Category: Football

Pakistan women’s football team’s seasoned striker Malika-e-Noor announced her shock retirement from the sport with immediate effect.

Noor, who rose to the limelight with his 89th-minute winner for Pakistan against Maldives in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in 2010 shared that she has formally retired from international football but will continue to play domestic tournaments.

“Probably the hardest decision that I have made in my life! I wasn’t mentally ready—I thought I would give some more years to the team—but the scenarios have changed, and this feels like a must-do,” Noor posted on Instagram.

“RETIREMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL!”

 

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A post shared by Malika-e-Noor (@noormalika10)

Malika-e-Noor, who played 25 international football matches for Pakistan, termed it as the biggest honour of her life.

“Representing my country on the world stage has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I am incredibly grateful for every opportunity I’ve had to wear the national team jersey,” said Noor.

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Noor expressed her satisfaction over playing with “the best teammates” and “exceptional coaches” before going on to thank her friends and family for their unwavering support throughout her professional career.

“From my debut to my final match, the journey has been filled with unforgettable moments, hard-fought victories, and invaluable lessons. I have been privileged to play alongside some of the best teammates and under the guidance of exceptional coaches. Each match and every training session has shaped me not only as a player but also as a person,” said Noor.

“Thank you to my family and friends for your unwavering support and sacrifices, allowing me to pursue my dreams. To my teammates, thank you for your fellowship and for pushing me to be the best version of myself. And to the fans, your passion and encouragement have been the driving force behind every performance.

“Though I am stepping away from international play, I look forward to continuing my career at the club level and contributing to the game in new ways. I will forever cherish the memories made and the relationships built through this incredible journey.

“My thoughts and best wishes remain with the youth. I hope they find themselves in an environment where they are safe, heard, and treated with equality. Young girls are driving change within the system, and I trust that stakeholders and authorities will recognize this and support the youth in achieving their dreams.”

READ: Euro 2024 champion Alvaro Morata signs for AC Milan

Alvaro Morata signed for AC Milan from Atletico Madrid on Friday, the Spain striker returning to Serie A days after winning Euro 2024.

The 31-year-old has signed a four-year deal with Milan who brought him in to replace departed Olivier Giroud following the former France international’s transfer to Los Angeles FC.

“Morata has signed with the Rossoneri until 30 June 2028, with an option to extend for an additional year,” said Milan in a statement.

Italian media report that Milan paid Morata’s 13-million euro ($14.2 million) release clause and that the player will earn around 4.5 million euros per season.

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Morata played in every match in Spain’s triumph at the Euro 2024, netting his only goal of the tournament in La Roja’s 3-0 thumping of Croatia which kicked off their campaign in Germany.

He has scored 36 goals in 80 international appearances for his country.

Alvaro Morata will return to Italy after two spells with Milan’s rivals Juventus, where he won two league titles and three Italian Cups.

Morata has also won the FA Cup with Chelsea and featured in two triumphant Champions League campaigns with Real Madrid, in 2014 and 2017.

Milan, who finished second in Serie A last season but 19 points behind champions Inter Milan, begin the league season under new coach Paulo Fonseca with the visit of Torino on August 17.

READ: Here’s why Suryakumar Yadav was chosen over Hardik Pandya as T20I captain

Manchester United have bought teenage French defender Leny Yoro from Lille, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.

United said they had signed the 18-year-old until June 2029. British media reported that United were paying Lille 62 million euros (52.2 million pounds) with 8 million euros in potential add-ons.

“Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour,” Yoro told the Manchester United website.

“Since my first conversations with the club, they set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and showed a lot of care for me and my family.

“I know about the history of young players at Manchester United and feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new team-mates. I cannot wait to get started.”

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Leny Yoro made his professional debut for Lille in May 2022 and went on to make 46 Ligue 1 appearances for the club.

“Leny is one of the most exciting young defenders in world football; he possesses every attribute needed to develop into a top-class centre-back,” said Dan Ashworth, Manchester United’s sporting director.

Olivier Letang, the Lille president, said he was proud of Yoro.

“We’re always sad when a boy leaves the club,” Letang told the Lille website. “But we’re also happy and proud when these boys, who arrived young, become men and top-level footballers.”

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Kraigg Brathwaite wants the West Indies to play more Test cricket as they look to square their series with England.

