Saint-Etienne have been left frustrated by Arsenal's demands over a loan extension of defender William Saliba.
Tuesday, 30 June 2020
Setien won't apologise to Griezmann for late sub
Barcelona coach Quique Setien said bringing Antoine Griezmann on earlier against Atletico Madrid risked "destabilising" the team.
Transfer Talk: Arsenal may use Guendouzi in summer swap deal
Matteo Guendouzi's time in London could be coming to an end, with reports saying that Arsenal are open to a swap deal. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Messi hits 700 but Barcelona title hopes dwindle further
Leo Messi reached another milestone, but Barcelona gave up more leads against Atletico. Real Madrid lead La Liga by one point, with the game in hand and the head-to-head advantage.
Solskjaer hails 'special talent' Greenwood after win
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hailed Mason Greenwood as a "special talent" after the teenager helped Manchester United beat Brighton 3-0.
Messi joins Ronaldo, Pele, others in 700-goal club
Lionel Messi joined a select group. What's more, he did it more than 100 games faster than you-know-who.
Fernandes, Greenwood star in easy win at Brighton
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men were rarely troubled as they extended their unbeaten run to 15 games.
LIVE: Barcelona face must-win against Atletico
A penalty gave Lionel Messi his 700th career goal, but Barcelona desperately need a win against Atletico. Real Madrid are two points clear in La Liga and in possession of the head-to-head advantage.
Messi scores 700th goal for club and country
Lionel Messi converted a second-half penalty to reach yet another milestone.
LIVE: Man United face away test at Brighton
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will go within three points of third in the Premier League with a win and are unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions, but United have lost their last two at Brighton.
Sources: Sane leaving Man City for Bayern
Bayern Munich have agreed to a deal to sign Leroy Sane from Manchester City, sources have told ESPN.
Schalke chief forced out after '19 racist remarks
Schalke 044 head of board Clemens Tonnies has stepped down after weeks of fan pressure.
CAF postpones AFCON until 2022 due to virus
Next January's Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon has been postponed by one year and will now take place in 2022, CAF has announced.
Sources: Napoli confident of €100m double signing
The offer made by the Serie A club is split €70m for Victor Osimhen and €30m for Gabriel, which meets Lille's asking price.
Werner, Ziyech to train separately on Chelsea arrival
Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner officially join on Wednesday respectively but are ineligible for the rest of the campaign due to registration rules.
Moyes, Messi, Iniesta: Ranking the longest contracts signed in football
We look at the lengthiest contracts ever signed in football and how, with the added benefit of hindsight, they rank in terms of investment value.
Liverpool title party 'got out of hand' - PL chief
The chief executive of the Premier League, said the celebrations of Liverpool supporters was a society issue.
Liverpool guard of honour 'nonsense' - Murphy
Former Liverpool man Danny Murphy said it is "nonsense" for Manchester City to give the newly crowned Premier League champions a guard of honour.
Barca teen Jurado leaves to join Man United
Barcelona youngster Marc Jurado has confirmed his departure from the Catalan club after running down his contract ahead of a move to Man United.
Liverpool loanee Awoniyi grateful to be alive
Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi, while at Mainz, clashed heads with Augsburg's Felix Udoakhai and lost consciousness before hitting the ground.
English TV comms shows racial bias - study
Television commentators praise players with lighter skin as more intelligent and hardworking than those with darker skin, a study showed.
Why Dortmund's Haaland shouldn't rush his next big move
Erling Haaland began 2019-20 in obscurity. Now he's a household name. And with a tested development path at Dortmund, he's only going to get better.
Ranking soccer's all-time top 101 kits
With the help of ESPN's soccer writers and editors from around the globe, we have gone through the years to rank the 101 greatest kits ever.
Premier League games with no fans: How players, coaches cope with the silence
"It has less charm to play with no fans!" It's weird watching soccer without fans, but it's weirder still for the players.
Monday, 29 June 2020
Klopp: Liverpool to look 'internally,' not spend big
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he does not expect to spend heavily in the transfer window ahead of next season.
Derby's Wisdom in hospital after robbery stabbing
Derby County defender Andre Wisdom is currently in hospital after being stabbed during a robbery in Liverpool, the English second-tier club said.
U.S.'s Miazga suspended three matches for fight
American Matt Miazga will be suspended for Reading's next three matches after getting into a fight with Derby's Tom Lawrence following a 2-1 loss.
Transfer Talk: Chelsea prepared to offer Man Utd's Gomes 'persuasive' contract
Chelsea are preparing a "persuasive" contract offer for 19-year-old Angel Gomes once his Man United contract expires. Transfer Talk has the latest.
No 'divine right' for Martial, Rashford places - Ole
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warned Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial they will have to continue improving to keep their places.
Barcelona swapping Arthur for Pjanic was a business move but for all the wrong reasons
Arthur was supposed to be the "next Xavi" for Barcelona but now he's a Juve player, all in the name of balancing the books. Why would Barca do this?
Liverpool should relax after Premier League win, breaking down Barca's Pjanic deal, Inter still in Serie A title race
Liverpool have clinched their first league title in 30 years and still have records to break, though they'd be best served prepping for next season.
New plan wants more minority coaches in England
English football launched a placement program on Monday to assist players from ethnic minority backgrounds moving into coaching.
No fans at Champions League Final 8 - health chief
Portugal's health secretary on Monday stated that no fans will be at the upcoming Champions League games in the country.
Arthur joins Juve from Barcelona for €70m
Barcelona midfielder Arthur has joined Juventus in a transfer worth up to €82 million, with Miralem Pjanic set to move in the other direction.
Buffon, 42, signs one-year extension at Juve
Gianluigi Buffon has signed a one-year extension at Juventus at the age of 42, the club announced on Monday.
Nike releases new Premier League ball: Groove is in the heart
'A Revolution in Football Aerodynamics' the new Nike Flight ball will be used in the Premier League next season and it's groovy.
Dest: I want to play with Ronaldo, Messi
Ajax and U.S. men's national (USMNT) defender Sergino Dest has said he wants to be the most expensive full-back in the world.
Predicting the Premier League battle for Europe: Wolves in; Spurs and Arsenal miss out
Liverpool may be champions but the 2019-20 season is still on course for a dramatic race in pursuit of Champions League qualification.
FA confirm job cuts to cover £300m black hole
The FA has announced it is cutting 124 roles as chairman Greg Clarke warned of the "immense" impact of the coronavirus creating a £300m blackhole.
Sources: Barca players turning on Setien
Barcelona manager Quique Setien's relationship with his players is already showing signs of straining.
Solskjaer: Angel Gomes likely to leave
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said he is expecting Angel Gomes to leave the club.
Inter yet to agree Sanchez loan extension
Inter Milan have yet to agree terms with Manchester United to extend the loan deal of Alexis Sanchez for the remainder of the campaign.
Sources: Inter to sign Achraf Hakimi from Madrid
Inter sign Achraf Hakimi from Real Madrid after Dortmund loan
Robben returns, but which other soccer stars came out of retirement?
Arjen Robben has come out of retirement with boyhood club Groningen, but should he consider how others have fared before lacing up his boots again?
Sunday, 28 June 2020
Brazil on a collision course with football's fight against coronavirus
Brazil, and Rio football, is choosing to be an outrider in the way it deals with the coronavirus.
Robbie Fowler parts ways with Brisbane Roar
Brisbane Roar have confirmed that Robbie Fowler will no longer coach the A-League side.
Benzema backheel better than Guti's - Zidane
Karim Benzema's classy backheel assist in Real Madrid's win prompted Zinedine Zidane to compare it to those of former playmaker Guti.
