GoalKeeper Martinez May ‘Step Aside’ From Argentina

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Jul 21 – Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez says he is considering whether it is “time to step aside” from international football after his side’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.

The 33-year-old has won 67 caps for his country and played every minute of Argentina’s eight World Cup games, keeping two clean sheets and conceding eight goals.

He was a World Cup winner in 2022, also claiming the golden glove award as the tournament’s outstanding goalkeeper. truewildslot.com

“I dreamt we’d win it again, I dreamt of bringing it back to Argentina and making history once more,” Martinez wrote in a post on Instagram.

“The truth is, the pain is hard to explain. There are many things to reflect on and how to move forward, and if it’s time to step aside.

“I’m so sorry, I truly tried my best to help my country and my team-mates.”

Martinez won the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the world’s best goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or awards, in 2023 and 2024.

He has played for Aston Villa since 2020 and has a contract until 2029, but has been linked to a move to Italian side Juventus this summer.

Figure emblématique de la Premier League depuis 15 ans, Anthony Taylor a annoncé sa retraite de l’arbitrage professionnel à l’âge de 47 ans.

L’Anglais quitte les terrains après 20 ans de carrière et 831 matches dirigés au plus haut niveau. Son dernier match aura été le huitième de finale de la Coupe du monde 2026 entre le Portugal et l’Espagne.

Une carrière de 20 ans au plus haut niveau
Ancien gardien de prison devenu arbitre professionnel, Anthony Taylor a intégré la liste des arbitres de la Football League au début de la saison 2006-2007. Promu en Premier League en 2010, il y a dirigé 432 rencontres de première division.

Au total, il compte 668 matches professionnels en Angleterre et 831 rencontres toutes compétitions confondues en deux décennies de carrière. En Premier League, seuls Mike Dean (560 matches) et Martin Atkinson (462 matches) ont arbitré davantage de rencontres que lui.
Taylor a également officié lors des principales finales nationales, notamment deux finales de FA Cup en 2017 et 2020.

Une présence régulière sur la scène internationale

Arbitre FIFA depuis 14 ans, Anthony Taylor a dirigé 163 rencontres internationales. Il a participé à la Coupe du monde 2022, aux Euros 2020 et 2024, ainsi qu’aux Coupes du monde des clubs 2022 et 2025.

Son dernier match international restera le huitième de finale de la Coupe du monde 2026 remporté par l’Espagne face au Portugal (1-0), le 6 juillet 2026.

Au cours de sa carrière, il a également arbitré la finale de la Supercoupe d’Europe 2020, la finale de la Ligue des nations 2021 et la finale de la Ligue Europa 2023.

« La pression est intense »

Dans son message d’adieu, Anthony Taylor a évoqué les exigences du métier d’arbitre de haut niveau.

« Arbitrer au plus haut niveau a été un immense privilège, mais la pression est intense et la surveillance constante. Le moment est venu de me retirer et de me tourner vers l’avenir, vers le prochain chapitre de ma carrière. »
Howard Webb, responsable de l’arbitrage chez Pro Ref, a salué « son immense contribution au football ».

Le départ de Taylor intervient alors que Pro Ref prépare une réorganisation de son corps arbitral pour la saison 2026-2027, avec l’objectif d’offrir davantage d’opportunités aux jeunes arbitres prometteurs.

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Kaizer Chiefs legend Tsepo Masilela believes the club must recruit proven Bafana Bafana-quality players if they are to close the gap on Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

Amakhosi had limited representation at the recent FIFA World Cup, with only defender Bradley Cross making Hugo Broos’ squad.

Speaking on the current Chiefs squad, Masilela identified goalkeeper Brandon Petersen and attacking midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala as the two players with the potential to become regular Bafana Bafana internationals.

He believes Petersen was unfortunate to miss out on the World Cup, while Shabalala still needs to produce consistently to force his way into the national team.

“If Mdu plays well, he stands a chance. You look at the Bafana team which played in the World Cup, we didn’t really have a number 10. If Mdu can score more, he’ll make the squad. Sometimes it’s about the numbers,” Masilela said on Soccerbeat.

The former Chiefs left-back also stressed that the Soweto giants still have work to do if they are to challenge Sundowns and Pirates consistently.

Chiefs should sign Bafana playeers, says Masilela

Masilela feels signing established Bafana Bafana players would significantly strengthen the squad and pointed to midfielder Sphephelo “Yaya” Sithole as the type of player Chiefs should target.

