Messi rules out Paris Olympics, says Inter Miami will be his last club gig
June 13 – Lionel Messi has ruled out playing in this summer’s Olympics for Argentina, saying it would be “too much” after representing his country at the Copa America.
South America
US fall apart as Colombia give them a latin lesson ahead of the Copa America
June 9 – Billed as a warm-up for Copa America and a step on the US team’s journey to their 2026 home hosting of the World Cup, the US were brought down to earth with a bang following a 5-1 dismantling at the hands of Colombia.
Flamengo and River Plate favourites to progress as Copa Libertadores reaches last 16
June 4 – Flamengo and River Plate were handed favourable draws for the round of 16 in the Copa Libertadores with ties against Bolivar and Talleres respectively.
Dispute over ownership stops auction of Maradona’s 1986 Golden Ball trophy
June 3 – The auction of the Golden Ball trophy awarded to the late Diego Maradona that was planned for this week has been postponed amid a judicial investigation into the possible resale of stolen goods.
TCL plugged in for its third Conmebol Copa America sponsorship
May 31 – Chinese consumer electronics company TCL has renewed its sponsorship of the Copa América for the 2024 edition that kicks off June 20 in the US.
Conmebol bring in pink cards and concussion subs Copa America 2024 in US
May 24 – Referees at the Copa America in the United States will brandish pink cards for players who may require a substitution because of head injuries.
Flamengo set to agree doubling of Pixbet sponsorship
May 21 – Brazilian giants Flamengo are closing in on the renewal of their partnership with bookmaker Pixbet in what will be the club’s biggest-ever sponsorship.
CBF suspends league fixtures as clubs struggle to function in aftermath of flooding
May 16 – Following pressure from clubs and the Brazilian sports ministry, the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) has suspended the next two rounds of the league because of major floods in the country’s south.
Infantino congratulates River Plate, Argentina’s first qualifier for 2025 Club World Cup
May 15 – Buenos Aires giants River Plate have qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup after overcoming Libertad from Paraguay on Tuesday in the Copa Libertadores, becoming the first Argentinian club to clinch a spot in the expanded 32-team tournament.
Clubs call for suspension of league after floods devastate southern Brazil
May 15 – Brazilian clubs have demanded the suspension of the top flight Serie A following the floods that have hit in state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Betano supports Argentina launch with league naming rights
May 15 – Kaizen Gaming brand Betano has become the title sponsor and exclusive betting partner of the Argentina Football Association’s (AFA) Liga Profesional de Fútbol.
Betfair expands into Brazilian market with record Vasco da Gama shirt deal
May 14 – Brazilian club Vasco da Gama has signed a new main sponsorship with Flutter Entertainment online betting brand Betfair.
GolTV put under pressure to pay rights fees in Ecuador as players go unpaid
May 13 – GolTV, the pay-television broadcaster that holds domestic rights to Ecuador’s top-tier Serie A, faces losing its lucrative contract as a 15-day countdown begins for them to pay clubs outstanding rights fees.
Maradona’s 1986 World Cup Golden Ball trophy to be auctioned in Paris
May 8 – Diego Maradona’s Golden Ball trophy from the 1986 World Cup, which went missing for decades, will be auctioned in Paris next month and is expected to raise millions.
Argentina mourns loss of World Cup winner César Luis Menotti, 85
May 7 – César Luis Menotti, the charismatic coach who led Argentina to their first World Cup title in 1978, has died at the age of 85, the Argentine Football Association has announced.