Artificial Intelligence has made its prediction regarding the top favorites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In exactly 100 days, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will officially begin in North America. On June 11 at the Azteca Stadium, Mexico will face South Africa to kick off Group A, setting in motion the most important sporting event on the planet. With that milestone in mind, World Soccer Talk consulted an Artificial Intelligence to get a prediction on the matter.

For this analysis, Gemini took various factors into account when determining a probability ranking. Each team’s style of play, as well as their ability to handle the extreme temperatures of the North American summer, were key elements considered. At the same time, squad depth, logistical fatigue, and the knockout win percentage of the managers were significant factors in the study.

Based on all of this, the AI determined that the five national teams with the best chances to compete for the World Cup title this year are Spain, England, France, Argentina, and Brazil, in that specific order. Below is the detailed explanation of this ranking.

Why is Spain the top candidate to win the World Cup according to AI?

Gemini considers Spain the primary favorite to claim the title this summer, with an 18% chance. “Currently ranked #1 in the FIFA World Ranking, La Roja is the metric-driven favorite. Under Luis de la Fuente, they’ve perfected a ‘Vertical Tiki-Taka’ that pairs control with a lethal wing presence in Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams,” the study says.

Additionally, it includes an analysis regarding the opponents the reigning European champions will initially face on their path to the knockout stages. “Their path through Group H (with Uruguay and Saudi Arabia) looks manageable, allowing them to rotate early,” the AI predicts.

England and France also have chances to compete for the title

The second and third places in the probability ranking for winning the World Cup also belong to European teams. According to Gemini, England has a 15% probability: “The ‘Tuchel Effect’ is real. Thomas Tuchel brings a pragmatic, tournament-winning DNA that England lacked in previous years. With Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden in their absolute primes, the Three Lions have the highest ‘Squad Market Value’ in North America.”

Just behind them is France, with a 12% probability. “You can never count out Kylian Mbappe. While their defense has seen some rotation, the sheer depth of talent in the French pipeline—Camavinga, Tchouameni, and Saliba—ensures they can handle the physical toll of an eight-game tournament,” Gemini asserts.

The South American giants follow further back

Despite being the reigning continental, intercontinental, and world champions, Argentina only has an 11% chance of repeating as champions this summer, according to the AI. However, they are still in a position to put up a fight.

“The defending champions are no longer just ‘Messi plus ten.’ They boast an elite defensive spine with Emi Martinez and Cuti Romero. Even at 39, Lionel Messi’s ability to manage games remains a statistical anomaly, and their Group J draw (Algeria, Austria, Jordan) is arguably the kindest of the top seeds,” Gemini notes.

Finally, Brazil appears as the fifth-highest favorite, also with an 11% chance: “Despite the tragic injury to Rodrygo, Brazil remains a statistical juggernaut. With Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical flexibility and the rise of Vinicius Junior as a global talisman, the Selecao are primed for a deep run if they can navigate a tricky Group C featuring a high-flying Morocco.”

The final will be Spain vs. France according to the AI

After navigating a long road, Spain and France will be the protagonists of the World Cup final, according to Gemini. “The bracket dynamics suggest a collision course between the two most balanced European powers. While England and Argentina have the star power, Spain and France have the highest ‘Efficiency Rating’ when it comes to controlling the transition phases—crucial in the summer heat of North American stadiums,” the AI claims.

“Spain’s ability to ‘rest with the ball’ will be the deciding factor,” the prediction adds regarding who will take the title. “With Rodri directing traffic and Lamine Yamal providing the creative spark, Spain has the highest probability of maintaining consistency over the grueling eight-match stretch required to lift the trophy.”

Rodrygo will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Brazil, and his teammates Neymar and Vinicius sent messages of encouragement to him.

This Tuesday, Real Madrid confirmed that Rodrygo Goes suffered a serious knee injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the season. This also means the Brazilian forward will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup, prompting his teammates Neymar and Vinicius Junior to send messages of support.

“Today is one of the saddest days for me. When I heard about the injury, a movie played in my head. All the suffering, all the anguish, and the fear of living through this injury again,” Neymar began writing in a post on his official Instagram account.

“My number 10, my boy, my heir (as I call you), I only ask you one thing… ‘take care of your head.’ Now is the time to gather everyone you love around you,” the Santos star’s message continues. “And like you said, you didn’t deserve to go through this right now… but who are we to doubt God’s plans?”

“Little brother… STAY STRONG. I’m sure you’ll come back flying. I love you. Just as you supported me, I will be here for you!!” were Neymar’s final words. The bond between the two players stems from their time together on the Brazil national team: they played 9 matches together between 2020 and 2023, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It also comes from a shared origin, as both began their careers at Santos before making the jump to Europe.

Furthermore, Neymar’s empathy regarding this unfortunate situation is undoubtedly motivated by his own personal experience. Throughout much of his career, and especially in recent years, he has endured several serious injuries and knows well what it means to deal with problems of this type. In fact, the injury that marked a turning point in his career—and from which he is still trying to recover—was the same one Rodrygo suffered now: a torn knee ligament in October 2023.

Vinicius’s message to Rodrygo

In the same way as Neymar, Vinicius Junior took to social media to send a message of support to Rodrygo. Via a story on his official Instagram account, the winger shared a photo of himself alongside Rodrygo, both playing for Real Madrid.

“My brother. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Stay strong and close to those you love. God bless you. We’re waiting for you,” were the words Vini chose for his teammate on the Spanish side and the Brazil national team.

What did Rodrygo say after his injury was confirmed?

Amidst the shock and pain that news of this nature brings, Rodrygo Goes took to social media to reflect on the impact of this injury and the grueling recovery period that lies ahead for him.

“One of the worst days of my life. How I have always feared this injury… perhaps life has been a little cruel to me lately,” the Real Madrid player wrote on Instagram. “I don’t know if I deserve this, but what do I have to complain about? So many wonderful things have already happened to me, things I didn’t even deserve.”

“I’m out for the rest of the season with my club and will miss the World Cup with my country — a dream everyone knows means so much to me,” Rodrygo lamented. “All I can do now is be strong, as always; this is nothing new… Thank you to everyone for the prayers, messages, and support! You mean so much to me.”

An award that Lionel Messi won — but Cristiano Ronaldo never did — could go to Ousmane Dembele this year.

Ousmane Dembele has claimed the two biggest individual prizes in soccer over the past year: the Ballon d’Or and The Best FIFA Men’s Player award. Now, the French winger could add another prestigious trophy that Lionel Messi has lifted in the past — and that eluded Cristiano Ronaldo throughout his career.

The nominees for the 2026 Laureus Awards were announced on Tuesday, with the ceremony set to take place April 20 in Madrid. The awards, created in 2000 by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, recognize the world’s top athletes across all sports.

Dembele is the only soccer player nominated for the main Sportsman of the Year award. Joining him on the shortlist are Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis, Spanish MotoGP rider Marc Marquez, Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar, and Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner.

It marks the first nomination for the French winger, who built a strong case during the 2024-25 season to be considered among the very best athletes in the world. He led Paris Saint-Germain on a historic run that included the UEFA Champions League title — the first in club history and only the second ever won by a French club.

🗞️ Here are the Nominees for the Laureus World Sports Awards 2026.

🏆 Who do you think the Laureus World Sports Academy should select as the Winners?

#Laureus26 pic.twitter.com/TNWHM9bbu4

— Laureus (@LaureusSport) March 3, 2026

Other soccer nominations at the Laureus Awards

In addition to Ousmane Dembele’s nomination in the main category, soccer is represented in several other categories at the 2026 Laureus Awards. Aitana Bonmati, star of Spain and Barcelona, is a finalist for Sportswoman of the Year.

PSG standout Desire Doue is nominated for Breakthrough of the Year. Leah Williamson of Arsenal is a finalist for Comeback of the Year, while Paris Saint-Germain and the England women’s national team are both nominated for Team of the Year.

Messi won twice, Ronaldo never did

To understand the significance of the Laureus Award, consider this revealing statistic: since its creation in 2000, the main Sportsman of the Year honor has been awarded to a soccer player only twice. On both occasions, the recipient was Lionel Messi.

The Argentine forward shared the award with Lewis Hamilton in 2020 while playing for Barcelona, and won it again in 2023 following his triumph with Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He had also been a finalist six other times.

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, has never won a Laureus Award. He was nominated five times — first in 2009 after winning his first Ballon d’Or the previous year, and most recently in 2018 after capturing his final UEFA Champions League title with Real Madrid.

Qatar could pull out as the host for the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain, in which case two alternatives have emerged as the most likely options.

Just weeks before the Finalissima is scheduled to take place, there is uncertainty over the venue for the match. If Qatar withdraws from organizing the event, Argentina and Spain would need to find another country to host the intercontinental title clash.

At the end of last year, Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, was confirmed as the venue for the Finalissima, as well as for a series of friendly matches during the March international break featuring Argentina, Spain, Egypt, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, and the local national team.

However, the serious conflicts currently unfolding in the region over the past few days have cast doubt on those plans. Qatar has even announced the suspension of local league matches originally scheduled for Sunday, March 8, and Monday, March 9.

Given this scenario, the Finalissima is likely to move to another continent to ensure the match can take place safely. “Today, the two most likely venues (not the only ones), if Qatar withdraws, are London, where the first and only edition of this tournament was played in 2022, and Miami, which will host World Cup matches,” Marca reported on Tuesday. Other cities mentioned as possibilities include Madrid, Paris, and Rome.

London has the advantage of geographic proximity. Most players from the Spanish national team and nearly all from Argentina currently play in Europe, allowing for shorter travel. The few exceptions are Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, who play for Inter Miami and would not need to travel if Miami were chosen as the venue.

The Finalissima cancellation does not seem likely

When doubts first emerged over Qatar’s ability to host the Finalissima under the current political circumstances, there was talk of postponing the match from the March FIFA break to a date after the 2026 World Cup.

However, that no longer seems to be an option. “The idea, according to sources, is to hold the Finalissima no matter what,” Marca reported. This is driven by multiple factors. Financial considerations are obviously one, given the commercial commitments involved in an event of this magnitude.

But the sporting aspect also plays a role. The March FIFA break is the last opportunity for national teams to compete before finalizing their rosters for the World Cup. Even if the Finalissima were canceled, the coaches of Argentina and Spain would still want to play matches during that period to make final adjustments to their squads.

Given this scenario, since Argentina and Spain will likely play matches somewhere else in the world during the international break anyway, there is no reason not to hold the Finalissima. Additionally, other important international matches will take place on the same dates, including European playoffs and intercontinental playoffs in Mexico.

Carlo Ancelotti will not have Rodrygo Goes available for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, as the Real Madrid player suffered a serious injury.

Brazil and Real Madrid received terrible news on Tuesday, as Rodrygo Goes suffered a severe knee injury that will rule him out for the rest of the club season and prevent him from playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“Following tests carried out today on our player Rodrygo by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a torn lateral meniscus in his right leg,” the club said in a statement on its official website.

The 25-year-old forward had caused major concern at Real Madrid in recent hours due to what happened in Monday’s match against Getafe. He came on as a substitute in the 55th minute, replacing Thiago Pitarch, and in one of his first touches, went down and his right knee got stuck in the turf.

While it didn’t prevent him from finishing the match, his obvious signs of pain set off alarms and led Real Madrid’s medical team to run preliminary tests on his knee in the locker room.

Medical report on Rodrygo.

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 3, 2026

Those initial tests were followed by more thorough examinations on Tuesday morning, which delivered the worst possible news. The Brazilian forward has a serious injury that will require surgery and several months of recovery. That obviously rules him out for the rest of the club season and also eliminates him from the 2026 World Cup.

Ancelotti loses a key piece

Rodrygo Goes had been a favorite of Carlo Ancelotti during his years at Real Madrid, and that carried over to the Brazil national team when they reunited in 2025. Initially, the coach did not call him up for the first two international breaks, explaining that he wanted to evaluate new players while signaling that he already understood Rodrygo’s potential.

The forward returned in October of last year, scoring a brace against South Korea in a friendly in Asia. That was followed by appearances against Japan, Senegal, and Tunisia, which established him as a key figure in the squad. In fact, reports included Rodrygo among a list of 18 Brazil players confirmed in Ancelotti’s plans for the World Cup.

Does Rodrygo’s injury open a chance for Neymar?

Rodrygo Goes’ absence will force Ancelotti to rearrange his attacking options for Brazil. The Real Madrid forward added versatility, being able to play as a winger on either flank, as an attacking midfielder, or as a second forward depending on the team’s needs.

In that area of the field, Brazil has plenty of alternatives, including Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli, Estevao, and Matheus Cunha. All of them seemed almost guaranteed a spot in the World Cup, as Rodrygo had been. But now a new opportunity has opened, and Neymar could take advantage of it.

With different qualities and nearly a decade more of experience, Neymar may not offer the same physical output, but he could still replace Rodrygo by contributing talent, individual flair, and game vision. Still, it will be up to the Santos star to stay healthy and perform at a high level to convince Ancelotti that he deserves the chance.

LA Galaxy made an announcement regarding Marco Reus and his future in Major League Soccer.

Marco Reus is part of a long list of soccer stars who have left Europe in recent years to join Major League Soccer. The German midfielder is beginning his third season with LA Galaxy and has now made a decision about his future.

“The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has signed Marco Reus to a contract extension through December 2027,” the California club said in a statement published on its official website Saturday.

This is a key decision for LA Galaxy, who are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season and need top-level players to do so. The absence of Riqui Puig, sidelined since late 2024 due to a knee injury that required two surgeries, has made Reus’ role even more important.

The 36-year-old German midfielder has recorded 9 goals and 13 assists for Galaxy since joining the club two years ago, across MLS, Leagues Cup, and Concacaf Champions Cup competitions. He also played a role in the club’s MLS title run in 2024, just months after arriving in the United States.

The journey continues ✍️

The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has signed Marco Reus to a contract extension through December 2027.

📰: https://t.co/Q65PeDDpYv pic.twitter.com/StjBWSeVhW

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) February 28, 2026

This season, Marco Reus remains an important player for LA Galaxy, having appeared in all three of the team’s matches so far. He started in the MLS opener against New York City FC, where he recorded an assist, and also in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup first round against Sporting San Miguelito. A week earlier, in Panama, he came off the bench.

