Lionel Messi suspended for not taking part in the MLS All Star game.
Messi did not play with the MLS All Star team in their match on Wednesday and are suspended. Messi and Jordi Alba have both been suspended in the league and will miss Inter Miami’s league match on Saturday against FC Cincinnati.
Per the league riles, if a player does not participate in the MLS All Star game without having prior approval from tbe league will be ineligible to take part in their next league match.
Flamengo have opened negotiations to sign Lucas Beltrán from Fiorentina.
The Brazilian club are interested in signing the Argentine forward. According to César Luis Merlo and Raisa Simplicio, Flamengo have started negotiations and submitted a €15 million bid for Beltrán.
Lucas Beltrán joined Fiorentina from River Plate in 2023 and scored five goals in 33 league matches last season with the club.
Joaquín Panichelli has joined Strasbourg from Alavés.
Panichelli will be playing in France. According to César Luis Merlo, Strasbourg purchased the transfer of the 22 year old from Alavés for €16 million.
The Argentine is set to fly out to France on Sunday to sign a five year deal with the club.
Villarreal are in very advanced negotiations to sign Thiago Fernández from Velez.
Thiago Fernández could be joining Villarreal in La Liga. According to César Luis Merlo, the deal is in its final stages and if the deal is reached, the 21 year old forward will join Velez in January 2026 as a free agent.
Argentina’s U17 national team defeated Valencia U20 2-1 to advance to the semifinals of the 2025 COTIF L’Alcúdia International Tournament. Goals from Ramiro Tulián and Uriel Ojeda secured the win after going down 1-0 in the first half.
After a 2-0 win over Chile in their opening match, Argentina faced Valencia. Argentina struggled in the first half, with limited attacking chances and risky play in their defensive third. A miscommunication between goalkeeper Alain Gómez and his defenders allowed Gabriel Alin to score for Valencia shortly before halftime.
In the second half, Argentina improved their play and created several scoring opportunities. Uriel Ojeda and Tulián both hit the crossbar, and Thomas De Martis missed a close-range chance. Argentina eventually equalized through a cross by Simón Escobar that Tulián converted with a bicycle kick to make it 1-1.
Near the end of the match, Tulián took a shot that the Valencia goalkeeper failed to control. Ojeda reacted quickly and scored from the rebound, giving Argentina the lead and sealing the win.
Although the tournament is for U20 players, Argentina chose to field their U17 team, made up mostly of players born in 2008 who recently competed in the South American U17 Championship. Coach Diego Placente explained the decision: “We’re using this tournament to prepare the players for the U17 World Cup in November. Competing against older teams helps them adjust to faster, more physical games.”
Argentina will face ADH Brazil this Friday in their last match of Group B.
Argentina’s starting XI vs. Valencia:
Fixture and standing of 2025 COTIF L’Alcudia tournament.
