FIFA are planning to hold opening ceremonies featuring major artists in each of the three host countries for the 2026 World Cup: Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

Final preparations are being made for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will begin in just over a month, and more details about the tournament plans are gradually emerging. Since this will be the first edition of the competition hosted by three countries — Mexico, Canada, and the United States — it will feature several unique elements compared to previous tournaments.

“FIFA are planning to hold opening ceremonies at each of the first games of the World Cup featuring host nations this summer, as well as special ceremonies to mark America’s 250th anniversary at games in Houston and Philadelphia on July 4,” journalist Adam Crafton reported Friday in The Athletic.

The first match of the World Cup will take place on Thursday, June 11, at Estadio Azteca, where Mexico and South Africa will open Group A. “This will feature performances from the multi-Grammy-award winning Mexican rock band Mana, as well as popstar Alejandro Fernandez and singer Belinda,” the report states. Los Angeles Azules and Tyla are also reportedly expected to participate.

One day later, Group B action will begin at BMO Field in Toronto, where Canada will face Bosnia and Herzegovina. The hosts are also expected to have their own pregame show. According to The Athletic, Canadian singers Michael Buble, Alanis Morissette, and Alessia Cara are among the stars set to perform at the event.

The United States to host multiple special events

Like Mexico and Canada, the United States will also have its own opening ceremony when the USMNT make their World Cup debut against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, June 12.

“Katy Perry is lined up as the headliner. Other American talent signed up by FIFA includes the rapper Future, as well as Bangladeshi-American Sanjoy, who is a Los Angeles-based DJ,” Adam Crafton reported. In addition, South Korean girl group Blackpink and Paraguayan artist Marilina Bogado have also reportedly been hired by FIFA.

But that will not be the only special occasion for the United States. During the World Cup, the country will also celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Because of that, the matches played on July 4 will include special celebrations, although few details have been revealed so far.

The teams participating in those two matches have not yet been determined, since both games belong to the Round of 16. The first will take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and could feature France and Germany if both teams finish first in their groups and then advance through the Round of 32, although there is also a chance the USMNT could be involved. The other match will be held at NRG Stadium in Houston, with Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and the Netherlands among the potential participants.

Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho voiced their support for Neymar’s inclusion in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite the tournament being just around the corner, it is still unclear whether Neymar will be part of Brazil’s squad. Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear that he will consider the forward only if he is in perfect physical condition, making every match crucial in that pursuit. Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, both former teammates of Ney, recently shared their thoughts on the matter.

“Does Neymar have to go to the World Cup?” Messi was asked during a recent interview on Lo Del Pollo. “I can’t be objective. Neymar is a friend, and obviously I would love for him to be at the World Cup and for good things to happen to him. He deserves it because of the kind of person he is,” the Argentine forward began.

“It would be great to see him at the World Cup because of what he means to Brazil and to soccer. Hopefully he can be there,” Messi later added. The Argentine star played alongside Neymar at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017, and later at Paris Saint-Germain from 2021 to 2023.

“At the World Cup, we want the best players to be there, and Ney, no matter what condition he’s in, will always be one of them,” Leo said, dismissing the doubts many have raised because of Neymar’s physical problems in recent years. “I can’t be objective because for me he always has to be there.”

Messi discusses his relationship with Neymar

After spending six years together in Spain and France, and also facing each other several times internationally in matches between Argentina and Brazil, Neymar and Lionel Messi built a friendship that remains strong to this day, despite no longer seeing each other regularly.

“We talk from time to time, and we have a friendship that goes back many years,” Messi explained in the same interview. “He has a very special charisma. He doesn’t pretend to be someone he’s not. He lives his life exactly as he is and acts according to what he feels and thinks, without caring about the repercussions. He lives his life, he’s happy, and he’s very genuine.”

Ronaldinho also pushes for Neymar

Almost simultaneously with Lionel Messi’s comments, another soccer legend also expressed support for Neymar’s return to the Brazil national team ahead of the World Cup. “It would be crazy,” Ronaldinho said about the possibility of Neymar being left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad for North America 2026 during a conversation with Denilson shared by GeGlobo.

Ronaldinho Gaúcho não ficou em cima do muro. Ele levaria o Neymar pra Copa: "É o melhor deles todos". No Esporte Espetacular deste domingo, Denilson conversa sobre Copa do Mundo, carreira e samba com Ronaldinho Gaúcho. #esporteespetacular pic.twitter.com/yEyu2epsu9

— ge (@geglobo) May 8, 2026

“The only way I would understand it is if there’s some injury issue,” added the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner. “But if he’s healthy, there’s no way he shouldn’t go, right? With all due respect to everyone else, in my opinion, he’s the best of them all.”

Canada addressed the injury suffered by Alphonso Davies just over a month before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Alarm bells rang in Canada on Friday after it was confirmed that Alphonso Davies suffered an injury while playing for Bayern Munich. The issue will require several weeks of recovery, putting his return date dangerously close to the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“Alphonso Davies suffered a muscle injury in his left hamstring during Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, as confirmed by an examination by the FC Bayern medical unit,” the German side announced in a statement published on its official website on Friday.

The left-back had started the match against PSG on the bench and entered in the 67th minute in place of Josip Stanisic. Shortly after coming on, he assisted Harry Kane for Bayern Munich’s equalizer, although it was not enough to prevent elimination. During his nearly half-hour on the field, Davies also picked up the injury that has now sidelined him.

“The Canada international will therefore be out of action for several weeks,” the statement added. While that does not provide an exact timetable for Davies’ return, it does offer some indication of what could happen in the near future.

Alphonso Davies suffered a muscle injury in the back of his left thigh during the semifinal second leg against Paris Saint-Germain and will therefore be out for several weeks.

We wish you a speedy recovery, Phonzy ❤️‍🩹

🔗 https://t.co/BqawKk0wvr pic.twitter.com/fq2n6VNMXT

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) May 8, 2026

Bayern Munich still have two Bundesliga matches remaining this season, although they carry little significance with the title already secured. The situation is different for the May 23 clash against Stuttgart, where Bayern will compete for the DFB-Pokal title. However, it seems difficult to imagine Davies being fully recovered in time for that match.

Canada respond to Alphonso Davies injury

News of Davies’ injury resonated not only in Germany, but naturally in Canada as well. “We’re behind you, Captain,” began the message shared by the national team Friday on its official X account. “We are in close contact with Alphonso and remain in touch with Bayern’s medical team following his recent setback.”

We’re behind you, Captain 🇨🇦

We are in close contact with Alphonso and remain in touch with Bayern’s medical team following his recent setback.

Our focus is on supporting his recovery and providing every available resource, including specialized soft tissue expertise, to give… pic.twitter.com/XGPpKsorSP

— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) May 8, 2026

Regarding the next steps, Canada explained: “Our focus is on supporting his recovery and providing every available resource, including specialized soft tissue expertise, to give him the best possible pathway back to full fitness ahead of the FIFA World Cup.”

Canada will open their 2026 World Cup campaign on Friday, June 12, against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first Group B match at BMO Field in Toronto. That gives Alphonso Davies more than a month to regain full fitness and arrive at the tournament in optimal condition.

Lionel Messi spoke about Argentina’s chances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina are 39 days away from making their debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Lionel Messi recently discussed the national team’s chances in the tournament.

“We have to believe, just like Argentinians always do whenever there’s an official competition, whether it’s the Copa America or the World Cup, but also understand that there are other favorites ahead of us who are arriving in better form as a group,” Leo said during an interview on Lo Del Pollo.

“It’s a World Cup, and we know it’s always complicated because of the quality of the national teams involved,” Messi added before going into detail about the opponents he considers strongest. “France are looking very good again, and they have a lot of top-level players. Spain too.”

Continuing his analysis, the 38-year-old star mentioned a South American powerhouse. “Brazil, even though they haven’t been at their best lately, are always contenders and have the players to compete in every major tournament.”

Finally, Messi pointed to “the powers” that are traditionally among the favorites because of their history and talent. “Then there are the usual ones, Germany and England,” Leo said. He added another team as well: “And Portugal, who also have a very competitive national team.” He also acknowledged that underdogs are always possible. “Then there’s always some surprise team, strange things you don’t expect beforehand. There are a lot of national teams at a high level.”

Which opponents have eliminated Argentina during the Messi era?

Lionel Messi’s cautious approach when discussing the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes from personal experience. Before becoming world champions in Qatar 2022 and winning back-to-back Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, Argentina suffered several painful defeats in major tournaments that left a mark on Leo and gave him a clear understanding of what it means to compete at the highest level.

In three of the four unsuccessful World Cup campaigns he took part in, Messi experienced Germany’s superiority firsthand. Argentina lost to them in the quarterfinals of Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010, before later falling again in the final of Brazil 2014. Four years later in Russia, it was France who eliminated La Albiceleste in the memorable 4-3 Round of 16 clash.

At the continental level, Messi also endured difficult defeats against regional rivals. Brazil beat Argentina in the 2007 Copa America final and again in the 2019 semifinals. Chile eliminated Leo twice as well, defeating Argentina in the finals of 2015 and 2016, while Uruguay knocked them out in 2011.

Messi believes in his teammates

Despite the caution he expressed, Lionel Messi also showed confidence that he and his teammates will give everything they have to achieve success at the 2026 World Cup. “The national team are doing well. Right now, several players are dealing with injuries or a lack of rhythm, but Argentina will always compete and give everything, just like this group have done ever since they came together,” the forward said in the same interview.

Real Madrid announced the punishment for Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.

In the middle of a turbulent week, the conflict between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni took another turn on Friday. Real Madrid announced the financial sanctions that will be imposed on both players: fines of €500,000 (approximately $590,000) each.

“Real Madrid C. F. announces that, following the events that led to the disciplinary proceedings initiated yesterday against our players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, both appeared today before the investigator assigned to the case,” begins the statement published on the club’s official website.

“During their appearance, the players expressed their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to each other. Furthermore, they extended their apologies to the club, their teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans, and both have made themselves available to Real Madrid to accept whatever sanction the club deems appropriate,” Los Blancos added.

“Under these circumstances, Real Madrid has decided to impose a financial penalty of five hundred thousand euros on each player, thereby concluding the corresponding internal procedures,” the club announced, officially bringing the matter to a close.

Official Announcement.

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 8, 2026

The sporting situation for Valverde and Tchouameni

As made clear in the statement published by Real Madrid, the club consider the matter closed following the financial penalties imposed on both players. That means neither Federico Valverde nor Aurelien Tchouameni will face any sporting consequences.

However, the situation leaves both players in very different circumstances. As a result of the altercation, Valverde suffered a blow to the head that required hospitalization, and the injury will prevent him from being part of the squad for Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona.

Tchouameni, meanwhile, is in perfect physical condition and, with the possibility of a club-imposed suspension now ruled out, has a strong chance of being included in the squad traveling to Catalunya. Whether or not he features in the starting lineup will depend on the decision of head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

Real Madrid injuries for clash against Barcelona

Federico Valverde is not the only player who will be unavailable for Sunday’s match against Barcelona. Due to physical issues, Daniel Carvajal, Eder Militao, Rodrygo Goes, Arda Guler, and Ferland Mendy will also miss the game. In addition, Kylian Mbappe is expected to arrive less than fully fit after dealing with muscular problems over the past week that kept him out of the squad for the win over Espanyol.

Lionel Messi opened up about his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo.

For nearly two decades, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated world soccer, collecting countless trophies and individual awards along the way. Even now, as both players approach the final stages of their careers, they remain the sport’s biggest stars. The Argentine forward recently reflected on that rivalry.

During an interview on Lo Del Pollo, Messi was asked whether the constant comparisons with Ronaldo were a media creation or if there was actually bad blood between them. “Those comparisons or competitions are something natural in the world of soccer. It’s normal, just like it happens with clubs or national teams, but it was never anything beyond sports,” Leo began.

“I was at Barcelona and he was at Real Madrid, playing Clasicos, and we were competing for everything both collectively and individually, so people were always comparing us,” the Argentine star added, referring to the 2009-2018 period when both players dominated La Liga.

“What both of us achieved made the rivalry even bigger,” Messi admitted. Indeed, for a decade, he and Cristiano split the most prestigious individual awards in soccer. Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, while Leo claimed his first the following year, and from then until 2018, no other player won the award until Luka Modric.

“We didn’t meet often except during matches or award ceremonies, where everyone was always watching to see whether he or I would win. But we were always on good terms,” explained the Inter Miami player. “Now we’re far away and at different stages of our lives, but what happened was a beautiful sporting rivalry.”

When was the last time Messi and Ronaldo faced each other?

To find the last meeting between Messi and Ronaldo, it is necessary to go back to January 2023. At the time, the Portuguese forward had just arrived in Saudi Arabia from Manchester United, and a friendly match was organized between Paris Saint-Germain and the Riyadh Season Team, a squad made up of players from Al Nassr and Al Hilal. PSG won the game 5-4.

However, the last official match between the two stars came much earlier. In the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League group stage, Juventus defeated Barcelona 3-0 thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo brace, just months before Messi was forced to leave the Catalan club for PSG.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup could be the final opportunity

Six and a half years after that last official match between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, their careers have taken very different paths. Playing on different continents, an official meeting between Inter Miami and Al Nassr appears extremely unlikely. Because of that, international soccer may be the only remaining possibility.

Although neither player has confirmed it, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will almost certainly be the final major tournament for Messi and Ronaldo with their respective national teams. There, the possibility of Argentina and Portugal meeting is not entirely unrealistic.

The quickest path for that to happen would be for both teams to finish second in their respective groups — something unlikely given the quality of their opponents — which would set up a potential Round of 16 clash. In a more logical scenario, with Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and advancing through the knockout rounds, they could instead meet in the quarterfinals.

With Spain’s squad announcement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup just days away, Real Madrid are at risk of losing a 92-year-old record.

