Set to face Son Heung-min in the MLS opener against LAFC, Lionel Messi has been handed a major squad boost at Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi will be in the spotlight this weekend as Inter Miami travel to the West Coast to face LAFC in their opening match of the 2026 Major League Soccer season as they begin their title defense. Ahead of the clash with Son Heung-min, another global face of the league, the Argentine star has received a major squad boost.

After a preseason that fell well short of expectations, including the postponement of their final friendly against Independiente del Valle due to Messi’s injury, Inter Miami entered the final stretch of preparation with uncertainty surrounding the roster. Messi provided relief by returning to training on Wednesday, and now even more good news has arrived in Fort Lauderdale.

As reported by journalist Jose Armando, Germán Berterame has finally received his work visa and will be available for the MLS opener against LAFC. The Mexico international had been dealing with bureaucratic issues in recent days, preventing him from training with the Herons, but once clearance was granted he immediately rejoined the squad.

Inter Miami paid Monterrey $15 million to sign Berterame in one of the most expensive transfers in MLS history. The striker featured during preseason, debuting against Atlético Nacional in Colombia and even scoring his first goal in pink against Barcelona SC in Ecuador.

However, once the team returned to Fort Lauderdale, Berterame was sidelined awaiting permit approval, a situation that would forced him to miss the friendly against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico (now rescheduled for Feb. 26). This latest development makes the striker available to train alongside his teammates to prepare for the MLS opener.

All bureaucracy obstacles cleared at Inter Miami

During the 2026 preseason, Inter Miami had to deal with multiple administrative hurdles affecting several players, not only new arrivals but also returning members of the squad. In addition to Berterame, Micael also spent time away from team training while waiting for work authorization.

Head coach Javier Mascherano acknowledged the complications in comments to the club’s official media channels: “We’re still making a few adjustments because with visa matters and certain administrative issues, it can sometimes be a bit more complicated in this league to have everyone available at the same time. But we’re hopeful that we’ll be fully ready for the Saturday match.“

Other players who were navigating paperwork were midfielder Telasco Segovia and defender Maximiliano Falcón, both of whom were completing their green card processes. All have now finalized their documentation and are cleared to train and be available for the season opener.

Every Inter Miami player, including Mess, took part in Wednesday’s training session except Sergio Reguilón, who has been sidelined with an injury since the preseason opener against Alianza Lima in late January. Aside from the Spanish defender, the Herons will have a full squad available for the showdown with LAFC.

Anthony Gordon wrote his name in Newcastle United history registering four goals in the first half in the UEFA Champions League game against Qarabag, prompting questions on how many times have Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo recorded that feat.

Anthony Gordon went on a rampage on Wednesday night in the UEFA Champions League, helping Newcastle United surge ahead of Qarabag in style by scoring four goals before halftime. After such an astonishing individual display, questions arose about how many times the competition’s all-time leading scorers, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, have achieved such a feat.

The game started quickly for the Magpies, with Dan Burn threading a pass through for Gordon to open the scoring after 122 seconds, the fastest goal by any Newcastle player in the history of the competition. Then in the 32nd minute, after Harvey Barnes was fouled in the box, Gordon added his third goal of the night from the penalty spot.

Shortly after play resumed, Qarabag gave the ball away, and following a failed touch from a defender, Gordon pounced, rounded goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski and scored Newcastle’s fourth to complete his hat trick. Just before halftime, the winger was brought down inside the box again and, as the designated taker, calmly slotted home his fourth of the match.

Now sitting second in the scoring table just behind Kylian Mbappé (13), Gordon has made history for the English side, becoming the first player in club history to score four goals in a European match. In addition, with 10 goals in the 2025-26 edition, he has also become Newcastle’s all-time leading scorer in the Champions League as well as the club’s single-season record holder.

How many times have Messi and Ronaldo scored four goals in UCL before halftime?

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi stand as the two greatest scorers in Champions League history, each producing elite performances for more than a decade. However, Gordon appears to have something on them in this particular category.

Neither Ronaldo nor Messi has ever scored four goals in the first half of a Champions League match. Both superstars have recorded four-goal games, but none of those came within the opening 45 minutes.

In fact, Gordon is only the second player ever to accomplish the feat in Europe’s top competition. The first was Luiz Adriano, who, while playing for Shakhtar Donetsk, scored four first-half goals against BATE Borisov before adding a fifth after the break during the 2014-15 group stage.

Still, Ronaldo and Messi have their own remarkable four-goal records. Ronaldo netted four against Malmö FF in a 20-minute span (39th to 59th minute), while Messi produced his haul in a dazzling display against Arsenal in 2009, scoring in the 21st, 37th, 42nd and 88th minutes.

A World Cup-winning Argentina teammate of Lionel Messi once failed a trial at Barcelona: “He was very bad.”

With Lionel Messi as captain, Argentina national team won the 2022 World Cup with a squad full of players who had flown under the radar for years before the tournament. After lifting the trophy, a former FC Barcelona prospect revealed that one of his Albiceleste teammates once failed a trial with the club — and did so with a blunt assessment: “He was very bad.”

Back when he was 17 and still part of Boca Juniors’ youth system, Nahuel Molina traveled to Spain for a trial hoping to make the leap to Europe, specifically with one of the game’s biggest clubs. However, one player who did pass that trial, Éric Montes, later claimed Molina fell well short of the standard Barcelona expected.

In an interview with Spanish outlet Post United, Montes recalled details of that trial a decade ago: “During one preseason, three Argentinians came in for trials and didn’t meet the level — they were very bad. I later found out that Nahuel Molina was one of them.”

Even though the identities of the other two Argentines never became public, Montes said none of them matched the club’s expectations to stay. He also highlighted the contrast between his own path and Molina’s. “To show you how things are, he was a ‘Matao.’ Look at the Matao now and look at me,” Montes added, using Spanish football slang for a player considered limited or low-level.

While Montes remained at Barcelona’s academy after the trial, he never made his debut in Spain’s first division. In contrast, Molina eventually broke through after joining Atlético Madrid in 2022 and went on to win multiple trophies alongside Messi with Argentina — a striking turnaround from that failed trial in Spain.

Molina, Montes, and the Barcelona bubble

The careers of Molina and Montes serve as a reminder of how quickly a player’s trajectory can change, even after time inside one of soccer’s most prestigious academies. Though he never debuted for Boca Juniors’ first team, the Argentine right back moved to Europe with Udinese in 2020 before later joining Atlético Madrid to then conquer the World Cup, while Montes’ career took a far different path.

He never broke into Barcelona’s senior squad and instead went on loan to lower-division Spanish clubs such as Peralada, Cultural Leonesa, Albacete, Gimnàstic, and Manresa before retiring at 27 because of a serious knee injury. “You leave the Barcelona bubble and start to realize what real life is,” he reflected.

Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni broke the silence after Vinicius Junior's allegations in the Champions League clash, while also denouncing threats from Real Madrid players.

Gianluca Prestianni became one of the focal points of discussion in recent hours after Vinicius Junior’s claims that he suffered racial abuse from the Benfica player during a UEFA Champions League match. After hours of uncertainty, the Argentine forward finally broke his silence while also denouncing threats from Real Madrid players.

The game between Benfica and Real Madrid at the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday ended up being interrupted as Vinicius, after scoring the first goal of the game, went to the referee to report alleged racial abuse by Prestianni during a heated exchange before play resumed. At the moment of the incident, the winger covered his mouth with his shirt, making it difficult to determine whether the claims were true, but that did little to shield him from intense media scrutiny.

Hours after the game, Prestianni, who did not speak directly to the media afterward, finally decided to address the situation in an Instagram story: “I want to make it clear that at no point did I direct racist insults at player Vinícius Júnior, who unfortunately misinterpreted what he believes he heard.“

Apart from maintaining his stance in dismissing Vinicius’ allegations, the 20-year-old also addressed the situation involving the Brazilian’s teammates. “I have never been racist toward anyone, and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players,” his message concluded.

After the game, several Real Madrid players such as Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, and Trent Alexander-Arnold backed Vinicius. Kylian Mbappé was among the most outspoken, saying Prestianni does not deserve to be playing in the Champions League and expressing hope that proper sanctions could be imposed on the Benfica player.

Benfica fully backing Prestianni

While several Real Madrid players continued addressing the issue after the game and criticizing Prestianni, Benfica remained cautious in its approach. The only significant voice to speak publicly about the situation was coach José Mourinho, who, in addition to saying Vinicius’ celebration was out of place, declined to take sides on the racial allegations.

Asked whether Prestianni regretted what he allegedly said to Vinicius, Mourinho’s response was firm: “Regret what? I’ve spoken with both of them, Vinícius Júnior tells me one thing and Gianluca Prestianni tells me another. I don’t want to be ‘red’ and say I 100% believe Prestianni, but I also don’t want to be ‘white’ and say what Vinícius tells me is the truth.“

The first statement from Benfica after the game was to dismiss reports of a discussion or physical confrontation between the club’s president and a member of Real Madrid. However, shortly after Prestianni released his statement, the club posted a message showing their support: “Together, by your side.”

Como demonstram as imagens, dada a distância, os jogadores do Real Madrid não podem ter ouvido o que andam a dizer que ouviram. pic.twitter.com/7JF9AVuhEM

— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) February 18, 2026

Benfica not only reposted Prestianni’s response but also publicly backed the player while dismissing the claims made by Real Madrid players. “As the images show, given the distance, the Real Madrid players could not have heard what they are saying they heard,” the club said while attaching a video of the moment, in a dispute in the Champions League that now appears far from resolved.

After Tuesday’s controversial Champions League incident, which prompted UEFA to open an investigation, Kylian Mbappé condemned Gianluca Prestianni over his clash with Vinicius Junior.

Vinicius Junior was thrust into the spotlight Tuesday following a controversial Champions League incident in which he alleged racial abuse. While UEFA has opened an investigation into the matter, Kylian Mbappé publicly condemned Gianluca Prestianni with a strong statement after the match.

