With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, a dramatic development has suddenly placed one qualified nation’s participation under serious question.

With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, a dramatic development has suddenly placed one qualified nation’s participation under serious question. The uncertainty intensified after a senior government official declared that his country could refuse to take part in the tournament entirely, creating a potential headache for soccer’s governing body and the tournament’s organizers.

The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to begin on June 11 and will feature 48 national teams, the largest edition in the competition’s history. Yet a geopolitical crisis unfolding in the Middle East has cast a shadow over one national team’s involvement, despite the country having already secured qualification months ago.

The situation escalated after the nation’s sports minister publicly ruled out participation, arguing that the current political and security conditions make it impossible for the national side to compete on the global stage. The remarks mark the first official government statement directly addressing the team’s presence at the World Cup since the conflict intensified. Iran, whose national soccer team had comfortably qualified for the tournament, now faces a highly uncertain future regarding its participation.

The controversy erupted after Ahmad Donyamali, the country’s sports minister, addressed the issue in an interview on state television. His comments suggested that the national team could boycott the tournament entirely due to the escalating conflict involving Western powers. Speaking to state television, Donyamali said: “Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup.”

The minister’s statement referred to the recent military conflict involving the United States and Israel, which Iranian authorities say led to the death of the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and triggered retaliatory strikes across the region. The remarks represent the clearest indication yet that Iran could withdraw from the tournament, a scenario that would be unprecedented in modern World Cup history.

What does FIFA think about it?

Despite the growing uncertainty, FIFA has continued to emphasize its intention to include every qualified nation in the tournament. FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently met with Donald Trump at the White House to discuss preparations for the global event. Following the meeting, Infantino posted a message on social media indicating that the United States government had reaffirmed its openness to welcoming the Iranian team.

Infantino wrote: “During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.” He also emphasized the broader significance of the competition, adding: “We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever.” However, while the governing body remains committed to the team’s inclusion, the ultimate decision may depend on the political leadership of Iran itself.

Group-stage schedule already set

Before the controversy emerged, Iran had already been drawn into Group G for the tournament. The national team is scheduled to face Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand during the group stage.

All three matches were planned to take place in the United States, including games in Los Angeles and Seattle. The team had even selected a training base at the Kino Sports Complex in Arizona, with preparations already underway before the latest political developments placed those plans in jeopardy.

One of the biggest talking points ahead of kickoff revolves around the absence of Kylian Mbappe, whose unexpected omission has raised serious questions about Madrid’s chances in one of the most anticipated ties of the tournament.

A massive European night awaits at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, where Real Madrid hosts Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash. Yet one of the biggest talking points ahead of kickoff revolves around the absence of Kylian Mbappe, whose unexpected omission has raised serious questions about Madrid’s chances in one of the most anticipated ties of the tournament.

The French superstar, who has been a central figure for the Spanish giant throughout the campaign, will not take the field for the showdown. His absence adds another layer of intrigue to a rivalry that has become one of the defining matchups of modern Champions League soccer. While the clash between the two clubs already carries enormous stakes, the situation surrounding Mbappe’s availability has created additional uncertainty.

Encounters between Real Madrid and Manchester City have become increasingly common in recent seasons. The two clubs have developed a fierce rivalry in Europe, frequently meeting in decisive knockout ties.

The matchup at the Bernabeu marks their 16th meeting in the Champions League, with the record remarkably balanced. Both clubs have won five matches each, while five encounters ended in draws, highlighting just how evenly matched the rivalry has been. Including this latest meeting, the fixture is now the third most-played matchup in the history of the competition.

The most recent encounter between the clubs came earlier in the season during the league phase. The Citizens managed to secure a 2-1 victory in the Spanish capital, thanks to goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland, overturning an earlier strike from Rodrygo. That result strengthened City’s position in the standings and reinforced the perception that the English club has grown increasingly comfortable playing at the Bernabeu.

The real reason Mbappe is missing

As anticipation built ahead of the knockout clash, fans began to notice that Mbappe was absent from training and unlikely to be included in the squad. In fact, the French forward is currently recovering from a knee injury that has forced him to miss several matches in recent weeks.

The problem stems from a sprain in his left knee, which has troubled the 27-year-old since late 2025. Although the injury is not considered severe enough to require surgery, Madrid’s medical staff and coaching team decided it was best for him to continue his recovery rather than risk aggravating the issue.

According to a statement released by representatives of the player: “In agreement with the club, he is undergoing further tests on his knee with the aim of optimising his follow-up care and preparing for his comeback.” The statement added: “No surgical intervention is being planned at the moment.” The decision highlights the club’s cautious approach, especially considering how important Mbappe remains for the remainder of the season.

Arbeloa explains the decision

Real Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed that the decision to rest Mbappe was made collectively by the medical staff and coaching team. Speaking ahead of the match, Arbeloa said: “It was a bit of a consensus between everyone, and we think the best thing is that he stops, that he recovers and comes back at 100%.”

The manager also hinted that the recovery could take some time: “It’s not going to be a question of days; it will be a bit longer, but I can’t say how long. Hopefully not too long.” Despite the setback, the Spanish manager offered a positive update regarding the player’s progress: “He’s better. Obviously, we have to take it one day at a time and see how he is evolving,” the coach explained.

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 Wednesday, March 11, when Inter Miami will be visiting Nashville SC at Geodis Park for the first leg of the Round of 16 in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Messi heads into the fixture in fine form after finding the back of the net in the 2-1 away win over D.C. United in Matchday 3 of the MLS.

As for international duty with Argentina national team, Lionel Messi is set to return to action during the March international window. La Albiceleste will face Spain national team in the Finalissima on Friday the 27th, followed by a friendly against Qatar national team on Tuesday the 31st.

The 2026 MLS campaign has only just begun for Messi, who has featured in three official matches so far, scoring thrice 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 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.

The Argentina FA has announced that the national team will base itself in Kansas City during the tournament, though training facilities have yet to be confirmed. Expected to be his final World Cup appearance, Messi will have a chance to add to his record haul with a squad coached by Lionel Scaloni that remains one of the strongest in international soccer after winning the last World Cup and back-to-back Copa América titles.

Amid a heavily criticized season, Julián Álvarez has been surrounded by rumors of a possible departure from Atletico Madrid, with Barcelona and Arsenal reportedly interested. In light of this, he decided to speak about his future, leaving a surprising response.

Julián Álvarez was pointed out as the cornerstone of Atlético Madrid, as they decided to pay €75 million to Manchester City. Although he shined in his debut season by scoring 29 goals, he is not having his best campaign, no longer being an undisputed player for coach Diego Simeone. Because of this, the Argentine has been surrounded by rumors about a move to Barcelona or Arsenal, deciding to break the silence with some surprising statements.

After scoring a brace against Tottenham, Julián Álvarez faced questions about his future with Los Colchoneros next season. He responded, “Maybe yes, maybe no, you never know. I’m very happy here. It’s a question that keeps coming up, but I’m happy. I’m focused on the day-to-day, working to improve and give my all. I never said anything bad about the club. I’m very grateful. The people showed me their affection, and I’m very happy.”

During the 2025-26 season, the Argentinean has been a well-known target for Barcelona and Arsenal. For that reason, Julián’s statements are not well-received among Los Colchoneros, while coach Diego Simeone and sporting director Mateu Alemany consider him a cornerstone. If the Gunners or the Blaugranas decide to chase him, they will need to pay around €150 million, as per Diario Sport.

Julián Álvarez may not have expressed a desire to leave Atletico Madrid, but his words left the door open to that possibility. Because of this, fans have expressed considerable frustration, as not only is he performing below expectations, but the rumors of his departure continue to grow. Nevertheless, coach Simeone keeps him as a regular in the rotation, as he already has 16 goals and stands as the team’s top scorer alongside Alexander Sorloth.

Presidential candidate Laporta could push Julián away from Barcelona

Throughout the entire 2025-26 season, Julián Álvarez has reportedly been a priority target for Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco. Despite this, the Argentine is under contract with Atletico Madrid until 2030, making his departure considered quite complex. Although Barcelona seemed to keep him as a clear objective, the words of former president and candidate Joan Laporta could move his arrival away for next season.

“He’s a great player, and they say he’d fit into Barça’s system. He’s not a player worth breaking the bank for. First, he’d have to show his willingness to come, and it would have to be at a renewable price,” Joan Laporta said, via SER Catalunya. While he leaves the door open for a move, his comment on Álvarez not being worth breaking the bank for might distance Julián from joining Barcelona, as it could be perceived as a slight.

Taking advantage of these words, the Gunners could gain a foothold, as Atletico Madrid might be more open to negotiating with them, unlike with the Blaugranas, who are a direct rival in LaLiga. Because of this, Julián Álvarez could regain his prominence and become a key player for a team that truly considers him capable of leading a project or spearheading an attack.

Tottenham TV schedule and streaming links Following Tottenham Hotspur from the United States has never been more vital for supporters as the club navigates a season of significant transition. Now competing in the UEFA Champions League following their continental success last spring, Spurs are a fixture of mid-week and weekend television. World Soccer Talk's Tottenham […]

Tottenham TV schedule and streaming links

Following Tottenham Hotspur from the United States has never been more vital for supporters as the club navigates a season of significant transition. Now competing in the UEFA Champions League following their continental success last spring, Spurs are a fixture of mid-week and weekend television. World Soccer Talk’s Tottenham TV Schedule provides the current broadcasting landscape to ensure you never miss a minute of the action from North London.

Tottenham Hotspur: At a Glance

• Manager: Igor Tudor
• Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• Major Honors: 2 League Titles, 8 FA Cups, 2024/25 UEFA Europa League Champions
• Current Pillars: Cristian Romero, Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons

How to Watch Tottenham in the United States

To see every Spurs match in the 2025/26 season, fans must navigate a combination of traditional networks and primary streaming platforms.

Premier League: NBC Sports & Peacock

The Premier League remains the core of the Spurs schedule, with NBC Universal holding the exclusive US rights.

• National TV: Marquee matchups for Tottenham are typically broadcast on USA Network or the main NBC channel. These can be streamed through live services like Sling Blue, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream.
• Peacock Exclusive: Many of Tottenham’s league fixtures—particularly early Saturday kickoffs—are found only on Peacock Premium.
• Spanish Language: Look to Telemundo or Universo for high-quality Spanish broadcasts.

UEFA Champions League: Paramount+

Following their 2025 Europa League title win, Spurs have returned to the Champions League.

• Paramount+: This is the exclusive English-language home for every UCL fixture.
• ViX: Provides the corresponding Spanish-language streaming coverage for European nights.

Domestic Cup Ties: FA Cup & Carabao Cup

• The FA Cup: All rounds of the FA Cup are broadcast exclusively on ESPN+.
• The Carabao Cup: These fixtures generally air on Paramount+, which serves as the US home for the English Football League’s cup competition.

The Identity of the Modern Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur has entered a new chapter defined by a blend of proven international stars and a commitment to elite young talent. Under the lights of their world-class stadium, the club continues to chase the “Glory, Glory” tradition that has defined its history. Having re-established themselves as a force in Europe, the focus now remains on finding domestic consistency during a transitional season.

The current identity of the squad is anchored by the leadership of captain Cristian Romero. With the summer 2025 arrivals of Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons, the Spurs attack has taken on a new, explosive dimension. The club is building toward a future that honors its heritage of attacking, entertaining football while competing against the elite of the global game.

Real Madrid face Manchester City in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 edition. Here you can find kickoff times along with TV and streaming information for viewers in the United States.

Match Overview

A marquee Round of 16 clash arrives early in the bracket as two of the tournament’s top contenders square off, with Real Madrid meeting Manchester City in a matchup that feels worthy of a final. Madrid punched their ticket after a fiercely contested and controversial knockout battle with Benfica.

Now Vinicius Jr. leads a star-studded squad aiming to keep its championship run alive. Standing across the pitch is a City side loaded with elite talent and riding strong form, making this heavyweight showdown one of the most anticipated series of the Round of 16.

Bodø/Glimt will face Sporting CP in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 edition. Here you can find kickoff times along with TV and streaming information for viewers in the United States.

Match Overview

After stunning Inter Milan with wins in both legs of the knockout stage playoffs, Bodø/Glimt now aim to keep their Cinderella run alive when they meet Sporting CP in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Sporting also exceeded expectations earlier in the competition, securing direct passage to the knockout rounds during the league stage despite entering as underdogs. With both teams riding the momentum of surprising results, this matchup has all the makings of an entertaining clash!

After a hard-fought series against Benfica, Real Madrid face Manchester City, seeking a spot in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. With Kylian Mbappe out, fans are keeping a close eye on Vinicius Jr., who looks set to make a difference in terms of goalscoring.

Real Madrid face Manchester City in a promising competitive series in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Nonetheless, coach Álvaro Arbeloa encounters a significant challenge, as he will be without key players like Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. In contrast, coach Pep Guardiola has his full roster available. Given these circumstances, fans are closely monitoring Vinicius Jr.’s status, as he stands out as the team’s greatest hope.

After training normally with the group, Vinicius Jr. is expected to start, leading Real Madrid‘s offense. In Mbappé’s absence, the Brazilian emerges as the solution to the team’s lack of goals. With this, the 26-year-old star has a great opportunity to reverse his low impact in the competition, as he has only scored three goals, compared to the Frenchman’s 13. However, he has already proven himself capable of leading the team.

Alongside the Brazilian, Álvaro Arbeloa may opt for Brahim Diaz as his key partner, considering his experience in big games and his standout performance in the African Cup of Nations. However, the coach will have to rely on Ferland Mendy at left back due to Álvaro Carreras’s recent injury. While the French defender brings extensive experience, he has only logged 202 minutes this season, raising concerns among fans.

Unlike Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City arrive with their entire roster available, having Erling Haaland back after missing the previous game. Alongside the Norwegian, Antoine Semenyo is expected to play a crucial role, opening spaces in the defense of coach Arbeloa. Given the numerous absences of Los Blancos, the Citizens could make the difference, as they come into the match with eleven consecutive games without a defeat.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Manchester City

Unlike the previous encounters against Manchester City, Real Madrid arrive at the Champions League Round of 16 with seven important absences: Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Álvaro Carreras, Rodrygo, Dani Ceballos, Eder Militao and David Alaba. Because of this, coach Álvaro Arbeloa will be forced to make tough changes in the lineup, relying on a system similar to the one used in the series against Benfica, but with Vinicius Jr. leading the attack.

With this in mind, Real Madrid could lineup as follows: Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy; Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga; Vinicius Jr, Brahim Diaz.

Manchester City predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid

Following a convincing victory against Newcastle United, Manchester City arrive in great form to face Real Madrid. Nevertheless, coach Pep Guardiola will have three absences: Josko Gvardiol, Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic. Despite this, the Citizens have managed to establish key consistency, with Rodri Hernandez close to his best level and Rayan Cherki playing a crucial role, while Erling Haaland keeps dominating in the scoring side.

Considering this, Manchester City could play as follows: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Rayan Ait Nouri; Rodri; Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki, Nico O’Reilly; Antoine Semenyo, Erling Haaland.

Bayer Leverkusen receive Arsenal in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 edition. Here you can find kickoff times along with TV and streaming information for viewers in the United States.

Match Overview

All signs point to a highly competitive showdown as Arsenal enter the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League as one of the tournament’s hottest teams. The Gunners dominated the group phase with a perfect record, securing a direct spot in the Round of 16 and reinforcing their status as a serious contender for the title.

Standing in their way are Bayer Leverkusen, who battled past Olympiacos in a tightly contested series to keep their campaign alive. While Arsenal enter as the clear favorite based on form and depth, Leverkusen know the pressure is off and will aim to shock one of Europe’s top sides in what promises to be a must-watch clash.

PSG receive Chelsea in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 edition. Here you can find kickoff times along with TV and streaming information for viewers in the United States.

Match Overview

A blockbuster Round of 16 showdown in the UEFA Champions League pits two contenders widely expected to make deep runs, but only one will survive to reach the quarterfinals. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain arrive after battling through a demanding matchup against AS Monaco and now aim to keep their title defense firmly on track.

Standing in their way are Chelsea, a team that has impressed throughout the competition and believes it has the quality to knock out the reigning European champions in what promises to be one of the most electrifying clashes of the round.

Antoine Griezmann finally broke the silence over his future at Atletico Madrid amid the interest from MLS side Orlando City and his UEFA Champions League ambitions.

Antoine Griezmann has been heavily linked with Orlando City over recent weeks, with the MLS side pushing hard to sign him before the current transfer window closes. While also speaking to his ambitions in the UEFA Champions League, Griezmann has finally addressed his future at Atlético Madrid publicly.

With one Designated Player slot still available, Orlando City made a serious push for Griezmann, reportedly tabling an offer that would place him near Lionel Messi as one of the highest-paid players in MLS history. However, Atlético Madrid and particularly head coach Diego Simeone were reluctant to let one of their key figures walk out the door mid-season with the club’s ambitions still very much alive.

In a post-match interview with Movistar+ following Tuesday’s Champions League win over Tottenham, Griezmann was asked directly about his future, and his answer left little room for interpretation: “I feel very good here, I’m really enjoying myself, and what I’m doing on the pitch speaks for itself. We’ll see, but that’s the idea—to take this all the way to the end.“

When pressed on whether his goal was to see out the season through the Copa del Rey final on April 18 and go as deep as possible in the Champions League, Griezmann was equally emphatic. “That is my dream, my objective, and hopefully we can achieve something great,” he concluded.

The current MLS window is set to close on March 26, meaning any transfer would have required Griezmann to leave Atlético in the final stretch of a season with trophies still on the line. The Frenchman has now made his intentions clear, though that does not necessarily rule out a move later down the line.

As recently reported by Fabrizio Romano, Orlando City are prepared to wait and pursue Griezmann in the summer transfer window, targeting a move in July. Despite his contract with Atlético running through June 2027, the Lions could potentially land the French star on a free transfer, giving them the opportunity to add a world-class signing to their roster mid-2026 season.

How can Griezmann close his tenure at Atlético Madrid?

Now in his 10th season in Atlético colors, Griezmann has built a legacy at the club that speaks for itself. He sits as the all-time leading scorer in the club’s history with 210 goals, surpassing Luis Aragonés’ mark of 173, while also holding the records for most games played by a foreign player and most La Liga wins in the club’s history, currently standing at 310.

With that résumé behind him, Griezmann will want to sign off in the grandest fashion possible. In La Liga, Atlético are third with 54 points, well adrift of the title race between Barcelona (67) and Real Madrid (63), but there are more meaningful prizes within reach in other competitions.

The most immediate opportunity is the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad on April 18, and beyond that, the Champions League remains the biggest prize of all. The Colchoneros‘ commanding 5-2 win over Tottenham gives them a healthy three-goal cushion heading into the second leg, and a path to the quarterfinals where they would face the winner of Barcelona vs. Newcastle United.

While the road to the final remains a long one, Griezmann left Tuesday’s game brimming with confidence. “We capitalized on a few of their technical errors and the pitch conditions; it’s very slippery, but we’re used to it. We played a massive game. It’s a shame about those two goals, we’ll have to improve what we did in Barcelona, but we have a solid lead.” he stated after the game.

After missing Santos' game against Mirassol FC with Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti in the attendance, Neymar broke the silence dismissing the reports over a new injury: "Nothing is going on."

Neymar found himself back in the spotlight as his chances of returning to the Brazil national team grew significantly, only for the forward to sit out Santos‘ game against Mirassol FC with Carlo Ancelotti watching from the stands. The 34-year-old broke his silence in the aftermath, dismissing speculation about a fresh injury with a blunt message: “Nothing is going on.“

With key forwards Rodrygo and Estêvão both sidelined through injury, Ancelotti found his attacking options considerably depleted. The Italian coach responded by adding Neymar to his preliminary list of pre-selected players for Brazil‘s upcoming double-header of friendlies against France and Croatia, a move that would have marked the forward’s return to the national team after more than two years away.

However, Santos and the player reached a mutual decision to rest Neymar for the Mirassol game, a call that has reportedly put his national team comeback at serious risk. Both the CBF and Ancelotti’s staff had been closely monitoring the situation, and his absence from Tuesday night’s fixture caught the parties off guard and caused considerable frustration.

Ancelotti had made the trip to São Paulo specifically to attend the game at the Maião stadium and assess Neymar’s fitness ahead of a potential call-up. Although the Brazil head coach was spotted by cameras entering the ground, he left without having seen the player he came to watch, redirecting his attention toward other potential candidates in the squad.

Neymar addressed the injury rumors

Santos have maintained that Neymar is not injured, despite his inability to take part in tactical training sessions until last Sunday, which led both parties to agree on resting him for the Mirassol fixture. Even so, reports quickly surfaced claiming the forward, who had completed the full 90 minutes in each of his last two appearances, had suffered yet another setback that would rule him out of the March call-up.

Hours before kickoff on Tuesday, Neymar took to his Instagram stories to set the record straight: “Since there are so many people creating theories about what’s going on with me: nothing is going on. If I play through an injury, like they said last year, I’m wrong. If I look out for myself, I’m wrong. If I rest, I’m wrong. If I play with pain or something that could get worse, I’m wrong. It’s a mess, isn’t it? It’s very hard to win, man. It’s very hard, very hard to please everyone.“

The Santos icon then turned his sights on the media for what he described as fabricated narratives. “What surprises me most—actually, it doesn’t surprise me—is the people. These people who act like they are by my side every day and start inventing stories, saying these things as if they were the absolute truth, as if they were always right. It’s very complicated being me, goodness. I really have to have the patience to put up with you guys, you know?,” Neymar concluded.

With the Mirassol game now behind him, Neymar’s last remaining opportunity to make a case for himself comes in Santos’ Brasileirão fixture against Corinthians on Sunday the 15th. The final squad list for the March window is set to be released the following day, and while members of Brazil’s coaching staff are expected to be in attendance, Ancelotti himself will not be present. It may be Neymar’s final chance to force his way back into the Seleção picture.

LAFC will face Alajuelense 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.

Match Overview

After a dominant opening-round showing against Real España, Los Angeles FC enters its next test riding strong momentum and looking every bit like a contender to reach the tournament’s final stages. The MLS side now meets Liga Deportiva Alajuelense.

The Costa Rican giant is known for its international pedigree and ability to challenge favored opponents, setting the stage for a compelling clash between LAFC’s high-powered form and Alajuelense’s experience—so make sure you don’t miss what promises to be an exciting matchup.

The AFC has announced new dates for Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr to face Al Wasl in the Champions League Two quarterfinals, after the original fixtures were postponed.

Cristiano Ronaldo recently saw Al Nassr‘s AFC Champions League Two games against Al Wasl postponed due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. With the schedule now being reorganized, the Portuguese star and his club have learned when the rescheduled clashes against the UAE side will take place.

Al Nassr had been set to face Al Wasl in the competition’s quarterfinals, with the first leg scheduled in Dubai on March 4 and the return leg in Riyadh on the 11th. The AFC moved to postpone all international fixtures in the region at the height of the unrest, and with conditions stabilizing, the confederation has now confirmed the new dates.

The AFC has officially announced the rescheduled fixtures, with Al Nassr and Al Wasl now set to meet on Tuesday, April 7 for the first leg, and Tuesday, April 14 for the second. Ronaldo and the rest of the region’s stars can now look ahead to a return to continental action next month.

Although Al Nassr’s next SPL fixture falls on Saturday, March 14, the AFC opted to push the rescheduled games to early April. The decision accounts for the March international window, which will see players depart for national team duty from late March through the start of April.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo feature against Al Wasl?

Ronaldo has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury in late February against Al Fayha, missing Al Nassr’s most recent game against Neom SC and set to sit out the upcoming fixture against Al Khaleej Club as well. The original quarterfinal schedule would almost certainly have ruled him out of both legs against Al Wasl, but the postponement has given him a realistic chance of featuring in the rescheduled clashes.

With Ronaldo also targeting a return in time to be considered for Roberto Martínez’s Portugal squad before the March announcement, the new April dates offer a more favorable timeline. Fabrizio Romano has reported that his absence is expected to last up to four weeks, meaning a return to action in early April is plausible, albeit without much match fitness at that stage.

Ronaldo has featured in just one AFC Champions League Two game this season for Al Nassr, appearing in the final group stage match against Al Zawraa, as the competition has understandably taken a back seat to the Saudi Pro League in the club’s priorities. However, with the team now into the later stages of the tournament, having their star striker available could prove decisive in Al Nassr’s bid to finally claim their first official trophy under Ronaldo.

Real Madrid and the France national team reportedly have different views on what Kylian Mbappe should do in his recovery, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon.

The physical condition of Kylian Mbappe has been Real Madrid’s main concern for months, considering the impact he has on the field. The France national team, meanwhile, is closely monitoring every step of the forward’s recovery, hoping he will arrive in top shape for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 27-year-old striker has missed three consecutive matches for Real Madrid while trying to recover from a knee injury. With the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 clash against Manchester City approaching, Alvaro Arbeloa shared an optimistic update regarding Mbappe’s recovery.

“He is much better. It is something to take day by day. This whole week has been very positive, he has returned with great sensations and every day he is better. We are expecting him back very soon,” the coach said on Tuesday. However, that optimism reportedly clashes with the more cautious stance of France.

“While Real Madrid are pushing to have him available as soon as possible, the French federation insist he should not rush his recovery and risk a more serious injury that could compromise his participation in the World Cup next summer,” reports Sport.

For that reason, in fact, Didier Deschamps decided he will not include the striker in the squad for the March friendlies against Brazil and Colombia in the United States. Mbappe will still travel anyway, according to reports, to fulfill commercial commitments with the France national team.

Mbappe’s injury has been ongoing

Kylian Mbappe’s knee problems began in the final days of 2025 and started affecting Real Madrid’s day-to-day plans in early January. In fact, the striker missed the first match of the year against Real Betis in La Liga because of that issue, and in the following days he was also absent from a match in the Spanish Super Cup and another in the Copa del Rey.

