Atletico Madrid have insisted Julian Alvarez is not for sale despite the striker publicly requesting a transfer amid heavy interest from Arsenal and Barcelona.
The Argentine recently stated during a television interview that a departure would be the best outcome for all parties as he looks to fulfil his ambitions.
However, the Spanish club’s president Enrique Cerezo has firmly dismissed the possibility of an impending exit.
“It caught us by surprise and we have done what we had to do. We’ve said that he is an Atletico de Madrid player and that we have no offers from anyone.”
Cerezo stressed that even if formal bids were tabled for the 24-year-old, the club hierarchy simply do not want to sanction a sale.
Release clause complicates potential exit
The former Manchester City forward is tied to a lengthy contract at the Wanda Metropolitano that runs until 2030.
Any potential suitor would also need to navigate a staggering €500m (£431m) release clause to bypass negotiations with the Madrid side.
Arsenal are actively seeking a prolific centre-forward and recently faced the South American in the Champions League semi-finals.
Barcelona are similarly tracking the versatile attacker as they search for a long-term replacement following the departure of Robert Lewandowski.
Simeone unfazed by mounting speculation
Alvarez has been a revelation since completing an £81.5m switch to the Spanish capital two years ago.
The World Cup winner has registered 49 goals and 17 assists in 106 appearances across all competitions.
Despite this impressive individual return, his side were unable to mount a serious title challenge last season and suffered a bitter defeat in the Copa del Rey final.
Manager Diego Simeone remains unsurprised by the intense transfer speculation surrounding his prized asset.
“I understand that it’s normal that an extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez is wanted by Arsenal, PSG, Barcelona. It’s normal because he’s so good.”
Portugal will honour the late Diogo Jota when they face Croatia in the World Cup round of 32 on Thursday, exactly one year after the forward died in a car crash.
The match in Toronto coincides with the tragic anniversary of the collision in Spain that claimed the lives of the 28-year-old and his brother, Andre Silva.
Head coach Roberto Martinez says his squad are determined to win the tournament in memory of the former Liverpool star.
A poignant anniversary in Canada
The tragedy occurred just 11 days after the Premier League champion married his childhood sweetheart.
His 25-year-old brother, who also died in the crash, was an attacking midfielder for Portuguese second-tier side Penafiel.
The profound scale of the loss continues to resonate deeply within the national team setup.
Chasing World Cup glory
The Portuguese camp remains heavily motivated by the memory of a player who helped them secure the Uefa Nations League title.
Before his passing, the prolific goalscorer had expressed a strong desire to compete at football’s showpiece event for the first time.
“I think we need to honour Diogo Jota,” Martinez said following a goalless draw with Colombia.
“I think it’s a moment to cherish that everything we started in this team started with him. We want to win the World Cup for him.”
Remembering a champion
Several members of the squad have been wearing wristbands bearing their former team-mate’s name throughout the tournament.
The brothers’ parents recently attended an emotional tribute ceremony ahead of the opening group match against DR Congo.
His former club manager, Arne Slot, previously described the attacker as a “champion in everything”.
To ensure his legacy endures, the Portuguese Football Federation has commissioned an official biography authored by journalist Jose Manuel Delgado.
Colombia have advanced to the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup to face Ghana after a goalless draw with Portugal capped a remarkable resurgence following a humbling friendly defeat by France.
Recovery from Copa America heartbreak
The South American side secured their progression by winning their group after earlier victories against Uzbekistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A hard-fought draw against the Portuguese in Miami Gardens ensured Néstor Lorenzo’s team avoided a difficult tie against Croatia.
They will now travel to Kansas City to take on the Black Stars for a place in the next round.
This confident progression marks a significant turnaround for the national team following a turbulent two-year period.
Their impressive long unbeaten run famously ended with a narrow extra-time defeat to Argentina in the 2024 Copa America final.
Struggles in qualification and friendly setbacks
That heartbreaking loss in Florida seemingly shattered the squad’s confidence during the resumption of their qualifying campaign.
The team suffered four defeats in five matches, sparking fears of a repeat of their failure to reach the Qatar tournament in 2022.
Crucial late victories over Bolivia and Venezuela eventually secured their ticket to the finals.
However, deep concerns resurfaced during the March international break following a pair of troubling results against European opposition.
A narrow loss to Croatia was quickly followed by a disastrous 3-1 defeat against a heavily rotated French side.
The European powerhouse surged into a commanding three-goal lead shortly after half-time, exposing glaring defensive vulnerabilities.
