Sergio Ramos accepts his omission from Spain s Euro 2020 squad is for the best as he prepares for a close season of rest .
Real Madrid captain Ramos, Spain s most-capped player with 180, was the standout absentee when Luis Enrique named a 24-man party for the tournament, which begins next month.
The 35-year-old struggled with injury problems throughout 2020-21 and was restricted to 21 appearances for Madrid across all competitions, with only one of those coming since the end of March
Nevertheless, Luis Enrique s decision not to select Ramos caused surprise on Monday, particularly as he did not fill the full allocation of 26 players allowed in expanded Euro 2020 squads, nor find a spot for any other Real Madrid players.
But while there was a degree of shoc…
Lionel Messi hopes team-mate Angel Di Maria can sign off with another goal when Argentina face Colombia in Sunday s Copa America final.
Di Maria announced in November that the tournament in the United States would mark the last time he represents his country, for whom he has earned 144 caps.
The 36-year-old has played a crucial role in La Albiceleste s success in recent years, scoring the winner against Brazil in the 2021 Copa America final, while netting in the 2022 World Cup final victory over France.
Di Maria, who also scored the only goal against Nigeria in the 2008 Olympic final, continues to demonstrate his importance for Lionel Scaloni s side, playing in four of their five games en route to their sixth Copa final in eight editions.
And Messi wants …
Daniel Amartey has signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract at Leicester City, the club have confirmed.
The 23-year-old Ghana international signed from Copenhagen in January 2016 and made five top-flight appearances as Leicester completed an unlikely Premier League title triumph.
Amartey, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury sustained against West Ham in October, was previously contracted until June 2020.
I am very happy to sign this contract at Leicester City. I am a simple and easy guy. I work hard and I focus, he told LCFC TV.
By God s grace, my recovery is getting better. I was playing well and then I got this injury, but I have to be strong when I come back.
Personally, I am happy because last season I didn t get much playing…
Lionel Messi expects a difficult test against Chile as Argentina look to maintain their unbeaten start at the 2024 Copa America.
Argentina play their penultimate Group A match at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Wednesday against La Roja, having beaten Canada on matchday 1.
The Albiceleste impressed in their opener against the Canucks, registering 19 shots on goal, surpassing the combined total of 18 shots taken by Chile and Peru in the other Group A meeting.
Messi, who broke the Copa America appearance record during that match, expressed the importance of their victory in the opening game but knows his side are in for a competitive encounter with Ricardo Gareca s side.
“Yeah, we ve always known how tough the opening game is. The most import…
The Netherlands hopes of advancing to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals are hanging by a thread after a 2-1 loss to Germany on Wednesday.
A labouring Dutch outfit fell two goals behind by half-time thanks to a pair of lethal finishes from Mario Gomez, who took his tournament tally up to three, with both goals set up by Bayern Munich team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Bert Van Marwijk s men were able to improve after the break though, and pulled one back through a breathtaking strike from Robin van Persie on 73 minutes.
But despite a late surge from the Oranje, Joachim Loew s side were able to hang on and take their place at the top of Group B with six points, leaving them on the verge of qualification for the last eight.
Even if Netherlands beat Portugal in th…
Barcelona have confirmed Samuel Umtiti has extended his contract until 2023, ending speculation the defender could leave the club.
Umtiti will formally sign the five-year deal on Monday, before Barca hold a news conference.
The Catalan giants have not confirmed the new release clause in Umtiti s contract, which previously would have allowed clubs to buy the France international for a cut-price €60million.
Premier League sides Manchester United and Manchester City were among the teams reportedly ready to meet the release clause, but Barcelona will now hold on to the centre-back.
[BREAKING NEWS]
We are delighted to announce has renewed his contract at until 2023!
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)
Umtiti signed from Lyon in 2016 and he…
The 2014 World Cup participants Mexico and USA start their preparations for the tournament finals with friendly matches against Korea Republic, one of the first sides from Asia to have secured their place at the tournament in Brazil.
Mexico vs. South Korea at Alamodome, San Antonio, Jan 29, 2014.
El Tri will play the first of five warm-up matches against Taegeuk Warriors on January 29 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, making their first appearance at the venue since 2004, when they ran out 2-0 winners against Guatemala. Tickets to the high-profile friendly can be purchased here:
Following a somewhat disappointing qualifying campaign, Mexico clinched the World Cup berth by defeating New Zealand 9-3 on aggregate in the play-offs and have subsequently been drawn in…
England are into a second consecutive Euros final after another comeback win.
The Netherlands may have drawn first blood in Dortmund through Xavi Simons, but the Three Lions produced their best performance of the tournament so far to turn that around.
Harry Kane drew them level in the first half from the penalty spot, but it was Ollie Watkins who proved the hero, scoring in the 90th minute to send the England fans into raptures.
The Oranje could not have hoped for a better start to their 100th major tournament match as Simons scored the earliest semi-final goal at the Euros (seven minutes) since Alan Shearer against Germany in 1996 (third minute).
They could not hold onto their lead for long though, as Denzel Dumfries gave away a spot-kick, and Kane made …
Real Madrid are interested in signing Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2023, according to . The 29-year-old is out of contract at Tottenham in the summer of 2024 and is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, and last season’s La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners Madrid want to sign him from the Premier League club.
Kane is one of the best and most consistent strikers in the world and has been on the books of Tottenham his entire professional club football career so far. The striker has scored 15 goals and given one assist in 18 Premier League games and has scored one goal and provided two assists in six UEFA Champions League matches for Spurs so far this season.
Tottenham are aiming to finish in the top four of the Premier League table this seas…
Bonucci took home the award for the Serie A s best player. Image: EPA
was voted the best player of the 2015/2016 season last year, cementing his position as one of the best, if not the best defender in the world. cleaned up in Milan, eight players being included in the Team of the Year, and taking both best coach and best team of the year.
Story
Bonucci was originally a Viterbese player, where he stayed until he was eighteen. He was a hot prospect, and was sold to Inter for the lowly sum of €40 thousand, practically a gift. He never truly found his place with the Nerazzuri, going on loan twice in two years, to Treviso and Pisa respecively. The Italian was transferred once again, this time in a trade deal which resulted in Diego Milito and Thiago Motta coming to . Ge…