Before moving to Orlando City in July 2026, Antoine Griezmann made clear his UEFA Champions League ambitions in his "last dance" with Atletico Madrid.

Antoine Griezmann will finally be leaving Atletico Madrid after 10 seasons with the club, but not before giving everything he has to send them out on the highest note possible. Set to join Orlando City at the start of next season, Griezmann has made clear his ambition to push for the UEFA Champions League with the Colchoneros before he goes.

After traveling to Florida to finalize the details, Orlando City officially announced the signing of Antoine Griezmann on Tuesday. With the 2025-26 season still ongoing, the MLS club confirmed that the move will be completed in July 2026 on a deal running through the 2027-28 season with an option for one additional year, bringing his European career to a close.

With the deal made official, Griezmann took to social media to post a heartfelt message to Atletico fans. “It isn’t easy to find the words for what I’m feeling, because this club is my home and you are my family. It has been an incredible journey, filled with unforgettable matches, goals, joy, and a passion that only those of us who feel ‘Atleti’ can truly understand,” he wrote on Instagram.

Rather than simply saying goodbye, the French striker turned his focus to the months ahead and the chance to leave on the highest possible note, with the Champions League firmly in his sights: “But for now, let’s leave the future in the future—because I am not leaving yet. I still have months left in this shirt; months to give my life for this club at our stadium and away from home, to lift that Copa del Rey, and to dream of going as far as possible in the Champions League.“

Despite Orlando City‘s push to secure his signing in the primary 2026 MLS window, Atletico’s run to the Copa del Rey final made both the club and Griezmann reluctant to finalize the move mid-season. Now into the quarterfinal stage of the Champions League, roughly five games away from a potential title, Griezmann has added European glory to what he described as his “Last Dance” with the club in his post.

“We still have many opportunities ahead of us to find happiness. I want every minute I have left here to be a tribute to this crest. The best is yet to come. We will do it as we always have: together. My present remains Red and White until the very last breath of this 2026 season. And my heart will be forever. Aúpa Atleti,” Griezmann’s message concluded.

Can Atletico go all the way in the Champions League?

Rather than framing it as a lifelong dream of finally winning the Champions League, a trophy that has eluded him throughout his career, Griezmann took a measured approach, expressing the desire to go “as far as possible” in the competition. With Atletico still in the thick of the Copa del Rey race as well, advancing deep into the European stage will be far from a walk in the park.

After eliminating Tottenham Hotspur in a tie that finished 7-5 on aggregate, Atletico will face Barcelona in the quarterfinals. The first leg is scheduled at Camp Nou on April 8, with the return leg set for April 14 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

Should Atletico manage to get past one of the tournament’s top contenders like Barcelona, they would face the winner of Arsenal vs. Sporting CP in the semifinals. The Gunners, currently leading the Premier League, enter that tie as heavy favorites, and have been the stingiest defense in the competition this season, conceding just five goals across 10 Champions League matches.

As for the final, any club emerging from the other side of the bracket would pose a serious threat to Atletico, with PSG, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all still in contention. For Griezmann personally, the stakes could not be higher: he was on the pitch for Atletico’s last Champions League final appearance in 2016, a match Real Madrid claimed in a penalty shootout after Griezmann had missed a penalty during regular time, and now, a decade later, the stage is set for one of soccer’s great stories to find its ending.

Mohamed Salah has announced that after 9 years in the club, he'll be departing from Liverpool at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Mohamed Salah has announced that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2025-26 season in an emotional video posted to his social media accounts. With the announcement, the Egyptian star brings to a close a nine-year stint with the club, one in which he claimed numerous trophies and rewrote several records.

On Tuesday, March 24, Salah released a two-minute video revealing he had made the decision to leave Liverpool. Throughout the announcement, however, the forward did not directly address the reasons behind his decision, but still thanked the support of the fans over the years at Anfield.

The news lands as a significant shock, given that Salah came extremely close to leaving Liverpool last season amid a contract dispute between the player and the club. Despite eventually signing a new deal through June 2027, the Egyptian will be cutting his time at Merseyside short by a year, with several clubs already circling.

Salah and a legacy written at Liverpool and the Premier League

Liverpool paid 42 million euros to AS Roma back in June 2017 to bring in Mohamed Salah, and from that moment on, the Egyptian, once cast aside by Chelsea, began writing his legacy. His records left a mark not only at Liverpool, but across the entire history of the Premier League.

Trophies won with Liverpool

Since arriving at Merseyside, Mohamed Salah has lifted nine trophies with Liverpool, helping restore the club’s status as a powerhouse both in England and in Europe, and finally ending their long league title drought with the 2019-20 championship. The full breakdown of Salah’s honors with the Reds is as follows:

• 2 Premier League: 2019-20, 2024-25
• 1 UEFA Champions League: 2018-19
• 1 FIFA Club World Cup: 2019
• 1 UEFA Super Cup: 2019
• 1 FA Cup: 2021-22
• 2 EFL Cup / League Cup: 2021-22, 2023-24
• 1 FA Community Shield: 2022-23

Records with Liverpool

Despite playing primarily as a right winger who only occasionally stepped into a center forward role, Mohamed Salah has shattered records at Liverpool both as a scorer and a creator. In 435 appearances to date, he has scored 255 goals and contributed 122 assists, with the following marks to his name:

• Liverpool’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League (191 goals).
• Liverpool’s all-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League (50 goals) and across all European competition (56 goals).
• First Liverpool player to score 20 or more goals in eight consecutive seasons (2017-18 through 2024-25).
• Most goals scored in a debut season with Liverpool across all competitions (44 goals).
• Fastest player to reach 100 goals for Liverpool (151 appearances).
• Liverpool’s all-time leading assist provider in the Premier League (93 assists).

Salah’s records in the Premier League

Salah not only revitalized Liverpool but also raised the bar across several categories in Premier League history. Among those records are the following:

• Premier League’s all-time leading foreign goalscorer and fourth on the overall list (191 goals).
• Most goal involvements in a single 38-game Premier League season (47 goals and assists combined).
• All-time highest-scoring African player in Premier League history.
• Only player to register 10 or more goals and 10 or more assists in six separate Premier League seasons.
• Most goals scored on Premier League opening day (10).

With rumors over a potential exit from Chelsea rising, Argentina star Enzo Fernandez revealed that he hasn't held talks with Real Madrid.

Enzo Fernandez has been on Real Madrid‘s radar since he burst onto the scene at the highest level of the game, and with rumors of a potential Chelsea departure at season’s end continuing to swirl, the Spanish giants would be eager to make a move. Now linking up with the Argentina national team for the March friendlies, Fernandez has revealed that he has held “no talks” with Real Madrid so far.

After arriving in Argentina ahead of friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia, Fernandez was approached by reporters at the airport and, in comments collected by ESPN, addressed the speculation around Real Madrid‘s reported interest: “There are no talks. Right now I am focused on Chelsea; we’ll see what happens after the World Cup.“

Far from offering Chelsea fans any reassurance, Fernandez echoed remarks he made following the club’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 elimination against PSG last Tuesday. “Can my continuity at Chelsea be guaranteed for next season? I don’t know. Right now, my mind is here; after that, the World Cup is coming, and we’ll see then,” he said in a post-match interview.

With an early exit from the Champions League against the Parisian side, Chelsea are now left with limited objectives for the remainder of the season, still alive in the FA Cup but well off the pace in the Premier League title race. Currently sitting sixth in the league, the Blues’ primary goal has become securing Champions League qualification for next season, a factor that, if left unmet, could weigh heavily on Fernandez’s thinking.

The Argentine midfielder joined Chelsea in early 2023 when the club paid his release clause of 121 million euros to sign him from Benfica on a deal running through June 2032. Now one of the team’s captains and key figures, his latest comments have sent shockwaves through a Chelsea side already dealing with a turbulent 2025-26 campaign.

Enzo Fernandez reportedly open to Real Madrid move

Despite his denial of any ongoing talks, reports suggest there is more substance to the story ahead of a potential summer move. As revealed by talkSport‘s Ben Jacobs, Enzo Fernandez is open to joining Real Madrid if a genuine opportunity presents itself in the summer transfer window following the World Cup.

Part of his willingness to consider a departure stems not only from Chelsea’s on-field struggles and their distance from Champions League contention, but also from recent developments in the dugout. The dismissal of head coach Enzo Maresca has reportedly unsettled the squad, with Fernandez said to be particularly unhappy about the way the decision was handled.

One major obstacle any suitor would face is Fernandez’s price tag, currently listed at 90 million euros on Transfermarkt. While Saudi Arabia and PSG have reportedly shown interest, the Argentine would only seriously entertain a move to Spain, setting up a saga that figures to reach its conclusion in the weeks following the World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo could be making his return to the pitch in the coming days as Al Nassr have reportedly arranged a friendly game during the upcoming FIFA break.

Cristiano Ronaldo ended up missing Portugal’s upcoming friendlies in North America due to injury problems that have lingered since late February. Now set to remain in Saudi Arabia to complete his recovery, the star striker could be in line for a return to the pitch, with Al Nassr having reportedly arranged a friendly during the FIFA break.

As reported by Ali Alabdallh, Al Nassr will face Al Anwar in a friendly match on Friday, March 27, in Riyadh. The club moved quickly after Jorge Jesus reportedly asked the front office to arrange a friendly so that players left off their respective national team rosters would not lose fitness during the break.

The game will be played just one day before Portugal visits Mexico to face El Tri at the Estadio Azteca on March 28. Head coach Roberto Martinez has already made clear that he preferred for Cristiano Ronaldo to remain in Saudi Arabia rather than risk another injury setback by traveling to the other side of the world.

As for Al Anwar, the club currently competes in the second tier of Saudi Arabian soccer, sitting 12th after 26 games in the 2025-26 season. With no real competitive challenge expected, coach Jorge Jesus is simply looking to distribute minutes and keep his available players sharp ahead of Al Nassr’s next match.

Ronaldo’s club currently sits atop the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League table with 67 points from 26 games, holding a three-point advantage over chasing Al Hilal. Al Nassr are also riding a 14-game winning streak, and with their next league fixture against Al Najma set for April 3, the club will be eager to return from the international break firing on all cylinders.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo feature in Al Nassr’s friendly?

Ronaldo has already missed Al Nassr’s last two matches, a 1-0 win over Neom SC and a 5-0 victory over Al Khaleej. In the game against Al Fayha on February 28, the forward suffered a hamstring injury, with reports at the time indicating that a worst-case scenario could keep him sidelined for up to four weeks, meaning his recovery is now entering its final stages.

As revealed by Roberto Martinez at Friday’s press conference, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to make a full recovery within one to two weeks, a timeline that lines up with Al Nassr’s friendly on March 27.

Ronaldo’s most recent Instagram post showed him training in the gym with the caption “Getting better every day.” With just a few days to go, the Portuguese star may well see some action in the friendly, though his involvement is likely to be limited compared to his teammates who have been fully fit throughout the break.

