Berlin (AFP) – Germany host Spain on Thursday in the first international behind closed doors in the German FA's history with head coach Joachim Loew set to name an experimental new-look side missing a cluster of Bayern Munich stars. In normal times, a sell-out crowd of around 50,000 would be expected at Stuttgart's Mercedes-Benz-Arena for […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar is one of three Paris Saint-Germain stars to have contracted the coronavirus, a well-placed source told AFP on Wednesday, after the Champions League runners-up announced several positive tests. "Three Paris Saint-Germain players have confirmed positive Sars CoV2 tests and are subject to the appropriate health protocol," PSG said in a statement. "All […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich formally bid farewell to Brazil playmaker Philippe Coutinho on Wednesday after his year-long loan deal from Barcelona expired with the newly-crowned European champions declining, as expected, to sign him permanently. "With his creativity and excellent technique, he livened up our game in this triple-winning season," said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany host Spain on Thursday in the first international behind closed doors in the German FA's history with head coach Joachim Loew set to name an experimental new-look side missing a cluster of Bayern Munich stars. In normal times, a sell-out crowd of around 50,000 would be expected at Stuttgart's Mercedes-Benz-Arena for […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Jorge Messi, father and agent of Lionel Messi, said on Wednesday he thinks it will be "difficult" for his son to stay at Barcelona. Messi senior landed in Barcelona on Wednesday ahead of talks with the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu about the striker's intention to leave this summer. Messi senior flew […]

Paris (AFP) – Three Paris Saint-Germain players have tested positive for coronavirus, the French club announced on Wednesday. "Three Paris Saint-Germain players have confirmed positive Sars CoV2 tests and are subject to the appropriate health protocol," PSG said in a statement. "All of the players and coaching staff will continue to undergo tests in the coming […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Fabio Cannavaro admitted Wednesday that he pores over comments online and often sees "accusations and even abuse", despite taking Guangzhou Evergrande to their eighth Chinese Super League title last season. The 46-year-old Italian, who captained his country to World Cup glory in 2006, won his first major title as a coach with […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Jorge Messi, father and agent of Lionel Messi, landed in Barcelona on Wednesday, an AFP correspondent said, ahead of talks with the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu about the striker's intention to leave this summer. Messi senior flew in from the Argentine city of Rosario, landing at the private terminal in Barcelona's […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United's teenage forward Mason Greenwood says he wants to "break records" and be remembered forever. The 18-year-old forced has earned a first England call-up after a breakthrough season at Old Trafford, where he established himself in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first-choice attack. No teenager has ever scored more goals in a single […]

Monaco (AFP) – Germany striker Kevin Volland has left Bayer Leverkusen to sign a four-year contract with AS Monaco, the French league side announced Wednesday, in a deal worth around 11 million euros ($13 million). As Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz hinted Monday, the 28-year-old Volland leaves Leverkusen after scoring 50 goals, creating 32 more, in […]

Paris (AFP) – With the second edition of the UEFA Nations League starting on Thursday, AFP Sport picks out some potential highlights as international football returns after 10 months in hibernation: – Germany v Spain – Two recent world champions meet in Stuttgart in their first competitive encounter since the 2010 World Cup semi-final in […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany host Spain in their opening Nations League match on Thursday with Bayern Munich duo Leroy Sane and Niklas Suele looking to rediscover top form after long-term knee injuries. Germany face Spain in Stuttgart before playing Switzerland three days later in Basel. Both matches will go ahead behind closed doors. It gives […]

Paris (AFP) – After the postponement of Euro 2020 by a year, international football comes out of a long hibernation this week in Europe with the start of the latest UEFA Nations League, which is being crammed into the autumn despite the ongoing coronavirus concerns and will see Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal defend their title. In […]

London (AFP) – Prolific Danish international striker Pernille Harder joined Chelsea on a three-year deal on Tuesday to join an increasing number of stars of the women's game heading to play their club football in England. The 27-year-old guided Wolfsburg to the Champions League final last month and scored a total of 103 goals for […]

London (AFP) – Gabriel Magalhaes said the influence of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu convinced him to join the Gunners after completing a reported £22 million ($30 million) move from Lille on Tuesday. The 22-year-old defender was also in demand from Manchester United and Napoli after impressing as Lille finished fourth in […]