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☆ Kylian Mbappé: What next for French superstar as questions over his PSG future rumble on?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

On Thursday when questioned about his PSG future, he told reporters that Macron has no influence on his career. I’ve already answered, I’ve said that my objective is to stay at PSG, that’s my only option at the moment. Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Neymar were unable to guide PSG to Champions League glory. Every team in the world would undoubtedly love to sign Mbappé, but his list of realistic suitors will be rather short. Regardless of the final outcome, love it or hate it this saga looks set to rumble on for the foreseeable future.

Persons: Kylian Mbappé, Germain, Mbappé, Neymar, ’ Mbappé, “, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, I’ve, – Mbappé, meekly, Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Carl Recine, Erling Haaland, Edinson Cavani, Jude Bellingham, Karim Benzema, It’s, Real, Harry Kane, Frenchman, Kane, scupper, Christophe Simon Organizations: CNN, spurn Real, Paris Saint, PSG, AS Monaco, Real, Twitter, Reuters, Real Madrid, lowball PSG, Champions League, Ligue, Parc des Princes, Qatar Sports Investment, League, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United Locations: spurn Real Madrid, Los, Le, …, France, Paris, Real, Lens, Parc des, Al, Ittihad, Saudi Arabia, AFP

☆ Manchester City's Rodri named Champions League Player of the Season
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 11 (Reuters) - Manchester City midfielder Rodri was named the Champions League's Player of the Season by UEFA on Sunday after a stellar 2022-23 campaign. Rodri appeared in all but one of City's Champions League matches, scoring twice. Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was named the Champions League's Young Player of the Season, capping a remarkable campaign for the 22-year-old Georgian. Kvaratskhelia won the league title with Napoli and also claimed Serie A's Player of the Season award earlier this month. Team of the season:Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)Defenders: Kyle Walker (Man City), Ruben Dias (Man City), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Federico Dimarco (Inter)Midfielders: John Stones (Man City), Kevin De Bruyne (Man City), Rodri (Man City)Forwards: Bernardo Silva (Man City), Erling Haaland (Man City), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rodri, Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kvaratskhelia, Thibaut Courtois, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior, Tommy Lund, Toby Davis Organizations: Manchester City, UEFA, Spain international, City, Inter Milan, City's Champions League, Napoli, Inter, Midfielders, Real, Thomson Locations: Saturday's, Real Madrid, Man, Gdansk

☆ Women’s Champions League final: Pain of defeat ‘motivating’ Barcelona ahead of clash with Wolfsburg
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The pain of defeat from last season’s Women’s Champions League final has lingered at Barcelona. Even faced with a resurgent Lyon, Barcelona was expected to come out on top. Ingrid Engen has now lost two Champions League finals, one with Wolfsburg and one with Barcelona. Barcelona won the first Women's Champions League title in the club's history in 2021. Playing in a Champions League final will be a great moment in our careers.

Persons: Ingrid Engen, Lyon, Alejandro Rios, don’t, ” Engen, “ It’s, ”, Barça, Lucy Bronze, Clive Brunskill, FIFA’s, Jonatan Giráldez, “, Engen, you’ve, Lena Oberdorf, I’ve, Oberdorf, –, Tommy Stroot, ” Stroot, David Lidstrom Organizations: CNN, League, Champions League, Lyon, Wolfsburg, Engen, Barcelona, CNN Sport, Bayern Munich –, Chelsea, Women's Champions League, Barcelona ’, Norway, Young, Ballon, “, UEFA Locations: Barcelona, Turin, Lyon, Eindhoven, Netherlands, Wolfsburg

☆ Pulisic spearheads U.S. squad for CONCACAF Nations League title defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW YORK, June 1 (Reuters) - United States' Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic will spearhead their CONCACAF Nations League title defence when the Final Four kick off on June 15 in Las Vegas, with U.S. Soccer naming their training camp squad on Thursday. The U.S. beat Mexico in extra time two years ago to clinch the title and will have a rematch with their rivals in the semi-finals. Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, who gave U.S. Soccer a boost last month when he opted to represent the United States instead of England, has earned his first call-up. The training camp starts on June 4, just days after Anthony Hudson stepped down as interim manager of the U.S. team, with assistant B.J. Reyna was named in the training squad on Thursday.