LA Galaxy value Marco Reus’ impact

Reus’ contract extension is reassuring news for fans, who will be able to enjoy his talent through at least the end of 2027. “Marco brings an incredible level of quality, experience, and leadership to our group,” Will Kuntz said in an interview shared by the club on its official website.

The LA Galaxy general manager praised not only Reus’ contributions on the field, but also his leadership off it: “His professionalism and daily standards elevate everyone around him, and his impact both in the locker room and on the pitch is immeasurable. We’re excited to have him continue playing such an important role for our club.”

A ranking of the most valuable players in the world has Lamine Yamal at the top, ahead of Kylian Mbappe.

Most soccer fans and analysts would probably agree that the two biggest stars in the sport right now are Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal. Nearly a decade apart in age and very different in style, both have earned central roles at Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as with their respective national teams.

That status is also reflected in their market value. A recent list published by the specialized website Football Benchmark places Yamal as the most valuable player in the world, with an estimated valuation of €286.8 million (around $338 million).

The winger’s youth — he is just 18 years old — is a key factor in that assessment, but so is his current form. Despite his inexperience, Lamine already wears Barcelona’s No. 10 jersey and is one of the team’s main stars. He is a regular with the Spain national team and finished second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting.

Second on the list is Kylian Mbappe, with an estimated value of €232.2 million (approximately $274 million). While the French forward’s performances at both club and international level could arguably place him above Yamal, factors working against him include his age — he is 27 — and the fact that he joined Real Madrid as a free agent just a year and a half ago, making a short- or mid-term transfer unlikely.

The top ten most valuable players in the world

According to Football Benchmark, behind Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe, the third-most valuable player in the world is Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker for Manchester City is currently valued at around $243 million.

The top ten is rounded out by Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham ($209 million), Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka ($165 million), Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz ($163 million), Barcelona’s Pedri ($163 million), Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise ($157 million), Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior ($157 million), and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala ($145 million).

What has been the most expensive transfer in soccer history?

These figures come from a study that considers variables such as performance, age, and resale potential in order to determine a player’s valuation. However, it is ultimately the actual fees clubs pay in transfers that define a player’s true market value.

Even so, these reports help put today’s players into perspective and highlight what past superstars represented in financial terms. That becomes clear when comparing Football Benchmark’s estimates with real transfer fees from previous years.

Among the current top ten, only two players — if hypothetically sold at their estimated values — would become the most expensive signing in soccer history. The €222 million that Paris Saint-Germain paid to Barcelona for Neymar in 2017 would only be surpassed by the current valuations attributed to Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe.

In the Saudi Pro League matchup between Al Nassr and Al Fayha, Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty with the score at 0-0.

Al Nassr are chasing the Saudi Pro League title, something they haven’t achieved in recent years. Saturday’s match against Al Fayha was crucial, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s early penalty miss came in the opening minutes of the game.

Following wins by Al Ahli and Al Hilal, Jorge Jesus’ team entered Saturday’s match knowing they needed a victory to retain first place in the league standings, or at least a draw to share the top spot with Al Ahli. In that pursuit, facing a lower-level opponent like Al Fayha — currently 10th in the standings — appeared to be an advantage.

The gap between the two teams was evident from the opening minutes, as Al Nassr controlled possession comfortably in the attacking half and created chances to score the opener. In the 11th minute, the referee awarded a penalty for a foul inside the box, giving them an opportunity to take an early lead.

Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to take the kick, as he usually does. The Portuguese forward struck the ball with his right foot, aiming for the lower right corner past goalkeeper Mosquera. However, he lacked precision, sending the shot too wide. The ball struck the post and went out of play.

Ronaldo MISSES his penalty wide of the post 😳 pic.twitter.com/KWOnxlIFSC

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 28, 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo’s unwanted penalty record

Cristiano Ronaldo has reached countless records throughout his career, most of them tied to his remarkable scoring ability. He is, of course, the all-time leading scorer in soccer history with 965 goals, and he holds similar records in the UEFA Champions League, with Real Madrid, and with Portugal.

However, when it comes to penalties, CR7 also holds an unfortunate record. Ronaldo is the player who has missed the most penalties in soccer history, with a total of 36 across his club career with Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al Nassr, as well as his time with the Portugal national team. Considering that he has scored 181 goals from the spot, his conversion rate stands at 81.43%.

Second place in that ranking is also surprising: Lionel Messi. The Argentine forward, who also trails CR7 on the all-time scoring list, has missed 32 penalties compared to 114 converted. That gives him a success rate of 78.08%.

Neymar is currently not among the players Carlo Ancelotti plans to take to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Brazil.

Gradually, Carlo Ancelotti has shaped the Brazil national team, turning it into a much more reliable side than it had been in recent years under Fernando Diniz and Dorival Junior. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, the coach seems close to finalizing the roster, with Neymar’s absence standing out as the most notable.

Reports indicate that Ancelotti has decided Neymar will not be part of the squad for the March international break, during which Brazil will face France and Croatia in two friendlies. In line with that, the coach’s future plans also do not seem to include the Santos forward.

According to ESPN, Ancelotti has already locked in 18 of the 26 players he will take to North America for the World Cup this summer. Neymar’s absence stands out on that list, as he is currently not being considered an option.

If confirmed, this decision would be consistent with the steps the Italian coach has taken since his hiring in mid-2025. During this time, Neymar has never been called up for World Cup qualifiers or friendlies, either due to injuries or Ancelotti’s strategic decisions. Unless he delivers consistently strong performances at Santos, that situation does not appear likely to change.

Who are the reportedly confirmed Brazil players for the World Cup?

It makes sense that, after nearly a year working as Brazil’s coach and with less than four months until the 2026 World Cup begins, Carlo Ancelotti would already have a clear idea of the roster he plans to take to North America.

According to ESPN, one goalkeeper already has his spot secured: Alisson Becker. In defense, center backs Marquinhos, Eder Militao, and Gabriel Magalhaes are also considered key players by the coach. They are joined by fullbacks Alex Sandro and Douglas Santos.

Four midfielders are also reportedly confirmed: Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta, Bruno Guimaraes, and Andrey Santos. And in attack, where the most names appear as set, are Vinicius, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha, Joao Pedro, Luiz Henrique, and Estevao.

With these 18 players reportedly locked in by Carlo Ancelotti, only eight spots remain on the World Cup roster. Two of those will necessarily be goalkeepers, while probably three will be defenders. That leaves just three spots for midfielders or forwards, making Neymar’s chances appear limited.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will bring numerous rule changes, including updates to VAR.

Rule changes and technological innovations have been a constant in soccer in recent years, aimed at speeding up the game and preventing referee errors that could impact match results. Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, more changes will be implemented.

This week, the International Football Association Board approved a series of modifications to the rules of the sport, designed to address issues and clarify common situations during matches. This summer’s World Cup in North America will be the first time these new rules are applied.

One of the most significant changes involves the use of VAR. While strict limits on the situations where it can be used will remain, the list of scenarios in which the referee can be assisted will be expanded.

Until now, VAR could only review a red card when it involved a direct red or a referee error in identifying the player who committed the foul. Moving forward, it will also be possible to review expulsions that result from two yellow cards, when the second card is controversial.

