Monday 01/08

Franklin Munoz
January 08, 2024

🆕🗓️⚽️ Happy Monday Everyone. The French Wonderkid. Kylian Mbappe became a world cup winner at the age of 19. The French player was only moments away from winning his second World Cup at the age of 24 in 2022. The January transfer window is filled with rumors, and if it’s not coming straight from Fabrizio Romano’s account, you should take everything you read with a grain of salt. The latest rumor? Perhaps the biggest one of them all: In a wild turn of events, Kylian Mbappe is headed to Real Madrid next season.

Giveaway: Wake up and smell the coffee. Just in time for the Holidays, our next giveaway will be a $30 gift card for our favorite coffee brand- Kickoff Coffee. As always, each friend that you refer to subscribe to the newsletter is an entry to our raffle. Best of luck!

Domestic Cups
The Magic of Domestic Cups

@Wrexham_AFC

🏆📅 A Weekend Of Domestic Cup Action. Underdog stories thrive in domestic cups. Wrexham AFC, who play in the 4th level of the English Football System, have advanced to the 4th round of the FA cup after defeating their rivals Shrewsbury FC, who compete in the 3rd level of the EFL. The team co-owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mcelhenney have set themselves up to possibly face a Premier League team in the next round, which is what domestic cups are all about. Check out the rest of the FA Cup results here.

We mentioned underdog stories thrive in domestic cups, but its not always a positive ending for the underdog. Take the French domestic cup for example. Can you imagine traveling over 8,600 miles just to lose 12-0? For Golden Lion FC, a team based out of Martinique, that’s exactly the reality they lived. They traveled all the way to northern France from Martinique to play in the 64th round of the French cup against Lille. Check out the results of the French Cup here.

Check out the full list of players here

Weekend Recap

Seria A

via FotMob

England FA Cup 3rd Round

via FotMob

Coupe de France Round of 64

via FotMob

Copa del Rey Round of 32

via FotMob

Player(s) Spotlight

One More Time for the Old Timers

@goal

Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira commonly known as Pepe and current captain of FC Porto. In the ever-evolving landscape of football, where youth often takes center stage, a Portuguese veteran has emerged as a testament to the timeless quality of true footballing prowess. Celebrating his 40th birthday this year, this seasoned central defender has not only defied the constraints of age but has etched his name in the record books by becoming the oldest player to score in the Champions League surpassing Italian-Roma legend Francesco Totti.

Beyond his goal-scoring feat, the Portuguese center-back brings a wealth of experience and leadership to his team. His on-field presence serves as a guiding force for younger teammates, embodying the wisdom acquired through years of navigating the nuances of top-tier football. His role extends beyond the pitch, influencing the team's culture and fortifying its collective spirit.

Thiago Emiliano da Silva known as Thiago; although only with his current team for just three years, the Brazilian veteran is arguably already a Chelsea legend. After coming up short as a runner up in the 2019 Champions League Final, and left to hang dry, the PSG longer timer made the decision to give the Premier League a shot at the incredible age of 37 years old. Silva himself said he never imagined that he would play in the Premier League, and in fact expressed dislike for the style of football.

However shortly after joining the Blues that very same season, Thiago found himself back in the Champions League final and alas lifted glory. In addition to winning the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup, as well as reaching three domestic cup finals. Silva continues to find himself as a regular under Mauricio Pochettino with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season. Will the lad from Fluminense be offered one last Premier League adventure into his 40s?

Dante Costa Santos aka Dante, a Brazilian centre back veteran, who currently plays in Uber Eats Ligue 1 with OGC Nice. At one point, Dante, found himself in an inferno after suffering a gnarly ACL injury that ruled him out for half a year at the shy age of 37. Many questioned the Brazilian’s grit and whether the lad was going to hang up his cleats give the severity of the injury…..

Spoiler alert… HE DID NOT! In fact, at the current age of 40 years old, Dante finds himself as a staple of Nice’s defense. Contributing to their incredible 11 clean sheets with only conceding 5 goals in their last 13 matches, and remain unbeaten in 13 home games. Nice currently sit second on the table below to none other than PSG.

Quick Bites 🍕

Brazilian Legend Mario Zagallo passes away at 92

The first player to ever win the World Cup both as player and coach was Mario Zagallo. A Brazilian legend often recognized for his efforts in attack as a winger as well as working back defensively and helping the team out in the midfield.

Read About Mario Here.

Sam Kerr suffers ACL tear in training

Arguably one of the biggest player’s in Woman’s soccer, Sam Kerr, suffered an ACL tea in pre-season training for Chelsea. The Australian player had recently recovered from 6 month calf injury and this latest setback is a major blow for a fantastic player.

Read the full article here

Ever Since I Could Remember, I’ve Been Popping My Collar

To collar or not to collar? The century old debate revolving around kits. Soccer jerseys are more than just uniforms; they’re a statement of identity, style and performance. Fans of the sport are split, for some, the collar adds a touch of elegance and flair, seamlessly transitioning from the pitch to everyday fashion. On the other hand, jerseys without collars are often perceived as sleek and modern, emphasizing functionality and performance over aesthetics.

A significant point in favor of collared jerseys is their versatility. Fans who prefer jerseys with collars appreciate the ability to seamlessly incorporate them into everyday wear. From casual outings to matchday experiences, collared jerseys provide a level of style that extends beyond the pitch. For those in the collarless camp, the focus remains on the practicality and sporty aesthetic that defines modern soccer attire. Is it time to bring them back?

Take a trip down memory lane on some classic collar kits

Timo Werner Set for Premier League Return

Werner, who was once one of the biggest names in the sport, is set to make a comeback to the Premier League. RB Leipzig are looking to loan the German player to Tottenham for the rest of the season, with an option to buy as well.

Read the transfer news here