Due to Lionel Messi's absence in a game back in May 2024, the Vancouver Whitecaps and the MLS will have to pay a $347K settlement.

Lionel Messi has proven time and again to be a box office draw across Major League Soccer, breaking attendance records at stadiums throughout the continent whenever Inter Miami come to town. However, one of his absences, back in May 2024, has now led to the Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS agreeing to pay $347,000 in settlements following a class-action lawsuit.

The episode dates back nearly two years, when Inter Miami were set to travel to Vancouver to face the Whitecaps at BC Place for Matchday 15 of the 2024 MLS season. It would have been Messi’s second appearance at the venue, coming just one month after the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal first leg, in which the home side claimed a 2-0 victory.

It was also set to be Messi’s first appearance against the Whitecaps in regular-season MLS play since his arrival in mid-2023. But the anticipation quickly deflated when then-head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino decided to rest the Argentine for the match.

Why did the Whitecaps, MLS had to pay settlements?

In the buildup to the Vancouver visit, both the Whitecaps and MLS heavily promoted the May 25 fixture against Inter Miami, using Messi, Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets as the faces of the marketing campaign. On the strength of that billing, fans paid significantly inflated ticket prices, some reportedly as high as $335 per ticket, according to The Athletic.

With not only Messi but also Suárez and Busquets left behind and not even making the trip, the Whitecaps found themselves in an uncomfortable position. In an attempt to appease frustrated supporters, the club offered all in-stadium food and beverages at 50 percent off, along with a free kids’ meal combo for anyone 18 and under.

The club also addressed the situation publicly. “While we haven’t received an official update on the availability of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets for this weekend, we understand they will not make this trip. Unfortunately, we have no control over who plays for our opponent, and it was important for us to communicate to our fans as soon as possible,“ said Whitecaps FC CEO Axel Schuster on the club’s official website.

Fans who made the trip to BC Place left disappointed, and a class-action lawsuit was subsequently filed against the Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS. The complaint sought partial reimbursement of ticket prices, but both the club and the league denied any liability or wrongdoing, arguing that the promotion of the game did not constitute a guarantee of any player’s participation.

After a lengthy legal dispute, the British Columbia Supreme Court has approved a CAN$475,000 (approximately $347,000 USD) settlement to be paid by the Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer, though the funds will not go directly to the fans who attended the game. Instead, the settlement will be donated to three charitable sports organizations: KidSport BC, Canada SCORES and BGC South Coast BC.

When Cristiano Ronaldo and head coach Jorge Jesus look around the stands during a Saudi Pro League night, there is one issue that continues to surface behind the scenes at Al-Nassr.

When Cristiano Ronaldo and head coach Jorge Jesus look around the stands during a Saudi Pro League night, there is one issue that continues to surface behind the scenes at Al-Nassr. The club has enjoyed global attention, record-breaking goals, and sustained competitiveness since Ronaldo’s arrival in January 2023, yet a key Al-Nassr worry in the Saudi Pro League has now been revealed. While the team continues to chase silverware and maintain high standards under Jesus, questions have quietly emerged about one aspect of the club’s domestic presence.

When Ronaldo signed for Al-Nassr in early 2023, it was one of the most seismic transfers in modern soccer history. His move instantly reshaped perceptions of the Saudi Pro League, drawing unprecedented international attention to Saudi soccer.

The Portuguese forward’s arrival transformed the club into a global commercial force. Social media followings surged, international broadcast deals expanded, and sponsors began paying closer attention to the league. The Knight of Najd evolved from a strong regional side into a worldwide brand almost overnight.

On the pitch, the Portuguese superstar delivered emphatically. Despite entering the latter years of his career, he became one of the most prolific scorers in the club’s history. He surpassed 100 goals in all competitions and broke the Saudi Pro League single-season scoring record with 35 goals in 2023-24, securing the Golden Boot.

He followed that with another Golden Boot campaign the next season, underlining his consistency and longevity as he edged closer to the historic 1,000-career-goal milestone. Moreover, beyond goals, his professionalism raised internal standards. Teammates frequently pointed to his work ethic and leadership as a benchmark. But amid tactical tweaks and transfer discussions, another concern has quietly grown.

The key worry revealed

Despite Ronaldo being arguably the most famous athlete on the planet alongside Lionel Messi, recurring images of half-filled stands during Al-Nassr matches have sparked internal concern. It is believed that Jorge Jesus and Ronaldo are reportedly troubled by the optics of empty seats during home fixtures.

Jesus has not hidden his frustration. According to the club’s former legal department manager, Saad Al-Subaie, the Portuguese manager emphasized that stronger backing from the stands is vital to sustaining momentum, especially during crucial league matches. The issue is not necessarily a lack of support in absolute numbers, but rather how it appears visually and atmospherically.

Attendance data provides context. During the 2024-25 season, Al-Nassr averaged approximately 16,292 spectators per home match, among the strongest figures in the league. League-wide averages in 2025-26 hover around 8,113 spectators per match, suggesting Al-Nassr still performs comparatively well. Estimates place the club’s current average between 15,000 and 18,000 fans per home game.

Why are Saudi Pro League stadiums often empty?

Several structural factors contribute to stadiums appearing underfilled:

• Large stadium capacities (25,000-60,000 seats) make 15,000 attendees look sparse on television.
• Empty away sections are often visibly unoccupied.
• Midweek 10:00 PM local time kick-offs deter working supporters.
• Hot weather and traffic congestion, particularly in Riyadh, reduce matchday convenience.
• Cultural habits favor watching games at home with family and friends.
• Some stadium facilities and transportation access remain less than ideal.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to learn the fate of one of his most important teammates as Al-Nassr moves closer to a major decision regarding Spanish defender Inigo Martinez.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to learn the fate of one of his most important teammates as Al-Nassr moves closer to a major decision regarding Spanish defender Inigo Martinez. The centre-back, who remarkably has the same goal tally this season as Karim Benzema at Al-Hilal, has become a pivotal figure in Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr project. While Ronaldo remains the face of the club’s revolution, Martinez has quietly matched headlines with substance, contributing at both ends of the pitch in ways few defenders can.

At first glance, comparisons with Karim Benzema, now leading the line for Al-Hilal, might seem unusual. After all, the Frenchman is a striker, tasked with scoring goals. Martinez is a central defender, entrusted with preventing them. Yet both players have three league goals for their respective clubs in recent action, underlining how impactful the Spaniard has been during the ongoing campaign.

Since Ronaldo arrived in 2023, Al-Nassr’s identity has revolved around attacking firepower. Goals have rarely been an issue. Converting performances into trophies, however, has required greater balance, and Martinez has emerged as the solution to that long-standing concern.

When he joined from Barcelona, the move was not simply about adding experience. It was about installing a defensive backbone capable of withstanding high-pressure moments. The Spanish defender brought tactical discipline, positional intelligence, and aerial authority to a team that often commits numbers forward in support of Ronaldo.

His presence has allowed full-backs to push higher and midfielders to press aggressively, safe in the knowledge that there is composure anchoring the back line. In 23 league starts this season, Martinez has helped the club secure 11 clean sheets, an impressive return that highlights his structural importance.

Leadership without the spotlight

While Ronaldo drives standards vocally and emotionally, Martinez offers quieter authority. He organizes defensive lines, communicates constantly during transitions, and ensures set-piece discipline. This complementary dynamic has been crucial. Ronaldo demands excellence; Martinez enforces stability behind him. For a team chasing domestic and continental ambitions, that balance is essential.

His offensive contribution has added another layer. Scoring three league goals as a centre-back is no small feat. These goals, often from set pieces, have delivered vital points in tight matches. For a defender, such output represents a significant bonus, and it becomes even more striking when compared to a forward’s tally.

Al-Nassr’s reported decision on Martinez revealed

According to 365Scores Arabic, Al-Nassr is working to trigger a clause that would allow Martinez’s contract to be extended until 2027. The development comes after head coach Jorge Jesus was reportedly impressed by the defender’s consistent performances throughout the campaign.

“Al Nassr’s management are moving to activate the clause to extend the contract of Spanish defender Inigo Martinez until 2027,” the source reported, signaling that the club views him as a long-term pillar rather than a short-term fix.

The potential extension would reinforce the idea that the Riyadh-based project is evolving beyond star dependency. While Ronaldo remains the marquee name, sustained success requires continuity in less glamorous positions. The Spaniard’s likely extension signals that Al-Nassr values balance as much as brilliance. If Ronaldo is the symbol of ambition, Martinez represents the infrastructure needed to convert that ambition into silverware.

Paul Scholes picked Carlo Ancelotti as the perfect manager for Manchester United even if he's currently with Brazil.

Manchester United has been a different team this year with Michael Carrick on the bench. The firing of Rubén Amorim placed the former club player in the manager role with strong results. However, Paul Scholes believes Carlo Ancelotti would be perfect for the team.

On “The Good, The Bad & The Football” podcast, the club legend named his preferred candidate for the job. The Italian’s experience and the number of trophies he has won make him ideal for the position Carrick currently holds.

Scholes said: “The perfect one out there, I say perfect, Ancelotti is still out there. I know he is the coach of Brazil. He is the perfect one for Manchester United, you think he will make players feel a million dollars. And he has the experience of winning trophies.”

Scholes’ main doubt

The former midfielder was clear in his view, but Ancelotti is not currently available. He has committed to leading Brazil in their attempt to win another World Cup, and the project could continue beyond the tournament.

For Scholes, the main question is not Ancelotti’s contract but his age, which raises debate about whether he would be the right long term fit for such a demanding club.

Scholes said about Ancelotti joining Manchester United: “But the question is, is he too old now? That’s the only thing. Is there anyone else of that ilk, with more experience? They need presence as a leader.”

Scholes questions Carrick’s experience

Ancelotti’s résumé is what makes him attractive to top clubs, particularly his track record in major competitions. In that sense, Scholes compared him with current manager Carrick.

Scholes said about his former teammate, even with the club in a Champions League spot: “The question is, has Michael got the experience? Can we see Michael winning the Premier League? I don’t know yet.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

England and France also have chances to compete for the title

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

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

The South American giants follow further back

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pep Guardiola complained about the schedule before Manchester City's Champions League match against Real Madrid.

A heated Champions League rivalry should have another chapter soon when Manchester City meet Real Madrid in the round of 16. However, there is already controversy over what Pep Guardiola considers unfair treatment of his team.

Manchester City suffered the worst outcome in the draw by being paired with Real Madrid while Bodo/Glimt was the other option. The schedule will be tight for both clubs, but the Football Association was not kind with the FA Cup programming, which the Spanish manager loudly complained about.

Guardiola said without prompting: “We have Nottingham Forest. After that, three days for the FA Cup in Newcastle at 8 PM. Thanks so much for that time to go battle Real Madrid with less recovery. It’s different if you return to Manchester at 7 or 8 PM than at 1 or 2 AM. Also for Newcastle. It’s not the same one time than the other.”

Manchester City’s calendar

The calendar gets tight for every top club at this time of year. In this case Guardiola appears to have a point, because most other teams play their FA Cup matches at 3 PM local time while City must travel to play at a much later hour.

Manchester City’s next challenge is a Premier League match with Nottingham Forest this Wednesday, followed by a trip to Newcastle for the FA Cup on Saturday, and then the Champions League first leg against Real Madrid in Spain the following Wednesday.

Guardiola added: “I know every team plays at 3 PM, but we play at 8 PM. Those details make the difference. Just like a corner kick, a free kick or a throw-in. We are going to have less recovery and then go to Madrid.”

The fixture before the rematch

Manchester City’s attempt to overtake Arsenal in the Premier League continues with a favorable home match against West Ham after the first leg of the round of 16. That match was moved back a few hours to give them extra rest, which means the second leg will arrive sooner. The club will try to secure a place in the quarterfinals on the following Tuesday.

Regardless of Arsenal's impressive surge, Manchester City remain quite competitive, chasing the Premier League lead and remaining active in the Champions League. However, Pep Guardiola may face a major setback, as Rodri Hernandez reportedly attracts the attention of a LaLiga side.

Manchester City have managed to remain in top form as one of the best teams in England. While Arsenal currently hold the Premier League lead, the Citizens are closely chasing them and remain active in the Champions League. Nonetheless, Pep Guardiola could face a significant setback as Rodri Hernández is reportedly attracting the attention of a LaLiga side ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Despite Rodri Hernández’s recent physical problems, Manchester City are looking to extend his contract, as his current deal runs until 2027 and he remains a priority for Guardiola, beIN Sports reports. However, Real Madrid are moving closer to the Spaniard, seeking to make him their marquee signing for the 2026–27 season, reports Fabrizio Romano. In light of this, he would take his family environment into account when making a decision.

After being crowned the winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or, he has accumulated five serious injuries that have prevented him from reaching his best physical condition. Coach Guardiola even acknowledged that the Citizens made mistakes in the Spaniard’s recovery process, which ended up worsening his condition. Far from being a season of consolidation, Rodri has already missed 17 matches with the team, but he has been regaining consistency in the latest games.

Unlike in previous seasons, the Citizens have secured a replacement, signing Nico González for €60 million from FC Porto. With this acquisition, they may not oppose his departure if Rodri requests to leave the team. However, Real Madrid might need to pay a transfer fee, which is uncommon for the club when dealing with a player nearing 30 years old, making his potential arrival quite complex.

Real Madrid reportedly seek a specific profile for the midfield

Throughout the 2025–26 season, Real Madrid have faced serious problems finding solidity in the midfield. Although they have players with differential talent, such as Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, and Aurélien Tchouaméni, none of them has managed to balance the team, creating the need to seek new reinforcement. Rodri may represent a great market opportunity, but Los Blancos could be prioritizing a different profile.

With Toni Kroos and Luka Modric gone, Los Blancos are now without a player capable of organizing the midfield. Although expectations were high that Bellingham would take on this role, he has failed to shine. For that reason, they are reportedly looking to exercise the buy-back clause for Nico Paz for €9 million, while there is also talk of a possible arrival of Kees Smith, who is shining at AZ Alkmaar. Having these priorities, Rodri’s potential arrival takes a back seat.

Concern is beginning to ripple through the American soccer community as Christian Pulisic navigates one of the most delicate stretches of his recent career.

Concern is beginning to ripple through the American soccer community as Christian Pulisic navigates one of the most delicate stretches of his recent career. With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching on home soil, the form of the talisman representing Milan has sparked debate. For both club and country, expectations around the winger remain enormous, yet recent weeks have introduced uncertainty at precisely the wrong time.

Pulisic’s numbers tell the story. He has not scored in three months and has gone 11 Serie A matches without a goal or assist. For a player once described as the face of his nation’s “golden generation,” such a drought inevitably raises questions.

Against Cremonese, head coach Massimiliano Allegri once again placed his trust in the American. Once again, the breakthrough did not arrive. Pulisic was substituted in the 78th minute, visibly frustrated after missing a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper. Milan eventually secured a 2-0 victory, but its prolific winger left the pitch without altering his barren streak.

The contrast within the squad has been stark. Rafael Leao has flourished, registering four goals and one assist in the opening months of the year while building chemistry with Christopher Nkunku in attack. In Allegri’s original vision, Leao and Pulisic were meant to form the decisive offensive duo. Injuries and inconsistency have prevented that partnership from fully igniting.

Still, Allegri has refused to waver publicly in his support. “He played well. He’s getting back into form,” the coach insisted when asked about Pulisic’s struggles. On another occasion, he added confidently, “He’s grown physically and mentally. I’m sure he will score again.”

Injury setbacks and silent sacrifice

The drought has not unfolded in isolation. Pulisic has battled fever and an ongoing iliopsoas bursitis issue, which limited his rhythm during key stretches of the campaign. Yet the American captain has avoided excuses.

Across the Atlantic, concern has not escalated into panic. Former U.S. internationals Tim Howard and Landon Donovan have offered perspective. Howard provided a balanced assessment: “He’s an elite player, but he’s not Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. They’re the only ones who score 50 goals every year for a decade and a half. Everyone else, even the best, goes through slumps.”

Donovan echoed that view, stating, “That tells you how good Pulisic is. You’re so used to seeing him on the scoresheet that when he stops, it becomes noticeable.” He reinforced the belief that Pulisic remains the standout figure within the U.S. squad.

Pulisic’s main focus revealed

Amid swirling discussion about World Cup readiness, a revealing detail has emerged from La Gazzetta dello Sport. According to the Italian outlet, Pulisic is not thinking about the World Cup at all right now, as he is fully focused on Milan.

Despite captaining the United States ahead of a tournament set to captivate North America, his priority remains immediate: restoring form in red and black. Reports further indicate that contract rumors have no bearing on his dip. His current deal runs until 2027 with an option for extension, and dialogue between player and club remains positive. Qualification for the Champions League is seen internally as the next milestone, with confidence that long-term

For now, the 27-year-old is battling through a rare slump, supported by his coach and respected by his locker room. The World Cup spotlight may loom in the distance, but his eyes are fixed firmly on the Rossoneri’s immediate objectives.

The fixture, which was set to take place at Zabeel Stadium, had drawn major attention not only because of the stakes involved but also due to Ronaldo’s recent fitness concerns. However, the game will not go ahead as scheduled.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr has seen its highly anticipated AFC Champions League Two quarter-final clash in Dubai against Al-Wasl suddenly postponed. The fixture, which was set to take place at Zabeel Stadium, had drawn major attention not only because of the stakes involved but also due to Ronaldo’s recent fitness concerns. However, the game will not go ahead as scheduled.

The match was originally slated for Wednesday, March 4, as part of the AFC Champions League Two 2025-26 quarter-finals, with the Saudi club traveling to face the UAE side in the first leg of what promised to be a fiercely contested tie. Yet in a surprising development, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed that the game had been called off, leaving fans and both clubs awaiting further clarification.

