Alex Telles leaves Man United to join Ronaldo at Saudi team Al-Nassr

Alex Telles. Official Website

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Alex Telles joined the slew of soccer stars heading to Saudi Arabia by completing a move from Manchester United to Al-Nassr on Sunday.

The Brazil international spent last season on loan at Sevilla, where he won the Europa League and reunites with his former United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

“We’d like to thank Alex for his contributions to the club over the last three years and would like to wish him all the best for the future,” United said in a statement.

The 30-year-old Telles is the latest player to leave one of Europe's top leagues for Saudi Arabia during this off-season, following the likes of Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Roberto Firmino.

More are expected to head to the oil-rich country before the start of next season, with Riyad Mahrez and Jordan Henderson also linked with moves.

Telles joined United from Porto in 2020. He has signed a contract with Al-Nassr until 2025.

Neither club confirmed the price of his move.

Mbappe's omission from PSG's tour fuels speculation of Madrid move

Kylian Mbappe has been omitted from PSG s tour of Asia (AFP) 

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Paris Saint-Germain have left Kylian Mbappe out of their squad for a pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea, casting further doubt on the forward's future at the French champions.

PSG gave no reason for the omission of France's captain but 24-year-old Mbappe is refusing to sign a new contract.

His omission will fuel fresh speculation that he could leave to join Real Madrid before next season.

The forward declared in May that he did not want to extend his PSG contract, which expires next year, but indicated he wanted to remain at the club for a final season.

"I still have a year left on my contract and I am going to honour my contract," he said.

That would allow him to become a free agent next summer and leave PSG for nothing, a prospect that club president Nasser al-Khelaifi said was "impossible".

"We can't let the best player in the world today leave for free," Khelaifi said.

Khelaifi even gave Mbappe an ultimatum of a "maximum two weeks" to make his decision -- sign a new contract or leave this summer. That date corresponds roughly with the departure of the team for Asia on Saturday.

When training resumed on July 15, Khelaifi again asked the Mbappe camp to clarify the situation. But he has not received a response, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told AFP.

Mbappe has been taking part in the club's pre-season preparations and played the last 30 minutes and scored as PSG entertained Le Havre in a training ground friendly on Friday.

Mbappe, the club's all-time top scorer with 212 goals in 260 appearances, remains the second most expensive player in history.

He was still a teenager when he joined PSG on a season-long loan from Monaco in August 2017.

The move turned into a permanent transfer the following year in a 180-million-euro ($200 million) deal.

The 29-player PSG squad that flies east will include Mbappe's younger brother, 16-year-old Ethan Mbappe, as well as Neymar, the Brazilian whose transfer fee of 222 million euros in 2017 is the world record.

- Madrid bound? -

In a letter PSG sent to Mbappe on July 5, the club expressed a feeling of betrayal, saying it had "helped you" and "supported your family since you were a teenager".

The club said Mbappe was not choosing the "win-win" solution -- extend and not leave for free or accept a transfer.

"This is how all the great players, like you, left their club," PSG wrote in their July 3 letter to the player.

The club is convinced that Mbappe has already agreed to join Real Madrid for free in June 2024, with the promise of a staggering signing bonus, since the Spanish giants would have saved on the transfer.

A source involved in the negotiations insists that PSG have already received a 300-million-dollar offer from Saudi Arabia for Mbappe although it is considered unlikely he will go there.

Mbappe was expected to leave a year ago for Real Madrid when his previous contract came to an end, only to agree a new deal to remain in Paris.

Having missed out on his signature a year ago, Real would again be chief among his suitors.

They are in the market for a new forward after reigning Ballon d'Or Karim Benzema ended his 14-year stay in the Spanish capital, opting to move to Saudi Arabia.

Mbappe helped France to World Cup glory in 2018 and has established himself as arguably the leading attacker on the global stage.

He scored a hat-trick in France's World Cup final defeat last December to Lionel Messi's Argentina before helping PSG win a record 11th French title.

He was the top scorer in Ligue 1 last season with 29 goals and netted 41 in 43 games for his club in all competitions.

PSG are under new management, with Luis Enrique as coach.

Their Asian tour opens against Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi club Al-Nassr in Osaka on Tuesday.

PSG then play Cerezo Osaka, also in Osaka, and Inter Milan in Tokyo before finishing off the tour in Busan, South Korea, against Jeonbuk Motors on August 3.

Video: Messi makes magical start to Miami career with late winner on debut

Lionel Messi scored a 94th minute winner in his debut for Inter Miami against Cruz Azul on Friday. AFP 

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Lionel Messi made a Hollywood start to his American adventure, scoring a last-second winner with a curling free-kick in his debut game for Inter Miami on Friday.

Deep in the fourth minute of stoppage time, with the Leagues Cup match against Mexican club Cruz Azul standing at 1-1, Messi won a free-kick just outside the box, in perfect range for his famous left foot.

The script had been written and Messi delivered his line perfectly.

El primer gol de Messi con Inter Miami 🤯🤯👏👏

Messi scores in his first match with the club to give us the lead in the 94th minute. pic.twitter.com/pI7bYjEK63

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 22, 2023

The seven-times Ballon d'Or winner took a glance at the position of Cruz Azul goalkeeper Andres Gudino, then put his head down before curling his shot high to the keeper's right and into the top corner to deliver the 2-1 triumph.

The capacity 20,000 crowd at Miami's DRV PNK Stadium went wild, with some fans running on to the field before being apprehended by security. Smoke bombs in Miami's trademark pink went off in the area behind the goal, occupied by the team's most passionate supporters.

