Manchester City Sign Enzo Fernández for Premier League Record-Equaling Fee

Posted on September 1, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Enzo Fernández is heading to Manchester City.

The Manchester, England team has signed the 25-year-old Argentine World Cup winner from Chelsea for a Premier League record-equaling £125 million ($169m) fee.

City said Tuesday that the midfielder had signed a five-year deal with the club after sources told ESPN that the two clubs had settled on a fee that matches the amount Liverpool paid Newcastle to sign Alexander Isak last summer.

Fernández was part of the Argentina team that won the FIFA World Cup in 2022 before finishing runners-up to Spain in North America this summer.

“Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well-run City are,” Fernández said in Man City’s announcement.

“I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies. This is a club built for success.”

Chelsea initially set a deadline of August 14 for any interested parties to formalize their interest in a bid to close the issue before the start of the Premier League season.

Sources say the Blues had set an asking price of £120m and communicated this to all parties in late May.

However, that deadline passed without any activity, but Fernández has been firm in his insistence he wanted to leave the club.

City stepped up talks in the last 48 hours in an effort to secure a deal and that agreement has now been reached with Chelsea effectively receiving £5m over their asking price.

The club was determined to secure a profit on a player they signed from Benfica for £107m in February 2023.

Fernandez was booed by supporters at Stamford Bridge during both their final preseason friendly against Real Sociedad and in their Premier League opener against Fulham.

New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso then left him out of their midweek Carabao Cup win against Luton, claiming the pair had decided “it was better [for him] not to be part of the squad.”

Fernández repeatedly questioned his future during last season — telling ESPN Argentina in the immediate aftermath of their Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain that he didn’t know if he would be at the club next season.

Former head coach Liam Rosenior then dropped Fernández for two matches following an interview in which he expressed his fondness for the city of Madrid amid speculation linking him to Real.

Chelsea were attempting to secure a replacement but after agreeing a €55 million ($64m / £47m) deal with AS Monaco for midfielder Lamine Camara, the French club reneged on the deal, sources told ESPN.

Lionel Messi Retires from International Soccer

Posted on August 31, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi is bidding adios to international soccer.

In an Instagram post showing a handwritten notebook entry in Spanish, the 39-year-old Argentine soccer star announced he’s retiring from Argentina‘s national team.

And in a footnote at the end, Messi added: “*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”

Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, died on August 8 at a hospital in the central Argentina city of Rosario. He was 68.

Messi, who played in six FIFA World Cups, won the tournament in Qatar in 2022 and led Argentina to the final in 2026 losing to Spain.

The social media post said: “After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the Argentina national team…

“It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all — not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.

“Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad — especially the bad).

“Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey — so beautiful, yet so difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I’ve shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.

“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — alongside my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of. It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you!

“Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.

“Let’s go, Argentina!

“*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”

The Argentina captain is his country’s all-time leading goal scorer and most capped player. Messi has scored 125 goals in 207 games for the national team.

He’s the highest-scoring man in South American soccer history.

When he led Argentina to the World Cup win in 2022, it was the country’s first in 36 years and its third overall.

Before that, Messi played an essential role in ending Argentina’s 28-year trophy drought by winning the 2021 Copa América and then winning it again in 2024.

He previously announced his international retirement in 2016, having captained Argentina in three consecutive finals and failing to win any of them.

Messi reversed the decision not long after to eventually lead the country to those twin Copa América triumphs and the World Cup victory.

The retirement announcement sparked a wave of reactions.

Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, paid tribute to her husband with an emotional post on Instagram.

“I saw you keep going when things didn’t work out and always try again. And after so many years, I was also lucky enough to see you fulfill your dreams and live some of the happiest days of our lives. You deserved this story and so much more. We love you infinitely”, she wrote in Spanish.

Argentina president Javier Milei wrote on Instagram in Spanish, with the part after the comma in all caps: “Thank you very much, impossible man.”

In a bilingual post, FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised Messi “for an extraordinary international career that has inspired millions of people and redefined our sport. Your magical talent and humility will be remembered forever.”

The Argentine Football Association wrote on its Spanish and English social media pages: “Thank you for everything, Leo. Thank you for representing Argentina. Thank you for making us dream. Thank you for turning so many dreams into reality. The legend is yours, forever.”

Rodrigo De Paul, an Argentina and Inter Miami teammate, highlighted on social media, originally in Spanish, “your unconditional love for our country, your internal battles to never give up, your strength in always enduring injustices, and your leadership and character in your dealings with every player.”

