Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe may have appeared to hint that he’ll be completing a transfer to Real Madrid when he becomes a free agent in summer 2024, but Fabrizio Romano insists we shouldn’t read too much into whatever the player did at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Mbappe winked when asked by reporters about ending up at Madrid as his next club, but Romano has provided an update on the France international’s situation in his exclusive column for the Daily Briefing.

Real Madrid have long been linked as a future destination for Mbappe, but it seems nothing is going to be decided now, even if the 24-year-old is just months away from becoming a free agent.

We’ll have to wait a bit longer before learning what Mbappe decides to do next, as well as Real’s plans for the summer transfer window, according to Romano, who is one of the most trustworthy journalists when it comes to these matters and never one to sensationalise stories.

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“Kylian Mbappe attracted some attention with his reaction to being asked about moving to Real Madrid next summer, but I’m afraid I still have nothing at all to report at this point,” Romano said.

“I don’t expect any big movement now in this moment of the year. Mbappe is focused on PSG and Real Madrid are happy with their current situation, then in 2024 it will become clear what he wants to do with PSG on the contract situation… and at that point, with Real Madrid too.

“We’ll have to wait and see, but there’s nothing happening now, despite stories.”

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The host of the World Cup in 2034 will be Saudi Arabia as FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed the tournament will return to the Middle East 12 years after it hosted its first in 2022. 

It was reported on Tuesday that rival bidders Australia decided against putting their bid forward, having been given a 25-day deadline by FIFA to express interest when the deadline was unexpectedly brought forward to 4pm GMT on Tuesday.

This left Saudi Arabia as the sole bidder for the 2034 edition of the World Cup and President Gianni Infantino has confirmed the Middle Eastern country as the host nation in 11 years’ time.

The 52-year-old said about the decision via Fabrizio Romano: “Football unites the world like no other sport, a World Cup is the perfect showcase for a message of unity and inclusion.

“Different cultures can be together”.

?? OFFICIAL: World Cup 2034 will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, as president Gianni Infantino has confirmed. ??

“Football unites the world like no other sport, World Cup is perfect showcase for a message of unity and inclusion”.

“Different cultures can be together”. pic.twitter.com/ScNJqPzPf7

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 31, 2023

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The decision to award Saudi Arabia the tournament was met with a lot of questions regarding human rights issues, which was similar to that in 2022 as Qatar hosted the World’s biggest sports competition.

According to Insidethegames, FIFA has been accused by Human Rights Watch of ignoring its own rules through its process for awarding the 2030 and 2034 World Cups.

They believe that FIFA set it up for the Saudis to win by setting a tight deadline of October 31 for countries to register interest in hosting the 2034 World Cup, and ruled it can only be held in Asia or Oceania. Therefore, Saudi Arabia became the only country to bid for the 2034 tournament.

This is an issue that will not go away in the lead-up to the tournament in 11 years’ time as it is a major question that once again needs to be answered by football’s governing body.

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Kylian Mbappe smiled and winked when asked by El Chiringuito about a potential transfer to Real Madrid next summer.

The France international is coming towards the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract, meaning he could leave the club on a free transfer at the end of this current campaign.

Real Madrid have long been linked with Mbappe, and it seems he didn’t make too much effort to play down the speculation in the video clip below…

? IMAGEN @elchiringuitotv ?

? Madridista, ILUSIÓNATE con el GUIÑO de MBAPPÉ.

?? @10JoseAlvarez: "¿El año que viene al Madrid o no?" pic.twitter.com/W37CHOzxjS

— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) October 31, 2023

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Mbappe is one of the finest footballers on the planet and it would truly be exciting to see him alongside other elite young players like Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior at the Bernabeu.

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Presnel Kimpembe is set to hold talks over a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain soon despite some transfer rumours linking him with Barcelona, according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column for the Daily Briefing.

Kimpembe has been a key player for PSG down the years, but he’s close to becoming a free agent at the end of this season, so one imagines there will be some other clubs around Europe keeping an eye on the France international’s situation.

Romano seems aware of speculation involving Barcelona, but he says he’s not hearing anything particularly concrete about that at the moment, and has suggested that Kimpembe will soon discuss a new deal with his current club.

It remains to be seen what the outcome of those talks will be, but one imagines PSG will surely be keen to keep Kimpembe on board, so it could depend on whether or not he wants to commit his future to the club or try a new challenge.

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“Presnel Kimpembe – My understanding for the moment is that Kimpembe will discuss his future with PSG in the second half of this season,” Romano said.

“At the moment, no decision has been made. I’m not aware of anything concrete with Barcelona as of today, they have different priorities.”

The post Exclusive: PSG star to discuss new contract soon amid Barcelona transfer links, says expert appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Lionel Messi has been crowned the winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or after a memorable 12 months for the 36-year-old. 

The award is the Argentina star’s eighth, which extends his own record for the most Ballon d’Ors ever won, with Cristiano Ronaldo in second place with five.

