Atlanta United Completes Transfer of Thiago Almada to Brazil’s Botafogo

Posted on July 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Thiago Almada is heading to Brazil.

Atlanta United has completed its transfer of the 23-year-old Argentine professional footballer to Brazilian top-flight side Botafogo for a Major League Soccer-record fee, the club announced on Saturday.

While the club confirmed the fee is a record, it didn’t attach a monetary figure. The Athletic reported Atlanta United stands to receive $21 million with up to $30m possible if conditions are met.

The 5-foot-7 midfielder/winger is expected to be on the move from Brazil over the winter. Botafogo is part of Eagle Football Holdings, which also operates Lyon of France’s Ligue 1 and Crystal Palace of England’s Premier League. It’s anticipated he will join Lyon in January.

Almada was transferred to Atlanta in February 2022 for a reported $16m by Velez Sarsfield of Argentina’s Primera Division. He went on to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina and will play for his nation in the 2024 Paris Games beginning later this month.

“We spent more than a year recruiting Thiago to join Atlanta United and during that process, we agreed that our club could provide a great platform to showcase his abilities and he would have the opportunity to continue his development until the time was right for him to move on to the next challenge,” Atlanta’s vice president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a news release.

Almada appeared in 77 regular-season matches (72 starts) with Atlanta United, recording 23 goals and 33 assists. He was honored as MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2022 and MLS Young Player the following year.

“His success is something we’re all proud of and a ton of credit is owed to our scouting department, in addition to everyone who has worked with him at the club,” Bocanegra said. “Our team has been prepared for this move and we will look to immediately reinvest in the team during the upcoming summer transfer window.”

Alexia Putellas Wins Ballon d’Or Feminin for Second Consecutive Year

Posted on October 17, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Alexia Putellas has earned a place in soccer history…

The 28-year-old Spanish professional footballer and Barcelona midfielder has won the Ballon d’Or Feminin for the second consecutive year, becoming the first woman to win the award twice since it launched in 2018.

Putellas was named the best women’s player in the world at the Monday gala in Paris despite being sidelined since June with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

She finished ahead of Arsenal‘s Beth Mead and Chelsea‘s Sam Kerr, who were second and third, respectively.

“Without my teammates this would not have been possible,” Putellas said after receiving the award. “I want to thank the staff and the coach and everyone involved at Barcelona.

“I’m very happy to be back here and pleased because a year ago I was able to win this prize and it pushed me to want to be even better.”

Prior to her injury in the summer, Putellas captained Barcelona to a third successive Primera Division title. The Catalan side made history by winning all 30 of their league games throughout the 2021-22 campaign.

She also led Barcelona to success in the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa de la Reina to complete a domestic treble, although they came up short in the Champions League.

Putellas’ strike in the final was not enough to stop French side Lyon from beating Barcelona 3-1 in Turin.

However, after scoring 11 goals in the Champions League, more than any other player in the competition, Putellas was later named UEFA Women’s Player of the Year ahead of Mead and Lena Oberdorf.

In addition to those 11 goals in Europe, she scored 18 league goals from midfield, four in the Copa de la Reina and one in the Super Cup.

Putellas had hoped success would follow for Spain in the summer, but she tore her left ACL in training with the national team ahead of the European Championship in England.

She has not played since and is expected to remain out of action for several more months.

Last year, Putellas became the first Spanish winner of a Ballon d’Or since Luis Suarez in 1960. She was also named the Best FIFA Women’s Player.

The Ballon d’Or Feminin was launched in 2018 when it was won by Lyon’s Ada Hegerberg. Megan Rapinoe won it the following year before it was suspended in 2020 because of the pandemic.

Barcelona Femeni Signs Geyse Ferreira in Free Transfer from Madrid CFF

Posted on June 19, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Geyse Ferreira is headed to Barcelona…

Barcelona Femeni has completed the signing of the 24-year-old Brazilian forward on a free transfer from Madrid CFF, the Catalan club has confirmed.

