Argentina veteran Javier Mascherano confirmed he would retire from internationals after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
A Lionel Messi hat-trick led Jorge Sampaoli s men to a 3-1 win over Ecuador on Tuesday, securing a place at the showpiece event.
Mascherano, who has won 139 caps – just four shy of the nation s all-time record held by Javier Zanetti, said Russia 2018 would mark the end of his international career.
My cycle in the national team finishes in Russia, the 33-year-old Barcelona man told TyC Sports on Thursday.
I have been clear that it will be my final point.
Mascherano has been used in midfield and defence for Argentina, who struggled in qualifying and were in danger of missing the World Cup before Messi s heroics.
The form…
Robert Lewandowski has been ruled out of Poland s opening match of Euro 2024 against the Netherlands with a hamstring injury.
The skipper limped off in the 32nd minute of the Poles final warm-up game against Turkiye on Monday, and was later seen receiving treatment on his right thigh.
Head coach Michal Probierz had hoped Lewandowski s injury was nothing too serious, but the Polish FA confirmed the Barcelona striker is not fit to face the Dutch in Hamburg on Sunday.
Karol Swiderski and Pawel Dawidowicz were also injured for the Eagles, who have already seen Arkadiusz Milik ruled out of the tournament with a knee problem, but both should be fit for their first Group D encounter.
DRUŻYNA!
Już dziś ruszamy do Niemiec!
— Łączy nas piłka…
Harry Maguire accepts there will be big changes at Manchester United at the end of the season, but he says everyone at the club must remain together amid fierce criticism of their displays.
United have endured a miserable second season under Erik ten Hag, sitting seventh in the Premier League table and 16 points adrift of the top four ahead of Wednesday s visit of Sheffield United.
They could yet end the campaign with silverware after reaching the FA Cup final with Sunday s penalty shoot-out victory over Coventry City, but they have been heavily criticised after narrowly avoiding a humiliating loss in that semi-final.
Ten Hag s men squandered a 3-0 lead and were fortunate to avoid a 4-3 defeat in the dying moments of extra time, when Victor Torp s potential winne…
Simone Inzaghi has committed his future to Inter by signing a new contract extension to run through to the end of the 2025-26 season.
Inzaghi led Inter to a dominant Serie A title win last term, the Nerazzurri finishing 19 points clear of rivals Milan as they clinched the Scudetto for the first time since 2020-21.
One season earlier, Inzaghi masterminded Inter s run to a first Champions League final since they won the trophy in 2010, only for Manchester City to beat them 1-0 in Istanbul.
Inzaghi has been tentatively linked with Premier League jobs throughout his three-year spell at San Siro, but he has now signed on for another two years with the Italian giants.
Inzaghi s previous deal had been due to expire at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Int…
Portugal full-back Raphael Guerreiro hit back at the team s critics after another solid defensive display helped them win Euro 2016.
Eder struck in the second half of extra time in Paris to secure a 1-0 victory over hosts France Portugal s first major trophy.
Fernando Santos counter-attacking tactics have not always been warmly received by onlookers, with Portugal only winning one of their seven games inside 90 minutes, over Wales in the semi-finals.
But Parisian-born Guerreiro, who left Ligue 1 side Lorient for Borussia Dortmund ahead of the tournament, says their methods cannot be questioned now they have lifted the trophy.
It s not really sunk in yet, Guerreiro told RTP. I play for Lorient usually, and winning this title at the end of the season sound…
Carlo Ancelotti s player management can turn Real Madrid s Endrick into a great player , according to Brazil s World Cup winners Dida and Cafu.
Endrick arrived in the Spanish capital from Palmeiras in July in a deal reportedly worth €60million, signing a six-year deal with the 15-time Champions League winners.
The 17-year-old has scored two goals in nine appearances across all competitions this season, though he has only featured for 107 minutes across those games.
But Ancelotti has shown his faith in young players during his tenure with Los Blancos, with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo all developing under his stewardship.
Cafu, who made 119 appearances for Milan under Ancelotti, believes Endrick has the right man to guide …
Japan beat Uzbekistan 1-0 here Saturday to become the first country to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
Shinji Okazaki s ninth-minute goal put Japan on 14 points on top of Asian qualifying zone Group A to assure them of a top two finish and direct qualification to South Africa.
This will be Japan s fourth appearance at the World Cup.
Australia can become the second team to qualify if they win or draw against Qatar in Doha later Saturday.
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Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz has announced he will retire at the end of the 2019-20 season.
The 38-year-old forward has enjoyed a distinguished 20-year career, becoming a Spain international and Athletic favourite across three spells for the club.
Aduriz s star at Athletic has enjoyed a particularly impressive rise since returning to the club in 2012, but he will be 39 by the time the new season concludes and feels it will be time to focus on other facets of life.
Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Aduriz told reporters: I wanted to communicate that this year is going to be my last year as a professional.
I will leave football when I finish this season. It makes me especially excited to be able to leave it at Athletic.
Aritz Aduri…
Portland Timbers coach Phil Neville is “looking forward to bouncing back” after a defeat to Austin FC, as a win or a draw against FC Dallas will be enough to secure a place in the MLS playoffs.
Portland fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Austin, who they are vying with for the final play-off spot in the Western Conference.
While The Timbers will have a second chance to secure their spot against the Seattle Sounders should they fail to gain points against Dallas, Neville will hope to enter the final day with it already wrapped up.
Portland currently sit six points ahead of Austin, meaning a draw against Dallas will be enough.
“We’re looking forward to bouncing back,” Neville told the press. “We’ve qualified for the playoffs barring a miracle.
Vancouver Whitecaps latest arrival, Stuart Armstrong, is relishing the challenge of the MLS as he aims to aid his new side’s push for the playoffs, starting with FC Dallas this weekend.
Armstrong, who arrived at BC Place as a free agent following his release from Southampton last season, provides a wealth of international and domestic experience for Vanni Sartini’s team.
The Whitecaps returned to league action last week with a win over Austin FC, leaving them fifth in the Western Conference table, four points behind Colorado Rapids with two games in hand.
And Armstrong, who will reunite with former Dundee United team-mate Ryan Gauld at the club, provided insight into what fans can expect from him for the remainder of the campaign.
Hopefully, I can br…