Brazil punched its ticket to the 2026 World Cup with a 1-0 win over Paraguay on Tuesday.  Viniciu...

<p>Brazil punched its ticket to the 2026 World Cup with a 1-0 win over Paraguay on Tuesday.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcqcon/players/101248" href="https://thescore.com/wcqcon/players/101248">Vinicius Junior</a> scored the lone goal of the game, giving new head coach Carlo Ancelotti his first win as Selecao boss in his second match in charge. </p><p>"We needed to win here for our people. Now we have more time to work, see what we can improve," Vinicius said after the match, according to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/brazil-ecuador-chile-ancelotti-world-cup-5d44b7075e76c173d605069a7728c8d1">Mauricio Savarese of The Associated Press</a>. "We need to celebrate this. After September it is all about the World Cup."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Brazil, the all-time leader with five World Cup titles, now sits third in CONMEBOL qualifying on 25 points with two rounds of fixtures remaining. The team is mathematically assured of one of South America's six automatic berths for next summer's tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.</p><p>The Brazilians have still never failed to qualify for a men's World Cup.</p><p>Argentina, Brazil's eternal rival, and Ecuador are the top two teams in the CONMEBOL standings after 16 games, and have also secured their World Cup places.</p><p>Ancelotti, hired by Brazil to replace Dorival Junior, began his tenure with a goalless draw against Ecuador last week. The team showed more willingness to get forward Tuesday, which has been a major concern for supporters who've grown tired of a conservative style of play during this qualifying cycle.</p><p>Brazil will close out its qualification campaign with matches against Chile and Bolivia in September. </p><p>With a World Cup spot now secured, Ancelotti's focus will be on bringing verve and joyfulness back to a Brazilian attack that has stagnated; Brazil has only managed more than one goal in one of its last six matches.</p>

TOPSHOT - Brazil's forward #10 Vinicius Jr celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Brazil and Paraguay at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 10, 2025.

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Brazil gets 1st win under Ancelotti to clinch World Cup spot

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<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguefnl/players/1310" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguefnl/players/1310">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> says he's likely to sign a new contract with Al-Nassr, seemingly putting an end to transfer speculation that both he and FIFA president Gianni Infantino fueled in recent weeks.</p><p>The veteran forward's current deal with the Saudi Arabian club expires June 30. Negotiations over a new contract are <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6378611/2025/05/23/cristiano-ronaldo-club-world-cup/">reportedly</a> underway.</p><p>Asked about his future following Portugal's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3297701" href="https://thescore.com/news/3297701">shootout win</a> over Spain in Sunday's Nations League final, the 40-year-old said "practically nothing is going to change." Prompted specifically with Al-Nassr, he replied, "yes."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Those comments followed his admission prior to Sunday's match that he wouldn't go to the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States. Ronaldo said multiple teams reached out to him but added "you can't try and do everything."</p><p>FIFA president Infantino sparked widespread speculation in May when he said that "discussions" were underway for Ronaldo to play in the revamped Club World Cup this summer, which would've required him to leave Al-Nassr. The Saudi side, which he joined in 2022, didn't qualify for the tournament.</p><p>Ronaldo himself seemed to suggest last month that a move could be on the cards. Following Al-Nassr's final match of the season, he said on social media "this chapter is over," adding that his story is "still being written."</p><p>But after much conjecture, it appears he's going to remain with the Riyadh-based outfit.</p><p>Ronaldo lifted his third international trophy Sunday when Portugal won the Nations League. His second-half goal, his record-extending 138th for his country, tied the match at 2-2 before Portugal went on to win the shootout.</p>

MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 8: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates the victory after the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 8, 2025 in Munich, Germany.

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The new-look FIFA Club World Cup gets underway Saturday, with 32 teams from around the globe vyin...

<p><em>The new-look FIFA Club World Cup gets underway Saturday, with 32 teams from around the globe vying to win the revamped event. Get ready for the tournament with theScore's comprehensive preview package, where we'll answer all your questions and tee up the action in the United States.</em></p><h3>What's new about the Club World Cup?</h3><p>This summer's Club World Cup, championed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has been expanded to include 32 teams for the first time. Each of the governing body's six confederations - AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North America and the Caribbean), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe) - will be represented.</p><p>Previous iterations of the event took place annually in a central location and featured only seven clubs, with a total of seven matches played in less than two weeks. The most recent edition, contested in 2023 in Saudi Arabia, was won by Manchester City. That <em>old</em> version of the Club World Cup has been rebranded as the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and will continue to run on a yearly basis in the winter; Real Madrid won it last year.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The <em>new</em> Club World Cup, meanwhile, will feature 63 matches staged over 29 days in the United States. The tournament will also shift to a quadrennial schedule, being held every four years as a prelude to the FIFA World Cup; the latter is taking place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in 2026.</p><h3>When does it start?</h3><p>The tournament begins June 14 with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami welcoming Egyptian outfit Al Ahly to Hard Rock Stadium.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788295/cropped_GettyImages-2217351209.jpg?ts=1748744654" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788295/w220xh124_GettyImages-2217351209.jpg?ts=1748744654 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788295/w320xh180_GettyImages-2217351209.jpg?ts=1748744654 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788295/w640xh360_GettyImages-2217351209.jpg?ts=1748744654 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788295/w768xh432_GettyImages-2217351209.jpg?ts=1748744654 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788295/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2217351209.jpg?ts=1748744654 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The group stage concludes June 26, and the knockout rounds begin two days later. The Club World Cup final is slated for July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.</p><p>The full match schedule is available <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3293324" href="https://thescore.com/news/3293324">here</a>.</p><h3>How can I watch?</h3><p><a href="https://www.dazn.com/en-CA/welcome/fifa-club-world-cup?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=CWC_NA_CA_en_SEARCH_ACQUISITION-CONVERSION_FOOTBALL_BRAND_EXACT_ONGOING&amp;utm_content=CWC%20BRAND%20EXACT%20ONGOING&amp;utm_ad=751618704874&amp;utm_term=dazn%20club%20world%20cup&amp;matchtype=e&amp;device=c&amp;GeoLoc=9000990&amp;placement=&amp;network=g&amp;campaign_id=22547910872&amp;adset_id=181932697360&amp;ad_id=751618704874&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22547910872&amp;gbraid=0AAAAA_fyqye9K-Q4TpC-ehov5zss0kcib&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwgIXCBhDBARIsAELC9ZjWUGTAWHuyPqxSZuYGM3npsSabG31QLL5ffiqrdcLuTWr5Xa9fpTYaAr6ZEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">DAZN</a>, the official global broadcaster of the tournament, will livestream all 63 matches for free, in multiple languages.</p><p>Select games will also be carried in English on TNT in the United States, while Univision, TUDN, and ViX will broadcast matches in Spanish in the U.S.</p><h3>What's the tournament format?</h3><p>Similar to the old formats of the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League, the 32 teams have been split into eight groups of four.</p><p>After the four teams within each group have played against each other once, the respective group winners and runners-up advance to the knockout rounds, while the remaining clubs are eliminated from the competition. The knockout stage - round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final - will be composed of one-off matches. If any knockout game is tied after 90 minutes, it will go to extra time (30 minutes), then, if necessary, a penalty shootout to determine who advances.</p><h3>Who qualified, and how did they get there?</h3><p>There were two ways to qualify for the Club World Cup. Teams booked their spots by either winning their respective continental title - UEFA Champions League or CONMEBOL Libertadores, for example - in one of the four most-recent seasons, or by having what FIFA described as a "high ranking of performance" in those top-level events over the same four-year cycle.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787231/cropped_GettyImages-2207612062.jpg?ts=1748206402" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787231/w220xh124_GettyImages-2207612062.jpg?ts=1748206402 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787231/w320xh180_GettyImages-2207612062.jpg?ts=1748206402 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787231/w640xh360_GettyImages-2207612062.jpg?ts=1748206402 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787231/w768xh432_GettyImages-2207612062.jpg?ts=1748206402 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787231/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2207612062.jpg?ts=1748206402 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Angel Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>A maximum of two teams from any single nation can participate, with the exception that continental champions are guaranteed a place in the tournament. As Brazil has dominated South American soccer in recent years - four different Brazilian teams have won the Libertadores in the past four years - it has four teams in the Club World Cup.</p><p>Once the two-team limit was hit for any given country, other teams from that country could not qualify via the performance ranking route. That's why Premier League champions Liverpool, for instance, are absent despite being ranked eighth by FIFA's coefficient system; Manchester City and Chelsea grabbed England's two places because they've won the Champions League more recently than the Reds.</p><p>Inter Miami, meanwhile, were granted a special berth reserved for a team from the host nation.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Country</th>
<th>Qualification</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</td>
<td>Champions League (2021)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</td>
<td>Champions League (2023)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
<td>🇪🇸</td>
<td>Champions League (2022)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Atletico Madrid</td>
<td>🇪🇸</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Inter Milan</td>
<td>🇮🇹</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Juventus</td>
<td>🇮🇹</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
<td>🇩🇪</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Borussia Dortmund</td>
<td>🇩🇪</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>🇫🇷</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FC Porto</td>
<td>🇵🇹</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Benfica</td>
<td>🇵🇹</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Red Bull Salzburg</td>
<td>🇦🇹</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Palmeiras</td>
<td>🇧🇷</td>
<td>Libertadores (2021)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Flamengo</td>
<td>🇧🇷</td>
<td>Libertadores (2022)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fluminense</td>
<td>🇧🇷</td>
<td>Libertadores (2023)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Botafogo</td>
<td>🇧🇷</td>
<td>Libertadores (2024)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>River Plate</td>
<td>🇦🇷</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Boca Juniors</td>
<td>🇦🇷</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Seattle Sounders</td>
<td>🇺🇸</td>
<td>Champions Cup (2022)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LAFC</td>
<td>🇺🇸</td>
<td>Playoff winners</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Inter Miami</td>
<td>🇺🇸</td>
<td>Host nation berth</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Monterrey</td>
<td>🇲🇽</td>
<td>Champions Cup (2021)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pachuca</td>
<td>🇲🇽</td>
<td>Champions Cup (2024)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Al-Hilal</td>
<td>🇸🇦</td>
<td>AFC Champions League (2021)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Urawa Red Diamonds</td>
<td>🇯🇵</td>
<td>AFC Champions League (2022)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Al Ain</td>
<td>🇦🇪</td>
<td>AFC Champions League (2024)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ulsan HD</td>
<td>🇰🇷</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Al Ahly</td>
<td>🇪🇬</td>
<td>CAF Champions League (2021)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wydad AC</td>
<td>🇲🇦</td>
<td>CAF Champions League (2022)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ES Tunis</td>
<td>🇹🇳</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mamelodi Sundowns</td>
<td>🇿🇦</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Auckland City</td>
<td>🇳🇿</td>
<td>4-year ranking</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Club Leon of Mexico were originally set to take part after winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2023 but were <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3281526" href="https://thescore.com/news/3281526">ruled ineligible</a> because FIFA doesn't permit multiple teams from the same ownership group to participate; Leon and fellow Mexican squad Pachuca are part of Grupo Pachuca. Leon's place was taken by Los Angeles FC, who beat Club America in a one-off playoff match last month to qualify.</p><h3>How did the draw unfold?</h3><p><strong>Group A</strong>: Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami</p><p><strong>Group B</strong>: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders</p><p><strong>Group C</strong>: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica</p><p><strong>Group D</strong>: Flamengo, Esperance Sportive de Tunis, Chelsea, LAFC</p><p><strong>Group E</strong>: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter Milan</p><p><strong>Group F</strong>: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD, Mamelodi Sundowns</p><p><strong>Group G</strong>: Manchester City, Wydad AC, Al Ain, Juventus</p><p><strong>Group H</strong>: Real Madrid, Al-Hilal, Pachuca, Red Bull Salzburg</p><h3>Where are the games being played?</h3><p>The United States is playing host to multiple soccer tournaments this summer, with the Club World Cup and 2025 Gold Cup running concurrently. To avoid any stadium conflicts or crossover, the former is taking place primarily on the East Coast of the country, while the U.S. West Coast handles much of the latter.</p><p>Club World Cup matches will take place at the following 12 venues:</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Venue</th>
<th>Location</th>
<th>Capacity</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Rose Bowl Stadium</td>
<td>Pasadena</td>
<td>88.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MetLife Stadium</td>
<td> East Rutherford</td>
<td>82.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bank of America Stadium</td>
<td>Charlotte</td>
<td>75K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mercedes-Benz Stadium</td>
<td>Atlanta</td>
<td>75K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lincoln Financial Field</td>
<td>Philadelphia</td>
<td>69K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lumen Field</td>
<td> Seattle</td>
<td>69K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Camping World Stadium</td>
<td>Orlando</td>
<td>65K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hard Rock Stadium</td>
<td> Miami Gardens</td>
<td>65K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GEODIS Park</td>
<td>Nashville</td>
<td>30K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TQL Stadium</td>
<td>Cincinnati</td>
<td>26K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Inter&amp;Co Stadium</td>
<td>Orlando</td>
<td>25K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Audi Field</td>
<td>Washington</td>
<td>20K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>What are the teams fighting for?</h3><p>The total prize pool for the tournament is $1 billion. </p><p>Each team is guaranteed to earn between $3.58 million and $38.19 million just for taking part. Additional prize money is awarded as teams advance in the competition; a spot in the final is worth $30 million on its own.</p><p>The tournament champions could take home up to $125 million.</p><p>FIFA also introduced a new trophy last year for the Club World Cup, designed in collaboration with luxury jeweller Tiffany &amp; Co.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788991/cropped_GettyImages-2218185959.jpg?ts=1749131171" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788991/w220xh124_GettyImages-2218185959.jpg?ts=1749131171 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788991/w320xh180_GettyImages-2218185959.jpg?ts=1749131171 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788991/w640xh360_GettyImages-2218185959.jpg?ts=1749131171 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788991/w768xh432_GettyImages-2218185959.jpg?ts=1749131171 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788991/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2218185959.jpg?ts=1749131171 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Soobum Im - FIFA / FIFA / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>"Boasting a 24-carat gold-plated finish, the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy features intricate laser-engraved inscriptions on both sides, showcasing text and imagery that portray football's rich history," the governing body <a href="https://inside.fifa.com/organisation/media-releases/innovative-fifa-club-world-cup-trophy-unveiled-ahead-of-new-tournament-in-2025">stated</a> in a release upon revealing the hardware. "The inscriptions include a world map and the names of all 211 FIFA Member Associations and the six confederations, representing the geographical and cultural diversity of the beautiful game."</p><p>The winning club will also get to wear a <a href="https://www.dazn.com/en-CA/news/soccer/fifa-world-cup-winners-to-recieve-unique-shirt-patch-cwcuk25/1vkmzg78ihgab1buraqpyagksw">special badge</a> on their shirts for four years - until the next edition of the event - that dubs them "world champions."</p><h3>What are the biggest storylines?</h3><p><strong>New faces in new places</strong></p><p>In anticipation of this summer's tournament, FIFA opened an extraordinary transfer window so clubs could make signings before heading to the United States. It's open until June 10 and has already resulted in several teams adding fresh faces to their squads; Real Madrid have been the most active so far, landing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen in time to have the pair available at the Club World Cup.</p><p>The biggest unknown remains the status of Cristiano Ronaldo. Infantino recently <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3290611" href="https://thescore.com/news/3290611">said</a> there are "discussions with some clubs" about signing the Portuguese legend from Al-Nassr, potentially on a short-term deal, so he could play in the tournament this summer.</p><p><strong>Can the underdogs surprise?</strong></p><p>UEFA heavyweights such as the aforementioned Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Inter Milan, and newly minted European kings Paris Saint-Germain will be the overwhelming favorites in this competition, with the strong South American contingent expected to provide a stern test.</p><p>But major tournaments have a habit of delivering the unexpected. Can Mamelodi Sundowns, the richest team in Africa, spring a surprise and emerge out of a well-balanced Group F? Egyptian giants Al Ahly, meanwhile, could upset the apple cart on opening night when they take on Messi and Miami. Prolific Al Ahly striker Wessam Abou Ali is precisely the type of player who could earn a big transfer should he perform well on this stage.</p><p><strong>Dembele's Ballon d'Or bid</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788360/cropped_GettyImages-2218077368.jpg?ts=1748800816" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788360/w220xh124_GettyImages-2218077368.jpg?ts=1748800816 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788360/w320xh180_GettyImages-2218077368.jpg?ts=1748800816 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788360/w640xh360_GettyImages-2218077368.jpg?ts=1748800816 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788360/w768xh432_GettyImages-2218077368.jpg?ts=1748800816 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788360/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2218077368.jpg?ts=1748800816 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jean Catuffe / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Paris Saint-Germain's emphatic victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final put Ousmane Dembele in pole position to win the Ballon d'Or, but Lamine Yamal kept himself very much in contention by starring in Spain's 5-4 victory over Dembele's France in the Nations League semifinals. The race remains incredibly tight between the two superstars.</p><p>With no major international tournament taking place this summer, and Barcelona not involved in the Club World Cup, the event in the U.S. gives Dembele an extra opportunity to separate himself from the chasing pack in the race for the coveted trophy, which will be awarded in September.</p><p><strong>A chance for youngsters to shine</strong></p><p>On the back of another grueling campaign, managers of Europe's elite teams, blessed with loaded squads and deep benches, are certain to rotate their lineups in the United States. The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Messi, and Dembele will take the pitch, but with the upcoming domestic season already in mind - or, in Messi's case, the current MLS campaign - coaches will need to be wise about managing minutes.</p><p>That creates opportunities that perhaps otherwise wouldn't be available for prodigious young talents to get significant opportunities against high-level opposition. The stars of tomorrow should get chances to shine. Teenagers like Senny Mayulu (PSG), Tyrique George (Chelsea), and Endrick (Real Madrid) have much expected of them in the coming years.</p>

