Soccer

After several days of rumors, Neymar Jr. announced on social media his return to Santos, signing a contract until June 30 as he aims to regain his form ahead of the 2026 World Cup.   At 32 years old, the forward stated that only the club where he was developed can provide the support he needs. His comeback follows the termination of his contract with Al-Hilal, where he played only seven matches and scored one goal before suffering a severe injury.   The Brazilian team responded to the announcement with a welcome message on social media. Neymar left the club nearly 12 years ago to join Barcelona. Now, he hopes to relaunch his career in the Brazilian football scene that saw him grow.   You may also be interested in: The Europa League league phase is history   Cover image: X (@neymarjr)

The countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, and the Estadio Azteca is undergoing a major transformation to meet FIFA‘s requirements. As part of the renovation, two iconic areas of the venue will be disabled, marking a significant change in the layout of the Coloso de Santa Úrsula. THE AZTECA’S TRANSFORMATION TOWARD 2026 🔄🏗️ On January 27, the calendar marked 500 days before the start of the World Cup, an event where Mexico will play a key role as a host nation. To ensure that the Estadio Azteca meets international standards, modernization work has progressed with the removal of traditional spaces and the creation of new exclusive areas. Since the last tournament, Club América stopped playing at the stadium to allow for these structural changes. Among the improvements, the construction of new dressing rooms is planned, along with the relocation of certain access areas and the adaptation of spaces for hospitality, a premium service for international attendees. 🏟️✨ WHICH AREAS WILL DISAPPEAR FROM THE ESTADIO AZTECA? 🚧⛔ According to information from Milenio, the areas that will be removed are: 🔹 VIP Area: Located in sections near the pitch, this section will disappear to make way for new spaces dedicated to hospitality fans. 🔹 Coca-Cola Lounge: This exclusive area will also be removed as part of the restructuring. Additionally, a crucial change will occur in the dressing room location. Until now, they have been located at the south end, but with FIFA’s new requirements, they will be relocated to the center of the stadium, aligning with the infrastructure of the world’s most modern venues. 🌍⚽ PROGRESS AND PROJECT DELIVERY DATE 🏗️📅 The modifications are already noticeable: ✅ Removal of the grass for future renewal. ✅ Elimination of old benches and areas within the stadium. ✅ Start of space adjustments for new service areas. The goal is for the work to be completed by the end of 2025 or early 2026, ensuring that the Estadio Azteca is ready for the World Cup, which will kick off in June 2026. 🏆 With these changes, the iconic Mexican stadium is being modernized to remain a global football landmark. Although it bids farewell to two legendary areas, it is preparing to welcome thousands of fans for the biggest football celebration. What will the new Azteca look like? We will find out in the coming months. 🌎🏆🎉 THE AZTECA AND ITS MONUMENTAL HISTORY This restructuring represents an investment in the greatness of Mexican football, but also a sacrifice of what many considered part of the stadium’s essence. It is essential that, in modernizing, we do not lose the connection to what makes this stadium unique: its passion, its people, and its history. However, the stadium’s future is more important than the memory of what is being left behind. FIFA demands standards that ensure a world-class event, and the Azteca, with its monumental history, cannot afford to fall behind. ⚒️ As always, the Azteca has a tradition of surprising us, and we hope that this renovation will provide an even more imposing venue—one that never forgets its roots. 🙌✨

