Rome, July 24 (IANS) Pep Guardiola has turned down an offer to become Italy’s head coach, deciding to continue with his planned break from football despite the Italian Football Federation’s efforts to convince him to lead the Azzurri into a new era.The former Manchester City manager held discussions with Italy’s technical director Paolo Maldini, who presented a long-term vision aimed at rebuilding the national team and the country’s football structure. However, Guardiola has decided not to take …
Latest Barcelona News & Updates
Barcelona, July 23 (IANS) La Liga champions Barcelona have completed the signing of Germany’s star Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund, with the forward putting pen to paper on a five-year deal ahead of the new season.The 24-year-old had one season remaining on his deal at Signal Iduna Park, but decided to move his base to Camp Nou, where he will be united with former Bayern Munich and Germany boss Hansi Flick, who is now leading the Spanish Club.Born in Munich on January 18, 2002, to a Nigeria…
Madrid, July 23 (IANS) Head coach Edin Terzic has revealed he has remained in regular contact with Athletic Bilbao’s three World Cup-winning stars as he prepares the club for the new La Liga season.The former Borussia Dortmund coach replaced Ernesto Valverde this summer, taking over from the veteran manager, who guided Athletic across three spells spanning a decade.Athletic have made a positive start to pre-season, winning their opening three warm-up matches against lower-division opponents de…
New Delhi, July 23 (IANS) Former Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski believes Lamine Yamal was unable to showcase his best football during Spain’s triumphant FIFA World Cup campaign because of the injury setback that disrupted his preparations. Poland’s captain said the teenage winger entered the tournament short on match fitness after spending nearly two months on the sidelines, making it difficult for him to hit top form immediately.“Honestly, no, we didn’t see his best this tournament….
Madrid, July 21 (IANS) Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club will officially announce the signing of German player Karim Adeyemi on Wednesday, with the forward also set to be presented to supporters and the media.Laporta revealed the development upon his arrival at Barcelona airport after returning from the FIFA World Cup final in New York. His trip to the United States had delayed the formal announcement, despite Adeyemi arriving in Barcelona last week to complete the mov…
Madrid, July 21 (IANS) Spain’s national football team was welcomed by nearly 2 million fans as it celebrated winning a second World Cup with an open-top bus parade through central Madrid before a jubilant gathering at the city’s landmark Plaza de Cibeles. Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in World Cup final in New Jersey, with Ferran Torres scoring the winner to cap a dominant performance.The team arrived back in Madrid at around 1 p.m. local time and began the celebrations with official…
New Delhi, July 21 (IANS) Lionel Messi has described his “immense” pain after Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final, saying only time would help the team overcome the result. Ferran Torres’ extra-time goal in New Jersey ended Argentina’s hopes of back-to-back titles on Sunday and denied Messi a chance to cap his decorated career with a second World Cup title.The 39-year-old is not expected to play at the next World Cup in 2030, although he is yet to announce any retirement plans.”…
New York, July 20 (IANS) Substitute Ferran Torres said destiny was written for Spain to win the World Cup after his extra-time strike sealed a 1-0 victory over 10-man Argentina in the final. Substitute Ferran Torres said destiny was written for Spain to win the World Cup after his extra-time strike sealed a 1-0 victory over 10-man Argentina in Sunday’s final.Torres, who replaced Mikel Oyarzabal in the 62nd minute, swept home Nico Williams’ knockdown in the 106th minute to hand Spain its second W…
Madrid, July 18 (IANS) Spain legend Andres Iniesta believes stopping Lionel Messi completely will be almost impossible in Monday’s FIFA World Cup final against Argentina, urging La Roja to focus instead on imposing their own style of play and maintaining the confidence that has taken them to the title clash.Spain head into the final unbeaten after conceding just one goal in seven matches, while defending champions Argentina arrive as the tournament’s highest-scoring side, led by Messi’s eight go…
New York, July 18 (IANS) Nearly two decades ago, Lionel Messi helped bathe a five-month-old baby at a charity calendar photo shoot in Barcelona. On Sunday, that baby faces him in a World Cup final.Argentina captain Messi reflected Friday on his unlikely first meeting with Spain forward Lamine Yamal, recalling the viral 2007 photo ahead of their first-ever meeting on a football pitch.”Honestly, that photo of us is crazy, because, well, that’s life, right? I was in that photo with him as a baby, a…