June 2024 - Soccer Wiretap

Antoine Griezmann has announced his retirement from international soccer after 10 years as a key member of France. Griezmann helped France win the World Cup in 2018 while losing to Argentina in the final in 2022. Griezmann played a total of 137 games for France, scoring 44 goals.

Griezmann's last appearances for France came in this month's Nations League games, after he was part of the team that was beaten in the Euro 2024 semifinal by Spain.

"Today, with profound emotion, I announce my retirement as a France national team player," Griezmann said. "After ten incredible years marked by challenges, successes and unforgettable moments, it's time for me to turn the page and make room for the new generation.

"Wearing this shirt has been an honour and a privilege ... I leave the France national team with a sense of pride and gratitude. I had the honour of representing our country, and the chance to experience extraordinary moments, like becoming a world champion.

"I'll continue to follow Les Bleus with passion. I'm convinced that the future is bright and I can't wait to see the next generation shine."

With Rodri out for the season with a torn ACL and partially torn meniscus, Manchester City is considering a January transfer for Samuele Ricci of Torino. Ricci has become one of the best young deep-lying playmakers and is high on City's list if they make a move for a holding midfielder. 

Ricci's fee could go as high as £30 million and is viewed as a prudent long-term addition to the club. According to TransfrMarkt, Ricci has a valuation of €22 million

Torino would be reluctant to sell midseason, but the chance to compete for a Premier League and Champions League title will likely be attractive to Ricci. 

Kylian Mbappe will miss at least three weeks with a thigh injury. Mbappe exited Real Madrid's 3-2 win over Alaves after he complained of discomfort in his left leg.

Mbappe will miss Real Madrid's derby against Atletico Madrid this weekend, as well as matches against Lille in the Champions League and Villarreal in LaLiga and the international break with France.

Mbappe has now scored five goals in LaLiga as Real Madrid has 17 points from seven matches. 

Matheus Nunes believes he can help fill the void created by the loss of Rodri for Manchester City. Nunes was signed from Wolves last August for £47.25 million.

“We’re going to have to fill the void because it’s a massive loss but whoever is on the pitch is going to perform well,” Nunes said. “At Wolves [his last club] I played more as a winger and last year here I played more as a 10, but when I played for Sporting Lisbon [from 2019-22] I always played in the double pivot so I’m used to every position now. I try to help the team every time the coach puts me on the field but I know the other guys are all ready as well because we have so much quality in the team.”

“We have shown that if any player is out we have another one that is ready and has top quality to play,” added Nunes. “Last year it happened with Erling [Haaland] and Kevin [De Bruyne] and we still managed to win [the title]. This year, I know we will be the same.”

Manchester City have confirmed Rodri suffered a torn ACL and will likely miss the rest of the Premier League season. Rodri suffered the injury in the first half of City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola described Rodri’s mood as “OK” on Tuesday night, adding: “He is strong, sad, of course, and waiting for the final decision of what he has to do. We don’t want it [the injury], but we will have a good season. I expect a lot from my players and I have a duty to find a solution even if Rodri is irreplaceable.”

Raphael Varane has announced his retirement at the age of 31. Varane recently joined Como on a two-year deal, but he sustained a serious knee injury in his debut match.

“In my career I have taken on many challenges, rose to occasion after occasion, almost all of it was supposed to be impossible. Reflecting on these moments, it is with immense pride and a feeling of fulfilment that I am announcing my retirement from the game that we all love,” he said on Como’s official X account.

“I hold myself to the highest standard, I want to go out strong, not just holding on to the game. It takes a big dose of courage to listen to your heart and your instinct. I have fallen and risen a thousand times, and this time, it’s the moment to stop and hang my boots up with my final game winning a trophy at Wembley.”

Varane won four Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles with Real Madrid. He also won the World Cup in 2018 with France. 

UEFA has taken away Milan's San Siro as the venue for the 2027 Champions League final. UEFA named San Siro the venue back in May, but plans to refurbish the stadium remain uncertain. 

A UEFA statement said, "As the Municipality of Milano could not guarantee that the San Siro stadium and its surroundings would not be affected by refurbishment works in the period of the 2027 UEFA Champions League final, it was decided not to assign the final to Milan and to re-open the bidding process to appoint a suitable venue, with a decision expected in May/June 2025."

Munich's Allianz Arena will host the 2025 Champions League final, while Budapest will host the 2026 final.

Rodri will be ruled out for a significant period of time with a serious knee injury and there are fears that he could be out for the remainder of the 24-25 season. Rodri suffered the injury 21 minutes into Sunday's match at the Etihad Stadium between Manchester City and Arsenal.

While initial tests revealed a serious injury, further examination will take place in Spain to confirm whether he tore his ACL.

Rodri stumbled and fell after making a front-post run at a corner while being defended by Thomas Partey. Players quickly gestured for him to receive medical attention after he immaturely appeared in pain.

Rodri hadn't started a match this season until Sunday's fixture as he worked his way back from the Euros this summer. Last week, Rodri suggested players could consider a strike over the rising volume of matches in the soccer calendar.

As one of the favorites to win the Ballon d'Or, City will struggle to replace the quality Rodri brings as the world's best defensive midfielders. Last season, Rodri missed four Premier League matches and City was 1-3-0 on those occasions. 

The surprising transfer for Ilkay Gundogan late in the summer window will take on an increased level of significance for City as he can help cover for Rodri. 

Bernardo Silva was sharply critical of Arsenal following their 2-2 draw on Sunday.

"There was only one team that came to play football," said Silva. "The other came to play the limits of what was possible to do and allowed by the referee, unfortunately. Bat at the end we got a draw, the best we could get considering the context of the last moments of the match."

Silva was also asked about the growing rivalry against Arsenal.

"Liverpool have already won the Premier League, Arsenal haven't," added Silva. "Liverpool have won the Champions League, Arsenal haven't. Liverpool always faced us face to face to try to win the games. So with this perspective, the games against Arsenal haven't been like the ones we had and have against Liverpool. So yes, maybe a different rivalry."

A late equalizer from John Stones against 10-man Arsenal allowed Manchester City to share the point in a key early Premier League match on Sunday. Leandro Trossard was sent off with a red card shortly before halftime, which changed the complexion of a match that began with a goal from Erling Haaland that was soon matched by Riccardo Calafiori strike and a second from Gabriel to give Arsenal a 2-1 lead they would need to scramble to protect.

City had 88 percent of the possession in the second half and attempted 28 shots. Eighteen of the 28 shots were from outside the box and before the goal, only one had an xG above 0.1.