With France set to face Colombia, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele's absence in the starting lineup raised some doubts among fans.

France and Colombia meet in one of the most compelling matchups of the March international window on Sunday at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. However, when the starting lineups were released, both Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele were notably absent from the France XI.

Neither Mbappe nor Dembele will start against Colombia, with head coach Didier Deschamps opting for a heavy rotation following the win over Brazil. The French manager has taken a completely different approach for the clash against Los Cafeteros, making wholesale changes throughout the lineup.

In fact, compared to Thursday’s starting XI against Brazil, not a single player has retained their spot for the Colombia match, including goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who has been replaced between the posts by Brice Samba.

Against Brazil, Dembele’s involvement was limited to 58 minutes before Deschamps brought on Maxence Lacroix following Dayot Upamecano’s red card. Mbappe, who opened the scoring in that match, was substituted in the 66th minute, with Marcus Thuram coming on to take his place up front.

Nos 1️⃣1️⃣ Bleus pour débuter face à la Colombie 🇨🇴✊

Coup d’envoi à 21h sur TF1 📺#FRACOL pic.twitter.com/arcK8VSop9

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 29, 2026

Colombia head coach Nestor Lorenzo has taken the opposite approach, naming a full-strength side that includes James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz and others from the start. With a bench that still includes Mbappe and Dembele, however, Deschamps retains the element of surprise should he need to call on his biggest names.

Mbappe closes in on France’s all-time top goalscoring record

Having long since left Thierry Henry in his rearview mirror, Kylian Mbappe is now on the verge of becoming France’s all-time leading scorer. His chipped goal against Brazil last Thursday brought his tally to 56, leaving him just one shy of the record.

That record belongs to Olivier Giroud, who scored 57 goals in 137 appearances. Mbappe sits one behind with 95 caps to his name, and should he find the net against Colombia, he will become France’s all-time top scorer with the World Cup just around the corner.

Amid the scrutiny he's received over his preparation for the 2026 World Cup, Kylian Mbappe addressed the situation by mentioning Cristiano Ronaldo.

Kylian Mbappe has become a focal point of conversation given the ongoing doubts surrounding his fitness, with Real Madrid fans growing increasingly concerned about his readiness for the 2026 World Cup. Amid the scrutiny, the French striker invoked the name of Cristiano Ronaldo to address the situation.

Currently in the United States with the France national team, Mbappe found himself at the center of reports about his knee injury, with the player himself having to push back against claims of a misdiagnosis by Real Madrid’s medical staff. With the World Cup now fewer than 80 days away, speculation has also grown among fans that Mbappe might prioritize his fitness for the tournament over his club commitments with Los Blancos.

Speaking from France’s training camp, Mbappe made his commitment to Real Madrid clear in an interview with Telefoot: “In Spain, they are a bit worried about that—that I might not play… and that I’ll head straight to the World Cup. The best way to prepare is to win everything beforehand with Madrid.“

The French star went on to address how the passionate nature of the Real Madrid fanbase can amplify concern beyond what might otherwise be warranted. “The people are very passionate. For them, Real Madrid is a religion. Everything to do with the club and with me creates a combination that makes everyone talk and speculate. Sometimes with reason, sometimes without it.”

Mbappe then invoked some of the club’s all-time greats to put his own situation in perspective: “At Real Madrid, they have criticized everyone—Cristiano Ronaldo, Di Stefano… I don’t see why I should escape that kind of criticism. You have to deal with the critics. Stay calm, focus on the work, and have the confidence to believe that you can improve the situation on the pitch.“

Even Cristiano Ronaldo faced scrutiny

Despite his recent knee injury, Mbappe remains Real Madrid’s standout performer this season in front of goal. Through 35 appearances across all competitions in the 2025-26 campaign, he leads both the La Liga and UEFA Champions League scoring charts with 38 goals and six assists.

That status was once synonymous with Cristiano Ronaldo, who shattered records at Real Madrid as a goalscorer during his peak years at the club. Yet even as the team was winning back-to-back Champions League titles, the Portuguese star was not immune to criticism from the stands.

One of the most memorable episodes came in April when Real Madrid eliminated Bayern Munich, and despite Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick, he was still met with whistles from sections of the crowd. “I don’t tell them to be quiet, never, I only ask them not to whistle because I always give my best in every game. Even if I don’t score goals, I try to work hard to help Real Madrid,” he said after a Champions League quarterfinal.

Time for Mbappe to knock Bayern Munich out

Now facing a situation not unlike the one Ronaldo navigated, Mbappe is expected to be the decisive figure if Real Madrid are to go deep in the Champions League. Los Blancos face Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals over the first two weeks of April, and the Frenchman has made clear he is confident about getting past one of the competition’s most in-form sides.

“We are still involved in the two remaining competitions, La Liga and the Champions League. We are going to play against Bayern, who I believe are the most in-form team in Europe right now. But if there is one team that can beat that kind of side, it’s Real Madrid,” he said, sending a message of confidence to the club’s supporters.

Argentina is hosting Mauritania as one of its last friendlies prior to the 2026 World Cup. Don't miss a single detail of the game with out live coverage.

Argentina and Mauritania are meeting for the first time in an international friendly as part of the March international window, with kickoff set for Friday, March 27, at the Bombonera. Stay with us for minute-by-minute coverage and don’t miss a moment of the action.

