TL;DR

Barcelona lands Rashford on loan; Liverpool signs Ekitike for €91M; Messi, Alba face MLS bans.

Highlights

• Barcelona signs Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United , with a €30–35M buy option; Rashford to wear No. 14 1.
• Liverpool acquires Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for up to €91M, their fourth major signing this summer 2.
• Messi and Jordi Alba risk one-game MLS suspensions after skipping the All-Star Game; possible absence vs. FC Cincinnati 3.
• MLS All-Stars beat Liga MX 3-1 in Austin without Messi and Alba; Leagues Cup begins July 29 4.
• Spain reaches first UEFA Women’s Euro final, defeating Germany 1-0 in extra time on Bonmatí’s goal 5.
• Mexican Federation fines Javier “Chicharito” Hernández for sexist TikTok comments; further sanctions possible 6.
• NBCUniversal considers launching a U.S. cable channel to simulcast Peacock sports, including new NBA rights 7.
• Barcelona cancels Japan leg of pre-season tour over contract breach; South Korea trip still scheduled 8.
• Eintracht Frankfurt’s striker sales since 2019, including Ekitike, have netted about €345M in profit 2.
• Inter Miami cites fixture congestion for Messi and Alba’s All-Star absence; MLS to rule on suspensions 3.

Commentary

Transfer activity remains the major driver in European football, with Barcelona securing Marcus Rashford on loan to address their left-sided attack after missing out on other targets 1. Rashford’s move, with a buy option, gives Barcelona flexibility amid financial constraints and provides fantasy players a potential new asset—pending his fitness after last season’s hamstring injury 1. Liverpool’s €90M+ signing of Hugo Ekitike, their fourth major addition, signals a significant refresh in attack and further cements their aggressive transfer strategy 2. Ekitike’s integration and minutes will be a key pre-season watch for both fantasy and betting markets 2.

In MLS, the possible suspensions of Messi and Alba for missing the All-Star Game could impact Inter Miami’s performance against FC Cincinnati 3. Messi leads the league in goals and has been a near-constant presence, so any absence would affect both fantasy lineups and betting odds 3. The All-Star Game result, with MLS defeating Liga MX, sets the stage for the Leagues Cup starting July 29—another opportunity for player rotation and form analysis 4.

Off the field, NBCUniversal’s potential launch of a sports cable channel to simulcast Peacock events, including NBA games, could shift viewing habits and provide broader access to live data—relevant for bettors and fantasy managers seeking real-time information 7. Barcelona’s cancellation of their Japan tour due to a contract breach raises questions about their pre-season preparation, with the South Korea leg still on but not guaranteed 8.

Elsewhere, Spain’s women reach their first Euro final after a late goal from Bonmatí, making her and the squad focal points for fantasy and futures markets 5. Chicharito’s fine for sexist comments is a disciplinary note with reputational impact but limited direct fantasy or betting relevance 6.