Transfer Talk: Inter Milan consider Skriniar swap for Man City's Aguero
Manchester City are mulling a deal to send record scorer Sergio Aguero to Inter Milan for defender Milan Skriniar. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Real Madrid take La Liga control after win
Real Madrid beat Espanyol 1-0 on Sunday to wrestle control of the La Liga race from Barcelona.
Sterling 8/10 as Man City reach FA Cup semis
Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne scored the goals as Man City cruised into the FA Cup semifinals with a 2-0 win over Newcastle.
Lampard lambasts Chelsea's 'bad' first half
"We haven't played that badly since I've been back, we were fortunate at halftime that it was 0-0," Chelsea boss Frank Lampard said.
FA Cup semis: Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea learn fates
Manchester United will square off with Chelsea as the draw for the FA Cup semifinals was revealed on Sunday.
Ings double dents Watford survival chances
Watford were dealt a blow in their bid to avoid relegation after they lost 3-1 at home to Southampton.
Pulisic 8/10 as Chelsea reach FA Cup semis
Ross Barkley's goal was the difference in Chelsea's FA Cup quarterfinal at Leicester, but it was Christian Pulisic who again starred for the Blues.
LIVE: Man City visit Newcastle for a place in FA Cup semis
Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have already qualified for the FA Cup final four. Can Manchester City join their fellow Big Six sides after a quarterfinal date at Newcastle?
Barkley sends Chelsea into FA Cup last four
Ross Barkley's second half strike sent Chelsea through to the FA Cup semifinals with a 1-0 win at Leicester City on Sunday.
LIVE: Leicester face Chelsea for place in FA Cup semis
Leicester City have struggled to find their form, while Chelsea have returned from the hiatus with back-to-back wins. Can the Foxes find their mojo at the King Power?
Arsenal can't allow another FA Cup run to obscure the need for overhaul
Arsenal have needed change for years, but FA Cup wins in 2014, 2015 and 2017 left the club complacent. Now into the semis, that can't happen again.
U.S. star Konrad signs new Barca deal until 2022
United States youth international Konrad de la Fuente has signed a new contract with Barcelona, committing his future to the club until 2022.
Robben refuses to rule out Netherlands return
Arjen Robben has refused to rule out returning to play for Netherlands after announcing a u-turn on his decision to retire from football.
Sources: Virus threatens Leicester home games
Leicester City could be forced to play their remaining three Premier League home games at a neutral venue away, sources have told ESPN.
LIVE: Sheffield United take on Arsenal in FA Cup
Arsenal travel to Sheffield United with a place in the FA Cup semifinals at stake. Mesut Ozil is again missing for the Gunners with an injury.
Pulisic can reach Salah, Sterling level - Lampard
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has said Christian Pulisic has the talent to reach the level of Mohamed Salah and Raheem Sterling.
Saturday, 27 June 2020
Transfer Talk: Manchester United inching closer to Villa's Grealish
The ongoing saga surrounding Jack Grealish's possible move to Manchester United is edging closer to resolution. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Norwich needed "cup magic" from fans in Man United defeat
Man United scraped past struggling Norwich in the FA Cup and in doing so, they exposed just how much of the "cup magic" was missing without fans.
Maguire, Ighalo lead Man United into FA Cup semifinals
Ighalo and Maguire scored the goals that put Man United into the FA Cup semifinals, but it was hard going for a tired side at Norwich.
Suarez 7/10 but Barca lose ground in title race
Luis Suarez turned in a typically busy performance but Barca's away struggles saw them settle for a point and lose ground to rivals Real Madrid.
LIVE: Can Man United avoid FA Cup trap?
Harry Maguire starts for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side as they visit Norwich City in the FA Cup quarterfinal. Will the giants advance? Follow LIVE with ESPN.
From Cardiff to Man City to Schalke, Rabbi Matondo is just getting started
Schalke's Rabbi Matondo is one of the top young stars in the Bundesliga. At just 19 years old, his work on and off the pitch speaks for itself.
Robben out of retirement, joins Groningen
Former Netherlands international Arjen Robben has announced that he has come out of retirement to play for Eredivise side FC Groningen.
LIVE: Messi continues pursuit of 700th goal
Lionel Messi & Co. need a win at Celta Vigo to remain in the hunt for another La Liga title. (He's also one shy of 700 career goals.) Barca are level on points with rivals Real Madrid after 31 of 38 games. Follow LIVE with ESPN.
Klopp: BVB's Sancho would look good in red
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has said it would be good to see Jadon Sancho in red but is unsure whether a deal can be completed this summer.
Zidane on Madrid job: It wears you out
Zinedine Zidane has admitted the Real Madrid job "wears you out," saying he has no desire to coach for another 20 years.
Wolves look to close on top four
Relegation-threatened Aston Villa host Wolves in a midlands derby which could see the visitors move within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea.
Liverpool slam 'unacceptable' fans after title win
Liverpool condemn fans who defied social distancing rules to celebrate the club's first league title in 30 years.
Pogba, Fernandes can shine at United - Carrick
Michael Carrick has told ESPN that Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes can thrive together in the heart of Manchester United's midfield.
Top U19 transfer targets: Haaland, Bellingham, Gilmour and more
With clubs looking for young and younger players in a bid to save money, we take a look at 10 of the most in-demand teenagers in Europe.
Friday, 26 June 2020
Transfer Talk: Koulibaly closing in on dream Manchester City move
Kalidou Koulibaly has reportedly dreamed of working under Pep Guardiola, and that dream appears about to come true as he nears a move to Man City.
Ole awaits Utd transfer funds, hails Pogba
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is waiting for clarification on the size of Manchester United's summer transfer budget.
LIVE: Juventus aim to take control of Serie A
After Lazio were beaten in midweek, Juventus can go seven points clear with a win over struggling Lecce. Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala are among the home side's starters.
Why Liverpool's excellence under Jurgen Klopp defies conventional wisdom
What Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have accomplished together is not only incredible, but also perhaps impossible for another club to emulate.
Arteta warns Arsenal amid Guendouzi rift
Mikel Arteta has warned his Arsenal squad he only wants players ready to "jump on the boat" amid speculation Matteo Guendouzi is prepared to leave.
Carrick teaches the way forward, on and off the pitch
Like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick enjoyed a Man Utd golden era. Now a coach, his experience & knowledge are proving invaluable at the club.
How Benzema has thrived for Madrid since Ronaldo left
Karim Benzema has always been underrated at Real Madrid, but since Cristiano Ronaldo left for Juventus, the French striker has shown his brilliance.
Klopp: Title win is just the start for Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp has vowed to use Liverpool's remarkable history to galvanise his squad.
Immobile leading Lazio's title challenge to prove he belongs among football's elite
Ciro Immobile's nomadic career has fueled his detractors, but his Golden Shoe form has Lazio threatening to end Juve's stranglehold on Serie A.
Sources: Arsenal eyeing Porto midfielder Danilo
Arsenal are tracking Porto's Danilo Pereira and plan to explore the possibility of a summer move in the coming weeks, sources have told ESPN.
Which records have title winners Liverpool broken and what's left?
Liverpool sealed the Premier League title on Thursday night without kicking a ball, and they have done it with records tumbling.
Klopp is 'greatest' like Muhammad Ali - BVB chief
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has praised the club's former coach Jurgen Klopp and said he is the "Muhammad Ali of football."
Liverpool title in 'hurt' - Man Utd boss Solskjaer
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said it "hurt" to watch Liverpool end their 30-year title drought.
