Arturo Vidal
Chile's coach Martin Lasarte looks on prior to a Copa America soccer match against Argentina at the Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, June 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Chile admits violation of virus protocols at Copa America

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 20, 2021 06:41 PM EDT

Chile's Pablo Galdames, left, and Argentina's Lionel Messi leave the field after a tie at the end of a Copa America soccer match at the Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, June 14, 2021. The match enede 1-1.(AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Messi's Argentina draws 1-1 with Chile at Copa America

By Marcelo Sousa Jun. 14, 2021 07:37 PM EDT

Argentina's Lionel Messi wears a jersey with the number and image of late soccer star Diego Maradona prior to a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying soccer match against Chile in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Thursday, June 3, 2021. (Juan Mabromata, Pool via AP)
Argentina draws after 7-month halt of World Cup qualifiers

Debora Rey Jun. 03, 2021 11:43 PM EDT

PSG's Neymar reacts at the end of the French League One soccer match between Brest and Paris Saint-Germain at the Stade Francis-Le Ble stadium in Brest, France, Sunday, May 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
South America restarts World Cup qualifying amid COVID rise

By Debora Rey Jun. 01, 2021 03:05 PM EDT

Empoli's Nedim Bajrami celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Italian Cup round of 16 soccer match between Napoli and Empoli, at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)
Late Lukaku goal helps Inter set up quarterfinal with Milan

By Daniella Matar Jan. 13, 2021 02:40 PM EST

Ajax players, wearing black mourning arm bands, Midtjylland players and the referee and linesmen observe a minute of silence as they commemorate Argentinian soccer great Diego Maradona, picture seen above, prior to the group D Champions League soccer match between Ajax and Midtjylland at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020. Maradona, who scored the "Hand of God" goal in 1986 and led his country to that year's World Cup title before later struggling with cocaine use and obesity, has died. He was 60. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)
Bayern, Man City win to advance to Champions League last-16

By Graham Dunbar Nov. 25, 2020 06:15 PM EST

Moenchengladbach's Ramy Bensebaini, second from left, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Champions League group B soccer match between Inter Milan and Borussia Moenchangladbach at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Coronavirus-affected Inter held 2-2 by Gladbach

Oct. 21, 2020 05:23 PM EDT

A poster with the face of Barcelona soccer player Lionel Messi is displayed at a F.C. Barcelona store in Barcelona, Spain on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. Barcelona is banking on a face-to-face meeting with Lionel Messi to try to convince him to stay. Talks with Messi’s father-agent are expected this week in Barcelona but the club also hopes to sit down with the player himself.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Messi back to training after deciding to stay with Barcelona

By Tales Azzoni Sep. 07, 2020 12:13 PM EDT

A boy wearing a shirt with the name of Barcelona soccer player Lionel Messi runs on a park in Banyoles, in Girona province, Spain on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020. Lionel Messi's future at Barcelona looked no closer to being resolved after the first meeting between the player's father and club officials on Wednesday ended without an agreement, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Messi's father tells Spanish league his son is free to leave

By Tales Azzoni Sep. 04, 2020 09:19 AM EDT

Barcelona's Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after the the Champions League quarterfinal soccer match between Barcelona and Bayern Munich in Lisbon, Portugal, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. Bayern won the match 8-2. (Rafael Marchante/Pool via AP)
Barcelona wants face-to-face meeting to change Messi’s mind

By Tales Azzoni Sep. 01, 2020 11:54 AM EDT

Barcelona's Lionel Messi holds his head during the Champions League quarterfinal match between FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. Gerard Piqué says Barcelona "hit rock bottom" in an 8-2 humiliation from Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals. It's 74 years since Barcelona conceded eight goals in a game. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez/Pool)
Messi skips required coronavirus testing with Barcelona

By Tales Azzoni Aug. 30, 2020 06:13 AM EDT

ARCHIVO - En esta foto del 13 de agosto de 2020, el delantero argentino Lionel Messi del Barcelona llega al hotel del club en Lisboa. (AP Foto/Manu Fernández, archivo)
Messi's departure jeopardizes Barcelona’s restructuring plan

By Tales Azzoni Aug. 27, 2020 08:34 AM EDT

Barcelona's Lionel Messi holds his head during the Champions League quarterfinal match between FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. Gerard Piqué says Barcelona "hit rock bottom" in an 8-2 humiliation from Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals. It's 74 years since Barcelona conceded eight goals in a game. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez/Pool)
Questions surround Messi’s future amid Barcelona chaos

By Tales Azzoni Aug. 18, 2020 05:04 AM EDT

Barcelona's head coach Quique Setien watches from the sideline during the Champions League quarterfinal soccer match between Barcelona and Bayern Munich in Lisbon, Portugal, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. (Rafael Marchante/Pool via AP)
Barcelona fires coach Setién 3 days after 8-2 loss to Bayern

Aug. 17, 2020 02:51 PM EDT

Barcelona's Gerard Pique reacts after the the Champions League quarterfinal soccer match between Barcelona and Bayern Munich in Lisbon, Portugal, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. Bayern won the match 8-2. (Rafael Marchante/Pool via AP)
Rock bottom: Barca fears grim future after Bayern meltdown

By Joseph Wilson Aug. 15, 2020 02:08 PM EDT

Barcelona's head coach Quique Setien gestures after the Spanish La Liga soccer match between RC Celta and Barcelona at the Balaidos stadium in Vigo, Spain, Saturday, June 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Lalo Villar)
Barca may need youth to get past Napoli, reach CL final 8

By Joseph Wilson Aug. 07, 2020 04:48 PM EDT

Barcelona's head coach Quique Setien, third right, talks to Barcelona's Jordi Alba in a drinks break during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Villareal at La Ceramica stadium in Villareal, Spain, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Jose Miguel Fernandez)
Barcelona president backs Setién, sees Xavi as future coach

Aug. 01, 2020 04:55 PM EDT

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, right, vies for the ball with Marllorca's Iddrisu Mohamed Baba during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and FC Barcelona at Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Saturday, June 13, 2020. With virtual crowds, daily matches and lots of testing for the coronavirus, soccer is coming back to Spain. The Spanish league resumes this week more than three months after it was suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)
Barca 4-0 win at Mallorca features Messi and pitch invader

By Joseph Wilson Jun. 13, 2020 06:27 PM EDT