Category: Football

Brazil winger Raphinha scored a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Real Valladolid 7-0 on Saturday to make it four wins from four in La Liga under new coach Hansi Flick.

While bitter rivals Real Madrid have stumbled early following the much-trumpeted arrival of Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona are off to a flying start despite their continued financial difficulties.

They are also missing Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Ronald Araujo but have a maximum 12 points heading into the international break, leaving them seven clear of Madrid who face Real Betis on Sunday.

“We’re growing as a team. I think it’s a very good start to the season,” said Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

“I’m proud of how things are going… hopefully we can continue like that in the next weeks.”

Barcelona’s best start to a La Liga campaign came in 2013-14 when they started the season with eight straight wins, although they were pipped to the title that year by Atletico Madrid.

Raphinha opened the scoring for Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium on 20 minutes as he chested down a pass from Pau Cubarsi and flicked elegantly into the far corner with the outside of his left boot.

Robert Lewandowski soon doubled the lead when he latched onto a ball through from Lamine Yamal and squeezed a shot past Valladolid goalkeeper Karl Hein, on loan from Arsenal.

Jules Kounde made it three before half-time when a corner dropped to the France defender inside the area and he stabbed into the top corner while off-balance.

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Raphinha had a simple tap-in from close range just past the hour, with Lewandowski and Yamal involved before the ball broke kindly for the Brazilian.

He completed his treble on 72 minutes following a brilliant burst forward from Yamal, who then slid through a delightful pass for Raphinha to stroke home.

Dani Olmo, who got the winner midweek at Rayo Vallecano, on his debut, struck with his final touch after twice hitting the post and having a goal disallowed for offside.

The Spain international danced past a series of defenders and rolled in Barcelona’s sixth. He missed Barcelona’s first two games this term with the club unable to register him as they struggled to meet La Liga’s strict financial rules.

Raphinha rounded off a glittering performance with an assist for Ferran Torres as Barcelona hit a seventh, fizzing in a cross from the left for the substitute to steer home in clinical fashion.

Atletico snatched a 1-0 victory away to Athletic Bilbao as Angel Correa scored in stoppage time to send Diego Simeone’s side up to second, four points adrift of Barcelona.

Espanyol came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Rayo Vallecano with Tottenham loanee Alejo Veliz striking in the sixth minute of added time.

Ayoze Perez’s equaliser ensured Villarreal remained unbeaten, but they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against a Valencia side that had lost each of their first three games.

Mallorca picked up their first win of the season by beating Leganes 1-0.

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Star Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo opened up regarding his retirement from professional football, stating that Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr would be his last.

The star footballer, in an interview with a Portuguese channel NOW, revealed that his retirement decision from the national football team would be spontaneous and he would not share it with anyone.

“When I leave the national team, I won’t tell anyone in advance and it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part, but also a very well thought-out one,” said Ronaldo.

“Right now what I want is to be able to help the national team in their upcoming matches. We have the Nations League ahead of us and I would really like to play.”

“At the moment, I’m not thinking about being a coach of the first team or any team. It doesn’t even cross my mind, I’ve never thought about it. I don’t see my future going through that. I see myself doing other things outside of football, but only God knows what the future holds.”

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Cristiano Ronaldo further revealed that he is not considering leaving Al-Nassr despite his contract with the club expiring at the end of the ongoing season.

“I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years… but probably I will retire here at Al Nassr,” said Ronaldo.

‘I’m very happy at this club, I feel good in this country too. I’m happy to play in Saudi Arabia and I want to continue.’ he added.

Cristiano Ronaldo joined the Al-Nassr in January 2023, with a humongous deal, reportedly estimated at £175-million-year.

The star footballer came under a lot of criticism over his move but he made his mark with 61 goals and 16 assists in 67 appearances for Al-Nassr.

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Lionel Messi was absent Argentina’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Chile and Colombia through injury, with Paulo Dybala recalled to coach Lionel Scaloni’s squad on Monday.

Messi has not played for club side Inter Miami since suffering an ankle injury in Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final.

Roma forward Dybala has not made an international appearance since March 2023 but could get an opportunity to add to his 38 caps in Lionel Messi’s absence.

The reigning world champions will also be without Angel Di Maria after the veteran winger’s international retirement.

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Argentina are currently top of South America qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The top six teams in the 10-nation table will qualify automatically for the finals.

Scaloni’s men will host Chile on September 6, before facing Colombia in Barranquilla four days later.

Argentina Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa/ENG), Juan Musso (Atalanta/ITA), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille/FRA), Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven/NED)

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla/ESP), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille/FRA), Cristian Romero (Tottenham/ENG), German Pezzella (River Plate), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica/POR), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United/ENG), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon/FRA), Valentin Barco (Sevilla/ESP).

