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.

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.

Neymar Closing In on Deal to Return to Former Club Santos

Posted on January 26, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Neymar may be returning to his homeland soon…

The 32-year-old Brazilian soccer superstar is closing in on a return to his former club Santos, according to ESPN sources.

Neymar remains on the roster of Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, but the team’s manager Jorge Jesus said earlier in January that the Brazilian attacker can “no longer play at the level we are used to,” and wasn’t registered to play in the Saudi Pro League, leaving Neymar eligible to play only in the Asian Champions League.

As a result, Neymar has been looking for his next playing opportunity, and appears to have found it with the club with which he began his professional career.

Sources tell ESPN that Neymar’s contract with Al Hilal likely will be terminated, but the final details are still being negotiated. The two sides are expected to meet early this week with the hope of reaching an agreement.

If that occurs, Neymar is set to sign a six-month contract, which will have an option to be extended an additional year, with Santos.

If the deal with Santos is completed, Neymar is set to travel to Brazil this week, and could play for Santos as soon as February 5.

By terminating his Al Hilal contract, which ran through this summer, Neymar would walk away from about $65 million. Sources told ESPN he could make up at least some of the shortfall by having himself and his father, Neymar Santos Sr., become part of an investment fund that includes shares in Santos.

However, ESPN Brazil is reporting that Neymar is still determined to recoup the money from Al Hilal and that any deal involving shares in Santos would be extremely difficult to execute in the short term.

So, though the framework for a return to Santos is in place in principle, there are still sticking points.

If his return to Santos is completed, it will conclude a transfer saga that included the possibility of Neymar heading to MLS side Chicago Fire FC. However, Neymar’s preference was to return to Brazil to regain his form and possibly reclaim his place with the national team.

Neymar endured a difficult spell with Al Hilal after joining the Saudi Arabian club from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023 for a fee of $97.6 million.

The former Barcelona star suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while on international duty shortly after joining Al Hilal. He returned to the field last October, but a hamstring injury kept him from making more of a contribution. He made just seven league and cup appearances with just one goal scored in an AFC Champions League group stage match against Nassaji Mazandaran on Oct. 3, 2023.

Despite his struggles in Saudi Arabia, Neymar remains one of the biggest names in the sport thanks to his exploits alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez while with Barcelona from 2013 to 2017. In that time, he was part of sides that won a UEFA Champions League crown, two LaLiga titles, and three Copa del Reys.

He later moved to PSG in 2017 and won five Ligue 1 titles, three Coupe de Frances and two Coupe de la Ligues.

Neymar began his professional career with Santos in 2009, leading them to a Copa Libertadores triumph in 2011, when he scored in the second leg of the final, a 2-1 win over Peñarol.

At the international level, Neymar has appeared 128 times for Brazil, scoring a Selecao record 79 goals. He was part of the Brazil side that won the gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, which Brazil hosted.

Neymar Reportedly ThisClose to Return One Year After Shock Injury

Posted on October 14, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Neymar may be getting back in the game soon…

The 32-year-old Brazilian professional footballer, who plays as a forward for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal and the Brazil national team, has made significant improvement on his knee recovery and could be fit to play on October 21, per ESPN sources.

Neymar has been sidelined for a year since sustaining a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee while on international duty with Brazil.

Neymar returned to train with Al Hilal on September 29. People closely monitoring Neymar’s progress believe the player could return to play in time for Al Hilal’s Asian Champions League game at Al Ain on October 21.

Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus will have the final say on when Neymar will return to action.

However, he’ll first need the approval of Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, who carried out Neymar’s surgery.

Lasmar is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming days to evaluate the player’s fitness.

Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, joined the Saudi Pro League side in August 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain but played just five games before getting hurt.

Brazil’s Football Confederation is monitoring the situation closely and is hopeful of having Neymar available in time for the November World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay.

Manuel Ugarte Finalizes Deal to Join Manchester United

Posted on August 30, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Manuel Ugarte is switching sides…

Manchester United has finalized a deal to sign the 23-year-old Uruguayan professional footballer from Paris Saint-Germain.

Earlier his week the team had reached an agreement on a deal worth an initial €50 million ($55.3 million) with another €10 million ($11 million) in potential add-ons for the Uruguay international player.

Ugarte has signed a five-year deal with the option to extend for a further year. He joins Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee as new signings at Old Trafford this summer.

“Signing Manuel was another of our primary targets for this summer,” Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth said in the club’s announcement. “He is among the very best ball-winning midfield players in the world and has an excellent record at both club and international level. His qualities, experience and passion will be a great complement to our strong group of midfielders.

“Manuel is a player we’ve watched closely, and we are excited to see the positive impact he will make on the pitch and in the dressing room as we continue to strive for success.”

Ugarte has had stints at Portuguese sides Sporting Lisbon and Famalicão, as well as Fénix in Uruguay. Ugarte made his debut for the Uruguay national team in 2021 and has played 22 times for the national side.

He made 37 appearances for PSG last season, including 25 in Ligue 1.

“It is an incredible feeling to join a club of this magnitude; one that is admired all around the world,” Ugarte said. “The project that the football leadership discussed with me is extremely exciting; Manchester United is an ambitious club and I am an ambitious player.”

Lionel Messi Named The Best FIFA Men’s Player for Third Time

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi is the best… again.

The 36-year-old Argentine soccer superstar has won his third FIFA The Best men’s award, beating Manchester City‘s Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé for the honor.

The timeline for the award was between December 19, 2022 — the day after Messi led Argentina to win the World Cup in Qatar — and August 20, 2023.

Messi won the award mostly for his work at PSG and Inter Miami, having helped the French giants to another Ligue 1 title before moving to MLS in July and inspiring Interm Miami to their first-ever trophy, the Leagues Cup.

On the international level, Messi helped Argentina top CONMEBOL‘s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification table after six games.

Messi was not in attendance in London to collect the award.

The three nominees for the award were compiled, FIFA said, in collaboration with its “football stakeholders,” with short lists determined by two separate panels of former players and coaches. The winner of the award was then voted between journalists, fans, national team captains and managers.

The award is Messi’s third FIFA The Best title — his first coming in 2019 and second coming last year. He’s the only player to win the award three times.

He has also won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards.

Messi had a whirlwind 2023. In the first half, he won the French top flight for a second time but was booed by fans in his final games following a second successive round-of-16 exit from the Champions League.

The height of Messi’s season came after he joined Miami in July, when he swiftly inspired the franchise to win the Leagues Cup with a series of individual heroics, although the club missed out on the MLS Playoffs.

Here’s the full list of men’s awards:

The Best FIFA Men’s Player: Lionel Messi
Puskás Award: Guilherme Madruga (Botafogo-SP)
FIFA Fair Play Award: Brazil senior men’s players
FIFA Fan Award: Hugo Miguel Iñiguez
Men’s Coach of the Year: Pep Guardiola
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Éderson (Man City)

Men’s World XI:
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
Defence: John Stones (Man City), Kyle Walker (Man City), Rúben Dias (Man City)
Midfield: Bernardo Silva (Man City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)
Forwards: Erling Haaland (Man City), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)

Paris Saint-Germain Reportedly Reach Agreement to Sign Gabriel Moscardo from Corinthians

Posted on December 27, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Gabriel Moscardo is headed to The City of Light…

Paris Saint-Germain has reached an agreement to sign the 18-year-old Brazilian soccer phenom, a midfielder for Corinthians, per ESPN sources.

PSG sporting director Luís Campos traveled to Brazil earlier this month to watch Moscardo, and the club have now agreed to a €20 million deal for the midfielder.

ESPN reported last summer that Chelsea had a bid of $22m rejected.