Geyse joins on a two-year deal with her contact with Madrid expiring at the end of June.

Along with Barca striker Asisat Oshoala, she was the top scorer in the Primera Division, netting 20 times in a team that finished 13th in the table.

She becomes Barca’s third signing of the summer following the arrivals of England international Lucy Bronze on a free transfer from Manchester City and Real Sociedad left-back Nuria Rabano. Geyse further strengthens Barca’s attack following the loss of Dutch winger Lieke Martens, who joined Paris Saint-Germain this week after running down her contract at Camp Nou.

The Brazil International first joined Madrid in 2017 from Corinthians in her home country. She left the club for Benfica in 2018 but returned in 2020.

She now joins a Barca side that has won the Spanish league in each of the last three seasons and reached the last two Champions League finals.

They won 45 out of 47 games last season, including all 30 in the league, but a defeat to Lyon in the European Cup final left a bittersweet feeling at the end of the campaign.

Alexia Putellas Claims This Year’s ‘The Best FIFA Women’s Player’ Award

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special third for Alexia Putellas…

The 27-year-old Spanish footballer, a midfielder for Barcelona and Spain, has won The Best FIFA Women’s Player award for 2022, marking her third individual award in the last six months.

Putellas previously won the Ballon d’Or Feminin in November and was named UEFA Women’s Player of the Year in August.

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes was awarded The Best FIFA Women’s Coach award after a year in which she won the domestic Treble and made it to the Champions League final.

Canada and Portland Thorns‘ Christine Sinclair was awarded The Best FIFA Special award while Chile and Lyon‘s Christiane Endler was awarded The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award.

“This belongs to everyone,” Putellas said after receiving the award. “I hope we can continue with the same or even more motivations this year and we can be very successful again.

“This is the work of many years. 2021 was perfect. We only hope to finish this year the same way.”

Putellas fought off strong competition from teammate Jennifer Hermoso and Chelsea’s Sam Kerr for Monday’s award — the same two finalists for the Ballon d’Or Feminin.

Putellas helped Barca to a Treble-winning 2020-21 season in which they won the Primera Divsion, the Copa de la Reina and took home the Champions League trophy for the first time in their history.

Meanwhile, several Latina players were named to the FIFA Women’s World XI team, including Endler, Argentina’s Estefania Banini and Brazil’s Marta.

FIFA Women’s World XI
Christiane Endler – Lyon, Chile
Lucy Bronze – Manchester City, England
Wendie Renard – Lyon, France
Millie Bright – Chelsea, England
Magdalena Eriksson – Chelsea, Sweden
Estefania Banini – Atletico Madrid, Argentina
Carli Lloyd – NJ/NY Gotham, United States
Barbara Bonansea – Juventus, Italy
Vivianne Miedema – Arsenal, Netherlands
Marta – Orlando Pride, Brazil
Alex Morgan – San Diego Wave, United States

Alexia Putellas Becomes First Spanish Ballon d’Or Winner Since 1960

Posted on November 29, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Alexia Putellas has earned her place in Spanish sports history…

The 27-year-old Spanish footballer and Barcelona midfielder has become the first Spain international to win the Ballon d’Or since 1960 after leading her club to the Treble this year.

Putellas was named the best women’s player in the world on Monday as she received the Ballon d’Or Feminin.

Putellas, who was also named UEFA Women’s Player of the Year in August, is the first Spanish winner since Luis Suarez in 1960.

“Honestly, it is a bit emotional. Very special. It is great to be here with all my teammates. We’ve lived and experienced so much together, especially last season,” she said.

“I would like to thank all my teammates, all my teammates throughout my career and the ones I have right now. This is an individual prize but football is a team sport.

“I’d also like to thank the club of course. It is a real privilege to be here representing Barcelona.”

Barca teammate Jennifer Hermoso came in second place while Chelsea‘s Sam Kerr was voted third.

After a record-breaking year, Barca had an unmatched five players among the 20 finalists, with Hermoso, Lieke Martens, Sandra Panos and Irene Paredes also nominated for the award.

