Messi dropped as players vote for their World XI. No US players make women’s selection
December 10 – FIFA may still rate Lionel Messi as one of the best players in the world on current form but his peers clearly do not.
News
Alex Phillips takes over as FIFPRO general secretary, Sergio Marchi elected president
November 29 – Global players’ union FIFPRO has announced UEFA’s former head of governance and compliance, Alex Phillips, as its new secretary general.
ECA wraps up its busiest year with review of workstreams and launch of leadership programme
November 20 – The European Club Association (ECA) Executive Committee held its final 2024 meeting at the Paris Saint-Germain Campus on Tuesday, focusing on key issues shaping European and international club football.
French boost security to host Israelis in Nations League tie at Stade de France
November 11 – The France-Israel Nations League fixture on Thursday will go ahead as planned, confirmed French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, despite last week’s violence in Amsterdam at the Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
English FA launches strategy to expand on growth of women’s to 2028
November 1 – The English FA has launched a new four-year strategy, Reaching Higher, aimed at building on the rapid growth of women’s and girls’ football.
Wrexham success keeps building, with plans now for stadium expansion
October 30 – Wrexham AFC have appointed world-leading stadium architects Populous to develop a masterplan for the club’s STōK Cae Ras Stadium (the racecourse Ground), starting with the redesign of the new 5,500-capacity Kop Stand.
Barca starlet Yamal racially abused in Madrid after scoring in Clasico
October 28 – Real Madrid, the Spanish league and the government have joined forces to condemn racist insults against Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal during Saturday’s ‘clasico’ with Real launching an investigation into who was responsible.
Klopp returns to football as Red Bull’s head of global soccer
October 9 – Former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has been appointed global head of soccer at Red Bull as he returns to football just three months after an emotional departure from Merseyside.
Konate supports strike to force a solution to overloaded schedule
October 9 – France and Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate (pictured) has become the latest player to speak out against the packed fixture schedule, saying he supports the right to strike.
LaLiga condemns Vinicius hate campaign and demands arrests
September 30 – The Spanish league has called for the arrest of fans behind a hate campaign aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jnr.
World Cup winner Raphael Varane calls it a day
September 25 – Former Manchester United and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has announced a shock retirement from football at just 31-years-old.
New book documents a 1974 World Cup story that turned the old order downside up
September 24 – Australia first qualified for the World Cup finals in 1974. It was a momentous achievement for a team of mainly immigrants, playing the game as part timers, who were written off as no-hopers.
Adidas and UEFA keep the ball rolling for another 3-year cycle
September 16 – UEFA have renewed their partnership with Adidas which will see the German sports company continue to produce match balls for the UEFA Champions League until 2027.
After interminable four match wait, Mbappé is off the mark in LaLiga
September 2 – French star Kylian Mbappé has opened his account at Real Madrid with a brace to steer his side to a routine 2-0 victory against Real Betis in La Liga.
Gundogan steps away from German national team as Barca future looks uncertain
August 20 – German captain Ilkay Gundogan has announced his retirement from international football after leading his country to the quarterfinals at Euro 2024, citing “a certain tiredness” both physically and mentally.