After being excluded for the March friendlies, Brazil legend Romario backed Neymar's inclusion in the 2026 World Cup squad while also taking a jab to head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Neymar‘s absence from Brazil‘s March roster sparked strong reactions, not only from the player’s inner circle but also from heavyweight figures in the national team’s history. This time it was Romario who made his voice heard, calling for Neymar’s inclusion in the 2026 World Cup squad and taking aim at head coach Carlo Ancelotti for leaving the forward out of the upcoming friendlies.

Despite citing Neymar’s fitness as the primary reason for his omission, Carlo Ancelotti has not been spared from scrutiny, and not just from fans. Recently, Barcelona and Brazil star Raphinha said he hopes to see Neymar at the 2026 World Cup, a statement that, while not directed at Ancelotti, only adds to the pressure on the Italian manager to make a call on the country’s most iconic player.

This time, it was Romario’s turn to go to bat for Neymar. In an interview with Jornal O Dia, the legend made his stance clear: “A star player has to play. The national team is the place for the best and most talented. Preparation for the World Cup lasts a month, sufficient time for an athlete to recover, both physically and technically, to gain match rhythm, and to build chemistry with the group.“

Romario then pushed back directly on Ancelotti‘s fitness threshold for national team inclusion. “Everyone knows it, but it is always necessary to repeat it: it is better to have a star player like Neymar, even when he is not at 100%, than to call up any other player. Talent must not be wasted. And a coach can never do without it. I still hold out hope of seeing Neymar prove on the pitch, in the Brazilian Championship, that he deserves to be on the final list and bring home the sixth world title,” the legend stated.

Romario also argued that, despite being left out of the friendly squad, Neymar should not be subject to the same evaluation criteria as any other player, given his exceptional status. In his view, the current squad lacks that one transcendent figure whose presence alone makes opponents feel “a mix of respect, reverence, and fear,” a quality he believes only Neymar and a handful of others have ever possessed.

Romario closed with a pointed message to Ancelotti, whom he sees as a key figure in Brazil‘s pursuit of a sixth World Cup title. “I want to make it clear that while I am fully in favor of Neymar going, I will continue to support the pursuit of the ‘Hexa’ even if he doesn’t. But the message is clear: Pay attention, mister!” he concluded.

Ronaldo Nazario, another legend calling for Neymar

Reports effectively ruling Neymar out of World Cup contention have set off alarm bells, even with months still to go before the final roster is announced in May. For a player who has described the tournament as one of the last great dreams of his career, the situation carries enormous weight, and Brazil’s biggest names are increasingly lining up to make the case for his inclusion.

One of those voices belongs to Ronaldo Nazario, who spoke to CNN Brasil and offered his take on the situation: “If Neymar is physically fit, I would take him to the World Cup. I am going to hope that Neymar is physically well. If he is, I am certain that Ancelotti will take him.“

Without directly criticizing Ancelotti, Ronaldo made clear that Neymar remains the kind of difference-maker the current Brazil squad is missing in its pursuit of the title. “He can help. Perhaps he will not play every match, but he is a player who has already proven his worth everywhere he has been. Lately he has been going through significant injuries, but we do not need to scout Neymar to take him to the World Cup. If Neymar is physically fit, I would take him,” Ronaldo concluded.

Noah Allen is now 2 games away from claiming the record of most appearances with Inter Miami, prompting questions on where does legend Lionel Messi stand on the historic ranking.

Noah Allen has steadily climbed the Inter Miami all-time appearances list, showing consistency and reliability as the franchise has grown exponentially over the years. With the defender now just two games away from reaching the top of that list, attention turns to where legend Lionel Messi sits in the standings.

Inter Miami faced New York City FC in their fifth game of the 2026 MLS season, with Messi converting a free kick in a 3-2 win at Yankee Stadium, the first victory for the Herons at that venue. Forced into changes in the starting lineup with Sergio Reguilon sidelined by yet another injury, Noah Allen stepped up at left back and even contributed the assist for Micael’s winning goal with a well-delivered whipped cross.

Beyond adding another assist to his career tally, Noah Allen extended his Inter Miami appearance record to 116 games. The Greece international now sits in a share of second place on the club’s all-time list, level with former Herons Robert Taylor and Sergio Busquets.

A Miami academy product since 2019, Allen made his first-team debut on February 26, 2022, against the Chicago Fire in MLS play, and has since witnessed the franchise’s transformation before and after Messi’s arrival. Across all competitions, he has recorded just one goal and seven assists, a reflection of his profile as a natural defender rather than an attacking outlet at left back or left midfield, as he was sometimes deployed in his earlier days.

Rotating between starter and substitute over the past four years, Allen has been a consistent presence with only a handful of injury disruptions early in his career. Now 21 years old, the defender is just one game away from claiming second place outright and two away from matching the all-time record of 118 appearances, currently held by goalkeeper Drake Callender.

Where does Lionel Messi stand in the ranking?

Since arriving at Inter Miami, Lionel Messi has made a habit of rewriting the club’s record books, leaving his mark both on and off the field. He currently leads the franchise in goals with 82 and in assists with 44, but when it comes to appearances, the Argentine icon still has some ground to cover before reaching the top.

Messi currently sits eighth on Inter Miami’s all-time appearances list with 94 games to his name. Reaching the 100-game milestone will be significant not only as a round number, but also because it will draw him level with seventh-place Leonardo Campana, with sixth-place Jordi Alba (103), fifth-place Benjamin Cremaschi (107) and the top four all within reach after that.

Even with the possibility of being rested for certain games, Inter Miami have 32 matches scheduled between the 2026 MLS regular season and the Leagues Cup group stage, leaving room for his tally to grow considerably. Having featured in 49 games last season, Messi could realistically challenge Drake Callender’s record of 118 appearances, though the battle for the top spot may ultimately come down to how much playing time Noah Allen continues to see.

Called up for the March international window with France, Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa revealed that Kylian Mbappe is not at 100% after the derby against Atletico Madrid.

Kylian Mbappe was one of the notable absences from Real Madrid‘s starting lineup for the derby against Atletico Madrid, raising questions once again about his fitness. After the match, and especially with France national team friendlies on the horizon, Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa acknowledged that Mbappe was not “100% fit.”

In a game that could have defined the La Liga title race, Real Madrid hosted Atletico on Sunday for Matchday 29. Los Blancos found their solutions through Federico Valverde and then Vinicius, who scored a brace in a 3-2 win, with Mbappe a spectator until the second half, when he finally entered the pitch in the 64th minute.

Asked about his team selection in the post-match press conference, Arbeloa shed some light on his reasoning: “Every day I try to field the best XI to face the opponent in front of us. When you have the best in the world, you try to make the most of him and have him on the pitch as much as possible.“

The Madrid coach then addressed Mbappe’s fitness after the forward’s return from a knee sprain. “I believe that after three weeks, nearly a month, that Mbappe has been out, the normal thing to do is to progress gradually. That is what I prefer and what I understand is best for him and for the team: having players who are at 100% fitness,” Arbeloa stated.

After playing 26 minutes in the derby, Arbeloa expressed confidence that the star would benefit from his time with Les Bleus: “Kylian put in some very good minutes; he was a constant threat, just like he was the other day, so I’m sure that with his national team he’ll be able to get more minutes and return even more prepared.“

Will Mbappe feature with the national team?

On Thursday, head coach Didier Deschamps announced the France squad for friendlies against Colombia and Brazil in the United States, with Kylian Mbappe headlining the list. The news came as a surprise to Real Madrid, given that the striker had sat out several games over the previous weeks.

Since missing the second leg of the Champions League playoff against Benfica on February 25, Mbappe had been absent for five games across all competitions before making his return against Manchester City. Even so, he has been far from his best (47 minutes), prompting questions about whether it might be preferable for him to rest during the March international window, especially with the Champions League quarterfinals against Bayern Munich just two weeks away.

France will face Brazil first on March 26, and then Colombia on March 29, with Mbappe also within striking distance of becoming his country’s all-time leading scorer, sitting just two goals behind Olivier Giroud’s record of 57, one more motivation for the forward to perform despite not being fully fit.

“We will see what happens this weekend against Atletico de Madrid, how he feels, and based on that, our intention is for every player called up to get some minutes, since we are playing two matches in three days,” said Deschamps, suggesting Mbappe is likely to feature, adding that he had not called him up “for marketing.“

Still struggling with fitness, reports have surfaced claiming that Neymar is "practically ruled out" of Carlo Ancelotti's plans for the 2026 World Cup with the Brazil national team.

Neymar‘s recent omission from the Brazil national team for the March international window came as a major blow to the Santos forward and his hopes of featuring in what would be his final World Cup in 2026. As head coach Carlo Ancelotti continues to plan his squad, reports suggest that Neymar is “practically ruled out” of the group set to travel to North America.

Making his return to Santos back in February 2025 proved to be a strategic move for Neymar to escape the pressures of European soccer and accumulate minutes in his bid to recover full fitness and force his way back into the Brazil national team picture following his severe ACL injury. However, ahead of the last friendlies before the final roster is announced, the forward failed to earn a place in Ancelotti’s plans, a decision that now appears to be definitive.

As reported by CNN Brasil‘s João Vitor Xavier, Neymar is practically out of the running for the World Cup, with his chances sitting at zero. The Santos star finds himself in a difficult position, as the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has serious doubts about whether he will be physically fit enough to contribute at the tournament in North America.

During last week’s press conference following the announcement of the March roster, Carlo Ancelotti once again cited fitness as the primary reason for Neymar’s omission from the Brazil squad. Time appears to have validated the Italian manager’s concerns, as Neymar ended up sitting out Santos’ most recent match against Cruzeiro.

New Santos head coach Cuca stated that Neymar’s absence was not due to injury or rest, but rather “load management,” citing the risk of injury with three matches in seven days. However, when the World Cup arrives, where every Brazil game will come with just three or four days of rest in between, serious questions remain as to whether the former Barcelona man will be able to meet the physical demands of the competition.

The CBF and a fallout with Neymar

Beyond the clear fitness concerns that have prevented Neymar from convincing Ancelotti to call him up, despite both coach and player acknowledging they have spoken, his relationship with the CBF has also soured. His recent public remarks about his desire to feature at the World Cup, along with his overall conduct, appear to have rubbed the federation the wrong way.

As reported by CNN, Neymar’s recent statements have been poorly received by the CBF, with the governing body considering whether the player is using his public platform to turn fans against both the federation and Carlo Ancelotti. The episode in Mirassol also proved to be another inflection point in how the player is viewed internally.

The Brazil coaching staff and Ancelotti had made the trip, several hours each way, specifically to watch Neymar in action during the Mirassol FC vs. Santos match. When Neymar did not appear in the game, reports immediately emerged suggesting his absence could factor into his exclusion from the national team, and the CBF interpreted his no-show as a sign of a lack of commitment.

Now, with even the Brazilian federation showing greater reluctance than before to hand him a call-up, Neymar will have limited opportunities to make his case. With Santos hovering near the relegation zone and 15 games remaining before the final roster is announced, every single one of those matches will feel like a must-win audition for a forward chasing one of the last great dreams of his career.