The Albiceleste head into the match on the back of a 2-0 win over Angola, their only friendly during the November international window. The occasion also carries an added layer of significance, as today was originally scheduled to be the Finalissima against Spain before the match was canceled.

On the other hand, Mauritania is heading to the game after failing to qualify to the Arab Cup back in November, with a 2-0 defeat against Kuwait. Its’ last win came back in September 5 in a 2-0 win against Togo, and is currently in a streak of 6 games without a win.

While Lionel Messi is expected to begin the match on the bench, fans will not have to wait long to see him in action. Head coach Lionel Scaloni has already confirmed that the Inter Miami star will feature in both friendlies, starting with tonight’s game against Mauritania and followed by next Tuesday’s clash against Zambia, giving the home crowd a chance to bid farewell to the squad before the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina and Mauritania are clashing on Friday, in one of the last Lionel Messi games with the national team prior to the beginning of the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina will host Mauritania on Friday, March 27, in an international friendly at the Bombonera. With fans eager to see Lionel Messi in action, the match represents one of the Albiceleste’s last tune-ups before the 2026 World Cup gets underway.

Argentina head into the game after seeing their original plans for the March window fall apart. Friday was supposed to be the date of the Finalissima against Spain, but the match was ultimately canceled due to the conflict in the Middle East and the two federations’ inability to reach a scheduling agreement.

Mauritania now represents an opportunity for the Argentine Football Association to avoid another gap in their World Cup preparation and get some meaningful work in. Messi and company had already been dealt a setback in November, when they were limited to a single friendly, a 2-0 win over Angola on the road.

On the other side, Mauritania, currently ranked 115th in the FIFA standings, arrive having failed to qualify for the Arab Cup after a 2-0 defeat against Kuwait in November. The nation also took part in CAF World Cup qualifying, finishing fifth in Group B in 2025 with one win, four draws and five defeats in 10 matches, in a group topped by Senegal.

Scaloni on Argentina’s opponents and the Finalissima

With the Finalissima off the table, the Argentine Football Association pivoted to arranging home friendlies in March so that fans could bid farewell to Messi and the national team before the World Cup. However, the late addition of Mauritania and Zambia as opponents has renewed questions about the level of competition the Albiceleste has been tested against in recent months.

When asked Thursday about why Argentina has not been facing higher-caliber opponents, Scaloni was direct: “November was the only window in which we could have played against a European side. Before that, they were tied up in the Nations League, and now the suspension happened. People can say whatever they want, but that is the reality. There are 60 people traveling; it’s not as easy as it seems to relocate at the last minute after a cancellation like the one we just had. Playing against the best doesn’t guarantee you anything,” the coach said.

Confirmed lineups for Argentina and Mauritania

Argentina’s confirmed lineup (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Marcos Senesi, Marcos Acuña; Nico Paz, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Nicolas Gonzalez; Thiago Almada, Julián Alvarez.
Head coach: Lionel Scaloni.

Mauritania’s confirmed lineup (4-3-3): Babacar Diop; Ibrahima Keita, Lamine Ba, Jordan Lefort, Aly Abeid; Maata Magassa, Oumar Ngom, Beyatt Lekoueiry; Aboubakary Koita, Mamadou Diallo, Djeidi Gassama.
Head coach: Aritz Lopez Garai.

FC Barcelona have confirmed that Raphinha suffered a hamstring injury in the game against France, a news that could end up jeopardizing his dream of performing in the 2026 World Cup with Brazil.

FC Barcelona have confirmed that Raphinha sustained an injury during Thursday’s international friendly against France at Gillette Stadium. With the latest update now official, questions have emerged over how this setback could affect the Brazil national team’s preparations, especially with the 2026 World Cup less than three months away.

Brazil fell 2-1 to France in a match where Kylian Mbappe scored the opener, with Raphinha among the starters for coach Carlo Ancelotti. The Barcelona winger was the first substitution of the second half, immediately raising questions over whether it was a tactical call by the Italian manager or a sign that something was wrong physically.

On Friday, Barcelona released a statement confirming that Raphinha has suffered a right hamstring injury. The diagnosis was carried out by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) following the discomfort he experienced during the France match, and the results confirmed the worst fears.

As confirmed by the Spanish club, Raphinha is returning to Barcelona to begin the appropriate treatment, with the estimated recovery period set at five weeks, ruling him out for the remainder of March and all of April.

Raphinha set to miss several key games

The timing of Raphinha’s injury could not be worse, for either Brazil or Barcelona. With a five-week recovery timeline, the winger will be sidelined until at least May 1, missing up to seven matches, with that number potentially rising if Barcelona continue their run in the UEFA Champions League.

Among the games he will sit out is Brazil’s upcoming friendly against Croatia, but it is Barcelona who face the steeper consequences. Raphinha will miss the upcoming La Liga fixtures and the Champions League quarterfinals against Atletico Madrid, and will also be short of match fitness for the El Clasico at Camp Nou scheduled for May 10.

This outlook assumes Raphinha does not suffer any additional setbacks during his recovery. Throughout the 2025-26 season, the Brazil star has already missed 13 games through injury, the majority of them coming between September and November due to a muscle injury in his right thigh.