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, who made his Argentina debut just two months before winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar alongside Messi, saluted his former teammate in Spanish: “Thank you for the way you treated me, for everything you taught me, and for allowing me to share a part of your story. We’re going to miss you so much, captain.”

Ferran Torres Scores FIFA World Cup Championship-Clinching Goal for Spain

Posted on July 19, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Ferran Torres is celebrating the goal heard ‘round the world, leads Spain to FIFA World Cup championship after hard-fought battle against Argentina.

The 26-year-old Spanish professional footballer’s first goal of this year’s World Cup, unquestionably the goal of his life, gave his country a 1-0 win over now-dethroned champion Argentina in the final on Sunday.

“It was a goal scored by 47 million people,” Torres said, referring to Spain’s population.

The goal came with Argentina down to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off late in regulation following a reckless tackle.

Tempers flared then, and flared again after the final whistle with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and players from both sides engaging in what appeared to be some pushing and shoving.

In the end, Spain denied Lionel Messi a second straight title in what he has indicated was his final World Cup match.

Torres, a second-half substitute, pounced on a bouncing ball in the box and used his left foot to bury a shot just under the crossbar in the 106th minute.

From there, the airtight defense that dominated opponents throughout the tournament came through one final time.

Spain, which also won the title in 2010, allowed only one goal in eight matches in this World Cup run, setting a record for fewest goals allowed by a champion.

“I feel pride, to be honest,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who at 65 is now the oldest man to lead a team to a World Cup title. “Accompanying them on this journey is an honor.”

This title, combined with the Women’s World Cup won by Spain in 2023, makes the European nation the first to hold both the men’s and women’s titles simultaneously.

While the score indicates the match was close, only one team was in command.

Spain took the game’s first 20 shots on goal before Argentina, desperate for an equalizer, got its first attempt off in the second half of extra time. Spain took nine of the game’s first 10 corner kicks, and only a World Cup final-record 12 saves by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez gave the 2022 champions a shot at going back-to-back.

“Dibu was nothing short of exceptional,” de la Fuente said, referring to Argentina’s keeper by his nickname.

Spain is now unbeaten in its last 38 matches, 29 wins, nine draws, and is the outright holder of the longest such streak by any European men’s team ever. Italy went 37 matches (28 wins, nine draws) from October 2018 through September 2021, before Spain ended that streak.

And for the last two-plus years, nobody has beaten Spain. Not even Messi. An Argentina team that was the kings of the late-game rally in this tournament had no answer this time.

“We lost the game, and we accept that,” Scaloni said. “That doesn’t mean that we will forget everything we’ve done so far, so I’d like to thank my people, my players and the country. I can tell them that we played our hearts out.”

Messi took a corner kick with about four minutes left before the final whistle and the ball took a fortunate skip toward substitute Giuliano Simeone, who sent it high and over the crossbar, holding his head in disbelief afterward.

“When you have Messi on the other side, well, you are nervous,” Torres said. “At the end of the day, we always depended on us. We always come up with our football, and we showed it again.”

After the post-match scuffles, they also paid tribute to the former champions. Spain’s players lined up to form an honor guard of sorts for Argentina’s squad to walk through on its way to the stage for the runner-up medals from U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

It was the 104th and last match of the biggest World Cup ever, a 48-team event that played out over the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Because there were more matches than any previous World Cup, it was no surprise that there were more goals than all other editions — more than 300, nearly three per match.

Except, of course, when Spain was involved. Spain’s plan was simple and flawless: Hold the ball as much as possible, denying opponents any hint of chances.

It worked, all the way to the end.

Lionel Messi & Argentina Stun England Late in the Game to Reach FIFA World Cup Final

Posted on July 15, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates are one win away from a FIFA World Cup repeat.

The 39-year-old Argentine soccer superstar helped his team seal a dramatic semifinal comeback against England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday with two goals in the closing minutes to clinch a 2-1 win and book a final clash with Spain on Sunday.

The reigning world champions, who won their third title in Qatar four years ago, looked set to be eliminated with England leading well into the dying stages following a second-half goal from Anthony Gordon.

But as so often in this tournament, Argentina responded and Enzo Fernández leveled the score with a stunning shot from 20 yards in the 85th minute.

Messi, who assisted the first goal, again played supplier for the second. His cross to the far post was met by substitute Lautaro Martínez, who headed the winning goal into the net from close range in the second minute of stoppage time.