With Nicolas Otamendi announcing his retirement from Argentina national team after the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi will be left as the only survivor from the 2014 Brazil WC squad.

Nicolas Otamendi has been one of the cornerstones and leaders of Argentina during one of the most successful eras in the national team’s history, but the veteran defender has now announced that the 2026 World Cup will mark the end of his international career. With that decision confirmed, Lionel Messi will be left as the sole remaining member of the squad that finished as runner-up at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Argentina are set to bid farewell to their home fans before departing for North America in June, with friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia arranged for the March international break. Called up for both games, Otamendi spoke to reporters upon arriving in Argentina, addressing his future with the Albiceleste directly.

When asked about the call-up and his mindset heading into the World Cup, the 38-year-old was unambiguous about his plans: “After the World Cup, my time with the national team will officially come to an end. I’m happy, I’m enjoying the moment, and now it’s time to get to work.“

When further pressed on whether he would return for the September international break to receive a farewell from the fans, Otamendi again left no room for doubt. “A cycle with the national team is closing; this will be my last World Cup, and after that, I’ll just be another fan,” he said, confirming that the tournament in North America will be his final appearance for the Albiceleste.

Set to experience his last World Cup alongside the man who has been his international teammate for so long, Otamendi was asked whether he and Messi speak about this final chapter together. “We don’t talk about that. We just live it when we get together; we live in the moment and enjoy the opportunity, the training grounds, and being together once again,” he replied.

Adding a bittersweet note to his farewell tour, FIFA has confirmed that Otamendi will be required to serve a one-game suspension at the World Cup, stemming from a red card he received in Argentina’s final CONMEBOL qualifier against Ecuador. The ban means he will miss the Albiceleste’s group stage opener against Algeria on June 16, though the tournament itself, spread across Canada, Mexico and the United States, will undoubtedly serve as a fitting final stage for one of Argentina’s most decorated international defenders.

Messi, the only one left from the 2014 World Cup squad

Otamendi made his World Cup debut in 2010 at just 22 years old under Diego Maradona, launching a remarkable international career that has run in parallel with Messi’s for the best part of 16 years. Their first unforgettable shared moment came in Brazil in 2014, when Argentina reached the final on their rival’s home soil, only to fall in extra time to Germany in a match that left the nation heartbroken.

From that point, the journey was filled with highs and lows: consecutive Copa America final defeats, Messi’s brief retirement from international duty and subsequent return, a bruising early exit at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and then the golden era that brought the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles, the Finalissima against Italy, and the crowning moment of the 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar.

Many of those 2014 squad members have already hung up their international boots, with Angel Di Maria being one of the last to do so, stepping away after the 2024 Copa America in the United States. Otamendi will follow that same path after the 2026 World Cup, and while Messi’s own future beyond the tournament remains undecided, the Inter Miami star will stand alone as the last surviving link to that squad from 12 years ago.

With Atletico Madrid's approval, Antoine Griezmann is reportedly set to fly to Orlando to complete his signing with the Lions, prompting questions on when he'll face Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the MLS/

Antoine Griezmann‘s time at Atletico Madrid is drawing to a close, with the Frenchman widely expected to spend the next chapter of his career in North America with Orlando City. With reports now indicating that Griezmann has flown to Orlando following the club’s green light, the question on everyone’s mind is whether he will end up facing Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami in the 2026 MLS season.

With a Designated Player slot available, Orlando City pushed hard to bring Griezmann in during the primary MLS transfer window, but with the 2025-26 European season still in full swing, Atlético were unwilling to part with one of their key players mid-season. As a result, the Lions agreed to wait and target a move for the second half of the 2026 campaign.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Orlando City have now reached an agreement to sign Griezmann on a free transfer from July 2026. The Frenchman will wear the No. 7 shirt and has signed a two-year contract, with reports suggesting it will rank among the most lucrative deals in MLS history.

With the formal details still to be finalized, The Athletic has also reported that Griezmann will travel to Orlando to wrap up the remaining contractual specifics. Atlético gave players not involved in international duty two days off following Real Madrid’s game, and with the club’s blessing, the French star is using that window to make the trip to North America.

Griezmann has made clear his desire to play in the Copa del Rey final with Atlético and go as far as possible in the UEFA Champions League, with the team set to face Barcelona in the quarterfinals. With those prizes still within reach, the forward will be aiming to close his chapter with the club on the highest possible note before making his MLS debut.

When will Messi and Griezmann see each other?

Once Griezmann officially becomes an Orlando City player, one of the most anticipated matchups in MLS will be the Florida Derby against Inter Miami, reuniting the Frenchman with his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi on opposite sides. However, fans may have to exercise some patience before that moment arrives.

The first Florida Derby of 2026 took place on Matchday 2 back on March 1, with Inter Miami claiming a 4-2 victory at Inter&Co Stadium. The second edition, with the Herons as hosts at the new Miami Freedom Park, is scheduled for May 2.

That game falls before Griezmann’s move to Orlando is set to be completed, and also before the conclusion of the La Liga season and a potential UEFA Champions League final on May 30. Under that timeline, a Messi-Griezmann reunion on the MLS pitch will have to wait until either a potential conference playoff meeting later in the year or the start of the 2027 season.

With the friendlies against Mexico and the USMNT on the horizon, Bruno Fernandes lamented Cristiano Ronaldo's absence in the Portugal national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s long-awaited return to North America had been one of the most anticipated storylines surrounding Portugal‘s March tour as soon as the friendlies against Mexico and the USMNT were announced ahead of the 2026 World Cup. With the veteran striker ultimately left off coach Roberto Martínez’s squad list due to injury, star teammate Bruno Fernandes has expressed his regret over the absence.

Last Friday, Martínez released his Portugal squad for the March international window and opted to leave Ronaldo out, citing the hamstring injury the Al Nassr forward is still recovering from. The news disappointed a significant number of fans who had been eagerly anticipating the chance to see the Portuguese icon in action, particularly in Mexico.

Speaking to TNT Sports Mexico after Manchester United’s game against Bournemouth, Fernandes was asked about the upcoming trip and expressed genuine enthusiasm for the experience at the Estadio Azteca: “We are very excited to play in such a legendary stadium. For us, it’s going to be a great trip to also get to know the country, the climate, and where we might eventually play later on in the World Cup.“

Portugal is scheduled to play two World Cup group stage matches at NRG Stadium in Houston and one at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, meaning their only potential appearance in Mexico would come later in the tournament. “At first, we aren’t going to play there—we’ll see later on—but that’s fine. It is also important to play against a team that is growing and has very good players,” Fernandes added.

The United captain then reflected on the significance of Ronaldo’s absence and what it means for those hoping to see him in person: “For us, I obviously know that the people wanted to see Cristiano because he is the main figure of our national team, and of football as well. I feel very sorry that they won’t be able to see him up close, but it will still be a very good match between two great national teams.“

Reports have already emerged suggesting that Ronaldo’s absence from the Mexico friendly could have a tangible financial impact on Portugal FA’s earnings from the tour. While the game remains a valuable test for both the Seleção and El Tri, the absence of the Al Nassr star from the lineup will undoubtedly factor into the decisions of many fans weighing whether to attend.

Who will be Portugal’s captain?

Over the past 15 years, Cristiano Ronaldo has worn the armband virtually every time he has taken the field for Portugal, leaving little opportunity for anyone else to lead the side. That does not mean, however, that Martínez is short of options in his absence.

In the last two years, Ronaldo has missed just five of Portugal’s 26 matches, either through rest or, most recently, suspension. During those absences, the captaincy has rotated among several players, passing through Pepe, now retired, Rúben Dias, João Cancelo and most recently Bernardo Silva, who has worn the armband on two occasions, making him the only player to do so more than once aside from Ronaldo during that period.

Notably, Bruno Fernandes, despite being club captain at Manchester United, has yet to captain the national side. With both Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias absent from the squad for the upcoming friendlies, Fernandes could finally get his opportunity to lead Portugal out for the first time.

With the Carabao Cup win against Arsenal, Manchester City's Pep Guardiola has extended his trophy cabinet to 40, sitting second as second most-winning head coach in soccer history.

Pep Guardiola has long been regarded as one of the finest coaches of the modern era, not only for the revolutionary tactics he has deployed across multiple countries, but for the remarkable haul of silverware he has accumulated along the way. With Manchester City‘s Carabao Cup victory over Arsenal, Guardiola now sits second on the all-time list of most decorated managers with 40 trophies.

Manchester City headed into Sunday’s final having been knocked out of the Champions League Round of 16 by Real Madrid, in need of a trophy to salvage something from the campaign. Guardiola delivered, with a disciplined and well-organized City side neutralizing an Arsenal team that struggled throughout to build from the back and create meaningful chances.

Nico O’Riley proved to be the match-winner in the second half, scoring a brace in the 60th and 64th minutes to clinch the 2025-26 Carabao Cup. The victory over his former pupil Mikel Arteta extended Guardiola’s personal trophy count to 40, ending what had been a barren previous campaign without silverware.

“Nobody – even myself – would (bet) £1 today for a victory. Arsenal were on an incredible run and we could not win against Nottingham Forest at home or West Ham away. We lost 5-1 aggregate against Real Madrid despite the fact we were 65 minutes 10 against 11. So few people, really few people, but the players proved it again – the older players and especially the new ones,” he admitted in the post-match press conference.

Pep Guardiola’s trophy cabinet

Guardiola began his managerial career with Barcelona B before being promoted to the first team in 2008, launching a career defined by sustained success, first at the Camp Nou, then at Bayern Munich, and now at Manchester City. His full trophy breakdown is as follows:

Guardiola’s 14 trophies at Barcelona (2008-2012)

• 3 La Liga titles (2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11)
• 2 Copa del Rey (2008-09, 2011-12)
• 3 Spanish Super Cups (2009, 2010, 2011)
• 2 Champions League titles (2008-09, 2010-11)
• 2 UEFA Super Cups (2009, 2011)
• 2 Club World Cups (2009, 2011)

Guardiola’s 7 trophies at Bayern Munich (2013-2016)

• 3 Bundesliga titles (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16)
• 2 German Cups (DFB-Pokal) (2013-14, 2015-16)
• 1 UEFA Super Cup (2013)
• 1 Club World Cup (2013)

Guardiola’s 19 trophies at Manchester City (2016-2026)

• 6 Premier League titles (2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24)
• 5 League Cups (Carabao Cup) (2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2025-26)
• 3 Community Shields (2018, 2019, 2024)
• 2 FA Cups (2019, 2023)
• 1 Champions League title (2022-23)
• 1 UEFA Super Cup (2023)
• 1 Club World Cup (2023)

Who is the most decorated coach in soccer history?

Guardiola’s standing at each of his three clubs is a testament to his consistent excellence, holding the record as the most decorated manager in the histories of both Barcelona and Manchester City, while his three years at Bayern still placed him second on the club’s all-time list behind Ottmar Hitzfeld (11). But he still has ground to make up before reaching the summit of the overall rankings.

