Leeds United are interested in signing the FC Midtjylland winger Aral Simsir at the end of the season.
The 23-year-old has been exceptional this season, scoring 11 goals and 18 assists in all competitions. He is set to secure a big move in the summer, and Leeds could use his creativity, goals and unpredictability in the final third.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Leeds United and Crystal Palace are closely monitoring his development and are expected to make a move in the summer.
It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs can get the deal done. Both clubs need more quality on the flanks, and Simsir would be a super long-term acquisition. He is a young player with a lot of potential and the technical attributes to succeed in the Premier League. He will look to hit the ground running in the Premier League if the move goes through.
Simsir will look to establish himself as a regular international for Turkey, and they move to the Premier League will certainly help him.
Leeds are currently fighting for survival in the Premier League, and it will be interesting to see if they can secure safety. It will help them attract top talent in the summer.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace recently won the FA Cup and the Community Shield. They will be an attractive destination for the 23-year-old.
It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs can get the deal done.
FC Midtjylland will not want to let a key player like him leave easily, and they could demand a premium for his signature.
The 25-year-old has previously admitted that he would love to play for Liverpool in future, and that will certainly give the defending champions an edge in the transfer race. They could use more quality in the middle of the park, and Gomes would be a superb acquisition. He will add control, composure and defensive cover to the team. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool can get the deal done.
Manchester United are also interested in the player. They will need to replace Casemiro in the summer, and the 25-year-old Brazilian would be ideal. Manchester United have carried out extensive checks on the player this season, and they will hope to win the race for his signature.
Meanwhile, clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham have also made enquiries about his situation. It is clear that the 25-year-old will be a player in demand at the end of the season. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.
Gomes deserves to compete at a high-level and joining a big club would be ideal for him. He should look to join a team that offers regular opportunities and lets him fight for trophies.
Wolves are likely to demand a premium for him, and it remains to be seen which of the aforementioned clubs would be prepared to pay up.
Chelsea are interested in signing the South American defender Mateo Del Blanco at the end of the season.
According to reports, Chelsea are interested in the 22-year-old left back, and they have been monitoring his performance for Union de Santa Fe for quite some time. Del Blanco can operate as a full back as well as a wing back.
He has impressed with his performances at both ends of the pitch, and he could prove to be a quality, long-term investment for the club. Chelsea have shown a willingness to invest in talented young players in recent windows, and it seems that they want to add more quality to the pool of young talent already at the club.
The opportunity to join a Premier League club will be exciting for the young defender. It would be a huge step up in his career, and he would get to test himself in England. Chelsea is among the biggest clubs in the world, and Blanco will find it difficult to turn them down.
The player is reportedly valued at €4 million, and he would be a very affordable acquisition for Chelsea. It will be interesting to see if the Blues follow up on their interest with an official offer to get the deal done.
According to journalist Renzo Pantich, Chelsea are hoping to sign the player and send him on loan to Strasbourg so that he can continue his development with regular football. If he manages to impress in France, he will be given the opportunity to succeed in future. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. The journalist claims the player ‘will be bought by Chelsea‘ in the summer.
Chelsea have the financial muscle to get the deal across the line, and Union are unlikely to be able to stop him from leaving if the Blues are serious about getting the deal done.
Arne Slot insisted Liverpool will be ready for a “fight” against Brighton on Saturday, despite their lack of rest between fixtures. The Reds qualified for the last eight of the Champions League with a 4-0 win over Galatasaray on Wednesday, securing a 4-1 aggregate victory. Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Liverpool drew 1-1 with Tottenham […]
Real Madrid could reportedly complicate Manchester United’s negotiations for Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
Bruno Guimaraes was reportedly in talks to join Premier League giants Manchester United in a multi-million-dollar deal, but the move could collapse due to Real Madrid emerging as a potential competitor.
“Manchester United are in advanced talks to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes,” Reuters reported, detailing a fee close to €80 million (approximately $92 million). “But renewed interest from Real Madrid threatens to complicate the proposed move.”
In fact, the former Real Madrid midfielder is reportedly behind Manchester United’s interest in Bruno, whom he knows well from their time together with the Brazil national team. “Casemiro has personally recommended Guimaraes as his ideal successor, citing his experience and leadership,” Reuters added.
Casemiro of Manchester United during a Premier League match.
Real Madrid also need midfield reinforcements
Just as Manchester United are set to lose Casemiro in the near future, Real Madrid are still looking to replace two legends who left the club in recent years: Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Adding to that is the potential departure of Eduardo Camavinga, for whom Los Blancos are reportedly willing to listen to offers.
“Guimaraes has long been admired by the Spanish side, dating back to the Carlo Ancelotti era. The Italian coach recommended him three years ago as a successor to Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in Real’s midfield and the player came close to joining the club,”Reuters reported.
That deal fell through in the summer of 2022, when Newcastle United paid more than $50 million to Olympique Lyonnais to sign the Brazilian midfielder. However, Guimaraes’ performances in the Premier League have reignited Real Madrid’s interest.
Guimaraes is a key piece for Brazil
Although the move to Newcastle United initially prevented Carlo Ancelotti from bringing Bruno Guimaraes to Real Madrid, the two were reunited with the Brazil national team. Since taking charge in the summer of 2025, the coach has given the midfielder a prominent role in his squad.
Guimaraes has been included in every roster selected by Carlo Ancelotti since June of last year, across both World Cup qualifiers and subsequent friendlies. In fact, he has started all eight of Brazil’s matches during that span, recording one goal and two assists. That makes him one of the virtually certain names in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United runs with the ball during the Premier League match.
Pep Guardiola gave a strange answer when asked about 'dark arts' used by Arsenal, their Carabao Cup rivals in the final.
England has a major matchup this weekend between two of the country’s best teams. While the Premier League title race seems headed to London, Manchester City is looking to lift the Carabao Cup trophy on Sunday. At the pre-match press conference, Pep Guardiola was asked about Arsenal’s tactics, especially on set pieces like corner kicks.
Guardiola said: “Dark arts? When someone does something like that, the referees must stop it. Or people behind stage. Look what happens in the world. We are in the middle of chaos, and nobody moves a finger. The world is going to collapse, and we are talking about whether a team uses dark arts. There are more important things than that.”
Manchester City could be one win away from its best chance at a title this season. It is still in the Premier League race, but trails Arsenal by nine points with one game in hand. The Champions League is no longer an option after its elimination against Real Madrid. In the FA Cup, it faces Liverpool in the quarterfinals.
Guardiola on his relationship with Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has become a key part of Arsenal’s future over the past few years, despite a rough start at the club. His team’s playing style is not exactly what he saw up close while working as Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, which created a good match for fans.
Arteta was Guardiola’s assistant in Manchester (Michael Regan/Getty Images)
The rivalry between these clubs has grown more intense every time they meet. Things between the Spanish managers do not seem especially warm either, though Guardiola kept things simple by praising Arteta’s team.
Guardiola said: “I don’t have time to go to London, and I don’t think he has time to come to Manchester with four competitions. They control many aspects of the game after years without titles. That has given them an edge. They are organized, they defend deep, they have a good build-up. They are an exceptional team.”
Guardiola on the AFCON controversy
This week also brought a different controversy in the sport. Senegal had been crowned AFCON champions after beating Morocco 1-0 in the final. However, the African Confederation decided to award the title to the losing team because the winning side had briefly left the field in protest.
Guardiola said: “It was a surprise. I don’t know the reason, but it seems the decision was taken behind the scenes, as happens everywhere. What we see happens all over the world. In soccer and in other places.”
Guardiola may be in his last year with Manchester City
To add salt into the wounds of their Europa League exit on Thursday evening, Roma have since learned that midfielder Manu Kone has suffered a second-degree hamstring strain and will be sidelined for at least a month of action according to the latest reports.
Roma lose Kone for at least a month after Bologna injury
The Giallorossi were eliminated from the Europa League at the round of 16 stage after a 5-4 aggregate defeat against Serie A opposition in Bologna. The first leg ended level at 1-1, the second ended at 3-3 after 90 minutes and was eventually settled by Bologna’s Nicolo Cambiaghi in the 111th minute of Thursday’s decider.
The tie was particularly disappointing for Roma’s Kone, who was ruled out of the first leg with muscular fatigue, having recovered from a hamstring injury in February. Kone’s involvement in the second leg was then cut short after just 18 minutes as he went off with another hamstring injury.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Santiago Castro of Bologna is challenged by Manu Kone of AS Roma during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
According to the latest updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma have learned that Kone has suffered a second-degree strain to his hamstring, which is likely to keep him out of action for at least a month.
If there is a slight silver cloud for the Giallorossi, it is that there will be no domestic fixtures for a fortnight after this weekend due to the international break. However, Kone is still expected to miss out on Sunday’s match against Pisa, and potentially crucial matches against Pisa, Atalanta and Bologna once Serie A action resumes.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
The Atalanta and Bologna fixtures are particularly important for Roma and their quest to land a Champions League position, given that they have recently slipped to sixth place in the table and are now just one position above Atalanta and two above Bologna.
Antonio Conte says that Napoli have ‘put a bit of pressure on the teams at the top’ after their 1-0 victory away against Cagliari in Serie A on Friday evening, their fourth win in as many matches, which has temporarily sent them above Milan and into second place in the league table.
A goal from Scott McTominay after just over a minute was enough for the Partenopei to hold onto at the Unipol Domus, as Conte’s side prevented their hosts from having any shots on target across the 90 minutes.
This was also the first clean sheet that Napoli have managed to keep in 11 matches.
Conte reviews Napoli’s 1-0 victory over Cagliari: ‘Nobody should stop us from looking ahead’
Despite their victory, Conte feels that there is still room for improvement in terms of Napoli’s performance. He feels that getting key players like McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka back to ‘100%’ will be key, though.
“We made too many mistakes. We could have done better and commanded the game more given that Cagliari didn’t come to press,” Conte told DAZN after full-time.
“We looked for the second goal in the second half, anything can happen in these sorts of games. Now we go into the (international) break with three points, waiting on the others.
“Three points further into the Champions League spots, we’ve been extraordinary over the last seven months to stay in the top positions. We’re looking at those in front of us, but we’re not making any empty promises. It doesn’t take much to get dragged back by those behind us.”
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MARCH 20: Scott Francis Mctominay of Napoli scores his goal 0-1 during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Sant’Elia on March 20, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Before Friday, Napoli had not kept a clean sheet in any competition since their 2-0 win away against Lazio on January 4, their first game of the calendar year.
“It’s important to record a clean sheet after 11 games,” said Conte. “Cagliari didn’t have a shot on goal today. Being able to defend well requires everyone. There was great application and desire. The guys understood the importance of the match, even if we struggled to materialise that.”
Napoli’s defence of their 2024-25 Scudetto was completely obliterated by injuries. At certain stages, Conte had a full starting XI unavailable through injury. But, today, De Bruyne and McTominay were able to start alongside each other for the first time in almost five months, dating back to a 3-1 win over Inter back in October .
“Obviously having some players back is important, but what counts is them being at 100%,” Conte explained.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MARCH 20: Scott Francis Mctominay of Napoli celebrates his goal 0-1 with the team-mates during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Sant’Elia on March 20, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
“Anguissa and McTominay aren’t ‘brilliant’ again yet, Kevin (De Bruyne) I thought was doing well. Lobotka struggled a little bit more, and we still have to get Rrahmani and Di Lorenzo back. Neres is difficult, I think.
“We’ve held our own over the last seven months, now we have to qualify for the Champions League, but we know that other teams want that too. Nobody should stop us from looking ahead. Today we’ve put a bit of pressure on the teams at the top.”
Gerry Cardinale has outlined an ambitious vision for Italian football, expressing his desire to meet Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to build a joint plan for revitalising Serie A, while also revealing the considerable frustrations he has encountered in trying to build a new stadium in Italy compared to his native United States.
Speaking to the Financial Times over lunch at Milanello, just days before Milan’s derby victory over Inter, the RedBird Capital founder and Milan owner was candid about the cultural and political barriers he has faced since acquiring the club.
“Here there are linguistic, political and cultural barriers. I am building a stadium and I want it to be an Italian product, Italian banks financing it, Italian companies competing for naming rights, Italian commerce and hospitality surrounding it. In the States I could do it without thinking. Here it is not my ecosystem.”
epa10157496 AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale (R) before the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and FC Inter Milan at Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Italy, 03 September 2022. EPA-EFE/ROBERTO BREGANI
Milan owner Cardinale: ‘Let’s make Serie A one of Italy’s greatest exports’
Despite those frustrations, Cardinale’s long-term ambition for the club and for Italian football more broadly remains undimmed.
“I would like to reach the point where, if I have built enough credibility, I can go to Rome, sit down with Meloni or whoever else, and say: let’s build a plan to relaunch Serie A,” he said.
“Let’s make Serie A one of Italy’s greatest exports.”
It is a bold and genuinely exciting vision, and one that, if realised, could have profound implications for Italian football’s standing.
Scott McTominay’s strike during Napoli’s 1-0 win over Cagliari on Friday evening means that he has now matched his seven-year Premier League goal tally in less than two full seasons in Serie A.
McTominay, back in the Napoli starting line-up for the first time since the beginning of February, took just over a minute to find the back of the net in Napoli’s 1-0 win away against Cagliari at the Unipol Domus.
That goal was his sixth in Serie A for the season, and his 19th overall in Serie A since joining Napoli from Manchester United in the summer of 2024.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MARCH 20: Scott Francis Mctominay of Napoli celebrates his goal 0-1 with the team-mates during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Sant’Elia on March 20, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
McTominay has scored 19 goals in 59 Serie A appearances in a period of less than two years. He also has 19 Premier League goals on his CV, which he scored in 178 outings across a seven-year period.
McTominay is also the reigning Serie A MVP and is also the division’s all-time highest-scoring Scotland international, beating the likes of Lewis Ferguson, Che Adams and Denis Law.
He and teammate Billy Gilmour are the only two Scotland internationals to hae ever won the Serie A title.
Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbery-Hall has done quite well since the £25 million move to the club in the summer of 2025.
He struggled to make his mark at Chelsea, but he has shown his quality at Everton and turned his career around. His impressive performances at Everton have attracted the attention of clubs like Aston Villa and Manchester United.
According to a report from SportsBoom, the player would cost around £50 million if the Premier League clubs are willing to come forward and sign him in the summer. The midfielder has six goals and five assists in the league this season, and Manchester United could use more creativity in the final third.
The player is considered “untouchable” at Everton, and it will be interesting to see if the Red Devils can convince the Toffees with an attractive offer. If they submit an offer exceeding £50 million, Everton might have to make a difficult decision because of their financial situation.
Meanwhile, the player would have to be offered a contract worth around £150,000-a-week as well.
Aston Villa are monitoring his situation as well, and they could use more creativity in the final third. It will be interesting to see if they are prepared to make a move for him. They are pushing to secure European qualification for the upcoming campaign, and they might be able to fund the move with revenue from the Champions League.
Dewsbury-Hall has previously failed to prove himself at a big club like Chelsea, and it remains to be seen whether he is ready to take on a new challenge and join a club like Manchester United in the summer. They are among the biggest clubs in the world and the opportunity to join them, could be hard to turn down.
Chelsea are looking to improve the attacking unit with the signing of Konstantinos Karetsas of the season.
The 18-year-old attacker has caught the attention of clubs like Real Madrid and PSG with his performances for KRC Genk.
The player has three goals and 17 assists to his name this season, and the Greek international could prove to be an excellent long-term investment for Chelsea. He can operate as an attacking midfielder as well as on the flanks.
Chelsea could use more creativity in the final third, and Karetsas could add a new dimension to their attacking unit. He will add pace, flair and unpredictability to the team as well. It will be interesting to see if Chelsea comes forward with an offer to secure his signature. Clubs like Real Madrid and PSG are monitoring his development as well, and they have the financial means to sign him.
According to a report from HLN, the player will cost around €45 million in the summer. Chelsea have the financial muscle to afford him, and it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to pay the asking price for the talented attacker. The demand might seem steep for an unproven talent like him, but Karetsas could justify the investment in the future.
He would be a long-term asset for Chelsea, and they might be able to groom him and help him fulfil his potential in future.
The opportunity to move to the Premier League will be exciting for the youngster. It would be a huge step in his career, and regular football in England could bring out the best in him. However, he must seek gametime assurance before moving to the Premier League. Sitting on the bench at a big club could be detrimental to his development.
Crystal Palace are looking to improve the midfield unit in the summer, and they are keen on Nicolo Barella.
The 29-year-old has done quite well in Italy, and the opportunity to move to the Premier League could be interesting for him. Barella is at the peak of his career, and this could be his final opportunity to try out a new challenge.
Crystal Palace is preparing a formal proposal to get the deal done, and they could offer around €70 million (£60m) in order to sign the player. It will be interesting to see if they can convince the Italian international to join the club. They are not the only Premier League club interested in the player, and Newcastle United are among them, according to reports from Spain.
They are hoping to hijack Barella’s move to the London club with a £40 million offer. It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs can get the deal done.
Crystal Palace need more creativity and control in the middle of the park, and the 29-year-old could make an immediate impact. He is a top-quality player who has proven himself for club and country. He has the physicality and technical attributes to succeed in English football as well. Similarly, Newcastle could use a player with his quality as well. Bruno Guimaraes has been heavily linked with a move away from the club, and Barella could be a quality alternative.
It will be interesting to see if the Italian is willing to join either club.
Barella plays for one of the biggest clubs in the world, and he might prefer to join a team where he can compete for league titles and the UEFA Champions League. The move to Crystal Palace or Newcastle might come across as a step down for him.
Manchester United are interested in signing the Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes at the end of the season.
The Brazilian has been exceptional for joining the club, and Manchester United are hoping to secure a signature. According to ESPN, Manchester United are yet to submit an offer for the player, and they would have to pay around €80 million in order to get the deal done.
The report further claims that Casemiro is pushing behind the scenes to get the transfer across the line. He will leave Manchester United in the summer, and it will be interesting to see if he can help them sign Guimaraes before his departure.
The Newcastle star will certainly help Manchester United improve. He will add control and creativity to the team. The opportunity to join a bigger club will be exciting for him. He has proven himself in the Premier League with Newcastle, but he deserves to compete at a high level.
Manchester United are working hard to secure Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign, and they need quality players at their disposal in order to compete for trophies next year. Guimaraes has been suggested to the Manchester United hierarchy by Casemiro, and his word is valued at the club. It will be interesting to see if the Old Trafford outfit can get the electro line.
Newcastle have an ambitious project as well, and they are competing in the UEFA Champions League this season. They might not secure Champions League football for the upcoming campaign, but they will still look to secure football in some capacity and fight for trophies. Losing their best midfielder will not be a part of their plan. It remains to be seen whether Manchester United can convince them to sell the player with an attractive offer.
Max Dowman has a chance of playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with England, head coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledged.
This Friday, England announced their squad for the March FIFA international break and, although Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman was not included, head coach Thomas Tuchel admitted he is considering him for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“He’s a fantastic talent,” Tuchel said during Friday’s press conference, according to reporter Fabrizio Romano on his official X account. “We still have a chance to call him for the World Cup.”
However, the head coach clarified that he preferred not to include him at this stage: “At the moment he competes for minutes so he’s not a regular starter for Arsenal. He is in the best environment possible, he has to keep going. No need to call him up now and increase the pressure.”
The English attacking midfielder is currently one of the breakout stars in European soccer due to his performances with the Gunners. In fact, just a few days ago he became the youngest player to score a goal in Premier League history after netting in a 2-0 win over Everton.
Here we go. It's your #ThreeLions squad for March camp! 👀
Who are the youngest players to feature in a World Cup?
If Thomas Tuchel decides to include him in the 26-man squad that will represent England at North America 2026, Max Dowman would become the youngest player in history to appear in a FIFA World Cup.
By the time the Three Lions make their debut in the tournament this summer, on June 17 against Croatia, Dowman would be just 16 years and 169 days old. That would place him at the top of the all-time list by a significant margin.
At present, the record belongs to Norman Whiteside of Northern Ireland, who made his debut at the 1982 World Cup aged 17 years and 41 days in a match against Yugoslavia. He is followed by Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o (17 years, 99 days in 1998) and Nigeria’s Femi Opabunmi (17 years, 101 days in 2002).
England’s squad for the March FIFA international break
Beyond Max Dowman’s situation, Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the matches against Uruguay and Japan in March includes a notable omission: Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has stood out in recent weeks with Real Madrid. The coach addressed the decision clearly: “I know what Trent can give us and I decided still to stick to the players with us,” Tuchel said, referring to Tino Livramento, Djed Spence and Jarell Quansah.
Among the main inclusions in the squad is the return of Jude Bellingham, who has been dealing with physical issues that affected his appearances for Real Madrid. Also included are Manchester United players Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo, as well as Manchester City defender John Stones.
Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman and England coach Thomas Tuchel.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente put all the responsibility of the Finalissima's cancellation on Argentina.
The military conflict in the Middle East led to the cancellation of the Finalissima that was set for Qatar. The match between Spain and Argentina, featuring Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, was expected to be a major showcase, but it was ultimately called off. Luis de la Fuente pointed to their opponents as the reason in a press conference.
De la Fuente said: “Everybody knows my disposition was to play the Finalissima. I have always said it. Playing against Argentina, winning a title. Me and the RFEF (Real Federación Española de Fútbol) were aligned to play this match. Two don’t play if one doesn’t and we wanted to play. We wanted to play in Doha, in Buenos Aires…”
Talks between the federations began once it was confirmed that the Middle East was not an option. Several European capitals were mentioned, but the executives did not agree on the conditions needed to make it happen.
Spain’s alternative plan
Once the Finalissima was confirmed to be off, the RFEF moved to give de la Fuente more opportunities to evaluate players. The European champions are set to face Serbia on March 27 as the replacement for the canceled match.
De la Fuente won the Euro with Spain (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
The manager had planned to use the pair of games to reconnect with the squad, since they have not been together since November. Another important African team, Egypt, completes the window on March 30.
De la Fuente said: “I want to thank the Federation for trying to play against Argentina and for the two matches we are playing now. It was a peculiar match. We wanted to play it with the players that are going to give us a chance in the World Cup. It was important to get this window back.”
De la Fuente on calling four goalkeepers
Spain have had a strong goalkeeper for some time, with Unai Simón giving the team confidence under the posts. The Athletic Club player was joined by Arsenal’s David Raya and Real Sociedad’s Álex Remiro recently, and Barcelona’s Joan García was also added.
De la Fuente said: “He’s a great goalkeeper that we have known for a long time. He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He can provide confidence, work, professionalism, quality, competitiveness. He’s going to challenge the rest to give their best. I don’t see it as a problem. It’s great news.”
Football Italia’s Man of the Match was McTominay, for his early winner and hard-working performance throughout.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MARCH 20: Scott Francis Mctominay celebrates his goal 0-1 with the team-mates during the Serie A match at Stadio Sant’Elia on March 20, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Best Cagliari player: Yerry Mina – Still an average night at the office for the menacing centre-back, but did a good enough to job to keep Napoli at bay for lengths of the match.
Lowest Cagliari rating: Juan Rodriguez – Really struggled to have any impact whatsoever on the left flank and was as worrying in defence as he was going forwards.
Coach: Fabio Pisacane 6 – Gave it a good go and set up his team fairly well to nullify Napoli’s threat. Was unlucky to get caught out early as the team looked solid for most of the match.
Best Napoli player: Scott McTominay – Scored the decisive goal and worked hard throughout the ninety minutes. Hardly a show-stopping performance but was the best amongst a very modestly performing Napoli side.
Lowest Napoli rating: Mathias Olivera – Played at centre-back, outside of his natural positioning, and struggled as a result. Made a couple of sloppy fouls, picked up a yellow card and overall contributed nothing of particular value to his team’s victory.
Coach: Antonio Conte 6.5 – Marginally better than his counterpart, and picked up the three points accordingly. His side did not inspire with their victory but the coach will be delighted to come away with the three points.
An early strike from Scott McTominay was enough for Napoli to hold onto as Antonio Conte and his team picked up a 1-0 victory away against Cagliari in Serie A on Friday evening; their fourth win on the spin and a result that has sent them into second place in the league table.
McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne were able to start alongside each other for the first time in almost five months, dating back to a 3-1 victory over league leaders Inter in October. The 15th-placed Cagliari boasted two recently called-up Italy internationals in Elia Caprile and Marco Palestra. Napoli had four in their camp: Alex Meret, Alessandro Buongiorno, Leonardo Spinazzola and Matteo Politano.
Antonio Conte’s side had won all three of their previous Serie A matches heading into tonight’s game, all by 2-1 margins, while the hosts were without a win across their last six.
It took just over 60 seconds for McTominay to find the net on his return to the starting line-up. The Scotland international got his side ahead from the first corner of the game, which went short to Politano and pinballed around the area before the Scotland international managed to tap in on the goalline.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MARCH 20: Scott Francis Mctominay of Napoli scores his goal 0-1 during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Sant’Elia on March 20, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
From there, the first half became a fairly evenly contested, albeit slightly scrappy affair. Conte was twice visibly annoyed by misplaced passes from Buongiorno and Gilmour out of the back, giving possession away far too cheaply.
Napoli’s only other shot on target of the first half came from a fairly tame Politano free-kick, while Cagliari came closest through Sebastiano Esposito, who flashed an effort across the face of Vanja Milinkovic-Savic’s goal from a tight angle.
De Bruyne almost got the better of Caprile with a low, driven effort from the edge of the area, but the recently called-up Italy international was able to parry and his defenders were able to clear in the end.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MARCH 20: Alberto Dossena of Cagliari and Rasmus Højlund of Napoli fight for the ball during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Sant’Elia on March 20, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Napoli saw a glimpse of what their star players are capable of when McTominay, De Bruyne and Politano linked up with some beautiful one-touch play in the Cagliari area, but Caprile did well to smother his compatriot when he found himself on the edge of the six-yard box.
Cagliari have not won any of their games this season when they have been trailing half-way, and that proved to be the case again despite their best efforts on Friday evening.
Fabio Piscane’s winless run has now been extended to seven matches, with just two points earned over that period, while Conte and his team have now won four in a row and currently find themselves in second place in the league table with Milan due to play on Saturday.
Cagliari 0-1 Napoli
McTominay 2’
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MARCH 20: Scott Francis Mctominay of Napoli celebrates his goal 0-1 with the team-mates during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Sant’Elia on March 20, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Genoa come into the game with three wins from their last five games, as Daniele De Rossi continues to make his mark on the Rossoblu club.
Udinese, meanwhile, have won just one of their last five games and will be looking to recover their form this evening.
Currently, the Bianconeri sit in 11th place in Serie A, whilst tonight’s hosts sit in 13th – and therefore a win for the home side could see them leapfrog their opposition.
CREMONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Coach Daniele De Rossi reacts during the Serie A match at Stadio Giovanni Zini on February 15, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
The Portuguese winger will undergo further assessment on Saturday to determine the full extent of the muscular problem, with the club keen to establish how long he is likely to be sidelined before making any further announcements, according to reports via FCInter1908.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Niclas Fullkrug of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Milan team news: Fullkrug to start alongside Pulisic in Leao absence
In his absence, Niklas Füllkrug is expected to be handed a starting role alongside Christian Pulisic, with the German striker likely to lead the line as Massimiliano Allegri looks to reshuffle his attacking options.
It is a significant blow for Milan at a crucial stage of the season, with the title race against Inter still just about alive and every point now carrying enormous weight.
Leao has been one of Milan’s most important players this season and his absence will be felt, though the hope within the club is that the injury is not serious enough to keep him out for an extended period.
Manchester United are looking to strengthen the defensive unit by signing Nathan Collins from Brentford.
According to TeamTalk, the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international has emerged as a genuine target for Manchester United, and they are looking to accelerate matters in order to sign the player.
The 24-year-old has not just impressed with his defensive qualities, but his leadership has been excellent as well. Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham are also monitoring the player and have scouted him regularly. However, Manchester United are actively exploring a move for the player.
It will be interesting to see if Brentford is willing to sanction his departure. They paid a club record fee of £23 million to sign the player in 2023, and they will look to make a substantial profit if a big club comes calling. The report claims that at least £55 million may be required to get the deal done.
Manchester United have the financial muscle to pay up for him, and they should be in a position to get the deal done, especially if they secure Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign. They need to improve defensively if they want to fight for major trophies.
Also, Harry Maguire is in the twilight stages of his career, and they need to plan his succession. They need a quality defender with leadership skills. Collins could be the ideal addition for them.
The defender could be attracted to the idea of joining one of the biggest clubs in the world. He has proven himself at Brentford, and this is the right time for him to take on a bigger challenge. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.
Arsenal and Manchester City are interested in signing the Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi.
The young defender is highly rated across Europe, and Barcelona have no plans to let him leave. He has a €500 million release clause in his contract, and Barcelona are under no pressure to sanction his departure.
According to reports from Spain, the player’s market value is €80 million, and he has a long-term contract with the Spanish club until 2029. Arsenal and Manchester City are very keen on him, and they are preparing financial strategies to tempt the player’s representatives. It will be interesting to see if they can offer him a lucrative contract and force him to consider an exit.
Arsenal already have the best defensive unit in the Premier League, and it seems that they are looking to improve further. There is no doubt that Cubarsi would be a super long-term acquisition. He has all the attributes to develop into a world-class player in the future. Meanwhile, Manchester City are looking to bring an upgrade on Nathan Ake.
It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs comes forward with an official proposal. They have the resources to pay €80 million for him, but it seems unlikely that Barcelona will sanction his departure. They are looking to build a formidable team for the future, and losing one of their best young players would be a major blow. It would send the wrong message about their ambitions as well.
The Spanish champions are likely to keep hold of the young defender beyond this summer. Arsenal and Manchester City might have to move on to other targets.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been ruled out of the upcoming matches and is set to undergo hernia surgery.
Gianluca Di Marzio has confirmed that the player will be sidelined for several weeks, and his season might have ended prematurely. The Italian journalist claims that the blow has come at the worst possible time for Tottenham, who are fighting for their survival in the top flight. They will be without their best goalkeeper for the remaining matches of the season.
Antonin Kinsky put on a horror show recently when he was handed an opportunity in the UEFA Champions League. But Tottenham will have to rely on him in the coming matches now. It will be interesting to see if the young goalkeeper can bounce back strongly and help his team secure survival in the top flight.
Meanwhile, the injury below could prove to be costly for the player as well. It will hamper his World Cup preparations, and it remains to be seen whether he can return to action quickly.
It has been a disastrous season for Tottenham, and they will be desperate to survive. A club of their stature should have been fighting for European football and domestic trophies. Instead, they find themselves scrapping for a place in the Premier League next season. Losing an important player at this stage of the season could prove to be devastating for them. They have already had more than their fair share of injury problems this season.
Vicario has had his fair share of criticism, but the Italian remains the most reliable keeper at the club. His injury will certainly affect Tottenham in the remaining matches of the season.
Verdict: Home win Best odds: 5/4 Bookmaker: Luckster Fresh from recording a first, if largely symbolic, victory under Igor Tudor, Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League duty on Sunday still searching for their maiden league win of 2026 as they welcome relegation rivals Nottingham Forest. With just one place and one point separating the two […]
Pep Guardiola confirmed James Trafford will start in goal for Manchester City in the EFL Cup final against Arsenal as he is “beyond” happy with how the goalkeeper has been playing. Trafford moved back to City in July from Burnley but quickly slipped down the pecking order following the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma a month […]
Argentina will face Mauritania in Buenos Aires in what will be Lionel Messi’s final match in his country before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In recent weeks, Argentina faced uncertainty regarding their fixtures for the March international break, following the cancellation of the Finalissima. On Friday, the friendly against Mauritania was confirmed, likely marking Lionel Messi’s last game on home soil before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Argentina had planned to play those two Central American national teams during the March international break in Buenos Aires, but the fact that both Honduras and Guatemala were scheduled to play matches in Europe during the same window made it impossible. FIFA rules prohibit a national team from competing on two continents during the same international break.
#FechaFIFA La Selección Argentina jugará un amistoso ante Mauritania el próximo viernes 27 de marzo, desde las 20.15, en La Bombonera.
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) March 20, 2026
One of Messi’s last matches in Argentina
As AFA noted when confirming that the friendly against Mauritania will serve as something of a farewell to the country before the World Cup, it will also be one of Lionel Messi’s final opportunities to play in front of local fans.
In fact, Argentina’s 3‑0 win over Venezuela in the World Cup qualifiers in September 2025 was his last official match on Argentine soil. Messi scored twice in that game in Buenos Aires, in what was widely described as his final competitive home appearance for the national team before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It’s likely that Scaloni’s team will not return to Argentina before the World Cup, as the next FIFA international break falls just before the start of the tournament and the squad will already be based in the United States for that period.
What about Mauritania?
It is clear that for Lionel Scaloni’s planning, facing Mauritania will not be the same as what the match against Spain in the Finalissima would have represented. Far from the level of challenge presented by playing the European champions, their newly confirmed opponent will pose a much smaller test.
Few players in recent Serie A history have had their careers so dramatically derailed by a single transfer as Juventus man Arthur Melo.
The Brazilian arrived at Juventus from Barcelona in 2020 amid enormous fanfare, only to endure five deeply frustrating years in Turin that yielded little of the elegance that had made him one of Europe’s most coveted midfielders.
Now, on loan at boyhood club Gremio, the Brazilian looks reborn, and he has his sights set on convincing Luciano Spalletti to give him one final chance at the Allianz Stadium.
The numbers from his return to Brazil have been striking.
Eleven appearances, a goal, and a pass completion rate of 95% in 2026 alone, capped by helping Gremio win the Gaucho, the Rio Grande do Sul state championship.
A minor muscular injury in the final against Internacional has been the only blemish.
UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 14: Luciano Spalletti, Juventus manager, reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus FC at Stadio Friuli on March 14, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Juventus Outcast Arthur Aiming To Convince Head Coach Spalletti
“Luciano likes to have an organising midfielder, a fulcrum of the team, and I love that role,” he said. “Pizarro and Lobotka both flourished under Spalletti with possession-based, tactically intelligent football. It is not absurd to think I could adapt well. We will see.”
On his troubled spell in Turin, Arthur was thoughtful rather than bitter.
“I arrived during a period of transition at the club with many changes, and that probably affected everyone, including me,” he said. “I have the regret of not being able to show at Juventus what I am demonstrating at Gremio. But I learned a lot in Italy.”
He was equally philosophical about leaving Barcelona.
“It leaves a bittersweet taste, I was happy there. But Juventus allowed me to discover another culture and grow as a man, even through difficulties. Lessons I perhaps would never have learned staying in my comfort zone.”
Arthur also addressed his hopes of a Brazil World Cup call-up under Carlo Ancelotti, and took the opportunity to recommend two Gremio youngsters, 18-year-old defender Luis Guedes and 17-year-old winger Gabriel Mec, as future stars to monitor.
On playing alongside both Messi and Ronaldo, his verdict was suitably poetic. “Leo is magic. Cristiano is work, hunger, ambition: a winning mentality that pushes everyone around him. I feel privileged to have played with both.”
Luciano Spalletti held his pre-match press conference ahead of Juventus’ Serie A clash with Sassuolo, addressing a number of pressing topics including Dusan Vlahovic’s potential return, his own contract situation and the race for Champions League qualification with eight games remaining.
On Vlahovic, Spalletti was deliberately coy, directing reporters to the official squad list for confirmation.
“There are a couple of players with some discomfort to assess, we will have the final picture by tomorrow morning,” he said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.
The Serbian striker has been absent through injury and his return would be a timely boost for a side still pushing hard for a top-four finish.
UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 14: Luciano Spalletti, Juventus manager, looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus FC at Stadio Friuli on March 14, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Juventus coach Spalletti plays up renewal talks
Spalletti was more forthcoming on the subject of his own renewal, suggesting the international break provided an ideal window for productive discussions with the club.
“It seems like a correct moment, there is less stress and the necessary time,” he said. “On my part there is complete availability to hear what the club wants to say to me.”
He was careful, however, not to discuss potential signings, joking that talking about players he might want to bring in while his own contract is unsigned would make him “feel like an idiot.”
The Juventus coach also delivered a passionate defence of his squad’s motivation, dismissing any suggestion that missing the Champions League would be straightforward to absorb.
“Pressure is a privilege that belongs only to those who have a history to honour,” he said. “Our fans travelled to Bodo, overcoming all the costs and difficulties just to be there. We owe them everything.”
On the number nine debate that has followed Juventus all season, Spalletti was characteristically direct.
“It is the moment, the episodic decisions inside a game, that decides things, not a profile. We are not inferior to Galatasaray. The red cards decided that tie, not the level of football.”
Gennaro Gattuso has named his Italy national team squad for the World Cup play-off campaign coming up at the end of March and has included three uncapped players among his selections.
Which uncapped players are in Gattuso’s latest Italy squad?
Gattuso has called up a squad of 28 players for the World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland in Bergamo coming up on March 26. The winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in the play-off final on March 31: A one-match decider for a spot at the final World Cup tournament.
Given the importance of the occasion, Gattuso has understandably decided to stick with a core of trusted and experienced players.
The likes of Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori, Federico Dimarco, Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Barella are expected to start against Northern Ireland. There has also been a return to the squad for Federico Chiesa for the first time since EURO 2024.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 04: Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta reacts during the Coppa Italia match between SS Lazio and Atalanta BC at Olimpico Stadium on March 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Only three of the 28 players called up have not previously played for Italy. Two of them are goalkeepers in Marco Carnesecchi and Elia Caprile, neither of whom have yet been given an opportunity over Gianluigi Donnarumma or Guglielmo Vicario.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 16: Marco Palestra of Cagliari in action during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and US Lecce at Stadio Sant’Elia on February 16, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Cagliari right-back Marco Palestra, on loan from Atalanta, is the only uncapped outfield player to be selected in the latest Italy squad. The 21-year-old has impressed in his first real breakthrough season at Serie A level, and is also included in the Cagliari starting line-up to take on Napoli on Friday evening.
Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne finally start alongside each other in the Napoli midfield again as Antonio Conte’s side prepare to take on Cagliari away from home in Serie A on Friday evening.
Napoli have won their last three matches in succession heading into Friday night’s tie, all by 2-1 margins against Hellas Verona, Torino and Lecce.
Their run of form has brought them within one point of the second-placed Milan, and Antonio Conte’s side will overtake the Rossoneri with a victory this evening.
NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 14: Antonio Conte before the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and US Lecce at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Cagliari, meanwhile, are without a win since the end of January, when they beat Verona 4-0, and have only picked up two points from their last six matches since then. They are currently in 15th place, six points above the relegation zone.
Napoli are without Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Antonio Vergara and David Neres through injury, but Conte’s ‘fab 4’ of Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne, Stanislav Lobotka and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa are finally all back and available for selection.
McTominay, De Bruyne, Lobotka and Billy Gilmour are the chosen starters in midfield, supporting Rasmus Hojlund in the lone centre-forward role. Anguissa starts among the substitutes.
Tonight’s game involves six players who have been called up to Gennaro Gattuso’s Italy national team squad for the World Cup play-offs coming up at the end of the month. Cagliari’s Elia Caprile and Marco Palestra are among the national team inclusions, as well as Alessandro Buongiorno, Leonardo Spinazzola, Matteo Politano and Alex Meret from the Napoli camp.
Kick-off this evening is due at 17.30 GMT.
Cagliari vs. Napoli: Confirmed line-ups
FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Kevin De Bruyne and Rasmus Hojlund celebrate after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a move away from Chelsea, and clubs like Real Madrid are keen on him.
However, the 25-year-old is a key player for the Blues, and they do not want to lose him. Manager Liam Rosenior has held a private meeting with the player regarding the player’s comments and the team’s form in recent weeks. He has revealed that the player is committed to Chelsea, and his recent comments regarding his future were taken out of context.
Fernandez recently claimed that he will assess his future after the World Cup, which fuelled speculations that he could leave Chelsea.
Rosenior told reporters (h/t GOAL): “Yeah, I think I had a great conversation with Enzo at length this morning before training, not just about his comments, just how he was feeling, how as a team we can improve. He’s one of the captains of the club. What I would say is that he made it really, really clear to me how happy he is here at this club, how much he wants to win, how passionate he is for us to be successful. And he also said that in translation and in emotion, things get misconstrued in what he said. So for me, he’s fully committed to this group, he’s fully committed to winning here at this football club.”
It will be interesting to see if Chelsea can keep him at the club beyond this season. He is one of the best players at the club, and he is one of the leaders of the dressing room. Losing him would be a blow for them, and they cannot afford to let players like him leave the club if they want to fight for major trophies. They will look to bridge the gap with elite clubs next season, and they need to hold onto their best players.
Mikel Arteta believes the EFL Cup final will be “one of the defining moments” of the season as Arsenal take on Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. Arsenal booked their place in the showpiece with a victory over Chelsea in the semi-finals, while City got the better of Newcastle United over two legs. Arsenal […]
Making an immediate return to winning ways last week as they stormed their way to a 3-1 victory at home against Aston Villa, Manchester United have embarked on a remarkable resurge since Michael Carrick’s shock return to Old Trafford back in January. Skyrocketing up the table and currently sat in bronze medal position among England’s […]
Newcastle will host Sunderland at St. James’ Park on Sunday, with only two points separating the fierce rivals of the English north-east in the Premier League rankings going into the Tyne-Wear Derby. Here’s what Magpies boss Eddie Howe has to say ahead of the clash. “We’ve got to play like our lives depend on it.” […]
Chelsea have no immediate plans to sack Liam Rosenior as their manager, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist has claimed that even though Chelsea suffered a heavy loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League this week, the Blues are going to continue with Rosenior, who […]
Newcastle United want to sign Nicolo Barella from Inter Milan in the summer transfer window, according to Sports Boom. The report has claimed that the Magpies have identified the Italy international midfielder as a replacement for Sandro Tonali. Tonali was linked with a move to Arsenal in the January transfer window. Arsenal remain keen on […]
Clubs in the Saudi Pro League are interested in signing Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate as a free agent in the summer transfer window, according to Sports Boom. Konate is out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the season, and as it stands, no new deal is in place. Real Madrid have been heavily […]
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to redefine soccer greatness, now locked in a historic race toward the elusive 1,000-goal milestone.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to redefine soccer greatness, now locked in a historic race toward the elusive 1,000-goal milestone. With both icons still active at the highest level, the possibility of seeing two players reach such a landmark has transformed the final years of their careers into a global spectacle.
The clubs they represent and the national teams they lead remain central to this story, as every goal adds weight to a legacy already unmatched in the history of the sport. Just before diving deeper into the numbers, one key detail has emerged: statistics suggest Lionel Messi could reach the 1,000-goal milestone toward the end of his current contract period, potentially around the late 2028 season or early 2029, depending on form and fitness.
The Argentine reached his 900th career goal during Inter Miami’s clash against Nashville, becoming only the second player in history to achieve the feat after Cristiano Ronaldo. The milestone came in the 7th minute, with a signature left-footed finish that once again highlighted his precision and composure in front of goal.
Despite the historic moment, the night ended on a bittersweet note. Inter Miami was eliminated from the competition after a 1-1 draw on aggregate, with Nashville advancing on away goals. His journey to 900 goals spans more than two decades.
He scored 672 goals for Barcelona, 32 for Paris Saint-Germain, 81 for Inter Miami, and 115 for Argentina, showcasing remarkable consistency across every stage of his career. His former teammate and current coach Javier Mascherano reflected on the achievement: “The number we’re talking about is insane, and that’s why Leo is a one of a kind.”
Who hit 900 goals faster?
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the benchmark in goalscoring history. The Portuguese forward currently leads with 964 career goals, continuing his pursuit of the 1,000 mark while playing at the highest level.
Notably, the Portuguese superstar reached 900 goals in 1,236 matches, while Messi achieved the same milestone in just 1,142 appearances, nearly 100 games fewer. The rivalry between the two legends has shaped modern soccer. Although Ronaldo once stated that “the rivalry is gone,” their statistical battle continues to captivate fans worldwide.
The numbers suggest that Messi has a realistic path toward the historic milestone. Based on his current scoring rate of approximately 0.80 goals per game, he would need around 124 more matches to reach 1,000 goals. Since joining the Herons, Messi has averaged over 37 goals per year, maintaining elite productivity despite advancing age.
As per Marca’s recent analysis, if he sustains this level, he could reach the milestone within the next two to three years, making the dream increasingly tangible. However, variables remain. Injuries, playing time, and potential retirement decisions could all influence the timeline.
Meanwhile, ESPN suggests Messi will likely reach his 1,000th goal by the end of his contract in late 2028 if he continues his average goal threshold, as he has since joining Inter Miami. Given that the Argentine is almost two years and four months younger than Ronaldo, he has enough mathematical chance to pass him.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF and Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr.
Bournemouth will host Manchester United in a Matchday 31 clash during the 2025/2026 Premier League campaign. Below, you’ll find all the essential details, including kickoff times and viewing options on TV and streaming platforms.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Bournemouth vs Manchester United on US television and via legal streaming:
With the race for UEFA Champions League qualification heating up, Manchester Unitedenter this matchup sitting third in the Premier League table, firmly in control of their own destiny. The Red Devils are coming off an impressive 3-1 victory over Aston Villa, a direct competitor in the top-four battle, and appear to be hitting their stride at a crucial point in the season.
Meanwhile, AFC Bournemouth arrive with 41 points and plenty still to play for, hovering in mid-table but within reach of the European qualification spots, setting the stage for a matchup with significant implications on both ends of the standings—don’t miss what promises to be a pivotal clash.
More details about watching the game on DirecTV Stream
With DirecTV Stream, you can watch Bournemouth vs Manchester United and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick as well as Google TV, Samsung and Peloton.
DirecTV Stream offers a free trial, and often shares with you a variety of different packages to choose from, so you can pick what suits you the best. That also includes packages filled with sports other than soccer including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and more.
DirecTV Stream has 140+ channels of live TV and unlimited DVR. That includes all of the most important soccer-related channels such as NBC, FOX, ESPN, TNT, CBS as well as more niche soccer channels including FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Univision, TUDN and GolTV.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full DirecTV Stream soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez considered Argentina the winners of the Finalissima that was never played against Spain.
The cancellation of the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain continues to spark controversy, with conflicting accounts of the true reasons behind the failure to schedule the match. Now, the Conmebol president has made a statement targeting the European team.
During an interview with Radio La Red of Argentina, a journalist asked Alejandro Dominguez whether he thought it was a shame that the Finalissima had been canceled. “Why do you think it’s a shame?” replied the Conmebol president. “We are two-time champions of the Finalissima, they didn’t show up.”
However, awarding the Finalissima title to Argentina is far from official. Formally, the match was suspended—with uncertainty about whether it will ever be played—and the trophy remains vacant. Regardless, Lionel Scaloni’s team remains the reigning champion following their victory over Italy in 2022.
Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez.
Spain have a different version of what happened with the Finalissima
Almost simultaneously with Alejandro Dominguez’s interview, Luis De La Fuente held a press conference in Spain ahead of the FIFA March international break. Among other topics, he was asked about the Finalissima and provided conclusions that were completely different from those presented in South America.
“Two can’t play if one doesn’t want to, and we wanted to play. I’ve always said that,” said Spain’s coach, according to Marca. “You all know my willingness to play the Finalissima. I’ve always said it. Playing against Argentina, winning a title. Both I and the RFEF were aligned to play this match.”
De La Fuente added that, despite the forced changes in organization due to the inability to play in Qatar, Spain were always open to contesting the Finalissima: “I want to thank the Federation for trying to arrange the match against Argentina… We wanted to play in Doha, in Buenos Aires…”
Argentina and Spain’s plans in March
Following the suspension of the Finalissima and the cancellation of the friendlies originally scheduled in Qatar, Argentina and Spain adopted similar solutions: staying in their own countries and trying to organise new friendly matches there.
🚨 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗩𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔 | Esta es la lista de jugadores para los partidos contra Serbia y Egipto.
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) March 20, 2026
Spain will face Serbia on 27 March at the Estadio de La Ceramica in Villarreal, and four days later they will play against Egypt at the RCDE Stadium in Espanyol de Barcelona. Argentina, meanwhile, had plans to play Honduras and Guatemala in Buenos Aires, but these matches are in doubt due to the impossibility of both opponents playing in two different continents during the same international break, something prohibited by FIFA.
Argentina's Lionel Messi and Spain's Lamine Yamal.
English prospect Jonathan Rowe has become an increasingly key figure for Bologna, particularly in the Europa League, as the Rossoblu prepare to face Aston Villa in the quarter-finals.
The England U21 European champion only started four Serie A matches in the first half of the campaign, spending six of the opening 17 league games entirely on the bench.
However, it was only a matter of time before the Englishman showed his ability on the field.
The new year started with an assist in a home 2-1 loss against Fiorentina on January 18. A few days later, he scored his first goal for the Rossoblu in a 2-2 home draw against Celtic in the Europa League.
Since then, Rowe has started four Europa League games out of five and six of the last eight league matches
After a very quiet start to the season, Rowe has grabbed five goals and four assists across all competitions for Bologna, all in 2026.
The product of the AFC Wembley academy has been particularly efficient in the Europa League, with three goals and two assists in 10 games this term.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Jonathan Rowe of Bologna is challenged by Bryan Cristante of AS Roma during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Rowe’s performances have contributed to Bologna’s historic qualification for the Europa League quarter-finals, where they’ll meet Aston Villa.
These two sides have already met twice in the last two seasons, both times in Birmingham.
Aston Villa secured a 2-0 win in the Champions League group stage in October 2024, followed by a 1-0 victory in this season’s Europa League group stage in September 2025.
Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will undergo surgery and will be ruled out of action for around a month, which is why he is not part of the 28-man Italy national team squad for the World Cup play-off, which kicks off next week.
Why is Vicario not in the latest Italy national team squad?
CT Gennaro Gattuso has confirmed his squad of 28 players to take on Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semi-final in Bergamo on March 26. The winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in a one-legged play-off final on March 31.
Among Gattuso’s selections are four goalkeepers in Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Alex Meret (Napoli) and Elia Caprile (Cagliari), but there is no Vicario, who has been Italy’s regular second-choice for most of the last two years.
Initially, there had been speculation over Vicario’s form at Tottenham being the reason behind his absence from the Italy squad, however, Spurs have since confirmed that the former Empoli stopper requires surgery and will not be available for the play-offs.
Tottenham’s statement explains that Vicario has decided to have surgery now in order to minimise the impact on his season at club level. It is, and was always expected that Donnarumma will start in the play-off semi-final and the final should Italy qualify.
“We can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario will undergo surgery next week on a hernia,” read a statement from Tottenham on Friday.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 14: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur at City Ground on December 14, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
“The minor procedure for the Italy international goalkeeper has been timed to have as minimal impact on our season as possible.
“Guglielmo will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately, and it is hoped that he could return to action within the next month.”
We can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario will undergo surgery next week on a hernia.
The minor procedure for the Italy international goalkeeper has been timed to have as minimal impact on our season as possible.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri warns that Italy should ‘not imitate other countries’ and insists that youth sectors must be ‘fixed’ as only two Serie A sides remain in European competitions this season.
Bologna and Fiorentina are the only two Serie A representatives left in European competitions this term.
The Rossoblu have qualified for the Europa League quarter-finals, eliminating Roma, while Fiorentina have earned access to the Conference League quarter-finals.
During a pre-match press conference today, Allegri was asked his thoughts on the state of Italian football.
“I’m just talking, not explaining, because I don’t explain anything and I don’t have the truth. We shouldn’t denigrate Italian football,” the Milan coach said via SempreMilan.
“We have those characteristics; they’re part of the history of the Italian people, dating back to the Middle Ages and the defence of the forts. Now everyone’s talking.
“The speed of passing is certainly different and depends on the players. Why are games faster in Europe? First of all, because you either win or lose. The English league is completely different, not better or worse. When they say that in Italy the game stagnates and there’s less space, let’s look at the positive: it’s harder to score goals,” Allegri continued.
Allegri: Italy need to ‘fix the youth sectors’
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We were born and raised like this, and we’ve evolved. We shouldn’t go imitating other countries with different cultures. The history varies from club to club. We need to fix the youth sectors and find different formulas. But don’t talk, we need to do! And make decisions. I’ll end now, otherwise I’ll become polemical. I think numbers should be shown for all the youth sectors.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Massimiliano Allegri Head Coach of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
“These numbers should be brought out. We need to worry because so many kids who play football stop playing early and switch to tennis. To get to the Sinners, there’s a lot of work behind it. You have to be careful. Those who understand the youth sector just need to make some reforms.”
Reports in Italy suggest that Roma will have to pay a compensation fee to Bayern Munich if they fail to make Bryan Zaragoza’s move permanent at the end of the season.
Zaragoza’s future at Roma remains uncertain, as the Spaniard has played only 135 minutes with the Giallorossi since his initial loan move from Bayern Munich in the January transfer window.
How much must Roma pay if Zaragoza returns to Bayern?
The 24-year-old moved to the Stadio Olímpico via Celta Vigo, where he had spent the first half of the campaign.
Roma have already paid €2m for the player’s six-month loan, and their option to buy in the summer is set to €13m.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates after scoring his side first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 15, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
According to Calciomercato.com and Roma expert Filippo Biafora, the agreement between Roma and Bayern Munich includes a €500,000 compensation fee that the Giallorossi will have to pay if they fail to sign the Spaniard permanently at the end of the season.
VIGO, SPAIN – OCTOBER 23: Bryan Zaragoza of RC Celta de Vigo warms up prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Real Club Celta and OGC Nice at Estadio Abanca Balaidos on October 23, 2025 in Vigo, Spain. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Zaragoza has made four Serie A appearances with Roma, two as a starter, providing one assist.
Newcastle United are reportedly interested in both Chelsea strikers Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson, according to TEAMtalk.
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The Magpies could do with strengthening up front after a disappointing season in which they have failed to replicate the success of their previous campaign.
Newcastle won the Carabao Cup final and qualified for the Champions League last term, but have suffered since selling Alexander Isak to Liverpool.
So far, Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa haven’t performed well at Newcastle, so bringing in someone like Jackson or Delap could be a good move.
Still, some NUFC supporters might also be slightly underwhelmed, as both players have largely flopped at Chelsea.
The 23-year-old scored 12 goals in 37 games for Ipswich last season, standing out as a top performer even if the club ended up getting relegated.
This season, Delap has managed just one league goal in 21 appearances for the Blues, and it could lead to speedy exit.
Newcastle might bank on Delap getting back to his best, but it would certainly be a gamble, and even if he has some potential, he’s currently a long way from being someone who could replace a world class forward like Isak…
Newcastle clearly need a striker and Delap is young enough that he could still turn his career around, but there’s not really enough there to suggest he’s at the level Eddie Howe’s side really need.
The Senegal international has also been pretty underwhelming on loan at Bayern Munich, but in fairness to him he’s struggled for playing time due to being behind Harry Kane in the pecking order.
Here’s how we scored him for Newcastle – slightly above Delap. Do you agree with our verdict? Let us know in the comments!
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has not confirmed one way or another if it will be David Raya or Kepa Arrizabalaga starting the Carabao Cup final.
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The Gunners take on Manchester City at Wembley this Sunday with the first piece of silverware of the season up for grabs, and it could also prove a crucial part of this season’s title race between these two clubs as well.
Man City manager Pep Guardiola has already confirmed he’ll be playing backup goalkeeper James Trafford against Arsenal, but Arteta simply said “we’ll see” when asked about who’ll start in goal for his side.
Raya is Arsenal’s established number one ‘keeper for the biggest games, but Kepa has been the team’s cup goalie so far this season, but it seems Arteta isn’t ruling out bringing in Raya for this hugely important match.
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s goalkeeper to take on Manchester City
Watch below as Arteta responded to a question about Kepa vs Raya, and gave little away, though he did add that it doesn’t make a big difference as they’re both quality players with a lot of experience at the highest level…
Arsenal fans will probably be hoping Arteta doesn’t take any risks given the importance of this game, with Raya surely the safer option.
The Spanish shot-stopper has been superb during his time at the Emirates Stadium, and surely deserves the chance to start in a game that could finally see the north London giants lift their first trophy since 2020.
Then again, it’s also important to keep players happy, and it would clearly show a distinct lack of faith in Kepa if he were to be left out of this game having played all of the other Carabao Cup matches previously.
Liverpool’s demolition of Galatasaray at Anfield felt cathartic. After weeks of frustration, doubt, and increasingly restless supporters, a European night arrived that reminded everyone what this club can still look like when its intensity, confidence, and clarity align. Four goals, relentless pressure, and a Champions League quarter-final secured — it was, without question, Liverpool’s most […]
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Chelsea have no immediate plans to sack Liam Rosenior as their manager, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist has claimed that even though Chelsea suffered a heavy loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League this week, the Blues are going to continue with Rosenior, who […]
Newcastle United want to sign Nicolo Barella from Inter Milan in the summer transfer window, according to Sports Boom. The report has claimed that the Magpies have identified the Italy international midfielder as a replacement for Sandro Tonali. Tonali was linked with a move to Arsenal in the January transfer window. Arsenal remain keen on […]
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While Real Madrid’s squad has been heavily impacted by injuries, an encouraging update on Jude Bellingham gives hope for a boost in midfield, though the specifics of his availability remain under wraps.
Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham are at the center of attention as Real Madrid prepares for its crucial La Liga derby against Atletico Madrid. The stakes are high: Los Blancos sit just four points behind Barcelona, and any slip-up could intensify the pressure at the Bernabeu.
While Real Madrid’s squad has been heavily impacted by injuries, an encouraging update on Jude Bellingham gives hope for a boost in midfield, though the specifics of his availability remain under wraps.
After nearly six weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, Jude Bellingham has made a notable step in his recovery. “He did part of the training session with the rest of the group and is in with a chance of making the bench,” reports Diario AS.
This partial return marks a significant milestone, as Bellingham’s presence could provide both dynamism in attack and defensive stability against a typically compact Atletico side. However, caution remains. Los Blancos coach Alvaro Arbeloa is mindful of past lessons.
Bellingham has been out for almost 20 days
“While training with the group is a positive step, full match sharpness and resilience take time after a muscle injury,” he explained. The English midfielder previously made an accelerated comeback after shoulder surgery for a derby against Atletico, which ended in a 5-2 defeat, underscoring the risk of rushing players back too soon.
Injury woes still exist
Despite the positive updates, Real Madrid will be without several key players for the derby. Thibaut Courtois, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos, and Militao remain sidelined, although Militao’s return is imminent post-international break.
The Spanish boss will need to make careful decisions regarding starting lineups, especially with Bellingham’s match sharpness uncertain. While inclusion on the bench seems likely, a start could risk aggravating his thigh injury, and the team is unwilling to jeopardize the rest of the campaign.
Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid
Bellingham’s strategic implications for the Madrid derby
If the Englishman features, his vision and ability to arrive in key areas could be decisive in breaking down Atletico Madrid’s disciplined defensive setup. His return would also relieve the burden on other midfielders who have logged heavy minutes in recent fixtures.
Carreras and Asencio’s potential starts to strengthen Madrid’s defensive options, reducing reliance on a small core of players and allowing for better tactical flexibility.
As Arbeloa balances squad fitness with competitive necessity, the Madrid derby could see a blend of returning stars and cautious management, a strategy aimed at preserving form and avoiding setbacks ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures, including clashes against Mallorca and Bayern Munich.
Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri says Luka Modric ‘brings enthusiasm and positivity’ to the squad, but his future at San Siro is still uncertain: ‘It’s up to him.’
“The club will talk to him. It’s up to him,” Allegri said via SempreMilan.
“He has a World Cup to play in… In the meantime, let’s let him play, let him have fun.”
A six-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Modric has scored two goals and provided three assists in 31 appearances across all competitions this season.
He joined the Rossoneri last summer after the end of his contract with the La Liga giants.
“Luka arrived and brought quality not only on a technical level but above all on a human and professional level, especially for the younger players,” Allegri continued.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: Luka Modric of AC Milan celebrates the victory at the end of the Serie A match between AC Milan and Inter at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Seeing a player, a man—Luka is 40 years old—with such passion and love for what he does is incredible. This creates enthusiasm and brings positivity to the environment.”
Tomorrow, Milan host Torino at San Siro in Serie A Round 30.
The Rossoneri sit second in the table, eight points below table leaders Inter.
Massimiliano Allegri urges Milan to ‘wake up’ after a 1-0 loss against Lazio and reveals Santiago Gimenez will be available for selection for Saturday’s match against Torino.
Milan host Torino at San Siro tomorrow, and the Rossoneri will be looking to bounce back after suffering a 1-0 defeat against Lazio last week.
Milan vs. Torino – Allegri’s pre-match press conference
“These things happen during a season where points count,” Allegri said at a press conference via SempreMilan.
“The only thing we can do is stay calm. We have an important match tomorrow before the break. It’s difficult because Torino has been getting good results since D’Aversa arrived. Let’s forget about what happened; we need to focus on tomorrow. Gimenez is fine; he’ll be called up tomorrow.”
Mexico international Gimenez underwent ankle surgery in December and has not made a competitive appearance for Milan since the end of October 2025.
The 24-year-old has only scored one goal in 11 appearances across all competitions this season, but none in Serie A.
Allegri was asked whether the title race is already over, as the Rossoneri sit second, eight points behind leaders Inter.
PISA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 13: Massimiliano Allegri manager of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and AC Milan at Arena Garibaldi on February 13, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“Football is wonderful for this reason. Everyone thought Inter had dropped two points, but instead… They have their destiny in their hands for the Scudetto; we have it for the Champions League,” the Milan coach replied.
“We have to focus on one game at a time. Then, when the math says that Inter has won the Scudetto and that Milan is in the Champions League, then we won’t be able to win the Scudetto and we won’t be able to exit the Champions League.”
“As for the Leao-Pulisic duo, they’ve had a season with injuries. One missed pre-season, the other had a good pre-season, and then was out for two months. Now it’s important to do well in the last two months,” Allegri said.
“Pulisic is doing well; in terms of physical condition, he put in a good performance in Rome. He lacks accuracy in his shots, but he’ll find it again. Rafa has nine goals; he still has some games to go, and he can reach double figures.
“But now we have everyone available; to play, we need to wake up. Everyone.
“Whoever has the ball has to see who’s unmarked. He didn’t pass that ball to him because he didn’t see it. But it’s happened other times, too,” Allegri continued.
“The difference in football is the choice of the final pass. With Leao I said: ‘He didn’t see you, otherwise he would have passed it to you.’ It didn’t take much.”
Aside from Gimenez, Niclas Fullkrug is the other Milan centre-forward available for Milan against Torino.
“There are post-match solutions when needed. Gimenez hasn’t been available so far and hasn’t got match rhythm. In fact, during the break, we’ll see if we can organise one. If you need someone with those characteristics with 20 minutes to go, you only have one,” Allegri said.
“So you either have to play him from the start or until the end. Everyone’s fine, everyone’s needed. From now until the end, having five forwards available is very important.
“Leao can easily play as a centre-forward, just look at his moves on Sunday against Inter and Cremona with those deep attacks,” continued the Milan coach.
“When he opens up, he feels a little more comfortable, but when he goes wide, if he doesn’t get the ball, he loses his grip on the game a bit…
“We need to improve the understanding between the players. Pulisic and Leao haven’t played together much in those positions, but so have the others. However, there have been some excellent combinations, like Fullkrug and Pulisic in Florence.
“On Sunday, however, Pulisic didn’t show any signs of being there; that can happen in football.”
Sassuolo revealed on the eve of their Serie A clash with Juventus that they had notified Lega Serie A of a confirmed case of whooping cough in the squad, along with five additional team members showing ‘symptoms consistent with the disease.’
A whooping cough (pertussis) outbreak has hit the Sassuolo squad days before their Serie A match against Juventus.
Sassuolo’s statement after case of whooping cough identified
The Neroverdi wrote in an official statement on Friday: “Sassuolo announce that, following several tests carried out in recent days, one case of whooping cough has been identified, along with five cases showing symptoms consistent with the disease within the team group.
“Individuals presenting symptoms are currently in isolation and have been under constant monitoring by the club’s medical staff for the past three days. The staff is applying all procedures required by current health protocols in coordination with the health authorities. It is also noted that all asymptomatic members of the group have promptly undergone specific prophylactic measures.
“The club has already informed the Lega Serie A of the current situation and will continue to closely monitor developments, adopting all necessary measures to safeguard the health of its players and staff.”
Sassuolo play away at Juventus on Saturday night, and according to Italian sources, including TMW, the game is not at risk of being postponed.
The identities of the Sassuolo player diagnosed with pertussis and those with symptoms remain unknown.
Sassuolo have lost their last two Serie A matches, but sit tenth in the standings with 38 points in 29 matches.
Juventus sit fifth with two consecutive wins in Serie A. Luciano Spalletti’s men are unbeaten in the last three league games and are one point below fourth-placed Como.
Juventus and Sassuolo met not long ago in the reverse fixture on January 6, seeing the Bianconeri secure a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Arsenal are reportedly calm and in a positive mood ahead of this weekend’s Carabao Cup final clash against Manchester City.
The Gunners will arguably be the favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley this Sunday, with Mikel Arteta’s side currently top of the Premier League and into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
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By contrast, Man City have not been at their best, having dropped points in two league matches in a row to fall further behind Arsenal, while they were also knocked out of Europe by Real Madrid this week.
Speaking on YouTube, Independent journalist Miguel Delaney provided some insight into how Arsenal now seem to be in a better mood than their opponents ahead of this big game.
Arsenal calm ahead of Manchester City cup final showdown
“Arsenal are the team that are in the better mood where nothing has, as yet, gone you’d say very badly wrong they feel in a good place now as a team,” Delaney said.
“From what I’m told, the mood in the camp is one where the final is almost actually being downplayed a bit.
“There’s a calmness which marks such a contrast from you know one of the major characteristics of this season which is how every single Arsenal game or almost every single game has been ramped up.”
Only time will tell how this affects Arsenal’s performance at the weekend, but for now the club’s fans will surely be pleased to hear this positive update.
Arsenal’s recent record against Man City
For a long time Arsenal seemed to struggle in their games against City, but Arteta has done a tremendous job to turn that around in the last couple of years.
AFC are now on a run of six games unbeaten against MCFC, and that includes a victory at Wembley in the 2023 Community Shield.
City can never be ruled out, though, after all the success they’ve had under Guardiola, which also includes beating Arsenal in the League Cup final back in 2018.
Manchester United still appreciate Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, who was a top target for previous manager Ruben Amorim, according to Fabrizio Romano.
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It seems Man Utd are still discussing their top midfield targets for the summer, with no final decision yet, but Romano has suggested Baleba remains one of the options under consideration.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano went through a list of players the Red Devils are looking at in that position, including Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali.
It is not yet clear if Baleba will still be one of United’s priorities as he was under Amorim, with Romano generally explaining that whoever the club’s new manager will end up being could be another significant factor when it comes to identifying transfer targets.
Fabrizio Romano on Manchester United’s ongoing interest in Carlos Baleba
United have been linked with Baleba several times, but it seems Amorim was key to this, even if others inside Old Trafford also like the Cameroon international.
Romano said: “We have to understand that in order to say ‘okay, Man United want his player because also the coach wants his player’. For example Ruben Amorim was big fan of Baleba at Brighton. (He) wanted Baleba now Baleba is still appreciated by people at Man United, of course, but in that case there was the manager pushing a lot to get Baleba, now it could be different so let’s see let’s follow the situation.”
At the same time, MUFC might also face a lot of competition for someone like Elliot Anderson, as reported by BBC Sport, so sometimes it’s worth keeping a lot of different players in mind.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed the surprise decision to start with James Trafford as his goalkeeper against Arsenal this weekend.
Man City take on the Gunners in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, and it seems Guardiola is prepared to stick with his cup ‘keeper even for this hugely important game.
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The Spanish tactician, speaking at his press conference today, was asked about starting with Trafford over his usual no.1 Gianluigi Donnarumma, and confirmed he would be doing so.
As per BBC Sport, Guardiola said Trafford would be starting and described it as a “big moment for the team.”
James Trafford’s difficult time at Manchester City so far
Trafford joined City from Burnley in the summer, but Donnarumma joined from Paris Saint-Germain not long after.
It perhaps looked initially like Trafford would be Guardiola’s first-choice ‘keeper this season, but it hasn’t worked out that way.
The 23-year-old is a fine talent who will probably feel he could be starting for a number of other Premier League clubs, so it will be interesting to see what he decides about his future this summer.
Still, for the time being Trafford will be given the chance to make himself a hero this weekend.
What about Arsenal’s goalkeeper for the cup final?
Interestingly, it also wouldn’t be too surprising if Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also neglected to use his usual no.1 ‘keeper for this game.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has played for Arsenal in all of their League Cup and FA Cup games so far, so that would probably suggest he’ll be in the starting XI on Sunday as well.
All in all, these decisions seem slightly risky, with Donnarumma performing superbly against Arsenal in last season’s Champions League semi-finals when he was still at PSG.
David Raya is also a top performer for AFC, so could be missed in this important game when silverware is up for grabs.
Fabrizio Romano has reported on Liam Rosenior’s job safety at Chelsea, with the Blues not looking likely to sack the manager any time soon.
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Chelsea are known for changing managers pretty frequently, having already gone through Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, and Enzo Maresca as permanent appointments under this ownership.
But it seems he’s not in immediate danger, with Romano acknowledging that it’s harder to take a big job like Chelsea without the benefits of a full pre-season to prepare.
Fabrizio Romano on Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea future
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano responded to uncertainty around Rosenior after Chelsea’s humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
He said: “Obviously it was disappointing to see Chelsea going out of the Champions League like that. Paris Saint-Germain scored eight goals on aggregate against Chelsea in the Champions League. (It) was especially the Stanford Bridge one poor performance and so obviously many people (are) asking and trying to understand the situation around Liam Rosenior
“But at the moment despite all the questions I’m getting the answer I have is that Chelsea keep believing in their manager. Obviously we all know this is a results-based industry. So let’s see how it’s going to continue in the next months, but at the moment Chelsea show total commitment to the project they started with Rosenior.
“He arrived in January and it’s not the same when you arrive during the summer preseason start to do the market with the ideas of the coach as well.”
He added: “So the idea is to support Rosenior, is to trust Rosenior. Then again, he has to deliver as every single coach in the world. That’s the point.”
Speaking at a press conference today as he announced his latest England squad, Tuchel quite clearly left the door open for Dowman to join up with the Three Lions later on this summer.
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The German tactician was also full of praise for Arsenal for the way they’ve handled the 16-year-old’s development so far, explaining that it’s clear he’s in a good environment where he can stay grounded and keep on learning from the best.
Thomas Tuchel on Max Dowman
Speaking about a number of players who didn’t make his latest England squad, Tuchel made it clear he sees no reason to rush into selecting Dowman.
Still, the England manager definitely didn’t rule it out as something he could do when it comes to naming his final World Cup squad ahead of the tournament later this year.
“Well, he put himself in the spotlight no? With this amazing goal against Everton, and a crucial goal.”
“I think he is, at the moment, complete, and obviously a fantastic talent and an outstanding talent with this age. There cannot be a doubt about it.
“Everyone who tells me about Max praises him and is full of compliments about him. The reality at the moment is also that he competes for minutes – he’s not a regular starter for Arsenal.
“I think he’s in a fantastic environment, I think he’s in the best environment possible; in a competitive club, in a stable club, in a club where team work is the number one rule, this is how they play, this is how they function.
“So he learns from the very best, in the very best environment. And with these young guys, yeah, of course we know all these players and we see them as you do as well.
“At the moment I think he’s in a good place to fight for his position, fight for his minutes at Arsenal.
“We always have the chance to call him, maybe, up for the World Cup.
“The thing with young players is to keep their momentum, maybe, going and keep their excitement, and they have a level of fearlessness with them. So no need to call him up now and increase the pressure and increase all the noise that comes with it. But yeah, we have all options.”
Max Dowman making a name for himself
Dowman scored a memorable late goal for Arsenal in their 2-0 win over Everton, with the teenager coming off the bench in that match and almost single-handedly changing the game.
It’s not often you see a player so young playing with so much quality and intelligence, but Dowman looked very much at home at Premier League level.
The Englishman first fired in a dangerous cross that led to Arsenal’s opening goal for Viktor Gyokeres, before then running almost the length of the pitch to grab the second.
Even if he was faced with an open goal, Dowman showed tremendous skill to get himself into that position to punish Everton on the counter-attack.
In total, Dowman has played seven first-team games for Mikel Arteta’s side this season, and it’s easy to imagine he’ll get more minutes between now and May.
That could put him firmly in contention for a World Cup spot, and what a story that would be!
Liverpool’s demolition of Galatasaray at Anfield felt cathartic. After weeks of frustration, doubt, and increasingly restless supporters, a European night arrived that reminded everyone what this club can still look like when its intensity, confidence, and clarity align. Four goals, relentless pressure, and a Champions League quarter-final secured — it was, without question, Liverpool’s most […]
Barcelona do not want to pay the £26 million option in Marcus Rashford’s loan deal, according to Football Insider. Rashford joined Barcelona on a loan deal from Manchester United in the summer of 2025. Although Barcelona want to keep the England international forward at the club, the defending Spanish champions want the terms of the […]
According to El Nacional, it is ‘inevitable’ that Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City as the manager at the end of the season, and so will star striker Erling Haaland. The Catalan news outlet has claimed that Haaland and Guardiola are not happy with each other, with Paris Saint-Germain keen on a 2026 summer deal […]
Xabi Alonso has told Liverpool the names of the three players that he wants them to sign in the summer transfer window, if the former Real Madrid boss is to take charge of the defending Premier League champions, according to El Nacional. The Catalan news outlet has claimed that Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, Paris […]
The spotlight once again falls on Cristiano Ronaldo as Roberto Martinez has provided clarity over his fitness ahead of a crucial international period.
The spotlight once again falls on Cristiano Ronaldo as Roberto Martinez has provided clarity over his fitness ahead of a crucial international period. With Portugal preparing for key warm-up matches, concerns around the veteran forward’s injury have sparked widespread debate, especially given his importance to both the club and the national team setup.
Despite the uncertainty, the message from the Portugal camp remains cautiously optimistic, even as Ronaldo misses out on the upcoming fixtures. The absence raises questions, but it also reflects a broader strategy focused on long-term fitness rather than short-term risk.
Portugal will head into its upcoming friendlies against Mexico and the United States without its captain, as Ronaldo continues his recovery from a muscle injury sustained while playing forAl-Nassr. The injury, picked up at the end of February, forced the 41-year-old to undergo treatment in Madrid. As a result, he has not recovered in time to participate in the matches scheduled in North America.
These games represent the final opportunity for the Portugal national team to fine-tune preparations before the World Cup squad is finalized. Yet, the decision to leave Ronaldo out highlights a cautious approach from the coaching staff. Martinez explained the reasoning behind the squad selection and the absence of key players: “We have players who are not ready. We have Ruben Dias, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Nelson Semedo, players who are not medically fit.”
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal drops to the floor injured.
Martinez reassures fans over World Cup concerns
Despite the absence, Martinez was quick to calm fears about Ronaldo’s long-term availability. The Portuguese coach made it clear that there is no risk of the forward missing the World Cup, emphasizing the minor nature of the injury.“No, he’s not in danger,”Martinez stated. “It’s a minor muscle injury.”
He also highlighted Ronaldo’s physical condition throughout the season as a key reason for optimism: “Everything Cristiano has done physically this season shows that he’s in great shape.” These comments underline the confidence within the Portugal camp that their captain will return stronger, rather than rushing him back prematurely.
What’s more, the Selecao boss confirmed that the veteran superstar will make a full recovery within one to two weeks, putting him firmly on track for upcoming club and international commitments. This timeline suggests that the decision to exclude him from the friendlies is purely precautionary, ensuring he avoids aggravating the injury ahead of more important fixtures.
Calculated pause, not a setback
Ultimately, Ronaldo’s absence from the upcoming friendlies is less about concern and more about careful planning. Portugal, guided by Martinez, is prioritizing long-term success over short-term risk.
With a clear recovery timeline and strong reassurance from the coaching staff, the situation appears firmly under control. As the World Cup approaches, all signs point to Ronaldo returning in time to once again lead Portugal on the biggest stage.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and head coach Roberto Martinez.
Portugal has reached a final call on whether Cristiano Ronaldo will feature in the March international window, as the national team prepares for high-profile friendlies against the United States and Mexico.
Portugal has reached a final call on whether Cristiano Ronaldo will feature in the March international window, as the national team prepares for high-profile friendlies against the United States and Mexico. The fixtures, set to be played in North America, are part of early preparations for the 2026 World Cup, with the national team facing two host nations in quick succession.
The decision comes amid uncertainty surrounding Ronaldo’s fitness after a recent injury sustained while playing for Al-Nassr. The forward has been a regular presence under head coach Roberto Martinez, but has not featured in recent matches, raising questions about his readiness for international duty. His last appearance for the national team dates back to November 2025, when he was sent off in a World Cup qualifier against Ireland.
Portugal’s upcoming matches will take place at iconic venues, first facing Mexico at Estadio Azteca before traveling to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to meet Christian Pulisic‘s USMNT. These games offer a crucial early look at how the Selecao may shape its squad ahead of the World Cup, particularly as it balances experienced stars with emerging talent.
The suspense surrounding Ronaldo’s inclusion has now been resolved. Portugal has opted not to include the veteran forward in its squad for the March friendlies, confirming that his recovery timeline will keep him sidelined for the trip. “Cristiano is injured. He is not currently playing with Al-Nassr and has also been unable to take part in recent matches”, Martinez had said earlier, leaving the door open before the final call was made.
Os convocados para a dupla jornada nas "Américas" ✈️🌍
Despite earlier optimism, the injury, initially described as minor, proved significant enough to rule him out. Reports from club level indicated a more serious issue than first expected, requiring rest and treatment abroad.
Injury concerns and club context
Ronaldo’s setback dates back to late February, when he picked up a muscle injury during a match with Al-Nassr. Since then, he has been absent from action, focusing on recovery. “After the tests he underwent, it became clear that it is a more serious injury than we were expecting,” said Jorge Jesus. “He will need rest and recovery.”
The absence interrupts what has otherwise been a remarkable international run. Ronaldo remains the all-time leading scorer in men’s international soccer, with 143 goals in 226 appearances, and continues to target participation in a sixth World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts following an injury
What comes next for Portugal
Portugal’s clash with Mexico is scheduled for March 28, followed by a meeting with the United States on March 31. Both matches will serve as key preparation fixtures against top-level opposition.
While Ronaldo’s absence will be felt, the decision prioritizes long-term fitness over short-term availability, ensuring the veteran forward has the best chance of returning fully fit for future competitions.
Wayne Rooney recently questioned Neymar’s legacy, igniting controversy across the soccer world. In response, Brazilian legend Cafu clapped back boldly, defending Neymar and placing him above both Messi and Ronaldo in one key area.
Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo are at the center of a heated debate after Wayne Rooney suggested that Neymar was “never world-class.” The former Manchester United star questioned Neymar’s legacy despite his success at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Brazil, igniting controversy across the soccer world. In response, Brazilian legend Cafu clapped back boldly, defending Neymar and placing him above both Messi and Ronaldo in one key area.
Wayne Rooney’s comments have divided opinion globally. “I like Neymar, but I’ve never seen him as a top, top player. Like Messi, Ronaldo, that kind of category. He was good at Barcelona, but he was still overshadowed by Messi,” Rooney told The Overlap podcast.
Despite Neymar’s career being packed with trophies, including a treble with Barcelona and numerous titles with PSG, the Englishman argued that consistency at the very top level defines true greatness. “For me, he was never world-class. He had talent, but being world-class is about doing it consistently at the very top level,” the former striker added.
Fans quickly took to social media to defend the 34-year-old Santos star, highlighting his performances during his prime. Clips of the Brazilian’s incredible goals and assists in La Liga, Ligue 1, and the UEFA Champions League circulated widely, with many asserting that his peak arguably rivaled or even surpassed several Premier League legends.
Amid the controversy, Cafu, a two-time World Cup winner and former Brazil captain, offered a powerful defense of his compatriot’s abilities. Speaking on the Brazilian podcast Podpah, the 55-year-old claimed Neymar surpasses even Messi and Ronaldo in one crucial aspect of soccer.
“In my opinion, Neymar is better than Messi. Maybe Messi’s commitment is different. But, of these latest generations, Neymar is better than everyone, than Messi, than Cristiano. [He] has more resources, without a doubt. His technical quality beats either of them,” Cafu stated.
The former defender emphasized that his comparison is rooted in pure ability rather than achievements, highlighting Neymar’s extraordinary skill set and creativity on the pitch. While the GOAT duo have defined an era through consistency and trophies, Cafu values the Brazilian forward’s capacity to produce moments of brilliance and unlock defenses in ways few can match.
The importance of being fit
Cafu also addressed Neymar’s ongoing absence from Brazil’s squad. He believes the forward’s inclusion is essential if he is fully fit. “If he’s doing well, he fits into any national team in the world. That’s a fact. There’s no debate about Neymar when he’s at his best,” Cafu explained.
Neymar Junior of Santos.
He further highlighted the challenge Neymar faced over his international career: “For 15 years, he had no one at his level to share the responsibility.” Neymar’s fitness and form are now crucial, not just for club success at Santos, but for Brazil’s preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Cristiano Ronaldo (left), Neymar (center), and Lionel Messi (right)
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso has named his 28-man squad for the World Cup play-off, with Federico Chiesa returning to the team while Guglielmo Vicario is dropped.
The FIGC confirmed Gattuso’s squad for the 2026 World Cup play-off on Friday.
Liverpool winger Chiesa returns to the team for the first time since 2024.
The last time Chiesa had played for the national team was in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 tie against Switzerland.
Newcastle star Sandro Tonali is regularly part of the squad despite suffering an injury during Wednesday’s Champions League match against Barcelona.
Exams undergone on Thursday, in fact, ruled out a serious muscle lesion for the ex-Milan ace.
Cagliari’s Marco Palestra earns his first senior call-up, while Tottenham’s Vicario is not part of the team as Gattuso has picked Elia Caprile, Marco Carnesecchi, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alex Meret.
Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur claps the fans during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Manchester United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Italy will play Northern Ireland in the play-off semifinal on March 26, and the potential Final will be played on March 31, away against Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Italy squad for 2026 World Cup play-off
MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 11: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City celebrates after saving a penalty by Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid (not pictured) during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 11, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Tuttosport newspaper reports that Mateo Retegui has held talks with Juventus after Milan, while Turkish side Fenerbahce have shown interest in Lois Openda.
Italy international Retegui is eager to return to Serie A after just one season at Al-Qadisiya, and, according to Tuttosport, his father has held direct talks with Juventus in recent days.
Juventus’ main target in attack remains Randal Kolo Muani, followed by Retegui, Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee and Chelsea-owned Nicolas Jackson.
Juventus are determined to sign a new centre-forward for 2026-27 regardless of Dusan Vlahovic’s possible contract extension.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – JANUARY 06: Loïs Openda of Juventus during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Juventus FC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on January 06, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
The Serie A giants will be listening to offers for Jonathan David and Openda, and, according to the report, the latter has already received an initial inquiry from Fenerbahce, coached by ex-Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco.
UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Mateo Retegui of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Retegui has already returned to Italy to prepare for the Azzurri’s World Cup play-off.
The 2024-25 Serie A top-goal scorer has netted five goals in six matches under Gattuso.