As soon as Vinicius halted play to report the alleged abuse, Mbappé became one of the most vocal Real Madrid players in support of his teammate, both on the sideline, where he spoke with Jose Mourinho, and on the field. While the match was still ongoing, the French star was also seen confronting Prestianni in another tense moment captured by cameras.

Asked about the situation in the mixed zone after the game, Mbappé made his stance clear: “We have to set an example for children. This is the Champions League — the competition I dreamed of as a kid, the one I watched with my parents when I was little — and there are things we cannot accept. Because the world is watching us.“

He also clarified the difference between the alleged incident and the crowd’s reaction. “We mustn’t generalize, because that becomes a problem when things like this happen. I have Portuguese friends and teammates who’ve always treated me very well, but when one person behaves like that, it has to be called out. Then they booed us, which is normal, because they don’t know what happened; I have nothing against the fans, the club, or their coach, one of the best in history,” he added.

“But something has to be done. We can’t accept a player like that playing in the Champions League; he doesn’t deserve it. We’ll see what happens. Let’s let UEFA make the decisions. It’s a serious case,” Mbappé said. Mourinho’s suggestion that Vinicius provoked the crowd during his celebration also sparked debate, and when asked about it, the French forward doubled down while revealing what Prestianni allegedly said.

“They’re two very different things. I’m going to talk about what I know — what I saw and heard. About what I didn’t see, I won’t talk; that’s how I am. But what I saw is very clear: player number 25 said to Vini five times, ‘you’re a monkey.’ In the end, everyone will give their opinion. I try to come here and give an explanation, because from where you were it’s impossible to know what happened,” he added.

Mbappé and his conversation with Vinicius

In the mixed zone, several Real Madrid players stood behind Vinicius. However, one of the most active figures on the field was Mbappé, who, once the anti-racism protocol was triggered, stayed alongside the Brazilian to discuss what steps the team might take.

With play halted from the 52nd minute, Mbappé shed light on his exchange with Vinicius: “I said, ‘What do you want to do?’ He had been told that, and I told him, ‘Whatever you want to do, we’ll do it as a team.’ Because I already said in the press conference before Monaco that we would never leave him alone.”

The former PSG star also revealed the options the squad considered in response to the situation. “We thought about walking off, that’s why we left. Then several things happened and we came back. We stayed focused on the match and won; but the match isn’t the important thing today — there are things more important than football tonight,” he added.

UEFA opens investigation into Prestianni-Vinicius episode

As reported by Cadena SER’s El Larguero, UEFA has launched an investigation into the Prestianni-Vinicius incident over the alleged racist remark during the clash between Benfica and Real Madrid. As part of the process, statements will be taken from Mbappé and all players involved.

However, the outlet added that “it will be very difficult to verify the insult,” since Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt at the moment Vinicius approached the referee. If the allegation cannot be clearly proven, no disciplinary action is expected, neither against the player nor the club.

Moments after the Champions League game against Benfica, Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior broke the silence over his racial accusations, calling Gianluca Prestianni "coward."

Vinicius Junior was at the center of attention in Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Benfica, not only for his goal but also for the controversy surrounding his accusation of racial abuse against Gianluca Prestianni. After the match, the Brazilian star addressed the incident in a lengthy statement, referring to the Argentine winger as a “coward.”

After opening the scoring in the 50th minute and a series of confrontations, play was halted for nearly nine minutes as Vinicius approached referee Francois Letexier, who initiated the anti-racism protocol after hearing the complaint. While Prestianni denied the allegation, the match resumed in the 60th minute without disciplinary action against him, and he was later substituted in the 81st minute.

Following the match, Vinicius posted a statement on Instagram addressing the situation: “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put a shirt over their mouth to show how weak they are. But they have protection beside them from others who, in theory, have the obligation to punish them. What happened today is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life and my family’s life.“

He also pointed to the contrast between being booked for what officials deemed a provocative celebration and the lack of punishment for his opponent. “I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal, still without understanding why. On the other side, there was only a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose,” he added.

“I don’t like to be in situations like this, especially after a big win when the headlines should be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary,” the message concluded. Because Prestianni covered his mouth at the moment of the accusation, no definitive ruling could be made on the field, and UEFA is now expected to review the incident and determine whether further action is warranted.

Vinicius already heating up the second leg against Benfica

The matchup between Benfica and Real Madrid was already charged before kickoff, as the Portuguese side had secured its place in the playoff round with a thrilling 4-2 win over Madrid in their previous meeting. With both teams seeking an early edge, the rematch began at a high tempo.

In the 50th minute, Vinicius produced a brilliant individual effort and curled a strike into the top corner to open the scoring, celebrating in a manner many Benfica supporters interpreted as provocative. After the goal and subsequent confrontation, loud whistles rained down at Estadio da Luz each time he touched the ball.

Alongside his statement about the incident, Vinicius also posted a message looking ahead to the return leg with his team holding a one-goal advantage: “Bernabéu, see you there!!!!!” he wrote, captioning a series of match photos, including the celebration.

The second leg of the Champions League playoff tie will be played at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday the 25th, where Vinicius is set to be backed by the home crowd. Still, with UEFA’s investigation ongoing, the fallout from the controversy could yet influence the broader narrative surrounding the tie.

With his brace against PSG, USMNT star Folarin Balogun broke a record from Mexico legend Chicharito Hernandez in the UEFA Champions League.

Folarin Balogun is enjoying his most productive scoring season with AS Monaco, and Paris Saint-Germain became his latest victim. After netting a brace in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League clash against the Parisian side, the USMNT star broke a competition record previously held by Mexico legend Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.

After both teams failed to finish among the top eight in the league phase, Monaco and PSG were drawn together, with the Monegasque side hosting Wednesday’s first leg. The match began smoothly for the home team, which found the opener before the first minute had elapsed.

After Nuno Mendes gave the ball away while attempting to build from the back, Monaco launched a lethal counterattack down the left, where Aleksander Golovin delivered a precise cross for Balogun to score a header just 55 seconds into the match.

In the 18th minute, Balogun laid the ball off to Maghnes Akliouche, who slipped a perfectly weighted through pass to send the USMNT striker one-on-one with goalkeeper Matvey Safonov. With a clinical finish inside the near post, he doubled the lead over the reigning European champions moments later.

FOLARIN BALOGUN AT THE DOUBLE 🇺🇸💥

Less than twenty minutes in and the USMNT striker has the European champions stunned in Monaco 😤 pic.twitter.com/eKJmu6APom

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 17, 2026

Balogun writes CONCACAF history in Champions League

With his brace against PSG, Folarin Balogun became the fastest player from CONCACAF to score twice in a Champions League match. Although the game ultimately ended in a 3-2 defeat for Monaco, the two goals were enough for the USMNT forward to make history.

The previous mark had been set more than a decade ago by Chicharito Hernandez while playing for Bayer Leverkusen. Hosting Matchday 3 of the group stage against AS Roma, the Mexican star converted a fourth-minute penalty and then struck again in the 19th minute after a pass from Hakan Calhanoglu in a thrilling 4-4 draw, with now Balogun outshining his record by just a minute.

With the brace, Balogun now has 10 goals and four assists in 30 appearances during the 2025-26 season. More notably, he has scored five times in nine Champions League matches. While still short of his most prolific European campaign (the 2022-23 season with Stade Reims, when he recorded 22 goals and three assists in 39 games) the striker appears determined to make further history in Europe with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.

After scoring the opening goal and with Vinicius Junior as the protagonist of a controversial episode, the game between Real Madrid and Benfica in the UEFA Champions League ended up being delayed.

The game between Real Madrid and Benfica was one of the most compelling matchups of the Champions League playoffs, but it was interrupted amid controversy. With Vinicius Junior at the center of the incident, play was halted in the 52nd minute.

After a scoreless first half, Vinicius opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the 50th minute with a precise finish into the top corner. His celebration sparked tensions, leading to a confrontation involving several players before the match was stopped.

In the 52nd minute, before play could restart, Vinicius approached referee Francois Letexier to report alleged racist abuse, prompting the official to cross his arms and activate the anti-racism protocol. The Brazilian winger then headed toward the bench area, which led to a further delay.

Cameras later showed Vinicius speaking with Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni, whose words were unclear as he covered his mouth with his jersey. With Vinicius near the sideline, he also spoke with Benfica manager Jose Mourinho to address the situation.

When speaking to the referee, Vinicius was seen saying “me dijo mono” (“he called me monkey“) in Spanish. Speaking to teammates and concerned Real Madrid players, Prestianni denied making any abusive remark toward Vinicius.

Unable to verify the accusation at that moment, Letexier spoke with Prestianni but issued no sanction. Before play resumed in the 60th minute, cameras caught the Argentine winger saying “no dije nada” (“I didn’t say anything“), bringing a controversial episode in the match to a close.

What are the potential sanctions?

Since he covered his mouth at the moment the accusation was made, Gianluca Prestianni was not issued any sanction or yellow card. However, if UEFA ultimately determines that the allegations from the Real Madrid star are true, the Argentine could face a severe disciplinary penalty.

Article 14 of UEFA’s Disciplinary Regulations, which addresses “Racism and other discriminatory conduct,” states that the minimum suspension for such an offense is “at least ten matches or a specified period of time, or any other appropriate sanction.” Prestianni would not necessarily be the only party affected by the incident.

As subsection 3 outlines, UEFA may also impose disciplinary measures on the club or association involved, including matches behind closed doors, stadium closure, forfeiture of a match, points deductions, or even disqualification from a competition. With the second leg scheduled for next Wednesday at Santiago Bernabeu, if the accusations are proven, Benfica could potentially face elimination from the Champions League.

Set to face FK Arkadag in the AFC Champions League Two, coach Jorge Jesus has taken the decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo out of the Al Nassr squad.

Cristiano Ronaldo recently returned to action after resolving his issues in the Saudi Pro League, and he did so in style by getting back on the scoresheet. However, with Al Nassr set to play a key AFC Champions League Two match on Wednesday, head coach Jorge Jesus has decided the Portuguese forward will sit out the game.

