➟ Born in France.
➟ Chose to represent Côte d'Ivoire.
➟ Could have chosen French nationality through his mother.
➟ Decided to represent Côte d'Ivoire to honor the cultural heritage of his Ivorian father.
➟ In France, he might have had a better chance of competing for major international trophies.
➟ Will represent Côte d'Ivoire at the World Cup.
➟ He knows he chose the path that few would have taken, but he wants to honor his father's homeland.
GUÉLA DOUÉ, YOU HAVE OUR RESPECT. 🇨🇮👏⚽️
During Nike's latest commercial, it wasn't Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, Vinícius Júnior, or even Travis Scott who stole the show.
The real star was him.
Channing Tatum was unquestionably the MVP of the short film. The American actor, playing a stand-in version of Erling Haaland, captured the attention of audiences around the world.
Even Haaland himself praised Tatum's performance, saying that he was the man of the video.
Gavi returned to play for the Spanish national team after nearly three years, and it was the comeback he had always dreamed of.
The Spanish midfielder played an official match for Spain again after overcoming the two worst injuries of his career, which kept him from representing the national team for almost three years.
Gavi made his return wearing the captain's armband for Spain. It was the first time he had ever captained the national team. A few weeks ago, he received the news that he would be playing in his second World Cup.
After everything he has been through, including the loss of his grandmother just a month ago, he will now play in the World Cup honoring in every match the woman who always believed in him.
During Nike's short film ahead of the World Cup, a truly unique moment took place.
Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James appeared together in an office, attending a meeting with Nike executives. The executives presented them with a script for the end of their careers. Both athletes looked at it and kept passing the script to each other, saying it was meant for the other one.
Neither of them accepted the retirement script. Even at 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo will play in his sixth World Cup. LeBron James has just completed his 23rd season.
Two of the greatest athletes of all time.
They will decide when to say goodbye. That is the privilege of being the greatest.
The Algerian national team defeated the Netherlands for the first time in its history.
It would not have been possible without the tremendous performance of Luca Zidane, who made six saves to keep a clean sheet. In just a few days, he will make his World Cup debut, and it will come against the Argentina side led by Lionel Messi, the reigning world champions.
Luca Zidane is 28 years old, the son of the legendary Zinedine Zidane. He is a goalkeeper who represents Algeria, and he has not conceded a goal in his last six matches for the national team. So keep an eye on him—just in case he turns into prime Manuel Neuer during the World Cup.
The Moroccan national team prepared an emotional welcome for Achraf Hakimi after he became a two-time UEFA Champions League champion.
The PSG player arrived at Morocco's training camp, where all of his teammates were waiting for him with a cake to celebrate his second European title.
Hakimi is Morocco's captain and will be playing in his third World Cup. Let's remember that four years ago Morocco became the tournament's biggest surprise by finishing fourth at the World Cup. Now they will be looking to surpass what they achieved in Qatar, with Hakimi leading the way.
Ousmane Dembélé has already joined up with the French national team to compete in the World Cup.
The Frenchman has just won the second UEFA Champions League title of his career. But he has no time to rest and is already ready to play in the World Cup with France. Even the President of France singled him out, saying that he is an example for everyone because of his winning spirit and his refusal to ever give up.
Who would have told us a few years ago that Ousmane Dembélé would arrive at the World Cup as a Ballon d'Or winner, a two-time European champion, and with a great chance of winning his second Ballon d'Or?
During the match between the Croatian and Belgian national teams, there was a truly unforgettable moment.
Luka Modrić, with the quality we all know he has, struck the ball with the outside of his foot and looked set to score a spectacular goal. Then, out of nowhere, Thibaut Courtois appeared with a fantastic save, denying his former teammate.
The expressions on Luka Modrić's and Courtois's faces are priceless. Modrić couldn't believe what Courtois had just saved, while the Belgian celebrated the stop with all his passion right in front of him. In the end, Belgium defeated Croatia, but this moment was pure cinema for football fans everywhere, and especially for Real Madrid supporters.
Indeed, absolute cinema. 🎬⚽
Tim Payne couldn't hold back his tears as he listened to the New Zealand national anthem before his first World Cup warm-up match.
It's worth remembering that Tim Payne has never played in a World Cup during his career. Just one week ago, he had fewer than 5,000 followers and was one of the least-known players heading into the tournament. Now, he has nearly 5 million followers and has become a global sensation.
But beyond the followers and the fame he has gained in recent days, Tim Payne's real dream is to play in his first World Cup at the age of 32. He's proof that it's never too late to achieve your dreams. The expression on his face says it all.
Denzel Dumfries is set to become a new Real Madrid player. The experienced Dutch international will join the Spanish giants in a deal worth €20 million.
Fabrizio Romano has just confirmed the news: Real Madrid activated the €20 million release clause. It will be the first signing of José Mourinho's second spell as Real Madrid manager.
One of the best full-backs/wing-backs in world football is heading to Madrid to strengthen the right flank. Following Dani Carvajal's departure, Real Madrid have found their replacement. Dumfries arrives as a Serie A champion and Coppa Italia winner.
Just before the start of the World Cup, McDonald's gave us one of the most anticipated meetings imaginable.
Lamine Yamal finally met Ronaldinho, and his expression says absolutely everything. The young Spanish star couldn't stop smiling as he stood face-to-face with one of his greatest childhood idols.
