Serie A

Paul Pogba is reportedly returning to Juventus, where he played from 2012 through 2016, on a free transfer following the conclusion of his contract with Manchester United.

ESPN's Julien Laurens reported Wednesday that Juve agreed to a four-year deal with the 29-year-old midfielder, who will formally announce the reasons behind his decision Friday on the Amazon documentary, The Pogmentary.

It's the second time Pogba will complete the United-to-Juventus switch. He started his senior career with the Red Devils in 2011 before joining the Italian club the following year.

The France international enjoyed ample success during his first stint with the Vecchia Signora, including four consecutive Serie A titles, before returning to Old Trafford.

Pogba's second stint with United didn't yield nearly as much success as the club raised just two trophies, the Europa League and EFL Cup titles in 2017, and his role diminished throughout the 2021-22 season. He tallied one goal and nine assists in 20 Premier League matches and no goals or assists in six Champions League appearances.

Last week, the midfielder explained on Uninterrupted (h/t ESPN) he was using his opportunity to move on a free transfer to find the best personal situation.

"I need to enjoy what I do because otherwise I cannot perform well," Pogba said. "I don't want to be thinking negatively. We can be losing games, trophies but you have to be happy and enjoy yourself—that's what I'm looking for."

The 2018 World Cup champion, who's expected to help France defend that title in Qatar starting in November, opted for Juventus amid reported interest from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

He'll attempt to provide a boost to the Juve attack. In 2021-22, the club finished fourth in the Serie A table and got knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16.

Pogba, who's scored 34 goals in 178 matches across all competitions for Juventus, is a strong bet to produce a bounce-back term starting in August.

United States men's national team star and Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie fractured the third and fourth metatarsals of his left foot in his club's 1-1 draw with Villarreal in the Champions League, according to Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano.

McKennie was subbed off in the 81st minute for Denis Zakaria.

The injury is bad news for both Juve and the USMNT.

McKennie has started 20 Serie A matches and three Champions League fixtures for Juventus, establishing himself as a key piece of the midfield.

The Italian club will now be without his services as it looks to close a nine-point gap on Serie A leader AC Milan. A win over Villarreal in the second leg is far from assured as well, so his absence raises the odds of a third successive UCL exit in the round of 16.

For the USMNT, the situation might be even worse.

The United States is second in the 2022 World Cup qualifying table with matches against Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica to come in March. For the moment, the team is on pace to qualify for the World Cup, but that outlook can easily change.

Only four points separate the U.S. from Panama in fourth place, which would mean dropping into the qualifying playoff. It's not out of the question for Gregg Berhalter's squad to fall all the way to fifth—Costa Rica trails the United States by five points—and thus miss the World Cup altogether for the second cycle in a row.

With those three crucial fixtures on the horizon, Berhalter will have to forge ahead without one of his top performers in recent months.

Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca is among the American investors who've purchased a 55-percent ownership stake in Italian soccer club Atalanta.

Susy Campanale of Football Italia reported Saturday the agreement allows the Percassi family to remain the single largest shareholder with its 45-percent stake.

"Antonio and Luca Percassi will retain their respective roles of chairman and CEO of the club, while Stephen Pagliuca will be appointed co-chairman of the club," the Serie A team said in a statement.

Atalanta finished third in the 20-team top flight of Italian soccer last season. La Dea sit fifth in the Serie A table and will spend the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign trying to fight for a spot in the top four, which leads to a berth in next season's UEFA Champions League.

The club finished third in its group in this season's UCL behind England's Manchester United and Spain's Villarreal, sending it out of the competition and into the Europa League knockout playoffs.

Atalanta was founded in 1907, and the Percassi family said its goal with the sale to American investors is to help broaden the global appeal of the club, per Campanale.

Pagliuca also released a statement as part of the sale, saying the Italian side and the Celtics share a lot in common:

"We are thrilled to partner with the Percassi family and to support the future development of the club. Atalanta and Boston Celtics share the common sports values: teamwork and an extraordinary relationship with the fans and the community. We believe that the Percassi family has built very solid foundations on which to work together to strengthen the brand globally, with the aim of encouraging further diversification and growth of revenues, allowing the club to become more and more competitive on Italian and international scene."

Pagliuca, a 67-year-old New York City native who's made his fortune through the Bain Capital investment firm, serves as the managing partner and alternate governor of the Celtics.

No other members of the investment group were mentioned by name in the announcement.

Atalanta's next match is scheduled for Sunday when it visits Stadio Artemio Franchi to take on Fiorentina in Serie A.

Manchester United has reportedly decided to challenge Premier League rival Manchester City in the race to sign Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who played at Old Trafford from 2003 through 2009.

Ed Aarons and Fabrizio Romano of the Guardian reported Friday that United have opened talks with Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes. City have been heavily linked to the forward but haven't made a formal offer ahead of Tuesday's summer transfer window deadline.

