🎥 Celebrate Kevin de Bruyne's birthday with this UCL stunner
From Genk prodigy to Chelsea unwanted, Bundesliga stardom with Bremen and Wolfsburg, and ultimately, Man City legend, the Belgian great is unquestionably one of the top attacking midfielders in recent decades, if not longer.
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But his time at Manchester City will no doubt see him remembered as an all-timer both for the club and the Premier League at large, with his influence extended to the continent in the Champions League.
A stunning long-range effort from the Ghent native against Real Madrid is one of the best of his career, with a blockbuster strike beating fellow Red Devil Thibaut Courtois to earn City a 1-1 first-leg draw at a silenced Bernabéu, setting them up for a 4-0 thrashing of the Spanish giants a week later.
Man City would go on to claim UCL honours with a 1-0 win over Inter the following month to finally put a rubber stamp on the club's continental ambitions, with KDB at the heart of it all.
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And with today being the day of his birthday, despite his move to Napoli, De Bruyne's legacy at the Etihad remains cemented.
📸 Julian Finney - 2023 Getty Images
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Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bayern Munich icon Thomas Müller to Whitecaps in latest MLS transfer blockbuster
The MLS hot stove has arguably never been hotter, with Germany and Bayern Munich icon Thomas Müller completing a move to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the latest major move this summer. Müller, 35, is by some measure the biggest star in Whitecaps history, and arguably for any of Canada's three MLS clubs. He is expected to arrive in Vancouver next week for a press conference, and will train with his new teammates the next day. "I'm looking forward to coming to Vancouver to help this team win a championship," said Müller in a Whitecaps press release. "I've heard great things about the city, but first and foremost I'm coming to win. I've had great conversations with [CEO] Axel Schuster and [head coach] Jesper Sørensen, and now I can't wait to play in front of the supporters and to see all of the fans come out to BC Place as we head towards the playoffs." Müller is an all-time great at Bayern, which has long dominated German soccer. A native of the club's home state of Bavaria, Müller joined Bayern's academy as a 10-year-old, spending 25 years with one of Europe's biggest clubs. During that time, Müller played in 756 games (more than anyone in team history), scoring 250 goals. Müller lifted 33 trophies as a Bayern player, including 23 in major competitions like the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup. His final appearance in a Bayern shirt came on July 5 in Bayern's 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain during this summer's Club World Cup. The attacker joins a Vancouver side in the midst of their best season since joining MLS in 2011. The Whitecaps currently sit second in the Western Conference on 45 points, one behind impressive expansion side San Diego FC (with the Canadians holding a game in hand). The 2014 World Cup winner is not the only major star to join an MLS team recently. One of Vancouver's major competitors in the Western Conference, LAFC, is set to announce Son Heung-min on Wednesday after putting up the largest transfer fee in MLS history to sign the former Tottenham captain. In July, Inter Miami signed Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, adding to a star-studded roster that includes Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. Here's what to know about Bayern Munich star Thomas Müller's move to MLS with the Vancouver Whitecaps: Leagues Cup: Inter Miami vs. Pumas UNAM: Time, TV, is Lionel Messi playing tonight? Thomas Muller to Vancouver Whitecaps: How MLS deal works Thomas Müller's move to the Vancouver Whitecaps seems like the simplest thing in the world: he's a free agent, the Whitecaps came up with a contract offer to his liking, and Vancouver has the roster space necessary to add an international player. However, MLS is among the world's most complicated leagues, with a rulebook that could rival the NFL's in some ways. While the on-field rules are still simple — outside of some very minor tweaks regarding things like players leaving the field quickly when substituted, MLS has not modified the sport of soccer — the regulations regarding roster rules, player transfers, and assets used are all notoriously convoluted. In this case, Vancouver is having to jump through two separate hoops. First, to sign Müller at all, they needed to make a separate, asset-for-asset trade with FC Cincinnati thanks to MLS's "discovery priority" rules. Discovery priority — essentially a formalized process of calling dibs on first rights among MLS teams to negotiate with a player — exists to keep MLS teams from bidding against one another when pursuing players who are not currently in the league. It's a holdover from the league's early days, when team owners and league officials could remember the demise of the original North American Soccer League in the mid-1980s. NASL teams spent beyond their means on players, with the league eventually folding as a result. In Müller's case, FC Cincinnati had the top discovery claim on him, which makes for an awkward fit on the surface. After all, how can any MLS team "discover" a global star who has won the biggest competitions in the sport? Furthering the confusion, MLS teams have long figured out that you can still offer hypothetical terms to a player without having