Atlanta United traveled to Columbus and lost 2-0. It was going to be hard without Almada, but the team really showed no signs of life or a plan to compete. We return for match 2 tomorrow night at home. Almada will be back and our approach must be different. It could be the last game of the season. We talk some EPL, La Liga, and all the big Euro action.

Spurs 1-4 Chelsea: where to begin?! Luke and Vish are here to pick apart a quite ridiculous game and a quite ridiculous performance from Cristian Romero, which somehow left the lads comparing him to Arnold Schwarzenegger and both Kray twins. They also take a moment to enjoy Big Ange’s commitment to playing with a high line and - of course - Luke still manages to find time to take Gary Neville to task for a quite insane analogy about parrots. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and email us here: [email protected]. Sign up to the Football Ramble Patreon for ad-free shows for just $5 per month: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League season and every day throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse react to the news that Saudi Arabia will be the lone bid for the 2034 FIFA Men's World Cup. The duo then dives into MLS playoffs as the 2nd leg of games begin. Will SKC finish the job vs. top-seeded St. Louis? MLS star Lionel Messi won his record 8th Ballon d'Or this week, becoming the first active MLS player to take home the award. Alexi and Mosse then preview a stacked soccer weekend abroad including another edition of Der Klassiker, where Gio Reyna and Dortmund host Bayern Munich. In #AskAlexi, the guys rate Halloween costumes of Alexi himself before diving into the USMNT chances in 2026 to hoist the trophy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do people love Lionel Messi a little bit too much? That’s the question that Media Darling Marcus wants answered after the latest Ballon d’Or. Today, he’s joined by Jim, Vish and Pete to discuss that and explain why Manchester United vs Newcastle feels more like a stag do than a football match. Plus, Pete has an important warning: don’t give Carabao to dogs! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and email us here: [email protected]. Sign up to the Football Ramble Patreon for ad-free shows for just $5 per month: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League season and every day throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are Real Madrid about to leave Barcelona behind, both on and off the pitch? After losing Saturday’s El Clasico and then seeing Lionel Messi collect a record-extending 8th Ballon d’Or, you can bet there were a few people at Barcelona, hankering for the old days.. Add to that, Jude Bellingham’s goals, and last night’s Kopa Trophy win — the award for the best under-21 player - it's clear Real Madrid are looking towards the future. Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Barcelona writer Pol Ballus, Spanish football editor Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero & tactics writer Michael Cox… Produced by Adonis Pratsides Additional production: Jay Beale Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead *** • Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lionel Messi has won his eighth Ballon d’Or and Guillem Balague gives a behind-the-scenes account of how in Qatar, the Argentinian won the World Cup. Guillem hears from the biggest names in the sport; from Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, former England forward Gary Lineker and ex-Argentina defender, Pablo Zabaleta - who give their unique perspectives on what happened during that tournament. We are taken on a journey – from that shock loss in Argentina’s opening game against Saudi Arabia, to one of the best international finals ever – where Argentina beat France on penalties, fulfilling Lionel Messi’s destiny of winning the World Cup and cementing himself as one of the greatest players of all time

Paris Saint-Germain has officially acknowledged a staggering €300 million ($332 million) offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal for their star forward Kylian Mbappé, as reported by James Robson of the Associated Press. This prospective transfer fee would smash world records if it comes to fruition. According to James Benge of CBS Sports, Al-Hilal is ready to provide Mbappé a colossal €700 million for a single season, effectively granting him the liberty to make a move to Real Madrid the following summer. Anticipation is mounting that the talented Frenchman will find himself in different colors when the 2023-24 season kicks off. Back in June, Mbappé communicated his decision to Paris Saint-Germain, stating he would not be activating the one-year extension in his contract, which paves the way for him to leave as a free agent during the summer transfer window in 2024. Consequently, PSG has conveyed its readiness to entertain offers from potential suitors for his departure now. Saudi clubs are currently caught up in a spending spree, part of a broader effort to enhance the nation's global reputation. Al-Hilal, one of four Saudi Pro League clubs now under the ownership of the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, has already secured the services of top players like Rúben Neves, Sergej Milinković-Savić, and Kalidou Koulibaly. However, even with the mind-boggling sums of money being offered in Saudi Arabia, it may not be sufficient to lure stars like Lionel Messi, as evidenced by a reported $400 million annual offer that failed to seal the deal. There's a growing sense that Kylian Mbappé's career might be hitting a bit of a plateau at Paris Saint-Germain. PSG's dominance in domestic competitions means that Ligue 1 doesn't provide him with the same level of challenges he could encounter elsewhere. Joining Al-Hilal, even if just for one season, would further extend this narrative. Despite the Saudi Pro League's improvements, the level of competition remains below that of Europe's top leagues. With over a month remaining in the summer transfer window, Mbappé's market situation is likely to evolve before he reaches a final decision. The interest from Al-Hilal could potentially motivate Real Madrid to take action and solidify a partnership that has been in the works for over a year. Kylian Mbappe will leave PSG for free! Striker set to give up €80m loyalty bonus and snub new contract offer In a significant development, Kylian Mbappé has once again conveyed to the club that he will not be signing a new contract, despite discussions about an extension earlier this summer, as reported by 90min. Remarkably, he is willing to forgo the €80 million (£69 million/$86 million) loyalty bonus he is entitled to and is determined to leave when his current contract expires next year. This situation marks a continuation of the friction that arose between Mbappé and PSG at the end of the previous season when he initially declined to activate an option for a contract extension by another year. This left PSG facing the prospect of losing him for free in the following year, prompting president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to issue an ultimatum: either extend the contract or be sold in the transfer window. However, no transfer materialized during the summer, and discussions about a new deal commenced. Now, it appears that Mbappé has reverted to his earlier position since the summer transfer window concluded, confirming his intention to move on in 2024.

