✉️❤️🩹 Paulo Dybala's letter to Leo Messi:
"What a privilege it has been to share so many years and so many moments with you, Leo.
"Since I was a kid, you inspired me to want to be like you. Because we played in similar positions, I always watched you, tried to learn from you and imitate many of the things you did, things that seemed easy for you but were almost impossible for everyone else…
"Then I was lucky enough to share the pitch with you, learn even more from up close, and together achieve the biggest dream of all.
"Thank you for everything you gave to our national team. It’s been an honor to be part of this journey by your side, Captain. ❤️🐐”
🚨 BREAKING, Leandro Paredes:
“For me, it will be difficult to continue with the national team, because of what I said, because of the suspension, and because of Leo’s decision.
"If he isn’t there, it’s difficult for everything to keep working the same way. It will surely be a very difficult decision. It’s difficult for me to continue.
"I’ll probably speak with the coach about it, but we’ll see what decision I make.
"It’s a bit of everything. We set the bar very high, and continuing to achieve important things will be difficult.
"We managed to build an incredible group, and in that group we had our leader, Leo, who won’t be there anymore. I’ll speak with the coach, but it will be difficult.”
It’s honestly crazy to think that Messi decided to leave Europe at 35 because, in his mind, he had already completed football and wanted a more comfortable life in Miami with his family.
And nobody can blame him for that. He achieved everything there was to achieve. He doesn’t owe football or anyone else anything.
But if you look at it purely from our perspective as fans, just think about how much European football lost.
Messi is 39 years old now and he’s still one of the best players in the world. There’s still nobody like him. You could put him in La Liga or Serie A tomorrow and he would still do ridiculous things at this age.
So imagine what he could have done if, back in the summer of 2023, he had decided to stay in Europe instead of going to Miami.
Football lost so much with that decision, and as fans, we lost so much too. The greatness we’ve been watching from Messi in the United States could have been happening in Europe all these years as well.
And I think no one can doubt this opinion because this year’s World Cup proved that more than anything.
🚨 JUST IN: Julián Álvarez has been missing Atletico de Madrid training sessions for FOUR days in a row, although the first one was not leaked to the media
There was no scheduled training session, but the injured players and those who were at the World Cup were expected to attend the training session, everyone did, except Julián.
Atlético were unhappy that Julián missed Tuesday’s recommended session, but they let it go.
On Tuesday night, a family member informed the club that Julián was unwell and would miss Wednesday’s training. He then also missed Thursday and Friday.
Wednesday’s absence changed everything. Julián was not replying to messages, so Mateu Alemany personally went to his home to discuss the situation and look for a solution.
After that, Julián, his family, representatives and lawyers held a long meeting as his options became increasingly limited. @marqoss@relevo ⚠️⚠️🔴🔴
🚨 Arsenal’s chances of signing Julián Álvarez are growing.
His main concern is personal: in England, residency would only cover his wife and children, while Julián usually moves with his entire family. That remains a key factor in his decision. @estebanedul@ESPNArgentina
Julián Álvarez is currently training individually alone at Atlético Madrid.
Up to this moment, the player has not provided any medical certificate in which a doctor diagnoses depression. @pedro_morata ⛔️
(🌕) Arsenal have been in contact with Atlético Madrid, even today, because they want to be prepared for the final days of the transfer window and know exactly what would be required to sign Julián Álvarez.
Everything depends on what the player decides. @FabrizioRomano@DAZN_ES 🗣️🗣️🗣️
(🌕) JUST IN: Julian Alvarez to Arsenal is UNLIKELY. He has his heart set on FC Barcelona.
He’s spoken to Mikel Arteta and doesn’t want the move.
That could change, but there’s no progress currently. @David_Ornstein 🚨🚨🇦🇷