Agence France Presse, Author at Soccer America

Zinedine Zidane: The good, the bad and the ugly

by Agence France PresseJuly 28, 2026July 28, 2026

French icon Zinedine Zidane on Tuesday was tasked with delivering France the 2030 World Cup as coach, just as he did as a player in 1998.
As coach of Real Madrid, Zidane reeled off three successive Champions League successes (2016-18), becoming a member of the elite club who won it both as a player and as a coach.

Soccer America Daily

Andrea Pirlo bitter over debate that cost him Italy coaching job

by Agence France PresseJuly 27, 2026July 28, 2026

While Pirlo had a stellar playing career — including being a key member of the 2006 World Cup-winning side — his coaching CV is short on success.
A contract with a Russian betting firm had only added fuel to misgivings, with several Italian politicians saying over the weekend that his appointment would be inappropriate.

Soccer America Daily

Varane concussions motivate Como to ban heading in academy teams

by Agence France PresseJuly 26, 2026July 26, 2026

Como is banning heading until the under-11 team after consultation from board member the former France star Raphael Varane. He retired in 2024 after a glittering career with Les Bleus, Real Madrid and Manchester United but suffered head injuries during his time as a player

Soccer America Daily

Spain striker Paralluelo joins Lyon from Barcelona

by Agence France PresseJuly 26, 2026July 26, 2026

Salma Paralluelo, a World Cup winner at three age levels, has joined OL Lyonnes from Barcelona. Paralluelo, who struck twice as Barcelona crushed OL Lyonnes 4-0 in the UEFA Champions League final in Oslo in May, joins a summer exodus from Barcelona.

Soccer America Daily

After stellar World Cup, Cape Verde goalkeeper heading to Chile

by Agence France PresseJuly 26, 2026July 26, 2026

Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper who was one of the heroes of Cape Verde’s fairytale run at the World Cup, is signing for Colo Colo, the Chilean club announced. “Vozinha is set to become a Colo Colo player; he will arrive in Chile in the coming days, undergo the necessary medical tests and will then be […]

Soccer America Daily

Messi can skip All-Star Game after grueling World Cup, says MLS

by Agence France PresseJuly 26, 2026July 26, 2026

Lionel Messi will not be required to play in next week’s Major League Soccer All-Star Game after representing Argentina in the recent World Cup final, the US domestic league said Saturday. Inter Miami superstar Messi had been sanctioned last year for skipping the annual showcase, which pits top players from across MLS against rivals from […]

Soccer America Daily

Messi-less Miami win on Casemiro debut, Berterame suffers head blow

by Agence France PresseJuly 26, 2026July 27, 2026

Inter Miami, with superstar Lionel Messi still resting after his World Cup exploits, won 1-0 at CF Montreal in Casemiro’s debut. Luis Suarez converted a penalty in the 81st minute to extend Miami’s winning run to six games in regular-season play after Mexico international German Berterame was injured in a sickening clash of heads with Efrain Morales. Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said later that Berterame was “OK and conscious” after describing the incident as “a very desperate situation.”

Soccer America Daily

Recharged Klopp back to turn Germany from doubters into believers

by Agence France PresseJuly 24, 2026July 26, 2026

Two years after stepping down from Liverpool citing a lack of energy, Jurgen Klopp has returned to the dugout to oversee the mammoth task of restoring German soccer to its former glory. The once-formidable Germans have lurched from setback to disaster since winning the 2014 World Cup. In Klopp, the DFB has a coach with a record of returning flagging giants to the top of the game.

Soccer America Daily

Dutchman van Bommel appointed new Belgium coach

by Agence France PresseJuly 24, 2026July 24, 2026

Mark van Bommel is the new coach of the Belgian national football team, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) announced on Friday. The 49-year-old former Dutch international succeeds Frenchman Rudi Garcia, who stepped down having guided the ‘Red Devils’ to the World Cup quarter-finals. “Mark van Bommel has signed a contract that will see him lead […]

Soccer America Daily

Klopp expected to be named new Germany coach on Friday

by Agence France PresseJuly 23, 2026July 23, 2026

Jurgen Klopp is widely expected to formally take over as the new head coach of the German men’s national football team, with the German Football Association (DFB) calling a press conference for Friday. Klopp, famed for his success during stints as coach at Borussia Dortmund and especially Liverpool, has been in talks with the DFB […]

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