Other teams in Europe, such as Arsenal, Manchester United and Atlético Madrid, also made inquiries about the Corinthians player but did not make offers.

Sources have told ESPN that Moscardo recently visited Paris and will sign a five-year contract at the club.

Before Moscardo turned professional, Barcelona also showed interest in the player but talks did not go ahead.

Promoted to the first team this season, Moscardo has made 25 senior appearances for Corinthians, registering one goal and one assist.

Lionel Messi Earns Record-Extending Eighth Ballon d’Or

Posted on October 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi has extended his record…

The 36-year-old Argentine soccer star, who currently plays for Inter Miami CF, has won the Ballon d’Or for a record eighth time, after leading Argentina to the FIFA World Cup title last year.

Messi, who beat out Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, becomes the first Major League Soccer-based player to claim the coveted prize, although the triumph comes largely on the back of his exploits with his country in Qatar.

Former Manchester United player and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham handed his prize-signing Messi the award in Paris.

Haaland, who scored 52 goals last season as Manchester City won the Treble in 2022-23, finished second in the voting and won the Gerd Muller Trophy given to the best striker of the year.

“I couldn’t imagine having the career that I’ve had. Everything that I’ve achieved,” Messi said after getting his award. “The fortune I’ve had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It’s nice to win these individual trophies.

“To win the Copa America and then the World Cup, to get it done is amazing. All of them [Ballon d’Or awards] are special for different reasons.”

Prior to Messi receiving his award, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or Féminin after a record-breaking year with club and country. She helped Barça win Liga F and the Champions League last season, before leading Spain to World Cup glory in the summer.

In other awards handed out on Monday, Messi’s Argentina teammate Emiliano Martinez won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper and England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was handed the Kopa Trophy as the world’s top player under the age of 21.

During his acceptance speech, Messi made a point of wishing Argentina countryman Diego Maradona happy birthday. The 1986 World Cup winner, who died on November 22, 2020, would have been 63 on Monday.

“My last mention is for Diego [Maradona],” Messi said. “Today is his birthday. So I would like to remember him from here, surrounded by the best players, coaches and people who love football like he did.

“Wherever you are, Diego, happy birthday. This goes also to you.”

Even prior to Monday’s ceremony in Paris, no player had won the Ballon d’Or more times than Messi, who first won it in 2009 and then again in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.

Cristiano Ronaldo has won it five times, while Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten are all three-time winners.

Messi scored 21 goals in 41 appearances last season as Paris Saint-Germain retained the Ligue 1 title before moving to Inter Miami earlier this year.

Since moving to the U.S., he has scored 11 goals in 14 games for Miami, helping the franchise win its first-ever piece of silverware, the Leagues Cup.

However, he missed several matches through injury at the end of the regular MLS season as Gerardo “Tata” Martino‘s side came up short in their late push for a playoff spot.

It is Messi’s performances at the World Cup at the end of 2022 which have earned him an eighth Ballon d’Or, though, as Argentina ended a 36-year wait to be crowned world champions for the third time.

Messi, as captain, was instrumental to Argentina’s success in Qatar, scoring seven goals and assisting three more as he was named as the Player of the Tournament.

He scored twice in the final and again in the penalty shootout against France as Lionel Scaloni‘s team edged one of the most memorable showpieces in the competition’s history.

Having come up short with Argentina at four previous World Cups, including losing the 2014 final to Germany, it was deemed by many to be his last chance to get his hands on football’s biggest prize.

At 36 years and four months old, he also becomes the second oldest player to ever win the Ballon d’Or, replacing last year’s winner Karim Benzema. Only the inaugural winner, Stanley Matthews in 1956, was older when he won it aged 41.

Messi’s first six Ballons d’Or were won while he played for Barcelona, where he is the club’s record goalscorer and appearance holder, while he won it for a seventh time shortly after joining PSG in 2021 following Copa America success with Argentina.

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