MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Two weeks from yesterday. A few more days and then Real Madrid will exercise their buyback option for Nico Paz, paying Como the €9 million buyback clause set two years ago. A deal that, the Madrid-based newspaper AS emphasizes, has nothing to do with the presidential elections, nor with the choice of a new coach.

Everyone is convinced of the soundness of the deal in bringing the 21-year-old Argentine playmaker back to his parent club. Nico Paz, who just celebrated Como’s historic Champions League qualification, hopes to find a place on the final list of 26 players that World champion coach Lionel Scaloni will take to the United States to defend the title won four years ago in Qatar.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – On Africa Day, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita highlighted the foundations of the Royal Vision for the African continent, based on solidarity, co-development, regional integration, and stability. This was reported in a statement from the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Speaking at a ceremony in Rabat to celebrate Africa Day, Bourita emphasized that Morocco considers the continent a strategic priority of its foreign policy and that Moroccan cooperation with African countries has now resulted in over 1,800 bilateral agreements signed in various sectors. The minister also noted that approximately 60,000 African students pursue higher education in Morocco as part of academic cooperation aimed at strengthening African human capital and South-South cooperation. Addressing security issues, Bourita emphasized that Morocco is also a key player in security in Africa, particularly through its participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations on the continent. He also emphasized the Kingdom’s continued commitment to the territorial integrity of African states and the stability of the continent. According to the minister, Morocco considers stability in Africa the key to development and believes it must be based on partnership, cooperation, and mutual trust. Bourita added that stability on the continent also depends on the fight against separatist movements, terrorism, and transnational organized crime networks.

On the political level, Bourita reiterated that the Moroccan autonomy initiative for the Sahara enjoys the support of nearly two-thirds of African countries, calling this support a strong endorsement of the Kingdom’s proposal. The Moroccan diplomat emphasized that the recent United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 provides clear answers, “free from any interpretation,” regarding the parameters of the solution to the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, the parties involved in the political process, and the modalities for resolving the issue. According to Bourita, growing international support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative confirms the credibility of the solution proposed by the Kingdom under its sovereignty. Finally, the minister reiterated Morocco’s commitment to the continent’s development and highlighted the Kingdom’s major strategic initiatives for Africa, including the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, the African Atlantic Initiative, and several economic and logistics integration projects aimed at strengthening connectivity, energy security, and the continent’s shared development.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Barcelona is already moving ahead in the summer transfer window. Some of the Blaugrana’s executives have traveled to London to try to secure Joao Pedro.

The 24-year-old Brazilian winger has been in the Catalan club’s sights for several weeks, but the problem is his high price tag. Chelsea paid around €70 million to secure his services, so his value could rise as high as €100 million.

The English club signed the striker last July from Brighton & Hove Albion on a contract until 2033 and, at least for now, has no intention of selling him, given that he was named the Blues’ best player this season. However, the South American, who finished his first season with the London club with 20 goals and nine assists, is not on Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and the Blues will not participate in next season’s Champions League.

The Blaugrana, who are searching for a striker following the announcement of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski’s departure at the end of June, aren’t just targeting Joao Pedro; the Spaniards are also interested in Atletico Madrid’s Argentine Julian Alvarez, although his price tag, however, appears to be beyond Barça’s reach.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ZURICH (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – FIFA has announced the training camp locations for the 48 national teams competing in the next World Cup. Thirty-nine of them will be based in the United States, while Panama will also be based in Canada, in addition to the hosts, while Colombia, Iran (Tijuana has been confirmed as the host venue, announced recently by the Tehran-based FIFA Federation), South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Tunisia, and Uruguay will train in Mexico.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Argentina is breathing a sigh of relief: Lionel Messi‘s physical condition is not a concern ahead of the upcoming World Cup (June 11-July 19). After leaving the field clutching the back of his left thigh in the 73rd minute of the MLS match against Philadelphia Union, the nearly 39-year-old Inter Miami star underwent routine tests, which revealed no particular issues.

“After further medical tests, the preliminary diagnosis indicates an overuse injury associated with muscle fatigue in the left hamstring,” reads a press release issued by the Florida team’s medical staff.