However, Putellas was deemed the outstanding player of a side, which won the Primera Division, the Copa de la Reina and the Champions League for the first time ever, beating Chelsea 4-0 in the final.

The midfielder becomes just the third woman to win the Ballon d’Or after Ada Hegerberg, the inaugural winner in 2018, and Megan Rapinoe, who won it in 2019. There was no award in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Putellas, 27, scored 26 goals last season as Barca clinched the Treble and she has continued her fine form into the current campaign, netting 14 goals in 13 appearances.

After spending one year at Barca’s youth academy when she was younger, Putellas spent her formative years at Espanyol, breaking into the first team at 16 before signing for Levante at 17.

In 2012, aged 18, she returned to Barca. Over the last decade, she has seen the team turn professional and played a key role as they have transformed into the best team in Europe.

She had made close to 400 appearances for the club and, after the departure of Vicky Losada to Manchester City in the summer, was recently named as the new first-team captain.

2021 Ballon d’Or Feminin rankings

Alexia Putellas
2. Jennifer Hermoso
3. Sam Kerr
4. Vivianne Miedema
5. Lieke Martens
6. Christine Sinclair
7. Pernille Harder
8. Ashley Lawrence
9. Jessie Fleming
10. Fran Kirby
11. Magda Eriksson
12. Christiane Endler
13. Stina Blackstenius
14. Sam Mewis
15. Irene Paredes
16. Ellen White
17. Kadidiatou Diani
18. Marie-Antoinette Katoto
19. Sandra Panos
20. Wendie Renard

Mara Gomez Joins Argentina’s Estudiantes de La Plata Club

Posted on August 16, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Mara Gomez is switching sides…

The 24-year-old Argentine soccer player, the first transgender footballer to play in Argentina’s professional women’s league, has joined Estudiantes de La Plata for the new season, leaving Villa San Carlos, the club that first gave her a pro contract.

Gomez made history in December 2020 when she made her debut in the Primera Division against Lanus, and is one of very few out trans players in professional football or any sports league.

Gomez, who also qualified as a nurse this month in a double career boost, posted on her Instagram about the move to her new club, writing: “Today I can say I’m happy.

“The joy of being in a very beautiful environment, where I can laugh and enjoy again this beautiful sport football that you know is half of me, it’s what keeps me walking through life.

“Today I’m part of the Pincha family, of a big club such as @edelpoficial @edelpfutbolfeme, the club of my dear city La Plata.

“Thanks for opening the doors, receiving me with so much affection, and today being one more club that sets an example of inclusion, that understands that passion doesn’t have gender or sex, that passion is for all.

“I promise to give my all as a player and fight for every point that takes us to the highest possible point in this tournament.”

The move allows Gomez, who must take hormones to suppress her testosterone levels in order to compete, to remain in the top flight. Estudiantes, who lost in their season debut on Monday to Platense, 3-1, finished well above the top half of the table after last season, while Villa San Carlos now plays in the third division, the Primera B Metropolitana.

Aside from advancing her football career, Gomez also celebrated her nursing qualification in the past week, which she had been working toward while training and playing football.

She posted on Saturday: “In my youth I was very afraid, thinking that I was not going to have a future, that I was not going to be able to complete my dreams and objectives.

“One day I decided to transform that fear into possibilities, I put strength and will into changing my life. I never gave up despite the adversities that life gave me.

“Today I complete my second life objective, today I’m a PROFESSIONAL NURSE.

“Thanks to my family and everyone that supported me to make this possible. Today is another time I demonstrate that I can, no matter how difficult the roads are, nothing is impossible.”

Gomez is set to make her debut for her new side on Monday, when the Primera Division’s new season kicks off.

Juan Manuel Lillo Named Pep Guardiola’s Assistant at Manchester City

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Juan Manuel Lillo is Pep’s Man (City)…

Manchester City has announced the 54-year-old Spanish football manager’sappointment as Pep Guardiola‘s assistant.

