Culture

New adidas Predator boots bring World Cup USA '94 nostalgia to life

Since launching in 1994 ahead of the United States World Cup, the adidas Predator range has become synonymous with the game's history and its most celebrated players (Zidane, Beckham, Xavi) while moving into the future after making a return five years ago.

The latest edition of the boot is the Predator Edge, which dropped last January with a two-piece PRIMEKNIT collar and rubberized ribs across the instep and toe box. Now, less than one month out from the 2022 World Cup, adidas is launching the Predator Edge 94+, which honor the OG '94 Predators.

The Qatar World Cup's 'first fan' arrived 6 months ago and has been 'having a blast' ever since

BUENOS AIRES - Argentina's self-styled "first fan" Marcelo Martinez is so keen to see Lionel Messi and teammates at the World Cup that he arrived in Qatar six months early.

The first traveling Argentinian fan — and possibly the first visiting fan full stop — flew into Doha on May 3 with his blue-and-white wig, and has been having a blast ever since.

"Wonderful things have been happening," said the 54-year-old lawyer, who has found plenty of Qataris and expatriates sporting Argentina shirts. "They all love Messi and Argentina here."

Team-by-team guide: 2022 Iran World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This is the preview for Group B's Iran.

Iran World Cup 2022 Preview

World Cup appearances: 6th 

Best finish: Group stage (every time) 

How they got here: Iran finished top of Group A, above South Korea, in AFC qualifying. 

Coach: Carlos Queiroz (Portuguese) 

Mexican team stamps photo of Instagram influencer on their new jersey

Every year, soccer teams around the world present the jerseys they'll use throughout the season. The designs vary from authentic art pieces to boring, generic templates that brands try to elevate with a beautifully written but meaningless press releases. 

It's all in an effort to squeeze as much money as possible from their fans' pockets. 

Tonight's El Tráfico feels like the biggest MLS rivalry game ever

Los Angeles Football Club and the LA Galaxy will meet for the fourth time this season in Thursday night's Western Conference semifinal, but the dynamics are considerably different than their last match in early July.

Regular season West champions LAFC have added European stars like attacker Gareth Bale and defender Giorgio Chielini, as well as more under-the-radar additions up front in Cristian Tello and Denis Bouanga.

Benzema gets his own signature cleats from adidas after Ballon d'Or win

After firing Real Madrid to a Champions League and LaLiga double with 42 goals in 44 games and returning to the France national team with a Nations League title, Karim Benzema beat Sadio Mané and Kevin De Bruyne to the 2022 Ballon d'Or on Monday. To celebrate the occasion, adidas — which has counted Benzema among its stable of athletes for over a decade now — dropped a new signature cleat for Real's captain.

Wrexham reaches FA Cup first round after nearly blowing 3-0 lead at home

Wrexham AFC (90% Rotten Tomatoes, Critics' Choice darling, all episodes streaming now on Hulu, etc., etc.) have advanced to the first round proper of the FA Cup after defeating the part-timers of Blyth Spartans 3-2 in a fourth round qualifying replay Tuesday.

Milwaukee's new professional soccer team to be announced on Oct. 19

Milwaukee’s rich soccer history is writing a new chapter this week. Following the announcement of a new stadium being built in the downtown area, a tweet has confirmed a date for the official announcement from the new club. 

Under the username @MKE_ProSoccer, the new team posted its first message since the account was created in May 2022. An event will be held on Oct. 19 at 4:30 p.m. CST at the corners of W Michigan Ave and N 10th Street, just off Marquette University’s campus. 

Nobody kills the MLS Cup Playoffs quite like the New York market

It's October in North American soccer, meaning it's time for fans in this portion of the world to widely celebrate the one event that largely separates us from the rest of the planet: the playoffs.

It's been glorious.

Karim Benzema, Alexia Putellas win Ballon d'Or awards for best players in the world

PARIS - Real Madrid's France forward Karim Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award for the best men's player in the world on Monday, while Barcelona's Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women's award for a second time.

Benzema, who played a pivotal role in Real's run to the Champions League title last season, is the first French player to win the trophy since Zinedine Zidane in 1998 and the fifth after Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini and Jean-Pierre Papin.

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