Italy

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared Covid-19 a pandemic. To be as straight-up as possible, this was the day that shit hit the fan for Americans.

March 11 was the turning point for the U.S. and the moment the severity of the virus became real for so many. In the span of only a couple hours the NBA shut down, Tom Hanks tested positive and Donald Trump announced plans for a European travel ban.

One day after the 10-year anniversary of Robin van Persie’s most ignominious moment as a footballer, Porto’s Mehdi Taremi was a victim of the exact same call. Once again, keeper Wojciech Szczesny witnessed the unthinkable in a game he started, and once again his team lost a game it looked certain to win. Only this time he could blame an American, not a shocking officiating decision.

Weston McKennie’s path to become the greatest USMNT midfielder of all time took a giant leap on Wednesday when Juventus announced it’s cashing in on the American.

McKennie has been on loan from Schalke this season with the option for the Italian giants to buy the 22-year-old. After choosing to buy, the final bill for McKennie was $22 million, with his contract running until June 2025.

TURIN — Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 600th league appearance with his 20th Serie A goal of the season as Juventus beat Spezia 3-0 on Tuesday to move within three points of second-placed AC Milan.

The Portuguese guided in his side's third goal late on after Alvaro Morata and Federico Chiesa had struck earlier in the second half to put Andrea Pirlo's side in a commanding position. Ronaldo, who also hit the post with an effort in the first half, became the first player to score at least 20 goals in each of the last 12 seasons in Europe's top five leagues.

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimović has defended his controversial appearance at Italy's Sanremo music festival and reiterated his belief that athletes like Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James should stay out of politics.

The 39-year-old Swede has received criticism for agreeing to participate in four nights of the annual song contest in Liguria this week, as his club have Serie A fixtures on Wednesday and Sunday.

Shut up and dribble or dribble and raise up?

Earlier this week, Zlatan Ibrahimović essentially told Lakers star LeBron James to shut up and dribble. On Friday night, the four-time NBA champion said he’ll never shut up about inequality, social justice, racism and voter suppression — and he also called out Ibrahimović for hypocrisy. 

As a refresher, here’s what Zlatan said about James.

Seven-time European champions AC Milan will play Manchester United in the standout tie of next month's Europa League round of 16 following Friday's draw.

Ajax Amsterdam, the four-time European champions, will take on Swiss club Young Boys, while Arsenal face Greek side Olympiakos Piraeus and Tottenham Hotspur, the third English club to reach the last 16, will tackle Dinamo Zagreb.

Round of 16 draw!

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said sportspeople like Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James should quit sticking their nose into politics.

Four-time NBA champion James, who Ibrahimovic described as a phenomenal basketball player, has been one of the NBA's leading voices against racial injustice and police brutality in the U.S.

A frequent critic of former U.S. President Donald Trump, James also helped form a group aimed at battling voter disenfranchisement in predominantly Black communities last year.