Retirement can be a daunting prospect in any profession — the loss of income, the sense of the best days being in the past, the need to search for a new purpose — but it can also offer new opportunities and a release from the day-to-day pressure of a working environment. For a professional footballer, though, retirement often comes before most people have even started to climb the career ladder.…
With the 2023-24 campaign now up and running, fans of Europe’s top clubs have had the chance to check out their side’s new kits in action. But while the biggest teams in the Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 can strut their stuff between kick off and the final whistle in their brand new home, away and third kits, they also have more in their locker. Whereas…
Carlo Ancelotti has a difficult problem with Vinícius Júnior, and it’s not the reason the Real Madrid coach gave his team’s most brilliant footballer a harsh word after Saturday’s 3-1 win at Almeria. Nor is it Vinicius’ attitude and behaviour toward referees, his fitness, his hunger for victory, or the disgusting behaviour toward him by opponents and rival fans. No, it’s that Ancelotti has designed a system to cope with…
The position of Spanish football federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales has come under renewed pressure after Spain’s acting prime minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday that Rubiales’ apology for kissing Jenni Hermoso “wasn’t sufficient.” Earlier, Spain’s acting second deputy prime minister, Yolanda Diaz, had called for Rubiales to “resign” from his post following his actions in the aftermath of La Roja winning the Women’s World Cup on Sunday. – Stream…
Major League Soccer is back, and Lionel Messi is king. He probably has to play at least one league match before he is given the crown, but who’s going to deny him after what he did in the Leagues Cup? Although it looks marvelous and inevitable throughout Inter Miami’s run to their first trophy in club history, it’s unbelievable when you consider just how bad the team looked for the…
David de Gea still can’t find a new club, only West Ham United have shown an interest in Harry Maguire, and Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek, Eric Bailly and Brandon Williams are edging toward the Sept. 1 transfer deadline with limited options for life away from Manchester United. Fred has left Old Trafford since the end of last season, joining Fenerbahce, while Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest) and Alex Telles…
Phew: another great weekend of European soccer is more or less complete, as we said “Wilkommen” to the German Bundesliga and “Ciao!” to Italy’s Serie A in opening their seasons this weekend. As if that wasn’t enough, the Premier League — Spurs over Man United, Chelsea losing to West Ham — and LaLiga also gave us plenty to talk about. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga & more (U.S.) It’s…
SYDNEY — Jorge Vilda will never forget the night he guided Spain to a first-ever Women’s World Cup title. The La Roja coach was booed by the crowd when he held the trophy aloft and celebrated victory with barely a pat on the back from his players, but despite it all, he was a world champion, and that distinction will mean vindication. Maybe not in the hearts and minds of…
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced the death of Olga Carmona’s father just hours after she scored the winning goal in the Women’s World Cup final. Real Madrid left-back Carmona, 23, scored the only goal of the game as Spain beat England 1-0 in Sydney on Sunday to win their first-ever major trophy in the women’s game. Carmona learned of her father’s death after the final. An RFEF…
SYDNEY — This time the tactical tweaks, replacements and sheer grit weren’t enough to get England across the line. With Spain holding on to their 1-0 lead they so expertly crafted in the 29th minute, the final throw of the dice saw England crowd the opposition’s penalty area for one last corner in the 103rd minute of the match. But unlike last summer, this time there was no Chloe Kelly…