Football

Oct 14, 2023, 07:33 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest paid footballer in the world in 2023, earning more than the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar during the past 12 months, according to Forbes. Ronaldo, who Forbes also ranks as the highest paid athlete of any sport, topped the list

Oct 13, 2023, 05:27 PM ET Open Extended Reactions France‘s Kylian Mbappé rediscovered his touch in spectacular fashion as he grabbed a double to lead his side to a 2-1 away win against an injury-ravaged Netherlands and early qualification for Euro 2024 on Friday. The World Cup runners-up, who will be joined in the June

Connor O’Halloran Oct 12, 2023, 11:01 AM ET Open Extended Reactions LA TURBIE, France — Florence Balogun had been telling her son Folarin to choose the United States for years. England, where he grew up, had called to ask whether he would play for its squad. Nigeria, where his parents were born, was interested, too,

Adriana Garcia Oct 13, 2023, 06:00 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Brazil coach Fernando Diniz has condemned the “disrespectful” incident in which Neymar was hit on the head by a bag of popcorn thrown from the stands after his team’s 1-1 home draw with Venezuela. The popcorn was thrown just before Neymar walked down the

ESPN News Services Oct 12, 2023, 06:41 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Lionel Messi was not in Argentina‘s starting XI for their World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Thursday, but he was included in the squad as a substitute. Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina is 2-0 in CONMEBOL qualifying thus far, having beaten Ecuador 1-0 and Bolívia

Open Extended Reactions Colorado Rapids have interviewed Arsenal youth team coach and former midfielder, Jack Wilshere, about the MLS club’s vacant head coach position, sources confirmed to ESPN. The Rapids are owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, who also own Arsenal, and it is understood a formal approach was made to the Premier League side

Adriana Garcia Oct 12, 2023, 05:58 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Karim Benzema joined Al Ittihad this summer because he always wanted to live in Saudi Arabia and “help Saudi football grow.” The France forward, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2022, left Real Madrid after 14 years “to try a new challenge,” signing for

Open Extended Reactions Harry Maguire has defended his Manchester United record by insisting his win percentage is “ridiculously high” but admitted he could leave the club in January if he struggles to break back into the first team. The 30-year-old has been largely frozen out by Erik ten Hag since the Dutchman took charge at

Open Extended Reactions Michael Battistini plays for the San Marino national team but works by day as a metal mechanic. Like his teammates, he dreams of a San Marino win. Clara Vannucci for ESPN SERRAVALLE, San Marino — “Highway to Hell” rings out around San Marino Stadium as the world’s worst football team prepares to face

Julien Laurens, CorrespondentOct 11, 2023, 05:00 AM ET Eden Hazard always said privately that the day he did not enjoy playing football anymore, he would quit. That day has now come. On Tuesday, the 32-year-old decided to end his 16-year professional career because the game was not fun for him anymore. It hadn’t been for

Adriana Garcia Oct 10, 2023, 11:09 AM ET Sevilla have appointed Diego Alonso as their new head coach, the club announced on Tuesday. The former Inter Miami CF manager has replaced José Luis Mendilibar, who was dismissed on Monday after the team’s poor start to the season. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Adriana Garcia Oct 10, 2023, 02:34 PM ET Spain international Jenni Hermoso is considering taking legal action after her videotaped testimony in the investigation of Luis Rubiales over his unsolicited kiss was leaked to the media, sources have told ESPN. Hermoso gave evidence to a Spanish state prosecutor before lodging a criminal complaint on Sept.

Oct 10, 2023, 05:34 AM ET Eden Hazard announced his retirement from professional football on Tuesday at the age of 32, bringing an end to his 16-year career. The forward enjoyed successful periods at Lille and Chelsea before ending his club career with a disappointing spell at Real Madrid. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga,

Oct 10, 2023, 07:04 AM ET Nike released a replica jersey for England goalkeeper Mary Earps on Monday, after facing widespread criticism for not selling the popular Women’s World Cup finalist’s shirt. In an Instagram story on Monday, Earps said she was not aware the jerseys would be going on sale, but thanked her followers

Rob Dawson, CorrespondentOct 9, 2023, 08:00 AM ET Jadon Sancho is running out of time to apologise to Erik ten Hag and there is a growing feeling at Manchester United that his career at Old Trafford might already be over, sources have told ESPN. Sancho is yet to apologise after publicly claiming Ten Hag lied

Oct 10, 2023, 06:26 AM ET The U.K. and Ireland will host the 2028 European Championship, while Italy and Turkey will stage the 2032 edition of the tournament, UEFA announced on Tuesday. By accepting a joint Italy-Turkey bid for Euro 2032 last week, and with Turkey withdrawing from the race for Euro 2028, the hosts

Pep Guardiola refused to shed light on a postmatch confrontation between Manchester City defender Kyle Walker and Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover on Sunday after the champions suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time in five years. Gabriel Martinelli‘s 86th minute shot, which beat City keeper Éderson following a heavy deflection off defender

Oct 7, 2023, 11:09 PM ET Wayne Rooney has left his role as D.C. United head coach after the team was eliminated from MLS playoff contention on Saturday. D.C. defeated New York City FC 2-0 at home on Saturday in its final game of the regular season but results elsewhere meant it can no longer