Ian Maatsen is disappointed not to have made the cut for the Netherlands' Nations League squad, but is willing to wait it out.
Maatsen, who was initially a surprise omission from the Dutch Euro 2024 squad before he was called up as a late replacement for the injured Frenkie de Jong, was not included by Ronald Koeman in the squad for the fixtures against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Germany.
The left-back, who helped Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final last season before joining Aston Villa from Chelsea, is yet to feature in a senior game for his nation.
Instead, he is a standout name in the Netherlands' Under-21 squad.
And while he is frustrated not to have made the cut for Koeman's selection, the 22-year-old will bide his time.
"Of course this is a disappointment. I expected to have to report to the [senior] side," he said.
"I could have withdrawn, but that's not who I am. Sometimes you have to accept things and not worry too much. I have to show here that I am the best and can play for the Dutch national team.
"I tried to enjoy myself to the fullest. I was always raring to go. Even if it was just for a minute. I wanted a cap but it hasn’t come yet."
The Dutch Under-21s face North Macedonia Under-21s on Friday.
Former Dortmund defender Hummels joins Roma
Former Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has joined Roma on a free transfer, the Serie A giants have confirmed.
Hummels has been without a club since he was surprisingly released by Dortmund in June, having helped them reach the Champions League final last season.
He led all centre-backs in the competition for line-breaking passes, with 133, but was unable to lead them to victory against Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium, where they were beaten 2-0.
Hummels made a total of 508 appearances across two spells with Dortmund, winning two Bundesliga titles and finishing as a Champions League runner-up on two occasions.
The 2014 World Cup winner was linked with a move to Bologna last month after they sold Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal, only to fail to agree terms with the Rossoblu.
He has instead joined Danielle De Rossi's Roma, who were in need of defensive reinforcements after allowing Chris Smalling to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha.
Reports suggest he has penned a one-year deal with an option to extend his stay in the Italian capital by a further 12 months, with Roma announcing he will wear the number 15 shirt.
Hummels' debut could come at Genoa on September 15, with his first home outing potentially coming against Udinese one week later.
The Giallorossi failed to secure Champions League qualification last season and will play in the Europa League, with Athletic Bilbao their first opponents on September 26.
'Bunny' Shaw makes second Ballon d'Or shortlist
Jamaica and Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has once again been included on the 30-player shortlist for the Women’s Ballon d’Or, which is considered the most prestigious individual award in world football.
Awarded by French magazine France Football, the winners in each category will be announced at a ceremony scheduled to take place at the Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris on October 28.
Though she didn’t match her 31 strikes from the 2022/23 campaign, Shaw enjoyed what could be described as her finest Barclay’s Women’s Super League (WSL) season to date last year, breaking individual, club, and league goal records.
The 27-year-old won the WSL Golden Boot with 21 goals in just 18 appearances and also became Manchester City’s record goalscorer when she netted against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in March 2024.
With an impressive turn of pace, remarkable aerial ability, and a clinical finish, Shaw was often the driving force behind City’s attack and was once again named in the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) WSL Team of the Year for 2023/24.
To add to that list, the towering striker, who had her 2023/24 season cut short due to a broken foot, also claimed individual awards in the form of the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Women’s Footballer of the Year.
Shaw is one of three players from Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City nominated for the prestigious award, with Yui Hasegawa and Lauren Hemp being the others.
The list also includes last year’s winner, Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona.
Full Women’s Ballon d’Or shortlist
Barbra Banda - Shanghai RCB/Orlando Pride
Aitana Bonmati - Barcelona
Lucy Bronze - Barcelona/Chelsea
Mariona Caldentey - Barcelona/Arsenal
Tabitha Chawinga - PSG
Grace Geyoro - PSG
Manuela Giugliano – Roma
Patricia Guijarro - Barcelona
Caroline Graham Hansen - Barcelona
Guilia Gwinn - Bayern Munich
Yui Hasegawa – Manchester City
Ada Hegerberg - Lyon
Lauren Hemp – Manchester City
Lindsey Horan - Lyon
Lauren James - Chelsea
Marie-Antoinette Katoto - PSG
Alyssa Naeher - Chicago Red Stars
Sjoeke Nusken - Chelsea
Ewa Pajor - Wolfsburg/Barcelona
Salma Paralluelo - Barcelona
Gabi Portilho - Corinthians
Alex Putellas - Barcelona
Mayra Ramirez - Chelsea
Trinity Rodman - Washington Spirit
Lea Schuller - Bayern Munich
Khadija Shaw– Manchester City
Sophie Smith - Portland Thorns
Mallory Swanson - Chicago Red Stars
Tarciane - Houston Dash
Glodis Viggosdottir - Bayern Munich
Salah exit would hurt Liverpool a lot, says team-mate Diaz
Liverpool may struggle to recover when Mohamed Salah finally calls time on his stint on Merseyside, says fellow Reds attacker Luis Diaz.
Salah has entered the final year of his contract with Liverpool, for whom he has scored 214 goals in all competitions since arriving from Roma in 2017.
With Saudi Pro League clubs and Paris Saint-Germain having been linked with the Egyptian, he is yet to agree fresh terms with Liverpool, and his comments after Sunday's 3-0 win at Manchester United cast further doubt on his future.
In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Salah said he was keen to enjoy 2024-25 in case it proves to be his "last year" at Anfield.
Salah said "nobody" at Liverpool has talked to him about a new contract and suggested his future will be dictated by the club.
Diaz, who scored twice from Salah assists at Old Trafford last time out, says Liverpool will suffer whenever the 32-year-old does seek pastures new.
"It would be hard for us," the Colombia winger told Telemundo. "It would be hard for Liverpool.
"It's going to hurt us a lot. He still has a year to think about it, it's not easy. He always gives his very best.
"He has done it from the start. It would be very hard to lose a key player like him. It's his decision and we respect that, but I hope he doesn't leave."
Salah joined Diaz on the scoresheet on Sunday, netting his 10th goal in nine appearances at Old Trafford in all competitions.
He is just the second player to score 10 or more goals at a single away venue for Premier League clubs since 1992-93, after Alan Shearer, who scored 10 at Elland Road.
Salah has now either scored (11) or assisted (six) 17 of Liverpool's last 23 Premier League goals against United, recording more goal involvements versus the Red Devils than any other player in the competition's history.
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