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☆ Barcelona wish Messi good luck in 'league with fewer demands'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 7 (Reuters) - Barcelona wished Lionel Messi good luck after the Argentina great expressed his desire to join Major League Soccer's Inter Miami on Wednesday, despite receiving a "proposal" to return to his former club. "Barcelona president (Joan) Laporta understood and respected Messi's decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years," the LaLiga side said. The club added that Laporta and Jorge Messi, Messi's father, agreed to work together to promote a proper tribute from fans to honour the 35-year-old. Messi was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia as well as with a return to Barcelona after playing his final game for Paris St Germain over the weekend. "If Barcelona didn't work out, I wanted to leave Europe, get out of the spotlight and think more about my family," Messi said on Wednesday.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Joan, Laporta, Jorge Messi, Messi's, Messi, Paris St Germain, Janina Nuno Rios, Toby Davis Organizations: Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, Barcelona, Paris St, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Argentina, America, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Spanish, Europe, Mexico

"I made the decision that I'm going to go to Miami," Messi said in an interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport newspapers. Inter Miami are co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, who was one of the first major European stars to move to the United States to play in the MLS, winning the MLS Cup twice with Los Angeles Galaxy. PSG EXITOnce the crown jewel of European football, Messi has effectively been let go by two super clubs in two years -- for free. His move away from PSG, however, is of his own volition as he felt the French club lacked a project for the future while fan unrest only hastened his exit. The highs after winning Argentina's first World Cup in 36 years were quickly offset by the lows he experienced in Paris.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Paris St Germain, Messi, I'm, Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Karim Benzema, David Beckham, Phil Neville, Rory Carroll, Rohith Nair, Amy Tennery, Janina Nuño Rios, Angelica Medina, Ed Osmond, Toby Davis Organizations: Wednesday, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Paris St, PSG, Spanish, Mundo Deportivo, Sport, Ligue, French, U.S, Reuters, Adidas, Apple, MLS, Al, Los Angeles Galaxy, Eastern, Barcelona, Qatar Sports Investments, League, Thomson Locations: ANGELES, snubbing, Saudi Arabia, Barcelona, Miami, Europe, South Florida, Argentine, Spanish, Argentina, Qatar, Barca, Saudi Arabian, Al, Hilal, Al Ittihad, United States, Paris, Los Angeles, Bengaluru, New York, Mexico City

☆ Former France captain Henry recalled for Women's World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 7 (Reuters) - Former France captain Amandine Henry was included in coach Herve Renard's provisional 26-player squad for the Women's World Cup, returning to the international set-up after a two-year absence. Henry, who captained France at the 2019 World Cup, and all-time leading goal scorer Eugenie Le Sommer were left out of the squad by Diacre for last year's European Championship in England. France sacked Diacre in March after a number of players, including captain Wendie Renard, said they would no longer represent the national side as long as Diacre was in charge. Defender Renard and her Lyon team mate Le Sommer have been included in the World Cup squad, which will be trimmed to 23 players for the July 20 to Aug. 20 tournament in Australia and New Zealand. France begin their World Cup campaign against Jamaica on July 23.

Persons: Amandine Henry, Herve Renard's, Corrine Diacre, Henry, Eugenie Le Sommer, France, Wendie Renard, Herve Renard, We've, Renard, Le Sommer, Kadidiatou Diani, Marie, Antoinette Katoto, Delphine Cascarino, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: France, Diacre, Lyon, World, St Germain, Jamaica, Thomson Locations: England, Australia, New Zealand, France, Hyderabad

☆ Lionel Messi, Soccer’s Most Coveted Free Agent, Picks Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Andrew Das | Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Should the deal be finalized, Messi’s signing would be the biggest coup for M.L.S. That deal shifted perceptions of the league’s quality, and its ambitions, around the world; capturing Messi would, if anything, deliver even more attention to the league in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup. Messi admitted, in his interview, that Miami had — perhaps — not been his first choice of destination as his contract at his most recent team, Paris St.-Germain, ran down. He “obviously really wanted to return,” he said, and had discussed the idea with both Xavi Hernández, the club’s manager, and Joan Laporta, its president. Ultimately, though, Barcelona’s financial turmoil forced his hand.

