Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s upcoming South American World Cup qualifiers due to an ankle injury sustained during the Copa America final. The 37-year-old star is currently recovering at his club, Inter Miami. Coach Lionel Scaloni has called up several young players, including Alejandro Garnacho, Valentin Carboni, Valentin Barco, and Matias Soule, to fill the void left by Messi and other notable absences.
Ilkay Gundogan, the captain of the German national football team, announced his retirement from international football on Monday after leading his country at Euro 2024. He cited reflection and pride for his decision, highlighting his 82 international matches and the honor of captaining the team at the home European Championship last summer.
Three teams were disqualified from the 63rd Subroto Cup Sub-Junior Boys International Football Tournament in Bengaluru for fielding players over the age limit. The tournament organizers, Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society, conducted a Skeletal Age Estimation Test and found that the teams from Assam, Bihar, and Manipur had more than four players exceeding the age limit.
A special football shirt, partially crafted from gold and celebrating Lionel Messi, takes center stage in a new exhibition at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This exhibition showcases a century of football shirt design, highlighting the evolution of this iconic piece of sporting attire.
India secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bhutan in their opening match of the SAFF U20 Championship despite a chaotic second half that saw three red cards, including two for India. Monirul Molla’s first-half header proved to be the difference as India held on despite being reduced to nine men for the final 20 minutes.
Veteran goalkeeper Yann Sommer has announced his retirement from the Swiss national team after a decade of service, choosing to focus on his club career with Inter Milan. The move opens the door for Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel to become Switzerland’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Anil Kumar, former Kerala Football Association official, has been appointed as the new Secretary General of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). He replaces Shaji Prabhakaran, who was removed from the position in November 2022. Kumar has pledged to work collaboratively with stakeholders to improve Indian football at all levels.
Lille midfielder Angel Gomes has been released from the hospital after being knocked unconscious during a Ligue 1 match against Stade Reims. The 23-year-old sustained the injury after a collision with Reims midfielder Amadou Kone. Gomes expressed his gratitude for the medical staff and fans’ support, highlighting the importance of his recovery.
East Bengal FC will travel to Meghalaya to face Shillong Lajong in the Durand Cup 2024 quarterfinal on August 21st. The match comes after their final group stage encounter against Mohun Bagan was abandoned due to security concerns, resulting in a point for each team.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed his disappointment after his team’s 1-1 draw against Mallorca in their La Liga season opener, highlighting a lack of focus and defensive balance as key issues. Ancelotti was particularly critical of his team’s defending, emphasizing the need for a more disciplined performance, especially considering their attacking lineup. He called for improved collective commitment and a stronger mentality, urging his players to learn from their mistakes.