The Europa League playoffs are set, with Lazio, Athletic Club, Manchester United, and Tottenham securing direct passage to the Round of 16. Among the standout clashes, Porto vs. Roma promises to be a thrilling battle as teams fight for a spot in the next stage. After eight matchdays, the UEFA Europa League phase has concluded, and the competition is now moving into its playoff stage, where the eight directly qualified teams await their opponents. Direct Qualifiers The teams that earned direct qualification to the Round of 16 are Lazio, who topped the overall standings, followed by Athletic Club, Manchester United, Tottenham, Eintracht Frankfurt, Lyon, Olympiacos, and Rangers. Europa League Playoff Matchups Among the 16 teams that landed in the playoff spots, the most anticipated matchup is Porto vs. Roma. The winner of this high-stakes battle will move on to face either Lazio or Athletic Club in the next round. Ferencváros and Viktoria Plzen will also compete in the playoffs, with the winner set to face either the first or second-ranked team from the overall standings. In other key fixtures, Anderlecht, featuring Mexican star “Chino” Huerta, will take on Fenerbahçe, now managed by José Mourinho. Meanwhile, Twente will go up against Bodø/Glimt. The winners of these two matchups will face either Olympiacos or Rangers in the Round of 16. Additionally, Union Saint-Gilloise will face Ajax, and PAOK will battle FCSB, with the victors advancing to meet either Eintracht Frankfurt or Lyon. Finally, AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray are set for an evenly matched showdown, while Midtjylland will face Real Sociedad in a game that could lead to an exciting clash against either Manchester United or Tottenham—arguably one of the most intriguing paths toward the Europa League final in Bilbao. You may be interested in: The Road to the Champions League Round of 16 Is Set Playoff Schedule The first-leg matches will take place on February 13, 2025, while the return legs will be played on February 20, 2025.

The Champions League playoffs are now defined, with the standout clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid. Teams will battle for a spot in the Round of 16, where they will face those who qualified directly. Following the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League league phase, the 16 teams that will compete in the playoffs for a spot in the Round of 16 have been confirmed. This morning, during Central Mexico time, the official draw took place, setting up the matchups in a two-legged format to determine which eight teams will advance to face the eight clubs that secured direct qualification. Exciting Matchups in the Playoffs The highlight of this new Champions League format comes early, as two European giants will collide. Manchester City and Real Madrid—both Champions League winners and among the best teams in recent years—will face off in a thrilling tie. One will move on to play either Atlético Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen, while the other will be eliminated. Paris Saint-Germain will take on a familiar opponent, Brest, in an all-French clash. The Parisian side appears to be the favorite, but Brest has already proven its ability to compete at this level, securing a draw against Leverkusen and a victory over PSV in the league phase. The winner of this matchup will face either Liverpool or Barcelona. A highly competitive matchup awaits as Atalanta seeks to return to the Round of 16, but they must first overcome Club Brugge, another club eager to make it deep into the tournament. The winner of this tie will meet either LOSC Lille or Aston Villa in the next round. Juventus and PSV will battle in what promises to be another exciting encounter between two historic clubs that are expected to be Champions League contenders. The victor will face either Arsenal or Inter Milan in the Round of 16. Another closely contested fixture will be Monaco vs. Benfica. Both teams finished in the middle of the league phase standings but showed glimpses of competing for top positions, making this one of the most intriguing matchups. The winner will go on to play either Liverpool or Barcelona. Borussia Dortmund will take on Sporting CP, aiming to replicate their deep run in last season’s tournament. However, Sporting will look to spring an upset and move on to face either LOSC Lille or Aston Villa. One of the more lopsided matchups on paper is Bayern Munich vs. Celtic. The German powerhouse enters as the heavy favorite against the Scottish side, but football is full of surprises, and Celtic will try to defy the odds for a chance to face either Bayer Leverkusen or Atlético Madrid. Lastly, Feyenoord will meet AC Milan in a tie that holds special significance for Mexican striker Santiago Giménez. Rumors suggest that Milan is interested in signing him, making this an intriguing duel. The winner will advance to face either Inter Milan or Arsenal. The first-leg matches of these playoffs will be played on February 11 and 12, 2025, while the second-leg fixtures will take place on February 18 and 19, 2025.