After that, Mbappe played several games for Los Blancos in which, although it was clear the physical issue limited him, he still showed his quality with important goals that helped keep the team alive in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

However, starting with the second leg of the European competition’s playoff tie against Benfica, the French striker was ultimately ruled out of Arbeloa’s plans, and the same happened in the last two La Liga matches. Adding more drama to the situation, Kylian decided to seek medical advice outside Real Madrid’s team of specialists.

The World Cup is getting closer

All of this is happening with the 2026 FIFA World Cup drawing ever closer. Just over three months separate France from their debut in the tournament against Senegal on June 16, leaving a narrow window for players to reach peak fitness.

At this point, France know that an injury to Mbappe during the final stretch of the 2025–26 season with Real Madrid could ultimately rule him out of the World Cup, which would be a major blow to the national team’s chances.

As Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli battle for domestic dominance, the two prolific forwards are also competing for the league’s top-scorer award. Recent developments, however, have added a surprising twist to the race.

The race for the Saudi Pro League title and the Golden Boot has intensified dramatically in recent weeks, placing global superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney at the center of the spotlight. As Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli battle for domestic dominance, the two prolific forwards are also competing for the league’s top-scorer award.

Recent developments, however, have added a surprising twist to the race. While Toney’s goal-scoring exploits have pushed him ahead in the Golden Boot standings, a controversial incident following a high-profile derby has suddenly placed his availability for an upcoming crucial match in doubt. If the situation develops further, it could unexpectedly benefit Ronaldo, both in the title chase and his pursuit of another historic scoring milestone.

The latest chapter in this rivalry unfolded during the heated Jeddah Derby between Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad Club at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Al-Ahli secured a convincing 3-1 victory, a result that temporarily pushed the club to the top of the league standings. The match began with an early breakthrough from Toney, who calmly finished from close range after a dangerous attacking move orchestrated by Brazilian winger Galeno.

The English striker’s goal gave Matthias Jaissle’s side momentum in the derby clash. Although Al-Ittihad briefly equalized when Fabinho converted a penalty following a foul on Steven Bergwijn, Al-Ahli quickly regained control. Former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez restored the lead with a clinical strike before substitute Feras Al-Buraikan sealed the victory late in the match.

Beyond the derby bragging rights, the match also produced a major individual milestone. Toney’s goal took his tally to 24 league goals this season, strengthening his position at the top of the Golden Boot standings. In comparison, Ronaldo currently sits on 22 goals, meaning the Portuguese icon trails his rival with just nine matches remaining in the campaign.

The controversy that could change everything

Despite Toney’s success on the pitch, the story took a surprising turn after the derby victory. Following the match, Al-Ittihad filed an official complaint with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), requesting disciplinary action against the Al-Ahli striker.

According to reports, the complaint alleges that Toney performed an indecent celebration during the Jeddah Derby, directing gestures toward Al-Ittihad supporters in the stands. The club has asked the league’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee to apply penalties under Article 1/72 of the competition’s regulations.

If the complaint is upheld, Toney could face a suspension of at least six matches, with potential sanctions extending even further depending on the investigation’s outcome. Such a ban would have enormous consequences, not only for Al-Ahli’s title ambitions but also for the Golden Boot race.

What it means for Ronaldo

If Toney is suspended, he could miss the upcoming showdown against Al-Nassr on April 28, a match that may prove decisive in both the championship race and the scoring charts. For Ronaldo, that scenario could open the door to regain the lead in the Golden Boot standings during the final stretch of the season.

Interestingly, the situation remains uncertain. Reports suggest that the referee’s official match report did not include any note regarding inappropriate behavior, which could complicate the case against Toney. According to the Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, the absence of such details may weaken the disciplinary complaint. Nevertheless, the federation has already requested a formal response from Al-Ahli as part of the investigation process.

The future of Christian Pulisic at international level could soon intersect with major changes in European club soccer, as Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of the United States men's national soccer team, finds himself linked with one of the biggest jobs in the game.

The future of Christian Pulisic at international level could soon intersect with major changes in European club soccer, as Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of the United States men’s national soccer team, finds himself linked with one of the biggest jobs in the game. Reports suggest that Real Madrid have included the Argentine manager on a shortlist of candidates as the club prepares for potential changes on the bench ahead of next season.

With the 2026 World Cup approaching, a tournament the United States will co-host, Pochettino’s leadership will be crucial for stars like Pulisic. Yet speculation surrounding the coach’s future continues to grow, particularly as Madrid considers replacing Alvaro Arbeloa. During a recent interview, Pochettino addressed the rumors but offered a cryptic response that has only fueled intrigue about his next move.

According to ESPN, Real Madrid has begun evaluating the managerial market as the club anticipates significant structural changes this summer. The Spanish giant promoted Arbeloa to the first-team role earlier this year following the departure of Xabi Alonso, but the appointment was never considered a long-term solution by many within the club.

Its sources suggest Arbeloa’s future remains uncertain despite his strong reputation from working with the club’s academy. While he is respected at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, performances during his early months in charge have been inconsistent.

Pochettino emerges as serious candidate

As Madrid explores alternatives, Pochettino has emerged as one of the most highly regarded options within the club hierarchy. According to ESPN, Real Madrid has placed the Argentine coach on a shortlist of potential replacements as they evaluate candidates for their next sporting project.

The Argentine manager has built an impressive resume across Europe. He previously coached Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, managing some of the biggest stars in world soccer. His greatest achievement arguably came with Tottenham, where he led the club to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final.

Madrid’s interest may also be influenced by his past experience working with Kylian Mbappe during his time at PSG. The two spent two seasons together in Paris and won three trophies: Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the French Super Cup.

What did Pochettino say?

When asked about the possibility of managing Real Madrid, Pochettino did not dismiss the rumors outright. Instead, he delivered a philosophical response that has drawn significant attention across the soccer world.

Speaking to El Chiringuito, Pochettino said: “Well, everything in its time; timing in football is what always determines the course. Football will take you where it wants to, not where one wants.” The eight-word remark — “Football will take you where it wants to” — reflects the Argentine’s belief that soccer careers often follow unexpected paths.

While the statement does not confirm any negotiations, it also leaves the door open for a potential move in the future. For now, Pochettino remains focused on his current project with the United States national team as preparations intensify for the 2026 World Cup.

After missing the start of the 2026 Major League Soccer season, James Rodriguez is ready to make his debut with Minnesota United.

The signing of James Rodriguez by Minnesota United was one of the most high-profile moves in Major League Soccer ahead of the 2026 season, considering the star status he carries. However, the Colombian midfielder has yet to make his official debut, something that now appears close to happening.

Rodriguez missed the team’s first three matches of the season. In Minnesota United’s opener against Austin FC, he had only been with the team for a few days and was not even included in the squad. For the second match, against FC Cincinnati, he was on the bench but coach Cameron Knowles surprisingly chose not to give him any minutes. And last week, a minor physical issue prevented James from being considered for the match against Nashville SC.

Now, however, everything appears to be in place for the former Real Madrid star to make his official MLS debut. “Next weekend I play on Sunday,” Rodriguez announced this week during an interview with streamer Pelicanger.

“Are you making your debut this Sunday already? Against who?” the interviewer asked, to which the 34-year-old midfielder responded confidently: “Yes, with the grace of God. Against (Thomas) Muller’s team. I don’t know what it’s called. Vancouver, I think. It’s nice here.”

Indeed, Minnesota United’s next match will be against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Matchday 4 of the MLS season. The game will be played on Sunday, March 15 at 4:30 PM (ET) at BC Place in Vancouver. It will be a tough challenge for The Loons, who have recorded one win, one loss and one draw so far in the tournament, and will face a team that has won its first three matches.

When was the last official match played by James Rodriguez?

James Rodriguez’s debut with Minnesota United will be an important moment for MLS, which will finally have one of the league’s biggest stars on the field. However, it remains unclear which version of the Colombian midfielder will appear in Vancouver.

Rodriguez has not played a single minute so far in 2026 and is approaching four months without an official match. At club level, he last played on November 9, 2025, in a Liga MX clash between Leon and Puebla FC. He later took part in the FIFA international break with Colombia, where he started two friendlies against New Zealand and Australia, the latter on November 19.

With the chance of reaching the 900-goal mark, Lionel Messi has been handed a major squad boost as an Inter Miami star returns from injury.

Lionel Messi‘s 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup campaign gets underway on Wednesday, when Inter Miami travel to face Nashville SC at Geodis Park in the Round of 16. Ahead of a clash in which the Argentine legend could reach the 900-goal mark, the Herons will welcome a key player back from injury.

The Champions Cup is one of Inter Miami‘s primary targets in the first phase of the 2026 season and a central justification for the club’s significant transfer window spending. As they begin their continental campaign, the squad will be bolstered by the return of one of their most recent additions.

At Tuesday’s press conference, head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that Sergio Reguilón will return to the squad for the Nashville match. The Spanish left back has been unable to make his official debut after picking up an injury during preseason, but Wednesday’s clash presents his first opportunity to do so.

When asked about Reguilón’s condition, Mascherano offered some detail: “He rejoined the group last week and began participating in the majority of our training sessions. We haven’t had much time since the D.C. United match—we only practiced yesterday and today—but he completed both sessions with the team.”

Since Reguilón’s injury against Alianza Lima on January 24, Mascherano has deployed Noah Allen at left back to fill the void. “He feels good and is no longer dealing with any lingering effects from his injury. Obviously, it’s now a matter of him finding his match rhythm through the minutes we give him. He’s a guy with a lot of experience; he knows how this works, and the truth is we were eagerly awaiting his return. He is a very important player for our team,” he added.

Inter Miami confirmed at the time that Reguilón had sustained a Grade II sprain in his right knee, though no recovery timeline was provided. Nearly two months on, the Spaniard is back in the fold, though he is more likely to come off the bench initially as he works back toward full match fitness rather than being thrown straight into the starting lineup.

Messi, one goal away from the 900 mark

Messi’s goal against D.C. United over the weekend moved him to 899 career goals, leaving him just one shy of the staggering 900-goal mark, a milestone only Cristiano Ronaldo has ever reached. Wednesday’s game against Nashville gives him a prime opportunity to get there, with The Boys in Gold proving to be among his most generous opponents, having conceded 15 goals to the Argentine across their 10 previous meetings.

“Making it to 900 goals is madness—it’s incredible. Leo’s numbers are astonishing, but as great as he is, the statistics are actually the least of it. What he brings to the game is so much more than just his stats. Hopefully, we can help him reach that 900-goal mark tomorrow; if he does, it will mean we played a good match,” Mascherano said when asked about Messi’s mark.

After the inconsistencies throughout the season, Barcelona have supposedly decided to set their sights on a Bundesliga star as a star reinforcement as a free agent. However, they would not have an easy task, as a top Premier League team has also joined the interest.

Although Barcelona have managed to remain quite competitive this season, they are already looking to reinforce the roster for the next season. Because of this, they have been linked to names such as Julián Álvarez, Dusan Vlahovic and Alessandro Bastoni. Nevertheless, the Blaugranas have reportedly shifted their attention to a Bundesliga star as a free agent, competing with a top Premier League team for his move.

According to Sky Sports’ Patrick Berger via X, formerly Twitter, Barcelona are closely monitoring Julian Brandt’s arrival, who will leave Borussia Dortmund as a free agent. After scoring 10 goals and providing 3 assists, the German stands out as one of the best players of the team. Nevertheless, they would not have an easy path to secure his arrival, as Arsenal are also attentive to his situation, although neither club has made a formal offer yet.

While the Blaugranas have Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo, Brandt could give many alternatives to the attack. With the German, both Spaniards could have more protagonism on the left wing, replacing Raphinha. Nevertheless, the 29-year-old star would not arrive as a starter, something he could fight for with the Gunners, competing against Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left wing, a role he fulfills at Borussia Dortmund.

Julian’s potential arrival at Barcelona might jeopardize Marcus Rashford’s continuity with the team. With Brandt, Olmo, and Fermin as options for the left wing, the Englishman might find himself sidelined. As a result, the 28-year-old winger could consider returning to Manchester United, which could alter the plans of coach Hansi Flick, who supposedly wants to keep Rashford despite his €30 million price tag.

Report: Hansi Flick emerges as a key asset to sign a Premier League defender

Throughout the 2025-26 season, Barcelona have maintained serious defensive problems after the departure of Iñigo Martinez. Because of this, they had supposedly targeted several stars such as Alessandro Bastoni. Nevertheless, the Blaugranas have decided to change their approach, pursuing instead a more experienced Premier League profile as a free agent. For his arrival, Hansi Flick emerges as a key factor.

According to Ekrem Konur, the Blaugranas have decided to pursue the arrival of Marcos Senesi, as he has already informed AFC Bournemouth that he will leave as a free agent at the end of the season. While the Argentine holds several offers, he prioritizes his arrival at the Spanish side, as he is very attracted to Flick’s project. For that reason, the German plays a crucial role in attracting him to the team.

Barcelona supposedly add a Serie A defender to the list

Faced with the need to reinforce their defensive line, Barcelona are not limiting themselves to Senesi as their only target. According to Carlos Monfort in Diario Sport, Evan Ndicka of AS Roma emerges as a strong possibility, with a potential transfer fee of around €30 million. At just 26 years old, the Ivorian offers extensive experience while still having plenty of growth potential. Nonetheless, the Blaugranas have yet to settle on their primary target.

After conceding three goals and being subbed off in the 17th minute in the duel against Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur's goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky broke an unwanted record in the history of the UEFA Champions League.

Antonín Kinský found himself at the center of attention during Tottenham Hotspur‘s UEFA Champions League clash against Atlético Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Tuesday, but for all the wrong reasons. After conceding three goals and being hauled off before the match had barely begun, the goalkeeper etched his name into the record books in the most unfortunate way possible.

Tottenham got off to the worst possible start, with Kinský giving the ball away while attempting to play out from the back. Ademola Lookman pounced on the mistake, laying it off to Julián Álvarez, who found Marcos Llorente to open the scoring in the sixth minute. The nightmare continued when Kevin Danso played back to Micky van de Ven, who slipped at the critical moment, allowing Antoine Griezmann to capitalize and double the lead in the 14th minute.

From the restart, Tottenham played back to Kinský once more, and the Czech keeper again struggled with the ball under pressure, failing to connect cleanly as he tried to switch play to his right. Álvarez seized on the loose ball, and just one minute later, in the 15th, slotted into an open net to make it 3-0.

The moment the third goal went in, head coach Igor Tudor made a decision that stunned the stadium. As Atlético returned to their positions for the restart, Guglielmo Vicario rose from the bench on the sideline, and Tudor pulled Kinský from the field without hesitation.

The early hook made Kinský the first starting goalkeeper in Champions League history to be substituted for non-injury reasons within the first 20 minutes of a match. His disastrous performance left Tottenham in a deep hole, with the Czech keeper’s night encapsulating just how badly things unraveled for the visitors in the opening stages.

Atlético equal Barcelona record in UCL

While Tottenham were reeling from the Kinský chaos, Atlético Madrid were equally clinical in pressing home their advantage. Robin Le Normand added a fourth in the 22nd minute, and in doing so, the Colchoneros achieved a significant milestone in European competition.

According to Opta Jose, Atlético became the first team in their own history to score four goals in the first half of a Champions League knockout match. They also joined an exclusive club, becoming only the second Spanish side to accomplish the feat in a knockout round, after FC Barcelona, who managed it twice back in 2009.

Monterrey take on Cruz Azul 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.

Match Overview

A high-stakes Liga MX rivalry moves onto the continental stage as Monterrey and Cruz Azul meet in the Round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Cruz Azul enter the matchup riding strong momentum after climbing to the top of Liga MX.

On the other hand, Monterrey bring their usual pedigree in international competitions, where they have consistently delivered solid performances. With two experienced clubs chasing continental glory and plenty of recent form on display, this showdown promises intensity and quality.

In the immediate aftermath of the operation, Rodrygo addressed supporters with an emotional statement that quickly circulated across social media.

The season has taken a dramatic and painful turn for Rodrygo, one of the most dynamic attacking players at Real Madrid. The Brazilian forward recently underwent major knee surgery after suffering a serious injury during a league match, a setback that will keep him away from soccer for many months.

In the immediate aftermath of the operation, Rodrygo addressed supporters with an emotional statement that quickly circulated across social media. The message carried a powerful tone, one that hinted at determination, resilience, and the start of a new chapter in his career. For Madrid and the Brazil national team, however, the timing could hardly be worse. The injury not only ends the player’s current season but also eliminates any possibility of him representing his nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Rodrygo’s injury occurred during a La Liga clash against Getafe. The Brazilian had only just entered the match as a substitute when the incident happened. Shortly after stepping onto the pitch, he felt severe discomfort in his knee. Despite the pain, the 25-year-old managed to continue playing for part of the match. However, medical tests conducted afterward confirmed the worst fears. The player had suffered a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) along with damage to the lateral meniscus in his right knee.

Real Madrid soon confirmed the diagnosis in an official statement. The club announced: “Our player Rodrygo has successfully undergone surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus tears in his right knee.” According to the club’s medical update, the surgery was successful, and the player will begin his rehabilitation process in the coming days.

New medical report on Rodrygo.

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 10, 2026

Long road to recovery

Although the surgery went smoothly, the recovery timeline is expected to be lengthy. Injuries involving the ACL and meniscus typically require extended rehabilitation, and early estimates suggest Rodrygo could be sidelined for around ten months. This means the forward will miss the remainder of the current season and likely most of the 2026 calendar year. A return to competitive soccer may not arrive until early 2027.

Before the injury, Rodrygo had played 27 matches this season, contributing three goals and four assists. While those numbers may not fully reflect his influence, the Brazilian remained an important attacking option thanks to his pace, creativity, and ability to produce decisive moments.

The setback also comes after a turbulent period in his career. The Brazil international had faced uncertainty regarding his role in the squad earlier in the year, but had been working hard to re-establish himself in the team.

What did Rodygo say?

After the successful operation, Rodrygo took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message with fans and teammates. In his post, the Brazilian wrote: “Thank God everything went well in surgery! A new chapter starts today.”

It was within this message that the player delivered the powerful statement that quickly grabbed headlines. “A new Rodrygo is born… I’m ready to go through this whole process and experience God’s blessings in my life. Truly grateful for every message of love.” Those words reflected the player’s determination to return stronger despite one of the most difficult moments of his career.

Ahead of the first leg in Madrid, the focus has shifted to the fitness of two of the tie’s biggest stars, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

The latest showdown between Real Madrid and Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League was already expected to deliver high drama. But ahead of the first leg in Madrid, the focus has shifted to the fitness of two of the tie’s biggest stars, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

Both forwards have been dealing with physical issues in recent days, raising questions about whether they would be available for the crucial European clash. While Manchester City supporters were initially concerned about Haaland’s condition, the situation appears less encouraging for Madrid, where Mbappe has been struggling with a knee problem. With one of the continent’s most anticipated fixtures approaching, the contrasting injury updates could have a major impact on how the tie unfolds.

Real Madrid’s preparations have been complicated by a growing injury list, and Mbappe’s absence has become the most worrying development. The French forward missed training sessions on both Monday and Tuesday, remaining away from the main group as he continues to recover from a knee issue. As a result, the Frenchman will play no part in the first leg against Manchester City.

Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed that the club is taking a cautious approach with the star forward. “Mbappe is much better, but we have to take it one day at a time,” Arbeloa told reporters. “He’s come back feeling great. And we’ll take it one step at a time.” While the striker’s absence is a blow for Madrid, the club remains hopeful that he could recover in time for the return leg next week.

Unfortunately for Madrid, Mbappe is not the only key player missing. The club will also be without several other first-team figures, including Jude Bellingham, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, as well as Eder Militao, David Alaba, Dani Ceballos, Rodrygo, and Alvaro Carreras. In total, seven first-team players were absent from Los Blancos’ preparations, leaving the Spanish club facing the challenge of reshaping its lineup for one of the most demanding matches of the season.

Haaland returns to training for Manchester City

While Madrid struggles with injuries, Manchester City has received encouraging news regarding its own star striker. Haaland had raised concerns after missing the FA Cup victory over Newcastle last weekend. The Norwegian forward had also recently sat out a match against Leeds due to a minor knock.

However, City manager Pep Guardiola explained that the decision to leave Haaland out against Newcastle was a precaution rather than a sign of a serious injury. “I was not planning to play him,” Guardiola said before the match. “I would prefer him to have good training sessions than to travel and play just 10–15 minutes.”

The striker returned to training with his teammates shortly afterward, completing the session under Guardiola’s supervision and easing fears about his availability. Then came the update that could dramatically influence the Champions League encounter.

Haaland’s status revealed ahead of the Bernabeu clash

Reports from transfer insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed the key detail regarding Haaland’s condition ahead of the match in Madrid. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Norwegian striker has rejoined full training with the Manchester City squad and “he’s fully expected to start at the Bernabeu.” That development represents a major boost for the Premier League champion heading into the high-stakes European clash.

Haaland has been in exceptional form this season, producing 29 goals and seven assists in 39 appearances across all competitions. His physical presence and clinical finishing make him one of the most dangerous forwards in world soccer, particularly in knockout matches. For City, having him available significantly strengthens the team’s attacking options as they attempt to secure an advantage in the first leg.

A Brazilian player suffered a physical issue and will likely not be considered by Carlo Ancelotti for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to begin in three months, Brazil have received bad news, as a defender is dealing with physical problems that will likely rule him out of head coach Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.

“Vanderson’s expected to miss the World Cup 2026, barring any surprise in recovery,” reporter Fabrizio Romano wrote on X, citing information from Ge Globo. The defender was a starter in AS Monaco’s 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 last Friday, but had to be substituted in the 15th minute of the first half.

The injury Vanderson suffered was muscular, the type that usually does not require a lengthy recovery period. However, in this case things were more serious. “AS Monaco right back underwent surgery on Monday,” Romano added.

This completely changed the outlook and placed the Brazilian defender in a difficult position regarding his potential participation in the World Cup. “He’s expected to be out with injury for around three months,” the report says, setting a timeline that makes Vanderson’s chances of returning in time to be considered extremely difficult.

The key dates for Brazil ahead of the World Cup

Like all other national teams around the world, Brazil will play two matches during the March international break, which will be the last before head coach Carlo Ancelotti names the final squad for the World Cup. On March 26, they will face France, while five days later they will play Croatia.

In a little more than two months, Ancelotti will announce the final 26-player squad traveling to North America. According to Ge Globo, that will happen on May 19. Brazil’s World Cup debut will come on Saturday, June 13, opening Group C against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

What options does Ancelotti have instead of Vanderson?

Carlo Ancelotti was hired by the Brazil national team in mid-2025 and had his first experience in charge during the FIFA international break in June, when they faced Ecuador and Paraguay in the World Cup qualifiers. Vanderson was part of the squad and started both matches.

However, that was the last time the Monaco defender was selected by Ancelotti. In the following three FIFA international breaks, in September, October and November, Vanderson was left out of the squad due to physical problems, something similar to what will happen now after Monday’s surgery.

During those windows when Vanderson was unavailable, Ancelotti tested different options at right-back. AS Roma’s Wesley played several matches in that position, while Botafogo’s Vitinho and Vasco da Gama’s Paulo Henrique did so on other occasions. Even Eder Militao, usually a center back for Real Madrid, filled the role in a friendly against Senegal in November.

Throughout his professional career, Eden Hazard was coached by historic managers such as Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti. Nevertheless, the former Real Madrid star decided to mention another one as the best manager in history, surprising the fans.

After shining as one of the best players in the Premier League for several years, Eden Hazard starred in a €120 million transfer to Real Madrid. However, the Belgian never managed to recover from an injury, ending his career without making an impact on the team. Despite this, he remains quite active in the world of soccer, leading him to name a surprising candidate as the best coach in history, leaving out Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti.

In an interview with RTBF, Eden Hazard decided to praise Vincent Kompany’s work at Bayern Munich, considering that he has all the ingredients to be a very good coach. Amid this, the Belgian stated: “During his career, he spent many years with who is probably the best manager in history, Pep Guardiola.” His statement surprised fans, as he was never actually coached by the Spaniard, leaving aside Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti.

Throughout his tenure in the Premier League, Hazard faced Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on several occasions. Although he was never coached by the Spaniard, the Belgian directly experienced his impact on the league, imposing a very dominant style of play. In addition, he has pushed several players to their best level, while also creating historic teams such as that Barcelona side that dominated in Europe.

Eden was trained by legendary managers. During his tenure at Chelsea, he played under José Mourinho, who brought out his peak. In addition, upon his arrival at Real Madrid, he had Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane, two of the most important coaches in the history of Los Blancos. However, the Belgian made his mark on the history of soccer, above and beyond titles and personal experiences, with his decision to join Guardiola.

Pep Guardiola revealed his massive admiration for Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard became one of the most differential players in the Premier League. After playing 352 games, the Belgian scored 110 goals and delivered 88 assists. In addition, he led a brilliant era at Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, two UEFA Europa League trophies, one FA Cup, and one English League Cup. Because of this, Pep Guardiola expressed his deep admiration for him, leaving a strong statement.

In a press conference in June 2019, Guardiola was asked about Hazard’s transfer to Real Madrid, leaving some strong words that demonstrate his admiration: “The player they’ve signed from Chelsea is a very, very, very good player. It’s an amazing signing. He’s one of the best players I’ve seen. They’re going to have a lot of fun watching him,” he said, as per Diario As.

Although his spell at Real Madrid was quite disappointing, Eden still ranks among the best players in the history of Chelsea and one of the best of the last decade in the Premier League. Like Pep Guardiola, Hazard wrote his name in the history of the league, turning himself into a true legend, with an impact that goes far beyond statistics, as he constantly destabilized his opponents.

Philadelphia Union and Club America meet 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.

Match Overview

A high-profile MLS–Liga MX showdown is on tap as the Philadelphia Union prepare for a tough test against Club America. The Union enter the matchup still searching for momentum after opening their campaign with three straight defeats, hoping the continental stage provides the spark they need.

Meanwhile, America—one of the most successful clubs in the region—arrive in stronger form from Liga MX and appears to hold the advantage on paper in this latest clash with MLS side. With pride, momentum, and international bragging rights on the line, this is a matchup fans won’t want to miss.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino sees one national team as the leading favorite to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With the 2026 World Cup getting closer, fans from every continent are eagerly waiting for the action to begin while making their predictions about which teams and players will stand out the most. Even FIFA president Gianni Infantino has now shared his opinion on the matter.

During a recent interview with Diario AS, Infantino was asked which team he believes is the main favorite to win the title in North America this summer. “Spain are one of the favorites, along with others, of course,” he began.

“We already know the strength of Spain,” the FIFA president later added, referring to the fact that they are the reigning champions of the UEFA European Championship and finalists of the 2025 UEFA Nations League. “The number one team in the rankings has to be the favorite for the World Cup,” he argued.

Infantino’s comments are in line with the opinion of many analysts, who see Spain as one of the most well-balanced teams in international soccer right now, both collectively and individually. Head coach Luis De La Fuente has managed to blend talented young players with experienced veterans, and that formula has delivered results, with titles that place the European champions among the leading contenders heading into the World Cup.

Infantino confident it will be a great World Cup

With three months to go before kickoff, the World Cup currently appears to be surrounded more by social and political debates than by on-field storylines. However, Gianni Infantino does not seem concerned about that at all.

“The World Cup will be fantastic, phenomenal. There is unprecedented excitement in the United States, Mexico and Canada,” the FIFA president said in the same interview. “In four weeks we have had more than 500 million ticket requests… All the stadiums will be full — it’s going to be a huge celebration.”

Infantino also suggested that hosting the tournament in a country not traditionally considered one of the sport’s biggest strongholds will not be a negative factor. “When people used to say that in the United States football — or ‘soccer,’ as they call it — was not highly regarded, that has changed. It will be a success,” he said.

“It will be the first World Cup with 48 teams, 104 matches, 16 cities, three countries. We are looking at something enormous,” the FIFA president added. “It’s more than a tournament, more than a sporting competition — it’s a social event that will make the world stop and watch.”

In order to boost Lamine Yamal’s attack, Barcelona is reportedly targeting Dusan Vlahovic as a strong candidate. However, they could lose out on his signing, as the Serbian is supposedly approaching an important decision regarding his future.

Throughout the 2025–26 season, Barcelona have experienced real uncertainty in the forward line, as Robert Lewandowski has not managed to impose his scoring power and Ferran Torres has been quite inconsistent. Because of this, Lamine Yamal’s team are reportedly targeting Dusan Vlahovic as a star reinforcement as a free agent. However, the Blaugranas’ signing could be at risk, as Vlahovic is reportedly approaching a decision about his future.

According to Nicolò Schira, via X (formerly Twitter), Dusan Vlahovic is making significant progress in negotiations with Juventus. With this, the Italian side would be open to offering him a salary of €7 million per year, along with a substantial bonus for renewing. In addition, they would be willing to offer him a short-term contract. Although no agreement has been reached yet, another meeting is scheduled this week to define the Serbian’s future.

While Vlahovic has been out for several games due to injury, the Serbian aims to be the solution to Juventus’ offensive problems. After scoring more than 16 goals in the last two seasons, he stands as the team’s most potent scorer, as Jonathan David and Lois Openda have yet to fully settle in. In addition, coach Luciano Spalletti reportedly wants to continue working with Dusan, complicating his arrival to Barcelona.

Even though Dusan is open to staying with the Vecchia Signora, he has not made a definitive decision, leaving hope for Barcelona. Julián Álvarez may be the primary target, but his high cost gives him very few chances. Because of this, the Serbian emerges as a great alternative, as he would arrive at zero cost and could provide an offensive boost. Nevertheless, the Blaugranas could be forced to accelerate negotiations, as they risk losing him.

Barcelona face striker uncertainty for next season

Amid Lewandowski’s dip in form, Ferran Torres has emerged as the ‘ideal’ striker for Barcelona, imposing his scoring power. While the Spaniard has been inconsistent, they are reportedly aiming for his renewal. However, the Blaugranas have doubts regarding the competition from the 25-year-old striker. Not only are their objectives complicated, but the electoral situation could also cloud the perspective.

In a recent appearance on SER, candidate and former president Joan Laporta supported the Pole’s continuity: “I want to renew Lewandowski… He came at a moment when it wasn’t easy to come to Barça. He gave up a lot to come here… He has very important offers, but I would like him to continue for one more year if he wants.” In addition, the veteran striker has publicly supported his candidacy.

Far from making the situation easier, this stance could further complicate things. Candidate Víctor Font has remained silent on the matter, maintaining doubts even about the continuity of current sporting director Deco. If he wins the elections, the supposed agreements or approaches regarding Vlahovic, Julián Álvarez, and other forwards could be delayed, as Deco would no longer be in place.

With his decision to rest for the next Santos game, Neymar has reportedly put his return to Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil national team in danger.

Neymar‘s return to the Brazil national team after more than two years away had been growing increasingly likely in recent days, driven in part by a mounting injury list within the squad. But reports now suggest his comeback is in serious jeopardy after he was left out of Santos’ next match, the very game coach Carlo Ancelotti had been planning to attend.

Word has emerged that Ancelotti decided to include Neymar on his preliminary list of pre-selected players for Brazil’s March international window. The Italian coach had even planned to travel to the José Maria de Campos Maia stadium to watch Santos take on Mirassol FC in their Brasileirão fixture on Tuesday and use it as a final evaluation of the forward’s fitness.

However, when Santos released their squad list for the game, Neymar’s name was absent, immediately raising questions about his physical condition. According to Globo Esporte, the decision to leave him out sparked frustration within the Brazilian football federation and among Ancelotti’s coaching staff, both of whom had been closely monitoring Neymar and were counting on the match to make a final call on his inclusion.

The outlet went further, stating that the decision to rest him could ultimately cost Neymar his shot at a national team return. With Ancelotti now unable to evaluate him as originally planned, the likelihood of his name appearing on the squad list set to be announced on March 16 has dropped considerably.

Brazil are scheduled to travel to the United States for a pair of March friendlies, facing France on the 26th at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Croatia on the 31st at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. This represents the last international window before Ancelotti finalizes his World Cup squad, making Neymar’s potential absence from these games a significant blow to one of his defining career ambitions.

Is Neymar injured?

Since returning from meniscus surgery, Neymar had shown encouraging signs, featuring in Santos’ last three matches while scoring two goals and adding an assist, completing the full 90 minutes in each of the last two. The latest setback, however, has cast fresh doubt over his fitness.

Following Santos’ elimination from the Campeonato Paulista on February 22, the club had a break of up to 12 days before the Mirassol match, giving Neymar ample time to prepare. According to Globo, however, he only participated in the physical portions of training during that period, sitting out tactical sessions before returning to his normal routine last Sunday.

Santos insist Neymar is not injured and that the decision to rest him against Mirassol was coordinated with the coaching staff well in advance of his return to regular training. With the squad list set to drop on March 16, Neymar’s last realistic chance to change Ancelotti’s mind may come in the Brasileirão game against Corinthians next Sunday, a match the Brazil coach will not be attending, as he is scheduled to watch Botafogo face Flamengo that same day.

After a crucial victory pushed Almeria closer to returning to the Spanish top flight, the club received a notable reaction from its new high-profile co-owner.

The influence of Cristiano Ronaldo continues to extend far beyond the pitch. While the Portuguese superstar focuses on his duties with Al-Nassr, his growing involvement with Almeria in Spain has placed the Andalusian club under a global spotlight.

After a crucial victory pushed Almeria closer to returning to the Spanish top flight, the club received a notable reaction from its new high-profile co-owner. The message was brief but powerful, quickly drawing attention across social media and reinforcing the sense that the project in southern Spain is gaining serious momentum. With the promotion race heating up in the Segunda Division, the timing of Ronaldo’s public support could hardly have been more significant.

Almeria’s push for a return to La Liga gained a huge boost after the team secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Cultural Leonesa. The win was more than just another three points. It propelled the team into the automatic promotion places, moving the club up to second in the league standings after 29 matches. That position carries enormous importance in Spain’s second tier, as the top two teams earn direct promotion to La Liga at the end of the season.

For the Spanish ide, the climb up the table represents a dramatic turnaround. The club had endured a difficult period following its relegation from La Liga in April 2024, but recent performances suggest a team rediscovering both confidence and consistency.

In fact, the victory marked Almeria’s fifth win in their last six league matches, underlining the impressive form that has revived hopes of an immediate return to the top flight. The surge in results has come during a time of transformation for the club. A Saudi-backed investment group entered the project in May 2025, and the involvement of Ronaldo earlier this year has only increased the sense that a new era is beginning.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s investment changes the narrative

Recently, Ronaldo officially became a part of Almeria’s ownership structure by purchasing a 25 percent stake in the club through his investment company. The move instantly boosted the club’s global profile.

According to reports, the club’s social media following surged dramatically after the deal, with Almeria rising to become the fifth most-followed Spanish soccer club on Instagram, boasting approximately 3.2 million followers. Only giants such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Sevilla now rank ahead of them in Spain’s digital landscape.

The investment reflects Ronaldo’s growing interest in soccer ownership and long-term sporting projects. But despite the commercial benefits, the immediate focus remains firmly on the pitch: promotion back to La Liga.

What did Ronaldo say?

Shortly after the final whistle against Cultural Leonesa, Ronaldo took to social media to congratulate the team. Despite currently recovering from a hamstring injury in Madrid, the 41-year-old remains closely connected to the club’s progress. His message, posted on Instagram, quickly spread among supporters and media outlets. Ronaldo took to social media to write: “Great win today. We continue.”

Those five words carried symbolic weight, reflecting both encouragement and determination as Almeria’s promotion push enters a crucial phase. For a squad dealing with the pressure of expectation, the public backing of one of soccer’s greatest players serves as a powerful psychological boost.

While the result strengthened Almeria’s position, the road to promotion remains long. The Rojiblancos currently sit four points behind league leaders Racing Santander, meaning the battle for the title and automatic promotion remains wide open.

Even as both superstars approach the final chapters of their playing careers, comparisons between the two remain constant, not only in terms of trophies and records but also in their enormous financial power.

The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has defined modern soccer for nearly two decades. Even as both superstars approach the final chapters of their playing careers, comparisons between the two remain constant, not only in terms of trophies and records but also in their enormous financial power.

Today, the Argentine icon represents Inter Miami, while the Portuguese legend plays for Al‑Nassr. Their moves to the United States and Saudi Arabia reshaped global soccer markets, attracting massive audiences and commercial investment. In Miami, Messi’s contract is already widely discussed because the forward earns up to $80 million annually, including salary, sponsorship deals, and other commercial arrangements.

Yet that headline number only reveals part of the story. Messi’s agreement in Major League Soccer is unique in modern soccer and reflects his global appeal. At the same time, Ronaldo’s deal in Saudi Arabia is widely regarded as one of the most lucrative contracts ever offered to an athlete.

The financial structure behind Messi’s Inter Miami deal

Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer transformed both the club and the league’s international visibility. His move to the United States was not simply a sporting decision but also a business strategy built around partnerships and global marketing opportunities.

According to the club’s co-owner Jorge Mas, the Argentine star’s income goes far beyond a standard soccer salary. When all components of the deal are included, Messi earns between $70 million and $80 million per year. According to ESPN, Mas explained that the official salary figures only represent a fraction of the total value of the contract.

Data from the MLS Players Association indicates that Messi’s base salary is around $12 million per year, while his guaranteed compensation reaches approximately $20.4 million annually. The remaining income is generated through innovative commercial agreements linked directly to Messi’s presence in the league. One of the most notable features of the deal is revenue sharing with Apple, MLS’s global broadcast partner. Messi receives a portion of the revenue generated by subscriptions to the MLS Season Pass service on Apple TV.

The Argentine also benefits from a major endorsement agreement with Adidas, the German sportswear giant that has maintained a long-term relationship with the player. Mas highlighted the financial scale of Messi’s contract while explaining how the club supports the arrangement. “The reason we need world-class sponsors is because players are expensive. I pay Messi — and he’s worth every dollar — but we’re talking about between $70 million and $80 million a year in total,” Mas said.

Beyond salary and sponsorship income, Messi’s agreement also contains a long-term incentive. Once his playing career ends, he will have the opportunity to become a co-owner of Inter Miami, further strengthening his connection to the franchise.

Does Messi earn more than Ronaldo?

While Messi’s MLS contract is extremely lucrative, it still does not surpass the financial scale of Ronaldo’s deal in Saudi Arabia. According to financial estimates from outlets such as Forbes, Ronaldo’s total net worth currently stands at roughly $1.2 billion, compared with around $850 million for Messi.

A significant reason for that difference lies in Ronaldo’s agreement with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr. Financial reporting from Sportico indicates that Ronaldo earns a base salary of approximately $235 million annually. In addition, performance bonuses and commercial incentives can reportedly increase that figure by another $50 million each year.

The contract runs until 2027 and is widely regarded as one of the richest deals ever signed in professional sport. The Portuguese’s income is further boosted by a lifetime partnership with Nike, as well as several business ventures connected to his CR7 brand. These include fashion lines, hotels, and fitness businesses that continue to expand globally.

Following his dip in form, Robert Lewandowski’s continuity at Barcelona seems complicated, as he has not yet renewed his contract. In response, the Pole has decided to break his silence, opening up a wide spectrum regarding his professional future.

Since his arrival in 2022, Robert Lewandowski established himself as the undisputed leader of Barcelona’s offense, leading the team in scoring. However, the veteran has experienced a notable dip in form, being surpassed by Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal as goal scorers. Because of this, his future at the club is far from certain, as he has not yet renewed his contract. With this in mind, Robert decided to break his silence regarding his future.

“I don’t know, because I have to feel it. For now, I can’t say anything about what I will decide, because I’m not even 50% sure which path I want to take… With my age and experience, I don’t have to decide right now. Maybe in three months I’ll have to, but even so, I’m not stressed. I need to start feeling it so it will be easier when we talk about my future,” Lewandowski said, via The Athletic.

Unlike in previous seasons, Lewandowski is no longer an undisputed starter, having been relegated by Ferran Torres. In addition, the Blaugranas are reportedly looking to sign a young striker in the summer of 2026, making his continuity unlikely. Despite this, the Pole continues to attract attention from major European clubs such as AC Milan and Atlético Madrid, along with interest from the MLS and the Saudi Pro League.

Acknowledging his dip in form, Robert is determined to fight for his place at Barcelona for at least one more season, reports Mateusz Borek on Sportowy Kanal. To achieve this, he aims to score 10 more goals before the season’s end, seeking to convince the team of his value. Additionally, the Polish player is willing to accept a salary reduction and a secondary role in his new contract, reports Diario Sport.

Barcelona reportedly struggle to sign striker aiding Lewandowski stay

Throughout the 2025–26 season, Barcelona have relied on Ferran Torres as their usual center forward. Despite this, the Spaniard has proven to be quite inconsistent, accumulating several games without scoring. Because of this, they face the need to sign a world-class center forward, but several issues have reportedly emerged, complicating this plan. With this in mind, Robert Lewandowski’s continuity could remain possible.

According to Diario Sport, Julián Álvarez stands out as Barcelona’s favorite candidate. Despite this, Atlético Madrid will reportedly demand €150 million for his departure, which would make this signing impossible. Additionally, presidential candidate Joan Laporta expressed concerns in an interview with SER, stating that the Argentine is not worth breaking the bank for, and his acquisition would only be viable at a more reasonable price.

Coupled with this, Dusan Vlahovic is reportedly open to staying at Juventus, leaving Barcelona without another clear option. Given this, Lewandowski’s continued presence at the club could become a possibility, as he has proven crucial in key moments. However, the Polish may not wait long to decide his future, urging the Blaugranas to make a decision soon. If they delay, he might choose to leave, further complicating the situation.

Newcastle receive Barcelona in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 edition. Here you can find kickoff times along with TV and streaming information for viewers in the United States.

Match Overview

A place in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League will be on the line when FC Barcelona meet Newcastle United in a highly anticipated clash. Barcelona bring the pedigree and experience of one of Europe’s most successful clubs, along with strong domestic form.

But they will need to stay sharp against a Newcastle side eager to prove itself on the big stage. The English club may lack the same history in this competition, yet their flashes of quality suggest they could challenge the favorites, making this a showdown fans won’t want to miss.

Atalanta receive Bayern in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 edition. Here you can find kickoff times along with TV and streaming information for viewers in the United States.

Match Overview

After eliminating Borussia Dortmund in convincing fashion, Atalanta enter the Round of 16 with confidence and momentum, but the challenge only gets tougher against European powerhouse Bayern Munich.

The German giants secured direct qualification after finishing second in their group and once again look like serious contenders for the UEFA Champions League title, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown between a proven powerhouse and an ambitious challenger eager to prove it belongs among Europe’s elite.

Victor Font has asked Lionel Messi to explain why his return to Barcelona collapsed in 2023.

In recent days, Lionel Messi’s name has once again taken center stage in the debates ahead of Barcelona’s presidential election, which will take place next Sunday. In that context, Victor Font, one of the candidates for president, sent a message to the Argentine forward.

Last week, Xavi Hernandez claimed that Messi’s return to Barcelona in 2023 was blocked by Joan Laporta. “His deal was done, we had the green light from LaLiga, but it was the president who pulled the plug on everything. Once again, he isn’t telling the truth,” said the former Spanish midfielder, who at the time was the team’s head coach.

Laporta denied that version and instead offered a different explanation of what happened. “It was like this with Messi: When we couldn’t renew him in 2023 due to financial issues, he told me that Messi wanted to return. I sent the contract to Jorge Messi, who later came to my house and told me that here he would have too much pressure.”

This clash of conflicting accounts comes just days before Barcelona’s presidential election, which is why one of the candidates has expressed his desire for everything to be clarified before Sunday. “I don’t think Messi will speak between now and Sunday, but hopefully he does. Let him explain the truth so the members don’t go to vote misled,” Victor Font said during the Nueva Economia Forum, according to Mundo Deportivo.

“The members should choose the Barca they want starting Monday, not simply decide between candidates,” Font added. He is one of the two options club members can vote for after Marc Ciria and Xavier Vilajoana were ruled out for failing to reach the minimum number of required endorsements.

Laporta and Font agree on Hansi Flick

Although the exchanges between the Barcelona presidential candidates have been constant and often harsh in recent weeks, they appear to agree on one key issue: the continuity of Hansi Flick as head coach.

“I would like him to be the coach for the coming years because he has all the qualities: he is demanding, he is knowledgeable, he is professional, he knows how to deal with players and he is happy here,” Joan Laporta said in a recent interview with SER Catalunya. “He gives you good feelings and has a strong personality and character.”

For his part, Victor Font also addressed Flick while delivering a reassuring message about his future. “I will call him that same Sunday if we win to give him the tools and stability he is asking for,” the presidential candidate said.

Barcelona face Newcastle United, aiming to strike in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Because of this, fans are closely watching Lamine Yamal’s status ahead of the game. Here are the confirmed lineups for both sides.

After qualifying fifth in the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona secured their spot in the Round of 16, facing Newcastle United. Far from being an easy game, the Spanish side will have a complex task, as the English side have shown themselves to be in full form in the competition. For this reason, fans are closely watching Lamine Yamal‘s status ahead of today’s game, as the 18-year-old star remains the most productive player on the team.

Even though Lamine Yamal has had injuries this season, he has managed to remain in full form, accumulating several consecutive starts. Coming in an impressive good run of form, the Spaniard will start vs. Newcastle United. At just 18 years old, he stands as the team’s top scorer with 19 goals and top assist provider with 15 assists, establishing himself as the undisputed leader of the team.

Along with the young Spaniard, coach Hansi Flick will rely on Raphinha and Fermin Lopez, who have been key for the Blaugranas. Moreover, Robert Lewandowski will start as the center forward. With this, they seek to deliver a strong blow to the English side, aiming for a victory that would set their path toward the Champions League quarterfinals.

Unlike Barcelona, Newcastle United are not living their best moment of the season, dropping to 12th place in the Premier League. In addition, Alexander Isak’s departure left the team without scoring power, leaving the burden on Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade, who have not managed to impose themselves. Nevertheless, coach Eddie Howe has managed to impose a defensive strength that can challenge the Blaugranas’ offense.

Newcastle United lineup vs. Barcelona

Despite not being in their best form, Newcastle United have managed to remain quite competitive in the UEFA Champions League, showing a stronger version than in the Premier League. Nevertheless, coach Eddie Howe faces serious problems, as he will be without Bruno Guimarães, Lewis Miley, Fabian Schär, and Emil Krafth. Despite this, he will rely on Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon as key differentiators to beat Barcelona.

With this in mind, Newcastle United will play as follows: Aaron Ramsdale; Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall; Sandro Tonali, Jacob Ramsey, Joelington; Anthony Elanga, William Osula, Harvey Barnes.

Barcelona lineup vs. Newcastle United

While Lamine Yamal remains in full form, coach Hansi Flick has five absences to face Newcastle United: Jules Koundé, Alejandro Balde, Frenkie de Jong, and Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia. For this, Barcelona will be forced to make changes in defense. Nevertheless, the Blaugranas remain favorites thanks to their impressive offensive firepower.

Considering this, Barcelona will lineup as follows: Joan Garcia; Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Joao Cancelo; Marc Bernal, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha; Robert Lewandowski.

Atletico Madrid will host Tottenham in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 edition. Here you can find kickoff times along with TV and streaming information for viewers in the United States.

Match Overview

With their domestic campaigns offering little hope, Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid turn their focus to the UEFA Champions League, where a place in the quarterfinals is at stake in a clash between two clubs with deep European history.

Tottenham have struggled throughout the Premier League season and view this competition as their clearest path to redemption, while Atletico arrive in slightly better form after showing greater consistency on the continental stage despite an uneven year in Spain. Both sides want to keep their European dream alive!

After his knee injury, the condition of Kylian Mbappé has been surrounded by uncertainty, with talk even emerging about a serious injury. In response to this, coach Álvaro Arbeloa shared a positive update on the Frenchman, sparking hope among the fans.

Kylian Mbappé stands as the undisputed leader of Real Madrid, shining at the offensive level as the team’s top scorer. Nevertheless, he suffered an injury to his left knee that has kept him out of the last matches and even left him out of the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 game vs. Manchester City. Along with this, the Frenchman has been surrounded by speculation about a serious injury, leading coach Álvaro Arbeloa to give a positive update on his condition.

In the press conference prior to the game between Real Madrid vs. Manchester City, Álvaro Arbeloa gave positive news about Mbappé’s recovery: “He is much better. It is something to take day by day. This whole week has been very positive, he has returned with great sensations and every day he is better. We are expecting him back very soon.” With this in mind, the Frenchman could have chances of playing in the second leg, making an expected comeback.

Following Arbeloa’s statements, the supposed partial tear of Mbappé’s posterior cruciate ligament could be ruled out, relieving the fans. With this, Real Madrid could gain an offensive boost, as only Vinicius Jr., Gonzalo Garcia, and Brahim Diaz remain effective scorers to defeat the Citizens, which seems insufficient to lead the series. Despite this, Kylian’s return could be handled with caution, with evaluations occurring week by week.

Amid Kylian’s absence for the first leg against the Citizens, coach Arbeloa could place all his hopes on Vinicius Jr., who should lead the scoring effort. Nevertheless, Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni could also be key contributors, just as they have been in previous games. Additionally, Los Blancos might even settle for a draw, trusting that Mbappé will make the difference in the second leg.

Real Madrid injury crisis worsens CL clash vs. Manchester City

Although Kylian Mbappé is progressing positively in his recovery, he remains out of the first-leg game vs. Manchester City, as he has not managed to reach his peak form. Far from being the only absence, Real Madrid are suffering a crisis of injuries to several stars that complicate their series in the Champions League Round of 16. With this in mind, coach Arbeloa will be forced to make changes in his lineup.

Not only is Mbappé ruled out for the first-leg clash, but also Jude Bellingham, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Daniel Ceballos, Rodrygo Goes, and Álvaro Carreras. For that reason, the coach may opt for Brahim Diaz or Gonzalo Garcia, and Ferland Mendy in the starting lineup. Nonetheless, Carreras may be able to play in the second leg, alongside the Frenchman, giving Los Blancos high hopes for the second leg at Etihad Stadium.

Vinicius Jr. among three Real Madrid stars on yellow card tightrope

Along with the seven absences due to injury, Real Madrid could even lose more players to compete against Manchester City in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium. Vinicius Jr., Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Dean Huijsen could miss the next Champions League game due to yellow card accumulation if they are booked in the match.

Galatasaray and Liverpool meet in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 edition. Here you can find kickoff times along with TV and streaming information for viewers in the United States.

Match Overview

The road to the quarterfinals heats up as Galatasaray host Liverpool in a highly anticipated clash. The Turkish side arrives with momentum after eliminating Juventus to reach this stage and will rely on the energy of their home crowd to challenge one of Europe’s most consistent teams.

Liverpool, meanwhile, proved their quality in the league phase, finishing third with 18 points from a possible 24 and entering the matchup as one of the tournament’s strongest contenders. With both clubs carrying confidence and plenty at stake, this promises to be a thrilling battle you won’t want to miss.

With the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 against Newcastle United just around the corner, FC Barcelona will be suffering a setback as Frenkie de Jong's injury recovery timeline has been revealed.

Frenkie de Jong has been one of Barcelona‘s most notable absentees over recent weeks, forcing coach Hansi Flick to lean heavily on his younger midfield options. With the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 now just around the corner, De Jong will remain sidelined, as his recovery timeline has now been confirmed.