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<p>Los Angeles FC defeated Mexican giants Club America 2-1 in extra time to earn the final spot in this summer's Club World Cup.</p><p>Star forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///intfr/players/59772" href="https://thescore.com/intfr/players/59772">Denis Bouanga</a> scored the winning goal in the 115th minute to seal a valuable comeback victory for LAFC and ensure there will be three Major League Soccer teams in the upcoming event.</p><p>Club America appeared on track to grab the tournament berth - and the guaranteed $9.5 million in participation money - after former LAFC player <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fmf_cl/players/161916" href="https://thescore.com/fmf_cl/players/161916">Brian Rodriguez</a> opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 64th minute.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>But unlikely scorer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/214231" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/214231">Igor Jesus</a> equalized with a header off a corner kick in the 89th minute. Then Bouanga, who looked threatening all match, decided the contest with a dramatic winner when it seemed like a penalty shootout may be required at BMO Stadium.</p><p>Bouanga's deflected shot from just outside the box wrong-footed America netminder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fmf_cl/players/67895" href="https://thescore.com/fmf_cl/players/67895">Luis Malagon</a> and found the back of the net.</p><p>The victory means LAFC will slot into Group D for the revamped competition, alongside Premier League heavyweights Chelsea, Flamengo of Brazil, and Tunisian club Esperance Sportive de Tunis.</p><p>That spot had belonged to Liga MX outfit Leon, but the Mexican squad was ruled ineligible by FIFA and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3252771" href="https://thescore.com/news/3252771">removed</a> from the tournament in March for being part of the same ownership group as Pachuca, another Mexican team that is participating in the event.</p><p>FIFA then organized a one-off playoff match between LAFC and America, rewarding the former for being the CONCACAF Champions Cup runners-up in 2023, and the latter for being the top-ranked team in the confederation.</p><p>LAFC join Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders as MLS representatives in this summer's expanded competition, which will feature 32 teams from around the world for the first time.</p><p>The Club World Cup begins June 14 in the United States, with the final slated for July 13 at MetLife Stadium.</p><p>The club that takes home the trophy is expected to earn over $100 million in total prize money.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 31: Denis Bouanga #99 of Los Angeles FC reacts during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Play-In match between Los Angeles Football Club and Club America at BMO Stadium on May 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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LAFC grab final spot in Club World Cup with dramatic win over Club America

This season's Champions League final, a meeting between Paris Saint-Germain's young guns and Inte...

