“The values aligned together and I was very enthusiastic when I got the call and the opportunity to come to, as I mentioned, a very good, honest respectful club and I still am enthusiastic for the future.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 20: Ashley Cole, First Team Coach of Everton gestures during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Leicester City at Goodison Park on April 20, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
It comes as a surprise to many but reports indicated that the Italian club wanted a recognisable figure from world football and Cole is familiar with club co-owner Mike Melby, from their time at LA Galaxy.
“More importantly, for me, my background, my beginning is just like the Cesena fans: very humble, good values, good loyalty and at the moment they’re giving everything for the club and I need to give something back.”
For Cole, it is a surprise opportunity to jump start a managerial career that looked as though it was never destined to arrive. He seems enthusiastic about the challenge, but once again stressed the most important thing is to reflect the fans.
“The minute I heard about this opportunity, I jumped at the chance to come here. My team needs to reflect not me, always, it needs to reflect the club, its fans and the values of these fans.”
Bologna sporting director Marco Di Vaio has hailed the ‘wonderful journey’ his side have taken through the Europa League as they prepare for a vital second leg against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
Di Vaio also singled out experienced forward Federico Bernardeschi as a source of inspiration for his younger teammates in what promises to be an exciting contest.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Federico Bernardeschi of Bologna looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“He has experience with Juventus in these types of matches, where he performed very well, and so he can inspire his teammates in the crucial moments of the game. Those who have played in them, like him and Freuler, can help the younger players handle the pressure. Roma are a strong team.”
The first leg ended 1-1 at the Stadio Dall’Ara, so a place in the Europa League quarter-final will all be decided this evening.
Whoever wins will go through to face either Aston Villa or Lille.
The Stadio Olimpico holds fond memories for Bologna, because this is where they beat Milan last season to win the Coppa Italia. It was the club’s first piece of silverware for 51 years and allowed them to qualify for the Europa League too.
Commenting on that match, Di Vaio said “We know it’s a completely different match, we have wonderful memories and we hope to relive them tonight.”
Bologna are coming off a morale-boosting 1-0 Serie A victory away to local rivals Sassuolo, but in that game lost goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski to injury. It means Federico Ravaglia steps in to take the gloves this evening.
Fiorentina are through to the Conference League quarter-finals after Cher Ndour’s deflected effort and a Marin Pongracic goal from his own half beat Rakow.
They will face either Crystal Palace or AEK Larnaca, as that Round of 16 tie is going to extra time.
The Viola had a slender 2-1 first leg lead thanks to the last-gasp Albert Gudmundsson penalty in this Round of 16. Moise Kean returned from injury for his first start since March 2, with Niccolò Fortini, Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey injured. Rakow finished second in the league phase of the tournament and won the Polish title in 2023, but again left top scorer Lamine Diaby-Fadiga initially on the bench.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Paolo Vanoli of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Jagiellonia Bialystok at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 26, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Kean made an immediate impact, cutting inside from the left after three minutes for two shots charged down from close range by Stratos Svarnas.
Ivi Lopez tested Oliver Christensen with a free kick at the near post, but the hosts lost Fran Tudor to injury after just 19 minutes.
When Lopez pulled back from the by-line for Jonatan Braut Brunes, the finish from six yards was charged down by Giovanni Fabbian.
Nicolò Fagioli floated a ball over the top for Kean to volley straight at the goalkeeper, then the midfielder went for goal himself on a Fabiano Parisi cross on the stroke of half-time, forcing a save under the crossbar.
Within 22 seconds of the restart, Rakow had taken the lead on the night, drawing level on aggregate 2-2. Karol Struski cut inside Cher Ndour from the left and drilled hard and low into the near bottom corner, surprising Christensen.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Stratos Svarnas of Rakow Czestochowa battles for the ball with Fabiano Parisi of ACF Fiorentina during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Svarnas threw himself in the way of a Giovanni Fabbian strike, with Ndour nodded over from the resulting corner.
The Viola started to pour forward and rack up a series of corners, Ndour unable to tap in from six yards, then Parisi stinging Oliwier Zych’s gloves from the edge of the area.
Roberto Piccoli came so close on 67 minutes when nodding the Robin Gosens cross onto the base of the upright from point-blank range.
The pressure paid off, as after good work from Parisi, the Ndour strike from the edge of the box took a big deflection off teammate Piccoli to wrongfoot the goalkeeper and slot into the far bottom corner, restoring Fiorentina’s advantage on aggregate.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Cher Ndour of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Viola kept pushing anyway to consolidate their lead overall, Piccoli firing wide from close range and Parisi’s strike skimming the near post.
Zych also had to fly to palm the Fagioli curler out of the top corner from the edge of the area, but there was a huge scare when the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty. He changed his mind following the VAR review and instead booked Brunes for the obvious dive, as there was no contact with Christensen.
Fiorentina were under siege in stoppages, with even Zych going up for a set play, but this left the goal unprotected, and Marin Pongracic on the counter-attack intelligently passed it into the empty net from inside his own half.
Roma director Ricky Massara ‘can’t wait to experience’ the Europa League Round of 16 against Bologna, noting the trophy is ‘a target we want to aim for.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
The first leg ended 1-1 at the Stadio Dall’Ara, so it’s winner takes all today for a place in the quarter-final against either Aston Villa or Lille.
Roma ready for Bologna test
WALSALL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Frederic Massara, Sporting Director of AS Roma, looks on prior to the pre-season friendly match between Aston Villa and AS Roma at Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on August 06, 2025 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
“This is a stadium that can really push the players, there is a great atmosphere, and it will be a wonderful event,” Massara told Sky Sport Italia.
“We can’t wait to experience this match. Roma have a strong ambition in the Europa League, it is a target we want to aim for.
“There are many games to be played from here to the end, starting with a strong Bologna side, so this is going to be difficult.”
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 17: Stephan El Shaarawy of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Genoa at Stadio Olimpico on January 17, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Roma have been going through a bit of a rough spell lately, managing only two draws from their last four competitive games and sliding down from fourth in the Serie A table to sixth.
Their progress in the Europa League therefore becomes particularly important, as winning the trophy represents another avenue into Champions League qualification.
“There will be strong motivation this evening from the crowd, but we also need to keep clear heads to deal with many dangers,” added Massara.
“We have confidence, we expect the experienced players to act as guides for the younger ones who aren’t as accustomed to this type of match.”
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Insider says Tudor expected to be sacked
The ultimatum comes via prominent insider on X, who revealed on that the Croatian’s tenure is hanging by a thread.
He posted: “Igor Tudor will be called to a meeting if Tottenham lose to Nottingham Forest this weekend. He is expected to be sacked.”
The timing of the report is particularly striking given Tottenham’s slightly improved performance.
After a spirited draw at Anfield, Spurs recorded their first win of 2026 on Wednesday night with a battling 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid.
While the result wasn’t enough to keep them in the Champions League, it served as a massive moral boost and marked Tudor’s first win since taking charge on February 14.
However, the board is reportedly looking at the cold reality of the Premier League table.
Tottenham currently sit in 16th place, only one point above the relegation zone. With only nine games remaining, the hierarchy feels that the “new manager bounce” has been too slow to arrive, and they cannot afford a slip-up against a direct relegation rival like Forest.
Tottenham will not be afraid of second managerial change
If Tudor is sacked, it would mark a ruthless streak from the Tottenham board.
Having already sacked Thomas Frank earlier this year, the club is reportedly prepared to do whatever it takes to avoid the catastrophic financial and sporting implications of relegation.
Sean Dyche is another name, a ‘firefighters’ manager who has good experience in taking over clubs in danger of relegation and helping them survive the drop.
For Igor Tudor, it appears tha Sunday’s clash at the City Ground could be a decisive one.
Liverpool is interested in signing Alessandro Bastoni during the summer transfer window, and they have made enquiries for him.
According to Spanish publication SPORT, the Italian outfit is prepared to sell the player for a fee in excess of €50 million, and Barcelona are also monitoring his situation. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool can win the race for his signature.
They need a quality central defender, especially if Ibrahima Konaté leaves the club in the summer. Joe Gomez is expected to move on as well. Bastoni is one of the best players in his position in the world, and he could be an excellent addition. The 26-year-old defender is at the peak of his powers, and he could make an immediate impact in the Premier League.
The opportunity to join Liverpool could be exciting for him. Similarly, Barcelona are among the biggest clubs in the world, and the opportunity to play for them will be hard to turn down. Both clubs could provide him with the platform to fight for trophies. They could use a quality defender like him, and it remains to be seen where Bastoni ends up.
The report from the Spanish publication claims that the Italian defender prefers a move to Barcelona in the summer.
Liverpool certainly have more financial resources compared to Barcelona. They will be able to pay the asking price for him, and they can offer Bastoni a lucrative contract as well.
It will be interesting to see if Barcelona can stump up the cash and get the deal done in the coming months. Apart from his defensive skills, the 26-year-old is excellent on the ball and will help them build from the back.
Wolves star Joao Gomes has been identified as a top priority for Manchester United as the club’s hierarchy plots a major overhaul of the midfield this summer.
With Wolves currently facing a desperate battle against relegation to the Championship, the 25-year-old Brazilian is expected to be available for a cut-price fee of approximately £44 million.
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Gomes has been a rare bright spot in a difficult season for Rob Edwards’ side, producing standout performances in recent victories over Aston Villa and Liverpool.
He’d be eager to remain in the Premier League to boost his international prospects and would relish a reunion at Old Trafford with close friend Matheus Cunha, who made the same switch from Molineux last summer.
Man United looking to sign two midfielders to replace Casemiro
According to The Mirror, INEOS and the United recruitment team are reportedly in the market for two new midfielders ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
This follows the confirmed departure of Casemiro, who will leave when his contract expires in June, and the expected sale of Manuel Ugarte, who has struggled to adapt to the English game since his move from PSG.
Gomes sits at the top of a prestigious six-man shortlist which includes:
Gomes is widely regarded as the ball-winning engine that United’s midfield has lacked.
His playing style is defined by high-intensity pressing and elite defensive contributions; he currently ranks in the 92nd percentile for tackles and interceptions among Premier League midfielders this season.
Unlike Casemiro, who has struggled with mobility in his veteran years, Gomes possesses the recovery speed to cover large areas of the pitch.
His ability to turn a defensive win into an immediate counter-attack makes him a perfect tactical match for the transitional style favored by the United coaching staff.
Former teammate Matheus Cunha even likened his impact to a prime Casemiro, noting that having Gomes behind him makes the entire team feel more secure.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is a target for clubs like Real Madrid and PSG.
The 25-year-old has been exceptional in the Premier League, and it is no surprise that the big clubs are keen on him. He would be open to joining Real Madrid in the summer, and a move to PSG would be attractive for him as well.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Chelsea have no plans to let the player leave in the summer and are prepared to offer him a bumper contract to convince him to stay. They would be willing to push past £400,000 per week, including bonuses, in order to keep the World Cup winner. It will be interesting to see if they can convince Fernandez to stay at the club.
There is no doubt that he’s one of the best players in his position in the world right now. He is still quite young, and he will only improve with coaching and experience. He has all the attributes to develop into a world-class midfielder.
Chelsea cannot afford to lose a player of his quality if they are serious about fighting for trophies. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. Real Madrid need a midfield controller who will add creativity and composure to the team. The Chelsea star would be ideal for them.
Similarly, PG are monitoring his situation as well. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they recently won the UEFA Champions League and the League title. It remains to be seen whether the Chelsea star is prepared to take on a new challenge in the summer. The Blues are going through a period of transition, and they are not quite at the level required to fight for major trophies.
Tottenham have now gathered information on Adi Hutter ahead of a potential summer move.
The 56-year-old German manager could be an option to replace Igor Tudor.
Tottenham need to bring in a quality manager in the summer, and it will be interesting to see if they decide to move for Hutter. He has shown his quality in France, and he could prove to be an excellent option for the north London club. The opportunity to manage in the Premier League will be exciting for him.
Tottenham are currently fighting for survival in the Premier League, and they will not want to be in this position once again. They will be hoping to fight for trophies next season, and they need a quality manager. They have been linked with multiple names in recent months. It will be interesting to see if they can bring in a manager who can unlock their true potential.
According to Rudy Galetti, they have already gathered information regarding the 56-year-old German manager, and they are planning to move in the summer. It remains to be seen whether he is ready to leave AS Monaco and move to England. It would be the ideal next step in his career. Joining an ambitious Premier League club will be quite tempting for him. Tottenham have more resources than the French outfit and will look to build a formidable team.
Despite their struggles, they have quality players, and the right manager could bring out the best in them. This could be an exciting challenge for the 56-year-old manager. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops over the next few months.
Hutter averages 1.78 points per match across his career, and he could help Tottenham bounce back.
Arsenal and Manchester United are very interested in signing the Newcastle United player Sandro Tonali.
The 25-year-old has done well in the Premier League, and he has been linked with an exit from Newcastle. According to a report from Calciomercato, the Premier League side will sell for a fee of around €100 million.
The player is highly sought by Arsenal and Manchester United, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to pay the asking price for him. €100 million is a lot of money for a defensive midfielder. Arsenal need an upgrade on Christian Norgaard, and Manchester United will need to replace Casemiro.
Tonali is one of the best players in his position in the Premier League, and he could make a big impact at Arsenal or Manchester United. Joining a big club would be exciting for the player as well. However, the asking price could complicate any potential move.
Clubs in Italy are also interested in the player. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.
The Italian International is entering the peak years of his career, and this is the right time for him to join a bigger club and fight for major trophies. It will be interesting to see whether Newcastle can convince him he can fulfil his ambitions with them. Arsenal and Manchester United are likely to be in the UEFA Champions League next season, making them attractive destinations for the player.
Tonali is well-settled in the Premier League, and he could make an immediate impact at Arsenal or Manchester United. It will be interesting to see where he ends up eventually. Newcastle must keep players like him at the club if they are serious about fighting for trophies.
After the cancelation of the Finalissima, Lionel Messi is now reportedly close to play two friendlies with Argentina national team in the March international break.
Argentina have found themselves in a difficult position following the Finalissima cancellation, left without a single confirmed match for the March international window. But with federations around the world already releasing their call-up lists, relief appears to be on the way, as the AFA is reportedly close to locking in two friendlies for Lionel Messi and his teammates.
In that same meeting, Tapia also requested authorization for a second friendly on home soil, this time on Friday, March 27, the date originally reserved for the Finalissima in Doha.
A rival for that game has yet to be officially confirmed, but local reports point to a Central American nation as the most likely opponent, with Honduras emerging as the leading candidate. The Albiceleste had been expected to face La Bicolor during the June window ahead of the World Cup, but those plans have since been shelved, and both federations are now looking to bring that fixture forward to March.
Lionel Messi of Argentina playing against Honduras back in September 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium.
That game, also expected to be played at La Bombonera, faces the same rule and logistical hurdles as the Guatemala match. Honduras had been planning to travel to Madrid on March 23 for a training camp ahead of their only scheduled friendly against Peru on the 31st at the Municipal de Butarque stadium, meaning both federations will need a special FIFA permit for the game to be officially sanctioned.
Final details are still being discussed, but an official announcement is expected within hours. Edul also noted that if both friendlies are confirmed, the AFA may look to expand the squad list for the March window.
A chance for Messi to bid farewell to Argentine fans
The cancellation of the Qatar Football Festival, while a disappointment on one level, has inadvertently created an opportunity for Argentina to stage games on home soil, giving the team a chance to say goodbye to their fans before departing for North America and the 2026 World Cup. For Messi, it could represent one of his last meaningful appearances in his homeland.
Now 38 and set to turn 39 during the tournament itself, Messi’s time with the national team is inevitably drawing to a close, with a retirement announcement expected sooner rather than later. The manner of Ángel Di María’s exit serves as a cautionary tale of sorts, with the winger quietly stepping away after Argentina’s 2024 Copa América triumph without a formal farewell, despite being central to the team’s recent golden era. Those close to the current setup will be hoping Messi’s final chapter unfolds with the sendoff it deserves.
Giuseppe Marotta has acknowledged the growing pressure of Milan’s pursuit in the Serie A title race while insisting Inter remain fully confident of holding on to claim the Scudetto.
Speaking via video link at the Motore Italia event in Milan, with quotes via FCInter1908, the Inter president used a vivid metaphor to describe his club’s position at the top of the table.
“We are the hare that has to be stopped, it is the most difficult position to be in,” he said, when asked whether he felt Milan breathing down his neck.
“It is easier to be the hunter. But we are competitive and convinced we can do it. I want to transmit optimism to the squad and to our supporters.”
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 05: Giuseppe Marotta Chairman of FC Internazionale looks on prior to the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Marotta calm as Inter look to wrap up Scudetto title
The comments come at a pivotal stage of the season, with Milan having closed the gap following their derby victory and now applying genuine pressure on Cristian Chivu’s side in the closing weeks of the campaign.
Marotta’s measured but confident tone suggests there is no panic at Viale della Liberazione, though the acknowledgement that leading from the front carries its own unique pressures was notably candid for a club president.
Marotta also touched briefly on the long-running new stadium project, describing it as a necessity for both Inter and Milan to meet international standards.
“It means creating employment, wellbeing and commercial activity,” he said. “Sport is an asset for our nation just like tourism, we must also thank the Olympic machinery for what it has generated.”
Alessandro Nesta has paid warm tribute to his former AC Milan teammates Paolo Maldini and Andrea Pirlo, while also offering a revealing assessment of Massimiliano Allegri’s evolution as a manager, speaking to Corriere della Sera to mark his 50th birthday.
The former Italy international, who won two Champions League titles during his time at San Siro, was asked to reflect on the teammates who left the deepest impression on him.
On Pirlo, his admiration was immediate and genuine. “I knew he was good, but only when I was able to work with him did I realise he was a genius,” he said, with quotes via MilanNews.
epa00998510 Defender Alessandro Nesta of AC Milan celebrate the victory at the end of the Champions League second leg semifinal match against Manchester United in Milan’s San Siro-Giuseppe Meazza stadium late 02 May 2007. AC Milan won 3-0 and acceeds to the final match against Liverpool which will be played in Athens on 23 May. EPA/ETTORE FERRARI
Nesta full of praise for Milan teammates Maldini & Pirlo
For sheer professionalism, though, it was Maldini who set the standard that shaped Nesta’s understanding of what it meant to be a winner.
“When I arrived at Milan and saw that, despite not being a youngster anymore, he was always giving everything at full speed, I understood why Milan always won,” he said. “At Lazio we clung to a lot of excuses to justify our failures.”
His most cherished memory? The 2003 Champions League final in Manchester against Juventus. “It was my first. From that moment, reaching the final became an obligation.”
On Allegri, Nesta was candid about a rocky start to their relationship. The pair clashed over Pirlo’s role when Allegri arrived at Milan from Cagliari, Nesta found it inconceivable that his friend was not the fulcrum of the team.
“For Max, walking into a dressing room of champions who had won everything and were at the end of a cycle was not easy,” he said. The Nesta of today, however, sees a very different coach. “Now he is much more determined, stronger for all the experiences and victories he has accumulated.”
Roma look to Donyell Malen and Stephan El Shaarawy for the Europa League all-Italian derby, as Bologna trust Santiago Castro and Federico Bernardeschi.
LECCE, ITALY – JANUARY 06: Lameck Banda of US Lecce competes for the ball with Stephan El Shaarawy of AS Roma during the Serie A match between US Lecce and AS Roma at Stadio Via del Mare on January 06, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
The first leg ended 1-1 at the Stadio Dall’Ara, meaning it is all to play for in the Eternal City for a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Whoever wins will go through to face either Aston Villa or Lille.
Roma continue to have a serious injury crisis, missing Paulo Dybala, Matias Soulé, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson, while Lorenzo Venturino is not on the UEFA list.
Stephan El Shaarawy is chosen to start in support of centre-forward Malen, despite Lorenzo Pellegrini scoring in the first leg.
Once again, Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli will share the task of pushing into a more advanced position from midfield at different times in the game.
It has been a difficult period for Roma, who managed just two draws in four competitive games, sliding from fourth to sixth in the Serie A table.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Niccolo Pisilli of AS Roma celebrates with his teammate Kostas Tsimikas after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between AS Roma and VfB Stuttgart at Stadio Olimpico on January 22, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Bologna have problems too, because Juan Miranda is suspended, while former Roma goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski is ruled out after picking up an injury at the weekend in the Serie A their 1-0 victory away to Sassuolo.
It means Federico Ravaglia has to take over the gloves, while Nikola Moro is not at 100 per cent and Lorenzo De Silvestri isn’t on the UEFA list.
Once again, Riccardo Orsolini is left on the bench, as Bernardeschi and Jonathan Rowe are in fine form supporting Castro upfront.
The Stadio Olimpico is a special place for Bologna, as this is where they beat Milan last season to win the Coppa Italia and qualify for the Europa League.
When these sides met here in Serie A back in August 2025, it ended 1-0 for Roma with a Wesley goal on his debut.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Santiago Castro of Bologna is challenged by Evan Ndicka of AS Roma during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Inter forward Ange-Yoan Bonny has opened up on one of the most dramatic and emotionally charged moments of his young life, the day a failed medical at Juventus nearly ended his football career before it had truly begun.
Speaking exclusively to L’Équipe, with quotes via Goal, the Inter forward recalled the moment at just 17 years old when doctors detected a cardiac irregularity during what should have been a routine pre-signing examination.
“I went from joining Juventus to nothing,” he said. “The doctors told me that, in their view, playing football would be complicated. It is a hard blow for a boy full of dreams.”
MONZA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Ange-Yoan Bonny of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between FC Internazionale and Torino at U-Power Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Bonny bounces back from Juventus snub to star for Inter years later
What followed was a moment of raw human connection that Bonny still treasures.
He returned home to Tours and went straight to a car park in the heart of his neighbourhood, an unglamorous but deeply meaningful meeting spot for him and his closest friends.
“My friends were in the same emotional state as I was, as if it had happened to them,” he said. “I understood who I could count on. I will never forget that.”
It is the same car park where, years later, he announced his signing for Inter. The symmetry was clearly not lost on him.
Bonny’s career subsequently took a different path, a spell in Serie B with Parma, promotion to the top flight, and eventually a move to Inter, but the Juventus episode remains a defining chapter.
His mother played her own pivotal role too, threatening to withhold her signature on his first professional contract unless he passed his school exams.
“She told me: if you don’t bring home that diploma, I promise the contract doesn’t get signed,” he laughed. He passed at the resit.
Now firmly established at one of Europe’s biggest clubs, Bonny’s journey from that car park in Tours to San Siro is quite the story.
Mathys Tel has revealed that a series of “clear-the-air” talks in the dressing room sparked the tactical and emotional shift that led to Tottenham’s spirited, albeit bittersweet, 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid.
While the result wasn’t enough to overturn a massive first-leg deficit, the win marked a significant turning point for a squad that has spent much of 2026 in a state of freefall.
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The young Frenchman, who has become a focal point of the Spurs attack during this turbulent period, insists that the players have finally found the spirit of determination required to fight for the club’s Premier League survival.
Mathys Tel on talks behind the scenes
Speaking after the game, Tel explained that the players recognised a desperate need for better communication.
“I think conversation in the dressing room. After every loss we just keep talking to each other and something changed. We are talking because maybe before we didn’t speak enough. But now with the situation we talk more, more, more, and we are more about the details.”
Tel emphasised that the squad has moved past individual frustrations to operate as a singular unit under interim boss Igor Tudor.
“We’re together. We’re just a team now. I can feel it. I trust my teammates, I trust the manager, I trust everybody. If we stick together, we will do it.”
Tottenham still have a mountain to climb
Despite the Champions League exit, the 3-2 win serves as a vital moral boost for a side that had failed to record a single victory in nine previous attempts.
It also represents Igor Tudor’s first win since taking charge, providing him with much-needed leverage as he prepares for a defining week in the dugout.
Spurs currently sit in 16th place, just one point above the relegation zone.
The mountain to climb begins this Sunday against Nottingham Forest in what has been dubbed a relegation six-pointer.
However, the resilience shown at Anfield followed by the high-scoring win against Diego Simeone’s side suggests that Tottenham may finally be waking up.
With senior figures reportedly speaking up more in tactical meetings, the club is hopeful that these details will be the difference between a historic drop and a miraculous escape.
Arsenal and Manchester City will have to compete with Newcastle United for Rodrigo Mora in the summer.
The 18-year-old playmaker has impressed with Porto, and Newcastle is prepared to break their transfer record in order to sign him. They would be willing to pay €100 million in order to sign the playmaker, according to reports from Spain.
They will also face competition from Arsenal and Manchester City. It will be interesting to see which of the three clubs can get the deal done.
Mora is a promising young player with a bright future, and he could add creativity and technical ability in the final third. The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for him. Newcastle might be able to provide him with regular opportunities, and the move could be ideal for the youngster. He should look to join a club where he will play every week. Newcastle could groom him into a future star and help him fulfil his potential.
Porto will find it difficult to reject the offer if €100 million is presented in the summer. It is a significant amount of money for a largely unproven player. Even though he is a tremendous talent, he has done nothing to justify the price tag.
It seems unlikely that Arsenal or Manchester City will pay that kind of money for him. They need creativity in the final third, but they will also look to improve other areas of the squad. Spending €100 million on Mora will not be a part of their plan. It will be interesting to see if Newcastle can submit a concrete proposal and get the deal done.
Verdict: Both teams to score – No Best Odds: 11/10 Bookmaker: Olympusbet Seeking an essential boost on Saturday evening when they turn their attention back to Premier League action, Chelsea will travel to Merseyside when they meet Everton. Everton Starting with the hosts, suffering late heartbreak away at runaway leaders Arsenal last week as they […]
After the brilliant performance against Newcastle, Barcelona secured their place in the Champions League quarterfinals. As a result, Raphinha’s team has received praise from Real Madrid legend Gareth Bale for their bright future.
Despite the tightly contested first leg vs. Newcastle, Barcelona managed to dominate convincingly, scoring seven goals to secure their place in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Following the standout performances of Raphinha and the other young players, Real Madrid legend Gareth Bale praised the ‘bright future’ of the team.
“What Barcelona did against Newcastle United was incredible. We saw a team play with a beautiful collective style, with harmony and coordination between the lines… Lamine Yamal was incredible and Raphinha had a great match. This team has a bright future, and the coach knows how to make the most of every strength,”Bale said, via Football on TNT.
Unlike previous seasons, coach Hansi Flick has managed to build a highly competitive team, while also keeping it remarkably young. According to Opta, Barcelona fielded the youngest starting lineup in their history in a Champions League knockout match, with an average age of 25 years and 18 days.
While the Blaugranas remain contenders to win everything this season, players like Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Fermín, Pau Cubarsí, and Marc Bernal are all under 24 years old. For this reason, Bale warns about their impressive potential, as these players could continue to develop even further under the German coach.
Fermin Lopez of FC Barcelona celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal.
Following Flick’s arrival, Barcelona have established as one of the most dominant teams. Not only do they shine offensively with Raphinha and Lamine, but Fermín, Pedri, and Marc Bernal also stand out in midfield. In addition, they have shown impressive squad depth, something that could lead them to win both LaLiga and the Champions League.
Experience and youth blend is ushering in a Barcelona golden era
Barcelona have managed to redirect their sporting project by investing in young players. While Hansi Flick has helped turn them into stars, it was Xavi Hernández who first established the club’s clear commitment to this approach. However, it is the blend of youth and experience that has made a significant difference in the team.
Amid the squad’s youth, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski have emerged as the team’s key veteran leaders. With them, the performances of Lamine, Pedri, and Fermín have improved, showing great maturity. The Brazilian, in particular, has established as the most important player in the attack, proving that his experience is crucial.
Considering the youth of the roster, the Blaugranas appear set to embark on a dominant era, as they would only need to make one signing in attack for the future. In addition, the young players are already gaining significant experience, making them a key asset to lead the project in the long term—something Hansi Flick has shown he knows how to balance.
Gareth Bale of Real Madrid following the UEFA Champions League final.
Neymar Jr. stands out as one of the most brilliant players of recent years. However, Wayne Rooney chose to deliver a strong opinion about the Brazilian, sparking widespread criticism among fans.
While the final years of his career have been quite disappointing, Neymar Jr. has been regarded as one of the most brilliant players in history. He not only shined at Barcelona, but also competed head-to-head with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or. Despite this,Wayne Rooney admitted that he does not consider the Brazilian a top player.
In a recent Overlap podcast episode, Rooney participated in an unpopular opinion section, leading him to blast the Brazilian star: “I like Neymar but I’ve never seen him as a top, top player. Like, Messi, Ronaldo, that kind of category. He was good at Barcelona, but he was still overshadowed by Messi.“
Far from receiving support, many fans turned against Rooney. While the Brazilian never managed to match Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, comparing him to them is unfair. Both legends are contenders in the GOAT debate and have broken numerous records; few players in history can hold a candle to them, making Neymar’s legacy seem small, which isn’t entirely true.
Neymar Jr. may have never won a Ballon d’Or, but he did establish himself as one of the few players capable of approaching the level of Messi and Cristiano. He not only shined at Barcelona for several seasons, but also led PSG to their first Champions League final. For this reason, not considering the Brazilian a top player could be a major mistake.
Neymar Jr. of Brazil.
Injuries put a halt to Neymar Jr.’s impressive progress
Although Neymar Jr.’s departure from Barcelona is considered a mistake by many, he did become a decisive player at PSG. Scoring 118 goals in 173 matches, the Brazilian impressed with his performances in Ligue 1, leading the team multiple times in the Champions League. However, injuries significantly limited his growth.
Since his arrival at PSG in 2017, he missed 135 matches due to injuries, with his ankle and adductor being the most affected areas. As a result, Neymar Jr. was forced to change his style of play, shifting from an explosive winger to a more creative midfielder. Due to his constant physical issues, the Brazilian moved to Al Hilal, where things turned out even worse.
Two months after his arrival at Al Hilal, the Brazilian suffered an ACL injury that ruled him out for the entire season. Far from recovering in the following campaign, he continued to face physical issues, which ultimately led to his departure from the club and a move to Santos FC. There, he appears to be regaining his level, but he did have to undergo meniscus surgery.
Neymar Jr. has had a legendary career
Neymar Jr. has built a truly legendary career, etching his name into the history books of Barcelona, Brazil, and PSG. As a key member of the ‘MSN’ trio, the Brazilian led the team to its most recent Champions League title and played a pivotal role in the historic comeback against PSG, cementing his place in the club’s history.
Along with this, the Brazilian established himself as the fourth all-time top scorer in PSG’s history, winning a large number of trophies. In addition, his impact went beyond statistics, delivering standout performances in Ligue 1 that cemented him as one of the most brilliant players to have played there.
Far from ending there, Neymar surpassed Pelé as Brazil’s all-time top scorer, netting 79 goals. While he has not won a Copa América or a World Cup title, he still produced outstanding performances, often standing out as the only elite player in a national team that rarely shined. For this reason, the Brazilian is indeed one of the most outstanding players of recent years.
English legend Wayne Rooney and Neymar Jr of Santos.
Juventus are monitoring the situation of Leonardo Spinazzola as the experienced left winger approaches the end of his contract at Napoli.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, via IlNapolista, the Italian’s deal expires in June, and with negotiations over an extension yet to reach a conclusion, Juventus have made an approach to explore the possibility of signing him on a free transfer.
It is a move that would represent a return to the club where Spinazzola began his career.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – JANUARY 06: Damien Comolli, General Manager of Juventus looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Juventus FC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on January 06, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Juventus offer Spinazzola two-year deal but Italian gives priority to Napoli
The sticking point appears to be contract length.
Napoli have offered a one-year extension with an option for a second, while Juventus are prepared to guarantee two years outright, matching what Spinazzola is understood to be seeking.
It is a meaningful difference, and one that gives the Bianconeri a clear advantage in any potential tug of war.
For now, however, Spinazzola is keen to handle the situation with respect towards Napoli, and is giving the club the opportunity to match his demands before making any decision.
Whether Antonio Conte’s side are willing to improve their offer to meet the player’s terms remains to be seen.
Should Spinazzola ultimately opt for the Juventus move, it would be a shrewd piece of free transfer business by CEO Damien Comolli, adding an experienced and versatile wide option without a transfer fee at a time when the club are managing their finances carefully.
The Viola have a 2-1 first leg lead in this Round of 16 tie, thanks to the late Albert Gudmundsson penalty after goals from Cher Ndour and Jonatan Braut Brunes at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Fiorentina turn focus to Conference League
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 16: Dodo of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring the 0-3 goal during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 16, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
“The Conference League is a tournament where we want to go as far as possible, and have also an opportunity to shrug off the worries of Serie A this season,” Ferrari told Sky Sport Italia.
“We’ve seen how difficult it is in European football, so nothing can be taken for granted.”
Moise Kean was only expected to be on the bench after an ankle injury, but he gets his first start since March 2, and only the second start of the Conference League proper.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina scores a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Artemio Franchi on February 7, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“The team had one approach up until January, then changed gear after that. We hope that there was progress in dealing with situations, understanding the issues, but also we’ve seen how easy it is to fall back into bad habits. Hopefully we have learned to focus on just one game at a time and take nothing for granted.”
Today is a special commemoration for Fiorentina, as it is two years since the death of director Joe Barone, who had come so close to winning the Conference League, losing two Finals.
“Barone left an enormous mark on us all. Rocco Commisso put in the money for the Viola Park, Barone had the tenacity and determination to get it built. He is missed not just by Fiorentina, but by the world of sport, and he will always be with us.”
Paulo Dybala’s time at Roma appears to be drawing to a close, with Argentina’s leading sports newspaper Olè reporting that a return to his homeland with Boca Juniors is increasingly likely once his contract expires on 30 June.
The Argentine has endured another injury-disrupted season at the Stadio Olimpico and is not expected to return to action until late April at the earliest, leaving him with only a handful of matches to make any case for a renewal.
That case, according to reports on both sides of the Atlantic, looks weaker by the day.
Contract extension talks have stalled to the point where they are now described as a distant prospect, with the gap between Dybala’s current €6 million salary and what Roma are willing to offer proving difficult to bridge.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Boca Juniors close in on Dybala move as Roma talks stall
Boca Juniors, meanwhile, are increasingly confident of securing his signature, via IlBianconero.
Olè went as far as splashing ‘Joya Libertadores’ across their front page, a headline that will set pulses racing among supporters of the club who have lifted the Copa Libertadores six times and are eager to add a seventh.
The Argentine giants are counting on Dybala’s yes, and the personal factors are working heavily in their favour.
Family considerations appear to be the driving force behind any potential move. A return to Argentina would allow Dybala to be closer to his parents, while his wife Oriana Sabatini, who has never concealed her desire to return home, has recently announced her involvement in an Argentine television programme.
The couple’s first child, Gia, adds another layer of personal motivation to what is becoming an increasingly compelling case for a homecoming.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Cher Ndour of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Viola came back from a goal down to win the first leg 2-1 thanks to a last-gasp Albert Gudmundsson penalty, so have a slender lead going to Poland.
They are also fresh from a morale-boosting 4-1 Serie A victory over Cremonese that took them away from the relegation zone.
Moise Kean returns to the starting XI, while Niccolò Fortini, Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey are injured.
Robin Gosens is rested after a knock to the ribs, as Harrison and Jacopo Fazzini complete the attack.
Marin Pongracic returns after missing the first leg through suspension, but is only on the bench.
It’s going to be an emotional day for Fiorentina, as it is two years ago that director Joe Barone died of a heart attack.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Ivi Lopez of Rakow Czestochowa battles for the ball with Pietro Comuzzo of ACF Fiorentina during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Rakow have never reached a UEFA quarter-final, so if they do manage to get past the Viola, it will be an historic event.
They’ve impressed in the Conference League so far, finishing second in the league phase, having won the Polish title in 2023.
Jonatan Braut Brunes was rested at the weekend to lead the line here, as he is the cousin of Erling Braut Haaland and scored at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in the first leg.
Lamine Diaby-Fadiga remains their top scorer in the Conference League this season with six goals in 12 games.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Stratos Svarnas of Rakow Czestochowa battles for the ball with Fabiano Parisi of ACF Fiorentina during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
FIGC president Gabriele Gravina has moved to ease concerns over Sandro Tonali’s fitness ahead of Italy’s World Cup playoff semi-final against Northern Ireland, while issuing a passionate rallying cry for the nation to get behind Gennaro Gattuso’s side.
Speaking at a press conference following the federal council meeting, with quotes via the Corriere dello Sport, Gravina offered cautious but genuine optimism over the Newcastle midfielder’s condition after he was forced off during a recent club match.
“I am rather calm,” he said. “I am in close contact with Gattuso and last night I spoke with Sandro alongside the coach and our doctor De Carli. He was calmer than he was when he left the pitch, there is a concern, but it is at a very moderate level. This morning’s tests were reassuring. We will do everything possible to get him fit, working alongside Newcastle with whom we are in continuous contact.”
ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: Gianluigi Buffon, Italy new head coach Gennaro Gattuso and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina pose during the press conference at Hotel Parco dei Principi on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Gravina: ‘Italy must push these players to America… even if they have to swim!’
With a World Cup place on the line, Gravina drew explicit parallels with Italy’s triumphant Euro 2020 campaign, invoking the spirit of that summer to galvanise supporters ahead of what he described as a defining week for Italian football.
“Back then I described us as a normal team that could become special if we all felt the pride and belonging of the Azzurri shirt together,” he said. “Our fans helped those players overcome some formidable opponents. We need that same call to arms now, the push from this country must carry these players to America, even if they have to swim there.”
The FIGC president also revealed his own emotional investment in the coming days.
“I am tense, emotions feed me and it is impossible to be indifferent before an appointment this important,” he admitted.
“I will join the squad from the very first moment of their training camp and I will not leave their side for a second. The message will be: let us live this together, as a moment of freedom and serenity, knowing that if we are good the reward will be extraordinary.”
He ended on a note of genuine surprise and delight, confirming that tickets for the playoff had sold out within an hour, something he described as unprecedented in Italian football history.
Chelsea have already begun work on replacing unsettled midfield star Enzo Fernandez ahead of this summer.
Sources in the industry have told me this afternoon that Chelsea chiefs are carrying out extensive work on three main targets for that position, and others could soon come into the equation too.
As reported earlier this season, one name Chelsea really like is Elliot Anderson, though there’s an awareness that Manchester City and Manchester United may already be further ahead in the running at the moment.
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As I also mentioned in that report, there are some sources close to Chelsea who’ve felt for some time that a Fernandez exit shouldn’t be ruled out, and it seems the Argentine’s future is now more uncertain than ever.
Speaking to a few more well-placed sources, who’ve asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, it seems there have been doubts about Fernandez for some time.
Looking at the 25-year-old’s contributions on the pitch, it’s fair to say that, despite some moments of quality, he’s not quite been consistent enough to justify the big fee CFC paid for him.
“Chelsea ideally don’t want to sell, but they’re also realistic about Enzo’s situation ahead of this summer,” one source told me. “It’s been a topic of discussion for some time, so they’ll be prepared.”
Chelsea to invest in young midfield talent
As is the way under this Chelsea ownership, the club will once again look at elite young talents in midfield if it comes to having to replace Fernandez.
Anderson is high up on Chelsea’s list, as confirmed by multiple sources, but keep an eye as well on AZ Alkmaar sensation Kees Smit, and Wolves teenager Mateus Mane.
As already mentioned, Anderson has been heavily pursued by the two Manchester clubs and would cost £100m or more, so that’s far from a straightforward deal for Chelsea.
Still, I’m told that plenty of people inside the club are actually optimistic that the squad would be in “much better shape” if they were able to bring in Anderson as a potential upgrade on Fernandez.
Smit and Mane are a bit less experienced and more raw, but are still well-liked by Chelsea’s recruitment team, with the Blues possibly open to signing one of them along with a slightly more proven name (but still ideally in the under-24 age bracket).
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.
The 25-year-old has been outstanding for Chelsea since joining the club, and he is on the radar of clubs like Real Madrid, PSG and Manchester City. According to reports from Spain, the player is feeling restless at the London club, and he’s prepared to force an exit in the summer.
Manchester City have already begun strategic moves to sign the South American, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to pay a premium. Pep Guardiola rates the player highly, and he believes that Fernandez would be a quality addition in the middle of the park.
Manchester City need more creativity in the middle of the park, and the 2022 World Cup winner could make a big difference. He will add control, creativity, drive and goals to the team. He is still a young player with a lot of potential, and he could improve further.
Chelsea values the player at around €150 million, and it remains to be seen whether Manchester City is prepared to break the Bank for him.
Fernandez is well settled in the Premier League, and he could make an immediate impact at Manchester City if he joins the club. The opportunity to join Real Madrid could be quite exciting as well. They are among the biggest clubs in the world, and South American players tend to prefer a move to La Liga. He has already shown his quality in England, and he might now prefer a new challenge. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.
Jude Bellingham has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid at the end of the season, and he could be on his way to the Premier League.
According to reports from Spain, the player is very highly rated across Europe and clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United are interested in securing his signature. The England international has not been at his best in recent months, and it will be interesting to see if Real Madrid is willing to sanction his departure. Chelsea and Manchester United are leading the race for his signature, and the player could cost around €150 million.
Both clubs need more quality in the middle of the park, and there is no doubt that Bellingham would be an excellent addition. He will add control, creativity and goals to the team. The opportunity to move to England could be exciting for him as well. He has been linked with a move to the Premier League consistently over the last few years.
Meanwhile, the asking price is quite significant, and the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United will need to improve other areas of their squad as well. It will be interesting to see if they are willing to break the Bank for him.
It would be a Premier League record transfer, but the player has the potential to transform either team. He is a world-class player and still quite young. He will only improve with coaching and experience. Bellingham is designed to be a superstar, and he could make a big difference for both teams.
Verdict: Draw Best odds: 27/10 Bookmaker: ZetBet Estadio de la Cerámica sets the stage for an intriguing La Liga encounter on Friday evening, as Villarreal welcome Real Sociedad in a clash with significant European implications. The Yellow Submarine currently occupy fourth place in the table, just two points adrift of Atlético Madrid in third, while […]
Verdict: Away win Best odds: 6/5 Bookmaker: Olympusbet Fresh from an emphatic Champions League performance in midweek, Liverpool turn their attention back to Premier League matters on Saturday lunchtime as they travel to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion. The Reds are aiming to complete their first league double over the Seagulls […]
According to The Times, Borussia Dortmund are interested in bringing Jadon Sancho back for what would be his third spell at the club. They are confident that they’ll be able to persuade the winger to accept the transfer and come as a free agent, with both his loan at Aston Villa and contract with Manchester […]
The agreement to face Guatemala was made at the last minute, as Argentina found themselves without fixtures for the March international break after the Finalissima against Spain, which was set to take place in Qatar, was canceled, along with the friendly against the hosts that was scheduled four days later.
However, Guatemalahad already arranged a match against Algeria at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, on 27 March. This prevents them from traveling to South America for a second match, as FIFA forbids a national team from playing on two different continents during the same international break.
“The Guatemalan federation submitted a special request to the world football governing body to allow an exception to the rule and play in Italy, then four days later face the world champions at La Bombonera,”ESPN reported on Thursday.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni.
Past cases do not bode well for the Argentina–Guatemala fixture
Despite the efforts Argentina and Guatemala are making to obtain special permission from FIFA, recent precedents suggest it will be difficult to keep the 31 March friendly in Buenos Aires on the schedule.
Argentina have already been affected by this rule during the November 2025 FIFA break. At that time, they traveled to Africa to play Angola, a match that ended in a 2-0 victory for Lionel Scaloni’s team. Originally, they were scheduled to travel to India for another friendly, but those plans had to be canceled because it would have involved playing on another continent.
A similar situation occurred this week. Following the cancellation of the Finalissima, Spain agreed to play a friendly against Serbia at home on 27 March and intended to add another against Egypt four days later. However, Mohamed Salah’s team is scheduled to play a match in China, making it impossible for them to travel back to Europe afterwards.
Argentina look for another friendly in March
While doubts remain over the 31 March match against Guatemala, Argentina are seeking another opponent to play four days earlier in order to make the most of the FIFA break, which will be the final one before the official squad for the 2026 World Cup must be confirmed.
#SelecciónMayor 📋Lista de convocados por el entrenador Lionel Scaloni para la Fecha FIFA de marzo.
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) March 18, 2026
Reports indicate that this search is proving difficult due to the limited time remaining. Most national teams already have their matches for the March international break finalized, meaning Argentina will almost certainly have to face a lower-level opponent.
Cristian Romero established as one of the Premier League’s top defenders after winning the 2022 World Cup. However, his future has been in doubt, as rumors suggest he is pushing for a departure from Tottenham Hotspur. In response, the Argentine has come forward to deny it.
After winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, Cristian Romero established as one of the best defenders in the world, shining in the Premier League. However, he has been surrounded by rumors of a possible departure from Tottenham Hotspur. In response, the 27-year-old star has come out to deny them, setting a clear objective instead.
“The truth is that I’m focused on the situation we’re in. I have a lot of respect and affection for the club and I want to finish the season in the best way possible. We’ll see later but the most important thing now is to recover energy to help Spurs,”Cristian Romero said, in the mixed zone interview.
While the Argentine did not rule out a possible departure from Spurs, he made it clear that he is not thinking about his future at the moment. Instead, he is focused on helping Tottenham move away from the relegation zone, as they are just one point above the bottom three. After that, he could assess his future depending on the direction the project takes.
Cristian Romero hold a tense relation with Spurs’ front office
Unlike in previous seasons, Tottenham Hotspur have not managed to put in a solid performance. After firing Ange Postecoglou, they have brought in Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, neither of whom has managed to improve the team’s performance. In light of this, Cristian Romero has spoken out about his strained relationship with the front office.
Following a loss to Manchester City, the Argentine posted a strong message on Instagram: “At times like this, it should be other people coming out to speak, but they don’t – as has been happening for several years now. They only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies.”
With this, Romero aimed to expose Spurs’ front office, as he remains the only one facing the fans’ criticism amid a disappointing season. Nonetheless, the team does not seem to be improving their performances, having gone 15 consecutive Premier League matches without a victory. If they fail to present an ambitious project, he could leave the club.
Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur FC warms up ahead of the UEFA Champions League.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has praised the strategic effect of CR7’s involvement, highlighting the wider impact of his global influence.
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again made headlines, not on the pitch, but in the boardroom, this time sparking a global spotlight on Almeria. The Portuguese superstar’s recent acquisition of a stake in the Spanish club has immediately transformed its profile, drawing attention from fans, sponsors, and media around the world. Alongside him, La Liga president Javier Tebas has praised the strategic effect of CR7’s involvement, highlighting the wider impact of his global influence.
The Al-Nassr forward is no stranger to changing the game, and now he brings his vision and brand power into club ownership. Almeria, historically a modest side in Spanish soccer, has seen its international visibility soar, with social media followings surging and sponsor interest intensifying. This unique combination of sporting ambition and global appeal makes Ronaldo’s investment far more than just a financial transaction; it’s a statement of intent.
In a calculated step beyond his illustrious playing career, Ronaldo secured a 25% stake in Almeria through his company, CR7 Sports Investments. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been vocal about his desire to extend his influence beyond soccer’s pitch. As he explained, “I have long had the ambition to contribute to football beyond the pitch. UD Almeria is a Spanish club with a strong foundation and clear growth potential. I wish to work with the team leading the club to support it in its new phase of growth.”
This investment is not just symbolic. By taking an active role, the 41-year-old superstar positions himself as both an investor and a strategic partner, leveraging his reputation to accelerate Almeria’s evolution. The move signals a new era for the club, combining sporting ambition with commercial and digital growth.
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts
What did Tebas say about Ronaldo’s transformative impact?
Now, La Liga president Javier Tebas has underlined the profound effect Ronaldo has had on Almeria. Speaking during the presentation of La Liga’s 2024-2025 economic report, Tebas emphasised the surge in digital presence triggered by Ronaldo’s involvement.
“At least on a media level, it has made Almeria increase their followers on social networks by 25 per cent, and if I am not mistaken, it has become the fifth or sixth club in Spain with the most followers. If that achieves an appropriate ‘engagement’, today, being in the field of social networks with many followers gives you a lot of value when looking for sponsors and everything that entails around it,” he explained.
Tebas also highlighted the commercial opportunities created by Ronaldo’s presence. “I believe that for Almeria, a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, as an investor and an ally, gives them a significant boost that I think they are going to take advantage of, because they are working on it, and I think it is an important part of the reason why Cristiano Ronaldo is at Almeria.”
The combination of a growing audience and interactive engagement has not only increased the club’s profile but also its marketability to international brands. For Almeria, this is a rare opportunity to convert sporting potential into tangible economic returns, amplifying their presence both on and off the pitch.
Sporting ambitions and La Liga return remain the priority
While off-field developments attract headlines, head coach Rubi remains focused on the on-field challenge. The Rojiblancos are currently locked in a fierce battle for automatic promotion from the Segunda Division, sitting third in the standings, level on points with second-placed Deportivo La Coruna. The ultimate goal remains clear: a return to Spain’s top flight by the final matchday.
Ronaldo’s presence, however, offers more than prestige. His involvement brings credibility and resources that can support recruitment, training infrastructure, and strategic growth, potentially laying the foundation for Almeria to sustain top-tier soccer once they secure promotion.
Barcelona’s Wednesday night belonged to Raphinha, but it also echoed the legacy of Neymar, as Hansi Flick’s side delivered a stunning European performance that blended spectacle with history.
Barcelona’s Wednesday night belonged to Raphinha, but it also echoed the legacy of Neymar, as Hansi Flick’s side delivered a stunning European performance that blended spectacle with history. In a match that saw the club overwhelm its opponent and surge into the latter stages of the competition, Raphinha emerged not just as the standout performer but as a record-matcher whose name is now etched alongside one of Brazil’s greatest exports.
The Blaugrana produced a breathtaking attacking display to dismantle Newcastle 7-2, sealing an emphatic 8-3 aggregate triumph and booking a place in the Champions League quarter-finals. The Catalan club turned what had been a tense tie into a one-sided spectacle, particularly in the second half, where its attacking firepower proved simply too much to handle.
Raphinha was at the heart of everything. He contributed directly to six goals: scoring twice, assisting twice, winning a penalty, and creating multiple chances in what can only be described as a complete attacking masterclass. Alongside him, Robert Lewandowski added a brace, while young talents like Lamine Yamal, Fermín Lopez, and Marc Bernal also found the net.
Despite a chaotic first half that ended 3-2, Barcelona shifted gears after the break, scoring four more goals in a devastating spell that completely buried the contest.
The historic milestone revealed
While the scoreline alone was impressive, the night carried even greater significance for the 29-year-old winger. Hidden behind the spectacle was a historic individual milestone that places him among the elite in Champions League history.
Raphinha has now reached 30 goal contributions (goals + assists) in just 33 matches, matching the exact benchmark set by Neymar; the fewest games needed to reach that mark among a select group of soccer’s most lethal attackers.
Rank
Games
Player
1
22
Erling Haaland
2
28
Ruud van Nistelrooy
3
30
Kylian Mbappe
4
31
Luis Suarez
5
33
Neymar
=
33
Raphinha
Matching Neymar, chasing greatness
Raphinha’s evolution at Barcelona has been remarkable. Once known primarily for his flair and unpredictability, the Brazilian has transformed into a complete forward capable of both scoring and creating at the highest level.
What’s more, to match Neymar in such a significant Champions League metric is no small feat. The Brazilian icon built his legacy on decisive contributions in Europe, and now Raphinha has proven he can operate at the same level of efficiency.
Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring
What makes this achievement even more compelling is the journey. Unlike Neymar, who burst onto the scene as a global superstar, Raphinha’s rise has been gradual: built on persistence, adaptation, and continuous improvement.
According to Calciomercato.com, the Nerazzurri director Piero Ausilio has travelled to London to hold talks with the Tottenham star.
Spurs are fighting for Premier League survival, and Vicario is eager to return to Serie A next season.
Calciomercato.com confirms that the Italy international has already given the green light to a move to Inter.
With Yann Sommer’s contract expiring at the end of the season, the Nerazzurri are already preparing to sign a new goalkeeper, and preliminary talks with Vicario’s entourage began some weeks ago.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 15: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on March 15, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
According to several sources, Tottenham will likely demand a fee between €15m and €20m for Vicario, but if Spurs are relegated to the Championship, their asking price will drop further.
BILBAO, SPAIN – MAY 21: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur lifts the UEFA Europa League trophy after his team’s victory in the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Vicario has conceded 165 goals in 115 games with Tottenham, but won the Europa League with the Premier League club last season.
Reports in Italy claim that medical tests undergone by Sandro Tonali today have ruled out muscle injuries, so the Azzurri star will be available for next week’s World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland.
The MRI scan Sandro Tonali underwent on Thursday ruled out any muscle injuries, according to Italian sources, including Gazzetta.
Positive Tonali injury update for Italy and Newcastle
The Newcastle midfielder will therefore be available for Thursday’s World Cup play-off semifinal between Italy and Northern Ireland.
Tonali was forced to be substituted during Newcastle’s Champions League match against Barcelona on Wednesday, raising concerns that he would not be available for Italy’s crucial match next week.
Besides the positive outcome of today’s tests, Tonali no longer feels pain in his left thigh, but he could still miss the upcoming Premier League match against Sunderland to resume training with the Azzurri next week.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 28: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James’ Park on February 28, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Italy coach Gattuso is expected to release his squad list tomorrow, while players will begin preparations in Coverciano on Monday, March 23.
If Italy beat Northern Ireland in the play-off semifinal on March 26, they’ll meet the winner of the Wales-Bosnia Herzegovina match on March 31.
AIA has officially announced the referees for Serie A Week 30, including the Milan-Torino and Fiorentina-Inter matches.
Serie A Week 30 begins on Friday with Cagliari-Napoli and Genoa-Udinese.
The Partenopei’s away game in Sardinia will be overseen by Maurizio Mariani.
Milan’s home game against Torino on Saturday will be overseen by Francesco Fourneau, while Andrea Colombo has been appointed for Fiorentina-Inter on Sunday night.
Below are all the referees, assistants and VAR appointed for the next Serie A Round.
Serie A Week 30 referees
CAGLIARI – NAPOLI Friday 20/03 h 18:30 (CET)
MARIANI
BINDONI – TEGONI
IV: PERRI
VAR: MARINI
AVAR: SERRA
GENOA – UDINESE Friday 20/03 h. 20:45
COLLU
PERETTI – BIFFI
IV: TURRINI
VAR: AURELIANO
AVAR: PEZZUTO
PARMA – CREMONESE Saturday 21/03 h. 15:00
FABBRI
CIPRESSA – YOSHIKAWA
IV: GALIPO’
VAR: PATERNA
AVAR: DI BELLO
MILAN – TORINO Saturday 21/03 h. 18:00
FOURNEAU
ROSSI M. – MORO
IV: DOVERI
VAR: NASCA
AVAR: MARESCA
JUVENTUS – SASSUOLO Saturday 21/03 h. 20:45
MARCHETTI
COSTANZO – BIANCHINI
IV: ALLEGRETTA
VAR: ABISSO
AVAR: CAMPLONE
EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 30: Matteo Marchetti referee gestures during the Serie A match between Empoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 30, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
COMO – PISA Sunday, 22/03 h. 12:30
PAIRETTO
MASTRODONATO – FONTEMURATO
IV: MUCERA
VAR: MERAVIGLIA
AVAR: DI BELLO
ATALANTA – H. VERONA Sunday, 22/03 h. 15:00
AYROLDI
BERCIGLI – FONTANI
IV: CREZZINI
VAR: MAGGIONI
AVAR: LA PENNA
BOLOGNA – LAZIO Sunday, 22/03 h. 15:00
FELICIANI
BERTI – LAUDATO
IV: ZANOTTI
VAR: DI PAOLO
AVAR: GIUA
ROMA – LECCE Sunday, 22/03 h. 18:00
SACCHI J.L.
BACCINI – ZINGARELLI
IV: MASSIMI
VAR: GHERSINI
AVAR: ABISSO
CAGLIARI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: the refree Andrea Colombo looks on during the Serie A match between Cagliari and Juventus at Sardegna Arena on February 23, 2025 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Manchester City reportedly look to be the clear frontrunners for the potential £80m transfer of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.
But that seemingly won’t stop Manchester United from pursuing the England international, according to BBC Sport.
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Anderson has been in superb form for Forest this season, and now also looks like a near-certainty to start for England barring any surprise World Cup news this summer.
It seems clear that Anderson could shine at City or United, having produced some terrific stats with his Premier League performances throughout this campaign.
All-rounder Elliot Anderson would be a dream signing for most top clubs
See below for Anderson’s stats that show just how well he contributes in so many different metrics, with the 23-year-old showing himself to be the kind of all-rounder that could carry the best sides to success…
Elliot Anderson stats against other top PL midfielders (DataMB)
Anderson looks ideal to replace someone like Rodri at the Etihad Stadium, with MCFC perhaps in need of a younger player in that role now after the Spaniard’s recent injury problems.
As reported here for the Daily Briefing, Chelsea also have a long-standing interest, even if our information is that City and United look more likely for the moment.
Where should Elliot Anderson go?
Anderson will likely have a long list of options this summer, but he’ll have to pick carefully for this important next step in his career.
The former Newcastle youngster has flourished at Forest and will need to continue playing regular first-team football, which is probably more likely for him at United than at City.
Even if Anderson looks more than good enough to replace Rodri, it won’t necessarily be easy, while there’s also Nico Gonzalez to compete with.
Kalvin Phillips is a name for Anderson to keep in mind, as he looked superb for Leeds United before really struggling and seeing his career go majorly downhill at City.
Then again, a lot of big names have also gone backwards at MUFC in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, so perhaps keeping other options like Chelsea in mind wouldn’t be the worst idea.
Liverpool thrashed Galatasaray in the second leg of their encounter in the Champions League round of 16, and now they’re set to face Paris Saint-Germain, the team that knocked them out on penalties after two incredible games the last time they met, in the quarterfinals. Reds boss Arne Slot relishes the opportunity to lead his […]
Going into the final minutes of Real Madrid’s La Liga match with Elche last Saturday, the scoreline stood at 3-1 when Arda Guler did this. 0.1% chance. Still scored. pic.twitter.com/YCRdiV0Set — LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) March 19, 2026
According to The Times, Borussia Dortmund are interested in bringing Jadon Sancho back for what would be his third spell at the club. They are confident that they’ll be able to persuade the winger to accept the transfer and come as a free agent, with both his loan at Aston Villa and contract with Manchester […]
Real Madrid defeated Manchester City, securing their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals. However, Thibaut Courtois suffered a serious injury and will be sidelined for several weeks. Consequently, Los Blancos may already know who will take his spot against Atlético Madrid.
Despite Real Madrid securing their place in the Champions League quarterfinals, they have lost Thibaut Courtois due to injury concerns. The Belge has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the rectus femoris of his right quadriceps, the team reported. In his absence, Andriy Lunin emerges as the clear candidate to start vs. Atlético Madrid.
After the rectus femoris injury in his right quadriceps, the Belgian is set to miss several games with Real Madrid: vs. Atlético Madrid, RCD Mallorca, Bayern Munich — both legs —, Girona, Deportivo Alavés, and Real Betis, reports Melchor Ruiz via El Partidazo Cope.
In his absence, coach Álvaro Arbeloa could rely on Lunin, who has already shown he is capable of being Los Blancos’ first-choice goalkeeper, delivering standout performances on multiple occasions. Along with this, Los Blancos could rely on Fran González as the second-choice goalkeeper, who has been shining with Real Madrid Castilla.
Andriy Lunin faces a tough challenge with Real Madrid
Although Andriy Lunin has already proven his quality, he is under immense pressure. With only 315 minutes played this season, he needs to put in a solid performance against Atlético Madrid, who are in top form with, or the team could fall further behind the LaLiga leaders.
Andriy Lunin of Real Madrid applauds the fans after the team’s victory.
Coupled with this, the Ukrainian is preparing to face Bayern Munich, which has been the best attacking team in the world, with Luis Díaz, Michael Olise, and Harry Kane shining. For this reason, he might have more work on his hands than expected, and a poor performance could knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League.
Lunin could use Courtois’ absence to dispel doubts about his abilities and fight for a more prominent role at Real Madrid. If he shines, the Ukrainian could attract the attention of top European clubs, which might offer him not only a good salary but also a key role—a move that would give his career a boost.
Real Madrid could get some good news amid Courtois’ absence
Amid Thibaut Courtois’ injury, Real Madrid could receive good news for the upcoming matches. Not only have they recovered Kylian Mbappé, but they could also welcome back Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos, Raul Asencio and Éder Militão ahead of the quarterfinals vs. Bayern Munich.
With this in mind, coach Álvaro Arbeloa could regain strength in midfield, something essential to defeat the German side. In addition, the possible presence of Militão and Asencio could provide more solidity in defense, as they have been dealing with several inconsistencies with Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rüdiger.
Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid throws the ball during the UEFA Champions League.
According to Tuttosport, Juventus CEO Damien Comolli has identified Guillaume Restes as the ideal goalkeeping reinforcement for next season, while Luciano Spalletti prefers a more experienced player, such as David de Gea or Emiliano Martinez.
Juventus will sign a new goalkeeper in the summer, as Michele Di Gregorio has failed to impress in his second season at the club, while Mattia Perin will seek a club that offers him a starting spot.
Juventus looking for new goalkeeper in 2026-27
According to Tuttosport, the top target identified by CEO Comolli is French keeper Restes, who is under contract with Toulouse.
Comolli, a former director and President of the French club, is well aware of Restes’ qualities as the 21-year-old has been playing for Toulouse since he was six.
He has already made 100 appearances for Toulouse’s senior team, and his price tag is around €20m.
Spalletti, however, would rather put this money toward reinforcements in other departments, picking a more experienced goalkeeper instead.
According to the report, Fiorentina’s De Gea, Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario and Aston Villa’s Martinez are among the players on Spalletti’s list.
Martinez has reportedly been offered to the Old Lady, who will consider the Argentine’s signature, as long as his wage demands aren’t too high.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa makes a save off a shot from Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Aston Villa FC and Juventus at Villa Park on November 27, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta and Liverpool’s Alisson are also highly regarded by Spalletti.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: Alisson Becker of Liverpool celebrates after Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool (not pictured) scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at City Ground on February 22, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Sky Sport Italia reports that Hakan Calhanoglu will be available for Inter’s away game at Fiorentina on Sunday, while Italy international Alessandro Bastoni could return to group training tomorrow.
Inter are preparing for Sunday’s away game at Fiorentina, and Sky Sport Italia provides the latest injury updates for the Nerazzurri.
Latest Inter injury updates
Calhanoglu has recovered from a calf injury and will be available for selection against Fiorentina.
Serie A’s top goalscorer, Lautaro Martinez, on the other hand, has intensified the workload but has continued to work separately.
If the Argentina international doesn’t return to group training in the next two days, he’ll be ruled out of the next league match.
Italy international Bastoni suffered an injury in the Milan derby and missed the most recent match against Atalanta.
Sky Sport reports that the Italian has partially worked with the team over the last few days, and that he could join his teammates for a full training session tomorrow.
BARI, ITALY – AUGUST 16: Alessandro Bastoni of Inter during Pre-Season Friendly match between FC Internazionale and Olympiacos FC at Stadio San Nicola on August 16, 2025 in Bari, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
If that is the case, Bastoni will be given the green light for the Fiorentina game as well as Italy’s World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland on March 26.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Inter competes for the ball with Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Last but not least, Mkhitaryan won’t be available against Fiorentina as he aims to return to action after the break, probably in a home match against his former club, Roma, on Easter.
Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici has reportedly sounded out Fabio Maresca’s availability for next season, but the ex-Chelsea coach is expected to hold out for a Premier League opportunity, particularly from Manchester City if Pep Guardiola departs.
Fiorentina director Paratici has explored Maresca’s availability for next season, according to a report from TMW.
Fiorentina director Paratici calls Maresca
Maresca has been without a club since the start of January, when he left Chelsea by mutual consent, months after winning the Conference League and the Club World Cup.
According to the report, Paratici has contacted Maresca in recent days, but the Italian tactician remains an unlikely candidate for the job at the Stadio Franchi next season.
Maresca, in fact, will likely wait for offers from the Premier League, particularly from Manchester City if Pep Guardiola were to leave at the end of the season.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 8: Fabio Paratici of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Parma Calcio 1913 at Artemio Franchi on March 8, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Maresca already worked in Guardiola’s Manchester City staff and has built a solid bond with the Spanish tactician.
COBHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 08: Enzo Maresca, manager of Chelsea FC looks on during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on December 08, 2025 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images)
Tuttomercato adds that Maresca would only consider offers from Juventus and Napoli in Serie A, but the Italian giants are expected to continue with Luciano Spalletti and Antonio Conte, respectively, next season.
Genoa coach Daniele De Rossi feels the Italy national team needs ‘real supporters’ for the 2026 World Cup play-off: ‘Now we play against Northern Ireland, and if we go ahead, Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina. I don’t think they have better youth sectors than we do.’
Italy World Cup winner De Rossi spoke about the state of Italian football during a press conference on Thursday. Tomorrow, his Genoa side host Udinese in Serie A Round 30.
De Rossi: Italy need ‘true supporters’ in World Cup play-off
“I feel that too many times, we coaches lose in Europe, we tend to blame our football and the youth sectors. Last season, Inter reached the Champions League Final, beating Barcelona, and the youth sector was the same as this season,” De Rossi said via TMW.
Atalanta’s elimination from the Champions League Round of 16 means Serie A has no more representatives in Europe’s elite competition.
“It’s easy to say that youth sectors don’t work. Football is changing and will further change. My ideal player has more physical strength than a few years ago,” continued De Rossi.
“Then losing to Bayern Munich is understandable, as they have players worth €50m-60m-70m, and they’ve signed them from various youth systems around the world. Those are incredible realities, and it’s not strange to suffer heavy defeats. Atalanta shouldn’t be blamed as they played with pride, losing to a way stronger team.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Daniele De Rossi, head coach of Genoa, reacts during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 7, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
“As for the national team, we need to be less critical, and all be true supporters. If it goes badly, there will be a revolt, and there will be time to talk about Gravina, Gattuso and Buffon. Now we play against Northern Ireland, and if we go ahead, Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina. I don’t think they have better youth sectors than we do. Now we must stop criticism and say a few words to support Gattuso and his players, who, I think, will play two great games.”
A lot of Chelsea players are reportedly “fed up” and some have even spoken to their agents about potentially leaving Stamford Bridge, according to Simon Phillips.
Although no specific names are mentioned in the report, it makes sense that a decent chunk of Chelsea’s players are not entirely happy with how things are going right now.
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The Blues were thrashed by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League over two legs, losing 8-2 on aggregate to exit the competition at the last-16 stage.
Liam Rosenior recently replaced Enzo Maresca as manager and has had a mixed start, but generally looks a little out of his depth in such a big job this early in his coaching career.
Chelsea players unsettled
Phillips cites sources in his piece saying “a lot of the players are confused, fed up, ready to clock out and not get injured for the World Cup, with some asking agents to get moves already”.
This seems far from ideal for Chelsea as they really need to turn things around between now and the end of the season, as there’s still plenty to play for.
Rosenior’s side can still qualify for next season’s Champions League if they finish strongly in the Premier League, while they have a relatively easy-looking path to the FA Cup semi-finals as they take on Port Vale in the next round in April.
Who could be leaving Chelsea?
Ultimately, CFC won’t just allow key players on long-term contracts to leave, but there’ll perhaps be one or two who’ll be looking for a way out.
Big names like Manchester City and Real Madrid were mentioned as potential suitors, but one imagines the west London giants would demand huge money for the Argentina international.
Manchester United’s midfield could look very different next season as Casemiro comes towards the end of his contract, while doubts linger over the future of both Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.
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The Red Devils have been linked with a host of big names in that area of their squad, so much so that it’s not out of the question that their entire midfield three could be made up of new signings next season.
Just a few days ago we took a look at how Man Utd could line up next season if they land just three of the main names they’re being linked with, but their list of targets actually seems to be even longer.
? How Manchester United could line up if they land their DREAM midfield targets for this summer! ? pic.twitter.com/ZF60lGn5uS
Manchester United’s midfield transfer targets ranked
1) Elliot Anderson
Elliot Anderson
TOTAL SCORE: 19/25
Transfer fee
*
Performance
*****
Achievements
***
Career phase
*****
Squad need
*****
Although Elliot Anderson would not come cheap, he’s been arguably the outstanding midfield player in the Premier League this season, and looks a certain to start as a key player for England at the World Cup. He loses points for his steep price, which has been reported by the Telegraph and others as £100m or more, but there’ll surely be plenty of top clubs who’ll see that as a price worth paying.
2) Adam Wharton
Adam Wharton
TOTAL SCORE: 19/25
Transfer fee
*
Performance
*****
Achievements
***
Career phase
*****
Squad need
*****
Pretty much on a par with Anderson, there’s surely going to be a big move in store for Adam Wharton this summer. He’s really looked the part at Crystal Palace and even if he’s slightly behind Anderson in the pecking order for England, fans of United and other big clubs would surely be really happy to sign him this summer, even if again he’s unlikely to move for anything other than a massive fee.
With reports that Man United will do their best to keep Bruno Fernandes, as per the Daily Mail, it also surely makes sense for them to plan something big in the event of his departure. Well, names don’t come much bigger than Jude Bellingham, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford by Spanish outlet Fichajes, even if they also state that Real Madrid are not keen to sell.
4) Mateus Fernandes
Mateus Fernandes
TOTAL SCORE: 15/25
Transfer fee
***
Performance
***
Achievements
*
Career phase
*****
Squad need
****
Mateus Fernandes has been linked with United by talkSPORT in recent times after a hugely impressive season with West Ham. His transfer fee probably won’t be as high as some of the names on this list, especially if the Hammers get relegated, and he’s young enough that he’ll keep on improving, even if he’s also relatively inexperienced compared to some of the club’s other rumoured targets.
5) Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes
TOTAL SCORE: 13/25
Transfer fee
*
Performance
***
Achievements
***
Career phase
**
Squad need
****
A report from Reuters claims United are in advanced talks over signing Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle. While the Brazilian is undoubtedly a top player, it’s perhaps debatable if he’d really be the absolute best option out there considering he’ll be turning 29 early next season.
6) Morgan Gibbs White
Morgan Gibbs White
TOTAL SCORE: 12/25
Transfer fee
*
Performance
***
Achievements
*
Career phase
***
Squad need
****
Probably not quite the level United need, but Morgan Gibbs White has had another fine season for Nottingham Forest and looks like he could make an impact at a bigger club. A perfectly solid addition for United if they can’t land slightly more glamorous targets.
7) Sandro Tonali
Sandro Tonali
TOTAL SCORE: 11/25
Transfer fee
–
Performance
**
Achievements
**
Career phase
***
Squad need
****
We recently gave Tonali to Man Utd a score of just 11/25 and we’re sticking with that – the big transfer fee that would likely be required just doesn’t look justified. The Italy international has been a key performer for Newcastle, but he’s not exactly someone with any outstanding qualities to really improve this MUFC squad.
8) Joao Gomes
Joao Gomes
TOTAL SCORE: 10/25
Transfer fee
**
Performance
*
Achievements
**
Career phase
**
Squad need
***
At the lower end of medium, Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes could be an option worth looking at, but it’s also hard to see him being quite good enough after a season where he’s been part of a Wolves side who look certain to get relegated after some really poor form.
9) Carlos Baleba
Carlos Baleba
TOTAL SCORE: 9/25
Transfer fee
–
Performance
**
Achievements
*
Career phase
***
Squad need
***
At one point this would have been higher, and it could still be again, but Carlos Baleba’s form has really gone downhill this season. Brighton would probably still want a big fee for a young player who obviously has a lot of potential, but it would be a big gamble at this moment in time.
10) Tyler Adams
Tyler Adams
TOTAL SCORE: 9/25
Transfer fee
**
Performance
*
Achievements
*
Career phase
**
Squad need
***
We’ve reported on Tyler Adams being someone United and other big clubs are looking at as he’d possibly be available on the cheap this summer. While that could mean he’s a useful backup option, it’s hard to see him as someone who should be high up on the list of a club as ambitious as United.
A heartwarming video has captured the moment Liverpool starlets Rio Ngumoha, Amara Nallo, Trey Nyoni, and Kieran Morrison reacted in pure awe to Mohamed Salah’s stunning goal against Galatasaray.
The four academy prospects, who were warming up on the touchline as second-half substitutes, were caught on camera as Salah unleashed a trademark curling effort into the top corner to seal a 2-0 victory at Anfield.
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The footage, shared by Nick Collins, which has since gone viral on X, shows the youngsters stopping their warm-up drills in unison the moment the ball left Salah’s boot.
Ngumoha, Nyoni and Nallo all immediately had their hands to their mouth in disbelief as they shared shocked looks with each other that perfectly summed up the magic of the Egyptian King.
Nallo, Rio, Nyoni and Morrison reaction to Mohamed Salah’s goal.
Salah looked back to his best despite missing early penalty
The goal was a moment of pure redemption for Salah, who had endured a difficult opening 45 minutes.
In the dying seconds of the first half, the Egyptian saw a tame penalty saved by Galatasaray’s goalkeeper, a miss that seemed to reflect on his recent struggles in front of goal.
However, Salah emerged for the second half with a point to prove. After providing a clinical assist for Hugo Ekitike and playing a key role in Ryan Gravenberch’s strike, he finally found the net himself in the 62nd minute.
His trademark curling finish was his 50th career goal in the Champions League proper, making him the first African player in history to reach the half-century mark in the competition.
It was a defiant response to critics, though the night ended on a bittersweet note as he was substituted shortly after with a suspected minor injury.
Big test against PSG next
While the victory over the Turkish champions provides a much-needed morale boost, a significantly larger hurdle remains on the horizon.
Liverpool must now prepare for a titanic quarter-final clash against the reigning champions PSG, who advanced after an 8-2 aggregate demolition of Chelsea.
Liverpool have reportedly moved into pole position in the race to sign Eduardo Camavinga, with the Real Madrid midfielder emerging as one of the most intriguing names ahead of the summer transfer window in 2026.
According to TEAMtalk, the Merseyside club are actively exploring a deal, while several Premier League rivals remain firmly in the picture.
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At just 23, Camavinga is already regarded as one of Europe’s most complete midfielders, and his potential availability has alerted multiple top clubs looking to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season.
Real Madrid are open to offers for Camavinga
Despite being a valued member of Real Madrid’s squad, Camavinga’s role at the Santiago Bernabéu has not always been guaranteed.
The French international has often been used as a rotational option, occasionally deployed out of position at left-back or in a deeper midfield role.
With Madrid continuing to evolve their midfield around younger stars such as Jude Bellingham and others, reports suggest the club could be open to serious offers in the region of £70 million.
While there is no urgency to sell, the Spanish giants are believed to be willing to listen if the right proposal arrives.
Importantly, Camavinga is understood to prefer a move to a club competing in the UEFA Champions League, a factor that could significantly shape the outcome of any transfer battle.
Liverpool have a vision for the future of their midfield
Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid looks on (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Liverpool’s interest is closely tied to their ongoing midfield rebuild. After multiple changes over the past few seasons, the club are keen to add a player who combines defensive intelligence, ball progression, and tactical versatility, qualities that Camavinga possesses in abundance.
Under their current project, Liverpool are prioritising players capable of operating in high-intensity systems, and Camavinga’s ability to press, recover possession, and drive forward with the ball makes him an ideal fit.
While Liverpool are believed to be leading the race, they face stiff competition. Manchester United and Chelsea have both reportedly made contact with the player’s representatives, signaling their intent to be part of the conversation.
United, in particular, are searching for midfield reinforcements amid uncertainty surrounding several senior players, while Chelsea continue to target young, high-upside talents as part of their long-term strategy.
Lamine Yamal made history for Barcelona while paying tribute to two of soccer’s modern greats, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, during the club’s emphatic UEFA Champions League win over Newcastle.
Lamine Yamal made history for Barcelona while paying tribute to two of soccer’s modern greats, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, during the club’s emphatic UEFA Champions League win over Newcastle. The 18-year-old winger shattered Kylian Mbappe’s record as the youngest player to reach 10 goals in the competition, while celebrating in style to honor the Portuguese and Brazilian superstars. Barcelona cruised to a 7-2 victory at Camp Nou in the second leg of their last-16 tie, sealing an 8-3 aggregate triumph and booking their place in the quarter-finals.
The Catalan side’s attacking display was breathtaking. Raphinha dominated the evening, scoring twice and creating multiple assists, while Robert Lewandowski also netted a brace. Marc Bernal, Fermin Lopez, and Yamal himself contributed to the scoring, with the teenager making the difference at key moments. While Barcelona’s offense was irresistible, their defense showed vulnerability, conceding twice despite the comfortable scoreline.
Barca opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Raphinha converted a low strike after a swift counter led by Fermin Lopez. Newcastle responded quickly through Anthony Elanga, who capitalized on Lewis Hall’s cross to level the game nine minutes later. Marc Bernal restored the Catalan lead from a Raphinha free kick, only for Elanga to score again in the 28th minute after Yamal’s attempted back-heel clearance went awry.
Yamal redeemed himself deep into first-half stoppage time, coolly converting a penalty kick, as the second half quickly turned into a procession. Fermin scored following a Raphinha through-ball, Lewandowski headed in from a corner, and then converted a precise Yamal assist for his second goal. The Brazilian winger sealed the rout, capping a dominant performance for the hosts.
Yamal makes Champions League history
The night was particularly historic for Lamine Yamal. At 18 years and 248 days, he became the youngest player to score 10 Champions League goals, surpassing Kylian Mbappe, who achieved the milestone at 18 years and 350 days during his time with Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain.
Yamal hit the landmark with a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time, giving Barcelona a crucial 3-2 lead. The Spain international also became the youngest player to score in consecutive knockout games and reached another milestone by completing 30 Champions League appearances, all before turning 19.
𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐘𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐋 🤝 𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄
Lamine Yamal equals Kylian Mbappé’s record for most UCL goals scored before turning 19 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/HmZXqnMTBM
Following his historic goal, Yamal’s celebrations caught the eye of fans worldwide. Initially, he climbed up on the boards with his arms crossed in a move reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous celebration on advertising boards.
Juventus and Italy legend Alessandro Del Piero argues that Italian clubs are always ‘tired’, but should complain less about the fixture list and focus more on the pitch.
Serie A has no more representatives in the Champions League following Atalanta’s elimination from the Round of 16 at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Del Piero: Italian clubs ‘always’ tired
La Dea suffered a 10-2 aggregate loss against the Bundesliga giants while Napoli, Inter and Juventus had been knocked out in the previous rounds.
“Our problem is that we get tired. We are always the ones who are tired. In Italy, we are always tired,” Del Piero told Sky Sport via Fanpage.
“I’ve heard very few coaches abroad complain about matches or say we are tired. You have to adapt. We are talking about teams; you have to equip yourself accordingly.
“Today’s football is different. You have more players, more substitutions, more money to invest in physical preparation, recovery and so on. There’s more of everything.”
The last time an Italian club won the Champions League was in 2009-10 with José Mourinho’s Inter.
Since then, Juventus and Inter have reached the Final twice each, but failed to bring home the coveted cup.
“You need professionalism in trying to improve the players, because there is room for improvement. There is, because others do so,” Del Piero continued.
“We think we are the best, yet we concede seven goals, as it happened; then something isn’t quite right. Barcelona always play the same players. Then if someone gets injured, they take him out and put another one in.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 10: Former football player Alessandro Del Piero looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio di Bergamo on December 10, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Del Piero won the Champions League with Juventus in 1996 and the World Cup with the Italy national team ten years later in 2006.
The Italian national team will play in the World Cup play-off later this month after failing to qualify for the competition in 2018 and 2022.
Inter striker Ange-Yoan Bonny has decided to represent the Ivory Coast national team, but won’t be available for friendlies against South Korea and Scotland later this month due to a ‘dental issue.’
Inter striker Bonny, 22, will represent the Ivory Coast national team, coach Émerse Faé confirmed at a press conference (via SOS Fanta).
Ivory Coast coach confirms Bonny’s decision and Inter issue
Bonny was born in Aubervilliers, a suburb of Paris, and is of Ivorian descent.
Bonny represented France at the U19, U20 and U21 levels, but will continue his international career at a senior level with the African country.
Bonny, however, won’t be available for the next two friendly games against South Korea and Scotland during the March break later this month.
“He currently has dental issues, so we preferred to leave him with his club so he can regain full fitness, maintain consistency in his performances and join us at a later stage,” Faé said.
The match against Scotland will be played at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, home to Premier League side Everton, on March 31.
MONZA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Ange-Yoan Bonny of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between FC Internazionale and Torino at U-Power Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Ivory Coast have qualified for the 2026 World Cup and have been drawn in Group E alongside Ecuador, Germany and Curaçao.
Bonny has scored seven goals in 37 appearances across all competitions with Inter this season, his first one at the Stadio Meazza.
La Gazzetta dello Sport confirms that Guglielmo Vicario is Inter’s main goalkeeping target for 2026-27 and that the Italian is open to returning to Serie A after his relationship with Tottenham reached a low point.
Inter have identified Italy international Vicario as their main target in goal for next season.
Latest transfer updates on Vicario and Inter
The Nerazzurri are looking for a new starting goalkeeper for 2026-27, and previous reports suggested they would hold a new round of talks with the Tottenham star’s agents this month.
According to Gazzetta, Vicario has already informed his agents that he’d be happy to return to Serie A, particularly at Inter, which he was already close to joining in 2023 before his switch from Empoli to Tottenham.
Gazzetta highlights that Vicario’s relationship with Spurs reached a low point in recent months, so the Nerazzurri are confident they can reach an agreement with the Premier League side, who are currently fighting to avoid relegation.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Inter, however, are aware that Tottenham’s asking price will be between €15m and €20m next summer, provided they remain in the Premier League.
Inter are not expected to offer a contract extension to Yann Sommer, although the club could change their mind and keep the Swiss international as a second-choice goalkeeper next season if they receive offers for Josep Martinez.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Francesco Pio Esposito and Yann Sommer of FC Internazionale Milano celebrate following the team’s victory in the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Pio Esposito’s agent has confirmed that Arsenal are interested in signing the Inter Milan sensation, but has swiftly moved to shut down any talk of a move to North London.
The 20-year-old striker, who has become one of the most talked-about talents in Serie A this season, is reportedly a primary target for Mikel Arteta as he looks to bolster his attacking options for the 2026/27 campaign.
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Arsenal interest confirmed but Pio Esposito is happy at Inter Milan
Speaking to Radio CRC (quotes via The Mirror), Esposito’s agent, Mario Giuffredi, was unequivocal about the player’s future.
Giuffredi said: “Despite Arsenal’s interest, our plans are clear. He’s happy at Inter and will be the future of the Nerazzurri for the next 10 years. The boy is in love with Inter.”
The agent’s comments effectively pour cold water on Arsenal’s hopes of a summer swoop. Esposito, who only recently extended his contract at the San Siro until June 2030, is viewed by the Inter hierarchy as an “untouchable” asset.
Pio Esposito eyed by Arsenal and Manchester United
Despite the firm stance from his camp, Arsenal are not the only Premier League club monitoring the situation.
Arteta is said to have been impressed by Esposito ever since his impressive second-half cameo against the Gunners in the Champions League earlier this year.
But Inter president Beppe Marotta has publicly ruled out selling his prized asset. He said:
“Inter do not want to sell him and we are not a club that makes player trading its main business. He’s a product that grew up in the youth academy, and we’re guarding him like a treasure. We’ll talk about his transfer again in the future, but it’ll be a very distant future.”
Esposito’s incredible numbers
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a standout campaign, making 39 appearances while contributing eight goals and six assists across all competitions this season.
He previously spent two years on loan at Spezia Calcio, where he netted 22 goals in 79 appearances, further underlining his development.
Club
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Spezia Calcio
79
22
3
Inter Milan
41
9
7
Inter Milan Primavera
34
15
3
Inter Under 17
24
21
3
Inter Under 18
16
2
1
Inter Milan UEFA U19
8
1
–
Total
202
70
17
Across his career so far, Esposito has recorded an impressive return of 70 goals and 17 assists in 202 appearances at all levels.
Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly monitoring the rapid rise of Bournemouth winger Rayan, as the teenage attacker continues to make a strong impression in English football.
Scouts from both clubs have been closely following the 19-year-old’s performances and have been left highly impressed by his early impact, according to TEAMtalk.
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Rayan has quickly adapted to life in the Premier League following his move from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in the January transfer window.
Despite his age, the winger has shown confidence and maturity, attracting attention from some of the biggest clubs in England.
Rayan has experienced a breakthrough arrival in England
Rayan’s move to Bournemouth earlier this year came as part of the club’s strategy to invest in emerging talent with high potential.
He was brought in as a replacement for Antoine Semenyo, and while expectations were initially cautious, the young Brazilian has exceeded them in a short period.
His performances have been characterized by explosive pace, direct dribbling, and a fearless attacking approach, making him a constant threat to opposition defenders.
Rayan’s ability to take on players in one-on-one situations and create opportunities has quickly made him one of Bournemouth’s most exciting attacking outlets.
Such performances have not gone unnoticed, with scouts from Liverpool and Manchester United reportedly attending matches to assess his development firsthand.
Rayan of Bournemouth in action (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Both Liverpool and Man United are believed to be in the market for dynamic wide players as part of their long-term squad planning.
Liverpool, in particular, have been linked with several wingers as they prepare for a possible transition in their attacking line.
Meanwhile, Man United are looking to add depth and versatility to their forward options as they continue their rebuilding process.
Rayan’s profile, young, technically gifted, and already performing in the Premier League, makes him an attractive target for clubs seeking future stars.
Reports suggest that Rayan’s contract includes a release clause in the region of €100 million, which would make any potential deal a significant financial commitment.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, are under no immediate pressure to sell and are likely to resist interest unless a substantial offer is made.
