Those who watched him play for #Everton's first team said Billy Kenny had it all - but by 21 he had retired from football & his life was out of control. After decades of silence he tells his story (Boxing Day special - Athletic is £1 a month for a year) theathletic.com/2275890/2020…

Japan 2-2 Netherlands — two of my favourite teams to watch at any major tournament. This was the best game of the World Cup so far — plus, some insight into just how Crysencio Summerville played himself into a starring role. With @Ankaman616 & @GregOK: nytimes.com/athletic/7357555…

Precocious talents often light up World Cups, but rarely from central midfield. Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi is already bucking that trend. The conventional wisdom is that players need time to develop physically, as well as master the understanding required to dictate play from the middle. But on the physical front, there are no issues. Bouaddi has a relentless engine and was one of the few players who did not wilt in the heat as Morocco drew with Brazil His game intelligence is perhaps unsurprising given he is studying for a degree in mathematics, and it is clear geometry is a strong suit given his instinctive understanding of space and where to position himself @Conor0Neill_ assesses a young genius at work. FREE TO READ 🔗 nyti.ms/4vgt0pQ

A momentous night for the U.S. and Folarin Balogun, who won't let two goals on his World Cup debut get between him and his latest series.

Have you heard of our Pick 'Em game? If you haven't, that's okay — because @JM_Devine is here to explain: Play here: nytimes.com/athletic/pickem/…

Sense of anger and injustice at Everton re this afternoon's news. Have already indicated intention to appeal.. Details plus reaction @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/6665610…

Welcome to Stars of Soccer, The Athletic’s World Cup player guide. Lionel Messi is here, and there’s room for Cristiano Ronaldo too. There are legends of the game, the current elite, rising stars and others who really make their teams tick. They are old and young, some at their first World Cup, some at their sixth. They are players you should enjoy this summer, and we are here to tell you all about them (and how to pronounce their names). 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/7279880…

We were deeply saddened to learn the severity of Maria Costello’s injuries following her accident at the Isle of Man TT Races. Due to the extent of her injuries, a GoFundMe had been set up to support Maria in her recovery: gofund.me/135aa714a

“Erling looks great with his hair down, but I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of the coach Stale Solbakken. He’s a tough guy.” Norway have released an iconic 'Viking' image ahead of their trip to the World Cup. @GregOK speaks to photographer David Yarrow about how it came about. 🔗 nyti.ms/4e3smEK

This has got to be the best World Cup team pic in a long time.... A piece on the making of Norway's 'The Vikings Are Coming' image - featuring fjords, swords and a scary Haaland #ErlingHaaland #Norway #WC2026 @FIFAWorldCup @nff_landslag 🇳🇴⚔️🛶 nytimes.com/athletic/7333438…

🇧🇷 Brazil’s plane ‘baptisms’ 🇹🇷 A vast Turkish car convoy 🇸🇳 Senegal’s meal in an empty stadium 🇿🇦 Presidential lookalikes in South Africa Welcome to the often curious art of World Cup send-offs. 📝 @GregOK 🔗 nyti.ms/4xdKMeM

Everton targeting a right-back, central midfielder & at least one winger this summer Early interest in Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney for CM Expected to be open to offers for several fringe players Summer window preview @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/7315459…

Forty-eight nations, each with a distinct football culture. The fans who believe their team is cursed. The country where early adopters were ridiculed and abused. The supporters who will bring 'the whip' with them. The nation where football has united the people when all else has failed. Over recent months, The Athletic has been speaking to supporters of every team that will compete at this summer's World Cup to explore each one's rich and diverse football culture. From Algeria to Argentina, Canada to Curacao, the Netherlands to New Zealand and all other corners of the globe, this new series takes in traditions, psychology, food, history and much more. Welcome to The Language of Soccer. 🔗 bit.ly/433qJBV

Maria Costello sat down to discuss the risks of the Isle of Man TT and why she keeps coming back A few hours later she was being airlifted to hospital after a crash A piece on the world's most dangerous race and why it continues to compel so many nytimes.com/athletic/7315276…

Anthony Gordon has signed for Barcelona. £69m • Everton due £3.8m £3m solidarity • #NUFC £38m profit on sale • £13m into 26-27 SCR calc • Under 85% rule, £11m extra spending capacity - before considering wages All this and more: @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/7314665…

A New Zealand player is breaking the internet, becoming a social media sensation after being picked by Argentine influencer who ordered his fans to make him the star of the World Cup. Payne has gained more than a million Instagram followers in a matter of days, a tribute song (in Spanish) has been made and even the All Blacks are on the hype train. @GregOK explores a very modern football tale about the power of the internet. 🔗 nyti.ms/3PW0dXU

Almost a year ago Bill Foley told me about his grand plans for making @fc_auckland a real powerhouse This month they've become @aleaguemen Champions and like with @afcbournemouth it seems like he's delivered & wants much more 🇳🇿🍒 nytimes.com/athletic/6435542…

Is this the most dangerous race in the world? With top speeds of over 200mph on a course that winds along public roads, the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race is supremely exhilarating… and inevitably lethal. Between this race and the annual August Manx Grand Prix, there have been 271 deaths. @GregOK went to the Isle of Man to find out what about this race motivates riders to take such great risks. FREE READ 🔗 nyti.ms/4x1HY4k

It's unique, exhilarating and deadly. With one rider having been killed and more badly injured already this year, I went to Isle of Man to ask TT racers why they do it? nytimes.com/athletic/7315276…

Éric Di Meco won the European Cup with Marseille in '93 He now plays in an Oasis tribute band Ahead of this year’s #UCL final, we spoke about that famous OM side, the match-fixing scandal, Euro ’96, meeting Noel Gallagher - and his favourite Oasis songs nytimes.com/athletic/7311595…

West Ham United have been sleepwalking towards relegation since August. Many might argue the drift began long before then. This season has been an unmitigated mess on and off the pitch, with leadership voids, managerial turnover, a scattergun approach to recruitment and unrest in the stands. Nuno fell out with players and coaching staff, at times he did not speak during half-time or after games, and there is uncertainty over his future at the club. Plenty of players will be on the move, with relegation meaning West Ham need to raise £150m in sales this summer. @RoshaneSport provides the inside read on their calamitous relegation from the Premier League. Free to read: bit.ly/3RZxHFq