Wrexham AFC lead Ipswich Town 1-0 in the fourth round of the 2025-26 FA Cup. Stay with us for live, minute-by-minute coverage of the match!

Wrexham lead Ipswich Town 1-0 in the fourth round of the 2025-26 FA Cup at the Racecourse Ground. Both teams are aiming for what would be a historic trip to the round of 16, in front of nearly 13,000 spectators in Wales.

Wrexham AFC reached this stage of the tournament after surprisingly eliminating Premier League side Nottingham Forest in the third round. The match ended 3-3, and the hosts triumphed in a dramatic penalty shootout. Meanwhile, in the Championship, they currently sit sixth in the standings and are dreaming of a promotion push.

Ipswich Town also started their FA Cup campaign in the third round, where they defeated third-division Blackpool 2-1. In the Championship, the club is having a strong season, sitting in third place in the standings, seven points behind league leaders Middlesbrough.

Son Heung-min’s Los Angeles FC could soon lose Denis Bouanga, even after his failed transfer from Major League Soccer to Brazil’s Serie A.

Son Heung-min‘s Los Angeles FC are just days away from starting their 2026 season. However, before that kickoff, the team’s attention is focused on the situation of Denis Bouanga, one of their top stars, who was close to leaving Major League Soccer for Brazil’s Serie A.

Over the past week, LAFC and Fluminense advanced in negotiations for the Gabon forward’s transfer. In fact, Globoesporte reported that the clubs had reached an agreement to make the move happen for around $15 million.

However, just when the deal seemed set, things unexpectedly fell apart. “LAFC and Fluminense negotiations for Denis Bouanga are stalled as the MLS side has not yet found a suitable replacement,” reported Transfermarkt. The concern from the California club is understandable, given the huge impact the player has had on the team in recent seasons.

Bouanga has spent four years in Los Angeles, establishing himself as one of the best players in MLS. He has 101 goals in 152 matches and is considered a key player alongside Son Heung-min. That’s why his departure would be unacceptable unless another Designated Player capable of filling his role arrives—a prospect that seems unlikely so close to the start of the season.

LAFC could lose Bouanga soon anyway

Even though Denis Bouanga’s move to Fluminense appears collapsed, that doesn’t mean the California side can relax about the forward. “The player warned LAFC to find a replacement, because he wants to leave in the middle of the year,” reported MLS specialist Cristian Moraes on X.

If this report is accurate, it means Los Angeles FC have only postponed the problem. Even if Bouanga stays for the season opener, his long-term future with the club looks uncertain, potentially leading to his departure in the summer, midseason in 2026.

Upcoming challenges for LAFC

Concerns over Denis Bouanga’s future come at the worst possible time for LAFC. They will officially kick off the 2026 season in just a few days, competing in two tournaments simultaneously.

On Wednesday, February 18, LAFC will begin their Concacaf Champions Cup campaign against Real España of Honduras. The first leg will take place at Francisco Morazan Stadium in San Pedro Sula, with the return leg in California a week later.

In the middle of those two matches, the team faces an even tougher challenge. On Saturday, February 21, the 2026 MLS season opens with LAFC hosting reigning champions Inter Miami. This match is highly anticipated, featuring Son Heung-min and Lionel Messi on opposite sides, though the Argentina star’s fitness now raises questions about his availability.

A former teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr spoke about the challenges he faced during his time in the Saudi Pro League.

In recent weeks, certain difficulties faced by some stars of the Saudi Pro League have become more apparent than ever. Cristiano Ronaldo was at the center of attention after refusing to play two matches for Al Nassr, and now a former teammate has opened up about the struggles he experienced during his time there.

Aymeric Laporte recently gave an interview to RMC and reflected on his days at Al Nassr. “I’d never said this before, but from the first year in Saudi Arabia I realised it wasn’t really what I was looking for,” admitted the defender, who joined the club in mid-2023 after winning the UEFA Champions League with Manchester City just weeks earlier.