Verdict: Bruno Fernandes over 0.5 shots on target Best Odds: 5/6 Bookmaker: Dachbet Looking to widen their buffer in the Champions League chase on Friday night, Manchester United will travel to the Vitality when they meet Bournemouth. Bournemouth Starting with the hosts, while Bournemouth might have opened up the New Year with their sights firmly […]
Como are ‘deeply saddened’ by the death of one of their owners, Michael Bambang Hartono: ‘Under the family’s leadership, the Club have entered a new chapter in their history.’
Michael Bambang Hartono, one of the owners of Serie A side Como, died on Thursday, the club announced in a statement.
“Como 1907 is deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Bambang Hartono,” the Azzurri said.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the Hartono family and to all at the Djarum Group.
“Under the family’s leadership, the Club has entered a new chapter in its history, and we remember him with gratitude and respect.”
Como 1907 is deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Bambang Hartono.
We extend our sincere condolences to the Hartono family and to all at the Djarum Group.
Under the family’s leadership, the Club has entered a new chapter in its history, and we remember him with gratitude… pic.twitter.com/o9YGHm7qiu
Italy star Sandro Tonali will undergo an MRI scan today to learn the extent of a muscle injury suffered during Wednesday’s Champions League match against Barcelona.
Italy and Newcastle will wait for the outcome of Tonali’s medical tests today, Gazzetta reports.
The Italian midfielder was forced to be substituted during the second half of a Champions League match against Barcelona on Wednesday due to a suspected muscle injury.
Newcastle coach Eddie Howe admitted after the match that Tonali is in doubt for the next Premier League fixture against Sunderland, but the Italy national team is even more concerned as the Azzurri will play in the World Cup play-off next week.
Sandro Tonali plays for Italy in Moldova during the 2026 World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)
The Azzurri will host Northern Ireland in the semi-final in Bergamo on March 26, and if they progress to the Final, they’ll play away against Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Tonali was one of the Italy players with a guaranteed spot in the squad and in the starting XI, so coach Gennaro Gattuso will be hoping for good news from Newcastle today.
Italy World Cup winner Luca Toni praised Harry Kane following Bayern Munich’s 4-1 win over Atalanta last night: ‘Coming from a top No.9 like you, it’s special words,’ the English forward replied.
During his post-match interview with Prime Video Italia, Kane said he was “proud” of his goals, especially the second one.
“It’s one of my favourite goals in my career,” said the English star.
“It’s a mixture of skill, technique, balance and obviously, the finish as well. In the moment, it felt really special.”
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munich scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Ex-Italy and Bayern Munich star Toni commented on the game as a pundit for Prime Video and told Kane: “I’m in love with him in footballing terms, because he’s one of the last physical centre-forwards. There are many false nines, but he’s the best centre-forward in the world right now.”
The Bayern Munich star replied: “I appreciate it. Coming from a top No.9 like you, it’s special words, thank you.”
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Milan are ready to offer Leon Goretzka a €5m-a-year contract until 2029, while Lazio’s Mario Gila is the Rossoneri’s top defensive target for the summer.
Milan are preparing to strengthen their team for 2026-27, when they’ll likely return to the Champions League.
Latest Milan transfer updates on Goretzka and Gila
The club’s main target for the summer is a centre-forward, but the Serie A giants will sign at least one player in each department.
As for the central midfield, free agent Leo Goretzka has long been on the club’s radar.
Milan’s domestic rivals, Juventus, are also interested in Goretzka and have already opened preliminary talks with his entourage. Still, according to Gazzetta, Milan hope to beat the Bianconeri with an offer worth €5m per season for the next three years.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Nicolo Barella of Italy battles for possession with Leon Goretzka of Germany during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Milan’s main target in defence is Lazio’s Gila, whose contract expires in 2027. The former Real Madrid Academy player is unwilling to extend with the Biancocelesti, so he could leave in the summer for €20m to €25m.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Mario Gila of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Rafael Leao of AC Milan during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Igli Tare, now a Milan director, is on excellent terms with the defender’s entourage, as he was the one bringing Gila to the Olimpico in 2022.
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Tielemans has become an important figure at Villa Park, and his decision to stay shows both his personal ambitions and the club’s upward trajectory in recent seasons.
Tielemans is focused on Premier League ambitions
At 28, Tielemans is at a stage in his career where many players begin to consider offers from emerging leagues.
However, reports suggest the midfielder believes he still has unfinished business in the Premier League and is eager to continue competing at the highest level in Europe.
Since joining Aston Villa, Tielemans has re-established himself as a key contributor in midfield.
Known for his composure, passing range, and ability to dictate the tempo of games, he has provided both creativity and stability in Emery’s system.
His experience, gained during his time at Leicester City, where he famously scored the winning goal in the 2021 FA Cup final, continues to be a valuable asset for Villa as they aim to compete for European qualification.
Midfielder has confidence in the Aston Villa project
Youri Tielemans in action for Aston Villa (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Tielemans’ commitment also shows the progress Aston Villa have made under Unai Emery.
The club has developed into a competitive side capable of challenging for European places, and players are increasingly buying into the long-term vision.
Villa’s ability to retain key players like Tielemans is seen as a positive sign for their continued development.
The Saudi Pro League has been actively targeting high-profile players from Europe in recent years, offering significant financial incentives to attract established talent.
Tielemans is understood to be among the players identified by clubs in the region as a potential signing.
However, despite the financial appeal, the Belgian international is reportedly not convinced that a move at this stage of his career.
Crystal Palace could reportedly be planning new contract talks with Jefferson Lerma in order to secure his future at Selhurst Park.
The 31-year-old has been a key player for Palace in his three seasons at the south London club, having previously also shone at former team Bournemouth.
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Palace need to ensure they can keep a lot of this squad together ahead of what could be a pretty chaotic summer as manager Oliver Glasner has already confirmed he’ll be leaving.
On top of that, there will surely be interest in key players like Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta, while Marc Guehi left for Manchester City in January and Eberechi Eze made the move to Arsenal last summer.
Can Crystal Palace keep hold of Jefferson Lerma?
CPFC surely need to avoid losing too many key members of this squad all at once, with former Premier League scout Mick Brown discussing Lerma’s future with Football Insider.
“He’s versatile enough to play in midfield or at the back, always puts in a solid performance and has plenty of experience in the Premier League.
“I expect they will be planning to extend his deal and keep him at the club beyond the end of the season, because there’s already enough players who might be leaving.
Liverpool director Richard Hughes is a top target for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, as has now been confirmed by the reliable Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano addressed recent claims that Hughes’ Anfield future could be in doubt due to interest from Saudi clubs.
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It seems there is truth to the stories, with Romano suggesting it’s going to be something to watch, but it’s not yet clear if a move will definitely happen due to Hughes being happy at Liverpool.
Hughes previously impressed in a similar role at Bournemouth before moving to LFC in the summer of 2024, but now it’s not clear how much longer he’ll be staying.
Fabrizio Romano on Richard Hughes’ Liverpool future
Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes
Speaking in his latest YouTube post, Romano said: “According to reports in Saudi Arabia, and I can confirm that it’s true, that Richard Hughes, Liverpool director, is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, especially from Al-Hilal.
“So, Richard Hughes is now the clear favourite to become the future director at Al-Hilal. The point is the timing and when this is going to happen.
“Because Richard Hughes remains absolutely and totally committed to Liverpool project and he’s very happy at the club.
“So, he remains completely focused on the Liverpool project, but the interest from Saudi is true.
“So, they are trying from Saudi to find a solution for Richard Hughes, for now, for the future.
“Let’s see if they are going to be able to find a way to appoint Richard Hughes, but I can confirm the admiration, I can confirm the interest. Let’s see what Richard Hughes decides to do.”
Hughes has a big role in Liverpool transfers, so it certainly seems like it would not be ideal for the club to have to replace him.
As previously reported here, though, Hughes hasn’t always got things right, such as when he overruled Arne Slot over the sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich.
And although Hughes helped Liverpool secure statement signings such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike last summer, it would probably be fair to say they’ve not quite had the impact that many would have hoped.
Sometimes change is good, so perhaps this is an opportunity for Liverpool to bring in someone who could improve their recruitment, even there’d be some short-term pain in terms of working to find a replacement.
According to SportsBoom, Conventry City are interested in signing Aston Villa star Ross Barkley and the Premier League side are open to letting him leave.
Manager Frank Lampard is keen to reunite with the experienced midfielder if promotion is secured, viewing him as a key addition to strengthen the squad for top-flight survival.
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Coventry sit top of the Championship, holding a comfortable nine-point gap over third-placed Ipswich Town with just eight games remaining.
With automatic promotion firmly within reach, the club has already begun planning for life in the Premier League.
Lampard is targeting for experience in his team
Lampard’s influence is central to Coventry’s transfer thinking. The former Chelsea manager is understood to be prioritizing players with Premier League experience, recognizing the challenge newly promoted teams often face in avoiding immediate relegation.
Barkley, now 32, fits that profile perfectly. The midfielder has enjoyed a long career in England’s top flight, representing clubs such as Everton, Chelsea, and Aston Villa, and has also earned caps for the England national team.
Lampard is familiar with Barkley from their time together at Chelsea, where the midfielder enjoyed some of his most productive spells. That existing relationship is believed to be a key factor behind Coventry’s interest.
For Barkley, a move to Coventry could offer the chance to play a more prominent role, particularly in a team built around his experience and leadership.
Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade is reportedly set to be named in the latest squad for the German national team despite his difficult situation at St James’ Park.
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Woltemade started well when he joined Newcastle from Stuttgart in the summer, and he had been on the radar of big clubs like Bayern Munich prior to his move to the Premier League.
Still, there’s no doubt that Woltemade’s recent form has dipped quite considerably, with the 24-year-old on an awful run of just one goal in his last 21 games in all competitions.
It seems, however, that Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann is still giving Woltemade his backing, according to the Shields Gazette.
Nick Woltemade’s World Cup hopes given a boost
Woltemade still seems to be in Germany’s plans as Nagelsmann is expected to name him in his latest squad, which will be confirmed later today,
Newcastle fans will surely be surprised that Woltemade has managed to keep himself in contention, though, after such a dry spell in front of goal for Eddie Howe’s side in recent times.
If Woltemade can’t turn his form around quickly, there’s surely still a big risk that he’ll ultimately miss out on the summer trip to North America.
It will also be interesting to see what happens with the Germany international’s situation in the summer transfer window, as Bundesliga clubs might still be keen on him even if it hasn’t quite happened for him in English football so far.
Arsenal and Liverpool are the only two Premier League clubs to make it as far as this season’s Champions League quarter-finals.
The Gunners are set to take on Sporting Lisbon in their next game on the 7th of April, with the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium set to take place eight days later on the 15th of April.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have been drawn on the other side of the bracket as they take on reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
If the Reds get past PSG they’d take on either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, while success for Arsenal against Sporting will set them up for a semi-final against either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.
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So, in theory, we’re looking at a possible Arsenal vs Liverpool final, but how likely is that?
Champions League quarter-finals in full and predictions
Arsenal vs Sporting Lisbon
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
Liverpool vs Paris Saint-Germain
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Arsenal are one of the best teams in Europe this season and were arguably a little unlucky when they were beaten by eventual winners PSG in last season’s Champions League semi-finals.
Mikel Arteta’s side will now be big favourites to beat Sporting, but Liverpool are having a difficult season and also face a far tougher tie, with PSG surely the favourites to progress to the semis again.
Here’s our best effort at predicting the outcome of these Champions League quarter-finals…
Arsenal to beat Sporting
Provided Arsenal don’t get complacent or suffer an injury crisis, this is surely the best tie the north Londoners could have hoped for. They beat Sporting 5-1 away from home in the league phase of the competition last season, and should be too good for them again here.
Prediction: Arsenal to go through.
Arsenal CL record
Played
Wins
Draws
Losses
2025/26
10
9
1
0
Barcelona should get past Atletico
These games really can go either way, but Barcelona look the real deal at the moment after the way they absolutely dismantled Newcastle. Of course, Atletico did a pretty good job in that first leg win over Spurs, but were somewhat less convincing in the second fixture against what is a far weaker team.
Prediction: Barcelona to go through.
PSG too strong for Liverpool
Liverpool came back well against Galatasaray, winning their second leg 4-0 after a surprise 1-0 defeat in the away leg. Perhaps Arne Slot’s men will find that extra level in Europe after a disappointing domestic campaign, but the reality is that they’ve fallen some way behind with the changes to their squad this season. PSG beat them last term and they’re more than good enough to do so again.
Prediction: PSG to go through.
Bayern to edge it against Real
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich have been outstanding this season and probably the best team in Europe alongside Arsenal. Harry Kane is on fire, Michael Olise has taken his game up a level, and they’re really well-rounded in every department. While it’s unwise to ever bet against Real Madrid in this competition, they’ve not quite been at their best this season, so we can see Bayern just about getting through a close tie.
Prediction: Bayern to go through.
Will we see a Premier League winner in the Champions League?
All four other English clubs, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Newcastle, exited the Champions League this week.
We’re currently predicting Liverpool to go out at the next stage of the tournament, but Arsenal should reach the semi-finals for the second year in a row.
Beyond that, however, the gruelling Premier League schedule and tough opponents each week make it harder for English sides in Europe.
We’ve seen that illustrated clearly by both Chelsea and Newcastle in particular, as they both fell apart rapidly in the latter stages of their respective away fixtures against PSG and Barcelona.
PSG in particular have a real edge from the fact that Ligue 1 really isn’t that competitive, meaning Luis Enrique can quite conceivably rest players for domestic games in order to keep them in peak condition for their European matches.
So, if you want a really early prediction for the final, don’t be too surprised if it’s Barcelona against either one of PSG or Bayern.
Who do you see as Champions League favourites? Let us know your predictions in the comments!
According to Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid are set to enter the race to sign Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
The Spanish giants hold long term interest in the midfielder and now they are ready to revive interest in the Brazilian midfielder to strengthen their midfield.
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As reported by Reuters, Manchester United are currently in ‘advanced talks’ with the Newcastle United star to bring him to Old Trafford.
However, the entry for Real Madrid could change things in the transfer saga and Red Devils now face a strong battle from the European giants.
United are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign him for €80 million but Real Madrid, who have a history of signing top players from the Premier League, are ready to break the hearts of United fans.
Man United currently head edge in the race
The Premier League giants have already established contact with the midfielder and they are wasting no time to add quality midfielders to their team.
With INEOS looking for a busy summer transfer window ahead, arrangements are being made to sign a new midfielder, or perhaps two, to strengthen their squad so they can compete for the top honours next season.
As Casemiro prepares to say goodbye to the Premier League, United are making plans to replace him and coincidentally, they are targeting another Brazilian midfielder.
Bruno Guimaraes in action for Newcastle (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Since the departure of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, the Real Madrid midfielder has been weak and they have struggled a lot, as seen in their performances.
Guimaraes is the type of player who can add strength, work rate, passing quality and movement in their midfield.
Newcastle United have no intention of letting their star player leave the club, particularly after losing Alexander Isak last summer, however, they cannot offer him Champions League football.
Liverpool surged into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a thumping 4-0 win over Galatasaray secured a 4-1 victory on aggregate. Having trailed by one goal from the first leg, Liverpool turned on the style at Anfield as Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah all scored in the space of 11 minutes after […]
Eberechi Eze’s stunner helped Arsenal seal a 3-1 aggregate win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last 16, with the Gunners triumphing 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Declan Rice added an impressive goal of his own in the second half following Eze’s opener, while both goalkeepers made brilliant saves at either end as Arsenal […]
Victor Osimhen has sustained a fractured forearm and might require surgery, Galatasaray have confirmed. Galatasaray lost 4-0 to Liverpool on Wednesday at Anfield, sealing their exit from the Champions League. Star striker Osimhen, who was limited to just seven touches and only one shot, was taken off at half-time. Galatasaray have revealed further tests confirmed […]
Fiorentina have travelled to Poland without the injured Manor Solomon, Tariq Lamptey, Luca Lezzerini and Niccolò Fortini, as well as Marco Brescianini and Daniele Rugani, who are not part of the Fiorentina UEFA squad.
Multiple sources claim that Roberto Piccoli will once again lead the Fiorentina attack as Italy star Kean is available, but will start on the bench.
David de Gea is also expected to rest, making room for Oliver Christensen between the sticks.
According to Gazzetta and Tuttosport, Jack Harrison will start as a right winger with Jacopo Fazzini on the opposite flank.
The winner will face AEK Larnaca or Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Roberto Piccoli of ACF Fiorentina in action during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Rakow vs. Fiorentina – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports 6 and online through Discovery+ in the UK and Ireland. It is also available for US fans on Paramount+. Football Italia will provide live coverage via a live blog.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Jacopo Fazzini of ACF Fiorentina in action during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Donyell Malen’s Roma and Santiago Castro’s Bologna meet at the Stadio Olimpico tonight in the second leg of the Europa League Round of 16.
It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT). The first leg in Bologna last week ended in a 1-1 draw.
Roma are still short of options in attack with Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Paulo Dybala and Matias Soulé injured and Lorenzo Venturino out of the UEFA list.
Bologna are without the suspended Juan Miranda, as well as Lorenzo De Silvestri and Eivind Helland, who are not part of the Rossoblu’s European squad.
Multiple sources, including Sky Sport Italia and Gazzetta, claim that Stephan El Shaarawy will start as an attacking midfielder for Roma, leaving Lorenzo Pellegrini on the bench.
Italiano will look to Tommaso Pobega, Lewis Ferguson and Remo Freuler in central midfield, and to Federico Bernardeschi, Castro and Jonathan Rowe up front.
The winner will face Aston Villa or Lille in the quarter-finals.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Zeki Celik of AS Roma is challenged by Remo Freuler of Bologna during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Roma vs. Bologna – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 8 in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a live blog.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Donyell Malen of AS Roma acknowledges the fans following the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Roma vs. Bologna – probable line-ups
Roma (3-4-2-1):Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Celik, Kone, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante, El Shaarawy; Malen.
Allegri’s choices: a three-year deal for the German to overtake Juve. The Lazio centre-back has convinced everyone.
Tonali, World Cup anxiety
Injured with Newcastle, Italy is on alert for the play-off
We have the derby left
Roma-Bologna (21), the second leg resumes from 1-1. Fiorentina (18:45) defends a 2-1 lead against Rakow.
Ruthless Bayern, Atalanta concede four more
Germans with Real in the quarter-finals, Liverpool will face PSG
Corriere dello Sport
Europa League verdict
64,000 at the Olimpico for Roma-Bologna: it’s the 22nd derby of Italy. It restarts from 1-1. The winner will face Aston Villa or Lille. Kick-off at 21:00 CET.
In & Out
Gasp against Italiano, challenge for the quarter-finals
Gian Piero: ‘Conscience clear.’ Wesley: ‘Red card against Como? Serious and unacceptable incident.’ Castro launches the challenge to Malen. Vincenzo: ‘They are favourites.’ Bernardeschi and Rowe in the trident.
Conference: Viola 2 to eliminate Rakow (18:45).
Juve move: Alisson on target
Inter bring Stankovic Jr. back home
Leao and Milan: unstable relationship
Premier Napoli: Conte’s assault
Bovo emotion: ‘Unique happiness.’
He scored with Watford after 506 days from the last time: ‘I missed it.’
Atalanta, another collapse. Osi out.
Tuttosport
Juve, first issue
Comolli likes restes, Spalletti, somebody like De Gea
The choice of the next goalkeeper reflects a difference of opinion between the director, fascinated by the Frenchman from Toulouse, and the coach, who would rather go for a more experienced goalkeeper, such as the Spaniard Vicario or Dibu Martinez. Alisson and Carnesecchi are the dreams. Manninger: ‘I’d trust one between Di Gregorio and Perin.’ Lucio waits for Chiellini’s return to define the renewal: the salary could rise to 6m.
Toro, pathway for Livakovic
Seven Barcelona goals, Tonali anxiety
Injury for the Azzurro: alarm ahead of the World Cup play-off. Ruthless Bayern: another goal-fest against Atalanta.
Manchester United are in ‘advanced talks’ with to sign Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, according to Reuters.
The source has claimed that the Red Devils are stepping up their interest in the Brazilian midfielder who could cost around €80 million.
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The Premier League giants have been linked with several midfielders in the last few months including Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Wolves’ Joao Gomes, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and others.
It is clear that a new midfielder is on the agenda at Old Trafford with INEOS looking to strengthen their midfield.
Bruno Guimaraes has been crucial for Newcastle United
The Brazilian midfielder has impressed at St. James’ Park since his move from Lyon.
He has experience in the Premier League, something Man United value after their successful
signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Guimaraes is a leader in the middle of the park who is equally good with his defensive work rate along with his line breaking passes to start attacks.
The midfielder could now consider a move away from Newcastle as he looks for Champions League football, something he is more likely to get at Man United next season due to their league position.
Metric
Value
Expected Goals (xG)
4.82
Expected Assists (xA)
3.65
Total Shots
32
Shots on Target
17
Chances Created
38
Successful Tackles
50
Progressive Carries
74
Touches in Opposition Box
45
Bruno Guimaraes’ stats this season
Why are Man United targeting a new midfielder?
Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes in action (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
They are losing Casemiro in the summer, who has been crucial for them this season.
The Brazilian icon has already announced he is going to leave at the end of the season.
Midfield is an area where United have struggled this season. There is a huge gap in their starting line up in the midfield area.
Although they do have Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte, the former is too young and still developing while the latter has been woeful in his time at Old Trafford.
Martin Odegaard has been missing in action for Arsenal in recent weeks, and he’s now also been left out of Norway’s squad for their upcoming pre-World Cup friendlies.
The Gunners captain is one of the best midfielders in the world on his day, and if not for some rotten luck with injuries he’d surely be one to watch with the Norwegian national team at the 2026 World Cup this summer.
Still, there must now be some doubt about whether Odegaard will definitely make it to the tournament after repeated fitness issues all through this season.
Norway’s World Cup schedule
There’ll surely be plenty of Norway fans starting to think about placing bets on how well their national side will fare at the World Cup and they can also look into a Norway casino guide for other online gaming options.
Unfortunately, fans travelling to the US might be disappointed to learn that Las Vegas won’t be hosting any games, though there should still be some other destinations for poker and other pass-times to keep supporters busy in-between matches.
Norway are in Group I along with France, Senegal, and an as-yet undetermined playoff winner, with some of those final slots yet to be confirmed for the tournament.
Still, Norway finished top of their qualifying group and kick-off their World Cup on June 16th, before then taking on Senegal on the 22nd and France on the 26th.
Two of Norway’s games are being played in the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, and the other is in the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
Martin Odegaard’s recent injury woes
Odegaard has had five separate injuries that have limited him to just 28 games in all competitions for Arsenal this season, and it’s not clear if he’ll be able to play for them in this weekend’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
See below for the various issues that have kept Odegaard out of the Arsenal side for so much of this season and which could yet see him miss his country’s first World Cup in 28 years…
Arsenal have coped well without Odegaard as Eberechi Eze has stepped up in his absence, but Norway’s World Cup squad would surely be significantly weakened without their star midfield player.
There’d still be Erling Haaland up front, but Odegaard is needed to pull the strings and to provide the Manchester City striker with the kind of service he needs.
Arsenal are among the clubs interested in an ambitious potential transfer for Barcelona wonderkid central defender Pau Cubarsi.
As first reported here for the Daily Briefing, it’s important to start by saying that Barcelona are obviously very keen to keep their star centre-back, who at 19 years of age is already one of the best in Europe in his position.
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Cubarsi is protected by a €500m release clause in his Barca contract, which runs until 2029, so this would not be an easy deal for suitors to do this summer, even if eyes are very much on his situation as no new deal in the next year or two could change things dramatically.
Arsenal, City, Chelsea & Bayern eyeing Pau Cubarsi
“While it’s not necessarily a realistic one for the moment, there’s a lot of love for Cubarsi at Arsenal, City, Chelsea, and Bayern,” one source with close ties to the agents industry told me.
“I can’t name names, but a recruitment official from one of those clubs praised Cubarsi for his ‘near-flawless decision-making’ and ‘intelligence beyond his years’.”
It’s understood that there has not yet been any formal or informal contact between clubs and Cubarsi or his representatives, but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that they could soon try to establish a connection there.
If there’s any indication at all that Cubarsi stalls over a new contract, then that could be the moment for clubs to get involved and make him aware of their interest.
Barcelona’s plan for Pau Cubarsi
Still, sources close to Barcelona insist that there is no concern over Cubarsi’s situation, and plans to improve his contract soon.
It is also understood that the Catalan giants will likely end up offering him the captain’s armband in the coming years to highlight even more just how important he is to the team.
This is Cubarsi’s third season as a first-team regular at the Nou Camp, while he also has ten caps for the senior Spanish national team.
In short, everything is very much in place for Cubarsi with his current club, and there’s no current sign of him exploring other options, but as ever with these things, the situation could always change at any moment and there’ll be big clubs ready to pounce if they do.
Anfield was absolutely rocking on Tuesday night as Liverpool completely dismantled Galatasaray 4-0, overturning a tricky 1-0 first-leg deficit to confidently march into the Champions League quarter-finals.
After a bumpy spell in the Premier League recently, Arne Slot’s men desperately needed a massive statement performance, and they delivered exactly that.
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With goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch, and the Egyptian King himself, Mohamed Salah, the Reds secured a 4-1 aggregate victory to set up a mouth-watering last-eight clash with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
But amid all the celebrations, a late injury scare for Salah has left fans holding their breath.
Slot confirms injury to Liverpool star Salah
Despite the vintage second-half masterclass, Salah’s night ended on a slightly concerning note.
Shortly after his wonder goal and rattling the crossbar, the winger signaled to the bench and asked to be substituted. He walked off to a massive ovation but looked slightly uncomfortable.
Speaking to the media after the final whistle, Slot confirmed the situation but kept his cards relatively close to his chest regarding the severity of the issue.
“Mo Salah asked for a substitution. He felt something… so let’s see where he is for the weekend,” Slot revealed, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool acknowledges the fans (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Liverpool are heading into a season-defining stretch of games, and losing their talisman right now would be a massive, unwanted headache.
While the 4-0 win over Galatasaray proves that the attacking depth is clicking, Salah remains the ultimate difference-maker on the big stage.
For now, the Anfield faithful will be sweating on the medical team’s updates over the next 48 hours.
Liverpool have three tough matches in three different competitions next. They travel to Brighton in the league, to Etihad Stadium for the FA Cup quarterfinal and to Paris to face PSG in the Champions League.
They need Salah fit as soon as possible to hold any chance of winning silverware this season.
Manchester United are reportedly ready to launch an audacious €120m bid for the transfer of Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The England international has been one of the top players in world football in his position for some time now, and one imagines many Man Utd fans would love to see him at Old Trafford.
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It will be interesting to see if any other outlets pick this up, but for now transfer rumours linking him with the Red Devils come from Spanish site Fichajes.
Their report claims that United could be prepared to pay €120m to bring Bellingham to the club this summer, though they add that it’s unlikely Real Madrid would let him go.
Jude Bellingham to Manchester United transfer might not be as crazy as it sounds
While this wouldn’t be an easy deal to do, and Fichajes aren’t everyone’s idea of a top tier source, this story might not be as crazy as it sounds.
We know Bellingham was wanted by United in the past, with BBC Sport reporting on them giving the player a tour of their training ground when he was still a youngster.
Since then, Bellingham has kept on improving and has the qualities to make an impact with MUFC, though his form has also taken a bit of a dip this term, partly due to injuries.
What this could mean, however, is that even if Real would probably ideally keep faith with the 22-year-old for a bit longer, there might be a price that could tempt them.
But should Man United splash the cash on Jude Bellingham?
Whether United should make a big bid for Bellingham is another question, though, and in this era of tighter Financial Fair Play regulations, it might not be worth the risk.
Fichajes make it clear that United could pay €120m or even slightly higher for Bellingham, but there would also be his high wages to take into account, and there are probably players out there who’d offer similar qualities without costing quite as much.
Then again, this is a position the club could do with strengthening in, and it may be that a marquee signing of this stature is required if Bruno Fernandes leaves, though the Daily Mail report that they’re doing what they can to keep the Portuguese superstar.
If Bellingham’s form improves and he gets over his injuries, it’s easy to see that score going higher in the near future, but then that would also hit his transfer fee score.
Time will tell how much substance there is to this story, but there are reasons this shouldn’t be entirely dismissed.
Pep Guardiola has claimed Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been the toughest rivals of his managerial career. Guardiola’s Manchester City side fell to a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16. Madrid have now eliminated Man City in five knockout ties in the Champions League, including in four of the last […]
Speculation surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City has intensified following reports that the Spanish manager has held urgent discussions with senior club officials.
Guardiola is seriously considering stepping down at the end of the current season, prompting concern within the club’s hierarchy, according to a source on X.
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While no official decision has been announced, the situation has quickly become one of the most significant talking points in European football, given Guardiola’s transformative impact on Man City over the past decade.
Guardiola’s legacy at Man City
Since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, Guardiola has overseen one of the most dominant periods in English football history.
Under his leadership, Manchester City have secured multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph.
His ability to evolve systems and develop players has been widely praised, turning City into a consistent force both domestically and in Europe.
However, after nearly a decade at the club, questions about long-term motivation and the desire for a new challenge have occasionally surfaced in recent seasons.
Reasons behind Guardiola’s uncertain future at Etihad
Pep Guardiola applauds the Manchester City fans (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Although the exact reasons behind Guardiola’s reported considerations remain unclear, several factors could be influencing his thinking.
His team’s performance this season could be one of the reasons.
The Spanish manager has been knocked out of the Champions League at the Round of 16 stage by Real Madrid, who won 5-1 on aggregate against the Premier League giants.
City are also second favourites in the Premier League title race with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal sitting in a convincing position at the moment.
Another possible reason could be Guardiola needing a break from football management.
Managing at the highest level for an extended period often brings intense pressure, and Guardiola has previously spoken about the mental demands of elite coaching.
Additionally, the natural cycle of squad evolution and the challenge of maintaining dominance year after year may also play a role.
City’s leadership is keen to convince Guardiola to continue, recognising his importance to the club’s long-term ambitions. The board is believed to be engaged in discussions aimed at addressing any concerns and outlining a clear vision for the future.
Chelsea and West Ham United are reportedly planning to hold talks over a permanent transfer deal for Axel Disasi to move to the London Stadium.
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The French centre-back is currently performing well on loan with the Hammers, and it seems unlikely that there’ll be a first-team role for him back at Stamford Bridge any time soon.
According to Football Insider, this now means Chelsea and West Ham are set for discussions over making Disasi’s move permanent, though it’s not necessarily going to be straightforward.
The report suggests that one issue could be Chelsea’s asking price, as they’ll want to make back as much as possible of the £38m they spent signing Disasi from Monaco.
West Ham would surely struggle to afford that, and it doesn’t really look like good value for money anyway, even if the 28-year-old has done well during his time with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
West Ham need survival to secure Axel Disasi transfer
Unsurprisingly, it also seems that West Ham surviving in the Premier League will be key to them keeping hold of Disasi, according to Football Insider.
Disasi likely won’t be keen on playing in the Championship, and he’d surely have other offers to consider if WHUFC were to end up getting relegated.
Disasi previously also had a loan spell with Aston Villa, and there’d surely be a lot of clubs out there who’d be interested in him.
However, Man United have now joined the intense competition to sign the versatile Newcastle attacker due to the future permanent departure of Rashford to Barcelona.
Man United are looking to invest more in attack
Rashford has spent this season on loan at Barcelona and the La Liga giants are interested in making the move permanent.
After consistent struggles at Old Trafford, he opted for a move to La Liga where he has regained his form and has impressed the Spanish champions.
With him leaving permanently, Man United are naturally looking for a replacement and Gordon has caught their attention.
The Red Devils invested in attacking signings like Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo last summer.
They want to invest more this summer to get back to the top of English football and compete regularly against teams like Arsenal and Manchester City.
Manchester United’s search for their next permanent manager has taken an intriguing turn, with Roberto De Zerbi reportedly emerging as one of the leading candidates eager to take the reins at Old Trafford.
According to TEAMtalk, former Brighton and Marseille manager De Zerbi is ready to take the Man United job at the end of the season.
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However, INEOS and the United senior officials find themselves facing a major conundrum ahead of the summer transfer window, largely thanks to the phenomenal recent performance of Michael Carrick.
Stepping in as caretaker manager, Carrick has accumulated a staggering 22 points from a possible 27.
This remarkable run of form has put the Red Devils in pole position, just behind Arsenal and Manchester City, to secure lucrative Champions League qualification for next season.
De Zerbi is keen in Premier League return
If United chiefs do opt against handing Carrick the full-time gig, they will not be short of elite suitors.
The Italian tactician earned a stellar reputation during his time with Brighton in the Premier League.
The 46-year-old guided Marseille to a second-placed finish in Ligue 1 last season.
However, he was unable to replicate that form this term, leaving the French giants in February following a heavy 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and a Champions League exit against Club Brugge.
It is hardly surprising considering how the Red Devils have played under Carrick.
They look like a proper team again, a team that can attack, play beautiful football and entertain the fans at Old Trafford, something Man United have been famous for.
However, those two managers will be available only after the World Cup in the summer this year.
All eyes will be on the Old Trafford hot seat in the summer.
Borussia Dortmund are reportedly confident that they could convince Manchester United misfit Jadon Sancho to join them for a third spell.
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Sancho is currently on loan at Aston Villa and will surely be leaving Man Utd this summer as he comes to the end of his contract after a pretty miserable spell at Old Trafford.
Still, the 25-year-old has previously shone at Dortmund, first as a youngster, and later when he returned there for a brief loan spell.
What next for Jadon Sancho after nightmare Man United spell?
Sancho needs to get his next move right after a really difficult time since first joining United from Dortmund back in the summer of 2021.
At that time, the England international looked like one of the biggest talents in the game, but his career has really gone downhill since then.
Sancho did well when he returned to BVB on loan, but he’s struggling on loan at Villa this season and was also underwhelming during a loan stint with Chelsea last term.
Returning to Dortmund could be ideal to help Sancho revive his career, as he’s so often looked happiest and at his best with the German side.
At the same time, his form has dipped so much that it’s also possible he’ll have to move somewhere like Saudi Arabia if he wants to keep earning the kind of money he’s on now.
The Mail have previously reported that Sancho earns around £250,000 a week, and it certainly makes sense that Dortmund would be highly reluctant to pay that, as surely would plenty of other clubs in the Premier League and elsewhere in Europe.
That could limit Sancho’s options slightly, but he surely needs to focus more on football now than on his earnings.
Rashford has impressed since joining Barca on loan from Man Utd this season, but it seems the Catalan giants are still unsure about paying his £26m asking price.
That’s according to a report from the Daily Mail, which states that Barcelona are confident they can persuade United to simply allow the England international to join them on loan again.
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It’s slightly surprising that Barcelona aren’t prepared to spend a relatively low fee on making Rashford’s move permanent, and it also seems far from ideal from United’s point of view to miss out on a sale.
Still, the Mail suggests the La Liga club are optimistic they could do it, and MUFC may end up favouring this over trying to find another buyer for Rashford.
Marcus Rashford’s loan spell at Barcelona in numbers
Rashford looked far from at his best towards the end of his time at United, but he’s performed well at the Nou Camp even if he hasn’t always been an automatic starter.
The 28-year-old has a total of ten goals and nine assists in all competitions so far this season, which is a very decent return considering he’s only been named in Hansi Flick’s starting XI 21 times. In the Champions League this has translated to a goal every 97 minutes on average.
Rashford has often had to make do with a place on the bench, but he’s had a positive impact as a super sub in this Barca side, and his versatility also makes him a useful option in that kind of role, as he can be brought on as a winger or a striker depending on the situation.
As the graphic below shows, he’s clearly no Lamine Yamal or Raphinha, but it would surely make sense for Barcelona to try to keep him around for a bit longer if possible…
Marcus Rashford stats vs Lamine Yamal and Raphinha (DataMB)
Pep Guardiola has claimed Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been the toughest rivals of his managerial career. Guardiola’s Manchester City side fell to a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16. Madrid have now eliminated Man City in five knockout ties in the Champions League, including in four of the last […]
With concerns over his injury far from fading, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez admits having no guarantee that Cristiano Ronaldo will be taking part in the 2026 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s recent injury has set off alarm bells not only at Al Nassr but within the Portugal national team, particularly with the 2026 World Cup fewer than 90 days away. As attention turns to the March international window, head coach Roberto Martínez has admitted he cannot guarantee that Ronaldo will be fit to participate in the tournament in North America.
In an interview with the Observador YouTube channel, Martínez was asked whether Portugal‘s medical staff had given him any assurance that Ronaldo would be fit for the World Cup. The Spanish coach offered no such comfort: “No one can provide that guarantee. If I had that guarantee, I would have called the player up now.“
Pressed on his earlier assessment of the injury as minor, Martínez was equally measured. “Cristiano currently has a minor injury, but he still has more matches with his club. Football is a contact sport, and I can’t guarantee that players won’t get injured.“
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal drops to the floor injured.
Beyond the March friendlies, where his involvement is already in serious doubt, Ronaldo has up to nine more matches scheduled with Al Nassr before the end of the 2025-26 season across the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League. That number could fluctuate depending on how the club manages his workload, but with the World Cup so close, his fitness will be a topic under daily review.
Portugal looking to avoid a repeat of 2014
At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Portugal had a disappointing campaign, bowing out in the group stage as Germany and the United States advanced from Group G. Ronaldo’s contribution was significantly hampered by a patellar tendinitis issue in his left knee, sustained after pushing through the Champions League final that season. He managed just one goal in the tournament, against Ghana, and the experience left a lasting mark on how his fitness heading into major competitions is assessed.
The parallels with his current hamstring injury and the risk of it being aggravated have inevitably raised concerns about history repeating itself. Asked directly whether a similar scenario could unfold at the 2026 World Cup, Martínez expressed confidence in his ability to handle the situation.
“It’s my responsibility to create the best possible environment for our team, so that all players in the dressing room enjoy representing Portugal and contributing at the World Cup. I have a lot of experience in this area,” he said, before drawing on a precedent from his time with Belgium. “For example, when I was with Belgium, I had a player who was only medically fit for the third match. At that point, it becomes a matter of making a decision.
“It’s a decision: either include the player or leave him out. The decision was the right one, we included the player, and he played in the third match. And then he was able to take part in the next four matches. What I can say is that we have an excellent relationship with our medical department which has extensive experience that allows it to gather all the necessary information to make the right decision.“
The coach was referring to his experience with Belgium captain Vincent Kompany, who suffered a groin injury in a friendly against Portugal in June 2018, just weeks before the World Cup in Russia. Martínez opted to include him anyway, and after sitting out the first two group games and featuring for 16 minutes in the third against England, Kompany went on to play the full 90 minutes across Belgium’s next four matches until the game for the 3rd place.
Harry Kane scored his 50th goal in the Champions League as Bayern Munich’s 4-1 win over Atalanta secured a 10-2 aggregate victory in the last 16. The England striker, who captained Bayern in the second leg at Allianz Arena, scored a brace before Lennart Karl and Luis Diaz booked a quarter-final clash against record Champions […]
Lionel Messi reached 900 goals in his career after a great definition in Inter Miami's game in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Nashville SC.
Inter Miami hosted Nashville SC in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 at Chase Stadium on Wednesday. With a stunning crossed finish, Lionel Messi broke the deadlock and reached the historic milestone of 900 career goals in the process.
After a tightly contested first leg that ended goalless at Geodis Park, Inter Miami came out determined to take control of the tie from the opening minutes, breaking through in the seventh. Rodrigo De Paul drove forward and shifted the play to the left for Sergio Reguilon to deliver a cross into the box, where Messi brought the ball under control under pressure before whipping a crossed shot into the far corner.
Messi had entered the match on 899 career goals, having had the chance to reach the milestone in last week’s first leg at Nashville but failing to find the net. He then sat out the weekend’s MLS fixture against Charlotte FC to rest ahead of tonight’s decisive clash, a decision that paid off almost immediately.
With 900 now in the rearview mirror, the next landmark is 1,000 career goals, a figure Cristiano Ronaldo is steadily closing in on with 965. Whether Lionel Messi, now 38 years old, can realistically get there is a more complex question.
Following his departure from Barcelona, Messi’s club output dipped considerably, managing just 11 and 21 goals across his two seasons at PSG. His first two years in MLS were similarly modest by his standards, with 11 goals in a partial 2023 season and 23 in 2024, a campaign disrupted by injury.
The 2025 season, however, represented a genuine turning point. Fully adapted to life in MLS, Messi registered 43 goals across all competitions with Inter Miami and added three more with the Argentina national team, for a combined total of 46 in a single calendar year. With four goals already in five games to start 2026, and his Inter Miami contract running through December 2028, sustaining anything close to that pace would put the 1,000-goal milestone within reach, a feat that not long ago would have seemed unthinkable for a player at his stage of career.
Lionel Messi reached 900 career goals, a milestone previously achieved only by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Wednesday’s clash on March 18, 2026, between Inter Miami and Nashville SC will be remembered for a long time—not for what it meant to the Concacaf Champions Cup or the ambitions of both teams, but for the milestone reached by Lionel Messi. The Argentine forward scored his 900th official goal, something only Cristiano Ronaldo had accomplished before.
Leo reached that milestone in the opening minutes of the match against Nashville SC at Chase Stadium. Sergio Reguilon delivered the assist from the edge of the box; he controlled the ball and, with a precise left-footed strike, scored the opener.
Messinow has 900 official goals in his career, spread across the three clubs he played for professionally and his international career. With Barcelona is where Leo did most of his work: he scored 672 goals in 778 matches there.
Then, during his brief two-year stint in France, the forward scored 32 goals in 75 matches with Paris Saint-Germain. After that less-than-happy experience, Messi joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, and since then he has played 93 matches with 81 goals.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami
Finally, with the Argentina National Team Lionel Messi has logged 20 uninterrupted years. From his official senior debut in 2005 through his latest match on November 14, 2025, against Angola, the forward has recorded 115 goals in 196 appearances.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the first to score 900 goals
To understand the magnitude of Lionel Messi’s achievement, it’s necessary to put that record into context. Until this Wednesday, only one player in soccer history had surpassed the 900-goal mark as a professional: Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 41-year-old forward, still active with Al Nassr and the Portugal National Team, is the all-time leading scorer with 965 goals. He reached that total through his years with Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr and Portugal, beginning in 2002.
How long did it take Messi and Ronaldo to reach 900 goals?
The 900th goal of Lionel Messi’s career came this Wednesday in the match against Nashville SC. The Argentine forward reached that number at 38 years and 8 months old. In terms of matches played, he needed 1,142. That represents an average of 0.78 goals per game.
Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, reached 900 official goals on September 5, 2024, playing for Portugal against Croatia. At that time, the forward was 39 years and 7 months old and had played 1,238 matches, which represents an average of 0.73 goals per game.
Napoli-owned striker Noa Lang was stretchered off and needed oxygen after suffering a freak injury during Galatasaray’s Champions League game against Liverpool.
The Turkish team lost 4-0 on the night at Anfield, overturning the 1-0 first leg victory from Istanbul in the Round of 16 tie.
How Lang got badly hurt
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Noa Lang of Galatasaray A.S. reacts to a thumb injury as Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate and Curtis Jones of Liverpool interact with him during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray SK at Anfield on March 18, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Lang came off the bench to replace Sacha Boey, but with 10 minutes left to play, he went into the advertising board on the side of the pitch and got his hand caught in the mechanism.
The Dutch international immediately fell clutching his hand and medics rushed over to treat him, with players from both Liverpool and Galatasaray visibly shaken from what they could see.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Noa Lang of Galatasaray A.S. is stretchered off by medical staff after going down with an injury to his thumb during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray SK at Anfield on March 18, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Lang was given oxygen to help him deal with the pain and then stretchered off to a nearby ambulance, so he could be taken to hospital.
Napoli paid €25m to buy Lang from PSV Eindhoven in July 2025, but he did not get along with coach Antonio Conte, so was loaned out to Galatasaray in January.
There is an option for the Turkish club to buy him outright for €30m at the end of the season.
Raffaele Palladino admits Atalanta changed their gameplan and were still swept aside by Bayern Munich in the Champions League. ‘We faced probably the best side in Europe right now.’
La Dea knew that their chances of qualification were slim to non-existent after the 6-1 first leg defeat, but wanted to give a better account of themselves at the Allianz Arena.
They were only 1-0 down at half-time here to a Harry Kane penalty, but the England international scored again after the restart, followed by Lennart Karl’s angled drive moments later.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
“We wanted to play with pride, we changed our gameplan and tried to sit a bit deeper, giving our all against a very strong team,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.
“I have to compliment Bayern Munich, Vincent Kompany, the whole club, because we probably faced the best side in Europe right now. You’ve got to just be honest and accept the result on the pitch.”
Nearly 4,000 Atalanta fans made the journey from Italy for this match, and had the added difficulty of a local transport strike affecting their trip to the stadium.
“We tried to give our all, the objective was to salute our many fans with a better result than the first leg, and they were again fantastic tonight,” added Palladino.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Raffaele Palladino, Head Coach of Atalanta, acknowledges the fans following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
The coach had attempted some experiments for the first leg, including a four-man defence, so did he have regrets over that approach or did Atalanta learn valuable lessons for the future?
“Hindsight is easy, we probably could’ve done some things differently, but then today we had a different plan and sat deeper, but it didn’t change a lot. Bayern Munich are a complete squad in every sense, they will always find a way to play through you and break you down,” insisted Palladino.
“We learned a great deal in these two matches, because playing at this level forces you to step up and accept your limitations with great humility. We have to congratulate our opponents.”
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Raffaele Palladino, Head Coach of Atalanta, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Atalanta were the only remaining Italian representatives in the Champions League and now they are out, so what is the difficulty compared to these other European contenders?
“The biggest difference is how quickly the ball moves around,” explained Palladino.
“You might not notice it as much on television, but up close you see how quickly it is passed, they always pass it onto the correct foot, they control at pace, shake off defenders and also have peaks of sprinting speed that is higher.
“I think we have to change from the youth academies, because when we play teams like Bayern Munich, it seems like a different sport. We’ve all got to focus more on individuals and these basics from the early years, because there is a clear difference.”
La Dea are the only side who managed to get through the play-offs, eliminating Borussia Dortmund 4-1 in the second leg after losing the first 2-0.
Atalanta were also the only Serie A side still in three competitions, as the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final with Lazio ended 2-2.
“We have the Coppa Italia, which is an objective we care about, because we want to bring silverware to Bergamo and Atalanta got so close to winning several times in recent years without managing it, so that would be a dream,” commented Palladino.
“At the same time, it is also worth direct access to the Europa League. We also have Serie A, and the next two rounds against Verona and Lecce, then there are head-to-heads with Roma, Juventus and Bologna.
“We know that we started from way back, I arrived and we were in 13th place, now we are in seventh, so we’ve made that climb up, I will continue to ask a lot from my players, because it’s still wide open to the end.”
Mohamed Salah picked up an injury against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League earlier today, and manager Arne Slot has now provided an update on the situation.
The Liverpool manager is still unsure whether the Egyptian International will be available for the weekend against Brighton, and Liverpool are waiting to determine the true extent of damage.
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Mohamed Salah was injured against Galatasaray
Slot on Salah’s fitness: “He asked for a substitution. He felt something so let’s see where he is for the weekend.”
Salah injury report
Salah asked to be subbed off around the 73rd minute and went straight to the tunnel.
I’ve looked at the minutes prior to the substitution and nothing clearly stands out. He seemed to be moving freely and had a few high-pace actions.
Salah asked to be substituted late in the second half after feeling a problem with his groin. He has not been at his best this season, but he remains a key player for Liverpool, and they will need him on the pitch for the remainder of the season. They are already without Alexander Isak.
The Egyptian International scored an exceptional goal and set up another for his teammate Hugo Ekitike. He could play a key role in their push for UEFA Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign. It remains to be seen whether he can return to action at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Liverpool booked their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after a stunning 40 win in the second leg of the knockout rounds against the Turkish outfit. They were beaten in the first leg, but turned up the style at Anfield to secure a comfortable victory.
They will face PSG in the next round of the competition, and it remains to be seen whether they can get past the French champions. They were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League last season by the French outfit, who went on to win the tournament. Liverpool will certainly look to avenge that defeat here.
Eddie Howe was left scratching his head after a “strange” result saw Newcastle United dumped out of the Champions League by Barcelona. Hansi Flick’s side hammered their Premier League opponents 7-2 in Wednesday’s second leg, securing an 8-3 aggregate triumph and place in the last eight. But Newcastle looked good value in the first half […]
Hansi Flick was relieved to survive a “crazy game” as Barcelona thrashed Newcastle United 7-2 to move into the Champions League quarter-finals. A chaotic nine-goal thriller in the second leg secured an 8-3 aggregate win for Flick’s side, who will face either Tottenham or Atletico Madrid in the next round. Raphinha scored two and set […]
Liverpool surged into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a thumping 4-0 win over Galatasaray secured a 4-1 victory on aggregate. Having trailed by one goal from the first leg, Liverpool turned on the style at Anfield as Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah all scored in the space of 11 minutes after […]
Inter Miami drew 1-1 with Nashville SC and were eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Lionel Messi scored the 900th goal of his career.
Inter Miami drew 1-1 with Nashville SC and were eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup, following a 0-0 draw in the first leg. Lionel Messi had given the Herons the lead with his 900th career goal.
Things got off to a perfect start for Inter Miami, as they took the lead just three minutes in through Messi. The Argentine forward received a precise assist from Sergio Reguilon on the left, controlled the ball inside the box, and unleashed a left-footed shot that beat the goalkeeper.
However, things didn’t go entirely smoothly for the Herons. In the second half, Nashville pushed forward and found the goal they needed: in the 74th minute, Cristian Espinoza pounced on a rebound inside the box to score the 1-1 equalizer, sending the visitors through to the quarterfinals.
For Inter Miami, it’s a major disappointment. The Concacaf Champions Cup was their primary goal this season, and they were knocked out early. Now, all their efforts will need to focus on the MLS and the Leagues Cup, titles they have already won in previous seasons.
While coach Massimiliano Allegri considers Rafael Leão an important piece, former AC Milan star Antonio Cassano did not hesitate to deliver strong criticism of his performances. He even went as far as making a bold statement that questions his ability to truly shine.
Throughout the 2025–26 season, Rafael Leão’s continuity at AC Milan has been called into question. While the Portuguese has emerged as a solid scorer amid Christian Pulisic’s drop in form, he has not managed to shine outside the left wing. Following his surge under coach Massimiliano Allegri and his disappointing performances, former Rossoneri star Antonio Cassano delivered strong criticism of Leao, making a firm statement.
During an interview in Viva El Futbol, via YouTube, Antonio Cassano delivered strong criticism to Rafael Leao recent performances, leaving a strong statement: “Milan, in an easy league, Leão struggles massively.In my Real Madrid, he wouldn’t even play in training. Not even in that Milan with Ibra, Robinho, Pato, and Inzaghi.”
Unlike previous seasons, Leão has not looked entirely comfortable at the Rossoneri, as coach Allegri has deployed him as a second striker, far from his best version on the left wing. While he has managed to score 10 goals in 25 matches, he has not been able to impress the fans with his impact, often being substituted. In addition, the Portuguese had an outburst with Allegri after being taken off in the previous match vs. Lazio.
Far from being Cassano’s first criticism of Rafael, the Ex-Rossoneri made his dissatisfaction with the player clear back in 2023.“Leão made two or three runs, but never shot on goal and didn’t track back. Zero assists, zero goals, he misses the decisive play. Leão makes a few full-speed runs, pushes the ball forward and that’s it. But in these matches you have to make the difference,” he said, via Bobo TV.
Rafael Leao of AC Milan
Report: Rafael Leao’s AC Milan future in doubt
Massimiliano Allegri successfully transformed AC Milan, revitalizing them into a competitive force in Serie A. By focusing on a robust midfield and solid defense, he restored the team’s stability, albeit at the expense of their attacking prowess. Due to these lackluster offensive performances, the Rossoneri are preparing for a significant roster overhaul, which reportedly casts doubt on Rafael Leão’s position with the team.
According to Matteo Moretto, via X, AC Milan are open to Leão’s departure in the summer of 2026. However, they would only let him leave for a strong offer, meaning he is no longer considered untouchable within the squad. As a result, the Portuguese could be heading to the Premier League, where he has attracted interest from several clubs looking to maximize his best version as a left winger, which could make a move appealing to him.
With the Round of 16 over, the date and duels for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League have been determined.
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 has concluded, with eight teams eliminated and eight others punching their tickets to the quarterfinals. With the bracket predetermined, there is no need for a draw, and the quarterfinal matchups and schedule are already set.
The Round of 16 produced several stunning results, with a number of sides that had finished in the top eight during the league phase falling to opponents who had to come through the playoff round just to reach this stage.
Among the top-eight finishers who were eliminated are Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester City, while Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Bodø/Glimt, Newcastle United, and Galatasaray also made early exits. Arsenal and Liverpool are the only two English club remaining in the competition.
Who is playing in the UCL quarterfinals?
When the Round of 16 draw was made, UEFA also mapped out the full path each side would need to follow to reach the Champions League final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. The quarterfinal matchups are as follows:
2025-26 UEFA Champions League bracket.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Liverpool
Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid
Sporting CP vs. Arsenal
In the semifinals, the winner of Sporting CP-Arsenal will face the winner of Barcelona-Atlético Madrid, while on the other side of the bracket, the winner of PSG-Liverpool will take on the winner of Real Madrid-Bayern Munich.
When are the UCL quarterfinals?
The first legs of the quarterfinal ties will be played on Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 8, the week after the March international break concludes. On the 7th, Sporting CP will host Arsenal at Estádio José Alvalade, while Real Madrid welcome Bayern Munich to the Santiago Bernabéu. On the 8th, Barcelona host Atlético Madrid at the Camp Nou, and PSG welcome Galatasaray to the Parc des Princes.
The second legs follow the week after. On Tuesday, April 14, Atlético Madrid host Barcelona at the Metropolitano, and Galatasaray host PSG at their home ground. Then on Wednesday, April 15, Arsenal host Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium, and Bayern Munich welcome Real Madrid to the Allianz Arena.
Christian Pulisic continues a difficult 2026 at Milan, and tensions have boiled over with teammate Rafael Leao, sparking questions about the chemistry in the Rossoneri attack.
Christian Pulisic continues a difficult 2026 at Milan, and tensions have boiled over with teammate Rafael Leao, sparking questions about the chemistry in the Rossoneri attack. The two forwards, both expected to drive Milan’s scoring output, have struggled to connect in Serie A, leaving the club with a combined tally of just two goals in 595 minutes when playing alongside each other. Their relationship came under scrutiny after Milan’s recent defeat to Lazio, where unseen tensions surfaced on the pitch and in the dressing room.
While the full story only emerged later, it was clear immediately after the Olimpico loss that something had gone wrong between the two forwards. Pulisic’s continued poor form in 2026 had already frustrated teammates, culminating in a moment that would later be revealed in dramatic detail on DAZN’s Bordo Cam program.
During the Rossoneri’s 1-0 defeat, footage captured by DAZN shows Pulisic missing two opportunities to pass Leao through on goal. After the second chance went unplayed, the Portuguese winger’s frustration boiled over. “Bloody hell, mate. Get it in, bro,” the Portuguese striker shouted, visibly furious. The outburst extended to the bench, where coach Massimiliano Allegri could be heard shouting: “Get it in! With that one, he’d have scored, oh, it’s already two! But already two!”
The episode escalated when Leao was substituted. He left the pitch slowly, prompting goalkeeper Mike Maignan to run halfway down the field in an attempt to hurry him along. Leao refused Allegri’s attempt at a consoling hug, instead venting his anger toward Pulisic. “He has to pass the ball, coach!” Leao said, shaking his head in frustration. On the bench, he kicked and threw his shin guards, muttering to himself: “He never passes it, and nobody says anything. It’s always like this.”
Despite the dramatic scene, Allegri later clarified the situation. “Leao was a little nervous because there were some situations where he could have had a better serve, so he was a little angry, but these things can happen during a match,” the Rossoneri manager explained. Allegri emphasized that the outburst was not directed at him but at the missed opportunities on the field, highlighting the high standards expected from his attacking duo.
The post-match tension reportedly continued into the dressing room, with the Portuguese still visibly upset at Pulisic’s lack of support. However, the Milan staff quickly took steps to restore unity. Video analysis sessions at Milanello allowed both players to reflect calmly on the incidents. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Leao apologized to Pulisic and the team, and the two symbolically shook hands on the pitch, marking a truce and a fresh start.
Struggling partnership
The challenges between Leao and Pulisic are not only interpersonal but also tactical. They have only started seven Serie A games together this season, partly due to injuries and individual form issues. Leao is currently in his longest goal drought since joining Milan in 2023, still without a goal in 2026, while the American has struggled to break his own scoring slump. Their combined lack of productivity highlights the need for better synergy if the club is to maintain its Champions League aspirations next season.
Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates with teammate Christian Pulisic.
Despite these difficulties, Allegri remains focused on the bigger picture. Both players respect each other and have shown maturity in addressing the situation. “The only focus must no longer be on the defeat against Lazio, but on the goals that the team need to score against Torino to secure the three points,” the manager noted, signaling that on-field success is the priority.
Brazil’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup have been marked by both excitement and unexpected drama, as star forward Neymar confronted the harsh reality of missing out on the national team squad.
Brazil’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup have been marked by both excitement and unexpected drama, as star forwardNeymar confronted the harsh reality of missing out on the national team squad. With coach Carlo Ancelotti steering Brazil through the pre-World Cup friendlies, questions over squad selection and player fitness have captured global attention. While Neymar has been a central figure for both his club, Santos, and the Brazil national team, recent developments suggest a generational shift is underway in the Selecao.
The news of Neymar’s omission from the March friendlies was made even more poignant thanks to a candid video he shared on his YouTube channel. The clip, part of the series “48 hours unfiltered,” offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at his life as a professional player and his personal reaction to being left out of the squad.
In the footage, the 34-year-old forward can be seen watching the squad announcement on his phone while receiving a massage. Upon realizing that his name was not included, he turned to the camera and humorously yet heartbreakingly said, “Hey, Ancelotti. What about me?”
The remark encapsulated both his surprise and disappointment, highlighting the emotional toll of missing out on a team he has represented with distinction for over 15 years. With 128 caps and 79 goals, Neymar remains one of Brazil’s most decorated players, yet his absence reflects both persistent injury concerns and a broader strategy by Ancelotti to prioritize emerging talent.
A reação do Neymar em não ter sido convocado para seleção brasileira mais uma vez.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has managed Brazil since 2024, has consistently emphasized the importance of fielding fit players in the lead-up to the World Cup. Neymar’s omission is reportedly tied to persistent injury issues, particularly following his 2023 ACL tear, as well as inconsistent form at Santos.
As a result, Ancelotti has turned to younger players such as Endrick, Igor Thiago, and Vinicius, signaling a deliberate effort to balance experience with youth ahead of the 2026 tournament. In a pre-announcement discussion captured on video, Neymar confided to his teammate, goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao, “Back in the day, I knew I was going no matter what! Right?” His laughter belied a stark contrast with his current uncertainty, showing the emotional shift from a guaranteed national team place to competing for fitness and form.
Neymar antes da convocação de Ancelotti em conversa com Brazão:
“Antigamente eu sabia que ia de qualquer jeito, né?”
— Gols do Brasileirão ⚽️🇧🇷 (@golsdobrasil1) March 18, 2026
Rarely visible vulnerable side
The video also captured Neymar’s vulnerable side, as he admitted feeling sad about missing the squad but reaffirmed his commitment to the Selecao, stating he would continue supporting his teammates and working hard for a 2026 World Cup spot.
“I’ll always root for my Brazilian teammates and look to keep working hard to find a place in the Brazil squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Neymar explained in the video. Brazil’s March 2026 friendlies against France and Croatia represent crucial preparation ahead of the World Cup. With Neymar unavailable, Ancelotti will rely on a blend of emerging stars and experienced players to simulate tournament conditions.
A miracle was required after losing the first leg 6-1 at home, and La Dea only conceded in Munich from a retaken Harry Kane penalty.
However, Kane struck again after the restart, with Lennart Karl’s angled drive and a Luis Diaz lob on the counter-attack, with Lazar Samardzic late on grabbing a consolation goal by nodding in the corner.
De Roon makes Atalanta history tonight
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Marten De Roon of Atalanta BC is challenged by Aleksandar Pavlovic during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
He came off the bench for his 435th appearance in the Atalanta jersey, equalling the club record set by Gianpaolo Bellini.
“It is a great achievement, 435 is a lot of games, but I don’t want to stop here, I want to keep going. It is an honour to have played so many times for Atalanta.”
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Lennart Karl of FC Bayern Munich scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
This means Bayern Munich will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, with PSG vs. Liverpool, Barcelona-Atletico Madrid and Arsenal against Sporting CP.
“We have a lot to learn from this team,” noted De Roon. “We tried to press them at home and that didn’t work, so today we sat deeper, and they still scored four goals.
“We played against a truly extraordinary opponent, we’ve learned from this and have to lift our heads again straight away in Serie A.”
La Dea were the only remaining Italian team in the Champions League, so it is disappointing to see them swept aside 10-2 on aggregate.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Mario Pasalic and Isak Hien of Atalanta react during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
“Italian teams have much to learn from these sides, in their movements and their pace. We are too static, too tactical, and even the referees in Europe let play flow much better without stopping and starting all the time,” explained De Roon.
“Today, Kane was playing as a striker, a right-back and a left-back at different times. You have to run so much to keep up.
“I think Bayern Munich are the favourites to win the Champions League, they impressed me so much tonight, and that was without Jamil Musiala, Michael Olise and Joshua Kimmich. We’ve got to be as humble as they are.”
Atalanta have plenty to focus on, as the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final with Lazio ended 2-2, while they are still in the fight for European places in Serie A.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe confirms Italy international Sandro Tonali ‘has a groin, sort of hip problem’ after going off injured against Barcelona.
Newcastle United went on to lose 7-2 on the night and were eliminated from the Round of 16.
Tonali concern grows for Italy
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 18: Marc Bernal of FC Barcelona is challenged by Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United FC at Camp Nou on March 18, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
With the World Cup play-offs coming up against Northern Ireland, Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso will be anxious to know if the problem for Tonali is serious.
Speaking to the media after the match, Newcastle manager Howe was asked if Tonali was a doubt for this weekend’s game against Sunderland.
“It looks like he’s got a groin, sort of hip problem. I thought he performed really well in the first half and we really missed him in that second period.”
Italy have already lost Mattia Zaccagni today for the World Cup play-offs, as the Lazio wide attacker was ruled out for several weeks by a muscular injury.
Marco Verratti, who had been tipped for a potential call-up, has also sustained an injury and will not be available for the Azzurri.
Atalanta are out of the Champions League after another rough night with Bayern Munich, as Harry Kane scored twice in a 4-1 result on the night, 10-2 on aggregate.
The 6-1 first leg defeat in Bergamo meant a miracle was needed to reach the quarter-finals, but La Dea made the trip without suspended Yunus Musah, giving Charles De Ketelaere his first start since meniscus damage on February 5, with Giacomo Raspadori back on the bench. Bayern had Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise banned, plus Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich, Leon Klanac, Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala injured. Goalkeeper Jonas Urbig recovered from concussion to take the gloves.
Luis Diaz pounced on a poor Isak Hien header back, but couldn’t find the net from a tight angle, while Raphael Guerreiro scuffed a finish straight at Marco Sportiello.
Pavlovic stung Sportiello’s gloves from the edge of the area, but VAR intervened when Giorgio Scalvini charged down a Kane volley with his elbow when trying to turn and tuck the arm into his body.
VAR was involved again because when Sportiello parried the Kane penalty, it was confirmed he was off his line, so it had to be retaken and this time Kane sent him the wrong way to convert.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munich scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Scalvini volleyed off target from the edge of the area, then nodded down a cross for Mario Pasalic to force a desperate one-handed save from point-blank range at the near post.
An acrobatic Gianluca Scamacca volley and Raoul Bellanova low drive were straight at Jonas Urbig after the restart, but Guerreiro steered wide of the near post with the inside of the left foot.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Kane added a second when he somehow managed to squirm between Hien and Odilon Kossounou to then in one sweeping motion fire into the far top corner.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 18, 2026
Moments later there was a third, as debutant Deniz Ofli robbed Bellanova and Bayern moved it quickly from left to right, Luis Diaz finding the Lennart Karl angled drive relatively undisturbed.
Atalanta thought they had a penalty on the hour mark when ex-Napoli defender Kim Min-jae blocked a Kamaldeen Sulemana cross and it flicked up onto his arm. However, VAR evaluated and suggested the arm was in a natural position.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Mario Pasalic and Isak Hien of Atalanta react during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Pasalic had a free header on Bernasconi’s cross, but nodded it into the ground and made it easy for Urbig from a very promising position.
Moments later, Scamacca stumbled to spark a deadly counter-attack, as Luis Diaz out-sprinted Kossounou and chipped the on-rushing Sportiello into an empty net.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 18, 2026
Atalanta still had some chances, as Bellanova got away down the right and forced a save at the near post, and from the resulting corner Scalvini nodded over.
Just like in the first leg, Atalanta fans had something to cheer when Raspadori’s corner was flicked on by Pasalic for the Lazar Samardzic header at the back post.
Bayern Munich march on and will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Bayern Munich 4-1 Atalanta (10-2 agg)
Kane pen 25, 54 (B), Karl 56 (B), Luis Diaz 70 (B), Samardzic 85 (A)
Dominik Szoboszlai is currently flourishing for Liverpool, but former Milan director Zvonimir Boban reveals ‘we had a deal, then it didn’t go through.’
ZAGREB, CROATIA – OCTOBER 25: Former footballer Zvonimir Boban looks on prior to kick off of the UEFA Champions League group E match between Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan at Stadion Maksimir on October 25, 2022 in Zagreb, Croatia. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)
Boban had been a director at Milan from the summer of 2019 to March 2020, when he was fired after bitterly criticising the owners.
It was during this brief period that the Rossoneri had their hands on the promising young talent who had just joined RB Salzburg and had a release clause worth just over €20m.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray SK at Anfield on March 18, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
“Obviously I like Szoboszlai, we had already closed a deal for him, then it didn’t go through,” Boban told Sky Sport Italia this evening in his role as pundit for their Champions League coverage.
“He’s a great player, I’m happy he won the war with himself and became a real player.”
Szoboszlai was eventually sold to RB Leipzig for €36m in January 2021, then moved on to Liverpool for a transfer worth €70m in the summer of 2023.
According to Boban, his career path has above all benefited from a change of position into a much deeper role.
“Szoboszlai started out as a Number 10, in Salzburg and for Hungary, playing behind the striker. It was a problematic position, though. He didn’t have the pace or the ability to take men on to be a real Number 10, it wasn’t his style at all.
“Now he has been transformed into a pure Number 8, which was the only logical move to make him a champion. He has such extraordinary talent, he sees the game and has the lightness of touch that few in the world can boast,” concluded Boban.
Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing the Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella.
The 29-year-old Italian International has done quite well for Inter Milan, and he has shown his quality at the international level as well. He has been a key player for club and country over the years, and it will be interesting to see whether he’s willing to move to the Premier League now.
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Nicolo Barella set for Premier League switch?
He’s at the peak of his career, and this could be the right time for him to take on a new challenge. According to a report from SportsBoom, Newcastle are looking to add more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and the Italian has been identified as a target.
Manager Eddie Howe is an admirer of the Italian, and Newcastle could test the resolve of the Italian club with a £40 million offer in the summer. It remains to be seen whether they can get the deal done. They have an ambitious project and the resources to sign the player. However, they must convince him that they can provide him with a platform to fight for trophies.
We have therefore given the potential Barella-to-Newcastle deal a Transfer Fit rating of 21/25, which makes him a strong fit.
Meanwhile, they will face competition from Crystal Palace as well. The Eagles are keeping tabs on the Italian as well. However, it might be difficult for them to convince the player. They are not at the level required to fight for trophies, and Oliver Glasner is set to leave the club in the summer as well.
It remains to be seen what the player decides if a concrete proposal is presented at the end of the season. Newcastle need more control and creativity in the middle of the park, and the Italian would be an exceptional acquisition. It will be interesting to see if Sandro Tonali can convince his compatriot to join the English club.
Manchester United are hoping to sign Wilfred Ndidi from Besiktas at the end of the season, and they would be prepared to execute a swap deal.
According to a report from Sporx, Manchester United have been monitoring the 29-year-old for a long time, and they are looking to get the deal done in the summer.
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Man United eye swap deal to sign Wilfred Ndidi
They would be prepared to send Altay Bayindir to the Turkish club as part of the swap deal. They have already held discussions, and it will be interesting to see if the two clubs can finalise an agreement.
The opportunity to join Manchester United will be hard to turn down for him. It would be a huge step up for him, and he would get to compete at the highest level. Manchester United are well placed to secure Champions League qualification next season and could push for trophies.
Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and the opportunity to play for them can be quite tempting. The 29-year-old has the physical and technical attributes to play in English football, and he could be the ideal replacement for Casemiro. The Brazilian will leave the club at the end of the season, and Manchester United needs to replace him. They need more physicality and defensive cover in the middle of the park. The Nigerian is an experienced player who can make an immediate impact.
Bayindir is unwanted at Old Trafford, and if they can use him to improve a key area, it could be a deal worth doing.
Arsenal are interested in signing the AC Milan attacker Raphael Leao at the end of the season.
The player has reportedly fallen out of favour with manager Max Allegri, and their relationship has deteriorated. Arsenal are looking to capitalise on the situation and secure his signature.
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Arsenal could use Rafael Leao
They are aware that they need to make a statement signing to improve the wide areas. The 26-year-old is a reliable performer, and he could add a new dimension to the Arsenal attack. His explosive pace and flair will help Arsenal going forward. He will help create opportunities for his teammates and find the back of the net as well. Leao has 10 goals this season.
It seems the arrival of the Portuguese international could depend on Gabriel Martinelli’s departure. The Brazilian has been inconsistent, and he has been linked with an exit. Arsenal are prepared to bring in an upgrade on him, and it remains to be seen how the situation develops.
Meanwhile, there are internal tensions over the future of the Portuguese attacker, and Milan are likely to cash in if a solid offer comes in. He has the physicality and technical attributes to thrive in the Premier League, and he could be an asset for Arsenal. This is the right time for him to take on a new challenge, and moving to the Premier League would be ideal. He has shown his quality in France and Italy. He will look to make an impact in English football now.
Barcelona thrashed Newcastle United 7-2 in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, securing an 8-3 aggregate victory for a spot in the quarter-finals. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal were the stars of the show at Camp Nou, while Robert Lewandowski, Fermin Lopez and Marc Bernal all got on the scoresheet after Anthony […]
Club America play against Philadelphia Union in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. Here’s everything you need to know about the date, venue, kickoff time, and TV or streaming options available in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Club America vs Philadelphia Union on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Club America vs Philadelphia Union
WHAT
CONCACAF Champions Cup
WHEN
9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT • Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Philadelphia Union travel to Mexico needing a response after dropping the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 matchup, a 1–0 defeat at home that felt like a missed opportunity but still leaves the series within reach.
Club America, meanwhile, carry a slim advantage after earning that valuable road victory, putting Las Aguilas in control as the decisive second leg approaches. With only one goal separating the sides and a quarterfinal spot on the line, everything remains up for grabs—so don’t miss this crucial showdown.
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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have fallen behind Robert Lewandowski in a historic UEFA Champions League record.
Robert Lewandowski scored a brace on Wednesday against Newcastle to reach a historic milestone in the UEFA Champions League, surpassing the previous record held by Lionel Messi and putting Cristiano Ronaldo even further behind.
Barcelona secured an emphatic victory over the Magpies at Camp Nou. They needed a win to advance to the quarterfinals of the European competition following the 1-1 draw in the first leg in England, and they delivered in style, winning 7-2.
Lewandowski started the match and only needed 66 minutes on the pitch before being replaced by Ferran Torres. In that time, he scored two goals that not only helped his team secure the victory but also made him the player who has scored against the most clubs in Champions League history.
Newcastle became the 41st European club to fall to the Polish striker, a total that even Lionel Messi could not reach. The Argentine star previously held the record with 40, while Cristiano Ronaldo is further back on the list with 38.
Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona
Lewandowski can continue to extend his record
While stars like Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappe are achieving great things in the Champions League, they still have a long way to go before they can compete for the record Robert Lewandowski just set.
And it’s not just that. The Polish striker still has room to extend those numbers as long as Barcelona remain alive in the competition. In fact, in the quarterfinals there will still be two clubs he has yet to score against in the Champions League: Sporting CP — who could be Barcelona’s semifinal opponents — and either Galatasaray or Liverpool, depending on who advances from the Round of 16.
Can Lewandowski challenge Messi and Ronaldo’s Champions League goal record?
Robert Lewandowski has not only taken the record from Lionel Messi for scoring against the most different clubs in Champions League history; he is also the main threat to the Argentine forward on the competition’s all-time scoring table.
At the moment, Lewandowski is the active player in Europe with the most goals in Champions League history, with 109. In the all-time ranking, he sits third, 20 goals behind Lionel Messi. At the top remains Cristiano Ronaldo, currently the undisputed leader with 141 goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi.
Vincenzo Italiano insists ‘it is an honour for Bologna to be’ in the Europa League last 16 and warns ‘the value of the Roma squad is higher in every way.’
It is all to play for after the first leg ended 1-1, and is decided at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
This stadium has fond memories for the Rossoblu, as they beat Milan last season to win the Coppa Italia Final here, their first piece of silverware in over 50 years.
Italiano notes Bologna progress
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Vincenzo Italiano head coach of Bologna FC during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Parma Calcio 1913 at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“We are here, we’ve honoured this competition with many strong performances and deservedly getting through the play-offs.
“It was our objective to reach this stage and now we are here against a strong opponent, in a passionate atmosphere. We will try to have our say and do everything we can to cause them problems.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Players of Bologna acknowledge the fans following the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Italiano had said after the first leg that the 1-1 result meant Roma had a 51 per cent chance of going through.
“I stand by that, we have to give triple our potential to get through. We have to be realistic, the objective was to reach the last 16 and we achieved it, so we should be happy just being here and we celebrated after the group stage with an enormous cake.
“I’ve been in European football for a few years now, I know the Europa League is tough. There are top teams like Porto, Aston Villa, Stuttgart, Lyon, so it’s an honour for Bologna to be here.”
Bologna are out of the Coppa Italia and struggling in Serie A, so trying to go as far as possible in the Europa League is also a target for the season.
“It is an important game that can give us a boost going into the final weeks of the season, but it is not a crossroads. We know who we are and what we want,” assured Italiano.
“When you face Roma here, the atmosphere is different. We already experienced that and know what to expect, along with the added enjoyment of playing in Europe.
“We won’t let ourselves be intimidated, it is going to be an intense match and we need quality. It’s always a game with intensity if Gian Piero Gasperini is the coach.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, embraces Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Italiano is eager to point out that if any Serie A side is going to aim for Europa League triumph, it is probably Roma.
“The value of their squad is higher than ours, in every way. It is proved by their position in the Serie A table, by the level of their individual players, and then add in the atmosphere.
“It’s a game where both sides need a victory, so there can be no calculations, we have to play an open and attacking match. Quality makes the difference.”
Raffaele Palladino insists Atalanta are ‘proud to represent Italy’ in the Champions League against Bayern Munich and ‘will never forget’ how their fans reacted after a 6-1 defeat.
It kicks off at the Allianz Arena in Munich at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Michael Olise of FC Bayern Munich is challenged by Lorenzo Bernasconi and Mario Pasalic of Atalanta during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Although we saw some remarkable comebacks in the Champions League in recent years, recovering from a 6-1 home defeat would require a sporting miracle.
The main focus for La Dea here is to give a better account of themselves than in the first leg and play with pride, especially as almost 4,000 fans made the trip to Germany.
Palladino inspired by Atalanta fans
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Raffaele Palladino, Head Coach of Atalanta, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“It’s fantastic to be here and we are so proud to be playing in this stadium against such a strong opponent. We are proud to represent Italy as the only side in the Round of 16, and to see so many of our fans come here to be with us,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.
“We will never forget that they applauded us after the final whistle of that 6-1 defeat, we want to play for them, and hope tonight to go under the away end to salute them with a better result.”
Yunus Musah is suspended this evening and Giacomo Raspadori is back on the bench, but Charles De Ketelaere gets his first start since suffering meniscus damage in his knee on February 5.
There is also a change in goal, with Marco Sportiello preferred to Marco Carnesecchi.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Fans of Atalanta show their support prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I believe in all my lads, from first to last, I reward them for what they show me in training. Sportiello knows this competition, he is an extraordinary guy and he deserved this opportunity tonight,” explained Palladino.
It has not been a great period for Atalanta in general, as their last victory was the 4-1 Champions League result against Borussia Dortmund on February 25.
That was followed by three draws and two defeats between Serie A, the Coppa Italia and Europe.
“We won’t forget that we conceded six goals in the first leg, so naturally we want to prove ourselves. We know that we are up against one of the strongest teams in Europe, but we want to challenge ourselves and grow with this experience.
“Above all, we want to play for our fans and give them something to cheer this evening. We will sweat through that shirt tonight.”
The midfielder was in the starting XI for the chaotic encounter at Camp Nou, which had Barcelona winning 3-2 at half-time after a 1-1 first leg result in England.
He was down hurt and clutching the side of his left thigh after a lunging tackle at the by-line, eventually replaced by Joe Willock.
Italy fear for Tonali fitness
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 28: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James’ Park on February 28, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
This will cause concern for Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, because Tonali would be one of the first names in the list for the upcoming 2026 World Cup play-off against Northern Ireland.
It remains to be seen how bad the situation is for Tonali, and whether or not he will be available for Italy’s crucial path to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are keen on acquiring the services of Real Madrid midfield sensation Eduardo Camavinga.
The French international’s future has become an interesting talking point, as he hasn’t been at his best in recent seasons, and Real Madrid are now considering cashing in on him this summer. Multiple top clubs are keeping tabs on his situation, and there could be a bidding war for his services.
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Mikel Arteta wants Eduardo Camavinga at Arsenal
According to a report from Spain, Arsenal have entered the race for Eduardo Camavinga’s signature. The Gunners want to further bolster their midfield and believe the French international’s arrival could significantly strengthen their midfield rotation.
While they already have Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard in the centre of the park, Arteta feels Camavinga could give him more tactical flexibility. His arrival would provide much more competition for players like Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze.
Since he is only 23, signing him will help them in the short and long run. His ability to feature in any role in the centre of the park, as well as a full-back, could certainly help the Spanish manager.
We have therefore given the potential Camavinga-to-Arsenal deal a Transfer Fit rating of 21/25, which makes him a strong fit.
Meanwhile, Camavinga can seriously consider the chance to join Arsenal, as he will play an important role on a team looking to dethrone Manchester City in English football.
Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all keeping tabs on Christian Kofane ahead of a potential transfer this summer.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Christian Kofane is attracting a lot of interest from across Europe following his sensational rise. While he has a long-term contract at the German club, they might still struggle to keep hold of him.
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Premier League trio are after Christian Kofane
According to a report from SportsBoom, Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all keen on acquiring the services of the 18-year-old Cameroonian striker. Other top clubs from across Europe are after his signature, which could lead to a bidding war.
Kofane joined the Bundesliga giants from Albacete for just €5 million. The fee certainly seems like a massive bargain, as his value has skyrocketed since moving to Germany. The teenager has been involved in 38 games in all competitions and has contributed towards 15 goals (7 goals, 8 assists).
While he has had limited game time, Kofane has made quite an impact, and now every top club is after him. Scouts from the biggest clubs in Europe consider him an elite-level attacking prospect.
Arsenal are also monitoring him, considering him an ideal fit for Mikel Arteta’s team. Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to establish direct contact with the German club, as they look to make him a part of their project.
While all three English clubs are keen on his signature, other clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona could make things difficult for them. With his contract running until 2029, Bayer Leverkusen want a minimum of €60–€70 million for the teenager. They are hoping for a bidding war, as it would further increase the price.
Manchester City and Real Madrid have developed quite a rivalry, having faced each other six times in the last seven seasons in the Champions League knockout stages. What’s more, City boss Pep Guardiola was a legendary player and later extremely successful coach at Barcelona, Real’s arch-rivals. Nonetheless, Guardiola does not consider Real Madrid to have […]
Following three consecutive defeats in the Premier League, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery obviously feels a little perspective is needed. “El Real Madrid no ha sido mi mayor desafío. Mi mayor desafío ha sido Jürgen Klopp, pero vosotros no os habéis enterado” pic.twitter.com/KRkaQpRZB2 — MARCA (@marca) March 17, 2026
Manchester City and Real Madrid have developed quite a rivalry, having faced each other six times in the last seven seasons in the Champions League knockout stages. What’s more, City boss Pep Guardiola was a legendary player and later extremely successful coach at Barcelona, Real’s arch-rivals. Nonetheless, Guardiola does not consider Real Madrid to have […]
According to Miguel Delaney of the Independent, AC Milan are considering moving for AZ Alkmaar forward Troy Parrott this summer. The Ireland international is expected to be available for transfer for around €25million, with the Eredivisie side accepting his wish to take the next step. Parrott joined Tottenham Hotspur’s academy at the age of 15, […]
After Lamine Yamal turned into the youngest player ever to score 10 goals in the history of the UEFA Champions League, questions raised on how both competition legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were performing at his age.
Lamine Yamal continues to rewrite the record books in the UEFA Champions League, with the competition emerging as his latest stage for history-making ahead of the World Cup. The Spanish winger has now become the youngest player in the history of the tournament to reach 10 goals, prompting a natural comparison with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the two greatest scorers the competition has ever seen.
Barcelona hosted Newcastle United in the second leg of the Round of 16 at the Camp Nou following a 1-1 draw at St. James’ Park. The game produced a thrilling opening, with Raphinha, Marc Bernal and Anthony Elanga, who scored twice, making it 2-2, before Yamal stepped up just before halftime to convert a penalty and give Barcelona a 3-2 lead, his tenth Champions League goal in the process.
With that penalty, Yamal became the youngest player in Champions League history to reach 10 goals, achieving the milestone at just 18 years old. He has been remarkably consistent in the competition, scoring five goals in the 2024-25 season before adding five more in the current 2025-26 campaign.
The record he surpassed belonged to Kylian Mbappé, who had reached 10 Champions League goals at 19 years old, split across his time at AS Monaco and PSG. Besides, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, Yamal also became the youngest player ever to score in back-to-back Champions League knockout matches, having also netted from the spot in the first leg at St. James’ Park.
Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring against Newcastle United.
How were Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo performing at Yamal’s age?
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the two greatest scorers in Champions League history, sitting first and second on the all-time list with 140 and 129 goals respectively. Yet when it comes to their early years in the competition, Yamal has already left both legends well behind at the same age.
Ronaldo made his Champions League debut for Manchester United in October 2003 at 18 years old, but did not score his first goal in the competition until April 2007, when he netted a brace against AS Roma at the age of 22.
Messi’s debut came even earlier, at just 17 years old against Shakhtar Donetsk in December 2004. His first Champions League goal followed in November 2005 against Panathinaikos, the only goal he managed in the competition at age 18. That leaves Yamal with a nine-goal advantage over Messi at the same stage of his career, and a ten-goal lead over Ronaldo, a gap that underlines just how extraordinary his early development has been.
Lionel Messi (L) and Lamine Yamal (M) of FC Barcelona, and Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Real Madrid.
Inter Miami face Nashville SC in the decisive Round of 16 clash in the Concacaf Champions Cup, with Lionel Messi as the main attraction.
This Wednesday will determine the fate of Inter Miami and Nashville SC in the Concacaf Champions Cup. One of the two teams will advance to the quarterfinals, while the other will be eliminated. Lionel Messi will be the headline attraction at Chase Stadium.
That means both Argentine stars are fully fit and will be part of the lineup this Wednesday, aiming for a win that would send them through to the next round of the continental competition.
However, Inter Miami cannot afford to relax. Nashville SC have proven to be a dangerous side, and they hold the advantage of not conceding at home in the first leg, which ended 0-0. Concacaf Champions Cup rules state that, in the event of a tie, away goals carry more weight. Therefore, if Nashville score tonight, a draw will not be enough for Inter Miami, who would then need to win the match.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
Confirmed Inter Miami lineup
As head coach Javier Mascherano explained ahead of the match, the entire squad is available to face Nashville except for Maximiliano Falcon. The Uruguayan defender suffered an injury during the first leg at Geodis Park and will not be available.
With that in mind, Inter Miami’s confirmed XI is: Dayne St. Clair; Facundo Mura, Gonzalo Lujan, Micael, Sergio Reguilon; Tadeo Allende, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, German Berterame.
Confirmed Nashville SC lineup
Head coach Brian Callaghan faces the challenge of setting up his team to contain Inter Miami’s attacking talent while also posing a threat going forward in search of a potentially decisive goal.
With that approach, Nashville‘s confirmed lineup is: Brian Schwake; Daniel Lovitz, Maxwell Woledzi, Jeisson Palacios, Andy Najar; Matthew Corcoran, Patrick Yazbek; Warren Madrigal, Hany Mukhtar, Cristian Espinoza; Sam Surridge.
Inter Miami face Nashville SC in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. Here’s everything you need to know about the date, venue, kickoff time, and TV or streaming options available in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Inter Miami vs Nashville SC on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC
WHAT
CONCACAF Champions Cup
WHEN
7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT • Wednesday, March 18, 2026
A spot in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup will be decided when Inter Miamihost Nashville SC for the second leg of their Round of 16 series. The matchup arrives perfectly balanced after the opening leg ended in a hard-fought 0–0 draw, leaving everything to be settled in this decisive clash.
With Lionel Messi leading Miami’s push for a place in the next round and Nashvillealready showing it can stand toe-to-toe with one of the tournament favorites, the return leg promises drama, intensity, and plenty at stake—so make sure you don’t miss a minute of this pivotal showdown.
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The 6-1 first leg defeat makes qualification for the quarter-finals frankly improbable, but they were still applauded off the field by their fans at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo.
That spirit is what carries the team here to Munich against one of the favourites to win the Champions League outright, as almost 4,000 fans made the trip to Germany.
