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Can UEFA make a Champions League final prematch show to rival Super Bowl halftime?

Ahead of the 2014 UEFA Champions League final — a Madrid derby in Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz — famed choreographer Wanda Rokicki said the prematch entertainment would honor Portuguese traditions “including naval history or the art of tiles.” The following year in Berlin, an estimated 180 million viewers in 200 countries watched Barcelona dust Juventus 3-1, but not before opera stars Nina-Marie Fischer and Manuel Gomez Ruiz sang hymns with…

Shakhtar threaten to sue Spurs for player pursuit

Shakhtar Donetsk chief executive Sergei Palkin has threatened to sue Tottenham Hotspur if they try to sign winger Manor Solomon on a free transfer. Spurs have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Premier League side Fulham after suspending his contract with Shakhtar. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) – When are the 2023-24 Premier League fixtures released? Shakhtar are…

Liverpool sign Mac Allister to begin squad rebuild

Liverpool have signed World Cup-winning midfielder Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton, the club announced on Thursday. Mac Allister, 24, joins the Merseyside club as Jurgen Klopp’s first signing ahead of an expected busy transfer window. The club are looking to improve upon their fifth-place finish in the 2022-23 season. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Sources told ESPN that the midfielder has put pen to paper on a…

Ronaldo plans to own football club after retiring

Cristiano Ronaldo has said he is open to the idea of owning a football club after retiring from the game in “two to three years maximum.” The Portugal international is under contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr until June 2025 but is already making plans about his future. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) “I don’t rule out becoming a club owner,” Ronaldo, 38, told reporters during…

Moyes: West Ham trophy best moment of career

PRAGUE — West Ham United manager David Moyes said winning the Europa Conference League on Wednesday stands as the best moment in his career. The east London club clinched their first trophy in 43 years — and first European title in 58 years — in a dramatic 2-1 win over Fiorentina thanks to a 90th minute goal from Jarrod Bowen. In the end Moyes, who turned 60 this year and…

Messi to Miami hot takes: What move to MLS would mean for player, Barca, fans

Lionel Messi, possibly the greatest soccer player of all time, is taking his talents to South Beach. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar announced on Wednesday that he is heading to MLS with Inter Miami CF as a free agent this summer. The prospect of a player who led Argentina to the World Cup less than six months ago playing his club football in the United States has sent…

Transfer Talk: Pavard eyed by Man Utd, Madrid but Bayern want €40m deal

The summer transfer window might not be open yet in Europe, but teams are getting ready for it, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals! Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard is attracting interest from other top clubs in Europe, according to Sky Sports Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg. Barcelona, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Manchester…

‘Internazionale’? ‘Inter Milan’? Just plain ‘Inter’? What should we call the UCL finalists?

With Inter Milan preparing to face Manchester City in their first Champions League final since 2010, now seems a pertinent time to address a common query relating to the Italian side — specifically the origins of their club name. The club, one of the most decorated in Italy, have won a whole host of trophies including 19 Serie A titles and three European Cups. The first two continental title triumphs…

Benzema joins Al Ittihad after Madrid departure

Karim Benzema has signed for Al Ittihad, the club announced Tuesday, becoming the latest star to join the Saudi Pro League. Benzema, 35, left Real Madrid following the 2022-23 season after 14 years at the Bernabeu. He scored his final goal for the club in their season-ending 1-1 draw against Athletic Club on Sunday. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) The former France striker was expected to sign…

Spain, Brazil plan ’24 friendly to combat racism

Spain and Brazil will play a friendly in March of 2024, a match organised by the football federations of both countries to combat racism under the theme: “We are all alike.” Spanish federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales and his CBF counterpart, Ednaldo Rodrigues, said they would reinforce their commitment against violence in football with the match, part of a friendly series that will see Brazil play against one other UEFA…