With Ancelotti reportedly planning to submit his final World Cup squad list around May 17, Raphinha will have precious little time to prove his fitness before the deadline. Given that the Italian manager has consistently cited full fitness as a prerequisite for national team selection, pointing to it as a key reason for Neymar’s omissions, this injury to the same area as his previous one could put one of Brazil’s most important players in a very precarious position heading into the tournament.

Set to face Mauritania on Friday, Argentina star Lionel Messi is starting the game on the subs bench.

Argentina will host a friendly against Mauritania at the Bombonera on Friday, March 27, as part of the March international window. With the 2026 World Cup now just weeks away, questions have emerged over whether Lionel Messi will feature in the starting lineup.

Lionel Messi will not be starting against Mauritania. While the specific reasons for his omission from the first XI have not been disclosed, load management is believed to be the primary factor, with the coaching staff keen to avoid exposing him to unnecessary physical strain.

Even without Messi in the starting lineup, fans will not have to wait long to see him in action. Head coach Lionel Scaloni has already confirmed that the Inter Miami star will feature in both Friday’s game against Mauritania and Tuesday’s match against Zambia.

“Leo is going to play. I don’t know if he’ll start in this match or the other, but he will be in both. As a bonus, for Argentines to have Messi for two more matches, when we thought he wouldn’t play anymore, it’s a beautiful opportunity for everyone to see and enjoy,” Scaloni said when asked about the Argentina captain at Thursday’s press conference.

In holding Messi back from the start, Scaloni also indicated that the coaching staff plans to field “a mix of boys we want to see” in order to “recover certain performance levels.” With several Argentina regulars having struggled for form at their respective clubs of late, the Albiceleste boss is looking for a noticeable upturn in the coming days.

Scaloni eager to see Messi at the World Cup

At 35 years old, Messi captained Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. There were serious doubts at the time about whether the Inter Miami star would even be available for the upcoming tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and while his participation now appears closer to being confirmed, Messi has yet to make an official announcement.

When asked about the matter on Thursday, Scaloni was careful not to speak on Messi’s behalf but made clear his desire to have him involved: “That is more of a question for him. For my part, you already know what I think. I will do everything possible to ensure he’s there. I believe that, for the good of football, he has to be there. It will be up to him, his state of mind, his physical condition. It’s difficult.“

The coach then spoke to the broader excitement Messi generates among fans worldwide. “It’s not just the Argentines who want to see him. Everyone wants to see him. When he’s there, if he’s fit to play the whole match, he is the one who decides. He has earned the right to decide calmly. We are in no rush for that. Whatever he decides will be what’s best for both the team and for him,” Scaloni concluded.

FIFA has confirmed the rule changes for the 2026 World Cup, including VAR expansion and new time management measures.

FIFA has been working on significant rule changes to be applied throughout the 2026 World Cup. With fewer than 90 days to go before the tournament kicks off in North America, the governing body has now announced the modifications set to be implemented, with VAR expansion and new time management measures headlining the list.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB)has spent recent months working on the approval of several adjustments to the laws of the game, designed to address recurring issues and clarify common match situations.

With the details now finalized, FIFA’s plan is to roll out the new rules starting next season, with key changes set to be introduced at the World Cup following pilot tests across several competitions, including the Arab Cup and the U-20 World Cup.

New rules in the World Cup

10-second maximum per substitution

One of the key changes involves the time a player has to exit the field when being substituted and the consequences for non-compliance. The substituted player will now have a maximum of 10 seconds to leave the field, and if that window is not met, rather than the offending player being shown a yellow card, their replacement must wait one minute before entering the pitch, temporarily leaving the team a man short.

Countdown for game restarts

One of the most common time-wasting tactics involves teams, typically those protecting a lead, taking their time to restart play from throw-ins and goal kicks. Under the new rules, a five-second countdown will be applied to both situations at the 2026 World Cup, with any team exceeding the time limit conceding possession.

Players receiving medical attention must temporarily leave the field

Another common tactic used to slow the tempo of a game involves players going down to receive medical attention on the pitch. Under the new rule, any player treated on the field must leave and wait one minute before returning, with exceptions made when the injury was caused by a foul resulting in a card, or when the player in question is the goalkeeper.

VAR influence expanded

The VAR has become one of the most debated additions to the modern game, particularly in a sport historically resistant to significant rule changes. While the video assistant referee’s scope was previously limited to potential red-card offenses and penalty decisions, its reach will now be extended to cover second yellow cards that result in a red, as well as incorrectly awarded corner kicks.

Only captains permitted to address referees

While this principle has been in place for some time, the rule requiring captains to be the only players authorized to approach and speak with match officials is now being formally enforced with teeth. Any player other than the captain who approaches the referee to contest a decision will now be automatically cautioned with a yellow card.

Kylian Mbappe got on the scoresheet as France edged Brazil 2-1 despite finishing the game with 10 men.

Brazil and France meet in a friendly for the March international window on Thursday, March 26, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. In a thrilling finish with Les Bleus reduced to 10 men, Kylian Mbappe led France to a 2-1 victory over the Canarinha.

France were the dominant side in the first half in terms of possession (65%), but struggled to break down a Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil side sitting deep in a low block. The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute, when Aurelien Tchouameni won the ball in the middle of the pitch, allowing Ousmane Dembele to play a great through ball in behind the defensive line for Mbappe, who chipped Ederson coolly to open the scoring at Gillette Stadium.

