The 33-year-old striker has made a strong impact at Santiago Bernabeu despite the pressure on him to step into Karim Benzema's shoes

Prior to the second half of Real Madrid's eventual 3-1 loss to Atletico Madrid on Sunday, Carlo Ancelotti surveyed his bench. He peered over an admittedly thin unit, but an elite one nonetheless. He could call on midfielder Aurelian Tchouameni, No.10 Brahmin Díaz, or the dynamic Dani Ceballos.

Instead, with his team trailing, and the need to change the game, Ancelotti introduced a gangly, 6’3, 33-year-old striker: Joselu. He is not the archetype of human, never mind elite footballer, to change a contest of such magnitude. But it wasn’t exactly a poor selection from Ancelotti, either. Madrid were markedly better with the big striker in the second half, creating more chances, registering more shots, and enjoying a larger percentage of possession in the Atletico defensive third. Joselu did little to change the result, but Madrid’s performance undoubtedly improved.

The presence of this anti-Galactico has bolstered Madrid on a number of occasions already this season. Joselu is not a big-money signing who will break any records, or sell many shirts. But he is, undoubtedly, a presence, a player who will at the very least make things awkward for the opposition. And for a Madrid side lacking an attacking focal point, it's an invaluable attribute, as well as a fulfilment of a lifelong dream for a former Madridista whose career threatened to careen off course along the way.

• Getty
  

  Fitting in at the top level

  Strikers like Joselu don't exist for big clubs anymore. All centre-forwards — regardless of size — have to bring more to their game than just finishing. Harry Kane, for example, is big, but passes like a No.10. Romelu Lukaku is lethal when rolling his defender. And Erling Haaland is some sort of hyper-athletic, deadly Nordic alien. There isn't usually room for the slow, gangly tall guy who likes to run.

  But Madrid have found it for Joselu. Ancelotti's systems are more tactically intricate than he gets credit for, but the legendary Italian manager has won a lot at Madrid because he puts 11 very good players on the pitch, who can all play together. It is, after all, inherently limiting to ask Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Vinicius Jr or Jude Bellingham to modify their role, or curb their footballing instincts.

  In the past, this all worked through the feet of Karim Benzema. The Ballon d'Or-winning striker was equal parts roaming forward and deadly finisher. He could both score in bunches and link play for others — sort of floating around as a false nine. His departure has left a hole — one that Bellingham has surprisingly filled this year with goals of his own. But the England midfielder does not offer the striker's presence that Benzema did.

  And that is where Joselu comes in. With Vinicius having missed a month of action through injury, the Spaniard has largely played alongside Rodrygo up front for Los Blancos, and generally lived in the box, taking on the opposing defence's biggest centre-back. He battles so Rodrygo can roam and Bellingham can ghost into the box. Joselu is effectively an elite facilitator — all without touching the ball.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Putting the ball in the net

  Joselu's signing was met by confusion for a lot of those outside Spain — and for good reason.

  But it's a largely unfair criticism. There are many elite footballers — especially Spanish ones — who simply do not make it in England. Iago Aspas, now a modern La Liga stalwart, flopped at Liverpool. Fernando Morientes, considered Spanish goalscoring royalty when he arrived in England in 2005, scored only eight times in 41 appearances. Alvaro Morata is remembered with chagrin by Chelsea fans, but has been a solid centre-forward for Atletico Madrid.

  Joselu fell victim to the same issue, and perhaps it was his stint in England that helped revive his career when he returned to Spain. Since arriving at Alaves in 2019, aged 29, he has scored double-digit goals every season, most recently bagging 16 for an Espanyol side that won just four games last campaign. This is a player who was handed his Spain debut at 32, and scored the winner in the Nations League semi-final to mark his second cap.

  At Madrid, on his return to his boyhood club, he has found the net on a couple of occasions. Two in six games doesn't jump off the page, but both have been in one-goal wins, and he assisted the winner against Celta Vigo, too. Madrid have won six games from seven in all competitions so far, and Joselu's contributions have been crucial in three of them.

• Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
  

  Love of the club

  The smile on Joselu's face after scoring his first Madrid goal was one of those rare heartwarming things in football. It was May 21, 2011, and Madrid were thrashing Almeria. In the 86th minute, Joselu, introduced as a substitute, ghosted off the far shoulder of the last defender and met Cristiano Ronaldo's cross in stride, right as the ball pinged off the turf, striking it on the rise to make a very tricky finish look markedly easy. It was Madrid's eighth goal of the evening, but Joselu celebrated it like he had scored a last-minute winner.