That distinction belongs to Sir Alex Ferguson, whose 39-year managerial career spanning from 1974 to 2013 produced a staggering 49 trophies. Ferguson claimed 11 during his time in Scotland with St. Mirren and Aberdeen before moving to Manchester United, where he spent 27 years and added 38 more titles across domestic and European competition.

With Lionel Messi scoring a free kick, Inter Miami secured a thrilling 3-2 win over NYCFC in the 2026 MLS.

NYCFC hosted Inter Miami at Yankee Stadium on Sunday for Matchday 5 of the 2026 MLS season. With Lionel Messi once again finding the net from a free kick, the Herons secured a thrilling 3-2 victory.

Inter Miami started fast, with Gonzalo Lujan pouncing on a rebound in the box to open the scoring in the third minute. NYCFC drew level in the 17th when Nicolas Fernandez delivered a stunning free kick that clipped the crossbar and bounced in, leaving Dayne St. Clair with no chance.

The home side completed their comeback in the 59th minute when Maxi Moralez slipped a clinical pass through for Agustin Ojeda, who kept his composure in a one-on-one with St. Clair to restore NYCFC’s lead. But Messi had other ideas, and just two minutes later, the Argentine curled a free kick off Fernandez and into the net, the deflection catching Freese completely off guard to make it 2-2.

The Herons completed the turnaround in the 74th minute when Noah Allen delivered a well-weighted cross to the back post for defender Micael to rise and head home the winner. The result not only ended NYCFC’s unbeaten run but also leveled the two sides on 10 points each in the 2026 MLS standings after five games.

With his free kick against NYCFC, Messi has now extended his own personal record to 71 career free kick goals, his second from set pieces in 2026 following the one against Orlando City. The Argentine sits just one goal behind third-place Juninho Pernambucano (72) on the all-time list, with the top spot held by Marcelino Carioca on 78 firmly in his sights.

With his contract at Pumas UNAM reaching its conclusion, Keylor Navas has been reportedly linked with a reunion with Lionel Messi now at Inter Miami.

Keylor Navas has been one of the standout performers at Pumas UNAM since signing with the club in July 2025, but with his current deal nearing its expiration, his future in Mexico is increasingly uncertain. Against that backdrop, reports have emerged linking the goalkeeper with a potential reunion with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.

With the Liga MX Clausura well underway, Navas has been one of the key reasons Pumas currently sit in playoff position in fifth place, averaging 4.3 saves per game and leading the league with 2.95 goals saved according to SofaScore. But with contract extension talks failing to gain traction with the club’s front office, the Herons have moved to take advantage of the situation.

According to Esto en Línea, Inter Miami are the frontrunners to sign Navas on a free transfer. The club’s goal is to bring in the three-time Champions League winner to add elite international experience to the goalkeeping department.

The move would also mark a reunion between Navas and Messi, who shared a locker room at PSG from 2021 to 2023 and built a strong relationship during that time. That personal connection could prove to be a significant factor in tipping the negotiations in Inter Miami’s favor.

Keylor Navas ‘has nothing to sign’

Since arriving at Pumas, Navas has been an ever-present between the posts, featuring in all 29 matches and establishing himself as one of the most important players in the squad. In an interview with Kery News on YouTube, the Costa Rican admitted to being happy in Mexico but revealed that he has yet to receive any concrete offer to stay:

“My contract expires at the end of the season. If it had been up to me—if they had approached me back in December—I would have signed a renewal without any problem. But the truth is, I have nothing to sign. The club has not made me any offer, nor have they even approached me to talk. So, I’m moving forward with my life and giving my best for Pumas because I am just another ‘Puma’; I identify with the team, the fans, and its culture,” Navas said back in late February.

Could Inter Miami land Navas?

With Inter Miami now eliminated from the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, MLS competition will be their sole focus in the first half of the season before the World Cup reshapes the calendar. For the second half, the Herons appear to have Navas firmly in their sights, with his contract expiring in June and the MLS secondary transfer window opening between July 13 and September 3.

The departures of goalkeepers Óscar Ustari and William Yarbrough last season left the club with openings to fill, and Inter Miami moved in the winter window to sign Dayne St. Clair and Luis Barraza alongside the permanent return of Rocco Ríos Novo. Adding Navas to that group would inevitably create a surplus, with St. Clair in particular under scrutiny after struggling to replicate the form he showed at Minnesota United.

From a financial standpoint, however, the move makes considerable sense. Inter Miami would not need to pay a transfer fee, and the club still holds the international roster slot acquired from the New England Revolution that is set to return for the upcoming window, meaning there is a clear and plausible pathway for the former PSG teammate of Messi to make his way to South Florida.

After Noa Lang's thumb injury in the UEFA Champions League game against Liverpool, Galatasaray have taken the decision to take legal actions.

Beyond Galatasaray‘s elimination from the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16, the tie was also marked by a deeply concerning injury to Noa Lang in his thumb. The episode against Liverpool has prompted the Turkish club to pursue legal action in search of compensation.

Wednesday’s second leg at Anfield saw Liverpool deliver a dominant 4-0 victory to complete the comeback in the Champions League. With the outcome largely settled, an incident in the 76th minute took a frightening turn when Lang lost his balance and tumbled over the advertising hoarding at the side of the pitch, catching his thumb on the board as he fell.

When reporters on the other side of the hoarding asked if he was okay, Lang was visibly in severe pain, prompting medical staff to rush onto the field to attend to him. In a moment that left fans watching in horror, the Dutch winger was given oxygen before being stretchered off and taken directly to hospital. The following day, he offered a relieved update on social media: “Surgery went well! Thanks for all the messages.“

The full extent of the injury turned out to be far more graphic than television viewers initially realized, as Liverpool and Netherlands teammate Jeremie Frimpong revealed after the final whistle. “When I went to check on him, several people told me half of his finger had been torn off. He was in a lot of pain,” Frimpong said.

Galatasaray looking for compensation after Lang’s injury

Galatasaray confirmed that Lang had undergone surgery for a severe laceration to his right-hand thumb, with the injury expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks. Given that the Turkish club brought Lang in on loan for the remainder of the season, losing him to injury for an extended period represents a significant sporting and financial blow, and the club is now moving to seek accountability for what it views as a venue-related failure.

Galatasaray sporting director Eray Yazgan outlined the club’s intentions in an interview with HTSpor following the elimination. “We filed a complaint with UEFA representatives after the match. They have also conducted their own investigations and will evaluate what happened.”

“We are in talks with lawyers. We will file a lawsuit for compensation with UEFA. We will ask for our victimization in terms of salary to be eliminated,” Yazgan added. TRTSpor journalist Özgür Buzbaş subsequently illustrated how the incident unfolded, highlighting the gap between the perimeter fence and the advertising boards and explaining how that specific setup contributed to the severity of the injury.

Galatasaray’s complaint is expected to cite UEFA’s Stadium Infrastructure Regulations in relation to Lang’s injury and the conditions that allowed it to occur. The ultimate determination, however, will rest with UEFA, which will need to assess whether the advertising board was defective or improperly installed, constituting negligence, or whether the incident was simply an unfortunate accident with no structural fault involved.

After Carlo Ancelotti excluded him from the March list, Raphinha backed Neymar to be part of Brazil's squad in the 2026 World Cup.

Neymar has once again been left out of the Brazil national team squad, this time for the March international window. Despite his exclusion from what amounts to the penultimate squad before the World Cup roster is finalized, Barcelona and Brazil star Raphinha publicly threw his weight behind Neymar’s chances of making the final cut for the tournament.

Following Monday’s squad announcement, Neymar admitted to feeling “upset” by Ancelotti’s decision but vowed to keep pushing for a place at the World Cup. His cause has been taken up not only by fans but by teammates who are eager to see the Santos legend back in the fold.

Speaking at the post-match press conference after Barcelona’s game against Newcastle United on Wednesday, Raphinha was asked whether he wanted to see Neymar at the 2026 World Cup and gave a warm, unequivocal response: “I hope to see him. He’s an exceptional player-no one doubts his quality on the field or what he can do. He can decide a game, even a World Cup. As a fan, both on and off the pitch, I hope to see Neymar wearing the Brazil national team jersey again and playing the World Cup with us.“

Raphinha and Neymar formed one of Brazil’s most productive attacking partnerships during Neymar’s final appearances for the Seleção in 2023, with Raphinha operating from the right flank while the then-Al Hilal forward pulled the strings in behind the striker. The contrast between the two today could hardly be more stark, with Raphinha firmly established as one of the best attackers in world football, while Neymar’s sole focus remains simply getting fit enough to be considered.

With Brazil set to face France and Croatia in the United States, Raphinha left no doubt about what he believes Neymar can bring to those kinds of high-stakes matchups. “I believe for these friendlies he doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone about his talent, about what he can contribute to out national team. I believe that in the final call up he’ll be there with us so we can pursue our goal, which is the championship,” the winger stated.

Neymar faces shift at Santos ahead of World Cup preparation

In the game immediately following his Brazil snub, Neymar responded with a penalty goal against Internacional in Matchday 7 of the Brasileirão. However, Santos fell to a 2-1 home defeat, and the club’s executives moved swiftly afterward to relieve head coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda of his duties.

On Thursday, March 19, Santos announced they had reached an agreement to bring in Cuca as their new head coach for the remainder of the season. The legendary Brazilian manager will be embarking on his fourth stint at the club, having previously led Santos in 2008, 2018 and across the 2020-21 campaign.

Under new management, Neymar faces a reshuffled environment at Santos, with 15 games remaining across all competitions before Ancelotti announces his final World Cup squad in May. As was the case last season, Santos find themselves in relegation trouble, currently sitting 16th in the Brasileirão with six points from seven games, and the club’s hierarchy is clearly hoping a change in the dugout can turn the tide, particularly with continental competition also on the agenda this year.

Lionel Messi once again suffered a backlash with the national team as Argentina has been reportedly left without friendlies in the March window, and now AFA are scrambling to find potential new opponents.

The AFA appeared to have salvaged Argentina‘s March schedule with a pair of last-minute friendlies following the collapse of the Qatar tour and the Finalissima cancellation. But with fewer than 90 days until the World Cup kicks off, Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste have been left with nothing on the calendar, and the federation is now scrambling once again to find solutions.

Messi had been set to face Guatemala at La Bombonera on the 31st, with details of a potential second game against Honduras on the 27th also emerging in recent hours. However, since both Central American nations were already committed to friendlies in Europe during the same window, the arrangements ran into a FIFA regulation, and despite initial reports suggesting approval had been granted, both fixtures have now fallen through.

According to ESPN and Argentina insider Esteban Edul, both friendlies are officially off. While the specific reasons have not been disclosed, FIFA’s rule prohibiting a national team from playing on two different continents during the same international window appears to be the central sticking point.

In Guatemala’s case, Los Chapines had already arranged a friendly against Algeria, Argentina’s first-round World Cup opponent, to be played in Italy on March 27. Honduras, meanwhile, were set to travel to Spain to face Peru on the 31st. Both nations had one remaining slot available, which Argentina could theoretically have filled, but the intercontinental travel requirements made the logistics impossible under FIFA’s regulations.