discovery priority, as long as you can also afford to make a deal to acquire top dibs somewhere along the way. Despite the problems with nomenclature, the issue here was simple: Cincinnati had genuine interest in signing Müller, and MLS rules require teams with discovery priority to either seriously pursue signing the player in question, or hand the right to negotiate over to another team. Cincinnati reportedly made a serious push to sign Müller, as did other clubs around the world, but ultimately the Bayern legend preferred the offer from the Whitecaps. Cincinnati confirmed on Wednesday that they had received $400,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM, one of several intra-MLS assets that operate like currency for trades, temporary salary cap expansion, and more). In the Müller deal, Vancouver is sending $200,000 in 2025 GAM, $100,000 in 2026 GAM — teams are allocated a base amount of GAM every season, along with additional GAM depending on competitive outcomes — and a potential for $100,000 more from their GAM stockpile to Cincinnati in 2026 if certain, unspecified conditions are met. Believe it or not, this is the state of play after MLS has taken steps to simplify its rules and add transparency. That includes allowing teams to trade actual dollars for players for the first time, which has already been used for several multi-million moves, including FC Cincinnati bringing MVP candidate Evander over from the Portland Timbers for $12 million in February. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Thomas Muller joins Vancouver Whitecaps in major MLS transfer
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Top MLS Transfer Fees: Where Son Lands and Why Messi, Beckham Don't Make List
MLS Top MLS Transfer Fees: Where Son Lands and Why Messi, Beckham Don't Make List Updated Aug. 6, 2025 9:00 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. These global icons would make any shortlist of the greatest MLS signings – but don't look for them on the highest transfer fee list. That list is now topped by Son Heung-min. The South Korean superstar joined LAFC from Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday for a reported fee of $26 million, which would break the MLS record. Interestingly, the biggest international names in MLS history such as Messi and Beckham signed on free transfers – although their annual salaries were among the league's highest (Messi currently makes $20 million a season). So let's look at this in two lists: The top five highest MLS transfer fees, and the five most impactful international stars in the league's history. 1. Son Heung-min: Tottenham Hotspur to LAFC (2025) Reported fee: $26 million Son leaves the Premier League as a legend, helping Spurs win the 2024-25 Europa League to break a 17-year-old trophy drought in North London. Son had 173 goals and registered 101 assists in 454 appearances for the club in all competitions. He'll lead South Korea into the 2026 World Cup, making him a star attraction both on and off the field. ADVERTISEMENT 2. Emmanuel Latte Lath: Middlesbrough to Atlanta United (2025) Reported fee: $22 million Not the most recognizable name for the No. 2 spot on this list, but Latte Lath was a steady contributor in the second-tier English Championship (29 goals in 67 appearances) before joining Atlanta. The Ivory Coast star has 6 goals in 20 appearances for Atlanta, who aren't shy about spending big bucks on talent. Before Son Heung-min's deal to LAFC, it was Emmanuel Latte Lath who had the highest transfer fee for an incoming player to MLS. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - Leagues Cup/MLS via Getty Images) 3. Kévin Denkey: Cercle Brugge to FC Cincinnati (2024) Reported fee: $16.2 million The striker from Togo has shined in his first season in Cincinnati, scoring 12 goals in 20 appearances. Denkey has been a key playmaker for a team that is expected to be among the top MLS Cup contenders. Of note is Denkey's teammate, Evander, who was at the center of the largest intra-league transfer fee ($13.3 million to Portland) in 2025. 4. Thiago Almada: Velez Sarfsfeld to Atlanta United (2022) Reported fee: $16 million A pair of Argentine players who had short stints in Atlanta round out the top-five on the list, even if they had slightly different post-MLS trajectories. Almada became the first and only player to win the World Cup as an MLS player. In 2024, he headed to Brazilian club Botafogo (the second-highest outbound MLS transfer at $24 million) and then his long-desired move to Europe by going to French club Lyon. Earlier this summer, he signed with Atletico Madrid. Not a bad club track. Thiago Almada, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, was once an Atlanta United player. (Photo by Matias Baglietto/NurPhoto via Getty Images) 5. Gonzalo "Pity" Martinez (2019): River Plate to Atlanta United (2019) Reported fee: $14 million Martinez was expected to be a surefire superstar after starring for Buenos Aires powerhouse Buenos Aires. He won the Copa Libertadores in 2018 and was named South America's best player that year. However, he never really caught on in Atlanta and headed to Saudi side Al-Nassr in 2020. Top Five Most Impactful MLS Signings So let's now look at the more recognizable names who starred in MLS. All of these legends were Designated Players, meaning that their salaries were outside of the league-mandated salary cap structure. The DP rule was implemented when Beckham joined in 2007 as a way for clubs to be able to compete for incoming stars. 