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The Welsh FA became the first to publicly withdraw support for Infantino's reelection, after his World Cup share-selling plan failed and sparked governance and leadership concerns. Prime Minister Burnham said he was not the right man, and the FA called for a full review. Infantino, originally set to stand for reelection in March next year, now faces an unprecedented trust crisis.

Real Madrid has publicly backed UEFA and praised FIFA's decision to abandon the plan to sell shares in its World Cup subsidiary to private investors. Real Madrid believes the move protects the public value of football, thanks the continental confederations for their united opposition, and stresses that national team competitions must not be reduced to financial assets for the profit of a few, while remaining wary of future capital encroachment on football's essence.

Chelsea have officially announced the signing of Argentine defender Barco on a seven-year contract, with the player capable of playing left-back or midfield. Barco came through River Plate's youth system and previously played for Brighton and Sevilla. During his time at Strasbourg, he recorded 3 goals and 11 assists in 58 matches, and represented Argentina at the World Cup. The Blues have already signed Rogers, Palestra and other reinforcements this summer, with Xabi Alonso as head coach.

Latest transfer news: Salah is close to joining Trabzonspor as Besiktas talks stall, while Manchester City target Chelsea winger Pedro Neto for a potential £70m fee. Godts, Scalvini, Ferran Torres, Osimhen and others are also involved in ongoing transfer sagas.

A month after Argentina's World Cup final defeat, Messi returns to Inter Miami's matchday squad as a substitute for the Columbus Crew match. During the World Cup, he recorded 8 goals and 4 assists, losing the final to Spain in extra time. Teammate De Paul starts, while new signing Casemiro makes his home debut. Coach Hoyos welcomed both players back, with the team then shifting focus to the Leagues Cup.

Barcelona have signed Club Brugge's 18-year-old winger Biswu for €8.5 million plus a 20% sell-on clause, on a five-year contract, as their third attacking signing of the summer. The club are rebuilding their attack, with Lewandowski and Rashford having left; they may add another No. 9, with Alvarez as the primary target. Biswu has never played for Brugge's first team and was a UEFA Youth League runner-up with the U19 side last season.

Infantino has formally withdrawn the proposal to sell World Cup equity, a plan that sought to consolidate tournament commercial operations into a $20 billion subsidiary and sell a 20% stake, which triggered boycott threats from European nations and resignations among senior officials before being scrapped due to excessive division.

Real Madrid are open-minded about the Vinicius contract stalemate, will not increase their offer, and are allowing him to leave. The player's contract has only one year left, and Arsenal are believed to be interested but have not yet made contact. Vinicius had an unhappy time at Real Madrid last season, and the team have gone two years without a title. Real Madrid have been active in this summer's transfer market, with new signing Espi and others named in the pre-season squad.

UEFA announced a boycott of all FIFA tournaments, including the men's and women's World Cups, following emergency talks, in opposition to Infantino's $20 billion privatisation plan. European heavyweights like Germany, France, and Spain will withdraw, with the first test being the U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland this September. UEFA stressed the World Cup is not an investment asset and condemned FIFA's lack of consultation. CONCACAF also plans an emergency meeting.

English defender Stones leaves Manchester City as a free agent, joins Inter Milan on a two-year deal until 2028. He ends his decade at City, having won six Premier League titles and the 2023 treble, also helping England to a World Cup third-place finish. Inter won Serie A last season.

Australia women's football (Matildas) will face Germany in a friendly on October 10 in Karlsruhe, a key step in preparing for the Brazil World Cup. Germany, a two-time World Cup winner, is a strong opponent. Recent head-to-head: Germany beat Australia 3-0 at the Paris Olympics, while Australia won 2-1 in a 2024 friendly. Coach Montemurro emphasizes this as a chance to challenge themselves and experience different styles. With European leagues already running, overseas-based players may feature, while A-League Women players are unlikely to be selected due to the league's later start.

Liverpool beat Wrexham 1-0 in preseason, with 17-year-old rising star Ngumoha scoring the crucial goal; he already set the club's record as the youngest scorer last season. Meanwhile, Liverpool are pursuing PSG forward Barcola to prepare for Salah's potential departure, but Carragher questions the lack of right-wing options. Manager Iraola gives young players opportunities, and Ngumoha is seen as a future core.

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Messi returned to Inter Miami training at full intensity 10 days after the World Cup final defeat. He had been in Rosario caring for his ailing father. Despite his 8 goals and 4 assists in the tournament, the final loss left him in tears. The club is not rushing his return, with the coach emphasizing the need for rest. Teammate Beltrame is recovering from an injury.

Haaland celebrates 26th birthday in Saint-Tropez with DJ set in Viking horns, then leads Viking rowing dance at Donnarumma's wedding. Due to Norway's World Cup exit in quarterfinals, he gets extra time off and misses Asian preseason tour (Hong Kong, South Korea) under new manager Maresca.

Manchester City confirm Rodri will be briefly sidelined due to back surgery, with a short recovery period expected. The club is still pushing for a contract extension but faces transfer pressure from Real Madrid, having already signed Anderson and showing interest in Bouaddi to reinforce the midfield.

Chelsea are discussing a move for Brighton striker Danny Welbeck and are also pursuing Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson, as Xavier Alonso targets experienced additions. Their potential arrivals could affect the futures of Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson.

Barcelona have sounded out a move for Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi as an alternative, but Atletico Madrid forward Alvarez remains their priority signing despite the club's offer still being rejected. The Catalan side are rebuilding their attack after Lewandowski's MLS move, with Gordon and Adeyemi already arriving.

MLS Power Rankings updated after Matchday 18: Robert Lewandowski came off the bench but Chicago Fire still lost 1-3 to NYCFC, beginning his adjustment period. Vancouver Whitecaps drew but face injury concerns; Inter Miami won without star players; Son Heung-min's form boost helps LAFC. Nashville and Real Salt Lake dropped, while Minnesota United and NYCFC rose. Multiple teams are hampered by injuries and red cards, reshaping the league post-restart.

Infantino issued a statement after the 2026 World Cup, rebuking critics as 'consumed by hatred' and urging them to watch a match. He defended the tournament's organization, addressing controversies over visas, Trump's intervention, and more, claiming zero violence and 7 million attendees, while calling for football unity beyond hatred.