AP PHOTOS: Boca Juniors and River Plate fans taking their passion to the FIFA Club World Cup
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — They may not have the global stars of Real Madrid or Manchester City, but Boca Juniors and River Plate bring something else: unmatched passion in the stands.
They are Argentina's most popular clubs and fierce rivals. Thousands of their fans are expected to travel to the U.S. for the month-long FIFA Club World Cup that starts Saturday, hoping to recreate the electric atmosphere of Buenos Aires' iconic stadiums, La Bombonera and El Monumental.
From club-crest tattoos and towering banners to chants pledging eternal loyalty or mocking their rivals, these supporters live for their teams. Hardcore groups known as 'barra bravas' lead the noise with drums and trumpets, though some members won't make the trip due to stadium bans or legal troubles.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Details: Franco Mastantuono's massive Real Madrid release clause
An insight into the value of the release clause expected to be inserted into the contract of incoming Real Madrid signing Franco Mastantuono has on Monday been provided. The info comes courtesy of South American outlet DSports, and confirms that those behind the scenes in Spain's capital are ready to do their utmost to protect the 17-year-old's future. Advertisement The name of youngster Mastantuono has of course reemerged as an altogether prominent one in the headlines in Spain's capital over the last couple of days. This comes after widespread confirmation was forthcoming that the capital club have repositioned themselves at the front of the queue for the Argentine prodigy. After it appeared as though they had given up on the 17-year-old's signing, the emergence of Paris Saint-Germain in the race for Mastantuono catapulted Real back into action. To the point that a deal is now in place with River for the attacking midfielder to make the move to the Santiago Bernabéu this summer. And as alluded to above, on Monday, an insight into one of the more noteworthy features of the contract being readied for Mastantuono has been forthcoming. Advertisement As per a report from the aforementioned DSports, Florentino Pérez and co. intend to include a monstrous release clause in their incoming starlet's deal. The value of the clause? €1 billion. Conor Laird – GSFN
Miami Herald
36 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Amid injuries and uncertainty, Inter Miami's Club World Cup debut fast approaches
By the time the first official FIFA Club World Cup practice began Monday morning, it was already 90 degrees on Inter Miami's practice pitch. Even without key players Lionel Messi, Fafa Picault, and Telasco Segovia — who are all out of the country on international fixtures for FIFA World Cup qualifying matches — the men in pink got down to business quickly, running shooting and passing drills. Fans are waiting anxiously for Inter Miami's first stint in the Club World Cup, which takes place Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. The team will open the tournament against Egyptian club Al Ahly, but it's a difficult bet to make on how Miami will fare in the tournament. The team had a particularly treacherous May, losing MLS matches to Minnesota and Orlando and drawing San Jose and Philadelphia. By the end of the month, the team had been mocked mercilessly on social media, and fans were calling for new head coach Javier Mascherano's firing. Before their games versus Montreal and Columbus, Miami had dropped to sixth place in the MLS Eastern Conference standings — a far cry from their high ride at the same time in 2024. But with the Club World Cup fast approaching, the team seemed to turn a corner, blowing out both Montreal and Columbus, 4-2 and 5-1, respectively, to end the month. Once the rest of the star-studded roster returns, things could be looking up for Miami entering the tournament. Except many key players still appear to be down for the count. Star left back Jordi Alba and center back Gonzalo Luján were not present at the first official Club World Cup practice. Both sustained unspecified muscle injuries during the team's win over Montreal and have yet to return. Similarly, midfielder Yannick Bright, who suffered a hamstring injury during the team's match versus Philadelphia was off training and rehabbing to the side with fellow midfielder David Ruiz. Ruiz sustained an injury early in the season and has been out since March. Both midfielders spent the hot, Monday morning practice working on cardio and agility, but notably did not work with the ball or the rest of the team on any shooting or passing drills. In happier news for Inter Miami fans, both goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, who just signed a contract extension with the team through 2026, and 20-year-old center back Tomas Aviles were back training with the team Monday morning following injuries which took them off the roster in mid-May. They looked to be in top form – Aviles worked through all of practice with the majority of the team on the pitch, while Ustari kept ball after ball out of the net during drills with fellow goalkeepers Rocco Ríos Novo and Will Yarbrough. But with a crucial week for the team ahead, it's ultimately uncertain who will take the field versus Al Ahly on Saturday. Will Ustari's and Aviles' return to practice keep them in good shape for the match? How will Messi, Picault, and Segovia, alongside rising young stars Benjamin Cremaschi and Santiago Morales, fare during their time abroad? Only time will tell.
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Can the inexperienced Cristian Chivu's playing success translate to the dugout at Inter Milan?
Associated Press MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan appointed Cristian Chivu as coach on Monday despite his relative inexperience, and he will hope to be as successful as he was in his playing career with the Nerazzurri. The 44-year-old Romanian replaces Simone Inzaghi, who resigned last Tuesday and took charge of Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal the following day. 'FC Internazionale Milano is pleased to welcome Cristian Chivu as the new head coach of the first team,' the club said. 'The coach has signed a contract with Inter until 30 June 2027.' The appointment was announced by the Champions League runner-up just hours after Serie A rival Parma agreed to terminate Chivu's contract. Italian media reports that Chivu will earn 2.5 million euros ($2.9 million) a season. Al-Hilal lured Inzaghi with an offer of reportedly more than 20 million euros ($23 million) per season. Chivu has overseen only 13 matches in Serie A, securing safety with Parma after being given his first senior coaching position in February. Parma was in a dire position when it turned to Chivu, having lost four straight matches and sitting 18th in the 20-team league. Chivu swiftly turned things around and only lost three of his 13 matches in charge, recording impressive results against eventual champion Napoli, Juventus, Atalanta and Inter itself. He had spent the previous seven years in charge of various youth teams at Inter, where he ended his playing career in 2014. The former Romania defender was part of Inter's famous treble-winning team in 2010, lifting the Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup trophies. He also helped the Nerazzurri to another two Serie A titles among the nine trophies amassed during his seven years at the club. Chivu will not have much time to settle, with Inter scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on Wednesday for the Club World Cup. It opens up against Monterrey on June 17 and also plays Urawa Red Diamonds and River Plate in the group stage. Inzaghi had spent four seasons at Inter. His final match in charge was the 5-0 rout by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final at the end of last month. The 49-year-old Inzaghi coached Inter to the Serie A title last year and was also in charge when the club lost the 2023 Champions League final to Manchester City. __ AP soccer: in this topic
