Former Barcelona, Liverpool and Argentina star Javier Mascherano has announced his retirement.
Mascherano, 36, revealed his decision on Sunday, calling it quits after 17 years as a professional.
A 147-time Argentina international – the most in the country s history – Mascherano returned to his homeland by signing with Estudiantes de La Plata in January.
After 11 appearances in all competitions for the Argentine side, including Sunday s 1-0 loss to Argentinos Juniors, Mascherano said it was time to hang up his boots.
I want to announce that today I am retiring from football professionally, he said.
I want to thank this club that gave me the opportunity to finish my career in Argentina.
Mascherano added: I have lived m…
As reported by La Republicca (via ), the man named as third-richest in the world by Forbes magazine, Bernard Arnault, is keen on buying AC Milan. What s more, he wants the current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, and the player who just won the record sixth Ballon d Or, Lionel Messi, to come and take the club on a fresh path of glory.
Guardiola and Messi worked extremely successfully together at Barcelona from 2008 to 2012, and it could be argued that the Catalan coach is the man most responsible for the rapid rise of the Argentinian, having chosen to put his faith in him rather than the likes of Ronaldinho or Samuel Eto o.
But even if Arnault completes the takeover of the seven-time European champions, it will prove a tough task to sign either Guardiola or Messi, wi…
Bayern Munich will face either Al-Duhail or Al Ahly in their Club World Cup semi-final on February 8.
The competition s draw took place on Tuesday in Zurich and confirmed European champions Bayern will tackle hosts Al-Duhail or CAF Champions League holders Al Ahly.
Al-Duhail secured their qualification as hosts by winning the Qatar Stars League in 2019-20, with no Qatari side managing to win the AFC Champions League.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly won African club football s biggest prize in November and qualified for the Club World Cup for the sixth time, having last appeared in 2013, which was also Bayern s only previous appearance.
The official draw for the 2020 is complete
Bring on 4 February!
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom)
Al-Duhail re…
Diego Simeone insists there are plenty of positives to take from Monday s 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo despite the disappointment of conceding an 89th-minute equaliser.
Los Rojiblancos looked set to restore their 10-point lead over Barcelona and Real Madrid at LaLiga s summit after a Luis Suarez brace overturned Santi Mina s opener for Celta.
They were denied a ninth consecutive top-flight win, however, when substitute Facundo Ferreyra making his debut after joining from Benfica on transfer deadline day bundled home from close range late on.
Despite that late blow, Atleti still have an eight-point lead at the top of the table and boast a game in hand on their rivals.
They are unbeaten in 22 home league games their best run in the competition since a 2…
Real Madrid still have work to do in their bid to reach the last 16 of the Champions League as they prepare for the visit of Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG are already through to the knockout stages and opponents Madrid can join them with victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.
On-loan striker Mauro Icardi has been in inspired form for the French champions since joining from Inter, scoring 10 times in 11 appearances.
The 26-year-old failed to register in the reverse fixture at the Parc des Princes – a 3-0 win for PSG in September – but he can make some history should he score on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, victory for Atletico Madrid away to Juventus will make certain of a last-16 spot with a game to spare, while Jose Mourinho takes charge of Tottenham in the Champions …
“Dear Leicester fans, after four and a half special years and with a lot of gratitude I’m bidding farewell to this incredible club,” the Belgium international said in a video on Instagram.
“From the first day I set foot on this ground, your warmth and passion embraced me.
“Victory and triumph, love, hope and even defeat, we’ve shared many special moments together.
“I am forever grateful for your unwavering support, thank you to Khun Top, the board, the staff, the players and fans for having given me and my family a home.
“This is not a goodbye, but a heartfelt farewell. With pride, love and eternal gratitude, Youri Tielemans.”
…
Cristiano Ronaldo has been tipped by John O Shea to one day manage Portugal once he brings an end to his playing career.
The five-time Ballon d Or winner is part of Portugal s squad for Euro 2024, which they kick off with a match against Czech Republic next Tuesday.
Ronaldo will take part in his 13th major international tournament and what could be his last given he will be 41 by the time of the next World Cup.
Despite his age, Ronaldo continues to score regularly for Al Nassr at club level and also netted 10 times in Euro 2024 qualifying.
When the forward does eventually hang up his boots, however, former Manchester United team-mate O Shea can see him moving into coaching.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday s friendly with Portugal, Republic of Ireland in…
Borussia Dortmund victory ´a big moment for the club´ – Van Bronckhorst salutes Rangers´ Europa Leag
Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst saluted his players as they sent Borussia Dortmund crashing out of the Europa League, describing the 6-4 aggregate victory as a big moment for the club.
Leading 4-2 after a stunning first-leg performance at Signal Iduna Park, the reigning Scottish Premiership champions endured a tense second leg at Ibrox.
Despite James Tavernier s first-half penalty, Jude Bellingham and Donyell Malen reduced the aggregate deficit to a single goal before the break.
Indeed, Malen might have dragged Dortmund level in the tie, but Tavernier drilled in his second just before the hour mark, ultimately booking the hosts place in the last-16 draw despite Rangers having a third disallowed after a VAR check.
It is a big moment for the cl…
Charlotte FC boss Dean Smith believes “mentality” is the main issue for sides daunted by away trips.
Smith takes his team to face the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, with Charlotte having taken just one point from their five away games in MLS so far this season.
But Smith struggles to see why there is such a difference in confidence between home and away fixtures.
“Mentality,” said Smith when asked what the issue was.
“I believe some people, before they even leave, have accepted it’s going to be tougher. The only reason it’s tougher is because that’s in your head. Yes, you’ve got to travel, you haven’t got home fans or home advantage, but the pitches are still the same size, you’ve still got to get into your box and score a goal, and they…
European club football s main event is almost here, with two bona fide giants of the game set to face off at the Stade de France on Saturday.
Either Real Madrid or Liverpool will be crowned champions of Europe in Paris; whichever team manages it will be providing their fans with a glorious end to a tremendous season.
Of course, Madrid did what Liverpool could not on the domestic front, as Los Blancos head into this game as LaLiga champions – the Reds ultimately missed out to Manchester City on the last day of the Premier League campaign.
But this has still been a successful season for Jurgen Klopp s side, who could yet claim a treble having already lifted the EFL Cup and FA Cup in England.
It promises to be an immense spectacle, with Opta s pre-matc…