge-of-your-seat drama acted out by the best players football has to offer.

After all, that’s what we’re all here for. The big leagues and the big names. And in 2018-19 those big names have a lot to answer for. There’s a mouthwatering title tussle in England while Cristiano Ronaldo sets out on his new adventure in Serie A, Steven Gerrard is the main story in Scotland and, as ever, the likes of FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Juventus are bearing down on Real Madrid to steal their European crown.

With just a handful of days until the big kick-off we, the staff of Icons.com, are back again to answer (or at least attempt to answer) the burning questions on everyone’s minds ahead of the season opener at Old Trafford on Friday night. But don’t just take our word for it, send us your predictions for the season ahead on our FacebookTwitter and Instagram pages. You can hardly do much worse.

And, of course, be sure to check out our fantastic range of signed items from Premier League stars past and present – available right now on Icons.com.

Manchester City and Liverpool are strong favourites to contest the Premier League title.

Edward Freedman, Non-Executive Chairman

Premier League winners: MANCHESTER CITY are the strongest team with a great coach. There’s no reason that Liverpool can’t win it but City have strengthened with the addition of Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City. It’ll be close.
2nd – Liverpool 3rd – Manchester United 4th – Tottenham Hotspur
Relegated: Cardiff City, Fulham and Crystal Palace
Golden Boot: SERGIO AGUERO looks fit and on form with lots of support from City’s myriad creative talent.

Serie A winners: Cristiano Ronaldo will change his role by coming deeper and be as good as ever. He has a lot of supporting acts at JUVENTUS, who should take the title easily.
La Liga winners: FC BARCELONA have strengthened while Real Madrid have disappointed during the summer. Madrid have already lost Ronaldo and if Luka Modric goes too that will be a seismic a blow.
Bundesliga winners: BAYERN MUNICH. It’ll be the same old, same old in Germany, which, admittedly is quite boring.

UEFA Champions League winners: The arrival of Arturo Vidal to FC BARCELONA will bring Real Madrid‘s three-year dominance to an end. Barca have an excellent coach who can pull it off.
UEFA Europa League winners: SEVILLA have a decent team and are well experienced in winning this competition. I like them out of the frontrunners.

Signing of the season: The very attacking RIYAD MAHREZ will only grow under Pep Guardiola alongside much higher quality teammates.

My team, FC Barcelona, will… be stronger at the back with a superb goalkeeper in Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Samuel Umtiti growing in stature. They’re now a real team and not just an attacking force.

Mark my words… Zinedine Zidane will be managing Manchester United before Christmas. More of the old school of English managers will be replaced by younger continental coaches.

There’s a new face in Turin. You may already know his name.

Dan Jamieson, CEO

Premier League winners: MANCHESTER CITY haven’t gone backwards so should retain the title under Pep Guardiola. That said, key component Fernandinho must stay fit.
2nd – Liverpool 3rd – Tottenham Hotspur 4th – Arsenal
Relegated: Newcastle United, Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town
Golden Boot: SERGIO AGUERO is the biggest goal threat in the league’s best and most creative team.

Serie A winners: It’s not just the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo that makes JUVENTUS favourites. It’s also the capture of Emre Can and the return of Leonardo Bonucci.
La Liga winners: Lionel Messi and FC BARCELONA win the league title for fun but is another league and cup double really enough?
Bundesliga winners: I’ll go with RB LEIPZIG just for the fun of it.

UEFA Champions League winners: From a tactical standpoint, LIVERPOOL are more suited to winning on the ultimate stage than in domestic competitions.
UEFA Europa League winners: Unai Emery knows how to win this competition and he’ll bring that nous to ARSENAL.

Signing of the season: NABY KEITA is like Roy Keane on steroids mixed with Paul Ince on fast forward.

My team, Liverpool, will… be pipped to the post by a Manchester City team who have more experience. But teams coming to attack allows us to counter with extreme pace so it should be another exciting campaign at Anfield.