Police warn Liverpool fans as thousands celebrate
Police have warned Liverpool fans to remember coronavirus regulations after thousands of fans turned up at Anfield on Thursday.
Pulisic, Chelsea down City as Liverpool clinch
Christian Pulisic scored for Chelsea in a 2-1 win over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Thursday in the Premier League.
Premier League big guns all want the FA Cup; would an Arsenal loss be a shock?
After a three-month layoff, the FA Cup returns on Saturday, with Man City and three other Big Six clubs out to book their place in the final four.
Bale and Zidane at breaking point: 'It's personal'
ESPN's Insider Notebook has news of Gareth Bale's bitter battle with Zinedine Zidane. Plus: Man City are looking for a Leroy Sane replacement.
Liverpool are Premier League champions, but are they the best ever?
The 2019-20 season will be remembered for the coronavirus outbreak, but Liverpool are champions. How does the title rate among those of their peers?
Thursday, 25 June 2020
Australia calls England's WWC snub 'disrespectful'
FFA chief James Johnson said England's decision to vote against the trans-Tasman bid for the 2023 Women's World Cup was "disrespectful".
Klopp on Liverpool's title: 'Best thing I could ever imagine"
Jurgen Klopp called winning the Premier League with Liverpool "unbelievable," while defender Virgil van Dijk said the team had gone "to a different level" after winning last season's Champions League.
Transfer Talk: Liverpool make bid for Wolves speedster Traore
Liverpool are looking to add another burst of pace to an already devastating attack in Wolves' Adama Traore. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Pulisic, Willian help Chelsea expose Man City weakness
Man City's calamitous defending cost them once more, as Christian Pulisic and Willian earned Chelsea a win and Liverpool the Premier League title.
Player loan terminated due to TikTok use
Roma forward Mirko Antonucci has seen his loan terminated with Portuguese side Vitoria Setubal due to an over-use of the social media TikTok.
8/10 Pulisic helps Chelsea's top four hopes, and Liverpool
U.S. star Christian Pulisic scored again and Willian coolly converted the winning penalty as Chelsea overcame Man City with a 2-1 win.
Liverpool end 30-year wait to win league title
Liverpool end their 30-year wait for a topflight title after being crowned Premier League champions.
LIVE: Chelsea host Man City as Liverpool watch on
While Chelsea need a win to boost their top four hopes, anything less than victory for Man City will see Liverpool crowned Premier League champions. Christian Pulisic starts for the hosts.
Xhaka 8/10 as Arsenal claim much-needed win
Arsenal picked up a much-needed win over Southampton with some good line-up choices by Mikel Arteta and an imperious display from Granit Xhaka.
Dortmund sign PSG right-back Meunier for free
Borussia Dortmund have signed Paris Saint-Germain right-back Thomas Meunier on a free transfer.
LIVE: Struggling Arsenal visit Southampton
Matteo Guendouzi has been dropped by Arsenal, who are 11th and have lost back-to-back games since the Premier League resumed and visit a Southampton side just three points below them.
Sneijder: Vodka was my best friend at Real Madrid
Former Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder reveals his "rock-and-roll" lifestyle during his time at Real Madrid in his new autobiography.
Australia, NZ to host 2023 Women's World Cup
Australia and New Zealand have beaten Colombia to win the bid to host the 2023 Women's World Cup.
From Les Mis to Leeds: How Broadway is bringing the noise to English soccer
While football is back, without the sounds of fans in the stands, something is missing. Leeds and QPR are working to bring back that atmosphere.
How Ronaldo made it in Manchester, became a Madrid and Juve goal machine
Cristiano Ronaldo has been a dominant force in England, Spain and Italy during his illustrious career. But how has his playing style altered?
BVB want to tie Reyna down for long-term deal
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said the club want to keep United States teen Giovanni Reyna at the club for "as long as possible."
La Liga kid Romero joins youngest debutants in Europe's top leagues, clubs
After becoming La Liga's youngest player, Luka Romero joins the record-breakers in Europe's top five divisions and the continent's biggest clubs.
Lampard: Sterling manager comparison wrong
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has dismissed Manchester City's Raheem Sterling's claim that white managers have an easier path in the Premier League.
Vinicius is delivering on the promise he showed in Brazil
Many thought Real Madrid took a big gamble on Vinicius when they bought him in 2017. Now, the Brazil prodigy is beginning to show his worth.
Leeds remove cutout of bin Laden from stands
Leeds United have removed a cardboard cutout of former al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden from Elland Road, British media have reported.
Wednesday, 24 June 2020
Real's Ramos slams La Liga conspiracy 'noise'
Sergio Ramos blasted the "noise" surrounding Real Madrid's title bid, saying talk of referees helping out the La Liga leaders is "imagining things."
Title within Liverpool's reach, but COVID-19 denies celebrations
As Liverpool moved within two points of their first league title in 30 years, Anfield was a ghost town, as COVID-19 kept celebrations to a minimum.
Mallorca player, 15, youngest to play in La Liga
Luka Romero became the youngest player to ever play in La Liga on Wednesday when he came on for Mallorca during their game against Real Madrid.
Transfer Talk: Barca eye PSG's Cavani if Lautaro chase falters
If their chase for Inter's Lautaro Martinez falters, Barcelona are keen on outgoing PSG star Edinson Cavani. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Vinicius 8/10 as Madrid avenge Mallorca defeat
Vincius was again Real Madrid's best player, the 19-year-old scoring Los Blancos' first before Serio Ramos capped the scoring in a 2-0 win.
9/10 Salah clinical as Liverpool close on title
Mohamed Salah scored one goal and assisted another in a comprehensive 4-0 win over Crystal Palace that served as a reminder why Liverpool are Premier League champions-elect.
Solskjaer: 'Still more to come' after dominant win
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned the rest of the Premier League that there is more to come from Manchester United.
LIVE: Liverpool seek step toward title glory
With victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield, Liverpool will be two points from the Premier League title. Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Robert Firmino start up front for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
9/10 hat-trick hero Martial boosts Man United top four hopes
Man Utd pulled within two points of fourth as Anthony Martial bagged their first hat trick since Alex Ferguson retired, in a 3-0 win vs. Sheffield.
Inter rue open goal miss in draw with Sassuolo
Third-placed Inter Milan threw away two points in the Serie A title race when they missed an open goal and conceded an 89th- minute equaliser in a 3
Group schedule set for MLS is Back Tournament
Major League Soccer has released the group stage matchups for the "MLS is Back Tournament," which is set to kick off in Orlando on July 8.
LIVE: Man United host Sheffield United
Paul Pogba makes his first start since September in an attacking line-up that also features Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. Two points separate the two Uniteds.
Lampard: No Chelsea bid made for Havertz
Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has said he admires Kai Havertz but the club are yet to table any offers for the Bayer Leverkusen forward.
Aguero set for surgery, could miss UCL - Pep
Sergio Aguero faces a race against time to be fit for the Champions League after Pep Guardiola said he needs surgery to correct his knee injury.
Sources: 2023 Women's WC vote to go to the wire
Australia and New Zealand's hopes of hosting their first ever World Cup appear to be in the hands of Africa's voting bloc, sources have told ESPN.
Sources: I won't play for Mou again - Ndombele
Tottenham's Tanguy Ndombele told manager José Mourinho that he never wants to play for him again following a clash earlier, sources told ESPN.
Sources: Barca, Juve close on Arthur, Pjanic swap
Juventus are increasingly confident of signing Barcelona's Arthur Melo, with Miralem Pjanic moving in the other direction.
