La Liga
Analysis, predictions for every World Cup group
The matchups are set. With the 2022 World Cup draw officially in the books, it’s time to dissect the groups. Although much can change between now and November, here’s what to expect from each quartet ahead of football’s showpiece event later this year in Qatar.
Group A ?? ?? ?? ??
Knowing host nation Qatar was automatically preassigned to Group A, this was always going to be the most desirable quartet; there’s something to be said about relishing glory matches against perennial powers, but, ultimately, the most enjoyable outcome for every team and fan base is winning games at the World Cup, and Qatar presents the best opportunity for everyone else to accomplish just that. The Netherlands, Senegal, and Ecuador are the biggest winners of all, then.
The Dutch – seemingly back on track under Louis van Gaal following their perplexing low point – are the class of the field, but reigning African champion Senegal is the more intriguing outfit. Aliou Cisse’s team is rife with star power, stout defensively, and has a legitimate game-breaker in the form of Sadio Mane, who will be looking to get one over on clubmate Virgil van Dijk.
Ecuador limped across the finish line in qualifying and will be relying heavily on 32-year-old Enner Valencia – the nation’s all-time top scorer – to deliver goals. That doesn’t inspire confidence in 2022, unfortunately.
Key question: Will Qatar actually be competitive on the pitch, or is the host nation’s involvement in this tournament just an exercise in massaging the country’s image across the globe?
Prediction: Van Gaal and the Oranje won’t breeze through the group, but superior talent wins out, with Senegal edging Ecuador for the second knockout berth.
Group B ?gbeng ?? ?? (?gbwls/?gbsct/??)
England has made steady progress under Gareth Southgate and will be looking to go one step further after reaching the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup and final at the recent European Championship. The typically conservative tactician is facing increased scrutiny to take the handbrake off and let his young, exciting squad run free.
Speaking of, similar questions have been posed to Gregg Berhalter, who is overseeing arguably the most talented generation of American players the country has ever produced. His side – sometimes hindered by questionable tactics – underperformed in qualifying, but if the United States gels ahead of November, optimism will be high.
As has been the case in previous editions of the tournament, Iran will prove to be a difficult unit to break down; coach Dragan Skocic oversaw a team that conceded only four goals over 10 matches in the final round of qualifying. However, the step up in quality from the likes of Lebanon and Syria might be too much to ask.
Key question: Who comes through the European playoff? Both Wales and Scotland would be hugely motivated to play against England and could spice up a group that may otherwise be a two-horse race. Ukraine would arrive in Qatar with a swell of support.
Prediction: Southgate lets loose, England runs wild, and the Three Lions’ match against the United States proves to be one of the most exciting of the entire group stage.
Group C ?? ?? ?? ??
This is likely Lionel Messi’s last chance to hoist the World Cup. In an ironic twist, it may be his best. Despite Argentina missing the high-profile names of previous years and tournaments, Messi looks more comfortable with the Albiceleste than ever before, and, contrary to his days at Barcelona, appears far more in tune with his national team than his club. Lionel Scaloni has turned a once fragmented and chaotic group into one with balance. Coming off a Copa America title, the decorated national team is in a good place again.
Mexico is looking to get over the hump after being eliminated in the round of 16 in each of the last seven World Cups, but this is probably the least inspiring team of any in that stretch, at least based on the patchy form in qualifying. Meanwhile, Poland is coming off two horrible major tournament appearances but showed signs it can deliver when needed in its European playoff final.
With seasoned tactician and World Cup veteran Herve Renard on the touchline, Saudi Arabia won’t be a pushover in any of its matches, but a lack of overall top-end talent will prove too great an obstacle.
Key question: Can Mexico get its act together? El Tri were disjointed and wildly inconsistent in qualifying, but second place in this quartet is very much up for grabs between the CONCACAF nation and Poland.
Prediction: Messi and Argentina build on their recent success to grab first place. Mexico and Poland both go into the competition with question marks, but the latter has Robert Lewandowski, and he’ll make all the difference.
Group D ?? ?? ?? (??/??/??)
Reigning World Cup champion France boasts the most dominant singular force in the sport today – nobody, not even Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, can take over a match like Kylian Mbappe. France could probably field two competitive teams at the tournament, such is its talent pool. But even with a World Cup title to his name as a manager, Didier Deschamps’ ability to pick the right lineup and system to maximize that obscene collection of players is at the forefront.