<p><em>This season's Champions League final, a meeting between Paris Saint-Germain's young guns and Inter Milan's grizzled veterans, is finally here. Get ready for Saturday's match with theScore's comprehensive preview package.</em></p><h3>The lowdown 📝</h3><p><strong>Who</strong>: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Inter Milan<br><strong>What</strong>: 70th European Cup final<br><strong>When</strong>: 3 p.m. ET Saturday<br><strong>Where</strong>: Allianz Arena (Munich, Germany)<br><strong>Referee</strong>: Istvan Kovacs (Romania)<br><strong>VAR</strong>: Dennis Johan Higler (Netherlands)</p><h3>How to watch 📺</h3><p><strong>United States</strong>: CBS, TUDN, Paramount+<br><strong>Canada</strong>: DAZN</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Betting odds 🤑</h3><p><em>Odds via theScore Bet/ESPN Bet</em></p><p><strong>PSG</strong>: +115<br><strong>Draw</strong>: +235 (match goes to extra time)<br><strong>Inter</strong>: +240</p><h3>Key questions ❓</h3><p><strong>Will youth or experience win out?</strong></p><p>PSG went all-in on a major philosophical shift when it became clear that Kylian Mbappe was going to depart for Real Madrid. The club, under Qatari ownership since 2011, finally ditched the superstar-led approach that continued to fall short in the Champions League, opting instead to build a younger, more exuberant and cohesive unit. With Luis Enrique putting all the pieces together, it's paid immediate dividends. PSG, with an average age of 24.4, has one of the youngest squads in Europe's top leagues. </p><p>Inter, meanwhile, are on the opposite end of the spectrum, and arrive in Munich with a vastly experienced roster that averages out at almost 30 years old. The majority of the players expected to start Saturday were on the pitch in the 2023 final against Manchester City, and that continuity has been critical to the club's success under Simone Inzaghi. Inter's squad could undergo significant changes as early as this summer, so this could be the club's last opportunity to win the Champions League with this core. Inter have shown signs they are running out of steam in the second half of the season; they're scoring fewer goals and conceding more chances compared with the opening months of the campaign. Do they have one more big performance left in them, or could we be witnessing the start of a PSG dynasty?</p><p><strong>Dembele's crowning achievement?</strong></p><p>Like PSG as a whole, Ousmane Dembele has hit another gear in 2025, finally making good on the enormous potential that he flashed at Borussia Dortmund but failed to realize at Barcelona. Dembele, always playing in the shadow of a bigger star at club and international level throughout his career, is <em>the</em> guy now at PSG, thriving since Luis Enrique moved him into a central role that gives him freedom to pop up all over the pitch and exploit spaces wherever he can find them.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783464/cropped_GettyImages-2212066208.jpg?ts=1746100733" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783464/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212066208.jpg?ts=1746100733 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783464/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212066208.jpg?ts=1746100733 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783464/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212066208.jpg?ts=1746100733 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783464/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212066208.jpg?ts=1746100733 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783464/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212066208.jpg?ts=1746100733 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The Frenchman, now 28, leads PSG with 33 goals - only one of which has come from the penalty spot - and 44 total goal involvements across all competitions this season. He scored in the semifinal victory over Arsenal, provided two assists in the quarterfinal triumph versus Aston Villa, and found the net in the thrilling last-16 success against Liverpool. Another decisive moment in the final could put Dembele in pole position for this year's Ballon d'Or.</p><p><strong>Can Inter exploit aerial advantage?</strong></p><p>There will be fascinating individual and tactical battles to watch all across the field Saturday. Who will dominate the flanks, where both teams have elite full- and wing-backs who they rely on to generate offense? Will PSG's metronomic midfield dictate the tempo, or will Inter's hard-working trio control the match? After shining en route to the final, which goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma or Yann Sommer, will make the critical saves necessary to lift the trophy? Will Inter find the same level of success on the counterattack as they did in the semifinals against a Barcelona team that also presses high like PSG? These are all critical questions that need to be answered.</p><p>But they could ultimately be moot. In one-off finals where the finest details can make all the difference, Inter's set-piece prowess could be the decisive factor. The Nerazzurri were devastatingly effective from dead balls in the semifinals against Barcelona, profiting from multiple corner kicks. Marquinhos and Willian Pacho are no slouches in the air, but, collectively, PSG are undersized in comparison with their Italian counterparts; more than a quarter of the goals they conceded in Ligue 1 this season - 31% - came from set pieces.</p><h3>Further reading 📖</h3><p><em>Dive into some of the storylines surrounding the contest</em></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3281588" href="https://thescore.com/news/3281588">4 factors that will decide UCL final</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3292465" href="https://thescore.com/news/3292465">Inzaghi eyeing legend status at Inter</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3292000" href="https://thescore.com/news/3292000">Last chance for Inter's veteran core?</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3292450" href="https://thescore.com/news/3292450">Rugged Acerbi leads Inter's title bid</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3291997" href="https://thescore.com/news/3291997">Holy grail within reach for PSG after philosophy change</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3293019" href="https://thescore.com/news/3293019">Kvaratskhelia eyes double success at Inter's expense</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3293013" href="https://thescore.com/news/3293013">Luis Enrique is the superstar of new-look PSG</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3293782" href="https://thescore.com/news/3293782">Dembele's transformation has PSG on verge of glory</a></li>
</ul><h3>Injury updates 🤕</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Injury</th>
<th>Status</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Benjamin Pavard</td>
<td>Inter</td>
<td>Ankle</td>
<td>Available</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Yann Bisseck</td>
<td>Inter</td>
<td>Knee</td>
<td>Doubtful</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Piotr Zielinski</td>
<td>Inter</td>
<td>Calf</td>
<td>Doubtful</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>Possible lineups 👀</h3><p><strong>PSG (4-3-3)</strong>: Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Desire Doue</p><p><strong>Inter (3-5-2)</strong>: Sommer; Benjamin Pavard, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram</p><h3>Kit matchup 👕</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLfinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLfinal</a> week ✨ <a href="https://t.co/guNo8jCgEP">pic.twitter.com/guNo8jCgEP</a></p>— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1926919160400900504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Season at a glance 🔎</h3><p><strong>PSG</strong></p><p><strong>Form (all competitions)</strong>: WWWWLW<br><strong>League finish</strong>: 1st in Ligue 1<br><strong>Domestic cup</strong>: Champions</p><p><strong>Inter</strong></p><p><strong>Form (all competitions)</strong>: WDWWWD<br><strong>League finish</strong>: 2nd in Serie A<br><strong>Domestic cup</strong>: Lost in semifinals</p><h3>Path to the final 🏟</h3><p><strong>PSG</strong></p><p><strong>League phase</strong>: 15th place<br><strong>Knockout playoffs</strong>: Beat Brest (10-0 on aggregate)<br><strong>Round of 16</strong>: Beat Liverpool (4-1 on penalties)<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong>: Beat Aston Villa (5-4 on aggregate)<br><strong>Semifinals</strong>: Beat Arsenal (3-1 on aggregate)</p><p><strong>Inter</strong></p><p><strong>League phase</strong>: 4th place<br><strong>Round of 16</strong>: Beat Feyenoord (4-1 on aggregate)<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong>: Beat Bayern Munich (4-3 on aggregate)<br><strong>Semifinals</strong>: Beat Barcelona (7-6 on aggregate)</p><h3>By the numbers 🔢</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>PSG</th>
<th></th>
<th>Inter</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>10-1-5</td>
<td>Record</td>
<td>10-3-1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td>Goals Scored</td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>Goals Against</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>32.5</td>
<td>Expected Goals (xG)</td>
<td>23.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17.7</td>
<td>xG Against</td>
<td>17.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>+0.93</td>
<td>xG Difference per 90</td>
<td>+0.48</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dembele (8)</td>
<td>Top Scorer</td>
<td>Martinez (9)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>Tournament pedigree 🏆</h3><p><em>Best European Cup finish for both clubs</em></p><p><strong>PSG</strong>: Finalists (2020)</p><p>Paris Saint-Germain have never won the European Cup. Their only previous appearance in the final came in 2020, when a team led by Mbappe and Neymar fell 1-0 to Bayern Munich. The atmosphere will be much different this time around, though, as that match was played in Lisbon without fans because of COVID-19 restrictions.</p><p><strong>Inter</strong>: Champions (1964, 1965, 2010)</p><p>Inter will be making their seventh appearance in the European Cup final. Only six clubs have reached the marquee match more often than the Nerazzurri, who've hoisted the trophy three times in their history. Inzaghi's men are back in the final for the second time in three seasons after a slender defeat to Manchester City in the 2023 showpiece.</p><h3>Fun facts 🤯</h3><p><strong>1</strong>: Incredibly, this will be the first Champions League meeting between PSG and Inter. It's also only the second time that a French and Italian club will lock horns with the European Cup on the line. Marseille beat AC Milan to lift the trophy in 1993 in a match that was, coincidentally, also played in Munich.</p><p><strong>2</strong>: PSG bench boss Enrique is looking to become only the second manager to win a treble on two separate occasions, having previously accomplished the feat in 2015 with Barcelona. Pep Guardiola currently stands alone in this category, winning the treble with Barca in 2009 and again with Manchester City in 2023.</p><p><strong>3</strong>: Inter midfielder Mkhitaryan could become the first male player to win all three UEFA club competitions currently on offer if he features in an Inter victory Saturday. The Armenian won the Europa League with Manchester United in 2017 and captured the Conference League with Roma in 2022. If, as expected, he gets on the pitch against PSG, Mkhitaryan will be the first to even play in all three finals.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787742/cropped_GettyImages-2217509031.jpg?ts=1748477679" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787742/w220xh124_GettyImages-2217509031.jpg?ts=1748477679 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787742/w320xh180_GettyImages-2217509031.jpg?ts=1748477679 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787742/w640xh360_GettyImages-2217509031.jpg?ts=1748477679 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787742/w768xh432_GettyImages-2217509031.jpg?ts=1748477679 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787742/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2217509031.jpg?ts=1748477679 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Alex Pantling - UEFA / UEFA / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>4</strong>: The four previous European Cup finals played in Munich have produced a first-time tournament winner; Nottingham Forest (1979), Marseille (1993), Borussia Dortmund (1997), and Chelsea (2012). A good omen for PSG?</p><p><strong>13</strong>: Renowned for their defensive solidity throughout the tournament, Inter threw away their trusted playbook in the semifinals, going toe-to-toe with Barcelona as the two teams combined for 13 goals, equaling the record for most Champions League goals in a knockout tie. Will they revert to type in the final against PSG or embrace a more open game again?</p><p><strong>24</strong>: PSG, desperately seeking their first Champions League triumph, would become the 24th different club to lift the European Cup if they're victorious. Marseille are the only French outfit to win this title, with Reims, Saint-Etienne, and Monaco - like PSG themselves - all losing finalists in the past.</p><p><strong>98</strong>: Cup finals are typically expected to be tense, cagey affairs, but here's some hope that we'll see a more open contest in Munich: PSG have not been involved in a goalless draw in their past 98 Champions League matches, a run that dates back to a 0-0 stalemate with Real Madrid in 2015.</p><h3>What they're saying 🗣</h3><p><a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0299-1dd33004abaf-aab07c6cffa1-1000--paris-vs-inter-champions-league-final-preview-where-to-watch/"><strong>Enrique</strong></a>: "It's Inter's second final in three years. They're ready. They've not made too many changes to their side. It's a team that dominates from set pieces. It's up to us to go into the final in the right frame of mind. We've grown a lot this season and the players have progressed a lot. I think the strength of the team is the most important thing."</p><p><a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0299-1dd33004abaf-aab07c6cffa1-1000--paris-vs-inter-champions-league-final-preview-where-to-watch/"><strong>Inzaghi</strong></a>: "It's been a long journey to get to the final. We got there step by step. ... The players did something extraordinary. We played four amazing games against two world-class teams like Bayern and Barcelona. It was great to celebrate this achievement (reaching the final) here with our fans."</p><h3>Prediction 🔮</h3><p><strong>PSG 2, Inter 1 (AET)</strong></p><p>Inter were viewed as underdogs against Bayern Munich and Barcelona in their previous two rounds but used their savviness and never-say-die attitude to dispatch both favorites. A repeat, and a first Champions League triumph in 15 years for an Italian side, wouldn't be a surprise. That said, PSG is the more talented team overall, and, unlike Inter's past two opponents in the competition, go into the match at full strength and well-rested after locking up the Ligue 1 title ages ago. PSG won't showcase the same type of naivety that doomed Barcelona in the semifinals against Inter, and will, finally, capture the trophy the club has craved for so long with an extra-time victory.</p>

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PSG vs. Inter: Everything you need to know about Champions League final

Lamine Yamal signed a new contract with Barcelona that runs until June 2031, the Catalan club ann...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/193783" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/193783">Lamine Yamal</a> signed a new contract with Barcelona that runs until June 2031, the Catalan club announced Tuesday.</p><p>"A contract extension for Lamine Yamal is another demonstration of the solidity of the current Barca project," the club <a href="https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/4274403/lamine-yamal-extends-contract-with-fc-barcelona-to-2031">said</a> in a statement.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let's dance. Until 2031. <a href="https://t.co/Hfwy0TtOol">pic.twitter.com/Hfwy0TtOol</a></p>— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1927432710278005104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Barca president Joan Laporta and the teenage star's agent, Jorge Mendes, met Monday to finalize the new deal after months of negotiations, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45334853/barcelona-lamine-yamal-new-deal-2031-sources">Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens of ESPN</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Yamal's previous deal, inked in 2023, was set to expire next year. As he was younger than 18 at the time, he was only allowed to sign a three-year pact.</p><p>The Spanish winger turns 18 in July.</p><p>Yamal's new contract will reportedly feature a significant wage increase. Laporta <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45234696/lamine-yamal-barcelona-contract-getting-special-treatment-joan-laporta">said</a> earlier this month the teenager requires "special treatment" from the club, adding that his salary "has to be in line with his performances, not his age."</p><p>Yamal scored 18 goals and recorded 25 assists in 55 appearances across all competitions this past season, delivering several mesmerizing performances that helped Hansi Flick's team claim a domestic treble.</p><p>His new contract will reportedly include several individual incentives and bonuses, including one for winning the Ballon d'Or.</p><p>Yamal is considered one of the frontrunners for the coveted award this year, along with teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/96238" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/96238">Raphinha</a>, who just extended his Barca contract.</p>

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 18: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates the championship with the trophy during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona v Villarreal at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on May 18, 2025 in Barcelona Spain

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Yamal extends Barcelona contract until 2031

Has Cristiano Ronaldo played his final game for Al-Nassr?  The Portuguese icon shared a cryptic m...