Early in the second half, Dayot Upamecano was sent off for bringing down Wesley in the 52nd minute, but France still managed to double their advantage when Michael Olise set up Hugo Ekitike in the 65th minute. Brazil pulled one back through Bremer in the 78th minute after a cross from Luiz Henrique, and Vinicius Junior came agonizingly close to snatching an equalizer in the final play of the game, but Les Bleus held on to claim the win.

France will now travel to Landover, Maryland, to face Colombia in their second friendly of the March window, scheduled for Sunday, March 29, at Northwest Stadium. Brazil, meanwhile, head to Orlando to take on Croatia at Camping World Stadium on Tuesday, March 31.

With Brazil and France clashing on a friendly game this Thursday, questions around Kylian Mbappe's presence in the game start to rise.

Brazil and France meet in one of the most intriguing friendlies of the March international window on Thursday, March 26, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. With both nations considered among the favorites for the 2026 World Cup, attention heading into the clash has centered on the availability of Kylian Mbappe.

As reported by L’Equipe, Mbappe is set to start for France against Brazil. The striker declared himself fully recovered from the knee sprain that had limited his involvement in recent matches for Real Madrid, making him available for Les Bleus head coach Didier Deschamps.

“I am happy to be able to feel good again, to feel my knees, and to enjoy myself,” Mbappe said at Wednesday’s pre-match press conference. The plan is for him to start and then be substituted at some point to manage his workload ahead of the second friendly.

Brazil vs France: a remarkably even all-time record

Despite both nations ranking among the most storied programs in the sport, Brazil and France have not crossed paths in several years. When they have met, however, the results have been about as even as it gets between two heavyweight nations.

Across 15 all-time meetings, both countries have claimed six wins apiece, with three matches ending in draws. In terms of the biggest stage, though, France holds the edge, having beaten Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 World Cup final on home soil.

The most recent meeting between the two sides came over a decade ago, when Brazil claimed a 3-1 victory in March 2015. That result also marked the last time the Canarinha came out on top, while France’s most recent win in this fixture dates back 15 years, leaving the overall record delicately balanced heading into Thursday’s clash.

Projected lineups for Brazil and France

Brazil’s projected lineups (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Wesley, Roger Ibanez, Leo Pereira, Douglas Santos; Andrey Santos, Casemiro; Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Gabriel Martinelli; Vinicius Junior.
Head coach: Carlo Ancelotti.

France’s projected lineups (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembele, Rayan Cherki, Michael Olise; Kylian Mbappe.
Head coach: Didier Deschamps.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi's Argentina is reportedly working on arranging two more friendlies.

Lionel Messi and Argentina are entering the final stretch of their preparation ahead of their title defense at the 2026 World Cup. As the Albiceleste look to put the finishing touches on their buildup, the Argentine Football Association is reportedly working to arrange two additional friendlies.

Beyond the current March window, national teams will have one final international window available after the official squad lists are submitted, with friendlies to be played in North America in the weeks leading up to the tournament. While most federations have already locked in opponents for that window, Argentina has yet to finalize their plans.

As reported by TNT Sports‘ Maximiliano Grillo, Argentina is currently working on scheduling a friendly against Honduras and another against Serbia. The match against Honduras would be held on June 6 in Texas, while the game against the European side is expected to take place on June 9 in Alabama.

There had been excitement around the possibility of Messi facing Mexico in the June window, but despite the buzz, that matchup never came together officially and eventually fell through. The friendly against Honduras had also been floated as an option during the March international window, but both federations opted to push it back, with June emerging as the more suitable slot.

The lack of high-quality opponents in Argentina’s recent windows has been a talking point over the past several weeks, particularly after the friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia. While Serbia, currently 39th in the FIFA rankings, and Honduras, sitting 65th, are not top-20 nations, the matchups will still provide a meaningful test for Messi and his teammates as the tournament approaches.

Messi and company to play one week before World Cup debut

Following the cancellation of the Finalissima and the trip to Qatar falling through, Argentina had to scramble to put together a schedule for the March window. The June friendlies now take on added importance as a proper preparation window, particularly the match against Serbia, which is expected to fall just one week before Argentina’s World Cup opener.

Argentina’s Group J debut against Algeria is scheduled for June 16 in Kansas City, one week after the anticipated friendly against Serbia. Their remaining group stage matches will follow against Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27, meaning the Albiceleste could be playing as many as five matches across the month of June before the knockout stage begins.

While also addressing Vinicius Junior's role in Brazil, Kylian Mbappe candidly stated that he "doesn't see a World Cup without Neymar."

Kylian Mbappe has added his voice to the growing chorus of support for Neymar following the Brazilian’s omission from the March international roster, with the 2026 World Cup now just months away. While weighing in on the debate over Vinicius Junior’s role with Brazil, the French star delivered a candid message, saying he “doesn’t see a World Cup without Neymar.”

Brazil is set to face France on Thursday, March 27, in a match that will serve as one of the last auditions for several players looking to secure a spot in the Canarinha squad for the World Cup. When Carlo Ancelotti announced his roster, Neymar’s omission became one of the most debated topics surrounding the squad, with the Italian manager continuing to field questions about the decision given that the Santos forward still holds captain status with the national team.

