Sebastien Haller's time at Borussia Dortmund is over, with the striker completing an emotional move back to a familiar destination in the Netherlands.

• Haller completes transfer from  Dortmund to Utrecht
• The move marks a return to his former club in the Netherlands
• Haller will look to reignite his career

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Dortmund have confirmed that striker Haller has left the club to join Dutch side Utrecht. According to a statement released by the Bundesliga club, the move sees Haller return to a team where he previously played at the start of his career. The Ivory Coast international had a challenging two-year spell in Germany, including a battle with testicular cancer.

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  Haller’s transfer marks the end of a difficult chapter at Borussia Dortmund. Since joining from Ajax in 2022, he made 33 appearances in the Bundesliga and six in the Champions League for BVB. Last season, he had two separate loan spells, first at Spanish club CD Leganes and then at his new permanent home, FC Utrecht. The return to the Eredivisie club is a fresh start for Haller, allowing him to play for a team he knows well and where he has enjoyed success in the past.

• WHAT DORTMUND SAID

  Dortmund's sporting director Sebastian Kehl said in a statement: “Sebastien has written a special story here. He fought his cancer with impressive strength. Now he returns to Utrecht – to a club that means a lot to him and for which he has played regularly in recent months. We wish Sebastien all the best for the future and, above all, good health.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SEBASTIEN HALLER?

  Haller joins FC Utrecht with the Dutch season already underway. The club has two Eredivisie fixtures and two Europa League qualification play-off ties against HSK Zrinjski Mostar scheduled in the coming days, offering Haller an immediate chance to make his mark at his new-old club. He will aim to quickly rediscover his goalscoring form and become a key figure in their attacking plans.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann says he has his plans "well in mind" and is keeping his fingers crossed for Marc-Andre ter Stegen to return soon.

• Hoffenheim's Baumann to start next matches
• Nagelsmann hopeful of Ter Stegen's return soon
• Says he already has a plan

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  With Ter Stegen out injured and out of favour at Barcelona, there have been concerns about his role in the national team ahead of next year's World Cup. The uncertainty around the No. 1 spot sparked talk of Manuel Neuer coming out of international retirement, but Nagelsmann appears to have decided against going down that route, instead revealing that Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann will be trusted for the upcoming World Cup qualifying games until Ter Stegen is fit enough to return.

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  The Barcelona goalkeeper has faced a tough time since his back injury, undergoing successful surgery in July. He initially expected a three-month recovery but may be out for longer in the wake of a dispute with Barcelona that temporarily cost him the captaincy. The issue was resolved his month, but the 33-year-old is unlikely to see much playing time on his return with Hansi Flick and the Catalan club picking new signing Joan Garcia as the undisputed No. 1.

• WHAT NAGELSMANN SAID

  While Nagelsmann already has a backup plan in Baumann, he still has faith in Ter Stegen, suggesting he will be between the sticks at the World Cup. 

  Speaking to , he said of Baumann: "Because I think he played very well for us and has also been playing very consistently in the Bundesliga over the past few years. Baumann is a good footballer who helps us in the build-up play [and is] a reliable character who is good for us and deserves his chance."

  When asked about whether he'll be selecting Neuer or Ter Stegen, Nagelsmann said: "I have my plan in mind, and that is for Marc-Andre ter Stegen to play again when he's healthy. We're keeping our fingers crossed that his rehab goes well, and it currently looks like he'll be healthy again by winter, and then we'll see how things go for him.

  "Of course [Ter Stegen] has to play, he knows that, it's part of the job."

  Asked about Neuer's possible return, he added: "I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that Manu has a good season. The Club World Cup was very, very good, as was the start of the Bundesliga season. So I'm optimistic that he'll have a good season as well. But with us, I have my plans well in mind."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DFB?

  Germany will face Slovakia on September 4 and Northern Ireland on September 7 in World Cup qualification. Alexander Nubel of Stuttgart and Finn Dahmen of Augsburg have been added to the squad. 

The former USMNT player said selections raise questions about the direction of the program 10 months from the 2026 World Cup

Meola disappointed in the roster selection approachThe former goalkeeper expected more narrowed player poolSays upcoming matches will provide significant challengesGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

Addressing Mauricio Pochettino's roster for the September friendlies against South Korea and Japan, World Cup veteran Tony Meola said the USMNT squad selections raise questions about the direction of the program just 10 months out from the 2026 World Cup.

“I am concerned about this roster, period,” Meola said on CBS Sports Golazo. “I'm trying to live by my own words that this is the manager's roster and, we support the manager. And I'm concerned about this roster because… this camp I thought we were going to narrow down. Of course, there’s always one or two tweaks or additions and all of that stuf.