The underlying reason revealed

The postponement stems from escalating tensions and ongoing military conflict in the Middle East, which have significantly affected regional security. Recent military developments involving the United States and Iran, along with retaliatory strikes in the region, have created uncertainty surrounding travel, safety, and logistics for international sporting events. As a result, the AFC opted to prioritize safety by suspending fixtures involving West Region clubs until further notice. No new date has yet been confirmed for the Al-Nassr versus Al-Wasl encounter.

The governing body, the Asian Football Confederation, issued an official statement addressing the situation. The postponement affects not only this quarter-final but also other key fixtures across the West Region of its competitions. “In light of the developing situation in the Middle East, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 Round of 16 first-leg matches in the West Region, originally scheduled for March 2–3, 2026, will now be rescheduled,” it said in a statement.

The statement continued: “Additionally, the AFC Champions League Two and AFC Challenge League quarter-final first-leg matches involving teams in the West Region, originally scheduled to be played between March 3 and 4, 2026, are also postponed until further notice.”

What it means for Al-Nassr and Ronaldo’s fitness

The postponement may inadvertently benefit Al-Nassr, particularly concerning Ronaldo’s physical condition. The Portuguese forward recently featured in the club’s 3-1 Saudi Pro League victory over Al-Fayha, though the performance was not without concern. Ronaldo missed a penalty during the match and was later substituted in the 81st minute after signaling discomfort to the bench. He was subsequently seen with an ice pack on the back of his knee, raising fears about his fitness.

On Tuesday, Al-Nassr issued a formal statement confirming the diagnosis. “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.” With the quarter-final now postponed, the 41-year-old superstar may gain valuable additional recovery time, easing pressure on both club and country ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures.

The first leg had been scheduled for March 4 in Dubai, with the return fixture planned for March 11 at Al Awal Park in Saudi Arabia. However, the revised dates will be determined in coordination with relevant authorities once the security situation stabilizes. Additionally, Al-Wasl has announced that ticket holders will receive full refunds until a new date is confirmed, ensuring supporters are not financially disadvantaged by the late change.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vinicius’s message to Rodrygo

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

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

What did Rodrygo say after his injury was confirmed?

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

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

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

Following the announced departure of Carlos Casemiro, Manchester United are aiming to find a world-class replacement. Looking to help the team in their search, the Brazilian has reportedly recommended a Premier League star as his successor.

After several seasons of heavily criticized performances, Carlos Casemiro has managed to establish himself as one of Manchester United’s best players. Despite this, the Brazilian surprised many by announcing that he will not renew his contract with the team. In light of this, the English side remain attentive to his replacement in midfield. Although the veteran will leave the club, he has reportedly recommended a Premier League star as his successor.

According to Diario AS, Casemiro has strongly recommended Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimarães as his replacement following his departure at the end of the season. In response, the Red Devils have him among their priorities, as they believe he would adapt perfectly to the team’s ideology. Despite his departure being quite difficult, the Brazilian has paused his renewal, leaving his future open.

Far from being a simple negotiation, Manchester United might have to pay a record-breaking fee to Newcastle United. With being recently Alexander Isak sold to Liverpool for €150 million, Bruno Guimarães’ price could potentially be even higher. Nonetheless, the Brazilian has already proven himself as one of the Premier League’s best players, making his immediate impact on the team as the ideal choice.

Not only the Red Devils target Bruno Guimarães, but they also chase Sandro Tonali and Elliot Anderson as prime alternatives to bolster their midfield. However, acquiring any of these talents could easily surpass the €100 million mark, making their arrival a complex undertaking. As Manchester United closely monitors these three midfielders, they remain hopeful of securing their star acquisition soon, chasing consistency for the next season.

Manchester United reportedly push to offload two midfielders

With the impact of Michael Carrick, Manchester United have established themselves among the most consistent teams in England. Aiming to improve the team’s performance, they are looking to make clear departures within the squad. Not only will Casemiro leave, but they also plan for two midfielders who failed to stand out significantly to depart. With this, the Red Devils open the door to the arrival of a world-class talent.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils are seeking a departure for Manuel Ugarte. Despite having arrived for €50 million in 2024, the Uruguayan has not managed to break into the rotation, and he is attracting interest from Serie A clubs. Alongside him, Mason Mount could also leave the team, as they are open to listening to offers, with Aston Villa reportedly quite interested, Ekrem Konur reports.

In case Manchester United manage to sell Ugarte and Mount, they could free up roster space for at least two midfielders. With this, they could pursue Elliot Anderson and Bruno Guimarães or Sandro Tonali, looking for depth in the team as they would remain with just Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo. Rather than a problem, the Red Devils hold a great chance to rebuild their midfield.

A French World Cup winner backed Real Madrid's Vinicius after his Champions League controversy.

The move to the Champions League quarterfinals wasn’t easy for Real Madrid. Benfica was an important rival in a match that became more dramatic because of Vinicius’ controversy, in which he claimed he was discriminated against by Gianluca Prestianni. Marcel Desailly, a World Cup winner with France, backed the winger.

In the context of the Laureus Awards nominations, which honor individuals and teams in sport, Desailly described what makes Vinicius a victim and called for change.

Desailly said: “I’m happy to see Vinicius play. He can celebrate, he did it the last time he scored. There’s no problem with that part. The problem is the perception of him, we must end this and accept things must change. It’s unacceptable when this happens inside stadiums.”

Desailly on Real Madrid’s problems

It’s not been a normal season for Real Madrid since the start. The hiring of Xabi Alonso raised expectations in the capital that the team has not met. A brief surge under Álvaro Arbeloa has turned into another crisis.

The loss at the Santiago Bernabéu to a modest Getafe angered the fans amid a run of disappointing performances, which the former French international described as more about mentality.

Desailly said: “They are not calm, but they have individuals who can raise the level to help the team collectively reach what is expected of the famous Real Madrid. Meanwhile, they need calm.”

Desailly on the level of the World Cup

Desailly was a key part of the France team that won the World Cup in 1998. Although he saw red in the final against Brazil, he was an indispensable player in defense. His experience provided useful context to assess the tournament’s level.

The Frenchman said: “As to the matches, we’ll see how much the players give of themselves. But generally, the World Cup delivers great games. In Qatar the level was exceptional. This summer there could be even better matches than then.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#Laureus26 pic.twitter.com/TNWHM9bbu4

— Laureus (@LaureusSport) March 3, 2026

Other soccer nominations at the Laureus Awards

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

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

Messi won twice, Ronaldo never did

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

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

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

Despite Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Marc Bernal shining in the 3-0 win, Barcelona fall short to complete the comeback in the Copa del Rey semifinals against Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona hosted Atlético Madrid in the second leg of the 2025-26 Copa del Rey semifinals on Tuesday at the Camp Nou. Despite starring performances from Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Marc Bernal, the Blaugrana fell agonizingly short of completing the comeback, winning 3-0 on the night but bowing out of the competition.

Atlético arrived as clear favorites to advance after their emphatic 4-0 victory in the first leg. Still, Barcelona took the game to them from the opening whistle, with an electric Lamine Yamal causing havoc on both flanks and the home side pressing relentlessly in search of an early goal.

The breakthrough came in the 29th minute, when Yamal burst past Ademola Lookman on the right and delivered a pinpoint cross to the six-yard box for Marc Bernal to finish. Then, deep into first-half stoppage time, Pedri was brought down inside the area by Marc Pubill, and Raphinha stepped up to convert the resulting penalty and give Barcelona renewed hope at the break.

Atlético offered little going forward, and a composed Joan García ensured his goal remained intact whenever the visitors did threaten. Bernal then reignited the Camp Nou in the 72nd minute, converting from a João Cancelo cross to make it 3-0 on the night and bring the Remontada within touching distance.

Despite every effort, including coach Hansi Flick’s bold decision to deploy defender Ronald Araújo as an emergency striker, Barcelona could not find the fourth goal they needed, running into an Atlético side that defended resolutely and with numbers. With a 4-3 aggregate scoreline, the Colchoneros march on to the Copa del Rey final, where they will face either Real Sociedad or Athletic Club.

Following Liverpool's poor performance, they are aiming to rebuild their roster, raising doubts about the continuity of several players. In that sense, Virgil van Dijk could lose a key teammate, as Alisson Becker is reportedly attracting the attention of two Serie A sides.

Throughout the 2025–26 season, Liverpool have been surrounded by rumors that cast doubt on the continuity of key players such as Andrew Robertson, Mohamed Salah, Joe Gomez, among others. Alongside this, Virgil van Dijk could lose another key teammate, as Alisson Becker could leave the team. Amid his unstable contractual situation, the Brazilian is reportedly attracting the attention of two major Serie A clubs.

Despite being a Liverpool legend, Alisson Becker’s contract runs until 2027 and he has not yet been offered a renewal. In this context, the Brazilian is receiving strong interest from Inter Milan and Juventus FC, who are willing to pursue his signing despite him being 34 years old, La Repubblica reports. While he remains the starter for the Reds, they could be open to his departure if a strong offer arrives.

Since joining in 2018 from AS Roma, Alisson established himself as one of the most transformative players in Liverpool’s history. Winning a UEFA Champions League, two Premier League titles, a UEFA Super Cup, a FIFA Club World Cup, among others, he defined an era at the club. However, the Reds are reportedly aiming for a roster rebuild, casting doubt not only on the Brazilian’s future but also on that of other veterans.

Although the Brazilian reportedly attracts interest from Inter Milan and Juventus, they would have a big problem to complete his signing: his high salary. According to La Repubblica, the Brazilian goalkeeper has a salary of around €5 million, which would place him among the best paid at both teams. In view of this, both Italian teams are keeping other alternatives: Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi and Tottenham Hotspurs’ Guglielmo Vicario, who are also younger.

Alisson’s departure may ease reported Liverpool star’s anger

Although Liverpool are rebuilding their roster, Alisson Becker has remained one of Arne Slot’s most regular players, maintaining his key position in the team. At 34 years old, the Brazilian may not have much time left on the team, so the Reds signed Giorgi Mamardashvili as a bet for the future. However, the 25-year-old star is reportedly not entirely happy with his lack of playing time, something that the Brazilian’s possible departure could alleviate.

While having paid €30 million to Valencia, Mamardashvili has accumulated only 934 minutes with the Reds, so he would be considering asking for a departure on loan, Graeme Bailey reports. However, the interest from Inter Milan and Juventus in Alisson could change this situation, as his departure would give him the starting role under Arne Slot. For this reason, the Georgian’s continuity could depend on whether the Brazilian leaves or stays at the club.

The Saudi pro League has reportedly taken a key decision regarding the suspension of activities, one that'll be affecting Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr and the rest of the clubs.

The escalation of the conflict in Saudi Arabia also sent shockwaves through the soccer world, particularly as a wave of rumors surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo emerged over the past several hours. Amid the uncertainty, the Saudi Pro League has reportedly reached a key decision regarding the suspension of its activities, one that directly affects Al Nassr and the rest of the league’s clubs.

Alarm spread after reports surfaced that Ronaldo’s private jet had departed Saudi Arabia in the middle of Tuesday night, with speculation mounting over whether the striker was on board. Those rumors were quickly put to rest, however, as Fabrizio Romano reported that Ronaldo remains in the country and is undergoing medical treatment for an injury.

Meanwhile, Ben Jacobs reports that the Saudi Pro League has decided to press ahead with its scheduled fixtures. Matchday 25 of the 2025-26 SPL season is set to get underway Thursday with Al Kholood vs. Al Qadsiah and Damac vs. Al Riyadh, and no official statement regarding a postponement or suspension of those games has been issued by league officials.

That said, as Jacobs noted, the situation remains fluid and could change depending on how events develop on the ground. The Saudi Ministry of Sport is coordinating closely with relevant authorities and monitoring the situation in real time, meaning a decision could come at any moment.

What’s next for Cristiano Ronaldo?

On the continental front, Ronaldo has already seen one fixture affected by the unrest. Al Nassr had been scheduled to travel to Dubai to face Al Wasl in the AFC Champions League Two quarterfinals on Wednesday, but the Asian confederation opted to postpone all international matches this week.

Domestically, action continues as normal, with Al Nassr expected to return to the pitch this weekend. Sitting atop the SPL standings with 61 points from 24 games, Jorge Jesus’s side will host Neom SC at Al Awwal Park, looking to extend what has been an impressive run of 10 consecutive victories.

The key question remains whether Ronaldo will be fit to feature in Saturday’s match on March 7. The Portuguese star was forced off in Al Nassr’s last game against Al Fayha with a hamstring injury, and while it is believed to be minor, neither the club nor the player will be in any rush to take unnecessary risks, particularly with the 2026 World Cup now just 100 days away.

Jorge Jesus has reportedly made a crucial decision amid the growing worries over Cristiano Ronaldo's fitness at a crucial point in the season, adding to the air of uncertainty around the striker.

Concern spread quickly across Riyadh as Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al-Nassr, walked off late in the victory over Al-Fayha, clutching his leg. With the title race tightening and a high-stakes meeting against NEOM looming, the question dominating discussion was simple yet loaded: How long is he expected to be out for? The club now sits at the summit of the Saudi Pro League, but uncertainty over its talisman has added fresh tension to an already delicate moment in the season.

The drama began during the 3-1 win against Al Fayha. Ronaldo, visibly uncomfortable, signaled toward the bench before being substituted in the 81st minute. Cameras captured him afterward with ice strapped to his leg; a sight that immediately alarmed supporters.

Earlier in the match, the Portuguese forward had endured frustration from the penalty spot, registering the 35th missed penalty of his career, despite a remarkable record of 181 goals from 216 attempts. Yet statistics quickly became secondary. The greater concern was physical.

After the final whistle, head coach Jorge Jesus addressed the situation directly. “Ronaldo suffered muscle fatigue, and the medical staff will urgently perform the necessary tests to determine his condition,” he explained. He emphasized that he preferred not to take risks once the match was under control. Initial examinations suggested a hamstring issue. Further radiological testing, including an MRI scan, was scheduled to clarify the severity.

Official confirmation arrives

Al-Nassr soon issued a formal statement confirming the diagnosis. “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.”

Timing could not be more sensitive. Al-Nassr leads the Saudi Pro League with 61 points from 24 matches, holding a narrow advantage over rivals such as Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli. Every fixture now carries decisive weight.

The upcoming clash against NEOM is viewed internally as pivotal; not merely three points, but a statement of authority. The Portuguese’s influence extends beyond his 21 league goals this season. His leadership, experience, and pursuit of the historic 1,000-goal milestone amplify his importance.

How long could he be out?

While the club has not disclosed an official timeline, medical understanding of hamstring injuries provides context. Doctors generally classify hamstring injuries into three grades:

• Grade 1 (mild strain): Recovery typically takes 1-3 weeks, with players returning after rest, stretching, and gradual strengthening.
• Grade 2 (moderate tear): Recovery ranges between 3-8 weeks, requiring structured physiotherapy and progressive sprint reintroduction.
• Grade 3 (severe rupture): Absence can extend from 3-6 months, sometimes requiring surgery.

Studies referenced by medical institutions such as the National Institutes of Health suggest the average absence for structural hamstring injuries in professional soccer is approximately 17-18 days, though this varies depending on severity, location, and prior injury history.

Rehabilitation follows a progressive model: acute rest and inflammation control, light isometric exercises, eccentric strengthening, and finally a phased return to sprinting and match intensity. Crucially, physicians warn against rushing back, as hamstring injuries carry a high re-injury rate, particularly within two weeks of return.

Following the solid start of Alvaro Arbeloa’s tenure at Real Madrid, he seemd on his way to being the solution to the team’s problems. Nevertheless, the coach has strung together a series of setbacks that have supposedly changed his continuity at the club.

Álvaro Arbeloa’s arrival seemed to solve the problems of Real Madrid after the disappointing spell of Xabi Alonso. While the coach supposedly managed to improve the atmosphere in the dressing room and put together a good run, the problems did not take long to arise. He has not only failed to consolidate dominance in midfield but also has reportedly seen his future at Real Madrid change radically, sowing great uncertainty.

According to Guillermo Rai and Mario Cortegana in The Athletic, Alvaro Arbeloa has lost considerable support from the roster of Real Madrid, who see that he has not managed to reverse his situation, being defeated even by Getafe CF. Some players even have significant tensions in the dressing room, bringing back the situation that Xabi Alonso was living. With this, the Spaniard does not have his continuity at the Blancos secure at all.

Throughout the season, Arbeloa has had to battle constant physical problems of his players, having up to eight injured currently: Éder Militão, Dani Ceballos, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Raul Asencio, Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba and Rodrygo, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury. With these constant absences, the coach has not managed to find the team’s balance, which once again looks quite uncreative in midfield, being its biggest problem.

With Mbappe and Bellingham suffering serious injuries, Arbeloa could make a radical lineup change, moving Vinicius Jr. and Gonzalo Garcia to the front, with Arda Guler as an attacking midfielder. Behind them, Aurelien Tchouameni, Camavinga, and Federico Valverde could dominate the midfield. Despite this, the coach’s future seems far from Real Madrid, as the team has not progressed, bringing his departure or return to Real Madrid Castilla closer.

Alvaro Arbeloa leaves even worse record than Xabi Alonso

After achieving impressive success at Bayer Leverkusen, Xabi Alonso emerged as the ideal candidate to lead Real Madrid’s renewal. However, he encountered problems in the dressing room and struggled to restore dominance in the midfield, which remained one of the team’s weakest areas. Consequently, he was dismissed, paving the way for Álvaro Arbeloa to take over. Unfortunately, he has also faced challenges, delivering even worse results than his predecessor.

Throughout Alonso’s tenure, he managed 20 matches, accumulating 16 victories and four defeats, leaving a percentage of just 20% defeats. While his spell was heavily criticized, Arbeloa has had worse results, managing 12 matches, but accumulating eight victories and four defeats, leaving a percentage of 33% defeats. Despite this, Álvaro does not seem set to be dismissed, but he does have few chances of continuing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Finalissima cancellation does not seem likely

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

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

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

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

Cristiano Ronaldo, the talismanic forward of Al-Nassr, found himself at the center of speculation after flight data appeared to show his private jet leaving Saudi Arabia for Spain.

Whispers spread quickly across Europe and the Middle East as uncertainty gripped the region. Cristiano Ronaldo, the talismanic forward of Al-Nassr, found himself at the center of speculation after flight data appeared to show his private jet leaving Saudi Arabia for Spain. With tensions escalating and reports of drone strikes in Riyadh, questions swirled: Did Cristiano Ronaldo return to Madrid amid the ongoing Middle East conflict?

The Portuguese star, who has made Riyadh his home since joining the Saudi Pro League, suddenly became the subject of intense scrutiny. Yet as the rumors gathered pace, clarity proved harder to come by.

The controversy began when flight-tracking data showed that Ronaldo’s Bombardier Global Express 6500 departed Riyadh late Monday night, landing in Madrid after a journey of nearly seven hours. The timing was striking. The Saudi capital had reportedly faced drone strikes targeting the U.S. Embassy, while Iranian state media confirmed attacks elsewhere in the Gulf region.

International outlets quickly connected the dots. The jet’s departure, combined with rising regional instability, fueled claims that Ronaldo and his family had left Saudi Arabia. Given his global profile and the reported $81 million price tag of the customized aircraft, adorned with CR7 branding and capable of carrying up to 15 passengers, the imagery was dramatic.

At the same time, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced postponements across its competitions. Among the postponed fixtures was Al-Nassr’s continental quarter-final clash against Al Wasl. The broader sporting calendar was feeling the impact of geopolitical tensions.

Conflicting reports emerge

Despite the dramatic narrative, reliable outlets soon began casting doubt on the idea that Ronaldo had fled. The Press Association reported that the forward was understood to still be in Saudi Arabia. Local sources echoed the same position.

Photos published on Al-Nassr’s official social media channels appeared to show Ronaldo participating in recovery sessions and training activities in Riyadh. The timing of those posts contradicted suggestions that he had already relocated to Spain.

The speculation also coincided with a sporting concern: Ronaldo had recently picked up a muscle injury during the club’s 3-1 win over Al-Fayha. He had been scheduled for further medical assessment and was already expected to miss the postponed continental fixture. His absence from full match action, therefore, was injury-related rather than travel-related.

The truth revealed

As confusion intensified, one of soccer’s most trusted insiders stepped in. Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano directly addressed the swirling rumors. According to Romano, claims that Ronaldo had left Saudi Arabia were unfounded. He explicitly labeled the departure stories as “fake news,” confirming that the Portuguese forward remained at Al-Nassr’s training ground, undergoing treatment for his recent muscle issue.

That clarification cut through the noise. While the jet’s flight to Madrid was factual, there was no confirmed evidence that Ronaldo or his family were on board. The aircraft’s movement alone had been enough to trigger widespread assumptions, but those assumptions did not align with verified information.

Real Sociedad take on Athletic Club in the second leg of their 2025/2026 Copa del Rey semifinal. Supporters in the USA can follow every minute of the showdown, as full kickoff schedules and viewing information are provided here for both TV coverage and live streaming options.

Match Overview

Everything is still on the line in the Basque Derby after Real Sociedad grabbed a hard-fought 1-0 road win over Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the semifinal. That slim advantage gives La Real a boost heading back to Anoeta.

But with only one goal between the rivals, the tie remains wide open and Bilbao need just one strong showing to turn the momentum and secure a place in the final. Expect another intense, emotional battle—don’t miss a minute of this decisive showdown.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid clash in the second leg of their 2025/2026 Copa del Rey semifinal. Supporters in the USA can follow every minute of the showdown, as full kickoff schedules and viewing information are provided here for both TV coverage and live streaming options.

Match Overview

Barcelona return home staring at a massive challenge after Atletico Madrid delivered a jaw-dropping 4-0 blow in the first leg, flipping what was expected to be a tight semifinal into a one-sided showcase. Diego Simeone’s side seized control early and never let up, putting themselves on the brink of a spot in the final with a ruthless display.

Now the spotlight shifts to the Catalan giants, who must overcome a four-goal deficit in front of their supporters to keep their season alive. It’s a steep hill to climb, but if there’s any stage built for a dramatic turnaround, it’s this one—don’t miss a second of what promises to be a high-stakes showdown.

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

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

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

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

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

Medical report on Rodrygo.

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

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

Ancelotti loses a key piece

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

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

Does Rodrygo’s injury open a chance for Neymar?

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

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

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

Having the difficult task of overturning a 4–0 scoreline, Barcelona face Atlético Madrid in the second leg of the Copa del Rey. Complicating the work of the Blaugranas, Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong will not be able to be in the match, forcing coach Hansi Flick to make changes.

After overcoming the bad streak, Barcelona face Atlético Madrid today, seeking to overturn the 4–0 from the first leg of the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. Although this seems quite complex, the imposing form of Lamine Yamal, together with the experience of Raphinha, promise a great opportunity. Despite this, coach Hansi Flick faces a major problem, as he will not be able to count on Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong.

Robert Lewandowski, despite scoring a goal in the previous match against Villarreal CF, has been sidelined with a fracture to his left eye socket and will miss today’s game. In his absence, coach Hansi Flick may turn to Ferran Torres as the center forward. While Lewandowski’s absence is significant, the team is expected to maintain their offensive prowess.

In addition to Lewandowski’s injury, the Blaugrana also face the absence of Frenkie de Jong, who is out with a hamstring injury sustained in the match against Levante UD. De Jong is expected to be sidelined for over a month, prompting coach Hansi Flick to adjust his starting lineup. Consequently, Marc Bernal and Marc Casadó will likely play more prominent roles, partnering with Pedri at the base of the midfield.

While Barcelona face these two tough absences, Atlético Madrid also face the absence of Pablo Barrios, a key player in midfield. Despite both teams suffering key absences, the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals promises to be exciting, as the Blaugranas seek a tough comeback, while the Colchoneros aim to defend their lead.

Barcelona push attacking edge, while Atlético Madrid tighten defense

Throughout the 2025–26 season, Atlético Madrid have battled to find offensive consistency, despite having shone at a defensive level. After surprising Barcelona with a commanding victory, coach Diego Simeone could propose a defensive priority, seeking to maintain the advantage and cut the spaces for the Blaugranas. In addition, they could take advantage of the speed of Ademola Lookman and Giuliano Simeone to extend their advantage.

Unlike the Colchoneros, Barcelona have remained quite brilliant offensively but face serious defensive problems. By recovering the best versions of Lamine Yamal and Pedri, they seek to overturn the result and secure a place in the final of the Copa del Rey. Additionally, coach Hansi Flick aims to make changes in his defensive strategy to achieve more solidity and balance in the game.

After the surprising 4-0 defeat in the first leg, Barcelona face Atlético Madrid, seeking a comeback that secures them a spot in the final of the Copa del Rey. In light of this, fans are attentive to the status of Lamine Yamal and Pedri, as they can be differential.

Even though they started as clear favorites in the first leg, Barcelona suffered a resounding 4–0 defeat to Atlético Madrid. Nevertheless, coach Hansi Flick is optimistic about a comeback in today’s match as they seek a spot in the final of the Copa del Rey. The Colchoneros can complicate their intentions, imposing a solid defense. In that sense, fans are closely monitoring the status of Lamine Yamal and Pedri, as they could make a significant difference.

Lamine Yamal appears to have overcome his pubalgia issues and lack of motivation, returning to top form. With his physical problems behind him, coach Hansi Flick will start him, as Yamal’s goal-scoring ability and dribbling skills can decisively impact the game. At just 18, he has scored 18 goals and provided 14 assists, establishing himself as Barcelona’s most effective player. Consequently, he is poised to be a key figure in the match.

Alongside the recovery of Lamine’s best form, coach Hansi Flick seems to be restoring the best physical condition of Pedri, who is coming off an important thigh injury. Nevertheless, he has already played around 40 minutes in the last two matches. After avoiding a relapse and completing training normally, the 23-year-old midfielder is set to start against Atlético Madrid, chasing to revolutionize the game.

With a four-goal advantage, the Colchoneros can concentrate on maintaining a strong defense by aligning the midfield closely with the defensive line. Despite this, coach Diego Simeone might choose to counterattack, exploiting the spaces behind Jules Koundé and Joao Cancelo and aiming to secure the game early. However, Lamine’s strong form and Raphinha’s exceptional talent could shift the balance in favor of the Blaugranas.

Barcelona confirmed lineup vs. Atlético Madrid

While Lamine Yamal and Pedri are set to be starters, coach Hansi Flick maintains sensitive absences. Barcelona will not be able to count on Eric Garcia, Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen and Gavi. Despite this, they point to a clear balance in the midfield, with Fermin Lopez being differential in offense. In addition, Raphinha and Ferran Torres promise to unbalance the rival defense, imposing their scoring power.

Considering this, Barcelona will play as follows: Joan Garcia; Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Joao Cancelo; Marc Bernal, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha; Ferran Torres.

Atlético Madrid confirmed lineup vs. Barcelona

The Blaugranas are not only missing key players, but Atlético Madrid will also be without main stars. Ahead of today’s game, coach Diego Simeone will not be able to line up Pablo Barrios, due to a thigh injury. Nonetheless, the Colchoneros may target a defensive strategy as they hold a four-goal advantage. Moreover, they will rely on a counterattack strategy, betting on Ademola Lookman and Giuliano Simeone’s speed.

With this in mind, Atlético Madrid will lineup as follows: Juan Musso; Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, Mateo Ruggeri; Koke, Johnny Cardoso; Giuliano Simeone, Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman; Julián Álvarez.

Looking for the "Remontada" against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals, Lamine Yamal has suffered a huge squad blow at FC Barcelona.

Lamine Yamal has been rallying fans around the prospect of a “Remontada” (a comeback) against Atlético Madrid in the 2025-26 Copa del Rey. But the teenage star has been dealt a significant blow, with one of FC Barcelona‘s key players ruled out through injury for Tuesday’s second leg of the semifinal.

During the first leg on February 12, a combination of individual errors and clinical finishing from Atlético left Barcelona on the wrong end of a crushing 4-0 defeat, a result that has left the tie all but decided. Now facing the near-impossible task of overturning that deficit at the Spotify Camp Nou, Barca’s odds have taken yet another hit with the latest injury news.

Barcelona have confirmed that Robert Lewandowski will not feature in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal against Atlético Madrid. The striker picked up an injury in the club’s most recent La Liga match against Villarreal and will not even be available as a substitute, as he was in the first leg.

According to a statement released by the club, tests carried out on Lewandowski revealed a fracture of the left eye socket. The Polish striker had come off the bench in the 67th minute of Saturday’s 4-1 win over Villarreal, even getting on the scoresheet in stoppage time, making the subsequent injury news all the more unfortunate.

Who will replace Lewandowski?

Losing Lewandowski is a blow for Barcelona, as the veteran striker has been one of the club’s most reliable contributors this season despite playing a more secondary role due to physical setbacks. He has still managed 14 goals and three assists in 32 appearances across 1,651 minutes (roughly 52 minutes per game) and head coach Hansi Flick will now have to look elsewhere up front.

With Lewandowski unavailable, Ferran Torres is the most likely candidate to lead the line alongside the attacking trio of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. The 26-year-old Spaniard has been in impressive form, contributing 16 goals in 35 games and offering Flick a versatile and dynamic alternative to his Polish striker.

Lamine Yamal eager for the ‘Remontada’

Despite the Lewandowski setback, Barcelona head into the Copa del Rey clash on the back of two dominant victories — a 3-0 win over Levante and the convincing 4-1 result against Villarreal. Yamal himself, who struggled in the first leg, arrives in red-hot form after scoring his first career hat-trick, raising hopes that the second leg could yet provide Atlético with an uncomfortable evening.

Following his hat-trick, Yamal sent a direct message to the Barcelona faithful: “It was time to react and give ourselves a push. We’re doing that now. And I want to tell our fans… come to the stadium against Atleti — magic can happen.” The sentiment was echoed across social media by the club and teammates including Raphinha, all rallying behind the now-viral message: “1% possibility, 99% faith.“

With his brace against Orlando City, Inter Miami star Lionel Messi was honored by MLS, moving him closer to a record held by Landon Donovan.

Lionel Messi continues to raise the bar in MLS, and his starring role in Inter Miami‘s stunning comeback against Orlando City in the Florida Derby was no exception. After scoring a brace in the 4-2 victory, the Argentine received a league honor that moves him ever closer to a record held by USMNT legend Landon Donovan.

After a deflating 2026 MLS opener (a 3-0 defeat to LAFC) Inter Miami were desperate to respond on Sunday against Orlando City. The Lions led 2-0 at halftime, but the Herons pulled off a remarkable comeback, with Messi sealing the win and his brace with a clinical free kick.

Following his performance against Orlando City, Lionel Messi was voted MLS Player of the Matchday, earning the distinction as the standout star of Matchday 2. It marks the 13th time since joining Inter Miami that the Argentine forward has claimed the honor.

That tally is enough to move Messi into third place on the all-time list for the award. Last season he reached 12, drawing level with New York Red Bulls icon Bradley Wright-Phillips, and now, with his latest recognition, he has moved past the Englishman.

Messi moving closer to Donovan’s mark

Landon Donovan left an indelible mark on both the USMNT and MLS, with the league’s season award bearing his name as a testament to his legacy. But Messi’s sustained excellence in the competition is now threatening one of Donovan’s most celebrated records.

The USMNT icon holds the all-time record for MLS Player of the Matchday honors with 19, followed by Columbus Crew legend Jeff Cunningham with 14. Messi, now at 13, sits third — and firmly in the rearview mirror of both.

Since arriving at Inter Miami midway through the 2023 season, Messi has built considerable momentum, racking up 12 Player of the Matchday honors over his first two full seasons. In fact, he became the first player in league history to win the award six times in back-to-back seasons.

Doing the math, with one of the two Matchday honors already claimed this season (the other going to New York Red Bulls star Julian Hall), another six recognitions over the course of 2026 would be a realistic target for Messi. With his contract now running through December 2028, surpassing not only Cunningham but also Donovan’s storied record looks less like a question of whether, and more like a question of when — provided he can maintain his current form.

MLS have officially announced the 2026 edition of the MLS All-Star Game with Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min, and Thomas Müller as the faces of the league.

The MLS All-Star Game, which brings together the top talent from across Major League Soccer, is back for another edition in 2026. The league has officially unveiled Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, LAFC’s Son Heung-min, Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Müller and Charlotte FC captain Tim Ream as the faces of this year’s showcase.

On Monday, MLS announced that the fifth edition of the MLS All-Star Game between MLS All-Stars and LIGA MX All-Stars will take place on Wednesday, July 29. The venue will be Bank of America Stadium, home of Charlotte FC, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

MLS Executive Vice President Camilo Durana spoke about the game on the league’s official website: “The 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime will feature a can’t-miss rematch between the best of MLS and LIGA MX. With the energy and momentum our Leagues will experience coming out of a historic World Cup on home soil, we are thrilled to showcase our All-Stars and put on a great show for fans in Charlotte and those watching around the world on Apple TV.“

In unveiling the game’s ambassadors, MLS paired the familiar faces of Messi and Ream, the Charlotte FC and USMNT captain, with two marquee newcomers. The high-profile arrivals of Son at LAFC and Müller at Vancouver have earned them prominent billing, signaling just how much weight the league is placing on its international stars heading into what promises to be a landmark event.

Son and Müller added to the roster: Will Messi finally show up?

Since arriving at LAFC and the Whitecaps respectively, Son and Müller have wasted little time making their mark on MLS, with the German even reaching the 2025 MLS Cup final. Both have quickly cemented themselves as marquee figures in the league, and their inclusion as faces of the All-Star Game reflects that standing.

The bigger question, however, surrounds Lionel Messi, the league’s most prominent name, who has missed both All-Star Game editions he could have appeared in. In 2024, a sprained ankle suffered in the Copa América final forced him out, but in 2025 he chose to sit out despite the game being mandatory, prompting MLS to issue a one-game suspension.

Messi ultimately missed the July 26 game against FC Cincinnati — a decision that nearly sparked an open conflict between the league and the Argentine, with Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas publicly questioning his future at the club. Messi, for his part, argued that the suspension dealt a significant blow to his fitness and contributed to a muscular injury in the second half of the season.

With that backdrop in mind, all eyes will once again be on what Messi decides to do, and how MLS responds to any potential absence. The July 29 date adds another layer of intrigue, coming just 10 days after the 2026 World Cup final. Should Argentina go all the way, serious questions will arise about whether Messi should be asked to take the field so soon after lifting the sport’s biggest prize.

Aiming to strengthen the consistency of their midfield, AC Milan have reportedly set their sights on Leon Goretzka as a potential free-agent signing. However, they could face difficulties in securing the German’s arrival, as he appears to prioritize a different move.

Throughout the 2025-26 season, AC Milan have managed to make their midfield one of their strengths, thanks to Adrien Rabiot and Luka Modric. However, coach Massimiliano Allegri has not been able to get the best performance out of Youssouf Fofana, who is reportedly near to leave. In light of this, Leon Goretzka has become one of the team’s key targets to partner Christian Pulisic. However, the Rossoneri are reportedly facing problems in securing his arrival.

