News of football

Messi bags a brace, enjoys last World Cup qualifier to fullest

Today 00:22 On a night of tears, standing ovations and plenty of joy, in his final South American qualifier, Argentina’s No. 10 Lionel Messi bags two in a 3-0 victory over Venezuela.

Football violence

Independiente disqualified from Copa Sudamericana over stadium brawl

Yesterday 21:43 Argentine side must also play its next 14 matches in CONMEBOL tournaments without its fans and pay a US$250,000 fine.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Violence has no place in football, but clubs have responsibility

28-08-2025 13:42 The disgraceful scenes during and after Independiente's aborted Copa Sudamericana clash against Universidad de Chile have brought both clubs and football in South America into severe disrepute.

by Dan Edwards

Chainsaw hits football

Fútbol para pocos: Milei decides 2026 World Cup won’t be on public TV

27-08-2025 13:45 For the first time in 52 years, Argentina’s government has confirmed that it will not be buying the broadcasting rights to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada and broadcasting it free-to-air. The move – which saves an estimated US$7 million – forms part of austerity for state media.

Hooligan violence

Detained Chileans freed two days after football fan brawl in Argentina

22-08-2025 17:24 Authorities releases 104 Chileans detained following a bloody brawl that erupted during Copa Sudamericana match between Independiente and Universidad de Chile.

IN FOCUS

Why fan violence still sullies Latin American football

21-08-2025 19:20 From Mexico to Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador, stadium violence continues to mar the beautiful game in football-mad Latin America.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Racing and Vélez leave fans singing in the rain

21-08-2025 19:04 Two sides battle through the wind and puddles to set up a mouth-watering Copa Libertadores quarter-final tie.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL VIOLENCE

Blame game begins after fan violence at continental cup tie

21-08-2025 15:19 More than 100 arrests, serious injuries and a diplomatic fallout in the wake of hooligan brawl at Independiente’s Copa Sudamericana clash with Universidad de Chile; Authorities play blame game as Chile, FIFA, CONMEBOL condemns violence.

FOOTBALL VIOLENCE

Football game ends in violence as Argentines clash with Chileans

21-08-2025 14:28 Reports of injuries Wednesday night varied from more than a hundred to dozens at the Copa Sudamericana match between Independiente of Argentina and Universidad de Chile.

Hooliganism in stadiums

Ten hurt, 90 arrested as match abandoned amid football fan violence

21-08-2025 08:40 Ninety arrests and 10 people injured amid violent clashes between rival fans during a Copa Sudamericana match involving Independiente and Universidad de Chile in Buenos Aires.

FOOTBALL TRANSFERS

Argentina's football transfer market enjoys new spring

20-08-2025 18:24 In the last five years, the Liga Profesional de Fútbol has seen exponential growth in spending on transfers: from US$11.5 million in 2020 to US$120 million in 2024.

RECORD-BREAKER

Brazilian goalkeeper Fábio claims world record for most football matches

20-08-2025 08:51 Brazilian goalie Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel claims to have made his 1,391st competitive appearance in men's football – a world record.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Angola civic groups urge Argentina, Messi to scrap football friendly

19-08-2025 16:06 Argentina and Lionel Messi urged to scrap planning for friendly match in Luanda with Angola after 30 people were killed in protests.

Football in Argentina

Is Marcos Rojo a problem or solution for Racing?

15-08-2025 12:46 La Academia are in desperate need of calm heads and a new system to compensate for the loss of Maxi Salas.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL TRANSFERS

Franco Mastantuono tells Read Madrid fans: ‘I will give everything for this shirt’

14-08-2025 12:34 Exciting attacking midfielder is formally unveiled as a new Real Madrid player on his 18th birthday, completing his record-breaking transfer from boyhood club River Plate.

FOOTBALL

Cristian 'Cuti' Romero named Spurs captain, replacing Son

13-08-2025 11:01 Argentine centre-half will lead his side out when Tottenham take on European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

COURTS: DEATH OF DIEGO MARADONA

Judges in new Maradona trial reject request to step aside

07-08-2025 16:02 The new court hearing the case into the death of Diego Maradona rejects defence request for two judges to be removed.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Boca’s horror story nightmare

07-08-2025 15:47 Things could not look bleaker for Boca Juniors at the moment but the malaise does seem to exceed Miguel Ángel Russo or any one coach.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Di María's rapturous return pick of Clausura opening weekend

16-07-2025 09:31 There is no respect for rank around the Liga Profesional de Fútbol. Even World Cup winners with extremely distinguished careers are not exempt from getting their bones rattled from time to time. And Di María would not have it any other way.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL TRANSFERS

Atlético Madrid agree deal for Albiceleste international Thiago Almada

15-07-2025 18:05 Spanish football club Atlético Madrid announced Tuesday an agreement with Brazilian outfit Botafogo to sign 2022 World Cup winner Thiago Almada.

FOOTBALL TRANSFERS

Paredes ‘returns home’ to Boca and packed Bombonera

11-07-2025 12:38 World Cup winning midfielder stunned by fan turnout as he formalises return to Boca Juniors.

Football in Argentina

Clausura kick-off: Potential for surprises and upsets sky high

11-07-2025 10:00 As the second half of the top flight gets underway with a second title on the line, there are two teams – at least – under immense pressure to topple reigning champions Platense.

by Dan Edwards

International football

Albiceleste #1: Argentina remains top of FIFA rankings

10-07-2025 12:51 Argentina remains the highest-ranked national football team in the worldm, according to FIFA.

FOOTBALL TRANSFERS

Boca fans called to La Bombonera for Paredes’ coming home party

09-07-2025 08:32 "Thursday, 6pm, La Bombonera," read a message on the club’s official X account posted Tuesday.

