Rafa Márquez and the Mexican Football Federation are finalising details for the Barcelona B coach to become Javier Aguirre’s assistant with the Mexico national team, sources told ESPN. The 45-year-old would serve as Aguirre’s assistant for the first two years of the contract before succeeding him as head coach after the 2026 World Cup. He had previously been a candidate to become the head coach of the Barcelona first-team prior…
Former Germany defender Jérôme Boateng was handed a suspended fine and a warning after a Munich court on Friday found him guilty of premeditated bodily harm against his former partner. The €200,000 ($217,760) suspended fine (€5,000 per day for 40 days) must only be paid if Boateng commits another offence. The judge also ordered Boateng to pay a total of €100,000 to charity organisations, a court spokesperson said. The 2014…
Spain’s football federation (RFEF) has proposed 11 stadiums as candidates to host matches during the 2030 World Cup, including the home arenas of LaLiga clubs Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. Spain, who will co-host the tournament with Portugal and Morocco as well as centenary hosts Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, will also have 45 additional grounds as team bases, the RFEF said on Friday. Other LaLiga clubs whose home arenas…
Former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has joined Al Qadsiah, the promoted Saudi Pro League side said on Thursday. Aubameyang, 35, is the latest high-profile name in European football to join the Khobar-based club after former Real Madrid defender Nacho and former Wolfsburg keeper Koen Casteels. Gabon international Aubameyang, who won a LaLiga title at Barcelona, the German Cup at Borussia Dortmund and the FA Cup at Arsenal,…
Manchester United have completed the signing of 18-year-old defender Leny Yoro from French Ligue 1 side Lille, the clubs confirmed Thursday. United agreed a fee of €62 million ($67.6m), plus a potential €8m ($8.7m) in add-ons, to sign the France under-21 international, sources told ESPN. Yoro has joined United despite interest from Real Madrid, after sources told ESPN that the Spanish side opted against engaging in a bidding war with…
A more modern Spain side on and off the pitch won the Euro 2024 for a record-breaking fourth time Sunday and are already eyeing more success in the United States, Canada and Mexico at the 2026 World Cup. “Champions of Europe … and now we’ll go all out for the World Cup,” said Nico Williams, one of the symbols of this new-look Spain team as well as a goal scorer…
Expert recap and game analysis of the United States vs. Costa Rica Women’s International Friendly game from July 16, 2024 on ESPN.
The French Football Federation (FFF) is filing a legal complaint over “racist and discriminatory remarks” by Argentina players in postmatch chants about France’s team after the Copa América final. Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 on Sunday. A video posted on Instagram by Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández and widely viewed on X showed Argentina players singing about French players with African heritage. Fernández later apologized for singing the song featured in the…
Spain’s statistics in winning Euro 2024 are so historic and so startling that it’s easy to be overwhelmed and distracted by them. But in the end, Sunday’s victory over England in the final came down to what they do best and what has been an eternal question about a footballer: “how’s your first touch?” La Roja are the only team to win six or more matches at a Euro, they…
Former Bayern Munich and Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri announced his retirement from international football on Monday, having amassed 125 caps for Switzerland. Shaqiri has scored 32 goals for the national team and is the only Swiss player to appear in seven major tournaments, from World Cup 2010 to Euro 2024. The 32-year-old made two appearances in Euro 2024 as Switzerland exited the tournament after losing on penalties to England in…