Mark my words… Manchester United will implode, leaving Jose Mourinho to pack his bags and leave his hotel just in time for Christmas. England‘s youth players will start to break in to first teams across the country – the future is bright for 2026. Fulham (who have bought very well over the summer, by the way) will stay up with a surprisingly entertaining brand of football.

Jose Mourinho is into his third season at Manchester United…

Ben Soley, Sales and Marketing Manager

Premier League winners: Out of sheer hope as much as expectation, I’ll say LIVERPOOL.
2nd – Manchester City 3rd – Manchester United 4th – Chelsea
Relegated: Huddersfield Town, Fulham and Crystal Palace
Golden Boot: HARRY KANE will finally break his August duct and, despite being exhausted from his FIFA World Cup exploits, the Englishman will win this honour yet again.

Serie A winners: Could you imagine JUVENTUS not winning the title now?
La Liga winners: FC BARCELONA will surely be Spanish champions again.
Bundesliga winners: The obvious choice in Germany is BAYERN MUNICH.

UEFA Champions League winners: Isn’t it FC BARCELONA‘s turn again?
UEFA Europa League winners: With a mere 50 hours left of the transfer window at the time of writing CHELSEA have only to keep their squad together to walk this competition.

Signing of the season: NABY KEITA gives Liverpool a new famous number eight as well as a proper number one.

My team, Liverpool, will… start strong but find themselves in second place after a tricky spell around Christmas time. Still, dare I say it’s our year? In the end they’ll have the league won with two games to spare.

Mark my words… Jose Mourinho will be gone by this time next year while at the same time the world transfer record will be broken once again and Liverpool will have won silverware. I also predict that I will have changed my mind about most of the above within the first two weeks of the season.

Liverpool’s Naby Keita is much-fancied to be a hit in the Premier League.

James Tildesley, Head of New Business

Premier League winners: No surprises here, really. I can’t see anyone beating MANCHESTER CITY. The only thing that I can see upsetting their dominance is an injury to Fernandinho as they don’t have a quality replacement at the time of writing.
2nd – Liverpool 3rd – Arsenal 4th – Tottenham Hotspur
Relegated: Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Crystal Palace
Golden Boot: The metronome that is HARRY KANE wins this while Mohamed Salah does well again… but not as well as last season.

Serie A winners: AC Milan will run JUVENTUS close.
La Liga winners: With Real Madrid in transition, FC BARCELONA retain the title.
Bundesliga winners: If anyone gets near BAYERN MUNICH expect the Bavarian side to buy their key players at the end of the season.

UEFA Champions League winners: FC BARCELONA will beat Manchester City in the final.
UEFA Europa League winners: If CHELSEA embrace the playing style of new manager Mauricio Sarri, they’ll be excellent in Europe.

Signing of the season: NABY KEITA is exactly what Liverpool need and he suits their playing style perfectly.

My team, Aston Villa, will… reach the play-offs at best. They need to rebuild after last season and the new owners will help with that. But to galvanise the team enough to put consistent performances across 46 gruelling games and win that league is a step too far.

Mark my words… Burnley will drop like a stone with the addition of European football to their fixture list. They’ll finish 17th. Manchester United will have a horrendous season with Jose Mourinho gone in January. Losing Assistant Manager Rui Faria is massive – it’s going to be a hard watch for United fan this season.

Steven Gerrard is the big story in Scotland as he looks to topple Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic.

Alistair Hunter, Senior Editor

Premier League winners: LIVERPOOL have just about enough to topple Manchester City. Either way this will be an enthralling title race that goes down to the wire. Buckle up, this is going to be a classic.
2nd – Manchester City 3rd – Tottenham Hotspur 4th – Chelsea
Relegated: Cardiff City, Bournemouth and a Rafa-less Newcastle United
Golden Boot: Another season among Europe’s top scorers cements HARRY KANE‘s place among the Premier League greats.

Serie A winners: Carlo Ancelotti pulls off the mother of all upsets in bringing the Scudetto back to NAPOLI.
La Liga winners: Arturo Vidal gives FC BARCELONA much-needed backbone. La Blaugrana won’t be stopped in Spain – unless they find themselves twelve yards from goal, of course.
Bundesliga winners: John Williams’ Imperial March plays as BAYERN MUNICH sweep their rivals aside once again.