“I spoke to the club about it from the first year, they asked me to be patient. It remained the same, I had some problems there, nothing serious, that we didn’t know how to manage,” Laporte added, making it clear that his time in Saudi Arabia was far from ideal.

In his first year alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, the Spanish player was an important part of the team, appearing in 39 matches and scoring 4 goals, while his second season was less successful, with 30 appearances. These challenges were compounded by the club’s frustration over failing to secure official titles, leading to a major squad overhaul.

In that context, new Al Nassr coach Jorge Jesus made it clear from his arrival in the summer of 2025 that Laporte was not in his plans, a situation reinforced by the signing of Iñigo Martinez from Barcelona. “We decided not to continue for a third year. There was also the family aspect which was important to me,” revealed the center back.

Laporte’s return to Europe

After two unhappy years in the Saudi Pro League, Aymeric Laporte decided to leave Al Nassr and return to Europe. He had the opportunity to join Olympique Marseille, as he confirmed in his interview with RMC. “There was an approach, yes. There was interest, not only from Marseille but also from other clubs,” the defender said.

“There was the idea of getting closer to home, to my father, my family. I was determined to return to my roots. That’s what made me come back to Bilbao,” Laporte added. Ultimately, the Spanish defender chose to join Athletic Club, where he had previously played between 2012 and 2018, making over 200 appearances.

This season, Laporte has played 16 matches with Athletic Club across competitions, and while he has been a key player, he has not always been available due to physical issues. Now, he aims to stay healthy for the team’s biggest challenge of the season: Athletic Club is in the Copa del Rey semifinals, where they lost 1-0 against Real Sociedad in the first leg.

Mexico’s national team is finalizing its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With just four months until the 2026 World Cup kicks off, national teams are entering the final stages of their preparation. Mexico are no exception, with the added responsibility of serving as one of the tournament’s three host nations.

“The Mexican Football Federation has already finalized El Tri’s final three opponents,” Marca reported this week, citing a report from TUDN. “Mexico will face Australia, Ghana, and Serbia.”

The dates for those matches have not yet been announced, but they are expected to take place in the days leading up to the start of the tournament. Before that, Javier Aguirre’s team will play at least two additional friendlies. The first is scheduled for February 25 against Iceland at Estadio Corregidora in Queretaro.

Then, during the March FIFA international break, Mexico will face Portugal at Estadio Azteca. Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be the main attraction, although it has not yet been confirmed whether the 41-year-old forward will take part in the match.

Following those games, Mexico will play the previously mentioned friendlies against Australia, Ghana, and Serbia. According to TUDN’s report, two of those three matches will be held in Mexico, though the venues have not yet been announced, while the remaining game will take place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Mexico’s opponents in the World Cup

Mexico will have the honor of kicking off the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament’s opening match is set for June 11 at Estadio Azteca, where El Tri will face South Africa in the Group A opener.

Javier Aguirre and his squad will return to action a week later. On June 18, this time at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico will face South Korea in their second group-stage match.

Group A play will conclude on June 24. On that day, South Africa and South Korea will face each other while, simultaneously, Mexico will play their third opponent. That team has yet to be determined and will emerge from a European playoff to be decided in March: Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia, or Ireland.

Lamine Yamal endured a painful defeat with Barcelona against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

On Thursday, Barcelona suffered their toughest blow of the 2025-26 season. Lamine Yamal’s side fell 4-0 to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals, leaving them in a very difficult position heading into the return match.

For Yamal, the night at Estadio Metropolitano will go down as the worst defeat of his professional career. Since making his Barcelona debut in April 2023, the young Spanish winger had never lost a match by four or more goals. The loss marked an unwanted first in what has otherwise been a meteoric rise.

The closest comparison prior to Thursday’s defeat against Atletico Madrid came in another high-stakes clash against a domestic powerhouse. In the 2024 Spanish Super Cup final, Real Madrid handed Barcelona a 4-1 loss to lift the trophy.

Other notable defeats since Lamine became part of the first team include a 3-0 loss to Chelsea in the current UEFA Champions League league phase and a 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the 2023-24 Champions League quarterfinals. In none of those matches was Yamal able to get on the scoresheet to alter the course of the game.