"I'm starting to think that these some of these guys are Pochettino’s guys. And me, personally, I'm gonna have to wrap my head around some of that because when I look at the roster there's no one guy that goes tha jumps off the page. Like there's not one. But when I put them all together, right?… I am a little bit concerned by this roster – and they will get tested in these two games, by the way.”

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At the same time, Meola acknowledged that managers don't need to defend or explain their roster decisions.

“Do we think the managers owe us those conversations?" Meola said. "Because I’m off the belief that they don’t. If they do it would be awesome. It would be awesome to hear from Pochettino go ‘I left Weston (McKennie) off because he’s had some issues at the club in the beginning of this season and the past, he doesn’t start the first game and I need him to settle in.' And then you’d be like, ‘OK he likes Weston, we like Weston and we’re going to see him at the World Cup, we’re cool.' It would be great. But I don’t know that he owes us any of that."

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Pochettino inherited a talented but inconsistent player pool when he took charge of the USMNT and his approach thus far has prioritized tactical flexibility and competition for roster spots rather than cementing a core group.

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The USMNT face South Korea on Sept. 6 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey followed by Japan on Sept. 9 at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.

MatériaMais Notícias

Às vésperas da disputa das quartas de final do Campeonato Paulista contra o Água Santa, o técnico Rogério Ceni vai ganhando boas notícias no São Paulo. O atacante Erison foi liberado pelo departamento médico e iniciou nesta quarta-feira (1) a transição após sofrer estiramento no posterior esquerdo.

O retorno do atacante, emprestado pelo Botafogo até o final do ano, se tornou essencial, já que o titular Calleri está fora dos gramados por tempo indeterminado por conta de uma grave lesão jo tornozelo direito.

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Com a transição, a expectativa é que Erison ainda não atue no duelo deste domingo (5), contra o Botafogo-SP, em Ribeirão Preto (SP), às 16h (de Brasília). O confronto é decisivo para as pretensões tricolores de terminar na liderança de seu grupo e com isso ter a vantagem do mando de campo ante o Água Santa.

Também nesta quarta, o departamento médico são-paulino liberou três atletas para o confronto. O zagueiro Diego Costa, o lateral-esquerdo Welington e o atacante David fizeram o aquecimento e participaram de parte do treino com o restante do elenco.

Do trio, apenas David pode aparecer entre os 11 iniciais no interior paulista. Sem Calleri, o provável São Paulo irá a campo com Rafael; Nathan, Alan Franco, Beraldo e Caio; Méndez, Pablo Maia e Nestor; Luciano, Galoppo e Wellington Rato.

Assim como nos últimos dias, o lateral-direito Igor Vinícius e o atacante Caio Matheus seguem em evolução e trabalharam com os demais jogadores.

O lateral-direito Orejuela seguiu o seu processo de transição com a preparação física.

> Confira jogos, classificação e simule os resultados do Paulistão-23

Thomas Muller says he now considers Lionel Messi the best player of all time, having previously hailed Cristiano Ronaldo in higher regard.

Muller has declared Lionel Messi the GOATChange of heart stems from 'more romantic' view of the gameSays previous stance was based on statsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

In an interview with MLS, Muller, the latest high-profile signing for the Vancouver Whitecaps, took a definitive stand in the long-standing "GOAT" debate. While he had previously favoured Real Madrid and Manchester United legend Ronaldo, the ex-Bayern Munich player has now officially declared Messi as the greatest the game has ever seen. This surprising shift in his opinion comes after years of fierce competition against both players on the biggest stages.

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When asked in the interview to speak on the GOAT debate, Muller explained: "Lionel Messi is the GOAT. In my first 10 years as a professional player, I would have chosen Cristiano Ronaldo, but since the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, it's been Messi for me. Now, as I get older and more romantic myself, playing style and aesthetics are more important to me than individual performance, work ethic, and so on."

He further added: "Both are absolutely crazy. I don't know why it worked so often against him [Messi]."

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Muller's change of mind is particularly noteworthy given his storied history against both superstars. With Bayern, he inflicted a number of memorable defeats on Messi's Barcelona, including the historic 8-2 thrashing in the 2020 Champions League. With the German national team, he was part of the squad that defeated Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final. In a previous interview, Muller had openly admitted that he chose Ronaldo because he "had good stats against Messi, but not against Ronaldo." However, with age, his criteria for greatness have shifted from a purely statistical, data-driven perspective to a more philosophical one.

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Muller has recently settled into his new life in Canada after an emotional departure from Munich. After having a goal disallowed in his debut against Houston Dynamo, he went on to score a last-minute penalty to secure a 3-2 victory for the Whitecaps against St Louis City, captaining the team in his first start. The Vancouver club are currently third in their MLS conference and face Philadelphia Union on September 14.

Bournemouth are reportedly in 'advanced talks' to sign one of Chelsea's infamous 'bomb squad' members before the transfer window shuts.

