Gianni Infantino claimed that the Club World Cup, which starts tomorrow, will feature the best teams in the world. But that isn't true, & highlights the inherent flaws in the whole endeavour. This could be a bit of a mess. nytimes.com/athletic/64025…

Franco Mastantuono completes Real Madrid transfer from River Plate, signing until 2031 ➕The player executed his release clause on 11 June ➕The total deal is for €63.2m, according to River, with the Argentine club receiving €45m ⁦The Athletic | Football⁩ nytimes.com/athletic/64057…

Auckland City are an amateur team from New Zealand who play at Kiwitea Street, a ground which holds 5,000 fans. The cost of their flights to the United States to compete at FIFA's jamboree was roughly twice their annual revenue. But on Sunday, the Champions of Oceania will face

Possessing an uncommon mixture of technical quality and game awareness, along with a competitive spirit, Julian Alvarez has proved to be an excellent match for Atletico Madrid. The Argentinian has enjoyed a brilliant first season as the spearhead of Diego Simeone's side — a

Atletico v PSG CWC live blog run by Michael Dominski is up and running. 10-0 seems unlikely in this one, altho PSG could be better rested. Atletico staying at Conrad in Downtown LA, right by City Hall. Right in curfew zone, so lots of sirens & helicopters nytimes.com/athletic/live-…

🔄 Relentless rotations 😱 Atletico's nightmare start on & off pitch 🥵 How much did the heat affect game? 💪 Kvaratskhelia: PSG personified Stuart James, Dermot Corrigan, Thom Harris & Jack Lang on a thumping 4-0 win for the European champions. nytimes.com/athletic/64192…

Easy start for Xabi Alonso - he needs to build new team with all-new back 4, sort his coaching staff, manage the politics, lift the fans, and win the Club World Cup... nytimes.com/athletic/64315…

Just surreal... nytimes.com/athletic/64361…

On modern football by Jack Lang nytimes.com/athletic/64357…

Ah here

Santi!

Cazorla back in Jan to The Athletic | Football "Getting promoted would surpass everything else in my career, for the feeling in my heart since I was a kid. It’d be the most beautiful trophy.” nytimes.com/athletic/60638… He's scored in both legs as Oviedo have won the playoff final 🥲

Dean Huijsen es una salida de balón en sí mismo. Se ve claro en el tercer gol del Real Madrid contra el Pachuca. Conduce, maneja la pelota con ambos pies, filtra un balón preciso y rompe todas las líneas de presión del rival.

Atletico Madrid are in talks to sign USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis. More from Dermot Corrigan ⤵️

Not long ago, Paul Conway was the face of a large group of US/Chinese investors that owned stakes in 7 European football clubs. In 2024, one of those clubs, KV Oostende, went bust. Today is his 39th in a Spanish jail as he fights extradition to Belgium. nytimes.com/athletic/64536…

On Thursday, EF Education-Easypost invited The Athletic to witness how they fuelled a rider during a day at the Tour de France. On this day, that rider happened to win the race. Featuring Ben Healy, tamagotchis, and a lot of frozen gels. nytimes.com/athletic/64887…

🚨 Bayern Munich submit official bid to sign Luis Diaz from Liverpool. #FCBayern proposal worth €67.5m; rejected immediately today. #LFC value at €100m+ but informed suitors no plans to sell. Colombia int’l has made clear he wants to leave The Athletic | Football nytimes.com/athletic/63301…

Barcelona’s return to the Camp Nou for Gamper Trophy in serious doubt over council permit ⁦The Athletic | Football⁩ nytimes.com/athletic/64972…