Weah has been inconsistent under Mauricio Pochettino, but the move to Marseille meant to create opportunities

Tim Weah did everything right. He started his run from deep, drew an extra man away from the ball. As Mason Greenwood surged through the middle, Weah peeled off to the right – creating the narrowest of passing lanes for his teammate. Greenwood obliged.

The pass was weighted nicely, the finish was even better – Weah smashing Thibaut Courtois with such ferocity that the Belgian goalkeeper couldn't react. 

Weah's only fault, in fact, was a brief slip on the Santiago Bernabeu turf as he careened off in celebration. But even that had a certain charm to it. The goal seemed significant – and it significant. It gave Marseille an unlikely 1-0 lead against European giants Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday (a result that would harshly be overturned due to a dubious refereeing decision).

But it also made Weah the first American to score at the Bernabeu – and just might have ignited a season that had sputtered to start. The U.S. international's story has been interesting of late. Weah was rather frozen out, even misused at Juventus. He followed that by impressing only in brief moments for the USMNT.

And now, with one goal and a starring performance to boot, Weah has shown a glimpse of what could yet happen, an opportunity for a talent once full of promise to realize his potential. 

• Getty
  

  Leaving Juventus

  Weah probably had to leave Juventus. There was honor, it seemed, in fighting for his spot, and trying to crack into the XI at his preferred position. But the couldn't offer it. What didn't help is that Weah might not have even known himself.

  Originally, he was a winger. Then we were told he could play through the middle. For long stretches, Max Allegri used him as a fullback. Piece it all together, and Weah played in four different positions last season, and wasn't markedly effective in any of them.

  Sure, there is something to be said for finding a role – and being entrusted with plugging gaps that others could not. But Weah wasn't a guaranteed starter. He needed to go somewhere that would let him do just that. Enter Roberto de Zerbi's Marseille. The French side had become an island of misfits of sorts, picking up scraps from all over Europe to form a solid side.

  Weah, forced out of the picture at Juve and all, seemed to fit that mold. Thus far, it has been an overwhelming success.

  "It's super intense," Weah said. "I mean, just the group alone, we get into so many fights together, in trainings, in the locker rooms, that people think we're crazy at times. But it's just because everyone is so passionate."

  And perhaps Weah needed that. There was a sense of a footballer going through the motions at Juve. Weah was 25, the memories of the much-hyped kid at PSG fading away. 

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  USMNT chances (at first)

  Still, there were a few skeptics. Seven career goals for Juve didn't exactly inspire confidence. And even if Marseille wonderfully recreated George Weah's photoshoot from when Tim's father was at the club in 2000, he still had a point to prove.

  Weah had been left at home as Juventus traveled to the United States for the Club World Cup. A Premier League move to Nottingham Forest was reportedly available. Weah turned it down. Meanwhile, his agent and Juve clashed in the media, with allegations of dishonesty about the player's future slung on both sides. 

  But the early signs with Marseille were good. Fans met Weah at the airport, and recreated the chant they used to bellow for his father 25 years before. The opportunity to play Champions League football was a draw. That meant high-profile games, but also extra minutes to go around.

  And even if De Zerbi had developed a reputation as a difficult character, his tactical acumen simply could not be questioned.

  "He's a players coach. He was one of the main reasons I came to the club," Weah said.

• Imagn
  

  Struggling to impress Pochettino

  The USMNT, though, was different. Mauricio Pochettino, appointed in September 2024, was handed less than two years to prepare the team for a home World Cup. The early returns were good, as he played it mostly safe with his squad. Weah was among the selections, and a wonderful goal against Jamaica – after a tactical switch saw him moved to the left wing – showed promise. 

  But he also played both fixtures as the U.S. lost to first Panama, and then Canada in the Nations League finals – and was remarkably ineffective in 180 minutes of play. A Gold Cup omission – brought about by conflicts in his Juve future and the Club World Cup – delayed any sort of renaissance that might have been on the cards.

  It was also immensely frustrating, Weah admitted.

  "Being back after not being with them in the summer is just an amazing feeling," he said of the recent USMNT camp. "And you know, anytime I'm here, I try to keep that vibe. I'm trying to keep the positivity in there."

  Backing that up with performances on the pitch, though, wasn't so simple. The USMNT as a whole struggled against South Korea earlier this month, outcoached and outplayed by a superior side. And Weah could do little to affect the outcome. He managed just 62 minutes before leaving with a hamstring issue. Weah didn't appear in the next game, a 2-0 win over Japan. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  A new era?