Barcelona do not want to pay the £26 million option in Marcus Rashford’s loan deal, according to Football Insider. Rashford joined Barcelona on a loan deal from Manchester United in the summer of 2025. Although Barcelona want to keep the England international forward at the club, the defending Spanish champions want the terms of the […]
Xabi Alonso has told Liverpool the names of the three players that he wants them to sign in the summer transfer window, if the former Real Madrid boss is to take charge of the defending Premier League champions, according to El Nacional. The Catalan news outlet has claimed that Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, Paris […]
Barcelona have turned down an offer from AC Milan for Gerard Martin, according to El Nacional. The Italian giants have made an offer of €20 million for the 24-year-old Spanish defender, but Barcelona president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco are against a sale. The report has noted: ‘Gerard has exhibited an incredible regularity, which […]
Barcelona have a plan to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid without paying the transfer fee that the Rojiblancos want, according to Fichajes. The report in the Spanish news outlet has claimed that last season’s La Liga winners plan to use players in a swap deal for the former Manchester City striker. The report has […]
Arsenal want to sign Christian Kofane from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window, according to Fichajes. The report has noted that Bayer want between €60 million and €70 million for the 19-year-old Cameroon international forward. The report has noted: ‘Arsenal believe the striker’s profile fits perfectly with the associative and vertical playing dynamics proposed […]
Arsenal are interested in signing Pau Cubarsi from Barcelona in the summer transfer window, according to Fichajes. The Spanish news outlet has also claimed that Manchester City are keen on a deal for Cubarsi, but Barcelona do not want to sell the 19-year-old Spain international central defender. The report has noted: ‘Pep Guardiola has identified […]
Arsenal want to sign Christian Kofane from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window, according to Fichajes. The report has noted that Bayer want between €60 million and €70 million for the 19-year-old Cameroon international forward. The report has noted: ‘Arsenal believe the striker’s profile fits perfectly with the associative and vertical playing dynamics proposed […]
Arsenal are interested in signing Pau Cubarsi from Barcelona in the summer transfer window, according to Fichajes. The Spanish news outlet has also claimed that Manchester City are keen on a deal for Cubarsi, but Barcelona do not want to sell the 19-year-old Spain international central defender. The report has noted: ‘Pep Guardiola has identified […]
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester United want to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Premier League rivals Newcastle United in the summer transfer window. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist said on the Market Madness podcast: “Every day, there is a different story about Manchester United and midfielders. “I think it’s normal because Man Utd are […]
Fabrizio Romano has reported that there is no agreement in place over a new contract between Chelsea and Enzo Fernandez. Real Madrid are among the clubs interested in a 2026 summer deal for Fernandez, with the well-known and well-respected Italian journalist claiming that the Argentina international midfielder could be open to leaving Chelsea. Romano said […]
Manchester City have identified Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca as the replacement for Pep Guardiola should the former Barcelona manager leave at the end of the season, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist said on his YouTube channel: “Manchester City as a club are waiting for Pep Guardiola to decide. “At the […]
Chelsea will not sack Liam Rosenior as the manager at the moment, despite the Blues’ defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League this week, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. Jacobs said on talkSPORT: “Well, at this stage, Chelsea continue to say that it’s a long-term project with Liam Rosenior. “He wasn’t just brought […]
Manchester United have made Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson their top target for the summer transfer window, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. Jacobs said on talkSPORT: “Elliot Anderson is the top target, but Manchester United are going to face competition from Manchester City. “We heard some reports, I think, two or so weeks ago, that it’s […]
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal want to appoint Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes in a similar role. Romano said on his YouTube channel: “According to reports in Saudi Arabia, and I can confirm that it’s true, that Richard Hughes, Liverpool director, is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, especially from Al-Hilal. […]
Barcelona are interested in signing a new central defender in the summer transfer window, according to Fichajes. Borussia Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck and Aston Villa ace Pau Torres are the two alternatives to Barcelona if they are unable to sign Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan. The report has claimed: ‘As reliable alternatives, the sports department […]
Tottenham Hotspur could sack Igor Tudor if the team lose to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this weekend, according to Football Insider. Spurs are 16th in the league table at the moment with 30 points from 30 matches, a point about 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, who are level on points with third-from-bottom West Ham United. […]
Barcelona do not want to pay the £26 million option in Marcus Rashford’s loan deal, according to Football Insider. Rashford joined Barcelona on a loan deal from Manchester United in the summer of 2025. Although Barcelona want to keep the England international forward at the club, the defending Spanish champions want the terms of the […]
According to El Nacional, it is ‘inevitable’ that Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City as the manager at the end of the season, and so will star striker Erling Haaland. The Catalan news outlet has claimed that Haaland and Guardiola are not happy with each other, with Paris Saint-Germain keen on a 2026 summer deal […]
Xabi Alonso has told Liverpool the names of the three players that he wants them to sign in the summer transfer window, if the former Real Madrid boss is to take charge of the defending Premier League champions, according to El Nacional. The Catalan news outlet has claimed that Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, Paris […]
Barcelona have turned down an offer from AC Milan for Gerard Martin, according to El Nacional. The Italian giants have made an offer of €20 million for the 24-year-old Spanish defender, but Barcelona president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco are against a sale. The report has noted: ‘Gerard has exhibited an incredible regularity, which […]
Barcelona have a plan to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid without paying the transfer fee that the Rojiblancos want, according to Fichajes. The report in the Spanish news outlet has claimed that last season’s La Liga winners plan to use players in a swap deal for the former Manchester City striker. The report has […]
Arsenal want to sign Christian Kofane from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window, according to Fichajes. The report has noted that Bayer want between €60 million and €70 million for the 19-year-old Cameroon international forward. The report has noted: ‘Arsenal believe the striker’s profile fits perfectly with the associative and vertical playing dynamics proposed […]
Arsenal are interested in signing Pau Cubarsi from Barcelona in the summer transfer window, according to Fichajes. The Spanish news outlet has also claimed that Manchester City are keen on a deal for Cubarsi, but Barcelona do not want to sell the 19-year-old Spain international central defender. The report has noted: ‘Pep Guardiola has identified […]
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester United want to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Premier League rivals Newcastle United in the summer transfer window. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist said on the Market Madness podcast: “Every day, there is a different story about Manchester United and midfielders. “I think it’s normal because Man Utd are […]
Fabrizio Romano has reported that there is no agreement in place over a new contract between Chelsea and Enzo Fernandez. Real Madrid are among the clubs interested in a 2026 summer deal for Fernandez, with the well-known and well-respected Italian journalist claiming that the Argentina international midfielder could be open to leaving Chelsea. Romano said […]
Manchester City have identified Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca as the replacement for Pep Guardiola should the former Barcelona manager leave at the end of the season, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist said on his YouTube channel: “Manchester City as a club are waiting for Pep Guardiola to decide. “At the […]
Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez once again find themselves at the center of global soccer attention, as Colombia’s latest squad decision sparks intrigue ahead of the 2026 World Cup preparations.
Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez once again find themselves at the center of global soccer attention, as Colombia’s latest squad decision sparks intrigue ahead of the 2026 World Cup preparations. With the Portuguese icon preparing for another major international stage and the Colombian playmaker navigating a difficult spell at club level, the spotlight intensifies on how both stars will shape the months leading up to the tournament.
The narrative extends beyond individual form. The club situation and the national team expectation now collide, especially for Rodriguez, whose recent struggles have raised questions about his readiness for elite competition.
As the squad announcement became official, it was confirmed that James Rodriguez will return to lead Colombia in the upcoming pre-World Cup friendlies, signaling continued trust from the national team setup despite recent setbacks.
Rodriguez’s recent move to Minnesota United in Major League Soccer was initially seen as a fresh start. However, his debut turned into a nightmare as the club suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps, overshadowing his long-awaited return to competitive action. The Colombian midfielder entered the match late, with the result already beyond reach, limiting his ability to influence the game.
Concerns about his fitness have also persisted. Rodriguez had gone nearly four months without a competitive appearance before his return, raising doubts about his sharpness ahead of a crucial international window. Minnesota’s coach Cameron Knowles addressed the situation carefully, explaining, “Hard game to come into. With the game being 1-0, and also having him sat there for 75 minutes, having not played and one week of full training, I don’t think that was the ideal circumstances to bring him into.”
Colombia shows faith in its captain
Despite those struggles, Colombia’s head coach Nestor Lorenzo has made a decisive call by including Rodriguez in the squad for the upcoming friendlies against Croatia and France. This move underscores the continued importance of the veteran midfielder to the national team.
The 34-year-old remains the symbolic and tactical leader of Colombia, a player whose experience and vision are still considered vital as the team builds toward the World Cup. Joining him in the squad are key attacking figures like Luis Diaz and Luis Suarez, forming a balanced group that blends experience with emerging talent. The matches against Croatia and France are expected to provide a strong test of Colombia’s readiness.
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Ellos son los 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒔 por nuestro Director Técnico Néstor Lorenzo para disputar la Fecha FIFA de marzo 🆚 🇭🇷 y 🇫🇷.
The 2026 World Cup is already generating unprecedented global demand, with FIFA confirming over 500 million ticket requests during a single application phase. FIFA president Gianni Infantino highlighted the scale of interest, stating: “Half a billion ticket requests in just over a month is more than demand – it’s a global statement.”
Among the most anticipated fixtures is the group-stage clash between Portugal and Colombia. This matchup, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez, has become the most requested game of the tournament, underlining the enduring appeal of both players.
With the World Cup fast approaching, Rodriguez faces a tight timeline to regain peak condition. The tournament begins in June, leaving him with limited opportunities to build rhythm and match fitness. At club level, the immediate focus is clear. He must secure consistent minutes with Minnesota United, starting with upcoming league fixtures, to prove he can still perform at the highest level.
Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and James Rodriguez (right)
Gennaro Gattuso is expected to announce his Italy squad for the World Cup play-off today, but the FIGC already made an announcement this morning, unveiling the Nazionale’s new away kit.
“Today, adidas and the FIGC revealed the official Away Kit of the Italian national football team, which will be used for their upcoming international fixtures,” a statement reads.
“It is a jersey steeped in traditional Italian tailoring and inspired by the elegant suits worn by the National Team during legendary celebratory moments.
“The Away jersey features a blue and white pattern all across, mirroring the intricate textures seen in fine tailoring. The sleeves, logos, and numbering are finished with navy blue and gold details, while the collar is adorned with the ‘Italia’ monogram, inspired by bespoke embroidery, demonstrating a strong sense of identity and belonging.
“The jersey is made from jacquard fabric to provide a lighter finish and allow for more freedom of movement on the pitch. The kit is rounded off with the iconic three stripes running along the shoulders, applied using a herringbone pattern and designed to enhance breathability and ensure optimal ventilation even in the most demanding climates.
“The entire adidas Away jersey range is built for high performance, to support world-class players in moments of intense pressure. To adapt to the hottest and most challenging conditions, the engineered 3D body-mapped mechanical stretch fabrics incorporate adidas’ latest CLIMACOOL+ materials, which pull moisture away from the skin faster and keep players drier for longer.”
Italy’s next match is against Northern Ireland in Bergamo on March 26. It’s the World Cup play-off semifinal, and if the Azzurri qualify for the Final, they’ll play Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away.
If Italy qualify for the World Cup, they’ll be placed in Group B alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
Fikayo Tomori has been included in the England squad for friendly games in March, but Thomas Tuchel admits the Milan defender ‘benefits from the injury of Trevoh Chalobah.’
Milan centre-back Tomori has been included in the England squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
Tuchel explains Tomori’s return to the England squad
Tomori has not played a competitive match for England since November 2023, and this is the first time Tuchel has called him up to the Three Lions squad.
“Fikayo Tomori benefits from the injury of Trevoh Chalobah,” Tuchel said.
“Trevoh unfortunately got injured in the last minutes of the Champions League match and we hope that he comes back soon but it looks like a little bit of a nasty and painful one. It gives Fikayo the chance to come and impress. I was in contact with him through the whole year basically and was impressed very early when I watched him play with his physicality and approach to defending, so happy to have him in camp.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 13: Fikayo Tomori of England looks on during the international friendly match between England and Australia at Wembley Stadium on October 13, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
Tomori, a former Chelsea defender, has made five appearances for the senior England national team, making his debut in 2019 against Kosovo under Gareth Southgate.
WROCLAW, POLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Fikayo Tomori of England looks on during the warm up prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between Ukraine and England at Stadion Wroclaw on September 09, 2023 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Tomori, 28, has been a regular starter at Milan over the last few years and in the current campaign, he has provided three assists in 30 appearances across all competitions.
Kevin De Bruyne, Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund are expected to start for Napoli in an away game at Cagliari today, and Corriere dello Sport describes the new Partenopei attacking trio as ‘made in Manchester.’
Napoli coach Antonio Conte will field an unprecedented attacking trio for a Serie A match against Cagliari today, as the Italian tactician is expected to start De Bruyne, McTominay and Hojlund up front at the Unipol Domus Arena.
The trio started several matches in the first part of the season before De Bruyne’s muscle injury in October, but back then, the Belgian ace was deployed as a central midfielder and McTominay as a left winger.
Napoli’s system in the first months of 2025-26 was 4-2-3-1, but Conte has long changed the team’s set-up using a 3-4-2-1 for the last few months.
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 25: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli battles for possession with Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
With De Bruyne back in action since the beginning of March, Conte has integrated the ex-Manchester City star into his new system, and later today, De Bruyne will start as an attacking midfielder alongside McTominay, behind the sole striker Hojlund.
De Bruyne has not started a Serie A match for Napoli since October 25, 2025, when he suffered a high-degree injury after less than 40 minutes in a home match against Inter.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli and teammate Scott McTominay pose for a photo at full-time following their victory in the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and SSC Napoli at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on August 23, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
De Bruyne joined Napoli on a free transfer from Manchester City last summer, while both McTominay and Hojlund moved to the Stadio Maradona from Manchester United.
McTominay is in his second season at Napoli, while Hojlund joined the Serie A giants last summer, on loan with an obligation to buy.
La Gazzetta dello Sport confirms Piero Ausilio’s trip to London to hold talks with Guglielmo Vicario’s agent, but, according to the report, the Inter director also explored moves for other targets.
Inter sporting director Ausilio travelled to London earlier this week to continue negotiations for Tottenham and Italy goalkeeper Vicario, who has emerged as the Nerazzurri’s top goalkeeping target for next season.
Latest Inter transfer updates: Vicario, Gimenez, Goretzka
According to Gazzetta, Ausilio made the trip with Dario Baccin, another Inter director, and watched Wednesday’s Champions League match between Tottenham and Atletico Madrid at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, accompanied by Vicario’s agent, Gabriele Giuffrida.
On Tuesday, Baccin and Ausilio were at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea-PSG.
Vicario’s agent and Inter directors are already on good terms, and the Italian keeper is very much open to moving to San Siro in the summer.
According to Gazzetta, Inter see him as the ideal replacement for Yann Sommer, particularly in terms of value for money.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 15: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on March 15, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Cagliari’s Elia Caprile and Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin have also been considered by the Serie A table leaders, but Vicario is by far their favourite target, being available for barely €20m.
Gazzetta claims that Ausilio also used his trip to London to gather information about other potential targets.
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 26: Ange-Yoan Bonny of Internazionale is challenged by José Maria Gimenez of Atletico de Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Metropolitano on November 26, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
One of them is Atletico Madrid’s José Maria Gimenez, who might be allowed to leave the Colchoneros for free at the end of the season, despite a contract expiring in June 2028.
Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka is another potential target for Inter as the Germany international has been offered to all top Serie A clubs after deciding not to extend his expiring contract with the Bavarians.
See below for a comparison of his stats in 2024/25 and 2025/26, with Salah simply not coming anywhere close to those previous heights that saw him play a starring role in the club’s success…
Mohamed Salah’s stats this season vs last season (DataMB)
Salah scored 34 goals in all competitions last season, but has a total of only 10 so far this term.
His previous lowest tally in a season was 23, while this could also quite conceivably be the first time he finishes a Premier League campaign without double figures for league goals.
All in all, it might not be the worst thing for LFC to part ways with Salah this summer, even if that old saying goes ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’.
Still, it seems Chelsea are keen to move to the front of the queue for El Mala’s signature by trying their luck with a €50m bid, according to Fichajes.
With nine goals and three assists this season, the 19-year-old has made a big impact and looks ready to make the step up to the next level.
Chelsea could do with Said El Mala transfer to give them something different in attack
It’s not been the best season at Stamford Bridge, so there could be room for further changes to Chelsea’s attacking options.
Jamie Gittens is one summer signing who’s been particularly disappointing, but many CFC fans will also have expected more from the likes of Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho.
Even Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian has gone off the boil after starting brightly, so there’s surely room for El Mala to come in and become a key player for Liam Rosenior’s side.
19/25 is a high score, with El Mala really ticking the boxes in terms of a pretty low transfer fee, good recent form, an age bracket that suggests his best is yet to come, and the fact that he improves a weak area of Chelsea’s squad.
It will be interesting to see if the west London giants can indeed get this deal done, but one imagines there’ll be plenty of interest in the Germany Under-21 international this summer, so probably a few more twists and turns in this saga yet.
Arsenal are reportedly intensifying their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s talented young forward Christian Kofane ahead of the summer.
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The Gunners want to move ahead of any potential competitors for Kofane’s signature, with the 19-year-old set to cost around €70m, according to Fichajes.
Kofane has caught the eye in the Bundesliga this season, contributing seven goals and four assists in total.
Arsenal eye Christian Kofane transfer in bid to reshuffle attack
Arsenal fans will no doubt be keen to see their club bring in a big name up front this summer, but there’s probably also room for a young talent like Kofane to come in and provide squad depth.
This could be the summer that we see players like Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard moving on, with neither player starting regularly for Arteta’s men this term.
That could mean Kofane can come in and fill that kind of role, perhaps with the view to developing into more of a regular starter once he gains more experience.
Arsenal like Christian Kofane’s versatility
Another good thing about Kofane is his versatility, with Fichajes claiming AFC like that side of his game.
The report adds that Chelsea could also be preparing contacts over the Cameroon international, while Leverkusen have turned down offers for him before.
Arsenal could also end up facing competition from big names like Real Madrid and Barcelona, according to Fichajes, so this saga remains at the early stages and could head in a number of different directions.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has provided an update on Mohamed Salah’s fitness as it looks like he’s going to be out of this weekend’s game against Brighton.
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The Egypt international has had a mixed season for Liverpool, but he’s looked better in recent times, scoring a sublime solo goal against Galatasaray in the Champions League this week.
However, Salah was unable to finish that game and it now looks like he’ll be out against Brighton and out of Egypt’s matches for the upcoming international break.
Arne Slot’s Mohamed Salah injury update
Speaking at his press conference today, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo, Slot said: “Unusual [he is injured], I think you expect the outcome so he is not available for tomorrow. Good thing for LFC is we go to international break, bad news for Egypt, he can’t go there.
“We hope with what Mo has shown in the past he can recovery faster than other players. He takes such good care of his body, he can be back earlier than others as history has shown. Only two weeks until we go again…”
So it’s not the worst news Liverpool fans could have heard, but it’s not ideal to be missing a key player like Salah at this important stage of the season.
It sounds like it might not be too long, so LFC supporters will hope he can return for the crucial period coming up in the race for the top four and the latter stages of both the Champions League and the FA Cup.
Barcelona are interested in signing a new central defender in the summer transfer window, according to Fichajes. Borussia Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck and Aston Villa ace Pau Torres are the two alternatives to Barcelona if they are unable to sign Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan. The report has claimed: ‘As reliable alternatives, the sports department […]
Barcelona want to sign Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan in the summer transfer window, according to Fichajes. Bastoni is one of the best central defenders in the world, and there is a chance that the Italy international could leave Inter at the end of the season. The report has noted: ‘The main target to strengthen […]
According to Reuters, Manchester United are in advanced talks to complete the transfer of Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes for around €80 million, but the interest in his services from Real Madrid is making the negotiations more complicated than they would’ve been otherwise. United want an experienced, high-quality midfielder to come in as a replacement for […]
Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw Best Odds: 19/4 Bookmaker: Zetbet Sevilla and Valencia will face each other in La Liga this weekend. The match between Matías Almeyda’s side and Carlos Corberan’s team will be held at Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time on Saturday. Sevilla Sevilla […]
Barcelona want to sign Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan in the summer transfer window, according to Fichajes. Bastoni is one of the best central defenders in the world, and there is a chance that the Italy international could leave Inter at the end of the season. The report has noted: ‘The main target to strengthen […]
Tottenham Hotspur could sack Igor Tudor if the team lose to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this weekend, according to Football Insider. Spurs are 16th in the league table at the moment with 30 points from 30 matches, a point about 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, who are level on points with third-from-bottom West Ham United. […]
According to Reuters, Manchester United are in advanced talks to complete the transfer of Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes for around €80 million, but the interest in his services from Real Madrid is making the negotiations more complicated than they would’ve been otherwise. United want an experienced, high-quality midfielder to come in as a replacement for […]
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus are ready to offer a three-year contract to Manchester City star Bernardo Silva and a salary of at least €7m per season.
Juventus are ready to send their offer to Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva, who is available on a free transfer as his contract runs out this coming June.
Juventus prepare offer for Bernardo Silva
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Serie A giants have already informed the midfielder’s agent, Jorge Mendes, that they are ready to offer the Portugal international a three-year deal with an option for a further campaign.
Gazzetta highlights that the proposed contract length is not entirely in line with the club’s policy regarding over-30 players, but Juventus are happy to make an exception given the player’s quality and experience.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City at Molineux on August 16, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Negotiations over Bernardo Silva’s salary will begin shortly, but Juventus are prepared to offer wages between €7m and €8m per season.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest at Etihad Stadium on March 04, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Gazzetta confirms that Bernardo Silva has attracted interest from other clubs, including Barcelona, Inter Miami and Galatasaray, but the Portugal international won’t make a decision on his next club before May.
Stanislav Lobotka is expected to return to Napoli‘s starting XI for an away game at Cagliari today, while Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne will play behind Rasmus Hojlund.
It kicks off at 18:30 CET (17:30 GMT), and it’s the opening game of Serie A Round 30.
The Partenopei must cope without Amir Rrahmani, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Antonio Vergara and David Neres, but De Bruyne is fit to start.
According to several sources, including Gazzetta, Sky, and Corriere dello Sport, the Belgian star will get the nod as an attacking midfielder alongside McTominay, behind the sole striker Hojlund.
Lobotka is back from an injury and will join Billy Gilmour in central midfield, with Zambo Anguissa initially on the bench.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Scott McTominay of SSC Napoli celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Cagliari are without the suspended Adam Obert and the injured Andrea Belotti, Gennaro Borrelli, Mattia Felici and Riyad Idrissi.
Coach Fabio Pisacane will likely pick just one centre forward, Sebastiano Esposito, who returns from a one-game ban, leaving Semih Kılıçsoy on the bench.
Cagliari vs. Napoli – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast on DAZN and the BBC iPlayer in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.
Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad has been confirmed this morning, with James Garner and Dominic Calvert-Lewin named as two surprise inclusions.
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According to the Athletic, the Everton midfielder and Leeds United striker have been selected to be given a chance in the latest international break as we get closer and closer to the 2026 World Cup.
The report also noted that big names from Manchester United were set be involved, such as Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo.
Information about the official squad was leaked earlier this morning, prior to being officially confirmed at 10am.
England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)
Manchester United and Liverpool are among the transfer suitors for Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson, as first reported here for the Daily Briefing.
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The 28-year-old’s Fulham future is in some doubt, with the player approaching the final two years of his contract, meaning this summer could be the club’s last chance to make decent money from selling him.
Still, it’s understood that one issue for the moment could be that Man Utd and Liverpool are unsure about paying his £30-40m asking price.
Antonee Robinson transfer being considered by Man United and Liverpool
United could do with an upgrade on Luke Shaw, who has performed well this season but who is not getting any younger and who has a poor injury record.
Robinson is valued by United due to his experience in the Premier League, but there’s the sense that £30-40m wouldn’t represent great value for money considering the player’s age.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are also exploring options at left-back after a slow start made by Milos Kerkez at Anfield since joining from Bournemouth last summer.
Some sources have given mixed indications about how much of a priority this will be, but Robinson is thought to be one of the names being considered to come in at least to replace Andrew Robertson as a rotation option alongside Kerkez.
Again, £30-40m would be a lot to pay for that kind of squad player, though, so Fulham might need to lower their demands for this deal to become realistic. It might also be in their interests to do so as the player’s value will only decrease further by next summer when he has just a year left on his contract.
However, Falk believes the deal may be more realistically affordable for Premier League clubs, which is a potential boost for Liverpool and Man Utd.
Lukeba also doesn’t necessarily look like someone who’d make sense as a priority for Bayern at the moment anyway, given that Dayot Upamecano recently signed a new contract at the Allianz Arena.
Christian Falk’s transfer info on Castello Lukeba
Discussing Lukeba and a possible move to the Premier League, Falk noted that Leipzig players often seem to end up in England, and at Liverpool in particular.
“It is TRUE: Bayern are monitoring Castello Lukeba,” Falk wrote.
“Max Eberl knows the player and likes the player. He has worked before at RB Leipzig. But, at the moment, it’s not true that FC Bayern will buy Lukeba in the summer.
“Things can change if Kim Min-jae is sold. Then they can invest the transfer fee, which is why Lukeba is still on the list.”
He added: “As you see, often RB Leipzig players end up in the Premier League. We’ve seen a lot of them – especially at Liverpool! Just look at Dominik Szoboszlai’s performances this season. This is one of the clubs that always focuses on such players.
“A while ago, Bayern bought Dayot Upamecano from Leipzig, and it was a good decision. But they can’t always do a deal like this, and we know Lukeba is an expensive player. So, perhaps there’s a deal in the Premier League to be found for the 23-year-old centre-half.”
Castello Lukeba looks ideal for Liverpool
LFC have a particular need for a new centre-back this summer as Ibrahima Konate comes towards the end of his contract, while Virgil van Dijk isn’t getting any younger and has arguably started to show signs of decline.
Lukeba would also surely get a similar score for Man Utd, though they already have decent depth in central defence, so arguably need him less.
The Frenchman may well favour Old Trafford over Anfield this summer, though, depending on how the ongoing battle for Champions League qualification pans out.
According to Reuters, Manchester United are in advanced talks to complete the transfer of Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes for around €80 million, but the interest in his services from Real Madrid is making the negotiations more complicated than they would’ve been otherwise. United want an experienced, high-quality midfielder to come in as a replacement for […]
Show game, Cambiaghi goal: Aston Villa in the quarter-finals
Conference: Rakow-Fiorentina 1-2, now Palace
Offer to Bernardo Silva
A genius worthy of Juve
Maxi proposal to beat competition: three years plus one for the champion who is available for a free transfer from Man City.
Inter, blitz Vicario
Meeting in London with the goalkeeper. Agreement close.
De Bruyne starts, Napoli dream of the supercomeback
Modric to the museum
Ballon d’Or at Casa Milan: ‘They love me here.’
Corriere dello Sport
A never-before-seen Napoli
In Cagliari with a trio made in Manchester
Conte changes, De Bruyne and McTominay on the pitch with Hojlund, who chases the record of season goals. He has already scored 14 times. Gilmour confirmed in central midfield. Lobotka tries too. Elmas out, Beukema in defence with Buongiorno and Olivera.
An Italian dream
Europa League: The Rossoblu win 4-3 at the Olimpico after 120 minutes: they are into the quarter-finals
Fantastic Bologna: Roma go home
Rowe breaks the deadlock, Ndicka replies, then Bernardeschi and Castro score. Gasp’s comeback with Malen and Pellegrini. Cambiaghi decides it with a counter-attack at minute 111. On April 9, Vincenzo will face Aston Villa.
Conference: Viola party. Pongracic scores from 55 meters
Chivu, tactics in six languages
From English to Dutch, more quality in human relationships and empathy
Juve, four points missing
Goal-scoring opportunities and results: negative ratio. Now, Vlahovic for the Champions League sprint.
Gattuso’s relief: Tonali available
No lesion for the Newcastle midfielder. List made, just one doubt in the attack.
Tuttosport
‘Dear Toro, Milan will win.’
Retegui calls, Juve listen
The hitman wants to leave Saudi Arabia: contact with Ottolini.
Not only Milan for the ex-Atalanta striker who wants to return to Italy. Spalletti’s favourite option remains Kolo Muani as Vlahovic’s partner. Otherwise, Zirkzee and Nico Jackson, but Mateo is intriguing. Tonight in Marassi, the Bianconeri scout Norton-Cuffy. Spinazzola’s chance on the left. Muharemovic emerges again in defence.
Pinamonti: ‘I challenge Spalletti, who has changed me.’
Livakovic Granata, here are the sponsors
Bologna paradise, Roma stripped
Fantastic 3-3. Cambiaghi’s counter-attack in extra time gives the quarter-finals and Aston Villa to the Rossoblu. Pongracic at ’97, Viola buzz (2-1). Now Crystal Palace.
German football journalist Christian Falk has dropped an intriguing Manchester United transfer update this morning as the Red Devils remain interested in Alphonso Davies.
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The Canada international was also previously eyed by United and other big clubs when his contract situation was uncertain, though he ended up signing a new deal.
Still, even if Davies is one of the best left-backs in the world on his day, he hasn’t been as convincing in recent times, partly due to ongoing injury issues.
Christian Falk on Manchester United’s Alphonso Davies interest
Discussing the Davies to United links in today’s column, Falk said: “It is TRUE: Manchester United are interested in Alphonso Davies.
“They were at the table when questions were being asked as to whether he would sign a new contract at Bayern Munich. They’re still monitoring this player, but he’s, of course, since signed a new contract at the Allianz Arena, so it will be difficult to get him at the moment.
“But there are also discussions going on at the club as to whether they need a new backup player, given all the injuries Davies keeps picking up. Before, they thought they didn’t need a player on the left-hand side because Hiroki Itō can play there as well.
“However, if there were an offer on the table (and don’t forget it cost Bayern a lot of money to extend Davies), there would be a discussion. But I can say right now that there has yet to be a concrete offer from Manchester United. If there’s an offer, perhaps Bayern will consider it, as the injuries keep coming.”
Is Alphonso Davies still good enough for Manchester United?
United fans will likely be divided over whether or not a move for Davies is the right thing, but what does our Transfer Fit rating show?
See below as we scored Davies on key metrics and gave him a fairly medium overall rating of 15/25…
Alphonso Davies
TOTAL SCORE: 15/25
Transfer fee
**
Performance
**
Achievements
*****
Career phase
**
Squad need
****
Even if Davies has had a fine career as one of the top players in the world in his position, his recent form is less convincing and he probably wouldn’t come cheap.
Still, there are worse options out there, and MUFC do look like they need a new left-back as an upgrade on the ageing and injury-prone Luke Shaw.
West Ham United have reportedly learned that it will cost them as much as £38m to sign Axel Disasi permanently this summer.
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The French central defender has shone for the Hammers since joining on loan from Chelsea, but it seems the Blues are still keen to make big money from his sale.
Disasi joined Chelsea from Monaco for around £38m a few years ago, and it’s a bit surprising to see that the west London giants still value him in that price range.
This is despite Disasi mostly being pretty underwhelming during his time at Stamford Bridge, though he has improved since his loan move to the London Stadium.
What next for Axel Disasi?
Disasi has previously also had a loan spell at Aston Villa, while there was some interest from clubs like Napoli and Roma prior to his move to West Ham.
WHUFC will undoubtedly try to get Disasi’s price tag down, but one imagines it will still be a while before they can formalise their summer transfer plans anyway.
West Ham are currently battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, so staying up will surely be crucial for them in pursuit of their top targets.
Disasi has previously expressed his happiness at West Ham but it’s hard to imagine he’d be happy to stay there if they were playing in the Championship.
Chelsea will also likely feel that plenty of other clubs could be able to offer decent money for Disasi even if a move to West Ham doesn’t work out.
The latest from iNews is that Livramento’s future at Newcastle is in some doubt as there’s been a lack of progress over a new contract for him at St James’ Park.
Do Arsenal need Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali?
Livramento, however, looks like a solid piece of business for AFC, scoring 17/25 and ticking pretty much every box…
Tino Livramento
TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee
★★★☆☆
Performance
★★★☆☆
Achievements
★★★☆☆
Career phase
★★★★☆
Squad need
★★★★☆
Capable of playing both right-back or left-back, Livramento could be a useful option to ensure Arteta can continue to rotate his options at the back.
There could well be doubts over some Arsenal defenders this summer as well, with the likes of Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, and Myles Lewis-Skelly not playing as much as they perhaps would’ve liked this season.
Newcastle facing another worrying transfer window
It would be bad news for Newcastle, however, if they saw another summer dominated by players possibly leaving.
Alexander Isak left to join Liverpool last year and it proved hugely disruptive, so they could do without lingering doubts over other key players like Tonali and Livramento.
Arsenal will undoubtedly hope to pounce for at least one of those, but it will be interesting to see how strong Newcastle can be in the face of that interest.
The report from iNews adds that Newcastle want four new signings of their own as well this summer.
Newcastle United could reportedly be set to make sweeping changes to their squad this summer, with four new signings eyed up.
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The Magpies could do with something of a squad overhaul after a below-par Premier League campaign and a humbling Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona this week.
It’s not yet clear which specific names could fill those roles, but there could also be other changes as the report mentions speculation over the future of midfield duo Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
Newcastle United need a strong transfer window
Newcastle could do with avoiding more big names leaving after the very troubling saga involving Alexander Isak and his move to Liverpool last summer.
That dragged on for much of the transfer window and disrupted Newcastle a great deal, so they’ll hope to avoid anything similar happening with Guimaraes and Tonali.
If they can keep their most important players and also strengthen with those four targets they want, then things could look a lot more positive at St James’ Park next season.
This NUFC project is a promising one, but the team still needs a lot of work to truly establish itself in the top four.
It will be interesting to see what calibre of player they can lure to the club now as they’ll most likely be without Champions League football next season.
At the same time, though, Newcastle have shown that they can compete and get into Europe’s top club competition from time to time, so that should assure some players that they’re joining a strong project with a big future.
Manchester United have made some calls to be informed on the situation of Newcastle United central midfielder Sandro Tonali, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano provided a major update on Tonali’s future as it looks like there’s a lot of interest in the Italy international ahead of the summer.
The Red Devils are joined by Manchester City and Juventus as potential suitors for Tonali, though it looks like the cost of the deal makes it complicated for Juve.
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With Man Utd, it seems Tonali is just one of several names on their list, according to Romano, though they have had some contacts to explore this option.
Fabrizio Romano on Man United’s interest in Sandro Tonali and what they could do in midfield
While it could still be a while before we know for sure what United will do in midfield, Romano explained that Tonali is one name the club like.
The Italian journalist also made it clear that MUFC may well make more than one midfield signing, and that further internal discussions will take place to decide on what kind of profile they’re after.
“Man United have several names on their short list for the midfielder. It’s not only one or two because this will depend on the budget,” Romano said.
“This will depend on who’s going to be the manager. This will depend on which kind of player Man United will want to sign. Could be one, could be two.
“So, there are several factors that are going to impact who is going to be the midfielder for Man United. is not only one name at the moment the list is including several names before they meet internally and they say okay let’s go for this one but for sure Manchester United made some calls to be informed.”
Romano clarified that United and City are the two clubs who have called to be kept in the loop about Tonali’s situation.
Romano also mentions that United are targeting Anderson, but it surely won’t be easy to win the race for his signature after his superb form this season.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Red Devils will not accept a second loan offer as they hold out instead for a permanent sale for the out-of-favour Rashford.
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However, Man Utd are instead prepared to take Rashford back and find another buyer for the England international.
Manchester United believe Marcus Rashford’s value has risen
Rashford has performed well during his stint at the Nou Camp, and it seems United now feel they could get as much as £50m for him, according to the Mirror’s report.
Barca would surely do well, in that case, to sign the 28-year-old for almost half that price, but it remains to be seen if they can be persuaded to do so.
Rashford has proven a useful squad player for Hansi Flick’s side, contributing a total of ten goals and nine assists in all competitions despite only starting 21 games.
It would surely be sensible for Barcelona to simply pay the £26m required to keep Rashford, but MUFC may well do better now if he comes back to Old Trafford.
What next for Marcus Rashford?
In truth, it perhaps seems hard to imagine anyone paying as much as £50m for Rashford, whatever United may believe about his value rising.
Some United fans might even be thinking that the club should simply bring him back anyway and reinstate him in their first-team squad.
Things ended badly for Rashford at United, but he’s got back to his best during his time away in La Liga, so perhaps that can help him return to his parent club fresh and full of confidence.
Either that, or the change of scene has done him good and he’d find himself in a bit of a slump again if he were to go back to playing for United.
Federico Chiesa is ‘almost certain’ to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, marking a swift conclusion to his time on Merseyside.
According to a report from Lewis Steele for the Daily Mail, the 28-year-old Italian international is set to be part of a significant clearing of the decks at Anfield as the club prepares for yet another period of transition.
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Despite joining with high expectations two years ago, Chiesa has struggled to cement a consistent place in the starting XI.
Steele noted that while fringe players like Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones face uncertain futures due to lack of minutes, Chiesa’s departure is considered a near-certainty.
With two years still remaining on his current deal, Liverpool will undoubtedly look to recoup the £12 million they invested in the winger to help fund future reinforcements.
Federico Chiesa could lead Liverpool summer exodus
The potential exit of Chiesa is merely the tip of the iceberg for a club that seems to be in a perpetual state of flux.
Last summer saw a staggering exodus, with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Harvey Elliott all moving on, while the club sanctioned a massive £450 million spend on new arrivals.
However, the exodus isn’t limited to the playing staff. Steele reports that several “key figures” have unclear futures, including head coach Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes.
With stalwarts like Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and vice-captain Andy Robertson also entering the final stages of their contracts or facing speculation, Anfield could be braced for another total overhaul.
Federico Chiesa is a fan favourite
Despite his lack of consistent game time, Chiesa remains a genuine fan favorite among the Liverpool faithful.
His work rate and infectious energy on and off the pitch has endeared him to the fan base, with his chant among one of most sung in the stadium.
While his stint in the Premier League may not have reached the heights many hoped for, his technical quality ensures that Liverpool should have no shortage of suitors as they look to balance the books this June.
With his contract at Pumas UNAM reaching its conclusion, Keylor Navas has been reportedly linked with a reunion with Lionel Messi now at Inter Miami.
Keylor Navas has been one of the standout performers at Pumas UNAM since signing with the club in July 2025, but with his current deal nearing its expiration, his future in Mexico is increasingly uncertain. Against that backdrop, reports have emerged linking the goalkeeper with a potential reunion with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.
With the Liga MX Clausura well underway, Navas has been one of the key reasons Pumas currently sit in playoff position in fifth place, averaging 4.3 saves per game and leading the league with 2.95 goals saved according to SofaScore. But with contract extension talks failing to gain traction with the club’s front office, the Herons have moved to take advantage of the situation.
According to Esto en Línea, Inter Miami are the frontrunners to sign Navas on a free transfer. The club’s goal is to bring in the three-time Champions League winner to add elite international experience to the goalkeeping department.
The move would also mark a reunion between Navas and Messi, who shared a locker room at PSG from 2021 to 2023 and built a strong relationship during that time. That personal connection could prove to be a significant factor in tipping the negotiations in Inter Miami’s favor.
Lionel Messi and Keylor Navas of Paris Saint-Germain.
Keylor Navas ‘has nothing to sign’
Since arriving at Pumas, Navas has been an ever-present between the posts, featuring in all 29 matches and establishing himself as one of the most important players in the squad. In an interview with Kery News on YouTube, the Costa Rican admitted to being happy in Mexico but revealed that he has yet to receive any concrete offer to stay:
“My contract expires at the end of the season. If it had been up to me—if they had approached me back in December—I would have signed a renewal without any problem. But the truth is, I have nothing to sign. The club has not made me any offer, nor have they even approached me to talk. So, I’m moving forward with my life and giving my best for Pumas because I am just another ‘Puma’; I identify with the team, the fans, and its culture,” Navas said back in late February.
Could Inter Miami land Navas?
With Inter Miami now eliminated from the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, MLS competition will be their sole focus in the first half of the season before the World Cup reshapes the calendar. For the second half, the Herons appear to have Navas firmly in their sights, with his contract expiring in June and the MLS secondary transfer window opening between July 13 and September 3.
The departures of goalkeepers Óscar Ustari and William Yarbrough last season left the club with openings to fill, and Inter Miami moved in the winter window to sign Dayne St. Clair and Luis Barraza alongside the permanent return of Rocco Ríos Novo. Adding Navas to that group would inevitably create a surplus, with St. Clair in particular under scrutiny after struggling to replicate the form he showed at Minnesota United.
From a financial standpoint, however, the move makes considerable sense. Inter Miami would not need to pay a transfer fee, and the club still holds the international roster slot acquired from the New England Revolution that is set to return for the upcoming window, meaning there is a clear and plausible pathway for the former PSG teammate of Messi to make his way to South Florida.
Keylor Navas of Pumas UNAM and Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF.
After Noa Lang's thumb injury in the UEFA Champions League game against Liverpool, Galatasaray have taken the decision to take legal actions.
Beyond Galatasaray‘s elimination from the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16, the tie was also marked by a deeply concerning injury to Noa Lang in his thumb. The episode against Liverpool has prompted the Turkish club to pursue legal action in search of compensation.
Wednesday’s second leg at Anfield saw Liverpool deliver a dominant 4-0 victory to complete the comeback in the Champions League. With the outcome largely settled, an incident in the 76th minute took a frightening turn when Lang lost his balance and tumbled over the advertising hoarding at the side of the pitch, catching his thumb on the board as he fell.
When reporters on the other side of the hoarding asked if he was okay, Lang was visibly in severe pain, prompting medical staff to rush onto the field to attend to him. In a moment that left fans watching in horror, the Dutch winger was given oxygen before being stretchered off and taken directly to hospital. The following day, he offered a relieved update on social media: “Surgery went well! Thanks for all the messages.“
The full extent of the injury turned out to be far more graphic than television viewers initially realized, as Liverpool and Netherlands teammate Jeremie Frimpong revealed after the final whistle. “When I went to check on him, several people told me half of his finger had been torn off. He was in a lot of pain,” Frimpong said.
Noa Lang of Galatasaray A.S. reacts to a thumb injury as Liverpool players surround him.
Galatasaray looking for compensation after Lang’s injury
Galatasaray confirmed that Lang had undergone surgery for a severe laceration to his right-hand thumb, with the injury expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks. Given that the Turkish club brought Lang in on loan for the remainder of the season, losing him to injury for an extended period represents a significant sporting and financial blow, and the club is now moving to seek accountability for what it views as a venue-related failure.
Galatasaray sporting director Eray Yazgan outlined the club’s intentions in an interview with HTSpor following the elimination. “We filed a complaint with UEFA representatives after the match. They have also conducted their own investigations and will evaluate what happened.”
“We are in talks with lawyers. We will file a lawsuit for compensation with UEFA. We will ask for our victimization in terms of salary to be eliminated,” Yazgan added. TRTSpor journalist Özgür Buzbaş subsequently illustrated how the incident unfolded, highlighting the gap between the perimeter fence and the advertising boards and explaining how that specific setup contributed to the severity of the injury.
Galatasaray’s complaint is expected to cite UEFA’s Stadium Infrastructure Regulations in relation to Lang’s injury and the conditions that allowed it to occur. The ultimate determination, however, will rest with UEFA, which will need to assess whether the advertising board was defective or improperly installed, constituting negligence, or whether the incident was simply an unfortunate accident with no structural fault involved.
After Carlo Ancelotti excluded him from the March list, Raphinha backed Neymar to be part of Brazil's squad in the 2026 World Cup.
Neymar has once again been left out of the Brazil national team squad, this time for the March international window. Despite his exclusion from what amounts to the penultimate squad before the World Cup roster is finalized, Barcelona and Brazil star Raphinha publicly threw his weight behind Neymar’s chances of making the final cut for the tournament.
Speaking at the post-match press conference after Barcelona’s game against Newcastle United on Wednesday, Raphinha was asked whether he wanted to see Neymar at the 2026 World Cup and gave a warm, unequivocal response: “I hope to see him. He’s an exceptional player-no one doubts his quality on the field or what he can do. He can decide a game, even a World Cup. As a fan, both on and off the pitch, I hope to see Neymar wearing the Brazil national team jersey again and playing the World Cup with us.“
Raphinha and Neymar formed one of Brazil’s most productive attacking partnerships during Neymar’s final appearances for the Seleção in 2023, with Raphinha operating from the right flank while the then-Al Hilal forward pulled the strings in behind the striker. The contrast between the two today could hardly be more stark, with Raphinha firmly established as one of the best attackers in world football, while Neymar’s sole focus remains simply getting fit enough to be considered.
Raphinha celebrates with Neymar Jr. of Brazil.
With Brazil set to face France and Croatia in the United States, Raphinha left no doubt about what he believes Neymar can bring to those kinds of high-stakes matchups. “I believe for these friendlies he doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone about his talent, about what he can contribute to out national team. I believe that in the final call up he’ll be there with us so we can pursue our goal, which is the championship,” the winger stated.
Neymar faces shift at Santos ahead of World Cup preparation
In the game immediately following his Brazil snub, Neymar responded with a penalty goal against Internacional in Matchday 7 of the Brasileirão. However, Santos fell to a 2-1 home defeat, and the club’s executives moved swiftly afterward to relieve head coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda of his duties.
On Thursday, March 19, Santos announced they had reached an agreement to bring in Cuca as their new head coach for the remainder of the season. The legendary Brazilian manager will be embarking on his fourth stint at the club, having previously led Santos in 2008, 2018 and across the 2020-21 campaign.
Under new management, Neymar faces a reshuffled environment at Santos, with 15 games remaining across all competitions before Ancelotti announces his final World Cup squad in May. As was the case last season, Santos find themselves in relegation trouble, currently sitting 16th in the Brasileirão with six points from seven games, and the club’s hierarchy is clearly hoping a change in the dugout can turn the tide, particularly with continental competition also on the agenda this year.
Raphinha (L) and Neymar (R) of Brazil national team.
Robert Lewandowski has etched his name deeper into soccer history, moving ahead of both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo with a remarkable new UEFA Champions League record.
In the annals of the UEFA Champions League, few players have been as lethal in front of goal as Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Each has carved out a legacy not just with volume of goals, but with consistency against a wide array of opponents. Yet a closer look at the data reveals intriguing differences in which clubs have conceded to these stars and which have proven elusive.
Polish striker Robert Lewandowski tops the list in terms of the sheer breadth of opposition, having scored against 41 different clubs in Europe’s premier competition. His goalscoring spread is remarkable, spanning powerhouse teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as clubs from smaller leagues such as Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) and Dinamo Zagreb.
Goals
41 Clubs
9
Benfica
7
Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade)
6
Real Madrid, Salzburg
5
Ajax, Dinamo Zagreb, Olympiakos
4
Arsenal, Barcelona
3
AEK Athens, Chelsea, Dynamo Kyiv, Marseille, PSV, Viktoria Plzen
2
Anderlecht, Atletico Madrid, Besiktas, Borussia Dortmund, Brest, Inter, Lazio, Napoli, Newcastle, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Young Boys, Zenit St. Petersburg
1
Antwerp, Bayern, Copenhagen, Juventus, Malaga, Manchester City, Lyon, PSG, Roma, Rostov, Slavia Prague, Tottenham, Villarreal
Lewandowski’s consistency is evident not only in top-tier clashes but also in mid-tier European fixtures, reflecting his adaptability to different styles and defenses. This breadth gives him an edge over even Messi and Ronaldo when considering the variety of clubs scored against.
Messi: Close but with some blind spots
Lionel Messi has found the net against 40 different clubs, just one shy of Lewandowski’s total. The Argentine’s scoring has been weighted toward elite European competition.
Goals
40 Clubs
9
Arsenal
8
Celtic, Milan
7
Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester City
6
Ajax, PSG
5
Lyon
4
Bayern, Manchester United, Panathinaikos, PSV, Spartak Moscow
However, Messi never scored against clubs such as Crvena Zvezda, Dinamo Zagreb, Olympiakos, or Salzburg, all of which Lewandowski has found the net against. Similarly, Messi has scored less frequently against certain elite sides, including Real Madrid (2 goals), highlighting that even the best can face selective resistance.
Lionel Messi playing for FC Barcelona.
Ronaldo: Mix of volume and elite focus
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored against 38 clubs, slightly fewer than both Lewandowski and Messi. Yet the Portuguese star’s scoring has often been weighted toward high-profile opponents and repeated encounters in the latter stages of the Champions League.
Goals
38 Clubs
10
Juventus
9
Ajax, Bayern
7
Schalke, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico
6
Galatasaray, Malmo, APOEL Nicosia, Lyon
5
Roma, Shakhtar
4
Marseille, Dynamo Kyiv, Tottenham
3
Manchester United
2
Basel, Barcelona, Sevilla, Sheriff, Villarreal, Leverkusen, Arsenal, Milan
1
Auxerre, Chelsea, Debrecen, Inter, Liverpool, Manchester City, Porto, Ferencvaros, Young Boys
Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid.
Where Ronaldo diverges from Lewandowski is in the smaller or mid-tier clubs on his list. Clubs like Crvena Zvezda, Dinamo Zagreb, and Olympiakos, which Lewandowski has exploited multiple times, remain largely untouched by Ronaldo’s scoring.
Cristiano Ronaldo (left), Robert Lewandowski (center), and Lionel Messi (right)
Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele have been included, while Kingsley Coman misses out, as Didier Deschamps names his France squad for the final pre-2026 World Cup friendlies.
Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele have been included, while Kingsley Coman misses out, as Didier Deschamps names his France squad for the final pre-2026 World Cup friendlies. The decision has drawn significant attention, particularly given Mbappe’s recent injury struggles, but the France manager has shown confidence in his captain ahead of key clashes against Brazil and Colombia.
As France enters a decisive stage in its World Cup preparations, the squad reflects both continuity and calculated risk, blending experienced stars with emerging talents. Mbappe’s presence, alongside Dembele’s attacking flair, ensures firepower remains intact, while Coman’s absence marks one of the most notable omissions from the list.
Les Bleus will face Brazil and Colombia in the United States later this month, in what represents the final opportunity for Didier Deschamps to assess his squad before naming his official World Cup selection on May 13. These fixtures are not merely friendlies; they are crucial tests against elite opposition.
Mbappe, who recently returned from a knee injury, is expected to lead the line despite limited recent playing time. The Real Madrid forward had missed five consecutive matches before making a substitute appearance in the Champions League against Manchester City, signaling his gradual return to fitness.
Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates with teammate Ousmane Dembele
Alongside him, Ousmane Dembele strengthens the attacking unit, while players such as Hugo Ekitike and Rayan Cherki provide additional depth. Meanwhile, Randal Kolo Muani earns a recall despite inconsistent club form, benefiting from injuries to other forwards.
What did Deschamps say about Mbappe?
Midway through the squad announcement discussions, Didier Deschamps addressed the biggest talking point: Mbappe’s inclusion despite fitness concerns. “The protocol was respected. I was in regular contact with Kylian,” the manager explained. “There was no obligation for him to be present, but from his side, it was clear he wanted to be there with us as a player.”
The France coach firmly dismissed any external pressure behind the decision, adding: “It’s not true that he was forced to come for marketing purposes, he wanted to be here for these matches.”
Deschamps emphasized that the 27-year-old’s condition will be closely monitored, especially following his club fixture against Atletico Madrid. “We’ll see what happens this weekend… how he feels, and based on that, we intend for all selected players to get minutes,” he added. This measured approach highlights the importance of balancing player fitness with competitive readiness, particularly as France aims to peak at the World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid reacts during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League.
Key inclusions and notable omissions
Beyond Mbappe, the inclusion of Dembele reinforces France’s attacking depth, while the absence of Kingsley Coman stands out. Injuries and tactical decisions have reshaped the squad, opening doors for others to step in.
Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier’s selection has also raised eyebrows. Despite losing his starting place at Paris Saint-Germain, Deschamps has backed him to rediscover form. “It has happened to me often… to offer them a helping hand. It’s part of building trust,” the coach said. “This situation isn’t ideal for him, but he hasn’t lost his value.”
𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐔𝐒 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄! 💙🔥
Heading to the United States with 2 matches against Brazil 🇧🇷 and Colombia 🇨🇴
In defense, the return of Pierre Kalulu adds stability following injuries to other players, while the midfield remains anchored by established names like Eduardo Camavinga, N’Golo Kante, and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Kylian Mbappe (left), Ousmane Dembele (center), and Kingsley Coman (right)
Gian Piero Gasperini admits Roma showed ‘our best and worst’ in the Europa League exit to Bologna, but also pointed to the lack of alternatives. ‘I dreamed of repeating certain attacking situations’ from Atalanta.
The Giallorossi were always chasing this tie, both in the first leg that ended 1-1, then here coming back from 3-1 down to force extra time with goals from Evan Ndicka, Donyell Malen and Lorenzo Pellegrini.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“It was certainly a fascinating match, naturally we leave it with great regret, because we saw us at our best and our worst tonight,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
“The best was almost the entire game, the worst was in the goals we conceded, which meant we were always chasing the comeback, despite doing some really good things. It’s a pity that after this performance, we also made these mistakes.”
The defensive errors saw Bologna surge into a 3-1 lead, although Gasperini reserved criticism also for Gianluca Mancini’s complaints after a tussle with Rowe for the opening goal.
“Mancini stayed down after a shirt tug, so Rowe was free to go forward. It was an anomalous situation, but unfortunately, we were naïve.”
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Mario Hermoso of AS Roma celebrates his side’s first goal scored by Evan Ndicka of AS Roma (not pictured) during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Roma’s difficult spell therefore continues, as now they are without a win in five competitive games and slipped down from fourth to sixth in the Serie A table.
“When you reach this stage of the season, the levels go up, so does the pressure, and the fatigue makes itself felt too. This is a team that has spirit, because it conceded with a penalty just before half-time, it came back from 3-1 down, it felt like the momentum was behind us,” noted Gasperini.
“When you make mistakes like this, then you can lose games, that’s clear.”
Manu Koné went off injured in the opening minutes, yet Gasperini made only two substitutions in the 90 minutes, then four overall out of a possible six, because there is a bonus slot in extra time.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Santiago Castro of Bologna is challenged by Manu Kone of AS Roma during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
The options in attack were limited in the absence of Paulo Dybala, Matias Soulé, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson, while Lorenzo Venturino is not on the UEFA list.
“In extra time, there was some fatigue, but we couldn’t make changes. Bologna put on three quick and fresh strikers, so it was tough. Clearly, if you are missing four or five players all in the same section of the squad, you will suffer in the long run.
“Despite that, we have brought in an extraordinary Malen who has made our attacks a lot more dangerous. In the first half of the season, we found goals from various different players, but the lack of attacking options is something we’ve been carrying since the start of the season.”
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, and Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, pose for a photo prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Gasperini won the Europa League trophy with Atalanta, but has found the shift to Roma very different, including tension behind the scenes with the club forming this squad.
“I came to Roma with the dream of repeating certain attacking situations, but due to injuries or not being able to sign players with those characteristics, we never quite managed to recreate that. Nonetheless, my players have always put in so much effort, including tonight.
“Over the last week or so, against Como and Bologna, I cannot complain too much about my players, as they put in a strong performance.”
Another January signing made an impression this evening, as Robinio Vaz came off the bench and constantly troubled Jhon Lucumi, winning a penalty too.
“Undoubtedly, he is very young and a big investment, which weighs on him because of the expectations. He needs time to grow, but has vivacity and strength, he can be useful, but in order to aim higher, you need players with more experience and pedigree.”
Vincenzo Italiano insists Roma ‘are superior in every way, but Bologna climbed a mountain’ to set up a Europa League quarter-final clash with Aston Villa. ‘We’ll be the underdogs there too.’
The Rossoblu will face Aston Villa in the Europa League quarter-final, and go in as underdogs, but that was also the case in this all-Italian derby with Roma.
“We have already faced Aston Villa on their turf twice, so we go in again knowing that we are the underdogs, but we’ll prepare something and try to do something else extraordinary,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.
The first leg will be at the Stadio Dall’Ara on April 9, with the decider at Villa Park a week later.
Italiano hails Bologna coup in Eternal City
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, and Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, pose for a photo prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“You saw the atmosphere in the stadium from the start, we were against a strong side and I said our odds were 49-51 to go through, but we managed to turn them around and continue in an important European competition.
“The match was wonderful, we are truly happy to come here and do what we did, which was climb the mountain. I can only congratulate the lads for an extraordinary performance, as winning in this atmosphere against this Roma side was a genuine achievement.”
They were never behind in this tie at any point, conceding the equaliser for a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Stadio Dall’Ara, then going in front here too with Jonathan Rowe’s scorcher.
Bologna were even 3-1 up at the Stadio Olimpico through Federico Bernardeschi’s penalty and Santiago Castro, only to fumble it for 3-3 and go into extra time.
Here too, fresh legs were decisive with Nicolò Cambiaghi off the bench to squeeze in the finish from the tightest of angles.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“We struggled in the first 20 minutes to keep the pressure on Roma, but then we started to take hold in their half and begin to do more of what we had prepared,” continued Italiano.
“Once you get into extra time, it’s first goal wins, and we managed to get the goal.”
The Stadio Olimpico is confirmed as a positive venue for Bologna, who already had wild celebrations here last year when beating Milan in the Coppa Italia Final to lift their first piece of silverware for 51 years.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Nikola Moro of Bologna celebrates after the team’s victory in the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Italiano clearly also has a special affinity with Cup competitions, as he also took Fiorentina to two Conference League Finals and a Coppa Italia Final before coming to Bologna.
“I just try to honour each competition in the best possible way, have the right spirit, preparation, and utmost effort. It’s not a very long path in these tournaments, so you try to find strategies to cause problems for opponents, even if they are of a higher quality on paper.
“We got through a tough league phase, won a difficult play-off, and today beat a team that is superior to us in every way. However, playing your cards in the best way brings you to these results.”
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Players of Bologna pose for a photo as they celebrate after the team’s victory in the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Bologna players are still celebrating under the section of away supporters in the stands while Italiano is giving his interviews.
“I had to rush back and leave the lads during their celebration, because since I had that pneumonia, the doctor wants me to immediately get back where it’s warm and wrap up,” smiled Italiano.
The coach spent some of the season having to direct his team’s training sessions remotely, as he was hospitalised for a week with pneumonia.
The Giallorossi were never leading at any point over the two legs of this Round of 16 tie, as Lorenzo Pellegrini equalised after the Federico Bernardeschi opener at the Stadio Dall’Ara.
When it came to the second leg, Jonathan Rowe had put Bologna in front, then after Evan Ndicka’s opener, the visitors surged 3-1 up through Bernardeschi and Santiago Castro.
Roma managed to force extra time with Donyell Malen’s spot-kick and another Pellegrini strike, but Nicolò Cambiaghi sealed it to send Bologna through to the Europa League quarter-final against Aston Villa.
Cristante recognises Roma errors
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Donyell Malen of AS Roma scores his team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“We shouldn’t have conceded all these goals. We went behind, we did so well to get back into it, seemed in control during extra time and ready to score the decisive goal, but instead it went the other way,” Cristante told Sky Sport Italia.
When Roma players went over to the Curva Sud to salute the fans after the final whistle, but the ultras jeered and reacted angrily, telling them not to bother.
“We are all disappointed to be out of the competition, the fans let us hear their disappointment. It’s tough, because we had got it back on track, we were convinced we had the right approach, but we lost,” added Cristante.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with Niccolo Pisilli during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Roma’s difficult spell therefore continues, as now they are without a win in five competitive games and slipped down from fourth to sixth in the Serie A table.
Are they struggling with the injury crisis and starting to feel fatigue from having the same players in every match?
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Mario Hermoso of AS Roma celebrates his side’s first goal scored by Evan Ndicka of AS Roma (not pictured) during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“You can feel fatigue at certain points of the season, but we were there, we were in the right position to get through to the next stage of the Europa League. We cannot complain about fatigue, we’ve just got to roll our sleeves up and keep going,” concluded Cristante.
Football Italia’s Man of the Match was Bologna forward Jonathan Rowe, for his delightful strike from the edge of the box to put the visitors 1-0 up, assist for his side’s third and threatening chance creation all evening, whilst Lorenzo Pellegrini also deserves credit for inspiring the Giallorossi’s comeback in the second half.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Jonathan Rowe of Bologna is challenged by Bryan Cristante of AS Roma during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Best Roma player: Lorenzo Pellegrini – Came off the bench to inspire Roma’s second half comeback with a goal and an assist but it was ultimately not enough. Was called into action after Manu Kone’s injury in the 20th minute and helped his side in a way only an experienced player can.
Lowest Roma rating: Mile Svilar – Lacked a lot tonight in both his distribution and his shot-stopping. Conceded four times, albeit one from the penalty spot, and perhaps could have done better with at least one or two of them.
Coach: Gian Piero Gaspeirni 6 – No referee excuses to hide behind tonight, the coach was outclassed by his counterpart – despite introducing some excellent substitutes. Kone’s injury could have defined the tie but Pellegrini’s introduction was a real boon for the Giallorossi. However, ultimately beaten on the day by a more clinical team.
Best Bologna player: Jonathan Rowe – An electric performance from the Englishman before he was replaced with roughly twenty minutes to play. Picked up a goal and an assist today and was a real threat in-between the Roma lines. Gave his all and the coach rightly took him off when he looked out of steam.
Lowest Bologna rating: Remo Freuler – Gave away the penalty that inspired Roma’s comeback and will be relieved his side progressed in spite of it. Looked a little lacklustre aside from that, and was eventually taken off with six minutes left of extra-time after, to his credit, giving his all.
Coach: Vincenzo Italiano 7.5 – Outclassed Gasperini tonight, despite the second half scare. Took his team to the Stadio Olimpico, where they famously won the Coppa Italia last season, and helped inspire his side to a victory of nearly-equal importance.
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Looking to take another giant leap towards booking a lucrative Champions League return, Manchester United will travel to the Vitality on Friday night when they meet Bournemouth. Embarking on what has been a sensational resurge since Michael Carrick’s shock Old Trafford return back in January, Man United find the mood in their camp at a […]
Cristiano Ronaldo remains at the center of attention as Al-Nassr weighs a major decision regarding Jorge Jesus’ future, with the Portuguese striker closely linked to the club’s long-term direction.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains at the center of attention as Al-Nassr weighs a major decision regarding Jorge Jesus’ future, with the Portuguese striker closely linked to the club’s long-term direction. As one of soccer’s most influential figures, Ronaldo’s presence continues to shape not only the team on the pitch but also its strategic planning behind the scenes. Alongside him, Jorge Jesus has been guiding the club with experience and ambition, creating a partnership that could define the next phase of Al-Nassr’s evolution.
The situation has sparked widespread speculation, not only within Saudi soccer but also across Europe, as both figures carry significant weight in the global game. Their professional paths could remain intertwined beyond club level, especially with discussions already emerging about potential roles after the 2026 World Cup.
At present, Cristiano Ronaldo leads the line for Al-Nassr while Jorge Jesus commands from the sidelines, forming a powerful duo that has elevated the club’s ambitions. Their collaboration has been seen as a key factor in Al-Nassr’s pursuit of domestic and continental success. However, the club’s long-term strategy appears deeply tied to Ronaldo’s own plans.
Earlier reports from Saudi Arabia suggest that nearly every major decision, ranging from squad planning to managerial stability, hinges on whether the Portuguese superstar remains at the club. This level of influence underscores Ronaldo’s unique role, extending far beyond his performances on the pitch.
Jorge Jesus team Manager of Al-Nassr FC and Al-Nassr FC Players celebrate the win against Al Ittihad with the fans.
The decision on Jorge Jesus revealed
Midway through the growing speculation, clarity has finally emerged regarding Jorge Jesus’ immediate future. According to Arriyadiyah, Al-Nassr has decided to renew Jorge Jesus’ contract for one additional season, ensuring continuity within the club’s structure. At the same time, the Portuguese manager has turned down an offer from Brazilian side Cruzeiro, choosing instead to remain in Saudi Arabia and continue his project with Al-Nassr.
This development reflects mutual trust between the club and the coach. By extending his stay, Jesus signals his commitment to the ongoing project, while the Riyadh side demonstrates confidence in his leadership. The decision also aligns with the broader strategy centered around Ronaldo, reinforcing stability at a critical moment.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr (L) and team head coach Jorge Jesus of Al-Nassr (R)
Portugal ambitions loom in the background
While the immediate focus remains on Al-Nassr, Jorge Jesus’ long-term ambitions extend beyond club soccer. According to reports, the experienced manager has identified the Portugal national team as his ultimate goal following the 2026 World Cup. Currently, the national side is led by Roberto Martinez, whose tenure is expected to run through the tournament.
After that, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is likely to reassess its direction, potentially opening the door for a new managerial era. For Jesus, such an opportunity would represent the pinnacle of his career. After decades of managing clubs across multiple continents, leading Portugal would offer a chance to guide some of the world’s best players on the international stage, possibly including Cristiano Ronaldo, depending on his future with the national team.
Despite ongoing speculation about a possible move to the Portugal national team, there have been no formal negotiations between the 71-year-old manager and the Selecao, according to recent reports from the Middle East. This suggests that, for now, the focus remains firmly on Al-Nassr.
Marc Bernal surpassed Lionel Messi and trails Lamine Yamal after his Champions League goal with Barcelona.
Barcelona rolled past Newcastle in the Champions League round of 16 with a 7-2 win that erased any doubt left after the first leg. In the match, Marc Bernal scored a goal that moved him ahead of Lionel Messi and put him just behind Lamine Yamal in a goalscoring record.
Bernal became the third-youngest player in Barcelona history to score in a knockout-stage match, doing it at 18 years and 296 days old. That puts him behind Yamal, who sits in second place after scoring at 17 years and 241 days.
The record for Barcelona’s youngest scorer in a Champions League knockout match may surprise some. That honor belongs to Bojan Krkic, whose early promise saw him score at 17 years and 271 days, still enough to keep the top spot.
Messi does not crack the top five
Messi broke almost every record there was to break, especially at Barcelona. His four Champions League titles were matched by 120 goals for the club in the competition. But his first goal in a knockout round came when he was 20 years and 241 days old, in a round-of-16 match against Celtic in which he scored twice.
Messi holds the record for most Champions League goals with the club (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
The rest of the list includes some even more surprising names, with players ahead of major figures in the club’s history. In fourth place is Argentine Javier Saviola, who was 20 years and 119 days old when he scored his first knockout-stage goal.
Rounding out the top five is a player many may have forgotten because of his short spell at the club. That spot belongs to Cristian Tello, who scored at 20 years and 209 days for a team that has long been known for bringing through young talent.
Players who could join the list
La Masía is a global brand closely tied to Barcelona and the results speak for themselves, with academy products regularly reaching the first team. One current player who could move up the list is Pau Cubarsí, who is only 19. Roony Bardghji also looks like a name to watch at 20.
Bernal looks to have a bright future with Barcelona
VAR usage has become a growing concern for UEFA, something that will be addressed in a meeting with representatives from the Premier League and other major competitions.
UEFA has called a meeting with the referee chiefs from Europe’s five major leagues (the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1) to reassess the application of VAR. The overuse of the technology is the main concern and will be the central focus of discussions.
“I believe that we forgot the reason why VAR was introduced,” said Roberto Rosetti, UEFA’s head of refereeing, recently, according to BBC Sport.“In objective decisions, it is fantastic. For interpretations, subjective evaluation is more difficult. That’s why we started to speak about clear and obvious mistakes — clear evidence.”
Current concerns are focused on determining in which situations VAR intervention is justified and what level of strictness should be applied. The technology was originally introduced to eliminate clear errors that could change the course of a match — or even a tournament.
That is why the initial VAR guidelines were limited to the most decisive moments in soccer: whether the ball crossed the goal line, whether a penalty should be awarded, or whether a foul warranted a red card. However, over time, its scope has expanded, along with the growing expectation for greater precision in decision-making.
VAR in use during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
VAR continues to grow in influence across soccer
While UEFA appears focused on reducing VAR intervention to only the most important situations — and as minimally as possible — other governing bodies in soccer are moving in the opposite direction.
The International Football Association Board recently approved a series of rule changes set to take effect this year. Among them is an expansion of VAR usage into two situations that were previously outside its scope.
One involves second yellow cards leading to dismissals, which were originally not subject to review. VAR will now be allowed to check the second caution. The other involves corner kicks, which may now be reviewed in terms of whether they were correctly awarded, provided it does not cause excessive delays to the game.
European leagues with the highest and lowest VAR intervention rates
As UEFA looks to reduce VAR intervention, the Premier League appears to be the model to follow. England’s top flight has the lowest rate of VAR usage among Europe’s five major leagues, averaging 0.275 interventions per match.La Liga and the Bundesliga follow with 0.38. Serie A ranks fourth at 0.44, while France’s Ligue 1 records the highest usage, with VAR intervening 0.47 times per match.
Referee Robert Jones checks the VAR screen during a Premier League match.
Lionel Messi once again suffered a backlash with the national team as Argentina has been reportedly left without friendlies in the March window, and now AFA are scrambling to find potential new opponents.
The AFA appeared to have salvaged Argentina‘s March schedule with a pair of last-minute friendlies following the collapse of the Qatar tour and the Finalissima cancellation. But with fewer than 90 days until the World Cup kicks off, Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste have been left with nothing on the calendar, and the federation is now scrambling once again to find solutions.
According to ESPN and Argentina insider Esteban Edul, both friendlies are officially off. While the specific reasons have not been disclosed, FIFA’s rule prohibiting a national team from playing on two different continents during the same international window appears to be the central sticking point.
In Guatemala’s case, Los Chapines had already arranged a friendly against Algeria, Argentina’s first-round World Cup opponent, to be played in Italy on March 27. Honduras, meanwhile, were set to travel to Spain to face Peru on the 31st. Both nations had one remaining slot available, which Argentina could theoretically have filled, but the intercontinental travel requirements made the logistics impossible under FIFA’s regulations.
Lionel Messi during Argentina’s training session.
What are the potential new rivals?
Back to square one, Argentina are set to begin their training camp at Ezeiza in the coming week with no friendly confirmed. Any new game would have to be played on home soil, which significantly limits the pool of available opponents given how many nations already have their schedules locked in.
According to Edul, AFA officials have now shifted their focus toward African national teams, racing against the clock to secure opponents for both March 27 and 31, with the players named in the squad set to begin arriving on Monday ahead of training.
One option that had been floated in local reports even before the Guatemala and Honduras deals fell through was a friendly against the Argentina Under-20 side. Messi’s national team did play against the youth squad on March 22, 2025, in a charity match held for fundraising purposes.
The prospect of the defending world champions being reduced to playing an internal game against their own Under-20 team, unable to arrange a fixture against any other national team, would represent a deeply uncomfortable moment for the AFA with the World Cup just around the corner.
Given Dani Carvajal’s drop in form, the Spaniard does not have his continuity at Real Madrid fully secured. For this reason, Diogo Dalot and two other players reportedly emerge as strong candidates to reinforce the right-back position.
Following his serious injury, Dani Carvajal does not seem to have fully recovered his level at Real Madrid, becoming a regular substitute. With his contract expiring, the Spaniard is expected to leave as a free agent. In response, Los Blancos are reportedly targeting Manchester United star Diogo Dalot and other two candidates to reinforce the right-back spot.
According to Alejandro Alcázar in Diario Sport, Real Madrid are targeting Diogo Dalot of Manchester United as one of their preferred options to reinforce the right-back position, with his transfer fee expected to be around €40 million. Alongside him, they are also considering Kyriani Sabbe, who has been shining at Club Brugge, with a potential fee of around €10 million.
Far from ending there, Los Blancos are also looking at Pedro Porro. However, the Spaniard would only arrive if Tottenham Hotspur are relegated, as he is considered untouchable by his current team, according to Diario Sport. Due to this uncertain scenario, the Portuguese propels as the main target.
While Dani Carvajal has been a standout at Real Madrid, he has not reached his usual performance level, and doubts have emerged about whether he can regain it. Nonetheless, Los Blancos are still waiting to see if he can return to his best over the remaining three months, so they are open to a short-term contract extension.
Diogo Dalot, Kyriani Sabbe and Pedro Porro.
Trent Alexander-Arnold keeps disappointing at Real Madrid
Given Dani Carvajal’s veteran status, Real Madrid identified Trent Alexander-Arnold as their marquee reinforcement. However, the Englishman has not managed to establish as a solid full-back. Not only has he failed to make an impact offensively, but he has also struggled defensively, putting his starting role into question.
Unlike his time at Liverpool, the Englishman does not have an inverted full-back role, contributing in midfield. Instead, coach Álvaro Arbeloa looks for him to fulfill the same role as Carvajal: a full-back with wide range and defensive solidity. Therefore, Trent has stopped shining, as he is unable to adapt to his new role.
David Jimenez may emerge as an option for Real Madrid
Amid the injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid’s Álvaro Arbeloa turned to David Jiménez, an academy player, as a major alternative. At 22, the Spaniard delivered solid performances, but the veteran’s return sent him back to Real Madrid Castilla. However, he could reemerge as a key alternative.
If Los Blancos struggle to secure Dalot, Porro, or Sabbe, youngster Jiménez could again become a solid alternative at right-back, given his standout performances in LaLiga. Moreover, the Spaniard could even challenge Trent for the starting spot, as he contributes both defensively and offensively, reminiscent of Carvajal’s prime.
Daniel Carvajal of Real Madrid and Diogo Dalot of Manchester United.
Roma came back repeatedly to force the tie to extra time after a 3-3 thriller at the Stadio Olimpico, but Bologna will face Aston Villa in the Europa League quarter-final.
The first leg ended 1-1, so it was all to play for in this Italian derby for the chance to face Aston Villa in the quarter-final. Paulo Dybala, Matias Soulé, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson were still out injured, with Lorenzo Venturino not on the UEFA list, after just two draws in four competitive games. Lukasz Skorupski picked up an injury in the win at Sassuolo, so Federico Ravaglia took the Rossoblu gloves. The Stadio Olimpico is a special venue for Bologna, as they won the Coppa Italia here last season.
Santiago Castro went on a rapid counter-attack for the finish deflected wide by Zeki Celik, but Roma were forced into an early change when Manu Koné hobbled off the field with a muscular issue.
Moments later, Bologna took the lead when Jonathan Rowe smashed a ferocious effort into the roof of the net from the edge of the area, but Roma complained that the England striker had pushed Gianluca Mancini in the build-up, creating that gap through the centre of their defence.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 19, 2026
Svilar got down for a one-handed save on Federico Bernardeschi’s angled drive, but after Lorenzo Pellegrini’s free kick smacked against the top of the upright, it was scrambled out for a corner.
From this set play, Evan Ndicka rose in the crowd to nod in Roma’s equaliser from six yards.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Evan Ndicka of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Bryan Cristante during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Malen just failed to connect with a Mancini glancing header at the back post, while Svilar parried a Joao Mario attempt after a corner.
On the stroke of half-time, Stephan El Shaarawy bundled into the back of Nadir Zortea and the referee pointed to the spot. Bernardeschi sent Svilar the wrong way to convert and restore Bologna’s advantage.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Federico Bernardeschi of Bologna celebrates scoring his team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Malen tested Ravaglia from the edge of the box after the restart, but it was Bologna who added another goal. Rowe chased down a bouncing ball, battling first with Bryan Cristante and then Ndicka to knock it down for Castro to smash a screamer into the roof of the net from the edge of the area.
Roma were also awarded a penalty when Remo Freuler pressured Robinio Vaz, so Malen passed it precisely into the bottom corner past Ravaglia’s fingertips.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Donyell Malen of AS Roma scores his team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Moments later, Ravaglia did get to the Pellegrini free kick at the near top corner, but was beaten when Vaz pulled back to the edge of the area where Pellegrini passed it into the far bottom corner with the inside of the left foot to draw it all level again.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Freuler’s weak finish was smothered by Svilar, while Wesley fired over on the half-volley, but they could not be separated and the tie went to extra time.
Ravaglia immediately flew to palm a Zeki Celik scorcher out from under the bar, while Pellegrini had to track back to stop Riccardo Orsolini going clear.
Bologna again went in front when Nicolò Cambiaghi completed a give and go with Thijs Dallinga to break into the box and drew out Svilar, his snooker shot of a finish going in off the inside of the near post to roll across the line.
Vaz had penalty appeals in the final moments, but he had a handful of Lucumi’s shirt instead and simply lost his balance.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Players of Bologna celebrate after the team’s victory in the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Paolo Vanoli took Moise Kean’s angry reaction to being substituted during Fiorentina’s 2-1 Conference League win over Rakow as a positive sign rather than a disciplinary concern, insisting the striker’s frustration simply reflected how desperately he wanted to help his side reach the quarter-finals.
“I am happy because he is an important player,” Vanoli told Sky Sport after the match, with quotes via CalcioMercato.
“When there is that anger and that desire to play, it means he wanted to be there and to help. But I am the coach, and I also have to understand that he is a key player and that we still have nine finals and a passage through the round to think about.”
UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 02: Moise Kean of Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Friuli on March 02, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Vanoli concedes tough game for Fiorentina at Rakow but focuses on challenges ahead
Vanoli was also candid about a difficult first half in which Fiorentina struggled to find their rhythm on a heavy pitch.
“We wanted to play but the surface did not allow it, we were arriving late to second balls and were slow to understand how to get the qualification over the line,” he admitted.
The second half, however, told a very different story, with the Viola coming from behind to seal the win. “This team now has a plus, they know how to react.”
On Kean’s broader value, Vanoli was unequivocal, and his words carry obvious relevance for Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso ahead of the World Cup playoffs.
“The national team coach is better than me, he knows perfectly well that Moise is an important player who wants to help both Fiorentina and the national team. He is a player Italy will need.”
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Chelsea want Elliot Anderson
They want to sign him as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez. The South American has been linked with a move away from Chelsea, and they will need to replace him properly. However, Fernandez is a creative central midfielder, whereas Anderson is a defensive midfielder. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea decides to bring in a creative midfielder as well. They will need to replace the goal and creativity from Fernandez if he decides to move on.
The player could cost around €100 million in the summer, and Manchester United are closely monitoring his situation, as per reports from Spain.
However, Chelsea are confident they can offer him a leading role, and it remains to be seen whether they can convince the player to join the club. On the other hand, losing Fernandez would be a blow for them. The Argentina international is a top-quality player and one of the first names on the team sheet at Chelsea.
Real Madrid are hoping to secure his signature, and it remains to be seen whether they can get the deal done. Convincing the player to move might not be too difficult for the Spanish club. Fernandez has proven himself in England, and he could be open to trying out a new challenge now.
Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.
The 23-year-old player has previously admitted he is a “huge Premier League fan” and would love to play in England. According to reports from Fussball Daten, the player could cost around €25 million in the summer.
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Tottenham keen on Noah Atubolu
The report claims that clubs like Tottenham Hotspur are interested in securing his signature. It will be interesting to see if the north London club decides to make a move for him. Chelsea were keen on the players as well, but they have been handed a transfer ban.
It is no secret that Tottenham need a quality goalkeeper in the summer. Guglielmo Vicario has been criticised for his inconsistencies, and Tottenham needs an upgrade. The Bundesliga goalkeeper could prove to be an excellent addition for them. The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for Atubolu, and he will look to make his mark in English football.
Tottenham are fighting for survival in the Premier League, and they need to improve the team in the summer. They need to plug the squad’s weaknesses, and a quality goalkeeper could make a big difference. It remains to be seen whether they can win the race for his signature.
Chelsea’s transfer ban will certainly be a huge boost for the north London outfit. They will fancy their chances of winning the race for Atubolu.
The player has previously admitted that he used to watch Chelsea often as a kid, and it is fair to assume that the Blues could have been the favourites to sign him if not for their current transfer predicament. Meanwhile, West Ham United are monitoring his situation as well. It will be interesting to see if they come forward with an offer to sign the player.
Naturally, his performances have attracted the attention of top clubs. According to a report from Fussball Daten, Frankfurt has an option to make them move permanently at the end of the season. However, should they choose not to exercise the clause, Nottingham Forest will look to sell him for a fee of around €35 million in the summer.
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Arnaud Kalimuendo set for England return?
The report claims that clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa could look to make a move for the French attacker. The 24-year-old has the physicality and technical attributes to play in English football, and he could be an asset to both clubs. They need more cutting-edge in the final third, and Kalimuendo could be a very useful addition.
After a disappointing time with Nottingham Forest, the player will be desperate to prove himself in English football. The opportunity to join Tottenham or Aston Villa will be exciting for him.
The report claims that both clubs are looking to bring in an “electrifying” attacker like Kalimuendo.
The asking price is affordable for the two Premier League clubs, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up. Aston Villa is pushing for Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign, and they could be an attractive destination for the French attacker.
On the other hand, Tottenham is fighting for survival in the Premier League. However, they are one of the country’s biggest clubs, and they have an ambitious project. It remains to be seen which of the two clubs can get the deal done.
Endrick explained why it's harder to play for Real Madrid than for Lyon.
Real Madrid made a major investment when it agreed to pay $60 million for Endrick in a deal that became official in 2024. After a promising start, the Spanish club sent him on loan to Lyon so he could get more minutes.
Endrick explained the challenge of playing for Real Madrid in an interview with Winwin: “The sequence of matches is very important. It’s not the same to play 90 or 60 minutes as 30 or 15. It lets you take more risks and lowers the pressure of making mistakes. They always bring in young talent and fans want to see them right away, but sometimes that is not possible.”
Lyon were eliminated from the Europa League on Thursday in a surprising result against Celta. Even so, Endrick has been important to the team, including scoring a late goal in the first leg in Spain.
Endrick on his potential Real Madrid future
Signing a player like him from Palmeiras showed how much potential Real Madrid saw in him. That became even clearer when they loaned him to Lyon last December instead of selling him to several interested clubs.
Endrick left Real Madrid last December (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The Brazilian has been a key player for manager Paulo Fonseca, with his movement across different positions in the lineup. He has scored six goals in 13 matches for his new club.
That suggests he may have a role when he returns to Real Madrid next season, but he is not thinking about that yet: “I haven’t talked to Álvaro Arbeloa. I’m focused on Lyon. I’m going to cheer for Real Madrid in the Champions League, but I’m committed to this club.”
Endrick’s chances with Brazil
Competition for a place in Brazil’s squad is fierce. High-profile names like Neymar may not even make the cut, while Raphinha and Vinicius appear to be locks. Even so, the forward trusts that his former manager Carlo Ancelotti will call him.
Endrick said about the Italian coach: “I learned a lot with him at Real Madrid. I scored in every competition we played. His job now is different, there is no day-to-day conversation, but I’m sure we can do something good. We can’t think about anything other than the title.”
Tigres UANL host Cincinnati in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. Here’s everything you need to know about the date, venue, kickoff time, and TV or streaming options available in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Tigres UANL vs Cincinnati on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Tigres UANL vs Cincinnati
WHAT
CONCACAF Champions Cup
WHEN
9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT • Thursday, March 19, 2026
FC Cincinnati took a decisive step toward advancing in this round of 16, dominating the first leg at home with a 3-0 victory over Tigres UANL. The result puts Cincinnati in the driver’s seat, but they’ll need to stay focused and disciplined to finish the job on the road.
Tigres UANL, meanwhile, heads into the second leg under pressure, counting on their home crowd to fuel a dramatic turnaround and keep their season alive. With so much at stake, this clash promises high drama—don’t miss a minute of the action.
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After Carlo Ancelotti left Neymar out of Brazil’s squad for the March FIFA international break, the forward’s agent addressed the situation with an eye toward the World Cup.
Carlo Ancelotti’s decision not to call up Neymar for Brazil’s March international break friendlies has prompted a public response from the forward’s agent, who sent a message to the Italian coach ahead of the World Cup.
“I have big respect for Carlo Ancelotti, and I also know how hard Neymar is working in order to help Brazil at the World Cup,“ said Pini Zahavi, as reported by journalist Fabrizio Romano on his X account.
“I believe Ancelotti will not make this mistake to give up the heart of Brazil, which is Neymar Jr,” the agent added, warning the national team coach about the impact Neymar can have in a major tournament.
Does Neymar have a chance to play in the World Cup?
The March international break had long been viewed as Neymar’s last opportunity to keep his World Cup hopes alive. This is because Brazil’s next squad announcement is expected to be the final roster for the FIFA tournament, which is set to be revealed in late May.
This means Carlo Ancelotti will not have another opportunity to experiment and evaluate players before that deadline. And considering Neymar has not featured for the national team since the coach began his tenure, it seems unlikely that will change directly at the World Cup.
However, Ancelotti himself left the door open. “Neymar can be at the World Cup if he is 100%,” the coach said when the March squad was announced. “Why haven’t I called him up now? Because he’s not at 100%, we need players who are at 100%.”
Problems for Neymar at Santos
While Neymar looks to regain full fitness and form, Santos are struggling to deliver the desired results. On Wednesday, they fell 2-1 at home to Internacional in Brazil’s Serie A, a result that led to the dismissal of the head coach.
“Santos FC announce the departure of head coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda and his coaching staff. The club thanks them for their services and wishes them success in their future careers,” the Brazilian side said in a statement posted on social media.
O Santos Futebol Clube acertou nesta quinta-feira (19) a contratação do técnico Cuca para a sequência da temporada. O novo comandante assinou contrato válido até o final de 2026.
Cuca chega ao Peixe acompanhado pelo auxiliar Cuquinha e pelo preparador físico Omar Feitosa.… pic.twitter.com/8IxaxmRTCZ
Just a few hours later, Neymar’s new coach was confirmed. “Santos Futebol Clube confirmed this Thursday (19) the appointment of head coach Cuca for the remainder of the season,” the club announced. His debut will come on Sunday against Cruzeiro.
Looking to unlock Christian Pulisic’s offensive potential, AC Milan are targeting Leon Goretzka as a marquee reinforcement. However, the German’s reported salary demands are quite high and could block his arrival.
Amid uncertainty surrounding Luka Modric’s future, AC Milan have looked to strengthen their midfield, with Leon Goretzka as the main target to boost Christian Pulisic, reports Andrea Ramazzotti via La Gazzetta dello Sport. With only a few months left, the German is reportedly asking for $7 million per season, which could complicate his arrival to the Rossoneri.
According to Nicolò Schira, via X, formerly Twitter, Leon Goretzka is still available as a free agent since July 2026. To sign for a club, the German is reportedly requesting a net salary of €7 million per season, along with a €10 million signing bonus. Additionally, he is asking for a contract running until 2029.
While the German reportedly emerges as a priority for the Rossoneri, his salary demands could prevent his arrival. According to Capology, Adrien Rabiot, Christopher Nkunku, Mike Maignan and Rafael Leao are the club’s highest-paid players, earning €5 million net per season. With this, the German’s potential arrival could disrupt the team’s wage structure.
Despite his high demands, AC Milan still consider Goretzka a top priority to strengthen the midfield. They could explore alternatives such as performance-based bonuses to reach his desired salary. If they grant him the €7 million fix net, Pulisic or Maignan could become unsettled, as it would break the club’s wage structure.
Leon Goretzka of FC Bayern München runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match.
