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Champions League final buildup, World Cup latest, transfer news, and more: football – live | Football
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Neymar injury places World Cup in doubt
After that big announcement last week, there’s a chance Neymar misses out.
Via PA Media:
Neymar’s World Cup hopes have been hit after medical checks revealed the full extent of his calf injury.
The 34-year-old Santos forward, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, is expected to be sidelined for between two to three weeks after scans carried out by the national team’s doctor revealed a grade two muscle tear.
Neymar will miss Brazil’s two warm-up friendlies against Panama on Sunday and Egypt on June 6 and faces a race to be fit in time for their opening World Cup group game against Morocco on June 13.
The former Barcelona and Paris St Germain playmaker initially played down the severity of the injury, sustained in Santos’ 3-0 defeat to Coritiba on 17 May.
Brazil doctor Rodrigo Lasmar told a press conference: “After missing Wednesday’s training session to undergo imaging tests in Teresopolis, the MRI ruled out the initial hypothesis of a simpler issue.
“He arrived here at Granja, underwent all the medical exams and we finished with an MRI that identified a grade two muscle injury in the calf, not just swelling.”
Santos statement from Thursday that they had shared all the medical tests by May 18 and added: “The two-week period began on the 17th and ends this Sunday [31st], by which time the player should be fit to return to training.
“It should always be borne in mind that these estimates vary from person to person and depend on the team’s needs and the importance of the matches. The Brazilian national team’s physiotherapy team also includes professionals from Santos FC who have been working with Neymar Jr. for over 10 years and throughout this entire recovery process.
“The club’s medical department is aligned with and in agreement with the treatment schedule set by the CBF’s medical team. The professionals at Santos FC are familiar with the player’s recovery capacity and are confident that Neymar will be ready to play in the World Cup.”
The week of Manchester City farewells continues. We’re told Guardiola and Gallagher was the “last word” but I’m yet to be convinced. Meanwhile, John Stones, set for the World Cup, destination beyond that unknown has said his social media goodbyes.
I want to take this opportunity once again to thank everyone. My team mates, back room staff, the fans, and everyone involved with the club! “My last few days at the club were unbelievable… saying goodbye on the pitch with my family and the crazy parade. I really felt the appreciation and love from you all. I’ll never forget the send off I’ve received, I’m so very grateful for it and it will stay with me forever. “It’s been an absolute honour and privilege to play for you and this football club. I lived out all of my dreams, and helped make dreams come true for us all! “I wish the team and everyone involved with City nothing but the best in the future and in it’s new chapter, and I will look forward to coming back as fan to watch with you all in the future.
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Anthony Gordon’s move to Barcelona was a big surprise, perhaps most of all for Marcus Rashford. Our north east reporter, Louise Taylor, on the player who is leaving Newcastle.
Hansi Flick may pitch him as a direct competitor for Raphinha on the left, but Gordon is also capable of indulging in the positional interchanging that promises to make an attacking trio also containing Lamine Yamal extra formidable. Yet if a player who spent much of last season at centre-forward often forces defenders into taking gambles they would prefer to avoid, Gordon’s signing is not without risk.
To fill the Konate hole: Liverpool signed Giovanni Leoni last summer, only for him to suffer a cruciate injury, and Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, who joins this summer, after missing much of the Ligue 1 season with a serious shoulder problem.
That’s Salah, Robertson, Konate all leaving Liverpool, with Trent Alexander-Arnold having departed last summer, all on a free. What does that say about Liverpool’s decision makers? Well, it was reported this season the club has the highest wage bill in the Premier League and selling players for a fee probably doesn’t meet the high wages these players now demand. Put those together and you are looking at £100m plus of fees, but that’s probably dwarfed by the wages of two-year extensions, say. Big summer ahead.
Some more detail on Konate, via PA Media: “A month ago the centre-back confidently announced after the Merseyside derby win at Everton that a resolution was imminent.
“However, the Press Association understands the club were unable to come to terms on the financial aspects and as a result the defender will leave Anfield next month after a five-year stay.”
It’s the Women’s FA Cup final on Sunday, and here’s Tom Garry’s preview from the Manchester City end. They take on Brighton.
Persuading Khadija “Bunny” Shaw to perform a remarkable U-turn and stay for another four years was vital.
The Jamaica striker, who scored 21 times in 22 league games this season, had signalled firmly to the club she had decided to leave, because other teams were offering more lucrative contracts and talks with City had broken down.
Memories of 1986 for co-hosts Mexico, and their legendary coach.
In 1985, Bora Milutinović took the players away from their clubs for a full year. They toured the world, playing more than 20 friendlies in Asia, Africa, Europe and South America.
Decades later, Milutinović still believes the decision was correct.
“In my time, the only way we could accomplish anything was to be together,” the 81-year-old says over the phone from China, where he is travelling. “Thanks to that time spent together, we created a suitable environment where we were mentally prepared, and it was so effective that we played a very, very successful World Cup in ’86.”
On Ibrahima Konate, the briefing appears to be that he will be leaving Liverpool, as no deal could be agreed.
Good story from our Guardian US colleagues.