Arsenal handing David Luiz new contract leads to 'Banter FC' trending on Twitter
Arsenal's announcement of four pieces of player contract news on Wednesday did not elicit the positive reaction they must have been hoping for.
Ligue 1 torn over summer without soccer: "It looks stupid we're not playing"
France's Ligue 1 was the only big European soccer league not to return to finish the 2019-20 season. The decision has yielded mixed emotions.
CSKA fined for racist abuse in first game back
Russian club CSKA Moscow were fined 100,000 rubles ($1,460) on Tuesday after fans racially abused Zenit St. Petersburg winger Malcom.
David Luiz signs one-year extension with Arsenal
David Luiz has signed a one-year extension at Arsenal, the club announced on Wednesday.
When can Liverpool win the Premier League?
Liverpool are marching toward a first league title in 30 years. But when will they be confirmed as champions?
Tuesday, 23 June 2020
Mourinho: Win saved Spurs' Champions hopes
Tottenham's chances of qualifying for the Champions League would have been over had they not beaten West Ham United on Tuesday, Jose Mourinho said.
Transfer Talk: Man Utd face Juventus test for £100m-rated Jimenez
Manchester United will have to shell out £100m and fend off Juventus if they wish to land Wolves star Raul Jimenez. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Rakitic 7/10 as Barca's title hopes survive tough test
Substitute Ivan Rakitic scored his first goal for Barcelona in over a year, his goal giving Barca a narrow and vital 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Ole expects Man Utd to spend in next window
Ed Woodward says he will manage Manchester United's money "carefully" but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes there will be spending in the next window.
8/10 Kane ensures Spurs snap winless run
Harry Kane ended his scoring drought & Giovani Lo Celso impressed again, as Spurs boosted their Champions League hopes with a 2-0 win over West Ham.
Police drop 'White Lives Matter' banner probe
Police have dropped their investigation into the "White Lives Matter Burnley" banner that was flown over the Etihad Stadium on Monday.
Real Madrid's James blasts critics, 'lies'
"A lot of things are said about me and almost all of them are lies," Real Madrid's James Rodriguez said.
LIVE: Messi chases 700 as Barcelona seek top spot
After Real Madrid took over as Liga leaders, nothing less than victory against Athletic Bilbao will do for Barcelona. The day before he turns 33, Lionel Messi is one short of 700 career goals.
Juventus and Lazio's Serie A title race: Which team has the edge in Italy?
We don't get many great title races in Italy's Serie A, but this year's tussle with Juventus and Lazio fits the bill. Who has the edge?
Aguero has knee damage, off to Barca for tests
Sergio Aguero will travel to Barcelona for further tests after initial scans revealed the Manchester City striker suffered a knee injury Monday.
Lionel Messi's evolution as a player: From Ronaldinho's Barcelona understudy to GOAT candidate
For over 15 years, Messi has been Barcelona's main man, scoring, assisting and winning countless trophies. But how has his game changed over time?
Burnley chair on banner: We'll root out racists
Burnley's Mike Garlick has told ESPN the club will "root out the racists" who organised the flying of a plane with a "White Lives Matter" banner.
Liverpool's lead over City unthinkable - Klopp
Jurgen Klopp has said Liverpool must be "doing a lot of things right" to be an "unthinkable" 20 points ahead of Manchester City.
De Gea has 12 months to save Man United career as Henderson waits
Goalkeeper David De Gea is struggling for form, while Dean Henderson is viewed as his replacement, but the youngster isn't ready yet.
Zidane won't get involved in Barca row
The clubs are neck-and-neck at the top of the table -- level on points but with Real Madrid leading thanks to their head-to-head advantage.
Sources: Arsenal to sign Soares permanently
Arsenal have agreed a permanent deal with Southampton for defender Cedric Soares.
Ramos joins top-scoring defenders across Europe's top league and clubs
Sergio Ramos is now La Liga's top-scoring defender ever, joining some esteemed names in Europe's top five leagues and the continent's biggest clubs.
My hidden journey: A professional soccer player reveals he is gay
I'm a brother, son, friend, former pro footballer, entrepreneur and annoyingly competitive lad. I'm a lot of things, and one of them is gay.
Police probe 'White Lives Matter Burnley' banner
Police investigating 'White Lives Matter Burnley' banner flown over Premier League game
McTominay signs Man United deal to 2025
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has signed a new contract at the club until 2025, it was announced on Tuesday.
Monday, 22 June 2020
Transfer Talk: Man United hoping for price drop to land Sancho
Manchester United have been favourites to land Jadon Sancho but they're now looking to drive down the £100m price tag. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Guardiola on Aguero injury: 'Doesn't look good'
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted the injury that forced off Sergio Aguero against Burnley on Monday night "does not look good."
Ronaldo goal helps Juve go 4 clear in Serie A
A Cristiano Ronaldo goal helped Juventus extend their Serie A lead to four points in a victory at Bologna on Monday.
Foden makes case for Man City place with 9/10 showing vs. Burnley
With David Silva leaving Man City this summer, Phil Foden has a chance to get into Pep Guardiola's XI, and he took that opportunity vs. Burnley.
Burnley condemn 'White Lives Matter' banner
Premier League club Burnley has condemned a plane carrying a banner declaring "White Lives Matter Burnley" that flew over Etihad Stadium.
Landslide kills worker at Monaco training ground
A man involved in building work at the Monaco training ground in La Turbie, France, died on Monday afternoon after a landslide fell on his truck.
LIVE: Man City host Burnley, aim to delay Liverpool party
Sergio Aguero starts for the Premier League champions, who have made eight changes. A City win ensures Liverpool cannot dethrone them with victory against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Donovan's goal vs. Algeria: Oral history of the most famous moment in USMNT history
On its 10th anniversary, Landon Donovan and his teammates relive his goal that beat Algeria and took the U.S. to the 2010 World Cup knockout rounds.
Real Madrid, Barcelona title race has no conspiracies, Liverpool look rusty, Arsenal's self-inflicted loss
Real Madrid did get some help in their win vs. Real Sociedad but it doesn't mean they were unfairly aided in pulling level on points with Barcelona.
Sources: Utd target Bellingham to join Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund have won the race to sign Manchester United target Jude Bellingham, sources have told ESPN.
Mourinho bites back over comments on Kane
Jose Mourinho has hit back at claims his negative playing style could encourage Harry Kane to leave Tottenham this summer.
Lockdown hair takes centre stage as Premier League stars return
With the first flush of games played, it's safe to say that the Premier League has been graced by some truly exceptional post-lockdown hairstyles.
Vertonghen, Vorm sign new deals at Spurs
Tottenham have announced Jan Vertonghen and Michel Vorm have signed contract extensions to stay at the club until the end of the season.
How will MLS, U.S. Soccer, NWSL take action in push for equality?
Soccer stars like USWNT forward Jessica McDonald and Portland Timbers striker Jeremy Ebobisse have been leading the conversation in the push for addressing social injustice, but now it's on the leagues and institutions to act.
Sunday, 21 June 2020
Transfer Talk: Koulibaly and Van Dijk together at Liverpool?
A Kalidou Koulibaly-Virgil van Dijk centre-back pairing seems a very real prospect for Liverpool next season. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Pulisic goal 'inspiration' for Chelsea - Lampard
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard praised Christian Pulisic as the forward scored an equaliser after coming off the bench in a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
Benzema, Vinicius both 8/10 as Madrid grab pole position in La Liga
Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos got the goals as Real Madrid held on for a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad, which puts them back atop La Liga.
Fortune wants to become Man United manager
Former Man United and South Africa midfielder Quinton Fortune has his sights set on management. His dream? To become the boss at Manchester United.