German goalkeeper Stefan Ortega Moreno is the latest guest on the Official Man City Podcast. The summer 2022 arrival from Arminia Bielefeld has proved himself to be one of the best-supporting goalkeepers in the Premier League. Pushing Ederson to play at his best, Ortega Moreno has excelled as a shot-stopper and with his feet since coming to the Etihad Stadium. Playing 14 times across all competitions in 2022/23, Ortega Moreno was a vital part of the squad that made history by winning the Treble. In this episode, he sits down with hosts Rob Pollard and Paul Dickov to discuss his route to the professional game, his fondness of living in Manchester, plus an insight into his team-mates and what makes them tick. It's all in the latest episode of the Official Manchester City podcast, which you can watch in full via City+. https://www.mancity.com/city-plus Subscribe and follow the podcast now to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and join the community. You can also follow Manchester City on social media via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat for more exclusive content. Twitter: https://twitter.com/ManCity IG: https://www.instagram.com/mancity/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/mancity/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mancity Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/mancityofficial Produced by Manchester City, this is the unbeatable Official Manchester City Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One noteworthy highlight of the season for the blaugranes has been the rapid emergence of Lamine Yamal onto the scene. The winger has swiftly become a crucial player for the first-team under coach Xavi Hernández. Despite his relatively short career, the teenager has already established several records. As we enter the international break, let's delve into these significant milestones. Goalscoring records and record debuts Lamine Yamal achieved his latest milestone by scoring against Granada last Sunday, making him the youngest goalscorer in La Liga history at the age of 16 years and 87 days. This accomplishment surpasses the previous record set by Málaga's Fabrice Olinga in 2012. Additionally, Yamal now holds the title of the youngest goal-scorer for Barcelona in league history, surpassing the previous record set by Ansu Fati by over a year. Youngest goalscorer for FC Barcelona in LA LIGA Player Age Lamine Yamal 16 Years and 87 Days Ansu Fati 16 Years and 304 Days Bojan Krkic 17 Years and 53 Days Gavi 17 Years and 135 Days Alfons Navarro 17 Years and 244 Days Just last Wednesday, Lamine Yamal added another record to his name at the Estádio do Dragão in Portugal. He became the youngest starter in the history of the Champions League, being included in the starting XI during the 1-0 victory over FC Porto. Earlier, on August 20th, the teenager made history as the youngest starter for Barça in a match against Cádiz, contributing to a 2-0 win. This accomplishment not only marked him as the youngest starter for Barcelona but also the youngest La Liga starter since the beginning of the century. Youngest Starter of all time in the Champions League Player Age Lamine Yamal 16 Yaers and 83 Days Celestine Babayaro 16 Years and 86 Days Youri Tielemans 16 Years and 148 Days Ansu FAti 16 Years and 321 Days Anthony Vanden Borre 16 Years and 326 Days Debut at 15 years of age Lamine Yamal made his debut for the Barça first team last season during week 32 of La Liga in a match held at the Spotify Camp Nou against Betis. Remarkably, at the tender age of 15 years, 9 months, and 25 days, he became the youngest player in Barcelona's league history and the fifth youngest of all time. History with the national team Lamine Yamal's impressive performances in a Barça shirt earned him a call-up to the full Spanish national side, and at the age of just 16 years and 57 days, he made his debut. What's more, he not only surpassed the record held by his teammate Gavi to become the youngest player to represent Spain, but Yamal also left his mark by scoring the final goal in the 7-1 victory over Georgia, making him the youngest-ever goalscorer for the national team. The 16- year-old has made a superb beginning to his professional career for both club and national team, but he should not be compared to the scapegoat. Still, a snapshot even let them loose, If it was Lamine Yamal's capability that started the Lionel Messi comparisons. The likeness, broadly propagated on social media, is just five years old. A slight Yamal, wearing a grayish Nike hoodie and Tottenham sweats, poses with a smirking Messi. It isn't the image of a upcoming star, or, additionally importantly, a player who knows he is being with one. But it has since get a source of propaganda, proof of' the first link- up' or a visual representation of' when excellence meets greatness'. Still, the picture, although overdrawn, does deliver precious surroundings to one of new age football's top issues. Barcelona, and the sport at large, is repeatedly in hunt of its' following Messi.' After that, still, the parallels end. Yamal, although he has delighted an immensely hopeful beginning to his Barca and Spain career, could do with molting the Messi relationship. But while his precursors were freighted by it — and have spent maximum of their careers trying and crashing to hit those tall heights — Yamal is too good in his own way.

Which Premier League player is the only one to come close to Lionel Messi? What happened during that infamous Pires-Henry penalty against Man City? Does Arteta have what it takes to go all the way at Arsenal? For the second of two episodes, Alan, Micah and Gary are joined by Premier League great, Thierry Henry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices