Former Juve CEO Marotta takes over at Inter

Former Juventus CEO Giuseppe Marotta has taken up a similar role at Serie A rivals Inter, the club announced on Thursday.

Marotta joined Juve in 2010 and presided over a glorious period for the club, which included seven consecutive Serie A titles before stepping down at the end of September.

The 61-year-old had been heavily linked with the presidency of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) towards the end of his tenure, but he strongly denied that and claims of talks with Inter surfaced soon after.

Marotta s installation will surely come with great expectations given Juve s success under his guidance, coupled with Inter s underwhelming last few years.

The Nerazzurri have not won the title since 2009-10, but they will hope Marotta s arrival is the first…

I’m here for a long time – AC Milan’s owner committed to taking club back to top

AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has reiterated his commitment to the club and stressed he wants to return the Italian giants to the top of the European game.

The Rossoneri have endured an inconsistent season, featuring a disappointing group-stage exit from the Champions League while they trail fierce rivals Inter by 11 points in Serie A.

That has built pressure on Cardinale, chief executive of Milan owners RedBird Capital, following the controversial dismissal of directors Frederic Massara and Paolo Maldini last summer.

Amid continuing speculation over the future of head coach Stefano Pioli, who delivered the title to Milan in 2022, and talk of investment from Saudi Arabia, Cardinale has outlined his long-term vision for the seven-time European champions.

Messi lifts a weight off his shoulders with Copa America glory while Neymar waits for his time

Like Cristiano Ronaldo five years ago, Lionel Messi has ended his international trophy drought with continental glory.

Ballon d Ors are one thing, with the pair sharing 11 between them, but achieving success with the national team has been critical to the grander standing and legacy of the two outstanding players of this generation.

There is a school of thought that Messi remains in Diego Maradona s shadow in Argentina.

The late Maradona, of course, took La Albiceleste to World Cup glory in 1986, which has eluded Messi who was a runner-up in 2014.

But Messi had also never won the Copa America. That was until Saturday s 1-0 win over Brazil, at the Maracana, the same venue where he lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany.

Messi was part of the Arge…

Our values cannot be measured in euros – Espanyol hit back at Pique

Espanyol have said their values cannot be measured in Euros after Barcelona defender Gerard Pique claimed he has more money than their budget for the season.  

Ahead of their meeting at Camp Nou on Saturday, Pique told Movistar+ show La Resistencia : I have more money than the budget of Espanyol this year. Nope, not just €57million, it s plenty more than that.    

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde described the comment as light-hearted but Espanyol have taken to social media with a pointed message towards Pique.  

The post highlighted their values and referenced the tribute their supporters make in the 21st minute to former captain Daniel Jarque, who died of a heart attack in 2009 at the age of 26.  

The statement read: Our fans. The team that g…

Newcastle´s comeback triumph a ´big step forward´, says Howe

Eddie Howe believes Newcastle took a huge step in the right direction as they continued their strong start to the Premier League season with a comeback victory over Wolves.

Mario Lemina had given the visitors a half-time lead, but two goals in five minutes from Fabian Schar and Harvey Barnes saw the Magpies move up to third in the early-season standings.

Having taken 10 points from their first four games, Newcastle have now made their best start to a Premier League campaign since the 1995-96 season, when they won each of their opening four matches under Kevin Keegan.

Newcastle s powers of recovery have been evident already this season, with the Magpies picking up four points from losing positions so far, with only Manchester City (six) recovering more.

Saudi spending won’t compromise owners’ aims for Newcastle, says Mapgies CEO

Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales is convinced eye-watering Saudi Arabian investment in domestic football will not derail their mission on Tyneside.

The Gulf state’s Public Investment Fund, which owns an 80 per cent stake in the St James’ Park outfit, bought majority holdings in four of the nation’s biggest clubs – Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad – in June, sparking a transfer flurry which has taken some of the game’s biggest names to the Saudi Pro League in return for vast pay packets.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and French counterpart Karim Benzema are among those to have headed for the Middle East, while the Magpies have themselves benefited – to raised eyebrows in some quarters – with Allan Saint-Maximin’s move to Al-Ahli,…

Lionel Messi: Cristiano Ronaldo stands out in football

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi said Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo stands out in football.

Messi and Ronaldo have dominated football for more than a decade, with the pair winning 11 Ballon d Or awards between them as debate rages over who is the game s greatest player.

Ronaldo – Real Madrid s all-time leading goalscorer – has won five Champions League titles, three Premier League trophies, two Serie A crowns and as many LaLiga honours among other silverware throughout his career.

Messi likened five-time Ballon d Or winner Ronaldo to Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James.

There are many admirable athletes. Rafa Nadal, Federer, LeBron in all sports there is always someone who stands out and is admirable for his work, six-time Ballon d Or win…

Defour leaves Burnley and returns to Belgium

Steven Defour is returning home for family reasons, Burnley have .

The Belgian midfielder was 19 years old when he joined Standard Liege in 2006 and was appointed captain the following year. In 2009, however, he broke his foot, which is when, after receiving a get-well-soon letter from Sir Alex Ferguson, rumours started that he might be going to the Premier League club. In the end nothing came of it and following his recovery he relocated to the Portuguese Porto in 2011 and then to R.S.C. Anderlecht in 2014.

Defour’s Premier League career kicked off in 2016, when he signed for Burnley for a record £8 million. During his 58 appearances in three injury-plagued seasons he scored 3 times for the Clarets.

Yesterday the club announced that the 31-year-old will be r…

Liam Rosenior departs Hull City after 18 months in charge

Hull City have parted company with head coach Liam Rosenior with immediate effect.

Rosenior departs the MKM Stadium after 18 months in charge of the Tigers, who narrowly missed out on the Championship playoffs this season.

Hull were one point above the relegation zone when the former Derby County assistant succeeded Shota Arveladze in November 2022, but he guided them to safety in 15th place.

Rosenior signed a new three-year deal in December and oversaw just one defeat in Hull’s last seven games of this season, in which they finished seventh and just three points behind sixth-place Norwich City.

Plenty to be proud of this season and you ve been behind us all the way

— Hull City (@HullCity)

This has been the most difficult decision I…

Aubameyang left out of Arsenal squad for ´disciplinary breach´

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was left out of his squad for the game with Southampton because of a disciplinary breach.

The 32-year-old was named on the bench for the Gunners 2-1 defeat at Everton last week but was left out of the squad altogether when the team was announced on Saturday for the home clash with Saints.

Speaking before the game, Arteta confirmed the decision was taken was for disciplinary reasons. 

Unfortunately, due to a disciplinary breach, he said when asked about the player s absence. There are non-negotiables we have set as a club and I think we have been very consistent.

The Arsenal boss was asked how long Aubameyang could be out for, replying: It starts today.

Certainly it s no…