Pep: Silva, Sane exits won't mean new signings
Pep Guardiola has raised the possibility that Manchester City will not make any new signings in the next transfer window.
Real go top of La Liga with win at Sociedad
Real Madrid returned to the top of La Liga on head-to-head record on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.
Liverpool wait a little longer for first title in 30 years
Having waited 30 years for a title to return to Anfield, Liverpool will hold their celebrations just a little longer after their draw at Everton.
Sarri: Ronaldo 'not physically at his best right now'
Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri admitted that Cristiano Ronaldo is not "physically at his best right now."
LIVE: Can Liverpool continue march towards title at Everton?
Liverpool need two more wins to secure their first title in 30 years. Will they get victory No. 1 on their way to the crown as they visit Goodison Park for the Merseyside derby?
Azpilicueta 8/10, Pulisic 7/10 as Chelsea solidify their hold on fourth
Cesar Azpilicueta assisted on both goals and Christian Pulisic scored as a substitute, as Chelsea turned around a 1-0 deficit at Villa Park.
Inside the Premier League bubble: A ghost town where you bring your own sandwiches
Working as a commentator at a strictly controlled Premier League stadium is a strange experience, but it beats calling games off TV at home.
LIVE: Chelsea travel to Aston Villa
Chelsea can go five points clear of Manchester United and consolidate their place in the Premier League's top four with a win at Villa Park.
Dinamo Moscow players test positive, game ppd
The match between Dinamo Moscow and FC Krasnodar due to take place on Sunday has been postponed.
Rooney: Liverpool can dominate like Man Utd
Derby captain and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has said Liverpool have the ability to dominate under manager Klopp.
Barcelona's Frenkie De Jong suffers calf injury
Barcelona have confirmed that Frenkie de Jong will be out for a period after suffering an injury to his right calf.
Tanks, rockets, flares: Red Star celebrate title
Red Star fans and players celebrated their 31st league title on Saturday after they beat Proleter 2-1 at the Maracana stadium in Belgrade.
Brazil's 1970 World Cup win and the football revolution that followed
At 1970 World Cup, the first to be broadcast live to much of the planet, Brazil set a benchmark for greatness which has served ever since.
Saturday, 20 June 2020
Transfer Talk: Conte wants Walker at Inter Milan
Antonio Conte has set his sights on luring Manchester City's Kyle Walker to Inter Milan this summer. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Jimenez sets Mexican goals mark in Wolves win
Adama Traore came off the bench to inspire Wolverhampton Wanderers to a 2-0 win at West Ham United on Saturday -- a significant result at both ends
Atlanta, Inter Miami players have coronavirus
Two Atlanta United players and one player on expansion club Inter Miami CF have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Rio suspends matches three days after restart
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Marcelo Crivella has suspended all professional football matches in the city only three days after play restarted.
How Russian Champions League hopefuls Rostov were forced to send kids out for 10-1 loss
Heard the one about the teenage keeper, named man of the match after a game in which he saved a penalty, but also conceded double figures in goals?
Brighton's matchwinner: Arsenal need humility
Brighton's Neal Maupay has said that Arsenal's players "need to learn a bit of humility" after they lost to the relegation-threatened side.
Bellerin, Holding 5/10 as Arsenal slump at Brighton
Arsenal defenders were again found wanting as the Gunners fell to a second loss in two games since the Premier League resumed. Mikel Arteta's men are ninth, eight points outside the top four.
Haaland on Reyna: He's the American Dream
Erling Haaland has said his Borussia Dortmund teammate Gio Reyna "has a huge future in front of him."
Haaland nets twice as Dortmund seal second
Erling Haaland scored twice as Borussia Dortmund beat closest challengers RB Leipzig 2-0 away on Saturday to wrap up second place.
Lewy makes history, Bayern hand U.S. teen bow
Robert Lewandowski struck twice as champions Bayern Munich eased past Freiburg 3-1 on Saturday and the Pole became the first foreign player to score
LIVE: Arsenal face test at Brighton
Mesut Ozil is back on the bench for Arsenal, who look to bounce back from defeat at Man City. Brighton resume Premier League action in 15th place, two points above the relegation zone.
Zidane refutes Pique hint refs favour Madrid
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has denied that referees could help Real Madrid win La Liga.
U.S. star Reyna makes first Dortmund start
United States star Gio Reyna is making his first Borussia Dortmund start in their Bundesliga clash at RB Leipzig.
'Thanks for putting my pants on': Iniesta grateful after nude statue went viral
Andres Iniesta has expressed his gratitude for pants being added to a statue of him scoring his World Cup final goal to be unveiled in his hometown.
LIVE: Leicester resume top-four push at Watford
Jamie Vardy, the Premier League's top scorer, can reach his century of top-flight goals at Vicarage Road. Leicester will move within four points of Manchester City with a win.
Friday, 19 June 2020
Transfer Talk: Premier League giants line up for Bayer's Bailey
Leon Bailey continues to impress in Germany, and Manchester City, Chelsea and Man United have taken notice. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Pogba, Fernandes help save point for Man United
Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba showed that their partnership has promise as Man United claimed a point at Tottenham. David De Gea had a mixed game, however.
8/10 Bergwijn enjoys best game for Spurs
Steven Bergwijn scored a fine goal, but Tottenham had to settle for a draw in their return to action.
Mariappa talks coronavirus, Black Lives Matter
Adrian Mariappa has been through a lot in 2020. He talks to ESPN about the Premier League's return, his positive COVID-19 test and George Floyd.
LIVE: Tottenham face Man United
Paul Pogba starts on the bench for United, who will go fourth with a win. Tottenham, meanwhile, would climb to sixth with victory; the hosts have Harry Kane and Son Heung-min in their line-up.
La Liga restart so far: Teams struggle at home and trouble for goalkeepers?
Spain's La Liga is nearly two full weeks and two rounds of games into their restart. How are teams adjusting to the unique situation?
Sources: Happy Kante wants Chelsea stay
N'Golo Kante is happy at Chelsea and doesn't want to leave the club, sources have told ESPN.
Sources: Cavani, Silva to play in UCL final 8
Thiago Silva and Edinson Cavani have agreed to take part in the Champions League final 8 in August with PSG despite their contracts ending in June.
How summer football will put a strain on Premier League players
Football in the summer is always a challenge at the international level, but 92 Premier League games in 47 days will put serious stress on players in the heat.
Sane to leave City, won't get new deal Pep says
Leroy Sane wants to leave Manchester City, according to Pep Guardiola.
Fernandes: Man Utd are better with me and Pogba
Bruno Fernandes said he believes he can help Paul Pogba flourish at Manchester United.
Klopp: I was worried season would be voided
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he was concerned the Premier League season would be ended prematurely due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Werner will pressure Abraham - Lampard
Frank Lampard has warned Tammy Abraham he will have to "sustain and improve" his form to compete with Chelsea's new signing Timo Werner.
Black MLS players form coalition to fight racism
Over 70 black Major League Soccer players announced on Friday the formation of a new organization called the Black Players Coalition of MLS.
Sources: Ozil wants Arsenal stay, club want to sell
Arsenal's Mesut Ozil wants to stay despite the club seeking to sell him this summer for financial reasons, sources have told ESPN.
Neymar to pay Barca €6.7m over bonus dispute
Neymar has been ordered to pay Barcelona €6.7 million following a dispute based around a €43m renewal bonus.
Simeone: Anfield hero Llorente like Griezmann
Diego Simeone is backing Marcos Llorente to deliver as a forward after grabbing a goal and two assists for Atletico Madrid in midweek.
