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A Serie A match between AC Milan and Como could be the first European league game to be played abroad due to the Winter Olympics.

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• Milan and Como's fixture to be held in Australia
• San Siro to host Winter Olympics in 2026
• FIFA to consider changes in policies

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  As per , Serie A and FIFA are discussing the possibility of taking the Italian league matches abroad, with Italy set to host Winter Olympics in 2026. Milan and Inter will have to play their home matches elsewhere as opening ceremonies of both the Winter Olympics and Paralympics are reportedly set to take place in the club's home ground, San Siro.

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  In the wake of the Relevent Sports antitrust settlement, which after six years cleared the way for domestic games to be held overseas, multiple European leagues and FIFA are now trying to push for a global audience by taking these matches to a bigger stage abroad. Now, with the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony taking place at their stadium, Milan are hunting for a new venue for their home matches. Considering the potential, there have been talks of hosting their fixture against Como at Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia.

  To ease congestion later in the season once the Winter Olympics begin, both Milan and Inter will also kick off their campaign at San Siro.

• TELL ME MORE

  La Liga recently showed interest in hosting league matches abroad. The Spanish league wanted Barcelona's fixture against Atletico Madrid to be held in Miami, but the idea never materialised. As far back as 2018, La Liga discussed the idea of hosting Barcelona's match against Girona in Miami.

  Even the English Premier League once considered playing a set of matches named the '39th game' abroad almost 17 years ago. This move faced a huge backlash from domestic league supporters and was ultimately opposed by FIFA as well.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR FIFA?

  With the changing winds and a focus on gaining more audience, FIFA is reportedly looking into its policies and considering changes to its laws to give the leagues a chance at catching more eyes worldwide. However, how the fans and supporters will react to this move, should it gain traction, is a factor that the football federation will have to consider in subsequent stages.

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to strengthen their squad when the summer transfer window opens in June.

Vitor Pereira looks to have done enough to retain the Old Gold’s status in the Premier League as they sit nine points clear of Leicester City.

Ahead of next season, can the manager tempt some high-profile players to join the club? As they have been linked with someone who used to shine at Molineux…

Wolves' interest in Diogo Jota

It was reported earlier this month by TEAMtalk that Wolves were showing interest in former hero Diogo Jota, with Pereira keen on signing him this summer.

This season, the Portuguese star has scored eight goals while grabbing four assists in 29 matches for Liverpool, but it appears as though Arne Slot could cash in on him when the season is over.

His three-year spell in the Midlands was extremely productive, registering 63 goal contributions in just 131 matches for the club. He was sold to Liverpool for £41m, which was a deal too good to turn down.

Could he return before the start of next season? Only time will tell.

Does Pereira need to splash the cash on him, however? The club could be brewing their next Jota in a talented 20-year-old with the world at his feet.

Leo Lopes could be Wolves’ next Diogo Jota

The club are developing a few highly-rated youngsters, none more so than Leo Lopes. Signed in the summer of 2023, the Portuguese talent is similar to Jota in that he can operate across a range of attacking positions.

Used on either wing or through the middle during his embryonic career thus far, Lopes has scored once and grabbed five assists for the U21 side since his arrival in England.

He was praised by Harry Hooman, head of the UK academy at Wolves when he arrived at the club:

These qualities are certainly like the ones Jota exuded during his spell with the Molineux side between 2017 and 2020, no doubt about that.

The former Zurich starlet has yet to make a matchday squad for Wolves since swapping Switzerland for England, but surely the time will come sooner rather than later.

Once it is mathematically possible that the club will remain in the top flight, Pereira might begin to give some of the club’s more talented youngsters some minutes in the league.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

If so, Lopes must be at the top of the list. His positional flexibility, plus a keen eye for creating chances for his teammates suggest he could be the club’s next Jota, without a shadow of a doubt.

£42m release clause: Wolves now want to hijack "fantastic" Man City target

He could be their Lemina replacement…

By
Tom Cunningham

Mar 29, 2025

A starstruck Lionel Messi has received a special signed shirt from Italy legend Roberto Baggio.

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• Messi met Italy legend Baggio
• Received a special signed shirt
• GOAT competing at Club World Cup

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The World Cup-winning Argentina captain caught up with Italian icon Baggio and received a special signed shirt from the 58-year-old. Messi also hailed the former Azzurri forward as a historic legend and thanked him for the thoughtful gift.