Another situation that can now be reviewed by VAR involves corner kicks. When the referee and assistants incorrectly award or deny a corner, VAR may intervene if the review can be done immediately and without delaying the restart of play.

Rule changes to prevent time-wasting

In recent years, one of FIFA’s priorities has been reducing delays during matches and maximizing actual playing time. While some proposals were set aside—such as stopping the clock every time the game is paused, similar to basketball—new rule changes will now address this goal.

Starting this summer, if the referee determines a team is delaying a throw-in or goal kick, a visible five-second countdown will begin. If the ball is not in play by the end of that time, a punishment will be applied: the throw-in will be awarded to the opposing team, or a goal kick will be replaced by a corner kick for the opponent.

Substitutions will also be sped up. Each player will have 10 seconds to leave the field once their exit is announced or indicated by the referee. If this is not followed, the incoming player must wait outside the field for at least one minute, until play is interrupted again.

The case of injured players

In line with efforts to prevent delays, rules will also regulate situations involving players with physical issues. Whether medical staff enter the field to assist or the game is paused while a player recovers, the player will have to leave the field and wait one minute after play resumes before returning.

There is, of course, an exception, already long established in soccer. If a player is fouled by an opponent in a situation warranting a yellow or red card, the injured player attended by medical staff is not required to leave the field once play resumes.

Lionel Messi’s debut in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup will come in the matchup between Inter Miami and Nashville SC.

Since his arrival at Inter Miami in 2023, Lionel Messi has led the team to success in two of the major tournaments they compete in: the Leagues Cup and Major League Soccer. Now, the pending challenge is the Concacaf Champions Cup, where they will make their debut this year against Nashville SC.

This week, the official Concacaf website announced the dates and times for the Round of 16 matches. Inter Miami will make their debut visiting Nashville SC at Geodis Park on Wednesday, March 11, at 7:30 PM ET.

Exactly one week later, on Wednesday, March 18, at 7 PM ET, the second leg will take place in Florida. This match will likely be the last game the Herons play at Chase Stadium before the official opening of Miami Freedom Park.

Regarding the competition format, the team that scores the most goals over the two matches will advance. If tied, the team with more away goals will have the advantage. If that still does not resolve the tie, there will be 15 minutes of extra time, and if necessary, a penalty shootout.

Inter Miami and Nashville SC are familiar foes

The Herons earned their spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 as one of the five seeded participating clubs, which allowed them to skip the opening round. Nashville SC, meanwhile, had to get past Atletico Ottawa with a 7-0 aggregate score.

The Round of 16 matchup will be another chapter in the recent history between the two teams. They were opponents in last year’s MLS playoffs, requiring a third game to decide the series and allow Inter Miami to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Additionally, in 2024, they faced each other in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16, with the Herons coming out on top.

How has Messi fared in the Concacaf Champions Cup?

In 2026, Lionel Messi will participate in the Concacaf Champions Cup for the third time. The first was in 2024, when Inter Miami qualified by winning the Leagues Cup the previous year. In that edition, the Herons were eliminated by Monterrey in the quarterfinals.

The Argentine forward’s second experience in the continental tournament came in 2025, when Inter Miami reached the semifinals but were eliminated by Vancouver Whitecaps. In total, Messi has played 10 matches in the Concacaf Champions Cup, scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists.

Argentina near the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Lionel Messi is aiming to arrive in peak physical condition.

In just over three months, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the world’s biggest sporting event, will begin. With most national teams already qualified—and the remaining teams competing during the March FIFA break—players are focused on reaching the tournament in the best possible shape. Lionel Messi is no exception, concentrating on achieving peak fitness ahead of the challenge with Argentina.

“Messi is taking his physical preparation very seriously this year,” journalist Federico Bueno said on Disney+. “During his vacation in Argentina, he traveled with a personal trainer to work specifically on that aspect in Rosario, and he trained at a facility owned by Maxi Rodriguez.”

This shows that, despite taking a vacation of more than a month between the MLS 2025 final against Vancouver Whitecaps on December 6 and the start of preseason on January 17, Messi did not spend the time resting and relaxing. Instead, he worked hard to maintain his physical condition.

And that plan continues now, during the club season. “He constantly asks the Inter Miami staff to provide him with statistics on his physical performance in matches and training, such as distance covered,” the report added.

Messi has a clear goal this year

These efforts reveal that Lionel Messi has a clear objective: to arrive in the best possible condition for the summer and ultimately confirm his place in the 26-man roster that coach Lionel Scaloni will select to represent Argentina at the World Cup.

In recent years, the forward has been cautious about his chances of playing in the FIFA tournament, which would be the sixth of his professional career, citing his age—he will turn 39 in June—as a factor that might prevent him from being physically ready. However, time has passed, and he continues to demonstrate a level high enough to participate.

Messi’s upcoming challenges

Before making a final decision, Lionel Messi will face several key tests. At the club level, he will play multiple matches in Major League Soccer as well as the Concacaf Champions Cup, which will help him gain match rhythm and assess his physical and sporting condition.

Even more importantly, he will soon have the chance to compete at the highest level with Argentina. On March 27 in Qatar, they will face Spain in the Finalissima, the tournament that brings together the champions of South America and Europe. An official match with a trophy at stake against one of the strongest national teams in the world, just over two months before the World Cup, will be a decisive test for Messi to determine whether he is ready to continue playing internationally.

Barcelona reportedly have a plan in place to pay Manchester United’s clause and secure Marcus Rashford on a permanent deal.

For months, Marcus Rashford has been the subject of speculation in Barcelona. The Spanish club has been pleased with his performances, but understands that keeping him long term will require paying Manchester United a significant fee this summer.

“The blaugrana side has virtually decided to keep the Englishman on a permanent basis,” Diario AS reports, citing Mundo Deportivo. “The €30 million purchase option would be paid in three annual installments of €10 million each” (approximately $11.8 million per installment).

This strategy would, of course, depend on Manchester United’s willingness to accept a deferred payment structure over two years for the forward. But that is not the only factor Barcelona must consider when mapping out Rashford’s future.

“The deal also depends on fitting his salary and contract length within La Liga’s financial fair play regulations,” Diario AS adds. Reports indicate that Rashford is willing to lower his current salary — estimated at around $17 million per year — a key development in negotiations.

Another issue involves La Liga’s player registration restrictions. In recent years, Barcelona’s financial struggles have created complications in this area, and making Rashford’s move permanent could force the club to offload one or more players from the roster to balance the books.

Marcus Rashford has exceeded expectations at Barcelona

When Barcelona moved to sign Marcus Rashford last summer, there were questions about how the forward would adapt to Spain. Not because his talent was in doubt, but because his most recent experiences in the Premier League, with Manchester United and Aston Villa, had fallen short of expectations.

Instead, Rashford has been a welcome surprise. Hansi Flick relies primarily on Lamine Yamal and Raphinha on the wings, while Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres compete at center forward. Even in that crowded attacking picture, the Englishman has found ways to make an impact.

Whether coming off the bench or stepping in for one of the aforementioned stars due to injury, Rashford has posted 10 goals and 13 assists in 34 appearances so far. That production makes him one of the team’s most efficient forwards and a reliable option for the coach — justification for the more than $30 million Barcelona appear ready to invest to secure him permanently.