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Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is set to miss around a month according to Spanish reports after suffering a calf injury in training on Friday.

“Following tests carried out today on Jude Bellingham by Real Madrid’s medical team, the player has been diagnosed with an injury to the plantaris muscle in his right leg,” said Madrid in a statement, without specifying his expected absence time.

Bellingham will miss La Liga games against Real Valladolid, Las Palmas and Real Betis, as well as England’s Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in September.

“(Bellingham) took a knock, we’re evaluating it,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told a press conference earlier Friday.

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The midfielder was key for Madrid last season as they won a Champions League and La Liga double.

In Madrid’s first two matches this season Bellingham played in a central midfield role to accommodate the arrival of striker Kylian Mbappe, after playing in a more advanced position last season.

Jude Bellingham, 21, will aim to return for Real Madrid’s first Champions League match this season, set to take place between September 17-19.

READ: Ilkay Gundogan returns to Manchester City from Barcelona

Ilkay Gundogan said he had returned to the “best club in the world” after re-signing for Manchester City from Barcelona on Friday.

The former German international won five Premier League titles and the Champions League among 12 major trophies during his first spell at City between 2016 and 2023.

Gundogan departed the English champions just over a year ago to join Barcelona.

However, the 33-year-old and the Catalan giants reportedly agreed to rescind his contract after just one season to pave the way for a return to the Etihad.

In his sole season in Spain, Gundogan scored five goals and provided 14 assists but Barca failed to win a trophy.

“I’m incredibly happy,” Gundogan said in a City statement. “Happy to see the team-mates, the staff, people that over seven years I had an amazing time with, a very successful time with. Many ups, and a few downs, but in general, an incredible experience.

“When you leave this place like I did last year, you spend a year away, and you then start to appreciate the place even more. You realise what you had. You realise how amazing that time was.

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“You realise how big the club is — the best club in the world.”

Gundogan’s return is a timely boost for Manchester City after the departure of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid for a reported fee of up to 95 million euros (£81 million, $104 million).

He was Pep Guardiola’s first signing when both joined the club in 2016.

Ilkay Gundogan went on to score 60 goals in 304 appearances and will provide experience and depth to Guardiola’s squad as they go for a record-extending fifth consecutive Premier League title.

“Ilkay is one of the finest professionals I have ever worked with. His dedication to football and his approach to every single training session is something special,” said City’s Director of Football Txiki Begiristain.

“To be able to bring him back here is fantastic news for everyone. He will help us in our main objective, which is to win trophies, but he will also be an inspiration to so many.”

Ilkay Gundogan is City’s second signing of the transfer window after the arrival of Brazilian winger Savinho.

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Kylian Mbappe is set to make his first home appearance for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday against promoted side Real Valladolid, owned by former Madrid forward and Brazil great Ronaldo.

The French superstar striker’s La Liga debut for Real Madrid did not go as planned as Los Blancos drew at Mallorca last weekend, with coach Carlo Ancelotti believing the Spanish champions lacked “balance”.

Mbappe is on course to enjoy a similarly sizable legacy in football but is hoping to make a far greater impact at Madrid than Ronaldo was able to, during the club’s ‘galactico’ era.

Ronaldo won just one La Liga title and failed to lift the Champions League during five seasons in the Spanish capital between 2002-07.

One of the biggest problems during that period was a top-heavy side which boasted several superstar attackers but lost lynchpin Claude Makelele.

Ancelotti has lined up with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Jude Bellingham in the 2-0 UEFA Super Cup win over Atalanta and the 1-1 Mallorca draw, but criticised his team’s balance after both matches

“We just had to do better, with more attitude, you can learn from these games – it’s clear where the problem is,” Ancelotti told reporters last week. “We need to defend better, we need more balance.”

One issue for Madrid is that Mbappe, Vinicius and Rodrygo all prefer to be shifted towards the left flank.

Another is that by playing all three forwards, Bellingham is pushed back into a midfield role when it seems after last season’s superb debut campaign where he helped Madrid win La Liga and the Champions League, he is most content contributing in attacking areas.

“(Balance) is found by all players thinking the same thing – when it comes to getting the ball back we all have to think about it together,” continued the Italian coach.

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“It’s a team problem that they didn’t understand was a key aspect in this game, Mallorca played a great game in a defensive sense, better than us.”

While visitors Real Valladolid, who beat fellow promoted side Espanyol in their first match, do not pose too much threat to Madrid on paper, the sooner Ancelotti can get his team firing on all cylinders the happier he will be.