Drawn against FK Arkadag in the Round of 16 of the AFC competition, Al Nassr already traveled to Turkmenistan without Ronaldo for the first leg, which ended in a narrow 1-0 win. At the time, Jesus said the Portuguese star is not usually called up for matches outside Saudi Arabia, explaining his absence.

With the second leg scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, at Al Awwal Park in Saudi Arabia, questions arose about whether the striker would be included. However, as reported by Ali Alabdallh, coach Jorge Jesus ultimately decided to rest Cristiano Ronaldo for the match against Arkadag.

Ronaldo attended Tuesday’s training session, and beforehand the Portuguese coach spoke at a press conference about the star’s situation: “We’re playing a match every three days, and that’s a big physical demand, so we will rotate between the players. Cristiano’s age is different from the rest of the squad, and he has made a big effort in the previous matches. We will decide whether he will participate or not after today’s training session.“

Ronaldo’s absence brings mixed feelings for the game

Ronaldo missing AFC Champions League Two matches has been common during the 2025-26 season, as the striker has appeared in only one of the seven games between the group stage and the first leg of the Round of 16. That’s largely because the competition ranks behind the club’s priority of winning the Saudi Pro League title.

Still, the decision for Ronaldo to miss the game is significant, not only for Al Nassr, with the aggregate margin slim, but also for Arkadag, whose players hoped to face him. In the pre-match press conference, head coach Mergen Orazov was asked about the possibility of Ronaldo featuring, and his response was clear: “If he plays, that would be good for the match. He is one of the greatest players in football history and an important figure for many fans.“

What’s next for Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr?

Including Wednesday’s match against Arkadag, this will be the 10th game Ronaldo has missed for Al Nassr across all competitions (two in the Saudi Pro League, seven in the AFC Champions League Two, and one in the Saudi King’s Cup, where he was an unused substitute). Rather than cause concern, Jesus has explained the absences are part of managing minutes for the star, who recently turned 41, as he targets full fitness for the 2026 World Cup.

Since he will sit out this match, Ronaldo is expected to return for Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League game on Saturday the 21st against Al Hazm. The team currently sits in second place with 52 points, just one behind leaders Al Hilal, making it highly likely the Portuguese star will feature.

Set to face Son’s LAFC in the MLS opener, Lionel Messi could suffer a setback with an Inter Miami star in doubt for the match.

Lionel Messi will open a new MLS season in less than a week when Inter Miami CF travel to the West Coast to face Son Heung-min’s Los Angeles FC in the season opener on Saturday, February 21. However, the Argentine could be dealing with a potential setback, as a star teammate is in doubt for the match.

MLS scheduled the opener between Inter Miami and LAFC to showcase Messi and Son, two of the league’s biggest stars, on the same field. However, with the Argentine dealing with a muscle strain in his left hamstring, his availability has been cast into doubt, and he may not be the only one at risk of missing the game.

As reported by journalist José Armando, new striker Germán Berterame has yet to receive his work visa. The reporter noted that the process in these cases could be finalized in the coming days, but with less than a week remaining before kickoff, it remains possible the Mexico international will miss the MLS opener.

Inter Miami invested $15 million to sign Berterame from CF Monterrey to provide Messi with a major boost in attack. The striker already debuted against Atlético Nacional in Colombia and scored his first unofficial goal in a 2-2 draw against Barcelona SC. While he’s expected to be the team’s starting forward, paperwork could prevent him from making his official debut with the Herons.

Coach Mascherano on Inter Miami’s preseason and bureaucracy issues

After traveling to Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador, Inter Miami were set to conclude preseason against one of South America’s top sides, Independiente del Valle, in Puerto Rico. Messi’s last-minute injury ended up postponing what would have been last Friday’s match, with head coach Javier Mascherano calling it a shame.

Still, speaking to Inter Miami’s social channels, the Argentine manager shared his assessment of the team’s preseason: “Overall, we’ve had a good preseason. We’ve built up the training loads and completed the sessions we had planned. We’ve also been able to give minutes to each of the players so they can reach full match fitness. And now comes to the most important part, competition.“

Ahead of the game against LAFC, Mascherano also pointed to possible last-minute roster complications. “We’re still making a few adjustments because with visa matters and certain administrative issues, it can sometimes be a bit more complicated in this league to have everyone available at the same time. But we’re hopeful that we’ll be fully ready for the Saturday match,” he added, avoiding to address Berterame’s situation directly.

LAFC hoping to see Messi on the pitch

Inter Miami will travel to face LAFC for the first time in MLS play since 2023, when the Herons claimed a 3-1 victory. Now, with not only Messi but also Son expected to headline the matchup, the club has decided to move the game to a larger venue.

Instead of hosting the match at BMO Stadium, the clash between Messi’s Inter Miami and Son’s LAFC on February 21 will be played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. With a capacity of up to 77,000 and expectations of a sellout crowd, it will mark the first time LAFC have relocated a home match from their usual stadium to the historic home of the USC Trojans.

After being compared to satiety, a former Argentina star that played with both addressed the similarities between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been constantly compared to satiety, not only for breaking records and setting new standards, but also because they’ve shared the same era, creating arguably the most iconic rivalry in soccer history. However, this race to the top has also led both legends to share several similarities, which have now been highlighted by a former Argentina star who played with both.

Few players have had the chance not only to share the pitch, but also the locker room, with Ronaldo and Messi. Paulo Dybala is among that select group, having played alongside the Portuguese star at Juventus and with the Argentine icon on the Argentina national team, where he noticed key similarities between the two legends.

In an interview with former rugby player Agustín Creevy for his YouTube channel, Dybala, currently at AS Roma, reflected on the experience of playing with both stars: “I played with both of them — incredible. There are similarities between them. I think more mentally than in training.“

In terms of profile, Ronaldo and Messi differ in preferred foot, height, and even position, but their shared mindset has been a game-changer in keeping them at the top. “Technically they’re different, they have different strengths, but they’re two beasts, especially psychologically,” added La Joya.

Ronaldo and his strict routine at Juventus

One major difference in Dybala’s experience with the two icons is that he worked with Ronaldo daily at club level, whereas he only linked up with Messi during international duty. Still, during his time with the Portuguese forward, Dybala witnessed the full Ronaldo routine firsthand.

Asked about Ronaldo’s mentality and work ethic, Dybala shared detailed insight: “He was extremely professional with his care and routine — he didn’t change a comma. He’d arrive when he was supposed to, at 8 or 9 in the morning, and until he left you’d see him always doing everything: gym, massage, physio therapy, cold bath, sauna, his meals — he never strayed. Not one extra chip, nothing. It’s like the guy had his mind locked in on that, and you could tell he was always the same.“

Ronaldo has spoken in recent interviews about his training habits and mentality, which he still maintains today at Al Nassr. In this case, Dybala provided further detail on how the forward’s routine , consistent for more than a decade, has been crucial to sustaining elite form.

Despite arriving as a younger player in a veteran-laden squad, Dybala explained how Ronaldo led by example. “Players like that — their presence on and off the field… he’d get the ball and aim for goal, he didn’t care about anything. He could lose the ball 100 times and he’d keep going. Same thing in training — you could tell they hate losing at anything. We’d do drills like hitting a cone from far away and he wouldn’t leave until he hit it three times in a row,” he added.

Hollywood star and Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds reacted to the FA Cup fifth-round draw that paired his club with Premier League giants Chelsea at home.

Wrexham’s dream is far from over in the 2025-26 season, as they are currently pushing for a playoff place in pursuit of a fourth consecutive promotion to England’s top flight while also remaining alive in the FA Cup. The draw for the fifth round has been completed, and Hollywood star and co-owner Ryan Reynolds reacted to the team being paired with Premier League powerhouse Chelsea.

The FA Cup draw took place Monday with 17 clubs remaining (Port Vale and Bristol City still to play their fourth-round tie), setting the matchups for the next stage. After earning their spot with a narrow but historic 1-0 win over Coventry City, Wrexham were drawn against Chelsea — the second Premier League opponent of their run in the oldest competition in world soccer.

The matchup quickly became major news for the Welsh side, who will host the game at the Racecourse Ground on March 7, giving the city of Wrexham another chance to experience top-level opposition at home. Chelsea secured their place in the next round after thrashing Hull City 4-0 on the road last Friday.

Despite entering as underdogs, the clash with Chelsea is being met with excitement by Reynolds. On social media, the Deadpool star and fellow actor Hugh Jackman were shown reacting to the draw, with Reynolds’ expression saying it all as he looked ahead to a match he is expected to attend.

Chelsea at the Racecourse! Holy crap 🔴⚔️🔵 pic.twitter.com/aC8EnLCZEl

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) February 16, 2026

Are Wrexham ready for the Premier League?

One key point to consider ahead of the Chelsea FA Cup matchup is that the Blues recently dismantled Hull City, who currently sit fifth in the Championship, three places above Wrexham. In addition, the Tigers defeated the Red Dragons 2-0 in their last meeting, while the prior encounter (in the EFL Cup) saw Wrexham advance via penalty shootout.

Currently on 47 points through 31 matches with one game in hand, Wrexham sit eighth and must overtake Preston North End and Derby County, both on 48 points, to climb into the final playoff position. While not among the most dominant teams in the Championship, the club co-owned by Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have already made a statement in the FA Cup by eliminating Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

Questions about Wrexham’s readiness to compete in the top division continue to surface, and in an interview with ESPN earlier this month, head coach Phil Parkinson addressed the topic directly: “Listen, is the structure of this club behind the scenes ready for the Premier League and would there be an immense amount of work to take place (if we get there)? Of course, but wouldn’t it be great to have that chance? You’d probably say we weren’t ready for Division One, certainly not the Championship, but I think in football, you just keep evolving as you go along.“

FA Cup fifth-round full draw

All matches scheduled for the FA Cup fifth round are as follows:

• Wrexham vs. Chelsea
• Fulham vs. Southampton
• Leeds United vs. Norwich City
• Mansfield Town vs. Arsenal
• West Ham United vs. Brentford
• Port Vale or Bristol City vs. Sunderland
• Newcastle United vs. Manchester City
• Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Liverpool

Apart from his impact on the field, Lionel Messi’s presence has helped drive Inter Miami’s revenue up nearly 300% since his arrival in MLS in 2023.

