“USYS members took a historic step to make the game more affordable and accessible to kids and their families across the country.”— Tina Rincon, US Youth Soccer’s Chair of the Board, on Saturday’s announcement that the state associations of the country’s largest youth soccer organization approved a move to integrate into U.S. Soccer. When the […] The post Can U.S. Soccer tame the Wild West of American youth soccer? appeared first on Soccer America.
AFA will pause every match in Argentine football to honor Lionel Messi after his national team retirement. AFA, Argentine football’s governing body, announced a tribute for Lionel Messi across the sport following his retirement from the Argentina national team. The recognition will extend to every match of the league, as well as all other categories and disciplines under the federation’s umbrella, both men’s and women’s. Every fixture will pause at the 10-minute mark of the first half for a full minute of applause, honoring Messi’s more than two-decade career with the Albiceleste. Stadiums equipped with big screens will also play an institutional video chronicling his time with the national team before kickoff. “It is decreed that in the next matchday of all categories of all men’s and women’s disciplines (11-a-side, Futsal, and Beach Soccer), the match will be stopped at the tenth (10th) minute of the first half and one (1) minute of applause will be given in recognition of Lionel Messi’s career with the Argentina national team,” the official bulletin, published under Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia’s leadership, read. Messi’s international career spanned 21 years since his 2005 debut, during which he made 207 appearances, scored 125 goals and provided 68 assists for Argentina. Over that span, he lifted the 2022 World Cup, the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal, and the 2005 U-20 World Cup. One life. One legacy.Thank you, Leo 🇦🇷🩵 pic.twitter.com/dF9532jSeI— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) August 31, 2026 Fans push to retire the No. 10, but face a regulatory hurdle The wave of tributes also reignited a request that has circulated among Argentina supporters since Messi’s announcement: retiring the No. 10 jersey permanently in his honor, so no player ever wears it for the national team again. The idea would leave the number forever associated with both Messi and Diego Maradona, the two players most responsible fThe request runs into the same obstacle that blocked it once before. FIFA regulations require official squad lists for tournaments like the World Cup and Copa America to use consecutive numbering from 1 to 26, with a number assigned to every player on the roster, meaning the No. 10 cannot simply be shelved.or turning it into more than just a shirt number. Argentina already tried this exact move ahead of the 2002 World Cup to honor Maradona, but FIFA rejected the request on those same regulatory grounds, and the number continued to be worn by subsequent generations of players.
Chelsea have made a move to sign Georginio Wijnaldum on a free transfer (AFP via Getty) Chelsea are in talks to sign former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum on a free transfer, according to reports. On deadline day, Chelsea finally approved the £125 million sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City but aimed to bring in a midfield replacement before the end of the window. Xabi Alonso is an admirer of Martin Zubimendi but Chelsea’s approach for the Spanish midfielder was swiftly rejected by Arsenal. Chelsea then agreed a deal with Monaco worth €55 million (£47.1m) for Lamine Camara but the Ligue 1 side cancelled their agreement with an hour to go before the deadline. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. According to FootMercato, Chelsea have now contacted Wijnaldum after he left Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq when his contract expired earlier this summer. The 35-year-old remains without a club but has recently held talks with Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake. Georginio Wijnaldum won the Premier League title Liverpool in 2020 (Getty) Despite the summer transfer window closing on Tuesday, Premier League clubs are still allowed to sign players who are free agents. Wijnaldum was a key part of Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp, helping the club win the Premier League and Champions League in five seasons at Anfield. The midfielder then joined Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in 2021 before making the move to Saudi Arabia two years later. For Al-Ettifaq last season, Wijnaldum scored 17 goals and registered seven assists in 34 appearances. If he makes the move to Chelsea, Wijnaldum would link up with his former Liverpool teammate Jordan Henderson, who joined Stamford Bridge as a free agent in August. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
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