News of football

Reports: Barcelona, Messi reach 'agreement in principle' over new contract

14-07-2021 12:46 Spanish media outlets report Argentina national team captain has agreed terms over new contract that will see his salary halved and spend five more years at the Camp Nou.

Messi dedicates Copa América title to family, country and Maradona

12-07-2021 09:48 Lionel Messi dedicates Argentina's Copa América triumph over Brazil to his family, his country and Diego Maradona.

Champions: Argentina clinch Copa América title with 1-0 win over Brazil

10-07-2021 23:04 Lionel Messi wins his first trophy with the national side, thanks to Ángel Di María's winner. Dogged and determined Argentina gave everything in the Maracanã to see off Copa hosts Brazil.

England dare to dream ahead of Euro 2020 final against impressive Italy

09-07-2021 21:58 Sunday's match will be the culmination of a remarkable turnaround in Italian fortunes since Roberto Mancini took over as coach.

Barcelona president says talks with Lionel Messi are 'progressing'

02-07-2021 14:39 "We want him to stay, Leo wants to stay and we are looking for the best formula," says club president Joan Laporta.

Lionel Messi: Elder statesman, but just as essential as ever

26-06-2021 00:30 The Barcelona and Argentina wizard turned 34 on Thursday, an age which usually signals the beginning of the end for professionals. The event was accompanied by an outpouring of tributes, acknowledgement of the towering impact Messi has had since first bursting onto the scene.

by Dan Edwards

Cavani tempted by return to South America after Man Utd spell

15-06-2021 09:40 Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani says he expects to return to South America at the end of next season and admits talks over a potential move have already taken place.

Argentina held 1-1 by Chile in Copa América opener

14-06-2021 21:02 Lionel Messi scored a stunning free-kick for Argentina in their Copa América 2021 opener on Monday, but opponents Chile fought back to earn a 1-1 draw.

Sebastián 'Loco' Abreu retires after world record football club career

11-06-2021 17:47 Uruguay striker Sebastián 'Loco' Abreu, who holds the Guinness World Record as the professional to have played for the most clubs played his last game Friday at the age of 44.

Brazil Supreme Court allows Copa América to go ahead

11-06-2021 00:41 Brazil's highest court rules country can host the Copa América despite the coronavirus pandemic, clearing the way for the troubled football tournament to kick off.

Tears of joy and wine for dead relatives – Colón fans celebrate team's first title

07-06-2021 17:52 Pensioners crying with joy, wine poured into a dead relative's urn and hooligan violence – fans of Club Atlético Colón celebrate the side's first ever top-flight title.

AFA confirms Albiceleste will participate in Copa América

06-06-2021 16:45 "With an enormous effort from the AFA ... the National Team will travel to Brazil to play the continental competition," declares Argentine Football Association.

Chile, Argentina warm up for Brazil's Covid Copa with 1-1 draw

04-06-2021 02:11 This week has seen a wave of activity in international football, most of which occurred far away from the confines of the pitch. But Thursday night's 1-1 draw keeps Argentina's unbeaten qualifier record intact and on track for a place at Qatar 2022.

by Dan Edwards

Argentina, Chile coaches worried about Copa América in Brazil

02-06-2021 18:04 National team coaches from Argentina and Chile hit out at the decision to play the Copa América in coronavirus-stricken Brazil on Wednesday.

Decision on hosting of Copa América expected before Monday

29-05-2021 11:16 Government pushes CONMEBOL for Covid protocol guarantees. New Pollarquía poll shows seven out of ten now feel the event should not take place in Argentina.

Swiss bank Julius Baer admits it funnelled money to TyC, Grondona

28-05-2021 16:39 Swiss Bank admits to participating in money-laundering of some US$36 million in bribes in the "FIFAgate" scandal, US officials announced on Thursday. One of the bank's employees has admitted to transferring millions of dollars to late AFA chief Julio Grondona.

Doubts increase over Argentina’s hosting of Copa América

22-05-2021 09:16 Buenos Aires City Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta expresses concerns over playing of tournament matches in capital, as CONMEBOL strips hosting rights from Colombia.

AFA suspends all football in Argentina with Copa América looming

21-05-2021 12:28 AFA suspended all professional football tournaments as new coronavirus lockdown is imposed, just over three weeks before hosting the Copa América.

Coronavirus and conflict threaten Copa América one month out

13-05-2021 16:19 With the Copa América due to begin in one month, uncertainty remains over whether it will actually go ahead as hosts Argentina and Colombia struggle respectively with the coronavirus pandemic and civil unrest.

Uruguay's Centenario to host Libertadores-Sudamericana double

13-05-2021 16:13 Montevideo's Centenario stadium, which hosted the first World Cup final, will make history again when it hosts the finals of both the Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana later this year.