  It took 12 years for him to bag his second for club, and that one was met with equal delight. This time, it was a rebound that fell kindly to the big Spaniard, who thrashed it home to equalise against Getafe. He needed a few seconds of an excited sprint towards the fans before realising that his team-mates were all returning to the centre-circle in the hunt for a winner.

  And perhaps those reactions are most emblematic of what Joselu brings. There are a lot of Madrid players who want to play for Madrid because of the name, the badge, the status. Bellingham, Madrid's other summer signing, said it himself: "Real Madrid is the greatest club in history and there aren't many players who get to play for such a magnificent and historic club. I'm very grateful to those who brought me here."

  Joselu, though, has a real connection. Although he came up through the Celta Vigo youth system, he was bought by Madrid as an 18-year-old, and impressed for Madrid's Castilla side, before being offered a chance at the first team two years later. And the energy of a 20-year-old trying to earn his spot at one of the world's biggest clubs still remains. The statistics tell some of the story — Joselu's numbers on clearances and interceptions are among the best in the world among strikers, per .

  But the eye test offers more. Joselu never stops moving. He presses the defensive line when Madrid push up. He drops into a deeper position when they soak up pressure. He makes the runs to the back post that don't matter. He offers himself in space for quick interchanges. These are all things that his predecessor was better at — of course Benzema was. But those gangly legs are always in motion, always for the badge of the club he loves.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Real Madrid
  

  Keeping Mbappe's seat warm?

  Real Madrid agreed to bring Joselu in on a loan deal with Espanyol, with a potential option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season. So far, it has seemed like a surprisingly shrewd signing for a team that didn't sign Kylian Mbappe — as many perhaps expected they would.

  But that will likely all change next summer. Mbappe has reportedly agreed on a deal to amicably exit Paris Saint-Germain in 2024. Madrid, by then, will presumably be able to pay whatever fees — to PSG or otherwise — are needed to make the deal happen. It's a presumptive move that will push Joselu further down the pecking order.

  For now, the Spaniard is a reliable fill-in for a side that is still growing into a new 4-4-2 formation. When Mbappe arrives, the system will likely change for him. It's hard to see Madrid needing a true No.9 in their squad as anything but an occasional cup option, or late sub to relieve one of their front three.

  So, Joselu effectively has his one season to make an impact. And maybe he hasn't picked the year made for the most success. Barcelona appear well poised to challenge Madrid for the title and there are undoubtedly more well-rounded teams in the Champions League. That this is likely Ancelotti's final season in club management won't help, either.

  Still, for Madrid's anti-Galactico, a player who has waited for his Bernabeu dream to come true, he might just have the kind of impact necessary to keep Madrid challenging on all fronts.

Everton have been hit with a 10-point penalty for breaches of Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Toffees considered to have broken rulesDrop to joint-bottom of the tableMerseyside outfit to appeal decisionGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Toffees have been plunged into the English top-flight relegation zone as a result of the ruling, with Sean Dyche’s side now sitting on four points alongside rock-bottom Burnley. Time is still on their side when it comes to staging a recovery, while an appeal is being planned at Goodison Park.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Action has been taken against Everton after they posted financial losses of almost £372 million ($462m) over a three-year period, with those figures sitting more than £250m ($311m) above the threshold laid out in Premier League guidelines.

GettyWHAT THE PREMIER LEAGUE SAID

A statement from the Premier League read: “An independent Commission has imposed an immediate deduction of 10 points on Everton FC for a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs). The Premier League issued a complaint against the Club and referred the case to an independent Commission earlier this year. During the proceedings, the Club admitted it was in breach of the PSRs for the period ending Season 2021/22 but the extent of the breach remained in dispute. Following a five-day hearing last month, the Commission determined that Everton FC’s PSR Calculation for the relevant period resulted in a loss of £124.5million, as contended by the Premier League, which exceeded the threshold of £105million permitted under the PSRs. The Commission concluded that a sporting sanction in the form of a 10-point deduction should be imposed. That sanction has immediate effect.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

HOW EVERTON RESPONDED

The Toffees’ response read: “Everton Football Club is both shocked and disappointed by the ruling of the Premier League’s Commission. The Club believes that the Commission has imposed a wholly disproportionate and unjust sporting sanction. The Club has already communicated its intention to appeal the decision to the Premier League. The appeal process will now commence and the Club’s case will be heard by an Appeal Board appointed pursuant to the Premier League’s rules in due course. Everton maintains that it has been open and transparent in the information it has provided to the Premier League and that it has always respected the integrity of the process.