Real Madrid are enduring one of their poorest seasons in decades. Having already failed to win the UEFA Champions League, Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey, they could also be eliminated from the La Liga title race this weekend. That context may also lead to the loss of a historic FIFA World Cup record once Spain’s final squad is confirmed.

Real Madrid are in serious danger of having no players included in Spain’s roster for the 2026 World Cup, something that has never happened before. Since the national team’s first appearance in the tournament at Italy 1934, Los Blancos have always had at least one player representing Spain at the World Cup.

Luis de la Fuente must submit a preliminary list of between 35 and 55 players by May 11. Then, no later than June 1, that group must be trimmed down to the final 26-man roster that will compete in North America.

At the moment, the only Real Madrid player who appears to have a realistic chance of making Spain’s squad is Dean Huijsen. The center back has been part of De la Fuente’s call-ups since 2025, although physical issues affected his standing within the team to the point that his place is not currently guaranteed.

The other Real Madrid player who could have competed for a spot at the World Cup is Dani Carvajal. In fact, he — alongside Marco Asensio — was one of only two club representatives in Spain’s squad for Qatar 2022. However, recurring injury problems have limited him to just one international appearance since September 2024, and his latest injury — a fracture in the distal phalanx of the fifth toe on his right foot suffered in early May — has effectively ruled him out of contention.

The Real Madrid players who represented Spain at the World Cup

Although Real Madrid have always had players included in Spain’s World Cup squads from 1934 through 2022, the number has varied depending on the era. The lowest total came at Brazil 1950, when midfielder Luis Molowny was the club’s lone representative.

By contrast, some of Real Madrid’s most successful eras coincided with large contingents of players representing Spain. The legendary teams of the late 1950s and early 1960s reached their peak at Chile 1962, when seven Real Madrid players were called up by Spain. The same number also made the squad for Mexico 1986, including Emilio Butragueno.

Real Madrid will still have many representatives at the World Cup

Even if Spain ultimately have no Real Madrid players in their roster, the club will still be heavily represented at the 2026 FIFA World Cup through players from other national teams.

Kylian Mbappe, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga all appear certain to be included in France’s squad, while Vinicius Junior is expected to represent Brazil. They would join Thibaut Courtois (Belgium), David Alaba (Austria), Antonio Rudiger (Germany), Jude Bellingham (England), Federico Valverde (Uruguay), Arda Guler (Turkey) and Brahim Diaz (Morocco).

Three days before their showdown against Barcelona, Real Madrid are still monitoring Kylian Mbappe’s situation closely.

Barcelona and Real Madrid will face off this Sunday in a new edition of El Clasico, a match that could go down in history if Los Blaugranas secure either a win or a draw that clinches the La Liga title. Against that backdrop, Kylian Mbappe’s availability remains uncertain, something that could strangely end up benefiting Los Blancos.

The French forward missed Real Madrid’s last match, a 2-0 victory over Espanyol last Sunday in La Liga. The absence was due to a muscle injury, leaving him questionable for El Clasico. It’s still unclear whether he will be available and, if so, whether he would start or come off the bench.

However, despite what might initially seem obvious, Real Madrid may actually be better off without their star player fully involved. Statistics show that in the last six matches in which Real Madrid had Mbappe in the starting lineup, they managed to win only once.

That could simply be viewed as evidence of the struggles experienced by Alvaro Arbeloa’s side this season rather than an issue specifically related to the French forward, if not for another revealing statistic: with Mbappe absent or coming off the bench, Real Madrid won seven of their last eight matches.

Real Madrid’s record with and without Mbappe

Hampered by different physical issues since late 2025, Kylian Mbappe has missed several Real Madrid matches in recent months. The team initially struggled without him to the point of being eliminated from the Copa del Rey, but later appeared to find a formula for success even without their biggest star.

The last eight matches without Mbappe in the starting lineup include victories over Manchester City in both legs and one against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League, as well as wins against Celta Vigo, Elche, Atletico Madrid and Espanyol in La Liga. The only blemish on that run was the March 2 loss to Getafe.

On the other hand, when the French star started matches, results were far less convincing. Real Madrid lost both matches against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals, in addition to a La Liga defeat against Mallorca. They also drew against Real Betis and Girona. The only victory during that stretch with Mbappe in the starting lineup came on April 21 against Alaves.

How have Real Madrid replaced Mbappe?

Given Mbappe’s recurring injury absences throughout the year, Alvaro Arbeloa has been forced to look for solutions to replace him. The most obvious option was Gonzalo Garcia, the backup center forward available on the roster, and he has indeed been one of the alternatives used by the coach.

However, in most cases Arbeloa opted for a different approach: moving Vinicius Junior into a more central attacking role instead of his usual position as a left winger, giving him the freedom to occupy spaces as he saw fit. In many of those matches, the Brazilian star was also partnered in attack by Brahim Diaz.

Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni were involved in a fight on Thursday, prompting Real Madrid to release a statement on the matter.

Real Madrid found themselves at the center of attention on Thursday after Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde were involved in a fight that reportedly ended with the Uruguayan midfielder being taken to the hospital. Following the incident, the club broke its silence.

“Real Madrid C. F. announces that, following the incidents that occurred this morning during the first team’s training session, it has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni,” the Spanish side announced on Thursday.

“The club will provide updates on the resolutions of both proceedings once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed,” the statement published on Real Madrid’s official website added.

Reports from Marca and Diario AS, among other Spanish media outlets, have reconstructed the sequence of events that led to the altercation between the two players. Heated arguments on Wednesday reportedly raised tensions between them, which then escalated further during Thursday’s training session.

Official Statement

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 7, 2026

After refusing to greet Tchouameni, Valverde reportedly made several hard tackles on his teammate during practice. That led to another confrontation that turned physical, forcing the Uruguayan midfielder to be taken to a hospital for medical attention.

The consequences of the Valverde-Tchouameni fight

The interruption of Thursday’s training session due to the fight between the players is not the only consequence Real Madrid have suffered. The violent altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni will also have significant short-term sporting repercussions for the club.

“Following tests carried out today on our player Fede Valverde by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a head injury,” the club announced in another statement published on its official website. “Valverde is recovering at home in good condition and will need to remain at rest for between 10 and 14 days, in accordance with the medical protocols established for this diagnosis.”

That means the Uruguayan midfielder will not be available for Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona, a match in which Real Madrid will be fighting to keep their slim La Liga title hopes alive. He will also miss the following match against Real Oviedo.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Johnny Cardoso suffered an injury that could put his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the USMNT at risk.

With just 35 days remaining until the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the USMNT are entering the final stages of their preparation for the tournament. Against that backdrop, they could be facing an unexpected setback following an injury suffered by Atletico Madrid midfielder Johnny Cardoso.

“Johnny Cardoso suffers a high-grade sprain in his right ankle,” the Spanish club announced through its official social media accounts. The report on the club’s official website added that the midfielder “was unable to complete Thursday’s training session after suffering a blow.”

Atletico Madrid also outlined the next steps following confirmation of the injury: “He will undergo physiotherapy and rehabilitation sessions in the gym, and the progress of his recovery will determine his return to competition. We wish you a speedy recovery, Johnny. You’ll come back stronger.”

The injury represents a major blow for Los Colchoneros, who are now unlikely to have Cardoso available for the remainder of the 2025-26 La Liga season. Atletico Madrid still have four matches left to play before May 24, beginning with Saturday’s clash against Celta Vigo.

Johnny Cardoso suffers a high-grade sprain in his right ankle.

He will undergo physiotherapy and rehabilitation sessions in the gym, and the progress of his recovery will determine his return to competition.

We wish you a speedy recovery, Johnny. You'll come back stronger ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/NF6xeEO0of

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) May 7, 2026

USMNT on alert over Cardoso

Beyond the concerns Atletico Madrid may have regarding Johnny Cardoso’s absence, it is clear that the USMNT are the side most worried about the situation. The injury could not have come at a worse time: on May 11, teams must submit their preliminary squads of between 35 and 55 players, which will later be trimmed down to 26 no later than June 1.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on June 11, when Mexico and South Africa play the opening match at Estadio Azteca. The USMNT will make their debut one day later against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

That leaves Mauricio Pochettino with very little time to evaluate Johnny Cardoso’s availability. The midfielder will almost certainly be included in the preliminary roster set to be announced next week, but his recovery over the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether he earns a spot in the final World Cup squad.

Cardoso’s recent history with the USMNT

Despite being an important player for Atletico Madrid, Johnny Cardoso has struggled recently to secure a regular role with the USMNT. In fact, he has appeared in only one of the team’s last 11 matches under Mauricio Pochettino: in March of this year, when he played 45 minutes in the loss to Belgium.

The head coach has recently given preference to other defensive midfielders. Tyler Adams remains one of the top options, although he missed several USMNT matches due to the knee injury he suffered with Bournemouth late in 2025. Other midfielders who have filled that role include Tanner Tessmann, Sebastian Berhalter, Aidan Morris, Cristian Roldan and James Sands.

Antonio Cassano met with Lionel Messi in Miami and the two discussed the Argentine star’s retirement plans.

As Lionel Messi gets closer to deciding whether he will play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he is also approaching his 39th birthday. Against that backdrop, he recently received a visit from Antonio Cassano in Miami, where the two spoke about the future of the Argentine forward’s career.

“He spent an hour and 40 minutes with me and my family. We talked about many things. He treated me in a way I never expected. He’s the only person that, when I see him, I can’t speak, I can’t say anything,” Cassano said on the Viva El Futbol podcast while recalling his meeting with Messi just one week ago.

The former Italy forward did not hesitate to express his admiration for the Argentina legend. “Leo, do you even realize that you are the greatest player the history of soccer has ever seen?” Cassano asked him. “Antonio, whether I’m the No. 1, No. 2, No. 5, No. 10 or No. 15, what difference does it make to me?” the Inter Miami star replied.

“It changes nothing for me. I don’t listen to whether I’m first, second or third. I have passion and love for soccer,” Messi added before revealing his plans for the final stretch of his professional career: “I can play three or four more years. I do it for the love of soccer, I enjoy it.”

Messi’s future in soccer

The anecdote shared by Antonio Cassano offers an important clue about the direction Lionel Messi’s career could take over the next few years. At club level, it is already known that he signed a contract extension with Inter Miami through December 31, 2028.

That guarantees, at minimum, that he will complete the current MLS season and play at least two more after that. By then, Leo will be 41 years old. However, if he follows through on his current plan to play “three or four more years,” he could still have room to extend his professional career even further.

At international level, the picture appears less clear. With no official confirmation regarding his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it seems difficult to imagine his time with Argentina lasting much longer beyond next year. But the same feeling emerged after his own comments following the title in Qatar in 2022, and yet he remained part of the squad for nearly four more years.

Who is Antonio Cassano?

Lionel Messi’s legendary status is clear to soccer fans around the world. Still, it becomes even more evident when other stars openly express their admiration for the Argentine forward.

Antonio Cassano admitted he felt nervous in Messi’s presence, something that may come as a surprise considering he himself was a soccer star for years. After shining with AS Roma in the early 2000s, the former Italy forward joined Real Madrid in 2005. Later in his career, he also played for other European giants such as AC Milan and Inter Milan.

During his professional career, Cassano shared the pitch with stars such as Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazario, Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos, Francesco Totti, Gabriel Batistuta and Paolo Maldini. Even so, no player left a greater impression on him than Lionel Messi.

Although Mauricio Pochettino, Didier Deschamps and Lionel Scaloni have been mentioned as potential targets for Real Madrid, the 2026 FIFA World Cup presents a complication.

Pending official confirmation, it appears certain that Real Madrid are set to look for a new manager to replace Alvaro Arbeloa once the season ends. High-profile names such as Mauricio Pochettino, Didier Deschamps and Lionel Scaloni have been linked with the role, but for all of them, the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be an obstacle.

“Real Madrid do not view it favorably if their new coach is involved in the World Cup,” Mundo Deportivo reported on Wednesday. “They want the new manager focused from day one on planning for next season, and that seems difficult if he is at the World Cup.”

Indeed, the FIFA tournament could complicate planning for the Spanish side’s roster rebuild. The European club season will end in late May, at which point players will join their respective national teams to compete in North America 2026.

Meanwhile, club managers will continue working on preseason planning and shaping their squads, both in terms of outgoing transfers and new signings. However, with the World Cup running through July 19, that timeline could prove problematic for certain candidates.

Real Madrid reportedly interested in several World Cup coaches

Since their UEFA Champions League elimination against Bayern Munich dealt a decisive blow to Arbeloa’s tenure, speculation about Real Madrid’s next manager has dominated headlines worldwide.

Among the many rumored candidates, several are currently coaching national teams that will compete in the World Cup. Didier Deschamps is set to step down from France this summer after 14 years in charge, making him a logical candidate for Los Blancos given his success and strong relationship with Kylian Mbappe.

Mauricio Pochettino is another name frequently mentioned, especially considering he has previously been linked with Real Madrid. However, his future with the USMNT remains uncertain and could depend on the team’s performance at the World Cup.

With lower odds but still part of the conversation are Lionel Scaloni and Julian Nagelsmann. The Argentina coach’s contract expires this summer, although reports suggest there is interest in extending it into another World Cup cycle. Meanwhile, Nagelsmann remains under contract with Germany through UEFA Euro 2028.

Other options for Real Madrid

If reports prove accurate and Real Madrid rule out coaches involved in the World Cup, their options would become more limited. Jose Mourinho could remain a strong alternative despite being under contract with Benfica. A similar situation applies to AC Milan’s Massimiliano Allegri.

Harry Kane matched Lionel Messi’s single-season UEFA Champions League goal mark, although Cristiano Ronaldo remains at the top.

On Wednesday, Bayern Munich drew 1-1 against Paris Saint-Germain and were eliminated in the UEFA Champions League semifinals after a 5-4 defeat in the first leg. Harry Kane scored Bayern’s goal, allowing him to match a mark set by Lionel Messi, though he still falls short of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record.

