Monaco defeated Istres 3-2 in Ligue 2. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 35 stage in the 2011 season. The full-time result capped a Monaco vs Istres meeting in Ligue 2 with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Monaco and Istres. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Ligue 2
Istres ISTRecorded meetings: 1 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Monaco
Benjamin Mendy has sold the replica 2018 World Cup trophy FIFA awarded him at auction. In 2018, Benjamin Mendy lifted the World Cup at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium as part of the France squad that beat Croatia 4-2 in the final. Seven years later, that gold-plated memory has a price tag: the left-back has sold the official replica trophy FIFA gave him as a champion for roughly $62,200 at auction. The sale went through American collectibles house Goldin as part of its “Global Football Auction Part 2,” a sale that also featured memorabilia tied to names like Lamine Yamal, Pelé, and Lionel Messi, and closed on July 25. The piece up for grabs wasn’t the actual World Cup trophy, which stays in FIFA’s possession, but the identical replica FIFA and the French federation hand every world champion as a personal keepsake, standing roughly 38 centimeters tall. It was listed with a crack at its base and visible wear, and the winning bidder received a certificate signed by Mendy to authenticate it. Mendy had a brief participation at the 2018 World Cup Mendy, now 32, played a bit-part role in that Russia 2018 run under Didier Deschamps, coming on for 40 minutes in a 0-0 group-stage draw with Denmark while Lucas Hernandez started every other match at left-back. Benjamin Mendy of France celebrates with the World Cup Trophy. (Getty Images) France‘s path to the title included wins over Argentina in the round of 16, Uruguay in the quarterfinals, and Belgium in the semifinals before the final against Croatia. Mendy’s career: a fall from the top Mendy’s path to that World Cup medal ran through Le Havre, where he broke into the first team in 2011 after coming up through the reserves, before a move to Olympique de Marseille in 2013 for three seasons. He then joined Monaco, where he won the 2016-17 Ligue 1 title as part of the young squad that also produced Kylian Mbappé, and that breakout campaign earned him a move to Manchester City in 2017 for a then-world-record fee for a defender. His six years at City were repeatedly derailed by injuries and, later, a major legal setback that kept him out of football entirely for two years before he was cleared in 2023. City released him following that ordeal, and his career never recovered its old level: a brief, appearance-less spell at Lorient came next, followed by a short stint at Swiss side FC Zürich, before he signed with Poland’s Pogoń Szczecin in September 2025, where he currently plays.
Ferran Torres could be close to leaving Barcelona, potentially opening the door for a possible Julian Alvarez transfer from Atletico Madrid. The Julian Alvarez saga has taken on a new dimension, with reports out of Spain now suggesting that Ferran Torres’ future at Barcelona could be the piece that finally unlocks the Argentine’s move away from Atletico Madrid. With Ferran’s contract set to expire in 2027 and no renewal in sight, speculation is mounting that his exit could clear the path for Alvarez to head the other way. According to SPORT journalist David Bernabeu, the renewal offer Barcelona plan to present to Torres doesn’t fully satisfy the forward. Ferran believes he deserves greater recognition after two strong seasons, in which he finished with 40 goals and 10 assists combined. With his contract nearing its end, the forward’s situation is being closely tracked by several clubs. “Ferran knows that in a few months he could leave for free, and there are two clubs interested in him, above all, PSG and Atletico Madrid. The Atleti interest could be related to Julian, but as of today, I repeat, it seems most likely that he stays,” MARCA‘s Matteo Moretto explained. This situation could actually work in both clubs’ favor, since a potential Torres move to Atletico Madrid could open the door for Julian Alvarez to arrive at Camp Nou. The Argentine forward made clear during the 2026 World Cup that he wants a transfer, though Madrid’s stance remains that any deal would need to meet his €500 million release clause. Julian Alvarez celebrates a goal for Atletico Madrid. (Getty Images) However, Bernabeu noted that Barcelona don’t want to let go of Ferran Torres unless the forward himself requests to leave, and that the odds of the Spaniard staying or departing are now “50/50,” since the final decision rests with the player. Atletico Madrid’s players reportedly pushing for Torres to join The push for Ferran Torres to join Atletico Madrid isn’t only coming from the boardroom — it’s reportedly being driven from inside the locker room too. “I’ll tell you that there are also Atletico Madrid players who are very close friends with Ferran Torres who tell him every day, ‘hey, come here, you’re going to be our number nine, you’re going to be our idol.’ But well, there are still things pending,” Moretto said in his report for MARCA. PSG reportedly shift toward Maghnes Akliouche PSG have also been mentioned throughout this saga as suitors for both players, adding a third club into the mix around Ferran’s future and, separately, around Alvarez’s. However, the Parisians appear to have shifted direction in their pursuit of both forwards. PSG have reportedly made real progress on a separate deal for Maghnes Akliouche, with reports suggesting a fee close to €50 million to pry him away from Monaco. While Ferran and Akliouche could be seen as two targets PSG want simultaneously rather than one replacing the other, the advancing talks for the French forward could still be read as a signal that PSG’s priorities are shifting elsewhere in the final stretch of the window.
Despite having won the 2026 World Cup, Ferran Torres does not seem to have a clear future at Barcelona. After the drama involving Yan Diomande and Real Madrid, the 26-year-old star is reportedly moving closer to PSG, with a formal offer already on the table. Ferran Torres has gone from being a player with little attention to being a player who has all the attention from several teams. After winning the 2026 World Cup, he seems decided to leave Barcelona, dragging out his renewal. Due to the possible signing of Yan Diomande by Real Madrid, the 26-year-old star is moving closer to Paris Saint-Germain this very summer, reportedly already having a contract offer on the table. Throughout the summer of 2026, PSG had set their sights on Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig. Being one of the biggest prospects, they were willing to pay a transfer fee of around €100M, plus add-ons. However, they have officially decided to pull out of the deal due to the high financial demands, with him now close to becoming a new Real Madrid player. Therefore, Ferran Torres seems to be the new priority. According to Luis Miguel Sanz, via Diario Sport, PSG are looking to reach a verbal agreement with Ferran Torres in the coming days. For this, they are open to offering him a four-season contract, along with a higher salary than the one he receives at Barcelona. If they manage to convince him, they would only have to negotiate with Barcelona, which would be open to selling him for a fee close to €50M. Despite the optimism of the French side, Barcelona continue working to convince Ferran to renew his contract. However, he is not very happy with his situation, as he reportedly feels left. In addition, the Spanish side would not be very open to matching the salary offer made by PSG, making it quite difficult. Along with this, the good relationship of the 26-year-old star with Luis Enrique would be a key factor in taking him away. Ferran Torres #7 of Spain celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal. Ferran Torres and Maghnes Akliouche are PSG’s backup options Ahead of the 2026-27 season, Paris Saint-Germain keep their offensive commitment clear: Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. However, the departures of Gonçalo Ramos, Kolo Muani, and Lee Kang-in mean they must reinforce the squad. Along with them, Bradley Barcola also seems decided to leave. Therefore, Ferran Torres and Maghnes Akliouche are reportedly the clear options to give depth to the bench. According to Luis Miguel Sanz, via Diario Sport, PSG already have an agreement with Maghnes Akliouche, who could leave AS Monaco for €50M. Both he and Ferran are capable of playing in the three attacking positions, making them essential for Luis Enrique. With this, they could be very important in Ligue 1, while also getting many minutes in the Champions League. Neither Ferran nor Maghnes would arrive to be starters at PSG, but rather to fight for a place in the starting lineup. However, the 26-year-old striker could be the one with the most doubts, as he would once again be a substitute. Despite this, the French side wants to finalize these agreements in the coming weeks, looking to have a complete roster from the start of the season.
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