"We wanted to start like this by giving these people a victory," said Messi.

"We knew that it was very important for us to start this championship in winning fashion and luckily we were able to do it in the end, and I am very happy," he added.

Miami are rock bottom of Major League Soccer and without a win in 11 games in league play, so Messi said the victory was sorely needed.

"It is a huge joy to get this first victory after how we have done in the league," he said. "It is important to start winning, beyond the fact that it is another championship, for confidence it is very good to get victories."

Miami and Major League Soccer hope that the arrival of the Argentine World Cup winner and all-time great will transform the sport and push it into the American mainstream.

If Messi's debut was any guide, the former Barcelona star still has plenty to offer.

Even before his wonderful goal he had looked sharp and alert, his touch belying the fact that until little over a week ago he was vacationing on a Caribbean beach with his family.

Sergio Busquets, the Spanish midfielder and former Barca team-mate, who has joined Messi for his American adventure, also made a strong impression after they both entered the contest in the 54th minute as part of a triple change with Venezuelan Josef Martinez.

Busquets showed his famous, almost telepathic understanding with Messi remains, after over two years apart from each other, with the midfielder delivering pieces from all angles into the Argentine's feet.

But it was Messi's magical finish that will remain long in the memories of Inter Miami fans.

He also made sure that the club's co-owner David Beckham had a broad grin at the final whistle.

"To be honest, as soon as I saw the free kick given I thought this is the way it’s meant to end. Especially when you’ve got players like Leo and Sergio on the pitch, that’s what they produce," said the former England midfielder.

"It's so exciting tonight for our fans. All of these people that come down here to see Leo just step onto the pitch, let alone just do what he’s done. It’s a dream come true for everyone in this stadium to see.

"It's such a moment for this country, such a moment for this league," he said.

- Stars turn out -

Messi became the biggest name signing in MLS's history when he joined Miami after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain came to an end in June.

NBA great LeBron James, reality television star Kim Kardashian and tennis legend Serena Williams were among the stars who turned out.

Many fans were decked out in replica pink Miami shirts with Messi's name and number 10 on the back. Others sported Messi masks and banners, one wore a goat mask in a nod to Messi's Greatest Of All Time status.

There was some disappointment when the teams were announced with Messi on the bench and it was clear that plans had been made to celebrate his first start as fireworks exploded above the grandstands when the referee blew the whistle to start the encounter.

Against the run of play, after Cruz Azul wasted a series of chances, Miami took the lead in the 44th minute with a fine, low shot from Robert Taylor which flew off the post.

Messi and Busquets came in with that lead intact but saw the Mexicans draw level through a powerful drive from Uriel Antuna in the 65th minute.

Then came Messi's moment, the perfect introduction to his new fans and his new country.

French police investigate violent home robbery of Paris Saint-Germain 'keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma

PSG s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma waves during warm up before the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Nantes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Saturday, March 4, 2023. AP

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French police are investigating a violent armed robbery that targeted Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma at his home.

The Paris prosecutor's office said the player was targeted overnight Thursday to Friday. The prosecutor's office and the French capital's police force refused to release details about the attack that French media said took place in the early hours of the morning in his Paris home.

A police investigation has been opened on possible armed robbery, kidnapping and aggravated violence charges, the prosecutor's office said.

Le Parisien newspaper, quoting an unnamed police source, reported that four people broke into his apartment in Paris' upmarket 8th district at about 3 a.m. It said Donnarumma and his partner were tied up and that he was slightly injured. Both were treated in hospital for shock, it said.

The attackers made off with valuables estimated to be worth about half a million euros (dollars), including watches, jewelry and other luxury accessories, the newspaper said.

Messi's conqueror Renard wants more 'unforgettable' World Cup moments

French coach Herve Renard has had a varied career. AFP 

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Herve Renard masterminded defeat of Lionel Messi's Argentina in the Qatar World Cup group stage and now is hoping to experience more "emotions that you can't buy" at the Women's World Cup.

The 54-year-old gave up a lucrative contract as coach of Saudi Arabia's men -- who he led to a famous win over eventual champions Argentina in Qatar -- to take over the women's team of his native France.

They face Jamaica on Sunday in Sydney in their Group F opener and Renard told AFP that money is not what drives him.

"I go looking for emotions. World Cups are magical," he said in the lead-up to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

"Australia is a football country that likes women's sports. The stadiums will be full and there will be a great atmosphere. These are emotions that you can't buy.

"What I experienced a few months ago against Argentina, I could have been the richest man in the world and I wouldn't be able to buy the emotions.

"So I will be looking for these emotions again. That is my adrenaline and I hope to experience more unforgettable moments."

Renard took over a France team that was in disarray four months ago after a player mutiny precipitated the sacking of Corinne Diacre.

That may have been a daunting prospect for less wily operators, but Renard can call on rich experience.

A double African champion instantly recognisable on the touchline in his trademark white shirt, he has coached numerous clubs including a spell in England's lower leagues at Cambridge United two decades ago.

He has become a specialist at working with national teams since leading Zambia to a remarkable triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012.

He won the same competition with the Ivory Coast in 2015 and coached Morocco before moving to Saudi Arabia in 2019.

"Since I left Lille (in 2015), I have favoured working with national teams and I would find it difficult now to go back," he said.

"I like this role and I feel good in it. The lifestyle is completely different and I find there are a lot of positives in it.