Philippe Coutinho could decide to retire, although a move to Major League Soccer to join LA Galaxy is also among his options.

Few cases in recent years compare to that of Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian midfielder was a superstar at Liverpool when Barcelona paid a massive fee to sign him in 2018. From that point on, however, things gradually went downhill, to the extent that he lost his place with the Brazil national team. In that context, Major League Soccer has emerged as a possible destination amid rumors linking him to LA Galaxy.

In recent days, details surfaced about the MLS team’s reported interest in signing Coutinho, whom they view as a potential replacement for Riqui Puig. With the Spanish midfielder ruled out for the entire 2026 season after undergoing a second knee operation related to his 2024 injury, Philippe could represent a valuable addition.

However, there is another option under consideration. “The midfielder’s future prospects are either to go to an MLS team in the United States, or even announce his retirement,” ESPN recently reported.

At just 33 years old, the end of Coutinho’s career might seem surprising, but his recent decisions and comments offer insight into his current mindset. “The truth is that I’m very mentally exhausted. I’ve always been very reserved, so saying this here isn’t easy, but I need to be honest,” the midfielder wrote on social media earlier this year after deciding to leave Vasco da Gama.

“With a heavy heart, I understand that now is the time to take a step back and end this cycle at Vasco,” he added in the same post. “My relationship with Vasco is one of love. And it will continue to be forever.”

Coutinho has another offer, though less appealing

Coutinho’s sudden departure from Vasco da Gama drew interest from several clubs intrigued by the talent of the 33-year-old. LA Galaxy appear to be an attractive option as they look to rebound from a disappointing 2025 MLS season, but there are other alternatives.

“Coutinho has received an inquiry from Russian club CSKA Moscow,” ESPN reported. However, the chances of that move materializing appear slim. “A source close to the player, however, told ESPN Brasil they would be surprised if Coutinho accepted an offer from Russian football,” the report added.

The decline of Coutinho’s career

The nearly $180 million Barcelona paid Liverpool for Coutinho in 2018 now feels like a distant memory. Over the years, the midfielder’s performances steadily declined, and his career has been marked by frequent club changes.

In 2019, Coutinho was loaned to Bayern Munich before returning to Barcelona a year later. Aston Villa became his next destination, where he spent just over a year and a half with limited success. He then moved to Al Duhail in Qatar before completing a long-anticipated return to Vasco da Gama in 2024.

Despite the excitement surrounding that move, things did not go as planned. In January of this year, the midfielder negotiated an early termination of his contract to become a free agent and determine the next step in his professional career.

A teammate of Lionel Messi with Argentina suffered a severe injury and has been ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just over three months away, players are now at a point where even a moderate injury can leave them out of the tournament. That is exactly what happened to an Argentina teammate of Lionel Messi after a serious knee problem.

“Valentin Carboni suffered a tear of the ligaments in his right knee, which will require a recovery period of at least eight months,” La Nacion reported Friday regarding the young winger who plays for Racing Club on loan from Inter Milan.

“In Friday’s training session, Carboni went down after a teammate fell on him and alarmed everyone present,” the report adds. “After the medical staff performed tests on the pitch, he was moved to a nearby center for imaging that confirmed the worst: he had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.”

This is the second similar injury Carboni has suffered in about a year and a half. The previous one occurred in October 2024, during a training session with the Argentina national team ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia.

At that time, the winger was on loan at Olympique de Marseille from Inter Milan, where his performances had made him a regular option for Lionel Scaloni at the international level. However, that injury kept him out for about eight months, and he only returned to action with Inter in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Carboni is ruled out for the World Cup

With no place at Inter and a less successful loan spell at Genoa in the first half of the 2025–26 season, Valentin Carboni chose Racing Club to play this year in hopes of regaining his 2024 form and getting back into Lionel Scaloni’s consideration.

He had already been part of the squad at the 2024 Copa America, where he played one match on Argentina’s way to the title. However, things have been very different this time: the winger lost his place in the Racing starting lineup after several disappointing performances and now suffered this serious injury that definitively rules him out of both the Finalissima and the World Cup.

Second confirmed Argentina absence for the World Cup

The serious injury to Valentin Carboni is the second of this magnitude Argentina have suffered ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Just a month ago, Juan Foyth was also ruled out due to a rupture of his Achilles tendon while playing for Villarreal against Real Madrid in La Liga.

While neither Carboni nor Foyth was guaranteed a spot in Lionel Scaloni’s 26‑man World Cup roster, both had been included in recent call-ups and were considered viable options for the squad, having also been part of teams that won major tournaments.

A key Spain and Paris Saint-Germain player could miss the Finalissima against Argentina due to physical issues.

Exactly one month remains until the Finalissima. Argentina and Spain will face each other on March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, aiming to claim a new trophy and gain a crucial boost ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In that context, a Paris Saint-Germain player could be sidelined due to physical problems.

“Following his latest medical check-up, Fabian Ruiz will follow a tailor-made work schedule over the next few weeks in order to relieve his knee pain,” PSG reported Friday in a statement on their official website.

The Spanish midfielder has been out of action for more than a month due to a knee injury that has taken longer than expected to heal. His last official match was on January 20, in the 2-1 loss to Sporting CP during the UEFA Champions League league phase.

Since then, Ruiz has missed eight matches across the European competition and Ligue 1, and that number is expected to grow in the near future. According to PSG’s statement, at least a couple more weeks will be needed before the 29-year-old Spanish player can return.

Medical update 📌@Aspetar

🔗 https://t.co/zqpyiPss41 pic.twitter.com/iVJiEFIMqN

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 27, 2026

This would rule him out of Ligue 1 matches against Le Havre and AS Monaco, as well as the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Chelsea, scheduled for Tuesday, March 10.

The Finalissima in doubt for Ruiz

Even in the most optimistic scenario, Fabian Ruiz will need a couple of weeks to fully overcome the knee pain and return to regular training. After that, he will likely need additional time to regain match fitness.

These timelines put the midfielder in serious doubt for the Finalissima. With exactly four weeks remaining until March 27, it will be a tight window for Ruiz to recover, play a few matches with PSG, and convince Luis De La Fuente that he is ready for a demanding clash against Argentina.

Spain facing multiple challenges ahead of the Finalissima

Ruiz’s potential absence is not Spain’s only concern ahead of the Finalissima. In recent weeks, several national team players have suffered injuries that not only sidelined them at the club level but also put their availability against Argentina in question.

Marc Cucurella is one of the latest, after suffering a hamstring injury with Chelsea. Earlier, Nico Williams raised concerns due to a pubalgia, a condition with unpredictable recovery timelines. Additionally, two players have already been ruled out due to more serious injuries: Mikel Merino and Samu.

Neymar was involved in a heated exchange with a Vasco da Gama player during Santos’ 2-1 victory.

On Thursday, Neymar scored a brace in Santos’ 2-1 win over Vasco da Gama on Matchday 4 of the Brazilian Serie A. Beyond his standout performance, the forward found himself at the center of a heated confrontation with an opposing player.

