Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said it is an “injustice” that Sergio Busquets was never among the candidates to win the Ballon d’Or after the midfielder announced his departure from the club this week. Busquets, 34, will not renew his contract with Barca when it expires at the end of the season, bringing an end to 18 years at Spotify Camp Nou, during which time he has made over 700 appearances.…
Bayern Munich powered past struggling Schalke 04 6-0 on Saturday, with two goals from Serge Gnabry, to stay a point clear at the top with two games remaining and close in on their 11th straight Bundesliga crown. The Bavarians are on 68 points, with Borussia Dortmund a point behind following their 5-2 victory over visiting Borussia Monchengladbach. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) “This win gives us a…
MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United took another step towards qualifying for the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Wolves at Old Trafford. Anthony Martial and substitute Alejandro Garnacho got the goals as United bounced back from consecutive defeats to Brighton and West Ham to boost their hopes of a top-four finish with just three games remaining. Erik ten Hag’s team dominated the game and had 27 shots but converted…
Erik ten Hag says “top players want to come” to Manchester United this summer and insists a successful transfer window is not dependent on the club qualifying for the Champions League. United are in danger of missing out on a place in the top four after back-to-back defeats to Brighton and West Ham. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) But Ten Hag believes he can still attract players…
Football’s pied piper is back in business, ready to enchant his next group of young players and lead them forward, always forward — Marcelo Bielsa has been named Uruguay’s new coach through the 2026 World Cup. It means that an astonishing seven of CONMEBOL’s 10 nations are now coached by an Argentine — including Chile’s onetime Bielsa assistant Eduardo Berizzo. Brazil, still without a coach, will remain an obvious exception.…
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland won the prestigious Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year award after his impressive debut season in England, it was announced Friday. Haaland, 22, won the prize by a record margin, earning 82% of the vote ahead of Arsenal players Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, who finished second and third respectively. – When can Manchester City win the Premier League? – Stream on ESPN+:…
Each week, Luis Miguel Echegaray discusses the latest from the soccer world, including standout performances, what you might have missed and what to keep an eye on in the coming days. Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal was entertaining, filled with strategic moves by both sides, outstanding defensive performances (looking at you, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba) and even some…
Major League Soccer club New York City FC has unveiled images of its plans for the city’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium, and they look spectacular. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) NYCFC has gained approval to build a new 25,000-seat arena at Willets Point, an industrial neighbourhood in Queens right next to Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. The club hopes to have the $780 million project…
Manchester City are undoubtedly in a great place on the pitch and manager Pep Guardiola’s contract extension gives us a clearer view of the project in the medium term. We don’t expect a big summer, but they’ll need to make some moves at the back, especially in light of the way he has reshuffled the formation this year as well as certain players getting older and perhaps not fitting Pep’s…
Gareth Bale rejected the opportunity to come out of retirement to play for Rob Reynolds and Rob McElhenney-owned Wrexham because “he doesn’t want to play football anymore,” according to the former Tottenham, Real Madrid and Los Angeles FC forward’s long-term agent. Bale, 33, announced his playing retirement in January after representing Wales at Qatar 2022 in the country first appearance at a World Cup since 1958. – Stream on ESPN+:…