Persons: Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Weston McKennie, Brenden Aaronson, Arsenal's Matt Turner, Anthony Hudson, B.J, Callaghan, Gregg Berhalter, Gio Reyna, Reyna, that’s, Amy Tennery, Ken Ferris Organizations: YORK, Chelsea, CONCACAF Nations League, U.S, Soccer, Arsenal, Leeds United, U.S ., Thomson Locations: United States, Las Vegas, U.S, Mexico, Panama, Canada, England, New York

☆ Real Madrid dethroned as ‘Kings of Europe’ as the club looks to usher in new generation of stars
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Even before the full-time whistle blew in Manchester City’s 4-0 mauling in the Champions League semifinal Wednesday, Real Madrid players looked to have accepted their fate. To see a club like Real Madrid get put to the sword is always a surprise, but it’s even more shocking when you consider it was this team – in this competition. Luka Modrić has been one of the best players in the world during his time at Real Madrid. In truth, the chastening defeat against Manchester City has only amplified what madridistas already knew. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti looked on as his side lost 4-0 on Wednesday.

☆ Guardiola backs Haaland to fire when Man City host Real
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 14 (Reuters) - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed striker Erling Haaland to rediscover his best form when they host Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final after the Norwegian failed to find the net at the Santiago Bernabeu. But Erling, we cannot forget, is 22 years old and it was the first time he played in the semi-finals of the Champions League," Guardiola told reporters. He was speaking ahead of Sunday's Premier League game against Everton. "The Premier League title is so important even though I know the Champions League is so special. It's many, many months and many, many tough games, incredible effort; this is the most important thing," Guardiola added.

☆ Xavi relies on flawless defence mechanism to lead Barcelona back to glory
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The change in mentality may not have sat entirely comfortably with Xavi who said Barca's style was "non-negotiable" when he was appointed coach in November, 2021. A former Barca player himself, Xavi was a symbol of their attacking style as a flamboyant midfielder who won every major title with the club and with Spain. They have conceded 13 goals in the league, by far the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues. The trio hold the key to stifling their rival's attacking threats, particularly Araujo who has arguably been Europe's top defender this season. Barcelona were last champions of Spain in 2018-19 when they still had club greats Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez leading their attack up-front.

☆ Haaland breaks Premier League record as Man City reclaim top spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

West Ham remain in trouble in 15th place, four points above the relegation zone. West Ham, hampered by the absence of midfielders Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, defended valiantly with the colossal Angelo Ogbonna heading away cross after cross. West Ham still looked capable of adding a twist to the title script until Grealish released Haaland for his milestone moment. Foden then put the icing on his side's ninth successive league win with the 1,000th goal in Guardiola's City reign. As well as five league games left, City are in the semi-finals of the Champions League and FA Cup final.

☆ Depleted Canada team a 'massive' chance for World Cup hopefuls-coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 10 (Reuters) - The absence of many first-choice players has presented a "massive opportunity" for others to stake their claim in Canada's World Cup squad, coach Bev Priestman said as the Olympic champions prepare to face France in a friendly on Tuesday. "There's a massive opportunity for anybody that gets on the pitch. And, you know, to get that one camp away from your World Cup squad being announced and, you know, going into that World Cup squad, I think I have to look at the opportunity in it and see the bigger picture." "I don't think it's a World Cup injury, but it's not a 'she'll be ready, you know, this week' type injury," said Priestman. Herve Renard took the reins late last month after leading Saudi Arabia to a shock group-stage win over eventual champions Argentina in last year's men's World Cup.

☆ Neymar ruled out of Champions League clash with Bayern due to injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 3 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain forward Neymar will miss the next two games due to an ankle injury, coach Christophe Galtier said on Friday, ruling him out of their Ligue 1 clash with Nantes and the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich. The reigning Ligue 1 champions, who will also be without defender Achraf Hakimi, look to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the Champions League away at Bayern Munich on Wednesday, but Galtier's priority is Saturday's fixture against Nantes. "Our squad is weakened by suspensions and injuries, we have to work our way through the league," the French manager said. "I hope the players don't have the game against Bayern on Wednesday in the back of their minds. It's important to get the third league win in a row."

☆ Spurs can't afford more injuries says Conte ahead of Milan last-16 tie
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, Italy, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur will be in trouble if they pick up any more injuries, coach Antonio Conte said on the eve of their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against AC Milan. (It's) their first game in the Champions League, they are very young, 22 and 20 years old," Conte said. Milan ended a seven-game winless run in all competitions with a 1-0 home victory over Torino on Friday and coach Stefano Pioli hopes the Champions League will lift his side. "It's inevitable we suffered those negative results and the victory over Torino boosted our morale," he said on Milan TV. "Aside from that, when the Champions League comes along, it’s the Champions League.