"I have been lucky in my life to be able to bring whole countries onto the street and that is priceless.

"To see a whole city buzzing is great, but a whole country is even better."

- 'Need to believe' -

France are perhaps the great underachievers in international women's football, with their best performance at a World Cup their run to the semi-finals in 2011.

They have gone out of the last two tournaments in the quarter-finals, while they lost in the semi-finals at last year's Euro.

That is despite boasting some of the finest players in the world, including centre-back and captain Wendie Renard of multiple Champions League winners Lyon, and the forward Kadidiatou Diani.

"The first thing you need to do is believe, and not just say it, but do it," said Renard, whose team will also play Brazil and Panama in the group phase at the World Cup.

"You need to have an exceptional mindset too. I don't know any other recipe for winning.

"Lots of players in our team have already won a lot of things with their clubs. Why couldn't they do the same thing with their national team?

"They know how it works, so it is possible."

Renard has his work cut out after being appointed so late in the day, so he is not getting too carried away as to France's prospects.

"France have been in the semi-finals before but it was quite a long time ago now," he said.

"If we are lucky enough to get to the last four again, then we can start to talk about even bigger objectives."

Manchester United picks Bruno Fernandes to be its new captain

Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes

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Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes is the new captain of Manchester United.

The Premier League club announced the appointment on Thursday.

Fernandes has scored 64 goals with 54 assists in 185 games since joining United in 2020 from Sporting Lisbon.

Harry Maguire tweeted Sunday that he was no longer captain of United following talks with manager Erik ten Hag. The central defender made just eight league starts last season, leading to ongoing speculation over his future at Old Trafford.

In Maguire’s absence from the side last season, the 28-year-old Fernandes was most frequently appointed captain and had been widely expected to be given the permanent role. He featured in all but one of the team’s league fixtures as United finished third to return to the Champions League for the first time since 2021.

The squad arrived in the United States on Thursday for a 12-day tour, though Ten Hag will be without midfielder Fred who has remained in England because of personal reasons.

Cameroon’s Onana confirms 'irresistible' United move

Andre Onana reached the Champions League final in his one season at Inter Milan. Photo: AFP

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Andre Onana said that he couldn't resist the chance to play at Manchester United as the Cameroon goalkeeper prepares to join the Premier League giants after one season at Inter Milan.

Onana is set to sign for United in a deal worth a reported 55 million euros ($62 million) after joining Inter last summer as a free agent and starring in their run to the Champions League final.

In an interview with the Gazzetta Dello Sport published on Wednesday he confirmed his transfer to Old Trafford, saying he couldn't wait to rejoin his former Ajax coach Erik ten Hag.

"I really want to begin this new exciting adventure with a coach who as far as I'm concerned is a maestro," said Onana.

"I'm going to play in a great league and for a great club which has an enormous amount of history just like Inter.

"It's important to be honest and tell the people the truth. I'm someone who's always looking for new challenges and to play in the Premier League for a club like United is irresistible."

Onana made a big impression at Inter and looked to be the perfect replacement for outgoing veteran Samir Handanovic.

Instead Simone Inzaghi's team will again need to find a new main man between the sticks, one who is unlikely to have the 27-year-old's ability to start moves with his impressive ball control.

Onana's ability with his feet is one of the reasons why he is teaming up again with Ten Hag, who with Onana in goal and a team packed with rising young stars took Ajax to the semi-finals of the 2019 Champions League.

He will move to England after a thrilling campaign with three-time European champions Inter, an ever present in their charge to the Champions League final where they were narrowly defeated by United's local rivals Manchester City.

He won the Italian Cup and Super Cup but the highlight of the season was undoubtedly beating AC Milan in the last four over two blockbuster matches which put Serie A back in the spotlight after years of decline.

"The San Siro and Inter fans made me feel something special and I won't forget that for the rest of my life," added Onana.

"For some matches we were really as one, I had the feeling of playing not as 11 players, but as 80,000. Being able to experience that was a privilege that football and my life have given me."

Onana retired from international football last year with 34 caps after being dumped by Cameroon coach Rigobert Song at the World Cup for disciplinary reasons.

He was banned for 12 months by UEFA in February 2021 after testing positive for a banned substance, a punishment which was later cut to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Liverpool captain Henderson set to join Gerrard in Saudi : Reports

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson

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Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is set to join former teammate Steven Gerrard at Saudi club Al Ettifaq after a deal was struck between the clubs, The Athletic reported on Wednesday.

Henderson, 33, led the Reds to their first Premier League title for 30 years in 2020, a year after lifting the Champions League.

However, the England midfielder has been tempted to join Gerrard after reportedly being offered a deal worth up to £700,000-a-week ($915,000)

Liverpool are set to receive a fee of £12 million ($15.5 million).

Gerrard was appointed manager of Al Ettifaq earlier this month.

Henderson joined Liverpool from Sunderland in 2011 and succeeded Gerrard as skipper at Anfield in 2015.

He had been left out of Jurgen Klopp's squad for a friendly against Karlsruhe on Wednesday.

Liverpool are also set to lose Fabinho to the influx of investment by Saudi clubs with the Brazilian on the brink of a £40 million move to Al-Ittihad.

Klopp has also seen midfielders Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner depart on free transfers since the end of last season.

But Liverpool have reinforced that area of the field with the signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Midfielder Xavi Simons is loaned to Leipzig after returning to PSG

PSV s Xavi Simons controls the ball during the Europa League group A soccer match between PSV and Arsenal at the Philips stadium in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, file)

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Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons has returned to Paris Saint-Germain following an impressive season in the Dutch league, only to be sent on loan to Leipzig.