Persons: Beckham, Messi, Germain, “, ”, Hernández, Joan Laporta Organizations: Barcelona Locations: Miami, Paris St, Barcelona, Catalonia, Europe, Argentina

☆ Lionel Messi’s preferred move would be back to Barcelona, father and agent says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Lionel Messi’s father and agent, Jorge Messi, says his son’s preferred move would be a return to Barcelona during the summer transfer window. Messi’s time at the club ended acrimoniously after PSG suspended him for taking an unauthorized trip abroad, with the Argentine later apologizing. Barça legendNow a move back to the club where Messi turned from schoolboy to sporting legend is on the cards. Under new coach and club legend Xavi, Barcelona this year won its first La Liga title in four years. Lionel Messi's father says his son's preferred move is back to Barcelona.

Persons: Lionel Messi’s, Jorge Messi, Messi, Germain, Jorge, ” Jorge, ” Messi, Xavi, Lionel Messi's, ” Xavi, “, Joan Laporta, he’s, ”, Leo, There’s Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, PSG, Ligue, Reuters, Saudi, Barcelona, Argentine, League, acrimoniously, Camp, La Liga Locations: Barcelona, Parc des, Al, Hilal, Argentine

☆ Argentina's Messi keen on rejoining Barcelona, says father
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 5 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi, who last week played his last game for Paris St Germain, is open to making a return to LaLiga side Barcelona, the Argentine forward's father said on Monday. Barca were forced to let their talisman leave in 2021 because his high wages coupled with strict LaLiga financial rules could have jeopardised the club's future. We are confident that Leo can come back," Messi's father Jorge said in an interview with Twitch channel Jijantes FC. The United States' Major League Soccer club Inter Miami have also been touted as a possible destination for Messi. Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Paris St Germain, Barca, Messi, Ronald Araujo, Gavi, Joan Laporta, Leo, Messi's, Jorge, Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Aadi Nair, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Paris St, PSG, Barca, Jijantes FC, Messi, Ligue, French, Reuters, Al, Real Madrid, United, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Argentine, Nou, Argentina, Qatar, Saudi Arabian, Hilal, Saudi Arabia, United States, Nashik, India

☆ Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Swedish legend announces retirement from football at age 41
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Homero De La Fuente | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced his retirement from a glittering soccer career at the age of 41, leaving Italy’s Serie A as the league’s oldest-ever goal scorer. “It’s time to say goodbye to football, but not to you,” an emotional Ibrahimovic told the Rossoneri fans at the San Siro stadium. Ibrahimovic won the Eredivisie twice and the KNVB Cup in 2002. Following his spell at the Dutch club, Ibrahimovic went on to play for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United. His stint in Spain was short-lived as he was loaned to AC Milan in 2010, in a move made permanent in 2011.

Persons: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, “, Ibrahimovic, ” Ibrahimovic, ”, “ It’s, Swede, Germain Organizations: CNN, Serie, AC, Hellas Verona, San, International Federation of, Sweden’s, Malmö FF, Ajax, KNVB, Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Paris Saint, Manchester United, Ibrahimovic, Spanish, Barcelona, La Liga, League, English Premier League, Europa League, MLS, LA Galaxy, Milan’s, Udinese Locations: San Siro, Netherlands, Europe, Barcelona, Paris, Italy, Catalan, Spain

☆ Middle Eastern investors are pouring money into US media, sports, and entertainment — here are the 9 most active players and their key leaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Lucia Moses | Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Investors in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates are pouring money into Western media and entertainment. Sovereign funds and other entities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are pouring millions into US media and entertainment, and they're finding plenty of takers. The channels for money from Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East are complex. Insider broke down the key entities — their owners, leaders, and high-profile investments and joint ventures — in the top three Middle Eastern nations pouring money into US entertainment and media. It describes itself as the largest media company in the Middle East and North Africa and runs one of the largest TV news channels, Al Arabiya.