"The Club does not recognise the finding that it failed to act with the utmost good faith and it does not understand this to have been an allegation made by the Premier League during the course of proceedings. Both the harshness and severity of the sanction imposed by the Commission are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence submitted. The Club will also monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules. Everton cannot comment on this matter any further until the appeal process has concluded.”

Sir Elton John believes Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will be having “more fun” at Wrexham than any movie or television show they have ever made.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Hollywood stars completed takeover in 2021Guided Welsh outfit back into the Football LeaguePop superstar a former chairman at WatfordWHAT HAPPENED?

The Hollywood superstars completed a stunning takeover at SToK Racecourse back in the spring of 2021. They have experienced an emotional roller coaster since then, with the pain of Wembley and play-off defeats being countered by the joy of a record-breaking promotion back into the Football League.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT SIR ELTON JOHN SAID

Sir Elton knows all about the stresses of club ownership from his time as chairman of Watford, but believes Reynolds and McElhenney will be loving the ride. The music industry icon has told : “It’s great and I phoned Ryan when they won and they got promoted and I just think it’s fantastic. They’re on the ride that I was on. It’s slightly different because times have changed but it’s no more un-exciting… it’s so exciting for them. I bet they have more fun doing that than any movie they’ve ever made.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Watford climbed into the top tier of English football during Sir Elton’s time at the helm, finishing as runners-up behind Liverpool in 1983, and reached the FA Cup final in 1984 – losing 2-0 to Everton at Wembley Stadium.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Reynolds and McElhenney have never shied away from the fact that they want to see Wrexham become a Premier League side at some point, with considerable faith and funds being invested in a project that currently has the Welsh outfit sat fourth in the League Two table.

The Red Dragons' star striker has returned from injury, but he's received plenty of help in the goalscoring department from his team-mates

Wrexham's 2-0 victory away at Notts County on Saturday felt like a seismic moment in their season. After the game, Phil Parkinson ranked it among his best-ever days as a manager – and it's easy to see why.

Backed by a raucous, packed-out away end, his side secured a vital three points against one of their principle League Two promotion rivals, with whom they enjoyed a historic title race with in the National League last season.

Parkinson wasn't the only one who enjoyed himself either. Striker Paul Mullin was a very happy man too, describing the trip as the "perfect away day". Mullin made a telling contribution at Meadow Lane, providing the assist for Ollie Palmer's 76th-minute goal which sealed the result for Wrexham, after Elliot Lee opened the scoring just a few moments earlier.

It marked Mullin's fourth goal contribution in as many games, as his campaign gets back on track following an extremely difficult start to the season which forced his attacking team-mates to step up to the plate.

• Getty Images
  

  Mullin carried Wrexham to the title

  When Wrexham romped to the National League title, no player had a bigger role than Mullin. The Liverpool-born striker finished with a quite remarkable 46 goals in all competitions, with his closest challenger for the club's Golden Boot, Ollie Palmer, lagging behind on 16.

  It wasn't just the sheer volume of goals that was so astounding. Mullin brought plenty more to the table too, in terms of his link-up play, pressing and creativity – as former team-mate Jake Hyde reflected on recently.

  "He’d drop short, create chances and I thought ‘this lad is a proper player’," Hyde recalled. "Then he went on to prove how good he is in front of goal. When he first came in, the thing I remember is thinking ‘I’m going to like playing with this lad because he’s got that creative side’. He was better than I thought he would be."

  In other words, he was Wrexham's undisputed main man and was all set to continue in this pivotal role as the team made their long-awaited return to the Football League.

Advertisement

• Getty/GOAL/IG-paulmullin12
  

  Disaster in the United States

  Before that, though, Mullin and Co. had to navigate a pre-season tour to the United States. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the squad, most of whom were lower-league plodders for whom a training camp in Cornwall would've been considered exotic.

  Wrexham made the most of their trip to America, taking in the adulation from their adoring Stateside fanbase and playing against some of the biggest teams in the world.