In an interview with Globo Esporte, Mbappe was asked whether Brazil is now Vinicius‘ team or whether that distinction still belongs to Neymar, and the Frenchman gave an candid answer: “I think it can belong to both. The truth is that Vini needs to take another step forward with the national team now, but Neymar is Neymar.“

Having played alongside both Brazilian stars, first with Neymar at PSG and now with Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid, Mbappe made clear he is firmly in the Santos forward’s corner when it comes to the World Cup. “Neymar is a great player; the World Cup is the competition of the stars, all the stars are here, and in my book, Neymar is one of the biggest stars,” he stated.

“I don’t see a World Cup without Neymar, but in the end, I can’t go against my former coach, Ancelotti. Ultimately, you have to respect his decision, but for me, Neymar is a player who makes a huge difference,” Mbappe said. Ancelotti has consistently cited fitness as the primary reason for Neymar’s exclusion, not only for March but across recent call-up cycles, yet the Real Madrid star clearly believes the Brazilian still has a major role to play.

“I’ve played with him; I’ve learned a lot from him. We’ll see how he is doing too, but I know Neymar, he’s going to prepare for the World Cup and he’s going to be there. I know him,” Mbappe added, offering a confident endorsement of Neymar’s chances of making Brazil’s final roster.

Neymar reportedly starts workload plan for World Cup

FIFA has confirmed that national teams have until May 30 to submit their final World Cup rosters, with Carlo Ancelotti reportedly planning to announce his list on May 18. With that deadline set, Neymar is said to be working urgently toward full fitness in order to be part of the final 26-man squad.

According to Globo Esporte‘s Murilo Tauro, Neymar and his team have put together a plan to protect the meniscus he underwent surgery on in December, built around personalized training sessions, a strict cap on match appearances and the avoidance of long-distance travel.

A key element of the plan is that, out of the 14 Santos matches scheduled before May 18, Neymar intends to feature in roughly half of them to manage his workload while maintaining enough match sharpness to make his case. Perhaps most strikingly, the report states that if Neymar is left off the final roster, he would stop playing for Santos for the remainder of the club season, a development that would send shockwaves through the soccer world.

Legend Pedro Pauleta backed Cristiano Ronaldo's starting role at Portugal national team for the 2026 World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo has defied expectations, and at 41 years old, the striker remains a key figure in Roberto Martinez’s Portugal setup. Set to feature in yet another World Cup in 2026, Selecao legend Pedro Pauleta has come out in support of Ronaldo, calling for him to be a starter for the national team.

Due to his recent injury with Al Nassr, Ronaldo is the most notable absentee from the Portugal squad for the upcoming friendlies against Mexico and the United States, a group that will also be without Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva. Even so, his standing within the team is not in question, either for head coach Roberto Martinez or, as made clear this week, for one of the country’s greatest legends.

In an interview with A Bola’s 90+3 program, Pauleta, Portugal’s historic all-time leading scorer before Ronaldo, was asked about Ronaldo’s role at the 2026 World Cup and left no room for ambiguity: “Cristiano Ronaldo, from the moment he joined the national team squad, he should be a starter. We know he can decide any match at any moment.“

Far from showing any sign of decline, Ronaldo leads the scoring charts under Roberto Martinez with 25 goals in 36 matches as Portugal head coach. “And we know he will continue scoring goals as long as he plays football, and he will always keep scoring,” Pauleta added.

Pauleta’s endorsement comes at a meaningful time, given that Ronaldo’s role at the last World Cup was not without controversy. The striker was dropped to the bench for both the Round of 16 against Switzerland and the quarterfinal against Morocco, where Portugal were eliminated, leaving the enduring image of Ronaldo walking off the pitch in tears in what many assumed would be his final World Cup appearance.

“The most important thing is that the group is united: the players and the entire structure,” Pauleta said in closing, reflecting on what it will take for Portugal to go deep in 2026. With Ronaldo as the top scorer of the Martinez era and the team coming off a UEFA Nations League title won against Spain last year, the conditions appear in place for the striker to finally get his hands on the one major trophy that has eluded him.

Pauleta’s reaction when Ronaldo broke his goal record

Making his international debut in 1997, Pauleta carved out a lasting legacy with the Portugal national team, most notably helping the Selecao finish fourth at the 2006 World Cup, and retired as the country’s all-time leading scorer with 47 goals. However, his final years with the national team overlapped with Ronaldo’s earliest appearances, and it was only a matter of time before the younger man surpassed him.

On March 5, 2014, in a friendly against Cameroon ahead of the Brazil World Cup, Ronaldo found the net in the 21st minute to move past Pauleta’s record of 47 goals. Fast forward to today, and that tally now stands at 143 goals in 226 appearances, making Ronaldo the all-time leading scorer not just for Portugal but across all international football.

Pauleta recalled the moment warmly: “I was coming back from an under-21 national team match when he broke the record. I called Ronaldo to congratulate him and laughed a lot with him, because I told him: ‘As you can see, you’ve broken the toughest record of your career.‘ Then he laughed, he knew he had broken all the records, so it was just a joke for him.“

With less than 90 days to go for the beginning of the competition, FIFA has announced the deadlines for national teams to submit their preliminary and final 26-player squad lists for the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA has been finalizing details for the 2026 World Cup in recent days, this time addressing how national teams will be required to submit their respective squads for the tournament. While reaffirming that the final roster will consist of 26 players, the governing body confirmed the deadlines for both the preliminary and final submissions.