De Ketelaere admires Atalanta fan attitude
BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Atalanta BC coach Raffaele Palladino issues instructions to his player Charles De Ketelaere during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and FC Internazionale at New Balance Arena on December 28, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Many have come here, it’s wonderful that they are supporting us even after last week’s game, we saw how positive and wonderful our fans are. It’s great to play for them,” De Ketelaere told Sky Sport Italia.
The Belgium international is back in the starting XI for the first time since suffering meniscus damage in the 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Juventus on February 5.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Fans of Atalanta show their support prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I am really eager after being out for a month, it was tough for me, so I want to get back to playing at my level, and this is a good game to do it in.”
Atalanta have struggled lately, as they are the only Italian side in March stretched out over three tournaments, so are without a victory since beating Borussia Dortmund 4-1 on February 25.
That was followed by three draws and two defeats between Serie A, the Coppa Italia and Champions League.
“We said to ourselves that this is a Champions League game, we must enjoy the evening, and try to prove that we are capable of having our say,” concluded De Ketelaere.
La Dea lost the first leg 6-1 in Bergamo and therefore need tantamount to a miracle to continue through to the quarter-finals, but do at least want to give a better account of themselves.
Giacomo Raspadori is fit for the bench, while Yunus Musah is suspended, but Giorgio Scalvini returns from a ban.
De Ketelaere gets his first start since the Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Juventus on February 5, when he damaged the meniscus in his knee.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Munich scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
He made his comeback off the bench as a late substitute in Saturday’s 1-1 Serie A draw with Inter.
The Belgian completes the attack with Scamacca and Kamaldeen Sulemana, with Ederson and Mario Pasalic in midfield.
Atalanta’s last victory was the 4-1 Champions League result against Borussia Dortmund on February 25, followed by three draws and two defeats between Serie A, the Coppa Italia and Europe.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 07: Gianluca Scamacca of Atalanta BC scores their team’s first second goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Udinese Calcio at New Balance Arena on March 07, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich have a long absentee list to deal with, including suspended Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise.
Goalkeepers Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich and Leon Klanac are all injured, so it had seemed for a while as if 16-year-old Leonard Prescott would get the gloves.
However, Jonas Urbig recovered in time after suffering concussion during the 4-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach on March 6.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Michael Olise of FC Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The other injuries are to Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala, while Hiroki Ito is still not at 100 per cent either.
Unlike the first leg, Kane returns to lead the attack, with support from Luis Diaz, Raphael Guerreiro and 18-year-old Lennart Karl.
Former Napoli defender Kim Min-jae starts along with Milan transfer target Leon Goretzka.
Bayern Munich vs. Atalanta line-ups
Bayern Munich: Urbig; Stanisic, Tah, Kim, Bischof; Pavlovic, Goretzka; Karl, Guerreiro, Luis Diaz; Kane
Bayern Munich bench: Bärtl, Prescott, Upamecano, Gnabry, Jackson, H Ito, Laimer, Deniz Ofli, Manuba, Pavic
Paolo Vanoli confirms Moise Kean ‘is ready to play’ for Fiorentina in the Conference League trip to Rakow. ‘I’ll only say I’m satisfied when we have definitively achieved our objective.’
The first leg saw the Viola turn it around to win 2-1 in stoppages with a last-gasp Albert Gudmundsson penalty.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 16: Coach Paolo Vanoli of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 16, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
“Now we’ve got to remember that is in the past, and tomorrow we are playing for qualification against a side that caused us quite a few problems in the first leg.
“We need to recharge the batteries, mentally as much as physically, and I think the result in Cremona will help us to do that.”
The big question marks are over the fitness levels of Kean, who has struggled in recent weeks with a recurring ankle issue.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Cher Ndour of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“Moise was on the bench in Cremona, which means he was available. We’ll decide tomorrow if he plays from the start or comes off the bench, but he is ready to play,” assured Vanoli.
“I am not looking further ahead than tomorrow’s game. We care about this competition, we must respect it and will do our best to get through to the next round. As always, I’ll choose the best possible line-up.
“Even when we were in a more difficult moment in Serie A, I always said we had to take it one game at a time. We have an objective, we are against a side that defends ruggedly and can counter-attack dangerously, so we must be concentrated.
“We’ve seen that such a slender advantage counts for little at international level. What we need is to recognise that nobody dominates for 90 minutes, there are matches within matches, and if you go behind then you must have the clear head to turn it around, or to control an advantage in those situations.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Albert Gudmundsson ac f scores a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Fiorentina had won 3-0 away to Jagiellonia in the Conference League play-offs, then lost by the same result at home, squeezing through in extra time.
Now they are back in Poland and this time have the advantage from the first leg at the Stadio Franchi.
“They have different playing styles in possession, but what unites them is how aggressive they are going forward,” explained Vanoli.
“Jagiellonia have more technique and quality, Rakow are more physical and love to run into space, but also defend very well. Polish football is growing and these are teams who made their mark on the international stage in recent years.”
Vanoli was drafted in by Fiorentina to replace Stefano Pioli on November 7, so how would the coach judge his work so far after nine wins, six draws and 11 defeats in all competition?
“My work only ends once the season is finished, and then we can judge together. Since I arrived, we’ve had ups and downs on this journey, and Fiorentina probably doesn’t deserve to be in this situation, but we did well to recognise where we were.
“It took a while to understand how to turn things around, but the victory against Cremonese was another step forward, even though there are still another 10 points we need to pick up to secure safety.
“I will only say I’m satisfied when we have definitively achieved our objective.”
The Seleccion is warming up for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, and was meant to be facing Spain in La Finalissima between the winners of the European Championship and Copa America.
However, it was scrapped after they failed to agree on the date or venue, so instead Argentina are going to play Guatemala on March 31.
COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Maximo Perrone of Como 1907 reacts during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on February 01, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Coach Lionel Scaloni has seen the good performances of Como in Serie A and the Coppa Italia, rewarding Nico Paz and creative midfielder Perrone with a call-up.
Inter had feared Lautaro Martinez would travel across the globe even though he is recovering from a month out injured, but they have decided to spare him this strain.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has made it clear that he wishes to return to his boyhood side Racing Club in Argentina once his time with the Nerazzurri comes to an end: ‘Obviously it depends on a lot of things, but my dream is to return’.
Lautaro has spent the last eight years of his career in Milan with Inter, for whom he has scored 129 goals from 262 Serie A outings and with his 171 goals across all competitions, he currently ranks as the club’s fourth all-time highest goalscorer and is only two away from tying third.
As things stand, Lautaro has over three years remaining on his current deal with the Nerazzurri, expiring in the summer of 2029, and at 28 years of age, he insists that he still has plenty to give at the highest level of the game.
But, once he is ready to leave Inter, a return home to Racing Club would be the ‘dream’ for El Toro.
Lautaro opens up on ‘dream’ return to Racing Club
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“Returning to Racing is my desire,” Lautaro said in a recent interview (via La Gazzetta dello Sport).
“I’m trying to convince my wife and she supports me. Obviously it depends on a lot of things, family, but also how I’m doing physically. But my dream is to return to play for Racing for at least a year.
“I still have three years on my contract with Inter, I’d like to stay at the highest level for a long time. I feel good, I’m still young, but in the future I’d love for my children to see the love that the Racing supporters show me.”
Diego Milito is now the club President at Racing. During his playing days, he had a similar career trajectory to the one that Lautaro spoke about, starting at Racing, going on to star up front for Inter, before returning to Argentina to finish where it all began.
“I talk to him every week,” said Lautaro. “He’s always there for me and always was at the beginning of my career. He wrote to me after I got injured, we talked about Racing not doing so well, I also sent him a message of support for the club.”
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Chelsea turn down Liam Rosenior request
Following their dreadful performance against the French giants, manager Liam Rosenior requested that the club bring in more experienced players. But according to a report from SportsBoom, Chelsea’s hierarchy are set to ignore the 41-year-old’s plea.
While the manager wants more experienced heads, the club will continue to stick with their policy of betting on young stars with massive potential. They prefer experimenting with potential rather than bringing in proven players.
Rosenior certainly accepts the club’s transfer policy under the BlueCo, which is why he agreed to become their manager mid-season following the sacking of Ezno Maresca. He was already aware of what he was getting into.
However, following the humiliation at the hands of PSG, the 41-year-old feels the need to have a few more experienced campaigners in his squad. The Ligue 1 outfit completely exposed them. It was quite clear that a lack of experience on big European nights had played a part in their downfall.
As a result, Rosenior is pushing the club to sign proven players. He feels their inconsistency could be rectified by signing experienced heads, but the club doesn’t share his view. They will not accept his request and will stand by their guns.
Liverpool seem willing to fork out €80 million to sign Sporting CP attacking mainstay Luis Suarez this summer.
The Colombian striker has taken his game to the next level since joining Sporting CP last summer. He has been in red-hot form, and his performances haven’t gone unnoticed. Multiple top clubs are now after his signature.
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Liverpool want Luis Suarez this summer
According to reports from Spain, Liverpool are among the clubs keen to sign Luis Suarez ahead of next season. The Reds could trigger his massive €80 million release clause to bring him to Anfield.
On the back of his impressive performances for UD Almeria, Suarez made the move to Sporting last summer. He came in to replace Viktor Gyokeres and has certainly lived up to the expectations. In his 41 matches across competitions, he has 32 goals and seven assists.
While the Reds forked out a fortune on forwards last summer, things haven’t gone according to plan for them. They are now looking for a more proven option in the final third and believe Suarez can help their cause.
His mobility, ability to attack space in behind and clinical finishing make him a perfect fit for their system. As a result, the Merseyside club are willing to break the bank to secure his services. It will be interesting to see if they do actually trigger his release this summer.
West Ham United assistant manager Paco Jemez admits he will leave the club if offered the job at his former club, Rayo Vallecano.
Since joining West Ham United at the start of the year, Paco Jemez has helped significantly bolster the Hammers’ chances of survival in the Premier League. With him assisting Nuno Espirito Santo, the London club have collected 12 points more than relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur and eight more than Nottingham Forest.
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Paco Jemez could leave West Ham for Rayo Vallecano
While the 55-year-old Spanish tactician is completely focused on helping West Ham survive the drop, he recently admitted that he would pounce on the opportunity to once again manage Rayo Vallecano.
While speaking to SER Podcast, Jemez said via Hammers News, “When Rayo doesn’t have a coach and needs someone, and I think I’m the right person, it [only] takes me half a second to get there!”
Since he agreed to assist Nuno at the London club, the former Rayo Vallecano manager was asked whether he would like to have the Portuguese as his number two at the Spanish side. He laughed off the suggestion, saying:
“He’d have to return the favour, wouldn’t he?! The day I ask him, he’ll have to return it!”
Jemez has managed the La Liga outfit on two occasions between 2012 and 2020. He has done wonders for them in the past. The Madrid-based outfit enjoyed a best-ever La Liga campaign under the West Ham assistant as they finished eighth. More importantly, they recorded the fourth-highest possession stats in Europe’s major leagues, behind only Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
Given the kind of work he has done in the past, many believe Jemez is the spark that has ignited West Ham’s chances of survival. His work ethic and intensity have transformed the mood inside the camp, and everyone seems to believe that they can actually avoid the drop.
While he is loving life at the London club, the 55-year-old was quick to admit that he won’t take half a second to accept the Rayo Vallecano job. The Hammers are certainly glad to have him on their bench and would be hoping that the Spanish club do not come forward with an offer for their assistant manager.
Watching their Champions League adventure come to a thumping end on Tuesday night as they eventually fell to a 5-1 aggregate defeat against Real Madrid, Manchester City have endured a public nightmare over the past fortnight. With their Premier League title dreams hanging by a thread and seeking a real miracle in the race to […]
Watching their Champions League adventure come to a thumping end on Tuesday night as they eventually fell to a 5-1 aggregate defeat against Real Madrid, Manchester City have endured a public nightmare over the past fortnight. With their Premier League title dreams hanging by a thread and seeking a real miracle in the race to […]
While keeping his dream to be in the 2026 World Cup alive, Neymar opened up about his potential final year playing for the Brazil national team.
Neymar has once again missed out on a Brazil squad call-up for the March international window, leaving him fewer than 90 days to convince Carlo Ancelotti to include him in the final World Cup roster. While holding on to his dream of featuring in North America this summer, the Santos forward spoke candidly about the possibility that this could be his final chapter with the national team.
At 34 years old and having spent extended periods on the sidelines over recent years, questions have grown louder about whether Neymar can still force his way back into the Seleção picture. The forward, however, remains optimistic that the 2026 World Cup can serve as a fitting final act in one of the most celebrated international careers in Brazilian history.
In a video posted to his official YouTube channel, prior to Monday’s squad announcement, Neymar offered a remarkably candid reflection on what lies ahead: “Obviously it is my last World Cup… I don’t know it’s my last year in the national team. But it’s coming to an end and we have to know that. I always tell my family and friends: Enjoy it as much as you can, keep watching the games because it will end.“
Despite having been absent from the national team since October 2023 and operating far from the European spotlight, Neymar insists he still has something to offer to Brazil. “I can help the national team. I can help in any way. I know the qualities that I have and I know the power that I have on the field, and I know I can add to the team. Obviously I want to go to the World Cup. Obviously this moves me too,” he added.
Neymar Jr of Santos.
At his press conference, Ancelotti left the door firmly open, reiterating that Neymar could still earn a place at the World Cup provided he reaches full fitness. The Italian coach made clear that the only deciding factor is physical condition, and that Neymar’s quality on the ball is beyond question.
Neymar’s reaction to Ancelotti’s snub
When Ancelotti named his squad for the friendlies against France and Croatia on Monday, Neymar’s name was once again absent, with the coach citing his fitness as the determining factor. The omission hit the forward hard, though he made clear he has not given up on making the final list to be announced in May.
The moment played out in real time. In the video, Neymar was shown undergoing a muscular recovery session the day after the Santos-Corinthians derby, watching the press conference live as Ancelotti ran through the squad. As the coach concluded his list of forwards without mentioning his name, Neymar’s reaction said everything.
😳🇧🇷 Neymar Júnior y la reacción EN VIVO del momento en el que Carlo Ancelotti anuncia los convocados a la Selección Brasileña y NO LO NOMBRA. pic.twitter.com/5NlD0tWV82
“Hey Ancelotti, what about me?” he said as the list was read out. “The national team squad has just been announced. We were not called up. I’m sad, obviously, that’s what I said yesterday: I’ll always root for the national team, right? And everything’s fine, now it’s time to keep working, keep improving in everything. And if there’s an opportunity, be prepared.“
Speaking on his way to Santos’ training facility, Neymar struck a defiant tone, channeling his disappointment into motivation. “I was upset, you know, I was sad. But that’s what I say: Now I’m sad but for me is a done deal. Tomorrow I have to stop being sad. I need to work, train, play… so if an opportunity arises to be at the World Cup, I’m prepared,” Neymar added.
Argentina have announced their roster for the March international break, with Lionel Messi included.
After weeks of speculation surrounding the Finalissima, which was ultimately cancelled, Argentina will spend the March FIFA break at home and play a friendly against Guatemala. Lionel Messi will be part of the squad, along with a few new faces.
On Wednesday, the official Argentina national team account on X released the list of 28 players called up by head coach Lionel Scaloni for the upcoming challenge, which is set to take place in just over a week.
As expected, Lionel Messi headlines the squad and is in full fitness at the start of the 2026 season with Inter Miami. Alongside several regular call-ups, two new names stand out: defenders Tomas Palacios and Gabriel Rojas.
Palacios is a 22-year-old center back who plays for Estudiantes de La Plata in the Argentine Liga Profesional de Futbol. He has been on loan there since the start of the year from Inter Milan. This season, Palacios has made eight appearances — seven as a starter — in the Apertura tournament.
#SelecciónMayor 📋Lista de convocados por el entrenador Lionel Scaloni para la Fecha FIFA de marzo.
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) March 18, 2026
The other new addition is Gabriel Rojas, a left back for Racing Club, who also compete in the Argentine league. The 28-year-old defender brings extensive experience in his home country, as well as in Uruguay and Mexico, but has found his best form with Racing since 2023. Now, with less than three months to go before the World Cup, he has the opportunity to compete for a spot in the squad, in a position where depth is limited.
Prestianni once again included in Argentina squad
In addition to the first-time call-ups for Palacios and Rojas, another case deserves special mention. Gianluca Prestianni is part of Argentina’s squad, just as he was during the November 2025 international break, when he made his debut for the national team by coming on in the final minutes of the win over Angola.
The Benfica winger’s inclusion is particularly notable given the context: it comes just weeks after Prestianni was at the center of attention following a complaint made by Vinicius Junior over alleged racist remarks by the Argentine player, which resulted in a suspension imposed by UEFA.
Argentina absences for March international break
Lionel Scaloni’s squad for Argentina’s March 31 friendly against Guatemala at La Bombonera also features several notable absences. Injury issues have ruled out three players who are usually part of the team and are strong candidates to make the World Cup roster.
The most significant of them is Lautaro Martinez, who has not played for Inter Milan since February 21 due to a muscle injury. He is joined by Giovani Lo Celso, sidelined at Real Betis since January 25 for a similar reason, and Lisandro Martinez, who after returning in strong form for Manchester United following a serious knee injury, is now out again with muscle problems.
Franco Mastantuono’s situation is different. The Real Madrid winger featured for Argentina last year, even wearing the No. 10 shirt in Lionel Messi’s absence, but missed the October and November call-ups due to injury. Now fully recovered but having lost prominence with the Spanish side, Scaloni has opted not to include him.
Portugal’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have taken an intriguing turn, as head coach Roberto Martinez addressed growing speculation surrounding the availability of Cristiano Ronaldo for the upcoming international friendlies.
Portugal’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have taken an intriguing turn, as head coach Roberto Martinez addressed growing speculation surrounding the availability of Cristiano Ronaldo for the upcoming international friendlies. With fixtures against the United States and Mexico on the horizon, uncertainty looms over whether the iconic forward will be part of the national team squad. The situation has sparked widespread discussion, particularly given Ronaldo’s importance to both his club, Al-Nassr, and the Portugal national team, as well as his enduring legacy in international soccer.
Ronaldo’s current situation stems from a hamstring injury sustained during a recent Saudi Pro League match. The injury has sidelined the veteran forward at a crucial juncture in the season, raising doubts about his readiness for international duty. His club confirmed the setback in an official statement, saying, “Cristiano Ronaldo has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury after the last game against Al Fayha. He started a rehabilitation program and will be under evaluation day by day.”
The lack of a clear recovery timeline has only intensified uncertainty, especially with Portugal’s March fixtures forming a key part of its World Cup preparation. These matches are not merely friendlies; they are designed to simulate tournament conditions and finalize tactical decisions ahead of the global showpiece set to begin in June 2026.
Despite the injury, Ronaldo has remained included in preliminary considerations, reflecting both his stature and the cautious optimism within the Portuguese camp. However, the final call has been left deliberately open.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts following an injury
What did Martinez say about Ronaldo’s availability?
The mystery surrounding Ronaldo’s involvement was addressed directly by Martinez, who provided a measured but revealing update midway through preparations. Speaking about the situation, the Portugal boss stated in an interview with Observador, “Cristiano is injured, he’s not playing for Al-Nassr right now, and he hasn’t been able to participate in the recent matches either. We still have a few days to make a decision.”
He further added, “We’ll make the decision on Friday. Currently, Cristiano has a minor injury.”This confirmation places the 41-year-old’s participation firmly in doubt, though it stops short of ruling him out entirely. Martinez emphasized the importance of physical readiness, noting that only players in peak condition would be selected for the upcoming FIFA window.
In another clarification, he explained, “It’s a minor injury being treated by the medical staff.” This suggests that while the issue is not severe, the coaching staff is unwilling to take unnecessary risks with a player of Ronaldo’s age and importance.
Crucial friendlies ahead of the World Cup
Portugal’s upcoming fixtures are strategically significant. Matches against international opposition, including the USMNT, are part of a broader plan to acclimatize the squad to North American conditions, where the World Cup will be held.
These games serve as a testing ground for squad depth and tactical flexibility, particularly in Ronaldo’s potential absence. Martinez has already hinted at experimenting with alternative attacking options, with several forwards vying for a place in the final World Cup squad. The uncertainty surrounding Ronaldo has opened the door for emerging talents and returning players to stake their claim.
However, none can replicate the experience and leadership that the veteran forward brings. For now, the situation remains unresolved. The Selecao’s coaching staff continues to monitor the superstar’s recovery closely, with the final decision expected to hinge on medical assessments in the days leading up to the squad announcement.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Reports in Italy claim that Juventus are in contact with Jorge Mendes, the agent of Manchester City star Bernardo Silva, who remains a target for the Bianconeri on a free transfer this summer.
Reports Juventus in contact with Bernardo Silva’s agent
Reports from various outlets over the last few weeks claim that Juventus are interested in a free transfer for Manchester City’s Bernardo, who will be out of contract at the Etihad at the end of the 2025-26 season and is not currently expected to renew his deal.
According to the latest updates from Matteo Moretto via the YouTube channel Fabrizio Romano in Italiano, Juventus are actively pursuing a deal for Bernardo and are in contact with the player’s entourage, which includes super agent Mendes.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JUNE 30: Bernardo Silva #20 of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Manchester City and Al-Hilal at Camping World Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
As things stand, however, the ball is very much in the player’s court. And, Juventus will be made to wait as Bernardo is unlikely to make any major decisions on his future until the end of the 2025-26 season with Manchester City.
The Bianconeri are certainly not the only side interested in a potential free transfer for Bernardo this summer. The Portugal international is said to have suitors in and outside Europe – Inter Miami and Galatasaray had been mentioned as potential destinations in reports elsewhere.
What is clear, according to Calciomercato.com, is that Juventus will need to convince Bernardo to take a pay cut if he is to move to Turin, as the reported €10m net salary that he earns in Manchester would make him comfortably the highest-paid player in Serie A next season.
Lazio winger Mattia Zaccagni picked up a muscular injury during his side’s recent 1-0 win against Milan and is now expected to miss Italy’s crucial World Cup play-off campaign coming up at the end of the month according to the latest updates.
Zaccagni ruled out of crucial Italy and Lazio fixtures
Lazio have confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that Zaccagni is due for a spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury in Serie A on Sunday evening.
“During the Lazio-Milan league match, Mattia Zaccagni suffered a medium-scale post-traumatic muscular injury to the vastus medialis and vastus intermedius of his right thigh. The player has already started the recovery protocol,” Lazio’s statement read.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Mattia Zaccagni of SS Lazio competes for the ball with Fikayo Tomori of AC MIlan during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Zaccagni’s injury is expected to rule him out of Italy’s upcoming World Cup play-off campaign, which kicks off on March 26, according to Wednesday’s reports.
As per Calciomercato, Zaccagni is likely to miss around a month of action, which rules him out of the upcoming international break, plus potential club matches against Bologna, Parma, Fiorentina and Napoli.
It isn’t a case of his season being over, but Zaccagni is unlikely to return to the Bancocelesti starting line-up until the final few matches of the campaign.
La Gazzetta dello Sport notes that Bodo/Glimt played in ‘an old-school Italian style’ against Sporting CP in the Champions League, prompting some regret for Inter, as the perception of the Norwegian side appears to have been overstated.
Bodo had won the first leg against the Portuguese side 3-0, but suffered an incredible comeback in the second leg, with Sporting scoring three times in 90 minutes and two more in extra time.
“In Lisbon, Bodo set themselves up like in the first half at San Siro. Compact in defence, dug in behind in a fairly deliberate Catenaccio,” examined Gazzetta journalist Sebastiano Vernazza.
“Sporting CP, however, attacked with ferocity, forcing them to defend in the final 30 meters. Unlike Inter in the return leg in Milan, Sporting CP did an excellent job of preventing any counterattacks.”
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Match officials players and mascots line up on the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio San Siro on February 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Inter lost both games against Bodo, first by 3-1 in Norway, and then 2-1 at San Siro. In the second leg in Milan, Bodo had remained very cautious, just like against Sporting CP on Tuesday.
“Bodo played in an old-school Italian style, just as they had in the first half at San Siro,” the journalist continued.
“In Milan, though, Inter had gifted the 1-0 in the second half with a misplaced pass by Akanji, and that effectively ended the tie. This time, it went differently. The defensive approach didn’t pay off because there were no counterattacks.
“The narrative around Bodo has been exaggerated. It’s been described as something it is not: an innovative team. Bodo play an adaptive kind of football. They aim to wear down the opponent and then strike on the break,” the Gazzetta journalist concluded.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale Milano heads the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio San Siro on February 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Inter can dwell on their regrets. Bodo was not an insurmountable obstacle. However, had Inter gone through, they would have suffered against Sporting CP, and that’s another aspect to consider.
“After the Bodo-Sporting CP pairing was drawn, many thought Chivu and his players had missed a great chance to reach the quarter-finals. That would not have been the case.”
Inter remain the Serie A table leaders with an eight-point lead over second-placed Milan with nine league games remaining.
Wrexham are plotting a raid on Sunderland to sign their academy sensations Finn Geragusian and Jenson Jones.
Wrexham have had an emphatic rise in English football. They have secured three consecutive promotions and are now eyeing a fourth via the Championship play-offs. While their first team has been doing wonders, they are looking to strengthen their youth setup by signing some bright prospects from rival clubs.
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Wrexham are keen on Finn Geragusian and Jenson Jones
According to a report from TEAMtalk, the Red Dragons are interested in acquiring the services of Sunderland duo Finn Geragusian and Jenson Jones. They have made quite a name for themselves with impressive performances at the youth level and have caught the attention of the Wrexham recruitment staff.
While everything seems to be going as planned in the first-team setup, the Championship club’s ownership wants to strengthen its youth setup. They want to build a system that can help them stand up to the big boys. They believe bringing in top talent from rival clubs’ academies could fast-track the process.
Their recruitment staff have been closely monitoring several young prospects, and the Sunderland pair of Geragusian and Jones are among them. They rate them quite highly, and Wrexham are now considering making formal approaches for the duo.
18-year-old Geragusian is regarded as one of the most exciting young talents to have come up the ranks at Sunderland in recent years. The left-footed striker has already been called up to the club’s first-team squad, and he has been doing wonders for Armenia at the youth level.
As far as Jones is concerned, the teenage full-back has also managed to impress the scouts with his consistent performances at the youth level. Developed at Sunderland’s Academy of Light, the 19-year-old full-back is believed to have a very bright future. While he prefers to play as a right-back, he can also feature on the left and in central midfield. His versatility and consistency stand out.
Leicester City attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss is set to join VfB Stuttgart on a permanent basis.
Following Leicester City’s relegation to the Championship last season, the Moroccan international wasn’t keen on playing in the second division. While rival clubs Crystal Palace and Newcastle United were ready to offer him an opportunity to stay in the Premier League, the Foxes were not ready to let him join an English club.
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Bilal El Khannouss to join VfB Stuttgart permanently
VfB Stuttgart spotted an opportunity and secured his services on loan last summer. The 21-year-old has been doing wonders for the German outfit, and according to Bild via SportWitness, Bilal El Khannouss will not be returning to Leicester. His move to Stuttgart will be made permanent in the summer.
His loan move to the Bundesliga had a conditional obligation and as per the report, it has been triggered. The Moroccan international has been involved in 32 games for the German outfit and has even contributed towards 12 goals.
The buy obligation was dependent on the number of appearances and since it has been triggered, Leicester will now receive €18 million. Given their financial difficulties, it is a massive boost for them.
The Foxes had received €3.5 million as a loan fee last summer, which means they have recouped €21.5 million out of the reported €24.3 million they paid to sign him from Genk. The final fee could rise further depending on bonuses, and Leicester have also secured a buy-on clause.
While the Championship outfit won’t receive any payment until the summer, it does help their cause as they can borrow against it. The Moroccan international is set to sign a deal until 2030, which includes a salary worth €3 million.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has said Everton are “built for Europe” ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with his former club Chelsea. Everton sit eighth in the standings ahead of the weekend’s games, and a win over the Blues would see them move into seventh, with Brentford not in action until later in the day. In fact, […]
Barcelona and Newcastle United faced off in a thrilling Round of 16 match, treating us to an exciting game. After a closely contested first half, Raphinha and Lewandowski led an impressive offensive charge, each scoring two goals to secure a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Following an underwhelming draw in the first leg, Barcelona and Newcastle United met in an exciting second leg of the Champions League Round of 16. Needing to deliver offensively, both teams put on a five-goal spectacle in the first half. However, coach Hansi Flick managed to unsettle the English side in the second half, leading an imposing attacking display with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski scoring crucial braces.
Newcastle United dominated the first half. Taking advantage of the Blaugranas fullbacks’ weaknesses, they constantly attacked down the wings, where Lewis Hall, Harvey Barnes, and Anthony Elanga stood out. However, defensive lapses led to them conceding three goals, and while they looked set to mount a comeback in the second half, Fermin Lopez’s goal and Sandro Tonali’s injury threw the game off balance.
Taking advantage of the English side’s imposing high press, Gerard Martín threaded a through ball to Raphinha. Rather than holding onto the ball, the Brazilian played a first-time pass to Fermín López, who was making a solo run into Newcastle’s defense. With his pace, the Spaniard beat his markers and went through on Aaron Ramsdale, scoring a magnificent goal. After this, coach Eddie Howe’s plans were completely disrupted.
Over the course of the game, Barcelona showed their scoring power, with Raphinha, Marc Bernal, and Lamine Yamal finding the net in the first half. However, they continued to struggle defensively, something they adjusted in the second half. In addition, Sandro Tonali’s exit unsettled Newcastle United, who then conceded another goal from Raphinha to complete his brace, along with a brace from Robert Lewandowski, ending his goal drought.
Raphinha and Lewandowski put on a masterclass for Barcelona
Raphinha managed to establish himself as the most influential player for Barcelona. After scoring in the early minutes, the Brazilian opened the scoring and led the team’s attack, distributing play for his teammates. Far from slowing down offensively, he went on to score a brace. Intercepting a misplaced pass from Jacob Ramsey, he found himself in a one-on-one situation, beating Aaron Ramsdale.
Unlike the Brazilian, Robert Lewandowski had a fairly limited first half, where he mainly linked up play for his teammates. However, the Pole regained his importance in the second half, as Newcastle United’s drop in pressure gave him more space to shine. After converting a penalty, he secured his brace following a corner from Raphinha, beating Tino Livramento in the air to score.
Bayern square off with Atalanta in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
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Few expected much drama when Bayern Munich met Atalanta BC in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, but the opening leg turned into one of the most lopsided results of the round. Bayern overwhelmed the Italian side with a stunning 6–1 victory in Bergamo, leaving Atalantawith a nearly impossible deficit to overcome.
Now back in Germany, the Bundesliga giants are poised to formally secure their place in the quarterfinals, while Atalanta’s focus shifts to restoring some pride and delivering a far stronger performance in the return leg. Don’t miss this Champions League showdown as Bayernaim to finish the job and Atalanta attempt to close the tie on a much better note.
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Tottenham will receive Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid on US television and via legal streaming:
The return leg arrives with plenty of tension after a dramatic first meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid, where the Spanish side surged to a commanding 5–2 win. What initially looked like one of the round’s most balanced matchups quickly turned chaotic when Spurs manager Igor Tudor made a stunning early call.
He pulled his starting goalkeeper just minutes into the game after two costly errors—an abrupt move that rattled the English club and helped swing momentum firmly toward Atletico. Now Tottenhammust attempt a massive comeback while Atletico aim to close out the series and secure a place in the quarterfinals, making this decisive clash one fans won’t want to miss.
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If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
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Marc Pubill of Atletico de Madrid is challenged by Mathys Tel of Tottenham
Liverpool play against Galatasaray in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
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With their backs against the wall, Liverpool FC return home needing a response after dropping the first leg of the series. The English side will welcome Galatasaray to Anfield after the Turkish club secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory in Istanbul, a result that reflected the physical and tightly contested nature many expected from the matchup.
While Galatasaraycarries a narrow advantage into the return leg, the tie remains wide open, especially with Liverpool counting on the energy of their home crowd to spark a comeback and extend their run in the competition—making this decisive showdown one fans won’t want to miss.
More details on how to watch
Paramount+ is now offering a 7-day free trial promotion for new subscribers, giving fans the ability to watch a ton of soccer fans (and other content) for free.
After the 7-day trial, Paramount+ is just $7.99 per month.
Paramount+ features more than 2,000 live matches each year. In addition to Serie A, the extensive portfolio of soccer properties also includes EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League; NWSL; and much more.
Paramount+ includes exclusive original programs such as: Halo, Star Trek: Discovery, Frasier, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and Evil, as well as movies including Mean Girls, Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning and more. You can also stream CBSN (CBS News), CBS Sports HQ and ET Live, as well as — with the Premium Plan — your local CBS network.
Paramount+ is available on PC or Mac as well as Roku, iPhone and Android phones, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung smart TV, Vizio and XBOX One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Paramount+ soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
Here are the steps to sign up for your 7-day free trial to Paramount+:
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
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World Soccer Talk is the number one destination in the United States for soccer television and streaming information. We recommend that you bookmark our soccer games on TV today page as well as subscribing to our free daily email newsletter that includes TV schedules and the latest soccer news and opinion from around the world.
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Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool is challenged by Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray
While AC Milan remain as a solid team, shinning in the midfield and the defense, Christian Pulisic drop in form have left them without scoring prowess. In that sense, the Rossoneri supposedly include a €50 million Italian striker as a main target, but a huge issue blocks the deal.
After the drop in form of Christian Pulisic, AC Milan have been quite exposed in terms of goalscoring, struggling to close out wins. Neither Niclas Füllkrug nor Christopher Nkunku have managed to shine, forcing them to consider reinforcements for next season. While several names have emerged,the Rossoneri have reportedly decided to include a €50 million Italian striker among their priorities, but one issue is blocking his arrival.
According to Tuttosport, AC Milan sporting director Igli Tare has met with the agents of Mateo Retegui, an Al-Qadsiah player, in an attempt to move closer to an agreement for a summer transfer. Although he arrived in the Saudi Pro League for €68.25 million, they would be open to letting him leave for €45–50 million, a fee that would be well within the Rossoneri’s budget. However, a problem has emerged and could be blocking the move.
After arriving as a marquee signing at Al-Qadsiah, the Italian striker earns a salary of around €16 million per season, something quite difficult for Christian Pulisic’s side. Instead, the Rossoneri are reportedly willing to offer him €5 million per season and a contract running until 2031. For that reason, Retegui would have to significantly lower his demands, complicating his return to Serie A.
While Mateo Retegui currently plays in the Saudi Pro League, he has remained one of the most productive players, scoring 15 goals in 25 matches and ranking as the team’s second top scorer. In addition, he continues to be Italy’s starting striker, netting five goals in the UEFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Due to his scoring ability and versatility, the 26-year-old striker would be an ideal partner for Christian Pulisic in attack.
Mateo Retegui of Al Qadisah looks on during the Saudi Super Cup semi final.
Report: AC Milan also have another Italian striker in pole position
Despite the interest in Mateo Retegui, he would not be willing to force his exit from Al-Qadisiyah, as he feels quite comfortable, reports Tuttosport. For this reason, Massimiliano Allegri’s team could have a very difficult time securing his arrival. Given this, AC Milan keep another Italian striker on their list of priorities, reportedly looking for ways to reduce his cost for a summer transfer.
Moise Kean remains one of the Rossoneri’s priorities to strengthen the attack. However, they would have to pay his €62 million release clause to Fiorentina, which is high for the club’s intentions. According to Nicolò Schira in Tuttosport, the Rossoneri are looking to include a player in the negotiations to lower the Italian’s value. In addition, coach Massimiliano Allegri keeps him as the top priority, as he knows him very well from his time at Juventus.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan looks on during a Coppa Italia match.
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is beginning to shape careers and decisions long before a ball is kicked, and few players embody that tension more than Christian Pulisic.
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is beginning to shape careers and decisions long before a ball is kicked, and few players embody that tension more than Christian Pulisic. At a time when expectations are rising and form is fluctuating, the situation surrounding the American star has become one of the most intriguing contract stories in European soccer.
Pulisic’s campaign has been defined by contradiction. While he remains a central figure in Milan’s attacking structure, his recent performances in 2026 have dipped, with injuries, particularly chronic bursitis, playing a significant role in disrupting his rhythm.
Despite this, his overall contribution remains undeniable. In over 120 appearances for the club, Pulisic has produced more than 60 combined goals and assists, underlining his importance in the system. Within the club, he is still viewed as a cornerstone of the long-term project. Yet, as the season progresses into its decisive phase, both the player and the club have opted to delay critical decisions about his future.
The current status of negotiations reveals a delicate balance. The USMNT international is under contract until 2027, with the Rossoneri holding an option to extend it further, giving the club a strong negotiating position. At the same time, discussions over a long-term renewal, potentially until 2031, have been temporarily paused.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan looks on prior a Serie A match
This pause is not necessarily a sign of tension. Instead, it reflects a mutual understanding. The reasoning is clear: both sides want to avoid distractions during a crucial stretch of the campaign, keeping the focus entirely on on-field objectives.
The encouraging update revealed
Despite the temporary halt in negotiations, Milan is actively pushing to secure Pulisic’s long-term future as quickly as possible, Corriere della Serareports. Internally, there is a strong desire to tie him down to a new deal and make him one of the faces of the club for years to come.
This urgency stems from multiple factors. First, his consistent impact since arriving in Italy has restored his reputation as one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking players. Second, growing interest from abroad, particularly from the Premier League, has raised the stakes. Clubs are monitoring closely, with reports suggesting potential bids reaching significant figures.
The situation is further complicated by interest from former surroundings. The winger’s past at Chelsea still lingers, and there are indications that a return to England could appeal to him. Meanwhile, clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly keeping tabs on his availability, prepared to test Milan’s resolve with a major offer. This growing external interest adds pressure on the Serie A side to act decisively, ensuring it does not risk losing one of its most valuable assets.
Christian Pulisic of the USMNT
The World Cup factor
Hovering above everything is the looming World Cup on home soil. For the 27-year-old, the tournament represents a defining moment in his career. It is no surprise, then, that he has chosen to prioritize performance over paperwork.
“I think Pulisic will stay. There’s the big stage of the World Cup, which is probably influencing him a bit and will affect his summer. In my opinion, he’ll start again from Milan. And logically, the contract renewal talks will open after the World Cup rather than before”, said La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Luca Bianchin.
The World Cup play-off is just around the corner for Italy, and Gazzetta notes that the Azzurri must ‘beat fear’ after failing to qualify for the previous two editions.
Italy will be looking to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2014, meeting Northern Ireland in the play-off semifinal next week.
Italy ‘insecure and afraid’ ahead of World Cup play-off
The match will be played in Bergamo on March 26, and if the Azzurri progress to the final, they’ll face Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away.
“We are no longer a great side, but we are not mediocre either. We are insecure and afraid. Compared to previous collapses, the situation is very different,” wrote Gazzetta journalist Fabio Licari.
“Against Sweden in 2017, the head coach (Ventura) had effectively lost the dressing room. It was a modest Italy and an opponent, Sweden, that was awkward to say the least. We didn’t understand anything.
PALERMO, ITALY – MARCH 24: Alessandro Bastoni and Joao Pedro Galvao of Italy look dejected during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier knockout round play-off match between Italy and North Macedonia at Renzo Barbera Stadium in Palermo, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
“Five years later, against North Macedonia, it was the opposite. Overconfidence, already thinking about the final with Portugal before getting past the semi-final,” the journalist continued.
“It was a psychological mistake before a technical or tactical one: 32 shots, 32 touches inside the box, 16 corners; almost absurd statistics. That night taught us that the unbelievable can happen. Now we are certainly better equipped and less arrogant.
“We need to shake off the nihilism that paralyses us at the first sign of trouble, even against weaker opponents. Northern Ireland won in Luxembourg and lost 3-1 in Germany and 1-0 in Slovakia. It won’t be easy, but let’s be honest: we are stronger.
“In the possible final, we would face Bosnia or Wales. Dzeko’s side narrowly beat Cyprus, San Marino and Romania at home, and lost to Austria. In Cardiff, Kazakhstan, Leichtestein and North Macedonia have been beaten, but Belgium won there. Wales would be tougher because of their Premier League tempo and a fiery atmosphere, but they are not unbeatable.
“It almost sounds ironic, given our history. We are not favourites, but we can compete with Tonali, Donnarumma, Calafiori at a Premier League level, Kean, Retegui and Esposito in attack, and Dimarco as a top European wing-back. The others, however, have an advantage: nothing to lose.”
Gian Piero Gasperini insists that there is ‘no clear difference’ between the two sides as Roma prepare to host Bologna for the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening.
Gasperini previes Roma vs. Bologna second leg: ‘Attention is crucial’
The tie is level at the halfway stage after a 1-1 draw between the two sides at the Dall’Ara last Thursday. The winner of tomorrow’s decider will go on to face either Lille or Aston Villa in the quarter-finals.
Roma have been the stronger of the two sides over in Serie A this season, leading Bologna by nine points and two positions in the league table, but Vincenzo Italiano’s side boast the better form, with four wins from their last five league matches, while Roma have only won once in that period.
Concerningly for the Giallorossi, Manu Kone, who missed out on the first leg last week, is a doubt again ahead of the second leg.
“There’s a little risk and a bit of precaution, we’ll see. Kone’s doing a bit worse,” head coach Gasperini said during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
Gasperini went on to describe tomorrow’s match as: “A decisive game, different from the league. There’s no draw. There’s a possibility of going beyond the 90 minutes. These are different games that always fascinate me.”
Gasperini was also asked for his thoughts on Roma’s recent slump in Serie A results.
“Fans’ reactions must be accepted,” he said. “We have to work to our best, get results and bring happiness to the supporters. We have the complete commitment of the players and we are calm. What they’re doing is positive.
“We’ve also had some good games over these last 40 days. Of course, there have been games where we’ve gone under a little. We had some personnel difficulties, but these aren’t excuses. In Genoa and Como, there were also incidents that impacted the games.
“Now we’re not in our best moment, we’ve had to pay for injuries and various other situations, but we’ve never had the wrong attitude. We might have players who don’t play well at times, but there’s another game tomorrow and we want to do our best.”
Reverting his attention to the task at hand in the Europa League, Gasperini said: “These are games where incidents can be even more decisive.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“This is the second leg, so attention is crucial. It’s like a final, a one-off match. We have to be solid and connected. I think these are two teams that can bring a bit of pride to our (Italian) football in this situation.”
On the role that the Stadio Olimpico crowd will have to play tomorrow night, Gasperini said: “It’s always been red hot. There might be something even more tomorrow given the importance of the game.”
And on Stephan El Shaarawy, he added: “He was out for 40 days. He’s had a couple of weeks of recovery, he played on Sunday. We won’t be able to count on Venturino tomorrow either. We make choices based on who’s available. Stephan could be a crucial player.”
Lastly, Gasperini was asked what he makes of the opinions from the Bologna camp that Roma remain the favourites heading into Thursday’s second leg.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, embraces Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“The ambition is the same for everyone,” he insisted. “Bologna are behind in the league but are recovering now. They were in the Champions League last year. There’s no clear difference between the two teams. We understand the importance of the game.”
Newcastle and Aston Villa have reportedly made Marcus Thuram aware of their interest ahead of a potential summer move, with the Inter striker said to favour a switch to the Premier League over the Saudi Pro League.
Premier League sides Newcastle and Aston Villa have already made initial approaches in their pursuit of Inter star Thuram, according to FcInternews.
Aston Villa and Newcastle interested in Thuram
Thuram is in his third season at the Stadio Meazza, and multiple sources in Italy have claimed that both the Nerazzurri and the French forward will likely seek a fresh start in the summer.
There have been reports of interest from Saudi Pro League clubs, but according to FCInternews, Thuram would prefer a move to the English Premier League.
Thuram has scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 35 games across all competitions this season, and his contract includes an €85m release clause. The 28-year-old, however, has only scored once in his last nine Serie A appearances.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Thuram is said to be fully focused on the final part of the season with Inter, after which he’ll decide on his future with the club.
Thuram’s contract at the Stadio Meazza runs out in June 2028.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale Milano warms up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Roma wing-back Wesley Franca insists that the incident that led to his sending off during Saturday’s Serie A defeat against Como ‘wasn’t a foul’, and says that the Giallorossi need ‘100% concentration’ if they are to overcome Bologna in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Wesley reacts to Como red and previews Bologna second leg
The Brazilian wideman joined head coach Gian Piero Gasperini for Wednesday’s pre-match press conference ahead of the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 tie between Roma and Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night. The tie is currently level after a 1-1 draw at the Dall’Ara last week.
For Wesley, this was also an opportunity to review his most recent Serie A match. Roma were beaten 2-1 away against Como in a massive game in the race for the Champions League positions, and the Brazilian was controversially sent off just over an hour in with the scores still level at 1-1.
Wesley was sent off for a second bookable offence, but he insists that there was no foul in his clash with Como’s Assane Diao.
Like the incident that led to Pierre Kalulu’s wrongful sending off in the Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter in February, the incident could not be referred to VAR for review as it was a second yellow card offence and not a straight red. For the same reason, neither Kalulu nor Wesley’s suspensions were overturned either.
“It wasn’t a foul. I was aware I was on a booking and didn’t want a red,” Wesley protested (via TMW).
“I was on his side, leaning on him because he was falling on top of me. I was convinced afterwards that I hadn’t committed a foul, but for others, I did. It was a decisive incident which changed the game.”
Moving on from the Como incident, Wesley went on to explain why he has been able to hit the ground running so comfortably in Italy after joining Roma from Flamengo over the summer.
“Italian football is different to Brazilian football, but with a lot of concentration, it’s difficult for others to get past me, just as it’s easier for me to dribble against them,” he explained.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 01: Wesley of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“The coach asks me to attack, to not make mistakes and to make the right decisions. I’m improving and playing helps that.”
And looking ahead to Thursday’s clash against Bologna, he added: “For me, it’s a dream to play in Europe. We care a lot. Careers are built in these tournaments, it requires 100% concentration. We have to be ready tomorrow.”
And on his individual battle with Federico Bernardeschi during the first leg, Wesley said: “He’s very strong with some great characteristics. The duel was great. We’ve played against a lot of strong players, but he’s very good.”
Manchester United are reportedly one of the main clubs in the mix for the potential transfer of Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown this summer.
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And they’ve been given a boost as it seems Eintracht need to sell players due to financial issues, with Brown available for an asking price of around €60m, according to Sport Bild, as cited and translated by Sport Witness.
Man Utd could be joined by Real Madrid and Barcelona in the race for the Germany international’s signature, however, while he’s also been linked with other Premier League clubs in the past.
Should Manchester United sign Nathaniel Brown for €60m?
It’s never easy to know whether or not a transfer will work out, but Brown is clearly highly regarded and arguably not too expensive for an in-form player of his age group.
United also look in need of a new left-back as an upgrade on the ageing and injury-prone Luke Shaw, and with Patrick Dorgu recently playing in a more attacking role.
We have therefore given the potential Brown to MUFC deal a Transfer Fit rating of 19/25, which makes him a strong fit…
Man United could be favourites for Nathaniel Brown
While it’s early days yet, there could be a variety of good reasons to think United would be the favourites to sign Brown.
The 22-year-old would surely see a move to Old Trafford as one that ticks a lot of boxes, especially if they end up qualifying for the Champions League, which now looks likely.
It’s also easier to see a pathway to becoming a starter at United than at Liverpool or Arsenal, who have a number of other left-backs.
Meanwhile, Real and Barca may also be interested, but Premier League clubs have often been able to out-spend major European clubs in recent times, so that could see Brown choose United for higher wages, while United might also find it easier to meet Frankfurt’s demands for the player.
While Lionel Messi’s departure emerged as a negative asset in his re-election, Joan Laporta revealed key details about the Argentine's comeback. Far from confronting the legend, he has planned strategies to welcome him back to Spotify Camp Nou Stadium.
Throughout the Barcelona‘s presidential election process, Joan Laporta faced constant attacks from candidates such as Xavier Vilajoana, Marc Ciria, and Victor Font regarding the handling of Lionel Messi’s departure. Despite this, the fans once again re-elected him to lead the sporting project. Following this, the elected president decided to reveal key details about Messi’s possible return to the Blaugranas, making it clear that there is a plan in place for it.
During the campaign process, Font accused Laporta of being responsible for Lionel Messi’s departure. He even urged the Argentine to speak out and reveal everything: “I hope he (Messi) tells the truth so that the socis don’t go to the polls misled by Laporta and blinded by the smoke screen of hope generated by Hansi Flick and the young players,” he said, as per ESPN. Despite this, the legend did not comment on the matter, and Joan already has a plan for his return.
“Leo will be linked to Barcelona in whatever way he wants to be… He deserves a tribute (match) and also a statue. That would be hugely significant. Only Ladislao Kubala and Johan Cruyff have statues at the stadium…The doors at Barça are always open to him, whenever he wishes, so that he can continue to strengthen and bring greatness to this institution,” Joan Laporta said, via TV3.
While Laporta has admitted that his relationship with Messi is quite strained, he does not seek to create a direct conflict with him. Instead, the president is aiming for the Argentine to reconnect with the team, as he has not set foot in the stadium in front of cameras since August 8, 2021, when he held his farewell press conference. He not only wants a tribute to be made, but also envisions Messi taking an active role within the club.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami and FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta.
Messi eyes Barca return, but Laporta re-election may block it
After his departure in August 2021, Lionel Messihas only returned to the Spotify Camp Nou stadium once, in November 2025. Far from being a large-scale event, the Argentine did so at night, without the presence of the board of directors or club members. While he appears to be upset with Joan Laporta over his handling of his departure, he has expressed his deep desire to return to the stadium and to Barcelona.
“I imagined myself, as I said, playing my entire career in Europe, at Barcelona, and then, yes, coming here like I did (Inter Miami)… I really want to go back there; we miss Barcelona a lot—my kids constantly, and my wife—we always talk about things from Barcelona, the idea of living there again. We have our house, everything, so that’s what we want. I’m really eager to return to the stadium once it’s finished,” Lionel Messi said, via Diario Sport.
With construction on the Spotify Camp Nou Stadium set to be completed in 2027, Messi could make his return to the venue under Laporta’s leadership. However, the president does not have the best relationship with the Argentine, as reports suggest the legend felt betrayed when he left. If they fail to resolve their differences, Joan’s presence could keep Lionel away until 2031—a scenario the board of directors seeks to avoid, opening the door for him.
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona looks on during the La Liga Santander match.
Barcelona receive Newcastle in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
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The Round of 16 battle now shifts to Spain, where Barcelona will attempt to capitalize on home advantage and secure a place in the quarterfinals, but Newcastle United arrive confident they can deliver a stunning upset and complete a historic qualification.
The first leg turned out to be far more competitive than expected, as Barcelona—despite entering as clear favorites—struggled away from home and required a late equalizer to escape with a draw after nearly suffering defeat, leaving everything to be decided in this decisive second meeting that fans won’t want to miss.
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Roma supporters were in attendance for Watford’s 3-1 victory over Wrexham in the EFL Championship to watch Edoardo Bove score his first goal since suffering a cardiac arrest on Wednesday night: ‘Even if you leave Rome, you won’t be alone’.
Bove back amongst the goals for the first time since 2024: ‘It wasn’t like that in my dreams!’
Bove is back to doing what he loves best after netting in the 94th minute to seal a 3-1 victory for his new club, Watford, over Championship promotion hopefuls Wrexham on Tuesday evening.
This was Bove’s first competitive goal since October 2024, when he scored in a thumping 5-1 victory for Fiorentina against his boyhood club, Roma.
Fiorentina’s midfielder Edoardo Bove celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match ACF Fiorentina vs AS Roma at Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy, 27 October 2024. EPA-EFE/CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI
Not long after that, Bove collapsed on the pitch early on in a Serie A match between Fiorentina and Inter, and it was later confirmed that he had suffered a cardiac arrest. Bove later had an internal defibrillator device fitted, which prevents him from playing professionally in Italy, but does not prohibit him from playing in the UK.
This was a situation similar to the one that involved Christian Eriksen, who joined Brentford and later Manchester United after leaving Inter shortly after suffering a cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark at EURO 2020.
Despite spending over a year out of action, assessing his next steps after learning that a return to action in Serie A would not be possible, Bove joined Championship side Watford as a free agent in January.
He has since gone on to make six substitute appearances for the Hornets, and on Wednesday night, grabbed his first goal in England during a 3-1 victory over Wrexham at Vicarage Road.
“I had a lot of time to think about my first goal when I was coming back. To be honest, it wasn’t like this, as it was an easy one! In my dreams it was in the top corner,” Bove joked after full-time.
“But the celebration was unbelievable. I went directly to the fans and I’m so happy for the team who have supported me, and all the staff, physios and doctors who have been watching my situation carefully and trying to do their best to get me on the pitch.
“I’m so happy this happened today and I’m looking forward to what’s next.
To make the occasion extra special for Bove, he was being cheered on by a large section of UK-based Roma supporters, who held up Giallorossi scarfs and a banner that read: ‘Even if you leave Rome, you won’t be alone’.
Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma reveals why he pulled his arm back before Federico Valverde’s first goal during last week’s Champions League match against Real Madrid: ‘The first thing I thought was to do as little damage as possible.’
Donnarumma’s Manchester City have been eliminated from the Champions League Round of 16 by Real Madrid, suffering a 5-1 aggregate defeat.
Donnarumma’s post-match interview after Man City 1-2 Real Madrid
The Premier League giants lost both ties against the Merengues, first 3-0 in Madrid and then 2-1 in Manchester.
Federico Valverde scored a hat-trick at the Bernabeu last week, with his first goal coming after a dribble past Donnarumma. The goalkeeper rushed off his line but didn’t touch the ball at the edge of the box, likely wary of handling the ball outside the area.
During a post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia on Tuesday, ex-Milan and England coach Capello asked Donnarumma about his decision to move that way.
MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 11: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City celebrates after saving a penalty by Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid (not pictured) during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 11, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
“The first goal you conceded in Madrid. Why didn’t you stretch out your hand? Did you think that you were outside the box?” Capello asked.
“It was so fast that the first thing I thought was to do as little damage as possible and get out of my way as much as I could,” Donnarumma replied.
MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 11: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid is fouled by Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City which leads to a penalty to Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 11, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
“My goal was to move out of the way and not harm the team. Even watching the replay, I saw that the ball was close to my hand, but at normal speed, everything is much harder. I watched the replay and indeed it passed very close to my hand.”
During the same interview, Donnarumma said Manchester City won’t change their style of play after their Champions League exit and looked forward to “crucial games” with the Premier League giants and the Italy national team.
Former Fiorentina and Salernitana star Franck Ribery has explained why Atalanta found it quite so difficult to play against his beloved Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie last week, and says that he ‘hopes’ to coach in Italy himself one day.
Ribery reflects on Atalanta vs. Bayern first leg
Atalanta were demolished 6-1 in their own back yard by Bayern Munich in last Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 first leg. The two teams will meet again at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Wednesday evening, but with such a big deficit in the scoreline, this feels like more of a formality than anything for La Dea.
Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ribery explained why Atalanta found it quite so difficult against Bayern last week.
“Bayern are not just strong, but they’re also doing really well at the moment. For me, they’re the favourites to win the Champions League,” said Ribery.
“They win because they have a great culture. There’s a lot of professionalism and at the same time, it feels like a family. I’m happy to be considered a legend to their supporters. We made history with everything we won. We did it together.”
MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 28: Franck Ribery poses for a picture with the Bundesliga trophy and the DFB cup during an event at FCB Erlebniswelt on May 28, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Despite being a team that tends to dominate possession, Ribery believes that the work Bayern did off the ball is what made life so difficult for Atalanta last week.
“I watched the first leg carefully. Atalanta found a lot of difficulties, Bayern also had a lot of experience on their side. They’re a team that’s used to controlling possession and even out of possession, they press very high and never leave their opponents any time or space to play out. That’s how it was in Bergamo too. Atalanta didn’t have the time or space to play.
“I have one thing to say about them, though. Well done to the Atalanta fans for supporting their team in a beautiful, sporting way. That gives an important image for all of Italian football.”
After calling it a day on his playing career in 2022, Ribery returned to Italy to do his UEFA A coaching license at Italy’s Coverciano.
“My goal is to become a coach, and in the meantime, study,” said Ribery. “Coverciano is the ideal place. I’m happy to be there, I feel at ease. I’ve met a lot of good people to share my journey with.”
EMPOLI, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Frank Ribery of US Salernitana looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Empoli FC and US Salernitana at Stadio Carlo Castellani on September 27, 2023 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Ribery hasn’t yet decided where exactly he wants to begin his coaching career, but he says that he would always be open to opportunities in Italy.
“I don’t know where yet, let’s hope for Italy, a country that I love,” he said. “But, I would also accept the opportunity to get involved in other countries.”
According to Tuttosport, Milan director Igli Tare has met with one of Mateo Retegui’s agents as the Rossoneri aim to sign a new centre-forward, but the Italy star would need to lower his salary for a summer transfer.
Milan sporting director Tare has reportedly met a member of Retegui’s entourage, Alessandro Moggi.
Milan: Tare meets Retegui’s agent
According to Tuttosport, Retegui is once again on the Rossoneri’s radar as the Serie A giants look for a new centre-forward for 2026-27.
Milan are unlikely to make Niclas Fullkrug’s move permanent at the end of the season and Retegui was already on their agenda in the past, including last summer, when the Italy international joined Al-Qadisiya from Atalanta for nearly €70m.
HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 20: Mateo Retegui of Al Qadisah looks on during the Saudi Super Cup semi final between Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah at Hong Kong Stadium on August 20, 2025 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Retegui is aware that he’d need to lower his €16m-per-season salary if he were to join Milan in the summer.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Sander Berge of Norway battles for possession with Mateo Retegui of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
According to the report, the Rossoneri could offer €5m per year until 2031, while Al-Qadisiya’s asking price is around €45m- € 50m.
Tuttosport confirms that Retegui is not Milan’s only target in attack for next season, as Fiorentina star Moise Kean is also on the Rossoneri’s shopping list.
The latest FIFA World rankings have been released and are now being updated in real time so you can keep track of the world’s best national teams ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
There are some interesting recent moves in FIFA’s ranking via their official website, with Morocco all the way up three places to 8th in the world.
Meanwhile, Belgium and Germany are down one place, but there’s no change nearer the top as the usual suspects are positioning themselves as favourites.
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Read on for the current top ten national teams in the world as we gain an insight into the favourites for this summer’s World Cup…
FIFA World Rankings
1) Spain – 1877.18 points
Having won Euro 2024, it’s no surprise to see Spain top of this list, with world class talents like Lamine Yamal and Pedri sure to make them a force to be reckoned with at the 2026 World Cup. Last time they won this trophy, they also went into the tournament on the back of success at the Euros two years before, so that’s a good omen for them as they look to lift this title for the second time.
2) Argentina – 1873.33 points
The reigning World Champions, Argentina will be looking to retain their crown this summer, and are only really behind Spain as the favourites. Lionel Messi is four years older now, though, and arguably a long way past his prime, so how crucial will that be for the South American giants?
3) France – 1870.00 points
On paper, possibly the best squad at the tournament. France’s team is absolutely packed with superstars, with Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, and William Saliba arguably the best players in the world in their respective positions right now, while even the reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele won’t be guaranteed a starting spot. Les Bleus last won this trophy in 2018 and will now be eager to make up for defeat in the final of 2022.
4) England – 1834.12 points
Could this finally be England’s year? They’re certainly looking as strong as ever as they sit fourth in the world rankings, and they’ll hope that new manager Thomas Tuchel can be key in helping them go one step further than Gareth Southgate was able to take them.
5) Brazil – 1760.46 points
The team with the most World Cups, but no win since all the way back in 2002, can Brazil finally re-establish themselves as the big force of world football? There’s plenty of talent in this side, even if it’s not the Brazil of old, and manager Carlo Ancelotti has been a trophy-winning machine at club level, so could be the key to bringing a sixth World Cup to Brazil.
Most World Cup wins by country
Number of titles
Brazil
5 – 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
Germany
4 – 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014
Italy
4 – 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
Argentina
3 – 1978, 1986, 2022
France
2 – 1998, 2018
Uruguay
2 – 1930, 1950
England
1 – 1966
Spain
1 – 2010
6) Portugal – 1760.38 points
Messi finally lifted the World Cup in 2022, so can Cristiano Ronaldo do it with Portugal in 2026? His country are clearly not the favourites, but sitting in 6th in the world rankings shows that they’re up there with the best on their day. With a bit of luck, Ronaldo could finally get that one elusive trophy to end his career on the ultimate high.
7) Netherlands – 1756.27 points
Remarkably, the Netherlands have still never won the World Cup, but they sit 7th in the current world rankings as they continue to be up there with the finest teams in world football. This is not really as great a side as some of their previous ones, but you can never rule them out.
8) Morocco – 1736.57 points
Controversially named AFCON winners after January’s final defeat to Senegal was overturned, Morocco are progressing a lot and will be looking to build on their run to the semi-finals in the last World Cup.
Their golden era of having the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne at their peak has now passed, but 9th is a decent score here for Belgium, who still have a lot of talent in their squad that could take them on a decent run in the World Cup.
10) Germany – 1724.15 points
Germany haven’t been at their best for some time, despite a great history in World Cups, of which they’ve won four. It’s been tough replacing recent legendary figures like Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, and Mesut Ozil, but they often seem to find a way to go far in major tournaments, so could do so again even if it’s not a vintage side.
Pep Guardiola has claimed Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been the toughest rivals of his managerial career. Guardiola’s Manchester City side fell to a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16. Madrid have now eliminated Man City in five knockout ties in the Champions League, including in four of the last […]
Al-Nassr’s campaign in the Saudi Pro League has been dealt a fresh setback, with news emerging that Inigo Martinez has suffered an injury just as the club continues to manage the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al-Nassr’s campaign in the Saudi Pro League has been dealt a fresh setback, with news emerging that Inigo Martinez has suffered an injury just as the club continues to manage the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Spanish defender, who joined the Riyadh-based club from Barcelona last summer, has been confirmed out of action, and the timeline for his return has been revealed, adding a new layer of concern for manager Jorge Jesus.
The timing of Martinez’s setback is particularly sensitive for Al-Nassr, who are leading the league with 67 points, just three ahead of title rivals Al-Hilal. The club has been navigating injuries to key players, including Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, both of whom are recovering from minor fitness concerns. Despite these challenges, Al-Nassr maintained its dominant form with a resounding 5-0 victory over Al-Khaleej, showcasing depth and resilience across the squad.
In the aftermath of the game, medical examinations confirmed that Martinez suffered a hamstring tear, a development that sidelined the former Spanish international. “Medical tests undergone by Inigo Martinez revealed that he has suffered a hamstring tear. Martinez began a treatment and rehabilitation program in Madrid today,” reported Arriyadiyah.
This injury represents a significant short-term setback for Al-Nassr’s defense, which has relied heavily on the Spaniard’s experience alongside stars like Ronaldo. While the club will manage in the short term, concerns linger due to the defender’s history of muscle issues. The experienced centre-back has previously dealt with muscle-related issues, including a notable hamstring absence during the 2023-24 season. While not alarming on its own, it introduces a level of caution around his recovery and long-term fitness.
Inigo Martinez of Al Nassr celebrates after scoring
The injury comes at a delicate moment, with the Knight of Najd’s title ambitions in sharp focus. The squad has had to cope with recent absences of Ronaldo and Mane, both pivotal to the club’s attacking output, making Martinez’s defensive presence even more vital.
The recovery timeline revealed
Arriyadiyah’s report suggests that Martinez is projected to be sidelined for approximately 10-14 days, a relatively short spell in isolation but one that initially raised fears of missed fixtures during a critical phase of the season. However, context is everything.
The timing of the injury coincides with a two-week international break, significantly easing the pressure on both player and club. As a result, the recovery period is expected to overlap almost entirely with the pause in domestic competition, minimizing its direct impact on match availability. Crucially, he is likely to return in time for the league clash against Al-Najma on April 3, provided there are no setbacks in his rehabilitation.
Inigo Martinez and Cristiano Ronaldo in training
From a purely sporting perspective, the situation could have been far worse. Jorge Jesus’ side does not have an immediate fixture during the 34-year-old’s recovery window, meaning the defender is unlikely to miss competitive matches if his rehabilitation progresses as planned. This transforms what could have been a damaging blow into a manageable setback.
The return of Ronaldo, Mane, and now Martinez will be crucial as Al-Nassr approaches the final eight matches of the Saudi Pro League season. Ronaldo’s leadership and Mane’s attacking dynamism, combined with Martinez’s defensive experience, will be key components as the Riyadh-based side aims to secure a historic double crown.
Inigo Martinez (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (right)
As Lamine Yamal continues to emerge as one of soccer’s brightest young stars, his presence looms large over a finely poised clash between Barcelona and Newcastle.
As Lamine Yamal continues to emerge as one of soccer’s brightest young stars, his presence looms large over a finely poised clash between Barcelona and Newcastle. With the tie delicately balanced and tensions rising, the spotlight naturally falls on the teenager whose last contribution in this competition changed everything.
The first encounter at St. James’ Park delivered intensity, chaos, and late drama in equal measure. Newcastle appeared set for victory after a late goal from Harvey Barnes, only for Barcelona to snatch a lifeline in the dying seconds. Yamal converted a stoppage-time penalty to secure a 1-1 draw, ensuring the tie would return to Spain on level terms.
The result, however, only told part of the story. The Magpies’ high-energy approach unsettled Barca throughout, exposing weaknesses and forcing errors. “We didn’t make a good game… we lost too many balls, easy mistakes.” Those words from the Blaugrana manager Hansi Flick reflected a performance that fell short of expectations, yet still ended with a crucial away result.
As kickoff approaches, the narrative becomes clear. This is a tie that could be decided by one moment, one mistake, or one player. For Barcelona, that player may well be Yamal, whose ability to deliver under pressure has already altered the course of this matchup once. For Newcastle, it is about resilience, execution, and seizing the chances that eluded them in the first leg. In a contest where margins are razor-thin, the stage is perfectly set.
Will Yamal play?
As speculation intensified in the build-up, the answer to the central question gradually became clear. Lamine Yamal will start for Barcelona in the second leg. After dealing with illness in recent days, the teenager returned to action as a substitute in the previous match and is now poised to feature from the beginning.
This is no ordinary inclusion. At just 18, the Spaniard is on the verge of equaling records set by Kylian Mbappe for Champions League goals before turning 19, underlining his extraordinary rise. More importantly, his influence extends beyond statistics. He has already delivered 20 goals and 14 assists across competitions this season, and his ability to produce decisive moments makes him central to Barcelona’s ambitions.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick speaking to Lamine Yamal.
Barcelona vs. Newcastle: Confirmed lineups
Barcelona confirmed XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Cancelo, Marc Bernal, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha, Lewandowski.
Serie A strugglers Cremonese have officially sacked their head coach Nicola.
Cremonese sack Nicola: official statement
“Cremonese announce that Mr. Davide Nicola has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the first team,” the club said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The club wishes to thank the coach and his staff for the professionalism, commitment and dedication they have shown in their daily work since they arrived in Cremona.”
Cremonese had had a fantastic start to the season, even winning on their 2025-26 Serie A debut away at Milan.
However, they now find themselves in the relegation zone, three points below safety.
On Monday, they suffered a heavy 4-1 home loss to Fiorentina, which eventually led to Nicola’s sacking.
The Grigiorossi have not won any of their last 15 Serie A matches, losing seven of their last eight league meetings.
CREMONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Coach Davide Nicola of US Cremonese reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Genoa CFC at Stadio Giovanni Zini on February 15, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
Their most recent win dates back to December 7, 2025.
According to several reports, including Corriere della Sera, Cremonese will appoint ex-Milan coach Giampaolo, who will sign an 18-month contract.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 12: US Cremonese head coach Davide Nicola looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Cremonese at Allianz Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
According to Tuttosport, Joshua Zirkzee’s agent has informed Juventus that his client is available for a summer transfer, while Gazzetta reports that the Bianconeri are still keen on Randal Kolo Muani, especially with PSG interested in Jonathan David.
Latest Juventus transfer news on Zirkzee and Kolo Muani
Jonathan David and Lois Openda have failed to impress in their first season at the Allianz Stadium, so the Serie A giants will listen to offers for the pair this summer.
According to Gazzetta, PSG director Luis Campos, who had brought David to Lille, is considering a reunion with the Canadian star in Paris.
David scored 87 goals in 178 Ligue 1 matches before joining Juventus as a free agent last summer, and the Bianconeri would consider a swap deal involving the Canadian forward and Kolo Muani, who won’t remain at Tottenham beyond the summer.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Randal Kolo Muani of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal CF at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Juventus already tried to re-sign Kolo Muani in the January window, but Tottenham refused to part ways with the French striker, who is still destined to return to Paris at the end of his loan spell in June.
Both Kolo Muani and David earn circa €6m/7m per season, so a potential swap deal would suit Juventus financially, also because PSG value Kolo Muani at €40m.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on December 04, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
According to Tuttosport, on the other hand, a possible Bianconeri target for the summer is ex-Bologna star Zirkzee.
The Dutch forward has reportedly decided to leave Manchester United at the end of the season, and his agent, Kia Joorabchian, has informed the Bianconeri directors that his client is available for a summer transfer.
Reports in Italy claim that any tensions between Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic following Milan’s 1-0 loss against Lazio over the weekend have been put to bed after a handshake and in-depth video analysis session in training on Wednesday.
Milan put Leao and Pulisic issue to bed
Leao cut a frustrated figure after being taken off during the second half of Milan’s 1-0 loss against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday with 25 minutes of regular time left to play and with his side 1-0 down at the time, in need of a goal.
The Portugal international rejected a hug on the touchline from head coach Massimiliano Allegri after being hauled off, but many have suggested that Leao was also annoyed with teammate Pulisic, who had failed to slip him in on goal just a moment before the substitution was called.
Despite being Milan’s two leading goalscorers this season, Leao with nine Serie A goals from 22 appearances and Pulisic with eight from the same number of outings, they have only managed to score a combined two goals from 595 minutes while playing alongside each other.
Leao is currently on his longest goalscoring drought since joining Milan in 2023, still without a goal in 2026, and Leao has only recorded two from his last 10 outings.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan shoots whilst under pressure from Patric and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru of Lazio during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Milan squad had an in-depth video analysis session when they returned to training on Tuesday, which is normal procedure after a win, loss or draw, but there was a particular focus on the attacks involving the two star forwards.
As per La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Milan players reflected upon the Lazio match with a sense of calm, Leao is said to have apologised to his teammates for his behaviour on the sidelines and he and Pulisic are reported to have symbolically shook hands on the pitch.
Posting on X today, the reporter stated that this deal was nearly done due to smooth negotiations between the two clubs, who obviously have a good relationship due to both being part of the BlueCo group led by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali…
? #ChelseaFC ?? Chelsea are closing in on Valentin Barco, who has shone at Strasbourg.
It seems Chelsea fans can start to get excited about this one as a deal could be done quickly, and this story comes just a few days after Fichajes also linked the 21-year-old with the west London giants.
Valentin Barco to Chelsea to replace Enzo Fernandez?
A lot could change between now and the summer, but perhaps Barco is being targeted to replace Enzo Fernandez amid question-marks over his future at Stamford Bridge.
According to Simon Phillips, five clubs are eyeing up Fernandez and one source even suggests there’s a 99% chance that the Argentina international will leave CFC this summer.
When analysing the Barco to Chelsea transfer recently, we scored it as just 13/25 with our Transfer Fit rating system, but we can now bump that score up a bit…
Valentin Barco
TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee
***
Performance
****
Achievements
**
Career phase
****
Squad need
****
We would now rate this at 17/25, adding points because Fernandez’s departure would increase Chelsea’s ‘squad need’ for the player, while smooth negotiations also suggest they’ll be getting this promising young talent for a favourable price.
Chelsea have previously used their relationship with Strasbourg to hire Liam Rosenior as manager, while Emanuel Emegha will join the Blues from the Ligue 1 club next season.
Newcastle drew 1-1 with Barcelona in their first leg tie at St James’ Park, and will tonight look to cause an upset at the Nou Camp.
It won’t be easy for Eddie Howe’s side, but they can perhaps take some confidence from that first leg, even if it wasn’t the result they wanted as Lamine Yamal snatched a 1-1 draw with a stoppage time penalty.
Newcastle United looking to reach Champions League quarter-finals
It remains to be seen if Newcastle can make that step up and get a big result tonight, but even if they do, they’ll have to hope the likes of Tonali, Willock, Joelinton and Burn are careful.
It would be a huge blow for the Magpies to get through to the quarter-finals but then find themselves without these key players.
Tonali has been in superb form this season and would surely be the biggest loss for the club if they were to go through tonight.
For now, though, his focus will surely just be on trying to help Newcastle achieve something special in this competition.
It’s not gone great for Premier League clubs so far, however, with Manchester City and Chelsea already both out, while Liverpool and Tottenham trail going into their second leg ties tonight.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has backed goalkeeper David Raya to win Player of the season award after his impressive performances.
When an iconic, record-breaking striker starts campaigning for a goalkeeper to win top individual honors, you know he has been special.
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Following Arsenal’s comfortable 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, which safely booked their ticket to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-1 aggregate win, Henry used his punditry platform on CBS Sports to give the Gunners’ number one his absolute flowers.
While the usual suspects like Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes are constantly dominating the Premier League Player of the Season debates, Henry firmly believes the man between the sticks is the unsung hero keeping Arsenal’s historic season rolling.
“This guy should be in contention to be player of the season because of what he does for Arsenal every single time,” Henry stated on the broadcast, as reported by Metro.
Raya is a £27 Million masterstroke by Arsenal
Remember when Mikel Arteta’s decision to replace Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya sparked endless, heated debates across the Arsenal fanbase and media? Well, nobody is arguing anymore.
Securing the Spanish international permanently from Brentford for a reported £27 million is looking like a bargain now.
He has been consistent for the Gunners and some of the saves he has made this season have been absolutely world class.
Raya has been an absolute brick wall for Arteta’s side during this 2025/26 campaign.
With Arsenal currently sitting at the top of the Premier League, preparing for a Carabao Cup final, and pushing deep into both the FA Cup and Europe, Raya’s elite distribution and sweeping abilities have been the ultimate safety net.
Henry continued:
“It’s very difficult sometimes to see what a goalkeeper does but he cannot make you win the game. He can make you hope that you’re not losing it by making saves but he does that two to three times every single game. It’s just outstanding.”
Newcastle United are one of the clubs reported to have set their sights on FC Porto’s rising star Rodrigo Mora ahead of this summer.
The 18-year-old Portuguese playmaker is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about talents in Europe, and it’s no surprise that the heavyweights are starting to circle. Alongside Newcastle United, both Manchester City and Arsenal are reportedly keeping a very close watch on his development.
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Reports from Sports Boom suggest that our scouting department hasn’t just been keeping a casual eye on him—we’ve had scouts closely watching many of his games this season! The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with detailed reports already prepared for the recruitment team.
The belief is that official contact with FC Porto could be on the horizon very soon as we look to steal a march on our rivals in the race for Mora’s signature.
Rodrigo Mora transfer won’t come cheap for Newcastle United
Securing a talent like Mora won’t come cheap. It’s understood that his current release clause sits around the £60-70m mark. For a player who has already broken records as Porto’s youngest-ever professional and is making waves in the Europa League, that figure is increasingly being seen as fair value in today’s market.
While Mora is clearly settled at Porto for now, the lure of the Premier League is massive. He hasn’t made a definitive decision on the “right timing” for a move just yet, but if Newcastle come knocking with a clear project and a starting spot in the creative hub of our midfield, he might find it very difficult to say no!
The midfield overhaul at Old Trafford could be kicking off with a massive Premier League raid, and Newcastle fans won’t be happy.
Manchester United are ready to make a move for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali and the Italian is ready to make the move, according to journalist Christopher Michel.
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The demand of a new midfielder at United has increased and after tracking several midfielders, Man United are determined to step up interest in Tonali.
Midfield shake-up at Man United
It’s no secret that United’s engine room needs some serious attention heading into the transfer window.
With Casemiro leaving in the summer and general inconsistencies plaguing the middle of the park, bringing in a dynamic, elite-level operator is clearly a top priority for INEOS and the United hierarchy.
United haven’t just suddenly stumbled upon Tonali; they’ve been keeping tabs on the midfielder for a very long time.
I’ve heard that #MUFC are seriously working on a move for Sandro Tonali. And the Italian midfielder is apparently quite open to a move to Manchester. The club have been keeping tabs on him for a long time. Would he be a good signing?
Sandro Tonali waves to the Newcastle fans (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
This is where things are going to get incredibly complicated. Newcastle United didn’t just casually sign Tonali back in the summer of 2023, they made him their marquee addition from AC Milan in a blockbuster deal.
They are not interested in selling the Italian international midfielder, despite interest from several top clubs.
Even Arsenal are thought to be in the race to sign the midfield star but their interest is not as serious as United at this stage.
Furthermore, Newcastle are notoriously tough negotiators, and they are under no immediate pressure to sell their top assets on the cheap.
If Tonali really is open to the move, as the report suggests, United will still need to cough up a massive fee to even get the Magpies’ front office to pick up the phone.
Simply looking to officially punch their Champions League quarter-final ticket with another statement of intent, Bayern Munich will welcome Atalanta to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night. Putting in what was a dominant performance in Bergamo last week as they stormed their way to a thumping 6-1 romp on foreign soil, Vincent Kompany’s side are […]
Enzo Fernandez is uncertain if he will be staying at Chelsea beyond this season. Chelsea were beaten 3-0 by Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, sealing an 8-2 aggregate defeat. Fernandez played 60 minutes before he was replaced by Romeo Lavia. After the match, the Argentine, who joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023, cast […]
Kasper Hjulmand says Bayer Leverkusen can be proud of their efforts in the Champions League. Leverkusen lost 2-0 to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, as the Premier League leaders booked their place in the last eight with a 3-1 aggregate win. Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice scored the goals for the Gunners. Leverkusen have […]
Inter are the runaway Serie A leaders, have the best attack in the league and have been involved in some of the most spectacular games of the season, but they are not the only ones.
Despite a 1-1 home draw against Atalanta in Serie A Week 29, Inter still managed to extend their lead over second-placed Milan as the Rossoneri fell to a 1-0 away loss at Lazio.
The Nerazzurri have an eight-point lead over their city rivals and it comes as no surprise that, according to analysis from BettingTips4You, Cristian Chivu’s team are favourites to win the Scudetto this term.
Inter have been, by far, the most consistent team in Italy’s top flight this term, with 22 wins from 29. Their stalemate against Atalanta was only their second of the season, and the Nerazzurri have lost only five league games so far.
Como and Milan have conceded fewer goals than the Nerazzurri, but Inter have the best attack in Italy with 65 goals in 29 matches, an average of 2.24 per game.
Statistics highlight that the Nerazzurri have been involved in some of the highest-scoring matches in Serie A during the 2025-26 campaign.
To date, their 6-2 win over Pisa in Week 22 is the single Serie A match with the most goals scored this term.
It is followed by another Inter match, their 4-3 loss against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium in Turin in September 2025.
Inter are also the only Serie A club to have won an away game 5-0 this term. It happened in February when Chivu’s men visited Sassuolo and returned home with a comfortable victory.
COMO, ITALY – MARCH 15: Diego Carlos of Como 1907 celebrates after scoring their team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AS Roma at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on March 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
When it comes to entertaining matches, however, it’s impossible not to mention Como.
The team coached by Cesc Fabregas recently beat Roma 2-1 at home, breaking into the top four in the standings.
“When you build a squad, you implement an idea, you study your players carefully, their character, their identity,” Fabregas said at full time.
“Learning to handle the result and the game in a certain way is a question of solidity, courage and trust. That takes months to develop, not weeks. Games like this show it is becoming natural, not forced.”
COMO, ITALY – MARCH 15: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas celebrates the victory at the end of the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AS Roma at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on March 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Como recorded one of the biggest wins of the campaign on January 24, beating Torino 6-0 at home. The reverse fixture had been just as good for the Azzurri, who had already beaten the Granata 5-1 away at the end of November.
With 50 goals conceded in 29 rounds, Torino are one of the weakest defences in the league. They started the season with a 5-0 loss against Inter at San Siro, the same result with which Juventus beat strugglers Cremonese in January.
Another big win for the Old Lady came on February 1, when they secured a 4-1 away victory against Parma.
Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior made headlines on Tuesday, handing a note to Alejandro Garnacho in the dying minutes of a 3-0 loss against PSG: ‘He’s out of his mind,’ said Fabio Capello, while Alessandro Costacurta added: ‘As a footballer, I wouldn’t have seen it as a way to get the players on my side.’
Chelsea were eliminated from the Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday, suffering a 3-0 home loss against title holders PSG.
The Blues were knocked out with a 2-8 aggregate defeat, but despite the obvious outcome in the dying minutes, their coach, Rosenior, continued to give tactical instructions to his players.
At minute 84, he handed a note to Garnacho, who had been introduced a few minutes earlier.
The Argentine winger didn’t seem overly eager to relay the coach’s tactical instructions to his teammates, especially since the match was practically over.
Italian journalist Paolo Condò, one of the most popular in the country and a member of the Ballon d’Or voting board, joked that Garnacho was thinking, ‘I should have joined Napoli.’
Pundit Paolo Di Canio, a former West Ham, Lazio and Juventus striker, added: “Look at the way he entered the field. I was also a bit of a prude, but these new coaches are almost philosophers now.
“It seems like a joke, but it’s not. They strongly believe that even the attitude in the final minutes is important. They believe in it. I see many who do the same thing despite losing 3-0. They want to show they study until the end; it’s the new generation. I understand it, but I’m like: ‘What are you doing?’
Capello: Chelsea players will ‘laugh’ at Rosenior
Capello and Costacura were surely tougher on the Chelsea boss: “He’s out of his mind,” said Capello.
“He did something that will make the players laugh. That’s what they think. You saw his [Garnacho’s] face when he entered the pitch with that note; he was like: ‘What are you saying to me?’
Alessandro Costacurta Commissioner of FIGC looks on before the International Friendly match between Italy U21 and Belgium U21 at Friuli Stadium on October 11, 2018 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“When you do smart things, you are involved, but when you do something like that, how are you involving somebody?”
Ex-Milan defender Costacurta, a five-time Champions League winner, concluded: “I was a player, and if something like that had happened to me, I wouldn’t have seen it as a way to get the players on my side. It’s possible that there’s a new trend, but you can see the attitude from Garnacho’s face.”
The five clubs mentioned in the report are Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Al Hilal, and Al Nassr.
It seems Fernandez could ask to leave Chelsea despite being under contract on a long-term deal, with the Argentina international seemingly unsettled and open to a new challenge.
Is the time right for Chelsea and Enzo Fernandez to part ways?
Fernandez hasn’t quite lived up to expectations at Chelsea, and perhaps it would also be fair to say that the club won’t have lived up to the kind of project he thought he was joining.
The 25-year-old arrived from Benfica in a big-money move in January 2023, looking like one of the most exciting talents in world football.
It also seemed at that time like Chelsea’s new owners were building something really ambitious as they focused on elite young players for a long-term project.
By now, however, the likes of Fernandez were probably expecting CFC to be closer to really competing for the biggest trophies.
The nature of Chelsea’s Champions League exit will surely be a big concern, though, with PSG really thrashing them over both legs.
Perhaps Fernandez would now do well to consider another project, while Chelsea might also justifiably feel that they could do something a bit different in midfield.
For all of Fernandez’s qualities, he hasn’t really been consistent enough and perhaps a big offer could be tempting so the Blues can add to their budget and invest in a few positions this summer.
Manchester United are reportedly making it a top priority to retain club captain Bruno Fernandes as speculation surrounding his future begins to intensify ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to Daily Mail, the club’s hierarchy are fully committed to keeping the Portuguese midfielder at Old Trafford despite growing external interest.
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Fernandes remains one of the most influential figures in United’s squad, both as a leader and as a creative force on the pitch.
However, the presence of a £57 million release clause, applicable to clubs outside the Premier League, has introduced an element of uncertainty regarding his long-term future.
Bruno Fernandes’ importance to Man United
Fernandes has established himself as the heartbeat of Manchester United’s midfield. Known for his creativity, vision, and goal-scoring ability, the 31-year-old has consistently been among the club’s top contributors in terms of both goals and assists.
This season, has had 16 assists in the Premier League and may well go on to beat the record set by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne for assists in a single Premier League season.
Fernandes’ influence extends beyond statistics. As captain, he plays a crucial role in organising the team, setting standards in training, and driving performance levels during matches.
Even during challenging campaigns, Fernandes has remained one of United’s most reliable performers, often stepping up in key moments.
Clubs from leagues such as Saudi Arabia and top European competitions have previously shown interest in experienced, high-profile players, and Fernandes fits that profile.
However, the player himself has not made any immediate decision regarding his future. Reports suggest that Fernandes is expected to assess his options at the end of the season, taking into account both sporting and personal factors.
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The England international has had some good moments in a Leeds shirt since joining on a free transfer from Everton last summer.
However, it would also be fair to say that Calvert-Lewin has not quite been consistent enough, and that Daniel Farke could benefit from more of a goal threat up top next season.
Even if Calvert-Lewin has proven good enough to help Leeds fight against relegation, it would perhaps make sense for the club to think bigger as they’ll want to work their way up towards being more of a safe mid-table side before too long.
Leeds United tipped to sign upgrade on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League scout Mick Brown explained why he thinks there is some concern behind the scenes at Elland Road about Calvert-Lewin’s reliability.
“There are still a few concerns about Calvert-Lewin,” Brown said.
“He’s done better than most people expected him to do since he’s joined Leeds, but he’s still not the type of striker you want to rely on as your source of goals.
“His record, even this season, tells you that he goes through peaks and troughs, so there are doubts about whether he can do it consistently.
“Calvert-Lewin has given Leeds enough to help them stay in the Premier League this season.
“But I’m told they are looking to sign a new striker, somebody with a bit more consistency in front of goal as a replacement for Calvert-Lewin when he’s not doing it.
