Chelsea Broke the Record for Rogers, Messi Bade Farewell to the World Cup: and Vardar Chases a European Night in Skopje Tonight

Chelsea broke the island's record for Morgan Rogers

Chelsea opened the coffers and set a new transfer record in English football. Morgan Rogers moves from Aston Villa for 117 million pounds, making it the most expensive transfer in the history of English football. The 23-year-old England international signed a contract until 2033 and turned down interest from Arsenal and several other Premier League clubs. The logic is familiar: Rogers racked up 40 goal contributions in just 85 games for Villa and helped them win the Europa League. The question left hanging is a different one - when a club pays record sums while at the same time selling players for over 120 million to satisfy UEFA's financial rules, who really dictates the game: the coach or the accountant?

Messi with an emotional message after the lost final

The World Cup ended the way few expected - Spain beat Argentina 1:0 in the final, with a goal from Ferran Torres in the 117th minute. Argentina was outplayed: for the whole match it managed just two shots, and the first on target came only after they'd already conceded. Lionel Messi, who with eight goals and four assists was his team's main asset throughout the tournament, addressed the fans with words that carry weight. „The pain is enormous, and this wound will take time to heal,” he said. This was most likely his last appearance at a World Cup - the end of an era, whether Argentina wants to admit it or not.

Real Madrid turns the wheel toward Rodri

When plan A falls through, plan B is born - and in Real Madrid's case, plan B is called Rodri. After the „royal club” gave up on Bayern's Michael Olise, the Spanish Ballon d'Or winner suddenly became a real target. The 30-year-old Manchester City midfielder found his old form at just the right moment - on Spain's road to the World Cup final, where he conducted against Belgium, France and Argentina after a season crippled by injuries. Since Toni Kroos's retirement, Real has no real defensive conductor in midfield. Will City let go of the player who holds the team's balance? That's a bill Manchester won't pay easily.

Van Bommel is Belgium's new manager

Belgium has found its new man on the bench. Mark van Bommel is close to a signature that will keep him at the head of the „Red Devils” until the end of the 2028 European Championship. The 49-year-old Dutchman succeeds Rudi Garcia, whose contract wasn't renewed after the quarterfinal exit at the World Cup - and that to the future champions, Spain. The irony is that Garcia left a solid record: 12 wins, six draws and only two losses in 20 matches since taking over the team in January 2025. But in international football the record on paper rarely saves the seat - what matters is when you go out, not how many wins you have up to then.

Vardar hosts Riga tonight in search of a European win

While Europe counts millions, here every minute of the European adventure counts. Vardar hosts Latvia's Riga tonight at the „Todor Proeski” Arena in Skopje in the first leg of the second qualifying round for the Conference League. The red-and-blacks, after dropping out of the Champions League qualifiers, continue the season in the second-tier European competition - and they know home support is their biggest asset against an experienced rival with a regular presence in UEFA qualifiers. Kick-off is at 8 p.m., the refereeing trio comes from Malta, and the return leg is played in a week's time in Riga. First step - a home win that will bring some peace before the trip north.