Argentina forward and regular skipper Lionel Messi was excluded from the squad for the FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Ecuador on Wednesday at the Estadio Monumental in northern Guayaquil. The 38-year-old’s absence was confirmed last week shortly after Argentina’s 3-0 win over Venezuela. Following the game, Messi said: “I spoke with Leo (Scaloni) and we…
Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane was surprised by Daniel Levy’s decision to step down as executive chairman after nearly 25 years at the club but said the Englishman’s impact on the club had been transformative. While he was unable to end Spurs’ wait for a first English top-flight title since 1961, Levy leaves behind…
Italy prevailed in a whirlwind game to beat Israel 5-4 in its World Cup qualifier in Hungary on Monday after the Italians scored two own goals, twice came from behind and conceded a late equaliser but scrambled a win to stay in the hunt in Group I. Italy fell behind in the 16th minute when…
Tottenham Hotspur said its majority shareholder has received and rejected two preliminary expressions of interest for a possible takeover and insists the Premier League club is not for sale. Speculation about a possible change of ownership has increased since executive chairman Daniel Levy stepped down after almost 25 years in the post on Thursday. A…
FIFA unveiled a star-studded 16-member Players’ Voice Panel on Friday to tackle racism in the sport, with former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah leading the charge alongside greats like Didier Drogba and Brazilian Olympic stalwart Formiga. The diverse group spans men’s and women’s players from 14 countries and will advise on anti-racism strategies, participate in…
Inter Milan has signed versatile defender Manuel Akanji on loan from Manchester City, looking to strengthen its backline following a 2-1 loss to Udinese in Serie A at the weekend. Inter’s defensive weaknesses were also exposed in the humiliating 5-0 rout by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final last season. Inter announced the move…
Demand for strikers has never been as hot as it was among the Premier League teams during the recently concluded summer transfer window. Spending on football’s premier frontmen reached new heights even as Liverpool smashed the British transfer record again to sign Alexander Isak for €144 million late on deadline day. At the end of the transfer…
Former Real Madrid right back Lucas Vazquez has joined Bayer Leverkusen until 2027, the German club announced on Tuesday. The five-time Champions League winner joins on a free transfer, having been a free agent since his Madrid contract expired in the summer. The 34-year-old completed a medical in Madrid and is in line to play…
Christian Pulisic is returning to the U.S. national team for friendlies next month against South Korea and Japan after skipping June exhibitions and the CONCACAF Gold Cup to take time off, a decision that led to a spat with coach Mauricio Pochettino. Pulisic, the top American player, offered to play in friendlies against Turkey and…
Borussia Dortmund has reiterated a ban on agents and family members from the dressing room area after a reported confrontation between Jobe Bellingham’s parents and the club’s sporting director on Saturday. Bild and Sky Germany reported on Sunday that Mark Bellingham, who is also Jobe’s and brother Jude’s agent, waited in the player tunnel after…