UEFA Champions League winners: Those of us who had at least one eye open during the FIFA World Cup will have seen just how fearless and seemingly unstoppable Kylian Mbappe is right now. Under the astute guidance of Thomas Tuchel, this is the year that PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN finally get it right.
UEFA Europa League winners: Rangers storm to success in Baku… only joking. Not even Stevie G can pull off a miracle of that magnitude. I’ll play it safe and go with perennial UEL winners SEVILLA.

Signing of the season: Tottenham’s capture of… wait… what? Oh. Oh my. Okay, in that case, I’ll go with ALISSON. The keeper will prove his distribution is as assured as his brilliant shot-stopping.

My team, Cambridge United, will… finish so aggressively mid-table that they may even break the league in two. My other team, Rangers, will close the gap on Celtic, win at least one Old Firm derby and snag the Bhoys’ Treble Treble by claiming one of the cups. All aboard the Steven Gerrard bandwagon – the Gers are on their way back.

Mark my words… the pressure on Premier League officials to implement VAR will prove all too much after a campaign riddled with refereeing mishaps. Ryan Sessegnon will be snapped up by a top six side in January amid fresh calls for his inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s England squad but the most exciting home-grown prospect will break through down the road at Chelsea. Callum Hudson-Odoi, remember the name.

Lionel Messi’s FC Barcelona are expected to retain the Spanish title.

Brett Sinclair, Warehouse Manager

Premier League winners: MANCHESTER CITY‘s very talented squad will cruise to the title if they stay fit.
2nd – Tottenham Hotspur 3rd – Liverpool 4th – Chelsea
Relegated: Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Fulham
Golden Boot: This is tough one with some of the world’s best footballers playing in the league this season but I hope PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG’s pace gets the service it deserves.

Serie A winners: I expect great things from JUVENTUS after the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo. Juve will be closely followed by Napoli.
La Liga winners: FC BARCELONA take the title with Real Madrid not too far behind.
Bundesliga winners: No-one will come close to BAYERN MUNICH as they glide to victory.

UEFA Champions League winners: JUVENTUS will push through. For their sake, I hope the officials are more switched on this season.
UEFA Europa League winners: CHELSEA will focus on winning this.

Signing of the season: FELIPE ANDERSON will do great things for West Ham United.

My team, Leicester City, will… finish fifth this season. There’s not much else they can do. It would be great to see a repeat of their title-winning exploits in 2015-16 but it’s best to be realistic.

Mark my words… Arsenal will not lift a trophy this season or finish in the top five. Sorry to all the Gunners out there.

Paul Pogba is now a world champion – can he shine at Old Trafford?

Daryl Angel, Head of Customer Support

Premier League winners: MANCHESTER UNITED
2nd – Liverpool 3rd – Manchester City 4th – Arsenal
Relegated: Southampton, Cardiff City and Brighton and Hove Albion
Golden Boot: ROMELU LUKAKU shares the honour with HARRY KANE.

Serie A winners: I would love to see one of the Milan sides back on top but I don’t think it’s possible after CR7‘s move to JUVENTUS.
La Liga winners: FC BARCELONA, no doubt about this.
Bundesliga winners: I would love to see BAYERN MUNICH toppled but I don’t think anyone has the squad to do so.

UEFA Champions League winners: MANCHESTER UNITED will face JUVENTUS in the final with Paul Pogba scoring the winner… but for whom I don’t know yet.
UEFA Europa League winners: Having been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League at the group stages, PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN treat the UEFA Europa League as the most important trophy of the season.

Signing of the season: 35-year-old Lee Grant at Manchester United… or Jack Wilshere for West Ham United. JEAN MICHAEL SERI to Fulham could also be one of the coups of the summer.

My team, Manchester United, will… either win the league or crash and burn ten games into the season and sack Jose Mourinho before Christmas. I hope Mourinho’s third season curse is about to change.

