SOCCER

MANCHESTER CITY CPMPLETE £34m SIGNING OF PALMEIRAS WINGER ALAN

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Manchester City have completed the signing of Brazilian winger Allan Elias from Palmeiras in a deal worth up to £34.2 million.

NEWCASTLE BEAT TOTTENHAM 2-0 AS JAISSLE SECURES FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE WIN

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Newcastle United secured their first Premier League victory under manager Matthias Jaissle with a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, leaving Spurs bottom of the table after two consecutive league defeats.

MESSI CALLS TIME ON ARGENTINA CAREER AFTER HEARTBREAK

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Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an extraordinary chapter of his career with Argentina to an emotional close.

The Argentine superstar confirmed the decision on Monday, saying he had spent considerable time thinking about his future with the national team before concluding that the moment had arrived to step away. Messi admitted the decision was painful but said he was leaving with pride after giving everything to the national jersey throughout his career.

Messi's international journey has been defined by both disappointment and remarkable redemption. For years, the forward faced intense criticism from Argentine supporters as the national team repeatedly fell short in major competitions. Despite reaching several finals, Argentina struggled to convert opportunities into trophies, leaving Messi under enormous pressure.

That narrative eventually changed. Messi guided Argentina to Copa América glory in 2021 before helping the country win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He later added another Copa América title in 2024, cementing his status as one of the most decorated players in the history of Argentine football.

His achievements also include two World Cup Golden Ball awards, earned in 2014 and 2022, as well as the same individual honour at the 2015 and 2021 Copa América tournaments. Argentina also finished as runners up in the 2014 and 2026 World Cups, while Messi experienced Copa América final defeats in 2007, 2015 and 2016.

The latest World Cup final proved particularly difficult. Argentina lost to Spain, with Messi left visibly devastated on the pitch at the final whistle. The defeat came shortly before the death of his father, Jorge Messi, who had played a central role in managing his son's career.

In a recent tribute, Messi described his father as a crucial figure in his life and admitted uncertainty about continuing to play football following his loss.

Messi said he initially wrote his retirement statement shortly after the World Cup final, but his father's death reinforced his decision to leave international football.

The 39 year old thanked his family, teammates, coaches and officials while expressing particular gratitude to Argentine supporters. After years of carrying the expectations of a football obsessed nation, Messi said he would now support Argentina from outside the pitch.

His departure marks the end of an era for Argentina and one of football's most celebrated international careers.

CARLOS BALEBA COMPLETES £70M MOVE FROM BRIGHTON TO MANCHESTER UNITED

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Manchester United have completed the signing of Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton in a deal worth up to £70m.

LIONEL MESSI SCORES FOUR AS INTER MIAMI CRUSH MONTREAL 7-1 TO END POOR RUN

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Lionel Messi produced a sensational display by scoring four goals as Inter Miami returned to winning ways with a commanding 7-1 victory over Montreal in Major League Soccer.

MESSI FINED BY MLS AFTER SLAPPING OPPONENT

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Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer after slapping Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan during their 2-2 draw on Wednesday.

The incident happened late in the match at Subaru Park after Messi appeared to believe Sullivan had elbowed him following a challenge. As Sullivan turned away, Messi reached out and slapped the back of his head.

Sullivan immediately reacted angrily, but the situation was quickly brought under control by the referee and other players.

MLS confirmed that Messi had been fined for the incident but did not disclose the amount of the penalty.

The 39-year-old Argentine was otherwise a key figure for Inter Miami during the match, scoring his team's second goal. It was his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi.

Messi had recently returned to Miami after traveling to Argentina for his father's funeral. Jorge Messi, who was also his son's longtime agent, died at the age of 68 following a lengthy illness.

In a tribute to his father, Messi reflected on his future in football and suggested that he may not have many years left in his playing career.

Messi was not the only Inter Miami player punished following the heated encounter with Philadelphia.

Miami defender Ian Fray was also fined after grabbing Sullivan around the neck during another confrontation between the players. The incident occurred after Sullivan lost his footing inside the penalty area and became involved in a tangle with Fray.

The match ended in further controversy as two players were shown red cards during stoppage time.

Inter Miami's Yannick Bright was sent off, while Philadelphia midfielder Cavan Sullivan, Quinn's brother, also received a red card.

However, Cavan Sullivan's automatic one-match suspension was later overturned following a review.

The draw kept Inter Miami second in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind leaders Nashville.

The result came during an important period for Messi and Miami as they continue their push toward the postseason. Despite the tensions that marked the match, Messi's goal provided a significant personal moment following the loss of his father.

The fine adds another disciplinary issue to an otherwise productive night for the veteran forward, who continues to play a central role for Inter Miami at 39.

Messi's return to form will be particularly important as Miami look to close the gap at the top of the Eastern Conference and maintain their challenge for major honors this season.

MANCHESTER CITY OPEN TALKS WITH LIVERPOOL OVER CODY GAKPO TRANSFER

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Manchester City have opened talks with Liverpool over a potential move for forward Cody Gakpo, with the Netherlands international emerging as one of the major transfer stories ahead of Tuesday's deadline.

MANCHESTR UNITED LEFT REELING AFTER SHOCK DEFEAT AT HULL CITY

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Manchester United suffered a frustrating start to their Premier League campaign as newly promoted Hull City secured a historic victory over Ruben Amorim's former side.