• Bournemouth sell key centre-backs
• Eye defensive reinforcements
• Closing in on Chelsea signing

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to Fabrizio Romano, Bournemouth are progressing nicely in their efforts to sign Chelsea defender Axel Disasi. The Guardian adds the 27-year-old, who has been part of the Blues' 'bomb squad' of outcasts this summer, is expected to join the Cherries on loan rather than a permanent sale.

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  Bournemouth took the risk of allowing key centre-back duo Dean Huijsen and Ilya Zabarnyi to leave for Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain respectively and also sold left-back Milos Kerkez to Liverpool. That raised more than £150 million ($205m) in sales but left them short defensively. If they sign Disasi, in addition to Lille recruit Bafode Diakite, they may be more secure at the back. For Chelsea, they will have raised an astonishing £270m ($365m) from player sales this summer.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The five-time France international has scored five goals in 61 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions since signing from Monaco in 2023. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, playing on ten occasions.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  There is not all that long for this move to get over the line, however. The summer transfer window shuts in a week and Bournemouth will hope to have him in place for their trip to Tottenham on Saturday in the Premier League.

MatériaMais Notícias

O meia Gustavo Scarpa, hoje no Nottingham Forrest, da Inglaterra, e Mayke, lateral do Palmeiras, procuraram a Justiça de São Paulo após terem alegado terem sido vítimas de golpe milionário envolvendo criptomoedas por intermédio da empresa que pertence ao atacante Willian, atualmente no Fluminense.

A informação foi divulgada inicialmente pela ‘TV Globo‘. A dupla alega ter perdido aproximadamente R$ 10,4 milhões em investimentos feitos em uma holding de investimentos apresentada pelo ex-colega de clube.

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Procurado, Willian alegou por meio de nota que ‘também foi vítima da Xland Holding Ltda, onde foi feito o investimento’ (leia a íntegra da nota abaixo).

A Polícia Civil paulista também investiga o caso. Scarpa e Mayke alegam que tentaram sacar o investimento inicial aportado, sem sucesso. Às autoridades, o meia alega ter investido R$ 6,3 milhões, enquanto o lateral colocou quase R$ 4,1 milhões no negócio.

Segundo eles, o negócio foi apresentado por Willian, que montou uma consultora financeira, e a promessa era de retorno era de 3,5% a 5% ao mês.

Nos processos, Scarpa e Mayke tentam rescindir os contratos assinados, além de receber o dinheiro de volta.

O lateral ainda exige mais R$ 3.250.443,30, que seria a rentabilidade do período, dando um valor total à causa de R$ 7.834.232,61.

O processo de Scarpa corre na 10ª Vara Cível de São Paulo. O meia alega que o prazo para a devolução do dinheiro era 19 de agosto do ano passado, o que não ocorreu.

Já o caso de Mayke está na 14ª Vara Cível da capital paulista. Ele também pede as rescisões contratuais e a devolução de seu investimento.

Nas duas ações, os jogadores ainda pedem à Justiça que ‘seja realizado bloqueio e arresto de valores depositados em contas bancárias, bens móveis e imóveis, ativos financeiros alocados em agências de exchanges de criptomoedas, corretoras de valores, dentre outros bens possíveis e passíveis de penhora em nome das rés’, a fim de ‘resguardar o integral cumprimento’ dos valores devidos.

Veja o posicionamento da empresa de Willian Bigode:

Willian e WLJC Consultoria e Gestão Empresarial através de seus advogados vêm por meio desta nota em razão das últimas notícias esclarecer que, assim como Mayke e Scarpa, Willian também se sente vítima da Xland, já que, somando os rendimentos com o capital aportado, teve um prejuízo de aproximadamente R$ 17.500.000,00 (dezessete milhões e quinhentos mil reais) com a Xland, uma vez que solicitou o resgate dos valores em novembro de 2022 a até hoje não recebeu qualquer quantia.

Importante ressaltar que toda a relação contratual, envolvendo o investimento em criptoativos, deu-se diretamente por Mayke e Scarpa com a Xland, sendo todos os valores investidos transferidos diretamente para as contas da Xland.

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> Quartas de final do Paulistão definidas: confira confrontos, datas e horários

Borussia Dortmund director Hans-Joachim Watzke has urged European football to adopt salary caps, warning finances are spiraling out of control.

Watzke says salary caps are “unavoidable” for European footballDefends Saudi Arabian money as “start-up financing” for FIFA tournamentsBelieves football must embrace globalisation beyond EuropeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Watzke has declared that salary caps in European football are "unavoidable" to prevent the sport's finances from spiralling further out of control. In an interview with German newspaper , the influential executive also gave a frank assessment of Saudi Arabian investment in the game.