Alongside his high salary demands, the Rossoneri face competition from Juventus and Arsenal, who are also pursuing his signing, as per Fabrizio Romano. For this reason, securing qualification to the Champions League, along with presenting a competitive sporting project, would be key to landing Goretzka.
Goretzka’s potential arrival could boost Pulisic impact
Throughout the season, Luka Modric’s continuity has been called into question. However, Leon Goretzka would not arrive to directly replace the Croatian, as Ardon Jashari or Youssouf Fofana would take his place. The German could compete with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, providing balance and unlocking the best version of Pulisic.
While the German contributes on both defensive and offensive levels, Christian Pulisic could operate with much more freedom, potentially increasing his output in assists or goals by reducing his defensive workload. In addition to this, he would bring solidity to the midfield, also helping in the event of a possible Modric departure.
Leon Goretzka of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League.
Harry Kane described Bayern Munich's perspective for the Champions League quarterfinals against Real Madrid.
Bayern Munich looked like the strongest team in the Champions League quarterfinals. The draw gave them a tough matchup against Atalanta, which they handled easily in the first leg. After the second leg, which pushed the aggregate score to 10-2, Harry Kane previewed the meeting with Real Madrid.
Kane said: “It’s going to be a tough match. Every time you see Real Madrid in the Champions League, you know you have to fight. We are prepared. We are not afraid of anyone, even if it is difficult. We will study their strengths and weaknesses. We have a style of play that does not change much depending on the opponent. In the quarterfinals, it will not be different.”
The 6-1 win in Italy ended the tie almost as soon as it started, but that did not stop Bayern Munich from continuing to dominate Atalanta. After scoring twice, including a brilliant goal of his own, the forward made it clear how his team plans to approach the next round.
Kane’s best goal yet
Kane has scored more than 500 goals in his career, so it is probably hard for him to remember which one was his best. Still, he chose his recent Bayern Munich goal against Atalanta as the best of his 50 Champions League goals.
The England striker reached that milestone with a superb finish after opening the scoring from the penalty spot. The move came inside the box, where he is at his most dangerous. A half-turn to get past Isak Hien and Ibrahim Sulemana put him in front of goal before he sent the ball into the back of the net.
Kane said: “It was probably my best goal in the Champions League. I am trying to think of others that come to mind, but it is one of my favorites of my entire career. The way the play developed, my movement, it was a combination of all my training and ability.”
Vincent Kompany’s comment on Kane’s goal
Vincent Kompany has helped Bayern Munich remain the best team in Germany while also competing impressively abroad. Kane has kept posting outstanding numbers, although the manager does not take credit for the player’s production.
Kompany said: “There is no credit for the manager. We have a player at a great stage of his life and career. He did what he has done in the past, but I must say I am just as happy with ugly goals. It does not always have to be like this. If the ball hits his leg and goes in, I feel the same.”
“The values aligned together and I was very enthusiastic when I got the call and the opportunity to come to, as I mentioned, a very good, honest respectful club and I still am enthusiastic for the future.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 20: Ashley Cole, First Team Coach of Everton gestures during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Leicester City at Goodison Park on April 20, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
It comes as a surprise to many but reports indicated that the Italian club wanted a recognisable figure from world football and Cole is familiar with club co-owner Mike Melby, from their time at LA Galaxy.
“More importantly, for me, my background, my beginning is just like the Cesena fans: very humble, good values, good loyalty and at the moment they’re giving everything for the club and I need to give something back.”
For Cole, it is a surprise opportunity to jump start a managerial career that looked as though it was never destined to arrive. He seems enthusiastic about the challenge, but once again stressed the most important thing is to reflect the fans.
“The minute I heard about this opportunity, I jumped at the chance to come here. My team needs to reflect not me, always, it needs to reflect the club, its fans and the values of these fans.”
Bologna sporting director Marco Di Vaio has hailed the ‘wonderful journey’ his side have taken through the Europa League as they prepare for a vital second leg against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
Di Vaio also singled out experienced forward Federico Bernardeschi as a source of inspiration for his younger teammates in what promises to be an exciting contest.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Federico Bernardeschi of Bologna looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“He has experience with Juventus in these types of matches, where he performed very well, and so he can inspire his teammates in the crucial moments of the game. Those who have played in them, like him and Freuler, can help the younger players handle the pressure. Roma are a strong team.”
The first leg ended 1-1 at the Stadio Dall’Ara, so a place in the Europa League quarter-final will all be decided this evening.
Whoever wins will go through to face either Aston Villa or Lille.
The Stadio Olimpico holds fond memories for Bologna, because this is where they beat Milan last season to win the Coppa Italia. It was the club’s first piece of silverware for 51 years and allowed them to qualify for the Europa League too.
Commenting on that match, Di Vaio said “We know it’s a completely different match, we have wonderful memories and we hope to relive them tonight.”
Bologna are coming off a morale-boosting 1-0 Serie A victory away to local rivals Sassuolo, but in that game lost goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski to injury. It means Federico Ravaglia steps in to take the gloves this evening.
Fiorentina are through to the Conference League quarter-finals after Cher Ndour’s deflected effort and a Marin Pongracic goal from his own half beat Rakow.
They will face either Crystal Palace or AEK Larnaca, as that Round of 16 tie is going to extra time.
The Viola had a slender 2-1 first leg lead thanks to the last-gasp Albert Gudmundsson penalty in this Round of 16. Moise Kean returned from injury for his first start since March 2, with Niccolò Fortini, Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey injured. Rakow finished second in the league phase of the tournament and won the Polish title in 2023, but again left top scorer Lamine Diaby-Fadiga initially on the bench.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Paolo Vanoli of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Jagiellonia Bialystok at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 26, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Kean made an immediate impact, cutting inside from the left after three minutes for two shots charged down from close range by Stratos Svarnas.
Ivi Lopez tested Oliver Christensen with a free kick at the near post, but the hosts lost Fran Tudor to injury after just 19 minutes.
When Lopez pulled back from the by-line for Jonatan Braut Brunes, the finish from six yards was charged down by Giovanni Fabbian.
Nicolò Fagioli floated a ball over the top for Kean to volley straight at the goalkeeper, then the midfielder went for goal himself on a Fabiano Parisi cross on the stroke of half-time, forcing a save under the crossbar.
Within 22 seconds of the restart, Rakow had taken the lead on the night, drawing level on aggregate 2-2. Karol Struski cut inside Cher Ndour from the left and drilled hard and low into the near bottom corner, surprising Christensen.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Stratos Svarnas of Rakow Czestochowa battles for the ball with Fabiano Parisi of ACF Fiorentina during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Svarnas threw himself in the way of a Giovanni Fabbian strike, with Ndour nodded over from the resulting corner.
The Viola started to pour forward and rack up a series of corners, Ndour unable to tap in from six yards, then Parisi stinging Oliwier Zych’s gloves from the edge of the area.
Roberto Piccoli came so close on 67 minutes when nodding the Robin Gosens cross onto the base of the upright from point-blank range.
The pressure paid off, as after good work from Parisi, the Ndour strike from the edge of the box took a big deflection off teammate Piccoli to wrongfoot the goalkeeper and slot into the far bottom corner, restoring Fiorentina’s advantage on aggregate.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Cher Ndour of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Viola kept pushing anyway to consolidate their lead overall, Piccoli firing wide from close range and Parisi’s strike skimming the near post.
Zych also had to fly to palm the Fagioli curler out of the top corner from the edge of the area, but there was a huge scare when the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty. He changed his mind following the VAR review and instead booked Brunes for the obvious dive, as there was no contact with Christensen.
Fiorentina were under siege in stoppages, with even Zych going up for a set play, but this left the goal unprotected, and Marin Pongracic on the counter-attack intelligently passed it into the empty net from inside his own half.
Roma director Ricky Massara ‘can’t wait to experience’ the Europa League Round of 16 against Bologna, noting the trophy is ‘a target we want to aim for.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
The first leg ended 1-1 at the Stadio Dall’Ara, so it’s winner takes all today for a place in the quarter-final against either Aston Villa or Lille.
Roma ready for Bologna test
WALSALL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Frederic Massara, Sporting Director of AS Roma, looks on prior to the pre-season friendly match between Aston Villa and AS Roma at Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on August 06, 2025 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
“This is a stadium that can really push the players, there is a great atmosphere, and it will be a wonderful event,” Massara told Sky Sport Italia.
“We can’t wait to experience this match. Roma have a strong ambition in the Europa League, it is a target we want to aim for.
“There are many games to be played from here to the end, starting with a strong Bologna side, so this is going to be difficult.”
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 17: Stephan El Shaarawy of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Genoa at Stadio Olimpico on January 17, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Roma have been going through a bit of a rough spell lately, managing only two draws from their last four competitive games and sliding down from fourth in the Serie A table to sixth.
Their progress in the Europa League therefore becomes particularly important, as winning the trophy represents another avenue into Champions League qualification.
“There will be strong motivation this evening from the crowd, but we also need to keep clear heads to deal with many dangers,” added Massara.
“We have confidence, we expect the experienced players to act as guides for the younger ones who aren’t as accustomed to this type of match.”
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Insider says Tudor expected to be sacked
The ultimatum comes via prominent insider on X, who revealed on that the Croatian’s tenure is hanging by a thread.
He posted: “Igor Tudor will be called to a meeting if Tottenham lose to Nottingham Forest this weekend. He is expected to be sacked.”
The timing of the report is particularly striking given Tottenham’s slightly improved performance.
After a spirited draw at Anfield, Spurs recorded their first win of 2026 on Wednesday night with a battling 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid.
While the result wasn’t enough to keep them in the Champions League, it served as a massive moral boost and marked Tudor’s first win since taking charge on February 14.
However, the board is reportedly looking at the cold reality of the Premier League table.
Tottenham currently sit in 16th place, only one point above the relegation zone. With only nine games remaining, the hierarchy feels that the “new manager bounce” has been too slow to arrive, and they cannot afford a slip-up against a direct relegation rival like Forest.
Tottenham will not be afraid of second managerial change
If Tudor is sacked, it would mark a ruthless streak from the Tottenham board.
Having already sacked Thomas Frank earlier this year, the club is reportedly prepared to do whatever it takes to avoid the catastrophic financial and sporting implications of relegation.
Sean Dyche is another name, a ‘firefighters’ manager who has good experience in taking over clubs in danger of relegation and helping them survive the drop.
For Igor Tudor, it appears tha Sunday’s clash at the City Ground could be a decisive one.
Liverpool are interested in signing Alessandro Bastoni during the summer transfer window, and they have made enquiries for him.
According to Spanish publication SPORT, the Italian outfit is prepared to sell the player for a fee in excess of €50 million, and Barcelona are also monitoring his situation. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool can win the race for his signature.
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The opportunity to join Liverpool could be exciting for him. Similarly, Barcelona are among the biggest clubs in the world, and the opportunity to play for them will be hard to turn down. Both clubs could provide him with the platform to fight for trophies. They could use a quality defender like him, and it remains to be seen where Bastoni ends up.
The report from the Spanish publication claims that the Italian defender prefers a move to Barcelona in the summer.
Liverpool certainly have more financial resources compared to Barcelona. They will be able to pay the asking price for him, and they can offer Bastoni a lucrative contract as well.
It will be interesting to see if Barcelona can stump up the cash and get the deal done in the coming months. Apart from his defensive skills, the 26-year-old is excellent on the ball and will help them build from the back.
Wolves star Joao Gomes has been identified as a top priority for Manchester United as the club’s hierarchy plots a major overhaul of the midfield this summer.
With Wolves currently facing a desperate battle against relegation to the Championship, the 25-year-old Brazilian is expected to be available for a cut-price fee of approximately £44 million.
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Gomes has been a rare bright spot in a difficult season for Rob Edwards’ side, producing standout performances in recent victories over Aston Villa and Liverpool.
He’d be eager to remain in the Premier League to boost his international prospects and would relish a reunion at Old Trafford with close friend Matheus Cunha, who made the same switch from Molineux last summer.
Man United looking to sign two midfielders to replace Casemiro
According to The Mirror, INEOS and the United recruitment team are reportedly in the market for two new midfielders ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
This follows the confirmed departure of Casemiro, who will leave when his contract expires in June, and the expected sale of Manuel Ugarte, who has struggled to adapt to the English game since his move from PSG.
Gomes sits at the top of a prestigious six-man shortlist which includes:
Gomes is widely regarded as the ball-winning engine that United’s midfield has lacked.
His playing style is defined by high-intensity pressing and elite defensive contributions; he currently ranks in the 92nd percentile for tackles and interceptions among Premier League midfielders this season.
Unlike Casemiro, who has struggled with mobility in his veteran years, Gomes possesses the recovery speed to cover large areas of the pitch.
His ability to turn a defensive win into an immediate counter-attack makes him a perfect tactical match for the transitional style favored by the United coaching staff.
Former teammate Matheus Cunha even likened his impact to a prime Casemiro, noting that having Gomes behind him makes the entire team feel more secure.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is a target for clubs like Real Madrid and PSG.
The 25-year-old has been exceptional in the Premier League, and it is no surprise that the big clubs are keen on him. He would be open to joining Real Madrid in the summer, and a move to PSG would be attractive for him as well.
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Chelsea plot new deal for Enzo Fernandez
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Chelsea have no plans to let the player leave in the summer and are prepared to offer him a bumper contract to convince him to stay. They would be willing to push past £400,000 per week, including bonuses, in order to keep the World Cup winner. It will be interesting to see if they can convince Fernandez to stay at the club.
There is no doubt that he’s one of the best players in his position in the world right now. He is still quite young, and he will only improve with coaching and experience. He has all the attributes to develop into a world-class midfielder.
Chelsea cannot afford to lose a player of his quality if they are serious about fighting for trophies. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. Real Madrid need a midfield controller who will add creativity and composure to the team. The Chelsea star would be ideal for them.
Similarly, PG are monitoring his situation as well. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they recently won the UEFA Champions League and the League title. It remains to be seen whether the Chelsea star is prepared to take on a new challenge in the summer. The Blues are going through a period of transition, and they are not quite at the level required to fight for major trophies.
Tottenham need to bring in a quality manager in the summer, and it will be interesting to see if they decide to move for Hutter. He has shown his quality in France, and he could prove to be an excellent option for the north London club. The opportunity to manage in the Premier League will be exciting for him.
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Spurs keen on Adi Hutter
Tottenham are currently fighting for survival in the Premier League, and they will not want to be in this position once again. They will be hoping to fight for trophies next season, and they need a quality manager. They have been linked with multiple names in recent months. It will be interesting to see if they can bring in a manager who can unlock their true potential.
According to Rudy Galetti, they have already gathered information regarding the 56-year-old German manager, and they are planning to move in the summer. It remains to be seen whether he is ready to leave AS Monaco and move to England. It would be the ideal next step in his career. Joining an ambitious Premier League club will be quite tempting for him. Tottenham have more resources than the French outfit and will look to build a formidable team.
Despite their struggles, they have quality players, and the right manager could bring out the best in them. This could be an exciting challenge for the 56-year-old manager. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops over the next few months.
Hutter averages 1.78 points per match across his career, and he could help Tottenham bounce back.
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Arsenal and Man United want Sandro Tonali
The player is highly sought by Arsenal and Manchester United, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to pay the asking price for him. €100 million is a lot of money for a defensive midfielder. Arsenal need an upgrade on Christian Norgaard, and Manchester United will need to replace Casemiro.
Tonali is one of the best players in his position in the Premier League, and he could make a big impact at Arsenal or Manchester United. Joining a big club would be exciting for the player as well. However, the asking price could complicate any potential move.
Clubs in Italy are also interested in the player. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.
The Italian International is entering the peak years of his career, and this is the right time for him to join a bigger club and fight for major trophies. It will be interesting to see whether Newcastle can convince him he can fulfil his ambitions with them. Arsenal and Manchester United are likely to be in the UEFA Champions League next season, making them attractive destinations for the player.
Tonali is well-settled in the Premier League, and he could make an immediate impact at Arsenal or Manchester United. It will be interesting to see where he ends up eventually. Newcastle must keep players like him at the club if they are serious about fighting for trophies.
After the cancelation of the Finalissima, Lionel Messi is now reportedly close to play two friendlies with Argentina national team in the March international break.
Argentina have found themselves in a difficult position following the Finalissima cancellation, left without a single confirmed match for the March international window. But with federations around the world already releasing their call-up lists, relief appears to be on the way, as the AFA is reportedly close to locking in two friendlies for Lionel Messi and his teammates.
In that same meeting, Tapia also requested authorization for a second friendly on home soil, this time on Friday, March 27, the date originally reserved for the Finalissima in Doha.
A rival for that game has yet to be officially confirmed, but local reports point to a Central American nation as the most likely opponent, with Honduras emerging as the leading candidate. The Albiceleste had been expected to face La Bicolor during the June window ahead of the World Cup, but those plans have since been shelved, and both federations are now looking to bring that fixture forward to March.
Lionel Messi of Argentina playing against Honduras back in September 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium.
That game, also expected to be played at La Bombonera, faces the same rule and logistical hurdles as the Guatemala match. Honduras had been planning to travel to Madrid on March 23 for a training camp ahead of their only scheduled friendly against Peru on the 31st at the Municipal de Butarque stadium, meaning both federations will need a special FIFA permit for the game to be officially sanctioned.
Final details are still being discussed, but an official announcement is expected within hours. Edul also noted that if both friendlies are confirmed, the AFA may look to expand the squad list for the March window.
A chance for Messi to bid farewell to Argentine fans
The cancellation of the Qatar Football Festival, while a disappointment on one level, has inadvertently created an opportunity for Argentina to stage games on home soil, giving the team a chance to say goodbye to their fans before departing for North America and the 2026 World Cup. For Messi, it could represent one of his last meaningful appearances in his homeland.
Now 38 and set to turn 39 during the tournament itself, Messi’s time with the national team is inevitably drawing to a close, with a retirement announcement expected sooner rather than later. The manner of Ángel Di María’s exit serves as a cautionary tale of sorts, with the winger quietly stepping away after Argentina’s 2024 Copa América triumph without a formal farewell, despite being central to the team’s recent golden era. Those close to the current setup will be hoping Messi’s final chapter unfolds with the sendoff it deserves.
Giuseppe Marotta has acknowledged the growing pressure of Milan’s pursuit in the Serie A title race while insisting Inter remain fully confident of holding on to claim the Scudetto.
Speaking via video link at the Motore Italia event in Milan, with quotes via FCInter1908, the Inter president used a vivid metaphor to describe his club’s position at the top of the table.
“We are the hare that has to be stopped, it is the most difficult position to be in,” he said, when asked whether he felt Milan breathing down his neck.
“It is easier to be the hunter. But we are competitive and convinced we can do it. I want to transmit optimism to the squad and to our supporters.”
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 05: Giuseppe Marotta Chairman of FC Internazionale looks on prior to the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Marotta calm as Inter look to wrap up Scudetto title
The comments come at a pivotal stage of the season, with Milan having closed the gap following their derby victory and now applying genuine pressure on Cristian Chivu’s side in the closing weeks of the campaign.
Marotta’s measured but confident tone suggests there is no panic at Viale della Liberazione, though the acknowledgement that leading from the front carries its own unique pressures was notably candid for a club president.
Marotta also touched briefly on the long-running new stadium project, describing it as a necessity for both Inter and Milan to meet international standards.
“It means creating employment, wellbeing and commercial activity,” he said. “Sport is an asset for our nation just like tourism, we must also thank the Olympic machinery for what it has generated.”
Alessandro Nesta has paid warm tribute to his former AC Milan teammates Paolo Maldini and Andrea Pirlo, while also offering a revealing assessment of Massimiliano Allegri’s evolution as a manager, speaking to Corriere della Sera to mark his 50th birthday.
The former Italy international, who won two Champions League titles during his time at San Siro, was asked to reflect on the teammates who left the deepest impression on him.
On Pirlo, his admiration was immediate and genuine. “I knew he was good, but only when I was able to work with him did I realise he was a genius,” he said, with quotes via MilanNews.
epa00998510 Defender Alessandro Nesta of AC Milan celebrate the victory at the end of the Champions League second leg semifinal match against Manchester United in Milan’s San Siro-Giuseppe Meazza stadium late 02 May 2007. AC Milan won 3-0 and acceeds to the final match against Liverpool which will be played in Athens on 23 May. EPA/ETTORE FERRARI
Nesta full of praise for Milan teammates Maldini & Pirlo
For sheer professionalism, though, it was Maldini who set the standard that shaped Nesta’s understanding of what it meant to be a winner.
“When I arrived at Milan and saw that, despite not being a youngster anymore, he was always giving everything at full speed, I understood why Milan always won,” he said. “At Lazio we clung to a lot of excuses to justify our failures.”
His most cherished memory? The 2003 Champions League final in Manchester against Juventus. “It was my first. From that moment, reaching the final became an obligation.”
On Allegri, Nesta was candid about a rocky start to their relationship. The pair clashed over Pirlo’s role when Allegri arrived at Milan from Cagliari, Nesta found it inconceivable that his friend was not the fulcrum of the team.
“For Max, walking into a dressing room of champions who had won everything and were at the end of a cycle was not easy,” he said. The Nesta of today, however, sees a very different coach. “Now he is much more determined, stronger for all the experiences and victories he has accumulated.”
Roma look to Donyell Malen and Stephan El Shaarawy for the Europa League all-Italian derby, as Bologna trust Santiago Castro and Federico Bernardeschi.
LECCE, ITALY – JANUARY 06: Lameck Banda of US Lecce competes for the ball with Stephan El Shaarawy of AS Roma during the Serie A match between US Lecce and AS Roma at Stadio Via del Mare on January 06, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
The first leg ended 1-1 at the Stadio Dall’Ara, meaning it is all to play for in the Eternal City for a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Whoever wins will go through to face either Aston Villa or Lille.
Roma continue to have a serious injury crisis, missing Paulo Dybala, Matias Soulé, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson, while Lorenzo Venturino is not on the UEFA list.
Stephan El Shaarawy is chosen to start in support of centre-forward Malen, despite Lorenzo Pellegrini scoring in the first leg.
Once again, Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli will share the task of pushing into a more advanced position from midfield at different times in the game.
It has been a difficult period for Roma, who managed just two draws in four competitive games, sliding from fourth to sixth in the Serie A table.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Niccolo Pisilli of AS Roma celebrates with his teammate Kostas Tsimikas after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between AS Roma and VfB Stuttgart at Stadio Olimpico on January 22, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Bologna have problems too, because Juan Miranda is suspended, while former Roma goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski is ruled out after picking up an injury at the weekend in the Serie A their 1-0 victory away to Sassuolo.
It means Federico Ravaglia has to take over the gloves, while Nikola Moro is not at 100 per cent and Lorenzo De Silvestri isn’t on the UEFA list.
Once again, Riccardo Orsolini is left on the bench, as Bernardeschi and Jonathan Rowe are in fine form supporting Castro upfront.
The Stadio Olimpico is a special place for Bologna, as this is where they beat Milan last season to win the Coppa Italia and qualify for the Europa League.
When these sides met here in Serie A back in August 2025, it ended 1-0 for Roma with a Wesley goal on his debut.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Santiago Castro of Bologna is challenged by Evan Ndicka of AS Roma during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Inter forward Ange-Yoan Bonny has opened up on one of the most dramatic and emotionally charged moments of his young life, the day a failed medical at Juventus nearly ended his football career before it had truly begun.
Speaking exclusively to L’Équipe, with quotes via Goal, the Inter forward recalled the moment at just 17 years old when doctors detected a cardiac irregularity during what should have been a routine pre-signing examination.
“I went from joining Juventus to nothing,” he said. “The doctors told me that, in their view, playing football would be complicated. It is a hard blow for a boy full of dreams.”
MONZA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Ange-Yoan Bonny of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between FC Internazionale and Torino at U-Power Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Bonny bounces back from Juventus snub to star for Inter years later
What followed was a moment of raw human connection that Bonny still treasures.
He returned home to Tours and went straight to a car park in the heart of his neighbourhood, an unglamorous but deeply meaningful meeting spot for him and his closest friends.
“My friends were in the same emotional state as I was, as if it had happened to them,” he said. “I understood who I could count on. I will never forget that.”
It is the same car park where, years later, he announced his signing for Inter. The symmetry was clearly not lost on him.
Bonny’s career subsequently took a different path, a spell in Serie B with Parma, promotion to the top flight, and eventually a move to Inter, but the Juventus episode remains a defining chapter.
His mother played her own pivotal role too, threatening to withhold her signature on his first professional contract unless he passed his school exams.
“She told me: if you don’t bring home that diploma, I promise the contract doesn’t get signed,” he laughed. He passed at the resit.
Now firmly established at one of Europe’s biggest clubs, Bonny’s journey from that car park in Tours to San Siro is quite the story.
Mathys Tel has revealed that a series of “clear-the-air” talks in the dressing room sparked the tactical and emotional shift that led to Tottenham’s spirited, albeit bittersweet, 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid.
While the result wasn’t enough to overturn a massive first-leg deficit, the win marked a significant turning point for a squad that has spent much of 2026 in a state of freefall.
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The young Frenchman, who has become a focal point of the Spurs attack during this turbulent period, insists that the players have finally found the spirit of determination required to fight for the club’s Premier League survival.
Mathys Tel on talks behind the scenes
Speaking after the game, Tel explained that the players recognised a desperate need for better communication.
“I think conversation in the dressing room. After every loss we just keep talking to each other and something changed. We are talking because maybe before we didn’t speak enough. But now with the situation we talk more, more, more, and we are more about the details.”
Tel emphasised that the squad has moved past individual frustrations to operate as a singular unit under interim boss Igor Tudor.
“We’re together. We’re just a team now. I can feel it. I trust my teammates, I trust the manager, I trust everybody. If we stick together, we will do it.”
Tottenham still have a mountain to climb
Despite the Champions League exit, the 3-2 win serves as a vital moral boost for a side that had failed to record a single victory in nine previous attempts.
It also represents Igor Tudor’s first win since taking charge, providing him with much-needed leverage as he prepares for a defining week in the dugout.
Spurs currently sit in 16th place, just one point above the relegation zone.
The mountain to climb begins this Sunday against Nottingham Forest in what has been dubbed a relegation six-pointer.
However, the resilience shown at Anfield followed by the high-scoring win against Diego Simeone’s side suggests that Tottenham may finally be waking up.
With senior figures reportedly speaking up more in tactical meetings, the club is hopeful that these details will be the difference between a historic drop and a miraculous escape.
Arsenal and Manchester City will have to compete with Newcastle United for Rodrigo Mora in the summer.
The 18-year-old playmaker has impressed with Porto, and Newcastle is prepared to break their transfer record in order to sign him. They would be willing to pay €100 million in order to sign the playmaker, according to reports from Spain.
They will also face competition from Arsenal and Manchester City. It will be interesting to see which of the three clubs can get the deal done.
Mora is a promising young player with a bright future, and he could add creativity and technical ability in the final third. The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for him. Newcastle might be able to provide him with regular opportunities, and the move could be ideal for the youngster. He should look to join a club where he will play every week. Newcastle could groom him into a future star and help him fulfil his potential.
Porto will find it difficult to reject the offer if €100 million is presented in the summer. It is a significant amount of money for a largely unproven player. Even though he is a tremendous talent, he has done nothing to justify the price tag.
It seems unlikely that Arsenal or Manchester City will pay that kind of money for him. They need creativity in the final third, but they will also look to improve other areas of the squad. Spending €100 million on Mora will not be a part of their plan. It will be interesting to see if Newcastle can submit a concrete proposal and get the deal done.
Verdict: Both teams to score – No Best Odds: 11/10 Bookmaker: Olympusbet Seeking an essential boost on Saturday evening when they turn their attention back to Premier League action, Chelsea will travel to Merseyside when they meet Everton. Everton Starting with the hosts, suffering late heartbreak away at runaway leaders Arsenal last week as they […]
After the brilliant performance against Newcastle, Barcelona secured their place in the Champions League quarterfinals. As a result, Raphinha’s team has received praise from Real Madrid legend Gareth Bale for their bright future.
Despite the tightly contested first leg vs. Newcastle, Barcelona managed to dominate convincingly, scoring seven goals to secure their place in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Following the standout performances of Raphinha and the other young players, Real Madrid legend Gareth Bale praised the ‘bright future’ of the team.
“What Barcelona did against Newcastle United was incredible. We saw a team play with a beautiful collective style, with harmony and coordination between the lines… Lamine Yamal was incredible and Raphinha had a great match. This team has a bright future, and the coach knows how to make the most of every strength,”Bale said, via Football on TNT.
Unlike previous seasons, coach Hansi Flick has managed to build a highly competitive team, while also keeping it remarkably young. According to Opta, Barcelona fielded the youngest starting lineup in their history in a Champions League knockout match, with an average age of 25 years and 18 days.
While the Blaugranas remain contenders to win everything this season, players like Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Fermín, Pau Cubarsí, and Marc Bernal are all under 24 years old. For this reason, Bale warns about their impressive potential, as these players could continue to develop even further under the German coach.
Fermin Lopez of FC Barcelona celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal.
Following Flick’s arrival, Barcelona have established as one of the most dominant teams. Not only do they shine offensively with Raphinha and Lamine, but Fermín, Pedri, and Marc Bernal also stand out in midfield. In addition, they have shown impressive squad depth, something that could lead them to win both LaLiga and the Champions League.
Experience and youth blend is ushering in a Barcelona golden era
Barcelona have managed to redirect their sporting project by investing in young players. While Hansi Flick has helped turn them into stars, it was Xavi Hernández who first established the club’s clear commitment to this approach. However, it is the blend of youth and experience that has made a significant difference in the team.
Amid the squad’s youth, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski have emerged as the team’s key veteran leaders. With them, the performances of Lamine, Pedri, and Fermín have improved, showing great maturity. The Brazilian, in particular, has established as the most important player in the attack, proving that his experience is crucial.
Considering the youth of the roster, the Blaugranas appear set to embark on a dominant era, as they would only need to make one signing in attack for the future. In addition, the young players are already gaining significant experience, making them a key asset to lead the project in the long term—something Hansi Flick has shown he knows how to balance.
Gareth Bale of Real Madrid following the UEFA Champions League final.
Neymar Jr. stands out as one of the most brilliant players of recent years. However, Wayne Rooney chose to deliver a strong opinion about the Brazilian, sparking widespread criticism among fans.
While the final years of his career have been quite disappointing, Neymar Jr. has been regarded as one of the most brilliant players in history. He not only shined at Barcelona, but also competed head-to-head with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or. Despite this,Wayne Rooney admitted that he does not consider the Brazilian a top player.
In a recent Overlap podcast episode, Rooney participated in an unpopular opinion section, leading him to blast the Brazilian star: “I like Neymar but I’ve never seen him as a top, top player. Like, Messi, Ronaldo, that kind of category. He was good at Barcelona, but he was still overshadowed by Messi.“
Far from receiving support, many fans turned against Rooney. While the Brazilian never managed to match Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, comparing him to them is unfair. Both legends are contenders in the GOAT debate and have broken numerous records; few players in history can hold a candle to them, making Neymar’s legacy seem small, which isn’t entirely true.
Neymar Jr. may have never won a Ballon d’Or, but he did establish himself as one of the few players capable of approaching the level of Messi and Cristiano. He not only shined at Barcelona for several seasons, but also led PSG to their first Champions League final. For this reason, not considering the Brazilian a top player could be a major mistake.
Neymar Jr. of Brazil.
Injuries put a halt to Neymar Jr.’s impressive progress
Although Neymar Jr.’s departure from Barcelona is considered a mistake by many, he did become a decisive player at PSG. Scoring 118 goals in 173 matches, the Brazilian impressed with his performances in Ligue 1, leading the team multiple times in the Champions League. However, injuries significantly limited his growth.
Since his arrival at PSG in 2017, he missed 135 matches due to injuries, with his ankle and adductor being the most affected areas. As a result, Neymar Jr. was forced to change his style of play, shifting from an explosive winger to a more creative midfielder. Due to his constant physical issues, the Brazilian moved to Al Hilal, where things turned out even worse.
Two months after his arrival at Al Hilal, the Brazilian suffered an ACL injury that ruled him out for the entire season. Far from recovering in the following campaign, he continued to face physical issues, which ultimately led to his departure from the club and a move to Santos FC. There, he appears to be regaining his level, but he did have to undergo meniscus surgery.
Neymar Jr. has had a legendary career
Neymar Jr. has built a truly legendary career, etching his name into the history books of Barcelona, Brazil, and PSG. As a key member of the ‘MSN’ trio, the Brazilian led the team to its most recent Champions League title and played a pivotal role in the historic comeback against PSG, cementing his place in the club’s history.
Along with this, the Brazilian established himself as the fourth all-time top scorer in PSG’s history, winning a large number of trophies. In addition, his impact went beyond statistics, delivering standout performances in Ligue 1 that cemented him as one of the most brilliant players to have played there.
Far from ending there, Neymar surpassed Pelé as Brazil’s all-time top scorer, netting 79 goals. While he has not won a Copa América or a World Cup title, he still produced outstanding performances, often standing out as the only elite player in a national team that rarely shined. For this reason, the Brazilian is indeed one of the most outstanding players of recent years.
English legend Wayne Rooney and Neymar Jr of Santos.
Juventus are monitoring the situation of Leonardo Spinazzola as the experienced left winger approaches the end of his contract at Napoli.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, via IlNapolista, the Italian’s deal expires in June, and with negotiations over an extension yet to reach a conclusion, Juventus have made an approach to explore the possibility of signing him on a free transfer.
It is a move that would represent a return to the club where Spinazzola began his career.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – JANUARY 06: Damien Comolli, General Manager of Juventus looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Juventus FC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on January 06, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Juventus offer Spinazzola two-year deal but Italian gives priority to Napoli
The sticking point appears to be contract length.
Napoli have offered a one-year extension with an option for a second, while Juventus are prepared to guarantee two years outright, matching what Spinazzola is understood to be seeking.
It is a meaningful difference, and one that gives the Bianconeri a clear advantage in any potential tug of war.
For now, however, Spinazzola is keen to handle the situation with respect towards Napoli, and is giving the club the opportunity to match his demands before making any decision.
Whether Antonio Conte’s side are willing to improve their offer to meet the player’s terms remains to be seen.
Should Spinazzola ultimately opt for the Juventus move, it would be a shrewd piece of free transfer business by CEO Damien Comolli, adding an experienced and versatile wide option without a transfer fee at a time when the club are managing their finances carefully.
The Viola have a 2-1 first leg lead in this Round of 16 tie, thanks to the late Albert Gudmundsson penalty after goals from Cher Ndour and Jonatan Braut Brunes at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Fiorentina turn focus to Conference League
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 16: Dodo of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring the 0-3 goal during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 16, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
“The Conference League is a tournament where we want to go as far as possible, and have also an opportunity to shrug off the worries of Serie A this season,” Ferrari told Sky Sport Italia.
“We’ve seen how difficult it is in European football, so nothing can be taken for granted.”
Moise Kean was only expected to be on the bench after an ankle injury, but he gets his first start since March 2, and only the second start of the Conference League proper.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina scores a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Artemio Franchi on February 7, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“The team had one approach up until January, then changed gear after that. We hope that there was progress in dealing with situations, understanding the issues, but also we’ve seen how easy it is to fall back into bad habits. Hopefully we have learned to focus on just one game at a time and take nothing for granted.”
Today is a special commemoration for Fiorentina, as it is two years since the death of director Joe Barone, who had come so close to winning the Conference League, losing two Finals.
“Barone left an enormous mark on us all. Rocco Commisso put in the money for the Viola Park, Barone had the tenacity and determination to get it built. He is missed not just by Fiorentina, but by the world of sport, and he will always be with us.”
Paulo Dybala’s time at Roma appears to be drawing to a close, with Argentina’s leading sports newspaper Olè reporting that a return to his homeland with Boca Juniors is increasingly likely once his contract expires on 30 June.
The Argentine has endured another injury-disrupted season at the Stadio Olimpico and is not expected to return to action until late April at the earliest, leaving him with only a handful of matches to make any case for a renewal.
That case, according to reports on both sides of the Atlantic, looks weaker by the day.
Contract extension talks have stalled to the point where they are now described as a distant prospect, with the gap between Dybala’s current €6 million salary and what Roma are willing to offer proving difficult to bridge.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Boca Juniors close in on Dybala move as Roma talks stall
Boca Juniors, meanwhile, are increasingly confident of securing his signature, via IlBianconero.
Olè went as far as splashing ‘Joya Libertadores’ across their front page, a headline that will set pulses racing among supporters of the club who have lifted the Copa Libertadores six times and are eager to add a seventh.
The Argentine giants are counting on Dybala’s yes, and the personal factors are working heavily in their favour.
Family considerations appear to be the driving force behind any potential move. A return to Argentina would allow Dybala to be closer to his parents, while his wife Oriana Sabatini, who has never concealed her desire to return home, has recently announced her involvement in an Argentine television programme.
The couple’s first child, Gia, adds another layer of personal motivation to what is becoming an increasingly compelling case for a homecoming.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Cher Ndour of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Viola came back from a goal down to win the first leg 2-1 thanks to a last-gasp Albert Gudmundsson penalty, so have a slender lead going to Poland.
They are also fresh from a morale-boosting 4-1 Serie A victory over Cremonese that took them away from the relegation zone.
Moise Kean returns to the starting XI, while Niccolò Fortini, Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey are injured.
Robin Gosens is rested after a knock to the ribs, as Harrison and Jacopo Fazzini complete the attack.
Marin Pongracic returns after missing the first leg through suspension, but is only on the bench.
It’s going to be an emotional day for Fiorentina, as it is two years ago that director Joe Barone died of a heart attack.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Ivi Lopez of Rakow Czestochowa battles for the ball with Pietro Comuzzo of ACF Fiorentina during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Rakow have never reached a UEFA quarter-final, so if they do manage to get past the Viola, it will be an historic event.
They’ve impressed in the Conference League so far, finishing second in the league phase, having won the Polish title in 2023.
Jonatan Braut Brunes was rested at the weekend to lead the line here, as he is the cousin of Erling Braut Haaland and scored at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in the first leg.
Lamine Diaby-Fadiga remains their top scorer in the Conference League this season with six goals in 12 games.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Stratos Svarnas of Rakow Czestochowa battles for the ball with Fabiano Parisi of ACF Fiorentina during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
FIGC president Gabriele Gravina has moved to ease concerns over Sandro Tonali’s fitness ahead of Italy’s World Cup playoff semi-final against Northern Ireland, while issuing a passionate rallying cry for the nation to get behind Gennaro Gattuso’s side.
Speaking at a press conference following the federal council meeting, with quotes via the Corriere dello Sport, Gravina offered cautious but genuine optimism over the Newcastle midfielder’s condition after he was forced off during a recent club match.
“I am rather calm,” he said. “I am in close contact with Gattuso and last night I spoke with Sandro alongside the coach and our doctor De Carli. He was calmer than he was when he left the pitch, there is a concern, but it is at a very moderate level. This morning’s tests were reassuring. We will do everything possible to get him fit, working alongside Newcastle with whom we are in continuous contact.”
ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: Gianluigi Buffon, Italy new head coach Gennaro Gattuso and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina pose during the press conference at Hotel Parco dei Principi on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Gravina: ‘Italy must push these players to America… even if they have to swim!’
With a World Cup place on the line, Gravina drew explicit parallels with Italy’s triumphant Euro 2020 campaign, invoking the spirit of that summer to galvanise supporters ahead of what he described as a defining week for Italian football.
“Back then I described us as a normal team that could become special if we all felt the pride and belonging of the Azzurri shirt together,” he said. “Our fans helped those players overcome some formidable opponents. We need that same call to arms now, the push from this country must carry these players to America, even if they have to swim there.”
The FIGC president also revealed his own emotional investment in the coming days.
“I am tense, emotions feed me and it is impossible to be indifferent before an appointment this important,” he admitted.
“I will join the squad from the very first moment of their training camp and I will not leave their side for a second. The message will be: let us live this together, as a moment of freedom and serenity, knowing that if we are good the reward will be extraordinary.”
He ended on a note of genuine surprise and delight, confirming that tickets for the playoff had sold out within an hour, something he described as unprecedented in Italian football history.
Chelsea have already begun work on replacing unsettled midfield star Enzo Fernandez ahead of this summer.
Sources in the industry have told me this afternoon that Chelsea chiefs are carrying out extensive work on three main targets for that position, and others could soon come into the equation too.
As reported earlier this season, one name Chelsea really like is Elliot Anderson, though there’s an awareness that Manchester City and Manchester United may already be further ahead in the running at the moment.
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As I also mentioned in that report, there are some sources close to Chelsea who’ve felt for some time that a Fernandez exit shouldn’t be ruled out, and it seems the Argentine’s future is now more uncertain than ever.
Speaking to a few more well-placed sources, who’ve asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, it seems there have been doubts about Fernandez for some time.
Looking at the 25-year-old’s contributions on the pitch, it’s fair to say that, despite some moments of quality, he’s not quite been consistent enough to justify the big fee CFC paid for him.
“Chelsea ideally don’t want to sell, but they’re also realistic about Enzo’s situation ahead of this summer,” one source told me. “It’s been a topic of discussion for some time, so they’ll be prepared.”
Chelsea to invest in young midfield talent
As is the way under this Chelsea ownership, the club will once again look at elite young talents in midfield if it comes to having to replace Fernandez.
Anderson is high up on Chelsea’s list, as confirmed by multiple sources, but keep an eye as well on AZ Alkmaar sensation Kees Smit, and Wolves teenager Mateus Mane.
As already mentioned, Anderson has been heavily pursued by the two Manchester clubs and would cost £100m or more, so that’s far from a straightforward deal for Chelsea.
Still, I’m told that plenty of people inside the club are actually optimistic that the squad would be in “much better shape” if they were able to bring in Anderson as a potential upgrade on Fernandez.
Smit and Mane are a bit less experienced and more raw, but are still well-liked by Chelsea’s recruitment team, with the Blues possibly open to signing one of them along with a slightly more proven name (but still ideally in the under-24 age bracket).
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.
The 25-year-old has been outstanding for Chelsea since joining the club, and he is on the radar of clubs like Real Madrid, PSG and Manchester City. According to reports from Spain, the player is feeling restless at the London club, and he’s prepared to force an exit in the summer.
Manchester City have already begun strategic moves to sign the South American, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to pay a premium. Pep Guardiola rates the player highly, and he believes that Fernandez would be a quality addition in the middle of the park.
Manchester City need more creativity in the middle of the park, and the 2022 World Cup winner could make a big difference. He will add control, creativity, drive and goals to the team. He is still a young player with a lot of potential, and he could improve further.
Chelsea values the player at around €150 million, and it remains to be seen whether Manchester City is prepared to break the Bank for him.
Fernandez is well settled in the Premier League, and he could make an immediate impact at Manchester City if he joins the club. The opportunity to join Real Madrid could be quite exciting as well. They are among the biggest clubs in the world, and South American players tend to prefer a move to La Liga. He has already shown his quality in England, and he might now prefer a new challenge. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.
Jude Bellingham has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid at the end of the season, and he could be on his way to the Premier League.
According to reports from Spain, the player is very highly rated across Europe and clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United are interested in securing his signature. The England international has not been at his best in recent months, and it will be interesting to see if Real Madrid is willing to sanction his departure. Chelsea and Manchester United are leading the race for his signature, and the player could cost around €150 million.
Both clubs need more quality in the middle of the park, and there is no doubt that Bellingham would be an excellent addition. He will add control, creativity and goals to the team. The opportunity to move to England could be exciting for him as well. He has been linked with a move to the Premier League consistently over the last few years.
Meanwhile, the asking price is quite significant, and the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United will need to improve other areas of their squad as well. It will be interesting to see if they are willing to break the Bank for him.
It would be a Premier League record transfer, but the player has the potential to transform either team. He is a world-class player and still quite young. He will only improve with coaching and experience. Bellingham is designed to be a superstar, and he could make a big difference for both teams.
Verdict: Draw Best odds: 27/10 Bookmaker: ZetBet Estadio de la Cerámica sets the stage for an intriguing La Liga encounter on Friday evening, as Villarreal welcome Real Sociedad in a clash with significant European implications. The Yellow Submarine currently occupy fourth place in the table, just two points adrift of Atlético Madrid in third, while […]
Verdict: Away win Best odds: 6/5 Bookmaker: Olympusbet Fresh from an emphatic Champions League performance in midweek, Liverpool turn their attention back to Premier League matters on Saturday lunchtime as they travel to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion. The Reds are aiming to complete their first league double over the Seagulls […]
According to The Times, Borussia Dortmund are interested in bringing Jadon Sancho back for what would be his third spell at the club. They are confident that they’ll be able to persuade the winger to accept the transfer and come as a free agent, with both his loan at Aston Villa and contract with Manchester […]
The agreement to face Guatemala was made at the last minute, as Argentina found themselves without fixtures for the March international break after the Finalissima against Spain, which was set to take place in Qatar, was canceled, along with the friendly against the hosts that was scheduled four days later.
However, Guatemalahad already arranged a match against Algeria at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, on 27 March. This prevents them from traveling to South America for a second match, as FIFA forbids a national team from playing on two different continents during the same international break.
“The Guatemalan federation submitted a special request to the world football governing body to allow an exception to the rule and play in Italy, then four days later face the world champions at La Bombonera,”ESPN reported on Thursday.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni.
Past cases do not bode well for the Argentina–Guatemala fixture
Despite the efforts Argentina and Guatemala are making to obtain special permission from FIFA, recent precedents suggest it will be difficult to keep the 31 March friendly in Buenos Aires on the schedule.
Argentina have already been affected by this rule during the November 2025 FIFA break. At that time, they traveled to Africa to play Angola, a match that ended in a 2-0 victory for Lionel Scaloni’s team. Originally, they were scheduled to travel to India for another friendly, but those plans had to be canceled because it would have involved playing on another continent.
A similar situation occurred this week. Following the cancellation of the Finalissima, Spain agreed to play a friendly against Serbia at home on 27 March and intended to add another against Egypt four days later. However, Mohamed Salah’s team is scheduled to play a match in China, making it impossible for them to travel back to Europe afterwards.
Argentina look for another friendly in March
While doubts remain over the 31 March match against Guatemala, Argentina are seeking another opponent to play four days earlier in order to make the most of the FIFA break, which will be the final one before the official squad for the 2026 World Cup must be confirmed.
#SelecciónMayor 📋Lista de convocados por el entrenador Lionel Scaloni para la Fecha FIFA de marzo.
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) March 18, 2026
Reports indicate that this search is proving difficult due to the limited time remaining. Most national teams already have their matches for the March international break finalized, meaning Argentina will almost certainly have to face a lower-level opponent.
Cristian Romero established as one of the Premier League’s top defenders after winning the 2022 World Cup. However, his future has been in doubt, as rumors suggest he is pushing for a departure from Tottenham Hotspur. In response, the Argentine has come forward to deny it.
After winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, Cristian Romero established as one of the best defenders in the world, shining in the Premier League. However, he has been surrounded by rumors of a possible departure from Tottenham Hotspur. In response, the 27-year-old star has come out to deny them, setting a clear objective instead.
“The truth is that I’m focused on the situation we’re in. I have a lot of respect and affection for the club and I want to finish the season in the best way possible. We’ll see later but the most important thing now is to recover energy to help Spurs,”Cristian Romero said, in the mixed zone interview.
While the Argentine did not rule out a possible departure from Spurs, he made it clear that he is not thinking about his future at the moment. Instead, he is focused on helping Tottenham move away from the relegation zone, as they are just one point above the bottom three. After that, he could assess his future depending on the direction the project takes.
Cristian Romero hold a tense relation with Spurs’ front office
Unlike in previous seasons, Tottenham Hotspur have not managed to put in a solid performance. After firing Ange Postecoglou, they have brought in Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, neither of whom has managed to improve the team’s performance. In light of this, Cristian Romero has spoken out about his strained relationship with the front office.
Following a loss to Manchester City, the Argentine posted a strong message on Instagram: “At times like this, it should be other people coming out to speak, but they don’t – as has been happening for several years now. They only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies.”
With this, Romero aimed to expose Spurs’ front office, as he remains the only one facing the fans’ criticism amid a disappointing season. Nonetheless, the team does not seem to be improving their performances, having gone 15 consecutive Premier League matches without a victory. If they fail to present an ambitious project, he could leave the club.
Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur FC warms up ahead of the UEFA Champions League.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has praised the strategic effect of CR7’s involvement, highlighting the wider impact of his global influence.
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again made headlines, not on the pitch, but in the boardroom, this time sparking a global spotlight on Almeria. The Portuguese superstar’s recent acquisition of a stake in the Spanish club has immediately transformed its profile, drawing attention from fans, sponsors, and media around the world. Alongside him, La Liga president Javier Tebas has praised the strategic effect of CR7’s involvement, highlighting the wider impact of his global influence.
The Al-Nassr forward is no stranger to changing the game, and now he brings his vision and brand power into club ownership. Almeria, historically a modest side in Spanish soccer, has seen its international visibility soar, with social media followings surging and sponsor interest intensifying. This unique combination of sporting ambition and global appeal makes Ronaldo’s investment far more than just a financial transaction; it’s a statement of intent.
In a calculated step beyond his illustrious playing career, Ronaldo secured a 25% stake in Almeria through his company, CR7 Sports Investments. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been vocal about his desire to extend his influence beyond soccer’s pitch. As he explained, “I have long had the ambition to contribute to football beyond the pitch. UD Almeria is a Spanish club with a strong foundation and clear growth potential. I wish to work with the team leading the club to support it in its new phase of growth.”
This investment is not just symbolic. By taking an active role, the 41-year-old superstar positions himself as both an investor and a strategic partner, leveraging his reputation to accelerate Almeria’s evolution. The move signals a new era for the club, combining sporting ambition with commercial and digital growth.
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts
What did Tebas say about Ronaldo’s transformative impact?
Now, La Liga president Javier Tebas has underlined the profound effect Ronaldo has had on Almeria. Speaking during the presentation of La Liga’s 2024-2025 economic report, Tebas emphasised the surge in digital presence triggered by Ronaldo’s involvement.
“At least on a media level, it has made Almeria increase their followers on social networks by 25 per cent, and if I am not mistaken, it has become the fifth or sixth club in Spain with the most followers. If that achieves an appropriate ‘engagement’, today, being in the field of social networks with many followers gives you a lot of value when looking for sponsors and everything that entails around it,” he explained.
Tebas also highlighted the commercial opportunities created by Ronaldo’s presence. “I believe that for Almeria, a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, as an investor and an ally, gives them a significant boost that I think they are going to take advantage of, because they are working on it, and I think it is an important part of the reason why Cristiano Ronaldo is at Almeria.”
The combination of a growing audience and interactive engagement has not only increased the club’s profile but also its marketability to international brands. For Almeria, this is a rare opportunity to convert sporting potential into tangible economic returns, amplifying their presence both on and off the pitch.
Sporting ambitions and La Liga return remain the priority
While off-field developments attract headlines, head coach Rubi remains focused on the on-field challenge. The Rojiblancos are currently locked in a fierce battle for automatic promotion from the Segunda Division, sitting third in the standings, level on points with second-placed Deportivo La Coruna. The ultimate goal remains clear: a return to Spain’s top flight by the final matchday.
Ronaldo’s presence, however, offers more than prestige. His involvement brings credibility and resources that can support recruitment, training infrastructure, and strategic growth, potentially laying the foundation for Almeria to sustain top-tier soccer once they secure promotion.
Barcelona’s Wednesday night belonged to Raphinha, but it also echoed the legacy of Neymar, as Hansi Flick’s side delivered a stunning European performance that blended spectacle with history.
Barcelona’s Wednesday night belonged to Raphinha, but it also echoed the legacy of Neymar, as Hansi Flick’s side delivered a stunning European performance that blended spectacle with history. In a match that saw the club overwhelm its opponent and surge into the latter stages of the competition, Raphinha emerged not just as the standout performer but as a record-matcher whose name is now etched alongside one of Brazil’s greatest exports.
The Blaugrana produced a breathtaking attacking display to dismantle Newcastle 7-2, sealing an emphatic 8-3 aggregate triumph and booking a place in the Champions League quarter-finals. The Catalan club turned what had been a tense tie into a one-sided spectacle, particularly in the second half, where its attacking firepower proved simply too much to handle.
Raphinha was at the heart of everything. He contributed directly to six goals: scoring twice, assisting twice, winning a penalty, and creating multiple chances in what can only be described as a complete attacking masterclass. Alongside him, Robert Lewandowski added a brace, while young talents like Lamine Yamal, Fermín Lopez, and Marc Bernal also found the net.
Despite a chaotic first half that ended 3-2, Barcelona shifted gears after the break, scoring four more goals in a devastating spell that completely buried the contest.
The historic milestone revealed
While the scoreline alone was impressive, the night carried even greater significance for the 29-year-old winger. Hidden behind the spectacle was a historic individual milestone that places him among the elite in Champions League history.
Raphinha has now reached 30 goal contributions (goals + assists) in just 33 matches, matching the exact benchmark set by Neymar; the fewest games needed to reach that mark among a select group of soccer’s most lethal attackers.
Rank
Games
Player
1
22
Erling Haaland
2
28
Ruud van Nistelrooy
3
30
Kylian Mbappe
4
31
Luis Suarez
5
33
Neymar
=
33
Raphinha
Matching Neymar, chasing greatness
Raphinha’s evolution at Barcelona has been remarkable. Once known primarily for his flair and unpredictability, the Brazilian has transformed into a complete forward capable of both scoring and creating at the highest level.
What’s more, to match Neymar in such a significant Champions League metric is no small feat. The Brazilian icon built his legacy on decisive contributions in Europe, and now Raphinha has proven he can operate at the same level of efficiency.
Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring
What makes this achievement even more compelling is the journey. Unlike Neymar, who burst onto the scene as a global superstar, Raphinha’s rise has been gradual: built on persistence, adaptation, and continuous improvement.
According to Calciomercato.com, the Nerazzurri director Piero Ausilio has travelled to London to hold talks with the Tottenham star.
Spurs are fighting for Premier League survival, and Vicario is eager to return to Serie A next season.
Calciomercato.com confirms that the Italy international has already given the green light to a move to Inter.
With Yann Sommer’s contract expiring at the end of the season, the Nerazzurri are already preparing to sign a new goalkeeper, and preliminary talks with Vicario’s entourage began some weeks ago.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 15: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on March 15, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
According to several sources, Tottenham will likely demand a fee between €15m and €20m for Vicario, but if Spurs are relegated to the Championship, their asking price will drop further.
BILBAO, SPAIN – MAY 21: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur lifts the UEFA Europa League trophy after his team’s victory in the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Vicario has conceded 165 goals in 115 games with Tottenham, but won the Europa League with the Premier League club last season.
Reports in Italy claim that medical tests undergone by Sandro Tonali today have ruled out muscle injuries, so the Azzurri star will be available for next week’s World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland.
The MRI scan Sandro Tonali underwent on Thursday ruled out any muscle injuries, according to Italian sources, including Gazzetta.
Positive Tonali injury update for Italy and Newcastle
The Newcastle midfielder will therefore be available for Thursday’s World Cup play-off semifinal between Italy and Northern Ireland.
Tonali was forced to be substituted during Newcastle’s Champions League match against Barcelona on Wednesday, raising concerns that he would not be available for Italy’s crucial match next week.
Besides the positive outcome of today’s tests, Tonali no longer feels pain in his left thigh, but he could still miss the upcoming Premier League match against Sunderland to resume training with the Azzurri next week.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 28: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James’ Park on February 28, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Italy coach Gattuso is expected to release his squad list tomorrow, while players will begin preparations in Coverciano on Monday, March 23.
If Italy beat Northern Ireland in the play-off semifinal on March 26, they’ll meet the winner of the Wales-Bosnia Herzegovina match on March 31.
AIA has officially announced the referees for Serie A Week 30, including the Milan-Torino and Fiorentina-Inter matches.
Serie A Week 30 begins on Friday with Cagliari-Napoli and Genoa-Udinese.
The Partenopei’s away game in Sardinia will be overseen by Maurizio Mariani.
Milan’s home game against Torino on Saturday will be overseen by Francesco Fourneau, while Andrea Colombo has been appointed for Fiorentina-Inter on Sunday night.
Below are all the referees, assistants and VAR appointed for the next Serie A Round.
Serie A Week 30 referees
CAGLIARI – NAPOLI Friday 20/03 h 18:30 (CET)
MARIANI
BINDONI – TEGONI
IV: PERRI
VAR: MARINI
AVAR: SERRA
GENOA – UDINESE Friday 20/03 h. 20:45
COLLU
PERETTI – BIFFI
IV: TURRINI
VAR: AURELIANO
AVAR: PEZZUTO
PARMA – CREMONESE Saturday 21/03 h. 15:00
FABBRI
CIPRESSA – YOSHIKAWA
IV: GALIPO’
VAR: PATERNA
AVAR: DI BELLO
MILAN – TORINO Saturday 21/03 h. 18:00
FOURNEAU
ROSSI M. – MORO
IV: DOVERI
VAR: NASCA
AVAR: MARESCA
JUVENTUS – SASSUOLO Saturday 21/03 h. 20:45
MARCHETTI
COSTANZO – BIANCHINI
IV: ALLEGRETTA
VAR: ABISSO
AVAR: CAMPLONE
EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 30: Matteo Marchetti referee gestures during the Serie A match between Empoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 30, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
COMO – PISA Sunday, 22/03 h. 12:30
PAIRETTO
MASTRODONATO – FONTEMURATO
IV: MUCERA
VAR: MERAVIGLIA
AVAR: DI BELLO
ATALANTA – H. VERONA Sunday, 22/03 h. 15:00
AYROLDI
BERCIGLI – FONTANI
IV: CREZZINI
VAR: MAGGIONI
AVAR: LA PENNA
BOLOGNA – LAZIO Sunday, 22/03 h. 15:00
FELICIANI
BERTI – LAUDATO
IV: ZANOTTI
VAR: DI PAOLO
AVAR: GIUA
ROMA – LECCE Sunday, 22/03 h. 18:00
SACCHI J.L.
BACCINI – ZINGARELLI
IV: MASSIMI
VAR: GHERSINI
AVAR: ABISSO
CAGLIARI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: the refree Andrea Colombo looks on during the Serie A match between Cagliari and Juventus at Sardegna Arena on February 23, 2025 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Manchester City reportedly look to be the clear frontrunners for the potential £80m transfer of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.
But that seemingly won’t stop Manchester United from pursuing the England international, according to BBC Sport.
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Anderson has been in superb form for Forest this season, and now also looks like a near-certainty to start for England barring any surprise World Cup news this summer.
It seems clear that Anderson could shine at City or United, having produced some terrific stats with his Premier League performances throughout this campaign.
All-rounder Elliot Anderson would be a dream signing for most top clubs
See below for Anderson’s stats that show just how well he contributes in so many different metrics, with the 23-year-old showing himself to be the kind of all-rounder that could carry the best sides to success…
Elliot Anderson stats against other top PL midfielders (DataMB)
Anderson looks ideal to replace someone like Rodri at the Etihad Stadium, with MCFC perhaps in need of a younger player in that role now after the Spaniard’s recent injury problems.
As reported here for the Daily Briefing, Chelsea also have a long-standing interest, even if our information is that City and United look more likely for the moment.
Where should Elliot Anderson go?
Anderson will likely have a long list of options this summer, but he’ll have to pick carefully for this important next step in his career.
The former Newcastle youngster has flourished at Forest and will need to continue playing regular first-team football, which is probably more likely for him at United than at City.
Even if Anderson looks more than good enough to replace Rodri, it won’t necessarily be easy, while there’s also Nico Gonzalez to compete with.
Kalvin Phillips is a name for Anderson to keep in mind, as he looked superb for Leeds United before really struggling and seeing his career go majorly downhill at City.
Then again, a lot of big names have also gone backwards at MUFC in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, so perhaps keeping other options like Chelsea in mind wouldn’t be the worst idea.
Liverpool thrashed Galatasaray in the second leg of their encounter in the Champions League round of 16, and now they’re set to face Paris Saint-Germain, the team that knocked them out on penalties after two incredible games the last time they met, in the quarterfinals. Reds boss Arne Slot relishes the opportunity to lead his […]
Going into the final minutes of Real Madrid’s La Liga match with Elche last Saturday, the scoreline stood at 3-1 when Arda Guler did this. 0.1% chance. Still scored. pic.twitter.com/YCRdiV0Set — LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) March 19, 2026
According to The Times, Borussia Dortmund are interested in bringing Jadon Sancho back for what would be his third spell at the club. They are confident that they’ll be able to persuade the winger to accept the transfer and come as a free agent, with both his loan at Aston Villa and contract with Manchester […]
Real Madrid defeated Manchester City, securing their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals. However, Thibaut Courtois suffered a serious injury and will be sidelined for several weeks. Consequently, Los Blancos may already know who will take his spot against Atlético Madrid.
Despite Real Madrid securing their place in the Champions League quarterfinals, they have lost Thibaut Courtois due to injury concerns. The Belge has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the rectus femoris of his right quadriceps, the team reported. In his absence, Andriy Lunin emerges as the clear candidate to start vs. Atlético Madrid.
After the rectus femoris injury in his right quadriceps, the Belgian is set to miss several games with Real Madrid: vs. Atlético Madrid, RCD Mallorca, Bayern Munich — both legs —, Girona, Deportivo Alavés, and Real Betis, reports Melchor Ruiz via El Partidazo Cope.
In his absence, coach Álvaro Arbeloa could rely on Lunin, who has already shown he is capable of being Los Blancos’ first-choice goalkeeper, delivering standout performances on multiple occasions. Along with this, Los Blancos could rely on Fran González as the second-choice goalkeeper, who has been shining with Real Madrid Castilla.
Andriy Lunin faces a tough challenge with Real Madrid
Although Andriy Lunin has already proven his quality, he is under immense pressure. With only 315 minutes played this season, he needs to put in a solid performance against Atlético Madrid, who are in top form with, or the team could fall further behind the LaLiga leaders.
Andriy Lunin of Real Madrid applauds the fans after the team’s victory.
Coupled with this, the Ukrainian is preparing to face Bayern Munich, which has been the best attacking team in the world, with Luis Díaz, Michael Olise, and Harry Kane shining. For this reason, he might have more work on his hands than expected, and a poor performance could knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League.
Lunin could use Courtois’ absence to dispel doubts about his abilities and fight for a more prominent role at Real Madrid. If he shines, the Ukrainian could attract the attention of top European clubs, which might offer him not only a good salary but also a key role—a move that would give his career a boost.
Real Madrid could get some good news amid Courtois’ absence
Amid Thibaut Courtois’ injury, Real Madrid could receive good news for the upcoming matches. Not only have they recovered Kylian Mbappé, but they could also welcome back Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos, Raul Asencio and Éder Militão ahead of the quarterfinals vs. Bayern Munich.
With this in mind, coach Álvaro Arbeloa could regain strength in midfield, something essential to defeat the German side. In addition, the possible presence of Militão and Asencio could provide more solidity in defense, as they have been dealing with several inconsistencies with Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rüdiger.
Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid throws the ball during the UEFA Champions League.
According to Tuttosport, Juventus CEO Damien Comolli has identified Guillaume Restes as the ideal goalkeeping reinforcement for next season, while Luciano Spalletti prefers a more experienced player, such as David de Gea or Emiliano Martinez.
Juventus will sign a new goalkeeper in the summer, as Michele Di Gregorio has failed to impress in his second season at the club, while Mattia Perin will seek a club that offers him a starting spot.
Juventus looking for new goalkeeper in 2026-27
According to Tuttosport, the top target identified by CEO Comolli is French keeper Restes, who is under contract with Toulouse.
Comolli, a former director and President of the French club, is well aware of Restes’ qualities as the 21-year-old has been playing for Toulouse since he was six.
He has already made 100 appearances for Toulouse’s senior team, and his price tag is around €20m.
Spalletti, however, would rather put this money toward reinforcements in other departments, picking a more experienced goalkeeper instead.
According to the report, Fiorentina’s De Gea, Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario and Aston Villa’s Martinez are among the players on Spalletti’s list.
Martinez has reportedly been offered to the Old Lady, who will consider the Argentine’s signature, as long as his wage demands aren’t too high.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa makes a save off a shot from Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Aston Villa FC and Juventus at Villa Park on November 27, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta and Liverpool’s Alisson are also highly regarded by Spalletti.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: Alisson Becker of Liverpool celebrates after Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool (not pictured) scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at City Ground on February 22, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Sky Sport Italia reports that Hakan Calhanoglu will be available for Inter’s away game at Fiorentina on Sunday, while Italy international Alessandro Bastoni could return to group training tomorrow.
Inter are preparing for Sunday’s away game at Fiorentina, and Sky Sport Italia provides the latest injury updates for the Nerazzurri.
Latest Inter injury updates
Calhanoglu has recovered from a calf injury and will be available for selection against Fiorentina.
Serie A’s top goalscorer, Lautaro Martinez, on the other hand, has intensified the workload but has continued to work separately.
If the Argentina international doesn’t return to group training in the next two days, he’ll be ruled out of the next league match.
Italy international Bastoni suffered an injury in the Milan derby and missed the most recent match against Atalanta.
Sky Sport reports that the Italian has partially worked with the team over the last few days, and that he could join his teammates for a full training session tomorrow.
BARI, ITALY – AUGUST 16: Alessandro Bastoni of Inter during Pre-Season Friendly match between FC Internazionale and Olympiacos FC at Stadio San Nicola on August 16, 2025 in Bari, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
If that is the case, Bastoni will be given the green light for the Fiorentina game as well as Italy’s World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland on March 26.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Inter competes for the ball with Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Last but not least, Mkhitaryan won’t be available against Fiorentina as he aims to return to action after the break, probably in a home match against his former club, Roma, on Easter.
Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici has reportedly sounded out Fabio Maresca’s availability for next season, but the ex-Chelsea coach is expected to hold out for a Premier League opportunity, particularly from Manchester City if Pep Guardiola departs.
Fiorentina director Paratici has explored Maresca’s availability for next season, according to a report from TMW.
Fiorentina director Paratici calls Maresca
Maresca has been without a club since the start of January, when he left Chelsea by mutual consent, months after winning the Conference League and the Club World Cup.
According to the report, Paratici has contacted Maresca in recent days, but the Italian tactician remains an unlikely candidate for the job at the Stadio Franchi next season.
Maresca, in fact, will likely wait for offers from the Premier League, particularly from Manchester City if Pep Guardiola were to leave at the end of the season.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 8: Fabio Paratici of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Parma Calcio 1913 at Artemio Franchi on March 8, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Maresca already worked in Guardiola’s Manchester City staff and has built a solid bond with the Spanish tactician.
COBHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 08: Enzo Maresca, manager of Chelsea FC looks on during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on December 08, 2025 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images)
Tuttomercato adds that Maresca would only consider offers from Juventus and Napoli in Serie A, but the Italian giants are expected to continue with Luciano Spalletti and Antonio Conte, respectively, next season.
Genoa coach Daniele De Rossi feels the Italy national team needs ‘real supporters’ for the 2026 World Cup play-off: ‘Now we play against Northern Ireland, and if we go ahead, Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina. I don’t think they have better youth sectors than we do.’
Italy World Cup winner De Rossi spoke about the state of Italian football during a press conference on Thursday. Tomorrow, his Genoa side host Udinese in Serie A Round 30.
De Rossi: Italy need ‘true supporters’ in World Cup play-off
“I feel that too many times, we coaches lose in Europe, we tend to blame our football and the youth sectors. Last season, Inter reached the Champions League Final, beating Barcelona, and the youth sector was the same as this season,” De Rossi said via TMW.
Atalanta’s elimination from the Champions League Round of 16 means Serie A has no more representatives in Europe’s elite competition.
“It’s easy to say that youth sectors don’t work. Football is changing and will further change. My ideal player has more physical strength than a few years ago,” continued De Rossi.
“Then losing to Bayern Munich is understandable, as they have players worth €50m-60m-70m, and they’ve signed them from various youth systems around the world. Those are incredible realities, and it’s not strange to suffer heavy defeats. Atalanta shouldn’t be blamed as they played with pride, losing to a way stronger team.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Daniele De Rossi, head coach of Genoa, reacts during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 7, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
“As for the national team, we need to be less critical, and all be true supporters. If it goes badly, there will be a revolt, and there will be time to talk about Gravina, Gattuso and Buffon. Now we play against Northern Ireland, and if we go ahead, Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina. I don’t think they have better youth sectors than we do. Now we must stop criticism and say a few words to support Gattuso and his players, who, I think, will play two great games.”
A lot of Chelsea players are reportedly “fed up” and some have even spoken to their agents about potentially leaving Stamford Bridge, according to Simon Phillips.
Although no specific names are mentioned in the report, it makes sense that a decent chunk of Chelsea’s players are not entirely happy with how things are going right now.
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The Blues were thrashed by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League over two legs, losing 8-2 on aggregate to exit the competition at the last-16 stage.
Liam Rosenior recently replaced Enzo Maresca as manager and has had a mixed start, but generally looks a little out of his depth in such a big job this early in his coaching career.
Chelsea players unsettled
Phillips cites sources in his piece saying “a lot of the players are confused, fed up, ready to clock out and not get injured for the World Cup, with some asking agents to get moves already”.
This seems far from ideal for Chelsea as they really need to turn things around between now and the end of the season, as there’s still plenty to play for.
Rosenior’s side can still qualify for next season’s Champions League if they finish strongly in the Premier League, while they have a relatively easy-looking path to the FA Cup semi-finals as they take on Port Vale in the next round in April.
Who could be leaving Chelsea?
Ultimately, CFC won’t just allow key players on long-term contracts to leave, but there’ll perhaps be one or two who’ll be looking for a way out.
Big names like Manchester City and Real Madrid were mentioned as potential suitors, but one imagines the west London giants would demand huge money for the Argentina international.
Manchester United’s midfield could look very different next season as Casemiro comes towards the end of his contract, while doubts linger over the future of both Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.
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The Red Devils have been linked with a host of big names in that area of their squad, so much so that it’s not out of the question that their entire midfield three could be made up of new signings next season.
Just a few days ago we took a look at how Man Utd could line up next season if they land just three of the main names they’re being linked with, but their list of targets actually seems to be even longer.
? How Manchester United could line up if they land their DREAM midfield targets for this summer! ? pic.twitter.com/ZF60lGn5uS
Manchester United’s midfield transfer targets ranked
1) Elliot Anderson
Elliot Anderson
TOTAL SCORE: 19/25
Transfer fee
*
Performance
*****
Achievements
***
Career phase
*****
Squad need
*****
Although Elliot Anderson would not come cheap, he’s been arguably the outstanding midfield player in the Premier League this season, and looks a certain to start as a key player for England at the World Cup. He loses points for his steep price, which has been reported by the Telegraph and others as £100m or more, but there’ll surely be plenty of top clubs who’ll see that as a price worth paying.
2) Adam Wharton
Adam Wharton
TOTAL SCORE: 19/25
Transfer fee
*
Performance
*****
Achievements
***
Career phase
*****
Squad need
*****
Pretty much on a par with Anderson, there’s surely going to be a big move in store for Adam Wharton this summer. He’s really looked the part at Crystal Palace and even if he’s slightly behind Anderson in the pecking order for England, fans of United and other big clubs would surely be really happy to sign him this summer, even if again he’s unlikely to move for anything other than a massive fee.
With reports that Man United will do their best to keep Bruno Fernandes, as per the Daily Mail, it also surely makes sense for them to plan something big in the event of his departure. Well, names don’t come much bigger than Jude Bellingham, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford by Spanish outlet Fichajes, even if they also state that Real Madrid are not keen to sell.
4) Mateus Fernandes
Mateus Fernandes
TOTAL SCORE: 15/25
Transfer fee
***
Performance
***
Achievements
*
Career phase
*****
Squad need
****
Mateus Fernandes has been linked with United by talkSPORT in recent times after a hugely impressive season with West Ham. His transfer fee probably won’t be as high as some of the names on this list, especially if the Hammers get relegated, and he’s young enough that he’ll keep on improving, even if he’s also relatively inexperienced compared to some of the club’s other rumoured targets.
5) Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes
TOTAL SCORE: 13/25
Transfer fee
*
Performance
***
Achievements
***
Career phase
**
Squad need
****
A report from Reuters claims United are in advanced talks over signing Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle. While the Brazilian is undoubtedly a top player, it’s perhaps debatable if he’d really be the absolute best option out there considering he’ll be turning 29 early next season.
6) Morgan Gibbs White
Morgan Gibbs White
TOTAL SCORE: 12/25
Transfer fee
*
Performance
***
Achievements
*
Career phase
***
Squad need
****
Probably not quite the level United need, but Morgan Gibbs White has had another fine season for Nottingham Forest and looks like he could make an impact at a bigger club. A perfectly solid addition for United if they can’t land slightly more glamorous targets.
7) Sandro Tonali
Sandro Tonali
TOTAL SCORE: 11/25
Transfer fee
–
Performance
**
Achievements
**
Career phase
***
Squad need
****
We recently gave Tonali to Man Utd a score of just 11/25 and we’re sticking with that – the big transfer fee that would likely be required just doesn’t look justified. The Italy international has been a key performer for Newcastle, but he’s not exactly someone with any outstanding qualities to really improve this MUFC squad.
8) Joao Gomes
Joao Gomes
TOTAL SCORE: 10/25
Transfer fee
**
Performance
*
Achievements
**
Career phase
**
Squad need
***
At the lower end of medium, Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes could be an option worth looking at, but it’s also hard to see him being quite good enough after a season where he’s been part of a Wolves side who look certain to get relegated after some really poor form.
9) Carlos Baleba
Carlos Baleba
TOTAL SCORE: 9/25
Transfer fee
–
Performance
**
Achievements
*
Career phase
***
Squad need
***
At one point this would have been higher, and it could still be again, but Carlos Baleba’s form has really gone downhill this season. Brighton would probably still want a big fee for a young player who obviously has a lot of potential, but it would be a big gamble at this moment in time.
10) Tyler Adams
Tyler Adams
TOTAL SCORE: 9/25
Transfer fee
**
Performance
*
Achievements
*
Career phase
**
Squad need
***
We’ve reported on Tyler Adams being someone United and other big clubs are looking at as he’d possibly be available on the cheap this summer. While that could mean he’s a useful backup option, it’s hard to see him as someone who should be high up on the list of a club as ambitious as United.
A heartwarming video has captured the moment Liverpool starlets Rio Ngumoha, Amara Nallo, Trey Nyoni, and Kieran Morrison reacted in pure awe to Mohamed Salah’s stunning goal against Galatasaray.
The four academy prospects, who were warming up on the touchline as second-half substitutes, were caught on camera as Salah unleashed a trademark curling effort into the top corner to seal a 2-0 victory at Anfield.
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The footage, shared by Nick Collins, which has since gone viral on X, shows the youngsters stopping their warm-up drills in unison the moment the ball left Salah’s boot.
Ngumoha, Nyoni and Nallo all immediately had their hands to their mouth in disbelief as they shared shocked looks with each other that perfectly summed up the magic of the Egyptian King.
Nallo, Rio, Nyoni and Morrison reaction to Mohamed Salah’s goal.
Salah looked back to his best despite missing early penalty
The goal was a moment of pure redemption for Salah, who had endured a difficult opening 45 minutes.
In the dying seconds of the first half, the Egyptian saw a tame penalty saved by Galatasaray’s goalkeeper, a miss that seemed to reflect on his recent struggles in front of goal.
However, Salah emerged for the second half with a point to prove. After providing a clinical assist for Hugo Ekitike and playing a key role in Ryan Gravenberch’s strike, he finally found the net himself in the 62nd minute.
His trademark curling finish was his 50th career goal in the Champions League proper, making him the first African player in history to reach the half-century mark in the competition.
It was a defiant response to critics, though the night ended on a bittersweet note as he was substituted shortly after with a suspected minor injury.
Big test against PSG next
While the victory over the Turkish champions provides a much-needed morale boost, a significantly larger hurdle remains on the horizon.
Liverpool must now prepare for a titanic quarter-final clash against the reigning champions PSG, who advanced after an 8-2 aggregate demolition of Chelsea.
Liverpool have reportedly moved into pole position in the race to sign Eduardo Camavinga, with the Real Madrid midfielder emerging as one of the most intriguing names ahead of the summer transfer window in 2026.
According to TEAMtalk, the Merseyside club are actively exploring a deal, while several Premier League rivals remain firmly in the picture.
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At just 23, Camavinga is already regarded as one of Europe’s most complete midfielders, and his potential availability has alerted multiple top clubs looking to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season.
Real Madrid are open to offers for Camavinga
Despite being a valued member of Real Madrid’s squad, Camavinga’s role at the Santiago Bernabéu has not always been guaranteed.
The French international has often been used as a rotational option, occasionally deployed out of position at left-back or in a deeper midfield role.
With Madrid continuing to evolve their midfield around younger stars such as Jude Bellingham and others, reports suggest the club could be open to serious offers in the region of £70 million.
While there is no urgency to sell, the Spanish giants are believed to be willing to listen if the right proposal arrives.
Importantly, Camavinga is understood to prefer a move to a club competing in the UEFA Champions League, a factor that could significantly shape the outcome of any transfer battle.
Liverpool have a vision for the future of their midfield
Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid looks on (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Liverpool’s interest is closely tied to their ongoing midfield rebuild. After multiple changes over the past few seasons, the club are keen to add a player who combines defensive intelligence, ball progression, and tactical versatility, qualities that Camavinga possesses in abundance.
Under their current project, Liverpool are prioritising players capable of operating in high-intensity systems, and Camavinga’s ability to press, recover possession, and drive forward with the ball makes him an ideal fit.
While Liverpool are believed to be leading the race, they face stiff competition. Manchester United and Chelsea have both reportedly made contact with the player’s representatives, signaling their intent to be part of the conversation.
United, in particular, are searching for midfield reinforcements amid uncertainty surrounding several senior players, while Chelsea continue to target young, high-upside talents as part of their long-term strategy.
Lamine Yamal made history for Barcelona while paying tribute to two of soccer’s modern greats, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, during the club’s emphatic UEFA Champions League win over Newcastle.
Lamine Yamal made history for Barcelona while paying tribute to two of soccer’s modern greats, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, during the club’s emphatic UEFA Champions League win over Newcastle. The 18-year-old winger shattered Kylian Mbappe’s record as the youngest player to reach 10 goals in the competition, while celebrating in style to honor the Portuguese and Brazilian superstars. Barcelona cruised to a 7-2 victory at Camp Nou in the second leg of their last-16 tie, sealing an 8-3 aggregate triumph and booking their place in the quarter-finals.
The Catalan side’s attacking display was breathtaking. Raphinha dominated the evening, scoring twice and creating multiple assists, while Robert Lewandowski also netted a brace. Marc Bernal, Fermin Lopez, and Yamal himself contributed to the scoring, with the teenager making the difference at key moments. While Barcelona’s offense was irresistible, their defense showed vulnerability, conceding twice despite the comfortable scoreline.
Barca opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Raphinha converted a low strike after a swift counter led by Fermin Lopez. Newcastle responded quickly through Anthony Elanga, who capitalized on Lewis Hall’s cross to level the game nine minutes later. Marc Bernal restored the Catalan lead from a Raphinha free kick, only for Elanga to score again in the 28th minute after Yamal’s attempted back-heel clearance went awry.
Yamal redeemed himself deep into first-half stoppage time, coolly converting a penalty kick, as the second half quickly turned into a procession. Fermin scored following a Raphinha through-ball, Lewandowski headed in from a corner, and then converted a precise Yamal assist for his second goal. The Brazilian winger sealed the rout, capping a dominant performance for the hosts.
Yamal makes Champions League history
The night was particularly historic for Lamine Yamal. At 18 years and 248 days, he became the youngest player to score 10 Champions League goals, surpassing Kylian Mbappe, who achieved the milestone at 18 years and 350 days during his time with Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain.
Yamal hit the landmark with a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time, giving Barcelona a crucial 3-2 lead. The Spain international also became the youngest player to score in consecutive knockout games and reached another milestone by completing 30 Champions League appearances, all before turning 19.
𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐘𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐋 🤝 𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄
Lamine Yamal equals Kylian Mbappé’s record for most UCL goals scored before turning 19 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/HmZXqnMTBM
Following his historic goal, Yamal’s celebrations caught the eye of fans worldwide. Initially, he climbed up on the boards with his arms crossed in a move reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous celebration on advertising boards.
Juventus and Italy legend Alessandro Del Piero argues that Italian clubs are always ‘tired’, but should complain less about the fixture list and focus more on the pitch.
Serie A has no more representatives in the Champions League following Atalanta’s elimination from the Round of 16 at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Del Piero: Italian clubs ‘always’ tired
La Dea suffered a 10-2 aggregate loss against the Bundesliga giants while Napoli, Inter and Juventus had been knocked out in the previous rounds.
“Our problem is that we get tired. We are always the ones who are tired. In Italy, we are always tired,” Del Piero told Sky Sport via Fanpage.
“I’ve heard very few coaches abroad complain about matches or say we are tired. You have to adapt. We are talking about teams; you have to equip yourself accordingly.
“Today’s football is different. You have more players, more substitutions, more money to invest in physical preparation, recovery and so on. There’s more of everything.”
The last time an Italian club won the Champions League was in 2009-10 with José Mourinho’s Inter.
Since then, Juventus and Inter have reached the Final twice each, but failed to bring home the coveted cup.
“You need professionalism in trying to improve the players, because there is room for improvement. There is, because others do so,” Del Piero continued.
“We think we are the best, yet we concede seven goals, as it happened; then something isn’t quite right. Barcelona always play the same players. Then if someone gets injured, they take him out and put another one in.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 10: Former football player Alessandro Del Piero looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio di Bergamo on December 10, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Del Piero won the Champions League with Juventus in 1996 and the World Cup with the Italy national team ten years later in 2006.
The Italian national team will play in the World Cup play-off later this month after failing to qualify for the competition in 2018 and 2022.
Inter striker Ange-Yoan Bonny has decided to represent the Ivory Coast national team, but won’t be available for friendlies against South Korea and Scotland later this month due to a ‘dental issue.’
Inter striker Bonny, 22, will represent the Ivory Coast national team, coach Émerse Faé confirmed at a press conference (via SOS Fanta).
Ivory Coast coach confirms Bonny’s decision and Inter issue
Bonny was born in Aubervilliers, a suburb of Paris, and is of Ivorian descent.
Bonny represented France at the U19, U20 and U21 levels, but will continue his international career at a senior level with the African country.
Bonny, however, won’t be available for the next two friendly games against South Korea and Scotland during the March break later this month.
“He currently has dental issues, so we preferred to leave him with his club so he can regain full fitness, maintain consistency in his performances and join us at a later stage,” Faé said.
The match against Scotland will be played at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, home to Premier League side Everton, on March 31.
MONZA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Ange-Yoan Bonny of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between FC Internazionale and Torino at U-Power Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Ivory Coast have qualified for the 2026 World Cup and have been drawn in Group E alongside Ecuador, Germany and Curaçao.
Bonny has scored seven goals in 37 appearances across all competitions with Inter this season, his first one at the Stadio Meazza.
La Gazzetta dello Sport confirms that Guglielmo Vicario is Inter’s main goalkeeping target for 2026-27 and that the Italian is open to returning to Serie A after his relationship with Tottenham reached a low point.
Inter have identified Italy international Vicario as their main target in goal for next season.
Latest transfer updates on Vicario and Inter
The Nerazzurri are looking for a new starting goalkeeper for 2026-27, and previous reports suggested they would hold a new round of talks with the Tottenham star’s agents this month.
According to Gazzetta, Vicario has already informed his agents that he’d be happy to return to Serie A, particularly at Inter, which he was already close to joining in 2023 before his switch from Empoli to Tottenham.
Gazzetta highlights that Vicario’s relationship with Spurs reached a low point in recent months, so the Nerazzurri are confident they can reach an agreement with the Premier League side, who are currently fighting to avoid relegation.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Inter, however, are aware that Tottenham’s asking price will be between €15m and €20m next summer, provided they remain in the Premier League.
Inter are not expected to offer a contract extension to Yann Sommer, although the club could change their mind and keep the Swiss international as a second-choice goalkeeper next season if they receive offers for Josep Martinez.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Francesco Pio Esposito and Yann Sommer of FC Internazionale Milano celebrate following the team’s victory in the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Pio Esposito’s agent has confirmed that Arsenal are interested in signing the Inter Milan sensation, but has swiftly moved to shut down any talk of a move to North London.
The 20-year-old striker, who has become one of the most talked-about talents in Serie A this season, is reportedly a primary target for Mikel Arteta as he looks to bolster his attacking options for the 2026/27 campaign.
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Arsenal interest confirmed but Pio Esposito is happy at Inter Milan
Speaking to Radio CRC (quotes via The Mirror), Esposito’s agent, Mario Giuffredi, was unequivocal about the player’s future.
Giuffredi said: “Despite Arsenal’s interest, our plans are clear. He’s happy at Inter and will be the future of the Nerazzurri for the next 10 years. The boy is in love with Inter.”
The agent’s comments effectively pour cold water on Arsenal’s hopes of a summer swoop. Esposito, who only recently extended his contract at the San Siro until June 2030, is viewed by the Inter hierarchy as an “untouchable” asset.