Speaking to reporters, US Soccer CEO JT Batson said Pochettino and the organization are focused on the World Cup, declining to confirm specifically that Pochettino and Milan had held talks. However, he added that Pochettino and his staff “have been transparent about club interest for the last couple of years”, adding that “there’s been a longer list of outreach than what has even been reported.”
Batson also declined to say whether US Soccer was engaged in extension discussions with Pochettino, and similarly deferred comment when asked if another big-name manager such as Jürgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola could be next, saying the organization is “focused on this summer”.
Josh Kroenke, Arsenal co-owner, has been speaking to all and sundry this week.
“[In] our experience of winning things in the States, when you win something, the sun’s still going to come up the next day. You’ve got to get back to work and there are many teams trying to gain on you, including some historically great ones around the Premier League. We’re going to look to strengthen because we know teams around us are going to get better. If you’re not trying to continually evolve and improve, you’re standing still.”
Transfer news: There’s talk the Tottenham reboot will begin with two free transfers in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi. Both would seem highly sensible buys, Robertson perhaps in the leadership role Jordan Henderson has at Brentford, and with England.
Krishna, a regular correspondent, gets in touch: “Hello, John. Budapest will see 21st century’s vindication of the famous Aesop’s fable of The Tortoise and the hare. Get ready for a root canal treatment like 1-0 victory after extra time.”
The aforementioned Qatar played Ireland last night in Dublin, and lost 1-0.
The game was played against the backdrop of mounting controversy over Ireland’s forthcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel, with the game scheduled for October 4 in Dublin a particular focus, and protesters hurled tennis balls bearing the message “stop the game” onto the pitch on several occasions during the first half.
Veteran defender Seamus Coleman had expressed concern that Ireland’s coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson and his players have been left in the firing line by those above them, and McGrath admitted the situation is difficult.
Hallgrimsson said: “Seamus spoke really well about it the other day. We all don’t agree with what’s going on. Ideally it’s not in our hands. It’s not a nice situation to be put into. Like I said, personally, none of us agree with what’s going on.”
Late decision for the Sassuolo player, an actual Italian at the World Cup.
The 22-year will make a shock switch of allegiance from Italy to Australia four years after turning down the opportunity to represent the country of his birth at the tournament in Qatar.
Football Australia is still awaiting confirmation from Fifa that the formalities surrounding Volpato’s change of heart can be completed before Socceroos coach Tony Popovic names his 26-player World Cup squad by 1 June.
A couple of World Cup team guides.
Pochettino setting the bar low for Pulisic? Just one goal?
“I was disappointed with him [for missing the Gold Cup],” Pochettino reflected in a discussion with the Guardian and other reporters on Thursday. “I am transparent about that. He was disappointed with our decision not to include him in the two friendly games [against Switzerland and Turkey].”
Pulisic is 27, feels like he’s been the coming man for a long time now.
Ed Aarons spoke to the player who may hold the key for Arsenal, Kai Havertz.
Havertz is looking ahead to Arsenal’s final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on Saturday, when not many give them a chance of winning. It was the same when Chelsea, managed by Thomas Tuchel, took on a formidable City assembled by Pep Guardiola that had won the Premier League by 12 points. Chelsea had finished fourth, a further seven points adrift.
“We were the underdogs on that day, for sure,” Havertz says. “We hadn’t had the best season. But now it is completely different.”
An overnight transfer line.
If Konaté walks away from Liverpool out of contract, it will be the second consecutive year – after Trent Alexander-Arnold ran down his deal before a £10m move to Real Madrid – that the club will have lost one of their first-choice defenders without receiving a significant fee.
Konaté has had a disappointing season but losing an established centre-back will come as a blow for the sporting director Richard Hughes, with new defensive recruits Jérémy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni both working their way back to fitness after significant injuries and transfer speculation swirling over the future of Joe Gomez.
The World Cup is less than a fortnight away though doubts begin to swirl.
Ever since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February, there has been uncertainty surrounding this World Cup fixture in Los Angeles.
There were conflicting signals whether the Islamic Republic of Iran would allow the national football team to travel to the home of its attacker, and whether the US would welcome Team Melli. With kick-off now weeks away, it appears the game will go ahead as planned. Still, there is the possibility of protests by the large local Iranian population in “Tehrangeles”, many of whom fled the 1979 revolution, and acts of defiance by players. It’s more than a football story.
Jonathan Wilson, true to form, used Agincourt in his tactical preview of the final.
Although PSG have scored more goals from non-penalty set plays than Arsenal in the Champions League this season (eight to five), it probably is reasonable to assume that corners and free-kicks offer Arsenal’s best chance of a goal. But the biggest danger to Arsenal is probably a counterattack. Most opponents sit deep against PSG, especially in Ligue 1, but the evidence of PSG’s wins over Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich is that they are lethal in transition.
Arsenal cannot let Desiré Doué or Khvicha Kvaratskhelia get a run on whoever they have at full-back. Both are rapid, supreme dribblers and terrifyingly direct. And full-back is an issue for Arsenal, especially on the right. Ben White is out with a knee injury and Jurriën Timber is doubtful with a groin problem sustained against Everton in mid-March.
