As thanks for leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup victory, Lionel Messi was given a new jersey with three stars.



Messi received his Argentina three-star jersey more than a month after Argentina won the World Cup.


I've worked hard my entire career to be able to declare that we are the world champions, and I've finally succeeded.

#Isco demanded two signing bonuses from Union Berlin before deal collapsed

Isco, a target for Everton, reportedly sought two signing bonuses, which caused his deal with Union Berlin to fall through at the close of the transfer window.



The Toffees are still in need of free agent assistance after failing to sign anyone during the transfer window and missing out on Ghanaian international Andre Ayew on Thursday (2 February) when he joined with Nottingham Forest.


After The Times reported on Wednesday that he was being considered, Isco, a former Real Madrid star, is now the main name currently linked to moving to Goodison Park.


On the penultimate day of the transfer window (30 January), the 30-year-old was about to join for Bundesliga team Union Berlin when the agreement fell through.

According to Bild, he wanted a second signing bonus added to his contract, which was only supposed to last a year and a half, because he was upset at not being selected for the club's Europa League team.


The Spaniard allegedly insisted on a second payment of the same amount before the second season of his contract, which wasn't in the draft contract, and was rejected by Union Berlin despite having agreed to salaries of €1 million for the remainder of the season and a €1.5 million signing bonus.


"Perhaps Everton will have greater luck with the 38-cap Spain international or meet his demands as demanded," concludes Bild in their story.


Not likely to occur

This report's release following a deal's failure may have some he said/she said overtones, but it does make the likelihood of Isco joining Goodison Park look rather remote.


Everyone is aware of the triple Champions League champion's talent, but until leaving in the summer, he hadn't played a key role in the team at the Santiago Bernabeu for at least a few years.


Now that his contract with Sevilla has been canceled in the middle of the season, he has also seen his attempt to renegotiate a transfer to Germany fall through.



There is undoubtedly a team where he would fit in perfectly right now, but it doesn't sound like the floundering Toffees under Sean Dyche are that team.


When Isco's name was brought up during his first news conference on Thursday, the new manager declined to openly respond, instead stating that there was a list of names they would consider, although he could as well have ruled it out.


After the events of the previous month, supporters may be reassured simply to see that the club is still able to sign any players. It's ironic that overpaying for an Isco who is no longer the player he once was would be a classic Farhad Moshiri move.

It would be appealing for an Everton midfield that could use some more imagination if visions of James Rodriguez in his formative years come to mind, but it would be a great surprise if this actually happened.