“Trying to close the gap, you have to sign quality players. They finished third, it’s not a bad position, so let’s try and improve. When you mention signings, it will be nice to see them signing Bafana stars,” Masilela added.

“There were talks about Yaya. He is someone that can come to the team and give the midfield a boost. Chiefs don’t have a bad midfield, but they need a number six that’s going to complement the other midfield players,” said the former Bafana Bafana defender.

Chiefs have already strengthened their squad ahead of the 2026/27 season, but Masilela believes adding more established South African internationals could be the key to helping the club compete for major honours once again.

Do you agree with Masilela?

The Stormers XXIII are hoping two key men will be fit for Sunday’s Currie Cup clash against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington.

Captain Jean-Luc du Plessis (knee) and loosehead prop Oli Kebble (shoulder) departed early in last week’s season-opening win over defending champions Griquas and have been given until Thursday to prove their fitness.

Should they be declared fit, it would be a massive shot in the arm for Tom Dawson-Squibb’s charges ahead of the trip to Wellington, where the Capetonians lost 54-26 in a pre-season friendly on 5 July.

Speaking in a Stormers press conference on Tuesday, forwards coach Helmut Lehmann told reporters: “With Oli, medically he has been checked, he did have a scan on that shoulder.

“He didn’t train today or yesterday and later this week, we’ll make a decision on his availability, when we get the proper feedback from our doctors in terms of the extent of the injury.

“JL also didn’t partake in these last two days of training. With a nine-day turnaround between matches, it gives us a bit more time for the guys to sort out their niggles.

“On Thursday when we announce the team we will likely know, medically, if he can play or not.”

ALSO: Cavs star in doubt for Stormers clash

Looking ahead to the Cavaliers challenge, Lehmann says they’re expecting a tough game in the Winelands after Hawies Fourie’s troops beat the Vodacom Bulls XV 24-10 this past Sunday, last season’s semi-finalists scoring three tries to one in wet and muddy conditions.

“Having another opportunity three weeks later for an opportunity to improve gets us excited,” Lehmann said.

“They’ve got a proper set-up there and the way they play on Sundays, or any game, it’s exciting rugby and they bring the people to the ground – and that’s where the pressure cooker comes in.”

MORE: New Stormers coach on highs, lows of first W

He also acknowledged the importance for the Stormers to maintain discipline, having conceded two yellow cards and repeated penalties at Cape Town Stadium on Friday that let Griquas gain a foothold before Stefan Ungerer’s late try secured the result.

“That was the frustrating part about Friday night; our discipline was poor … it put the team under a lot of pressure,” Lehmann said.

“It’s not going to be any better for us if we continue with that ill-discipline, especially at Boland.”

Hooker Vernon Paulo, who barged over the whitewash for the Stormers’ first of three tries on the night, added: “We were very eager to face Griquas and as we analysed in our meetings, that’s not the way that’s going to win us a game, or we’re going to be as lucky as to get back in a game with 12 penalties in the first half.

“All the teams find it difficult to play at Boland Park on a Sunday, with all the people pitching up. We know there’ll be noise … but it’s about us and delivering on the day.”

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

The post Stormers sweat on duo ahead of ‘pressure cooker’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

La Coupe du monde 2026 achevée, la FIFA a sorti son classement des meilleurs gardiens de la compétition, son « Power Rankings ». Diogo Costa (Portugal) termine premier derrière le portier de l’Albiceleste, et finaliste, Emiliano Martinez. L’Anglais Jordan Pickford termine troisième et le Marocain Yassine Bounou finit au pied du podium.

Présent dans le top 20, le gardien tricolore, Mike Maignan pointe à la 19e place. En équipe nationale depuis 2020, le portier de 31 ans aux 48 sélections et 22 clean-sheets, a joué tous les matchs dans les buts durant le Mondial. Durant la phase de poules, il aura notamment sorti un penalty de Jörgen Strand Larsen contre la Norvège lors du dernier match.

En-dehors du portier français de l’AC Milan, les très bonnes places obtenues par les différentes révélations du Mondial, le Paraguayen Orlando Gill se classe 7e, le portier cap-verdien Vozinha prend la 14e place.

The post Équipe de France : Maignan dans le top 20 des meilleurs gardiens du monde dans un classement établi par la FIFA appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.