Neymar has said he believes his Brazil teammate Vinícius Júnior will win the Ballon d’Or award after his impressive season at Real Madrid. Vinícius, 23, was named as the 2023-24 Champions League Player of the Season on Monday after scoring six goals in this season’s competition, including Madrid’s second in the 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund in Saturday’s final at Wembley. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Vinícius,…
Kevin De Bruyne has said he’s “open” to a move to the Saudi Pro League (SPL) owing to the “incredible” financial gain that comes with a move to the Gulf nation. The Manchester City midfielder has one year left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium and has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) A source has told ESPN that…
Manchester United are planning talks with Jadon Sancho before deciding on his future, a source has told ESPN. Sancho hasn’t played for United since August following a public bust-up with manager Erik ten Hag. He was loaned to former club Borussia Dortmund in January and helped the Bundesliga side reach the Champions League final, where they lost 2-0 to Real Madrid on Saturday. A source has told ESPN that United…
Carlo Ancelotti has said he wants Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos to reconsider his decision to retire after helping the Spanish club win a record 15th Champions League title in a 2-0 victory against Borussia Dortmund. Kroos clinched his sixth Champions League winners’ medal — five with Madrid and one with Bayern Munich — at Wembley, but the 34-year-old stated earlier this season that he would retire from football after…
Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich has described a survey that found that 1 in 5 of his compatriots would prefer more white players on the national team as “absolutely racist.” The poll of 1,304 randomly selected participants was commissioned for national broadcaster ARD’s documentary “Unity and Justice and Diversity,” which is to be shown on Wednesday. Some 21% of those surveyed said they would prefer it if more players with white…
LONDON — You wonder what went through Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti’s head as the half-time whistle blew at Wembley on Saturday night. His team, the heavy favorites and finalists in six of the past 10 years (and winners each time), could well have been two or three goals down against Borussia Dortmund, the Bundesliga’s perpetual underachievers. It was up to him to fix it. We don’t know what he…
FIFA’s new pay regulations to support female players and coaches through pregnancy, adoption and maternity leave are a big step for women who have struggled to juggle children and career, former United States women’s coach Jill Ellis has said. The regulations — which were approved unanimously by the FIFA Council earlier this month — include the minimum 14 weeks paid maternity leave for players being extended to coaches, while players…
Monaco’s Mohamed Camara has been suspended for four matches, the French football league (LFP) said on Thursday, after an LGBTQ+ support logo on the Mali international’s shirt was covered up during a Ligue 1 match. The badge on Camara’s shirt was covered with white tape in Monaco’s last league match of the season on May 19, in which he netted a penalty in their 4-0 home win against Nantes. “After…
Ghana international winger Osman Bukari will join Austin FC in a transfer from Red Star Belgrade, the Major League Soccer team announced Thursday. Bukari, 25, joins Austin on a 3 1/2-year guaranteed contract as one of the team’s Designated Player signings, with an option for 2028. The move comes a week after Austin waived Designated Player Emiliano Rigoni and bought out the remainder of the Argentine’s guaranteed contract of more…
DORTMUND, Germany — Jadon Sancho was a man alone during a miserable autumn in Manchester. Ostracised by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and forced to train, eat and change away from his teammates, sometimes taking his lunch break in his car, the €85 million signing was left wondering where his once-glittering career was headed. Six months later, he is 90 minutes away from winning the UEFA Champions League with…