  It all leaves his USMNT future slightly uncertain. Sure, Weah will certainly get more chances to impress under Pochettino (he has only played three games for the manager, who has admitted that he will now look to fine tune his squads for the World Cup). But now, the real competition begins.

  If Pochettino is to stick with the 3-4-3 formation that was successful against Japan, it might require a different approach from Weah. After all, he is a winger, and that formation, quite simply, doesn't utilize them. Perhaps, then, he could be used as a wing back. It's a position, ironically, that he was rather misused at during his time at Juve. 

  Pochettino, in fact, admitted that he was somewhat frustrated to see Weah play at that spot.

  "He's a player that can be very aggressive in an offensive way," he said. "But we need to create the habit again, because he loses this habit a little bit when he plays fullback. It's another focus in your game, another demand. And then you need to change in few days and to transform that player whose main mindset is defensive into an offensive player."

  Versatility, for the USMNT, might be a good thing.

As their search for a striker continues, Newcastle United are now reportedly eyeing a late move to sign a want-away star who outscored Jorgen Strand Larsen last season.

Howe responds to Isak statement

When Newcastle commenced their search for a striker earlier this summer, the last thing they were looking for was the kind that Alexander Isak has become in recent weeks. But that’s the reality that they find themselves in. The Swede has done everything to leave the club, from going on strike to even taking aim at the club on social media, yet he remains a Newcastle player.

Eddie Howe, who has been left to answer several questions every week about the forward, responded to his statement on social media following the PFA awards – telling reporters:

“This has been an unfortunate situation, but there are always two sides to every story. There’s more than even I will know, because there are conversations that have taken place far away from me and my knowledge of them.”

The Newcastle boss went on to admit that there were conversations between himself and Isak towards the end of the season, but reiterated that they will remain private: “Me and Alex had conversations towards the end of last season. I am not going to deny that. But individual conversations are best off remaining private.”

Related Higher ceiling than Wissa: Newcastle in talks to sign £80m CF this week

Newcastle United are in talks to sign a star who has an even higher ceiling than Wissa.

Posts ByWill Miller Aug 23, 2025

Away from what is still a developing saga, meanwhile, Newcastle are still searching for a new striker to ease any potential Isak blow or to simply bolster their squad.

Reports recently indicated that their attention has turned towards Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Strand Larsen, but the Midlands club’s £60m+ price tag may yet force the Magpies to once again re-evaluate their options.

Newcastle eyeing late Sorloth move

According to the Daily Mail’s reliable journalist Craig Hope, Newcastle are now eyeing a late swoop to sign Alexander Sorloth, who reportedly wants to leave Atlético Madrid this summer after falling out with Diego Simeone.

The Norway international last featured in the Premier League as a struggling Crystal Palace striker from 2018 to 2020, but has since rebuilt himself into the type of clinical player that Newcastle so desperately need.

Hope revealed when speaking about Newcastle’s transfer targets:

“Alexander Sorloth at Atlético Madrid. Now, he’s available. His goal record is quite incredible when you look at the amount of goals he scored in La Liga for Atlético Madrid.

“He played at St James’ a couple of weeks ago. Absolutely in the mold of his countryman Strand Larsen as well – a big, tall, powerful centre-forward, a record of doing it in the top division. That’s the latest information to me that Sorloth is one of the names being considered.”

League stats 24/25

Sorloth

Strand Larsen

Minutes

1,566

2,587

Goals

20

14

Assists

2

4

Expected Goals

16.8

10.3

An experienced forward at the top level who outscored Strand Larsen last season, Sorloth could finally be the man that solves Newcastle’s striker problem if they make their move this month.

تغلب فريق ريال مدريد على خصمه فياريال، خلال المباراة التي جمعت الفريقين مساء السبت ببطولة الدوري الإسباني موسم 2025-2026.

واستقبل ريال مدريد نظيره فياريال على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” في إطار مباريات الجولة الثامنة للدوري الإسباني “الليجا”.

وحصل البرازيلي فينيسيوس جونيور على جائزة رجل مباراة ريال مدريد وفياريال بعد أدائه المميز خلال اللقاء.

فينيسيوس سجل هدفين لصالح ريال مدريد خلال المواجهة، حيث أحرز الهدف الأول في الدقيقة 47، وسجل الثاني من ضربة جزاء في الدقيقة 69، والهدف الثالث أحرزه كيليان مبابي.

ويحتل فينيسيوس المركز الرابع في ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني برصيد 4 أهداف، فيما يتصدر مبابي بـ9 أهداف.

