Football

Spain concluded their triumphant 2023 campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Switzerland in a Nations League dead rubber on Monday. Despite already securing top spot in Group A4, the reigning European champions displayed their resilience and determination in Tenerife.Coach Luis de la Fuente fielded an entirely new starting lineup, giving Athletic Bilbao's Aitor Paredes his international debut. Yeremi Pino, a Canary Islander, broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, capitalizing on Pedri's saved penalty.Switzerland equalized through Joel Monteiro, but Bryan Gil quickly restored Spain's lead. Andi Zeqiri leveled the score once more from the spot, but Bryan Zaragoza emerged as the hero in the dying minutes. The Bayern Munich winger earned and converted a penalty, securing a hard-fought victory for Spain.Zaragoza's late heroics capped off a remarkable year for Spain, who won the Euro 2024 title and finished the Nations League group stage unbeaten. The match also marked a special occasion for the Canary Islands, as it was the first Spain match on the island in 28 years.

Cristiano Ronaldo's unwavering commitment to the Portugal national team remains steadfast despite his underwhelming performance at Euro 2024. The 39-year-old legend has been included in the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Croatia and Scotland, signaling the continued faith of coach Roberto Martinez.Ronaldo's inclusion comes after a disappointing Euro campaign where he failed to find the back of the net. However, his recent form for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where he has scored four goals in four games, has bolstered his case for a starting role.With Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos sidelined by an ankle injury, Ronaldo is expected to lead the Portugal attack. The veteran forward has expressed his determination to continue representing his country, stating, "When I quit the national team, I won't tell anyone in advance... At the moment what I want is to be able to help the Selecao."Martinez is also looking to the future with the inclusion of 17-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger Geovany Quenda. The young talent joins Chelsea left-back Renato Veiga and Lille defender Tiago Santos as new faces in the squad.The squad also features experienced players such as Ruben Dias, Joao Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva. Martinez will be hoping that the blend of youth and experience can guide Portugal to success in the upcoming Nations League matches.

Manuel Neuer, the legendary German goalkeeper who lifted the 2014 World Cup trophy, has bid farewell to international football at the age of 38. With 124 caps and 61 appearances as captain, Neuer leaves an indelible mark on the German national team.His final international outing came in the heartbreaking quarter-final defeat to Spain at Euro 2024. Despite the disappointment, Neuer's legacy remains untarnished. He was the undisputed star of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, earning the Golden Glove award as Germany triumphed for the fourth time.Neuer's decision to retire was not made lightly. After consulting with his family and holding extensive discussions with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, he concluded that the time was right to step away from international duty."I was tempted to play until the 2026 World Cup, but I am convinced that now is the right time to take this step," Neuer wrote on social media. "I want to concentrate fully on playing for Bayern Munich."Neuer's Bayern career has been equally illustrious. He has won two Champions League titles and 11 Bundesliga crowns with the Bavarian giants. This season's Champions League final will be played at Munich's Allianz Arena, providing Neuer with a fitting stage to showcase his brilliance.Despite a serious leg injury sustained in a skiing accident in December 2022, Neuer returned to the Germany squad in time for Euro 2024. He reclaimed his starting spot and played a pivotal role in the team's run to the quarter-finals."It was a great time which shaped me and of which I am very proud," Neuer said. "Winning the World Cup title in 2014 and the special atmosphere during the European Championship at home this year are highlights for which I am extremely grateful."Neuer's retirement follows in the footsteps of fellow 2014 World Cup winners Thomas Mueller and Toni Kroos, who both announced their international retirements after Euro 2024. Current Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan has also stepped down from international duty.Neuer's departure leaves a void in the German goalkeeping ranks. Marc Andre ter Stegen of Barcelona is expected to take over as the number one goalkeeper, having served as Neuer's long-time backup.

Germany's Gundogan Retires from International Football After Euro 2024German captain Ilkay Gundogan has announced his retirement from international football after leading his country at Euro 2024. The 33-year-old midfielder made the decision after careful consideration and a successful tournament where Germany reached the quarter-finals."After a few weeks of reflection, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to end my national team career," Gundogan said in a statement released by the German Football Association (DFB). "I look back with great pride on 82 international matches for my home country - a number that I could never have dreamed of when I made my debut for the senior national team in 2011."Gundogan, who turns 34 in October, was a key figure in Germany's Euro 2024 campaign. He captained the team and played a pivotal role in their run to the quarter-finals, where they narrowly lost to eventual champions Spain after extra time."My highlight was clearly the huge honor of being able to lead the team as captain at our home European Championship last summer," said Gundogan, who currently plays for Barcelona.Gundogan made his international debut for Germany against Belgium in October 2011. He was part of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup, but missed the tournament due to a back injury. He was also ruled out of Euro 2016 due to a dislocated kneecap.Despite these setbacks, Gundogan has established himself as one of Germany's most respected and successful players. He has won the Premier League title with Manchester City and the Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund.Gundogan's retirement marks the end of an era for Germany. He was one of the last remaining players from the team that won the World Cup in 2014. His experience and leadership will be missed by the national team.