What are the potential new rivals?

Back to square one, Argentina are set to begin their training camp at Ezeiza in the coming week with no friendly confirmed. Any new game would have to be played on home soil, which significantly limits the pool of available opponents given how many nations already have their schedules locked in.

According to Edul, AFA officials have now shifted their focus toward African national teams, racing against the clock to secure opponents for both March 27 and 31, with the players named in the squad set to begin arriving on Monday ahead of training.

One option that had been floated in local reports even before the Guatemala and Honduras deals fell through was a friendly against the Argentina Under-20 side. Messi’s national team did play against the youth squad on March 22, 2025, in a charity match held for fundraising purposes.

The prospect of the defending world champions being reduced to playing an internal game against their own Under-20 team, unable to arrange a fixture against any other national team, would represent a deeply uncomfortable moment for the AFA with the World Cup just around the corner.

After the cancelation of the Finalissima, Lionel Messi is now reportedly close to play two friendlies with Argentina national team in the March international break.

Argentina have found themselves in a difficult position following the Finalissima cancellation, left without a single confirmed match for the March international window. But with federations around the world already releasing their call-up lists, relief appears to be on the way, as the AFA is reportedly close to locking in two friendlies for Lionel Messi and his teammates.

In the immediate aftermath of the Spain and Qatar cancellations, the AFA moved quickly to arrange a friendly against Guatemala on March 31, a game that was briefly thrown into doubt due to a FIFA regulation. However, as reported by ESPN‘s Esteban Edul, AFA president Claudio Tapia attended a meeting to secure authorization for the match, which is now set to be played at La Bombonera at 8:15 p.m. local time.

In that same meeting, Tapia also requested authorization for a second friendly on home soil, this time on Friday, March 27, the date originally reserved for the Finalissima in Doha.

A rival for that game has yet to be officially confirmed, but local reports point to a Central American nation as the most likely opponent, with Honduras emerging as the leading candidate. The Albiceleste had been expected to face La Bicolor during the June window ahead of the World Cup, but those plans have since been shelved, and both federations are now looking to bring that fixture forward to March.

That game, also expected to be played at La Bombonera, faces the same rule and logistical hurdles as the Guatemala match. Honduras had been planning to travel to Madrid on March 23 for a training camp ahead of their only scheduled friendly against Peru on the 31st at the Municipal de Butarque stadium, meaning both federations will need a special FIFA permit for the game to be officially sanctioned.

Final details are still being discussed, but an official announcement is expected within hours. Edul also noted that if both friendlies are confirmed, the AFA may look to expand the squad list for the March window.

A chance for Messi to bid farewell to Argentine fans

The cancellation of the Qatar Football Festival, while a disappointment on one level, has inadvertently created an opportunity for Argentina to stage games on home soil, giving the team a chance to say goodbye to their fans before departing for North America and the 2026 World Cup. For Messi, it could represent one of his last meaningful appearances in his homeland.

Now 38 and set to turn 39 during the tournament itself, Messi’s time with the national team is inevitably drawing to a close, with a retirement announcement expected sooner rather than later. The manner of Ángel Di María’s exit serves as a cautionary tale of sorts, with the winger quietly stepping away after Argentina’s 2024 Copa América triumph without a formal farewell, despite being central to the team’s recent golden era. Those close to the current setup will be hoping Messi’s final chapter unfolds with the sendoff it deserves.

With concerns over his injury far from fading, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez admits having no guarantee that Cristiano Ronaldo will be taking part in the 2026 World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s recent injury has set off alarm bells not only at Al Nassr but within the Portugal national team, particularly with the 2026 World Cup fewer than 90 days away. As attention turns to the March international window, head coach Roberto Martínez has admitted he cannot guarantee that Ronaldo will be fit to participate in the tournament in North America.

Still recovering from the hamstring injury he sustained on February 28, Ronaldo’s availability for Portugal’s friendlies against Mexico and the USMNT remains very much in the air, with Martínez indicating that a decision will be made when he announces his squad next Friday.

In an interview with the Observador YouTube channel, Martínez was asked whether Portugal‘s medical staff had given him any assurance that Ronaldo would be fit for the World Cup. The Spanish coach offered no such comfort: “No one can provide that guarantee. If I had that guarantee, I would have called the player up now.“

Pressed on his earlier assessment of the injury as minor, Martínez was equally measured. “Cristiano currently has a minor injury, but he still has more matches with his club. Football is a contact sport, and I can’t guarantee that players won’t get injured.“

Beyond the March friendlies, where his involvement is already in serious doubt, Ronaldo has up to nine more matches scheduled with Al Nassr before the end of the 2025-26 season across the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League. That number could fluctuate depending on how the club manages his workload, but with the World Cup so close, his fitness will be a topic under daily review.

Portugal looking to avoid a repeat of 2014

At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Portugal had a disappointing campaign, bowing out in the group stage as Germany and the United States advanced from Group G. Ronaldo’s contribution was significantly hampered by a patellar tendinitis issue in his left knee, sustained after pushing through the Champions League final that season. He managed just one goal in the tournament, against Ghana, and the experience left a lasting mark on how his fitness heading into major competitions is assessed.

The parallels with his current hamstring injury and the risk of it being aggravated have inevitably raised concerns about history repeating itself. Asked directly whether a similar scenario could unfold at the 2026 World Cup, Martínez expressed confidence in his ability to handle the situation.

“It’s my responsibility to create the best possible environment for our team, so that all players in the dressing room enjoy representing Portugal and contributing at the World Cup. I have a lot of experience in this area,” he said, before drawing on a precedent from his time with Belgium. “For example, when I was with Belgium, I had a player who was only medically fit for the third match. At that point, it becomes a matter of making a decision.

“It’s a decision: either include the player or leave him out. The decision was the right one, we included the player, and he played in the third match. And then he was able to take part in the next four matches. What I can say is that we have an excellent relationship with our medical department which has extensive experience that allows it to gather all the necessary information to make the right decision.“

The coach was referring to his experience with Belgium captain Vincent Kompany, who suffered a groin injury in a friendly against Portugal in June 2018, just weeks before the World Cup in Russia. Martínez opted to include him anyway, and after sitting out the first two group games and featuring for 16 minutes in the third against England, Kompany went on to play the full 90 minutes across Belgium’s next four matches until the game for the 3rd place.

Lionel Messi reached 900 goals in his career after a great definition in Inter Miami's game in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Nashville SC.

Inter Miami hosted Nashville SC in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 at Chase Stadium on Wednesday. With a stunning crossed finish, Lionel Messi broke the deadlock and reached the historic milestone of 900 career goals in the process.

After a tightly contested first leg that ended goalless at Geodis Park, Inter Miami came out determined to take control of the tie from the opening minutes, breaking through in the seventh. Rodrigo De Paul drove forward and shifted the play to the left for Sergio Reguilon to deliver a cross into the box, where Messi brought the ball under control under pressure before whipping a crossed shot into the far corner.

Messi had entered the match on 899 career goals, having had the chance to reach the milestone in last week’s first leg at Nashville but failing to find the net. He then sat out the weekend’s MLS fixture against Charlotte FC to rest ahead of tonight’s decisive clash, a decision that paid off almost immediately.

Beyond the milestone itself, Messi has become only the second player in soccer history to reach 900 career goals across club and international soccer, joining Cristiano Ronaldo in that exclusive company. Notably, the Argentine appears to have reached the mark at a faster pace than the Portuguese legend did before him.

The road to the 1,000-goal mark

With 900 now in the rearview mirror, the next landmark is 1,000 career goals, a figure Cristiano Ronaldo is steadily closing in on with 965. Whether Lionel Messi, now 38 years old, can realistically get there is a more complex question.

Following his departure from Barcelona, Messi’s club output dipped considerably, managing just 11 and 21 goals across his two seasons at PSG. His first two years in MLS were similarly modest by his standards, with 11 goals in a partial 2023 season and 23 in 2024, a campaign disrupted by injury.

The 2025 season, however, represented a genuine turning point. Fully adapted to life in MLS, Messi registered 43 goals across all competitions with Inter Miami and added three more with the Argentina national team, for a combined total of 46 in a single calendar year. With four goals already in five games to start 2026, and his Inter Miami contract running through December 2028, sustaining anything close to that pace would put the 1,000-goal milestone within reach, a feat that not long ago would have seemed unthinkable for a player at his stage of career.

With the Round of 16 over, the date and duels for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League have been determined.

The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 has concluded, with eight teams eliminated and eight others punching their tickets to the quarterfinals. With the bracket predetermined, there is no need for a draw, and the quarterfinal matchups and schedule are already set.

The Round of 16 produced several stunning results, with a number of sides that had finished in the top eight during the league phase falling to opponents who had to come through the playoff round just to reach this stage.

Among the top-eight finishers who were eliminated are Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester City, while Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Bodø/Glimt, Newcastle United, and Galatasaray also made early exits. Arsenal and Liverpool are the only two English club remaining in the competition.

Who is playing in the UCL quarterfinals?

When the Round of 16 draw was made, UEFA also mapped out the full path each side would need to follow to reach the Champions League final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. The quarterfinal matchups are as follows:

• Paris Saint-Germain vs. Liverpool
• Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich
• Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid
• Sporting CP vs. Arsenal

In the semifinals, the winner of Sporting CP-Arsenal will face the winner of Barcelona-Atlético Madrid, while on the other side of the bracket, the winner of PSG-Liverpool will take on the winner of Real Madrid-Bayern Munich.

When are the UCL quarterfinals?

The first legs of the quarterfinal ties will be played on Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 8, the week after the March international break concludes. On the 7th, Sporting CP will host Arsenal at Estádio José Alvalade, while Real Madrid welcome Bayern Munich to the Santiago Bernabéu. On the 8th, Barcelona host Atlético Madrid at the Camp Nou, and PSG welcome Galatasaray to the Parc des Princes.

The second legs follow the week after. On Tuesday, April 14, Atlético Madrid host Barcelona at the Metropolitano, and Galatasaray host PSG at their home ground. Then on Wednesday, April 15, Arsenal host Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium, and Bayern Munich welcome Real Madrid to the Allianz Arena.

After Lamine Yamal turned into the youngest player ever to score 10 goals in the history of the UEFA Champions League, questions raised on how both competition legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were performing at his age.

Lamine Yamal continues to rewrite the record books in the UEFA Champions League, with the competition emerging as his latest stage for history-making ahead of the World Cup. The Spanish winger has now become the youngest player in the history of the tournament to reach 10 goals, prompting a natural comparison with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the two greatest scorers the competition has ever seen.

Barcelona hosted Newcastle United in the second leg of the Round of 16 at the Camp Nou following a 1-1 draw at St. James’ Park. The game produced a thrilling opening, with Raphinha, Marc Bernal and Anthony Elanga, who scored twice, making it 2-2, before Yamal stepped up just before halftime to convert a penalty and give Barcelona a 3-2 lead, his tenth Champions League goal in the process.