Although Ronaldo started his career with Sporting CP in his native Portugal, his transformation into a football legend kicked into overdrive after his arrival at United in 2003.

The dynamic attacking threat recorded 118 goals across 292 appearances for the Red Devils, including 42 during the 2007-08 campaign, providing a glimpse of what was to come at Real Madrid.

Ronaldo joined Los Blancos in 2009 and proceeded to score at least 50 goals six times during his nine-year stay at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner remained a force following his move to Juve in 2018, scoring 33 goals in 39 appearances between Serie A and the Champions League last season.

Now the question is where the 36-year-old will land after Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri revealed Friday that the forward had expressed his intention to leave the club.

"Yesterday, Cristiano told me that he no longer has any intention to play for Juventus," Allegri told reporters. "For this reason, he will not be called up for tomorrow's game."

Romano reported City had stopped negotiations with the Portugal international, and he also noted United are growing "confident" in securing a reunion.

It would be quite a coup for the Red Devils, who would not only land a player who's still capable of carrying an attacking unit on his shoulders but also keep him away from their crosstown rivals.

City don't lack star power in attack, with Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres among manager Pep Guardiola's options, but Ronaldo could have made the group borderline unstoppable as the club seeks its first Champions League triumph.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo would join Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho in United's attacking unit if a deal is finalized.

It's unclear whether any other European giants plan to join the Ronaldo sweepstakes before Tuesday's transfer deadline, but it appears United are in the driver's seat.

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri said Friday that superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo has told him of his intention to leave the club before the summer transfer window closes Tuesday.

"Yesterday, Cristiano told me that he no longer has any intention to play for Juventus," Allegri told reporters. "For this reason, he will not be called up for tomorrow's game."

Juve are scheduled to host Empoli on Saturday after opening the 2021-22 Serie A campaign with a 2-2 away draw against Udinese. Ronaldo entered as a substitute in that match, and it looks to have been his final appearance for the club.

Although Ronaldo has been heavily linked with a transfer to Premier League champions Manchester City, ESPN's Andrew Cesare Richardson reported Friday that Juventus hadn't received an "official offer from any club."

The 36-year-old joined Juve in July 2018 after a nine years at Real Madrid. He's also played for Sporting CP and Manchester United during a career that's highlighted by five UEFA Champions League triumphs and five Ballons d'Or.

Ronaldo hasn't commented on his preferred transfer destination, but he made an Instagram post earlier in August to strike back against the "frivolous way" rumors are handled.

"I'm breaking my silence now to say that I can't allow people to keep playing around with my name," Ronaldo wrote. "I remain focused on my career and in my work, committed and prepared for all the challenges that I have to face. Everything else? Everything else is just talk."

Of course, leaving his future up in the air until the final days of the transfer window creates a breeding ground for speculation.

No major competition for City has emerged, which could create leverage issues for Juventus with Ronaldo having informed the club of his intention to leave.

Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News reported the Sky Blues "hold most of the aces" in the talks and could land the forward for between £17million and £25million ($23 million to $34 million).

It would be a major addition for City in their quest to win the Champions League for the first time. Ronaldo is still an attacking force, scoring 33 goals in 39 appearances between Serie A and the UCL last term.

He would join a forward group that also includes Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres if he ends up at Etihad Stadium.

A Ronaldo transfer would also cap a remarkable transfer window that also saw Lionel Messi, Jack Grealish, Romelu Lukaku and Sergio Ramos among the high-profile players on the move.

Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe could also join the list before Tuesday, with Fabrizio Romano and Ed Aarons of The Guardian reporting Real Madrid have bid $200 million for the forward.

Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo has "definitely decided to leave" his current club amid transfer speculation, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Romano added Ronaldo won't be available for the next match, and Juventus is awaiting an official bid from Manchester City.

Rodrigo Faez and Gabriele Marcotti of ESPN reported Manchester City are "close" to reaching an agreement to sign the forward. Juventus are reportedly seeking around €28 million on a transfer fee.

The move would come just over a week after Ronaldo fired back at transfer rumors in an Instagram post.

"More than the disrespect for me as a man and as a player, the frivolous way that my future is covered in the media is disrespectful to all the clubs involved in these rumours, as well as to their players and staff," the player wrote.

Manchester City could be looking for a new high-priced option after initial target Harry Kane reaffirmed his commitment to Tottenham.

The reigning Premier League champions already set a British record with the acquisition of Jack Grealish to go with other attacking players like Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and others. The club could now get even stronger by adding one of the best players in the world over the last 20 years.

Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or five times in his career, helping Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus all win league titles. He has a combined five Champions League titles in his career and could help Manchester City win its first after losing in the final last year.

The 36-year-old also remains a threat on the pitch, scoring 60 goals in 66 Serie A matches over the last two seasons.

It could create an exciting partnership if Manchester City is able to complete the move before the transfer window closes Tuesday.  

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri said superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed he wants to remain with the Serie A club despite a recent round of transfer rumors. 