<p>Has <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguefnl/players/1310" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguefnl/players/1310">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> played his final game for Al-Nassr?</p><p>The Portuguese icon shared a cryptic message Monday after his team's final match of the Saudi Pro League season, leading to renewed suggestions that he could leave the club when his contract expires next month.</p><p>"This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all," Ronaldo wrote on social media.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This chapter is over.<br>The story? Still being written.<br>Grateful to all. <a href="https://t.co/Vuvl5siEB3">pic.twitter.com/Vuvl5siEB3</a></p>— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cristiano/status/1927101078979375440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Al-Nassr conceded two late goals in a 3-2 loss against Al-Fateh on Monday, ultimately finishing third in the table and therefore failing to qualify for next season's AFC Champions League.</p><p>Ronaldo, 40, scored the opening goal of the match and finished as the league's top scorer for the second consecutive season.</p><p>His contract is set to expire June 30.</p><p>FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently suggested Ronaldo could play at the upcoming Club World Cup, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3290611" href="https://thescore.com/news/3290611">claiming</a> "some clubs" are exploring the possibility of signing the veteran forward during an extraordinary transfer window that's been put in place this summer ahead of the tournament.</p><p>The unique transfer window is open from June 1-10. The Club World Cup begins June 14 in the United States.</p><p>"Cristiano Ronaldo might play in the Club World Cup," Infantino told online streamer IShowSpeed. "There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup, who knows. Still a few weeks time, will be fun.”</p><p>Al-Nassr didn't qualify for the Club World Cup, but Ronaldo has been linked with fellow Saudi team Al-Hilal and Brazilian outfit Palmeiras, potentially on a short-term deal or on loan.</p>

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 07: Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr reacts during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al Ittihad at Al-Awwal Park on May 07, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Ronaldo hints at Al-Nassr departure: 'This chapter is over'

Kylian Mbappe's first season at Real Madrid may not have ended with the silverware he expected at...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/66967" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/66967">Kylian Mbappe</a>'s first season at Real Madrid may not have ended with the silverware he expected at club level, but that didn't stop the French superstar from taking home a marquee individual honor.</p><p>Mbappe won the European Golden Shoe on Sunday as the highest scorer across the top tiers of Europe's various domestic leagues, finishing the campaign with 31 La Liga tallies to compile more points than Sporting CP talisman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/101459" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/101459">Viktor Gyokeres</a>.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Goals (Points)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1. Kylian Mbappe</td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
<td>31 (62)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2. Viktor Gyokeres</td>
<td>Sporting CP</td>
<td>39 (58.5)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3. Mohamed Salah</td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>29 (58)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4. Robert Lewandowski</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>27 (54)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5. Harry Kane</td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
<td>26 (52)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6. Mateo Retegui</td>
<td>Atalanta</td>
<td>25 (50)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Only goals in league matches are considered for the Golden Shoe award, and a coefficient points system is used to weigh the strength of different leagues. The top five leagues based on UEFA's rankings have a coefficient factor of two, while the leagues ranked sixth to 22nd by the governing body have a factor of 1.5. That's why Gyokeres finished second despite scoring eight more league goals than Mbappe.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>This is the first time that Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, has won the award.</p><p>He ended the campaign with 42 goals in 55 appearances across all competitions. After overcoming a slow start where his fit alongside <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/101248" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/101248">Vinicius Junior</a> was awkward, he settled in at the Santiago Bernabeu and ultimately recorded his 31 league tallies in just 34 appearances.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///bund/players/3804" href="https://thescore.com/bund/players/3804">Harry Kane</a> took home the Golden Shoe in 2023-24. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a> has won it a record six times.</p>

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 29: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and CD Leganes at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 29, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.

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Mbappe wins European Golden Shoe in 1st season at Real Madrid

Christian Pulisic wasn't included in United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino's depleted squa...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/60435" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/60435">Christian Pulisic</a> wasn't included in United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino's depleted squad for this summer's Gold Cup.</p><p>Pulisic, the U.S. men's national team's marquee player and most talented forward, is "beaten up physically" after consecutive grueling seasons with AC Milan, sources told <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/sources-usmnt-star-christian-pulisic-wont-play-gold-cup-summer">Doug McIntyre of FOX Sports</a>. The 26-year-old will set a new career high for minutes played in a single campaign if he surpasses 49 minutes in Milan's season finale against Monza on Saturday.</p><p>"Christian and his team approached the federation and the coaching staff about the possibility of stepping back this summer, given the amount of matches he has played in the past two years at both the club and international level with very little break," U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"After thoughtful discussions and careful consideration, we made the collective decision that this is the right moment for him to get the rest he needs," Crocker added, noting the importance for Pulisic to "perform at the highest level next season" ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///intfr/players/67049" href="https://thescore.com/intfr/players/67049">Cameron Carter-Vickers</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/167254" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/167254">Yunus Musah</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/94902" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/94902">Antonee Robinson</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///bund/players/99893" href="https://thescore.com/bund/players/99893">Joe Scally</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/165826" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/165826">Tanner Tessmann</a> were other notable names left off Pochettino's roster. Fellow absentees <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/92825" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/92825">Weston McKennie</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/50017" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/50017">Jordan Morris</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///bund/players/161127" href="https://thescore.com/bund/players/161127">Gio Reyna</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/40754" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/40754">Cristian Roldan</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/99646" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/99646">Tim Weah</a> were already expected to miss the tournament.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///intfr/players/162357" href="https://thescore.com/intfr/players/162357">Sergino Dest</a> returned to the national team fold for the first time since March 2024 after recovering from a torn ACL and helping PSV Eindhoven win the Eredivisie title. Monaco striker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/162980" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/162980">Folarin Balogun</a> is in the squad after battling shoulder issues during a four-goal Ligue 1 campaign.</p><p>The Vancouver Whitecaps' <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/165228" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/165228">Sebastian Berhalter</a>, Koln's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///gerdfbp/players/193314" href="https://thescore.com/gerdfbp/players/193314">Damion Downs</a>, Orlando City's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/187895" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/187895">Alex Freeman</a>, and the Philadelphia Union's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/178368" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/178368">Quinn Sullivan</a> earned their first USMNT call-ups.</p><p>The Gold Cup begins June 14 and is hosted primarily in the United States. The U.S., a seven-time winner of the tournament, will meet old foe Trinidad and Tobago on June 15 before closing out group play against Haiti and guest nation Saudi Arabia.</p><p>The team will warm up for the Gold Cup with friendlies against Turkey (June 7) and Switzerland (June 10). The current 27-man roster needs to be trimmed to 26 players before the tournament kicks off.</p><h3>USMNT squad</h3><p><strong>Goalkeepers:</strong> Matt Freese (New York City), Patrick Schulte (Columbus), Zack Steffen (Colorado), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)</p><p><strong>Defenders:</strong> Max Arfsten (Columbus), Sergino Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Orlando), DeJuan Jones (San Jose), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati)</p><p><strong>Midfielders:</strong> Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Luca de la Torre (San Diego), Diego Luna (Salt Lake), Jack McGlynn (Houston), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus)</p><p><strong>Forwards:</strong> Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte), Folarin Balogun (Monaco). Damion Downs (Cologne), Brian White (Vancouver), Haji Wright (Coventry)</p>

INGLEWOOD, CA - MARCH 20: Weston McKennie #8 and Christian Pulisic #10 of USA warm up before the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal match between United States and Panama at SoFi Stadium on March 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

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Pulisic among USMNT stars missing Gold Cup this summer

Liverpool reached an agreement with Jeremie Frimpong over a five-year contract and will activate ...

<p>Liverpool reached an agreement with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///bund/players/162728" href="https://thescore.com/bund/players/162728">Jeremie Frimpong</a> over a five-year contract and will activate the €35-million release clause in his Bayer Leverkusen deal, reports <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5843414/2025/05/17/jeremie-frimpong-liverpool-transfer-latest-leverkusen/">David Ornstein of The Athletic</a>.</p><p>Frimpong, a dynamic wing-back who was instrumental in helping Leverkusen win the Bundesliga title in 2023-24, will undergo a medical to complete the transfer, Ornstein adds.</p><p>The 24-year-old Dutchman figures to assume the right-back role being vacated by the departing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/69665" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/69665">Trent Alexander-Arnold</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Alexander-Arnold, who's already announced his intention to leave his boyhood club as a free agent this summer, is expected to join Real Madrid.</p><p>Though stylistically a different player, Frimpong should provide plenty of attacking punch down the right flank at Anfield, where he'll combine with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17673" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17673">Mohamed Salah</a> for Arne Slot's Premier League champions.</p><p>The rapid Netherlands international recorded five goals and 12 assists for Leverkusen this season.</p><p>His arrival would force him either to adjust his style of play to better fit with Liverpool's system or require Slot to tweak his midfield tactics to ensure his center-backs aren't solely responsible for covering the spaces left behind when Frimpong makes his frequent forays forward.</p>

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - AUGUST 17: Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrates his team's win during the DFL Supercup 2024 match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart at BayArena on August 17, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany.

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Report: Liverpool signing Frimpong to 5-year contract 

The matchup is set for this season's Champions League final, with Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Ger...

