Lionel Messi wanted to make Neymar the best player in the world.
In a candid interview with Brazilian national team legend, Romario, on the Romario Onze podcast, Neymar Jr. opened up about the real reasons he left FC Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, offering more insight into one of the most talked-about transfers in soccer history.
In a spectacular Super Cup final, Barcelona triumphed over Real Madrid with a dominant 5-2 scoreline, cementing their status as one of the best teams in the world and their recent dominance over Los Blancos.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 12, 2025
Former Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has been appointed as Costa Rica's head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the country's soccer federation (FCRF) said in a statement.
The 56-year-old Herrera, a former defender who coached Mexico to the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup and a CONCACAF Gold Cup title in 2015, replaced Gustavo Alfaro who left in August to coach Paraguay.
Miguel Herrera Costa Rica manager
United States women’s national team and Portland Thorns defender Becky Sauerbrunn is hanging up her boots after 16 incredible years with the national team. The 39-year-old announced her retirement via social media on Tuesday.
Becky Sauerbrunn retirement
Lionel Messi assisted Lautaro Martínez during Argentina’s 1-0 victory vs. Peru on Tuesday to tie former United States star Landon Donovan and Neymar for the most international assists in men’s soccer history.
Here was the assist that tied Neymar and Donovan’s record of 58 assists.
¡Pero que locura! Golazo de Argentina y revienta el estadio
Argentina 1-0 Perú
The United States men’s national team accomplished a feat they've rarely done in recent history. They managed to win a game against a Concacaf opponent not played in the United States.
New head coach Mauricio Pochettino got his first taste of Concacaf road action against Mexico during a friendly in October that saw the USMNT lose 2-0.
BARCELONA — Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta announced his retirement on Tuesday after a glittering trophy-laden career spanning 24 years.
Iniesta, 40, was at the heart of the Spain and Barcelona midfield during a period of sustained success for both teams in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
"Please allow me to be a little emotional today," a tearful Iniesta, who most recently played for Emirates Club in the United Arab Emirates, told a press conference.
Gio Reyna is expected to miss another month and-a-half with a groin injury after suffering a setback, announced Borussia Dortmund manager Nuri Sahin.
The United States men’s national team midfielder initially suffered the injury during the USMNT’s September window and has been out for club and country since.
️ Nuri Şahin:
France's World Cup-winning defender Raphaël Varane announced his retirement from football at the age of 31 on Wednesday, bringing down the curtain on his successful career after suffering a serious knee injury.
Varane made 93 appearances for France from 2013-22, playing a key role in their victory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as well as their runners-up finish four years later in Qatar. He retired from international football in 2023.
Varane retires
A former referee has admitted to have spared Lionel Messi from a second yellow card in return for his match-worn shirt.
Chilean refereee, Carlos Chandía, has confessed to having purposefully avoided giving Messi a booking. And all in the plan to receive the Argentine’s jersey at the end of a match.
Chandía was in charge of the 2007 Copa America semifinal match between Argentina and Mexico, with the Albiceleste blowing past El Tri with a 3-0 scoreline. 20-year-old Messi scored a beautiful lob to seal his country’s spot in the final.