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Real Madrid cruising into new season while the rest of Europe plays catch-up
Real Madrid missed out on Mbappe this summer but still have lofty goals for 2022-23. Would you bet against this team of mentally strong superstars?


TOP HEADLINES

AUSTRALIA
Football
Socceroos skipper Ryan joins FC Copenhagen
FC Copenhagen have signed Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan from Real Sociedad on a two-year contract, the Danish Superliga champions said on Tuesday.
Sydney FC signs Slovakia international Mak
Sydney FC have signed experienced Slovakia winger Robert Mak for the next two A-League Men's seasons.

TRANSFERS
Transfer Talk: Man City close in on Anderlecht's Gomez
Anderlecht's Sergio Gomez is close to joining reigning Premier League champions Man City, according to reports. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Breaking down Rabiot's potential fit with Man United

FUTURE STARS?
Who could be the next big breakout star in Europe?
Aurelien Tchouameni went from Monaco's midfield to a big-money move to Real Madrid out of nowhere this summer. But who could be the next breakout star?

MANCHESTER UNITED A MESS
Marcotti's Musings: Erik ten Hag must fix Man United's confidence quickly
New manager, same result for Man United: can Ten Hag fix it? Plus: Barcelona's mess is their own making, and Man City's star gets off the mark.

BUNDESLIGA
BAYERN'S STRONG START
Bayern Munich and the Bundesliga: Does German soccer's weirdness hurt its dominant team?
Bayern Munich are one of the world's best teams, but the totally unique style of play in their domestic league, the German Bundesliga, doesn't help prepare them for their European rivals. Is the Bundesliga too weird for the champions?

FOOTBALL
THE VAR REVIEW
Welbeck penalty, McTominay's non-red card explained in The VAR Review
We take a look at the weekend's big VAR talking points in the Premier League, with a host of penalty decisions taking centre stage.

HAALAND'S WINNING START
Haaland's brilliant debut as Man City open season with big win at West Ham
Haaland marked his first Premier League game with both goals as Man City opened the campaign with an ominously dominant win at West Ham.

