Marcelo
CONMEBOL Libertadores · Defender · #12 · Brazil · 36 yrs
Marcelo news
Saracchi ‘gutted’ to follow Iheanacho through Celtic exit door
Marcelo Saracchi has become the latest player to leave Celtic, following hot on the heels of Kelechi Iheanacho joining Bursaspor on a free. The post Saracchi ‘gutted’ to follow Iheanacho through Celtic exit door appeared first on SoccerNews.
Diego Forlán succeeds Marcelo Bielsa as Uruguay manager on temporary basis
Bielsa departed after acrimonious World Cup exitFormer United striker takes charge until March 2027The former Manchester United striker Diego Forlán is poised to take over on a temporary basis as the new Uruguay manager after Marcelo Bielsa left the role following a sorry World Cup campaign.La Celeste were knocked out at the tournament’s group stage after two draws from their three games, before Bielsa took the blame for the disappointing results and performances amid reported tensions in the dressing room. Continue reading...
Uruguay to appoint legend Diego Forlan as head coach after World Cup disaster under Marcelo Bielsa
With Marcelo Bielsa's resign after a disastrous 2026 World Cup, legend Diego Forlan is set to be appointed as next Uruguay's national team head coach Uruguay‘s 2026 World Cup campaign stands as one of the tournament’s biggest disappointments, ending in a shocking group-stage exit. With Marcelo Bielsa stepping down from the head coaching role, Diego Forlan is now set to take over and lead La Celeste into the next cycle. Tipped to challenge Spain for top spot in Group H, Uruguay’s campaign collapsed under the weight of a defeat to La Roja and back-to-back draws against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, with the latter one advancing as the second-placed team in the group. Following one of the most stunning early exits in recent Uruguayan football history, Bielsa announced his resignation at a lengthy press conference, leaving the position open. Uruguay Football Federation president Ignacio Alonso confirmed the development in an interview with Teledoce: “If an agreement is reached with Diego Forlan in the coming hours, he will be the coach of the Under-20 national team and for the upcoming friendly matches. He is enthusiastic, although there are still a few details left to finalize.“ The original plan had been for Forlan to take charge of the Uruguay Under-20 side ahead of the South American Championship in January 2027. With AUF elections scheduled for later this year, however, committing to a long-term senior project was not a viable option for either party. Jose Maria Gimenez of Uruguay shows dejection after the 0-1 defeat and elimination against Spain. Given those circumstances, Forlan will serve as interim head coach of the senior national team until March 2027. Whether the arrangement is extended beyond that point will depend entirely on the AUF and whoever holds the federation presidency following the elections. Within that window, Forlan, Uruguay’s third all-time leading scorer with 36 goals and an icon of the country’s memorable 2010 World Cup run, will oversee the September, October, and November international windows, which include 2030 World Cup qualifying fixtures, as well as March 2027 friendlies. In total, the former Manchester United and Villarreal forward will be in charge for eight matches. Forlan on Uruguay’s World Cup Heading into the World Cup, the expectation was that Spain and Uruguay would battle it out for top spot in Group H, with second place likely leading to a Round of 32 clash against Argentina. Instead, just two points from three games sent La Celeste home without even qualifying as one of the best third-placed nations. Forlan has had two previous spells in senior management, taking charge of 11 matches at Peñarol in 2020 and 12 at Atenas de San Carlos in the Uruguayan Second Division in 2021. But when asked about replacing Bielsa during an appearance on La Casa del Kun, the ESPN show hosted by Sergio Agüero, the former forward did not hesitate: “Sure, of course I’d go. Do you have any idea how fast I’d accept?“ Beyond his eagerness to take the job, Forlan was candid about the state of the national team, suggesting the problems ran deeper than the tournament itself: “I prefer a Uruguayan coach, because we have them, although I didn’t dislike the choice of Bielsa. Given where we stand right now, it’s not the time to be tossing around names. Unfortunately, we were already coming in with internal problems; we didn’t arrive in the best shape.”
Uruguay 0-1 Spain: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 6pm local/8pm EDT/1am BST/10am AEST⚽️ Third-place table | Player guide | Group tables | Mail Tom⚽️ Cape Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia – live news with Beau DureJust a reminder if you see Marcelo Bielsa on the apps DO NOT swipe. This from Sid Lowe’s preview of today’s game:When Uruguay were beaten 5-1 by the USA in November, he described himself as “toxic”, admitting: “Those who have a relationship with me come out of it worse. There are toxic people who only see errors, who demand, who correct, who are never satisfied with anything, who only like to talk about work, who go to eat and take a newspaper with them because they don’t want to integrate with the rest. But do you know what that behaviour is based on? Fear. One doesn’t enjoy winning; he fears losing much more.” Continue reading...
Why isn’t Ronald Araujo playing for Uruguay against Spain at the 2026 World Cup?