PSG said Wednesday that the 20-year-old Simons, who joined the French champions from PSV Eindhoven, will be loaned to the Bundesliga side for the 2023-24 season.

Simons signed his first professional contract with PSG in 2019, making his debut for the club in a French Cup match in 2021. He then signed for PSV after just 11 appearances with PSG.

With PSV, he scored 22 goals and delivered 12 assists in 48 matches last season.

Born in Amsterdam, the player named in honor of Spain great Xavi Hernández, went through Barcelona’s youth academy before moving to Paris.

Simons played at the last World Cup in Qatar with the Netherlands.

Ex-Man Utd goalie Van der Sar leaves intensive care after brain haemorrhage

FILE - Former Ajax and Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar arrives for the UEFA Champions League draw at the Grimaldi Forum, in Monaco, on Aug. 30, 2018. Photo: AP

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Former Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has been released from an intensive care unit in a Dutch hospital and hopes to return home next week as he recovers from a bleed around the brain, he said Tuesday in an Instagram post.

“I’m happy to share that I’m no longer in the intensive care unit. However, I’m still in hospital. I hope to go home next week and take the next step in my recovery!” Van der Sar wrote next to a photo of him sitting up in a hospital bed with his arm around his wife, Annemarie.

The post was Van der Sar’s first direct communication since suffering a bleed around the brain in Croatia on July 7 and being admitted to an intensive care unit in Croatia. Previously, his wife and Ajax had given updates on his condition.

The goalkeeper, who won the Champions League with Manchester United in 2008 after a penalty shootout, returned to the Netherlands last week.

In his Instagram post, he also thanked all the fans who sent him messages of support.

Van der Sar, 52, retired in 2011 after 130 appearances for his country and a club career that included Champions League wins with both Ajax and United.

He also won four Premier League titles with United and had spells with Fulham and Juventus.

He later took up a position on the Ajax board and stepped down as director general of the Amsterdam club at the end of the season, saying he was exhausted after more than a decade on the club’s board.

Benjamin Mendy signs for French club Lorient after sex trial acquittal

French footballer Benjamin Mendy reacts as he leaves Chester Crown Court in Chester

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Benjamin Mendy signed for French club Lorient on Wednesday after the former Manchester City and France defender was acquitted in a sex offences trial in England last week.

"Lorient are happy to announce today the signing on a two-year deal of the French international left-back Benjamin Mendy," the Ligue 1 club said in a statement.

Mendy, 29, was cleared of sex offences last week, ending a three-year court process.

The player, who would have faced a lengthy jail term if convicted, had previously being cleared in January of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault following a six-month trial.

But jurors in that trial had been unable to reach a verdict on two other counts, triggering the retrial that ended last week.

Mendy, whose contract with English and European champions Manchester City expired at the end of June, had denied all the charges against him.

Lorient, 10th behind champions Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 last season, said Mendy would start training from Wednesday after taking a medical.

His arrival at the club comes almost two years after his last match for Manchester City.

Last Friday, at Chester Crown Court in northwest England, the 2018 World Cup winner broke down after the not guilty verdicts on one count of rape and one of sexual assault were delivered.

Mendy, a record signing for a defender when he moved to Manchester City from French club Monaco in 2017, played 75 times for City.

But his playing time was limited by injuries and a loss of form.

The last of his 10 caps for France came in November 2019, after the defender won the World Cup with the national side in 2018 in Russia.

The trials meant that he missed Manchester City's treble last season of the English Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

Burnley sign Swiss striker Amdouni from Basel

Switzerland forward Zeki Amdouni (L) has joined Burnley. AFP

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Burnley signed Switzerland striker Zeki Amdouni from Basel for an undisclosed fee on Wednesday.

Amdouni, who was the Europa Conference League top scorer last season, has agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League club.

The 22-year-old netted 12 times for Basel in the 2022-23 Swiss Super League, and scored seven goals in the team's run to the Conference League semi-finals.

Amdouni, who has also scored five goals in five appearances for Switzerland, said: "I'm very happy to be here and I'm excited to start.

"I spoke to the coach (Vincent Kompany), and he really wanted me. Also, I really wanted to work with him, for me that's the most important.

"I know the Premier League is the best league in the world. It's not easy for sure but I am confident with the coach, and the staff, I can do good things here."

Kompany added: "He's been on our radar for quite a while now. Zeki is such a goal threat.

"The way he can play the final pass creates so many assists and thanks to the amount of work he puts in on the pitch - he scores plenty himself."

Burnley, who won promotion from the Championship last season, have already signed West Bromwich Albion defender Dara O'Shea and Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford.

Messi will need time to adapt to MLS: Beckham

Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi (L) smiles next to former British football player and one of the owners of Inter Miami CF David Beckham as he is presented as the newest player for Major League Soccer's Inter Miami CF, at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 16, 2023. Photo: AFP

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David Beckham believes Lionel Messi will need time to adapt to Major League Soccer, even though the standard of play is at a "different level" from the European game.

Inter Miami co-owner Beckham, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder, watched Messi take part in his first training session for the club on Tuesday after signing a two and a half year contract.

Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets, a former team-mate of Messi's from Barcelona, also trained at the club's complex, after signing on Saturday, with former Barcelona and Argentina coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino leading the session.