<p><em>The matchup is set for this season's Champions League final, with Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain set to meet at the Allianz Arena. Much can change between now and the kickoff May 31, but it's never too early to get excited about the biggest game on the European club calendar. Here are four questions that'll determine who wins the famous big-eared trophy.</em></p><h3>Will banged-up Inter survive final stretch?</h3><p>Lautaro Martinez had less than a week to recover from a hamstring injury and "<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3281782" href="https://thescore.com/news/3281782">sat at home crying</a>" over the prospect of missing Tuesday's pivotal Champions League semifinal second leg. Somehow, he made it back, scoring the first goal of Inter's whirlwind 4-3 win over Barcelona that sent them to the final.</p><p>He's hardly the only Inter player on the mend. Marcus Thuram is still struggling with a thigh injury that hasn't fully healed and clearly hindered his movement halfway through Tuesday's game. Denzel Dumfries returned last week and had a hand in five of the seven goals Inter scored against Barcelona. Piotr Zielinski, one of Inter's heroic substitutes, only recently recovered from a calf injury, and Benjamin Pavard, who missed the game entirely with an ankle issue, was in civvies as he celebrated Inter's passage to the final.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780940/cropped_GettyImages-2210614213.jpg?ts=1744836653" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780940/w220xh124_GettyImages-2210614213.jpg?ts=1744836653 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780940/w320xh180_GettyImages-2210614213.jpg?ts=1744836653 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780940/w640xh360_GettyImages-2210614213.jpg?ts=1744836653 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780940/w768xh432_GettyImages-2210614213.jpg?ts=1744836653 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780940/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2210614213.jpg?ts=1744836653 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Marco Luzzani / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>This team is banged and bruised and tired. Inter are 55 games deep already and will end up playing at least 62 matches through the FIFA Club World Cup. That's the toll they're paying for going far in every competition available to them. Even players who've remained relatively healthy this season - including standout defender Alessandro Bastoni, who leads the team with 50 appearances - are certain to feel fatigue as Inter chase a Serie A and Champions League double.</p><p>Head coach Simone Inzaghi has done his best to rotate his squad, but he can't afford a drop-off in quality in any of Inter's remaining games. They're trailing Napoli by three points with just three matches to go in the Serie A season and are away for two of them. Inzaghi will have to find a way to keep his starters fresh over the next three weeks, or face the prospect of finishing such a promising season without any silverware.</p><h3>Will Donnarumma play the hero again?</h3><p>Paris Saint-Germain may have folded if Gianluigi Donnarumma hadn't produced two early saves in Wednesday's second leg at the Parc des Princes. Few goalkeepers even have the reach to attempt the strong-arm save that stopped Martin Odegaard's eighth-minute thunderbolt of a shot. But Donnarumma has made a career of such physically improbable last-ditch efforts. It's his thing.</p><p>If Arsenal had gained a 1-0 lead within the first 15 minutes of the game, as PSG did at Emirates Stadium, the tie could've exploded into the kind of heavyweight exchange that brought Inter and Barcelona to their knees. When Bukayo Saka unfurled a curling left-footed shot toward the top left corner, Donnarumma was again there to preserve PSG's aggregate lead. Saka could only shake his head. He was beaten.</p><p>Donnarumma denied Arsenal eight times across two legs and conceded only once. That's some achievement given Thibaut Courtois, who leads all Champions League goalkeepers this season with 51 saves in 12 matches, couldn't stop the Gunners from scoring five goals against him.</p><p>Arsenal may have been missing a true center-forward, neither Leandro Trossard nor midfielder Mikel Merino could muster much of a threat in the absence of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, but they still created more genuine chances than PSG. Arsenal were expected to score 4.79 goals to PSG's 2.95, according to stats provider <a href="https://theanalyst.com/na/2025/05/psg-vs-arsenal-stats-champions-league-semi-final-opta">Opta Analyst</a>. Donnarumma simply kept most of them out.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774805/cropped_GettyImages-2204617950.jpg?ts=1741782484" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774805/w220xh124_GettyImages-2204617950.jpg?ts=1741782484 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774805/w320xh180_GettyImages-2204617950.jpg?ts=1741782484 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774805/w640xh360_GettyImages-2204617950.jpg?ts=1741782484 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774805/w768xh432_GettyImages-2204617950.jpg?ts=1741782484 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774805/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2204617950.jpg?ts=1741782484 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Alex Pantling - UEFA / UEFA / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>"The goalkeeper won the game for them in both ties," Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2044858--paris-vs-arsenal/">told</a> reporters.</p><p>Goalkeepers are increasingly the difference in cup competitions, where time is finite and game plans can go quickly out the window. His adversary in the Champions League final, Inter's Yann Sommer, delivered just as incredible of a performance against Barcelona on Tuesday. His fingertip saves on Lamine Yamal gave Inter a lifeline when they were under severe fire.</p><p>But Inter have something that PSG don't. Donnarumma's former goalkeeping coach, Gianluca Spinelli, works for the Nerazzurri and knows all of his former pupil's strengths and weaknesses. Donnarumma told <a href="https://twitter.com/Guillaumemp/status/1920227028994806115">Prime Italia</a> that he still speaks with Spinelli every day. He has significant intel on PSG's Champions League hero and will likely help facilitate plans to expose Donnarumma's trouble collecting aerial balls and playing out from the back.</p><h3>Who will dominate the flanks?</h3><p>Control the midfield, control the match.</p><p>The familiar adage has persisted through tactical revolutions and innovations because it's true. The events that matter most in a match often take place in the center of the field. That'll also be true of the Champions League final, where two distinct but similarly cohesive midfield trios will try to dictate proceedings in Munich.</p><p>But it's out wide, where PSG's flying full-backs will match up against Inter's unwavering wing-backs, that could provide the most intriguing battle.</p><p>Both sets of players look to race forward at every opportunity, and their surging runs into the opposition half are critical elements of the attack for both finalists. Dumfries and Federico Dimarco, along with Carlos Augusto, who frequently replaces the latter after the hour mark of matches, are relied upon <em>heavily</em> by Inzaghi to exploit spaces that open up out wide after Inter have filtered the ball through the middle in their initial buildup phase. Dumfries scored twice and provided three assists in the spectacular semifinal win over Barcelona, including the pass that teed up their season-saving stoppage-time equalizer in the second leg. He was a force of nature against Barca.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783467/cropped_GettyImages-2212801504.jpg?ts=1746101513" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783467/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212801504.jpg?ts=1746101513 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783467/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212801504.jpg?ts=1746101513 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783467/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212801504.jpg?ts=1746101513 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783467/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212801504.jpg?ts=1746101513 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783467/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212801504.jpg?ts=1746101513 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Giuseppe Bellini / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>On the other side, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes fulfill an eerily similar role for Luis Enrique. It hasn't been uncommon to see them as the farthest players forward during any given attacking sequence, particularly if PSG win possession back and look to strike quickly. They're two of the fastest players in the world, regardless of position; only Erling Haaland has reached a higher top speed in the tournament this season than Hakimi, who was named Man of the Match for his tireless performance Wednesday.</p><p>Hakimi, who delivered the dagger against Arsenal with a sublime finish after floating into the center of the penalty area, leads PSG in assists in the Champions League this season, while Mendes' four goals are second on the team behind only Ousmane Dembele. Together, they have 13 goal contributions. Many forwards don't even put up numbers like this.</p><p>There is, of course, the added layer of Dumfries being the player who replaced Hakimi after Inter sold the Moroccan international to PSG in 2021. Who made out better in that transaction? The definitive answer might just arrive May 31.</p><h3>Which team will manage the moment?</h3><p>Once the opening whistle blows at the Allianz Arena, it is, technically, just another game. But, for better or worse, funny things can happen when the stakes are this high. Players can get tight, overthink, and let the occasion get the better of them, or they can use the added adrenaline to lift them, and their team, to another gear. The intangibles matter.</p><p>Properly managing the moment is half the battle. Just ask Barcelona.</p><p>The commitment to their philosophy and well-defined style of play - ultra-aggressive and on the front foot at all times, situation be damned - is why they were able to fight back from multiple two-goal deficits in the semifinal tie with Inter. And it's also what got them eliminated. Their unyielding approach and high defensive line left them inexplicably undermanned at the back when they should've been slightly more cautious while nursing a one-goal lead in the 93rd minute of the second leg. There was an air of naivete.</p><p>PSG, though similarly constructed with exuberant young players all over the pitch, have proven they can be more measured in their approach. Luis Enrique, a former Barca manager who abides by some of the same principles as Hansi Flick, knows that it's sometimes necessary to take your foot off the gas. He knows his team must "<a href="https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/psg-bound-suffer-against-arsenal-145600116.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe're%20bound%20to%20suffer,stay%20true%20to%20our%20ideas.%E2%80%9D">suffer</a>" to finally win this title for the first time.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780835/cropped_GettyImages-2210462744.jpg?ts=1744805808" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780835/w220xh124_GettyImages-2210462744.jpg?ts=1744805808 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780835/w320xh180_GettyImages-2210462744.jpg?ts=1744805808 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780835/w640xh360_GettyImages-2210462744.jpg?ts=1744805808 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780835/w768xh432_GettyImages-2210462744.jpg?ts=1744805808 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780835/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2210462744.jpg?ts=1744805808 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Carl Recine / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>But Inter, loaded with veterans and returning nearly the entire starting lineup from their narrow loss to Manchester City in the 2023 Champions League final, are the grizzled grand masters of that approach. Even when they were being suffocated in their own half by Barcelona's pressing and possession game, they never panicked. They were under intense pressure, yes, but they were never out of control.</p><p>PSG, arguably the best team in Europe since the calendar flipped to 2025, are capable of tilting the field just like Barca, but they can get rattled when the opposition starts pushing back. Both Aston Villa and Arsenal had them on the ropes in the last two rounds, only for Donnarumma to bail them out when their defensive shape imploded and their poise disappeared.</p><p>When Inter inevitably hold their feet to the fire, can PSG keep their cool? That question will go a long way to determining who hoists the big-eared trophy.</p>

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4 questions that will decide who wins Champions League final

We're at halftime of each Champions League semifinal tie. Here's what we've learned from the firs...