First, national teams will be required to submit a preliminary list of up to 55 players by May 11. The expanded size of that list is intended to give coaching staffs a wide pool to draw from, accounting for potential injuries, dips in form or last-minute changes within the squad as the season winds down.

From that preliminary list, up to 29 names will then be cut, with the final 26-player roster due on May 30. Those are the players who will travel to North America to represent their respective nations throughout the tournament.

That gives coaching staffs just under three weeks between the preliminary and final submissions to make their last adjustments, factoring in player fitness and form heading into the competition. It is worth noting that most domestic leagues will have concluded by that point, with the one major exception being the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League final, which is scheduled to be played in Budapest on that same date, May 30.

The World Cup will kick off with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11. In the roughly two weeks between the final roster deadline and the start of the tournament, most national teams are expected to arrange warm-up friendlies to put the finishing touches on their preparation before beginning their campaigns in North America.

No extended 30-player list for 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup will make history not only as the first edition hosted across three different countries, but also as the first to feature 48 national teams. That expansion from the previous field of 32 has added an extra round to the knockout stage, meaning teams will now need to win eight matches instead of seven to lift soccer’s most coveted trophy.

With the addition of a Round of 32 and more games to be played, many federations had anticipated that squad sizes would be expanded further, as happened ahead of Qatar 2022 when rosters grew from 23 to 26 players, with some expecting a further increase to 30 for 2026. However, with this announcement, FIFA has stood firm on the position it first laid out in December 2025, confirming that squads will remain capped at 26 players.

Lionel Messi reportedly tops a list of 21 players already confirmed in Lionel Scaloni's Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Lionel Messi will be the face of Argentina‘s 2026 World Cup campaign in North America, with the tournament expected to be the final major competition of his career. With the March international friendlies serving as one of the last tests before the roster is set, reports have emerged claiming that Messi headlines a group of 21 players already locked into head coach Lionel Scaloni‘s plans.

Argentina will face Mauritania on Friday, March 27, and Zambia on Tuesday, March 31, in what will be among the final opportunities for players on the bubble to make their case for a World Cup spot. Scaloni has repeatedly stated that only Lionel Messi has his place guaranteed, while the remaining 25 spots are still up for grabs.

However, as reported by ESPN Argentina, Scaloni already has 21 names locked in for the Albiceleste’s World Cup squad. While Messi leads the list, the core group also includes several key members of the side that lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022.

The matches against the two African nations will not be the only factor in the final decisions, as players will also have the opportunity to impress Scaloni during the training camp on home soil. Depending on how individuals adapt to the tactical setup and build chemistry with their teammates, just five spots remain open ahead of the official roster announcement in May.

Argentina’s 21 confirmed list

The 21 names reportedly locked in by Scaloni, organized by position and team, are the following:

• Goalkeepers: Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (O. Marseille), and Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid).
• Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nicolas Tagliafico (O. Lyon), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), and Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United)
• Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), and Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid).
• Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), and Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan).

Who is battling for a place in Argentina’s squad?

Compared to the squad that won the 2022 World Cup, Argentina still appear to need one left back, one left-footed center back, one midfielder and one additional forward, with a fifth slot remaining flexible depending on squad needs. For the left back position, the race appears open among World Cup winner Marcos Acuna, Gabriel Rojas and Valentin Barco, the latter of whom has also been used in midfield during his time in France.

At center back, Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi and Olympique Marseille’s Facundo Medina are the primary candidates for the remaining spot, with Medina holding an edge thanks to his versatility. The battle in midfield appears to be between Franco Mastantuono and Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, with Mastantuono having lost some ground due to his performances at Real Madrid.

Finally, the third forward spot behind Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez remains wide open. The leading candidates appear to be Palmeiras’ Jose Luis Lopez and RC Strasbourg’s Joaquin Panichelli, who is currently among the top scorers in Ligue 1.

With potential replacements looming on the horizon, reports suggests that Rafael Leao has chances of leaving AC Milan in the upcoming transfer window.

Rafael Leao has been one of AC Milan‘s standout performers in recent years, but his future at the Italian club has reportedly been called into question over the past several days. With a potential replacement already being discussed internally, the Portuguese star’s situation figures to come to a head in the upcoming transfer window.

As reported by Sky Sports‘ Maurizio Compagnoni, there is a real chance Rafael Leao departs AC Milan in the summer transfer window at the end of the 2025-26 season. The uncertainty stems from the fact that both the club and the player have been unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension.

Leao’s current deal runs through June 2028, but with Milan simultaneously working on renewals for stars like Christian Pulisic and Mike Maignan, his situation is one the club is also eager to resolve. Talks have been underway for several months, with the Italian side tabling a proposal that would keep him at the club through 2030 or 2031.

Through 24 appearances in the 2025-26 season, Leao has contributed 10 goals and two assists. Even so, the Portuguese has been operating below his best, in part because head coach Massimiliano Allegri has deployed him in a more central role as a finisher rather than as an orthodox winger, limiting the one-on-one opportunities in which he has traditionally thrived.

As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport and other Italian outlets, Arsenal and Manchester United have emerged as the clubs most interested in signing Leao. However, his Transfermarkt valuation of 65 million euros, combined with a reported release clause of 150 million euros, represents a significant obstacle to any potential departure.

