Tokyo (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain will play three J-League teams on a tour of Japan this summer, the French champions said on Thursday, as they court an Asian audience with Kylian Mbappe still in tow. PSG will play Kawasaki Frontale, who have won the J-League four times in the past five years, at Tokyo's Olympic […]

Hong Kong (AFP) – Raul Baena cut his teeth in Barcelona's youth sides alongside Sergio Busquets and was later Mauricio Pochettino's trusted lieutenant at the heart of Espanyol's midfield in La Liga. But it is in Hong Kong that the former Spain under-21 international finally won a league title, and then played a pivotal role […]

Liverpool (AFP) – "We are not here by any kind of magic," said Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool's third appearance in the a Champions League final in five years. "We deserve this." Real Madrid stand in the Reds' way at the Stade de France on Saturday, just as they did four years ago in the first […]

Madrid (AFP) – Even Carlo Ancelotti, the calm and carefree Italian, whose return to Real Madrid has been as harmonious as it has been successful, will get the jitters before Saturday's Champions League final against Liverpool. No manager has reached as many Champions League finals as Ancelotti's five, with the 62-year-old winning three of his […]

Paris (AFP) – Real Madrid remain Europe's most valuable football club despite the ever-increasing dominance of the English Premier League, according to a report published Thursday by analysts Football Benchmark. The report ranks Europe's 32 most prominent clubs, calculating their value based on their annual financial statements and assessing squad values. Real, who face Liverpool […]

Tirana (AFP) – Jose Mourinho said that he and Roma had made history after winning the Europa Conference League on Wednesday, the club's first ever major European trophy. Portuguese coaching icon Mourinho tried and failed to hold back the tears after Roma beat Feyenoord in their first continental final in over three decades and he […]

Tirana (AFP) – Nicolo Zaniolo won Roma their first ever major European trophy on Wednesday with the only goal in a 1-0 win over Feyenoord in the inaugural Europa Conference League final. Italy international Zaniolo struck with a well-taken finish in the 32nd minute to earn Roma their first trophy of any kind since 2008 […]

Brussels (AFP) – Former Manchester City star Vincent Kompany has left his job as Anderlecht head coach, the club said Wednesday, amid reports he is set for a return to England as boss of Burnley. "The club and the coach have analysed the past season and discussed the plans for the future. The two parties […]

London (AFP) – Andrew Robertson on Wednesday urged Scotland to put sentiment aside when they face Ukraine in next week's World Cup play-off semi-final. Scotland host war-torn Ukraine next Wednesday in a semi-final rescheduled from March after Russia's invasion began in February. Ukraine are certain to earn the support of fans around the world in […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is hopeful Thiago Alcantara will be fit to face Real Madrid in Saturday's Champions League final. The Spanish midfielder came off at half-time in Sunday's Premier League clash against Wolves after suffering an Achilles problem. Thiago did not train when Liverpool held an open session in front of […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Mohamed Salah has confirmed he will see out his contract at Liverpool next season, but the Egypt forward remains non-committal on his future at Anfield beyond 2023. Salah's contract expires at the end of next season and talks over a new deal have dragged on for months without a resolution. Ahead of Saturday's […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Mohamed Salah has confirmed he will see out his contract at Liverpool next season, but the Egypt forward remains non-committal on his future at Anfield beyond 2023. Salah's contract expires at the end of next season and talks over a new deal have dragged on for months without a resolution. However, ahead of […]

London (AFP) – Todd Boehly's consortium has secured Chelsea's future but the hard work is just beginning for the latest American billionaire to be lured by the promise of Premier League riches. Boehly's group has received the approval from the British government and Premier League required to seal the £4.25 billion ($5.3 billion) deal. Having […]

Saint-Denis (France) (AFP) – Named as the venue for this weekend's Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid after Saint-Petersburg was stripped of the game, the Stade de France has been hurriedly getting ready for the event with a new pitch being laid. The grass for the new surface was grown in Spain, near […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea can finally start planning for the future after the UK government approved Todd Boehly's £4.25 billion ($5.3 billion) purchase of the club, bringing down the curtain on the Roman Abramovich era. The club have been transformed from Premier League also-rans into a trophy-winning machine under the Russian billionaire, winning 19 major […]