FOOTBALL TRANSFERS

Emotional Di María finally returns to Rosario Central

07-07-2025 22:11 “This is more than I ever dreamed of” – Argentina’s World Cup hero breaks down in tears as he rejoins his boyhood club after 18 seasons in Europe.

FOOTBALL TRANSFERS

River rile rivals by breaking bank for Racing’s Maxi Salas

04-07-2025 07:15 Release clauses have long been understood to have a merely symbolic value in Argentina, an upper limit to negotiate for a player without forcing the seller’s hand – executing it is considered a breach of ethics and the unwritten code.

by Dan Edwards

FIFA CORRUPTION CASE

Convictions in FIFA corruption case reinstated, rules court

03-07-2025 14:32 United States appeals court reinstates convictions of former Fox broadcasting executive and Argentine sports-marketing firm Full Play involved in the FIFA corruption scandal.

DISCRIMINATION

'Discrimination': AFA slams 'anti-Semitic acts' by fans of All Boys

01-07-2025 09:55 Argentine football's governing body condemns "anti-Semitic" acts by fans of All Boys ahead of their match with Atlanta.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Boca's best efforts fall well short of expectations

26-06-2025 19:14 Boca’s boisterous fans deserve better than this current crop. As has so often been the case with the Xeneize, hope turned to despair and ridicule in the blink of an eye.

by Dan Edwards

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Inter down nine-man River to advance in 'Battle of Seattle'

26-06-2025 00:29 Lucas Martínez Quarta and Gonzalo Montiel sent off as River Plate lose 2-0 to Inter Milan in Seattle; Argentina's two representatives at FIFA tournament both fall at first hurdle.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Another frustrating low for Boca Juniors at Club World Cup

25-06-2025 15:53 Embarrassment and frustration at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States as Boca’s campaign ends early by being held by semi-professional side Auckland City.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Boca held by amateurs Auckland City, out of Club World Cup

24-06-2025 22:44 Xeneize eliminated from FIFA Clup World Cup after failing to beat amateur side Auckland City.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

River Plate frustrated by Monterrey in 0-0 stalemate

22-06-2025 09:26 Poor finishing and a strong goalkeeper by an ex-Boca goalkeeper denies River Plate in Pasadena; Scoreless draw sets up showdown against Inter next Wednesday.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

LatAm teams lay down the gauntlet to Europe at Club World Cup

21-06-2025 22:42 If anyone is going to stop a European side winning FIFA's new 32-team competition, it will be a club from South America.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Bayern overcome battling Boca to reach Club World Cup last 16

21-06-2025 00:20 Tenacious Boca Juniors side goes down 2-1 to Bayern Munch in Miami; Fantastic Miguel Merentiel breakaway strike put Xeneize back in game after Harry Kane's opener, but Michael Olise strikes winner

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Messi strikes as Inter Miami stun Porto at Club World Cup

19-06-2025 21:46 Trademark free kick from the Argentine superstar delivers Inter Miami a shock 2-1 win over Porto in Club World Cup.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

South American giants ignite Club World Cup

19-06-2025 14:28 On this side of the Atlantic Ocean at least, the Club World Cup has got off to a roaring start. So far, so good for Argentina's teams at FIFA’s flagship tournament.

by Dan Edwards

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

River Plate ease past Japan's Urawa to start Club World Cup tilt

17-06-2025 21:13 River overpower their Japanese opponents at Lumen Field under the Seattle sun, in an entertaining battle played out before a sparse crowd.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Boca, backed by boisterous support, denied by two compatriots as Benfica fight back

16-06-2025 20:53 Boca Juniors, backed by thousands of supporters in Miami, make impressive debut at FIFA Club World Cup; 10-men Benfica come from behind to claim 2-2 draw, thanks to goals from compatriots Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi.

Football

Flying Argentina’s flag on the international stage

13-06-2025 18:09 Back-to-back tests against Chile and Colombia give reigning world champions perfect chance to blood a few new faces; Boca and River head to the US to fly the national flag at the Club World Cup.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL TRANSFERS

Real Madrid sign River Plate starlet Franco Mastantuono

13-06-2025 13:10 Real Madrid and River Plate seal and sign the most expensive transaction in the history of Argentine football.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

CWC risks deepening inequality in Latin American football

11-06-2025 23:02 Imbalances are only likely to grow in Latin American football as a result of the FIFA Club World Cup.

CLUB WORLD CUP

Club World Cup fixtures – when do Boca and River play?

11-06-2025 22:11 A look at the clashes facing Boca Juniors and River Plate in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

FOOTBALL

FIFA's Club World Cup finally faces the ultimate test

11-06-2025 21:44 The new-look FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in the United States this weekend with 32 teams from around the globe taking part.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Coming home as a champion

06-06-2025 06:26 For the people of Saavedra and Vicente López – and one half of Rosario – it feels like football has returned after years of wandering in the wilderness.

by Dan Edwards

(UN)HEALTHY RIVALRY

Newell's suspends nine-year-old footballers over rival player pic

05-06-2025 00:30 Newell's spark outrage by suspending six nine-year-olds from training and stripping them of scholarships – after they posed for a photograph with Central star.

Football in Argentina

Russo named Boca coach ahead of Club World Cup

02-06-2025 19:20 Veteran manager begins third spell at Boca helm; Coach tasked with steadying ship ahead of upcoming Club World Cup in United States.

Football in Argentina

Platense defeat Huracán in Apetura decider to clinch first title

01-06-2025 21:28 Platense beat Huracán 1–0 in clinch 2025 Apertura, claiming the first top-flight title in their 120-year history. Guido Mainero scores decisive goal as underdogs cap remarkable knockout run with trophy.