Down to Ten Men

Major League Soccer is growing. A decade or so ago, the MLS was considered a ‘retirement home’ for has-beens that were coming to the end of their illustrious careers.

Nowadays, the United States’ primary soccer division is widely regarded as a serious, respected league and there are now plenty of elite stars in action on a weekly basis.

Lionel Messi is probably the most coveted player in the world of football as the Argentine attacker is a performer that just about any coach or club would want to sign.

The possibility of any club actually signing Messi is extremely unlikely as his relationship with Barcelona is very meaningful and not only in the football aspect of things but also in his personal life as the Catalan club aided the Argentine by covering his medical costs and paying for his growth hormone treatment, as well as settling the legal fees in his recent court battle.

Former Sporting Director of Leyton Orient, Mauro Milanese lost his dismissal claim after months of arguing it out in court.

Milanese joined the club in the summer of 2014 as sporting director but was made manger few months later. When the club appointed a new coach in Fabio Liverani, he was reverted to his former role. However, the club sacked him in January 2015 claiming that the former manager breached his contract.

Serie A champions, Juventus officially signs summer interest Miralem Pjanic from AS Roma.

Juve signed the rising star player ahead of top English Premier League clubs, Chelsea FC and Manchester United who both really wanted the play maker to join them during the summer.

The Bianconeri confirmed the purchase of the player in an official statement. Pjanic completed his medicals on Monday 13th June and was unveiled immediately. Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting that the five-year deal is worth €4.5m per season.

Christian Abbiati spent 15 seasons performing with Ac.Milan and at the age of 38, he has hang up gloves as the veteran shot-stopper opted to retire in what has been a fairly underwhelming season for Ac.Milan as they lost against As.Roma in the last league match of the season and failed to snatch a Europa League spot.

"I thought I would get more emotional, but I kept it all in. I will keep thanking the fans, the club, President Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani for the rest of my life for all the wonderful moments I have enjoyed. With a host of great stars, we won everything. It's a shame to say goodbye after a defeat like this. I wanted to thank the fans who waited to say goodbye to me" AC Milan’s Christian Abbiati said after As.Roma defeated Ac.Milan on their last league match.

Manchester United are hoping to close in on outgoing PSG star striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Ibrahimovic is expected to make a decision about his future before the Euros with Manchester United, LA Galaxy and Arsenal among the clubs interested.