After years of links to Madrid, Kylian Mbappe completed his dream move this summer at the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract.

The forward clinically struck against Atalanta in Warsaw but was shut out by Mallorca and their goalkeeper Dominik Greif.

Mbappe will hope to mark his first Bernabeu appearance for Madrid with a goal, weeks after he was greeted there by over 80,000 fans at his presentation.

Once Madrid’s forwards are on song, they will be difficult for any side to stop.

“When I saw them running towards me, I just prayed to God and asked myself — ‘what am I doing here?'” admitted Mallorca defender Pablo Maffeo.

Madrid’s remarkable firepower could prove a double-edged sword with teams rising to the challenge of stopping the attacking quartet dubbed the “fantastic four”.

“We’re going to face the best team in the world, with one of the best coaches in history and the best attack in the world today,” said Valladolid coach Paulo Pezzolano.

“We know what we’re going to face, but we’re going there convinced that we’re going to compete and bring something back home, knowing that it’s difficult, but that we can do it.”

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Star Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo set YouTube ablaze with his channel, titled “UR · Cristiano,” where he will discuss football, family and nutrition among other topics.

Considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time, the football star is the most followed person on social media with 917 million followers across various platforms.

Thanks to his astounding fame, his channel “UR Cristiano” took just five hours to reach one million subscribers, the numbers, however, are growing rapidly and at the time when this story was filed his channel’s subscribers tally was nearing the three-million mark.

Ronaldo, who leads Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and Portugal’s national side, will be seen chatting with guests about “family, wellness, nutrition, preparation, recovery, education, and business,” according to the news announcement.

Reacting to the launching of his YouTube channel, the 39-year-old said that the project was on his mind for a long time.

“Finally, we have the opportunity to make it real. I have always enjoyed having such a strong relationship with fans on social media and my YouTube channel will give me an even bigger platform to do so and they will learn more about me, my family, and my views on many different subjects. I am also looking forward to sharing conversations with guests that will no doubt surprise people!” he added.

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In his first-ever video on ‘UR · Cristiano,’ the football star is seen rating his best Euro goals.

Ronaldo’s football career spans more than two decades in which he played for clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

Throughout his career, Cristiano Ronaldo has won 33 trophies, five UEFA Champions Leagues, five Ballon d’Or awards and a record three UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Awards.

The Portuguese footballer holds the record for most appearances, goals and assists in both the Champions League and European Championship, along with the most international goals and international appearances.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more than 890 official senior career goals for both club and country, making him the top goalscorer of all time.

Earlier this year, Cristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for the fourth time in his career.

Ronaldo became the world’s highest-paid athlete after his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr as Forbes said that the 39-year-old’s estimated total earnings were in the region of $260 million, an all-time high for a soccer player.

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Thierry Henry has decided to step down from his role as coach of the France under-21 football team, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced Monday.

Former France international Henry made the decision after guiding the under-23 side to a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The all-time leading goalscorer for Premier League giants Arsenal took over as coach of the French youth side last summer and was under contract until June 2025 but decided to step away for “personal reasons”, according to the FFF.

Henry oversaw Les Bleuets’ first run to the final of an Olympic men’s tournament after winning gold in the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.

His young side eventually went down 5-3 after extra time against Spain to end a promising run that had started inauspiciously after Henry was obliged to make several changes to his squad pre-tournament due to the refusal of certain clubs to release their players for the Games.

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“I would like to thank the FFF and President Philippe Diallo for giving me this incredible opportunity,” said Henry, 47, in an FFF statement.

“Winning an Olympic silver medal for my country will remain one of the proudest moments of my life. I’m incredibly grateful to the federation, the players, the staff and the fans for giving me this magical experience.”

Federation boss Diallo thanked the 1998 World Cup winner for “all the work he accomplished as coach of the Espoirs (under-21s) and Olympic sides”.

“We obviously regret this decision, as Thierry Henry was able to achieve the objectives set for him by winning a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Paris,” he added.

“Having followed him throughout this campaign, I witnessed first-hand his great professionalism, his rigour and his love for the blue jersey.”

READ: Germany captain Gundogan retires from international football

Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan announced his retirement from international football on Monday after leading his country at Euro 2024, citing “a certain tiredness” both physically and mentally.

“After a few weeks of reflection, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to end my national team career,” Gundogan wrote on social media.

“I look back with great pride on 82 international matches for my home country – a number that I could never have dreamed of when I made my debut for the senior national team in 2011.”

His retirement follows those of Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller. Kroos hung up his boots for good after Euro 2024, while Mueller called time on his Germany career last month.

Gundogan, who turns 34 in October, skippered the Germany team that reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Spain after extra time.