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• WHAT LIONEL MESSI SAID

  On Instagram, the Inter Miami captain wrote: "What a wonderful visit! Thank you, Roberto, for this special and meaningful gift and for the wonderful conversation we shared. You're a star and a historic football legend. It will always be a pleasure to welcome you whenever you want to come and see us!"

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  The Herons, who have had a difficult MLS 2025 season, began their journey at the Club World Cup with a goalless draw against Al-Ahly on opening night. Messi, however, has displayed impressive form, having scored 15 goals in 21 matches across all competitions and has also provided six assists.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Javier Mascherano's side will be back in action on Thursday as Messi and Co. face FC Porto in their second Club World Cup group clash.

Brazil legend Thiago Silva broke down in tears after he captained his boyhood club Fluminense to a surprise 2-0 win over Champions League finalists Inter Milan in the Round of 16 at the Club World Cup. The 40-year-old centre-back locked up Nerazzurri strikers Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram despite stuggling with his hamstring throughout the game.

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• Fluminense defeat Inter Milan in 2-0 win
• Silva breaks down in tears after the clash
• The 40-year-old played through injury

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Silva led Fluminense to their third clean sheet in four games in the Club World Cup as the Brazilian Serie A side defeated European royalty, Inter Milan. The 40-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan defender broke down in tears after the game as he celebrated his boyhood club reaching the Quarter-Final of the Club World Cup.

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• WATCH THE CLIP

  Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream now

• WHAT SILVA SAID

  Speaking to DAZN after the win, Silva said: "I am very proud of my teammates. It is so hard to play against Inter; they played the Champions League final only a month ago.

  "It was not easy to play, it was so hot today… Too hot to play football. The timing was not good, but Fluminense is a big team.

  "We played very well. To win 2-0 against Inter is not easy. Only 10 days ago, I had a hamstring issue, so it was not easy to play today, but I am very proud of our medical team."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SILVA?

  Fluminense are now set to face off against Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, who held a surprise of their own as they defeated Manchester City, on Friday, July 5 at Orlando's Camping World Stadium. Silva will be a starter despite his injury as he will be keen on leading his boyhood club to the semi-final of the Club World Cup.

Former Barcelona star Rivaldo sent a message to Lamine Yamal as the wonderkid is set to take over the iconic No.10 shirt at Camp Nou, following in the footsteps of the legendary Lionel Messi. While no formal announcement has been made by the club, it is widely understood that Yamal has given his blessing for the reveal to coincide with his 18th birthday.

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• Yamal to inherit Lionel Messi's iconic No.10 shirt
• Decision to be made official on his 18th birthday
• Rivaldo lavished praise on the Barcelona teenager

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  At just 18 years old, the Spanish winger is expected to inherit the legendary No.10 shirt at Camp Nou, a number once worn by the likes of Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and most famously, Messi. Yamal's path to wearing the iconic shirt has been cleared by Ansu Fati’s loan move to Monaco.

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  Fati had held the No.10 jersey since Messi’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. His exit has left the number available for a new bearer, and Yamal’s rapid rise at both club and national levels has made him the clear frontrunner to receive the honour. Currently, Yamal wears the No.19 jersey, a number he has made his own with several breakout performances. The youngster initially debuted with No.41, then transitioned to No.27 before settling on No. 19.

• WHAT RIVALDO SAID

  Brazilian football legend and former Barça No.10 Rivaldo has publicly expressed his admiration for Yamal and his excitement about the youngster’s future. Speaking as an ambassador for Betfair, Rivaldo said he was thrilled upon hearing that Yamal would be taking on the number he once wore, especially given the player’s rapid development and international accomplishments with Spain.

  "Barca's number 10 shirt is in very good shape," he said. "I think he deserves it, because this number demands a lot of responsibility, but he has a lot of personality."

  Rivaldo emphasized that Yamal's mentality is what truly sets him apart.

  "I don't think it's going to be a problem for him, because he plays with incredible calmness and doesn't seem to be the age he is when you see him on the pitch. Yamal has the personality that is expected of a 25 or 26-year-old player," he added.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  The timing of Yamal’s shirt change is not just symbolic; it’s strategic. Barcelona has just launched their new home kit for the 2025–26 season, and the club aims to align the release with Yamal’s promotion to the No.10 shirt. This move is part of a broader strategy to position him as the new global face of Barcelona.