Persons: Jamal Khashoggi's, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, —, WME, Jimmy Finkelstein's, Abu Dhabi's, It's, Yasir Al, Rumayyan, Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, Sam Barnett, Peter Smith —, Christina Wayne, SRMG, Mohammed bin Salman, Alrashid, Johnny Depp, Jeanne du Barry, Sharon Stone, Bruno Mars, Luca Guadanigno, Vince McMahon's, Turki Al, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Dayel, Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al, Mahmoud, Peter Chernin, Nasser Al, Germain, BeIN, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad, Khalifa Al, Vincent, Asghar Farhadi's Oscar, Nart Bouran, JAF, Jeff Zucker, Graydon Carter's, it's, Semafor, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mansour, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber Organizations: United, Sovereign, Saudi, Washington Post, Saudi Crown, Endeavor, UFC, IMI, Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, Public Investment Fund, Saudi Aramco, Newcastle United, English football, PGA, MBC, Shahid, Netflix, Vice Media, Variety, MBC Group's, Antenna Group, Cineflex Studios, NBCUniversal International, Amazon, AMC, Saudi Research, Media, Publicly, Red Sea, Cannes, Penske Media Corporation, Bloomberg Media, Vince McMahon's WWE, country's General Entertainment Authority, Development, Cultural Development Fund, George Washington University, American University . Qatar Qatar Investment, Qatar Investment Authority, Providence, BeIN Media, Paris Saint, Miramax, Paramount, Doha Film, Doha Film Institute, H.E, Hollywood Reporter, United Arab Emirates Abu, Investment Authority, UAE, Abu, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Hollywood, Dubai Studio, Dubai Media City, National Geographic, BBC News, International Media Investments International Media Investments, National, CNN, Sky News Arabia, Reuters, JAF Communications, Grid, RedBird Capital Partners, Punchbowl News, New York Times, Manchester City, The, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Locations: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Saudi, East, North Africa, Al Arabiya, Netherlands, Greece, Dubai, Jeddah, SRMG, Riyadh, Doha, Europe, Americas, ViacomCBS, Qatari, Thani, Abu Dhabi

☆ Benzema leaves Real Madrid after 14 years at club
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MADRID, June 4 (Reuters) - Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema will leave Real Madrid as a free agent in the close season after 14 trophy-laden years, the LaLiga club said on Sunday, with the striker set to move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad. Saudi Arabia's state-run Al Ekhbariya television station reported that Al Ittihad had reached an agreement with Benzema on a two-year contract, with club officials in Madrid to hammer out a "record deal" with the striker. "Real Madrid and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to bring his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player at our club to a close," the club said in a statement. "Karim Benzema's career at Real Madrid has been a shining example of conduct and professionalism, and he has represented the values of our club." Benzema scored more than 350 goals for Real to sit second on the club's all-time scoring list behind Ronaldo.

Persons: Ballon, Karim Benzema, Al, Al Ittihad, Frenchman, Karim Benzema's, Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, REAL'S, Benzema, Ronaldo, Real, Zinedine Zidane, del, Benzema's, Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, Florentino Perez, Fernando Kallás, Rohith Nair, Ahmed Tolba, Hugh Lawson, Clare Fallon Organizations: Real Madrid, Benzema, Madrid, Real, Olympique Lyonnais, Juventus, Champions League, Paris St Germain, Manchester City, Frenchman, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Saudi Arabian, Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia's, Madrid, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Chelsea, del Rey, Bengaluru, Cairo

☆ Lionel Messi’s last game for Paris Saint-Germain ends in defeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lionel Messi’s final game for Paris Saint-Germain ended in defeat as the Ligue 1 champion lost 3-2 at home to Clermont on Saturday. Sergio Ramos, who was also playing his final match for the club, scored as did Kylian Mbappé to give PSG a 2-0 lead within 21 minutes, but mid-table Clermont fought back for an unlikely win. PSG announced in a statement ahead of the match that Messi’s “adventure” with the club would conclude at the end of the season. But the former Barcelona star has had a difficult final season in Paris. Some PSG fans have recently booed his name before and during matches, doing so again at his final match, according to Reuters.