☆ Flamengo blame Club World Cup loss on refereeing, coach says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TANGIER, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Flamengo manager Vitor Pereira blamed his side's stunning 3-2 loss to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in Club World Cup semi-final on Tuesday on the refereeing, which according to the Portuguese manager, was one sided. Flamengo were shown four yellow cards in the first half and three in the second while Al Hilal received only three bookings. Al Hilal coach Ramon Diaz disagreed with Pereira and said the penalties were well spotted by the referee. Al Hilal, the first Saudi side to reach the Club World Cup final, will face the winners of Real Madrid's semi-final against Al Ahly on Wednesday in Rabat. Flamengo became only the fourth Brazilian side and sixth South American champions to lose a Club World Cup semi-final.

☆ French hearts are broken but future looks bright
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mbappe, who turns 24 on Tuesday, netted all three French goals, taking his tally from two World Cups to 12. "Potentially, this France team has an important reservoir of talents," said Deschamps. "We'll always need experienced team leaders to groom the young players but the reservoir is big." "Some players have been in the Euro 2016 final, won the 2018 World Cup, they bring their experience. "We have to keep this France team at this level, with the best players on the world and European stage."

☆ Scaloni heads into final as the coach who made Messi and Argentina smile again
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"He can't even direct traffic, how come he will direct the national team. They have since created a bond that has allowed a rejuvenated Messi to enjoy his best years with the national team. It was that which arguably gave them the foundation to regroup after their shock loss to Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener. Representing my country is an emotional thing," Scaloni told reporters after Argentina swept past Croatia 3-0 in their World Cup semi-final. Thanks to Scaloni's acumen, Argentina are on the brink of glory - and while Messi will claim the attention, his coach deserves his share of the plaudits.

☆ Key match-ups in World Cup final between Argentina and France
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Semi Final - Argentina v Croatia - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - December 13, 2022 Argentina's Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring their second goal with Lionel Messi and Nahuel Molina REUTERS/Carl RecineDOHA, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Argentina and France meet in Sunday's World Cup final at Lusail Stadium. Here are three of the key match-ups that are likely to have a strong bearing on the result:Kylian Mbappe v Nahuel MolinaMbappe is a candidate for the World Cup's player of the tournament, having led France to their second consecutive final. The jet-heeled 23-year-old forward has scored five times in six games, surpassing his tally from the 2018 tournament, and has now scored nine World Cup goals in 13 appearances across the two editions. Molina arrived at the World Cup having faced criticism after struggling in his first season with Atletico Madrid, but he has been solid during the tournament and started every match. Lionel Messi v Aurelien TchouameniOne of the most anticipated match-ups will be Argentina great Messi against France's rising star holding-midfielder Tchouameni.

DOHA, Dec 8 (Reuters) - All eyes will be on Kylian Mbappe once again as France take on England in a mouthwatering World Cup quarter-final clash but the defending champions must hope their lack of options from the bench will not be exposed on Saturday. WALKER v MBAPPEOne of the strengths that has emerged through the tournament is England’s depth. Their tally of 12 goals – equalling their World Cup best set from three more matches in 2018 – has been achieved via eight players. While the goalscorers grab the headlines, Southgate made sure he complimented his defenders after the last 16 match as his side chalked up a third successive World Cup clean sheet for the first time in 20 years. One thing that should be a given is that England will not be overawed by the occasion after their recent runs to the last four of the 2018 World Cup and final of Euro 2020.

☆ Spain's youngsters to draw on Olympics experience for Japan clash
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Anita Kobylinska | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A number of Spain's under-23 squad from Tokyo are now in Qatar, and remember their semi-final clash with Japan all too well. Spain won 1-0 and eventually took the silver medal, while Japan lost out in the bronze medal match. We played a bit in a similar way," Torres said. Between tournament duties, the young Spanish players have been soaking up the experience, and not only on the pitch. "Germany's defeat against Japan, Argentina's one against Saudi Arabia show that the level in this World Cup is very high.

☆ Analysis: Fernandes steps out of Ronaldo's Portugal shadow
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Having developed into a key player for the English side, the Fernandes then saw Ronaldo return last year to once again hog the spotlight. Fernandes' whipped cross flew past Ronaldo's head and into the back of the net even though his more celebrated team mate initially claimed the goal for himself. Whether at Sporting or at United, Fernandes was condemned to playing a supporting role to Ronaldo even though he is among the highest scoring midfielders in Europe. After Manchester United abruptly ended Ronaldo's second stint at Old Trafford following his scathing criticism of the club, Fernandes refused to take sides. Playing in his second World Cup, compared to Ronaldo's fifth, Fernandes will be hoping it will also be Portugal's most successful one.

