Spain coach Luis de la Fuente defended Lamine Yamal against suggestions of preferential treatment after the forward was allowed to join the national team's training camp later than the rest of the squad.

Yamal did not travel for Spain's Nations League game against the Czech Republic on Thursday because of a knee issue, but he was expected to be available for the match against England on Sunday.

Michael Carrick was fired by Manchester United on Thursday after overseeing the 20-time English champion's worst start to a Premier League season, with U.S. men's coach Mauricio Pochettino a potential candidate to succeed him.

Carrick's departure comes less than six months after he was given a two-year contract and the responsibility of reviving the fortunes of the once-dominant force of English soccer. United hasn't won the league since managerial great Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Kylian Mbappé sat out training Wednesday and France coach Zinedine Zidane gave a first callup to Paris Saint-Germain forward Senny Mayulu ahead of playing Italy in the Nations League.

Mbappé has an issue with his hamstring and will not play Thursday in Milan, sports daily L'Equipe reported, though could be available against Turkey on Sunday in Bordeaux.

The Messi-Ronaldo era has ended in national team soccer and in the UEFA Nations League this week Europe's top strikers resume a long pursuit of the two greats' remarkable goal-scoring totals.

Cristiano Ronaldo's formal retirement from the Portugal team last week leaves his men's record 146 goals as the grail for Harry Kane (on 91), Kylian Mbappé (67) and Erling Haaland (65).

Lamine Yamal will miss Spain's Nations League game against the Czech Republic on Thursday because of a knee issue but is expected to be available for the match against England on Sunday.

The Spanish federation said Monday that Yamal will join the team's training camp late after the forward reported discomfort in his right knee following Barcelona's game against Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league on Sunday.

Lionel Messi has been awarded the 2026 MLS Golden Boot, becoming the first player in league history to win the award in consecutive seasons.

The Inter Miami forward scored a league-high 26 goals this season. He also notched 17 assists and led the league with 43 goal contributions.

Manchester United conceded two goals in less than four minutes against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday to pile more pressure on coach Michael Carrick before his team again rallied.

United ended up salvaging a 4-4 draw, needing two goals in second-half added time to earn a point at Old Trafford.

Barcelona midfielder Fermín López delivered in a big match again, helping the Spanish league leader to come from behind in a 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

In the Premier League, Manchester United gave another erratic performance which was capped by a stunning late comeback.

Cristiano Ronaldo's glorious Portugal career ultimately ended in acrimony.

What a contrast to his great rival Lionel Messi, who also retired from international football this year, but only after leading Argentina to back-to-back World Cup finals.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino now has a serious challenger in his fight for re-election amid the biggest crisis of his 11-year leadership of world football.

FIFA council member Kohzo Tashima — a colleague of Infantino for nearly 11 years — intends to run for president against the incumbent, Japanese media reported on Thursday after a meeting of the national football federation.