His goal against PSG was Kane’s 14th in this edition of the Champions League. It marks his best-ever performance in the competition and places him among a select group of players to reach that total in a single season.

The England star now shares a spot on the all-time list with Lionel Messi and Jose Altafini. The Argentine star also scored 14 goals in the 2011-12 Champions League with Barcelona, while the Italian-Brazilian did so with AC Milan in 1962-63.

However, they all remain behind Cristiano Ronaldo. With Real Madrid, he surpassed that total in three different editions of the tournament. His best performance came in 2013-14, when he led Los Blancos to the title with 17 goals. Two years later, he repeated the feat with 16 goals, and in 2017-18 he once again won the title after scoring 15 goals.

Harry Kane scores his 14th goal in 13 #UCL games this season but it is not enough for Bayern Munich 💔 pic.twitter.com/680Mvz3JUH

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 6, 2026

That same total has also been reached by the other two players in the top five. Karim Benzema won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2021-22 after scoring 15 goals, while Robert Lewandowski hit that mark in 2019-20 with Bayern Munich.

Players with the most goals in a single Champions League season:

1- Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid – 17 goals (2013-14)

2- Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid – 16 goals (2015-16)

3- Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid – 15 goals (2017-18)

3- Robert Lewandowski – Bayern Munich – 15 (2019-20)

3- Karim Benzema – Real Madrid – 15 (2021-22)

6- Jose Altafini – AC Milan – 14 (1962-63)

6- Lionel Messi – Barcelona – 14 (2011-12)

6- Harry Kane – Bayern Munich – 14 (2025-26)

Bayern Munich make history

Despite their Champions League elimination, Harry Kane’s goal helped Bayern Munich strengthen their place in another historic ranking. The attacking trio of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz ranks among the most prolific in soccer history.

With 102 combined goals, Bayern’s stars sit fifth among the highest-scoring attacking trios of all time. On Wednesday, they matched Barcelona’s 2011-12 trio, when Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Xavi Hernandez scored the same number.

Only two attacking trios rank above them. One is the legendary Barcelona trio of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, which holds the top spot with 131 goals in 2015-16, second place with 122 in 2014-15, and fourth place with 110 in 2016-17. Third place belongs to Real Madrid’s 2011-12 trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema, who combined for 118 goals.

Santos star Neymar spoke publicly about his incident with Robinho Jr.

Neymar was at the center of attention following his altercation with Robinho Jr during a Santos training session, in which the 34-year-old star struck and insulted his teammate, prompting an internal club investigation. A few days later, the situation has cooled down, and now those involved have shared their explanations.

“It was a misunderstanding, a reaction, and I crossed the line,” Neymar admitted during an interview with ESPN on Tuesday. “He’s a kid I care about a lot, very deeply. I apologized right away, we talked in the locker room and understood each other… This had to be resolved internally, not the way it happened.”

These remarks came after Santos’ 1-1 draw against Recoleta FC in Paraguay on Matchday 4 of the Copa Sudamericana group stage. Neymar scored his team’s only goal, as they remain bottom of Group D, though still with a chance to advance with two matches remaining.

“These things happen in football,” Neymar said about his clash with Robinho Jr. “Anyone who plays football knows it happens. Fights, arguments of all kinds. That’s football. I’ve argued with friends before. I’ve had fights in the locker room many times, and everything stays there.”

La celebración de Neymar con CACHETADA Y EMPUJÓN a Robinho Júnior… 😅🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/w6DoDTV0zt https://t.co/KceK7LMdJr

— Ataque Futbolero (@AtaqueFutbolero) May 6, 2026

Reconciliation between Neymar and Robinho Jr appears complete

According to reports, the conflict between the Santos players occurred on May 3 during a training session, when Neymar felt that Robinho Jr was mocking him after dribbling past him. The former Barcelona star reacted with a punch, a kick, and several insults.

However, after acknowledging his mistake and apologizing, the situation appears to have been resolved between the two, to the point that they celebrated together in Paraguay. When Neymar scored Santos’ opener in Tuesday’s match against Recoleta FC, he embraced Robinho Jr, showing that their relationship has been repaired.

What did Robinho Jr say about his conflict with Neymar?

After the Copa Sudamericana match, Neymar was not the only one to address the incident that took place days earlier during Santos training. “He was man enough to admit his mistake, and I was man enough to sit down and talk. The apology is accepted,” Robinho Jr said.

However, the young forward also made clear how painful the episode was for him. “I was hurt because he’s been my idol since I was a kid. The first gift he gave me was a jersey when I was eight, and I cried a lot,” Robinho Jr said.

Just over a month before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Luis Suarez sent a message to the Uruguay national team.

Uruguay are one of the 48 teams set to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer in North America. They are entering the final stretch of their preparations and, in that context, received a message from Inter Miami star Luis Suarez.

“Obviously, as a Uruguayan, I would never say no to the national team,” Suarez said this Wednesday during a press conference in Miami, shared on X by reporter Jose Armando. “Right now, it’s about continuing to work. Like I said, I would never say no to the national team if they need me, especially with a World Cup coming up.”

These remarks come a year and a half after Suarez announced his retirement from international soccer. He last played for Uruguay in September 2024, when he started in a 0-0 draw against Paraguay during the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

The Inter Miami forward also addressed the reasons behind his decision to step away from international duty. “At the time, I stepped aside because I felt it was time to make room for younger players,” said Suarez, who turned 39 in January 2026.

Luis Suárez reitera su mensaje para la selección uruguaya.

Si lo necesitan, está disponible.#InterMiamiCF #Uruguay 🇺🇾 pic.twitter.com/WGzKdCt2qD

— José Armando (@Jarm21) May 6, 2026

Suarez was involved in controversy with Uruguay coach Bielsa

Beyond the sporting reasons Suarez cited for leaving the Uruguay national team in 2024, there were also off-field issues that contributed to his departure. In particular, his relationship with head coach Marcelo Bielsa was under the spotlight.

“Several players held a meeting to ask the coach to at least say good morning—he wouldn’t even greet us,” Suarez said in an interview with DSports Uruguay in October 2024. “There were situations during the Copa America (2024) that came up and that hurt… I preferred to stay quiet out of respect for the national team.”

Now, a year and a half later, tensions in Uruguay have eased to the point that other players who had issues with Bielsa have returned and are expected to be considered for the 2026 World Cup, such as Agustin Cannobio.

In that context, Suarez revisited those controversies this Wednesday and was self-critical. “I said things I shouldn’t have said. It wasn’t the right moment, and I’ve already apologized to those I needed to,” the forward admitted.

Uruguay’s attacking options

With 143 caps, 69 goals and 39 assists between 2007 and 2024, Luis Suarez is one of the most important players in the history of the Uruguay national team. He won the 2011 Copa America and played in four World Cups, most notably helping Uruguay to a fourth-place finish in South Africa 2010.

Now at 39, the striker is clearly past his peak, but he remains an intriguing option given his experience and quality. Since his international retirement, Uruguay have struggled to find a player to take over the center forward role.

Over the past year and a half, the national team have played 16 matches without Suarez. In six of those, Darwin Nunez started as the striker, likely the strongest option Uruguay have in that position. However, the former Liverpool forward failed to score in those appearances. Rodrigo Aguirre, Federico Viñas and Luciano Rodriguez are the other forwards tested by Bielsa.

Gianni Infantino sent a request to Lionel Messi just over a month before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Uncertainty still surrounds Lionel Messi regarding his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While he has been part of Argentina’s entire cycle over the past four years, he has yet to confirm whether he will play in the tournament set to take place in North America this summer. In that context, Gianni Infantino shared a message.

“Let it not be Messi’s last—let him play one, two, three more, because he always brings us so much joy!” the FIFA president said in an interview with Clarin, one of Argentina’s most prestigious newspapers, after attending this week’s 29th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, California.

Infantino’s wish, of course, lacks any real foundation. Messi will turn 39 during this World Cup and, if he takes part with Argentina, it is clear it would be his sixth and final appearance. By 2030, Leo will already be 43 years old, and his professional career will almost certainly be over.

The FIFA president also expressed high expectations for Argentina’s performance in the tournament. “They will play very well, that’s for sure,” Infantino said, while also encouraging fans from the South American country to travel and support their national team.

“Argentina’s fans are spectacular,” Infantino said. “They should come and enjoy it because they are already world champions. So they should enjoy the World Cup, every match. It’s going to be a celebration!”

Messi must make a decision soon

With no public statement yet from Lionel Messi regarding whether he will play in the 2026 World Cup, the first indication is expected next week. By May 11 at the latest, each of the 48 participating national teams must submit a preliminary list of between 35 and 55 players under consideration for the tournament.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni will almost certainly include Messi, unless the forward explicitly informs him of a decision not to be part of the squad. Then, by June 1 at the latest, the preliminary list must be trimmed down to the final 26-player roster that will travel to North America.

Infantino promotes soccer’s growth in the United States

Gianni Infantino also discussed the financial and commercial impact the World Cup is expected to have. “A quarter of the world will be playing over 39 days across three different countries and in 500 official venues,” he explained. “Those who were previously interested in investing only looked at Europe. Now they are looking at other parts of the world.”

He also emphasized how soccer needs to become a bigger phenomenon in the United States. “Seventy percent of the football business is generated in Europe, and the United States accounts for only about five percent… I don’t understand how they can be satisfied being No. 20 in the No. 1 sport in the world,” the FIFA president said. “MLS are doing a great job. It’s true that Messi is playing here, but one player alone is not enough.”

Thierry Henry spoke about his expectations for Lamine Yamal ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

There is no doubt that Lamine Yamal will be one of the main attractions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Spanish winger has already earned a prominent place in world soccer and will now aim to achieve the ultimate prize with Spain. A Barcelona legend, Thierry Henry, shared his thoughts on him.

“I’m looking forward to watch the World Cup,” Henry said in a recent interview with Marca. “I hope that Lamine is gonna be there, fresh, and perform, because what you want is to see the best players on that stage, able to perform. Even if I’m not Spanish, you want to see Lamine Yamal there.”

Henry then highlighted a specific trait that stands out to him about Yamal. “We all know he’s an outstanding player. You know what I like about Lamine? I saw something at the Euro that I rarely saw at that age,” the former forward began.

“You guys will not remember, it was against France. He received the ball on the right. He could have gone on the counter, but he told the whole team ‘calm down,’” Henry recalled. “Who does that at 16 years old? You don’t have that that early. I was like ‘Already? You understand? He plays like he’s in his neighborhood. World Cup or not, intensity is the same. He tries to play, he tries to dribble, he takes risks. That’s the type of player you want to see.”

Having been a young prodigy himself—a World Cup winner in 1998 at just 19 years old—Thierry Henry was impressed not only by Yamal’s talent on the ball, but also by his understanding of the game and his ability to read what each moment requires.

Lamine Yamal continues his recovery

It is no coincidence that one of the first things Thierry Henry mentioned about Lamine Yamal was his hope that he arrives “fresh” at the World Cup. That is because, at the moment, Spain’s main concern regarding the young winger is that he fully recovers from the muscle injury he suffered with Barcelona just two weeks ago.

In that regard, the latest updates have been positive. With his club season officially over, Yamal is working hard to be in optimal condition for the start of the World Cup. In fact, this Tuesday he shared a story on his official Instagram account showing him training on a stationary bike, a sign that his recovery is progressing well.

🚨🚴🏾‍♂️ Lamine Yamal begins training on grass and working in the gym.

He’s expected to be ready for World Cup. pic.twitter.com/CyOqC2scZJ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 5, 2026

Henry on the difference between World Cup and Champions League

Having won both the World Cup with France and the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona, Thierry Henry is well qualified to compare the two biggest competitions in soccer.

“As I always say, the World Cup is every four years, that’s what makes it extra special. The Champions League is every year, you always have the chance to win it every year,” the former forward explained in the same interview with Marca. “The World Cup is a different game, so I’m really excited.”

Ian Fray, a teammate of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, has been sanctioned by Major League Soccer following comments about the loss to Orlando City.

Inter Miami’s dramatic 4-3 loss to Orlando City last Saturday continues to have repercussions for Lionel Messi’s team. Now, Ian Fray has been fined by Major League Soccer for comments he made after the match.

“Ian Fray has been fined for ‘violating the league’s public criticism policy,’” reporter Jose Armando reported Tuesday in a post on his official X account. “The sanction is financial only.”

The punishment stems from remarks the Jamaican right-back made after the match, taking aim at referee Guido Gonzalez. “I think this referee has something against maybe some of the players on our team. That’s just as simple as that,” Fray said during the postgame press conference at Nu Stadium on Saturday.

However, the Inter Miami defender was quick to clarify that Gonzalez’s performance was not the reason for the result. “We shouldn’t have lost regardless of the referee,” Ian said. “That’s not an excuse, I’m not trying to make that an excuse at all.”

Ian Fray agrega que considera que el árbitro de hoy tiene algo en contra de algunos jugadores de Inter Miami.

No lo pone como excusa.

Entiende que pudo existir cansancio pero que Orlando jugó a mitad de semana y tampoco es excusa.#InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/mo2b0TYbXR

— José Armando (@Jarm21) May 3, 2026

Inter Miami have received several MLS sanctions recently

Fray’s case adds to a growing list of Inter Miami players who have been disciplined by MLS in recent weeks. Some of those sanctions stemmed from incidents during matches, while others—like this one—came from postgame actions.

The most recent example involved Luis Suarez, who was also fined by the league for “violating the league’s policy regarding simulation/embellishment” after attempting to draw a penalty during a match against New England Revolution.

Earlier this season, Facundo Mura received a fine for a similar incident against Real Salt Lake, while the most severe punishment was handed to Yannick Bright, who received an additional match suspension for racist remarks.

Ian Fray also reveals Messi’s reaction

During the same press conference in which Ian Fray made the remarks that led to his Major League Soccer sanction, the defender also addressed Lionel Messi’s reaction following the loss to Orlando City on Saturday.

