While former athlete Tom Brady will always most strongly be known for his achievements as an American football star, he has certainly started to build a connection to the world of soccer, as he would call it, in retirement. After all, the ex-quarterback has taken a minority stake in Birmingham City, helping grow his presence within the sport.
Adding to this, the NFL legend was a key part of the draw for the 2026 World Cup last December, helping decide the final groups. During the event, he got to spend a little time with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Infantino is a rather divisive figure in football right now, with many fans unhappy with his cosying up to Donald Trump ahead of the summer tournament, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. There are even those within FIFA who are said to have been left feeling uncomfortable after the 55-year-old helped the US president land the inaugural peace prize.
Speaking about Infantino, having now had the chance to get to know him, Brady was more than complimentary about the FIFA president’s impact on football. The NFL icon said:
“The turnaround really starts with tremendous leadership at the top and what Gianni has done in terms of his leadership, his inclusion.
“I think Gianni is a man of the people, and he’s always out there celebrating the great parts of the sport. I think he’s made great contributions to the world of football. And getting a chance to know him and understand the kind of person he is, the values he represents, I think that really showcases itself within the broader goals of what football is all about.
“Football is for everyone. It’s a chance for all of us to connect, globally, over something that we love.”
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It’s fair to say that Brady dubbing Infantino a ‘man of the people’ has raised a few eyebrows. The FIFA boss has been regularly called out for a perceived inability to connect with true football fans.
This has been highlighted by the high ticketing prices for fans at the 2026 World Cup, where it will cost thousands for many supporters to watch their teams. He also sparked outrage by recently suggesting that Russia’s international football ban should “definitely” be lifted despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.
As such, it’s perhaps no surprise that many football fans took great issue with Brady’s assessment of Infantino. Reacting on social media, one said: “Absolutely not…he’s a man of the elites!!!”
Another wrote: “Ugh. This is like when David Beckham was praising the Qatar World Cup. Two of my goats — happy to take the money to say the things.” A third wrote: “Yehhh letting Brady get into our sport was a big mistake.”
One final fan best summed up the mood, adding:
“Is this a joke? ‘Man of the people’ who presides over the organisation of the most unaffordable World Cup ever.”
Some have also criticised the expansion of the World Cup, moving from the traditional 32 teams to 48 countries now participating in the competition for the first time. Brady, however, was also keen to speak positively about that, noting:
“It was great to be a part of the FIFA draw, but just to know that there are 48 countries now participating in the World Cup in all of North America is incredibly exciting because it just means more inclusion, more countries, more fans, a broader audience for these incredible games and these athletes to showcase what they’ve really tried to accomplish their whole life, which is reach the pinnacle of their sport,”
He added: “And the fact that they’re able to do that in America and showcase it on the biggest stage is absolutely incredible, and it was fun for me to be a part of.”
Arsenal have agreed a £17m deal with Besiktas to sell winger Leandro Trossard, according to The Athletic.
The Gunners claimed their first Premier League title in 22 years by finishing seven points above Manchester City, while they also reached the Carabao Cup and Champions League finals.
Manchester United could sign a Premier League alternative to Mateus Fernandes after missing out on the Portuguese midfielder. The Red Devils are keen to find a replacement for Casemiro this summer, with two midfield signings desired in total, including the early-season signing of Ederson.
It has been a frustrating search from Michael Carrick and Co so far, with Tottenham beating them to West Ham star Fernandes, agreeing to pay £85million. United were said to be willing to pay a similar fee, but Spurs were willing to pay upfront and without any major add-ons, something the Red Devils were not willing to do.
That means the search goes on, and it appears United are not close to securing an alternative at this stage, even if there is a likely candidate.
According to the Daily Mail, United are not close to finding an alternative to Fernandes, now set to reassess their options after missing out. But it’s added the Red Devils are ‘known admirers’ of AFC Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, and they could turn to the England international.
Scott was a vital part of Bournemouth’s superb season of last that saw them qualify for the Europa League, and he almost won a World Cup call-up, serving as the main back-up during the pre-tournament training camp.
Scott is a very different midfielder from Casemiro, and while he is more similar to Fernandes, he arguably has a more attacking frame of mind. From that perspective, it would be a little surprising the Red Devils to go in that route, but Scott is a hard-working midfielder who can also do the dirty work.
Still only 22 years of age, the Cherries are said to be demanding £80million to sell Scott this summer, so it wouldn’t be much of a cheaper compromise from Fernandes for United.
Scott was praised repeatedly last season, and Match of the Day pundit Micah Richards said: “I love him. He’s got everything that a midfielder should have playing in the Premier League. I love his game. He takes a good set-piece but it’s his calmness on the ball. He can pass well and receive the ball between the lines.
“A lot of midfielders hide and don’t want the ball but he’s brave on it. He keeps it moving. Every time I watch him, he’s so confident on the ball.”
Alan Shearer added: “He’s having a brilliant season and standing out in every game. Superb.”
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Rangers are looking to continue adding to their midfield even after winning the race to sign former Sunderland star Dan Neil, who found himself needing a new club after his contract came to an end. Neil secured back-to-back promotions after spending time on loan with Ipswich Town last season, and he now heads to Ibrox to work under Derek McInnes.
That deal followed a statement goalkeeper signing, with Ivor Pandur arriving from Hull City on a £6million deal, and Rangers are not done there. The Glasgow side know they need to improve the quality of their squad to catch up with Celtic – and perhaps even Hearts – and McInnes is being backed after his summer arrival from Edinburgh.
McInnes still wants more midfield strength even after signing Neil, and according to Rangers Review, Partizan Belgrade skipper Vanja Dragojevic is of interest. With Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande potentially heading out this summer, McInnes will feel he needs adequate depth in the middle.
The report claims 20-year-old Dragojevic is now an option, although a deal may not be easy to reach, given he only signed a new contract last season, theoretically keeping him in place until 2030.
Despite his youth, Dragojevic is Belgrade’s captain, and he is also a two-time Serbia international. Transfermarkt already have the defensive midfielder valued at £6.8million, and given his contract situation and age, the actual price could be more than that.
Rangers have already been busy this summer, snapping up Pandur, Neil Ross McCrorie, Ben Godfrey and Lawrence Shankland. Interestingly, rivals Celtic are yet to make a single signing this summer, although they have given Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a new contract. New boss McInnes clearly has a good idea of where his side need to be, and he should know having led Hearts within a whisker of the title last season. “A lot of the conversations were ongoing before I came in, but obviously getting things over the line isn’t easy,” McInnes told RTV this week.
“People think it is easy to get signings in, but when there are good players involved there’s more than one team involved, so I think the board and the recruitment team should be pleased with their work so far.
“Clearly there’s still more work to do, but we are pleased with the work we have got done and getting the boys in as early as possible for all the reasons I’ve just said is vitally important. Some signings will take a bit longer, which is just the way, but getting them in and familiarising themselves with the club and everybody else is important.”
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