Sports
‘Messi Is The Past’ — Larporta Says Only Referee Can Stop Yamal’s Spain In World Cup Final
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has backed Spain to defeat Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final while subtly demanding strict officiating to counter the South Americans’ physical approach.
The club chief made the bold predictions during an impromptu interview with an El Partidazo de COPE reporter while strolling past the Tous store at the Rockefeller Centre in New York.
Laporta predicts Spanish glory
Spain are set to face the defending champions at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday in a clash that pits Barcelona’s past against its present.
Laporta left no room for ambiguity regarding where his loyalties lie ahead of the highly anticipated encounter.
“The Spanish national team will win,” Laporta stated. “We have a better team.”
Other than being a Spanish national himself, his unwavering support for manager Luis de la Fuente’s side is influenced by the fact that La Roja squad currently features eight Barcelona players.
However, Laporta also took the opportunity to issue a thinly veiled warning regarding Argentina’s famously robust defensive tactics.
Lionel Scaloni’s side have relied on an aggressive, physical approach to navigate their way to consecutive World Cup finals.
Laporta suggested that Spain’s technical style could be stifled if the match officials allow the defending champions to disrupt the flow with tactical fouls.
“If the referee is a referee who asserts himself, the national team will have more chances of winning the match,” he told the Spanish radio network.
The showpiece event presents a unique emotional dilemma for Barcelona supporters worldwide.
Argentina are captained by Lionel Messi, the undisputed greatest player in the Catalan club’s history following his legendary spell between 2004 and 2021.
Conversely, Spain’s attack is spearheaded by Lamine Yamal, the 19-year-old sensation who currently wears Barcelona’s iconic number 10 shirt.
This generational dynamic has sparked intense debate across social media platforms, with Laporta stoking the sentiments by saying, “Messi is the past and present; Yamal is the present and future.
Many Barcelona fans have playfully expressed comfort with any potential outcome, while others continue to agonise over whether to support their historic idol or their current teenage talisman.
When the two nations take the pitch on Sunday, it will mark their first competitive meeting since the 1966 World Cup group stage, where Argentina secured a 2-1 victory over Spain at Villa Park in England.
Sports
Real Madrid Gives Vinicius Deadline To Respond To Latest Deal Offer
Real Madrid has increased their contract extension offer, but it still falls short of Vinicius’s initial demands, and they are urging him to respond as soon as possible.
According to AS, Real Madrid has raised its initial offer for Vinicius’s contract extension, but it remains far from meeting his demands. The ball is now in the Brazilian winger’s court. The two parties held talks on Wednesday, attended by Vinicius’s agent Frederico Pena and by José Ángel Sánchez and Juni Calafat from Real Madrid.
Neither side completely dominated the negotiations, but a compromise has emerged that could lead to an agreement if the player accepts. Sources say Real Madrid’s offer will not remain valid indefinitely, and the club wants a response as soon as possible. Vinicius’s contract expires on June 30, 2027, and the countdown to renewal has begun.
Arsenal is also monitoring this protracted renewal saga, with Arteta hoping to seize the opportunity to advance contact and even convince Vinicius that they could be teammates next season. However, to reach that point, the current deadlock between Vinicius and Real Madrid must first be resolved. Real Madrid originally had no intention of increasing the offer further, but still showed willingness to reach an agreement, hence the raise. The decision now rests with the winger.
AS previously reported that Vinicius had lowered his initial demand of close to €30 million per year to nearly €20 million net per season, plus performance bonuses. The contract details also include a significant element: a renewal bonus, similar to the signing bonus Mbappé received upon joining. Additionally, Vinicius wants to increase his share of image rights revenue, which is currently slightly over 50%, and hopes to continue raising it. SER radio reported that Real Madrid’s bottom line is €24 million net annually.
This figure is higher than the €20 million they were initially willing to offer, but still lower than the €30 million that appeared at the beginning of negotiations. The Brazilian player’s team stated that both parties also included multiple performance bonuses, which makes the player believe that the club and he are now aligned. Both sides are optimistic about this new contract, which would run until 2031. However, after demonstrating sincerity, Real Madrid also hopes to receive a reply soon.
While the future remains uncertain, Vinicius was accompanied by his most trusted advisor, Tata Soares, during training with the team at Valdebebas yesterday. Soares also attended the meeting. Meanwhile, Vinicius sent an intriguing signal on social media. The Brazilian star suddenly cleared his social media account, leaving his 639,000 followers and the entire football world momentarily puzzled. His profile picture, posts, and pinned content all disappeared. Coincidentally, this action occurred on the same day the situation shifted.
Sports
Everton Sign Midfielder Norgaard From Arsenal
Everton have signed midfielder Christian Norgaard from Arsenal on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
The 32-year-old Denmark international has reportedly joined the Toffees for £7m., external
Norgaard, who signed for Arsenal last year in a £15m deal from Brentford, was left out of the Gunners squad for a friendly against Real Betis on Wednesday.
He made 20 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions last season but just seven of those were in the Premier League, as the north London club won their first title in 22 years.
Everton have also signed central midfielder Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough for £16.5m this summer, along with 20-year-old winger Tyrique George, who was signed from Chelsea for £18m having spent the second half of last season on loan at the Toffees.
Norgaard said he was “very intrigued” about the project after speaking to manager David Moyes, adding: “Coming here just makes that feeling even stronger.”
He added: “I think the club is moving in the right direction and last year was proof of that. I thought there were so many good players in the team and Everton was so difficult to play against.”
Norgaard previously spent six years at Brentford and became a key player for the Bees, captaining the side and making 196 appearances.
Moyes has been looking for experienced players to add to his squad following the departures of the Republic of Ireland defender Seamus Coleman, 37, and 36-year-old Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gueye.
Midfielder James Garner, 25, is also set to miss the start of the new season after the England international had groin surgery last month.
Everton start their Premier League season against Crystal Palace at home on Saturday, 22 August.
Sports
Jubilant Fans Mob Salah At Airport Following Trabzonspor Move
Turkish club Trabzonspor are set to confirm the signing of Mohamed Salah as the Egypt captain was mobbed by fans on his arrival in Turkey.
Hundreds of fans gathered outside Ataturk Airport in Istanbul on Wednesday as Salah emerged wearing Trabzonspor colours before engaging with the excited crowd.
The 34-year-old forward left Liverpool at the end of last season after nine years on Merseyside, scoring 257 goals.
A free agent, Salah, who has scored 50 Champions League goals, will play European football with Trabzonspor next season after they finished third, eight points behind champions Galatasaray.
If they fail to progress to the league phase of the Europa League via the play-offs, they will drop down to the Conference League.
Salah became Liverpool’s highest earner in their history when he signed a reported £400,000-a-week contract in April 2025.
Nicknamed the Black Sea Storm, Trabzonspor have won seven league titles, six of which came between 1976 and 1984.
In 2022, they claimed their most recent league success, ending a 38-year wait.
Based in the north-eastern city of Trabzon, they are one of only six teams to have won the Turkish Super Lig.
Salah’s signing will go down as the club’s biggest as he joins former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe in donning the claret and sky blue shirt.
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