Co-host’s government adamant Zócalo event will go ahead100,000 expected at official fan festival for kick-offMexico is planning to increase the police and security presence around Zócalo plaza in Mexico City to ensure the World Cup fan festival can go ahead amid growing social unrest and public protests.Much of the city’s historic centre, including the Catedral Metropolitana and the Aztec ruin Templo Mayor, is locked down, but the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum is adamant Zócalo will remain open throughout the tournament. Continue reading...
Julián Álvarez is closing in on a blockbuster move to Barcelona as deep-rooted friction behind the scenes has prompted the Argentine forward to seek an early exit from Atlético Madrid. Barcelona is on the precipice of securing a marquee transfer for Julián Álvarez, a player the Catalan giants have aggressively pursued for over a year. The Argentine forward has reportedly made the definitive decision to cut his time short at Atlético Madrid after a two-year stint, despite being under a lucrative contract that runs through June 2030. What originally looked like the foundation for a legendary partnership between Álvarez and Los Colchoneros is unraveling at stunning speed. A cocktail of intense transfer speculation and controversial management decisions from the board has permanently fractured a relationship that is now set to dissolve years ahead of schedule. According to prominent Spanish journalist Rubén Uría, Álvarez and his agent, Fernando Hidalgo, held a pivotal meeting in February with Atlético Madrid majority owner Miguel Ángel Gil Marín. During the discussion, club hierarchy explicitly informed the Argentine that if he intended to force a move to Barcelona, they would accept it, though they preferred he stay. However, what deeply alienated the World Cup-winning forward and his inner circle was the immediate leaking of that private conversation to the Spanish media. The strategic leak subjected Álvarez to intense backlash from the Atlético fan base and left him facing uncomfortable, unrelenting questions during every public media appearance. Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring a goal for Atletico de Madrid. (Getty Images) Further complicating the matter is a broken financial promise. The Atlético Madrid board had previously pledged a significant salary increase to Álvarez that never materialized. While the club recently attempted to smooth things over by offering an improved contract extension through 2031, Álvarez flatly rejected the proposal. His focus is now entirely fixed on leaving the Metropolitano, with the Camp Nou established as his preferred destination. Who could replace Julián Álvarez? With Álvarez’s departure practically a formality, Atlético Madrid is wasting no time drawing up plans to reshape its frontline. Alexander Sorloth is internally viewed as the immediate replacement, but the Norwegian striker’s own future remains highly volatile. According to reporting from Mundo Deportivo, Sorloth is a top target for a host of European suitors, including Everton, Fenerbahce, Juventus, and AC Milan. If both marquee forwards are sold, the cash windfall would provide Diego Simeone with an enormous war chest to land a truly world-class No. 9. Topping that wishlist is Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martínez, a long-standing dream signing for the Atlético board, as confirmed by Spanish insider Miguel Ángel Méndez of RNE Deportes. While pryingly loosening Martínez away from the reigning Serie A champions will be an incredibly complex operation, an undeniable astronomical offer could unlock negotiations. To supplement the attack, Atlético is also actively monitoring Paris Saint-Germain duo Kang-In Lee and Goncalo Ramos, both of whom have struggled to secure consistent starting roles under Luis Enrique and could be available on favorable terms.
Antoine Griezmann stated that he "made a mistake" the moment he left Atletico Madrid to join Lionel Messi's Barcelona in 2019. Antoine Griezmann bid farewell to the Atletico Madrid faithful in his final home appearance at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Sunday against Girona. In an emotional scene in front of a packed stadium, the French legend admitted that leaving the Colchoneros to join Lionel Messi‘s Barcelona had been “a mistake.” Regarded at the time as one of the best players in the world and having already signed a contract extension, Griezmann completed a move to Barcelona in 2019 for €120 million. However, the anticipated partnership with Messi never truly clicked, and his two seasons at the club yielded only a Copa del Rey title in 2020-21, with disappointment in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. Taking the microphone and addressing the supporters from the center of the pitch in tears, Griezmann delivered a farewell speech that left no one unmoved: “First, thank you all for staying. This is incredible. Second, I know many forgave me, and some still haven’t: I ask for your forgiveness again. I didn’t realize the affection I had here; I was very young and, well, I made a mistake. I re-evaluated things and we did everything we could to come back and enjoy being here again.” Despite more than a decade at the club, La Liga and the Champions League remain the two major honors that eluded Griezmann at Atletico. The irony is not lost on anyone that the Colchoneros‘ last La Liga title came in the 2020-21 season, the very campaign in which Griezmann was away in Barcelona. Antoine Griezmann of Atletico de Madrid speaks to the crowd at the Metropolitano. He reflected on that unfulfilled chapter with characteristic honesty, while making clear that the supporters’ love has meant everything to him. “I haven’t been able to bring a La Liga title or a Champions League, but this affection is worth more to me. I will carry it with me for the rest of my life. Now, yes, I’m finishing up. Fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, thank you very much for bringing the kids here, to teach them that Atleti is the best thing in the world,” he stated. At Barcelona, Griezmann posted 35 goals and 17 assists across 102 appearances, a figure that stands in stark contrast to his legacy at Atletico, where he made 500 appearances, scored 212 goals as the club’s all-time leading scorer, and reached the milestone of 100 assists with his contribution against Girona on Sunday. Now 35, Griezmann will move on to MLS to continue his playing career. Griezmann’s oath after Orlando City tenure With one La Liga game remaining against Villarreal, Griezmann’s next chapter will take him to the East Coast to join Orlando City, where he will inevitably cross paths with Messi once more in a potential Florida Derby against Inter Miami. But once his days as a player are behind him, his commitment to Atletico remains unshaken. Speaking in the press room following his on-field farewell, Griezmann made a heartfelt promise about his future: “When I finish in Orlando, I’m going to return here. To Madrid, to the club, and to win trophies from another side (of the game). Hopefully, someone better than me comes in and gives us the Champions League.“
On Sunday, Antoine Griezmann made his final appearance at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano as an Atletico Madrid player. The 35-year-old, who is the club’s all-time top goalscorer, has already agreed to...
Atletico Madrid have it all to do in the second half against Arsenal at the Emirates, as they will be forced to come from behind. It was the same in the first leg at the Metropolitano, but Diego Simeo...
Arsenal fan Trevor Hills says he is "absolutely fuming" at the decision to overturn a late penalty given for a challenge on Eberechi Eze but is "very happy" with the result and performance in the Metropolitano on Wednesday night. The Gunners emerged with a 1-1 draw from the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid after each side scored a penalty, but were denied the chance to take a lead back to the Emirates after the referee was sent to the pitchside monitor to review David Hancko's challenge on Eze.