According to Christian Falk via CFBayern Insider, Leon Goretzka has emerged as a target for AC Milan in a potential free transfer from Bayern Munich. Alongside them, Inter Milan and Juventus have also shown interest in the German midfielder. However, the 31-year-old star prioritizes a move to the Premier League. In case Arsenal once again pursues his signature, he may favor his arrival to North London, believing his style suits the league perfectly.

As a world-class box-to-box midfielder, Goretzka emerged as one of Bayern Munich’s most important players. Unlike previous seasons, he has lost prominence under coach Vincent Kompany, so a potential move to the Premier League would be aimed at rediscovering his best form. However, the Gunners have yet to submit an official offer, making the German’s future appear increasingly complicated.

Although AC Milan have a rather complicated path to securing Leon Goretzka’s arrival, coach Massimiliano Allegri could view him as a difference-maker. Given Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s inconsistency, the German could provide greater balance in midfield, while also contributing creatively thanks to his imposing physical presence. Moreover, he could become an undisputed starter — something that would not be entirely guaranteed at Arsenal.

Report: AC Milan face major midfield uncertainty next season

Massimiliano Allegri’s arrival at AC Milan has revitalized the Rossoneri midfield, establishing it as the backbone of the team’s strategy. Not only he secured the signings of Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari but also propelled Adrien Rabiot and Luka Modric towards peak performance. However, the Italian side faces significant uncertainty, with the continuity of two key players not fully guaranteed.

According to several Italian outlets, Luka Modric is not entirely certain about renewing his contract with the Rossoneri, as Dinamo Zagreb are making moves to sign him as a free agent. Alongside the veteran, Youssouf Fofana’s future is also unclear, as he has ceased to be a key figure under Allegri. For this reason, the Frenchman could leave the club if a strong offer arrives. With this in mind, AC Milan could undergo another midfield overhaul next season.

In the event that both players leave the Rossoneri, they could be forced to strongly pursue the arrival of Leon Goretzka, competing against Premier League teams, Juventus, and Inter Milan. In addition, the departure of the Croatian could force the pursuit of a world-class player, as he is the axis of the midfield and totally differential, something that would not be cheap at all.

With the 2026 World Cup in just a few months, Colombia star James Rodríguez has still yet to make his debut in the MLS with Minnesota United.

James Rodríguez has been one of the most high-profile signings of the MLS offseason, with the Colombian legend joining Minnesota United as he gears up for the 2026 World Cup. However, his league debut remains elusive after he was left on the bench in the team’s most recent match against FC Cincinnati.

After parting ways with Club León when his contract expired last year, Minnesota secured the signing of Rodríguez in early February on a five-month deal running through June 30 — meaning he will be with the Loons through the start of the World Cup. While excitement has been building around the veteran midfielder, he has yet to feature, either during the preseason friendlies or in the opening MLS matches.

Saturday presented the first real opportunity for Rodríguez to make his Minnesota debut. The Loons hosted FC Cincinnati and the Colombian was named in the squad for the first time, but he watched the entire 1-0 home victory from the bench without getting off it.

After the game, Minnesota head coach Cameron Knowles was asked about his decision to keep Rodríguez unused: “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.“

As the New Zealand-born coach noted, Rodríguez is approaching four months without a competitive appearance. His last came on November 19 of last year, when he featured in León’s defeat against Club Puebla, and while he remains a central figure for Colombia, his fitness is a significant concern for coach Néstor Lorenzo and his staff.

What’s next for James Rodriguez?

The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11, giving Rodríguez less than four months to get back to his best. In such a tight window, earning regular minutes in the short term will be essential for the Cafeteros captain to arrive at the tournament in form.

On the club front, Rodríguez could make his long-awaited MLS debut on Saturday, March 7, when Minnesota travel to face Nashville SC on Matchday 3. The March international window is also fast approaching, with Colombia set to face Croatia on the 26th and France on the 29th, two high-quality tests that could go a long way in shaping the national team’s preparations ahead of the tournament.

Marcus Rashford has impressed with his performances under Hansi Flick. Consequently, the Blaugranas have reportedly reached an agreement with Manchester United for his transfer, while the Englishman has reportedly made two major sacrifices to seal the deal.

After an unconvincing loan spell at Aston Villa, Marcus Rashford has gradually rediscovered his best version in Barcelona. While his arrival did not generate major expectations, the Englishman has managed to earn a place in Hansi Flick’s rotation. Given his strong performances, the Blaugranas are reportedly negotiating his transfer with Manchester United. To seal the deal, the 28-year-old star supposedly makes two major sacrifices.

According to TEAMtalk, Barcelona have already reached a contractual agreement with Marcus Rashford, who accepted to reduce his salary up to $17 million and remove several bonuses in a contract until 2030. With that in place, they have taken decisive steps in negotiations with Manchester United, sealing his transfer for €30 million, to be paid in three installments of €10 million. With this in mind, the Englishman could soon be finalizing his move.

Marcus’ potential transfer to the Spanish side would mark the end of his tenure with the Red Devils, during which he scored 138 goals and provided 79 assists across 426 appearances. Despite being a fan favorite, controversies often clouded his performances on the pitch. Surprisingly, Rashford has found peace with the Blaugranas, excelling as one of the team’s top players and making his permanent move appear imminent.

Despite Raphinha being Hansi Flick’s undisputed starter on the left wing, Rashford has managed to break firmly into the team’s rotation. After playing 35 matches, the Englishman has scored 10 goals and provided 13 assists, emerging as one of the team’s top contributors. Viewed as an important impact player, Barcelona have decided to move closer to finalizing his permanent transfer.

Not only Rashford: Barcelona reportedly line up an attacking coup

Hansi Flick has managed to implement a highly proactive attacking system at Barcelona, raising the level of Marcus Rashford, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and even Fermín López. Despite this, Robert Lewandowski has suffered a noticeable drop in form, making his departure as a free agent seem increasingly close. For that reason, the Blaugrana are now targeting another marquee reinforcement in attack, seeking a truly game-changing impact.

According to Diario Sport, Barcelona are targeting Julián Álvarez as their priority objective. As a cornerstone of Atlético Madrid, he could leave for around €150 million, a considerably high valuation. Despite this, they are not ruling out an intense negotiation for the Argentine, while they are also assessing Omar Marmoush of Manchester City and even Dušan Vlahović as a potential free-agent option.

With France pending on the situation with the 2026 World Cup looming, Real Madrid have finally released a medical report on star Kylian Mbappé's injury.

Kylian Mbappé had recently set off alarm bells at Real Madrid and within the France national team after his latest injury kept him out of a crucial UEFA Champions League match against Benfica. With the 2026 World Cup drawing closer, Los Blancos have finally released a medical report revealing the nature of Mbappé’s issue.

Ahead of the second leg of the UCL playoff against Benfica, Mbappé was ruled out after feeling discomfort during Tuesday’s training session. Reports pointed to his knee as the affected area, the same one that had already kept him sidelined for several matches earlier in 2026, but with no official medical report forthcoming from Real Madrid, concern and uncertainty among fans continued to grow.

On Monday, ahead of the La Liga match against Getafe, Real Madrid confirmed that Kylian Mbappé had suffered a sprain in his left knee. The Frenchman has been left out of the squad for the game, and no recovery timeline has been provided.

Real Madrid’s statement read as follows: “Following the tests conducted on our player Kylian Mbappé by French specialist doctors, under the supervision of Real Madrid’s Medical Services, the diagnosis of a sprain in the left knee and the suitability of the conservative treatment being followed are confirmed. Pending evolution.“

This marks the third time this knee issue has halted Mbappé’s prolific run in the 2025-26 season. The first instance came during the Champions League league phase against Manchester City, when he was left as an unused substitute.

The problem resurfaced toward the end of 2025 during a training session, prompting Real Madrid to release a statement confirming a knee sprain. Of the first four matches the Spanish side played in 2026, Mbappé featured in just one (a 14-minute cameo in the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona) with his knee proving a persistent obstacle ever since.

Mbappé not to undergo surgery with World Cup on the horizon

The most pressing concern surrounding Mbappé is that Real Madrid have yet to provide a recovery timeline for his return. Despite the injury troubles, the Frenchman has been the top scorer in both the Champions League and La Liga this season, amassing an impressive 38 goals and six assists in 33 appearances.

What is clear is that Mbappé will not undergo surgery to address the knee sprain, as an operation would require an extended recovery period and jeopardize his chances of representing France at the 2026 World Cup, now less than four months away. Instead, reports indicate he has opted for a more conservative treatment approach, making his situation one that will be assessed on a day-to-day basis.

Already ruled out against Getafe, Mbappé’s recovery will be critical for Real Madrid in the near term. Los Blancos are scheduled to face the first leg of their UCL Round of 16 tie on Wednesday, March 11, with the return leg on the 17th — a match the club is hopeful their star will be fit for.

Following Christian Pulisic’s drop in form, AC Milan’s offensive weakness has been exposed. As a result, they have reportedly set their sights on two star strikers from the Bundesliga ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Although Christian Pulisic had a strong start to the season, he has notably dropped his level, having gone without scoring since December 28, 2025. As a result, AC Milan have seen their offensive struggles increase, placing their hopes solely on Rafael Leão. For this reason, they are aiming to strengthen the forward line, as Niclas Füllkrug has not delivered the expected impact. With this in mind, the Rossoneri have set their sights on two Bundesliga stars.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, AC Milan are determined to look for a new striker to lead their attack. In light of this, Nicolas Jackson, on loan at Bayern Munich from Chelsea, and Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund have joined the list of priorities. While the Senegalese could be seen as an accessible option on loan with a buy option, the Frenchman is valued at €70 million following his imposing impact in the Bundesliga.

Despite the emergence of Jackson and Guirassy, the Rossoneri maintain additional alternatives in attack. Moise Kean emerges as the favorite candidate, as coach Massimiliano Allegri already had him during his time at Juventus and brought out his best version. Since his arrival at Fiorentina, the Italian has managed to shine, scoring 34 goals in 73 matches. For this reason, the 26-year-old striker also emerges as a priority for the team’s offense.

Kean and Jackson’s current performances are generating doubts among Rossoneri fans. The Fiorentina star has scored 9 goals, whereas the Bayern Munich striker has managed only 5, raising doubts on their real impact. Consequently, AC Milan might rely on the impressive displays from both forwards in previous seasons. This contrasts with Guirassy, who is indeed shining this season, already netting 16 goals, making him the most promising signing.

Santiago Gimenez may face brutal fight to keep his spot at AC Milan

Throughout the 2025–26 season, AC Milan have faced serious issues at the offensive level, as Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic have delivered inconsistent performances. In addition to this, the output of Christopher Nkunku and Füllkrug has not been up to standard. With the Rossoneri aiming to reinforce the frontline with a world-class player, Santiago Giménez faces a difficult task in securing his place on the roster.

After undergoing ankle surgery, Giménez has successfully completed the pre-athletic phase of his recovery and is anticipated to rejoin group training this week, according to Massimiliano Allegri. Consequently, the Mexican forward might return to action soon. With only a few months to showcase his true talent to the coach, the pressure is on, especially as AC Milan focus on rebuilding their attack.

Santiago’s spot is at risk, along with those of Nkunku and Füllkrug. Given their limited scoring impact, coach Allegri reportedly does not intend to keep the veteran German striker. Meanwhile, the Frenchman and the Mexican may compete for a roster spot, as a new striker is expected to join the team. In this scenario, Giménez might face a disadvantage; he not only scores fewer goals but also lacks the versatility that Christopher has demonstrated.

With new venues reportedly emerging, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente addressed the situation ahead of the Finalissima against Lionel Messi's Argentina.

The staging of the Finalissima at the end of March has been thrown into serious doubt due to the ongoing conflict in Qatar, which could also put members of both the Spain and Argentina delegations at risk. As new venues have reportedly surfaced as potential alternatives, La Roja head coach Luis de la Fuente weighed in on the uncertain situation surrounding the match against Lionel Messi‘s side.

The Qatar Football Association released a statement announcing the postponement of all tournaments, competitions and matches in the country, raising urgent questions about the fate of the Finalissima. However, FIFA, UEFA and CONMEBOL have yet to make a decision on postponement, opting to wait before acting in what remains a fluid and uncertain situation.

In an interview with TVE, coach De la Fuente offered his perspective on the clash between Spain and Argentina: “We know that talks are underway and negotiations are ongoing. First and foremost, obviously, as a society we want the conflict to end. We don’t really know how long it will last, but once everything is in motion, I understand that the solution—if the match can’t be played there—would be to look for another venue, if that’s possible.“

UEFA and CONMEBOL had originally agreed for the Finalissima to be played on Friday, March 27, at Lusail Stadium, the very venue where Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup with Argentina in 2022. However, the proximity of the fixture and the ongoing conflict have already set the governing bodies in motion, as De la Fuente acknowledged.

The Spanish boss also indicated that the primary intention from federation officials is to keep the match on its scheduled date. “That’s how I understand it. I think that’s basically the direction of all the negotiations and of everyone working on this at every level,” he added.

The original plan had both nations participating in the Qatar Football Festival 2026, where in addition to the Finalissima, Argentina were set to play a friendly against Qatar and Spain against Egypt in the days that followed. With tickets for the Messi-Lamine Yamal showdown already sold out, the federations are under pressure to act swiftly, whether that means relocating the game or keeping it in Doha.

Potential new venues for the Finalissima

Both Argentina and Spain claimed their respective continental titles in 2024 (the Copa América and the Euros) reigniting the prospect of a new Finalissima edition, but a congested international calendar had repeatedly pushed the fixture back. A consensus was finally reached to stage it during the March international window, but the situation in Qatar has once again put the federations in a difficult position.

As a result, Spanish outlet RNE Deportes reports that London, Miami, Rome, Madrid and Paris have all emerged as potential alternative venues. Negotiations are currently underway, with a resolution expected in the coming days.

The prospect of Doha remaining the host city is fading, particularly given how close the World Cup is on the horizon. As the outlet reports, both federations are intent on keeping the Argentina-Spain match on its original date, with postponement not a viable option given the absence of any available window afterward.

Amid a complicated match, Lionel Messi led an impressive comeback for Inter Miami to secure the victory. In doing so, the Argentine scored a stunning free-kick goal, climbing the all-time free-kick scorers list and closing in on Marcelinho Carioca.

After suffering a defeat in their 2026 MLS debut, Inter Miami took on Orlando City in the Florida’s derby, aiming for a commanding victory. In a thrilling comeback, Lionel Messi delivered an outstanding performance by scoring an impressive free-kick goal in the 90th minute to seal the win. With this achievement, the Argentine star reaches new spot in the all-time rankings of top free-kick scorers, bringing him closer to Marcelinho Carioca’s world record.

With his latest goal against Orlando City, Lionel Messi reached 70 free-kick goals throughout his career. After this, he establishes himself as the fourth top scorer on the list, remaining nine goals away from surpassing Marcelinho Carioca, who finished his career with 78 free-kick goals, remaining as the top scorer. Having a contract until 2028, the Argentine appears close to soon surpassing the Brazilian.

Even though he is not considered among the best Brazilian players in history, Marcelinho Carioca managed to establish his name in soccer history until his retirement in 2009. After playing 306 matches, he managed to score 100 goals, providing 69 assists. He may not rank among the greatest scorers in history, but he did establish himself as a difference-maker in free kicks, making Lionel Messi’s nearing of his record an amazing goal.

How does the top 10 all-time free kick scorers list look?

At the beginning of his professional career, Lionel Messi did not stand out in an imposing way as a great free-kick taker. In fact, he scored only four goals of this kind from 2008 to 2011. However, the Argentine became an expert starting in 2012, scoring 7 goals. After scoring 70 goals, he establishes himself as the fourth top scorer of free kicks, maintaining a clear advantage over Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona. Here is the complete top 10.

	Name	No. Goals
1.	Marcelinho Carioca	78 goals
2.	Roberto Dinamite	75 goals
3.	Juninho Pernambucano	72 goals
4.	Lionel Messi	70 goals
5.	Marcos Assunção	69 goals
6.	Zico	68 goals
7.	Siniša Mihajlović	67 goals
8.	Pierre van Hooijdonk	65 goals
9.	Cristiano Ronaldo	63 goals
10.	Diego Maradona	61 goals

Having Cristiano seven goals behind, the Argentine stands out as the only player capable of surpassing Marcelinho Carioca, as he is the closest active player to this record. In addition, Messi has remained one of the most consistent players in terms of free-kick effectiveness. For that reason, Lionel could set the record, once again leaving his mark on soccer history.

Although Cristiano Ronaldo established himself several years ago as one of the best free-kick scorers in the world, he is coming off a few years without effectiveness in his shots. After scoring three goals in 2024 with Al Nassr, the Portuguese now has gone two years without scoring again in this manner, even though he is usually the team’s taker. This contrasts with Lionel Messi, who is coming off 18 consecutive seasons scoring free kicks.

Real Madrid are preparing for a Matchday 26 clash against Getafe in the 2025/26 La Liga campaign. Below, you’ll find all the key details for this matchup, including kickoff times and full information on how to watch the game live on TV and through available streaming services.

Match Overview

The La Liga title race tightens as Real Madrid look to keep pace after Barcelona’s 4-1 win over Villarreal pushed the Blaugrana to 64 points, four clear at the top. Led by Kylian Mbappe, Los Blancos need a victory to trim the gap to one and stay firmly in the championship hunt.

However, Getafe—hovering in mid-table and still wary of slipping toward the relegation fight—will be desperate for points of their own, setting up a high-stakes clash with major implications at both ends of the standings.

Amid a rather inconsistent season, Jude Bellingham picked up a thigh injury that initially seemed set to sideline him for only a few matches. However, the Englishman has suffered an unexpected setback in his recovery, delaying his return longer than anticipated.