The remarkable 73-year streak Barcelona ended

Barcelona’s loss to Atletico Madrid will carry historical weight for several reasons. Chief among them was the blistering start by the hosts, who scored twice in the opening 14 minutes and built a 4-0 lead by halftime.

The last time Barcelona went into halftime trailing by four goals was 73 years ago. According to sports statistics account MisterChip on X, Real Madrid were the last team to achieve such a margin, leading 4-0 at the break during a 1953-54 La Liga match that eventually ended 5-0 in favor of Los Blancos.

A heavy defeat for Hansi Flick as well

Just as it is difficult to find a poorer first-half performance in Barcelona’s modern history than Thursday’s showing in the Copa del Rey, the same can be said for Hansi Flick’s managerial career.

Nothing similar had happened during his time at Barcelona, nor in his previous spells with Germany’s national team or Bayern Munich. The only comparable instance dates back to his early coaching days with Hoffenheim in Germany’s fourth division in 2005. That year, his team trailed 4-1 at halftime against Kickers Offenbach in a match that ultimately ended in a 6-2 defeat.

The draw for the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League has been completed, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal have reason to celebrate.

While the world’s top national teams are currently focused on preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, other upcoming commitments are starting to emerge on the horizon. One of those is the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League, where Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal will aim to defend the title they won last year.

The European tournament will begin in September, during the first FIFA international break following the World Cup in North America. On Thursday, the draw was held to determine the groups for each of the four divisions.

Portugal were arguably the biggest beneficiaries of the draw, avoiding some of the toughest possible opponents. Spain, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, England, and Croatia all rank among the top 13 in the FIFA Rankings, making them formidable rivals.

Instead, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates were placed in Group A4, the only group without any of those top-ranked teams. Portugal will face Denmark (21st in FIFA rankings), Norway (32nd), and Wales (35th) as they compete for a spot in the quarterfinals.

How does the UEFA Nations League 2026-27 work?

All UEFA member nations participate in the Nations League. Teams are divided into four divisions based on competitive level and recent results, with promotion and relegation systems similar to club leagues.

In the top division, the most competitive teams are placed into four groups of four. In the first round, each team plays home-and-away matches against the others in their group. After six games, the top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals. The tournament is scheduled to conclude in the summer of 2027.

League A groups:

Group A1: France, Italy, Belgium, Türkiye

Group A2: Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Greece

Group A3: Spain, Croatia, England, Czechia

Group A4: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Wales

Will Cristiano Ronaldo play in the Nations League?

Cristiano Ronaldo turned 41 last week. He remains a key figure in soccer despite his age and will be one of the main attractions at the 2026 World Cup. However, his international future after the tournament in North America is unclear. Similar to Lionel Messi, the next World Cup could be Ronaldo’s last major challenge with Portugal, as it is hard to imagine him starting a new four-year World Cup cycle at his age.

That said, the one-year duration of the UEFA Nations League could be enough motivation for him to continue. If he decides to participate, Ronaldo will be aiming for his third Nations League title, having previously won the tournament with Portugal in 2018-19 and 2024-25.

Robert Lewandowski’s future at Barcelona remains uncertain, with reported offers from AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and Major League Soccer, among others.

Robert Lewandowski has been the subject of rumors and speculation for some time, with reported interest from clubs such as AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire. In that context, the Polish striker has reportedly set a deadline to determine his future with Barcelona.

“Until April, once the club’s presidential elections on March 15 have passed, he will not make a decision,” Mundo Deportivo reported Thursday. That timeline makes sense, considering that the call on whether to offer him a new contract will fall to whoever wins the election, creating as many possible scenarios as there are presidential candidates.

What appears clear is the main factor that will guide Lewandowski’s decision. “At this stage, money is not the most important thing for the Polish player, as he is seeking stability and family happiness,” the report adds. “For that very reason, he will prioritize Barcelona if the renewal offer, even at a reduced salary, reflects the level of a striker of his caliber.”