With that penalty, Yamal became the youngest player in Champions League history to reach 10 goals, achieving the milestone at just 18 years old. He has been remarkably consistent in the competition, scoring five goals in the 2024-25 season before adding five more in the current 2025-26 campaign.

The record he surpassed belonged to Kylian Mbappé, who had reached 10 Champions League goals at 19 years old, split across his time at AS Monaco and PSG. Besides, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, Yamal also became the youngest player ever to score in back-to-back Champions League knockout matches, having also netted from the spot in the first leg at St. James’ Park.

How were Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo performing at Yamal’s age?

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the two greatest scorers in Champions League history, sitting first and second on the all-time list with 140 and 129 goals respectively. Yet when it comes to their early years in the competition, Yamal has already left both legends well behind at the same age.

Ronaldo made his Champions League debut for Manchester United in October 2003 at 18 years old, but did not score his first goal in the competition until April 2007, when he netted a brace against AS Roma at the age of 22.

Messi’s debut came even earlier, at just 17 years old against Shakhtar Donetsk in December 2004. His first Champions League goal followed in November 2005 against Panathinaikos, the only goal he managed in the competition at age 18. That leaves Yamal with a nine-goal advantage over Messi at the same stage of his career, and a ten-goal lead over Ronaldo, a gap that underlines just how extraordinary his early development has been.

While keeping his dream to be in the 2026 World Cup alive, Neymar opened up about his potential final year playing for the Brazil national team.

Neymar has once again missed out on a Brazil squad call-up for the March international window, leaving him fewer than 90 days to convince Carlo Ancelotti to include him in the final World Cup roster. While holding on to his dream of featuring in North America this summer, the Santos forward spoke candidly about the possibility that this could be his final chapter with the national team.

At 34 years old and having spent extended periods on the sidelines over recent years, questions have grown louder about whether Neymar can still force his way back into the Seleção picture. The forward, however, remains optimistic that the 2026 World Cup can serve as a fitting final act in one of the most celebrated international careers in Brazilian history.

In a video posted to his official YouTube channel, prior to Monday’s squad announcement, Neymar offered a remarkably candid reflection on what lies ahead: “Obviously it is my last World Cup… I don’t know it’s my last year in the national team. But it’s coming to an end and we have to know that. I always tell my family and friends: Enjoy it as much as you can, keep watching the games because it will end.“

Despite having been absent from the national team since October 2023 and operating far from the European spotlight, Neymar insists he still has something to offer to Brazil. “I can help the national team. I can help in any way. I know the qualities that I have and I know the power that I have on the field, and I know I can add to the team. Obviously I want to go to the World Cup. Obviously this moves me too,” he added.

At his press conference, Ancelotti left the door firmly open, reiterating that Neymar could still earn a place at the World Cup provided he reaches full fitness. The Italian coach made clear that the only deciding factor is physical condition, and that Neymar’s quality on the ball is beyond question.

Neymar’s reaction to Ancelotti’s snub

When Ancelotti named his squad for the friendlies against France and Croatia on Monday, Neymar’s name was once again absent, with the coach citing his fitness as the determining factor. The omission hit the forward hard, though he made clear he has not given up on making the final list to be announced in May.

The moment played out in real time. In the video, Neymar was shown undergoing a muscular recovery session the day after the Santos-Corinthians derby, watching the press conference live as Ancelotti ran through the squad. As the coach concluded his list of forwards without mentioning his name, Neymar’s reaction said everything.

“Hey Ancelotti, what about me?” he said as the list was read out. “The national team squad has just been announced. We were not called up. I’m sad, obviously, that’s what I said yesterday: I’ll always root for the national team, right? And everything’s fine, now it’s time to keep working, keep improving in everything. And if there’s an opportunity, be prepared.“

Speaking on his way to Santos’ training facility, Neymar struck a defiant tone, channeling his disappointment into motivation. “I was upset, you know, I was sad. But that’s what I say: Now I’m sad but for me is a done deal. Tomorrow I have to stop being sad. I need to work, train, play… so if an opportunity arises to be at the World Cup, I’m prepared,” Neymar added.

Set to face Guatemala in a friendly, reports revealed that Lionel Messi's Argentina is set to repeat the farewell formula from Argentine fans from the 2022 World Cup prior to the 2026 edition.

The Argentina FA has managed to arrange a last-minute friendly against Guatemala in what will serve as the final international break before the national team heads to North America to defend the World Cup title. With that mission firmly in mind, Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste are set to replicate the same pre-tournament farewell formula that preceded their triumph in 2022.

After the Finalissima against Spain was canceled alongside the planned clash with Qatar, Argentina found themselves in a difficult spot, left without a single match for the March window with fewer than two weeks to go before the scheduled dates. With most nations’ calendars already full, Messi and company appeared destined to simply train at Argentina’s Ezeiza facility, with some reports even suggesting a potential internal game against the Under-20 side.

Then, on Tuesday, came the confirmation that the AFA had secured a friendly against Guatemala on March 31, the very date the South American federation had originally proposed for the Finalissima against Spain. While kickoff times are yet to be announced, the venue has already been identified.

As confirmed by AFA, the Argentina-Guatemala match will be held at La Bombonera, Boca Juniors’ iconic stadium in Buenos Aires, which holds approximately 57,200 fans. The game will give Messi the chance to say farewell to the home supporters before the squad departs for the World Cup, with no friendlies currently scheduled in the May/June window either.

Argentina typically plays home matches at El Monumental, River Plate’s ground, given its far larger capacity of more than 85,000. However, rock band AC/DC will be occupying the venue as part of their Power Up Tour 2026, leaving the AFA with no choice but to find an alternative.

Argentina repeating the farewell formula from the 2022 World Cup

While the Finalissima’s cancellation and the need to scramble for a last-minute game against a nation that did not even qualify for the World Cup like Guatemala was far from ideal, it has opened up an unexpected opportunity for Argentine fans to send their players off at home. And with that chance now in hand, the AFA appears set to recreate the pre-tournament ritual that preceded their greatest triumph in a generation.

Before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Argentina’s final home game was a 3-0 victory over Venezuela in the CONMEBOL qualifiers on March 26, played at La Bombonera. From there, Messi completed the remaining qualifiers, traveled to London for the Finalissima against Italy, and then played four more friendlies, all on foreign soil, before lifting the trophy in Doha.

Heading into 2026, the Albiceleste are now poised to begin that journey in exactly the same place, a coincidence that, whether superstition or not, the Argentine faithful will be only too happy to embrace.

After his brace against Manchester City, Vinicius Junior turned into the second all-time non-European goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage, now only trailing Lionel Messi.

Vinicius Junior was the standout performer for Real Madrid in their Champions League clash against Manchester City, proving decisive in the 2-1 victory with a match-winning brace. In doing so, the Brazilian has climbed to second place on the all-time list of non-European scorers in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, trailing only Lionel Messi.

Forced to chase the game after their 3-0 first-leg defeat, Manchester City pushed forward in search of the improbable. But their hopes were effectively extinguished early, first by Bernardo Silva’s red card and the subsequent Vinícius penalty, and then by the Brazilian’s stoppage-time tap-in to complete a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium and book Real Madrid’s place in the quarterfinals.

The brace moved Vinicius level with Senegalese legend and former Liverpool star Sadio Mané on 15 goals in the Champions League knockout stages, making the pair the joint-second highest non-European scorers in the competition’s history in that phase.

In doing so, Vinicius surpassed former Chelsea and Ivory Coast icon Didier Drogba, whose tally of 14 knockout stage goals included his iconic header against Bayern Munich in the 2011-12 final, as well as a goal in the quarterfinals against Real Madrid during a brief stint with Galatasaray.

Vinicius’ overall Champions League tally now stands at 34 goals in 80 games, with nearly half of those (44%) coming in the knockout stages rather than the group phase. Having recently matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s assist record for Real Madrid in the competition with 31, the Brazilian continues to rewrite the record books, now measuring himself against the very greatest names in the sport.

Messi, a difficult mark for Vinicius to surpass

When it comes to Champions League goals, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi stand alone at the summit, the competition’s two greatest ever scorers and the defining figures of their respective nations in the tournament. But even for a player of Vinícius’ caliber, closing the gap on Messi in the knockout stage rankings will be an enormous task.

Messi holds the record for most knockout stage goals by a non-European player with 49, leaving a gap of 34 between himself and Vinícius. In the competition overall, the Argentine’s tally stands at 129 goals including the group stage, with 38% of those coming in the knockout rounds, underlining just how consistently he elevated his game when it mattered most.

Crucially, all 49 of those knockout stage goals were scored while Messi was at Barcelona, before his departure in 2021. During his time at PSG, he featured in two Round of 16 series, against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively, but the French side were eliminated on both occasions and Messi failed to add to his tally. That record, then, remains frozen in time, and while Vinícius is still very much in his prime and adding to his own count, catching Messi still appears a monumental, if not impossible, task.

With Vinicius Junior starring with a brace, Real Madrid secured their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Manchester City.

Manchester City hosted Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, March 17, for the second leg of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. A brace from Vinicius Junior ensured the Citizens could not complete the comeback, as Los Blancos sealed a 2-1 victory on the night and advanced on aggregate.

The game opened with chances at both ends, but it was Real Madrid who broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute under controversial circumstances. Bernardo Silva blocked a Vinicius Junior shot with his arm inside the box, earning a red card in the process, and the Brazilian stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, sending Donnarumma the wrong way.

Despite being reduced to ten men, City responded with spirit and drew level in the 41st minute when Jeremy Doku whipped in a cross that the Madrid defense failed to deal with, leaving Haaland with a simple tap-in. However, Vinicius Junior had the final word, prodding home in the 90th-plus-third minute to restore the advantage and, combined with the emphatic 3-0 first-leg result, seal Real Madrid’s place in the quarterfinals.

Los Blancos will now await the outcome of the Bayern Munich-Atalanta tie to learn their quarterfinal opponent in the Champions League. The German side took a commanding 6-1 lead from the first leg in Italy and are expected to wrap up qualification when they host the return fixture at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

Looking for a ticket to the Champions League quarterfinals against Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal won't be counting with star Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal are bidding for a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal spot against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium. But fans hoping to see the Gunners at full strength will be disappointed, with Martin Odegaard absent from the squad entirely.

Odegaard will play no part in the second leg of the Round of 16 against Leverkusen due to a knee injury. Head coach Mikel Arteta confirmed as much at Monday’s pre-match press conference, ruling out the Norway captain alongside Jurrien Timber, another key figure who will miss the game.

The midfielder has been managing the knee issue since late February, making his last appearance in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, where he lasted just 13 minutes. Since that February 22 outing, Odegaard has sat out Arsenal’s last five matches, including the first leg against Leverkusen.

The Norwegian addressed his situation in his pre-match program notes ahead of the Everton fixture: “I’m desperate to get back to playing as soon as I can. It’s been difficult for me with the knee injury lately, but I’m working as hard as I can to get back to full fitness now. The main thing is to be 100% again, and make sure I can properly help the team.“

The first leg at the BayArena ended in a 1-1 draw, with Robert Andrich and Kai Havertz getting on the scoresheet. With home support behind them at the Emirates, Arsenal will be confident of advancing, though they will need to do so without one of their most influential players.