“The captain spoke and gave us a lot of motivational words ahead of the upcoming match,” Fray said about Messi. “He said that this is unacceptable, and it’s something we all completely agree with — this is unacceptable, and it certainly won’t happen again.”

Mauricio Serna, a former player and executive at Boca Juniors, spoke about the possibility of Neymar moving to Argentina.

Neymar is currently at the center of several talking points in the soccer world. His potential return to the Brazil national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as well as his conflicts at Santos with fans and teammates, are among them. Now, speculation about a possible move to Argentina to play for Boca Juniors has emerged—something Mauricio Serna addressed.

“Within the Boca world, anything is possible. In fact, when I was working at the club, some agents used to call me to offer Neymar,” Serna said in a recent interview with Radio Splendid. “We never moved forward. I don’t know if it was real or not, but he’s been offered.”

Serna was a Boca Juniors star as a player in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Years later, when club legend Juan Roman Riquelme became president, he brought him in to join the sporting council, a role the former Colombian player held from 2022 to 2025.

It was during those years that Neymar was first offered to Boca, a period that coincided with the Brazilian forward’s departure from Paris Saint-Germain, his struggles with Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, and ultimately his return to Santos at the beginning of last year.

Serna imagines Neymar at Boca Juniors

In the same interview, Mauricio Serna allowed himself to imagine a scenario in which Neymar actually becomes a Boca player. “Anything can happen. Boca are capable of anything. Who wouldn’t want to see Neymar wearing the shirt of the club they love? It would be beautiful—I’d have to move back to Buenos Aires so I wouldn’t miss a single match,” the Colombian said.

Serna then analyzed Neymar’s current situation, acknowledging that while he is no longer the same player he was at Barcelona and PSG, he remains an important figure: “Even if it’s been difficult for him to regain rhythm and form, he’s one of those players who still brings a smile to soccer fans.”

Neymar’s current struggles

Rumors about a possible move to Argentina have several roots. The first spark came from Neymar’s visit to Buenos Aires last week, when he played with Santos against San Lorenzo in the Copa Sudamericana. He received a warm welcome from opposing fans—something that contrasts with his recent experiences in Brazil—and also visited Boca’s training facility, where he met with former PSG teammate Ander Herrera.

Those speculations have grown amid ongoing tensions at Santos that cast doubt over his future at the club. Disagreements with fans unhappy with the team’s performances have been compounded by a reported dispute with teammate Robinho Jr. following an alleged incident in training. All of this comes as Neymar looks to regain top form in hopes of convincing Carlo Ancelotti to include him in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Major League Soccer recognized Lionel Messi for his performance against Orlando City, despite Inter Miami’s defeat.

Last Saturday, Inter Miami suffered a tough 4-3 loss to Orlando City after starting the match in dominant fashion and building a three-goal lead. Despite the setback, Major League Soccer honored Lionel Messi’s performance.

“Inter Miami CF captain Lionel Messi has been named to the Major League Soccer Team of the Matchday,” the club announced in a statement published on its official website. “The Argentine earns his fifth Team of the Matchday selection of the campaign after a standout performance in which he contributed to all three Inter Miami goals, recording one goal and two assists.”

The Herons’ first-half advantage was largely driven by the Argentine forward’s performance. On Ian Fray’s opening goal, Messi played the pass to Telasco Segovia, who then delivered the cross. He later assisted the Venezuelan midfielder for the second goal, and in the 33rd minute, he scored the third with a precise finish.

However, Messi’s performance was overshadowed in the second half by another Argentine. Martin Ojeda led Orlando City’s comeback with a hat trick to level the score and then assisted Tyrese Spicer for the game-winning goal in stoppage time.

Matchday 11's best XI. 😮‍💨

Team of the Matchday pres. by Audi: https://t.co/hzNJh99dHI pic.twitter.com/oIPV0HmD2S

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 4, 2026

Messi keeps piling up accolades

The honor awarded by MLS to Lionel Messi as part of the Team of the Matchday for Week 11 adds to a growing list of similar recognitions the Argentine forward has earned for his performances with Inter Miami.

In fact, during the 2026 season, Messi has been named to the Team of the Matchday in five of the first eleven weeks. His previous selections came in Matchday 2 (alongside Javier Mascherano, Telasco Segovia, and Mateo Silvetti), Matchday 5 (alongside Gonzalo Lujan), Matchday 6, and Matchday 8.

These honors reflect the Argentine star’s production so far this season. Messi has played in 10 of Inter Miami’s 11 MLS matches in 2026—resting only for the March matchup against Charlotte FC—and has recorded eight goals and one assist.

Inter Miami’s upcoming challenges

Following the tough loss to Orlando City, Inter Miami now have a week to recover both mentally and physically. On Saturday, they will travel to Canada to face Toronto FC in the first of three matches in a one-week span. They will then visit FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, May 13, before returning home the following Sunday to host Portland Timbers.

Davide Ancelotti, an assistant to his father Carlo with the Brazil national team, discussed expectations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

At the end of this month, Carlo Ancelotti will have to finalize the 26-man roster that will compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With that deadline approaching, his son and assistant Davide opened up about the challenges facing Brazil.

“If you analyse the actual situation of Brazil, there are really good defenders, some of the best in the world, really good transition players – the wingers, the 10s, and the strikers too,” Davide Ancelotti said in a recent interview with BBC Sport.

“This gives you an idea of what kind of football you can play, but then there is the culture of the nation,” the assistant added, suggesting that not only the players’ attributes and the coach’s opinions matter when defining a national team’s style of play.

“You need to have a clear identity but to adapt. You have to be able to balance your ideas with the characteristics of the players and then the identity of the nation,” Davide explained. “It’s not an easy job… And then you have to win the World Cup as well!”

This perhaps represents the biggest challenge Carlo Ancelotti has faced since taking over Brazil in the summer of 2025. At that time, the team were struggling in the World Cup qualifiers—something the Italian coach quickly managed to fix. However, in terms of on-field performances, they still appear to have room for improvement.

Brazil have a well-defined style

Few national teams in the world have as rich a tradition as Brazil. The great stars who have represented the national team since the 1950s helped shape the style fans expect to see, but that identity has not been easy to maintain in recent years.

Davide Ancelotti described that style as “to play attacking football, winning football, and to play with a smile. You have to consider that.” He also spoke about the fans’ expectations: “Brazilian people love football, they like to joga bonito (play beautifully), but they like to win a lot.”

Brazil’s challenges in recent decades

South Korea – Japan 2002 was Brazil’s most recent World Cup title. That squad perfectly embodied the country’s style, featuring world-class stars such as Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Kaka, Cafu, and Roberto Carlos. Much of that generation also competed at Germany 2006, where they were eliminated by France in the quarterfinals.

Since then, Brazil have struggled to maintain that identity—a challenge Carlo Ancelotti continues to face today. That attacking, seemingly carefree style has not delivered results in subsequent World Cups, where they have fallen short of reaching the final.

Perhaps the closest examples of Brazil’s traditional style came under coach Tite at Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, although they were eliminated in the quarterfinals on both occasions. Now, Ancelotti faces the challenge of changing that narrative and leading Brazil deep into a World Cup once again.

Inter Miami fall 4-3 to Orlando City in a match that will go down in Major League Soccer history.

Inter Miami fell 4-3 to Orlando City in a match that will go down in Major League Soccer history. Lionel Messi had scored one of the goals in the first half, during which the Herons built a three-goal lead. Martin Ojeda was the standout performer of the night with a hat trick for the visitors.

The hosts showed their dominance from the opening minutes of the first half. It took them just three minutes to take the lead, when Telasco Segovia delivered a cross that Micael headed home.

At the 25-minute mark, Guillermo Hoyos’ side doubled their advantage after a combination between Luis Suarez and Messi ended with Segovia finishing the move. Leo himself added the third shortly after with a beautiful long-range strike. Orlando City managed to pull one back before halftime through Martin Ojeda.

Everything changed in the second half. Inter Miami ceded control and opted to exploit the spaces left by their opponents on the counterattack in an attempt to extend their lead, but they lacked precision and were punished by Orlando City’s pressure.

In that context, Ojeda became the most decisive player of the match. The Argentine attacking midfielder took control and led his team brilliantly, scoring two more goals to bring the Lions level at 3-3. In stoppage time, Tyrese Spicer scored the winner.

As a result, Inter Miami let a huge opportunity slip away to win the derby, while also extending their winless run at Nu Stadium to four matches since its opening in early April.

Inter Miami and Orlando City will face off this Saturday in the most anticipated Major League Soccer matchup of the weekend, with all eyes on Lionel Messi.

This Saturday brings another edition of the Florida derby, with Inter Miami under pressure to secure a win at Nu Stadium against Orlando City to remain among the contenders in Major League Soccer. Lionel Messi will be in the starting lineup.

The Herons went through a midseason coaching change, but it did not affect them. Under Guillermo Hoyos, they have put together a strong run of results that has them sitting second in the standings with 19 points, three behind leaders Nashville SC.

However, Inter Miami still have unfinished business: winning for the first time at Nu Stadium. The venue officially opened in early April, and since then they have played three matches there—against Austin FC, New York Red Bulls, and New England Revolution—drawing all of them.

On the other side will be Orlando City, who are currently experiencing a very different reality from their rivals. They did not start the season well and sit 14th in the Eastern Conference, with just two wins in 10 matches.

While they await the arrival of Antoine Griezmann, who will join after finishing the 2025–26 season with Atletico Madrid, the Lions need to improve their performances in MLS, and Saturday’s clash presents an ideal opportunity to begin that turnaround.

Confirmed Inter Miami lineup

For this match, head coach Guillermo Hoyos will be without two key squad members: Sergio Reguilon and Mateo Silvetti are out due to injury. The good news is that Lionel Messi is fully fit.

Inter Miami’s confirmed lineup is: Dayne St. Clair; Ian Fray, Maximiliano Falcon, Micael, Noah Allen; Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi; Luis Suarez, German Berterame.

Confirmed Orlando City lineup

In recent weeks, Orlando City have alternated wins and losses in MLS. Their last match was a 4-3 victory over New England Revolution, which gives them momentum heading into Saturday. However, the challenge will now be much greater, and head coach Martin Perelman will need to design an effective defensive strategy to contain Lionel Messi.

Orlando City’s confirmed lineup is: Maxime Crepeau; Griffin Dorsey, Iago, Robin Jansson, Adrian Marin; Braian Ojeda, Luis Otavio, Martin Ojeda; Ivan Angulo, Tiago, Justin Ellis.

Santos will face Palmeiras this Saturday in the Brazilian Serie A, and Neymar will not be part of the squad.

Neymar is focused on reaching peak physical and competitive form to earn a spot on the Brazil squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, this Saturday he will not be part of the Santos team that will face Palmeiras in Serie A.

The news was confirmed after Santos shared on their official social media accounts the list of 24 players selected by head coach Cuca for the derby. Ney is absent, which means he will not even be among the substitutes.

“The number 10 will not be on the field due to the sequence of games and the plan that already foresees his absence in some of them, and also taking into account the synthetic turf at Palmeiras’ stadium,” O Globo reported, in a story that was also picked up by other major outlets such as TyC Sports and DirecTV Sports.

The decision for Neymar not to play carries major significance, considering his importance to the team and what is at stake. Santos are in a delicate situation in Serie A, currently in the relegation zone with just 14 points from 13 matches. Palmeiras, in addition to being their historic rivals, are the current leaders of the standings with a clear advantage over Flamengo.

Os relacionados para o clássico de amanhã! 📋⚪⚫ pic.twitter.com/CdJ75VEHoj

— Santos FC (@SantosFC) May 1, 2026

Neymar prioritizes his physical health

In recent weeks, Neymar achieved something he had not managed in years: he played the full 90 minutes in five consecutive matches, without showing signs of fatigue or injury. To reach those numbers, however, careful planning with the Santos staff was required to help him manage his workload.

That is why the forward was not part of the squad last weekend, when Santos drew 2-2 against Bahia in Serie A. The same will happen this Saturday against Palmeiras, with the goal of prioritizing Tuesday’s Copa Sudamericana match against Recoleta FC in Paraguay.

These decisions, aimed at taking steady steps toward Neymar’s full physical condition, may not be ideal in his attempt to impress Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian coach has made it clear that his plan is to call up Ney for the World Cup only if he is capable of competing at the highest level. Therefore, missing two matches in one week to avoid risking his fitness is not an encouraging sign, considering that the demands at North America 2026 will be extremely high.

Neymar and the synthetic turf

In addition to the congested schedule, another reported reason for Neymar’s absence this Saturday against Palmeiras is the surface at Allianz Parque. On more than one occasion, the 34-year-old forward has expressed his disagreement with the presence of stadiums with synthetic turf, believing they are dangerous for players’ physical health.

“Playing at Allianz is practically impossible for me. Playing on synthetic turf is one of the things that bothers me the most as a player, regardless of my injuries,” Neymar said in August 2025. “The direction Brazilian soccer is taking is concerning. It’s absurd that we have to talk about synthetic turf on our fields.”

Antony recalled an embarrassing moment he experienced while being Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate at Manchester United.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s continued status as a global soccer star at 41 is no coincidence. It is largely due to his discipline and work ethic. Former Manchester United teammate Antony reflected on that during a recent interview.

“Once in the sauna he joked with me. He showed me his physique and asked if he looked 23 years old. I was even embarrassed because you see the level of care he takes even at almost 40,” Antony recalled in an interview with Globoesporte. “He’s a role model for everyone.”

Antony and Ronaldo were briefly teammates during the Portuguese star’s second stint in England in the 2022-23 season. The young winger had just arrived from Ajax that summer, while CR7 was in the final months of his time at the club before his turbulent exit, which ultimately led to his move to Al Nassr.

At that time, Ronaldo was nearing 38 years old and, just like now, remained in peak physical condition thanks to his strict training, diet, and recovery routines—something consistently praised by his former teammates. Antony, then just 22, was particularly impressed by the experience.