Pio Esposito eyed by Arsenal and Manchester United
Despite the firm stance from his camp, Arsenal are not the only Premier League club monitoring the situation.
Arteta is said to have been impressed by Esposito ever since his impressive second-half cameo against the Gunners in the Champions League earlier this year.
But Inter president Beppe Marotta has publicly ruled out selling his prized asset. He said:
“Inter do not want to sell him and we are not a club that makes player trading its main business. He’s a product that grew up in the youth academy, and we’re guarding him like a treasure. We’ll talk about his transfer again in the future, but it’ll be a very distant future.”
Esposito’s incredible numbers
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a standout campaign, making 39 appearances while contributing eight goals and six assists across all competitions this season.
He previously spent two years on loan at Spezia Calcio, where he netted 22 goals in 79 appearances, further underlining his development.
Club
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Spezia Calcio
79
22
3
Inter Milan
41
9
7
Inter Milan Primavera
34
15
3
Inter Under 17
24
21
3
Inter Under 18
16
2
1
Inter Milan UEFA U19
8
1
–
Total
202
70
17
Across his career so far, Esposito has recorded an impressive return of 70 goals and 17 assists in 202 appearances at all levels.
Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly monitoring the rapid rise of Bournemouth winger Rayan, as the teenage attacker continues to make a strong impression in English football.
Scouts from both clubs have been closely following the 19-year-old’s performances and have been left highly impressed by his early impact, according to TEAMtalk.
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Rayan has quickly adapted to life in the Premier League following his move from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in the January transfer window.
Despite his age, the winger has shown confidence and maturity, attracting attention from some of the biggest clubs in England.
Rayan has experienced a breakthrough arrival in England
Rayan’s move to Bournemouth earlier this year came as part of the club’s strategy to invest in emerging talent with high potential.
He was brought in as a replacement for Antoine Semenyo, and while expectations were initially cautious, the young Brazilian has exceeded them in a short period.
His performances have been characterized by explosive pace, direct dribbling, and a fearless attacking approach, making him a constant threat to opposition defenders.
Rayan’s ability to take on players in one-on-one situations and create opportunities has quickly made him one of Bournemouth’s most exciting attacking outlets.
Such performances have not gone unnoticed, with scouts from Liverpool and Manchester United reportedly attending matches to assess his development firsthand.
Rayan of Bournemouth in action (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Both Liverpool and Man United are believed to be in the market for dynamic wide players as part of their long-term squad planning.
Liverpool, in particular, have been linked with several wingers as they prepare for a possible transition in their attacking line.
Meanwhile, Man United are looking to add depth and versatility to their forward options as they continue their rebuilding process.
Rayan’s profile, young, technically gifted, and already performing in the Premier League, makes him an attractive target for clubs seeking future stars.
Reports suggest that Rayan’s contract includes a release clause in the region of €100 million, which would make any potential deal a significant financial commitment.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, are under no immediate pressure to sell and are likely to resist interest unless a substantial offer is made.
Verdict: Bruno Fernandes over 0.5 shots on target Best Odds: 5/6 Bookmaker: Dachbet Looking to widen their buffer in the Champions League chase on Friday night, Manchester United will travel to the Vitality when they meet Bournemouth. Bournemouth Starting with the hosts, while Bournemouth might have opened up the New Year with their sights firmly […]
Como are ‘deeply saddened’ by the death of one of their owners, Michael Bambang Hartono: ‘Under the family’s leadership, the Club have entered a new chapter in their history.’
Michael Bambang Hartono, one of the owners of Serie A side Como, died on Thursday, the club announced in a statement.
“Como 1907 is deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Bambang Hartono,” the Azzurri said.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the Hartono family and to all at the Djarum Group.
“Under the family’s leadership, the Club has entered a new chapter in its history, and we remember him with gratitude and respect.”
Como 1907 is deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Bambang Hartono.
We extend our sincere condolences to the Hartono family and to all at the Djarum Group.
Under the family’s leadership, the Club has entered a new chapter in its history, and we remember him with gratitude… pic.twitter.com/o9YGHm7qiu
Italy star Sandro Tonali will undergo an MRI scan today to learn the extent of a muscle injury suffered during Wednesday’s Champions League match against Barcelona.
Italy and Newcastle will wait for the outcome of Tonali’s medical tests today, Gazzetta reports.
The Italian midfielder was forced to be substituted during the second half of a Champions League match against Barcelona on Wednesday due to a suspected muscle injury.
Newcastle coach Eddie Howe admitted after the match that Tonali is in doubt for the next Premier League fixture against Sunderland, but the Italy national team is even more concerned as the Azzurri will play in the World Cup play-off next week.
Sandro Tonali plays for Italy in Moldova during the 2026 World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)
The Azzurri will host Northern Ireland in the semi-final in Bergamo on March 26, and if they progress to the Final, they’ll play away against Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Tonali was one of the Italy players with a guaranteed spot in the squad and in the starting XI, so coach Gennaro Gattuso will be hoping for good news from Newcastle today.
Italy World Cup winner Luca Toni praised Harry Kane following Bayern Munich’s 4-1 win over Atalanta last night: ‘Coming from a top No.9 like you, it’s special words,’ the English forward replied.
During his post-match interview with Prime Video Italia, Kane said he was “proud” of his goals, especially the second one.
“It’s one of my favourite goals in my career,” said the English star.
“It’s a mixture of skill, technique, balance and obviously, the finish as well. In the moment, it felt really special.”
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munich scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Ex-Italy and Bayern Munich star Toni commented on the game as a pundit for Prime Video and told Kane: “I’m in love with him in footballing terms, because he’s one of the last physical centre-forwards. There are many false nines, but he’s the best centre-forward in the world right now.”
The Bayern Munich star replied: “I appreciate it. Coming from a top No.9 like you, it’s special words, thank you.”
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Milan are ready to offer Leon Goretzka a €5m-a-year contract until 2029, while Lazio’s Mario Gila is the Rossoneri’s top defensive target for the summer.
Milan are preparing to strengthen their team for 2026-27, when they’ll likely return to the Champions League.
Latest Milan transfer updates on Goretzka and Gila
The club’s main target for the summer is a centre-forward, but the Serie A giants will sign at least one player in each department.
As for the central midfield, free agent Leo Goretzka has long been on the club’s radar.
Milan’s domestic rivals, Juventus, are also interested in Goretzka and have already opened preliminary talks with his entourage. Still, according to Gazzetta, Milan hope to beat the Bianconeri with an offer worth €5m per season for the next three years.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Nicolo Barella of Italy battles for possession with Leon Goretzka of Germany during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Milan’s main target in defence is Lazio’s Gila, whose contract expires in 2027. The former Real Madrid Academy player is unwilling to extend with the Biancocelesti, so he could leave in the summer for €20m to €25m.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Mario Gila of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Rafael Leao of AC Milan during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Igli Tare, now a Milan director, is on excellent terms with the defender’s entourage, as he was the one bringing Gila to the Olimpico in 2022.
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Tielemans has become an important figure at Villa Park, and his decision to stay shows both his personal ambitions and the club’s upward trajectory in recent seasons.
Tielemans is focused on Premier League ambitions
At 28, Tielemans is at a stage in his career where many players begin to consider offers from emerging leagues.
However, reports suggest the midfielder believes he still has unfinished business in the Premier League and is eager to continue competing at the highest level in Europe.
Since joining Aston Villa, Tielemans has re-established himself as a key contributor in midfield.
Known for his composure, passing range, and ability to dictate the tempo of games, he has provided both creativity and stability in Emery’s system.
His experience, gained during his time at Leicester City, where he famously scored the winning goal in the 2021 FA Cup final, continues to be a valuable asset for Villa as they aim to compete for European qualification.
Midfielder has confidence in the Aston Villa project
Youri Tielemans in action for Aston Villa (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Tielemans’ commitment also shows the progress Aston Villa have made under Unai Emery.
The club has developed into a competitive side capable of challenging for European places, and players are increasingly buying into the long-term vision.
Villa’s ability to retain key players like Tielemans is seen as a positive sign for their continued development.
The Saudi Pro League has been actively targeting high-profile players from Europe in recent years, offering significant financial incentives to attract established talent.
Tielemans is understood to be among the players identified by clubs in the region as a potential signing.
However, despite the financial appeal, the Belgian international is reportedly not convinced that a move at this stage of his career.
Crystal Palace could reportedly be planning new contract talks with Jefferson Lerma in order to secure his future at Selhurst Park.
The 31-year-old has been a key player for Palace in his three seasons at the south London club, having previously also shone at former team Bournemouth.
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Palace need to ensure they can keep a lot of this squad together ahead of what could be a pretty chaotic summer as manager Oliver Glasner has already confirmed he’ll be leaving.
On top of that, there will surely be interest in key players like Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta, while Marc Guehi left for Manchester City in January and Eberechi Eze made the move to Arsenal last summer.
Can Crystal Palace keep hold of Jefferson Lerma?
CPFC surely need to avoid losing too many key members of this squad all at once, with former Premier League scout Mick Brown discussing Lerma’s future with Football Insider.
“He’s versatile enough to play in midfield or at the back, always puts in a solid performance and has plenty of experience in the Premier League.
“I expect they will be planning to extend his deal and keep him at the club beyond the end of the season, because there’s already enough players who might be leaving.
Liverpool director Richard Hughes is a top target for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, as has now been confirmed by the reliable Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano addressed recent claims that Hughes’ Anfield future could be in doubt due to interest from Saudi clubs.
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It seems there is truth to the stories, with Romano suggesting it’s going to be something to watch, but it’s not yet clear if a move will definitely happen due to Hughes being happy at Liverpool.
Hughes previously impressed in a similar role at Bournemouth before moving to LFC in the summer of 2024, but now it’s not clear how much longer he’ll be staying.
Fabrizio Romano on Richard Hughes’ Liverpool future
Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes
Speaking in his latest YouTube post, Romano said: “According to reports in Saudi Arabia, and I can confirm that it’s true, that Richard Hughes, Liverpool director, is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, especially from Al-Hilal.
“So, Richard Hughes is now the clear favourite to become the future director at Al-Hilal. The point is the timing and when this is going to happen.
“Because Richard Hughes remains absolutely and totally committed to Liverpool project and he’s very happy at the club.
“So, he remains completely focused on the Liverpool project, but the interest from Saudi is true.
“So, they are trying from Saudi to find a solution for Richard Hughes, for now, for the future.
“Let’s see if they are going to be able to find a way to appoint Richard Hughes, but I can confirm the admiration, I can confirm the interest. Let’s see what Richard Hughes decides to do.”
Hughes has a big role in Liverpool transfers, so it certainly seems like it would not be ideal for the club to have to replace him.
As previously reported here, though, Hughes hasn’t always got things right, such as when he overruled Arne Slot over the sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich.
And although Hughes helped Liverpool secure statement signings such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike last summer, it would probably be fair to say they’ve not quite had the impact that many would have hoped.
Sometimes change is good, so perhaps this is an opportunity for Liverpool to bring in someone who could improve their recruitment, even there’d be some short-term pain in terms of working to find a replacement.
According to SportsBoom, Conventry City are interested in signing Aston Villa star Ross Barkley and the Premier League side are open to letting him leave.
Manager Frank Lampard is keen to reunite with the experienced midfielder if promotion is secured, viewing him as a key addition to strengthen the squad for top-flight survival.
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Coventry sit top of the Championship, holding a comfortable nine-point gap over third-placed Ipswich Town with just eight games remaining.
With automatic promotion firmly within reach, the club has already begun planning for life in the Premier League.
Lampard is targeting for experience in his team
Lampard’s influence is central to Coventry’s transfer thinking. The former Chelsea manager is understood to be prioritizing players with Premier League experience, recognizing the challenge newly promoted teams often face in avoiding immediate relegation.
Barkley, now 32, fits that profile perfectly. The midfielder has enjoyed a long career in England’s top flight, representing clubs such as Everton, Chelsea, and Aston Villa, and has also earned caps for the England national team.
Lampard is familiar with Barkley from their time together at Chelsea, where the midfielder enjoyed some of his most productive spells. That existing relationship is believed to be a key factor behind Coventry’s interest.
For Barkley, a move to Coventry could offer the chance to play a more prominent role, particularly in a team built around his experience and leadership.
Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade is reportedly set to be named in the latest squad for the German national team despite his difficult situation at St James’ Park.
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Woltemade started well when he joined Newcastle from Stuttgart in the summer, and he had been on the radar of big clubs like Bayern Munich prior to his move to the Premier League.
Still, there’s no doubt that Woltemade’s recent form has dipped quite considerably, with the 24-year-old on an awful run of just one goal in his last 21 games in all competitions.
It seems, however, that Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann is still giving Woltemade his backing, according to the Shields Gazette.
Nick Woltemade’s World Cup hopes given a boost
Woltemade still seems to be in Germany’s plans as Nagelsmann is expected to name him in his latest squad, which will be confirmed later today,
Newcastle fans will surely be surprised that Woltemade has managed to keep himself in contention, though, after such a dry spell in front of goal for Eddie Howe’s side in recent times.
If Woltemade can’t turn his form around quickly, there’s surely still a big risk that he’ll ultimately miss out on the summer trip to North America.
It will also be interesting to see what happens with the Germany international’s situation in the summer transfer window, as Bundesliga clubs might still be keen on him even if it hasn’t quite happened for him in English football so far.
Arsenal and Liverpool are the only two Premier League clubs to make it as far as this season’s Champions League quarter-finals.
The Gunners are set to take on Sporting Lisbon in their next game on the 7th of April, with the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium set to take place eight days later on the 15th of April.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have been drawn on the other side of the bracket as they take on reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
If the Reds get past PSG they’d take on either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, while success for Arsenal against Sporting will set them up for a semi-final against either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.
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So, in theory, we’re looking at a possible Arsenal vs Liverpool final, but how likely is that?
Champions League quarter-finals in full and predictions
Arsenal vs Sporting Lisbon
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
Liverpool vs Paris Saint-Germain
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Arsenal are one of the best teams in Europe this season and were arguably a little unlucky when they were beaten by eventual winners PSG in last season’s Champions League semi-finals.
Mikel Arteta’s side will now be big favourites to beat Sporting, but Liverpool are having a difficult season and also face a far tougher tie, with PSG surely the favourites to progress to the semis again.
Here’s our best effort at predicting the outcome of these Champions League quarter-finals…
Arsenal to beat Sporting
Provided Arsenal don’t get complacent or suffer an injury crisis, this is surely the best tie the north Londoners could have hoped for. They beat Sporting 5-1 away from home in the league phase of the competition last season, and should be too good for them again here.
Prediction: Arsenal to go through.
Arsenal CL record
Played
Wins
Draws
Losses
2025/26
10
9
1
0
Barcelona should get past Atletico
These games really can go either way, but Barcelona look the real deal at the moment after the way they absolutely dismantled Newcastle. Of course, Atletico did a pretty good job in that first leg win over Spurs, but were somewhat less convincing in the second fixture against what is a far weaker team.
Prediction: Barcelona to go through.
PSG too strong for Liverpool
Liverpool came back well against Galatasaray, winning their second leg 4-0 after a surprise 1-0 defeat in the away leg. Perhaps Arne Slot’s men will find that extra level in Europe after a disappointing domestic campaign, but the reality is that they’ve fallen some way behind with the changes to their squad this season. PSG beat them last term and they’re more than good enough to do so again.
Prediction: PSG to go through.
Bayern to edge it against Real
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich have been outstanding this season and probably the best team in Europe alongside Arsenal. Harry Kane is on fire, Michael Olise has taken his game up a level, and they’re really well-rounded in every department. While it’s unwise to ever bet against Real Madrid in this competition, they’ve not quite been at their best this season, so we can see Bayern just about getting through a close tie.
Prediction: Bayern to go through.
Will we see a Premier League winner in the Champions League?
All four other English clubs, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Newcastle, exited the Champions League this week.
We’re currently predicting Liverpool to go out at the next stage of the tournament, but Arsenal should reach the semi-finals for the second year in a row.
Beyond that, however, the gruelling Premier League schedule and tough opponents each week make it harder for English sides in Europe.
We’ve seen that illustrated clearly by both Chelsea and Newcastle in particular, as they both fell apart rapidly in the latter stages of their respective away fixtures against PSG and Barcelona.
PSG in particular have a real edge from the fact that Ligue 1 really isn’t that competitive, meaning Luis Enrique can quite conceivably rest players for domestic games in order to keep them in peak condition for their European matches.
So, if you want a really early prediction for the final, don’t be too surprised if it’s Barcelona against either one of PSG or Bayern.
Who do you see as Champions League favourites? Let us know your predictions in the comments!
According to Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid are set to enter the race to sign Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
The Spanish giants hold long term interest in the midfielder and now they are ready to revive interest in the Brazilian midfielder to strengthen their midfield.
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As reported by Reuters, Manchester United are currently in ‘advanced talks’ with the Newcastle United star to bring him to Old Trafford.
However, the entry for Real Madrid could change things in the transfer saga and Red Devils now face a strong battle from the European giants.
United are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign him for €80 million but Real Madrid, who have a history of signing top players from the Premier League, are ready to break the hearts of United fans.
Man United currently head edge in the race
The Premier League giants have already established contact with the midfielder and they are wasting no time to add quality midfielders to their team.
With INEOS looking for a busy summer transfer window ahead, arrangements are being made to sign a new midfielder, or perhaps two, to strengthen their squad so they can compete for the top honours next season.
As Casemiro prepares to say goodbye to the Premier League, United are making plans to replace him and coincidentally, they are targeting another Brazilian midfielder.
Bruno Guimaraes in action for Newcastle (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Since the departure of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, the Real Madrid midfielder has been weak and they have struggled a lot, as seen in their performances.
Guimaraes is the type of player who can add strength, work rate, passing quality and movement in their midfield.
Newcastle United have no intention of letting their star player leave the club, particularly after losing Alexander Isak last summer, however, they cannot offer him Champions League football.
Liverpool surged into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a thumping 4-0 win over Galatasaray secured a 4-1 victory on aggregate. Having trailed by one goal from the first leg, Liverpool turned on the style at Anfield as Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah all scored in the space of 11 minutes after […]
Eberechi Eze’s stunner helped Arsenal seal a 3-1 aggregate win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last 16, with the Gunners triumphing 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Declan Rice added an impressive goal of his own in the second half following Eze’s opener, while both goalkeepers made brilliant saves at either end as Arsenal […]
Victor Osimhen has sustained a fractured forearm and might require surgery, Galatasaray have confirmed. Galatasaray lost 4-0 to Liverpool on Wednesday at Anfield, sealing their exit from the Champions League. Star striker Osimhen, who was limited to just seven touches and only one shot, was taken off at half-time. Galatasaray have revealed further tests confirmed […]
Fiorentina have travelled to Poland without the injured Manor Solomon, Tariq Lamptey, Luca Lezzerini and Niccolò Fortini, as well as Marco Brescianini and Daniele Rugani, who are not part of the Fiorentina UEFA squad.
Multiple sources claim that Roberto Piccoli will once again lead the Fiorentina attack as Italy star Kean is available, but will start on the bench.
David de Gea is also expected to rest, making room for Oliver Christensen between the sticks.
According to Gazzetta and Tuttosport, Jack Harrison will start as a right winger with Jacopo Fazzini on the opposite flank.
The winner will face AEK Larnaca or Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Roberto Piccoli of ACF Fiorentina in action during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Rakow vs. Fiorentina – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports 6 and online through Discovery+ in the UK and Ireland. It is also available for US fans on Paramount+. Football Italia will provide live coverage via a live blog.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Jacopo Fazzini of ACF Fiorentina in action during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Donyell Malen’s Roma and Santiago Castro’s Bologna meet at the Stadio Olimpico tonight in the second leg of the Europa League Round of 16.
It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT). The first leg in Bologna last week ended in a 1-1 draw.
Roma are still short of options in attack with Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Paulo Dybala and Matias Soulé injured and Lorenzo Venturino out of the UEFA list.
Bologna are without the suspended Juan Miranda, as well as Lorenzo De Silvestri and Eivind Helland, who are not part of the Rossoblu’s European squad.
Multiple sources, including Sky Sport Italia and Gazzetta, claim that Stephan El Shaarawy will start as an attacking midfielder for Roma, leaving Lorenzo Pellegrini on the bench.
Italiano will look to Tommaso Pobega, Lewis Ferguson and Remo Freuler in central midfield, and to Federico Bernardeschi, Castro and Jonathan Rowe up front.
The winner will face Aston Villa or Lille in the quarter-finals.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Zeki Celik of AS Roma is challenged by Remo Freuler of Bologna during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Roma vs. Bologna – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 8 in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a live blog.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Donyell Malen of AS Roma acknowledges the fans following the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Roma vs. Bologna – probable line-ups
Roma (3-4-2-1):Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Celik, Kone, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante, El Shaarawy; Malen.
Allegri’s choices: a three-year deal for the German to overtake Juve. The Lazio centre-back has convinced everyone.
Tonali, World Cup anxiety
Injured with Newcastle, Italy is on alert for the play-off
We have the derby left
Roma-Bologna (21), the second leg resumes from 1-1. Fiorentina (18:45) defends a 2-1 lead against Rakow.
Ruthless Bayern, Atalanta concede four more
Germans with Real in the quarter-finals, Liverpool will face PSG
Corriere dello Sport
Europa League verdict
64,000 at the Olimpico for Roma-Bologna: it’s the 22nd derby of Italy. It restarts from 1-1. The winner will face Aston Villa or Lille. Kick-off at 21:00 CET.
In & Out
Gasp against Italiano, challenge for the quarter-finals
Gian Piero: ‘Conscience clear.’ Wesley: ‘Red card against Como? Serious and unacceptable incident.’ Castro launches the challenge to Malen. Vincenzo: ‘They are favourites.’ Bernardeschi and Rowe in the trident.
Conference: Viola 2 to eliminate Rakow (18:45).
Juve move: Alisson on target
Inter bring Stankovic Jr. back home
Leao and Milan: unstable relationship
Premier Napoli: Conte’s assault
Bovo emotion: ‘Unique happiness.’
He scored with Watford after 506 days from the last time: ‘I missed it.’
Atalanta, another collapse. Osi out.
Tuttosport
Juve, first issue
Comolli likes restes, Spalletti, somebody like De Gea
The choice of the next goalkeeper reflects a difference of opinion between the director, fascinated by the Frenchman from Toulouse, and the coach, who would rather go for a more experienced goalkeeper, such as the Spaniard Vicario or Dibu Martinez. Alisson and Carnesecchi are the dreams. Manninger: ‘I’d trust one between Di Gregorio and Perin.’ Lucio waits for Chiellini’s return to define the renewal: the salary could rise to 6m.
Toro, pathway for Livakovic
Seven Barcelona goals, Tonali anxiety
Injury for the Azzurro: alarm ahead of the World Cup play-off. Ruthless Bayern: another goal-fest against Atalanta.
Manchester United are in ‘advanced talks’ with to sign Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, according to Reuters.
The source has claimed that the Red Devils are stepping up their interest in the Brazilian midfielder who could cost around €80 million.
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The Premier League giants have been linked with several midfielders in the last few months including Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Wolves’ Joao Gomes, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and others.
It is clear that a new midfielder is on the agenda at Old Trafford with INEOS looking to strengthen their midfield.
Bruno Guimaraes has been crucial for Newcastle United
The Brazilian midfielder has impressed at St. James’ Park since his move from Lyon.
He has experience in the Premier League, something Man United value after their successful
signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Guimaraes is a leader in the middle of the park who is equally good with his defensive work rate along with his line breaking passes to start attacks.
The midfielder could now consider a move away from Newcastle as he looks for Champions League football, something he is more likely to get at Man United next season due to their league position.
Metric
Value
Expected Goals (xG)
4.82
Expected Assists (xA)
3.65
Total Shots
32
Shots on Target
17
Chances Created
38
Successful Tackles
50
Progressive Carries
74
Touches in Opposition Box
45
Bruno Guimaraes’ stats this season
Why are Man United targeting a new midfielder?
Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes in action (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
They are losing Casemiro in the summer, who has been crucial for them this season.
The Brazilian icon has already announced he is going to leave at the end of the season.
Midfield is an area where United have struggled this season. There is a huge gap in their starting line up in the midfield area.
Although they do have Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte, the former is too young and still developing while the latter has been woeful in his time at Old Trafford.
Martin Odegaard has been missing in action for Arsenal in recent weeks, and he’s now also been left out of Norway’s squad for their upcoming pre-World Cup friendlies.
The Gunners captain is one of the best midfielders in the world on his day, and if not for some rotten luck with injuries he’d surely be one to watch with the Norwegian national team at the 2026 World Cup this summer.
Still, there must now be some doubt about whether Odegaard will definitely make it to the tournament after repeated fitness issues all through this season.
Norway’s World Cup schedule
There’ll surely be plenty of Norway fans starting to think about placing bets on how well their national side will fare at the World Cup and they can also look into a Norway casino guide for other online gaming options.
Unfortunately, fans travelling to the US might be disappointed to learn that Las Vegas won’t be hosting any games, though there should still be some other destinations for poker and other pass-times to keep supporters busy in-between matches.
Norway are in Group I along with France, Senegal, and an as-yet undetermined playoff winner, with some of those final slots yet to be confirmed for the tournament.
Still, Norway finished top of their qualifying group and kick-off their World Cup on June 16th, before then taking on Senegal on the 22nd and France on the 26th.
Two of Norway’s games are being played in the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, and the other is in the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
Martin Odegaard’s recent injury woes
Odegaard has had five separate injuries that have limited him to just 28 games in all competitions for Arsenal this season, and it’s not clear if he’ll be able to play for them in this weekend’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
See below for the various issues that have kept Odegaard out of the Arsenal side for so much of this season and which could yet see him miss his country’s first World Cup in 28 years…
Arsenal have coped well without Odegaard as Eberechi Eze has stepped up in his absence, but Norway’s World Cup squad would surely be significantly weakened without their star midfield player.
There’d still be Erling Haaland up front, but Odegaard is needed to pull the strings and to provide the Manchester City striker with the kind of service he needs.
Arsenal are among the clubs interested in an ambitious potential transfer for Barcelona wonderkid central defender Pau Cubarsi.
As first reported here for the Daily Briefing, it’s important to start by saying that Barcelona are obviously very keen to keep their star centre-back, who at 19 years of age is already one of the best in Europe in his position.
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Cubarsi is protected by a €500m release clause in his Barca contract, which runs until 2029, so this would not be an easy deal for suitors to do this summer, even if eyes are very much on his situation as no new deal in the next year or two could change things dramatically.
Arsenal, City, Chelsea & Bayern eyeing Pau Cubarsi
“While it’s not necessarily a realistic one for the moment, there’s a lot of love for Cubarsi at Arsenal, City, Chelsea, and Bayern,” one source with close ties to the agents industry told me.
“I can’t name names, but a recruitment official from one of those clubs praised Cubarsi for his ‘near-flawless decision-making’ and ‘intelligence beyond his years’.”
It’s understood that there has not yet been any formal or informal contact between clubs and Cubarsi or his representatives, but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that they could soon try to establish a connection there.
If there’s any indication at all that Cubarsi stalls over a new contract, then that could be the moment for clubs to get involved and make him aware of their interest.
Barcelona’s plan for Pau Cubarsi
Still, sources close to Barcelona insist that there is no concern over Cubarsi’s situation, and plans to improve his contract soon.
It is also understood that the Catalan giants will likely end up offering him the captain’s armband in the coming years to highlight even more just how important he is to the team.
This is Cubarsi’s third season as a first-team regular at the Nou Camp, while he also has ten caps for the senior Spanish national team.
In short, everything is very much in place for Cubarsi with his current club, and there’s no current sign of him exploring other options, but as ever with these things, the situation could always change at any moment and there’ll be big clubs ready to pounce if they do.
Anfield was absolutely rocking on Tuesday night as Liverpool completely dismantled Galatasaray 4-0, overturning a tricky 1-0 first-leg deficit to confidently march into the Champions League quarter-finals.
After a bumpy spell in the Premier League recently, Arne Slot’s men desperately needed a massive statement performance, and they delivered exactly that.
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With goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch, and the Egyptian King himself, Mohamed Salah, the Reds secured a 4-1 aggregate victory to set up a mouth-watering last-eight clash with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
But amid all the celebrations, a late injury scare for Salah has left fans holding their breath.
Slot confirms injury to Liverpool star Salah
Despite the vintage second-half masterclass, Salah’s night ended on a slightly concerning note.
Shortly after his wonder goal and rattling the crossbar, the winger signaled to the bench and asked to be substituted. He walked off to a massive ovation but looked slightly uncomfortable.
Speaking to the media after the final whistle, Slot confirmed the situation but kept his cards relatively close to his chest regarding the severity of the issue.
“Mo Salah asked for a substitution. He felt something… so let’s see where he is for the weekend,” Slot revealed, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool acknowledges the fans (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Liverpool are heading into a season-defining stretch of games, and losing their talisman right now would be a massive, unwanted headache.
While the 4-0 win over Galatasaray proves that the attacking depth is clicking, Salah remains the ultimate difference-maker on the big stage.
For now, the Anfield faithful will be sweating on the medical team’s updates over the next 48 hours.
Liverpool have three tough matches in three different competitions next. They travel to Brighton in the league, to Etihad Stadium for the FA Cup quarterfinal and to Paris to face PSG in the Champions League.
They need Salah fit as soon as possible to hold any chance of winning silverware this season.
Manchester United are reportedly ready to launch an audacious €120m bid for the transfer of Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The England international has been one of the top players in world football in his position for some time now, and one imagines many Man Utd fans would love to see him at Old Trafford.
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It will be interesting to see if any other outlets pick this up, but for now transfer rumours linking him with the Red Devils come from Spanish site Fichajes.
Their report claims that United could be prepared to pay €120m to bring Bellingham to the club this summer, though they add that it’s unlikely Real Madrid would let him go.
Jude Bellingham to Manchester United transfer might not be as crazy as it sounds
While this wouldn’t be an easy deal to do, and Fichajes aren’t everyone’s idea of a top tier source, this story might not be as crazy as it sounds.
We know Bellingham was wanted by United in the past, with BBC Sport reporting on them giving the player a tour of their training ground when he was still a youngster.
Since then, Bellingham has kept on improving and has the qualities to make an impact with MUFC, though his form has also taken a bit of a dip this term, partly due to injuries.
What this could mean, however, is that even if Real would probably ideally keep faith with the 22-year-old for a bit longer, there might be a price that could tempt them.
But should Man United splash the cash on Jude Bellingham?
Whether United should make a big bid for Bellingham is another question, though, and in this era of tighter Financial Fair Play regulations, it might not be worth the risk.
Fichajes make it clear that United could pay €120m or even slightly higher for Bellingham, but there would also be his high wages to take into account, and there are probably players out there who’d offer similar qualities without costing quite as much.
Then again, this is a position the club could do with strengthening in, and it may be that a marquee signing of this stature is required if Bruno Fernandes leaves, though the Daily Mail report that they’re doing what they can to keep the Portuguese superstar.
If Bellingham’s form improves and he gets over his injuries, it’s easy to see that score going higher in the near future, but then that would also hit his transfer fee score.
Time will tell how much substance there is to this story, but there are reasons this shouldn’t be entirely dismissed.
Pep Guardiola has claimed Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been the toughest rivals of his managerial career. Guardiola’s Manchester City side fell to a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16. Madrid have now eliminated Man City in five knockout ties in the Champions League, including in four of the last […]
Speculation surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City has intensified following reports that the Spanish manager has held urgent discussions with senior club officials.
Guardiola is seriously considering stepping down at the end of the current season, prompting concern within the club’s hierarchy, according to a source on X.
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While no official decision has been announced, the situation has quickly become one of the most significant talking points in European football, given Guardiola’s transformative impact on Man City over the past decade.
Guardiola’s legacy at Man City
Since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, Guardiola has overseen one of the most dominant periods in English football history.
Under his leadership, Manchester City have secured multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph.
His ability to evolve systems and develop players has been widely praised, turning City into a consistent force both domestically and in Europe.
However, after nearly a decade at the club, questions about long-term motivation and the desire for a new challenge have occasionally surfaced in recent seasons.
Reasons behind Guardiola’s uncertain future at Etihad
Pep Guardiola applauds the Manchester City fans (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Although the exact reasons behind Guardiola’s reported considerations remain unclear, several factors could be influencing his thinking.
His team’s performance this season could be one of the reasons.
The Spanish manager has been knocked out of the Champions League at the Round of 16 stage by Real Madrid, who won 5-1 on aggregate against the Premier League giants.
City are also second favourites in the Premier League title race with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal sitting in a convincing position at the moment.
Another possible reason could be Guardiola needing a break from football management.
Managing at the highest level for an extended period often brings intense pressure, and Guardiola has previously spoken about the mental demands of elite coaching.
Additionally, the natural cycle of squad evolution and the challenge of maintaining dominance year after year may also play a role.
City’s leadership is keen to convince Guardiola to continue, recognising his importance to the club’s long-term ambitions. The board is believed to be engaged in discussions aimed at addressing any concerns and outlining a clear vision for the future.
Chelsea and West Ham United are reportedly planning to hold talks over a permanent transfer deal for Axel Disasi to move to the London Stadium.
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The French centre-back is currently performing well on loan with the Hammers, and it seems unlikely that there’ll be a first-team role for him back at Stamford Bridge any time soon.
According to Football Insider, this now means Chelsea and West Ham are set for discussions over making Disasi’s move permanent, though it’s not necessarily going to be straightforward.
The report suggests that one issue could be Chelsea’s asking price, as they’ll want to make back as much as possible of the £38m they spent signing Disasi from Monaco.
West Ham would surely struggle to afford that, and it doesn’t really look like good value for money anyway, even if the 28-year-old has done well during his time with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
West Ham need survival to secure Axel Disasi transfer
Unsurprisingly, it also seems that West Ham surviving in the Premier League will be key to them keeping hold of Disasi, according to Football Insider.
Disasi likely won’t be keen on playing in the Championship, and he’d surely have other offers to consider if WHUFC were to end up getting relegated.
Disasi previously also had a loan spell with Aston Villa, and there’d surely be a lot of clubs out there who’d be interested in him.
However, Man United have now joined the intense competition to sign the versatile Newcastle attacker due to the future permanent departure of Rashford to Barcelona.
Man United are looking to invest more in attack
Rashford has spent this season on loan at Barcelona and the La Liga giants are interested in making the move permanent.
After consistent struggles at Old Trafford, he opted for a move to La Liga where he has regained his form and has impressed the Spanish champions.
With him leaving permanently, Man United are naturally looking for a replacement and Gordon has caught their attention.
The Red Devils invested in attacking signings like Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo last summer.
They want to invest more this summer to get back to the top of English football and compete regularly against teams like Arsenal and Manchester City.
Manchester United’s search for their next permanent manager has taken an intriguing turn, with Roberto De Zerbi reportedly emerging as one of the leading candidates eager to take the reins at Old Trafford.
According to TEAMtalk, former Brighton and Marseille manager De Zerbi is ready to take the Man United job at the end of the season.
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However, INEOS and the United senior officials find themselves facing a major conundrum ahead of the summer transfer window, largely thanks to the phenomenal recent performance of Michael Carrick.
Stepping in as caretaker manager, Carrick has accumulated a staggering 22 points from a possible 27.
This remarkable run of form has put the Red Devils in pole position, just behind Arsenal and Manchester City, to secure lucrative Champions League qualification for next season.
De Zerbi is keen in Premier League return
If United chiefs do opt against handing Carrick the full-time gig, they will not be short of elite suitors.
The Italian tactician earned a stellar reputation during his time with Brighton in the Premier League.
The 46-year-old guided Marseille to a second-placed finish in Ligue 1 last season.
However, he was unable to replicate that form this term, leaving the French giants in February following a heavy 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and a Champions League exit against Club Brugge.
It is hardly surprising considering how the Red Devils have played under Carrick.
They look like a proper team again, a team that can attack, play beautiful football and entertain the fans at Old Trafford, something Man United have been famous for.
However, those two managers will be available only after the World Cup in the summer this year.
All eyes will be on the Old Trafford hot seat in the summer.
Borussia Dortmund are reportedly confident that they could convince Manchester United misfit Jadon Sancho to join them for a third spell.
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Sancho is currently on loan at Aston Villa and will surely be leaving Man Utd this summer as he comes to the end of his contract after a pretty miserable spell at Old Trafford.
Still, the 25-year-old has previously shone at Dortmund, first as a youngster, and later when he returned there for a brief loan spell.
What next for Jadon Sancho after nightmare Man United spell?
Sancho needs to get his next move right after a really difficult time since first joining United from Dortmund back in the summer of 2021.
At that time, the England international looked like one of the biggest talents in the game, but his career has really gone downhill since then.
Sancho did well when he returned to BVB on loan, but he’s struggling on loan at Villa this season and was also underwhelming during a loan stint with Chelsea last term.
Returning to Dortmund could be ideal to help Sancho revive his career, as he’s so often looked happiest and at his best with the German side.
At the same time, his form has dipped so much that it’s also possible he’ll have to move somewhere like Saudi Arabia if he wants to keep earning the kind of money he’s on now.
The Mail have previously reported that Sancho earns around £250,000 a week, and it certainly makes sense that Dortmund would be highly reluctant to pay that, as surely would plenty of other clubs in the Premier League and elsewhere in Europe.
That could limit Sancho’s options slightly, but he surely needs to focus more on football now than on his earnings.
Rashford has impressed since joining Barca on loan from Man Utd this season, but it seems the Catalan giants are still unsure about paying his £26m asking price.
That’s according to a report from the Daily Mail, which states that Barcelona are confident they can persuade United to simply allow the England international to join them on loan again.
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It’s slightly surprising that Barcelona aren’t prepared to spend a relatively low fee on making Rashford’s move permanent, and it also seems far from ideal from United’s point of view to miss out on a sale.
Still, the Mail suggests the La Liga club are optimistic they could do it, and MUFC may end up favouring this over trying to find another buyer for Rashford.
Marcus Rashford’s loan spell at Barcelona in numbers
Rashford looked far from at his best towards the end of his time at United, but he’s performed well at the Nou Camp even if he hasn’t always been an automatic starter.
The 28-year-old has a total of ten goals and nine assists in all competitions so far this season, which is a very decent return considering he’s only been named in Hansi Flick’s starting XI 21 times. In the Champions League this has translated to a goal every 97 minutes on average.
Rashford has often had to make do with a place on the bench, but he’s had a positive impact as a super sub in this Barca side, and his versatility also makes him a useful option in that kind of role, as he can be brought on as a winger or a striker depending on the situation.
As the graphic below shows, he’s clearly no Lamine Yamal or Raphinha, but it would surely make sense for Barcelona to try to keep him around for a bit longer if possible…
Marcus Rashford stats vs Lamine Yamal and Raphinha (DataMB)
Pep Guardiola has claimed Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been the toughest rivals of his managerial career. Guardiola’s Manchester City side fell to a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16. Madrid have now eliminated Man City in five knockout ties in the Champions League, including in four of the last […]
With concerns over his injury far from fading, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez admits having no guarantee that Cristiano Ronaldo will be taking part in the 2026 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s recent injury has set off alarm bells not only at Al Nassr but within the Portugal national team, particularly with the 2026 World Cup fewer than 90 days away. As attention turns to the March international window, head coach Roberto Martínez has admitted he cannot guarantee that Ronaldo will be fit to participate in the tournament in North America.
In an interview with the Observador YouTube channel, Martínez was asked whether Portugal‘s medical staff had given him any assurance that Ronaldo would be fit for the World Cup. The Spanish coach offered no such comfort: “No one can provide that guarantee. If I had that guarantee, I would have called the player up now.“
Pressed on his earlier assessment of the injury as minor, Martínez was equally measured. “Cristiano currently has a minor injury, but he still has more matches with his club. Football is a contact sport, and I can’t guarantee that players won’t get injured.“
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal drops to the floor injured.
Beyond the March friendlies, where his involvement is already in serious doubt, Ronaldo has up to nine more matches scheduled with Al Nassr before the end of the 2025-26 season across the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League. That number could fluctuate depending on how the club manages his workload, but with the World Cup so close, his fitness will be a topic under daily review.
Portugal looking to avoid a repeat of 2014
At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Portugal had a disappointing campaign, bowing out in the group stage as Germany and the United States advanced from Group G. Ronaldo’s contribution was significantly hampered by a patellar tendinitis issue in his left knee, sustained after pushing through the Champions League final that season. He managed just one goal in the tournament, against Ghana, and the experience left a lasting mark on how his fitness heading into major competitions is assessed.
The parallels with his current hamstring injury and the risk of it being aggravated have inevitably raised concerns about history repeating itself. Asked directly whether a similar scenario could unfold at the 2026 World Cup, Martínez expressed confidence in his ability to handle the situation.
“It’s my responsibility to create the best possible environment for our team, so that all players in the dressing room enjoy representing Portugal and contributing at the World Cup. I have a lot of experience in this area,” he said, before drawing on a precedent from his time with Belgium. “For example, when I was with Belgium, I had a player who was only medically fit for the third match. At that point, it becomes a matter of making a decision.
“It’s a decision: either include the player or leave him out. The decision was the right one, we included the player, and he played in the third match. And then he was able to take part in the next four matches. What I can say is that we have an excellent relationship with our medical department which has extensive experience that allows it to gather all the necessary information to make the right decision.“
The coach was referring to his experience with Belgium captain Vincent Kompany, who suffered a groin injury in a friendly against Portugal in June 2018, just weeks before the World Cup in Russia. Martínez opted to include him anyway, and after sitting out the first two group games and featuring for 16 minutes in the third against England, Kompany went on to play the full 90 minutes across Belgium’s next four matches until the game for the 3rd place.
Harry Kane scored his 50th goal in the Champions League as Bayern Munich’s 4-1 win over Atalanta secured a 10-2 aggregate victory in the last 16. The England striker, who captained Bayern in the second leg at Allianz Arena, scored a brace before Lennart Karl and Luis Diaz booked a quarter-final clash against record Champions […]
Lionel Messi reached 900 goals in his career after a great definition in Inter Miami's game in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Nashville SC.
Inter Miami hosted Nashville SC in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 at Chase Stadium on Wednesday. With a stunning crossed finish, Lionel Messi broke the deadlock and reached the historic milestone of 900 career goals in the process.
After a tightly contested first leg that ended goalless at Geodis Park, Inter Miami came out determined to take control of the tie from the opening minutes, breaking through in the seventh. Rodrigo De Paul drove forward and shifted the play to the left for Sergio Reguilon to deliver a cross into the box, where Messi brought the ball under control under pressure before whipping a crossed shot into the far corner.
Messi had entered the match on 899 career goals, having had the chance to reach the milestone in last week’s first leg at Nashville but failing to find the net. He then sat out the weekend’s MLS fixture against Charlotte FC to rest ahead of tonight’s decisive clash, a decision that paid off almost immediately.
With 900 now in the rearview mirror, the next landmark is 1,000 career goals, a figure Cristiano Ronaldo is steadily closing in on with 965. Whether Lionel Messi, now 38 years old, can realistically get there is a more complex question.
Following his departure from Barcelona, Messi’s club output dipped considerably, managing just 11 and 21 goals across his two seasons at PSG. His first two years in MLS were similarly modest by his standards, with 11 goals in a partial 2023 season and 23 in 2024, a campaign disrupted by injury.
The 2025 season, however, represented a genuine turning point. Fully adapted to life in MLS, Messi registered 43 goals across all competitions with Inter Miami and added three more with the Argentina national team, for a combined total of 46 in a single calendar year. With four goals already in five games to start 2026, and his Inter Miami contract running through December 2028, sustaining anything close to that pace would put the 1,000-goal milestone within reach, a feat that not long ago would have seemed unthinkable for a player at his stage of career.
Lionel Messi reached 900 career goals, a milestone previously achieved only by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Wednesday’s clash on March 18, 2026, between Inter Miami and Nashville SC will be remembered for a long time—not for what it meant to the Concacaf Champions Cup or the ambitions of both teams, but for the milestone reached by Lionel Messi. The Argentine forward scored his 900th official goal, something only Cristiano Ronaldo had accomplished before.
Leo reached that milestone in the opening minutes of the match against Nashville SC at Chase Stadium. Sergio Reguilon delivered the assist from the edge of the box; he controlled the ball and, with a precise left-footed strike, scored the opener.
Messinow has 900 official goals in his career, spread across the three clubs he played for professionally and his international career. With Barcelona is where Leo did most of his work: he scored 672 goals in 778 matches there.
Then, during his brief two-year stint in France, the forward scored 32 goals in 75 matches with Paris Saint-Germain. After that less-than-happy experience, Messi joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, and since then he has played 93 matches with 81 goals.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami
Finally, with the Argentina National Team Lionel Messi has logged 20 uninterrupted years. From his official senior debut in 2005 through his latest match on November 14, 2025, against Angola, the forward has recorded 115 goals in 196 appearances.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the first to score 900 goals
To understand the magnitude of Lionel Messi’s achievement, it’s necessary to put that record into context. Until this Wednesday, only one player in soccer history had surpassed the 900-goal mark as a professional: Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 41-year-old forward, still active with Al Nassr and the Portugal National Team, is the all-time leading scorer with 965 goals. He reached that total through his years with Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr and Portugal, beginning in 2002.
How long did it take Messi and Ronaldo to reach 900 goals?
The 900th goal of Lionel Messi’s career came this Wednesday in the match against Nashville SC. The Argentine forward reached that number at 38 years and 8 months old. In terms of matches played, he needed 1,142. That represents an average of 0.78 goals per game.
Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, reached 900 official goals on September 5, 2024, playing for Portugal against Croatia. At that time, the forward was 39 years and 7 months old and had played 1,238 matches, which represents an average of 0.73 goals per game.
Napoli-owned striker Noa Lang was stretchered off and needed oxygen after suffering a freak injury during Galatasaray’s Champions League game against Liverpool.
The Turkish team lost 4-0 on the night at Anfield, overturning the 1-0 first leg victory from Istanbul in the Round of 16 tie.
How Lang got badly hurt
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Noa Lang of Galatasaray A.S. reacts to a thumb injury as Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate and Curtis Jones of Liverpool interact with him during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray SK at Anfield on March 18, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Lang came off the bench to replace Sacha Boey, but with 10 minutes left to play, he went into the advertising board on the side of the pitch and got his hand caught in the mechanism.
The Dutch international immediately fell clutching his hand and medics rushed over to treat him, with players from both Liverpool and Galatasaray visibly shaken from what they could see.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Noa Lang of Galatasaray A.S. is stretchered off by medical staff after going down with an injury to his thumb during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray SK at Anfield on March 18, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Lang was given oxygen to help him deal with the pain and then stretchered off to a nearby ambulance, so he could be taken to hospital.
Napoli paid €25m to buy Lang from PSV Eindhoven in July 2025, but he did not get along with coach Antonio Conte, so was loaned out to Galatasaray in January.
There is an option for the Turkish club to buy him outright for €30m at the end of the season.
Raffaele Palladino admits Atalanta changed their gameplan and were still swept aside by Bayern Munich in the Champions League. ‘We faced probably the best side in Europe right now.’
La Dea knew that their chances of qualification were slim to non-existent after the 6-1 first leg defeat, but wanted to give a better account of themselves at the Allianz Arena.
They were only 1-0 down at half-time here to a Harry Kane penalty, but the England international scored again after the restart, followed by Lennart Karl’s angled drive moments later.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
“We wanted to play with pride, we changed our gameplan and tried to sit a bit deeper, giving our all against a very strong team,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.
“I have to compliment Bayern Munich, Vincent Kompany, the whole club, because we probably faced the best side in Europe right now. You’ve got to just be honest and accept the result on the pitch.”
Nearly 4,000 Atalanta fans made the journey from Italy for this match, and had the added difficulty of a local transport strike affecting their trip to the stadium.
“We tried to give our all, the objective was to salute our many fans with a better result than the first leg, and they were again fantastic tonight,” added Palladino.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Raffaele Palladino, Head Coach of Atalanta, acknowledges the fans following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
The coach had attempted some experiments for the first leg, including a four-man defence, so did he have regrets over that approach or did Atalanta learn valuable lessons for the future?
“Hindsight is easy, we probably could’ve done some things differently, but then today we had a different plan and sat deeper, but it didn’t change a lot. Bayern Munich are a complete squad in every sense, they will always find a way to play through you and break you down,” insisted Palladino.
“We learned a great deal in these two matches, because playing at this level forces you to step up and accept your limitations with great humility. We have to congratulate our opponents.”
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Raffaele Palladino, Head Coach of Atalanta, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Atalanta were the only remaining Italian representatives in the Champions League and now they are out, so what is the difficulty compared to these other European contenders?
“The biggest difference is how quickly the ball moves around,” explained Palladino.
“You might not notice it as much on television, but up close you see how quickly it is passed, they always pass it onto the correct foot, they control at pace, shake off defenders and also have peaks of sprinting speed that is higher.
“I think we have to change from the youth academies, because when we play teams like Bayern Munich, it seems like a different sport. We’ve all got to focus more on individuals and these basics from the early years, because there is a clear difference.”
La Dea are the only side who managed to get through the play-offs, eliminating Borussia Dortmund 4-1 in the second leg after losing the first 2-0.
Atalanta were also the only Serie A side still in three competitions, as the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final with Lazio ended 2-2.
“We have the Coppa Italia, which is an objective we care about, because we want to bring silverware to Bergamo and Atalanta got so close to winning several times in recent years without managing it, so that would be a dream,” commented Palladino.
“At the same time, it is also worth direct access to the Europa League. We also have Serie A, and the next two rounds against Verona and Lecce, then there are head-to-heads with Roma, Juventus and Bologna.
“We know that we started from way back, I arrived and we were in 13th place, now we are in seventh, so we’ve made that climb up, I will continue to ask a lot from my players, because it’s still wide open to the end.”
Mohamed Salah picked up an injury against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League earlier today, and manager Arne Slot has now provided an update on the situation.
The Liverpool manager is still unsure whether the Egyptian International will be available for the weekend against Brighton, and Liverpool are waiting to determine the true extent of damage.
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Mohamed Salah was injured against Galatasaray
Slot on Salah’s fitness: “He asked for a substitution. He felt something so let’s see where he is for the weekend.”
Salah injury report
Salah asked to be subbed off around the 73rd minute and went straight to the tunnel.
I’ve looked at the minutes prior to the substitution and nothing clearly stands out. He seemed to be moving freely and had a few high-pace actions.
Salah asked to be substituted late in the second half after feeling a problem with his groin. He has not been at his best this season, but he remains a key player for Liverpool, and they will need him on the pitch for the remainder of the season. They are already without Alexander Isak.
The Egyptian International scored an exceptional goal and set up another for his teammate Hugo Ekitike. He could play a key role in their push for UEFA Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign. It remains to be seen whether he can return to action at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Liverpool booked their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after a stunning 40 win in the second leg of the knockout rounds against the Turkish outfit. They were beaten in the first leg, but turned up the style at Anfield to secure a comfortable victory.
They will face PSG in the next round of the competition, and it remains to be seen whether they can get past the French champions. They were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League last season by the French outfit, who went on to win the tournament. Liverpool will certainly look to avenge that defeat here.
Eddie Howe was left scratching his head after a “strange” result saw Newcastle United dumped out of the Champions League by Barcelona. Hansi Flick’s side hammered their Premier League opponents 7-2 in Wednesday’s second leg, securing an 8-3 aggregate triumph and place in the last eight. But Newcastle looked good value in the first half […]
Hansi Flick was relieved to survive a “crazy game” as Barcelona thrashed Newcastle United 7-2 to move into the Champions League quarter-finals. A chaotic nine-goal thriller in the second leg secured an 8-3 aggregate win for Flick’s side, who will face either Tottenham or Atletico Madrid in the next round. Raphinha scored two and set […]
Liverpool surged into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a thumping 4-0 win over Galatasaray secured a 4-1 victory on aggregate. Having trailed by one goal from the first leg, Liverpool turned on the style at Anfield as Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah all scored in the space of 11 minutes after […]
Inter Miami drew 1-1 with Nashville SC and were eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Lionel Messi scored the 900th goal of his career.
Inter Miami drew 1-1 with Nashville SC and were eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup, following a 0-0 draw in the first leg. Lionel Messi had given the Herons the lead with his 900th career goal.
Things got off to a perfect start for Inter Miami, as they took the lead just three minutes in through Messi. The Argentine forward received a precise assist from Sergio Reguilon on the left, controlled the ball inside the box, and unleashed a left-footed shot that beat the goalkeeper.
However, things didn’t go entirely smoothly for the Herons. In the second half, Nashville pushed forward and found the goal they needed: in the 74th minute, Cristian Espinoza pounced on a rebound inside the box to score the 1-1 equalizer, sending the visitors through to the quarterfinals.
For Inter Miami, it’s a major disappointment. The Concacaf Champions Cup was their primary goal this season, and they were knocked out early. Now, all their efforts will need to focus on the MLS and the Leagues Cup, titles they have already won in previous seasons.
While coach Massimiliano Allegri considers Rafael Leão an important piece, former AC Milan star Antonio Cassano did not hesitate to deliver strong criticism of his performances. He even went as far as making a bold statement that questions his ability to truly shine.
Throughout the 2025–26 season, Rafael Leão’s continuity at AC Milan has been called into question. While the Portuguese has emerged as a solid scorer amid Christian Pulisic’s drop in form, he has not managed to shine outside the left wing. Following his surge under coach Massimiliano Allegri and his disappointing performances, former Rossoneri star Antonio Cassano delivered strong criticism of Leao, making a firm statement.
During an interview in Viva El Futbol, via YouTube, Antonio Cassano delivered strong criticism to Rafael Leao recent performances, leaving a strong statement: “Milan, in an easy league, Leão struggles massively.In my Real Madrid, he wouldn’t even play in training. Not even in that Milan with Ibra, Robinho, Pato, and Inzaghi.”
Unlike previous seasons, Leão has not looked entirely comfortable at the Rossoneri, as coach Allegri has deployed him as a second striker, far from his best version on the left wing. While he has managed to score 10 goals in 25 matches, he has not been able to impress the fans with his impact, often being substituted. In addition, the Portuguese had an outburst with Allegri after being taken off in the previous match vs. Lazio.
Far from being Cassano’s first criticism of Rafael, the Ex-Rossoneri made his dissatisfaction with the player clear back in 2023.“Leão made two or three runs, but never shot on goal and didn’t track back. Zero assists, zero goals, he misses the decisive play. Leão makes a few full-speed runs, pushes the ball forward and that’s it. But in these matches you have to make the difference,” he said, via Bobo TV.
Rafael Leao of AC Milan
Report: Rafael Leao’s AC Milan future in doubt
Massimiliano Allegri successfully transformed AC Milan, revitalizing them into a competitive force in Serie A. By focusing on a robust midfield and solid defense, he restored the team’s stability, albeit at the expense of their attacking prowess. Due to these lackluster offensive performances, the Rossoneri are preparing for a significant roster overhaul, which reportedly casts doubt on Rafael Leão’s position with the team.
According to Matteo Moretto, via X, AC Milan are open to Leão’s departure in the summer of 2026. However, they would only let him leave for a strong offer, meaning he is no longer considered untouchable within the squad. As a result, the Portuguese could be heading to the Premier League, where he has attracted interest from several clubs looking to maximize his best version as a left winger, which could make a move appealing to him.
With the Round of 16 over, the date and duels for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League have been determined.
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 has concluded, with eight teams eliminated and eight others punching their tickets to the quarterfinals. With the bracket predetermined, there is no need for a draw, and the quarterfinal matchups and schedule are already set.
The Round of 16 produced several stunning results, with a number of sides that had finished in the top eight during the league phase falling to opponents who had to come through the playoff round just to reach this stage.
Among the top-eight finishers who were eliminated are Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester City, while Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Bodø/Glimt, Newcastle United, and Galatasaray also made early exits. Arsenal and Liverpool are the only two English club remaining in the competition.
Who is playing in the UCL quarterfinals?
When the Round of 16 draw was made, UEFA also mapped out the full path each side would need to follow to reach the Champions League final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. The quarterfinal matchups are as follows:
2025-26 UEFA Champions League bracket.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Liverpool
Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid
Sporting CP vs. Arsenal
In the semifinals, the winner of Sporting CP-Arsenal will face the winner of Barcelona-Atlético Madrid, while on the other side of the bracket, the winner of PSG-Liverpool will take on the winner of Real Madrid-Bayern Munich.
When are the UCL quarterfinals?
The first legs of the quarterfinal ties will be played on Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 8, the week after the March international break concludes. On the 7th, Sporting CP will host Arsenal at Estádio José Alvalade, while Real Madrid welcome Bayern Munich to the Santiago Bernabéu. On the 8th, Barcelona host Atlético Madrid at the Camp Nou, and PSG welcome Galatasaray to the Parc des Princes.
The second legs follow the week after. On Tuesday, April 14, Atlético Madrid host Barcelona at the Metropolitano, and Galatasaray host PSG at their home ground. Then on Wednesday, April 15, Arsenal host Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium, and Bayern Munich welcome Real Madrid to the Allianz Arena.
Christian Pulisic continues a difficult 2026 at Milan, and tensions have boiled over with teammate Rafael Leao, sparking questions about the chemistry in the Rossoneri attack.
Christian Pulisic continues a difficult 2026 at Milan, and tensions have boiled over with teammate Rafael Leao, sparking questions about the chemistry in the Rossoneri attack. The two forwards, both expected to drive Milan’s scoring output, have struggled to connect in Serie A, leaving the club with a combined tally of just two goals in 595 minutes when playing alongside each other. Their relationship came under scrutiny after Milan’s recent defeat to Lazio, where unseen tensions surfaced on the pitch and in the dressing room.
While the full story only emerged later, it was clear immediately after the Olimpico loss that something had gone wrong between the two forwards. Pulisic’s continued poor form in 2026 had already frustrated teammates, culminating in a moment that would later be revealed in dramatic detail on DAZN’s Bordo Cam program.
During the Rossoneri’s 1-0 defeat, footage captured by DAZN shows Pulisic missing two opportunities to pass Leao through on goal. After the second chance went unplayed, the Portuguese winger’s frustration boiled over. “Bloody hell, mate. Get it in, bro,” the Portuguese striker shouted, visibly furious. The outburst extended to the bench, where coach Massimiliano Allegri could be heard shouting: “Get it in! With that one, he’d have scored, oh, it’s already two! But already two!”
The episode escalated when Leao was substituted. He left the pitch slowly, prompting goalkeeper Mike Maignan to run halfway down the field in an attempt to hurry him along. Leao refused Allegri’s attempt at a consoling hug, instead venting his anger toward Pulisic. “He has to pass the ball, coach!” Leao said, shaking his head in frustration. On the bench, he kicked and threw his shin guards, muttering to himself: “He never passes it, and nobody says anything. It’s always like this.”
Despite the dramatic scene, Allegri later clarified the situation. “Leao was a little nervous because there were some situations where he could have had a better serve, so he was a little angry, but these things can happen during a match,” the Rossoneri manager explained. Allegri emphasized that the outburst was not directed at him but at the missed opportunities on the field, highlighting the high standards expected from his attacking duo.
The post-match tension reportedly continued into the dressing room, with the Portuguese still visibly upset at Pulisic’s lack of support. However, the Milan staff quickly took steps to restore unity. Video analysis sessions at Milanello allowed both players to reflect calmly on the incidents. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Leao apologized to Pulisic and the team, and the two symbolically shook hands on the pitch, marking a truce and a fresh start.
Struggling partnership
The challenges between Leao and Pulisic are not only interpersonal but also tactical. They have only started seven Serie A games together this season, partly due to injuries and individual form issues. Leao is currently in his longest goal drought since joining Milan in 2023, still without a goal in 2026, while the American has struggled to break his own scoring slump. Their combined lack of productivity highlights the need for better synergy if the club is to maintain its Champions League aspirations next season.
Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates with teammate Christian Pulisic.
Despite these difficulties, Allegri remains focused on the bigger picture. Both players respect each other and have shown maturity in addressing the situation. “The only focus must no longer be on the defeat against Lazio, but on the goals that the team need to score against Torino to secure the three points,” the manager noted, signaling that on-field success is the priority.
Brazil’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup have been marked by both excitement and unexpected drama, as star forward Neymar confronted the harsh reality of missing out on the national team squad.
Brazil’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup have been marked by both excitement and unexpected drama, as star forwardNeymar confronted the harsh reality of missing out on the national team squad. With coach Carlo Ancelotti steering Brazil through the pre-World Cup friendlies, questions over squad selection and player fitness have captured global attention. While Neymar has been a central figure for both his club, Santos, and the Brazil national team, recent developments suggest a generational shift is underway in the Selecao.
The news of Neymar’s omission from the March friendlies was made even more poignant thanks to a candid video he shared on his YouTube channel. The clip, part of the series “48 hours unfiltered,” offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at his life as a professional player and his personal reaction to being left out of the squad.
In the footage, the 34-year-old forward can be seen watching the squad announcement on his phone while receiving a massage. Upon realizing that his name was not included, he turned to the camera and humorously yet heartbreakingly said, “Hey, Ancelotti. What about me?”
The remark encapsulated both his surprise and disappointment, highlighting the emotional toll of missing out on a team he has represented with distinction for over 15 years. With 128 caps and 79 goals, Neymar remains one of Brazil’s most decorated players, yet his absence reflects both persistent injury concerns and a broader strategy by Ancelotti to prioritize emerging talent.
A reação do Neymar em não ter sido convocado para seleção brasileira mais uma vez.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has managed Brazil since 2024, has consistently emphasized the importance of fielding fit players in the lead-up to the World Cup. Neymar’s omission is reportedly tied to persistent injury issues, particularly following his 2023 ACL tear, as well as inconsistent form at Santos.
As a result, Ancelotti has turned to younger players such as Endrick, Igor Thiago, and Vinicius, signaling a deliberate effort to balance experience with youth ahead of the 2026 tournament. In a pre-announcement discussion captured on video, Neymar confided to his teammate, goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao, “Back in the day, I knew I was going no matter what! Right?” His laughter belied a stark contrast with his current uncertainty, showing the emotional shift from a guaranteed national team place to competing for fitness and form.
Neymar antes da convocação de Ancelotti em conversa com Brazão:
“Antigamente eu sabia que ia de qualquer jeito, né?”
— Gols do Brasileirão ⚽️🇧🇷 (@golsdobrasil1) March 18, 2026
Rarely visible vulnerable side
The video also captured Neymar’s vulnerable side, as he admitted feeling sad about missing the squad but reaffirmed his commitment to the Selecao, stating he would continue supporting his teammates and working hard for a 2026 World Cup spot.
“I’ll always root for my Brazilian teammates and look to keep working hard to find a place in the Brazil squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Neymar explained in the video. Brazil’s March 2026 friendlies against France and Croatia represent crucial preparation ahead of the World Cup. With Neymar unavailable, Ancelotti will rely on a blend of emerging stars and experienced players to simulate tournament conditions.
A miracle was required after losing the first leg 6-1 at home, and La Dea only conceded in Munich from a retaken Harry Kane penalty.
However, Kane struck again after the restart, with Lennart Karl’s angled drive and a Luis Diaz lob on the counter-attack, with Lazar Samardzic late on grabbing a consolation goal by nodding in the corner.
De Roon makes Atalanta history tonight
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Marten De Roon of Atalanta BC is challenged by Aleksandar Pavlovic during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
He came off the bench for his 435th appearance in the Atalanta jersey, equalling the club record set by Gianpaolo Bellini.
“It is a great achievement, 435 is a lot of games, but I don’t want to stop here, I want to keep going. It is an honour to have played so many times for Atalanta.”
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Lennart Karl of FC Bayern Munich scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
This means Bayern Munich will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, with PSG vs. Liverpool, Barcelona-Atletico Madrid and Arsenal against Sporting CP.
“We have a lot to learn from this team,” noted De Roon. “We tried to press them at home and that didn’t work, so today we sat deeper, and they still scored four goals.
“We played against a truly extraordinary opponent, we’ve learned from this and have to lift our heads again straight away in Serie A.”
La Dea were the only remaining Italian team in the Champions League, so it is disappointing to see them swept aside 10-2 on aggregate.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Mario Pasalic and Isak Hien of Atalanta react during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
“Italian teams have much to learn from these sides, in their movements and their pace. We are too static, too tactical, and even the referees in Europe let play flow much better without stopping and starting all the time,” explained De Roon.
“Today, Kane was playing as a striker, a right-back and a left-back at different times. You have to run so much to keep up.
“I think Bayern Munich are the favourites to win the Champions League, they impressed me so much tonight, and that was without Jamil Musiala, Michael Olise and Joshua Kimmich. We’ve got to be as humble as they are.”
Atalanta have plenty to focus on, as the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final with Lazio ended 2-2, while they are still in the fight for European places in Serie A.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe confirms Italy international Sandro Tonali ‘has a groin, sort of hip problem’ after going off injured against Barcelona.
Newcastle United went on to lose 7-2 on the night and were eliminated from the Round of 16.
Tonali concern grows for Italy
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 18: Marc Bernal of FC Barcelona is challenged by Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United FC at Camp Nou on March 18, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
With the World Cup play-offs coming up against Northern Ireland, Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso will be anxious to know if the problem for Tonali is serious.
Speaking to the media after the match, Newcastle manager Howe was asked if Tonali was a doubt for this weekend’s game against Sunderland.
“It looks like he’s got a groin, sort of hip problem. I thought he performed really well in the first half and we really missed him in that second period.”
Italy have already lost Mattia Zaccagni today for the World Cup play-offs, as the Lazio wide attacker was ruled out for several weeks by a muscular injury.
Marco Verratti, who had been tipped for a potential call-up, has also sustained an injury and will not be available for the Azzurri.
Atalanta are out of the Champions League after another rough night with Bayern Munich, as Harry Kane scored twice in a 4-1 result on the night, 10-2 on aggregate.
The 6-1 first leg defeat in Bergamo meant a miracle was needed to reach the quarter-finals, but La Dea made the trip without suspended Yunus Musah, giving Charles De Ketelaere his first start since meniscus damage on February 5, with Giacomo Raspadori back on the bench. Bayern had Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise banned, plus Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich, Leon Klanac, Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala injured. Goalkeeper Jonas Urbig recovered from concussion to take the gloves.
Luis Diaz pounced on a poor Isak Hien header back, but couldn’t find the net from a tight angle, while Raphael Guerreiro scuffed a finish straight at Marco Sportiello.
Pavlovic stung Sportiello’s gloves from the edge of the area, but VAR intervened when Giorgio Scalvini charged down a Kane volley with his elbow when trying to turn and tuck the arm into his body.
VAR was involved again because when Sportiello parried the Kane penalty, it was confirmed he was off his line, so it had to be retaken and this time Kane sent him the wrong way to convert.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munich scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Scalvini volleyed off target from the edge of the area, then nodded down a cross for Mario Pasalic to force a desperate one-handed save from point-blank range at the near post.
An acrobatic Gianluca Scamacca volley and Raoul Bellanova low drive were straight at Jonas Urbig after the restart, but Guerreiro steered wide of the near post with the inside of the left foot.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Kane added a second when he somehow managed to squirm between Hien and Odilon Kossounou to then in one sweeping motion fire into the far top corner.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 18, 2026
Moments later there was a third, as debutant Deniz Ofli robbed Bellanova and Bayern moved it quickly from left to right, Luis Diaz finding the Lennart Karl angled drive relatively undisturbed.
Atalanta thought they had a penalty on the hour mark when ex-Napoli defender Kim Min-jae blocked a Kamaldeen Sulemana cross and it flicked up onto his arm. However, VAR evaluated and suggested the arm was in a natural position.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Mario Pasalic and Isak Hien of Atalanta react during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Pasalic had a free header on Bernasconi’s cross, but nodded it into the ground and made it easy for Urbig from a very promising position.
Moments later, Scamacca stumbled to spark a deadly counter-attack, as Luis Diaz out-sprinted Kossounou and chipped the on-rushing Sportiello into an empty net.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 18, 2026
Atalanta still had some chances, as Bellanova got away down the right and forced a save at the near post, and from the resulting corner Scalvini nodded over.
Just like in the first leg, Atalanta fans had something to cheer when Raspadori’s corner was flicked on by Pasalic for the Lazar Samardzic header at the back post.
Bayern Munich march on and will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Bayern Munich 4-1 Atalanta (10-2 agg)
Kane pen 25, 54 (B), Karl 56 (B), Luis Diaz 70 (B), Samardzic 85 (A)
Dominik Szoboszlai is currently flourishing for Liverpool, but former Milan director Zvonimir Boban reveals ‘we had a deal, then it didn’t go through.’
ZAGREB, CROATIA – OCTOBER 25: Former footballer Zvonimir Boban looks on prior to kick off of the UEFA Champions League group E match between Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan at Stadion Maksimir on October 25, 2022 in Zagreb, Croatia. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)
Boban had been a director at Milan from the summer of 2019 to March 2020, when he was fired after bitterly criticising the owners.
It was during this brief period that the Rossoneri had their hands on the promising young talent who had just joined RB Salzburg and had a release clause worth just over €20m.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray SK at Anfield on March 18, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
“Obviously I like Szoboszlai, we had already closed a deal for him, then it didn’t go through,” Boban told Sky Sport Italia this evening in his role as pundit for their Champions League coverage.
“He’s a great player, I’m happy he won the war with himself and became a real player.”
Szoboszlai was eventually sold to RB Leipzig for €36m in January 2021, then moved on to Liverpool for a transfer worth €70m in the summer of 2023.
According to Boban, his career path has above all benefited from a change of position into a much deeper role.
“Szoboszlai started out as a Number 10, in Salzburg and for Hungary, playing behind the striker. It was a problematic position, though. He didn’t have the pace or the ability to take men on to be a real Number 10, it wasn’t his style at all.
“Now he has been transformed into a pure Number 8, which was the only logical move to make him a champion. He has such extraordinary talent, he sees the game and has the lightness of touch that few in the world can boast,” concluded Boban.
Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing the Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella.
The 29-year-old Italian International has done quite well for Inter Milan, and he has shown his quality at the international level as well. He has been a key player for club and country over the years, and it will be interesting to see whether he’s willing to move to the Premier League now.
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Nicolo Barella set for Premier League switch?
He’s at the peak of his career, and this could be the right time for him to take on a new challenge. According to a report from SportsBoom, Newcastle are looking to add more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and the Italian has been identified as a target.
Manager Eddie Howe is an admirer of the Italian, and Newcastle could test the resolve of the Italian club with a £40 million offer in the summer. It remains to be seen whether they can get the deal done. They have an ambitious project and the resources to sign the player. However, they must convince him that they can provide him with a platform to fight for trophies.
We have therefore given the potential Barella-to-Newcastle deal a Transfer Fit rating of 21/25, which makes him a strong fit.
Meanwhile, they will face competition from Crystal Palace as well. The Eagles are keeping tabs on the Italian as well. However, it might be difficult for them to convince the player. They are not at the level required to fight for trophies, and Oliver Glasner is set to leave the club in the summer as well.
It remains to be seen what the player decides if a concrete proposal is presented at the end of the season. Newcastle need more control and creativity in the middle of the park, and the Italian would be an exceptional acquisition. It will be interesting to see if Sandro Tonali can convince his compatriot to join the English club.
Manchester United are hoping to sign Wilfred Ndidi from Besiktas at the end of the season, and they would be prepared to execute a swap deal.
According to a report from Sporx, Manchester United have been monitoring the 29-year-old for a long time, and they are looking to get the deal done in the summer.
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Man United eye swap deal to sign Wilfred Ndidi
They would be prepared to send Altay Bayindir to the Turkish club as part of the swap deal. They have already held discussions, and it will be interesting to see if the two clubs can finalise an agreement.
The opportunity to join Manchester United will be hard to turn down for him. It would be a huge step up for him, and he would get to compete at the highest level. Manchester United are well placed to secure Champions League qualification next season and could push for trophies.
Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and the opportunity to play for them can be quite tempting. The 29-year-old has the physical and technical attributes to play in English football, and he could be the ideal replacement for Casemiro. The Brazilian will leave the club at the end of the season, and Manchester United needs to replace him. They need more physicality and defensive cover in the middle of the park. The Nigerian is an experienced player who can make an immediate impact.
Bayindir is unwanted at Old Trafford, and if they can use him to improve a key area, it could be a deal worth doing.
Arsenal are interested in signing the AC Milan attacker Raphael Leao at the end of the season.
The player has reportedly fallen out of favour with manager Max Allegri, and their relationship has deteriorated. Arsenal are looking to capitalise on the situation and secure his signature.
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Arsenal could use Rafael Leao
They are aware that they need to make a statement signing to improve the wide areas. The 26-year-old is a reliable performer, and he could add a new dimension to the Arsenal attack. His explosive pace and flair will help Arsenal going forward. He will help create opportunities for his teammates and find the back of the net as well. Leao has 10 goals this season.
It seems the arrival of the Portuguese international could depend on Gabriel Martinelli’s departure. The Brazilian has been inconsistent, and he has been linked with an exit. Arsenal are prepared to bring in an upgrade on him, and it remains to be seen how the situation develops.
Meanwhile, there are internal tensions over the future of the Portuguese attacker, and Milan are likely to cash in if a solid offer comes in. He has the physicality and technical attributes to thrive in the Premier League, and he could be an asset for Arsenal. This is the right time for him to take on a new challenge, and moving to the Premier League would be ideal. He has shown his quality in France and Italy. He will look to make an impact in English football now.
Barcelona thrashed Newcastle United 7-2 in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, securing an 8-3 aggregate victory for a spot in the quarter-finals. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal were the stars of the show at Camp Nou, while Robert Lewandowski, Fermin Lopez and Marc Bernal all got on the scoresheet after Anthony […]
Club America play against Philadelphia Union in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. Here’s everything you need to know about the date, venue, kickoff time, and TV or streaming options available in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Club America vs Philadelphia Union on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Club America vs Philadelphia Union
WHAT
CONCACAF Champions Cup
WHEN
9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT • Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Philadelphia Union travel to Mexico needing a response after dropping the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 matchup, a 1–0 defeat at home that felt like a missed opportunity but still leaves the series within reach.
Club America, meanwhile, carry a slim advantage after earning that valuable road victory, putting Las Aguilas in control as the decisive second leg approaches. With only one goal separating the sides and a quarterfinal spot on the line, everything remains up for grabs—so don’t miss this crucial showdown.
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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have fallen behind Robert Lewandowski in a historic UEFA Champions League record.
Robert Lewandowski scored a brace on Wednesday against Newcastle to reach a historic milestone in the UEFA Champions League, surpassing the previous record held by Lionel Messi and putting Cristiano Ronaldo even further behind.
Barcelona secured an emphatic victory over the Magpies at Camp Nou. They needed a win to advance to the quarterfinals of the European competition following the 1-1 draw in the first leg in England, and they delivered in style, winning 7-2.
Lewandowski started the match and only needed 66 minutes on the pitch before being replaced by Ferran Torres. In that time, he scored two goals that not only helped his team secure the victory but also made him the player who has scored against the most clubs in Champions League history.
Newcastle became the 41st European club to fall to the Polish striker, a total that even Lionel Messi could not reach. The Argentine star previously held the record with 40, while Cristiano Ronaldo is further back on the list with 38.
Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona
Lewandowski can continue to extend his record
While stars like Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappe are achieving great things in the Champions League, they still have a long way to go before they can compete for the record Robert Lewandowski just set.
And it’s not just that. The Polish striker still has room to extend those numbers as long as Barcelona remain alive in the competition. In fact, in the quarterfinals there will still be two clubs he has yet to score against in the Champions League: Sporting CP — who could be Barcelona’s semifinal opponents — and either Galatasaray or Liverpool, depending on who advances from the Round of 16.
Can Lewandowski challenge Messi and Ronaldo’s Champions League goal record?
Robert Lewandowski has not only taken the record from Lionel Messi for scoring against the most different clubs in Champions League history; he is also the main threat to the Argentine forward on the competition’s all-time scoring table.
At the moment, Lewandowski is the active player in Europe with the most goals in Champions League history, with 109. In the all-time ranking, he sits third, 20 goals behind Lionel Messi. At the top remains Cristiano Ronaldo, currently the undisputed leader with 141 goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi.
Vincenzo Italiano insists ‘it is an honour for Bologna to be’ in the Europa League last 16 and warns ‘the value of the Roma squad is higher in every way.’
It is all to play for after the first leg ended 1-1, and is decided at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
This stadium has fond memories for the Rossoblu, as they beat Milan last season to win the Coppa Italia Final here, their first piece of silverware in over 50 years.
Italiano notes Bologna progress
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Vincenzo Italiano head coach of Bologna FC during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Parma Calcio 1913 at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“We are here, we’ve honoured this competition with many strong performances and deservedly getting through the play-offs.
“It was our objective to reach this stage and now we are here against a strong opponent, in a passionate atmosphere. We will try to have our say and do everything we can to cause them problems.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Players of Bologna acknowledge the fans following the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Italiano had said after the first leg that the 1-1 result meant Roma had a 51 per cent chance of going through.
“I stand by that, we have to give triple our potential to get through. We have to be realistic, the objective was to reach the last 16 and we achieved it, so we should be happy just being here and we celebrated after the group stage with an enormous cake.
“I’ve been in European football for a few years now, I know the Europa League is tough. There are top teams like Porto, Aston Villa, Stuttgart, Lyon, so it’s an honour for Bologna to be here.”
Bologna are out of the Coppa Italia and struggling in Serie A, so trying to go as far as possible in the Europa League is also a target for the season.
“It is an important game that can give us a boost going into the final weeks of the season, but it is not a crossroads. We know who we are and what we want,” assured Italiano.
“When you face Roma here, the atmosphere is different. We already experienced that and know what to expect, along with the added enjoyment of playing in Europe.
“We won’t let ourselves be intimidated, it is going to be an intense match and we need quality. It’s always a game with intensity if Gian Piero Gasperini is the coach.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, embraces Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Italiano is eager to point out that if any Serie A side is going to aim for Europa League triumph, it is probably Roma.
“The value of their squad is higher than ours, in every way. It is proved by their position in the Serie A table, by the level of their individual players, and then add in the atmosphere.
“It’s a game where both sides need a victory, so there can be no calculations, we have to play an open and attacking match. Quality makes the difference.”
Raffaele Palladino insists Atalanta are ‘proud to represent Italy’ in the Champions League against Bayern Munich and ‘will never forget’ how their fans reacted after a 6-1 defeat.
It kicks off at the Allianz Arena in Munich at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Michael Olise of FC Bayern Munich is challenged by Lorenzo Bernasconi and Mario Pasalic of Atalanta during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Although we saw some remarkable comebacks in the Champions League in recent years, recovering from a 6-1 home defeat would require a sporting miracle.
The main focus for La Dea here is to give a better account of themselves than in the first leg and play with pride, especially as almost 4,000 fans made the trip to Germany.
Palladino inspired by Atalanta fans
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Raffaele Palladino, Head Coach of Atalanta, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“It’s fantastic to be here and we are so proud to be playing in this stadium against such a strong opponent. We are proud to represent Italy as the only side in the Round of 16, and to see so many of our fans come here to be with us,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.
“We will never forget that they applauded us after the final whistle of that 6-1 defeat, we want to play for them, and hope tonight to go under the away end to salute them with a better result.”
Yunus Musah is suspended this evening and Giacomo Raspadori is back on the bench, but Charles De Ketelaere gets his first start since suffering meniscus damage in his knee on February 5.
There is also a change in goal, with Marco Sportiello preferred to Marco Carnesecchi.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Fans of Atalanta show their support prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I believe in all my lads, from first to last, I reward them for what they show me in training. Sportiello knows this competition, he is an extraordinary guy and he deserved this opportunity tonight,” explained Palladino.
It has not been a great period for Atalanta in general, as their last victory was the 4-1 Champions League result against Borussia Dortmund on February 25.
That was followed by three draws and two defeats between Serie A, the Coppa Italia and Europe.
“We won’t forget that we conceded six goals in the first leg, so naturally we want to prove ourselves. We know that we are up against one of the strongest teams in Europe, but we want to challenge ourselves and grow with this experience.
“Above all, we want to play for our fans and give them something to cheer this evening. We will sweat through that shirt tonight.”
The midfielder was in the starting XI for the chaotic encounter at Camp Nou, which had Barcelona winning 3-2 at half-time after a 1-1 first leg result in England.
He was down hurt and clutching the side of his left thigh after a lunging tackle at the by-line, eventually replaced by Joe Willock.
Italy fear for Tonali fitness
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 28: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James’ Park on February 28, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
This will cause concern for Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, because Tonali would be one of the first names in the list for the upcoming 2026 World Cup play-off against Northern Ireland.
It remains to be seen how bad the situation is for Tonali, and whether or not he will be available for Italy’s crucial path to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are keen on acquiring the services of Real Madrid midfield sensation Eduardo Camavinga.
The French international’s future has become an interesting talking point, as he hasn’t been at his best in recent seasons, and Real Madrid are now considering cashing in on him this summer. Multiple top clubs are keeping tabs on his situation, and there could be a bidding war for his services.
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Mikel Arteta wants Eduardo Camavinga at Arsenal
According to a report from Spain, Arsenal have entered the race for Eduardo Camavinga’s signature. The Gunners want to further bolster their midfield and believe the French international’s arrival could significantly strengthen their midfield rotation.
While they already have Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard in the centre of the park, Arteta feels Camavinga could give him more tactical flexibility. His arrival would provide much more competition for players like Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze.
Since he is only 23, signing him will help them in the short and long run. His ability to feature in any role in the centre of the park, as well as a full-back, could certainly help the Spanish manager.
We have therefore given the potential Camavinga-to-Arsenal deal a Transfer Fit rating of 21/25, which makes him a strong fit.
Meanwhile, Camavinga can seriously consider the chance to join Arsenal, as he will play an important role on a team looking to dethrone Manchester City in English football.
Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all keeping tabs on Christian Kofane ahead of a potential transfer this summer.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Christian Kofane is attracting a lot of interest from across Europe following his sensational rise. While he has a long-term contract at the German club, they might still struggle to keep hold of him.
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Premier League trio are after Christian Kofane
According to a report from SportsBoom, Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all keen on acquiring the services of the 18-year-old Cameroonian striker. Other top clubs from across Europe are after his signature, which could lead to a bidding war.
Kofane joined the Bundesliga giants from Albacete for just €5 million. The fee certainly seems like a massive bargain, as his value has skyrocketed since moving to Germany. The teenager has been involved in 38 games in all competitions and has contributed towards 15 goals (7 goals, 8 assists).
While he has had limited game time, Kofane has made quite an impact, and now every top club is after him. Scouts from the biggest clubs in Europe consider him an elite-level attacking prospect.
Arsenal are also monitoring him, considering him an ideal fit for Mikel Arteta’s team. Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to establish direct contact with the German club, as they look to make him a part of their project.
While all three English clubs are keen on his signature, other clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona could make things difficult for them. With his contract running until 2029, Bayer Leverkusen want a minimum of €60–€70 million for the teenager. They are hoping for a bidding war, as it would further increase the price.
Manchester City and Real Madrid have developed quite a rivalry, having faced each other six times in the last seven seasons in the Champions League knockout stages. What’s more, City boss Pep Guardiola was a legendary player and later extremely successful coach at Barcelona, Real’s arch-rivals. Nonetheless, Guardiola does not consider Real Madrid to have […]
Following three consecutive defeats in the Premier League, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery obviously feels a little perspective is needed. “El Real Madrid no ha sido mi mayor desafío. Mi mayor desafío ha sido Jürgen Klopp, pero vosotros no os habéis enterado” pic.twitter.com/KRkaQpRZB2 — MARCA (@marca) March 17, 2026
Manchester City and Real Madrid have developed quite a rivalry, having faced each other six times in the last seven seasons in the Champions League knockout stages. What’s more, City boss Pep Guardiola was a legendary player and later extremely successful coach at Barcelona, Real’s arch-rivals. Nonetheless, Guardiola does not consider Real Madrid to have […]
According to Miguel Delaney of the Independent, AC Milan are considering moving for AZ Alkmaar forward Troy Parrott this summer. The Ireland international is expected to be available for transfer for around €25million, with the Eredivisie side accepting his wish to take the next step. Parrott joined Tottenham Hotspur’s academy at the age of 15, […]
After Lamine Yamal turned into the youngest player ever to score 10 goals in the history of the UEFA Champions League, questions raised on how both competition legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were performing at his age.
Lamine Yamal continues to rewrite the record books in the UEFA Champions League, with the competition emerging as his latest stage for history-making ahead of the World Cup. The Spanish winger has now become the youngest player in the history of the tournament to reach 10 goals, prompting a natural comparison with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the two greatest scorers the competition has ever seen.
Barcelona hosted Newcastle United in the second leg of the Round of 16 at the Camp Nou following a 1-1 draw at St. James’ Park. The game produced a thrilling opening, with Raphinha, Marc Bernal and Anthony Elanga, who scored twice, making it 2-2, before Yamal stepped up just before halftime to convert a penalty and give Barcelona a 3-2 lead, his tenth Champions League goal in the process.
With that penalty, Yamal became the youngest player in Champions League history to reach 10 goals, achieving the milestone at just 18 years old. He has been remarkably consistent in the competition, scoring five goals in the 2024-25 season before adding five more in the current 2025-26 campaign.