Richarlison digs Van Dijk ahead of derby clash
Everton's Richarlison has taken a dig at Liverpool's Virgin van Dijk and said there are better defenders than him ahead of the Merseyside derby.
Top Premier League clubs' contract scramble, Arteta's hair secret revealed
ESPN's Insider Notebook has news of the Premier League's frantic contracts scramble. Plus: The secret behind Mikel Arteta's fabulous hair.
Source: No chance Fati exits Barca despite crisis
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu would "have to go into hiding" if he accepted an offer for wonderkid Ansu Fati.
Watching at home? Here's the branded club merch you need now football is back
Here's our guide to some of the essential, innovative and downright baffling items that are being peddled by clubs in the Premier League and beyond.
Thursday, 18 June 2020
Asensio goal after 11 months out thrills Zidane
Zinedine Zidane hailed the impact of Marco Asensio after the Real Madrid winger returned from an 11-month injury layoff with a goal and an assist.
Benzema's brace earns him 9/10 as Real Madrid stroll
Karim Benzema netted twice as Real Madrid beat Valencia, while Marco Asensio marked his return from a long-term injury with a goal of his own.
Transfer Talk: Man United eye Bailey if Sancho, Grealish bids fail
If their bids for Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish falter, Manchester United see Leon Bailey as a suitable alternative. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Pogba to prove he's one of world's best - Ole
Paul Pogba is ready to prove he is one of the best midfielders in the world, according to Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
LIVE: Hazard, Madrid look to keep pace in title race
Eden Hazard is in the Real Madrid starting XI as they need to win at home to Valencia to keep the pressure on league leaders Barcelona in La Liga. Follow LIVE with ESPN.
Celta sign Nolito with 'Braithwaite to Barca' rule
La Liga side Celta Vigo have brought Spanish forward Nolito back from Sevilla to help their battle against relegation.
Why it's significant that Man United plan to stick with Solskjaer
Failure to finish in the top four won't spell disaster for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, which is a pronounced shift in how the club is running.
Why Chelsea signing Timo Werner should settle quickly in Premier League
Timo Werner has been a star for RB Leipzig, but how will his skills translate to Chelsea? Expect the perfect striker for the Blues' attack.
Kane, Son, Sissoko to start vs. United - Jose
Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho has said Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min and Moussa Sissoko will all start against Manchester United on Friday.
What we learned on Premier League's return: We've reached peak David Luiz
After 100 days away the Premier League showed us what we've been missing, from David Luiz's awful cameo to goal-line technology's baffling failure.
Luiz's future to be decided this week - agent
David Luiz's future will be resolved this week with all parties working towards extending his stay at Arsenal, according to the player's agent.
Tebas makes Messi plea: Please stay in La Liga
Javier Tebas has said Lionel Messi would be a bigger loss to La Liga than Cristiano Ronaldo and has issued a plea to Barca's man to remain.
Solskjaer hopeful Chelsea target Gomes stays
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said he is hopeful Angel Gomes is "not far away" from signing a new contract to stay at Manchester United.
Chelsea agree deal to sign Timo Werner
Werner, 24, will join the Premier League side in July, subject to a medical, after agreeing personal terms.
Bayern's eighth straight Bundesliga title is both incredible and a problem
You can give Bayern lots of credit for winning an eighth straight Bundesliga title the way they did, but you can also note how strange it is.
When can Liverpool win the Premier League?
Liverpool are marching toward a first league title in 30 years. But when will they be confirmed as champions?
Wednesday, 17 June 2020
Honda caught up in Brazil's return to football debate
As debate rages in Brazil over when to resume competitive football, new Botafogo signing Keisuke Honda has wondered aloud: 'Am I crazy?'
Transfer Talk: Man Utd told to trigger Fati's £151m buy-out clause
Ansu Fati reportedly has a release clause of £151m. Will Man United shell out the cash to land the Barca prodigy? Transfer Talk has the latest.
Luiz sorry for red card, unsure of future
"It's my fault," he said, "The team did well, especially with 10 men. The coach is amazing, all the players are amazing, it was my fault."
Man City thrash Arsenal in Premier League's weird new normal
While things in the stadium looked nothing like seasons past, Man City were their elite best and Arsenal were woeful in the Premier League's return.
Pep: We should apologize to black people
"I'm embarrassed and ashamed of what the white people have done for the black people," Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said.
Luiz 1/10 as Arsenal endure nightmare at Man City
Arsenal substitute David Luiz was left out of the starting XI, then gifted Man City two goals and was sent off after coming on. The Gunners also lost Granit Xhaka and Pablo Mari to injury.
De Bruyne 8/10 to inspire Man City's routine win
Once Kevin De Bruyne shook off the rust, he and Manchester City eased to a comfortable 3-0 win.
Juve, Ronaldo lose to Napoli in Coppa Italia final
Napoli beat Juventus on penalties to win the Coppa Italia final as Arkadiusz Milik netted the winning spot kick following a 0-0 draw.
Villa, Sheff Utd draw after bizarre no-goal ruling
A bizarre no goal call saw Aston Villa and Sheffield United finish in a 0-0 draw as the Premier League returned to action after a 100 day absence.
LIVE: Man City, Arsenal meet at empty Etihad
The Premier League is back, 100 days after the last game prior to the coronavirus-induced shutdown. If Man City are beaten, Liverpool will win the title with victory at Everton on Sunday.
Players take in-game knee in first Prem match
Aston Villa and Sheffield United restarted the Premier League with a strong statement of support against racism by kneeling after the whistle.
European seasons resume: What you need to know, day-by-day
Missed something? With games daily, this is ESPN FC's one-stop shop for what you need to know from top leagues in England, Spain, Italy and Germany.
Lisbon to host Champions League in August
The mini-tournament will run from Aug. 12-23, with the round-of-16 matches completed Aug. 7-8.
Ronaldo to MLS is probable - Nani
Orlando City captain Nani has said Cristiano Ronaldo told him that he will "probably" end up in America at some point of his career.
14 things to remember about the Premier League season so far
It seems like an age, but it's actually "only" been 100 days without the Premier League. Here's a reminder of some of the key moments of the season.
Leganes coach sent off for imitating ref whistle
Leganes coach Javier Aguirre was sent off during his team's 2-0 loss at Barcelona for "imitating the sound of the whistle" to confuse players.
Dunn 'scared' to join Rapinoe in kneeling protest
Crystal Dunn said she was "scared" to kneel alongside Megan Rapinoe when her teammate protested racism and police brutality back in 2016.
How have Bayern stayed so dominant in Germany?
Bayern Munich are Germany's best club of the modern era but winning eight straight league titles is astounding. What is the secret to their success?
Tuesday, 16 June 2020
Brazil's restart plan 'disconnected from reality'
Botafogo and Fluminense plan to defy an order from their federation to resume play as Brazil's daily coronavirus death toll hovers around 1,000.
Transfer Talk: Man City leapfrog Arsenal in race for Leipzig's Upamecano
Manchester City has moved ahead of Arsenal for RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano amid stalled negotiations. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Liverpool's Adrian: We want to top City's 100-pt. tally
Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian said that the club wants to surpass 100 points on the season in route to the Premier League title.
Messi 8/10 in leading sleepy Barca past Leganes
Barcelona could've trailed by two inside 15 minutes, but Lionel Messi's 699th career goal turned things around in a 2-0 win for the Catalan club.
City's Silva to get fitting farewell after COVID - Pep
Pep Guardiola has promised David Silva a fitting send-off despite the coronavirus pandemic ensuring an end to the season behind closed doors.
