River Plate have sensationally withdrawn from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) Executive Committee, citing a lack of transparency and procedural guarantees. The Buenos Aires side have moved to distance themselves from the governing body just as a nationwide club strike begins in response to a federal tax evasion probe. While the club remain committed to certain AFA principles, they have demanded a complete overhaul of how the domestic game is governed.
Edinson Cavani has been a name synonymous with elite goalscoring for over a decade, but the sun may finally be setting on one of the most prolific careers in modern football. The 39-year-old, currently plying his trade with Argentinian giants Boca Juniors, has been hit with a blunt ultimatum to hang up his boots. Once the darling of Old Trafford and a hero in Naples and Paris, the Uruguayan is now finding the twilight of his career increasingly arduous as form and fitness continue to fail him in South America.
In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through South American football, professional clubs across Argentina have collectively agreed to go on strike. The decision, announced on Monday, serves as a direct protest against what footballing authorities have described as "judicial persecution" directed at Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia. The work stoppage is set to bring the domestic game to a grinding halt between March 5 and 8.
Newell's Old Boys vice-president Juan Manuel Medina has announced that the club are "working on" a 2027 homecoming transfer for Lionel Messi. The Inter Miami superstar took his first steps into football at youth level with the Argentine club, who are eager to bring him back as the face of a new "project for the city of Rosario".
Chelsea have reached a full agreement to send teenage sensation Kendry Paez on loan to River Plate after cutting short his spell in Ligue 1. The 18-year-old has been recalled from Strasbourg to join the Argentine giants immediately, with the Blues sanctioning the move to ensure their prized asset secures regular first-team football under Marcelo Gallardo.
Since the Conference League's inception in 2021, three teams have lifted the trophy: Roma, West Ham United, and the current champions, Olympiacos.
How many teams are in the Conference League?
The newest format, introduced ahead of the 2024-25 season, features 36 teams, four more than in the previous format.
Who has made the most Conference League appearances ever?
Mainz 05 midfielder Hong Hyun-seok and Gent captain Sven Kums have made 39 appearances each in the Conference League, making them the players with the most appearances in the competition.
Who is the all-time top scorer of the Conference League?
As for top goalscorers, Arthur Cabral leads the list with 21 goals to his name, including those scored in the qualifying phase. However, without taking into account goals scored in the qualifying phase, three players have scored the joint-most goals in Conference League with 12 each to their names: Arthur Cabral, Eran Zahavi, and Vangelis Pavlidis.
Who has the most assists in the history of the Conference League?
Darian Males, Gavriel Kanichowsky, and Cristiano Biraghi have the most assists in Conference League history, registering eight assists each.
Who is the oldest player ever in the Conference League and how old was he?
Veteran Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina, while playing for Villarreal in 2023, became the oldest player to feature in the Conference League at 40 years and 175 days.
Who is the youngest player ever in the Conference League and how old was he?
Lille wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi holds the record as the Conference League's youngest-ever player at the tender age of 16 years and 3 days.
Which famous players have played in the Conference League?
Stars such as Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Tammy Abraham, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins,Co Mario Gotze, Kasper Schmeichel, Cody Gakpo, Stephan El Shaarawy, James Maddison, Jonathan David, and Edin Dzeko have played in the Conference League.
Which famous managers have managed in the Conference League?
Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho, Unai Emery, David Moyes, and Ange Postecoglou are among the most famous managers to have managed in the Conference League.