“His return to physical activity will depend on the evolution of his clinical and functional condition.” There was no mention, therefore, of a torn muscle or other serious injuries, which would have been a severe blow for the reigning world champions, led by Lionel Scaloni.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

 

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – His contract is more than secure, given that it expires in 2030 and has a €500 million release clause, yet Julian Alvarez doesn’t seem so sure he wants to remain at Atlético Madrid. According to “Marca,” before joining the Argentina national team ahead of the World Cup, the striker reportedly let the club’s management know that he didn’t want to sign the contract renewal proposal presented to him a few months ago, which would allow him to become, at €10 million per season, the highest paid player in the squad.

Alvarez, in fact, would like to take on a more ambitious project, and he has Barcelona in his mind: for the player, the Blaugrana club would give him a better chance of competing for trophies than Atlético. Not even the excellent relationship with Simeone would seem to be able to push Alvarez to reconsider, but in any case the Colchoneros, strong in their existing contract, are ready to put up a wall: if there is a sale, they will have to show up at the Metropolitano with a check for at least 150 million euros. It’s an offer that the Blaugrana would be unlikely to pull off unless they bring in significant insiders (Ferran Torres is popular with Atlético) to try to reduce the cash component.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Erling Haaland has won his third Golden Boot (the Golden Shoe of the Premier League, after his successes in 2023 and 2024), joining Alan Shearer and Harry Kane. With 27 goals in 35 games, the Norwegian striker confirmed his position as the undisputed top scorer in the English league for the third time in four seasons at Manchester City. In the history of the competition, only Mohamed Salah and Thierry Henry have done better, holding the all-time record with four titles each. Behind him are Brentford’s Brazilian Igor Thiago with 22 goals and teammate Antoine Semenyo with 17 goals overall.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – The Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA) has reassured international authorities and fans regarding the health of its players, following concerns about the spread of the Ebola virus in the African country.

The clarification was necessary following the White House’s statement, which required the Congolese national team to isolate in a health “bubble” as a mandatory condition for traveling to the United States, where the World Cup will be held. In an official statement, FECOFA clarified that “all the selected players, as well as most of the coaching staff, live and train in Europe. Therefore, there is no reason for concern regarding potential contagion.”

The members of the coaching staff who departed Kinshasa on May 20 for Belgium—the venue for the pre-World Cup training camp—will undergo a 21-day preventive quarantine in Europe before being allowed to travel to the United States, canceling the planned training camp in the capital, Kinshasa.

The “Leopards” will return to the final phase of a World Cup 52 years after their last participation in 1974. In Group K, Congo will debut on June 17 against Portugal, before facing Colombia on June 24 and Uzbekistan on June 28.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has announced his 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup. He has decided to take a risk, reserving two spots for stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, currently recovering from injuries. The real surprise is in defense: Eric Garcia and Marc Pubill, both making their first senior call-ups. On the one hand, Barcelona confirms its position as a key player with eight players called up, while on the other hand, Real Madrid has recorded a historic and disappointing result: for the first time in La Roja’s history, no player from the Blancos has made the list.

“I don’t look at one team over another. I don’t have the prejudice a fan might have,” coach Luis de la Fuente stated. “I want these players to be proud to represent the national team. Enthusiasm is the key,” he concluded. Among those excluded are Dani Carvajal and Dejan Huijsen in defense and Fermín López in midfield.

Here is the final list of the Spanish national team:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona);

Defenders: Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen);

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Gavi (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris St-Germain), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid);

Forwards: Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo).

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – With the 2026 FIFA World Cup (June 11–July 19) fast approaching, Argentina is worried about the physical condition of Lionel Messi.

The nearly 39-year-old star of Inter Miami CF left the field yesterday, Sunday, during the Major League Soccer match against the Philadelphia Union, won 6–4 by the Florida franchise thanks to a hat-trick from Luis Suárez. The former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain F.C. forward left the pitch in the 73rd minute while holding the back of his left thigh and headed straight to the locker room.

The substitution was reportedly precautionary due to a hamstring strain, although no muscle injury has been detected. Messi, who is preparing to play in his sixth World Cup with Argentina, played what was yesterday his final match with Inter Miami CF before the tournament.

By asking to come off early, “La Pulce” apparently did not want to take any risks just three weeks before the reigning world champions’ opening match against Algeria on June 17, before facing Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 28 in Group J.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews