Men's National Teams

Six of Lionel Messi’s 2022 World Cup jerseys sold for nearly $8 million at auction

The first place a match-worn soccer jersey usually goes is the washing machine, however that wasn’t the case for six Lionel Messi shirts worn at the 2022 World Cup. A Messi shirts auction saw six of the Argentine’s World Cup jerseys sold for a staggering $7.8 million.

Messi shirts auction

New York based auction house Sotheby sold the six jerseys for a price tag higher than nearly any other jersey in history. The most expensive in sports history was a Michael Jordan jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals that sold for $10.1 million.

Legendary Italian defender and LAFC star Giorgio Chiellini announces his retirement

Former Italy and Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has decided to retire from professional football, the 39-year-old announced on Twitter on Tuesday.

Chiellini, who played for Major League Soccer (MLS) club Los Angeles FC this season, retires after losing the MLS Cup final 2-1 to Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Chiellini retires

Watch: Folarin Balogun bags both assists in Monaco’s 2-1 victory vs. Rennes

United States men’s national team and AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun turned provider on Saturday as he assisted both of his side’s goals in a 2-1 Ligue 1 victory vs. Rennes.

Balogun entered the match with just one goal contribution in his last six games for Monaco and needed a solid performance. Monaco signed Balogun for roughly $43 million this summer.

The 22-year-old USMNT star delivered on Saturday this time with his passing rather than goal scoring.

Balogun assists vs Rennes

The18’s Copa América power rankings — End of 2023 edition

The anticipation for Copa América 2024 continues to grow especially with the recent reveal of the group stage. In the months leading up to the tournament The18 will be doing power rankings and list our picks for the best 2024 Copa América teams.

USMNT get favorable opponents in Copa América group stage draw and should be confident

The United States men’s national team will face Uruguay, Panama and Bolivia in Group C of the 2024 Copa América. The USMNT Copa América group is looking great.

The draw for the tournament took place on Thursday. It took 50 minutes until a ball was drawn, but the groups for the 2024 Copa América are now official.

2024 Copa América groups

Ricardo Pepi dropped to PSV reserves: What does this mean?

The USMNT’s very own Ricardo Pepi just went from scoring in the Champions League last week, to being relegated to his club's reserve team this week and if you're wondering why, we're here to explain.

USMNT still ranked top 15 in the world despite loss to Trinidad and Tobago

If you’ve kept up with The18 over the past couple years, then you know we love to poke fun at FIFA’s ridiculous world rankings. The latest FIFA rankings put the United States men’s national team at No. 12 in the world.

Latest FIFA rankings

Christian Pulisic took one for the team and put his balls on the line for a World Cup win one year ago

Nov. 29, 2022 was a historic day for the United States men’s national team. It was the day that Christian Pulisic took a brutal blow below the belt for the sake of his country and a place in the 2022 World Cup Round of 16.

At the time of writing, Pulisic’s heroics vs. Iran to secure a 1-0 victory were exactly 365 days ago. In recognition of his goal, let’s take a look back at that glorious day.

The game was do-or-die for the U.S. with the group extra tight going into the final day of group stage action.

USMNT’s group heading into final game

Potential CONMEBOL opponents — Here’s how USMNT’s 2024 Copa América group could look

After the latest international break and their victory against Trinidad and Tobago in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, the USMNT sealed their qualification for next year’s hosting of the 2024 Copa América. Eight years later, once again.

Santiago Giménez scores HAT-TRICK and ‘demands’ spot in Mexico’s starting XI

Santiago Giménez returned to action with Feyenoord after playing in the international break with Mexico, and the Mexican sensation wasted no time in once again doing what he does best — scoring goals. Three of them, to be exact.

Santi Giménez hat-trick vs Excelsior; reaches 16 Eredivisie goals

Santi is back to scoring ways in the Netherlands.

Santiago Giménez had himself one of his best games of the season this Saturday when Feyenoord traveled to the other side of the city to face off against Excelsior in the the Rotterdam derby.

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