Singapore (AFP) – French whizz Matteo Guendouzi said he hopes he's embarking on a "big adventure" with Arsenal after a scintillating start which has drawn comparisons with the great Patrick Vieira. The 19-year-old midfielder, instantly recognisable by his long hair, had fans salivating in friendlies against Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in Singapore. Guendouzi, a […]

Shanghai (AFP) – A Chinese kitchen appliance maker said Monday it has so far made refunds worth nine million dollars, fulfilling a costly pledge to reimburse customers if France won the World Cup. Vatti, one of the French team's sponsors, is coughing up after Didier Deschamps' side beat Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow […]

Paris (AFP) – With Europe's top clubs preparing for the start of the new season, there have already been several headline-grabbing moves in the transfer market, including Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning switch to Juventus and the arrival of Gianluigi Buffon in France. Here, AFP Sport looks at five of the close-season movers who could make the […]

Washington (AFP) – Former England captain Wayne Rooney grabbed his first goal for DC United but also suffered a broken nose in a 2-1 victory over Colorado Rapids in the MLS. Rooney, 32, scored the opening goal against ex-Manchester United team-mate Tim Howard but was left bloodied after a clash of heads with Colorado defender […]

Berlin (AFP) – Veteran striker Claudio Pizarro on Sunday announced his return to Werder Bremen, where he plans to see out his career. Pizarro, who turns 40 in October, has received a "performance-related contract" and will provide back up cover for the forward line. "I'm delighted to have the chance to join the team again, […]

Singapore (AFP) – Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon has a fight on his hands for the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper's shirt as coach Thomas Tuchel revealed he had not yet decided who was his number one. Buffon has made his first move abroad at the age of 40 but faces stiff competition at the French club, which […]

London (AFP) – Qatar's successful, controversy-plagued bid to host the 2022 World Cup has been hit by further allegations that they used a secret "black operations" propaganda campaign to undermine rival bids in violation of FIFA rules, according to The Sunday Times. The newspaper — which also made allegations in 2014 about Qatar buying the […]

Singapore (AFP) – It isn't easy when your father is footballing royalty — and the president of Liberia to boot. But for 18-year-old Tim Weah, son of the legendary player-turned-politician George, having a famous name on his shirt isn't proving a hindrance. Weah wasn't even born during his father's playing career, which included the 1995 […]

Pasadena (United States) (AFP) – Summer signing Arthur marked his Barcelona bow with a mouthwatering goal, as the La Liga champions beat Tottenham Hotspur 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in Pasadena, California. Both sides were without their big names for the International Champions Cup clash, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, […]

Miami (AFP) – Pepe Guardiola finished Manchester City's US tour with a deserved 3-2 victory over former club Bayern Munich, but his evening was soured with an injury to new signing Riyad Mahrez. Two goals from substitute Bernardo Silva helped Manchester City come from 2-0 down to end a run of two defeats in this […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Cedric Bakambu says that he made "a good choice" leaving Spain for the riches of Chinese football — and he is proving it by hitting 11 goals in as many games. The French-born Congolese striker joined Chinese Super League (CSL) side Beijing Guoan from Villarreal earlier this year in a protracted move […]

Chicago (AFP) – Liverpool scored three second half goals as they wrapped up their pre-season tour of America on Saturday with a dominating 4-1 victory over Manchester United at Michigan Stadium. Xherdan Shaqiri put a stamp on his Liverpool debut with a spectacular bicycle-kick goal to round out the scoring in the International Champions Cup […]

Miami (AFP) – Benjamin Mendy is ready to make up for lost time at Manchester City and add to his ever-growing list of silverware. A knee injury forced the 24-year-old for out seven months last season but having made just 11 appearances all season he ended the summer with World Cup and Premier League winners […]

Nice (France) (AFP) – Chelsea beat Inter Milan 5-4 on penalties as goalkeeper Willy Caballero saved from Milan Skriniar in the shootout following a 1-1 draw in their opening game of the International Champions Cup. Spain international Pedro struck after just eight minutes in Nice, slotting in a rebound after Inter keeper Samir Handanovic saved […]

Singapore (AFP) – Mesut Ozil looked set to be handed a captain's role this season after he shrugged off his tempestuous row with German authorities to fire Arsenal to a 5-1 friendly win over Paris Saint-Germain. Ozil, playing for the first time since he controversially quit the German national team claiming racism, took the captain's […]