Denmark, with Christian Eriksen back in the fold and scoring goals following his harrowing collapse at Euro 2020, is going to be a big problem for the rest of the field. The Danes’ run to the semifinals last summer was no fluke.
Tunisia, as evidenced by its gritty performance in the second leg of its decisive World Cup qualifier against Mali, will try to grind out results, but unless teen sensation Hannibal Mejbri takes a big step forward in the coming months, goals will be hard to come by. The winner of June’s intercontinental playoff between Peru and either Australia or the United Arab Emirates will round out the group.
Key question: Can Denmark build on its recent success and usurp the top spot? France is the obvious front-runner, but the Danish program is riding a wave of excitement and goodwill right now.
Prediction: France and Denmark put on a pulsating show in the battle for first place in the group, while the other two teams, unfortunately, get overrun by the heavy European favorites.
Group E ?? ?? ?? (??/??)
The glamor matchup of the tournament’s opening stage comes from Group E. Both Spain and Germany will be looking to bounce back from a dismal World Cup four years ago; the 2010 champion was ousted by Russia in the round of 16, while Germany was stunned by South Korea en route to a humiliating group-stage exit. Both are on the mend thanks to an influx of blossoming youngsters, with Luis Enrique and Hansi Flick seemingly rejuvenating their respective teams.
Perennial World Cup competitor Japan, which has never ventured beyond the last 16, will likely feel aggrieved about the draw. Takefusa Kubo and Takumi Minamino are more than capable of splendid moments, but, on the whole, upsetting the European heavyweights will be a Herculean task. The same goes for either Costa Rica or New Zealand, who will contest an intercontinental playoff in June. If Los Ticos get to Qatar, star shot-stopper Keylor Navas will be extremely busy.
Key question: Who finishes first? With respect to the other participants, Spain and Germany will be focusing on taking top billing and, in theory, ensuring a more favorable path through the knockout stages.
Prediction: Spain will edge Germany for top spot in the group, which theoretically means avoiding fellow UEFA contender Belgium in the next round. Chalk, of course, but it’s difficult to envision another outcome here.
Group F ?? ?? ?? ??
This is the last chance for Belgium’s golden generation to deliver and erase memories of all the false dawns. If anything, the Red Devils seem to be on the decline, particularly with an aging backline that will have difficulty containing any opposition with pace. However, Kevin De Bruyne, if healthy, is still one of the most dazzling creative forces in the game and Romelu Lukaku will fill the net if he’s in anything close to his best form.
The rest of Group F is truly fascinating. The same criticisms about Belgium’s age can be levied at Croatia, the 2018 World Cup finalist. If anyone can continue defying Father Time it’s Luka Modric, but for how long? At least another nine months, for Zlatko Dalic’s sake. Canada could be the revelation of the competition, with established superstar Alphonso Davies leading a host of up-and-coming players looking to follow in the footsteps of their acclaimed teammate and announce themselves to the world.
Meanwhile, a dispute between manager Vahid Halilhodzic and Hakim Ziyech has robbed Morocco of its most intriguing attacking threat, but Achraf Hakimi provides the type of explosive presence down the right flank that can compensate.
Key question: Will Canada make some noise? Expectations are very high following a remarkable qualifying campaign, and a World Cup opener against Belgium will be a great test for John Herdman’s young side right off the bat.
Prediction: Belgium, despite come cracks starting to show, will get another shot at a run in the knockout stages, while Canada builds on the incredible momentum fostered by Herdman to jump Croatia for second place.
Group G ?? ?? ?? ??
Brazil, fully deserving of its newly minted status as the top-ranked team in world football, has all the makings of a World Cup champion. There’s the standard Brazilian flair in attacking positions – and beyond – while Tite’s tactics provide structure. As always, much of the focus will be on Neymar, who, almost incomprehensibly, is now 30 years old and running out of time to get his hands on the coveted trophy. The Selecao don’t have to rely on him exclusively, but having the PSG star at his best would be an enormous boost.
From there, it’s a dogfight for second place.
Serbia, led by two Dusans – Vlahovic and Tadic – are on the rise, while Switzerland is looking to build on an impressive run at Euro 2020 and the fact it was responsible for keeping Italy out of an automatic World Cup berth. Cameroon, after the most dramatic qualifying finale of any country in the event, will lean heavily on Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Choupo-Moting to deliver the goals. Can the Indomitable Lions bottle up the magic from qualifying and keep it primed until November?