  It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, though. During the Red Dragons' penultimate pre-season game against Manchester United, Mullin suffered a horrific injury, colliding with opposing goalkeeper Nathan Bishop and coming away with a punctured lung.

  Parkinson was left seething at full-time, with his star striker forced to stay behind in the States to recover, while the rest of his team-mates flew home. Mullin would end up missing the first six games of the League Two season.

• Getty Images
  

  And Wrexham seemed to miss him

  As one might expect, it took a little while for Parkinson's charges to adjust to losing their best player. On the opening day of the season, they suffered a shock 5-3 defeat to MK Dons, a result that on the surface may seem to suggest more about the team's poor defence than their lack of firepower.

  However, on that day, Wrexham had 12 shots from inside the box, but only scored three times. Had Mullin been spearheading the Red Dragons' frontline, surely they would've converted a few more of these chances?

  A clinical edge was also lacking the following week against AFC Wimbledon, as well as in Carabao Cup ties against Wigan Athletic and Bradford City, and in a 1-1 draw with Barrow. Wrexham only gained nine points from the six league games Mullin was injured for, which speaks volumes about the impact of his absence.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Mullin returned – but Lee outshone him

  Mullin made his return against Doncaster Rovers in early September, receiving rapturous applause from the Racecourse faithful after being introduced as a second-half sub in a 2-1 win. However, Mullin did not find the scoresheet that afternoon, and also failed to make the net bulge in subsequent appearances against Grimsby Town and high-flying Stockport County.

  Fortunately for Wrexham, a new hero emerged: Elliot Lee. Lee had picked up the goalscoring slack when Mullin was out, netting five times during his team-mate's spell on the sidelines. And he came up trumps again when Mullin was getting himself back up to speed, scoring an 88th-minute winner in the Doncaster game before registering a goal and an assist as Parkinson's side secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Grimsby.

  Lee's contributions – from an attacking midfield role – were absolutely vital in keeping Wrexham in touch with the top three, with his excellent form earning plaudits from fans and his manager.

  "He's a little magician, Elliot," Parkinson said after his match-winning display against Doncaster. "He's got real magic in his boots and you see that time and time again with him. There won't too many that's got as many goals as Elliot, basically from a deeper position, which he's played for us, but you always feel that when he gets in and around the box something's going to happen."

England and Tottenham forward Beth England has opened up on the Lionesses' agonising World Cup run in Australia, including what she "hated" most.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• England opens up on World Cup experience
• Admits she "hated" flying
• Still hurt by final loss to Spain

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  England watched a large part of the tournament from the bench as the Lionesses made it all the way to the final, only to fall at the last hurdle to an impressive Spain side. But the Spurs star, who is currently out after a hip operation, reveals the worst thing about the showcase event in Australia and New Zealand wasn't the lack of playing time – it was the travelling.

Advertisement

• WHAT ENGLAND SAID ON TRAVELLING

  England told : "I actually have a big fear of flying… I hated it. I loved Australia, loved every minute of it but all the internal flights in between, it was a bit heavy for me. There was one flight I was really unwell afterwards and the girls were all laughing at me but I just felt like I was going to be sick. Flying is not for me. They were together in that they were laughing at me in unison. It's part of the game though and it was a great experience for us to be out there and to do what we did."

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT ENGLAND SAID ON LOSING THE FINAL

  The 29-year-old also opened up on the disappointment of losing the final in Sydney, adding: "I probably feel the same now as I did at the time; we fell short. On the day we weren't good enough to win. We wanted to be better and bring it home like we did during the Euros but it just wasn't meant to be. I'm still proud of how we handled ourselves throughout the World Cup and how we did as a group. To say you're second best in the world is something not many can say. We still want to strive for more and hopefully there's an opportunity again for us to win it but we did the best we could on the day."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The forward joined Tottenham at the beginning of last season after spending six years with rivals Chelsea, and immediately hit the ground running. England scored 12 goals in 12 league matches as her new club could only manage a ninth-placed finish. However, she has missed the start of the current campaign with a hip problem. In England's absence, Spurs have risen as high as fourth, and will be hoping to climb higher still when she eventually makes her return.

USMNT leged Clint Dempsey believes that the 2024 Copa America could either be the peak or end of boss Gregg Berhalter's tenure.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Dempsey gives exclusive Berhalter interviewBelieves Copa America is make-or-break for USMNT bossSays 'questions' will come about if bad performances arriveWHAT HAPPENED?

