LiveScore Daily: Today's football news in bite-sized chunks
LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.
Wayne's words
DC United manager Wayne Rooney has warned Lionel Messi that things will not be easy for him in Major League Soccer.
Inter Miami unveiled the World Cup winner in front of their fans last night and delivered a dazzling fireworks display as they welcomed their new No10 to Florida.
But ex-England and Manchester United striker Rooney, 37, said: "He won't find it easy here. It sounds mad, but players who come in find it's a tough league.
"The travelling, the different conditions in different cities, and there's a lot of energy and intensity on the pitch.
"Messi has a coach [Gerardo Martino] he likes and trusts. It's huge, especially with what's going on in Saudi, for MLS to attract him."
Barca bound
Ilkay Gundogan has expressed his excitement about working with Barcelona head coach Xavi after linking up with the squad for the first time.
The Manchester City legend opted to join Barca on a free transfer when his contract at the Etihad expired at the end of last month and the German midfielder can already see the similarities between his new boss and Pep Guardiola.
He said: "From the first moment I spoke with Xavi, it felt right to come here.
"It will be a challenge. It's new. But I hope to adapt as quickly as possible to a new club and a new country. I have a lot to prove and I will help the team go to the next level. The mix between the youngsters and the veterans, all with quality, is key.
"I am massively motivated to be part of Barca's resurgence. They are one of the best clubs in the world and, despite the fact recent seasons in Europe have been below expectations, there is a plan.
"Xavi's ideas are very clear and similar to City's. His style of play is similar to Guardiola's. It matches with what I want as well. It was not so much what he said to me, but how he said it. We formed a connection very quickly."
Pro ballers
Nike have revealed the new match ball that will be used throughout the 2023-24 Women's Super League campaign.
It features the colours of the competition's logo — navy, blue, and red — combined with a white base.
Modelled similarly to the Premier League ball, the WSL version is not yet available to buy and will not be in use until the opening weekend of the season in September.
Chelsea will be hoping the new design will bring them good luck as they look to win a fifth consecutive domestic crown.
Level up
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is aiming to take his game to the next level in 2023-24.
Konate, 24, has made 53 appearances in all competitions for the Reds and has already lifted the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Community Shield.
But the Frenchman has insisted that he has a new benchmark for next season, saying: "I want to be a big part of this club and win a lot of trophies with this club.
"I think this season, the third season, I have to level up and show another personality of me on the pitch and in life as well.
"I have a lot of objectives — a lot of clean sheets, help my team, score some goals and win some trophies."
Ange attack
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed his desire to play attacking football and says he will not rest until the fans are happy.
Speaking ahead of Spurs' pre-season opener against West Ham on Tuesday, the Australian said: "What I do try and envisage is the team playing a certain way. That's what drives me.
"I want the team to play football that is exciting for the fans and ultimately brings success.
"Every training session is an opportunity for us to get a little bit better, with the final goal in mind to produce a team that hopefully plays the football that brings us success.
"I think I said in my first press conference, my major barometer will be our fans. If our fans are happy at the end of the year, then we've done a good job.
"We're trying to make a squad that's going to be robust enough to play the football."
