Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas to Join Liga MX’s Pumas from Newell’s Old Boys

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Keylor Navas is switching sides…

The 38-year-old Costa Rican professional soccer play, a goalkeeper for Costa Rica’s international team, has reached a deal to join Liga MX club Pumas from Newell’s Old Boys, the Argentine club announced on Monday.

Newell’s said in a statement that Pumas was paying a fee of $2 million to bring Navas to Liga MX.

The three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid signed a one-year deal and could debut as early as this Friday’s league match against Querétaro.

He is also expected to join the club in Leagues Cup play next week when coach Efraín Juárez‘s side will face Atlanta United, Orlando City and Inter Miami CF in the group stage.

Navas spent just six months with Newell’s. He is one of the most successful players in Concacaf history, turning in a strong performance for Costa Rica in this summer’s Gold Cup.

“Keylor Navas is no longer part of the squad and will continue his career with Pumas of México,” Newell’s said in a statement. “This decision was made based on the conviction of prioritizing our team. The commitment, professionalism, and respect for our club’s values remain as non-negotiable pillars. We firmly believe that to achieve our goals it is essential that each member of our club pushes in the same direction, always prioritizing the team over the individual.

“Our path is clear: unity, effort, and belonging. Under these values, we will continue working every day to honor our colors and the feelings of our fans.”

In addition to his Champions League titles, Navas also won LaLiga, the Club World Cup and Super Cup titles during his time with Real Madrid. He went on to win three Ligue 1 titles at Paris Saint-Germain.

Navas joined Newell’s as a free agent in January and made 16 appearances.

Pumas were looking for a replacement for goalkeeper Álex Padilla, who left earlier this month to rejoin parent club Athletic Club.

Navas was reportedly keen to move to Pumas to play in the Liga MX and be closer to his native Costa Rica.

PSV Eindhoven Gives Ricardo Pepi Storied No. 9 Shirt Number

Posted on July 17, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Ricardo Pepi may be returning to the pitch soon.

The 22-year-old Mexican American professional soccer player, a striker for PSV Eindhoven and U.S. Men’s National Team, revealed he’s “very close” to getting back in the game after suffering a knee injury during a Champions League match against Liverpool in January.

Though Pepi scored the game-winning goal in that 3-2 victory over the Premier League giants on January 29, he was forced to leave the pitch in the 76th minute.

The forward then underwent meniscus surgery in the United States following the injury, forcing him to the sidelines for the remainder of the 2024-2025 campaign and this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup with the USMNT.

Now, Pepi said he’s close to being 100% as he prepares for the upcoming campaign.

“It’s amazing. I’ve been waiting for the past five months and now I am back on the pitch with the team,” Pepi told ESPN. “I think I am really close [to being back] I think about, almost close to 100%, doing the last little steps and then I will be back.

“It’s one of those things where you are just super impatient to get back to the field, it’s super important to take the right steps because you cannot rush an injury. It’s about when your body feels ready to be back and now I am very close to being back and super excited to get this season going.”

Pepi heads into the season with a new mindset and shirt number, recently taking up PSV‘s No. 9 from departing captain Luuk de Jong. The former FC Dallas player insists a new number comes with higher expectations to perform.

“I think they have really big expectations but no one has more expectations on me than myself. It’s a good balance between helping the team out and also achieving my goals,” said Pepi.

“I think it’ll be a good year for sure, the past two seasons we’ve gotten a taste of what I can do so it’ll be interesting to see this year.”

Pepi concluded the 2024-25 campaign with 17 goals in all competitions for PSV, recording one goal fewer than former captain De Jong despite the knee injury. Beyond the Eredivisie, Pepi hopes to impress with PSV in order to be part of the USMNT roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“It’s always been a goal of mine [to reach the World Cup] so I have to focus on what I do at a club level to even get there I am sure, and I got to take care of business here at PSV,” said Pepi.

Pepi last featured for the USMNT on Nov. 18, 2024, scoring in the team’s 4-2 victory over Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal.

Real Madrid Signs Álvaro Carreras

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Álvaro Carreras is switching sides…

Real Madrid has signed the 22-year-old Spanish professional footballer, a Benfica left-back, the Spanish club announced on Monday.

Carreras spent three years at Real Madrid’s academy before moving to Manchester United in 2020.

The defender is Real Madrid’s latest defensive recruit — the club already confirmed the arrival of centre-back Dean Huijsen and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold — as they look to build a new-look back line ahead of this summer’s Club World Cup in which they lost in the semifinal to Paris Saint-Germain.