On the set of with CBS Sports Soccer, Dempsey spoke to the Daily Mail about Berhalter's current form with the USMNT. The ex-striker believes, now, that the next year will define the American's time with the USA – NOT – the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The result of that tournament is in the past, and this is a new era for his squad, meaning they can only look forward.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Berhalter's performances of late have put him under the scrutiny of many after falling to Germany in an international friendly in October, and then suffering an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Trinidad and Tobago in the Concacaf Nations League in November. Now, with the biggest tournament of 2024 upon him, Dempsey believes that Copa America could define his tenure with the USMNT.

WHAT DEMPSEY SAID

"I think Copa America is truly how you're going to be graded for the team,' Dempsey told Mail Sport, 'And, you know, for the coaches, are we doing the right thing? Because you're not gonna get another bigger opportunity to do well in the World Cup on home soil in 2026. So if you do well in [the Copa America] and you're building towards something, then that's great. But if you're not, I think there's still time to change things if you need to.
"You don't do well, then you're always on the chopping block,' Dempsey added. "That's what comes with every job, right? If you're not performing, the question starts to be asked. So I think there's still time to show what you can do. But I think Copa America is going to be a huge test for this team and for this coach in terms of where we're going."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

WHAT NEXT FOR THE USMNT?

The USSF have scheduled an international friendly against Slovenia for January 20, with the first test of the year for Berhalter and co. being against the EURO 2024 side. For now, though, Berhalter will be having his eyes on his player's club performances, especially that of Ricardo Pepi, who notched a stoppage-time winner for PSV in the Champions League Wednesday.

England star Mary Earps is driving her Manchester United team-mate Phallon Tullis-Joyce to get even better, Red Devils boss Marc Skinner believes.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Earps and Tullis-Joyce both praised by SkinnerEngland's No.1 firmly first-choice at Man UtdBut is also driving her team-mate to new levelsWHAT HAPPENED?

Tullis-Joyce joined the club in September after shining in the NWSL with the Seattle Reign but has found it difficult to usurp the Lionesses' No.1 for opportunities. The American did start all four of United's Continental Cup games but Earps was preferred for the clash with second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup last week, a game many thought she would be rested for.

AdvertisementWHAT SKINNER SAID

Asked about the competition between the two goalkeepers on Thursday, Skinner praised both – Earps for the standards she sets and Tullis-Joyce for her desire to meet them. "I recently had a meeting with with Phallon, just to catch up really and just to reiterate the quality she has. She's a fantastic goalkeeper – but she's also behind the world's number one goalkeeper. That's the level," Skinner said.

"The beauty of Phallon is that she wants to raise her game to try and get to Mary's standard. Mary's difference is in the mind, the way she thinks, the way she moves, the way she prepares. She almost sees the danger before it comes. I'm in that fortunate but unfortunate position of having to not play one of them but Mary is at the highest of levels and Phallon wants to get there. I think she understands the journey, I think she understands what she has to do."

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Tullis-Joyce could well inherit the first-choice role at United later this year as Earps is out of contract at the club and is attracting interest from several parties. There is still a chance that the England star could stay and sign a new deal, though.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

DID YOU KNOW?

Only Manchester City teenager Khiara Keating (6) has kept more clean sheets in the Women's Super League this season than Earps (5).

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly ranted at Raheem Sterling last season in an "embarrassing" dressing room incident, as he urged the winger to improve.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Sterling was targeted by owner
• Chelsea paid £50m ($63m) for England winger
• Has struggled to hit top form at Stamford Bridge

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to a new report from the Telegraph, Boehly stormed into the dressing room last April, after Chelsea lost 2-1 to Brighton at Stamford Bridge, and made a beeline for Sterling. He both told the squad that they were in "embarrassing" shape, and also told Sterling that he was a world-class player who needed to bring more to the table in terms of his form and leadership.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Sterling is said to have taken the criticism well, accepting that Boehly was within his rights to give him his opinion, and has been receptive to feedback throughout his time at Stamford Bridge. However, his form has been patchy since he arrived from Manchester City, scoring 16 goals and registering 12 assists in 68 games. That amounts to a goal contribution every 0.4 games.