“We are coming from being the best during these last four years like it or not and say what they want,” Messi said after the game. “Once again we proved it’s no fluke and nobody handed us anything. Reaching two consecutive World Cup finals is not for everyone and this group did it.”

Messi now has 10 assists in the World Cup knockout stage, six more than any other player in at least the past 60 years. And he has recorded a goal or assist in 11 straight World Cup games dating to 2022, extending the longest such streak since at least 1966.

The one to Martínez, though, could be the most important of his World Cup career should Argentina go on to lift the trophy again.

“This is incredible, it’s truly incredible,” Martínez said. “I dreamed it, I swear. I told Alexis [Mac Allister] I was going to score a goal; I told Facu Medina that I was going to come on and win the match.

“We stretched the team and went all-in. We got the goals in the end, and after 3½ years, we’re back in a World Cup final.”

England’s failure to hold onto their lead means the 1966 world champions’ wait for a second World Cup final appearance continues.

“We’re disappointed, we were so close, but we got too passive after we scored and conceded a lot of chances,” England coach Thomas Tuchel told the BBC. “We could not turn the ball possession around and then conceded so many crosses, chances and shots. We were close but couldn’t keep the level up after we scored.”

Argentina’s clash with Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will be the first World Cup final between the reigning champions of Europe and South America, and the first time the two top teams in the FIFA rankings have contested the final since rankings were introduced in 1992.

It will be Argentina’s seventh World Cup final as they seek their fourth title and to join Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962) as only the third country to win back-to-back finals.

England will be left to face France in Saturday’s third-place game in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Lionel Messi Helps Lead Argentina into the FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals in Historic Fashion

Posted on July 7, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi continues making history while leading his team onward at the FIFA World Cup.

The 39-year-old Argentine professional footballer scored in a record sixth straight World Cup knockout match to help Argentina reach the quarterfinals with a stunning late comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 on Tuesday in Atlanta.

Egypt were leading the defending champions 2-0 heading into the closing stages before Messi provided an assist for Cristian Romero in the 79th minute and a goal of his own four minutes later to tie the score.

Just when it seemed that extra time was in the cards, Enzo Fernández headed into the net in the second minute of stoppage time to complete a remarkable turnaround at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

It was the first time in World Cup history that a team had won a knockout match in regulation time after trailing by two goals in the 75th minute.

“This is a phenomenal group that never gives up,” Fernández said. “Four years have passed since Qatar, and we’ve come to enjoy another World Cup — and we want to win it again. That’s what we’re aiming for.”

Argentina, who are bidding to become the first back-to-back World Cup champions since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, will face Switzerland in the quarterfinals in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday.

“I’m so emotional,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “What a group of players, brother.”

Egypt looked set to produce a stunning upset after Yasser Ibrahim‘s 15th-minute goal was added to by Mostafa Zico‘s close-range strike on the counterattack in the 67th minute. The record seven-time African champions, who made history by advancing to the round of 16 for the first time, also had a goal ruled out following video review.

Messi missed a chance to equalize in the first half when his penalty was saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. Messi also hit the post when the score was 1-0.

But he delivered the goods once again late. Messi has scored in a record nine consecutive World Cup matches dating to Argentina’s title run in 2022. Tuesday’s goal marked his 13th in that span.

“Honestly, I’m just so happy we made it through and about the way we did it,” Messi said. “Things got tough at 2-0, so it was incredibly exciting to turn it around once again. We suffered a lot, but that’s the World Cup for you: Every match is playing out the same way; everything is so evenly matched.

“But as always, this group never gives up and keeps trying until the very end.”

Messi’s eight goals at this tournament put him one clear of France‘s Kylian Mbappé and Norway‘s Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.

His goal also gave Messi a two-goal lead over Mbappé on the World Cup career leaderboard.

“Seeing him get emotional was moving too,” teammate Lautaro Martínez said of Messi’s reaction at full time. “I told him right there on the pitch to enjoy the moment because he deserved it and that we would keep giving our all for ourselves — but above all for him, since this is his last World Cup and he has given us so much.”

For much of the game, it looked as if it would be a painful exit for 39-year-old Messi in his sixth and perhaps final World Cup.

Egypt took a surprising lead in the 15th minute when Ibrahim got ahead of Lisandro Martínez to meet Marwan Attia‘s cross and head the ball into the bottom corner.

Argentina were quickly given the chance to level the match when Haissem Hassan tripped Nicolás Tagliafico in the box moments later. Referee François Letexier pointed to the penalty spot, and Messi stepped up with an expectant crowd waiting for him to score.