Key question: Which of the “other” three teams will pick up points in their opener? Getting off to a good start is always paramount, and it’ll be a huge step toward qualification if anyone can get a jump on the competition.
Prediction: Brazil, the favorite to win the World Cup for a record-extending sixth time, will be tested just enough to stay honest, but won’t have much issue marching on. The battle will be tight for second, with Serbia advancing by virtue of a superior goal difference.
Group H ?? ?? ?? ??
On paper, this looks like a rather straightforward group, but Fernando Santos’ pragmatism continues to cause consternation for Portugal fans. Uruguay, though resurgent since Diego Alonso replaced iconic bench boss Oscar Tabarez, will be relying on an aging core that was already creaking in 2018. Four years later, the likes of Diego Godin, Luis Suarez, and Edinson Cavani are still central figures.
South Korea and Ghana will be looking to take advantage of any slip-ups. Former Portugal manager Paulo Bento, now in charge of the Asian side, has built an impressive team that has the ever-present threat of Son Heung-Min and the emerging presence of Hwang Hee-Chan up front. Anybody dismissing the Koreans need only ask Germany about the danger of making that mistake.
Ghana has rebounded nicely from the disappointment of a brutal AFCON campaign, with manager Otto Addo instilling a sense of calmness that was lacking before he took the reins. The Black Stars went into the cauldron of Abuja and knocked off Nigeria to reach the World Cup, and will be looking to accomplish similar in Qatar, particularly against old foes Uruguay and Suarez.
Key question: Can Portugal still thrive if built around Cristiano Ronaldo? The 37-year-old, who will be appearing in his fifth World Cup, isn’t the all-conquering force of years past, with some arguing the Selecao would actually be better off without the veteran as the focal point of the team.
Prediction: Portugal and Uruguay both stave off the enthusiastic threats of Ghana and South Korea, who bow out with their heads held high after tight defeats to the favorites.
La Liga
Look: Adidas drops huge collection of new kits for Euro 2024, Copa America
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It’s time to bulk up your wardrobe for the upcoming glut of international football.
With Euro 2024 kicking off in 92 days and Copa America starting six days later, Adidas has revealed two new kits for 12 different national teams. These teams are guaranteed to wear their new uniforms on pitches across Germany and the United States this summer, with the exception of Wales, which must emerge from the Euro 2024 playoffs to ensure top tournament billing.
Adidas will also reveal fresh kits for Jamaica and Costa Rica in the near future. Both national teams face one-off playoffs March 23 to determine whether they’ll compete at Copa America.
(All images courtesy of Adidas.)
Euro 2024
Belgium
Home
The usual combination of colors for Belgium. The Royal Belgian Football Association’s crest features repeatedly in the shirt’s pattern.
Away
It’s the Tintin kit! The blue shirt is accompanied by brown shirts and white socks in homage to the iconic Belgian comic book character. It drew worldwide attention before its release.
Germany
Home
Germany opts for a classic look.
Away
The away threads’ marriage of pink and purple is intended to celebrate the diversity of Germany’s new generation.
Hungary
Home
Adidas leaned on the national flag and patterns of the national team’s crest for ideas for Hungary’s home jersey.
Away
Hungary will wear a simple alternative shirt in Germany.
Italy
Home
There’s nothing daring about this look, but incorporating the flag colors in the Adidas stripes is a nice touch.
Away
Does Italy’s away shirt look too much like training gear?
Scotland
Home
The patterns are a nod to Scottish tartan and heritage.
Away
Tartan graphics also leak into Scotland’s away kit.
Spain
Home
A very basic red-and-yellow theme for Spain’s main outfit.
Away
An interesting dash of blue on the side panels and at the base add intrigue to Spain’s away shirt.
Wales
Home
The curled spikes of green, yellow, and red up the side panels neatly round off this classic Welsh top.
Away
This kit is directly influenced by the Welsh bucket hat, which is a popular item worn by supporters at recent tournaments.
Copa America
Argentina
Home
In addition to the shield acknowledging Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, there are further gold details to really drive its global dominance home. And why not?
Away
Argentina went quite safe for its away design.
Chile
Home
A mosaic of squares forms a star in the middle of Chile’s red home shirt.
Away
Is this model’s pose foreshadowing Chile’s performance at Copa America?
Colombia
Home
The patterning on the sides brings a unique touch to an otherwise classic Colombian look.
Away
A strong orange tone lifts another dark base for Colombia’s away kit.
