The Macedonian FA Against Infantino, Chelsea Until 2034: The Weekend Macedonia Also Had a Say in the Football War

The Macedonian FA withdrew its backing for Infantino: Macedonia lined up behind Ceferin in the war at the top

This is the move of the day and hardly anyone here noticed it. The Football Federation of Macedonia has formally withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino's candidacy for re-election as head of FIFA for the 2027-2031 term, and sent written notification to that effect. The decision came after the meeting of the presidents of UEFA member associations with the European body's Executive Committee - which means the federation lined up where the rest of Europe is lining up, behind Aleksander Ceferin. Infantino is under serious pressure after a series of moves around the World Cup, and UEFA has openly declared war on him. In showdowns like this, small federations are usually numbers on paper - votes somebody is collecting. The difference is that this time the number is ours and it has been put on the table publicly, with a signature. Whether the federation gets anything for it is an entirely different question.

Chelsea tied Joao Pedro down until 2034, and he handed himself the heaviest shirt

Chelsea announced an extended contract with Joao Pedro - until 2034. Nine seasons ahead, for a striker who is 24. The numbers behind the signature are real: 23 goals and nine assists last season, named the club's player of the season, three goals at the Club World Cup that Chelsea won, and seven goals in five pre-season matches this summer. A record you rarely see from someone who arrived from Brighton just a year ago. Only, the Brazilian did something else too - he took the number nine. The same shirt worn in London by Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao, Gonzalo Higuain and Romelu Lukaku, all four of whom left with a worse record than they arrived with. A contract until 2034 is a statement of faith. The number on the back is a challenge to fate.

Goretzka signs for Aston Villa: a free agent with 312 games for Bayern

Leon Goretzka has agreed to move to Aston Villa, reports journalist Matteo Moretto. The German has been a free agent since leaving Bayern at the end of last season, having spent eight years in Munich and racked up 312 appearances, 51 goals and 53 assists, plus 73 caps and 15 goals for the German national team. At 31, this is a player who can both build and clean up in midfield. Villa were looking for exactly that profile because their midfield fell apart over the summer - Amadou Onana tore his cruciate ligaments with Belgium at the World Cup and is not expected back until April, and Youri Tielemans left for Manchester United. The answer was 52 million pounds for Johan Manzambi and 38 million for Joao Gomes. And now a player of the same level arrives without a single pound in compensation. Which of the three moves will look smartest in May?

Balde has decided to leave Barcelona, and Manchester United are waiting at the door

Alejandro Balde has decided he has had enough of Barcelona, reports the Catalan outlet Gigantes. His agent Jorge Mendes is already looking for a new club before the transfer window closes. The numbers do not explain why - the left-back played 42 matches last season in winning La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, and has 168 appearances for the first team at 22. Simply, Hansi Flick does not see him in his plans. Manchester United need cover on the left since Tyrell Malacia left on a free, and Patrick Dorgu is more a winger than a full-back - leaving Luke Shaw to carry all the minutes alone. Their first choice was Newcastle's Lewis Hall, but he is staying at St James' Park with a new contract and a place in the leadership group. The Spaniard, with explosive pace and ball-carrying, is the cheaper and better option, if United actually know what they are looking for this time.

Macedonia under-20s opened with a point against Tunisia at the Mediterranean Games

The Mediterranean Games have begun in Taranto, and Aleksandar Tanevski's squad opened their campaign with a draw against Tunisia. A point at the start against an African opponent with serious football infrastructure behind it is neither a disaster nor a cause for celebration. Something else is more interesting: almost nobody here watches these matches live, and yet they are exactly where the generation that will be fighting through qualifiers for a major tournament in five years is being built. Under-20 sides are where you see whether there is real work going on in the clubs, or whether we are once again waiting for one talent to be born by itself. Tunisia was the first test and the answer is not in yet.