Lionel Messi Leads Shortlist of Nominees for FIFA’s The Best Mens Player Honor

Lionel Messi is hoping to best his fellow professional soccer players…

The 36-year-old Argentine soccer star leads the 12-player shortlist for FIFA’s The Best Mens Player nominees alongside Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé.

Lionel MessiMessi, Haaland and Mbappé are joined by Declan Rice, who is nominated after captaining former club West Ham United to Europa Conference League success.

Argentina’s national team captain, Messi, now playing for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, is aiming to win the award for a record third time having been given the honor in 2019 and 2022.

But despite helping Argentina to World Cup glory at Qatar 2022, Messi faces stiff competition from Manchester City forward Haaland after the Norway international scored 52 goals as Pep Guardiola‘s side completed a Premier LeagueChampions League and FA Cup treble last season.

Julián ÁlvarezMarcelo BrozovicKevin De Bruyne, Ilkay GündoganRodri, Khvicha KvaratskheliaVictor Osimhen and Bernardo Silva make up the shortlist alongside Messi, Haaland, Mbappe and Rice.

Voting for the eighth annual awards opened on Thursday on FIFA.com and closes in mid-October. National team coaches, captains, journalists and fans make up the list of voters.

Lionel Messi Leads 30-Player List of 2023 Ballon d’Or Candidates

Lionel Messi is back in the running for one of soccer’s biggest honors…

The 36-year-old Argentine soccer star and Erling Haaland lead the 30-player list of candidates for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award after France Football magazine announced the nominees.

Lionel MessiMessi’s nomination comes a year after he was omitted from the shortlist. Should he win the men’s Ballon d’Or this year, it would mark his eighth time winning the award — the second most is Cristiano Ronaldo with five.

In February, Messi also won the Best FIFA Men’s Player award for a second time.

Ronaldo, who now plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, didn’t make the cut for the first time since 2003.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 30.

Messi led Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup in December — the only major trophy that had eluded him in his 21-year career — finally claiming the trophy at his fifth attempt.

At the club level, Messi had a mixed year. He struggled at Paris Saint-Germain as the French side were dumped out of the Champions League at the round-of-16 stage for a second consecutive season, although he did help the side lift an 11th Ligue 1 title.

However, he ended his stay in Paris this summer, opting to join Inter Miami on a free transfer, where he has made an instant impact by helping them to win the Leagues Cup and claim a spot in the final of the U.S. Open Cup.

Haaland could provide Messi’s strongest competition for the award.

The Norway striker scored 52 goals in 53 games in all competitions as Manchester City clinched the Premier League, FA Cup and the Champions League titles.

The 23-year-old broke the Premier League‘s single-season scoring record with 36 goals in his debut campaign in England.

The striker also won a number of individual awards for his stunning performances, including PFA Player of the Year, Premier League’s Player of the Season and Football Writers’ Association‘s Men’s Player of the Year.

Unsurprisingly, players from Manchester City and Argentina dominate this year’s list of nominees. Seven players who helped City win the treble last season, including Haaland, made the shortlist, while there are four Argentine players, including Messi, who were part of their country’s third World Cup triumph.

Full list of men’s Ballon d’Or nominees:
André Onana – Manchester United/Cameroon
Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City/Croatia
Karim Benzema – Al Ittihad
Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich/Germany
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool/Egypt
Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid/England
Bukayo Saka – Arsenal/England
Randal Kolo Muani – Paris Saint-Germain/France
Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City/Belgium
Bernardo Silva – Manchester City/Portugal
Emiliano Martínez – Aston Villa/Argentina
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Napoli/Georgia
Rúben Dias – Manchester City/Portugal
Nicolo Barella – Inter Milan/Italy
Erling Haaland – Manchester City/Norway
Yassine Bounou – Al Hilal/Morocco
Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal/Norway
Julián Álvarez – Manchester City/Argentina
Ilkay Gündogan – Barcelona/Germany
Vinícius Júnior – Real Madrid/Brazil
Lionel Messi – Inter Miami/Argentina
Rodri – Manchester City/Spain
Lautaro Martínez – Inter Milan/Argentina
Antoine Griezmann – Atletico Madrid/France
Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona/Poland
Kylian Mbappé – Paris Saint-Germain/France
Kim Min-jae – Napoli/South Korea
Victor Osimhen – Napoli/Nigeria
Luka Modric – Real Madrid/Croatia
Harry Kane – Bayern Munich/England

Al Ahli’s Roberto Firmino Scores Hat-Trick in Saudi Pro League Debut

Roberto Firmino is tipping his hat (trick) after a big performance…

The 31-year-old Brazilian striker shone with a debut hat trick to help Al Ahli secure a 3-1 home win over Al Hazem in the opening fixture of the Saudi Pro League season on Friday.