Mexico
Home
This is probably the best of the bunch. Mexico is always open to trying something different with its main jersey. Instead of green, El Tri will don a uniform with a burgundy-red base.
Away
This mint-green effort is another original look for Mexico at Copa America.
Peru
Home
Peru’s red sash is one of the most celebrated adornments of any international jersey, but are the red embellishments rising from the hip a bit too much?
Away
A simple design is spruced up with patterns intended to refer to the cajon, which is a Peruvian percussion instrument.
La Liga
Transfer window preview: 50 players who could move in January
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With the January transfer window set to open on the first day of the new year, we’re teeing up the wheeling and dealing by presenting 50 players who could be on the move.
| LEAGUE | DEADLINE DAY |
|---|---|
| Bundesliga | Feb. 1 (12 p.m. ET) |
| Ligue 1 | Feb. 1 (5 p.m. ET) |
| Premier League | Feb. 1 (6 p.m. ET) |
| La Liga | Feb. 1 (6 p.m. ET) |
| Serie A | Feb. 1 (7 p.m. ET) |
Note: Estimated transfer values provided by transfermarkt.com.
Premier League ?gbeng
Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Age: 25
Position: Goalkeeper
Estimated value: €28M
Unseated by the arrival of David Raya, Ramsdale’s future is a little murky. Arsenal are unlikely to sanction a loan move, especially to a Premier League rival, but with an eye on Euro 2024, the netminder needs more minutes.
Lloyd Kelly (Bournemouth)
Age: 25
Position: Center-back
Estimated value: €16M
Bournemouth don’t want to lose him, but with Kelly’s contract set to expire in the summer and no sign he’ll renew, defender-needy clubs like Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are circling in the hopes of sealing a midseason signing.
Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Age: 27
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €35M
Toney’s eight-month ban for betting breaches ends in January, and his return to the pitch could precipitate a transfer. He’s a proven scorer with 32 goals in 68 Premier League appearances, and plenty of clubs need help up front.
Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
Age: 25
Position: Left-back
Estimated value: €25M
Despite his recent injury, Cucurella headlines a trio of defenders who may leave west London this winter – Ian Maatsen and Trevoh Chalobah could also depart. Chelsea, as ever, will be fascinating to watch when the window opens.
Conor Gallagher (Chelsea)
Age: 23
Position: Midfielder
Estimated value: €42M
One of the window’s most intriguing names. Only Axel Disasi has played more minutes for Chelsea this season – Gallagher has even worn the armband – but he represents the Blues’ best chance of making a sizeable profit in January.
Noni Madueke (Chelsea)
Age: 21
Position: Winger
Estimated value: €25M
January is about finding opportunities to bolster your squad or, in some cases, find a piece to push your team over the top. Madueke, clearly very talented but getting few chances to shine at Chelsea, could fit the bill.
Joao Palhinha (Fulham)
Age: 28
Position: Defensive midfielder
Estimated value: €60M
After coming agonizingly close to joining Bayern Munich in the summer – Palhinha was literally in Bavaria waiting, in vain, for a deal to be closed – the excellent midfielder will once again be a hot, though expensive, commodity.
Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City)
Age: 28
Position: Defensive midfielder
Estimated value: €28M
Nobody needs a January transfer more than Phillips, whose career has derailed since joining Manchester City; Pep Guardiola has repeatedly apologized for his lack of opportunities. Juventus are reportedly interested.
Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
Age: 28
Position: Forward
Estimated value: €15M
Erik ten Hag may say that Manchester United aren’t looking to move Martial, but the Frenchman’s limited amount of playing time this season speaks louder than the manager’s words ever will.
Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)
Age: 23
Position: Winger
Estimated value: €23M
With Sancho and Ten Hag perpetually at odds, it’s in everyone’s best interest to just part ways. A loan seems most likely in January, with United having a better chance of recouping some of his huge transfer fee in the summer.
Raphael Varane (Manchester United)
Age: 30
Position: Center-back
Estimated value: €25M
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich need help in central defense, and Varane could represent excellent value. His familiarity with the Spanish club would make his transition seamless, which is always a key consideration in January.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur)
Age: 28
Position: Midfielder
Estimated value: €28M
Hojbjerg has only started three Premier League matches this season under Ange Postecoglou. In what will become a common refrain on this list, the Dane could depart in search of more regular playing time ahead of Euro 2024.
La Liga ??
