Defender Daley Blind has completed his move from Manchester United to former club Ajax, for a fee that could eventually rise to £18.5m. Blind, 28, joined United from Ajax for £13.8m in 2014, when fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal was in charge. The Netherlands international was a regular under Van Gaal – but his appearances have reduced since Jose Mourinho arrived at Old Trafford.
Croatia had a celebratory homecoming after their best finish in a World Cup. Thousands gathered in Bana Jelacica Square in Zagreb on Monday to welcome the side home.
World Cup winners France were welcomed home by hundreds of thousands of supporters as they paraded down the Champs Elysees in Paris on Monday. France beat Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow on Sunday to win the tournament for the second time in 20 years. They were given a raucous reception at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport before their parade through the capital city.
It was the day ‘The Myth’ became reality. ‘CR7 Day’. The day Italian football’s most expensive signing – and one of the top four of all time – showed off his new colours. “Historic” was how one journalist described Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival at Juventus on Monday. He was not wrong. About 200 journalists were at the Allianz Stadium for the unveiling of the five-time world footballer of the year. And, though his signing was announced last week, there was still a sense of disbelief he was a Juventus player; even the club described him as ‘The Myth’.
Diego Maradona was presented as chairman of Belarusian team Dinamo Brest at a colourful reception. The Argentina legend has been watching the World Cup in Russia this summer, making plenty of headlines. Brest, who are sixth in the Belarusian Premier League, announced the arrival of the 57-year-old in May. At his presentation, Maradona – who left his role as coach of Al Fujairah in the UAE earlier this year – was given a ring and signed various items.
Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt is in talks for a trial to play football in Australia, his agent says. The Jamaican former sprinter, 31, is negotiating a six-week stint with the Central Coast Mariners, a team in the country’s A-League competition. Club officials said “if all goes well”, Bolt could be signed for a season. His agent, Tony Rallis, said the trial had been agreed “in principle”. Bolt has previously trained with clubs in Germany, Norway and South Africa. The 100m and 200m world record holder, who retired from athletics last year, has previously spoken about his interest in becoming a professional footballer.
Former France forward Thierry Henry has announced he is leaving Sky Sports to focus on his “long-term ambition to become a football manager”. The 40-year-old was Belgium’s assistant coach during this summer’s World Cup, having taken the role in 2016. He has been a Sky pundit since retiring as a player in December 2014.
Cristiano Ronaldo says he is “grateful for the opportunity” given to him by Juventus, as players of his age “usually go to Qatar or China”. The 33-year-old Portugal forward has joined the Italian champions for £99.2m after nine years at Real Madrid. “To come to this club at this stage of my career, I am very happy,” he said at his presentation in Turin. Ronaldo also said he hopes to be the “lucky star” as the Italian side attempt to win the Champions League. He added he had not received any other offers.
France’s victorious football World Cup team is to receive the country’s highest accolade, the Légion d’Honneur, the French presidency has announced. France defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow on Sunday – the country’s second World Cup in 20 years. Crowds of fans gathered at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport on Monday to give the team a hero’s welcome. The players will be honoured with a parade on the Champs-Elysees and a presidential reception.
Russian authorities have charged four members of the punk activist group Pussy Riot for disrupting the World Cup final by running onto the pitch. They are accused of violating the rules for spectators at sporting events and of wearing police uniforms illegally. The two offences carry maximum fines of 10,000 roubles and 1,500 roubles, respectively. Pussy Riot said it was a protest against human rights abuses in Russia. Stewards hauled the four off the pitch. The incident interrupted the second half of the Croatia v France match for about 25 seconds. France went on to win 4-2.
Argentina and manager Jorge Sampaoli have “mutually agreed” to terminate his contract in the wake of the team’s disappointing 2018 World Cup campaign. The 2014 runners-up went out of the tournament courtesy of a 4-3 defeat by France at the last-16 stage. Sampaoli, 58, took charge of his home country in May 2017 and the team scraped through qualifying.
Britain’s Anthony Joshua will defend his world heavyweight titles against Russian Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium on 22 September. The 28-year-old unified the WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles with a unanimous points win over New Zealander Joseph Parker in Cardiff in March. Unbeaten in 21 professional bouts, he now faces 38-year-old Povetkin, the WBA champion from 2011-2013. Povetkin knocked out David Price on the Joshua-Parker undercard in Cardiff.
Novak Djokovic earned his first Grand Slam title in more than two years by beating Kevin Anderson to win his fourth Wimbledon championship. Djokovic, seeded 12th, won 6-2 6-2 7-6 (7-3) to claim a 13th Slam – his first major since the 2016 French Open. The Serb, 31, quickly took control to win the opening set in 29 minutes, breaking twice more in the second set. Djokovic saw off five set points in an even third set before dominating the tie-break to seal victory.
Golden Ball (Player Of The Tournament): Luka Modric (Croatia)
Young Player Award: Kylian Mbappe (France)
Golden Boot (Highest Goal Scorer): Harry Kane (England)
Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
France won the 20148 FIFA World Cup for the second time by beating Croatia 4 – 2 in a thrilling final in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. Didier Deschamps’ side repeated the success on home soil at France ’98 by a margin that hardly looked possible as Croatia stood toe-to-toe with the favourites for an hour.
West Ham have signed Paraguay defender Fabian Balbuena from Corinthians on a three-year deal. The 26-year-old joins the Hammers for an undisclosed fee after two years with the Brazilian top flight side. Balbuena, who captained Corinthians and has seven international caps, becomes West Ham’s sixth summer signing.
Maurizio Sarri says he wants to bring “entertaining football” to Chelsea after becoming their manager on a three-year deal. The 59-year-old replaces fellow Italian Antonio Conte, who was sacked on Friday after two years at Stamford Bridge. Sarri led Napoli to two second-place finishes in his three seasons in charge of the Serie A side, who named Carlo Ancelotti as his successor in May.
Chelsea have signed Italy international Jorginho from Napoli after Manchester City pulled out of a £50m deal. Jorginho, 26, has signed a five-year contract to join former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge. On Thursday, City were assured by Jorginho’s agent that the midfielder still wanted to join them, despite Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis saying the player favoured Chelsea.
Angelique Kerber beat seven-time champion Serena Williams to win her first Wimbledon title and spoil the American’s dream comeback as a mum. The German 11th seed, 30, beat the 23-time Grand Slam champion 6-3 6-3 to add this title to her 2016 Australian Open and US Open crowns.
Saturday 14 July
Belgium 2 – 0 England
Belgium go home with the bronze medal.
