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United States Men's National Team legends Landon Donovan and Tim Howard talk about potential under-the-radar players that can help the USMNT with a big summer. @Coca-Cola x @Carnival

The Croatian star recalled his debut against Argentina and highlighted one of his toughest opponents. Leer

Manchester United have not played Champions League football in nearly three years. Meanwhile, West Ham United have been Premier League ever-presents since promotion in 2012. However, seeing Arsenal…

United States Men's National Team legends Landon Donovan and Tim Howard talk about youth development in the United States compared to the rest of the world.

Frisco, Texas, is Sports City USA. Here, business and sports are a winning combination, creating unparalleled opportunities. The post Frisco, Texas, is Built for the Big Leagues appeared first on SportsEvents Magazine.

As many as six Tottenham Hotspur players should noticeably improve as a result of Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment. That’s the view of talkSPORT’s Inside Spurs panel, who believe th…

The 2026 World Cup is only two months away but fans are already bracing themselves for travel chaos and cost

ARSENAL defender Riccardo Calafiori hopes winning silverware with the Gunners can cure his World Cup heartbreak. Calafiori squandered the chance to qualify for this summer’s World Cup after Italy were beaten by Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-offs last week. The left-back was hurt by that - but he has had no time to dwell...

Set to face Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, Raphinha will be a major absence for FC Barcelona. Barcelona host Atletico Madrid in a high-stakes first leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie at Spotify Camp Nou. While fans will be hoping to see every available star on the pitch, Raphinha‘s absence from the squad has raised questions ahead of the match. Raphinha will not feature against Atletico Madrid due to injury. The winger suffered a tear in the biceps femoris of his right leg while representing Brazil in their friendly against France during the March international break on the 26th, and has been sidelined ever since. The timing could hardly be worse for both the player and the club, with Raphinha expected to be out for a minimum of five weeks. Under that recovery timeline, the Brazilian will miss both legs of the Atletico Madrid tie as well as Barcelona’s next four La Liga fixtures. According to Mundo Deportivo, head coach Hansi Flick is targeting El Clásico on Sunday, May 10, as the date Raphinha could return to action. Should Barcelona maintain their winning form up to that point, a victory over Real Madrid could clinch the 2025-26 La Liga title with three games to spare, making it a significant moment for the winger to make his comeback. Raphinha got injured playing for Brazil FIFA to reimburse Barcelona Currently sitting atop the La Liga table with 76 points and still alive in the Champions League, Raphinha’s injury has prompted Barcelona to direct their frustration toward FIFA. As reported by Diario Sport, the governing body will be compensating the club for the duration of his absence. Re-elected president Joan Laporta aired his grievances with Món Esport over the situation: “In some way, we should demand that FIFA create an international calendar that takes into account the competitions of the most important clubs. It’s true that when one of your best players gets injured in a friendly match between France and Brazil in the United States, it is very frustrating. The problem is the congested fixture list, especially at this point in the season when we are playing for everything. It is exasperating!” Under FIFA’s established compensation framework, clubs receive a daily payment of 20,548 euros, applicable for a maximum of 365 days and capped at 7.5 million euros per player. With Raphinha projected to miss approximately five weeks, reports indicate Barcelona stand to receive around 143,836 euros in reimbursement.