Lionel Messi’s arrival transformed Inter Miami when he joined in 2023, not only on the field but also off it, quickly elevating the franchise into one of Major League Soccer’s premier brands despite its short history. Beyond drawing global attention to North American soccer, the Messi effect has helped drive the club’s revenue up by nearly 300% since his debut.

Following their 2025 MLS Cup title, Inter Miami have firmly established themselves as a major force in the league, with Sportico reporting the club reached a valuation of $1.45 billion, the highest ever recorded for an MLS franchise. In addition to that record valuation, Messi’s impact has also reshaped the club’s financial strength.

According to Forbes, Inter Miami generated roughly $200 million in revenue during the 2025 season. By comparison, the club reported $56 million in 2022, the last full season before Messi arrived, representing nearly a 300% increase in just three years, a span that includes two and a half seasons with the Argentine superstar.

After shattering valuation benchmarks and climbing to the top tier of MLS business metrics, Inter Miami’s growth shows little sign of slowing. Two major developments fueling optimism are the April opening of Miami Freedom Park and, perhaps most importantly, Messi’s contract extension last year that keeps him with the club through December 2028.

Inter Miami’s massive expenditure in the winter window

Inter Miami’s success on the field and in the financial arena has created a virtuous cycle that continues to reinforce itself, accelerating the growth of the club led by David Beckham and Jorge Mas. Capitalizing on that momentum, ownership made an aggressive push in the 2026 winter transfer window with significant investment in roster upgrades.

The first major outlay involved Rodrigo De Paul, who initially joined on loan in the summer of 2025 before the club triggered a mandatory $15 million purchase clause, making him the fourth-most expensive signing in league history.

The squad-building continued with permanent deals for MLS Cup winners Tadeo Allende ($5.3M) and Rocco Ríos Novo from Lanús ($550,000). The club then added David Ayala from the Portland Timbers for $2 million and capped the spree by signing Mexican international Germán Berterame from Monterrey for $15 million, matching De Paul among the club’s most expensive acquisitions.

In total, Inter Miami have spent nearly $38 million in transfers in 2026, one of the largest single-season outlays in MLS history, comparable to recent spending by Atlanta United, while also securing several free transfers such as Dayne St. Clair and Facundo Mura. With ambitions now extending to international competition, particularly the CONCACAF Champions Cup, club leadership is betting that this investment will translate into results on the pitch.

With Kylian Mbappe fully recovered, Real Madrid are still set to suffer a huge squad blow for their UEFA Champions League run due to the injury setback of a team star.

Kylian Mbappé is expected to be a key piece for Real Madrid as he looks to finally win the UEFA Champions League for the first time in his career. However, with the match against Benfica on the horizon, the Frenchman has received a major squad blow, as one of Los Blancos’ stars has suffered an injury setback.

After sitting on the bench for the entirety of Saturday’s game against Real Sociedad, doubts arose over Mbappé’s potential absence for Tuesday’s Champions League playoff clash against Benfica. The Frenchman has since reintegrated into the squad and is expected to be in the starting lineup, but even if they advance, Real Madrid will be without one of their main stars.

As reported by Guillermo Rai and Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, Jude Bellingham’s injury is expected to take longer to heal than initially projected. The midfielder suffered a semitendinosus muscle injury in his left leg during the Feb. 1 match against Rayo Vallecano and has been sidelined since.

Bellingham to be out for several weeks

After exiting the match against Rayo after just 10 minutes and undergoing medical evaluation, the initial recovery timeline was set at around four weeks, effectively ruling him out of the Champions League playoff series against Benfica. However, that timetable now appears likely to be extended.

Reports indicate that instead of returning in early March, Bellingham’s comeback could be pushed back to a six-to-eight-week window. Such a delay would not only sideline him for the March international break with England national team but could also force him to miss a potential Champions League Round of 16 tie between March 10 and 18 if Madrid advance.

How have Real Madrid coped without Bellingham?

Even though Mbappé has emerged as the team’s main attacking force with 38 goals in 31 appearances, Bellingham remains widely regarded as one of the squad’s most influential players. Prior to his injury against Rayo, he had played 14 straight full matches, and overall he has featured in 28 games this season, recording six goals and four assists, numbers below his standout debut campaign.

Earlier in the season, while recovering from elbow surgery, Bellingham missed four La Liga matches, all of which ended in wins for Madrid. More recently, he was absent for games against Valencia and Real Sociedad, and Los Blancos again secured victories, showing that, so far, the team has managed to collect three points each time he has been sidelined.

Lamine Yamal has been dealt with a huge squad setback as one of his star teammates in Spain suffered and injury, putting his presence in the Finalissima against Argentina at risk.

Lamine Yamal is on the verge of capturing another, albeit unofficial, trophy with Spain, as they’re set to face Argentina in the Finalissima this March. As the date to meet legend Lionel Messi on the pitch approaches, the 18-year-old has been dealt a major setback, with one of La Roja’s star teammates now in doubt for the final.

With less than two months until the clash and anticipation building, preparations are already underway, with Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni reportedly drawing up plans to limit Yamal’s influence. While Spain are far from dependent on the teenager, the options for head coach Luis de la Fuente could end up being reduced for the match.

As revealed by Athletic Bilbao, Nico Williams will be sidelined for an undetermined period while receiving treatment for pubalgia. The 23-year-old already missed last Sunday’s match against Real Oviedo and will now begin a recovery process that could jeopardize his availability for the Finalissima.

Alongside confirming the injury to Mikel Jauregizar, Athletic Club released a statement addressing the winger’s status. “The footballer has begun treatment with an external specialist to treat his pubalgia, with specific work that, pending his progress, will cause him to be unavailable for upcoming matches,” the statement read, while also revealed that the recovery timeline for both players “remains to be seen.“

Williams, a potential huge blow for Spain

Alongside Yamal, Williams is one of Spain’s most dangerous dribblers in one-on-one situations, and finding a like-for-like replacement in the current squad would be difficult. The winger also missed four straight club matches in September with a groin injury and was absent from Spain’s squads during the October and November international windows.

No official recovery timeline has been issued by the club, but according to Spanish outlet Marca, the pubalgia could sideline Nico Williams for at least four weeks. With the Finalissima against Argentina scheduled for Friday, March 27, questions are beginning to arise about whether the winger will be fit enough to handle such a demanding match without risking a setback in his recovery.

Williams added to the list of potential key absences

Atletico Madrid midfielder Alex Baena could help cover Williams’ absence, but losing him would still be a major blow, particularly given his chemistry with Yamal on the flank. Spain are also monitoring several other injury situations ahead of the Finalissima.

Players already ruled out with serious injuries include Mikel Merino and Samu Aghehowa. Meanwhile, those currently managing physical issues include goalkeeper Unai Simón; defenders Dani Carvajal, Aymeric Laporte, Robin Le Normand, and Marc Cucurella; plus midfielders Rodri Hernández, Fabián Ruiz, and Dani Olmo — several of whom could still be available if they recover in time.

Now in charge of the USMNT, Mauricio Pochettino broke the silence over the hurdles he faced when he had the task to coach Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain.

Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé were expected to form one of the most lethal attacking trios in soccer after the Argentine star arrived in Paris in 2021. But despite flashes of brilliance, the group never fully clicked en route to European glory. Years after his stint with the Parisian side, U.S. men’s national team boss Mauricio Pochettino has opened up about the challenges of managing all three superstars.

Appointed in early 2021, Pochettino was tasked with finally delivering a UEFA Champions League title to PSG, which already featured Neymar and Mbappé and would add Messi six months later. Speaking on the High Performance podcast, the coach said he felt fortunate to lead such a star-studded roster, but noted that “only 11 can play,” a reality that made squad management complicated.

The Argentine manager then addressed the pressure that comes with overseeing so many elite players, including the star-studded front line: “The problem is when people start to say, ‘Ah, come on, you need to win four–nil from the bus.’ But it’s not like that, because you receive Messi with no preseason after the Copa América, big stress and trauma after leaving Barcelona—he needed time to adapt. Neymar had some problems. Mbappé too. But these three guys need a team behind them to play for them.”

Beyond tactics, Pochettino also discussed the difficulty of assigning roles among the three global icons. “They need to share space. Who’s the penalty taker? It’s not easy to say, because Messi, Neymar, Mbappé… it’s a really complex situation as it goes on. What we did was be ourselves and try to do things the way we felt was right, knowing we were going to suffer and that it was going to be difficult,” he added.

After transforming Tottenham Hotspur into one of England’s top sides and nearly winning the Champions League in 2019, PSG’s hierarchy expected a similar evolution. But Pochettino acknowledged that the same tactical blueprint could not simply be replicated with a squad that, despite its talent, already had an established identity from previous seasons.

“If we were in Tottenham a team that was so high line, press high, recover balls in the opposite half… You cannot expect that Messi is going to press people. When he was in his peak at Barcelona with Guardiola, he never pressed and that is the situation where people can be confused. That was the (most) difficult challenge,” Pochettino added.

Pochettino and the Messi moment

At Tottenham, Pochettino built stars such as Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, and Dele Alli before they became global standouts. In Paris, man-management required a different approach, though he emphasized that despite individualized treatment, he never had discipline issues with the attacking trio and said the squad remained respectful toward the coaching staff.

One controversial moment came during Messi’s third PSG appearance, against Olympique Lyonnais. With the score 1-1 in the 76th minute, Pochettino substituted him: “I remember when I took Messi off against Lyon. He was a little disappointed, but that was my decision because it was to protect him. He had a problem with his knee.”