وتغلب ريال مدريد على فياريال بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف، ورفع رصيده للنقطة 21 في صدارة ترتيب الدوري الإسباني.

Parth Vats, the 20-year-old legspin allrounder whom Haryana picked over Yuzvendra Chahal in their squad, starred with bat and ball in a 72-run win against Bengal that took them into the quarterfinals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.In his maiden List A season, Vats helped Haryana rebuild their innings from 98 for 3 in the 17th over. He scored 62 off 77 balls and put on 84 for the fourth wicket with Nishant Sindhu, another 20-year-old allrounder who scored 64 and also contributed with the ball.Vital contributions from the lower order – an unbeaten 32-ball 41 from Sumit Kumar and 29 from Rahul Tewatia – powered Haryana to 298 for 9.Mohammed Shami, who is in line for an India comeback if he can maintain fitness, was wayward in his first spell for Bengal, conceding 27 in three overs without a wicket. He came back strong to finish with 3 for 61 in ten overs, with two wickets at the death as Haryana were aiming to accelerate.Another player of interest from a national team perspective, Abhimanyu Easwaran, was key to Bengal’s chase. With openers Sudip Gharami and Abishek Porel putting on 70 in 12.5 overs for the first wicket, Abhimanyu had the opportunity to steer Bengal’s innings, but the rustiness of having spent two months on India’s Test bench in Australia showed.Having survived a close stumping appeal, Abhimanyu attempted to break free with a succession of reverse sweeps. Eventually, the pressure of not being able to score fluently got to him, and he was out attempting a slog sweep against mystery spinner Amit Rana.Porel kept Bengal alive with a half-century but played conservatively for large parts of his 57 off 78 balls. His dismissal exposed Bengal’s brittle middle order in the 28th over and Vats dismissed Anustup Majumdar, Karan Lal and Shami to help Haryana wrap up the chase for 226 in 43.1 overs.Haryana play their quarterfinal against Gujarat in Vadodara on January 12.

Manchester City are set to be presented with the opportunity to sign “the best player in the world” in a swap deal for Erling Haaland, according to a report.

Haaland attracting interest after fantastic performance at Wolves

Haaland got off to the perfect start to the new Premier League season, with the Norwegian opening his account by scoring a brace in the 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, and Pep Guardiola believes the striker may now be back to his best.

The Man City boss claimed the 25 year-old is “better than ever”, before also adding: “I see Erling’s rhythm and speed, and how it helps us. It’s quite similar to his first season here. We need him.”

As such, Guardiola will undoubtedly be determined to keep hold of Haaland, and City are in a very strong negotiating position, given that the centre-forward signed an extraordinary nine-and-a-half-year contract back in January.

Man City now vying to sign "mind-boggling" £40m Rodrygo teammate

The Blues are now in the race for a Premier League player, with Pep Guardiola believed to be a big fan.

ByDominic Lund Aug 20, 2025

However, there have now been suggestions that one of Europe’s top clubs are lining up a move for the Norway international, namely Real Madrid…

Indeed, according to a report from Spain, the Madrid board are now preparing an audacious move for Haaland, with the Spanish club looking to orchestrate a swap deal, which would see Vinicius Junior sent in the opposite direction.

Given that Vinicius’ attacking numbers aren’t as impressive as they once were, Madrid are willing to send the Brazilian to City as part of a swap deal, and they believe Kylian Mbappe and Haaland combining forces could help them dominate European football for a decade.

However, while the 25-year-old would fit into Guardiola’s system, City have no desire to let their star striker leave, and given that he remains contracted until 2034, they will be under no pressure to sanction a departure unless he agitates for a move.

Haaland must remain at the Etihad

The Brazil international is one of football’s most globally renowned stars, famously narrowly missing out on the 2024 Ballon d’Or to Rodri, and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez certainly has no doubts about his ability.

However, there isn’t a player in the world City should consider swapping Haaland for, given the striker’s remarkable goal record since arriving at the Etihad Stadium.

Season

League appearances

Goals

2022-23

35

36

2023-24

31

27

2024-25

31

22

As such, should Real Madrid want to cash-in on Vinicius, they may be better off selling him to Saudi Arabia, given that Al-Ahli were well-known to be preparing a staggering £303m offer earlier this year.

MatériaMais Notícias

Com 24 partidas disputadas em 2023 até agora, Isidro Pitta é o líder de assistências entre os atletas menores de 24 anos em clubes da Série A do campeonato brasileiro. O paraguaio deu o passe final para seus companheiros anotarem o gol seis vezes nos 1.267 minutos em que esteve em campo, o que o coloca no topo deste ranking, desempatando contra os 2.080 minutos que o atacante Biel, do Bahia, leva para realizar o mesmo feito.