Jude Bellingham arrived at Real Madrid as one of the best players in the world, with the club paying €127 million to Borussia Dortmund for his transfer. In his first season, he made an impressive impact, scoring 23 goals and providing 12 assists. However, the Englishman is not experiencing his best campaign currently, as his offensive impact has diminished. Additionally, Bellingham reportedly suffered a relapse of his thigh injury, further delaying his return to the pitch.

Even though Jude was called upon to lead Real Madrid’s midfield in the absence of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, he has failed to convince with his performance. Neither with Xabi Alonso nor Álvaro Arbeloa has he managed to organize the midfield, making it clear that his focus is on being an attacking midfielder. Despite this, he has not managed to shine in this regard either. Coupled with this, the Englishman reportedly faces a backlash on his recovery.

After his thigh injury in early February, Jude Bellingham was expected to be sidelined until mid-March. Far from his recovery progressing smoothly, the Englishman will be out for Real Madrid until mid-April, complicating matters for coach Álvaro Arbeloa, as per Alberto Pereiro on Onda Cero. With this setback, he would be cementing a disappointing season marred by injuries and a lack of offensive impact.

In Bellingham’s absence, Arbeloa may once again rely on Aurelien Tchouameni and Arda Guler in central midfield. Additionally, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde could adopt more offensive roles, aiming to create a significant impact and support Vinicius Jr. amid Kylian Mbappe’s latest backlash. With the 2026 World Cup just a couple of months away, the Englishman is unlikely to rush his return, as he aims to secure a spot with his national team for the tournament.

Bellingham disappoints at Real Madrid, forcing new signings

Under Carlo Ancelotti, Jude Bellingham broke out in impressive fashion at Real Madrid, scoring 23 goals and providing 12 assists while operating as a ‘false 9’ behind Vinicius and Rodrygo. However, Kylian Mbappé’s arrival forced a shift in Bellingham’s role, reducing his goal-scoring opportunities. Furthermore, with the departures of Kroos and Modric, expectations were high for him to become the leader of the midfield—a goal he has yet to fully achieve.

Throughout the 2025–26 season, the Englishman has been an undisputed starter at the base of midfield alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni. Despite this, he has not managed to properly organize the team, forcing the young Arda Güler to drop deeper and reduce his attacking contribution to support him. As a result, Real Madrid have struggled to remain competitive, losing the top spot in LaLiga. For this reason, Los Blancos are reportedly looking to strengthen the midfield.

According to numerous outlets, Real Madrid have decided to bring back Nico Paz by activating the €9 million buy-back clause, as they expect him to provide leadership and structure in midfield. In addition, they are reportedly monitoring the development of Kees Smit, who has been shining at AZ Alkmaar as the team’s key playmaker. It does not mean that the Englishman will depart, as he remains a cornerstone of the squad and may take a more offensive role.

Guillermo Amor discusses his legendary career at FC Barcelona, his crucial goal in the 1990 Copa del Rey Final, and his journey from being La Masia's first graduate to managing in the A-League.

From Lionel Messi to Sergio Busquets, from Xavi Hernández to Lamine Yamal, from Andrés Iniesta to Gerard Piqué, Barcelona’s La Masia academy has produced a seemingly endless line of future Blaugrana stars. However, the very first player to go from developing in La Masia to thriving in Barcelona’s first team was none other than Guillermo Amor.

Born in Benidorm, Spain, Amor started playing football at an early age for a number of different teams in the Alicante province and, after impressing in a tournament against the likes of Barcelona, Valencia, and Hércules, he was invited to undergo a week-long trial at Barcelona. It didn’t take much for Barcelona to see that he could be a world-class player: at 12 years old, Amor left Alicante and made the move to the brand-new academy in January 1980. Six years after making his unofficial debut—replacing Diego Maradona in a friendly to celebrate the Miniestadi’s opening—Amor made his competitive debut against Catalan rivals Espanyol.

He quickly established himself as a vital cog under new manager Johan Cruyff, scoring 13 goals in 36 appearances across the 1988/89 season and helping the Blaugranas win the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. At the time, Real Madrid were the undisputed kings of Spain, winning five consecutive LaLiga titles between 1986 and 1990, but Amor would help turn the tide in Barcelona’s favor by scoring eight goals and an assist in 42 appearances in 1989/90—none more important than his opening goal in Barcelona’s 2-0 win against Real Madrid in the 1990 Copa del Rey Final. Cruyff, then on the hot seat, was given another season to showcase his managerial prowess, a decision that would quickly bear fruit.

“It was a very nice moment, partly because it was very close to my hometown of Benidorm. I was practically 140 kilometers away, so the whole family and a lot of friends came to see the final, and we really needed them to be there,” recalled Amor of his goal in an exclusive World Soccer Talk interview. “We were focused on the match, thinking that we absolutely had to win, that’s all that we had left, because we didn’t know what was going to happen afterwards. The feeling is so wonderful when it’s your turn on a day like that, being able to participate by scoring a goal, whilst Julio Salinas scored at the end of the match to secure the victory. For me, that was very important, not just as a local player, but a good player who loves his club, who had been waiting for those moments for many years, who had also faced Real Madrid in the youth categories, and who knew what these matches are like and what’s at stake. The truth is, it was a very special, very beautiful moment.”

With Amor orchestrating the show in midfield, Barcelona were able to claim four consecutive league titles from 1991 to 1994, whilst they were also able to claim their first-ever European Cup (now the UEFA Champions League) after beating Sampdoria in the 1992 final, in addition to reaching the 1994 final. But after missing out on three trophies in the span of 10 days, Cruyff was sacked in 1996. However, Amor would nevertheless prove essential by guiding them to the Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1996/97 under Bobby Robson. The 1997/98 season, meanwhile, would see Amor help Barcelona win the LaLiga title and Copa del Rey under Louis van Gaal, and it also saw him compete in the biggest tournament in the world. Having excelled in Spain’s Euro ’96 run, Amor would play in all three of Spain’s matches in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Little did he know it, but it would be his final tournament as a Spain player, as well as his final international tournament as a Barcelona player.

“The Spain national team manager Javier Clemente tried to put together a team of good people who were very compatible with him, but when you have so many players from different teams, forming a team is difficult. It used to be even more difficult, because there weren’t as many matches. Now, national teams play many matches throughout the year, there are friendlies, tournaments, and championships, but in our time, we didn’t play so many matches. Clemente trusted a group of players, many from Barcelona and Real Madrid, and I was fortunate that he trusted me enough to be in the 1996 Euros in England and the 1998 World Cup in France. Those are two unforgettable moments for me because of what they mean for any player’s career, and it coincides with my departure because my Barcelona contract was ending, and I had to start a new chapter in a different city, a different country, and a different championship.”

After nearly 20 years with Barcelona, Amor made the move to Serie A outfit Fiorentina, where he spent two seasons, before returning to Spain and helping newly promoted Villarreal establish their place in LaLiga. Amor then made the move to Scottish side Livingston, where he made three appearances and helped them avoid relegation, before retiring at the age of 35. The Spaniard quickly transitioned into a backroom role with FC Barcelona, overseeing the club’s youth categories as the Head of Youth Football from 2003 to 2007. He returned three years later and worked as the club’s Technical Director of Football Training between 2010 and 2014, before starting a new journey in Australia as Adelaide United FC’s Technical Director and later the club’s head coach.

Similarly to how figures like Stevie Grieve are looking to spearhead the return of clubs like Helsingborgs to their respective top flights, Amor led Adelaide to their first and only A-League Championship before returning to his boyhood club in 2017 and overseeing Barça B and the U19A and B sides before being shifted into the role of Head of Institutional and Sports Relations for the first team from 2017 to 2021. At 58 years of age, Amor spends his time in Barcelona, working with his oldest son (a licensed FIFA agent) in his consulting and player representation business. But every now and then, he’ll head back to his native Alicante and watch the matches of Club de Fútbol Benidorm, a club whose stadium (Estadio Municipal Guillermo Amor) bears his name.

“It’s very special, but even more so having it in the town where I was born, and where I left at a very young age. That field is where I also started playing, in the schoolyard where I studied, and it was on that field where we had the Easter Children’s Tournament, which is where Barcelona saw me for the first time. That’s where I played against Barcelona and earned the invitation to FC Barcelona, so whenever I go to Benidorm, I always visit that field, and if I get a chance, I’ll go and watch a match there. There are a lot of matches that are played there, from the Spanish national youth teams like the under-17s and the under-18s to CF Benidorm, which is also working hard to see if they can get promoted, and I’m always keeping a close eye on that too. But this recognition is an honor, whether it’s in your town or city, it’s an honor that someone remembers you and puts something in your name… it’s beautiful. And if you can experience it while you’re still alive, even better. The bad thing is when they show you something you’re no longer around for, but if you have the chance to experience something while you’re still enjoying it, then all the better.”

After a successful start to the season, Kylian Mbappé was forced to miss several weeks on the pitch due to a knee injury. In light of this, the Frenchman is reportedly upset with Real Madrid over the handling of his injury, leading him to make a major decision.

Kylian Mbappé established himself as Real Madrid’s best player, leading the attack amid Vinicius Jr.’s dip in form. He not only stands as the team’s top scorer with 38 goals but has also asserted himself as an undisputed leader in the dressing room. However, the Frenchman was forced to miss several weeks due to his knee injury. Now, Mbappe is reportedly upset with Los Blancos over the handling of his injury, pushing him to make a major decision.

According to Diario Marca, Mbappé is quite dissatisfied with Real Madrid’s medical services, as he has been dealing with these knee problems for around three months. Far from having been given proper management for his recovery, the Frenchman continued playing through discomfort, but in mid-February he decided to stop completely since the issue had not improved. As a result, he has decided to travel to France in search of the opinion of other specialists.

Following a complete break in February, Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid were aiming for a return to peak physical condition in early March, seeking to be ready to face Manchester City. Despite this, the Frenchman’s dissatisfaction with the team’s medical services may create uncertainty as to whether he will be ready for this date or will need to take more time off to recover. As per Diario Marca, he could be closer to being ready for the Champions League second leg.

With the Frenchman’s departure, coach Alvaro Arbeloa now faces seven key absences: Éder Militao, Dani Ceballos, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes, Dean Huijsen, Raul Asencio, and Kylian Mbappé. Despite this, Real Madrid remain competitive in both LaLiga and the Champions League. However, these absences could pose a significant challenge against Manchester City, and they aim to recover most players back by early March, though it seems complicated.

Mbappé receives harsh criticism for pushing his body to the brink

Despite Real Madrid’s inconsistent season, Kylian Mbappé is having his best statistical year. After scoring 38 goals, the French forward remains in the race for the European Golden Boot, competing fiercely with Harry Kane. Although he has struggled with injuries since December, he reportedly chose to stay with the team, pushing himself to play in numerous matches. Now that his injury is confirmed, fans have been heavily criticizing him.

While enduring significant physical discomfort, Mbappé started against Sevilla on December 20, 2025, where he scored a penalty to match Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 59 goals in a calendar year. This was not an isolated incident; the French star then chose to take a break until the end of February after pushing himself for approximately three months—something fans claim exacerbated his physical condition.

Even though supporters have criticized Kylian, the Frenchman reportedly blames Real Madrid’s medical staff for mishandling his injury. He makes it clear that if he had been told to stop, he would have done so, but continuing to play aggravated his condition. Because of this, Mbappé may not be entirely at fault for his recurring knee issues. As he deals with his problems in France, he may be back to face Manchester City in the Champions League second leg.

For the clash against Orlando City in the MLS, Inter Miami won't be counting with legendary striker Luis Suarez.

Inter Miami head to Inter&Co Stadium to face Orlando City on Matchday 2 of the 2026 MLS season Sunday, looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3-0 loss in their opener against LAFC. However, the Herons will be without one of their most recognizable stars in Luis Suarez.

Suarez will not take part in the match against Orlando City after suffering an injury. The Uruguayan striker was listed on Inter Miami’s injury report with a lower-leg issue that will sideline him Sunday, ruling him out not only of the starting lineup but also of the matchday squad.

Inter Miami have not released an official statement detailing Suarez’s condition or a timeline for his return. According to Claro Sports reporter José Armando, the veteran forward felt discomfort during Friday’s training session, which led to his absence from the game.

Despite falling out of head coach Javier Mascherano’s preferred starting XI following the arrival of German Berterame, Suarez remains an important depth option who brings experience and leadership to the roster. He joins Sergio Reguilon as the two Inter Miami players unavailable because of injury.

Luis Suarez praised by German Berterame

Late last MLS season, Suarez began to lose his place in Inter Miami’s lineups as Mateo Silvetti and Tadeo Allende impressed with strong performances. For 2026, the club not only retained Allende but also signed Berterame for a reported $15 million to fill a Designated Player slot, effectively pushing Suarez into more of a secondary role.

Still, the Uruguayan legend continues to leave an impression on newcomers. Speaking Friday, Berterame praised Suarez’s influence: “I watched him for years on television, all those matches and goals at Barcelona and with every team he played for.“

Despite now being the starting striker, the Mexico international said Suarez remains a valuable mentor. “I’ve also seen him here in Miami, and he never stops surprising us. Now that I’m by his side every day in training, I try to learn the best from him — his first touch, his finishing, and his patience inside the box. That’s invaluable,” he added.

With a starring Lionel Messi, Inter Miami claim the first Florida Derby against Orlando City in the 2026 MLS season.

Inter Miami traveled to Inter&Co Stadium to face Orlando City on Matchday 2 of the 2026 MLS season, with both Eastern Conference sides looking to bounce back after disappointing openers. Led by a starring Lionel Messi, who capped his performance with a stunning free kick, the Herons completed a remarkable 4-2 comeback in the first Florida Derby of the season.

Despite controlling possession for long stretches, Inter Miami ran into a sharp Maxime Crépeau early on, and their inability to break down a well-organized Orlando side left them exposed at the back. The Lions made them pay, first in the 18th minute when a misplaced pass from Rodrigo De Paul allowed Iván Angulo to whip in a cross for Marco Pašalić, who met it with a crisp half-volley to open the scoring.

Six minutes later, Martín “Tincho” Ojeda doubled the lead with a brilliant trivela after a slick combination with Griffin Dorsey. Trailing by two at halftime, with Orlando City comfortably sitting deep for much of the half and holding just 39% of the possession, Miami head coach Javier Mascherano made an attacking change at the break, sending on Mateo Silvetti in place of defender Noah Allen.

The gamble paid off almost immediately, as Silvetti, following a pass from Telasco Segovia, unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box to halve the deficit in the 49th minute. Then, in the 57th, Lionel Messi finally found the back of the net for his first official goal of 2026, curling a shot into the far corner that Crépeau had no answer for.

Dos veces MESSI 🔥⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Cu1x2fi2qH

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 2, 2026

As the game entered its final stages, Germán Berterame drove to the end line and delivered a cross to Messi, who laid it off to Segovia to complete the comeback in the 85th minute. Then, after drawing a red card from an ill-timed Guske foul, Messi stepped up to take the resulting free kick and curled a perfect effort that dipped just beneath Crépeau’s hands, sealing his brace and securing Inter Miami’s first three points of the MLS season.

Belize U20 will battle El Salvador U20 on Matchday 4 of the 2026 CONCACAF U20 Championship group stage. Viewers across the United States can watch every minute live, with full kickoff times and broadcast information provided here for both TV coverage and streaming options.

Match Overview

Fresh off a commanding 3-0 win over French Guiana, El Salvador U20 look to keep their strong start going as they face Belize U20 in a key CONCACAF youth showdown. The tournament has long been a stage for the region’s future stars, and El Salvador’s young core is eager to build momentum as part of the country’s broader World Cup ambitions at the senior level.

Belize, meanwhile, sees this generation as a chance to spark long-term growth for its national program, setting up a matchup filled with motivation on both sides. With rising talent and regional pride on display, this is one you won’t want to miss.

With Lionel Messi expected to be one of the starters, Orlando City and Inter Miami will be clashing for Matchday 2 of the 2026 MLS.

Orlando City host Inter Miami for Matchday 2 of the 2026 Major League Soccer season Sunday at Exploria Stadium. With the first Florida derby of the campaign on tap, fans are set to see Lionel Messi back in action.

The Lions enter the match after a disappointing home opener against the New York Red Bulls, a 2-1 result in which the visitors dictated play with 13 shots on target, forcing goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau into a standout performance that prevented a heavier defeat. Following the departures of Alex Freeman and Rodrigo Schlegel, Orlando are counting on young Brazilians and newcomers Tiago, Luis Otávio, and Iago Teodoro to emerge as key contributors.

On the other side, Inter Miami head into their second official match of the season after a humbling 3-0 road loss to Los Angeles FC in a record-setting MLS clash. The Herons bounced back with a win Thursday against Independiente del Valle and will aim to carry that momentum into a game with points at stake.

Is Lionel Messi playing vs. Orlando City?

Lionel Messi is starting on Sunday’s Florida derby. The Argentine star featured in the second half of Thursday’s friendly against Independiente del Valle where he scored from the penalty spot, and after dealing with an injury prior to the season, completed Saturday’s training session and is available for selection.

Interestingly, this will mark his fifth meeting with Orlando City but only his third in MLS play. Messi missed one Florida derby in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025, appearing in just two league matches against the Lions, where he has split results with one win and one loss and will look to tilt that record in his favor.

Confirmed lineups for Orlando City and Inter Miami

Orlando City’s confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Maxime Crepeau; Griffin Dorsey, David Brekalo, Nolan Miller, Tahir Reid-Brown; Braian Ojeda, Colin Guske; Marco Pašalić, Martín Ojeda, Iván Angulo; Duncan McGuire.
Head coach: Oscar Pareja.