Let’s start with an Opta Analyst preview of the Champions League final.
Luis Enrique has regularly rested his players from Ligue 1 games. So, even though PSG have played a lot of matches, their most important players have been rotated heavily and should go into this weekend’s final relatively fresh.
Many of PSG’s best players have played very little domestic football this season. Ballon d’Or winner Dembélé started just 11 of their 34 Ligue 1 games; Neves, Mendes and Fabián Ruiz made 13 starts each; Kvaratskhelia 18, Doué and Hakimi 16, and Marquinhos 11. And it’s not like they come off the bench all that much, either. Not one of them has played even half their team’s minutes in Ligue 1 this season.
Preamble
Good morning, football. It’s all on Saturday, Budapest and the Champions League final. The capital cities of England and France decamped to the capital of Hungary. Plenty of buildup to that to come, and further news as the transfer market begins to key into action, plus World Cup news.
Join us.
Keir Starmer says Labour should focus on a subsequent Manchester mayoral race if Andy Burnham wins in Makerfield.
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World Cup 2026: England kick off in Dallas after big-hitting trio make mark – live | World Cup 2026
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Max Rushden and friends are coming in your ears with all the latest from the tournament.
Thomas Partey will not be part of the Ghana team that faces Panama, after he was denied access to Canada.
What Ghana do have is the likes of Antoine Semenyo after putting greater emphasis of attracting players from the diaspora.
Some lad called Messi is top of the Golden Boot list already. Who will hunt him down? Check out the top scorers, thus far.
Portugal open up against DR Congo as the Hors d’oeuvre for England v Croatia, not that anyone in those two countries will see it like that.
It is the sixth time Cristiano Ronaldo has been at a World Cup, which is a rather silly statistics. At 41, does he still have the powers to make a difference?
Ronaldo could wield a huge influence over the trophy’s ultimate destination. It remains to be seen whether that is channelled positively. Portugal can field arguably the best first-choice midfield in this summer’s competition, an experienced defence and an admirable array of wide forwards. At the heart of their attack stands, depending on your perspective, either a free-scoring icon primed to fire them all the way or a 41-year-old passenger whose presence sucks an otherwise fluent team into an inescapable void.
Nick Ames takes a look at the legend.
That is more than enough England material for the timing being, but do not fear, there will plenty throughout the day.
Opponents Croatia have impressed in recent times at the World Cup, reaching a final and semi-final in their past two outings. A key reason for their successes come in the form of 40-year-old Luka Modric, who is still going in the middle of the park and will be plotting England’s downfall.
Aleksandar Holiga on the the great man’s last dance.
There is plenty to get your teeth and eyes into as we prepare for England’s entrance in Dallas.
David Hytner has been listening to Harry Kane’s thoughts on the Three Lions’ chances and his own form.
I’m coming into this tournament in the best way possible; the best place physically and mentally. Throughout a career, there aren’t loads of times when all the pieces of the puzzle will come together at the right moment. Talking now, I feel like I’m in that place.
Thomas Tuchel is about to learn what managing at a major tournament is all about, writes Jacob Steinberg.
After an impressive qualifying campaign, Tuchel is backing England to thrive under the microscope in the US.
Barney Ronay on England shifting the focus from fun to business.
You can sit there playing with your silly little machines as much as you like. I’ll show you a World Cup. Close to a week in, with almost an entire round of cloudless group games in the bag, the coffin lid is starting to creak. By late Monday morning the first little knots of Three Lions shirts could be seen wandering the blank, baking streets of Dallas, blinking in the light. England are at the door. And it’s time for a vibe shift.
We should start with the latest set of results on what was a fascinating day.
Paul MacInnes was in New York/Jersey to see Mbappe lay down the first marker of the day. The Frenchman’s goals mean we will not have to spend our time discussing VAR too much but we certainly will.
The Ewan Murray witnessed Erling Haaland doing what he does best as Norway returned to the biggest stage by pummelling Iraq into submission.
Pablo Iglesias Maurer was on hand to see Lionel Messi’s 200th Argentina appearance, which he celebrated with a hat-trick against Algeria. He will be 39 next week but no one seems to have told him.
Austria required an own goal and late penalty against newcomers Jordan to get their competition up and running.
Preamble
After the tedium of four draws the day before, Tuesday felt like a moment within the context of this World Cup. Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi all made their marks with goals in big win for their respective countries. Tournaments need their stars to step up, often it is individuals rather than teams that are remembered for their successes in the history books and three of the globe’s best are threatening to do that again.
The hotly-anticipated England opener comes our way later, as Thomas Tuchel et al aim to end *checks notes* 70 years of hurt. Croatia provide the opponents, having previously caused plenty of harm to wallies with brollies and inflicting a semi-final defeat in Russia eight years ago. Will Harry Kane join his fellow figure heads by proving his class on the biggest stage? One nation certainly hope so.
We will be bringing you all the latest from the World Cup with plenty to look back on but even more to look forward to.
What experts make of the men’s team’s official off-duty fashion as they prepare for their first World Cup match.
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