The issue dates back to late February, when De Jong was forced to cut short a Barcelona training session with what was later confirmed to be a strain of the distal hamstring in his right leg. Concern quickly mounted over how long the Dutch midfielder would be out, with the injury count now standing at three matches missed: Villarreal, Atlético Madrid and last weekend’s clash with Athletic Club.

Speaking to ESPN, Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman addressed De Jong’s situation and provided a clearer picture of when he can be expected back. “Frenkie de Jong will be out for approximately six weeks. Sometimes I think it might be good for someone to be out for six weeks so that they get less tired,” said Koeman, effectively ruling him out of the upcoming March international window squad.

With a recovery timeline pointing to early April, De Jong will miss not only Barcelona’s Champions League Round of 16 series against Newcastle United but also the Netherlands’ March friendlies against Norway on the 27th and Ecuador on the 31st. “Even so, we have to wait for him to regain his fitness once he returns,” he added.

With Pedri back from his own muscle injury, Flick has been experimenting with how to cover De Jong’s role, with Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal competing for the position. Between the first leg at St. James’ Park on March 10 and the second leg at the Camp Nou on the 18th, the German coach will have to navigate a critical stretch of the season without one of the club’s key figures and captains.

De Jong not the only key absence against Newcastle United

De Jong has been a pivotal contributor this season with 31 appearances, one goal and seven assists, but it is worth noting that Barcelona have won all 10 matches in which he has been absent, suggesting the squad has shown it can cope without him. Even so, he is just one piece of a much larger injury puzzle heading into the Newcastle tie.

The most recent and significant blows came in the Copa del Rey semifinal against Atlético Madrid, where both Jules Koundé and Alejandro Baldé were forced off. Koundé suffered an injury to the middle third of the biceps femoris in his left thigh and is expected to miss several weeks.

In Baldé’s case, the left back sustained a distal biceps femoris injury in his left thigh, with a recovery timeline of approximately four weeks. Andreas Christensen, meanwhile, remains unavailable and is not expected to feature again until next season. The biggest wildcard is Gavi, who has recently returned to training after tearing the internal meniscus of his right knee in late September, but whether he will be fit enough to feature against Newcastle remains very much in the air.

The president of the Spain FA has revealed that the Finalissima between La Roja and Lionel Messi's Argentina is more likely than not to be moved away from Qatar.

The Finalissima, a generational showdown that would see Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal compete for a trophy, is now fewer than three weeks from its originally scheduled date, with its venue thrown into serious doubt by the ongoing situation in Qatar. With a decision expected in the coming days, the president of the Spain Football Federation has indicated that the game against Argentina is most likely to be relocated from Doha.

The match had been set for Friday, March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, following an agreement between CONMEBOL and UEFA. But the ongoing regional conflict has forced the parties involved to act quickly, with both confederations firmly opposed to postponing the game and finding an alternative date.

Speaking on Cadena SER’s El Larguero program, RFEF president Rafael Louzán addressed the prospect of keeping the game in Qatar directly: “I think that’s very unlikely. We have already canceled two charters that were scheduled for the trip four days ago. This agreement is with UEFA and CONMEBOL through a company that has contracted six football matches: Spain-Argentina, Spain-Egypt, Argentina-Qatar, Saudi Arabia-Serbia, and one more.”

Louzán was referring to the Qatar Football Festival 2026, which had been scheduled to run from March 26 to 31 before being canceled amid the situation in the country. “It was all part of the same package, and it’s a matter we’re going to decide in the coming hours. We signed a contract that, from an economic standpoint, was very lucrative for the Spanish Federation,” he added.

“A decision will be made within 48 hours. I hope that through our negotiations with UEFA and others, we reach a reasonable agreement that is well-received by the majority,” Louzán concluded, setting a clear timeline for when the Finalissima’s fate will be determined.

Where will the Finalissima be held?

As soon as Qatar’s viability as a host came into question, a number of alternatives quickly surfaced, including Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, given Messi‘s enormous following in the region. Those options lost traction relatively quickly, however, with Estádio da Luz in Lisbon emerging as one of the leading candidates.

Spain was also floated as a possibility, with both the Metropolitano and the Santiago Bernabéu mentioned as potential venues. Louzán addressed that option directly: “First of all, even if we could offer Spain, there is also Argentina to consider. This is a match that should be played at a neutral venue. I think it’s clear that it appears it should be in Europe.“

The federation president then laid out the reasoning that points toward a European solution. “I believe it will be in Europe because, ultimately, if circumstances lead us there, the majority of the players—both Spanish and Argentine—are based in Europe. Therefore, it seems logical that this is what will end up happening,” he concluded.

FC Barcelona head coach made some headlines by revealing the team star that's currently on the same level as Lamine Yamal, excluding Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski from the debate.

While Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski have each seen their 2025-26 seasons disrupted by injury, Lamine Yamal has stepped up as Barcelona‘s undisputed main man. But according to head coach Hansi Flick, there is another Blaugrana star, neither the Brazilian nor the Pole, who is currently operating at the same level as the teenage sensation.

Yamal has once again raised the bar, leading Barcelona in both goals (19) and assists (15) this season, making it comfortably his most prolific campaign to date. Flick has consistently leaned on his younger players over the course of the season, and with the UEFA Champions League now the primary focus, he has spoken glowingly about the growth of his youthful core.

Ahead of the match against Newcastle United, Flick was asked how he manages a squad increasingly driven by young talent while coping with the absences of veterans like Raphinha, Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, and even Ronald Araujo. “We speak about a young team. Pau Cubarsi is now 19, Marc Bernal is 18, Lamine is 18, Fermin (Lopez) is 21, and this quality that they have is unbelievable. For me, they should enjoy the games, and they should improve in every game, and they do it,” he said on Monday’s press conference.

Reflecting on a run of four consecutive wins, including the 3-0 victory over Atlético Madrid and last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Athletic Club, Flick singled out one young player for special praise: “The match against Bilbao, the match against Atletico, it’s amazing for me to see how Cuba (Cubarsi) is defending. We speak a lot, because sometimes I say to him ‘Hey, come on, you’re a little bit lazy ok? You have to be focused.’“

The German coach then delivered a striking assessment of the teenager’s standing within the squad. “But he’s young. He’s 19 years old, but que has a huge quality. For me, as a defender, he’s on the same level as Lamine, and it’s amazing to have him. He is 19 years old and can play at the highest level he can imagine,” he candidly stated.

Cubarsí has indeed established himself as one of the most important players in Flick’s setup despite his age. Having turned 19 in January, the technically gifted Spanish center-back has already made 116 appearances for Barcelona, becoming the youngest player in club history to reach 100 games, a record surpassed only, fittingly, by Yamal himself.

Yamal and some Barcelona youngsters on the verge of suspension

Having been eliminated from the Copa del Rey in the semifinals by Atlético Madrid, Barcelona are now fully focused on the one major trophy that eluded them last season: the Champions League. The Blaugrana have traveled to England for the first leg of the Round of 16 against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, but the game comes with a significant disciplinary subplot.

Heading into Tuesday’s match, Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Gerard Martín and Marc Casadó are all one booking away from a suspension. Each has already accumulated four yellow cards in the competition, meaning a single caution would rule them out of the second leg at the Camp Nou on Wednesday, March 18. With Yamal, López and Martín all regarded as key starters, the stakes of staying disciplined could hardly be higher.

Brazil icon Hulk has created headlines after being involved in the Atlético Mineiro–Cruzeiro mayhem which saw 23 red cards.

Givanildo Vieira de Souza, better known as Hulk, has cemented himself as one of the most iconic figures in Brazilian soccer over recent years, recently reaching the milestone of 450 career goals. But the veteran forward found himself at the center of a very different kind of headline after the Atlético Mineiro-Cruzeiro clash descended into chaos, resulting in a staggering 23 red cards.

The two Minas Gerais rivals met on Sunday in the Campeonato Mineiro final at the Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto. With the regional title on the line, Cruzeiro broke the deadlock in the 60th minute when Kaio Jorge connected with a header from a Gerson cross, scoring what would prove to be the only goal of the match.

With the game approaching its final moments, Matheus Pereira tried his luck from distance, forcing a save from goalkeeper Éverson that produced a slight rebound. Christian moved in to follow up, but the keeper got to the ball and collided with him in the process, and that contact was all it took to ignite a mass brawl that would result in 23 players being sent off.

When the dust had settled, Atlético Mineiro had 11 players dismissed: Éverson, G. Delfim, Á. Preciado, Lyanco, R. Tresoldi, Junior Alonso, R. Lodi, A. Franco, M. Cassierra, Hulk and A. Minda. Cruzeiro had 12 shown red cards: Kaio Jorge, Fagner, F. Bruno, J. Marcelo, L. Villalba, K. Prates, Christian, L. Romero, M. Henrique, Wallace, Gerson and C. Ramos.

Hulk’s message after the incident

With staff members from both clubs and security personnel forced to intervene, Cruzeiro ultimately celebrated the Campeonato Mineiro title for the first time since 2019, claiming the competition’s 39th crown and closing the gap on Atlético Mineiro’s record of 50 titles. In defeat, Hulk took to social media to address what had unfolded:

“What happened in yesterday’s match does not represent the values that football should convey. Rivalry is part of the sport, but respect must always come before any emotion. I apologize to everyone who was at the stadium, to those watching on television, and especially to the children who look to football for inspiration. What we saw on the pitch is not the example we want to set,” the Brazil icon wrote on an Instagram story.

“I take responsibility for my part in what happened and I regret that moment. I am certain that many of the athletes involved are men of character, fathers, and responsible people who never step onto the pitch with the intention of hurting anyone. We made a mistake, but we also need to recognize when we are wrong and learn from it. May this episode serve as a reflection for all of us. We move forward now, respecting the game of football and everyone who loves this sport,” he added.

What is the record for red cards in a single soccer game?

Under soccer’s rules, if a team receives enough red cards to reduce their number of players on the pitch below seven, the match is suspended and awarded to the opposing side. Given that the brawl erupted near the final whistle, the referee blew for full time before that threshold was reached, but Sunday’s match came alarmingly close to setting a historic mark.

The Guinness World Record for the most red cards in a single soccer game belongs to the match between Club Atlético Claypole and Victoriano Arenas, in which 36 players were sent off. The game took place at Estadio Rodolfo Capocasa on February 27, 2011, in an Argentine Primera D fixture, the fifth tier of the country’s soccer pyramid.

In what was later described as a “generalized brawl,” all 36 players involved in the match, 18 from each side, were dismissed. Argentina has held that unenviable record ever since, and given the circumstances required to produce it, it is a mark that is unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon.

Despite the strong criticism, Mauricio Pochettino has managed to create a very interesting project with the USMNT. Nevertheless, the Argentine could be tempted to leave, as a top LaLiga team is reportedly interested in his arrival for the following season.

Mauricio Pochettino has managed to silence the criticism, turning the USMNT into one of the most interesting projects in CONCACAF. After betting on young players, he has managed to lead a new era in the national team that looks promising ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Despite this, the Argentine could be tempted to leave after the tournament. Taking advantage of his contractual situation, a top LaLiga team is reportedly interested in his arrival.

According to Rodra on ESPN, Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as a strong candidate to become Real Madrid’s next head coach as Álvaro Arbeloa has never been considered as a permanent option. After his spell at Tottenham Hotspur, president Florentino Pérez continues to keep him among his top priorities, especially since he previously coached Kylian Mbappé during his time at PSG, which is seen as a key factor behind the interest.

Even though he is currently managing the United States Men’s National Team, his future there is not guaranteed after the 2026 World Cup, as his contract expires in June 2026. Because of this, the Argentine would not face many obstacles in joining Los Blancos after the anticipated tournament. However, he has also been linked with a possible return to Tottenham Hotspur, as they have struggled to find stability in their sporting project.

Far from any certainty regarding Pochettino’s arrival at Real Madrid or Tottenham, the Argentine coach has not yet received a formal offer, keeping these opportunities speculative. With this uncertainty, Mauricio could still have a chance to remain the head coach of the USMNT if he delivers a strong performance in the 2026 World Cup. Despite these rumors, he remains focused on the tournament, viewing it as a pivotal opportunity in his career.

Not only Pochettino: Real Madrid reportedly eye other coach options

Following the departure of Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid have remained in search of world-class coaches with significant experience. Because of this, they have been linked with several names, with Mauricio Pochettino being the most recent to emerge. However, the Argentine is not a priority for the front office. With this in mind, Los Blancos reportedly maintain other alternatives to become head coach for the 2026–27 season.

As per Rodra on ESPN, Los Blancos keep Jürgen Klopp, Unai Emery, and Massimiliano Allegri as their priorities due to their European success. Nonetheless, President Florentino Perez keeps chasing a comeback of Zinedine Zidane, but he leads the race to become France’s head coach. For that reason, Real Madrid do not seem to have a clear path to define their permanent manager, opening the door also for Pochettino.

The international playoffs for the 2026 World Cup scheduled for March could end up facing a setback as Iraq national team has issued a postponement request to FIFA.

The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11, with just six spots remaining in the 48-team field to be decided during the March international window in matches hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada. But the playoff process has hit a significant snag, with Iraq formally requesting a postponement from FIFA.

The Iraqi national team was scheduled to travel to Monterrey, Mexico, to compete for a World Cup berth in an intercontinental playoff against the winner of the Suriname-Bolivia tie on March 31. However, a combination of logistical hurdles has put the trip in serious jeopardy, with players and staff unable to secure their visas and the Iraqi transport ministry closing the country’s airspace amid the ongoing tensions in the region.

Speaking to CNN, Iraq head coach Graham Arnold laid out the scope of the challenges his team is facing: “If the match is held in Mexico, we will face difficulties leaving Baghdad. About 60% of my players play inside Iraq, and all of the backroom staff live in Iraq. The medical staff live in Qatar, and we are currently facing difficulties obtaining Mexican visas.“

With the playoff being Iraq’s only scheduled March fixture, a preparation camp in Houston had been planned to help the squad adjust to the time zone, weather and conditions ahead of the game. That plan has since been scrapped entirely. “My first plan before all of this was to hold a small preparation camp in the United States to adapt to the time difference, the weather and the conditions there. But all of that has now been cancelled, as the preparation camp has been cancelled because we cannot leave Baghdad,” Arnold said.

With the Iraqi government’s airspace restrictions creating a hard deadline, FIFA and relevant authorities have been in ongoing communication to find a workable path forward: “The communication with FIFA officials has been very good, as well as with the federation. We are dealing with it step by step and day by day. It has been stressful, and there have been many sleepless nights as we try to organize the planning properly, but it is very difficult to do that while the airspace in Baghdad, where many of the players and staff are located, will not reopen until April 1.“

Alternatives still being weighed

With the Iraqi government showing no flexibility on the airspace closure, both FIFA and the national team are exploring alternatives to avoid a postponement that could create downstream complications for World Cup planning. One proposal put forward by the Iraqi federation itself is to push the March 31 playoff to the May/June window, immediately ahead of the tournament.

“I believe FIFA should make a quick decision on this matter, because the current situation is a little unfair considering what we will have to go through. If we cannot get there, Suriname can play against Bolivia, and we can play against the winner directly before the World Cup in America, so that we can prepare properly and do everything required to achieve success,” coach Arnold stated.

FIFA also floated an alternative of its own: traveling overland from Baghdad to Istanbul, Turkey, and then catching a connecting flight to Mexico. That option has not been well received within the Iraqi camp, with Arnold making clear he has no intention of putting his players through a 25-hour journey through areas directly affected by the conflict.

In the meantime, Bolivia and Suriname are set to play their semifinal on March 26 at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, a result that will determine Iraq’s potential opponent. With the playoff winner set to be placed in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway, FIFA and all parties involved are working against the clock to find a resolution, with fewer than four weeks remaining until the scheduled match date.

Amid a season full of inconsistencies, Liverpool appear to be preparing for a possible departure of Mohamed Salah in the summer. In response, they are reportedly targeting a star from the Saudi Pro League as a key reinforcement for the 2026–27 season.

Liverpool are experiencing a season full of inconsistencies, also marked by injuries to several stars. Alongside this, Mohamed Salah appears to be pushing for a departure from the team following the drama surrounding his statements and other matters. Looking to replace the Egyptian and improve their attacking impact, the Reds are reportedly pursuing a star from the Saudi Pro League ahead of the 2026–27 season.

According to Fussball Daten, the Reds have decided to pursue the signing of Moussa Diaby and are maintaining constant contact with the player’s agents. Under contract with Al Ittihad until 2029, the Frenchman is valued at $46 million, but the fee may increase if more European sides chase his arrival. Liverpool could push for his arrival as a natural replacement for Mohamed Salah, targeting the 26-year-old winger.

While Diaby currently plays in the Saudi Pro League, he comes from having an excellent spell in the Premier League. In his tenure at Aston Villa, the Frenchman scored 10 goals and delivered 11 assists in 54 games, having a fairly solid performance. For this reason, Al Ittihad decided to pay €60 million for him, in the 2024–25 season where he has consolidated as one of the most important players, scoring 8 goals and delivering 29 assists in 61 games.

Given his strong performance, Moussa Diaby is drawing the attention of other major European clubs. According to Ekrem Konur, via X, formerly Twitter, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and Chelsea are also pursuing his signing, complicating the Reds’ path. Despite this, the Frenchman would be a key starter at Liverpool, something that could sway him to join as Salah’s replacement.

Far from being a simple task, the Reds could find it quite difficult to secure the transfer of Moussa Diaby. Following the departure of Karim Benzema, the Frenchman has established himself as one of the team’s leaders, so they could put obstacles in the way of his signing. This would not be the first time, as the 26-year-old winger was close to leaving for Inter Milan in February 2026, but the PIF (Public Investment Fund) did not let him go.

Report: Liverpool chase an offensive rebuild for the next season

At the start of the 2025–26 season, Liverpool decided to overhaul their attack by letting Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz leave, making room for Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Alexander Isak. Despite these changes, the new additions have not delivered the expected performance, leaving Arne Slot with several problems. For that reason, they are reportedly pursuing other world-class reinforcements, not just Moussa Diaby.

According to various British media outlets, the Reds are open to letting Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah leave as they look to strengthen their attack with more dynamic players. For this reason, they are targeting Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig as a star reinforcement on the left wing, valued at €118 million. However, Liverpool may continue exploring additional options in attack to secure a better deal.

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 is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, when Al Nassr will be visiting Al Khaleej for Matchday 26 of the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League at Al Khaleej Club Stadium. However, the Portuguese missed last game against Neom SC due to a hamstring injury suffered against Al Fayha, and it’s expected to be sidelined too.

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.

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.

With Cristiano Ronaldo now forced to have a speedy recovery to be available, the date when coach Roberto Martinez will be revealing Portugal's squad for the friendlies against Mexico and the USMNT has been confirmed.

Cristiano Ronaldo had raised expectations for a highly anticipated return to North America ahead of the World Cup, with friendlies against Mexico and the USMNT on the schedule. But his injury situation has cast serious doubt over his availability, and the clock is now ticking after the date for Roberto Martínez to announce his Portugal squad was officially confirmed.

Alarm bells rang at Al Nassr after the club released a statement confirming that Ronaldo had suffered a hamstring injury during the match against Al Fayha, with no recovery timeline provided. The Portuguese star also missed the subsequent match against Neom SC and is expected to sit out further fixtures as he works to return to fitness ahead of the international window.

On Monday, the Portuguese Football Federation released a statement confirming that Martínez will announce his squad on Friday, March 20, at the Cidade do Futebol. That leaves Ronaldo fewer than two weeks to recover from his muscular injury and prove his fitness to the national team coach.

Portugal, who secured their place at the 2026 World Cup by topping Group F in UEFA qualifying, have organized a North American tour for the March international break, giving the squad an early look at the tournament’s host continent. The trip opens with a match against Mexico on Saturday, March 28, at Estadio Azteca Banorte.

The tour concludes with a game against the USMNT on Tuesday, March 31, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Portugal will then face Chile in a friendly on June 6 before their World Cup group stage debut on June 17.

Will Ronaldo recover in time?

The March window represents one of the final opportunities for Martínez to evaluate his options and refine the squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. It also carries extra significance as one of the last times Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to represent Portugal on the international stage, with the 41-year-old widely expected to retire from international duty after the tournament.

With that in mind, the desire to see Ronaldo on the pitch one more time on this stage runs deep, from the player himself to his teammates, staff and supporters. Whether that happens, however, will depend entirely on how his recovery progresses, with Al Nassr’s next scheduled match before the international window, set for Saturday March 14, already expected to come too soon for the striker.

As Fabrizio Romano recently reported, Ronaldo could be sidelined for up to four weeks with his muscle injury. With the setback occurring on February 28, the worst-case scenario would see him approaching the Mexico match on March 28 at the very tail end of his recovery period, likely still short of full match fitness.

Ahead of Al Nassr’s game against Neom, Ronaldo offered a public show of commitment, posting a message of support on Instagram: “Recovering and ready to watch the game today. Let’s go, Al Nassr!” The message signaled his determination to return as quickly as possible and put himself in contention for Martínez’s call-up.

Xabi Alonso was expected to be the undisputed leader of Real Madrid, but the team’s poor performances led to his dismissal shortly after his arrival. Despite this, he seems to be finding his path again, as he is reportedly close to reaching an agreement with a Premier League side.

After shining at Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid signed Xabi Alonso to lead the project after Carlo Ancelotti’s dismissal. However, he was fired just over five months after his arrival due to disappointing performances and reported dressing-room issues. Far from letting this define his career, Xabi appears ready to continue his coaching journey. In fact, he has reportedly reached an agreement to manage a major Premier League club for the 2026–27 season.

According to OK Diario, Xabi Alonso has already reached an agreement with Liverpool to become the team’s head coach for next season. Under the reported deal, he would sign a three-year contract. However, the Spaniard’s arrival would be linked to Arne Slot failing to win the UEFA Champions League this season. For that reason, he would begin a new chapter after his expected departure from Real Madrid, returning to the Reds.

Even though Alonso had a criticized spell at Real Madrid, he has already proven himself to be a world-class manager. After arriving at Bayer Leverkusen in 2022, he led the club to its best period in years, winning the 2023–24 Bundesliga, the 2023–24 DFB-Pokal, and the 2024–25 German Super Cup. For that reason, his potential arrival at Liverpool seems an ideal choice to boost the sports project that has suffered under Arne Slot.

Unlike his debut season, Arne Slot has struggled to achieve consistency with the Reds. In an effort to reshape the roster, he has battled to restore the team to its best form, currently ranking sixth in the Premier League. Consequently, the Dutchman’s future remains uncertain, hinging on a potential Champions League title victory. In this context, Xabi Alonso may be considered a necessary boost to propel the roster.

Xabi Alonso could unlock the potential of several Liverpool stars

After winning the 2024-25 Premier League, Arne Slot led a rebuild of the Liverpool roster. By betting on Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Florian Wirtz, they sought a decisive boost in the team’s offensive performance. However, the coach has failed to get the best out of them, compounded by the poor form of other stars. For this reason, Xabi Alonso’s potential arrival could be key to bringing out the best in several players.

During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, Xabi managed to elevate several players such as Jeremie Frimpong, Alejandro Grimaldo, Florian Wirtz, Exequiel Palacios, among others. With the Dutchman and the German now at the Reds, his arrival could be key to helping them reach their best level. Likewise, Ibrahima Konaté—if he renews his contract—could also be boosted, just as Alonso did with Jonathan Tah, something that seems unlikely under Slot.

After his surgery, Neymar Jr. appears to be close to his best physical form at Santos, scoring two goals and providing one assist in three games. Given this, the veteran could be close to returning to Brazil, as Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly making a decision ahead of the upcoming friendly games.

Neymar Jr. appears to be gradually regaining his best competitive form at Santos. After undergoing meniscus surgery, he has managed to play three matches, showing an impressive level with two goals and one assist. With this, the veteran is aiming for a return to Brazil’s national team, which he has missed for several matches. Ahead of the upcoming friendlies, coach Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly made a key decision, exciting the fans.

According to Lucas Musetti of UOL Esporte, Carlo Ancelotti has made the decision to include Neymar Jr. on the list of pre-selected players with Brazil for the double round of friendlies against France and Croatia. In addition, the coach has decided to travel to watch him play with Santos, in order to follow his physical development. Despite this, the veteran does not have his call-up secured, but he is on a good path, drawing the attention of the Italian.

After shining in his first three matches following his recovery, Santos have decided not to call up Neymar for the match against Mirassol in the Brasileirão. Far from being a relapse of his injury, the veteran has been left out as part of load management, aiming to prioritize his physical continuity. Despite this, the 34-year-old star will train with the team and is expected to be available against Corinthians, where Ancelotti could go to watch him.

If he manages to maintain his physical continuity and good performances, Neymar Jr. could secure his spot with Brazil for the 2026 World Cup. After Rodrygo’s absence due to an ACL and meniscus injury, he could take his place in the roster, having Raphinha and Lucas Paquetá as competition. Because of this, the 34-year-old faces his biggest challenge in recent years: To shine with Santos in order to pursue his ‘last dance’.

Neymar Jr’s Brazil comeback receives major backing from legend Romario

After his return to Santos, Neymar Jr. has shown strong interest in making his return to due to physical problems. While he is coming off a season marked by injuries, he has undergone surgery and appears to be regaining his full physical condition. In response, the veteran’s return to the national team has received considerable support, with the legend Romário being the latest to come out in his defense.

“Neymar’s absence is certainly very bad for Brazil. The sixth title will definitely be farther away. We can only hope he is physically well and able to give everything he has… I don’t know if he’ll be able to be there without issues, but if Neymar is at 70 percent, that’s already good enough—he already helps, he already makes a difference,” Romario said, via Veja Magazine.

As Neymar is the national team’s all-time top scorer, his possible presence at the 2026 World Cup could be decisive. He may no longer be at his peak, but he has proven to be a key player creatively while still maintaining his goal-scoring instinct. Because of this, he could be crucial as an impact substitute, providing experience to manage the tempo of the game. In addition, he has received support from several players.