Madrid ended the season without a major trophy for the first time since 2021, after finishing as runners-up to Barcelona in LaLiga, losing the Copa del Rey final and being eliminated in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Carreras was Real Madrid’s preferred candidate to strengthen at left-back, where neither Ferland Mendy, who has frequently suffered from injuries, nor Fran García have convinced last season.

He was a teammate of another Real Madrid youngster, Raúl Asencio, in his time at the club’s academy, before opting to join Manchester United.

After four years in Manchester, including loans at Preston North End and Granada, he joined Benfica on an initial loan with an option to make the deal permanent.

The Spain under-21 international had an outstanding 2024-25 season, making 32 appearances in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, as well as playing 10 times in the Champions League.

Lamine Yamal Wins Laureus World Sports Award for World Breakthrough Player Award

Posted on April 21, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Lamine Yamal is officially among this year’s greatest athletes around the world…

The 17-year-old Spanish professional footballer, who plays as a winger for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team, has claimed the world breakthrough player award at the Laureus world sports awards.

Widely regarded as one of the best young footballers in the world, Yamal has represented Spain internationally at various youth levels.

He made his debut for the senior team in 2023, becoming the youngest player to represent and score for the country at age 16. He was selected for UEFA Euro 2024, playing an important role in helping Spain win their fourth title, while also winning the tournament’s Young Player Award.

Rafael Nadal received the sporting icon award.

The 38-year-old Spanish tennis star, a former World No. 1, retired from the sport after playing for Spain in the Davis Cup Finals in November 2024.

During his stories career, Nadal won 92 ATP Tour-level singles titles, including 22 Grand Slam titles (including a record 14 French Open titles), as well as 36 Masters titles and an Olympic gold medal.

Nadal is one of three men to complete the career Golden Slam in singles.

Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade won the world comeback of the year award after winning three medals at the 2024 Paris Games — including gold in the floor exercise — after recovering from anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Other winners include American surfer Kelly Slater, who received the lifetime achievement award; Simone Biles and Mondo Duplantis, named sportswoman and sportsman of the year.

Real Madrid, the Champions League and La Liga winner last season, was the world team of the year, while the world action sportsperson award went to Tom Pidcock, the British mountain biker who overcame a puncture to become only the second man to win back-to-back Olympic titles in the cyclo-cross discipline.

Yuyan Jiang was the world sportsperson of the year with a disability.

Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán Completes Transfer to Saudi Pro League’s Al Nassr

Posted on January 31, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Jhon Durán is headed to the Saudi Pro League.

The 21-year-old Colombian professional footballer has completed his transfer from Aston Villa to Al Nassr as the Saudi Pro League side bolstered their forward line for the second half of the season.

Durán’s form at Aston Villa had seen him garner considerable attention from clubs in Europe and beyond, and the signing is seen as a coup for Stefano Pioli‘s team, who already boast Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané among their ranks.

Durán has scored 12 goals in 29 games this season for Aston Villa, including memorable long-range strikes against Everton in the Premier League and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Durán joined the midlands club from Chicago Fire for £18m ($22.3m) in January 2023 but has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Villa Park as Ollie Watkins‘ presence in the forward line kept him out of the team on a regular basis.

Wakins has also been linked with a move away from Aston Villa in January but the Colombia international’s exit means that Watkins is likely to stay with Unai Emery’s team, with sources telling ESPN on Wednesday that the club had rejected a bid from Arsenal for his services.

Durán was an unused substitute in Aston Villa’s Champions League win over Celtic on Wednesday, which secured their eighth-place finish and a spot in the round of 16.

“Everyone at Aston Villa would like to wish Jhon all the best in the next step of his professional career,” Villa said in a statement.

Meanwhile, sources have told ESPN that Aston Villa are interested in signing Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford before the transfer deadline.

Al Nassr have struggled to compete at the highest level in the Saudi Pro League this season, sitting fourth in the table and eight points off top despite the exploits of Ronaldo, who has scored a division-high 14 goals in 17 games.

Vinícius Júnior Nets 100th Goal for Real Madrid

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Vinícius Júnior isn’t resting on his laurels…

The 24-year-old Brazilian professional footballer, a forward for LaLiga’s Real Madrid and the Brazil national team, is eyeing Ronaldo Nazario‘s record as the team’s top-scoring Brazilian after netting his 100th goal for the club in their 5-1 Champions League win over RB Salzburg on Wednesday.