Ferran Torres (Barcelona)
Age: 23
Position: Forward, winger
Estimated value: €35M
Despite getting consistent opportunities since joining the club, there’s always been a sense that Barcelona don’t truly believe in Torres. Already fierce competition for minutes will be more extreme following Vitor Roque’s arrival.
Miguel Gutierrez (Girona)
Age: 22
Position: Left-back
Estimated value: €20M
Gutierrez has been one of the breakout performers helping to fuel Girona’s fairy-tale title push. Real Madrid reportedly have an €8-million buyback option on the youngster, who seems destined for a big move soon.
Juan Miranda (Real Betis)
Age: 23
Position: Left-back
Estimated value: €9M
Miranda, a product of Barcelona’s famed academy, is another soon-to-be free agent who could yet leave in January if his club wants to procure a transfer fee. AC Milan, seeking defensive depth, are working to sign the Spaniard.
Rafa Mir (Sevilla)
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €5M
Sevilla are among the most obvious candidates for a big January shakeup following a dismal opening half of the season. Mir’s struggles – just two league starts and one goal – are emblematic of the rough campaign in Andalusia.
Serie A ??
Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna)
Age: 22
Position: Forward
Estimated value: €30M
Zirkzee’s been one of the revelations of the European season, helping power Bologna’s top-four push. The Dutchman reportedly has a €40-million release clause, and Bayern Munich retained a buyback option worth half that.
Radu Dragusin (Genoa)
Age: 21
Position: Center-back
Estimated value: €20M
A physically imposing center-back with the necessary on-ball skills to thrive in the modern game, Dragusin is garnering interest across Europe. Atalanta, perhaps anticipating Giorgio Scalvini’s summer exit, are reportedly keen.
Samuel Iling-Junior (Juventus)
Age: 20
Position: Winger
Estimated value: €20M
The Englishman has received little playing time after breaking into Juventus’ senior side last season. If Juve decide to sacrifice one of their young talents to generate funds, Iling-Junior seems the likeliest candidate at the moment.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Age: 24
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €110M
Osimhen may have just signed a contract extension with the ailing Italian champions, but that won’t stop the rumors, especially with his reported €130-million release clause. Chelsea remain in desperate need of a proper No. 9.
Lazar Samardzic (Udinese)
Age: 21
Position: Attacking midfielder
Estimated value: €20M
Looking for something – anything, really – to help jump-start their miserable title defense, Napoli have apparently turned their attention to Samardzic, who provides silky dribbling and playmaking ability from midfield.
Bundesliga ??
Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen)
Age: 21
Position: Center-back
Estimated value: €35M
It’s hard to imagine anyone wanting to leave red-hot Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen right now, but Xabi Alonso’s preferred back-three doesn’t include the Ecuadorian, which could facilitate a January transfer.
Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund)
Age: 21
Position: Attacking midfielder
Estimated value: €20M
Reyna must move to get his once blossoming career back on track. A variety of factors contributed to his recent status as a bit-part player at Dortmund, but he’s flashed enough potential in the past to earn a chance elsewhere.
Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund)
Age: 24
Position: Winger
Estimated value: €35M
Dortmund tumbled down the table following a rough run into the winter break, leaving Edin Terzic on thin ice. Against that backdrop, parting with one of your few scoring threats would be a tough sell, but rumors about Malen persist.
Manu Kone (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
Estimated value: €35M
After several clubs, including Bayern Munich and Liverpool, were linked with his services in the summer, the trail has gone a little cold on Kone of late. That’s sure to change in January. A deadline-day deal is a distinct possibility.
Fabio Carvalho (RB Leipzig)
Age: 21
Position: Attacking midfielder
Estimated value: €14M
Carvalho’s loan move to RB Leipzig simply hasn’t worked out as anyone had hoped. He’s made just three starts, prompting Liverpool to explore the possibility of recalling and sending him elsewhere in January.
Serhou Guirassy (VfB Stuttgart)
Age: 27
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €40M
Scoring 17 goals in 14 Bundesliga games doesn’t go unnoticed. A January move for the Guinean is complicated by his expected involvement in AFCON, but his extremely modest €17.5-million release clause has clubs salivating.
Ligue 1 ??
Tiago Djalo (Lille)
Age: 23
Position: Center-back
Estimated value: €15M
Instead of losing the Portuguese defender for free in the summer, Lille are reportedly considering cashing in now. With Inter, Juventus, and Atletico Madrid all in the mix, the French outfit could incite a decent bidding war.