“The way Leeds play as well, they could start them both up front together, but it would give them more options than what they’ve currently got.
“The only question now is about money and where they’re going to get the player they want. That’s something they’ll be working on behind the scenes.”
Leeds United building for the future as they near safety
Leeds are not safe yet, but they don’t currently look like being one of the more likely teams to get relegated this season.
The newly-promoted side are currently on a run of five games without a win, but their form earlier in the season has still put them in a reasonably strong position.
Leeds currently sit in 15th place, only three points above safety, but clubs like Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are currently in much worse form.
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The veteran England international is set to become a free agent this summer after four years at St James’ Park, but the club could still end up keeping him.
Trippier had fallen out of favour at one point, but he’s now back to his best and performing well in Howe’s side, leading the Magpies boss to change his mind about the player’s situation.
Could Kieran Trippier end up staying at Newcastle?
It remains to be seen if Trippier will definitely accept an offer to stay at Newcastle, having previously come close to moves to Turkish clubs which ultimately fell through.
The 35-year-old has had a fine career, most of which was spent playing in the Premier League, apart from a three-year spell at Atletico Madrid.
Perhaps Trippier will now be keen for a new challenge for what may be one of the final moves of his career.
Newcastle may still need Kieran Trippier
Still, it looks more and more like Newcastle still need Trippier, with some doubts over Tino Livramento’s future ahead of this summer.
The former Chelsea youngster is being linked with Arsenal and other big clubs, and it won’t be easy to replace him if he does move on.
It could therefore be simpler for NUFC to keep Trippier for at least one more year in case they struggle to find another replacement available on the market.
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As per my sources in the industry, Premier League clubs have now cooled their interest in Zirkzee as he’s not keen to stay in England, with Juventus, AC Milan, and Napoli on alert over potentially bringing him back to Italy.
One issue, however, is that these clubs are only looking to sign Zirkzee on loan, with his asking price of €35m looking too high.
Sources on Joshua Zirkzee’s transfer situation
“Zirkzee’s return to Serie A is gathering strength,” one source told me in a call this morning. “Premier League clubs have been made aware of his stance, so they’ve dropped their interest. Juventus, Milan, and Napoli are keeping an eye on his situation and could move.”
MUFC will no doubt hope to get a decent offer for the 24-year-old, but it may be that there’ll have to be some compromise somewhere.
It remains to be seen if that will be in the form of a loan with an obligation or option to buy, but the thing that’s clear is that Zirkzee will surely be leaving Old Trafford this summer.
Zirkzee impressed at former club Bologna and could still revive his career back in Italian football, but it’s certainly been an underwhelming spell for him with United.
The Dutchman scored 11 Serie A goals in his final season with Bologna, but has only five in 50 Premier League appearances across two seasons with Man Utd…
Joshua Zirkzee all comps
Games
Goals
Bologna 2023/24
37
12
Man Utd 2024/25
49
7
Man Utd 2025/26
20
2
Zirkzee doesn’t exactly look the most tempting option for clubs right now, but there’s always a chance that we’ll see the best of him again once he returns to an Italian club.
Other recent United flops and misfits such as Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay have done well at Napoli, while Antony has also revived his career since leaving United, albeit in La Liga with Real Betis.
Atlético Madrid are reportedly assessing potential moves for Arsenal forwards Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus as they prepare for a crucial summer rebuild.
According to TEAMtalk, the Spanish side have been closely monitoring both players, with the duo’s limited roles this season raising questions about their long-term futures in north London.
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Both Martinelli and Jesus have experienced reduced involvement in Arsenal’s starting lineup, prompting speculation that the club could be open to offers if suitable bids are received.
Interest is not limited to Spain, with clubs across Europe and the Saudi Pro League also tracking their situations.
Martinelli and Jesus have reduced roles at Arsenal
Jesus, now 28, has struggled for consistent game time this season. The Brazilian forward has made just two Premier League starts, with injuries and tactical decisions limiting his impact.
Once a key figure in Arsenal’s attack, Jesus has found himself competing for minutes in a squad that has evolved significantly under Mikel Arteta.
Meanwhile,Martinelli, still only 24, has also seen his role shift. Despite being one of Arsenal’s most dynamic attacking players in previous campaigns, the winger has started only a portion of his matches this season, with 16 of his 25 appearances coming from the bench.
The reduced involvement of both players shows Arsenal’s increased depth in attacking areas, as well as tactical adjustments that have reshaped the team’s forward line.
Gabriel Martinelli in action for Arsenal (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Atlético Madrid’s reported interest in the Brazilian duo matches with the club’s plans to refresh their attacking options.
Under Diego Simeone, Atlético have traditionally relied on hard-working forwards capable of contributing both offensively and defensively.
Jesus’ experience and pressing ability could make him an ideal fit for Simeone’s system, while Martinelli’s pace and direct style would offer a different dimension in wide areas.
The Spanish club is believed to be evaluating both players as potential additions, although no formal approach has yet been confirmed.
Manchester United and Arsenal are both looking to strengthen their midfield in the summer and one player on their radar is Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali.
According to iNews, the Magpies could demand “in excess” of £100m for the Italian midfielder who is attracting attention from the top clubs.
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Newcastle United are not looking to offload the consistent midfielder but the realities of the transfer market could be difficult for them to deal with.
The midfielder is willing to challenge for major honours and it appears like it is highly unlikely that it will be at Newcastle.
He has now shown any signs of distraction and has performed well for Eddie Howe’s side this season.
The report mentions Chelsea as well among the clubs targeting a move for the Newcastle United star.
Lamine Camara of Monaco and Djaoui Cisse of Rennes are two midfielders on the radar of the Magpies in case Tonali decides to leave the club for a move elsewhere.
Howe’s side want to compete with the top club in the market for new signings, rather than lose their key players to the Premier League giants.
Man United, particularly, will be out in the market actively to sign new midfielders.
The departure of Casemiro this summer will hit them hard and they are ready to make sure they replace him well in the transfer market.
Atalanta will look to Nikola Krstovic in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Bayern Munich, but the task ahead for La Dea appears overwhelming.
It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT) at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
La Dea suffered a 6-1 loss in the reverse fixture played in Bergamo last week, so there’s little doubt over who will reach the quarter-finals.
Atalanta have travelled to Germany without the suspended Yunus Musah, but the rest of the team is available, including Charles De Ketelaere and Italy international Giacomo Raspadori.
As reported by Sky Sport and Gazzetta, De Ketelaere is even expected to start as an attacking midfielder, joining Kamaldeen Sulemana and centre-forward Krstovic.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Players of Atalanta and FC Bayern Munich head out onto the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
A few selection doubts remain in midfield, with Mario Pasalic and Marten de Roon battling for a central spot, while either Davide Zappacosta or Mitchel Bakker is set to feature on the left.
Bayern vs. Atalanta – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports 4 in the UK and Ireland and Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a live blog.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Munich scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
In the last month without Hakan three draws and one defeat, but Chivu reunites with his regista in Florence.
Pulisic and Leao: it’s peace. Rafa apologised: Let’s start again.
Juve, David to leave to re-sign Kolo Muani
Atalanta, Dea pride
Chelsea and City out, Bodo crushed.
Corriere dello Sport
Exclusive interview
Kenan Yildiz
‘My strength is the normality.’
The parents, the brother, Can Uzun, Bayern, Turkey and Juve: the simplicity of a phenomenon.
‘Del Piero is a legend, I’ve just started.’
Spalletti
‘The prince of football is the boy next door’
‘I’ve always played to improve; the money is a consequence. When I was eight, I played against those aged 18.’
‘The renewal? I’ve immediately felt trust here in Turin. In Germany, they didn’t believe in me.’
‘Spalletti? A man of emotions. Allegri? I owe him this life. The role? Better on the left.’
Tuttosport
Juve: Zirkzee with Vlahovic
DV9 renewal, it’s almost done and the Dutchman emerges again.
The former Bologna striker has a new issue with Manchester United and is pushing to leave; the Bianconeri could reshape their attacking strategy. Thuram warning for Sassuolo: Koopmeiners ready. The stats on the ability to quickly resume the play justify Perin replacing Di Gregorio.
‘Now a feat at San Siro.’
Toro behind the scenes: what D’Aversa told the team.
Retegui and Milan: contact!
Meeting around the table: the issue is the salary. Fofana: ‘The change of role will cost me the World Cup.’ Leao under pressure replies with the…Gospel. NBA Europe: Cardinale pushes. Arena in San Donato?
Dea for the honour, two English sides out.
City don’t make the comeback against Real, Chelsea crushed by PSG (Kvara scores again). Arsenal OK, epic Sporting CP.
As if there weren’t already enough subplots heading into the 2026 World Cup this summer, Senegal and Morocco are now battling over the AFCON title months after the final actually took place!
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Although Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in the AFCON final back in January, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) have overturned the result and handed Morocco a 3-0 victory.
The final was marred by a brief period of interruption when Senegal’s players refused to play in response to a penalty decision.
However, the game did end up continuing, with Senegal taking the trophy, only there has now been a decision two months later to strip them of the title as they’re judged to have forfeited the match.
Senegal to appeal decision to overturn AFCON final
Still, Sky Sports are now reporting that Senegal will appeal this verdict, as per the video below…
BREAKING: Senegal say they will file an appeal over the decision to strip them of the AFCON title and award it to Morocco ? pic.twitter.com/QIaCxVXaPO
It will certainly be intriguing to see how this saga develops, and if it’s resolved by the time the World Cup kicks off in North America this summer.
Both Senegal and Morocco have qualified for the tournament, and although they’ve been drawn in different groups, there’s always a chance they could meet later in the competition.
This could be a major distraction for both teams, however, and it’s far from ideal to have another story like this dominating after so many other issues involving this year’s World Cup.
AFCON decision is “absolute madness” says Henry Winter
See below as journalist Henry Winter described it as “absolute madness” and questioned how it took them so long to come to this decision…
"It's absolute madness" ?
Henry Winter and David Ornstein react to the news that Morocco have been awarded the 2025 AFCON following a 'crazy decision' to overturn Senegal's victory ? pic.twitter.com/3K12jhogaE
“How come it’s taken two months to decide something like that? It should’ve taken them about two minutes,” Winter said.
“It’s absolute madness, and it’s damaging to African football, and it was damaged on the night as a lot of people were saying.
“I feel for Sadio Mane, who I thought was one of the few Senegalese who came out with credibility intact having urged his teammates to come back onto the pitch.
“The referee could very easily have made Senegal forfeit on the night.”
He added: “It’s one of the most extraordinary decisions in tournament history. For the hosts to be crowned the winners two months afterwards, it’s ridiculous.
“What are they going to do with these players who’ve got their medals? Are they going to have to give them back, drive around Morocco handing these medals over?
“It’s a crazy decision. If you’re going to do something like this you have to act more quickly.”
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes Max Dowman could bench Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard in the near future.
It sounds crazy to think about Arsenal’s captain packing his bags, but Ferdinand genuinely believes Odegaard is going to be left frustrated on the sidelines if he stays.
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With Dowman emerging as a legitimate wonderkid and the presence of Eberechi Eze already demanding minutes, the competition for that central creative role is suddenly looking ridiculously crowded at Arsenal.
Downman’s emergence could be an issue for Odegaard
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand didn’t hold back on his assessment of the Gunners’ midfield traffic jam.
“You know, Odegaard might not get a game now,” he stated.
“Seriously, your captain might be gone. You’ve got Dowman who can play his position, Eze can play his position. Saka can play his position and go in there and go central. It’s mad.”
When you look at the current numbers, you can start to see why Rio is leaning this way. By his own incredibly high standards, it’s been a tough, stop-start 2025/26 campaign for Odegaard.
Hampered by injuries, the Norwegian playmaker has only managed 1 goal and 5 assists in 20 Premier League appearances so far this season.
One of the most interesting takeaways from Ferdinand’s comments was his bold prediction about Bukayo Saka.
If Dowman and Eze are fighting for minutes, Ferdinand suggested Saka could occasionally drift centrally to add to the chaos.
More importantly, Rio confidently backed the Arsenal winger to completely explode next year after a relatively quiet current campaign.
Statistically, Saka hasn’t hit his usual heights this season, registering 6 goals and 3 assists in 27 Premier League outings to date.
Dowman’s historic strike against Everton might eventually go down as the moment the torch was officially passed.
Having too much talent is a brilliant problem for Arteta to have, but fitting Dowman, Eze, Saka, and Odegaard into the same system is a puzzle that might only be solved by a shock summer exit.
Former Chelsea player Craig Burley was clearly far from impressed with Blues manager Liam Rosenior in last night’s heavy defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.
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Rosenior was seen passing notes to his players late on in the game when the tie was already well and truly over, and Burley posted his disbelief about it on X, formerly Twitter.
See below as the ESPN pundit hit out at Rosenior for his antics, with the clear implication being that the Chelsea manager must have been doing this stuff for the cameras as there seemed so little point in handing out such sophisticated tactical instructions when six goals behind on aggregate…
Six goals behind with 5 mins left and Rosenior is sending on instructional notes to his players. Couldn’t make this stuff up ????
The 41-year-old is relatively inexperienced at the highest level of management, but looked like a good fit due to having already worked with the BlueCo group.
Liam Rosenior
Wins
Draws
Losses
Win %
Strasbourg
31
15
17
49.2%
Chelsea
10
2
6
55.6%
So far, however, Rosenior has not had the most convincing start to life at Stamford Bridge, with CFC particularly poor in the Champions League.
They’ve also lost big games against Arsenal in both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final and in a Premier League trip to the Emirates Stadium.
For now, Chelsea are sixth in the Premier League table and not out of the running for Champions League qualification just yet, but Rosenior will surely know he needs to improve.
? One Chelsea fan has found something to distract them from tonight's awful performance ? pic.twitter.com/f86VJX8wYr
The Champions League dream is officially over for Chelsea.
After getting dumped out by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, the mood around Stamford Bridge is pretty grim.
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But what’s making even more noise than the actual defeat is what Enzo Fernandez had to say right after the final whistle.
Speaking to ESPN about what his future holds, the Argentine midfielder didn’t exactly give the “I’m staying here forever” PR answer that Chelsea fans were desperately hoping for.
“I don’t know, there are eight games left and then the FA Cup,” Enzo said, as reported by Ben Jacobs.
“Then there’s the World Cup, and then we’ll see.”
Enzo Fernandez has been impressive for Chelsea this season
Enzo has actually been one of the brightest spots for Chelsea this season. He has taken a massive step forward in adding real end-product to his game.
The 25-year-old has already racked up 8 goals and 3 assists in 29 Premier League appearances.
Across all competitions, he’s sitting on a highly impressive 12 goals for the season, even managing to get on the scoresheet against PSG in the first leg of this Champions League tie.
So, it makes total sense that a player entering his absolute prime, who is about to feature heavily for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup, might be questioning if his best years should be spent enduring yet another transitional phase in West London.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez in action against Fulham (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
For now, Enzo is still wearing Chelsea blue. He has eight crucial league games left and an FA Cup run to focus on before he jets off to North America for the World Cup.
Paris Saint-Germain cruised into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over Chelsea in the last-16 second leg, earning a thumping 8-2 victory on aggregate. Having a 5-2 lead from the first leg, PSG wasted little time in adding to that advantage and ending Chelsea’s hopes of a stunning comeback early in the tie. […]
Real Madrid booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League as their 2-1 win over Manchester City secured a 5-1 aggregate victory. Vinicius Junior’s penalty all but secured the win after Bernardo Silva was sent off, with Erling Haaland’s scuffed finish before half-time rendered a consolation after the Brazilian winger scored again in […]
According to Football Insider, although City manager Pep Guardiola has backed Savinho, there is some chance of an exit if further signings come in in that area of the squad.
Could Savinho to Tottenham transfer be back on?
Savinho was a target for Tottenham last summer, but City blocked the move and got the Brazilian to sign a new contract.
Football Insider now suggest Spurs could still look at Savinho, though one imagines that will obviously depend on how the club fares in their relegation battle.
The north Londoners could still go down this season, and that would surely prevent them signing a big name like Savinho.
Is Savinho good enough for Spurs?
We’ve also previously reported on Spurs still being keen on Savinho, but is he actually a good target for them even if they stay in the Premier League?
Signing him from a rival would likely make him quite expensive, and he’s not shown much during his time in the Premier League, even if he looked like a top talent during his time with La Liga outfit Girona…
Savinho
TOTAL SCORE: 12/25
Transfer fee
*
Performance
**
Achievements
**
Career phase
****
Squad need
***
Using our Transfer Fit rating, we judge Savinho to be a 12/15 signing, which is the lower end of medium. Would you say that’s about right, too harsh, or even too kind? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Manchester United’s pursuit of Elliot Anderson is set to become increasingly complicated, with Bayern Munich preparing to intensify their interest in the Nottingham Forest midfielder.
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According to Daily Mail, the German giants are ready to enter the race for the 23-year-old, adding another major contender to what is quickly becoming a highly competitive transfer battle.
Despite Nottingham Forest’s inconsistent campaign, the England international has stood out as one of the team’s most reliable and dynamic players.
Elliot Anderson has been a revelation at Forest
Anderson’s development over the past two seasons has been remarkable. The midfielder has established himself as a key figure for Nottingham Forest.
Primarily operating as a central or attacking midfielder, Anderson has demonstrated his ability to influence matches both offensively and defensively.
His ability to carry the ball forward, link play between midfield and attack, and press aggressively has made him a standout performer in a struggling side.
However, Bayern Munich’s reported interest represents a significant challenge. The Bundesliga champions are known for identifying and securing top talent across Europe, and their involvement could complicate negotiations.
In addition, Manchester City have also been linked with Anderson in previous reports, further showing the level of competition for his signature.
Given his importance to the squad, Forest are expected to demand a substantial transfer fee if they are to consider offers, especially with multiple top clubs involved.
Manchester City just got knocked out of Europe by Real Madrid on Tuesday night, and everyone expected Pep Guardiola to talk about Madrid’s legendary Champions League aura or how tough it is to play at the Bernabéu.
Instead, Pep took the mic and completely flipped the script, dropping a massive truth bomb that gave the ultimate shoutout to his biggest rival: Jurgen Klopp.
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Real Madrid had just ended City’s European run, and the Spanish journalists were fishing for quotes about how unstoppable Los Blancos are in this competition.
But when they asked about the toll of facing Madrid, Pep wasn’t having it.
Pep Guardiola names Liverpool as his biggest challenge
“Real Madrid have not been my biggest challenge,” Pep said straight up, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
“My biggest challenge has been Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.”
Pep clearly wanted to make sure the journalists in the room understood exactly what he meant.
He basically told the Spanish press that they missed out on understanding the true grind of English football.
Guardiola continued: “Maybe you’re in Spain and you didn’t notice… You have no idea how it was like to face Liverpool in those games, a great learning experience.”
If you watched the Premier League during the peak Pep vs. Klopp years, you know exactly what he means.
We are talking about seasons where racking up 97 points somehow wasn’t enough to win the league.
Arsenal and Manchester United may have been given some very promising transfer news as Juventus have reportedly cooled their interest in Sandro Tonali.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Newcastle United and Italy midfielder had been a top target for Juve manager Luciano Spalletti, but the deal now looks less likely.
Instead, it seems that the Serie A giants could instead go for Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, who looks a more realistic target as he’ll be a free agent this summer.
This could mean Arsenal and Man Utd will find it easier to land Tonali, who may well have been tempted by the opportunity to return to Italy, but with that opportunity now gone.
That said, we’ve looked at Tonali as an option for Arsenal and United with our Transfer Fit rating system and he scored pretty low for both.
Sandro Tonali transfer doesn’t look like value for money for Arsenal or Man United
Ultimately, Tonali is probably just going to be too expensive compared to other similar players out there, with neither his overall form or age making him a sensible enough investment.
For United, we scored his suitability at 11/23, as per our table below…
Sandro Tonali
TOTAL SCORE: 11/25
Transfer fee
–
Performance
**
Achievements
**
Career phase
***
Squad need
****
That’s the lower end of medium, with the former AC Milan man potentially useful for the Red Devils considering their needs in midfield, but we wouldn’t advise making him a priority.
While Tonali has shone during his time at St James’ Park, he doesn’t have particularly outstanding qualities compared to other in-form midfielders like Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, who are also younger so could keep on improving, whereas Tonali turns 26 in just over a month, so has probably just about peaked.
For Arsenal, he gets an even lower score as there’s simply nothing there that suggests he’d start over either Declan Rice or Martin Zubimendi.
Sandro Tonali
TOTAL SCORE: 7/25
Transfer fee
–
Performance
**
Achievements
**
Career phase
***
Squad need
–
Arsenal already have Christian Norgaard as a solid and reliable backup, and that’s surely not a role Tonali would be happy with, so there’s just very little chance that this deal would make any side particularly happy.
The links won’t die down, though, so perhaps we’ll be proven wrong as these clubs seem like they may be really determined to land Tonali, who might also be seen as a tempting opportunity due to the fact that he wants out of St James’ Park to further his career.
Liverpool could reportedly hire Xabi Alonso to replace Arne Slot as manager, and target Adam Wharton, Alessandro Bastoni, and Bradley Barcola in this summer’s transfer window.
The Reds are being linked with this stunning £245m triple swoop in a report from TEAMtalk, which cites claims coming from Spain.
It seems that Slot’s position as Liverpool manager could be in real danger after a disappointing second season at Anfield for the Dutch tactician.
And despite spending so much on new signings like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz last summer, they could do so again if they appoint Alonso as the man to take charge of this new-look squad.
This Liverpool transfer story would be sensational, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves
While it’s perfectly possible that we’ll see Liverpool doing crazy things in the market again this year, there’s a lot that needs to happen first before we can really treat these claims as super reliable.
Firstly, there’s still a long way to go between now and the end of the season, with Slot potentially still able to win silverware and guide the club into the top four.
Given that the former Feyenoord boss did so well in his first campaign, even some disappointment this year would surely mean he has credit in the bank, so to speak.
Alonso’s availability might make LFC tempted to make a change while they can, but it definitely seems too early to think of this as concrete.
On top of that, agreeing deals for such top players won’t be easy, with PSG unlikely to be keen on selling Barcola, and under little financial pressure to do so.
Liverpool should resist the urge to splash the cash
There’s also surely an argument that Liverpool need to slow down a bit when it comes to this squad overhaul they’re embarking on.
The Merseyside giants barely made any changes to their squad when Slot first replaced Jurgen Klopp and won the Premier League title.
Bedding in the likes of Isak, Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez hasn’t really gone to plan, with the team perhaps changing too much too quickly.
There’s now surely a case to be made for keeping this squad together and allowing Slot to help them grow as a team, rather than simply rushing into the market for even more new players who’d need time to adjust and settle.
One signing in defence would probably be sensible as Ibrahima Konate is close to the end of his contract, but the rest of the side arguably isn’t in need of wholesale changes anyway.
The race to sign Leon Goretzka is heating up ahead of the summer transfer window, with Juventus now emerging as serious contenders for the Bayern Munich midfielder.
According to La Gazetta dello Sport, the German international is attracting widespread interest as he approaches the end of his contract, potentially becoming one of the most high-profile free agents available.
However, Juventus have now stepped up their efforts, with new head coach Luciano Spalletti reportedly identifying the 31-year-old as a key target for their midfield rebuild.
Juventus renew long term interest in Goretzka
Juventus’ interest in Goretzka is not new. The Italian giants have attempted to sign the midfielder on two previous occasions earlier in his career, but were unable to secure a deal.
Now, with Goretzka potentially available on a free transfer, the club sees a renewed opportunity to finally bring him to Turin.
Spalletti has placed Goretzka at the top of his summer wishlist, viewing him as an ideal addition to add experience and physicality.
The club is currently undergoing a period of transition, and adding a player of Goretzka’s pedigree could provide immediate quality as they look to re-establish themselves among Europe’s elite.
Mikel Arteta’s side is expected to face increasing competition from Italian clubs.
However, with the Premier League side showing strength in all competition this season and more financially capable that the Italian sides, they lead the race right now to sign the Bayern Munich midfielder.
Goretzka would love to have the opportunity to play in the Premier League and at the age of 31, this could be his last chance to make the move happen.
Manchester United are reportedly preparing for a busy summer transfer window, with plans in place to strengthen multiple areas of the squad as part of their ongoing rebuild.
According to The Sun, the club is targeting four key additions, with a particular focus on reinforcing midfield, defense, and goalkeeping depth ahead of the 2026/27 season.
United’s recruitment strategy is closely tied to potential departures within the squad, most notably the expected exit of Casemiro, whose future at Old Trafford remains uncertain.
The club is keen to ensure they remain competitive domestically and in Europe by reshaping the squad with younger, dynamic options.
Midfield overhaul is a top priority for Man United
Central midfield is expected to be the primary focus, with Man United aiming to sign two players in that area. The club is reportedly exploring several high-profile and emerging options across the Premier League.
The emphasis appears to be on athletic, versatile midfielders capable of contributing both defensively and offensively, a shift from United’s previous reliance on more traditional holding midfielders.
Harry Maguire waves to the Manchester United fans (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
In addition to midfield upgrades, Man United are also expected to pursue a left-sided centre-back.
This move is reportedly linked to uncertainty surrounding Harry Maguire’s future, with the club preparing for the possibility of his departure.
A left-footed defender is seen as a priority to improve balance in the back line and provide tactical flexibility, particularly in build-up play from deep areas.
United are also considering changes in the goalkeeping department. With Altay Bayindir likely to leave, the club is expected to recruit a backup goalkeeper to provide competition and cover.
The Red Devils are expected to be busy in the summer and big changes are expected in the squad.
Former Everton star Leon Osman has backed Arsenal to win a historic quadruple this season following their 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
The result at the Emirates on Tuesday night secured a 3-1 aggregate win, sending Mikel Arteta’s side into the Champions League quarter-finals and keeping their hopes of a four-trophy sweep alive.
Leon Osman says quadruple is on for Arsenal
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Osman admitted that while the task is immense, the Gunners have the momentum to pull it off.
Osman pointed to Arsenal’s favorable position across all remaining competitions as a reason for his optimism.
Following the win against Leverkusen, sealed by stunning strikes from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice, the Gunners learned they will face Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-finals, arguably the most favorable draw of the lot.
In the FA Cup, Arsenal are set to face Southampton in the quarter-finals.
Osman noted that the draw has been kind to Arteta, especially with rivals Manchester City and Liverpool drawn against each other in the same round.
He said: “It [the quadruple] is on. I know it’s a big ask and incredibly difficult to do still at this stage, but it is.
“They’re into the final of the competition. It’s against one of the best teams in the country at the moment in Manchester City but they won’t mind that at the moment because they feel that they are the best at the moment, being nine points up. It’s an opportunity that they would’ve loved at the start of the season.
“In the FA Cup, they aren’t in the same side of the draw as the better teams, the teams who have the experience. City have pulled Liverpool and Arsenal have Southampton. Arsenal have the most favourable draw in the Champions league as well.
“No game is straightforward but it’s certainly possible. They are in the position to do it with games and the quality of the squad. They’re all fit and raring to go.”
Arsenal could win their first trophy this Sunday
The first trophy could be secured this Sunday, when Arsenal face Manchester City in the League Cup final at Wembley.
While Arsenal have been on top form, City have been very inconsistent by their standards.
In fact, they have just won one of their last five games across all competitions, drawing two and losing two.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has shared an update on Trevoh Chalobah after the defender was stretchered off during the closing stages of Tuesday night’s humiliating 3-0 defeat to PSG.
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Chalobah appeared to be in significant pain following a challenge from PSG’s Achraf Hakimi in the 85th minute.
With Chelsea having already used their allocated substitutions, the hosts were forced to finish the match with ten men as the defender was carried from the pitch.
Liam Rosenior on Trevoh Chalobah injury
Speaking to TNT Sports after the final whistle, a dejected Rosenior confirmed the initial diagnosis but expressed hope that the layoff would not be long-term.
Rosenior said: “Trevoh, I just asked the medical team. He’s got a high ankle sprain, so I’m praying it’s nothing too serious because of the way Trevoh’s been performing and we can’t afford to lose another defender at this moment.
“When you go through a difficult run, you have to make sure your habits are right. We have a really difficult game at Everton on Saturday and we have to be at our best to get a result there.”
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 17, 2026
Chalobah joins Chelsea’s growing injury list
The loss of Chalobah is a significant blow for a Chelsea side already decimated by defensive absences.
Captain Reece James is currently sidelined with his tenth career hamstring injury, while Levi Colwill (ACL) and goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen (groin) remain long-term absentees.
To make matters worse, Malo Gusto missed the PSG clash due to illness, forcing Rosenior to play teenager Mamadou Sarr out of position at right-back.
With Rosenior having lost four out of the last six games, the loss of his most experienced available center-back could not come at a worse time.
Chelsea head to Goodison Park sitting outside the top five and facing a desperate fight to secure European football for next season.
Boos rang around Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night as Chelsea suffered a humiliating 8-2 aggregate defeat at the hands of PSG.
The reigning Champions League holders clinical 3-0 victory in London snuffed out any flickering hopes of a miracle comeback, leaving the Blues’ European season in tatters.
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Chelsea entered the second leg needing to overturn a 5-2 deficit from the Parc des Princes, but the tie was effectively over within 15 minutes.
Early strikes from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola silenced the home crowd, before teenager Senny Mayulu added a third in the second half to complete the rout.
Chelsea fans not happy after another disappointing performance
The atmosphere in West London turned toxic long before the final whistle. Supporters made their feelings clear by booing the team off at both half-time and full-time.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 17, 2026
The frustration peaked in the second half when a triple substitution, which saw stars Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, and Enzo Fernandez withdrawn, was met with a chorus of jeers from the Matthew Harding Stand.
It has been a miserable run for the Blues, who have now won just one of their last five matches across all competitions.
To compound the misery, defender Trevoh Chalobah was stretchered off in the closing stages, forcing Chelsea to finish the game with ten men.
For many fans, the 8-2 scoreline represents the largest aggregate defeat in the club’s European history and a stark reminder of how far they have fallen from the continental elite.
Set to face Guatemala in a friendly, reports revealed that Lionel Messi's Argentina is set to repeat the farewell formula from Argentine fans from the 2022 World Cup prior to the 2026 edition.
The Argentina FA has managed to arrange a last-minute friendly against Guatemala in what will serve as the final international break before the national team heads to North America to defend the World Cup title. With that mission firmly in mind, Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste are set to replicate the same pre-tournament farewell formula that preceded their triumph in 2022.
After the Finalissima against Spain was canceled alongside the planned clash with Qatar, Argentina found themselves in a difficult spot, left without a single match for the March window with fewer than two weeks to go before the scheduled dates. With most nations’ calendars already full, Messi and company appeared destined to simply train at Argentina’s Ezeiza facility, with some reports even suggesting a potential internal game against the Under-20 side.
As confirmed by AFA, the Argentina-Guatemala match will be held at La Bombonera, Boca Juniors’ iconic stadium in Buenos Aires, which holds approximately 57,200 fans. The game will give Messi the chance to say farewell to the home supporters before the squad departs for the World Cup, with no friendlies currently scheduled in the May/June window either.
General view of an empty La Bombonera before a match between Argentina and Ecuador.
Argentina typically plays home matches at El Monumental, River Plate’s ground, given its far larger capacity of more than 85,000. However, rock band AC/DC will be occupying the venue as part of their Power Up Tour 2026, leaving the AFA with no choice but to find an alternative.
Argentina repeating the farewell formula from the 2022 World Cup
While the Finalissima’s cancellation and the need to scramble for a last-minute game against a nation that did not even qualify for the World Cup like Guatemala was far from ideal, it has opened up an unexpected opportunity for Argentine fans to send their players off at home. And with that chance now in hand, the AFA appears set to recreate the pre-tournament ritual that preceded their greatest triumph in a generation.
Before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Argentina’s final home game was a 3-0 victory over Venezuela in the CONMEBOL qualifiers on March 26, played at La Bombonera. From there, Messi completed the remaining qualifiers, traveled to London for the Finalissima against Italy, and then played four more friendlies, all on foreign soil, before lifting the trophy in Doha.
Heading into 2026, the Albiceleste are now poised to begin that journey in exactly the same place, a coincidence that, whether superstition or not, the Argentine faithful will be only too happy to embrace.
Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Eberechi Eze after the Arsenal midfielder’s incredible goal against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. Eze opened the scoring with a volley from distance after a quick passing move that involved Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard. Eze is the second English player to score for Arsenal in the Premier League, […]
After his brace against Manchester City, Vinicius Junior turned into the second all-time non-European goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage, now only trailing Lionel Messi.
Vinicius Junior was the standout performer for Real Madrid in their Champions League clash against Manchester City, proving decisive in the 2-1 victory with a match-winning brace. In doing so, the Brazilian has climbed to second place on the all-time list of non-European scorers in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, trailing only Lionel Messi.
The brace moved Vinicius level with Senegalese legend and former Liverpool star Sadio Mané on 15 goals in the Champions League knockout stages, making the pair the joint-second highest non-European scorers in the competition’s history in that phase.
In doing so, Vinicius surpassed former Chelsea and Ivory Coast icon Didier Drogba, whose tally of 14 knockout stage goals included his iconic header against Bayern Munich in the 2011-12 final, as well as a goal in the quarterfinals against Real Madrid during a brief stint with Galatasaray.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates scoring against Manchester City.
Vinicius’ overall Champions League tally now stands at 34 goals in 80 games, with nearly half of those (44%) coming in the knockout stages rather than the group phase. Having recently matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s assist record for Real Madrid in the competition with 31, the Brazilian continues to rewrite the record books, now measuring himself against the very greatest names in the sport.
Messi, a difficult mark for Vinicius to surpass
When it comes to Champions League goals, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi stand alone at the summit, the competition’s two greatest ever scorers and the defining figures of their respective nations in the tournament. But even for a player of Vinícius’ caliber, closing the gap on Messi in the knockout stage rankings will be an enormous task.
Messi holds the record for most knockout stage goals by a non-European player with 49, leaving a gap of 34 between himself and Vinícius. In the competition overall, the Argentine’s tally stands at 129 goals including the group stage, with 38% of those coming in the knockout rounds, underlining just how consistently he elevated his game when it mattered most.
Crucially, all 49 of those knockout stage goals were scored while Messi was at Barcelona, before his departure in 2021. During his time at PSG, he featured in two Round of 16 series, against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively, but the French side were eliminated on both occasions and Messi failed to add to his tally. That record, then, remains frozen in time, and while Vinícius is still very much in his prime and adding to his own count, catching Messi still appears a monumental, if not impossible, task.
Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid.
Eberechi Eze’s stunner helped Arsenal seal a 3-1 aggregate win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last 16, with the Gunners triumphing 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Declan Rice added an impressive goal of his own in the second half following Eze’s opener, while both goalkeepers made brilliant saves at either end as Arsenal […]
Paris Saint-Germain cruised into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over Chelsea in the last-16 second leg, earning a thumping 8-2 victory on aggregate. Having a 5-2 lead from the first leg, PSG wasted little time in adding to that advantage and ending Chelsea’s hopes of a stunning comeback early in the tie. […]
Arne Slot said he disagrees with the comments of former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who called the Reds “a team of individuals” after their draw with Tottenham. Liverpool conceded late on as they drew 1-1 with a struggling Spurs side at Anfield, seeing Slot’s side lose further ground on the top four race in the […]
For Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao, a moment of visible frustration has sparked questions that go far beyond a single match.
Tension can sometimes define a season as much as results. And for Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao, a moment of visible frustration has sparked questions that go far beyond a single match. Milan’s shock defeat to Lazio was not just another setback in the title race; it became a flashpoint. A narrow 1-0 loss at the Stadio Olimpico exposed deeper frustrations within the squad, particularly in the attacking unit.
At the center of it all was Leao, who reacted angrily after being substituted in the 67th minute, visibly unhappy as he left the pitch. His slow walk off the field drew attention, even prompting teammate Mike Maignan to physically urge him off. On the sidelines, Leaorejected an attempt from coach Massimiliano Allegri to calm him down, further underlining his frustration.
After the match, Allegri attempted to ease concerns: “He was a bit nervous because there were situations where he could have been served better and he wasn’t. There were two potential scoring chances, and he stayed a bit upset about that. These things happen during a game.”
What really happened between Pulisic and Leao
The real story, however, unfolded away from the cameras. According to various reports coming from Italy,the Portuguese forward’s frustration was not primarily about being substituted, but about his teammate’s decisions on the pitch. Specifically, he was angered by two moments where Pulisic, in possession, chose not to play decisive through balls that could have put him through on goal.
“I was amazed that despite some excellent shots from Leao, Pulisic never gave it to him. Captain America preferred to give it to others and made that clear. I was making the same gestures as Leao: ‘Give it to him, give it to him!’” said Alessandro Costacurta on Sky Calcio Club.
That tension did not end with the final whistle. La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Leao continued venting his frustration in the dressing room, directing it toward Pulisic in what was described as a “more lively than usual request for clarification between teammates.” The situation escalated to the point where Allegri had to intervene and separate the two players to prevent further conflict.
Deeper issue in Milan’s attack
Beyond the emotional reaction lies a more concerning reality. The partnership between Pulisic and Leao has struggled to deliver consistently, raising tactical and structural questions for Milan. The numbers are telling. The duo has started together just seven times in Serie A this season, producing only two goals as a team in those matches. Injuries have limited their time together, but even when available, their chemistry has appeared inconsistent.
Pulisic’s own struggles add another layer to the issue. The American has yet to score a single goal in 2026, a drought that may have influenced his decision-making in key moments. Instead of playing the final pass, he may have been more inclined to take responsibility himself, searching for a breakthrough goal. Meanwhile, Leao’s reaction highlights a different perspective, a player demanding better service and more trust in decisive situations.
Resolution behind closed doors
The timing of the incident could not be worse. Milan now sits eight points behind league leader Inter with just nine games remaining, a gap that significantly complicates the Rossoneri’s title ambitions. At the same time, Napoli is closing in from behind, increasing the pressure to secure a top position.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring a goal with Rafael Leao.
However, despite the tension, there are signs that the situation has been addressed internally. According to Sky Italy, the issue was resolved at Milanello after a detailed video analysis session. The two players reportedly discussed the incident, shared their perspectives, and shook hands, with the atmosphere described as “serene.”
Cruz Azul face Monterrey in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. Here’s everything you need to know about the date, venue, kickoff time, and TV or streaming options available in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Cruz Azul vs Monterrey on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Cruz Azul vs Monterrey
WHAT
CONCACAF Champions Cup
WHEN
11:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM PT • Tuesday, March 17, 2026
One of the most anticipated matchups of the Round of 16 delivered right away in the opening leg, asCruz Azul edged Monterrey 3–2 in a thrilling first encounter that lived up to the hype. Los Cementeros now return home with a valuable advantage after claiming a road victory, putting them in a strong position heading into the decisive second leg.
Still, the job is far from finished. Monterrey, a battle-tested club with plenty of international experience, knows a one-goal deficit is far from insurmountable and will arrive determined to flip the script in what promises to be another high-intensity showdown.
More details of how to watch
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Cristian Reyes of CF Monterrey fights for the ball with Carlos Rodríguez of Cruz Azul
As Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal prepared for potential high-profile encounters, an unexpected twist emerged.
The international calendar often brings glamour fixtures and global attention, but sometimes the biggest stories are shaped by decisions made behind the scenes. As Lionel Messiand Lamine Yamal prepared for potential high-profile encounters, an unexpected twist emerged.
In the build-up to the March 2026 international break, Argentina and Spain both explored the possibility of arranging friendlies against Senegal. These matches would have offered elite-level preparation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with all teams already qualified and looking to fine-tune their squads. For La Albiceleste in particular, the approach came after the cancellation of a much-anticipated Finalissima clash against Spain. In search of a replacement opponent, the world champion turned its attention to Senegal—one of Africa’s strongest and most respected sides.
At the same time, Spain also expressed interest in organizing a friendly, recognizing Senegal as a valuable test against a physically and tactically disciplined opponent. On paper, these were opportunities difficult to refuse. The reasoning behind Senegal’s choice, however, only becomes clear when looking deeper into the timeline. The African nation rejected both Argentina and Spain’s proposals because they had already committed to other fixtures, most notably a scheduled match against Gambia.
According to Saikou Seydi, a respected Senegalese sports journalist, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) made contact just days before the international window, hoping Senegal could step in and replace the Gambia fixture. But the response from Dakar was immediate and firm. “We can’t do that to Gambia. We will keep our match.”
Sadio Mane of Senegal
This stance was echoed across multiple reports and reinforced by federation leadership, who emphasized that the agreement with Gambia had been finalized weeks earlier and would not be broken. In addition to that fixture, Senegal had already arranged another friendly against Peru, meaning their schedule was effectively complete.
Matter of principle over prestige
What makes this decision remarkable is not just the rejection itself, but the reasoning behind it. Senegal chose respect, commitment, and integrity over the global appeal of facing Argentina and Spain.
From a sporting perspective, matches against teams led by stars like Messi or featuring emerging talents like Yamal would have provided immense exposure and competitive value. Financial incentives and global attention would also have followed.
Yet, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) prioritized honoring an existing agreement. “We cannot do that to our brothers in Gambia… We will honor our match with them.”This key detail highlights a powerful message: in soccer, credibility and trust can outweigh even the biggest opportunities.
Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates scoring with Nico Williams.
What now for Spain and Argentina?
Senegal’s decision does not signal a lack of ambition—far from it. The team remains one of Africa’s top-ranked sides and continues its structured preparation for the 2026 World Cup. By maintaining its planned schedule, Senegal ensures continuity, logistical stability, and a focused approach to development under coach Pape Thiaw. Rather than chasing prestige fixtures at the last minute, the federation has chosen long-term planning and reliability, ensuring players and staff can prepare without disruption.
Argentina are the reigning Finalissima champions.
From Argentina and Spain’s perspective, the rejection represents a missed opportunity to face a top-tier African opponent. For Lionel Scaloni’s players, it also reflects the ripple effect of the cancelled Finalissima, which forced the federation to seek alternatives on short notice. Despite their status as reigning world champions, even a global powerhouse cannot always secure last-minute arrangements. Luis de la Fuente’s side, similarly, must now look elsewhere for high-level preparation.
Lionel Messi of Argentina and Lamine Yamal of Spain.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Paris Saint-Germain have no plans to sell Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the summer transfer window, even though Arsenal are interested in the Georgia international winger. The well-known and well-respected said on his YouTube channel: “Many questions about Kvaratskhelia because Kvaratskhelia has been linked with a move to Arsenal. What I can […]
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Arsenal are optimistic that Declan Rice will sign a new contract with the club. The well-known and well-respected journalist said on his YouTube channel: “The conversations already started in 2025. “If you followed the channel here on YouTube, I told you several times that Arsenal are working on a new deal for […]
Manchester United believe that JJ Gabriel is their answer to Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman. The well-known and well-respected journalist said on his YouTube channel: “And then guys, the new gem of Manchester United. “They are absolutely buzzing with JJ Gabriel. This boy, 15 years old, fantastic talent. “I already mentioned him several times here on […]
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Paris Saint-Germain have no plans to sell Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the summer transfer window, even though Arsenal are interested in the Georgia international winger. The well-known and well-respected said on his YouTube channel: “Many questions about Kvaratskhelia because Kvaratskhelia has been linked with a move to Arsenal. What I can […]
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Arsenal are optimistic that Declan Rice will sign a new contract with the club. The well-known and well-respected journalist said on his YouTube channel: “The conversations already started in 2025. “If you followed the channel here on YouTube, I told you several times that Arsenal are working on a new deal for […]
Manchester United believe that JJ Gabriel is their answer to Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman. The well-known and well-respected journalist said on his YouTube channel: “And then guys, the new gem of Manchester United. “They are absolutely buzzing with JJ Gabriel. This boy, 15 years old, fantastic talent. “I already mentioned him several times here on […]
CAF have awarded the AFCON 2025 title to Morocco, which had originally been won by Senegal.
Two months after that controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, CAF have overturned the result and awarded the match to Morocco, stripping Senegalof the title, despite their 1-0 victory on the field.
“The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations… with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF),” CAF announced in a statement published on its official website this Tuesday.
This major decision stems from that final, in which Senegal’s players temporarily refused to continue playing after deeming a penalty awarded to Morocco during extra time illegitimate. Ultimately, Brahim Diaz missed the opportunity, and minutes later Pape Gueye scored the goal that saw Senegal emerge victorious and lift the trophy.
What do the AFCON regulations say?
After that controversial final, Morocco filed a complaint with CAF arguing that Senegal had violated the tournament’s regulations. Specifically, the claim pointed to the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Article 82 states: “If, for any reason whatsoever, a team withdraws from the competition or does not report for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered loser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition.”
Article 84 establishes the sanction in the event that this violation is confirmed: “The team which contravenes the provisions of articles 82 and 83 shall be eliminated for good from the competition. This team will lose its match by 3-0 unless the opponent has scored a more advantageous result at the time when the match was interrupted, in this case this score will be maintained.”
Can Senegal appeal this decision?
The decision to overturn the result in favor of Morocco and award them the 2025 AFCON final, despite Senegal’s on-field 1-0 victory, comes from the highest continental sporting authority, the CAF Appeal Board. This means that within CAF’s internal hierarchy, there is no further avenue for appeal.
However, that does not mean Senegal’s case is completely closed. They now have the option to request a review of the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Based in Lausanne, Switzerland, CAS is the world’s top sports tribunal and has the authority to issue a final ruling on soccer-related disputes such as this one.
Achraf Hakimi #2 of Morocco and Sadio Mane of Senegal.
After Lionel Messi did not play against Charlotte FC, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano addressed the situation ahead of the Concacaf Champions Cup clash against Nashville SC.
Inter Miami drew 0-0 last Saturday against Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer, a match highlighted by the absence of Lionel Messi. Now, with the Concacaf Champions Cup matchup against Nashville SC looming, head coach Javier Mascherano spoke about the situation.
At Tuesday’s press conference, shared by journalist Jose Armando on X, Mascherano was asked about Messi’s absence — as well as Rodrigo De Paul’s — in the previous match. “They didn’t travel, and it was a decision we made together with them,” he began. “We preferred they avoid the trip and get some rest.”
Expanding on that explanation, the coach added: “We felt we had been traveling a lot, and it was a synthetic field — always a tough one in Charlotte. We’ve been on the road quite a bit over the past month and a half, between preseason and the start of the season.”
With that MLS match behind them, the Herons are now focused on the Concacaf Champions Cup, where they will face Nashville SC this Wednesday at Chase Stadium. It will be a decisive matchup, as they look to advance to quarterfinals after a 0-0 draw in the first leg.
Rodrigo De Paul #7 of Inter Miami CF.
Regarding that game, Mascherano offered reassurance about the availability of both Messi and De Paul. “Leo and Rodrigo are in perfect condition, like everyone else except Maxi,” the coach said, referring to Maximiliano Falcon, who has been sidelined since last Wednesday. “Maxi is the only player unavailable.”
Inter Miami must be especially cautious against Nashville
Wednesday’s match will be Inter Miami’s most important of the year so far. They will be playing for a place in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals — the club’s primary objective this season.
After a scoreless draw in the first leg at Geodis Park, the Herons face a tricky situation heading into the decisive match at Chase Stadium. In this competition, away goals carry more weight when tiebreaking level series.
As a result, if the second leg also ends in a draw with goals (for example, 1-1 or 2-2), Nashville SC would advance. That means a single goal from the visitors would force Inter Miami to win the match.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi and head coach Javier Mascherano.
Gianluigi Donnarumma played ninety minutes tonight as Manchester City crashed out of the Champions League, with a 5-1 defeat on aggregate but a modest 2-1 defeat on the night.
City went into the game as strong favourites, needing to overturn the 3-0 loss in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the visitors making a number of changes, including leaving a number of key personnel out of the team.
However, Donnarumma’s side had a nightmare start when Bernardo Silva was given a straight red card for preventing a goal with his hand just 21 minutes into the match, and Vinicius Jr scoring the resulting penalty.
MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 11: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City walks out prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 11, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Donnarumma makes huge save but can’t stop City exit
Erling Haaland scored in the 41st minute to give the hosts a lifeline but, a man down, the task became much more difficult.
In the second half, City pushed, despite their man disadvantage.
Real Madrid had their fair share of chances too and Italian Donnarumma pulled off an impressive save to deny Tchouameni with twenty minutes to play.
After a whipped corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tchouameni got his head to it, forcing an acrobat save out of the Azzurri shot-stopper.
City’s remaining efforts were in vain and Vinicius Jr doubled his tally to put the icing on the cake in stoppage time.
Donnarumma will be disappointed to exit the tournament he won less than twelve months ago with PSG but must recover his focus ahead of an important month for club and country.
Inter Milan and AC Milan sit jointly at the top of Serie A’s shirt sponsorship earnings table, but the gap between the division’s biggest clubs and the rest remains stark, and for one club, the commercial silence is deafening.
Both Milan clubs currently earn €30 million per season from their respective shirt partners, according to reports gathered by CalcioMercato.
Inter receive their fee from Bettson, whose logo appears as Bettson.sport on the jersey, a workaround required under Italian laws prohibiting direct betting sponsorship.
Milan’s deal with Emirates is worth the same figure this season, though a recently signed renewal will see that rise to €35 million from 2026/27 onwards.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Daniel Maldini of SS Lazio kicks the ball during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Serie A shirt sponsors: Juventus, Napoli & Roma rise as Lazio go sponsorless
Juventus, meanwhile, have seen a dramatic fall in commercial income in this area.
Having gone a full season without a shirt sponsor, Save the Children carried no financial value, the club have returned Jeep to their jersey, but through an internal Exor arrangement worth just €19 million this season, rising to €23 million next year.
It is a far cry from the €45 million the previous Jeep deal delivered at its peak. Napoli’s MSC Crociere deal is worth €9 million this season and is also set to increase in the coming campaign.
Roma have just unveiled a new shirt partner of their own, Eurobet.live, another betting-adjacent workaround, worth €8 million this season and €13 million from next.
Across the city, however, Lazio remain the only club in Serie A without a shirt sponsor, with Claudio Lotito yet to secure any commercial partnership for the jersey.
Some of the most eye-catching figures come from family-owned clubs with internal sponsorship arrangements. Fiorentina receive €25 million from Mediacom, a company connected to the late Rocco Commisso’s family, while Sassuolo’s Mapei deal is worth €18 million.
At the other end of the scale, the numbers are considerably more modest. Bologna receive €3 million from owner Joey Saputo’s business, Atalanta earn €5 million from Lete, and Cagliari pick up €3.6 million from the Sardinian regional government.
Torino (Suzuki, €2.35m), Parma (Prometeon, €1.5m), Udinese (Friuli Venezia Giulia region, €1.5m) and Genoa (Pulsee, €1.2m) follow, with Verona, Lecce and Como all on €1 million.
Pisa bring up the rear with €700,000 from Cetilar, who also sponsor the stadium.
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has encouraged his side to relish the opportunity to play against Barcelona at Camp Nou in a Champions League knockout match. The Magpies head to Spain following a 1-1 draw in the last-16 first leg at St. James’ Park last week, when Lamine Yamal scored a stoppage-time penalty to level […]
Alajuelense meet LAFC in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. Here’s everything you need to know about the date, venue, kickoff time, and TV or streaming options available in the United States.
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The decisive second leg of this tightly contested series is shaping up to deliver plenty of drama. Los Angeles FC entered the matchup as clear favorites, but the opening game proved far more complicated than expected, as the MLS side settled for a 1–1 draw at home against Alajuelense.
That result leaves the tie wide open and gives the Costa Rican club a historic opportunity to punch its ticket to the quarterfinals while knocking out a high-profile MLS opponent. With the aggregate score locked at 1–1 heading into the decisive clash, the margin for error is slim—and the outcome remains completely up for grabs.
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Rafael Leao could be on his way out of AC Milan, with reports indicating that Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to bring him to Al Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo has inspired many top-level players to leave Europe and begin new chapters in the Saudi Pro League. Now Portugal star Rafael Leao could follow a similar path and join Al Nassr, amid an uncertain situation at AC Milan.
Leao was involved in an unusual episode this past weekend when he appeared visibly frustrated after being substituted for Niclas Fullkrug in the second half of Milan’s loss to Lazio in Serie A.
“After Leao’s latest episode, reacting angrily to being substituted, his future is once again in doubt,”Diario AS reported on Tuesday. “Cristiano is looking to take advantage of the situation. The Portuguese star wants to convince his compatriot to join him in Saudi Arabia next summer.”
If confirmed, this would be a blockbuster move in the soccer world. Despite dealing with a disappointing, injury-hit season, Leao remains one of the most impactful players in Italian soccer, and a move from Europe to Saudi Arabia would certainly turn heads.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring a goal with Rafael Leao.
Across Serie A and Coppa Italia, the winger has made 24 appearances for AC Milan in the 2025–26 season, including 20 starts. In those matches, he has recorded 10 goals and 2 assists, averaging 0.5 goal contributions per game.
AC Milan’s stance on Leao
Valued at €70 million (around $80 million) by the specialized website Transfermarkt, Rafael Leao is one of AC Milan’s biggest stars alongside Christian Pulisic. However, his future at the club remains uncertain. “Milan would be willing to listen to offers,” Diario AS added in the same report, regarding the possibility of Leao being transferred once the current season ends.
Another Portuguese teammate for Cristiano Ronaldo?
A potential move from AC Milan to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League would be a significant boost for Al Nassr. The club already boasts a star-studded attack, and the 26-year-old winger would be a strong addition to that group.
Alongside Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman, Al Nassr also feature two Portugal national team stars: Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix. The arrival of Rafael Leao would unite three key attacking players from Roberto Martinez’s squad and further strengthen Al Nassr’s push for the elusive Saudi Pro League title.
Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo and AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.
Raffaele Palladino has called on Atalanta to produce a performance worthy of their remarkable journey as they prepare to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League last-16 second leg at the Allianz Arena, knowing that overturning a 6-1 first-leg deficit represents one of the most daunting tasks in European football.
The occasion carries additional historical significance. Tomorrow’s match will be Atalanta’s 100th game in UEFA competition, and also the fixture in which Marten De Roon could equal a club appearance record.
Palladino confirmed the Dutchman will be involved, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, adding with a smile that the milestone is “a great satisfaction, a historic result for him and for Atalanta.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Giacomo Raspadori of Atalanta battles for possession with Federico Gatti of Juventus during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC at the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Atalanta boss Palladino gives updates on Raspadori & De Ketelaere
The head coach was also able to deliver positive team news, confirming that Giacomo Raspadori trained with the squad on Tuesday and will be available, while Charles De Ketelaere and Ederson have also returned to fitness after injury absences.
“We have missed these players enormously and we are delighted to have them back,” Palladino said. “We will try to build up their minutes carefully.”
On the match itself, Palladino’s message was simple and unambiguous.
“Tomorrow the team must play with pride,” he said.
“We have nothing to lose and everything to prove. We must be focused on ourselves, as we showed in the first leg, the details make the difference.”
He also pointed to the growth his side have shown since that heavy defeat, arguing that Atalanta’s response against Inter demonstrated a resilience that bodes well.
“Despite conceding six goals we managed to mature and react like a great team.”
Palladino was equally clear that the result is secondary to the performance.
“Recovering five goals is always a mountain to climb,” he acknowledged.
“But I want a match worthy of this club and this occasion. We are proud to be the last Italian side standing in the Champions League, and tomorrow we will fight until the very end.”
Francesco Pio Esposito’s agent has moved to dismiss speculation linking the young Inter striker with a move to the Premier League, insisting the Italian starlet is fully committed to his future at San Siro despite reported interest from Arsenal and Newcastle.
“Pio Esposito is happy at Inter and will be the club’s future for the next ten years,” he said. “The boy is in love with Inter right now.”
He also pushed back on comparisons being made between Esposito and former Inter striker Christian Vieri, arguing that such parallels only create unnecessary pressure for a player still finding his own identity.
“He needs to develop his own way of playing, comparisons like that serve no purpose.”
The agent’s words come amid growing interest from England, with both Arsenal and Newcastle understood to be monitoring Esposito’s situation ahead of the summer.
LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 21: Francesco Pio Esposito of Inter warms up prior to the Serie A match between US Lecce and FC Internazionale at Stadio Via del Mare on February 21, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Inter & Pio Esposito destined for one another as parties shrug off Arsenal & Newcastle interest
Inter, however, are not believed to be open to a sale unless a truly extraordinary offer arrives, and Giuffredi’s comments suggest the player himself has no desire to leave, with his contract running until June 2030.
The numbers back up the excitement surrounding him.
Esposito has already made 39 appearances across all competitions this season, contributing eight goals and six assists, a remarkable return for a player of his age operating at the highest level.
He has also caught the eye of Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, who is expected to call on him for the World Cup playoff semi-final against Northern Ireland and a potential final on 31 March.
It has been a rapid rise for a player who came through Inter’s academy alongside brothers Salvatore and Sebastiano, before a standout loan season at Spezia, where he scored 20 goals and helped the club reach the Serie B playoff final, convinced Inter he was ready for the first team.
Gianluigi Donnarumma haș been named in the starting lineup for Manchester City this evening, as they welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad Stadium with a 3-goal deficit to overturn from the first leg.
The Italian shot-stopper has been Pep Guardiola’s number one since he arrived last summer from Paris Saint-Germain.
He will need to be at his best tonight, with every goal the Premier League giants conceding tonight having a massive impact on their potential comeback.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – JANUARY 31: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on January 31, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Donnarumma starts, Calafiori on the bench in UCL action
Meanwhile, Arsenal host Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium after the first leg finished all square at 1-1 in Germany.
Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori is not included in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup, with former Leverkusen man Piero Hincapie playing at left-back.
Calafiori received praise in the Premier League at the weekend after a tremendous scorpion block to deny Everton a first half opener.
The former Bologna man is, however, on the bench for the Gunners and may be deployed by Arteta later in the match.
Arne Slot appears to have questioned the level of unconditional support from Liverpool fans after boos rang out around Anfield following a disappointing 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Tottenham.
The result, which saw Spurs snatch a point through a 90th-minute Richarlison equaliser, has left the defending champions’ European hopes in serious jeopardy.
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Ahead of Wednesday’s must-win Champions League second leg against Galatasaray, Slot addressed the audible frustration from the stands, but his comments have sparked further debate about his relationship with the fanbase.
Arne Slot questions Liverpool fans unconditional support
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Slot admitted he was surprised by the shifting atmosphere at the club.
The Dutchman then appeared to challenge the long-held narrative of Anfield’s unwavering loyalty to its managers.
He said:
“It’s never nice they are frustrated, as fans aren’t frustrated after you win. You are frustrated and disappointed when you don’t win.”
“When I came here, I was told this club was different and the fans will support the manager for a long time. If it’s true [the fans are restless], I don’t feel it at all. I must have done a lot of things wrong then, that’s never a nice feeling to have!”
While he delivered the Premier League title in his debut season, the goodwill he built up appears to be eroding quickly.
Patience had already begun to wear thin following his earlier claim that Liverpool “have only won the league twice in 30 years”, a comment intended to manage expectations, but one that many felt undermined the club’s stature.
Before the Qarabag clash, Slot also suggested that last season’s title win was aided by Liverpool’s early Champions League exit against PSG, which reduced fixture congestion compared to their rivals.
His latest comments questioning the unconditional support of Liverpool fans only add to a growing list of remarks that risk further alienating the Anfield faithful.
With The Athletic reporting that Xabi Alonso is already being considered as a “top candidate” should the hierarchy decide to make a change, Slot’s defensive tone in press conferences is being viewed by some as a sign of a manager feeling the walls close in.
Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the AS Roma midfielder Niccolo Pisilli at the end of the season.
The 21-year-old is highly rated across Europe, and he has a bright future. The central midfielder has impressed in the Italian league, and he has the technical attributes for the Premier League as well. Tottenham need more control and composure in the middle of the park, and could prove to be a long-term acquisition.
Tottenham have long admired the midfielder, and they tried to sign him for €20 million previously. It will be interesting to see if they can get the deal over the line this time. According to a report from AS Roma Live, they are plotting an ambitious swap deal to sign the player.
They could offer the Italian defender Destiny Udogie in exchange for the midfielder. It will be interesting to see if all parties can finalise the move in the coming months.
The 21-year-old could be attracted to the idea of playing in the Premier League. It would be a major opportunity for him, and he will look to prove himself at the highest level. He will add control and creativity in the middle of the park for Tottenham. The London club have done well to groom young players, and they could help fulfil his tremendous potential in future.
If they can get the deal done for a reasonable investment, the move could prove to be a masterstroke in future.
Meanwhile, Tottenham should look to bring in a quality defensive midfielder as well. A reliable central midfielder and a defensive midfielder could complete their midfield unit.
Caleb Yirenkyi has been linked with a move away from Nordsjaelland at the end of the season.
Several Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on him, and the 20-year-old defensive midfielder could be on the move this summer. According to a report from TEAMtalk, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are all scouting the player extensively, and it will be interesting to see if they follow up with an official proposal to sign him at the end of the season.
The talented young defensive midfielder has a bright future and could develop into an important player for Premier League clubs.
Liverpool and Manchester United, in particular, need a quality defensive midfielder. They have looked vulnerable at the back, and they need someone who can protect the back four and allow the creative players to operate with more freedom. The 20-year-old would be a solid long-term investment for them. It will be interesting to see if they can get the deal done.
Meanwhile, Yirenkyi could be a solid replacement for Christian Norgaard at Arsenal. The former Brentford midfielder has barely had any opportunities at Arsenal since joining the club, and he is clearly not a preferred option for Mikel Arteta. It would make sense for Arsenal to replace him with a younger, more promising player.
At Chelsea, they have been overly dependent on Moises Caicedo. He needs more support, and signing the 20-year-old could be a wise decision. Yirenkyi is already an international with Ghana, and he will only improve with coaching and experience. He is a promising young player who could develop into a future star with the right guidance. Regular football in the Premier League could accelerate his development and bring out the best in him.
Liverpool and Manchester City are interested in signing the Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga at the end of the season.
The 23-year-old could be on his way out of the Spanish club in the summer. Real Madrid is reportedly willing to listen to offers for him, as per SportsBoom, and it will be interesting to see if the two Premier League clubs come forward with an acceptable proposal.
Liverpool needs more quality in the middle of the park, and the French International could be an excellent addition. They need someone who will provide defensive cover and allow the creative players to operate with more freedom. Camavinga seems tailor-made for them. He has the physicality and technical attributes for English football as well. He could be the ideal partner for Ryan Gravenberch at the heart of the Liverpool midfield.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have been overly dependent on Rodri in recent seasons. They need another reliable defensive midfielder, and the Real Madrid star could be the perfect fit for them. The 23-year-old is entering the peak years of his career, and this could be the right time for him to take on a new challenge in the Premier League.
Both Liverpool and Manchester City are elite clubs, and Camavinga could be attracted to the idea of joining them. He has shown his quality in La Liga and with the French national team. He has won major trophies at the club level, and his winning experience could prove to be invaluable.
The 23-year-old has two league titles and two Champions League trophies to his name at Real Madrid. He was a part of the French national team that reached the 2022 World Cup final as well.
Waldemar Anton has been linked with a move away from German club Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.
According to a report from SportsBoom, Tottenham, Aston Villa, and West Ham United are interested in the 29-year-old defender. The player is at the peak of his career, and he has impressed in Germany.
He has the physicality and technical attributes for English football as well. He could prove to be an excellent acquisition for all three clubs.
It is no secret that Tottenham need more quality in the defence. The experienced defender has been described as “impenetrable”, and there is no doubt that would help him tighten up at the back. Cristian Romero has been linked with a move away from the North London club, and they will need to replace him properly. The 29-year-old defender could be the ideal replacement for the South American.
Aston Villa need to improve defensively as well. They have looked mediocre at the back this season. They will be hoping to compete regularly in Europe, and they need to improve their team. The Liga defender could prove to be a solid addition for them. It will be interesting to see if they can convince the player to join the club in the summer.
West Ham United are keeping tabs on his situation as well. They are fighting for survival in the Premier League, and a quality defender could help them improve at the back. It will be interesting to see if they follow up on their interest with an official offer at the end of the season.
The report claims that the 29-year-old could cost around €40 million in the summer. All three clubs have the financial means to afford him, and it remains to be seen where Anton ends up.
Arsenal have recently been credited with interest in Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but according to Fabrizio Romano, the Champions League holders see the Georgian winger as a crucial part of their team and have no intention of selling him under any circumstances. Arsenal are expected to make some changes to their attacking department this […]
Liverpool vice-captain Andy Robertson hopes the team can find the answers to their recent struggles “sooner rather than later” as they look to turn around their Champions League last-16 tie against Galatasaray. The Reds lost the first leg 1-0 last week after Mario Lemina’s first-half header, marking the second time they lost to the Turkish […]
Although Chelsea had the hard task to overcome a three goal difference, they had a poor game, leaving huge defensive mistakes underway. Unlike them, PSG showcased an impressive performance, with Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and Senny Mayulu netting.
After a disappointing performance in the first leg, Chelsea faced PSG at Stamford Bridge, hoping for a major comeback. However, the Blues put in a disappointing performance, making serious individual errors that cost them the game. In contrast, the French side shone both offensively and defensively, with Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola, and Senny Mayulu standing out as scorers in the Champions League round of 16.
Without Wesley Fofana in the defensive line due to fitness issues, Chelsea did not reach to deliver consistency. Mamadou Sarr and Marc Cucurella individual mistakes, lead them to lose confidence, being overpassed by Luis Enrique’s team. Moreover, Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos failed to stop the French side offense, ruling out any chance to overcome the three goal difference.
Chelsea consistently sought to play an attacking style, with Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, and João Pedro remaining quite active. However, PSG’s high press left them with no space to control the ball or make decisions, forcing them to commit several errors and take ineffective shots. Although coach Liam Rosenior tried to adjust the offense by bringing in Liam Delap and Alejandro Garnacho, it was already too late to turn the game around.
Unlike the Blues, Paris Saint-Germain held an impressive performance along the Champions League Round of 16 two legs. Not only they shined in the first game, but also dominated in the second game. Betting for a high press, they cut Chelsea’s offense ideas, and Vitinha quickly delivered the ball to Kvaratskhelia or Barcola to make the difference. Later, Senny Mayulu concluded with an impressive goal.
Senny Mayulu of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring a goal with Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue.
Luis Enrique’s PSG delivered an offensive masterclass
Both Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain started the match with a highly dominant offensive approach. However, Luis Enrique’s team managed to capitalize just five minutes into the first half. After a through pass from Matvey Safonov,Khvicha Kvaratskhelia received the ball and controlled it first-time, easily dribbling past Mamadou Sarr. The Georgian then found himself one-on-one with Robert Sánchez, whom he beat to score the opening goal.
Far from lowering their offensive rhythm, Paris Saint-Germain remained highly dominant, forcing a second goal just over nine minutes later. After a loss of possession by Andrey Santos in midfield, João Neves recovered the ball and found Achraf Hakimi running down the flank. The Moroccan then picked out Bradley Barcola, who finished first-time, beating Robert Sánchez.
🚨🇪🇺 | GOAL: BRADLEY BARCOLA DOUBLES THE LEAD FOR PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN!
Although Chelsea FC started the second half in strong form, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia continued to dominate the defense of coach Liam Rosenior. After controlling the ball on the wing, the Georgian found Achraf Hakimi, who failed to get his shot off. However, Senny Mayulu struck first-time, scoring a stunning goal against the Blues and sealing any chance of a comeback.
With Vinicius Junior starring with a brace, Real Madrid secured their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Manchester City.
Manchester City hosted Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, March 17, for the second leg of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. A brace from Vinicius Junior ensured the Citizens could not complete the comeback, as Los Blancos sealed a 2-1 victory on the night and advanced on aggregate.
The game opened with chances at both ends, but it was Real Madrid who broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute under controversial circumstances. Bernardo Silva blocked a Vinicius Junior shot with his arm inside the box, earning a red card in the process, and the Brazilian stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, sending Donnarumma the wrong way.
Despite being reduced to ten men, City responded with spirit and drew level in the 41st minute when Jeremy Doku whipped in a cross that the Madrid defense failed to deal with, leaving Haaland with a simple tap-in. However, Vinicius Junior had the final word, prodding home in the 90th-plus-third minute to restore the advantage and, combined with the emphatic 3-0 first-leg result, seal Real Madrid’s place in the quarterfinals.
Los Blancos will now await the outcome of the Bayern Munich-Atalanta tie to learn their quarterfinal opponent in the Champions League. The German side took a commanding 6-1 lead from the first leg in Italy and are expected to wrap up qualification when they host the return fixture at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates scoring against Manchester City.
Looking for a ticket to the Champions League quarterfinals against Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal won't be counting with star Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal are bidding for a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal spot against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium. But fans hoping to see the Gunners at full strength will be disappointed, with Martin Odegaard absent from the squad entirely.
Odegaard will play no part in the second leg of the Round of 16 against Leverkusen due to a knee injury. Head coach Mikel Arteta confirmed as much at Monday’s pre-match press conference, ruling out the Norway captain alongside Jurrien Timber, another key figure who will miss the game.
The midfielder has been managing the knee issue since late February, making his last appearance in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, where he lasted just 13 minutes. Since that February 22 outing, Odegaard has sat out Arsenal’s last five matches, including the first leg against Leverkusen.
The Norwegian addressed his situation in his pre-match program notes ahead of the Everton fixture: “I’m desperate to get back to playing as soon as I can. It’s been difficult for me with the knee injury lately, but I’m working as hard as I can to get back to full fitness now. The main thing is to be 100% again, and make sure I can properly help the team.“
Viktor Gyoekeres of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Martin Odegaard after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur.
The first leg at the BayArena ended in a 1-1 draw, with Robert Andrich and Kai Havertz getting on the scoresheet. With home support behind them at the Emirates, Arsenal will be confident of advancing, though they will need to do so without one of their most influential players.
Arsenal aiming to have Odegaard back for City
Beyond Tuesday’s Leverkusen clash in the Champions League, Arsenal face another major occasion on the horizon, with the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City scheduled for Sunday, March 22. For that showpiece, Arteta is hopeful of having Odegaard available.
Speaking at Monday’s press conference, the Spanish coach offered a cautiously optimistic update: “So we’re really pushing, he really wants to try to be available, but we’ll have to wait and see in the next few days when he trains with the team how he feels. We know the game that we’re going to be playing in a few days again, and the more players that we have the better.“
James Rodriguez made his Major League Soccer debut with Minnesota United, and Thomas Müller had some thoughts on the matter.
More than a month after his arrival at Minnesota United was announced, James Rodriguez made his MLS debut this past weekend. Facing him on the pitch was Thomas Muller, who shared his perspective on the Colombian midfielder joining the league.
James Rodriguez came on in the second half for Tomas Chancalay and played just over 30 minutes in Minnesota United’s heavy 6-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place. Muller, who also appeared in the final minutes, offered an unusually candid observation.
“I was a bit surprised he chose Minnesota,” the German forward said about Rodriguez’s move to MLS, according to BeIN Sports. “I remember in Munich he always said he was freezing. And now he goes to Minnesota, which is probably the coldest place in the United States.”
At that point, Muller isn’t entirely wrong. Minnesota is known for its harsh winters, with temperatures that can drop to 0°F. That’s even colder than winters in Munich, which usually see lows around 25°F. And it’s a massive contrast to the temperatures Rodriguez is used to in Colombia. In his hometown of Cucuta, the year’s lowest temperatures rarely fall below 59°F.
James Rodriguez made his MLS debut.
Muller and Rodriguez know each other well
Thomas Muller made the joke about Rodriguez’s move to MLS based on the close relationship they share. The two were teammates between 2017 and 2019 at Bayern Munich, when the Colombian midfielder arrived on loan from Real Madrid.
During those two seasons, Rodriguez struggled to fully adapt to the Bundesliga, which led the German club to pass on making the deal permanent. Still, James appeared in 67 matches, scored 15 goals, and contributed to two league titles and one DFB-Pokal victory.
The next challenges for Muller and Rodriguez
Thomas Muller’s MLS reality differs greatly from that of James Rodriguez. The German forward plays for one of the league’s top teams: Vancouver Whitecaps have won all four of their games this season and currently lead the Western Conference standings alongside Los Angeles FC.
On the continental stage, however, they face the tough task of overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit in the Round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Seattle Sounders, who they will visit Wednesday night.
Minnesota United, by contrast, are fully focused on MLS. They started the season with one win, one draw, and two losses, leaving them near the bottom of the Western Conference. Their next match will also be against Seattle Sounders on Sunday.
Minnesota United's James Rodriguez and Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Muller.
Roma’s attempt to overturn Wesley’s red card suspension has failed, with the sporting judge rejecting their appeal and confirming the Brazilian will miss the club’s next Serie A fixture against Lecce.
Roma had argued the second yellow card shown to Wesley during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Como was the result of mistaken identity, claiming the foul on Diao had actually been committed by Rensch rather than Wesley.
Under VAR protocol, a case of mistaken identity would be grounds for intervention, but the sporting judge ruled that no such error had occurred, stating there were no grounds to apply the relevant article of the regulations, according to CalcioMercato.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 01: Wesley of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Blow for Roma as no grounds for Wesley suspension being overturned
The VAR analysis, as detailed on DAZN’s Open VAR programme, supports that conclusion.
Officials Fabbri and Gariglio reviewed the incident immediately and confirmed without doubt that Wesley, not Rensch, made the challenge, with his right leg clearly making contact.
The on-field referee also clarified that he had initially played advantage following a separate Pellegrini challenge before whistling for Wesley’s foul, which VAR confirmed was not on the ball.
The 2-1 result stands, Wesley’s suspension is upheld, and Gasperini will be without the wide man for the Lecce game.
The silver lining for Roma is that he will be able to give his all in the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Bologna, a match that carries enormous importance with the tie level at 1-1, with Tsimikas likely to cover against Lecce when the Brazilian takes his place in the stands.
Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that Michele Di Gregorio has lost his no.1 status for the remainder of the season and that Mattia Perin is expected to be Juventus’s go-to shot stopper until the 2026-27 season.
Di Gregorio has made a series of high-profile errors between the sticks for Juventus in 2025-26, which led to his being dropped for the last four matches between Serie A and the Champions League play-off second leg against Galatasaray.
Head coach Luciano Spalletti had hinted that he would give Perin a run of two or three games in an attempt to take some of the pressure off Di Gregorio, but that run has now extended to four matches, and La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that the situation is unlikely to change between now and the end of the 2025-26 season.
After that, there is a possibility that neither Di Gregorio nor Perin stay on with Juventus after the summer transfer window according to Tuesday’s report.
The Pink Paper claims that Juventus need to raise around €11m to avoid making a capital loss on Di Gregorio, who joined on loan with an obligation to buy from Monza for a reported €18m in the summer of 2024.
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that there are still options for Di Gregorio elsewhere in Serie A, and that it is not out of the question that another side picks him up this summer.
Could Juventus replace both Di Gregorio and Perin this summer?
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 16: Mattia Perin of Juventus looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Juventus and US Sassuolo – Serie A TIM at on January 16, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Perin, meanwhile, is now 33, has never been Juventus’s first choice, and is unlikely to claim the no.1 spot if the Bianconeri are to bring in another stopper this summer, which reports elsewhere claim is likely to happen.
Perin had been linked with a move to Genoa during the January transfer window, and La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that it is not out of the question that he again seeks a move away for a sort-of ‘last dance’ as a no.1 in Serie A with just over a year remaining on his current Juventus contract.
Meanwhile, several other goalkeepers have been linked with moves to Juventus in recent weeks, including Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: Alisson Becker of Liverpool celebrates after Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool (not pictured) scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at City Ground on February 22, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Atalanta’s Marco Carnsecchi would be the ‘dream’ option for Juventus, but the 25-year-old is not expected to come cheap.
If Juventus are to bring in another goalkeeper this summer to serve as an understudy, La Gazzetta dello Sport has recommended a list that includes Lazio’s Ivan Provedel, Verona’s Lorenzo Montipo, Lecce’s Wladimiro Falcone, Cremonese’s Emil Audero and Bologna’s Federico Ravaglia.
Various reports suggest that Republic of Ireland international Troy Parrott is a potential option for Milan approaching the 2026 summer transfer window.
Reports Milan plotting move for AZ Alkmaar’s Parrott
Miguel Delaney of the Independent reports that Milan are ‘actively’ looking to sign a new striker this summer, that Parrott is a potential option for the Rossoneri and that his current club, AZ Alkmaar, are open to the idea of a sale this summer.
It is understood that Alkmaar will seek a fee in the region of around €30m (reported as £25m by outlets in the UK) to sell the Republic of Ireland international this summer.
Milan are not the only interested party. In fact, there are several sides across Europe keen on a potential deal for Parrott, including Fulham in the Premier League, Real Betis in LaLiga and VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.
Parrot has come up with 28 league goals from 52 appearances in the Eredivisie since joining AZ Alkmaar from Tottenham Hotspur, where he began his professional career. The 24-year-old has 14 goals from 22 league appearances this season, plus four from four outings in the cup and nine from 13 appearances in the UEFA Conference League.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – NOVEMBER 16: Players of Republic of Ireland celebrate their sides third goal scored by Troy Parrott of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Hungary and Republic of Ireland at on November 16, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
Parrott also made history with the Republic of Ireland national team earlier this season. Back in November, he netted a brace in a shock 2-0 win over Portugal, and then provided a hat-trick in an eventual 3-2 win away against Hungary a few days later to secure his nation a surprise spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In doing so, he became the first ever player to score an away hat-trick for the Republic of Ireland side in a competitive fixture and also the first player to score a hat-trick for the Republic of Ireland since Robbie Keane 11 years prior.
Manchester United could let up to four goalkeepers leave this summer as the club prepares for a significant overhaul of their defensive department.
According to The Sun, the Red Devils are planning to clear out several high-profile names to balance their squad and meet Premier League profitability and sustainability rules.
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At the heart of the exit list is Andre Onana, who is currently on a season-long loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor.
United reportedly plan to sell the 29-year-old permanently when he returns in July. Having joined for a hefty fee in 2023, the club is said to require at least £18.88 million for the Cameroonian to avoid recording a loss on their books.
For Manchester United goalkeepers could leave this summer
Onana is not the only shot-stopper facing an uncertain future. The report claims that Altay Bayindir will also be sold following a poor six-game run earlier this season.
The Turkish international has struggled to settle at Old Trafford, and a return to his homeland is on the cards, with Besiktas, as per the report, leading the race for his signature.
Meanwhile, the report adds that veteran third-choice keeper Tom Heaton is set for talks in the coming weeks.
With him turning 40 next month, Heaton is said to be open-minded about whether to extend his stay for one final season or hang up his gloves.
Additionally, 23-year-old reserve goalie Dermot Mee is expected to be released.
Senne Lammens has established himself as number one
The decision to trim the goalkeeping department comes as Senne Lammens has firmly established himself as the undisputed number one under interim boss Michael Carrick.
The 23-year-old Belgian, who arrived from Royal Antwerp last September has provided the composure and shot-stopping ability that Onana and Bayindir lacked.
However, with four potential departures, United will be eyeing a new backup goalkeeper this summer.
Report suggests the recruitment team is scouting the Premier League for a reliable number two who can provide competition for Lammens while fitting into the club’s new, younger wage structure.
Michael Carrick backed for permanent role at Manchester United
The looming clear-out comes amid a wave of support for interim manager Michael Carrick to be given the role on a permanent basis.
Carrick’s winning percentage is currently the highest of any United manager after nine games, having secured 22 out of a possible 27 points.
His ability to unify the dressing room and get the best out of revitalised veterans like Casemiro has reportedly impressed the INEOS hierarchy, making him the frontrunner for the post regardless of other high-profile candidates like Roberto De Zerbi.
Porto midfielder Rodrigo Mora has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.
According to a report from Sports Boom, Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle United are interested in the 18-year-old playmaker. It will be interesting to see if they decide to come forward with an offer to sign him.
The report claims that he could cost around €80 million. The Portuguese “wonderkid” has done quite well for Porto this season, and he is highly rated across Europe. He could develop into a quality player with the right guidance. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.
The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for him. However, he should look to join a club, where he will get regular opportunities. Sitting on the bench at a big club will not benefit him.
The report claims that there could be a “bidding war” for the midfielder in the summer.
The 18-year-old primarily operates as an attacking midfielder, and he will help create opportunities with his technical ability and vision in the final third. Arsenal and Manchester City could use more quality in the final third. Arsenal, in particular, have struggled to create opportunities and players like Martin Odegaard have not been at their best.
As far as Manchester City is concerned, Bernardo Silva has been linked with an exit in the summer, and they will need to replace him properly.
At Newcastle, they have been overly dependent on Anthony Gordon for creativity. They need more cutting-edge in the final third, and the 18-year-old would be a long-term investment. It will be interesting to see where Mora ends up eventually.
Manchester United are interested in signing the Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga at the end of the season.
The 23-year-old has been quite impressive since the move to La Liga, but he has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot at the Spanish club. It will be interesting to see if Real Madrid is willing to sanction his departure in the summer.
According to reports from Spain, it would take a stratospheric offer from Manchester United to get the deal done. The report further claims that Manchester United will intensify talks to sign the player at the end of the season. They are prepared to offer in excess of €50 million for the French international.
Camavinga can play in multiple roles, and he could be an asset to Manchester United if they can sign him. He will add physicality and defensive cover in the middle of the park. The report claims that he could be a partner for Kobbie Mainoo at the heart of the Manchester United midfield.
Casemiro will leave the club in the summer, and Manchester United have identified the Real Madrid star as his replacement. He’s a young player with a lot of potential, and he could develop into a top-class player for Manchester United.
The Red Devils are pushing for Champions League qualification, and they could be an attractive destination for players in the summer. It will be interesting to see if the French international is prepared to join them.
He needs to play regularly at this stage of his career, and Manchester United can provide him with the platform he needs.
Obviously against all pre-season expectations, Tottenham Hotspur are battling to avoid being relegated from the Premier League, and a widely spread opinion is that the players simply don’t care. Defender Micky van de Ven disagrees. “How does this come out? People are just making things up” 🗣️ Micky van de Ven has refuted claims that […]
Arsenal have recently been credited with interest in Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but according to Fabrizio Romano, the Champions League holders see the Georgian winger as a crucial part of their team and have no intention of selling him under any circumstances. Arsenal are expected to make some changes to their attacking department this […]
While Christian Pulisic continues to struggle in attack, the spotlight has shifted toward a teammate whose situation reflects a deeper tactical dilemma under Massimiliano Allegri.
At Milan, a subtle tension is beginning to emerge beneath an otherwise productive season. While Christian Pulisic continues to struggle in attack, the spotlight has shifted toward a teammate whose situation reflects a deeper tactical dilemma under Massimiliano Allegri. The midfielder in question has been delivering numbers, influencing matches, and adapting to new demands. However, behind the scenes, frustration is growing.
His role, reshaped by the coach and the club’s evolving system, may be costing him something far greater than club recognition. And as the international calendar edges closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the consequences are becoming impossible to ignore. The player at the center of this story is Youssouf Fofana, a midfielder whose performances have quietly made him one of Milan’s most effective creators, yet whose international future now hangs in the balance.
Since the start of 2024, he has registered 13 assists across all competitions, placing him at the very top of the club’s creative charts alongside Rafael Leao. Just behind them is Pulisic with 12, as per Sofascore. These numbers underline a key detail: a central midfielder is driving the Rossoneri’s chance creation. Rather than simply recycling possession, the Frenchman has developed into a player capable of delivering decisive final passes, turning structured buildup into tangible attacking output. His influence extends across competitions, reflecting both tactical intelligence and technical precision.
Despite his productivity, Fofana’s evolution at Milan has come at a cost. Under Allegri, he has been deployed in a more advanced, right-sided midfield role, far removed from the deep-lying position that once defined his game. While the change has improved his tactical awareness, it has also altered how he sees and interacts with the pitch.
Youssouf Fofana of AC Milan
“When you’re told you’ll play higher up the pitch, at first you’re even happy. In the end, I realized it’s not necessarily what I want,” he admitted in an interview with L’Equipe. “I do it for the team, but I really liked being at the origin of plays, controlling the team’s tempo, recovering balls.” The shift has forced him to adapt quickly: playing faster, reading situations differently, and dealing with more physically demanding duels. Yet, even as he grows, there is a sense that he is moving away from his natural identity.
The World Cup consequence
The deeper issue lies beyond club play. Fofana has not been called up by Francesince 2024, and his chances of making the upcoming squad for friendlies against Brazil and Colombia appear slim. According to the player himself, the positional change is directly affecting his international prospects.
“If I look at the World Cup, I don’t think I’ll be considered for this role,” he said. “I do it with the club… but I’m not convinced this will help me for the future.” Even more striking was his blunt assessment of the situation: “I’m collateral damage.”This is the key tension: a player sacrificing his ideal role for club success, while potentially losing his place on the international stage.
oussouf Fofana of France walks past the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy
Season of growth—but not satisfaction
Statistically, Fofana’s season has been solid. He has contributed assists, maintained consistency, and adapted to a more complex tactical system. Yet, he remains unconvinced. “I could have been more effective… I could have scored more and provided more assists,” he reflected. “Not good enough, I think.”
This self-criticism reveals a player striving for higher standards, even as external recognition remains limited. Despite playing for one of Europe’s biggest clubs, he feels overlooked in discussions about France’s World Cup squad. “I’m taking a step forward in my career with an Italian giant, and nobody sees me… In the medium term, I’m not considered… and that’s a shame.”
AC Milan star Christian Pulisic and head coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Amid the turmoil surrounding Barcelona’s presidency, Hansi Flick’s future seemed uncertain. However, Joan Laporta’s re-election appeared to pave the way for him to stay on. In light of this situation, he broke his silence regarding his contract renewal and revealed a detail about his retirement.
Throughout the 2025–26 season, Hansi Flick’s future at FC Barcelona had been put into doubt. Amid the electoral uncertainty, the German’s continuity depended on whether Joan Laporta would be re-elected. After the president’s re-election, fans were pushing for clarity regarding the head coach’s future. Because of this, Flick has not only decided to break his silence about his contract renewal, but also about his professional retirement.