A brace from Rodrygo — one coming from a sublime Jude Bellingham assist — put Madrid 2-0 up at half-time at the Santiago Bernabeu, before Kylian Mbappé added a third.

Vinícius scored twice to complete the win, and assure Madrid of a place in the playoffs for the knockout phase.

Vinicíus has now scored 101 goals for Madrid in all competitions, leaving him closing in on Brazil legend Ronaldo, who scored 104 in five years at the club between 2002 and 2007.

“I’m happy to score goals in this shirt,” Vinicius told Movistar on Wednesday. “I’m three goals away from Ronaldo, from being the Brazilian with most goals in this shirt. Let’s hope I can score more.”

Vinicíus has won two Champions Leagues — scoring in both finals — with Madrid, as well as three LaLiga titles.

He was surprised to learn he had been named MVP in the game against Salzburg. Jose

“I had the feeling that I couldn’t play well in the first half,” he said. “Rodry deserved it, Jude too, and a lot of players. But I’m happy with the win and goals, even when I played badly.”

Rodrygo praised teammate Bellingham, after the England star set up the game’s second goal with a clever backheel.

“It’s very easy to play with Jude, with the movements he makes, the passes he gives you,” Rodrygo told Movistar. “The second assist was beautiful, I love playing with him.”

Coach Carlo Ancelotti dismissed concerns about a back injury for Bellingham — saying it was “nothing special” — and said improving the team’s defending was his primary concern.

“We don’t have any doubts about the players up front,” Ancelotti said. “We’ll try to fix the rest, and improve in every game. The efficiency we have in attack is incredible. We have to fix other things, but we’re in good form.

1-22

Javier Aguirre Officially Named Head Coach of Mexico’s National Men’s Soccer Team

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It’s official… Javier Aguirre is a Tri-time coach…

The 65-year-old Mexican football manager and former footballer who played as a midfielder has been named head coach of Mexico for a third time and will have former captain Rafael Marquez as his assistant, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has announced.

Aguirre will initially take the head coach job and lead the team for two years through the 2026 World Cup, before leaving Marquez in charge ahead of preparations for 2030.

Marquez recently terminated his contract as Barcelona B manager in order to join Mexico.

“Javier has a strong track record, with experience and undisputed leadership in team management, while Rafa has great skill in talent development,” the FMF said in a statement.

Aguirre, who takes over after Jaime Lozano left the team, led Mexico to the round of 16 in the 2002 and 2010 World Cups. Mexico was knocked out in that round at every World Cup between 1994 and 2018, then was eliminated in the group stage in 2022.

“[Aguirre] is without a doubt the Mexican coach with the longest and most recognized career abroad and he also has in-depth knowledge of the processes in national teams,” said Duilio Davino, director of national teams. “‘Rafa’ is one of the most important players in Mexican history with a great national and international career who began his coaching career with an emblematic team.

“We have offered him to be the assistant until 2026 so that he can contribute his knowledge and then assume the leadership.”

After a dismal group stage exit in this summer’s Copa América, Lozano parted ways with the national team earlier this month. Following the Copa, Lozano, who had a record of 10W-4D-7L with Mexico, turned down a demotion that would have let him stay on as an assistant.

“Jaime Lozano was offered, along with his coaching staff, a contract until 2030, in which during 2024-2026 they will accompany a more experienced head coach towards our World Cup, and later it would be Jaime himself who would retake the reins of head coach in the 2026-2030 process,” the FMF said earlier this month.

The first order of business for Aguirre and Marquez will be to prepare for Mexico’s upcoming U.S.-based friendlies against New Zealand on September 7 (at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California) and Canada on September 10 (at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas).

The Mexico City-born manager recently closed out a two-year run as coach of Mallorca in Spain, where he made headlines with a Cinderella run to the final of the 2023-24 Copa del Rey. He also coached the national teams of Japan and Egypt.

Marquez, widely recognized as one of the greatest players in Mexico’s history, took part in five World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018). After retiring, the El Tri legend began coaching Alcala at the youth level in 2020 and Barcelona B in 2022.

As a player, Marquez won four league titles and two Champions League crowns with Barcelona.

Manchester City Completes Five-Year Deal with Sávio

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Sávio is headed to England.

Manchester City has completed a deal for the 20-year-old Brazil winger, whose full name is Sávio Moreira de Oliveira, on a five-year-deal, the club has confirmed.