West Indies suffered a humiliating innings and 114-run defeat by England in the first Test at Lord’s last week, with the hosts wrapping up victory before lunch on the third day as they went 1-0 up in a three-match encounter.

But the difference between the two teams is about far more than on-field performances.

England are one of international cricket’s ‘Big Three’ financial powerhouse nations, together with India and Australia, while the West Indies are one of the economically poorer members of the Test-match elite.

The gulf between England and the West Indies is also reflected in their respective fixture lists, with Tests still largely a matter of bilateral arrangements between competing teams — the International Cricket Council merely specifies a minimum of two matches for a series.

Thursday’s second Test at Trent Bridge will be England’s seventh of 17 fixtures in the format this year, whereas the West Indies will be playing their third of nine in 2024.

“It’s a challenge. I mean, we’re longing for more Test cricket,” West Indies captain Brathwaite told a pre-match press conference at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.

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“I think the more you play it, the faster you will learn. If it’s drawn over a long period of time, playing two Tests here, two Tests there, you will take longer to learn. We need more Tests.”

The 31-year-old added: “All I can do is keep preaching for it. I don’t know how hard it is to put on a Test series for the West Indies but all I can do is keep asking. I just hope the powers that be that may control the schedule pertaining to white ball and T20 tournaments, can fit in five or six more Test matches for us per year.”

A more immediate issue for the West Indies if they are to be competitive in this series is how to ensure an improved showing by their batsmen.

At Lord’s, they were bowled out for just 121 and 136, with experienced opener Brathwaite managing just 10 runs in total during what was his 90th Test.

“It’s pretty simple what we’ve got to do — we’ve got to bat a lot better,” said Brathwaite, who made a Test hundred in England, at Headingley, seven years ago.

“We’ve got to find a way. We’ve just got to put runs on the board. I know what I have to do and it’s obviously important to lead this team and lead the batting.

“We’ve just got to keep learning.”

READ: Luka Modric extends Real Madrid deal for another season

Real Madrid captain Luka Modric has signed a new one-year deal to keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu for the upcoming season, the European champions announced on Wednesday.

The 38-year-old midfielder extended his contract until June 30, 2025.

Modric has won six Champions League titles, La Liga four times and lifted the Copa del Rey twice with Real Madrid.

He has only started 37 times across the last two league seasons, but remains a key player for coach Carlo Ancelotti, having helped Los Blancos to a Champions League-La Liga double last term.

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Luka Modric became the oldest goalscorer in European Championship history last month when he netted for Croatia against Italy at Euro 2024, although he could not prevent the 2018 World Cup runners-up from suffering a group-stage exit.

“I’d like to keep playing forever but there will probably be a time I’ll have to hang up my boots,” Modric said after the agonising 1-1 draw with Italy which put Croatia out.

“I’ll keep playing on, I don’t know for how much longer.”

The news of Modric’s extension comes the day after new star signing Kylian Mbappe was presented to Madrid fans following his move from Paris Saint-Germain.

Madrid will kick off their league title defence at Real Mallorca on Sunday, August 18.

READ: Former chief selector wants PCB to sack ‘incompetent’ Azhar Mahmood

Lionel Messi will miss Inter Miami’s next two Major League Soccer (MLS) matches after injuring his right ankle in Argentina’s Copa America final triumph, Miami coach Gerardo Martino said Tuesday.

The 37-year-old Argentine star went down in the 64th minute of a 1-0 victory over Colombia, hobbling off the field with cameras showing a huge swollen ankle.

Messi is set to miss Inter Miami home matches on Wednesday against Toronto FC and on Saturday against the Chicago Fire.

“There will be further testing to determine the severity of the situation,” Martino said. “He has to have more tests and wait for the results.”

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Messi, in an Instagram posting, was thankful for the messages of concern and support he received after Sunday’s match.

“I want is to thank everyone for the messages and greetings. I’m fine, thank God, and I hope I can soon be on the field again enjoying what I like to do most,” Messi wrote.

With 14 wins and five draws from 23 matches, Inter Miami ranks second in MLS and the Eastern Conference on 47 points, one behind Cincinnati, which routed Miami 6-1 on July 6.

Inter Miami is set to begin defending the Leagues Cup title against MLS and Mexican league rivals next week.