In the press conference ahead of the match against Newcastle United, Hansi Flick broke his silence about his future at FC Barcelona: “I think it is not the moment to talk about my renewal now. There is an important match for the club and for our future. I am very happy here, but I have to speak with my family. There is time to talk about all of this.”
Even though Flick decided not to reveal details about his extended tenure with the Spanish side, the German may have defined his future. “We will announce the renewal for Flick soon, it will be for one more season — until 2028… Hansi has already agreed, he’s very happy here,” president Joan Laporta said, via RAC1. With his continued presence secured, the Culers can breathe calmly, knowing their head coach has elevated them into one of the best teams in the world.
Flick opens up on his retirement
Not only Hansi has decided to extend his contract with Barcelona, but has also made an important confession on his professional retirement. “I think it’s clear that I like working here, but I also value my independence. I have a great family and a lot of support. This is soccer, and I try to give my best to the team… but we will see. There is time. I am not thinking about going anywhere else. This will be my last job, and that makes me happy,” he said at the press conference.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick speaking to Lamine Yamal.
While Hansi Flick has become a legend with Germany and Bayern Munich, he has found his best spot in Barcelona. Having secured this role as his last job before retirement, he has gained a special place with the Culers. Nonetheless, he still holds a main task: Winning a Champions League title for the Spanish side. Moreover, he seeks to plant the seeds for a sustainable future project, including the development of several young players.
Flick emerges as a transformative figure in Barcelona
After the departure of Xavi Hernández, FC Barcelona’s situation was quite negative, as they were unable to impose a dominant style of play and their competitiveness in the UEFA Champions League was very low. However, Hansi Flick’s arrival completely changed the team’s reality. He not only restored competitiveness, but also improved the players physically, taking the team back to competing for all titles again.
To elevate the overall performance of the Blaugranas, the German coach has focused on recovering the best version of Raphinha, who has even become a candidate for the Ballon d’Or. Alongside this, he has developed Pedri into the team’s most important player both creatively and defensively. While they still have defensive issues, the emergence of Gerard Martín and Eric García has been key in seeking defensive consistency, despite the ups and downs.
Although Flick has not yet won the Champions League, he is already a highly appreciated figure in Barcelona. After several years of poor results, the German has elevated the team back into a powerhouse—something neither Ronald Koeman nor Xavi Hernández managed during their spells. In addition, he has trusted young talents like Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart, aiming to build a promising long-term project.
Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, looks on during the Copa Del Rey Semi Final.
After getting called up to the latest USMNT list with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, head coach Mauricio Pochettino addressed star Christian Pulisic's goalscoring drought.
Christian Pulisic has been going through a prolonged goalscoring drought that stands in stark contrast to the sparkling form he showed at the start of the season. With the 2026 World Cup just three months away, head coach Mauricio Pochettino addressed Pulisic’s form while announcing his latest USMNT squad.
Pochettino named his squad for the March international window, which will see the USMNT face Belgium on the 28th and Portugal on the 31st. Pulisic earned his place back in the fold after sitting out the November window, a mutual decision between AC Milan and the national team to give the forward time to fully recover from injury.
At Tuesday’s press conference, Pochettino was asked about Pulisic’s return and offered a measured assessment: “With Christian, well, I never mention the performance of the teams or the clubs. We see the players and Christian is playing. He’s not scoring, but for me, it’s not only about scoring goals.“
The Argentine coach went on to frame the call-up as an opportunity for Pulisic to find his footing ahead of the tournament. “I’m happy with him and the way he’s performing, the way he’s committed with the team, and also with the time he’s playing. It’s a great opportunity for him to join us and to perform with us, and to help him to arrive in the best condition to be selected also for the last roster,” Pochettino added.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan.
After a blistering start to the Serie A season that saw Pulisic score eight goals in his first 10 appearances and claim the Player of the Month award in September, injuries have taken a heavy toll on his momentum. In the last 12 AC Milan matches, Pulisic has played in 11 but has failed to score or register a single assist.
His last goal dates back to December 28, 2025, when he found the net in a 3-0 win over Hellas Verona. Despite the dry spell, Pochettino made clear he has not lost faith in “Captain America,” even as his contributions in front of goal in 2026 have left plenty to be desired.
Pochettino leaves the door open to new players
With the USMNT set to face testing opponents in Belgium and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, expectations were high for Pochettino to name a squad as close as possible to his intended World Cup roster. However, the absence of players like Alejandro Zendejas prompted questions about whether those left out still have a realistic path to the tournament.
Pochettino addressed the situation directly when asked about Zendejas, making clear that nothing is set in stone: “The decision from this roster, what I can tell you is that, where everyone is saying that maybe it’s the last opportunity, but it’s not closed, it’s still open. It’s not the final roster. Like we were talking about Gio (Reyna), Alejandro I know him very well, how he can adapt to the dynamic of the group, how he can work, but even Diego Luna or some players that are not here, or are injured and don’t have the opportunity to be with us, it’s not closed.“
Head coach of United States Mauricio Pochettino (L) and Christian Pulisic (R).
From uncertainty to anticipation, the spotlight once again turns to Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie as the United States prepares for a defining international window, one that could shape their path toward 2026.
From uncertainty to anticipation, the spotlight once again turns to Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie as the United States prepares for a defining international window, one that could shape their path toward 2026. With Cristiano Ronaldo looming in the background of the narrative, the question is not just about selection, but about timing, fitness, and destiny.
The latest squad announcement by the United States signals far more than just another international break. It represents the penultimate checkpoint before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a tournament that the nation will host and one that could redefine its soccer identity. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has assembled a 27-player group tasked with fine-tuning chemistry, testing tactical flexibility, and proving individual worth ahead of the final selection.
The camp, set in Atlanta, will culminate in two high-profile friendlies against European heavyweights. These matches are not just exhibitions. They are simulations of World Cup intensity, designed to expose both strengths and vulnerabilities.
At the heart of the squad are familiar names. Pulisic and McKennie lead a core that closely resembles a first-choice lineup, underlining the manager’s desire for continuity at a crucial stage. Yet, the roster is not without its twists. The return of Gio Reyna stands out as one of the most intriguing storylines. Despite limited minutes at club level, his inclusion suggests that talent and past international impact still carry significant weight.
im Ream #13, Weston McKennie #8, Christian Pulisic #10, and Antonee Robinson #5 of USMNT
Similarly, the comeback of Antonee Robinson after a long injury absence offers a timely boost. His presence could prove vital, especially given his consistency in previous campaigns. However, not all news is positive. Key absences due to injury, most notably Tyler Adams and Sergino Dest, leave gaps in leadership and structure. Their situations highlight the fragile balance between form and fitness just months before the tournament.
The matches that could define the squad
The United States will face Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta, two of the world’s top-ranked national teams. These fixtures are not just tests; they are benchmarks against elite opposition. The encounter with Portugal, in particular, carries an added layer of intrigue.
With global attention fixed on Ronaldo’s situation, uncertainty surrounds whether the iconic forward will feature. His potential presence, or absence, could dramatically alter the narrative of the match. Still, even without him, the Selecao remains a formidable force, boasting depth and quality across every line. Take a look at Mauricio Pochettino’s squad:
Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Roman Celentano (Cincinnati), Matt Freese (New York City), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic)
Midfielders: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Johnny Cardoso (Atletico Madrid), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Gio Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Patrick Agyemang (Derby County), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV), Christian Pulisic (Milan), Tim Weah (Marseille).
Will Ronaldo play?
For weeks, the narrative has circled around one central mystery. Now, clarity begins to emerge. The likelihood of Cristiano Ronaldo playing against the United States remains uncertain and increasingly doubtful. Despite being included in preliminary considerations by Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, the forward’s hamstring injury has disrupted his availability.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts following an injury
Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus recently offered further insight: “Ronaldo and Mane should return after the international break. Everyone knows they are great players, but they will be out for a while.” This timeline places his potential participation in serious doubt, particularly with concerns about rushing him back too soon. While reports suggest he may still travel, his match fitness and involvement on the pitch remain unresolved.
Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (right)
The Lega Serie A have confirmed that Roma wing-back Wesley Franca will be suspended for one match and that Inter and Lazio head coaches Cristian Chivu and Maurizio Sarri are among those who picked up bans during the 29th round of 2025-26 fixtures.
Official: Wesley, Chivu and Sarri decisions confirmed after Serie A week 29
Three red cards were dished out by the officials during the 29th round of Serie A fixtures. The harshest of those punishments has been handed to Pisa’s Rafiu Durosinmi, who has earned a two-game ban for having kicked out at an opponent in an off the ball incident during his side’s 3-1 win over Cagliari.
Adam Obert was also shown a red card during Cagliari’s 3-1 loss against Pisa and has picked up a one-match suspension as a result.
Wesley was also sent off during Roma’s 2-1 defeat away against top-four rivals Como for what many feel was a harsh second yellow card offence. His ban has been upheld, and he will be suspended for Roma’s upcoming Serie A test against Lecce.
Parma’s Enrico Delprato, Pisa’s Michel Aebischer and Cremonese’s Warren Bondo have all now picked up five yellow cards for the season and will all be suspended for Serie A week 30.
Chivu has also been suspended for Inter’s upcoming trip to Fiorentina after being shown two yellow cards against Atalanta on Saturday, and Lazio’s Sarri has also been suspended for one match after leaving his technical area and making disrespectful comments towards the match officials against Milan.
Chelsea are hoping to sign Michael Kayode from Brentford at the end of the season.
The 21-year-old has established himself as a reliable performer in the top-flight, and he could prove to be a very useful addition for Chelsea. According to reports from Spain, Chelsea would be prepared to pay €70 million in order to sign the defender.
Brentford signed him for €17.5 million last summer, and he has been a very important player for them. However, the opportunity to make a significant profit from his departure could be tempting. It will be interesting to see if Chelsea comes forward with the €70 million proposal for the defender at the end of the season.
Reece James has recently picked up a serious injury, and he has had his fair share of injury problems in the past as well. Chelsea needs more quality and depth at full-back, and Kayode would be a solid long-term acquisition. He is a young player who is already impressing in the Premier League. He will only improve with coaching and experience. He could develop into a key player for Chelsea in the long-term.
Chelsea will be hoping to fight for major trophies next season, and they need to improve defensively. Signing a quality defender could make a big difference for them. The 21-year-old could be attracted to the idea of joining one of the biggest clubs in the country as well. It could give him a platform to compete in the UEFA Champions League and fight for trophies.
It will be interesting to see if the two clubs can finalise an agreement in the coming months.
Lazio defender Mario Gila has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.
Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are interested in the defender, and the former Real Madrid player could cost around €30 million.
According to reports from Spain, Aston Villa is leading the race for his signature. Unai Emery wants to improve his defensive unit, and he has identified the Spaniard as a target. All three clubs have the financial muscle to get the deal done, and it will be interesting to see where Gila ends up.
The opportunity to move to the Premier League could be exciting for him. It would be the ideal next challenge for him. He has proven himself in Italy, and he could look to make his mark in English football.
The 25-year-old defender is at the peak of his career, and this is the right time for him to take on a new challenge. He has the quality to succeed in the Premier League, and he could help all three teams.
Aston Villa need to add more quality to the defensive unit if they want to compete for Champions League football regularly. Signing the Spanish defender could prove to be a wise decision. On the other hand, Tottenham have been quite poor at the back this season. In addition, players like Cristian Romero and Radu Dragusin have been linked with a move away from the club in the summer. They need to sign a quality central defender, and the Lazio star could be the ideal acquisition.
Everton could use an upgrade on James Tarkowski as well. It will be interesting to see where the 25-year-old Spaniard ends up eventually.
Verdict: Both teams to score Best odds: 8/11 Bookmaker: Betfair Liverpool attempt to overturn a one‑goal deficit on Wednesday night when they welcome Galatasaray to Anfield for the second leg of their Champions League last‑16 tie. Six months after suffering a 1–0 defeat in Istanbul during the league phase, the Reds endured the same punishment […]
Hansi Flick believes “it’s not the time now” to speak about his contract renewal at Barcelona as they prepare to take on Newcastle United in the Champions League last 16. Barca president Joan Laporta, who recently won the club’s presidential elections, revealed that he wants Flick to extend his stay until 2028 and that an […]
After the Finalissima against Spain was cancelled, Argentina reportedly have plans in place for the March FIFA break.
The soccer world will miss out on what promised to be an unforgettable showdown between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal in the Finalissima. Following the cancellation of that match against Spain, Argentina now appear to have a clear plan for the March FIFA break.
“The Argentina national team will train in Argentina during the FIFA window,” national team insider Gaston Edul reported Tuesday via his official X account. “There will be no travel.”
That puts an end to speculation surrounding the path forward for Lionel Scaloni’s squad. Originally, Argentina were set to face Spain in the Finalissima on March 27 in Qatar, and four days later they were scheduled to take on the hosts in a friendly. That second match was intended as preparation for their World Cup clash with Jordan, given the similarities in level and style between the opponents.
With those Middle East fixtures no longer viable due to the region’s ongoing tensions, and after talks to relocate the Finalissima fell through, Argentina are now targeting a single friendly on home soil.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni.
“FIFA break: Argentina vs. Guatemala on March 31. The stadium will be confirmed soon,” added Gaston Edul, also via X. This means Lionel Scaloni will have the opportunity to put his players into action, albeit against a lower-level opponent than Spain.
Argentina choose a completely different path than Spain
While Argentina are heading into the March FIFA break with just one friendly against a lower-level opponent and prioritizing extended training time, Spain have taken the opposite approach following the Finalissima cancellation.
The reigning European champions moved quickly to line up two new friendlies for the upcoming international window. On March 27, they will face Serbia on Spanish soil, with the venue still to be confirmed. Four days later, they will take on Egypt, a team they were originally scheduled to face in Qatar.
Luis de la Fuente and Lionel Scaloni have opted for contrasting strategies amid the sudden changes. The Spain manager will have two matches to evaluate his squad before naming his final 26-man roster in late May, while his Argentine counterpart will benefit from extended training time to further refine his team’s on-field chemistry.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi and head coach Lionel Scaloni.
With Cristiano Ronaldo leading the charge, the club now stands on the threshold of a remarkable chapter, one that could redefine both its modern identity and the Portuguese icon’s legacy in Saudi soccer.
At Al-Nassr, a season that once risked fading into frustration has become far more compelling. With Cristiano Ronaldo leading the charge, the club now stands on the threshold of a remarkable chapter, one that could redefine both its modern identity and the Portuguese icon’s legacy in Saudi soccer.
Momentum has surged, belief has returned, and suddenly, what seemed unlikely just months ago is now within touching distance. There is a growing sense that something extraordinary is about to unfold. However, the full scale of what lies ahead only becomes clear when you look closer at the calendar and the stakes involved.
Jorge Jesus’ side’s rise has not been gradual; it has been emphatic. After a difficult moment in January, when the club suffered a 2-1 defeat to Al-Hilal, everything changed. That loss became a turning point rather than a setback. Since then, the response has been nothing short of dominant.
Al-Nassr is currently top of the Saudi Pro League with 67 points after 26 matches, holding a narrow but crucial advantage at the summit. Even more striking is their goal difference: +52, with 71 goals scored and just 19 conceded, a balance of attacking brilliance and defensive discipline.
Saudi Pro League standings after Matchday 26
The numbers only get more impressive. The club has put together 12 consecutive league victories and an astonishing 14 straight wins across all competitions, underlining a level of consistency that few teams in Asia can match at this stage of the season.
The hidden opportunity: Two trophies in five days
What makes this campaign truly special is not just the form. It is the timing. In the space of just five days, Al-Nassr could turn its dominance into silverware on two fronts. The schedule presents a rare and intense opportunity:
May 16 – Continental final
May 21 – Final league matchday
Two matches. Two trophies. Five days. This compressed window has dramatically raised the stakes. Rather than a drawn-out title race, everything could be decided in less than a week, a scenario that adds both pressure and historic potential.
Sadio Mane of Al Nassr celebrates with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo
The league title within reach
Domestically, Al-Nassr’s fate is firmly in its own hands. Heading into the final stretch, the club sits three points clear at the top, knowing that maintaining its current form will be enough to secure the championship. The decisive match is set to take place against Damac in the familiar surroundings of Al Awwal Park.
Given the team’s unstoppable winning streak and dominant home form, they enter the fixture as clear favorites. The consistency shown in recent months suggests that the players have found the perfect balance between control and aggression, qualities essential for closing out a title race.
Continental dominance on display
While the domestic campaign has been impressive, Al-Nassr’s performances on the continental stage have arguably been even more dominant. In the AFC Champions League Two, the club has been flawless so far:
Six wins from six matches in the group stage
22 goals scored, only two conceded
A perfect record heading into the knockout rounds
AFC Champions League Two group stage standings
This level of control highlights not just quality, but superiority over opponents. Even with the knockout stages shifting to single-leg matches at neutral venues, Al-Nassr remains a standout contender. If the latter stages are hosted in Saudi Arabia, the advantage could tilt even further in their favor—especially with Ronaldo thriving in familiar conditions.
Why everything is falling into place
Several factors have combined to put Al-Nassr in this powerful position. First, there is momentum, arguably the most valuable currency in soccer. Winning breeds confidence, and confidence fuels performance. Fourteen consecutive victories have created a psychological edge that few opponents can match. Second, there is defensive solidity. Conceding just 19 goals in 26 league matches reflects a structure that allows attacking players to take risks without fear.
Finally, there is Ronaldo himself. The veteran forward remains driven by more than just individual accolades. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, every performance carries added significance. Delivering silverware at club level would not only validate his move to Saudi Arabia but also sharpen his competitive edge ahead of one final international push.
Chasing a miraculous comeback, Chelsea face PSG in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16. Although the two teams are in different situations, they are both aiming for an offensive strategy, which is their specialty. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Although Chelsea were coming in strong form, they were defeated 5–2 by Paris Saint-Germain in an exciting match. Nonetheless, the Blues head into today’s second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 looking to mount an impressive comeback. However, the French side will not make it easy, as they boast a well-balanced squad across all areas, making things difficult for the Premier League side.
Under coach Liam Rosenior, the Blues have gradually begun to play closer to their best, establishing a tactical balance in midfield and giving Enzo Fernandez a prominent role. However, they are struggling to shine defensively, as their defenders have yet to reach their peak form, committing several errors in every game. As a result, they face the difficult task of preventing goals, while Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer look to make a difference on the scoring end.
PSGhave managed to remain one of the most dominant teams in the world. Not only has Ousmane Dembélé regained his physical form, but they have also brought out the best in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. In addition, coach Luis Enrique has kept Vitinha performing at his best in midfield, which solidifies the defensive backline led by Marquinhos and Willian Pacho. With this, they emerge as the favorites to secure a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals.
While Chelsea come into the match with urgency to overturn the result, PSG remain relatively calm, holding a comfortable aggregate lead. Despite this, both teams are expected to adopt an attacking approach, viewing it as the best way to secure his spot to the next round. However, the French side have more tools to shine, as not only Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia, but also Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué have been performing at a high level.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of PSG runs with the ball under pressure from Moises Caicedo and Malo Gusto of Chelsea.
Chelsea lineups vs. PSG
Not only do Chelsea have to overturn the score against PSG, but they also come into the match with numerous absences. Coach Rosenior will be without Reece James, Malo Gusto, Jamie Gittens, Filip Jørgensen, and Levi Colwill. Despite this, they may rely on Trevoh Chalobah as the leader of their defense, while looking to Enzo Fernández, João Pedro, and Cole Palmer to make the difference in the scoring side.
Considering this, the Blues will lineup as follows:
PSG come into today’s clash against Chelsea as clear favorites due to their aggregate lead. However, coach Luis Enrique still has two key absences, as neither Fabián Ruiz nor Quentin Ndjantou will be available due to fitness issues. Despite this, the French side maintain a deep bench and keep their key pillars: Marquinhos, Vitinha, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Ousmane Dembélé. Because of this, they aim to secure their place in the quarterfinals.
Manchester City square off with Real Madrid in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
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After one of the most highly anticipated matchups on the schedule, Real Madrid seized full control of the tie with a dominant 3–0 victory in the opening leg, delivering a statement performance that few expected in what many believed would be a tightly contested clash.
Now, the Spanish giants now head into the second leg with a comfortable cushion, though the job is far from finished against Manchester City, who will look to transform their home stadium into a fortress as they attempt to mount a dramatic comeback and keep their hopes of reaching the Round of 16 alive.
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Paramount+ is now offering a 7-day free trial promotion for new subscribers, giving fans the ability to watch a ton of soccer fans (and other content) for free.
After the 7-day trial, Paramount+ is just $7.99 per month.
Paramount+ features more than 2,000 live matches each year. In addition to Serie A, the extensive portfolio of soccer properties also includes EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League; NWSL; and much more.
Paramount+ includes exclusive original programs such as: Halo, Star Trek: Discovery, Frasier, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and Evil, as well as movies including Mean Girls, Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning and more. You can also stream CBSN (CBS News), CBS Sports HQ and ET Live, as well as — with the Premium Plan — your local CBS network.
Paramount+ is available on PC or Mac as well as Roku, iPhone and Android phones, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung smart TV, Vizio and XBOX One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Paramount+ soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
Here are the steps to sign up for your 7-day free trial to Paramount+:
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Chelsea play against PSG in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Chelsea vs PSG on US television and via legal streaming:
Trailing 5–2 after the first leg, Chelseareturn to London with a steep challenge ahead, needing a three-goal swing to keep their hopes alive in the tie. The English side will look to feed off the energy of the Stamford Bridge crowd as they chase a dramatic comeback against PSG, who seized control of the matchup with a dominant attacking display in the opener.
What many expected to be a tightly contested battle quickly tilted in favor of the French giants, who now sit firmly in the driver’s seat and just one strong performance away from the quarterfinals—but with pride, pressure, and a place in the next round on the line, this second leg promises plenty of drama, so make sure you don’t miss the action.
More details on how to watch
Paramount+ is now offering a 7-day free trial promotion for new subscribers, giving fans the ability to watch a ton of soccer fans (and other content) for free.
After the 7-day trial, Paramount+ is just $7.99 per month.
Paramount+ features more than 2,000 live matches each year. In addition to Serie A, the extensive portfolio of soccer properties also includes EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League; NWSL; and much more.
Paramount+ includes exclusive original programs such as: Halo, Star Trek: Discovery, Frasier, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and Evil, as well as movies including Mean Girls, Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning and more. You can also stream CBSN (CBS News), CBS Sports HQ and ET Live, as well as — with the Premium Plan — your local CBS network.
Paramount+ is available on PC or Mac as well as Roku, iPhone and Android phones, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung smart TV, Vizio and XBOX One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Paramount+ soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
Here are the steps to sign up for your 7-day free trial to Paramount+:
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
Free resources available to you
World Soccer Talk is the number one destination in the United States for soccer television and streaming information. We recommend that you bookmark our soccer games on TV today page as well as subscribing to our free daily email newsletter that includes TV schedules and the latest soccer news and opinion from around the world.
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Arsenal will face Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen on US television and via legal streaming:
Everything will be on the line in London as Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen meet for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 matchup. The tie heads to England completely level after a 1–1 draw in Germany, where Leverkusen showed resilience to hold off an Arsenalwidely viewed as the favorite.
Now, with home advantage on their side, the Gunners will aim to turn that momentum into a spot in the quarterfinals, while Leverkusenarrive knowing the even aggregate score keeps their hopes very much alive heading into this pivotal showdown—so make sure you don’t miss what promises to be a thrilling European night.
More details on how to watch
Paramount+ is now offering a 7-day free trial promotion for new subscribers, giving fans the ability to watch a ton of soccer fans (and other content) for free.
After the 7-day trial, Paramount+ is just $7.99 per month.
Paramount+ features more than 2,000 live matches each year. In addition to Serie A, the extensive portfolio of soccer properties also includes EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League; NWSL; and much more.
Paramount+ includes exclusive original programs such as: Halo, Star Trek: Discovery, Frasier, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and Evil, as well as movies including Mean Girls, Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning and more. You can also stream CBSN (CBS News), CBS Sports HQ and ET Live, as well as — with the Premium Plan — your local CBS network.
Paramount+ is available on PC or Mac as well as Roku, iPhone and Android phones, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung smart TV, Vizio and XBOX One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Paramount+ soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
Here are the steps to sign up for your 7-day free trial to Paramount+:
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
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World Soccer Talk is the number one destination in the United States for soccer television and streaming information. We recommend that you bookmark our soccer games on TV today page as well as subscribing to our free daily email newsletter that includes TV schedules and the latest soccer news and opinion from around the world.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
The emotional weight of international soccer has once again fallen heavily on Neymar, as the Brazilian icon has again responded to a painful decision from Carlo Ancelotti.
The emotional weight of international soccer has once again fallen heavily on Neymar, as the Brazilian icon has again responded to a painful decision from Carlo Ancelotti. The forward, who remains one of the most recognizable figures in the game, was left out of Brazil‘s latest squad ahead of crucial friendlies on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite the setback, Neymar chose to respond publicly, not with anger alone, but with a message that carried deeper meaning. The post quickly captured attention, reflecting both his disappointment and his determination to keep fighting for a place on soccer’s biggest stage. The omission came as part of Brazil’s preparations for upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, two high-level tests scheduled in the United States.
When announcing the squad, Ancelotti made his stance crystal clear. Reputation alone would not be enough. “Neymar can be at the World Cup if he is 100%. Why haven’t I called him up now? Because he’s not at 100%, we need players who are at 100%,” the Italian coach explained.
The message was consistent with his philosophy since taking charge: fitness over legacy. Even for Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, there would be no exceptions. For the 34-year-old, still working his way back after a serious knee injury suffered in 2023, the decision represented a harsh reality. The door is not fully closed, but it is only slightly open.
Carlo Ancelotti sobre Neymar:
"Neymar pode estar na Copa se estiver 100%. Por que não chamei agora o Neymar? Porque não está 100%, é preciso de jogadores 100%."
Neymar did not hide his feelings. Speaking publicly after the squad announcement, the forward admitted that the decision had affected him deeply, but insisted that his focus remains unchanged. “You cannot simply brush that aside… Of course, I am angry and sad that I was not called up,” he said. “But the focus remains day by day, every training session, match by match. We will achieve our goal. There is still one final call-up to come, and the dream lives on.”
The statement reflected both vulnerability and resilience. At 34, Neymar understands that time is no longer on his side, yet his ambition to represent Brazil on the world stage remains intact.
Neymar’s last appearance for Brazil was in October 2023.
The message that spoke louder than words
While his verbal response was powerful, it was Neymar’s social media activity that truly captured global attention. Shortly after the squad announcement, he posted a mending-heart Instagram story accompanied by a Bible verse, a symbolic message that revealed the emotional toll of the situation. The quote, drawn from scripture, emphasized trust in a larger plan even when circumstances feel unclear. “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
The post, combined with imagery contrasting personal reflection and national pride, painted a picture of a player grappling with disappointment while holding onto hope. The message quickly went viral, with fans divided between those supporting Neymar’s resilience and those questioning whether his time with Brazil is coming to an end.
Despite everything, his World Cup dream is still not officially over. The Selecao’s final squad will be announced in the coming months, leaving the forward with a narrow window to prove his fitness and form. Upcoming matches with Santos will be crucial, as he looks to demonstrate that he can still perform at the highest level. The challenge is immense, and the expectations are even greater.
Neymar rejected Carlo Ancelotti’s claim that his Brazil omission was due to fitness issues, insisting it was a purely technical decision by the coach.
Italy national team striker Mateo Retegui is back in Florence and is reportedly working individually one week early ahead of Italy’s World Cup play-off campaign coming up at the end of the month.
Retegui’s Italy training camp has already begun
Retegui currently plays for Al-Qadsiah, who sit in fourth place in the Saudi Pro League standings. The Argentine-born Italy international has provided 15 goals from 25 league outings so far this season.
Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, there will be no Saudi Pro League matches this coming weekend, which means that compared to the rest of his Italy teammates, Retegui has an extra week off ahead of the World Cup play-offs, which kick off on March 26.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Retegui has already arrived in Florence, where Italy’s Coverciano training base is located, has rented an apartment nearby and is expecting to train individually every day until the rest of the squad reports for duty after their league fixtures this coming weekend.
According to the Pink Paper, Retegui was concerned about the long pause that he would have had between matches, and decided to return to Italy a week early after phone calls with the FIGC and CT Gennaro Gattuso.
UDINE – OCTOBER 14: Mateo Retegui celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between against Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Tuesday’s report states that Retegui’s training camp ‘has already begun’.
Retegui is one of several strikers expected to be called up to the Azzurri squad for this month’s World Cup deciders against Northern Ireland and either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fiorentina’s Moise Kean, Inter’s Pio Esposito and Atalanta’s Giacomo Raspadori are also expected to be included among Gattuso’s selections.
Retegui is Italy’s leading goalscorer since Gattuso was called in to replace Luciano Spalletti as CT last summer. The national team has scored 19 goals from six matches since then: Retegui with five, Kean with four, Esposito with three and Raspadori and Gianluca Mancini with two apiece. Matteo Politano, Sandro Tonali and Alessandro Bastoni have one each.
Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill insists that Italy are ‘the team with everything to lose’ ahead of the meeting of the two nations in the World Cup play-off semi-final next Thursday, and believes that playing the match in Bergamo benefits the Green and White Army.
Italy will host Northern Ireland at Atalanta’s New Balance Arena in Bergamo for the World Cup play-off semi-final coming up on March 26. The winner of that match will progress to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in a one-legged play-off final on March 31 for a spot at the final tournament.
Italy have not yet announced their squad for the March international break, but are expected to by the end of this week. Northern Ireland confirmed their selections on Monday night, and O’Neill has given his verdict in front of the media at his press conference in Belfast.
O’Neill on Italy pressure, Tonali quality and a venue that ‘suits’ Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland head coach admits that there is a clear difference in quality between the two sides.
Italy are expected to name a full squad of top-flight players, most of whom will have played in the Champions League at some stage this season, while Northern Ireland are only able to offer four Premier League players, 13 from the EFL Championship and eight from England’s third tier. They also have representatives from the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Championship and the 2. Bundesliga.
“I mean, they’ve got a bunch of players who play in Serie A, play for Inter Milan, Lazio, Roma, Napoli,” said O’Neill during his press conference on Monday night (via The Irish News).
“They also have players that play in the Premier League at top clubs as well. You know, Tonali is arguably as good a midfield player as there is in the Premier League. Calafiori at Arsenal as well. So, it’s going to be a very, very tough game. There’s no doubt about that.
“We’re going to have to step up. If you look at our squad there, there’s 13 players in the Championship. There’s four at Premier League clubs and the rest are League One or playing their football elsewhere.
“So, it is a big step up for us. But it’s a step up we’ve made in the past. I think we made it in the Germany game, albeit we didn’t get the results that we felt we maybe could have done. We have to try and make that step up again.”
Given the difference in personnel available, O’Neill believes that Italy are the ones with more pressure heading into the World Cup play-offs.
“If you look at this game, we’re the team with everything to gain. They’re the team with everything to lose,” he said.
“They have a lot of expectation as a football nation. Their players will have to deal with that. But that’s for them, we can’t really use it.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Players of Italy sing the national anthem prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We’ve just got to make the game as difficult for the opposition as possible and then those types of things will, I think, become factors in the game in terms of their mentality to the game and how we try and obviously make it more prevalent for them to think about things like that.”
Italy have won five of their first six matches since Gennaro Gattuso replaced Luciano Spalletti as CT, but fell to defeat against Norway on home soil in their most recent test, which sent them to the play-offs instead of the final World Cup tournament.
“If you look at this group, they’ve had a change of manager after two games. Gennaro Gattuso’s been in for six games. They lost their last game 4-1 at San Siro against Norway. A game where they played well in the first half to be honest, and led 1-0, but they would have been disappointed with how the game finished in the second half as well,” said O’Neill.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I personally went to a game in Bergamo on the 27th of December. I saw Inter and Atalanta play, so I know what the atmosphere is like.That was a good atmosphere at the game because, obviously it’s not a derby but they’re very close by, Bergamo and Milan, so there was a big Inter Milan away support there as well.”
O’Neill believes that Italy selected Bergamo as the host city for this play-off semi-final due to their ghosts at other venues, but insists that the New Balance Arena will make the Northern Ireland squad feel more comfortable compared to San Siro or the Stadio Olimpico.
“I think that possibly their history has made them make that decision. They’ve lost play-offs I think in the San Siro and as I touched on, their last game in San Siro against Norway. The outcome wouldn’t have been what they’d hoped for. So maybe they feel the smaller stadium brings less pressure. I don’t know.”
“For us the venue is fine. Most of our players play their club football weekly in venues of that size. They’re not running out in front of 80,000, 90,000 people every week. So I think the venue suits us.”
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – NOVEMBER 17: Players of Northern Ireland pose for a team photograph prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Northern Ireland and Luxembourg at Windsor Park on November 17, 2025 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus have resumed their interest in Mason Greenwood, while Arsenal and Manchester United’s competition for Sandro Tonali has prompted the Bianconeri to continue talks with free agents Leon Goretzka and Bernardo Silva.
Juventus are preparing for next summer’s transfer campaign, although their priorities are Champions League qualification and Luciano Spalletti’s contract extension.
Juventus and Spalletti have already discussed possible reinforcements for 2026-27 and according to Gazzetta, the Serie A giants have once again targeted Marseille star Greenwood for the summer.
According to the report, Marseille might be forced to sell the Englishman for financial reasons if they miss out on Champions League qualification, but the price would be at least €50m.
Greenwood was already open to joining Juventus two years ago, but Marseille beat the Bianconeri to signing the ex-Manchester United man.
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 25: Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United is challenged by Mason Greenwood of Olympique de Marseille during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Olympique de Marseille and Newcastle United FC at Stade de Marseille on November 25, 2025 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Leon Goretzka and Bernardo Silva, both available as free agents over the summer, are among Juventus’ top targets in central midfield.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 28: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James’ Park on February 28, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
The Bianconeri have been in talks with the pair in recent weeks, especially because their top target in the middle of the park, Tonali, has a high price tag and has been targeted by top Premier League clubs, especially Arsenal and Manchester United.
Following a surprising victory in the first leg, Real Madrid face Manchester City, looking to maintain their lead and advance to the Champions League quarterfinals. With this in mind, fans are keeping a close eye on Kylian Mbappé’s status, as he is returning from a serious injury.
Despite arriving as underdogs due to numerous injuries, Real Madrid managed to secure a convincing 3–0 victory over Manchester City, surprising everyone. Because of this, they come into today’s Champions League match with a clear advantage, but the Citizens could unleash a powerful attack in search of a comeback. For this reason, fans are closely monitoring the status of Kylian Mbappé, who has been included in the squad after his knee injury.
Kylian Mbappé has taken part in the last two group training sessions with Los Blancos, showing a notable improvement in his left knee injury. Despite this, the Frenchman will not start against Manchester City, but he could see playing time in the second half of the match. In addition, he was seen touching his knee in the last training session, so he may not yet be at 100%.
Head coach Álvaro Arbeloa will once again rely on Vinicius Jr. and Brahim Díaz as they aim to create space and capitalize on Federico Valverde’s scoring form. Additionally, Gonzalo García has been managing knee discomfort for nearly a month, which will prevent him from playing.
Taking advantage of the aggregate lead, Real Madrid will maintain their defensive approach in today’s Champions League clash, led by Aurélien Tchouaméni and Antonio Rüdiger. Alongside them, Thiago Pitarch will start again despite the demanding nature of the match, as he has impressed Arbeloa with his level. Needing a major comeback, coach Pep Guardiola could indeed opt to impose a powerful attacking setup once more.
Federico Valverde of Real Madrid
Manchester City confirmed lineup vs. Real Madrid
Looking to mount a major comeback against Real Madrid, Manchester City will bring Rayan Cherki back into the starting lineup, while keeping Bernardo Silva and Rodri Hernández.
The Citizens will play as follows: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Rayan Aït-Nouri; Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki; Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland.
Real Madrid confirmed lineup vs. Manchester City
Real Madrid face Manchester City as clear favorite following their three-goal advantage on aggregate. Because of this, Arbeloa will not risk Kylian Mbappé, as he does not appear to be at full fitness.
With this in mind, Real Madrid will lineup as follows: Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Federico Valverde, Thiago Pitarch, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler; Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Jr.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid reacts during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League.
Sporting CP host Bodø/Glimt in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Sporting CP vs Bodø/Glimt on US television and via legal streaming:
Holding a commanding 3–0 aggregate lead, Bodø/Glimt head into the second leg of this UEFA Champions League Round of 16 looking to seal their place in the quarterfinals against Sporting CP.
The Norwegian side have emerged as the competition’s breakout story after their stunning elimination of Inter Milan earlier in the tournament, but Sporting will attempt to spark a comeback at home and keep their European hopes alive—making this matchup one fans won’t want to miss.
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Ousmane Diomande of Sporting Clube de Portugal and Sondre Auklend of Bodo/Glimt
Northern Ireland have officially announced their squad to take on Italy and either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the crucial World Cup play-off campaign coming up at the end of March.
Italy will host Northern Ireland on March 26 in Bergamo for the World Cup play-off semi-final. The winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in the play-off final on March 31, which will be a one-legged decider for a spot at the final tournament.
The losing semi-finalists are due to play a friendly against each other on March 31 as well.
Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill has named a bumper squad of 28 players for the upcoming play-off semi-final against Italy. The major absentee for the Green and White Army is Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season with a serious knee injury.
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – NOVEMBER 17: Conor Bradley of Northern Ireland runs with the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Northern Ireland and Luxembourg at Windsor Park on November 17, 2025 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Italy are the clear favourites heading into the semi-final given their home advantage and the clear gulf in quality between the two squads.
Italy are yet to announce their squad, but it is expected that all of the players included will play for top-flight sides, and the majority of them for clubs who have participated in the Champions League in 2025-26.
For comparison, the Northern Ireland squad has just four Premier League-affiliated players: Sunderland duo Daniel Ballard and Trai Hume, Crystal Palace’s Justin Devenny, who has five league starts to his name this season, and Liverpool youngster Kieran Morrsion, who has only ever played 71 minutes of senior football at club level; his two appearances coming in domestic cup competitions.
Otherwise, the Northern Ireland squad features 13 players from the EFL Championship, eight players from EFL League One, and one apiece from the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Championship and 2. Bundesliga.
Confirmed Northern Ireland squad to face Italy and either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – NOVEMBER 17: Jamie Donley of Northern Ireland celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Northern Ireland and Luxembourg at Windsor Park on November 17, 2025 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Roma’s Neil El Aynaoui and his family were the victims of a terrifying robbery at the midfielder’s home in the capital in the early hours of Tuesday morning according to various reports in Italy.
El Aynaoui and family victims of terrifying break-in
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport and others, a gang of six armed individuals broke into El Aynaoui’s home in Castel Fusano, where several Roma and Lazio players live, at around 3 a.m. local time on Tuesday morning.
The robbers entered through a living room window after breaking off the grated covers and proceeded to confront El Aynaoui and his family with guns.
WALSALL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Boubacar Kamara of Aston Villa during the pre-season friendly match between Aston Villa and AS Roma at Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on August 06, 2025 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
El Aynaoui was reportedly the first person in the house to be woken during the incident. He along with his mother, brother and their respective partners were locked in a room as the robbers proceeded to steal jewellery reported to be worth €10,000, a Rolex watch and a collection of designer handbags.
Unfortunately, El Aynaoui is not the first Roma or Lazio player to be affected by an incident like this. In recent years, Wesley, Mario Gila and Mario Vecino have also been victims of robberies of burglaries, as have Mattia Zaccagni, Toma Basic, Chris Smalling, Phillipe Mexes and Christian Panucci in years gone by.
El Aynaoui immediately informed his club of the incident, and he will not be involved in training with Roma on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s Europa League round of 16 decider against Bologna.
Leao made headlines for the wrong reasons on Sunday night as he bitterly complained to coach Massimiliano Allegri after being subbed off in the second half of an away game at Lazio, which the Devil eventually lost 1-0.
Leao snubbed Allegri’s hug by pushing his coach away and then kicked and threw plastic bottles on the sidelines.
The Portuguese star remained silent for more than a day, but then posted an Instagram story on Tuesday, featuring a quote from the Gospel of Luke (chapter 1, verse 37), as SempreMilan highlights.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks dejected during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
The message, written in Portuguese, can be translated as: “Do what is within your power; the impossible is my job.”
It’s no exaggeration to say that the fate of Arsenal’s season probably rests on the club’s next four games, one in each competition they’re still challenging for.
It’s been an exciting season for the Gunners, but there do still seem to be some signs of nerves in Mikel Arteta’s side, who haven’t enjoyed too many moments of playing their best or most stylish football.
Still, this is an Arsenal side that knows how to grind out results and nick goals on well-worked set-pieces, and that’s served them well so far, with the north Londoners seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table and preparing for a Carabao Cup final.
They’re also still in the Champions League and FA Cup, having lost only three games in all competitions all season, but things could change very quickly in just the next four games. Here’s how…
Saturday: Arsenal vs Everton (Premier League)
Arsenal may be seven points ahead of Man City, but Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand. After some recent slip-ups with draws away to Brentford and Everton, it’s absolutely vital that Arsenal get three points.
This will be seen as a winnable fixture just as City travel to take on a resurgent West Ham, so expect football betting sites to start leaning even more heavily towards the Gunners if results go their way today.
A win for Arsenal and either a draw or defeat for City will feel very much like too far for the Sky Blues to come back from. At the same time, if AFC slip up again, there could be enough of a swing to majorly put things back in MCFC’s favour.
17th March: Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen (Champions League)
Just a few days before the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal will have to focus hard to avoid an upset against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
Arteta’s side were not too convincing in that first leg tie, but escaped with a 1-1 draw thanks to a late Kai Havertz penalty. If they don’t play much better at the Emirates Stadium, then this Leverkusen side is more than good enough to cause a surprise.
This Arsenal side is surely good enough to end the club’s hoodoo in the European Cup, but it’s fine margins at this level and they’ll need to be on their game even if they do have one eye on potentially picking up silverware just a few days later.
22nd March: Arsenal vs Manchester City (Carabao Cup final)
Needless to say, this is a huge game that not only represents the chance for some early-season silverware, but it brings together the two title contenders and will likely tell us a lot about who is in a stronger position to go on and finish as champions.
Arsenal could really do with that psychological boost against City, even if their record against them has improved in recent times, with the club still chasing a first trophy since all the way back in Arteta’s first season in charge in 2020.
If City come out on top, it could really spur them on to go on the kind of run that has previously seen them overpower Arsenal in the closing stages of the campaign.
On paper, this is a pretty favourable tie in the next round of the FA Cup for Arsenal, but they can take nothing for granted.
If the Gunners end up out of the title race, the Champions League, and on the losing side of the Carabao Cup final by the time this match comes around, it will be hugely important to salvage the season by winning the FA Cup.
Southampton looks like a decent opportunity, but this is a club that have a surprisingly good record against Arsenal when they’ve been in the Premier League, so there can be no room for any complacency at the St Mary’s Stadium.
Kylian Mbappe is ready to play his part in Real Madrid’s Champions League last 16 second leg against Manchester City on Tuesday, Alvaro Arbeloa has confirmed. Mbappe, who is the tournament’s top scorer with 13 goals, missed last week’s 3-0 win at Estadio Bernabeu with a knee injury that has seen him sidelined since February […]
Luis Enrique warned Paris Saint-Germain against getting complacent despite their three-goal advantage over Chelsea in the Champions League last-16. PSG ran out 5-2 winners over the Blues in the first leg, but it had been a tight match until the final 16 minutes, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia coming on to make a late impact. Tied at […]
Mikel Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal are far from home and hosed in their Champions League last-16 tie with Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. Kai Havertz’s 89th-minute penalty against his former club salvaged a draw for Arsenal at BayArena, putting them in firm control and with the advantage of playing at home. Arsenal have won 13 of […]
Kylian Mbappe is ready to play his part in Real Madrid’s Champions League last 16 second leg against Manchester City on Tuesday, Alvaro Arbeloa has confirmed. Mbappe, who is the tournament’s top scorer with 13 goals, missed last week’s 3-0 win at Estadio Bernabeu with a knee injury that has seen him sidelined since February […]
Mikel Arteta has warned the media against going overboard when it comes to Arsenal youngster Max Dowman. The 16-year-old became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history on Saturday when he scored Arsenal’s second goal in a 2-0 win over Everton. Dowman broke the record set by James Vaughan, who scored in a 4-0 win […]
Mikel Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal are far from home and hosed in their Champions League last-16 tie with Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. Kai Havertz’s 89th-minute penalty against his former club salvaged a draw for Arsenal at BayArena, putting them in firm control and with the advantage of playing at home. Arsenal have won 13 of […]
Tennis star Jannik Sinner has become one of the most popular sportsmen in Italy, and when he’s not competing on the court, the World No.2 is known for his support for Serie A giants Milan.
Sinner has consistently dominated tennis predictions alongside Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz over the last few years, and back in September, the Italian was overtaken at the top of the World Rankings after holding the No. 1 spot for 65 weeks.
Sinner is only 24 but is already regarded as the best Italian male tennis player of all time, having won four Grand Slam tournaments: two at the Australian Open, one at Wimbledon and one at the US Open.
It goes without saying that Sinner has dominated the headlines in Italy in recent years, with his popularity close to, and sometimes surpassing, that of footballers. Something unthinkable until a few years ago for a country that breathes football day in, day out.
Before pursuing a career in tennis, the Italian was a talented skier from the age of three. Sinner is also a big football fan and has made no secret that his favourite club in Serie A is Milan.
Sinner showed his passion for the Rossoneri following a match against fellow Italian Fabio Fognini, an Inter supporter, at the Internazionali d’Italia in May 2022. After clinching a three-set victory, Sinner famously wrote ‘Forza Milan’ on a live TV camera.
The former World No. 1 was a guest of Milan in November 2023 for a Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund at San Siro.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: The AC Milan fans show their support during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
On that Day, Milan ultras in the Curva Sud honoured the tennis champion with several chants before kick-off.
Sinner is also a close friend of Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma, who won the Champions League with PSG last season.
“Gigio and I have been friends for a long time,” Sinner said before last season’s Champions League Final between the Ligue 1 giants and Inter.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 13: Jannik Sinner of Italy lifts the Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy on the Clubhouse Balcony, following his victory against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Gentlemen’s Singles Final on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
“We have our priorities, and he is about to play one of the most important matches of his life. Rooting for whom? I don’t want to say anything because I don’t want to put anyone in a difficult spot. I’m a Milan fan, but as an Italian, it would be nice if an Italian team won. But if it were Gigio, I’d be happy. I hope it’s a great match.”
Ultimately, Donnarumma lifted the cup with the big ears, beating Milan’s city rivals Inter 5-0 in Monaco. A few months later, the Italian captain joined Manchester City.
With Milan sitting second in the Serie A table this season, Sinner will be hoping to watch his favourite club play in the Champions League again in 2026-27.
Youssouf Fofana admits that having to adapt to a new role at Milan has been a big challenge, insists that he is still dreaming of a World Cup call-up despite being omitted from the France squad since 2024, and says that he is ‘divided’ as to whether or not he has had a ‘good’ season in 2025-26.
Fofana ‘unsure’ on Milan role, 2025-26 season ‘not good enough’
The Rossoneri midfielder sat down for an in-depth interview with l’Equipe, during which he discussed his preferred position, his tactical development since moving to Italy and the difficulties of standing out amongst a talented pool of French midfielders.
Fofana says that he had been used to playing just in front of the defence before he joined Milan back in the summer of 2024, but now, he features in more of a box-to-box role on the right of a midfield three.
“At first I had to learn on a tactical level,” Fofana told l’Equipe. “As we all know, Italy puts a big emphasis on that, it’s not a cliché at all. I thought I was coming with a good tactical background, but they really pay attention to everything.
“It took me a while to understand that you can play a very good 90 minutes here and in the end, it ends up 1-0 in favour of the opponent. That’s because you’ve been beaten tactically. It took me a while to get that efficiency and tactical discipline.”
Fofana says that there has been ‘two phases’ of his development since moving to Serie A: “I’m living (the second one) now. It’s a change of position,” Fofana said. “It’s as if for five years I’d looked at football in a certain way and now my perception is changing.
“I don’t see the pitch from the same angle. I don’t really have the same benchmarks. For example, when I played in front of the defence, I always knew there were two players behind me, another diagonally on the right and another on the left. I could make passes into those areas without looking.
“Now it’s completely different. I play on the right. When we don’t have the ball, I’m really high up, almost like a striker. When we have it, I’m between the lines. I used to go and get after these players.”
Fofana was asked what it is like to have to learn a new position at the age of 27.
He said: “When you’re told you’re going to play higher up, you’re happy at first. In the end, I learned that that’s not necessarily what I want. I do it for the team. I like to be at the start of the action, to control everything: the speed of my team’s play, the tempo, the ball recovery.”
And what has Fofana learned from this tactical repositioning?
“That I needed to play much faster. When I played in front of the defence, the player marking me was often a striker, who didn’t necessarily defend very well. Whereas here, the player who marks me is usually a defender, usually a tougher opponent. I have to be stronger, to take in more information than before.”
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 02: Youssouf Fofana of AC Milan runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Fofana says that he is unsure whether he would describe the 2025-26 season as a ‘good’ one on a personal level.
“It’s a very good question,” he said. “I agree to learn, but am I doing well for the season? Not good enough, I think. In the position where I play, there’s more focus on statistics, and I think I could have been more efficient.
“I could have had six goals this season and more assists, and then I might have told you that my season’s been good. Aside from that, I’m looking at the medium term. There’s the World Cup and I’m not sure that I’m expected to play in this position.”
Fofana was asked whether that is frustrating for him with the 2026 World Cup quickly approaching.
“At club level, I do it.. Especially when you’re in the mix to win a trophy. But will it help me in the future? I’m divided about that.”
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: Youssouf Fofana of AC Milan competes for the ball with Nicolo’ Barella of Inter during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Fofana has not been called up to the France national team squad since October 2024.
“At first it wasn’t a great experience. I wondered why I wasn’t getting called up. Then I started watching the matches and said to myself ‘okay Youssouf, there are other midfielders that are just as strong as you. Whether you’re there or not, the France team gets the same results, so you have to work and wait’.”
Italy and Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori opens up about his scorpion block during last week’s Premier League match against Everton: ‘I didn’t think about it too much, I just reacted.’
It allowed the Gunners to keep a clean sheet and ultimately secure a massive 2-0 win thanks to two late goals.
Calafiori: scorpion block my ‘best’ clearance so far
During a press conference on Tuesday, Calafiori spoke about his defensive action, admitting that it was probably the best clearance in his career so far.
“I think it is the best so far. Also, I think it was so important for the result and the team. I’m really happy about this,” the Italian told reporters before a Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen.
“I didn’t think about it too much. I just looked at the guy shooting and thought I had to take as much space as possible. I just reacted. As we say, we love to defend our house and our goal, and we try to do everything we can.
“It’s important to get a clean sheet. When we do, we usually win the game, so it’s really important to us.”
Arsenal are the Arsenal table leaders with a nine-point lead over Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand.
“I think especially now, from March on to the next few months, it’s the best part of the season as well,” added Calafiori.
“You started so early in the pre-season, and then you work so hard to get to this point, to be in the competition and to be so close to winning. I think it’s a dream to be here.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 28: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Arsenal FC and FC Kairat Almaty at Arsenal Stadium on January 28, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
The Italian is in his second season in North London and is certainly enjoying the atmosphere at the club, on and off the pitch.
“I think we’re all friends. I love them, and I have a good relationship with them,” he said.
“We are friends, first of all. Obviously, then on the pitch you try to compete to get ahead of them, but we’re all friends, and they’re all really good players, I think.
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
“Obviously, we love to chat in the dressing room. We love to help each other, and when it’s time to go aggressive on the pitch or sometimes just be more chill, just to help your teammate or the team at the end. Obviously, sometimes we see each other off the pitch, and I think that’s important.”
The Italian defender also spoke about his defensive movements at Arsenal: “We have a structure, and we have to respect all the principles and things we’ve been trying to learn since the beginning of the season. At the same time, I’m really good at doing what I do, finding this kind of place. But it’s not freedom. If I’m in that position, it means another player covers mine. You need a good structure to defend, it’s not casual, it’s structure.”
As we push through the crucial month of March in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, the race for the Player of the Season award is fiercely contested.
Three players stand out for their immense contributions, Manchester United’s creative force Bruno Fernandes, and Arsenal’s defensive spine in Gabriel Magalhães and midfield commander Declan Rice.
Bruno Fernandes: The Creative Engine
If the award was strictly based on attacking output, Bruno Fernandes would be running away with it.
He currently leads the Premier League with 76 key passes and is threatening Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s all-time single-season assist record (20).
He is the undeniable catalyst for Man United, single-handedly pulling the strings and keeping them firmly in the hunt for a top-three finish.
Gabriel Magalhães: The Defensive Colossus
On the other side of the ball, Gabriel Magalhães has been an absolute titan. Arsenal are currently sitting at the summit of the Premier League, and their title charge is built upon a rock-solid foundation.
He boasts a passing accuracy north of 90%, leads his team in ball recoveries (148), and dominates progressive carries (145).
With Martin Zubimendi handling more of the deep defensive duties, Rice has been unleashed, consistently breaking lines and driving Arsenal forward while simultaneously snuffing out counter-attacks.
While Bruno Fernandes’ sheer weight of assists is staggering, Player of the Season awards almost always favour the defining figure of the league’s most successful team.
Gabriel Magalhães has a fantastic shout as the league’s premier defender, but Declan Rice edges it as the most deserving candidate.
He is the glue that binds Arsenal’s elite defense with their fluid attack. Rice’s ability to dominate the midfield physically while dictating play technically makes him the single most irreplaceable player on the pitch for the league leaders.
If Arsenal go on to lift the Premier League trophy, it will be Rice’s commanding presence in the middle of the park that ultimately seals the deal.
Liverpool could soon face an important decision regarding the future of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, with several clubs from England and across Europe reportedly contacting the Reds about a potential transfer.
Teams have enquired about both permanent and loan deals for the Georgian international as uncertainty grows over his role at Anfield, according to TEAMtalk.
When Liverpool secured Mamardashvili’s signature for roughly £30 million in the summer of 2024, he was widely viewed as the heir apparent to Alisson Becker.
However, the Georgian international has found himself firmly rooted to the bench for most of this season. He has made just 12 appearances across all competitions, including a mere five in the Premier League, accumulating an underwhelming 934 minutes of action.
Mamardashvili on his way out of Liverpool?
While he has stepped in during Alisson’s injury absences, including recent Champions League outings against Galatasaray, it hasn’t been enough to unseat the Brazilian.
To compound Mamardashvili’s frustrations, Liverpool recently activated a 12-month extension in Alisson’s contract, tying the 33-year-old to the club until at least 2027.
This decision essentially blocks Mamardashvili’s pathway to the No. 1 shirt for the foreseeable future.
Some teams are considering a permanent transfer, while others are evaluating a loan move that could allow him to gain more experience while still remaining tied to the Merseyside club.
Reds may have to make a difficult decision in the summer
Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili celebrates (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
There is no chance Alisson Becker is going to be the second choice goalkeeper at Anfield.
That could mean Mamardashvili could be open to leaving the club, even if it is in a loan move.
Mamardashvili offers qualities many clubs desire in a modern goalkeeper. Standing close to two metres tall, he commands his penalty area well and is particularly strong in shot-stopping situations.
A loan move may be the most sensible solution for all parties. Liverpool would retain a highly talented long-term option, while the player gains valuable first-team experience at a high level.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has called on the club to prioritise signing another central midfielder this summer, arguing that the team’s inability to control matches in the final stages has become a recurring issue.
The former defender made the comments while analysing Liverpool’s performance during their recent match against Tottenham at Anfield, where the Reds once again struggled to maintain authority in midfield as the game progressed.
The match ended 1-1 with Dominik Szoboszlai scoring for the hosts and Richarlison scoring a 90th minute equaliser for Spurs.
The result was a huge blow for Arne Slot’s team who are fighting for a place in the top four of the Premier League.
Carragher believes the club must address the issue in the upcoming transfer window if they want to maintain competitiveness at the highest level.
Liverpool face concerns over midfield control
Carragher’s analysis focused particularly on Alexis Mac Allister, who has played a key role in Liverpool’s midfield this season.
While the Argentine World Cup winner has been one of the team’s most technically gifted players, Carragher suggested that the demands placed on him throughout matches are beginning to show late in games.
Speaking during the broadcast, Carragher said, as reported by Sky Sports:
“The longer the game goes in every game, Mac Allister struggles and that’s a real problem for Liverpool, the centre of midfield.
“It’s something they have to address in the summer, or whether Szoboszlai goes back to the central midfield position.
“When Jones comes on and the game goes end to end, I don’t know why he takes the Wirtz position.
“He’s not that player anyway, just go 4-3-3 and have an extra body in front of the back four. There’s too much space.”
Reds need to find a solution to their midfield issues
Alexis Mac Allister in action for Liverpool (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Carragher’s comments show an issue that Liverpool’s coaching staff may already be evaluating ahead of the summer transfer window.
With the club competing across multiple competitions and aiming to challenge for major trophies, midfield balance remains a crucial factor.
Whether Liverpool opt to recruit a new midfielder or adjust their tactical approach, the ability to control games in the closing stages could prove decisive in determining their success in the seasons ahead.
Their midfield strength will be tested once again this week against Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Real Madrid are reportedly monitoring Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot as a potential defensive reinforcement ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
According to reports from Spain, via TEAMtalk, the Portuguese international has emerged as a possible target for the La Liga giants as they evaluate options to strengthen their right-back position.
While the club has been linked with several high-profile names, Dalot has reportedly appeared on their shortlist due to his versatility and consistent performances in the Premier League.
Madrid are believed to be assessing whether a move for the 26-year-old could represent a cost-effective solution compared to some of their more expensive targets.
Dalot has been a crucial squad member at Man United
Dalot has gradually developed into one of the club’s most dependable defenders.
Dalot’s ability to operate on both sides of the defense has made him particularly valuable.
While naturally a right-back, he has often been deployed on the left when needed, demonstrating tactical adaptability that has caught the attention of several top European clubs.
During the current campaign, Dalot has continued to deliver steady performances, contributing both defensively and in build-up play. His attacking runs and crossing ability have made him an important outlet in United’s system.
Diogo Dalot applauds the Man United fans (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s interest in Dalot is partly linked to their long-term planning in defense as they prepare for life without Carvajal.
The Spanish giants are believed to be exploring several options as they look to strengthen the right side of their backline in the coming seasons.
Reports suggest that Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi remains one of Madrid’s preferred targets, but any deal for the Moroccan international would likely involve a significant transfer fee.
As a result, Dalot has emerged as a more affordable alternative.
Dalot would have to compete with Trent Alexander-Arnold for a spot in the starting line up.
Manchester United defender Leny Yoro has publicly expressed his hope that Harry Maguire will remain at Old Trafford beyond the end of the current season, highlighting the experienced centre-back’s importance both on and off the pitch.
Speaking after United’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford, the young French defender praised Maguire’s leadership and revealed how much he has benefited from the England international’s guidance.
The French centre-back joined the club with significant expectations, and he has openly acknowledged the role experienced teammates have played in helping him adapt to life in the Premier League.
Yoro revealed that Maguire has been particularly supportive, frequently offering tactical advice and guidance during matches and training sessions.
“Having Harry in the team is good for us,” Yoro said after United’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa, as reported by Sky Sports.
“If he can stay next season, it’s really good for us, so I hope he’s going to extend his contract and he can stay with us. We’ll see, we’ll see anyway.
“With all the experiences he has, he gave a lot of tips, he spoke to me a lot on the pitch, so this helped me a lot.
“He always speaks with me, sometimes he speaks before the game, or at half time, about positioning as well, so playing with him is really good for me.
“We speak a lot. Even before the game, during the week, we speak a lot about the opponent.”
Man United still value Maguire’s experience and leadership
Harry Maguire waves to the Manchester United fans (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Despite facing criticism at times during his United career, Maguire remains one of the most experienced players in the squad. The England international has played hundreds of matches at the highest level, including major tournaments with the national team.
His leadership qualities have become particularly important during a period of transition for Man United, especially as younger defenders such as Yoro continue their development.
In recent weeks, Maguire has delivered several strong performances, demonstrating his ability to remain a reliable option in defense. His presence in the dressing room is also viewed as a valuable asset as United integrate younger players into the team.
Liverpool want to sign a new central defender in the summer transfer window and have made it a top priority, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “We know Liverpool are probably going to have a big overhaul in the centre of their defence come the summer. “Ibrahima Konate’s future is still up in […]
Liverpool want to sign Adam Wharton from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. The report has claimed that Palace want £70 million for the England international midfielder. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “You’ve got the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and others abroad who are very much interested in […]
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe wants to keep Kieran Trippier at the club, according to Football Insider. The right-back is out of contract at the Premier League at the end of the season. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “Trippier is such an influential figure, and I think he still has a lot to offer, as I […]
Tottenham Hotspur are planning to hand Pedro Porro a new contract, according to Football Insider, which has reported interest in the right-back from Manchester City. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “(Man City) have had a long-term interest in Pedro Porro. They know all about the Spanish international, having signed him from Girona in 2019. “I’m sure […]
Manchester United have to pay £70 million to sigm Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “He’s obviously one of the players that’s on United’s list as they look to restructure their midfield next season. “There are a number of players that they are […]
Celtic are interested in signing Andy Robertson in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Robertson is out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the season. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “Robertson is a boyhood Celtic fan, it’s a move that would tug on the heart strings. “But I don’t think there’s any […]
Liverpool want to sign a new central defender in the summer transfer window and have made it a top priority, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “We know Liverpool are probably going to have a big overhaul in the centre of their defence come the summer. “Ibrahima Konate’s future is still up in […]
Liverpool want to sign Adam Wharton from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. The report has claimed that Palace want £70 million for the England international midfielder. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “You’ve got the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and others abroad who are very much interested in […]
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe wants to keep Kieran Trippier at the club, according to Football Insider. The right-back is out of contract at the Premier League at the end of the season. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “Trippier is such an influential figure, and I think he still has a lot to offer, as I […]
Tottenham Hotspur are planning to hand Pedro Porro a new contract, according to Football Insider, which has reported interest in the right-back from Manchester City. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “(Man City) have had a long-term interest in Pedro Porro. They know all about the Spanish international, having signed him from Girona in 2019. “I’m sure […]
Manchester United have to pay £70 million to sigm Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “He’s obviously one of the players that’s on United’s list as they look to restructure their midfield next season. “There are a number of players that they are […]
Celtic are interested in signing Andy Robertson in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Robertson is out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the season. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “Robertson is a boyhood Celtic fan, it’s a move that would tug on the heart strings. “But I don’t think there’s any […]
Arne Slot’s tenure at Anfield is under intense scrutiny. After a dream debut season that saw Liverpool lift the Premier League trophy in 2025, the 2025/26 campaign has been a stark contrast.
Following a string of poor performances, including a frustrating 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, the Reds are battling just to salvage Champions League qualification for next year.
The former Liverpool midfielder was heavily touted for the role when Jurgen Klopp departed in 2024, but he opted to stay at Bayer Leverkusen before eventually moving to Real Madrid.
Alonso is currently a free agent after parting ways with Real Madrid in January 2026 following a difficult seven-month stint at the Bernabeu.
He knows the club inside out and already has the backing of the Anfield faithful. While his agent recently dismissed rumors of a verbal agreement already being in place, reports suggest Alonso is open to the move and represents the most seamless, popular appointment the board could make.
2. Julian Nagelsmann: The “Klopp 2.0” Blueprint
While Alonso brings emotional weight, many football analysts are pointing to Julian Nagelsmann as the optimal tactical fit for the current Liverpool squad.
Nagelsmann is currently managing the German national team, boasting a strong win percentage and a wealth of top-level European experience from his time at Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig.
If FSG wants to return to the high-intensity, aggressive pressing structures that defined the Jurgen Klopp era, Nagelsmann is the ideal candidate.
His energetic style of play could be the perfect antidote to the slower, more labored performances fans have criticized under Slot this season.
If Liverpool’s domestic and European form collapses entirely, the board may decide to pull the trigger before the season ends.
In such an emergency scenario, club legend Steven Gerrard has emerged in recent days as a shock interim option.
Rumours indicate Gerrard is being eyed for a potential short-term appointment to steer the ship until the end of the 2025/26 season while the club lines up a permanent successor.
Even though his managerial track record has been heavily scrutinised since his time at Aston Villa,
Gerrard’s presence would instantly galvanise a frustrated fanbase and lift the dressing room’s morale for a late-season push in the Premier League.
According to Calciomercato, AC Milan and Inter Milan are actively monitoring the situation and are preparing to challenge Arsenal for the signature of midfielder Leon Goretzka.
Discussions are believed to have already begun between Milan representatives and Goretzka’s camp, while Inter are assessing the financial feasibility of a deal.
The Germany international is approaching the final months of his contract in Bavaria, and unless a late extension is agreed, he will be free to negotiate with clubs ahead of a potential move at the end of the season.
Arsenal hold genuine interest in the decorated midfielder
Under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have built one of the Premier League’s most dynamic midfield units in recent seasons, but the club continues to explore experienced additions who can provide leadership and tactical flexibility.
Goretzka’s profile fits that requirement well. Known for his powerful box-to-box style, physical presence, and ability to contribute goals from midfield, the German international has been a key figure at Bayern Munich since arriving from Schalke in 2018.
During his time at Bayern, he has helped the club win multiple Bundesliga titles, as well as the UEFA Champions League in 2020, establishing himself as one of Germany’s most reliable midfielders.
Even in the later stages of his career, Goretzka remains highly regarded for his work rate and expereince.
Leon Goretzka of Bayern Munich (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Despite Arsenal’s current advantage, the Serie A giants are determined to compete for the midfielder’s signature.
AC Milan have reportedly made initial contact with Goretzka’s representatives as they look to strengthen their midfield with a player capable of providing immediate impact.
The Rossoneri have increasingly focused on signing experienced players on free transfers to complement their younger talents.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan are exploring the possibility of completing another high-profile free transfer.
The club has successfully executed similar deals in recent years, signing players such as Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan without paying a transfer fee.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid to win 2-1 Best Odds: 15/2 Bookmaker: Zetbet Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Champions League this week. The second leg of the last-16 tie between the Premier League club and the La Liga outfit will be held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and is […]
Arsenal are reportedly standing firm over the future of Riccardo Calafiori, with the club having no plans to sell the Italian defender despite growing interest from several major Serie A sides.
According to TEAMtalk, clubs including Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, and Napoli are monitoring the 23-year-old’s situation closely.
However, Arsenal remain fully committed to keeping the versatile defender at the Emirates Stadium as part of their long-term plans.
The Gunners view Calafiori as an important component of their defensive setup and have little appetite to entertain offers during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Calafiori has been crucial to Arsenal this season
Calafiori has quickly established himself as one of the most promising defenders in the Premier League.
His ability to play as a left-back, as well as a centre-back, has been crucial for Mikel Arteta’s team this season.
The player himself is settled in London and not actively pushing for a move, which further strengthens Arsenal’s position in negotiations.
The club believes he still has significant room to develop and could become one of the pillars of their defense for years to come.
Inter Milan and AC Milan are both looking to reinforce their defensive units, while Juventus and Napoli are also reportedly interested in bringing the defender back to Serie A.
The appeal of returning to his home country could potentially become a factor in the future, although there are currently no indications that Calafiori is seeking an exit.
Unless the situation changes dramatically, the Italian defender is expected to remain at the Emirates, where Arsenal believe his best years are still ahead of him as they continue building a squad capable of challenging for major trophies.
Chelsea are reportedly considering accelerating their plans for Rayane Messi, the highly rated teenage winger currently owned by Strasbourg, as interest from several European heavyweights intensifies.
According to TEAMtalk, the London club is closely monitoring the 18-year-old’s development and could move to secure his future within their system sooner than originally planned.
Messi, who is currently gaining experience on loan at Saudi Pro League side Neom, has attracted the attention of clubs including Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Chelsea’s ownership group BlueCo, which also controls Strasbourg, is determined to keep the talented youngster within its multi-club structure.
Discussions are ongoing internally about the best pathway for the winger’s development.
Messi is a rising talent in the BlueCo network
Messi is widely regarded as one of the most promising young attackers emerging from Strasbourg’s academy in recent years.
His temporary spell in Saudi Arabia is seen primarily as a developmental move, allowing him to gain regular first-team experience in a competitive environment.
Scouts from several major European clubs have reportedly continued to track his performances during this loan period, which has only increased interest in the young winger.
Chelsea’s multi-club ownership model has played a key role in managing Messi’s progression. When BlueCo purchased Strasbourg, one of the long-term goals was to create a structured pathway for promising players to develop before potentially transitioning to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea readying move for French winger Rayane Messi.
Initially, the strategy was for Messi to return to Strasbourg next season and gradually integrate into the Ligue 1 side’s first team.
After establishing himself in France, the long-term objective was for him to make the step up to Chelsea.
However, with Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and PSG reportedly making enquiries about his availability, Chelsea’s leadership is said to be reviewing that timeline.
The club does not want to risk losing a highly rated prospect from within their own network.
Chelsea see Messi as a player with significant long-term potential and are exploring ways to ensure his development remains under their control.
Real Madrid are reportedly preparing an ambitious move to sign Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise during the upcoming summer transfer window.
According to Bild, Los Blancos president Florentino Pérez has identified the French international as one of the club’s priority attacking targets as they continue planning the next phase of their squad rebuild.
The Bundesliga leaders are determined to keep hold of one of their most influential attacking players and are not currently considering offers for him.
Olise remains under contract at the Allianz Arena until 2029, and his deal does not contain a release clause that could make negotiations easier for interested clubs.
Real Madrid face competition from Liverpool
The Frenchman is also being chased by Liverpool who are looking to sign him as Mohamed Salah’s long term replacement.
Olise has shown his quality in the Bundesliga and the Champions League this season and it is hardly a surprise to see top clubs closely monitoring him.
His ability to operate both as a traditional winger and as an inverted playmaker has made him a key figure in the club’s push for domestic and European success.
Bayern’s leadership views Olise as a central figure in their long-term project, which explains why they are unwilling to entertain offers despite growing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
Reds are monitoring the situation of Bayern Munich winger
Michael Olise in action for Bayern Munich (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Real Madrid are not the only club keeping an eye on Olise’s development. Liverpool have also been linked with the winger as they prepare for a potential transition in their forward line.
Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly is approaching a pivotal moment in his development as the summer transfer window nears.
The highly rated 19-year-old left-back remains one of the most promising academy products at the Emirates Stadium, but limited first-team opportunities this season have raised questions about the best pathway for his progress.
The decision could allow Lewis-Skelly to gain the regular top-flight experience needed to accelerate his development while keeping him firmly within Arsenal’s long-term plans.
Competition for minutes at Arsenal
Lewis-Skelly’s path into Arsenal’s starting lineup has become increasingly difficult over the past year.
The arrivals of Piero Hincapié and Riccardo Calafiori have strengthened the Gunners’ defensive depth, pushing the young academy graduate further down the pecking order at left-back.
Both defenders have been trusted by Mikel Arteta in high-pressure matches, particularly in the Premier League and European competitions. As a result, Lewis-Skelly has found his opportunities limited, despite impressing during his breakthrough campaign last season.
Myles Lewis-Skelly celebrates after Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Another factor influencing the situation is Lewis-Skelly’s growing international recognition. The Arsenal defender has caught the attention of England manager Thomas Tuchel, who reportedly sees him as a potential future option for the national team.
However, Tuchel is believed to have emphasized that players must accumulate consistent competitive minutes, ideally over 30 appearances in a season, to strengthen their chances of earning a place in England’s squad ahead of major tournaments.
That expectation has made a temporary move away from Arsenal increasingly attractive for Lewis-Skelly.
Several Premier League clubs are already monitoring the situation closely. Everton,
Crystal Palace, and West Ham United are among the teams interested in bringing the young defender in on loan.
Arsenal are open to a loan move but are insisting on guarantees of regular playing time before approving any deal.
Set to face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa revealed the availability of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham have been two of Real Madrid‘s most significant absentees over the past several weeks, both sidelined through injury. With the UEFA Champions League second leg against Manchester City now just around the corner, head coach Álvaro Arbeloa addressed the availability of the star pair ahead of the trip to the Etihad.
With the Round of 16 second leg scheduled for Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium, Real Madrid’s traveling squad included both Bellingham and Mbappe among the called-up players. Both the Englishman and the Frenchman participated in the training session at the Etihad, though the nature of their involvement immediately became a talking point given their respective injury situations.
When asked at his pre-match press conference whether either player would see minutes, Arbeloa addressed Bellingham first: “Bellingham was the one who wanted to travel with his teammates to be with the team. He is going to continue his recovery and will take part in a portion of the training session, but he won’t be involved tomorrow. It’s very important for his teammates to see him back training. He is going to be one of our leaders, and it’s important that he is here with us.“
Having ruled Bellingham out, Arbeloa was notably more upbeat about Mbappé. “Mbappe is now available, so you will see tomorrow,” the interim head coach said, with the Frenchman expected to come off the bench rather than start.
Bellingham has been out of action since February 1, when he sustained an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg during a match against Rayo Vallecano, and has yet to return to full fitness. Mbappe, meanwhile, was absent for the first leg with a knee sprain, and after reports of a trip to Paris to consult specialists about his treatment, is now in line to feature in the second leg as Madrid chase a place in the quarterfinals.
Do Real Madrid really need Mbappe?
Real Madrid’s 2025-26 season has been turbulent, opening with a Club World Cup defeat before Xabi Alonso was dismissed as head coach following the Spanish Super Cup final loss. Amid the upheaval, Mbappe’s contributions had been the one consistent bright spot, with his lack of defensive effort overshadowed by a staggering return of 38 goals in 33 games.
Despite leading the scoring charts in both La Liga and the Champions League, questions have emerged over whether Real Madrid actually depend on Mbappé to win. Across the eight games he has missed through injury, Los Blancos have recorded six wins against just two defeats.
The Champions League, in particular, has told an interesting story in his absence. Madrid beat Benfica 2-1 in the playoff second leg without him before dismantling Manchester City 3-0 in the first leg, a performance so dominant that it prompted genuine debate over whether Mbappe’s inclusion could actually disrupt the team’s tactical balance.
Arbeloa was asked directly whether Real Madrid were better without Mbappe, and the coach turned the question into a tribute to his squad’s depth: “It is difficult to think that a team could be more competitive without the best player in the world. However, that says a lot about the Real Madrid squad—about the effort many of the players are putting in, and the level and quality of so many of them. So, I am happy that even without having the best player in the world on the pitch, people are speaking so highly of how the team is performing.“
Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
Lionel Messi is set to have his squad boosted as Inter Miami are reportedly closing in the signing of a 18-year-old Argentine through the 2026 MLS season.
Inter Miami have approached the 2026 MLS primary transfer window aggressively, landing numerous signings and committing over $40 million in investments. Now, as part of a move with one eye on the future, Lionel Messi‘s squad is reportedly set to receive another addition in the form of an 18-year-old Argentine.
With the primary transfer window closing on March 26 and Inter Miami holding an international roster slot acquired from the New England Revolution, speculation has been building over one final addition to the squad. Despite co-owner Jorge Mas being coy about any further incoming business, the Herons have been moving quietly on a young signing with around 10 days left in the window.
The agreement with Argentine club Racing Club will see Acevedo join on a one-year loan through December 2026, with an option to buy included in the deal. The structure mirrors the arrangement Inter Miami previously used to bring in Baltazar Rodríguez, who ultimately returned to Argentina when the purchase option was not triggered, though the Herons later pursued a permanent deal that never materialized.
Matias Acevedo of Racing.
According to the Argentine journalist, Acevedo will initially be integrated into Inter Miami II rather than going straight into first-team contention. Before making his move to the United States, the teenager will first renew his contract with Racing, with both clubs currently exchanging documents to finalize the transfer.
Inter Miami and a move aimed at the future
Beyond recent additions such as Mateo Silvetti (19), David Ayala (23) and Rocco Ríos Novo (23), Inter Miami’s transfer activity across the last two windows has largely targeted players aged 25 and above, whether MLS-proven commodities or established names from Europe and South America. The Acevedo deal signals something different, a commitment not to the present, but to the longer-term vision of the franchise.
The 18-year-old has been operating in Racing’s reserve setup as an attacking midfielder, capable of playing across either flank and particularly effective in one-on-one situations. However, given that he has just one first-team appearance for Racing to his name, the likelihood of him breaking into Inter Miami’s senior squad and featuring alongside Messi from the outset is minimal.
With the 2026 MLS season set to be compressed by the World Cup running from June through July, fixtures across all competitions will be packed tightly with limited rest periods in between. Acevedo’s arrival will add depth to help navigate that congested schedule, while also serving as a reflection of Inter Miami’s broader ambitions as a club that is building not just for now, but for the years ahead.
Adam Crafton of The Athletic has revealed that Xabi Alonso is expected to be a top candidate for the Liverpool manager’s job if the club decides to sack Arne Slot at the end of the season.
The Spaniard, who remains a beloved figure at Anfield from his playing days, is widely believed to be open to a return to Merseyside despite his recent stint at Real Madrid.
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Speaking on the latest edition of The Athletic FC Podcast, Crafton suggested that the former midfielder would be the natural choice to lead a new era.
He said: “I imagine he would probably take the job and I’m sure he would be a contender if they chose to let Slot go.”
Xabi Alonso top contender for Liverpool job
The link to Alonso comes at a time when his managerial stock remains high, despite a challenging five-month spell at Real Madrid that ended briefly in January.
Prior to his time in Spain, Alonso achieved legendary status at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the German team to a historic unbeaten domestic double in 2024.
According to some reports, a verbal understanding may already be in place for Alonso to take over on a three-year deal starting in June 2026, provided Liverpool’s current campaign continues its downward trajectory.
Many fans see Alonso as the tactical and emotional successor to Jürgen Klopp, believing his ‘exceptional‘ coaching pedigree is exactly what a disjointed Liverpool squad needs.
Additionally, the presence of Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, two of his star players from his time at Bayer Leverkusen could further prove to be incentive for all parties to make the reunion happen.
Liverpool could sack Slot at the end of the season
While Arne Slot has earned the patience after winning the Premier League title in his debut season, the current season has proven to be a major disappointment.
They also face a crucial Champions League rescue mission against Galatasaray tomorrow, following the 1-0 defeat in the first-leg last week.
Crafton has acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, noting, that Slot has just won the league, making a decision to sack a year later a difficult one. However, he has stated that a sacking is ‘very possible’.
But if Liverpool fails to secure Champions League football for next season, the hierarchy may feel forced to pull the trigger to avoid a long-term decline.
With Alonso currently out of work and waiting for a call, the pressure on Slot has never been higher.
John Terry drew comparison between Arsenal’s Max Dowman and Lionel Messi after the 16-year-old made history against Everton. Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Premier League during an inspired cameo that saw him lead Arsenal to a 2-0 win over Everton. He played a crucial role in Viktor Gyokeres’ 89th-minute opener […]
After revealing feeling "upset" over Carlo Ancelotti's decision to leave him out of the Brazil squad for the March friendlies, Neymar stated that his World Cup dreams are still alive.
Neymar has officially been left out of the Brazil national team squad for the March international window, despite the anticipation built up around a potential return among both the player and his supporters. While he admitted to being “upset” by coach Carlo Ancelotti‘s decision, the Brazilian legend’s dream of featuring at the 2026 World Cup is far from over.
Following the announcement, Neymar attended a Kings League match for his team Furia against DesimpedN in São Paulo, and while in the president’s box, he grabbed a microphone to address his exclusion directly: “I’m going to speak out here because I can’t just let this slide. Obviously, I’m upset and sad that I wasn’t called up.“
Despite the disappointment, Neymar made clear his determination to keep pushing for a place at his fourth World Cup. “But the focus remains—day after day, training after training, game after game. The focus remains. We’re going to achieve our goal. There is still the final squad selection to come,” said Neymar.
🚨 URGENTE!
Neymar fala sobre ausência na convocação da Seleção Brasileira:
"Obviamente estou chateado, triste, por não ter sido convocado, mas o foco continua. Nós vamos conseguir nosso objetivo. O sonho continua."
During the press conference, Ancelotti was candid about his reasoning while keeping the door firmly open for the future: “Neymar can be at the World Cup. If he can reach 100% fitness during the World Cup, then obviously Neymar can be there. Why isn’t Neymar in this squad? Because he isn’t at 100% right now, and I need players who are at 100%. Neymar has to keep working, playing, and proving his quality and his physical condition.“
How will Neymar prepare for the World Cup?
With Ancelotti leaving the door open for Neymar to earn a place in Brazil’s final World Cup roster, the Santos forward has one clear mission: reach full fitness and force his way back into the Italian coach’s thinking. The roadmap from here is straightforward.
Absent from the March window, Neymar’s next major deadline is the final squad announcement, scheduled for May 19. Between now and then, he will have the opportunity to feature in up to 10 Brasileirão matches, two Copa do Brasil games and four Copa Sudamericana fixtures, giving him as many as 16 appearances with Santos to make his case, with each one carrying the weight of a must-win audition for a spot on the plane to North America.
Neymar of Santos and Head coach Carlo Ancelotti of Brazil.
Liverpool academy star Jayden Danns has suffered a heartbreaking injury setback during his highly anticipated return for the Under-21s against Manchester City.
The 20-year-old forward, who had been sidelined for five months following hamstring surgery in September, lasted just 29 minutes before pulling up in visible distress.
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The injury occurred as Danns attempted a characteristic burst of pace to track back into midfield.
He immediately clutched the back of his right leg and signaled to the bench, appearing devastated as he was helped from the pitch at the Kirkby Academy.
Liverpool starlet Jayden Danns suffers injury setback
The timing of this latest issue is a cruel blow for the striker, who had only just returned to full training in late February.
Having scored 29 goals in 48 appearances at youth level, Danns is considered among the emerging stars from the academy.
But the injuries have impacted his development recently, as he now faces another extended period on the treatment table, with reports suggesting his season could be over before it truly began.
Danns has produced some memorable Liverpool moments
Under Jurgen Klopp, he provided some of the most memorable moments, notably scoring twice in a 3-0 FA Cup win over Southampton and starring in the League Cup final victory over Chelsea.
Slot’s lack of trust in youngsters has drawn considerable criticism.
Team
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Liverpool U18
33
24
4
Liverpool U21
16
5
2
Liverpool (senior)
10
3
1
Liverpool FC YL
2
1
–
Total
61
33
7
With Slot prioritising a massive half a billion summer recruitment drive over promoting from within, there are growing concerns that the development pathway for talents like Danns and Rio Ngumoha is being overlooked in favour of experienced senior players regardless of their form.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber will miss Arsenal’s crucial Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Bayer Leverkusen.
The announcement comes as a significant blow to the Gunners, who are looking to secure a place in the quarter-finals following a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the first leg in Germany.
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Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Arteta was direct about the availability of his captain and star defender.
“Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard will be out tomorrow against Bayer Leverkusen,” the manager stated (as quoted by Fabrizio Romano).
??? Mikel Arteta: “Jurrien Timber and Martin Ødegaard will be out tomorrow against Bayer Leverkusen”. pic.twitter.com/dq1xU4V882
While there was hope he might return for this fixture, he remained absent from Monday’s training session.
Jurrien Timber’s injury is a more recent setback; the Dutchman, who has been one of the most effective defenders in the competition this season, hobbled off during the first half of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday.
While Arteta suggested Timber’s issue might not be too serious, the recovery time might just too short for the European clash.
Tottenham have decided to keep Igor Tudor as interim head coach for the time being, following a spirited 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
According to a report from The Times, the Croatian tactician is set to remain in charge for this week’s critical fixtures against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
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Igor Tudor to remain Tottenham manager for next two games
While the draw against the defending champions has eased the immediate pressure, Tudor’s position remains under heavy scrutiny.
The club is currently in a race against time to overturn a 5-2 deficit in their Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Atletico Madrid tomorrow night.
The board is also aware of the relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
With Spurs currently sitting in 16th place, just one point above the drop zone, the result against Forest is viewed as non-negotiable.
Should Tudor fail to secure a win in either of these fixtures, the club may turn to a somone like Sean Dyche to help them survive the drop.
Tottenham results under Igor Tudor
The point at Anfield was notably the first that Tottenham has earned under Tudor since he replaced Thomas Frank on February 14.
Despite the slight boost in morale, the club is still yet to record a victory in the calendar year 2026 and remains winless under the new manager’s tenure.
Match
Venue
Result
Competition
Tottenham vs Arsenal
Home
L 1–4
Premier League
Fulham vs Tottenham
Away
L 1–2
Premier League
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace
Home
L 1–3
Premier League
Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham
Away
L 2–5
Champions League
Liverpool vs Tottenham
Away
D 1–1
Premier League
Tudor described the draw as ‘immense’ given the squad’s injury crisis, which left him with only 12 senior outfield players available for selection.
However, with 14 goals conceded in just five matches, the Croatian must find a way to improve the defence that has looked alarmingly fragile if he hopes to keep the job beyond the weekend.
Arne Slot could face the sack at the end of the season despite his historic debut campaign at Anfield, according to The Athletic reporter Adam Crafton.
The Dutchman, who led Liverpool to the Premier League title just last year, is currently navigating a period of intense pressure as the club’s title defence has completely collapsed.
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Crafton, speaking on the latest situation surrounding the Liverpool manager, suggested that while Slot may deserve patience, the ruthless nature of elite football makes a departure a genuine possibility.
Adam Crafton says Arne Slot sacking ‘very possible’
“If you win the league in your first season and then get yourself in the Champions League even if it’s by hook or crook, then I do think you deserve another year to get out of the little rut you are in.
“The guy has won the league. It’s mad to think about someone being fired a year after winning the league, but I think that’s very possible.”
The comments reflect a growing sentiment that even a manager who delivered the club’s first post-Klopp title is not immune to the consequences of a dramatic drop-off in performance.
Premier League title in debut season has kept Slot in job so far
The primary reason Slot remains in the dugout is the immense credit he earned during the 2024/25 season.
