Sports
Why Argentina’s Dark Blue Away Kit is Considered ‘Lucky’
The iconic sky blue and white stripes of Argentina’s home kit may be one of the most recognisable shirts in world football, but it’s the nation’s dark blue away strip that has earned itself a reputation as being ‘lucky’.
Worn during some of the biggest victories in Albiceleste’s history, the strip has become synonymous with success on the grandest stage. Across decades of international competition, the blue shirt has appeared at pivotal moments when Argentina have needed it most.
Whether by chance or something more, its association with memorable triumphs has fueled a long-standing superstition among supporters, with each new success adding another chapter to the kit’s growing folklore.
Why Argentina’s Dark Blue Kit is ‘Lucky’
Due to the fact that England have been selected as the ‘home’ side ahead of their semi-final clash with Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, and FIFA’s desire for a light-and-dark kit contrast to benefit TV viewers, the South-American side were always going to don their away strip.
However, even though the tournament organizers prefer both teams to wear their home colours if possible, the Argentinians requested to wear their second kit.
And whilst some have attributed the decision as a way to prevent a kit clash, Argentinian journalists have started to believe that the alternative strip could help deliver success on the pitch.
The dark blue shirt is supposedly linked to World Cup wins over England in 1986 and 1998.
In 1986, Diego Maradona scored two of the World Cup’s most famous goals of all time whilst wearing the changed strip. The first, now dubbed the ‘Hand of God’, saw the Argentinian rise above England keeper, Peter Shilton, and handle the ball, directing it goalward.
The second goal was remembered for more honorable reasons, with Maradona dribbling around five English players, before slotting home his second of the game, and scoring what became known as the ‘goal of the century’.
And in 1998, Argentina’s dark blue kit featured in another World Cup win against the English. After Alan Shearer and Gabriel Batistuta traded penalties in the opening ten minutes, goals from Javier Zanetti and Michael Owen saw the sides level as David Beckham was sent off early in the second half, after kicking out at Diego Simeone. The South Americans ended up winning 5-4 on penalties to advance to the quarter-finals.
Argentina wore dark blue kits in their World Cup victories against England in 1986 and 1998, but not in their World Cup 2002 defeat to the Three Lions, a game in which they wore the traditional ‘Albiceleste’ colours.
Argentina’s Shirt Colours Explained
Whilst Argentina have long been associated with their blue-and-white striped home shirt, the story behind their second kit stems from the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
During the group stage, Argentina were drawn to face West Germany, whose home shirt was also predominantly white. At the time, Argentina did not travel with a change of kit, and were left to scramble for a replacement strip.
Enter Swedish club IFK Malmö. The Scandinavian side gave the Argentinian delegation their distinctive royal blue kit, allowing the game to go ahead.
However, Argentina lost the match 3-1, so the borrowed kits were initially remembered for the wrong reasons. Nevertheless, the colour remained associated with the national team, with the Argentine Football Association later adopting blue as the country’s official away colour.
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Liverpool Make Fresh Approach for Bradley Barcola
Liverpool are said to have made a fresh approach over one of their attacking targets this summer. The Reds are playing catch-up on their rivals a little this summer, having only signed Víctor Muñoz, if we are not counting the pre-agreed signing of Jeremy Jaquet.
There is plenty of time to make up ground for Liverpool, and they will as they look to back Andoni Iraola in the window, allowing the Spaniard to put his own stamp on his new squad. Jacquet will replace Ibrahima Konate, but Liverpool still need to properly replace Mo Salah with a top-level winger who can come in and have an impact from the start. The latest reports suggest progress is being made on that front.
Liverpool make fresh Bradley Barcola approach
According to TeamTalk, Liverpool have made a fresh approach for PSG and France winger Bradley Barcola in the last 24 hours, with Les Bleus having been knocked out of the World Cup, albeit they still have a third-place playoff to come. The report claims PSG are looking to offload some assets to stay compliant with financial rules, and Barcola wants to leave to land regular starts, given he has been kept out of the team, at least in his preferred position, by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
It’s claimed Barcola is ‘particularly keen’ on a move to Anfield, and personal terms are not believed to be an issue. What could be an issue is PSG’s asking price, which is unconfirmed, but there have been reports they want more than £100million.
The 23-year-old is a productive player, scoring 34 and assisting 30 in 128 league appearances for PSG, while he has also been important for France, starting the semi-final against Spain. Barcola is a player who also works hard defensively, which is something Didier Deschamps values highly.
Luis Enrique thinks Barcola is ‘unstoppable’ at his best
PSG boss Luis Enrique, who is one of the best managers in world football, has always spoken highly of Barcola. He said back in 2023: “It is a clear bet from the club when we go out and find such a young player, a youth international, with a big personality and the quality to burst out. He has quite a few minutes for being in a team like ours. He incarnates the present and the future.
“On Saturday evening, he was superb, the most decisive player in one-on-one situations and he scored an exceptional goal too. He had a great match; there is nothing new regarding Bradley. I am very happy for him.”