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Watzke's comments highlight the growing concern among Europe's top administrators regarding the financial sustainability of modern football. He pointed to the Premier League as an example, noting that "hardly any club there makes a profit despite their huge budgets." His remarks also addressed the increasing influence of Gulf state money, arguing that football is no different from other major industries in its willingness to accept such investment.

Cash from Saudi Arabia helped fund the inaugural edition of the revamped Club World Cup this summer and the country is set to host the World Cup in 2034. It will be the second World Cup to be held in the Middle East, just 12 years after the 2022 edition in Qatar. 

WHAT WATZKE SAID

On the need for financial controls, Watzke stated: "Ultimately, a salary cap will be unavoidable. [Without it] everything will get even more out of hand. At some point, they'll notice this in England, too. Because, as far as I know, hardly any club there makes a profit despite their huge budgets."

Regarding investment from the Gulf, he added: "We're deluding ourselves: As long as large DAX-listed companies are happy to involve the Saudis in their capital increases, we shouldn't paint the world as more beautiful than it actually is. Our industry is only too happy to accept money from the Gulf States."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR EUROPEAN FOOTBALL?

As a senior figure at both Borussia Dortmund and the German Football League (DFL), Watzke's powerful voice adds significant weight to the ongoing debate around financial regulation. While the implementation of a pan-European salary cap faces considerable hurdles, his comments will intensify discussions within UEFA and among the continent's top leagues as they continue to search for mechanisms to ensure long-term financial stability.

Arsenal have completed the signing of defender Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen.

• Arsenal sign Hincapie
• Gunners announce deal as straight loan
• Leverkusen say deal includes obligation to buy

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Gunners have announced Hincapie has moved to the Emirates Stadium on a season-long loan, though Leverkusen say the deal also contains an obligation to buy the Ecuador international next summer. The buy clause is believed to be worth £45 million (€52m/$61m), according to The Athletic.

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  Hincapie has become Arsenal's eighth signing in what has been a busy summer transfer window for the club. Mikel Arteta's side have also brought in Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga for 2025-26 season.

• WHAT DID ARTETA SAY

  Speaking to Arsenal's official club website, Arteta said of Hincapie's arrival: "We are so pleased to welcome Piero Hincapie to the club.

  “Piero has a real physical presence, with his versatility and tactical flexibility giving us strong added defensive options. He is a big character, with a very good combination of both youth and maturity. He will make our squad stronger and more competitive as we continue into this season. We welcome Piero and his family to Arsenal.”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Hincapie's move to Arsenal sees him become the latest star to leave Leverkusen this summer. Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah, Granit Xhaka and Amine Adli have also departed the Bundesliga club, while Xabi Alonso left to become Real Madrid manager. Leverkusen replaced the Spaniard with Erik ten Hag but they announced earlier on transfer deadline day that they had sacked the former Manchester United boss after just three games in charge.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos goleou o Goiás, por 5 a 1, em jogo válido pela 5ª rodada do Brasileirão Sub-20. No CT Rei Pelé, Weslley Patati, Deivid Washington, Bernardo e Kevin Malthus marcaram para o Peixe. O resultado coloca o Alvinegro no primeiro lugar do Grupo B.

No primeiro tempo do jogo, o Santos foi soberano nas ações. Aos 7 minutos, Ivo colocou a mão na bola e o árbitro marcou penalidade para o Peixe. Weslley Patati foi para a cobrança e acertou o ângulo esquerdo para abrir o placar. Autor do primeiro gol, o camisa 7, aos 19′,levou a bola pela esquerda, cruzou na medida, Deivid ‘furou’ o chute, mas aproveitou sobra da própria finalização para ampliar.

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Ainda na primeira etapa, Fernandinho sofreu novo pênalti para o Alvinegro Praiano. Patati foi novamente para a bola, bateu no mesmo canto da cobrança anterior e, novamente, encontrou o caminho das redes.

Na volta do intervalo, o Goiás entrou ligado e, aos 2 minutos do segundo tempo, Wendell descontou com uma bomba de fora da área. Contudo, o Esmeraldino não aproveitou para ampliar e, aos 41′,Bernardo arriscou batida de falta, a bola foi endereçada até o ângulo esquerdo e o camisa 10 do Peixe saiu para o abraço. Para sacramentar o placar, nos acréscimos, Kevin Malthus recebeu lançamento, dominou, percebeu o goleiro adiantado e selou o marcador com um gol de cobertura.

Com a invencibilidade intacta na competição, o Santos se prepara para o próximo compromisso do Brasileirão Sub-20, que será contra o Palmeiras, no Allianz Parque, no dia 9. Enquanto isso, o Goiás ‘recolhe os cacos’ e enfrenta o Grêmio, em casa, na próxima quarta-feira (5).