Inter Miami’s confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Dayne St. Clair; Facundo Mura, Maxi Falcon, Micael, Noah Allen; Rodrigo de Paul, Yannick Bright; Tadeo Allende, Lionel Messi, Telasco Segovia; German Berterame.
Head coach: Javier Mascherano.

With only a few months left before the 2026 World Cup begins, Neymar Jr. seems somewhat distant from Brazil’s final call-up before the tournament. Amid doubts about his presence, Rodrygo Goes offered unconditional support for the 34-year-old veteran, delivering strong statements.

After returning to the field with Santos FC following his recovery, Neymar Jr. has managed to regain clear physical sensations, promising a radical change after his meniscus surgery. Even so, the veteran is reportedly not expected to be called up by Carlo Ancelotti for Brazil’s final matches before the 2026 World Cup. In response, Rodrygo Goes gave a strong answer when asked whether he believes the 34-year-old star should be in the anticipated tournament.

“It’s logical. For me, in my opinion, there’s not even a discussion. But we know, of course, he needs to be well, he has to be preparing, he is returning from knee surgery. It won’t have the same grace to win without him, so we need him,” Rodrygo said, as reported by ESPN Deportes. With these statements, the 25-year-old star may pressure Carlo Ancelotti to call up the veteran star after a significant time, gaining momentum for the anticipated tournament.

Unlike in previous years, Neymar Jr. has transitioned from a left winger to an attacking midfielder. In this new role, he competes with Rodrygo, Raphinha, and Lucas Paquetá. Despite this competition, the young star has expressed support for the veteran, emphasizing that Neymar’s experience could be crucial at the 2026 World Cup. In case he stays injury-free, he could push Brazil coach Ancelotti for a spot in the tournament.

With the constant injuries of recent years, Neymar’s possible return to Brazil may not mean a scoring boost. Although he is the national team’s all-time top scorer, he has already transformed into an attacking midfielder, who is key in creating space for his teammates. With his experience and on-field impact, Estêvão, Raphinha, Rodrygo, and Vinícius Jr. could benefit greatly, as their scoring output could increase considerably.

Neymar flaunts his physical readiness at Santos amid Brazil snub buzz

Following his meniscus surgery, Neymar Jr. has already made a successful return with Santos, playing three consecutive games: 2 in the Campeonato Paulista and 1 in the Brasileirao. Even though he failed to score in his first two games, he scored an important brace against Vasco Da Gama. Despite this, Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly looking to leave him out of Brazil’s next squad, prompting the 34-year-old to showcase his physical condition in an Instagram story.

Neymar ainda não está 100% fisicamente, mas esses dados aqui trazem um cenário otimista em relação ao estado físico dele.

Não estou dizendo que ele fez uma grande partida hoje – pelo contrário. Mas ver ele na parte de cima desses dados que englobam sua saúde física é animador! pic.twitter.com/xx5UzIS90i

— Estagiário do Ney (@estagiariodoney) February 23, 2026

Over the past few months, Ancelotti has made it clear that Neymar’s talent is a difference-maker, so he has reportedly set his physical recovery as the only condition. Because of this, the veteran states that he ranks among the best-rated players at Santos, making it clear that if he is left out, it would not be due to a lack of full fitness. In addition, the 34-year-old aims to improve more and more, ensuring that his physical condition is at its peak heading into June.

After Vinícius Jr.’s complaint against Gianluca Prestianni, José Mourinho has been the subject of strong criticism for his statements toward the Brazilian. However, the Portuguese coach has decided to double down on his remarks, criticizing UEFA and warning his Argentine player.

Although the Champions League playoffs between Real Madrid and Benfica have already come to an end, Vinícius Jr.’s complaint against Gianluca Prestianni for racism keeps everything that happened in this match very active. After the game, José Mourinho was heavily criticized for his words toward the Brazilian, but he decided to reinforce his statement. With this, the Portuguese coach sends a clear criticism to UEFA and a warning to his Argentine player.

“If one of my players did not respect these principles, which are mine and Benfica’s, that player’s career with a coach named José Mourinho and at a club called SL Benfica will come to an end. I’m not a lawyer, but I’m not ignorant either; the presumption of innocence is a right. If the player is indeed guilty, I will never look at him the same way again and that will be the end with me, but I have to put a lot of ‘ifs’ before that,” Mourinho said, reported by DAZN.

José Mourinho has decided to maintain his stance, defending Prestianni’s innocence until UEFA proves otherwise. While this position should not be controversial, he has been heavily criticized for not supporting Vinícius Junior. However, the Portuguese coach only sought to remain completely neutral, making it clear that the governing body will determine whether racist acts occurred or not, keeping him far from being a racist person, as he was accused.

Throughout his career, Mourinho has always stayed away from racist accusations. Even Chelsea legend Didier Drogba decided to support the Portuguese coach, recalling his successful history with African players such as him, Samuel Eto’o, John Obi Mikel, Michael Essien, among many others. In addition, he has acknowledged that whenever he travels to African countries he receives a lot of love, as players like Drogba even call him “Dad” as a term of affection.

Prestianni could not only end his Benfica career but face UEFA ban

Following his successful tenure at Vélez Sarsfield, Gianluca Prestianni arrived at SL Benfica as one of Argentina’s biggest prospects. After paying €9 million for his transfer, he managed to stand out at the Portuguese club, becoming a starter under José Mourinho. However, Vinícius Jr.’s complaint of racial acts could end his career at the club, as the coach warned. This might not end there, as he could also face a severe sanction from UEFA.

If found guilty of racial discrimination against Vinícius Jr., Prestianni could face a sanction starting from a 10-match suspension up to being ruled out for a determined period, according to Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Code. SL Benfica could even have justification to terminate his contract, leaving him in limbo. With this, the Argentine could struggle to find a new club in Europe, halting his progress.

Despite this, UEFA does not have an easy task proving Gianluca’s guilt in acts of racism. Without audio or video evidence, they must conduct an investigation based on the players’ statements. However, the recorded video shows that there were no players actually near Prestianni and Vinicius at the time, complicating any investigation. If found innocent, the Argentine is reportedly planning to sue the Brazilian for defamation.

After being subbed last Saudi Pro League game due to an injury, Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo made a key decision to assess his fitness.

Cristiano Ronaldo raised concerns during Al Nassr’s latest Saudi Pro League match against Al Fayha after the Portuguese star was unable to finish the game and was substituted following what appeared to be an injury. With concern surrounding the veteran forward, he has reportedly made a key decision to further evaluate the issue.

The game did not start well for Ronaldo, who in the 11th minute, at 0-0 and tasked with taking a penalty, struck his shot off the post. After an own goal late in the first half, Al Nassr rallied for a 3-1 comeback, with goals from Sadio Mané, an Orlando Mosquera own goal, and Abdullah Al Hamdan.

However, the most worrying moment came late in the second half, when Ronaldo was seen limping with apparent muscle discomfort, prompting head coach Jorge Jesus to substitute him in the 81st minute. Sitting on the bench, the striker was examined by medical staff, who applied ice to his right leg. Although he later appeared in the mixed zone signing autographs and walking unassisted, concern among Al Nassr fans remained.

During the post-match press conference, Jesus addressed Ronaldo’s condition and sought to ease fears. “Ronaldo felt some muscle fatigue. After we went up 2-1, I didn’t want to take any risks, so I subbed him out. The medical department is going to evaluate his condition, but what he felt is nothing out of the ordinary—nothing serious or anything that will keep him sidelined for long. It was just muscle soreness,” Jorge Jesus said.

Cristiano Ronaldo to assess his injury

According to Saudi outlet Al Riyadiyah, Cristiano Ronaldo will undergo an MRI on Monday in a specialized medical center. Initial tests determined what was already suspected, that the Portuguese was suffering a discomfort on his right hamstring, proving to be a little bit more worrying than just a muscle fatigue.

The purpose of the scan is to determine the true severity of the injury and establish a recovery timeline so the club can plan accordingly around its star player. The results will be significant not only for the SPL title race, but also with the March international window approaching for the Portugal national team.

Following the Asian Football Confederation’s decision to postpone upcoming AFC Champions League quarterfinal matches, Al Nassr’s scheduled game Wednesday against Al Wasl will not be played. As a result, Jesus opted to give his squad a rest day Sunday before returning to training.

As for a recovery timeline, it will depend entirely on the diagnosis. Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine indicates Grade I muscle strains typically require one to three weeks of recovery, a timeframe that could affect Ronaldo’s fitness for Portugal’s upcoming matches against Mexico and the United States men’s national team.

Orlando City SC will host Inter Miami CF in a 2026 Major League Soccer regular-season clash. Here’s everything you need to know about this matchup, including the date, venue, kickoff time, and how to watch all the action live across the United States.

Match Overview

MLS headlines this weekend with one of its most anticipated rivalry clashes as Inter Miami meet Orlando City SC in the latest installment of the Miami Derby. Both sides enter the matchup desperate to steady the ship after rough starts to the campaign.

Orlando are coming off a setback against the New York Red Bulls, while Miami endured an even tougher outing, falling 3-0 to Los Angeles FC. With pride and momentum on the line, Orlando are chasing their first victory of the tournament, while Lionel Messi and Miami are under pressure to respond and reignite their season.

With Qatar's current situation, FIFA are reportedly set to wait on making a decision over the postponement of the 2026 Finalissima between Lionel Messi's Argentina and Lamine Yamal's Spain.

The 2026 Finalissima between Argentina and Spain, one of the marquee matchups of the year ahead of the World Cup, has once again been thrust into the spotlight amid the possibility of the game being suspended. However, reports have now surfaced that FIFA will wait before deciding on a postponement of the clash between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal.

After several months without an agreement on a date, FIFA, CONMEBOL, and UEFA had settled on staging the match in Qatar at Lusail Stadium on March 27. However, the situation in Qatar has put the country on alert, prompting security measures and the postponement of several sporting events nationwide.

On Sunday, the Qatar Football Association released a statement addressing the situation in Qatari soccer: “Qatar Football Association announces the postponement of all tournaments, competitions, and matches, effective from today and until further notice. The new dates for the resumption of competitions will be announced in due course through the Association’s official channels.“

The Finalissima still not suspended

Despite the statement released by the QFA, the Finalissima has not been officially suspended yet. The decision from the national federation applies only to competitions under its jurisdiction, while any ruling on international events such as the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain will be determined jointly by FIFA, UEFA, and CONMEBOL.

As reported by Argentine journalist Gastón Edul, the Finalissima is not officially suspended. CONMEBOL and UEFA have not held discussions with the Qatari government, meaning the match remains unresolved and is expected to be clarified in the coming days, with less than a month remaining before the scheduled date.

Edul also reported that the chances of the duel between Argentina and Spain not being played on the 27th “are very high.” Still, the governing bodies plan to remain cautious before making a determination, waiting to see whether the situation escalates before reaching a final decision.

What are the options for the Finalissima?

Taking into account the significant commercial agreement Qatar has to host the clash between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, it is rather unlikely the nation would relinquish hosting rights to another country on the same date. Under that scenario, only one realistic option remains.

As the Argentine insider reported, postponement is among the most likely outcomes, though it remains unclear whether that would mean days, weeks, or even months, especially given how close the World Cup is. FIFA, UEFA, and CONMEBOL are monitoring the situation before making a final call on a match that has already faced multiple delays.

Arsenal face Chelsea, seeking a victory that would consolidate them as the undisputed leaders of the Premier League. While the Gunners arrive as clear favorites, the Blues come in full form, promising a highly competitive match.

Following a multi-million dollar investment, Arsenal have established themselves as one of the world’s top teams, maintaining great solidity. In today’s Premier League clash, they showcased their impressive performances by dominating Chelsea. Although neither Viktor Gyokeres nor Eberechi Eze found the net, William Saliba and Justin Timber were decisive in securing the victory. Coupled with this, the Blues endured Pedro Neto’s red card, complicating the outcome.

While head coach Liam Rosenior aimed to regain Chelsea’s best form, they failed to shine in today’s game. Not only did they struggle to deliver consistently on offense, but they also fell short defensively. Their high pressing approach left several gaps in the backline that Viktor Gyokeres constantly exploited. Additionally, the Blues struggled to defend corner kicks, allowing Saliba and Timber to shine as they bypassed Mamadou Sarr and Trevor Chalobah.

Arsenal managed to shine throughout the Premier League match, led by Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice. Despite the Blues’ quick counterattacks, both players were able to disrupt those advances and launch rapid responses, consistently finding Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Even so, the performance of Gyökeres and Eze was disappointing, as they failed to make a difference, creating few serious goal-scoring chances.

While the Gunners secured a 2-1 victory, the match was fairly evenly contested. Neither Arsenal nor Chelsea truly excelled in attack, leaving their midfielders as the standout performers. Additionally, both sides only managed to threaten each other from set pieces, particularly corner kicks, raising doubts about their ability to break down well-organized defenses. Even so, Mikel Arteta achieved his primary goal: Keeping Arsenal atop the Premier League table.

AS Roma will host Juventus in a Matchday 27 showdown in the 2025/2026 Serie A campaign. Supporters in the United States can catch every minute of the clash, with complete kickoff times and broadcast details provided for both television and streaming options.

Match Overview

Champions League positioning is front and center in Matchday 27 as Juventus look to recover from their European playoff exit and reignite their top-four push against a direct rival. The Bianconeri trail the final qualifying spot and understand that three points are essential to avoid falling further behind in the standings.

Standing in their way is AS Roma, who currently occupy fourth place with 50 points and control their own destiny. A victory would give Roma breathing room in the race and tighten their grip on a Champions League berth. With so much at stake, this is a showdown you won’t want to miss.

Looking to consolidate their position as undisputed leaders of the Premier League, Arsenal face Chelsea in a vibrant London derby. While the Gunners are in top form, the Blues are coming off an inconsistent season, so they need a win. Here are the confirmed lineups for both sides.

After heavily reinforcing their roster, Arsenal have managed to remain at the top of the Premier League for several weeks. However, they are coming off two consecutive draws that have put their position at risk. As a result, the Gunners face Chelsea today in a thrilling London derby. Like them, the Blues are in need of a victory, intensity and tactical discipline could ultimately define the outcome in today’s game.

Unlike the start of the season, coach Mikel Arteta has managed to recover the best version of Viktor Gyökeres, who is coming off a brace against Tottenham Hotspur. With this in mind, Arsenal emerge as the clear favorites, as they maintain a fairly solid team in defense and midfield, making the goal-scoring facet the last requirement needed to maintain their brilliant performance. In addition, Eberechi Eze continues to impose his level.

Chelsea seem to be gradually recovering consistency. Under the guidance of new coach Liam Rosenior, they have managed to regain defensive stability and midfield solidity, with Enzo Fernández being the creative key of the team. In addition, João Pedro and Cole Palmer remain the leaders of the attack, making the difference in every match. Along with this, the Blues have managed to rotate their bench, keeping them in full form.

Both teams arrive in quite different moments in the Premier League, but they need a victory in today’s match. While the Gunners seek to continue pulling away from Manchester City, who are following them closely, the Blues need a win to pursue a Champions League spot, as they are currently outside these places. With this in mind, they could give us a highly competitive match, focusing on the offensive approach.

Arsenal lineup vs. Chelsea

Even though they are the clear favorites to take the victory, Arsenal maintain difficult absentees: Mikel Merino, Ben White, Kai Havertz, and Max Dowman. However, coach Mikel Arteta keeps Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyökeres as his offensive leaders, alongside William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães in defense. With this, he will opt for a fairly conservative lineup, similar to that of previous matches.

With this in mind, Arsenal will play as follows: David Raya; Justin Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Piero Hincapié; Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze; Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyökeres, Leandro Trossard.

Chelsea lineup vs. Arsenal

With the arrival of Liam Rosenior, Chelsea arrive in better form to compete against Arsenal, seeking a solid victory. However, they still do not have Mykhaylo Mudryk, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Estevao, Jamie Gittens, Dario Essugo, and Levi Colwill available. In view of this, they will look to Cole Palmer and João Pedro as the leaders of the attack, and Alejandro Garnacho will be decisive off the bench.

Considering this, Chelsea will lineup as follows: Robert Sanchez; Reece James, Mamadou Sarr, Trevoh Chalobah, Jorrel Hato; Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos; Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto; João Pedro.

Arsenal receive Chelsea in a Matchday 28 clash during the 2025/2026 Premier League campaign. Below, you’ll find essential details, including kickoff times and complete viewing options across TV and streaming platforms.

Match Overview

With the Premier League title race heating up, the pressure is mounting on first-place Arsenal (61 points) after Manchester City closed the gap with a win over Leeds United, tightening the race at the top. Now the Gunners must respond in a marquee showdown against Chelsea.

The Blues are fighting tooth and nail with Manchester United and Liverpool for the final Champions League spot and simply can’t afford to drop points. With massive implications for both the title chase and the top-four battle, this blockbuster clash has all the ingredients of a season-defining moment!

Manchester United square off against Crystal Palace in a Matchday 28 clash during the 2025/2026 Premier League campaign. Below, you’ll find essential details, including kickoff times and complete viewing options across TV and streaming platforms.

Match Overview

The push for European qualification is reaching a boiling point, and Manchester United head into their next test with little room for error. Tied on 48 points with Liverpool —who boosted their standing with a win over West Ham.

Now, United are locked in a tense race where a single point could decide Champions League dreams. Awaiting them is a hungry Crystal Palace squad still fighting to create separation from the relegation zone. With major implications at both ends of the table, this is one showdown you won’t want to miss.

Club America will take on Tigres UANL in a Matchday 8 clash of the Liga MX Clausura 2026 season. Below is all the essential information for this matchup, including kickoff times and complete broadcast coverage for TV and streaming viewers in the United States.