Arteta wants 'role model' Luiz back next season
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has confirmed he wants David Luiz to stay at the club next season after describing the centre-back as a "role model."
Rooney Rule in Prem 'not on the agenda' - CEO
The Prem's CEO said the league has no plans to adopt a Rooney Rule that would require clubs to interview minority candidates for coaching jobs.
LIVE: Can Barca extend La Liga lead vs. Mallorca?
Barcelona play host to relegation-threatened Mallorca with the opportunity to extend their two-point lead over Real Madrid atop the La Liga table. Follow along live with ESPN.
LIVE: Bayern out to clinch Bundesliga title at Werder
Bayern Munich can secure their eighth straight Bundesliga title with a win at Werder Bremen, with the second-bottom side desperate for a result to help stave off relegation.
Why Arteta and Arsenal have more at stake than rivals over final 10 games
Arsenal head into the final 10 league games with plenty of uncertainty around their future. We'll finally see if Arteta's having the desired effect.
Battle of the Soccer Leagues final: Will German Bundesliga or French Ligue 1 win it all?
This is it! We're down to two leagues left fighting for the title: will the German Bundesliga or French Ligue 1 prevail? Lewandowski or Mbappe?
Sources: Watford new signing refusing to join
Watford expect Le Havre midfielder Pape Gueye to join on July 1 despite the player fighting to cancel his contract, sources have told ESPN.
Sources: Lozano kicked out of Napoli training
Hirving Lozano was asked to leave during a Napoli training session by manager Gennaro Gattuso.
Prem chief praises Rashford, worried by impact
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said "uncomfortable precedents" may have been set by footballers becoming politically active.
Pep: City 'not ready' for hectic Prem return
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has said he is worried about the physical toll the revised Premier League schedule will have on his squad.
Rashford forces UK gov. into kids meal u-turn
The UK government has confirmed it will extend a scheme to feed children from low-income families following a campaign from Marcus Rashford.
Sancho, Haaland, Greenwood on Golden Boy list
Dortmund's Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland are the headline names on a 100-player list for this year's Golden Boy award published on Tuesday.
Source: No chance Fati leaves Barca despite crisis
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu would "have to go into hiding" if he accepted an offer for wonderkid Ansu Fati.
Soul-snatching aliens blamed for player lateness
A former footballer once turned up late to a training session and explained it was because he had been abducted by aliens, an ex-teammate said.
Sources: Werner wants Chelsea move sped up
Timo Werner has informed RB Leipzig he does not want to play in the club's Champions League quarterfinal, so he can push through a move to Chelsea.
Durant at Philly: LeBron, Elton John among other celeb owners in soccer
With NBA superstar Kevin Durant buying a 5% ownership stake in the Philadelphia Union, we decided to look at 12 other celebs who own soccer clubs.
Are players ready for the most grueling season ever?
Congested fixture lists, few breaks and international football to boot? Thanks to COVID-19, the 2020-21 Premier League will be the most grueling season we've seen.
Can Napoli stun Ronaldo, Juventus again?
Wednesday sees the culmination of the Coppa Italia as Juventus and Napoli square off. We break down the game and predict misery for Ronaldo.
Monday, 15 June 2020
Maracana turns 70: Celebrating one of the world's great stadiums
It has been the stage for some of football's most memorable moments, and greatest players. On Tuesday, Brazil's famous Maracana turns 70.
Transfer Talk: Man United lead Barcelona, Spurs for Estupinan
Antonio Valencia may be the difference maker in Man United's bid to sign Ecuador defender Pervis Estupinan. Transfer Talk is with the latest.
Report: Lisbon to host 8-team UCL knockouts
The Champions League final is heading to Lisbon, with UEFA planning an Aug. 23 final to cap seven broadcast nights in a 12-day span.
Marcelo wants 'changes' after first raise vs. Eibar
Real Madrid left-back Marcelo dropped to one knee and raised his fist after scoring in a 3-1 La Liga victory over Eibar on Sunday.
Zidane rants after Real win, Premier League starts Black Lives Matter discussion, Ronaldo poor for Juve
Real Madrid's manager was unhappy at winning 3-1 this weekend but considering how tight the title race is in Spain, his methods might make sense.
Rashford vows to fight for kids despite PM snub
Marcus Rashford has vowed to fight to provide meals for vulnerable children over the school holidays despite Boris Johnson rejecting his plea.
Arteta: Auba needs to feel valued to stay at club
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has said he is "pretty positive" club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will remain at the Emirates.
Battle of the Leagues semis: Ligue 1 to shock Premier League?
We have reached the final four in our quest to determine, once and for all, which league is the best. Will the Premier League get past Ligue 1? And can Liga MX upset the Bundesliga?
NBA star Durant buys stake in Philly Union
Kevin Durant officially joined the ranks of sports team owners on Monday with the announcement that he purchased a stake in the Philadelphia Union.
FIFA urge 'tolerance' after Trump knee remarks
FIFA appealed "tolerance" after Donald Trump denounced the annulment of a policy that required football players to stand during the national anthem.
Blatter faces investigation over $1m payment
Ex-FIFA chief Sepp Blatter faces a criminal investigation in Switzerland for suspected mismanagement of a $1 million payment from football funds.
Leicester's Premier League title winners of 2015-16: Where are they now?
5,000-1 outsiders Leicester City shocked the world when they won the Premier League in 2015-16, but where is that squad now?
Sunday, 14 June 2020
Rashford asks parliament to supply kids' meals
Marcus Rashford has written to parliament to urge politicians to supply meals for vulnerable children during the summer holidays.
Transfer Talk: Jadon Sancho open to Manchester City return
Jadon Sancho has been linked with a host of clubs, but previous employers Man City may be his most likely destination. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Real's Marcelo takes knee after goal vs. Eibar
Real Madrid left-back Marcelo dropped to his knees and raised his fist after scoring in a 3-1 La Liga victory over Eibar on Sunday.
8/10 Ramos, Hazard ensure Madrid close on Barcelona
After going ahead inside five minutes, Zinedine Zidane's men never looked back against Eibar. Sergio Ramos found the net and Eden Hazard had arguably his best game since joining the club.
Premier League's 'Project Restart': Liverpool set for glory, Man United seek momentum, battle at the bottom
Wednesday sees the Premier League resume its strangest season, 97 days after coronavirus forced it to shut down. How will each of the 20 teams fare?
LIVE: Hazard returns as Real Madrid host Eibar
La Liga is back and so is Eden Hazard, who has been out since late February with injury. With a win, Real Madrid will close the gap on leaders Barcelona to two points. Gareth Bale is on the bench.
Pulisic shines as Chelsea hit seven in friendly
Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic featured in a 7-1 friendly win over QPR on Sunday in preparation for the Premier League restart.
Atletico dealt Champions League blow on return
Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday on their return to action after La Liga's three-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Auba on future: No offers made, decision unclear
Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has said he is yet to make a decision on whether to stay and labelled it "the most important" of his career.
Hudson-Odoi faces no action over rape allegation
The Metropolitan Police have said Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi will face no further action over a rape allegation.
Liverpool champions, Man United below Arsenal in all-time English top flight table
It is now just a matter of time until Liverpool are formally crowned champions, but they can also claim the prize for the most success since 1888.
Transfer swaps: Sanchez, Semedo and Pjanic lead list of makeweight players
Clubs will turn to swap deals to move players on and bring in others for a cheaper fee. Here are some of the top players that teams could use.