Roberto FirminoThe former Liverpool forward scored twice in the opening 10 minutes before another strike in the 72nd for his treble sealed the three points for the newly promoted team. 

Al Ahli and Al Hazem were two of the four clubs promoted to the Saudi top flight, which has increased from 16 teams to 18 this season.

The hosts took the lead after six minutes with a header from captain Firmino, who got his double with a close-range finish from ex-Manchester City winger and fellow new arrival Riyad Mahrez‘s cross four minutes later.

Having been largely dominated in the first half, Al Hazem pulled a goal back five minutes after the break as Vina seized on a poor clearance by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, signed from Chelsea.

Firmino, however, capped a perfect opening night by restoring the two-goal lead with less than 20 minutes to go.

Reigning champions Al Ittihad, who have signed Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema from Real Madrid and Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kanté, play their first game on Sunday at Al Raed.

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr, runners-up last season, face Al Ettifaq on Monday.

The game could see former Liverpool team mates Sadio Mané, who joined Al Nassr last week, and Jordan Henderson facing off.

David Silva Announces Retirement Following Knee Injury

David Silva is saying farewell to the game…

The 37-year-old Spanish professional footballer and Manchester City legend  has announced his retirement from professional football, days after suffering a knee injury.

David SilvaSilva had planned to continue his career at Real Sociedad but an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury picked up in preseason threatened to keep him out for most of next season and pushed him to change his plans.

“Today is a sad day for me,” Silva said in a video message posted to social media. “Today is a time to say goodbye to what I have dedicated my whole life to. I’m going to miss you. Thank you for making me feel at home.”

Silva began his career at Valencia, where he made 168 appearances and lifted the Spanish Cup, but his prime came at Manchester City, who he joined in 2010 and went on to become a club legend.

The creative midfielder was a crucial part of the Manchester City side that lifted the club’s first 2011-12 Premier League title on the final day of the season. He won three further Premier League titles at City, the final two coming under Pep Guardiola.

A statue of Silva now stands outside the club’s Etihad Stadium alongside former teammates Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero.

Silva left City in 2020 after making 436 appearances and returned to LaLiga in a move to Real Sociedad, again winning the Spanish Cup.

At international level, he played a part in the legendary Spain squad that won the 2010 World Cup, as well as back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

Barcelona Confirms Official Signing of Vitor Roque from Brazil’s Athletico-PR

It’s official… Vitor Roque is headed to Barcelona

Barcelona has confirmed the signing of the 18-year-old Brazilian professional footballer from Athletico-PR for a fee of around €40 million ($44m).

Vitor Roque,ESPN reported last week that Barca had agreed a deal with the Brazilian club.

Roque had penned a contract with the Catalan club until the end of the 2030-31 season, and he is set to link up with his new teammates next summer.

Roque’s release clause has been set at €500m.

Roque becomes Barca’s third signing this summer following the arrivals of Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez as free agents after the expiration of their contracts with Manchester City and Athletic Club, respectively.

With Robert Lewandowski turning 35 in August, Barca made finding a backup and potential heir to the Poland striker one of their priorities this summer.

ESPN reported in June that Roque had emerged as their top target. Negotiations, led by sporting director Deco, accelerated soon after.

Roque caught Barca’s attention after starring for the Athletico and Brazil youth teams. He helped his club reach the final of the Copa Libertadores last season and recently earned his first senior cap for his country.

The teenager has scored 22 goals in 65 appearances for Athletico, including six in his past six games.

“Goals,” Laporta told Mundo Deportivo on Tuesday when asked what Barca can expect from Roque.

“He very much has his own style. You can’t really compare him with [retired Brazil strikers] Ronaldo or Romario. He is someone that is deadly with both feet inside the box.

“He is different to what we have had here before. If you had to compare him to anyone, it would be Ronaldo, who was a force of nature with us. [Roque] has bags of potential, is young, powerful and Brazilian.”

Barcelona Reaches Agreement to Sign Brazilian Teen Vitor Roque from Brazil’s Athletico Paranaense

Vitor Roque is switching sides…

Barcelona has reached an agreement to sign the 18-year-old Brazilian professional footballer and Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Athletico Paranaense forward for approximately €40 million ($43.6m).

Vitor Roque,It remains unclear when the Brazilian teenager will be able to join the club, according to ESPN.

ESPN revealed in June that Barca was optimistic of landing Roque as they look for a backup and heir to veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, who will turn 35 in August.

