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Barça’s Supercopa win delivers the drama the Saudis wanted

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — In the historic centre of Jeddah, in the old heart of the city, there’s a football pitch. It isn’t much: an uneven, artificial turf surface and two undersized goals. There are floodlights, and white lines painted on the ground, but no seats for spectators. It’s surrounded by crumbling walls, half-abandoned buildings, and a few palm trees. This is football, like it has always been, everywhere. But…

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January 13, 2025

Transfer rumors, news: Man City make firm offer for Marmoush

Manchester City are on the verge of signing striker Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt, while Paris Saint-Germain look set to sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia imminently. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from around the globe. Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s January grades | Women’s January grades – Guardiola: Walker has asked to leave Man City – Pedri denies Spain boycott over Olmo fiasco – Kvaratskhelia…

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January 13, 2025

Pedri denies Spain boycott over Olmo fiasco

Barcelona midfielder Pedri has denied that the club’s players considered boycotting the Spain national team over the row surrounding Dani Olmo’s registration. Olmo — and fellow Barça player Pau Víctor — were granted a temporary reprieve this week, while Spain’s sports ministry the CSD considers Barcelona’s appeal against the decision of LaLiga and the Spanish football federation to refuse their registration for the second half of the season. Both players…

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January 12, 2025

Mbappé doesn’t need offside advice – Valverde

Federico Valverde said he “won’t give any lessons” to Kylian Mbappé on how to beat Barcelona’s offside trap ahead of Real Madrid’s Clásico Supercopa final on Sunday (stream LIVE on ESPN+). Mbappé struggled to cope with Hansi Flick’s high defensive line when the two teams last met in October, being caught offside a career-high eight times as Barça ran out convincing 4-0 winners at the Santiago Bernabéu. Speaking in a…

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January 12, 2025

Source: Vinícius Jr mulls buying Portugal club

Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior is considering buying a football club in Portugal’s second division, a source has told ESPN. The Brazil international — currently in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the Spanish Supercopa — is thinking about diversifying his business interests with an eye to his future career plans after retiring as a player. Vinícius started for Madrid in their 3-0 Supercopa semifinal victory over Mallorca on Thursday, a result…

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January 11, 2025

Lewandowski: Barça must improve mentality

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski said the team still need to improve their mentality to win the big trophies this season as they prepare for Sunday’s Supercopa final against Real Madrid (watch LIVE on ESPN+). Barça thumped Madrid 4-0 earlier in the season in LaLiga as they won 11 of their opening 12 games, but they have won just one of their following seven in the league, dropping to third in…

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January 11, 2025

Third-round preview: Arsenal vs. Man United; can Tamworth stun Spurs?

It’s FA Cup third round weekend, one of the biggest occasions in the English football calendar, when lower-league minnows get the chance to take on some of the biggest teams in the world in true David vs. Goliath encounters. While 14-time FA Cup winners Arsenal take on holders and 13-time winners Manchester United in the heavyweight clash of the round at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Liverpool, Manchester City and…

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January 10, 2025

VAR won’t be used in any FA Cup third round ties

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January 10, 2025

Costa Rica hires ex-Mexico coach Miguel Herrera

Former Mexico coach Miguel Herrera was announced as the new manager of the Costa Rica men’s national team on Tuesday. The 56-year-old will return to the international stage with the Ticos for the first time since coaching Mexico from 2013-15. “Following an exhaustive selection process that concluded with a final shortlist, the FCRF [Costa Rican Football Federation] Executive Committee, together with the new sports director Ignacio Hierro, made the decision…

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January 9, 2025

The Football Reporters: Rashford situation like Aubameyang’s?