Replacing a figure as influential as Jürgen Klopp was widely seen as an impossible task, yet Slot achieved the unthinkable by securing the Premier League trophy in his first attempt.
That achievement has acted as a shield during the current campaign, as FSG and the Liverpool board are reportedly hesitant to pull the trigger on him.
The statistics, however, paint a grim picture for the defending champions. Liverpool currently sit in fifth place, 21 points behind leaders Arsenal.
The Reds have already suffered nine league defeats this season, the most by a defending champion at this stage of the season since Leicester City in 2017.
Coupled with a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Galatasaray in the Champions League round of 16 and shock home defeats has resulted in serious frustration among fans.
Bayer Leverkusen intend to show Arsenal exactly what they are made of in their Champions League last 16 second leg at Emirates Stadium, so says Kasper Hjulmand. The contest is finely poised at 1-1 following the first leg after Kai Havertz’s 89th-minute penalty cancelled out Robert Andrich’s header. Leverkusen drew with Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich […]
With the friendlies against Mexico and the USMNT scheduled for March, Portugal FA has reportedly submitted a call-up request to Al Nassr for Cristiano Ronaldo, prompting questions over his availability.
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s latest injury has cast serious doubt over his participation in the March international window, with the forward already having been sidelined for more than two weeks. Recent reports, however, have struck a more optimistic tone, with the Portugal Football Federation reportedly submitting an official call-up request to Al Nassr, raising the question of whether Ronaldo will feature against Mexico and the USMNT without match fitness.
With Portugal set to travel to North America for friendlies against Mexico on the 28th and the USMNT on the 31st, anticipation had been building for Ronaldo’s return to the continent ahead of the World Cup. According to TUDN Mexico, the FPF has already formally sent its call-up request to the Saudi club, signaling the federation’s intent to include the star in the tour squad.
The request submitted to Al Nassr covers both Ronaldo and fellow Portuguese forward João Félix, who was part of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League-winning campaign. The key determining factor will be Al Nassr’s forthcoming medical report on Ronaldo’s condition, which is expected to clarify his availability ahead of the squad announcement scheduled for Friday, March 20.
As the Mexican outlet reports, head coach Roberto Martínez is keen to have Ronaldo present during the training camp. However, given the nature of his injury, the striker is unlikely to see game time in either the Mexico or USMNT friendlies.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Roberto Martinez, Manager of Portugal.
Ronaldo’s injury occurred on February 28, when a hamstring problem forced him off during a match. With a reported recovery window of up to four weeks, and having already missed Al Nassr’s last two fixtures, pushing him into action against either Mexico or the USMNT would risk exposing him to a potentially more serious setback.
Cristiano Ronaldo, a fundamental piece for Roberto Martínez’s Portugal
The answer becomes clear when you consider what Ronaldo represents, both on and off the field, for the Portuguese national team. At 41 years old, the former Real Madrid superstar is still performing at a high level, leading the scoring charts under Martínez’s tenure, with a run of 13 goals in his last 14 international appearances.
Speaking at the Portugal Football Summit podcast back on February 23, Martínez made his admiration for Ronaldo abundantly clear: “I have never worked with a player who, every single morning, focuses on trying to make the most of the day to improve. If we could have Cristiano forever, it would be the easiest way to train younger players as they join the national team, because he possesses that level of focus. His desire is to seize every day to get better.“
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal applauds the fans after the draw against Hungary.
Patrick Agyemang has managed to establish as one of the best players of Derby County, shining as the top scorer. Because of this, the USMNT star is reportedly attracting attention from the Premier League in a post-2026 World Cup move.
Patrick Agyemang managed to become one of the best players in Major League Soccer, shining for Charlotte FC for three seasons. Because of this, the USMNTstar completed a €6.9 million transfer to Derby County. Being a usual starter, he has managed to score 10 goals, becoming the top scorer alongside Carlton Morris. After his strong performances, he is reportedly getting closer to the Premier League in a post-2026 World Cup move.
According to Football Insider, the performances of Patrick Agyemang are attracting the attention of two Premier League teams: Leeds United and Crystal Palace. As both teams are established in the league, the USMNT star could prioritize a move that guarantees him playing time. With both sides having serious scoring problems, the 25-year-old star would have a great opportunity to earn an important role in the rotation.
After shining in the EFL Championship, Agyemang will not leave Derby County easily, as they are asking for €23 million for his transfer. While Crystal Palace are looking for a natural replacement for Jean-Philippe Mateta, Leeds United have been pursuing him as a backup for the duo of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha. For this reason, securing his place with the USMNT and delivering a strong performance at the 2026 World Cup could be decisive.
In case Derby County secure promotion to the Premier League, Patrick Agyemang might not be transferred, as he is the undisputed leader of the offense. However, they have a tough task ahead, as they are 13 points away from the direct promotion spots, making it a difficult mission. If they fail to achieve promotion, the 25-year-old striker could leave the team more easily, but still with a high transfer fee involved.
Patrick Agyemang #16 of the United States celebrates after scoring a goal.
Agyemang’s uphill battle for USMNT 2026 World Cup spot
Following Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival, Patrick Agyemang made his debut on January 17, 2025, scoring a goal against Venezuela and then against Costa Rica. Although he was called up for several consecutive games, a herniated disc he suffered in September 2025 caused him to lose his spot, and he was not called up for the final friendly matches in November 2025. Additionally, the 25-year-old star faces stiff competition for the striker position.
Both Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi appear to be fixed options for coach Mauricio Pochettino. Therefore, Patrick Agyemang would have to compete with Damion Downs and Haji Wright for the third striker spot. If he maintains his strong form, the 25-year-old could secure his place. Despite this, the Derby County star might not receive many minutes, as he has not been a starter since the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he disappointed with his performances.
Patrick Agyemang of Derby County celebrates scoring a goal in the Sky Bet Championship.
Udinese striker Keinan Davis talks exclusively to World Soccer Talk about his journey from Aston Villa to Italy, saving his club from relegation, and competing at the top of the Serie A scoring charts.
From Ollie Watkins to Dominic Solanke, from Ivan Toney to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, you’d struggle to find a single country with a wider plethora of center forwards than England. However, there’s an argument to be made that England’s two best number nines this season have been plying their trade not in the Premier League, but overseas: Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Udinese Calcio’s Keinan Davis.
Born on February 13, 1998, Keinan Vincent Joseph Davis grew up in Stevenage, England, and attended The Nobel School before putting an end to his academic pursuits and prioritizing his footballing career. His dreams of representing Stevenage were destroyed when his manager, Darren Sarll, released him from the squad in 2015, but rather than wallow in misery, Davis decided to drop down a level and join Biggleswade Town’s under-18s. He didn’t last long in non-league play: instead, after impressing in a friendly match against their reserves, Davis underwent a four-week trial at Aston Villa and eventually joined the club in December 2015 on an 18-month contract.
After honing his skills with the reserves, Davis made his first-team debut on January 8, 2017, in a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup. All things considered, he scored 6 goals and 4 assists in 86 appearances and helped the Villans return to the top flight. But after missing the start of the 2021/22 season with a knee injury, Davis found himself out of favor under Steven Gerrard, playing just once in all competitions.
“When I came back in November, I was playing with the under-21s, but obviously, I had played first-team football before, so I was never going to stay with the under-21s,” recalled Davis in an exclusive World Soccer Talk interview. It’s why he decided to return to the EFL Championship and join Nottingham Forest, where he scored 5 goals and 3 assists in 22 appearances and helped them return to the Premier League after a 24-year absence. Rather than challenge for a place at Villa Park, Davis opted to head out on another loan spell, this time to Championship side Watford, where he scored seven goals and two assists in 34 appearances but failed to lift them into a promotion race.
“[Watford] was a difficult period for myself, I’d say, just on and off the pitch. It was just more difficult than the other two places I had been—just stuff off the pitch that could affect things on the pitch. And then collectively, it just wasn’t the best time. The football club is very good… of course, they have a relationship with Udinese, so the people that run it know Udinese very well, and they’re all good. But yeah, it wasn’t the best time for me. We had a good team that season, but we didn’t do too well due to a lot of things. I’m not too sure why, but personally, it wasn’t the best time for me due to a lot of things. But I still appreciate my time there as well as their fans.”
Instead of sticking around in England, Davis decided to start a new chapter in Italy after joining Udinese on a four-year contract on September 1, 2023 (Udinese have the option to renew it for an additional year). After being forced to wait over four months before making his debut due to tearing his left calf muscle in training, Davis finally made his debut against Lazio on January 7, 2024. He struggled for minutes and only made eight appearances, but he nevertheless saved the best for last. Udinese looked set to suffer relegation and drop down to the second tier until the 76th minute of the final matchday, when Lorenzo Lucca chested down a ball for Davis to smash his first goal in Italy. Just like that, Udinese were saved, while their opponent Frosinone were relegated.
Davis’s form improved under new manager Kosta Runjaić, scoring 3 goals and 1 assist in 25 appearances as Udinese finished 12th in the Serie A table. But with Lucca making the move to reigning champions Napoli, Davis has been forced to step up and emerge as the Zebrette’s attacking talisman. He’s answered the call, scoring a goal and an assist in Udinese’s shock win vs. Inter in August before scoring against Sassuolo and Lecce in September and October, respectively. And over the past few months, he has delivered the best form of his entire career, earning praise from the likes of Niccolò Pierozzi and establishing himself as one of the most in-form strikers in the league.
“You can obviously become a better player wherever you are, but for me, because I didn’t really play a lot, it was kind of hard to adapt to Serie A, because obviously you need to play to learn the league and learn the habits of the opposing team and my own team. You need to be able to become better, so it was kind of difficult, trying to adapt without playing. Obviously, you’re watching a lot of the games, but that’s completely different to actually playing in it. It was a bit difficult in the beginning to try to learn the new language and everything like that, but as the time went on this season, I’ve started a lot of games, and each game, I’ve just felt more comfortable and more stable, playing in Serie A.”
After closing out November with a goal at Parma, Davis assisted Jürgen Ekkelenkamp’s winning goal in a shock win vs. Napoli, before ending the year with a 95th-minute equalizer vs. Lazio. He’s built on his red-hot form in 2026, assisting Ekkelenkamp’s decisive winning goal at Torino before bagging from the penalty spot against Pisa, followed by a goal at Hellas Verona. And after missing a month with a left adductor strain, Davis has picked up where he left off.
He returned to the pitch on March 2 and doubled their lead from the spot in a 3-0 win vs. Fiorentina, before doubling their lead at Atalanta, who would pull level with a brace from Gianluca Scamacca. He’s already scored a career-high 9 goals this season, second only to Lautaro Martínez (14) in the Capocannoniere standings, and he’ll be looking to make it double digits against Juventus this weekend. And whilst he’s holding out hope of being included in Jamaica’s World Cup qualifying squad as they look to return to the world’s biggest stage after 28 years, he’s firmly aware that his number one priority is continuing to deliver the goods for Udinese.
“You just never know what the future holds. I’m a lot older now, at 27, so it’s difficult to predict what will happen, and I’ve also had a lot of injuries in my career, so I don’t want to push myself too much with too many games. I just want to focus on Udinese at the moment and build the foundation of my body to restrict injuries.”
Keinan Davis of Udinese looks on during the Serie A match.
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly facing a format change from the AFC in the Champions League Two games that could jeopardize Al Nassr's aspirations.
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s stated goal ahead of the 2026 World Cup is to end Al Nassr‘s long wait for silverware, with the Saudi Pro League serving as the primary target, though the AFC Champions League Two has also emerged as a realistic opportunity. After the original fixtures were postponed, the Portuguese star is now reportedly set to contend with a format change from the AFC for the remainder of the competition.
After eliminating Arkadag FK, Al Nassr were scheduled to face Dubai side Al Wasl in the quarterfinals of the Champions League Two, with the first leg on March 4 and the return leg on March 11. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East forced the AFC to postpone those games, and with the schedule now heavily compressed, a significant structural change is reportedly on the way.
According to Asharq Al Awsat, the AFC is set to announce on Monday that the quarterfinals and semifinals of the Champions League Two will be condensed into single-leg matches played at a neutral venue between April 19 and 22. Rather than factoring in the home regions of the participating clubs, the games are expected to be held in either Oman or Qatar.
The change represents a notable setback compared to the original format, under which Al Nassr would have traveled to Dubai for the first leg before having the opportunity to seal qualification at home in the return fixture. Moving to a neutral venue removes that advantage, which could prove costly given the Saudi side’s extraordinary home record this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr
Al Awwal Park has been one of the most difficult venues in Asia to visit during the 2025-26 campaign. In the Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr have posted a record of 11 wins and just one defeat across 12 home matches, conceding only eight goals, the fewest of any team at home in the division. In the AFC Champions League Two, they have won all four home games while conceding just once.
Al Nassr and the possibility of playing at home
Beyond the Al Nassr-Al Wasl quarterfinal, the AFC will also need to find venues for the other Middle Eastern tie, between Al Ahli Doha and Al Hussein Irbid. On the other side of the bracket, Japanese side Gamba Osaka and Thailand’s Bangkok United have already completed their quarterfinal fixtures and are set to meet in the semifinals.
According to Saudi journalist Khaled Al-Rasheed, the AFC has been in contact with the football associations of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and the UAE to discuss hosting the quarterfinal and semifinal matches in a centralized, tournament-style format. Should the Saudi Football Federation submit a hosting bid, Al Nassr could play both the quarterfinal and semifinal at Al Awwal Park, giving Ronaldo a far better chance of featuring, given his reluctance to travel outside the country during the current period.
Amid the defensive problems of Hansi Flick’s team, the uncertainty surrounding the future of Andreas Christensen continues to grow. For this reason, Barcelona have reportedly given the Dane an ultimatum while monitoring other defenders for next season.
Throughout the season, Barcelona have struggled significantly to find defensive balance. Not only did Iñigo Martínez leave, but Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen have also been absent frequently during the season. Nevertheless, the Dane has been the most affected, as he suffered an ACL injury. Despite this, Hansi Flick’s team offered him a contract renewal, giving him an ultimatum while they continue searching for defenders for next season.
According to Luis F. Rojo in Diario Marca, Barcelona have been negotiating with Andreas Christensen and his agent for quite some time, despite his serious injury. They have offered a two-year extension in which he would earn half of what he currently makes. Nevertheless, the Blaugranas have offered variables that could help him increase his income, based on how many games he plays per season, reaching up to a 50% increase.
Even though the Dane has expressed his desire to remain with the Blaugranas, Christensen has not yet accepted the offer. In addition, the Spanish side proposed a clause stating that if he does not play 30% of the matches, they could unilaterally terminate the contract, as per Diario AS. Nevertheless, Barcelona have reportedly made it clear that they expect a response soon or they will move toward other solutions they have already been scouting.
Andreas Christensen has proven to be one of the most talented defenders at Barcelona, playing a key role in the build-up play. However, he has participated in only 23 of the team’s 106 matches over the last two seasons, a rate of just 21.7%, which is quite low. Because of this, the Blaugranas want to continue investing in him, but under conditions that allow them to manage the situation if he continues to face physical problems.
Andreas Christensen of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring a goal.
Barcelona reportedly keep three center backs on the target list
Seeking to improve defensive consistency, Barcelona remain open to making additions in the defensive line. With the uncertainty surrounding Andreas Christensen, they are keeping different targets on the transfer market, with several profiles on the table. While two stand out in the Premier League, another is emerging strongly in the Belgian Pro League, as the club keeps all possibilities under control.
Along with Alessandro Bastoni and Marcos Senesi, Barcelona have added Joel Ordóñez from Club Brugge to the list. Being only 21 years old, he has already stablished as one of the best in the Belgian Pro League. Nevertheless, they face tough competition as Juventus, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are already speaking with his agents, while Atlético Madrid, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Liverpool F.C. and Chelsea F.C. are following him, reveals Ekrem Konur.
Andreas Christensen of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League.
Arsenal could be set for a significant financial windfall as Serie A giants Juventus plot a £30 million move for defender Jakub Kiwior this summer.
The 26-year-old, who left North London in September to make room for the arrival of Piero Hincapie, is currently on a season-long loan at Porto, where his stock has risen dramatically.
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Juventus revive longstanding interest in Jakub Kiwior
According to Tuttosport, Juventus have revived their long-standing interest in the versatile centre-back, who is equally comfortable operating on the left-hand side of a four-man defense.
The Bianconeri are reportedly keen to bring Kiwior back to Italy, where he previously excelled with Spezia, to provide competition and cover for former Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly, whose move to Turin was made permanent last summer.
Juventus’ interest in the Polish international dates back to his time in Serie A between 2021 and 2023.
While Arsenal ultimately won the race for his signature in a £21 million deal, the Italian club has continued to monitor his progress.
Report suggests that Juventus sporting director Marco Ottolini was in Portugal last week to scout Kiwior during Porto’s high-profile fixtures against Sporting and Benfica.
The 26-year-old has established himself as a staple of Francesco Farioli’s defense, helping Porto keep 12 clean sheets in Liga Portugal this season.
Juventus reportedly view him as a player who can immediately improve their defensive unit as they continue their rebuilding process.
Arsenal set for transfer windfall from Kiwior sale
The situation is complicated by the structure of Kiwior’s current move. His loan deal at the Estádio do Dragao includes a mandatory obligation to buy, meaning Porto are set to pay Arsenal approximately £23 million to make the transfer permanent this summer.
However, a permanent stay in Portugal is not guaranteed. If Juventus follow through with their £30 million interest, Porto could be tempted to make an immediate profit on the defender.
For Arsenal, such a quick flip would be highly beneficial; the original agreement between the Gunners and Porto reportedly includes a sell-on clause, which would see Mikel Arteta’s side receive an extra £1.7 million should Porto sell him on this summer.
Kiwior arrived at the Emirates in January 2023 for a fee of £21 million.
During his tenure in North London, he made 68 appearances for the Gunners and was often called upon by Mikel Arteta during crucial title-run periods to fill in for the injured Gabriel Magalhaes or Oleksandr Zinchenko.
While he was a reliable squad player, he struggled to cement a permanent starting spot over the club’s preferred central pairing.
His departure in September 2025 was seen as the best move for all parties, allowing Arsenal to bring in Piero Hincapie while granting Kiwior the regular first-team football.
With their Champions League dreams hanging by a thread, Chelsea will welcome PSG to Stamford Bridge for their second-leg showdown on Tuesday night. Suffering major late frustration over in Paris last week, Liam Rosenior’s struggling squad are seeking what would be an iconic European comeback when they return to west London here. Sat firmly in […]
With the 2026 World Cup in less than 100 days, Carlo Ancelotti has decided to leave Neymar Junior out of the Brazil national team squad for the March friendlies.
Neymar‘s potential return to the Brazil national team has been one of the most debated topics in recent months, particularly after the forward’s move to Santos with an eye on earning a place at the 2026 World Cup. However, head coach Carlo Ancelotti has decided to leave the former Barcelona star out of his squad for the March international window.
At a press conference on Monday, Ancelotti named a 26-man squad for Brazil‘s upcoming North American tour. Among the new faces earning call-ups were Galatasaray’s Gabriel Sara and Bournemouth’s Rayan, but Neymar’s name was absent from the list.
Brazil are set to face two major European nations during the March window. The Seleção will travel to the United States to take on France on March 26 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, before facing Croatia on March 31 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Neymar’s last appearance for Brazil came on October 17, 2023, in a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, a match in which he suffered an ACL injury that kept him sidelined for more than a year. The long and difficult road back to full fitness has kept the legendary forward out of Ancelotti’s plans at international level ever since.
Brazil’s squad list for the March international break.
When asked whether Neymar, who has not featured in any of Ancelotti’s previous squads, could still make it to the World Cup, the Italian coach was cautiously optimistic: “Neymar can be at the World Cup. If he can reach 100% fitness during the World Cup, then obviously Neymar can be there. Why isn’t Neymar in this squad? Because he isn’t at 100% right now, and I need players who are at 100%. Neymar has to keep working, playing, and proving his quality and his physical condition.“
The trip to Mirassol, a key point for Neymar’s dismissal
Ancelotti confirmed he had only called up players who were at 100% fitness, while also leaving the door open for those who miss the March window but will be ready for the World Cup itself, a message directed not only at Neymar but also at other key figures such as Estevao, the top scorer of Ancelotti’s tenure with the Seleção.
When asked directly about Neymar’s absence, Ancelotti pointed to his scouting trip as the decisive moment: “I was scheduled to go to Mirassol to watch the Mirassol-Santos match and see both teams. We were received very well there. Neymar did not play; it’s important to point that out. I have nothing further to add to any of this.“
Brazil’s complete list for March friendlies
Reports from ESPN back in February indicated that Ancelotti had already settled on 18 of the 26 players he intends to bring to the 2026 World Cup. Rodrygo, who suffered an ACL injury, had been part of that group, and his absence opens up a spot for another player to stake a claim, with the March window serving as a final audition for several hopefuls.
The full squad Carlo Ancelotti has named for the March international friendlies is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Bento, Ederson.
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Bremer, Danilo, Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ibañez, Leo Pereira, Marquinhos, Wesley.
Midfielders: Andrey Santos, Casemiro, Danilo, Fabinho, Gabriel Sara.
Forwards: Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Thiago, Luiz Enrique, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, Rayan, Vinicius Junior, Joao Pedro.
Luis Enrique warned Paris Saint-Germain against getting complacent despite their three-goal advantage over Chelsea in the Champions League last-16. PSG ran out 5-2 winners over the Blues in the first leg, but it had been a tight match until the final 16 minutes, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia coming on to make a late impact. Tied at […]
Liam Rosenior confirmed Chelsea could be without captain Reece James for weeks after he sustained yet another hamstring injury at the weekend. James played the duration of Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United, but has since been ruled out of their Champions League last 16 second leg against Paris Saint-Germain. The Blues trail the defending […]
Throughout his extensive career, Carlo Ancelotti has coached several legends, leaving a great mark on their careers. Because of this, he named a starting XI made up only of Brazilian players he has coached, with imposing legends leading this selection.
Carlo Ancelotti has established as one of the greatest coaches in soccer history. He excelled not only with Real Madrid, but also with AC Milan, PSG, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich. Despite this, he had never coached a national team before, so his arrival in Brazilwas quite a challenge. Nevertheless, he has been recognized for coaching numerous Brazilian legends, even daring to field a starting lineup featuring the most outstanding players.
In an interview with Radio Marca, Ancelotti decided to field a starting lineup consisting entirely of Brazilian players he has coached. “In goal I could put Dida.Cafu on the right, Éder Militão or Thiago Silva as center-backs and Marcelo on the left. In midfield Casemiro, Kaká… I’m surely forgetting someone. On the right Rodrygo or wherever he wants, on the left Vinícius Júnior, and up front I have many doubts: Ronaldo Nazário, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho… there are many.”
Although Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. are still young players, Carlo Ancelotti already places them among the best Brazilians he has coached. He even decided to name them before Rivaldo or Ronaldinho, leaving several fans surprised. The truth is that the Italian has boosted the best version of several Brazilians, which has led him to be one of the most respected managers for legends such as Marcelo, Casemiro, Cafu, among others.
Taking advantage of his good relationship with Brazilian stars, Ancelotti seeks to consolidate a winning sporting project, based on collective play. He not only knows Vinícius closely, but also has an excellent relationship with veterans such as Casemiro, giving him more support in the dressing room. In addition, he aims to develop young players like Estêvão, paving the way to create more stars as he has done throughout his career.
Vinicius Junior is subbed off by Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil.
Ancelotti discusses Brazil and the 2026 World Cup situation
Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil have regained their competitiveness, qualifying for the 2026 World Cup despite their recent slump. By relying on Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães in midfield, he has managed to restore stability, with Vinicius, Matheus Cunha, and Estevão leading the offense. For that reason, he has decided to open up about the different reality he faces day after day, mentioning the 2026 World Cup as more than just a motivation.
“Less stress because there are not many matches; it is more a job of observation. There is no need to prepare training every day, it is a different job, with much more pause… Brazil has at least 70 players who can be in the national team, and making an evaluation of all of them is not so simple… They have been asking for it for a long time (the World Cup Trophy). This is not only an objective, it is also a motivation,” Ancelotti said, via Radio Marca.
Even though Carlo Ancelotti has already left Real Madrid, he remains keenly interested in the team’s development. Amid the current crisis, the Italian coach has shared his perspective, identifying the root of the problem and defending Kylian Mbappé.
Despite Carlo Ancelotti leaving Real Madrid at the beginning of the season, he has remained attentive to the team’s development. Following his departure, the team fell into a crisis, and many fans have placed the responsibility on Kylian Mbappé. However, the Italian coach has chosen to elaborate on the issues facing Los Blancos, providing key insights into the main reasons behind the team’s struggles and defending the French star.
“It’s not just about swapping Kroos for Mbappé…The old generation that had created a fantastic atmosphere in the dressing room, which is no longer there…Mbappé’s arrival coincided with two important departures such as Kroos and Nacho… Mbappé did fantastically, scoring 50 goals or so and the team struggled to win titles because soccer is about small details and when you change something, it can’t always go well,” Carlo Ancelotti said, via Diario Marca.
Neither under Xabi Alonso nor Álvaro Arbeloa does there seem to be a clear solution regarding the improvement of the playing style, angering the fans. Nevertheless, Real Madrid come from a successful era where several veterans such as Nacho Fernández, Toni Kroos, Luka Modrić, among others, left the team. Because of this, they are currently going through a restructuring of the squad that may take some time before recovering dominance on the field.
Far from being the culprit of the poor form of Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé is the most important player on the team in the current season. Playing 33 games, the Frenchman has scored 38 goals, contributing 6 assists, being the team’s top scorer in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. Because of this, the criticism may end up being somewhat unfair, as he seems more like the key to recovering the team’s best version than the culprit of the current poor form.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrating.
Real Madrid reportedly eye midfield moves, proving Ancelotti right
Although Real Madrid have numerous stars in midfield such as Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde and others, they have struggled greatly to find balance in the current season. Seeking to improve the competitiveness of the roster, Los Blancos are looking to sign stars for the midfield, giving reason to Carlo Ancelotti regarding the hard impact of the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić.
Chasing to recover dominance and organization in the midfield, Los Blancos reportedly seek Nico Paz’s return by exercising the buy-back clause from Como. Moreover, they also pursue Kees Smith from AZ Alkmaar, according to Diario AS. While it may be difficult to sign both stars, Real Madrid reportedly aims to secure at least one of them. Additionally, they are open to selling Eduardo Camavinga if a solid offer arrives.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti of Brazil and Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid.
With the Champions League set to steal all of the midweek attention, two English giants find their European dreams hanging by a threat on Tuesday night. As Manchester City and Chelsea look to mount their own sensational comebacks on home soil, Norwegian record-breakers Bodo/Glimt will also be looking to officially punch a remarkable quarter-final ticket. […]
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland doesn’t seem to be on form at the moment, and according to Bernardo Silva, it wouldn’t come as a great surprise if he was left out of the starting XI for the upcoming Champions League rematch against Real Madrid. City lost the first leg in Madrid by 3-0 last week. […]
After several reports from Todd Boehly upon his arrival at Chelsea F.C., the Premier League has decided to sanction the Blues for one year, as irregularities were found during the era of Roman Abramovich. In addition, the club’s young academy also received a sanction.
While Todd Boehly has started a new era at Chelsea, they decided to carry out a careful inspection upon his arrival. After this, they reported financial inconsistencies during the Roman Abramovich era to the Premier League, UEFA, and the FA. Following an investigation, the Blues have received a severe sanction with a one-year ban from the league, even affecting the young academy for a stipulated period.
Chelsea have been suspended for one year from making signings for the first team for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules between 2011 and 2018. However, this sanction is suspended for two years, allowing them to reinforce the squad during this period as long as they do not commit further violations. Alongside this, they were also required to pay a fine of $13.7 million, the highest in Premier League history.
During that period, the Blues paid $63,200,547.25 million to twelve unregistered agents or entities in connection with the transfers of Eden Hazard, Ramires, David Luiz, André Schürrle, Nemanja Matić, Willian, and Samuel Eto’o. Despite this, they did not receive any point deductions or sporting sanctions such as relegation. Although these events occurred while Roman Abramovich was the owner, Todd Boehly will bear the consequences of these actions.
Far from trying to hide the information, Boehly and his board of directors reported the inconsistencies in Chelsea’s accounts to the Premier League, UEFA, and the Football Association. Because of this, they received a favorable treatment in the sanction, as they constantly cooperated with all the entities. In addition, Todd and BlueCo agreed to retain $200 million in the purchase of the club from Abramovich in case a sanction arrived.
Chelsea won the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup title.
Chelsea young academy also receive a ban
Despite Chelsea constantly cooperating with the Premier League, the FA, and UEFA, they received a major sanction that not only affects the first team, but also the young academy. After discovering irregularities in the period between 2019 and 2022, they have received an exemplary sanction, although slightly lower. Nevertheless, this one will have an immediate effect, affecting specific cases.
The Blues’ young academy has received a ban from registering players for nine months. Nevertheless, this only applies to players who had previously been registered by other Premier League and English Football League clubs’ academies. Because of this, players who are being registered under professional conditions or who are internationals will not be affected. In addition, they must pay a $998,205 fine.
Lionel Messi is always welcome at Barcelona, so says club president Joan Laporta. Messi, who is the Blaugrana’s record goalscorer, left Barca in 2021, joining Paris Saint-Germain before heading on to Inter Miami, for whom he has scored 80 goals. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is thriving in MLS, and is just one goal shy […]
Neither set of supporters was overly optimistic about the prospects of their teams for the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. In fact, Spurs had lost every game they had played since the appointment of Igor Tudor. Dominik Szoboszlai struck a fine free-kick to break the deadlock for Liverpool in the […]
Liverpool have confirmed that they’ve triggered the option to extend the contract of Alisson Becker for another year, meaning the Brazilian goalkeeper is now tied to the Merseysiders until 2027, and according to Teamtalk, the development has prompted several Premier League clubs to enquire about the availability of Giorgi Mamardashvili. Mamardashvili joined Liverpool from Valencia […]
Liverpool have confirmed that they’ve triggered the option to extend the contract of Alisson Becker for another year, meaning the Brazilian goalkeeper is now tied to the Merseysiders until 2027, and according to Teamtalk, the development has prompted several Premier League clubs to enquire about the availability of Giorgi Mamardashvili. Mamardashvili joined Liverpool from Valencia […]
Ahead of the second leg against Manchester City, Real Madrid receive very solid reinforcements. Both Kylian Mbappé and two other players join coach Álvaro Arbeloa’s squad list, giving fans more hope of consolidating a victory in the Champions League clash.
Despite facing low expectations, Real Madrid convincingly defeated Manchester City 3–0 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Rather than sitting back, they intend to extend their advantage in the second leg and prevent a comeback by Pep Guardiola’s team. To bolster their efforts, coach Álvaro Arbeloa welcomes Kylian Mbappé and two other players back to the squad after their absence in the previous match.
Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Álvaro Carreras have joined the squad, offering a crucial boost for coach Álvaro Arbeloa. The Frenchman and the Spaniard are likely to see playing time, but the Englishman faces a tougher challenge, as he did not train with the group this week. Consequently, Jude’s inclusion appears more as a morale boost for the team rather than as a reinforcement expected to log significant minutes.
Mbappé and Carreras both have the potential to see action, but their situations differ slightly. The Frenchman may only play a few minutes to avoid an injury relapse, whereas the Spaniard could start since his injury was not serious. As a result, Real Madrid coach Arbeloa might once again choose an attacking duo spearheaded by Vinícius Jr., partnering with Gonzalo García, to pressure the Citizen defenders.
Arbeloa still faces four key absentees for Real Madrid
Holding a 3-0 advantage from the first leg, Real Madrid emerge as the clear favorite to beat Manchester City in the series. Moreover, they have recovered Mbappé, Carreras, and Bellingham, providing a significant boost compared to the last game. Nonetheless, coach Álvaro Arbeloa still faces the challenge of four key absentees, forcing young academy players to complement the squad.
Kylian Mbappe #9 of Real Madrid C.F. and Vitinha #17 of Paris Saint-Germain.
Rodrygo, Dani Ceballos, Raúl Asencio, and Ferland Mendy are ruled out for Los Blancos due to injury concerns. For that reason, they have included Diego Aguado and Mario Rivas as reinforcements in the defensive line. Moreover, Manuel Ángel and César Palacios join Jorge Cesteros and Thiago Pitarch as academy reinforcements in midfield. Despite this, coach Arbeloa could maintain a similar approach to the previous match, leaving them on the bench.
Real Madrid may need a strong defensive strategy
Although Los Blancos managed to impose themselves offensively in the first leg, they may need to maintain a solid defensive strategy. The Citizens could opt for a much more aggressive attack, as they must overturn a 3–0 deficit, taking advantage of the spaces left by Dean Huijsen in defense. For this reason, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga could anchor the base of midfield, looking to reinforce Antonio Rüdiger.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match.
Chelsea have been handed significant sanctions following the conclusion of a Premier League investigation into historical financial breaches dating back to the ownership era of Roman Abramovich.
An independent commission has imposed a £10.75 million fine, along with additional sporting penalties related to transfer activity and academy recruitment, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The sanctions include an immediate nine-month ban on academy player registrations and a one-year transfer ban on first-team signings, although the latter will remain suspended for two years provided the club commits no further violations.
Chelsea have accepted both punishments after cooperating with the Premier League’s investigation.
Findings of the investigation against Chelsea
The investigation focused on financial activities that occurred between 2011 and 2018, during Abramovich’s ownership of the club.
According to the Premier League, the inquiry uncovered undisclosed payments made by third parties associated with Chelsea to players, agents who were not properly registered, and other intermediaries involved in transfers.
These payments were not reported to the league at the time, which constituted a breach of the Premier League’s financial reporting regulations, as well as rules regarding third-party involvement in transfers and youth development structures.
In its statement, the Premier League explained that Chelsea had accepted that these payments, and the failure to disclose them, violated the league’s requirement for clubs to act in good faith and maintain transparency in their financial dealings.
Impact on the sporting operations at Stamford Bridge
Liam Rosenior shouts instructions during Chelsea’s defeat vs Arsenal (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
The most immediate sporting consequence of the ruling is the nine-month ban on registering academy players.
This measure could impact Chelsea’s youth recruitment strategy, an area the club has historically prioritised as part of its long-term development model.
The suspended first-team transfer ban is also significant. While Chelsea can still sign senior players during the next transfer windows, any future breaches of financial regulations during the two-year probation period could trigger the full sanction.
Despite the penalties, the club is not expected to face points deductions or further financial punishment.
Chelsea have acknowledged the findings and accepted the sanctions imposed by the commission.
The club reportedly cooperated with investigators and has emphasised that the violations relate to activities under previous ownership.
Verdict: Total goals under 2.5 Best odds: 13/10 Bookmaker: Unibet Champions League nights return to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, where Arsenal host Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their last‑16 tie. One week ago, the Gunners came within minutes of leaving the BayArena empty‑handed, but a familiar act of late drama rescued them. […]
John Terry drew comparison between Arsenal’s Max Dowman and Lionel Messi after the 16-year-old made history against Everton. Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Premier League during an inspired cameo that saw him lead Arsenal to a 2-0 win over Everton. He played a crucial role in Viktor Gyokeres’ 89th-minute opener […]
The future of Jack Grealish could get attention in the summer with Aston Villa and Everton reportedly preparing to compete for the England international’s signature.
According to SportsBoom, both clubs are closely monitoring Grealish’s situation at Manchester City, where the attacking midfielder is expected to evaluate his options at the end of the season.
Grealish’s long-term future at the Etihad Stadium appears uncertain.
After several seasons with City, the 29-year-old could be open to a new challenge, prompting interest from clubs eager to bring the creative playmaker back into a more prominent role.
Aston Villa are dreaming of an emotional return
The possibility of Grealish returning to Villa Park would represent a deeply emotional reunion.
The midfielder famously captained the club and rose through its academy before leaving for Manchester City in a record-breaking £100 million transfer in 2021.
Villa manager Unai Emery is reportedly interested in the idea of bringing Grealish back to the club where he first established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting talents.
Under Emery’s leadership, Villa have developed into a competitive side with ambitions of maintaining a place among England’s top teams.
With European football virtually secured for next season, Villa believe they could offer Grealish an attractive sporting project as well as the opportunity to reconnect with the club where he became a fan favorite.
Everton are also keen on signing Grealish
Jack Grealish celebrates a goal for Everton (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
However, Aston Villa are unlikely to have a clear path to Grealish. Everton manager David Moyes is also believed to be keen on signing the midfielder and hopes to act quickly in the transfer market.
The English star has impressed on his loan spell at Everton this season and the Toffees are considering signing him in a permanent deal.
If Grealish ultimately decides to leave Man City in a permanent move in the summer, both clubs appear ready to make strong cases for why he should join their project for the next stage of his career.
Carragher called out Vicario for his poor performance, particularly how he dealt with Szoboszlai’s free-kick in the first half.
Although Szoboszlai is a world class free-kick taker but replay showed that Vicario could have saved the free-kick as he got a strong hand on the ball.
Jamie Carragher called out Vicario for his mistake
While speaking on commentary, Carragher said, as reported by Football365:
“We don’t see enough direct free-kicks scored in the Premier League these days but there’s absolutely no doubt that Liverpool have a free-kick specialist.
“He is a specialist but I tell you what, Tottenham don’t have a goalkeeping specialist.
“It’s not far off the middle of the goal, you’ve got to save that. Wow, that’s awful, absolutely shocking from the goalkeeper.
“Liverpool find themselves one goal in front thanks to their best player by a million miles this season.
“The reason the other fella’ [Kinsky] played in midweek was because he [Vicario] is not good enough.
“That’s what it was and then he ends up coming on in the game and it’s been well documented what happened.
He was dropped by manager Igor Tudor for the big match against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and replaced by Antonin Kinsky, who made high-profile errors and was eventually taken off and replaced by Vicario in the match against the La Liga side.
The goalkeeping position has been Spurs’ achilles heel this season and it is an issue that the club would be desperate to address in the summer.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is attracting attention from the biggest clubs in the Premier League.
The likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been linked with a move for the young English midfielder who has impressed highly at Selhurst Park.
At Palace, he has shown consistency, quality passing and maturity at such a young age.
With Palace losing players like Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi recently and manager Oliver Glasner also heading out of the club, Wharton’s future is uncertain and the club and it appears like Palace would not stand in his way if they get what they are demanding for the young midfielder.
Crystal Palace asking price for Wharton is revealed
Pete O’Rourke of the Football Insider has discussed the future of Wharton and revealed how much teams would need to pay if they are interested in signing the midfielder.
He said:
“He’s obviously one of the players that’s on United’s list as they look to restructure their midfield next season.
“There are a number of players that they are looking at, and Wharton is on that list. I think it would be a huge fee to try and prise him away as well.
“You’re probably looking around £70million plus for such a young player who has shown huge potential and can get better.
“It’ll be an open race for Adam Wharton if there is any indication he can be prised away from Palace this summer.”
Wharton is being eyed as a player who can bring stability to their midfield and offer control to the midfield with his passing and ability to retain possession.
On the other hand, Man City are perhaps looking for a long term Rodri replacement and Wharton fits the profile of the player they are looking for.
He is a young, homegrown player who offers support to the attack, as well as the defense.
Newcastle United are reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing Elliot Anderson back to the club this summer, with the Nottingham Forest midfielder emerging as a potential priority target in the upcoming transfer window.
According to TEAMtalk, the Magpies are evaluating contingency plans amid growing interest in their own midfield stars, and Anderson’s name has resurfaced as a possible replacement option.
Newcastle, however, could have an emotional advantage in the race, given the midfielder’s history with the club’s academy system.
Newcastle United preparing for possible midfield changes
Newcastle’s interest in Anderson is closely linked to uncertainty surrounding the futures of two of their most influential players, Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali.
Both midfielders have been heavily linked with moves to some of Europe’s biggest clubs in recent months.
Guimarães, in particular, has been connected with teams such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain, while Tonali continues to attract admiration following his consistent performances in the Premier League.
With the possibility that one of their star midfielders could depart in the summer, Newcastle’s recruitment team is reportedly preparing alternative options to maintain the strength of the squad.
His performances this season have significantly increased his market value, with reports suggesting Forest now rate him between £90 million and £100 million.
Such a fee would represent a huge financial commitment from Newcastle. It would surpass the club’s current transfer record, set when they signed Nick Woltemade for £69.3 million last summer.
Arsenal are reportedly keeping a close watch on Club Brugge forward Nicolò Tresoldi, as the young striker continues to attract interest from several of Europe’s top clubs.
According to Bild, the Gunners are among the teams tracking the 21-year-old’s development, alongside Spanish heavyweights Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.
Tresoldi has enjoyed an impressive season in Belgium, establishing himself as one of the most promising young forwards in European football.
His performances for Club Brugge have placed him firmly on the radar of elite clubs searching for emerging attacking talent.
Tresoldi has shown a habit of scoring goals
Since joining Club Brugge in 2025, Tresoldi has quickly adapted to Belgian football and emerged as a key attacking option.
The young striker has registered 15 goals and five assists across all competitions this season, showcasing his ability to both finish chances and contribute to his team’s overall attacking play.
Standing out for his intelligent movement, physical presence, and composure in front of goal, the striker has proven capable of leading the line while also linking effectively with teammates in advanced areas.
His performances have been particularly impressive considering his relatively recent arrival in Belgium, where he made the move after developing through the youth system at Hannover 96 in Germany.
Arsenal face competition to sign the young attacker
Alex Baena of Atletico de Madrid battles for possession with Nicolo Tresoldi of Club Brugge (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Under manager Mikel Arteta, the club has placed a strong emphasis on building a squad capable of competing at the highest level while maintaining a core of developing talent.
Adding a forward like Tresoldi could provide Arsenal with long-term attacking depth.
With the demands of domestic and European competitions increasing, clubs are placing greater value on versatile young attackers who can develop into future first-team stars.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both pose a threat to Arsenal’s pursuit of the young attacker.
Sonia Bompastor lauded the quality of her Chelsea team after they retained the Women’s League Cup title with a 2-0 win over Manchester United at Ashton Gate. Lauren James and Aggie Beever-Jones struck in either half for the Blues as they eased to a comfortable victory, while also being crowned champions for the fourth time. […]
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones could face a pivotal summer as uncertainty grows surrounding his long-term future at Anfield.
According to The Athletic, the 25-year-old academy graduate will enter the final year of his contract at the end of the current season, prompting increased interest from clubs across Europe.
Both Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be keeping a close watch on Jones’ situation.
With his contract set to expire in June 2027, Liverpool’s hierarchy may soon have to make an important decision regarding whether to offer a new deal or consider selling the player before his market value begins to decline.
Jones has been a crucial presence for Liverpool
Jones has been part of Liverpool’s setup for over a decade, rising through the club’s academy before making his senior debut in 2019.
The midfielder quickly gained attention for his technical ability, composure in possession, and confidence in attacking areas.
Over the years, Jones has become a dependable squad member capable of operating in multiple midfield roles. His versatility has allowed him to feature as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, and occasionally in wider positions when required.
One of the most memorable moments early in his career came when he scored a stunning goal in the FA Cup Merseyside derby against Everton in 2020, a strike that highlighted his natural attacking instincts.
Jones’ technical qualities and Premier League experience make him an appealing option for clubs seeking a midfielder who can contribute creatively while maintaining tactical discipline.
Liverpool may face a difficult choice in the coming months. As a homegrown player, Jones represents valuable squad depth and contributes to the club’s registration requirements for domestic and European competitions.
However, allowing him to enter the final stages of his contract without an extension could risk losing him for free.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has emerged as one of the most coveted young talents in the Premier League, with several top clubs reportedly preparing to battle for his signature this summer.
According to Football Insider, Manchester United and Liverpool are among the clubs monitoring the 22-year-old closely, while Chelsea have also shown strong interest following the midfielder’s impressive performances at Selhurst Park.
Wharton remains under contract with Crystal Palace until June 2029, placing the London club in a strong negotiating position.
Wharton remains under contract with Crystal Palace until June 2029, placing the London club in a strong negotiating position.
Wharton continues to impress at Crystal Palace
Wharton has enjoyed a remarkable progression since establishing himself as a regular starter for Palace. The England international is widely praised for his composure on the ball, intelligent positioning, and ability to dictate the tempo of matches from midfield.
Operating primarily as a deep-lying playmaker, Wharton has become the heartbeat of Palace’s midfield.
His passing range allows him to control the rhythm of games, while his awareness and defensive work rate help provide balance between attack and defense.
His performances have earned him recognition at the international level, with England managers increasingly viewing him as a long-term option for the national team.
Arsenal have reportedly joined a growing list of clubs interested in RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba, as the highly rated centre-back continues to attract attention from across Europe.
According to L’Équipe, the Gunners have recently intensified their monitoring of the French international, with club scouts attending multiple matches to assess his performances.
RB Leipzig are believed to be prepared to consider offers in the region of €70 million, with several clubs from both the Premier League and La Liga closely following the 23-year-old’s development.
Lukeba has experienced a rapid rise in European football
Lukeba has developed into one of the Bundesliga’s most promising young defenders since his move to Leipzig from Olympique Lyonnais.
His style of play reflects the qualities modern elite clubs often seek in centre-backs. Comfortable with the ball at his feet, Lukeba is capable of building attacks from deep while also excelling in defensive duels.
His ability to read the game and recover quickly during transitions has made him a key figure in Leipzig’s defensive structure.
The Frenchman’s progress has also been recognized at international level. After impressing in youth competitions for France, Lukeba has gradually moved into the senior national team conversation, further boosting his profile among Europe’s biggest clubs.
Castello Lukeba in action for RB Leipzig (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Under the leadership of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have focused on strengthening the defense of the team more than the attack.
The Gunners are known for their quality defense and Arteta is keen to add more quality and depth as the Premier League side continue to compete on multiple fronts.
Lukeba’s age, potential, and ability to operate as a left-sided centre-back make him an attractive option for the club’s recruitment team.
Real Madrid could be set for a significant decision regarding the future of Eduardo Camavinga, with reports suggesting the Spanish giants are willing to listen to offers for the French midfielder this summer.
Camavinga’s role at the Santiago Bernabéu has come under increasing scrutiny after a season in which he has struggled to secure consistent minutes.
Despite being widely regarded as one of the most talented young midfielders in Europe, the 23-year-old has started just 12 of Real Madrid’s 21 La Liga matches this campaign.
Reports indicate that any club looking to secure his services would likely need to submit an offer exceeding €50 million.
Eduardo Camavinga journey at Real Madrid
Camavinga joined Real Madrid from Rennes in 2021, arriving with a reputation as one of the brightest midfield prospects in European football.
His early performances quickly justified the excitement surrounding his signing, as he displayed remarkable composure and technical ability for such a young player.
Over the past few seasons, Camavinga has contributed to several key moments for Madrid, particularly in European competitions.
His versatility has also made him a valuable squad option, with the French international often deployed not only in midfield but also occasionally as a left-back when injuries affected the squad.
However, competition for places in Madrid’s midfield has intensified. With players such as Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Federico Valverde playing prominent roles, Camavinga has sometimes found himself rotating in and out of the starting lineup.
The French international’s profile fits well within the fast-paced style of the Premier League, where his athleticism and pressing ability could be particularly effective.
Despite this interest, Real Madrid remain in a strong negotiating position. Camavinga is still under contract and remains a highly valued member of the squad, meaning any potential deal would require a significant transfer fee.
Aké remains under contract at Man City until 2027, but his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium has become a subject of speculation.
The versatile defender’s ability to operate as both a centre-back and a left-back has made him an attractive option for clubs seeking experienced players capable of fitting into multiple tactical systems.
Aké has played a substitute role at Man City
Aké has developed into a reliable squad member under Pep Guardiola. The Dutch international has often been praised for his defensive intelligence, composure in possession, and tactical discipline.
The intense competition within City’s squad, particularly in defense, has sometimes limited his opportunities to secure a regular starting role.
Despite this, Aké has consistently delivered solid performances when called upon, particularly in matches requiring defensive stability and positional awareness.
Inter Milan, meanwhile, view Aké’s versatility as a major advantage. The Dutch defender’s ability to play in multiple defensive roles could offer valuable depth as the club continues to compete for domestic and European honours.
Two camps who will turn their attention back to Premier League duties on Monday night, Brentford will welcome Wolves to west London. While Brentford might have a real uphill battle on their hands in the race to book an iconic maiden European adventure, the Bees have received a string of plaudits from across England’s elite. […]
Despite missing the game, Lionel Messi sent a 6-word message to Inter Miami academy products after the MLS match against Charlotte FC.
Lionel Messi was the most notable absentee in Inter Miami‘s last MLS match against Charlotte FC, with the Argentine star being rested ahead of the midweek Champions Cup clash against Nashville SC. Still, Messi found a way to show his connection to the club by sending a six-word message to the Inter Miami academy players who featured in the game.
With the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup representing the team’s primary objective, head coach Javier Mascherano took the opportunity to rotate his squad against Charlotte, keeping an eye on the second leg against Nashville. At Bank of America Stadium, the Herons lined up with an alternative lineup, with Messi and Rodrigo De Paul not even named among the substitutes.
In a game where goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo emerged as the standout performer with five saves, neither Charlotte nor Inter Miami could find the net, and the match ended in a goalless draw. Nevertheless, Mascherano, who was shown a red card late in the game, used the occasion to hand minutes to fringe players, including Luis Suárez, as well as a group of academy graduates making their mark at the senior level.
Inter Miami celebrated the occasion on Instagram, spotlighting seven academy products who earned a place in the first-team squad. “Seven Academy products on the field last night. A proud moment for our club,” the caption read, accompanying a photo of Noah Allen, Ian Fray, Alexander Shaw, Daniel Pinter, Santiago Morales, Ezequiel Abadía-Reda and David Ruiz.
The post caught the attention of Messi, who was resting in Miami and took the opportunity to congratulate the group. “Un orgullo enorme, felicitaciones a todos!” (“An immense pride, congratulations to everyone!“) he commented on Inter Miami’s post, offering a warm show of support to the young players who had worked their way up from the club’s reserve side.
Of the seven, Allen, Fray, Pinter, Morales and Ruiz started the match, while Shaw and Abadía-Reda came off the bench. Notably, Pinter, Shaw and Abadía-Reda made their MLS debuts after taking part in their first preseason with the senior squad in 2026, underlining the growing role the academy pipeline will play in the club’s long-term development.
Messi set to return against Nashville
The news of Messi’s absence from the Charlotte game only emerged shortly before kickoff, raising a few eyebrows, not so much over the decision itself but over the timing of the announcement. With that match now behind them, Inter Miami are set to welcome several key players back into the fold for the Nashville fixture.
The Herons will host the Boys in Gold on Wednesday, March 18, in what is expected to be the final event at Chase Stadium before the club transitions to the new Miami Freedom Park. With the first leg ending in a 0-0 draw last week, Messi, who is expected to return to the starting lineup, will be aiming to deliver the decisive moment that sends Inter Miami into the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
With Sven Ulreich joining Manuel Neuer and other goalkeepers in the injury list, a 16-year-old Bayern Munich player could end up making his UEFA Champions League debut against Atalanta.
Bayern Munich are facing an unprecedented situation with every first-team goalkeeper sidelined through injury. With Sven Ulreich now joining Manuel Neuer on the treatment table, a 16-year-old is set to make his Champions League debut in the second leg against Atalanta.
Despite being 39 years old, Manuel Neuer remains a key figure for Bayern Munich, but the veteran was the first to fall victim to the injury crisis. Returning to action on March 6 against Borussia Monchengladbach after a fibrillar tear, the World Cup winner was forced off at halftime, and the following day Bayern confirmed he had suffered a small muscle fiber tear in his left calf, sidelining him indefinitely.
Jonas Urbig stepped in to fill the void, starting in place of Neuer against Monchengladbach and then keeping goal in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Atalanta last Tuesday. However, in the final minute of that match, as Marco Pasalic completed a 6-1 scoreline, Atalanta striker Nikola Krstovic collided with the young goalkeeper, who was subsequently diagnosed with a concussion.
With Urbig ruled out, Sven Ulreich was handed the gloves for Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Bayer Leverkusen, which ended 1-1. But on Sunday, Bayern released a statement confirming that the 37-year-old had suffered a muscle tear in his right adductor during the match, leaving the club without a single fit senior goalkeeper ahead of the Atalanta second leg.
Jonas Urbig of FC Bayern Munich.
Who will be Bayern’s keeper against Atalanta?
The second leg at the Allianz Arena is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, with Bayern holding a commanding five-goal aggregate advantage. But with Neuer, Urbig and Ulreich all unavailable, and 19-year-old León Klanac also sidelined since January 1 with a muscle tear, coach Vincent Kompany has been forced to look to the club’s academy for a solution.
Barring an unexpected recovery from Urbig, the name in the frame is Leonard Prescott, a 16-year-old, 6-foot-5 goalkeeper currently playing for Bayern’s U-19 side. The teenager was named on the substitutes’ bench against Leverkusen but has yet to make his senior debut, meaning the Champions League second leg against Atalanta could be his introduction to professional soccer.
Leonard Prescott and the chance of making Champions League history
The record for the youngest player to appear in the Champions League was already broken during the current 2025-26 edition, when Arsenal’s Max Dowman made his debut at just 15 years and 308 days old. While Prescott will not be able to match that mark, he still stands to rewrite the record books in his own right.
Leonard Prescott of Germany.
Should he start against Atalanta on Wednesday, Prescott would become the youngest goalkeeper in Champions League history to feature in the competition at 16 years and 176 days old, surpassing Maarten Vandevoordt‘s previous record of 17 years and 287 days, set when the Belgian played for KRC Genk in 2019. He would also eclipse Paul Wanner as the youngest player ever to appear for Bayern Munich in the Champions League, a record the midfielder currently holds having debuted at 16 years and 293 days old.
Sven Ulreich (L) and Manuel Neuer (R) of FC Bayern Munich.
John Terry has claimed that Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman reminds him of Lionel Messi, following the teenager’s record-breaking performance against Everton on Saturday.
The Chelsea legend took to TikTok to praise the 16-year-old, who became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history during the Gunners’ 2-0 victory.
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John Terry compares Max Dowman to Lionel Messi
Terry has seen Dowman shine with the Arsenal academy during his role at Chelsea’s academy and was unreserved in his praise.
He said:
“Max Dowman, what a player by the way, 16 years of age, absolutely incredible.
“I watched him play against Chelsea about a year ago and I’ve not seen anyone glide past people like this man does, other than Messi. That’s a big, big comparison but this man is a proper talent and will play a big part in Arsenal’s future and also England as well.”
Max Dowman, what a player and pleased for him to get his first goal tonight. Poor goal we conceded tonight and disappointing to lose at home against Newcastle. #premierleague#arsenal#chelsea#chelseafc#football
Dowman’s historic moment arrived in stoppage time against the Toffees. With the score at 1-0 and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stranded upfield for a corner, the 16-year-old collected the ball deep in his own half.
Displaying the composure Terry alluded to, Dowman glided past two Everton players before sprinting half the length of the pitch to roll the ball into an empty net.
At 16 years and 73 days, Dowman shattered the 20-year record held by former Everton striker James Vaughan.
Rank
Player
Club
Age
1
Max Dowman
Arsenal
16y 73d
2
James Vaughan
Everton
16y 270d
3
James Milner
Leeds United
16y 356d
4
Wayne Rooney
Everton
16y 360d
5
Rio Ngumoha
Liverpool
16y 361d
6
Cesc Fàbregas
Arsenal
17y 113d
7
Michael Owen
Liverpool
17y 143d
8
Andy Turner
Tottenham
17y 166d
9
Federico Macheda
Man United
17y 226d
10
Lewis Miley
Newcastle
17y 229d
The goal capped a sensational cameo for the midfielder, who had already provided the initial cross that led to Viktor Gyokeres’ opener in the 89th minute.
Mikel Arteta hailed the youngster as a “game-changer” after the match, noting that his natural talent and lack of fear make him a unique asset for the league leaders.
Manchester United fans serenaded Casemiro with a resounding “one more year” chant following another masterclass performance from the Brazilian midfielder in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.
The scenes at Old Trafford marked a dramatic shift in sentiment for a player who, just months ago, appeared to be winding down his career in England.
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As the final whistle blew, the stadium echoed with the plea, as reported by The Mirror: “One more year, one more year, Casemiro.”
Casemiro with another solid performance against Aston Villa
The 34-year-old was instrumental in securing a result that tightens United’s grip on third place.
Casemiro opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, meeting a Bruno Fernandes corner with a glancing near-post header that left Emiliano Martínez helpless.
The goal was Casemiro’s seventh of the season, his most prolific return since joining the club from Real Madrid in 2022.
Beyond the goal, his defensive work was equally vital; a crunching tackle on Amadou Onana ignited the counter-attack that led to United’s second goal, scored by Matheus Cunha.
By the time he was substituted for Manuel Ugarte in the closing minutes, the veteran midfielder had touched the ball more than any other United player, proving he still possesses the engine many critics like Jamie Carragher claimed had failed him last season.
Casemiro’s impact under Michael Carrick has been huge
The catalyst for this revival appears to be the arrival of interim manager Michael Carrick. Since taking over in January, Carrick has started Casemiro in all nine matches, a period in which United have dropped points only twice.
Reports suggest that Casemiro has ‘connected deeply’ with Carrick’s tactical approach.
Under Carrick, the ‘fantastic‘ Casemiro has been given more license to progress the ball, supported by the energy of Kobbie Mainoo.
While the club’s hierarchy, led by INEOS, is reportedly still planning for a future without the Brazilian’s £350,000-a-week wages, Carrick admitted after the game that the midfielder’s form makes him indispensable to the current project.
With Champions League football for 2026/27 now looking like a certainty, the pressure is mounting on the board to reconsider the veteran’s departure.
Verdict: Barcelona win Best Odds: 4/7 Bookmaker: Olympusbet With a Champions League quarter-final ticket hanging in the balance on Wednesday evening, Barcelona will welcome Newcastle to Catalonia. Barcelona Starting with the hosts, snatching a dramatic last-gasp equaliser over at St. James’ Park last week, Barcelona will certainly be excited to make a return to Catalonia […]
Verdict: Bayern Munich to score in both halves Best Odds: 8/11 Bookmaker: Luckster Looking to officially punch their Champions League quarter-final ticket with another major statement of intent, Bayern Munich will welcome Atalanta to the Allianz on Wednesday night for their second-leg showdown. Bayern Munich Starting with the hosts, set to retain their Bundesliga crown […]
While Lamine Yamal's Spain has already confirmed a friendly planned for the Finalissima date after its cancellation, questions still rise on what will happen with Lionel Messi's Argentina.
The cancellation of the Finalissima has left both Spain and Argentina scrambling to fill their March international window schedules at the last minute. While Lamine Yamal and La Roja have already secured their replacements, Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste are still staring at a deeply uncertain picture.
The first obstacle that prevented the Finalissima from going ahead was the venue, after Qatar was ruled out due to the ongoing conflict in the region. Spain‘s proposal to host the game at the Santiago Bernabéu did not sit well with the AFA, and when Italy emerged as a neutral alternative, the two federations still could not find common ground, this time over the date, ultimately causing the match to collapse.
Spain wasted little time filling the void. The Serbian Football Federation confirmed the news on its end, announcing that the nation would face the reigning European champions in Spain on March 27, before hosting Saudi Arabia four days later. The venue within Spain has yet to be disclosed.
Serbia had originally been among the nations set to participate in the Qatar Football Festival, alongside Spain, Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, with the Finalissima as the centerpiece event. With the festival scrapped, the Serbian federation moved quickly, locking in the Saudi Arabia friendly first before adding the Spain match to their schedule.
Spain stars Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo.
Lamine Yamal and his teammates had also been scheduled to face Egypt on March 30 as part of the Qatar Football Festival, a game that fell through along with the rest of the event. Spain still have space to arrange a second friendly beyond the Serbia match, with several of the nations that had been tied to the festival remaining available options, though the venue question will need to be resolved first.
What about Argentina?
The Finalissima’s cancellation came as a genuine blow to Lionel Messi, who according to ESPNwas not involved in the final decision and was sincerely looking forward to facing Spain ahead of the 2026 World Cup. With that game now off the table, the AFA finds itself in a difficult spot with the March window almost upon them.
Under the original plan, Argentina were set to face Spain in the Finalissima and then take on Qatar on March 31 as part of the festival. With both events now canceled, and with the previously planned May/June friendlies against Mexico and Honduras also off the schedule, Messi’s team currently has no friendly matches confirmed at any point before the World Cup, with less than 100 days for the competition to begin.
According to Diario Olé, with calendars across the Americas already heavily congested, the AFA is weighing two options. The first is to pursue last-minute alternatives and try to arrange a friendly somewhere in the world. The second, and far less appealing, is for head coach Lionel Scaloni to call his players in to train at Ezeiza, Argentina’s training facility, for ten days and hope a home fixture can be organized, a scenario that would represent a troubling lack of preparation for the defending world champions.
Lamine Yamal of Spain and Lionel Messi of Argentina.
Hat-trick hero Raphinha credited the Camp Nou crowd after Barcelona’s dominant 5-2 win over Sevilla on Sunday, saying that “playing at home forces us to win”. Barca restored their four-point lead at the top of LaLiga following Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over Elche on Saturday, thanks to a five-star display from the Brazilian. Raphinha coolly […]
Dominik Szoboszlai says Liverpool “have to wake up” after conceding a last-minute equaliser in their 1-1 draw with struggling Tottenham. Arne Slot’s side had to settle for a share of the spoils at Anfield, where Szoboszlai’s early free-kick was cancelled out by an untidy Richarlison finish in the dying moments. Liverpool have now conceded eight […]
Although Barcelona are still competing for every title this season, they are already looking to strengthen the roster for the next campaign. After this, Lamine Yamal receives good news, as Inter Milan are reportedly open to selling them one of their stars for €70 million.
Barcelona have managed to remain one of the best teams in the world, showing impeccable attacking power. Nevertheless, they still have serious aspects to improve ahead of next season, so they are already targeting new objectives. Unlike a few weeks ago, Inter Milan have reportedly opened the door to selling one of the team’s stars for €70 million, which would be very positive news for Lamine Yamal.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter Milan are looking to completely remodel their roster, keeping only Pio Esposito and Lautaro Martinez as untouchables. With Barcelona’s interest focused on Alessandro Bastoni, the Nerazzurri have set a transfer fee valued at €70 million, making the move more likely. However, the Blaugranas are still chasing to different ways to reduce the asking fee.
Following the departure of Iñigo Martinez, coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco have identified the Italian as the ideal replacement. Not only does Bastoni have excellent ball control, but he is also experienced in his position, having been an undisputed starter at Inter Milan for over five years. In addition, he reportedly wants to join Barcelona, which could push for his arrival at the Italian side, improving the negotiations.
Having remained a world-class defender, Alessandro Bastoni also holds strong interest from Liverpool, as per Anfield Index. Unlike the Blaugranas, the Reds would be able to pay €70 million or even more to pursue the Italian defender. With Virgil van Dijk already being 34 years old, the 26-year-old star would be a perfect fit to substitute the Dutchman, making him a top target. In that sense, the Italian’s preference may influence his future decision.
Alessandro Bastoni of Inter.
Not only Bastoni: Barcelona reportedly target a Premier League star
While Hansi Flick has managed to raise Barcelona’s overall level, the team still sees the defensive aspect as a key area to improve, making it a position to reinforce. For this reason, they are not only targeting Alessandro Bastoni as their main defensive objective, but they are also keeping an eye on the Premier League, looking for a more experienced and more accessible profile in case the Italian decides to take another path.
According to Ekrem Konur via X, formerly Twitter, the Blaugranas are also targeting Marco Senesi, who will leave AFC Bournemouth as a free agent. Although he also has interest from Juventus and other teams, the Argentine prefers a move to Hansi Flick’s side, where he is appreciated for his experience and low cost. With this, they keep their backs covered, ensuring a defensive reinforcement in the summer of 2026.
Christensen’s future also in doubt
Unlike in previous seasons, Barcelona have retained several key defenders in their backline. Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Jules Koundé, and Eric García are reportedly off-limits for transfer. However, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the future of Andreas Christensen. Despite his serious injury, the club has offered him an additional season. However, the Dane has yet to accept the offer, as it would likely result in reduced playing time and a lower salary.
Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona smiles during warm up.
While being reluctant to give in the Premier League title race against Arsenal, Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola issued a wake-up call to Erling Haaland.
Pep Guardiola has watched Manchester City drop more points in the 2025-26 Premier League as the season heads into its final stretch. While stopping short of conceding the title race to Arsenal, the Spanish coach took the opportunity to issue a pointed wake-up call to star striker Erling Haaland.
On Saturday, the Citizens traveled to the London Stadium to face West Ham United in Matchday 30, with the game ending 1-1. Bernardo Silva gave City the lead, but Konstantinos Mavropanos leveled for the hosts to deny them all three points. The result means City have now drawn back-to-back league games, following the 2-2 at Nottingham Forest, while Arsenal have capitalized with consecutive wins over Everton and Brighton to extend their advantage to nine points.
Despite the growing gap, Guardiola was not ready to wave the white flag when asked about City‘s title prospects after the final whistle: “It’s more complicated. If we’d have won against Nottingham and today it’d have depended on us, now it depends on them. But we have one game at hand: Arsenal at home,” he said.
The Spaniard pointed directly to Matchday 33 as a potential turning point, with Arsenal set to visit the Etihad Stadium on April 19. “I’m not saying it’ll be easy to beat them at home but I’m always positive, as I am for next Tuesday with our people,” he stated, with that reference coming ahead of the UEFA Champions League second leg against Real Madrid at the Etihad.
Mads Hermansen of West Ham United saves a shot from Erling Haaland of Manchester City.
As things stand, Arsenal sit top of the table with 70 points from 31 games, boasting both the most goals scored (61) and the fewest conceded (22) in the division. Manchester City are second with 61 points from 30 games, and should they win their game in hand and then the Etihad showdown with the Gunners, the Premier League title race would be well and truly back on.
Manchester City in need of Haaland’s goals
A significant factor behind City’s struggles to maintain their early-season momentum has been Erling Haaland’s dramatic dip in form. After a sizzling first half of the campaign in which he scored 37 goals in 30 games across club and international duty, the Norwegian has managed just four goals in his last 18 appearances for City, two of which came from the penalty spot.
Speaking with a candor that left little room for misinterpretation, Guardiola addressed his striker’s drought directly: “Erling knows we need his goals. We need to create more chances for him too, but he had three to four good chances early in the first half and didn’t score.“
When asked whether Haaland was carrying an injury, the City boss confirmed he is fit and available for the crucial Champions League second leg against Real Madrid, with the team needing to overturn a 3-0 deficit. “He’ll be back, and hopefully back soon,” Guardiola concluded.
Erling Haaland (L) and Pep Guardiola (R), Manager of Manchester City.
Dominik Szoboszlai gave a brutally honest assessment of Liverpool’s current state following a frustrating 1-1 draw against a struggling Tottenham side at Anfield.
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The draw leaves Liverpool’s top-four hopes hanging by a thread, and Szoboszlai warned that if the team’s form does not improve drastically, even the secondary European competitions might be out of reach.
Dominik Szoboszlai blasts Liverpool after draw against Tottenham
Speaking to Sky Sports immediately after the final whistle, the Hungarian midfielder did not hold back. He said:
“That is a huge disappointment. I don’t know what happened, I have nothing to say. In the last minute, again, I don’t know how many times this season already. We have to wake up.
“I feel flat. We have to wake up because if we carry on like this, we should be happy with the Conference League. I don’t know why this is happening, I honestly don’t know.
“I think in the first-half we played very well, we controlled the whole game and they hardly created chances apart from one or two headers. Second half we just didn’t so the same things.
“We will sit down together, and this is the most difficult time, but we have to stick together.”
“I didn’t hear the boos, but we can understand them. We are not performing how we should. They should stand behind us because last season we became Champions four games before the end everybody was happy. Support us in a difficult time.”
“There is still time to show how much we want it, we have to stick together and fight for the club.”
Questions need to be asked of Arne Slot
The result has placed further scrutiny on manager Arne Slot, who has seen his side’s title defence crumble into a desperate fight for Champions League qualification.
Despite the hierarchy reportedly remaining behind him, the inability to kill off a Tottenham side that arrived at Anfield in complete disarray is being viewed as a significant tactical failure.
Slot’s decision to retreat into a defensive shell in the second half backfired spectacularly when Spurs found a way through in the final seconds.
With a critical Champions League rescue mission against Galatasaray ahead and a looming clash with Manchester City, it does not look good for Liverpool.
Fans are getting increasingly frustrated by the Dutchman and while the Liverpool hierarchy may be behind the manager for now, it remains to be seen if their stance chances at the end of the season.
Raphinha stole the show with a hat-trick as Barcelona restored their four-point lead at LaLiga’s summit after Sunday’s 5-2 win over Sevilla. Having seen second-placed Real Madrid thrash Elche 4-1 on Saturday, Hansi Flick’s side responded in emphatic fashion at Camp Nou to keep things under control with 10 league games remaining. Barca came flying […]
Set to face the USMNT and Mexico national team in March, Portugal FA could reportedly have their finances hi if Cristiano Ronaldo ends up missing the international break.
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s participation in the upcoming March international window is very much in doubt as the forward continues to work his way back from injury. With friendly matches already arranged against Mexico and the USMNT, reports suggest the Portugal Football Federation could take a financial hit if Ronaldo is unable to feature.
After picking up a hamstring injury in late February, Ronaldo has already sat out Al Nassr’s last two matches against Neom SC and Al Khaleej FC on Saturday. His availability for Portugal’s upcoming squad has been cast into serious doubt, and the consequences of his absence could extend well beyond the pitch for the FPF.
According to Correio da Manhã, the FPF’s expected remuneration for the games against Mexico and the USMNT could be reduced by as much as 20% if Ronaldo is unable to take part. Fans across North America had been eagerly anticipating the chance to see the Portuguese legend in action, and his absence would be felt both on the field and at the gate.
Portugal has organized a North American tour ahead of the World Cup to familiarize themselves with the venues and conditions they could face in the tournament. The trip begins with a match against Mexico on March 28 at Estadio Banorte, also known as the Azteca, before the Seleção cross the border three days later to take on Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts following an injury.
From the moment the tour was announced, excitement in both host countries reached fever pitch, centered largely around the prospect of Ronaldo’s return to North America for the first time since 2014. That summer, Real Madrid faced Manchester United in a friendly in the United States, which stands as the last time the Portuguese icon set foot on American soil. Adding to the intrigue, Ronaldo has never played a single match in Mexico throughout his entire career, making the Azteca fixture all the more anticipated.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo be part of the Portugal squad?
Having already missed two Al Nassr matches since sustaining his injury, Ronaldo would arrive at any national team camp short of match fitness, even in the best-case recovery scenario. That said, his importance to coach Roberto Martínez’s setup means the door is far from closed on his inclusion.
After UEFA announced the cancellation of the Finalissima between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Lamine Yamal’s Spain, criticism of the AFA intensified. As a result, President Claudio Tapia decided to reveal the reasons behind the game’s cancellation, offering his own account of the situation.
On his official X account, Claudio Tapia, president of the AFA, revealed key details about the cancellation of the Finalissima, citing the neutrality of the match as a factor that prevented it from being played. He also acknowledged that they learned about the proposal to play at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium through the media, which did not comply with the agreed principles, ruling out that possibility.
In addition, Tapia stated that the AFA accepted UEFA’s proposal to play the match at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome but requested a change of date to March 31. Far from seeking a solution, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) informed them that these dates were not possible, leading to the cancellation of the match. With this, he aims to refute UEFA’s statement, which blamed Argentina’s constant rejection.
Despite these clarifications from Claudio Tapia, doubts still arise among fans, as they do not understand the reason for the date change, given that it had previously been agreed to be March 27. In addition, the AFA president did not reveal the reason why the proposal to play in a two-leg format was rejected, leaving fans with more questions than answers. With this in mind, a potential rescheduling of the Finalissima is not likely to happen.
Lionel Messi of Argentina and Lamine Yamal of Spain.
Scaloni vs. de la Fuente: Two perspectives on the Finalissima
Before all the uncertainty surrounding the Middle East match arose, UEFA and CONMEBOL had reached a commercial agreement to play in Qatar, designating Lusail Stadium as the official venue. However, the forced change of plans caused the entire agreement for the Finalissima to fall through. Nonetheless, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni and Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente held two different perspectives on the clash.
According to Ben Jacobs on X, Messi and Scaloni did not want the Finalissima to be played right before the 2026 World Cup. Following the 6-1 loss to Spain ahead of the 2018 edition, the coaching staff felt that this had negatively impacted the team’s performance, so they do not want to face the same issue this time around.
Furthermore, Scaloni had previously criticized the date chosen by UEFA and CONMEBOL for the Finalissima: “I would have preferred not to play it before the World Cup… Spain couldn’t because they had the Nations League, which they came up with themselves, and for us South Americans, it’s been devastating, because we can’t compete against European teams,” he said, via TNT Sports in September 2025.
Unlike Scaloni, Spain’s Luis de la Fuente expressed his fully support to celebrate the Finalissima: “We still don’t know if the game will go ahead or not. We’re waiting for the federations and organizations responsible for making the decisions to do so. Personally, I’d love to see that match take place—the World Cup and Copa América champions against the European champions… I hope it happens, but it’s no longer up to us,” he said, via ESPN on December of 2025.
Jamie Redknapp has blamed Guglielmo Vicario for the opening goal Tottenham conceded against Liverpool during their high-stakes clash at Anfield.
The Italian goalkeeper, who was restored to the starting lineup after a midweek benching, failed to stop a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick that has left Spurs reeling.
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Guglielmo Vicario slammed for poor goalkeeping
The goal came in the 18th minute when Szoboszlai, who has been in sensational form for Arne Slot’s side, curled an effort towards the left corner.
Despite having a clear sight of the ball, Vicario’s footwork appeared sluggish, and although he managed to parry the strike, he succeeded only in pushing it into the side of the net.
Speaking on Sky Sports (via BBC Sports) at halftime, Redknapp was critical of the keeper’s technique. He said:
“We have seen some beauties from Dominik Szoboszlai, like against Arsenal and Manchester City, but this one is a goalkeeping mistake.
“Just look at Vicario’s feet pattern, he almost trips himself over. He doesn’t get any elevation, doesn’t move properly. He gets a really big hand to it. He has to save it.”
Phil Mcnulty also criticised the Italian, claiming that his mistake would have made Igor Tudor incredibly frustrated.
He said (via BBC Sports): “Spurs and interim head coach Igor Tudor will be bitterly frustrated with that after a making such a decent start.
“It was another goalkeeper error, with Guglielmo Vicario getting his positioning wrong then making a feeble attempt to keep out Dominic Szoboszlai’s free-kick. Not been substituted, though.”
Tottenham’s goalkeeping crisis continues
The error further compounds a dire goalkeeping situation for interim manager Igor Tudor.
Last Tuesday, Tudor made the shock decision to drop Vicario for the 22-year-old Antonin Kinsky during the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid.
Vicario has been notably out of form, making a string of high-profile mistakes during Tottenham’s current 11-match winless run.
With Spurs sitting just one point above the relegation zone, the lack of a reliable presence between the posts is becoming a primary concern.
With reports already suggesting Vicario could be sold this summer, his latest blunder at Anfield has only intensified calls for the club to seek a permanent replacement.
Verdict: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia over 0.5 shots on target Best Odds: 7/10 Bookmaker: Luckster Seeking a real Champions League miracle on Tuesday night, Chelsea will welcome PSG to Stamford Bridge for their second-leg showdown. Chelsea Starting with the hosts, while Liam Rosenior might have made an immediate impact following his shock arrival at Stamford Bridge over […]
Amid growing doubts following the loss to Newcastle United, Manchester United handed Aston Villa a resounding defeat, with Bruno Fernandes putting in a brilliant performance. Although he didn't score, he provided two assists to break David Beckham's all-time Premier League assist record.
Despite the recent defeat to Newcastle United, Manchester United managed a convincing victory over Aston Villa thanks to Casemiro, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko. Although Bruno Fernandes did not score, he led the team by contributing two assists. With this, the Portuguese midfielder broke David Beckham’s all-time Premier League assist record, etching his name into league history.
Bruno Fernandes has managed to become the player with the most assists in a single Premier League season for Manchester United, reaching 16 assists after contributing to two goals in the Red Devils’ victory. With this, the Portuguese surpasses David Beckham, who held this record with 15 assists in the 1999–2000 season, breaking a 26-year-old record and making clear his importance in the club’s history.
Not only did he break an important record, but he also played an impressive game with the Red Devils. Being the organizer of the play proposed by coach Carrick, Bruno managed to open spaces for Cunha and Šeško, also contributing at a defensive level. With this, Fernandes is the most important player in the team’s lineup, being the central axis of the collective play, making his continuity beyond 2027 a total priority.
Bruno has managed to become the most important player of the last 10 years at Manchester United, becoming the third player of the team to reach more than 100 goals and more than 100 assists in the Premier League. With this, he joins Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, having 105 goals and 100 assists. Although he is already 31 years old, Carrick has managed to recover his best version, making him irreplaceable alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro.
Another piece of @ManUtd history for Bruno Fernandes ❤️
Read more on the Portuguese's record-breaking achievement 👇
Not only Bruno: Michael Carrick imposes an all-time Manchester United record
Despite Ruben Amorim’s departure seeming to reset the Red Devils’ project, the front office made a brilliant decision by appointing Michael Carrick as interim coach. Not only has he implemented a defined style of play, but he has also brought out the best version of several stars. Alongside this, the Englishman has managed to set an all-time Manchester United record, which could bring him closer and closer to earning a permanent spot with the team.
According to Statman Dave via X, formerly Twitter, Michael Carrick is the first coach in Manchester United history to win six HOME games. Although he has only five in the current season, he also had a short spell as interim coach in the 2021–2022 season, beating Arsenal 3–2. For this reason, the coach becomes a historic figure both as a manager and as a player. Even co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe praised his excellent work, which could open the door to a permanent spot.
While Carrick continues to show an incredible talent for coaching the Red Devils, Ratcliffe did not dare to confirm his continuity at the helm of the team. Because of this, the emergence of Roberto De Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann gains a lot of traction. However, both raise doubts that Michael no longer does, as he has proven capable of improving players individually as well as collectively. For that reason, he emerges as a fan-favorite, pressing front office to make a decision.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United and David Beckham in 2000.
While Lionel Messi's stance over the Finalissima reportedly emerges, CONMEBOL has issued a response to UEFA, rejecting Madrid as a venue over sporting equity concerns.
The 2026 Finalissima has been officially canceled despite the enormous anticipation surrounding a potential clash between two of the strongest teams heading into the 2026 World Cup. With conflicting accounts of how negotiations broke down, and with Lionel Messi‘s reported stance on the game now coming to light, CONMEBOL has fired back at UEFA to explain its reasoning for rejecting Madrid as a host venue.
Hours later, CONMEBOL issued a statement pushing back against UEFA’s version of events: “CONMEBOL and the AFA consistently reiterated their commitment to playing the Finalissima at a neutral venue and accepted the proposed site following UEFA’s prolonged insistence on playing in Madrid. Unfortunately, it was not possible to reach a final agreement to hold the match, as the alternative date requested could not be accommodated given the limited time available.“
Despite the Bernabéu potentially offering a 50-50 split of supporters for each nation, CONMEBOL maintained that the venue was fundamentally inappropriate. “Once the possibility of playing in Qatar was ruled out, both confederations—as well as the Argentine and Spanish federations—dedicated themselves to finding a solution that would satisfy all parties. Within this framework, it is clear that the proposal to hold a single match in Madrid would have violated the principle of sporting equity, as it is not a neutral venue,” part of the statement read.
Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the 2021 Finalissima trophy.
A disagreement over the proposed date then proved to be the final stumbling block: “Under these circumstances, on Saturday, March 14, a proposal reached the AFA to hold the match at a neutral venue, Italy, on March 27. Argentina accepted the idea without objection, except for the date, suggesting March 31 instead. Regrettably, UEFA communicated that holding the match on the 31st—only four days later than the original proposal—was not possible, resulting in the cancellation of the Finalissima.“
With Madrid ruled out and Italy emerging as a potential compromise venue, the two sides still could not find common ground on the date, with UEFA unwilling to move it to March 31 and CONMEBOL equally firm in its position. While reports suggest the competition could be rescheduled for after the 2026 World Cup, neither federation has confirmed a new date.
Messi’s position over the Finalissima
As soon as UEFA and the RFEF announced the suspension of the game, reports quickly emerged pointing to Argentina’s reluctance to participate as a central factor in the breakdown. One narrative cited the memory of Argentina’s 6-1 humiliation against Spain in 2018, a defeat widely seen as having had a damaging effect on the team’s preparations for the Russia World Cup.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, players from both Argentina and Spain were personally willing to play the Finalissima. For Messi, the match would have represented more than just another fixture, potentially adding a 47th trophy to his extraordinary career haul and another piece of silverware with the national team, something he spent years chasing before finally breaking through at the highest level.
Liverpool have taken a 1-0 lead over Tottenham thanks to a moment of pure Hungarian magic from Dominik Szoboszlai.
The breakthrough came in the 18th minute after Alexis Mac Allister drew a foul just outside the penalty area.
As the Spurs wall braced itself, there was little doubt who would take charge. Szoboszlai stood over the ball with his trademark composure.
The Hungarian stood over it with confidence and executed it perfectly, curling it with power into the top left corner. Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario got a hand to it but it was not enough to keep it out.
His ability to generate incredible whip while maintaining pinpoint accuracy makes every set-piece within 30 yards feel like a high-percentage chance for the Reds.
He scored one against Bournemouth as well as against Marseille in the Champions League.
Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s best player this season
Beyond his set-piece heroics, this goal is yet another highlight in what is becoming a truly special individual campaign.
Szoboszlai has been the heartbeat of this Liverpool side throughout the 2025/26 season, driving the team forward with his relentless work rate and creative vision.
He has been one of the first names on Arne Slot’s team sheet, playing anywhere and everywhere from attacking midfield to right-back in what has been a crisis season.
Whether winning the ball back deep in his own half or firing rockets into the top corner, Szoboszlai is currently playing some of the best football of his career.
Wayne Rooney has backed Michael Carrick to be appointed Manchester United’s permanent manager following a decisive 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.
The win at Old Trafford has strengthened United’s grip on third place and further fueled the debate over whether the interim boss has done enough to earn the role full-time.
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Wayne Rooney backs Michael Carrick for the Manchester United job
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live after the match, Rooney was unequivocal in his support for his former teammate.
Rooney emphasised that Carrick’s impact extends beyond tactical tweaks, noting the renewed unity within the squad.
The United legend also highlighted Carrick’s historic start, which has seen him surpass the early win percentages of previous illustrious managers.
He said:
“100% he should [get the job]. I have said this. I knew this was going to happen with Michael Carrick.
“I know him very well. I know his character, his personality. It needed a calm head, but someone who knows the place and the players needed some love, and he has given them that.
“We have seen the players play with more quality, more together as a team, and they look like a very strong team. For me, why would you change?
“He has got the best winning percentage of any Manchester United manager after that many games. For me, he has to get the job.”
Michael Carrick has made a strong case for himself
The statistics certainly support Rooney’s “no-brainer” stance. Since taking over in mid-January, Carrick has steered the Red Devils to seven wins, one draw, and just one defeat in nine Premier League outings.
This remarkable run has seen United collect 22 out of a possible 27 points, transforming them from seventh-place outsiders into the favorites for a Champions League spot.
Sunday’s win over Villa makes if 7 wins out of 9. Despite Ross Barkley’s second-half equaliser, United remained composed, with goals from Casemiro, Matheus Cunha, and super-sub Benjamin Sesko sealing the win.
With Bruno Fernandes also breaking the club record for assists in a single season (16), the mood around Carrington has shifted from crisis to confidence.
Amid the rumors about the injury, Kylian Mbappé appears to be recovering his physical form, opening the possibility of his return against Manchester City. Nevertheless, his potential comeback could trigger a dispute between Real Madrid and France over the upcoming friendlies.
Kylian Mbappé has been surrounded by rumors regarding his knee injury. After missing five matches, the Frenchman appears to be gradually recovering his physical condition, even taking part in today’s training session with the group. While this reignites the possibility of his return for the Champions League clash vs. Manchester City, it could also spark a dispute between Real Madrid and France.
According to José Félix Díaz in Diario AS, Kylian Mbappé will travel with Real Madrid to Manchester to face the Citizens. After treatment over the last three weeks, the Frenchman has significantly improved his physical condition, even taking part in training with the group today. Because of this, he hopes to have a role in the match, but this could lead to a dispute with France regarding his call-up for the upcoming double set of friendlies.
Even though Mbappé appears to be recovering from his injury, Los Blancos are not entirely open to allowing their player to join the national team for the friendlies against and Colombia, reports Daily Mirror. If he plays against Manchester City, France would have full right to call him into the squad, since the only reason to prevent him from joining would be an injury issue—something that would be ruled out if he has playing time Champions League.
Given that his potential appearance against Citizens could lead to a call-up with France, Real Madrid might decide not to risk Kylian Mbappé, as they hold a three-goal lead in the series. Despite this, he could reportedly join the national team for commercial reasons, without seeing any playing time, if he is not cleared to play. However, a potential comeback by Pep Guardiola’s team could force him to see playing time, complicating the situation.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring against Benfica.
Federico Valverde scoring form could slow down Mbappé’s comeback
Kylian Mbappé’s absence seemed like it was going to strongly hurt Real Madrid’s aspirations, but coach Álvaro Arbeloa has found a resurgence without the Frenchman. Although Gonzalo García and Brahim Díaz seemed set to lead the attack alongside Vinícius Jr., they were not the ones who stepped up in terms of scoring. Instead, Federico Valverde surprised everyone by scoring five goals that could slow down the Frenchman’s return.
Not yet being at his physical peak, a possible return for Mbappé would be quite risky, as he could suffer a relapse of his injury, just as Ferland Mendy did, leaving him out of the 2026 World Cup. Moreover, Real Madrid have found in Valverde their scoring talisman, who—alongside Vinícius and Brahim Díaz—has found spaces to shine, becoming the solution to close game against Manchester City.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match.