At the time, Messi had already missed several matches due to fitness concerns, and Pochettino said his decision was meant to avoid a setback. “He said to me, ‘Coach, you need to ask me.’ I said, ‘Yeah, but I cannot ask because all my feedback from the doctors says you are at big risk of injury in your knee.’ He said, ‘Yeah, but Guardiola always asked me before taking me off.’ I said, ‘Yeah, but I am not Guardiola,’” the USMNT boss recalled.

Far from seeing it as a show of authority, Pochettino said the call was purely protective with a crucial Champions League match against Manchester City looming: “Two weeks later we had that game, and he had been out for two weeks. He started training Monday, played Wednesday, scored a beautiful goal to make it 2-1 when we beat Manchester City. Afterward he came into the dressing room and hugged me. He just hugged me. He said nothing.”

Cristiano Ronaldo will be facing a long break due to FIFA calendar until his next game with Al Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo, even at 40 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, February 21, when Al Nassr will be hosting Al Hazm for Matchday 23 ofthe 2025-26 Saudi Pro League at Al Awwal Park. The Portuguese ended up being rested in the last AFC Champions League Two game against FK Arkadag, where the team got the qualification to the quarterfinals.

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 of which is reportedly set to be against the USMNT.

So far this season, the Portuguese icon has scored 19 goals and provided 3 assists in 23 games for Al Nassr, while netting 5 goals in 5 UEFA World Cup qualifiers for Portugal. 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 and a 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 will endure a 24-day gap without competitive action, a result of the upcoming FIFA competition schedule.

From December 1 through 18, Qatar will host the second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup, with the final set for 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, will be unable to meet domestic player requirements, forcing the SPL into a temporary pause during the tournament.

With nearly a month separating matches until the December 21 showdown against Al Najma SC, local reports say Al Nassr’s players will receive nine days of rest. Afterward, Ronaldo and his teammates will begin training at the club’s new first-team facility, developed in partnership with King Saud University.

Neymar finally made his return to Santos with an assist, and now he'll be having even more chances to convince head coach Carlo Ancelotti to recall him for the Brazil national team.

Neymar’s wait is finally over. After 70 days since his last appearance, he returned to action for Santos FC and made an immediate impact, contributing an assist in the team’s win. As he works toward full fitness, Neymar will now have additional opportunities to convince head coach Carlo Ancelotti he deserves a recall to the Brazil national team.

Santos entered their Matchday 8 clash with Velo Clube needing a victory and favorable results elsewhere to advance in the Campeonato Paulista. With the score 3-0 at halftime, head coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda opted to bring Neymar on for the second half, a moment that energized the crowd at Vila Belmiro.

In his first appearance of 2026 (and his first since December 7) Neymar generated several chances, came close to scoring twice, and even absorbed a heavy tackle from Karl that briefly raised concern before he continued. Minutes after that challenge, in the 81st minute, Neymar slipped a pass to Gabriel Barbosa, who unleashed a strike from outside the box, allowing the former FC Barcelona star to record an assist in his return.

More chances for Neymar to impress

The match ended in a dominant 6-0 victory, and with Botafogo-SP losing and Guarani FC drawing, Santos secured a playoff berth in eighth place, the final qualifying spot. The Peixe will now face group leaders Novorizontino in the quarterfinals on Feb. 22.

Advancing is welcome news for Neymar as he looks not only to regain match fitness but also strengthen his case for a call-up. With Brazil scheduled to play on March 26 and 31, an early Santos elimination would have left him with only four additional club matches to impress.

Progressing, however, means potential appearances in the quarterfinal, semifinal (March 1), and a two-leg final (March 4 and 8), giving him as many as four extra opportunities to showcase his form. Despite more than two months on the sidelines, the forward made a strong impression, logging up to 50 minutes at a high level.

Coach expectations surrounding Neymar

Neymar’s potential return to the Canarinha has become a major talking point across Brazil. Recently, while attending Carnival festivities in Bahia, Ancelotti went viral when he was asked by singer Léo Santana to call up Neymar, prompting the Italian manager to reply, “Thank you for the advice.”

After qualification was secured, Vojvoda was also asked about Neymar’s form with Santos and his chances of making the 2026 World Cup roster, offering a candid response: “I think everyone needs Neymar. Santos, the national team… Ancelotti will be happy if he’s doing well. One thing leads to another. He’s a world-class player. He still has that ambition. I see it in every small-sided game in training—he wants to be out there and he wants to win. That’s motivating.“

He also addressed the forward’s fitness, suggesting more minutes could be on the horizon. “Neymar was already training well. But I wanted to see him in an official match. So he logged 50 minutes in the second half, and now we have a week ahead to prepare. We’ll wait and see,” the Santos boss added.

Rebuilding the squad for the 2026 season, Tata Martino’s Atlanta United are reportedly set to sin a former Lionel Messi teammate at Inter Miami who also won the 2025 MLS Cup.

Gerardo “Tata” Martino has returned to Major League Soccer with Atlanta United, who have once again turned to the Argentine coach in hopes of stepping back into the league spotlight. As the club prepares its roster for a demanding season, Atlanta United are reportedly set to sign one of Lionel Messi’s former teammates from Inter Miami who was also part of the 2025 MLS Cup–winning campaign.

Following the blockbuster arrival of Emmanuel Latte-Lath and the return of Miguel Almirón, expectations began to rise around the Five Stripes in 2025. Well short of those ambitions, Atlanta United finished the MLS season in 14th place in the Eastern Conference with 28 points, 25 shy of the play-in spots, prompting the dismissal of Ronny Deila as head coach and setting a higher bar for 2026.

As reported by Tom Bogert, Atlanta United are set to sign 34-year-old Fafa Picault. The Haitian winger saw his contract with Inter Miami expire at the end of last season, and after gradually falling out of favor with head coach Javier Mascherano, he entered free agency.

In this scenario, Atlanta would make yet another winter-window addition, with Picault representing an intriguing option on a free transfer. With an average squad age of 24.8 years, according to Sofascore, the winger (who has played 244 MLS matches, scoring 60 goals and adding 26 assists) would bring not only depth but also valuable experience to a young team that fell short of expectations last season.

Picault joined the Herons in 2025 after leaving the Vancouver Whitecaps on a free transfer and began the campaign as a key rotation piece, sharing attacking duties alongside Messi. The emergence of Tadeo Allende and Mateo Silvetti reduced his role under Mascherano, but he still remained part of the squad that captured both the Eastern Conference and MLS Cup in December, finishing his time in Fort Lauderdale with 28 appearances and four goals.

Atlanta United and an active transfer window

The hiring of Deila on a three-year deal, following his successful spell at New York City FC, initially raised expectations in Georgia. However, slipping near the bottom of the standings despite one of the largest single-season spending sprees in MLS history led the club’s leadership to terminate the Norwegian’s contract and return to their roots with Martino, the first head coach in franchise history.

At his introductory press conference, Martino outlined expectations for both supporters and players ahead of the 2026 season. “We believe that we have the opportunity to change that dynamic and be able to establish (an) identity with the fanbase,” he stated. “We think that the players who make up this roster have more potential than they showed in the standings. By adding a few new faces to the team, we’ll be able to form a competitive group,” he added when discussing the squad.

As the coach indicated, Atlanta United have begun a recruitment push, particularly targeting Spanish-speaking players in a strategy reminiscent of Martino’s first stint. So far, the Five Stripes have secured Argentine signings Elías Báez, Tomás Jacob, and Lucas Hoyos, re-signed Venezuelan Ronald Hernández, and added Adrián Gill from FC Barcelona B, as the manager looks to establish a foundation of experienced players while blending in youth to shape his preferred style.

Brazil star Vinicius Junior addressed who he sees as the favorites for the 2026 World Cup, naming Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Lionel Messi's Argentina among the contenders.

Vinicius Junior is expected to be one of the leaders of the Brazil national team, who, in the middle of a rebuild under head coach Carlo Ancelotti, will be tasked with delivering a sixth star for the Canarinha at the 2026 World Cup. With less than five months before the tournament begins, the Real Madrid forward made a bold statement, placing Lionel Messi’s Argentina national team and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal national team among the strongest sides heading into the competition.

As defending champions, Argentina will carry the responsibility of backing up what they accomplished in Qatar in 2022, while Portugal is enjoying one of their most promising stretches in recent memory. Although both squads are approaching the latter stages of Messi and Ronaldo, their iconic leaders’ careers, there are still several other contenders capable of spoiling their run.

Speaking with Spanish YouTuber Ibai Llanos, Vinicius was asked which national teams he respects most ahead of the tournament, and the Brazilian delivered a direct answer: “There are some very good ones, but I really like Portugal—how Portugal play—Spain, France, and Argentina. I think those four have the best teams, right? Because they’ve been playing together for a long time now. Since the last World Cup, they’ve changed very few players, and that makes a big difference.“

The forward emphasized that continuity within squads is crucial in establishing true title contenders. Asked specifically about Spain, Vinicius didn’t hesitate. “Spain are always very strong. They have young players, and the experienced players also have a lot of quality. They did well at the Euros, and I think they’ll do very well at the World Cup too,” he concluded.

What about Brazil?

Brazil remain one of the most decorated and historically significant national teams in soccer, but compared to Vinicius’ highlighted contenders (Portugal, Spain, France, and Argentina) the Seleção have lacked stability in recent years. After going through four different managers since the last World Cup and sitting fifth in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, they haven’t looked like clear favorites in South America, though belief within the squad remains strong.

Vinicius, while reiterating that winning the World Cup with Brazil is one of his biggest dreams, also pointed to the optimism generated since Ancelotti’s arrival: “The coach has changed a bit of how the fans see us. We’ve played better since he arrived. We’re happier and calmer too. He gives us the calmness we need, and the country always wants more, right? Because it’s been such a long time since we last won, people want to win again.

The forward then highlighted how deeply the tournament resonates across the country. “Hopefully it can be with us this year, because in Brazil the World Cup is very different. When there’s a World Cup in Brazil, there’s no school, no work, nothing. The whole country stops,” Vinicius added.