1. Lionel Messi: Inter Miami (2023-present) Arguably the greatest player of our era, Messi arrived in Miami one year after winning the World Cup. He could have retired after lifting the trophy to Qatar but instead took one more challenge in MLS and joined the team co-owned by Beckham. His impact has been immediate (58 goals in 70 appearances) with two pieces of silverware to his name. Miami remains a heavy favorite to win the MLS Cup this season thanks to their all-everything captain. If Beckham paved the way of global icons coming to MLS, then its Messi who has improbably taken it to another level. 2. David Beckham: LA Galaxy (2007-2012) By the time Beckham announced his shocking decision to leave Real Madrid to play in the MLS, his celebrity had overshadowed his accomplishments on the pitch. But make no mistake: Beckham was more than just a global ambassador for the sport. During his time in Europe, he won the Premier League six times, most famously in 1999, when Manchester United completed the treble. That same year, he was runner-up for the Ballon d'Or. Beckham won back-to-back MLS Cup crowns (2011-2012) before finishing his club career at PSG. His contract with MLS included a clause to purchase a future franchise, which he did for $25 million. By 2020, Inter Miami was up and running and three years later Messi came on board – connecting the two icons that will likely rule the top of the list for years to come. David Beckham hugs Lionel Messi after Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup in 2023. (Photo by) 3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic: LA Galaxy (2018-19) When Ibrahimovic signed with the LA Galaxy in 2018, he took a full-page advertisement in the Los Angeles Times that said, "Dear Los Angeles, you're welcome." And his confidence, while brash, was warranted, as he had won at least one major trophy in the five top-flight European leagues he played in prior to joining MLS, including the La Liga title with Messi and Barcelona in 2009. Ibrahimovic is arguably the most unique player on this list because, despite 36 years old when he came to MLS, he continued to have a successful career in Europe after spending two seasons stateside, and his resume at the club level is excellent. If anything, it's testament to Messi's greatness that Zlatan is not considered the most talented player to ever play in MLS. You're welcome, MLS. Zlatan Ibrahimovic took the league by storm during his tenure with the Galaxy. (Photo by) 4. Thierry Henry: New York Red Bulls (2010-2014) If Beckham was the first big domino to drop in European superstars raising the profile of MLS, Henry was the second and arguably biggest in terms of stature. The French striker was part of Arsenal's Invincibles, which won the Premier League in 2004 without losing a game. He also played at Barcelona alongside Messi, winning the European treble in 2009 before arriving to New Jersey in 2010. With France, he won the World Cup (1998) and the Euros (2000) — and you have one of the most impactful MLS additions of all time. After a legendary career in Europe, France's Thierry Henry became one of the marquee players in MLS. (Photo by) 5. David Villa: NYCFC (2015-18) David Villa's crowning achievement was winning the World Cup with Spain in 2010, but he also had a decorated club career in the following years, winning two La Liga titles and a Champions League alongside Messi at Barcelona, and capping off his European career with one last La Liga title at Atletico Madrid in 2014. Villa joined NYCFC as part of a star-laden lineup in 2015 that include England great Frank Lampard and Italy legend Andrea Pirlo. David Villa had the most success of that Big 3, being named an All-Star for his four seasons at NYCFC and earning MLS MVP honors in 2016. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! share recommended Lionel Messi Has 'Minor' Muscle Injury, Timeline For Return Is Unknown Item 1 of 1
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Joan Laporta reveals dream 2025-26 Champions League opponent for Barcelona
Last season, Barcelona came close to winning a quadruple, but they fell short in the Champions League after losing to Inter in the semi-finals. Hansi Flick's side were won of the best in Europe, but in the end, that honour went to Luis Enrique's all-conquering PSG squad. Had Barcelona beaten Inter, they would have faced PSG in the Champions League final, which was a match that many fans had anticipated. In the end, it was not to be, but there is a chance that the two teams could face each other in the 2025-26 tournament. And that's exactly what Joan Laporta wants, as he told CNN (via MD). 'We didn't play the final against PSG, I hope that with the new format we will cross paths this year. I think PSG did very well last season, they won the Champions League, Ligue 1… They played good football. They have a good coach and a good team and players. Unfortunately, we didn't play against them. But everyone who likes football says that we were the two most competitive teams, in the best shape and that we played the best football in the world last season. Let's see if we can measure ourselves in this one, to see which of the two is better, with respect for the rest of the clubs. Maybe this year another team will appear…' Nuno Mendes in action for PSG vs Arsenal (Image via) Laporta gives approval to new Champions League format Laporta also gave his thoughts on the format of the Champions League, which features a league phase rather than groups. He admitted that he is a fan of the changes made by UEFA. 'I congratulate president Ceferin for how the competition has improved. He knows football and enjoys it and I'm sure he'll like to watch a match between Barcelona and PSG. I hope we have that opportunity next season.'
