Barcelona came closer to exploring an Aymeric Laporte transfer this summer than previously understood, with The Athletic revealing that the Spain international was interested in joining the Catalan cl...
Set to face FC Barcelona in the 26-27 UEFA Champions League, Ferran Torres candidly addressed that joining PSG is a "step forward" in his career. Ferran Torres transitioned from 2026 World Cup hero to marquee summer signing after finalizing a €50 million ($58 million USD) transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. Set to face FC Barcelona in the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League, the Spanish forward described joining the reigning European champions as a “step forward” in his career. With Robert Lewandowski departing for the Chicago Fire as a free agent, Ferran Torres was initially positioned to serve as Barcelona’s primary focal point for the 2026-27 season, but with his contract expiring in 2027, a resolution regarding his long-term future became necessary. In an interview, Torres noted that “Barca have to show that they want me” to initiate contract extension talks, ultimately choosing a departure. During a Media Day organized by PSG, Ferran Torres addressed reporters to share details on how his transfer unfolded: “The contacts with PSG began even before the World Cup. They called us and we talked. Then I had already made up my mind because I wanted to play for a club like PSG. It is a step forward in my career that I am super proud of because I am joining the European champion.” Torres delivered an instant impact for PSG during his club debut against Stade Rennais after entering as a halftime substitute. Replacing Ousmane Dembele with PSG trailing 2-0, the Spaniard netted a second-half brace to secure a 2-2 draw, becoming just the third player in franchise history to score twice on his club debut alongside Patrick Mboma in 1994 and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2012. Ferran Torres becomes the third player in history to score a brace on their PSG debut!#SRFCPSG pic.twitter.com/oUzIvH3X6M— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 24, 2026 He also expanded on his deep relationship with manager Luis Enrique, who previously coached him with Spain. “I have always said that Luis Enrique was like a father to me ever since I arrived at the Spanish National Team. He has always believed in me. He believed in me so that I would sign for PSG. He has always given me a lot of confidence, and I hope to repay it this season,” he added. Having featured across the frontline as a central attacker and wide winger at Barcelona and Manchester City, Torres offers tactical flexibility for Luis Enrique’s system. Following the departures of Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos, the Spaniard has integrated seamlessly into Paris Saint-Germain’s dynamic attacking setup. Ferran Torres to meet Barcelona again in the Champions League As if scripted by fate, the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League league phase draw paired Paris Saint-Germain against Barcelona. Having chosen a move to the French capital over remaining in Catalonia, Torres now prepares to face his former teammates just months after his exit. When asked about the upcoming fixture, the 26-year-old was straightforward regarding the emotion surrounding the matchup: “The match against Barcelona will be special. They were my teammates for four and a half years. It’s going to be an exciting match for me and for the team. PSG-Barcelona matches are always special. We will try to win, but we’ll see.“ The marquee clash between PSG and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, with Torres aiming to help the club maintain its European dominance. “PSG is right now the best team in Europe. They’ve won the last two Champions Leagues. And that puts more pressure on our rivals. We have to improve. We’ll try to win the Champions League for the third consecutive year,” he concluded.