<p><em>We're at halftime of each Champions League semifinal tie. Here's what we've learned from the first legs - and what each team must do to book their ticket to the final in Munich.</em></p><h3>Arsenal vs. Paris Saint-Germain</h3><p><em>PSG lead 1-0 on aggregate</em><br><em>Second leg: May 7 (Parc des Princes)</em></p><p><strong>Key takeaway from 1st leg</strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783163/cropped_GettyImages-2212066204.jpg?ts=1745959681" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783163/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212066204.jpg?ts=1745959681 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783163/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212066204.jpg?ts=1745959681 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783163/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212066204.jpg?ts=1745959681 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783163/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212066204.jpg?ts=1745959681 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783163/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212066204.jpg?ts=1745959681 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Adam Davy - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Luis Enrique's PSG are unlike any other we've seen in the Qatari era. There's complete buy-in from every player and a wholehearted commitment to pressing the opponent. The most talented players on the field work hard off the ball and attack spaces like their lives depend on it. The team isn't just a collection of individual players anymore. It's a cohesive unit with an identity and selfless streak that previous managers couldn't quite coax out of the many superstars who passed through the doors at the Parc des Princes.</p><p>Ousmane Dembele, who scored the go-ahead goal in the fourth minute Tuesday, only had 30 touches because he was chasing runners all over the field. Desire Doue, a 19-year-old attacking phenom whose snap shot from close range almost delivered the visitors a 2-0 lead, was as active in PSG's half as he was in Arsenal's. Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz got out of tricky spots and motored up and down the field as de facto midfield bodyguards.</p><p>When they have the ball, PSG are so sure of themselves. They often bypassed Arsenal's press like it was child's play, showing complete faith in their ball-playing ability to find solutions in real time. They made 26 passes before Dembele's goal. That's their system at work. For so long, they didn't have much of a system at all.</p><p>Arsenal tried their best to navigate PSG's high-energy attempts to win the ball, but they clearly missed Thomas Partey, the press-resistant midfielder suspended for yellow card accumulation. Partey would've made it much easier for Arsenal to move the ball in a more meaningful direction. They also missed someone like Kai Havertz, the space-invading forward who so often provides an outlet under pressure. While Partey is set to return for next week's second leg, Arsenal won't have Havertz back from injury. It'll be up to midfielder Mikel Merino to shape-shift once again and hold up play a little better than Leandro Trossard could manage up front.</p><p><strong>Biggest question going into 2nd leg</strong></p><p>Can Arsenal find a breakthrough? While they created a couple of clear-cut chances at the Emirates, forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into a pair of stunning diving saves, the Gunners were largely ponderous in the attacking half. Arsenal almost always looked to make the perfect pass before even thinking about pulling the trigger, and it resulted in a lot of the sideways variety. </p><p>Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli lost pace and precision after poking serious holes in PSG's defense in the opening 45 minutes. Trossard, Arsenal's stand-in center-forward, finished the game with just four touches in the penalty area. Arsenal couldn't even get their free-kicks quite right - and that's their bread and butter.</p><p>Credit must go to PSG's backline and midfielder Neves, whose inch-perfect tackles broke up Arsenal's promising plays. But the north London side must also have an answer for its inefficient play and take the game by the scruff of the neck. - <em>Anthony Lopopolo</em></p><h3>Barcelona vs. Inter Milan</h3><p><em>Tied 3-3 on aggregate<br>Second leg: May 6 (San Siro)</em></p><p><strong>Key takeaway from 1st leg</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783397/cropped_GettyImages-2212162593.jpg?ts=1746051887" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783397/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212162593.jpg?ts=1746051887 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783397/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212162593.jpg?ts=1746051887 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783397/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212162593.jpg?ts=1746051887 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783397/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212162593.jpg?ts=1746051887 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783397/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212162593.jpg?ts=1746051887 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Styles make fights. The classic boxing idiom is a perfect descriptor for this clash between two teams, and, frankly, two clubs, that are polar opposites in nearly every meaningful way. Barcelona, littered with youth, exuberance, and homegrown talent, went into Wednesday's match with the most potent attack in the tournament. Inter, savvy market operators whose starting lineup was the oldest any side has named for a Champions League semifinal since 2017, arrived in Montjuic with the stingiest backline in the competition. The former wanted to control possession, dictate tempo, and keep the visitors under constant pressure. The latter, meanwhile, wanted to stay compact, absorb that pressure, and then strike like lightning on the counter. </p><p>Both succeeded, and it made for one of the best games of the season so far.</p><p>Inter were ruthlessly efficient, scoring with all three of their shots on target. They used their superior size to pick Barcelona apart from set pieces; the Italian side has now scored 15 goals from corners in all competitions this season. Denzel Dumfries, who netted both of them in Montjuic and set up Marcus Thuram's opener 30 seconds into the contest, torched Barcelona's infamous high defensive line to the point where it was comical, bordering on nonsensical, to see Hansi Flick's team stick with the tactic. Dumfries was enjoying himself so much down the right wing that he was visibly annoyed when he was substituted.</p><p>Barca, who had 66% of the ball and attempted 19 shots, showcased all the slick passing and intricate combinations that have made them one of the most aesthetically pleasing teams in the world to watch. There were gorgeous passages of play where Inter were chasing shadows as Frenkie de Jong and the irrepressible Pedri pulled the strings, turning opposing midfielders inside out and slicing down the middle and into the box despite often facing a wall of 10 defenders. Barca's naivety was exposed by Inter - not falling asleep right from the opening kickoff in the second leg would be a good place to start - but they deserve praise for staying calm and battling from behind against a team that doesn't often squander a lead, let alone two within the same match.</p><p>Much of that credit goes to Lamine Yamal, who's already so absurdly good at 17 that it belies belief. His skill on the ball is bewitching - Federico Dimarco was put through the wringer trying to mark him, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan didn't fare much better when doubling up on the teen phenom. But what's more impressive is the way the youngest player on the pitch took over the game when his team needed him most, single-handedly dragging Barca back into the contest with a brilliant solo goal after Inter took an early 2-0 lead. Yamal probably scared Barca fans half to death when he pulled up in the prematch warmup with an apparent groin issue. Still, he was a constant threat, hitting the crossbar twice. He's now played 100 senior matches for Barcelona, amassing 22 goals and 33 assists in that time. In case a reminder is needed: This isn't normal.</p><p>"Yamal is a phenomenon of the kind born every 50 years," Inter boss Simone Inzaghi <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3278403" href="https://thescore.com/news/3278403">opined</a> after the match. How do you stop a generational talent? That's for him to figure out ahead of the second leg.</p><p><strong>Biggest question going into 2nd leg</strong></p><p>How quickly can the various injured players on either side recover? Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde missed the match for Barcelona, and their absences were certainly felt. Ferran Torres, who continues to start in Lewandowski's absence, scored a goal but spurned at least one other good opportunity. He wasn't able to get into open space - the one area where he's better than Lewandowski - because Inter set up shop sitting so deep.</p><p>Balde's recovery pace was <em>badly</em> missed at left-back, where Gerard Martin kept getting exposed trying to keep up with Dumfries. Inter's tried-and-true tactic isn't overly complex, but it's damn effective. Lautaro Martinez and Thuram combine after a long pass forward - one wins the initial ball, and the other brings a midfielder, often Nicolo Barella, into the play. The ball then quickly gets fired out to the far wing, where Dumfries or Dimarco races forward depending on which side of the field the play originated. That's how Inter kept carving Barcelona open, aided by the inviting high defensive line.</p><p>Balde's possible return could help mitigate that somewhat, though Jules Kounde on the other side is also now a doubt for the return fixture. Martinez's injury status could also play a huge role. The Inter captain left Wednesday's match at halftime with an apparent leg injury, and Inzaghi admitted he's a doubt for the second leg. None of Mehdi Taremi, who replaced him, Marko Arnautovic, or Joaquin Correa can replicate the Argentine's smart combination play with Thuram. If he's unavailable next week, it makes Inter's attack much more one-dimensional. <em>- Gianluca Nesci</em></p>

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Biggest takeaways, questions after 1st leg of Champions League semis

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi says that captain Lautaro Martinez is at risk of missing the clu...

<p>Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi says that captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/99740" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/99740">Lautaro Martinez</a> is at risk of missing the club's Champions League semifinal second-leg clash against Barcelona next week because of a leg injury he suffered in Wednesday's draw.</p><p>The Argentine striker pulled up favoring his leg late in the opening half of the first-leg affair. He briefly left the pitch for treatment before finishing the half but didn't return after the interval.</p><p>"I hope we don't lose Lautaro but I have my doubts," Inzaghi told reporters after the game, according to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/lautaro-inter-barcelona-champions-league-afa5b497e762221a7bae75c9de36548f">Associated Press</a>. "It will be very difficult to have him for the return match. Probably we'll play without our captain."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Martinez was replaced by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/92363" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/92363">Mehdi Taremi</a>.</p><p>The injury bug also bit Barcelona, as influential right-back <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/67045" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/67045">Jules Kounde</a> excited in the first half because of an undisclosed issue.</p><p>Star teenager <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/193783" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/193783">Lamine Yamal</a> appeared to be nursing a muscle problem of his own during the prematch warmup. However, he was able to play and scored a sensational 24th-minute goal that helped get the home side back on track after conceding the first two goals.</p><p>The breathless match finished 3-3. The second leg is next week in Milan.</p>

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 30: Lautaro Martínez of FC Internazionale (R) and Pedri Lopez of FC Barcelona (L) fight for position during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 30, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.

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Inter captain Martinez doubtful for 2nd leg vs. Barca due to injury

The race for the top individual accolade in men's soccer has never been more open. With Lionel Me...

<p><em>The race for the top individual accolade in men's soccer has never been more open. With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's duopoly well and truly over - neither was nominated for the Ballon d'Or last year - opportunity beckons. Rodri took full advantage in 2024. Who will do the same this year? Each month until the award is presented in October, we'll publish fresh rankings looking at the top contenders. Here are the 10 leading candidates right now.</em></p><p><strong>Previous edition</strong>: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3241190" href="https://thescore.com/news/3241190">March</a></p><h3>10. Declan Rice</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-bDMNP" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/bDMNP/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="101" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><p><em>Previous: Unranked</em></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Rice rocketed himself into contention with the signature performance of the Champions League season thus far, scoring two stupendous free-kicks in Arsenal's quarterfinal victory over reigning champions Real Madrid.</p><p>His chance of becoming the first Englishman in over two decades to win the Ballon d'Or hinges entirely on the continental competition; in a year without a major international summer tournament, that rings true for several players. If Rice can replicate his incredible performances against Madrid and power Arsenal to its first Champions League title with his dominant box-to-box ability, he'll continue climbing in the eyes of the voters.</p><h3>9. Lautaro Martinez</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-XN1Gu" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/XN1Gu/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="101" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><p><em>Previous: Unranked</em></p><p>Their treble dream may have been extinguished, but Inter are still very much in contention for both the Scudetto and, crucially in this conversation, the Champions League title. Martinez, their captain and top scorer across all competitions this season, is leading that charge.</p><p>He's on a tear in the Champions League with goals in each of his last five fixtures in the tournament. The feisty striker would see his Ballon d'Or chances soar if he can help orchestrate the ouster of Barcelona in the semifinals. That would give him a leg up on several direct challengers for the honor, and an additional match in the final, win or lose, would help his quest to be the tournament's top scorer.</p><h3>8. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-HhfpY" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/HhfpY/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="101" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><p><em>Previous: Unranked</em></p><p>When all is said and done this season, Kvaratskhelia may have played a critical role in <em>two</em> teams winning a combined four trophies. He left Napoli in January after helping the club establish itself as a title contender. Despite being gone for months, he's still the squad's fourth-highest scorer in Serie A this season.</p><p>But it's at PSG where he's hit another gear. The Georgian winger's arrival transformed Luis Enrique's team into a genuine Champions League threat by unlocking the squad's full attacking potential. Kvaratskhelia could help PSG win a treble, and, unlike the Barcelona contingent, is really only sharing any Ballon d'Or limelight with one other teammate.</p><h3>7. Kylian Mbappe</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-TN0dq" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/TN0dq/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="101" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><p><em>Previous: 2</em></p><p>Mbappe's Ballon d'Or bid has mostly cratered over the past month. He was one of our top candidates in March, when Real Madrid were still in treble contention and he was filling the net with regularity. Since then, Los Blancos were eliminated from the Champions League and lost the Copa del Rey final to bitter rivals Barcelona, while Mbappe missed time due to injury.</p><p>Mbappe's dwindling chances of individual hardware rest almost exclusively on Real Madrid hunting down Barca in the race for the La Liga title. However, his personal numbers - scoring more goals in his debut campaign with Madrid than Cristiano Ronaldo did - and opportunity to win the Club World Cup and Nations League this summer mean he can't be ruled out just yet.</p><h3>6. Pedri</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-1KqAK" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/1KqAK/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="101" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><p><em>Previous: 9</em></p><p>Rodri's triumph last year gave midfielders everywhere renewed hope that they can disrupt the hegemony that attacking players have over this award. Pedri is already the midfield conductor for a Barcelona side that's halfway to a quadruple. If he keeps adding exquisite goals to his repertoire, like the stunner he scored in the Copa del Rey final, he'll only continue surging.</p><p>"Since Rodri won the Ballon d'Or, it has become clear that a player who controls the midfield and dictates the tempo of the game can win this award," the Spaniard said Monday, <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1916850063109656781?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1916850063109656781%7Ctwgr%5E7fd15b332df428d3845cacf612b8a1f5bbd82188%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fgetfootballnewsspain.com%2Fsince-rodri-won-barcelona-star-reveals-ballon-dor-dream%2F">according to Fabrizio Romano</a>. "It has always been my dream to win the Ballon d'Or, but right now, my focus is on team trophies."</p><h3>5. Robert Lewandowski</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-N0bTg" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/N0bTg/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="101" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><p><em>Previous: 7</em></p><p>Lewandowski's hamstring injury came at an inopportune time for the Polish striker and his club. Recency bias plays a role in Ballon d'Or voting, and Lewandowski missing crucial games down the stretch will hurt his chances in relation to his teammates who are also in contention.</p><p>But his raw numbers are still spectacular; Lewandowski leads Barca with 40 goals across all competitions this season, reaching that tally in only 48 matches. The desire to right the perceived wrong of 2021, when he finished second to Lionel Messi in a year many thought he was more deserving of the accolade, also can't be ignored.</p><h3>4. Mohamed Salah</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-o6I8O" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/o6I8O/36/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="101" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><p><em>Previous: 3</em></p><p>Liverpool clinching the Premier League title means Salah probably has the best body of work of any contender <em>right now</em>. He'll also likely end the campaign with more goal involvements than any player ever in a single Premier League season. Salah has been magnificent in every way in 2024-25. But his ceiling is capped compared to his peers.</p><p>The Reds' inability to secure any other titles this season obviously hurts his case, and that will only be magnified as the Champions League rumbles on and the big-eared trophy is handed out. The Egyptian superstar is a shoo-in for the PFA Player of the Year, but it seems certain that the Ballon d'Or is just out of his reach.</p><h3>3. Lamine Yamal</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-1KqAK" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/1KqAK/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="101" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><p><em>Previous: 5</em></p><p>What Yamal is doing as a 17-year-old is largely unprecedented. For context, Messi, the icon he's so often compared to, played 70 league minutes for Barcelona during his age-17 season, scoring one goal. Yamal is just shy of <em>4,000</em> minutes across all competitions this season, starting 45 games and racking up 34 goal involvements (14 goals, 20 assists) in the process.</p><p>The youngest player in history to win the Ballon d'Or is Brazilian legend Ronaldo, who was 21 when he captured the first of his two golden trophies in 1997. Yamal, last year's recipient of the Kopa Trophy as the game's best young player, has a very real chance of smashing Ronaldo's benchmark. The scariest part? If not this year, he'll still have multiple opportunities to break the long-standing record.</p><h3>2. Ousmane Dembele</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-C4mtZ" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/C4mtZ/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="101" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><p><em>Previous: 4</em></p><p>If anyone's going to stop Barcelona from adding to their joint-record 12 Ballon d'Or wins as a club - level with Real Madrid, of course - Dembele is the most logical candidate. At this point, he's probably the only non-Barca player with a realistic shot.</p><p>The French winger has already helped PSG seal another domestic title, and he currently has a healthy lead in the race for Ligue 1's scoring crown. The capital-based club is also a humongous favorite to win the Coupe de France final in late May. It really all comes down to the Champions League, where PSG are looking to end their excruciating wait and lift the coveted trophy for the first time.</p><h3>1. Raphinha</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-WE8ZY" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/WE8ZY/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="101" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></figure><p><em>Previous: 1</em></p><p>Nothing that's happened since our inaugural edition of these rankings has changed the state of play: Raphinha remains the front-runner. If anything, his case has been strengthened by Barcelona's triumph in the Copa del Rey final.</p><p>The former Leeds United winger has an absurd 51 goal involvements in 50 matches across all competitions this season. He's lighting up the scoreboard in the most high-profile matches, too, and sits just two shy of Cristiano Ronaldo's record for most goal contributions in a Champions League season (21). If Barcelona add either the Champions League or La Liga title to the Copa del Rey and Supercopa they've already claimed, it's hard to envision anyone beating the Brazilian to the honor. If they end up with both, winning the quadruple, it's curtains for the rest of the field.</p>