Despite a disappointing UEFA Euro 2024 campaign, Cristiano Ronaldo remains determined to extend his illustrious career beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese icon, now playing for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, has faced criticism for his recent performances, but his former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand believes he has at least three more years left at the top level.Ferdinand, speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Reacts, said, "I can't give too much away, but I've been doing a few bits with Cristiano behind the scenes, and he's playing as long as he wants. He ain't going nowhere. And I was gobsmacked. And listen, you'll see it in time, but minimum three years I think he plays for again."Ronaldo's future has been the subject of intense speculation since Portugal's elimination from Euro 2024. Head coach Roberto Martinez declined to comment on the matter immediately after the quarterfinal defeat to France, but media reports suggest that Ronaldo is not considering retirement anytime soon.The 38-year-old has enjoyed an unparalleled career, representing Portugal in six Euros and four World Cups. He holds the all-time record for most international goals (130) and is his country's most-capped player. Ronaldo has also played a pivotal role in Portugal's major tournament successes, winning the 2016 Euros and reaching the final in 2004.At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo became the first and only male player to score in five consecutive editions of the tournament. He also made his Euros debut in 2004 and holds the record for most tournament appearances.Despite his recent struggles, Ronaldo remains a global icon and one of the most recognizable figures in sports. His determination to continue playing at the highest level is a testament to his unwavering passion and belief in his abilities.

Dani Olmo, the highly-rated Spanish attacking midfielder, has made a triumphant return to Barcelona, signing a six-year contract with the LaLiga giants. The move marks a homecoming for Olmo, who spent seven years in Barca's youth academy before departing for Dinamo Zagreb at the age of 16.Olmo's transfer from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig is reported to have cost Barcelona around 55 million euros ($60 million), with a hefty buy-out clause of 500 million euros. The versatile midfielder played a pivotal role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, finishing as one of the tournament's top scorers with three goals. He was also named in UEFA's team of the tournament, alongside five other Spanish players.Olmo's departure from Leipzig comes after more than four years with the German club. He made 148 appearances for the team in all competitions, scoring 29 goals and winning two German Cups. In a heartfelt farewell message on social media, Olmo expressed his gratitude to Leipzig, stating that the club would forever hold a special place in his heart.Barcelona's acquisition of Olmo is a significant boost to their squad as they prepare for the upcoming domestic season. The 26-year-old brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the team, having played in various attacking positions throughout his career. His return to the club where he began his football journey is a testament to his talent and the high regard in which he is held by Barcelona.

UEFA has charged Spain captain Alvaro Morata and midfielder Rodri with violating its "basic rules of decent conduct" after they sang about a sovereignty claim on Gibraltar at the team's European Championship title celebration. The charges also include "bringing the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute."Morata and Rodri led thousands of fans in singing "Gibraltar is Spanish" at a celebration in Madrid last week after Spain's 2-1 win over England in the Euro 2024 final. Gibraltar, located on the southern tip of Spain, has been a British overseas territory for more than 300 years.The Gibraltar soccer federation filed a formal complaint to UEFA, which has now opened disciplinary proceedings against Morata and Rodri. The federation welcomed the move, saying it was "an important first step in order to establish the unlawfulness of the chant."UEFA's disciplinary body will rule on the case at a later date, with the players facing a possible suspension from Nations League games in September. In a similar incident at Euro 2024, UEFA banned Albania player Mirlind Daku for two games after he led fans in nationalist chants against Serbia and North Macedonia.Morata recently completed a move from Atletico Madrid to AC Milan, while Rodri, who was named player of the tournament at Euro 2024, plays for Manchester City.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese forward, is currently enjoying a well-deserved vacation with his family following Portugal's heartbreaking quarter-final exit from UEFA Euro 2024. The 38-year-old icon has been sharing glimpses of his time off on social media, showcasing his close bond with his daughter.Ronaldo's Instagram post on Wednesday captured him spending quality time with his little girl, accompanied by the heartwarming caption, "Daddy loves you, Mommy loves you." The video exudes the love and affection that Ronaldo holds for his family, providing a glimpse into his life beyond the pitch.Ronaldo's Euro 2024 campaign ended in disappointment as Portugal suffered a 3-5 penalty shootout defeat to France after a goalless draw in extra time. The loss left Ronaldo visibly devastated, and he was seen consoling his teammate Pepe, who played his final international match.In a heartfelt message on Instagram, Ronaldo expressed his gratitude to the Portuguese fans and acknowledged the team's efforts. "We wanted more. We deserved more. For us. For each one of you. For Portugal," he wrote. "We are grateful for everything you have given us and for everything we have achieved so far. On and off the field, I am sure that this legacy will be honored and will continue to be built."Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has remained tight-lipped about Ronaldo's future with the national team, stating that it is too early to make any individual decisions. However, Martinez has repeatedly emphasized Ronaldo's importance to the team, highlighting his exceptional talent and unwavering commitment.Ronaldo's illustrious international career has spanned six Euros and four World Cups. He holds the all-time record for most international goals with 130 for Portugal and is the country's most-capped player. He played a pivotal role in Portugal's Euro 2016 triumph and has etched his name into the annals of football history.In the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo became the first and only male player to score in five consecutive editions of the tournament, further cementing his status as one of the greatest players of all time. He made his Euros debut in 2004 and holds the record for most tournament appearances.As Ronaldo enjoys his vacation, the football world eagerly awaits his next move. Whether he continues his international career or embarks on a new chapter in his club career, the Portuguese icon remains an inspiration to millions around the globe.