"Leo's still going to need, no matter how good he is, no matter what his stature is, he and Sergio are going to need time to adapt no matter," said the Englishman.

"They might surprise us, we might start winning every single game, but we have to be patient," he said.

Miami's fans may need to show that patience at Friday's Leagues Cup game against Mexicans Cruz Azul, with Beckham saying the Argentine may not necessarily start.

"Leo will play some part of the game but that will be down to the coach (and) it'll be down to Leo to decide if he's ready because we know that he's been away for a few weeks with his family but he looks sharp, he looks great but he's going to need time to adapt as well," said Beckham.

Beckham was the biggest name to have moved to MLS when he signed for the Galaxy in 2007 when the league had just 13 clubs, compared to 29 today and the standard of play was significantly lower.

But Beckham said that there was one area where nothing had changed.

"One of the similarities will be, when I came, all of a sudden, everyone thought: LA are going to win everything. LA are going to win every game, 7-0, 8-0, and that's it, nobody else is gonna win anything," he said.

But despite Beckham's arrival, the Galaxy weren't even able to make the playoffs in his first two seasons.

LA finished next to bottom of the Western Conference in 2007 and 2008 but then in 2009 were beaten finalists before winning MLS Cup in 2011 and 2012.

"Those first two years for me, it was a challenge, getting used to everything, bringing the club and the league to be a little bit more professional, but things changed very quickly," he said.

"I started enjoying the soccer a lot more, not just because we were winning (but) because I could see the change that was being made -- the academy stuff coming into each of the clubs... we're now at a stage where things are definitely different to how they were in 2007," he said.

While the standard of MLS is still well below that of the top leagues in Europe, where Messi has spent his entire club career, several foreign players who joined the league late in their career have found it difficult to thrive.

The frequent travel across time-zones, playing on artificial surfaces at some stadium, and having team-mates who might not be on the same wavelength or have the expected technical ability, are some of the challenges players have faced.

Beckham has no doubt that Messi will be a success but accepts his impact on the field might not be as instant as some may be anticipating.

"It's a different style of football, it's a slightly different level to what obviously some of the players that are coming in are used to," he said.

"But at the end of the day, this level of football in this country now is a good level, it's a great level, so there are going to be moments where we have to be patient," he said.

Willian staying another season at Fulham

Veteran Brazilian winger Willian is penning a one-year deal with Fulham. Photo: Fulham s official Twitter account.

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Veteran Brazilian international Willian on Monday re-signed for Fulham on a one-year deal with an option for a further 12 months.

The 34-year-old former Chelsea and Arsenal winger scored five times in 27 Premier League appearances for the Cottagers last season.

He had reached the end of his contract and visited the Nottingham Forest training ground last week.

But he said he is staying at Fulham.

    We are delighted to confirm that @willianborges88 has agreed a new deal that sees him return to Fulham. 🫶#WillianStays 🇧🇷

    — Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) July 17, 2023

"Happy to sign one more year with Fulham," he told the club's website.

"Happy to continue the work that I did last season with all my teammates and the whole club. I think it's a club that can do even better this season."

Man Utd set to sign Onana from Inter Milan - reports

Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana. AP 

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Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana for a fee of £47 million ($61 million, 55 million euros), multiple UK media outlets reported on Tuesday.

Onana, 27, played a major role in Inter's run to the Champions League final and previously worked with United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax.

The Cameroonian will reportedly sign a five-year deal at Old Trafford to become the successor to David De Gea as the club's number one goalkeeper.

United will pay an initial 51 million euros with a further four million euros due in performance-related add-ons.

De Gea left the Red Devils earlier this month after 12 years at United.

The Spaniard struggled with Ten Hag's preference to play out from the back and Onana appears a far more natural fit for the Dutch coach's philosophy.

Onana joined Barcelona as a 14-year-old after being spotted as Samuel Eto'o's academy in his homeland.

After failing to make the first team at the Camp Nou, Onana joined Ajax in 2015 and won three Eredivisie titles under Ten Hag in the Netherlands.

However, his career was temporarily rocked in 2021 by a doping ban for taking a banned diuretic.

Onana claimed to have accidentally taken a drug prescribed to his wife and had a one-year ban reduced to nine months on appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

He joined Inter on a free transfer just over 12 months ago when his contract at Ajax expired.

Onana made only 24 Serie A appearances as he shared goalkeeping duties with Samir Handanovic in the Inter captain's final year at the club.

But he was an ever-present in the Champions League, keeping eight clean sheets in 13 games as Inter reached the final for the first time in 13 years.

Domestic violence case dropped against ex-Man Utd star Giggs

(FILES) Former Manchester United star and Wales manager Ryan Giggs leaves the Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester on August 31, 2022 at the end of his trial for assaulting his ex-girlfriend. Photo: AFP

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Former Manchester United player Ryan Giggs will not face a retrial over domestic violence claims after prosecutors on Tuesday withdrew the charges due to the "unwillingness" of his ex-girlfriend to give evidence.

Giggs, 49, was due to go on trial for a second time on July 31 after a month-long trial last year ended without the jury reaching a verdict.

But prosecuting lawyer Peter Wright told Manchester Crown Court in north west England that there was no realistic chance of conviction.

Giggs' ex-girlfriend Kate Greville had "indicated an unwillingness" to give evidence as the first trial had "taken its toll" on her and her sister Emma, he explained.

"That being the case, we formally offer no evidence on counts one, two and three. This is not a decision taken lightly," said Wright.

