Lionel Messi signs for PSG, Richie Burke resigns, and more: Freedom Kicks for August 11, 2021

Happy Wednesday, everyone. We’re going to get started with the biggest soccer story in the world:

Lionel Messi signs with PSG, to wear No. 30 after Barcelona exit - ESPNFC

Lionel Messi has signed with Paris Saint-Germain, and will wear the #30 that he began with at FC Barcelona. It’s a 2-year deal with an option for a 3rd, and naturally the French capital was super happy about it.

Richie Burke steps down as Washington Spirit head coach - B&RU

Shocking news from the Washington Spirit, as Richie Burke has stepped down as head coach due to health issues. He’s going to focus on them before rejoining the Spirit front office. Goes without saying, we all wish Richie the best with his recovery and hope that whatever’s going on with his health, he’s back to 100% very soon.

Update: plot has apparently thickened, with reports that Burke was actually fired by the team and he did not have a known health ailment.

Rated: Every home shirt for the Premier League 2021-22 season - The Athletic

Crystal Palace is the team that has the highest rated jersey this season according to The Athletic. Which one is your favorite?

Sick of side hustles, NWSL players push back in fight for labor rights - Washington Post

NWSL players are tired of having to find side gigs to keep the lights on, and everyone should be supporting their efforts to get better wages and benefits.

Carli Lloyd says USWNT needed to struggle to realize it’s time to pass the baton - LA Times

A post mortem from Japan on what happened to the USWNT during the Olympics.

Real Madrid to take legal action against LaLiga, CVC over €2.7bn deal - ESPNFC

Real Madrid is suing LaLiga over a deal the league made with a venture capital firm that gives away profits from the audiovisual rights of every club for the next 40 years.

That’s it for today. Enjoy!