Scottish Cup TV Schedule World Soccer Talk's Scottish Cup TV schedule consistently updates with each game from Scotland's top cup tournament. In many ways, the Scottish Cup resembles that of the FA Cup, Copa del Rey, DFB Pokal and any other major club tournament. The one caveat to that statement is that it, unsurprisingly, only […]

Scottish Cup TV Schedule

World Soccer Talk’s Scottish Cup TV schedule consistently updates with each game from Scotland’s top cup tournament.

In many ways, the Scottish Cup resembles that of the FA Cup, Copa del Rey, DFB Pokal and any other major club tournament. The one caveat to that statement is that it, unsurprisingly, only applies to clubs in Scotland.

Clubs such as Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, and Aberdeen frequently excel in the competition, but the tournament consistently produces unexpected storylines. For example, the 2021 Scottish Cup Final featured St. Johnstone and Hibernian, proving that the trophy remains within reach for clubs across the country. This unpredictability is a hallmark of the competition, as shown again in 2024 when Celtic and Rangers met in the first Old Firm final since 2002.

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The 2016 Scottish Cup Final featured Hibernian and Rangers. For one, both clubs compete in the Scottish Championship, the second tier of league soccer in the country. Additionally, Hibs sought its first Scottish Cup title in 114 years. The dramatic final needed a stoppage-time winner to break Hibernian’s drought.

Despite playing in the second division, the triumph opened European potential for Hibs.

The Scottish Cup, also known as the Scottish FA Cup, guarantees a spot in the following season’s Europa League. Moreover, the competition used to have the runner-up reach the qualification stage, but that changed in 2014 to open up for placement in the Scottish Premiership.

Still, the Scottish Cup presents the opportunity for any club in the Scottish FA. Those in the Scottish Professional Football League, or the top four divisions, as well as the clubs in the fifth and sixth divisions qualify automatically. Clubs beneath that level, including amateur and junior teams, go through extended qualifying to reach the Scottish Cup.

History of the Scottish Cup

The Scottish Cup TV schedule features familiar names for soccer fans. Celtic has the most wins in the competition at 42. Just behind Scotland’s most successful side is its Old Firm rival Rangers, which has 34 Scottish Cups.

Despite the combined 76 Scottish Cups, there is still variety in terms of winners. In total, 25 different clubs can say they lifted the Scottish Cup. Yet, some of these clubs do not exist.

Aberdeen is the current defending champion for the 2025/26 season. They defeated Celtic 4–3 on penalties in the May 2025 final after a 1–1 draw at Hampden Park.

While the FA Cup is the oldest organized competition in the world, the Scottish Cup does produce the oldest trophy in the world. That is just because the current FA Cup trophy came around in 1911.

Interestingly, the Scottish FA uses the same trophy from 1874 in the celebrations after the final. Then, the winners receive a replica to hold on to, while the original goes back into a museum.

ESPN holds the rights in the United States to broadcast the Scottish Cup. Consequently, a number of games go through ESPN+.

Scottish Premiership TV Schedule If you're looking for the Scottish Premiership TV schedule for fans in the United States, you've come to the right place. CBS owns the rights to the Scottish Premiership as part of its extensive coverage of European soccer. Therefore, games in Scotland's top division are regularly available on CBS's streaming platform, […]

Scottish Premiership TV Schedule

If you’re looking for the Scottish Premiership TV schedule for fans in the United States, you’ve come to the right place.

CBS owns the rights to the Scottish Premiership as part of its extensive coverage of European soccer. Therefore, games in Scotland’s top division are regularly available on CBS’s streaming platform, Paramount+.

Our Pick: Includes: Champions League, Europa League, Serie A, NWSL, Scottish Premiership, & More
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For the 2025/26 season, CBS will carry at least one Scottish Premiership match per week on either CBS Sports Network or Paramount+. The network will also have coverage of select matches from the Scottish Championship and Scottish League Cup. The U.S. media rights include both English and Spanish to the Scottish Premiership, the top professional soccer league in Scotland.

The Scottish Premiership, previously known for sponsorship reasons as the William Hill Premiership, is the top division of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), the league competition for men’s professional football clubs in Scotland.

Every week, we’ll update the TV schedules for you.

USL League One TV Schedule USL League One occupies the third tier of the American soccer pyramid. For the 2026 season, 17 clubs are competing for the title. This follows the late withdrawal of South Georgia Tormenta FC, which announced it would not participate in the 2026 campaign just days before the season opener due […]

USL League One TV Schedule

USL League One occupies the third tier of the American soccer pyramid. For the 2026 season, 17 clubs are competing for the title. This follows the late withdrawal of South Georgia Tormenta FC, which announced it would not participate in the 2026 campaign just days before the season opener due to internal financial restructuring.

While the USL Championship often features teams with sights set on the first division, USL League One serves as a vital professional battleground for rising talent and historic community clubs. Notably, the league consists entirely of independent organizations; all former MLS reserve sides have transitioned to MLS NEXT Pro, leaving League One as a platform for purely independent professional soccer.

The USL League One TV schedule airs on ESPN+. However, there are select games that air on some of the major ESPN networks. For instance, ESPN2 airs select games on the schedule below. Some games are also available on CBS Sports Golazo Network through Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, the Roku Channel, and other providers.

Amid Barcelona’s presidential elections, Xavi Hernández made explosive statements claiming that Joan Laporta blocked Lionel Messi’s return in January of 2023. In response, the presidential candidate delivered a firm reply, rejecting those claims.

After a successful tenure as Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta has positioned himself as a candidate seeking a third term at the club. While he has received support from several current and former players, Xavi Hernández has taken a stance against him, instead backing Víctor Font. Not only that, but he also made explosive remarks, blaming the candidate for Lionel Messi’s failure to return to the club. In response, Laporta delivered a strong reply.

Even though Xavi Hernández returned to Barcelona under Joan Laporta in 2021, his departure from the club in 2024 damaged the relationship between the two. After remaining silent for several years about his exit, the former coach decided to speak out, making a surprising revelation about the candidate who supposedly rejected Lionel Messi’s return in January 2023. In response, Laporta fired back at him.

“I was surprised and hurt. When I see these statements from Xavi, I think of Flick. It’s hard to be president of Barca and you have to make difficult decisions. I did what I had to do… With Xavi, I saw that we were going to lose, and with Flick, I see that we are going to win. I understand that he is hurt. While Xavi was losing, Flick is winning games with the same players,” Laporta said, via Mundo Deportivo.

Far from agreeing with Xavi Hernández regarding Lionel Messi’s potential return, Laporta decided to reaffirm his own version of events, rejecting the former coach’s comments: “It was like this with Messi: When we couldn’t renew him in 2023 due to financial issues, he told me that Messi wanted to return. I sent the contract to Jorge Messi, who later came to my house and told me that here he would have too much pressure.”

Barcelona’s Laporta has no regrets over Lionel Messi, Xavi departures

Following Josep Maria Bartomeu’s controversial tenure, Joan Laporta took over as president of Barcelona with serious financial challenges. With astronomical debt, they were on the verge of bankruptcy, but the board’s decisions put them back on the winning track. However, the former president had to make tough decisions, such as not renewing Messi’s contract and letting legends like Xavi and Ronald Koeman leave, which he does not regret.

“The three toughest decisions I have made are about Messi, Koeman, and Xavi. I made them by putting Barça’s interests first. I had two of them as players, and they are decisions one has to take. They are legends of Barcelona. Barça cannot be run with a computer; it is about feeling. Barça is above players and presidents,” Joan Laporta said, via Mundo Deportivo.

Alongside this, Laporta expanded on the reasons behind Xavi Hernández’s departure. He not only revealed that he had relaxed in his work, but also that he was dissatisfied with the squad and wanted to replace several players. With this, the former president made it clear that his priority has always been the team, and that he would make any decision necessary if it meant returning the club to a winning path and restoring its financial stability.

USL Championship TV Schedule The USL Championship TV schedule features a total of 34 games for each team. However, with some former USL Championship teams moving to MLS Next Pro, the quantity of teams is a nice round number of 25. Like past years, the 2026 USL Championship season features a total of 34 games […]

USL Championship TV Schedule

The USL Championship TV schedule features a total of 34 games for each team. However, with some former USL Championship teams moving to MLS Next Pro, the quantity of teams is a nice round number of 25.

Like past years, the 2026 USL Championship season features a total of 34 games for each team.

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The 2026 USL Championship season features a two-conference alignment consisting of 25 teams: 13 in the Eastern Conference and 12 in the Western Conference. Each club competes in a 34-match schedule, which includes 30 regular season league games and four group-stage matches in the Prinx Tires USL Cup.

To maintain regional rivalries, teams play their own conference opponents twice (once at home and once away). The remainder of the league schedule is filled by five or six inter-conference matchups against select teams from the opposite side of the bracket.

At the end of the 30-game regular season, the top eight teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs. The postseason follows a fixed-bracket, single-elimination format, culminating in the USL Championship Final to determine the league title.

Broadcast information

Ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season, the broadcasters in the United States for the league changed. ESPN, which had the rights previously, was still a regular for games. ESPN+ had games, with ESPN and ESPN2 also occasionally showing contests.

However, as part of the change, CBS got in on the action. That change meant games were available on TV channels like CBS, CBS Sports Network and the CBS Sports Golazo Network. Coverage was also available on Paramount+.

Select Spanish-language contests are available on TUDN.

We’re continually updating the USL Championship TV schedule throughout the season, so bookmark the page to watch for the latest listings.

MLS veteran and Apple TV commentator Brian Dunseth discusses his journey from being cut at age 12 to winning the U.S. Open Cup and balancing a manic broadcasting schedule with raising three soccer-playing sons.

Brian Dunseth has already staked out an unforgettable legacy as a soccer player, but now, he’s staking out a new legacy as a commentator.

Born in Upland, California, on March 2, 1977, Dunseth started playing for Upland Celtic, dominating against other teams in the state and eventually earning an invitation to a tournament in England. At 12 years of age, Dunseth faced off against teams from England, Denmark, and the Netherlands, and while he believed that he had done well enough to continue his progression, he was soon dealt a cold dose of reality. Immediately after heading back to the Golden State, Dunseth was cut from the squad.

“I was lucky enough to be playing at 12 years old for a Celtic team that smashed everybody in California. I mean, we were winning everything, so much so that we ended up going to England and playing teams from England, Holland, and Denmark. And at the end of that tournament, I was the only one on the team who got cut,” stated Dunseth in an exclusive World Soccer Talk interview.

“It was devastating, because my best friend’s dad was the team manager, these are all my friends, and all of a sudden, it was my first real failure in a protected environment. From that moment on, man, it was all I wanted. I continued to play all the other sports—basketball, baseball, football, all those things—and I was like, ‘You know what? Screw those guys. I’m gonna show those MFers.’ In my mind, I just locked in.”

Despite this early rejection, Dunseth didn’t give up on his dreams; instead, he grinded even harder. He started working alongside two ex-convicts, making $2.75 an hour as a dishwasher at a convalescent hospital, and excelled as Damien High School’s #10 before being one of the last players recruited to Cal State Fullerton, who agreed to pay for his parking, books, and one meal per day, but not his school expenses.

Dunseth transitioned from #10 to center back and kept his pedal to the metal, which eventually resulted in a breakthrough 1997. After representing the United States in Malaysia in the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship, Dunseth became one of the first players to sign a Project-40 (now Generation Adidas) contract, effectively fast-tracking him into MLS.

He was assigned to the New England Revolution and emerged as a key figure in defense before being traded to the Miami Fusion in 2001. However, his time in the 305 came to an abrupt end after the Fusion folded, with Dunseth being selected by the Columbus Crew in the 2002 MLS Dispersal Draft. He enjoyed the prime form of his career, helping them come within inches of the MLS Cup Final and winning the U.S. Open Cup, before being traded to the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas) in September 2003.

“I always had seemed to find myself in situations and teams where I was good enough to play, but I wasn’t good enough to be on those consistent, winning teams that challenged for titles. I never felt in my professional career like I had a coach that really believed in me, like ‘that’s my guy.’ I mean this with the utmost respect, when you look at Bob Bradley, Bruce Arena, and Sigi Schmid, those three super iconic managers in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s of Major League Soccer, even the Dom Kinnears, the Frankie Yallops, I never had those type of coaches that just had blind faith in me, no matter what.

“I was their guy, and this was going to be a cultivated winning team. So when I got in that moment, I played in the first game at Crew Stadium with the New England Revolution. It was an amazing atmosphere: Brian McBride, Jeff Cunningham, Stern John, Brian Maisonneuve, all those guys… I’m frustrated, because we should have done the double. What people forget is that we ended up losing to the Revolution in the Eastern Conference Final to a Jay Heaps goal. We would have effectively played the Galaxy in the MLS Cup Final, and hosted the Galaxy in the Open Cup Final back-to-back within the same week. We were already devastated, we were frustrated, and the Galaxy had won the most important thing.”

“We didn’t care about it, and we smashed them from the opening whistle. And I remember spraying a ball out to Freddy ‘Cabeza de Hongo’ García; he ends up playing a ball back across to Brian West, back of the net. We end up winning 1-0. And what was cool about it at the time was Lamar Hunt. He was one of the most genuine human beings that you could possibly ever come across; he had invested in the club, he invested in Major League Soccer.

“To have the U.S. Open Cup trophy named after him, to be able to be up on that stage and get handed the trophy from the owner of the Columbus Crew in the first soccer-specific stadium with his name on it, it was really, really cool. And to be in those celebratory moments, to have him in the locker room with us, I can vividly remember going over to him and hugging him and saying, ‘Without you, these opportunities don’t exist. Without you, this moment is nothing more than a fantasy for a kid that grew up in Southern California with dreams and hopes and aspirations.’ I grew up trying to consume every bit of soccer in a world that’s not like today, when you can throw on Paramount Plus and have the opportunity to watch 80 games this afternoon. It was wild how much fun it was, both on and off the field, and the stories that will never be told… it was a really incredible moment.”

Dunseth spent just a few months in Texas before moving to Swedish side Bodens BK, returning after a year and spending a season with Real Salt Lake. He then bounced around from Chivas USA to the LA Galaxy, becoming the first-ever player in MLS history to be on the roster of seven different teams before retiring in 2006.

Similar to other Californians like Jordan Gardner, Dunseth continues to play a leading role in shaping American soccer culture, working for major outlets like Fox Soccer Channel, ESPN, SiriusXM, and NBC Sports and calling Real Salt Lake games for his local channel. And today, he’s serving as a commentator on Apple TV alongside Max Bretos, traveling across the country and announcing a number of different Major League Soccer matches.

“Usually, if it’s a West Coast game like Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake, or LAFC—those type of games—I’ll travel Saturday morning to the game just because it’s more efficient; I’ll gain that extra hour, call the game, come back first thing Sunday, and miss a majority of my kids’ soccer. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, I’ve got Counterattack with Tony Meola on SiriusXM FC; I’ll wake up at 6 and get the kids ready for school. Now my oldest is driving, I don’t have to worry about him; middle boy back to school, youngest to school; I’ll do the show from 8 to 11 local time. If I’m booked to do any appearances or podcasts, I’ll try to knock those out on Mondays. I have a podcast called ‘Week in the Tackle’ with Tom Rennie. He’s the Premier League announcer for TalkSport; he’s amazing, really, really talented, he does the football show on SiriusXM, and our podcast on ‘Week in the Tackle’ is usually recorded either Monday or Tuesday. Thursday I’ll do a local show, called Talking RSL, for one of the local television channels.”

“If I have any hosting commitments or any appearances sprinkled throughout there, Fridays are usually committed to doing SiriusXM in the morning, and then doing our preview conversations with coaches. In the midst of all of this, I’ve got three boys that are playing ECNL soccer, so I’m heavily invested in driving them to practices and staying at their practices and being there with them, because I miss out on a majority of their games. And in the mornings of those Saturdays, I’m usually glued to my computer or to my phone, logged in to the Hudl Cam to watch their games, and then communicate with them afterwards. I’ve been happily married for 20 years… there’s always something going on, there’s always something that we’re either driving to or trying to get to, with my kids so heavily committed to soccer.”

Although Real Madrid managed to secure their place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, they will face Manchester City with significant absences. Not only will Vinícius Jr. be without Kylian Mbappé, but another key player for Álvaro Arbeloa has now been added to the list of absentees.

After the victory against Benfica, Real Madrid secured a place in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. Despite this, they still have several absences ahead of their clash with Manchester City, with Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo being the most notable. Far from recovering players, Vinícius Jr. has now lost another key teammate for coach Álvaro Arbeloa, forcing the team to make significant rotations.

Just days before facing the Citizens, Álvaro Carreras was diagnosed with a muscle injury in the calf of his right leg, Real Madrid reported on their official website. While the club did not provide further details on his recovery timeline, Diario MARCA reveals that the Spanish defender could be sidelined for only one week, meaning he could still be available for the second leg at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

Despite only arriving at Los Blancos at the start of the season for €50 million, Carreras quickly established himself as the undisputed starter at left back. Not only does he contribute defensively, but he also offers a great deal creatively, making him one of the most complete players in his position. For this reason, his absence against Manchester City is quite significant, but coach Arbeloa already seems to have a replacement in mind.

According to Diario MARCA, coach Álvaro Arbeloa has decided to rely once again on Ferland Mendy, who recently recovered from a series of muscle injuries. With only 202 minutes played this season, the Frenchman’s potential start raises considerable uncertainty among fans. Nevertheless, the 30-year-old defender has proven to be a rock at the back, which could be crucial in countering Manchester City’s powerful attack.

Real Madrid’s Arbeloa reportedly set to bet on youngster in midfield

Throughout the 2025–26 season, Real Madrid have been hampered by injuries in defense and midfield, creating inconsistency in their performances. However, Jude Bellingham’s thigh injury has notably weakened the team. In response, coach Álvaro Arbeloa has decided to rely on two young academy players, but one of them has surprised with his level and is reportedly set to start against Manchester City.

While Jorge Cestero was one of the first youngsters to debut under Arbeloa, it has been Thiago Pitarch who has truly impressed with his performances. After playing against Benfica and getting minutes in LaLiga, he is now expected to start against Manchester City, according to Diario AS. If that happens, he would become ineligible to play in the UEFA Youth League with Juvenil A, as it would be his third appearance in the Champions League.

Inter Miami co-owner recently revealed to Bloomberg that he pays Lionel Messi in between $70M and $80M, opening questions over the biggest pay package the star has perceived over his career.

Lionel Messi‘s extraordinary performances on the soccer field have made him one of the highest-paid athletes in sports history, and even after leaving Europe behind, his earnings have kept climbing. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has revealed that the club pays the Argentine star somewhere in the range of $70 million to $80 million annually, raising the question of whether this represents the most lucrative deal of his career.

Inter Miami recently became the most valuable franchise in MLS history, according to Sportico’s 2026 rankings, with the club’s valuation reaching $1.45 billion. That financial structure, however, is built on far more than what happens on the pitch, with a range of commercial and business activities underpinning the club’s revenue model.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Mas offered a rare glimpse into the club’s finances, noting that sponsorships and commercial deals account for roughly 55% of Inter Miami‘s revenue. That commercial success has been fueled by the global appeal of world-class names like Luis Suárez, Rodrigo De Paul and, above all, Messi himself, while media rights make up just 2% of total revenue, according to the co-owner.

It was in that context that Mas dropped the headline figure. “The reason that I need to have sponsors and for them to be world class is because players are expensive. I pay Messi — worth every penny — but it’s $70 to $80 million a year. Across everything,” the Inter Miami co-owner said.

The MLSPA’s salary guide, released in October 2025 ahead of Messi’s contract extension through 2028, listed his base salary at $12 million and his guaranteed compensation at $20.5 million. Mas’ figure, however, takes a much broader view, encompassing not only salary but also equity rights and other forms of player compensation.

Is this Messi’s biggest deal in his club career?

Messi has long since transcended soccer to become a global brand in his own right, with business ventures spanning luxury hotels (MiM Hotels), his own clothing line (The Messi Store), sports drink brand Más+, and co-ownership of Uruguayan side Deportivo LSM alongside teammate Luis Suárez, among numerous other interests. But when it comes to direct compensation from his club, the numbers at Inter Miami are not quite unprecedented in his career.

In 2017, Messi signed what would turn out to be his final and most lucrative contract with FC Barcelona, running through June 2021. As revealed by El Mundo, the deal amounted to a total gross of 555,237,619 euros (around $673 million) over four seasons, working out to approximately €138.8M per year before taxes, or a net figure of around €74.9M annually (roughly $86.4 million), placing it above even the range Jorge Mas referenced for Messi’s current Inter Miami arrangement.

That contract was the largest in the history of soccer at the time it was signed. It incorporated a fixed salary, image rights, a series of unprecedented signing and loyalty bonuses, per diems and a wide range of performance-based incentives. Ultimately, the deal’s staggering financial weight contributed to Barcelona’s well-documented economic crisis, and played a central role in Messi’s abrupt and emotional departure from the club in 2021.

After winning the Champions League last season, PSG star Vitinha addressed the key difference between the current squad and the team when the attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé were still part of it.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar formed one of the most dangerous attacking combinations in recent soccer history at Paris Saint-Germain, yet their individual brilliance repeatedly failed to translate into collective European success. Now, with PSG finally having claimed the UEFA Champions League, squad star Vitinha has shed light on the key difference between that star-studded trio and the current crop of European champions.

The rationale behind assembling three of the world’s most expensive players was always to deliver Champions League glory, but across the two seasons the trio played together in 2021-22 and 2022-23, PSG failed to advance beyond the Round of 16 on both occasions. With all three since departed, a cohesive and tactically disciplined side built by Luis Enrique has delivered the trophy that Nasser Al-Khelaïfi’s project had long been chasing.

Speaking on the program Soltinhos pelo Mundo on Canal 11, Vitinha reflected warmly on sharing a locker room and a pitch with three of the most iconic forwards of the modern era: “It was a privilege to have shared a locker room and the pitch with them, to have learned from them. They really are players apart—they are extraterrestrials, they are stars, and they perceive things that we don’t.”

That admiration, however, came with a candid observation about where the arrangement fell short. “That doesn’t mean it’s always what’s best for the team. And that is what ended up happening. It’s very difficult when one, two, or three players don’t run or don’t help out on defense,” the midfielder stated.

Little has changed on that front for any of the three forwards since their time together in Paris. Messi and Neymar may be less relevant to the conversation given age and injury respectively, but Real Madrid have had to contend with the same issue from Mbappé this season. The reality is that, had the trio remained together, PSG’s defensive structure would have been carrying three significant voids from the front.

“Today’s game is increasingly competitive. Even a team fighting against relegation knows how to organize and make life difficult for the opponent. That makes it very hard in modern football when one, two, or three players aren’t running,” Vitinha added.

High pressing: PSG’s signature during the last Champions League

PSG caught the soccer world off guard in the second half of the 2024-25 season, emerging as one of the most compelling and fearsome sides in Europe through a combination of relentless intensity and technical quality spread across every line of the pitch. The numbers back it up: João Neves led the entire Champions League in ground covered, logging an extraordinary 106.17 miles (170.87 km) throughout the competition.

Vitinha, widely regarded as the second-best player at PSG behind Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, summed up what makes this incarnation of the club so different from its predecessor: “You see the wingers chasing down the fullbacks when they attack. You see Ousmane Dembélé and Gonçalo Ramos dropping back to defend in our own box and being the first ones to press high up the pitch.“

While a new venue has emerged, the Finalissima between Lionel Messi’s Argentina vs. Lamine Yamal’s Spain is reportedly nearing a final decision.

The Finalissima has been shrouded in uncertainty due to the ongoing situation in Qatar, with the highly anticipated clash between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal stuck in a prolonged state of limbo. As a new host venue has emerged as a frontrunner, the parties responsible for organizing the Argentina vs. Spain showdown are reportedly closing in on a final decision.

Given the proximity of the 2026 World Cup, all parties involved are keen to keep the Finalissima on its originally scheduled date of Friday, March 27. However, reports suggest Qatar has been reluctant to relinquish hosting rights, given the size of the commercial agreement already in place to stage the event in Doha.

Against that backdrop, RNE Deportes reports that a high-level meeting is set to take place on Monday to reach a definitive resolution. The meeting will bring together UEFA, representing Spain, CONMEBOL, representing Argentina, and representatives of the Qatari government, which has been a key stakeholder pushing to retain the match.

Estadio da Luz proposed as new Finalissima venue

Even though the situation in Qatar has not dramatically escalated since the incidents of early March, both continental confederations are prioritizing the safety and security of Messi, Yamal and all those who would need to travel to Doha, a city currently considered unsuitable for hosting the game. While Qatar would only walk away from its contractual obligations as a last resort, alternative venues have been actively surfacing.

According to the Spanish outlet, the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, has emerged as the leading candidate to host the Finalissima. Rome’s Stadio Olimpico has also been put forward as a potential alternative, though the Lisbon option is understood to be well ahead in consideration.

In recent days, a number of other countries have been floated as possibilities, including the United States, Spain, Argentina and England. The U.S. has been ruled out given its direct involvement in the same regional tensions affecting Qatar, while staging the game in either Spain or Argentina has been dismissed due to the home advantage it would confer on one of the competing nations.

A return to Wembley, where Messi lifted the Finalissima trophy in the 2022 edition, was also floated as a sentimental option, but the March 27 date is already occupied by a Uruguay vs. England fixture at the stadium, making it unavailable. With a decision now imminent, all parties are aligned on one priority: ensuring the Finalissima goes ahead, with the venue set to be the defining topic on the table come Monday.

Former coach Xavi Hernandez revealed that Lionel Messi could've returned to Barcelona after winning the 2022 World Cup, but the move ended up being turned down by president Joan Laporta over a "power war" between the two.

Lionel Messi‘s departure from FC Barcelona in 2021 was one of the most painful moments in the club’s recent history, and both the player and the institution were eager to find a way to reunite. But former coach Xavi Hernández has now revealed that a return following Messi’s 2022 World Cup triumph was ultimately blocked by club president Joan Laporta, who feared it would trigger a “power war” he could not afford.