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Ballon d'Or Rankings: Can anyone challenge the Barcelona boys?

Real Madrid are blocking the proposed deal that would see manager Carlo Ancelotti depart the club...

<p>Real Madrid are blocking the proposed deal that would see manager Carlo Ancelotti depart the club in order to take over the Brazilian national team, <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1917342220027572591">transfer insider Fabrizio Romano</a> reported Tuesday.</p><p>It was <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3276057" href="https://thescore.com/news/3276057">reported</a> Monday that an agreement was reached in principle between the Italian bench boss and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) for Ancelotti to start his role as Selecao coach in June.</p><p>But Real Madrid were never directly informed of the deal, according to Romano, who added that the CBF won't sit around long and wait for clarity on the situation. Al-Hilal manager Jorge Jesus reportedly remains an option for Brazil if the Ancelotti operation falls apart.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>ESPN <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44888527/real-madrid-ancelotti-exit-talks-perez">reported</a> Sunday that Ancelotti and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez would meet this week to discuss a potential exit. The expectation ahead of the summit was that a mutual agreement would allow the coach to leave after Madrid's last game of the La Liga season May 25, prior to this summer's Club World Cup.</p><p>As of Monday night, the CBF expected Ancelotti to be in Rio de Janeiro on May 26, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44907484/madrid-ancelotti-coach-brazil-june-games">ESPN's Pedro Ivo Almeida and Victoria Leite</a>.</p><p>Ancelotti's contract with Los Blancos runs until 2026, but he's been tipped as the next manager of Brazil's men's national team for several months. Ancelotti has reportedly been the preferred choice of CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues ever since Tite stepped down as Brazil's coach after the 2022 World Cup.</p><p>Brazil, yet to officially qualify for the 2026 World Cup, has been looking for a permanent head coach since firing Dorival Junior in March.</p>

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 15: Ancelotti head Coach of Real Madrid CF reacts during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and Elche CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 15, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.

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Report: Real Madrid blocking Ancelotti's deal with Brazil

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal Tue...

<p>Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal Tuesday, building an advantage to take home to the French capital for next week's second leg.</p><p>Leading scorer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/61590" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/61590">Ousmane Dembele</a> continued his remarkable season by scoring the lone goal of the match. He smacked a low shot in off the post in the fourth minute of play at the Emirates Stadium. He later left the game in the second half with an apparent injury, which coach Luis Enrique will be sweating ahead of the return fixture.</p><p>"It's not serious, it's something very minor, but he's probably a doubt for the second leg," the PSG coach <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44922700/psg-ousmane-dembele-hamstring-doubt-2nd-leg">said</a> of his star forward's status.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Goalkeeper <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/43614" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/43614">Gianluigi Donnarumma</a>, one of PSG's protagonists during their Champions League run, stood tall to prevent an Arsenal equalizer, making five saves during the engrossing contest.</p><p>He denied <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/161088" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/161088">Gabriel Martinelli</a> in a one-on-one situation in the first half, then produced a stunning fingertip save to keep out <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/85895" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/85895">Leandro Trossard</a>'s effort after the interval and preserve the narrow win.</p><p>Arsenal's first home defeat in 18 European matches means they'll need to pull off a rare comeback to reach their first Champions League final since 2006; only two teams have ever reached the showpiece match after losing the first leg of the semifinal tie at home.</p><p>"It's a good statement, it's very hard to win here," PSG midfielder Vitinha said after the match, according to <a href="https://www.barrons.com/news/what-they-said-after-psg-beat-arsenal-in-the-uefa-champions-league-semi-final-first-leg-ae84b1f0">Agence France-Presse</a>. "We thought that in October (when PSG lost 2-0). We played well even if we didn't have the ball like we usually do. That's what good teams do. When they have to defend, they defend. We have to adapt to each match."</p><p>Arsenal thought they found an equalizer early in the second half, but <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/58163" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/58163">Mikel Merino</a> was offside, barely, before heading home a free-kick from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/90903" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/90903">Declan Rice</a>. The goal was chalked off after a lengthy VAR review.</p><p>The match ebbed and flowed, with PSG's skillful forwards looking dangerous every time they broke forward and Arsenal carrying a threat in possession.</p><p>PSG could come to rue a pair of late missed opportunities, as substitutes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/185073" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/185073">Bradley Barcola</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/165002" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/165002">Goncalo Ramos</a> each came within inches of extending the French side's lead in the final 10 minutes. The former slid a shot agonizingly wide, while the Portuguese striker hit the crossbar.</p><p>The second leg is slated for May 7 at the Parc des Princes.</p><p>The winner of the tie will play either Barcelona or Inter Milan in the Champions League final.</p>

Paris Saint Germain's Ousmane Dembele (left) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League semi final, first leg match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Tuesday April 29, 2025.

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Dembele, Donnarumma lift PSG past Arsenal in 1st leg of UCL semis

Carlo Ancelotti reached an agreement in principle with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF)...

<p>Carlo Ancelotti reached an agreement in principle with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to become the next head coach of Brazil's men's national team, reports <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1916938349392044476">transfer insider Fabrizio Romano</a>.</p><p>Ancelotti would depart Real Madrid this summer, before the Club World Cup, and begin his duties with Brazil in June, according to Romano. That would give him roughly one year to prepare the team for the 2026 World Cup, for which Brazil is yet to officially qualify.</p><p>He'll reportedly be one of the highest-paid managers in international soccer.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>ESPN <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44888527/real-madrid-ancelotti-exit-talks-perez">reported</a> Sunday that the Italian manager will meet with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in the coming days to discuss his potential exit from the club, with the expectation being that the parties will agree to part ways after Madrid's final game of the La Liga season on May 25.</p><p>Ancelotti's contract with Los Blancos runs until 2026, but he's continuously been tipped as the next manager of Brazil's men's national team. Ancelotti has reportedly been the preferred choice of CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues ever since Tite stepped down as Brazil's coach after the 2022 World Cup.</p><p>Brazil fired Dorival Junior in March, and ESPN <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44835394/brazil-federation-talks-again-ancelotti-camp-sources">reported</a> last week that the CBF and Ancelotti's camp had re-engaged in talks about a contract.</p><p>Ancelotti is one of the most successful coaches in Real Madrid history, but his position has come under increasing scrutiny following Madrid's exit from the Champions League and Saturday's loss to bitter rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final.</p><p>"Whether I continue (at Madrid) is an issue for the coming weeks, not for today," Ancelotti said when asked about his next move following Saturday's 3-2 extra-time defeat.</p><p>Madrid, who won both La Liga and the Champions League last season, are second in Spain's top flight behind Barca this year and need to overturn a four-point deficit over their final five games.</p><p>If Ancelotti does indeed depart immediately after the La Liga season ends, Real Madrid will need to find a coach for this summer's Club World Cup.</p><p>An internal hire would likely be made on an interim basis in that case. Director of football Santiago Solari, Castilla coach Raul Gonzalez, or under-19 boss Alvaro Arbeloa are all among the potential short-term options, according to ESPN.</p>

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 24: Ancelotti head Coach of Real Madrid CF reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid CF at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.

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Report: Ancelotti reaches agreement in principle to become Brazil coach

After a brief interlude to decompress from the thrilling quarterfinal round, the Champions League...