The record he surpassed belonged to Kylian Mbappé, who had reached 10 Champions League goals at 19 years old, split across his time at AS Monaco and PSG. Besides, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, Yamal also became the youngest player ever to score in back-to-back Champions League knockout matches, having also netted from the spot in the first leg at St. James’ Park.
Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring against Newcastle United.
How were Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo performing at Yamal’s age?
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the two greatest scorers in Champions League history, sitting first and second on the all-time list with 140 and 129 goals respectively. Yet when it comes to their early years in the competition, Yamal has already left both legends well behind at the same age.
Ronaldo made his Champions League debut for Manchester United in October 2003 at 18 years old, but did not score his first goal in the competition until April 2007, when he netted a brace against AS Roma at the age of 22.
Messi’s debut came even earlier, at just 17 years old against Shakhtar Donetsk in December 2004. His first Champions League goal followed in November 2005 against Panathinaikos, the only goal he managed in the competition at age 18. That leaves Yamal with a nine-goal advantage over Messi at the same stage of his career, and a ten-goal lead over Ronaldo, a gap that underlines just how extraordinary his early development has been.
Lionel Messi (L) and Lamine Yamal (M) of FC Barcelona, and Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Real Madrid.
Inter Miami face Nashville SC in the decisive Round of 16 clash in the Concacaf Champions Cup, with Lionel Messi as the main attraction.
This Wednesday will determine the fate of Inter Miami and Nashville SC in the Concacaf Champions Cup. One of the two teams will advance to the quarterfinals, while the other will be eliminated. Lionel Messi will be the headline attraction at Chase Stadium.
That means both Argentine stars are fully fit and will be part of the lineup this Wednesday, aiming for a win that would send them through to the next round of the continental competition.
However, Inter Miami cannot afford to relax. Nashville SC have proven to be a dangerous side, and they hold the advantage of not conceding at home in the first leg, which ended 0-0. Concacaf Champions Cup rules state that, in the event of a tie, away goals carry more weight. Therefore, if Nashville score tonight, a draw will not be enough for Inter Miami, who would then need to win the match.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
Confirmed Inter Miami lineup
As head coach Javier Mascherano explained ahead of the match, the entire squad is available to face Nashville except for Maximiliano Falcon. The Uruguayan defender suffered an injury during the first leg at Geodis Park and will not be available.
With that in mind, Inter Miami’s confirmed XI is: Dayne St. Clair; Facundo Mura, Gonzalo Lujan, Micael, Sergio Reguilon; Tadeo Allende, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, German Berterame.
Confirmed Nashville SC lineup
Head coach Brian Callaghan faces the challenge of setting up his team to contain Inter Miami’s attacking talent while also posing a threat going forward in search of a potentially decisive goal.
With that approach, Nashville‘s confirmed lineup is: Brian Schwake; Daniel Lovitz, Maxwell Woledzi, Jeisson Palacios, Andy Najar; Matthew Corcoran, Patrick Yazbek; Warren Madrigal, Hany Mukhtar, Cristian Espinoza; Sam Surridge.
Inter Miami face Nashville SC in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. Here’s everything you need to know about the date, venue, kickoff time, and TV or streaming options available in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Inter Miami vs Nashville SC on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC
WHAT
CONCACAF Champions Cup
WHEN
7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT • Wednesday, March 18, 2026
A spot in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup will be decided when Inter Miamihost Nashville SC for the second leg of their Round of 16 series. The matchup arrives perfectly balanced after the opening leg ended in a hard-fought 0–0 draw, leaving everything to be settled in this decisive clash.
With Lionel Messi leading Miami’s push for a place in the next round and Nashvillealready showing it can stand toe-to-toe with one of the tournament favorites, the return leg promises drama, intensity, and plenty at stake—so make sure you don’t miss a minute of this pivotal showdown.
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The 6-1 first leg defeat makes qualification for the quarter-finals frankly improbable, but they were still applauded off the field by their fans at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo.
That spirit is what carries the team here to Munich against one of the favourites to win the Champions League outright, as almost 4,000 fans made the trip to Germany.
De Ketelaere admires Atalanta fan attitude
BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Atalanta BC coach Raffaele Palladino issues instructions to his player Charles De Ketelaere during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and FC Internazionale at New Balance Arena on December 28, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Many have come here, it’s wonderful that they are supporting us even after last week’s game, we saw how positive and wonderful our fans are. It’s great to play for them,” De Ketelaere told Sky Sport Italia.
The Belgium international is back in the starting XI for the first time since suffering meniscus damage in the 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Juventus on February 5.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Fans of Atalanta show their support prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I am really eager after being out for a month, it was tough for me, so I want to get back to playing at my level, and this is a good game to do it in.”
Atalanta have struggled lately, as they are the only Italian side in March stretched out over three tournaments, so are without a victory since beating Borussia Dortmund 4-1 on February 25.
That was followed by three draws and two defeats between Serie A, the Coppa Italia and Champions League.
“We said to ourselves that this is a Champions League game, we must enjoy the evening, and try to prove that we are capable of having our say,” concluded De Ketelaere.
La Dea lost the first leg 6-1 in Bergamo and therefore need tantamount to a miracle to continue through to the quarter-finals, but do at least want to give a better account of themselves.
Giacomo Raspadori is fit for the bench, while Yunus Musah is suspended, but Giorgio Scalvini returns from a ban.
De Ketelaere gets his first start since the Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Juventus on February 5, when he damaged the meniscus in his knee.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Munich scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
He made his comeback off the bench as a late substitute in Saturday’s 1-1 Serie A draw with Inter.
The Belgian completes the attack with Scamacca and Kamaldeen Sulemana, with Ederson and Mario Pasalic in midfield.
Atalanta’s last victory was the 4-1 Champions League result against Borussia Dortmund on February 25, followed by three draws and two defeats between Serie A, the Coppa Italia and Europe.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 07: Gianluca Scamacca of Atalanta BC scores their team’s first second goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Udinese Calcio at New Balance Arena on March 07, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich have a long absentee list to deal with, including suspended Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise.
Goalkeepers Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich and Leon Klanac are all injured, so it had seemed for a while as if 16-year-old Leonard Prescott would get the gloves.
However, Jonas Urbig recovered in time after suffering concussion during the 4-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach on March 6.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Michael Olise of FC Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The other injuries are to Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala, while Hiroki Ito is still not at 100 per cent either.
Unlike the first leg, Kane returns to lead the attack, with support from Luis Diaz, Raphael Guerreiro and 18-year-old Lennart Karl.
Former Napoli defender Kim Min-jae starts along with Milan transfer target Leon Goretzka.
Bayern Munich vs. Atalanta line-ups
Bayern Munich: Urbig; Stanisic, Tah, Kim, Bischof; Pavlovic, Goretzka; Karl, Guerreiro, Luis Diaz; Kane
Bayern Munich bench: Bärtl, Prescott, Upamecano, Gnabry, Jackson, H Ito, Laimer, Deniz Ofli, Manuba, Pavic
Paolo Vanoli confirms Moise Kean ‘is ready to play’ for Fiorentina in the Conference League trip to Rakow. ‘I’ll only say I’m satisfied when we have definitively achieved our objective.’
The first leg saw the Viola turn it around to win 2-1 in stoppages with a last-gasp Albert Gudmundsson penalty.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 16: Coach Paolo Vanoli of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 16, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
“Now we’ve got to remember that is in the past, and tomorrow we are playing for qualification against a side that caused us quite a few problems in the first leg.
“We need to recharge the batteries, mentally as much as physically, and I think the result in Cremona will help us to do that.”
The big question marks are over the fitness levels of Kean, who has struggled in recent weeks with a recurring ankle issue.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Cher Ndour of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“Moise was on the bench in Cremona, which means he was available. We’ll decide tomorrow if he plays from the start or comes off the bench, but he is ready to play,” assured Vanoli.
“I am not looking further ahead than tomorrow’s game. We care about this competition, we must respect it and will do our best to get through to the next round. As always, I’ll choose the best possible line-up.
“Even when we were in a more difficult moment in Serie A, I always said we had to take it one game at a time. We have an objective, we are against a side that defends ruggedly and can counter-attack dangerously, so we must be concentrated.
“We’ve seen that such a slender advantage counts for little at international level. What we need is to recognise that nobody dominates for 90 minutes, there are matches within matches, and if you go behind then you must have the clear head to turn it around, or to control an advantage in those situations.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Albert Gudmundsson ac f scores a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Fiorentina had won 3-0 away to Jagiellonia in the Conference League play-offs, then lost by the same result at home, squeezing through in extra time.
Now they are back in Poland and this time have the advantage from the first leg at the Stadio Franchi.
“They have different playing styles in possession, but what unites them is how aggressive they are going forward,” explained Vanoli.
“Jagiellonia have more technique and quality, Rakow are more physical and love to run into space, but also defend very well. Polish football is growing and these are teams who made their mark on the international stage in recent years.”
Vanoli was drafted in by Fiorentina to replace Stefano Pioli on November 7, so how would the coach judge his work so far after nine wins, six draws and 11 defeats in all competition?
“My work only ends once the season is finished, and then we can judge together. Since I arrived, we’ve had ups and downs on this journey, and Fiorentina probably doesn’t deserve to be in this situation, but we did well to recognise where we were.
“It took a while to understand how to turn things around, but the victory against Cremonese was another step forward, even though there are still another 10 points we need to pick up to secure safety.
“I will only say I’m satisfied when we have definitively achieved our objective.”
The Seleccion is warming up for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, and was meant to be facing Spain in La Finalissima between the winners of the European Championship and Copa America.
However, it was scrapped after they failed to agree on the date or venue, so instead Argentina are going to play Guatemala on March 31.
COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Maximo Perrone of Como 1907 reacts during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on February 01, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Coach Lionel Scaloni has seen the good performances of Como in Serie A and the Coppa Italia, rewarding Nico Paz and creative midfielder Perrone with a call-up.
Inter had feared Lautaro Martinez would travel across the globe even though he is recovering from a month out injured, but they have decided to spare him this strain.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has made it clear that he wishes to return to his boyhood side Racing Club in Argentina once his time with the Nerazzurri comes to an end: ‘Obviously it depends on a lot of things, but my dream is to return’.
Lautaro has spent the last eight years of his career in Milan with Inter, for whom he has scored 129 goals from 262 Serie A outings and with his 171 goals across all competitions, he currently ranks as the club’s fourth all-time highest goalscorer and is only two away from tying third.
As things stand, Lautaro has over three years remaining on his current deal with the Nerazzurri, expiring in the summer of 2029, and at 28 years of age, he insists that he still has plenty to give at the highest level of the game.
But, once he is ready to leave Inter, a return home to Racing Club would be the ‘dream’ for El Toro.
Lautaro opens up on ‘dream’ return to Racing Club
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“Returning to Racing is my desire,” Lautaro said in a recent interview (via La Gazzetta dello Sport).
“I’m trying to convince my wife and she supports me. Obviously it depends on a lot of things, family, but also how I’m doing physically. But my dream is to return to play for Racing for at least a year.
“I still have three years on my contract with Inter, I’d like to stay at the highest level for a long time. I feel good, I’m still young, but in the future I’d love for my children to see the love that the Racing supporters show me.”
Diego Milito is now the club President at Racing. During his playing days, he had a similar career trajectory to the one that Lautaro spoke about, starting at Racing, going on to star up front for Inter, before returning to Argentina to finish where it all began.
“I talk to him every week,” said Lautaro. “He’s always there for me and always was at the beginning of my career. He wrote to me after I got injured, we talked about Racing not doing so well, I also sent him a message of support for the club.”
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Chelsea turn down Liam Rosenior request
Following their dreadful performance against the French giants, manager Liam Rosenior requested that the club bring in more experienced players. But according to a report from SportsBoom, Chelsea’s hierarchy are set to ignore the 41-year-old’s plea.
While the manager wants more experienced heads, the club will continue to stick with their policy of betting on young stars with massive potential. They prefer experimenting with potential rather than bringing in proven players.
Rosenior certainly accepts the club’s transfer policy under the BlueCo, which is why he agreed to become their manager mid-season following the sacking of Ezno Maresca. He was already aware of what he was getting into.
However, following the humiliation at the hands of PSG, the 41-year-old feels the need to have a few more experienced campaigners in his squad. The Ligue 1 outfit completely exposed them. It was quite clear that a lack of experience on big European nights had played a part in their downfall.
As a result, Rosenior is pushing the club to sign proven players. He feels their inconsistency could be rectified by signing experienced heads, but the club doesn’t share his view. They will not accept his request and will stand by their guns.
Liverpool seem willing to fork out €80 million to sign Sporting CP attacking mainstay Luis Suarez this summer.
The Colombian striker has taken his game to the next level since joining Sporting CP last summer. He has been in red-hot form, and his performances haven’t gone unnoticed. Multiple top clubs are now after his signature.
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Liverpool want Luis Suarez this summer
According to reports from Spain, Liverpool are among the clubs keen to sign Luis Suarez ahead of next season. The Reds could trigger his massive €80 million release clause to bring him to Anfield.
On the back of his impressive performances for UD Almeria, Suarez made the move to Sporting last summer. He came in to replace Viktor Gyokeres and has certainly lived up to the expectations. In his 41 matches across competitions, he has 32 goals and seven assists.
While the Reds forked out a fortune on forwards last summer, things haven’t gone according to plan for them. They are now looking for a more proven option in the final third and believe Suarez can help their cause.
His mobility, ability to attack space in behind and clinical finishing make him a perfect fit for their system. As a result, the Merseyside club are willing to break the bank to secure his services. It will be interesting to see if they do actually trigger his release this summer.
West Ham United assistant manager Paco Jemez admits he will leave the club if offered the job at his former club, Rayo Vallecano.
Since joining West Ham United at the start of the year, Paco Jemez has helped significantly bolster the Hammers’ chances of survival in the Premier League. With him assisting Nuno Espirito Santo, the London club have collected 12 points more than relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur and eight more than Nottingham Forest.
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Paco Jemez could leave West Ham for Rayo Vallecano
While the 55-year-old Spanish tactician is completely focused on helping West Ham survive the drop, he recently admitted that he would pounce on the opportunity to once again manage Rayo Vallecano.
While speaking to SER Podcast, Jemez said via Hammers News, “When Rayo doesn’t have a coach and needs someone, and I think I’m the right person, it [only] takes me half a second to get there!”
Since he agreed to assist Nuno at the London club, the former Rayo Vallecano manager was asked whether he would like to have the Portuguese as his number two at the Spanish side. He laughed off the suggestion, saying:
“He’d have to return the favour, wouldn’t he?! The day I ask him, he’ll have to return it!”
Jemez has managed the La Liga outfit on two occasions between 2012 and 2020. He has done wonders for them in the past. The Madrid-based outfit enjoyed a best-ever La Liga campaign under the West Ham assistant as they finished eighth. More importantly, they recorded the fourth-highest possession stats in Europe’s major leagues, behind only Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
Given the kind of work he has done in the past, many believe Jemez is the spark that has ignited West Ham’s chances of survival. His work ethic and intensity have transformed the mood inside the camp, and everyone seems to believe that they can actually avoid the drop.
While he is loving life at the London club, the 55-year-old was quick to admit that he won’t take half a second to accept the Rayo Vallecano job. The Hammers are certainly glad to have him on their bench and would be hoping that the Spanish club do not come forward with an offer for their assistant manager.
Watching their Champions League adventure come to a thumping end on Tuesday night as they eventually fell to a 5-1 aggregate defeat against Real Madrid, Manchester City have endured a public nightmare over the past fortnight. With their Premier League title dreams hanging by a thread and seeking a real miracle in the race to […]
Watching their Champions League adventure come to a thumping end on Tuesday night as they eventually fell to a 5-1 aggregate defeat against Real Madrid, Manchester City have endured a public nightmare over the past fortnight. With their Premier League title dreams hanging by a thread and seeking a real miracle in the race to […]
While keeping his dream to be in the 2026 World Cup alive, Neymar opened up about his potential final year playing for the Brazil national team.
Neymar has once again missed out on a Brazil squad call-up for the March international window, leaving him fewer than 90 days to convince Carlo Ancelotti to include him in the final World Cup roster. While holding on to his dream of featuring in North America this summer, the Santos forward spoke candidly about the possibility that this could be his final chapter with the national team.
At 34 years old and having spent extended periods on the sidelines over recent years, questions have grown louder about whether Neymar can still force his way back into the Seleção picture. The forward, however, remains optimistic that the 2026 World Cup can serve as a fitting final act in one of the most celebrated international careers in Brazilian history.
In a video posted to his official YouTube channel, prior to Monday’s squad announcement, Neymar offered a remarkably candid reflection on what lies ahead: “Obviously it is my last World Cup… I don’t know it’s my last year in the national team. But it’s coming to an end and we have to know that. I always tell my family and friends: Enjoy it as much as you can, keep watching the games because it will end.“
Despite having been absent from the national team since October 2023 and operating far from the European spotlight, Neymar insists he still has something to offer to Brazil. “I can help the national team. I can help in any way. I know the qualities that I have and I know the power that I have on the field, and I know I can add to the team. Obviously I want to go to the World Cup. Obviously this moves me too,” he added.
Neymar Jr of Santos.
At his press conference, Ancelotti left the door firmly open, reiterating that Neymar could still earn a place at the World Cup provided he reaches full fitness. The Italian coach made clear that the only deciding factor is physical condition, and that Neymar’s quality on the ball is beyond question.
Neymar’s reaction to Ancelotti’s snub
When Ancelotti named his squad for the friendlies against France and Croatia on Monday, Neymar’s name was once again absent, with the coach citing his fitness as the determining factor. The omission hit the forward hard, though he made clear he has not given up on making the final list to be announced in May.
The moment played out in real time. In the video, Neymar was shown undergoing a muscular recovery session the day after the Santos-Corinthians derby, watching the press conference live as Ancelotti ran through the squad. As the coach concluded his list of forwards without mentioning his name, Neymar’s reaction said everything.
😳🇧🇷 Neymar Júnior y la reacción EN VIVO del momento en el que Carlo Ancelotti anuncia los convocados a la Selección Brasileña y NO LO NOMBRA. pic.twitter.com/5NlD0tWV82
“Hey Ancelotti, what about me?” he said as the list was read out. “The national team squad has just been announced. We were not called up. I’m sad, obviously, that’s what I said yesterday: I’ll always root for the national team, right? And everything’s fine, now it’s time to keep working, keep improving in everything. And if there’s an opportunity, be prepared.“
Speaking on his way to Santos’ training facility, Neymar struck a defiant tone, channeling his disappointment into motivation. “I was upset, you know, I was sad. But that’s what I say: Now I’m sad but for me is a done deal. Tomorrow I have to stop being sad. I need to work, train, play… so if an opportunity arises to be at the World Cup, I’m prepared,” Neymar added.
Argentina have announced their roster for the March international break, with Lionel Messi included.
After weeks of speculation surrounding the Finalissima, which was ultimately cancelled, Argentina will spend the March FIFA break at home and play a friendly against Guatemala. Lionel Messi will be part of the squad, along with a few new faces.
On Wednesday, the official Argentina national team account on X released the list of 28 players called up by head coach Lionel Scaloni for the upcoming challenge, which is set to take place in just over a week.
As expected, Lionel Messi headlines the squad and is in full fitness at the start of the 2026 season with Inter Miami. Alongside several regular call-ups, two new names stand out: defenders Tomas Palacios and Gabriel Rojas.
Palacios is a 22-year-old center back who plays for Estudiantes de La Plata in the Argentine Liga Profesional de Futbol. He has been on loan there since the start of the year from Inter Milan. This season, Palacios has made eight appearances — seven as a starter — in the Apertura tournament.
#SelecciónMayor 📋Lista de convocados por el entrenador Lionel Scaloni para la Fecha FIFA de marzo.
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) March 18, 2026
The other new addition is Gabriel Rojas, a left back for Racing Club, who also compete in the Argentine league. The 28-year-old defender brings extensive experience in his home country, as well as in Uruguay and Mexico, but has found his best form with Racing since 2023. Now, with less than three months to go before the World Cup, he has the opportunity to compete for a spot in the squad, in a position where depth is limited.
Prestianni once again included in Argentina squad
In addition to the first-time call-ups for Palacios and Rojas, another case deserves special mention. Gianluca Prestianni is part of Argentina’s squad, just as he was during the November 2025 international break, when he made his debut for the national team by coming on in the final minutes of the win over Angola.
The Benfica winger’s inclusion is particularly notable given the context: it comes just weeks after Prestianni was at the center of attention following a complaint made by Vinicius Junior over alleged racist remarks by the Argentine player, which resulted in a suspension imposed by UEFA.
Argentina absences for March international break
Lionel Scaloni’s squad for Argentina’s March 31 friendly against Guatemala at La Bombonera also features several notable absences. Injury issues have ruled out three players who are usually part of the team and are strong candidates to make the World Cup roster.
The most significant of them is Lautaro Martinez, who has not played for Inter Milan since February 21 due to a muscle injury. He is joined by Giovani Lo Celso, sidelined at Real Betis since January 25 for a similar reason, and Lisandro Martinez, who after returning in strong form for Manchester United following a serious knee injury, is now out again with muscle problems.
Franco Mastantuono’s situation is different. The Real Madrid winger featured for Argentina last year, even wearing the No. 10 shirt in Lionel Messi’s absence, but missed the October and November call-ups due to injury. Now fully recovered but having lost prominence with the Spanish side, Scaloni has opted not to include him.
Portugal’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have taken an intriguing turn, as head coach Roberto Martinez addressed growing speculation surrounding the availability of Cristiano Ronaldo for the upcoming international friendlies.
Portugal’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have taken an intriguing turn, as head coach Roberto Martinez addressed growing speculation surrounding the availability of Cristiano Ronaldo for the upcoming international friendlies. With fixtures against the United States and Mexico on the horizon, uncertainty looms over whether the iconic forward will be part of the national team squad. The situation has sparked widespread discussion, particularly given Ronaldo’s importance to both his club, Al-Nassr, and the Portugal national team, as well as his enduring legacy in international soccer.
Ronaldo’s current situation stems from a hamstring injury sustained during a recent Saudi Pro League match. The injury has sidelined the veteran forward at a crucial juncture in the season, raising doubts about his readiness for international duty. His club confirmed the setback in an official statement, saying, “Cristiano Ronaldo has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury after the last game against Al Fayha. He started a rehabilitation program and will be under evaluation day by day.”
The lack of a clear recovery timeline has only intensified uncertainty, especially with Portugal’s March fixtures forming a key part of its World Cup preparation. These matches are not merely friendlies; they are designed to simulate tournament conditions and finalize tactical decisions ahead of the global showpiece set to begin in June 2026.
Despite the injury, Ronaldo has remained included in preliminary considerations, reflecting both his stature and the cautious optimism within the Portuguese camp. However, the final call has been left deliberately open.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts following an injury
What did Martinez say about Ronaldo’s availability?
The mystery surrounding Ronaldo’s involvement was addressed directly by Martinez, who provided a measured but revealing update midway through preparations. Speaking about the situation, the Portugal boss stated in an interview with Observador, “Cristiano is injured, he’s not playing for Al-Nassr right now, and he hasn’t been able to participate in the recent matches either. We still have a few days to make a decision.”
He further added, “We’ll make the decision on Friday. Currently, Cristiano has a minor injury.”This confirmation places the 41-year-old’s participation firmly in doubt, though it stops short of ruling him out entirely. Martinez emphasized the importance of physical readiness, noting that only players in peak condition would be selected for the upcoming FIFA window.
In another clarification, he explained, “It’s a minor injury being treated by the medical staff.” This suggests that while the issue is not severe, the coaching staff is unwilling to take unnecessary risks with a player of Ronaldo’s age and importance.
Crucial friendlies ahead of the World Cup
Portugal’s upcoming fixtures are strategically significant. Matches against international opposition, including the USMNT, are part of a broader plan to acclimatize the squad to North American conditions, where the World Cup will be held.
These games serve as a testing ground for squad depth and tactical flexibility, particularly in Ronaldo’s potential absence. Martinez has already hinted at experimenting with alternative attacking options, with several forwards vying for a place in the final World Cup squad. The uncertainty surrounding Ronaldo has opened the door for emerging talents and returning players to stake their claim.
However, none can replicate the experience and leadership that the veteran forward brings. For now, the situation remains unresolved. The Selecao’s coaching staff continues to monitor the superstar’s recovery closely, with the final decision expected to hinge on medical assessments in the days leading up to the squad announcement.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Reports in Italy claim that Juventus are in contact with Jorge Mendes, the agent of Manchester City star Bernardo Silva, who remains a target for the Bianconeri on a free transfer this summer.
Reports Juventus in contact with Bernardo Silva’s agent
Reports from various outlets over the last few weeks claim that Juventus are interested in a free transfer for Manchester City’s Bernardo, who will be out of contract at the Etihad at the end of the 2025-26 season and is not currently expected to renew his deal.
According to the latest updates from Matteo Moretto via the YouTube channel Fabrizio Romano in Italiano, Juventus are actively pursuing a deal for Bernardo and are in contact with the player’s entourage, which includes super agent Mendes.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JUNE 30: Bernardo Silva #20 of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Manchester City and Al-Hilal at Camping World Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
As things stand, however, the ball is very much in the player’s court. And, Juventus will be made to wait as Bernardo is unlikely to make any major decisions on his future until the end of the 2025-26 season with Manchester City.
The Bianconeri are certainly not the only side interested in a potential free transfer for Bernardo this summer. The Portugal international is said to have suitors in and outside Europe – Inter Miami and Galatasaray had been mentioned as potential destinations in reports elsewhere.
What is clear, according to Calciomercato.com, is that Juventus will need to convince Bernardo to take a pay cut if he is to move to Turin, as the reported €10m net salary that he earns in Manchester would make him comfortably the highest-paid player in Serie A next season.
Lazio winger Mattia Zaccagni picked up a muscular injury during his side’s recent 1-0 win against Milan and is now expected to miss Italy’s crucial World Cup play-off campaign coming up at the end of the month according to the latest updates.
Zaccagni ruled out of crucial Italy and Lazio fixtures
Lazio have confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that Zaccagni is due for a spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury in Serie A on Sunday evening.
“During the Lazio-Milan league match, Mattia Zaccagni suffered a medium-scale post-traumatic muscular injury to the vastus medialis and vastus intermedius of his right thigh. The player has already started the recovery protocol,” Lazio’s statement read.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Mattia Zaccagni of SS Lazio competes for the ball with Fikayo Tomori of AC MIlan during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Zaccagni’s injury is expected to rule him out of Italy’s upcoming World Cup play-off campaign, which kicks off on March 26, according to Wednesday’s reports.
As per Calciomercato, Zaccagni is likely to miss around a month of action, which rules him out of the upcoming international break, plus potential club matches against Bologna, Parma, Fiorentina and Napoli.
It isn’t a case of his season being over, but Zaccagni is unlikely to return to the Bancocelesti starting line-up until the final few matches of the campaign.
La Gazzetta dello Sport notes that Bodo/Glimt played in ‘an old-school Italian style’ against Sporting CP in the Champions League, prompting some regret for Inter, as the perception of the Norwegian side appears to have been overstated.
Bodo had won the first leg against the Portuguese side 3-0, but suffered an incredible comeback in the second leg, with Sporting scoring three times in 90 minutes and two more in extra time.
“In Lisbon, Bodo set themselves up like in the first half at San Siro. Compact in defence, dug in behind in a fairly deliberate Catenaccio,” examined Gazzetta journalist Sebastiano Vernazza.
“Sporting CP, however, attacked with ferocity, forcing them to defend in the final 30 meters. Unlike Inter in the return leg in Milan, Sporting CP did an excellent job of preventing any counterattacks.”
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Match officials players and mascots line up on the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio San Siro on February 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Inter lost both games against Bodo, first by 3-1 in Norway, and then 2-1 at San Siro. In the second leg in Milan, Bodo had remained very cautious, just like against Sporting CP on Tuesday.
“Bodo played in an old-school Italian style, just as they had in the first half at San Siro,” the journalist continued.
“In Milan, though, Inter had gifted the 1-0 in the second half with a misplaced pass by Akanji, and that effectively ended the tie. This time, it went differently. The defensive approach didn’t pay off because there were no counterattacks.
“The narrative around Bodo has been exaggerated. It’s been described as something it is not: an innovative team. Bodo play an adaptive kind of football. They aim to wear down the opponent and then strike on the break,” the Gazzetta journalist concluded.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale Milano heads the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio San Siro on February 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Inter can dwell on their regrets. Bodo was not an insurmountable obstacle. However, had Inter gone through, they would have suffered against Sporting CP, and that’s another aspect to consider.
“After the Bodo-Sporting CP pairing was drawn, many thought Chivu and his players had missed a great chance to reach the quarter-finals. That would not have been the case.”
Inter remain the Serie A table leaders with an eight-point lead over second-placed Milan with nine league games remaining.
Wrexham are plotting a raid on Sunderland to sign their academy sensations Finn Geragusian and Jenson Jones.
Wrexham have had an emphatic rise in English football. They have secured three consecutive promotions and are now eyeing a fourth via the Championship play-offs. While their first team has been doing wonders, they are looking to strengthen their youth setup by signing some bright prospects from rival clubs.
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Wrexham are keen on Finn Geragusian and Jenson Jones
According to a report from TEAMtalk, the Red Dragons are interested in acquiring the services of Sunderland duo Finn Geragusian and Jenson Jones. They have made quite a name for themselves with impressive performances at the youth level and have caught the attention of the Wrexham recruitment staff.
While everything seems to be going as planned in the first-team setup, the Championship club’s ownership wants to strengthen its youth setup. They want to build a system that can help them stand up to the big boys. They believe bringing in top talent from rival clubs’ academies could fast-track the process.
Their recruitment staff have been closely monitoring several young prospects, and the Sunderland pair of Geragusian and Jones are among them. They rate them quite highly, and Wrexham are now considering making formal approaches for the duo.
18-year-old Geragusian is regarded as one of the most exciting young talents to have come up the ranks at Sunderland in recent years. The left-footed striker has already been called up to the club’s first-team squad, and he has been doing wonders for Armenia at the youth level.
As far as Jones is concerned, the teenage full-back has also managed to impress the scouts with his consistent performances at the youth level. Developed at Sunderland’s Academy of Light, the 19-year-old full-back is believed to have a very bright future. While he prefers to play as a right-back, he can also feature on the left and in central midfield. His versatility and consistency stand out.
Leicester City attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss is set to join VfB Stuttgart on a permanent basis.
Following Leicester City’s relegation to the Championship last season, the Moroccan international wasn’t keen on playing in the second division. While rival clubs Crystal Palace and Newcastle United were ready to offer him an opportunity to stay in the Premier League, the Foxes were not ready to let him join an English club.
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Bilal El Khannouss to join VfB Stuttgart permanently
VfB Stuttgart spotted an opportunity and secured his services on loan last summer. The 21-year-old has been doing wonders for the German outfit, and according to Bild via SportWitness, Bilal El Khannouss will not be returning to Leicester. His move to Stuttgart will be made permanent in the summer.
His loan move to the Bundesliga had a conditional obligation and as per the report, it has been triggered. The Moroccan international has been involved in 32 games for the German outfit and has even contributed towards 12 goals.
The buy obligation was dependent on the number of appearances and since it has been triggered, Leicester will now receive €18 million. Given their financial difficulties, it is a massive boost for them.
The Foxes had received €3.5 million as a loan fee last summer, which means they have recouped €21.5 million out of the reported €24.3 million they paid to sign him from Genk. The final fee could rise further depending on bonuses, and Leicester have also secured a buy-on clause.
While the Championship outfit won’t receive any payment until the summer, it does help their cause as they can borrow against it. The Moroccan international is set to sign a deal until 2030, which includes a salary worth €3 million.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has said Everton are “built for Europe” ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with his former club Chelsea. Everton sit eighth in the standings ahead of the weekend’s games, and a win over the Blues would see them move into seventh, with Brentford not in action until later in the day. In fact, […]
Barcelona and Newcastle United faced off in a thrilling Round of 16 match, treating us to an exciting game. After a closely contested first half, Raphinha and Lewandowski led an impressive offensive charge, each scoring two goals to secure a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Following an underwhelming draw in the first leg, Barcelona and Newcastle United met in an exciting second leg of the Champions League Round of 16. Needing to deliver offensively, both teams put on a five-goal spectacle in the first half. However, coach Hansi Flick managed to unsettle the English side in the second half, leading an imposing attacking display with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski scoring crucial braces.
Newcastle United dominated the first half. Taking advantage of the Blaugranas fullbacks’ weaknesses, they constantly attacked down the wings, where Lewis Hall, Harvey Barnes, and Anthony Elanga stood out. However, defensive lapses led to them conceding three goals, and while they looked set to mount a comeback in the second half, Fermin Lopez’s goal and Sandro Tonali’s injury threw the game off balance.
Taking advantage of the English side’s imposing high press, Gerard Martín threaded a through ball to Raphinha. Rather than holding onto the ball, the Brazilian played a first-time pass to Fermín López, who was making a solo run into Newcastle’s defense. With his pace, the Spaniard beat his markers and went through on Aaron Ramsdale, scoring a magnificent goal. After this, coach Eddie Howe’s plans were completely disrupted.
Over the course of the game, Barcelona showed their scoring power, with Raphinha, Marc Bernal, and Lamine Yamal finding the net in the first half. However, they continued to struggle defensively, something they adjusted in the second half. In addition, Sandro Tonali’s exit unsettled Newcastle United, who then conceded another goal from Raphinha to complete his brace, along with a brace from Robert Lewandowski, ending his goal drought.
Raphinha and Lewandowski put on a masterclass for Barcelona
Raphinha managed to establish himself as the most influential player for Barcelona. After scoring in the early minutes, the Brazilian opened the scoring and led the team’s attack, distributing play for his teammates. Far from slowing down offensively, he went on to score a brace. Intercepting a misplaced pass from Jacob Ramsey, he found himself in a one-on-one situation, beating Aaron Ramsdale.
Unlike the Brazilian, Robert Lewandowski had a fairly limited first half, where he mainly linked up play for his teammates. However, the Pole regained his importance in the second half, as Newcastle United’s drop in pressure gave him more space to shine. After converting a penalty, he secured his brace following a corner from Raphinha, beating Tino Livramento in the air to score.
Bayern square off with Atalanta in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
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Few expected much drama when Bayern Munich met Atalanta BC in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, but the opening leg turned into one of the most lopsided results of the round. Bayern overwhelmed the Italian side with a stunning 6–1 victory in Bergamo, leaving Atalantawith a nearly impossible deficit to overcome.
Now back in Germany, the Bundesliga giants are poised to formally secure their place in the quarterfinals, while Atalanta’s focus shifts to restoring some pride and delivering a far stronger performance in the return leg. Don’t miss this Champions League showdown as Bayernaim to finish the job and Atalanta attempt to close the tie on a much better note.
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Tottenham will receive Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
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The return leg arrives with plenty of tension after a dramatic first meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid, where the Spanish side surged to a commanding 5–2 win. What initially looked like one of the round’s most balanced matchups quickly turned chaotic when Spurs manager Igor Tudor made a stunning early call.
He pulled his starting goalkeeper just minutes into the game after two costly errors—an abrupt move that rattled the English club and helped swing momentum firmly toward Atletico. Now Tottenhammust attempt a massive comeback while Atletico aim to close out the series and secure a place in the quarterfinals, making this decisive clash one fans won’t want to miss.
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If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Paramount+ soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
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Marc Pubill of Atletico de Madrid is challenged by Mathys Tel of Tottenham
Liverpool play against Galatasaray in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
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With their backs against the wall, Liverpool FC return home needing a response after dropping the first leg of the series. The English side will welcome Galatasaray to Anfield after the Turkish club secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory in Istanbul, a result that reflected the physical and tightly contested nature many expected from the matchup.
While Galatasaraycarries a narrow advantage into the return leg, the tie remains wide open, especially with Liverpool counting on the energy of their home crowd to spark a comeback and extend their run in the competition—making this decisive showdown one fans won’t want to miss.
More details on how to watch
Paramount+ is now offering a 7-day free trial promotion for new subscribers, giving fans the ability to watch a ton of soccer fans (and other content) for free.
After the 7-day trial, Paramount+ is just $7.99 per month.
Paramount+ features more than 2,000 live matches each year. In addition to Serie A, the extensive portfolio of soccer properties also includes EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League; NWSL; and much more.
Paramount+ includes exclusive original programs such as: Halo, Star Trek: Discovery, Frasier, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and Evil, as well as movies including Mean Girls, Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning and more. You can also stream CBSN (CBS News), CBS Sports HQ and ET Live, as well as — with the Premium Plan — your local CBS network.
Paramount+ is available on PC or Mac as well as Roku, iPhone and Android phones, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung smart TV, Vizio and XBOX One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Paramount+ soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
Here are the steps to sign up for your 7-day free trial to Paramount+:
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
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Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool is challenged by Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray
While AC Milan remain as a solid team, shinning in the midfield and the defense, Christian Pulisic drop in form have left them without scoring prowess. In that sense, the Rossoneri supposedly include a €50 million Italian striker as a main target, but a huge issue blocks the deal.
After the drop in form of Christian Pulisic, AC Milan have been quite exposed in terms of goalscoring, struggling to close out wins. Neither Niclas Füllkrug nor Christopher Nkunku have managed to shine, forcing them to consider reinforcements for next season. While several names have emerged,the Rossoneri have reportedly decided to include a €50 million Italian striker among their priorities, but one issue is blocking his arrival.
According to Tuttosport, AC Milan sporting director Igli Tare has met with the agents of Mateo Retegui, an Al-Qadsiah player, in an attempt to move closer to an agreement for a summer transfer. Although he arrived in the Saudi Pro League for €68.25 million, they would be open to letting him leave for €45–50 million, a fee that would be well within the Rossoneri’s budget. However, a problem has emerged and could be blocking the move.
After arriving as a marquee signing at Al-Qadsiah, the Italian striker earns a salary of around €16 million per season, something quite difficult for Christian Pulisic’s side. Instead, the Rossoneri are reportedly willing to offer him €5 million per season and a contract running until 2031. For that reason, Retegui would have to significantly lower his demands, complicating his return to Serie A.
While Mateo Retegui currently plays in the Saudi Pro League, he has remained one of the most productive players, scoring 15 goals in 25 matches and ranking as the team’s second top scorer. In addition, he continues to be Italy’s starting striker, netting five goals in the UEFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Due to his scoring ability and versatility, the 26-year-old striker would be an ideal partner for Christian Pulisic in attack.
Mateo Retegui of Al Qadisah looks on during the Saudi Super Cup semi final.
Report: AC Milan also have another Italian striker in pole position
Despite the interest in Mateo Retegui, he would not be willing to force his exit from Al-Qadisiyah, as he feels quite comfortable, reports Tuttosport. For this reason, Massimiliano Allegri’s team could have a very difficult time securing his arrival. Given this, AC Milan keep another Italian striker on their list of priorities, reportedly looking for ways to reduce his cost for a summer transfer.
Moise Kean remains one of the Rossoneri’s priorities to strengthen the attack. However, they would have to pay his €62 million release clause to Fiorentina, which is high for the club’s intentions. According to Nicolò Schira in Tuttosport, the Rossoneri are looking to include a player in the negotiations to lower the Italian’s value. In addition, coach Massimiliano Allegri keeps him as the top priority, as he knows him very well from his time at Juventus.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan looks on during a Coppa Italia match.
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is beginning to shape careers and decisions long before a ball is kicked, and few players embody that tension more than Christian Pulisic.
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is beginning to shape careers and decisions long before a ball is kicked, and few players embody that tension more than Christian Pulisic. At a time when expectations are rising and form is fluctuating, the situation surrounding the American star has become one of the most intriguing contract stories in European soccer.
Pulisic’s campaign has been defined by contradiction. While he remains a central figure in Milan’s attacking structure, his recent performances in 2026 have dipped, with injuries, particularly chronic bursitis, playing a significant role in disrupting his rhythm.
Despite this, his overall contribution remains undeniable. In over 120 appearances for the club, Pulisic has produced more than 60 combined goals and assists, underlining his importance in the system. Within the club, he is still viewed as a cornerstone of the long-term project. Yet, as the season progresses into its decisive phase, both the player and the club have opted to delay critical decisions about his future.
The current status of negotiations reveals a delicate balance. The USMNT international is under contract until 2027, with the Rossoneri holding an option to extend it further, giving the club a strong negotiating position. At the same time, discussions over a long-term renewal, potentially until 2031, have been temporarily paused.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan looks on prior a Serie A match
This pause is not necessarily a sign of tension. Instead, it reflects a mutual understanding. The reasoning is clear: both sides want to avoid distractions during a crucial stretch of the campaign, keeping the focus entirely on on-field objectives.
The encouraging update revealed
Despite the temporary halt in negotiations, Milan is actively pushing to secure Pulisic’s long-term future as quickly as possible, Corriere della Serareports. Internally, there is a strong desire to tie him down to a new deal and make him one of the faces of the club for years to come.
This urgency stems from multiple factors. First, his consistent impact since arriving in Italy has restored his reputation as one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking players. Second, growing interest from abroad, particularly from the Premier League, has raised the stakes. Clubs are monitoring closely, with reports suggesting potential bids reaching significant figures.
The situation is further complicated by interest from former surroundings. The winger’s past at Chelsea still lingers, and there are indications that a return to England could appeal to him. Meanwhile, clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly keeping tabs on his availability, prepared to test Milan’s resolve with a major offer. This growing external interest adds pressure on the Serie A side to act decisively, ensuring it does not risk losing one of its most valuable assets.
Christian Pulisic of the USMNT
The World Cup factor
Hovering above everything is the looming World Cup on home soil. For the 27-year-old, the tournament represents a defining moment in his career. It is no surprise, then, that he has chosen to prioritize performance over paperwork.
“I think Pulisic will stay. There’s the big stage of the World Cup, which is probably influencing him a bit and will affect his summer. In my opinion, he’ll start again from Milan. And logically, the contract renewal talks will open after the World Cup rather than before”, said La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Luca Bianchin.
The World Cup play-off is just around the corner for Italy, and Gazzetta notes that the Azzurri must ‘beat fear’ after failing to qualify for the previous two editions.
Italy will be looking to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2014, meeting Northern Ireland in the play-off semifinal next week.
Italy ‘insecure and afraid’ ahead of World Cup play-off
The match will be played in Bergamo on March 26, and if the Azzurri progress to the final, they’ll face Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away.
“We are no longer a great side, but we are not mediocre either. We are insecure and afraid. Compared to previous collapses, the situation is very different,” wrote Gazzetta journalist Fabio Licari.
“Against Sweden in 2017, the head coach (Ventura) had effectively lost the dressing room. It was a modest Italy and an opponent, Sweden, that was awkward to say the least. We didn’t understand anything.
PALERMO, ITALY – MARCH 24: Alessandro Bastoni and Joao Pedro Galvao of Italy look dejected during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier knockout round play-off match between Italy and North Macedonia at Renzo Barbera Stadium in Palermo, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
“Five years later, against North Macedonia, it was the opposite. Overconfidence, already thinking about the final with Portugal before getting past the semi-final,” the journalist continued.
“It was a psychological mistake before a technical or tactical one: 32 shots, 32 touches inside the box, 16 corners; almost absurd statistics. That night taught us that the unbelievable can happen. Now we are certainly better equipped and less arrogant.
“We need to shake off the nihilism that paralyses us at the first sign of trouble, even against weaker opponents. Northern Ireland won in Luxembourg and lost 3-1 in Germany and 1-0 in Slovakia. It won’t be easy, but let’s be honest: we are stronger.
“In the possible final, we would face Bosnia or Wales. Dzeko’s side narrowly beat Cyprus, San Marino and Romania at home, and lost to Austria. In Cardiff, Kazakhstan, Leichtestein and North Macedonia have been beaten, but Belgium won there. Wales would be tougher because of their Premier League tempo and a fiery atmosphere, but they are not unbeatable.
“It almost sounds ironic, given our history. We are not favourites, but we can compete with Tonali, Donnarumma, Calafiori at a Premier League level, Kean, Retegui and Esposito in attack, and Dimarco as a top European wing-back. The others, however, have an advantage: nothing to lose.”
Gian Piero Gasperini insists that there is ‘no clear difference’ between the two sides as Roma prepare to host Bologna for the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening.
Gasperini previes Roma vs. Bologna second leg: ‘Attention is crucial’
The tie is level at the halfway stage after a 1-1 draw between the two sides at the Dall’Ara last Thursday. The winner of tomorrow’s decider will go on to face either Lille or Aston Villa in the quarter-finals.
Roma have been the stronger of the two sides over in Serie A this season, leading Bologna by nine points and two positions in the league table, but Vincenzo Italiano’s side boast the better form, with four wins from their last five league matches, while Roma have only won once in that period.
Concerningly for the Giallorossi, Manu Kone, who missed out on the first leg last week, is a doubt again ahead of the second leg.
“There’s a little risk and a bit of precaution, we’ll see. Kone’s doing a bit worse,” head coach Gasperini said during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
Gasperini went on to describe tomorrow’s match as: “A decisive game, different from the league. There’s no draw. There’s a possibility of going beyond the 90 minutes. These are different games that always fascinate me.”
Gasperini was also asked for his thoughts on Roma’s recent slump in Serie A results.
“Fans’ reactions must be accepted,” he said. “We have to work to our best, get results and bring happiness to the supporters. We have the complete commitment of the players and we are calm. What they’re doing is positive.
“We’ve also had some good games over these last 40 days. Of course, there have been games where we’ve gone under a little. We had some personnel difficulties, but these aren’t excuses. In Genoa and Como, there were also incidents that impacted the games.
“Now we’re not in our best moment, we’ve had to pay for injuries and various other situations, but we’ve never had the wrong attitude. We might have players who don’t play well at times, but there’s another game tomorrow and we want to do our best.”
Reverting his attention to the task at hand in the Europa League, Gasperini said: “These are games where incidents can be even more decisive.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“This is the second leg, so attention is crucial. It’s like a final, a one-off match. We have to be solid and connected. I think these are two teams that can bring a bit of pride to our (Italian) football in this situation.”
On the role that the Stadio Olimpico crowd will have to play tomorrow night, Gasperini said: “It’s always been red hot. There might be something even more tomorrow given the importance of the game.”
And on Stephan El Shaarawy, he added: “He was out for 40 days. He’s had a couple of weeks of recovery, he played on Sunday. We won’t be able to count on Venturino tomorrow either. We make choices based on who’s available. Stephan could be a crucial player.”
Lastly, Gasperini was asked what he makes of the opinions from the Bologna camp that Roma remain the favourites heading into Thursday’s second leg.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, embraces Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“The ambition is the same for everyone,” he insisted. “Bologna are behind in the league but are recovering now. They were in the Champions League last year. There’s no clear difference between the two teams. We understand the importance of the game.”
Newcastle and Aston Villa have reportedly made Marcus Thuram aware of their interest ahead of a potential summer move, with the Inter striker said to favour a switch to the Premier League over the Saudi Pro League.
Premier League sides Newcastle and Aston Villa have already made initial approaches in their pursuit of Inter star Thuram, according to FcInternews.
Aston Villa and Newcastle interested in Thuram
Thuram is in his third season at the Stadio Meazza, and multiple sources in Italy have claimed that both the Nerazzurri and the French forward will likely seek a fresh start in the summer.
There have been reports of interest from Saudi Pro League clubs, but according to FCInternews, Thuram would prefer a move to the English Premier League.
Thuram has scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 35 games across all competitions this season, and his contract includes an €85m release clause. The 28-year-old, however, has only scored once in his last nine Serie A appearances.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Thuram is said to be fully focused on the final part of the season with Inter, after which he’ll decide on his future with the club.
Thuram’s contract at the Stadio Meazza runs out in June 2028.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale Milano warms up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Roma wing-back Wesley Franca insists that the incident that led to his sending off during Saturday’s Serie A defeat against Como ‘wasn’t a foul’, and says that the Giallorossi need ‘100% concentration’ if they are to overcome Bologna in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Wesley reacts to Como red and previews Bologna second leg
The Brazilian wideman joined head coach Gian Piero Gasperini for Wednesday’s pre-match press conference ahead of the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 tie between Roma and Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night. The tie is currently level after a 1-1 draw at the Dall’Ara last week.
For Wesley, this was also an opportunity to review his most recent Serie A match. Roma were beaten 2-1 away against Como in a massive game in the race for the Champions League positions, and the Brazilian was controversially sent off just over an hour in with the scores still level at 1-1.
Wesley was sent off for a second bookable offence, but he insists that there was no foul in his clash with Como’s Assane Diao.
Like the incident that led to Pierre Kalulu’s wrongful sending off in the Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter in February, the incident could not be referred to VAR for review as it was a second yellow card offence and not a straight red. For the same reason, neither Kalulu nor Wesley’s suspensions were overturned either.
“It wasn’t a foul. I was aware I was on a booking and didn’t want a red,” Wesley protested (via TMW).
“I was on his side, leaning on him because he was falling on top of me. I was convinced afterwards that I hadn’t committed a foul, but for others, I did. It was a decisive incident which changed the game.”
Moving on from the Como incident, Wesley went on to explain why he has been able to hit the ground running so comfortably in Italy after joining Roma from Flamengo over the summer.
“Italian football is different to Brazilian football, but with a lot of concentration, it’s difficult for others to get past me, just as it’s easier for me to dribble against them,” he explained.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 01: Wesley of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“The coach asks me to attack, to not make mistakes and to make the right decisions. I’m improving and playing helps that.”
And looking ahead to Thursday’s clash against Bologna, he added: “For me, it’s a dream to play in Europe. We care a lot. Careers are built in these tournaments, it requires 100% concentration. We have to be ready tomorrow.”
And on his individual battle with Federico Bernardeschi during the first leg, Wesley said: “He’s very strong with some great characteristics. The duel was great. We’ve played against a lot of strong players, but he’s very good.”
Manchester United are reportedly one of the main clubs in the mix for the potential transfer of Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown this summer.
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And they’ve been given a boost as it seems Eintracht need to sell players due to financial issues, with Brown available for an asking price of around €60m, according to Sport Bild, as cited and translated by Sport Witness.
Man Utd could be joined by Real Madrid and Barcelona in the race for the Germany international’s signature, however, while he’s also been linked with other Premier League clubs in the past.
Should Manchester United sign Nathaniel Brown for €60m?
It’s never easy to know whether or not a transfer will work out, but Brown is clearly highly regarded and arguably not too expensive for an in-form player of his age group.
United also look in need of a new left-back as an upgrade on the ageing and injury-prone Luke Shaw, and with Patrick Dorgu recently playing in a more attacking role.
We have therefore given the potential Brown to MUFC deal a Transfer Fit rating of 19/25, which makes him a strong fit…
Man United could be favourites for Nathaniel Brown
While it’s early days yet, there could be a variety of good reasons to think United would be the favourites to sign Brown.
The 22-year-old would surely see a move to Old Trafford as one that ticks a lot of boxes, especially if they end up qualifying for the Champions League, which now looks likely.
It’s also easier to see a pathway to becoming a starter at United than at Liverpool or Arsenal, who have a number of other left-backs.
Meanwhile, Real and Barca may also be interested, but Premier League clubs have often been able to out-spend major European clubs in recent times, so that could see Brown choose United for higher wages, while United might also find it easier to meet Frankfurt’s demands for the player.
While Lionel Messi’s departure emerged as a negative asset in his re-election, Joan Laporta revealed key details about the Argentine's comeback. Far from confronting the legend, he has planned strategies to welcome him back to Spotify Camp Nou Stadium.
Throughout the Barcelona‘s presidential election process, Joan Laporta faced constant attacks from candidates such as Xavier Vilajoana, Marc Ciria, and Victor Font regarding the handling of Lionel Messi’s departure. Despite this, the fans once again re-elected him to lead the sporting project. Following this, the elected president decided to reveal key details about Messi’s possible return to the Blaugranas, making it clear that there is a plan in place for it.
During the campaign process, Font accused Laporta of being responsible for Lionel Messi’s departure. He even urged the Argentine to speak out and reveal everything: “I hope he (Messi) tells the truth so that the socis don’t go to the polls misled by Laporta and blinded by the smoke screen of hope generated by Hansi Flick and the young players,” he said, as per ESPN. Despite this, the legend did not comment on the matter, and Joan already has a plan for his return.
“Leo will be linked to Barcelona in whatever way he wants to be… He deserves a tribute (match) and also a statue. That would be hugely significant. Only Ladislao Kubala and Johan Cruyff have statues at the stadium…The doors at Barça are always open to him, whenever he wishes, so that he can continue to strengthen and bring greatness to this institution,” Joan Laporta said, via TV3.
While Laporta has admitted that his relationship with Messi is quite strained, he does not seek to create a direct conflict with him. Instead, the president is aiming for the Argentine to reconnect with the team, as he has not set foot in the stadium in front of cameras since August 8, 2021, when he held his farewell press conference. He not only wants a tribute to be made, but also envisions Messi taking an active role within the club.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami and FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta.
Messi eyes Barca return, but Laporta re-election may block it
After his departure in August 2021, Lionel Messihas only returned to the Spotify Camp Nou stadium once, in November 2025. Far from being a large-scale event, the Argentine did so at night, without the presence of the board of directors or club members. While he appears to be upset with Joan Laporta over his handling of his departure, he has expressed his deep desire to return to the stadium and to Barcelona.
“I imagined myself, as I said, playing my entire career in Europe, at Barcelona, and then, yes, coming here like I did (Inter Miami)… I really want to go back there; we miss Barcelona a lot—my kids constantly, and my wife—we always talk about things from Barcelona, the idea of living there again. We have our house, everything, so that’s what we want. I’m really eager to return to the stadium once it’s finished,” Lionel Messi said, via Diario Sport.
With construction on the Spotify Camp Nou Stadium set to be completed in 2027, Messi could make his return to the venue under Laporta’s leadership. However, the president does not have the best relationship with the Argentine, as reports suggest the legend felt betrayed when he left. If they fail to resolve their differences, Joan’s presence could keep Lionel away until 2031—a scenario the board of directors seeks to avoid, opening the door for him.
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona looks on during the La Liga Santander match.
Barcelona receive Newcastle in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
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The Round of 16 battle now shifts to Spain, where Barcelona will attempt to capitalize on home advantage and secure a place in the quarterfinals, but Newcastle United arrive confident they can deliver a stunning upset and complete a historic qualification.
The first leg turned out to be far more competitive than expected, as Barcelona—despite entering as clear favorites—struggled away from home and required a late equalizer to escape with a draw after nearly suffering defeat, leaving everything to be decided in this decisive second meeting that fans won’t want to miss.
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Roma supporters were in attendance for Watford’s 3-1 victory over Wrexham in the EFL Championship to watch Edoardo Bove score his first goal since suffering a cardiac arrest on Wednesday night: ‘Even if you leave Rome, you won’t be alone’.
Bove back amongst the goals for the first time since 2024: ‘It wasn’t like that in my dreams!’
Bove is back to doing what he loves best after netting in the 94th minute to seal a 3-1 victory for his new club, Watford, over Championship promotion hopefuls Wrexham on Tuesday evening.
This was Bove’s first competitive goal since October 2024, when he scored in a thumping 5-1 victory for Fiorentina against his boyhood club, Roma.
Fiorentina’s midfielder Edoardo Bove celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match ACF Fiorentina vs AS Roma at Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy, 27 October 2024. EPA-EFE/CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI
Not long after that, Bove collapsed on the pitch early on in a Serie A match between Fiorentina and Inter, and it was later confirmed that he had suffered a cardiac arrest. Bove later had an internal defibrillator device fitted, which prevents him from playing professionally in Italy, but does not prohibit him from playing in the UK.
This was a situation similar to the one that involved Christian Eriksen, who joined Brentford and later Manchester United after leaving Inter shortly after suffering a cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark at EURO 2020.
Despite spending over a year out of action, assessing his next steps after learning that a return to action in Serie A would not be possible, Bove joined Championship side Watford as a free agent in January.
He has since gone on to make six substitute appearances for the Hornets, and on Wednesday night, grabbed his first goal in England during a 3-1 victory over Wrexham at Vicarage Road.
“I had a lot of time to think about my first goal when I was coming back. To be honest, it wasn’t like this, as it was an easy one! In my dreams it was in the top corner,” Bove joked after full-time.
“But the celebration was unbelievable. I went directly to the fans and I’m so happy for the team who have supported me, and all the staff, physios and doctors who have been watching my situation carefully and trying to do their best to get me on the pitch.
“I’m so happy this happened today and I’m looking forward to what’s next.
To make the occasion extra special for Bove, he was being cheered on by a large section of UK-based Roma supporters, who held up Giallorossi scarfs and a banner that read: ‘Even if you leave Rome, you won’t be alone’.
Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma reveals why he pulled his arm back before Federico Valverde’s first goal during last week’s Champions League match against Real Madrid: ‘The first thing I thought was to do as little damage as possible.’
Donnarumma’s Manchester City have been eliminated from the Champions League Round of 16 by Real Madrid, suffering a 5-1 aggregate defeat.
Donnarumma’s post-match interview after Man City 1-2 Real Madrid
The Premier League giants lost both ties against the Merengues, first 3-0 in Madrid and then 2-1 in Manchester.
Federico Valverde scored a hat-trick at the Bernabeu last week, with his first goal coming after a dribble past Donnarumma. The goalkeeper rushed off his line but didn’t touch the ball at the edge of the box, likely wary of handling the ball outside the area.
During a post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia on Tuesday, ex-Milan and England coach Capello asked Donnarumma about his decision to move that way.
MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 11: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City celebrates after saving a penalty by Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid (not pictured) during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 11, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
“The first goal you conceded in Madrid. Why didn’t you stretch out your hand? Did you think that you were outside the box?” Capello asked.
“It was so fast that the first thing I thought was to do as little damage as possible and get out of my way as much as I could,” Donnarumma replied.
MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 11: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid is fouled by Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City which leads to a penalty to Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 11, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
“My goal was to move out of the way and not harm the team. Even watching the replay, I saw that the ball was close to my hand, but at normal speed, everything is much harder. I watched the replay and indeed it passed very close to my hand.”
During the same interview, Donnarumma said Manchester City won’t change their style of play after their Champions League exit and looked forward to “crucial games” with the Premier League giants and the Italy national team.
Former Fiorentina and Salernitana star Franck Ribery has explained why Atalanta found it quite so difficult to play against his beloved Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie last week, and says that he ‘hopes’ to coach in Italy himself one day.
Ribery reflects on Atalanta vs. Bayern first leg
Atalanta were demolished 6-1 in their own back yard by Bayern Munich in last Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 first leg. The two teams will meet again at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Wednesday evening, but with such a big deficit in the scoreline, this feels like more of a formality than anything for La Dea.
Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ribery explained why Atalanta found it quite so difficult against Bayern last week.
“Bayern are not just strong, but they’re also doing really well at the moment. For me, they’re the favourites to win the Champions League,” said Ribery.
“They win because they have a great culture. There’s a lot of professionalism and at the same time, it feels like a family. I’m happy to be considered a legend to their supporters. We made history with everything we won. We did it together.”
MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 28: Franck Ribery poses for a picture with the Bundesliga trophy and the DFB cup during an event at FCB Erlebniswelt on May 28, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Despite being a team that tends to dominate possession, Ribery believes that the work Bayern did off the ball is what made life so difficult for Atalanta last week.
“I watched the first leg carefully. Atalanta found a lot of difficulties, Bayern also had a lot of experience on their side. They’re a team that’s used to controlling possession and even out of possession, they press very high and never leave their opponents any time or space to play out. That’s how it was in Bergamo too. Atalanta didn’t have the time or space to play.
“I have one thing to say about them, though. Well done to the Atalanta fans for supporting their team in a beautiful, sporting way. That gives an important image for all of Italian football.”
After calling it a day on his playing career in 2022, Ribery returned to Italy to do his UEFA A coaching license at Italy’s Coverciano.
“My goal is to become a coach, and in the meantime, study,” said Ribery. “Coverciano is the ideal place. I’m happy to be there, I feel at ease. I’ve met a lot of good people to share my journey with.”
EMPOLI, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Frank Ribery of US Salernitana looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Empoli FC and US Salernitana at Stadio Carlo Castellani on September 27, 2023 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Ribery hasn’t yet decided where exactly he wants to begin his coaching career, but he says that he would always be open to opportunities in Italy.
“I don’t know where yet, let’s hope for Italy, a country that I love,” he said. “But, I would also accept the opportunity to get involved in other countries.”
According to Tuttosport, Milan director Igli Tare has met with one of Mateo Retegui’s agents as the Rossoneri aim to sign a new centre-forward, but the Italy star would need to lower his salary for a summer transfer.
Milan sporting director Tare has reportedly met a member of Retegui’s entourage, Alessandro Moggi.
Milan: Tare meets Retegui’s agent
According to Tuttosport, Retegui is once again on the Rossoneri’s radar as the Serie A giants look for a new centre-forward for 2026-27.
Milan are unlikely to make Niclas Fullkrug’s move permanent at the end of the season and Retegui was already on their agenda in the past, including last summer, when the Italy international joined Al-Qadisiya from Atalanta for nearly €70m.
HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 20: Mateo Retegui of Al Qadisah looks on during the Saudi Super Cup semi final between Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah at Hong Kong Stadium on August 20, 2025 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Retegui is aware that he’d need to lower his €16m-per-season salary if he were to join Milan in the summer.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Sander Berge of Norway battles for possession with Mateo Retegui of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
According to the report, the Rossoneri could offer €5m per year until 2031, while Al-Qadisiya’s asking price is around €45m- € 50m.
Tuttosport confirms that Retegui is not Milan’s only target in attack for next season, as Fiorentina star Moise Kean is also on the Rossoneri’s shopping list.
The latest FIFA World rankings have been released and are now being updated in real time so you can keep track of the world’s best national teams ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
There are some interesting recent moves in FIFA’s ranking via their official website, with Morocco all the way up three places to 8th in the world.
Meanwhile, Belgium and Germany are down one place, but there’s no change nearer the top as the usual suspects are positioning themselves as favourites.
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Read on for the current top ten national teams in the world as we gain an insight into the favourites for this summer’s World Cup…
FIFA World Rankings
1) Spain – 1877.18 points
Having won Euro 2024, it’s no surprise to see Spain top of this list, with world class talents like Lamine Yamal and Pedri sure to make them a force to be reckoned with at the 2026 World Cup. Last time they won this trophy, they also went into the tournament on the back of success at the Euros two years before, so that’s a good omen for them as they look to lift this title for the second time.
2) Argentina – 1873.33 points
The reigning World Champions, Argentina will be looking to retain their crown this summer, and are only really behind Spain as the favourites. Lionel Messi is four years older now, though, and arguably a long way past his prime, so how crucial will that be for the South American giants?
3) France – 1870.00 points
On paper, possibly the best squad at the tournament. France’s team is absolutely packed with superstars, with Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, and William Saliba arguably the best players in the world in their respective positions right now, while even the reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele won’t be guaranteed a starting spot. Les Bleus last won this trophy in 2018 and will now be eager to make up for defeat in the final of 2022.
4) England – 1834.12 points
Could this finally be England’s year? They’re certainly looking as strong as ever as they sit fourth in the world rankings, and they’ll hope that new manager Thomas Tuchel can be key in helping them go one step further than Gareth Southgate was able to take them.
5) Brazil – 1760.46 points
The team with the most World Cups, but no win since all the way back in 2002, can Brazil finally re-establish themselves as the big force of world football? There’s plenty of talent in this side, even if it’s not the Brazil of old, and manager Carlo Ancelotti has been a trophy-winning machine at club level, so could be the key to bringing a sixth World Cup to Brazil.
Most World Cup wins by country
Number of titles
Brazil
5 – 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
Germany
4 – 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014
Italy
4 – 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
Argentina
3 – 1978, 1986, 2022
France
2 – 1998, 2018
Uruguay
2 – 1930, 1950
England
1 – 1966
Spain
1 – 2010
6) Portugal – 1760.38 points
Messi finally lifted the World Cup in 2022, so can Cristiano Ronaldo do it with Portugal in 2026? His country are clearly not the favourites, but sitting in 6th in the world rankings shows that they’re up there with the best on their day. With a bit of luck, Ronaldo could finally get that one elusive trophy to end his career on the ultimate high.
7) Netherlands – 1756.27 points
Remarkably, the Netherlands have still never won the World Cup, but they sit 7th in the current world rankings as they continue to be up there with the finest teams in world football. This is not really as great a side as some of their previous ones, but you can never rule them out.
8) Morocco – 1736.57 points
Controversially named AFCON winners after January’s final defeat to Senegal was overturned, Morocco are progressing a lot and will be looking to build on their run to the semi-finals in the last World Cup.
Their golden era of having the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne at their peak has now passed, but 9th is a decent score here for Belgium, who still have a lot of talent in their squad that could take them on a decent run in the World Cup.
10) Germany – 1724.15 points
Germany haven’t been at their best for some time, despite a great history in World Cups, of which they’ve won four. It’s been tough replacing recent legendary figures like Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, and Mesut Ozil, but they often seem to find a way to go far in major tournaments, so could do so again even if it’s not a vintage side.
Pep Guardiola has claimed Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been the toughest rivals of his managerial career. Guardiola’s Manchester City side fell to a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16. Madrid have now eliminated Man City in five knockout ties in the Champions League, including in four of the last […]
Al-Nassr’s campaign in the Saudi Pro League has been dealt a fresh setback, with news emerging that Inigo Martinez has suffered an injury just as the club continues to manage the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al-Nassr’s campaign in the Saudi Pro League has been dealt a fresh setback, with news emerging that Inigo Martinez has suffered an injury just as the club continues to manage the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Spanish defender, who joined the Riyadh-based club from Barcelona last summer, has been confirmed out of action, and the timeline for his return has been revealed, adding a new layer of concern for manager Jorge Jesus.
The timing of Martinez’s setback is particularly sensitive for Al-Nassr, who are leading the league with 67 points, just three ahead of title rivals Al-Hilal. The club has been navigating injuries to key players, including Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, both of whom are recovering from minor fitness concerns. Despite these challenges, Al-Nassr maintained its dominant form with a resounding 5-0 victory over Al-Khaleej, showcasing depth and resilience across the squad.
In the aftermath of the game, medical examinations confirmed that Martinez suffered a hamstring tear, a development that sidelined the former Spanish international. “Medical tests undergone by Inigo Martinez revealed that he has suffered a hamstring tear. Martinez began a treatment and rehabilitation program in Madrid today,” reported Arriyadiyah.
This injury represents a significant short-term setback for Al-Nassr’s defense, which has relied heavily on the Spaniard’s experience alongside stars like Ronaldo. While the club will manage in the short term, concerns linger due to the defender’s history of muscle issues. The experienced centre-back has previously dealt with muscle-related issues, including a notable hamstring absence during the 2023-24 season. While not alarming on its own, it introduces a level of caution around his recovery and long-term fitness.
Inigo Martinez of Al Nassr celebrates after scoring
The injury comes at a delicate moment, with the Knight of Najd’s title ambitions in sharp focus. The squad has had to cope with recent absences of Ronaldo and Mane, both pivotal to the club’s attacking output, making Martinez’s defensive presence even more vital.
The recovery timeline revealed
Arriyadiyah’s report suggests that Martinez is projected to be sidelined for approximately 10-14 days, a relatively short spell in isolation but one that initially raised fears of missed fixtures during a critical phase of the season. However, context is everything.
The timing of the injury coincides with a two-week international break, significantly easing the pressure on both player and club. As a result, the recovery period is expected to overlap almost entirely with the pause in domestic competition, minimizing its direct impact on match availability. Crucially, he is likely to return in time for the league clash against Al-Najma on April 3, provided there are no setbacks in his rehabilitation.
Inigo Martinez and Cristiano Ronaldo in training
From a purely sporting perspective, the situation could have been far worse. Jorge Jesus’ side does not have an immediate fixture during the 34-year-old’s recovery window, meaning the defender is unlikely to miss competitive matches if his rehabilitation progresses as planned. This transforms what could have been a damaging blow into a manageable setback.
The return of Ronaldo, Mane, and now Martinez will be crucial as Al-Nassr approaches the final eight matches of the Saudi Pro League season. Ronaldo’s leadership and Mane’s attacking dynamism, combined with Martinez’s defensive experience, will be key components as the Riyadh-based side aims to secure a historic double crown.
Inigo Martinez (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (right)
As Lamine Yamal continues to emerge as one of soccer’s brightest young stars, his presence looms large over a finely poised clash between Barcelona and Newcastle.
As Lamine Yamal continues to emerge as one of soccer’s brightest young stars, his presence looms large over a finely poised clash between Barcelona and Newcastle. With the tie delicately balanced and tensions rising, the spotlight naturally falls on the teenager whose last contribution in this competition changed everything.
The first encounter at St. James’ Park delivered intensity, chaos, and late drama in equal measure. Newcastle appeared set for victory after a late goal from Harvey Barnes, only for Barcelona to snatch a lifeline in the dying seconds. Yamal converted a stoppage-time penalty to secure a 1-1 draw, ensuring the tie would return to Spain on level terms.
The result, however, only told part of the story. The Magpies’ high-energy approach unsettled Barca throughout, exposing weaknesses and forcing errors. “We didn’t make a good game… we lost too many balls, easy mistakes.” Those words from the Blaugrana manager Hansi Flick reflected a performance that fell short of expectations, yet still ended with a crucial away result.
As kickoff approaches, the narrative becomes clear. This is a tie that could be decided by one moment, one mistake, or one player. For Barcelona, that player may well be Yamal, whose ability to deliver under pressure has already altered the course of this matchup once. For Newcastle, it is about resilience, execution, and seizing the chances that eluded them in the first leg. In a contest where margins are razor-thin, the stage is perfectly set.
Will Yamal play?
As speculation intensified in the build-up, the answer to the central question gradually became clear. Lamine Yamal will start for Barcelona in the second leg. After dealing with illness in recent days, the teenager returned to action as a substitute in the previous match and is now poised to feature from the beginning.
This is no ordinary inclusion. At just 18, the Spaniard is on the verge of equaling records set by Kylian Mbappe for Champions League goals before turning 19, underlining his extraordinary rise. More importantly, his influence extends beyond statistics. He has already delivered 20 goals and 14 assists across competitions this season, and his ability to produce decisive moments makes him central to Barcelona’s ambitions.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick speaking to Lamine Yamal.
Barcelona vs. Newcastle: Confirmed lineups
Barcelona confirmed XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Cancelo, Marc Bernal, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha, Lewandowski.
Serie A strugglers Cremonese have officially sacked their head coach Nicola.
Cremonese sack Nicola: official statement
“Cremonese announce that Mr. Davide Nicola has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the first team,” the club said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The club wishes to thank the coach and his staff for the professionalism, commitment and dedication they have shown in their daily work since they arrived in Cremona.”
Cremonese had had a fantastic start to the season, even winning on their 2025-26 Serie A debut away at Milan.
However, they now find themselves in the relegation zone, three points below safety.
On Monday, they suffered a heavy 4-1 home loss to Fiorentina, which eventually led to Nicola’s sacking.
The Grigiorossi have not won any of their last 15 Serie A matches, losing seven of their last eight league meetings.
CREMONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Coach Davide Nicola of US Cremonese reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Genoa CFC at Stadio Giovanni Zini on February 15, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
Their most recent win dates back to December 7, 2025.
According to several reports, including Corriere della Sera, Cremonese will appoint ex-Milan coach Giampaolo, who will sign an 18-month contract.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 12: US Cremonese head coach Davide Nicola looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Cremonese at Allianz Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
According to Tuttosport, Joshua Zirkzee’s agent has informed Juventus that his client is available for a summer transfer, while Gazzetta reports that the Bianconeri are still keen on Randal Kolo Muani, especially with PSG interested in Jonathan David.
Latest Juventus transfer news on Zirkzee and Kolo Muani
Jonathan David and Lois Openda have failed to impress in their first season at the Allianz Stadium, so the Serie A giants will listen to offers for the pair this summer.
According to Gazzetta, PSG director Luis Campos, who had brought David to Lille, is considering a reunion with the Canadian star in Paris.
David scored 87 goals in 178 Ligue 1 matches before joining Juventus as a free agent last summer, and the Bianconeri would consider a swap deal involving the Canadian forward and Kolo Muani, who won’t remain at Tottenham beyond the summer.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Randal Kolo Muani of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal CF at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Juventus already tried to re-sign Kolo Muani in the January window, but Tottenham refused to part ways with the French striker, who is still destined to return to Paris at the end of his loan spell in June.
Both Kolo Muani and David earn circa €6m/7m per season, so a potential swap deal would suit Juventus financially, also because PSG value Kolo Muani at €40m.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on December 04, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
According to Tuttosport, on the other hand, a possible Bianconeri target for the summer is ex-Bologna star Zirkzee.
The Dutch forward has reportedly decided to leave Manchester United at the end of the season, and his agent, Kia Joorabchian, has informed the Bianconeri directors that his client is available for a summer transfer.
Reports in Italy claim that any tensions between Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic following Milan’s 1-0 loss against Lazio over the weekend have been put to bed after a handshake and in-depth video analysis session in training on Wednesday.
Milan put Leao and Pulisic issue to bed
Leao cut a frustrated figure after being taken off during the second half of Milan’s 1-0 loss against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday with 25 minutes of regular time left to play and with his side 1-0 down at the time, in need of a goal.
The Portugal international rejected a hug on the touchline from head coach Massimiliano Allegri after being hauled off, but many have suggested that Leao was also annoyed with teammate Pulisic, who had failed to slip him in on goal just a moment before the substitution was called.
Despite being Milan’s two leading goalscorers this season, Leao with nine Serie A goals from 22 appearances and Pulisic with eight from the same number of outings, they have only managed to score a combined two goals from 595 minutes while playing alongside each other.
Leao is currently on his longest goalscoring drought since joining Milan in 2023, still without a goal in 2026, and Leao has only recorded two from his last 10 outings.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan shoots whilst under pressure from Patric and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru of Lazio during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Milan squad had an in-depth video analysis session when they returned to training on Tuesday, which is normal procedure after a win, loss or draw, but there was a particular focus on the attacks involving the two star forwards.
As per La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Milan players reflected upon the Lazio match with a sense of calm, Leao is said to have apologised to his teammates for his behaviour on the sidelines and he and Pulisic are reported to have symbolically shook hands on the pitch.
Posting on X today, the reporter stated that this deal was nearly done due to smooth negotiations between the two clubs, who obviously have a good relationship due to both being part of the BlueCo group led by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali…
? #ChelseaFC ?? Chelsea are closing in on Valentin Barco, who has shone at Strasbourg.
It seems Chelsea fans can start to get excited about this one as a deal could be done quickly, and this story comes just a few days after Fichajes also linked the 21-year-old with the west London giants.
Valentin Barco to Chelsea to replace Enzo Fernandez?
A lot could change between now and the summer, but perhaps Barco is being targeted to replace Enzo Fernandez amid question-marks over his future at Stamford Bridge.
According to Simon Phillips, five clubs are eyeing up Fernandez and one source even suggests there’s a 99% chance that the Argentina international will leave CFC this summer.
When analysing the Barco to Chelsea transfer recently, we scored it as just 13/25 with our Transfer Fit rating system, but we can now bump that score up a bit…
Valentin Barco
TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee
***
Performance
****
Achievements
**
Career phase
****
Squad need
****
We would now rate this at 17/25, adding points because Fernandez’s departure would increase Chelsea’s ‘squad need’ for the player, while smooth negotiations also suggest they’ll be getting this promising young talent for a favourable price.
Chelsea have previously used their relationship with Strasbourg to hire Liam Rosenior as manager, while Emanuel Emegha will join the Blues from the Ligue 1 club next season.
Newcastle drew 1-1 with Barcelona in their first leg tie at St James’ Park, and will tonight look to cause an upset at the Nou Camp.
It won’t be easy for Eddie Howe’s side, but they can perhaps take some confidence from that first leg, even if it wasn’t the result they wanted as Lamine Yamal snatched a 1-1 draw with a stoppage time penalty.
Newcastle United looking to reach Champions League quarter-finals
It remains to be seen if Newcastle can make that step up and get a big result tonight, but even if they do, they’ll have to hope the likes of Tonali, Willock, Joelinton and Burn are careful.
It would be a huge blow for the Magpies to get through to the quarter-finals but then find themselves without these key players.
Tonali has been in superb form this season and would surely be the biggest loss for the club if they were to go through tonight.
For now, though, his focus will surely just be on trying to help Newcastle achieve something special in this competition.
It’s not gone great for Premier League clubs so far, however, with Manchester City and Chelsea already both out, while Liverpool and Tottenham trail going into their second leg ties tonight.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has backed goalkeeper David Raya to win Player of the season award after his impressive performances.
When an iconic, record-breaking striker starts campaigning for a goalkeeper to win top individual honors, you know he has been special.
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Following Arsenal’s comfortable 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, which safely booked their ticket to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-1 aggregate win, Henry used his punditry platform on CBS Sports to give the Gunners’ number one his absolute flowers.
While the usual suspects like Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes are constantly dominating the Premier League Player of the Season debates, Henry firmly believes the man between the sticks is the unsung hero keeping Arsenal’s historic season rolling.
“This guy should be in contention to be player of the season because of what he does for Arsenal every single time,” Henry stated on the broadcast, as reported by Metro.
Raya is a £27 Million masterstroke by Arsenal
Remember when Mikel Arteta’s decision to replace Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya sparked endless, heated debates across the Arsenal fanbase and media? Well, nobody is arguing anymore.
Securing the Spanish international permanently from Brentford for a reported £27 million is looking like a bargain now.
He has been consistent for the Gunners and some of the saves he has made this season have been absolutely world class.
Raya has been an absolute brick wall for Arteta’s side during this 2025/26 campaign.
With Arsenal currently sitting at the top of the Premier League, preparing for a Carabao Cup final, and pushing deep into both the FA Cup and Europe, Raya’s elite distribution and sweeping abilities have been the ultimate safety net.
Henry continued:
“It’s very difficult sometimes to see what a goalkeeper does but he cannot make you win the game. He can make you hope that you’re not losing it by making saves but he does that two to three times every single game. It’s just outstanding.”
Newcastle United are one of the clubs reported to have set their sights on FC Porto’s rising star Rodrigo Mora ahead of this summer.
The 18-year-old Portuguese playmaker is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about talents in Europe, and it’s no surprise that the heavyweights are starting to circle. Alongside Newcastle United, both Manchester City and Arsenal are reportedly keeping a very close watch on his development.
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Reports from Sports Boom suggest that our scouting department hasn’t just been keeping a casual eye on him—we’ve had scouts closely watching many of his games this season! The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with detailed reports already prepared for the recruitment team.
The belief is that official contact with FC Porto could be on the horizon very soon as we look to steal a march on our rivals in the race for Mora’s signature.
Rodrigo Mora transfer won’t come cheap for Newcastle United
Securing a talent like Mora won’t come cheap. It’s understood that his current release clause sits around the £60-70m mark. For a player who has already broken records as Porto’s youngest-ever professional and is making waves in the Europa League, that figure is increasingly being seen as fair value in today’s market.
While Mora is clearly settled at Porto for now, the lure of the Premier League is massive. He hasn’t made a definitive decision on the “right timing” for a move just yet, but if Newcastle come knocking with a clear project and a starting spot in the creative hub of our midfield, he might find it very difficult to say no!
The midfield overhaul at Old Trafford could be kicking off with a massive Premier League raid, and Newcastle fans won’t be happy.
Manchester United are ready to make a move for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali and the Italian is ready to make the move, according to journalist Christopher Michel.
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The demand of a new midfielder at United has increased and after tracking several midfielders, Man United are determined to step up interest in Tonali.
Midfield shake-up at Man United
It’s no secret that United’s engine room needs some serious attention heading into the transfer window.
With Casemiro leaving in the summer and general inconsistencies plaguing the middle of the park, bringing in a dynamic, elite-level operator is clearly a top priority for INEOS and the United hierarchy.
United haven’t just suddenly stumbled upon Tonali; they’ve been keeping tabs on the midfielder for a very long time.
I’ve heard that #MUFC are seriously working on a move for Sandro Tonali. And the Italian midfielder is apparently quite open to a move to Manchester. The club have been keeping tabs on him for a long time. Would he be a good signing?
Sandro Tonali waves to the Newcastle fans (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
This is where things are going to get incredibly complicated. Newcastle United didn’t just casually sign Tonali back in the summer of 2023, they made him their marquee addition from AC Milan in a blockbuster deal.
They are not interested in selling the Italian international midfielder, despite interest from several top clubs.
Even Arsenal are thought to be in the race to sign the midfield star but their interest is not as serious as United at this stage.
Furthermore, Newcastle are notoriously tough negotiators, and they are under no immediate pressure to sell their top assets on the cheap.
If Tonali really is open to the move, as the report suggests, United will still need to cough up a massive fee to even get the Magpies’ front office to pick up the phone.
Simply looking to officially punch their Champions League quarter-final ticket with another statement of intent, Bayern Munich will welcome Atalanta to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night. Putting in what was a dominant performance in Bergamo last week as they stormed their way to a thumping 6-1 romp on foreign soil, Vincent Kompany’s side are […]
Enzo Fernandez is uncertain if he will be staying at Chelsea beyond this season. Chelsea were beaten 3-0 by Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, sealing an 8-2 aggregate defeat. Fernandez played 60 minutes before he was replaced by Romeo Lavia. After the match, the Argentine, who joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023, cast […]
Kasper Hjulmand says Bayer Leverkusen can be proud of their efforts in the Champions League. Leverkusen lost 2-0 to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, as the Premier League leaders booked their place in the last eight with a 3-1 aggregate win. Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice scored the goals for the Gunners. Leverkusen have […]
Inter are the runaway Serie A leaders, have the best attack in the league and have been involved in some of the most spectacular games of the season, but they are not the only ones.
Despite a 1-1 home draw against Atalanta in Serie A Week 29, Inter still managed to extend their lead over second-placed Milan as the Rossoneri fell to a 1-0 away loss at Lazio.
The Nerazzurri have an eight-point lead over their city rivals and it comes as no surprise that, according to analysis from BettingTips4You, Cristian Chivu’s team are favourites to win the Scudetto this term.
Inter have been, by far, the most consistent team in Italy’s top flight this term, with 22 wins from 29. Their stalemate against Atalanta was only their second of the season, and the Nerazzurri have lost only five league games so far.
Como and Milan have conceded fewer goals than the Nerazzurri, but Inter have the best attack in Italy with 65 goals in 29 matches, an average of 2.24 per game.
Statistics highlight that the Nerazzurri have been involved in some of the highest-scoring matches in Serie A during the 2025-26 campaign.
To date, their 6-2 win over Pisa in Week 22 is the single Serie A match with the most goals scored this term.
It is followed by another Inter match, their 4-3 loss against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium in Turin in September 2025.
Inter are also the only Serie A club to have won an away game 5-0 this term. It happened in February when Chivu’s men visited Sassuolo and returned home with a comfortable victory.
COMO, ITALY – MARCH 15: Diego Carlos of Como 1907 celebrates after scoring their team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AS Roma at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on March 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
When it comes to entertaining matches, however, it’s impossible not to mention Como.
The team coached by Cesc Fabregas recently beat Roma 2-1 at home, breaking into the top four in the standings.
“When you build a squad, you implement an idea, you study your players carefully, their character, their identity,” Fabregas said at full time.
“Learning to handle the result and the game in a certain way is a question of solidity, courage and trust. That takes months to develop, not weeks. Games like this show it is becoming natural, not forced.”
COMO, ITALY – MARCH 15: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas celebrates the victory at the end of the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AS Roma at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on March 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Como recorded one of the biggest wins of the campaign on January 24, beating Torino 6-0 at home. The reverse fixture had been just as good for the Azzurri, who had already beaten the Granata 5-1 away at the end of November.
With 50 goals conceded in 29 rounds, Torino are one of the weakest defences in the league. They started the season with a 5-0 loss against Inter at San Siro, the same result with which Juventus beat strugglers Cremonese in January.
Another big win for the Old Lady came on February 1, when they secured a 4-1 away victory against Parma.
Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior made headlines on Tuesday, handing a note to Alejandro Garnacho in the dying minutes of a 3-0 loss against PSG: ‘He’s out of his mind,’ said Fabio Capello, while Alessandro Costacurta added: ‘As a footballer, I wouldn’t have seen it as a way to get the players on my side.’
Chelsea were eliminated from the Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday, suffering a 3-0 home loss against title holders PSG.
The Blues were knocked out with a 2-8 aggregate defeat, but despite the obvious outcome in the dying minutes, their coach, Rosenior, continued to give tactical instructions to his players.
At minute 84, he handed a note to Garnacho, who had been introduced a few minutes earlier.
The Argentine winger didn’t seem overly eager to relay the coach’s tactical instructions to his teammates, especially since the match was practically over.
Italian journalist Paolo Condò, one of the most popular in the country and a member of the Ballon d’Or voting board, joked that Garnacho was thinking, ‘I should have joined Napoli.’
Pundit Paolo Di Canio, a former West Ham, Lazio and Juventus striker, added: “Look at the way he entered the field. I was also a bit of a prude, but these new coaches are almost philosophers now.
“It seems like a joke, but it’s not. They strongly believe that even the attitude in the final minutes is important. They believe in it. I see many who do the same thing despite losing 3-0. They want to show they study until the end; it’s the new generation. I understand it, but I’m like: ‘What are you doing?’
Capello: Chelsea players will ‘laugh’ at Rosenior
Capello and Costacura were surely tougher on the Chelsea boss: “He’s out of his mind,” said Capello.
“He did something that will make the players laugh. That’s what they think. You saw his [Garnacho’s] face when he entered the pitch with that note; he was like: ‘What are you saying to me?’
Alessandro Costacurta Commissioner of FIGC looks on before the International Friendly match between Italy U21 and Belgium U21 at Friuli Stadium on October 11, 2018 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“When you do smart things, you are involved, but when you do something like that, how are you involving somebody?”
Ex-Milan defender Costacurta, a five-time Champions League winner, concluded: “I was a player, and if something like that had happened to me, I wouldn’t have seen it as a way to get the players on my side. It’s possible that there’s a new trend, but you can see the attitude from Garnacho’s face.”
The five clubs mentioned in the report are Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Al Hilal, and Al Nassr.
It seems Fernandez could ask to leave Chelsea despite being under contract on a long-term deal, with the Argentina international seemingly unsettled and open to a new challenge.
Is the time right for Chelsea and Enzo Fernandez to part ways?
Fernandez hasn’t quite lived up to expectations at Chelsea, and perhaps it would also be fair to say that the club won’t have lived up to the kind of project he thought he was joining.
The 25-year-old arrived from Benfica in a big-money move in January 2023, looking like one of the most exciting talents in world football.
It also seemed at that time like Chelsea’s new owners were building something really ambitious as they focused on elite young players for a long-term project.
By now, however, the likes of Fernandez were probably expecting CFC to be closer to really competing for the biggest trophies.
The nature of Chelsea’s Champions League exit will surely be a big concern, though, with PSG really thrashing them over both legs.
Perhaps Fernandez would now do well to consider another project, while Chelsea might also justifiably feel that they could do something a bit different in midfield.
For all of Fernandez’s qualities, he hasn’t really been consistent enough and perhaps a big offer could be tempting so the Blues can add to their budget and invest in a few positions this summer.
Manchester United are reportedly making it a top priority to retain club captain Bruno Fernandes as speculation surrounding his future begins to intensify ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to Daily Mail, the club’s hierarchy are fully committed to keeping the Portuguese midfielder at Old Trafford despite growing external interest.
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Fernandes remains one of the most influential figures in United’s squad, both as a leader and as a creative force on the pitch.
However, the presence of a £57 million release clause, applicable to clubs outside the Premier League, has introduced an element of uncertainty regarding his long-term future.
Bruno Fernandes’ importance to Man United
Fernandes has established himself as the heartbeat of Manchester United’s midfield. Known for his creativity, vision, and goal-scoring ability, the 31-year-old has consistently been among the club’s top contributors in terms of both goals and assists.
This season, has had 16 assists in the Premier League and may well go on to beat the record set by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne for assists in a single Premier League season.
Fernandes’ influence extends beyond statistics. As captain, he plays a crucial role in organising the team, setting standards in training, and driving performance levels during matches.
Even during challenging campaigns, Fernandes has remained one of United’s most reliable performers, often stepping up in key moments.
Clubs from leagues such as Saudi Arabia and top European competitions have previously shown interest in experienced, high-profile players, and Fernandes fits that profile.
However, the player himself has not made any immediate decision regarding his future. Reports suggest that Fernandes is expected to assess his options at the end of the season, taking into account both sporting and personal factors.
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The England international has had some good moments in a Leeds shirt since joining on a free transfer from Everton last summer.
However, it would also be fair to say that Calvert-Lewin has not quite been consistent enough, and that Daniel Farke could benefit from more of a goal threat up top next season.
Even if Calvert-Lewin has proven good enough to help Leeds fight against relegation, it would perhaps make sense for the club to think bigger as they’ll want to work their way up towards being more of a safe mid-table side before too long.
Leeds United tipped to sign upgrade on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League scout Mick Brown explained why he thinks there is some concern behind the scenes at Elland Road about Calvert-Lewin’s reliability.
“There are still a few concerns about Calvert-Lewin,” Brown said.
“He’s done better than most people expected him to do since he’s joined Leeds, but he’s still not the type of striker you want to rely on as your source of goals.
“His record, even this season, tells you that he goes through peaks and troughs, so there are doubts about whether he can do it consistently.
“Calvert-Lewin has given Leeds enough to help them stay in the Premier League this season.
“But I’m told they are looking to sign a new striker, somebody with a bit more consistency in front of goal as a replacement for Calvert-Lewin when he’s not doing it.
“The way Leeds play as well, they could start them both up front together, but it would give them more options than what they’ve currently got.
“The only question now is about money and where they’re going to get the player they want. That’s something they’ll be working on behind the scenes.”
Leeds United building for the future as they near safety
Leeds are not safe yet, but they don’t currently look like being one of the more likely teams to get relegated this season.
The newly-promoted side are currently on a run of five games without a win, but their form earlier in the season has still put them in a reasonably strong position.
Leeds currently sit in 15th place, only three points above safety, but clubs like Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are currently in much worse form.
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The veteran England international is set to become a free agent this summer after four years at St James’ Park, but the club could still end up keeping him.
Trippier had fallen out of favour at one point, but he’s now back to his best and performing well in Howe’s side, leading the Magpies boss to change his mind about the player’s situation.
Could Kieran Trippier end up staying at Newcastle?
It remains to be seen if Trippier will definitely accept an offer to stay at Newcastle, having previously come close to moves to Turkish clubs which ultimately fell through.
The 35-year-old has had a fine career, most of which was spent playing in the Premier League, apart from a three-year spell at Atletico Madrid.
Perhaps Trippier will now be keen for a new challenge for what may be one of the final moves of his career.
Newcastle may still need Kieran Trippier
Still, it looks more and more like Newcastle still need Trippier, with some doubts over Tino Livramento’s future ahead of this summer.
The former Chelsea youngster is being linked with Arsenal and other big clubs, and it won’t be easy to replace him if he does move on.
It could therefore be simpler for NUFC to keep Trippier for at least one more year in case they struggle to find another replacement available on the market.
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As per my sources in the industry, Premier League clubs have now cooled their interest in Zirkzee as he’s not keen to stay in England, with Juventus, AC Milan, and Napoli on alert over potentially bringing him back to Italy.
One issue, however, is that these clubs are only looking to sign Zirkzee on loan, with his asking price of €35m looking too high.
Sources on Joshua Zirkzee’s transfer situation
“Zirkzee’s return to Serie A is gathering strength,” one source told me in a call this morning. “Premier League clubs have been made aware of his stance, so they’ve dropped their interest. Juventus, Milan, and Napoli are keeping an eye on his situation and could move.”
MUFC will no doubt hope to get a decent offer for the 24-year-old, but it may be that there’ll have to be some compromise somewhere.
It remains to be seen if that will be in the form of a loan with an obligation or option to buy, but the thing that’s clear is that Zirkzee will surely be leaving Old Trafford this summer.
Zirkzee impressed at former club Bologna and could still revive his career back in Italian football, but it’s certainly been an underwhelming spell for him with United.
The Dutchman scored 11 Serie A goals in his final season with Bologna, but has only five in 50 Premier League appearances across two seasons with Man Utd…
Joshua Zirkzee all comps
Games
Goals
Bologna 2023/24
37
12
Man Utd 2024/25
49
7
Man Utd 2025/26
20
2
Zirkzee doesn’t exactly look the most tempting option for clubs right now, but there’s always a chance that we’ll see the best of him again once he returns to an Italian club.
Other recent United flops and misfits such as Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay have done well at Napoli, while Antony has also revived his career since leaving United, albeit in La Liga with Real Betis.
Atalanta will look to Nikola Krstovic in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Bayern Munich, but the task ahead for La Dea appears overwhelming.
It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT) at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
La Dea suffered a 6-1 loss in the reverse fixture played in Bergamo last week, so there’s little doubt over who will reach the quarter-finals.
Atalanta have travelled to Germany without the suspended Yunus Musah, but the rest of the team is available, including Charles De Ketelaere and Italy international Giacomo Raspadori.
As reported by Sky Sport and Gazzetta, De Ketelaere is even expected to start as an attacking midfielder, joining Kamaldeen Sulemana and centre-forward Krstovic.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Players of Atalanta and FC Bayern Munich head out onto the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
A few selection doubts remain in midfield, with Mario Pasalic and Marten de Roon battling for a central spot, while either Davide Zappacosta or Mitchel Bakker is set to feature on the left.
Bayern vs. Atalanta – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports 4 in the UK and Ireland and Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a live blog.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Munich scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
In the last month without Hakan three draws and one defeat, but Chivu reunites with his regista in Florence.
Pulisic and Leao: it’s peace. Rafa apologised: Let’s start again.
Juve, David to leave to re-sign Kolo Muani
Atalanta, Dea pride
Chelsea and City out, Bodo crushed.
Corriere dello Sport
Exclusive interview
Kenan Yildiz
‘My strength is the normality.’
The parents, the brother, Can Uzun, Bayern, Turkey and Juve: the simplicity of a phenomenon.
‘Del Piero is a legend, I’ve just started.’
Spalletti
‘The prince of football is the boy next door’
‘I’ve always played to improve; the money is a consequence. When I was eight, I played against those aged 18.’
‘The renewal? I’ve immediately felt trust here in Turin. In Germany, they didn’t believe in me.’
‘Spalletti? A man of emotions. Allegri? I owe him this life. The role? Better on the left.’
Tuttosport
Juve: Zirkzee with Vlahovic
DV9 renewal, it’s almost done and the Dutchman emerges again.
The former Bologna striker has a new issue with Manchester United and is pushing to leave; the Bianconeri could reshape their attacking strategy. Thuram warning for Sassuolo: Koopmeiners ready. The stats on the ability to quickly resume the play justify Perin replacing Di Gregorio.
‘Now a feat at San Siro.’
Toro behind the scenes: what D’Aversa told the team.
Retegui and Milan: contact!
Meeting around the table: the issue is the salary. Fofana: ‘The change of role will cost me the World Cup.’ Leao under pressure replies with the…Gospel. NBA Europe: Cardinale pushes. Arena in San Donato?
Dea for the honour, two English sides out.
City don’t make the comeback against Real, Chelsea crushed by PSG (Kvara scores again). Arsenal OK, epic Sporting CP.
Paris Saint-Germain cruised into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over Chelsea in the last-16 second leg, earning a thumping 8-2 victory on aggregate. Having a 5-2 lead from the first leg, PSG wasted little time in adding to that advantage and ending Chelsea’s hopes of a stunning comeback early in the tie. […]
Real Madrid booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League as their 2-1 win over Manchester City secured a 5-1 aggregate victory. Vinicius Junior’s penalty all but secured the win after Bernardo Silva was sent off, with Erling Haaland’s scuffed finish before half-time rendered a consolation after the Brazilian winger scored again in […]
Set to face Guatemala in a friendly, reports revealed that Lionel Messi's Argentina is set to repeat the farewell formula from Argentine fans from the 2022 World Cup prior to the 2026 edition.
The Argentina FA has managed to arrange a last-minute friendly against Guatemala in what will serve as the final international break before the national team heads to North America to defend the World Cup title. With that mission firmly in mind, Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste are set to replicate the same pre-tournament farewell formula that preceded their triumph in 2022.
After the Finalissima against Spain was canceled alongside the planned clash with Qatar, Argentina found themselves in a difficult spot, left without a single match for the March window with fewer than two weeks to go before the scheduled dates. With most nations’ calendars already full, Messi and company appeared destined to simply train at Argentina’s Ezeiza facility, with some reports even suggesting a potential internal game against the Under-20 side.
As confirmed by AFA, the Argentina-Guatemala match will be held at La Bombonera, Boca Juniors’ iconic stadium in Buenos Aires, which holds approximately 57,200 fans. The game will give Messi the chance to say farewell to the home supporters before the squad departs for the World Cup, with no friendlies currently scheduled in the May/June window either.
General view of an empty La Bombonera before a match between Argentina and Ecuador.
Argentina typically plays home matches at El Monumental, River Plate’s ground, given its far larger capacity of more than 85,000. However, rock band AC/DC will be occupying the venue as part of their Power Up Tour 2026, leaving the AFA with no choice but to find an alternative.
Argentina repeating the farewell formula from the 2022 World Cup
While the Finalissima’s cancellation and the need to scramble for a last-minute game against a nation that did not even qualify for the World Cup like Guatemala was far from ideal, it has opened up an unexpected opportunity for Argentine fans to send their players off at home. And with that chance now in hand, the AFA appears set to recreate the pre-tournament ritual that preceded their greatest triumph in a generation.
Before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Argentina’s final home game was a 3-0 victory over Venezuela in the CONMEBOL qualifiers on March 26, played at La Bombonera. From there, Messi completed the remaining qualifiers, traveled to London for the Finalissima against Italy, and then played four more friendlies, all on foreign soil, before lifting the trophy in Doha.
Heading into 2026, the Albiceleste are now poised to begin that journey in exactly the same place, a coincidence that, whether superstition or not, the Argentine faithful will be only too happy to embrace.
Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Eberechi Eze after the Arsenal midfielder’s incredible goal against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. Eze opened the scoring with a volley from distance after a quick passing move that involved Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard. Eze is the second English player to score for Arsenal in the Premier League, […]
After his brace against Manchester City, Vinicius Junior turned into the second all-time non-European goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage, now only trailing Lionel Messi.
Vinicius Junior was the standout performer for Real Madrid in their Champions League clash against Manchester City, proving decisive in the 2-1 victory with a match-winning brace. In doing so, the Brazilian has climbed to second place on the all-time list of non-European scorers in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, trailing only Lionel Messi.
The brace moved Vinicius level with Senegalese legend and former Liverpool star Sadio Mané on 15 goals in the Champions League knockout stages, making the pair the joint-second highest non-European scorers in the competition’s history in that phase.
In doing so, Vinicius surpassed former Chelsea and Ivory Coast icon Didier Drogba, whose tally of 14 knockout stage goals included his iconic header against Bayern Munich in the 2011-12 final, as well as a goal in the quarterfinals against Real Madrid during a brief stint with Galatasaray.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates scoring against Manchester City.
Vinicius’ overall Champions League tally now stands at 34 goals in 80 games, with nearly half of those (44%) coming in the knockout stages rather than the group phase. Having recently matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s assist record for Real Madrid in the competition with 31, the Brazilian continues to rewrite the record books, now measuring himself against the very greatest names in the sport.
Messi, a difficult mark for Vinicius to surpass
When it comes to Champions League goals, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi stand alone at the summit, the competition’s two greatest ever scorers and the defining figures of their respective nations in the tournament. But even for a player of Vinícius’ caliber, closing the gap on Messi in the knockout stage rankings will be an enormous task.
Messi holds the record for most knockout stage goals by a non-European player with 49, leaving a gap of 34 between himself and Vinícius. In the competition overall, the Argentine’s tally stands at 129 goals including the group stage, with 38% of those coming in the knockout rounds, underlining just how consistently he elevated his game when it mattered most.
Crucially, all 49 of those knockout stage goals were scored while Messi was at Barcelona, before his departure in 2021. During his time at PSG, he featured in two Round of 16 series, against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively, but the French side were eliminated on both occasions and Messi failed to add to his tally. That record, then, remains frozen in time, and while Vinícius is still very much in his prime and adding to his own count, catching Messi still appears a monumental, if not impossible, task.
Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid.
Eberechi Eze’s stunner helped Arsenal seal a 3-1 aggregate win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last 16, with the Gunners triumphing 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Declan Rice added an impressive goal of his own in the second half following Eze’s opener, while both goalkeepers made brilliant saves at either end as Arsenal […]
Paris Saint-Germain cruised into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over Chelsea in the last-16 second leg, earning a thumping 8-2 victory on aggregate. Having a 5-2 lead from the first leg, PSG wasted little time in adding to that advantage and ending Chelsea’s hopes of a stunning comeback early in the tie. […]
Arne Slot said he disagrees with the comments of former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who called the Reds “a team of individuals” after their draw with Tottenham. Liverpool conceded late on as they drew 1-1 with a struggling Spurs side at Anfield, seeing Slot’s side lose further ground on the top four race in the […]
For Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao, a moment of visible frustration has sparked questions that go far beyond a single match.
Tension can sometimes define a season as much as results. And for Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao, a moment of visible frustration has sparked questions that go far beyond a single match. Milan’s shock defeat to Lazio was not just another setback in the title race; it became a flashpoint. A narrow 1-0 loss at the Stadio Olimpico exposed deeper frustrations within the squad, particularly in the attacking unit.
At the center of it all was Leao, who reacted angrily after being substituted in the 67th minute, visibly unhappy as he left the pitch. His slow walk off the field drew attention, even prompting teammate Mike Maignan to physically urge him off. On the sidelines, Leaorejected an attempt from coach Massimiliano Allegri to calm him down, further underlining his frustration.
After the match, Allegri attempted to ease concerns: “He was a bit nervous because there were situations where he could have been served better and he wasn’t. There were two potential scoring chances, and he stayed a bit upset about that. These things happen during a game.”
What really happened between Pulisic and Leao
The real story, however, unfolded away from the cameras. According to various reports coming from Italy,the Portuguese forward’s frustration was not primarily about being substituted, but about his teammate’s decisions on the pitch. Specifically, he was angered by two moments where Pulisic, in possession, chose not to play decisive through balls that could have put him through on goal.
“I was amazed that despite some excellent shots from Leao, Pulisic never gave it to him. Captain America preferred to give it to others and made that clear. I was making the same gestures as Leao: ‘Give it to him, give it to him!’” said Alessandro Costacurta on Sky Calcio Club.
That tension did not end with the final whistle. La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Leao continued venting his frustration in the dressing room, directing it toward Pulisic in what was described as a “more lively than usual request for clarification between teammates.” The situation escalated to the point where Allegri had to intervene and separate the two players to prevent further conflict.
Deeper issue in Milan’s attack
Beyond the emotional reaction lies a more concerning reality. The partnership between Pulisic and Leao has struggled to deliver consistently, raising tactical and structural questions for Milan. The numbers are telling. The duo has started together just seven times in Serie A this season, producing only two goals as a team in those matches. Injuries have limited their time together, but even when available, their chemistry has appeared inconsistent.
Pulisic’s own struggles add another layer to the issue. The American has yet to score a single goal in 2026, a drought that may have influenced his decision-making in key moments. Instead of playing the final pass, he may have been more inclined to take responsibility himself, searching for a breakthrough goal. Meanwhile, Leao’s reaction highlights a different perspective, a player demanding better service and more trust in decisive situations.
Resolution behind closed doors
The timing of the incident could not be worse. Milan now sits eight points behind league leader Inter with just nine games remaining, a gap that significantly complicates the Rossoneri’s title ambitions. At the same time, Napoli is closing in from behind, increasing the pressure to secure a top position.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring a goal with Rafael Leao.
However, despite the tension, there are signs that the situation has been addressed internally. According to Sky Italy, the issue was resolved at Milanello after a detailed video analysis session. The two players reportedly discussed the incident, shared their perspectives, and shook hands, with the atmosphere described as “serene.”
Cruz Azul face Monterrey in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. Here’s everything you need to know about the date, venue, kickoff time, and TV or streaming options available in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Cruz Azul vs Monterrey on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Cruz Azul vs Monterrey
WHAT
CONCACAF Champions Cup
WHEN
11:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM PT • Tuesday, March 17, 2026
One of the most anticipated matchups of the Round of 16 delivered right away in the opening leg, asCruz Azul edged Monterrey 3–2 in a thrilling first encounter that lived up to the hype. Los Cementeros now return home with a valuable advantage after claiming a road victory, putting them in a strong position heading into the decisive second leg.
Still, the job is far from finished. Monterrey, a battle-tested club with plenty of international experience, knows a one-goal deficit is far from insurmountable and will arrive determined to flip the script in what promises to be another high-intensity showdown.
More details of how to watch
With Fubo, you can watch Cruz Azul vs Monterrey and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.
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Plus Fubo, the legal streaming service, also streams Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, NWSL, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more.
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Cristian Reyes of CF Monterrey fights for the ball with Carlos Rodríguez of Cruz Azul
As Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal prepared for potential high-profile encounters, an unexpected twist emerged.
The international calendar often brings glamour fixtures and global attention, but sometimes the biggest stories are shaped by decisions made behind the scenes. As Lionel Messiand Lamine Yamal prepared for potential high-profile encounters, an unexpected twist emerged.
In the build-up to the March 2026 international break, Argentina and Spain both explored the possibility of arranging friendlies against Senegal. These matches would have offered elite-level preparation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with all teams already qualified and looking to fine-tune their squads. For La Albiceleste in particular, the approach came after the cancellation of a much-anticipated Finalissima clash against Spain. In search of a replacement opponent, the world champion turned its attention to Senegal—one of Africa’s strongest and most respected sides.
At the same time, Spain also expressed interest in organizing a friendly, recognizing Senegal as a valuable test against a physically and tactically disciplined opponent. On paper, these were opportunities difficult to refuse. The reasoning behind Senegal’s choice, however, only becomes clear when looking deeper into the timeline. The African nation rejected both Argentina and Spain’s proposals because they had already committed to other fixtures, most notably a scheduled match against Gambia.
According to Saikou Seydi, a respected Senegalese sports journalist, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) made contact just days before the international window, hoping Senegal could step in and replace the Gambia fixture. But the response from Dakar was immediate and firm. “We can’t do that to Gambia. We will keep our match.”
Sadio Mane of Senegal
This stance was echoed across multiple reports and reinforced by federation leadership, who emphasized that the agreement with Gambia had been finalized weeks earlier and would not be broken. In addition to that fixture, Senegal had already arranged another friendly against Peru, meaning their schedule was effectively complete.
Matter of principle over prestige
What makes this decision remarkable is not just the rejection itself, but the reasoning behind it. Senegal chose respect, commitment, and integrity over the global appeal of facing Argentina and Spain.
From a sporting perspective, matches against teams led by stars like Messi or featuring emerging talents like Yamal would have provided immense exposure and competitive value. Financial incentives and global attention would also have followed.
Yet, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) prioritized honoring an existing agreement. “We cannot do that to our brothers in Gambia… We will honor our match with them.”This key detail highlights a powerful message: in soccer, credibility and trust can outweigh even the biggest opportunities.
Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates scoring with Nico Williams.
What now for Spain and Argentina?
Senegal’s decision does not signal a lack of ambition—far from it. The team remains one of Africa’s top-ranked sides and continues its structured preparation for the 2026 World Cup. By maintaining its planned schedule, Senegal ensures continuity, logistical stability, and a focused approach to development under coach Pape Thiaw. Rather than chasing prestige fixtures at the last minute, the federation has chosen long-term planning and reliability, ensuring players and staff can prepare without disruption.
Argentina are the reigning Finalissima champions.
From Argentina and Spain’s perspective, the rejection represents a missed opportunity to face a top-tier African opponent. For Lionel Scaloni’s players, it also reflects the ripple effect of the cancelled Finalissima, which forced the federation to seek alternatives on short notice. Despite their status as reigning world champions, even a global powerhouse cannot always secure last-minute arrangements. Luis de la Fuente’s side, similarly, must now look elsewhere for high-level preparation.
Lionel Messi of Argentina and Lamine Yamal of Spain.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Paris Saint-Germain have no plans to sell Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the summer transfer window, even though Arsenal are interested in the Georgia international winger. The well-known and well-respected said on his YouTube channel: “Many questions about Kvaratskhelia because Kvaratskhelia has been linked with a move to Arsenal. What I can […]
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Arsenal are optimistic that Declan Rice will sign a new contract with the club. The well-known and well-respected journalist said on his YouTube channel: “The conversations already started in 2025. “If you followed the channel here on YouTube, I told you several times that Arsenal are working on a new deal for […]
Manchester United believe that JJ Gabriel is their answer to Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman. The well-known and well-respected journalist said on his YouTube channel: “And then guys, the new gem of Manchester United. “They are absolutely buzzing with JJ Gabriel. This boy, 15 years old, fantastic talent. “I already mentioned him several times here on […]
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Paris Saint-Germain have no plans to sell Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the summer transfer window, even though Arsenal are interested in the Georgia international winger. The well-known and well-respected said on his YouTube channel: “Many questions about Kvaratskhelia because Kvaratskhelia has been linked with a move to Arsenal. What I can […]
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Arsenal are optimistic that Declan Rice will sign a new contract with the club. The well-known and well-respected journalist said on his YouTube channel: “The conversations already started in 2025. “If you followed the channel here on YouTube, I told you several times that Arsenal are working on a new deal for […]
Manchester United believe that JJ Gabriel is their answer to Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman. The well-known and well-respected journalist said on his YouTube channel: “And then guys, the new gem of Manchester United. “They are absolutely buzzing with JJ Gabriel. This boy, 15 years old, fantastic talent. “I already mentioned him several times here on […]
CAF have awarded the AFCON 2025 title to Morocco, which had originally been won by Senegal.
Two months after that controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, CAF have overturned the result and awarded the match to Morocco, stripping Senegalof the title, despite their 1-0 victory on the field.
“The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations… with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF),” CAF announced in a statement published on its official website this Tuesday.
This major decision stems from that final, in which Senegal’s players temporarily refused to continue playing after deeming a penalty awarded to Morocco during extra time illegitimate. Ultimately, Brahim Diaz missed the opportunity, and minutes later Pape Gueye scored the goal that saw Senegal emerge victorious and lift the trophy.
What do the AFCON regulations say?
After that controversial final, Morocco filed a complaint with CAF arguing that Senegal had violated the tournament’s regulations. Specifically, the claim pointed to the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Article 82 states: “If, for any reason whatsoever, a team withdraws from the competition or does not report for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered loser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition.”
Article 84 establishes the sanction in the event that this violation is confirmed: “The team which contravenes the provisions of articles 82 and 83 shall be eliminated for good from the competition. This team will lose its match by 3-0 unless the opponent has scored a more advantageous result at the time when the match was interrupted, in this case this score will be maintained.”
Can Senegal appeal this decision?
The decision to overturn the result in favor of Morocco and award them the 2025 AFCON final, despite Senegal’s on-field 1-0 victory, comes from the highest continental sporting authority, the CAF Appeal Board. This means that within CAF’s internal hierarchy, there is no further avenue for appeal.
However, that does not mean Senegal’s case is completely closed. They now have the option to request a review of the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Based in Lausanne, Switzerland, CAS is the world’s top sports tribunal and has the authority to issue a final ruling on soccer-related disputes such as this one.
Achraf Hakimi #2 of Morocco and Sadio Mane of Senegal.
After Lionel Messi did not play against Charlotte FC, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano addressed the situation ahead of the Concacaf Champions Cup clash against Nashville SC.
Inter Miami drew 0-0 last Saturday against Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer, a match highlighted by the absence of Lionel Messi. Now, with the Concacaf Champions Cup matchup against Nashville SC looming, head coach Javier Mascherano spoke about the situation.
At Tuesday’s press conference, shared by journalist Jose Armando on X, Mascherano was asked about Messi’s absence — as well as Rodrigo De Paul’s — in the previous match. “They didn’t travel, and it was a decision we made together with them,” he began. “We preferred they avoid the trip and get some rest.”
Expanding on that explanation, the coach added: “We felt we had been traveling a lot, and it was a synthetic field — always a tough one in Charlotte. We’ve been on the road quite a bit over the past month and a half, between preseason and the start of the season.”
With that MLS match behind them, the Herons are now focused on the Concacaf Champions Cup, where they will face Nashville SC this Wednesday at Chase Stadium. It will be a decisive matchup, as they look to advance to quarterfinals after a 0-0 draw in the first leg.
Rodrigo De Paul #7 of Inter Miami CF.
Regarding that game, Mascherano offered reassurance about the availability of both Messi and De Paul. “Leo and Rodrigo are in perfect condition, like everyone else except Maxi,” the coach said, referring to Maximiliano Falcon, who has been sidelined since last Wednesday. “Maxi is the only player unavailable.”
Inter Miami must be especially cautious against Nashville
Wednesday’s match will be Inter Miami’s most important of the year so far. They will be playing for a place in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals — the club’s primary objective this season.
After a scoreless draw in the first leg at Geodis Park, the Herons face a tricky situation heading into the decisive match at Chase Stadium. In this competition, away goals carry more weight when tiebreaking level series.
As a result, if the second leg also ends in a draw with goals (for example, 1-1 or 2-2), Nashville SC would advance. That means a single goal from the visitors would force Inter Miami to win the match.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi and head coach Javier Mascherano.
Gianluigi Donnarumma played ninety minutes tonight as Manchester City crashed out of the Champions League, with a 5-1 defeat on aggregate but a modest 2-1 defeat on the night.
City went into the game as strong favourites, needing to overturn the 3-0 loss in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the visitors making a number of changes, including leaving a number of key personnel out of the team.
However, Donnarumma’s side had a nightmare start when Bernardo Silva was given a straight red card for preventing a goal with his hand just 21 minutes into the match, and Vinicius Jr scoring the resulting penalty.
MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 11: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City walks out prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 11, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Donnarumma makes huge save but can’t stop City exit
Erling Haaland scored in the 41st minute to give the hosts a lifeline but, a man down, the task became much more difficult.
In the second half, City pushed, despite their man disadvantage.
Real Madrid had their fair share of chances too and Italian Donnarumma pulled off an impressive save to deny Tchouameni with twenty minutes to play.
After a whipped corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tchouameni got his head to it, forcing an acrobat save out of the Azzurri shot-stopper.
City’s remaining efforts were in vain and Vinicius Jr doubled his tally to put the icing on the cake in stoppage time.
Donnarumma will be disappointed to exit the tournament he won less than twelve months ago with PSG but must recover his focus ahead of an important month for club and country.
Inter Milan and AC Milan sit jointly at the top of Serie A’s shirt sponsorship earnings table, but the gap between the division’s biggest clubs and the rest remains stark, and for one club, the commercial silence is deafening.
Both Milan clubs currently earn €30 million per season from their respective shirt partners, according to reports gathered by CalcioMercato.
Inter receive their fee from Bettson, whose logo appears as Bettson.sport on the jersey, a workaround required under Italian laws prohibiting direct betting sponsorship.
Milan’s deal with Emirates is worth the same figure this season, though a recently signed renewal will see that rise to €35 million from 2026/27 onwards.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Daniel Maldini of SS Lazio kicks the ball during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Serie A shirt sponsors: Juventus, Napoli & Roma rise as Lazio go sponsorless
Juventus, meanwhile, have seen a dramatic fall in commercial income in this area.
Having gone a full season without a shirt sponsor, Save the Children carried no financial value, the club have returned Jeep to their jersey, but through an internal Exor arrangement worth just €19 million this season, rising to €23 million next year.
It is a far cry from the €45 million the previous Jeep deal delivered at its peak. Napoli’s MSC Crociere deal is worth €9 million this season and is also set to increase in the coming campaign.
Roma have just unveiled a new shirt partner of their own, Eurobet.live, another betting-adjacent workaround, worth €8 million this season and €13 million from next.
Across the city, however, Lazio remain the only club in Serie A without a shirt sponsor, with Claudio Lotito yet to secure any commercial partnership for the jersey.
Some of the most eye-catching figures come from family-owned clubs with internal sponsorship arrangements. Fiorentina receive €25 million from Mediacom, a company connected to the late Rocco Commisso’s family, while Sassuolo’s Mapei deal is worth €18 million.
At the other end of the scale, the numbers are considerably more modest. Bologna receive €3 million from owner Joey Saputo’s business, Atalanta earn €5 million from Lete, and Cagliari pick up €3.6 million from the Sardinian regional government.
Torino (Suzuki, €2.35m), Parma (Prometeon, €1.5m), Udinese (Friuli Venezia Giulia region, €1.5m) and Genoa (Pulsee, €1.2m) follow, with Verona, Lecce and Como all on €1 million.
Pisa bring up the rear with €700,000 from Cetilar, who also sponsor the stadium.
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has encouraged his side to relish the opportunity to play against Barcelona at Camp Nou in a Champions League knockout match. The Magpies head to Spain following a 1-1 draw in the last-16 first leg at St. James’ Park last week, when Lamine Yamal scored a stoppage-time penalty to level […]
Alajuelense meet LAFC in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. Here’s everything you need to know about the date, venue, kickoff time, and TV or streaming options available in the United States.
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The decisive second leg of this tightly contested series is shaping up to deliver plenty of drama. Los Angeles FC entered the matchup as clear favorites, but the opening game proved far more complicated than expected, as the MLS side settled for a 1–1 draw at home against Alajuelense.
That result leaves the tie wide open and gives the Costa Rican club a historic opportunity to punch its ticket to the quarterfinals while knocking out a high-profile MLS opponent. With the aggregate score locked at 1–1 heading into the decisive clash, the margin for error is slim—and the outcome remains completely up for grabs.
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Rafael Leao could be on his way out of AC Milan, with reports indicating that Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to bring him to Al Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo has inspired many top-level players to leave Europe and begin new chapters in the Saudi Pro League. Now Portugal star Rafael Leao could follow a similar path and join Al Nassr, amid an uncertain situation at AC Milan.
Leao was involved in an unusual episode this past weekend when he appeared visibly frustrated after being substituted for Niclas Fullkrug in the second half of Milan’s loss to Lazio in Serie A.
“After Leao’s latest episode, reacting angrily to being substituted, his future is once again in doubt,”Diario AS reported on Tuesday. “Cristiano is looking to take advantage of the situation. The Portuguese star wants to convince his compatriot to join him in Saudi Arabia next summer.”
If confirmed, this would be a blockbuster move in the soccer world. Despite dealing with a disappointing, injury-hit season, Leao remains one of the most impactful players in Italian soccer, and a move from Europe to Saudi Arabia would certainly turn heads.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring a goal with Rafael Leao.
Across Serie A and Coppa Italia, the winger has made 24 appearances for AC Milan in the 2025–26 season, including 20 starts. In those matches, he has recorded 10 goals and 2 assists, averaging 0.5 goal contributions per game.
AC Milan’s stance on Leao
Valued at €70 million (around $80 million) by the specialized website Transfermarkt, Rafael Leao is one of AC Milan’s biggest stars alongside Christian Pulisic. However, his future at the club remains uncertain. “Milan would be willing to listen to offers,” Diario AS added in the same report, regarding the possibility of Leao being transferred once the current season ends.
Another Portuguese teammate for Cristiano Ronaldo?
A potential move from AC Milan to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League would be a significant boost for Al Nassr. The club already boasts a star-studded attack, and the 26-year-old winger would be a strong addition to that group.
Alongside Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman, Al Nassr also feature two Portugal national team stars: Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix. The arrival of Rafael Leao would unite three key attacking players from Roberto Martinez’s squad and further strengthen Al Nassr’s push for the elusive Saudi Pro League title.
Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo and AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.
Raffaele Palladino has called on Atalanta to produce a performance worthy of their remarkable journey as they prepare to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League last-16 second leg at the Allianz Arena, knowing that overturning a 6-1 first-leg deficit represents one of the most daunting tasks in European football.
The occasion carries additional historical significance. Tomorrow’s match will be Atalanta’s 100th game in UEFA competition, and also the fixture in which Marten De Roon could equal a club appearance record.
Palladino confirmed the Dutchman will be involved, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, adding with a smile that the milestone is “a great satisfaction, a historic result for him and for Atalanta.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Giacomo Raspadori of Atalanta battles for possession with Federico Gatti of Juventus during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC at the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Atalanta boss Palladino gives updates on Raspadori & De Ketelaere
The head coach was also able to deliver positive team news, confirming that Giacomo Raspadori trained with the squad on Tuesday and will be available, while Charles De Ketelaere and Ederson have also returned to fitness after injury absences.
“We have missed these players enormously and we are delighted to have them back,” Palladino said. “We will try to build up their minutes carefully.”
On the match itself, Palladino’s message was simple and unambiguous.
“Tomorrow the team must play with pride,” he said.
“We have nothing to lose and everything to prove. We must be focused on ourselves, as we showed in the first leg, the details make the difference.”
He also pointed to the growth his side have shown since that heavy defeat, arguing that Atalanta’s response against Inter demonstrated a resilience that bodes well.
“Despite conceding six goals we managed to mature and react like a great team.”
Palladino was equally clear that the result is secondary to the performance.
“Recovering five goals is always a mountain to climb,” he acknowledged.
“But I want a match worthy of this club and this occasion. We are proud to be the last Italian side standing in the Champions League, and tomorrow we will fight until the very end.”
Francesco Pio Esposito’s agent has moved to dismiss speculation linking the young Inter striker with a move to the Premier League, insisting the Italian starlet is fully committed to his future at San Siro despite reported interest from Arsenal and Newcastle.
“Pio Esposito is happy at Inter and will be the club’s future for the next ten years,” he said. “The boy is in love with Inter right now.”
He also pushed back on comparisons being made between Esposito and former Inter striker Christian Vieri, arguing that such parallels only create unnecessary pressure for a player still finding his own identity.
“He needs to develop his own way of playing, comparisons like that serve no purpose.”
The agent’s words come amid growing interest from England, with both Arsenal and Newcastle understood to be monitoring Esposito’s situation ahead of the summer.
LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 21: Francesco Pio Esposito of Inter warms up prior to the Serie A match between US Lecce and FC Internazionale at Stadio Via del Mare on February 21, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Inter & Pio Esposito destined for one another as parties shrug off Arsenal & Newcastle interest
Inter, however, are not believed to be open to a sale unless a truly extraordinary offer arrives, and Giuffredi’s comments suggest the player himself has no desire to leave, with his contract running until June 2030.
The numbers back up the excitement surrounding him.
Esposito has already made 39 appearances across all competitions this season, contributing eight goals and six assists, a remarkable return for a player of his age operating at the highest level.
He has also caught the eye of Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, who is expected to call on him for the World Cup playoff semi-final against Northern Ireland and a potential final on 31 March.
It has been a rapid rise for a player who came through Inter’s academy alongside brothers Salvatore and Sebastiano, before a standout loan season at Spezia, where he scored 20 goals and helped the club reach the Serie B playoff final, convinced Inter he was ready for the first team.
Gianluigi Donnarumma haș been named in the starting lineup for Manchester City this evening, as they welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad Stadium with a 3-goal deficit to overturn from the first leg.
The Italian shot-stopper has been Pep Guardiola’s number one since he arrived last summer from Paris Saint-Germain.
He will need to be at his best tonight, with every goal the Premier League giants conceding tonight having a massive impact on their potential comeback.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – JANUARY 31: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on January 31, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Donnarumma starts, Calafiori on the bench in UCL action
Meanwhile, Arsenal host Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium after the first leg finished all square at 1-1 in Germany.
Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori is not included in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup, with former Leverkusen man Piero Hincapie playing at left-back.
Calafiori received praise in the Premier League at the weekend after a tremendous scorpion block to deny Everton a first half opener.
The former Bologna man is, however, on the bench for the Gunners and may be deployed by Arteta later in the match.
Arsenal have recently been credited with interest in Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but according to Fabrizio Romano, the Champions League holders see the Georgian winger as a crucial part of their team and have no intention of selling him under any circumstances. Arsenal are expected to make some changes to their attacking department this […]
Liverpool vice-captain Andy Robertson hopes the team can find the answers to their recent struggles “sooner rather than later” as they look to turn around their Champions League last-16 tie against Galatasaray. The Reds lost the first leg 1-0 last week after Mario Lemina’s first-half header, marking the second time they lost to the Turkish […]
Although Chelsea had the hard task to overcome a three goal difference, they had a poor game, leaving huge defensive mistakes underway. Unlike them, PSG showcased an impressive performance, with Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and Senny Mayulu netting.
After a disappointing performance in the first leg, Chelsea faced PSG at Stamford Bridge, hoping for a major comeback. However, the Blues put in a disappointing performance, making serious individual errors that cost them the game. In contrast, the French side shone both offensively and defensively, with Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola, and Senny Mayulu standing out as scorers in the Champions League round of 16.
Without Wesley Fofana in the defensive line due to fitness issues, Chelsea did not reach to deliver consistency. Mamadou Sarr and Marc Cucurella individual mistakes, lead them to lose confidence, being overpassed by Luis Enrique’s team. Moreover, Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos failed to stop the French side offense, ruling out any chance to overcome the three goal difference.
Chelsea consistently sought to play an attacking style, with Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, and João Pedro remaining quite active. However, PSG’s high press left them with no space to control the ball or make decisions, forcing them to commit several errors and take ineffective shots. Although coach Liam Rosenior tried to adjust the offense by bringing in Liam Delap and Alejandro Garnacho, it was already too late to turn the game around.
Unlike the Blues, Paris Saint-Germain held an impressive performance along the Champions League Round of 16 two legs. Not only they shined in the first game, but also dominated in the second game. Betting for a high press, they cut Chelsea’s offense ideas, and Vitinha quickly delivered the ball to Kvaratskhelia or Barcola to make the difference. Later, Senny Mayulu concluded with an impressive goal.
Senny Mayulu of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring a goal with Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue.
Luis Enrique’s PSG delivered an offensive masterclass
Both Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain started the match with a highly dominant offensive approach. However, Luis Enrique’s team managed to capitalize just five minutes into the first half. After a through pass from Matvey Safonov,Khvicha Kvaratskhelia received the ball and controlled it first-time, easily dribbling past Mamadou Sarr. The Georgian then found himself one-on-one with Robert Sánchez, whom he beat to score the opening goal.
Far from lowering their offensive rhythm, Paris Saint-Germain remained highly dominant, forcing a second goal just over nine minutes later. After a loss of possession by Andrey Santos in midfield, João Neves recovered the ball and found Achraf Hakimi running down the flank. The Moroccan then picked out Bradley Barcola, who finished first-time, beating Robert Sánchez.
🚨🇪🇺 | GOAL: BRADLEY BARCOLA DOUBLES THE LEAD FOR PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN!
Although Chelsea FC started the second half in strong form, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia continued to dominate the defense of coach Liam Rosenior. After controlling the ball on the wing, the Georgian found Achraf Hakimi, who failed to get his shot off. However, Senny Mayulu struck first-time, scoring a stunning goal against the Blues and sealing any chance of a comeback.
With Vinicius Junior starring with a brace, Real Madrid secured their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Manchester City.
Manchester City hosted Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, March 17, for the second leg of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. A brace from Vinicius Junior ensured the Citizens could not complete the comeback, as Los Blancos sealed a 2-1 victory on the night and advanced on aggregate.
The game opened with chances at both ends, but it was Real Madrid who broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute under controversial circumstances. Bernardo Silva blocked a Vinicius Junior shot with his arm inside the box, earning a red card in the process, and the Brazilian stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, sending Donnarumma the wrong way.
Despite being reduced to ten men, City responded with spirit and drew level in the 41st minute when Jeremy Doku whipped in a cross that the Madrid defense failed to deal with, leaving Haaland with a simple tap-in. However, Vinicius Junior had the final word, prodding home in the 90th-plus-third minute to restore the advantage and, combined with the emphatic 3-0 first-leg result, seal Real Madrid’s place in the quarterfinals.
Los Blancos will now await the outcome of the Bayern Munich-Atalanta tie to learn their quarterfinal opponent in the Champions League. The German side took a commanding 6-1 lead from the first leg in Italy and are expected to wrap up qualification when they host the return fixture at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates scoring against Manchester City.
Looking for a ticket to the Champions League quarterfinals against Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal won't be counting with star Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal are bidding for a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal spot against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium. But fans hoping to see the Gunners at full strength will be disappointed, with Martin Odegaard absent from the squad entirely.
Odegaard will play no part in the second leg of the Round of 16 against Leverkusen due to a knee injury. Head coach Mikel Arteta confirmed as much at Monday’s pre-match press conference, ruling out the Norway captain alongside Jurrien Timber, another key figure who will miss the game.
The midfielder has been managing the knee issue since late February, making his last appearance in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, where he lasted just 13 minutes. Since that February 22 outing, Odegaard has sat out Arsenal’s last five matches, including the first leg against Leverkusen.
The Norwegian addressed his situation in his pre-match program notes ahead of the Everton fixture: “I’m desperate to get back to playing as soon as I can. It’s been difficult for me with the knee injury lately, but I’m working as hard as I can to get back to full fitness now. The main thing is to be 100% again, and make sure I can properly help the team.“
Viktor Gyoekeres of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Martin Odegaard after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur.
The first leg at the BayArena ended in a 1-1 draw, with Robert Andrich and Kai Havertz getting on the scoresheet. With home support behind them at the Emirates, Arsenal will be confident of advancing, though they will need to do so without one of their most influential players.
Arsenal aiming to have Odegaard back for City
Beyond Tuesday’s Leverkusen clash in the Champions League, Arsenal face another major occasion on the horizon, with the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City scheduled for Sunday, March 22. For that showpiece, Arteta is hopeful of having Odegaard available.
Speaking at Monday’s press conference, the Spanish coach offered a cautiously optimistic update: “So we’re really pushing, he really wants to try to be available, but we’ll have to wait and see in the next few days when he trains with the team how he feels. We know the game that we’re going to be playing in a few days again, and the more players that we have the better.“
James Rodriguez made his Major League Soccer debut with Minnesota United, and Thomas Müller had some thoughts on the matter.
More than a month after his arrival at Minnesota United was announced, James Rodriguez made his MLS debut this past weekend. Facing him on the pitch was Thomas Muller, who shared his perspective on the Colombian midfielder joining the league.
James Rodriguez came on in the second half for Tomas Chancalay and played just over 30 minutes in Minnesota United’s heavy 6-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place. Muller, who also appeared in the final minutes, offered an unusually candid observation.
“I was a bit surprised he chose Minnesota,” the German forward said about Rodriguez’s move to MLS, according to BeIN Sports. “I remember in Munich he always said he was freezing. And now he goes to Minnesota, which is probably the coldest place in the United States.”
At that point, Muller isn’t entirely wrong. Minnesota is known for its harsh winters, with temperatures that can drop to 0°F. That’s even colder than winters in Munich, which usually see lows around 25°F. And it’s a massive contrast to the temperatures Rodriguez is used to in Colombia. In his hometown of Cucuta, the year’s lowest temperatures rarely fall below 59°F.
James Rodriguez made his MLS debut.
Muller and Rodriguez know each other well
Thomas Muller made the joke about Rodriguez’s move to MLS based on the close relationship they share. The two were teammates between 2017 and 2019 at Bayern Munich, when the Colombian midfielder arrived on loan from Real Madrid.
During those two seasons, Rodriguez struggled to fully adapt to the Bundesliga, which led the German club to pass on making the deal permanent. Still, James appeared in 67 matches, scored 15 goals, and contributed to two league titles and one DFB-Pokal victory.
The next challenges for Muller and Rodriguez
Thomas Muller’s MLS reality differs greatly from that of James Rodriguez. The German forward plays for one of the league’s top teams: Vancouver Whitecaps have won all four of their games this season and currently lead the Western Conference standings alongside Los Angeles FC.
On the continental stage, however, they face the tough task of overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit in the Round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Seattle Sounders, who they will visit Wednesday night.
Minnesota United, by contrast, are fully focused on MLS. They started the season with one win, one draw, and two losses, leaving them near the bottom of the Western Conference. Their next match will also be against Seattle Sounders on Sunday.
Minnesota United's James Rodriguez and Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Muller.
Roma’s attempt to overturn Wesley’s red card suspension has failed, with the sporting judge rejecting their appeal and confirming the Brazilian will miss the club’s next Serie A fixture against Lecce.
Roma had argued the second yellow card shown to Wesley during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Como was the result of mistaken identity, claiming the foul on Diao had actually been committed by Rensch rather than Wesley.
Under VAR protocol, a case of mistaken identity would be grounds for intervention, but the sporting judge ruled that no such error had occurred, stating there were no grounds to apply the relevant article of the regulations, according to CalcioMercato.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 01: Wesley of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Blow for Roma as no grounds for Wesley suspension being overturned
The VAR analysis, as detailed on DAZN’s Open VAR programme, supports that conclusion.
Officials Fabbri and Gariglio reviewed the incident immediately and confirmed without doubt that Wesley, not Rensch, made the challenge, with his right leg clearly making contact.
The on-field referee also clarified that he had initially played advantage following a separate Pellegrini challenge before whistling for Wesley’s foul, which VAR confirmed was not on the ball.
The 2-1 result stands, Wesley’s suspension is upheld, and Gasperini will be without the wide man for the Lecce game.
The silver lining for Roma is that he will be able to give his all in the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Bologna, a match that carries enormous importance with the tie level at 1-1, with Tsimikas likely to cover against Lecce when the Brazilian takes his place in the stands.
Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that Michele Di Gregorio has lost his no.1 status for the remainder of the season and that Mattia Perin is expected to be Juventus’s go-to shot stopper until the 2026-27 season.
Di Gregorio has made a series of high-profile errors between the sticks for Juventus in 2025-26, which led to his being dropped for the last four matches between Serie A and the Champions League play-off second leg against Galatasaray.
Head coach Luciano Spalletti had hinted that he would give Perin a run of two or three games in an attempt to take some of the pressure off Di Gregorio, but that run has now extended to four matches, and La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that the situation is unlikely to change between now and the end of the 2025-26 season.
After that, there is a possibility that neither Di Gregorio nor Perin stay on with Juventus after the summer transfer window according to Tuesday’s report.
The Pink Paper claims that Juventus need to raise around €11m to avoid making a capital loss on Di Gregorio, who joined on loan with an obligation to buy from Monza for a reported €18m in the summer of 2024.
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that there are still options for Di Gregorio elsewhere in Serie A, and that it is not out of the question that another side picks him up this summer.
Could Juventus replace both Di Gregorio and Perin this summer?
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 16: Mattia Perin of Juventus looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Juventus and US Sassuolo – Serie A TIM at on January 16, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Perin, meanwhile, is now 33, has never been Juventus’s first choice, and is unlikely to claim the no.1 spot if the Bianconeri are to bring in another stopper this summer, which reports elsewhere claim is likely to happen.
Perin had been linked with a move to Genoa during the January transfer window, and La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that it is not out of the question that he again seeks a move away for a sort-of ‘last dance’ as a no.1 in Serie A with just over a year remaining on his current Juventus contract.
Meanwhile, several other goalkeepers have been linked with moves to Juventus in recent weeks, including Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: Alisson Becker of Liverpool celebrates after Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool (not pictured) scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at City Ground on February 22, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Atalanta’s Marco Carnsecchi would be the ‘dream’ option for Juventus, but the 25-year-old is not expected to come cheap.
If Juventus are to bring in another goalkeeper this summer to serve as an understudy, La Gazzetta dello Sport has recommended a list that includes Lazio’s Ivan Provedel, Verona’s Lorenzo Montipo, Lecce’s Wladimiro Falcone, Cremonese’s Emil Audero and Bologna’s Federico Ravaglia.
Various reports suggest that Republic of Ireland international Troy Parrott is a potential option for Milan approaching the 2026 summer transfer window.
Reports Milan plotting move for AZ Alkmaar’s Parrott
Miguel Delaney of the Independent reports that Milan are ‘actively’ looking to sign a new striker this summer, that Parrott is a potential option for the Rossoneri and that his current club, AZ Alkmaar, are open to the idea of a sale this summer.
It is understood that Alkmaar will seek a fee in the region of around €30m (reported as £25m by outlets in the UK) to sell the Republic of Ireland international this summer.
Milan are not the only interested party. In fact, there are several sides across Europe keen on a potential deal for Parrott, including Fulham in the Premier League, Real Betis in LaLiga and VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.
Parrot has come up with 28 league goals from 52 appearances in the Eredivisie since joining AZ Alkmaar from Tottenham Hotspur, where he began his professional career. The 24-year-old has 14 goals from 22 league appearances this season, plus four from four outings in the cup and nine from 13 appearances in the UEFA Conference League.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – NOVEMBER 16: Players of Republic of Ireland celebrate their sides third goal scored by Troy Parrott of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Hungary and Republic of Ireland at on November 16, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
Parrott also made history with the Republic of Ireland national team earlier this season. Back in November, he netted a brace in a shock 2-0 win over Portugal, and then provided a hat-trick in an eventual 3-2 win away against Hungary a few days later to secure his nation a surprise spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In doing so, he became the first ever player to score an away hat-trick for the Republic of Ireland side in a competitive fixture and also the first player to score a hat-trick for the Republic of Ireland since Robbie Keane 11 years prior.
Obviously against all pre-season expectations, Tottenham Hotspur are battling to avoid being relegated from the Premier League, and a widely spread opinion is that the players simply don’t care. Defender Micky van de Ven disagrees. “How does this come out? People are just making things up” 🗣️ Micky van de Ven has refuted claims that […]
Arsenal have recently been credited with interest in Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but according to Fabrizio Romano, the Champions League holders see the Georgian winger as a crucial part of their team and have no intention of selling him under any circumstances. Arsenal are expected to make some changes to their attacking department this […]
While Christian Pulisic continues to struggle in attack, the spotlight has shifted toward a teammate whose situation reflects a deeper tactical dilemma under Massimiliano Allegri.
At Milan, a subtle tension is beginning to emerge beneath an otherwise productive season. While Christian Pulisic continues to struggle in attack, the spotlight has shifted toward a teammate whose situation reflects a deeper tactical dilemma under Massimiliano Allegri. The midfielder in question has been delivering numbers, influencing matches, and adapting to new demands. However, behind the scenes, frustration is growing.
His role, reshaped by the coach and the club’s evolving system, may be costing him something far greater than club recognition. And as the international calendar edges closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the consequences are becoming impossible to ignore. The player at the center of this story is Youssouf Fofana, a midfielder whose performances have quietly made him one of Milan’s most effective creators, yet whose international future now hangs in the balance.
Since the start of 2024, he has registered 13 assists across all competitions, placing him at the very top of the club’s creative charts alongside Rafael Leao. Just behind them is Pulisic with 12, as per Sofascore. These numbers underline a key detail: a central midfielder is driving the Rossoneri’s chance creation. Rather than simply recycling possession, the Frenchman has developed into a player capable of delivering decisive final passes, turning structured buildup into tangible attacking output. His influence extends across competitions, reflecting both tactical intelligence and technical precision.
Despite his productivity, Fofana’s evolution at Milan has come at a cost. Under Allegri, he has been deployed in a more advanced, right-sided midfield role, far removed from the deep-lying position that once defined his game. While the change has improved his tactical awareness, it has also altered how he sees and interacts with the pitch.
Youssouf Fofana of AC Milan
“When you’re told you’ll play higher up the pitch, at first you’re even happy. In the end, I realized it’s not necessarily what I want,” he admitted in an interview with L’Equipe. “I do it for the team, but I really liked being at the origin of plays, controlling the team’s tempo, recovering balls.” The shift has forced him to adapt quickly: playing faster, reading situations differently, and dealing with more physically demanding duels. Yet, even as he grows, there is a sense that he is moving away from his natural identity.
The World Cup consequence
The deeper issue lies beyond club play. Fofana has not been called up by Francesince 2024, and his chances of making the upcoming squad for friendlies against Brazil and Colombia appear slim. According to the player himself, the positional change is directly affecting his international prospects.
“If I look at the World Cup, I don’t think I’ll be considered for this role,” he said. “I do it with the club… but I’m not convinced this will help me for the future.” Even more striking was his blunt assessment of the situation: “I’m collateral damage.”This is the key tension: a player sacrificing his ideal role for club success, while potentially losing his place on the international stage.
oussouf Fofana of France walks past the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy
Season of growth—but not satisfaction
Statistically, Fofana’s season has been solid. He has contributed assists, maintained consistency, and adapted to a more complex tactical system. Yet, he remains unconvinced. “I could have been more effective… I could have scored more and provided more assists,” he reflected. “Not good enough, I think.”
This self-criticism reveals a player striving for higher standards, even as external recognition remains limited. Despite playing for one of Europe’s biggest clubs, he feels overlooked in discussions about France’s World Cup squad. “I’m taking a step forward in my career with an Italian giant, and nobody sees me… In the medium term, I’m not considered… and that’s a shame.”
AC Milan star Christian Pulisic and head coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Amid the turmoil surrounding Barcelona’s presidency, Hansi Flick’s future seemed uncertain. However, Joan Laporta’s re-election appeared to pave the way for him to stay on. In light of this situation, he broke his silence regarding his contract renewal and revealed a detail about his retirement.
Throughout the 2025–26 season, Hansi Flick’s future at FC Barcelona had been put into doubt. Amid the electoral uncertainty, the German’s continuity depended on whether Joan Laporta would be re-elected. After the president’s re-election, fans were pushing for clarity regarding the head coach’s future. Because of this, Flick has not only decided to break his silence about his contract renewal, but also about his professional retirement.
In the press conference ahead of the match against Newcastle United, Hansi Flick broke his silence about his future at FC Barcelona: “I think it is not the moment to talk about my renewal now. There is an important match for the club and for our future. I am very happy here, but I have to speak with my family. There is time to talk about all of this.”
Even though Flick decided not to reveal details about his extended tenure with the Spanish side, the German may have defined his future. “We will announce the renewal for Flick soon, it will be for one more season — until 2028… Hansi has already agreed, he’s very happy here,” president Joan Laporta said, via RAC1. With his continued presence secured, the Culers can breathe calmly, knowing their head coach has elevated them into one of the best teams in the world.
Flick opens up on his retirement
Not only Hansi has decided to extend his contract with Barcelona, but has also made an important confession on his professional retirement. “I think it’s clear that I like working here, but I also value my independence. I have a great family and a lot of support. This is soccer, and I try to give my best to the team… but we will see. There is time. I am not thinking about going anywhere else. This will be my last job, and that makes me happy,” he said at the press conference.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick speaking to Lamine Yamal.
While Hansi Flick has become a legend with Germany and Bayern Munich, he has found his best spot in Barcelona. Having secured this role as his last job before retirement, he has gained a special place with the Culers. Nonetheless, he still holds a main task: Winning a Champions League title for the Spanish side. Moreover, he seeks to plant the seeds for a sustainable future project, including the development of several young players.
Flick emerges as a transformative figure in Barcelona
After the departure of Xavi Hernández, FC Barcelona’s situation was quite negative, as they were unable to impose a dominant style of play and their competitiveness in the UEFA Champions League was very low. However, Hansi Flick’s arrival completely changed the team’s reality. He not only restored competitiveness, but also improved the players physically, taking the team back to competing for all titles again.
To elevate the overall performance of the Blaugranas, the German coach has focused on recovering the best version of Raphinha, who has even become a candidate for the Ballon d’Or. Alongside this, he has developed Pedri into the team’s most important player both creatively and defensively. While they still have defensive issues, the emergence of Gerard Martín and Eric García has been key in seeking defensive consistency, despite the ups and downs.
Although Flick has not yet won the Champions League, he is already a highly appreciated figure in Barcelona. After several years of poor results, the German has elevated the team back into a powerhouse—something neither Ronald Koeman nor Xavi Hernández managed during their spells. In addition, he has trusted young talents like Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart, aiming to build a promising long-term project.
Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, looks on during the Copa Del Rey Semi Final.
After getting called up to the latest USMNT list with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, head coach Mauricio Pochettino addressed star Christian Pulisic's goalscoring drought.
Christian Pulisic has been going through a prolonged goalscoring drought that stands in stark contrast to the sparkling form he showed at the start of the season. With the 2026 World Cup just three months away, head coach Mauricio Pochettino addressed Pulisic’s form while announcing his latest USMNT squad.
Pochettino named his squad for the March international window, which will see the USMNT face Belgium on the 28th and Portugal on the 31st. Pulisic earned his place back in the fold after sitting out the November window, a mutual decision between AC Milan and the national team to give the forward time to fully recover from injury.
At Tuesday’s press conference, Pochettino was asked about Pulisic’s return and offered a measured assessment: “With Christian, well, I never mention the performance of the teams or the clubs. We see the players and Christian is playing. He’s not scoring, but for me, it’s not only about scoring goals.“
The Argentine coach went on to frame the call-up as an opportunity for Pulisic to find his footing ahead of the tournament. “I’m happy with him and the way he’s performing, the way he’s committed with the team, and also with the time he’s playing. It’s a great opportunity for him to join us and to perform with us, and to help him to arrive in the best condition to be selected also for the last roster,” Pochettino added.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan.
After a blistering start to the Serie A season that saw Pulisic score eight goals in his first 10 appearances and claim the Player of the Month award in September, injuries have taken a heavy toll on his momentum. In the last 12 AC Milan matches, Pulisic has played in 11 but has failed to score or register a single assist.
His last goal dates back to December 28, 2025, when he found the net in a 3-0 win over Hellas Verona. Despite the dry spell, Pochettino made clear he has not lost faith in “Captain America,” even as his contributions in front of goal in 2026 have left plenty to be desired.
Pochettino leaves the door open to new players
With the USMNT set to face testing opponents in Belgium and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, expectations were high for Pochettino to name a squad as close as possible to his intended World Cup roster. However, the absence of players like Alejandro Zendejas prompted questions about whether those left out still have a realistic path to the tournament.
Pochettino addressed the situation directly when asked about Zendejas, making clear that nothing is set in stone: “The decision from this roster, what I can tell you is that, where everyone is saying that maybe it’s the last opportunity, but it’s not closed, it’s still open. It’s not the final roster. Like we were talking about Gio (Reyna), Alejandro I know him very well, how he can adapt to the dynamic of the group, how he can work, but even Diego Luna or some players that are not here, or are injured and don’t have the opportunity to be with us, it’s not closed.“
Head coach of United States Mauricio Pochettino (L) and Christian Pulisic (R).
From uncertainty to anticipation, the spotlight once again turns to Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie as the United States prepares for a defining international window, one that could shape their path toward 2026.
From uncertainty to anticipation, the spotlight once again turns to Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie as the United States prepares for a defining international window, one that could shape their path toward 2026. With Cristiano Ronaldo looming in the background of the narrative, the question is not just about selection, but about timing, fitness, and destiny.
The latest squad announcement by the United States signals far more than just another international break. It represents the penultimate checkpoint before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a tournament that the nation will host and one that could redefine its soccer identity. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has assembled a 27-player group tasked with fine-tuning chemistry, testing tactical flexibility, and proving individual worth ahead of the final selection.
The camp, set in Atlanta, will culminate in two high-profile friendlies against European heavyweights. These matches are not just exhibitions. They are simulations of World Cup intensity, designed to expose both strengths and vulnerabilities.
At the heart of the squad are familiar names. Pulisic and McKennie lead a core that closely resembles a first-choice lineup, underlining the manager’s desire for continuity at a crucial stage. Yet, the roster is not without its twists. The return of Gio Reyna stands out as one of the most intriguing storylines. Despite limited minutes at club level, his inclusion suggests that talent and past international impact still carry significant weight.
im Ream #13, Weston McKennie #8, Christian Pulisic #10, and Antonee Robinson #5 of USMNT
Similarly, the comeback of Antonee Robinson after a long injury absence offers a timely boost. His presence could prove vital, especially given his consistency in previous campaigns. However, not all news is positive. Key absences due to injury, most notably Tyler Adams and Sergino Dest, leave gaps in leadership and structure. Their situations highlight the fragile balance between form and fitness just months before the tournament.
The matches that could define the squad
The United States will face Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta, two of the world’s top-ranked national teams. These fixtures are not just tests; they are benchmarks against elite opposition. The encounter with Portugal, in particular, carries an added layer of intrigue.
With global attention fixed on Ronaldo’s situation, uncertainty surrounds whether the iconic forward will feature. His potential presence, or absence, could dramatically alter the narrative of the match. Still, even without him, the Selecao remains a formidable force, boasting depth and quality across every line. Take a look at Mauricio Pochettino’s squad:
Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Roman Celentano (Cincinnati), Matt Freese (New York City), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic)
Midfielders: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Johnny Cardoso (Atletico Madrid), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Gio Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Patrick Agyemang (Derby County), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV), Christian Pulisic (Milan), Tim Weah (Marseille).
Will Ronaldo play?
For weeks, the narrative has circled around one central mystery. Now, clarity begins to emerge. The likelihood of Cristiano Ronaldo playing against the United States remains uncertain and increasingly doubtful. Despite being included in preliminary considerations by Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, the forward’s hamstring injury has disrupted his availability.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts following an injury
Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus recently offered further insight: “Ronaldo and Mane should return after the international break. Everyone knows they are great players, but they will be out for a while.” This timeline places his potential participation in serious doubt, particularly with concerns about rushing him back too soon. While reports suggest he may still travel, his match fitness and involvement on the pitch remain unresolved.
Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (right)
The Lega Serie A have confirmed that Roma wing-back Wesley Franca will be suspended for one match and that Inter and Lazio head coaches Cristian Chivu and Maurizio Sarri are among those who picked up bans during the 29th round of 2025-26 fixtures.
Official: Wesley, Chivu and Sarri decisions confirmed after Serie A week 29
Three red cards were dished out by the officials during the 29th round of Serie A fixtures. The harshest of those punishments has been handed to Pisa’s Rafiu Durosinmi, who has earned a two-game ban for having kicked out at an opponent in an off the ball incident during his side’s 3-1 win over Cagliari.
Adam Obert was also shown a red card during Cagliari’s 3-1 loss against Pisa and has picked up a one-match suspension as a result.
Wesley was also sent off during Roma’s 2-1 defeat away against top-four rivals Como for what many feel was a harsh second yellow card offence. His ban has been upheld, and he will be suspended for Roma’s upcoming Serie A test against Lecce.
Parma’s Enrico Delprato, Pisa’s Michel Aebischer and Cremonese’s Warren Bondo have all now picked up five yellow cards for the season and will all be suspended for Serie A week 30.
Chivu has also been suspended for Inter’s upcoming trip to Fiorentina after being shown two yellow cards against Atalanta on Saturday, and Lazio’s Sarri has also been suspended for one match after leaving his technical area and making disrespectful comments towards the match officials against Milan.
Verdict: Both teams to score Best odds: 8/11 Bookmaker: Betfair Liverpool attempt to overturn a one‑goal deficit on Wednesday night when they welcome Galatasaray to Anfield for the second leg of their Champions League last‑16 tie. Six months after suffering a 1–0 defeat in Istanbul during the league phase, the Reds endured the same punishment […]
Hansi Flick believes “it’s not the time now” to speak about his contract renewal at Barcelona as they prepare to take on Newcastle United in the Champions League last 16. Barca president Joan Laporta, who recently won the club’s presidential elections, revealed that he wants Flick to extend his stay until 2028 and that an […]
After the Finalissima against Spain was cancelled, Argentina reportedly have plans in place for the March FIFA break.
The soccer world will miss out on what promised to be an unforgettable showdown between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal in the Finalissima. Following the cancellation of that match against Spain, Argentina now appear to have a clear plan for the March FIFA break.
“The Argentina national team will train in Argentina during the FIFA window,” national team insider Gaston Edul reported Tuesday via his official X account. “There will be no travel.”
That puts an end to speculation surrounding the path forward for Lionel Scaloni’s squad. Originally, Argentina were set to face Spain in the Finalissima on March 27 in Qatar, and four days later they were scheduled to take on the hosts in a friendly. That second match was intended as preparation for their World Cup clash with Jordan, given the similarities in level and style between the opponents.
With those Middle East fixtures no longer viable due to the region’s ongoing tensions, and after talks to relocate the Finalissima fell through, Argentina are now targeting a single friendly on home soil.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni.
“FIFA break: Argentina vs. Guatemala on March 31. The stadium will be confirmed soon,” added Gaston Edul, also via X. This means Lionel Scaloni will have the opportunity to put his players into action, albeit against a lower-level opponent than Spain.
Argentina choose a completely different path than Spain
While Argentina are heading into the March FIFA break with just one friendly against a lower-level opponent and prioritizing extended training time, Spain have taken the opposite approach following the Finalissima cancellation.
The reigning European champions moved quickly to line up two new friendlies for the upcoming international window. On March 27, they will face Serbia on Spanish soil, with the venue still to be confirmed. Four days later, they will take on Egypt, a team they were originally scheduled to face in Qatar.
Luis de la Fuente and Lionel Scaloni have opted for contrasting strategies amid the sudden changes. The Spain manager will have two matches to evaluate his squad before naming his final 26-man roster in late May, while his Argentine counterpart will benefit from extended training time to further refine his team’s on-field chemistry.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi and head coach Lionel Scaloni.
With Cristiano Ronaldo leading the charge, the club now stands on the threshold of a remarkable chapter, one that could redefine both its modern identity and the Portuguese icon’s legacy in Saudi soccer.
At Al-Nassr, a season that once risked fading into frustration has become far more compelling. With Cristiano Ronaldo leading the charge, the club now stands on the threshold of a remarkable chapter, one that could redefine both its modern identity and the Portuguese icon’s legacy in Saudi soccer.
Momentum has surged, belief has returned, and suddenly, what seemed unlikely just months ago is now within touching distance. There is a growing sense that something extraordinary is about to unfold. However, the full scale of what lies ahead only becomes clear when you look closer at the calendar and the stakes involved.
Jorge Jesus’ side’s rise has not been gradual; it has been emphatic. After a difficult moment in January, when the club suffered a 2-1 defeat to Al-Hilal, everything changed. That loss became a turning point rather than a setback. Since then, the response has been nothing short of dominant.
Al-Nassr is currently top of the Saudi Pro League with 67 points after 26 matches, holding a narrow but crucial advantage at the summit. Even more striking is their goal difference: +52, with 71 goals scored and just 19 conceded, a balance of attacking brilliance and defensive discipline.
Saudi Pro League standings after Matchday 26
The numbers only get more impressive. The club has put together 12 consecutive league victories and an astonishing 14 straight wins across all competitions, underlining a level of consistency that few teams in Asia can match at this stage of the season.
The hidden opportunity: Two trophies in five days
What makes this campaign truly special is not just the form. It is the timing. In the space of just five days, Al-Nassr could turn its dominance into silverware on two fronts. The schedule presents a rare and intense opportunity:
May 16 – Continental final
May 21 – Final league matchday
Two matches. Two trophies. Five days. This compressed window has dramatically raised the stakes. Rather than a drawn-out title race, everything could be decided in less than a week, a scenario that adds both pressure and historic potential.
Sadio Mane of Al Nassr celebrates with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo
The league title within reach
Domestically, Al-Nassr’s fate is firmly in its own hands. Heading into the final stretch, the club sits three points clear at the top, knowing that maintaining its current form will be enough to secure the championship. The decisive match is set to take place against Damac in the familiar surroundings of Al Awwal Park.
Given the team’s unstoppable winning streak and dominant home form, they enter the fixture as clear favorites. The consistency shown in recent months suggests that the players have found the perfect balance between control and aggression, qualities essential for closing out a title race.
Continental dominance on display
While the domestic campaign has been impressive, Al-Nassr’s performances on the continental stage have arguably been even more dominant. In the AFC Champions League Two, the club has been flawless so far:
Six wins from six matches in the group stage
22 goals scored, only two conceded
A perfect record heading into the knockout rounds
AFC Champions League Two group stage standings
This level of control highlights not just quality, but superiority over opponents. Even with the knockout stages shifting to single-leg matches at neutral venues, Al-Nassr remains a standout contender. If the latter stages are hosted in Saudi Arabia, the advantage could tilt even further in their favor—especially with Ronaldo thriving in familiar conditions.
Why everything is falling into place
Several factors have combined to put Al-Nassr in this powerful position. First, there is momentum, arguably the most valuable currency in soccer. Winning breeds confidence, and confidence fuels performance. Fourteen consecutive victories have created a psychological edge that few opponents can match. Second, there is defensive solidity. Conceding just 19 goals in 26 league matches reflects a structure that allows attacking players to take risks without fear.
Finally, there is Ronaldo himself. The veteran forward remains driven by more than just individual accolades. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, every performance carries added significance. Delivering silverware at club level would not only validate his move to Saudi Arabia but also sharpen his competitive edge ahead of one final international push.
Chasing a miraculous comeback, Chelsea face PSG in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16. Although the two teams are in different situations, they are both aiming for an offensive strategy, which is their specialty. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Although Chelsea were coming in strong form, they were defeated 5–2 by Paris Saint-Germain in an exciting match. Nonetheless, the Blues head into today’s second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 looking to mount an impressive comeback. However, the French side will not make it easy, as they boast a well-balanced squad across all areas, making things difficult for the Premier League side.
Under coach Liam Rosenior, the Blues have gradually begun to play closer to their best, establishing a tactical balance in midfield and giving Enzo Fernandez a prominent role. However, they are struggling to shine defensively, as their defenders have yet to reach their peak form, committing several errors in every game. As a result, they face the difficult task of preventing goals, while Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer look to make a difference on the scoring end.
PSGhave managed to remain one of the most dominant teams in the world. Not only has Ousmane Dembélé regained his physical form, but they have also brought out the best in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. In addition, coach Luis Enrique has kept Vitinha performing at his best in midfield, which solidifies the defensive backline led by Marquinhos and Willian Pacho. With this, they emerge as the favorites to secure a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals.
While Chelsea come into the match with urgency to overturn the result, PSG remain relatively calm, holding a comfortable aggregate lead. Despite this, both teams are expected to adopt an attacking approach, viewing it as the best way to secure his spot to the next round. However, the French side have more tools to shine, as not only Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia, but also Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué have been performing at a high level.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of PSG runs with the ball under pressure from Moises Caicedo and Malo Gusto of Chelsea.
Chelsea lineups vs. PSG
Not only do Chelsea have to overturn the score against PSG, but they also come into the match with numerous absences. Coach Rosenior will be without Reece James, Malo Gusto, Jamie Gittens, Filip Jørgensen, and Levi Colwill. Despite this, they may rely on Trevoh Chalobah as the leader of their defense, while looking to Enzo Fernández, João Pedro, and Cole Palmer to make the difference in the scoring side.
Considering this, the Blues will lineup as follows:
PSG come into today’s clash against Chelsea as clear favorites due to their aggregate lead. However, coach Luis Enrique still has two key absences, as neither Fabián Ruiz nor Quentin Ndjantou will be available due to fitness issues. Despite this, the French side maintain a deep bench and keep their key pillars: Marquinhos, Vitinha, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Ousmane Dembélé. Because of this, they aim to secure their place in the quarterfinals.
Manchester City square off with Real Madrid in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Manchester City vs Real Madrid on US television and via legal streaming:
After one of the most highly anticipated matchups on the schedule, Real Madrid seized full control of the tie with a dominant 3–0 victory in the opening leg, delivering a statement performance that few expected in what many believed would be a tightly contested clash.
Now, the Spanish giants now head into the second leg with a comfortable cushion, though the job is far from finished against Manchester City, who will look to transform their home stadium into a fortress as they attempt to mount a dramatic comeback and keep their hopes of reaching the Round of 16 alive.
More details on how to watch
Paramount+ is now offering a 7-day free trial promotion for new subscribers, giving fans the ability to watch a ton of soccer fans (and other content) for free.
After the 7-day trial, Paramount+ is just $7.99 per month.
Paramount+ features more than 2,000 live matches each year. In addition to Serie A, the extensive portfolio of soccer properties also includes EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League; NWSL; and much more.
Paramount+ includes exclusive original programs such as: Halo, Star Trek: Discovery, Frasier, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and Evil, as well as movies including Mean Girls, Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning and more. You can also stream CBSN (CBS News), CBS Sports HQ and ET Live, as well as — with the Premium Plan — your local CBS network.
Paramount+ is available on PC or Mac as well as Roku, iPhone and Android phones, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung smart TV, Vizio and XBOX One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Paramount+ soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
Here are the steps to sign up for your 7-day free trial to Paramount+:
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
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Chelsea play against PSG in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
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Trailing 5–2 after the first leg, Chelseareturn to London with a steep challenge ahead, needing a three-goal swing to keep their hopes alive in the tie. The English side will look to feed off the energy of the Stamford Bridge crowd as they chase a dramatic comeback against PSG, who seized control of the matchup with a dominant attacking display in the opener.
What many expected to be a tightly contested battle quickly tilted in favor of the French giants, who now sit firmly in the driver’s seat and just one strong performance away from the quarterfinals—but with pride, pressure, and a place in the next round on the line, this second leg promises plenty of drama, so make sure you don’t miss the action.
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Paramount+ is now offering a 7-day free trial promotion for new subscribers, giving fans the ability to watch a ton of soccer fans (and other content) for free.
After the 7-day trial, Paramount+ is just $7.99 per month.
Paramount+ features more than 2,000 live matches each year. In addition to Serie A, the extensive portfolio of soccer properties also includes EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League; NWSL; and much more.
Paramount+ includes exclusive original programs such as: Halo, Star Trek: Discovery, Frasier, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and Evil, as well as movies including Mean Girls, Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning and more. You can also stream CBSN (CBS News), CBS Sports HQ and ET Live, as well as — with the Premium Plan — your local CBS network.
Paramount+ is available on PC or Mac as well as Roku, iPhone and Android phones, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung smart TV, Vizio and XBOX One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Paramount+ soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
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World Soccer Talk is the number one destination in the United States for soccer television and streaming information. We recommend that you bookmark our soccer games on TV today page as well as subscribing to our free daily email newsletter that includes TV schedules and the latest soccer news and opinion from around the world.
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Arsenal will face Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen on US television and via legal streaming:
Everything will be on the line in London as Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen meet for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 matchup. The tie heads to England completely level after a 1–1 draw in Germany, where Leverkusen showed resilience to hold off an Arsenalwidely viewed as the favorite.
Now, with home advantage on their side, the Gunners will aim to turn that momentum into a spot in the quarterfinals, while Leverkusenarrive knowing the even aggregate score keeps their hopes very much alive heading into this pivotal showdown—so make sure you don’t miss what promises to be a thrilling European night.
More details on how to watch
Paramount+ is now offering a 7-day free trial promotion for new subscribers, giving fans the ability to watch a ton of soccer fans (and other content) for free.
After the 7-day trial, Paramount+ is just $7.99 per month.
Paramount+ features more than 2,000 live matches each year. In addition to Serie A, the extensive portfolio of soccer properties also includes EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League; NWSL; and much more.
Paramount+ includes exclusive original programs such as: Halo, Star Trek: Discovery, Frasier, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and Evil, as well as movies including Mean Girls, Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning and more. You can also stream CBSN (CBS News), CBS Sports HQ and ET Live, as well as — with the Premium Plan — your local CBS network.
Paramount+ is available on PC or Mac as well as Roku, iPhone and Android phones, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung smart TV, Vizio and XBOX One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Paramount+ soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
Here are the steps to sign up for your 7-day free trial to Paramount+:
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
Free resources available to you
World Soccer Talk is the number one destination in the United States for soccer television and streaming information. We recommend that you bookmark our soccer games on TV today page as well as subscribing to our free daily email newsletter that includes TV schedules and the latest soccer news and opinion from around the world.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
The emotional weight of international soccer has once again fallen heavily on Neymar, as the Brazilian icon has again responded to a painful decision from Carlo Ancelotti.
The emotional weight of international soccer has once again fallen heavily on Neymar, as the Brazilian icon has again responded to a painful decision from Carlo Ancelotti. The forward, who remains one of the most recognizable figures in the game, was left out of Brazil‘s latest squad ahead of crucial friendlies on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite the setback, Neymar chose to respond publicly, not with anger alone, but with a message that carried deeper meaning. The post quickly captured attention, reflecting both his disappointment and his determination to keep fighting for a place on soccer’s biggest stage. The omission came as part of Brazil’s preparations for upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, two high-level tests scheduled in the United States.
When announcing the squad, Ancelotti made his stance crystal clear. Reputation alone would not be enough. “Neymar can be at the World Cup if he is 100%. Why haven’t I called him up now? Because he’s not at 100%, we need players who are at 100%,” the Italian coach explained.
The message was consistent with his philosophy since taking charge: fitness over legacy. Even for Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, there would be no exceptions. For the 34-year-old, still working his way back after a serious knee injury suffered in 2023, the decision represented a harsh reality. The door is not fully closed, but it is only slightly open.
Carlo Ancelotti sobre Neymar:
"Neymar pode estar na Copa se estiver 100%. Por que não chamei agora o Neymar? Porque não está 100%, é preciso de jogadores 100%."
Neymar did not hide his feelings. Speaking publicly after the squad announcement, the forward admitted that the decision had affected him deeply, but insisted that his focus remains unchanged. “You cannot simply brush that aside… Of course, I am angry and sad that I was not called up,” he said. “But the focus remains day by day, every training session, match by match. We will achieve our goal. There is still one final call-up to come, and the dream lives on.”
The statement reflected both vulnerability and resilience. At 34, Neymar understands that time is no longer on his side, yet his ambition to represent Brazil on the world stage remains intact.
Neymar’s last appearance for Brazil was in October 2023.
The message that spoke louder than words
While his verbal response was powerful, it was Neymar’s social media activity that truly captured global attention. Shortly after the squad announcement, he posted a mending-heart Instagram story accompanied by a Bible verse, a symbolic message that revealed the emotional toll of the situation. The quote, drawn from scripture, emphasized trust in a larger plan even when circumstances feel unclear. “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
The post, combined with imagery contrasting personal reflection and national pride, painted a picture of a player grappling with disappointment while holding onto hope. The message quickly went viral, with fans divided between those supporting Neymar’s resilience and those questioning whether his time with Brazil is coming to an end.
Despite everything, his World Cup dream is still not officially over. The Selecao’s final squad will be announced in the coming months, leaving the forward with a narrow window to prove his fitness and form. Upcoming matches with Santos will be crucial, as he looks to demonstrate that he can still perform at the highest level. The challenge is immense, and the expectations are even greater.
Neymar rejected Carlo Ancelotti’s claim that his Brazil omission was due to fitness issues, insisting it was a purely technical decision by the coach.
Italy national team striker Mateo Retegui is back in Florence and is reportedly working individually one week early ahead of Italy’s World Cup play-off campaign coming up at the end of the month.
Retegui’s Italy training camp has already begun
Retegui currently plays for Al-Qadsiah, who sit in fourth place in the Saudi Pro League standings. The Argentine-born Italy international has provided 15 goals from 25 league outings so far this season.
Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, there will be no Saudi Pro League matches this coming weekend, which means that compared to the rest of his Italy teammates, Retegui has an extra week off ahead of the World Cup play-offs, which kick off on March 26.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Retegui has already arrived in Florence, where Italy’s Coverciano training base is located, has rented an apartment nearby and is expecting to train individually every day until the rest of the squad reports for duty after their league fixtures this coming weekend.
According to the Pink Paper, Retegui was concerned about the long pause that he would have had between matches, and decided to return to Italy a week early after phone calls with the FIGC and CT Gennaro Gattuso.
UDINE – OCTOBER 14: Mateo Retegui celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between against Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Tuesday’s report states that Retegui’s training camp ‘has already begun’.
Retegui is one of several strikers expected to be called up to the Azzurri squad for this month’s World Cup deciders against Northern Ireland and either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fiorentina’s Moise Kean, Inter’s Pio Esposito and Atalanta’s Giacomo Raspadori are also expected to be included among Gattuso’s selections.
Retegui is Italy’s leading goalscorer since Gattuso was called in to replace Luciano Spalletti as CT last summer. The national team has scored 19 goals from six matches since then: Retegui with five, Kean with four, Esposito with three and Raspadori and Gianluca Mancini with two apiece. Matteo Politano, Sandro Tonali and Alessandro Bastoni have one each.
Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill insists that Italy are ‘the team with everything to lose’ ahead of the meeting of the two nations in the World Cup play-off semi-final next Thursday, and believes that playing the match in Bergamo benefits the Green and White Army.
Italy will host Northern Ireland at Atalanta’s New Balance Arena in Bergamo for the World Cup play-off semi-final coming up on March 26. The winner of that match will progress to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in a one-legged play-off final on March 31 for a spot at the final tournament.
Italy have not yet announced their squad for the March international break, but are expected to by the end of this week. Northern Ireland confirmed their selections on Monday night, and O’Neill has given his verdict in front of the media at his press conference in Belfast.
O’Neill on Italy pressure, Tonali quality and a venue that ‘suits’ Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland head coach admits that there is a clear difference in quality between the two sides.
Italy are expected to name a full squad of top-flight players, most of whom will have played in the Champions League at some stage this season, while Northern Ireland are only able to offer four Premier League players, 13 from the EFL Championship and eight from England’s third tier. They also have representatives from the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Championship and the 2. Bundesliga.
“I mean, they’ve got a bunch of players who play in Serie A, play for Inter Milan, Lazio, Roma, Napoli,” said O’Neill during his press conference on Monday night (via The Irish News).
“They also have players that play in the Premier League at top clubs as well. You know, Tonali is arguably as good a midfield player as there is in the Premier League. Calafiori at Arsenal as well. So, it’s going to be a very, very tough game. There’s no doubt about that.
“We’re going to have to step up. If you look at our squad there, there’s 13 players in the Championship. There’s four at Premier League clubs and the rest are League One or playing their football elsewhere.
“So, it is a big step up for us. But it’s a step up we’ve made in the past. I think we made it in the Germany game, albeit we didn’t get the results that we felt we maybe could have done. We have to try and make that step up again.”
Given the difference in personnel available, O’Neill believes that Italy are the ones with more pressure heading into the World Cup play-offs.
“If you look at this game, we’re the team with everything to gain. They’re the team with everything to lose,” he said.
“They have a lot of expectation as a football nation. Their players will have to deal with that. But that’s for them, we can’t really use it.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Players of Italy sing the national anthem prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We’ve just got to make the game as difficult for the opposition as possible and then those types of things will, I think, become factors in the game in terms of their mentality to the game and how we try and obviously make it more prevalent for them to think about things like that.”
Italy have won five of their first six matches since Gennaro Gattuso replaced Luciano Spalletti as CT, but fell to defeat against Norway on home soil in their most recent test, which sent them to the play-offs instead of the final World Cup tournament.
“If you look at this group, they’ve had a change of manager after two games. Gennaro Gattuso’s been in for six games. They lost their last game 4-1 at San Siro against Norway. A game where they played well in the first half to be honest, and led 1-0, but they would have been disappointed with how the game finished in the second half as well,” said O’Neill.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I personally went to a game in Bergamo on the 27th of December. I saw Inter and Atalanta play, so I know what the atmosphere is like.That was a good atmosphere at the game because, obviously it’s not a derby but they’re very close by, Bergamo and Milan, so there was a big Inter Milan away support there as well.”
O’Neill believes that Italy selected Bergamo as the host city for this play-off semi-final due to their ghosts at other venues, but insists that the New Balance Arena will make the Northern Ireland squad feel more comfortable compared to San Siro or the Stadio Olimpico.
“I think that possibly their history has made them make that decision. They’ve lost play-offs I think in the San Siro and as I touched on, their last game in San Siro against Norway. The outcome wouldn’t have been what they’d hoped for. So maybe they feel the smaller stadium brings less pressure. I don’t know.”
“For us the venue is fine. Most of our players play their club football weekly in venues of that size. They’re not running out in front of 80,000, 90,000 people every week. So I think the venue suits us.”
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – NOVEMBER 17: Players of Northern Ireland pose for a team photograph prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Northern Ireland and Luxembourg at Windsor Park on November 17, 2025 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus have resumed their interest in Mason Greenwood, while Arsenal and Manchester United’s competition for Sandro Tonali has prompted the Bianconeri to continue talks with free agents Leon Goretzka and Bernardo Silva.
Juventus are preparing for next summer’s transfer campaign, although their priorities are Champions League qualification and Luciano Spalletti’s contract extension.
Juventus and Spalletti have already discussed possible reinforcements for 2026-27 and according to Gazzetta, the Serie A giants have once again targeted Marseille star Greenwood for the summer.
According to the report, Marseille might be forced to sell the Englishman for financial reasons if they miss out on Champions League qualification, but the price would be at least €50m.
Greenwood was already open to joining Juventus two years ago, but Marseille beat the Bianconeri to signing the ex-Manchester United man.
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 25: Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United is challenged by Mason Greenwood of Olympique de Marseille during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Olympique de Marseille and Newcastle United FC at Stade de Marseille on November 25, 2025 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Leon Goretzka and Bernardo Silva, both available as free agents over the summer, are among Juventus’ top targets in central midfield.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 28: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James’ Park on February 28, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
The Bianconeri have been in talks with the pair in recent weeks, especially because their top target in the middle of the park, Tonali, has a high price tag and has been targeted by top Premier League clubs, especially Arsenal and Manchester United.
Following a surprising victory in the first leg, Real Madrid face Manchester City, looking to maintain their lead and advance to the Champions League quarterfinals. With this in mind, fans are keeping a close eye on Kylian Mbappé’s status, as he is returning from a serious injury.
Despite arriving as underdogs due to numerous injuries, Real Madrid managed to secure a convincing 3–0 victory over Manchester City, surprising everyone. Because of this, they come into today’s Champions League match with a clear advantage, but the Citizens could unleash a powerful attack in search of a comeback. For this reason, fans are closely monitoring the status of Kylian Mbappé, who has been included in the squad after his knee injury.
Kylian Mbappé has taken part in the last two group training sessions with Los Blancos, showing a notable improvement in his left knee injury. Despite this, the Frenchman will not start against Manchester City, but he could see playing time in the second half of the match. In addition, he was seen touching his knee in the last training session, so he may not yet be at 100%.
Head coach Álvaro Arbeloa will once again rely on Vinicius Jr. and Brahim Díaz as they aim to create space and capitalize on Federico Valverde’s scoring form. Additionally, Gonzalo García has been managing knee discomfort for nearly a month, which will prevent him from playing.
Taking advantage of the aggregate lead, Real Madrid will maintain their defensive approach in today’s Champions League clash, led by Aurélien Tchouaméni and Antonio Rüdiger. Alongside them, Thiago Pitarch will start again despite the demanding nature of the match, as he has impressed Arbeloa with his level. Needing a major comeback, coach Pep Guardiola could indeed opt to impose a powerful attacking setup once more.
Federico Valverde of Real Madrid
Manchester City confirmed lineup vs. Real Madrid
Looking to mount a major comeback against Real Madrid, Manchester City will bring Rayan Cherki back into the starting lineup, while keeping Bernardo Silva and Rodri Hernández.
The Citizens will play as follows: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Rayan Aït-Nouri; Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki; Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland.
Real Madrid confirmed lineup vs. Manchester City
Real Madrid face Manchester City as clear favorite following their three-goal advantage on aggregate. Because of this, Arbeloa will not risk Kylian Mbappé, as he does not appear to be at full fitness.
With this in mind, Real Madrid will lineup as follows: Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Federico Valverde, Thiago Pitarch, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler; Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Jr.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid reacts during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League.
Sporting CP host Bodø/Glimt in the second leg of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Check here for the kickoff times and details on how to watch the match live on TV or through streaming services in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Sporting CP vs Bodø/Glimt on US television and via legal streaming:
Holding a commanding 3–0 aggregate lead, Bodø/Glimt head into the second leg of this UEFA Champions League Round of 16 looking to seal their place in the quarterfinals against Sporting CP.
The Norwegian side have emerged as the competition’s breakout story after their stunning elimination of Inter Milan earlier in the tournament, but Sporting will attempt to spark a comeback at home and keep their European hopes alive—making this matchup one fans won’t want to miss.
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With Fubo, you can watch Sporting CP vs Bodø/Glimt and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.
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If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Fubo soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
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World Soccer Talk is the number one destination in the United States for soccer television and streaming information. We recommend that you bookmark our soccer games on TV today page as well as subscribing to our free daily email newsletter that includes TV schedules and the latest soccer news and opinion from around the world.
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Ousmane Diomande of Sporting Clube de Portugal and Sondre Auklend of Bodo/Glimt
Northern Ireland have officially announced their squad to take on Italy and either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the crucial World Cup play-off campaign coming up at the end of March.
Italy will host Northern Ireland on March 26 in Bergamo for the World Cup play-off semi-final. The winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in the play-off final on March 31, which will be a one-legged decider for a spot at the final tournament.
The losing semi-finalists are due to play a friendly against each other on March 31 as well.
Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill has named a bumper squad of 28 players for the upcoming play-off semi-final against Italy. The major absentee for the Green and White Army is Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season with a serious knee injury.
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – NOVEMBER 17: Conor Bradley of Northern Ireland runs with the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Northern Ireland and Luxembourg at Windsor Park on November 17, 2025 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Italy are the clear favourites heading into the semi-final given their home advantage and the clear gulf in quality between the two squads.
Italy are yet to announce their squad, but it is expected that all of the players included will play for top-flight sides, and the majority of them for clubs who have participated in the Champions League in 2025-26.
For comparison, the Northern Ireland squad has just four Premier League-affiliated players: Sunderland duo Daniel Ballard and Trai Hume, Crystal Palace’s Justin Devenny, who has five league starts to his name this season, and Liverpool youngster Kieran Morrsion, who has only ever played 71 minutes of senior football at club level; his two appearances coming in domestic cup competitions.
Otherwise, the Northern Ireland squad features 13 players from the EFL Championship, eight players from EFL League One, and one apiece from the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Championship and 2. Bundesliga.
Confirmed Northern Ireland squad to face Italy and either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – NOVEMBER 17: Jamie Donley of Northern Ireland celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Northern Ireland and Luxembourg at Windsor Park on November 17, 2025 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Roma’s Neil El Aynaoui and his family were the victims of a terrifying robbery at the midfielder’s home in the capital in the early hours of Tuesday morning according to various reports in Italy.
El Aynaoui and family victims of terrifying break-in
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport and others, a gang of six armed individuals broke into El Aynaoui’s home in Castel Fusano, where several Roma and Lazio players live, at around 3 a.m. local time on Tuesday morning.
The robbers entered through a living room window after breaking off the grated covers and proceeded to confront El Aynaoui and his family with guns.
WALSALL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Boubacar Kamara of Aston Villa during the pre-season friendly match between Aston Villa and AS Roma at Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on August 06, 2025 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
El Aynaoui was reportedly the first person in the house to be woken during the incident. He along with his mother, brother and their respective partners were locked in a room as the robbers proceeded to steal jewellery reported to be worth €10,000, a Rolex watch and a collection of designer handbags.
Unfortunately, El Aynaoui is not the first Roma or Lazio player to be affected by an incident like this. In recent years, Wesley, Mario Gila and Mario Vecino have also been victims of robberies of burglaries, as have Mattia Zaccagni, Toma Basic, Chris Smalling, Phillipe Mexes and Christian Panucci in years gone by.
El Aynaoui immediately informed his club of the incident, and he will not be involved in training with Roma on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s Europa League round of 16 decider against Bologna.
Leao made headlines for the wrong reasons on Sunday night as he bitterly complained to coach Massimiliano Allegri after being subbed off in the second half of an away game at Lazio, which the Devil eventually lost 1-0.
Leao snubbed Allegri’s hug by pushing his coach away and then kicked and threw plastic bottles on the sidelines.
The Portuguese star remained silent for more than a day, but then posted an Instagram story on Tuesday, featuring a quote from the Gospel of Luke (chapter 1, verse 37), as SempreMilan highlights.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks dejected during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
The message, written in Portuguese, can be translated as: “Do what is within your power; the impossible is my job.”
Kylian Mbappe is ready to play his part in Real Madrid’s Champions League last 16 second leg against Manchester City on Tuesday, Alvaro Arbeloa has confirmed. Mbappe, who is the tournament’s top scorer with 13 goals, missed last week’s 3-0 win at Estadio Bernabeu with a knee injury that has seen him sidelined since February […]
Luis Enrique warned Paris Saint-Germain against getting complacent despite their three-goal advantage over Chelsea in the Champions League last-16. PSG ran out 5-2 winners over the Blues in the first leg, but it had been a tight match until the final 16 minutes, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia coming on to make a late impact. Tied at […]
Kylian Mbappe is ready to play his part in Real Madrid’s Champions League last 16 second leg against Manchester City on Tuesday, Alvaro Arbeloa has confirmed. Mbappe, who is the tournament’s top scorer with 13 goals, missed last week’s 3-0 win at Estadio Bernabeu with a knee injury that has seen him sidelined since February […]
Mikel Arteta has warned the media against going overboard when it comes to Arsenal youngster Max Dowman. The 16-year-old became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history on Saturday when he scored Arsenal’s second goal in a 2-0 win over Everton. Dowman broke the record set by James Vaughan, who scored in a 4-0 win […]
Mikel Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal are far from home and hosed in their Champions League last-16 tie with Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. Kai Havertz’s 89th-minute penalty against his former club salvaged a draw for Arsenal at BayArena, putting them in firm control and with the advantage of playing at home. Arsenal have won 13 of […]
Tennis star Jannik Sinner has become one of the most popular sportsmen in Italy, and when he’s not competing on the court, the World No.2 is known for his support for Serie A giants Milan.
Sinner has consistently dominated tennis predictions alongside Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz over the last few years, and back in September, the Italian was overtaken at the top of the World Rankings after holding the No. 1 spot for 65 weeks.
Sinner is only 24 but is already regarded as the best Italian male tennis player of all time, having won four Grand Slam tournaments: two at the Australian Open, one at Wimbledon and one at the US Open.
It goes without saying that Sinner has dominated the headlines in Italy in recent years, with his popularity close to, and sometimes surpassing, that of footballers. Something unthinkable until a few years ago for a country that breathes football day in, day out.
Before pursuing a career in tennis, the Italian was a talented skier from the age of three. Sinner is also a big football fan and has made no secret that his favourite club in Serie A is Milan.
Sinner showed his passion for the Rossoneri following a match against fellow Italian Fabio Fognini, an Inter supporter, at the Internazionali d’Italia in May 2022. After clinching a three-set victory, Sinner famously wrote ‘Forza Milan’ on a live TV camera.
The former World No. 1 was a guest of Milan in November 2023 for a Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund at San Siro.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: The AC Milan fans show their support during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
On that Day, Milan ultras in the Curva Sud honoured the tennis champion with several chants before kick-off.
Sinner is also a close friend of Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma, who won the Champions League with PSG last season.
“Gigio and I have been friends for a long time,” Sinner said before last season’s Champions League Final between the Ligue 1 giants and Inter.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 13: Jannik Sinner of Italy lifts the Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy on the Clubhouse Balcony, following his victory against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Gentlemen’s Singles Final on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
“We have our priorities, and he is about to play one of the most important matches of his life. Rooting for whom? I don’t want to say anything because I don’t want to put anyone in a difficult spot. I’m a Milan fan, but as an Italian, it would be nice if an Italian team won. But if it were Gigio, I’d be happy. I hope it’s a great match.”
Ultimately, Donnarumma lifted the cup with the big ears, beating Milan’s city rivals Inter 5-0 in Monaco. A few months later, the Italian captain joined Manchester City.
With Milan sitting second in the Serie A table this season, Sinner will be hoping to watch his favourite club play in the Champions League again in 2026-27.
Youssouf Fofana admits that having to adapt to a new role at Milan has been a big challenge, insists that he is still dreaming of a World Cup call-up despite being omitted from the France squad since 2024, and says that he is ‘divided’ as to whether or not he has had a ‘good’ season in 2025-26.
Fofana ‘unsure’ on Milan role, 2025-26 season ‘not good enough’
The Rossoneri midfielder sat down for an in-depth interview with l’Equipe, during which he discussed his preferred position, his tactical development since moving to Italy and the difficulties of standing out amongst a talented pool of French midfielders.
Fofana says that he had been used to playing just in front of the defence before he joined Milan back in the summer of 2024, but now, he features in more of a box-to-box role on the right of a midfield three.
“At first I had to learn on a tactical level,” Fofana told l’Equipe. “As we all know, Italy puts a big emphasis on that, it’s not a cliché at all. I thought I was coming with a good tactical background, but they really pay attention to everything.
“It took me a while to understand that you can play a very good 90 minutes here and in the end, it ends up 1-0 in favour of the opponent. That’s because you’ve been beaten tactically. It took me a while to get that efficiency and tactical discipline.”
Fofana says that there has been ‘two phases’ of his development since moving to Serie A: “I’m living (the second one) now. It’s a change of position,” Fofana said. “It’s as if for five years I’d looked at football in a certain way and now my perception is changing.
“I don’t see the pitch from the same angle. I don’t really have the same benchmarks. For example, when I played in front of the defence, I always knew there were two players behind me, another diagonally on the right and another on the left. I could make passes into those areas without looking.
“Now it’s completely different. I play on the right. When we don’t have the ball, I’m really high up, almost like a striker. When we have it, I’m between the lines. I used to go and get after these players.”
Fofana was asked what it is like to have to learn a new position at the age of 27.
He said: “When you’re told you’re going to play higher up, you’re happy at first. In the end, I learned that that’s not necessarily what I want. I do it for the team. I like to be at the start of the action, to control everything: the speed of my team’s play, the tempo, the ball recovery.”
And what has Fofana learned from this tactical repositioning?
“That I needed to play much faster. When I played in front of the defence, the player marking me was often a striker, who didn’t necessarily defend very well. Whereas here, the player who marks me is usually a defender, usually a tougher opponent. I have to be stronger, to take in more information than before.”
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 02: Youssouf Fofana of AC Milan runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Fofana says that he is unsure whether he would describe the 2025-26 season as a ‘good’ one on a personal level.
“It’s a very good question,” he said. “I agree to learn, but am I doing well for the season? Not good enough, I think. In the position where I play, there’s more focus on statistics, and I think I could have been more efficient.
“I could have had six goals this season and more assists, and then I might have told you that my season’s been good. Aside from that, I’m looking at the medium term. There’s the World Cup and I’m not sure that I’m expected to play in this position.”
Fofana was asked whether that is frustrating for him with the 2026 World Cup quickly approaching.
“At club level, I do it.. Especially when you’re in the mix to win a trophy. But will it help me in the future? I’m divided about that.”
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: Youssouf Fofana of AC Milan competes for the ball with Nicolo’ Barella of Inter during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Fofana has not been called up to the France national team squad since October 2024.
“At first it wasn’t a great experience. I wondered why I wasn’t getting called up. Then I started watching the matches and said to myself ‘okay Youssouf, there are other midfielders that are just as strong as you. Whether you’re there or not, the France team gets the same results, so you have to work and wait’.”
Italy and Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori opens up about his scorpion block during last week’s Premier League match against Everton: ‘I didn’t think about it too much, I just reacted.’
It allowed the Gunners to keep a clean sheet and ultimately secure a massive 2-0 win thanks to two late goals.
Calafiori: scorpion block my ‘best’ clearance so far
During a press conference on Tuesday, Calafiori spoke about his defensive action, admitting that it was probably the best clearance in his career so far.
“I think it is the best so far. Also, I think it was so important for the result and the team. I’m really happy about this,” the Italian told reporters before a Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen.
“I didn’t think about it too much. I just looked at the guy shooting and thought I had to take as much space as possible. I just reacted. As we say, we love to defend our house and our goal, and we try to do everything we can.
“It’s important to get a clean sheet. When we do, we usually win the game, so it’s really important to us.”
Arsenal are the Arsenal table leaders with a nine-point lead over Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand.
“I think especially now, from March on to the next few months, it’s the best part of the season as well,” added Calafiori.
“You started so early in the pre-season, and then you work so hard to get to this point, to be in the competition and to be so close to winning. I think it’s a dream to be here.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 28: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Arsenal FC and FC Kairat Almaty at Arsenal Stadium on January 28, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
The Italian is in his second season in North London and is certainly enjoying the atmosphere at the club, on and off the pitch.
“I think we’re all friends. I love them, and I have a good relationship with them,” he said.
“We are friends, first of all. Obviously, then on the pitch you try to compete to get ahead of them, but we’re all friends, and they’re all really good players, I think.
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
“Obviously, we love to chat in the dressing room. We love to help each other, and when it’s time to go aggressive on the pitch or sometimes just be more chill, just to help your teammate or the team at the end. Obviously, sometimes we see each other off the pitch, and I think that’s important.”
The Italian defender also spoke about his defensive movements at Arsenal: “We have a structure, and we have to respect all the principles and things we’ve been trying to learn since the beginning of the season. At the same time, I’m really good at doing what I do, finding this kind of place. But it’s not freedom. If I’m in that position, it means another player covers mine. You need a good structure to defend, it’s not casual, it’s structure.”
Liverpool want to sign a new central defender in the summer transfer window and have made it a top priority, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “We know Liverpool are probably going to have a big overhaul in the centre of their defence come the summer. “Ibrahima Konate’s future is still up in […]
Liverpool want to sign Adam Wharton from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. The report has claimed that Palace want £70 million for the England international midfielder. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “You’ve got the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and others abroad who are very much interested in […]
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe wants to keep Kieran Trippier at the club, according to Football Insider. The right-back is out of contract at the Premier League at the end of the season. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “Trippier is such an influential figure, and I think he still has a lot to offer, as I […]
Tottenham Hotspur are planning to hand Pedro Porro a new contract, according to Football Insider, which has reported interest in the right-back from Manchester City. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “(Man City) have had a long-term interest in Pedro Porro. They know all about the Spanish international, having signed him from Girona in 2019. “I’m sure […]
Manchester United have to pay £70 million to sigm Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “He’s obviously one of the players that’s on United’s list as they look to restructure their midfield next season. “There are a number of players that they are […]
Celtic are interested in signing Andy Robertson in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Robertson is out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the season. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “Robertson is a boyhood Celtic fan, it’s a move that would tug on the heart strings. “But I don’t think there’s any […]
Liverpool want to sign a new central defender in the summer transfer window and have made it a top priority, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “We know Liverpool are probably going to have a big overhaul in the centre of their defence come the summer. “Ibrahima Konate’s future is still up in […]
Liverpool want to sign Adam Wharton from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. The report has claimed that Palace want £70 million for the England international midfielder. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “You’ve got the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and others abroad who are very much interested in […]
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe wants to keep Kieran Trippier at the club, according to Football Insider. The right-back is out of contract at the Premier League at the end of the season. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “Trippier is such an influential figure, and I think he still has a lot to offer, as I […]
Tottenham Hotspur are planning to hand Pedro Porro a new contract, according to Football Insider, which has reported interest in the right-back from Manchester City. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “(Man City) have had a long-term interest in Pedro Porro. They know all about the Spanish international, having signed him from Girona in 2019. “I’m sure […]
Manchester United have to pay £70 million to sigm Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “He’s obviously one of the players that’s on United’s list as they look to restructure their midfield next season. “There are a number of players that they are […]
Celtic are interested in signing Andy Robertson in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Robertson is out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the season. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “Robertson is a boyhood Celtic fan, it’s a move that would tug on the heart strings. “But I don’t think there’s any […]
Prediction: Atletico Madrid to win 2-1 Best Odds: 15/2 Bookmaker: Zetbet Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Champions League this week. The second leg of the last-16 tie between the Premier League club and the La Liga outfit will be held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and is […]
Set to face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa revealed the availability of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham have been two of Real Madrid‘s most significant absentees over the past several weeks, both sidelined through injury. With the UEFA Champions League second leg against Manchester City now just around the corner, head coach Álvaro Arbeloa addressed the availability of the star pair ahead of the trip to the Etihad.
With the Round of 16 second leg scheduled for Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium, Real Madrid’s traveling squad included both Bellingham and Mbappe among the called-up players. Both the Englishman and the Frenchman participated in the training session at the Etihad, though the nature of their involvement immediately became a talking point given their respective injury situations.
When asked at his pre-match press conference whether either player would see minutes, Arbeloa addressed Bellingham first: “Bellingham was the one who wanted to travel with his teammates to be with the team. He is going to continue his recovery and will take part in a portion of the training session, but he won’t be involved tomorrow. It’s very important for his teammates to see him back training. He is going to be one of our leaders, and it’s important that he is here with us.“
Having ruled Bellingham out, Arbeloa was notably more upbeat about Mbappé. “Mbappe is now available, so you will see tomorrow,” the interim head coach said, with the Frenchman expected to come off the bench rather than start.
Bellingham has been out of action since February 1, when he sustained an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg during a match against Rayo Vallecano, and has yet to return to full fitness. Mbappe, meanwhile, was absent for the first leg with a knee sprain, and after reports of a trip to Paris to consult specialists about his treatment, is now in line to feature in the second leg as Madrid chase a place in the quarterfinals.
Do Real Madrid really need Mbappe?
Real Madrid’s 2025-26 season has been turbulent, opening with a Club World Cup defeat before Xabi Alonso was dismissed as head coach following the Spanish Super Cup final loss. Amid the upheaval, Mbappe’s contributions had been the one consistent bright spot, with his lack of defensive effort overshadowed by a staggering return of 38 goals in 33 games.
Despite leading the scoring charts in both La Liga and the Champions League, questions have emerged over whether Real Madrid actually depend on Mbappé to win. Across the eight games he has missed through injury, Los Blancos have recorded six wins against just two defeats.
The Champions League, in particular, has told an interesting story in his absence. Madrid beat Benfica 2-1 in the playoff second leg without him before dismantling Manchester City 3-0 in the first leg, a performance so dominant that it prompted genuine debate over whether Mbappe’s inclusion could actually disrupt the team’s tactical balance.
Arbeloa was asked directly whether Real Madrid were better without Mbappe, and the coach turned the question into a tribute to his squad’s depth: “It is difficult to think that a team could be more competitive without the best player in the world. However, that says a lot about the Real Madrid squad—about the effort many of the players are putting in, and the level and quality of so many of them. So, I am happy that even without having the best player in the world on the pitch, people are speaking so highly of how the team is performing.“
Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
Lionel Messi is set to have his squad boosted as Inter Miami are reportedly closing in the signing of a 18-year-old Argentine through the 2026 MLS season.
Inter Miami have approached the 2026 MLS primary transfer window aggressively, landing numerous signings and committing over $40 million in investments. Now, as part of a move with one eye on the future, Lionel Messi‘s squad is reportedly set to receive another addition in the form of an 18-year-old Argentine.
With the primary transfer window closing on March 26 and Inter Miami holding an international roster slot acquired from the New England Revolution, speculation has been building over one final addition to the squad. Despite co-owner Jorge Mas being coy about any further incoming business, the Herons have been moving quietly on a young signing with around 10 days left in the window.
The agreement with Argentine club Racing Club will see Acevedo join on a one-year loan through December 2026, with an option to buy included in the deal. The structure mirrors the arrangement Inter Miami previously used to bring in Baltazar Rodríguez, who ultimately returned to Argentina when the purchase option was not triggered, though the Herons later pursued a permanent deal that never materialized.
Matias Acevedo of Racing.
According to the Argentine journalist, Acevedo will initially be integrated into Inter Miami II rather than going straight into first-team contention. Before making his move to the United States, the teenager will first renew his contract with Racing, with both clubs currently exchanging documents to finalize the transfer.
Inter Miami and a move aimed at the future
Beyond recent additions such as Mateo Silvetti (19), David Ayala (23) and Rocco Ríos Novo (23), Inter Miami’s transfer activity across the last two windows has largely targeted players aged 25 and above, whether MLS-proven commodities or established names from Europe and South America. The Acevedo deal signals something different, a commitment not to the present, but to the longer-term vision of the franchise.
The 18-year-old has been operating in Racing’s reserve setup as an attacking midfielder, capable of playing across either flank and particularly effective in one-on-one situations. However, given that he has just one first-team appearance for Racing to his name, the likelihood of him breaking into Inter Miami’s senior squad and featuring alongside Messi from the outset is minimal.
With the 2026 MLS season set to be compressed by the World Cup running from June through July, fixtures across all competitions will be packed tightly with limited rest periods in between. Acevedo’s arrival will add depth to help navigate that congested schedule, while also serving as a reflection of Inter Miami’s broader ambitions as a club that is building not just for now, but for the years ahead.
John Terry drew comparison between Arsenal’s Max Dowman and Lionel Messi after the 16-year-old made history against Everton. Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Premier League during an inspired cameo that saw him lead Arsenal to a 2-0 win over Everton. He played a crucial role in Viktor Gyokeres’ 89th-minute opener […]
After revealing feeling "upset" over Carlo Ancelotti's decision to leave him out of the Brazil squad for the March friendlies, Neymar stated that his World Cup dreams are still alive.
Neymar has officially been left out of the Brazil national team squad for the March international window, despite the anticipation built up around a potential return among both the player and his supporters. While he admitted to being “upset” by coach Carlo Ancelotti‘s decision, the Brazilian legend’s dream of featuring at the 2026 World Cup is far from over.
Following the announcement, Neymar attended a Kings League match for his team Furia against DesimpedN in São Paulo, and while in the president’s box, he grabbed a microphone to address his exclusion directly: “I’m going to speak out here because I can’t just let this slide. Obviously, I’m upset and sad that I wasn’t called up.“
Despite the disappointment, Neymar made clear his determination to keep pushing for a place at his fourth World Cup. “But the focus remains—day after day, training after training, game after game. The focus remains. We’re going to achieve our goal. There is still the final squad selection to come,” said Neymar.
🚨 URGENTE!
Neymar fala sobre ausência na convocação da Seleção Brasileira:
"Obviamente estou chateado, triste, por não ter sido convocado, mas o foco continua. Nós vamos conseguir nosso objetivo. O sonho continua."
During the press conference, Ancelotti was candid about his reasoning while keeping the door firmly open for the future: “Neymar can be at the World Cup. If he can reach 100% fitness during the World Cup, then obviously Neymar can be there. Why isn’t Neymar in this squad? Because he isn’t at 100% right now, and I need players who are at 100%. Neymar has to keep working, playing, and proving his quality and his physical condition.“
How will Neymar prepare for the World Cup?
With Ancelotti leaving the door open for Neymar to earn a place in Brazil’s final World Cup roster, the Santos forward has one clear mission: reach full fitness and force his way back into the Italian coach’s thinking. The roadmap from here is straightforward.
Absent from the March window, Neymar’s next major deadline is the final squad announcement, scheduled for May 19. Between now and then, he will have the opportunity to feature in up to 10 Brasileirão matches, two Copa do Brasil games and four Copa Sudamericana fixtures, giving him as many as 16 appearances with Santos to make his case, with each one carrying the weight of a must-win audition for a spot on the plane to North America.
Neymar of Santos and Head coach Carlo Ancelotti of Brazil.
Bayer Leverkusen intend to show Arsenal exactly what they are made of in their Champions League last 16 second leg at Emirates Stadium, so says Kasper Hjulmand. The contest is finely poised at 1-1 following the first leg after Kai Havertz’s 89th-minute penalty cancelled out Robert Andrich’s header. Leverkusen drew with Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich […]
With the friendlies against Mexico and the USMNT scheduled for March, Portugal FA has reportedly submitted a call-up request to Al Nassr for Cristiano Ronaldo, prompting questions over his availability.
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s latest injury has cast serious doubt over his participation in the March international window, with the forward already having been sidelined for more than two weeks. Recent reports, however, have struck a more optimistic tone, with the Portugal Football Federation reportedly submitting an official call-up request to Al Nassr, raising the question of whether Ronaldo will feature against Mexico and the USMNT without match fitness.
With Portugal set to travel to North America for friendlies against Mexico on the 28th and the USMNT on the 31st, anticipation had been building for Ronaldo’s return to the continent ahead of the World Cup. According to TUDN Mexico, the FPF has already formally sent its call-up request to the Saudi club, signaling the federation’s intent to include the star in the tour squad.
The request submitted to Al Nassr covers both Ronaldo and fellow Portuguese forward João Félix, who was part of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League-winning campaign. The key determining factor will be Al Nassr’s forthcoming medical report on Ronaldo’s condition, which is expected to clarify his availability ahead of the squad announcement scheduled for Friday, March 20.
As the Mexican outlet reports, head coach Roberto Martínez is keen to have Ronaldo present during the training camp. However, given the nature of his injury, the striker is unlikely to see game time in either the Mexico or USMNT friendlies.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Roberto Martinez, Manager of Portugal.
Ronaldo’s injury occurred on February 28, when a hamstring problem forced him off during a match. With a reported recovery window of up to four weeks, and having already missed Al Nassr’s last two fixtures, pushing him into action against either Mexico or the USMNT would risk exposing him to a potentially more serious setback.
Cristiano Ronaldo, a fundamental piece for Roberto Martínez’s Portugal
The answer becomes clear when you consider what Ronaldo represents, both on and off the field, for the Portuguese national team. At 41 years old, the former Real Madrid superstar is still performing at a high level, leading the scoring charts under Martínez’s tenure, with a run of 13 goals in his last 14 international appearances.
Speaking at the Portugal Football Summit podcast back on February 23, Martínez made his admiration for Ronaldo abundantly clear: “I have never worked with a player who, every single morning, focuses on trying to make the most of the day to improve. If we could have Cristiano forever, it would be the easiest way to train younger players as they join the national team, because he possesses that level of focus. His desire is to seize every day to get better.“
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal applauds the fans after the draw against Hungary.
Patrick Agyemang has managed to establish as one of the best players of Derby County, shining as the top scorer. Because of this, the USMNT star is reportedly attracting attention from the Premier League in a post-2026 World Cup move.
Patrick Agyemang managed to become one of the best players in Major League Soccer, shining for Charlotte FC for three seasons. Because of this, the USMNTstar completed a €6.9 million transfer to Derby County. Being a usual starter, he has managed to score 10 goals, becoming the top scorer alongside Carlton Morris. After his strong performances, he is reportedly getting closer to the Premier League in a post-2026 World Cup move.
According to Football Insider, the performances of Patrick Agyemang are attracting the attention of two Premier League teams: Leeds United and Crystal Palace. As both teams are established in the league, the USMNT star could prioritize a move that guarantees him playing time. With both sides having serious scoring problems, the 25-year-old star would have a great opportunity to earn an important role in the rotation.
After shining in the EFL Championship, Agyemang will not leave Derby County easily, as they are asking for €23 million for his transfer. While Crystal Palace are looking for a natural replacement for Jean-Philippe Mateta, Leeds United have been pursuing him as a backup for the duo of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha. For this reason, securing his place with the USMNT and delivering a strong performance at the 2026 World Cup could be decisive.
In case Derby County secure promotion to the Premier League, Patrick Agyemang might not be transferred, as he is the undisputed leader of the offense. However, they have a tough task ahead, as they are 13 points away from the direct promotion spots, making it a difficult mission. If they fail to achieve promotion, the 25-year-old striker could leave the team more easily, but still with a high transfer fee involved.
Patrick Agyemang #16 of the United States celebrates after scoring a goal.
Agyemang’s uphill battle for USMNT 2026 World Cup spot
Following Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival, Patrick Agyemang made his debut on January 17, 2025, scoring a goal against Venezuela and then against Costa Rica. Although he was called up for several consecutive games, a herniated disc he suffered in September 2025 caused him to lose his spot, and he was not called up for the final friendly matches in November 2025. Additionally, the 25-year-old star faces stiff competition for the striker position.
Both Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi appear to be fixed options for coach Mauricio Pochettino. Therefore, Patrick Agyemang would have to compete with Damion Downs and Haji Wright for the third striker spot. If he maintains his strong form, the 25-year-old could secure his place. Despite this, the Derby County star might not receive many minutes, as he has not been a starter since the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he disappointed with his performances.
Patrick Agyemang of Derby County celebrates scoring a goal in the Sky Bet Championship.
Udinese striker Keinan Davis talks exclusively to World Soccer Talk about his journey from Aston Villa to Italy, saving his club from relegation, and competing at the top of the Serie A scoring charts.
From Ollie Watkins to Dominic Solanke, from Ivan Toney to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, you’d struggle to find a single country with a wider plethora of center forwards than England. However, there’s an argument to be made that England’s two best number nines this season have been plying their trade not in the Premier League, but overseas: Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Udinese Calcio’s Keinan Davis.
Born on February 13, 1998, Keinan Vincent Joseph Davis grew up in Stevenage, England, and attended The Nobel School before putting an end to his academic pursuits and prioritizing his footballing career. His dreams of representing Stevenage were destroyed when his manager, Darren Sarll, released him from the squad in 2015, but rather than wallow in misery, Davis decided to drop down a level and join Biggleswade Town’s under-18s. He didn’t last long in non-league play: instead, after impressing in a friendly match against their reserves, Davis underwent a four-week trial at Aston Villa and eventually joined the club in December 2015 on an 18-month contract.
After honing his skills with the reserves, Davis made his first-team debut on January 8, 2017, in a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup. All things considered, he scored 6 goals and 4 assists in 86 appearances and helped the Villans return to the top flight. But after missing the start of the 2021/22 season with a knee injury, Davis found himself out of favor under Steven Gerrard, playing just once in all competitions.
“When I came back in November, I was playing with the under-21s, but obviously, I had played first-team football before, so I was never going to stay with the under-21s,” recalled Davis in an exclusive World Soccer Talk interview. It’s why he decided to return to the EFL Championship and join Nottingham Forest, where he scored 5 goals and 3 assists in 22 appearances and helped them return to the Premier League after a 24-year absence. Rather than challenge for a place at Villa Park, Davis opted to head out on another loan spell, this time to Championship side Watford, where he scored seven goals and two assists in 34 appearances but failed to lift them into a promotion race.
“[Watford] was a difficult period for myself, I’d say, just on and off the pitch. It was just more difficult than the other two places I had been—just stuff off the pitch that could affect things on the pitch. And then collectively, it just wasn’t the best time. The football club is very good… of course, they have a relationship with Udinese, so the people that run it know Udinese very well, and they’re all good. But yeah, it wasn’t the best time for me. We had a good team that season, but we didn’t do too well due to a lot of things. I’m not too sure why, but personally, it wasn’t the best time for me due to a lot of things. But I still appreciate my time there as well as their fans.”
Instead of sticking around in England, Davis decided to start a new chapter in Italy after joining Udinese on a four-year contract on September 1, 2023 (Udinese have the option to renew it for an additional year). After being forced to wait over four months before making his debut due to tearing his left calf muscle in training, Davis finally made his debut against Lazio on January 7, 2024. He struggled for minutes and only made eight appearances, but he nevertheless saved the best for last. Udinese looked set to suffer relegation and drop down to the second tier until the 76th minute of the final matchday, when Lorenzo Lucca chested down a ball for Davis to smash his first goal in Italy. Just like that, Udinese were saved, while their opponent Frosinone were relegated.
Davis’s form improved under new manager Kosta Runjaić, scoring 3 goals and 1 assist in 25 appearances as Udinese finished 12th in the Serie A table. But with Lucca making the move to reigning champions Napoli, Davis has been forced to step up and emerge as the Zebrette’s attacking talisman. He’s answered the call, scoring a goal and an assist in Udinese’s shock win vs. Inter in August before scoring against Sassuolo and Lecce in September and October, respectively. And over the past few months, he has delivered the best form of his entire career, earning praise from the likes of Niccolò Pierozzi and establishing himself as one of the most in-form strikers in the league.
“You can obviously become a better player wherever you are, but for me, because I didn’t really play a lot, it was kind of hard to adapt to Serie A, because obviously you need to play to learn the league and learn the habits of the opposing team and my own team. You need to be able to become better, so it was kind of difficult, trying to adapt without playing. Obviously, you’re watching a lot of the games, but that’s completely different to actually playing in it. It was a bit difficult in the beginning to try to learn the new language and everything like that, but as the time went on this season, I’ve started a lot of games, and each game, I’ve just felt more comfortable and more stable, playing in Serie A.”
After closing out November with a goal at Parma, Davis assisted Jürgen Ekkelenkamp’s winning goal in a shock win vs. Napoli, before ending the year with a 95th-minute equalizer vs. Lazio. He’s built on his red-hot form in 2026, assisting Ekkelenkamp’s decisive winning goal at Torino before bagging from the penalty spot against Pisa, followed by a goal at Hellas Verona. And after missing a month with a left adductor strain, Davis has picked up where he left off.
He returned to the pitch on March 2 and doubled their lead from the spot in a 3-0 win vs. Fiorentina, before doubling their lead at Atalanta, who would pull level with a brace from Gianluca Scamacca. He’s already scored a career-high 9 goals this season, second only to Lautaro Martínez (14) in the Capocannoniere standings, and he’ll be looking to make it double digits against Juventus this weekend. And whilst he’s holding out hope of being included in Jamaica’s World Cup qualifying squad as they look to return to the world’s biggest stage after 28 years, he’s firmly aware that his number one priority is continuing to deliver the goods for Udinese.
“You just never know what the future holds. I’m a lot older now, at 27, so it’s difficult to predict what will happen, and I’ve also had a lot of injuries in my career, so I don’t want to push myself too much with too many games. I just want to focus on Udinese at the moment and build the foundation of my body to restrict injuries.”
Keinan Davis of Udinese looks on during the Serie A match.
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly facing a format change from the AFC in the Champions League Two games that could jeopardize Al Nassr's aspirations.
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s stated goal ahead of the 2026 World Cup is to end Al Nassr‘s long wait for silverware, with the Saudi Pro League serving as the primary target, though the AFC Champions League Two has also emerged as a realistic opportunity. After the original fixtures were postponed, the Portuguese star is now reportedly set to contend with a format change from the AFC for the remainder of the competition.
After eliminating Arkadag FK, Al Nassr were scheduled to face Dubai side Al Wasl in the quarterfinals of the Champions League Two, with the first leg on March 4 and the return leg on March 11. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East forced the AFC to postpone those games, and with the schedule now heavily compressed, a significant structural change is reportedly on the way.
According to Asharq Al Awsat, the AFC is set to announce on Monday that the quarterfinals and semifinals of the Champions League Two will be condensed into single-leg matches played at a neutral venue between April 19 and 22. Rather than factoring in the home regions of the participating clubs, the games are expected to be held in either Oman or Qatar.
The change represents a notable setback compared to the original format, under which Al Nassr would have traveled to Dubai for the first leg before having the opportunity to seal qualification at home in the return fixture. Moving to a neutral venue removes that advantage, which could prove costly given the Saudi side’s extraordinary home record this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr
Al Awwal Park has been one of the most difficult venues in Asia to visit during the 2025-26 campaign. In the Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr have posted a record of 11 wins and just one defeat across 12 home matches, conceding only eight goals, the fewest of any team at home in the division. In the AFC Champions League Two, they have won all four home games while conceding just once.
Al Nassr and the possibility of playing at home
Beyond the Al Nassr-Al Wasl quarterfinal, the AFC will also need to find venues for the other Middle Eastern tie, between Al Ahli Doha and Al Hussein Irbid. On the other side of the bracket, Japanese side Gamba Osaka and Thailand’s Bangkok United have already completed their quarterfinal fixtures and are set to meet in the semifinals.
According to Saudi journalist Khaled Al-Rasheed, the AFC has been in contact with the football associations of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and the UAE to discuss hosting the quarterfinal and semifinal matches in a centralized, tournament-style format. Should the Saudi Football Federation submit a hosting bid, Al Nassr could play both the quarterfinal and semifinal at Al Awwal Park, giving Ronaldo a far better chance of featuring, given his reluctance to travel outside the country during the current period.
Amid the defensive problems of Hansi Flick’s team, the uncertainty surrounding the future of Andreas Christensen continues to grow. For this reason, Barcelona have reportedly given the Dane an ultimatum while monitoring other defenders for next season.
Throughout the season, Barcelona have struggled significantly to find defensive balance. Not only did Iñigo Martínez leave, but Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen have also been absent frequently during the season. Nevertheless, the Dane has been the most affected, as he suffered an ACL injury. Despite this, Hansi Flick’s team offered him a contract renewal, giving him an ultimatum while they continue searching for defenders for next season.
According to Luis F. Rojo in Diario Marca, Barcelona have been negotiating with Andreas Christensen and his agent for quite some time, despite his serious injury. They have offered a two-year extension in which he would earn half of what he currently makes. Nevertheless, the Blaugranas have offered variables that could help him increase his income, based on how many games he plays per season, reaching up to a 50% increase.
Even though the Dane has expressed his desire to remain with the Blaugranas, Christensen has not yet accepted the offer. In addition, the Spanish side proposed a clause stating that if he does not play 30% of the matches, they could unilaterally terminate the contract, as per Diario AS. Nevertheless, Barcelona have reportedly made it clear that they expect a response soon or they will move toward other solutions they have already been scouting.
Andreas Christensen has proven to be one of the most talented defenders at Barcelona, playing a key role in the build-up play. However, he has participated in only 23 of the team’s 106 matches over the last two seasons, a rate of just 21.7%, which is quite low. Because of this, the Blaugranas want to continue investing in him, but under conditions that allow them to manage the situation if he continues to face physical problems.
Andreas Christensen of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring a goal.
Barcelona reportedly keep three center backs on the target list
Seeking to improve defensive consistency, Barcelona remain open to making additions in the defensive line. With the uncertainty surrounding Andreas Christensen, they are keeping different targets on the transfer market, with several profiles on the table. While two stand out in the Premier League, another is emerging strongly in the Belgian Pro League, as the club keeps all possibilities under control.
Along with Alessandro Bastoni and Marcos Senesi, Barcelona have added Joel Ordóñez from Club Brugge to the list. Being only 21 years old, he has already stablished as one of the best in the Belgian Pro League. Nevertheless, they face tough competition as Juventus, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are already speaking with his agents, while Atlético Madrid, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Liverpool F.C. and Chelsea F.C. are following him, reveals Ekrem Konur.
Andreas Christensen of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League.
With their Champions League dreams hanging by a thread, Chelsea will welcome PSG to Stamford Bridge for their second-leg showdown on Tuesday night. Suffering major late frustration over in Paris last week, Liam Rosenior’s struggling squad are seeking what would be an iconic European comeback when they return to west London here. Sat firmly in […]
With the 2026 World Cup in less than 100 days, Carlo Ancelotti has decided to leave Neymar Junior out of the Brazil national team squad for the March friendlies.
Neymar‘s potential return to the Brazil national team has been one of the most debated topics in recent months, particularly after the forward’s move to Santos with an eye on earning a place at the 2026 World Cup. However, head coach Carlo Ancelotti has decided to leave the former Barcelona star out of his squad for the March international window.
At a press conference on Monday, Ancelotti named a 26-man squad for Brazil‘s upcoming North American tour. Among the new faces earning call-ups were Galatasaray’s Gabriel Sara and Bournemouth’s Rayan, but Neymar’s name was absent from the list.
Brazil are set to face two major European nations during the March window. The Seleção will travel to the United States to take on France on March 26 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, before facing Croatia on March 31 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Neymar’s last appearance for Brazil came on October 17, 2023, in a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, a match in which he suffered an ACL injury that kept him sidelined for more than a year. The long and difficult road back to full fitness has kept the legendary forward out of Ancelotti’s plans at international level ever since.
Brazil’s squad list for the March international break.
When asked whether Neymar, who has not featured in any of Ancelotti’s previous squads, could still make it to the World Cup, the Italian coach was cautiously optimistic: “Neymar can be at the World Cup. If he can reach 100% fitness during the World Cup, then obviously Neymar can be there. Why isn’t Neymar in this squad? Because he isn’t at 100% right now, and I need players who are at 100%. Neymar has to keep working, playing, and proving his quality and his physical condition.“
The trip to Mirassol, a key point for Neymar’s dismissal
Ancelotti confirmed he had only called up players who were at 100% fitness, while also leaving the door open for those who miss the March window but will be ready for the World Cup itself, a message directed not only at Neymar but also at other key figures such as Estevao, the top scorer of Ancelotti’s tenure with the Seleção.
When asked directly about Neymar’s absence, Ancelotti pointed to his scouting trip as the decisive moment: “I was scheduled to go to Mirassol to watch the Mirassol-Santos match and see both teams. We were received very well there. Neymar did not play; it’s important to point that out. I have nothing further to add to any of this.“
Brazil’s complete list for March friendlies
Reports from ESPN back in February indicated that Ancelotti had already settled on 18 of the 26 players he intends to bring to the 2026 World Cup. Rodrygo, who suffered an ACL injury, had been part of that group, and his absence opens up a spot for another player to stake a claim, with the March window serving as a final audition for several hopefuls.
The full squad Carlo Ancelotti has named for the March international friendlies is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Bento, Ederson.
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Bremer, Danilo, Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ibañez, Leo Pereira, Marquinhos, Wesley.
Midfielders: Andrey Santos, Casemiro, Danilo, Fabinho, Gabriel Sara.
Forwards: Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Thiago, Luiz Enrique, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, Rayan, Vinicius Junior, Joao Pedro.
Luis Enrique warned Paris Saint-Germain against getting complacent despite their three-goal advantage over Chelsea in the Champions League last-16. PSG ran out 5-2 winners over the Blues in the first leg, but it had been a tight match until the final 16 minutes, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia coming on to make a late impact. Tied at […]
Liam Rosenior confirmed Chelsea could be without captain Reece James for weeks after he sustained yet another hamstring injury at the weekend. James played the duration of Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United, but has since been ruled out of their Champions League last 16 second leg against Paris Saint-Germain. The Blues trail the defending […]
Throughout his extensive career, Carlo Ancelotti has coached several legends, leaving a great mark on their careers. Because of this, he named a starting XI made up only of Brazilian players he has coached, with imposing legends leading this selection.
Carlo Ancelotti has established as one of the greatest coaches in soccer history. He excelled not only with Real Madrid, but also with AC Milan, PSG, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich. Despite this, he had never coached a national team before, so his arrival in Brazilwas quite a challenge. Nevertheless, he has been recognized for coaching numerous Brazilian legends, even daring to field a starting lineup featuring the most outstanding players.
In an interview with Radio Marca, Ancelotti decided to field a starting lineup consisting entirely of Brazilian players he has coached. “In goal I could put Dida.Cafu on the right, Éder Militão or Thiago Silva as center-backs and Marcelo on the left. In midfield Casemiro, Kaká… I’m surely forgetting someone. On the right Rodrygo or wherever he wants, on the left Vinícius Júnior, and up front I have many doubts: Ronaldo Nazário, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho… there are many.”
Although Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. are still young players, Carlo Ancelotti already places them among the best Brazilians he has coached. He even decided to name them before Rivaldo or Ronaldinho, leaving several fans surprised. The truth is that the Italian has boosted the best version of several Brazilians, which has led him to be one of the most respected managers for legends such as Marcelo, Casemiro, Cafu, among others.
Taking advantage of his good relationship with Brazilian stars, Ancelotti seeks to consolidate a winning sporting project, based on collective play. He not only knows Vinícius closely, but also has an excellent relationship with veterans such as Casemiro, giving him more support in the dressing room. In addition, he aims to develop young players like Estêvão, paving the way to create more stars as he has done throughout his career.
Vinicius Junior is subbed off by Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil.
Ancelotti discusses Brazil and the 2026 World Cup situation
Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil have regained their competitiveness, qualifying for the 2026 World Cup despite their recent slump. By relying on Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães in midfield, he has managed to restore stability, with Vinicius, Matheus Cunha, and Estevão leading the offense. For that reason, he has decided to open up about the different reality he faces day after day, mentioning the 2026 World Cup as more than just a motivation.
“Less stress because there are not many matches; it is more a job of observation. There is no need to prepare training every day, it is a different job, with much more pause… Brazil has at least 70 players who can be in the national team, and making an evaluation of all of them is not so simple… They have been asking for it for a long time (the World Cup Trophy). This is not only an objective, it is also a motivation,” Ancelotti said, via Radio Marca.
Even though Carlo Ancelotti has already left Real Madrid, he remains keenly interested in the team’s development. Amid the current crisis, the Italian coach has shared his perspective, identifying the root of the problem and defending Kylian Mbappé.
Despite Carlo Ancelotti leaving Real Madrid at the beginning of the season, he has remained attentive to the team’s development. Following his departure, the team fell into a crisis, and many fans have placed the responsibility on Kylian Mbappé. However, the Italian coach has chosen to elaborate on the issues facing Los Blancos, providing key insights into the main reasons behind the team’s struggles and defending the French star.
“It’s not just about swapping Kroos for Mbappé…The old generation that had created a fantastic atmosphere in the dressing room, which is no longer there…Mbappé’s arrival coincided with two important departures such as Kroos and Nacho… Mbappé did fantastically, scoring 50 goals or so and the team struggled to win titles because soccer is about small details and when you change something, it can’t always go well,” Carlo Ancelotti said, via Diario Marca.
Neither under Xabi Alonso nor Álvaro Arbeloa does there seem to be a clear solution regarding the improvement of the playing style, angering the fans. Nevertheless, Real Madrid come from a successful era where several veterans such as Nacho Fernández, Toni Kroos, Luka Modrić, among others, left the team. Because of this, they are currently going through a restructuring of the squad that may take some time before recovering dominance on the field.
Far from being the culprit of the poor form of Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé is the most important player on the team in the current season. Playing 33 games, the Frenchman has scored 38 goals, contributing 6 assists, being the team’s top scorer in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. Because of this, the criticism may end up being somewhat unfair, as he seems more like the key to recovering the team’s best version than the culprit of the current poor form.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrating.
Real Madrid reportedly eye midfield moves, proving Ancelotti right
Although Real Madrid have numerous stars in midfield such as Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde and others, they have struggled greatly to find balance in the current season. Seeking to improve the competitiveness of the roster, Los Blancos are looking to sign stars for the midfield, giving reason to Carlo Ancelotti regarding the hard impact of the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić.
Chasing to recover dominance and organization in the midfield, Los Blancos reportedly seek Nico Paz’s return by exercising the buy-back clause from Como. Moreover, they also pursue Kees Smith from AZ Alkmaar, according to Diario AS. While it may be difficult to sign both stars, Real Madrid reportedly aims to secure at least one of them. Additionally, they are open to selling Eduardo Camavinga if a solid offer arrives.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti of Brazil and Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid.
After several reports from Todd Boehly upon his arrival at Chelsea F.C., the Premier League has decided to sanction the Blues for one year, as irregularities were found during the era of Roman Abramovich. In addition, the club’s young academy also received a sanction.
While Todd Boehly has started a new era at Chelsea, they decided to carry out a careful inspection upon his arrival. After this, they reported financial inconsistencies during the Roman Abramovich era to the Premier League, UEFA, and the FA. Following an investigation, the Blues have received a severe sanction with a one-year ban from the league, even affecting the young academy for a stipulated period.
Chelsea have been suspended for one year from making signings for the first team for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules between 2011 and 2018. However, this sanction is suspended for two years, allowing them to reinforce the squad during this period as long as they do not commit further violations. Alongside this, they were also required to pay a fine of $13.7 million, the highest in Premier League history.
During that period, the Blues paid $63,200,547.25 million to twelve unregistered agents or entities in connection with the transfers of Eden Hazard, Ramires, David Luiz, André Schürrle, Nemanja Matić, Willian, and Samuel Eto’o. Despite this, they did not receive any point deductions or sporting sanctions such as relegation. Although these events occurred while Roman Abramovich was the owner, Todd Boehly will bear the consequences of these actions.
Far from trying to hide the information, Boehly and his board of directors reported the inconsistencies in Chelsea’s accounts to the Premier League, UEFA, and the Football Association. Because of this, they received a favorable treatment in the sanction, as they constantly cooperated with all the entities. In addition, Todd and BlueCo agreed to retain $200 million in the purchase of the club from Abramovich in case a sanction arrived.
Chelsea won the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup title.
Chelsea young academy also receive a ban
Despite Chelsea constantly cooperating with the Premier League, the FA, and UEFA, they received a major sanction that not only affects the first team, but also the young academy. After discovering irregularities in the period between 2019 and 2022, they have received an exemplary sanction, although slightly lower. Nevertheless, this one will have an immediate effect, affecting specific cases.
The Blues’ young academy has received a ban from registering players for nine months. Nevertheless, this only applies to players who had previously been registered by other Premier League and English Football League clubs’ academies. Because of this, players who are being registered under professional conditions or who are internationals will not be affected. In addition, they must pay a $998,205 fine.
Lionel Messi is always welcome at Barcelona, so says club president Joan Laporta. Messi, who is the Blaugrana’s record goalscorer, left Barca in 2021, joining Paris Saint-Germain before heading on to Inter Miami, for whom he has scored 80 goals. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is thriving in MLS, and is just one goal shy […]
Neither set of supporters was overly optimistic about the prospects of their teams for the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. In fact, Spurs had lost every game they had played since the appointment of Igor Tudor. Dominik Szoboszlai struck a fine free-kick to break the deadlock for Liverpool in the […]
Liverpool have confirmed that they’ve triggered the option to extend the contract of Alisson Becker for another year, meaning the Brazilian goalkeeper is now tied to the Merseysiders until 2027, and according to Teamtalk, the development has prompted several Premier League clubs to enquire about the availability of Giorgi Mamardashvili. Mamardashvili joined Liverpool from Valencia […]
Liverpool have confirmed that they’ve triggered the option to extend the contract of Alisson Becker for another year, meaning the Brazilian goalkeeper is now tied to the Merseysiders until 2027, and according to Teamtalk, the development has prompted several Premier League clubs to enquire about the availability of Giorgi Mamardashvili. Mamardashvili joined Liverpool from Valencia […]
Ahead of the second leg against Manchester City, Real Madrid receive very solid reinforcements. Both Kylian Mbappé and two other players join coach Álvaro Arbeloa’s squad list, giving fans more hope of consolidating a victory in the Champions League clash.
Despite facing low expectations, Real Madrid convincingly defeated Manchester City 3–0 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Rather than sitting back, they intend to extend their advantage in the second leg and prevent a comeback by Pep Guardiola’s team. To bolster their efforts, coach Álvaro Arbeloa welcomes Kylian Mbappé and two other players back to the squad after their absence in the previous match.
Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Álvaro Carreras have joined the squad, offering a crucial boost for coach Álvaro Arbeloa. The Frenchman and the Spaniard are likely to see playing time, but the Englishman faces a tougher challenge, as he did not train with the group this week. Consequently, Jude’s inclusion appears more as a morale boost for the team rather than as a reinforcement expected to log significant minutes.
Mbappé and Carreras both have the potential to see action, but their situations differ slightly. The Frenchman may only play a few minutes to avoid an injury relapse, whereas the Spaniard could start since his injury was not serious. As a result, Real Madrid coach Arbeloa might once again choose an attacking duo spearheaded by Vinícius Jr., partnering with Gonzalo García, to pressure the Citizen defenders.
Arbeloa still faces four key absentees for Real Madrid
Holding a 3-0 advantage from the first leg, Real Madrid emerge as the clear favorite to beat Manchester City in the series. Moreover, they have recovered Mbappé, Carreras, and Bellingham, providing a significant boost compared to the last game. Nonetheless, coach Álvaro Arbeloa still faces the challenge of four key absentees, forcing young academy players to complement the squad.
Kylian Mbappe #9 of Real Madrid C.F. and Vitinha #17 of Paris Saint-Germain.
Rodrygo, Dani Ceballos, Raúl Asencio, and Ferland Mendy are ruled out for Los Blancos due to injury concerns. For that reason, they have included Diego Aguado and Mario Rivas as reinforcements in the defensive line. Moreover, Manuel Ángel and César Palacios join Jorge Cesteros and Thiago Pitarch as academy reinforcements in midfield. Despite this, coach Arbeloa could maintain a similar approach to the previous match, leaving them on the bench.
Real Madrid may need a strong defensive strategy
Although Los Blancos managed to impose themselves offensively in the first leg, they may need to maintain a solid defensive strategy. The Citizens could opt for a much more aggressive attack, as they must overturn a 3–0 deficit, taking advantage of the spaces left by Dean Huijsen in defense. For this reason, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga could anchor the base of midfield, looking to reinforce Antonio Rüdiger.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match.
John Terry drew comparison between Arsenal’s Max Dowman and Lionel Messi after the 16-year-old made history against Everton. Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Premier League during an inspired cameo that saw him lead Arsenal to a 2-0 win over Everton. He played a crucial role in Viktor Gyokeres’ 89th-minute opener […]
Sonia Bompastor lauded the quality of her Chelsea team after they retained the Women’s League Cup title with a 2-0 win over Manchester United at Ashton Gate. Lauren James and Aggie Beever-Jones struck in either half for the Blues as they eased to a comfortable victory, while also being crowned champions for the fourth time. […]
Two camps who will turn their attention back to Premier League duties on Monday night, Brentford will welcome Wolves to west London. While Brentford might have a real uphill battle on their hands in the race to book an iconic maiden European adventure, the Bees have received a string of plaudits from across England’s elite. […]
Despite missing the game, Lionel Messi sent a 6-word message to Inter Miami academy products after the MLS match against Charlotte FC.
Lionel Messi was the most notable absentee in Inter Miami‘s last MLS match against Charlotte FC, with the Argentine star being rested ahead of the midweek Champions Cup clash against Nashville SC. Still, Messi found a way to show his connection to the club by sending a six-word message to the Inter Miami academy players who featured in the game.
With the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup representing the team’s primary objective, head coach Javier Mascherano took the opportunity to rotate his squad against Charlotte, keeping an eye on the second leg against Nashville. At Bank of America Stadium, the Herons lined up with an alternative lineup, with Messi and Rodrigo De Paul not even named among the substitutes.
In a game where goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo emerged as the standout performer with five saves, neither Charlotte nor Inter Miami could find the net, and the match ended in a goalless draw. Nevertheless, Mascherano, who was shown a red card late in the game, used the occasion to hand minutes to fringe players, including Luis Suárez, as well as a group of academy graduates making their mark at the senior level.
Inter Miami celebrated the occasion on Instagram, spotlighting seven academy products who earned a place in the first-team squad. “Seven Academy products on the field last night. A proud moment for our club,” the caption read, accompanying a photo of Noah Allen, Ian Fray, Alexander Shaw, Daniel Pinter, Santiago Morales, Ezequiel Abadía-Reda and David Ruiz.
The post caught the attention of Messi, who was resting in Miami and took the opportunity to congratulate the group. “Un orgullo enorme, felicitaciones a todos!” (“An immense pride, congratulations to everyone!“) he commented on Inter Miami’s post, offering a warm show of support to the young players who had worked their way up from the club’s reserve side.
Of the seven, Allen, Fray, Pinter, Morales and Ruiz started the match, while Shaw and Abadía-Reda came off the bench. Notably, Pinter, Shaw and Abadía-Reda made their MLS debuts after taking part in their first preseason with the senior squad in 2026, underlining the growing role the academy pipeline will play in the club’s long-term development.
Messi set to return against Nashville
The news of Messi’s absence from the Charlotte game only emerged shortly before kickoff, raising a few eyebrows, not so much over the decision itself but over the timing of the announcement. With that match now behind them, Inter Miami are set to welcome several key players back into the fold for the Nashville fixture.
The Herons will host the Boys in Gold on Wednesday, March 18, in what is expected to be the final event at Chase Stadium before the club transitions to the new Miami Freedom Park. With the first leg ending in a 0-0 draw last week, Messi, who is expected to return to the starting lineup, will be aiming to deliver the decisive moment that sends Inter Miami into the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
With Sven Ulreich joining Manuel Neuer and other goalkeepers in the injury list, a 16-year-old Bayern Munich player could end up making his UEFA Champions League debut against Atalanta.
Bayern Munich are facing an unprecedented situation with every first-team goalkeeper sidelined through injury. With Sven Ulreich now joining Manuel Neuer on the treatment table, a 16-year-old is set to make his Champions League debut in the second leg against Atalanta.
Despite being 39 years old, Manuel Neuer remains a key figure for Bayern Munich, but the veteran was the first to fall victim to the injury crisis. Returning to action on March 6 against Borussia Monchengladbach after a fibrillar tear, the World Cup winner was forced off at halftime, and the following day Bayern confirmed he had suffered a small muscle fiber tear in his left calf, sidelining him indefinitely.
Jonas Urbig stepped in to fill the void, starting in place of Neuer against Monchengladbach and then keeping goal in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Atalanta last Tuesday. However, in the final minute of that match, as Marco Pasalic completed a 6-1 scoreline, Atalanta striker Nikola Krstovic collided with the young goalkeeper, who was subsequently diagnosed with a concussion.
With Urbig ruled out, Sven Ulreich was handed the gloves for Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Bayer Leverkusen, which ended 1-1. But on Sunday, Bayern released a statement confirming that the 37-year-old had suffered a muscle tear in his right adductor during the match, leaving the club without a single fit senior goalkeeper ahead of the Atalanta second leg.
Jonas Urbig of FC Bayern Munich.
Who will be Bayern’s keeper against Atalanta?
The second leg at the Allianz Arena is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, with Bayern holding a commanding five-goal aggregate advantage. But with Neuer, Urbig and Ulreich all unavailable, and 19-year-old León Klanac also sidelined since January 1 with a muscle tear, coach Vincent Kompany has been forced to look to the club’s academy for a solution.
Barring an unexpected recovery from Urbig, the name in the frame is Leonard Prescott, a 16-year-old, 6-foot-5 goalkeeper currently playing for Bayern’s U-19 side. The teenager was named on the substitutes’ bench against Leverkusen but has yet to make his senior debut, meaning the Champions League second leg against Atalanta could be his introduction to professional soccer.
Leonard Prescott and the chance of making Champions League history
The record for the youngest player to appear in the Champions League was already broken during the current 2025-26 edition, when Arsenal’s Max Dowman made his debut at just 15 years and 308 days old. While Prescott will not be able to match that mark, he still stands to rewrite the record books in his own right.
Leonard Prescott of Germany.
Should he start against Atalanta on Wednesday, Prescott would become the youngest goalkeeper in Champions League history to feature in the competition at 16 years and 176 days old, surpassing Maarten Vandevoordt‘s previous record of 17 years and 287 days, set when the Belgian played for KRC Genk in 2019. He would also eclipse Paul Wanner as the youngest player ever to appear for Bayern Munich in the Champions League, a record the midfielder currently holds having debuted at 16 years and 293 days old.
Sven Ulreich (L) and Manuel Neuer (R) of FC Bayern Munich.
While Lamine Yamal's Spain has already confirmed a friendly planned for the Finalissima date after its cancellation, questions still rise on what will happen with Lionel Messi's Argentina.
The cancellation of the Finalissima has left both Spain and Argentina scrambling to fill their March international window schedules at the last minute. While Lamine Yamal and La Roja have already secured their replacements, Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste are still staring at a deeply uncertain picture.
The first obstacle that prevented the Finalissima from going ahead was the venue, after Qatar was ruled out due to the ongoing conflict in the region. Spain‘s proposal to host the game at the Santiago Bernabéu did not sit well with the AFA, and when Italy emerged as a neutral alternative, the two federations still could not find common ground, this time over the date, ultimately causing the match to collapse.
Spain wasted little time filling the void. The Serbian Football Federation confirmed the news on its end, announcing that the nation would face the reigning European champions in Spain on March 27, before hosting Saudi Arabia four days later. The venue within Spain has yet to be disclosed.
Serbia had originally been among the nations set to participate in the Qatar Football Festival, alongside Spain, Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, with the Finalissima as the centerpiece event. With the festival scrapped, the Serbian federation moved quickly, locking in the Saudi Arabia friendly first before adding the Spain match to their schedule.
Spain stars Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo.
Lamine Yamal and his teammates had also been scheduled to face Egypt on March 30 as part of the Qatar Football Festival, a game that fell through along with the rest of the event. Spain still have space to arrange a second friendly beyond the Serbia match, with several of the nations that had been tied to the festival remaining available options, though the venue question will need to be resolved first.
What about Argentina?
The Finalissima’s cancellation came as a genuine blow to Lionel Messi, who according to ESPNwas not involved in the final decision and was sincerely looking forward to facing Spain ahead of the 2026 World Cup. With that game now off the table, the AFA finds itself in a difficult spot with the March window almost upon them.
Under the original plan, Argentina were set to face Spain in the Finalissima and then take on Qatar on March 31 as part of the festival. With both events now canceled, and with the previously planned May/June friendlies against Mexico and Honduras also off the schedule, Messi’s team currently has no friendly matches confirmed at any point before the World Cup, with less than 100 days for the competition to begin.
According to Diario Olé, with calendars across the Americas already heavily congested, the AFA is weighing two options. The first is to pursue last-minute alternatives and try to arrange a friendly somewhere in the world. The second, and far less appealing, is for head coach Lionel Scaloni to call his players in to train at Ezeiza, Argentina’s training facility, for ten days and hope a home fixture can be organized, a scenario that would represent a troubling lack of preparation for the defending world champions.
Lamine Yamal of Spain and Lionel Messi of Argentina.
Hat-trick hero Raphinha credited the Camp Nou crowd after Barcelona’s dominant 5-2 win over Sevilla on Sunday, saying that “playing at home forces us to win”. Barca restored their four-point lead at the top of LaLiga following Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over Elche on Saturday, thanks to a five-star display from the Brazilian. Raphinha coolly […]
Dominik Szoboszlai says Liverpool “have to wake up” after conceding a last-minute equaliser in their 1-1 draw with struggling Tottenham. Arne Slot’s side had to settle for a share of the spoils at Anfield, where Szoboszlai’s early free-kick was cancelled out by an untidy Richarlison finish in the dying moments. Liverpool have now conceded eight […]
Although Barcelona are still competing for every title this season, they are already looking to strengthen the roster for the next campaign. After this, Lamine Yamal receives good news, as Inter Milan are reportedly open to selling them one of their stars for €70 million.
Barcelona have managed to remain one of the best teams in the world, showing impeccable attacking power. Nevertheless, they still have serious aspects to improve ahead of next season, so they are already targeting new objectives. Unlike a few weeks ago, Inter Milan have reportedly opened the door to selling one of the team’s stars for €70 million, which would be very positive news for Lamine Yamal.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter Milan are looking to completely remodel their roster, keeping only Pio Esposito and Lautaro Martinez as untouchables. With Barcelona’s interest focused on Alessandro Bastoni, the Nerazzurri have set a transfer fee valued at €70 million, making the move more likely. However, the Blaugranas are still chasing to different ways to reduce the asking fee.
Following the departure of Iñigo Martinez, coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco have identified the Italian as the ideal replacement. Not only does Bastoni have excellent ball control, but he is also experienced in his position, having been an undisputed starter at Inter Milan for over five years. In addition, he reportedly wants to join Barcelona, which could push for his arrival at the Italian side, improving the negotiations.
Having remained a world-class defender, Alessandro Bastoni also holds strong interest from Liverpool, as per Anfield Index. Unlike the Blaugranas, the Reds would be able to pay €70 million or even more to pursue the Italian defender. With Virgil van Dijk already being 34 years old, the 26-year-old star would be a perfect fit to substitute the Dutchman, making him a top target. In that sense, the Italian’s preference may influence his future decision.
Alessandro Bastoni of Inter.
Not only Bastoni: Barcelona reportedly target a Premier League star
While Hansi Flick has managed to raise Barcelona’s overall level, the team still sees the defensive aspect as a key area to improve, making it a position to reinforce. For this reason, they are not only targeting Alessandro Bastoni as their main defensive objective, but they are also keeping an eye on the Premier League, looking for a more experienced and more accessible profile in case the Italian decides to take another path.
According to Ekrem Konur via X, formerly Twitter, the Blaugranas are also targeting Marco Senesi, who will leave AFC Bournemouth as a free agent. Although he also has interest from Juventus and other teams, the Argentine prefers a move to Hansi Flick’s side, where he is appreciated for his experience and low cost. With this, they keep their backs covered, ensuring a defensive reinforcement in the summer of 2026.
Christensen’s future also in doubt
Unlike in previous seasons, Barcelona have retained several key defenders in their backline. Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Jules Koundé, and Eric García are reportedly off-limits for transfer. However, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the future of Andreas Christensen. Despite his serious injury, the club has offered him an additional season. However, the Dane has yet to accept the offer, as it would likely result in reduced playing time and a lower salary.
Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona smiles during warm up.
While being reluctant to give in the Premier League title race against Arsenal, Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola issued a wake-up call to Erling Haaland.
Pep Guardiola has watched Manchester City drop more points in the 2025-26 Premier League as the season heads into its final stretch. While stopping short of conceding the title race to Arsenal, the Spanish coach took the opportunity to issue a pointed wake-up call to star striker Erling Haaland.
On Saturday, the Citizens traveled to the London Stadium to face West Ham United in Matchday 30, with the game ending 1-1. Bernardo Silva gave City the lead, but Konstantinos Mavropanos leveled for the hosts to deny them all three points. The result means City have now drawn back-to-back league games, following the 2-2 at Nottingham Forest, while Arsenal have capitalized with consecutive wins over Everton and Brighton to extend their advantage to nine points.
Despite the growing gap, Guardiola was not ready to wave the white flag when asked about City‘s title prospects after the final whistle: “It’s more complicated. If we’d have won against Nottingham and today it’d have depended on us, now it depends on them. But we have one game at hand: Arsenal at home,” he said.
The Spaniard pointed directly to Matchday 33 as a potential turning point, with Arsenal set to visit the Etihad Stadium on April 19. “I’m not saying it’ll be easy to beat them at home but I’m always positive, as I am for next Tuesday with our people,” he stated, with that reference coming ahead of the UEFA Champions League second leg against Real Madrid at the Etihad.
Mads Hermansen of West Ham United saves a shot from Erling Haaland of Manchester City.
As things stand, Arsenal sit top of the table with 70 points from 31 games, boasting both the most goals scored (61) and the fewest conceded (22) in the division. Manchester City are second with 61 points from 30 games, and should they win their game in hand and then the Etihad showdown with the Gunners, the Premier League title race would be well and truly back on.
Manchester City in need of Haaland’s goals
A significant factor behind City’s struggles to maintain their early-season momentum has been Erling Haaland’s dramatic dip in form. After a sizzling first half of the campaign in which he scored 37 goals in 30 games across club and international duty, the Norwegian has managed just four goals in his last 18 appearances for City, two of which came from the penalty spot.
Speaking with a candor that left little room for misinterpretation, Guardiola addressed his striker’s drought directly: “Erling knows we need his goals. We need to create more chances for him too, but he had three to four good chances early in the first half and didn’t score.“
When asked whether Haaland was carrying an injury, the City boss confirmed he is fit and available for the crucial Champions League second leg against Real Madrid, with the team needing to overturn a 3-0 deficit. “He’ll be back, and hopefully back soon,” Guardiola concluded.
Erling Haaland (L) and Pep Guardiola (R), Manager of Manchester City.
Raphinha stole the show with a hat-trick as Barcelona restored their four-point lead at LaLiga’s summit after Sunday’s 5-2 win over Sevilla. Having seen second-placed Real Madrid thrash Elche 4-1 on Saturday, Hansi Flick’s side responded in emphatic fashion at Camp Nou to keep things under control with 10 league games remaining. Barca came flying […]
Set to face the USMNT and Mexico national team in March, Portugal FA could reportedly have their finances hi if Cristiano Ronaldo ends up missing the international break.
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s participation in the upcoming March international window is very much in doubt as the forward continues to work his way back from injury. With friendly matches already arranged against Mexico and the USMNT, reports suggest the Portugal Football Federation could take a financial hit if Ronaldo is unable to feature.
After picking up a hamstring injury in late February, Ronaldo has already sat out Al Nassr’s last two matches against Neom SC and Al Khaleej FC on Saturday. His availability for Portugal’s upcoming squad has been cast into serious doubt, and the consequences of his absence could extend well beyond the pitch for the FPF.
According to Correio da Manhã, the FPF’s expected remuneration for the games against Mexico and the USMNT could be reduced by as much as 20% if Ronaldo is unable to take part. Fans across North America had been eagerly anticipating the chance to see the Portuguese legend in action, and his absence would be felt both on the field and at the gate.
Portugal has organized a North American tour ahead of the World Cup to familiarize themselves with the venues and conditions they could face in the tournament. The trip begins with a match against Mexico on March 28 at Estadio Banorte, also known as the Azteca, before the Seleção cross the border three days later to take on Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts following an injury.
From the moment the tour was announced, excitement in both host countries reached fever pitch, centered largely around the prospect of Ronaldo’s return to North America for the first time since 2014. That summer, Real Madrid faced Manchester United in a friendly in the United States, which stands as the last time the Portuguese icon set foot on American soil. Adding to the intrigue, Ronaldo has never played a single match in Mexico throughout his entire career, making the Azteca fixture all the more anticipated.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo be part of the Portugal squad?
Having already missed two Al Nassr matches since sustaining his injury, Ronaldo would arrive at any national team camp short of match fitness, even in the best-case recovery scenario. That said, his importance to coach Roberto Martínez’s setup means the door is far from closed on his inclusion.
After UEFA announced the cancellation of the Finalissima between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Lamine Yamal’s Spain, criticism of the AFA intensified. As a result, President Claudio Tapia decided to reveal the reasons behind the game’s cancellation, offering his own account of the situation.
On his official X account, Claudio Tapia, president of the AFA, revealed key details about the cancellation of the Finalissima, citing the neutrality of the match as a factor that prevented it from being played. He also acknowledged that they learned about the proposal to play at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium through the media, which did not comply with the agreed principles, ruling out that possibility.
In addition, Tapia stated that the AFA accepted UEFA’s proposal to play the match at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome but requested a change of date to March 31. Far from seeking a solution, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) informed them that these dates were not possible, leading to the cancellation of the match. With this, he aims to refute UEFA’s statement, which blamed Argentina’s constant rejection.
Despite these clarifications from Claudio Tapia, doubts still arise among fans, as they do not understand the reason for the date change, given that it had previously been agreed to be March 27. In addition, the AFA president did not reveal the reason why the proposal to play in a two-leg format was rejected, leaving fans with more questions than answers. With this in mind, a potential rescheduling of the Finalissima is not likely to happen.
Lionel Messi of Argentina and Lamine Yamal of Spain.
Scaloni vs. de la Fuente: Two perspectives on the Finalissima
Before all the uncertainty surrounding the Middle East match arose, UEFA and CONMEBOL had reached a commercial agreement to play in Qatar, designating Lusail Stadium as the official venue. However, the forced change of plans caused the entire agreement for the Finalissima to fall through. Nonetheless, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni and Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente held two different perspectives on the clash.
According to Ben Jacobs on X, Messi and Scaloni did not want the Finalissima to be played right before the 2026 World Cup. Following the 6-1 loss to Spain ahead of the 2018 edition, the coaching staff felt that this had negatively impacted the team’s performance, so they do not want to face the same issue this time around.
Furthermore, Scaloni had previously criticized the date chosen by UEFA and CONMEBOL for the Finalissima: “I would have preferred not to play it before the World Cup… Spain couldn’t because they had the Nations League, which they came up with themselves, and for us South Americans, it’s been devastating, because we can’t compete against European teams,” he said, via TNT Sports in September 2025.
Unlike Scaloni, Spain’s Luis de la Fuente expressed his fully support to celebrate the Finalissima: “We still don’t know if the game will go ahead or not. We’re waiting for the federations and organizations responsible for making the decisions to do so. Personally, I’d love to see that match take place—the World Cup and Copa América champions against the European champions… I hope it happens, but it’s no longer up to us,” he said, via ESPN on December of 2025.
Amid growing doubts following the loss to Newcastle United, Manchester United handed Aston Villa a resounding defeat, with Bruno Fernandes putting in a brilliant performance. Although he didn't score, he provided two assists to break David Beckham's all-time Premier League assist record.
Despite the recent defeat to Newcastle United, Manchester United managed a convincing victory over Aston Villa thanks to Casemiro, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko. Although Bruno Fernandes did not score, he led the team by contributing two assists. With this, the Portuguese midfielder broke David Beckham’s all-time Premier League assist record, etching his name into league history.
Bruno Fernandes has managed to become the player with the most assists in a single Premier League season for Manchester United, reaching 16 assists after contributing to two goals in the Red Devils’ victory. With this, the Portuguese surpasses David Beckham, who held this record with 15 assists in the 1999–2000 season, breaking a 26-year-old record and making clear his importance in the club’s history.
Not only did he break an important record, but he also played an impressive game with the Red Devils. Being the organizer of the play proposed by coach Carrick, Bruno managed to open spaces for Cunha and Šeško, also contributing at a defensive level. With this, Fernandes is the most important player in the team’s lineup, being the central axis of the collective play, making his continuity beyond 2027 a total priority.
Bruno has managed to become the most important player of the last 10 years at Manchester United, becoming the third player of the team to reach more than 100 goals and more than 100 assists in the Premier League. With this, he joins Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, having 105 goals and 100 assists. Although he is already 31 years old, Carrick has managed to recover his best version, making him irreplaceable alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro.
Another piece of @ManUtd history for Bruno Fernandes ❤️
Read more on the Portuguese's record-breaking achievement 👇
Not only Bruno: Michael Carrick imposes an all-time Manchester United record
Despite Ruben Amorim’s departure seeming to reset the Red Devils’ project, the front office made a brilliant decision by appointing Michael Carrick as interim coach. Not only has he implemented a defined style of play, but he has also brought out the best version of several stars. Alongside this, the Englishman has managed to set an all-time Manchester United record, which could bring him closer and closer to earning a permanent spot with the team.
According to Statman Dave via X, formerly Twitter, Michael Carrick is the first coach in Manchester United history to win six HOME games. Although he has only five in the current season, he also had a short spell as interim coach in the 2021–2022 season, beating Arsenal 3–2. For this reason, the coach becomes a historic figure both as a manager and as a player. Even co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe praised his excellent work, which could open the door to a permanent spot.
While Carrick continues to show an incredible talent for coaching the Red Devils, Ratcliffe did not dare to confirm his continuity at the helm of the team. Because of this, the emergence of Roberto De Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann gains a lot of traction. However, both raise doubts that Michael no longer does, as he has proven capable of improving players individually as well as collectively. For that reason, he emerges as a fan-favorite, pressing front office to make a decision.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United and David Beckham in 2000.
While Lionel Messi's stance over the Finalissima reportedly emerges, CONMEBOL has issued a response to UEFA, rejecting Madrid as a venue over sporting equity concerns.
The 2026 Finalissima has been officially canceled despite the enormous anticipation surrounding a potential clash between two of the strongest teams heading into the 2026 World Cup. With conflicting accounts of how negotiations broke down, and with Lionel Messi‘s reported stance on the game now coming to light, CONMEBOL has fired back at UEFA to explain its reasoning for rejecting Madrid as a host venue.
Hours later, CONMEBOL issued a statement pushing back against UEFA’s version of events: “CONMEBOL and the AFA consistently reiterated their commitment to playing the Finalissima at a neutral venue and accepted the proposed site following UEFA’s prolonged insistence on playing in Madrid. Unfortunately, it was not possible to reach a final agreement to hold the match, as the alternative date requested could not be accommodated given the limited time available.“
Despite the Bernabéu potentially offering a 50-50 split of supporters for each nation, CONMEBOL maintained that the venue was fundamentally inappropriate. “Once the possibility of playing in Qatar was ruled out, both confederations—as well as the Argentine and Spanish federations—dedicated themselves to finding a solution that would satisfy all parties. Within this framework, it is clear that the proposal to hold a single match in Madrid would have violated the principle of sporting equity, as it is not a neutral venue,” part of the statement read.
Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the 2021 Finalissima trophy.
A disagreement over the proposed date then proved to be the final stumbling block: “Under these circumstances, on Saturday, March 14, a proposal reached the AFA to hold the match at a neutral venue, Italy, on March 27. Argentina accepted the idea without objection, except for the date, suggesting March 31 instead. Regrettably, UEFA communicated that holding the match on the 31st—only four days later than the original proposal—was not possible, resulting in the cancellation of the Finalissima.“
With Madrid ruled out and Italy emerging as a potential compromise venue, the two sides still could not find common ground on the date, with UEFA unwilling to move it to March 31 and CONMEBOL equally firm in its position. While reports suggest the competition could be rescheduled for after the 2026 World Cup, neither federation has confirmed a new date.
Messi’s position over the Finalissima
As soon as UEFA and the RFEF announced the suspension of the game, reports quickly emerged pointing to Argentina’s reluctance to participate as a central factor in the breakdown. One narrative cited the memory of Argentina’s 6-1 humiliation against Spain in 2018, a defeat widely seen as having had a damaging effect on the team’s preparations for the Russia World Cup.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, players from both Argentina and Spain were personally willing to play the Finalissima. For Messi, the match would have represented more than just another fixture, potentially adding a 47th trophy to his extraordinary career haul and another piece of silverware with the national team, something he spent years chasing before finally breaking through at the highest level.
Amid the rumors about the injury, Kylian Mbappé appears to be recovering his physical form, opening the possibility of his return against Manchester City. Nevertheless, his potential comeback could trigger a dispute between Real Madrid and France over the upcoming friendlies.
Kylian Mbappé has been surrounded by rumors regarding his knee injury. After missing five matches, the Frenchman appears to be gradually recovering his physical condition, even taking part in today’s training session with the group. While this reignites the possibility of his return for the Champions League clash vs. Manchester City, it could also spark a dispute between Real Madrid and France.
According to José Félix Díaz in Diario AS, Kylian Mbappé will travel with Real Madrid to Manchester to face the Citizens. After treatment over the last three weeks, the Frenchman has significantly improved his physical condition, even taking part in training with the group today. Because of this, he hopes to have a role in the match, but this could lead to a dispute with France regarding his call-up for the upcoming double set of friendlies.
Even though Mbappé appears to be recovering from his injury, Los Blancos are not entirely open to allowing their player to join the national team for the friendlies against and Colombia, reports Daily Mirror. If he plays against Manchester City, France would have full right to call him into the squad, since the only reason to prevent him from joining would be an injury issue—something that would be ruled out if he has playing time Champions League.
Given that his potential appearance against Citizens could lead to a call-up with France, Real Madrid might decide not to risk Kylian Mbappé, as they hold a three-goal lead in the series. Despite this, he could reportedly join the national team for commercial reasons, without seeing any playing time, if he is not cleared to play. However, a potential comeback by Pep Guardiola’s team could force him to see playing time, complicating the situation.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring against Benfica.
Federico Valverde scoring form could slow down Mbappé’s comeback
Kylian Mbappé’s absence seemed like it was going to strongly hurt Real Madrid’s aspirations, but coach Álvaro Arbeloa has found a resurgence without the Frenchman. Although Gonzalo García and Brahim Díaz seemed set to lead the attack alongside Vinícius Jr., they were not the ones who stepped up in terms of scoring. Instead, Federico Valverde surprised everyone by scoring five goals that could slow down the Frenchman’s return.
Not yet being at his physical peak, a possible return for Mbappé would be quite risky, as he could suffer a relapse of his injury, just as Ferland Mendy did, leaving him out of the 2026 World Cup. Moreover, Real Madrid have found in Valverde their scoring talisman, who—alongside Vinícius and Brahim Díaz—has found spaces to shine, becoming the solution to close game against Manchester City.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match.
After their victory against Inter Milan, AC Milan face SS Lazio seeking a win that would bring them closer to the top of the Serie A. With this in mind, fans are closely watching the status of Christian Pulisic for the match, as they hope to see his best version return. Here are the confirmed lineups.
AC Milan face Lazio seeking an important victory in the Serie A to continue chasing the top spot. Coming off two consecutive wins, expectations are high around the Rossoneri, as they have improved their offensive contribution while maintaining strong defensive consistency. Ahead of the match, fans are closely watching whether coach Massimiliano Allegri will once again rely on Christian Pulisic, as supporters hope to see his best version return.