This Ballon d’Or comes a remarkable 14 years after the Barcelona legend won his first in 2009 and it shows the incredible longevity of the sport’s greatest-ever player.

Messi beat the likes of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to the award, who also had sensational seasons for their clubs and countries, but the award was only ever going to go to one man following a special month in Qatar at the end of last year.

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Messi put together one of the greatest, if not the greatest, World Cup campaigns ever seen to help Argentina to a third World crown in Qatar last year. The 36-year-old played like a man possessed as he reached the pinnacle of football and it left the Argentine with nothing left to achieve in the sport.

However, the forward did not stop there; in his first tournament with Inter Miami, Messi guided the MLS franchise to their first-ever trophy by winning the Leagues Cup. The Barcelona legend scored 10 goals and assisted another across the seven matches to the title, which already makes him a hero in the Magic City.

That is on top of his campaign with PSG, where Messi scored 16 goals and assisted another 16 across 32 matches as the Paris-based club won Ligue 1 by one point.

Overall, it has been a memorable season for Messi and the World Cup winner is fully deserving of his eighth Ballon d’Or crown.

The post Lionel Messi crowned Ballon d’Or 2023 winner for record-extending eighth time appeared first on CaughtOffside.

French fans have not forgotten the actions of Aston Villa star Emi Martinez following Argentina’s World Cup win over France last December. 

The goalkeeper held a baby doll with a picture of Mbappe’s face stuck to it during the World Cup winners parade in Argentina after the tournament and people in France made their feelings clear on the red carpet of the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday night in Paris.

As Martinez arrived, the Villa star had the name “Mbappe” chanted at him whilst others were heard booing.

The goalkeeper didn’t react to his reception as he took photos on his way into the ceremony.

Chants of “Mbappé, Mbappé, Mbappé” as Emiliano Martinez arrives on the red carpet for the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

The goalkeeper mocked the Frenchman in the wake of Argentina’s World Cup victory last December.

pic.twitter.com/xDmKK4nZqK

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) October 30, 2023

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The post Video: French fans chant “Mbappe” and boo Premier League star at Ballon d’Or ceremony appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Fabio Grosso was left bandaged and bleeding after his team coach was attacked by a group of fans throwing projectiles.

The Ligue 1 clash between Marseille and Lyon on Sunday evening had to be called off after the visiting side’s team bus was attacked as it made its way to the Stade Velodrome.

The projectiles, mostly stones, smashed the windows of the team bus with the shards of glass injuring Grosso.

The Lyon manager was left bleeding heavily and had to receive immediate medical treatment for his wounds.

Fabio Grosso, the Lyon manager, after the team bus was attacked by Marseille fans tonight. @ESPNFC pic.twitter.com/TK1CrFwC0c

— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) October 29, 2023

This is not the first time a game in Marseille has been called off, in 2021 their match against Rennes was postponed after fans stormed the training ground in protest.

Video footage shows the damaged coach arriving at the stadium.

The Lyon bus was targeted and hit by rocks thrown on its way to the Velodrome to face Marseille. The Lyon manager Fabio Grosso was injured and bleeding as shards of glass cut his face. @ESPNFC
pic.twitter.com/knbisUQXZ2

— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) October 29, 2023

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It’s clear that Man United don’t have enough strength in depth in central defence, and that’s highlighted when the likes of Raphael Varane or Lisandro Martinez get injured.

For any of the top clubs to sustain a season-long challenge nowadays, they need four top-class central defenders that, whilst they may not be happy to rotate, at least give their manager sufficient options.

Erik ten Hag’s side have suffered at various stages this season and for a variety of reasons, though one can point to a lack of stability at the back as being a major concern.

It’s perhaps with that in mind that the Red Devils have been scouting a new centre-back extensively, and once Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrives on the scene, it’s possible the club could land their preferred target.

‘I told you United were already scouting some players such as Antonio Silva from Benfica, who’s considered a super talented centre-back,’ CaughtOffside columnist, Fabrizio Romano, wrote in his exclusive Daily Briefing.

‘Staying in Portugal, a Sporting player called Goncalo Inacio who is left-footed and a different kind of centre-back, more technical than fast, is being looked at.’

There’s one player above all others that United have already considered signing, and despite the expected expense, the fact that he plays for Nice, also owned by Sir Jim, is likely to tip the balance.

‘Jean-Clair Todibo is having an incredible season at Nice and was already very expensive last summer when United considered the possibility of signing him,’ Romano continued.

‘At that point Nice wanted €40m/€45m, so imagine now, with the club first in the Ligue Un table, the boy is gonna be super expensive – but Man United really like him.’

At the time of writing, United will be readying themselves for a Manchester derby that has arguably seen them written off before a ball has been kicked.

The importance of a win for the Red Devils can’t be understated, however.

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If ten Hag’s side were to acquire the three points after Sunday’s Old Trafford encounter, it would put them sixth and just three points behind Pep Guardiola’s swashbucklers, who themselves haven’t had the best start to a season either.

