Month: August 2024

BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia due to injury while Paulo Dybala was recalled to Lionel Scaloni’s squad.

Messi has not played with his club Inter Miami since suffering an ankle injury during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America final in Miami, United States.

Roma forward Dybala has not made an international appearance since March 2023 but could get a chance to make his 38th appearance for the national team in Messi’s absence.

The world champions will also be without the services of Angel Di Maria following the veteran winger’s retirement from international football.

Argentina currently top the South American zone qualifiers for the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The top six teams from 10 countries will automatically qualify for the finals.

Scaloni’s side will host Chile on September 6 before facing Colombia in Barranquilla four days later.

MILAN: Napoli manager Antonio Conte apologized to club fans after his squad lost 3-0 at Hellas Verona in Serie A action.

Conte and Napoli got off to a disappointing start as Verona scored three goals in the second half, with the manager saying he took full responsibility for the defeat.

“We allowed Verona to create chances at the start of the second half, and in the blink of an eye we were behind.

“Then we melted like snow under the sun. I think we need to apologize to the Neapolitan supporters, who were loyal to us.

“I as a coach need to take responsibility for this defeat,” said Conte.

Conte said the 2023 champions need to work harder to reach the desired stage.

The 55-year-old also feels he needs to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes.

“In the market, one, two, three, four may come, no matter how many clubs want to sign. This problem needs to be addressed, and it is not an easy matter,” he said.

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MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has revealed the real reason he didn’t sack Erik ten Hag even though the club is enduring its worst season in the Premier League era.

Ratcliffe, 71, also explained why he felt the club had lost its way before his arrival and he was working to rebuild the English giant.

United finished the 2023-24 Premier League campaign in eighth place, the fastest achievement since the 1989-90 season.

A negative goal difference for the first time in 34 years and 14 league defeats – the worst since the 1989-90 season – further soured United’s image under Ten Hag.

But victory over rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final ensured United will continue to play on the European stage this season.

When fans and observers called for the Dutch manager to be sacked, Ratcliffe decided to continue giving Ten Hag a chance rather than looking for a new manager for the sixth time after Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

“Erik is a good guy and did his best, but it was too much work.

“He’s trying to reshape the squad but at the same time trying to ‘repair the roof’,” Ratcliffe said.

MANCHESTER: Julian Alvarez is set to leave Manchester City to join Atletico Madrid for £81 million.

Man City bought the 24-year-old Argentine player for 14 million pounds from River Plate in January 2022.

After helping Argentina win the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America, as well as two Premier League and European Champions League titles at club level, Alvarez’s price has soared.

Alvarez scored 36 times in two seasons at the Etihad as Pep Guardiola’s side became the first team to win England’s top four league titles four times in a row.

However Alavarez was second choice behind Erling Haaland throughout

playing in Manchester.

City now needs to find a new striker to support the Norwegian bomber.