Barcelona star responds to further questions on future – ‘If it's up to me…'
A number of names have been floated as possible exits in recent weeks, most recently the likes of Fermin Lopez and Marc Casado, who have both been linked with Chelsea. Meanwhile Ronald Araujo, who has a release clause for the first 15 days of July somewhere in the region of €60-70m, has been another name that is frequently mentioned as the potential big sale that could ease Barcelona's financial conundrum.
Ronald Araujo responds to exit talk
It has been reported that some elements of the hierarchy at Barcelona would be open to the exit of Araujo this summer for a good fee, something that would generate space in the salary limit without impacting their starting XI.
Image via RTVE
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Araujo signed a contract renewal until 2031 in January though, albeit with a release clause in it. That was seen as an exit route, but it appears the player is keen to stay. Speaking to MD outside of Barcelona's training facilities, Araujo was asked about his future, and say that 'If it's up to me, yes [I will stay at Barcelona].'
Juventus drop interest in Araujo
One of the potential destinations for the Uruguay international was Juventus, with who he negotiated at the beginning of the year. However the Bianconeri have now ended their interest in Araujo, with the exit of Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli. Araujo was one of a number of Barcelona players that have returned early from holidays to start training ahead of the new season, including Joan Garcia, Hector Fort and Marc Bernal. Preseason officially begins on Sunday the 13th of July.
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Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
England hero Kelly overcomes 'dark moments' on way to Euro 2025 glory
England penalty hero Chloe Kelly said Sunday she had been unable to hold back the tears after finishing a roller-coaster year in her career by scoring the spot-kick that allowed the Lionesses to beat Spain in the Women's Euro 2025 final. The 27-year-old's penalty sealed a 3-1 shoot-out victory for England against Spain after the match in Basel had finished 1-1 at the end of extra time. She had earlier come off the bench late in the first half in place of the injured Lauren James with England trailing 1-0, and crossed for Alessia Russo to head in her team's equaliser. "I just came on the pitch and wanted to make something happen," said Kelly, who has made a habit of being a super-sub during the tournament. The Arsenal player came on as a substitute against Sweden and helped England recover from 2-0 down in a quarter-final they eventually won on penalties -- Kelly scored in that shoot-out too. Then she scored the winner late in extra time in the semi-final against Italy, following in to net after her penalty had been saved. "I know Alessia's strengths and I just tried to put the ball on her head, and then taking the penalty," Kelly said. "I actually missed three penalties in training yesterday but I think it's the belief in this squad, all 23 players and the people that you don't see behind the scenes, the staff members, to get us through this tournament. "I am proud to be part of an amazing group of girls." It is a familiar feeling for Kelly, who scored the extra-time winner when England beat Germany 2-1 in the Euro 2022 final in front of over 87,000 fans at Wembley. In between she was unable to change the game from the bench in the 2023 World Cup final, which England lost 1-0 to Spain in Sydney. - 'Tough times don't last' - Just a few months ago it seemed Kelly might not even make Sarina Wiegman's squad for the tournament in Switzerland, given her situation at club level. In January she asked to leave Manchester City, where she had been used sparingly in the first months of the season. Kelly wrote on social media that people at City had been trying to "assassinate my character" and said her mental wellbeing had been affected. She then joined Arsenal on loan until the end of the campaign, and went on to play for them as they beat Barcelona in the Champions League final in May. "There were a lot of tears at full-time especially when I saw my family because those are the people who got me through those dark moments," Kelly said on Sunday. "I am so grateful to be out of it but if that is a story to tell someone who maybe experiences something the same, then tough times don't last," she added. "Just around the corner was a Champions League final -- I won that, and now a Euros final I have won that, so thank you to everyone who wrote me off. I am grateful." Kelly recently signed permanently for Arsenal, where she also played earlier in her career, and will return to North London as a European champion at club and international level. "Every player has their own story, and I think every story is incredible on its own, but her story is unbelievable," said England coach Sarina Wiegman. "I am so happy for her too. She has been fighting to come back to her highest level. "She loved this moment, she just really wanted to take the penalty -- to be able to score that penalty under that pressure is very impressive too." as/gj
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
England's epic Euro 2025 final penalty shootout: Notes under sleeves, a retaken kick and ice-cold Kelly
You could argue that there was no other way England could have concluded their historic, victorious European championship run than in the most dramatic of styles. They have become accustomed to coming back from behind in a game; today's final against reigning world champions Spain was their third comeback win in this campaign, all of which were during the knockout stage. The team spent less than five minutes in a leading position across all three knockout stage games, including stoppage time. Once again, they came back after conceding the opening goal to equalize and managed 120 minutes of play to make it to the penalty shootout. And England's successful penalty shootout seemed an accurate depiction of the Lionesses' run to the top, a combination of bad luck, intense preparation and disciplined nerves of steel in big moments. The Athletic breaks down the events exactly as they unfolded. As both teams retreated to their huddles to prepare, England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was seen rolling up one of her long green sleeves to reveal what appeared to be a strip of tape scribbled