Match Overview

With the Liga MX playoff race tightening by the week, the spotlight turns to a crucial clash between Club America and Tigres UANL, two sides separated by just one spot in the standings as seventh-place America looks to build on the momentum of a dominant 4-0 win over Puebla.

Meanwhile, eighth-place Tigres try to halt a troubling two-game skid that has put their postseason hopes under pressure; with every point now carrying massive weight in a crowded table, this showdown could significantly reshape the playoff picture, making it a must-watch battle you won’t want to miss.

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.

Pep Guardiola sounds ready to play against Real Madrid in Manchester City's next Champions League match.

Friday was the day for the Champions League to establish the round of 16 matches. Some ties could easily be finals, like the one Manchester City must play. Pep Guardiola was not discouraged by being drawn against Real Madrid.

Once Real Madrid’s victory over Benfica was confirmed, many voices from the club predicted the English side would be the opponent. In the end, they were right. After the event it was club legend Emilio Butragueño who complained about the pairing.

Guardiola had a different approach to the match. “For our club, the more we play against the best teams of this competition, the better. We’ll learn more, we’ll improve and we’ll be better in the future,” he said.

Guardiola’s description of Real Madrid

Real Madrid have not had the season they expected and even made an early managerial change, appointing Álvaro Arbeloa as interim for Xabi Alonso. That does not change Guardiola’s view.

The Spanish manager has had historic matches against Real Madrid, including epic El Clásico nights. This tie will not be new to him either, since he has faced European giants many times even after leaving his country.

Guardiola was respectful of his rivals even if they are not producing dazzling performances: “Since I was a player and a manager with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, Real Madrid have always had great players. It’s different than our last match because it was Alonso before, now it’s Arbeloa. We’ll see.”

Guardiola isn’t thinking about Real Madrid yet

The most important match of the Champions League could be this one, and everyone is anxious to see who moves on to the final eight. That is not Guardiola’s focus right now.

He laid out the immediate schedule to explain his priorities: “In the middle of the week we have Nottingham Forest, then Newcastle in the FA Cup. We have time to think about Real Madrid.”

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

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

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

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

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

The journey continues ✍️

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

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

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) February 28, 2026

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

LA Galaxy value Marco Reus’ impact

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The top ten most valuable players in the world

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

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

What has been the most expensive transfer in soccer history?

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

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

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

Lamine Yamal talked about an issue that was bothering after Barcelona defeated Villarreal with his first hat-trick.

Lamine Yamal continues to make history with records that will be hard to match. Almost everything he does feels new, because he is just 18 years old. His first hat-trick for Barcelona was one of those moments.

In a match against Villarreal that promised to be difficult, Barcelona solved the problem with a 4-1 victory. The standout player of the day was the winger, who scored three goals to keep his team in first place in La Liga.

Yamal showed his emotion after the match. The young player told Movistar that his injury had stopped him from enjoying his football: “People want you at 16 years old to score 100 goals. I wasn’t fine. It was a mix of everything, the groin pain. I wasn’t happy before, it showed. Since last week I have felt better, I smile while I play. I’m happy when I’m playing.”

Yamal on staying longer on the field

A long run of matches awaits Barcelona, with Atletico Madrid already waiting for the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal where Hansi Flick’s side need to overturn a four-goal deficit.

For that tie Barcelona must produce a perfect performance to reach the final. To help with that, it was important to close the victory quickly so Flick could rest some players.

Yamal did not want to leave the field until he completed his hat-trick, as he told journalists after the game: “I told Flick to wait to substitute me out for the goal, the third one. Not the team’s third goal, luckily it was mine.”

Yamal’s emotional gift

Every player who scores a hat-trick receives the match ball from the referee. For players who have many, the gesture may not be very emotional, but for Yamal the ball was special. He gave the gift to his mother, as shown by Fabrizio Romano on social media.

❤️🫂 Lamine Yamal: “My mom will get the hat-trick ball, definitely!”. ⚽️@DAZNFutbol 🎥 pic.twitter.com/Hf3DhfLfeI

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 28, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 28, 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo’s unwanted penalty record

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Xavi picked his Barcelona presidential candidate to rival Joan Laporta.

Barcelona are experiencing an important moment in their institutional life as the presidential election approaches. Many candidates are ready to succeed Joan Laporta, and some figures are choosing a side. Xavi confirmed his decision.

The former midfielder has chosen Víctor Font as his preferred presidential candidate. Even if he previously served as Barcelona manager while Laporta was president, his departure from the club was not smooth.

Xavi had already supported Font in the past, and on Saturday he confirmed his endorsement by signing in favor of him. With many important matters for the first team at this time of year, the March 15 elections are especially relevant to supporters.

Former players supporting Laporta

Xavi remains one of the club’s most influential figures. His name carries weight, so it is understandable that other candidates find it hard to match that support. Two former players closely associated with Laporta’s administration have backed his candidacy.

Deco was the most prominent former player to back Laporta’s return to the presidency, which was unsurprising given his current role as sporting director under this administration.

The other supporter was Bojan Krkic, who signed the petition at Laporta’s headquarters. While his career did not ultimately match the early expectations set during his youth, his backing is likely meaningful for the candidate.

Barcelona’s minimum signs required

Voting has not yet taken place. What these former players did was sign to show their support for their chosen presidential candidate. Barcelona requires each candidate to collect at least 2,337 signatures from supporters to be eligible to stand in the election, and Monday is the deadline to submit them.

With such milestones inevitably come comparisons to Lionel Messi, the player who defined a generation at Barcelona. The question naturally arises: when did Messi score his first hat-trick, and how old was he?

Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi are once again being spoken about in the same breath, as Barcelona witnesses another historic milestone from its teenage sensation. On February 28, 2026, Lamine Yamal delivered a performance that confirmed his meteoric rise. The 18-year-old forward scored the first hat-trick of his professional career in a 3-1 La Liga victory over Villarreal at Camp Nou.

It was not just any treble—it was a statement display. Yamal struck twice in the first half before completing his hat-trick after the break, guiding Barcelona to a commanding position in the match and reinforcing the club’s push toward the top of La Liga.

The afternoon did not begin smoothly for Barcelona. The club endured a frustrating opening half-hour, with Ferran Torres and Jules Kounde unable to convert promising opportunities. But in the 28th minute, Yamal seized his chance. After a midfield error gifted possession, the teenager received the ball inside the area and calmly slotted home to break the deadlock.

Less than ten minutes later, he produced an even more spectacular moment. Dancing past two defenders, he curled a precise effort into the far corner to make it 2-0. The confidence, balance, and composure displayed by a player still only 18 underscored why he is already regarded as one of Europe’s brightest talents.

Although Villarreal briefly reduced the deficit through Pape Gueye, the Blaugrana quickly restored control. A perfectly weighted through ball from Pedri split the defense, and Yamal raced clear before finishing with trademark calmness to secure his hat-trick and a 3-1 advantage.

The Messi comparison: When did the Argentine score his first hat-trick?

Yamal’s landmark night was about more than three goals. At 18 years and 230 days, he became the youngest player to score a La Liga hat-trick this century. Even more impressively, he became the first player in Europe’s top five leagues in the 21st century to reach 25 goals before turning 19.

With such milestones inevitably come comparisons to Lionel Messi, the player who defined a generation at Barcelona. The question naturally arises: when did Messi score his first hat-trick, and how old was he?

Messi’s first official hat-trick for Barcelona’s first team came on March 10, 2007, in a dramatic 3-3 La Liga draw against Real Madrid. At the time, he was 19 years and 260 days old. That performance announced the Argentine as a global superstar in the making, and it marked the beginning of an era that would redefine the club’s history.

By comparison, Yamal has reached his first professional treble even earlier, highlighting just how extraordinary his development has been. While Messi would go on to shatter virtually every scoring record in sight, Yamal’s trajectory suggests Barcelona may once again have a generational talent on its hands.

On a day that blended inevitability with astonishment, Yamal delivered a performance that not only secured victory for the club but also etched his name into the record books in a way few imagined possible so soon.

Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi now share another historic link at Barcelona, but this time, the teenager has moved ahead. On a day that blended inevitability with astonishment, Yamal delivered a performance that not only secured victory for the club but also etched his name into the record books in a way few imagined possible so soon.

The 18-year-old produced the first professional hat-trick of his career in a 3-1 La Liga win over Villarreal on February 28, 2026, at the Camp Nou. What followed was more than just three goals; it was a symbolic passing of a torch.

Barcelona entered the match knowing that victory would send the club four points clear at the top of La Liga. The breakthrough finally came in the 28th minute. After a midfield error from Villarreal, Fermin Lopez slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Yamal’s path. The winger took a composed touch and curled a low left-footed finish into the far corner.

Less than ten minutes later, the stadium erupted again. Yamal collected possession on the right wing, danced past two defenders with dazzling footwork, and rifled a spectacular strike into the top corner to make it 2-0.

Villarreal briefly threatened a comeback through Pape Gueye, who halved the deficit. But Barcelona’s rising star was not done. In the 69th minute, Pedri delivered a sublime through ball, and Yamal raced in behind before calmly chipping the goalkeeper to complete his treble.

The record revealed

At 18 years, 7 months, and 15 days old, Yamal became the youngest player in Barcelona’s history to score a La Liga hat-trick, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous club record. Messi had set that benchmark at 19 years, 8 months, and 16 days in a 3-3 draw against Real Madrid on March 10, 2007.

For nearly two decades, Messi’s record had stood as a modern milestone at Barcelona. While older historical feats exist, such as Paulino Alcantara’s early 20th-century exploits, Messi’s achievement defined the modern La Liga era. Until now. Yamal’s performance also made him the youngest player to score a La Liga hat-trick this century, further amplifying the scale of the accomplishment.

Star ascending

The hat-trick was not an isolated flash of brilliance. It was the latest chapter in a season that has confirmed Yamal’s elite trajectory. He now boasts 101 career goal contributions, 49 goals and 52 assists, before turning 19. This season alone, he has registered 17 goals and 12 assists, moving clear as Barcelona’s leading scorer.

In Europe’s top five leagues this century, no player has reached 25 league goals before the age of 19 faster. After three matches without finding the net, the hat-trick felt both timely and emphatic. Barcelona may have been without key midfielder Frenkie de Jong, but Yamal ensured the absence had no lasting impact.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rule changes to prevent time-wasting

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

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

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

The case of injured players

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

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

Beyond the goals and the growing rivalry with the Portuguese, there is another objective driving Ivan Toney, one aimed directly at England’s national setup.

Ivan Toney is making noise in Saudi Arabia, and not just because he is outscoring Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League. The striker, who swapped English soccer for the Middle East in a high-profile move, is leading the Golden Boot race while firing Al-Ahli into a title fight with Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. But beyond the goals and the growing rivalry with the Portuguese, there is another objective driving him, one aimed directly at England’s national setup.

The 29-year-old forward has 23 goals in 23 league appearances this season, placing him top of the scoring charts ahead of Ronaldo and Julián Quiñones. His clinical form has not only put Al-Ahli one point clear at the top of the table but also reignited debate over his international future with the England national soccer team.

When Toney accepted a lucrative $55 million transfer to Al-Ahli in the summer of 2024, critics questioned whether he was jeopardizing his England ambitions. Leaving the Premier League spotlight often carries risks, particularly ahead of a major tournament cycle. However, the Englishman has no regrets. His numbers stack up impressively, so much so that he is currently outscoring Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, claimed the Golden Boot in each of the past two seasons. Now, Toney stands in his way.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Toney reflected on his confidence and scoring form. “Every time I step onto the pitch, I feel like I’m going to score, I’ve got that confidence at the moment,” he said. His goals are not only personal milestones but central to Al-Ahli’s push for its first league title in a decade. With the title race tight and Ronaldo chasing him, Toney knows consistency will be decisive.

“And when you’re this far through the season and you’re close to the top of the goal scoring chart, it’s kind of like, ‘OK, let me stay here now,’” he explained. “And of course, we know goals win games and that’s what I’m trying to do for the team and help us in the league. So yeah, I want to try and stay there now.”

What did Toney say about Thomas Tuchel?

While the Golden Boot battle is fierce, there is a bigger stage in Toney’s mind: the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In the middle of his red-hot domestic campaign, Toney sent a clear, if measured, message to England manager Thomas Tuchel. “Of course, there’s going to be eyes on that,” Toney said regarding his scoring exploits. “But I can only control what I can control, which is trying to score goals and do well for my team here.”

He continued: “I’m sure goals will get me recognized and help me push close to being in the frame. But there’s a lot of other great strikers and a lot of competition.” Though he has not been part of every recent squad, Toney has not given up on wearing the England shirt again. His last of seven caps came in June 2025, when he stepped off the bench in a friendly against Senegal. That remains his only appearance under Tuchel so far.

When asked whether he has spoken directly with the Three Lions boss, Toney was candid: “No, there’s been no conversation. But I don’t expect there to be, because he’s got so many other players he has to be watching.” Still, he added with quiet confidence, “I’m sure he’s keeping one eye on me and seeing what I’m doing. I just have to be focused on myself, keep my head down and keep scoring goals.”

That is the message — simple, direct, and rooted in performance. Score goals, stay relevant, force the conversation.

Competition for England’s No.9 role

Toney understands the challenge ahead. Harry Kane remains England’s undisputed first-choice striker. Yet tournament squads require depth, and analysts have suggested Tuchel could take additional central forwards.

Names like Ollie Watkins, Dominic Solanke, Danny Welbeck, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin remain in contention. Toney, however, offers a proven scoring instinct and physical presence, attributes that were crucial during England’s run to the Euro 2024 final, where he contributed off the bench. “Like I said before, I know what I can bring to a team and goals is part of my game. Hopefully that’s enough,” Toney stated.

Former Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu has reignited debate among supporters after suggesting he outperformed Lionel Messi in one very specific department.

Former Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu has reignited debate among supporters after suggesting he outperformed Lionel Messi in one very specific department. The remark, delivered with a grin, revisits a golden era at Barcelona when Messi and Mathieu shared a dressing room under Luis Enrique. While the claim may sound audacious on the surface, the Frenchman’s reflection adds another fascinating layer to the story of a squad that dominated Europe.

Speaking on the SafePlay program, Mathieu made the surprising statement: “I think I was better at free kicks than Lionel Messi.” The comment was made in a light-hearted tone, yet it instantly caught attention. Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in soccer history, built part of his legendary reputation on his mastery of free kicks, scoring 69 direct set-piece goals across his career.

At Barcelona, dead-ball duties were almost exclusively his domain, with his precision and consistency becoming one of the team’s defining attacking weapons. It is here, in the art of the free kick, that Mathieu believes he had the edge. Though he was primarily a defender, he fondly recalled his own memorable strike against Elche in the 2015 Copa del Rey, a powerful effort that showcased his technique from distance.

While few would seriously argue that he surpassed the Argentine in that department, the anecdote reflects the confidence and personality within a Blaugrana squad that went on to conquer Spain and Europe.

Perspective with a smile

Mathieu’s free-kick remark should be viewed through that lens — as a nostalgic reflection rather than a serious comparison. His statement adds color to the memory of a squad filled with confidence, talent, and personality.

After three seasons, he left Barcelona for Sporting Lisbon before retiring in 2020 due to a knee injury. His post-soccer life has been quieter, far removed from the stadium lights, but his stories continue to resonate with supporters.

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

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

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

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

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

Inter Miami and Nashville SC are familiar foes

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

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

How has Messi fared in the Concacaf Champions Cup?

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

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

Al-Fayha take on Al Nassr for Matchday 24 of the 2025–2026 Saudi Pro League. If you are in the USA, find here how to watch the showdown, with complete information on kickoff times and where to tune in via TV and streaming services.

Match Overview

The Saudi Pro League title race is tightening, and Al Nassr suddenly have little margin for error. After securing three crucial points in their rescheduled Matchday 10 clash, Al Nassr managed to stay alone at the top of the table, but the pressure is mounting fast.

Both Al Hilal and Al Ahly picked up wins in Matchday 24, shrinking the gap and turning up the heat on Cristiano Ronaldo’s squad heading into their next outing. Now, Al Nassr must deliver again as they prepare to meet Al-Fayha, a mid-table side eager to shake up the standings and boost their own ambitions with a statement result.

In the space of just 24 hours, the Portuguese icon has already begun reshaping the trajectory of Almeria after acquiring a 25% stake in the Spanish second-division club, sparking what many are already calling the “GOAT effect.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has done it again. This time, however, the impact has not come from a free-kick, a towering header, or a last-minute winner, but from a move in the boardroom. In the space of just 24 hours, the Portuguese icon has already begun reshaping the trajectory of Almeria after acquiring a 25% stake in the Spanish second-division club, sparking what many are already calling the “GOAT effect.”

The announcement confirmed that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner completed the deal through CR7 Sports Investments, a subsidiary of CR7 S.A., marking a significant step in his growing business empire and signaling a clear vision beyond his playing career. In a statement published on the club’s official website, the Andalusian side outlined the scale of the move.

“Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25% stake in UD Almeria through CR7 Sports Investments, a subsidiary of CR7 S.A., marking a major step in both the Club’s international expansion and the Portuguese icon’s growing investment portfolio,” the club confirmed.

Club president Mohamed Al Khereiji welcomed Ronaldo’s arrival with visible enthusiasm: “We’re very pleased that Cristiano has chosen our Club to invest in,” he said. “He is considered the greatest player in history, knows Spanish football extremely well and understands the potential we are building both in the first team and at Academy level.”

Ronaldo himself made clear that this is not a symbolic gesture but part of a broader ambition. “It has been a long-held ambition of mine to contribute to football beyond just on the pitch,” he stated. “UD Almeria is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth. I look forward to working alongside the leadership team to support the next phase of the club’s growth.”