Tactical rethink sparks World Cup revival
That comprehensive dismantling forced Lorenzo into a deep tactical reassessment ahead of the global showpiece.
The Argentine manager had to decide whether his established tactical model remained effective against elite international opponents.
His system heavily relies on the attacking prowess of Liverpool winger Luis Diaz operating down the left flank.
Diaz is typically supported by a central focal point, with either Luis Suarez or Jhon Cordoba leading the attacking line.
The entire structure is then orchestrated by veteran playmaker James Rodriguez, who continues to search for domestic stability.
Despite ongoing frustrations at club level with Minnesota United, the 2014 Golden Boot winner remains integral to his nation’s ambitions.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Arsenal defender Gabriel will renew their bitter Premier League rivalry on the international stage when Norway face Brazil in the World Cup last 16 in New York.
The heavyweight international clash offers a place in the quarter-finals for the victors, while the losers will face elimination from the 2026 tournament.
Animosity between the two Premier League stars stems from a fiercely contested domestic campaign during the 2024-25 season.
A rivalry forged in Manchester and London
Tensions first ignited when the Norwegian forward threw the ball at the back of the South American defender’s head following a late Manchester City equaliser against Arsenal.
“What happens on the football pitch stays there,” the former Borussia Dortmund striker stated at the time.
“It’s a battle, a war, so it’s normal to have provocative acts in football. It’s part of the game.”
However, the Gunners centre-back promised retribution in the return fixture at Emirates Stadium.
When Mikel Arteta’s side secured a resounding 5-1 victory over City later that season, the Brazilian celebrated directly in his adversary’s face.
“I did it because he threw the ball at my head, to provoke him the way he provoked me,” he explained.
Escalation and Premier League fallout
The hostility escalated further during a subsequent 2-1 victory for Pep Guardiola’s side at Etihad Stadium.
Referee Anthony Taylor booked both players after the Arsenal defender allegedly attempted to headbutt the prolific goalscorer.
“If I go down like any other guy, it’s a red card,” the Norwegian international remarked following the incident.
“My father taught me to stay on your feet.”
The feud eventually spilt over onto social media at the conclusion of the domestic campaign.
After Arsenal secured the Premier League title, the Brazilian posted a celebration video featuring a song the City striker had previously used to mock his rivals.
World Cup quarter-final stakes
Now, the pair must set aside their club allegiances as they represent their respective nations on football’s biggest stage.
The impending fixture in the United States guarantees that only one of these fierce competitors will advance to the latter stages of the World Cup.
Former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has expressed concern over the physical condition of Declan Rice following England’s hard-fought 2-1 World Cup victory against DR Congo on Wednesday.
Thomas Tuchel’s side survived an early scare at the Atlanta Stadium to book their place in the last 16 of the tournament.
Two second-half goals from captain Harry Kane overturned a shock seventh-minute opener from Brian Cipenga.
However, the overall physical display of the Three Lions drew sharp criticism from the watching Ibrahimovic.
Midfield engine shows signs of fatigue
The Arsenal midfielder played almost the entirety of the match before being replaced by John Stones in stoppage time.
During the closing stages, the 27-year-old was forced to fill in at right-back after Djed Spence was substituted.
His trademark energy appeared visibly lacking to onlookers throughout the latter periods of the game.
“We can discuss about details and that, but today I saw England suffering physically,”
Ibrahimovic told FOX Sports.
“I didn’t see them run like before, especially Declan Rice. His quality is to run, but it is like he was struggling.”
High altitude test looms for Tuchel
Those fitness fears were compounded when the former West Ham captain was spotted icing his left hamstring after the final whistle.
Such injury worries leave the national team in a precarious position ahead of a demanding knockout clash on Sunday night.
The squad must now travel to face joint-hosts Mexico in the punishing high altitude of the famous Azteca Stadium.
With a spot in the quarter-finals at stake, the ex-Barcelona forward also questioned the intense pressure constantly placed upon the 1966 winners.
“The fans are always very demanding, expecting a lot, especially the English media… but maybe they think highly about themselves and the reality is something else.”
The retired AC Milan superstar concluded by challenging Tuchel to achieve what he described as “mission impossible” and win the trophy.
Everton have completed the signing of midfielder Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough on a five-year contract for a fee of at least £16m.
The 24-year-old departs the Riverside Stadium with a single year remaining on his deal, ending a long-term association with a club he first joined at under-10 level.
His departure follows an outstanding individual campaign where he was crowned the 2025-26 Championship player of the season.