Sources told ESPN that Manchester City has paid an initial transfer fee of €25 million ($27.3m), plus a potential €15m ($16.4m) in add-ons.

Sávio joins the team from French side Troyes after loan spells at PSV Eindhoven and Girona.

Both Troyes and Girona are part of the City Football Group (CFG), which is headed by Manchester City.

“I’m so happy to be joining Manchester City, the Premier League champions and Club World Cup winners,” Sávio said.

“Everyone knows they are the best team in the world right now, so to be here is very exciting for me.

“I’m excited about the chance to work under Pep Guardiola, one of the greatest coaches ever, and someone I know will help me improve even more.

“I had an amazing time in Spain and I’m looking forward to a new challenge of playing in the Premier League and alongside some of the best players in the world.

“I can’t wait to meet the fans and my new team-mates and hopefully be a part of bringing more success to City.”

Sávio scored 11 goals in 41 games for Girona last season as they earned qualification for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

He played for Brazil in this year’s Copa América and scored one goal while playing in each of their four games until they were knocked out by Uruguay in the quarterfinals.

Lautaro Martinez Wins 2024 Copa America Golden Boot Award

Posted on July 16, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Lautaro Martinez is getting the boot!

The 26-year-old Argentine professional footballer, who scored the sole goal to lead Argentina to the title in the Copa America final against Colombia, has been awarded the tournament’s Golden Boot award.

Copa America 2024 Golden Boot winner: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan):
Martinez, who plays as a striker for Serie A club Inter Milan, earned some redemption at this year’s Copa America. After tons of criticism in Qatar and fans around the world saying they won in spite of his performances, the Inter Milan striker lifted the Golden Boot after scoring five goals this summer, including the tournament winner in extra time against Los Cafeteros.

Martinez has been one of the best strikers in Europe for years winning Serie A, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana titles with Inter Milan. His performances at the 2022 World Cup, along with the rise of Manchester City‘s Julian Alvarez saw the striker lose his starting position. Though, after this summer, he’s quieted the doubters and haters whether starting or off the bench.

Copa America 2024 Golden Glove winner: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa):
Another international tournament, another Golden Glove for Emiliano Martinez. Three straight Golden Gloves at international competitions for the 31-year-old Argentine professional footballer and Aston Villa player has cemented himself as an Argentinian legend.

The meteoric rise he’s been on since his last season at Arsenal winning the FA Cup and Community Shield to helping Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League this past Premier League season has been one of the best stories in the sport.

Copa America 2024 Golden Ball winner: James Rodriguez (Sao Paulo):
If James Rodriguez announced himself to the world at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, this summer he reminded the world why he’s such a talented and special player.

The 33-year-old Colombian professional footballer and Sao Paulo player won the Golden Ball signifying himself as the best player of the tournament, a consolation prize after heartbreak in the final.

James assisted six times in the tournament, four more than Nicolas de la Cruz and Alexis Mac Allister.

He also overtook Radamel Falcao this tournament as the fourth-most capped player in Los Cafeteros history. A remarkable tournament for the player despite it ending in disappointment.

Nacho Fernandez Set to Sign with Saudi Pro League’s Al Qadsiah

Posted on June 22, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Nacho Fernandez is heading to the Middle East…

The 34-year-old Spanish professional footballer and Real Madrid captain is set to sign with Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League, per ESPN sources.

ESPN reported earlier this month that defender Nacho — who is on international duty with Spain at Euro 2024 — was in advanced talks with another Saudi side, Al Ittihad.

However, the centre-back was then offered a deal by Al Qadsiah and, keen to have his future resolved as soon as possible, has decided to accept, a source said.

Nacho has won a joint-club record 26 trophies with Madrid, having joined the club at the age of 11 and come through the academy.

His contract at Madrid is due to expire at the end of this month and he had spent recent weeks considering his future.

Nacho captained Madrid to a Champions League and LaLiga double this season, having come close to leaving the club in the summer of 2023 before opting to stay.

The defender had a strong end to the season and was rewarded with a Spain call-up, starting their Euro 2024 opening win against Croatia last week, before missing their victory over Italy on Thursday with a minor injury.

Nacho is one of just five players — with Madrid’s Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal and Paco Gento — to have won six

He had previously been linked with a switch to Major League Soccer (MLS), but has now chosen to move to Saudi Arabia.

Al Qadsiah won promotion to the Saudi top flight last season and are coached by the former Real Madrid player Michel Gonzalez.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Champions League