Douglas Luiz could return to the Premier League after just one season as West Ham have emerged as a possible destination for the Juventus flop this summer. Luiz joined the Serie A side on a €50 million (£43.7m) transfer from Aston Villa last year but the player is likely to move out now following a nightmare debut campaign at Allianz Arena and his breakup with fellow Juventus star Alisha Lehmann.

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• Luiz could return to the Premier League
• Juventus ready to offload Luiz
• West Ham keen on signing the Brazil star

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Juventus have reportedly informed the Brazilian midfielder that he is free to leave the club in the summer transfer window, as he has been deemed surplus to their needs after spending only a year in Turin, where he logged just 516 minutes across 19 Serie A games.

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  According to , the Hammers have shown interest in the Selecao star and have started negotiations with the Italian side over a possible transfer. Juventus have set a €40m price on the player, but they are open to negotiating the terms of the deal. West Ham could make an offer to sign Luiz on an initial loan deal worth €10m with the compulsory option to buy him next year for €25m-30m, if certain conditions are met.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Earlier in the summer, it was reported that Luiz and his girlfriend Alisha Lehmann had split up. The Brazilian was a notable absentee during the celebrations after Lehmann's Juventus Women's team won the Scudetto in April. The couple met while both were still playing for Aston Villa before joining Juve at the same time last summer.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JUVENTUS?

  The Serie A club have already begun their search for Luiz's replacement, and manager Igor Tudor is reportedly eyeing a move for Tottenham's Yves Bissouma.

The ongoing fallout between Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Barcelona could stop the Spanish club from pursuing a deal for Atalanta's Ademola Lookman.

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• La Blaugrana want to move on from German keeper
• Ter Stegen digging in his heels
• Lookman represented by the same agency

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barcelona's attempts to sign a new attacker have hit multiple roadblocks this summer. Nico Williams' decision to stay in Bilbao, rumours linking Luis Diaz to Bayern and the ongoing haggling over Marcus Rashford's future have provided little hope for La Blaugrana. Lookman has latterly emerged as a possible option for the Spanish giants, as it is believed Atalanta will accept an offer of less than €50 million (£43m/$58m) for the 27-year-old. However, the Nigerian star is represented by the same agency as ter Stegen, potentially scuppering negotiations.

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  The fractious fallout between ter Stegen and his club of more than 11 years has rumbled on through the summer. The initial fallout came after the signing of Joan Garcia, who is the presumptive favourite to start in Hansi Flick's team going forward. In fact, recent reports suggest the German international may be third choice behind Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny. The Polish international has signed a new deal that will see him remain at the Camp Nou until 2027.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Ter Stegen is believed to be furious about being forced out of the club, and while rumours of a transfer to Monaco were floated, it the shot stopper rejected those advances. It has been suggested that ter Stegen will leave the club if the remainder of his deal is paid in full. He is under contract until 2028.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR TER STEGEN?

  It is highly unlikely the club will give into those demands, given their perilous financial situation over the past four seasons. The 33-year-old is seemingly prepared to stay at the Camp Nou and fight for his spot.

Jose Mourinho has given the go-ahead for Fenerbahce to sign Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman.

• Mourinho submits positive report for Coman
• Fenerbahce assessed winger's injury status
• Bayern open to a deal with Super Lig club

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mourinho wants to end Fenerbahce's 11-year league trophy drought and believes Bayern winger Coman would help their cause. According to a report by , Fenerbahce have received information that Coman would be available on loan, albeit with an option to buy. His performance has been evaluated by Fenerbahce, along with his injury history, and ultimately, the manager himself has given the green signal to sanction this move.

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  Coman joined Bayern back in 2017 and gradually established himself as a crucial component in the squad. The 29-year-old has played 339 matches for the Bavarians, amassing 72 goals and 71 assists in the process. Moreover, his recent outings in the Club World Cup saw him record two goals and two assists in four appearances. Mourinho assessed the player and was positive about how he can contribute to Fenerbahce and take them to a new level with his attacking fluidity. Moreover, the Portuguese may be considering Coman on the left wing since the club only has Oguz Aydin as a natural left winger.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Coman has won a plethora of trophies during his stay at Bayern, including a Champions League title, a Club World Cup and nine Bundesliga crowns among the major accolades.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR COMAN?

