Category Other

The Ballon d’Or should be a celebration, for the women’s game it’s a disgrace

Another year, another Ballon d’Or ceremony. And, once again, the voices within the women’s football community find themselves echoing past frustrations. Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí won the main prize again, but the prestigious event, which should celebrate the pinnacle of football achievement, remains steeped in a troubling history of disrespect towards the women’s game. Instead of progressing, it feels as though the ceremony is trapped in a cycle that undermines…

Other
October 30, 2024

Vini Jr, Ballon d’Or drama shows it’s only as important as we make it

It won’t come as a surprise to regular readers, but I really don’t care about the Ballon d’Or despite having followed it since I was a kid. Things you achieve on the field of play are just inherently more meaningful to me than baubles others give you. Still, I respect its history and the fact that, as a kid, it introduced me to one Sokol Kushta, who finished 30th in…

Other
October 30, 2024

Wiegman disappointed by Ballon d’Or scheduling

England manager Sarina Wiegman has said it is “really disappointing” that the Ballon d’Or ceremony is once again clashing with the women’s international break, meaning nominated players and coaches will not be able to attend the ceremony in Paris on Monday night. England trio Lucy Bronze, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp all made the 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d’Or Feminin while Wiegman has also been nominated for the Coach…

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October 29, 2024

Barcelona’s Yamal becomes youngest Kopa winner

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal became the youngest ever winner of the Kopa Trophy at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, an award which recognises the best under-21 player in men’s football. Yamal also finished No. 8 in the voting for the men’s Ballon d’Or. The 17-year-old has enjoyed a breakout year for club and country, helping Spain win the European Championship last summer and playing a prominent role in a…

Other
October 29, 2024

Transfer Talk: Rüdiger wants new deal as Saudi clubs circle

The winter transfer window won’t reopen in Europe for a while yet, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

Other
October 28, 2024

Classy Casadó the real gem as Barça’s academy stars humble Real Madrid

If the football part of your brain is still wondering, “How do Barcelona do it?” then perhaps you’re thinking about their astonishing 4-0 win against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday (stream a replay on ESPN+, U.S. only) — the second time the Catalans have logged this result at Los Blancos’ HQ in three seasons. Equally, it might be because you’re still stunned at watching Barça’s incessant production…

Other
October 28, 2024

Nigeria awarded qualifier win after airport chaos

Nigeria have been awarded a 3-0 victory over Libya, and three vital points, from their scheduled Africa Cup of Nations qualifier earlier this month which they refused to play after being stuck in a remote Libyan airport for half a day before the match. The disciplinary committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Saturday awarded the match to Nigeria 3-0, putting them on the brink of qualifying for…

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October 27, 2024

Simeone won’t rush Le Normand after brain trauma

Atlético Madrid cannot provide a timeline for defender Robin Le Normand’s return from a traumatic brain injury, manager Diego Simeone said on Saturday. “We still don’t have a clear idea about his return. The important thing is that he comes back well. That’s the only thing we care about,” Simeone told reporters on Saturday at a news conference ahead of his side’s visit to Real Betis in LaLiga. The 27-year-old…

Other
October 27, 2024

Ten Hag: ‘I deny, ignore’ 3-0 home loss to Spurs

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said he has chosen to “deny” and “ignore” his team’s 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham because the red card shown to Bruno Fernandes during the game was subsequently rescinded. Spurs dominated United at Old Trafford on Sept. 29 as goals from Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke served to increase the pressure on Ten Hag following his team’s stuttering start to the…

Other
October 26, 2024

Ange won’t rush Moore amid Neymar comparison

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou believes promising teenager Mikey Moore is ready to start a Premier League game but vowed not to rush the winger’s development. Moore made only his second senior start for Spurs in Thursday night’s 1-0 Europa League win over AZ Alkmaar. The 17-year-old switched to his favoured left-sided position in the second-half and tormented AZ full-back Seiya Maikuma, prompting James Maddison — Spurs captain for the evening…

