Franck Kessie
FILE - AC Milan's Franck Kessie celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Italian Cup quarter final match between AC Milan and Lazio at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. Barcelona has boosted its midfield by signing Franck Kessie as a free agent on Monday, July 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File)
Lazio Rome vs AC Milan 2/9/2022

Jul. 04, 2022 09:16 AM EDT

FILE - AC Milan's Franck Kessie celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Italian Cup quarter final match between AC Milan and Lazio at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. Barcelona has boosted its midfield by signing Franck Kessie as a free agent on Monday, July 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File)
Barcelona adds former AC Milan player Kessie to its midfield

Jul. 04, 2022 09:14 AM EDT

Brazil's Matheus Cunha, right, is fouled by Ivory Coast's Eboue Kouassi during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Brazil and Ivory Coast play to a 0-0 draw in Olympic soccer

Jul. 25, 2021 06:46 AM EDT

Germany's Amos Pieper blocks Brazil's Richarlison during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
From Copa America to Olympics, Richarlison nets 3 for Brazil

By Rob Harris Jul. 22, 2021 10:59 AM EDT

Ivory Coast's Franck Kessie is challenged by Saudi Arabia's Ali Alhassan during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Kessie gives Ivory Coast a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia

Jul. 22, 2021 07:01 AM EDT

Clash with European season creates Olympic soccer headache

By Rob Harris Jul. 03, 2021 09:23 AM EDT
Often the event that connects an Olympic host city with the rest of the nation, soccer could be a source of trepidation rather than excitement in Japan. ...

FILE - In this June 24, 2019, file photo, Ivory Coast's Franck Kessie receives the ball in front of South Africa's Sandile Hlanti during an African Cup of Nations group D soccer match in Cairo. The only time the Ivory Coast men have competed at the Olympics was in 2008 when they faced Lionel Messi’s Argentina before going out in the quarterfinals. They will be hoping to secure the release from Manchester United of Amad Diallo and Kessie from AC Milan. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)
South Africa vs Ivory Coast 6/24/2019

Jul. 03, 2021 05:02 AM EDT

Atalanta's Duvan Zapata celebrates with his teammate Papu Gomez, right, after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Sassuolo at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, June 21, 2020. Atalanta is playing its first match in Bergamo since easing of lockdown measures, in the area that has been the epicenter of the hardest-hit province of Italy's hardest-hit region, Lombardy, the site of hundreds of COVID-19 deaths. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Serie A goalscorers take a knee in league blighted by racism

By Daniella Matar Jun. 22, 2020 10:01 AM EDT