The 37-year-old offered a similar response some time ago when asked about his professional ambitions for next season. “It’s not about cutting my salary in half. A lot depends on the club’s plan and what I want,” Robert said during an appearance on the High Performance podcast.

Lewandowski’s options if he leaves Barcelona

If Robert Lewandowski and Barcelona fail to reach an agreement on a contract extension, he would be free to negotiate with any club in the world. However, any deal would only become official on July 1, when he officially enters free agency.

It is well known that Chicago Fire made a formal offer to Lewandowski to join MLS this year, although that is just one of several options available to him. “Milan, Atletico, Fenerbahce and Saudi Arabia are also on the horizon, though with less certainty,” Mundo Deportivo reported.

Atletico Madrid and AC Milan would undoubtedly be the most attractive options from a sporting standpoint, as both are major clubs competing in top European leagues. Fenerbahce also offers the opportunity to compete in the UEFA Champions League, a factor that could influence his final decision.

The Saudi Pro League represents a completely different scenario. There, financial power has been the primary recruiting tool, with salary offers far beyond what most other leagues can provide. If that approach was enough to lure stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar in the past, it would not be surprising if it also appealed to Robert Lewandowski.

Real Madrid are preparing to face Real Sociedad in La Liga, and all eyes are on Kylian Mbappe.

Amid a challenging stretch marked by disappointing results across multiple competitions, one of the few bright spots for Real Madrid this season has been Kylian Mbappe. However, the French forward is now a concern heading into the La Liga matchup against Real Sociedad.

“Mbappe stayed inside the training facilities for the second consecutive day and is doubtful for the match against Real Sociedad,” Marca reported Thursday. “The Frenchman is still dealing with discomfort in his left knee and is following a specific plan to finally resolve the issues that have lingered since the end of last year.”

Indeed, the forward has not been able to train normally this week due to a lack of full fitness. On Thursday, just as he did Wednesday, he did not participate in on-field training with his teammates and instead worked separately in the gym.

Knee problems have been a concern for Mbappe in recent months. For that reason, he missed a La Liga match against Real Betis in early January, as well as the Spanish Super Cup semifinal against Atletico Madrid and the Copa del Rey matchup against Albacete, which ended in Real Madrid’s elimination.

How have Real Madrid fared without Mbappe this season?

There is no need to dig too deeply into the numbers to understand Kylian Mbappe’s importance to Real Madrid. He is the team’s leading scorer this season, with 38 goals in 31 matches. Add his five assists, and he is averaging 1.38 goal contributions per game.

That importance is reflected not only in his individual statistics but also in the team’s overall results. Over the course of the season, Mbappe has been absent for four Real Madrid matches, one in each competition.

In those games, Los Blancos recorded two wins (against Real Betis in La Liga and Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup) and two losses (against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League and against Albacete in the Copa del Rey). That means without Mbappe, Real Madrid have secured just 50 percent of the available points.

Mbappe needs to be managed carefully

Given Mbappe’s impact, it would be logical for Real Madrid to do everything possible to have him on the field for Saturday’s clash against Real Sociedad. However, the situation is not that simple.

While La Liga remains a major objective for the Spanish side, which currently sits one point behind leaders Barcelona in the standings, the bigger picture cannot be ignored. Next week, Real Madrid will play a crucial first-leg Champions League playoff match against Benfica. Mbappe’s contribution could be even more vital in that contest, which may prompt coach Alvaro Arbeloa to rest him this weekend in league play.

Inter Miami will not play the friendly they had scheduled for this Friday in Puerto Rico, and Lionel Messi has explained why.

Inter Miami’s 2026 preseason had been going well, despite some administrative issues with certain players that prevented them from joining training under coach Javier Mascherano. However, that all changed on Wednesday, when news broke that Lionel Messi’s physical issues led to the postponement of the friendly against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico.

Minutes after the Herons confirmed the news through their official social media accounts, Messi himself shared a video on Instagram explaining the reasons behind the sudden decision, just two days before the friendly.