Ancelotti as Brazil coach

After a stretch of disappointing results, the Brazilian Football Confederation opted to appoint Ancelotti for the second half of 2025. The Italian, after three decades coaching in Europe, left Real Madrid in late May and embraced the challenge of managing a national team for the first time in his career.

Vinicius, who starred under Ancelotti in Madrid before reuniting with him on the international stage, also spoke about their relationship. “He could be my grandfather,” he joked. “But he treats us very well. He knows how to manage relationships with the players, and he’s doing very well. Hopefully we can win this World Cup. Whenever he calls me, he says, ‘You know we’re going to win the World Cup, right?‘”

Across the six matches Ancelotti has overseen so far, Brazil has recorded three wins, one draw, and two losses, with four friendlies remaining before the World Cup begins. Despite lacking the long-term continuity Vinicius praised in other contenders, the star forward, the squad, and the coaching staff all believe they can still push their way into the title conversation.

To neutralize Spain star Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi's Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is reportedly plotting a stragegy for the 2026 Finalissima.

Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal could headline one of the most compelling matchups of 2026 when the two stars face off for the first time in the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain. With preparations already underway for the March showdown, attention has intensified amid reports that head coach Lionel Scaloni is developing a tactical plan to contain the 18-year-old sensation.

With the 2026 World Cup set to kick off in June, the Finalissima has taken on added significance for both national teams. While the title is not officially recognized by FIFA, its timing ahead of the North American tournament could serve as an early measuring stick between two of the leading contenders, which is why Argentina and Spain are expected to approach the match with full intensity rather than treating it like a friendly.

Under that backdrop, Argentine outlet Doble Amarilla reports that Scaloni and his staff are working on a blueprint to limit Lamine Yamal’s influence. A central focus of the tactical approach is controlling the wings, with the Barcelona star identified as one of Argentina’s primary concerns entering the match.

Breakdown of Scaloni’s tactics

In recent World Cup qualifying matches, Argentina have at times struggled with defensive transitions, particularly when dealing with pace. With a roster that is four years older than the squad that lifted the trophy in 2022 and few major additions so far (aside from emerging options like Nico Paz or Giuliano Simeone) Spain’s youthful lineup could look to exploit those spaces as a key attacking route.

As part of a strategy to win wide duels and specifically neutralize Yamal, Scaloni is expected to rely on Nicolás Tagliafico as the primary option at left back. With his defensive profile and experience (including not being dribbled past once during the 2022 World Cup) he is viewed as a logical choice for tight marking duties.

Still, deploying Tagliafico alone on the flank may not be enough to contain Yamal. Scaloni’s reported plan includes reinforcing that side with a more physical midfield setup, assigning an additional player to provide cover and create frequent two-versus-one situations against the winger.

With Yamal sidelined for Spain’s last four matches due to injury, head coach Luis de la Fuente has used Pedro Porro and Marcos Llorente at right back, often pushing forward to support the wing. Regardless, Argentina’s priority remains limiting the teenager’s impact, something opponents recently achieved in Barcelona’s last match against Atletico Madrid, where he was tightly marked by Matteo Ruggeri, one of the standout performers.

Spain could suffer another setback

One of Spain’s greatest strengths is the blend of youth and experience throughout the squad, particularly in attack. While Yamal operates on the right, Nico Williams presents a similar threat on the opposite flank, giving La Roja dangerous width. However, another roster concern could complicate Spain’s attacking plans.

According to Diario AS, Marc Cucurella has suffered a hamstring muscle tear and is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks, putting his availability for the March 27 Finalissima in doubt. The Chelsea defender has become a key contributor in the attacking phase, meaning his injury, and any lingering lack of match fitness, could be a significant setback for Spain on the left side.

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez made a bold claim over Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement timeline.

Cristiano Ronaldo, amid the turmoil surrounding his boycott of the Saudi Pro League, recently turned 41. But despite his age, expectations remain high about his chances of making history and further extending his legacy. With the 2026 World Cup as his ultimate goal, Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez made a bold claim about the forward legend’s retirement timeline.

Back in November at the World Tourism Summit in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo said the upcoming World Cup in North America will be the last time fans see him in the prestigious tournament. Once that happens, questions about a potential retirement will naturally intensify, even though he continues to show strong form.

In an interview with BBC reporter Kelly Somers, Martinez was asked how long he believes Ronaldo can keep scoring goals for Portugal, and the Spaniard gave a candid response: “Well, we got all the stats. If you were going to analyse a player that is dropping at physical level, that’s not the case. His physical stats are of a player that could go on and on and on.”

Ronaldo’s national-team coach then shared his view on when the superstar might call it quits. “I think it’s more a question of when he’ll feel that is the right time. I think he’s a player that is very critical with himself. When he doesn’t see that he can help the team, he’ll be the one that will decide when to stop,” Martinez added.

Martinez on coaching Ronaldo

After the surprising elimination at the 2022 World Cup against Morocco (widely expected to be Ronaldo’s last) the Portuguese Football Federation appointed former Belgium manager Roberto Martinez as head coach. The Spaniard has revitalized the national team, and with Ronaldo as captain, he has overseen 36 matches, recording 27 wins, three draws, and six defeats, while also winning the 2025 UEFA Nations League.

During that stretch, Ronaldo has not only captained the team but also maintained top form. Asked what it’s like to coach the Portuguese icon, Martinez offered a sincere answer: “Very easy, because of his high standards, his expectations of how the work should be done and his commitment to the game. He truly is an example of what you should do to represent Portugal and the national team. And now he’s adapted, obviously, after 21 years in the national team – he’s adjusted.“

Martinez also addressed the striker’s role within the squad. “He’s a goalscorer, he’s an important player for us, and it’s the player that he is now that is important for me. As a national team coach, a player that has scored 25 goals in the last 30 international games… it’s not that he’s playing because of what he’s done in the past, it’s what he’s done now,” he said, emphasizing that Ronaldo’s place in the team is justified not just by his legendary status but by his performances on the field.

Expected to make his return to the pitch with Santos next Sunday, Neymar received a concerning warning: "It doesn’t matter if we leave him out of the World Cup."

Neymar’s return to the pitch after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee is fast approaching, with the Brazil star already back training alongside his teammates at Santos. However, ahead of Sunday’s match against Velo Clube, the forward received a stark and troubling warning: “It doesn’t matter if we leave him out of the World Cup.“

Despite being fit, Santos opted to delay Neymar’s return, keeping him out of Thursday’s game against Athletico Paranaense because of the playing surface, which the club felt could risk a setback. During the match, Neymar posted a message on X criticizing the conditions. “Playing soccer on this field is almost impossible,” he wrote during Santos’ game, where they lost 2-1.

Now attention shifts to Sunday’s match at Vila Belmiro, where Santos will host the final round of the Campeonato Paulista against Velo Clube, a game in which Neymar could finally return after more than two months out. Still, an unexpected warning has raised concern in Brazil ahead of kickoff.

On Thursday, Velo Clube ultras showed up at the team’s training ground and addressed the players before the crucial match, singling out Neymar: “I need every single one of you out there sweating blood. If we have to leave Neymar out of the World Cup, then leave that — out of the World Cup. We have to do whatever it takes to win this game, you understand?”

"Se for pra tirar o Neymar da copa, tira mano, foda-se"

Olha o nível da torcida do Velo Clube conversando com os jogadores pic.twitter.com/KzRnInHJF8

— Ledo (@pedroledo_) February 12, 2026

The video, published by the group itself, quickly went viral on social media, sparking unease among fans. According to the supporters, the tone was meant as motivation rather than a threat, while the Velo Clube board released a statement stressing that fan invasions and interruptions of training sessions are not tolerated.

Velo Clube enters the final match sitting 15th, inside the relegation zone, with just one win in seven games in the 2026 Paulista campaign, meaning a victory over Santos would secure survival. Meanwhile, the Peixe sit 10th and, with a win plus favorable results elsewhere, could still climb into the top eight and reach the playoff phase, which would give Neymar additional matches to regain full fitness.

Neymar’s response to the warning

The video spread rapidly across social media, intensifying attention on the match and on Neymar’s fitness, with the World Cup widely expected to be the final major objective of his career. The most alarming aspect was that the ultras’ own account posted the clip targeting the forward, which some interpreted as a direct threat to his well-being.

While he has not addressed the video directly, Neymar shared an Instagram story featuring Brazilian icon Adriano celebrating with a shirt bearing the message: “Que Deus Perdoe essas pessoas ruins (May God forgive these bad people.” Despite the controversy, the Santos star followed up by posting several images from his training sessions, both in the gym and on the field, raising expectations for his imminent return.

After the crushing 4-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals, FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick issued a wake-up call to Lamine Yamal and the rest of the players.

Hansi Flick suffered his worst defeat since joining Barcelona as Atletico Madrid delivered a dominant performance in the 2026 Copa del Rey semifinals, sealing a 4-0 result. With qualification for the final now in serious jeopardy, the German coach issued a wake-up call to Lamine Yamal and the rest of the Barca squad ahead of the second leg at home.

In a packed Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Barcelona got off to a disastrous start after an own goal from Eric García, following a poor touch from goalkeeper Joan García in the sixth minute. Then Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman, and Julián Álvarez all added their names to the scoresheet in a ferocious first half that left the Blaugrana facing a crushing deficit.

In the postmatch press conference, Flick was asked for his thoughts on the performance, and the German coach was candid: “We didn’t play well as a team in the first half. The distance were too long, and we didn’t press as we wanted and I would have liked to have seen the hunger that Atlético showed.“

Despite acknowledging that his side was overwhelmed by the team coached by Diego Simeone, Flick still believes a comeback is possible. “In the second half was much better, and we still have another game, and we’ll fight for that. We have two halves left — 45 minutes where we can try to win both halves 2-0. That’s our goal. We’ll fight for it, and we’ll need our fans at home at Camp Nou, and then we’ll see what happens.”

