Spain National Soccer Team
Japan's Kaoru Mitoma appears to have the ball over the line before crossing it for a goal during the World Cup group E soccer match between Japan and Spain, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Spain vs Spain 12/18/2022

Dec. 20, 2022 09:52 AM EST

Japan team members warm up during an official training session at the National Stadium in Tokyo Sunday, June 5, 2022. Japan national soccer team will play a friendly soccer match against Brazil on June 6. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Brazil faces Japan in friendly with lesser focus on Neymar

By Stephen Wade Jun. 05, 2022 06:50 AM EDT

Barcelona's Gerard Pique, center, reacts during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
In leaked audio, Piqué asks for help to play at Olympics

By Tales Azzoni Apr. 20, 2022 07:59 AM EDT

FILE - Mexico's Hector Herrera plays during the first half of a FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Cincinnati. The Houston Dynamo signed Mexican national team captain Héctor Herrera to a designated player contract Wednesday, March 2, 2022, that will run through at least the 2024 season. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Dynamo sign Mexican star Héctor Herrera as designated player

Mar. 02, 2022 01:24 PM EST

Barcelona's Pedri, centre, passes the ball challenged by Benfica's Nicolas Otamendi during a Group E Champions League soccer match between Benfica and Barcelona at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
Pedri to sign new deal with Barcelona through 2026

Oct. 14, 2021 09:07 AM EDT

Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino vies for the ball with Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, right, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Luis Enrique names Spain squad with 7 changes from Euro 2020

By Tales Azzoni Aug. 26, 2021 06:27 AM EDT

Played of Spain pose after winning the silver medal after the men's soccer final match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Madrid's Ceballos sidelined with ankle injury from Olympics

Aug. 10, 2021 05:11 PM EDT

Players of Brazil celebrate with the medals after defeating Spain in the men's soccer final match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Brazilian Olympic Committee criticizes national soccer team

By Tales Azzoni Aug. 08, 2021 09:49 AM EDT

Brazil's Malcom scores his side's second goal against Spain in the men's soccer final match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
At 38, Alves helps Brazil to soccer gold by beating Spain

By Rob Harris Aug. 07, 2021 10:33 AM EDT

Players of Brazil pose prior to their men's soccer final match against Spain at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Spain vs Brazil 8/7/2021

Aug. 07, 2021 08:00 AM EDT

Denmark's Mads Mensah, right, and Johan Hansen celebrate as they won the men's semifinal handball match between Spain and Denmark at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
Hansen's dozen sends Denmark into Olympic handball final

By James Ellingworth Aug. 05, 2021 11:45 AM EDT

Spain's Pedri Gonzalez, left, and Japan's Takefusa Kubo battle for the ball in a men's semifinal soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Saitama, Japon. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Spain vs Japan 8/3/2021

Aug. 03, 2021 07:38 AM EDT

Mexico's players react after defeated by Brazil in a penalty shootout in a men's soccer semifinal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Kashima, Japan. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Brazil to play Spain in men's Olympic soccer gold-medal game

Aug. 03, 2021 07:21 AM EDT

Brazil's Richarlison reacts after missing chance to score during a men's quarterfinal soccer match against Egypt at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Where's Neymar? Olympic selections with clubs, not countries

By Rob Harris Aug. 01, 2021 07:28 AM EDT

Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal takes a shot as Ivory Coast's Kouadio-Yves Dabila fails to block in a men's quarterfinal soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Rifu, Japan, Tokyo. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Spain, Brazil advance to semifinals of Olympic men's soccer

By Rob Harris Jul. 31, 2021 09:58 AM EDT

A fan holds Spains colors prior to a men's quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Ivory Coast at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Rifu, Japan, Tokyo. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Ivory Coast vs Spain 7/31/2021

Jul. 31, 2021 04:02 AM EDT

Spain's Pedri Gonzalez, left, and Egypt's Taher Mohamed battle for the ball during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/SIlvia Izquierdo)
Now at Olympics, Pedri losing count of games after 11 months

By Rob Harris Jul. 29, 2021 07:47 AM EDT

Mexico's Luis Romo, right, scores his teams second goal against South Africa during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Argentina, France, Germany eliminated from Olympic soccer

By Rob Harris Jul. 28, 2021 10:59 AM EDT

Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal, left, raises his arms in jubilation after scoring his side's first goal against Australia during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Sapporo, Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Oyarzabal key for Spain at Olympics, just like at Euro 2020

Jul. 25, 2021 08:56 AM EDT

Argentina's Facundo Medina (14) clears the ball during a men's soccer match against Egypt at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Argentina beats Egypt 1-0 in men's Olympic soccer

Jul. 25, 2021 07:56 AM EDT