• Getty Images
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Sterling has not scored for Chelsea in the Premier League since November, when the Blues lost 4-1 to Newcastle. He has provided three assists since then, but one has to think that boss Mauricio Pochettino is expecting more from the Three Lions star.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Sterling will next be in action for Chelsea against former club City on Saturday. The 10th-placed Blues could climb as high as eighth if they win.

Emiliano Martinez has hinted that he wants to join Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria in Argentina's Olympic squad that will fly to Paris in the summer.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• World Cup winner want to join Messi & Di Maria in France
• Three overage players can be called upon
• Argentina will also defend Copa America title in 2024

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Javier Mascherano, the under-23 Argentine national team coach, has made it clear there's an open invitation for Messi and Di Maria to participate in the Olympic Games. Recent developments indicate that the duo might be joined by the Aston Villa keeper who remains keen on winning an Olympic gold medal – an honour that is missing from his illustrious trophy cabinet with the national team that includes a World Cup and a Copa America title.

Advertisement

• WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

  Speaking to , Martinez said: "If there's something missing for me with the national team, it's winning the Olympic Games."

  However, Martinez assured that he would step aside if Argentina triumph at the Copa America, leaving his spot for emerging talents.

  "Young players always need the opportunity, and if we do well in the Copa América and win it, we should give the youngsters a chance," he added.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While Messi is yet to announce his decision, Di Maria has stated his intention to conclude his international career at the Copa America earlier in the same summer. The South American flagship tournament will end just 10 days before the Olympic competition gets underway in Paris which could pose a challenge to the availability of Messi and Co.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Martinez's desire to join Messi in the Olympic squad reflects the collective ambition of Argentine players to compete at the highest level and pursue success on the international stage. There have been instances where players have played back-to-back tournaments before – like Barcelona's Pedri, who participated in the Euros and Olympics in 2021 – but it would be physically demanding for a 35-year-old Messi to emulate the Spanish star.

Luis Rubiales could have been hit with a more severe sanction than the three-year ban he was handed for kissing Jenni Hermoso, FIFA has confirmed.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Rubiales banned from football for three yearsRFEF president kissed Hermoso without consentFIFA considered even more severe punishmentWHAT HAPPENED?

The former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president was hit with a suspension from the governing body after he kissed the Spain star without her consent during their World Cup final celebrations. Rubiales consistently denied any wrongdoing and initially refused to step down despite pressure from within the RFEF and around the football world.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Rubiales, who insists Hermoso consented and still refuses to apologise, was hit with an initial temporary suspension by FIFA and eventually stepped down before his full three-year ban was confirmed in October. FIFA published the details of its ruling on Wednesday and heavily criticised the 46-year-old, adding that it was tempted to hit him with an even greater punishment.

WHAT FIFA SAID

A document released by FIFA said: "First of all, the Committee pointed out that the behaviour of the Respondent [Rubiales] was particularly indefensible in relation to the incidents at stake, specifically considering the extent of his experience in the football world, but also in view of his positions as (i) President of one of the most prestigious member associations, (ii) member of the UEFA Executive Committee and (iii) one of the UEFA vice- presidents.

"In other words, in such a context, it was absolutely and categorically expected of him to maintain and embody the highest levels of professionalism, beyond the usual standards, especially at a moment where his country was at the apex level of women's football. In this regard, the Committee could not stress enough that – regardless of the emotional state he was in during and after the Match -the Respondents behaviour was inexcusable and unacceptable, especially considering his high rank within the football ecosystem at the time."

The statement added later: "In this context, the Committee wished to stress that it was tempted to impose more severe sanctions in view of the seriousness and gravity of the incidents at stake as well as of the profound negative impact that the Respondents actions had on the image of FIFA, women's football and women's sport in general. However and even with strong hesitations, the Disciplinary Committee was satisfied that the imposition of such a measure would serve the necessary deterrent effect upon the Respondent given his established (prohibited) behaviour(s), but also the category of the competition in which the incident(s) had occurred and the significant impact of those. In fact, the Committee was hopeful in its outlook that such sanction, as previously mentioned, would serve to have the necessary deterrent effect upon the Respondent in order to avoid the occurrence of any similar incident(s) in the future."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR RUBIALES?

After being banned from all sporting activities for three years, which he plans on appealing, it has been reported that Rubiales is under a legal investigation over accusations that he sexually assaulted Hermoso by kissing her without the player's consent.