Tim Rehm, captain of the US national soccer team, announced his retirement from international football yesterday, Tuesday, ending a busy career that spanned 16 years, during which he played 86 matches for the national team and won two titles in the CONCACAF Nations League.
The 38-year-old veteran defender led the American national team in the World Cup hosted by his country this year, contributing to its reaching the round of 16 before exiting against Belgium.
Reem, a Charlotte FC player, who previously played for Fulham and Bolton Wanderers, told reporters, before the friendly match against Chile in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri: “The journey is over for me. “I feel very proud to have been part of this project for 16 years, but it is time to turn the page and move away from the national team.”
The retirement announcement came before the US team's 4-2 victory over Chile, while the US team prepares to face Mexico in Glendale, Arizona, next Saturday, before hosting Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota, on October 6.
The NBA is close to selecting new owners for the new Las Vegas club, with a value ranging between 12 and 13 billion dollars for the franchise rights, in addition to the cost of building a new stadium, according to media reports.
The league is currently considering including two new teams in Las Vegas and Seattle, bringing the total number of league clubs to 32 teams, perhaps by 2028.
According to what ESPN reported on Tuesday, there is still a short list of three contenders for the Las Vegas team, including an offer from Nancy Walton Lowry, heir to the Walmart chain. Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos is leading another bid, while Bill Foley, owner of the Vegas Golden Knights ice hockey team, is leading the third bid.
Last March, the NBA's Board of Directors voted to study the Las Vegas and Seattle markets, and it is expected to obtain official approval for the expansions by next December. A new basketball gym at the south end of Las Vegas' Main Street has been widely proposed as part of the city's bid to host basketball games, although Foley, the Knights' owner, has also suggested modifying his NHL team's T-Mobile Arena.
Las Vegas hosts the NBA Summer League, and T-Mobile Arena hosted the semifinals and finals in the first three editions of the NBA Cup. But the city, which is home to the NFL's Raiders team and will soon host a Major League Baseball team, has never had its own team in the basketball league.
Seattle is expected to play at Climate Pledge Arena, home of the Kraken hockey team, on the ice, and at the former Seattle SuperSonics arena, which moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. A decision on Seattle's owners will be made at a later date.
Luis de la Fuente, coach of the world champion Spanish national team, praised Barcelona star Lamine Yamal after his brilliance by scoring two goals and assisting one, in the victory over Croatia 4-1 in the second round of the European Nations League third group competitions in football, praising his ability to harness his talent in the service of team play.
De La Fuente said in a press conference after the end of the match: “As you know, I do not like to highlight individuals, but sometimes it is impossible to ignore that. I must emphasize Lamin's work, both on an individual and collective level. He is a very generous player who uses all his talent, genius, and wonderful football style to serve the team.”
He added: “It is wonderful to have him among our ranks. “I always repeat this.” The La Roja players presented their most expensive trophy at Ramon Sanchez Pisjuan Stadium, two months after they were crowned world champions at the expense of Lionel Messi and his teammates in the Argentine national team.
When asked about Yamal's (19 years old) chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, the Spanish national team coach, known for his patriotic spirit, stated that football owes Spain "more than one player," referring to Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta when they were playing for Barcelona.
The 65-year-old coach added: “I think we should give more appreciation to all Spanish footballers. I also pointed out that Spanish football, in the history of the Ballon d'Or, deserves more than one player. We were unable to showcase our talent and expertise. "So it's time for that, because they really are the best players in the world."
He continued, saying: “We have Fabian (Ruys), Lamine, Rodri, (Mark) Cucurría, in addition to Ferran (Torres), not to mention the goalkeepers who are also nominated for the Ballon d’Or. It's time to value and highlight our players. Because, in fact, they have all the qualifications to be nominated and win the Ballon d'Or.
Regarding the wonderful series of matches in which the “La Roja” team has not been defeated so far, which reached 40 matches, the Spanish coach confirmed that his team, the World Cup and European champions, has not yet reached its “full potential,” and that it will inevitably face a “realistic shock” that will bring it back to reality.