He added a year later: “He has many qualities, can do a lot of things, is very fast, and is very young. Today, he was at the right tempo and unstoppable!”
Sports
Fenerbahce Chief Jets Into UK for Man Utd Talks to Sign Marcus Rashford
Manchester United have had a busy summer transfer window so far, and while they are still looking for more additions, attention has now turned towards potential exits.
The Red Devils have completed deals to sign Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow so far, while they have also backed out of a deal to sign Ederson after initially agreeing a deal with Atalanta before a knee issue showed up during his medical.
Michael Carrick is keen for more signings to strengthen the side ahead of the team’s return to the Champions League, but the club have now been approached about a deal that would see a first-team star depart.
Fenerbahce Eyeing Marcus Rashford Deal
According to Turkish outlet Fanatik, via Sport Witness, Fenerbahce are eyeing a swift move to sign Man Utd star Marcus Rashford.
Rashford, who has been described as ‘unbelievable’, enjoyed a successful loan spell at Barcelona in 2025/26, but the Spanish giants opted against signing him permanently, and have instead sealed moves for Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi to replace him.
The England international is now scheduled to return to Old Trafford for pre-season after his participation at the World Cup is complete, with talks with Carrick planned to reintegrate him into the squad.
However, Fenerbahce are hoping to swoop in and hand him an opportunity to leave the club this summer, and reunite him with former United teammate Mason Greenwood in their new-look attack.
Club transfer supremo Oğuz Çetin is reported to have recently travelled from Marseille to Manchester to hold talks over a deal for the 28-year-old. Fenerbahce want to find an agreement with Man Utd, and if they can, they will then accelerate talks with Rashford over personal terms in an attempt to get a deal done as quickly as possible.
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Rashford Has No Future at Man Utd
Rashford is one of the best talents to come out of the Man Utd academy in recent years, but it’s quite clear that he has no future at the club because the fallings out he has had over the last 18 months.
Many fans have turned on him entirely, while INEOS made it abundantly clear that they wanted to get his wages off the books. Talk of his return is simply to keep the club’s negotiating position strong, and it would only happen if a deal didn’t materialise.
With that said, Fenerbahce would be an odd move for a player who is at the peak of his powers and capable of contributing at the very highest level for several more years, and it would be a real coup if they were able to pull it off. For United, it’s simple – pay £40m and convince him to join, and he’s yours.
Sports
Bradley Barcola Prefers to Join Arsenal Instead of Liverpool This Summer
Arsenal transfer target Bradley Barcola favours a move to London over Liverpool, who are currently deemed the favourites to sign the Paris Saint-Germain winger, according to journalist Konstantinos Lianos.
Barcola spent another season somewhat on the periphery of Luis Enrique’s team in 2025/26, behind the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele in the pecking order. Despite this, the Frenchman still managed to net 13 goals and provide eight assists across all competitions, and is now wanted by two of Europe’s top clubs.
The Gunners view Barcola as an alternative to Morgan Rogers, while Liverpool believe the 23-year-old could help fill the void left by Mohamed Salah.
The Merseysiders lead the race to land the player’s signature, but they may have some difficulty convincing him to swap Paris for the north-west of England.
Bradley Barcola Prefers Arsenal Move to Liverpool
Rogers is Arsenal’s primary target for the left wing this summer, although the Gunners have prepared a clear plan B if a move for the Aston Villa star fails. The Villans are said to be demanding around £130 million for the England international, and if they hold firm on this valuation, the North Londoners may turn to this plan B.
Barcola is the alternative, and Arsenal may actually be better placed to acquire the electric wide man than their Premier League counterparts Liverpool, who view him as a priority.
According to Greek reporter Lianos, Barcola would prefer to swap the French capital for the English capital, rather than trade his Parisian lifestyle with Merseyside. This gives Arsenal a significant advantage in the race to sign the former Lyon man, if they do indeed end up pursuing him over Rogers.
Lianos also reports, however, that PSG will discuss a new contract with Barcola after his participation at the World Cup comes to an end.
The winger is currently tied down at the Parc des Princes until 2028, but the Ligue 1 champions are keen to secure his future for the long-term to fend off interest from elsewhere.
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Arsenal Should be Able to Complete Barcola Transfer
Based on Villa’s purported demands, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Arsenal swiftly pivot from Rogers to Barcola, and they shouldn’t have any issues pulling a deal for the France international off.
While PSG are intent on signing one of their prized assets to a new deal, he must be itching for a new challenge somewhere else. Yan Diomande is being heavily linked with the French giants, and if this transfer materialises, Barcola will be left surplus to requirements in Paris.
He’d then be behind five players in the pecking order in PSG’s frontline, and this should be enough to convince him to consider plying his trade elsewhere.
Arsenal can offer Barcola a prominent role in one of the best team’s in Europe, while his desire to live in London gives them significantly more swaying power than Liverpool.
Andrea Berta shouldn’t have a hard time enacting a deal for the talented attacker if it becomes clear he’s going to leave PSG.
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