The performance of Manuel Neuer with Bayern Munich against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League has sparked debate in Germany over whether he should be part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals was built, in part, on Manuel Neuer’s performance. That put the veteran goalkeeper back in the spotlight, fueling debate over whether he should return to the Germany national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “This version of Neuer is world-class; he belongs in the national team,” said legend Lothar Matthaus after the match, according to Marca. He also sent a message to the Germany head coach: “I hope Nagelsmann watched the match. I would love to see Neuer in this kind of form at the World Cup… but I also know that won’t happen. Nagelsmann won’t open that door.” That push comes nearly two years after Neuer’s retirement from international soccer. He chose to close that chapter of his career following Germany’s elimination from UEFA Euro 2024 in the quarterfinals against Spain. In that way, the goalkeeper said goodbye to Germany after 15 years, having first been called up in 2009. During that span, he played in four World Cups and four European Championships, and won the sport’s biggest prize at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final. In total, he made 124 international appearances and recorded 54 clean sheets. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. “The best players have to go to the World Cup, and Manu is by far the best goalkeeper in the world,” said former star Benedikt Howedes, who was Neuer’s teammate at the 2014 World Cup. Even a current Germany and Bayern Munich player, Aleksandar Pavlovic, shared his view: “I would never say no to Manu, no matter his age. He is still an exceptional goalkeeper.” What did Neuer say about a possible return to Germany? Those calls for Manuel Neuer’s return to the Germany national team generated enough speculation that the 40-year-old goalkeeper addressed the topic himself after the match against Real Madrid in the Champions League. “Everything has already been said about it,” Neuer replied when asked about a potential appearance at the 2026 World Cup. Instead, he chose to focus on his club objectives: “What matters now is finishing the rest of the season with Bayern. I’m enjoying my time with the team, at the club, with the coaching staff. It’s true that I’m 40 years old, but I’m still here.” How have Germany replaced Neuer? Since Manuel Neuer’s international retirement, Julian Nagelsmann has been forced to test different options in goal for Germany. Over the past two years, the coach has used three different goalkeepers in official matches and friendlies. The most-used has been Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann, with a total of 11 appearances. Behind him is Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has managed just four matches due to injury issues during his time with Barcelona, which have also kept him sidelined at Girona. The third goalkeeper selected by Nagelsmann is Stuttgart’s Alexander Nubel, who has featured in three matches.

Should he return to the national team for the upcoming 2026 World Cup? The goalkeeper made his position clear. Leer

Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win against Real Madrid on Tuesday marked Vincent Kompany’s 100th game as head coach of the club, and the result perfectly encapsulated all that Kompany has built at Bayern since taking over in the summer of 2024.

Win over Sporting comes after back-to-back cup defeats ‘It’s been tough but that’s the beauty of football’ After everything Riccardo Calafiori has been through over the past couple of weeks, Tuesday night was exactly what he needed. The Italy defender was still buzzing from Kai Havertz’s late winning goal against Sporting in the first leg of Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final when he reflected on a fortnight during which his club suffered successive defeats either side of the Azzurri again failing to qualify for the World Cup. “It’s been tough, but that is the beauty of football: it is 100% better now,” Calafiori said, before reflecting first on Saturday’s shock FA Cup loss at Southampton, then on the wider pain of the period. “This chance to play three days later rather than just stay home and think about it [was welcome]. Of course I’m really disappointed, but I’ve got a lot to play for with Arsenal.”

Manchester United assistant manager Steve Holland has insisted the club have their eyes on more than just Champions League qualification going into the final few weeks of the season.

You never know where a goal is going to come from. The Kansas City Current’s equalizer on Saturday began with a throw-in, was unlocked through one sublime pass that switched the point of attack and finished off by an aggressive runner taking advantage of a defense pulled apart. Gotham was utilizing their usual defensive pressure […]