An Argentine striker as the main candidate

Allegri has typically preferred more physically imposing strikers, in the mold of Santiago Gimenez or Niclas Fullkrug, over quick, dribble-heavy wide forwards in the mold of Leao. That stylistic tension has been one of the factors behind the underperformance of the Leao-Pulisic combination compared to previous seasons, and a new name has now surfaced as Milan’s primary attacking target.

As reported by Sky Sport Italia, Bologna striker Santiago Castro has emerged as the leading candidate to join AC Milan. The Argentine fits Allegri’s preferred profile well, offering not only the traits of a traditional center forward but also the ability to link up play effectively, as evidenced by his team-leading nine goal contributions this season, seven goals and two assists.

Even so, Castro arriving in Milan remains more hypothetical than concrete at this stage, with only reported interest and no contact between the clubs yet. Prizing him away from Bologna would likely cost between 40 and 50 million euros, a sum that Milan are not currently in a position to commit.

Reports have confirmed that Real Madrid examined the wrong knee on Kylian Mbappe, prompting the France star to seek a second medical evaluation in Paris.

Kylian Mbappe‘s knee injury has kept alarm bells ringing at both Real Madrid and the France national team, especially with the World Cup less than three months away. Now, reports have emerged confirming that, prior to his evaluation in Paris, the Spanish club conducted their injury tests on the wrong knee.

The news broke on Tuesday when journalist Daniel Riolo revealed on RMC‘s “After Foot” program that Mbappe had received “a poor diagnosis in Madrid,” leaving the star reportedly frustrated with the club. French specialist Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet, whom Mbappe consulted in Paris, also confirmed that “work had been done poorly in Madrid,” and went on to propose a muscle-strengthening protocol that avoided surgery and has since allowed Mbappe to recover.

When asked about his condition, Mbappe told Diario AS that he was “recovered 100 percent,” while noting that he had received a thorough diagnosis during his time in Paris. The Real Madrid star also addressed the swirl of speculation surrounding his fitness that had led to misinterpretations during a stretch in which he sat out five consecutive games.

The story was later picked up in Spain by Miguel Angel Diaz on Deportes COPE. “Real Madrid, in the initial diagnosis, got the knee wrong. Instead of examining Mbappe’s left knee, they examined the right one,” said the Spanish journalist, corroborating the reports of negligence in the club’s initial assessment.

These reports would also lend credibility to Mbappe’s decision to travel to Paris specifically for treatment, a move that at the time drew significant questions about his commitment to the club.

Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa had cited Mbappe’s fitness as the reason he did not start in the derby against Atletico Madrid, but the star has now pushed back on that framing, raising further questions about his physical condition and the apparent breakdown in communication between the parties involved.

Mbappe and France arrive in Boston

While the reports surrounding his knee continue to swirl, Mbappe made clear his excitement about rejoining the France national team for the March international window. Les Bleus have already arrived in Boston and are based at the Four Seasons hotel, which will also serve as their headquarters during the 2026 World Cup.

Set to train at New England Revolution facilities on Wednesday, France will open their two-game tour against Brazil on Thursday, March 26, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Mbappe and company will then travel to Landover, Maryland, to face Colombia at Northwest Stadium on Sunday, March 29, wrapping up a challenging run of matches against two of South America’s top sides.

Despite the rumors linking Bernardo Silva to a move alongside Lionel Messi, Inter Miami will face numerous financial obstacles to pull off the signing.

Bernardo Silva has been strongly linked with a potential move to Inter Miami to play alongside Lionel Messi, with his contract set to expire in June 2026. However, despite the reports connecting him to the MLS club, the Herons will face significant financial hurdles to get the deal done.

As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter Miami have identified Bernardo Silva as an attractive target for the second half of the 2026 season. The Portuguese midfielder will not be continuing at Manchester City once his contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, and with his 32nd birthday arriving in August, his agent Jorge Mendes has reportedly begun working to find his client a new club.

While Mendes is one of the most powerful agents in the game and the draw of playing alongside Lionel Messi is undeniable, Inter Miami will not be the only suitor. Beyond the Herons, Mendes is reportedly fielding interest from Europe and Saudi Arabia, with Juventus, Galatasaray and Benfica, the club where Silva came through as a youth player, all considered concrete options.

Bernardo Silva remains a key figure both for the Portugal national team and at Manchester City, where he serves as captain and wears the armband in every game he starts. With 42 appearances for the Citizens this season, contributing three goals and five assists, he could follow the path of players like Son Heung-min and Rodrigo De Paul by making the move to MLS while still performing at a high European level.

Would Bernardo Silva’s signing be financially viable?

With the CONCACAF Champions Cup as the primary objective for the 2026 season, Inter Miami invested heavily in squad reinforcements, spending over $40 million on several signings, with German Berterame the headline addition at $15 million from Monterrey. Now that the club fell short of even reaching the quarterfinals, the Herons are left chasing MLS glory with limited financial flexibility.

As published by MLS in February, Inter Miami currently have the second-lowest amount of available 2026 General Allocation Money in the league, with just $17,361 remaining. With only the LA Galaxy holding less at zero dollars, pulling off a signing of Bernardo Silva’s caliber will be an enormous challenge.