“He’s an idiot,” Neymar said about Thiago Mendes during a halftime, on-field interview shared by Sport. “He’s always the one who starts trouble, he wants to act tough, he’s always like that. With all due respect, he’s an idiot.”

The Santos star then recalled that this was not the first time he has had issues with Mendes. “He injured me once at PSG and today he promised to do it again. Let’s see if he’s man enough to try to injure me again,” Neymar said.

Indeed, the two players clashed several times in Ligue 1 when Neymar was playing for Paris Saint-Germain and Thiago Mendes was with Lille and later Olympique Lyon. In 2020, the midfielder caused Neymar to suffer an ankle sprain that forced him to leave the match on a stretcher, earning Mendes a red card.

This time, however, the situation did not escalate further. Both players were booked during the match, but there were no red cards or injuries. What Santos did get were two goals from Neymar — his first of 2026 following knee surgery — which secured the victory.

Neymar addresses recent criticism

After the match against Vasco da Gama, Neymar spoke to the media again and addressed the criticism he received last week for his performance in Santos’ loss to Novorizontino in the Campeonato Paulista. “Soccer is like that: one day you’re the worst player in the world, you don’t belong and you’re retired,” the forward began.

“The next, you score 2 goals and you’re the best, you have to go to the World Cup, you’re the number 10,” Neymar added, aware that such praise would follow his two-goal performance Thursday. “I’m taking it day by day. I’m working to be in the best shape possible. It’s my second 90-minute match of the year. I’m working hard and pushing myself.”

What’s next for Neymar?

In his quest to return to peak physical and competitive form, Neymar will not be lacking opportunities to play. Brazil’s packed soccer calendar this year is even more demanding than usual due to the interruption domestic competitions will face because of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Santos will return to action next Tuesday when they visit Mirassol for Brazilian Serie A Matchday 5. On March 15, they will face a tough home test against Corinthians, and just three days later they will take on Internacional.

Lionel Messi scored in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over Independiente del Valle.

Inter Miami played their final friendly against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico and came away with a 2-1 victory. Santiago Morales opened the scoring for the Herons, Patrick Mercado equalized, and in the second half, Lionel Messi converted a penalty to give Miami the lead.

During the first half, Inter Miami were the more active side, despite fielding a largely rotated lineup. Luis Suarez was one of the standout performers, providing multiple key passes to teammates and even coming close to scoring from a free kick.

It was Suarez who set up Santiago Morales for the opener, with the young midfielder dribbling past the goalkeeper and a defender before finishing with composure. However, that lead was short-lived, as Independiente del Valle quickly responded with an equalizer from Patrick Mercado.

After the break, the fans got what they came to see: Lionel Messi entered for the second half and showcased his brilliance. He scored the Herons’ second goal from the penalty spot after a handball in the box. That goal was enough to seal the win in Inter Miami’s final friendly.

Liverpool and Real Madrid could be planning a star swap involving Rodrygo Goes.

With just about three months remaining until the end of the 2025-26 season, the world’s top clubs are already planning their next moves. That includes major player signings and departures — something Real Madrid and Liverpool are reportedly working on. Rodrygo Goes could be part of a potential swap deal between the two clubs.

“Liverpool and Real Madrid have overlapping interests that could lead to a high-voltage exchange. Both clubs have key players who fit as complementary pieces in projects aiming to innovate without losing competitiveness,” Fichajes reported this week.

“Real Madrid continue to scout the market for a midfielder who can bring dynamism, scoring ability, and the capacity to break lines. In this scenario emerges Dominik Szoboszlai,” the report added, referring to the 25-year-old Hungarian star who has established himself as a key figure for the Reds in recent seasons.

This campaign, Szoboszlai has impressed on both ends of the pitch. He has started every match for Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, Community Shield, and FA Cup, missing only two Premier League games due to suspension. So far, he has recorded 10 goals and 7 assists in 36 appearances.

This isn’t the first time Szoboszlai has been linked to a move to Real Madrid. Recently, Marco Rossi, manager of the Hungarian national team, revealed the midfielder’s desire to join the Spanish side. “For the close and direct relationship I have with him since he started playing football as a kid, Real Madrid has always been his dream,” Rossi told WinWin in an interview cited by Diario AS.

Rodrygo could be useful for Liverpool

The other piece of the puzzle is a potential move of Rodrygo to Liverpool. “At Anfield, his addition is seen as a strategic solution in case of a potential departure of Mohamed Salah,” Fichajes reported.

Speculation about Salah’s future has been ongoing in England, and his departure seems increasingly likely once this season concludes. One of the main reasons appears to be Arne Slot’s vision for the team, particularly regarding the role he expects Salah to play.

The Dutch coach seems to prefer building an attacking duo with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, which would leave limited room for a pure winger like Salah. In contrast, Rodrygo’s versatility, youth, and skill set could allow him to fit more naturally into this projected tactical system.

How much are Rodrygo and Szoboszlai worth?

If negotiations between Liverpool and Real Madrid move forward, the valuation of each player will be a key factor. While Rodrygo has a release clause of €1 billion, his actual market value is far lower. According to Transfermarkt, the Brazilian forward is valued at around €60 million (approximately $70 million).

Dominik Szoboszlai, on the other hand, currently appears to have a higher market value, boosted by his strong performance this season. The Liverpool midfielder is estimated by specialized websites at around $100 million.

Vinicius surpassed Neymar in an impressive milestone in the UEFA Champions League.

This week, Vinicius Junior was under the spotlight following his clash with Gianluca Prestianni during the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff between Real Madrid and Benfica. However, the Brazilian winger also made headlines for his performance on the ball, breaking a record previously held by Neymar.

With his late goal in Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Benfica at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Vinicius became the Brazilian player with the most goals in Champions League knockout-stage history. Vini reached 14 goals in those European elimination matches — a mark no other Brazilian had previously achieved.

He first scored in a knockout game against Liverpool in the quarterfinals of the 2020-21 season. The following year, he found the net again against the same opponent, delivering what was arguably the most important goal of his career: the lone strike in Real Madrid’s 1-0 win in the final. In 2024, he scored in another final, this time against Borussia Dortmund.

Vinicius’ rise in this ranking pushed Neymar into second place. The Santos star had held the record for most goals by a Brazilian in Champions League knockout matches, thanks to his time with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, with a total of 13.

Who are the top scorers in Champions League knockout stages?

Vinicius Junior’s numbers with Real Madrid are impressive, but they remain far from the historic marks set by some of the competition’s all-time greats. In fact, the Brazilian winger is not yet among the top 25 scorers in Champions League knockout-stage history.

The top spot, unsurprisingly, belongs to Cristiano Ronaldo, the competition’s all-time leading scorer. Ronaldo netted 67 goals in knockout matches — 18 more than Lionel Messi, who sits second with 49. Alfredo Di Stefano (49), Eusebio (47) and Ferenc Puskas (36) round out the top five.

Further down the list is the first player who still has an opportunity to add to his tally. Robert Lewandowski ranks sixth with 34 knockout-stage goals, tied with Karim Benzema and Gerd Muller. The next active player in Europe is Kylian Mbappe, who sits 12th with 24 goals.