Persons: Lionel Messi’s, Germain, Sergio Ramos, Clermont, “, Leo Messi, Ballon, ”, Nasser al, Khelaifi, Leo, Messi, CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, Ligue, Clermont, PSG, Parc des Princes, ” PSG, Champions League, Reuters, Messi Locations: Paris, Parc des, Barcelona, Saudi Arabia

☆ Messi to leave PSG at end of season after two years at the club
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, June 3 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi will leave Paris St Germain at the end of season after two years at the Ligue 1 club, Paris St Germain said on Saturday. PSG host Clermont in the final round of Ligue 1 later on Saturday. "After two seasons in the French capital, Leo Messi’s adventure with Paris St Germain will come to an end at the conclusion of the 2022–23 campaign," PSG said in a statement. "I would like to thank Leo Messi for his two seasons in Paris. While he has 21 goals and 20 assists for PSG in all competitions this season, Messi failed to have a big impact at PSG and in his two seasons at the club, could not help them go past the last 16 in the Champions League.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Paris St Germain, Leo Messi’s, Paris, Leo Messi, Ballon, Nasser al, Khelaifi, Germain, Leo, Messi, Julien Pretot, Angus MacSwan, Frances Kerry Organizations: Paris St, Ligue, Paris, Saturday, PSG, Clermont, Reuters, Al, Barcelona, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Parc des Princes, Paris Saint, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Paris, Argentina, Saudi Arabian, Hilal, United States, Parc des

CNN —Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Lionel Messi will play his last game for the club on Saturday, coach Christophe Galtier told reporters on Thursday. Messi’s current contract runs out in June and there has been much speculation about where he will be playing his football next season. It had been expected that Messi would leave the Parisian side and Galtier confirmed as much ahead of the team’s last game of the season against Clermont Foot. This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes,” Galtier confirmed. Messi, 35, led Argentina to a World Cup title in Qatar and won the Ligue 1 title with PSG this season for a second year running.

Persons: Germain, Lionel Messi, Christophe Galtier, Messi, Galtier, Clermont Foot, “, ” Galtier, Gaultier, “ He’s, It’s, ” Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, PSG, Clermont, Parc des Princes, Ligue, Messi Locations: Parc des, Argentina, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Europe’s

☆ José Mourinho: What next for Portuguese manager after Roma's Europa League final loss to Sevilla?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

And Wednesday’s Europa League final in Budapest was a great example of just that. Mourinho leaves the pitch at the end of the Europa League final. The lads gave absolutely everything this season.”Mourinho (middle) embraces Roma defender Roger Ibañez (right) at the end of the Europa League final. Montiel scores the decisive penalty in the Europa League final against Roma. He has helped guide the team away from relegation and now secured its seventh Europa League title, cementing its title as the ‘King’ of the competition.

Persons: José Mourinho, “, ” Mourinho, Mourinho, Odd Andersen, Germain, Roma’s, “ We’re, Roger Ibañez, tiredness, Mourinho didn’t, it’s, –, Gonzalo Montiel, Montiel, Rui Patrício, José Luis Mendilibar, Marvin Ibo, GES Sportfoto, Yassine Bounou, Bounou, Sevilla, ’, Mendilibar, ”, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Europa League, Sevilla, Roma, Spanish, Sky Sports Italia, Reuters, Portuguese national, Champions League, Europa League –, UEFA, Getty, Real Madrid, Paris Saint, Tottenham, Premier League, Europa Conference League –, Rome, Mourinho, France, Mendilibar Locations: Budapest, Paris, Madrid, Argentina, Argentine

