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In a new video game that lets players choose their favorite cardinals as the new pontiff, thousands are already doing so as cardinals prepare to elect a new pope.

Since its launch last week after Pope Francis’ passing last week, almost 60, 000 people have reportedly signed up for Fantapapa, an online game that plays on Italians’ love of football and the Church, according to its creators on Tuesday.

One of the website’s two founders, Pietro Pace, 42, told AFP: “People are enthralled by Vatican power dynamics.

“Playing allows them to try to unravel some of the mystery that surrounds them” says one player.

The game resembles fantasy league, a popular sport where players pretend to be the head coaches of professional teams. The Italian “Fantacalcio” is a football fantasy league.

A captain (the “most papable” cardinal) and a goalkeeper (the least likely winner) are selected from a squad of 11 cardinals, according to Fantapapa, an Italian word for pope, giving an overview of the frontrunners’ votes on the website.

Also read: Conclave to begin voting for a new Pope on May 7th, Vatican

Matteo Zuppi was the cardinal with the most votes as of Tuesday, followed by Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Luis Antonio Tagle, and Pietro Parolin, all of whom were roughly in line with bookmakers’ expectations.

However, some dark horses made the top ten.

According to Pace, Cardinal Fabio Baggio placed seventh, perhaps because he and Italian football legend Roberto Baggio shared the surname.

In order of first place, Jose Advincula of the Philippines placed sixth, making him a quick pick for users who were rushing to finish their roster.

Most players do not think Mykola Bychok will become pope because of his top goal selection, which is currently the world’s youngest cardinal.

The new pope’s political leaning, his religious order, his language, and his new name are also given points, respectively.

Francis, John, Pius, Paul, and Leo were the choices that received the most votes in this category.

Fantapapa, the brainchild of Mauro Vanetti and Pace, an AI worker, is unpaid because its creators are anti-gambling activists.

Instead, Pace claimed, winners will receive “eternal glory.”

On April 21, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88. On May 7, the conclave to choose his successor will start.

Prior to the Champions League semi-final first-leg against Manchester United, Louis Enrique claims Paris Saint-Germain are “a much better team” than they have been since October’s defeat to Arsenal.

The French champions return to London on Tuesday after enduring a difficult league season that included defeats to Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Arsenal (2-0).

“Seven or eight months ago,” the statement read. I have replayed the game. Luis Enrique stated on Monday that our current team is a much better one.

“We had a very competitive league phase, in which there were many matches that might have been finals.

Even at the worst times, it was very helpful to us.

There is only one way to advance to the final now, the official says.

READ MORE: Arteta urges Arsenal supporters to “Bring Boots” to the Champions League clash against PSG.

The Parisians won their fourth straight Ligue 1 title this month, but they are struggling following a draw with Nantes and a disappointing defeat to Nice.

The Spanish coach said, “I don’t worry about it.”

The squad has an extraordinary spirit, according to the coach.

He continued, “Imagine how the others feel because I’m the saddest member of the squad.”

After losing to Borussia Dortmund at the same time last year, PSG made a second consecutive Champions League appearance.

Since taking over the Qatari club in 2011, the Qatari owners have made it their top priority to win the trophy.

We are ambitious, according to Luis Enrique, “but this pressure doesn’t put us in jeopardy.”

“We talk about making history when we discuss doing something that no one has done before.”

Since we were at the same stage of the competition last year, he continued, “The goal is to go one step further.”

As Arsenal prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, Mikel Arteta urges fans to “bring your boots” and kick every ball.

The Gunners, who have never been crowned European champions, defeated fellow champion Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the final eight to reach their first semi-final since 16 years.

On the day of the Emirates’ opening game against the French champions, Arsenal manager Arteta was upbeat.

The Spaniard remarked, “Girls, bring your boots, bring your shorts, bring your T-shirts, and let’s play every ball together,” adding that “I’m not exaggerating.

“We want to do something special, and that location must be something special, unique, and unheard of.”

And I really hope that everyone who visits the Emirates tomorrow and everyone who is following and watching us also brings that energy with them.

Arteta urged his men to “take the next step.”

He said, “Go there with that conviction and feel the conviction around it. I believe it to be crucial.”

We’ll be much more likely to win the game if we can generate that energy.

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Despite the pressure, Arteta said it was crucial to enjoy the moment despite the fact that their team appears to be coming in second in the Premier League for the third straight season.

He said, “We are so fortunate to be where we are. Because we faced a lot of difficulties, we were able to make it with our work and enthusiasm.

“And we spent ten months competing at a high level.” So we now have it. Be present and experience the moment. A lovely moment to remember.

However, he downplayed claims that the Gunners are the favorites to win the tournament after beating 15-time champions Madrid.

He said, “We go back to the history because we never did it,” noting that “when you look at the history, we do it.”

There is a lot to do, then. Hopefully, it will be because of the team’s strong performances and their ability to defeat the formidable opposition. If so, please.