Mark my words… everybody will see that £70million for Allison is ridiculous and Liverpool fans will be singing for the return of Loris Karius by Christmas. Rangers will finally challenge Celtic in the SPL. Paul Pogba will either become Manchester United club captain or be gone by this time next year.


So, that’s what we think will go down during this season’s campaign. But what do you think? Send us your predictions by getting in touch via our FacebookTwitter and Instagram pages!

For our full range of Premier League signed products check out icons.com now!



Football’s back! Six unmissable storylines to look out for in 2017-18

At last, it’s back! The real football has returned! From now until late May of next year, it’s non-stop, full-on, unadulterated football and we at Icons.com could not be more excited.

After all, this season has the potential to be bigger, better and more exciting than ever. And not just in England. Let’s not forget the thrills that await around the continent; in Spain, Germany, Italy and France, where the best footballers on the planet do battle in front of the biggest crowds for the right to claim the world’s most coveted prizes.

In fact, with so much going on around the world on the opening weekend of the season, you could be forgiven for not knowing where to start or what to look out for. Well, it’s lucky we’re here then, isn’t it? Here are six things you need to keep an eye on this season.

 

1. Bem-vindo Neymar Jr

So, it actually happened. With Neymar Jr’s switch from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain for €222million, world football’s transfer record has been broken by a factor of two. Our office stopped in its tracks to watch – perhaps a little out of disbelief – as the mercurial Brazilian forward was presented in front of the world’s media last week. With a glitzy unveiling in front of a sell-out crowd days later, the Parc de Princes has had more than a little Hollywood about it over the past month.

This season the 25-year-old will surely set his sights not only on a sweep of the domestic titles on offer at his new club but also a shot at one or both of the two individual honours that would certify his superstar status: the Ballon D’or and FIFA’s The Best Award. Will the football gods also write a mouthwatering script that reunites him with Barça in the UEFA Champions League? It may be time to start warming those balls…

 

2. The main event

Speaking of the UEFA Champions League, this season’s race for club football’s most sought-after prize promises to be as thrilling as ever. Real Madrid made history at the end of last season as they became the first team to successfully defend their title but Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo aren’t quite content with just two-in-a-row. The Spanish champions have won the famous tournament in three of the last four years and they’ve developed a taste for success.

Meanwhile, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are back, adding three previous winners and two of the competition’s most storied teams to the mix. Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho have a great knack of inspiring magic on European nights but can the trophy really return to the North West as early as this season?

Not if the rest of Europe has something to say about it. A certain aforementioned Brazilian seems dead-set on making his mark at PSG but to get to Kiev they may have to return to the scene of last season’s most remarkable tie: Camp Nou. All this while Carlo Ancelotti plots Bayern Munich’s return to the European throne and Gianluigi Buffon prays for one last shot at the trophy that has always eluded him.

As an official UEFA licensee, Icons.com is the proud home of official UEFA Champions League signed memorabilia.

 

3. A six-horse race

The Premier League is getting stronger in competitive terms, there’s no doubt about that. Almost all of the world’s best managers are taking charge of talented, hungry and exciting teams in England’s topflight and that means the title could go almost anywhere.

In Manchester, Pep Guardiola is building an attack-minded team at City with the signing of Monaco’s Bernardo Silva to add to Sergio Aguero’s goals, while United have a new hitman in the form of Romelu Lukaku. Liverpool are still a side of pure pace up front and should be an entertaining watch considering their attacking prowess.

Meanwhile, in London, Antonio Conte has one of the world’s most exciting attacking midfielders in Eden Hazard and Mauricio Pochettino will just be happy that both Harry Kane and Dele Alli (see below) have gone the summer without their heads being turned. Arch-rivals Arsenal have satisfied the wishes of their fans with the purchase of Alexandre Lacazette and the retention of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil (at the time of writing, anyway). So, who exactly is supposed to be the frontrunner here?

Find out who we fancy to come out on top in our special 2017-18 season predictions blog.

 

4. Dele’s big year

The breakout season is history, the sophomore slump was nowhere to be seen. Now the most exciting young talent at both Tottenham Hotspur and England can stretch his legs and really show us what he’s got. Gunning for a hat-trick of PFA Young Player of the Year awards – and perhaps the main gong too – Dele Alli faces a season of much promise.