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! While Arsenal were busy Arsenaling their way to a worthy but dull Bigger Cup quarter-final first leg win at Sporting on Tuesday, the players of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich released the collective handbrake and performed many high-speed donuts, wheel spins and Rockfords as a pleasing counterpoint to the careful mirror-signal-manoeuvring on display at Lisbon’s Estádio José Alvalade. Like a couple of stolen supercars racing each other around a shopping mall in The Fast and the Furious: Bicester Village, these two European heavyweights massively committed to the bit, not unlike a daily football email bogged down in a laboured motoring metaphor. “When I see the chances we had, that has to give us confidence that we can score more goals,” whooped Vincent Kompany following a hi-octane Bernabéu white-knuckle ride from which his team emerged deserving winners, even if it was their 40-year-old goalkeeper who took home the gong for player of the match. A doff of the Romanian cap to the great Mircea Lucescu. As a player, he captained his national team against World Cup holders England and eventual World Cup winners Brazil at the tournament in 1970, after which Pelé wanted to exchange shirts with him. And, as a manager, apart from all his domestic success, he was the first manager to get Romania to qualify for the Euros in 1984 and nearly led a poor Romania team to the World Cup in 2026, a couple of weeks ago, while very sick. What a football man, what a tremendous football man …” – Noble Francis. Interesting to see the report about Nike’s new Geopolitics World Cup kits bunching up ridiculously at the shoulder seams. You never got problems like that back in my day, principally because, on the massively oversized kits of the 90s, the shoulder seam was positioned halfway down the arm. The tendency of these kits to make even professional athletes look like Sunday pub league players is exemplified by the photo of Blackburn’s relegated 1999 team in today’s edition of The Knowledge – an effect amplified by the fact one of them seems to have been playing in tracksuit bottoms, and another in sliders” – Phil Taverner. After being emotionally blackmailed into running the LLHM by my friend and broadcasting colleague Max Rushden, I began training in late October. Having done little or no exercise beyond nimbly climbing on and off bar stools for almost 30 years, I was heroically unfit and literally couldn’t jog 100 metres without stopping to catch my breath. Reader – I had bitten off more than I could chew. At the start line I will be 53 years old and I remain overweight despite all my training. I still drink too much and have resigned myself to the fact that I won’t win the race, but I plan to enjoy a unique day. If you’d like to add to the already huge sum raised, every little helps. It would be absolutely magic to hit the £60,000 mark before race day. With that in mind, please give anything you can, safe in the knowledge that I’ll be enduring a world of pain to try to alleviate that of that experienced by so many wonderful and brave kids.” Donate here.

Harry Kane’s 49th goal of the season helped Bayern Munich to victory in the Bernabeu. Luis Diaz and Michael Olise played a starring support role. With a front three to be feared - are Vincent Kompany’s side the best in Europe? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Carl Anka & Seb Stafford-Bloor Producers: Guy Clarke, Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to big stages, this continent is always well represented by historic national teams such as Brazil, Argentina or Uruguay… but this time, there seems to be room for surprises. Over the last few years, the CONMEBOL campaign for the World Cup has been very competitive. In fact, four of the six… The post South America: The Place of the Dark Horses for the 2026 World Cup first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

There is a concept in ancient Stoic philosophy called Amor Fati. Love of fate. The idea that a person of true character does not merely tolerate what the world throws at them. They do not grit their teeth and endure it. They embrace it. They walk toward the fire and find it warm. Marcus Aurelius… The post Lamine Yamal: The Boy Who Skipped the Development Curve first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Paulo Fonseca arrived in Lyon after a negative experience at AC Milan, one that was not entirely his fault, but rather the fault of a nonexistent club, one of the worst in AC Milan’s history, and of a number of players who had never been with him from the start. Despite having proven himself a… The post How Paulo Fonseca got his groove back at Lyon first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

When Gary Lineker compared Rio Ngumoha to Kylian Mbappé, it felt like familiar territory — another wave of early hype surrounding a promising teenager. However, this comparison points to something more precise — not output or raw numbers, but profile. And within Liverpool’s current tactical phase under Arne Slot, that profile is not just exciting… The post Rio Ngumoha and the Mbappé Comparison — Why Liverpool’s Teenager Matters Now first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

As the final whistle blew on Sunday 25th January there was relief, passion and a very happy fanbase. Genoa came back from 2-0 down at home to Bologna in a crazy game, Bologna had goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski sent off for a final man challenge. That red card changed the complexion of the game. Just over… The post Genoa CFC Flourishing Under Daniele De Rossi first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