with notes circling her forearm. Written reminders of which way a player might shoot are nothing new in these moments, but goalkeepers tend to fix them to their water bottles, as Swedish keeper Jennifer Falk did against the Lionesses in their quarterfinal penalties. It felt like a promising start for the Lionesses. However, Beth Mead slipped during her penalty attempt, and although it went in on the first try, she had to retake it. It was a heart-sinking moment for the forward, followed by a wave of relief. That relief was short-lived, though, after the ref motioned for Mead to return to the penalty line. Video Assistant Referee ruled out Mead's first attempt because the slip forced an irregular touch. Her second attempt was saved by Spain's Cata Coll, who dove to the right both times. What proved to be the losing side of a mind game for England could have been a boost of confidence for Spain. Or, just maybe, the early disappointment was what the Lionesses needed in this penalty shootout. After all, we can't forget their Euros campaign started with a 2-1 loss to France in Group D. England teammate Grace Clinton was there to walk Mead back to the line with words of encouragement while Spain stepped up to the spot next. In terms of her standing among the titans of Spain's midfield, this was a big moment for Patri Guijarro, who some believe should be next in line for a Ballon d'Or. Knowing England were down a goal adds a surprising degree of pressure to the first penalty taker on the other side. However, Guijarro handled the moment with ease, timing her strike just after Hannah Hampton showed the faintest motion to her left. Guijarro's driven ball went down the middle, but by then Hampton was already out of reach. Before entering the penalty box and situating the ball on the spot, Greenwood bounced it with her hands three times. England head coach Sarina Wiegman has oscillated the defender between center and left back throughout the tournament. Greenwood held her own against the onslaught of offense from the Spanish front line from the latter position throughout regulation and extra time on Sunday. Greenwood is known as a set-piece specialist on the team, though her last penalty in England's quarterfinal match against Sweden was saved by Jennifer Falk. This time, against Coll, Greenwood was more decisive, her left-footed shot low and well-placed beyond the Spanish goalkeeper's outstretched hands despite her correct guess as to where Greenwood was going. It would have been poetic if Mariona Caldentey had converted her spot kick. She scored the opening goal of the night, heading in a cross from Ona Batlle in the 25th minute. A goal in this moment would have been redemption for her missed penalty against Switzerland in Spain's quarterfinal. Maybe a goal in this moment could have carried Spain to another major international title as well. But Caldentey's slow walk to the penalty line proved deadly – either this limited the power behind her attempt or it gave Hampton all she needed to predict where the ball would go. In the end, Hampton's quick hop to the right was all she needed to hammer another nail in the World Cup winner's coffin. England defender Niamh Charles entered the match in the 105th minute to replace Lucy Bronze, who, after an agonizing handful of minutes desperately pushing through injury, had to be subbed off. The Chelsea fullback settled into the game quickly, picking up where Bronze left off with sturdy defending, and was a portrait of calm before her penalty: hands on her hips, eyes fixed on the ball to deny Coll any chance of visual intimidation or other mind games. What a shock it must have been to Coll, then, when center official Stéphanie Frappart blew the whistle and Charles sped toward the ball, running through it to give it plenty of pace. She struck it with her instep, but with such force that it whipped away from Coll and curled to Charles' left. Hers was easily the best shot in the series up to that point and wound up being the best of the whole affair. As she jogged back to her teammates, Charles could not help but try to hide a grin. There wasn't a bigger moment in this penalty shootout than the next Hampton save. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati carried Spain into this final with her late-game heroics against Germany, finding the dangerous space between goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger and her post at what seemed a near-impossible angle. Bonmati's brilliance was still there, though. Her penalty attempt was strong, and precise. But Hampton's brilliance in this moment shone brighter. The Chelsea keeper dove to her right at the exact moment she needed to, blocking Bonmati's crisp attempt. This will be a moment in the 24-year-old goalkeeper's career that will distinguish her as one of the best keepers of her time, despite her having almost no depth perception. Captains are expected to come up big in moments like this, but Leah Williamson's tentative steps toward the spot exposed her. She cast her gaze just left of goal as she waited for the whistle, and while she deserves credit for what appeared to be an attempt to switch up the pattern of shots up to that point — none had exceeded waist-level height, and Williamson opted for something higher — it didn't quite reach top bins and was ultimately saveable. Coll dove correctly to her left and pawed the ball away with relative ease with her right hand. Salma Paralluelo had big shoes to fill when she subbed on for eventual Euro 2025 Golden Boot winner Esther González in the 89th minute. The Barcelona striker's profile is vastly different from that of González. From the moment Paralluelo entered the pitch, she shone, combining with fellow substitute Vicky Lopez to create fresh, inventive chances for Spain. However, her penalty shot did not have the same effect. She looked focused in the lead-up, eyebrows furrowed on the ball, but her decision to approach it with her shoulders nearly parallel to the end line may have tricked her into overcompensating with her hips. Hampton guessed correctly, but a more precise shot into the side netting could have still beaten her to it. Paralluelo's miscalculation, however, dragged hers wide. It had to be ice-cold Chloe Kelly. She delivered England's second goal in their semifinal win against Italy, following through after her missed penalty, scoring in the 119th minute. She was England's hero then, and she was England's hero again against Spain. Kelly was summoned onto the pitch by Wiegman earlier than anticipated, coming on for an injured Lauren James in the 40th minute. It took only 17 minutes for Kelly to deliver for England, this time in the form of a cross to Alessia Russo, who scored England's equalizer. It was fitting, then, that the 27-year-old Arsenal forward walked up to the penalty line, with the trophy also on the line. She tokk a deep breath, lifting her left knee towards her chest. Then, proceeded with her signature hop, before drilling a 100 km/h ball past Coll. This was the fastest goal of the entire tournament, according to the connected ball technology in Adidas' Konektis match ball. It was also the second consecutive Euros where Kelly scored England's tournament-winning goal. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. England, Spain, International Football, Women's Soccer, Women's Euros 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