FOOTBALL'S NEXT BIG THING
Angel City's celebrity-backed ownership is taking a new approach to running a football club
"If you invest in women and you do it with purpose... great things will happen," Natalie Portman tells ESPN.
Top Headlines
- Werner returns to RB Leipzig from Chelsea
- Rangers fight back to keep UCL hopes alive
- Ancelotti: Madrid can be even better this season
- Euros winner Daly leaves Houston for Aston Villa
- Sources: United withdraw Arnautovic interest
- African Super League to be announced Weds.
- Sources: Liverpool's Thiago faces six weeks out
- Sources: Tottenham close to deal for Udogie
Must-Watch Video
Nani shares what he learned from a difficult six months with Venezia in Italy, off the back of three successful seasons with Orlando City.
ESPN The Far Post Podcast
Join Angela Christian-Wilkes, Anna Harrington, Samantha Lewis and Marissa Lordanic as they dissect another big week in women's football.
Julie Glassberg for ESPN The story of Jean-Pierre and Bernardette Adams
When complications from routine knee surgery left PSG and France defender Jean-Pierre Adams in a coma in 1982, his wife Bernadette refused to let go.
PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images Barcelona's next golden generation
Amid a financial crisis, Barcelona's young players have rescued the team on several occasions times this season. But who are they?
Illustration by ESPN FC 100: Messi, Lewandowski top, Prem power
ESPN's annual ranking was selected by 77 global experts and is broken down into Top 10s for every position on the pitch as well one for the managers.
Courtesy of Barcelona residency academy The battle to sign young American players
Americans are making an impression on the global game, and Europe's biggest clubs are now rivaling MLS for the country's most gifted young players.
Illustration by ESPN Battle of the Leagues: The final!
Who will be crowned champions of ESPN's Battle of the Leagues, presented by EA Sports FIFA 22? Will Ligue 1 or the Premier League reign supreme?
Peter Powell Powell/EPA The fight for the soul of Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo is back and the club is one of the biggest in the world. But what does that mean to local fans, pushed out by the global game?
Brent Humphreys for ESPN Ricardo Pepi has unstoppable dreams
After a superb start for the USMNT, Ricardo Pepi is ready to take on the world. Wherever he goes, he will carry his borderland hometown with him.
Illustrations by Freak City Which LaLiga team should you root for?
Spain's top flight has arrived on ESPN+ and, if you do not have a favorite team from LaLiga, here is a handy guide to all 20 to help you decide.
Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images How Man Utd got Cristiano Ronaldo to return
In the span of 48 hours, Cristiano Ronaldo left Juventus and, after seemingly agreeing a move to Man City, went back to Man United instead.
Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty Images How Diego Simeone became King of LaLiga
Simeone embodies everything that is cool about Atletico Madrid: Gritty, intense and a LaLiga champion, he tells ESPN what makes him tick.
Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images How Messi came to leave Barcelona for PSG
As August began, everyone thought Lionel Messi would remain a Barcelona player. Before the month reached its halfway mark, he was unveiled by PSG.
Alexander Wells Messi at Barcelona: The ultimate history
The unthinkable happened: Lionel Messi left Barcelona. But as this interactive timeline shows, he will be known as the club's greatest-ever player.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images Denmark sends emotional message to Eriksen
Following the national team star's shocking cardiac arrest, Denmark rallied in support of Christian Eriksen with a tribute-filled Copenhagen mural.
JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images Mara Gomez: 'Football saved my life'
In 2020, Gomez became the first transgender woman to play professionally in Argentina. She talks to ESPN about her remarkable journey.
ESPN Illustration The 39 best male players age 21 or under
Welcome to the next generation! Players from 15 countries and six leagues are named by Tor-Kristian Karlsen, a former scout and sporting director.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Stories from the pandemic season
The 2020-21 Premier League campaign was unlike any other. ESPN talked to people around the game about their experiences and lessons learned.
ESPN Illustration The 21 best female players age 21 or under
Welcome to the next generation of women's stars. With Catarina Macario leading the way, our list is dominated by players from the U.S. and England.
Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images Joe Bryan on anxiety, fear and wanting to help
The defender tackled his anxiety and mental health head-on at Fulham. Now he wants to help others do the same and normalise the conversation.
ESPN ESPN FC Women's Rank: The 50 best players
An American World Cup winner is No. 1, followed by an Australian star forward, in an ESPN FC and espnW celebration of the sport's elite.
Marcelo Boeri/El Grafico/Getty Images How Barcelona signed Messi, 13, with a napkin
On Dec. 14, 2000, Barcelona agreed a deal that would take Lionel Messi to Spain and change the course of soccer history. Here's how they did it.
ESPN Why Haaland can become the world's best
Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland is writing history with every game he plays, and he is only 20 years old. But the Norwegian wants a lot more.
Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images Trinity Rodman set to make her name in soccer
"Moving forward, it's going to be nice to distinguish that yes, [Dennis] was a successful NBA player, but I am going to be a successful NWSL player."
ESPN Illustration Who is your country's greatest male player?
Messi or Maradona? Is Pele Brazil's No. 1? Dempsey or Donovan in the U.S.? What about England? We try to settle the debates.
AP Photo/Carlo Fumagalli Maradona, though flawed, was one of the best
Diego Maradona is gone, but as Lionel Messi put it, "he'll be with us for eternity." As well as his legacy, the scope of his talent and humanity will endure.
ESPN Illustration They wore that? All-time worst kits, ranked
Man United's invisible grey, Liverpool's 'Crystanbul' attire, Barcelona's Tequila Sunrise; there have been some shockers. But only one had tassels...
Getty Football can drive the social justice message
My message is simple, writes Shaka Hislop: Whether you speak out or stay silent, show up and be a part of the movement.
ESPN Illustration The worst Premier League transfers of all-time
Look away now, Fernando Torres, Mario Balotelli and Bebe; Bill Barnwell is back to reveal the worst moves in Premier League history.
Getty Upcoming fixtures
What's ahead in the Premier League, Champions League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS and more.
(Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) Latest scores
Updates, results from Premier League, Champions League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS and more.
Alberto Saiz/AP Photo League tables
Updated standings from the Premier League, Champions League, LaLiga, MLS and more.