Shobeir had other ideas, diving to his left to block the shot for Messi’s second penalty miss of the 2026 tournament after also failing from the spot against Austria in the group stage.

Despite being the leading career scorer at World Cups, Messi has missed a record four of his eight penalty kicks at the tournament through the years.

After Messi hit the post later in the half, Shobeir pulled off another great save to stop Julián Álvarez from close range.

Egypt thought they had doubled their 1-0 lead in the second half when Zico finished off a sweeping attack. But the wild celebrations were cut short when a foul earlier in the move was confirmed on video review and the goal was disallowed.

The second goal for Egypt came in the 67th from a similar break, and this time Zico’s effort counted. It just ended up not being enough.

Lionel Messi Scores 109th International Goal to Help Lead Argentina to Copa America Final

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi helps lead Argentina to the brink of soccer history…

The 37-year-old Argentine soccer star scored his 109th international goal to help Argentina seal a 2-0 victory over Canada and earn a berth in this weekend’s Copa America final.

In the process, Argentina moved within one win of joining Spain as the only nations to win three straight major titles.

“It’s insane what this team has done, what the Argentina national team is doing,” Messi said Tuesday night. “For those who remain from the old guard, it’s beyond impressive that the national team is in another final.”

Julián Álvarez put the Albiceleste ahead in the 22nd minute, controlling a long pass from Rodrigo De Paul, taking two touches to get away from Moïse Bombito and slipping the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau for his ninth international goal.

Messi redirected Enzo Fernández’s shot following a poor Ismaël Koné clearance in off the face of Crépeau from 4 yards in the 51st for his first goal of the tournament.

Messi has 28 goals in his last 25 matches for Argentina and 14 in Copa America play, three shy of the record. He has scored against 38 different nations.

“I wasn’t sure if Enzo’s ball was going to get in,” Messi said. “It was a reflex.”

Only Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo with 130 has more international goals than Messi, who turned 37 on June 24. Iran’s Ali Daei had 108 or 109 from 1993 to 2006, with a lingering dispute over whether a goal against Ecuador in 2000 occurred in a full international match.

With a victory on its independence day, Argentina extended its unbeaten streak to 10 games. The Albiceleste seek a record 16th Copa title when they play Uruguay or Colombia on Sunday at Miami Gardens, Florida.

“We have to enjoy every moment of what we’re are living,” Messi said. “I’m conscious that these are the last battles.”

Trying to string together Copa America titles around the 2022 World Cup championship, Argentina hopes to match Spain’s feat of winning the 2008 and 2012 European Championships along with the 2010 World Cup.

“These are statistics. I’m not really interested about it,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said through a translator. “The most important thing is to win.”

Making his 38th Copa America appearance, Messi had missed Argentina’s group stage finale with a leg injury and was subdued while playing 90 minutes in the quarterfinal win over Ecuador. He was much more agile and shot just wide in the 12th and 44th minutes.

Messi had 45 touches and a 79% pass success rate.

“They make us pay on small details,” Crépeau said.

Chelsea Closing in on Deal to Sign Manuel Ugarte

Posted on June 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Manuel Ugarte may be switching sides soon…

Chelsea are thisclose to signing the 22-year-old Uruguayan professional footballer, a highly rated defensive midfielder for Sporting CP, according to ESPN.

Both the London side and French champions Paris Saint-Germain have offered to trigger the Uruguay international’s release clause of €60 million. However, unlike the Parisians, Chelsea are adding solidarity payments and various bonuses which makes their proposition more attractive, sources said.

Sporting are even encouraging and pushing Ugarte to choose Chelsea ahead of PSG, who are still hoping to convince him, sources added. Ugarte has not yet agreed to anything but, according to sources, a full agreement with Chelsea is now close.

New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is said to be a big fan of Ugarte, who will line up alongside British-record signing Enzo Fernandez in the Chelsea midfield next season if he decides to join the club.

Despite spending more than £600 million to sign 17 players over the past 12 months since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over the club, it is set to be another bust summer at Chelsea.

Much of that transformation looks set to focus on the team’s midfield with both Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic close to departing.

Mount’s existing deal expires next summer and Chelsea would rather cash in now than lose him for nothing in 2024 if no agreement over an extension can be reached, sources have told ESPN, with Manchester United in pole position for his signature.

Sources have also told ESPN that Manchester City are in talks to sign Croatia international Kovacic.

