Euphoria levels are still high in Argentina after the World Cup title. People are not tired of celebrating and talking about Messi's masterstrokes, Dibu Martínez's antics in the penalty shootouts vs. the Netherlands and France, or Enzo Fernández's bright future.
Pelé, the magical Brazilian soccer star who rose from barefoot poverty to become one of the greatest and best-known athletes in modern history, died at the age of 82, his daughter said on Instagram on Thursday.
He had been in and out of hospital in recent months after a tumor was found on his colon.
Pelé.
The mere mention of the name conjures grainy, black-and-white footage of a bright-eyed young man announcing his arrival on the world stage in Sweden. Of a triumphant, shirtless star carried off the pitch at the Azteca. Of a smiling veteran bringing the beautiful game to a new audience. Of a septuagenarian snacking on a Subway sandwich with swimming stud Michael Phelps.
Of the greatest footballer to ever walk the earth.
Pelé.
Julián Álvarez has become one of the most beloved players in Argentina. The Manchester City striker was instrumental in La Albiceleste's 2022 World Cup-winning campaign, scoring four goals and creating a joy-making partnership with Lionel Messi. So no wonder kids line up in front of his door to get a photo or an autograph.
André-Pierre Gignac acabó en la cama de un hospital luego de recibir un terrible pelotazo en la nuca durante un amistoso entre Tigres y Santos Laguna.
Hacia el final del encuentro, que terminó igualado 1-1, un rechace del defensor Félix Torres se estrelló de manera violenta en la cabeza del capitán y talismán de los felinos, dejándolo tendido en el piso.
Antes del inicio del Clausura 2023 de la Liga MX nos lanzamos en la aventura de elegir a los mejores del torneo en distintas funciones del juego:
Mientras Cruz Azul continúa secándose las lágrimas que dejó la traición de Luis Suárez, el Atlético de San Luis sorprende a la Liga MX sumando un refuerzo traído directamente desde la Bundesliga.
El nombre en cuestión es Mateo Klimowicz, un prometedor mediocampista de 22 años que llega a préstamo por un año desde el VfB Stuttgart con una opción de compra.
Where is Soccer City, USA? Apparently, it's not Portland, Oregon, which has long laid claim to that title. According to a new study released last month, Los Angeles actually tops the list of best soccer cities in America.
Portland finished third overall in the rankings, just behind their Cascadia rivals to the north, Seattle.
Random morning weekday, The18 headquarters:
"Who is Kylian Mbappé's new girlfriend? We should write a story. Any volunteers?"
Well, here is your volunteer.
I know those who see the world in 4-3-3, 3-5-2 or 4-2-2 formations and spend the day analyzing the tactical wrinkles of Pep Guardiola in Manchester City or Jürgen Klopp in Liverpool don't give a cent about who is Kylian Mbappé's girlfriend.
But guess what? The world is not only yours. Some people may also want to know more about the glamorous life of soccer stars and this is for them.
FIFA has launched an investigation to determine how in the hell restaurant owner and famous chef Salt Bae got access to the field during Argentina's World Cup celebrations in Qatar.
"Following a review, FIFA has been establishing how individuals gained undue access to the pitch after the closing ceremony at Lusail Stadium on Dec. 18," the world soccer body said in a press release.
Although FIFA didn't name Salt Bae, whose real name is Nusret Gökçe, you don't need to be a genius to know what's going on here.