Antony praises Cristiano Ronaldo

It was not only Cristiano Ronaldo’s work ethic that left a lasting impression on Antony, but also the personal relationship they developed during their time together at Manchester United. “Cristiano Ronaldo is a great person, I learned a lot from him,” the Brazilian said in the same interview.

“He even joked with me once, saying that people think he’s stubborn, but in everyday life he’s very playful,” Antony added. “He talked about life, books, various subjects outside of football. That was good because it helped me disconnect. He would say, ‘Today we’re not going to talk about football.’ And that made us learn other important things.”

Antony does not pick Cristiano Ronaldo as his best-ever teammate

Despite his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, when asked about the best player he has played with, Antony chose another star. “I have played with Neymar, with Cristiano too. There are so many, but for me, Neymar. I had the privilege of playing with him. Neymar for me is a star,” Antony said in an interview shared by ESPN.

He also did not name Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest striker of all time. In that category, Antony pointed to two Brazilian legends. “I like a lot Romario and Ronaldo (Nazario),” said the Real Betis winger.

The Saudi Pro League did not select Cristiano Ronaldo as Player of the Month, but it did reward Al Nassr coach Jorge Jesus.

Al Nassr are on track to win the Saudi Pro League title, holding a comfortable lead in the standings over Al Hilal. Cristiano Ronaldo has been key to that run, yet the league still chose not to recognize him for his recent performances. The situation was different for head coach Jorge Jesus.

This Friday, the Saudi Pro League announced through its official social media accounts the awards for the standout players and coaches of April. Argentine midfielder Valentin Vada received the honor.

“With 6 G/A, massively contributing to Damac’s cause, Valentin Vada is the RSL’s Player of the month,” the Saudi Pro League announced. The decision is somewhat surprising considering the club’s performance this season, as they sit in 15th place and are just above the relegation zone.

During that same period, Cristiano Ronaldo also delivered strong performances, contributing four goals in four matches—all wins for Al Nassr that helped them solidify their position at the top of the standings.

With 6 G/A, massively contributing to @DAMAC_CLUB's cause, Valentin Vada is the RSL's Player of the month 🇦🇷

Presented by @Roshnksa pic.twitter.com/e3a52jXJBi

— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) May 1, 2026

Al Nassr receive other awards

Despite Cristiano Ronaldo missing out, other key Al Nassr figures did receive recognition. “With a 100% win record from matchweeks 25-30, Jorge Jesus is the April Manager of the month,” the Saudi Pro League announced.

In addition, Bento was named Goalkeeper of the Month thanks to his excellent performances in April. He conceded only once across four matches—the 5-2 win over Al Najma. In the other three games, he kept clean sheets and played an important role in the team’s success.

What’s next for Cristiano Ronaldo

May will be a crucial month for Cristiano Ronaldo. Domestically, Al Nassr are close to securing the Saudi Pro League title, holding an eight-point lead over Al Hilal (who have a game in hand) with four matches remaining. In addition, on May 16 they will face Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final.

On top of that, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez will finalize his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this month. A preliminary list of 35 to 55 players must be submitted by May 11, and that number must be reduced to 26 by no later than June 1. Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be included in the roster, barring any unexpected setbacks in the coming weeks.

Real Madrid and Barcelona will face off next week, and Raphinha is at risk of missing that match.

Barcelona are on the verge of securing the La Liga title, something that could happen next week in El Clasico against Real Madrid. Raphinha could miss that game, but not due to fitness issues—rather because of a potential suspension.

The Brazilian winger is set to return to action this weekend after a month out with a hamstring injury. He will be included in coach Hansi Flick’s squad to visit Osasuna this Saturday on Matchday 35 of La Liga, but he will need to be cautious.

Raphinha has accumulated four yellow cards this season and is one booking away from suspension. If he receives another yellow in any of the remaining La Liga matches this campaign, he will have to serve a one-game ban.

Considering his long absence, it is unlikely he will be part of the starting lineup this Saturday against Osasuna. However, Flick is expected to give him minutes in the second half to help him regain match fitness ahead of El Clasico against Real Madrid next week—something that also carries risk, as it could expose him to another booking.

Barcelona need Raphinha

While the La Liga title appears all but secured for Barcelona, they know they cannot afford to relax. And even if they clinch the trophy, El Clasico is a challenge significant enough on its own to demand full focus.

That is why having Raphinha back is so important. He has been one of the team’s most decisive attacking players, and his role becomes even more crucial given Lamine Yamal’s absence due to injury.

Raphinha has been out of action since March 26, when he suffered a hamstring injury during Brazil’s friendly match against France over the international break. Since then, he has undergone a recovery process that kept him sidelined for more than a month, missing four La Liga matches and the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal series against Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid prioritize El Clasico

While Barcelona must take Saturday’s match against Osasuna seriously in their push to secure the La Liga title, Real Madrid know their main objective lies next week in El Clasico. As a result, their squad will be missing several key players this Sunday against Espanyol.

Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa will not risk some important players dealing with fitness issues, prioritizing their readiness for the match against Barcelona. Kylian Mbappe and Thibaut Courtois have been ruled out for Sunday but are expected to be in optimal condition for El Clasico.

Marc Dos Santos delivered strong criticism of Major League Soccer over the alleged lack of support for Los Angeles FC.

Major League Soccer found itself in the spotlight this week following controversial comments from Marc Dos Santos. The Los Angeles FC head coach expressed frustration with certain decisions, arguing there is not enough support for league teams to succeed at the continental level.

“The schedule is a scandal. It’s a scandal,” Dos Santos said this week, referring to LAFC’s domestic fixture list, which has put them in a difficult position while competing in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Those complaints stem from the congested schedule the California club is currently facing. They defeated Toluca 2-1 in the first leg of the tournament’s semifinals last Wednesday. Before playing the decisive match in Mexico next week, LAFC must now travel to face San Diego FC in MLS action this Saturday.

“I don’t understand, who is the guy in the office that says, yeah, this is a good idea to have them play in San Diego. They don’t want us in the final? Like MLS has to help MLS teams,” the coach added.

In that context, Dos Santos even joked about his team’s upcoming league match: “Mikey Varas, head coach of San Diego. If you are listening. Mikey, don’t worry, there will be rotation because we have to give everyone rest and we have to be ready for Toluca.”

Dos Santos compares MLS to other leagues

Marc Dos Santos’ request is for MLS to take into account the needs of clubs competing at the continental level and provide some flexibility when scheduling domestic matches—something that does happen in other leagues around the world.

“I see it in South America when Palmeiras, Flamengo arrive in the quarterfinals, semifinal, they get help. They change the game. They put another in the schedule,” the coach explained. “PSG, many of their games in France have been moved.”

By contrast, Dos Santos pointed to LAFC’s packed schedule. “Saturday we have to go to San Diego and you have to go there to win. And then we have to go at home against Houston, then St. Louis, then Nashville,” he said. “We’ve been playing for 10 weeks, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, and sometimes Saturday at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Guys, who is the genius in the meeting that says, ‘I have a good idea’? I wanna meet that guy.“

What’s next for LAFC?

After visiting San Diego FC in MLS play this Saturday, LAFC will travel to Mexico next week for the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals against Toluca, looking to defend their 2-1 advantage from the first meeting. They will then return to the United States to host Houston Dynamo on Sunday, May 10.

In addition to LAFC, the other MLS club still alive in continental competition is Nashville SC. They are in the other semifinal against Tigres UANL. In the first leg at Geodis Park, the Mexican side earned a 1-0 win and will now defend that advantage at home next Tuesday.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick expressed optimism about Lamine Yamal’s recovery ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season with Barcelona, Lamine Yamal is now focused on fully recovering from a muscle injury in order to arrive in top condition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Spain. Head coach Hansi Flick addressed the situation.

“I think we’ll see him at the World Cup. He has more time to recover calmly and everything is going well. That’s what he wants, and he’ll be there,” Flick said Friday during a press conference ahead of Barcelona’s La Liga match against Osasuna on Saturday.

Yamal suffered a hamstring injury in his left leg on April 22, after scoring a penalty in Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Celta Vigo. Medical tests indicated that the winger will not return to action before the end of the club season, meaning his priority is now to be part of Spain’s squad for North America 2026.

With that in mind, Barcelona and Spain are working together to support his recovery. “We’re in contact with the Federation’s medical staff, as well as our own. I’m in contact with Lamine, and he’s progressing well, which is the most important thing,” Flick said.

Luis De La Fuente’s view

This week, Luis De La Fuente was asked about Lamine Yamal’s availability for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during a medical symposium at the CEMTRO clinic in Madrid. While he avoided addressing the specific case directly, he offered an encouraging response.

The head coach said his priority is “to arrive at the decisive stage with the best possible team,” placing particular emphasis on the latter rounds of the tournament. “There are players who can come in less than fully fit and still make a difference in the knockout stages,” he added.

Those comments are key to understanding Yamal’s situation. Amid speculation that he might not be ready for the first two matches of the World Cup, the winger does not appear to be at risk of missing Spain’s roster, considering De La Fuente is comfortable having him reach full fitness later in the tournament.

Lamine Yamal’s timeline ahead of the World Cup

With the 2026 World Cup just 42 days away, the first key deadline for Spain regarding Lamine Yamal is May 11. On that date, each national team must submit to FIFA a preliminary list of between 35 and 55 players under consideration for the tournament.

Then, once club competitions conclude, that list must be trimmed down to 26 players by no later than June 1. Spain will open their World Cup campaign on June 15 against Cape Verde, but their path in the knockout stages would not begin until at least June 30—giving Lamine Yamal more than enough time to recover.

Jose Mourinho addressed rumors about his possible return to Real Madrid.

Since Real Madrid were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Bayern Munich, speculation about the club’s next head coach has flooded the outlets and social media. Jose Mourinho has been mentioned as one of the leading candidates for the job, and he has now addressed the situation.

“No, nobody from Real Madrid has spoken to me, I can guarantee that,” Mourinho said Friday during a press conference ahead of Benfica’s Primeira Liga match against Famalicao. “Nothing from Real Madrid.”

The 63-year-old coach acknowledged that these situations are inevitable and made it clear he is not disturbed by the rumors. “I’ve been in soccer for too many years, like you in journalism, and we’re used to these things,” he said in response to a reporter’s persistence. “I can’t say anything more. I already told your colleague that, regarding Real Madrid, nothing.”

Mourinho has been identified by numerous European outlets as the leading candidate to take over at Real Madrid, potentially replacing Alvaro Arbeloa, whose future at the Spanish club appears all but decided after failing to win the UEFA Champions League, Copa del Rey, and—almost certainly—La Liga, where Barcelona are on the verge of securing the title.

Mourinho focused on Benfica

Speculation about Jose Mourinho’s future and a possible return to Real Madrid is shaped by one undeniable reality: he is currently under contract with another club. “I have one year left on my contract with Benfica, and that’s it,” the coach reminded reporters during the same press conference.

“I focus on giving my best, more for the club and the players than for myself. Now it’s Famalicao, then Sporting Braga, then Estoril, and after that I’ll keep working a bit more—only then will the holidays come,” Mourinho added, showing he remains focused on Benfica’s upcoming challenges.

Real Madrid’s potential coaching candidates

While Jose Mourinho has been at the center of speculation in recent days, other managers have also been linked with Real Madrid. El Partidazo de COPE reported last week that Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is in contention for the role following the 2026 World Cup.

In a similar situation is Didier Deschamps, who will step down as France head coach after 14 years once the FIFA tournament in North America concludes. In his case, his strong relationship with several Real Madrid French players, such as Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, could be a key factor.

Despite being under contract with the USMNT, Mauricio Pochettino has spoken about a possible return to the Premier League.

Mauricio Pochettino established himself as one of the top managers in the world during his time in England. That success ultimately led to his appointment as USMNT head coach ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but he has now acknowledged that he sees a potential return to the Premier League in his future.

During a recent interview on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, Pochettino reflected on the current state of Tottenham Hotspur—a club he managed from 2014 to 2019—and admitted his desire to return. “One day, yes, because I really like England,” he said.

“I think my profile – my human profile and my coaching profile – match very well with the Premier League,” added the 54-year-old Argentine, who has spent more than half of his managerial career in England.

At Tottenham, Pochettino enjoyed his most successful spell, leading the team to a runner-up finish in the EFL Cup in 2015 and, most notably, to the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League final, where they lost to Liverpool. During those five and a half years, he also helped elevate players such as Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Christian Eriksen, and Son Heung-min to stardom.

Before that, Poch managed Southampton, where results were less consistent but his style of play helped propel him into the European elite. His most recent Premier League experience came with Chelsea, whom he led during the 2023-24 season, posting a 50.98% win rate.

Pochettino laments Tottenham’s current struggles

After spending more than five years at Tottenham, Mauricio Pochettino has a strong connection with the club. With Spurs now going through a difficult period and facing a serious risk of relegation to the Championship, the coach shared his thoughts.

“It’s really sad because I know how the people are suffering there, inside the club and also the fans. It’s difficult to accept,” he explained. “I really love Tottenham. It’s going to be a part of my life, an important part of my life as a coach, my personal life too.”

The challenge ahead for Pochettino

Beyond his future ambitions of returning to the Premier League, Mauricio Pochettino faces what may be the biggest challenge of his career. This summer, he will manage at a World Cup for the first time, and he will do so as head coach of the tournament’s main host nation.

The USMNT’s goal this year is to improve on previous World Cup performances. After reaching the quarterfinals in South Korea–Japan 2002, they have not advanced beyond the Round of 16, and have also endured setbacks such as a group-stage exit in Brazil 2014 and failure to qualify for Russia 2018.

The USMNT will open their 2026 World Cup campaign on June 12 against Paraguay in Matchday 1 of Group D at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. One week later, they will face Australia in Seattle before returning to California on June 25 to take on Turkey.