"Cristiano has always trained well and has never expressed his desire to leave Juventus," Allegri told reporters Saturday. "He told me that he's staying, so we can clear that one up."

ESPN FC's Gabriele Marcotti reported the latest speculation popped up Monday after journalist Edu Aguirre said on El Chiringuito de Jugones, a Spanish television show focused on La Liga, that Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti remained in communication with Ronaldo and suggested a potential return to Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Ancelotti denied the report in a statement posted on Twitter, and Ronaldo, whose contract runs out after the 2021-22 season, made a post Tuesday on Instagram about the "disrespect" shown to him by the "frivolous way" rumors about his future are thrown around in constant fashion:

My story at Real Madrid has been written. It's been recorded. In words and numbers, in trophies and titles, in records and in headlines. It's in the Museum at the Bernabeu Stadium and it's also in the minds of every fan of the club. And beyond what I achieved, I remember that in those nine years I had a relationship of deep affection and respect for 'merengue aficion,' an affection and respect that I retain to this day, and that I will always cherish. I know that the true Real Madrid fans will continue to have me in their hearts, and I will have them in mine.

His frustration didn't stop the speculation from picking up steam once again when he missed a training match Thursday, but Allegri noted that was a planned rest.

"Ronaldo didn't play on Thursday because we were coming off a heavy training workload and I gave him half a day off," Allegri said Saturday. "[He] is an added bonus for us, because he guarantees a large number of goals. Obviously, we also have to work as a team to get the best out of an individual."

Unfortunately for the 36-year-old Portuguese international, his status as one of the world's most high-profile athletes combined with a contract that's nearing a conclusion means the transfer talk will likely be consistent until next summer or when he signs a new deal with Juve.

For now, Ronaldo is focused on trying to help the Bianconeri bounce back after a 2020-21 term when they finished fourth in Serie A, ending a run of nine straight titles, and were eliminated from the Champions League in the round of 16.

Juventus kick off the new domestic campaign Sunday when they visit Stadio Friuli to face Udinese.

Ronaldo scored four goals in the two meetings between the sides last season.

Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't have any plans to change clubs this summer. 

Amid a flurry of rumors that he might be on the move to Paris Saint-Germain or his former club Real Madrid, the Juventus superstar set the record straight in an Instagram post Tuesday. 

"More than the disrespect for me as a man and as a player, the frivolous way that my future is covered in the media is disrespectful to all the clubs involved in these rumours, as well as to their players and staff," he wrote in part.

As for Real Madrid, Ronaldo added that his story at the club "has been written. It’s been recorded. In words and numbers, in trophies and titles, in records and in headlines. It’s in the Museum at the Bernabeu Stadium and it’s also in the minds of every fan of the club."

And per the rumors linking him to other clubs, Ronaldo wrote that "there have been frequent news and stories associating me with a number of clubs in many different Leagues, with nobody ever being concerned about trying to find out the actual truth."

The Ronaldo-to-PSG buzz seems to center around the rumor that Kylian Mbappe desires a move to Real Madrid, with the Parisians keen to replace him with Ronaldo. That, of course, would be entirely reliant on PSG's willingness to sell Mbappe in the first place. If the French superstar refuses to sign a new deal this summer, PSG could perhaps be moved to sell to avoid Mbappe's leaving on a free transfer next summer.

But other rumors have linked Ronaldo to another former club of his, Manchester United, or the defending EPL champs, Manchester City.

The latter has been widely linked to Tottenham's wantaway striker Harry Kane, as it is desperate to add an upgrade at the position after opening the season with a 1-0 loss versus Spurs. If City have any interest in Ronaldo, it presumably would be a backup plan in the event a Kane transfer doesn't materialize. 

As for Ronaldo's potential return to Real Madrid, even manager Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed that buzz.

"Cristiano is a Real Madrid legend and has all my affection and respect," he tweeted Tuesday. "I've never considered signing him. We look forward."

Granted, all the buzz is immaterial if the player has no interest in leaving Juventus. Tuesday's Instagram post suggests he isn't going anywhere. 

That's good news for Juventus, which would struggle to replace the 29 goals the 36-year-old posted in 33 Serie A appearances (31 starts) last season. 

Cristiano Ronaldo will become the first men's soccer player to appear in five European Championships in Tuesday's match against Hungary.

The Portuguese national team is set to defend a 2016 championship that saw Ronaldo finally get over the hump on the international stage.

Ronaldo will be making his 22nd appearance overall at the event, which is also a record. He is currently five goals away from becoming the top scorer in men's international soccer history. His 104 goals are behind only Iran's Ali Daei (109) on the all-time list.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players not only of his time, but of all time," Daei said last November. "He is an absolute phenomenon. I would congratulate him directly [on breaking his record], but first he has to get there."

Portugal was dealt a blow to its chances when Joao Cancelo had to leave the camp due to a positive COVID-19 test.