View this email in your browser

Welcome to the Nutmeg, each week, you can expect: Exclusive previews of major football events – Spotlight features on top football creators – In-depth analysis of trending football culture.
Delivered as consistently as Beckham’s crosses.

A soccer newsletter brought to you by Socceroof and FootyTutor

BALLON D’OR DRAMA

This week we have seen massive drama all revolving around the Ballon d’Or ceremony. And no we’re not talking Sevilla chatting some banter and letting X know they wouldn’t be attending the ceremony or Emi Martinez strutting on French soil to haunt them all once again (he probably enjoyed the boos more than his Yashin Award).

In the end, Manchester City’s Rodri took home the prestigious trophy, sparking both excitement and some serious controversy. Real Madrid fans were especially disappointed, as many had their hopes pinned on Vinícius Júnior, who didn’t even make it to the podium. In response, Real Madrid decided to boycott the ceremony, citing frustration over what they perceived as a snub toward their player. They even stated, “The Ballon d’Or does not exist for us.” The club nor Vini made the trip to Paris, despite Ancelotti winning coach of the year, Mbappe being a top scorer, and Madrid winning best club.

Many voices have chimed in, including many of the Ballon d’Or voters. The Chilean voter, Danilo Díaz said this in an interview: “I left Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham out from my top 3 because they had very bad international tournaments. Vinicius lost 17 balls against Costa Rica” Poland’s voter said that he voted for Rodri because he has zero social media, graduated college, and humility. That he’s appreciated by watching him for a full 90 minutes rather than highlight reels that the young kids like.

There are many takes to be had, but we all know what’s going to happen next. Real Madrid is going to buy Rodri so next year they have all of the Ballon d’Or candidates.

UNITED SHAKEUP  

Erik ten Hag’s stint at Manchester United has officially come to an end after a challenging start to the season left the club languishing near the relegation zone in 14th place. Despite winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup during his tenure, United’s rocky 2024/25 campaign, which included losses in the Premier League and struggles in the Europa League, ultimately led to his dismissal. In a quick response, United appointed club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy as interim manager, adding a touch of nostalgia and experience to the helm while the club searches for a permanent replacement.

Van Nistelrooy, a former United striker with a solid coaching résumé from his time at PSV Eindhoven, takes on the task of stabilizing the team amid mounting fan frustration and high expectations. His immediate goals will be improving the team’s morale, tackling defensive weaknesses, and reconnecting with the United faithful, who have endured a turbulent post-Ferguson era with frequent managerial changes.

While Van Nistelrooy’s appointment has excited some fans, there are ongoing speculations about potential permanent managers, with names like Sporting CP’s Rúben Amorim reportedly in the mix. As United embarks on yet another rebuilding phase, fans are hopeful this transitional period might bring some much-needed consistency and success back to Old Trafford.

GETTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER

Rumors are heating up about Neymar joining Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, creating a potential reunion of the iconic "MSN" trio with Luis Suarez already part of the squad. Neymar’s recent $26 million property purchase in Florida has fans speculating that he’s getting ready to settle into Miami life sooner than expected.

Currently playing for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, Neymar’s contract runs until June 2025, but the club is reportedly open to releasing him as early as January if the right offer comes along. However, a transfer to Inter Miami wouldn't come without challenges. MLS teams are limited by the Designated Player (DP) rule, which allows only three players to exceed the league’s salary cap, and Miami already has Messi and Sergio Busquets under DP contracts. If Neymar makes the move, he’d likely need to take a hefty pay cut, as his current annual salary reportedly sits at around $80 million.

Neymar himself has hinted at a potential U.S. move, expressing his interest in joining MLS someday. Now, with Messi, Busquets, Alba, and Suarez all in Miami, it’s no wonder he’s eyeing the opportunity to reunite with his former Barcelona teammates. Such a move could elevate Inter Miami’s profile even further, giving the MLS an unprecedented star-studded lineup to draw in fans from around the world​.

Other news you shouldn’t let slip through your legs:

Drama aside. Manchester City's Rodri clinched the men's Ballon d'Or, marking his debut win and ending the Messi-Ronaldo era. On the women's side, Barcelona's Aitana Bonmatí took home the top honor.. The Kopa Trophy for best young player went to Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, while Aston Villa's Emiliano Martínez secured the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper.

Offside traps still work. Kylian Mbappé's El Clásico debut for Real Madrid was one to forget. In a 4-0 loss to Barcelona, he was caught offside eight times—a record in Europe's top leagues since 2016. Even his two disallowed goals wouldn’t have been enough to bring them back from the dead.

Cold as Zola. Chelsea's Cole Palmer has been drawing comparisons to club legend Gianfranco Zola, especially after his standout performance in the 2-1 victory over Newcastle United. Palmer's vision and creativity on the field have led many, including Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca, to liken him to Zola. However, Palmer humorously admitted his knowledge of Zola comes from playing FIFA, saying, "I know Gianfranco Zola is an icon on FIFA so he must have been good."

Leading 5-a-side soccer facilities in North America 🇺🇸 🇨🇦

Teaching you the beautiful game Training Tips + Authority Insights

This e-mail was sent to you by The Nutmeg Newsletter. To ensure delivery to your inbox, please add our e-mail address, [email protected], to your address book.

manage your newsletter subscriptions