Europe

LONDON — Argentine Lionel Messi retained the FIFA men's player of the year trophy on Monday, beating Manchester City's treble-winning Norwegian striker Erling Haaland and France's Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé to the award.

Spain's 2023 World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati was voted the best women's player of the year.

Messi, who also secured the men's award in 2022 after guiding Argentina to World Cup victory, clinched the Ligue 1 title with PSG alongside Mbappe following that success, before moving to Major League Soccer team Inter Miami.

St. Louis City’s Nicholas Gioacchini might be the next USMNT player from MLS to head to Europe, with his likely destination becoming one of a full-circle move for the Italian-American.

It was reported on Sunday that Como 1907, a club competing in Italy’s Serie B second-tier, submitted a proposal to St. Louis City SC for the transfer of Gioacchini.

Understand Como FC sent a proposal to St Louis City for striker Niko Gioacchini.

NEWCASTLE — Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne inspired a late comeback 3-2 victory for his side at Newcastle United on Saturday in his first Premier League action since the opening day of the season.

The Belgian midfielder has been missing since August because of a hamstring injury but came off the bench in the 69th minute with City trailing 2-1 to spark a remarkable turnaround.

Bernardo Silva had given City a 26th-minute lead with a sublime back-heeled finish from Kyle Walker's low cross but Pep Guardiola's side were soon rocked back on their heels.

BURNLEY — Carlton Morris scored a controversial last-gasp goal as Luton Town escaped Turf Moor with a precious point against Burnley in a 1-1 Premier League draw on Friday between two sides fighting relegation.

The hosts looked set for victory after Zeki Amdouni's first-half goal before Morris headed in the equalizer in the 92nd minute. Burnley protested that Luton's Elijah Adebayo impeded goalkeeper James Trafford, but following a VAR check, the goal stood.

JJ Watt Luton Town goal tweet

United States men’s national team forward Christian Pulisic has put his dogdays of Chelsea behind him and is now one of the brightest stars in Serie A being named December’s Player of the Month.

Pulisic churned out quality performances for Milan throughout the month and tallied two goals and two assists. The 25-year-old provided a goal contribution in four of Milan’s five league games in December.

Pulisic named Serie Player of the Month

United States women’s national team right back Emily Fox is the latest American player to make the switch from NWSL to Europe. Fox left the North Carolina Courage to join Women’s Super League side Arsenal.

Welcome to The Arsenal, Emily Fox ✍️

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) January 11, 2024

Manchester City will again have to do without their leading scorer Erling Haaland when they face Newcastle United in the Premier League this weekend, but Kevin De Bruyne could make his first start of the season since Aug. 11, Pep Guardiola said on Friday.

Haaland, with 14 league goals in 15 games is joint top scorer in the Premier League alongside Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, but has missed City's last eight games in all competitions with a foot injury.

United States men’s national team midfielder Weston McKennie beautifully supplied two of Juventus’ goals during the team’s 4-0 victory vs. Frosinone in the Italian Cup on Thursday.

The American midfielder is having arguably the best season of his career and the two assists from Thursday only support that argument.

McKennie assists vs. Frosinone

An own goal by defender Stefan Savic and a strike by Brahim Diaz late in extra time gave Real Madrid a 5-3 comeback win over city rivals Atletico in a rip-roaring Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Atletico opened the scoring from a Mario Hermoso header in the sixth minute, but Real fought back through Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy, before Antoine Griezmann equalized in the 37th minute with a brilliant long-range strike.

ANTONIO RUDIGER EQUALIZES FOR REAL MADRID