Roque ticked all the boxes and following negotiations led by new sporting director Deco, Barca has struck a deal for the Brazil international.

However, due to the club’s financial problems, it remains unclear when he’ll be able to join his new team, with Barca currently in excess of their LaLiga-imposed spending limit and only able to spend 50% of anything they save or raise on registering new players.

Therefore, the LaLiga champions are working on three different scenarios, which involve Roque either arriving in January, next summer or in the current transfer window.

On Tuesday, Barca’s directors put up a guarantee of €6.7m ($7.3m) against their viability plan to ensure they will be able to inscribe the new contracts signed by Ronald AraújoMarcos AlonsoSergi Roberto and Iñaki Peña.

They also still need to register Ilkay Gündoğan, who has arrived from Manchester City as a free agent, and defender Iñigo Martínez, whose signing from Athletic Club is expected to be confirmed this week.

Therefore, any further additions will be subject to players leaving first, with Barca also keen to lighten the load in attack before bringing in Roque, who can also play wide if needed but is predominantly a No.9.

Lewandowski, Ousmane DembéléRaphinhaFerran Torres and Ansu Fati have been competing for just two places in the front line since coach Xavi Hernandez switched to a midfield four.

Despite closing a deal for Roque, Barca’s main aim after signing Gündoğan and Martínez is still to find a midfield replacement for Sergio Busquets, who will join Inter Miami CF.

Girona‘s Oriol Romeu is currently the leading target, while ESPN revealed on Tuesday the club are also in talks to sign Real Valladolid right-back Iván Fresneda.

Therefore, sources say signing and registering Roque in the current transfer window is complicated, with January perhaps more likely, although the window remains open until Sept. 1.

Roque caught Barca’s attention after starring for Athletico and Brazil’s youth teams. He helped his club reach the final of the Copa Libertadores last season and recently earned his first senior cap for his country.

The teenager has scored 22 goals in 65 appearances for Athletico, including six in his last five games and one at the weekend in a 2-2 draw against Palmeiras, for whom Real Madrid-bound Endrick was also on target.

Rodri Named Player of the Match After Leading Manchester City to Champions League Title

Rodri is ending his Champions League run with a bang…

The 26-year-old Spanish soccer player and Manchester City midfielder has been named the official Player of the Match after his historic goal won Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter Milan.

Rodri, Manchester CityRodri’s name was read out over the speaker system at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium following Manchester City’s 1-0 win over the Italian side.

He also received the highest rating on WhoScored.com – a site that uses a wide range of statistics to rank players.

In addition to his goal, Rodri made three interceptions – more than any other player on the pitch – and was on target with 92.4% of his 66 passes.

Rodri made more key passes, two, than any of his teammates on Saturday.

But he was not the only player who could have been chosen as the MVP.

Brahim Diaz Returning to Real Madrid After Three Years on Loan to AC Milan

Brahim Diaz is about to get Real

The 23-year-old Spanish professional footballer, who plays as an attacking midfielder for Italy’s Serie A club AC Milan, is returning to Real Madrid.

Brahim DiazDiaz spent three seasons on loan at AC Milan, helping them win a Serie A title in 2022 and reach the Champions League semifinals this season.

He joined Madrid from Manchester City in 2019, but barely played in his single season in Spain’s capital.

He will rejoin a squad that won Spain’s Copa del Rey last season but needs to replace the loss of Karim Benzema.

Diaz is the third arrival at Real Madrid this month, following a deal reached with Borussia Dortmund for midfielder Jude Bellingham and the decision to buy back left back Fran Garcia from Rayo Vallecano.

Rodri Makes History while Leading Manchester City to First Champions League Title

Rodri is celebrating history…

The 26-year-old Spanish soccer player, whose full name is Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, earned a spot in futbol history on Saturday night by scoring Manchester City‘s first ever goal in a European Cup or UEFA Champions League final.

Rodri, Manchester CityManchester City had failed to find the net in their first UCL final in 2021 when they lost 1-0 to Chelsea in Porto.

But Rodri, a midfielder, made the breakthrough after 68 minutes in Istanbul to open the scoring against Inter Milan.

Rodri hammered home from 16 yards after Bernardo Silva‘s attempted cross had been deflected into his path.

This was only Rodri’s second ever goal in Europe’s top club competition.

His first had come during Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their quarterfinal.

Saturday’s strike proved to be the only goal of the game as Manchester City went on to beat Inter 1-0 and complete a famous treble.

Pep Guardiola‘s class of 2023 are only the second team ever to be English champions, European champions and FA Cup winners in the same season.

Chelsea Closing in on Deal to Sign Manuel Ugarte

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.

Manuel UgarteBoth 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.