Vinicius climbs the all-time Champions League scoring list

At just 25 years old, Vinicius Junior’s overall production is remarkable. Combining group-stage and knockout-stage matches, the Brazilian winger ranks among the top 30 scorers in UEFA Champions League history. With 32 goals, he is tied with Juventus legend David Trezeguet and Bayern Munich icon Arjen Robben.

Among players still active in European leagues, Vini ranks inside the top eight. Only Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane, Antoine Griezmann and Edin Dzeko have scored more Champions League goals.

The showdown between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Lamine Yamal’s Spain in the Finalissima will be played in front of a packed house in Qatar.

Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will headline one of the most intriguing matchups leading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Argentina and Spain are set to meet in March in the Finalissima, and the game is already generating massive anticipation around the world.

Tickets for the Argentina-Spain clash, scheduled for Friday, March 27, went on sale this week, and fans snapped them up in just two hours. As a result, Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, will be at full capacity, with more than 88,000 spectators expected in attendance.

The excitement surrounding the Finalissima is fueled by several factors. For starters, it features the reigning champions of South America and Europe, who also occupy the top two spots in the FIFA rankings based on their performances in recent years. That status makes them leading contenders to lift the World Cup this summer in North America.

It will also be a compelling individual battle. On one side stands Lionel Messi; on the other, Lamine Yamal — the global icon nearing the twilight of his career against the young prodigy widely viewed as a potential heir to his throne. Adding another layer to the storyline are the similarities in their playing styles and the shared distinction of wearing Barcelona’s iconic No. 10 jersey.

The next challenges for Argentina and Spain

The Finalissima will mark the first official match of the year for both national teams and the start of a demanding road to the World Cup. After facing Argentina, Spain will remain in Qatar for another friendly just three days later against Egypt.

In the weeks leading up to their debut in North America, Luis De La Fuente’s squad will host Iraq on June 4 in a home send-off match, followed by another friendly against Peru in Mexico on June 8. That will serve as Spain’s final tune-up before opening its World Cup campaign against Cape Verde one week later.

Argentina, meanwhile, will face Qatar in Doha on March 31, four days after the Finalissima. In June, Lionel Scaloni will reconvene his squad and finalize the 26-man roster for the FIFA tournament, along with two friendlies in the days leading up to their opener against Algeria, with opponents yet to be determined.

The March FIFA break will be crucial

The Finalissima between Spain and Argentina will be one of the marquee matchups of the March international break — but not the only one. Several other national teams will be competing for an equally important objective: securing their place in the World Cup.

The intercontinental playoffs will take place in Mexico, where two spots will be up for grabs. New Caledonia, Jamaica and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will battle for one berth, while Bolivia, Suriname and Iraq will compete for the other.

At the same time, Europe will determine its final four qualifiers. Italy, Denmark, Turkey and Ukraine will vie for one spot; Poland, Wales, the Czech Republic and Slovakia for another; Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo will compete in their own path; and Sweden, Romania, North Macedonia and Northern Ireland will contest the final berth.

Real Madrid took control of their UEFA Champions League playoff series against Benfica thanks to a goal from Vinicius, who has been a central figure in the series following his incident with Gianluca Prestianni.

After a week full of controversy surrounding the conflict between Vinicius and Gianluca Prestianni, Real Madrid set the tone in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs against Benfica.

Their 1-0 win in Portugal last week gave Real Madrid a slight edge heading into the home leg on Wednesday. However, they couldn’t take anything for granted, as Benfica had shown they had the tools to fight until the very end.

That became clear in the opening minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu, where the visitors struck first through Rafa Silva. The forward capitalized on a rebound inside the box after a save from Thibaut Courtois and slotted home the opener, leveling the aggregate score.

But Benfica’s lead was short-lived. Moments after that goal, Aurelien Tchouameni stepped up for Real Madrid in a crucial moment, finishing with a precise right-footed strike to make it 1-1 and give the Spanish giants the advantage in the series once again.

¡NO PODÍA SER OTRO! 🇧🇷 ¡GOLAZO DE VINICIUS QUE FESTEJA BAILANDO EN EL BERNABÉU! 🕺⚽🔥#ChampionsEnUniMas pic.twitter.com/iwRwop3X4y

— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) February 25, 2026

Vinicius closes out the series against Benfica

After those frantic minutes with goals at both ends, the match settled into a lull marked by mistakes that prevented many clear scoring opportunities. The most notable moment in that stretch was an Arda Guler goal that was disallowed for an earlier offside by Gonzalo Garcia.

In the second half, Vinicius showcased his immense talent once again. Just like in the first leg, the Brazilian winger scored a stunning goal that put Real Madrid at ease. He received the ball just past midfield, carried it a long distance into the box, and calmly finished past the goalkeeper.

What’s next for Real Madrid?

By defeating Benfica with a 3-1 aggregate score, Real Madrid secured their place in the Round of 32 of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. They now await Friday’s draw to learn their next opponent, which will be either Manchester City or Sporting CP.

A former Brazil national team player criticized Neymar over his recent performances with Santos.

Neymar is gradually returning to official action with Santos as he works toward regaining peak physical condition in hopes of playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In that context, a former Brazil teammate was highly critical of the forward’s recent displays.

“Neymar is the one who messes up the team tactically,” Luis Fabiano said in a recent interview with ESPN, as reported by Goal, following Santos’ 2-1 loss to Novorizontino in the Campeonato Paulista. “I watched a bit of Santos’ game. Every time he goes to get the ball from the defender’s feet, the midfielders, wingers, and forwards don’t know what to do.”

The former Brazil striker elaborated on how Neymar’s movement on the field can hurt the team’s structure. “He goes to get it there, the guys don’t know whether to move, stay, or stay close to him, and the play doesn’t develop.”

Luis Fabiano, who was Neymar’s teammate with Brazil from 2010 to 2013, was blunt in pointing out that the Santos star “isn’t 20 years old anymore.” He added: “When a player reaches a certain age, he thinks he’s still young, that he’s doing things he did at 20. He has to adapt to a new style of play. I think that’s what Neymar is missing.”

Finally, drawing from his experience as a former striker, Luis Fabiano offered advice on how Neymar should approach this stage of his career. “Staying up front and waiting. One chance doesn’t come, two don’t come, but he stays there, eventually it will come and he’ll be fresh enough to do it,” he said.

Santos coach Vojvoda confident in Neymar

After undergoing knee surgery in late 2025, Neymar missed Santos’ first matches of the year. That changed last week, when the forward played 45 minutes against Velo Clube and the full 90 against Novorizontino.

Despite the team’s loss and elimination, the Santos coach remained optimistic about what Neymar can contribute moving forward. “I have a lot of confidence in him. His game will flow and evolve game by game. And I am responsible for ensuring that confidence comes. I have a lot of confidence in him and I trust every player in the squad,” Juan Pablo Vojvoda said.

“Neymar is in great physical shape, he completes all the training sessions. He played the full 90 minutes for the first time this year,” the coach added. “He will motivate the players. Neymar will push himself to achieve the goals he has set for himself at Santos and with the national team.”

Neymar’s return to the Brazil national team increasingly unlikely

Beyond his desire to help Santos, it is clear that Neymar’s main goal right now is to return to the Brazil national team after an absence of more than two years. However, his chances of being called up by Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup appear increasingly slim.