☆ France looking to strike the right balance for Tunisia game
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 28 (Reuters) - France will look to strike the right balance between resting players and keeping their World Cup momentum going when they take on Tunisia in their final Group D game on Wednesday. Should they finish first, they will face the team who end up second in Group C, which features Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Poland and Mexico. Coach Didier Deschamps is set to rest some of his key men and give fringe players minutes at the Education City Stadium. The centre back returned from a hamstring injury for the second game and was substituted in the second half. We'll think about what's best for the team first, then we'll see what's best for me," Varane told reporters.

☆ Neymar: Brazil looks to book place in knockout stage without injured star
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Fortunately for them, the player who has become this generation’s talisman will be fit in time to play in the 2022 World Cup knockout stage, should Brazil qualify, after being diagnosed with an ankle sprain. Now 30, this World Cup will likely be his best chance at lifting the trophy. Group H’s other match pits Ghana against South Korea, with both teams desperate for a win to kickstart their World Cup campaigns. In Ghana, Korea knows it faces a team with an abundance of quality in the final third, as the match against Portugal proved. ETSouth Korea vs. Ghana: 8 a.m.

☆ Griezmann the brains behind France's convincing World Cup start
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Griezmann has played as an attacking midfielder rather than a pure forward, brilliantly making the link between midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot and the attacking trio of Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe. Griezmann played mainly deep, but also often close to lone striker Giroud or even on the flanks. I'm impressed but not surprised. Like Dembele, Griezmann played selflessly, leaving the limelight to Mbappe. "I'm proud of myself yes but I'm also proud of the whole team.

☆ Vinicius Jr. to start for Brazil against Serbia
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LUSAIL, Qatar, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Brazil coach Tite opted to start Vinicius Jr. in a four-man attack for their World Cup Group G opener against Serbia on Thursday. Tite will unleash Vinicius alongside Neymar, Richarlison and Raphinha, with only two genuine midfielders in Lucas Paqueta and Casemiro as Brazil begin their quest for a record-extending sixth World Cup trophy. Serbia, who were sweating on Aleksandar Mitrovic's availability due to an ankle injury, named their leading striker in the starting line-up. Brazil:Alisson; Danilo, Thiago Silva (c), Marquinhos, Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta, Neymar; Vinicius Jr., Raphinha, Richarlison. Serbia:Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Milos Veljkovic, Filip Mladenovic, Strahinja Pavlovic, Nikola Milenkovic, Andrija Zivkovic, Nemanja Gudelj, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Sasa Lukic, Dusan Tadic (c), Aleksandar Mitrovic.

☆ USMNT vs. Wales: Can the golden generation shine on the world stage?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —When the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) walks onto the pitch in Qatar on Monday, it will be appearing at a men’s World Cup for the first time since 2014. Gregg Berhalter was part of the US team that reached the quarterfinals at the 2002 World Cup. Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesJust one player, defender DeAndre Yedlin, has prior World Cup experience. Carl Recine/ReutersThe USMNT will face Wales first, playing in its first World Cup since 1958. The USMNT drew 1-1 with England in the 2010 World Cup.

☆ France coach Deschamps decides not to replace Benzema
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 20 (Reuters) - France coach Didier Deschamps has decided not to replace injured striker Karim Benzema in his World Cup squad, leaving the reigning champions with 25 players for their title defence. Asked on Sunday by TeleFoot whether he would replace the Ballon d'Or winner in his squad, Deschamps said "No". Benzema was the second French player to join the casualty list in less than a week after forward Christopher Nkunku was injured in a training session and replaced in the squad by Randal Kolo Muani. Influential midfielders Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante were ruled out of the tournament by injury before Deschamps named his squad. "Of course, it is bad news for France, and we feel like we're cursed, because it's just player after player out, and then it ends up with Karim Benzema being hurt during training," Parisian fan Samuel Pautrat said.

☆ France striker Benzema out of World Cup with injury
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 19 (Reuters) - France striker Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the World Cup in Qatar after suffering an injury in training, the French football federation said on Saturday. The Ballon d'Or winner, who has been struggling with a muscle problem, was forced to leave defending champions France's training session earlier on Saturday. "I am extremely sad for Karim who had made this World Cup a major objective. France, already without influential midfielders Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante because of injury, open their campaign against Australia in Group D on Tuesday. Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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