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Real Madrid denies plans to appoint sporting director 

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Real Madrid has stated that rumors on considering incorporating a sports director into its structure are categorically false.

According to Fabrizio Romano’s X post on Friday, the club was quoted as saying, “Real Madrid extraordinarily values the work that the club’s sports management has been carrying out, which has allowed us to live through one of the most successful periods in our entire history with the achievement of numerous titles, including 6 European Cups in ten years.”

It strongly reaffirm confidence in its current sporting management structure.

It also praise the existing leadership, crediting it for one of the most successful eras in the club’s history.

As evidence, they point to major achievements, including six UEFA Champions League titles in the last decade.

Overall, it’s a standard club statement aimed at shutting down speculation while reinforcing trust in their current internal setup.

Madrid have long operated with a distinct organisational model, where key transfer and sporting decisions are primarily overseen by senior executives and trusted football leadership rather than a traditional sporting director structure common in many European clubs.

The club’s denial comes amid continued speculation in Spanish football media about potential internal changes, particularly as elite clubs across Europe increasingly adopt centralized sporting director systems to streamline recruitment and long-term squad planning.

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2026 World Cup: It was pure pressure – Oliseh speaks on South Africa’s defeat to Mexico

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Former Super Eagles midfielder, Sunday Oliseh, has said South Africa’s 2-0 loss to Mexico in the 2026 World Cup opener, was due to “pure pressure”.

Speaking on his podcast after the game, Oliseh insisted the defeat had nothing to do with tactics.

Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored for the co-hosts, while Bafana Bafana were reduced to nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane received straight red cards.

“Finally, the World Cup is here,” Oliseh said.

“80,000 fans at the Azteca, a beautiful opening ceremony and we all expected a romantic replay of the 2010 in South Africa.

“But we actually just witnessed was absolute psychological warfare.

“Mexico won 2-0 but this wasn’t about tactics. It was about pure pressure. South Africa didn’t lose because they are a poor side. Believe me. They lost because the stage seems to be simply too big for them.

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World Cup 2026: ‘It’ll be difficult’ – Argentina coach, Scaloni speaks on winning trophy again

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Argentina coach, Lionel Scaloni, has acknowledged that defending the FIFA World Cup presents a significant challenge, as La Albiceleste are scheduled to commence their title defense against Algeria on June 17.

Just over three and a half years ago, Argentina was crowned world champions for the third time after triumphing over France in a penalty shootout in Qatar.

Since their victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Scaloni’s squad has suffered only four defeats in international friendlies, the 2024 Copa America, and the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

They have also secured victories in all five of their most recent matches, with their latest performance being a decisive 3-0 win against Iceland. Their impeccable record in the preparatory matches leading up to the 2026 World Cup has propelled them to the top of the latest FIFA rankings.

After the friendly match against Iceland, Scaloni remarked that winning a consecutive FIFA World Cup title is a formidable task, but he assured that his players will exert maximum effort on the field in North America.

He said, “It is quite challenging to claim that we will win the World Cup again, as it is very difficult; however, I can assure you that these players will give their all on the pitch. We will strive until the very end.”

In addition to Algeria, Argentina has been placed in Group J alongside Austria and Jordan. The three-time world champions aim to become the first team to secure back-to-back titles since Brazil in 1962.

According to Opta’s latest forecast, Argentina is currently the fourth favorite, with a 10.5% chance of winning the tournament.

See also  South Africa coach Broos shifts focus to World Cup after AFCON exit

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Messi scores on injury return as Argentina beat Iceland in World Cup warm-up

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Lionel Messi scored within minutes of making his return from an injury scare as Argentina beat Iceland 3-0 in their final World Cup warm-up in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday.

Messi started on the bench as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is eased back to fitness after exiting Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over Philadelphia with muscle fatigue on May 24.

He was joined on the sidelines at the start by Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister as Lionel Scaloni named an experimental line-up in front of an 88,000-capacity crowd.

Messi is set to feature in his sixth World Cup and allayed fears he may not be ready for the start of the tournament in a supreme 20-minute cameo.

Argentina begin their defence of the World Cup against Algeria on June 16 before also facing Austria and Jordan in Group J.

Iceland should have taken the lead inside the first few minutes when Mikael Egill Ellertsson blasted over with the goal gaping.

Instead, the three-time world champions took an early lead.

Iceland could only partially clear a goalmouth scramble inside their box, and the ball broke to Strasbourg defender Valentin Barco to fire into the bottom corner.

Nico Paz failed to make the most of his chance to shine in Messi’s absence and wasted a big chance to make it 2-0 before half-time when his powerful hit was repelled by the face of Iceland goalkeeper Elias Olafsson.

Fernandez and Mac Allister were introduced among five Argentine changes at the break.

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Lautaro Martinez was another to make his entrance at half-time and twice hit the post when he should have doubled Argentina’s advantage.

The expectant crowd had to wait until the final quarter for Messi to make his appearance.

With his first involvement, Messi’s brilliant pass played in Martinez, who was wiped out by Olafsson as he chipped the ball wide.

Messi made no mistake by slotting in his 117th international goal on his 199th cap.

He was involved again for Argentina’s third goal as Messi’s pass fed Rodrigo De Paul, who squared for Thiago Almada to tap in.

AFP

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