☆ Argentina star Messi to play last game for PSG on Saturday - Galtier
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Messi, who has 21 goals and 20 assists for PSG in all competitions this season, moved to the French capital from Barcelona in 2021 on a two-year contract. This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes," Galtier told reporters on Thursday. PSG'S TITLE CELEBRATIONS ON HOLDMessi's last game for PSG is unlikely to be a joyous affair, with Galtier saying that their title celebrations would be put on ice with the distraught squad's thoughts occupied with concern for goalkeeper Sergio Rico. We're all affected because we went from winning the French title on Saturday to waking up in more than a little pain on Sunday morning," Galtier told reporters ahead of PSG's final league game of the season. Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Christophe Galtier, Messi, Galtier, He's, It's, Sergio Rico, Rico, it's, Sergio, Aadi Nair, Hugh Lawson, Pritha Organizations: Paris St Germain, Clermont, Parc des Princes, PSG, Ligue, French, Lorient, Reuters, Al, Barcelona, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Messi's, Racing Strasbourg, Sunday, Thomson Locations: Argentine, Parc des, Barcelona, Argentina, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabian, Hilal, United States, Spain, PSG's, Nashik, India

☆ Mourinho uncertain about Roma future after Europa League defeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - Europa League - Final - Sevilla v AS Roma - Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary - June 1, 2023 AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Annegret HilseJune 1 (Reuters) - AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho said he was uncertain about his future at the club following their 4-1 penalty shootout defeat in the Europa League final against Sevilla on Wednesday. The defeat meant Roma failed to qualify for next season's Champions League and prompted questions about whether the 60-year-old would remain in the Italian capital, having been linked with Paris St Germain. "I have to fight for these lads and therefore not say objectively that I will remain," Mourinho told Sky Sports Italia. Mourinho also criticised referee Anthony Taylor, adding that the Englishman showed too many yellow cards. It was yellow, yellow, yellow all the time," he said.

Persons: Jose Mourinho, Annegret, Roma, Paris St Germain, Mourinho, Anthony Taylor, ”, Tommy Lund, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer, Europa, Sevilla, AS Roma, Puskas Arena, REUTERS, Europa League, Wednesday, season's Champions League, Paris St, Sky Sports, Portuguese national, Thomson Locations: Budapest, Hungary, Paris, Gdansk

☆ Lionel Messi: What next for arguably the greatest player in history?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —After helping Paris Saint-Germain win its 11th Ligue 1 title at the weekend, Lionel Messi has some thinking to do. While Messi struggled with injury during his first season in Paris, he still managed to show flashes of his brilliance. Earlier this year, Messi’s long-term rival Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Saudi club Al Nassr for an eye-watering sum of money, perhaps paving the way for other superstars to follow suit. “I think money is always a factor in human decision making,” Mora y Araujo said, amid reports Saudi club Al Hilal was targeting Messi’s signature. Despite an array of world class talent, PSG has failed to win the Champions League with Messi.

CNN —Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Sergio Rico has been hospitalized after an incident involving a mule cart and a runaway horse, according to his family. Rico was en route to mass next to the Hermitage of El Rocio when the “serious mishap” occurred. Paris Saint-Germain learned of the accident involving its player Sergio Rico on Sunday and remains in constant contact with his loved ones. — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 28, 2023“We now await medical results which we hope will be positive so we can inform you of his improvement as soon as possible.”PSG released a statement on Twitter, saying: “Paris Saint-Germain learned of the accident involving its player Sergio Rico on Sunday and remains in constant contact with his loved ones. “The entire Red and Blue community offers them its full support.”Rico was on the bench for the 1-1 draw in Strasbourg.

☆ Mauricio Pochettino named as next Chelsea head coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is set to join Chelsea ahead of next season, the club announced on Monday. Pochettino, who left PSG last year, has signed an initial two-year contract at Chelsea and begins the new role on July 1. Pochettino gives instructions to PSG forward Kylian Mbappé during last season's Champions League game against Real Madrid. David Ramos/Getty ImagesThe Argentine joins a Chelsea team short on form but with plenty of star power in its ranks after the club spent liberally on signings over the past year. “We are delighted that Mauricio will be joining Chelsea.

