Month: February 2023

5:13 AM ET Associated Press Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has signed a long-term contract extension, the Premier League leaders said Friday. The 21-year-old Brazil international has scored seven goals this season to boost Arsenal’s title bid in his fourth season in north London. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) The club did not

4:00 AM ET Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is leading the charge for the club’s first Serie A title in more than 30 years. Cesare Purini/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images The January transfer window has only just closed, but already two of Europe’s biggest clubs are targeting a player who could move for a nine-figure fee in the

6:52 PM ET Alex Kirkland Rodrigo Faez Thibaut Courtois said Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior needs more protection after the forward was the victim of a wild tackle from Valencia‘s Gabriel Paulista in their 2-0 LaLiga win on Thursday. Defender Gabriel was shown a straight red card for the challenge, which came in the 72nd

9:05 AM ET At first glance, things haven’t changed all that much since soccer’s post-World Cup restart a month or so ago. Arsenal and Manchester City have averaged more than two points per game in Premier League play, just as they did before the break. Barcelona have dropped only two points and extended their LaLiga

7:03 PM ET Lionel Messi is not ruling out playing for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, but admitted age will make it difficult to compete in the tournament. Messi, who will turn 39 during the next World Cup, had said last year that the 2022 tournament in Qatar would be his last. However, with

5:12 PM ET Marco Asensio and Vinicius Junior scored second-half goals to earn Real Madrid a solid 2-0 win over struggling Valencia on Thursday as the visitors finished the match with 10 men. Valencia defender Gabriel Paulista was shown a straight red 18 minutes from time for chopping down Vinicius with a wild tackle that

5:25 PM ET Alex KirklandESPN FC MADRID — Marco Asensio and Vinicius Junior scored two goals in two minutes in the second half as Real Madrid beat Valencia 2-0 in LaLiga on Thursday. Asensio had an early shot saved and another blocked, before Madrid defender Eder Militao was forced off injured and Antonio Rudiger had

10:06 AM ET Chelsea manager Graham Potter said there will be some awkward conversations as he attempts to piece together a costly jigsaw puzzle and turn the club’s massive spending spree into success. Potter’s Chelsea host Fulham on Friday with nearly £300 million ($369m) worth of January signings at his disposal. – Stream on ESPN+:

9:28 AM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent Mason Greenwood leaves court in November after a preliminary hearing. LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images Criminal proceedings against Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood have been “discontinued.” The 21-year-old footballer was due to face trial in November over allegations of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour. However, a statement issued

10:07 AM ET Kylian Mbappe is key to PSG’s chances of Champions League progression. Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed that Kylian Mbappe will be out for around three weeks because of the injury he suffered against Montpellier on Wednesday, making him a doubt for the Champions League round-of-16 first-leg game against Bayern

8:00 AM ET The time has come to scrap the transfer window. What was introduced as an attempt to bring standardisation and clarity for clubs throughout the football pyramid has degenerated into a month-long showcase of bad planning and chaotic business that now only serves the social media rumour mill and drives managers, players and

7:15 AM ET Raphael Varane won the 2018 World Cup with France. Photo by ANP via Getty Images Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from international football after France‘s failure to retain the World Cup in Qatar. Varane, who made 93 appearances for France, was part of the side that won the tournament in 2018 but

7:08 PM ET It will be a clash of styles when Seattle Sounders FC make their Club World Cup debut against Egyptian side Al Ahly in Tangier on Saturday, the Major League Soccer team’s goalkeeper Stefan Frei said. The Sounders, who are the first team from the United States to compete in club soccer’s global

7:43 PM ET Kylian Mbappe is a doubt to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League this month after the Paris Saint-Germain striker came off injured against Montpellier on Wednesday. Mbappe, who earlier missed a twice-taken penalty, picked up a knee and thigh injury after a tackle by Montpellier midfielder Leo Leroy and had to

6:29 PM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent Erik ten Hag has told Jadon Sancho to keep smiling after the Manchester United forward made his return to football for the first time in three months. Sancho came on as a second-half substitute during the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Wednesday, his first appearance since

4:50 PM ET Manchester United cruised into the final of the Carabao Cup after completing a 5-0 aggregate win over Nottingham Forest with a 2-0 victory in Wednesday’s semifinal second leg at Old Trafford. Substitute Anthony Martial and midfielder Fred scored quick-fire second-half goals to put the seal on a tie that was effectively decided