After the failed deal in the summer, FC Barcelona are reportedly set to go all out for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez in the upcoming winter transfer window, with his signing turning into a "personal matter." Julian Alvarez pushed aggressively to seal a move to FC Barcelona during the 2026 summer transfer window, but Atletico Madrid‘s firm stance ultimately caused the deal to collapse. With relations frayed between the player and the supporters at Atletico, reports indicate that Barcelona view Alvarez’s signature as a “personal matter” and will pursue him relentlessly when the window reopens. During the 2026 World Cup, Julian Alvarez dropped a massive bombshell by making clear his intent to leave Atletico Madrid in order to “fulfill his career dream” of joining Barcelona. His public statement prompted CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin to issue a strict directive barring any negotiations with the Catalan club for the Argentine forward. An alternative exit route surfaced with Arsenal expressing interest, but Alvarez’s reluctance to return to England combined with his singular focus on Barcelona brought discussions to a complete standstill. Despite getting booed by Atletico supporters ahead of the deadline, the board’s refusal to negotiate with Barcelona prevented the move from going through, though the pursuit is far from over. According to Spanish insider David Bernabeu on Sport TV, Barcelona “are going to go all out” to secure Alvarez during the winter transfer window opening on January 1. The situation inside Camp Nou offices has intensified to the point that “it has become a personal matter,” the journalist reported. Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid walks off the field. After the Alvarez deal fell through alongside the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Barcelona settled on a €10 million ($11.6 million USD) deadline-day deal for Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus. However, with the Brazilian limited to 13 goals across 54 appearances over his past two seasons, the club’s search for an elite long-term focal point like Alvarez remains fully active. Julian Alvarez receives advice from Atletico Madrid legend Having publicly declared his desire to leave, Alvarez’s relationship with the fanbase has grown hostile, as evidenced by his recent reception at the Metropolitano. During Atletico’s home opener against Villarreal, the Argentine was jeered by supporters whenever featured on the stadium screens, though he has received backing from a prominent club icon. Posting a video on his X account, Paulo Futre sent an open message to Alvarez, offering counsel on how to rebuild his standing with the Colchoneros: “Forgiveness isn’t with words, it’s with goals. And I have no doubt that you are going to give everything and sweat the jersey down to the last drop for this crest. Come on Atleti Julian! Let’s go, champion!“ Mensaje a Julián Álvarez pic.twitter.com/vmo2Fon448— Paulo Futre (@Futre) September 3, 2026 After arriving at Atletico in 1987 following a Champions League title with FC Porto, Futre spent eight seasons in the Spanish capital, totaling 209 appearances, 51 goals, and four assists while lifting two Copa del Rey trophies. His legacy extends beyond raw statistics, headlined by a memorable performance against Real Madrid in the 1992 Copa del Rey final and his famous rejection of a transfer to Los Blancos out of loyalty to Atletico.
More than half the money spent was by teams in England and Spain. U.S. teams (NWSL and USL Super League) were fourth in money spent and seventh in money received. The post WOMEN’S SOCCER: Summer spending hits record $28.6 million appeared first on Soccer America.
Luis Enrique reiterated his belief that a PSG player should win the 2026 Ballon d'Or after the club's back-to-back Champions League titles. PSG coach Luis Enrique reignited his push for a Ballon d’Or winner from within his own squad during his press conference on Thursday, ahead of the club’s Ligue 1 clash with Monaco. The comments echo the stance he took last season, when he openly campaigned for Ousmane Dembele to win the award after PSG claimed their first-ever Champions League title, and come off the back of the club retaining that trophy this year. “I don’t care who wins the Ballon d’Or. But, in my opinion, it has to be a PSG player,” Luis Enrique said. He pointed to several players within his squad as deserving candidates, citing their achievements over the past year. “We have players who have won the Champions League. We have Fabian Ruiz, who won the World Cup… Ousmane Dembele, who won the Ballon d’Or last season,” he continued, before adding: “That’s my opinion. But I’m not interested in individual awards, the most important thing is the collective”. The 2026 Ballon d’Or will be awarded on October 26 at The London Palladium, with this year’s ceremony evaluating performances between July 2025 and July 19, 2026, a window that includes the World Cup final. L.Enrique: “A real pleasure to reconnect with our supporters” 💬❤️💙The press conference before #PSGASM.📺 https://t.co/pL69iJE18Q pic.twitter.com/0h4bzp07B2— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) September 3, 2026 Who are the favorites to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or Unlike previous years, there’s no clear frontrunner, with at least eight players in serious contention: Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Michael Olise, Dembele himself, and Lionel Messi. Rodri enters as a strong candidate after winning the World Cup with Spain and being named the tournament’s best player, while Kane dominated domestically with Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga and finishing as its top scorer with 36 goals in 31 games, despite falling short in the Champions League and World Cup semifinals. Messi, meanwhile, also remains in the conversation after a standout World Cup at 39 years old, scoring eight goals in what statistically became his best tournament, and could become the first player to reach nine Ballon d’Or trophies if he wins it again.
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