With his contract expiring on June 30, Inter Miami would not owe Manchester City a transfer fee. However, Silva is currently the second-highest-paid player at City behind Erling Haaland, earning $26.7 million per year ($21.4 million base salary plus $5.3 million in bonuses), a figure well beyond what the Herons could realistically offer.

Now approaching 32, it is unlikely any European club would match that salary either, but Inter Miami’s position is no more favorable. At present, the only realistic path to landing Bernardo Silva would involve the club selling off several current players to free up enough GAM, while also clearing at least one of their Designated Player slots, all of which makes this particular deal look closer to a long shot than a done deal.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr and Karim Benzema's Al Hilal face a change of plans in their season schedules as the AFC switches the Champions League knockouts to single-leg games.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have seen their club schedules disrupted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, forcing the AFC to make significant adjustments. Al Nassr, Al Hilal and all clubs still competing in the AFC Champions League Elite, Two and Challenge League will now contest the knockout stages in single-leg ties.

Most of the AFC knockout matches had been scheduled as two-legged affairs in early March. Ronaldo’s Al Nassr were set to face Al Wasl on March 4 and March 11 in the Champions League Two quarterfinals, while Benzema’s Al Hilal were due to meet Al Sadd in the Champions League Elite Round of 16 on March 3 and March 10.

The security situation in the West Region forced the Asian Football Confederation to postpone all affected matches until further notice, with ties involving East Region clubs already settled. In a statement released on Tuesday, March 24, the governing body confirmed that, in order to manage the revised schedule, all remaining club competitions “will now be decided in single-leg ties at centralized venues.“

The measures, however, will not be applied uniformly across all three competitions. In the AFC Champions League Elite, Al Hilal and the remaining clubs will play their Round of 16 matches on April 13 and 14 at King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, one week before the Finals, which are scheduled to run from April 16 to 25.

For the AFC Champions League Two and AFC Challenge League, both in their 2025-26 editions, the timeline will differ. Currently at the quarterfinal stage, both that round and the semifinals will be decided in single-leg matches on April 19 and 22, though the centralized venues have yet to be confirmed.

A change of venues that could affect both Ronaldo and Benzema

Having topped their respective groups in the first phase, both Al Hilal and Al Nassr had earned the right to host the second legs of their knockout ties at home. The shift in both format and venue could prove costly for both clubs, whose home records in the 2025-26 season had been close to flawless.

In Al Hilal’s case, the club has played 17 home matches at Kingdom Arena across the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League Elite this season. Benzema‘s side has gone unbeaten at home, winning 14 of those games and drawing the other three.

A similar story applies to Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. The club has played 16 matches at Al Awwal Park between the Saudi Pro League and the Champions League Two, posting a near-perfect record of 15 wins and just one defeat, a 2-1 home loss to Al Qasidiya on January 8 in league play.

In Ronaldo’s case, if the centralized venues are also based in Saudi Arabia, it could work in Al Nassr’s favor, as head coach Jorge Jesus has noted that the Portuguese star tends to perform at a higher level on home soil. That said, being denied the chance to close out their respective series in front of their own fans still represents a meaningful disadvantage for both Al Nassr and Al Hilal.

After arriving to Argentina to feature in the March friendlies, Lionel Messi shared a message stating that the World Cup "dream remains intact."

Lionel Messi has arrived in Argentina to take part in the March international window friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia. In a message that ignited excitement for the 2026 World Cup among fans, Messi made clear that the “dream remains intact.“

After scoring a free kick in Inter Miami’s most recent win against NYCFC, Lionel Messi touched down in Argentina on Tuesday morning at Ezeiza International Airport to join the national team. Attention now turns to the upcoming friendlies, first against Mauritania on Friday, March 27, and then against Zambia on Tuesday, March 31.

Upon arriving at Argentina‘s training camp, Messi posted on Instagram in a message that quickly caught the attention of fans. “The dream remains intact. Together again,” wrote the Argentine star, sharing photos from his arrival ahead of what will be the last games on home soil before the 2026 World Cup.

With Monday as the squad’s only rest day, Argentina will hold three training sessions before the first friendly, scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with head coach Lionel Scaloni set to hold his customary pre-match press conference on that final day.

While facing two African sides ranked 91st and 115th in the FIFA standings will not pose a major test on paper, the international window will give several players a chance to stake their claim for a spot at the 2026 World Cup. For Messi, who is expected to feature in both games, it will also serve as a farewell to the home fans, with questions mounting over whether these could be his final appearances on Argentine soil.

Argentina and a squad that underwent several changes

With Lionel Messi as the focal point of the group, head coach Scaloni used this call-up to fine-tune his options ahead of the 2026 World Cup, naming a 28-man roster with an eye on the final picture. However, a series of key absences and late changes disrupted his original plans.

Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis) and Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), all important figures for Scaloni, are the most notable absentees due to injury. In response, the head coach expanded the roster from 28 to 30 players by adding Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono and RC Strasbourg’s Joaquin Panichelli.

Further disruption came when defenders Leonardo Balerdi and Gonzalo Montiel picked up late injuries, prompting Scaloni to call up Lucas Martinez Quarta and Agustin Giay as replacements.

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.

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. After a discreet performance by jumping in the second half for the 2-1 win against Mauritania, the forward is expected to feature against Zambia on the 31st 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.