Johnny Cardoso Officially Revealed Atlético Madrid Player

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Johnny Cardoso is taking his career to the next level…

The 23-year-old Brazilian American professional soccer player and United States men’s national team midfielder is ready to “evolve and learn” from coach Diego Simeone as he was unveiled as an Atlético Madrid player on Wednesday, backing his new team to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona for trophies.

Atlético confirmed the signing of Cardoso, 23, from Real Betis earlier this month, with the player signing a five-year contract.

The LaLiga side have been busy in this summer’s transfer market, bringing in Cardoso, playmakers Álex Baena and Thiago Almada, and defenders Dávid Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri and Marc Pubill.

“It’s a dream come true being here, experiencing this with my family,” Cardoso said during his presentation at Atlético’s Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday. “It’s a huge club which has the same ambition as I do.

“It’s a privilege to be with all the staff and especially [Simeone]. He played in my position, and I’m ready to evolve and learn from him.”

Cardoso was born in New Jersey to Brazilian parents, and also holds an Italian passport, meaning he doesn’t occupy a non-European Union slot in Simeone’s squad.

He will wear the No. 5 shirt at Atlético recently vacated by Rodrigo De Paul, who has left for Inter Miami.

“I have a lot of confidence in the project, with what the club has said to me,” Cardoso said. “We have the same hopes, to keep growing and to win trophies.

“It’s a team that has brought in a lot of players, a lot of young players, to blend with experience. We play in a lot of competitions, and we have total conviction of being able to fight for all of them.”

Atletico are looking to improve on a 2024-25 campaign which saw them finish third in LaLiga and eliminated in the Copa del Rey semifinals and the Champions League last 16.

This summer they were knocked out of the Club World Cup at the group stage, after being thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in their opening game.

Cardoso said he believed his new team — who began preseason training last week — now have a squad capable of competing with giants Madrid and Barça.

“We’re all at the same level,” he said. “Atleti are a very big team… Simeone has been showing me things from the start, I’m learning a lot. It’s going to be a special season.”

Cardoso made his senior debut for the United States in a match against Wales in 2020. He has 22 caps, winning the Concacaf Nations League in 2023 and 2024.

Cardoso had to withdraw from Mauricio Pochettino‘s Concacaf Nations League squad in March due to a muscle injury.

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.

Lamine Yamal Granted Iconic Barcelona No. 10 Shirt Previously Worn by Lionel Messi

Posted on July 16, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Lamine Yamal is celebrating a perfect 10…

The 18-year-old Spanish professional footballer has been given the iconic Barcelona No. 10 shirt previously worn by Lionel Messi, the Catalan club has confirmed.

Yamal, who celebrated turning 18 on Sunday, inherits the number next season from Ansu Fati, who completed a season-long loan move to AS Monaco earlier this month.

The confirmation of Yamal’s new number was made at an event with the winger and his family to celebrate his new contract, which was agreed on last month and runs until 2031.

Messi wore the No. 10 jersey at Barcelona from 2008 until his departure to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. The Argentina great became a legend at Camp Nou, helping Barcelona win 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues while becoming Barça‘s all-time leading scorer.

“When I was a child, my dream was to debut for Barça, to grow up and play with the No. 10,” Yamal said Wednesday. “Every kid born in Barcelona dreams of that. Messi has made his way, and I’m going to make mine.”

Fati succeeded Messi as the No. 10 in 2021, but a series of injuries saw him struggle to maintain his place with the team.

In the meantime, Yamal has emerged as one of the standout players for both Barça and Spain.

The teenager, who has already made 106 appearances for Barça and scored 25 goals, will take on one of the most significant shirt numbers in the club’s history. In addition to Messi, the number has also previously been worn by Barça greats including Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Romário and Diego Maradona.

Yamal had hinted at the change in recent weeks as he posted photographs of Argentina legend Maradona, Ronaldinho and Messi on social media, the former two while they were wearing the Barça No.10 shirt.

It’ll be the fourth number Yamal has worn with Barça. He had No. 41 when he made his debut in 2022-23, No. 27 the following season and then last year No. 19, the same number Messi wore before taking No. 10.

Yamal has won two LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey and a Spanish Supercopa with Barça. He helped Spain win the European Championship last summer.

“I haven’t won the Champions League and the World Cup,” he said. “These are my goals now.”

The announcement comes as Yamal faces an investigation from the Spanish government into possible breaches of disability laws following allegations that individuals with dwarfism were hired as entertainers at his 18th birthday party.

Yamal sidestepped the controversy on Wednesday.

“In the end I work for Barça, but when I’m away from the club’s training center, I enjoy my life and that’s it,” Yamal said. “I’m indifferent to both criticism and praise if they don’t come from my family or people close to me.”

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.

Santi Cazorla Returning to LaLiga for First Time in 24 Years with Real Oviedo Signing

Posted on July 13, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Santi Cazorla isn’t ready to retire yet.

The 40-year-old Spanish futbolista will return to LaLiga next season after signing a new contract with Real Oviedo.

Cazorla, whose previous deal expired this summer, has signed a one-year extension, the team has announced.

That means Cazorla will be part of the Real Oviedo squad as the club returns to Spain’s top division for the first time in 24 years.

The former Arsenal and Villarreal midfielder was a key part of the Real Oviedo team that secured promotion, scoring one of the goals to help his hometown club win their promotion playoff against Mirandes last month.

The former Spain international last played in LaLiga in 2020.

Cazorla spent seven years in Oviedo’s youth team but then left for Villarreal to start his professional career as Oviedo sunk deep into a financial crisis.

After three years in Qatar with Al Sadd, Cazorla returned to Real Oviedo in 2023.