Judge Hilary Manley replied: "I formally enter not guilty verdicts in respect of those counts."

Giggs, a former Wales international, had denied the allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour against former girlfriend Greville as well as assaulting her and her younger sister.

The three counts could have lead to a five-year jail term, but he has now been cleared of all charges.

Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was among those to give evidence in the trial last August, which also saw Giggs take the stand and admit to being unfaithful in all his past romantic relationships but deny ever being violent.

He resigned as the Wales manager last June, after being on leave since his arrest.

Giggs exploded onto the scene as a teenager in the mid-1990s. He ended his career at Old Trafford as the most decorated player in English football history.

As a player, he made a club record 963 appearances over 23 years for Manchester United, winning 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies.

He began his coaching career at Old Trafford, taking temporary charge at the end of the 2013-14 season after David Moyes was sacked. Giggs then worked as an assistant to Louis van Gaal for two years.

Lens captain Fofana heads for Saudi club Al-Nassr

Lens Ivorian midfielder Seko Fofana reacts after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between RC Lens and Bordeaux at the Bollaert-Delelis stadium, in Lens, on February 13, 2022. RC Lens captain Seko Fofana will move next season to Al-Nassr, the Saudi Arabian club where Cristiano Ronaldo plays, the two clubs and the player announced simultaneously on July 18, 2023 via social networks. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP)

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Lens captain Seko Fofana confirmed on Tuesday he has accepted an offer to join Al-Nassr, the Saudi Arabian club where Cristiano Ronaldo plays.

"I leave you with the feeling of accomplishment and pride at being a part of this history which is ours," Fofana, 28, wrote in a farewell video posted on Instagram.

The Ivorian international midfielder played 112 times for the northern French outfit scoring 21 goals in three years.

He departs as Lens return to the Champions League for the first time in 21 years, following an exceptional season during which they finished second in Ligue 1 one point behind Paris Saint-Germain.

"Seko is here," Al-Nassr wrote on Twitter.

Fofana joins Ronaldo, Croatian international Marcelo Brozovic and Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina at the Riyadh-based club.

Other big names who have headed for Saudi Arabia in recent weeks include French players Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante at Al-Ittihad with Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly and Portuguese Ruben Neves playing at Al-Hilal.

Fofana, who captained Lens 72 times, was one of the best players in Ligue 1 last season.

He was the only midfielder shortlisted for the best player in the championship alongside four forwards -- Kylian Mbappe, Lois Openda, Jonathan David and Lionel Messi.

"I want, on behalf of the club, to especially salute an exemplary captain who has been sparkling and has shown leadership for three seasons," said RC Lens general manager Arnaud Pouille.

"Proof of his deep attachment to Racing, he will very soon become the first player leaving a club to become a shareholder," he said.

Fofana spent his youth career at Paris FC, his hometown club, and Lorient, before signing his first contract with Manchester City in 2014, but never played a professional match for the club.

Loaned to Fulham then Bastia, he then played four years for Serie A club Udinese before joining Lens, just promoted to Ligue 1, in the summer of 2020.

RC Lens also announced the departure of Polish international Adam Buksa, on loan to Turkish club Antalyaspor with the option to buy.

Bayern sign defender Kim Min-jae from Napoli

Napoli s South Korean defender Min-jae Kim clears a ball during the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals first leg football match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli on April 12, 2023 at the San Siro stadium in Milan. South Korean Min-jae Kim, Italian champion with Napoli and named Serie A s best defender last season, has signed a five-season contract until summer 2028 with Bayern Munich, the Bavarian club announced on July 18, 2023. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP)

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Bayern Munich on Tuesday signed South Korean defender Kim Min-jae from Italian champions Napoli.

Bayern said the 26-year-old was joining on a five-year contract but did not give the transfer fee.

Kim joined Napoli last summer and anchored the defence as they won Serie A.

"It's a new beginning for me," Kim told the Bayern website. "My first goal is to play a lot of games. In addition, I want to win as many trophies as possible."

He also posted a farewell to Napoli, and departing coach Luciano Spalletti, on Instagram.

"To my passionate club Napoli, Mister Spalletti, my team mates, and above all to Napoli fans, I would like to express my gratitude."

Kim has 49 international caps and played in China and then for Fenerbahce in Turkey before joining Napoli.

"He impresses with his physical presence, as well as his mentality and speed," said Jan-Christian Dreesen, the Bayern CEO.

Bayern also unveiled Austrian Christoph Freund as sporting director.

Freund, 46, will join at the end of the summer transfer window from Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg where he spent eight years.

He replaces Hasan Salihamidzic, the club's former player who was sacked in May along with former chairman Oliver Kahn after a relatively disappointing season for Bayern.

Salihamidzic and Kahn took the gamble of parting company with coach Julian Nagelsmann at the end of March, a gamble that did not entirely work.

The club won the Bundesliga as Borussia Dortmund slipped up on the last day of the season but went out in the quarter-finals of both the Champions League and German Cup.

Alba to join 'Barca reunion' with Messi in Miami

File Photo: Barcelona s Spanish defender Jordi Alba. AFP 

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Former Spain international defender Jordi Alba will sign for Inter Miami and join up with former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, with more new arrivals expected in the coming days, owner Jorge Mas said on Tuesday.

"Jordi Alba will sign today," Mas told a group of reporters after the team's training session.

Messi has already been joined by Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets, another former Barcelona player, but the club are looking to add some youth to the squad which is struggling in last place in MLS.