Leny Yoro (Lille)
Age: 18
Position: Center-back
Estimated value: €25M
Already one of the standout defenders in France despite his tender age, Yoro is someone Lille will fight to keep for as long as possible. PSG, now trying to scoop up every emerging talent in the country, will need to pony up.
Khephren Thuram (Nice)
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
Estimated value: €40M
Thuram, despite interest from England and Italy in the summer, remained in the French Riviera – who could blame him? Both he and teammate Jean-Clair Todibo will feature prominently as the January rumors swirl.
Hugo Ekitike (Paris Saint-Germain)
Age: 21
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €15M
Ekitike’s big move to the French capital went sour very quickly. PSG tried to offload him in the summer, to no avail. Stuck behind Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos, he’s played a measly nine minutes in Ligue 1 this season.
Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
Age: 25
Position: Forward
Estimated value: €180M
What, you thought we’d get through a transfer window without rehashing Mbappe’s flirtations with Real Madrid? The saga will inevitably heat up again now that Madrid can negotiate openly with the impending free agent.
Around the world ?
Jota (Al-Ittihad)
Age: 24
Position: Forward, winger
Estimated value: €9M
Jota’s move to Saudi Arabia has been an unmitigated disaster for everything but his bank account thus far, sparking rumors that the ex-Celtic star could be one of the first players to make a swift return to Europe from the Middle East.
Thiago Almada (Atlanta United)
Age: 22
Position: Attacking midfielder
Estimated value: €27M
It’s simply a matter of when Almada makes the leap to Europe. The only question is whether the diminutive Argentine will break Miguel Almiron’s €24-million record as the most expensive outgoing transfer in MLS history.
Antonio Silva (Benfica)
Age: 20
Position: Center-back
Estimated value: €45M
Enzo Fernandez’s mammoth move to Chelsea proved that Benfica aren’t afraid to sanction sales of vital players in January if the offer is sweet enough. Silva, whose price tag is only rising, could be next in line.
Valentin Barco (Boca Juniors)
Age: 19
Position: Left-back
Estimated value: €13M
Chelsea are reportedly keen on Barco. Strasbourg, the French side also owned by the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium, could be used by the Blues as a means to beat the likes of Manchester City to the Boca starlet.
Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge)
Age: 24
Position: Winger, wing-back
Estimated value: €8M
Inter are reportedly advancing in talks for the rapid Canadian, who’s viewed as the ideal replacement for the injury-ravaged Juan Cuadrado. Buchanan would serve as Denzel Dumfries’ backup in Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 formation.
Benjamin Rollheiser (Estudiantes de La Plata)
Age: 23
Position: Winger
Estimated value: €10M
Newcastle United, decimated by injuries and in search of reinforcements, are reportedly tracking the electrifying dribbler, who’s lighting things up in Argentina. Not to be outdone, Benfica and Atletico Madrid are also circling.
Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati)
Age: 25
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €8.5M
Vazquez was unable to replicate his breakout 2022 campaign this past year, but that hasn’t deterred clubs intrigued by his blend of power and scoring prowess. Brentford, given the uncertainty around Toney, could make a move.
Nico Gonzalez (FC Porto)
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
Estimated value: €9M
Things haven’t quite worked out as planned after a summer move to Porto, with the former Barcelona midfielder spending most of his time on the bench. An immediate return to La Liga shouldn’t be ruled out.
Mehdi Taremi (FC Porto)
Age: 31
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €12M
Inter continue to show strong interest in Taremi, who was one of their targets in the summer window before they settled for a low-cost option in Marko Arnautovic. The Iranian striker is a free agent at the end of the season.
Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord)
Age: 22
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €50M
The prolific Mexican is one of the game’s most coveted scorers after a sensational 2023 in which he broke Luis Suarez’s record for most Eredivisie goals in a calendar year. Feyenoord will demand a fortune, and rightly so.
Andre (Fluminense)
Age: 22
Position: Defensive midfielder
Estimated value: €25M
The Brazilian, who was scouted by some of the Premier League’s top teams over the summer, put them all on high alert when he recently said his “big dream” is to play in England. How long can Fluminense hold on to him?
Denis Bouanga (LAFC)
Age: 29
Position: Forward
Estimated value: €10M
On the heels of capturing the MLS Golden Boot in 2023, Bouanga suggested he could soon return to Europe. Any move would require a “hugely expensive” transfer fee, according to LAFC general manager John Thorrington.
Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven)
Age: 20
Position: Winger
Estimated value: €40M
Wingers who excel at beating their defender and teeing up teammates inside the penalty area are always in high demand, so the collection of big clubs eyeing Bakayoko should come as no surprise. An opulent transfer beckons.
Georgiy Sudakov (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Age: 21
Position: Attacking midfielder
Estimated value: €18M
Already a regular for his national team, the Ukrainian is being monitored by Juventus, who are looking for more guile and creativity in midfield amid the continued absences of Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli.
Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP)
Age: 25
Position: Striker
Estimated value: €45M
Sporting made out like bandits when they signed Gyokeres from Coventry City for a modest €20 million this past summer. The Swede is now worth more than double that amount after going on a tear since arriving in Portugal.
Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP)
Age: 22
Position: Center-back
Estimated value: €40M
Like his compatriot Silva at Benfica – a player to whom he’s often compared – Inacio has been scouted by some of the continent’s heavyweights. The defender reportedly has a €60-million release clause in his contract.
Claudio Echeverri (River Plate)
Age: 17
Position: Attacking midfielder
Estimated value: €12M
Manchester City are working hard to beat Barcelona to Echeverri’s coveted signature. The ascendant Argentine was one of the standout players at the recent Under-17 World Cup and could reportedly cost up to €25 million.
Arthur Vermeeren (Royal Antwerp)
Age: 18
Position: Defensive midfielder
Estimated value: €30M
Chances are your favorite club has been linked with Vermeeren at some point in recent weeks. Judging by his displays in the Champions League, the prodigious Belgian already looks capable of handling a big transfer.
La Liga
theScore's 50 favorite moments of 2023: Titles, twists, and one epic speech
This year in sports was defined by inspiring stories, historic achievements, and surreal events that not even Hollywood could script. We loved them all. With 2023 drawing to a close, theScore is looking back on 50 moments that resonated most with us over the past 12 months. Our five-part series, which counts down every Friday in December, continues below with moments 30-21.
| Dec. 1 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 15 | Dec. 22 | Dec. 29 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1 |
30. Bellingham takes down Barca ?
Jude Bellingham was already hailed as the second coming of Cristiano Ronaldo before he led Real Madrid to victory in his first Clasico. The English midfielder morphed into one of the best finishers in the world after joining the club from Borussia Dortmund. His 13 goals in his first 10 games – including various winning strikes – were two more than Ronaldo scored to start his iconic career in Madrid. But nothing compared to Bellingham’s heroics against Madrid’s bitter rivals, Barcelona. After scoring a spectacular equalizing goal from 30 yards out, the 20-year-old further endeared himself to fans with an opportunistic winner in the dying minutes. – Gordon Brunt
29. Etienne’s Pyrrhic performance ?
I played against myself in fantasy fb today ?
— Travis Etienne Jr?? (@swaggy_t1) October 8, 2023
Everyone loves a big fantasy football performance – unless you’re on the wrong side of it. Imagine how Travis Etienne felt after posting one of the best games of his career while playing against himself in fantasy football. The running back exploded for 136 rushing yards, four receptions, 48 receiving yards, a pair of touchdowns, and a two-point conversion against the Bills in Week 5. His opponent surely appreciated the 30+ fantasy points, but Etienne was likely happier winning the game in real life on the back of his dominant outing. – Andrew Dixon
28. PGA TOUR, LIV Golf join forces ?
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. After more than a year of legal battles, the PGA announced a surprise merger with Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf, shocking just about everyone. While LIV golfers like Phil Mickelson rejoiced, many PGA golfers found out about the merger through a leaked press release on social media, and members of Netflix’s docuseries “Full Swing” found out on camera. Those who refused LIV Golf’s massive payouts were angered by the PGA’s lack of loyalty, and Tiger Woods was “frustrated” with the lack of player involvement. The tours have until Dec. 31 to finalize the agreement but, regardless of the outcome, June 6 will go down in golf history as a day stranger than fiction. – Sarah Wallace
27. FDU stuns No. 1 Purdue ?
(16) FDU UPSETS (1) PURDUE ???
