Latest news with #KylianMbappe
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
PSG Club World Cup reunion with Messi recalls unhappier times
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi will come up against old club Paris Saint-Germain at the Club World Cup on Sunday (Paul ELLIS) Paris Saint-Germain have come to the Club World Cup as newly crowned champions of Europe, but a meeting with the Inter Miami of Lionel Messi in the last 16 this Sunday brings back memories of unhappier times for the French club. PSG's stunning 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in Munich at the end of last month which allowed them to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time completed an incredible season for the Qatar-backed side under the coaching of Luis Enrique. Advertisement It is no coincidence that PSG achieved their crowning glory in their first season after definitively shifting their focus away from signing superstar players to instead allow a brilliant coach to work with a hungry, dynamic young team. Kylian Mbappe's move a year ago to Real Madrid followed the departures in 2023 of Neymar, the world's most expensive signing when he joined in 2017, and Messi, in the same summer Luis Enrique was appointed. When PSG pounced in August 2021 to sign Messi after a cash-strapped Barcelona were unable to keep him, the French side logically thought the Argentinian could be the man to deliver elusive Champions League glory. Messi, who was 34 at the time, thought the same thing. Advertisement "My dream is to win another Champions League and I think I am in the ideal place to have that chance and to do it," he said at his unveiling. Alas, it did not work out that way, either in Messi's first season in Paris, under compatriot Mauricio Pochettino in 2021/22, or in the next campaign under Christophe Galtier. PSG had got to the Champions League final and then semi-finals in the two seasons prior to Messi's arrival, so he looked like the final piece in the jigsaw. Instead they went backwards with him in the side, going out of Europe's elite club competition in the last 16 two years running. Advertisement - All is not forgiven - Having to fit in Messi -- with his estimated annual salary of 30 million euros ($35.2 million) after tax -- as well as Neymar and Mbappe may have increased the star appeal, but it weakened them as a team. Towards the end the Barcelona legend was even being jeered by some sections of the PSG support who felt Messi's commitment to the cause was not what it should have been. Messi was a PSG player when he inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in late 2022, but there were only flashes of his genius at club level in France. His statistics stand up to any scrutiny, with 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 appearances, and he did win two Ligue 1 titles while helping increase PSG's value as a brand. Advertisement But one memorable quote by a columnist in French sports daily L'Equipe rather summed things up. "PSG have not been better than they were before because of he seemed to have as much desire to play in Ligue 1 as he did to go to the dentist," wrote Vincent Duluc. Fast forward two years and Messi is enjoying the twilight of his career in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, the team he has helped to qualify for the knockout stage of this Club World Cup. Fate has therefore thrown up a last-16 showdown with PSG on Sunday in Atlanta, at the same stadium where he scored a marvellous free-kick to secure a 2-1 win over Porto last week. Advertisement "All is not forgiven", said the front page of L'Equipe in France on Friday as it described the feelings of "failure and bitterness" left behind from the Argentine's spell there. Miami coach Javier Mascherano, meanwhile, believes the unhappy memory of his time in Paris could spur Messi on. "It's clear that for us it's better if he plays angry, because he's one of those players who, when he has something on his mind, gives an extra effort," Mascherano told ESPN. With Luis Enrique and PSG boasting big ambitions of adding a world title to their European crown, there would be even more bitterness felt if Messi -- days after his 38th birthday -- managed to knock them out on Sunday. as/bb
The Sun
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Will Enzo Fernandez be punished for racism row? Latest update on Chelsea star's inflammatory song about Kylian Mbappe