After avoiding setbacks in his injury recovery, Christian Pulisic will start for AC Milan, as he has been a regular presence in the team’s recent training sessions. While the USMNT star appears to be in full physical condition, he has not yet managed to recover his best form, remaining without a goal in 2026. Despite this, coach Allegri has continued to rely on him in the last three matches, showing that he still believes the winger can regain his scoring power.
Coupled with the USMNT star, Rafael Leao will also be in the offense, as coach Allegri has consolidated them as his preferred attacking duo with the Portuguese star in peak form. However, Christopher Nkunku may also play a key role in the rotation. Moreover, Pervis Estupiñan will have a key role, as he has been recovering his best form, netting a goal in the last game.
Unlike AC Milan, SS Lazio arrive at the match in the middle of a season filled with inconsistencies. With only one victory in their last five matches, they need a win to move closer to European competitions, as they currently sit in tenth place in Serie A, greatly disappointing their fans. In addition, they continue to struggle offensively, being one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league with just 28 goals.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring
Lazio lineup vs. AC Milan
SS Lazio face AC Milan looking to surprise with their collective play and defensive solidity. However, coach Maurizio Sarri arrives with six key absences: Ivan Provedel, Danilo Cataldi, Nicolò Rovella and Samuel Gigot, Alessio Romagnoli and Toma Bašić remain doubtful due to physical issues. Despite this, they trust Daniel Maldini—son of Rossoneri’s legend Paolo Maldini—to make the difference by scoring against his former team.
With this in mind, Lazio will play as follows: Edoardo Motta; Adam Marusic, Mario Gila, Oliver Provstgaard, Nuno Tavares; Patric, Kenneth Taylor, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru; Gustav Isaksen, Daniel Maldini, Mattia Zaccagni.
AC Milan lineup vs. Lazio
AC Milan arrive in top form, emerging as favorites against SS Lazio, aiming to close in on the Serie A lead. However, coach Massimiliano Allegri won’t have Adrien Rabiot due to yellow card accumulation, nor Matteo Gabbia and Ruben Loftus-Cheek because of injury. Additionally, Santiago Giménez remains doubtful. Despite this, Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic are expected to make the difference in the scoring side.
Considering this, the Rossoneri will lineup as follows: Mike Maignan; Fikayo Tomori, Koni de Winter, Strahinja Pavlovic, Alexis Saelemakers, Youssouf Fofana, Luka Modric, Ardon Jashari, Pervis Estupiñan; Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao.
Santos host Corinthians on Matchday 6 of the 2026 Brasileirao season. Fans in the United States can follow every moment of the contest, with complete kickoff times and broadcast details for both TV and streaming platforms listed below.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Santos vs Corinthians on US television and via legal streaming:
A fierce rivalry returns in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A as Santos host Corinthians in a matchup with early-season implications. The Peixehave managed just five points from five games.
Meanwhile, Corinthianssit slightly higher with seven points after two wins, one draw, and two losses but still aim to climb the standings. With momentum and pride on the line, this rivalry clash is shaping up to be must-watch action—don’t miss it.
More details about watching the game on Fanatiz
With Fanatiz, you can watch Santos vs Corinthians and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.
In addition, standard Fanatiz plans include access to beIN SPORTS – the network with the rights to Ligue 1, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, the Turkish SüperLig, African club and international competitions, and more. It also has GolTV, the hard-to-find channel that airs the Portuguese Primeira Liga, Ecuadorian Serie A, Peruvian Liga 1, and Uruguayan Primera. The service also has Spanish language coverage of the Argentine Primera and Brasileirão leagues, as well as Colombian and Honduran leagues.
The Fanatiz app is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.
How to watch anywhere with VPN
If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
Following the conflict in the Middle East, UEFA and CONMEBOL had to make major changes regarding the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain. Facing the impossibility of reaching an agreement, the clash between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi has been canceled.
Argentina and Spain were expected to headline a historic showdown in the Finalissima. While everything seemed ready after choosing the Lusail Stadium in Qatar as the venue, the conflict in the Middle East completely changed the circumstances. Because of this, UEFA and CONMEBOL proposed several alternative venues, but failed to reach an agreement. As a result, the anticipated duel between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi has been canceled.
“After much discussion between UEFA and the organising authorities in Qatar, it is announced today that due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima between UEFA EURO 2024 winners Spain and CONMEBOL Copa América 2024 champions Argentina cannot be played as hoped in Qatar on 27 March,” UEFA stated.
UEFA revealed all the scenarios considered for the Finalissima
Far from being the first option, the AFA and the RFEF tried to reach agreements to relocate the venue of the event, opening the door to several possible scenarios. In its latest statement, UEFA revealed that three different venues were considered to host the clash between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Lamine Yamal’s Spain, but all of them were rejected for different reasons.
Lionel Messi of Argentina.
As per UEFA, the first option considered was to play at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on March 27, with a 50-50 split of fans for each national team. While this is a historic venue, Argentina rejected the proposal. Then, a proposal was made to change the format to a two-leg series, with one leg in Madrid on the original date and the other in Buenos Aires during the international window for UEFA EURO and the 2028 Copa América, but this was also rejected.
Far from ending there, UEFA revealed that it proposed a compromise with the AFA that if a neutral venue in Europe were found, the Finalissima would be played on March 27 or March 30, but Argentina rejected. Afterwards, they suggested holding the match after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but Spain did not have available dates. Finally, Lionel Messi’s team declared that they could only play on March 31, ultimately making the clash impossible.
Will the Finalissima clash between Argentina and Spain be reprogramed?
Despite the huge interest in the match between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Lamine Yamal’s Spain, the Finalissima is far from a sure thing. With just a few weeks to go before the 2026 World Cup, both national teams may no longer have available dates. Furthermore, playing it after the anticipated tournament could be impossible, as there are several other commitments in the way. Therefore, the match appears to be canceled altogether.
Lionel Messi of Argentina and Lamine Yamal of Spain.
Liverpool take on Tottenham on Matchday 30 of the 2025/2026 Premier League campaign. Here’s all the essential information, including kickoff times and where the game will be available on TV and streaming.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Liverpool vs Tottenham on US television and via legal streaming:
The race for a Premier League top-four finish continues to heat up as Liverpool host Tottenham in one of the weekend’s most compelling showdowns. Liverpoolremain firmly in the battle for a place in the UEFA Champions League and know a victory is crucial to keep their qualification hopes alive
Meanwhile, Tottenhamarrive under pressure after a difficult run of results that has dragged them uncomfortably close to the relegation fight. With both clubs desperate to change their momentum and secure valuable points, the stakes couldn’t be higher—so be sure to tune in and catch every minute of this must-see Premier League clash.
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Barcelona receive Sevilla in a Matchday 28 clash during the 2025/26 La Liga campaign. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup, including kickoff times and how to watch the match live on TV or via streaming platforms.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Barcelona vs Sevilla on US television and via legal streaming:
Barcelona enter a pivotal La Liga matchup knowing the margin for error has disappeared at the top of the table. After Real Madrid’s dominant 4–1 victory against Elche trimmed the gap between the title rivals to just one point, the pressure is squarely on Barçato secure a win and protect their lead in the standings.
Waiting for them is a Sevillaside battling for survival rather than silverware, sitting only six points above the relegation zone after an inconsistent campaign and desperate for a result that could create some breathing room. With the title race tightening and both teams carrying plenty at stake, this showdown promises high drama.
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With ESPN+, you can watch Barcelona vs Sevilla and tons more soccer games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, Apple, Android, and Amazon Fire devices, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Oculus Go.
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Manchester United and Aston Villa clash on Matchday 30 of the 2025/2026 Premier League campaign. Here’s all the essential information, including kickoff times and where the game will be available on TV and streaming.
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Level on 51 points in the standings, Aston Villahave a major opportunity to climb into third place if they secure a win against Manchester United in a matchup that could shape the race for a UEFA Champions League berth.
Unitedcurrently occupy third thanks to a superior goal difference, but they head into the contest looking to bounce back after a setback against Newcastle. With both sides separated only by tiebreakers and a coveted European spot hanging in the balance, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
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DirecTV Stream has 140+ channels of live TV and unlimited DVR. That includes all of the most important soccer-related channels such as NBC, FOX, ESPN, TNT, CBS as well as more niche soccer channels including FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Univision, TUDN and GolTV.
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Days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi’s Argentina could play a friendly match in the United States.
While negotiations continue over the date and venue for the Finalissima against Spain, Argentina are also mapping out their path toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Just days before the tournament begins this summer, Lionel Messi and his teammates could play a friendly in the U.S.
“Negotiations to face Honduras ahead of the World Cup have progressed satisfactorily,” reported Deporte Total USA this Saturday. “The Argentina national team seems to be clarifying its plans for the June FIFA window.”
After the March FIFA break, during which the Finalissima remains uncertain, the national teams will not play any matches until coaches are required to submit their final 26-player World Cup squads at the end of May.
Once club competitions conclude, the national teams will begin pre-tournament training in North America. In the days leading up to their respective World Cup debuts, they will have the chance to play one or two friendlies during the June FIFA window.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni.
Given the proximity to the World Cup, the top national teams usually select opponents of a lower level for these matches, minimizing unnecessary fatigue and potential injuries. In that sense, Honduras fit the criteria, currently ranked 65th in the FIFA Rankings.
Honduras bring good memories for Argentina
Playing Honduras ahead of the World Cup would not only give Argentina valuable match minutes and help them build competitive rhythm ahead of their opening group stage match against Algeria.
It would also, in a way, mirror the path Argentina took before the 2022 World Cup, which ended with the title after a penalty shootout victory over France. Back then, Argentina also played a friendly against Honduras in the United States: in September 2022, in Miami, Lionel Messi’s team won 3-0.
Less than four years later, Argentina could repeat that preparatory match and face Honduras on U.S. soil. The difference is that this time it would not be in Miami, but in Kansas City, where the team will be based during the tournament.
Inter Miami visit Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer and Lionel Messi is not part of the squad.
This Saturday, Charlotte FC face Inter Miami on Matchday 4 of the 2026 Major League Soccer season at Bank of America Stadium. As happens every time the Herons visit another city, the expectation is to see Lionel Messi, but this time fans will be disappointed.
The Argentine forward is not part of the starting lineup selected by head coach Javier Mascherano, nor is he on the bench. In fact, reports indicate that he did not even travel with his teammates to North Carolina for this match.
The reason for that absence reportedly has nothing to do with physical issues or tactical decisions by the coach, but rather with a precautionary choice. “Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will be absent from tonight’s match in Charlotte. The coaching staff decided to give them rest,” reporter Jose Armando wrote on his X account.
Inter Miami have a key Concacaf Champions Cup clash ahead next Wednesday against Nashville SC, and the idea was to avoid risking an injury that could rule Messi — as well as De Paul — out of that match.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami talks with Javier Mascherano as he leaves the field.
Last Wednesday, the Herons visited Geodis Park for the first leg of the Round of 16 in the continental tournament, where they drew 0-0. Now everything will be decided in the second leg, which will be played at Chase Stadium. Considering that the team’s future in the Concacaf Champions Cup depends on that match, it makes sense that Mascherano preferred to rest his main star this Saturday.
Inter Miami lineup without Messi
It is not common for Inter Miami to play without Lionel Messi, especially while he is healthy. That forces Javier Mascherano to look for a different attacking setup, in order to find alternative ways to create chances compared to the ones the team usually rely on.
For this Saturday’s clash against Charlotte FC, nearly the entire Herons lineup will be different from usual. Up front, Luis Suarez will have the chance to play alongside Daniel Pinter, supported on the wings by Santiago Morales and Mateo Silvetti.
The confirmed Inter Miami lineup for the clash in North Carolina is: Rocco Rios Novo; Ian Fray, Gonzalo Luján, Noah Allen, Sergio Reguilón; Mateo Silvetti, David Ayala, David Ruiz, Santiago Morales; Daniel Pinter, Luis Suárez.
However, the second half passed without Leo getting another opportunity to score. Something similar happened last Wednesday, when the Herons drew 0-0 against Nashville SC. With his absence from Saturday’s clash against Charlotte FC, the long-awaited 900th goal will now have to wait at least until next Wednesday, when Inter Miami play the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 against Nashville SC at Chase Stadium.
ertainty has suddenly surrounded the future of Christian Pulisic at Milan, raising questions about why negotiations over a new long-term contract have unexpectedly slowed down.
Uncertainty has suddenly surrounded the future of Christian Pulisic at Milan, raising questions about why negotiations over a new long-term contract have unexpectedly slowed down. The American star has become one of the central figures in the club’s attacking system, yet talks about extending his stay at San Siro have quietly been placed on hold.
With interest reportedly growing from several Premier League sides and speculation increasing around his future, the timing of the pause has sparked curiosity among fans and observers. The winger remains a vital player for Milan and a cornerstone for the United States men’s national soccer team, but the club has chosen to delay final decisions about his long-term future—at least for now.
Despite Pulisic’s importance to Milan, the club’s leadership is said to have decided to temporarily suspend negotiations for a contract renewal until the end of the 2025-26 season. The move is not believed to reflect tension between the player and the club. Instead, the team’s hierarchy wants to keep the focus firmly on the final months of the campaign before entering complex negotiations about a new multi-year agreement.
According to Calciomercato, the club intends to meet with the player’s representatives once the season concludes to determine the best path forward for both sides. This approach allows Milan to prioritize on-field objectives before addressing administrative matters.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan reacts
Even without an immediate extension, the club remains in a strong contractual position. Pulisic’s current deal runs until June 2027, and Milan also holds a unilateral option to extend the agreement until 2028, giving the Italian giant valuable leverage in any future negotiations.
The real reason behind the delay as Premier League interest grows
While the pause in negotiations initially sparked speculation, the explanation appears to be largely strategic. Both Milan and Pulisic’s camp have reportedly agreed to delay talks until after the season and upcoming international commitments, allowing each side to avoid distractions during a crucial period of the campaign.
The Rossoneri are believed to be planning a major long-term contract offer that could keep Pulisic at the club until 2031, potentially including a significant salary increase. Such a deal would ensure that the American winger spends the peak years of his career at San Siro. For now, however, the club prefers to finalize those discussions when the sporting calendar is less congested.
Even with Milan holding the contractual advantage, the situation has not gone unnoticed across Europe. Several clubs are said to be monitoring Pulisic closely, with teams from the Premier League reportedly among the most attentive observers. His revival in Italy after leaving Chelsea has re-established his reputation as one of Europe’s most dangerous wide attackers.
Among the clubs linked with potential interest is Arsenal, while other English sides have also been mentioned as possible admirers. Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey even suggested the American could be a potential successor to Mohamed Salah if the Egyptian forward eventually leaves Anfield. For now, however, these connections remain speculative, with no formal offers reported.
What does the future hold for Pulisic?
Despite the pause in negotiations and the growing interest from abroad, Milan still views Pulisic as a long-term cornerstone of their project. The club is widely expected to exercise the optional one-year extension in his contract, ensuring his deal runs until 2028 while negotiations over a longer agreement continue.
If a new contract running through 2031 is eventually agreed, it would firmly cement Pulisic’s place as one of the modern stars of the Rossoneri era.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates his goal in a Serie A match.
Despite the American forward’s ongoing struggle to rediscover his scoring touch, manager Massimiliano Allegri continues to trust him as a central figure in the team’s attack.
At Milan, patience has become the defining approach toward Christian Pulisic during a challenging stretch of the 2026 season. Despite the American forward’s ongoing struggle to rediscover his scoring touch, manager Massimiliano Allegri continues to trust him as a central figure in the team’s attack.
The decision might appear surprising at first glance. After all, Pulisic has yet to score a goal in 2026 and has endured a frustrating run that has tested both his confidence and consistency. Yet Allegri’s faith has not wavered, keeping the winger in the starting lineup alongside key attacking partners. Behind that loyalty lies one specific factor that has quietly reassured the Milan coaching staff and convinced them that better performances and goals are on the horizon.
The opening months of 2026 have not been easy for the American international. Pulisic’s last goal came on December 28 against Hellas Verona, and since then, the winger has endured a prolonged drought in both goals and assists. For a player known for decisive contributions in attack, the absence of direct involvement in scoring has naturally drawn attention.
Part of the challenge has stemmed from minor physical issues earlier in the year, which disrupted his rhythm and limited his impact during several matches. Those setbacks made it harder for the winger to maintain the level of sharpness that defined his early performances with Milan. Even so, the club’s coaching staff and teammates have continued to support him. Allegri has repeatedly emphasized that the American’s quality remains unquestioned, and that temporary dips in form are part of a long season.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan looks on prior a Serie A match
Encouraging signs in the Milan derby
One of the most telling examples of Pulisic’s gradual recovery came during the recent Derby della Madonnina against Inter Milan. While the winger did not score or provide an assist in the match, his performance offered several encouraging signals. He showed improved composure in possession, demonstrated greater sharpness in transitions, and played a key role in Milan’s pressing strategy.
More importantly, the match suggested that Pulisic is physically returning to his best condition after earlier setbacks. That improvement has become the foundation of Allegri’s continued trust.
The key statistic behind Allegri’s faith
The most revealing detail emerged from the physical data recorded during the derby. In 84 minutes on the pitch, Pulisic covered more than 11 kilometers, making him one of the most active players in the match. The statistic may not appear glamorous compared to goals or assists, but for the Milan coaching staff, it carries enormous significance.
The distance covered demonstrated that the winger’s fitness level has significantly improved, confirming that the physical problems that hampered him earlier in the season are now largely behind him.
#ACMilan had 4 players in the top 5 for distance covered against Inter.
🇧🇪 Alexis Saelemaekers 🇫🇷 Adrien Rabiot 🇺🇸 Christian Pulisic 🇭🇷 Luka Modric
Beyond sheer effort, the work rate also had a tactical impact. Pulisic’s movement helped disrupt Inter’s build-up play, forcing mistakes and making it harder for the opposition to organize attacks from the back. For Allegri, this type of contribution is crucial in the modern tactical structure of the Rossoneri.
The Milan manager has not hesitated to publicly back the American forward. Speaking about Pulisic’s condition, Allegri recently explained that the winger is steadily improving and contributing positively to the team. “Physically, he is doing much better. He had a good game in the derby. He’s constantly growing,” Allegri said when discussing Pulisic’s recent performances.
AC Milan's Massimiliano Allegri and Christian Pulisic.
Negotiations between Argentina and Spain continue with less than two weeks remaining before the Finalissima.
The organization of the Finalissima has been a headache for all parties involved. The need to find a venue to replace Qatar has forced a tense series of meetings between UEFA, CONMEBOL, Spainand Argentina that still have not produced a resolution.
In that context, Argentina reportedly have set two conditions for the match between the champions of Europe and South America to take place. “AFA’s last counteroffer to play the Finalissima: that it be played on March 31 and at a neutral venue, or it won’t be played,” journalist Gaston Edul wrote on his X account this Saturday.
This report highlights one of the issues that has sparked controversy in recent days: the venue. With Qatar ruled out due to the political tensions that have affected the region for weeks, the most viable alternative appears to be Europe, an option that satisfies all parties since the vast majority of the players are based there.
However, UEFA’s attempts to take the clash to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid have not been well received in South America, where officials believe it violates a key aspect of the Finalissima’s organization: the neutrality of the venue. Reports indicate that Argentina prefer other cities such as Rome, London or Lisbon.
Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association, and Lionel Messi.
This dissatisfaction with the proposal to play in Madrid even led the president of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia, to publicly state that his idea was to bring the match to Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. It has now become clear that this was a negotiation strategy, considering the venue is already booked on those dates for a series of AC/DC concerts.
Could the Finalissima change dates?
Differences over the venue are not the only source of tension right now between Argentina and Spain. With the delay in making a decision on that issue, the calendar has also become an obstacle to staging the match.
Originally, the Finalissima was scheduled to be played on Friday, March 27, a date that is now just 13 days away. That means deadlines are already extremely tight, considering logistical matters such as ticket sales, security operations and team organization.
That is why the reported request from the Argentine Football Association to move the match to March 31 could make sense, as it would provide more time to sort out the organizational details for the clash. The problem with that proposal is that it would force Argentina and Spain to change their plans for the FIFA break.
With the Finalissima scheduled for March 27, the clash between Argentina and Spain was supposed to be each national team’s first match of the international window. Days later, Lionel Scaloni’s team were set to play Qatar, while Luis de la Fuente’s squad were scheduled to face Egypt. If the date is changed, both teams would be forced to move those other matches earlier, if possible, or accept that they will not be played.
Lamine Yamal of Spain and Julian Alvarez of Argentina.
Charlotte FC face Inter Miami CF in a 2026 Major League Soccer regular-season clash. Discover full match information here, including the date, stadium, and broadcast options for viewers across the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Charlotte vs Inter Miami on US television and via legal streaming:
With the 2026 Major League Soccer season beginning to take shape, Inter Miami have quickly rebounded from its opening setback, stringing together two straight wins to climb within a single point of Eastern Conference frontrunners New York City FC and Nashville SC.
Now powered by the influence of Lionel Messi, Miami aim to extend that surge when it meets Charlotte FC, a side still trying to find its rhythm after beginning the campaign with a win, a draw, and a defeat. With momentum on the line and valuable early-season points at stake, this clash promises plenty of intrigue.
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Apple TV is the home for Major League Soccer – where you can watch Charlotte vs Inter Miami and every MLS game. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, Apple TV, smartphone, tablet, Roku, and other smart streaming devices.
Apple TV will stream every MLS game – including MLS Cup Playoffs and Leagues Cup – with no blackouts.
Apple TV is available via the Apple TV app on all Apple iOS devices, Mac, PC, Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick, Android TV, Google TV, LG smart TVs, Panasonic smart TVs, Playstation 4 & 5, Roku streaming devices and smart TVs, Samsung smart TVs, Sony smart TVs, Vizio smart TVs, and Xbox One, One S, Series X and Series S. In addition, you can AirPlay or cast from your phone or computer to any compatible screen.
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Chivas will host Santos Laguna during Matchday 11 of the Liga MX Clausura 2026 tournament. Here is all the essential information ahead of this clash, including start times and complete TV and streaming broadcast details for viewers in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Chivas vs Santos Laguna on US television and via legal streaming:
Chivashead into their upcoming matchup against Santos Laguna looking to keep the pressure on the top of the Liga MX standings. With 21 points, Guadalajara sit just four behind league leaders Cruz Azul and recently regained momentum by snapping a two-game losing streak in Matchday 10.
Meanwhile, Santos Laguna have struggled all season and remain at the bottom of the table with only five points from 10 games, making this a key opportunity for Chivas to continue their climb—so make sure not to miss the action.
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With DirecTV Stream, you can watch Chivas vs Santos Laguna and tons more Liga MX games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick as well as Google TV, Samsung and Peloton.
DirecTV Stream offers a free trial, and often shares with you a variety of different packages to choose from, so you can pick what suits you the best. That also includes packages filled with sports other than soccer including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and more.
DirecTV Stream has 140+ channels of live TV and unlimited DVR. That includes all of the most important soccer-related channels such as NBC, FOX, ESPN, TNT, CBS as well as more niche soccer channels including FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Univision, TUDN and GolTV.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full DirecTV Stream soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
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While Cristiano Ronaldo remains sidelined with injury, the spotlight has shifted toward two other prolific forwards: Ivan Toney and Julian Quinones.
The Saudi Pro League title race continues to deliver drama, and the battle for the Golden Boot has become just as intense. While Cristiano Ronaldo remains sidelined with injury, the spotlight has shifted toward two other prolific forwards: Ivan Toney and Julian Quinones.
All three stars have been central figures in the scoring charts this season, representing Al‑Nassr, Al‑Ahli, and Al‑Qadsiah, respectively. But a dramatic night of soccer, filled with a stunning comeback, title-race implications, and a heated confrontation, has reshaped the race for the league’s top scorer.
What unfolded during and after Al-Ahli’s match against Al-Qadsiah not only altered the dynamics of the championship battle but also reignited the Golden Boot rivalry spectacularly. Al-Ahli entered its away fixture against Al-Qadsiah with the chance to apply serious pressure on league leader Al-Nassr. Early on, the team appeared firmly in control.
The breakthrough came in the 27th minute, when Ivan Toney capitalized on defensive confusion inside the box to open the scoring. The English striker reacted quickest to a loose ball and produced a composed finish to put Al-Ahli ahead. Just before halftime, Valentin Atangana tapped in Galeno’s cross to make it 2-0, putting Al-Ahli firmly in control.
However, Al-Qadsiah mounted a dramatic second-half comeback. Musab Al Juwayr pulled one back in the 63rd minute after a pass from Christopher Bonsu Baah, shifting the momentum. Deep into stoppage time, Turki Al Ammar equalized in the 92nd minute before Ibrahim Mahnashi completed the stunning turnaround in the 98th minute, sealing a remarkable 3-2 victory. The result stunned the visitors and had immediate implications for the title race.
The heated post-match brawl
As emotions ran high after the final whistle, the drama continued off the ball. The match’s intensity spilled over when Ivan Toney became involved in a confrontation with Julian Quinones during the post-match handshake sequence. The altercation quickly escalated, with video footage showing the two Golden Boot contenders exchanging heated words and briefly grabbing each other by the collar before teammates stepped in.
Ivan Toney greets both linesmen but ignores the referee, before getting into a scuffle with Julian Quinones.
The incident appeared to underline the fierce rivalry between the league’s top scorers, whose competition has intensified throughout the season. Fans quickly reacted on social media, with many describing the scene as a reflection of the high stakes surrounding both the title race and the Golden Boot chase.
The aftermath of the match also produced a significant shift in the scoring charts. Ivan Toney now leads the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot race with 25 goals, narrowly ahead of Julian Quinones with 24. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo remains on 21 goals while recovering from injury.
Cristiano Ronaldo refused to play for Al Nassr vs. Al Riyadh on Monday.
That development has reshaped the competition for the award, particularly as Ronaldo’s absence limits his chances of adding to his tally in the immediate future. The Portuguese superstar had entered the campaign pursuing a historic milestone: becoming the first European player to win the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot three seasons in a row.
He previously claimed the award in 2024 with 31 goals and again in 2025 with 30 goals, reinforcing his dominance in Saudi soccer even in the later years of his career. However, the current season has proven far more competitive, with multiple strikers delivering exceptional performances.
Cristiano Ronaldo (left), Julian Quinones (center) and Ivan Toney (right)
Hansi Flick revealed that Gavi could make his return from injury in Barcelona’s LaLiga clash against Sevilla on Sunday, but said the midfielder’s minutes will be managed. Gavi played just two matches for Barca at the start of the season before suffering a knee injury, which required surgery back in September. The 21-year-old’s return comes […]
Real Madrid face Elche in a Matchday 28 clash during the 2025/26 La Liga campaign. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup, including kickoff times and how to watch the match live on TV or via streaming platforms.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Real Madrid vs Elche on US television and via legal streaming:
With the season entering a decisive stretch, the pressure is mounting at both ends of theLa Liga standings as Elche CF and Real Madrid prepare for a crucial showdown. Elchecome into the matchup with 26 points, sitting only one point above the relegation line, meaning every result from here on out could determine their survival.
On the other side, Real Madrid remain firmly in the title hunt but trail league leaders FC Barcelona by four points, leaving Kylian Mbappe and his teammates with virtually no margin for error if they want to keep the championship dream alive. With so much at stake for both clubs, this clash promises intensity from start to finish—so make sure you don’t miss a minute of the action.
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Inter Miami face Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer, and all eyes are on Lionel Messi.
With two wins and one loss in their first three matches of the 2026 Major League Soccer season, Inter Miami are gradually finding their best form. This Saturday they face another challenge against Charlotte FC, and as usual Lionel Messi is at the center of the spotlight.
This time, however, the Argentine forward is making headlines not for his performances on the field or potential records, but for his absence. Head coach Javier Mascherano decided that Messi would not be part of the starting lineup or the bench in order to preserve his fitness ahead of Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup clash against Nashville SC next Wednesday.
It is a significant loss for Inter Miami, as is the absence of Rodrigo De Paul, and it will likely impact their chances of securing a victory in North Carolina. So far, the team has recorded one defeat and two wins in the 2026 MLS season, placing them third in the Eastern Conference standings with six points.
On the other side will be Charlotte FC, who opened the season with a draw against St. Louis City SC, followed by a 3-0 loss to Los Angeles Galaxy and a victory last week against Austin FC. That places them sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with four points.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
Confirmed lineup for Charlotte FC
Unlike most Inter Miami matches, in which opponents focus their efforts on neutralizing Lionel Messi, this time Charlotte FC’s task will be to take advantage of his absence and impose their own style of play.
With that in mind, the confirmed lineup for Charlotte FC against the Herons is: Kristijan Kahlina; Nathan Byrne, Morrison Agyemang, Tim Ream, Harry Toffolo; Brandt Bronico, Ashley Westwood, Pep Biel; Liel Abada, Idan Toklomati, Wilfried Zaha.
Confirmed lineup for Inter Miami
Saturday’s matchup against Charlotte FC comes at an awkward moment in the schedule for the Herons. They played just three days ago against Nashville SC in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 — a 0-0 draw at Geodis Park — and will decide the series next Wednesday at Chase Stadium.
For that reason, head coach Javier Mascherano will be without key players in his starting lineup. In addition to the absences of Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, who are being rested, Maximiliano Falcon is out due to physical issues.
Inter Miami’s confirmed XI is: Rocco Rios Novo; Ian Fray, Gonzalo Lujan, Noah Allen, Sergio Reguilon; Mateo Silvetti,David Ayala, David Ruiz, Santiago Morales; Daniel Pinter, Luis Suarez.
Al Nassr face Al Khaleej Matchday 26 of the 2025/2026 Saudi Pro League. Fin here essential information for fans in the USA, including kickoff schedules and broadcast availability across TV and streaming platforms so you can watch every moment.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr on US television and via legal streaming:
The race for the Saudi Pro League title is heating up as the season approaches its final stretch. Al Nassr lead the standings with 64 points, with Cristiano Ronaldo playing a key role as the team tries to stay ahead of three challengers separated by only a few points.
Meanwhile, Al Khaleej FC sit well outside the title race after an inconsistent season, but a victory over the league leaders would be a major statement and could shake up the standings. With plenty at stake, fans won’t want to miss this matchup.
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The club confirmed that Mbappe will not take part in the match, a decision that immediately raised questions across the soccer world.
When Kylian Mbappe is absent from the lineup of Real Madrid, it inevitably becomes one of the most talked-about stories in European soccer. As Los Blancos prepare to face Elche in an important La Liga fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu, fans quickly noticed the French superstar missing from the squad list. The club confirmed that Mbappe will not take part in the match, a decision that immediately raised questions across the soccer world.
For a team still chasing the league leaders and balancing the pressures of European competition, every lineup choice matters. Yet Mbappe’s absence carries particular weight, not only because of his status as the team’s attacking focal point but also because of the broader context surrounding Real Madrid’s demanding schedule.
The clash with Elche arrives at a delicate point in the season for Real Madrid. The club sits near the top of the La Liga table and remains firmly in the title race, trailing Barcelona by a small margin as the season enters its decisive phase.
A victory over Elche would allow Los Blancos to move closer to their rival and maintain pressure in the race for the championship. However, the match also arrives between two crucial legs of a UEFA Champions League tie against Manchester City, forcing manager Alvaro Arbeloa to carefully manage his squad. But before traveling to Manchester, Madrid must navigate the league encounter with Elche, a team fighting to avoid relegation and desperate for points.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid CF.
The real reason Mbappe is missing
The mystery surrounding Mbappe’s absence has a clear explanation. The French forward is still recovering from a knee injury, and the club has decided not to risk him in the La Liga match against Elche as he continues his rehabilitation.
The injury dates back to December, when Mbappe began experiencing discomfort in his left knee. Although he initially attempted to continue playing, the medical staff eventually halted his activity to prevent the issue from worsening.
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed the situation during his pre-match press conference. “[Mbappe] is getting better every day,” Arbeloa explained. “His development is progressing as it should. We made a plan… He won’t be available tomorrow, but I expect he’ll travel to Manchester.” The club’s strategy is clear: prioritize Mbappe’s full recovery so that he can return for the decisive Champions League second leg.
Careful recovery plan and return date set
Despite missing several recent matches, there is growing optimism inside the Real Madrid camp regarding Mbappe’s condition. The French forward has resumed individual training sessions at the club’s Valdebebas training facility, where he has been working on ball control, shooting drills, and resistance exercises designed to strengthen his knee.
According to Arbeloa, the recovery process is progressing according to plan. “The situation is not complicated. He’s getting better every day,” the coach said. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow and especially on Sunday, when we will make a final decision.”
The objective is to have Mbappe available for the trip to Manchester, where Real Madrid will attempt to protect its three-goal advantage and secure a place in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match.
As the league leader prepares to travel to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium for Matchday 26, supporters quickly noticed that the Portuguese captain would not feature in the matchday plans.
The Saudi Pro League clash between Al‑Khaleej and Al‑Nassr has drawn significant attention, not only because of the title implications but also because of the absence of one of soccer’s most iconic figures, Cristiano Ronaldo. As the league leader prepares to travel to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium for Matchday 26, supporters quickly noticed that the Portuguese captain would not feature in the matchday plans.
The encounter represents an important moment in the Saudi Pro League campaign. Al-Nassr enters the match sitting at the top of the league table with 64 points, maintaining a narrow lead over rivals Al‑Ahli and Al‑Hilal in a fiercely competitive title race.
The capital club arrives in outstanding form. Under manager Jorge Jesus, Al-Nassr has assembled one of the most dominant runs in the league this season. The team has won 13 consecutive matches across all competitions while conceding only once in their last 11 games, demonstrating a blend of attacking power and defensive discipline.
Its most recent league match ended with a dramatic 1-0 victory against NEOM, secured thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Mohamed Simakan. Results like that have reinforced Al-Nassr’s status as the team to beat this season.
Meanwhile, Al-Khaleej approaches the match from a very different position. The club currently sits mid-table with around 30 points, recording eight wins, six draws, and eleven defeats. Although it recently secured a 2-1 comeback victory over Al‑Hazem, consistency has been difficult to maintain.
The real reason Ronaldo is missing
Cristiano Ronaldo is not playing against Al-Khaleej because he is recovering from a hamstring injury that proved more serious than initially expected. Medical examinations conducted after a recent league match confirmed that the Portuguese forward had suffered a muscle injury that required rest, rehabilitation, and specialized treatment. As a result, the club decided not to risk its captain in the upcoming fixture.
According to Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus, the striker has temporarily left Saudi Arabia to receive medical care in Spain. “In the last game, Cristiano left with a muscle injury,” Jesus explained. “After the tests he underwent, it became clear that it is a more serious injury than we were expecting. He will need rest and recovery.”
The manager also confirmed that the Portuguese star traveled to Madrid for treatment. “Cristiano will travel to Spain for treatment from his personal physiotherapist. We hope he will return soon to help the team.”
Jorge Jesus, Manager of Al-Nassr, interacts with Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr.
Return already in sight
Early reports suggest that the recovery period could last between two and four weeks, depending on how quickly the muscle responds to rehabilitation exercises. Because of this timeline, the veteran striker will miss several matches in March, including the league encounter against Al-Khaleej.
Despite concerns among fans, the outlook for Ronaldo’s recovery remains positive. The current medical plan suggests that the 41-year-old superstar could return to action toward the end of March or early April, potentially in time for Al-Nassr’s league match against Al‑Najma.
As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, uncertainty surrounds one of Brazil’s greatest stars. Neymar once again finds himself at the center of debate after missing a key match for Santos, a moment that has reportedly frustrated Carlo Ancelotti and the staff of the Brazil national soccer team.
As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, uncertainty surrounds one of Brazil’s greatest stars. Neymar once again finds himself at the center of debate after missing a key match for Santos, a moment that has reportedly frustrated Carlo Ancelotti and the staff of the Brazil national soccer team.
The incident has sparked fresh tension between Neymar’s camp and the Brazilian federation, raising new doubts about whether the 34-year-old forward will be part of the Selecao’s plans for the upcoming international friendlies, and potentially the World Cup itself. What was supposed to be a crucial opportunity for the legendary attacker to prove his readiness instead turned into a complicated episode that has left his international future hanging in the balance.
The situation unfolded during a Brazilian Serie A match between Santos and Mirassol, a game that had drawn special attention from the Brazilian national team coaching staff. As per UOL, Carlo Ancelotti had traveled from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo specifically to observe Neymar’s condition and assess whether he was ready to return to the national team setup.
The Italian coach is preparing to finalize his squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, matches scheduled as the final international window before the World Cup. However, when the lineups were announced, Neymar’s name was missing.
Neymar Junior of Santos looks on during the Brasileirao 2025 match.
The Santos star was not included in the squad for the match, leaving Ancelotti without the opportunity to evaluate him on the pitch. The report goes on to suggest that the decision surprised officials from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), who had expected the forward to feature in what was seen internally as an important audition.
The real reason behind Neymar’s absence
The mystery surrounding Neymar’s absence soon became clearer. The Brazilian club decided to rest the forward due to lingering muscle fatigue and workload management, a precautionary measure designed to avoid further physical issues as he continues his comeback from injury.
According to Globo Esporte, the 34-year-old had spent more than 12 days preparing for the match but mainly focused on physical work, taking a limited part in tactical training sessions. Given his recent injury history, the club opted to protect him rather than risk aggravating a problem during the midweek fixture.
The move may have been logical from the club’s perspective, but its timing proved awkward. With Ancelotti in attendance to evaluate him, the decision effectively eliminated what might have been Neymar’s best opportunity to convince the national team staff of his readiness.
⚠️ Agora! Neymar desabafa nas redes sociais:
“Se eu jogo machucado, tô errado. Se penso em mim, tô errado. Se me poupo, tô errado. Se jogo com dor, tô errado. É muito difícil agradar todo mundo. É muito complicado ser eu. Tenho que ter saco para aturar!”
Tensions with the Brazilian Federation just keep growing
The absence from the Mirassol match reportedly represents a second point of tension between Neymar’s camp and the national federation. Earlier in the year, controversy emerged when the Brazil FA did not publicly acknowledge the player’s birthday on its official channels. The omission reportedly angered the player, who unfollowed the federation’s social media accounts shortly afterward.
Now, with the federation having expected him to appear in the Mirassol fixture after advance notice that the match would be closely monitored, his absence has added another layer of frustration within the national team setup.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United expect to complete the sales of Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford this summer, with a total of €80million expected to boost their finances from the two deals. After two relatively unsuccessful seasons at Old Trafford, Hojlund joined Napoli at the start of this season on loan, with the Serie […]
Mauricio Pochettino wants Noahkai Banks to choose the USMNT over Germany.
It is increasingly common to see players whose personal background makes them eligible for multiple national teams. Globalization and migration trends mean different countries often have ties to rising soccer stars and want to secure them for the future. That is now happening with Noahkai Banks, whom Mauricio Pochettino wants to recruit for the USMNT ahead of Germany.
“Mauricio Pochettino is pushing for Noahkai Banks to play for the United States,” German journalist Florian Plettenberg revealed through his X account this week. “The two have already spoken on the phone.”
Banks is a 19-year-old defender born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in December 2006 who currently plays for FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga. He moved to Europe as a child and progressed through the German soccer youth system before turning professional in January 2025.
Since then, Noahkai Banks has gradually earned a place at Augsburg. In his first season he played eight Bundesliga matches, while in the current campaign his role has become much more regular: he has recorded 21 appearances — 18 as a starter — along with one goal and one assist.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Noahkai Banks must choose which national team to represent
Banks’ performances have not gone unnoticed in the soccer world, and the United States have already shown interest in bringing him into the national team setup. However, the possibility of representing Germany is also appealing, which has led the player to delay choosing a side.
“The 19 y/o centre-back top talent is still undecided and also has strong ambitions to play for Germany. So far, none of the senior officials at the DFB have contacted Banks,” Florian Plettenberg wrote on X.
“Because he has not made a decision yet, it is possible that he will not play any international matches in March,” the report adds. During the upcoming FIFA international break, the USMNT will play two friendlies at home against Belgium and Portugal, while Germany will face Switzerland and Ghana.
Can a player represent two different countries internationally?
Throughout the history of soccer, there have been numerous cases of players representing more than one national team. In the past, the rules were much more flexible than they are today, which even allowed some players to appear in World Cups for two different nations. The most famous example is Real Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas, who competed with Hungary at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland and with Spain at the 1962 World Cup in Chile.
Today, however, that is no longer allowed. A player may switch national teams once if he played no more than three official senior matches before turning 21. But even in those cases, a switch is not permitted if the player has already appeared for his previous national team in a World Cup or a continental tournament.
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino and Augsburg defender Noahkai Banks.
Even without finding the net in 2026 so far, the American star has played his part in a historic accomplishment that has quietly elevated the Rossoneri among Europe’s elite.
For Christian Pulisic, the 2025-26 campaign with Milan has become a season defined not only by attacking influence but also by collective achievement. Even without finding the net in 2026 so far, the American star has played his part in a historic accomplishment that has quietly elevated the Rossoneri among Europe’s elite.
The development reflects a transformation that has taken shape across months of consistent performances. With the club pushing for success domestically and in continental competitions, the contribution of players like Pulisic, even beyond scoring, has become part of a larger story unfolding at the San Siro. Throughout the 2025-26 campaign, Milan has quietly assembled one of the most cohesive teams in European soccer.
While attacking players often dominate the spotlight, the foundation of the club’s success has come from a carefully organized structure that prioritizes balance and discipline. The Rossoneri have approached matches with tactical clarity, maintaining compact defensive lines while allowing creative players the freedom to influence the attack. This balance has allowed Milan to remain competitive across multiple competitions without sacrificing stability.
For Christian Pulisic, adapting to this system has meant contributing in ways that go beyond goals. The winger has frequently been tasked with pressing opponents, tracking back defensively, and helping maintain the team’s shape in transition. All these responsibilities highlight the tactical demands placed on wide players in modern soccer.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan reacts
Even without scoring in the early months of the calendar year, the American’s role in the collective effort has remained significant, reflecting how Milan’s success this season has been driven by teamwork rather than individual statistics alone.
The historic milestone
In the middle of this impressive campaign, Milan achieved a remarkable statistical feat across European soccer. The Red and Blacks currently have the best defensive record among clubs in Europe’s top five leagues, having conceded just 20 goals after the first 20 league matches of the season.
That figure places Milan ahead of every club competing in the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. The rankings underline just how competitive the race has been:
Milan have currently conceded the least amount of goals in Europe's top 5 leagues this season 🧱💪 pic.twitter.com/Ynh6yHnOfw
The margins are narrow, but Milan’s consistency across the season has allowed the club to edge ahead of rivals from across Europe.
The backbone of Milan’s defense
A key factor behind Milan’s defensive success has been the stability and chemistry within the back line. Defenders such as Fikayo Tomori, Strahinja Pavlovic, and Matteo Gabbia have played a pivotal role, combining pace, positional awareness, and aggressive defending to neutralize opposing attackers. Tomori’s ability to anticipate runs and recover quickly has been especially valuable in high-pressure situations.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates his goal with Strahinja Pavlovic that was later disallowed
However, the defensive record is not solely the result of the defense. Milan’s midfield, led by Luka Modric, has also provided crucial protection, ensuring opponents rarely find space between the lines.
Milan’s defensive consistency has played a crucial role in keeping the club near the top of the Serie A standings. Each clean sheet provides not only valuable points but also confidence throughout the squad. For attacking players like Pulisic, a reliable defense offers the freedom to focus on creating opportunities rather than constantly chasing the game.
The name Cristiano Ronaldo carries enormous weight in world soccer, and now the spotlight increasingly follows his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. From youth tournaments with the Portugal national under‑16 soccer team to academy matches with Al‑Nassr, the young forward’s journey is already unfolding under intense scrutiny. Recently, a moment during an Al-Nassr youth match against Al‑Hilal sparked widespread discussion online, with fans suggesting the […]
The name Cristiano Ronaldo carries enormous weight in world soccer, and now the spotlight increasingly follows his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. From youth tournaments with the Portugal national under‑16 soccer team to academy matches with Al‑Nassr, the young forward’s journey is already unfolding under intense scrutiny. Recently, a moment during an Al-Nassr youth match against Al‑Hilal sparked widespread discussion online, with fans suggesting the teenager displayed a glimpse of the competitive fire that made his father one of the greatest players in soccer history.
The viral clip circulated quickly across social media platforms, prompting debate about the teenager’s temperament and competitive spirit. While still in the earliest stages of his development, Ronaldo Jr is already navigating a soccer environment where every action, whether in international youth competitions or academy matches, is analyzed in detail.
As the son of Cristiano Ronaldo, whose career includes five Ballon d’Or trophies and historic spells with clubs such as Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United, the expectations surrounding the young forward are extraordinary. Every appearance, goal, or mistake inevitably sparks comparisons with his father’s legendary career.
The Ronaldo surname has become synonymous with relentless discipline, physical excellence, and record-breaking performances. That legacy provides both opportunity and pressure. For Ronaldo Jr, talent alone is not enough, as observers constantly measure him against standards few players in soccer history have ever matched.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr of Portugal (C) looks on prior to the Men’s U15 International match between Portugal and Japan
Growing up inside elite academies has offered the teenager unique advantages. He has trained in some of the best environments in the sport, benefiting from world-class coaching and guidance. Yet the global attention surrounding his development also means anonymity, often crucial for young players, simply does not exist.
Watch the viral moment in the Al-Nassr U-17 match
The moment that recently captured global attention came during an Al-Nassr U-17 derby clash against Al-Hilal. Late in the game, Ronaldo Jr. was substituted by the coach. According to the referee’s instruction, he was supposed to leave the pitch through the nearest touchline, a standard procedure designed to speed up substitutions.
In the Al Nassr vs Al Hilal match, the coach substituted Junior near the end of the game. The referee instructed Cristiano Jr to leave via the nearest touchline to the substitutes’ bench, but he chose to walk off from the opposite side instead, which…
Instead, the teenager deliberately walked across the pitch toward the opposite side, heading toward his team’s bench rather than the nearest exit. The referee interpreted the action as dissent and issued a yellow card, which ultimately resulted in a suspension for the following match. The incident was widely shared online, with fans noting the resemblance to Cristiano Ronaldo’s fiery competitive personality.
Echoes of his father’s competitive spirit
For many supporters, the moment symbolized something deeper than a simple disciplinary decision. Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary career has often been defined by intense competitiveness, emotional reactions, and a relentless drive to win. Fans quickly drew parallels between father and son, suggesting the teenager may already possess a similar mindset.
Cristiano Ronaldo refused to play for Al Nassr vs. Al Riyadh on Monday.
Some commentators viewed the incident as youthful defiance — a common trait among ambitious young athletes — while others saw it as a glimpse of the determination required to succeed at the highest level. Either way, the moment reinforced the reality that Ronaldo Jr’s development will rarely happen away from public attention.
Cristiano Ronaldo and his son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr
Joan Laporta raised the possibility that Marcus Rashford could remain at Barcelona without the club having to pay Manchester United the full amount of the purchase clause.
Barcelona decided some time ago that they want to keep Marcus Rashford for the long term. However, to make that happen they must negotiate with Manchester United, who expect to receive a considerable fee for the forward. Now Joan Laporta has provided details about a possible alternative to reach an agreement between all parties.
“We could extend the loan further, it depends on what Deco wants,” the presidential candidate said during a recent interview with Jijantes. The reference to sporting director Deco is also key, as it suggests the decision will not depend solely on the wishes of coach Hansi Flick, but rather on alignment among the club’s different decision-makers.
Regarding ways to reach an agreement to extend Rashford’s loan, Laporta spoke about one possibility. “There are formulas, such as completing part of the purchase option with Manchester United and the rest we will see later,” he said. That would mean negotiating a new loan while paying a certain amount as an advance toward the permanent transfer, which could be finalized at a later date.
Finally, Joan Laporta explained the reasons why Marcus Rashford’s continued presence would be desirable for Barcelona. In that sense, he pointed not only to the player’s performances on the field but also to his contributions off it. “He gives us good numbers in goals and statistics, a great atmosphere, and he’s very involved with the Foundation,” the presidential candidate said.
Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta.
Rashford’s numbers at Barcelona
Barcelona’s decision to move forward with securing Marcus Rashford’s continuity next season is based on the performances the player has delivered during his first months with the Spanish side.
Across La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup and the UEFA Champions League, Rashford has recorded 38 appearances, 21 of them as a starter. So far he has contributed 10 goals and 13 assists, which equals 0.60 goal contributions per match.
Manchester United’s stance on Rashford
While Joan Laporta’s comments suggest optimism about a possible agreement with Manchester United to keep Marcus Rashford for another season without having to pay the nearly $35 million purchase clause, reports from England indicate a different position.
Manchester United reportedly are not willing to consider any concessions for Barcelona and have made it clear that Rashford will only remain there if the full clause is paid. In fact, there has been speculation that the Red Devils, given the forward’s performances, now believe they set the price too low.
Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona this summer on loan from Manchester United.
Estadio Azteca will be reopened ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi could be present for the occasion.
On June 11, Mexico and South Africa will play the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Azteca. The legendary venue has been renovated for the event and in the coming weeks it will host its first match in its new form. While the original idea was for Cristiano Ronaldo to be the main attraction there, Lionel Messi could now take that spot.
Given this situation, another alternative has begun to be considered. “There is already a ‘Plan B,’ and it involves welcoming another international star: Lionel Messi,” Marca reported. “Everything is now in Club America’s hands for ‘La Pulga’ to have the opportunity to appear at the new Estadio Azteca, which they are aiming to return to after the FIFA international break.”
Messi could play in Mexican territory soon
Club America are currently competing in the Concacaf Champions Cup, where they eliminated Olimpia of Honduras in the opening round. In the first leg of the Round of 16, they defeated Philadelphia Union 1-0 this week and will play the decisive match in Mexico next week.
Aerial view of the Azteca Stadium under construction.
If they hold onto that advantage, America will advance to the quarterfinals of the continental competition, where they could face Inter Miami. The Herons made their tournament debut on Wednesday with a 0-0 draw against Nashville SC at Geodis Park, and will play the second leg next Wednesday at Chase Stadium.
If Club America and Inter Miami meet in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup, they will play their first match in Florida between April 7 and 9, before facing each other again in Mexico a week later. The plan is that, in that scenario, Lionel Messi’s visit would coincide with America’s return to Estadio Azteca.
“Club America’s board plans to return to their home after the Mexico vs. Portugal match, so they are targeting their Concachampions games there, as well as the rest of the Clausura 2026 season in Liga MX,”Marca reported.
Messi’s matches in Mexico
If the matchup between Club America and Inter Miami in the Concacaf Champions Cup becomes a reality, it would mark Lionel Messi’s fourth match in Mexican territory during his career and only the second official one.
The first two were friendlies. In 2011, Leo took part in an exhibition match featuring current and former players at Ciudad de los Deportes in Mexico City. A year later, in Cancun, he played another similar game for charitable purposes. The most recent precedent came in April 2024, when Inter Miami lost 5-1 to Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mexico will host matches in three cities: Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara. A total of 13 matches will be played there, highlighted by the tournament’s opening game as the most significant. Argentina will not play any of their group-stage matches in Mexico and are unlikely to play there in the knockout rounds.
Lionel Messi would only be able to play on Mexican soil during the World Cup in the unlikely event that Argentina finish third in their group. In that scenario, depending on a combination of results, they could play a Round of 16 match at Estadio Azteca.
At the center of the debate lies a larger question surrounding the future of the Portugal national soccer team, where potential changes after the 2026 FIFA World Cup could reshape the coaching landscape.
The future of Cristiano Ronaldo and his professional relationship with Jorge Jesus could soon become one of the most intriguing stories in world soccer. With both currently working together at Al-Nassr, speculation has begun to grow about whether their partnership might extend beyond the Saudi club. At the center of the debate lies a larger question surrounding the future of the Portugal national soccer team, where potential changes after the 2026 FIFA World Cup could reshape the coaching landscape.
Reports have suggested that the veteran Portuguese manager could emerge as a leading candidate to take charge of the national side once the tournament concludes. If that scenario were to unfold, it could even open the possibility of Ronaldo continuing to work under the same coach at the international level. However, behind the growing rumors and speculation, new information has begun to clarify the true situation.
The managerial future of Jorge Jesus has become a major talking point in Portuguese soccer circles. The experienced coach is currently under contract with Al-Nassr until June 2026, a timeline that aligns almost perfectly with the end of the next World Cup. According to ESPN Brasil, Jesus has long harbored the ambition of coaching the Portugal national team; a role that would represent the pinnacle of his managerial career after decades spent managing clubs across Europe, South America, and the Middle East.
At the moment, the national side is managed by Roberto Martinez, whose tenure is expected to last through the 2026 World Cup. After that tournament, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is widely expected to reassess the coaching position and decide whether a new era should begin. For Jesus, the opportunity to guide the nation’s best players on the international stage would be a unique challenge.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Roberto Martinez, Manager of Portugal.
National team management involves fewer matches than club soccer, but the pressure surrounding major tournaments is often far greater. If appointed, the veteran coach could potentially oversee a squad that still includes Cristiano Ronaldo, depending on whether the legendary forward remains involved with the national side at that stage of his career.
Cristiano Ronaldo could play key figure
While speculation about the Portugal job continues, the immediate focus remains on the situation at Al-Nassr. The Saudi club’s long-term plans appear closely tied to Cristiano Ronaldo’s own future. According to reports from Saudi Arabia, the organization’s strategic decisions, including managerial stability, are heavily influenced by the 41-year-old superstar.
If Ronaldo chooses to remain with the club next season, it is widely expected that Jesus would also continue in his role as head coach. Such a scenario would maintain the current structure at the club and allow Al-Nassr to continue pursuing domestic and continental success.
The partnership between Ronaldo and Jesus has been seen as a key element in the team’s ambitions, particularly as the forward continues to chase one of the most remarkable milestones in soccer history.
Jorge Jesus, Manager of Al-Nassr, interacts with Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr.
The reality behind the Portugal rumors
Despite the widespread speculation, more recent reports have offered a clearer picture of the current situation. According to sources cited by the Saudi newspaper Okaz,there have been no formal negotiations between Jorge Jesus and the Portuguese FA regarding the national team position.
While the idea of Jesus eventually coaching Portugal remains a possibility in the future, the discussions that many believed were already underway have not actually taken place. The report revealed that Jesus coaching the Selecao could be one of the serious possibilities in the future, but there have been no negotiations between the Portuguese Football Federation and the coach so far. In other words, the scenario remains largely theoretical at this stage.
Head coach Jorge Jesus (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Al Nassr.
The current United States men's national soccer team coach has been linked with a return to elite club action, and reports suggest he could arrive in Madrid with clear expectations about the squad he would inherit.
Speculation surrounding Mauricio Pochettino and Real Madrid continues to intensify as the Argentine manager emerges as one of the leading candidates to take over the Spanish giant in the coming years. The current United States men’s national soccer team coach has been linked with a return to elite club action, and reports suggest he could arrive in Madrid with clear expectations about the squad he would inherit. Intriguingly, one of the conditions reportedly involves a teammate of Lionel Messi from the Argentina national soccer team that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, adding a layer of intrigue to the unfolding managerial saga.
While the rumors remain speculative for now, the possibility of Pochettino taking the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu has already begun shaping conversations across European soccer. The Argentine tactician is currently focused on preparing the United States for the 2026 World Cup, yet the allure of managing the most decorated club in Champions League history remains difficult to ignore.
ESPN has recently indicated that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez highly regards Pochettino and has considered him in the past as a potential manager. The managerial speculation stems largely from an inconsistent season at the Bernabeu under Alvaro Arbeloa, who took over following the departure of Xabi Alonso. Although Arbeloa has guided the team through a turbulent campaign, the club’s struggles across multiple competitions have reportedly forced the hierarchy to evaluate long-term alternatives.
Real Madrid’s season has been defined by uneven performances in La Liga, elimination from the Copa del Rey, and a challenging path in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages. Facing the realistic possibility of finishing the season without a major trophy, the club is said to be exploring high-profile managerial candidates for the 2026-27 campaign.
Alvaro Arbeloa, Head Coach of Real Madrid, congratulates Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid for scoring.
Among those mentioned alongside Pochettino are notable figures such as Jurgen Klopp, Massimiliano Allegri, Unai Emery, and former Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane. Yet Pochettino’s name continues to stand out due to his experience managing elite squads and his reputation for building cohesive teams.
What did Pochettino say about Real Madrid rumors?
When confronted about the speculation linking him to Real Madrid, Pochettino offered a philosophical response rather than a direct denial. “Everything in its own time. Football will take you where it wants to take you,” he told El Chiringuito when asked about the potential move.
The Argentine also acknowledged the constant noise that surrounds major managerial positions. “There are many rumors… almost always negative, so as long as they’re pleasant…” he remarked, while emphasizing that he maintains strong relationships across many clubs. Although measured, his response has done little to cool speculation about a possible future in Madrid.
While the rumors about Pochettino’s interest in Real Madrid continue to circulate, reports suggest the Argentine would not accept the job without certain guarantees regarding squad reinforcements. According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, two specific signings are part of his vision.
One of the players Pochettino reportedly wants is Cristian Romero, the Argentina national team defender and 2022 World Cup winner alongside Lionel Messi. The Tottenham centre-back has developed into one of the most aggressive and reliable defenders in European soccer, and Pochettino previously admired his qualities during his time monitoring Premier League talent.
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero.
The second name on the list is Marco Verratti, the experienced Italian midfielder currently playing for Al-Duhail. Pochettino worked closely with Verratti during his spell at Paris Saint-Germain, where the midfielder was a central figure in the team’s possession-based style. Together, these potential signings reflect Pochettino’s desire to reshape Real Madrid with a balance of defensive intensity and midfield control.
Lionel Messi (left) and Mauricio Pochettino (right).
Beyond the rumors linking him to Real Madrid, Jurgen Klopp could return to coaching elsewhere after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Since his departure from Liverpool in the summer of 2024, Jurgen Klopp has been linked with several clubs, including Real Madrid. So far those possibilities have been dismissed by the coach and his entourage, but now a more viable option could emerge after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Serving as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull since January 2025, Klopp has so far avoided a return to management. “A quick return to the sidelines of a top club is out of the question, according to sources close to Klopp,”Bild reported this week.
“However, another scenario is being discussed more and more loudly at RB – and is considered very conceivable: a move to the DFB and the role of national coach in the summer,”the report adds, referring to the possibility of taking charge of Germany after the 2026 World Cup.
According to Bild, executives at the DFB have contacted Klopp several times to offer him the job and, citing the words of Marc Kosicke, Jurgen’s advisor, “He feels more of an obligation, that he couldn’t always say no to the job.”
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Germany have another coach currently in charge
The figure of Jurgen Klopp has long been linked with a potential stint with the Germany national team. This is obviously due to his nationality, along with the high profile he built as a coach, particularly with Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, establishing himself as one of the best in the world and a natural option to lead Die Mannschaft.
However, that position is currently held by Julian Nagelsmann. The former Bayern Munich coach took over in September 2023 and has led the team through the entire cycle up to the World Cup that will be played this summer in North America.
During that span, results have been mixed. Nagelsmann has a 58% win rate with Germany, a respectable figure, and led the national team to qualification for the World Cup by winning Group A of the European qualifiers. However, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals of UEFA Euro 2024 at home against Spain and in the semifinals of the UEFA Nations League 2025 against Portugal.
This scenario could put Nagelsmann’s future in doubt depending on what happens at the World Cup. And that could open the door for Jurgen Klopp. “That this could happen in the summer, despite national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s (38) contract running until 2028, is considered very likely by a growing number of people at Red Bull,” Bild reported.
Two days before Barcelona’s elections, Joan Laporta and Victor Font are showing completely different positions regarding Lionel Messi.
Barcelona’s elections will take place this Sunday. There, Joan Laporta and Victor Font will compete to win the trust of the club’s members and take charge of the club for the next five years. The figure of Lionel Messi has sparked opposing strategies between the two candidates.
Over the past week, Laporta addressed the controversies that emerged about his alleged refusal to move forward with efforts to bring Messi back in 2023 after his departure from Paris Saint-Germain and before his agreement with Inter Miami.
The presidential candidate denied acting with that objective and lamented the missed opportunity. “It was a disappointment because we thought that having Leo for one or two years at Barça could help rebuild the situation, and we were excited about it. We accepted it with good sportsmanship. That’s what happened,” he said, according to ESPN.
However, Laporta later made it clear that Messi cannot be a priority in discussions about Barcelona’s future: “He is part of the past,” the candidate said. “Today Barcelona fans are excited about Lamine (Yamal), Pedri, Cubarsi… Flick on the bench and Deco in the offices.”
Joan Laporta was Barcelona’s president when Messi left the club in 2021.
Regarding plans for the Argentine forward, Laporta acknowledged that his idea is to honor him as a former player of the club. “The issue with Messi is that we want to build him a statue and organize a tribute match when the stadium is finished,” Joan said.
Font considers Messi key to Barcelona’s future
While Joan Laporta considers the Lionel Messi chapter closed regarding Barcelona’s future and limits himself to the idea of a tribute for his history with the club, the other presidential candidate has a completely different vision of what to do with Leo.
During an interview with Sport this week, Victor Font was asked how the wound left by Messi’s departure in 2021 could be healed. “By reconciling with him. By apologizing on behalf of Barcelona fans,” the candidate replied. “It’s extremely important emotionally, but it’s also important economically and could even be important from a sporting perspective.”
Expanding on that idea, Font detailed his plans. “The Messi project we have developed has three pillars. The first is institutional: we would love to propose that he become the club’s honorary president,” Victor began. “The second is economic, where hundreds of millions are at stake if we are able to link the Messi and Barça brands, like Jordan with Nike or Federer with ‘On.’”
Finally, Font spoke about the aspect that may interest soccer fans the most. “The third is sporting: depending on how he sees himself, what the sporting department thinks and what Hansi Flick believes is best for the team, we would decide the most beautiful and exciting way to close this chapter,” the opposition candidate said. “A couple of months ago Flick was asked if he could see himself putting Leo in the team and he replied, ‘Why not.’ Well, ‘why not.’”
After the star forward was absent from Santos’ recent match against Mirassol, speculation quickly spread about whether the Brazilian icon had suffered another injury at a crucial moment in his battle for a 2026 FIFA World Cup spot in Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad.
Neymar‘s physical condition has once again become a major talking point in Brazilian soccer. After the star forward was absent from Santos’ recent match against Mirassol, speculation quickly spread about whether the Brazilian icon had suffered another injury at a crucial moment in his battle for a 2026 FIFA World Cupspot in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad.
The situation drew widespread attention not only because of Neymar’s importance to Santos, but also because Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Brazil, was present at the stadium hoping to evaluate the forward ahead of upcoming international fixtures. As rumors intensified, both the club’s coaching staff and Neymar himself moved quickly to address the growing debate surrounding his fitness and absence.
Concerns about Neymar’s health emerged after Santos drew 2-2 against Mirassol in a league match in which the Brazilian star was notably missing from the squad. Given his recent injury history and a lengthy rehabilitation period over the past two years, many fans and analysts immediately feared the worst.
The timing of the absence added to the intrigue. The Brazilian national team was preparing for a crucial international window, with Ancelotti closely monitoring players who could feature in upcoming friendlies.
Neymar of Santos reacts during the Brasileirao 2025.
What did Neymar say?
As speculation continued to swirl online, the 34-year-old decided to address the rumors directly on social media. His message was both candid and emotional, reflecting the frustration he feels with constant scrutiny about his physical condition. “Since many people are creating theories about what is happening to me: nothing is happening,” Neymar wrote.
The veteran forward explained that no matter what decision he makes regarding his health or playing time, criticism seems inevitable. “If I play injured, as they said last year, I am wrong. If I only think about myself, I am wrong. If I take it easy, I am wrong. If I play with pain or something that could aggravate it, I am wrong.”
⚠️ Agora! Neymar desabafa nas redes sociais:
“Se eu jogo machucado, tô errado. Se penso em mim, tô errado. Se me poupo, tô errado. Se jogo com dor, tô errado. É muito difícil agradar todo mundo. É muito complicado ser eu. Tenho que ter saco para aturar!”
The message highlighted the difficult balance elite athletes face when dealing with injuries while still meeting the expectations of fans and media. “It’s complicated, huh? It’s very difficult to get it right, man. Very difficult, very difficult to please everyone,” he added.
Neymar also criticized those who claim to know his situation without being directly involved. “These people who seem to be by my side every day start making up stories… as if it were the greatest truth in the world,” he wrote. “It’s very complicated to be me, my goodness.”
Careful management after recent surgery
Neymar’s physical condition has been under the microscope for good reason. The 34-year-old only recently returned to action for Santos after undergoing minor surgery on his left knee in December. That procedure was part of a broader effort to help him regain peak fitness following a long period plagued by injuries. Santos has since adopted a careful approach to managing his minutes and training load.
According to club officials, the decision to rest Neymar against Mirassol had already been planned days earlier. The goal was to protect the forward from unnecessary risk while allowing him to continue building physical strength ahead of more demanding matches.
Neymar Jr of Santos smiles prior to a match.
What’s more, the Peixe boss, Juan Pablo Vojvoda, also attempted to calm speculation. “He has no injury or anything,” Vojvoda said when asked about Neymar’s absence. “He feels no pain. It’s true, he’s a player who has been inactive in previous years, so we have to take care of the load.”
According to the coach, the decision to leave Neymar out of the match was purely a precaution designed to manage his workload, especially after a demanding period of physical preparation. “He will arrive well for the game against Corinthians,” the manager added.
Neymar Junior of Santos and Head coach Carlo Ancelotti of Brazil.
Wrexham receive Swansea City in a Matchday 38 showdown of the EFL Championship 2025/26 season. Here’s everything you need to know about this matchup, including the date, venue, kickoff time, and how fans in the USA can watch or live stream the action.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Wrexham vs Swansea City on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Wrexham vs Swansea City
WHAT
EFL Championship
WHEN
4:00pm ET / 1:00pm PT • Friday, March 13, 2026
WHERE
Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network and Amazon Prime Video
With the 2025–26 campaign entering its decisive stretch, Wrexhamremain firmly in the hunt for a playoff berth in the EFL Championship. The Welsh club currently sits sixth with 57 points, holding the final postseason spot but feeling pressure from several challengers close behind in the standings.
That tight margin leaves little room for complacency as they prepare for a matchup with Swansea City, who, based on their points tally, are close to securing a top-six finish, making a victory in this match crucial to keeping their playoff hopes alive until the end.
How to watch the game
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If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Paramount+ soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
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The staging of the Finalissima against Argentina appears increasingly complicated and, in that context, Spain are considering other options.
Over the past few weeks, serious doubts have emerged about the Finalissima taking place due to the need to find a venue to replace Qatar. UEFA and CONMEBOL have not yet reached an agreement and, in that context, Spain are beginning to consider alternatives in case the match against Argentina is canceled.
“With the cancellation getting closer, the Royal Spanish Football Federation is working to ensure De la Fuente has matches in the March window, the last ones before the World Cup roster,”Marca reported. “And that path leads to Serbia, with whom contact has already been made and progress achieved.”
Serbia are one of the strongest European national teams that have definitively missed out on the World Cup. They finished third in Group K of the qualifiers behind England and Albania, which left them without any chance of even competing in the playoffs.
In addition, the suspension of the matches that were scheduled to take place during the March international break in Qatar has also affected them. Serbia were scheduled to face the hosts on March 26 and Saudi Arabia four days later. But the uncertainty surrounding those games has left them available to arrange other commitments on those dates.
Spain coach Luis De La Fuente.
Talks about a potential match between Spain and Serbia have been ongoing for some time, including discussions between the managers of both national teams. “On February 12 in Brussels, during the Nations League draw, Paunovic and De la Fuente spoke about a possible friendly in the future,”Marca revealed.
Spain and Serbia could face each other regardless of what happens with the Finalissima
The cancellation of the matches that were supposed to be played later this month in Qatar has put into question all the fixtures national teams had planned for the March FIFA break. In addition to the match against Argentina, Spain were also scheduled to play a friendly against Egypt, also in Qatar, three days later.
That now seems less likely. “Even if the Finalissima ends up being played in Europe, Spain would face Serbia instead of the friendly against Egypt scheduled for March 30,” the Marca report added. “As for the possible venue, the RFEF is considering taking the match to southern Spain.”
Finalissima at serious risk due to venue disagreements
All these developments are mainly related to the possibility that the Finalissima could be canceled. The inability to stage the match in Qatar would affect commercial commitments that make the game less attractive for the associations involved, particularly Argentina, while disputes over the choice of a new venue have also contributed to rising tensions.
While Spain and UEFA proposed the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid as the ideal venue, Argentina made an unexpected counterproposal by insisting on bringing the match to Buenos Aires, at Monumental Stadium. With this tug-of-war, the chances of reaching an agreement satisfactory to all parties appear increasingly remote.
Lamine Yamal of Spain looks on during the UEFA Nations League 2025.
With the Spanish club entering a crucial phase of the season, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has provided a fresh update on the French star’s condition after he was ruled out of the upcoming La Liga match against Elche.
Kylian Mbappe‘s injury status has become one of the most closely watched stories surrounding Real Madrid in recent weeks. With the Spanish club entering a crucial phase of the season, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has provided a fresh update on the French star’s condition after he was ruled out of the upcoming La Liga match against Elche.
While the forward will miss the domestic clash as he continues to recover from a knee injury, the manager hinted that the club is carefully managing his return for an even bigger fixture: the decisive UEFA Champions League showdown against Manchester City. For now, Real Madrid has chosen caution over urgency, prioritizing Mbappe’s long-term fitness rather than rushing him back into action too soon.
Mbappe out of Elche fixture as recovery continues
Thus, Real Madrid confirmed that Kylian Mbappe will not feature in their upcoming La Liga fixture against Elche as he continues recovering from a knee problem that has troubled him for months. The French forward has been sidelined recently due to a sprain in his left knee, an issue that dates back to December. Although he initially attempted to play through the discomfort, the club eventually decided to give him time away from competitive matches to avoid aggravating the injury.
Despite positive progress in training, the coaching staff believes the match against Elche comes too soon. Protecting their star forward ahead of more decisive fixtures has become the priority. “The situation is not complicated. He’s getting better every day. His recovery is progressing as it should,”Arbeloa explained during a press conference. “We’ve made a plan, and it depends on his progress, but I think he’ll be fine.”
The update offered reassurance to Madrid supporters, many of whom had been concerned about the forward’s long-term availability. With Mbappe having already scored 38 goals in 33 appearances this season, his absence is felt whenever he is unavailable. Still, the club appears determined to avoid unnecessary risks.
When is Mbappe expected to return?
The biggest question surrounding the situation has been when Mbappe will actually return to the pitch. Arbeloa’s comments offered the clearest indication yet. “He won’t be available tomorrow, but I’m confident he’ll travel to Manchester,” the coach said.
This suggests Mbappe is expected to return for Real Madrid’s Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The timing is significant. Los Blancos already hold a 3-0 advantage from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Federico Valverde delivered a sensational hat-trick.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring against Valencia.
Despite that comfortable lead, the club still views the return leg as a crucial test against the reigning English champions. Reports from the French press also suggest that Mbappe has resumed intensive training sessions, raising optimism that he will be fit enough to join the matchday squad at least.
For now, Real Madrid’s strategy is clear: protect their most important attacking weapon today so he can make the biggest possible impact when it matters most.
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe and interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Rumours have appeared recently about Liverpool being willing to sanction the sale of Florian Wirtz to Real Madrid after the Germany international’s first season at Anfield, as he struggles to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League. Outlets in Spain have even gone as far as to suggest that the player himself was pushing […]
While Chelsea might have put in a largely valiant performance over in the French capital on Wednesday night, the Blues find their Champions League dreams hanging by a thread. Eventually falling to a rollercoaster 5-2 loss against the reigning European champions PSG, Liam Rosenior’s side now have a major battle on their hands in the […]
The clash between Lionel Messi's Argentina and Lamine Yamal's Spain for the 2026 Finalissima is reportedly at serious risk of being cancelled.
The Finalissima has been mired in uncertainty for weeks, with the original plan to host the game in Qatar thrown into serious doubt by the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Now, just as fans were gearing up for a generational showdown between Lionel Messi‘s Argentina and Lamine Yamal‘s Spain, reports have emerged suggesting the competition itself is at serious risk of being canceled altogether.
With the March international window approaching and the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, the Finalissima had been positioned as the marquee fixture of the month. Scheduled for March 27 in Doha, the deteriorating security situation in Qatar forced the two organizing confederations to search for an alternative venue, but the problems run deeper than simple logistics.
According to El Partidazo de COPE, the Finalissima is at genuine risk of not being played at all. The central conflict is not between UEFA and CONMEBOL as organizations, but between the heads of the Spanish and Argentine football federations, RFEF president Rafael Louzán and AFA president Claudio Tapia.
Among the proposals put forward was the RFEF’s suggestion to move the game to the Santiago Bernabéu. However, the prospect of Lamine Yamal and his teammates effectively playing a home match on what was supposed to be a neutral ground did not sit well with the Argentine delegation, and the idea was met with considerable resistance.
General view inside the Lusail stadium, what would’ve been the Finalissima’s venue.
Argentina reportedly unwilling to play the Finalissima
The road to staging this Finalissima has been riddled with obstacles from the start, from the match being repeatedly pushed back in the calendar due to existing fixture commitments on both sides, to the current venue dispute, with the World Cup deadline on the next international window adding further pressure.
The Spain FA had already reached an agreement with Real Madrid to use the Santiago Bernabéu as the new host venue, citing logistical advantages and security considerations in Madrid, given that the vast majority of players from both squads are based in Europe. Argentina, however, is reportedly unwilling to play at the Bernabéu.
According to the Spanish outlet, the RFEF believes Argentina has little appetite to play the game at all. A key factor is the financial dimension: with the Qatari deal now off the table, a significant source of revenue has evaporated. Reports indicate that Doha itself had initially been a sticking point for the AFA, who were not receiving as much money as anticipated until a revised agreement was reached, and without that commercial framework, the incentive for Argentina to participate has diminished considerably.
On the sporting side, the AFA also has reservations. With the World Cup less than 100 days away, there are concerns within Argentina’s camp about the consequences of facing a formidable opponent like Spain and potentially suffering a morale-damaging defeat in the lead-up to the tournament, particularly without a lucrative financial arrangement making the risk worthwhile.
The Finalissima, still a topic of discussion
With the match scheduled for Friday, March 27 and fewer than four weeks remaining, no official resolution has been announced. The conversation, however, is ongoing, with CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez holding a meeting with AFA president Claudio Tapia in an effort to find a path forward.
Seguimos trabajando en conjunto para avanzar en la organización y el fortalecimiento de la Finalissima. pic.twitter.com/3n61TWa5v8
Despite missing Thursday's training, Lamine Yamal's is reportedly expected to feature in Barcelona's next game against Sevilla.
Lamine Yamal raised alarm bells at FC Barcelona after missing Thursday’s training session as the squad returned to work ahead of their next La Liga fixture. Despite his absence from the training ground, reports indicate that his availability for the game against Sevilla is not under threat.
The 18-year-old winger is coming off a starring role in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against Newcastle United, where he converted a penalty in the 90th-plus-sixth minute to earn Barcelona a last-gasp equalizer. Following the game, head coach Hansi Flick gave the squad Wednesday off before returning to training on Thursday, with Yamal the notable absentee.
According to Diario Sport, Yamal’s absence was due to a general feeling of illness rather than an injury, with the club’s medical staff advising him to rest as a precaution. Despite missing the session, Barcelona are confident he will be back on the training pitch on Friday and fully available for Sunday’s match against Sevilla.
Having Yamal fit and firing will be crucial for Barcelona not only in the immediate term but in the days that follow. The second leg against Newcastle United is set for the Camp Nou on Wednesday, leaving just 72 hours between the two fixtures, a tight turnaround that could lead Flick to manage his key players’ minutes against Sevilla with one eye firmly on the European tie.
Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring against Newcastle United.
Yamal, Barcelona’s most important piece of the season
Barcelona caught the soccer world off guard last season, with Flick building a side that became the most prolific in his tenure, registering 286 goals and conceding 120 across in the 103 games he’s been in charge. But in the 2025-26 season, Lamine Yamal has emerged as the undisputed focal point of everything Barcelona do going forward.
In 37 appearances this season, Yamal is the only Barcelona player to have reached 20 or more goals, while also leading the squad in assists with 15. Remarkably, the player closest to him in the scoring charts is not Robert Lewandowski or Raphinha, both on 14 goals, but Ferran Torres, who has contributed 16 goals across all competitions.
Flick is acutely aware of just how central Yamal is to his team’s ambitions, and the German coach has leaned heavily on the teenager throughout the campaign. Yamal currently ranks second on the squad in total minutes played this season with 3,102 across all competitions, behind only defender Eric García, who leads the way with 3,208.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami are reportedly interested in Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate on the Portugal national team.
For years, Inter Miami have targeted top-level players to strengthen the squad and surround Lionel Messi with the best possible talent. In that search, their next target could be Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate with the Portugal national team.
It appears increasingly likely that Silva will not continue with Manchester City once this season ends, as negotiations over a contract extension that expires on June 30 have not progressed. “The decision to leave Pep Guardiola’s club has already been made, and his powerful agent, Jorge Mendes, has already moved to find him a new home in Europe and Saudi Arabia,” reports La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The midfielder’s expected departure from England has attracted the attention of several major clubs. The report claims Juventus are among them: “There has already been some contact with CEO Damien Comolli and sporting director Marco Ottolini.”
Alongside the Italian giants, at least two other European clubs have reportedly shown interest, as well as the reigning Major League Soccer champions. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there is interest from “Galatasaray (recently capable, thanks to favorable taxation, of attracting champions like Osimhen and Sane), Inter Miami and Benfica, who dream of bringing the prodigal son home after 12 years.”
Bernardo Silva of Mancheater City
Bernardo Silva’s current situation
At 31 years old, Bernardo Silva remains a key player for Manchester City. He has played 39 matches this season—32 as a starter—across the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup, recording two goals and five assists.
In addition to competing for the biggest trophies of the season with Manchester City, Silva has the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a major personal objective. He is a key piece in Roberto Martinez’s squad and faces the major challenge of trying to secure the first World Cup title in Portugal’s history.
Considering Bernardo Silva’s age, the tournament in North America this summer could be his last chance to achieve that goal, as well as for an entire generation that includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Joao Cancelo.
Bernardo Silva would be a major signing for Inter Miami
If the reports are accurate and Inter Miami pursue Bernardo Silva, he would be a major addition to the team. They currently have several top-level players to support Lionel Messi, such as Rodrigo De Paul, Sergio Reguilon, and Luis Suarez, but they still feel the void left by the retirements of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
Silva, with very different characteristics, could become an ideal partner for Messi on the field. Both are left-footed players who often operate closer to the right flank, which could allow them to connect and become the creative engine of the team while supplying chances for their teammates.
The drama surrounding this rivalry has recently extended beyond the pitch. A controversial moment following one of the league’s most heated derbies suddenly placed Toney under scrutiny.
The race for supremacy in the Saudi Pro League has become one of the most compelling storylines of the season, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney emerging as the central figures in a fierce Golden Boot battle. As Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli continue their push for the league title, the two prolific strikers have also been locked in a tight race to finish the campaign as the competition’s top scorer.
Yet the drama surrounding this rivalry has recently extended beyond the pitch. A controversial moment following one of the league’s most heated derbies suddenly placed Toney under scrutiny, raising questions about whether disciplinary action might affect the remainder of the season. With crucial matches approaching, the situation has drawn widespread attention, not least from Ronaldo, whose pursuit of another scoring crown could be directly influenced by the outcome.
The controversy stems from the latest edition of the Jeddah Derby, where Al-Ahli faced Al-Ittihad at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. The match delivered both excitement and tension. Al-Ahli ultimately secured a convincing 3-1 victory, temporarily lifting the club to the top of the league standings and strengthening its title ambitions. Toney played a decisive role in the win. The English striker opened the scoring early in the match, finishing from close range. What’s more, the result not only secured derby bragging rights but also had major implications for the Golden Boot race.
Toney’s opening goal proved particularly significant on an individual level. The strike took his tally to 24 league goals this season, reinforcing his position at the top of the Golden Boot standings. By comparison, Cristiano Ronaldo currently sits on 21 goals, leaving the Portuguese legend two behind his rival with nine matches remaining in the campaign.
Julian Quinones and Ivan Toney are tied at the top of the scorers' charts 👀
With both players leading their teams’ attacking lines, the battle between Ronaldo and Toney has become one of the defining narratives of the Saudi Pro League season. But the celebration that followed Toney’s goal soon overshadowed the performance itself.
The complaint that triggered an investigation
Following the derby, Al-Ittihad lodged an official complaint with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF). The club accused the English striker of performing inappropriate gestures toward Al-Ittihad supporters during his goal celebration and requested disciplinary action from the league’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee.
The complaint reportedly cited Article 1/72 of the competition’s regulations, which addresses misconduct during matches. If the allegations are upheld, Toney could face a suspension of at least six matches, a punishment that would have dramatically altered the title race and the Golden Boot contest.
IT’S OFFICIAL: The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has rejected Al-Ittihad’s complaint against Ivan Toney over his celebration in Jeddah Derby 🏴
For Ronaldo, such a scenario could have opened the door to reclaim the scoring lead during the final weeks of the season. However, the disciplinary process would ultimately produce a different outcome.
The Disciplinary Committee’s final decision
After reviewing the case, the Saudi federation’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee delivered its official ruling. The committee rejected the complaint filed by Al-Ittihad against Ivan Toney. According to the official statement, the complaint was accepted procedurally but dismissed after examining the evidence and reports related to the incident.
“The committee clarified that it has completed the regulatory procedures related to the complaint… On the other hand, the committee decided to reject the complaint on substantive grounds after reviewing the facts and reports related to the incident.” The ruling means that Toney will not face disciplinary punishment for his celebration.
Ivan Toney of Al Ahli celebrates after scoring a goal.
One key factor in the decision appears to have been the referee’s official match report. According to reports from Al-Riyadiyah, the referee’s documentation did not mention any inappropriate behavior by Toney during the match. “Ivan Toney will not be punished by the Disciplinary Committee because the match referee’s report did not include any note about him.”
Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Al-Nassr and Ivan Toney (R) of Al-Ahli.
In a campaign filled with elite attacking talent — including stars like Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland — Courtois has quietly achieved something none of them have managed so far.
Few players command the spotlight on UEFA Champions League nights quite like Thibaut Courtois, but the Real Madrid goalkeeper delivered a moment this season that stunned even seasoned observers of European soccer. In a campaign filled with elite attacking talent — including stars like Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland — Courtois has quietly achieved something none of them have managed so far.
The Belgian goalkeeper has remarkably moved ahead of several of the competition’s most prolific forwards in one key statistical category, creating one of the most unusual storylines of the 2025-26 Champions League season. It is rare enough for a goalkeeper to influence a match beyond shot-stopping, but what Courtois accomplished has placed him firmly in the history books. And the milestone itself is even more extraordinary once the details are revealed.
The historic moment arrived during the Round of 16 first-leg clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City. The Spanish club entered the match determined to seize control of the tie, and the breakthrough came from an unlikely source.
In the 20th minute, the Belgian shot-stopper launched a long, pinpoint pass from his own penalty area toward the right flank. The ball traveled the length of the field before finding Federico Valverde, who controlled it with precision.
Valverde quickly accelerated past the Citizens’ defense, rounded the goalkeeper, and calmly slotted the ball into the net to give Real Madrid a 1-0 lead. The goal would become the first of three first-half strikes for the Spanish giant, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Yet beyond the immediate impact on the match, the assist carried historic significance.
The record-breaking milestone explained
The pass to Valverde marked Courtois’s second assist of the 2025-26 Champions League season, a feat that had never been achieved by a goalkeeper before. With that moment, Courtois became the first goalkeeper in Champions League history to record multiple assists in a single season.
The achievement is extraordinary considering the traditional role of goalkeepers in soccer. Their responsibilities focus almost entirely on defensive duties, meaning opportunities to contribute to attacking statistics such as assists are extremely rare.
Courtois’s earlier assist came in a group-stage match against Kairat Almaty, when a long clearance from his own area reached Kylian Mbappe, who converted the chance during a 5-0 victory for Real Madrid. Together, those two contributions created a unique statistical milestone in the competition.
Thibaut Courtois in Champions League:
📅 2017: 1 Assist against Qarabağ while playing for Chelsea. 📅 2025: 1 Assist against Kairat Almaty while playing for Real Madrid.
Perhaps the most surprising element of Courtois’s milestone is how it compares to some of the Champions League’s most feared attacking players. Despite their reputation as elite goal scorers, several of the tournament’s biggest stars currently trail the Real Madrid goalkeeper in the assist column.
Player
Club
UCL Games Played
Assists
Thibaut Courtois
Real Madrid
10
2
Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid
8
1
Robert Lewandowski
Barcelona
8
1
Erling Haaland
Manchester City
9
0
Harry Kane
Bayern
8
0
Raphinha
Barcelona
6
0
While these players dominate headlines for their goals, Courtois has quietly surpassed them in terms of playmaking contributions this season. The statistic underlines just how unusual his achievement truly is.
Kylian Mbappe (left), Thibaut Courtois (center), and Robert Lewandowski (right)
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