RelacionadasListasFlamengo bate novo recorde: confira os 20 maiores públicos do Brasileirão 2023 até aquiListas29/05/2023InternacionalInternacional divulga parcial de ingressos para duelo na Copa do BrasilInternacional29/05/2023São Paulo‘Preço baixo’ motiva São Paulo a negociar Marinho com FlamengoSão Paulo29/05/2023

Pitta é o terceiro da lista dos jogadores sub-23 com mais participações em gols entre os clubes da Primeira Divisão na temporada. São 13 participações anotadas para o camisa 9 do Cuiabá.

O atacante foi o líder de assistências do campeonato mato-grossense de 2023 e o primeiro com mais participações em gols. No estadual, chegou marcar um hat-trick na vitória por 3 a 1, contra o Nova Mutum. Em outras duas oportunidades, chegou a anotar duas assistências em uma mesma partida e marcar dois gols e uma assistência numa mesma partida.

Dillon Pennington called into England Lions squad after three-day defeat in Brisbane

ECB Reporters Network16-Jan-2025Cricket Australia XI 176 (Hearne 106, Cook 4-15) and 261 for 3 (Ward 115, Handscomb 57) beat England Lions 223 (Davies 54, Gannon 5-27) and 213 (McKinney 94, Bell 3-32) by six wicketsA Tim Ward century led a Cricket Australia XI to a six-wicket win over England Lions in their opening tour match at the Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane.Ward struck 115 before he retired out, while captain Peter Handscomb added 57, as the hosts coasted to their victory target of 261 on the third day. Hampshire duo John Turner and Sonny Baker claimed the only two wickets to fall after Shoaib Bashir had made a late breakthrough on day two.Opener Ward paced the home innings to reach his century from 195 balls and shared a 110-run third-wicket stand with Handscomb to steer his side to their win.Baker claimed the opening wicket of the day when Henry Hunt edged behind to James Rew but the Lions were made to sweat by Ward and Handscomb as they took the game away. Turner ended the partnership when Handscomb top-edged a hook and was caught by Hamza Shaikh on the rope before Ward retired out for Lachlan Hearne and Jack Clayton to steer the CAXI home.The Lions have called up Nottinghamshire seamer Dillon Pennington, currently with an ECB training camp in the UAE, for the remainder of the tour to bolster the fast-bowling group.The Lion will play a second tour game against a CAXI in Brisbane next week before the unofficial Test, which will hold first-class status, against Australia A in Sydney which starts on 30 January.

BCB chief Faruque Ahmed says Shanto will continue to lead Bangladesh in the longer formats though

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jan-2025

Najmul Hossain Shanto is set to continue to lead Bangladesh in the longer formats•PTI

Najmul Hossain Shanto has quit as Bangladesh’s T20I captain. BCB president Faruque Ahmed told a local newspaper that Shanto had informed the board of his decision but that he will continue to lead in Tests and ODIs.”Shanto has finally informed us that he will not continue as the T20I captain. We have accepted his decision. There’s however no T20s coming up, so we will not think about a new captain just yet. We have an understanding with Shanto that when he is fit, he will continue as the Test and ODI captain,” Faruque told the Dhaka-based on Thursday.This puts to rest the captaincy debate after Shanto had expressed reluctance towards being all-format captain back in October. At the time Faruque convinced Shanto to continue as captain across formats. Shanto however got injured during an ODI against Afghanistan in November, which prevented him from touring the West Indies.There, Bangladesh handed the Test and ODI captaincy to Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The visitors drew the Test series 1-1, before they lost the ODIs 3-0. Litton Das then led the T20I side to a 3-0 series win. Whether that T20I result pushed the BCB into agreeing with Shanto is unknown, but the fact that Mehidy and Litton were good enough to be considered part of the leadership group was good news for Bangladeshi cricket.Shanto became Bangladesh’s all-format captain in February 2024. The appointment came on the back of impressive stints against New Zealand at home and away, in the absence of then-captain Shakib Al Hasan. Bangladesh’s subsequent T20I performances however were great as they lost bilateral series against Sri Lanka and USA. They managed to reach the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup last June but did not win a match in that round.Shanto too suffered a nosedive in form in the format, scoring just a single fifty in his 24 matches in charge, averaging 18.76 as the T20I captain despite having shown improved form in the format after the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Whether he continues to be part of Bangladesh’s T20I side depends largely on his form during in the ongoing BPL.Bangladesh’s next T20I assignment is likely to be a three-match series against Zimbabwe in March this year. Litton could be a frontrunner for the captaincy given his showing in the West Indies. That said, he has been off colour with the bat in white-ball cricket of late.