With Messi’s two-year deal at Paris Saint-Germain set to expire at the end of the 2022-23 season and his relationship with the club increasingly strained, the conditions for a return to Barcelona appeared to be falling into place. Xavi confirmed that contact was made over the possibility of bringing the Argentine back as a free agent, and that progress was being made until a significant obstacle emerged.

In an interview with La Vanguardia, Xavi directly challenged Laporta’s version of events: “That’s another instance where the president isn’t telling the truth. Leo was a done deal. In January 2023, after won the World Cup, since we have a great relationship, we got in touch and he told me he was excited about coming back—and I could see it happening. We spoke until March, and I told him, ‘Look, as soon as you give me the green light, I’ll tell the president, because from a football perspective, I see the fit.‘”

The former coach then described the moment the deal collapsed, pointing squarely at Laporta’s intervention in negotiations. “The president began negotiating the contract with Leo’s father, and his deal was done, we had the green light from LaLiga, but it was the president who pulled the plug on everything. Once again, he isn’t telling the truth,” the former Barcelona boss continued.

He went on to paint a vivid picture of how the situation unraveled in its final stages: “Then, suddenly, Leo stopped picking up my calls because, on the other side, they had told him it couldn’t be done. I called his father and said, ‘Jorge, this can’t be,’ and he told me, ‘Talk to the president,’ and the president told me that he wasn’t going to do it. I insisted to him that we had been talking to Leo for five months—it was done. There were no doubts on the pitch; economically, we were moving to Montjuïc and we were going to have a ‘Last Dance’ just like Michael Jordan’s. Everything was ready.“

Xavi ultimately concluded that Laporta’s reluctance came down to a fear of losing control of the club’s narrative, given his standing as the man who had rebuilt Barcelona from the brink of financial collapse. “Laporta told me, verbatim, that if Leo returned, it would ‘start a war’ that he couldn’t afford. That’s the truth, I’m not trying to lie to anyone, I have no interest in returning to Barca, nor with Victor Font’s candidacy.“

“Leo didn’t come to Barca because the president didn’t want him to. Not because of LaLiga, nor Jorge Messi asking for more money. That’s not true. It’s the president and his people who said he couldn’t afford it, that he has all the power and that power would be poorly managed with Messi around, that there would be a war,” he candidly stated.

Xavi Hernandez and a situation that affected his relationship with Messi

During the 2022-23 season, Xavi Hernández led Barcelona to the La Liga title and was the driving force behind efforts to bring Messi back for the following campaign. Had the move gone through, Messi would have been reunited with a close friend and former teammate who had already been a cornerstone of the Barca squad when the Argentine made his debut against Espanyol back in 2004.

The failure to secure that return, however, left a mark on one of soccer’s most storied friendships: “It took a heavy toll on my relationship with Leo. We spoke recently and we’re on good terms now, but for a while, he thought I was part of the scheme—that I had deceived him. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I was dying for Leo to come back.“

Though reluctant to elaborate on what Messi shared with him regarding the Barcelona presidential elections, Xavi made clear that, in his view, the Argentine could still make a meaningful contribution even today. “Even now, I still believe he would help the team score goals and provide that final ball, without a doubt. I mean, he’s about to play in another World Cup! Leo would have triumphed once again at the Camp Nou; it was his dream and mine, and he knows that now. It was a shame, but it was because of those currently in charge,” he concluded.

After Real Madrid's lackluster performances, Rodri Hernández's potential arrival from Manchester City was considered as a solid midfield reinforcement. Nevertheless, Kylian Mbappé's team reportedly ruled out pursuing him, opting instead for a young Premier League talent.

Following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure, Real Madrid have struggled to find the right balance in midfield, as the exits of Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos seem to have disrupted the squad’s structure. Amid their underwhelming performances, Rodri Hernández of Manchester City emerged as a potential reinforcement. However, Kylian Mbappe’s team reportedly decided against pursuing his signing, opting instead to target a young Premier League star.

According to José Félix Díaz of Diario AS, Real Madrid are not interested in signing Rodri Hernández from Manchester City. Despite approaching the final year of his contract, the Spanish midfielder is expected to renew with the Citizens, as Los Blancos reportedly have serious doubts about his level following the serious injury he suffered. While he may be close to regaining his best form, his age—29—also raises concerns about pursuing the transfer.

Coupled with this, Antonio Hernández, Rodri‘s father, disclosed the intentions of the 29-year-old star during the National Sports Awards ceremony: “He is very happy where he is. You will understand the natural discretion in these circumstances. I don’t know anything, and I truly mean that. I don’t know anything—the story still has to be written… He’s desperate to go to the World Cup.” With this in mind, Pep Guardiola could soon secure his stellar midfielder.

Instead of pursuing Rodri Hernandez, Los Blancos are preparing to enter the bidding for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, reports Diario AS. The Englishman has established as one of the most consistent players in the Premier League. Not only does he shine defensively, but he also has a quality with the ball that resembles the Spaniard’s style. Despite this, Real Madrid would have to pay more than €100 million for his transfer, other Premier League teams are also pursuing him.

Not only Wharton: Real Madrid reportedly target three other midfielders

Throughout the 2025–26 season, Real Madrid have struggled with the absence of midfielders capable of organizing play, as Jude Bellingham has not managed to shine in that aspect. In response, the emergence of Adam Wharton appears ideal, as he contributes defensively while also helping build play. However, they reportedly have two alternative options to the Englishman, as they seem determined to sign a new midfielder.

According to José Félix Díaz of Diario AS, Los Blancos are also targeting Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar and Vitinha from PSG. While the Portuguese midfielder has expressed his desire to remain with the French club, Real Madrid are looking to convince him. The Dutchman is different a situation as he would be open to joining the club, but his transfer fee could exceed €50 million due to his exceptional potential growth.

Not only Vitinha and Kees Smit are being followed as Real Madrid are also reportedly considering the return of Nico Paz by activating their €9 million buyback clause. With the possible arrival of new reinforcement, they could shift to a system with four midfielders, with one of them playing as an attacking midfielder: Jude Bellingham. Therefore, the new signing would likely operate closer to the base of play, taking responsibility for organizing the midfield.

After scoring against Athletic Club, Lamine Yamal has now reached the 50-goal milestone two years earlier than legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lamine Yamal has been reshaping the boundaries of what is possible in world soccer since his sudden emergence in Barcelona‘s first team as a teenager, shattering records once thought untouchable. The Spanish winger has added another chapter to his remarkable story, reaching the 50-goal milestone at a younger age than both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Back in action following their Copa del Rey elimination at the hands of Atlético Madrid, Barcelona needed to refocus quickly to maintain their grip on the La Liga title race. The Blaugrana traveled to San Mamés on Saturday to face Athletic Club, and it was Yamal who provided the decisive moment, curling home a composed finish in the 68th minute after a perfectly weighted pass from Pedri to secure a 1-0 victory.

That goal against Bilbao took Lamine Yamal to 50 career goals at just 18 years and 237 days old. The breakdown includes 44 goals for Barcelona across all competitions and six more while representing the Spain national team.

For context, Lionel Messi reached the same milestone in 2008 at the age of 20 years and 315 days, more than two full years older than Yamal was on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in soccer history, netted his 50th career goal in 2007 at 21 years and 297 days old, nearly three years later than the mark Yamal has now set.

At club level, Yamal has scored 44 goals in 142 games for Barcelona since making his debut at 15 years old. Those goals span every competition he has featured in for the Blaugrana: 28 in La Liga, eight in the UEFA Champions League, five in the Copa del Rey and three in the Spanish Super Cup.

At international level, his six goals for Spain are spread across three competitions: three in the UEFA Nations League, two in the Euro qualifiers and one in the EUROs themselves. Yamal was absent from Spain’s World Cup qualifying campaign during the October and November windows, meaning he has yet to score in that competition, but the upcoming tournament in June will give him the opportunity to add yet another to his tally.

Yamal through his best goalscoring season

Despite the midweek Copa del Rey exit, Barcelona remain one of the most formidable sides in Europe and remain firmly in contention for Champions League glory. In Hansi Flick’s second season in charge, Yamal has been one of the primary driving forces behind the Blaugrana‘s La Liga surge, as they currently lead the table with 67 points, four clear of Real Madrid.

Saturday’s goal was his 19th of the season in all competitions, adding to 15 assists in 36 games and making it comfortably his most prolific campaign to date. His previous best was 18 goals across 55 games last season, and with at least 13 matches still to play, not accounting for potential Champions League progression, Yamal is well-placed to surpass that mark.

Early in his career, Yamal was viewed primarily as a creator rather than a finisher, with his goalscoring rate cited as one of the few areas for improvement. Ten goals in his last 11 games has put that notion firmly to rest. With Ronaldo sitting on 965 career goals and Messi on 899, it may be too early to speculate about those kinds of numbers, but at the rate Yamal is going, the question is at least worth asking.

Benfica and Porto face off today on Matchday 25 of the 2025–26 Primeira Liga, with both teams seeking a crucial victory to solidify their objectives. With that in mind, we will follow the game minute by minute, providing live updates.

As leaders of the 2025–26 Primeira Liga, Porto entered the match as clear favorites against Benfica. Not only had they dominated defensively, but they had also been very dangerous offensively. In contrast, José Mourinho’s side came into the game as the underdogs, yet they managed to make a difference going forward throughout the match. However, it was halftime that ultimately changed the course of the draw.

Even though coach Francesco Farioli opted for a defensive strategy, Porto still managed to shine offensively. Taking advantage of Benfica’s high press, they were efficient on the counterattack, exploiting the midfield’s struggles. As a result, Victor Froholdt and Oskar Pietuszewski stood out, scoring the two goals in the first half. Despite this, they faced significant difficulties in the second half.

⚽ GOLO
O. Pietuszewski 40'
I Liga (#25) | Benfica 0-(2) FC Porto#LigaPortugalBetclic #VSPORTSLPBETCLIC #EPOCA2526 #JORNADA25 #SLBFCP #SLB #FCP
Todos os vídeos 👉 https://t.co/QhBlIEF8G8 pic.twitter.com/2SCkKBZX24

— VSPORTS (@vsports_pt) March 8, 2026

Despite consistently shining in attack, Benfica looked very weak defensively. Their high press was effective going forward, but it left Nicolás Otamendi and Tomás Araújo exposed, which led to the two goals conceded. However, José Mourinho completely transformed the team in the second half, taking advantage of two key changes from Porto that caused them to lose control of the match.

After the departures of Gabri Veiga and Oskar Pietuszewski, Porto lost their threat on the counterattack, struggling to find through passes against Benfica’s defense. In response, coach José Mourinho opted to bring on Franjo Ivanović and Dodi Lukebakio, who transformed the attack. Not only did they inject freshness into the team, but they also helped distribute the play, with Andreas Schjelderup eventually scoring to lift the team’s spirits.

⚽ GOLO
Schjelderup 69'
I Liga (#25) | Benfica (1)-2 FC Porto#LigaPortugalBetclic #VSPORTSLPBETCLIC #EPOCA2526 #JORNADA25 #SLBFCP #SLB #FCP
Todos os vídeos 👉 https://t.co/QhBlIEF8G8 pic.twitter.com/inOTNffTF1

— VSPORTS (@vsports_pt) March 8, 2026

Far from ending their offensive revolution there, Benfica regained control of the ball and kept looking to break through Porto’s defense. While coach Farioli’s strategy held for a long time, Ivanović eventually managed to crack it. After a run to the byline, with Bah playing a key one-two, he found Leandro Barreiro alone in the box and delivered the pass. The 26-year-old midfielder finished with composure, equalizing the match in the 89th minute.

⚽ GOLO
Leandro Barreiro 88'
I Liga (#25) | Benfica (2)-2 FC Porto#LigaPortugalBetclic #VSPORTSLPBETCLIC #EPOCA2526 #JORNADA25 #SLBFCP #SLB #FCP
Todos os vídeos 👉 https://t.co/QhBlIEF8G8 pic.twitter.com/4qqG1bdmHc

— VSPORTS (@vsports_pt) March 8, 2026

Lionel Messi "effect" in the MLS keeps on going as star has now set back-to-back away attendance records in the first two 2026 MLS games with Inter Miami.

Now in his fourth MLS season since arriving in 2023, Lionel Messi continues to prove that the excitement surrounding him shows no signs of cooling off. With the 2026 campaign barely underway, the Inter Miami star has already set back-to-back away attendance records in the opening two matchdays of the season.

To launch the 2026 season, MLS arranged a marquee Matchday 1 showdown between LAFC and Inter Miami, bringing together two of the league’s biggest global stars in Son Heung-min and Messi on the same night. Seizing the moment, LAFC relocated the match from their regular home at BMO Stadium to the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum, a decision that more than justified itself.

The February 21 clash drew a crowd of 75,673 to the Coliseum to watch what turned into a dominant 3-0 home victory. The attendance set the record for the largest crowd at an MLS season opener, while also contributing to the biggest opening weekend attendance in league history, and ranking as the second-largest crowd ever recorded for a regular-season MLS match.

D.C. United took a similar approach, moving their home game against Inter Miami from the 20,000-capacity Audi Field to M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. The result was a crowd of 72,026 on Saturday, not only the largest in D.C. United’s history as one of the league’s founding clubs, but the biggest ever recorded at that venue.

The previous M&T Bank Stadium record had stood since January 15, 2012, when 71,547 fans packed the building for the Ravens’ 2011 AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans, a 20-13 Baltimore victory that stood as the largest crowd in franchise history. Messi has now surpassed that mark after more than 14 years, a reminder that his influence on sport extends well beyond the soccer field.

Will Messi break another consecutive attendance record in the MLS?

Inter Miami will briefly shift their attention away from league play, with the first leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 against Nashville SC at Geodis Park coming up on Wednesday. But the next MLS attendance test is already on the horizon, with the Herons set to visit Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, March 14 for Matchday 3.

That fixture presents another opportunity for Messi to extend his remarkable away attendance streak. Bank of America Stadium holds 74,867 fans, and the venue record stands at 74,479, set during Charlotte FC’s inaugural home match against the LA Galaxy on March 5, 2022. Eclipsing that mark, however, will be far from straightforward.

In recent seasons, Charlotte have maintained a policy of limiting MLS regular-season games to a lower-bowl sellout rather than opening the full stadium, and that approach has applied to Messi’s visits as well. In 2025, for example, just 35,000 tickets were made available for his appearance. The only time Charlotte opened the full stadium for a Messi game, it drew 66,101, suggesting that unless the club changes its approach, the Argentine’s remarkable streak of away attendance records could come to an end.

After the match against CD Osasuna, Kylian Mbappé was diagnosed with a sprain in his left knee, which would rule him out of France’s upcoming matches. Despite this, he has reportedly made a surprising decision regarding the national team for a clear reason.

Kylian Mbappé has remained Real Madrid’s most in-form player, leading the team’s scoring ahead of Vinícius Jr. However, the French star was diagnosed with a sprain in his left knee, which appears likely to sideline him for several matches. As a result, Kylian could miss France’s upcoming international friendly doubleheader. Nevertheless, he has reportedly made a surprising decision regarding the national team despite his injury recovery.

According to Diario AS, Mbappé will not be able to take part in France’s friendlies against Brazil and Colombia, as he is not expected to recover in time. Despite this, the 27-year-old striker will travel with the national team to the United States, remaining part of the delegation while continuing his recovery process. This decision is due to commercial commitments with sponsors, which would require his presence.

Unlike other national teams, Kylian renegotiated his image rights with the French Football Federation (FFF) alongside his teammates around 2022 and 2023, according to L’Équipe. For this reason, Mbappé could be required to join the national team, as he may have taken on greater responsibilities under this new agreement. Despite this, the 27-year-old striker remains focused on continuing his recovery from the sprain in his left knee.

Kylian Mbappé’s recovery remains shrouded in uncertainty

Just days after announcing the sprain in his left knee, Kylian Mbappé, together with Real Madrid’s medical staff, consulted a doctor in Paris to obtain a more precise evaluation of the injury. Following this, he was reportedly diagnosed with a partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament, according to Antón Meana. However, Los Blancos have reportedly rejected the accuracy of this information, maintaining their original diagnosis.

Far from helping to clarify the situation, this conflicting information has only served to confuse fans even more. If Kylian only has a sprain, he could be back soon, facing Manchester City in the second leg. However, in case he has a partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament, he would be out for most of the season, arriving just in time for the 2026 World Cup. Furthermore, Real Madrid have not released any new official updates on his recovery status.

Unlike earlier reports, Kylian Mbappé’s return to the pitch is generating optimism at Real Madrid. According to MARCA, the French star remains committed to his recovery at Valdebebas and still has two sessions scheduled on Monday, March 9, and Tuesday, March 10, to prove that he is in full fitness. In addition, his recovery has reportedly been progressing very positively, giving Los Blancos reason for optimism.

After getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Premier League side Chelsea, Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds issued an encouraging message to Wrexham.

Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were in the stands at Racecourse Ground to watch Wrexham‘s FA Cup run come to an end against Chelsea, as the Blues ended what had been a memorable campaign for the Red Dragons. In the aftermath, Reynolds took to social media to send an uplifting message to his team and its fans.

While also chasing promotion to the Premier League, Wrexham had put together an impressive FA Cup run, reaching the fifth round for the first time in 29 years after knocking out top-flight side Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town. Tuesday’s clash with Chelsea, the reigning Club World Cup champions, represented arguably the biggest test the club has faced since Reynolds and McElhenney took over, with a quarterfinal berth up for grabs.

Wrexham led twice at Racecourse Ground, but Chelsea fought back to level it at 2-2, and a red card shown to George Dobson in the 90th-plus third minute proved to be the turning point. In extra time, the Premier League side took advantage of the numerical superiority to go ahead 3-2, and after a Wrexham equalizer was chalked off by VAR, Chelsea sealed the tie at 4-2.

Despite the defeat, Reynolds turned to his X account to celebrate the progress his club has made “Three years ago this week, we battled Maidenhead United to a draw. Today we pushed Chelsea to extra time. So incredibly proud of Wrexham’s performance today.“

The post referenced a match played on March 4, 2023, when Wrexham traveled to York Road, a stadium with a capacity of just 4,500, to face Maidenhead United in the National League, ending in a 2-2 draw while still outside the English Football League. Fast-forward to today, and the Red Dragons are competing toe-to-toe with some of the best clubs in world soccer.

A first look at VAR

Having already eliminated Forest and Ipswich Town along the way, Wrexham encountered VAR for the first time in this cup run, as the technology is introduced from the fifth round onwards. Two key interventions tilted the tie against the Red Dragons: Dobson’s yellow card was upgraded to a red following a VAR review, and a Lewis Brunt goal that would have leveled the match at 3-3 was disallowed for a marginal offside call on his left foot.

In his post-match press conference, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson defended his side’s performance. “In the second half I think we were the better team and I was confident we were going to win,” he said, before turning to the red card to Dobson: “The referee gave a yellow. I’m not sure of the rules, it’s the first time we’ve had VAR and it has to be clear and obvious to overturn it. I think the referee could have just kept it at a yellow.“

Parkinson also reflected on the opportunities that arose in extra time despite being a man down. “I said at the break in extra time there are still going to be chances for us. Unfortunately we didn’t take one but we have to take a lot of heart from that performance. It’s been a great cup run. Tonight was a great spectacle and we were competitive against a very good side. We will take a lot of positives from it,” he concluded.

What’s next for Wrexham?

With the FA Cup behind them, Wrexham can now channel all of their energy into the EFL Championship and the promotion push they have been building toward all season. The Red Dragons currently sit sixth in the table with 57 points from 35 games, firmly inside the playoff places and riding a strong run of nine wins, two draws and two defeats from their last 13 matches.

Next up is a pivotal six-pointer at home against Hull City on Tuesday, March 10 at Racecourse Ground. The Tigers are fifth with 60 points from 36 games, one spot and three points ahead of Wrexham, but with the Red Dragons holding a superior goal difference, a home win would be enough to leapfrog Hull and move them into the top five.

AC Milan clashes with Inter Milan during Matchday 28 of the 2025/2026 Serie A campaign. Supporters in the United States can find here the complete kickoff schedules and broadcast details available for both television coverage and streaming services.

Match Overview

The Derby della Madonnina returns this weekend with major implications in the Serie A title race as Inter Milan and AC Milan collide in one of Italy’s fiercest rivalries. Inter enter the showdown leading the standings with 67 points and holding a 10-point edge over their city rivals

The Nareazzurri sit on 57 and need a victory to keep their championship hopes alive. A win for Inter would tighten their grip on first place, while Milan sees this clash as a must-win moment to close the gap—don’t miss this high-stakes battle between two historic clubs.

Benfica and Porto face off on Matchday 25 of the 2025–26 Primeira Liga. While José Mourinho’s side aims to close the gap in the standings, Francesco Farioli’s team is looking to extend its lead at the top of the table. Here are the predicted lineups for both sides.

Although SL Benfica managed to look quite competitive against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, their reality in the 2025–26 Primeira Liga is completely different. With 58 points, they remain seven points behind the leaders, sitting in the Europa League qualification spots. Because of this, Benfica face Porto today, the current leaders, looking to reduce the gap. However, they do not have an easy task.

Porto have managed to remain the most dominant team in the league, being the most balanced side overall. Despite the ACL injury to top scorer Samu Aghehowa, coach Francesco Farioli has managed to maintain his team’s winning form, relying on Deniz Gül, supported by Oskar Pietuszewski and Pepê. However, the contribution of Gabri Veiga is expected to be decisive, as he has been the most outstanding player at a creative level.

Despite the defeat against Real Madrid, coach José Mourinho has managed to maintain a strong winning run with Benfica, coming off four consecutive victories. For this, the scoring contribution of Vangelis Pavlidis has been vital, as he has 20 goals in the Primeira Liga. However, their strength is based on the solidity of their midfield. In addition, Andreas Schjelderup is expected to be a difference-maker with his dribbling ability.

Far from being just another match, Benfica and Porto arrive with the urgency of securing victory in the game. While Mourinho’s side are looking to move closer to the Champions League spots, Farioli’s team aim to increase the gap over Sporting Lisbon, who are just three points behind them, putting their lead at risk. For this reason, both teams are expected to field their strongest lineups, promising a highly competitive clash.

Benfica confirmed lineup vs. Porto

Even though Benfica arrive in strong winning form, they head into the match against Porto with two key absences: Georgiy Sudakov and Fredrik Aursnes. In addition, Bruma and João Veloso remain doubtful due to physical issues. Because of this, coach José Mourinho has included Richard Ríos in midfield alongside Enzo Barrenechea. Alongside this, he’s kept a lineup quite similar to recent matches, looking to maintain the team’s good form.

With this in mind, Benfica jumps to the pitch with the next XI: Anatoliy Trubin; Amar Dedić, Tomás Araújo, Nicolas Otamendi, Samuel Dahl; Richard Rios, Enzo Barrenechea; Gianluca Prestianni, Rafa Silva, Andreas Schjelderup; Vangelis Pavlidis.

Porto confirmed lineup vs. Benfica

Like Benfica, Porto arrive at today’s match with three key absences: Samu Aghehowa, Luuk de Jong, and Nehuén Pérez. However, coach Francesco Farioli still has impressive roster depth, which should allow the team to remain highly competitive. Led by Gabri Veiga, Victor Froholdt, and Pepê, they will look to dominate offensively. In addition, Rodrigo Mora could make the difference coming off the bench.

Considering this, Porto’s lineup goes as follows: Diogo Costa; Alberto Costa, Jan Bednarek, Jakub Kiwior, Martim Fernandes; Alan Varela, Victor Froholdt, Gabri Veiga; Pepê, Deniz Gul, Oskar Pietuszewski.

Benfica and FC Porto meet in a Matchday 25 showdown during the 2025/2026 Primeira Liga season. Here you can find full match information, including kickoff time and details on how to watch the game on TV or through available streaming platforms.

Match Overview

With the Primeira Liga title race heating up, Benfica head into a massive rivalry clash with Porto needing a victory to keep their championship hopes firmly alive. Benfica currently sit seven points behind the league leaders, meaning anything less than three points would make the road to the title significantly tougher.

Meanwhile, Porto enter the weekend on top of the table with 65 points, holding a four-point advantage over Sporting CP and looking to strengthen their grip on first place with another statement win in one of Portugal’s most intense derbies. With pride, pressure, and the title race all on the line, this showdown promises high drama.

After dominating Serie A, AC Milan and Inter Milan face off in an exciting derby, where the Rossoneri will be looking to close the gap on the leaders. To this end, fans are keeping a close eye on Christian Pulisic's condition ahead of the game.

Throughout the 2025–26 season, AC Milan and Inter Milan have dominated Serie A convincingly. While the Nerazzurri have managed to remain league leaders, Massimiliano Allegri’s side are following closely behind Because of this, they face each other today in an exciting derby, with both teams looking to move closer to the league title. Given the Rossoneri’s need to secure a victory, they are closely monitoring Christian Pulisic’s fitness ahead of the match.

Following returning from his injury, Christian Pulisic has managed to stay in full physical condition, avoiding any relapses. For this reason, the USMNT star will start against Inter Milan, as he remains one of the team’s most important players. Although he is not currently in his best form, he could look to make this match his triumphant return to his top level, which could make him decisive.

Alongside the USMNT star, coach Allegri will rely on Rafael Leão, a duo that has proven to be quite effective throughout the season. However, Christopher Nkunku could have a key role off the bench, something he has often done in recent matches. In addition, Adrien Rabiot will once again be a decisive factor in organizing the attack, looking to be influential against the Nerazzurri.

Inter Milan remain the sole leaders of Serie A, holding a 10-point advantage over AC Milan. Despite this, they face growing pressure, as they were recently eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Bodø Glimt, meaning fans may not accept another defeat. In addition, coach Cristian Chivu’s position could be at risk, as he lost the last derby — something that has raised concerns among supporters.