In an illustrious career, Cazorla won 81 caps for Spain and was part of the squad that won back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

Inter Miami Star Lionel Messi Extends MLS Record for Multi-Goal Games vs. Nashville SC

Posted on July 13, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi continues making Major League Soccer history…

The 38-year-old Argentine professional footballer has extended his MLS-record streak of multi-goal games as he scored twice in Inter Miami‘s 2-1 win over Nashville SC.

Messi claimed the record last week when he became the first player in MLS history to score multiple goals in four straight league games.

And he took that streak to five Saturday, with a goal in each half to help Miami to a fifth consecutive MLS victory. Miami moved to fifth in the Supporters’ Shield standings as it aims to win the title for the second straight season.

Messi is also tied with Nashville’s Sam Surridge for the MLS goal lead this season with 16 goals in just 16 games.

“There are not many words,” Miami manager Javier Mascherano said.

“It is incredible what he continues to do, breaking records every three days … it is what I have said a thousand times in this room he is the flag of our team, the one who shows us the way how to compete, he is the leader the one who obviously encourages his teammates, shows them how we have to continue and above all maintain at this moment the tone that we have been having and well.

“The reality is that it is a blessing to be able to accompany him at this stage of his career.”

The Argentina great opened the scoring in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a perfectly placed free kick in the 17th minute. Messi beat the Nashville wall and goalkeeper Joe Willis with a low left-footed shot that found the bottom corner of the net.

It was Messi’s 69th goal from a direct free kick and his sixth with Miami. It also gave him a goal in a sixth straight MLS game, one behind his best such streak in MLS set last year.

His record-extending second goal came in the 62nd minute. Messi intercepted an errant pass from Willis then nonchalantly took the ball around the Nashville keeper before coolly depositing it into the net.

It’s the first time Messi has had five straight multigoal league games since a run of six with Barcelona in LaLiga in 2012.

In between Messi’s strikes, Hany Mukhtar scored off a delightful cross from Andy Nájar to level the score for Nashville, which had won five straight entering the match.

Nashville jumped to third in the Supporters’ Shield standings during its unbeaten streak that went back to mid-April across all competitions. It was also the longest active unbeaten streak in MLS and Nashville’s best stretch in its six-season club history.

Miami closed the gap on Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati to five points, while still having three games left because of its participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Arsenal Complete Signing of Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad

Posted on July 6, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Martín Zubimendi is upgrading his arsenal…

Arsenal have completed the signing of the 26-year-old highly rated Spanish midfielder from Real Sociedad, the club have announced.

The north London club beat opposition from top European outfits after triggering Zubimendi’s €60 million ($67m) release clause.

His contract at Real Sociedad was due to expire in June 2027.

A source told ESPN that Real Madrid tried to sign Zubimendi when Xabi Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti in May, but a deal with Arsenal had already been struck in March.

Zubimendi had the chance to move to the Premier League a year ago having been Liverpool‘s top choice in defensive midfield.

However, he turned down the transfer, opting instead to remain atReal Sociedad for the 2024-25 season, a decision he later said was “the right one.

A Sociedad youth product, Zubimendi spent five years with the first team, making over 170 appearances across all competitions.

The San Sebastián-born player had reportedly attracted interest from Real Madrid this summer after strong performances in LaLiga, and with Spain at Euro 2024.

In the final against England, he came on in place of injured Rodri at half-time and shone in the deep-lying midfield role as Spain went on to win 2-1.

Manchester City also tracked Zubimendi after Rodri sustained a serious knee injury in September.

It’s believed Mikel Arteta played a key role in talks with Zubimendi to convince the player to join Arsenal this summer.

Zubimendi will join his former Real Sociedad teammate Mikel Merino, who signed for the club last summer.

Santi Cazorla Helps Lead Real Oviedo Past Mirandes to Seal Team’s Return to LaLiga After 24 Years

Posted on June 21, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Santi Cazorla has helped Real Oviedo move up…

The 40-year-old Spanish professional footballer scored a goal to help Real Oviedo seal their return to LaLiga after 24 years with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Mirandes in Saturday’s promotion playoff.

Oviedo triumphed 3-1 at home, overturning a first-leg deficit with goals from Cazorla, Ilyas Chaira and Francisco Portillo.

A packed Estadio Carlos Tartiere erupted as fans stormed the pitch at the final whistle.

The club from the Principality of Asturias, in the northwest of Spain, will now join Levante and Elche in next season’s top tier, replacing relegated Leganes, Las Palmas and Valladolid.

“There’s no way to describe what this means to us. These players are heroes, every single one of them. They deserve great recognition,” Oviedo coach Veljko Paunovic told LaLiga TV.

Real Madrid Legend Sergio Ramos Signs with Club de Futbol Monterrey

Posted on February 6, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Sergio Ramos is heading to North America…

The 38-year-old Spanish professional footballer, a Spain and Real Madrid legend, has signed with Monterrey, the Liga MX club has announced.

“The number 93 is ready to defend the blue and white jersey,” Monterrey said alongside a video on their social media account.

“A historic defender in world football, multiple champion with Real Madrid and PSG and World Cup champion with Spain. Welcome to Club de Futbol Monterrey. Your leadership, quality, and winning mentality will take the Blue and White to great heights,” the team said in a statement.

Ramos, a 2010 World Cup winner with Spain and two-time European Champion with Real Madrid, had been without a team since his contract with Sevilla expired last summer.

He had rejoined his boyhood club from Paris Saint-Germain a year earlier.

Monterrey is looking to strengthen its defensive line after losing Carlos Salcedo to an ACL injury earlier this month.

Ramos spent 16 years at Real Madrid — after coming through Sevilla’s academy — captaining the club and winning four Champions Leagues and five LaLiga trophies.

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.

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