MARCH. KEEPS. ON. GIVING. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/4T0K3n13Er
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2023
Five years after No. 1 Virginia lost to No. 16 UMBC, New Jersey’s Fairleigh Dickinson handed Purdue an opening-round loss in the same setup. The Knights had to win in the First Four to qualify, while the Boilermakers lost four games to end the regular season before winning the Big Ten title. FDU held off No. 1 Purdue with two clutch blocks in the final minute of play to advance the Knights to the second round. Meanwhile, No. 4 Virginia lost to No. 13 Furman, marking the second time in three years the Cavaliers lost in the first round. – Donald Higney
26. Aces breathe rarefied air ?
The Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty were on a collision course to meet in the WNBA Finals all season long. Both teams were loaded with stars and dominated in the regular season to earn the top seeds in their respective conferences. The Aces took the first two games at home before the Liberty responded with a victory in Game 3. Las Vegas lost starting point guard Chelsea Gray and starting center Kiah Stokes to injuries before Game 4 but withstood their absences to claim a 70-69 victory. The win made them just the third repeat champion in WNBA history, and the first since 2002. – Josh Goldberg
25. José Ramírez decks Tim Anderson ?
It’s fight night in Cleveland ? pic.twitter.com/3NEIpBEbSf
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) August 6, 2023
It was a bad, bad year for Tim Anderson. The former batting champ struggled through injuries and underperformed in the most disappointing campaign of his career. But the worst night of his dreadful season came on Aug. 5 when he picked a fight with the wrong guy. The White Sox shortstop hurled his glove to the ground and put his dukes up after getting into a verbal dispute with Guardians slugger José Ramírez – which turned out to be a poor decision. Anderson hit the dirt like a ton of bricks after catching a wild overhand right from Ramírez. The fight led to a bench-clearing brawl and Eloy Jiménez even got stepped on as Anderson was sidelined recovering from embarrassment. – Bryan Mcwilliam
24. Nuggets, Jokic claim 1st title ?
For the fifth straight season, the NBA got a new champion. The Denver Nuggets won their first championship after taking down the Miami Heat in June. Nikola Jokic dominated the playoffs, averaging 30 points, 13.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game – elevating his game as the competition and stakes increased every round. Denver got a boost from Jamal Murray, who put up 26.1 points and 7.1 assists in the postseason as he played in his first campaign after an ACL tear. With this tandem, the Nuggets look to be a formidable championship contender for the foreseeable future. – Higney
23. Coco conquers US Open ?
Greatness was expected of Coco Gauff ever since she made her professional debut at 14 years old. But those expectations quickly became a burden, weighing her down even as she spent her high school years winning various 500- and 1,000-level tournaments. So when she came back from a set down against Aryna Sabalenka to win the US Open in September – clinching her first major title at the grand old age of 19 – Coco had a few things to say. “To those who thought they were putting water on my fire, you were really adding gas to it, and now I’m really burning so bright right now,” she said as the 28,000 at Arthur Ashe Stadium erupted in support. Now it’s no longer about whether Coco can win majors, but how many victories she’ll collect. – Anthony Lopopolo
22. You come at the king … ?
LEBRON JAMES IS IN #PLAYOFFMODE
CLUTCH AND-1 AS GAME 4 COMES TO A CLOSE ON TNT. pic.twitter.com/mRmbgssUzQ
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2023
LeBron proved that you can’t count him out, even during his 20th NBA season. After then-Memphis Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks sent him numerous taunts and a hit in the groin, LeBron got his revenge. Leading by three points in overtime of Game 4 in their opening-round playoff series, the dueling players found themselves matched up – with LeBron driving past Brooks and drawing a timely foul to help put the lower-seeded Lakers up 3-1 in the series. In a cathartic moment, King James burst into emotion as the Lakers crowd went crazy. L.A. went on to win the series, while the Grizzlies declined to re-sign Brooks, allowing him to join the Houston Rockets. – Higney
21. Wild Bill’s legendary parade speech ?
Warning: Video contains coarse language
William Karlsson just gave one of the greatest speeches ever, absolute all-timer#VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/DeWcncvNJr
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) June 18, 2023
There have been some incredible Stanley Cup parade speeches over the years, but Vegas Golden Knights forward William Karlsson gave one for the ages in June. The moment he took the mic shirtless and drenched in sweat, it was clear he was about to deliver an all-timer. It’s two minutes of absolute gold: Karlsson initially censoring himself but dropping an actual F-bomb 22 seconds later. The Arizona Coyotes catching a stray. That poor woman trying in vain to get him to wrap it up with a tap on the back, the hand-across-the-throat gesture, a plea of “let’s go,” and finally dragging him across the stage. Perfection. – Josh Gold-Smith
Let us know what your favorite sports moments were in the comments!
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