Lamine Yamal’s injury scare has raised concerns in Spain just over a month before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, something head coach Luis De La Fuente addressed this week.

In one month, Luis De La Fuente will have to confirm the final 26-man roster that will represent Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That means any last-minute injury could alter his plans—something highlighted by the recent scare involving Lamine Yamal.

De La Fuente spoke during a medical symposium at the CEMTRO clinic in Madrid this week. “Will Lamine be there?” was one of the questions posed to the coach regarding the availability of the Barcelona winger for Spain’s World Cup squad.

“In a call-up, we consider every scenario—whether you’re winning, losing, or if the opponent goes down to 10 men,” De La Fuente said, according to Marca. “There are players who can give you 20 minutes, and that has enormous value. Some players may not be able to give you 50 or 60 minutes, but they can deliver 20 very good ones—and that can make the difference.”

In that sense, the coach avoided addressing Yamal’s specific case but made it clear that his presence could still be crucial even if he is not at full fitness at the start of the World Cup. “Our priority is to arrive at the decisive stage with the best possible team,” he explained.

De La Fuente has experience managing these situations

In nearly four years as Spain coach, Luis De La Fuente has faced situations that forced him to make difficult decisions, and that experience is now shaping his approach ahead of North America 2026.

To explain his thinking regarding players who may not be at 100 percent for the World Cup, the coach cited an example from Euro 2024, where Spain were crowned champions. “Olmo arrived injured—we were close to leaving him out—but he went on to be decisive at the Euro. There are players who can come in less than fully fit and still make a difference in the knockout stages. Olmo was decisive from the quarterfinals onward,” De La Fuente said, referring to Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo.

Based on those comments, it can be inferred that Lamine Yamal’s place at the World Cup could be secure even if he does not fully recover before the tournament begins. Spain’s group-stage path includes matches against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay, but the coach’s priority appears to be the knockout rounds that follow.

De La Fuente points to the schedule

In the same conversation, Luis De La Fuente shared his views on the growing number of injuries among elite players. “The pace is so intense, with matches every three or four days, that injuries are inevitable,” said the Spain coach. “It’s one thing to recover, and another to return to peak performance. The biggest risk when a player comes back is suffering another injury.”

The Olympics could remove the age restriction in men’s soccer in an effort to make the competition more comparable to the FIFA World Cup.

It is undeniable that the FIFA World Cup is the most important sporting event on the planet and, as such, the most prestigious soccer competition. The Olympics have traditionally played a secondary role in the sport, but that could change in the near future.

“Soccer is the most important sport,” said Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., vice president of the International Olympic Committee, this week at La Liga headquarters in Madrid, according to Diario AS. “We want the senior men’s competition to more closely resemble the World Cup.”

In many disciplines such as basketball, volleyball, handball, and field hockey, the Olympics represent the most important international tournament, even above each sport’s respective world championships. That is not the case with soccer, and the IOC’s goal is to make the competition more appealing.

At present, the key difference between Olympic soccer and the World Cup is the availability of top players. FIFA reserves the presence of the sport’s biggest stars for its own tournament, while the Olympics imposes an under-23 age limit, with only three overage players allowed per squad.

By removing that age limit, the Olympics could significantly raise the level of competition by featuring each country’s top players. However, such a move would require an agreement between the IOC and FIFA. “Both organizations have their own objectives, but I believe we will make meaningful progress toward achieving them,” Samaranch said.

Club release obligations, another obstacle for the Olympics

Beyond the age restriction, Olympic soccer faces another major challenge in becoming more competitive: clubs are not required to release players. In official FIFA competitions, clubs must allow players to join their respective national teams. These are the so-called international breaks, during which World Cups, qualifiers, friendlies, and continental tournaments such as the UEFA Euro, Copa America, and Concacaf Gold Cup are played.

Outside of those FIFA windows, clubs are not obligated to release players for international duty. That is the case with the Olympics, where participation often depends on the player’s insistence and the club’s approval.

IOC proposal faces resistance

Initial reactions from figures within FIFA’s hierarchy have not been favorable toward the idea of removing the age restriction in Olympic soccer. “It would further overload the calendar, reduce club revenues, and affect players’ rest,” said Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, according to Diario AS, regarding the possibility of elevating the Olympics. “It is fine as it is—it should not be like a World Cup.”

Santiago Gimenez has been struggling to play consistently with AC Milan, and that could impact his chances of featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Mexico.

Mexico are entering the final stretch of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meaning players are fighting for their last opportunities to make the roster. In that context, Santiago Gimenez’s physical struggles at AC Milan could prove decisive.

“People close to Santi are fearing a catastrophe for the Milan striker,” journalist Carlos Ponce de Leon of Mexican outlet Diario Record said this week. “They fear he could miss out on a second consecutive World Cup.”

This report has surfaced this week for a specific reason. On Tuesday, Javier Aguirre confirmed a preliminary list of 12 Liga MX players who will begin training next week with a view toward the World Cup. While the list is not binding—and therefore does not guarantee a spot on the final roster—it offers a clear indication of the coach’s plans.

Among those 12 players are two center forwards. One is Armando Gonzalez of Chivas, who was expected to be included, as reports suggest he is competing for a spot with Inter Miami’s German Berterame. The surprise, however, was the inclusion of another player with a similar profile: Guillermo Martinez.

The 30-year-old forward has impressed recently with Pumas UNAM, where he has recorded five goals in 15 matches in the Liga MX Clausura tournament. Martinez has already been called up by Javier Aguirre twice this year: he played 24 minutes against Iceland in February and was an unused substitute during the March FIFA international window against Portugal and Belgium.

Santiago Gimenez needs to regain full fitness

Under normal circumstances, Santiago Gimenez’s place at the World Cup would not be threatened by Guillermo Martinez’s performances at Pumas. However, the recent track record of the AC Milan striker is far from encouraging.

Gimenez has scored just one goal in the 2025-26 season and has made only 14 appearances across Serie A and the Coppa Italia. An ankle injury suffered in November required surgery and kept him sidelined for nearly five months, until his return in mid-March.

Since then, the Mexican striker has logged just 67 minutes across three Serie A matches with AC Milan—against Torino, Napoli, and Hellas Verona— all coming off the bench, while also remaining an unused substitute on three other occasions.

Gimenez has yet to debut at the World Cup

Despite being one of Mexico’s most promising players in recent years, Santiago Gimenez has yet to appear at a World Cup. He was left out of the squad for Qatar 2022 by then-head coach Gerardo Martino, who opted for other forwards such as Raul Jimenez, Henry Martin, and Rogelio Funes Mori.

In the years following that tournament, Gimenez established himself as a regular call-up under successive managers, including Diego Cocca, Jaime Lozano, and Javier Aguirre. However, his recent injury issues have once again pushed him out of contention, with his last appearance for Mexico coming in October 2025 against Ecuador.

After the clash between Al Nassr and Al Ahli, Cristiano Ronaldo had an exchange with opposing fans and referenced his UEFA Champions League titles.

On Wednesday, Al Nassr earned a crucial 2-0 victory over Al Ahli that moved them one step closer to the Saudi Pro League title. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with a header and, after the match, got into a brief exchange with rival fans in which he highlighted his UEFA Champions League success.

After the final whistle, as he prepared to give an on-field interview to Thmanyah Sports, Ronaldo was mocked by an opposing supporter, who brought up Al Ahli’s back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles—the most recent coming last Saturday after a win over Machida Zelvia of Japan in the final.

“Five Champions I have. I have five. Five,” Cristiano responded to the fan, smiling and holding up five fingers on his right hand, all in front of TV cameras that captured the exchange from start to finish.

The Portuguese forward was, of course, referring to the success he achieved throughout his career, particularly during his years in Europe. He first won the UEFA Champions League in 2008 with Manchester United, followed by an impressive run with Real Madrid, where he lifted the trophy in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

كريستيانو رونالدو ردًا على أحد جماهير الأهلي بعد المباراة ⚠️

«أنا لدي 5 بطولات دوري أبطال.»#النصر_الأهلي | #استديو_ثمانية pic.twitter.com/7lt4RPP0VU

— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) April 29, 2026

How has Ronaldo fared at continental level with Al Nassr?

After those glory years in Europe, Cristiano Ronaldo embarked on a new chapter in Saudi Arabia in January 2023. Since joining Al Nassr, however, he has yet to win an official title, a drought that could end this season in the Saudi Pro League.

Over the past three and a half years, CR7 has also competed at the continental level, where success has so far eluded him. His first appearance came in the 2023-24 AFC Champions League Elite, where Al Nassr were eliminated in the quarterfinals. A year later, they were knocked out in the semifinals by Kawasaki Frontale of Japan.

Cristiano Ronaldo looks to extend his dominance to Asia

This season, Al Nassr did not even qualify for the top continental competition and instead had to settle for the AFC Champions League Two, the equivalent of the UEFA Europa League. There, they have advanced steadily to the final, where they will face Gamba Osaka on May 17. That could mark Ronaldo’s first continental title since 2018.

Major League Soccer announced a sanction for Luis Suarez just days before Inter Miami’s clash with Orlando City.

Inter Miami star Luis Suarez was sanctioned by Major League Soccer this week, just days before the Herons face Orlando City in a key league matchup between Florida rivals. However, the decision will not prevent the Uruguayan forward from being available.

“The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami CF forward Luis Suarez for violating the league’s policy regarding simulation/embellishment in the 72nd minute of Miami’s match against the New England Revolution on April 25,” MLS said in a statement published on its official website.

The incident took place during Inter Miami’s most recent match, a 1-1 draw against the Revs at Nu Stadium on Matchday 10 of the MLS season. Suarez was in the starting lineup and played the full 90 minutes.

In the second half, with the score at 1-0 in favor of the visitors, the forward attempted to deceive referee Rubiel Vazquez in hopes of earning a penalty to level the match, but was unsuccessful. However, minutes later, German Berterame scored to secure a point for Inter Miami at home.

Suarez was not the only player penalized. “The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined D.C. United midfielder Matti Peltola for violating the league’s policy regarding simulation/embellishment in the 30th minute of D.C.’s match against Orlando City on April 25,” the statement added.

Suarez has played a limited role this season

The sanction issued to Luis Suarez is purely financial, meaning he remains eligible for Saturday’s match against Orlando City. It will be up to head coach Guillermo Hoyos to decide whether to keep the Uruguayan forward in the starting lineup or return him to the bench.

So far in the 2026 season, Suarez has made seven appearances for Inter Miami. One came in the Concacaf Champions Cup against Nashville SC, while the other six were in MLS, where he has scored two goals.

However, the 39-year-old striker has played a secondary role for most of the year. He has started just two of those seven matches—a 0-0 draw against Charlotte FC when Javier Mascherano was still the coach, and last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against New England Revolution. He has also remained on the bench without featuring in four matches.

Other Inter Miami players sanctioned

Luis Suarez joins a list of Inter Miami players who have been sanctioned by MLS in recent weeks. Facundo Mura was also fined for simulation during the Herons’ win over Real Salt Lake in a similar incident, while Yannick Bright received an additional one-match suspension following his red card against Colorado Rapids for racist remarks.

Liverpool and Egypt have received encouraging news regarding Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool have been closely monitoring Mohamed Salah’s fitness due to a hamstring injury, as have the Egypt national team. However, the latest updates have brought reassurance to all parties involved.

After being substituted in the 59th minute of last Saturday’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace, Salah sparked concern, with fears even emerging that his season with the Reds—and therefore his tenure at the club—could be over.

“Liverpool FC can confirm Mohamed Salah is expected to be available to play again before the end of this season,” the English side said on Wednesday in a statement published on their official social media accounts. The news was well received by fans, who quickly flooded the post with likes and comments.

This will allow the Egyptian winger to properly bring his time with the Reds to a close. His departure at the end of the 2025–26 campaign has already been confirmed, making each remaining match all the more significant.

Liverpool FC can confirm Mohamed Salah is expected to be available to play again before the end of this season ℹ️

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 29, 2026

When will Salah return?

While Liverpool did not provide a specific recovery timeline, the expectation that he will return before the end of the season is telling. There is only one month left in the English campaign, during which the Reds will play four Premier League matches.

The next one comes this Sunday against Manchester United, in a crucial clash in the race to qualify for the next UEFA Champions League. After that, Liverpool will face Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford. The final match is scheduled for May 24, meaning Salah’s return is expected before that date.

Egypt set to have Salah fully fit

Liverpool are not the only ones with reason to be encouraged by the positive medical update. Salah’s expected return before the end of the club season means he should arrive at the World Cup in peak condition and with match fitness.

After club competitions wrap up in the final days of May, head coach Hossam Hassan will have to finalize the 26-man squad by June 1. From there, the national team will travel to North America for final preparations ahead of the tournament.

On June 6, Egypt are scheduled to play a friendly against Brazil in Cleveland, which will serve as their final major test before the start of the World Cup. Their opening match is set for June 15 against Belgium in Group G, followed by games against New Zealand and Iran.

Al Nassr took the lead against Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League thanks to a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Al Nassr faced one of their toughest tests in the final stretch of the Saudi Pro League on Wednesday, going up against another of the country’s top teams in Al Ahli. However, Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock with a precise header.

For 76 minutes, the match had been tight and difficult for both sides. Each team’s defensive structure neutralized the attacking talent on the field, and clear scoring chances were few and far between.

Ronaldo had a golden opportunity in the first half, when a through ball put him one-on-one with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. However, as he tried to get past the opponent, the forward lost his angle and ended up delivering an off-target cross.

In the second half, CR7 got his chance and made it count, scoring the opener with a well-placed header following a corner kick taken by Joao Felix. The goal gave Al Nassr the composure to control the tempo in the closing stages, with the pressure now shifting onto the visitors.

That was Cristiano’s 99th Saudi Pro League goal.pic.twitter.com/gVQf8FNjOj

— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) April 29, 2026

With that scenario unfolding, Jorge Jesus’ side showed their quality and sealed the result in the final stretch of the match. Following a corner kick, Kingsley Coman collected the ball inside the box and scored the second goal with a powerful right-footed strike.