Nuno Espirito Santo has held talks with West Ham as head coach Graham Potter could be sacked following a series of poor results. Nuno, who parted ways with Nottingham Forest this month due to a breakdown in his working relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis, could return to the Premier League soon after he was replaced at the City Ground by Ange Postecoglou.

Potter nearing West Ham exit

Potter could be relieved of his duties soon after West Ham suffered their fourth Premier League defeat in five matches against Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Hammers are struggling in the relegation zone and have also exited the Carabao Cup at the second round stage after losing to Wolves. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportNuno in line to become new West Ham boss

Following their home defeat to Palace, the West Ham hierarchy has started to consider their options to replace Potter and have spoken to ex-Forest boss Nuno, according to . The report adds that former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil and Slaven Bilic, who managed the Hammers between 2015 and 2017, are also on their shortlist of potential head coaches.

Mourinho was backed to take charge of the Hammers

Former West Ham scout Mick Brown had earlier recommended Jose Mourinho as Potter's replacement, however, the legendary coach has since taken charge of Portuguese giants Benfica. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPEverton clash could be Potter's final game at West Ham

West Ham next face Everton away in a Premier League fixture on September 29. A loss could see Potter relieved of his duties.

Glasgow Rangers appear to have hit the jackpot with the signing of Djeidi Gassama this summer, as the French forward has hit the ground running at Ibrox.

The 21-year-old winger arrived from Sheffield Wednesday on a permanent deal for £2.2m, and has already scored four goals in six appearances in all competitions, as per Sofascore.

Gassama, a right-footed left winger, has already made a habit of getting supporters off their feet with exciting dribbles and clinical finishes in front of goal, after coming over from the Championship.

Russell Martin will now be hoping that the former Paris Saint-Germain youngster can continue to impress week-in-week-out for the rest of the campaign.

Rangers in talks to sign Championship forward

The Light Blues may now be on course to repeat their Gassama masterclass with a swoop for another exciting young attacker from the second tier of English football.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to HullLive, Rangers have submitted a bid to sign Hull City winger Abu Kamara to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch this summer.

The report claims that the Gers are now in talks with the Tigers over a potential deal to bring the England U20 international to Ibrox, with a fee of £3.5m said to be the asking price.

However, HullLive adds that LaLiga outfit Getafe and Birmingham City have also made offers for the left-footed attacker, and that Getafe appear to be leading the race at this moment in time.

The outlet also states that there is a growing feeling that the deal will be done soon, and that the forward has played his last match for the club.

Why Abu Kamara would be an exciting signing for Rangers

The 21-year-old talent would be an exciting signing for Rangers to make if they can beat Getafe and Birmingham to his signature because he has the potential to provide a threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

Kamara is a left-footed right winger, providing a different option to right-footed right winger Oliver Antman, and his performances in the Championship last term suggest that he could be a Gassama repeat at Ibrox.

Former teammate Conor Shaughnessy once described the England youth international as a “dangerous” right-sided forward, and his statistics back up that claim.

Age

22

21

xG

3.90

5.97

Goals

5

7

Big chances created

7

3

xA

3.34

2.54

Assists

3

1

Dribble success rate

44%

45%

As you can see in the table above, Kamara and Gassama performed at a similar rate against their expected tallies, whilst the Hull star offered more creativity for his side in the final third.

These statistics suggest that Rangers could expect a similar impact from the former Norwich man at the top end of the pitch, which is an exciting prospect when you consider what the Frenchman has already achieved in Scotland.

Kamara’s form for Portsmouth on loan in the 2023/24 campaign also shows the kind of potential he has for the future, as the English wing wizard delivered an eye-catching return of ten goals and 11 assists in all competitions.

For a fee of £3.5m, which is not significantly more than the £2.2m that the club paid for Gassama, the Hull youngster could be a shrewd and exciting addition to Martin’s squad to bolster his options in the wide areas.

Better signing than Mendy: Rangers line up move to bring £8m star to Ibrox

Rangers are reportedly interested in a deal for a star who would be an even better signing than Nobel Mendy.

ByDan Emery Aug 12, 2025

However, it is now down to the club to convince the player that a move to Ibrox is the best next step for him, and to persuade him to turn down Getafe and Birmingham in the process.