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The January transfer window is 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! Barcelona are increasingly interested in midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, with manager Xavi Hernandez making a special request to the club’s hierarchy in order to sign the Manchester City captain, as per…

New France captain Kylian Mbappe lived up to expectations with two goals in a 4-0 statement home win against the Netherlands as Les Bleus got their Euro 2024 Group B qualifying campaign started in ruthless fashion on Friday. Mbappe, named skipper after goalkeeper Hugo Lloris ended his international career in January, set up Antoine Griezmann for the opener before scoring the third, after Dayot Upamecano had doubled the tally in…

Argentina beat Panama 2-0 in a friendly on Thursday with goals from Thiago Almada and Lionel Messi amid a festive atmosphere in their first game in front of their home fans after winning the World Cup in December. Lionel Scaloni picked the same starting lineup from the World Cup final win over France as they looked dominant from the start, but could not break through the Panamanian defensive wall until…

ALYSSA THOMPSON SITS on a white leather couch at the Nike headquarters in Los Angeles, crammed between her two sisters and parents. Thompson’s legs are crossed, her hands pinned between them, a white, crisp Nike sneaker bouncing metronomically in midair. A smile crosses her face like a searchlight, here and gone in a flash. Some 2,700 miles away, in Philadelphia, the 2023 NWSL draft is about to start without its…

Harry Kane became England men’s all-time leading scorer as they began their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over holders Italy in Naples on Thursday. In a rematch of the final of the last European Championship, won on penalties by Italy, England were vastly superior in the first half and went into the break with a 2-0 lead courtesy of Declan Rice and Kane’s record-breaking strike from the…

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the most capped men’s player in international football after making his 197th appearance for Portugal against Liechtenstein in their Euro 2024 qualifying match on Thursday. Ronaldo, 38, celebrated his record-breaking night with a brace in Portugal’s 4-0 win at the Jose Alvalade Stadium. The Al Nassr striker was denied the chance to break the record at the World Cup in Qatar as Portugal crashed out in…

The January transfer window is 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! Juventus are closely monitoring United States winger Timothy Weah, according to Calciomercato. Weah, 23, is of contract with Lille in the summer of 2024 and the Turin giants are expected…

Former Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has announced his retirement from professional football at age 34. Ozil, who was part of Germany’s World Cup-winning squad in 2014, has spent the past three seasons in the Turkish Super Lig and retires after making four league appearances for Basaksehir, who he joined as a free agent last year. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) He retired from international…

It’s one of the odd things at the top of European football this year: very few clubs (or their fan bases) can look at their current situation, conclude the future is bright and reach for the shades. League-leading Arsenal and Napoli? Sure, no question about it. Stick them at the top of the list. Maybe a notch below them, Manchester City: they may not win the league this year (unlike…

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has been confirmed as the new captain for the France national team, coach Didier Deschamps said on Tuesday. Sources told ESPN that Deschamps had informed the France squad about the decision on Monday. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Speaking to French outlet Telefoot, Deschamps said: “Kylian Mbappe is the new France captain. Antoine Griezmann is the vice-captain. “Kylian ticks all the boxes…