While most clubs across continental Europe have returned from their winter sojourns to warmer climes, Paris Saint-Germain has been in Doha this week for its Qatar Tour 2019.
Given the club’s Qatari ownership, it’s no surprise the club would visit the small but wealthy country, providing plenty of weird interview opportunities where Neymar can tell everyone that 18-year-old American Tim Weah will be the next great striker.
There's been a lot of news surrounding American players abroad in Europe lately.
The values of the biggest clubs in soccer have skyrocketed over the last five years, thanks in large part to revenue growth. A large portion of this revenue comes from the most expensive shirt sponsorship deals in all of sports, and it should come as no surprise that the three clubs with the largest jersey sponsorship deals also constitute the three most valuable soccer teams in the world.
The list is largely dominated by English Premier League sides and the Dubai-based airline Emirates, both obvious signs of the time.
When looking at some of the world’s best teams, football’s future looks very bright. Manchester City for example is a testament to modern progressive football: back-to-front play in quick succession and starting attacks from the goalkeeper. Many European sides have adopted the tactic, as it encourages more open play.
It begs the question: Where is football heading in the next decade?
Kylian Mbappé sure loves his birthday.
The French starlet turned 20 on Thursday, Dec. 20, having already accomplished more by that age than most footballers can only dream of in their entire careers.
Before turning 20, Mbappé won a World Cup, two Ligue 1 titles and one French Cup. He scored nearly a goal per game (73 in 150 for club and country) and became the first teenager since Pelé to score in a World Cup final.
The winter-break period separating the first half and the second half of the season in Europe’s top five leagues is a great time for clubs to reflect on a club's season (although winter break doesn’t exist in England). Even before Christmas, but Europe’s top clubs are preparing for their second half of the season push. Here are some New Year's resolutions for Europe’s top clubs in the big five leagues.
The Champions League Round of 16 draw results are in, and although we have to wait until mid-February to get started, some things are too tasty to be left on the back-burner for that long. Here’s a look at all eight matchups, and an incredibly scientific ranking of which ties get us all hot and bothered.
Spectacular. The round of 16 draw
People like to blast Neymar for diving, and usually for good reason, as the Brazilian has a tendency to embellish as he’s often the target of physical play from defenders.
But sometimes he makes opponents take dives as well.
During Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League match with Red Star Belgrade, Neymar flummoxed keeper Milan Borjan with a feint before finishing with aplomb.
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Liverpool 2-1 at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday to put itself in a great position to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16. Liverpool, meanwhile, must now defeat Napoli at Anfield on Dec. 11 to have any chance of progressing.
In the end, Liverpool’s vaunted attack only generated one shot on target, and PSG’s attacking trident of Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Edinson Cavani thoroughly outshone Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané on the night.