Alex Freeman, the USMNT’s 22-year-old right back, came on at halftime in Villarreal’s 3-2 loss at Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 1 of the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League. Left winger George Bello, 24, started for Austria’s LASK in its 1-0 loss at AEK Athens. The post Americans Abroad: Freeman and Bello make UEFA Champions League debut appeared first on Soccer America.
Eight-time laureate Lionel Messi is in the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Men's Ballon d'Or, with Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé among the favourites to succeed France's Ousmane Dembélé. Cape Verde's Vozinha has been shortlisted for the goalkeepers' Yashin Trophy after his heroics at the recent World Cup.
When asked to name his top three candidates for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, Ousmane Dembele left out Lamine Yamal. Now, the Barcelona star has responded with a clear message that includes Kylian Mbappe. With the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist finalized, several players have been asked to name their top candidates. After Ousmane Dembele left Lamine Yamal off his ballot, the Barcelona winger offered a swift response. On Tuesday, Dembele was asked to reveal his top three picks for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. The PSG winger selected Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe. The omission of Yamal surprised many, including Yamal himself. Asked about Dembele’s picks a few hours later, the Barcelona star responded with a gentle jab aimed at Mbappe. “He is good friends with Kylian, right?” Yamal answered with a laugh. “I’m very happy with the season I had. I think every time we faced each other, I probably did something that made them dislike me! And that’s normal. My relationship with Ousmane is very good, and I understand that he wants to choose other players. But I’m very happy with what I delivered this year, and I’m confident that everyone watched it, even if he didn’t.” Lamine Yamal unfazed by individual awards With the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist officially released—featuring Lionel Messi while omitting Cristiano Ronaldo—speculation has intensified over who will claim this year’s honor. Lionel Messi attends the 67th Ballon D’Or Ceremony Yamal is widely considered a frontrunner following a stellar season with FC Barcelona and a summer campaign that saw him lift the 2026 World Cup trophy with Spain at just 19 years old. Nevertheless, the young winger insists the outcome is out of his hands. “I’m not gonna campaign for anything. I won’t be begging to win anything… the Ballon d’Or is up to you [journalists], not me,” Yamal said. “We had a great year with Barça and the national team. That makes me proud.” Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe recently declared himself the favorite for the award on the back of his 10-goal performance at the World Cup, highlighting just how competitive this year’s race has become.
Luis Enrique was the last manager to lead Barcelona to Champions League glory, but Hansi Flick is confident of replicating him. The post Flick: Barcelona have the quality to end wait for Champions League title appeared first on SoccerNews.
Manchester City remain admirers of Atletico Madrid winger Alex Baena, but a move for the Spain international is not expected during the January transfer window, according to Football Insider. The report claims City have been closely monitoring Baena’s progress after another impressive spell in La Liga. The 25-year-old enhanced his reputation further this summer as […] The post Manchester City monitor Alex Baena appeared first on SoccerNews.
Bellingham, Rice and Alex Greenwood also nominatedCeremony to move from Paris to London for 2026 awardsHarry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice have been nominated for this year’s men’s Ballon d’Or with Alessia Russo and Alex Greenwood nominated for the women’s award.The 30 men’s and 30 women’s nominees were revealed by France Football magazine on Tuesday, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony in London on 26 October. Ousmane Dembélé, who won the men’s award last year, has been nominated again, as has his France teammate Kylian Mbappé, who made history when he overtook Lionel Messi for all-time World Cup goals (22) at this summer’s tournament. Continue reading...
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