Lautaro Martinez Wins 2024 Copa America Golden Boot Award

Lautaro Martinez is getting the boot!

The 26-year-old Argentine professional footballer, who scored the sole goal to lead Argentina to the title in the Copa America final against Colombia, has been awarded the tournament’s Golden Boot award.

Lautaro MartínezCopa America 2024 Golden Boot winner: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan):
Martinez, who plays as a striker for Serie A club Inter Milan, earned some redemption at this year’s Copa America. After tons of criticism in Qatar and fans around the world saying they won in spite of his performances, the Inter Milan striker lifted the Golden Boot after scoring five goals this summer, including the tournament winner in extra time against Los Cafeteros.

Martinez has been one of the best strikers in Europe for years winning Serie A, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana titles with Inter Milan. His performances at the 2022 World Cup, along with the rise of Manchester City‘s Julian Alvarez saw the striker lose his starting position. Though, after this summer, he’s quieted the doubters and haters whether starting or off the bench.

Copa America 2024 Golden Glove winner: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa):
Another international tournament, another Golden Glove for Emiliano Martinez. Three straight Golden Gloves at international competitions for the 31-year-old Argentine professional footballer and Aston Villa player has cemented himself as an Argentinian legend.

The meteoric rise he’s been on since his last season at Arsenal winning the FA Cup and Community Shield to helping Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League this past Premier League season has been one of the best stories in the sport.

Copa America 2024 Golden Ball winner: James Rodriguez (Sao Paulo):
If James Rodriguez announced himself to the world at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, this summer he reminded the world why he’s such a talented and special player.

The 33-year-old Colombian professional footballer and Sao Paulo player won the Golden Ball signifying himself as the best player of the tournament, a consolation prize after heartbreak in the final.

James assisted six times in the tournament, four more than Nicolas de la Cruz and Alexis Mac Allister.

He also overtook Radamel Falcao this tournament as the fourth-most capped player in Los Cafeteros history. A remarkable tournament for the player despite it ending in disappointment.

Alexis Sanchez Reaches Agreement with French Side Marseille  

Alexis Sanchez is switching leagues…

The 33-year-old Chilean soccer player has reportedly reached an agreement with French side Marseille after Internazionale  ended his contract by mutual agreement, the Serie A club said.

Alexis SanchezSanchez is joining the club on a free transfer.

Sanchez made 109 appearances and scored 20 goals in all competitions after joining Inter from Manchester United in 2019 but rarely appeared in the starting lineup last season.

“The club would like to wholeheartedly thank Alexis for these last three seasons, in which the Nerazzurri won three major honors, and we wish him all the best for his future career,” Inter said in a statement.

Former Barcelona and Arsenal forward Sanchez, who has 146 caps and 48 goals for Chile, won the 2020-2021 Scudetto, Inter‘s first league title in 11 years, and last season helped the club win the Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup.

Everton F.C. Signs Allan from S.S.C. Napoli

Allan is headed to England…

The 29-year-old Brazilian soccer player, whose full name is Allan Marques Loureiro, has been signed by Everton F.C. from Italian side S.S.C. Napoli on a three-year deal, the Premier League club announced on Saturday.

Allan

It’s reported Everton paid around £25 million to Napoli for the midfielder.

Allan scored 11 goals and grabbed 16 assists in more than 200 appearances for Napoli across all competitions, and helped them claim the Coppa Italia last season.

“It is a real pleasure to sign for Everton. I am immensely happy to be here,” Allan said in a club statement.

“I hope, like I have done in my entire career, I contribute with my performances together with my teammates and that I put in some great games, great performances and win important things.”

Capped nine times by Brazil, Allan was part of the squad that won the Copa America in 2019.

At Everton, he’ll be reunited with manager Carlo Ancelotti, having previously played under the 61-year-old for two seasons while the Italian was in charge of Napoli.

“It is a club with a rich history in the Premier League, has real ambition and then there is Professor Ancelotti. He has done everything possible to bring me here,” Allan said.

“It is the size of the club and the name of the coach, which means you don’t think twice about coming to Everton.”

Everton have also been linked with Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez as Ancelotti aims to strengthen the Merseyside club’s midfield ahead of the new season.

Everton finished 12th last term and begin their new Premier League campaign with a trip to Tottenham Hotspur on September 13.

Veron Comes Out of Retirement & Officially Re-Signs with Estudiantes

Juan Sebastian Veron is ready to prove age is nothing but a number…

The 41-year-old Argentine retired footballer is back in the game after officially re-signing for Estudiantes de la Plata, two years after hanging up his boots.

Juan Sebastian Veron

The former Manchester United and Argentina midfielder quit playing in 2014 to become chairman of his boyhood club, having won 73 caps for his country, while he also played Chelsea, Inter Milan and Lazio.

Veron had promised to play in the 2017 Copa Libertadores if supporters bought 65 percent of the tickets for the club’s new stadium and has now made good on that pledge.

He has signed an 18-month contract, meaning he will be 43 years old when the deal expires. He will be paid a minimal salary, all of which will be “donated for the development of the club.”

His first game back in Estudiantes colors is set to be against Bayer Leverkusen in the Florida Cup on January 8 after he spent the last few months working on his fitness.

“He told us he wants to return, that from January he will return as a player,” midfielder Israel Damonte told La Oral Deportiva last month. “He will play from January for the tournament [league] and Copa [Libertadores in 2017].”

Veron won Apertura titles with Estudiantes in 2006 and 2010, and the Copa Libertadores in 2009 — his second spell with the club.

In European football, he won the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia with Parma in 1998-99, before going on to lift the Serie A and Coppa Italia double with Lazio in 1999-2000, as well as the UEFA Super Cup in 2009. He then won the Premier League with Manchester United in 2002-03 and another Italian double with Inter in 2005-06. He also won the Coppa Italia with Inter in 2004-05.