Playing in front of potentially 90,000 fans at Spurs’ temporary home of Wembley Stadium won’t faze the England regular, nor will the prospect of a second season in the UEFA Champions League group stages. In fact, knowing the boy-wonder personally from our signing sessions, we’re not sure exactly what could faze him, if anything. Here is a confident 21-year-old who has the world at his feet. Which reminds us, isn’t there some sort of big international tournament coming soon?

We are immensely proud to have an official contract with Tottenham and England sensation Dele Alli. For exclusive signed products, visit Icons.com today.

 

5. All the world’s a stage

Ah, yes, the FIFA World Cup. Next summer sees the return of the biggest football tournament on the planet and with potentially one last chance at winning that most coveted trophy, the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be desperate to deliver glory to their respective countries. Neymar Jr, Philippe Coutinho, Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Dele Alli will be among the young but established stars hoping to capture the world’s attention and with the talent on offer it promises to be a tournament full of drama.

Whisper it but England look to be stronger than in recent years with Wayne Rooney surely determined to bow out of international football on a high alongside a stellar mix of young and experienced players mostly plying their trade in the Premier League.

Capture the spirit and excitement of the FIFA World Cup with officially-licensed FIFA World Cup signed memorabilia, exclusive to Icons.com.

 

6. La Liga’s on a knife-edge

Madridistas could be forgiven for still being a little hungover when their domestic season starts with a Supercopa Clasico on Sunday evening. Last season, Real won their first league title since 2012 and became the first team in history to retain the UEFA Champions League. Their supremacy is currently unquestioned but this season their hated rivals will want revenge.

Lionel Messi’s ultra dramatic, last-gasp winner in the sides’ pulsating encounter at the Bernabeu merely fanned the flames that could well spark all-out war this term. Barça haven’t experienced for years the upheaval they’ve suffered over the past few months with Neymar Jr gone and now a new man at the helm. Who knows how Ernesto Valverde plans to stop the Zidane juggernaut?

 

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CLOSED | WIN a Cristiano Ronaldo Signed Nike Boot with FOOTY.COM

Video via FOOTY.COM on Facebook

After a stellar 2016 in which he not only won the UEFA Champions League for a third time but also inspired a first ever major trophy as the captain of his country AND bagged a fourth Ballon d’Or, Cristiano Ronaldo‘s standing as the best player in world football became less of a debate and more of a cold, hard fact.

We at Icons.com love us some CR7. So much so, in fact, that we’ve been working closely with the global phenomenon for over a decade. A Sporting Lisbon legend, a Manchester United hero, a Real Madrid superstar – however you choose to view his career, Ronaldo remains one of our most popular icons.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with our friends at FOOTY.COM to offer the ultimate giveaway for Cristiano fans.

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That’s right, this week we’re offering you the chance to win a Cristiano Ronaldo signed Nike Mercurial Victory VI boot.

Throwing your hat in the ring for this spectacular prize couldn’t be easier. Just head over to FOOTY.COM, pop in your name and email address and you’re in. The competition ends on Sunday March 12th at midnight (GMT) so enter now before it’s too late!

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Anatomy of An Icons Signing: Behind The Scenes With FOOTY.com

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Earlier this year we invited our friends from the football price comparison site FOOTY.com to come with us to a signing with one of the world’s best footballers. It just so happened that player was Barcelona‘s Argentinean superstar and global phenomenon Lionel Messi. From the FOOTY.com blog, here’s what Michael Lowdon thought of one our sessions with the world’s best…

As I drove down the A1 in torrential rain to FOOTY.com HQ, another wet day in the North East lay ahead. Or so I thought. By 10pm I was in Barcelona, enjoying a warm night, as the atmosphere of the UEFA Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid spilled out of the Nou Camp and onto the city’s streets. Our friends over at Icons.com had given us an invite to join them in the Catalan capital to get an insight into the workings of a player signing session. The player in question: Mr Lionel Messi.

Home of one of the best club sides in the history of the game, with arguably the greatest player to have kicked a football, the journey to the airport required regular pinching.