After their victory against Inter Milan, AC Milan face SS Lazio seeking a win that would bring them closer to the top of the Serie A. With this in mind, fans are closely watching the status of Christian Pulisic for the match, as they hope to see his best version return. Here are the confirmed lineups.
AC Milan face Lazio seeking an important victory in the Serie A to continue chasing the top spot. Coming off two consecutive wins, expectations are high around the Rossoneri, as they have improved their offensive contribution while maintaining strong defensive consistency. Ahead of the match, fans are closely watching whether coach Massimiliano Allegri will once again rely on Christian Pulisic, as supporters hope to see his best version return.
After avoiding setbacks in his injury recovery, Christian Pulisic will start for AC Milan, as he has been a regular presence in the team’s recent training sessions. While the USMNT star appears to be in full physical condition, he has not yet managed to recover his best form, remaining without a goal in 2026. Despite this, coach Allegri has continued to rely on him in the last three matches, showing that he still believes the winger can regain his scoring power.
Coupled with the USMNT star, Rafael Leao will also be in the offense, as coach Allegri has consolidated them as his preferred attacking duo with the Portuguese star in peak form. However, Christopher Nkunku may also play a key role in the rotation. Moreover, Pervis Estupiñan will have a key role, as he has been recovering his best form, netting a goal in the last game.
Unlike AC Milan, SS Lazio arrive at the match in the middle of a season filled with inconsistencies. With only one victory in their last five matches, they need a win to move closer to European competitions, as they currently sit in tenth place in Serie A, greatly disappointing their fans. In addition, they continue to struggle offensively, being one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league with just 28 goals.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring
Lazio lineup vs. AC Milan
SS Lazio face AC Milan looking to surprise with their collective play and defensive solidity. However, coach Maurizio Sarri arrives with six key absences: Ivan Provedel, Danilo Cataldi, Nicolò Rovella and Samuel Gigot, Alessio Romagnoli and Toma Bašić remain doubtful due to physical issues. Despite this, they trust Daniel Maldini—son of Rossoneri’s legend Paolo Maldini—to make the difference by scoring against his former team.
With this in mind, Lazio will play as follows: Edoardo Motta; Adam Marusic, Mario Gila, Oliver Provstgaard, Nuno Tavares; Patric, Kenneth Taylor, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru; Gustav Isaksen, Daniel Maldini, Mattia Zaccagni.
AC Milan lineup vs. Lazio
AC Milan arrive in top form, emerging as favorites against SS Lazio, aiming to close in on the Serie A lead. However, coach Massimiliano Allegri won’t have Adrien Rabiot due to yellow card accumulation, nor Matteo Gabbia and Ruben Loftus-Cheek because of injury. Additionally, Santiago Giménez remains doubtful. Despite this, Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic are expected to make the difference in the scoring side.
Considering this, the Rossoneri will lineup as follows: Mike Maignan; Fikayo Tomori, Koni de Winter, Strahinja Pavlovic, Alexis Saelemakers, Youssouf Fofana, Luka Modric, Ardon Jashari, Pervis Estupiñan; Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao.
Santos host Corinthians on Matchday 6 of the 2026 Brasileirao season. Fans in the United States can follow every moment of the contest, with complete kickoff times and broadcast details for both TV and streaming platforms listed below.
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A fierce rivalry returns in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A as Santos host Corinthians in a matchup with early-season implications. The Peixehave managed just five points from five games.
Meanwhile, Corinthianssit slightly higher with seven points after two wins, one draw, and two losses but still aim to climb the standings. With momentum and pride on the line, this rivalry clash is shaping up to be must-watch action—don’t miss it.
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Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves Best Odds: 2/3 Bookmaker: Dachbet Seeking a major Champions League miracle on Tuesday night, Manchester City will welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad for their second-leg showdown. Manchester City Starting with the hosts, putting in what was a nightmare Champions League performance on foreign soil last week […]
Following the conflict in the Middle East, UEFA and CONMEBOL had to make major changes regarding the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain. Facing the impossibility of reaching an agreement, the clash between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi has been canceled.
Argentina and Spain were expected to headline a historic showdown in the Finalissima. While everything seemed ready after choosing the Lusail Stadium in Qatar as the venue, the conflict in the Middle East completely changed the circumstances. Because of this, UEFA and CONMEBOL proposed several alternative venues, but failed to reach an agreement. As a result, the anticipated duel between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi has been canceled.
“After much discussion between UEFA and the organising authorities in Qatar, it is announced today that due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima between UEFA EURO 2024 winners Spain and CONMEBOL Copa América 2024 champions Argentina cannot be played as hoped in Qatar on 27 March,” UEFA stated.
UEFA revealed all the scenarios considered for the Finalissima
Far from being the first option, the AFA and the RFEF tried to reach agreements to relocate the venue of the event, opening the door to several possible scenarios. In its latest statement, UEFA revealed that three different venues were considered to host the clash between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Lamine Yamal’s Spain, but all of them were rejected for different reasons.
Lionel Messi of Argentina.
As per UEFA, the first option considered was to play at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on March 27, with a 50-50 split of fans for each national team. While this is a historic venue, Argentina rejected the proposal. Then, a proposal was made to change the format to a two-leg series, with one leg in Madrid on the original date and the other in Buenos Aires during the international window for UEFA EURO and the 2028 Copa América, but this was also rejected.
Far from ending there, UEFA revealed that it proposed a compromise with the AFA that if a neutral venue in Europe were found, the Finalissima would be played on March 27 or March 30, but Argentina rejected. Afterwards, they suggested holding the match after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but Spain did not have available dates. Finally, Lionel Messi’s team declared that they could only play on March 31, ultimately making the clash impossible.
Will the Finalissima clash between Argentina and Spain be reprogramed?
Despite the huge interest in the match between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Lamine Yamal’s Spain, the Finalissima is far from a sure thing. With just a few weeks to go before the 2026 World Cup, both national teams may no longer have available dates. Furthermore, playing it after the anticipated tournament could be impossible, as there are several other commitments in the way. Therefore, the match appears to be canceled altogether.
Lionel Messi of Argentina and Lamine Yamal of Spain.
Liverpool take on Tottenham on Matchday 30 of the 2025/2026 Premier League campaign. Here’s all the essential information, including kickoff times and where the game will be available on TV and streaming.
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The race for a Premier League top-four finish continues to heat up as Liverpool host Tottenham in one of the weekend’s most compelling showdowns. Liverpoolremain firmly in the battle for a place in the UEFA Champions League and know a victory is crucial to keep their qualification hopes alive
Meanwhile, Tottenhamarrive under pressure after a difficult run of results that has dragged them uncomfortably close to the relegation fight. With both clubs desperate to change their momentum and secure valuable points, the stakes couldn’t be higher—so be sure to tune in and catch every minute of this must-see Premier League clash.
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Barcelona receive Sevilla in a Matchday 28 clash during the 2025/26 La Liga campaign. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup, including kickoff times and how to watch the match live on TV or via streaming platforms.
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Barcelona enter a pivotal La Liga matchup knowing the margin for error has disappeared at the top of the table. After Real Madrid’s dominant 4–1 victory against Elche trimmed the gap between the title rivals to just one point, the pressure is squarely on Barçato secure a win and protect their lead in the standings.
Waiting for them is a Sevillaside battling for survival rather than silverware, sitting only six points above the relegation zone after an inconsistent campaign and desperate for a result that could create some breathing room. With the title race tightening and both teams carrying plenty at stake, this showdown promises high drama.
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Man United and Tottenham could use Nathan De Cat
They could use more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and the Belgian would be the ideal acquisition. He is a defensive midfielder who will add control, composure, and defensive cover to the side.
The opportunity to move to England could be exciting for him. It would be a huge step up in his career, and he would get to play for some of the biggest clubs in the world. Manchester United and Tottenham have done well in grooming players in the past, and they could play a key role in his development.
The asking price is quite affordable for the Premier League clubs, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to break the Bank for him. He could justify the investment in future, and the deal could look like a master stroke.
The Belgian needs assurance of gametime before making the move. He will need to play regularly in order to continue his development. Sitting on the bench at Manchester United or Tottenham could be detrimental to his development.
The player has been described as an “elite-level” talent. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.
De Cat has a contract with his club until 2027, and they could be under pressure to consider his departure in the summer unless he commits to a long-term future with them by signing a new deal.
Liverpool have reportedly won the race to sign the Celtic youngster Dara Jikiemi.
The defender is expected to complete the move to Liverpool soon. The 16-year-old has been on their radar for quite some time, and a report from TeamTalk claims that Liverpool have been working on the transfer since the start of the year.
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Liverpool win the race for Dara Jikiemi
Celtic wanted to keep the player at the club, and they had offered him a three-year contract. However, the player has declined the offer. He will sign a professional contract with Liverpool when he turns 17 next January. For now, he will join the Premier League champions on a scholarship deal.
Multiple clubs were interested in signing the 16-year-old, who can operate as a central defender as well as in the middle of the park.
Jikiemi is a top talent with a bright future, and Liverpool will be delighted to have won the race for his signature. They are looking to build a formal theme for the future, and the teenager could develop into an important player for them with the right guidance.
The opportunity to join the Premier League champions will be exciting for the young defender as well. It will be a major step up in his career, and he will look to force his way into the first team set-up at Liverpool in the coming seasons. For now, he will join up with the youth team.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have had a disappointing season so far, and they are looking to finish the season strongly. They are still in with a chance of securing Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign, and it will be interesting to see if they can win the remaining matches of the season.
Manchester United are very interested in signing Assan Ouedraogo from RB Leipzig at the end of the season.
According to reports from Spain, the player could cost around €65 million, and Manchester United are in the lead to secure his signature. They will also face competition from Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.
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Assan Ouedraogo is a top talent
The 19-year-old German midfielder is a tremendous talent with a bright future, and it is no surprise that top clubs are monitoring him closely. It will be interesting to see if any club is willing to come forward with an official proposal to sign him. The asking price is quite high, and they might prefer to sign the player for a more reasonable amount.
Ouedraogo has done nothing to justify the pricetag yet, but he has immense potential and might be able to justify the investment in the future.
Similarly, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have shown a willingness to invest in premium Young talent in recent windows. They are looking to build for the future, and the German would be an excellent acquisition.
Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in signing the FC Midtjylland winger Dario Osorio.
The 22-year-old Chilean has done quite well this season, and he has attracted the attention of the two Premier League clubs. According to a report from Team Talk, he could cost around £12 million in the summer. It will be interesting to see if the two clubs decide to follow up on their interest with an official offer to sign him.
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Arsenal and Liverpool could use Dario Osorio
There is no doubt that they need more quality in the wide areas. Osorio is naturally a right-sided winger, but he can operate on the left as well. He will add goals and creativity to the team. The player has registered 16 goal contributions this season.
The asking price is quite nominal for a player of his quality, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up. He has also been linked to clubs such as West Ham United and Fulham. All four Premier League clubs have the financial muscle to afford him, but he needs to choose his next destination carefully.
Osorio must join a club that will give him regular opportunities. The 22-year-old needs to play more often at this stage of his career in order to continue his development. Sitting on the bench at a top club will not benefit him.
Arsenal and Liverpool need more cutting-edge in the final third, but they might prefer to aim higher. They will look to bring in a ready-made star who can make an immediate impact. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.
Manchester United and Aston Villa clash on Matchday 30 of the 2025/2026 Premier League campaign. Here’s all the essential information, including kickoff times and where the game will be available on TV and streaming.
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Level on 51 points in the standings, Aston Villahave a major opportunity to climb into third place if they secure a win against Manchester United in a matchup that could shape the race for a UEFA Champions League berth.
Unitedcurrently occupy third thanks to a superior goal difference, but they head into the contest looking to bounce back after a setback against Newcastle. With both sides separated only by tiebreakers and a coveted European spot hanging in the balance, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
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Elliot Anderson is set for a big move
According to a report from TeamTalk, Newcastle United are keeping tabs on their former midfielder, and they could be willing to break their transfer record for him if they lose Sandro Tonali or Bruno Guimaraes.
It will be interesting to see where he ends up eventually. He has established himself as a key player for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and has consistently shown his ability. He has done well for his country as well, and this could be the right time for him to take the next step in his career and join a bigger club.
Manchester United or Manchester City could be the ideal destination for him. Both clubs need more quality in the defensive midfield area, and Anderson would be an excellent addition. He is a young player with a lot of potential, and he could improve with coaching and experience. Even though the asking price is quite high, the player might be able to justify the investment in future.
He will help both clubs, tighten up defensively and allow the creative players to operate with more freedom. He is well settled in English football, and he could make an immediate impact next season.
It will be interesting to see if the player is willing to move to Manchester in the summer. The opportunity to return to his boyhood club could be tempting as well.
West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.
The Portuguese under-21 international has impressed in the top flight with the Hammers and has attracted the attention of top clubs. Manchester City are very interested in signing the player, and they view him as a long-term replacement for Bernardo Silva.
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Both teams need more control and composure in the middle of the park, and Fernandes would be ideal for them. The opportunity to join some of the country’s top clubs will be quite exciting for him. Meanwhile, the report claims that the player could cost around £57 million. It will be interesting to see if Manchester City or Manchester United is prepared to pay that kind of money for him.
West Ham is currently fighting for survival in the Premier League, and they will look to secure safety. If they go down to the Championship, they could lose multiple key players in the summer. They will be desperate to stay up and hold onto their key assets.
Fernandes will want to compete at a high level and fight for trophies in future. Joining either of the two Manchester clubs could be tempting for him. They could provide him with the platform he needs. Both clubs are likely to be in the UEFA Champions League next season, and it remains to be seen whether they can convince West Ham and the player to move in the summer.
Barcelona are interested in signing the Tottenham Hotspur defender Luka Vuskovic at the end of the season.
The 19-year-old Croatian is highly rated across Europe, and he is expected to develop into a top-class defender with the right guidance. He is currently on loan at German club Hamburg, and he has been outstanding for them.
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Luka Vuskovic is a man in demand
Apart from his defensive qualities, he has been exceptional going forward, contributing 6 goals. Barcelona are hoping to secure his signature in the summer, and have already held positive talks with his representatives.
The 19-year-old could be tempted to join an elite club like Barcelona, and it remains to be seen whether they can secure an agreement with Tottenham. The London club will not want to lose an elite young talent like Vuskovic anytime soon. They need more quality and depth in the defensive unit, especially with players like Cristian Romero linked with an exit.
Vuskovic could develop into a key player for Tottenham in future, and they must do everything in their power to keep him at the club. They cannot afford to lose elite prospects like him if they want to build a formidable team for the future.
Meanwhile, it has been a very disappointing season for Tottenham, and they are fighting for survival in the Premier League. If they go down at the end of the season, they are likely to lose multiple players. The 18-year-old could seriously consider exiting as well. He will not want to compete in the second division of English football.
Lewis Hall is regarded as one of Newcastle United’s most important prospects for the future.
His standout performance against Barcelona caught the eye of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Sources have informed CaughtOffside that scouts from Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and several La Liga sides have been “closely monitoring” him, though no official bid has yet been made.
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Lewis Hall could be a superb option
Even though Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal have options at left back, there is no doubt that Hall would be a quality acquisition for them. He can help all three clubs improve. He could be an upgrade on Rayan Ait-Nouri at Manchester City, and the ideal long-term replacement for Andrew Robertson as well.
Newcastle’s stance is crystal clear: Hall is not for sale. Despite financial pressures, the club has excluded him from any transfer list. Eddie Howe considers him a cornerstone of his project. Moreover, his current deal runs until 2029, and the club is preparing a new contract with a significant pay rise and long-term commitment. This move aims to strengthen Hall’s sense of belonging while sending a firm message to suitors that negotiations are off the table.
Market experts suggest that if Newcastle were ever to consider talks, they would start at £65–70 million. However, the club intends to balance its transfer budget by offloading other players rather than sacrificing Hall.
Fans see him as “one of their own” and would strongly oppose any sale. The English media also describe him as the national team’s left-back for the next decade, highlighting his importance for both club and country.
In summary, the Barcelona match marked a turning point in Hall’s career, elevating him to elite status. While interest from European giants is growing, Newcastle are keeping the doors firmly shut. The most likely scenario is Hall remaining at St James’ Park for many years, becoming the symbol of the club’s long-term project.
Days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi’s Argentina could play a friendly match in the United States.
While negotiations continue over the date and venue for the Finalissima against Spain, Argentina are also mapping out their path toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Just days before the tournament begins this summer, Lionel Messi and his teammates could play a friendly in the U.S.
“Negotiations to face Honduras ahead of the World Cup have progressed satisfactorily,” reported Deporte Total USA this Saturday. “The Argentina national team seems to be clarifying its plans for the June FIFA window.”
After the March FIFA break, during which the Finalissima remains uncertain, the national teams will not play any matches until coaches are required to submit their final 26-player World Cup squads at the end of May.
Once club competitions conclude, the national teams will begin pre-tournament training in North America. In the days leading up to their respective World Cup debuts, they will have the chance to play one or two friendlies during the June FIFA window.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni.
Given the proximity to the World Cup, the top national teams usually select opponents of a lower level for these matches, minimizing unnecessary fatigue and potential injuries. In that sense, Honduras fit the criteria, currently ranked 65th in the FIFA Rankings.
Honduras bring good memories for Argentina
Playing Honduras ahead of the World Cup would not only give Argentina valuable match minutes and help them build competitive rhythm ahead of their opening group stage match against Algeria.
It would also, in a way, mirror the path Argentina took before the 2022 World Cup, which ended with the title after a penalty shootout victory over France. Back then, Argentina also played a friendly against Honduras in the United States: in September 2022, in Miami, Lionel Messi’s team won 3-0.
Less than four years later, Argentina could repeat that preparatory match and face Honduras on U.S. soil. The difference is that this time it would not be in Miami, but in Kansas City, where the team will be based during the tournament.
Tottenham’s interim manager Igor Tudor has aimed a subtle dig at Xavi Simons as he attempted to explain why he’s not starting him.
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The Netherlands international looked like an exciting signing when he joined Spurs from RB Leipzig last summer, but he’s had a fairly underwhelming first season in the Premier League.
Still, the north London outfit spent a lot of money on the 22-year-old last summer, with BBC Sport reporting his fee as being £52m at the time.
Igor Tudor on his decision not to use Xavi Simons
When asked about Simons in his press conference, Tudor made it clear that even if the former Leipzig man was a major signing for the club, he currently felt he couldn’t start him as he was simply doing his best for the team.
Watch below for Tudor’s answer, with the Croatian tactician still offering Simons something of a lifeline, however, by suggesting that he could still get into the team at a later date even if he hasn’t been so far…
? Igor Tudor has explained why he's not giving playing time to big summer signing Xavi Simons…? pic.twitter.com/GQJE4GywMZ
There could also be some sense in the club selling him or sending him out on loan so he can improve certain aspects of his game.
For all his natural talent and ability, Simons looks like he still needs to mature with his decision-making, while he’s perhaps also struggled with the physicality of English football, which is something he can work on and which could happen with age anyway.
Inter Miami visit Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer and Lionel Messi is not part of the squad.
This Saturday, Charlotte FC face Inter Miami on Matchday 4 of the 2026 Major League Soccer season at Bank of America Stadium. As happens every time the Herons visit another city, the expectation is to see Lionel Messi, but this time fans will be disappointed.
The Argentine forward is not part of the starting lineup selected by head coach Javier Mascherano, nor is he on the bench. In fact, reports indicate that he did not even travel with his teammates to North Carolina for this match.
The reason for that absence reportedly has nothing to do with physical issues or tactical decisions by the coach, but rather with a precautionary choice. “Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will be absent from tonight’s match in Charlotte. The coaching staff decided to give them rest,” reporter Jose Armando wrote on his X account.
Inter Miami have a key Concacaf Champions Cup clash ahead next Wednesday against Nashville SC, and the idea was to avoid risking an injury that could rule Messi — as well as De Paul — out of that match.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami talks with Javier Mascherano as he leaves the field.
Last Wednesday, the Herons visited Geodis Park for the first leg of the Round of 16 in the continental tournament, where they drew 0-0. Now everything will be decided in the second leg, which will be played at Chase Stadium. Considering that the team’s future in the Concacaf Champions Cup depends on that match, it makes sense that Mascherano preferred to rest his main star this Saturday.
Inter Miami lineup without Messi
It is not common for Inter Miami to play without Lionel Messi, especially while he is healthy. That forces Javier Mascherano to look for a different attacking setup, in order to find alternative ways to create chances compared to the ones the team usually rely on.
For this Saturday’s clash against Charlotte FC, nearly the entire Herons lineup will be different from usual. Up front, Luis Suarez will have the chance to play alongside Daniel Pinter, supported on the wings by Santiago Morales and Mateo Silvetti.
The confirmed Inter Miami lineup for the clash in North Carolina is: Rocco Rios Novo; Ian Fray, Gonzalo Luján, Noah Allen, Sergio Reguilón; Mateo Silvetti, David Ayala, David Ruiz, Santiago Morales; Daniel Pinter, Luis Suárez.
However, the second half passed without Leo getting another opportunity to score. Something similar happened last Wednesday, when the Herons drew 0-0 against Nashville SC. With his absence from Saturday’s clash against Charlotte FC, the long-awaited 900th goal will now have to wait at least until next Wednesday, when Inter Miami play the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 against Nashville SC at Chase Stadium.
ertainty has suddenly surrounded the future of Christian Pulisic at Milan, raising questions about why negotiations over a new long-term contract have unexpectedly slowed down.
Uncertainty has suddenly surrounded the future of Christian Pulisic at Milan, raising questions about why negotiations over a new long-term contract have unexpectedly slowed down. The American star has become one of the central figures in the club’s attacking system, yet talks about extending his stay at San Siro have quietly been placed on hold.
With interest reportedly growing from several Premier League sides and speculation increasing around his future, the timing of the pause has sparked curiosity among fans and observers. The winger remains a vital player for Milan and a cornerstone for the United States men’s national soccer team, but the club has chosen to delay final decisions about his long-term future—at least for now.
Despite Pulisic’s importance to Milan, the club’s leadership is said to have decided to temporarily suspend negotiations for a contract renewal until the end of the 2025-26 season. The move is not believed to reflect tension between the player and the club. Instead, the team’s hierarchy wants to keep the focus firmly on the final months of the campaign before entering complex negotiations about a new multi-year agreement.
According to Calciomercato, the club intends to meet with the player’s representatives once the season concludes to determine the best path forward for both sides. This approach allows Milan to prioritize on-field objectives before addressing administrative matters.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan reacts
Even without an immediate extension, the club remains in a strong contractual position. Pulisic’s current deal runs until June 2027, and Milan also holds a unilateral option to extend the agreement until 2028, giving the Italian giant valuable leverage in any future negotiations.
The real reason behind the delay as Premier League interest grows
While the pause in negotiations initially sparked speculation, the explanation appears to be largely strategic. Both Milan and Pulisic’s camp have reportedly agreed to delay talks until after the season and upcoming international commitments, allowing each side to avoid distractions during a crucial period of the campaign.
The Rossoneri are believed to be planning a major long-term contract offer that could keep Pulisic at the club until 2031, potentially including a significant salary increase. Such a deal would ensure that the American winger spends the peak years of his career at San Siro. For now, however, the club prefers to finalize those discussions when the sporting calendar is less congested.
Even with Milan holding the contractual advantage, the situation has not gone unnoticed across Europe. Several clubs are said to be monitoring Pulisic closely, with teams from the Premier League reportedly among the most attentive observers. His revival in Italy after leaving Chelsea has re-established his reputation as one of Europe’s most dangerous wide attackers.
Among the clubs linked with potential interest is Arsenal, while other English sides have also been mentioned as possible admirers. Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey even suggested the American could be a potential successor to Mohamed Salah if the Egyptian forward eventually leaves Anfield. For now, however, these connections remain speculative, with no formal offers reported.
What does the future hold for Pulisic?
Despite the pause in negotiations and the growing interest from abroad, Milan still views Pulisic as a long-term cornerstone of their project. The club is widely expected to exercise the optional one-year extension in his contract, ensuring his deal runs until 2028 while negotiations over a longer agreement continue.
If a new contract running through 2031 is eventually agreed, it would firmly cement Pulisic’s place as one of the modern stars of the Rossoneri era.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates his goal in a Serie A match.
Despite the American forward’s ongoing struggle to rediscover his scoring touch, manager Massimiliano Allegri continues to trust him as a central figure in the team’s attack.
At Milan, patience has become the defining approach toward Christian Pulisic during a challenging stretch of the 2026 season. Despite the American forward’s ongoing struggle to rediscover his scoring touch, manager Massimiliano Allegri continues to trust him as a central figure in the team’s attack.
The decision might appear surprising at first glance. After all, Pulisic has yet to score a goal in 2026 and has endured a frustrating run that has tested both his confidence and consistency. Yet Allegri’s faith has not wavered, keeping the winger in the starting lineup alongside key attacking partners. Behind that loyalty lies one specific factor that has quietly reassured the Milan coaching staff and convinced them that better performances and goals are on the horizon.
The opening months of 2026 have not been easy for the American international. Pulisic’s last goal came on December 28 against Hellas Verona, and since then, the winger has endured a prolonged drought in both goals and assists. For a player known for decisive contributions in attack, the absence of direct involvement in scoring has naturally drawn attention.
Part of the challenge has stemmed from minor physical issues earlier in the year, which disrupted his rhythm and limited his impact during several matches. Those setbacks made it harder for the winger to maintain the level of sharpness that defined his early performances with Milan. Even so, the club’s coaching staff and teammates have continued to support him. Allegri has repeatedly emphasized that the American’s quality remains unquestioned, and that temporary dips in form are part of a long season.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan looks on prior a Serie A match
Encouraging signs in the Milan derby
One of the most telling examples of Pulisic’s gradual recovery came during the recent Derby della Madonnina against Inter Milan. While the winger did not score or provide an assist in the match, his performance offered several encouraging signals. He showed improved composure in possession, demonstrated greater sharpness in transitions, and played a key role in Milan’s pressing strategy.
More importantly, the match suggested that Pulisic is physically returning to his best condition after earlier setbacks. That improvement has become the foundation of Allegri’s continued trust.
The key statistic behind Allegri’s faith
The most revealing detail emerged from the physical data recorded during the derby. In 84 minutes on the pitch, Pulisic covered more than 11 kilometers, making him one of the most active players in the match. The statistic may not appear glamorous compared to goals or assists, but for the Milan coaching staff, it carries enormous significance.
The distance covered demonstrated that the winger’s fitness level has significantly improved, confirming that the physical problems that hampered him earlier in the season are now largely behind him.
#ACMilan had 4 players in the top 5 for distance covered against Inter.
🇧🇪 Alexis Saelemaekers 🇫🇷 Adrien Rabiot 🇺🇸 Christian Pulisic 🇭🇷 Luka Modric
Beyond sheer effort, the work rate also had a tactical impact. Pulisic’s movement helped disrupt Inter’s build-up play, forcing mistakes and making it harder for the opposition to organize attacks from the back. For Allegri, this type of contribution is crucial in the modern tactical structure of the Rossoneri.
The Milan manager has not hesitated to publicly back the American forward. Speaking about Pulisic’s condition, Allegri recently explained that the winger is steadily improving and contributing positively to the team. “Physically, he is doing much better. He had a good game in the derby. He’s constantly growing,” Allegri said when discussing Pulisic’s recent performances.
AC Milan's Massimiliano Allegri and Christian Pulisic.
Negotiations between Argentina and Spain continue with less than two weeks remaining before the Finalissima.
The organization of the Finalissima has been a headache for all parties involved. The need to find a venue to replace Qatar has forced a tense series of meetings between UEFA, CONMEBOL, Spainand Argentina that still have not produced a resolution.
In that context, Argentina reportedly have set two conditions for the match between the champions of Europe and South America to take place. “AFA’s last counteroffer to play the Finalissima: that it be played on March 31 and at a neutral venue, or it won’t be played,” journalist Gaston Edul wrote on his X account this Saturday.
This report highlights one of the issues that has sparked controversy in recent days: the venue. With Qatar ruled out due to the political tensions that have affected the region for weeks, the most viable alternative appears to be Europe, an option that satisfies all parties since the vast majority of the players are based there.
However, UEFA’s attempts to take the clash to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid have not been well received in South America, where officials believe it violates a key aspect of the Finalissima’s organization: the neutrality of the venue. Reports indicate that Argentina prefer other cities such as Rome, London or Lisbon.
Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association, and Lionel Messi.
This dissatisfaction with the proposal to play in Madrid even led the president of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia, to publicly state that his idea was to bring the match to Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. It has now become clear that this was a negotiation strategy, considering the venue is already booked on those dates for a series of AC/DC concerts.
Could the Finalissima change dates?
Differences over the venue are not the only source of tension right now between Argentina and Spain. With the delay in making a decision on that issue, the calendar has also become an obstacle to staging the match.
Originally, the Finalissima was scheduled to be played on Friday, March 27, a date that is now just 13 days away. That means deadlines are already extremely tight, considering logistical matters such as ticket sales, security operations and team organization.
That is why the reported request from the Argentine Football Association to move the match to March 31 could make sense, as it would provide more time to sort out the organizational details for the clash. The problem with that proposal is that it would force Argentina and Spain to change their plans for the FIFA break.
With the Finalissima scheduled for March 27, the clash between Argentina and Spain was supposed to be each national team’s first match of the international window. Days later, Lionel Scaloni’s team were set to play Qatar, while Luis de la Fuente’s squad were scheduled to face Egypt. If the date is changed, both teams would be forced to move those other matches earlier, if possible, or accept that they will not be played.
Lamine Yamal of Spain and Julian Alvarez of Argentina.
Charlotte FC face Inter Miami CF in a 2026 Major League Soccer regular-season clash. Discover full match information here, including the date, stadium, and broadcast options for viewers across the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Charlotte vs Inter Miami on US television and via legal streaming:
With the 2026 Major League Soccer season beginning to take shape, Inter Miami have quickly rebounded from its opening setback, stringing together two straight wins to climb within a single point of Eastern Conference frontrunners New York City FC and Nashville SC.
Now powered by the influence of Lionel Messi, Miami aim to extend that surge when it meets Charlotte FC, a side still trying to find its rhythm after beginning the campaign with a win, a draw, and a defeat. With momentum on the line and valuable early-season points at stake, this clash promises plenty of intrigue.
Details on how to watch
Apple TV is the home for Major League Soccer – where you can watch Charlotte vs Inter Miami and every MLS game. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, Apple TV, smartphone, tablet, Roku, and other smart streaming devices.
Apple TV will stream every MLS game – including MLS Cup Playoffs and Leagues Cup – with no blackouts.
Apple TV is available via the Apple TV app on all Apple iOS devices, Mac, PC, Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick, Android TV, Google TV, LG smart TVs, Panasonic smart TVs, Playstation 4 & 5, Roku streaming devices and smart TVs, Samsung smart TVs, Sony smart TVs, Vizio smart TVs, and Xbox One, One S, Series X and Series S. In addition, you can AirPlay or cast from your phone or computer to any compatible screen.
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
Chivas will host Santos Laguna during Matchday 11 of the Liga MX Clausura 2026 tournament. Here is all the essential information ahead of this clash, including start times and complete TV and streaming broadcast details for viewers in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Chivas vs Santos Laguna on US television and via legal streaming:
Chivashead into their upcoming matchup against Santos Laguna looking to keep the pressure on the top of the Liga MX standings. With 21 points, Guadalajara sit just four behind league leaders Cruz Azul and recently regained momentum by snapping a two-game losing streak in Matchday 10.
Meanwhile, Santos Laguna have struggled all season and remain at the bottom of the table with only five points from 10 games, making this a key opportunity for Chivas to continue their climb—so make sure not to miss the action.
More details about watching the game on DirecTV Stream
With DirecTV Stream, you can watch Chivas vs Santos Laguna and tons more Liga MX games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick as well as Google TV, Samsung and Peloton.
DirecTV Stream offers a free trial, and often shares with you a variety of different packages to choose from, so you can pick what suits you the best. That also includes packages filled with sports other than soccer including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and more.
DirecTV Stream has 140+ channels of live TV and unlimited DVR. That includes all of the most important soccer-related channels such as NBC, FOX, ESPN, TNT, CBS as well as more niche soccer channels including FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Univision, TUDN and GolTV.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full DirecTV Stream soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
Speculation surrounding the future of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has resurfaced once again, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid reportedly continuing to monitor the Norwegian star.
According to TEAMtalk, the two Spanish giants remain interested in Haaland as part of their long-term attacking plans.
However, the latest reports have been quickly downplayed. Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta has firmly rejected claims that negotiations have taken place with Barcelona, dismissing suggestions that discussions over a potential future move are already underway.
Haaland remains firmly under contract with Man City after signing a major extension last year that ties him to the club until 2034.
Barcelona’s interest sparks intense debate
The renewed speculation began after Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font claimed he was attempting to secure a “preferential option” to sign Haaland if the striker ever decided to leave Man City.
Font’s comments immediately drew attention across European football, as Barcelona have long been linked with the prolific Norwegian forward.
The club has been rebuilding its squad in recent years and is expected to pursue high-profile signings if financial conditions allow.
Erling Haaland in action for Manchester City (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Haaland’s current situation makes any immediate move unlikely. The striker signed a long-term contract extension with Man City in 2025, committing his future to the Premier League champions for the foreseeable future.
Since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, Haaland has established himself as one of the most dominant goal scorers in world football.
Haaland has consistently delivered impressive goal-scoring numbers, playing a key role in Man City’s domestic and European ambitions under manager Pep Guardiola.
Real Madrid’s interest in Haaland is not new. The Spanish giants have previously been linked with the striker as part of their long-term strategy to assemble one of the strongest attacking lineups in Europe.
Liverpool’s long-standing interest in Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni could soon develop into a transfer battle with Barcelona.
According to Sport, the Premier League side will face strong competition from Barcelona, who are also closely monitoring the Italian international’s situation.
Bastoni has emerged as one of the most highly regarded central defenders in European football.
Inter Milan are believed to value the 26-year-old at around €70 million, and reports suggest the player could be open to a move away from Italy should the right opportunity arise.
Bastoni has become one of Europe’s best defenders
Bastoni has become a central figure in Inter Milan’s defence over the past few seasons.
Operating primarily on the left side of Inter’s defensive line, Bastoni has excelled in a system that demands defenders to initiate attacking play from deep areas.
His precise passing range and ability to carry the ball forward have made him particularly valuable in possession-based systems.
The defender has also established himself as a regular for the Italian national team, further enhancing his reputation across Europe.
With veteran leaders such as Virgil van Dijk approaching the latter stages of their careers, the club is exploring long-term solutions capable of anchoring the back line.
Bastoni’s ability to play progressive passes and operate comfortably in a high defensive line makes him an appealing fit for Liverpool’s tactical philosophy.
Reports suggest that the Catalan club’s transfer strategy could be influenced by the outcome of their presidential election, which may shape the club’s recruitment priorities moving forward.
Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams has emerged as a key transfer target for several Premier League heavyweights ahead of the upcoming summer window.
According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea are all actively monitoring the situation of the United States international, with United currently believed to be leading the race for his signature.
While Bournemouth remain keen to keep hold of the player, reports suggest the club could consider offers in the region of £45 million if serious interest materialises.
Tyler Adams has impressed top Premier League clubs
Adams has become an integral figure in the team’s midfield structure. The 27-year-old is widely admired for his work rate, tactical awareness, and ability to disrupt opposition attacks.
Adams typically operates as a defensive midfielder, providing protection for the back line while helping his team transition quickly from defence to attack.
His ability to cover ground, press aggressively, and recover possession has made him one of the most effective ball-winning midfielders in the Premier League.
In addition to his club performances, Adams is also a key player for the United States national team, where he has frequently served as captain.
His leadership qualities and experience at international tournaments have further boosted his reputation across European football.
Adams’ playing style, combining defensive intensity with intelligent positioning, makes him an appealing option for teams that prioritize high pressing and quick transitions.
Despite the growing interest, Bournemouth are under no immediate pressure to sell. Adams is under contract until 2028, which gives the club a strong negotiating position.
However, a substantial offer could test Bournemouth’s resolve, particularly if the player expresses a desire to take the next step in his career.
Manchester United’s season has taken a more positive turn since Michael Carrick stepped in as interim manager following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim earlier this year.
However, despite the recent improvement in results and performances, the club is still believed to be planning for a long-term managerial appointment once the season concludes.
According to reports from The Sun, United’s hierarchy have drawn up a shortlist of five potential candidates to take permanent charge at Old Trafford.
The list reportedly includes Oliver Glasner, Unai Emery, Andoni Iraola, Roberto De Zerbi, and Julian Nagelsmann, all managers with strong reputations in European football.
Michael Carrick faces uncertain future at Man United
Carrick’s appointment as interim boss initially appeared to be a temporary measure designed to steady the club after Amorim’s difficult spell.
Since taking over, however, the former United midfielder has overseen a noticeable improvement in the team’s structure and results.
Players have responded positively to Carrick’s leadership, with several improved performances helping United regain momentum in the Premier League and reestablish some confidence within the squad.
Despite this progress, sources suggest the club’s leadership remains committed to appointing a long-term head coach with a clearly defined tactical identity.
United have five managers on their radar
Oliver Glasner, Manager of Crystal Palace (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Oliver Glasner, currently at Crystal Palace, is expected to leave the London club at the end of the season. The Austrian manager gained widespread praise during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he led the club to UEFA Europa League glory in 2022.
Unai Emery, meanwhile, has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most tactically astute managers. His work at Aston Villa has earned admiration across the Premier League, while his previous success, including multiple Europa League titles, highlights his pedigree.
Andoni Iraola, currently impressing with Bournemouth, is viewed as one of the league’s most progressive coaches thanks to his high-energy tactical style.
Former Brighton and Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi is also being considered. Known for his possession-based football and innovative tactical approach, De Zerbi has previously attracted interest from several top European clubs.
Finally, Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann remains a highly respected figure in the game. At just 38, Nagelsmann has already managed clubs like RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, gaining recognition as one of the brightest coaching minds in modern football.
While Cristiano Ronaldo remains sidelined with injury, the spotlight has shifted toward two other prolific forwards: Ivan Toney and Julian Quinones.
The Saudi Pro League title race continues to deliver drama, and the battle for the Golden Boot has become just as intense. While Cristiano Ronaldo remains sidelined with injury, the spotlight has shifted toward two other prolific forwards: Ivan Toney and Julian Quinones.
All three stars have been central figures in the scoring charts this season, representing Al‑Nassr, Al‑Ahli, and Al‑Qadsiah, respectively. But a dramatic night of soccer, filled with a stunning comeback, title-race implications, and a heated confrontation, has reshaped the race for the league’s top scorer.
What unfolded during and after Al-Ahli’s match against Al-Qadsiah not only altered the dynamics of the championship battle but also reignited the Golden Boot rivalry spectacularly. Al-Ahli entered its away fixture against Al-Qadsiah with the chance to apply serious pressure on league leader Al-Nassr. Early on, the team appeared firmly in control.
The breakthrough came in the 27th minute, when Ivan Toney capitalized on defensive confusion inside the box to open the scoring. The English striker reacted quickest to a loose ball and produced a composed finish to put Al-Ahli ahead. Just before halftime, Valentin Atangana tapped in Galeno’s cross to make it 2-0, putting Al-Ahli firmly in control.
However, Al-Qadsiah mounted a dramatic second-half comeback. Musab Al Juwayr pulled one back in the 63rd minute after a pass from Christopher Bonsu Baah, shifting the momentum. Deep into stoppage time, Turki Al Ammar equalized in the 92nd minute before Ibrahim Mahnashi completed the stunning turnaround in the 98th minute, sealing a remarkable 3-2 victory. The result stunned the visitors and had immediate implications for the title race.
The heated post-match brawl
As emotions ran high after the final whistle, the drama continued off the ball. The match’s intensity spilled over when Ivan Toney became involved in a confrontation with Julian Quinones during the post-match handshake sequence. The altercation quickly escalated, with video footage showing the two Golden Boot contenders exchanging heated words and briefly grabbing each other by the collar before teammates stepped in.
Ivan Toney greets both linesmen but ignores the referee, before getting into a scuffle with Julian Quinones.
The incident appeared to underline the fierce rivalry between the league’s top scorers, whose competition has intensified throughout the season. Fans quickly reacted on social media, with many describing the scene as a reflection of the high stakes surrounding both the title race and the Golden Boot chase.
The aftermath of the match also produced a significant shift in the scoring charts. Ivan Toney now leads the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot race with 25 goals, narrowly ahead of Julian Quinones with 24. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo remains on 21 goals while recovering from injury.
Cristiano Ronaldo refused to play for Al Nassr vs. Al Riyadh on Monday.
That development has reshaped the competition for the award, particularly as Ronaldo’s absence limits his chances of adding to his tally in the immediate future. The Portuguese superstar had entered the campaign pursuing a historic milestone: becoming the first European player to win the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot three seasons in a row.
He previously claimed the award in 2024 with 31 goals and again in 2025 with 30 goals, reinforcing his dominance in Saudi soccer even in the later years of his career. However, the current season has proven far more competitive, with multiple strikers delivering exceptional performances.
Cristiano Ronaldo (left), Julian Quinones (center) and Ivan Toney (right)
Real Madrid are reportedly continuing to track the situation of Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté, as uncertainty surrounds the French centre-back’s long-term future at Anfield.
According to talkSPORT, the Spanish giants remain attentive to developments regarding Konaté’s contract negotiations with Liverpool, which are still ongoing.
Liverpool are working to secure the 26-year-old’s future, but interest from top European clubs means the situation is being closely watched.
Konaté has become increasingly important for Liverpool
Konaté has grown into one of the club’s most reliable defensive players. The France international has formed an important partnership in Liverpool’s backline, combining physical strength with impressive recovery pace and strong aerial ability.
Konaté’s defensive attributes make him particularly well suited to the high-intensity style Liverpool have often employed in recent years.
In addition to his club performances, Konaté has also continued to establish himself within the French national team setup, further enhancing his reputation as one of Europe’s leading young defenders.
Real Madrid are looking to strengthen their defense
Ibrahima Konate in action for Liverpool (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s reported interest in Konaté aligns with their long-term efforts to refresh their defensive line.
With some experienced defenders entering the latter stages of their careers, the club is believed to be evaluating options capable of strengthening the squad for the coming years.
Despite the growing speculation, Liverpool are unlikely to let Konaté leave easily. The club considers him a key part of their future defensive plans.
Liverpool are already preparing for defensive changes with young centre-back Jeremy Jacquet set to arrive from Rennes at the end of the season, while promising defender Giovanni Leoni is also expected to return after recovering from injury.
Liverpool remain committed to keeping the French defender, but interest from Real Madrid ensures that the situation will continue to attract attention.
Hansi Flick revealed that Gavi could make his return from injury in Barcelona’s LaLiga clash against Sevilla on Sunday, but said the midfielder’s minutes will be managed. Gavi played just two matches for Barca at the start of the season before suffering a knee injury, which required surgery back in September. The 21-year-old’s return comes […]
Real Madrid face Elche in a Matchday 28 clash during the 2025/26 La Liga campaign. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup, including kickoff times and how to watch the match live on TV or via streaming platforms.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Real Madrid vs Elche on US television and via legal streaming:
With the season entering a decisive stretch, the pressure is mounting at both ends of theLa Liga standings as Elche CF and Real Madrid prepare for a crucial showdown. Elchecome into the matchup with 26 points, sitting only one point above the relegation line, meaning every result from here on out could determine their survival.
On the other side, Real Madrid remain firmly in the title hunt but trail league leaders FC Barcelona by four points, leaving Kylian Mbappe and his teammates with virtually no margin for error if they want to keep the championship dream alive. With so much at stake for both clubs, this clash promises intensity from start to finish—so make sure you don’t miss a minute of the action.
More details on how to watch
With ESPN+, you can watch Real Madrid vs Elche and tons more soccer games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, Apple, Android, and Amazon Fire devices, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Oculus Go.
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Inter Miami face Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer, and all eyes are on Lionel Messi.
With two wins and one loss in their first three matches of the 2026 Major League Soccer season, Inter Miami are gradually finding their best form. This Saturday they face another challenge against Charlotte FC, and as usual Lionel Messi is at the center of the spotlight.
This time, however, the Argentine forward is making headlines not for his performances on the field or potential records, but for his absence. Head coach Javier Mascherano decided that Messi would not be part of the starting lineup or the bench in order to preserve his fitness ahead of Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup clash against Nashville SC next Wednesday.
It is a significant loss for Inter Miami, as is the absence of Rodrigo De Paul, and it will likely impact their chances of securing a victory in North Carolina. So far, the team has recorded one defeat and two wins in the 2026 MLS season, placing them third in the Eastern Conference standings with six points.
On the other side will be Charlotte FC, who opened the season with a draw against St. Louis City SC, followed by a 3-0 loss to Los Angeles Galaxy and a victory last week against Austin FC. That places them sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with four points.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
Confirmed lineup for Charlotte FC
Unlike most Inter Miami matches, in which opponents focus their efforts on neutralizing Lionel Messi, this time Charlotte FC’s task will be to take advantage of his absence and impose their own style of play.
With that in mind, the confirmed lineup for Charlotte FC against the Herons is: Kristijan Kahlina; Nathan Byrne, Morrison Agyemang, Tim Ream, Harry Toffolo; Brandt Bronico, Ashley Westwood, Pep Biel; Liel Abada, Idan Toklomati, Wilfried Zaha.
Confirmed lineup for Inter Miami
Saturday’s matchup against Charlotte FC comes at an awkward moment in the schedule for the Herons. They played just three days ago against Nashville SC in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 — a 0-0 draw at Geodis Park — and will decide the series next Wednesday at Chase Stadium.
For that reason, head coach Javier Mascherano will be without key players in his starting lineup. In addition to the absences of Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, who are being rested, Maximiliano Falcon is out due to physical issues.
Inter Miami’s confirmed XI is: Rocco Rios Novo; Ian Fray, Gonzalo Lujan, Noah Allen, Sergio Reguilon; Mateo Silvetti,David Ayala, David Ruiz, Santiago Morales; Daniel Pinter, Luis Suarez.
Al Nassr face Al Khaleej Matchday 26 of the 2025/2026 Saudi Pro League. Fin here essential information for fans in the USA, including kickoff schedules and broadcast availability across TV and streaming platforms so you can watch every moment.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr on US television and via legal streaming:
The race for the Saudi Pro League title is heating up as the season approaches its final stretch. Al Nassr lead the standings with 64 points, with Cristiano Ronaldo playing a key role as the team tries to stay ahead of three challengers separated by only a few points.
Meanwhile, Al Khaleej FC sit well outside the title race after an inconsistent season, but a victory over the league leaders would be a major statement and could shake up the standings. With plenty at stake, fans won’t want to miss this matchup.
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The club confirmed that Mbappe will not take part in the match, a decision that immediately raised questions across the soccer world.
When Kylian Mbappe is absent from the lineup of Real Madrid, it inevitably becomes one of the most talked-about stories in European soccer. As Los Blancos prepare to face Elche in an important La Liga fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu, fans quickly noticed the French superstar missing from the squad list. The club confirmed that Mbappe will not take part in the match, a decision that immediately raised questions across the soccer world.
For a team still chasing the league leaders and balancing the pressures of European competition, every lineup choice matters. Yet Mbappe’s absence carries particular weight, not only because of his status as the team’s attacking focal point but also because of the broader context surrounding Real Madrid’s demanding schedule.
The clash with Elche arrives at a delicate point in the season for Real Madrid. The club sits near the top of the La Liga table and remains firmly in the title race, trailing Barcelona by a small margin as the season enters its decisive phase.
A victory over Elche would allow Los Blancos to move closer to their rival and maintain pressure in the race for the championship. However, the match also arrives between two crucial legs of a UEFA Champions League tie against Manchester City, forcing manager Alvaro Arbeloa to carefully manage his squad. But before traveling to Manchester, Madrid must navigate the league encounter with Elche, a team fighting to avoid relegation and desperate for points.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid CF.
The real reason Mbappe is missing
The mystery surrounding Mbappe’s absence has a clear explanation. The French forward is still recovering from a knee injury, and the club has decided not to risk him in the La Liga match against Elche as he continues his rehabilitation.
The injury dates back to December, when Mbappe began experiencing discomfort in his left knee. Although he initially attempted to continue playing, the medical staff eventually halted his activity to prevent the issue from worsening.
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed the situation during his pre-match press conference. “[Mbappe] is getting better every day,” Arbeloa explained. “His development is progressing as it should. We made a plan… He won’t be available tomorrow, but I expect he’ll travel to Manchester.” The club’s strategy is clear: prioritize Mbappe’s full recovery so that he can return for the decisive Champions League second leg.
Careful recovery plan and return date set
Despite missing several recent matches, there is growing optimism inside the Real Madrid camp regarding Mbappe’s condition. The French forward has resumed individual training sessions at the club’s Valdebebas training facility, where he has been working on ball control, shooting drills, and resistance exercises designed to strengthen his knee.
According to Arbeloa, the recovery process is progressing according to plan. “The situation is not complicated. He’s getting better every day,” the coach said. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow and especially on Sunday, when we will make a final decision.”
The objective is to have Mbappe available for the trip to Manchester, where Real Madrid will attempt to protect its three-goal advantage and secure a place in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match.
As the league leader prepares to travel to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium for Matchday 26, supporters quickly noticed that the Portuguese captain would not feature in the matchday plans.
The Saudi Pro League clash between Al‑Khaleej and Al‑Nassr has drawn significant attention, not only because of the title implications but also because of the absence of one of soccer’s most iconic figures, Cristiano Ronaldo. As the league leader prepares to travel to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium for Matchday 26, supporters quickly noticed that the Portuguese captain would not feature in the matchday plans.
The encounter represents an important moment in the Saudi Pro League campaign. Al-Nassr enters the match sitting at the top of the league table with 64 points, maintaining a narrow lead over rivals Al‑Ahli and Al‑Hilal in a fiercely competitive title race.
The capital club arrives in outstanding form. Under manager Jorge Jesus, Al-Nassr has assembled one of the most dominant runs in the league this season. The team has won 13 consecutive matches across all competitions while conceding only once in their last 11 games, demonstrating a blend of attacking power and defensive discipline.
Its most recent league match ended with a dramatic 1-0 victory against NEOM, secured thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Mohamed Simakan. Results like that have reinforced Al-Nassr’s status as the team to beat this season.
Meanwhile, Al-Khaleej approaches the match from a very different position. The club currently sits mid-table with around 30 points, recording eight wins, six draws, and eleven defeats. Although it recently secured a 2-1 comeback victory over Al‑Hazem, consistency has been difficult to maintain.
The real reason Ronaldo is missing
Cristiano Ronaldo is not playing against Al-Khaleej because he is recovering from a hamstring injury that proved more serious than initially expected. Medical examinations conducted after a recent league match confirmed that the Portuguese forward had suffered a muscle injury that required rest, rehabilitation, and specialized treatment. As a result, the club decided not to risk its captain in the upcoming fixture.
According to Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus, the striker has temporarily left Saudi Arabia to receive medical care in Spain. “In the last game, Cristiano left with a muscle injury,” Jesus explained. “After the tests he underwent, it became clear that it is a more serious injury than we were expecting. He will need rest and recovery.”
The manager also confirmed that the Portuguese star traveled to Madrid for treatment. “Cristiano will travel to Spain for treatment from his personal physiotherapist. We hope he will return soon to help the team.”
Jorge Jesus, Manager of Al-Nassr, interacts with Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr.
Return already in sight
Early reports suggest that the recovery period could last between two and four weeks, depending on how quickly the muscle responds to rehabilitation exercises. Because of this timeline, the veteran striker will miss several matches in March, including the league encounter against Al-Khaleej.
Despite concerns among fans, the outlook for Ronaldo’s recovery remains positive. The current medical plan suggests that the 41-year-old superstar could return to action toward the end of March or early April, potentially in time for Al-Nassr’s league match against Al‑Najma.
As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, uncertainty surrounds one of Brazil’s greatest stars. Neymar once again finds himself at the center of debate after missing a key match for Santos, a moment that has reportedly frustrated Carlo Ancelotti and the staff of the Brazil national soccer team.
As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, uncertainty surrounds one of Brazil’s greatest stars. Neymar once again finds himself at the center of debate after missing a key match for Santos, a moment that has reportedly frustrated Carlo Ancelotti and the staff of the Brazil national soccer team.
The incident has sparked fresh tension between Neymar’s camp and the Brazilian federation, raising new doubts about whether the 34-year-old forward will be part of the Selecao’s plans for the upcoming international friendlies, and potentially the World Cup itself. What was supposed to be a crucial opportunity for the legendary attacker to prove his readiness instead turned into a complicated episode that has left his international future hanging in the balance.
The situation unfolded during a Brazilian Serie A match between Santos and Mirassol, a game that had drawn special attention from the Brazilian national team coaching staff. As per UOL, Carlo Ancelotti had traveled from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo specifically to observe Neymar’s condition and assess whether he was ready to return to the national team setup.
The Italian coach is preparing to finalize his squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, matches scheduled as the final international window before the World Cup. However, when the lineups were announced, Neymar’s name was missing.
Neymar Junior of Santos looks on during the Brasileirao 2025 match.
The Santos star was not included in the squad for the match, leaving Ancelotti without the opportunity to evaluate him on the pitch. The report goes on to suggest that the decision surprised officials from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), who had expected the forward to feature in what was seen internally as an important audition.
The real reason behind Neymar’s absence
The mystery surrounding Neymar’s absence soon became clearer. The Brazilian club decided to rest the forward due to lingering muscle fatigue and workload management, a precautionary measure designed to avoid further physical issues as he continues his comeback from injury.
According to Globo Esporte, the 34-year-old had spent more than 12 days preparing for the match but mainly focused on physical work, taking a limited part in tactical training sessions. Given his recent injury history, the club opted to protect him rather than risk aggravating a problem during the midweek fixture.
The move may have been logical from the club’s perspective, but its timing proved awkward. With Ancelotti in attendance to evaluate him, the decision effectively eliminated what might have been Neymar’s best opportunity to convince the national team staff of his readiness.
⚠️ Agora! Neymar desabafa nas redes sociais:
“Se eu jogo machucado, tô errado. Se penso em mim, tô errado. Se me poupo, tô errado. Se jogo com dor, tô errado. É muito difícil agradar todo mundo. É muito complicado ser eu. Tenho que ter saco para aturar!”
Tensions with the Brazilian Federation just keep growing
The absence from the Mirassol match reportedly represents a second point of tension between Neymar’s camp and the national federation. Earlier in the year, controversy emerged when the Brazil FA did not publicly acknowledge the player’s birthday on its official channels. The omission reportedly angered the player, who unfollowed the federation’s social media accounts shortly afterward.
Now, with the federation having expected him to appear in the Mirassol fixture after advance notice that the match would be closely monitored, his absence has added another layer of frustration within the national team setup.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United expect to complete the sales of Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford this summer, with a total of €80million expected to boost their finances from the two deals. After two relatively unsuccessful seasons at Old Trafford, Hojlund joined Napoli at the start of this season on loan, with the Serie […]
Bodo/Glimt have set the world of football on fire by smashing past several more renowned clubs in this season’s Champions League. In the round of 16, they’ve earned a three-goal lead against Sporting Lisbon, courtesy of goals from Sondre Brunstad Fet, Ole Didrik Blomberg, and Kasper Hogh. This is how Blomberg scored their second, in […]
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United expect to complete the sales of Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford this summer, with a total of €80million expected to boost their finances from the two deals. After two relatively unsuccessful seasons at Old Trafford, Hojlund joined Napoli at the start of this season on loan, with the Serie […]
Mauricio Pochettino wants Noahkai Banks to choose the USMNT over Germany.
It is increasingly common to see players whose personal background makes them eligible for multiple national teams. Globalization and migration trends mean different countries often have ties to rising soccer stars and want to secure them for the future. That is now happening with Noahkai Banks, whom Mauricio Pochettino wants to recruit for the USMNT ahead of Germany.
“Mauricio Pochettino is pushing for Noahkai Banks to play for the United States,” German journalist Florian Plettenberg revealed through his X account this week. “The two have already spoken on the phone.”
Banks is a 19-year-old defender born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in December 2006 who currently plays for FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga. He moved to Europe as a child and progressed through the German soccer youth system before turning professional in January 2025.
Since then, Noahkai Banks has gradually earned a place at Augsburg. In his first season he played eight Bundesliga matches, while in the current campaign his role has become much more regular: he has recorded 21 appearances — 18 as a starter — along with one goal and one assist.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Noahkai Banks must choose which national team to represent
Banks’ performances have not gone unnoticed in the soccer world, and the United States have already shown interest in bringing him into the national team setup. However, the possibility of representing Germany is also appealing, which has led the player to delay choosing a side.
“The 19 y/o centre-back top talent is still undecided and also has strong ambitions to play for Germany. So far, none of the senior officials at the DFB have contacted Banks,” Florian Plettenberg wrote on X.
“Because he has not made a decision yet, it is possible that he will not play any international matches in March,” the report adds. During the upcoming FIFA international break, the USMNT will play two friendlies at home against Belgium and Portugal, while Germany will face Switzerland and Ghana.
Can a player represent two different countries internationally?
Throughout the history of soccer, there have been numerous cases of players representing more than one national team. In the past, the rules were much more flexible than they are today, which even allowed some players to appear in World Cups for two different nations. The most famous example is Real Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas, who competed with Hungary at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland and with Spain at the 1962 World Cup in Chile.
Today, however, that is no longer allowed. A player may switch national teams once if he played no more than three official senior matches before turning 21. But even in those cases, a switch is not permitted if the player has already appeared for his previous national team in a World Cup or a continental tournament.
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino and Augsburg defender Noahkai Banks.
Even without finding the net in 2026 so far, the American star has played his part in a historic accomplishment that has quietly elevated the Rossoneri among Europe’s elite.
For Christian Pulisic, the 2025-26 campaign with Milan has become a season defined not only by attacking influence but also by collective achievement. Even without finding the net in 2026 so far, the American star has played his part in a historic accomplishment that has quietly elevated the Rossoneri among Europe’s elite.
The development reflects a transformation that has taken shape across months of consistent performances. With the club pushing for success domestically and in continental competitions, the contribution of players like Pulisic, even beyond scoring, has become part of a larger story unfolding at the San Siro. Throughout the 2025-26 campaign, Milan has quietly assembled one of the most cohesive teams in European soccer.
While attacking players often dominate the spotlight, the foundation of the club’s success has come from a carefully organized structure that prioritizes balance and discipline. The Rossoneri have approached matches with tactical clarity, maintaining compact defensive lines while allowing creative players the freedom to influence the attack. This balance has allowed Milan to remain competitive across multiple competitions without sacrificing stability.
For Christian Pulisic, adapting to this system has meant contributing in ways that go beyond goals. The winger has frequently been tasked with pressing opponents, tracking back defensively, and helping maintain the team’s shape in transition. All these responsibilities highlight the tactical demands placed on wide players in modern soccer.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan reacts
Even without scoring in the early months of the calendar year, the American’s role in the collective effort has remained significant, reflecting how Milan’s success this season has been driven by teamwork rather than individual statistics alone.
The historic milestone
In the middle of this impressive campaign, Milan achieved a remarkable statistical feat across European soccer. The Red and Blacks currently have the best defensive record among clubs in Europe’s top five leagues, having conceded just 20 goals after the first 20 league matches of the season.
That figure places Milan ahead of every club competing in the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. The rankings underline just how competitive the race has been:
Milan have currently conceded the least amount of goals in Europe's top 5 leagues this season 🧱💪 pic.twitter.com/Ynh6yHnOfw
The margins are narrow, but Milan’s consistency across the season has allowed the club to edge ahead of rivals from across Europe.
The backbone of Milan’s defense
A key factor behind Milan’s defensive success has been the stability and chemistry within the back line. Defenders such as Fikayo Tomori, Strahinja Pavlovic, and Matteo Gabbia have played a pivotal role, combining pace, positional awareness, and aggressive defending to neutralize opposing attackers. Tomori’s ability to anticipate runs and recover quickly has been especially valuable in high-pressure situations.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates his goal with Strahinja Pavlovic that was later disallowed
However, the defensive record is not solely the result of the defense. Milan’s midfield, led by Luka Modric, has also provided crucial protection, ensuring opponents rarely find space between the lines.
Milan’s defensive consistency has played a crucial role in keeping the club near the top of the Serie A standings. Each clean sheet provides not only valuable points but also confidence throughout the squad. For attacking players like Pulisic, a reliable defense offers the freedom to focus on creating opportunities rather than constantly chasing the game.
The name Cristiano Ronaldo carries enormous weight in world soccer, and now the spotlight increasingly follows his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. From youth tournaments with the Portugal national under‑16 soccer team to academy matches with Al‑Nassr, the young forward’s journey is already unfolding under intense scrutiny. Recently, a moment during an Al-Nassr youth match against Al‑Hilal sparked widespread discussion online, with fans suggesting the […]
The name Cristiano Ronaldo carries enormous weight in world soccer, and now the spotlight increasingly follows his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. From youth tournaments with the Portugal national under‑16 soccer team to academy matches with Al‑Nassr, the young forward’s journey is already unfolding under intense scrutiny. Recently, a moment during an Al-Nassr youth match against Al‑Hilal sparked widespread discussion online, with fans suggesting the teenager displayed a glimpse of the competitive fire that made his father one of the greatest players in soccer history.
The viral clip circulated quickly across social media platforms, prompting debate about the teenager’s temperament and competitive spirit. While still in the earliest stages of his development, Ronaldo Jr is already navigating a soccer environment where every action, whether in international youth competitions or academy matches, is analyzed in detail.
As the son of Cristiano Ronaldo, whose career includes five Ballon d’Or trophies and historic spells with clubs such as Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United, the expectations surrounding the young forward are extraordinary. Every appearance, goal, or mistake inevitably sparks comparisons with his father’s legendary career.
The Ronaldo surname has become synonymous with relentless discipline, physical excellence, and record-breaking performances. That legacy provides both opportunity and pressure. For Ronaldo Jr, talent alone is not enough, as observers constantly measure him against standards few players in soccer history have ever matched.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr of Portugal (C) looks on prior to the Men’s U15 International match between Portugal and Japan
Growing up inside elite academies has offered the teenager unique advantages. He has trained in some of the best environments in the sport, benefiting from world-class coaching and guidance. Yet the global attention surrounding his development also means anonymity, often crucial for young players, simply does not exist.
Watch the viral moment in the Al-Nassr U-17 match
The moment that recently captured global attention came during an Al-Nassr U-17 derby clash against Al-Hilal. Late in the game, Ronaldo Jr. was substituted by the coach. According to the referee’s instruction, he was supposed to leave the pitch through the nearest touchline, a standard procedure designed to speed up substitutions.
In the Al Nassr vs Al Hilal match, the coach substituted Junior near the end of the game. The referee instructed Cristiano Jr to leave via the nearest touchline to the substitutes’ bench, but he chose to walk off from the opposite side instead, which…
Instead, the teenager deliberately walked across the pitch toward the opposite side, heading toward his team’s bench rather than the nearest exit. The referee interpreted the action as dissent and issued a yellow card, which ultimately resulted in a suspension for the following match. The incident was widely shared online, with fans noting the resemblance to Cristiano Ronaldo’s fiery competitive personality.
Echoes of his father’s competitive spirit
For many supporters, the moment symbolized something deeper than a simple disciplinary decision. Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary career has often been defined by intense competitiveness, emotional reactions, and a relentless drive to win. Fans quickly drew parallels between father and son, suggesting the teenager may already possess a similar mindset.
Cristiano Ronaldo refused to play for Al Nassr vs. Al Riyadh on Monday.
Some commentators viewed the incident as youthful defiance — a common trait among ambitious young athletes — while others saw it as a glimpse of the determination required to succeed at the highest level. Either way, the moment reinforced the reality that Ronaldo Jr’s development will rarely happen away from public attention.
Cristiano Ronaldo and his son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr
Joan Laporta raised the possibility that Marcus Rashford could remain at Barcelona without the club having to pay Manchester United the full amount of the purchase clause.
Barcelona decided some time ago that they want to keep Marcus Rashford for the long term. However, to make that happen they must negotiate with Manchester United, who expect to receive a considerable fee for the forward. Now Joan Laporta has provided details about a possible alternative to reach an agreement between all parties.
“We could extend the loan further, it depends on what Deco wants,” the presidential candidate said during a recent interview with Jijantes. The reference to sporting director Deco is also key, as it suggests the decision will not depend solely on the wishes of coach Hansi Flick, but rather on alignment among the club’s different decision-makers.
Regarding ways to reach an agreement to extend Rashford’s loan, Laporta spoke about one possibility. “There are formulas, such as completing part of the purchase option with Manchester United and the rest we will see later,” he said. That would mean negotiating a new loan while paying a certain amount as an advance toward the permanent transfer, which could be finalized at a later date.
Finally, Joan Laporta explained the reasons why Marcus Rashford’s continued presence would be desirable for Barcelona. In that sense, he pointed not only to the player’s performances on the field but also to his contributions off it. “He gives us good numbers in goals and statistics, a great atmosphere, and he’s very involved with the Foundation,” the presidential candidate said.
Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta.
Rashford’s numbers at Barcelona
Barcelona’s decision to move forward with securing Marcus Rashford’s continuity next season is based on the performances the player has delivered during his first months with the Spanish side.
Across La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup and the UEFA Champions League, Rashford has recorded 38 appearances, 21 of them as a starter. So far he has contributed 10 goals and 13 assists, which equals 0.60 goal contributions per match.
Manchester United’s stance on Rashford
While Joan Laporta’s comments suggest optimism about a possible agreement with Manchester United to keep Marcus Rashford for another season without having to pay the nearly $35 million purchase clause, reports from England indicate a different position.
Manchester United reportedly are not willing to consider any concessions for Barcelona and have made it clear that Rashford will only remain there if the full clause is paid. In fact, there has been speculation that the Red Devils, given the forward’s performances, now believe they set the price too low.
Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona this summer on loan from Manchester United.
Estadio Azteca will be reopened ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi could be present for the occasion.
On June 11, Mexico and South Africa will play the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Azteca. The legendary venue has been renovated for the event and in the coming weeks it will host its first match in its new form. While the original idea was for Cristiano Ronaldo to be the main attraction there, Lionel Messi could now take that spot.
Given this situation, another alternative has begun to be considered. “There is already a ‘Plan B,’ and it involves welcoming another international star: Lionel Messi,” Marca reported. “Everything is now in Club America’s hands for ‘La Pulga’ to have the opportunity to appear at the new Estadio Azteca, which they are aiming to return to after the FIFA international break.”
Messi could play in Mexican territory soon
Club America are currently competing in the Concacaf Champions Cup, where they eliminated Olimpia of Honduras in the opening round. In the first leg of the Round of 16, they defeated Philadelphia Union 1-0 this week and will play the decisive match in Mexico next week.
Aerial view of the Azteca Stadium under construction.
If they hold onto that advantage, America will advance to the quarterfinals of the continental competition, where they could face Inter Miami. The Herons made their tournament debut on Wednesday with a 0-0 draw against Nashville SC at Geodis Park, and will play the second leg next Wednesday at Chase Stadium.
If Club America and Inter Miami meet in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup, they will play their first match in Florida between April 7 and 9, before facing each other again in Mexico a week later. The plan is that, in that scenario, Lionel Messi’s visit would coincide with America’s return to Estadio Azteca.
“Club America’s board plans to return to their home after the Mexico vs. Portugal match, so they are targeting their Concachampions games there, as well as the rest of the Clausura 2026 season in Liga MX,”Marca reported.
Messi’s matches in Mexico
If the matchup between Club America and Inter Miami in the Concacaf Champions Cup becomes a reality, it would mark Lionel Messi’s fourth match in Mexican territory during his career and only the second official one.
The first two were friendlies. In 2011, Leo took part in an exhibition match featuring current and former players at Ciudad de los Deportes in Mexico City. A year later, in Cancun, he played another similar game for charitable purposes. The most recent precedent came in April 2024, when Inter Miami lost 5-1 to Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mexico will host matches in three cities: Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara. A total of 13 matches will be played there, highlighted by the tournament’s opening game as the most significant. Argentina will not play any of their group-stage matches in Mexico and are unlikely to play there in the knockout rounds.
Lionel Messi would only be able to play on Mexican soil during the World Cup in the unlikely event that Argentina finish third in their group. In that scenario, depending on a combination of results, they could play a Round of 16 match at Estadio Azteca.
At the center of the debate lies a larger question surrounding the future of the Portugal national soccer team, where potential changes after the 2026 FIFA World Cup could reshape the coaching landscape.
The future of Cristiano Ronaldo and his professional relationship with Jorge Jesus could soon become one of the most intriguing stories in world soccer. With both currently working together at Al-Nassr, speculation has begun to grow about whether their partnership might extend beyond the Saudi club. At the center of the debate lies a larger question surrounding the future of the Portugal national soccer team, where potential changes after the 2026 FIFA World Cup could reshape the coaching landscape.
Reports have suggested that the veteran Portuguese manager could emerge as a leading candidate to take charge of the national side once the tournament concludes. If that scenario were to unfold, it could even open the possibility of Ronaldo continuing to work under the same coach at the international level. However, behind the growing rumors and speculation, new information has begun to clarify the true situation.
The managerial future of Jorge Jesus has become a major talking point in Portuguese soccer circles. The experienced coach is currently under contract with Al-Nassr until June 2026, a timeline that aligns almost perfectly with the end of the next World Cup. According to ESPN Brasil, Jesus has long harbored the ambition of coaching the Portugal national team; a role that would represent the pinnacle of his managerial career after decades spent managing clubs across Europe, South America, and the Middle East.
At the moment, the national side is managed by Roberto Martinez, whose tenure is expected to last through the 2026 World Cup. After that tournament, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is widely expected to reassess the coaching position and decide whether a new era should begin. For Jesus, the opportunity to guide the nation’s best players on the international stage would be a unique challenge.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Roberto Martinez, Manager of Portugal.
National team management involves fewer matches than club soccer, but the pressure surrounding major tournaments is often far greater. If appointed, the veteran coach could potentially oversee a squad that still includes Cristiano Ronaldo, depending on whether the legendary forward remains involved with the national side at that stage of his career.
Cristiano Ronaldo could play key figure
While speculation about the Portugal job continues, the immediate focus remains on the situation at Al-Nassr. The Saudi club’s long-term plans appear closely tied to Cristiano Ronaldo’s own future. According to reports from Saudi Arabia, the organization’s strategic decisions, including managerial stability, are heavily influenced by the 41-year-old superstar.
If Ronaldo chooses to remain with the club next season, it is widely expected that Jesus would also continue in his role as head coach. Such a scenario would maintain the current structure at the club and allow Al-Nassr to continue pursuing domestic and continental success.
The partnership between Ronaldo and Jesus has been seen as a key element in the team’s ambitions, particularly as the forward continues to chase one of the most remarkable milestones in soccer history.
Jorge Jesus, Manager of Al-Nassr, interacts with Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr.
The reality behind the Portugal rumors
Despite the widespread speculation, more recent reports have offered a clearer picture of the current situation. According to sources cited by the Saudi newspaper Okaz,there have been no formal negotiations between Jorge Jesus and the Portuguese FA regarding the national team position.
While the idea of Jesus eventually coaching Portugal remains a possibility in the future, the discussions that many believed were already underway have not actually taken place. The report revealed that Jesus coaching the Selecao could be one of the serious possibilities in the future, but there have been no negotiations between the Portuguese Football Federation and the coach so far. In other words, the scenario remains largely theoretical at this stage.
Head coach Jorge Jesus (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Al Nassr.
The current United States men's national soccer team coach has been linked with a return to elite club action, and reports suggest he could arrive in Madrid with clear expectations about the squad he would inherit.
Speculation surrounding Mauricio Pochettino and Real Madrid continues to intensify as the Argentine manager emerges as one of the leading candidates to take over the Spanish giant in the coming years. The current United States men’s national soccer team coach has been linked with a return to elite club action, and reports suggest he could arrive in Madrid with clear expectations about the squad he would inherit. Intriguingly, one of the conditions reportedly involves a teammate of Lionel Messi from the Argentina national soccer team that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, adding a layer of intrigue to the unfolding managerial saga.
While the rumors remain speculative for now, the possibility of Pochettino taking the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu has already begun shaping conversations across European soccer. The Argentine tactician is currently focused on preparing the United States for the 2026 World Cup, yet the allure of managing the most decorated club in Champions League history remains difficult to ignore.
ESPN has recently indicated that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez highly regards Pochettino and has considered him in the past as a potential manager. The managerial speculation stems largely from an inconsistent season at the Bernabeu under Alvaro Arbeloa, who took over following the departure of Xabi Alonso. Although Arbeloa has guided the team through a turbulent campaign, the club’s struggles across multiple competitions have reportedly forced the hierarchy to evaluate long-term alternatives.
Real Madrid’s season has been defined by uneven performances in La Liga, elimination from the Copa del Rey, and a challenging path in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages. Facing the realistic possibility of finishing the season without a major trophy, the club is said to be exploring high-profile managerial candidates for the 2026-27 campaign.
Alvaro Arbeloa, Head Coach of Real Madrid, congratulates Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid for scoring.
Among those mentioned alongside Pochettino are notable figures such as Jurgen Klopp, Massimiliano Allegri, Unai Emery, and former Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane. Yet Pochettino’s name continues to stand out due to his experience managing elite squads and his reputation for building cohesive teams.
What did Pochettino say about Real Madrid rumors?
When confronted about the speculation linking him to Real Madrid, Pochettino offered a philosophical response rather than a direct denial. “Everything in its own time. Football will take you where it wants to take you,” he told El Chiringuito when asked about the potential move.
The Argentine also acknowledged the constant noise that surrounds major managerial positions. “There are many rumors… almost always negative, so as long as they’re pleasant…” he remarked, while emphasizing that he maintains strong relationships across many clubs. Although measured, his response has done little to cool speculation about a possible future in Madrid.
While the rumors about Pochettino’s interest in Real Madrid continue to circulate, reports suggest the Argentine would not accept the job without certain guarantees regarding squad reinforcements. According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, two specific signings are part of his vision.
One of the players Pochettino reportedly wants is Cristian Romero, the Argentina national team defender and 2022 World Cup winner alongside Lionel Messi. The Tottenham centre-back has developed into one of the most aggressive and reliable defenders in European soccer, and Pochettino previously admired his qualities during his time monitoring Premier League talent.
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero.
The second name on the list is Marco Verratti, the experienced Italian midfielder currently playing for Al-Duhail. Pochettino worked closely with Verratti during his spell at Paris Saint-Germain, where the midfielder was a central figure in the team’s possession-based style. Together, these potential signings reflect Pochettino’s desire to reshape Real Madrid with a balance of defensive intensity and midfield control.
Lionel Messi (left) and Mauricio Pochettino (right).
Beyond the rumors linking him to Real Madrid, Jurgen Klopp could return to coaching elsewhere after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Since his departure from Liverpool in the summer of 2024, Jurgen Klopp has been linked with several clubs, including Real Madrid. So far those possibilities have been dismissed by the coach and his entourage, but now a more viable option could emerge after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Serving as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull since January 2025, Klopp has so far avoided a return to management. “A quick return to the sidelines of a top club is out of the question, according to sources close to Klopp,”Bild reported this week.
“However, another scenario is being discussed more and more loudly at RB – and is considered very conceivable: a move to the DFB and the role of national coach in the summer,”the report adds, referring to the possibility of taking charge of Germany after the 2026 World Cup.
According to Bild, executives at the DFB have contacted Klopp several times to offer him the job and, citing the words of Marc Kosicke, Jurgen’s advisor, “He feels more of an obligation, that he couldn’t always say no to the job.”
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Germany have another coach currently in charge
The figure of Jurgen Klopp has long been linked with a potential stint with the Germany national team. This is obviously due to his nationality, along with the high profile he built as a coach, particularly with Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, establishing himself as one of the best in the world and a natural option to lead Die Mannschaft.
However, that position is currently held by Julian Nagelsmann. The former Bayern Munich coach took over in September 2023 and has led the team through the entire cycle up to the World Cup that will be played this summer in North America.
During that span, results have been mixed. Nagelsmann has a 58% win rate with Germany, a respectable figure, and led the national team to qualification for the World Cup by winning Group A of the European qualifiers. However, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals of UEFA Euro 2024 at home against Spain and in the semifinals of the UEFA Nations League 2025 against Portugal.
This scenario could put Nagelsmann’s future in doubt depending on what happens at the World Cup. And that could open the door for Jurgen Klopp. “That this could happen in the summer, despite national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s (38) contract running until 2028, is considered very likely by a growing number of people at Red Bull,” Bild reported.
Two days before Barcelona’s elections, Joan Laporta and Victor Font are showing completely different positions regarding Lionel Messi.
Barcelona’s elections will take place this Sunday. There, Joan Laporta and Victor Font will compete to win the trust of the club’s members and take charge of the club for the next five years. The figure of Lionel Messi has sparked opposing strategies between the two candidates.
Over the past week, Laporta addressed the controversies that emerged about his alleged refusal to move forward with efforts to bring Messi back in 2023 after his departure from Paris Saint-Germain and before his agreement with Inter Miami.
The presidential candidate denied acting with that objective and lamented the missed opportunity. “It was a disappointment because we thought that having Leo for one or two years at Barça could help rebuild the situation, and we were excited about it. We accepted it with good sportsmanship. That’s what happened,” he said, according to ESPN.
However, Laporta later made it clear that Messi cannot be a priority in discussions about Barcelona’s future: “He is part of the past,” the candidate said. “Today Barcelona fans are excited about Lamine (Yamal), Pedri, Cubarsi… Flick on the bench and Deco in the offices.”
Joan Laporta was Barcelona’s president when Messi left the club in 2021.
Regarding plans for the Argentine forward, Laporta acknowledged that his idea is to honor him as a former player of the club. “The issue with Messi is that we want to build him a statue and organize a tribute match when the stadium is finished,” Joan said.
Font considers Messi key to Barcelona’s future
While Joan Laporta considers the Lionel Messi chapter closed regarding Barcelona’s future and limits himself to the idea of a tribute for his history with the club, the other presidential candidate has a completely different vision of what to do with Leo.
During an interview with Sport this week, Victor Font was asked how the wound left by Messi’s departure in 2021 could be healed. “By reconciling with him. By apologizing on behalf of Barcelona fans,” the candidate replied. “It’s extremely important emotionally, but it’s also important economically and could even be important from a sporting perspective.”
Expanding on that idea, Font detailed his plans. “The Messi project we have developed has three pillars. The first is institutional: we would love to propose that he become the club’s honorary president,” Victor began. “The second is economic, where hundreds of millions are at stake if we are able to link the Messi and Barça brands, like Jordan with Nike or Federer with ‘On.’”
Finally, Font spoke about the aspect that may interest soccer fans the most. “The third is sporting: depending on how he sees himself, what the sporting department thinks and what Hansi Flick believes is best for the team, we would decide the most beautiful and exciting way to close this chapter,” the opposition candidate said. “A couple of months ago Flick was asked if he could see himself putting Leo in the team and he replied, ‘Why not.’ Well, ‘why not.’”
After the star forward was absent from Santos’ recent match against Mirassol, speculation quickly spread about whether the Brazilian icon had suffered another injury at a crucial moment in his battle for a 2026 FIFA World Cup spot in Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad.
Neymar‘s physical condition has once again become a major talking point in Brazilian soccer. After the star forward was absent from Santos’ recent match against Mirassol, speculation quickly spread about whether the Brazilian icon had suffered another injury at a crucial moment in his battle for a 2026 FIFA World Cupspot in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad.
The situation drew widespread attention not only because of Neymar’s importance to Santos, but also because Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Brazil, was present at the stadium hoping to evaluate the forward ahead of upcoming international fixtures. As rumors intensified, both the club’s coaching staff and Neymar himself moved quickly to address the growing debate surrounding his fitness and absence.
Concerns about Neymar’s health emerged after Santos drew 2-2 against Mirassol in a league match in which the Brazilian star was notably missing from the squad. Given his recent injury history and a lengthy rehabilitation period over the past two years, many fans and analysts immediately feared the worst.
The timing of the absence added to the intrigue. The Brazilian national team was preparing for a crucial international window, with Ancelotti closely monitoring players who could feature in upcoming friendlies.
Neymar of Santos reacts during the Brasileirao 2025.
What did Neymar say?
As speculation continued to swirl online, the 34-year-old decided to address the rumors directly on social media. His message was both candid and emotional, reflecting the frustration he feels with constant scrutiny about his physical condition. “Since many people are creating theories about what is happening to me: nothing is happening,” Neymar wrote.
The veteran forward explained that no matter what decision he makes regarding his health or playing time, criticism seems inevitable. “If I play injured, as they said last year, I am wrong. If I only think about myself, I am wrong. If I take it easy, I am wrong. If I play with pain or something that could aggravate it, I am wrong.”
⚠️ Agora! Neymar desabafa nas redes sociais:
“Se eu jogo machucado, tô errado. Se penso em mim, tô errado. Se me poupo, tô errado. Se jogo com dor, tô errado. É muito difícil agradar todo mundo. É muito complicado ser eu. Tenho que ter saco para aturar!”
The message highlighted the difficult balance elite athletes face when dealing with injuries while still meeting the expectations of fans and media. “It’s complicated, huh? It’s very difficult to get it right, man. Very difficult, very difficult to please everyone,” he added.
Neymar also criticized those who claim to know his situation without being directly involved. “These people who seem to be by my side every day start making up stories… as if it were the greatest truth in the world,” he wrote. “It’s very complicated to be me, my goodness.”
Careful management after recent surgery
Neymar’s physical condition has been under the microscope for good reason. The 34-year-old only recently returned to action for Santos after undergoing minor surgery on his left knee in December. That procedure was part of a broader effort to help him regain peak fitness following a long period plagued by injuries. Santos has since adopted a careful approach to managing his minutes and training load.
According to club officials, the decision to rest Neymar against Mirassol had already been planned days earlier. The goal was to protect the forward from unnecessary risk while allowing him to continue building physical strength ahead of more demanding matches.
Neymar Jr of Santos smiles prior to a match.
What’s more, the Peixe boss, Juan Pablo Vojvoda, also attempted to calm speculation. “He has no injury or anything,” Vojvoda said when asked about Neymar’s absence. “He feels no pain. It’s true, he’s a player who has been inactive in previous years, so we have to take care of the load.”
According to the coach, the decision to leave Neymar out of the match was purely a precaution designed to manage his workload, especially after a demanding period of physical preparation. “He will arrive well for the game against Corinthians,” the manager added.
Neymar Junior of Santos and Head coach Carlo Ancelotti of Brazil.
Wrexham receive Swansea City in a Matchday 38 showdown of the EFL Championship 2025/26 season. Here’s everything you need to know about this matchup, including the date, venue, kickoff time, and how fans in the USA can watch or live stream the action.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Wrexham vs Swansea City on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Wrexham vs Swansea City
WHAT
EFL Championship
WHEN
4:00pm ET / 1:00pm PT • Friday, March 13, 2026
WHERE
Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network and Amazon Prime Video
With the 2025–26 campaign entering its decisive stretch, Wrexhamremain firmly in the hunt for a playoff berth in the EFL Championship. The Welsh club currently sits sixth with 57 points, holding the final postseason spot but feeling pressure from several challengers close behind in the standings.
That tight margin leaves little room for complacency as they prepare for a matchup with Swansea City, who, based on their points tally, are close to securing a top-six finish, making a victory in this match crucial to keeping their playoff hopes alive until the end.
How to watch the game
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The staging of the Finalissima against Argentina appears increasingly complicated and, in that context, Spain are considering other options.
Over the past few weeks, serious doubts have emerged about the Finalissima taking place due to the need to find a venue to replace Qatar. UEFA and CONMEBOL have not yet reached an agreement and, in that context, Spain are beginning to consider alternatives in case the match against Argentina is canceled.
“With the cancellation getting closer, the Royal Spanish Football Federation is working to ensure De la Fuente has matches in the March window, the last ones before the World Cup roster,”Marca reported. “And that path leads to Serbia, with whom contact has already been made and progress achieved.”
Serbia are one of the strongest European national teams that have definitively missed out on the World Cup. They finished third in Group K of the qualifiers behind England and Albania, which left them without any chance of even competing in the playoffs.
In addition, the suspension of the matches that were scheduled to take place during the March international break in Qatar has also affected them. Serbia were scheduled to face the hosts on March 26 and Saudi Arabia four days later. But the uncertainty surrounding those games has left them available to arrange other commitments on those dates.
Spain coach Luis De La Fuente.
Talks about a potential match between Spain and Serbia have been ongoing for some time, including discussions between the managers of both national teams. “On February 12 in Brussels, during the Nations League draw, Paunovic and De la Fuente spoke about a possible friendly in the future,”Marca revealed.
Spain and Serbia could face each other regardless of what happens with the Finalissima
The cancellation of the matches that were supposed to be played later this month in Qatar has put into question all the fixtures national teams had planned for the March FIFA break. In addition to the match against Argentina, Spain were also scheduled to play a friendly against Egypt, also in Qatar, three days later.
That now seems less likely. “Even if the Finalissima ends up being played in Europe, Spain would face Serbia instead of the friendly against Egypt scheduled for March 30,” the Marca report added. “As for the possible venue, the RFEF is considering taking the match to southern Spain.”
Finalissima at serious risk due to venue disagreements
All these developments are mainly related to the possibility that the Finalissima could be canceled. The inability to stage the match in Qatar would affect commercial commitments that make the game less attractive for the associations involved, particularly Argentina, while disputes over the choice of a new venue have also contributed to rising tensions.
While Spain and UEFA proposed the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid as the ideal venue, Argentina made an unexpected counterproposal by insisting on bringing the match to Buenos Aires, at Monumental Stadium. With this tug-of-war, the chances of reaching an agreement satisfactory to all parties appear increasingly remote.
Lamine Yamal of Spain looks on during the UEFA Nations League 2025.
