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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

bh def prof pic

Billy Haisley

Football players, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil's Kaka and Argentina's Lionel Messi pose during a press conference prior to the FIFA World Player Gala 2007 award ceremony 17 December 2007 in Zurich.

(L to R) Football players, Portugal’s Cr

Soccer

The World No Longer Belongs To Ronaldo And Messi

Leeds United player Raphinha celebrates his goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and West Ham United at Elland Road on September 25, 2021 in Leeds, England.

Leeds United v West Ham United – Premier League

Raphinha Showeth And Raphinha Taketh Away

Kalyn Kahler

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I Accidentally Went To The Most Dismal Soccer Game In Europe

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Ray Ratto

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Chelsea’s Win Felt Mercifully Routine

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Karim Benzema (L) Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring their third goal with teammate Luka Modric (R) during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg Two match between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 09, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.

Real Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain: Round Of Sixteen Leg Two – UEFA Champions League

How On Earth Is Luka Modric Still Doing This?

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Tom Ley

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Chelsea Belongs To The U.K. Now

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates with (out of frame) Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal after he scored during the Premier League match between Watford and Arsenal at Vicarage Road on March 06, 2022 in Watford, England.

Watford v Arsenal – Premier League

Arsenal Is On The Assault

Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring their team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg Two match between Bayern München and FC Salzburg at Football Arena Munich on March 08, 2022 in Munich, Germany

FC Bayern München v FC Salzburg: Round Of Sixteen Leg Two – UEFA Champions League

Salzburg Made Things Easy For Bayern Munich

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Patrick Redford

ST PAUL, MN - OCTOBER 26: Carli Lloyd #10 of United States warms up before the start of the game against Korea Republic at Allianz Field on October 26, 2021 in St Paul, Minnesota. United States defeated Korea Republic 6-0. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Korea Republic v United States

Carli Lloyd, What Are You Even Talking About?

ST. PAUL, MN - FEBRUARY 02: Luca de la Torre #17 of the United States dribbles the ball against Honduras in the first half of a World Cup Qualifying game at Allianz Field on February 2, 2022 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The United States defeated Honduras 3-0. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Honduras v United States: 2022 World Cup Qualifying

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Luca De La Torre

Abramovich watches during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on December 19, 2015 in London, England.

Chelsea v Sunderland – Premier League

Premier League Ponders Separating Good Billionaires And Bad Billionaires


<p><a href="https://twitter.com/BKBlick" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brian Blickenstaff</a> is an American writer based in Heidelberg, Germany.</p>


Brian Blickenstaff

Schalke players Ko Itakura and Darko Churlinov wearing Schalke jerseys that notably do NOT have former sponsor Gazprom's name on them.

Karlsruher SC v FC Schalke 04 – Second Bundesliga

FC Schalke Is Trying To Lose Its Russian Accent

Liverpool fans show a Ukrainian flag to indicate peace and sympathy with Ukraine prior to the Carabao Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on February 27, 2022 in London, England

Chelsea v Liverpool – Carabao Cup Final

European Soccer United In Support Of Ukraine This Weekend

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea looks dejected after missing the deciding penalty in the penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on February 27, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Kepa Arrizabalaga Experiences Pure Agony, Again

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Kelsey McKinney

Houston Dynamo v Sporting Kansas City

A Reminder To Be Nice To Your Bros

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Laura Wagner

FRISCO, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 23: Mallory Pugh #9 of the USA celebrates with Ashley Sanchez #13 and Catarina Macario #20 after scoring against Iceland in the second half during the 2022 SheBelieves Cup at Toyota Stadium on February 23, 2022 in Frisco, Texas.

2022 SheBelieves Cup – Iceland v United States

It’s Time To Get Excited About The USWNT Youngsters

Anthony Elanga of Manchester United celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United at Wanda Metropolitano on February 23, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.

Atletico Madrid v Manchester United: Round Of Sixteen Leg One – UEFA Champions League

Anthony Elanga Is Here To Save The Day

Juventus' Serbian forward Dusan Vlahovic (C) shoots and scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League football match between Villarreal and Juventus at La Ceramica stadium in Vila-real on February 22, 2022.

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This Is What Juventus Paid All That Money For

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Lille OSC at Stamford Bridge on February 22, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Chelsea FC v Lille OSC: Round Of Sixteen Leg One – UEFA Champions League

Christian Pulisic Gets Back On Track

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Mallory Pugh #9 of the United States celebrates her goal against New Zealand with teammates during the SheBelieves Cup 2022 at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 20, 2022 in Carson, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

2022 SheBelieves Cup – New Zealand v United States

U.S. Soccer Got Dragged Kicking And Screaming Into One Good Decision

Meikayla Moore of New Zealand hunches over after scoring her third own goal of the game against the USWNT.

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Poor New Zealand Defender Scores A Devil’s Hat-Trick For The USWNT

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring their side's third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on February 19, 2022 in Manchester, England.

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League

Harry Fucking Kane

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool FC celebrate a victory at the end of the of UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between FC Internazionale and Liverpool FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 16, 2022 in Milan, Italy.

FC Internazionale v Liverpool FC: Round Of Sixteen Leg One – UEFA Champions League

Liverpool’s Defense Is What Makes The Club Elite

Bernardo Silva of Manchester City applauds the Manchester City fans during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between Sporting CP and Manchester City at Estadio Jose Alvalade on February 15, 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Sporting CP v Manchester City: Round Of Sixteen Leg One – UEFA Champions League

The Manchester City Train Keeps Running Opponents Over

Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on February 15, 2022.

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Paris Belongs To Kylian Mbappé