Flick on the disallowed goal

With the final score at 4-0, Atletico, the more dominant side over the full 90 minutes of the first leg, could have extended its lead, while Barcelona also had chances to narrow the gap. One key moment came when Pau Cubarsí pounced on a rebound in the box that appeared to give the Blaugrana their first goal.

However, seven minutes later, after a lengthy VAR review, the defender’s goal was ruled out. Fermín López’s shot from outside the box had been blocked by Robert Lewandowski, and Cubarsí finished the rebound, but VAR spotted a marginal offside in the buildup, a decision that sparked controversy.

Asked about the officiating, Flick voiced frustration over the time it took for the decision: “What should I say? For me, it’s a mess. They have to wait 7 minutes to find something. When I see the situation, it was clearly no offside, but at the end maybe they could see something different, but at least tell us. There’s no communication, and this is so bad here.“

A discreet performance from Yamal

Barcelona were already without attacking stars such as Raphinha and Marcus Rashford, both sidelined through injury. In that context, expectations fell on Lamine Yamal, who entered the match on a streak of five consecutive games scoring and could have become the first Barcelona player since Lionel Messi to score in six straight matches.

Instead, his performance fell short of expectations. The 18-year-old was effectively neutralized by Matteo Ruggeri, tasked with marking him closely, and finished without a single shot, completing just six of 12 dribbles while losing possession 29 times.

Lionel Messi's hopes in the 2026 World Cup have been put in doubt as head coach Lionel Scaloni is reportedly concerned over several Argentina players.

Lionel Messi has begun his preparation for the 2026 World Cup on the wrong foot after suffering an injury during Inter Miami’s preseason. However, his outlook for the tournament has taken another hit, with head coach Lionel Scaloni reportedly growing concerned about Argentina’s players.

News broke Wednesday when Inter Miami announced that Messi sustained a muscle injury during a friendly against Barcelona SC ahead of the 2026 MLS season. With planning already underway, though, concern has reportedly extended beyond Messi to the rest of the Albiceleste squad.

According to ESPN’s Esteban Edul, there is significant concern within the national team’s coaching staff led by Scaloni regarding the form of Argentina’s players. As the journalist reported, the staff believes that “individually, each player is performing well below what they are capable of.“

Among the players expected to be starters at the 2026 World Cup, only two have stood out for their strong form. The main positives have been Enzo Fernández, who is enjoying an excellent stretch with 11 goals in 38 matches (his best season at Chelsea) and Lisandro Martínez, who has proven vital to Manchester United’s resurgence since returning from his ACL injury.

What about the rest of Argentina’s players?

Among the projected starters, only Fernández and Martínez are currently viewed as being in top form. Others who could be added to that list include Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez, a key figure for an Aston Villa side currently sitting third in the Premier League, and Lautaro Martínez, Inter Milan’s leader and Serie A’s top scorer with 14 goals.

However, concerns have reportedly been raised about the level of several regular starters, including right back Nahuel Molina, left back Nicolás Tagliafico, midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul (who has yet to start the 2026 season with Inter Miami) and Julián Álvarez. Despite their status as World Cup champions, the 2025-26 campaign has not been especially promising for what is expected to be Argentina’s starting lineup.

World Cup preparation already underway in Argentina

Even though he has been reluctant to confirm his participation, the 2026 World Cup remains Lionel Messi’s primary objective in the twilight of his career. While Inter Miami has indicated that his injury appears to be minor, reports suggest that the decision to postpone Friday’s match against Independiente del Valle, aside from contractual factors, was also meant to avoid exposing the Argentine star to unnecessary risk.

Earlier this year, Lionel Scaloni revealed that he spoke with Messi to discuss planning for the World Cup. In late January, the Argentina boss also met with Atletico Madrid coaching staff and players Juan Musso, Thiago Almada, Nicolás González, and Julián Álvarez, with Nahuel Molina and Giuliano Simeone absent from a team dinner but still part of preparations that began six months before the World Cup kickoff.

With sensational performances from Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman, and Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid secured a 4-0 win over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinals, moving closer to the final.

Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona faced off at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Thursday in the first leg of the 2026 Copa del Rey semifinals. Behind standout performances from Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman and Julian Alvarez, the Colchoneros took a major step toward the final with a 4-0 victory.

The game quickly tilted in Atletico’s favor when Eric García played the ball back to Joan García, but the goalkeeper failed to control it and let it slip under his foot for an own goal in the sixth minute. Then in the 14th, Nahuel Molina combined well with Antoine Griezmann, with the French forward finishing the move to make it 2-0.

With Barcelona far from its best and Lamine Yamal unable to break down a well-organized defense, Atletico extended the lead with a right-to-left move as Julian Alvarez slipped the ball to Lookman, who scored the third in the 33rd minute. To cap a dominant first half, the Nigerian winger returned the favor by finding the Argentine at the edge of the box, where Alvarez unleashed a thunderous strike to make it 4-0 in stoppage time.

In the second half, Barcelona had a goal controversially disallowed, while Atletico also threatened to add to the margin but missed several clear chances. With the second leg scheduled for March 3, the Colchoneros have taken a commanding step toward the Copa del Rey final after a comfortable 4-0 home win.

Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona will be clashing on Thursday for the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals.

Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona will face off at the Metropolitano on Thursday in the first leg of the 2025-26 Copa del Rey semifinals. With both teams dealing with several key absences, the Colchonero and the Blaugrana will be eager to take the first step toward reaching the final in what promises to be a thrilling matchup.

The team coached by Diego Simeone heads into the clash in inconsistent form, having missed out on the UEFA Champions League top eight after a 2-1 home defeat to Bodo/Glimt, and posting four wins, three draws, and three losses over its last 10 games. Although Atletico reached the semifinal stage with a dominant 5-0 win over Real Betis, the Madrid side was stunned at home last Sunday with a 1-0 defeat by the Canaries, further evidence of its recent inconsistency.

On the other hand, Barcelona is in excellent form, sitting atop La Liga while riding a stretch of 17 wins and one loss over its last 18 matches. The Blaugrana reached the semifinals after a 2-1 win over Albacete, which had previously knocked out Real Madrid, and will face a top-flight Spanish side in the competition for the first time this edition.

For Atletico, USMNT standout Johnny Cardoso and Pablo Barrios are the most notable absences, while Barcelona will be without top-tier stars such as Raphinha, Marcus Rashford, and Pedri. Even so, both teams are expected to go all out with a potential Copa del Rey final against either Real Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao at stake.

Atletico Madrid looking to reverse the trend against Barcelona

Recently, Barcelona has been a major problem for Simeone’s side. In the last 10 meetings across La Liga and the Copa del Rey, Barcelona has recorded eight wins, with Atletico’s last victory coming in December 2024, along with a thrilling 4-4 draw last season.

However, the history of direct knockout ties between the clubs is more balanced. In 23 head-to-head knockout matchups (excluding this one), Barcelona has advanced 14 times, while Atletico Madrid has done so nine times, offering a glimmer of hope for the capital club.

Confirmed lineups for Atletico Madrid and Barcelona

Atletico Madrid’s confirmed lineup (4-3-3): Juan Musso, Nahuel Molina, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri; Marcos Llorente, Koke, Antoine Griezmann; Giuliano Simeone, Julian Alvarez, Ademola Lookman.
Head coach: Diego Simeone.

FC Barcelona’s confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Joan García; Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Alejandro Balde; Frenkie de Jong, Marc Casado; Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Dani Olmo; Ferran Torres.
Head coach: Hansi Flick.

With the Brazil friendlies in less than two months, Neymar's return with Santos has been reportedly delayed to avoid an injury setback.

Neymar‘s fitness has been one of the main storylines for Santos at the start of 2026, with the star beginning a recovery process to address the meniscus injury he suffered last year. Despite now training alongside the team, Neymar’s return to the pitch has reportedly been postponed to avoid a setback and ensure he is fit to rejoin the Brazil national team.

After undergoing surgery in December, Neymar has not appeared in any of the nine games Santos has played since the start of the year. The former Barcelona star has progressed steadily and is now taking part in training sessions with the rest of his teammates, but stadium conditions have led to his return being delayed.

As reported by Globo Esporte, Santos has decided to rest Neymar for Thursday’s Brasileirao game against Athletico Paranaense. The primary reason is the synthetic surface at Arena da Baixada, the opponent’s stadium, as the club looks to avoid any potential injury risk to its star.

The same situation applies to marquee signing Gabriel “Gabigol” Barbosa, who, unlike Neymar, did not participate in Wednesday’s training session and is dealing with muscle soreness. That leaves Santos without two key players after opening the 2026 Brazilian top-flight season with one draw and one loss.

While Neymar has already recovered from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, skipping matches played on synthetic surfaces has been team policy since last season. Back on November 6, with the Peixe still in the relegation zone, the forward missed a match against Palmeiras that ended in a 2-0 defeat, as Allianz Parque uses turf.

After his standout performances helped Santos avoid relegation, Neymar’s last appearance came against Cruzeiro on December 7, meaning he has now gone more than two months without game action. His return is currently expected on Sunday the 15th, when Santos hosts Velo Clube in the final round of the Campeonato Paulista.

Will Neymar make it back to the Brazil national team?

With seven matches in the Campeonato Paulista and two in the Brasileirao already played, Neymar has missed nine games, and if he also sits out against Athletico Paranaense, that total will rise to 10. With the March international break less than two months away, questions are growing about whether the 34-year-old star will finally make his return to the national team.

Brazil, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, is set to travel to the United States to face France on the 26th and Croatia on the 31st. Before then, Santos has matches against Velo Clube, Vasco da Gama (02/26), Mirassol (03/10), Corinthians (03/15), Internacional (03/18), and Cruzeiro (03/22) — six opportunities, or possibly five given the tight schedule, for Neymar to convince the Italian manager to call him up and return to the Canarinha after more than two years.

With reports revealing interest from Premier League giants, an FC Barcelona captain has opened the door for Julian Alvarez to join them.