10 minutes ago
- New York Times
How England nullified Spain: The Wiegman tactics that shut down the world champions
Spain composed themselves, waited for the right moment, and then calmly passed between England's lines. But this isn't an analysis of the tactical battle. It was the scene at 9pm at St Jakob Park when England formed a guard of honour, clapping Spain through to receive their runners-up medals. Somehow, England had done it again. 'We were better,' said Spain manager Montse Tome after the game. 'But football is a sport where not always the best team wins.' Advertisement England have arguably not been the superior side in any of their three knockout games at Euro 2025. They were largely outplayed by Sweden in the quarter-finals before winning on penalties. They were sluggish against Italy in the semi-finals and only squeezed through thanks to an equaliser deep in stoppage time, and a winner at the end of extra time. They competed better in the final against Spain, but they still went behind, and there was a period when Spain seemed set to kill the game. But England, of course, have the never-say-die spirit. They played three matches of 120 minutes each, led for less than five minutes of those matches, and yet are travelling home with the trophy. 'The most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played,' said Sarina Wiegman. 'Every time we came back from behind.' GO DEEPER Inside the Lionesses' Euro 2025 win: Wiegman's 'new England' mantra, 'hard' talks and... penalties Wiegman has now won three European Championships on the bounce, an incredible achievement. At times, her starting tactics have been questioned, and she has relied heavily on her bench throughout this tournament, with Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang particularly decisive. But on Sunday, her starting approach deserves credit. For once, Wiegman surprised us. And maybe she surprised Spain, too. Her decision to recall Jess Carter was a hugely brave call. At full-back, Carter had been bypassed easily in England's opening game against France and was moved into central defence. In that role, she had been the target of Sweden's pressing and was overrun. She was dropped for the game against Italy, and her replacement, Esme Morgan, played well. But Carter was in the side. 'I was super scared to play today, for the first time in my life,' she said. 'Then when I woke up this morning and saw my team and the support that I had from my team-mates, my family and my manager, I knew I had to come out today and give it my all.' Advertisement Why did Carter return? 'We can make tactical decisions,' said Wiegman, calmly. 'I said before the tournament that I'm really happy with my squad, that we have players in the same position who can bring different things. Italy and Spain were different games. We felt we needed Jess in the starting line-up for the fight and the duels.' Carter was excellent, and possibly England's best performer on the night. She returned to being the Carter we know, England's most reliable defender in individual battles, a good reader of the game, a no-nonsense player who does her job unfussily. She coped with the power of Esther Gonzalez. She then coped with the speed of Salma Paralluelo. Her final action of the 120 minutes was reading the game, covering behind centre-back partner Leah Williamson and sweeping up to tackle Aitana Bonmati, sending the ball against her and out for an England goal kick. The second call was switching her wingers. Lauren Hemp had only played on the left in this tournament, but she was switched to the right flank and lasted 120 minutes without tiring. Lauren James was moved to the left and was an early threat before going off injured. Her replacement, Kelly, decisive as a substitute against Sweden with her crosses from the left, provided a pinpoint delivery for Alessia Russo's towering header. 'We wanted to switch the play and come in behind a little bit on the inside,' said Wiegman of her inverted wingers. 'So with Lauren James and Chloe Kelly from the left with the right foot, and Lauren Hemp on the right with the left foot.' The third big decision was altering the position of Lucy Bronze, asking her to move inside into midfield — a role she has previously suggested she dislikes. This opened up the passing lane into Hemp. It gave England an extra option in the engine room. 'We know with Spain they're very aggressive when they have to defend,' said Wiegman. 'So we wanted to get out of that first press. We wanted to create a midfield overload and create space a bit down the wing to bring Lauren Hemp a little lower at moments.' 'I think they changed,' Tome said of England's tactics on the night. 'In the first half, they had an additional player in the middle, and I think we managed that.' Advertisement And that was fair. None of these things ever gave England full control or unlocked the Spain defence, but it did help to nullify the world champions — the best possession side in the competition by miles. It did help England to compete. And 1-1, as a final score, was all fair enough, really. Call it a draw? Not in tournaments, of course, and on penalties, you consistently back this England side. This is four shootout wins in a row: Brazil in the Finalissima, Nigeria in the World Cup, Sweden in the quarter-final in Zurich, and Spain in the final in Basel. England's penalty record was not even any good in this tournament — only six of their 12 were scored — but they still won both shootouts. And doesn't that just sum it all up?