Al Nassr are closing in on the title

With Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Al Ahli, Al Nassr took a major step in their pursuit of the Saudi Pro League title. They now sit top of the standings with 79 points, eight ahead of Al Hilal, who have a game in hand.

That means that, even in the worst-case scenario, the gap between the two sides would be five points. With only four matches remaining in the season, Al Nassr’s chances of securing the title are extremely high. Still, they cannot afford to relax, as one of those final four fixtures will be against Al Hilal, where that advantage will be directly on the line.

Ronaldo closes in on 1,000 goals

The goal against Al Ahli brought Cristiano Ronaldo even closer to the 1,000-goal milestone in his professional career. He now has 970, leaving him just 30 goals short of a mark no other player has ever reached in the history of soccer.

Additionally, in the Saudi Pro League scoring chart, the Portuguese forward remains firmly in the race despite having missed a month of action due to a muscle injury. With 25 goals, Ronaldo currently sits third, two behind Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney and three behind the leader, Al Qadsiah’s Julian Quinones.

Neymar spoke about his desire to return to the Brazil national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and mentioned Lionel Messi.

With 44 days to go until the start of the FIFA World Cup, Neymar is still dreaming of being there. The forward sent a clear message about his desire to return to the Brazil national team to compete at North America 2026, also bringing Lionel Messi into the conversation.

“Ney, are you thinking about the World Cup?” a reporter asked the forward during the post-match press conference following Santos’ 1-1 draw against San Lorenzo in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. “Of course. Every Brazilian player thinks about that. I hope I can be there,” Neymar replied.

Moments later, another journalist asked whether a potential reunion with Lionel Messi was also part of his plans. “Yes, of course,” Ney answered, going a step further by linking that possibility to a potential meeting at the World Cup: “Also, a final between Brazil and Argentina would be spectacular.”

For now, the Santos forward knows that to achieve his goal of returning to the Brazil national team, he must first deliver convincing performances at club level to catch coach Carlo Ancelotti’s attention.

In that regard, the past few weeks have been positive. Neymar played the full 90 minutes against San Lorenzo in the Copa Sudamericana and has now done so in five consecutive matches across all competitions. He only missed last Saturday’s clash against Bahia in the Brazilian Serie A, but that was not due to physical issues—it was a decision by coach Cuca to prioritize this week’s match in Buenos Aires.

An Argentina-Brazil World Cup final would be unprecedented

Despite being two of the strongest national teams in the world, with eight titles between them, Argentina and Brazil have never met in a World Cup final. In fact, they have not faced each other at any stage of the tournament in 36 years.

The last time the two South American giants met at a World Cup was in the Round of 16 at Italy 1990, when Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from Claudio Caniggia. That result helped them advance all the way to the final, where they lost 1-0 to West Germany.

Overall, Argentina and Brazil have faced each other four times in the FIFA tournament. Two of those matches were Brazilian victories (2-1 in 1974 and 3-1 in 1982), along with a 0-0 draw in 1978 and Argentina’s win in 1990.

Messi vs Neymar at international level

The friendship between Lionel Messi and Neymar, forged during their years together at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, has not prevented them from facing off multiple times at international level. Messi holds the edge, with three wins and two losses.

The most significant meeting between the two came in the 2021 Copa America final, when Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 thanks to a goal from Angel Di Maria, ending a 28-year trophy drought. Messi also recorded wins in 2010 and 2012, while Neymar came out on top in a 2014 friendly and a 2016 World Cup qualifier.

Nuno Mendes surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo in a historic record among Portuguese players in the UEFA Champions League.

Paris Saint-Germain secured a 5-4 win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday, a result that moves them closer to the UEFA Champions League final. Nuno Mendes featured for the French side, and his appearance allowed him to reach a historic milestone for Portuguese players, overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo.

After being named in the starting lineup and playing 84 minutes before being replaced by Lucas Hernandez, Mendes became the youngest Portuguese player to reach 50 Champions League appearances.

The Portuguese left-back hit that mark at 23 years and 313 days, comfortably surpassing Ronaldo. The forward had reached that total during the 2008-09 season, when he was still playing for Manchester United, at 24 years and 83 days, and held the record for more than 17 years.

Mendes’ numbers come exclusively from his time with Paris Saint-Germain. Before joining the French side, he spent three seasons with Sporting CP, where he did not make a Champions League appearance. Since 2021, however, the defender has become a key player for PSG, something reflected in his seven goals and four assists in 50 matches in European competition.

Portuguese players with the most Champions League appearances

What makes Nuno Mendes’ achievement even more impressive is how it compares to other Portuguese stars from recent decades. At under 24, the PSG left-back is already approaching numbers that other icons took years to build.

At the moment, Mendes is just 14 matches away from breaking into the top 10 Portuguese players with the most appearances in Champions League history. That spot is currently held by Jose Bosingwa, who made 64 appearances with Boavista, Porto and Chelsea, as well as Vitor Baia, who played for Porto and Barcelona.

Top 10 Portuguese players by Champions League appearances:

1- Cristiano Ronaldo (183)

2- Pepe (120)

3- Luis Figo (103)

4- Bernardo Silva (101)

5- Ricardo Carvalho (86)

6- Deco (75)

7- Joao Moutinho (66)

8- Ruben Dias (65)

9- Vitor Baia (64)

10- Jose Bosingwa (64)

It is worth noting that this ranking only includes players who have featured in the competition since it adopted the UEFA Champions League format in the 1991-92 season. Before that, during its time as the European Cup, other Portuguese players also made their mark. The most notable case is Eusebio, who recorded 59 goals in 78 matches and won the title with Benfica in 1962.

Julian Alvarez is reportedly moving closer to a transfer to Barcelona after informing Atletico Madrid of his intentions.

For months, Julian Alvarez’s name has appeared in multiple reports linking him with Barcelona, who are in the market for a center forward ahead of next season. In that context, the Argentine striker has now reportedly made his position clear to Atletico Madrid.

“Julian has taken a very important step: he has told Atletico that he wants to leave for Barcelona,” reporter Jose Alvarez said Monday on El Chiringuito de Jugones, one of Spain’s most prominent sports TV shows.

That decision from the 26-year-old has reportedly triggered a series of talks between the parties aimed at completing a move this summer. “There have already been contacts through intermediaries to discuss figures and contract terms,” the reporter added, referring to the usual negotiations over salary and personal conditions.

However, Alvarez’s desire alone will not be enough. He remains under contract with Atletico Madrid through June 30, 2030, with a release clause of €500 million (approximately $585 million). Barcelona are highly unlikely to meet that figure, meaning negotiations between the clubs will be required to reach a reasonable transfer fee.

Simeone addresses Julian Alvarez rumors

As Barcelona’s interest grows, other clubs are also reportedly monitoring Alvarez. Arsenal are said to be interested in pursuing him this summer and bringing him back to the Premier League after his successful spell with Manchester City between 2022 and 2024.

Diego Simeone was asked about the speculation during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference ahead of Atletico Madrid’s UEFA Champions League clash with Arsenal. “I’m not in his head. It’s normal that a player like Julian is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona,” the Argentine coach said. “It’s normal. He’s very good.”

Barcelona have a Plan B for Alvarez

While Alvarez appears to be Barcelona’s top target—and he himself seems open to the move—the deal could still collapse if no agreement is reached with Atletico Madrid. With that in mind, the Blaugrana are reportedly evaluating alternative options.

According to Cadena SER, Barcelona view Joao Pedro as an attractive option if Alvarez cannot be signed. The forward has been one of Chelsea’s standout performers this season, recording 19 goals and nine assists across all competitions, while also appearing on track to be included in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad with Brazil for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, Kai Havertz has been ruled out of the UEFA Champions League clash between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid.

This Wednesday, Arsenal are set to visit Atletico Madrid for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals. Kai Havertz will not be available due to a physical issue, although it is not expected to jeopardize his participation with Germany at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The forward played just 34 minutes last weekend in the Gunners’ win over Newcastle United in the Premier League before an injury forced him to be substituted for Viktor Gyokeres.

While Mikel Arteta initially said “it didn’t look too big,” it became clear in the following days that the issue would prevent Havertz from featuring in the crucial match in Madrid. “Kai is out,” the Arsenal manager confirmed during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference.

The good news for Arsenal is that another key attacking player—who also picked up a knock and was forced off early against Newcastle—has recovered. “Ebs is ready to go,” Arteta said about Eberechi Eze.

Havertz seeking full fitness

While Havertz’s latest issue is not considered serious beyond missing the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid, it highlights a broader concern ahead of the World Cup: his struggles to maintain physical consistency.

This season, the German forward has spent more time sidelined than fully fit. A knee injury in August 2025 kept him out for 26 matches across all competitions. Upon returning in January, he alternated between matchday squads and appearances off the bench.

Those issues were compounded by a muscle injury in February that ruled him out for four more matches. The latest setback adds to that list and helps explain why Havertz has managed just 20 appearances for Arsenal this season, recording five goals and four assists.

Germany need Havertz

Arsenal’s concerns over Havertz are also shared by Germany. They have already suffered a major attacking blow with Serge Gnabry ruled out of the World Cup due to injury, while Jamal Musiala is still working his way back to full form after a lengthy absence.

In that context, a fully fit Havertz could be a key solution for head coach Julian Nagelsmann, who has had limited access to the forward between 2025 and 2026. Havertz featured only twice during that span, both coming during the March international break in friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana.

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Bayern Munich 5-4 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals, moving closer to a historic record.

Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich played an unforgettable match this Tuesday at the Parc des Princes in France. The hosts secured a dramatic 5-4 victory that gives them a slight edge heading into the UEFA Champions League second leg in Germany, while also producing a game for the history books.

With this result, PSG and Bayern matched the all-time record for most goals in a Champions League semifinal match. The only previous instance came 66 years ago, when Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Rangers FC 6-3 in the second leg of the 1959–60 European Cup semifinals.

That clash between the German and Scottish sides also holds the record for the highest-scoring semifinal tie in the competition’s history. In the first leg, Eintracht Frankfurt had won 6-1, bringing the total to 16 goals across the series. That means PSG and Bayern Munich would need seven goals in the second leg at the Allianz Arena next week to match that mark.

Since the competition was rebranded as the UEFA Champions League in the 1991–92 season, there had never been a semifinal matchup with this many goals. The closest examples were Liverpool FC’s 5-2 win over AS Roma in 2018 and Inter Milan’s 4-3 victory over FC Barcelona in 2025.

PSG and Bayern Munich threaten historic Barcelona record

The unforgettable spectacle between PSG and Bayern Munich not only secured their place in Champions League semifinal history, but also brought them closer to a long-standing record currently held by Barcelona.

According to stats expert Mister Chip on X, both teams are nearing the record for most goals scored in a single edition of the competition. Barcelona currently top that list, having scored 45 goals during the 1999–2000 season.

With five goals on Tuesday, PSG now sit second on that list with 43, matching the totals posted by Bayern Munich in 2019–20 and Barcelona in 2024–25. The top five is rounded out by this current Bayern side, who have scored 42 goals in this edition of the Champions League.

These figures are clearly influenced by the tournament’s current format, introduced last season, which features more matches than before and allows teams to boost their scoring totals. Even so, with the second leg still to come—and a final awaiting one of the two sides—it appears highly likely that Barcelona’s record will be broken this year.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic spoke about Luka Modric’s injury ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Luka Modric will miss the remainder of the 2025–26 season with AC Milan due to a fracture of the left cheekbone that required surgery. That raised concerns for the Croatia national team given the proximity of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a situation Zlatko Dalic addressed.

“I’ve been talking to Luka and wished him a successful surgery and a quality and speedy recovery,” the Croatia head coach said this week, just hours after news of the midfielder’s injury broke, according to BBC Sport.

Dalic struck an optimistic tone regarding Modric’s recovery timeline: “I am convinced that he will do everything to be ready for the World Cup, and we’ll provide full support. I am confident that the recovery will go according to plan and that Luka, as team captain, will lead us at another major competition this summer.”

Modric underwent surgery on Monday at La Madonnina Clinic in Milan, performed by Dr. Luca Autelitano’s team, with successful results. The midfielder now faces a recovery process estimated at six to eight weeks.

Modric’s timeline ahead of the 2026 World Cup

With confirmation that he will miss AC Milan’s final four matches of the 2025-26 Serie A season, Luka Modric’s recovery from cheekbone surgery is now fully focused on the Croatia national team.

By the time Dalic announces the final 26-man roster traveling to North America at the end of May, the midfielder will have completed roughly one month of recovery, providing a much clearer picture of his availability.

At that point, in a worst-case scenario, Modric would be around halfway through his recovery timeline. In a more optimistic scenario, he could already be nearing a return to training—an important factor considering that, at 40 years old, he cannot afford to spend too much time away from regular sessions.

Croatia’s road to the World Cup

Once the 26-man squad is finalized, Croatia are set to travel to North America in early June to prepare for the tournament. They will first play two final warm-up matches: against Belgium on June 2, and five days later against Slovenia.

Croatia will open their 2026 World Cup campaign against England on June 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in what is expected to be their toughest group-stage match. They will then face Panama on June 23 and Ghana on June 27.

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mexico have unveiled a list of 12 players.

Mexico are one of the first national teams to make an official announcement regarding the composition of their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Twelve players have been selected to begin preparations for the tournament.

This Tuesday, the Mexican Football Federation shared via its official social media accounts a list of players chosen by head coach Javier Aguirre to begin training ahead of the World Cup. May 6 has been set as the reporting date for this group, which will begin an intense five-and-a-half-week preparation period.

“On this list are 12 players from Liga MX clubs who are being considered for inclusion in the final roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” the statement explained. “This list does not include the group of players based abroad, as they will be integrated into the final squad that will be submitted to FIFA on June 1.”

This means Liga MX clubs have agreed to release their players so that Aguirre can begin training a month earlier than what FIFA regulations require. As expected, clubs from other countries are not obligated to do the same, meaning the coach will, for now, have to work only with players competing in the domestic league.

La Selección Nacional de México informa: pic.twitter.com/uNilEAaMBv

— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) April 28, 2026

In addition, those 12 players with a chance to make the World Cup are not the only ones called up by Aguirre. “There are eight players being monitored for the next World Cup cycle to strengthen the training group ahead of the preparation matches before the World Cup,” the statement added.

Mexico’s 12-player call-up list

While the list announced by Mexico this Tuesday is not binding—meaning not all players included will necessarily be part of the final 26-man World Cup roster—it offers a clear indication of Aguirre’s plans for the national team.

Below is the full list of players called up:

• Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Chivas), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna)
• Defenders: Israel Reyes (America), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca)
• Midfielders: Luis Romo (Chivas), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Brian Gutierrez (Chivas), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas)
• Forwards: Alexis Vega (Toluca), Guillermo Martinez (Pumas) and Armando Gonzalez (Chivas)

They are joined by eight young players being considered for the future of the national team: Oscar Garcia (Leon), Luis Rey (Puebla), Eduardo Aguila (San Luis), Jesus Gomez (Tijuana), Denzell Garcia (Juarez), Iker Fimbres (Monterrey), Jairo Torres (Juarez), and Kevin Castaneda (Tijuana).

Mexican stars playing abroad

While Aguirre’s preliminary list includes several standouts from Liga MX, a significant portion of Mexico’s top players are currently based abroad. Some of the players expected to be part of the final 26-man World Cup roster include Raul Jimenez (Fulham), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan), Johan Vasquez (Genoa), Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid), Julian Quinones (Al-Qadsiah) and Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow).

Santos are set to face San Lorenzo in the Copa Sudamericana, with Neymar at the center of attention.

Next week, Santos will play a key Copa Sudamericana clash against Argentina’s San Lorenzo, a match that could prove decisive for the Brazilian side’s future in the tournament. Neymar will be part of that showdown, and his upcoming opponents have spoken about him.

“On the field, we’re all rivals, and if we have to, we’re going to go hard at him,” Jhohan Romaña said when asked about facing Ney next Tuesday, in an interview with ESPN. “We’ll prepare over the next few days. Hopefully we can rise to the occasion and come away with the win.”

From the Colombian defender’s comments, it’s clear that Neymar could be in for a physically demanding match in the Copa Sudamericana. This type of continental competition is often characterized by tough defensive play and lenient refereeing, which can work against a player of Santos’ star’s profile.

“Neymar is an extra factor, but for us the most important thing is getting the three points, which would give us a significant advantage,” said Matias Reali, another San Lorenzo player. “Of course, he’s a global star and you might ask him for a photo, but first we have to win the match.”

Santos prioritize the clash against San Lorenzo

While Santos are also competing in the Copa do Brasil and the Brazilian Serie A, their priority right now is the Copa Sudamericana. They have not started well in the competition, with one loss and one draw in their first two matches. That leaves them at the bottom of the group and in serious danger of elimination.

Given that context, Tuesday’s match is so important for the club that they decided to rest Neymar in Saturday’s league game against Bahia, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Head coach Cuca chose to go without his best player in a match that was also important, with Santos dangerously close to the relegation zone, in order to ensure he is fully fit for Tuesday.

Neymar returns to Argentina

At club level, Neymar has played in Argentina only once. It came during his first spell at Santos, when they lost 1-0 to Velez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires in the 2012 Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. In the second leg of that tie, the Brazilian side won by the same scoreline and then advanced on penalties.

The other seven times Ney has played in Argentina have been with the Brazil national team. Four came during the 2011 Copa America held in the country, where Brazil were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Paraguay. Two others were friendlies in 2011 and 2012, while the most recent was in 2015, during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Portugal star Bruno Fernandes spoke about the goal of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite never having won the FIFA World Cup, Portugal are shaping up as one of the top contenders to lift the trophy this summer in North America. Bruno Fernandes addressed that ambition and what it would mean to help Cristiano Ronaldo achieve it.

“Wrapping up all this last World Cup with Cristiano winning it would be something amazing,” said Fernandes during a recent appearance on The Wayne Rooney Show, as shared by BBC.

The Manchester United midfielder then emphasized that, beyond the significance of the World Cup title itself, the achievement would also serve as recognition for Ronaldo’s career. “I really hope we can make it happen, not just for Portugal, but for everything Cristiano gave to football and the world,” Bruno said.

Wayne Rooney was, of course, part of that conversation and knows Ronaldo well from their years together at Manchester United. “I would love to see you and Cristiano win the World Cup. Go and enjoy it. Have fun. And I hope you do well,” said the England legend.

How has Bruno Fernandes performed in the World Cup?

Bruno Fernandes may be approaching his final World Cup. By 2030, he will be close to turning 36, making it uncertain whether he will still be able to compete at the highest level by then.

For that reason, the midfielder is placing significant importance on this tournament. So far, Fernandes has been part of Portugal’s squad at Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. In his first World Cup, he played a limited role: he started just one match and did not feature in the team’s Round of 16 elimination against Uruguay.

In Qatar 2022, however, Bruno had already established himself as a European soccer star and played a much more prominent role. The Manchester United player started four of the five matches, including the quarterfinal loss to Morocco.

Cristiano Ronaldo has one last chance

Despite being 10 years older than Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself in a similar situation regarding what the upcoming World Cup represents. At 41, it is clear that North America 2026 will be CR7’s final opportunity to win the most important title in soccer.

So far, Ronaldo’s best performance in the FIFA tournament came in his first appearance, at Germany 2006, when he reached the semifinals with Portugal before losing to France. In the following four editions, they never managed to get past the quarterfinals, and on one occasion (Brazil 2014), they were even eliminated in the group stage.

Xavi Simons was unable to finish Tottenham’s match due to a knee injury and could miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Netherlands.

As the weeks go by, more and more global soccer stars are suffering injuries that put their participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in doubt. In this case, concern surrounds Netherlands following the injury sustained by Xavi Simons while playing for Tottenham.

The Spurs secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton on Saturday, giving them a boost in their fight to avoid relegation in the Premier League. However, it was not all good news for the London club.

Simons was forced off in the 63rd minute and replaced by Lucas Bergvall after suffering an issue with his right knee that prevented him from continuing. The Dutch midfielder’s visible discomfort, along with Roberto De Zerbi’s comments after the match, do not bode well regarding the nature of the injury.

“I would like to know more about Xavi though because you know the knee, it’s always different to the muscles… We go to see in the next few days,” said the Italian coach when asked about Simons’ situation.

“Unfortunately, no one saw this coming. Xavi was fit and fully motivated before the game, ready to give everything to help the team win,” De Zerbi added. “He will be treated immediately by our medical team and we are confident he will come back even stronger. We all wish him a full and speedy recovery.”

Xavi Simons’ World Cup hopes in serious danger

While still awaiting official confirmation from Tottenham, early reports suggested a possible ACL injury for Xavi Simons. If that diagnosis is confirmed, both his club season and the 2026 World Cup would effectively be over.

That would represent a major blow not only for the player, but also for Netherlands. Simons has been a regular call-up under Ronald Koeman throughout the build-up to North America 2026, and he featured in both national team matches during the March international break against Norway and Ecuador.

Tottenham aim to avoid relegation

Beyond concerns over Xavi Simons’ fitness, Tottenham have reasons to celebrate this weekend. The win over Wolverhampton snapped a three-match winless streak in the Premier League and put them back in the fight for survival in the top flight.

With four matches remaining in the season, the Spurs currently sit in the relegation zone in 18th place with 34 points. However, West Ham United are only two points ahead, with 12 still available. Tottenham’s remaining fixtures are against Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami are facing New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.

Matchday 10 of the 2026 Major League Soccer season is underway, and Inter Miami will face New England Revolution this Saturday at Nu Stadium. Lionel Messi will start, looking to lead his team to a third consecutive victory.

Since the unexpected resignation of Javier Mascherano, the Herons have won both matches they have played under interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos. They secured road wins over Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake, which allowed them to climb the Eastern Conference standings, where they now sit in second place, one point behind Nashville SC.

This Saturday, Inter Miami face a double challenge. On one hand, they will go up against a team that has also enjoyed a strong start to the season, with five wins in eight matches, placing them third in the standings, just three points behind the Herons.

In addition to that sporting challenge against a competitive opponent, Messi’s team will also be looking to secure their first win at their new home. Since the opening of Nu Stadium, they have played two matches there — against Austin FC and New York Red Bulls — and drew both.

Confirmed Inter Miami lineup

For Saturday’s match, head coach Guillermo Hoyos will once again be without Yannick Bright, who has been handed an additional one-match suspension by MLS for violating the league’s Non-Discrimination Policy following his red card against Colorado Rapids last week.

With that in mind, Inter Miami’s confirmed lineup is: Dayne St. Clair; Facundo Mura, Gonzalo Lujan, Maximiliano Falcon, Micael, Noah Allen; David Ruiz, Rodrigo De Paul; Lionel Messi; Luis Suarez, German Berterame.

Confirmed New England Revolution lineup

Marko Mitrovic’s side are unbeaten in their last five matches and have won four of them, a run that has lifted them to third place in the Eastern Conference standings. However, they now face a tough test against the reigning MLS champions at Nu Stadium.

New England Revolution’s confirmed lineup is: Matt Turner; Ilay Feingold, Ethan Kohler, Mamadou Fofana, Will Sands; Alhassan Yusuf, Brooklyn Raines, Peyton Miller, Carles Gil, Griffin Yow; Dor Turgeman.

The La Liga title is on the verge of being secured by Barcelona, who will soon face Real Madrid.

Barcelona are not slowing down their dominant run in La Liga and are getting closer to securing the trophy for the second consecutive year. That makes it not only likely but very possible that they could clinch the title during El Clasico against Real Madrid, which will be played in just two weeks.

This Saturday, Hansi Flick’s side secured their ninth consecutive victory in the Spanish league with a 2-0 win over Getafe, thanks to goals from Fermin Lopez and Marcus Rashford. The result allowed them to extend their lead even further over Real Madrid, who had drawn 1-1 against Real Betis on Friday.

Barcelona now sit at the top of the La Liga standings with 85 points, 11 more than Real Madrid. It is a gap that is nearly impossible to overcome, with only five matches remaining in the season — meaning 15 points still up for grabs.

Under this scenario, Barcelona could be crowned Spanish champions as soon as May 3. A day earlier, they will visit Osasuna and, if they secure a win, they would hold a 14-point lead over Real Madrid. Los Blancos would then have no option but to defeat Espanyol on Sunday or they would no longer be able to catch their rivals.

A Barcelona title celebration in El Clasico is possible

If Barcelona do not manage to secure the La Liga title next weekend, the decision could be delayed by another week. That would coincide with El Clasico on Matchday 35, set to be played at Camp Nou on Sunday, May 10.

In that scenario, Barcelona would take the field knowing that a win over Real Madrid would crown them La Liga champions for the 2025-26 season. In other words, not only would they claim the title, but they could also celebrate it against their biggest rivals, adding an extra layer of significance.

Who has won more La Liga titles?

With this season’s trophy nearly secured, Barcelona are closing in on their 29th La Liga title, dating back to their first in 1929. That would keep them in second place on the all-time list, well ahead of third-place Atletico Madrid, who have 11.

However, the top spot remains firmly in Real Madrid’s hands. They are the most successful club in La Liga history with 36 titles since 1932, with the most recent coming in 2024. They also hold the record for most consecutive titles, having won five in a row on two occasions (between 1961 and 1967, and again between 1986 and 1990).

That said, recent trends have favored Barcelona. Since the start of the century, they have won half of all La Liga titles (13, including this year’s likely triumph). That run has helped them close the gap on Real Madrid, who have won nine league titles since 2000.

Manchester City are facing Southampton in the FA Cup semifinals, and Erling Haaland is not part of the starting lineup.

Manchester City have a chance this Saturday to reach another final and take a step closer to yet another title. They are facing Southampton in the FA Cup semifinals at Wembley Stadium, but Erling Haaland is not in the starting XI by decision of Pep Guardiola, who opted to rest some of the squad’s key stars.

Haaland will be on the bench, waiting for his opportunity to come on in the second half if the team needs him. His usual spot at center forward this Saturday will be filled by Omar Marmoush, the other striker the Citizens have on their roster.

The starting lineup to face Southampton also does not include key players such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marc Guehi, Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Jeremy Doku. Instead, stars like John Stones, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki are in the lineup.

The XI Pep Guardiola selected in pursuit of a place in the FA Cup final is: James Trafford; Matheus Nunes, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Rayan Ait-Nouri; Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic; Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden; Omar Marmoush.

Lining up at Wembley 🫡

XI | Trafford, Nunes, Stones (C), Ake, Ait-Nouri, Nico, Kovacic, Reijnders, Cherki, Foden, Marmoush

SUBS | Donnarumma, Haaland, Doku, Guéhi, Bernardo, Savinho, O'Reilly, Khusanov, Lewis

🤝 @etihad pic.twitter.com/SNJkq2dAob

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 25, 2026

Southampton are looking to pull off an upset

While Manchester City are clear favorites to secure a spot in the FA Cup final, Southampton will give everything to pull off an upset and take that place in the showdown for the trophy from the Citizens.

The Saints are currently competing in the Championship, the second tier of English soccer, where they have been performing well. They sit in fifth place in the standings, just four points behind second-place Ipswich Town.

To face Manchester City, coach Tonda Eckert selected the following XI: Daniel Peretz; Welington, Nathan Wood, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, James Bree; Caspar Jander, Cameron Bragg, Leo Scienza, Finn Azaz, Tom Fellows; Ross Stewart.

Your YELLOWS 💛 pic.twitter.com/hjjRLMB4T2

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 25, 2026