Being a frequent visitor to the Icons.com website, I was intrigued to see what goes on behind the scenes at a signing. After meeting Ali and Ben at Heathrow, the first task was to help with checking in of a number of packed suitcases, all of which were full to the brink with Messi memorabilia to be signed. From his latest adidas boot collection to a range of Barcelona and Argentina shirtsUEFA Champions League balls and glossy photo prints, the Icons team took a wide range of products ready for the Argentine’s penwork.

Once we had landed in Barcelona, the breathless Catalan commentary of the night’s match blared through the taxi’s radio, as we used our best broken Spanish to get the driver on our side. The hotel Icons put us up in was a stone’s throw away from the Camp Nou, meaning towards the end of journey the surrounding streets were filled with endless queues of mopeds, carrying relieved and joyous Cules late into the night. After more trolley pushing and the hotel bellboy’s help, we retired to the hotel bar, filled with the debate between fans. A quick night cap and a briefing for the next day’s signing rounded off a day which had started with a quiet, rainy morning in the office.

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FOOTY.com check out our signing photos – a key for authenticity

With signing day upon us, there was no time for a lie in and we were locked away in the hotel’s store room, preparing the cases and deciding what needed to be taken as a priority. It was the “less glamourous side of the signings” I was told, but as a Messi disciple and football merch geek I was like a pig in muck! Selections of football shirts and boots were asking to be jumped into and drooled over. Composed and professional, I managed to hide my excitement, just. As the deadline loomed, we met player liaison officer Jesus, Icons Founder Edward and CEO Dan outside of the Barcelona training ground and dissected Atleti’s defensive resilience, which would help them later progress to the semi final. Bumping into Pep’s superstar agent brother Pere Guardiola and a handful of other important figures, the team were escorted into the training centre to get the session underway.

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Messi is delighted to receive a shirt signed by fellow Icon Wayne Rooney

Having been signed to Icons for over a decade, making it one of his longest running commercial relationships, Messi knows what to expect when he’s faced with another Icons memorabilia signing session and he quickly got about his business. Icons exclusively produce the official Messi signed range as part of their license with the Argentine superstar. He breaks from the rhythm of signing to get his photo lifting a signed Wayne Rooney shirt that he’s received from the England captain, smiling with that grin we’ve come to recognise after more than 500 career goals.

The session draws to a close with Messi needed elsewhere – those five Ballon d’Ors won’t polish themselves you know. With yet another successful session in the bag, we retreat back to the hotel bar as the team celebrate. Messi is just one of a glittering list of current players which sign for Icons, including Neymar Jr, Luis Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Sergio Aguero and many more. Not a bad forward line to have on your books! As the dust settles from the Messi signing, we relax with a meal in the shadow of La Sagrada Familia, unwinding as each Wolfsburg goal against Real Madrid raises a roar from the locals. We could get used to this!

Icons and FOOTY.com join the fans outside the Barcelona training ground

Icons and FOOTY.com join the fans outside the Barcelona training ground

It’s been a whirlwind 48 hours for FOOTY.com, but for Icons it’s simply another day at the office. They’ll do it all again before long, as they met Eric Cantona in Lisbon and Gareth Bale in Madrid before April comes to end. The team also reveal which players are on their radar to sign next, what affects their choice and whether the enigmatic Ronaldinho is within their grasp.

From logistically planned trolley runs to preparing products for smoother signings, it’s all in a day’s work, in the crazy job that is chasing footballers around the world. As FOOTY.com has come to realise, there’s a story behind every signing. We can’t thank Icons enough for inviting us along to their private signing session with the most in demand footballer on the planet. The care and effort they put into organising every aspect of the signing, from their planning, unrivalled authenticity they strive for and their relationships with players is something to be inspired by.

FOOTY.COM is the UK’s leading price comparison when it comes to everything football. We specialise in searching the web to bring you the best prices and biggest savings on products from boots to balls and everything in between. Shop with FOOTY.COM to pay less and play more!

Shop from our full range of official Lionel Messi signed items here.

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