Off the Pitch

Zlatan Ibrahimović hangs up his boots at 41

AC Milan's Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimović said on Sunday he had decided to end his playing career at the age of 41 after a trophy-laden career at some of Europe's top clubs.

The extrovert Swede's Milan contract expires at the end of June and will not be renewed following a season plagued by injuries, prompting him to end a remarkable career.

Ibrahimović arrived in Milan for his second spell with the club in early 2020, having won the Scudetto with them in 2011, and helped the club win the title again last season.

PSG lost more than a million followers on Instagram after Lionel Messi's exit

The unhappy marriage between Lionel Messi and PSG is over. After the 3-2 defeat vs. Clermont Foot on Saturday, the Argentine superstar went home, packed his suitcase and said au revoir to the French capital. 

The thing is that when Messi exited, thousands of his fans also abandoned the club in a stampede. 

PSG Instagram followers plummet after Messi's exit

When PSG posted its goodbye message to the world champion, their Instagram base was over 71.4 million followers.

One day after, the number was 69 million.

It’s been 10 years since the video that started Ted Lasso — let’s watch one more time

The hit show “Ted Lasso” concluded its third and final season this week and has left fans with a gaping hole where Ted’s humor once sat. Without spoiling anything, most fans of the show were pleased with the happy ending but will find themselves longing for more.

Ted Lasso’s character isn’t new to American fans of the Premier League. The character played by Jason Sudeikis debuted on our screens all the way back in 2013 for a promotional Premier League on NBC video. Sudeikis played the familiar character of an American coach in London.

Referee for UCL final apologizes for partaking in extreme-right movement event in Poland

Szymon Marciniak will fulfill his role as the referee for the Champions League final after the Pole apologized for participating in an event associated with an extreme-right movement, Europe's soccer governing body UEFA said on Friday.

UEFA were investigating his presence at an event organized in Katowice on Monday, saying they "abhor the values that are promoted by the group", but kept him on as the referee after an apology and clarification from an anti-discrimination body.

What countries are hosting the 2030 World Cup?

While you are just starting to feel pumped for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, México and Canada, FIFA is already planning where to host the tournament in 2030.

Yes, because it's never too soon to do it.

Despite looking far ahead on time, the truth is that organizing the event is a long process and that's why FIFA expects to award the hosting rights in its 74th Congress, scheduled for the third quarter of 2024.

Exclusive: Meet Luca Koleosho, Espanyol’s attacking phenom and undecided quadruple international

The ability to choose is often taken for granted in soccer. With the increased prominence of dual nationals in recent years, fans are becoming used to seeing players pick which nationality they want to represent, like Yunus Musah and Folarin Balogun. What’s less common, however, is a player who, before turning 19, not only qualifies for four national teams but has already represented three of them.

River Plate unveils statue in honor of Marcelo Gallardo – fans can't stop talking about the giant bulge in his pants

Here's the thing: Artists don't know how to create a proper statue of a soccer player, or those who try are not very talented. I mean, there are far too many examples of baller tributes becoming absolute fiascos, with the classic Cristiano Ronaldo bust leading the way.

Ajax women’s team has league title celebration canceled due to the men’s team poor form

Ajax Amsterdam's women's team will not be honored with a public celebration in the Dutch capital on Monday despite claiming the Eredivisie title, as club officials fear the poor performance of the men's team this season will solicit a lukewarm response.

Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema had invited the triumphant women's team for a customary balcony ceremony in the city's famous Leidseplein square, but Ajax declined the offer, leading to a significant backlash.

Gregg Berhalter is reportedly being considered as a candidate for Swansea City head coaching job

Former United States men’s national team manager Gregg Berhalter is one of the candidates for the vacant managerial role at Swansea City according to WalesOnline.

The Ted Lasso and Pep Guardiola scene was filmed before a real Man City game

MANCHESTER — As a big fan of Apple TV's popular soccer comedy "Ted Lasso", Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he was happy to appear as himself on the show's penultimate episode that aired this week.

"As a family, my little daughter Valentina and my wife, we enjoy a lot to watch the show," Guardiola told a press conference on Friday. "We are big fans, and when they offered a cameo, I said why not and I could meet the actors.

"We are so proud, honestly, we are so proud to make known around the world Man City who we are."

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