ENZO FERNANDEZ takes on his old club Benfica tonight at the heart of the Chelsea revolution under boss Enzo Maresca. The Portuguese giants made a staggering £96million PROFIT when they sold the Argentinian midfielder to the Blues in 2023 — just six months after buying him for £10m. 2 2 Even so, the fixture reopens old wounds over his departure — and a most unsavoury incident which took place a year ago next month. Benfica were angry at the way they claimed Chelsea unsettled their player and then ducked and dived during negotiations. But that's business. What is not 'business' is the cloud of racism hanging over the Blues' vice-captain that is not yet fully cleared. Fans back in England have seen plenty of great football from Fernandez this past 12 months. But nothing has been heard from the authorities charged with investigating the moment of madness that has followed the player around since he went viral for all the wrong reasons. Fernandez, 24, was filmed heartily joining in with dreadful songs alongside his Argentina team-mates questioning the heritage of black French players. The midfielder had just won Copa America for his country, only to let himself down massively when he should have been in a celebratory mood. With a large contingent of black French players in Chelsea's squad — Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi — the reaction was understandably incendiary. The Instagram post also carried a transphobic jibe at French superstar Kylian Mbappe and a reported relationship with transgender model Ines Rau. Fernandez apologised profusely. Fofana and those affected by the bombshell video say they have accepted it and have moved on. Club World Cup 2025 Guide SOME of the world's biggest clubs are in action at this summer's Club World Cup in the United States! Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Man City, and Inter Miami are among the 32 teams taking part in the tournament, which runs from June 14 to July 13. The likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane are showcasing their skills to packed crowds across the US. Watch EVERY match of the Club World Cup 2025 on DAZN INFO Everything you need to know about the Club World Cup LATEST NEWS & FEATURES There certainly does not appear to be any disharmony over it within the Chelsea camp. For that, those players in the dressing room who were so hurt by the rash actions of a team-mate deserve unreserved respect and admiration. News of a 'probe' being launched was posted on social media not long after Argentina had beaten Colombia 1-0 in the final yet there is still no conclusion. Fifa says it is the responsibility of South America's governing body Conmebol and SunSport has contacted them for an update — but is yet to receive a reply. Fernandez made a donation to an anti-discrimination charity as well as saying sorry to his team-mates, say Chelsea. And the club also claimed they would use the episode as an opportunity to 're-educate' their player. At the last time of asking there was no clear detail available of what that actually entails. The club wants to keep it in-house. And, in a remarkable show of defiance, new head coach Maresca backed his man by making him captain for the opening Premier League game of last season against Manchester City. Fernandez appears to have put the whole thing behind him and is now a key figure in a team that is back in the Champions League. But the silence around the investigation into a moment of madness that went worldwide within hours — and damaged the reputation of a fine player and an upstanding football club — is deafening.
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Will Enzo Fernandez be punished for racism row? Latest update on Chelsea star's inflammatory song about Kylian Mbappe
ENZO FERNANDEZ takes on his old club Benfica tonight at the heart of the Chelsea revolution under boss Enzo Maresca. The Portuguese giants made a staggering £96million PROFIT when they sold the Argentinian midfielder to the Blues in 2023 — just six months after buying him for £10m. 2 Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez will take on former side Benfica at the Club World Cup Credit: Getty 2 It comes nearly a year on from his racism storm with Argentina Even so, the fixture reopens old wounds over his departure — and a most unsavoury incident which took place a year ago next month. Benfica were angry at the way they claimed What is not 'business' is the cloud of racism hanging over the Blues' vice-captain that is not yet fully cleared. Fans back in England have seen plenty of great football from Fernandez this past 12 months. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL But Fernandez, 24, was filmed heartily joining in with dreadful songs alongside his Argentina team-mates The midfielder had just won Copa America for his country, only to let himself down massively when he should have been in a celebratory mood. Most read in Football With a large contingent of black French players in Chelsea's squad — Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi — the reaction was understandably incendiary. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS The Instagram post also carried a transphobic jibe at French superstar Kylian Mbappe and a reported relationship with transgender model Ines Rau. Chelsea vs Tottenham fan battle - 'Kane's better than Drogba at EVERYTHING' | Stoppage Time Club World Cup 2025 Guide SOME of the world's biggest clubs are in action at this summer's Club World Cup in the United States! Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Man City, and Inter Miami are among the 32 teams taking part in the tournament, which runs from June 14 to July 13. The likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane are showcasing their skills to packed crowds across the US. INFO Everything you need to know about the Club World Cup LATEST NEWS & FEATURES Club World Cup top scorers There certainly does not appear to be any disharmony over it within the Chelsea camp. For that, those players in the dressing room who were so hurt by the rash actions of a team-mate deserve unreserved respect and admiration. News of a 'probe' being launched was posted on social media not long after Argentina had beaten Colombia 1-0 in the final yet there is still no conclusion. Fifa says it is the responsibility of South America's governing body Conmebol and SunSport has contacted them for an update — but is yet to receive a reply. Fernandez made a donation to an anti-discrimination charity as well as saying sorry to his team-mates, say Chelsea. And the club also claimed they would use the episode as an opportunity to 're-educate' their player. At the last time of asking there was no clear detail available of what that actually entails. The club wants to keep it in-house. And, in a remarkable show of defiance, new head coach Maresca backed his man by making him captain for the opening Premier League game of last season against Manchester City. Fernandez appears to have put the whole thing behind him and is now a key figure in a team that is back in the Champions League. But the silence around the investigation into a moment of madness that went worldwide within hours — and damaged the reputation of a fine player and an upstanding football club — is deafening.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WATCH: Real Madrid lead in Club World Cup opener as Gonzalo Garcia scores
Xabi Alonso is hoping to mark his Real Madrid debut with a victory, and so far, he is on course to do so as his side lead against Al Hilal in their opening match of the 2025 Club World Cup. Real Madrid have been poor in the opening exchanges in Miami, and they were fortunate to remain level after Al Hilal scored through former Atletico Madrid defender Renan Lodi – but he was offside in the build-up. And it matters little now as Los Blancos are leading, with the goal coming courtesy of Gonzalo Garcia, who started ahead of the absent Kylian Mbappe. It is an excellent counter-attacking goal from Real Madrid, which ended with Rodrygo Goes slipping in Gonzalo to score his second first team goal. It has not been easy for Real Madrid, but as things stand, they are on course to start their Club World Cup campaign with a victory. However, there is plenty of action still to be played.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Madrid coach Alonso hoping Mbappé is 'back soon' at Club World Cup after illness
France's Kylian Mbappe warms-up prior to the Nations League semifinal soccer match between Spain and France at the MHPArena, in Stuttgart, Germany, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso still can't say whether Kylian Mbappé will be available to play in the next round of the Club World Cup after missing all three group games. Mbappé was hospitalized last week with acute gastroenteritis and has not played a minute of the tournament so far. Advertisement Despite being back in training, he was not even named as a substitute for Thursday's 3-0 win against RB Salzburg. "I don't want to be optimistic and get ahead of myself, but we need him because he's a top player, one of the best in the world. We hope he's back soon,' Alonso said when asked about Mbappé's availability for the round of 16 game against Juventus on Tuesday. Mbappé is one of the biggest stars at the expanded Club World Cup being staged in the United States and his absence has been a blow to a tournament FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to become one of the biggest events in the sport. Infantino managed to get Lionel Messi into the tournament when Inter Miami was granted entry despite not winning the MLS Cup and encouraged teams to try to sign Cristiano Ronaldo during a specially created transfer window before the first game kicked off this month. Advertisement Mbappé, along with Messi and Erling Haaland, is one of the top attractions, but his headlines have been limited to off-field issues. As well as his illness, he also made the news this week when it emerged he had filed a moral harassment case against former club Paris Saint-Germain. He unhappy with the way he was treated by this year's Champions League winner when he was sidelined after his decision not to extend his contract with the club in 2023. Mbappé is also at odds with PSG, arguing he is owed 55 million euros ($61 million) in unpaid wages. None of this is helping Madrid's bid to become the first team to lift the new Club World Cup and the golden trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co. Advertisement The 26-year-old Mbappe was Madrid's top scorer last season, with 43 goals in 56 appearances. He had been following specific medical treatment to recover from gastroenteritis, Madrid said, but has missed two games since being discharged from hospital. 'We need him and we want him back as soon as possible and in the best possible condition," Alonso said. ___ James Robson is at ___ AP soccer:
