Category Other

Could Messi return to Barcelona? He wants to, but here’s why it would be really complicated

Set against the backdrop of their current troubles — and you can choose whether accusations of trying to influence refereeing decisions, being in a precarious financial state or needing to abandon the Camp Nou for a couple of seasons due to renovations is the more damaging here — it would be easy to dismiss rumours of Barcelona trying to repatriate Lionel Messi as little more than useful distraction tactics to…

Man United takeover: What to know about the bidders, fan backlash, what’s next

It started with a statement. In November, while the eyes of the football world were watching the World Cup in Qatar, the Glazer Family made the surprise announcement that Manchester United could be up for sale. The board, led by Joel and Avram Glazer, revealed they would consider “all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the company.” But it’s been 158 days…

Rodrygo guides Madrid past Chelsea into UCL semis

Rodrygo scored a second-half brace for Real Madrid in a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to seal a spot in the Champions League semifinals for the defending champions by a final aggregate score of 4-0. It is the first time Chelsea have lost four games in a row since 1993. A cagey opening 45 minutes looked similar to Madrid’s 2-0 win in the first leg of…

Lampard backs Chelsea after humbling UCL exit

Frank Lampard vowed Chelsea “will be back” as a major force after their Champions League quarterfinal exit leaves them facing the prospect of a season without any European football. The Blues were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night to complete a 4-0 aggregate defeat as Rodrygo struck twice in the final 32 minutes to setup a semifinal tie with either Manchester City or Bayern Munich.…

Argentina named new hosts for U20 World Cup

Argentina will host the Under-20 soccer World Cup, world governing body FIFA said on Monday, following the decision to strip Indonesia of the right to stage the tournament. FIFA announced the decision to remove Indonesia as host on March 29 after the country’s FA cancelled the draw to be held in Bali as its governor refused to host Israel’s team. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) The Argentine…

Transfer Talk: Leipzig, Milan circling as Arsenal consider Balogun’s future

The January transfer window may be closed around Europe, but teams are looking ahead to the summer 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 will look to move on forward Sadio Mane when the transfer window opens in July, says Sky Germany. Mane, 31, has 11 goals and five assists since…

Emery’s Aston Villa are surging, Dortmund sunk again, Basque derby magic: Weekend Review

Another weekend of European football is in the books and plenty of action to sink our teeth into. Aston Villa are making a late-season surge for a Champions League spot, Borussia Dortmund slipped up once more, and PSG are marching onto another league title despite bad form. Elsewhere, Inaki Williams ensured Athletic Club took Basque derby honors and John Stones is the latest and unlikeliest Manchester City star finding the…

LAFC beats woeful Galaxy in wild ‘Trafico’

Carlos Vela scored his second and third goals of the season and added an assist as visiting LAFC held on for a 3-2 victory over the LA Galaxy on Sunday in Carson, California. Vela’s second goal came from the penalty spot in the 68th minute to give his team a second lead. Two minutes later his corner found Ryan Hollingshead for the eventual game-winner as LAFC (5-0-2, 17 points) remained…