According to ESPN, Ancelotti does not intend to include Neymar on the roster for the March international break friendlies against France and Croatia. If that decision is confirmed, the forward would have very little time left to make his case, as the next call-up would be for the final squad ahead of the World Cup at the end of May.

Real Madrid and Benfica are facing off in a crucial UEFA Champions League showdown. Rafa and Aurelien Tchouameni both found the net early in the match.

Real Madrid entered the game looking to protect the advantage earned in Portugal and secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Benfica struck first through Rafa, but Aurelien Tchouameni responded quickly to level the score at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Last week’s showdown left tensions running high between the two sides, with racism allegations directed at Gianluca Prestianni ultimately leading to his provisional suspension by UEFA. Benfica also issued a response regarding alleged misconduct by opposing players, incidents that went unpunished.

That turbulent backdrop appeared to affect Real Madrid in the opening minutes, as they were overwhelmed and unable to cope with the relentless attacks from the Portuguese side, which came out determined to overturn the 1-0 deficit from the first leg.

The pressure paid off early. In the 14th minute, Rafa Silva capitalized on a rebound inside the box following a save by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and slotted home the opener, a goal that temporarily leveled the aggregate score between the two teams.

¡GOOOOL DEL BENFICA! 🔥 Courtois había salvado el autogol de Asencio, pero Rafa Silva no perdió la oportunidad de poner el 0-1 ⚽💥#ChampionsEnUnimas pic.twitter.com/DHQFCba8r7

— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) February 25, 2026

Real Madrid waste no time responding

Rafa Silva’s goal, which put Benfica ahead on the night, did little to rattle Real Madrid. Instead, it seemed to spark them. The Spanish giants responded immediately and equalized just two minutes later through Aurelien Tchouameni, who finished with a precise right-footed strike.

¡LO EMPATÓ EL MADRID! 😍🤍 El Benfica seguía celebrando cuando Tchouaméni puso un gol que recordó a los que hacía Don Toni Kroos 🔥#ChampionsEnUniMas pic.twitter.com/j00mrYYLqA

— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) February 25, 2026

Los Blancos then had a chance to take the lead when Arda Guler found the back of the net for what appeared to be the second goal, but VAR ultimately ruled it out for an earlier offside by Gonzalo Garcia, restoring Benfica’s realistic hopes of staying in the contest.

¡EL VAR ANULA EL SEGUNDO DEL REAL MADRID! ❌ Arda Guler había conseguido el 2-1 pero Gonzalo estaba adelantado 🔍#ChampionsEnUniMas pic.twitter.com/j02R7ivKRN

— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) February 25, 2026

Spain tried to convince Lionel Messi to play for them instead of Argentina.

Lionel Messi has remained one of the world’s biggest soccer stars for more than two decades. He built his club career with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami, while continuing to shine with Argentina. However, things could have been very different if he had chosen to play for Spain.

Having moved to Barcelona at age 13 for treatment to stimulate his growth, Messi was eligible to represent the European country internationally—and he even had a concrete opportunity to do so.

During a recent interview with the Miro de Atras podcast, Messi acknowledged that he had contact with Spanish national team officials. “At one point it came to me. I was already playing at Barcelona, and they hinted at it,” he explained. “It’s normal, it happens with many kids, or at least it did back then.”

The forward added that representing Spain was not out of the question at the time. “Even though I’m Argentine, obviously, I went to Barcelona very young and spent most of my youth career there. So it was a possibility, it could have happened,” he admitted.

Indeed, Spain has had a clear influence on Messi’s life. After spending the first 13 years of his life in Rosario, Argentina, he moved to Barcelona and lived there continuously until age 34. Yet his roots ultimately weighed more in his decision. “Your desire was always for Argentina,” podcast host Nahuel Guzman remarked, to which Messi replied: “Yes, always.”

How many titles could Messi have won with Spain?

Lionel Messi made his debut with the Argentine jersey in a U-20 friendly in 2004. A year later, he became World Cup champion at that level and was named the tournament’s best player, while also making his official debut with the senior national team. The U-23 gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics was followed by four senior titles: Copa America 2021, Finalissima 2022, World Cup 2022, and Copa America 2024.

During the same period, Spain won a large number of trophies. At the youth level, they earned gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics (where three overage players are allowed), while at the senior level, they were champions of UEFA Euro 2008, 2012, and 2024, as well as the 2010 World Cup and the 2023 UEFA Nations League.

In 22 years, Messi has won six titles with Argentina, counting both youth and senior trophies. Hypothetically, had he chosen Spain, the forward would have won a similar number: one at the youth level and five with the senior team.

Messi’s matchups against Spain

Lionel Messi first faced Spain at the U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands in 2005, when Argentina won 3-1 in the quarterfinals with a goal from Messi. At the senior level, they met in two friendlies: a 2-1 victory for Spain in 2006 and a 4-1 win for Argentina in 2010, again with a Messi goal.

The head-to-head record currently favors the Argentine forward with two wins and one loss. However, this year will add a new chapter, as Argentina and Spain are set to meet in the Finalissima, the tournament that brings together the reigning champions of South America and Europe.

Amid internal conflicts in Mexico, FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the country’s organization of the 2026 World Cup.

In recent days, Mexico has made headlines around the world for reasons unrelated to soccer. Internal unrest in the country has raised questions about its ability to stage an event as massive as the 2026 World Cup, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivered a reassuring message on the matter.

“First of all, of course we are analyzing and monitoring the situation in Mexico at this time,” Infantino acknowledged during a press conference shared by El Chiringuito TV on X. “Mexico is a great country, a soccer country. As in every country in the world, things happen. We don’t live on the moon or on another planet, things happen. That’s why we have states, police forces, and authorities who guarantee order and security.”

The FIFA president then expressed strong confidence that everything will proceed as planned, allowing the World Cup to take place without issues. “From the beginning, we have full confidence in Mexico, in its President Sheinbaum, and in the authorities. We are convinced that everything will go in the best possible way,” he said.

Far from casting doubt on Mexico as a host of the FIFA tournament, Gianni Infantino also confirmed the upcoming events scheduled to take place in the country. “We have matches in a month in Mexico, the World Cup playoffs. And the Azteca Stadium will be inaugurated newly renovated,” he added.

“From my side and from FIFA, there is absolute confidence in President Sheinbaum in Mexico. We are in regular contact with the presidency and the authorities, and we continue to follow the situation closely,” Infantino concluded, expressing certainty that FIFA’s original plans will not need to be altered.

Upcoming events in Mexico

This Wednesday at Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro, Mexico will play its third friendly of 2026 against Iceland. Despite the recent unrest in the country, the match will go on as scheduled. The expectation is that the same will apply to the other upcoming events set to take place in Mexico.

During the March international break, Mexico will face Portugal at Azteca Stadium, while the intercontinental playoffs will be held simultaneously to determine two additional teams qualified for the World Cup. In Guadalajara, New Caledonia, Jamaica, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will compete for one spot, while in Monterrey, Bolivia, Suriname, and Iraq will battle for the other.

And, of course, during the World Cup Mexico will play a major role. The country is set to host 10 group-stage matches, including the opening game on June 11 between Mexico and South Africa, in addition to three more matches in the knockout stages.