Why is Ronald Araujo not playing for Uruguay vs Spain today? Get the official medical update on the Barcelona defender's calf injury at the 2026 World Cup. Uruguay face their most demanding test of the 2026 World Cup group stage without their defensive crown jewel. As La Celeste prepares to walk out at the Guadalajara Stadium for a high-stakes Group H finale against Spain, Barcelona center-back Ronald Araujo has once again been completely left out of Marcelo Bielsa’s starting lineup. The definitive reason behind the 27-year-old’s high-profile absence is a persistent leg muscle tear in his calf. The injury initially flared up as a minor strain during the first week of June, just as Uruguay was wrapping up domestic training camp in Montevideo. Despite flying back to Barcelona for specialized “express treatment” under his club’s medical team to fast-track his rehabilitation, the injury escalated into a formal muscle tear during full-contact national team drills right before the squad flew out to North America. A severe blow to Marcelo Bielsa’s defensive blueprint Uruguay’s medical camp had originally held out faint hope that extensive physical therapy would allow the defensive anchor to return in time for this exact blockbuster matchup against the 2024 European Champions. However, Bielsa and his technical staff refused to clear Araujo for match action, prioritizing the player’s long-term longevity over aggregate tissue damage. Bielsa took full corporate responsibility for how the situation was managed during press conferences earlier in the tournament, stating: “Araujo arrived with a muscle problem which wasn’t serious… but he suffered a muscle tear. My conclusion is the same. If the player gets injured in training, something is wrong. We feel responsible, but we couldn’t have done anything differently.” When is Ronald Araujo expected to be fully recovered? Araujo is now facing a tight race against the clock to feature in the tournament at all. Bielsa confirmed ahead of today’s kickoff that the center-back is still struggling with significant discomfort and has not yet progressed to high-intensity on-field training with the main group. Uruguay’s internal medical camp has shifted their target to a potential Round of 32 fixture, provided La Celeste can secure the necessary result against Spain to advance from Group H.
How to watch Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay in USA: 2026 World Cup, Live Stream, TV & Preview
Saudi Arabia will face off against Uruguay in Matchday 1 of the FIFA World Cup group stage. Here's all the information you need to watch this exciting showdown live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay WHAT 2026 World Cup WHEN 6:00pm ET / 3:00pm PT • Monday, June 15, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FS1, Telemundo, Hulu + Live TV STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Saudi Arabia enters the 2026 tournament with a reputation as a potential giant-killer. Their stunning upset victory over eventual champions Argentina in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup sent shockwaves through the soccer world. That historic win serves as a blueprint and a source of immense belief. They will aim to replicate that disciplined, counter-attacking performance to kickstart their campaign, fueled by the ambition of advancing from the group stage for the first time since 1994. Uruguay, a nation with a rich World Cup pedigree, arrives as the heavy favorite in this opening clash. Under the guidance of legendary tactician Marcelo Bielsa, La Celeste is expected to assert its dominance from the first whistle. However, the memory of Argentina‘s stumble against this very opponent will serve as a stark warning against complacency. For Uruguay, securing a decisive victory is non-negotiable to set the tone for a tough group that also includes Spain, making a fast start an absolute necessity. Tactical Analysis & Match Context Both teams come into this match with questions surrounding their recent form. Uruguay has been defensively solid for the most part, conceding just 0.83 goals per game since the start of 2025. However, a shocking 5-1 defeat to the USA exposed a vulnerability to fast, coordinated attacks, a weakness Saudi Arabia will surely look to exploit. The Saudis, on the other hand, have their own defensive frailties, having kept only one clean sheet in their last ten matches. This could prove fatal against a talented Uruguayan attack. The tactical battle promises a fascinating clash of styles. Marcelo Bielsa‘s philosophy is built on relentless high-pressing, verticality, and suffocating the opposition in their own half. Uruguay will look to force turnovers and transition to attack instantly. In stark contrast, Saudi Arabia is expected to deploy a deep, compact mid-block, ceding possession and inviting pressure. Their strategy will be to remain defensively organized and spring quick counters into the space inevitably left behind Uruguay‘s aggressive defensive line. The motivations for both sides are crystal clear. For Uruguay, anything less than three points would be considered a disaster, immediately putting them on the back foot in the race for the top spot in Group H. The pressure is on them to perform and deliver a statement win. For Saudi Arabia, this match is a free hit. They thrive in the underdog role, and securing even a single point would be a monumental achievement, providing a massive boost to their hopes of qualifying for the knockout rounds. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends History between these two nations is limited but revealing. They have faced each other three times, with Uruguay holding the edge in the only competitive fixture. That match took place at the 2018 World Cup, where a single Luis Suárez goal was enough to give Uruguay a tight 1-0 victory. The other two encounters were friendlies, resulting in one win for Saudi Arabia and one draw. The 2018 result is the most significant precedent, suggesting that even when Uruguay possesses superior talent, they find it challenging to break down a well-drilled Saudi Arabian defense. This points towards another potentially close and hard-fought contest, rather than a one-sided affair. Uruguay‘s historical dominance over Asian teams at the tournament (3 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses) will give them confidence, but they will be wary of Saudi Ara
Uruguay delayed by plane paperwork as World Cup travel challenges continue
Bielsa unruffled but Giménez says situation was ‘difficult’Initial flight from Mexico cancelled and second delayedUruguay’s preparations for their opening World Cup game against Saudi Arabia were severely disrupted after their flight from Mexico was hit by multiple delays.Marcelo Bielsa’s squad had been due to fly from Cancún to Fort Lauderdale early on Sunday afternoon, but paperwork issues relating to the plane led to their initial flight being cancelled. Continue reading...