However, the highly rated prospect ultimately suffered collective heartbreak in May when his former employers missed out on promotion following a narrow 1-0 play-off final defeat to Hull City.
Pull of Moyes and stadium vision
Securing the dynamic playmaker represents a significant piece of early business for Everton manager David Moyes as he looks to bolster his squad for the demanding Premier League campaign.
The upcoming transition into a brand-new stadium also served as a major attraction for the sought-after English talent.
“I’m delighted to be here,” Hackney revealed after putting pen to paper on Merseyside.
“As soon as I spoke to the manager, as soon as I knew Everton were interested, to be honest, it was always going to be Everton.”
“It’s such a big club, with the new stadium and the direction it’s going in. I just wanted to be part of that.”
England must overcome the extreme altitude of Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca when they face the host nation in a daunting World Cup last-16 encounter.
The Three Lions scraped past DR Congo with a narrow 2-1 victory to secure their place in the tournament’s knockout stages.
Manager Thomas Tuchel now faces a unique physical challenge as he prepares his squad to compete at 7,220 feet above sea level.
This tie marks the national team’s first return to the iconic Central American venue since their infamous quarter-final defeat by Argentina in 1986.
Navigating the severe physical toll of thin air
At such extreme heights, lower atmospheric pressure means significantly less oxygen enters the bloodstream with every breath.
Even elite athletes experience increased heart rates, rapid dehydration, and much quicker fatigue under these gruelling environmental conditions.
To provide context, West Bromwich Albion’s Hawthorns is the highest ground in English professional football at just 551 feet.
That domestic statistic makes the Midlands stadium 14 times closer to sea level than the towering Mexican arena.
A formidable home advantage for El Tri
The host nation have played all their tournament matches on familiar turf and boast an incredibly intimidating home record.
Mexico remain unbeaten in 10 consecutive World Cup fixtures played at the massive stadium.
Their overall competitive record at the venue is staggering, featuring 70 victories and only two defeats from 89 matches.
“As an opponent, you know when you go there, you are going to suffer.”
Pavel Pardo, the former Club America and national team captain, warned visiting sides about the unforgiving environment.
Tactical adjustments and breathing struggles
The thinner atmosphere also alters the flight of the ball, making crosses and long passes travel significantly faster through the air.
Nigel Reo-Coker experienced the extreme climate firsthand during the 2015 Concacaf Champions League final with Montreal Impact.
“It’s the most physically demanding place I ever played football.”
The former West Ham United midfielder explained that players simply cannot catch their breath during the first half.
“It’s about football intelligence; you really have to pick and choose your moments where you exert yourself.”
He suggests that visiting players must rely on smart positioning and clinical execution rather than purely physical exertion.
Harry Maguire has publicly backed Marcus Rashford to rebuild his Manchester United career under new head coach Michael Carrick following the forward’s successful loan spell at Barcelona.
The 28-year-old is preparing to report back to Old Trafford this summer after an 18-month absence.
His long-term future remained uncertain after Barcelona opted against a permanent transfer, choosing instead to sign Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon for £70m.
A successful spell in Spain
The England international enjoyed a spectacular renaissance during his time with the Catalan giants.
He helped the club secure the La Liga title, registering 14 goals and 14 assists across all competitions.
However, the academy graduate originally saw his relationship with his boyhood team deteriorate under former manager Ruben Amorim.
Mending fractured relationships
He was frozen out of the squad after publicly declaring his desire for a new challenge away from Manchester.
Those comments reportedly angered several dressing room figures, arriving shortly after a crucial derby victory over Manchester City.
Despite the historical friction, Maguire believes the versatile attacker deserves a clean slate under Carrick’s fresh leadership.
“Yeah, of course, I have an amazing relationship with Marcus and have had some great times with him over the years,” Maguire told the Rest Is Football podcast.
Welcoming a return
“I know what a wonderful player he can be. I’m sure it’s up to the club and up to Marcus to find a mutual agreement.”
“Of course, if Marcus does come back, we want him to come back and play and be happy and confident.”
Maguire’s supportive stance contrasts sharply with the views of former midfielder Paul Scholes.
Contrasting views from club legends
The ex-England playmaker previously insisted the returning forward had let the squad down and urged the hierarchy to banish him permanently.
“I think Marcus has let a lot of people down really, with his attitude, and I think that’s what the manager is trying to say.”
Paul Scholes
“If he’s in and around that and young people are seeing that as an example, the sooner he’s gone the better.”
It now remains to be seen whether Carrick will integrate the prolific goalscorer into his tactical plans for the upcoming Premier League campaign.