READ: Washington Freedom crush MI New York to reach MLC 2024 playoffs

MADRID: France’s superstar striker Kylian Mbappe on Tuesday, was officially unveiled as the Real Madrid player here at a packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Mbappe, who underwent his medical screening earlier on Tuesday morning, was roped in by the Spanish club on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after his deal with the 12-time Ligue 1 champions ended.

He was presented a No. 9 shirt by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

“Wow,” Mbappe said in Spanish to thousands of fans flocked in at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

“For years I’ve dreamed of playing for Real Madrid and today my dream has come true,” said Mbappe.

“I’m a happy boy. I’m going to give my life for this club,” he added.

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Notably, Real Madrid have been after Kylian Mbappe since 2017 but failed to reach an agreement with the World Cup-winning player on numerous occasions.

Mbappe had verbally agreed to move to Real in February this year and consequently announced in May that he would leave Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the end of the Ligue 1 season.

“Real Madrid have reached an agreement for the player to be at Real Madrid for the next five seasons,” the club said in a statement.

Mbappe, who is estimated to earn 35 million euros ($38 million) a season, according to reports in Spain, said the move was “a dream come true”.

“So happy and proud to join the club of my dream [Real Madrid]. Nobody can understand how excited I am right now. Can’t wait to see you, Madridistas, and thanks for your unbelievable support,” Mbappe added.

READ: Gareth Southgate quits as England manager after Euro heartbreak

Gareth Southgate said on Tuesday he was resigning as England manager, two days after they lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. 

“It’s time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager,” Southgate said in a statement.

Names immediately bandied around as 53-year-old Southgate’s successor are Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, and two former Chelsea handlers, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino.

Football Association CEO Mark Bullingham said Southgate had “made the impossible job possible”.

Southgate took over in 2016 when England’s fortunes were at a low ebb, having exited the Euros after defeat to Iceland and then Sam Allardyce had to resign over a scandal.

In the last four tournaments, Gareth Southgate led England to three semi-finals and two finals.

Prior to his appointment, the Three Lions had reached just three major tournament semi-finals and one final in their history, when they won the 1966 World Cup.

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But despite changing the fortunes of the England team, Southgate was unable to land a first trophy for 58 years as England lost 2-1 to Spain on Sunday.

“Gareth has made the impossible job possible and laid strong foundations for future success,” said Bullingham in a statement.

“In the 25 tournaments post 1966 before Gareth took charge, we had won seven knockout games.

“In his four tournaments we have won nine. So, in his eight years, he has won more games that really matter than in the previous 50 years.

“And of course, we have had strong tournament performances throughout their tenure.

“We came so close to winning the Euros in London and securing the first trophy for our men’s team for over 50 years -– and came so close again in Berlin on Sunday.”

Gareth Southgate, who is also credited for restoring pride and lustre to the team as well as turning the players into role models off the pitch, said the job had been a dream of a lifetime for him.

“As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England,” he said.

“It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all.”

READ: Short, Plunkett power San Francisco Unicorns to beat Seattle Orcas

Xherdan Shaqiri announced his retirement from international football on Monday after winning 125 Switzerland caps and becoming the only player to score in each of the last three World Cups and European Championships.

Midfielder Shaqiri, 32, who now plays with Chicago Fire in the United States, is Switzerland’s second most-capped player after team-mate Granit Xhaka on 130 caps.

The former Bayern Munich and Liverpool winger made his international debut in March 2010 aged 18. He represented his country at four World Cups and three European Championships.

In what was his last game for the Nati, Shaqiri scored in the shoot-out as England beat Switzerland 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in their Euro 2024 quarter-final in Duesseldorf on July 6.

“Seven tournaments, many goals, 14 years with the Swiss national team and unforgettable moments. It’s time to say goodbye to the national team. Great memories remain and I say to you all: thank you!”, he said on social media.

Shaqiri retires as Switzerland’s fourth top goalscorer with 32 goals, behind Alexander Frei with 42 and Kubilay Turkyilmaz and Max Abegglen on 34.

The Swiss Football Association (SFV) said most of his goals were “bangers”.

Xherdan Shaqiri first scored for Switzerland in a 3-1 defeat by England in Basel in 2010, in his seventh appearance.