“Hello everyone. I wanted to send this message to the people of Puerto Rico, both those who were going to come to the training and to the game,” Leo began. “The truth is that in the last match in Ecuador I finished with a discomfort, which is why I left before the match ended,” the Argentine forward explained about last Saturday’s clash against Barcelona SC, in which he was substituted in the 57th minute.

“Together with the club and the organizers, it was decided to suspend this match, so I hope it can be rescheduled, that we can see each other, and that we can visit you soon,” the Inter Miami player added.

🩺 Injury Update presented by @BaptistHealthSF for Leo Messi.

🔗 https://t.co/rXn1xgSI0K pic.twitter.com/cPMNZds9XU

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) February 11, 2026

Finally, Messi closed his message with a warm greeting to the fans in Puerto Rico. “I want to send a big hug to all of you, and thank you for the love, because I know all the tickets were sold and we were going to see each other. I hope we can do it later. Sending you a big hug and all the best,” the Argentina star said.

New date set for Messi’s visit to Puerto Rico

Moments after sharing that message, Messi posted a new Instagram story with some great news for Puerto Rico fans: the rescheduled match against Independiente del Valle will now take place on Thursday, February 26, at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium.

“Unfortunately, I got injured in the last match, but we were really looking forward to seeing you, so together with the club we found an alternative date to play in Puerto Rico,” Messi wrote alongside the announcement. “We know how excited you are to see an Inter Miami match, and it will be really nice to do it soon.”

New Date! 🗓️

The final match of the 2026 preseason Champions Tour will be postponed until February 26. Shifting the match will allow for the best experience for our fans in Puerto Rico.

🔗 https://t.co/WXIkSeDiI3 pic.twitter.com/mndIsxWlxV

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) February 11, 2026

Inter Miami need to take care of Messi

Lionel Messi’s physical issues come at an extremely inconvenient time. Inter Miami went through almost the entire preseason without any problems involving the Argentine forward, who now will need to be carefully evaluated ahead of the official season opener.

The Herons will debut in the 2026 Major League Soccer season on Saturday, February 21, against Los Angeles FC in California, in the league’s opening match. With just ten days until that game, it’s understandable that the club chose to postpone the Puerto Rico friendly, as their top priority from now on will undoubtedly be Messi’s recovery and condition.

France star Ousmane Dembele had harsh words for an Argentina player in Ligue 1, adding another chapter to the rivalry that emerged between the two national teams at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina and France delivered one of the most thrilling World Cup finals in history at Qatar 2022. The drama of such a high-stakes showdown also fueled tensions between the two sides, with several heated individual battles. Now, Ousmane Dembele has found himself at the center of a curious exchange with a Ligue 1 rival.

Over the weekend, Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille faced off in another edition of Le Classique, the marquee matchup between the two biggest clubs in French soccer. Luis Enrique’s squad showcased its quality in a dominant 5-0 victory, maintaining sole possession of first place in the standings.

Dembele stood out with two goals and an assist, but he also drew attention for a tense exchange with an opposing player. Television cameras caught the moment the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner approached Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to criticize a Marseille teammate.

“Balerdi, he’s rubbish! You know it,” Dembele said, according to Ligue 1’s official account on X. The PSG winger then covered his mouth and continued speaking to the Marseille midfielder, who chose not to respond. “You know it,” Ousmane repeated. “He’s always mouthing off.”

« VÉRITÉ » : le film Ligue 1+ de Paris SG/OM 🍿

Des images 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗦 à retrouver vendredi, à 18h, sur Ligue 1+ avant Rennes – Paris SG ! pic.twitter.com/MB1RYWs4KB

— L1+ (@ligue1plus) February 11, 2026

Ousmane is key for France, Balerdi fighting for a spot with Argentina

The gap between PSG and Marseille in their weekend clash mirrors the contrast in the international outlooks of Ousmane Dembele and Leonardo Balerdi ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

The winger appears to have a secure place with the France national team after being part of Didier Deschamps’ squads at Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. His new superstar status — following his success with PSG and his Ballon d’Or and FIFA The Best awards — has made him one of the team’s most important players.