Lillo replaces Mikel Arteta, who left the Etihad Stadium to become Arsenal manager in December.

Lillo arrives from Chinese side Qingdao Huanghai having coached Guardiola during a spell in Mexico with Dorados Sinaloa in 2006.

Guadiola once called him the “best coach I ever had,” while Lillo has previously described the City boss as “one of the most important people in my life, like a son to me.”

“I am delighted to have joined Manchester City’s coaching staff,” Lillo said in a statement. “My relationship with Pep goes back many years and I am thrilled to be joining him as part of this exciting team.

“Manchester City has enjoyed much success over recent seasons and played a brand of beautiful football we have come to expect from this club and its manager.

“It’s a pleasure to become a part of this group and I hope to make an important contribution to the club’s success going forwards.”

Lillo became the youngest head coach in the Spanish top flight when he took UD Salamanca to the Primera Divisionin 1995 at the age of 29. He has had spells in Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Japan and China, where he left Qingdao Huanghai due to the coronavirus pandemic after leading the team to promotion to the Chinese Super League.

“We are delighted to welcome Juanma to Manchester City,” director of football Txiki Begiristain said.

“His vast experience working across three continents and with some of the most famous names in world football will be an invaluable asset to Pep and his team. “We look forward to him playing a vital role as we return to football.”

River Plate’s Alario to Liverpool or Tottenham?

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

There’s a battle brewing over Lucas Alario…

Liverpool and Tottenham are involved in a tug-of-war over the 23-year-old Argentine soccer player, a striker with Argentine Primera División team River Plate.

The Sun reports that Los Millonarios want £15 million for Alario, with Serie A clubs Inter Milan and Torino also ready to make offers.

The former Colon hit man has struck 20 goals in just 42 appearances, with five more assists since joining La Banda in the summer of 2015.

Alario, who made his international debut this year, is keen to play in the Premier League.

“Like every player, I dream to play in Europe at some point in my career,” he said. “For that, first I have to make things right at River, to keep growing and learning.”

Simeone Agrees to Five-Year Deal with Italy’s Genoa Cricket and Football Club

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Argentina is bidding arrivederci to Giovanni Simeone…

The 21-year-old Argentine soccer player, a striker for Argentina’s Club Atlético River Plate, is set to join Italy’s Genoa Cricket and Football Club, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport announced on Sunday.

Simeone, the son of former-player-turned-coach of Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone. Has reportedly agreed to a five-year deal with the Italian side and will join Argentina national team.

Simeone will also participate in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

At the moment, there’s no official confirmation, but the Italian newspaper reported that the signing will cost three million euros.

The River Plate striker completed the 2015/16 season on loan with Banfield in the Argentine Primera Division.

Messi Records His 400th Goal for FC Barcelona

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi is making history once again…

The 27-year-old Argentine soccer star reached another career milestone in an FC Barcelona uniform when he notched his 400th goal for the team in Saturday’s La Liga meeting with Valencia at the Camp Nou.

Messi completed his fourth ton for the Blaugrana with the very last kick of the match, latching onto a long ball over the top and landing the milestone after tucking home the rebound after his initial shot was saved by Diego Alves.

It was Messi’s 278th league goal for the Primera Division leaders, with a further 75 coming in the Champions League, 32 in the Copa Del Rey, 10 in the Spanish Super Cup, four in the Club World Cup as well as one strike in the UEFA Super Cup.

Messi had become Barca‘s all-time leading goalscorer in March last year when he exceeded Paulino Alcantara‘s 369 goals for the club scored between 1912 and 1927.

The Argentina forward, who has won the Ballon d’Or on four occasions, also holds the record for leading goalscorer in a single La Liga season, with 50 in 2011-12.

Among a host of other records, he’is also the joint record scorer in European Cup history on 75 goals, level with Cristiano Ronaldo. And he’s also tied with Ronaldo for the most La Liga hat tricks, with both forwards having scored 24.

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