Mas said that 20-year-old Paraguayan international defender Diego Gomez was set to join from Asuncion club Libertad.

Another young South American, 20-year-old Argentine midfielder Facundo Farias has a verbal agreement to join the club, said Mas.

The Miami owner added that talks are also underway with two young talents from the Argentine league -- Tomas Aviles, a central defender with Racing Club, and striker Brian Aguirre, of Newell's Old Boys.

But Mas said that any attempt to sign veteran Uruguayan former Barca player, Luis Suarez, was limited by his contractual situation with Brazilian club Gremio.

"Luis Suarez is a Gremio player. He has a contract. We understand the close relationship that he has with Lionel, Busquets and Alba. They played together at Barcelona.

"There's been a lot of talk about Luis Suarez coming to Inter Miami. We haven't held direct talks with Gremio or with Suarez.

"I don't know how Luis Suarez can leave Gremio. But if he does we are free to talk to Luis and bring him to Inter Miami. That possibility would be there," he said.

The 34-year-old Alba, who has made 93 appearances for Spain, terminated his contract with Barcelona in May.

Left-back Alba won six Spanish league titles with Barca and was part of the team which won the 2015 Champions League.

He also played in the Spain team which won the 2012 European Championship.

Messi and Busquets took part in their first training session with Miami on Tuesday, ahead of possible debuts on Friday against Mexico's Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.

Rashford signs new deal at Man United after most prolific season of career

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has signed a new deal. Photo: AFP

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After the most prolific season of his career, Marcus Rashford committed himself to five more years at Manchester United on Tuesday.

The England forward ended speculation about his future by signing a new long-term deal that will keep him at Old Trafford through to 2028.

Rashford scored 30 goals in all competitions last season, with his form helping fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit in November as he established himself as a key part of a United team which qualified for the Champions League and won the English League Cup.

“I joined Manchester United as a 7-year-old boy with a dream. That same passion, pride, and determination to succeed still drives me every time I have the honour of wearing the shirt," Rashford said in a statement released by United. “I’ve already had some amazing experiences at this incredible club, but there is still a lot more to achieve and I remain relentlessly determined to win more trophies in the years ahead.”

Rashford has made 359 appearances for United since rising through the club’s youth academy. He has scored 123 goals.

His return to form last season came after a year battling with his fitness, which saw him lose his England place before being recalled for the World Cup last November.

Real-time VAR explanations at Women's World Cup 'more transparent': FIFA

FIFA's referee chief Pierluigi Collina during a press conference. Photo: AFP

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Match officials explaining VAR decisions live to stadiums and television audiences for Women's World Cup games will make the process "more transparent", FIFA's referee chief Pierluigi Collina said on Tuesday.

The concept will be used at a major tournament for the first time when the World Cup starts on Thursday, having been trialled at the men's Club World Cup in Morocco this year and the men's U20 World Cup in Argentina last month.

Collina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, told reporters that there had been positive feedback from the trials.

"We want to give more transparency, more understanding of the decision made by the referee," the Italian said.

"The referees here in Sydney have already practised at the training grounds using the PA system and things are going well.

"We are very confident this new tool will be very positive."

Fans have long called for more transparency over VAR (video assistant referee) decisions.

Match officials at the World Cup in New Zealand and Australia will consult a screen on the side of the pitch before relaying their decision, the reason for it, the players involved and a brief description of the incident through the PA system via a microphone on their shirt.

Collina admitted to some trepidation with referees required to explain in English, which is not the mother tongue for many, adding extra pressure.

"In anything there are pros and cons," he said. "After we will discuss and consider what is best for the future."

Referees are also under instruction to clamp down on time-wasting at the World Cup.

Inter Miami sink to rock bottom ahead of Messi unveiling

 Argentine artist Maximiliano Bagnasco paints a giant mural of international soccer star Lionel Messi in Wynwood, Miami s art district, in Miami, Florida, on July 10, 2023. AFP 

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Inter Miami will celebrate the signing of Lionel Messi on Sunday but will do so after their winless run extended to 11 games with a 3-0 defeat at St. Louis City on Saturday, leaving them rock bottom of Major League Soccer.

Miami confirmed the arrival of Messi hours before their game kicked off in Missouri, but that couldn't inspire Gerardo Martino's team to victory as they suffered their 14th defeat in 22 games.

Miami are bottom of the Eastern Conference and their latest loss also left them in last place in the overall standings -- 29th of 29 clubs.

That leaves Messi, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner and Argentina World Cup hero, playing for officially the worst team in MLS.

Fortunately for the club and their new star, MLS does not, like most leagues in the world, have relegation. But Messi will need to have a transformational impact on the field if the club are to make a push towards the playoffs.

Messi has been expected to make his debut on Friday against Cruz Azul in the new Leagues Cup, a tournament featuring all the top-flight teams from MLS and Mexico's Liga MX.

MLS is suspending its play for a month while the Leagues Cup is played, meaning the 36-year-old former Barcelona star won't have a chance to start helping Miami up the league table until they host Charlotte on August 20.

But while the move has excited fans and gives Miami and MLS a chance to grow their popularity and revenue, the Florida club clearly hope that Messi will be able to raise the levels of his teammates.

"Lionel Messi is an incomparable talent. What he brings on and off the field will elevate everyone around him and we're excited to have him at Inter Miami," the club's Sporting Director Chris Henderson said on Saturday.

There was nothing exciting about Miami's performance in St. Louis, however, with the home side taking the lead in the 28th minute thanks to a header from a corner buried by Samuel Adeniran.