AC Milan lineup vs. Inter Milan

Despite Christian Pulisic being in full physical condition, AC Milan still have three significant absences for the match against Inter Milan: Matteo Gabbia, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Santiago Gimenez. Because of this, coach Massimiliano Allegri will aim to keep a lineup quite similar to that of previous games, relying on Rabiot, Luka Modric and Youssouf Fofana in midfield. In addition, Strahinja Pavlovic will lead again the defense.

With this in mind, the Rossoneri will play as follows: Mike Maignan; Fikayo Tomori, Koni De Winter, Strahinja Pavlovic; Alexis Saelemaekers, Youssouf Fofana, Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot, Pervis Estupiñan; Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic.

Inter Milan lineup vs. AC Milan

Not only AC Milan face major absences, as Inter Milan will also be without their top scorer Lautaro Martínez due to a calf injury. Because of this, coach Cristian Chivu will rely on Ange-Yoan Bonny and Pio Esposito. Alongside this, the Nerazzurri will maintain their consistency in midfield, keeping Henrik Mkhitaryan, Piotr Zielinski and Nicolò Barella. With this, they aim to secure a victory to consolidate their lead at the top of the table.

Considering this, the Nerazzurri will lineup as follows: Yann Sommer; Yann Bisseck, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Nicolo Barella, Piotr Zielinski, Henrik Mkhitaryan; Federico Dimarco; Marcus Thuram, Pio Esposito.

Rangers FC and Celtic FC clash in the quarterfinal round of the 2025/2026 Scottish Cup. Fans in the United States can learn here the date, venue, kickoff time, and the TV or streaming options available to follow the match live.

Match Overview

The stakes couldn’t be higher when Celtic and Rangers collide once again in the legendary Old Firm, a showdown that feels like a semifinal before the actual semifinal. The Glasgow rivals have been separated by the slimmest margin all season in the Scottish Premiership standings, with Celtic holding 58 points and Rangers right behind at 57.

The situation of both makes this clash a true toss-up between two sides carrying similar momentum. With a spot in the next round on the line and pride always part of the equation in this rivalry, expect intensity from the opening whistle—this is the kind of match fans won’t want to miss.

Atlas receive Chivas during Matchday 10 of the Liga MX Liga MX Clausura 2026 season. Below is all the essential information ahead of this matchup, including kickoff times and complete broadcast coverage for TV and streaming options available in the United States.

Match Overview

One of Mexican soccer’s fiercest rivalries returns this weekend in Liga MX as Chivas Guadalajara and Atlas renew the heated Derby Tapatio with both sides chasing crucial points. Chivas opened the campaign with six straight wins but have stumbled with back-to-back losses to Cruz Azul and Toluca.

These results increase the urgency to rebound and stay near the top of the table. Atlas arrive with momentum after a key victory over Club Tijuana lifted them to 16 points, setting the stage for another high-stakes showdown between Guadalajara rivals determined to strengthen their place in the standings.

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.

Inter Miami defeated DC United 2-1 in Major League Soccer, with Lionel Messi contributing one of the goals.

This Saturday, Inter Miami secured their second consecutive victory of the 2026 MLS season with a 2-1 win over DC United in Baltimore. Rodrigo De Paul opened the scoring, while Lionel Messi extended the lead with his 899th career goal.

From the start, the roles of both teams were clear. Inter Miami quickly imposed their style and dominated possession, forcing their opponents to sit back and rely on counterattacks to try to create chances. However, the hosts struggled to do so and failed to neutralize the strengths of the Herons.

The opener came in the 17th minute, when German Berterame recovered the ball near the opponent’s box. The Mexican forward quickly passed to Telasco Segovia, who set up Rodrigo De Paul to comfortably control the ball and finish with a precise right-footed strike.

Not satisfied with just one, Inter Miami went for more 10 minutes later. Mateo Silvetti assisted Lionel Messi, who controlled the ball inside the box and delicately finished over goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

Silvetti. Messi. 2-0.

Pure class from Miami in Baltimore. 😍 pic.twitter.com/9IpJdGyPUi

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 7, 2026

After halftime, the visitors seemed to relax, confident in their two-goal advantage. DC United took advantage, creating several chances until Tai Baribo capitalized on a rebound inside the box to cut the deficit. In the final minutes, the Herons faced tense moments but held on for an important win to climb the standings.

When can Messi score his 900th goal?

Having reached just one goal shy of 900 in his professional career, Lionel Messi will soon have the chance to hit that milestone. On Wednesday, Inter Miami are set to visit Nashville SC for the first leg of the Round of 16 in the Concacaf Champions Cup, while next Saturday they will face Charlotte FC in MLS play.

Barcelona face Athletic Club in La Liga, and Robert Lewandowski drew attention for wearing a mask covering part of his face.

Barcelona have a key La Liga 2025-26 match this Saturday against Athletic Club, as a victory would allow them to maintain their four-point lead over Real Madrid in the standings. Robert Lewandowski started the game on the bench, with a peculiar detail in his appearance.

The Polish forward is wearing a mask that covers part of his face as a precaution to prevent impacts in that area. This is due to a heavy blow he suffered to the head during last Saturday’s match against Villarreal, which caused a bone fracture in the inner part of his left eye socket.

The injury kept Lewandowski out of the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals against Atletico Madrid last Tuesday, where Barcelona won 3-0 but failed to advance to the final after losing 4-0 in the first leg in Madrid.

After a few days of recovery from that blow, the 37-year-old is now fit to return to the field, but he must do so wearing the mask to avoid any impacts that could worsen the injury. In fact, during training sessions with his teammates over the week, he had to follow the same precaution.

𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐔𝐏 🔵🔴#AthleticBarça pic.twitter.com/QGyVkYBxEn

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 7, 2026

Interestingly, Barcelona already had a player this season who had to play with a protective mask. Eric Garcia, in November 2025, suffered a facial blow that caused a nasal fracture during a UEFA Champions League match against Club Brugge, forcing him to wear protection for several games.

Lewandowski has worn a mask before

During his years with Bayern Munich, Robert Lewandowski faced a similar situation. In the 2014-15 season, a fracture of the nose and jaw forced the forward to wear a mask to return to official action sooner than expected. At that time, he played five matches with the mask and scored two goals.

“I remember perfectly when I had to wear a mask, and it wasn’t pleasant,” Lewandowski said years later, according to Mundo Deportivo. “It was a tough challenge for me. I don’t remember playing well with the mask.”

He explained why playing with the mask made it difficult to perform on the field: “It’s hard, especially for forwards who play around the box. I remember having trouble reacting and seeing the ball and the opponents clearly.”

Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann has been the subject of rumors about a possible move to Orlando City in Major League Soccer.

After weeks of speculation, it has been confirmed that Antoine Griezmann will remain at Atletico Madrid this season. However, the possibility of a move to Major League Soccer to play for Orlando City remains on the table.

The Florida club’s interest was concrete, and reportedly there were negotiations to make the deal happen before the MLS transfer window closed on March 26. However, that would have meant leaving Atletico Madrid in the middle of the 2025-26 season, just ahead of the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad and with the UEFA Champions League in full swing.

Given this context, Los Colchoneros decided to keep the French forward, a decision confirmed by the sporting director. “He has a contract, he’s going to stay with us. He has this season and two more,” Mateu Alemany said on Saturday according to Marca. “He’s going to be with us, he’s going to continue, and nothing else.”

Alemany also highlighted Griezmann’s contribution to the team this season, with 12 goals and 2 assists in 38 matches across all competitions. “Antoine is in extraordinary form, he’s playing some outstanding matches. Fans will applaud him as always. He’s delivering spectacular performances, and that’s the most important thing,” said the sporting director.

Orlando City remain a possibility for Griezmann

Even though Mateu Alemany’s words put an end to speculation about a mid-season exit from Atletico Madrid, the possibility of Antoine Griezmann moving to MLS in the near future remains high.

“Orlando City remain in talks over FREE transfer in July for Griezmann, focus on the summer window now,” reported Fabrizio Romano on his official X account shortly after Alemany’s statements.

The conditions of a potential MLS move are not minor in this case. Griezmann is under contract with Atletico Madrid until June 30, 2027, meaning any early exit would require approval from the Spanish club. In that scenario, they could insist on a transfer fee in exchange for terminating the contract. Orlando City’s negotiations, as well as the player’s own intentions, could be key to securing a free transfer.

Griezmann could leave with a trophy from Atletico Madrid

Over the last decade, Antoine Griezmann has developed a special bond with Atletico Madrid. He joined the club from Real Sociedad in 2014 and, aside from a brief spell with Barcelona between 2019 and 2022, has remained a key player for the team.

The French forward was not part of the two La Liga titles Atletico Madrid won under coach Diego Simeone: he arrived just after the 2014 trophy and was at Barcelona when the club won the next one in 2021. However, he did contribute to the Spanish Super Cup 2014, UEFA Europa League 2018, and UEFA Super Cup 2018 victories.

This season, Atletico Madrid are close to winning another trophy, as they will play the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad. They also remain in contention in the UEFA Champions League, where they will face Tottenham in the round of 16. That means Griezmann has two opportunities to win another title with the club before potentially making his move to MLS.

Inter Miami visit DC United in Major League Soccer, and all eyes are on Lionel Messi.

This Saturday marks the start of Matchday 3 of the Major League Soccer season, with Inter Miami looking for another win to continue climbing the Eastern Conference standings. Their opponent will be DC United, who will host the match at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, where a full crowd is expected due to the excitement surrounding Lionel Messi.

The Argentine forward played in the first two games of the season: a loss to Los Angeles FC in the opener and a victory last Sunday against Orlando City SC, where he scored a brace. Now Inter Miami have the chance to secure another win and reinforce their status as favorites to repeat as 2025 champions.

DC United have had an identical start to the season. They opened at home with a 1-0 win over Philadelphia Union, but could not repeat that performance in their second match, falling by the same scoreline to Austin FC last Sunday. They now face the challenge of containing one of the most talented teams in MLS.

Confirmed lineup for Inter Miami

The performance shown by Inter Miami in their second game of the season was noticeably better than in their opener against Los Angeles FC. For that reason, head coach Javier Mascherano is opting to stick with most of the starting lineup.

Inter Miami’s confirmed XI against DC United is: Dayne St. Clair; Facundo Mura, Maximiliano Falcon, Micael Silva, Noah Allen; Mateo Silvetti, Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, German Berterame.

Confirmed lineup for DC United

Unlike most matches this season, DC United are expected to focus primarily on limiting their opponent’s strengths. Head coach Rene Weiler made that clear when asked how to stop Messi. “The key is not giving him space and defending well as a team,” he said.

With that in mind, DC United’s confirmed lineup to face Inter Miami is: Sean Johnson; Silvan Hefti, Lucas Bartlett, Kye Rowles, Keisuke Kurokawa; Joao Peglow, Brandon Servania, Matti Peltola, Jackson Hopkins; Gabriel Pirani, Tai Baribo.

DC United host Inter Miami CF in a 2026 Major League Soccer regular-season clash. Discover the full information about this matchup, including the date, venue, and broadcast options to watch the action live across the United States.

Match Overview

Momentum will be on the line when Inter Miami and DC United meet after nearly identical starts to the MLS season. DC United opened with a 1-0 win over Philadelphia Union before falling by the same score to Austin FC.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami rebounded from an opening loss to Los Angeles FC by defeating Orlando City SC 4-2 in the Florida Derby behind a standout performance from Lionel Messi. With both clubs looking to build early-season momentum, this matchup promises intensity —make sure you don’t miss it.

It took extra time, but Chelsea secured its spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals, narrowly defeating Wrexham 4‑2 at the Racecourse Ground.

Cup competitions are built on nights like this. The lights are brighter, the crowd louder, and belief grows with every minute the underdog stays alive. At the Racecourse Ground, the atmosphere crackled with that familiar FA Cup magic as Wrexham pushed one of England’s giants, Chelsea, to the brink.

For long spells it felt as if another famous chapter might be written in the club’s modern fairytale, one fueled by passionate supporters, the presence of celebrity owners in the stands, and a team refusing to bow to superior opposition. Yet by the end of a dramatic evening filled with twists, controversy, and late heartbreak, the dream slipped agonizingly out of reach. What followed was a chaotic, emotional contest that ultimately decided who would move on to the quarter-final of the FA Cup.

From the opening whistle, the home side showed no intention of playing the role of respectful underdog. Wrexham stayed organized defensively but were ready to attack whenever an opportunity appeared. Despite early possession from Chelsea, the first major moment belonged to the host. A long ball from the back caught the visiting defense off guard, allowing Sam Smith to break free and slot a composed finish into the bottom corner. The stadium erupted as the underdog took the lead.

Even though the goal required a VAR check, the decision stood. The Racecourse Ground roared with belief, sensing that something special might be unfolding. Chelsea struggled to respond immediately, rattled by Wrexham’s energy and direct play. But eventually the Premier League side found a way back.

A swift attacking move ended with Alejandro Garnacho driving forward before a shot ricocheted off goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo for an unfortunate own goal, leveling the match before halftime. By the break, the contest stood at 1-1, setting the stage for a gripping second half.

Chaos and drama after the break

The second half transformed the match into a true cup classic. Wrexham continued to press forward and were rewarded when Callum Doyle cleverly redirected a long-range effort into the net, giving the home side the lead once again and sending the stadium into delirium.

For a moment, the upset seemed within touching distance. Yet the Blues responded almost immediately. Defensive lapses allowed Josh Acheampong to fire a powerful shot into the roof of the net, leveling the score once more and keeping the visitors alive. The match was now a frantic back-and-forth battle.

As time ticked away, tension escalated. In stoppage time, Wrexham suffered a major setback when George Dobson was sent off following a VAR review for a studs-up challenge on Garnacho. The dismissal meant the host would have to face extra time with 10 men, drastically shifting the balance of the contest. Still, the home side refused to collapse.

Extra-time heartbreak

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the hosts defended bravely at the start of extra time, hoping to drag the match toward penalties. But eventually the pressure told. A well-worked Chelsea move ended with Alejandro Garnacho finishing from close range, a goal that briefly confused the crowd as the ball bounced out of the net before anyone realized it had crossed the line.

Chelsea finally had the lead. Even then, Phil Parkinson’s players refused to surrender. The home side pushed forward desperately and nearly found an equalizer dramatically. One moment seemed destined for FA Cup folklore when Brunt bundled the ball into the net, appearing to force the game toward penalties. However, the celebrations were cut short. The decision left the crowd furious and the home side stunned.

Chelsea then delivered the decisive blow. With Wrexham pushing forward, space opened for the visitors. Joao Pedro collected the ball outside the area and produced a superb finish into the corner, finally ending the contest.

The goal confirmed a 4-2 victory after extra time for Chelsea, sending the Premier League club into the FA Cup quarter-final. Despite the defeat, Wrexham left the field to a standing ovation from supporters and co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Athletic Club receive FC Barcelona in a Matchday 27 clash during the 2025/26 La Liga campaign. Here’s all the essential information for this highly anticipated contest, including kickoff schedules and details on how to watch the broadcast live via TV or available streaming services.

Match Overview

After Real Madrid’s 2–1 win over Celta de Vigo tightened the title race in La Liga, league leaders Barcelona enter the weekend with just a one-point cushion and plenty of urgency as they prepare for a tough test against Athletic Club.

The Catalan side remains the favorite, but the Basque squad—currently battling in the middle of the table with hopes of securing a European spot—has built a reputation for frustrating top contenders and could shake up the standings with an upset.

2025–26 Saudi Pro League action continues on Matchday 25 as Al Nassr face NEO. Fans in the USA can find all the essential information here, including kickoff times and full broadcast details for both television and streaming platforms.

Match Overview

Pressure is mounting in the Saudi Pro League title race as Al Nassr prepares for a pivotal clash against NEOM. Following wins by Al Hilal and Al Ahli, second-place Al Nassr enters the matchup with 61 points and a chance to seize sole possession of first place with a victory.

Led by Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr understands the stakes in a tight championship battle, while mid-table NEOM looks to capitalize on the spotlight opportunity by earning a statement result and climbing the standings.

The spotlight surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo rarely fades, and that is especially true whenever the Portuguese icon is missing from the starting lineup.

The spotlight surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo rarely fades, and that is especially true whenever the Portuguese icon is missing from the starting lineup. Ahead of an important Saudi Pro League clash between Al‑Nassr and NEOM SC, fans quickly noticed that the global superstar would not be involved in the matchday squad.

For Al-Nassr, the absence of its captain and leading scorer represents a major storyline ahead of a match they are expected to dominate at home. The Saudi side is ranked second in the Saudi Pro League standings, enjoying an excellent run of form and entering the match with strong momentum. Meanwhile, NEOM, a recently promoted club that has shown flashes of promise this season, will attempt to capitalize on the absence of the league’s most recognizable figure.

Despite the Portuguese’s absence, Jorge Jesus and his players enter the match as the clear favorites. The team has won 12 consecutive matches in all competitions, demonstrating both attacking firepower and defensive stability.

The visiting side, coached by Christophe Galtier, currently sits mid-table and has struggled for consistency in recent weeks. The club includes notable names such as Alexandre Lacazette and Said Benrahma, but it will still face a difficult challenge away from home.

The previous meeting between the two sides ended in a 3–1 victory for Al-Nassr, a match in which Ronaldo himself found the net. This time, however, the league leader must attempt to secure another three points without its most iconic player.

The reason for Ronaldo’s absence revealed

The reason for Ronaldo’s absence traces back to Al-Nassr’s 3-1 victory over Al-Fayha, a match that saw the Portuguese forward leave the pitch earlier than expected. During that game, Ronaldo suffered a hamstring muscle injury, forcing him to be substituted before the final whistle.

Subsequent medical tests revealed that the injury was more serious than initially feared, prompting the club to take immediate action. The decision was made to send the veteran striker to Spain for specialized treatment and recovery. According to reports and statements from the club’s coaching staff, Ronaldo will temporarily step away from the squad while undergoing rehabilitation.

Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus addressed the situation in a press conference, explaining the reasoning behind the decision. “In the last game, Cristiano left with a muscle injury,” Jesus said. “After the tests he underwent, it became clear that it is a more serious injury than we were expecting.”

The Portuguese manager also confirmed that Ronaldo would receive treatment outside Saudi Arabia in order to accelerate his recovery. “Cristiano will travel to Spain for treatment… We hope he will return soon to help the team.”

Ronaldo makes Madrid trip as Portugal sweats over his fitness

The news that Ronaldo had traveled to Madrid quickly fueled speculation online. Public flight-tracking data even appeared to show his private jet landing in the Spanish capital, leading some outlets to suggest alternative reasons for his absence.

However, those rumors were quickly dismissed by the club. The trip was purely medical, with the 41-year-old veteran expected to work closely with his personal physiotherapist and medical team during the recovery process. The expected recovery timeline is between two and four weeks, meaning Ronaldo could miss several important matches for both club and country.

That timeline raises additional questions regarding Portugal’s upcoming international schedule. The national team is set to play friendlies against Mexico and the USMNT later this month, and the superstar’s availability for those games is now uncertain.

Wrexham play against Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup during the 2025/2026 season. Here’s everything to know for viewers in the United States, including the date, venue, kickoff time, and details on TV coverage or live streaming.

Match Overview

A place in the next round of the FA Cup will be at stake when Chelsea meet Wrexham in the fifth round of the historic tournament. Wrexham arrive in strong form, enjoying an impressive EFL Championship campaign while continuing their rapid rise through English football and hoping to deliver a major upset.

Chelsea, meanwhile, remain near the top of the Premier League standings and see the FA Cup as a key opportunity to secure silverware this season. With plenty on the line for both sides, this matchup has all the ingredients for an exciting clash—so make sure not to miss the action.

Spanish soccer is preparing for a nostalgic celebration unlike anything the league has attempted before. Yet even before the initiative begins, attention has already shifted toward the absence of some of the sport’s brightest stars.

Spanish soccer is preparing for a nostalgic celebration unlike anything the league has attempted before. Yet even before the initiative begins, attention has already shifted toward the absence of some of the sport’s brightest stars. Supporters expecting to see players such as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior representing Real Madrid, or teenage sensation Lamine Yamal stepping out for Barcelona, during a special celebration will instead witness something very different.

In fact, despite the excitement surrounding the league’s newest marketing experiment, two of the most influential clubs in Spanish soccer will not fully participate on the pitch, creating a surprising twist in what was meant to be a united tribute to the past. The league’s ambitious project promised to transport fans back in time, but the absence of these global stars has left many asking the same question: why would Barcelona and Real Madrid step aside from such a historic occasion?

The La Liga has announced an unprecedented event scheduled for April 10-13, 2026, when clubs across Spain’s top two divisions will participate in the first-ever Retro Matchday. The concept is simple but visually powerful: teams will wear kits inspired by iconic designs from their own history, recreating the aesthetic of famous seasons, legendary players, and unforgettable triumphs.

In total, 38 clubs across La Liga and the Segunda Division have agreed to join the initiative. Their retro uniforms will be unveiled during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, transforming the jerseys into both sporting and cultural artifacts. Beyond the jerseys themselves, the retro theme will extend to the entire broadcast experience. Referees will wear vintage-style uniforms, match balls will carry classic designs, and television coverage will feature retro graphics meant to evoke the look of older soccer broadcasts.

According to league officials, the initiative represents a major cultural moment for Spanish soccer. As explained by La Liga Club Office director Jaime Blanco: “The Retro Day is a unique opportunity to pay tribute to the history of our clubs and the symbols that have shaped several generations of fans. It is a way to bring the past into the present, continuing to create experiences and forge a legacy that connects emotionally with fans.”

The surprise absence of four clubs

Despite the overwhelming enthusiasm across the league, four clubs will not wear retro kits during the special matchday. Those teams are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Getafe, and Rayo Vallecano. While the league had envisioned a collective moment of nostalgia involving every club, the reality has proven more complicated.

The absence of the two most globally recognized teams, Barcelona and Real Madrid, has particularly drawn attention, as it means fans will not see some of the world’s biggest stars wearing throwback shirts during the event.

Why Barcelona and Real Madrid are skipping the retro kits

The reasons behind the decision vary between the clubs. Barcelona, Getafe, and Rayo Vallecano will not wear retro kits on the pitch due to logistical and production issues. Reports indicate that there was insufficient time to prepare the vintage designs for this season’s matchday. However, those clubs will still participate in the campaign’s promotional aspects and are expected to introduce their retro kits in future editions of the initiative.

The situation is different for Real Madrid. Los Blancos have chosen not to participate in the project at all, meaning the team will simply wear its standard 2025-26 kit during Matchday 31. League officials have not indicated that Madrid formally opposed the campaign, but the club has reportedly distanced itself entirely from the initiative, without providing a detailed public explanation.

As a result, the Santiago Bernabeu side will be the only club fully absent from the wider retro celebration, while the other three teams remain involved in promotional activities.

As Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli chase the title and their star forwards compete for the Golden Boot, a stunning development has shaken the race.

The battle for supremacy in the Saudi Pro League is reaching a dramatic climax, and the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney has suddenly taken center stage. As Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli chase the title and their star forwards compete for the Golden Boot, a stunning development has shaken the race.

A decisive moment arrived during a heated derby clash that could reshape both the scoring charts and the championship battle. What happened that night did more than help a team climb the table; it also placed serious pressure on Ronaldo’s pursuit of a historic individual milestone. Now, with the season entering its final stretch, the question is growing louder: could Ronaldo’s dream of another Golden Boot be slipping away?

The drama unfolded at the packed Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, where Al-Ahli defeated Al-Ittihad 3-1 in a fiery Sea Derby that carried enormous implications for the title race. The breakthrough came midway through the first half when Toney finished a sweeping attacking move. Brazilian winger Galeno burst down the left flank and delivered a precise low cross into the box. Waiting inside the six-yard area was the English striker, who calmly tapped the ball into the net to give Al-Ahli the lead.

The visitors fought back early in the second half. After Steven Bergwijn was brought down inside the penalty area, former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho stepped up to convert from the spot, leveling the match. But the parity lasted only a few minutes. Former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez restored Al-Ahli’s advantage just before the hour mark with a clinical left-footed strike.

Late in the game, substitute Feras Al-Buraikan capitalized on a defensive mistake to seal the 3-1 victory.  The win extended Al-Ahli’s remarkable form, marking its 13th victory in the last 14 league matches and temporarily pushing the club to the top of the Saudi Pro League table, just ahead of Al-Nassr.

The moment that rewrote the record books

While the derby victory grabbed headlines, the significance of Toney’s opening goal ran much deeper. With that strike, the England international reached 24 league goals for the season, strengthening his position at the top of the Golden Boot standings. Ronaldo, by comparison, currently sits on 22 goals, placing him behind his rival with only nine matches remaining.

But the milestone did not stop there. The Englishman’s goal also ensured that he had now produced 29 goal contributions in the league this season, combining 24 goals and five assists. That tally surpassed a long-standing benchmark set by Syrian striker Omar Al Somah, who had recorded 28 goal contributions during the 2015-16 campaign.

In other words, Toney now holds the record for the most goal contributions in a single Saudi Pro League season for Al-Ahli, breaking a mark that had stood for ten years. The achievement highlights just how transformative the 29-year-old has been since arriving in the Middle East.

Direct threat to Ronaldo’s historic ambition

The implications of Toney’s form extend far beyond club records. They strike directly at Ronaldo’s own pursuit of history. The Portuguese icon entered the season chasing an unprecedented feat: becoming the first European player to win the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot in three consecutive seasons.

Ronaldo’s dominance in recent years made that possibility seem almost inevitable. He captured the award in 2024 with 31 goals and repeated the feat in 2025 with 30 goals. Even at the age of 41, his scoring record remains extraordinary.

Over the last three seasons, Ronaldo has consistently produced numbers that rival those of the world’s best strikers. However, Toney’s relentless scoring has now turned what once looked like a comfortable path into a tense and unpredictable duel.