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October 26, 2024

Anthony Elanga is proof of how Man United desperately need to improve transfer strategyApril 2, 2025
NOTTINGHAM, England — Anthony Elanga chose a muted celebration after his wonderful solo goal against Manchester United, but the smile that crept over his face gave away the quiet satisfaction of scoring against his former club. Who could blame him? Man United decided Elanga wasn’t good enough when he was allowed to move to Nottingham… Read more: Anthony Elanga is proof of how Man United desperately need to improve transfer strategy
Flick: No luck to Barcelona success this seasonApril 2, 2025
Hansi Flick has said there is no luck to Barcelona success this season but he knows it is trophies that matter as he prepares for Wednesday’s “final before the final” against Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey. Barça and Atlético drew 4-4 in the first leg of their Copa semifinal in February and finally… Read more: Flick: No luck to Barcelona success this season
Isco on Antony: We need to crowdfund for himApril 1, 2025
Real Betis midfielder Isco has joked that crowdfunding will be needed to keep Manchester United’s loanee Antony at the club for at least next season. Antony has been a big hit in Spain since joining on loan from United after a difficult first half of the campaign at Old Trafford. However, the loan deal which… Read more: Isco on Antony: We need to crowdfund for him
Haaland’s nightmare game, Napoli back in Serie A title race, RB Leipzig chaos, moreApril 1, 2025
The international break has finished and this weekend brought us plenty to talk about as European club action returned with a bang! Manchester City advanced in the FA Cup despite a game to forget by Erling Haaland, and Napoli took a decisive step back into Serie A’s title race while simultaneously wrecking Milan’s aspirations of… Read more: Haaland’s nightmare game, Napoli back in Serie A title race, RB Leipzig chaos, more
Football Australia: ‘No further action’ on KerrMarch 31, 2025
Sam Kerr has avoided being stripped of the Matildas captaincy after meeting with the Football Australia board, with the striker finally joining the Australian women’s team in camp. The parties met to address Kerr’s recent U.K. court case, where she was found not guilty on one charge of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.… Read more: Football Australia: ‘No further action’ on Kerr
Arsenal name Berta as new sporting directorMarch 31, 2025
Arsenal have appointed Andrea Berta as their new sporting director, the club announced on Sunday. Berta will take on the permanent role, replacing Edu Gasper who resigned in November and has been on a six-month period of gardening leave since. “I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for… Read more: Arsenal name Berta as new sporting director
Transfer rumors, news: Leipzig want Jobe Bellingham amid links to Chelsea and othersMarch 30, 2025
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko could be moving to the Premier League, while Man United have targeted his teammate Xavi Simons. 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 grades – Sources: Griezmann to delay Atleti exit… Read more: Transfer rumors, news: Leipzig want Jobe Bellingham amid links to Chelsea and others
Iraola ‘happy’ at Bournemouth amid Spurs talkMarch 30, 2025
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said he is happy at the south coast side and is hoping to make history at the club as they chase their first major trophy, amid speculation linking the Spaniard with a move to Tottenham Hotspur. With Spurs languishing 14th in the Premier League after 29 matches and bowing out of… Read more: Iraola ‘happy’ at Bournemouth amid Spurs talk
Ronaldo to lead CONMEBOL anti-racism task forceMarch 29, 2025
Brazil’s two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo Nazario will lead a special task force created to try to eradicate racism, discrimination, and violence in South American soccer, the sport’s continental governing body said Thursday. “Its mission will be to design policies and establish prevention and sanction mechanisms that contribute to eradicating these behaviors that affect both… Read more: Ronaldo to lead CONMEBOL anti-racism task force
Brazil fires coach Dorival after loss to ArgentinaMarch 29, 2025
Brazil has dismissed head coach Dorival Júnior following Tuesday’s deflating loss to rivals Argentina, Brazil’s football confederation (CBF) announced Friday. Argentina won 4-1 in Buenos Aires, despite the absence of its talismanic captain Lionel Messi, to inflict Brazil’s heaviest ever loss in World Cup qualifying. “The Brazilian Football Confederation announces that coach Dorival Júnior will… Read more: Brazil fires coach Dorival after loss to Argentina