Balerdi’s situation is very different. He has made just 11 appearances for Argentina, across friendlies and World Cup qualifiers, since his 2019 debut. Last year, head coach Lionel Scaloni showed considerable faith in the defender, giving him minutes in nine of the team’s last 13 matches. Still, competition for a roster spot is fierce, and the return of Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez from injury could push him out of World Cup contention.

The Argentina-France rivalry was born in recent years

Until 2018, Argentina and France had met only twice in World Cup history — once in the inaugural 1930 tournament and again in the group stage in 1978 — with the South Americans winning both. Nothing particularly significant had defined the matchup until then.

That changed at Russia 2018, when the teams met in the Round of 16 in a pulsating match that ended in a 4-3 victory for France, powered by a Kylian Mbappe brace. With that recent history in place, Argentina and France faced off again in the Qatar 2022 final, where the rivalry reached another level.

Argentina’s penalty shootout victory was followed by taunts not only from fans but also from players, including Emiliano Martinez. The fallout affected Lionel Messi, who was playing for PSG at the time, and contributed to his departure from the club months later.

The lingering resentment was underscored recently by former France player Djibril Cisse in an interview with L’Equipe. “I only feel hatred toward them,” he said of Argentina, referring to the post-title celebrations. “After seeing those images, I was even angry. I feel a lot of hatred toward them. Clearly, today they are our main enemy.”

Real Madrid continue to benefit from Kylian Mbappe’s scoring production, as his numbers are now approaching those of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Much like last season, Kylian Mbappe’s individual performances during the 2025-26 campaign have not necessarily translated into collective success for Real Madrid. While the team has struggled on multiple fronts, the French forward is putting up scoring numbers that place him close to Cristiano Ronaldo.

After scoring late in a 2-0 La Liga victory over Valencia, Mbappe reached an impressive 82 goals in his first 90 matches with Real Madrid. That remarkable average of 0.91 goals per game ranks him among the top three most prolific scorers at the start of a Real Madrid career.

Just ahead of the French striker is Cristiano Ronaldo. After arriving in Spain in the summer of 2009, the Portuguese star had scored 86 goals through his first 90 appearances, an average of 0.95 goals per match.

However, neither Mbappe nor Cristiano Ronaldo can match the leader in this category. Ferenc Puskas has held the top spot for more than 60 years, having recorded 96 goals in his first 90 matches for Real Madrid. In this metric, the Hungarian legend remains the only player in club history to average more than one goal per game over that span.

Behind Puskas, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mbappe are several other icons in Real Madrid history who made their mark early in their careers with the club. Among them are Alfredo Di Stefano (73 goals), Hugo Sanchez (63), Ruud van Nistelrooy (62), and Ronaldo Nazario (61) through their first 90 appearances.

Where Mbappe ranks on Real Madrid’s all-time scoring list

Despite having spent just over a year and a half at the club, Kylian Mbappe has made a meteoric rise up Real Madrid’s all-time scoring chart. He currently ranks 28th with 82 goals, just one behind Hector Rial, who is immediately ahead of him on the list.

To put that into perspective, the French forward has already surpassed several legends who spent more time at Real Madrid, including Roberto Carlos, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Luis Figo, Jorge Valdano, and Zinedine Zidane.

Mbappe is also the fifth-most productive active player in the club’s all-time scoring rankings, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo (450), Karim Benzema (354), Vinicius Junior (114), and Sergio Ramos (101). Of those players, only Vinicius remains at the club, giving him the opportunity to continue climbing the list.

Inter Miami are preparing for their final preseason match, with questions over Lionel Messi’s availability.

Inter Miami are approaching the start of the 2026 Major League Soccer season, where they will look to defend the title they won last year. Before that, they face one last challenge: a friendly on Friday against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico. Ahead of that matchup, it is unclear whether Lionel Messi will be available.

