SOCCER

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Everyone loves an underdog story, and every major tournament is made infinitely better by one. However, the first round of matches at Euro 2024 was giving us little to get excited about on that front. And then Romania came along. With precious few big names in their squad, they were widely fancied to finish bottom of what is, on paper, the weakest group in the tournament.

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In a significant move to bolster their defensive options, Chelsea has agreed to sign highly-rated Brazilian right-back Pedro Lima from Sport Recife. The 17-year-old talent, born in 2006, will join Chelsea via their affiliate club, Strasbourg. This strategic acquisition involves a transfer fee of $7.5 million, with an additional $3.2 million in potential add-ons, making it Sport Recife's record sale in the club's history.

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Central defender Mats Hummels (35) will leave Borussia Dortmund immediately, the Bundesliga club said on Friday, ending a partnership that stretched back to 2008 with a three-year spell at Bayern Munich.

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In a surprising turn of events, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has announced that the club will not participate in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. This revelation has sparked widespread debate and brought attention to the financial and strategic considerations behind such a decision.

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Olympique Marseille is making significant strides in their search for a new head coach, with talks now underway to appoint Roberto de Zerbi. The Italian manager has emerged as the strongest candidate, outpacing other contenders, including Sérgio Conceição, in the current stage of negotiations.

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Pep Guardiola has definitively ruled out a return to FC Barcelona, stating emphatically, "The door is closed for my future return to Barcelona." This declaration marks the end of an era for many fans who have long cherished the hope of seeing Guardiola back at the helm of the club where he achieved unprecedented success.

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In a thrilling turn of events, soccer sensation Sam Kerr has signed a new contract with Women's Super League (WSL) champion Chelsea, as announced by the club on Thursday. This announcement comes after months of speculation about Kerr's future, especially following the departure of Chelsea's esteemed manager, Emma Hayes, who left to lead the US Women’s team.

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Since the start of the 2024 season, Bruno Fernandes has been nothing short of sensational, amassing involvement in 40 goals for both club and country. This remarkable feat underscores his status as one of the most prolific and influential midfielders in modern football.