Julian Alvarez’s future at Atlético Madrid has come into question in recent weeks, not only because of his current form but also due to his role within the team, where he is far from the undisputed focal point. While several Premier League giants have reportedly shown interest in signing him, the Argentine has once again been linked with FC Barcelona after a team captain opened the door to a potential move.

Despite his status as one of the most complete strikers in the world, Alvarez’s 2025-26 season has fallen short of expectations. He has featured in 32 games for Atlético Madrid across all competitions but completed the full 90 minutes in only three of them, scoring 11 goals and currently sitting on a 100-day La Liga goal drought.

Unable to reach his full potential under coach Diego Simeone’s system, and with the club no longer seen as a top contender for major trophies (last season was his first without silverware since arriving in Europe), speculation about a possible departure has inevitably grown. One of the clubs most frequently linked with him is FC Barcelona, a team he has admitted he supported as a child when Lionel Messi was still at the club.

In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Barca captain Ronald Araújo shared his thoughts on Alvarez’s situation and a possible move after the World Cup: “He’s a great player — for me, he’s one of the best forwards in the world. You can see the quality he has. The best players should be at the best club, which is us. That’s obvious. But it’s not up to me to do that job or make that decision.“

Barcelona face several hurdles to sing Alvarez

Alvarez’s current situation at Atlético Madrid and Barcelona’s need to strengthen at striker next season make the idea of a move understandable. Star forward Robert Lewandowski, one of the highest-paid players in the squad, has a contract that expires at the end of the season, and at 37 years old, expectations point toward a possible departure.

Even if Barcelona free up significant salary space, they would still face major obstacles. Alvarez is under contract with Atlético until June 2030 and has a €500 million release clause, while reports suggest the Madrid club would demand a fee in the region of €100 million to sell, a figure widely considered out of reach for Barcelona unless a major sale takes place.

Chelsea and Arsenal also interested in Julian Alvarez

In addition to financial challenges, Barcelona would also face fierce competition from Premier League powers pursuing Alvarez. According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal and Chelsea have maintained steady contact regarding the striker, with both clubs receiving “positive reports” as they evaluate a potential blockbuster move in the summer window.

The outlet adds that the fee discussed could come in below £100 million, a range more manageable for clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea. Barcelona’s only potential edge is that one factor behind Alvarez leaving Manchester City was his desire to leave England for lifestyle reasons in Spain, though a strong sporting project could ultimately tilt the balance toward any suitor.

With less than 48 hours for the game against Independiente del Valle, Inter Miami issued a discouraging injury update on Lionel Messi, prompting the postponement of the last preseason friendly.

Lionel Messi raised alarms over the last few hours ahead of the final preseason friendly after not being spotted at Wednesday’s training session in Fort Lauderdale. With less than 48 hours before the clash against Independiente del Valle, Inter Miami have now issued a discouraging injury update on the star’s condition.

With media attending the training ground in Fort Lauderdale, one of several stars absent during Wednesday’s session — from the first 15 minutes open to reporters — was Messi. Reports quickly began to surface, even putting into question the star’s availability for Friday’s game in Puerto Rico against IDV.

Later on Wednesday, Inter Miami released a statement addressing the player’s condition: “Messi did not participate in training this Wednesday, February 11, due to a muscle strain in his left hamstring sustained during the match against Barcelona SC in Ecuador, which has persisted since then.“

Messi played 56 minutes in the match in Guayaquil against Barcelona, the fewest among the three friendlies Inter Miami have played so far, and now concerns over his fitness have surfaced. “His gradual return to training will depend on his clinical and functional progress in the coming days,” the statement added, without providing a specific recovery timeline.

Tadeo Allende, who finally joined Inter Miami after completing his paperwork to play for the team, spoke to the media on Wednesday and revealed he spoke with Messi. “Yes, Leo was here today, he did some indoor work and we talked a lot, he asked me about my vacation and we discussed other topics. He welcomed me very well, it was great to see him again,” the forward said, without offering any update on his condition.

In the friendly against Alianza Lima, the Argentine star played until the 63rd minute, and against Atlético Nacional until the 76th, with head coach Javier Mascherano previously outlining a plan to gradually increase his minutes during upcoming matches. After recording one goal and one assist in Ecuador, he was subbed off early in the 58th minute for Luis Suárez.

Messi’s injury prompts game postponement

With the friendly against Independiente del Valle originally scheduled for Friday, Messi’s injury has prompted a sudden change of plans in Inter Miami’s schedule. The squad had been set to travel to Puerto Rico on Thursday, hold a training session open to the public, and then play at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón.

Minutes after releasing Messi’s injury update, Inter Miami announced the postponement of the game against Independiente del Valle. The Herons will still travel to Puerto Rico to face the Ecuadorian side, but the match has now been rescheduled for February 26.

Will Messi be available for the MLS opener vs. LAFC?

Currently at the end of their preseason tour that took the team to several countries across South America, anticipation is building for Inter Miami’s 2026 MLS opener against Son Heung-min’s Los Angeles FC. With the match set to be played at the LA Memorial Coliseum, questions remain about whether Messi could miss the season opener.

While Inter Miami has not specified the severity of the strain, data from the UEFA Elite Club Injury Study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, indicates that the average recovery time for a professional footballer with a hamstring injury is approximately 17 to 21 days. Given the club’s ‘gradual return’ protocol, a similar timeline would place Messi’s availability right at the doorstep of the MLS season opener against LAFC on February 21.

With the 2026 World Cup as a main target, Endrick has taken a key decision on his future between Olympique Lyon and Real Madrid.

Endrick has reignited his career with his move to Olympique Lyon, a switch that was also encouraged by Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti as the striker pushes for a spot at the 2026 World Cup. While currently in strong form, the forward has now made a final decision on his future between Lyon and Real Madrid following the tournament in North America.

After falling out of head coach Xabi Alonso’s plans at Real Madrid, Endrick decided to leave the Spanish side in search of minutes to strengthen his chances with the Brazil national team. In less than two months, the striker has already adapted to Paulo Fonseca’s squad and established himself as a key contributor.

With five goals and one assist in the six matches he has played so far for the French club, Lyon have won every game in which Endrick has featured. Reports have even raised the possibility of extending the Brazilian striker’s loan, with financial factors seen as the only obstacle to a potential new agreement.

Speaking to the podcast Win Win, Thiago Freitas was asked about Endrick’s future after his six-month loan expires, and the player’s agent was clear: “Endrick was loaned to Lyon for six months. The decision has already been made, and he will return to Real Madrid at the end of the season. There’s no ambiguity or secrecy about it. The agreement is only a loan, with no option to buy, so he will return.“

Despite finding his best form at Lyon, Endrick remains eager to return and succeed with Los Blancos. “What will happen next season? I can’t predict it, but I can tell you that at the end of this season Endrick will once again be a Real Madrid player,” the agent concluded.

After completing his move to Lyon, Alonso was dismissed days later, with Álvaro Arbeloa appointed as Real Madrid’s new head coach. Still, the plan remains for Endrick to make the most of these six months in France before fighting for a place in Madrid’s squad.

Ancelotti’s role in Endrick’s move

Endrick has long spoken publicly about his ambition to make Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, and after appearing in only three matches during the first half of the 2025-26 season, a move became inevitable. Although the decision ultimately belonged to the 19-year-old, Ancelotti also played a role in encouraging it after managing him at Real Madrid last season.

The youngster’s agent revealed he held talks with the Brazilian coach, which helped shape the decision: “Endrick spoke with Ancelotti and, of course, he also spoke with Xabi Alonso about this topic. He’s a young player, and both are very experienced coaches, great winners as players and as managers, so any advice that comes from them carries enormous value.“

In addition to conversations with the coaches, Freitas said Real Madrid and Brazil stars Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo also spoke with Endrick. “Endrick is friends with them and, of course, talks with them daily. He also has other friends on the Brazil national team, such as Lucas and Bruno, who play at Lyon. He spoke with them about the club, the fans, and the city, and they help him a lot,” the agent added.

Ahead of the last preseason friendly in Puerto Rico, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami has unveiled the new away kit for the 2026 MLS season.

Lionel Messi is in the final phase of Inter Miami’s preseason tour, building peak fitness ahead of a demanding 2026 MLS season with the World Cup on the horizon. With the final preseason friendly against Independiente del Valle set for Puerto Rico, the Herons will unveil their new away kit.

After a successful 2025 campaign that ended with an MLS Cup title, Inter Miami have already added their first star above the badge and will display it on the pink home kit throughout the 2026 season. However, a new away strip has also been unveiled, and it’s expected to debut in the upcoming friendly.

On Wednesday, Inter Miami revealed Presagio, a black jersey featuring gray striping along the shoulders and a sleek collar design. Replacing the Fortitude kit, the new strip features the club crest in pink topped with a silver star, representing the franchise’s historic 2025 MLS Cup triumph.

Named Presagio, the club said the title “captures the anticipation and tension that Inter Miami CF’s arrival generates.” With Messi’s presence, the Herons have broken attendance records across MLS, and during their preseason tour, large local crowds have attended matches despite their friendly status.

Entering the final days of the Club’s Champions Tour, Inter Miami will travel to Puerto Rico to face Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle next Friday, February 13. It is scheduled to be the last friendly before the start of the 2026 MLS season, with the opener set for Saturday the 21st against LAFC.

Will Messi play in the friendly?

Inter Miami are set to travel to Puerto Rico on Thursday and face IDV on Friday, but questions about Lionel Messi’s availability have emerged. The Argentine star was absent from Wednesday’s training session, and no reason has been provided, casting doubt on whether he will travel.

In addition, Maximiliano Falcón, Telasco Segovia, and Germán Berterame are all expected to miss the match. Segovia and Falcón are finalizing paperwork to obtain their green cards, which kept them out of training in Fort Lauderdale, while new signing Berterame is awaiting his U.S. work visa, meaning only a last-minute change would make any of them available.