With the Spanish club entering a crucial phase of the season, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has provided a fresh update on the French star’s condition after he was ruled out of the upcoming La Liga match against Elche.
Kylian Mbappe‘s injury status has become one of the most closely watched stories surrounding Real Madrid in recent weeks. With the Spanish club entering a crucial phase of the season, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has provided a fresh update on the French star’s condition after he was ruled out of the upcoming La Liga match against Elche.
While the forward will miss the domestic clash as he continues to recover from a knee injury, the manager hinted that the club is carefully managing his return for an even bigger fixture: the decisive UEFA Champions League showdown against Manchester City. For now, Real Madrid has chosen caution over urgency, prioritizing Mbappe’s long-term fitness rather than rushing him back into action too soon.
Mbappe out of Elche fixture as recovery continues
Thus, Real Madrid confirmed that Kylian Mbappe will not feature in their upcoming La Liga fixture against Elche as he continues recovering from a knee problem that has troubled him for months. The French forward has been sidelined recently due to a sprain in his left knee, an issue that dates back to December. Although he initially attempted to play through the discomfort, the club eventually decided to give him time away from competitive matches to avoid aggravating the injury.
Despite positive progress in training, the coaching staff believes the match against Elche comes too soon. Protecting their star forward ahead of more decisive fixtures has become the priority. “The situation is not complicated. He’s getting better every day. His recovery is progressing as it should,”Arbeloa explained during a press conference. “We’ve made a plan, and it depends on his progress, but I think he’ll be fine.”
The update offered reassurance to Madrid supporters, many of whom had been concerned about the forward’s long-term availability. With Mbappe having already scored 38 goals in 33 appearances this season, his absence is felt whenever he is unavailable. Still, the club appears determined to avoid unnecessary risks.
When is Mbappe expected to return?
The biggest question surrounding the situation has been when Mbappe will actually return to the pitch. Arbeloa’s comments offered the clearest indication yet. “He won’t be available tomorrow, but I’m confident he’ll travel to Manchester,” the coach said.
This suggests Mbappe is expected to return for Real Madrid’s Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The timing is significant. Los Blancos already hold a 3-0 advantage from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Federico Valverde delivered a sensational hat-trick.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring against Valencia.
Despite that comfortable lead, the club still views the return leg as a crucial test against the reigning English champions. Reports from the French press also suggest that Mbappe has resumed intensive training sessions, raising optimism that he will be fit enough to join the matchday squad at least.
For now, Real Madrid’s strategy is clear: protect their most important attacking weapon today so he can make the biggest possible impact when it matters most.
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe and interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Federico Valverde produced one of the finest performances of the 2025/26 season in Real Madrid’s victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League encounter in the round of 16. The final score was 3-0, but the only name on the scoreboard was that of the Uruguay international. Having already landed a […]
Rumours have appeared recently about Liverpool being willing to sanction the sale of Florian Wirtz to Real Madrid after the Germany international’s first season at Anfield, as he struggles to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League. Outlets in Spain have even gone as far as to suggest that the player himself was pushing […]
Rumours have appeared recently about Liverpool being willing to sanction the sale of Florian Wirtz to Real Madrid after the Germany international’s first season at Anfield, as he struggles to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League. Outlets in Spain have even gone as far as to suggest that the player himself was pushing […]
While Chelsea might have put in a largely valiant performance over in the French capital on Wednesday night, the Blues find their Champions League dreams hanging by a thread. Eventually falling to a rollercoaster 5-2 loss against the reigning European champions PSG, Liam Rosenior’s side now have a major battle on their hands in the […]
The clash between Lionel Messi's Argentina and Lamine Yamal's Spain for the 2026 Finalissima is reportedly at serious risk of being cancelled.
The Finalissima has been mired in uncertainty for weeks, with the original plan to host the game in Qatar thrown into serious doubt by the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Now, just as fans were gearing up for a generational showdown between Lionel Messi‘s Argentina and Lamine Yamal‘s Spain, reports have emerged suggesting the competition itself is at serious risk of being canceled altogether.
With the March international window approaching and the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, the Finalissima had been positioned as the marquee fixture of the month. Scheduled for March 27 in Doha, the deteriorating security situation in Qatar forced the two organizing confederations to search for an alternative venue, but the problems run deeper than simple logistics.
According to El Partidazo de COPE, the Finalissima is at genuine risk of not being played at all. The central conflict is not between UEFA and CONMEBOL as organizations, but between the heads of the Spanish and Argentine football federations, RFEF president Rafael Louzán and AFA president Claudio Tapia.
Among the proposals put forward was the RFEF’s suggestion to move the game to the Santiago Bernabéu. However, the prospect of Lamine Yamal and his teammates effectively playing a home match on what was supposed to be a neutral ground did not sit well with the Argentine delegation, and the idea was met with considerable resistance.
General view inside the Lusail stadium, what would’ve been the Finalissima’s venue.
Argentina reportedly unwilling to play the Finalissima
The road to staging this Finalissima has been riddled with obstacles from the start, from the match being repeatedly pushed back in the calendar due to existing fixture commitments on both sides, to the current venue dispute, with the World Cup deadline on the next international window adding further pressure.
The Spain FA had already reached an agreement with Real Madrid to use the Santiago Bernabéu as the new host venue, citing logistical advantages and security considerations in Madrid, given that the vast majority of players from both squads are based in Europe. Argentina, however, is reportedly unwilling to play at the Bernabéu.
According to the Spanish outlet, the RFEF believes Argentina has little appetite to play the game at all. A key factor is the financial dimension: with the Qatari deal now off the table, a significant source of revenue has evaporated. Reports indicate that Doha itself had initially been a sticking point for the AFA, who were not receiving as much money as anticipated until a revised agreement was reached, and without that commercial framework, the incentive for Argentina to participate has diminished considerably.
On the sporting side, the AFA also has reservations. With the World Cup less than 100 days away, there are concerns within Argentina’s camp about the consequences of facing a formidable opponent like Spain and potentially suffering a morale-damaging defeat in the lead-up to the tournament, particularly without a lucrative financial arrangement making the risk worthwhile.
The Finalissima, still a topic of discussion
With the match scheduled for Friday, March 27 and fewer than four weeks remaining, no official resolution has been announced. The conversation, however, is ongoing, with CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez holding a meeting with AFA president Claudio Tapia in an effort to find a path forward.
Seguimos trabajando en conjunto para avanzar en la organización y el fortalecimiento de la Finalissima. pic.twitter.com/3n61TWa5v8
Despite missing Thursday's training, Lamine Yamal's is reportedly expected to feature in Barcelona's next game against Sevilla.
Lamine Yamal raised alarm bells at FC Barcelona after missing Thursday’s training session as the squad returned to work ahead of their next La Liga fixture. Despite his absence from the training ground, reports indicate that his availability for the game against Sevilla is not under threat.
The 18-year-old winger is coming off a starring role in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against Newcastle United, where he converted a penalty in the 90th-plus-sixth minute to earn Barcelona a last-gasp equalizer. Following the game, head coach Hansi Flick gave the squad Wednesday off before returning to training on Thursday, with Yamal the notable absentee.
According to Diario Sport, Yamal’s absence was due to a general feeling of illness rather than an injury, with the club’s medical staff advising him to rest as a precaution. Despite missing the session, Barcelona are confident he will be back on the training pitch on Friday and fully available for Sunday’s match against Sevilla.
Having Yamal fit and firing will be crucial for Barcelona not only in the immediate term but in the days that follow. The second leg against Newcastle United is set for the Camp Nou on Wednesday, leaving just 72 hours between the two fixtures, a tight turnaround that could lead Flick to manage his key players’ minutes against Sevilla with one eye firmly on the European tie.
Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring against Newcastle United.
Yamal, Barcelona’s most important piece of the season
Barcelona caught the soccer world off guard last season, with Flick building a side that became the most prolific in his tenure, registering 286 goals and conceding 120 across in the 103 games he’s been in charge. But in the 2025-26 season, Lamine Yamal has emerged as the undisputed focal point of everything Barcelona do going forward.
In 37 appearances this season, Yamal is the only Barcelona player to have reached 20 or more goals, while also leading the squad in assists with 15. Remarkably, the player closest to him in the scoring charts is not Robert Lewandowski or Raphinha, both on 14 goals, but Ferran Torres, who has contributed 16 goals across all competitions.
Flick is acutely aware of just how central Yamal is to his team’s ambitions, and the German coach has leaned heavily on the teenager throughout the campaign. Yamal currently ranks second on the squad in total minutes played this season with 3,102 across all competitions, behind only defender Eric García, who leads the way with 3,208.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami are reportedly interested in Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate on the Portugal national team.
For years, Inter Miami have targeted top-level players to strengthen the squad and surround Lionel Messi with the best possible talent. In that search, their next target could be Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate with the Portugal national team.
It appears increasingly likely that Silva will not continue with Manchester City once this season ends, as negotiations over a contract extension that expires on June 30 have not progressed. “The decision to leave Pep Guardiola’s club has already been made, and his powerful agent, Jorge Mendes, has already moved to find him a new home in Europe and Saudi Arabia,” reports La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The midfielder’s expected departure from England has attracted the attention of several major clubs. The report claims Juventus are among them: “There has already been some contact with CEO Damien Comolli and sporting director Marco Ottolini.”
Alongside the Italian giants, at least two other European clubs have reportedly shown interest, as well as the reigning Major League Soccer champions. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there is interest from “Galatasaray (recently capable, thanks to favorable taxation, of attracting champions like Osimhen and Sane), Inter Miami and Benfica, who dream of bringing the prodigal son home after 12 years.”
Bernardo Silva of Mancheater City
Bernardo Silva’s current situation
At 31 years old, Bernardo Silva remains a key player for Manchester City. He has played 39 matches this season—32 as a starter—across the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup, recording two goals and five assists.
In addition to competing for the biggest trophies of the season with Manchester City, Silva has the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a major personal objective. He is a key piece in Roberto Martinez’s squad and faces the major challenge of trying to secure the first World Cup title in Portugal’s history.
Considering Bernardo Silva’s age, the tournament in North America this summer could be his last chance to achieve that goal, as well as for an entire generation that includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Joao Cancelo.
Bernardo Silva would be a major signing for Inter Miami
If the reports are accurate and Inter Miami pursue Bernardo Silva, he would be a major addition to the team. They currently have several top-level players to support Lionel Messi, such as Rodrigo De Paul, Sergio Reguilon, and Luis Suarez, but they still feel the void left by the retirements of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
Silva, with very different characteristics, could become an ideal partner for Messi on the field. Both are left-footed players who often operate closer to the right flank, which could allow them to connect and become the creative engine of the team while supplying chances for their teammates.
The drama surrounding this rivalry has recently extended beyond the pitch. A controversial moment following one of the league’s most heated derbies suddenly placed Toney under scrutiny.
The race for supremacy in the Saudi Pro League has become one of the most compelling storylines of the season, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney emerging as the central figures in a fierce Golden Boot battle. As Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli continue their push for the league title, the two prolific strikers have also been locked in a tight race to finish the campaign as the competition’s top scorer.
Yet the drama surrounding this rivalry has recently extended beyond the pitch. A controversial moment following one of the league’s most heated derbies suddenly placed Toney under scrutiny, raising questions about whether disciplinary action might affect the remainder of the season. With crucial matches approaching, the situation has drawn widespread attention, not least from Ronaldo, whose pursuit of another scoring crown could be directly influenced by the outcome.
The controversy stems from the latest edition of the Jeddah Derby, where Al-Ahli faced Al-Ittihad at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. The match delivered both excitement and tension. Al-Ahli ultimately secured a convincing 3-1 victory, temporarily lifting the club to the top of the league standings and strengthening its title ambitions. Toney played a decisive role in the win. The English striker opened the scoring early in the match, finishing from close range. What’s more, the result not only secured derby bragging rights but also had major implications for the Golden Boot race.
Toney’s opening goal proved particularly significant on an individual level. The strike took his tally to 24 league goals this season, reinforcing his position at the top of the Golden Boot standings. By comparison, Cristiano Ronaldo currently sits on 21 goals, leaving the Portuguese legend two behind his rival with nine matches remaining in the campaign.
Julian Quinones and Ivan Toney are tied at the top of the scorers' charts 👀
With both players leading their teams’ attacking lines, the battle between Ronaldo and Toney has become one of the defining narratives of the Saudi Pro League season. But the celebration that followed Toney’s goal soon overshadowed the performance itself.
The complaint that triggered an investigation
Following the derby, Al-Ittihad lodged an official complaint with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF). The club accused the English striker of performing inappropriate gestures toward Al-Ittihad supporters during his goal celebration and requested disciplinary action from the league’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee.
The complaint reportedly cited Article 1/72 of the competition’s regulations, which addresses misconduct during matches. If the allegations are upheld, Toney could face a suspension of at least six matches, a punishment that would have dramatically altered the title race and the Golden Boot contest.
IT’S OFFICIAL: The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has rejected Al-Ittihad’s complaint against Ivan Toney over his celebration in Jeddah Derby 🏴
For Ronaldo, such a scenario could have opened the door to reclaim the scoring lead during the final weeks of the season. However, the disciplinary process would ultimately produce a different outcome.
The Disciplinary Committee’s final decision
After reviewing the case, the Saudi federation’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee delivered its official ruling. The committee rejected the complaint filed by Al-Ittihad against Ivan Toney. According to the official statement, the complaint was accepted procedurally but dismissed after examining the evidence and reports related to the incident.
“The committee clarified that it has completed the regulatory procedures related to the complaint… On the other hand, the committee decided to reject the complaint on substantive grounds after reviewing the facts and reports related to the incident.” The ruling means that Toney will not face disciplinary punishment for his celebration.
Ivan Toney of Al Ahli celebrates after scoring a goal.
One key factor in the decision appears to have been the referee’s official match report. According to reports from Al-Riyadiyah, the referee’s documentation did not mention any inappropriate behavior by Toney during the match. “Ivan Toney will not be punished by the Disciplinary Committee because the match referee’s report did not include any note about him.”
Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Al-Nassr and Ivan Toney (R) of Al-Ahli.
In a campaign filled with elite attacking talent — including stars like Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland — Courtois has quietly achieved something none of them have managed so far.
Few players command the spotlight on UEFA Champions League nights quite like Thibaut Courtois, but the Real Madrid goalkeeper delivered a moment this season that stunned even seasoned observers of European soccer. In a campaign filled with elite attacking talent — including stars like Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland — Courtois has quietly achieved something none of them have managed so far.
The Belgian goalkeeper has remarkably moved ahead of several of the competition’s most prolific forwards in one key statistical category, creating one of the most unusual storylines of the 2025-26 Champions League season. It is rare enough for a goalkeeper to influence a match beyond shot-stopping, but what Courtois accomplished has placed him firmly in the history books. And the milestone itself is even more extraordinary once the details are revealed.
The historic moment arrived during the Round of 16 first-leg clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City. The Spanish club entered the match determined to seize control of the tie, and the breakthrough came from an unlikely source.
In the 20th minute, the Belgian shot-stopper launched a long, pinpoint pass from his own penalty area toward the right flank. The ball traveled the length of the field before finding Federico Valverde, who controlled it with precision.
Valverde quickly accelerated past the Citizens’ defense, rounded the goalkeeper, and calmly slotted the ball into the net to give Real Madrid a 1-0 lead. The goal would become the first of three first-half strikes for the Spanish giant, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Yet beyond the immediate impact on the match, the assist carried historic significance.
The record-breaking milestone explained
The pass to Valverde marked Courtois’s second assist of the 2025-26 Champions League season, a feat that had never been achieved by a goalkeeper before. With that moment, Courtois became the first goalkeeper in Champions League history to record multiple assists in a single season.
The achievement is extraordinary considering the traditional role of goalkeepers in soccer. Their responsibilities focus almost entirely on defensive duties, meaning opportunities to contribute to attacking statistics such as assists are extremely rare.
Courtois’s earlier assist came in a group-stage match against Kairat Almaty, when a long clearance from his own area reached Kylian Mbappe, who converted the chance during a 5-0 victory for Real Madrid. Together, those two contributions created a unique statistical milestone in the competition.
Thibaut Courtois in Champions League:
📅 2017: 1 Assist against Qarabağ while playing for Chelsea. 📅 2025: 1 Assist against Kairat Almaty while playing for Real Madrid.
Perhaps the most surprising element of Courtois’s milestone is how it compares to some of the Champions League’s most feared attacking players. Despite their reputation as elite goal scorers, several of the tournament’s biggest stars currently trail the Real Madrid goalkeeper in the assist column.
Player
Club
UCL Games Played
Assists
Thibaut Courtois
Real Madrid
10
2
Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid
8
1
Robert Lewandowski
Barcelona
8
1
Erling Haaland
Manchester City
9
0
Harry Kane
Bayern
8
0
Raphinha
Barcelona
6
0
While these players dominate headlines for their goals, Courtois has quietly surpassed them in terms of playmaking contributions this season. The statistic underlines just how unusual his achievement truly is.
Kylian Mbappe (left), Thibaut Courtois (center), and Robert Lewandowski (right)
While matching Zlatan Ibrahimović's mark of 56 MLS appearances, Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has outshined the Swedish icon in goals scored.
Zlatan Ibrahimović stands as one of the biggest names ever to grace Major League Soccer, leaving a lasting legacy in the league before Lionel Messi‘s arrival redefined it entirely. Now that the Inter Miami star has reached the same 56-game milestone as the LA Galaxy icon, the numbers tell a clear story about who has been the more prolific presence in front of goal.
When Ibrahimović departed Manchester United to join LA Galaxy on a free transfer in March 2018, it sent shockwaves through the soccer world. Although he never won a trophy with the Galaxy, the Swedish legend wrote his own chapter in the club’s history, finishing as their fifth all-time leading scorer with 53 goals in 58 games and posting a remarkable ratio of 0.91 goals per game, the best of any player in franchise history.
Yet when stacked against what Messi has produced in the same number of appearances, Ibrahimović falls just short. In 56 MLS games, Messi has scored 53 goals, compared to the 52 Ibrahimović managed for the Galaxy across the same number of matches, meaning the Argentine edges his predecessor by a single goal.
Fittingly, Messi‘s 56th MLS appearance came last weekend against D.C. United, where he scored the second goal in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win in Baltimore, surpassing Ibrahimović’s mark on the very last opportunity available to him at that stage.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates scoring against D.C. United.
The gap is even more pronounced when assists are factored in. Messi has contributed 28 assists for Inter Miami, taking his total goal contributions to 81 in 56 games. Ibrahimović, by comparison, registered 14 assists with the Galaxy, for a combined total of 66 goal contributions across his 56 MLS appearances.
What about trophies and accolades?
Despite Messi joining Inter Miami midway through the 2023 season, the first full MLS campaign for both legends ended with a similar outcome, as neither made the playoffs. In 2018, LA Galaxy finished seventh in the Western Conference with 48 points, while Inter Miami sat 14th in the overall standings in 2023, rock bottom before Messi’s arrival transformed the franchise.
The similarities ended there. In his second season, Messi elevated Inter Miami to the summit of the league, delivering the 2024 Supporters’ Shield before capping it with the MLS Cup triumph in 2025. Ibrahimović’s second and final MLS season in 2019 ended in disappointment, with the Galaxy finishing fifth in the regular season before being eliminated in the playoff quarterfinals by city rivals LAFC.
On the individual front, the gap is equally telling. Messi became the first player in league history to claim the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award in back-to-back seasons, winning it in both 2024 and 2025, and also took home the Golden Boot in his most recent campaign. Ibrahimović, for all his brilliance, never won the MVP, and even his finest statistical season in 2019, when he scored 30 goals in 29 regular-season games, was not enough to claim the Golden Boot, as Carlos Vela’s extraordinary haul of 34 goals eclipsed him.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF and Zlatan Ibrahimovic of LA Galaxy.
Vancouver Whitecaps face Seattle Sounders FC in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup, including the date, venue, kickoff time, and how fans in the United States can watch or live stream the action.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders FC on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders FC
WHAT
CONCACAF Champions Cup
WHEN
10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT • Thursday, March 12, 2026
An early-season Western Conference showdown is on deck in Major League Soccer as the red-hot Vancouver Whitecaps travel to meet the Seattle Sounders. Vancouver arrive with the momentum, opening the campaign with three straight victories while dominating opponents by an impressive 8–1 margin.
Seattle, meanwhile, have also begun the year in solid fashion, picking up six points from their first three league outings as they look to continue climbing the conference table. With both Western Conference contenders showing strong early form and plenty of attacking quality, this rivalry matchup promises an intense battle.
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The Brazilian winger started the play for Valverde’s second goal, dribbling from the left wing toward the center and delivering a pass to his teammate, who then scored with a precise left-footed shot.
With that goal contribution, Vinicius became the player with the most assists for Real Madrid in Champions League history, matching Cristiano Ronaldo. The two stars now share the top spot in the ranking with 31 assists in the European competition while playing for Los Blancos.
The advantage Vinicius holds in this comparison is his efficiency. He has played significantly fewer Champions League matches for Real Madrid than Ronaldo did during his years at the club. The Brazilian player has recorded 31 assists in 79 matches, an average of 0.39 per game, while CR7 needed 101 matches to reach the same total, an average of 0.30.
Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring with teammate Marcelo (R)
Where does Vinicius rank in the all-time Champions League assist table?
Vinicius’ numbers have not only allowed him to match Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid’s historical statistics—and likely surpass him in the near future—but they have also placed him among the elite in the competition’s rankings.
At the moment, Vini sits fifth on the Champions League’s all-time assist list. His 31 assists leave him just behind Neymar, who recorded 33. The top three spots belong to Lionel Messi (40), Angel Di Maria (41),and Cristiano Ronaldo, who leads the ranking with 42 assists.
Other Vinicius numbers in the Champions League
At just 25 years old, Vinicius has already earned a central role in world soccer, and the Champions League is where he seems to produce some of his best performances. In addition to being one of the five players with the most assists in the tournament’s history, he is also climbing other rankings.
The Brazilian winger ranks 30th among the top scorers in Champions League history with 32 goals, tied with David Trezeguet and Arjen Robben. He is also the 14th active player with the most goals in the competition. And despite his young age, he already has two Champions League titles, with strong prospects of adding more in the years ahead of his professional career.
Despite being the least-conceded team across Europe’s top five leagues, AC Milan have decided to reinforce their defense in order to increase rotation. Because of this, Christian Pulisic’s side has reportedly decided to pursue the arrival of a defensive star from the Bundesliga.
Throughout the 2025-26 season, AC Milan have managed to remain one of the best teams in Serie A. Relying on a solid defensive strategy, they have managed to recover from multiple injuries and inconsistencies, becoming the team with the fewest goals conceded in Europe’s top five leagues, as per One Football. However, they are reportedly looking to reinforce Christian Pulisic with a Bundesliga defensive star.
According to Alessandra Gozzini in La Gazzetta dello Sport, AC Milan have decided to expand their list of defensive targets and are now eyeing Kim Min-Jae from Bayern Munich. Although the Korean once excelled in Serie A, he has not met expectations in the Bundesliga. Moreover, he has become a regular substitute, overtaken by Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano, making him available for €30 million.
While Kim may not be at his peak in the Bundesliga, the Rossoneri could make a great decision by pursuing his signing. Not only is he a very physical defender, but he also shined at SSC Napoli, even being considered one of the best in the world. Because of this, the Korean would not have a difficult adaptation to the Serie A, facilitating his arrival. In addition, he would bring extensive experience, becoming a differential player for Massimiliano Allegri.
AC Milan not only keep Kim Min-Jae among their priority options, but they are also monitoring a Serie A star. Mario Gila from SS Lazio remains one of coach Massimiliano Allegri’s priorities due to his youth, potential, and strong current form, as per Alessandra Gozzini in La Gazzetta dello Sport. Nevertheless, the Spaniard has attracted interest from Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, which could complicate his arrival, giving the Korean more momentum.
Kim Min Jae of FC Bayern München and Mario Gila of SS Lazio.
Report: Pulisic’s AC Milan may keep reinforcing the roster
Massimiliano Allegri could face a very challenging 2026–27 season, as Luka Modrić is nearing the end of his contract and some players might be transferred to chase reinforcements. Additionally, the Rossoneri continue to struggle offensively, with Christian Pulisic yet to regain his best form and the strikers failing to make an impact. As a result, they are reportedly looking not only to strengthen the defense but also to bring in more players.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Modric, AC Milan could pursue a world-class reinforcement in midfield, with Bernardo Silva and Leon Goretzka being the favorites according to Italian media. In addition, Santiago Gimenez’s future seems to be in the Premier League. In light of this, Alessandra Gozzini reveals in La Gazzetta dello Sport that Serhou Guirassy and Moise Kean are emerging as the priorities in attack due to their speed and strength.
Alongside this, coach Allegri would look to recover the best version of Pulisic, who has gone without scoring in 2026, halting his upward progression. In addition, Christopher Nkunku could remain in the squad due to his versatility. Because of this, the arrival of Guirassy or Kean would only aim to complement the attack, with the goal of being competitive in the Champions League, as they appear to be securing their spot for the 2026–27 season.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates the victory after during the Serie A match.
Santiago Gimenez is reportedly drawing interest from Premier League clubs with a price tag now emerging, while also having his return from injury with AC Milan just around the corner.
Santiago Gimenez has been a significant absentee for AC Milan for much of the 2025-26 season, a prolonged absence that has cast doubt over his future at the club. With reports now surfacing of Premier League interest and a price tag attached to the Mexican striker, Gimenez is finally approaching a return to action for the Rossoneri.
When Massimiliano Allegri was appointed head coach ahead of the season, it was clear that Gimenez did not fit the profile of striker the Italian typically favors, and he was set to battle for his place alongside Christopher Nkunku. Sidelined since October, Milan moved to address the void by signing Niclas Füllkrug as their first-choice center forward to suit Allegri’s system, leaving Gimenez’s standing at the club in significant doubt after an absence of nearly five months.
Against that uncertain backdrop, journalist Marco Varini has reported that Gimenez has attracted interest from Premier League sides Sunderland AFC and Leeds United. The Black Cats made contact with the Mexican’s camp in recent months but have yet to table a formal offer, with their interest now resurfacing as the summer transfer window draws closer.
Varini also reports that Milan have set a price tag of 30 million euros for any club looking to sign Gimenez in the upcoming window. The Rossoneri paid 30.2 million euros to Feyenoord for the striker in early 2025, and are determined to recoup at least that figure if he departs, with no willingness to accept anything less.
Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan celebrates with teammates Christopher Nkunku and Davide Bartesaghi.
The final call will rest largely with Gimenez himself, who is contracted to AC Milan through June 2029, with any move also dependent on the club’s plans for next season. Sunderland have had a solid Premier League campaign and currently sit 11th with 40 points, while Leeds United find themselves in murkier waters, placed 15th with 31 points and just three clear of the relegation zone. Should Leeds go down, the pursuit for Gimenez would effectively become a one-horse race.
Santiago Gimenez nearing his return to AC Milan
Milan’s attempts to manage Gimenez’s right ankle injury proved complicated, with an initial conservative treatment failing to resolve the issue before the club opted for surgery on December 19. His last appearance came on October 28 in a 1-1 draw against Atalanta, and since then he has been absent for 21 matches across all competitions.
Though still some way from peak form, Gimenez is expected to be available for Milan’s upcoming Serie A fixture against Lazio on Sunday. Whether Allegri includes him in the squad will depend on how the striker responds in training over the coming days.
In what has been a frustrating and disrupted campaign, Gimenez has managed just 11 appearances for Milan, contributing one goal and two assists while spending far more time on the treatment table than on the pitch. With the season entering its final stretch, however, the striker now has ten remaining Serie A games to rediscover his best form and make his case, with the 2026 World Cup looming large on the horizon.
The Portuguese legend, who continues to lead the line for Al-Nassr, now faces mounting pressure in a race that also features prolific strikers Julian Quinones and Ivan Toney.
An unexpected twist has emerged in the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot race, as Cristiano Ronaldo battles a hamstring injury while two rivals surge forward in the scoring charts. The Portuguese legend, who continues to lead the line for Al-Nassr, now faces mounting pressure in a race that also features prolific strikers Julian Quinones and Ivan Toney.
Ronaldo’s injury has temporarily sidelined him at a crucial point in the season, just as the competition for the league’s top scorer award intensifies. While the Portuguese star works on his recovery in Spain, both Quinones and Toney continue to make headlines with their goals, transforming the scoring race into one of the most intriguing battles of the campaign.
For the Portuguese veteran, who has spent the last several years rewriting scoring records, the timing of the setback could not have come at a more delicate moment. The injury occurred on February 28, when Ronaldo suffered a muscle problem in his right thigh during Al-Nassr’s 3-1 victory over Al-Fayha.
Since then, the Portuguese captain has been undergoing rehabilitation in Madrid, working closely with a personal physiotherapist to accelerate his recovery. Although early assessments suggested the injury might be minor, Jorge Jesus, the head coach of Al-Nassr, later revealed that the problem was more serious than initially expected. Speaking about the situation, the Portuguese manager explained that Ronaldo required specialized treatment.
Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Al Nassr.
“After undergoing tests, it became clear that the injury was more serious than anticipated, requiring rest and recovery,” Jesus said. “The injury requires treatment in Madrid with the professional who works with Cristiano. We hope he returns quickly to help the team.” Medical estimates suggest Ronaldo could need between two and four weeks to recover fully, meaning he may miss several matches before returning to action.
Injury complicates Ronaldo’s historic Golden Boot ambition
The injury has significant implications beyond Al-Nassr’s immediate fixtures. Ronaldo had entered the season chasing a historic achievement: becoming the first European player to win the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot in three consecutive seasons.
The Portuguese forward already secured the award in 2024 with 31 goals and again in 2025 with 30 goals, cementing his dominance in the league despite being in the later stages of his career. However, the current campaign has proven far more competitive.
Ivan Toney, who leads the line for Al-Ahli, has emerged as one of Ronaldo’s biggest challengers. Meanwhile, Julian Quinones, representing Al-Qadsiah, has surged into the spotlight with a series of impressive performances. In fact, Quinones has now drawn level with Toney in the Golden Boot standings with 24 goals each, dramatically reshaping the race for the league’s top scorer title. With Ronaldo currently sidelined, the momentum appears to be shifting toward his rivals.
Julian Quinones and Ivan Toney are tied at the top of the scorers' charts 👀
Ronaldo has already scored 21 league goals this season, keeping him firmly among the league’s most dangerous attackers. However, his absence during key fixtures, including Al-Nassr’s Matchday 26 clash against Al-Khaleej, has opened the door for competitors to close the gap.
If Quinones and Toney continue their strong scoring form, the race could become even tighter before Ronaldo returns. Despite the setback, optimism remains that Ronaldo will be back on the pitch soon. According to Saudi outlet Asharq Al-Awsat, if his recovery stays on schedule, he could make his comeback in the league fixture against Al-Najma on April 3.
Cristiano Ronaldo (left), Julian Quinones (center) and Ivan Toney (right)
Just weeks before the expected clash between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, the Finalissima has undergone several changes following the conflict in the Middle East. Faced with the proposal of a new venue, the competition could reportedly be suspended.
After several months of trying to reach an agreement, UEFA and CONMEBOL had chosen Lusail Stadium in Qatar as the official venue for the Finalissima on March 27. However, the conflict in the Middle East has altered the situation, as neither Argentina nor Spain wants the match to be played there due to security concerns. While a new venue seemed like a possible solution, Lionel Messi vs. Lamine Yamal clash could reportedly be suspended for a compelling reason.
According to Marcos Duran in RNE Deportes, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and CONMEBOL are quite upset with UEFA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for leaking that only their approval was still pending to play at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Because of this, the Finalissima could end up being suspended, as tensions between the parties continue to rise.
Far from being an isolated issue, the Finalissima has been consistently surrounded by significant concerns regarding the venue. Moreover, Argentina and Spain have expressed their dissatisfaction with the clash, as its proximity to the 2026 World Cup could potentially jeopardize players’ health. For that reason, the clash between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi could be at risk, as the event is widely viewed as more of a marketing tournament than a competitive one.
Despite this risk of suspension, UEFA and CONMEBOL maintain serious alternatives for a more neutral venue, seeking to ensure the safety of both national teams. Both the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, and the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy emerge as candidates amid the tension, as they would not favor Argentina or Spain. In addition, Qatar continues pushing to keep the venue, creating further uncertainty.
The Finalissima will be one of Argentina’s last games before the 2026 World Cup.
AFA’s Claudio Tapia publicly proposes a new venue for Finalissima
Just weeks before the scheduled date for the Finalissima, several uncertainties remain, including the situation in the Middle East and the event’s venue. While the RFEF and UEFA want the anticipated clash to be played in Europe, AFA’s president Claudio Tapia is pushing back, making a new public proposal for the event and further widening the differences as time runs out.
The professional paths of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus could remain closely connected in the coming years, both at club level and potentially on the international stage.
The professional paths of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus could remain closely connected in the coming years, both at club level and potentially on the international stage. The veteran striker continues to lead the line for Al-Nassr, while the experienced Portuguese manager is currently guiding the same club from the sidelines. Yet beyond their present collaboration in the Saudi Pro League, speculation is growing about how their futures may intersect once the 2026 World Cup concludes.
Reports from the Middle East and Portugal suggest that a major strategic decision, both for Al-Nassr and potentially the Portuguese national team, could revolve around Ronaldo’s next career steps. The situation involves several key figures in European soccer management and could even trigger a high-profile contest between some of Portugal’s most accomplished coaches.
While Jesus remains under contract with Al-Nassr until June 2026, reports suggest the veteran coach has already mapped out his long-term ambitions. According to a recent ESPN Brasil report, his primary goal after the 2026 World Cup is to take charge of Portugal.
The national team is currently managed by Roberto Martinez, whose tenure is expected to run through the upcoming World Cup. After that tournament, the Portuguese Football Federation(FPF) is widely expected to reassess the coaching position. After decades of coaching at club level in multiple countries, managing the national team would offer the Portuguese tactician a new challenge and the chance to guide the nation’s best players in international competition.
Jorge Jesus team Manager of Al-Nassr FC and Al-Nassr FC Players celebrate the win against Al Ittihad with the fans.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence on the situation
While Jesus has ambitions beyond Al-Nassr, the club’s immediate future is closely linked to Ronaldo’s own plans. According toArriyadiyah, the Riyadh side’s strategy for the upcoming season revolves heavily around the Portuguese superstar.
“Al-Nassr’s summer plans hinge entirely on Cristiano Ronaldo,” the report states. If Cristiano Ronaldo remains at Al-Nassr next season, Jorge Jesus is expected to stay on as the club’s manager. The same report indicates that club executives Jose Semedo and Simao Coutinho would also gain greater authority within the organization if Ronaldo continues with the team.
This scenario would keep the current structure intact while allowing the club to pursue new trophies and long-term ambitions. However, if Ronaldo were to depart, the situation could change dramatically, potentially influencing Jesus’s own career trajectory.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr (L) and team head coach Jorge Jesus of Al-Nassr (R)
Ronaldo’s influence extends beyond the pitch
The connection between Ronaldo and Al-Nassr’s leadership has been evident in several recent developments at the club. Earlier in 2026, tensions emerged between Ronaldo and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), which holds significant influence over multiple Saudi clubs.
The Portuguese superstar briefly refused to participate in matches amid concerns about investment decisions and club management. According to reports, Ronaldo believed Al-Nassr had been placed at a competitive disadvantage during the transfer window compared to rivals such as Al-Hilal. The situation eventually eased after discussions between the player, club officials, and the league.
Cincinnati will face Tigres UANL in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup, including the date, venue, kickoff time, and how fans in the United States can watch or live stream the action.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Cincinnati vs Tigres UANL on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Cincinnati vs Tigres UANL
WHAT
CONCACAF Champions Cup
WHEN
8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT • Thursday, March 12, 2026
A high-stakes showdown arrives in the Round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup as FC Cincinnati welcome Tigres UANL in a matchup that pits two clubs eager to change their recent momentum. Cincinnatihave stumbled early in the Major League Soccer season with two defeats in their first three matches
Meanwhile, Tigrescome from an inconsistent run in Liga MX but carry valuable international experience into the series, making this clash a crucial opportunity for both teams to send a message on the continental stage—don’t miss what promises to be an intense battle.
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Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font spoke about the chances of signing Erling Haaland, in contrast with Real Madrid.
Barcelona will hold presidential elections this Sunday, with Victor Font competing against Joan Laporta for control of the club. In the days leading up to the vote, the potential battle with Real Madrid to sign Erling Haaland in the future has become a major talking point.
“Erling loves Spain. I know Real Madrid want him too. We are working so that he ends up with us and we are looking for a preferential option for the future. I am convinced we will achieve it,” Font said during an interview with SER Catalunya.
“Real Madrid won’t be able to sign Haaland, we will,” the Barcelona presidential candidate later added. To justify his claim, he pointed to the close relationship between the Norwegian striker and Carles Planchart, one of the members of Font’s technical team who would be responsible for decisions related to soccer.
“Haaland considers Planchart his second father. They saw each other before the match,” Font revealed, referring to the hours before Wednesday’s clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid in Spain, which ended in a 3–0 victory for Los Blancos in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
Barcelona will eventually need to replace Robert Lewandowski.
Font acknowledges it will not be easy to take Haaland from Manchester City
Despite the optimism he showed regarding the potential signing of Erling Haaland if he is elected Barcelona president, Victor Font admitted negotiations with Manchester City would not be simple. “They do not want to sell Haaland, but they recognize it will be difficult to keep him in the medium or long term,” the candidate began.
“We look beyond Barça in the short term. We are talking about one of the best strikers in the world. In the short term he cannot be signed, but these ten-year contracts are difficult to fulfill,” Font added.
Indeed, Erling Haaland signed an unusually long contract extension with Manchester City in January 2025, extending his relationship with the English side until June 30, 2034. By then, the striker will be nearly 34 years old, so it is reasonable to think that a move to another top club would likely occur before that date.
Barcelona need a center forward
That Erling Haaland has become a topic of discussion in the days leading up to Barcelona’s elections is no coincidence. For months, signing a new center forward has been a key issue for the Catalan side, considering that Robert Lewandowski’s contract expires this summer and that, even if he renews, his advanced age forces the club to begin thinking about a replacement.
“Maybe yes, maybe no, you never know,” Alvarez said this week when asked about his future with Atletico Madrid. “I’m very happy here. It’s a question that keeps coming up, but I’m happy… I never said anything bad about the club. I’m very grateful. The people showed me their affection, and I’m very happy.”
Erling Haaland is under contract with Manchester City until 2034.
After Madrid was proposed as a possible venue for the Finalissima, the president of the Argentine Football Association spoke about another option for the clash against Spain.
The Finalissima has been at the center of the global soccer stage for days, ever since the conflicts in the Middle East seriously called into question the viability of hosting the match in Qatar, as was originally planned. In this context, Spain and Argentina have different ideas regarding the new venue to be selected.
Details have recently emerged about the idea that UEFA and Spain proposed during meetings aimed at reaching a solution. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, is the venue preferred by the Europeans, but Argentina and CONMEBOL reportedly rejected that option because it would not be a neutral venue.
In this scenario, the president of the Argentine Football Association spoke about the issue during an interview with the media on Thursday in Buenos Aires. “We’re going to get to work because Spain want the Finalissima to be played in Spain, and I want it to be played at the Monumental,” said Claudio Tapia.
The Monumental is the stadium of River Plate, one of Argentina’s most important clubs. Located in Buenos Aires, it is usually the home of the national team—most of their World Cup qualifier matches were played there—and it has a capacity of 85,000 spectators.
Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association, and Lionel Messi.
Is Buenos Aires a possible venue for the Finalissima?
Since the chance of playing in Qatar began to be questioned, there has been much speculation about potential alternatives to host the Finalissima. Aside from Miami, most rumors pointed to European cities. Madrid progressed the most in those negotiations, but other cities such as Paris, Rome, and London were also mentioned.
Until Thursday, when Claudio Tapia brought it up, Buenos Aires had not been considered among the options. This would involve a complete logistical change for the match, considering that almost all players from Spain and Argentina play in Europe and would need to organize a long trip to South America for the game.
At the same time, this would require finding alternatives for the second friendly that both national teams will play during the March international break. These logistical challenges suggest that Tapia’s comments may not express a genuine desire but rather serve as a method to apply pressure in negotiations and definitively rule out the idea of playing the Finalissima in Madrid.
“We still don’t know,” Aimar admitted regarding the location of the Finalissima, during a recent interview with Cadena 3. However, the former Valencia midfielder made clear Argentina’s main concern at the moment: “Wherever it is safe. We want to play it, as long as it can happen.”
Argentina's Lionel Messi and Spain's Lamine Yamal.
After the incident with the ball-boy in the Champions League game against PSG, UEFA has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against Chelsea star Pedro Neto, putting his presence in the second leg in great danger.
Pedro Neto found himself at the center of controversy during Chelsea‘s UEFA Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, after the forward pushed a ball-boy while attempting to retrieve the ball and restart play, sparking a brief altercation between the two sides. In the aftermath, UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Chelsea star, putting his availability for the second leg in serious jeopardy.
PSG hosted Chelsea at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday in the first leg of the Round of 16, with the home side running out comfortable 5-2 winners. The flashpoint came in the 90th-plus-first minute, with the score still 4-2, when a ball rolled to the sideline for a Chelsea throw-in. With a ball-boy holding a spare ball and showing no willingness to hand it to the away side, Neto stepped in and pushed the youngster, sending him to the ground.
The incident sparked a brief confrontation, with PSG players immediately surrounding Neto over his actions, while referee Alejandro Hernández opted not to book the Portuguese forward. After the final whistle, Neto addressed the incident in an interview with TNT Sports:
“I want to come out and say the situation that happened on the pitch, I want to apologise to the ball boy. I already spoke with him, the emotions of the game with us losing, I want to pick up the ball, and I gave him a little push. I saw that I hurt him and straight away I apologised, I am not like this. I gave him my shirt as well. He was happy that I gave him the shirt and said sorry like, 35 times.“
Pedro Neto of Chelsea embraces a ball kid following the altercation.
Despite the apology, and despite neither the referee nor VAR intervening to issue a sanction on the night, UEFA has decided to step in and open disciplinary proceedings against the Chelsea forward. No decision has been reached yet, with a ruling expected in the coming days.
Could Neto miss the second leg against PSG?
With 42 appearances, 10 goals and six assists to his name this season, Pedro Neto is one of Chelsea’s most important players, and with the Blues needing to overturn a three-goal deficit at Stamford Bridge, losing him for the Champions League game would be a significant blow. That said, at first glance, the likely severity of any UEFA sanction may not be as harsh as it could have been.
In their statement, UEFA confirmed that proceedings have been opened for “unsporting behaviour,” a classification that already limits the potential punishment. Had the incident been framed as “assaulting another player or another person present at the match,” Neto could have faced a three-match ban.
Under Article 15 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, which covers misconduct of players and officials, the standard sanction for unsporting conduct is a suspension of one competition match or a specified period. While UEFA noted that its disciplinary bodies “will take a decision on this case in due course,” the prospect of Neto being ruled out of the second leg at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, March 17, is looking increasingly likely.
After the problems in attack, FC Barcelona are preparing to make an important signing, seeking to recover their scoring power. Nevertheless, the Blaugranas seem to be complicating their own path, as they reportedly set a limit price tag that creates an uncertain path.
Along the 2025-26 season, Barcelona have had several problems in the scoring side, leaving Robert Lewandowski’s future in doubt. While Ferran Torres seemed to impress, he has decreased his impact. In light of this, they have supposedly decided to chase a world-class striker to reinforce Lamine Yamal. Nonetheless, the Blaugranas have reportedly settled a limit price tag, creating a difficult path ahead the next season.
According to Fernando Polo in Mundo Deportivo, the Blaugranas have decided to set a €100 million limit to pursue a world-class striker. While they are satisfied with Julian Álvarez’s statements, they will not exceed their limit to chase him. Nonetheless, Barcelona are still interested in his signing, but the Argentine will need to pressure Atlético Madridto allow his departure towards Hansi Flick’s side.
While Julián Álvarez opened the door to a summer exit, Atlético Madrid are not open to letting him join FC Barcelona under any circumstances, reports Luis Miguel Sanz in Diario Sport. Nevertheless, they would be open to letting him move to the Premier League, where Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC are pursuing his signing. Because of this, the Blaugranas could depend only on pressure from Julián, complicating his arrival.
Barcelona miss out on possible signing of Haaland and Kane
Faced with the difficulty of securing the arrival of Julián Álvarez, Barcelona have decided to keep several alternatives open. Due to his contractual situation, they have reportedly shown interest in Dusan Vlahovic. However, the Serbian’s arrival is not a priority, bringing him closer to a possible renewal with Juventus. In addition to this, they are losing out on the possible arrival of Erling Haaland or Harry Kane, their main targets.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick speaking to Lamine Yamal.
According to Max Eberl, sporting director of Bayern Munich, via The Independent, Harry Kane is close to renewing his contract until 2028 or 2029, ruling out his arrival to the Blaugranas. Because of this, Erling Haaland emerged as the ideal name for coach Hansi Flick, with rumors of a negotiation for a preferential purchase reaching presidential candidate Victor Font. Nevertheless, the Norwegian’s agent has ruled out this possibility.
“I have said many times that we have a lot of respect and admiration for FC Barcelona, but there has been no contact, neither with Erling Haaland nor with the board of FC Barcelona, regarding possible signings… In addition, since the player renewed his contract a few months ago, he is very happy at Manchester City… we really have nothing to discuss about a transfer,” revealed Rafaela Pimienta, via El Chiringuito TV.
Barcelona’s Hansi Flick faces uncertainty in the striker spot
While Ferran Torres seemed to emerge as the ideal solution for FC Barcelona, the Spaniard has once again been inconsistent, leading the front office to reconsider their options. While Julián Álvarez appears to be the only ideal option, the tough negotiations with Atlético Madrid could complicate his arrival. In addition, the Blaugranas do not seem to have found another target, as Omar Marmoush and Dušan Vlahović do not fully convince.
Amid this uncertainty, Robert Lewandowski’s renewal emerges as a strong possibility, as he is open to taking on a secondary role and reduce his salary income, reports Diario Sport. Although he is no longer in his prime, the Pole continues to guarantee goals season after season. Nevertheless, coach Hansi Flick is reportedly seeking a young, world-class striker, creating uncertainty ahead of next season.
The tournament, set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, could face an unprecedented situation in modern soccer if Iran ultimately decides not to participate.
With less than three months remaining before the start of the 2026 World Cup, uncertainty has emerged around the participation of Iran. The tournament, set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, could face an unprecedented situation in modern soccer if Iran ultimately decides not to participate.
The debate intensified after remarks from Iran’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, who questioned the feasibility of sending the national team to compete amid escalating geopolitical tensions. His comments have triggered discussions inside the world soccer governing body, FIFA, about what could happen next.
For now, the situation remains unresolved. However, the possibility that the Iranian national team might withdraw from the 2026 World Cup raises several questions: How would FIFA react, and what consequences might the federation face?
The potential withdrawal stems from escalating tensions between Iran and the United States following recent military developments in the region. The political situation dramatically changed after the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader during a series of attacks in late February.
Saman Ghoddos of Iran.
According to the Iranian sports minister, the current environment makes it impossible for the national team to participate in the tournament. These remarks came only hours after Gianni Infantino said that the U.S. president, Donald Trump, had assured him that the Iranian team would be welcomed to compete in the tournament.
What FIFA regulations say about a withdrawal
If Iran officially withdraws, FIFA’s tournament regulations provide the governing body with broad authority to respond. Under Article 6 of the 2026 World Cup regulations, FIFA has the power to determine how to proceed if a participating federation withdraws. “If a participating federation withdraws or is excluded from the FIFA 26 World Cup, FIFA will decide at its sole discretion in this regard and will take whatever actions it deems necessary,” the regulation states.
Mehdi Taremi of Iran.
The rules also clarify that the governing body may choose to replace the withdrawing team with another national association, although it is not strictly required to do so. Former FIFA regulatory director James Kitching explained that the governing body has wide flexibility in this scenario. “There’s no modern precedent for this and, according to FIFA’s own tournament regulations, they have full discretion to do whatever they want in the case of a team withdrawing,” Kitching told Reuters.
Possible penalties if Iran withdraws
Although the introduction of a withdrawal scenario might seem primarily sporting, the financial and regulatory consequences could also be significant. According to the World Cup regulations, a federation that withdraws from the tournament may face multiple sanctions:
A financial fine of roughly 250,000 Swiss francs($319,000)
The obligation to repay preparation funds and participation grants already received from FIFA, totaling about $12 million
Possible disciplinary measures, including exclusion from future competitions
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks about the 2026 World Cup with U.S. President Donald Trump
In addition, the governing body could impose further sanctions depending on the circumstances of the withdrawal. However, some experts believe FIFA might show flexibility given the extraordinary geopolitical situation. As Kitching suggested, sanctions might not necessarily be applied if the withdrawal is clearly linked to the ongoing conflict.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh of Iran celebrates during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers
Uncertainty briefly surrounded Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese superstar suffered a muscle injury at the end of February, but a new update has provided hope ahead of important international friendlies.
Uncertainty briefly surrounded Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese superstar suffered a muscle injury at the end of February, but a new update has provided hope ahead of important international friendlies. With Portugal preparing for key matches as part of its build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the fitness of the captain has become a major talking point, particularly with a high-profile meeting looming against Christian Pulisic and the United States men’s national soccer team.
Ronaldo’s injury came during his campaign with Al‑Nassr, where he remains the central figure in the club’s push for the Saudi Pro League title. The 41-year-old forward immediately began treatment and rehabilitation in Spain, prompting concern about whether he would be able to return in time for Portugal’s upcoming fixtures.
The injury occurred on February 28 during Al-Nassr’s match against Al‑Fayha, when Ronaldo suffered a muscle problem in his right thigh. Following the incident, the superstar traveled to Madrid to continue his recovery with a personal physiotherapist. Images published by the Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola showed Ronaldo using a specialized recovery device designed to accelerate muscle healing.
The device — a Cryo Sport boot produced by the recovery technology brand AVACR7, which Ronaldo invested in back in 2022 — covers the entire leg and combines cryotherapy with compression therapy.
Despite early hopes that the injury was minor, Jorge Jesus, the head coach of Al-Nassr, confirmed that the problem turned out to be more significant than initially expected. Speaking about the situation, the Portuguese manager explained why Ronaldo had traveled to Spain for treatment. “Cristiano’s injury is more serious than we first thought,”Jesus said. “The injury requires treatment in Madrid with the professional who works with Cristiano. We hope he returns quickly to help the team.”
Saudi medical specialists noted on X (formerly Twitter) that muscle injuries of this type can vary significantly in recovery time. A mild strain may require one to three weeks, while a more serious tear can sideline a player for four to eight weeks. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano suggested that Ronaldo could miss up to four weeks, which raised concerns about his availability for Portugal’s international schedule.
Portugal recieves positive update
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline, Ronaldo is reportedly determined to return in time to represent Portugal during the upcoming international break. According to A Bola’s report,his objective is to join the Portugal national team’s training camp at the end of March, a development that would allow him to participate in the preparation for Portugal’s upcoming friendlies.
Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
This update is considered an encouraging sign for the Selecao’s coaching staff, who are closely monitoring the captain’s condition as they prepare for matches that form part of the team’s long-term preparation for the 2026 World Cup. If Ronaldo successfully rejoins the squad, it would significantly boost Roberto Martinez’s attacking options and also set up a potential clash with the United States and their star winger Christian Pulisic.
Portugal is scheduled to face Mexicoand the United States during the March international window. The latter match carries particular intrigue, as it would pit Ronaldo against Pulisic, the captain of the American side and one of the most recognizable players in the country’s soccer history.
Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Christian Pulisic (right)
Although Ousmane Dembélé managed to impress with his strong performances, he does not appear close to reaching an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain over a contract renewal. As a result, the 28-year-old star is reportedly chasing a move to the Premier League.
After leading a historic campaign with Paris Saint-Germain, Ousmane Dembélé established himself as the brilliant winner of the Ballon d’Or in 2025, surpassing Lamine Yamal. While this seemed to secure his professional future, the Frenchman does not appear to have his contract renewal well on track, with reported salary differences. Because of this, the 28-year-old star is reportedly looking toward the Premier League.
According to Diario Sport, Moussa Sissoko, agent of Ousmane Dembélé, recently had a meeting with Hugo Viana, the sporting director of Manchester City. With these approaches, the future of the Frenchman appears to be away from Paris Saint‑Germain despite being the reigning winner of the Ballon d’Or in 2025. Nevertheless, this meeting remained only as initial contact, and there is still a long way to go before defining his future.
While Dembélé opens the door to a possible departure, Manchester City may not have an easy path to secure his arrival. With a contract running until 2028, Paris Saint-Germain could demand a high fee for his transfer, as he remains a regular for coach Luis Enrique. The Frenchman has even managed to reverse his slow start, leading the team as its top scorer, ahead of Gonçalo Ramos, Bradley Barcola, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Not only would the Citizens have to pay a high transfer fee to Paris Saint-Germain, but they might also need to offer Ousmane Dembélé a huge salary. With this, he would approach the salary received by Erling Haaland, something that could destabilize the club’s wage structure. In addition, the Frenchman could clash with Antoine Semenyo, who holds a similar profile, potentially complicating his adaptation.
Throughout the 2025–26 season, Paris Saint-Germain have decided to keep the contract renewal of Ousmane Dembélé as an absolute priority. Despite this, both parties reportedly maintain differences regarding salary demands. While the Frenchman is already exploring options in the Premier League, the Parisians remain positive about reaching an agreement, open to a salary boost.
According to Foot Mercato, Paris Saint-Germain are open to offering a salary increase to Ousmane, giving him a contract worth €30 million per season. Nevertheless, he is seeking a salary around €60 million per season. While the French side is not willing to reach that figure, they are open to increasing the offer through variables and bonuses, leaving part of that income tied to the player’s performance.
Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain FC during the UEFA Champions League.
Amid an unstable start to the season, Inter Miami CF might receive an offensive boost from Lionel Messi. In statements to Bolavip, coach Javier Mascherano provided a positive update on Luis Suárez's fitness following his absence in previous matches.
At the start of the 2026 season for Inter Miami, they have been filled with challenges, struggling to find their best version. Despite the new signings, the absence of Luis Suárez continues to be noticeable in the attack, leaving the Herons without their scoring power. Nevertheless, Lionel Messi could soon receive the Uruguayan back, as coach Javier Mascherano gave to Bolavip key details about his physical condition for the upcoming matches.
Following the latest tie vs. Nashville SC. press conference, Inter Miami head coach revealed key details about Luis Suarez’s status to Bolavip: “Yes, he’s fine. He’s training normally, and yes, he’s available to play. Today, due to various circumstances, we felt he shouldn’t go in… But it’s not like he has any discomfort or anything like that. He’s already 100% recovered, and will surely get minutes in the upcoming games,”Mascherano said.
With the imminent return of Luis Suárez, Inter Miami CF recover a key scoring piece, as he is coming off a season with 17 goals and 17 assists. Nevertheless, he suffered a foot injury that complicated his participation, weakening Lionel Messi‘s offense at the start of the season. Although they paid €12.6 million for Germán Berterame, he has not managed to establish himself as a scoring leader, making the return of the Uruguayan is highly anticipated.
Playing only eight minutes in the loss against Los Angeles FC, Luis Suárez may have to gradually regain his physical rhythm in competition, so he might not start. Despite this, the Uruguayan could revive the offense of Inter Miami CF, which is coming off a rather unconvincing draw but could change ahead of the match against Charlotte FC, where they are seeking a victory that brings them closer to the top of the MLS Eastern Conference.
Luis Suárez #9 of Inter Miami CF.
Luis Suárez could hold a different role within Inter Miami
After shining in the historic season of Inter Miami CF, Luis Suárez renewed his contract until December 2026, which is expected to be his final season as a professional. Despite this, coach Javier Mascherano has decided to keep him as a key piece of the roster, though he could have a very different role, aiming to prioritize his physical condition and extend his best version on the field.
Unlike previous seasons, the Herons have strongly backed Germán Berterame, seeking for him to lead the attack in the coming years while occupying a Designated Player (DP) slot. With this, Suárez could play an important role in the Mexican striker’s adaptation to the roster, while also being key in the rotation. In addition, the Uruguayan’s versatility could even allow him to play alongside him in the attack, giving rest to Lionel Messi.
What’s next for Inter Miami?
Inter Miami face a demanding competitive schedule. Seeking to move closer to the top of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference, they will visit Charlotte FC on March 14th. Afterwards, they will play the second leg of the Round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, facing Nashville SC on March 18th. Because of this, the return of the duo Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi could be key.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates with Luis Suárez #9.
Pablo Aimar, an icon of the Argentina national team and assistant to coach Lionel Scaloni, spoke about the venue for the Finalissima against Spain.
Days are passing and the calendar is beginning to create pressure regarding the selection of the venue for the Finalissima between Spain and Argentina. In that context, Pablo Aimar, Lionel Scaloni’s assistant, shared details about the main concern the staff have regarding the staging of the match.
The Finalissima was originally scheduled to be played on Friday, March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar. However, the political conflicts in the Middle East in recent weeks have cast doubt on the viability of organizing a sporting event of that magnitude there right now.
Amid speculation about a possible change of venue, Aimar gave an interview to Cadena 3 during an Argentine Football Association event and was asked about where the clash with Spain will be played.
“We still don’t know,” admitted the former midfielder and current Scaloni assistant. Regarding Argentina’s preference among the potential venues, Aimar delivered a clear message: “Wherever it is safe. We want to play it, as long as it can happen.”
The Finalissima will be one of Argentina’s last games before the 2026 World Cup.
Those comments reveal Argentina’s main concern at the moment: the safety of both national teams, as well as the fans who attend the match, is above any other consideration, even sporting ones, that might be made right now.
Argentina reportedly rejected a possible venue
Beyond Pablo Aimar’s comments, negotiations between Argentina and Spain, which obviously also involve CONMEBOL and UEFA, have been complicated so far. With Qatar now almost ruled out for the reasons mentioned earlier, Europe appears to be the main alternative.
In particular, the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is the proposed option with the best chance of hosting the match. However, reports indicate that Argentina have rejected the possibility of playing Spain at Real Madrid’s stadium. The reason seems clear: it would not be a neutral venue, so they prefer other options outside Spain.
Aimar says it’s not time to think about the World Cup yet
During the same interview with Cadena 3, Pablo Aimar was asked whether Argentina already have their minds set on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins in three months in North America and will see them face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in the group stage.
“There’s still time for that,” Aimar admitted. “There are matches, leagues and things happening minute by minute in soccer. So nobody is thinking about anything else. Things keep happening and, when the World Cup comes around, it will come.”
Argentina icon Pablo Aimar and head coach Lionel Scaloni.
After recent events, the Finalissima could change venues, ruling out Qatar for security reasons. In light of this, an iconic venue has emerged as an alternative to host the clash between Argentina and Lamine Yamal's Spain, but Lionel Messi's team has reportedly made a decision.
With just a few months to go until the 2026 World Cup, the Finalissimastands out as the most anticipated event, as it is not only a clash between Argentina and Spain, but also a Lamine Yamal vs. Lionel Messiencounter. Prioritizing a neutral venue, Lusail Stadium emerged as the ideal location. However, the unstable situation in the Middle East has changed things, supposedly making an iconic stadium the new favorite host, but it reportedly faces a backlash.
According to José Félix Díaz in Diario AS, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium emerges as the favorite venue to host the Finalissima between Spain and Argentina. While UEFA considers it the best alternative, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and CONMEBOL have not yet confirmed whether they will accept this option. In addition, Juan Felipe Sanz reported on El Chiringuito de Jugones that, if the conditions are accepted, the match would take place on March 27.
In case this venue is confirmed, the iconic clash between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi would occur in a stadium familiar to both, boosting the event’s visibility. This would not be the first time both teams played in Spain, as they faced each other in March 2018 at Metropolitano Stadium, now known as Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Nonetheless, Argentina may not be entirely inclined to accept the proposed venue.
As reported by Gaston Edul, the AFA has decided to reject Santiago Bernabéu Stadium as the venue for the Finalissima and will soon communicate this decision to UEFA. The original idea was for the match to be played on neutral territory, which would not be the case if it took place at Real Madrid’s stadium, putting Lionel Messi’s team in a potentially hostile scenario. With this in mind, UEFA and CONMEBOL may soon consider other alternatives.
A general view of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.
Finalissima’s Argentina vs. Spain clash reportedly hold other venues
While the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium stands as one of the most innovative and historically rich venues globally, its lack of neutrality could pose complications. For that reason, Lionel Messi’s Argentina may force to chase other alternatives. As a result, UEFA and CONMEBOL are reportedly exploring additional venues for the Finalissima, with Europe emerging as the favored location.
According to RNE Deportes, Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, and Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, have emerged as other alternatives. These venues offer a neutral setting for Spain and Argentina while still being modern and capacious. Even though Wembley Stadium in London was also in consideration, the upcoming Uruguay vs. England match on March 27, ruling it outfrom the list of potential candidates.
While new venues are being debated for the Finalissima between Argentina and, Qatar are reportedly pushing to keep the Lusail Stadium as the venue, as they have paid a large sum and signed a contract, according to Aritz Gabilondo via Cadena SER. In addition, they aim to resume their domestic league soon and reopen the airspace, seeking to ensure there are no excuses. Because of this, just a few weeks before the match, the venue is still not clear.
Lionel Messi of Argentina and Lamine Yamal of Spain.
Having gone down to Robert Andrich’s opener, Arsenal avoided defeat in their first-leg clash with Bayer in Leverkusen through a late penalty. Referee Halil Meler from Turkey deemed this contact between substitutes Malik Tillman and Noni Madueke worthy of a spot-kick in the final minutes of the game, and it was converted for Arsenal by […]
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice and assisted another late on as Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-2 win over Chelsea left them in control of their Champions League last-16 tie. Liam Rosenior’s side will have to overturn a three-goal deficit in Tuesday’s return meeting at Stamford Bridge, after substitute Kvaratskhelia stole the show off the bench at Parc des […]
The Champions League round-of‑16 first legs played on March 10 and 11 offered the kind of drama only Europe’s premier competition can deliver. Some matches reaffirmed the quality of traditional giants, others exposed fragile foundations, and a few left us wondering how certain teams will recover in time for next week’s decisive second legs. Newcastle […]
According to the Telegraph, Arsenal are keeping an eye on the situation around Tino Livramento and considering a move for the Newcastle fullback. Livramento has reportedly been an subject of strong interest from Manchester City for a while now, but Newcastle have been fighting to keep hold of the 23-year-old for the long-term future. However, […]
Verdict: Barcelona to score in both halves Best Odds: 17/20 Bookmaker: Luckster Turning their attention back to La Liga action on Sunday afternoon, Barcelona will welcome Sevilla to Catalonia this weekend. Barcelona Starting with the hosts, snatching a dramatic last-gasp equaliser away at Newcastle earlier in the week as they eventually left St. James’ Park […]
Verdict: Real Madrid to score in both halves Best Odds: 4/5 Bookmaker: Dachbet Turning their attention back to La Liga action on Saturday night, Real Madrid will travel to the Spanish capital this weekend. Real Madrid Starting with the hosts, while Real Madrid might have an almighty job on their hands in the race to […]
With Iran putting its participation in the 2026 World Cup in danger, several national teams have emerged as potential replacements while taking into account FIFA regulations.
Iran‘s participation in the 2026 World Cup has been thrown into serious doubt with fewer than 100 days until the tournament begins, putting FIFA in a difficult position as it weighs its options. While no official exclusion has been confirmed, the question of which nation could step in as a replacement is already being raised.
On the other side of the equation, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has made clear he wants Iran to be part of the tournament, where the team has been drawn into Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt. “We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever,” Infantino wrote on Instagram following a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
What do the FIFA regulations say?
Iran has not yet been officially excluded from the competition, though the comments from its sports minister paint a bleak picture. Should a formal withdrawal occur, the matter is addressed in Article 6 of the FIFA World Cup 26 Regulations, specifically subsection 7, titled “Withdrawal, unplayed matches, abandoned matches and replacements.“
Mehdi Taremi of Iran.
The relevant passage reads: “If any Participating Member Association withdraws and/or is excluded from the FIFA World Cup 26, FIFA shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary. FIFA may decide to replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association.“
Which nations could replace Iran at the World Cup?
One natural option would be to turn to the same confederation, in this case Asia. The leading candidate under that criteria would be Iraq, currently scheduled to compete in the intercontinental playoff against the winner of the Bolivia-Suriname tie, who would instead qualify directly. The United Arab Emirates, who lost their playoff berth to Iraq, could then move into the intercontinental playoff bracket.
A second avenue would be through FIFA’s world rankings. Given that the regulations grant the FIFA Council full discretion in such matters, selecting a high-profile nation from outside the region is not off the table. Under that scenario, Italy would be among the most prominent names in the frame, provided the Azzurri fail to secure their spot through the playoffs.
The third and least likely scenario would be for FIFA to simply leave the group as it stands with three teams. Opting against a replacement would create significant complications, as New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt would each play one fewer group stage match than teams in other groups, creating a clear and serious disadvantage when it comes to qualifying as one of the best third-place finishers.
Manchester City have a mountain to climb if they are to reach the Champions League quarter-finals after they fell to a 3-0 defeat to a Federico Valverde-inspired Real Madrid. Valverde plundered a 22-minute hat-trick in the first half at the Santiago Bernabeu to put Madrid, who were without the injured Kylian Mbappe, in control of […]
With his announcement of joining LAFC's ownership group, Carlos Vela joins the group of former MLS star that are now team owners.
Carlos Vela is making headlines in MLS once again, this time after LAFC announced that the club legend will be joining the ownership group that leads the franchise. Now part of the Black & Gold off the pitch as well as on it, Vela has become the latest former MLS star to transition into team ownership within the league.
Following his retirement in May 2025, Vela was named LAFC‘s Gold Ambassador in recognition of the legacy he built across his seven years with the club. Then, on Wednesday, March 11, LAFC released a statement announcing that the Mexican international would be joining the club’s ownership structure, citing the move as a reflection of the organization’s belief in continuity and leadership.
In a statement published on LAFC’s official website, Vela spoke about what the new role means to him: “LAFC has always been more than a club to me — it is home. From the first day, we set out to build something special for Los Angeles, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. Becoming an owner is an honor and a responsibility I take seriously. I’m excited to continue supporting the club, our players, and our fans as we keep building for the future.”
Vela’s official presentation as a new co-owner is scheduled to take place at BMO Stadium on Saturday, March 14. Since arriving in 2018, the Mexican forward left an indelible mark on the franchise, winning one MLS Cup and two Supporters’ Shields, and now stands as the player with the most appearances in club history alongside Eddie Segura with 189, and as the second all-time leading scorer with 93 goals, behind only Denis Bouanga.
Son Heung-Min #7 of Los Angeles FC greets former Los Angeles FC player Carlos Vela.
Former MLS player now turned into owners
Since its founding, MLS has attracted a long list of European stars who chose the league as the final chapter of their playing careers. Some, however, have taken their commitment to the sport a step further, moving into ownership roles at MLS franchises.
The most prominent example is David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami alongside Jorge Mas, having been part of the club’s launch in 2020. During his playing days, the English midfielder joined the LA Galaxy in 2007 under a contract that included an option to purchase an MLS expansion team at a reduced fee, an opportunity he used to build what has become the league’s most valuable franchise, drawing global stars like Lionel Messi in the process.
Another compelling case involves one of Vela’s own LAFC teammates, with a story that mirrors the Mexican’s in several ways. In July 2025, Italian legend Giorgio Chiellini became a co-owner of the Black & Gold, meaning he and Vela are now united in the boardroom as well.
Rounding out the list is USMNT icon Tim Howard, whose career spanned the Premier League and MLS alike. The former goalkeeper joined the Houston Dynamo FC ownership group as a minority investor in July 2024, eager to apply his experience and serve as an influential voice in the club’s sporting decisions.
Inter Miami drew 0-0 with Nashville SC in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16. Lionel Messi was unable to score his 900th goal.
IInter Miami drew 0-0 with Nashville SC in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16, meaning the series will be decided next Wednesday at Chase Stadium. Lionel Messi was unable to score his 900th goal and will have to wait at least until Saturday.
During the first half, Nashville SC were the superior team. They didn’t always control possession, but they were more intense than their opponents and, above all, more dangerous. The hosts had several chances to score but were met with strong interventions from Dayne St. Clair.
The Inter Miami goalkeeper was key in keeping a clean sheet before halftime, making important saves from Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge. In addition, the English forward had another clear chance with a shot that went just wide, while Warren Madrigal also came close with a header that went off target.
Things changed after the break, as Inter Miami came onto the field with more conviction to impose their style and control the ball. They did so for nearly the entire second half, but struggled to create serious scoring opportunities. The clearest chance was a right-footed shot from Messi, saved by goalkeeper Brian Schwake, who spilled the rebound that Berterame was unable to convert.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami controls the ball during the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 match against Nashville SC.
The hosts, less prominent than in the first half, again created the majority of the chances. Hany Mukhtar came close with a shot that went just wide, while Madrigal also tried on a couple of occasions.
Messi was unable to score his 900th goal
Beyond the team objective of securing a good result in Nashville to decide the series favorably at Chase Stadium next week, Lionel Messi also had the chance on Wednesday to reach a historic milestone in his career.
He now had the opportunity to score his 900th goal and become only the second player in soccer history—after Cristiano Ronaldo—to reach that mark. However, he had just one real chance throughout the entire match and was unable to achieve the milestone. His next opportunity will come on Saturday, when the Herons visit Charlotte FC in MLS.
Federico Valverde scored a hat trick for Real Madrid against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, sparking comparisons with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Round of 16 of the Champions League features a marquee showdown between Real Madrid and Manchester City. In that clash, Los Blancos took a valuable lead at home thanks to a hat trick from Federico Valverde, sparking comparisons with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Only four times in Champions League history had a player scored a hat trick in a knockout-stage match before halftime, according to statistics expert Mister Chip on X. Lionel Messi is on that list, alongside Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland, and Anthony Gordon. Valverde has now joined that exclusive group as well.
What makes the achievement by the Real Madrid player especially impressive is that he is the only member of this select group who is not a forward, but a midfielder. And not only that. His profile is often more associated with work rate, tactical discipline, and defensive responsibilities, to the point that he has occasionally been used as a full-back.
Federico Valverde of Real Madrid celebrates scoring against Manchester City.
That happened in this same edition of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, during the playoff series in which Newcastle United defeated Qarabag FK. In the first leg played in Azerbaijan, the English winger scored four goals in the first half and helped his team secure a 6-1 win, which later translated into a 9-3 aggregate victory.
Another player with a unique detail in this comparison is Erling Haaland. He is the only player on this list to have scored a first-half hat trick in the Champions League on two different occasions. One of those came during the group stage, when Red Bull Salzburg faced KRC Genk in the 2019-20 season. Later, with Manchester City against RB Leipzig in 2022-23, he achieved the same feat in the knockout stages.
The Messi–Ronaldo comparison
It is no coincidence that the three players with the most goals in Champions League history are also the ones who have scored the most hat tricks in the competition. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo share the lead with eight each, although the Argentine forward holds a particular advantage.
On one of those occasions, Messi scored all three goals before halftime. It happened in the 2009-10 season, when Barcelona defeated Arsenal 4-1 at Camp Nou in the quarterfinals. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, has never scored a hat trick in the first half of a Champions League match. Finally, Robert Lewandowski achieved the feat once with Bayern Munich, against Red Bull Salzburg in the 2021-22 season.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Federico Valverde and Lionel Messi.
While Neymar Jr.’s performances continue to impress at Santos, his comeback with Brazil is surrounded by several doubts due to his absence in the latest game. In light of this, Thiago Silva has expressed strong support for the 34-year-old star's spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Neymar Jr., despite missing the start of the season with Santos, has quickly captivated fans with his performances upon his return to Brazil. In the two matches he’s played, he has scored two goals and been a key creative force. While his performances invite a return to the national team, the veteran continues to face criticism. Amid this, Thiago Silva decided to extend strong support to the 34-year-old star for his spot in the 2026 World Cup.
In a recent interview with TNT Sports, Thiago Silva delivered his solid support to Santos FC star comeback with Brazil, setting one clear condition: “If Neymar is fit, he has to play in the World Cup. Given his current level of play, he has to go. It’s indisputable. Neymar is there, on the pitch, and for the opposing team, he’s already a real headache.”
Neymar Jr.’s talent has never been questioned, being one of the most representative figures in the history of Brazil. Nevertheless, doubts emerge regarding his physical condition, something that Santos’ decision to leave him out of the match due to load management has not helped. However, the veteran claims to be in full condition, giving Thiago even more reasons to support him, as his experience and talent are differentiating factors.
Neymar Junior of Santos makes an attempt on target during the Brasileirao 2025 match.
Rodrygo injury may open 2026 World Cup spot for Neymar Jr
Having coached only three matches in the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Carlo Ancelotti’s plan is still full of uncertainties, as new players continue to emerge in Europe. Although this could have reduced Neymar Jr.’s chances for the anticipated tournament, Rodrygo’s injury could still open a spot for him in the roster, though he still has two players competing for that place.
During Ancelotti’s tenure with Brazil, Lucas Paqueta and Raphinha have been a usual asset for his sporting project. With both players nearly secure in the roster, the 34-year-old star faces an uphill battle to gain playing time in the national team, but he could compete for Rodrygo’s spot. Nonetheless, Neymar’s biggest asset is to regain his best shape, a non-negotiable condition for the Italian coach.
While including the 34-year-old star in the next two friendlies against France and Croatia is a big step forward, it does not secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup. In case Neymar wants to secure his spot, he will need to truly impress in these games. Not making a real impact or playing only a short amount of time could lead to him being discarded from the anticipated tournament.
LA Galaxy will face Mount Pleasant Academy in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup, including the date, venue, kickoff time, and how fans in the United States can watch or live stream the action.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch LA Galaxy vs Mount Pleasant Academy on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
LA Galaxy vs Mount Pleasant Academy
WHAT
CONCACAF Champions Cup
WHEN
9:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM PT • Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Despite a shaky start to their campaign, Los Angeles Galaxy still enter this matchup as heavy favorites, largely due to the experience they gain competing week after week in Major League Soccer.
Their opponent, Mount Pleasant, currently sits third in the Jamaica Premier League and hopes the Galaxy’s early inconsistency creates an opportunity for a stunning upset in what shapes up as a classic David vs. Goliath battle—making this a game fans won’t want to miss.
More details of how to watch
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Amid a highly competitive match, Manchester City seemed to impose themselves on Real Madrid, setting a strong offensive rhythm. Nevertheless, Federico Valverde took advantage of a great counterattack to score an impressive hattrick in the game, putting Los Blancos ahead in the Champions League series.
Real Madrid and Manchester City face each other in a competitive series, seeking a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals. Taking advantage of the numerous absences of Los Blancos, the Citizens imposed a solid offensive rhythm, being the protagonists in the opening minutes. Nevertheless, Federico Valverde managed to take advantage of the defense’s high pressure, scoring a valuable hattrick in just a couple of minutes.
After a long kick from Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde received the ball while running on the counter down the right flank, beating Nico O’Reilly with his speed. Facing Manchester City‘s Gianluigi Donnarumma in a one-on-one situation, the Uruguayan chose to dribble past him to stand alone in front of the goal, scoring the first goal of the match.
Thibaut Courtois assist ‼️
The Belgian keeper plays a lovely ball out to Fede Valverde who gives Real Madrid the lead 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EX93BvXlk9
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2026
Taking advantage of the Citizens’ defensive backline losing focus, Vinicius Jr. received the ball in the middle of the defense. After dribbling past them, he found Valverde making a run toward the center. With his first touch, Valverde controlled the ball and unleashed a powerful shot to beat Donnarumma once again, securing a valuable brace for Real Madrid.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2026
Having conceded two goals in just a few minutes, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City seems to have lost all of their offensive ideas, being pushed back by Real Madrid. In a play initiated by Thiago Pitarch, Brahim Diaz receives the ball, controlling it and finding Valverde once again making a run behind the English side’s defense. With this, the Uruguayan controlled it with his first touch, beat Marc Guehi, and finished across goal past Donnarumma.
FEDE VALVERDE WITH AN INSANE TOUCH AND FINISH 🤯😮💨
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2026
Arbeloa’s Real Madrid leave Guardiola’s Manchester City on the brink
Amid a plague of injuries for Real Madrid, Manchester City emerged as the clear favorite to take the victory in the Champions League. Not only did they arrive on a run of 11 consecutive games without defeat, but they also had their biggest stars available, such as Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva. Nevertheless, coach Álvaro Arbeloa decided to surprise coach Pep Guardiola, pushing the Citizens to their worst version in the first half.
Far from trying to compete by dominating the game, Real Madrid decide to maintain a defensive approach, relying on the counterattack as their main offensive weapon. Because of the Citizens’ high press, the entire defensive line is constantly exposed, allowing Federico Valverde to break into the open spaces with his imposing speed. With this, Arbeloa managed to expose Manchester City’s worst facet: The defense, their Achilles’ heel this season.
Federico Valverde of Real Madrid celebrates in game against Benfica.
Nashville SC and Inter Miami face off in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup, with all eyes on Lionel Messi.
After an uncertain start to the 2026 Major League Soccer season, Inter Miami have improved their performances and put together two consecutive wins. Now it is their turn to make their debut in the Concacaf Champions Cup against Nashville SC, with Lionel Messi once again at the center of attention.
The Argentine forward was decisive in recent victories against Orlando City and D.C. United, recording three goals and one assist combined. Now he faces the challenge of delivering similar performances on the continental stage and leading Inter Miami into the tournament’s quarterfinals.
The challenge, however, will not be easy. Nashville SC have proven to be a tough opponent and know the Herons well. Last year, the two teams met in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, and Nashville forced a decisive third match to settle the series.
While Inter Miami’s match this Wednesday at Geodis Park marks their debut in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup after qualifying directly by winning the 2025 MLS Cup, Nashville SC had to advance through an earlier round. They defeated Atletico Ottawa with a 7-0 aggregate score.
Sam Surridge #9 of Nashville SC
Confirmed lineup for Nashville SC
Considering the importance of Wednesday night’s matchup, head coach B. J. Callaghan will field the strongest possible lineup, setting aside any fatigue from Saturday’s MLS match against Minnesota United FC.
The confirmed XI for Nashville SC against Inter Miami is: Brian Schwake; Reed Baker-Whiting, Maxwell Woledzi, Jeisson Palacios, Andy Najar; Matthew Corcoran, Patrick Yazbek; Warren Madrigal, Hany Mukhtar, Cristian Espinoza; Sam Surridge.
Confirmed lineup for Inter Miami
The Herons also played their MLS Matchday 3 match last Saturday against D.C. United in Baltimore. With just over three days of rest, however, head coach Javier Mascherano will keep most of the usual starters.
The confirmed XI for Inter Miami in their visit to Nashville SC is: Dayne St. Clair; Facundo Mura, Maximiliano Falcon, Micael, Noah Allen; Tadeo Allende, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, German Berterame.
Federico Valverde scored a hat-trick to lead Real Madrid into a 3-0 win over Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
Federico Valverde was the hero of the night as Real Madrid delivered a dominant first-leg statement against Manchester City in the Champions League Round of 16. Following a commanding 3-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu, Los Blancos will now travel to the Etihad Stadium with a significant advantage heading into the second leg.
In one of the standout matches of Wednesday’s Champions League slate, Real Madrid and Manchester City traded chances early without either side finding a breakthrough. The deadlock was finally broken when Bernardo Silva’s volley drifted wide and Courtois launched a long ball forward to Valverde, who brought it down brilliantly, left Nico O’Riley in his wake, and slotted past Donnarumma in a composed one-on-one finish in the 20th minute.
Valverde then pushed further forward and, with a through ball from Vinícius, unleashed a left-footed effort into the net in the 27th minute to double the lead. His hat trick was completed in the 42nd minute, when a delightful chipped pass from Brahim Díaz set him up for a clinical finish to put the tie firmly in Real Madrid‘s hands before the break.
Federico Valverde of Real Madrid celebrates scoring against Manchester City.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus have initiated talks with Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva over the possibility of the Portuguese attacking midfielder joining them as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of this season. However, the Serie A giants face serious competition from Galatasaray and Inter Miami for the services of […]
With the 2026 MLS season already underway, questions are being raised about when Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi will play his next game.
Lionel Messi is still making history at 38 years old, remaining a cornerstone and captain for both Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. With the 2026 Major League Soccer season now underway, fans are wondering when they’ll see the forward back in action.
Lionel Messi’s next match is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, when Inter Miami will visit NY City FC at the Yankee Stadium for Matchday 5 of the MLS. Messi is heading to the game after scoring his 900th career goal in the elimination suffered against Nashville SC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16.
As for international duty with Argentina national team, Lionel Messi is set to return to action during the March international window. However, the Albiceleste’s schedule has taken a significant hit, with the Finalissima against Spain on Friday the 27th now officially canceled, along with the planned friendly against Qatar on Tuesday the 31st.
The 2026 MLS campaign has only just begun for Messi, who has featured in five official matches so far across all competitions, scoring four times without registering an assist. The opener came against LAFC, who handed Inter Miami a 3-0 defeat in front of a packed crowd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF during the MLS match against LAFC.
Lionel Messi and the task of defending the World Cup title
The year 2026 will be especially significant for Messi, not only because of Inter Miami’s ambitions but also because he’ll head into the 2026 World Cup aiming to defend the title. The triumph in Qatar in 2022 marked one of the defining peaks of his career, and now in North America he’ll enter another tournament wearing the champions’ badge for the first time.
Drawn into Group J, Argentina will open its campaign against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium. The second match will be against Austria on Monday the 22nd in Arlington at AT&T Stadium, before closing the group stage against Jordan on Saturday the 27th, also in Texas.
Suffering last-gasp Champions League heartbreak at St. James’ Park on Tuesday night as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate on Tyneside, Newcastle know that they have an almighty battle on their hands when they travel to Catalonia next week. Watching their FA Cup adventure come to an end last weekend as they […]
Hansi Flick promises that “we’ll see a different Barca in the return leg” after they salvaged a late draw against Newcastle United in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash. Barcelona were far from their best at St. James’ Park, but a last-gasp Lamine Yamal penalty was enough to ensure they did […]
In the tradition of South American players everywhere, Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has been linked with Real Madrid recently, but according to Mundo Deportivo, the Argentina international has no wish to leave Anfield at this stage of his career, being perfectly happy where he is. Mac Allister joined Liverpool from Brighton and Hove Albion […]
In the tradition of South American players everywhere, Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has been linked with Real Madrid recently, but according to Mundo Deportivo, the Argentina international has no wish to leave Anfield at this stage of his career, being perfectly happy where he is. Mac Allister joined Liverpool from Brighton and Hove Albion […]
Barcelona have been tasked by Hansi Flick to show they can deal with the spending power of “the best league in the world” when they face Newcastle United on Tuesday. The LaLiga leaders make the trip to St. James’ for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, with this the second meeting […]
Eddie Howe has challenged his Newcastle United players to seize the moment and follow in the footsteps of the side who defeated Barcelona in 1997. Newcastle are preparing to welcome Barcelona to St. James’ Park in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday. It is the second time the two […]
Cristiano Ronaldo will be facing a long break due to FIFA calendar until his next game with Al Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo, even at 41 years old, remains a central figure for both his club, Al Nassr, and the Portugal national team. Still drawing global attention, the key question now is when the legendary striker will take the field again.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s next game with Al Nassr is scheduled for Friday, April 3, when they’ll be hosting Al Najma for Matchday 27 of the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League at Al Awwal Park. The Portuguese, who missed last two games against Neom SC and Al Khaleej due to a hamstring injury, it’s expected to make his return that game
Regarding the Portugal national team, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to return during the March international break. After having his suspension lifted ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the veteran forward will be available for selection for Portugal’s two friendlies, one against Mexico, and the other one against the USMNT.
So far this season, the Portuguese icon has scored 22 goals and provided 4 assists in 26 games for Al Nassr, while netting 5 goals in 5 UEFA World Cup qualifiers for Portugal, with his personal account in 965 career goals. With the World Cup set for the USA, Canada, and Mexico at the end of the campaign, Ronaldo will be determined to arrive at what will likely be his final major tournament in top form.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr FC scoring a bicycle kick.
Ronaldo faced long break due to FIFA schedule
After his stunning bicycle-kick goal against Al Khaleej, Cristiano Ronaldo was rested for Al Nassr’s midweek AFC Champions League Two match. But from that point forward, the Portuguese star endured a 24-day gap without competitive action, a result of the upcoming FIFA competition schedule.
From December 1 through 18, Qatar hosted the second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup, with the final between Morocco and Jordan played at Lusail Stadium, the same venue as the 2022 World Cup final.
With several Saudi Pro League players involved, including stars of the Saudi Arabian national team, clubs, including Al Nassr, were unable to meet domestic player requirements, forcing the SPL into a temporary pause during the tournament.
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken has confirmed that Julian Brandt will leave the club at the end of the 2025/26 season, closing out a seven‑year tenure at Signal Iduna Park. Ricken explained after Dortmund’s 2-1 win over FC Koln that “after open talks, we agreed that the contract that is set to expire would […]
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has hit back at Xavi by stating the same group of players have won more under Hansi Flick. Xavi, a Blaugrana legend, left his role in charge of Barca at the end of the 2023-24 season. Under his guidance, Barca won LaLiga in the 2022-23 campaign. In a recent interview with […]
While Manchester United might have watched their sensational Premier League purple patch come to an abrupt end last time out, the Reds are clearly relishing life under Michael Carrick’s guidance. Although the former Middlesbrough boss might have made a shock return to Old Trafford on temporary basis back in January, United remarkably now have their […]
Watching Enzo Maresca complete a messy divorce from Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day, Chelsea have endured a turbulent time behind the scenes in west London. Although many across the continent might have been shocked following Liam Rosenior’s arrival, it appears that the Blues are enjoying life under the former Strasbourg boss. Avoiding what would […]
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