The first UEFA Champions League tournament with the new format has concluded, revealing the eight teams that have qualified directly for the Round of 16 and the 16 teams that will fight in the playoffs to secure their place in Munich 2025. Qualified Teams and Playoff Spots Liverpool finished as the overall leader of the competition, with Barcelona in second, Arsenal third, Inter Milan fourth, Atlético de Madrid fifth, Bayer Leverkusen sixth, and the surprises of the top eight, LOSC Lille and Aston Villa, in seventh and eighth, respectively.   As for the playoff spots, Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan secured their places, followed by PSV, PSG, Benfica, Monaco, Brest, Feyenoord, Juventus, and Celtic. Lastly, Manchester City, Sporting Lisbon, and Club Brugge complete the 16 playoff teams. The teams eliminated from the competition due to goal difference include Dinamo Zagreb, Stuttgart, Shakhtar, Bologna, Red Star, Sturm, Sparta Prague, RB Leipzig, Girona, RB Salzburg, Slovan Bratislava, and Young Boys. Possible Playoff Matchups Although teams await the draw to determine their rivals, speculation about potential matchups is already circulating. Monaco and Brest may face PSG or Benfica, with the winner facing either Liverpool or Barcelona in the next round. Sporting and Brugge could meet Atalanta or Dortmund in the playoffs, with potential Round of 16 matchups against Lille or Aston Villa. Celtic or Manchester City might go up against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, which could lead to one of the most exciting playoff matchups. Afterward, they could face Atlético de Madrid or Leverkusen in the Round of 16. Finally, Feyenoord or Juventus could meet AC Milan or PSV, with potential Round of 16 clashes against Arsenal or Inter Milan.

Another thrilling day of European football awaits, as the Europa League holds its final matchday with 18 simultaneous games and 28 teams still fighting for something. No Time to Rest Following the excitement of the Champions League, today it’s the UEFA Europa League’s turn to wrap up its league stage. Like its sister competition, this matchday will determine the eight teams that qualify directly and the 16 that will battle in the playoffs. Key Matches of the Day The action kicks off at 2:00 p.m. (Mexico City time), with Lazio looking to secure its top spot against a desperate Braga, which must win to have a chance at the playoffs. One of the standout clashes is Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Roma. The German side is on the verge of securing a top-eight finish but must confirm it against the Italian club, which needs to lock in a playoff spot. Other teams aiming for a direct ticket include Athletic Club against Viktoria Plzen, Manchester United taking on FCSB—who are also eyeing eighth place—Olympique Lyon vs. Ludogorets, Tottenham vs. Elfsborg, and Anderlecht, featuring “Chino” Huerta, facing Hoffenheim. Challenging these teams for a direct spot, Galatasaray will battle Ajax, Bodo/Glimt faces Nice, Olympiacos takes on Qarabag, and Rangers go head-to-head with Union Saint-Gilloise, both currently tied at 11 points. Meanwhile, AZ Alkmaar will square off against Ferencváros. Clubs like Real Sociedad, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş will aim to secure their playoff spots against PAOK, Midtjylland, and Twente, respectively. The first two of those opponents are also in contention for a playoff berth. Lastly, Porto will fight for qualification against Maccabi Tel Aviv. The “Dragons” currently sit outside the playoff spots and must win to keep their Europa League hopes alive.

Club América secured its third victory in the Clausura 2025, defeating Atlético de San Luis. This win placed them at the top of the standings, tied with Tigres, both teams with 10 points and undefeated so far in the tournament. The Eagles Dominate The match at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes was completely controlled by the home team. From the early minutes, América showed determination in attack, which paid off in the 16th minute. A long pass from Cristian Calderón split the San Luis defense, and Brian Rodríguez made a run behind the defense to assist Víctor Dávila, who easily pushed the ball into the net. Before the end of the first half, América orchestrated another great collective play, culminating in a cross to Dávila. Once again, he anticipated the defense and connected with the ball to score his second goal of the match. In the second half, Brian Rodríguez provided another assist. From midfield, he sent a pass that broke through San Luis’ defense. Álvaro Fidalgo controlled the ball and, just as he entered the area, he placed a shot over the goalkeeper, who attempted to close the angle, making it 3-0. Cover photo: X (@ClubAmerica)

