Earlier this week, Lionel Messi spoke about how lingering effects from Covid-19 greatly limited his abilities with PSG in 2022. In addition to being a reminder to everyone to get fully vaccinated (and boosted), it provided context to a season that, by Messi’s supremely high standards, was awful, with just six goals.
Messi looked the picture of health on Wednesday.
In Wednesday's Finalissima vs. Argentina, the Italian national team will debut its new and last jersey in partnership with Puma. The kit is part of the latest international collection from the German brand, which includes the shirts for five countries playing in the next 2022 World Cup: Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Switzerland and Uruguay.
The World Cup began in 1930 and we've gotten some great international kits since the competition began.
Here is a list of some of our favorite.
Did yours make the list? Who do you think has the best international kit?
"Absurd" was the word Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci used to describe the UEFA World Cup qualifying process after his team fell to North Macedonia in a single-leg playoff last week.
"You have to play a single game in which anything can happen as we have seen," the veteran center back said. "There are teams that qualified after losing four or five games; we are at home after losing only one in the 92nd minute. It is truly madness."
Editor’s Note: This story on what pot is USMNT in for World Cup 2022 draw has been updated on March 31 to reflect the latest data.
Heading into the final week of World Cup qualifying before the all-important World Cup draw, the USMNT had a chance to play its way into the coveted Pot 1. Because of its results — and others around the world — the U.S. will not be in Pot 1. But the Americans did just enough to qualify for the World Cup, and now they can look forward to being placed in Pot 2 for the World Cup draw on Friday, April 1.
Italy broke English hearts last July as they won the European Championship final but after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the second straight tournament they have left fans thinking their Wembley triumph was a flash in the pan.
For a country who have won the World Cup four times, Italy's recent record is a national embarrassment.
Since lifting their fourth World Cup trophy in 2006, they have not played a knockout game in the showpiece event, having only won one group stage match at the finals in that time. Their recent World Cup record is even more distressing.
Sorpresa e incredulidad son los sentimientos que mejor resumen lo vivido hoy en el Estadio Renzo Barbera. Porque Italia, actual campeón europeo, cayó inesperada y agónicamente ante Macedonia del Norte y con ello se perderá su segundo mundial consecutivo.
North Macedonia pulled off one the biggest upsets in sporting history on Thursday when the minnows took on European champions Italy in a World Cup playoff and somehow pulled off a 1-0 victory in Palermo.
This game could've been played 100 times and Italy wins 99 times.
But I watched this game from start to finish and I must say the North Macedonia win was absolutely deserved. I don’t know if I've ever seen a more valiant display of defending in my life. Italy recorded 32 shots but only five ended up on target.
The final major international window before the World Cup begins Monday and lasts through early next week with crucial matches being contested across UEFA, CONMEBOL, Concacaf, CAF, AFC and OFC. We'll know 29 of the 32 competing nations in Qatar after this period, with only the inter-confederation playoffs (two spots) and a delayed European playoff final (one spot) to go.
ROME - The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has requested the postponement of a round of Serie A fixtures to help the Italy national team in its preparations for the FIFA World Cup playoffs, FIGC president Gabriele Gravina said on Monday.
European champions Italy risk failing to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup after finishing behind Switzerland in their qualifying group, and they face North Macedonia in a playoff in Palermo on March 24.