Arsenal aiming to have Odegaard back for City

Beyond Tuesday’s Leverkusen clash in the Champions League, Arsenal face another major occasion on the horizon, with the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City scheduled for Sunday, March 22. For that showpiece, Arteta is hopeful of having Odegaard available.

Speaking at Monday’s press conference, the Spanish coach offered a cautiously optimistic update: “So we’re really pushing, he really wants to try to be available, but we’ll have to wait and see in the next few days when he trains with the team how he feels. We know the game that we’re going to be playing in a few days again, and the more players that we have the better.“

After getting called up to the latest USMNT list with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, head coach Mauricio Pochettino addressed star Christian Pulisic's goalscoring drought.

Christian Pulisic has been going through a prolonged goalscoring drought that stands in stark contrast to the sparkling form he showed at the start of the season. With the 2026 World Cup just three months away, head coach Mauricio Pochettino addressed Pulisic’s form while announcing his latest USMNT squad.

Pochettino named his squad for the March international window, which will see the USMNT face Belgium on the 28th and Portugal on the 31st. Pulisic earned his place back in the fold after sitting out the November window, a mutual decision between AC Milan and the national team to give the forward time to fully recover from injury.

At Tuesday’s press conference, Pochettino was asked about Pulisic’s return and offered a measured assessment: “With Christian, well, I never mention the performance of the teams or the clubs. We see the players and Christian is playing. He’s not scoring, but for me, it’s not only about scoring goals.“

The Argentine coach went on to frame the call-up as an opportunity for Pulisic to find his footing ahead of the tournament. “I’m happy with him and the way he’s performing, the way he’s committed with the team, and also with the time he’s playing. It’s a great opportunity for him to join us and to perform with us, and to help him to arrive in the best condition to be selected also for the last roster,” Pochettino added.

After a blistering start to the Serie A season that saw Pulisic score eight goals in his first 10 appearances and claim the Player of the Month award in September, injuries have taken a heavy toll on his momentum. In the last 12 AC Milan matches, Pulisic has played in 11 but has failed to score or register a single assist.

His last goal dates back to December 28, 2025, when he found the net in a 3-0 win over Hellas Verona. Despite the dry spell, Pochettino made clear he has not lost faith in “Captain America,” even as his contributions in front of goal in 2026 have left plenty to be desired.

Pochettino leaves the door open to new players

With the USMNT set to face testing opponents in Belgium and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, expectations were high for Pochettino to name a squad as close as possible to his intended World Cup roster. However, the absence of players like Alejandro Zendejas prompted questions about whether those left out still have a realistic path to the tournament.

Pochettino addressed the situation directly when asked about Zendejas, making clear that nothing is set in stone: “The decision from this roster, what I can tell you is that, where everyone is saying that maybe it’s the last opportunity, but it’s not closed, it’s still open. It’s not the final roster. Like we were talking about Gio (Reyna), Alejandro I know him very well, how he can adapt to the dynamic of the group, how he can work, but even Diego Luna or some players that are not here, or are injured and don’t have the opportunity to be with us, it’s not closed.“

Set to face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa revealed the availability of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.

Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham have been two of Real Madrid‘s most significant absentees over the past several weeks, both sidelined through injury. With the UEFA Champions League second leg against Manchester City now just around the corner, head coach Álvaro Arbeloa addressed the availability of the star pair ahead of the trip to the Etihad.

With the Round of 16 second leg scheduled for Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium, Real Madrid’s traveling squad included both Bellingham and Mbappe among the called-up players. Both the Englishman and the Frenchman participated in the training session at the Etihad, though the nature of their involvement immediately became a talking point given their respective injury situations.

When asked at his pre-match press conference whether either player would see minutes, Arbeloa addressed Bellingham first: “Bellingham was the one who wanted to travel with his teammates to be with the team. He is going to continue his recovery and will take part in a portion of the training session, but he won’t be involved tomorrow. It’s very important for his teammates to see him back training. He is going to be one of our leaders, and it’s important that he is here with us.“

Having ruled Bellingham out, Arbeloa was notably more upbeat about Mbappé. “Mbappe is now available, so you will see tomorrow,” the interim head coach said, with the Frenchman expected to come off the bench rather than start.

⏱️ Training time! pic.twitter.com/0f4rZfgqTT

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 16, 2026

Bellingham has been out of action since February 1, when he sustained an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg during a match against Rayo Vallecano, and has yet to return to full fitness. Mbappe, meanwhile, was absent for the first leg with a knee sprain, and after reports of a trip to Paris to consult specialists about his treatment, is now in line to feature in the second leg as Madrid chase a place in the quarterfinals.

Do Real Madrid really need Mbappe?

Real Madrid’s 2025-26 season has been turbulent, opening with a Club World Cup defeat before Xabi Alonso was dismissed as head coach following the Spanish Super Cup final loss. Amid the upheaval, Mbappe’s contributions had been the one consistent bright spot, with his lack of defensive effort overshadowed by a staggering return of 38 goals in 33 games.

Despite leading the scoring charts in both La Liga and the Champions League, questions have emerged over whether Real Madrid actually depend on Mbappé to win. Across the eight games he has missed through injury, Los Blancos have recorded six wins against just two defeats.

The Champions League, in particular, has told an interesting story in his absence. Madrid beat Benfica 2-1 in the playoff second leg without him before dismantling Manchester City 3-0 in the first leg, a performance so dominant that it prompted genuine debate over whether Mbappe’s inclusion could actually disrupt the team’s tactical balance.

Arbeloa was asked directly whether Real Madrid were better without Mbappe, and the coach turned the question into a tribute to his squad’s depth: “It is difficult to think that a team could be more competitive without the best player in the world. However, that says a lot about the Real Madrid squad—about the effort many of the players are putting in, and the level and quality of so many of them. So, I am happy that even without having the best player in the world on the pitch, people are speaking so highly of how the team is performing.“

Lionel Messi is set to have his squad boosted as Inter Miami are reportedly closing in the signing of a 18-year-old Argentine through the 2026 MLS season.

Inter Miami have approached the 2026 MLS primary transfer window aggressively, landing numerous signings and committing over $40 million in investments. Now, as part of a move with one eye on the future, Lionel Messi‘s squad is reportedly set to receive another addition in the form of an 18-year-old Argentine.

With the primary transfer window closing on March 26 and Inter Miami holding an international roster slot acquired from the New England Revolution, speculation has been building over one final addition to the squad. Despite co-owner Jorge Mas being coy about any further incoming business, the Herons have been moving quietly on a young signing with around 10 days left in the window.

According to transfer expert César Luis Merlo, Inter Miami are closing in on the signing of Matías Acevedo. Reports of a potential move first surfaced in early March, but the club has now decided to push the deal through in the current window rather than waiting until the summer.

The agreement with Argentine club Racing Club will see Acevedo join on a one-year loan through December 2026, with an option to buy included in the deal. The structure mirrors the arrangement Inter Miami previously used to bring in Baltazar Rodríguez, who ultimately returned to Argentina when the purchase option was not triggered, though the Herons later pursued a permanent deal that never materialized.

According to the Argentine journalist, Acevedo will initially be integrated into Inter Miami II rather than going straight into first-team contention. Before making his move to the United States, the teenager will first renew his contract with Racing, with both clubs currently exchanging documents to finalize the transfer.

Inter Miami and a move aimed at the future

Beyond recent additions such as Mateo Silvetti (19), David Ayala (23) and Rocco Ríos Novo (23), Inter Miami’s transfer activity across the last two windows has largely targeted players aged 25 and above, whether MLS-proven commodities or established names from Europe and South America. The Acevedo deal signals something different, a commitment not to the present, but to the longer-term vision of the franchise.

The 18-year-old has been operating in Racing’s reserve setup as an attacking midfielder, capable of playing across either flank and particularly effective in one-on-one situations. However, given that he has just one first-team appearance for Racing to his name, the likelihood of him breaking into Inter Miami’s senior squad and featuring alongside Messi from the outset is minimal.

With the 2026 MLS season set to be compressed by the World Cup running from June through July, fixtures across all competitions will be packed tightly with limited rest periods in between. Acevedo’s arrival will add depth to help navigate that congested schedule, while also serving as a reflection of Inter Miami’s broader ambitions as a club that is building not just for now, but for the years ahead.

After revealing feeling "upset" over Carlo Ancelotti's decision to leave him out of the Brazil squad for the March friendlies, Neymar stated that his World Cup dreams are still alive.

Neymar has officially been left out of the Brazil national team squad for the March international window, despite the anticipation built up around a potential return among both the player and his supporters. While he admitted to being “upset” by coach Carlo Ancelotti‘s decision, the Brazilian legend’s dream of featuring at the 2026 World Cup is far from over.

At Monday’s press conference, Ancelotti named his 26-man squad for the Seleção‘s North American tour, which will include friendlies against France and Croatia. With tens of thousands of fans calling for Neymar’s inclusion during a YouTube livestream and across social media, the forward was ultimately left off the list despite having played in Santos’ most recent game.

Following the announcement, Neymar attended a Kings League match for his team Furia against DesimpedN in São Paulo, and while in the president’s box, he grabbed a microphone to address his exclusion directly: “I’m going to speak out here because I can’t just let this slide. Obviously, I’m upset and sad that I wasn’t called up.“

Despite the disappointment, Neymar made clear his determination to keep pushing for a place at his fourth World Cup. “But the focus remains—day after day, training after training, game after game. The focus remains. We’re going to achieve our goal. There is still the final squad selection to come,” said Neymar.

Ancelotti had traveled to Mirassol on March 10 to watch the game between Mirassol FC and Santos, with the specific intention of evaluating Neymar in action. The forward, however, sat out the match as a precautionary rest rather than due to injury, a decision that reportedly caused frustration within the CBF and among Ancelotti’s coaching staff.

During the press conference, Ancelotti was candid about his reasoning while keeping the door firmly open for the future: “Neymar can be at the World Cup. If he can reach 100% fitness during the World Cup, then obviously Neymar can be there. Why isn’t Neymar in this squad? Because he isn’t at 100% right now, and I need players who are at 100%. Neymar has to keep working, playing, and proving his quality and his physical condition.“

How will Neymar prepare for the World Cup?

With Ancelotti leaving the door open for Neymar to earn a place in Brazil’s final World Cup roster, the Santos forward has one clear mission: reach full fitness and force his way back into the Italian coach’s thinking. The roadmap from here is straightforward.

Absent from the March window, Neymar’s next major deadline is the final squad announcement, scheduled for May 19. Between now and then, he will have the opportunity to feature in up to 10 Brasileirão matches, two Copa do Brasil games and four Copa Sudamericana fixtures, giving him as many as 16 appearances with Santos to make his case, with each one carrying the weight of a must-win audition for a spot on the plane to North America.