After playing just seven games in Saudi Arabia, Neymar announced on social media that he is officially leaving Al-Hilal, a club where injuries prevented him from making an impact. A High-Profile Signing Turned Costly Investment What once seemed like one of the most significant signings in football has now become one of the sport’s worst investments. Yesterday, Neymar Jr. confirmed his departure from Al-Hilal, the Saudi club that paid €90 million for him in August 2023. However, he managed to play only seven matches before injuries derailed his stint in Saudi Arabia. Neymar’s Farewell Message On social media, Neymar expressed his gratitude to the club, the fans, and the country while also lamenting his inability to play more matches. “To everyone at Al Hilal, to the fans: Thank you! I gave everything to play, and I wish we could have shared more moments together on the pitch. To Saudi Arabia, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences. Now, I truly know the Saudi people and have made lifelong friends. I always felt your love and passion for the game. I will follow your journey as a club and as a country towards 2034. Your future will be incredible, and special things are happening. I will always support you!” A Spell Marked by Injuries Neymar’s lack of playing time was due to injuries that kept him from performing at the level that once made him one of the world’s best players with Barcelona, where he played 225 matches and scored 132 goals. When Al-Hilal signed him, Neymar was still recovering from ankle surgery. He then suffered muscle issues that kept him sidelined, only to later sustain a devastating ACL tear, effectively ending his time at the club for over a year. A Return to Brazil? Now, strong rumors suggest that Neymar’s next destination could be a return to his boyhood club, Santos FC, in Brazil.

A historic Champions League matchday is upon us. On Matchday 8 of the tournament’s new format, all 18 matches will kick off simultaneously, promising a rollercoaster of emotions. A Historic Champions League Matchday Today is unlike any other, as the UEFA Champions League will stage its final matchday in the new league format with all 36 teams playing at the same time. With 18 matches kicking off simultaneously, at least 25 clubs are still fighting for something in this decisive round. This marks the first time in over two decades that all final-round Champions League matches will be played simultaneously. However, never before has the scale been this massive, with all 18 matches set to begin at 2:00 p.m. Mexico City time. The Key Matches to Watch Among this wave of matches, several standout games will capture the world’s attention. Barcelona vs. Atalanta will be crucial, as its outcome directly impacts another European giant—Real Madrid, who must defeat Brest and hope for an Atalanta loss to secure a top-eight spot and qualify directly for the knockout stage. Meanwhile, Liverpool will aim to finish as the overall leader when they face PSV, who are fighting to secure a playoff spot. Other clubs battling for direct qualification to the Round of 16 include Arsenal, who take on the already-eliminated Girona, Inter vs. Monaco, Atlético Madrid against Salzburg, AC Milan vs. Dinamo Zagreb—a team still hoping for a playoff spot—, and Bayer Leverkusen vs. Sparta Prague, another eliminated side. Meanwhile, teams still vying for a top-eight finish and depending on results elsewhere include Feyenoord, led by Santiago Giménez, who face LOSC Lille, another contender for a direct knockout berth. Germany’s two biggest clubs, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, will play against already-eliminated Shakhtar Donetsk and Slovan Bratislava, respectively. Elsewhere, with far slimmer hopes, Juventus will attempt to break into the top eight against Benfica, who must win to secure a playoff spot. Finally, among Europe’s elite, PSG will fight to keep their playoff position against Stuttgart, who have the same goal. Meanwhile, Manchester City, currently outside the playoff spots, face Club Brugge, a team desperate to maintain its playoff standing. With such an action-packed matchday, there won’t be a single moment to blink—one goal in any of the 18 matches could change the fate of a team, deciding whether they advance directly, enter the playoffs, or fall out of contention altogether.