Chelsea FC Sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for Record €121 million

Posted on January 31, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Enzo Fernandez is celebrating a record deal…

Chelsea FC has signed the 22-year-old Argentine professional footballer from Benfica after meeting the midfielder’s €121 million (£106.8m) release clause, the Portuguese side announced on Tuesday.

A statement from Benfica confirmed that a deal had been reached between the clubs over how Chelsea would pay the release fee for Fernandez, who has signed an eight-and-a-half year contract.

The deal breaks the previous Premier League record fee of £100m that Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish when he joined from Aston Villa in 2021.

Chelsea were still to confirm the deal, but according to reports in England the paperwork had been submitted on time and before the transfer deadline at 2300 GMT on Tuesday.

Fernandez impressed for Argentina as they won the 2022 World Cup and was named the Young Player of the Tournament.

ESPN reported on Monday that Fernandez had already agreed personal terms with Chelsea and was pushing the Portuguese club hard to reach an agreement with the Blues.

He becomes Chelsea’s seventh signing of a busy January transfer window, following Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto into the club.

Benfica boss Roger Schmidt was not keen on seeing Fernandez leave, but had previously said their hands would be tied if a club paid the player’s release clause.

Fernandez moved from Argentine side River Plate to Benfica in 2022 and has played 29 times in all competitions, scoring four goals and grabbing seven assists.

The deal takes Chelsea’s total outlay on players since last year’s takeover by an investment group led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital to more than £500m.

Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League, 10 points adrift of a top-four spot. They next host local rivals Fulham on Friday.

Chelsea & Benfica Remain Locked In Talks Over Enzo Fernandez

Posted on January 4, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

The fight is on for Enzo Fernandez…

Chelsea and Benfica remain locked in talks over what could turn into a British record transfer fee for the 21-year-old Argentina midfielder, according to ESPN.

Fernandez is keen on moving to Stamford Bridge and Benfica are willing to agree to the move if their €120 million release clause is met in full.

Negotiations are ongoing amid conflicting messages from sources close to both clubs. Those close to Benfica suggest Chelsea have indicated they could pay up to €127m, with the extra money designed to entice the Portuguese club into accepting a series of installments over several years.

However, sources with knowledge of Chelsea’s position insist they are yet to commit themselves to such a sum and are hoping to negotiate Benfica down to a lower figure. Payments are likely to be staggered in any agreement that is reached.

This is a common occurrence in many transfers but while Chelsea are confident they have significant headroom regarding UEFA‘s Financial Fair Play rules, the club have plans to continue an expensive overhaul after committing £278.4m in the summer.

A lower initial fee for Fernandez would give them more space to move on other deals, the first of which is likely to be the imminent €37m signing of Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile.

The British transfer record is £100m, paid by Manchester City to Aston Villa for Jack Grealish in 2021.

Chelsea’s interest in Fernandez is genuine and he is their top midfield target in this window. The club have engaged the services of agent Jorge Mendes in an effort to broker an agreement.

Sources have told ESPN that Fernandez is hopeful of completing a transfer to Chelsea this month with personal terms not thought to be an issue if the two clubs can finalize a fee.

Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez Wins Golden Glove at FIFA World Cup

Posted on December 19, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Emiliano Martinez is having a golden moment…

The 30-year-old Argentine goalkeeper has been awarded the Golden Glove trophy following this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Martinez earned the prize, which is given to the most outstanding goalkeeper of the tournament, after Argentina won the shootout 4-2, to win the World Cup title at Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

Martinez became the first player to represent Argentina to win the Golden Glove. He was joined at the trophy ceremony by teammate Lionel Messi, who won the Golden Ball, as well as Enzo Fernandez, the winner of the Best Young Player award.

Martinez played a key role in Argentina’s dramatic final to win the country’s first world championship in 36 years.

The Aston Villa goalie, who had three clean sheets in the tournament, carried his team through extra time and a penalty shootout following a 2-2 tie in regulation. He brilliantly denied France’s Kingsley Coman with a diving left save in the performance.

After Argentina’s historic win, an emotional Martinez said, “We suffered a lot. We thought we were in control but they managed to come back. It was a very complicated game. Our destiny was to suffer. They had one last chance to win, luckily I was able to stop it with my foot.

“This is a moment I’ve always dreamed of living, I have no words for it. I left very young for England and I would like to dedicate this victory to my family.”

Martinez has been the goalkeeper for Aston Villa since 2020.

Last year, he helped his country to its first Copa America trophy since 1991.

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