Arteta received a significant injury boost from Mikel Merino during Tuesday’s training.

With Thomas Partey suspended, the Spain international could return to midfield if fit. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli may take the place of Leandro Trossard, who could be in charge of Arsenal’s attack.

Martinelli predicted that the match would be his most significant of his life.

He said, “It’s a dream to be here.” It is amazing that I started playing football when I was five or six and that I wanted to play in the Champions League and the semi-finals.

The opportunity we have now is here. We will enjoy the situation, but we must have a winning mindset.

Antonio Rudiger, a Real Madrid defender, will miss up to eight weeks following knee replacement surgery on Tuesday.

The German center-back was kicked out for throwing an object at the referee during his team’s Copa del Rey final defeat against Barcelona on Saturday.

Rudiger’s outburst in Seville is expected to cause him to miss four to twelve games.

READ MORE:   Inter Milan Slump Puts Season At Risk Before Daunting Barca Trip

Without specifying how long Rudiger would be out, Real Madrid announced in a statement that “he had surgery today to repair a tear in the outer meniscus of his left knee.”

Rudiger will miss between six and eight weeks while he recovers, according to Spanish media.

The 32-year-old may still be able to take part in Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign in the US this summer, which will begin on June 14.

Rudiger was substituted in extra-time for Madrid after his aggressive protests from the sideline resulted in his dismissal.

With five games left, Madrid, who is second, is four points clear of La Liga leader Barcelona. The matchup will take place on May 11 at the Olympic Stadium.

Barcelona’s torch-bearer was Lionel Messi, who was their last champions league champion ten years ago.

When they take on Inter Milan on Wednesday in a semi-final first leg match, the Catalan giants will now rely on Lamine Yamal as their “X-factor.”

Messi scored two incredible goals in the 2015 semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich on the way to the treble, and Yamal, age 17, is still improving his finishing, which could help the team achieve success this year.

The teenager, who is left-footed but has freedom of movement like Messi did for many years, gives Hansi Flick’s brilliant Barca their edge.

In their enthralling Clasico Copa del Rey final victory over Real Madrid on Saturday in Seville, Yamal scored two of Barcelona’s three goals.

On top of his outstanding Euro 2024 displays against champions Spain last summer, he has been showing it all season with 14 goals, 24 assists, and numerous but crucial flashes of invention, genius, and flair.

Yamal is responsible for a large portion of the attention that Flick’s attacking Barca has captured.

It’s unusual to walk for more than a few minutes in Barcelona’s city center without seeing a replica Yamal shirt.

On matchdays, a crowd of No 19 shirts flies up the city’s Montjuic hill’s rolling staircases and escalators leading to the Olympic stadium.

With a variety of different Barcelona shirts from different years and the sky-blue and white stripes of Argentina, it was once Messi’s No 10.

Given that Yamal has risen to fame so quickly, and this is his first season wearing the No 19, the shirts are identical.

Also read: Mohamed Salah Cements’ Place As Liverpool’s Egyptian King.

We have seen a genius, they say.

Yamal could become a winner of the Ballon d’Or if Barcelona wins the Champions League.

When Xavi Hernandez made his La Liga debut as a 15-year-old against Real Betis in April 2023, it was difficult to imagine such a feat.

As tens of thousands of people watched him every step, a little intimidated, Yamal appeared to be right in the middle.

Perhaps this was the only occasion because he has never shown even the slightest sign of daunted ever since.

Ronald Araujo, the captain of Barcelona, said last week, “I’m surprised by how incredible the (young players’) mentality is.”

They appear to be very calm, which surprised me greatly.

Yamal’s mother was more concerned for the child than the youngster.

He continued to find his footing at the club, praising his mother, who is afraid of him when I first start.

Yamal started putting the team’s creative weight at the age of 16 despite the fact that those initial nerves had already dissipated so quickly.

Yamal became a household name with Spain at the Euros in Germany the day before the final while awaiting results from his secondary school exams.

After Yamal scored a stunning goal against France in the semi-finals, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente gushed, “We have seen a genius, the work of a genius.”

He is now crucial for Barcelona, who have always struggled without him this season.

Although Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski are responsible for most of the goals, Yamal’s assistance would be invaluable.

Due to his sharp dribbling, either directly or indirectly, in the build-up, he can do so through his risky in-swinging crosses.

“Lamine Yamal… he’s like Messi,” he says. Does he make me laugh? No. Former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde earlier this year, “Everyone knows how good he is, he can dribble past anyone.”

Yamal has always been wary of the parallels, as they may seem, and was remarkably photographed as a baby in 2007 as being bathed by the then 20-year-old Messi for a charity calendar.

In February, Messi stated that being compared to him would mean he was acting morally, but he made an effort to be himself.

These comparisons will only increase if Yamal can bring Barcelona back to the Champions League final.