☆ Lionel Messi breaks a Cristiano Ronaldo record as PSG wins Ligue 1 title
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —There was another landmark in the long rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday. As Paris Saint-Germain sealed an 11th Ligue 1 title, Messi scored his 496th goal in Europe’s top five leagues, surpassing Ronaldo’s previous record of 495 goals. Kevin Gameiro equalized for Strasbourg twenty minutes later, but PSG still coasted to the league title despite the match ended in a draw. It was a record-breaking day for PSG as well as Messi, as the club overtook Saint-Etienne’s haul of 10 Ligue 1 trophies to claim the outright record. Messi scored PSG's only goal of the night.

☆ Bundesliga set for thrilling final day title decider
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

In fact, the last season Bayern didn’t win the championship was the 2011/12 campaign, when now Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp guided Borussia Dortmund to the title. That leaves soccer fans looking to the Bundesliga for a dose of end-of-season drama with the championship set to be decided on the final day of the season. “We stopped moving, stopped helping, stopped showing courage.”Perhaps, Bayern had become complacent, suffering the shock loss despite taking a 25th-minute lead through Serge Gnabry. Former Chelsea and Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel took over at Bayern in March. Bayern travels to 10th-placed FC Köln on the final matchday hoping for a win and a surprise Dortmund slip up in what is set to be a tense final day.

☆ Messi to lead Argentina in friendly against Australia in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, May 22 (Reuters) - Argentina captain Lionel Messi will lead his side against Australia in a friendly in Beijing next month with his first visit to China in six years set to spark a mass scramble for tickets. The Argentina embassy in China said on Monday that the World Cup winners would play Australia on June 15, bringing Messi to the country for the first time since 2017. Messi has received a fervent welcome on each of his previous visits to China, which has a huge soccer fan base despite the struggles of the men's national team. Since his first China trip in 2005, Messi has played for Argentina or his former club Barcelona in friendlies. The Spanish side beat Beijing Guoan 3-0 in a friendly in 2010.

☆ José Mourinho left in tears as Roma reaches Europa League final, giving him a chance to continue his perfect record
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The phrase “nobody’s perfect” just might not apply to José Mourinho when it comes to European soccer finals. “My concern isn’t marking my place in the Roma history books,” Mourinho told Sky Sports after the match. Roma will now face Sevilla in the Europa League final at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna on May 31. The Spanish team is likely to be a formidable foe – not least because Sevilla has won all six of its previous Europa League finals. Roma reached the Europa League following a 1-0 victory on aggregate against Bayer Leverkusen.

☆ 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.

☆ I had feeling Man City were ready to deliver, says Guardiola
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MANCHESTER, England, May 17 (Reuters) - Manchester City were perfectly prepared with the right mix of calmness and tension for their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, manager Pep Guardiola said on Wednesday. "I had the feeling these last days that we had a mix of calm and tension to play these type of games," Guardiola told reporters. "And after 10 or 15 minutes, I had the feeling that all the pain that we had, what happened last season . "In sport, obviously you have another chance and when the draw was Madrid, I said, 'Yeah, I want it'," Guardiola said. "This season is really really good, what we've really done already.

☆ FC Barcelona: How Xavi's defensive revolution brought La Liga title back to Catalunya
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Such has been the Blaugrana’s dominance this season, Xavi’s side clinched the trophy with four games still remaining and his iteration will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest defensive teams in La Liga history. With only 13 goals conceded so far this season, Xavi’s Barcelona is set to obliterate that record. “Not only for me, but for the club and for all Barcelona fans it’s very important to win La Liga,” Barça striker Robert Lewandowski told CNN Sport ahead of the match against Espanyol. I think the first round [of fixtures] was very important, we proved that we can think about winning La Liga. Barcelona fans celebrate Sunday's La Liga success -- the club's first league title since the 2018-19 season.

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