The Football Reporters, Mark Ogden, James Olley and Rob Dawson, discuss the latest news regarding Marcus Rashford’s situation at Manchester United and wonder how closely it compares with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s final days at Arsenal. Aubameyang left the Emirates Stadium in 2022 in what was a major call for boss Mikel Arteta. Could Ruben Amorim make a similar decision about Rashford at Old Trafford? The trio discuss the United striker’s future,…

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January 9, 2025

Transfer rumors, news: Real Madrid eye Spurs defender Cristian RomeroMarch 16, 2025
Real Madrid are eyeing a move for Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero, while Newcastle United are interested on-loan Juventus striker Randal Kolo Muani as a potential Alexander Isak successor. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe. Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s January grades | Women’s January… Read more: Transfer rumors, news: Real Madrid eye Spurs defender Cristian Romero
Super Cup probe: Judge questions Gerard PiquéMarch 15, 2025
Former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué was questioned by a judge on Friday as part of a judicial probe into the business deal that led to the Spanish Super Cup being hosted in Saudi Arabia. Neither Piqué nor his lawyer spoke to reporters gathered outside the courthouse. The probe is examining suspicions of corruption and money… Read more: Super Cup probe: Judge questions Gerard Piqué
Liverpool’s Slot looking to follow Klopp as Newcastle chase historyMarch 15, 2025
LIVERPOOL, England — When Liverpool head coach Arne Slot addressed the media ahead of the Premier League clash with Southampton last weekend, he described the fixture as “the first of three finals.” It was a rallying cry to both players and fans, setting the stage for a week that looked destined to define Liverpool’s season.… Read more: Liverpool’s Slot looking to follow Klopp as Newcastle chase history
Amorim ‘in a hurry’ to win trophies at Man UtdMarch 14, 2025
Ruben Amorim has said he is “in a hurry” to win trophies at Manchester United while also admitting that the club hierarchy recognise he needs time to deliver success at Old Trafford. The Portuguese manager has struggled to turn around United’s fortunes since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November. The club are 14th… Read more: Amorim ‘in a hurry’ to win trophies at Man Utd
Champions League quarterfinal predictions, from Real Madrid-Arsenal to Villa-PSGMarch 14, 2025
Well, the Champions League round of 16 concluded on Wednesday night with some unforgettable second legs and plenty of penalty shoot-out drama. Not only did Paris Saint-Germain eliminate Liverpool on spot-kicks at Anfield this week, but Real Madrid emerged from a trip to rivals Atletico Madrid with a similar victory after 120 tension-packed minutes to… Read more: Champions League quarterfinal predictions, from Real Madrid-Arsenal to Villa-PSG
The Football Reporters: Do Chelsea prove WSL has competitiveness problem?March 13, 2025
On the latest episode of The Football Reporters podcast, ESPN’s Emily Keogh, Tom Hamilton and Jeff Kassouf ask whether Chelsea’s dominance in the Women’s Super League shows the league has a competitiveness problem? Chelsea have won 16 of their 14 games and remain unbeaten in the WSL this season under head coach Sonia Bompastor as… Read more: The Football Reporters: Do Chelsea prove WSL has competitiveness problem?
Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal eye Bayern winger Leroy SanéMarch 13, 2025
Arsenal are considering a move to sign Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sané, while Manchester United prefer a move for Harry Kane over Jean-Philippe Mateta. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from around the globe. Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s January grades | Women’s January grades – Man Utd CEO:… Read more: Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal eye Bayern winger Leroy Sané
Why does Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas have a statue in Melbourne?March 12, 2025
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in May 2020, but has been updated ahead of the release of the new documentary Ange & The Boss, which will be screened in select cinemas from March 13. MELBOURNE — There are a lot of statues in Melbourne’s Olympic precinct. Bronze statues encircle the famous Melbourne Cricket… Read more: Why does Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas have a statue in Melbourne?
Man United’s new stadium will be big, but it won’t be world’s biggest football groundMarch 12, 2025
It’s been a long time coming, but Premier League giants Manchester United have formally announced their plans to build a new stadium in the city rather than attempt to redevelop the crumbling infrastructure at Old Trafford. The Theatre of Dreams has been United’s home since 1910 but has been showing its age in recent years,… Read more: Man United’s new stadium will be big, but it won’t be world’s biggest football ground
Arsenal’s title race ends with Man United draw, Real Madrid win ugly: Marcotti explains the weekendMarch 11, 2025
The European soccer weekend delivered a ton to talk about as usual, so let’s dig in. In the Premier League, Arsenal’s draw at Manchester United and Liverpool’s comeback win at Southampton more or less puts the title race to bed for Arne Slot and the Reds, while Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti played their way… Read more: Arsenal’s title race ends with Man United draw, Real Madrid win ugly: Marcotti explains the weekend