Ligue 1

Rumors of Folarin Balogun joining the USMNT are at an all-time high — here’s why

Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun is having a remarkable season in Ligue 1 with Reims. He’s scored 17 goals in 27 games (only two behind league leaders Jonathan David and Kylian Mbappé) and is firing on all cylinders.

The 21-year-old talent has a big decision to make in his career and that is who he will represent on the international stage. Balogun was born in New York City to Nigerian parents and raised in England. He’s eligible to represent the USMNT, England and Nigeria.

Weekend review: The major talking points from European soccer

Talking points from the weekend in European soccer leagues:

BARCELONA TAKE HUGE STEP TOWARDS LALIGA TITLE

Barcelona have tightened their grip at the top of the LaLiga standings after an electric 2-1 comeback win in an El Clásico against bitter rivals Real Madrid on Sunday.

Franck Kessié's stunner in added time gave Barça a well-earned victory that left second-placed Real trailing the leaders by 12 points with only 12 games to be played.

Kim Kardashian's week: Dooms Arsenal in Europa League, gets Messi booed off the pitch

Based on how preposterously good Arsenal and Lionel Messi have been this season, there's only one possible explanation for their respective failures this week: tourist Kim Kardashian.

On Thursday, the 42-year-old socialite made her presence felt at the Emirates with her son Saint (the second-oldest of Kim and Kanye's four children). Cruising at the top of the Premier League table and targeting European glory, Arsenal suffered a shock elimination to a Sporting side that's sitting fourth in Liga Portugal.

Lionel Messi provides PERFECT pass to Kylian Mbappé for 90th minute game-winning goal

After disappointingly crashing out of the UEFA Champions League earlier in the week, PSG bounced back to defeat a feisty Brest side 2-1 on Saturday.

PSG left it late as Lionel Messi found Kylian Mbappé with a perfect pass in the 90th minute to snatch the victory.

This was the 300th assist in Messi’s club career and boy was it a beauty.

Messi assist to Mbappé to win vs. Brest

Neymar's season is over

Paris St Germain forward Neymar has been ruled out for the rest of the season with the Brazil international set to undergo surgery to repair ankle ligaments that will keep him out for at least three months, the Ligue 1 club said on Monday.

Neymar, who has 13 goals and 11 assists in Ligue 1 this season, has not played since a 4-3 win over Lille last month, missing PSG's last two games.

Mbappé breaks PSG’s scoring record while Messi scores 799th career goal in win vs. Nantes

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé both got on the scoresheet Saturday for Paris Saint-Germain as the Ligue 1 leaders defeated Nantes 4-2. Mbappé sealed the victory in the 92nd minute to give PSG a two-goal advantage and make himself the club’s all-time leading goal scorer.

At just 24 years old the Frenchman has scored 201 goals for PSG passing Edinson Cavani’s previous record.

PSG and Morocco star Achraf Hakimi under investigation for alleged rape

PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain right back Achraf Hakimi is facing a criminal investigation in France after an allegation of rape was made against him, an official from the Nanterre prosecution office said on Friday.

Hakimi, a Morocco international, firmly denied the allegation, according to his lawyer. PSG did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.

The Nanterre prosecution office said Hakimi has been placed under police monitoring and was banned from contact with the alleged victim.

Messi and Mbappé combine for 3 outrageously good goals in PSG romp over Marseille

Like the rest of America, I've been selfishly hoping that Lionel Messi decides against renewing his contract with Paris Saint-Germain and instead opts for Inter Miami, giving me one glorious day out at Allianz Field of Wil Trapp man-marking the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.

PSG confirm Neymar suffered ankle ligament damage during Sunday's game

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar sustained ankle ligament damage in Sunday's 4-3 Ligue 1 win over Lille, the French club said late on Tuesday.

Brazilian forward Neymar, who scored PSG's second goal in the 17th minute, was stretchered off the field in tears early in the second half after colliding with Lille's Benjamin Andre and rolling his right ankle.

Messi's latest signature cleats are a celebration of life in your mid-30s

He's been wearing them on the pitch for over a week now, but the new Lionel Messi cleats 2023 have finally dropped with adidas giving the World Cup winner his latest signatures — the X Speedportal Messi.1 "L10NEL M35SI" boots.

Who says you can't embrace the age of 35, when 40 is suddenly on the horizon and there's no turning back? Not Messi. He's giving us a bit of playfulness in "Solar Orange/Silver Metallic/Core Black." Adidas is probably supposed to be marketing at teens and 20-somethings, but they said screw it, let's do something for everyone in their mid-30s.

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