Saturday, 13 June 2020
Selfie-seeking Messi fan invades closed stadium
No spectators are allowed at La Liga games, but the restrictions could not dissuade one Leo Messi fan from sneaking into Barca's match on Saturday.
Transfer Talk: Arsenal plan Kluivert, Forster double swoop
Roma flyer Justin Kluivert and Saints custodian Fraser Forster have emerged as prime targets for Arsenal this summer. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Messi leads Barca to flying return against Mallorca
After a three-month layoff, Lionel Messi and Co. began their return to league play on the right foot with a win over relegation-threatened Mallorca.
LIVE: Lionel Messi, Barcelona return to action
Lionel Messi is fit for the return of La Liga as Barcelona visit Mallorca in Saturday's late game. Can they stay clear of Real Madrid atop the table? Follow LIVE with ESPN.
PSG boss on Cavani, Silva: 'Coming to an end'
Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo said that the tenures of Edinson Cavani and Thiago Silva are "coming to the end."
Teammates honor youth player killed in Mexico
Teammates and friends honored a youth soccer player killed by police in Mexico with an emotional tribute that celebrated his love for the game.
LIVE: Can Lukaku, Inter fight back to reach Coppa Italia final?
Romelu Lukaku and Barcelona transfer target Lautaro Martinez lead the line for Inter as they need goals to overcome Napoli in the Coppa Italia semifinal, second leg. Follow LIVE with ESPN
Dortmund shut down Sancho to Liverpool link
Borussia Dortmund squad manager Sebastian Kehl has shut down rumours linking Jadon Sancho with a move to Liverpool this summer.
LIVE: Bayern closing in on Bundesliga title
Dortmund's late win at Dusseldorf means Bayern Munich must wait at least another week to secure their eighth straight league crown. They host the always competitive Borussia Monchengladbach today, with the visitors needing a victory to remain in the top four. Follow LIVE with ESPN.
Zidane: La Liga return similar to World Cup
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane believes the frantic end to the La Liga season is like a World Cup tournament.
Steve Archibald, Barca striker of the 1980s, helping first responders during Spain's coronavirus crisis
Archibald wowed Spanish soccer at Barcelona in the 1980s. In his new role running an energy company, he's helping first responders with their bills.
LIVE: Dortmund look to keep title race alive
Bayern Munich could win the Bundesliga title if Borussia Dortmund lose to Fortuna Dusseldorf and they win against Gladbach later. Follow the action live.
Sources: Neymar back at PSG to avoid quarantine
Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar returned to France on Saturday after three months in Brazil, sources have told ESPN.
Pogba, Fernandes start in Utd friendly loss
Manchester United's Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes played together for the first time in two friendlies against West Brom on Friday.
Friday, 12 June 2020
Transfer Talk: Liverpool ahead of Man Utd in race for Sancho
Liverpool are ahead of Manchester United in race to sign Dortmund's Jadon Sancho. Transfer Talk has the latest.
LIVE: Juve, Milan battle for Coppa Italia final place
Cristiano Ronaldo is back in action as Juventus seek a Coppa Italia final place. The tie is level at 1-1 after the first leg; Milan must aim for an upset without the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Prem approves BLM logo in place of player names
The Premier League has given its support to players who want to take a knee during games and have Black Lives Matter replace players' names on kits.
Barca boss assures Messi, Suarez healthy
Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi will both be available when Barcelona return to action but coach Quique Setien will have to manage their fitness.
Euro 2020 postponement offers a silver lining amid difficult times
There is nothing like the spectre of a major football tournament. But amid the pandemic, we take some solace in that everything will be alright.
Sources: Man City prioritise CB over Chilwell
Manchester City's priority in the next transfer window remains bringing a new centre-back to the Etihad Stadium, sources have told ESPN.
Sources: Lacazette in Arsenal talks, Atleti keen
Arsenal are set to hold talks with Alexandre Lacazette over his future at the club amid interest from Atletico Madrid, sources have told ESPN.
Sevilla's Ocampos laid ground for other young South Americans to succeed in Europe
Lucas Ocampos was at the start of the recent trend for younger South American players coming to Europe, and is an example of how it can work well.
Soccer stars turned teachers: Aguero's Spanish lesson, Rashford's PE class
Sergio Aguero this week delivered a Spanish lesson from his back garden, joining a host of top players who've taken on teaching duties in lockdown.
Barca stun Madrid with wonderkid bid, United expect Ansu stay
ESPN's Insider Notebook has news on Barcelona stunning their rivals to sign a 16-year-old. Plus: Man United's stance on Ansu Fati.
Transfer window Q&A: How will the summer market work?
There are going to be major changes to the transfer window this summer. We run how it will be affected across Europe's top leagues.
Thursday, 11 June 2020
Prem, La Liga to use EA Sports crowd noise
In another twist due to the coronavirus pandemic, video game company EA Sports will supply crowd noise for the Premier League and La Liga.
Transfer Talk: Inter see chance to steal Bellerin from Arsenal
Hector Bellerin hasn't committed to Arsenal and that has Inter Milan boss Conte ready to make a move. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Shaq cut-out cheers on Northampton's playoff bid
English League Two club Northampton Town will have a cardboard cutout of NBA great and team fan Shaquille O'Neal in the stands.
FA Cup final renamed for Heads Up mental health
The final of this season's FA Cup, scheduled for Aug. 1, will be known as the Heads Up FA Cup Final in honour of the mental health campaign.
Sevilla beat Betis as La Liga returns to action
Sevilla defeated Real Betis 2-0 in La Liga's return to action after a nearly three-month hiatus due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Liverpool hit six in friendly win over Blackburn
Liverpool cruised to a 6-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers in a friendly behind closed doors at Anfield on Thursday.
FIFA tweaks transfer rules, longer windows
Players will be allowed to play for up to three clubs, instead of two, during the course of a season in a temporary rule change.
MLS is Back Tournament: What we know about player testing, groups, schedule
So we know that Major League Soccer is returning with MLS Is Back Tournament in Orlando this summer. But how will it all work?
Groups drawn for MLS is Back Tournament
Major League Soccer held its draw for the MLS is Back Tournament as the league prepares to return to action on July 8.
Inter star Lautaro Martinez shows why Barcelona want him
Lautaro Martinez has the focus, intelligence and athleticism to dominate for Inter and Argentina. Is linking up with Lionel Messi at Barcelona next?
Battle of the Leagues: Bundesliga or La Liga to exit early?
There is a lot at stake in the final group games: La Liga, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 are fighting for two semifinal spots. Which giant will fall? Meanwhile, the Premier League faces Serie A!
Free kick fails: Giggs and Beckham's 'double-strike' among botched set pieces
After Ryan Giggs threw back to his free kick fail, here are some set-pieces that were brilliant in their creation but botched in their execution.
Alli suspended, fined for coronavirus social post
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli will miss the Premier League restart after being suspended for a match by the Football Association on Thursday.
La Liga returns but nothing will quite be the same
Football in Spain won't be the same when Lionel Messi & Co. return to action, but we have hope for some much-needed evolution in La Liga.
Coronavirus to set Prem clubs back £1bn
Premier League clubs are set to face a £1 billion loss in revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to financial firm Deloitte.
Quarantine threat after Semedo breaks protocol
Javier Tebas has warned players could be forced to quarantine after Barcelona's Nelson Semedo breached La Liga protocol.
Bizarre half-match marks Spain football return
Spanish football returned in bizarre circumstances with the second half of a second-division match that first kicked off six months ago.
Sources: Prem players want BLM tribute support
Premier League players will wear "Black Lives Matter" on their shirts instead of their names if senior officials agree at a meeting on Thursday.