<p><em>After a brief interlude to decompress from the thrilling quarterfinal round, the Champions League returns this week with a pair of attractive and intriguing semifinals. Below, we look at the biggest X-factors that will help determine which teams advance to play for the coveted title.</em></p><h3>Arsenal vs. Paris Saint-Germain</h3><p><strong>First leg</strong>: April 29 (Emirates Stadium)<br><strong>Second leg</strong>: May 7 (Parc des Princes)</p><p><strong>Arsenal: Myles Lewis-Skelly's adaptability </strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782903/cropped_GettyImages-2210620515.jpg?ts=1745851498" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782903/w220xh124_GettyImages-2210620515.jpg?ts=1745851498 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782903/w320xh180_GettyImages-2210620515.jpg?ts=1745851498 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782903/w640xh360_GettyImages-2210620515.jpg?ts=1745851498 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782903/w768xh432_GettyImages-2210620515.jpg?ts=1745851498 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782903/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2210620515.jpg?ts=1745851498 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">David Price / Arsenal FC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>With Thomas Partey suspended for the first leg in north London and his most obvious deputy, Jorginho, nursing an ailment, Mikel Arteta has a big decision to make. Who will slot in alongside quarterfinal hero Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard in central midfield? Mikel Merino, the team's surprisingly effective auxiliary center-forward, is also battling an injury, which complicates matters even more for the Gunners.</p><p>One option for Arteta is to restore breakout star Myles Lewis-Skelly to his natural position in midfield. The adaptable 18-year-old has made a seamless transition to left-back this season, filling that hole out of necessity for the injury-ravaged club, but he rose through Arsenal's academy as a midfielder - something that's easy to recognize when seeing the ease with which he tucks inside to receive the ball when his team's in possession. Sliding Lewis-Skelly back into his more familiar spot could be Arteta's best option to combat PSG's polished midfield. He's combative and physically strong enough to outmuscle his opponents, positions his body in clever ways to win duels or fouls in tight areas, and has the burst needed to dribble away from congested areas and flip the field. Against a side that presses vigorously like PSG, those are all vital attributes.</p><p>"I will play wherever the manager needs me, and it is important to be versatile. The top players in the world are able to occupy different positions," the teenager explained in a recent interview with <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11945/13355324/myles-lewis-skelly-exclusive-genius-mikel-arteta-has-arsenal-ready-for-psg-test-in-champions-league-semi-final">Sky Sports</a>. "So, for me, I will do whatever it takes to be in the team."</p><p>And if he does start at left-back? Then he'll be equally important trying to shut down whichever of PSG's dazzling wingers he lines up against, not to mention rampaging right-back Achraf Hakimi. If Arsenal are to reach their second Champions League final in club history, Lewis-Skelly will play a pivotal role, one way or another.</p><p><strong>PSG: Gianluigi Donnarumma, for better or worse</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774805/cropped_GettyImages-2204617950.jpg?ts=1741782484" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774805/w220xh124_GettyImages-2204617950.jpg?ts=1741782484 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774805/w320xh180_GettyImages-2204617950.jpg?ts=1741782484 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774805/w640xh360_GettyImages-2204617950.jpg?ts=1741782484 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774805/w768xh432_GettyImages-2204617950.jpg?ts=1741782484 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774805/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2204617950.jpg?ts=1741782484 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Alex Pantling - UEFA / UEFA / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Donnarumma can be an enigma. He can alternate between jaw-dropping saves and mind-numbing errors, sometimes within the same match. PSG's slick-passing midfield and devastatingly fluid attack have grabbed much of the attention during their run to the semifinals, and with good reason. Ousmane Dembele is putting himself in Ballon d'Or contention, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue are budding superstars, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been a phenomenal fit since his January arrival. Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and Joao Neves, meanwhile, combine to make the game look effortless and beautiful. But without Donnarumma, PSG wouldn't be in the semifinals.</p><p>The imposing Italian stood on his head against Liverpool in the round of 16, particularly in the first leg, and then, of course, in the shootout. And despite conceding three goals in the second leg of the quarterfinal versus Aston Villa, he was immense in the latter stages of that thrilling contest, pulling off three huge saves to ensure Villa's furious comeback attempt fell just short.</p><p>Like any netminder, the warts in his game are more glaring than any other position on the pitch. His mistakes, inevitably, lead to goals. That was on full display in PSG's 2-0 loss to Arsenal in their league phase meeting in October. He made two errors in that affair, first being beaten to a cross by Kai Havertz and then letting a seeing-eye free-kick from Bukayo Saka travel through the box and into his goal. </p><p>Donnarumma's a superlative shot-stopper, but his twitchiness on aerial balls sticks out, especially for someone of his size. Against the set-piece prowess of Arsenal, who have devised clever ways to disrupt the goalkeeper, particularly from corner kicks, Luis Enrique needs his No. 1 to be in full command of his penalty area for 180 minutes.</p><h3>Barcelona vs. Inter Milan</h3><p><strong>First leg</strong>: April 30 (Estadi Olimpic)<br><strong>Second leg</strong>: May 6 (San Siro)</p><p><strong>Barcelona: Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760199/cropped_GettyImages-2189457819.jpg?ts=1733956375" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760199/w220xh124_GettyImages-2189457819.jpg?ts=1733956375 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760199/w320xh180_GettyImages-2189457819.jpg?ts=1733956375 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760199/w640xh360_GettyImages-2189457819.jpg?ts=1733956375 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760199/w768xh432_GettyImages-2189457819.jpg?ts=1733956375 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760199/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2189457819.jpg?ts=1733956375 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jürgen Fromme - firo sportphoto / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Leading scorer Robert Lewandowski will miss the first leg against Inter with a hamstring injury. Barring an expedited return, he's expected to be sidelined for the return fixture as well. His predatory instincts inside the penalty area and clinical finishing will, of course, be missed; you can't simply replace someone who has 40 goals in all competitions on the fly. Lewandowski's connection with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha has been the driving force behind Barcelona's ongoing quadruple chase this season, and his absence gives Inter the opportunity to hone in more obsessively on the two wide attackers without having to worry about one of the most prolific players ever being left one-on-one through the middle.</p><p>There are intangibles to consider here, too. Lewandowski, at 36, is one of few veteran voices in a youthful squad that will be going up against Inter's grizzled unit. That element shouldn't be dismissed.</p><p>Torres, more mobile than his elder teammate, is the most likely option to continue starting up front in Lewandowski's absence. The Spaniard does give Barcelona more verticality in attack, as evidenced by the goal he scored in the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid this past weekend, when he raced behind the defense and rounded Thibaut Courtois after being picked out by a ball over the top from Yamal. Lewandowski, in all likelihood, wouldn't have reached that same pass, and Yamal may not have even attempted it. Will openings like that even be available against Inter, who will be infinitely more compact and organized defensively than Real Madrid? Perhaps not. Olmo, meanwhile, has had some success operating as a false nine this season, though he always looks more comfortable in an attacking midfield role.</p><p>How aggressive Flick chooses to be with his lineup will be fascinating. Will he play <em>both</em> Torres and Olmo in the first leg, as he did against Madrid with a 4-2-3-1 formation? That would, in theory, give his team more creativity, but could come at the cost of being outnumbered and ceding some control to Inter's three-man midfield. Inter haven't lost a Champions League match at home since 2022, so Flick could decide that flying out of the gate in Montjuic and building a healthy first-leg lead is paramount before heading to the San Siro.</p><p><strong>Inter: Marcus Thuram's thigh</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751642/cropped_GettyImages-2180686441.jpg?ts=1729859775" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751642/w220xh124_GettyImages-2180686441.jpg?ts=1729859775 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751642/w320xh180_GettyImages-2180686441.jpg?ts=1729859775 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751642/w640xh360_GettyImages-2180686441.jpg?ts=1729859775 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751642/w768xh432_GettyImages-2180686441.jpg?ts=1729859775 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751642/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2180686441.jpg?ts=1729859775 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Simone Arveda - UEFA / UEFA / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Coming out of the quarterfinals, Inter were chasing a treble of trophies and looked like the savvy choice to win the Champions League. Now they're in a tailspin. Since eliminating Bayern Munich in the last round of the competition just a couple weeks ago, the Nerazzurri have lost three consecutive games by a combined scoreline of 5-0. They've been knocked out of the Coppa Italia - by rivals AC Milan, no less - <em>and</em> relinquished their lead atop Serie A. Things change quickly. There are several contributing factors, but the most glaring has been Thuram's absence. It's no coincidence that Inter's attack has fallen off a cliff with the dynamic Frenchman sidelined for the last three matches with a thigh issue.</p><p>Captain Lautaro Martinez has scored in each of his last five Champions League contests, but, without his first-choice strike partner, the Argentine is less threatening and effective. The drop-off from Thuram to backup options like Marko Arnautovic, Mehdi Taremi, and Joaquin Correa, is massive; Thuram has outscored the three of them combined this season, and his instinctual combination play with Martinez is a pillar of Inter's attack. Against Barcelona, in particular, Thuram profiles as the ideal player to take advantage of Hansi Flick's high defensive line. Without him, Inter's wicked counterattack loses much of its pace and doesn't carry nearly the same threat. Even if he plays at less than 100% fitness, his return would be a big boost for the Italian club.</p><p>Simone Inzaghi's team doesn't light up the scoreboard to begin with. Inter rely instead on the stingiest backline in the tournament, which has conceded just five goals, to win games. Center-back Alessandro Bastoni, who will be tasked with trying to lock down Yamal while also contributing to his team's buildup play, will play a huge role in the tie and could've easily been the choice here.</p><p>But if Thuram isn't available, the Italian defender's contributions could be moot. Against a dynamic Barcelona outfit that creates chances at will, Inter will likely need multiple goals to advance to the final. As they've showed over the last week, just scoring once without him has been challenging enough.</p>

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X-factors that will decide the Champions League semifinals

Liverpool's coronation is complete.  The Reds, runaway Premier League leaders for several weeks n...

<p>Liverpool's coronation is complete.</p><p>The Reds, runaway Premier League leaders for several weeks now, officially clinched the title Sunday with four matches to spare, crushing Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at Anfield to seal the deal.</p><p>The Merseyside outfit now has 20 top-flight English titles in its history, tied for most all time with historic rivals Manchester United.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"It's special and it's something that we don't take for granted. It's amazing," captain Virgil van Dijk said, according to <a href="https://www.barrons.com/news/what-they-said-after-liverpool-won-the-premier-league-18fb4850">Agence France-Presse</a>. "A lot of emotions before the game, during the whole week, but we got the job done and we are truly deserved champions of England."</p><p>He added: "(This is) the most beautiful club in the world and I think we deserve all of this. Let's enjoy the next couple of weeks and let it sink in."</p><p><strong>English top-flight titles</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th> Club</th>
<th>Titles</th>
<th>Runners-up</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1.</td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2.</td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3.</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4.</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5.</td>
<td>Everton</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Arsenal's draw with Crystal Palace earlier in the week left Liverpool just one point away from securing the trophy going into Sunday's match. Arne Slot's team took full advantage.</p><p>After conceding an early goal to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/34985" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/34985">Dominic Solanke</a> in front of an expectant Anfield crowd, Liverpool came storming back in emphatic fashion. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/101948" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/101948">Luis Diaz</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/160602" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/160602">Alexis Mac Allister</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/102362" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/102362">Cody Gakpo</a> scored in an 18-minute span in the first half to get the home side back on the title-clinching track.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17673" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17673">Mohamed Salah</a>'s fierce second-half strike, his 46th goal involvement of the league campaign, padded the lead, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/167287" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/167287">Destiny Udogie</a>'s own goal rounded out the scoring.</p><p>It was fitting that Salah got his name on the scoresheet Sunday. In doing so, he surpassed Sergio Aguero as the highest-scoring foreign player in Premier League history and moved into sole possession of fifth on the league's all-time scoring chart with 185 goals.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782750/cropped_GettyImages-2212267598.jpg?ts=1745778285" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782750/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212267598.jpg?ts=1745778285 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782750/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212267598.jpg?ts=1745778285 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782750/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212267598.jpg?ts=1745778285 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782750/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212267598.jpg?ts=1745778285 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782750/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212267598.jpg?ts=1745778285 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Carl Recine / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Powered primarily by the Egyptian's superlative individual campaign, Liverpool ran away with the Premier League in Slot's first season at the helm, adapting immediately to his style of play after the departure of beloved longtime bench boss Jurgen Klopp last year.</p><p>Slot joins Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte, and Manuel Pellegrini as the only managers to win the Premier League in their first campaign in English football.</p><p>Klopp was in charge when Liverpool claimed their most recent title in 2020 to end a 30-year drought, and a handful of the stalwarts from that side have also been vital contributors to this latest success. Defender Van Dijk, goalkeeper Alisson Becker, and defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson were part of the squad with Salah five years ago.</p><p>The celebrations that time around looked very, very different.</p><p>Five years ago, Anfield was almost entirely empty because of pandemic restrictions, with only a smattering of family members allowed to witness the club's long-awaited trophy presentation in person.</p><p>The storied venue was in full party mode Sunday, with more than 60,000 raucous fans packing the stadium and providing a celebratory atmosphere well before the opening kickoff. The air of expectation was palpable.</p><p>"It is incredible to win this with our fans. This is 100 percent better than last time (in 2020), especially with the fans," Salah said. "We have a different group now so to show we can do it again is something special."</p><p>Liverpool have lost just two league matches this season and used a 26-match unbeaten run to pull away from Arsenal, who emerged as the only true competition for the Reds this season before eventually falling off the pace.</p><p>Manchester City, Premier League champions in each of the past four seasons - and six of the past seven - dropped off significantly this year, opening the door for Liverpool to storm through.</p><p>The Reds were in contention for a quadruple earlier in the campaign but lost in the League Cup final while also suffering exits in the Champions League and FA Cup. Those setbacks didn't impact their league form, though, as Slot's men continued to rack up points at a rate nobody in England could match.</p>

Liverpool players celebrate victory and the Premier League title following the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday April 27, 2025.

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Liverpool win EPL, equal English record with 20th top-flight title

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