Wrexham play against Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup during the 2025/2026 season. Here’s everything to know for viewers in the United States, including the date, venue, kickoff time, and details on TV coverage or live streaming.

Match Overview

A spot in the next round of the FA Cup is on the line as Arsenal welcome Mansfield Town in a classic David-vs-Goliath matchup. The visitors arrive from EFL League One, where they currently sit 16th, while the Gunners enter the clash riding high at the top of the Premier League and carrying serious expectations to lift the historic trophy.

Arsenal are heavy favorites on paper, but cup competitions are known for dramatic upsets, giving Mansfield a chance to chase a memorable result against one of England’s strongest sides—so don’t miss this intriguing FA Cup showdown.

Real Madrid could spend a fortune on signings this summer, potentially including Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.

Real Madrid’s performances this season have fallen short of expectations, especially considering the high standards typically associated with a club so accustomed to excellence. As a result, they could spend significant money this summer to strengthen the squad, including a possible move for 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.

“The first €100 million that Real Madrid want to spend this summer is on Rodrigo Hernandez and Schlotterbeck,” journalist Alberto Pereiro said this week on Radioestadio Noche on Onda Cero, as cited by Mundo Deportivo.

Rodri has been linked with Real Madrid for years. His performances at Manchester City since 2019 have been outstanding, turning him into a key figure in the club’s successes, including the UEFA Champions League title in 2023. That, combined with his leading role in Spain’s UEFA Euro triumph, earned him the Ballon d’Or in 2024.

However, things have been difficult for the midfielder since then. During the 2024-25 season, Rodri played only eight matches for the Citizens due to a serious knee injury that kept him out for eight months. In the current campaign, although he has featured more regularly, he has still had to deal with knee and muscular issues.

Schlotterbeck, the other major target for Real Madrid

In addition to a top-level central midfielder like Rodri, Real Madrid know they will also need defenders. The futures of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba remain uncertain, while Dean Huijsen’s performances have not been entirely convincing. That could lead Los Blancos to target high-quality center backs ahead of next season.

Nico Schlotterbeck fits that profile. The German defender is only 26 years old, suggesting he still has many years at the elite level ahead of him, while already having built significant experience with Borussia Dortmund. He has played more than 150 matches there over the past four seasons and has also become a regular member of the Germany national team.

How much are Rodri and Schlotterbeck worth?

Reports indicate that Real Madrid are willing to allocate around $115 million to sign Rodri and Schlotterbeck. That figure, as impressive as it may seem, could still fall short of the combined market value of two players of their quality.

According to the specialized website Transfermarkt, Rodri is valued at €75 million and Schlotterbeck at €55 million, bringing their combined estimated value to roughly $150 million. However, the fact that both players are just one year away from becoming free agents could be a valuable negotiating tool for Real Madrid in potential talks with Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund.

In the never-ending debate about soccer’s greatest players, the names of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo usually dominate every conversation. But one striker currently playing in the Premier League has unexpectedly inserted himself into the discussion, at least in one very specific area.

In the never-ending debate about soccer’s greatest players, the names of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo usually dominate every conversation. But one striker currently playing in the Premier League has unexpectedly inserted himself into the discussion, at least in one very specific area. At Fulham, Mexican forward Raul Jimenez has quietly built himself a worthy reputation in world soccer.

His confidence recently led him to make a bold claim: in one key statistical category, he believes he stands above both Messi and Ronaldo. The statement raised eyebrows across the soccer world. Yet when the numbers behind Jimenez’s record are examined, the comparison suddenly becomes much harder to dismiss.

Jimenez has become one of the most successful Mexican players ever to play in England. After making his mark with Wolverhampton and continuing his career with Fulham, the striker has established himself as a dependable presence in the Premier League.

The former academy product of Club America now holds the record for the most goals scored by a Mexican player in England, with 67 goals across his Premier League career. Beyond the raw numbers, his influence has been particularly evident during his time at Fulham. His leadership in attack and calm presence in crucial moments have made him a key figure at Craven Cottage.

This season alone, the 34-year-old has scored nine goals in all competitions, helping the club push toward the upper half of the league table. But it is not just his open-play goals that have drawn attention. Instead, a remarkable pattern has emerged whenever a referee points to the penalty spot.

The hidden record that sets Jimenez apart

While comparisons with Messi and Ronaldo usually focus on total goals or trophies, Jimenez’s advantage comes from a different category entirely. Since the beginning of his professional career, the Mexican striker has produced an extraordinary level of efficiency from the penalty spot.

Jimenez has an incredible 95.5 percent success record in official competitions since making his professional debut, scoring 42 penalties from 44 tries. His only two misses came under unique circumstances: one with the Mexican national team in a friendly against Uruguay, when goalkeeper Fernando Muslera saved his effort in 2018, and another during a high-pressure Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla while he was playing for Wolves.

Aside from those two moments, the experienced veteran has been nearly flawless. By comparison, Messi has converted 114 penalties from 146 attempts, a success rate of 78.1 percent, while Ronaldo has scored 181 out of 217 penalties, producing an 83.4 percent success rate, according to statistics compiled by Transfermarkt.

Jimenez’s bold claim about the GOAT debate

Despite the intimidating reputations of Messi and Ronaldo, Jimenez has no hesitation in backing his own numbers. During an interview with FOX Sports, the Fulham striker was asked to compare his penalty-taking ability with several famous names, including Messi and Ronaldo.

The Mexican forward confidently placed himself at the top of the list. “Whether you like it or not, I have a better success rate than all of the ones you mentioned,” Jimenez said. “I don’t know if I’m the best in the world, but it’s something that characterizes me. I’ll stick with myself.”

The comment quickly sparked debate among fans on social media, with many surprised by the striker’s bold comparison with two of soccer’s greatest icons. Yet the numbers provide strong support for his claim.

The future of Christian Pulisic at Milan could soon be shaped by a decision unfolding far from the pitch. With speculation swirling across Europe and persistent whispers from Real Madrid, attention has turned to the fate of the Rossoneri’s head coach, Massimiliano Allegri.

The future of Christian Pulisic at Milan could soon be shaped by a decision unfolding far from the pitch. With speculation swirling across Europe and persistent whispers from Real Madrid, attention has turned to the fate of the Rossoneri’s head coach, Massimiliano Allegri.

As the season approaches a decisive stretch, the American star and the rest of the squad are watching closely while the club weighs its next move. Reports in Italy suggest that Milan has already reached an internal conclusion regarding the future of its coach, while Allegri himself has quietly made clear what direction he prefers. Yet the situation remains layered with intrigue, especially as Madrid once again circles around the veteran tactician.

The speculation intensified after reports from Corriere dello Sport suggested that Real Madrid is again considering Allegri as a potential manager for the 2026-27 season. The Italian newspaper reported that the Spanish giant “could make an attempt to hire Allegri next season,” reviving a connection that has existed for years. This would not be the first time Madrid has pursued the Italian coach.

The Spanish club previously approached Allegri in both 2019 and 2021, when the idea of bringing the experienced Serie A strategist to the Santiago Bernabéu came close to becoming reality. In 2021, the deal reportedly progressed to an advanced stage. However, the tactitian ultimately decided against the move after a crucial meeting with Juventus president Andrea Agnelli, opting instead to return to Turin after two years away from coaching.

Now, years later, the situation appears to be resurfacing again. Madrid’s leadership, led by club president Florentino Perez, continues to evaluate long-term options for the bench. The Spanish club’s recent managerial instability has only fueled the rumors. After replacing Xabi Alonso with Álvaro Arbeloa earlier this season, results have reportedly failed to meet expectations, opening the door for another change next summer.

Milan’s decision emerges

Despite the growing rumors from Spain, the situation inside Milan appears far clearer. According to multiple Italian outlets, including Corriere della Sera and La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan is preparing to offer Allegri a contract extension that would keep him at the club until 2028, with an option for a further season.

The proposed deal would also increase his salary from $5.8 million to roughly $7 million per season, particularly if the club secures qualification for the UEFA Champions League. The decision reflects the Rossoneri’s belief that the experienced Italian boss should remain the central figure of the club’s long-term project. Club directors reportedly see continuity on the bench as vital for both recruitment and player development.

For a squad featuring key figures like Pulisic, managerial stability could prove decisive. Allegri’s return at San Siro has already restored structure and discipline to a team that struggled for consistency in previous seasons.

Allegri’s own preference comes to light

Equally important is the stance of the coach himself. According to several reports, Allegri’s preference is to remain at Milan, a club he considers both professionally and personally significant. The Livorno-born manager has repeatedly emphasized his satisfaction with the current project.

While the 58-year-old manager appears committed to staying, he reportedly has specific conditions for the next phase of the project. The coach wants a stronger voice in Milan’s transfer strategy, particularly as the club prepares for a potential return to the Champions League. Playing in Europe would require a deeper squad capable of competing every three days.

Thus, discussions about the long-term plan are expected only after the season concludes, when Allegri and Milan’s leadership will evaluate the squad and define their strategy for the future.

Inter Miami will visit DC United this Saturday in Major League Soccer, and all eyes are on Lionel Messi.

This Saturday, Inter Miami will play their third official match of the 2026 Major League Soccer season. It will be against DC United at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, a venue expected to be packed due to the huge anticipation surrounding Lionel Messi.

In the hours leading up to the match, the Eagles’ head coach was asked about his plan to stop the Argentine forward. “Lionel Messi is the best in the world. It’s impossible to truly stop him,” Rene Weiler said during a press conference, shared by journalist Jose Armando on X.

Despite acknowledging that stopping Messi is impossible, the coach then explained his plan to make things as difficult as possible for the Inter Miami star on the field. “The key is not giving him space and defending well as a team,” Weiler said.

However, the DC United boss emphasized that focusing only on Messi will not be enough to neutralize the Herons. “It’s not only him. It’s like the benchmark of the league, because they won the league last season. They have very good players and we have to be aware for 90 minutes,” the 52-year-old Swiss coach added. “We have to anticipate all situations very quickly. We have to defend perfectly, otherwise we can’t get a good result.”

The Messi effect in MLS

As happens every time Inter Miami play away from home, local fans’ attention is focused far more on Lionel Messi than on supporting their own team. Rene Weiler also addressed that reality during the press conference.

“It’s an honor to face Messi, and we’ve prepared for it like an away game,” the DC United coach admitted. However, Weiler did not hide a certain level of disappointment with that reality: “It’s about business and marketing. I would prefer it to be more about the sport. But it will be an honor to take part in this match in front of 60,000 people.”

Inter Miami’s upcoming challenges

Saturday’s match against DC United will be Inter Miami’s third of the season, following a loss to LAFC and a win over Orlando City. After the trip to Baltimore, the Herons will make their official debut in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup against Nashville SC.

The first leg of the Round of 16 will take place on Wednesday, March 11 at Geodis Park, while the decisive match will be played a week later at Chase Stadium, which will be the Herons’ final game there before the official opening of Nu Stadium. Between those two matches, Lionel Messi and his teammates will also be in MLS action, visiting Charlotte FC on Saturday, March 14.

An injury to the Portuguese legend has left Al-Nassr vulnerable at a critical moment in the championship race, while developments involving Benzema have suddenly shifted momentum elsewhere.

The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema once defined an era at Real Madrid. Years later, that competitive edge has followed them to Saudi Arabia, where their clubs now fight for domestic supremacy in the Saudi Pro League. As the season approaches a decisive stage, the title race involving Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal has taken an unexpected twist. Injuries, squad decisions, and returning stars have all played a role in shaping the battle.

What initially appeared to be a moment of opportunity for Ronaldo’s club has quickly turned into something far more complicated. An injury to the Portuguese legend has left Al-Nassr vulnerable at a critical moment in the championship race, while developments involving Benzema have suddenly shifted momentum elsewhere.

The Saudi Pro League campaign has been fiercely contested, with Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli all battling for the top spot. For much of the season, Ronaldo has been at the center of the Riyadh outfit’s charge. The Portuguese superstar has maintained impressive form despite entering his forties, continuing to deliver goals and leadership for his club.

However, the title race took an unexpected turn when both Ronaldo and Benzema experienced injury setbacks within a short period. In late February, Al-Hilal announced that Benzema had suffered a muscle problem during training. “Karim Benzema will be out for a period ranging from 10 to 15 days due to a groin injury,” the club confirmed in an official statement.

The diagnosis ruled the French striker out of several important fixtures, including league matches against Al-Shabab and Al-Najma. During his absence, Al-Nassr appeared ready to capitalize on the opportunity, climbing above its rivals in the standings while maintaining a narrow lead at the top of the table. But the situation soon reversed.

Ronaldo’s injury adds new uncertainty

Just as Al-Nassr seemed poised to strengthen its title push, Ronaldo suffered a hamstring injury during a recent match. The injury forced the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to leave Saudi Arabia for specialized treatment in Spain. Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus confirmed the seriousness of the issue. “After tests, we see the injury suffered by Cristiano Ronaldo was more serious than expected,” Jesus said.

“Cristiano will now travel to Spain, like other players who went for treatment when they were injured. His injury required treatment in Madrid with his personal therapist, and we hope he returns quickly and helps the team.”

The setback means Ronaldo will miss upcoming matches, including an important league clash against Neom. For a player renowned for extraordinary durability, the injury has raised concerns. According to available data, the last time Ronaldo missed more than two weeks due to a muscle problem was in 2019 during his spell at Juventus.

The moment that changed the dynamic

While Ronaldo continues his recovery, the development that altered the title race came from the opposing side. Karim Benzema returned from his injury and rejoined the Al-Hilal squad, providing a major boost to the club’s attack. What’s more, Italian manager Simone Inzaghi included the French striker in the starting lineup for the league clash against Al-Najma, and it proved to be the right decision. The Frenchman even bagged a brace in his club’s 4-0 win.

The Frenchman had been sidelined after sustaining the injury following a match against Al-Ittihad, which ended in a 1-1 draw. His recovery now arrives at a pivotal moment. His return effectively deals a double blow to Al-Nassr: Ronaldo is sidelined while one of its biggest rivals has regained a key attacking weapon.

As the season enters its decisive stretch and the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, the Portuguese icon faces an uncertain moment following a new injury setback.

The spotlight rarely leaves Cristiano Ronaldo, but the latest news surrounding the legendary forward has sparked fresh concern across the soccer world. As the season enters its decisive stretch and the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, the Portuguese icon faces an uncertain moment following a new injury setback.

At the center of the story is the situation unfolding at Al-Nassr, where Ronaldo remains the club’s central figure. The Saudi Pro League title race continues to heat up, yet the team now finds itself dealing with the sudden absence of its most influential player. Meanwhile, the captain of the Portugal national team must also think about his international commitments, with friendlies against the United States men’s national team and the Mexico national team approaching quickly.

The situation has left fans wondering when the 41-year-old might return to the pitch. Concerns began after Ronaldo suffered a hamstring injury during a league match against Al-Fayha. The injury occurred late in the game and forced the veteran forward to leave the pitch, immediately raising fears about how serious the problem might be.

Soon after, Al-Nassr confirmed the diagnosis in an official statement. “Cristiano Ronaldo has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury sustained during the match against Al-Fayha. He has begun a rehabilitation program and will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis,” the club announced.

The news immediately cast doubt over the forward’s short-term availability. Ronaldo is certain to miss upcoming domestic matches, including the clash with Neom, while additional fixtures may also be affected depending on his recovery. Despite being 41 years old, Ronaldo has remained a key player for Al-Nassr this season, scoring 21 league goals and helping keep the club near the top of the Saudi Pro League standings.

World Cup fears and international doubts

Further details about the injury were revealed by Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus, who confirmed that the situation was more complicated than initially believed. “After tests, we see the injury suffered by Cristiano Ronaldo was more serious than expected,” Jesus admitted.

The timing of the injury could hardly be worse. Portugal is preparing for two high-profile international friendlies that will serve as important preparation before the 2026 World Cup. The team coached by Roberto Martinez is scheduled to face Mexico and the United States at the end of the month. These matches could play a significant role in shaping the squad for the global tournament.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also provided insight into the potential recovery timeline. “Cristiano Ronaldo could be out for up to four weeks with muscle injury,” Romano wrote on social media, adding that further tests would determine the final prognosis. If that timeline proves accurate, the experienced ace could miss the entire international break, forcing Roberto Martinez to test alternative attacking options during the friendlies.

The potential return date revealed

While uncertainty remains, reports have begun pointing to a possible target for Ronaldo’s comeback. Following the international break and the matches Portugal plans to play in North America, Ronaldo could potentially return to action in the Saudi Pro League clash against Al-Najma on April 3.

That fixture has quietly emerged as the most realistic timeline for the forward’s comeback, assuming his rehabilitation progresses without setbacks. Before that point, however, Ronaldo is expected to miss at least two league matches for Al-Nassr, including games against Neom and Al-Khaleej.

Paulo Dybala underwent surgery weeks before Argentina’s clash with Spain in the Finalissima.

The March international break is approaching, during which Argentina and Spain are scheduled — pending confirmation — to face each other in the Finalissima. In this context, Paulo Dybala underwent surgery on the meniscus of his left knee, putting his potential participation in the match at the center of attention.

“After experiencing discomfort during training at Trigoria on Thursday, the striker and Roma decided to investigate the cause of the problem,” Sky Sports Italy reported Friday. “Dybala was diagnosed with ‘a complete longitudinal tear of the external meniscus’ and so the decision was made to proceed with the surgery.”

This procedure will sideline the Argentine forward for a considerable period while he undergoes the slow process of returning to full fitness. “Regarding recovery time, he will require at least 45 days from an orthopedic standpoint,” the report adds.

That timeline rules Dybala out of the potential Argentina vs. Spain match on March 27. Even if the Finalissima does not take place due to complications arising from the ongoing tense situation in the Middle East, Lionel Scaloni’s team will likely play matches during this FIFA break elsewhere in the world.

What is Dybala’s situation with the Argentina national team?

According to Argentina national team specialist Gaston Edul, Dybala “could have continued playing with that discomfort and postponed surgery until midyear, but he didn’t want to wait until the end of the season — he wanted to address it now to be fully ready for the summer and the final part of the calendar.”

This explains why the forward chose to undergo surgery now, even though it meant missing the Finalissima: Dybala has lost ground in Lionel Scaloni’s considerations, and his presence against Spain was already highly unlikely.

In fact, the last time the AS Roma forward was called up was in September 2024, when he scored in Argentina’s World Cup qualifier victory over Chile. Since then, Scaloni has prioritized other players such as Thiago Almada and Nicolas Paz.

Frequent injuries have been a major reason for Dybala’s reduced international role, despite having been part of the squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and playing in the final against France. His decision to undergo surgery now appears aimed at reaching peak form ahead of the 2026 World Cup and attempting a return to the national team.

How many matches will Dybala miss for AS Roma?

Beyond his situation with Argentina, Dybala also needs to focus on his future with AS Roma. The minimum 45-day absence will rule the forward out for at least the next 10 matches across Serie A and the UEFA Europa League.

This extended absence could be decisive for Dybala’s future beyond this season. His contract with AS Roma expires on June 30, and it remains unclear whether the Italian side will offer a renewal, given his high salary and recurring physical issues.

Real Madrid are set to face Celta Vigo in La Liga, and Kylian Mbappe is not part of the squad.

This Friday, Real Madrid and Celta Vigo will kick off Matchday 27 of La Liga in a key clash for Los Blancos as they try to close the gap on leaders Barcelona in the standings. Despite the importance of the game, Kylian Mbappe will not be in the squad.

The French forward is recovering from a knee injury that has troubled him since late 2025. He missed several matches earlier this season due to these issues, but the situation worsened in recent weeks, forcing him to skip training and follow a more cautious treatment plan.

Regarding his recovery timeline, there have been varying reports in recent days. While some speculation suggested Mbappe could miss the rest of the season to be fully fit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with France, Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa offered an optimistic update.

“We’re keeping a close eye on what’s happening to him, how he’s doing. It’s a process we’ll take day by day, monitoring how he’s feeling. He’s getting better every day,” Arbeloa said this week. These comments come alongside reports indicating that Real Madrid expect to have Mbappe available at least for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 against Manchester City, scheduled for March 17.

📋✅ Our starting XI!
🆚 @CeltaEnglish pic.twitter.com/h58jNHjTuj

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 6, 2026

Confirmed Real Madrid lineup vs. Celta Vigo

Alvaro Arbeloa has typically chosen Gonzalo Garcia as Mbappe’s replacement when needed. However, for this match, the coach will opt for a lineup without a traditional center forward next to Vinicius Junior.

The confirmed Real Madrid lineup for Friday’s visit to Celta Vigo in La Liga is: Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy; Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch, Federico Valverde, Arda Guler; Vinicius Junior, Brahim Diaz.

How much do Real Madrid miss Mbappe?

It’s clear that Kylian Mbappe’s absence at this crucial point of the season is a significant blow for Real Madrid. The impact is reflected in statistics comparing the team’s performance with and without him: Real Madrid have lost 43% of matches played without Mbappe this season.

This is understandable considering the French forward’s performances. He is the top scorer in La Liga with 23 goals, while also leading the Champions League with 13 goals. Overall, Mbappe has 38 goals and 6 assists in 33 matches this season for Real Madrid.

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano spoke about the milestone of 900 goals that Lionel Messi is on the verge of reaching.

At nearly 39, Lionel Messi remains one of the most important figures in global sports, not only because of his superstar status but also because of the performances he continues to deliver week after week on the field with Inter Miami and Argentina. Javier Mascherano addressed the topic.

The coach was asked by Bolavip about Messi’s increasingly close pursuit of 900 career goals, a mark that only one player in the history of soccer has reached so far — Cristiano Ronaldo — and one that Leo now needs just two more goals to achieve.

“The numbers that you mention are incredible, he’s unbelievable,” Mascherano said about Messi during Friday’s press conference ahead of Saturday’s Major League Soccer matchup against DC United at M&T Bank Stadium.

“I’m just a privileged spectator,” the Inter Miami coach added regarding the chance to enjoy Messi’s magic on a daily basis, just as he did during their years together as teammates with Barcelona and Argentina. “I just get to watch him closer than you on the sidelines.”

Lionel Messi could surpass Cristiano Ronaldo’s record

While Cristiano Ronaldo remains the first and only player in soccer history to reach the remarkable total of 900 official goals, Lionel Messi could surpass him in terms of efficiency and speed if he reaches that number in the near future.

Ronaldo scored his 900th goal on September 5, 2024, during Portugal’s match against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League. At that time, CR7 was 39 years and 7 months old, and he needed 1,238 official matches between club and international play to reach that milestone, averaging 0.73 goals per game.

Messi could eclipse those numbers. Right now he has 898 goals across his time with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami, and Argentina, and he needs just two more. What stands out is that Leo reached those numbers in a considerably shorter time than Ronaldo. The Argentine forward is 38 years, 8 months, and 10 days old and has played 1,149 matches, resulting in an average of 0.78 goals per game.

What are Messi’s upcoming matches?

With another brace, like the one he scored in Inter Miami’s win over Orlando City last Sunday, Lionel Messi would reach the 900-goal mark. That could happen as soon as this Saturday, when the Herons visit DC United in MLS action.

If it does not happen then, the opportunity could come in the Concacaf Champions Cup, where Inter Miami will begin their campaign next Wednesday, March 11 against Nashville SC at Geodis Park. And even if the two expected goals take longer to arrive, the opportunity could come with Argentina during the March international break, although it is still unclear whether they will face Spain in the Finalissima.

Robert Lewandowski addressed his future with Barcelona.

For months, there has been speculation in Barcelona about the future of several of the team’s attacking players. Expiring contracts, purchase options that must be exercised, and potential reinforcements have been major topics among fans and the media, with several high-profile names involved in those conversations. Robert Lewandowski is among them, with his future still uncertain.

The Polish striker’s contract with Barcelona expires on June 30 of this year, in the middle of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, and there is still no clarity about what will happen beyond that date.

“I’ll give myself around three months to decide what I want to do. Me, just me,” Lewandowski said about the situation during a recent interview with Sky Sports. That means Robert will wait until the end of the current campaign to evaluate his next step, likely so he can get a full picture of both his own performances and the club’s results during the decisive stages of the season.

“What is good is that I don’t have pressure,” he added. “At 30 or a few years (younger), this kind of feeling is going to be different. ‘I want to see where I’m going to play’. But in this moment, I don’t have to know. I have patience.“

Lewandowski is 37 years old and will have turned 38 by the start of the 2026-27 season. He clearly knows he is entering the final stage of his professional career, which is why he is approaching every decision with caution, aware that his next move could be the last of his soccer career.

Lewandowski remains motivated for Barcelona’s upcoming challenges

Just because Robert Lewandowski knows he is nearing the end of his career does not mean he has lost the competitive fire that has always driven him to perform at the highest level. In fact, he appears motivated by the challenges Barcelona have ahead in the coming months.

“The season is starting again,” the Polish striker said in the same interview, referring to the fact that the Blaugranas are now entering the decisive stages of La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. “We have to be ready for the most important time in this part of the season.”

Speaking about that mindset, Lewandowski explained how he prepares himself for the challenges ahead: “You always have to be ready. Always you have to think, what can I do better, what can I do more? You have to think 24 hours per day about your football. You need always this feeling that you’re hungry for more.”

Lewandowski also thinking about the World Cup

Beyond his focus on Barcelona’s challenges, Robert Lewandowski also has a clear goal in the near future: leading Poland to another World Cup. They are set to play in the European play-off during the March FIFA break, where they will face Albania in the semifinals and, if they advance, play for qualification against either Sweden or Ukraine.

“We have two games, two finals. We don’t have any space for the mistakes,” Lewandowski said. “If we’re winning first game, then we have to be ready for the final. It’s the challenge for every team in these play-offs: to play not one game but two games on the higher level. I take this challenge and it’s going to be interesting. I hope we can enjoy and go to the USA for the World Cup.“