Europe has crowned a new champion. As the sun rose over the German grounds that witnessed the month-long conquest for European supremacy, the air still reverberated with the vamos and viva chants. The dramatic German summer fairytale came to its worthy nail-biting end with the winds of change, the winds of a Spanish second coming.Football could not make it home neither could any dark horse reign as the Spanish Armada bore the winds of chings behind its sails to recapture part of its empire that it ruled over till a decade ago. And it made sure no question arose over its authority. Spain, under Luis de la Fuente, dominated the tournament in every sense of the word. From finishing first in the group of death — which had holder Italy and World Cup semifinalists Croatia — with all wins and no goals conceded, through the difficult path to the final facing world-class opponents in host Germany and former world champion France to the final against the talent-filled golden generation of England, Spain left no stones unturned.W. W. W. W. W. W. W.#EURO2024While disappointments for Spain in the last decade was a lesson on how tactics become outdated, Spanish success in Germany is a lesson on how to take what is outdated and transform it to the requirements of time. It did the same to set off the first era of Spanish dominance which began with a Euro Cup victory in 2008.Reeling from failures at big stages, then-Spanish coach Luis Aragones realised that his players were not physical enough for the style of play most teams adopted then and decided to bring in short passes to the game, something a certain Pep Guardiola was trying out with Barcelona club then.The first era of Spanish supremacy could also be called the era of Tiki Taka as its midfield bamboozled opposition players with quick short passes, controlling possession, and moving the ball around with ease. The short passes brought Spain its second national title and first since the 1964 Euro Cup in the form of the 2008 Euro championship. The team followed it up with the World Cup two years later and went on to successfully defend its continental title two years later.Reality strikesBut then came the new reality. Being at the receiving end of Tiki Taka for six years gave other teams enough time to decipher it and work out counter-measures. Spain did not see the need to keep updating its gameplay and crashed out of the 2014 World Cup in the group stages, spelling out the beginning of the end.But Spain’s obsession with passes and possession grew with the years, but that obsession, like all obsessions, only led to more tragedy. Spain also failed at transition of generation as it struggled to find replacements for its champion players and found it difficult to strike the chemistry between those it managed to find. And its exit from 2022 World Cup, bowing out to Morocco in penalty shoot-out, after not managing to score seemed like the end of the once-feared La Roja.The World Cup defeat paved the way out for manager Luis Enrique, who failed to replicate his success with Barcelona with the national team, and the lesser known de la Fuente took over.Familiar figureThough de la Fuente was new to the global limelight, he was well known to the Spanish players, many of whom played under him at junior levels. de la Fuente started his shifts with Spain national teams in 2013 when he became the manager of the under-19 outfit. And while their seniors went farther off their game, de la Fuente led the youngsters to glory in the European championships in 2015. He became the manager of the under-21 side in 2018 and brought home the European title for the category a year later.When de la Fuente took over the senior side, he knew what he had to do. And one year later, Spain seniors got its first silverware in 11 years in the form of UEFA Nations League and is now the champion of Europe.New identityde la Fuente spread out the game from midfield to the flanks, and with the arrival of young guns Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams to set the wings on fire, Spanish football is getting a new identity.Runner-up England — which had a bumpy ride to the final circumventing the odds, depending on individual brilliance and last-minute stroke of luck — gave the champion an unexpected fight in the final. Though arguably better teams than England stumbled on the way, the fact that England came close to a football homecoming for back-to-back tournaments could give its coach Gareth Southgate some legitimacy.First actAs the tournament became the first act for a handful of new stars with the likes of Lamine Yamal, the young player of the tournament, Nico Williams and Arda Guler, some goodbyes were inevitabe. With players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Luka Modric at their sunsets and Toni Kroos calling it a day, the winds of change are whistling through the whole of Europe.