“I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was: man is but an ass, if he go about to expound this dream.” – William Shakespeare Let me ask you something: A Brazilian talent, born in the favelas, who managed to rise from deep poverty and reach the… The post Ronaldinho – A Midsummer Night’s Dream first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Denzel Dumfries’ journey at Inter Milan has never been short of drama, drive, and decisive moments. Since arriving in 2021, the Dutch right wing-back has faced scrutiny and praise in equal measure. But the 2024–25 season was arguably his most complete and defining campaign yet — a year that combined physical dominance, tactical maturity, and… The post Denzel Dumfries: The Relentless Engine Powering Inter’s Right Flank first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest of its kind as it will be hosted over three countries for the first time in history, featuring 48 teams from the six football federations, an increase of 16 countries from the regular format of 32 nations that has been in place since 1998. The… The post Newcomers and Second Appearances: What to Expect in the 2026 World Cup first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Shumaira Zion “Shim” Mheuka is an 18-year-old forward who is establishing himself as a prospect to watch at Chelsea. He is a striker and a step up as captain for the U21s, and an all-around elite goal scorer. He has the technical ability, physicality, and mature mentality that are often lacking at the youth football… The post Shim Mheuka: Chelsea’s Newest Homegrown Hope first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Florian Wirtz has opened up on his difficult start to life at Liverpool, but the Germany international believes he is now a better player for the experience at Anfield

England and three other footballing nations are set for a historic swap. The Three Lions, along with Brazil, Germany and Italy are getting ready to trade Panini for Fanatics when it comes to exclus…

IT is supposed to be Wrexham who have the Hollywood ending, given their glitzy owners. Or world-renowned Arsenal, for that matter. But in a week where Southampton have beaten both those headline-grabbing sides, it is the South-Coast sleeping giants who are putting together a truly gripping season finale. Directing it all is a young man...

CARLO ANCELOTTI is eyeing a World Cup trophy with Brazil this summer - but win or lose, the legendary boss will have a dog by his side named after a former Brazil international. The tactician named his pooch after former Chelsea striker Alexandre Pato after the pair built a strong relationship when they worked together...

The Women's World Cup is barely more than a year away and USWNT coach Emma Hayes needs to use every match to answer some important questions.

A football-mad sportsman has been dubbed the unluckiest fan in the world after his beloved Liverpool FC failed to win any of the six Premier League matches he watched this year

A Liverpool fan has been dubbed the unluckiest supporter in the UK after his team failed to win every Premier League match he watched this season - with data proving the curse

The team need to stage a heroic and unlikely comeback in Munich Leer

Borussia Dortmund plans for next season are already well under way. In an interview with German outlet Sport Bild, BVB managing director for sport Lars Ricken discussed the club's strategy to replace the outgoing Julian Brandt and whether former star Jadon Sancho could return for a third stint to fill the void.

He wasn't having any of it...

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has named the 'best team in the world' after the Champions League quarter-finals got underway.

LEGENDARY right-back Philipp Lahm made a low-key appearance at Bayern Munich's Champions League clash last night. The German giants faced 15-time European champions Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Lahm, 42, appeared to be in amongst the home support as he was surrounded by Real Madrid fans. He watched his former club prevail in the first...

The 26-year-old Argentina forward looks set for a decisive few months, beginning with a Champions League quarter-final at Barcelona

Arsenal qualified for next season's Champions League after England secured one of the two European Performance Spots due to their current UEFA coefficient points

The President of the United States of America has form when it comes to touching trophies he shouldn't

Next month marks 10 years since Louis van Gaal was brutally sacked as Manchester United manager despite guiding the club to FA Cup glory.

PATRICE EVRA thinks he's more successful now than he ever was on the pitch. The Frenchman enjoyed a trophy-laden eight years at Manchester United during his playing days. Eva, 44, won five Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008. He left Old Trafford in 2014 and went on to have spells with Juventus,...

The former Liverpool defender risked the wrath of iconic manager Jurgen Klopp following his move from their Champions League opponents PSG

Slot has repeatedly waxed lyrical about Liverpool’s tie with Paris Saint-Germain from last season - but with the Reds in dire straits, the sequel threatens to be far more painful

Arsenal's recent wobble has plenty on onlookers wishing for another Premier League collapse as the Gunners seek to finally get over the line under Mikel Arteta

Mexico-based attacker Alex Zendejas wasn't called up by U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettini last month for the Atlanta friendlies, but he showed up 250 miles north to captain Club America. The post B.J. Callaghan praises Alex Zendejas, the Club America captain omitted from the USMNT’s March camp appeared first on Soccer America.

Two Mexican strikers are dominating the global scoring race ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Leer