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Despite the pain of that defeat, Germany demonstrated they are a force to be reckoned with again after the disappointment of successive World Cup group-stage exits either side of a last-16 loss to England at Euro 2020.

“My highlight was clearly the huge honour of being able to lead the team as captain at our home European Championship last summer,” said the Barcelona midfielder.

Ilkay Gundogan, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League in seven seasons with Manchester City before moving to Barcelona last year, admitted to feeling the effects of a busy schedule before the start of Euro 2024.

“I felt a certain tiredness in my body and also in my head, which got me thinking. And the games at club and national level are not going to get any less,” he said.

“I will definitely continue to be a fan of this national team and very much hope that the upward trend can continue together – and then there is nothing to stop us from being one of the main title contenders at the 2026 World Cup.

“We have a fantastic coach, a really strong team and a great team spirit.”

Ilkay Gundogan made his debut for Germany against Belgium in October 2011 but missed their 2014 World Cup triumph with a back injury. He was also ruled out of Euro 2016 due to a dislocated kneecap.

He became the first German footballer of Turkish descent to captain the national team and appeared at four major tournaments. He was also an unused squad member at Euro 2012.

“Ilkay was an outstanding captain, with whom I would have liked to continue working,” said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.

“The door to the national team is never completely closed, but we respect his decision and wish him all the best for his future, both professionally and privately.”

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VALENCIA: Robert Lewandowski struck twice for Hansi Flick’s Barcelona to deliver a battling 2-1 win against the home team in their La Liga 2024-25 opener at Mestalla Stadium on Saturday.

The German coach celebrated his first competitive match at the helm with three points as Barcelona came from behind against Ruben Baraja’s solid Valencia side.

Hugo Duro sent the hosts ahead after 44 minutes but veteran Polish striker Lewandowski levelled from close range before the break and netted a penalty early in the second half.

With champions Real Madrid, led by new superstar Kylian Mbappe, in action on Sunday at Real Mallorca, Barcelona started their bid to steal the crown with an impressive result at Valencia’s rowdy Mestalla stadium.

Barca were without key players, including Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Ronald Araujo and Flick selected three 17-year-olds in his starting line-up.

They were Spain’s Euro 2024 star Lamine Yamal, whose father was stabbed earlier this week in a violent attack, Pau Cubarsi and midfielder Marc Bernal, the latter making his debut.

“In the second half I think we played much better and with three or four very young players — I think this match is very important, to win at the beginning of the season, especially at this stadium in Valencia, it’s very difficult,” Robert Lewandowski told Movistar.

“My aim is always to score goals, I don’t know how many goals by the end of the season, but it is very important for me that as today was the first game, (I got) goals for confidence.”

Barcelona’s summer signing Dani Olmo is not yet registered to play and Flick said the playmaker still needs to get up to speed in terms of fitness.

The coach was happier with his team’s second-half display than their performance before the break.

“The second half was much better than the first half (where) we made a lot of mistakes,” Flick told Movistar.

“We came back at the end of the first half and in the second half, we did much better.”

An even first half burst into life as the break beckoned after the teams managed to create few clear chances in the first 40 minutes.

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Duro nodded the best of them over the bar from a corner, while Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved a fierce Raphinha drive.

Valencia took the lead in the 44th minute, with Duro nodding home Diego Lopez’s cross after losing Inigo Martinez, who played him onside.

Los Che should have doubled their lead but Cubarsi hacked Duro’s effort to safety off the line after Marc-Andre ter Stegen gave the ball away.

Robert Lewandowski grabbed the leveller in stoppage time, turning home from close range after Yamal diverted Alejandro Balde’s cross back into the danger area.

Barcelona moved ahead soon after the break when Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera felled Raphinha in the area.

Lewandowski, who turns 36 next week, hammered the resulting penalty into the top corner with aplomb.

Barcelona kept Valencia at arm’s length for most of the second half, ensuring the pace of the game was slow.

The Catalans had the better chances to score again with Ferran Torres sending a weak effort straight at Mamardashvili when through, while midfielder Marc Casado fired wide when well placed late on.

Lewandowski had a chance to complete his hat-trick in stoppage time but rifled over the bar.

“In the final stages we had this match under control,” added the former Bayern Munich striker, who played under Flick in Germany.

“We took the first step on the first match day, and now we have three games (coming up in La Liga) that are very important.”

Yamal was applauded after being substituted by some Valencia fans for his performances with Spain as they won the Euros.

“Lamine is a great player and I think everyone loves to see him playing football… I think you can say all the world likes to see him play,” added Flick.

Barcelona will host Copa del Rey winners Athletic Bilbao next Saturday in their second La Liga clash.

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