It promises to be an absorbing encounter, and how United’s centre-backs deal with the likes of Erling Haaland is likely to author the result – as well as give ten Hag and Sir Jim some food for thought in the transfer market.

The post Exclusive: Man United’s new centre-back in 2024 could be heavily influenced by Sir Jim Ratcliffe appeared first on CaughtOffside.

The spectre of a European Super League raised its ugly head again earlier in the week with news that a judgment would be made on it during December.

No one other than those making the judgment can know which way it’s going to land, but it’s safe to say that former pro and now pundit, Stan Collymore, isn’t a fan.

‘No, I don’t think a European Super League is the way forward. UEFA particularly have bent over backwards, with concessions, more games, more money. If you have a European Super League what’s it going to be predicated on?’ he wrote in his exclusive CaughtOffside column.

‘It’s gonna be very, very difficult for clubs such as Villa and Forest, who have won European Cups in the past, Celtic too, to get into if it’s invite only. That will have a massive impact.

‘I could certainly see an example of clubs already owned by oil states or oligarchs or hedge funds, that are now spending €400m on players and are mopping up their domestic league, will just give a cursory nod to the league that they come from whilst going on and playing in the Super League.

‘Any attempt to start to be able to get momentum, however, should see supporters put their clubs under the greatest pressure to say their clubs must not, under any circumstances, enter a European Super League.

‘I think that particularly with the English clubs, if they were to say no again, we will never join the ESL because the whole idea would be dead in the water. There would be no European Super League that would be worthy of the name.’

Supporters came out in force back in 2021 when it was announced that there had been an agreement for the Super League to come into force.

The protests were almost immediate and forced the clubs that had made the agreement to drop out one by one and even go so far to apologise to their supporters.

Only Barcelona and Real Madrid are left from the original 12 clubs and their fate in the project rests in the judges hands.

Even if the ESL isn’t a going concern post-judgement, Collymore believes we’ll see a derivative of it because of the money that is now in the game.

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‘Saudi Arabia, big American banks… the groundwork has already been laid in some respects. The pre-season International Champions Cup in America is their attempt at giving English and European clubs an insight into what potentially is possible,’ he added.

‘Come to America and play in front of 100,000 at the University of Michigan and we can make you richer than than you ever imagined. I could see a situation whereby the Saudis and the Americans, maybe even countries like India or China may want a little foothold.

‘Several entities will be needed to make it possible but just imagine if Manchester United are offered a billion pounds a season to play in any competition. The odds are that their owners are going to go absolutely yes because they then wouldn’t have to worry about whatever money comes into their club.

‘It’s a very persuasive argument.’

Essentially any organisation that has the money could effectively dangle clubs on a string and send them to all corners of the earth in the name of profit.

That’s a worst-case solution for many, who prefer the old traditions of the game which seem all but left in the past now.

The post Exclusive: Super League isn’t the way forward but clubs won’t turn down billions says Collymore appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Monday night should see Lionel Messi crowned as the Ballon d’Or for an incredible eighth time.

That’s three more than his nemesis, Cristiano Ronaldo, and at least five more than anyone else.

By whichever metric you choose, there’s a cogent argument that the diminutive Argentinian really is the G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time).

Ex-Premier League striker, Stan Collymore, believes that Messi deserves the award because of his World Cup heroics at the back end of last year.

‘If you’re looking for the fairy tale and the guy that’s come in and almost single-handedly won a World Cup then Messi is a worthy winner,’ he wrote in his exclusive CaughtOffside column.

However, given that Man City did the treble last season and were absolutely awesome whilst doing so, Collymore questioned whether two of their players actually deserved the honour in Messi’s stead.

‘However, if you’re looking in terms of numbers, Erling Haaland comes in and breaks the Premier League record – which is very difficult to do – in his first season, then he has a valid shout,’ he continued.

‘What about Julian Alvarez, who won the World Cup and scored goals, and provided assists for Haaland and his team-mates?’

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Like so many, Collymore appears bored by the whole notion of an individual award in what is a team sport, unless there are definable metrics by which a score can be given and the ‘best in the world’ is therefore exactly that because of the highest score.

‘I’m not a big fan of individual awards because they’re so subjective and almost pointless. What’s the criteria? Goals scored? Assists given? Influence over your team or any other metric you ascribe to?’ he added.

‘Then you get people like Pep Guardiola coming out and saying Messi should have his own award, and that will have weighed heavily on the minds of journalists and the people that vote for things like that.

‘[…] Brand Messi and brand Ronaldo have been very, very strong for a long time, but in years to come I would like to see some kind of criteria attached to the award in the same way that you would judge the Golden Gloves or similar.’

What’s almost certain is that no other player will ever come close to matching Messi’s eight Golden Balls, and he will remain forever at the pinnacle of football folklore.

Football will never, ever see his like again.

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