“Lionel Messi was absent from the first 15 minutes open to the media,” reporter Jose Armando wrote on X on Wednesday during the Herons’ training in Fort Lauderdale. “Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul trained without issue.”

The absence of the Argentine forward in exercises under coach Javier Mascherano is notable, as Messi typically trains alongside his teammates unless physical issues prevent him from doing so. This raises questions about his availability in the near future.

“Inter Miami travel to Puerto Rico this Thursday. They will have an evening training session on the island before Friday’s match,” Jose Armando added regarding preparations for the friendly against Independiente del Valle. “We are waiting for updates on Lionel Messi and his availability.”

Messi is not the only player missing for Inter Miami

While all eyes are on Lionel Messi, other key players could also miss Friday’s friendly against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico. “Telasco Segovia is also absent this morning due to a visa issue,” Jose Armando reported Wednesday morning. He immediately added details on two other stars: “Berterame has not yet received his visa, and along with Maxi Falcon (awaiting his green card), they would be unavailable for the match in Puerto Rico.”

If these absences are confirmed, it would pose a significant challenge for coach Javier Mascherano. In addition to Messi, Berterame, Segovia, and Falcon were starters in the last friendly against Barcelona SC in Ecuador. Berterame, who joined this year from Monterrey, even scored one of the goals.

The good news for the Herons is the return of Tadeo Allende

Amid these concerns, the Herons have a reason to celebrate. After several weeks of waiting, Tadeo Allende has finally resolved administrative issues that had prevented him from joining training and is now available to coach Javier Mascherano for the start of the 2026 season.

“I was anxious and wanted to start as soon as possible. The delay had me worried at home. I’m very happy to be here and start again with my teammates,” Allende said in an interview shared by Inter Miami on social media. “The goals are the same as last season: compete for everything in front of us. We have a great group.”

La ilusión intacta. Las palabras de Tadeo tras su vuelta. 💗💬 pic.twitter.com/yjHyaJh8XL

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) February 11, 2026

Before facing Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick sent a pointed message about Real Madrid.

Barcelona are on the verge of another final, as they will take on Atletico Madrid this Thursday in the Copa del Rey semifinals. Ahead of that matchup, head coach Hansi Flick delivered a message with a subtle jab at Real Madrid.

During the pre-match press conference against Los Colchoneros, shared by Marca, the coach was asked whether he agreed with those who thought Barcelona had an overly easy path to the semifinals, having not faced any La Liga teams up to that point.

“Ask Real Madrid,” Hansi Flick replied with a smile and a slight shrug, prompting silence in the conference room followed by some laughter from reporters at the German coach’s cheeky response.

Flick was, of course, referring to the fact that Real Madrid had a similar path but still failed to reach the decisive stages of the tournament. They narrowly overcame Talavera, a third-division Spanish team, 3-2, and then were eliminated in the round of 16 by second-tier club Albacete.

Barcelona’s path in the 2025-26 Copa del Rey

Beyond Hansi Flick’s remark, which aimed to underscore that any opponent can be dangerous if underestimated, it’s undeniable that Barcelona reached the Copa del Rey semifinals without facing any team even remotely comparable in quality to theirs.

Their tournament debut came against C.D. Guadalajara, a third-division Spanish team, which they defeated 2-0. In the round of 16, they faced Racing de Santander from the second division, again winning 2-0.

In the quarterfinals, the Blaugranas met Albacete, the team that had eliminated Real Madrid in the previous round. As in that earlier matchup, the second-division club posed a tough challenge for Barcelona, who managed a narrow 2-1 victory.

Barcelona face tough challenge against Atletico Madrid

Those matches against lower-division opponents are now behind them, and Barcelona now face an extremely difficult challenge against Atletico Madrid in the semifinals, which will now be played over two legs. They also know that if they advance to the final, they will face another La Liga team, either Athletic Club or Real Sociedad.

Ahead of Thursday’s first leg against Los Colchoneros at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Flick will have to cope with the absence of Marcus Rashford, sidelined due to a knee issue. At the same time, Raphinha is not at full fitness, leaving questions about who will start on the left wing.