Spain's midfield linchpin Rodri did not register a single goal or assist in eight matches as La Roja beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the World Cup final in New York on Monday to lift their second world title.

Ayala, however, played down the severity of the incident, describing it as a push rather than a punch.

Manchester City forward Phil Foden gave a boost to new boss Enzo Maresca by signing a four-year contract extension on Wednesday.

Asked whether the budget for the coach's salary could be increased in the case of Guardiola, he said: "Yes, and that is the exception for obvious reasons".

On one side stand the 2022 World Cup champions and three-time winners Argentina, proudly holding up pamphlets bearing the slogan "Us against the world" in bold red. On the other stand, well, the representatives of the other 47 teams at the tournament.

When Miguel de Cervantes wrote that "too much sanity may be madness," may be football was the last thing on his mind. Yet the history of Spanish football often seems to prove his point.

The world's richest domestic competition once again underlined its quality. Premier League clubs supplied more goalscorers than any other league at the World Cup.

The house he owns in this suburban area is where he usually stays during visits to his native Rosario in central Argentina.

The strong viewership capped what analysts said was a solid run for the tournament's broadcasters, with Fox and Comcast paying roughly $485 million and $600 million, respectively, for rights packages that included the World Cup, according to media reports.

"The 23-year-old forward has signed a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2033," the London club posted on their web site.

If a 48-team tournament is already stretching the finances of participating federations, a longer 64-team event could increase those costs further.

The success of the Spanish model has not been confined to the men’s game. The women’s side also clinched the coveted crown in 2023 and belong in the same conversation.

"I dreamed that we would win it again. I dreamed of bringing it to Argentina and making history once again," the Aston Villa goalkeeper wrote on social media post.

The president of the Spanish football league, Javier Tebas, accused FIFA of acting "irresponsibly" following the announcement of discussions regarding a possible 64-team World Cup in 2030, in an interview with an Italian sports daily published Tuesday.

Yet one truth becomes clearer with every passing season; there may never be another Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

When Luis de la Fuente was appointed Spain's head coach on December 8, 2022, four days after Luis Enrique stepped down following the World Cup round-of-16 penalty shootout defeat to Morocco, the decision puzzled many.

Enzo Fernandez insists Argentina represented themselves in the "best possible way" at the World Cup despite the Chelsea midfielder's red card in the final and a host of ugly incidents in their controversial campaign.

CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez has reiterated his support for expanding the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams, saying on social media that the centenary edition should feature a larger field.

Aleksander Ceferin, the head of UEFA, boycotted the World Cup final to show unhappiness with FIFA, British media reported Monday.

Argentina face a stark choice from here on: modernise their system to match the demands of the modern game, or wander straight back into the wilderness for another quarter-century of soul-searching.