With the friendlies against Mexico and the USMNT scheduled for March, Portugal FA has reportedly submitted a call-up request to Al Nassr for Cristiano Ronaldo, prompting questions over his availability.

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s latest injury has cast serious doubt over his participation in the March international window, with the forward already having been sidelined for more than two weeks. Recent reports, however, have struck a more optimistic tone, with the Portugal Football Federation reportedly submitting an official call-up request to Al Nassr, raising the question of whether Ronaldo will feature against Mexico and the USMNT without match fitness.

With Portugal set to travel to North America for friendlies against Mexico on the 28th and the USMNT on the 31st, anticipation had been building for Ronaldo’s return to the continent ahead of the World Cup. According to TUDN Mexico, the FPF has already formally sent its call-up request to the Saudi club, signaling the federation’s intent to include the star in the tour squad.

The request submitted to Al Nassr covers both Ronaldo and fellow Portuguese forward João Félix, who was part of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League-winning campaign. The key determining factor will be Al Nassr’s forthcoming medical report on Ronaldo’s condition, which is expected to clarify his availability ahead of the squad announcement scheduled for Friday, March 20.

As the Mexican outlet reports, head coach Roberto Martínez is keen to have Ronaldo present during the training camp. However, given the nature of his injury, the striker is unlikely to see game time in either the Mexico or USMNT friendlies.

Ronaldo’s injury occurred on February 28, when a hamstring problem forced him off during a match. With a reported recovery window of up to four weeks, and having already missed Al Nassr’s last two fixtures, pushing him into action against either Mexico or the USMNT would risk exposing him to a potentially more serious setback.

Cristiano Ronaldo, a fundamental piece for Roberto Martínez’s Portugal

Without a fit Ronaldo available for the March friendlies, Portugal’s expected commercial returns from the North American tour are likely to take a hit. The situation also raises a fair question: why call up an injured player rather than use the opportunity to blood someone new?

The answer becomes clear when you consider what Ronaldo represents, both on and off the field, for the Portuguese national team. At 41 years old, the former Real Madrid superstar is still performing at a high level, leading the scoring charts under Martínez’s tenure, with a run of 13 goals in his last 14 international appearances.

Speaking at the Portugal Football Summit podcast back on February 23, Martínez made his admiration for Ronaldo abundantly clear: “I have never worked with a player who, every single morning, focuses on trying to make the most of the day to improve. If we could have Cristiano forever, it would be the easiest way to train younger players as they join the national team, because he possesses that level of focus. His desire is to seize every day to get better.“

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly facing a format change from the AFC in the Champions League Two games that could jeopardize Al Nassr's aspirations.

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s stated goal ahead of the 2026 World Cup is to end Al Nassr‘s long wait for silverware, with the Saudi Pro League serving as the primary target, though the AFC Champions League Two has also emerged as a realistic opportunity. After the original fixtures were postponed, the Portuguese star is now reportedly set to contend with a format change from the AFC for the remainder of the competition.

After eliminating Arkadag FK, Al Nassr were scheduled to face Dubai side Al Wasl in the quarterfinals of the Champions League Two, with the first leg on March 4 and the return leg on March 11. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East forced the AFC to postpone those games, and with the schedule now heavily compressed, a significant structural change is reportedly on the way.

According to Asharq Al Awsat, the AFC is set to announce on Monday that the quarterfinals and semifinals of the Champions League Two will be condensed into single-leg matches played at a neutral venue between April 19 and 22. Rather than factoring in the home regions of the participating clubs, the games are expected to be held in either Oman or Qatar.

The change represents a notable setback compared to the original format, under which Al Nassr would have traveled to Dubai for the first leg before having the opportunity to seal qualification at home in the return fixture. Moving to a neutral venue removes that advantage, which could prove costly given the Saudi side’s extraordinary home record this season.

Al Awwal Park has been one of the most difficult venues in Asia to visit during the 2025-26 campaign. In the Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr have posted a record of 11 wins and just one defeat across 12 home matches, conceding only eight goals, the fewest of any team at home in the division. In the AFC Champions League Two, they have won all four home games while conceding just once.

Al Nassr and the possibility of playing at home

Beyond the Al Nassr-Al Wasl quarterfinal, the AFC will also need to find venues for the other Middle Eastern tie, between Al Ahli Doha and Al Hussein Irbid. On the other side of the bracket, Japanese side Gamba Osaka and Thailand’s Bangkok United have already completed their quarterfinal fixtures and are set to meet in the semifinals.

According to Saudi journalist Khaled Al-Rasheed, the AFC has been in contact with the football associations of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and the UAE to discuss hosting the quarterfinal and semifinal matches in a centralized, tournament-style format. Should the Saudi Football Federation submit a hosting bid, Al Nassr could play both the quarterfinal and semifinal at Al Awwal Park, giving Ronaldo a far better chance of featuring, given his reluctance to travel outside the country during the current period.

With the 2026 World Cup in less than 100 days, Carlo Ancelotti has decided to leave Neymar Junior out of the Brazil national team squad for the March friendlies.

Neymar‘s potential return to the Brazil national team has been one of the most debated topics in recent months, particularly after the forward’s move to Santos with an eye on earning a place at the 2026 World Cup. However, head coach Carlo Ancelotti has decided to leave the former Barcelona star out of his squad for the March international window.

At a press conference on Monday, Ancelotti named a 26-man squad for Brazil‘s upcoming North American tour. Among the new faces earning call-ups were Galatasaray’s Gabriel Sara and Bournemouth’s Rayan, but Neymar’s name was absent from the list.

Brazil are set to face two major European nations during the March window. The Seleção will travel to the United States to take on France on March 26 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, before facing Croatia on March 31 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Neymar’s last appearance for Brazil came on October 17, 2023, in a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, a match in which he suffered an ACL injury that kept him sidelined for more than a year. The long and difficult road back to full fitness has kept the legendary forward out of Ancelotti’s plans at international level ever since.

When asked whether Neymar, who has not featured in any of Ancelotti’s previous squads, could still make it to the World Cup, the Italian coach was cautiously optimistic: “Neymar can be at the World Cup. If he can reach 100% fitness during the World Cup, then obviously Neymar can be there. Why isn’t Neymar in this squad? Because he isn’t at 100% right now, and I need players who are at 100%. Neymar has to keep working, playing, and proving his quality and his physical condition.“

The trip to Mirassol, a key point for Neymar’s dismissal

Despite being included on the preliminary list, reports had suggested that Neymar’s absence from the game against Mirassol FC sparked frustration within the Brazilian football federation and among Ancelotti’s coaching staff, putting his place in the squad in serious jeopardy.

Ancelotti confirmed he had only called up players who were at 100% fitness, while also leaving the door open for those who miss the March window but will be ready for the World Cup itself, a message directed not only at Neymar but also at other key figures such as Estevao, the top scorer of Ancelotti’s tenure with the Seleção.

When asked directly about Neymar’s absence, Ancelotti pointed to his scouting trip as the decisive moment: “I was scheduled to go to Mirassol to watch the Mirassol-Santos match and see both teams. We were received very well there. Neymar did not play; it’s important to point that out. I have nothing further to add to any of this.“

Brazil’s complete list for March friendlies

Reports from ESPN back in February indicated that Ancelotti had already settled on 18 of the 26 players he intends to bring to the 2026 World Cup. Rodrygo, who suffered an ACL injury, had been part of that group, and his absence opens up a spot for another player to stake a claim, with the March window serving as a final audition for several hopefuls.

The full squad Carlo Ancelotti has named for the March international friendlies is as follows:

• Goalkeepers: Alisson, Bento, Ederson.
• Defenders: Alex Sandro, Bremer, Danilo, Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ibañez, Leo Pereira, Marquinhos, Wesley.
• Midfielders: Andrey Santos, Casemiro, Danilo, Fabinho, Gabriel Sara.
• Forwards: Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Thiago, Luiz Enrique, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, Rayan, Vinicius Junior, Joao Pedro.

With the 2026 MLS season already underway, questions are being raised about when Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi will play his next game.

Lionel Messi is still making history at 38 years old, remaining a cornerstone and captain for both Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. With the 2026 Major League Soccer season now underway, fans are wondering when they’ll see the forward back in action.

Lionel Messi’s next match with Inter Miami is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, with the Herons facing Austin FC in the inauguration game of the Miami Freedom Park, now Nu Stadium. Messi will be heading to the game after scoring a free kick in the 3-2 win against NYCFC at the Yankees Stadium.

As for international duty with Argentina national team, Lionel Messi is set to return to action during the March international window. First up, the Albiceleste will face Mauritania on the 27th (the date originally scheduled for the Finalissima against Spain) and Zambia on the 31st, with both games to be held at the Bombonera.

The 2026 MLS campaign has only just begun for Messi, who has featured in five official matches so far across all competitions, scoring four times without registering an assist. The opener came against LAFC, who handed Inter Miami a 3-0 defeat in front of a packed crowd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Lionel Messi and the task of defending the World Cup title

The year 2026 will be especially significant for Messi, not only because of Inter Miami’s ambitions but also because he’ll head into the 2026 World Cup aiming to defend the title. The triumph in Qatar in 2022 marked one of the defining peaks of his career, and now in North America he’ll enter another tournament wearing the champions’ badge for the first time.

Drawn into Group J, Argentina will open its campaign against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium. The second match will be against Austria on Monday the 22nd in Arlington at AT&T Stadium, before closing the group stage against Jordan on Saturday the 27th, also in Texas.

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

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

Cristiano Ronaldo, even at 41 years old, remains a central figure for both his club, Al Nassr, and the Portugal national team. Still drawing global attention, the key question now is when the legendary striker will take the field again.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s next game with Al Nassr is scheduled for Friday, April 3, when they’ll be hosting Al Najma for Matchday 27 of the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League at Al Awwal Park. The Portuguese, who missed last two games against Neom SC and Al Khaleej due to a hamstring injury, it’s expected to make his return that game

Regarding the Portugal national team, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to return during the March international break. After having his suspension lifted ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the veteran forward will be available for selection for Portugal’s two friendlies, one against Mexico, and the other one against the USMNT.

So far this season, the Portuguese icon has scored 22 goals and provided 4 assists in 26 games for Al Nassr, while netting 5 goals in 5 UEFA World Cup qualifiers for Portugal, with his personal account in 965 career goals. With the World Cup set for the USA, Canada, and Mexico at the end of the campaign, Ronaldo will be determined to arrive at what will likely be his final major tournament in top form.

Ronaldo faced long break due to FIFA schedule

After his stunning bicycle-kick goal against Al Khaleej, Cristiano Ronaldo was rested for Al Nassr’s midweek AFC Champions League Two match. But from that point forward, the Portuguese star endured a 24-day gap without competitive action, a result of the upcoming FIFA competition schedule.

From December 1 through 18, Qatar hosted the second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup, with the final between Morocco and Jordan played at Lusail Stadium, the same venue as the 2022 World Cup final.

With several Saudi Pro League players involved, including stars of the Saudi Arabian national team, clubs, including Al Nassr, were unable to meet domestic player requirements, forcing the SPL into a temporary pause during the tournament.