A few years ago, Lamine was watching Ronaldinho's highlights on YouTube. Now, he's filming a video alongside Ronaldinho ahead of his very first World Cup. At one point, the two started juggling the ball and were challenged not to let it touch the ground. Lamine joked, "He's not going to drop it. Me, maybe."
All while they both laughed.
Neymar has just arrived in New York with the Brazilian National Team for the World Cup.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer led the entire Brazilian delegation as they arrived on U.S. soil to take on the World Cup. The dream of a sixth world title has officially begun.
This is probably the Brazilian generation that has inspired the most hope in recent years, with a squad full of youth, experience, and immense talent. But above all, with Carlo Ancelotti on the bench and Neymar on the field, Brazil dreams of making history.
Marcus Rashford didn’t take a vacation and is already ready for the World Cup.
While many players headed to the beach, Rashford decided to travel to Miami. He asked for permission to use Inter Miami’s training facilities and has been training on his own while waiting for the England national team delegation to arrive.
Even though he won the league title with FC Barcelona, he chose not to take any time off. Instead, he focused on working hard to reach the World Cup in the best possible shape. A dedicated and focused professional.
And to think that just one year ago, he was close to being without a club.
We still remember when people used to call Khvicha Kvaratskhelia a one-season wonder. Haha.
When he arrived at Napoli as an unknown player, he ended the Italian club’s 33-year wait for a Scudetto, becoming one of the team’s key figures.
Then, when he joined PSG and was supposedly “the most overrated player in the world,” it took him only six months to help deliver the first UEFA Champions League title in the club’s history.
On top of that, he won PSG’s first-ever treble. Oh, and he also helped them achieve a sextuple—the most legendary accomplishment a club can achieve.
Now, he has won his second Champions League with PSG and was named the best player of the season. It’s going to hurt not seeing him at the World Cup.
In Colombia’s farewell match before the World Cup, Luis Díaz took the field wearing the captain’s armband and, in just 45 minutes, scored a goal and provided an assist to help lead Colombia toward victory. Then, in the second half, James Rodríguez came on wearing the captain’s armband and delivered the assist for the third goal.
The Colombian national team could not have asked for a better send-off. Both of its leaders stepped up. Luis Díaz, after winning everything in Germany, returned to the national team at his usual high level. And James, who had not played many minutes during the season, once again showed why he is considered the greatest.
COLOMBIA DREAMS OF MAKING HISTORY AT THE WORLD CUP.
During a training session, Lamine Yamal scored and celebrated by doing Messi’s “Topo Gigio” celebration.
We can’t deny how epic it would be to see Lamine Yamal score at the World Cup and celebrate with the “Topo Gigio.” It would be pure cinema for every football fan. The wait to see Lamine Yamal in his first World Cup is getting shorter and shorter.
Lamine Yamal has paid tribute to Neymar in his recent celebrations; now all that’s left is for him to pay tribute to Lionel Messi, and what better stage than a World Cup?
IT WOULD BE THE MOST AURA-FILLED MOMENT OF THE WORLD CUP.
Lionel Messi has just arrived at the Argentina national team's training camp in Kansas City.
The 38-year-old Argentine arrived alongside Rodrigo De Paul to join the Argentina squad for the upcoming World Cup preparation matches. Now the excitement truly begins.
What started in 2006 is nearing its final chapter. This will be his sixth World Cup appearance. At 38 years old, he arrives as the reigning world champion, dreaming of back-to-back titles. Take a moment to appreciate what this image represents. Officially, the last dance of the greatest footballer in history has begun.
His expression says it all.
After Brazil’s victory over Panama at the legendary Maracanã Stadium, an unforgettable scene unfolded.
Every player from the Panama national team lined up to take a photo with Neymar. The Brazilian star immediately agreed, posing for pictures with every player and even with the entire Panama coaching and support staff.
Despite the defeat and conceding six goals, they were not about to leave without a photo with Neymar.
This is the kind of impact that the Prince of Football’s return to the Brazil national team creates—the respect and admiration of people all around the world. Neymar never needed a Ballon d'Or or a World Cup trophy to earn recognition. For many fans and players, he became the idol of an entire generation through his talent, charisma, and influence on the game.
What Safonov had to go through during his time as a goalkeeper for PSG is truly worthy of admiration.
During the Champions League final, they were not allowed to bring Russian flags into the stadium. His wife, Marina, had to make her own flag using plastic bags. In the end, they managed to carry their country's colors on the most important day of their lives.
Who would have thought a few years ago, when he was merely the backup to Gianluigi Donnarumma, that he would experience something like this? He is an example of never giving up and knowing how to seize your opportunity. Safonov is a winner both on and off the pitch.
Neymar could not hold back his tears as he sang the Brazilian national anthem upon his return.
The look on Neymar’s face while singing Brazil’s anthem during his return to the national team said it all. He could not have asked for a better comeback. At the legendary Maracanã Stadium, in front of more than 78,000 fans ahead of the World Cup, Neymar appeared to restore faith to an entire nation.
There is no sequence more emotional than seeing Neymar back with the Brazil national team to compete in the World Cup. He has already announced that he will wear the iconic number 10 shirt in what he calls his last dance. Neymar took many blows throughout his career, but he never gave up—and now he is back.