He scored all three as Switzerland beat Honduras 3-0 in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

His final international goal came at Euro 2024, pouncing on a loose ball and blasting in the equaliser from outside the penalty box in Switzerland’s 1-1 draw with Scotland in the group stage.

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The strike means he is the only player to score in the last three World Cups and the last three Euros.

The SFV governing body paid tribute to Shaqiri’s imprint on the national football team.

“With Shaqiri, a big part of the Nati’s history is gone. In recent years, the attacking midfielder was the man for special moments,” the SFV said.

“We thank you with all our hearts for the many unforgettable commitments and the wonderful goals and assists in the national team and wish you the best for your future, and much success.

“You have touched and conquered our hearts with your game and your goals.”

Nobody has scored more goals for Switzerland in finals tournaments than Shaqiri with 10: five in the Euros and five in World Cups.

“Only six other players have scored five or more goals at both the Euros and the World Cup: Michel Platini, Jurgen Klinsmann, Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku,” said the SFV.

Born in 1991 in Kosovo, which was then part of Yugoslavia, his family emigrated to Switzerland in 1992.

Besides his international exploits, Xherdan Shaqiri won the Champions League and the Club World Cup with both Bayern Munich and Liverpool, plus three Bundesliga titles and the Premier League.

He also won three Swiss league titles in his early years with Basel, in a career that has also taken him to Inter Milan, Stoke City and Lyon.

READ: Seven athletes in Pakistan’s 18-member contingent for Paris Olympics

Germany striker Thomas Mueller said on Monday he was drawing a line under his 14-year career with the national team following the conclusion of Euro 2024. 

“After 131 national team games and 45 goals, I am saying goodbye,” Mueller said in a video statement announcing his decision.

Mueller, who turns 35 in September, was a key member of the German team that won the 2014 World Cup, beating Argentina in the final after extra time.

“When I played my first international match for the German national team over 14 years ago, I could never have dreamed of all this,” Mueller said in the video.

“Great victories and bitter defeats. Sometimes on the floor, only to get back up again,” he said. “It always made me very proud to play for my country. We celebrated together and sometimes shed a tear together.”

Germany’s 2-1 loss to Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 will go down as Mueller’s last game for the national team.

A late extra-time goal by Spain’s Mikel Merino dashed Germany’s hopes of winning the tournament on home soil.

A tearful Mueller hinted after the game that he had played his last game for Germany.

Mueller said he would hold talks with national team coach Julian Nagelsmann and decide whether it was the “sensible option” to step aside in favour of younger players.

Following Mueller’s announcement, Nagelsmann lauded his qualities as a player, adding that the German team would “miss him very much”.

“Nobody is like Thomas Mueller,” said Rudi Voeller, the Germany national team director and a prolific striker in his own right. “His value to German football cannot be overestimated,” Voeller said in a statement.

Mueller was “unorthodox, intuitive, unpredictable and that is precisely why (he) is successful”, Voeller said.

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Mueller won the Golden Boot at the 2010 World Cup in his debut year with the national team, scoring five goals at the tournament in South Africa.

The charismatic striker also scored the opening goal in Germany’s famous 7-1 victory over the hosts Brazil in the 2014 World Cup on their way to lifting the title.

Of the players to have won the World Cup with Germany that year, only goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is still involved in the national team set-up.

Germany and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos announced before Euro 2024 that he would retire from football after the tournament.

Unlike Kroos, Mueller will continue to play for his club Bayern Munich, where he is under contract until 2025.

“The younger generation doesn’t know the national team without Thomas Mueller and I can’t really imagine it without him,” Bayern president Herbert Hainer said in a statement.

“I’m delighted that Thomas will continue to play for our club.”

With 131 appearances under Mueller’s belt, only Lothar Matthaeus and Miroslav Klose have played more games for Germany.

Mueller also ranks sixth on Germany’s all-time scoring list behind Klose and Voeller, among others, and level with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

“His achievements and his titles speak for themselves,” German Football Association president Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement.

“With his goals and his ingenuity, he played a key role in shaping one of the most successful periods in the history of our national team,” Neuendorf said.

In his goodbye message, Mueller called on fans to “keep your fingers crossed for the team on the way to the 2026 World Cup”.

“I’m doing that too. Now as a fan in the stands and no longer as a player on the pitch.”

READ: PCB Chairman announces ‘zero-tolerance policy’ for discipline violation