St. Louis, top of the Western Conference in their debut season, made it 2-0 five minutes before the break, with Miami again unable to defend a corner as Tim Parker glanced in a header at the near post.

German Eduard Loewen completed Miami's misery with a thundering free-kick, 10 minutes from the end.

- Disappointing debut -

It was a disappointing first game in charge for former Barcelona and Argentina coach Martino, who said fans would need to be patient with Messi and left open the question of whether he would feature against Cruz Azul.

"We look to the future with hope (given) that the best player in the world will play for our team, but also with the patience that we have to have so that he can get in good physical shape and can play at the right moment," he said.

"We ended up losing the game with three set pieces, which, of course, is valid and that's how games are won. We have a lot of stuff to correct," he added.

Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati continued their outstanding home form with their 11th win in 12 games thanks to a 3-1 win over a Nashville team who ended with nine men for the second straight game.

USA defender Walker Zimmerman put Nashville ahead in the 31st minute with a tap-in after Cincinnati keeper Roman Celentano failed to hold onto a cross.

The home side drew level through a 42nd-minute Luciano Acosta penalty but then Nashville saw Taylor Washington and Fata Picault both sent off for second yellow cards, leaving them two men down for the final 20 minutes.

Acosta set up Santiago Arias with a clever diagonal pass in the 74th minute before newly signed Gabonese striker Aaron Boupendza made sure of the win.

Ian Harkes, son of former US international John, scored twice for the New England Revolution, second in the East, as they beat Wayne Rooney's D.C. United 4-0.

Last season's runners-up, the Philadelphia Union beat 2021 champions New York City 2-1 with goals from Jose Martinez and Chris Donovan.

'Extremely disappointed' Maguire reveals he is no longer Man United captain after talks with Ten Hag

File Photo: Manchester United s Harry Maguire. AP

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Harry Maguire is no longer captain of Manchester United following talks with manager Erik ten Hag.

It was reported earlier this month that Ten Hag was ready to remove Maguire from the role after the England defender’s limited appearances under the Dutchman last season.

Maguire wrote Sunday on Twitter: “After discussions with the manager today he has informed me he is changing captain.

“He outlined his reasons to me and whilst I’m personally extremely disappointed, I will continue to give my all every time I wear the shirt. So I wanted to say a massive thank you to the Manchester United fans for all their brilliant support whilst I’ve been wearing the armband.”

The central defender made just eight Premier League starts last season, leading to ongoing speculation over his future at Old Trafford.

“Since the day I took on the role, three and half years ago, it’s been a huge privilege to lead Manchester United and one of the proudest moments of my career to date," Maguire said.

“I wish whoever now takes it on every success and they will have my full support.”

In Maguire’s absence from the side last season, Bruno Fernandes was most frequently appointed captain and the Portugal midfielder is expected to be given the permanent role.

Maguire has made over 170 appearances for United since being signed from Leicester for 80 million pounds (now $105 million) in 2019.

The England regular has been linked with a move to West Ham in recent days.

Lionel Messi signs contract with Inter Miami through 2025

Staff at the Fiorito restaurant pose in front of a mural of Lionel Messi to celebrate after the Argentine soccer star announced he is joining the Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. AP

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Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has signed a contract until 2025 with Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer team announced on Saturday. 

The 36-year-old striker who sparked Argentina to a World Cup title last year in Qatar, is set to be unveiled by the team in a Sunday ceremony and expected to join Inter Miami on the pitch as early as Friday.

"I'm very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States," Messi, who moves from Paris Saint-Germain, said in a statement.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's arrival in Miami has already caused a sensation and is expected to spark greater interest in the game and MLS across the United States.

It's also hoped he'll revive the fortunes of a Miami squad at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference at 5-13 with three drawn.

"This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project," Messi said. "The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set and I'm very eager to start helping here in my new home."

Messi's debut match is planned for Friday when Inter Miami will host Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup, a revamped competition between MLS and Mexican league squads.

It's the biggest boost for the North American league since English star David Beckham, now a co-owner of Inter Miami, joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007. He launched the MLS Miami squad in 2020 after years of trying to find a stadium site.

"Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city, players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much," Beckham said in a statement.

"Today that dream came true.

"I couldn't be prouder that a player of Leo's caliber is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community.

"The next phase of our adventure starts here and I can't wait to see Leo take to the pitch."

'World's Greatest' 

Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino has managed Messi in two separate prior stints –- with FC Barcelona in the 2013-14 campaign, winning the 2013 Spanish SuperCup, and from 2014-2016 with the Argentine national team.

Messi captained the Albiceleste to victory at the 2021 Copa America as well as the Qatar World Cup and has 103 goals in 175 appearances for Argentina.

"We're overjoyed that the greatest player in the world chose Inter Miami and Major League Soccer," MLS commissioner Don Garber said.

"His decision is a testament to the momentum and energy behind our league and our sport in North America. We have no doubt that Lionel will show the world that MLS can be a league of choice for the best players in the game."

Messi is set for a glitzy arrival ceremony on Sunday at "The Unveil" with 18,000 expected to watch his first public event with his new club, followed by his first news conference with Inter on Monday and first training session with the club on Tuesday.

"I'm honored to welcome Leo Messi and his family to their new home," Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said. "We made a promise to build an ambitious club that would attract the world's elite players... a heartfelt thank you to our fans that never stopped believing. Together we will continue to turn dreams into reality."