  A way out of the Allianz Arena might be the best possible option for Coman, considering Bayern's quest for Liverpool winger Luis Diaz in recent times. However, with a formal offer yet to be placed by Fenerbahce, the Frenchman would have to wait for things to gather pace.

Ex-Colorado Rapids star advocated for the MLS to loosen its financial constraints to facilitate the next stage of league development

• Balboa urges removal of spending limitations
• Supports transition to calendar-year schedule
• Wants balanced approach to player development

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  WHAT HAPPENED

  Ex-USMNT star Marcelo Balboa critiqued Major League Soccer's financial structure and player acquisition rules, saying the league must "take the handcuffs off" clubs to facilitate further growth.

  The former MLS defender highlighted the importance of loosening the salary cap to allow teams to pursue more international talent, as Inter Miami have done in recent years with the likes of Lionel Messi and, last week, Rodriqo De Paul.

  “The fact that where we've built these new franchises has been fantastic,” Balboa told CBS Sports Golazo America. “Be it Charlotte the way the people have responded, Nashville with the new stadiums, even San Diego right now, what they did, St. Louis. So I think that's always a huge bonus for me.

  "Like anything else, where do we, I guess, take the handcuffs off? And let some of these teams start spending some real money to bring in some big time players besides Messi and DePaul and players like that? It would be nice to see them open up that salary cap."

  Balboa supported a potential move to fall-to-spring calendar, aligning the MLS schedule with that of Europe.

  "It would be nice to see them go to a calendar year – I think that's going to be important as everywhere else in the world," he said. "So you can bring in transfer fees and bring in players at the right time instead of having to wait, because our transfer window is different than the European window. So, I think there's a lot of positive things that have happened in this league, but I think we're still handcuffing ourselves because we're not allowing ourselves to open that market and allowing ourselves…

  "We're standing in a great place, man. In '96, they told us 'You have money for three years and we'll see what we'll do and how will more things out after that?' And we're sitting here, 30 years later talking about a league that is expanded with some of the best facilities in the world, some of the best stadiums in the world and wonderful fans. So we couldn't be happier."

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• WHAT BALBOA SAID

  The former MLS star said that, while there are clubs that could opt to fill their team with foreign players, there will always be MLS teams focusing on domestic talent. 

  “We talk about handcuffing, there's always 30 teams,” Balboa said. “So, seven of them are going to take that, ‘We're going to take the full approach of buying the best players of the world, bringing in players.' But there are other teams that have a lot of Americans on there. So I think it's a balance like you do in a South America, like you do in Europe. There's always a balance.

  “But there's other teams that you look around that have seven or eight MLS starters. So I go back and say that's what the academy is for. If we do our jobs right we'll be selling 17-year-olds, 18-year-olds to Europe. And then when they get older they'll be coming back.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Colorado Rapids recently announced that they are set to retire Marcelo Balboa’s No. 17 to honor the legacy of the former USMNT defender. Balboa spent five years with the Rapids, making more than 150 appearances, and earning 127 caps for the USMNT, as well.

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  WHAT’S NEXT?

  MLS is currently reviewing the potential to change the league's calendar to a European model, but there have not yet been any decisions.

Crystal Palace have reportedly refused two offers from Liverpool for star defender Marc Guehi, as they intend to retain the player this summer. After spending heavily on their attack in this transfer window, the Premier League champions are also looking to bolster their backline, but a deal for the England international could be off the table.

• Palace reject Liverpool's two bids for Guehi
• Defender won't force conflict with club
• Reds could look elsewhere for new defender

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to journalist , Palace received two successive bids from Liverpool for Guehi, but they rejected both offers. He added that the England international does not intend to get into conflict with the Eagles in order to force a move away.

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  The report further claims that the Reds have now dropped their interest in Guehi and are looking elsewhere to sign a new centre-back, in a bid to bolster their backline ahead of their title defence in the 2025-26 campaign. 

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Tottenham were also linked with a move for the 25-year-old, but they too could be out of the race. Guehi has entered the final 12 months of his Palace contract.

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  WHAT NEXT

  Ironically, Liverpool will meet Palace in this Sunday's Community Shield, with the Premier League champions meeting the FA Cup winners at Wembley.