Portuguese Liga

Angel Di María announces exit from Benfica, future uncertain

May 18 (Reuters) - Angel Di María will not return for Benfica next season, the Argentine forward said after the club failed to win the Liga Portugal following a 1-1 draw at Braga on Saturday, finishing two points below champions Sporting.

The 37-year-old, who retired from international soccer last year after making 145 appearances for Argentina, has spent five years at Benfica in two spells, having re-joined the club in 2023 after playing for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris St Germain and Juventus.

Major League Soccer is a top ten league in the world, according to Opta

MLS is the real deal, folks.

Major League Soccer has solidified its position among the world’s top-tier soccer leagues, now ranked as the ninth-best league globally, according to Opta Analyst.

MLS ranked as ninth-best league in the world, over EFL Championship and Eredivisie

This milestone places MLS above renowned leagues like the English Championship and the Dutch Eredivisie — two leagues in Europe with long histories of having top soccer talents.

FIFA dramatically lower ticket prices for 2025 Club World Cup; U.S. fans not interested

In a surprising move, FIFA has significantly slashed ticket prices for this summer’s inaugural 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.

2025 Club World Cup ticket price drop: FIFA 'panicking' amid low fan interest

Reports from Mail Sport indicate that the cost of the cheapest seats for matches at the last-16 stage and beyond has been reduced by as much as $385, with some tickets for the semi-finals plummeting from an eye-watering $526 to just $140.

Watch: Man Utd manager candidate Rúben Amorim sounds eerily similar to Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United are inching closer to signing Sporting Portugal manager Rúben Amorim in place of fired head coach Erik ten Hag. Red Devils fans have noticed something interesting about their new potential new boss… he sounds quite similar to Cristiano Ronaldo.

In a viral video posted to Twitter, a fan noticed the voice pattern and Portuguese accent of Amorim is immediately recognizable. In fact, all someone has to do is close their eyes and imagine who is talking to hear the Ronaldo similarity.

Ruben Amorim sounds like Ronaldo

Pepe: The most underrated defender of all time?

Nowadays, there’s really no debating on whether titles and filled trophy cabinets define a player’s legacy. Of course, there are multiple players whose cabinets are filled without having played important roles in their respective teams. 

Well, that’s not the case with Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira, Pepe.

The Brazilian-born, yes, Brazilian, is inarguably one of Portugal and Real Madrid’s greatest legends. The three-time UEFA Champions League and 2016 Euro winner is the definition of “football heritage.”

Cold-blooded — SC Braga goalkeeper nutmegs opponent while being up one goal in the 90th minute

Goalkeepers of the game are often understood as the less technical and skillful players on the field, as their main duty is to use their hands to stop the opposing team from putting the ball in the back of their net. 

However, a goalkeeper in Portugal threw the stereotypical script out the window and pulled off one of the most disrespectful nutmegs we’ve ever seen.

Watch: U-21 SC Braga goalkeeper nutmegs opponent inside the box

He might be him.

Regional team goes nuts after getting drawn against Sporting CP in Portuguese Cup

The players for the fifth tier Portuguese club Olivais e Moscavide had an awesome reaction when it was revealed they would play giants Sporting Portugal in the next round of the Portuguese Cup competition.

The tournament known as Taça de Portugal is the annual knockout tournament in the country open to professional and amateur clubs. Moscavide, who play in a regional league in the fifth tier, have progressed to the third round of the tournament and will get to play one of the big boys.

Here was their reaction.

56-year-old Kazuyoshi Miura makes his debut in the Portuguese second division

Former Japan striker Kazuyoshi Miura added yet another achievement to his age-defying career on Saturday, making his debut for Portuguese second-tier club Oliveirense at the age of 56.

Miura, who joined Oliveirense on loan from Yokohama FC earlier this year, came on in the 90th minute of a 4-1 win at Académico de Viseu.

According to a report on the Portuguese league's website, Miura's appearance made him "the oldest footballer ever to play in Portuguese football, with 56 years, one month and 24 days."

Aman sus goles: Los clubes que se pelean a Santi Giménez

La campaña debut de Santiago Giménez en el fútbol europeo ha sido de ensueño. Pese a que no comenzó de titular y al golpe anímico que significó no ir al Mundial de Catar 2022, Bebote poco a poco ha ido conquistando los corazones de los aficionados del Feyenoord, a la vez que empieza a despertar el interés de otros equipos del Viejo Continente.

El delantero mexicano lleva 16 goles (9 en la Eredivisie) y se acerca a la marca de 20 que tienen Luis García y Javier Hernández, los mexicanos más efectivos en su primera temporada en el Viejo Continente.

The legend keeps growing: Perennial Japanese star King Kazu joins second-tier Oliveirense at age 55

Kazuyoshi Miura will continue his professional career in Portugal at the age of 55 after the former Japan striker joined second-tier Oliveirense on loan from Yokohama FC, the Portuguese club said on Wednesday.

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