The hidden impact revealed

While the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, the immediate impact has been impossible to ignore. Within just one day of the announcement, Almeria gained nearly three million followers on Instagram, with the club’s account skyrocketing from roughly 10,000 to approximately 2.8 million followers in 24 hours.

The surge represents one of the most dramatic social media growth spikes ever recorded by a European second-division side, a clear illustration of Ronaldo’s unmatched global influence. The numbers also underline a powerful reality: Ronaldo’s brand transcends divisions, countries, and even roles. Whether as a player for Al-Nassr or now as a stakeholder in Spain, his presence alone generates worldwide attention.

Club on the brink of promotion

The timing of the investment could prove decisive. Almeria currently sits third in the Segunda Division with 48 points from 27 matches, trailing league leader Racing Santander by just two points. In Spain’s second tier, the top two teams secure automatic promotion to La Liga, while third to sixth enter a playoff for the final promotion spot.

The club, founded in 1989, has experienced six seasons in La Liga, most recently in the 2022/23 campaign. Its historic peak came in the 2010-11 season with a Copa del Rey semi-final run. Now, with promotion within reach, Ronaldo’s arrival adds not just capital but global visibility and commercial leverage at a critical juncture.

Borussia Dortmund receive Bayern Munich for Matchday 24 of the 2025–2026 Bundesliga season. Find out here how fans in the United States can watch the showdown, with complete information on kickoff times and where to tune in via TV and streaming services.

Match Overview

One of Europe’s marquee rivalries returns this weekend as the Bundesliga delivers another edition of Der Klassiker, with Borussia Dortmund hosting Bayern Munich in a matchup that could shape the title race. Bayern enter the showdown atop the table with 60 points and an eight-point cushion over second-place Dortmund.

This gap that—while not mathematically decisive—would feel overwhelming if it grows any larger. For Dortmund, the stakes are crystal clear: protect home turf and tighten the race, or risk watching their biggest rival all but slam the door on another league crown.

The club enters the Al-Fayha fixture in the Saudi Pro League in formidable form, but uncertainty around its talisman has added intrigue to what is already a pivotal night in the championship battle.

Even at 41, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the central figure in the title race, with every team sheet scrutinized for his name. The club enters the Al-Fayha fixture in the Saudi Pro League in formidable form, but uncertainty around its talisman has added intrigue to what is already a pivotal night in the championship battle.

Al-Nassr currently sits second in the Saudi Pro League table, locked in a fierce contest at the summit. A victory would strengthen its grip on the title chase, particularly with rivals applying pressure just days earlier. Meanwhile, Al-Fayha approaches the clash from mid-table, determined to protect its impressive home record and potentially disrupt the ambitions of the league’s most star-studded side.

Under Jorge Jesus, the Riyadh side has evolved into a relentless force. It has strung together 11 consecutive wins across competitions, conceding just once in its last 10 matches and scoring a league-best 62 goals in 23 games. Defensive solidity has complemented attacking firepower, with nine clean sheets recorded during this streak.

The most recent outing, a commanding 5-0 demolition of Al-Najma, showcased both dominance and balance. Ronaldo opened the scoring, continuing his pursuit of personal milestones while reinforcing his influence on the title charge. The Portuguese icon now boasts 21 league goals and four assists in 25 appearances this season.

Al-Nassr’s pursuit of the title has grown more complicated after Al-Ahli briefly reclaimed top spot with a narrow win. The margin at the summit is razor-thin, and every dropped point could prove decisive. Al-Fayha, though 10 points clear of relegation, is no pushover at home. The side is unbeaten in five consecutive home matches and has shown resilience against stronger opponents. Defensive lapses have cost it against elite clubs, but its compact structure often frustrates visiting giants.

Will Ronaldo play?

Now to the mystery surrounding the fixture: Will Cristiano Ronaldo feature against Al-Fayha? There had been doubts. The veteran forward played 56 minutes in the rout of Al-Najma before being withdrawn with the result secured. Observers noted his absence from certain training sessions, fueling speculation that rest might be prioritized given his age and the demanding run-in ahead.

However, projected lineups from Saudi outlet Al-Youm suggest Jorge Jesus intends to deploy his strongest available XI. According to the publication, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to lead the front line, supported by the attacking trio of Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, and Kingsley Coman.

Al-Fayha vs. Al-Nassr: Projected lineups

Al-Fayha projected XI (5-3-2): Mosquera; Al-Baqawi, Smalling, Semedo, Villanueva, Bamsaud; Dahal, Al-Beshe, Benzia; Jason, Sakala.

Al-Nassr projected XI (4-2-3-1): Bento; Boushal, Simakan, Alamri, Martinez; Brozovic, Al-Khaibari; Mane, Joao Felix, Coman; Ronaldo.

Barcelona square off against Villarreal CF in a pivotal Matchday 26 clash of the 2025/26 La Liga campaign. Below is all the essential information for fans, from kickoff times to broadcast and streaming options so you can catch every minute of the action live.

Match Overview

The La Liga title race is heating up, and Barcelona suddenly control their own destiny. After taking care of business against Levante and getting a helping hand from Osasuna’s upset of Real Madrid, the Blaugrana surged back to the top of the La Liga table with 61 points, reclaiming sole possession of first place.

Now comes another high-stakes test, as Barcelona look to defend their lead against a dangerous Villarreal side that sits third with 51 points. A win would strengthen Barcelona’s grip on the title chase, but for the Yellow Submarine, three points could blow the race wide open and turn a two-team battle into a three-way fight down the stretch.

The move of Antoine Griezmann to the MLS with Orlando City may be at risk after Atletico Madrid's executive comments.

There have been some rumors about the possibility of a huge star joining MLS this year. It was reported that Antoine Griezmann has an offer from Orlando City that he may be considering, which prompted a response from an Atletico Madrid executive.

Friday determined the Champions League draw for the remainder of the competition, with many important people attending. One of them was Mateu Alemany, an executive from the Madrid club, who spoke about this.

Alemany said: “This is a topic that sparks much journalistic speculation. Antoine has two more years left on his contract with us; he’s focused on the things that are coming for the club. His performance has been great.”

Simeone on Griezmann’s stay with Atletico Madrid

Following the news that Tottenham are the rivals awaiting Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round of 16, Diego Simeone met with journalists to address several topics.

The continuity of Griezmann with Atletico Madrid has been the main topic in the club’s most recent press conferences. This has led the manager to show his exhaustion each time he is asked about the player.

Simeone said after avoiding the subject many times before: “I’m going to repeat it. We are talking with Antoine. We shouldn’t put pressure on or talk too much to him. He knows how important he is for us. We focus on the good things coming. There is no space.”

Griezmann’s deadline to join Orlando

The transfer window is not open in Europe for incoming players. However, the time limit depends on the league the player would join. This creates a problem for Atletico Madrid if Griezmann leaves for Orlando City.

In MLS, March 26 marks the last day teams can sign players. This is where a move looks more complicated, because it would mean leaving the club during the most important stretch of the season. Not moving now does not mean the Frenchman will not leave Spain, only that it may not happen immediately.

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

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

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

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

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

Messi has a clear goal this year

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

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

Messi’s upcoming challenges

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

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

With a blockbuster showdown against Manchester City looming in the UEFA Champions League, anxiety has rippled through the Santiago Bernabeu. The latest update, however, offers a more positive outlook.

Kylian Mbappe has been battling persistent knee discomfort for months, and fresh concerns emerged ahead of a decisive European night. With a blockbuster showdown against Manchester City looming in the UEFA Champions League, anxiety has rippled through the Santiago Bernabeu. The latest update, however, offers a more positive outlook and hints at a potential return window that could reshape Madrid’s continental ambitions.

Mbappe has been managing physical setbacks since arriving in Spain in the summer of 2024. Though he quickly became Real Madrid’s star player and attacking reference, injuries have intermittently disrupted his rhythm. In his debut season, a thigh injury sidelined him briefly in September and December 2024. He also missed the opening matches of the Club World Cup in June 2025 due to gastroenteritis. But the most persistent issue has been his left knee.

During the 2025-26 campaign, the Frenchman played through discomfort before being ruled out between December 31 and January 9. He returned for the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona, demonstrating his determination to compete in high-stakes matches. Yet that calculated gamble may have aggravated the condition.

The latest setback occurred on February 24, when discomfort flared up again before the Champions League play-off second leg against Benfica. The forward was forced to withdraw, missing Madrid’s 2-1 win and subsequently sitting out the league clash with Getafe.

Coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed the decision to pause Mbappe’s involvement. “I spoke with the doctors and with him, and we decided that he should stop and that he should come back at 100% to face everything that’s coming. From now on, we have to wait. We’ll see if it’s a matter of days, and we hope it doesn’t drag on too long,” he explained.

Conservative treatment for now

According to French sources and Spanish reports, Mbappe is dealing with inflammation in the lateral ligament of his left knee. Journalist Juanfe Sanz stated on El Chiringuito: “He is undergoing a conservative, preventive treatment that, for the moment, isn’t having good results. The pain is being contained. They rule out that it’s a very serious injury, but it does condition him.”

The situation is delicate. The World Cup is approaching, and Mbappe is reportedly reluctant to consider surgical intervention unless absolutely necessary. “I wouldn’t rule out the option of minor surgery if the conservative treatment doesn’t achieve positive results,” Sanz warned.

More outlook emerges

While uncertainty remains, optimism has grown in recent hours. According to Cadena COPE and relayed by Fabrizio Romano, there is a clearer internal projection regarding Mbappe’s recovery timeline. Romano wrote: “Kylian Mbappe is expected to return in time to face City in the Champions League round of 16,” citing COPE.

That update provides a crucial boost. The Round of 16 fixtures are scheduled for March, with Madrid hosting the first leg at the Bernabeu before traveling to the Etihad. The draw has paired the two clubs for the fifth consecutive year in Europe’s elite competition — a rivalry that has defined recent Champions League campaigns.

Internally, Madrid reportedly expects Mbappe to be out for approximately 10 to 14 days, a timeframe designed to allow proper healing while minimizing long-term risk. The objective is measured recovery rather than rushed heroics.

The Champions League knockout stage represents Madrid’s ultimate proving ground. Facing Manchester City demands physical sharpness and tactical precision. Mbappe understands the stakes, but he also recognizes the need to protect his long-term fitness.

Jurgen Klopp has publicly embraced life away from the touchline, yet fresh reports suggest that change may not be entirely off the table.

Jurgen Klopp has once again found himself at the center of European soccer speculation. The former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager, now working in an executive capacity, is being linked with a dramatic return to the dugout. With Real Madrid reportedly attentive to his situation and questions surfacing about his future in his current role, the debate has intensified. Jurgen Klopp has publicly embraced life away from the touchline, yet fresh reports suggest that change may not be entirely off the table.

According to Salzburger Nachrichten, Klopp is set to leave his position as Head of Global Football at Red Bull, barely more than a year after taking up the post. The 58-year-old stepped away from frontline coaching in 2024, ending a celebrated managerial spell and opting for a structural leadership role overseeing development across the Red Bull soccer network.

His mandate has been ambitious: drive growth, unify philosophy, and elevate multiple clubs within the system into title contenders. However, Austrian reports claim progress has not met expectations. Clubs such as Salzburg and Leipzig have not made the competitive leap that was anticipated, with the latter currently battling for a Champions League place and struggling for consistent form.

The report suggests ‘tension’ within the organization and claims Klopp has “become the perfect brand ambassador for the Salzburg-based beverage company. But this cannot mask the fact that his appointment has not yet had a positive impact in his actual area of responsibility.” It further indicates that Red Bull would not block a return to coaching this summer if Klopp wished to pursue one. That is where the mystery deepened.

Real Madrid and Germany: The temptation of the dugout

For months, Real Madrid has been loosely associated with Klopp, particularly after managerial instability and the end of Xabi Alonso’s tenure. The Spanish giant has been described as one of only two roles that could tempt Klopp out of retirement, ‘under the right conditions’. The other is the German national team, should the position become available following the 2026 World Cup, depending on Julian Nagelsmann’s future.

Klopp’s pedigree makes him a natural candidate. He delivered a Premier League title in 2019-20 with Liverpool and reached three Champions League finals, winning one. Before that, he transformed Dortmund into a domestic powerhouse and a European finalist. His ability to rebuild institutions and challenge dominant rivals, including Pep Guardiola, remains highly regarded across the continent. Yet Klopp himself has consistently downplayed the idea of returning to the relentless rhythm of club management.

Speaking to Servus TV in January, he explained: “I no longer wanted to live with this very tight schedule that I’ve had for over 25 years. The coaching market is being shaken up, and it’s not so bad to experience it all from an observer’s perspective and not think about what it might mean for you personally, because you’re in the right place where you are.”

Red Bull breaks its silence

As speculation escalated internationally, Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff responded forcefully. In comments to Sky Germany and SID, he dismissed the narrative outright. “That is complete nonsense and entirely made up,” Mintzlaff said.

He continued: “On the contrary, we are extremely satisfied with the work Jurgen Klopp is doing. He invests a great deal of time and effort, is in constant communication with our coaches and sporting directors, and continues to develop our Red Bull soccer philosophy in a sustainable way. We are convinced that he is the right man for this job. That is where we are putting all our focus and energy.”

The strength of the language was unmistakable. Red Bull insists Klopp remains central to its long-term vision, with his contract running until 2029. According to BILD, there are currently no internal discussions about a separation.

El Salvador U20 face Grenada U20 on Matchday 3 of the 2026 CONCACAF U20 Championship group stage. Fans in the United States can catch every minute of the action, with full kickoff times and broadcast information available for both TV and streaming options.

Match Overview

Momentum will be front and center when El Salvador national football team meets Grenada national football team in a matchup featuring two programs on the rise. El Salvador remains focused on climbing back into the World Cup picture, leaning on a new generation of talent to fuel its long-term ambitions.

Grenada, meanwhile, continues to build on steady progress in recent years and enters the tournament determined to capture its second title, signaling that its upward trajectory is far from finished.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marcus Rashford has exceeded expectations at Barcelona

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

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

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

A Real Madrid legend wasn't happy when his club was paired with Manchester City in the Champions League.

Friday was set aside for the Champions League draw after the playoff round. The last 16 teams had to be distributed, with each of the top eight teams having two clubs as potential opponents. Real Madrid’s pairing with Manchester City prompted comments from club legend Emilio Butragueño.

Real Madrid had Manchester City and Sporting CP as their potential rivals, with a clear idea of which was the tougher opponent. As many neutral fans expected, they were paired with Pep Guardiola’s side. Butragueño represented the club at the event and delivered a pointed remark after the draw concluded.

Butragueño said he was not surprised in a particular way: “It’s curious that we have been playing against them every season. I think it has been five consecutive years with Manchester City. We know each other very well.”

Butragueño shares prediction for Real Madrid vs. Manchester City

Butragueño was not part of any European Cup winning team, as Real Madrid had struggles being the dominant club outside Spain that they are today. However, he was a cornerstone for more than a decade after coming through the club’s youth system.

The former striker understands what it means to represent Real Madrid. He offered a broad view of how the tie against Manchester City might unfold, noting that both teams usually seek to attack.

He predicted a high-scoring series, as in previous encounters: “Every time we play against them they are matches of attacking soccer, of two teams that want to dominate, normally with many goals. One of the best matches you can see around the world.”

Real Madrid’s injuries

Butragueño trusts his club to overcome the English side in this round. The styles promise a great spectacle, but he believes player form and availability could be decisive. He commented on Real Madrid’s absences for the tie.

The Spanish icon said: “We have injured players that are very important for us. We trust they can be ready for the series because we are going to need everybody considering the exigence of the rivals. We live it with hope.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coutinho has another offer, though less appealing

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

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

The decline of Coutinho’s career

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

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

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

Christian Pulisic will soon discover whether one of his most influential teammates remains by his side beyond the 2026 World Cup, as Milan has reportedly made a defining call on Luka Modric’s future.

Christian Pulisic will soon discover whether one of his most influential teammates remains by his side beyond the 2026 World Cup, as Milan has reportedly made a defining call on Luka Modric’s future. The Rossoneri campaign has been shaped by experience and leadership, and few figures embody that more than Modric. As speculation swirls, both Christian Pulisic and Luka Modric find themselves at the heart of a pivotal moment for the club, with the veteran midfielder’s next step poised to shape the Rossoneri’s trajectory.

At 40, Luka Modric has already surpassed 2,000 minutes in Serie A this season, becoming the only outfield player in the squad to reach that milestone. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Croatian maestro crossed the 2,000-minute mark on February 18 against Como, underlining just how central he remains to the club’s structure.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Modric has played 23 of 25 league matches, started 92 percent of them, and delivered decisive contributions in key moments. He has registered two match-winning goals and three assists, while maintaining over 90 percent passing accuracy. In one recent outing, he completed 93 passes and was named MVP, reinforcing his status as the metronome of the side.

Head coach Massimiliano Allegri has been vocal in his admiration. He described training alongside the Croatian veteran as “an enormous fortune for all players,” praising not only his technical brilliance but also his relentless professionalism. Within the dressing room, teammates affectionately call him “the Maestro.”

Three roads ahead

Despite his remarkable output, Modric’s future remains under review. The veteran joined Milan on a one-year contract after leaving Real Madrid, with an option for a further year that can only be activated with his consent.

There are three possible paths before him:

• Extend his stay at Milan, continuing to guide the midfield in a slightly reduced but still vital role.
• Return to Dinamo Zagreb, the club where his professional journey began, in what many describe as a romantic homecoming.
• Retire after the 2026 World Cup, stepping away while still performing at an elite level.

Modric will also captain Croatia at the 2026 World Cup, marking his sixth appearance at the tournament; an extraordinary achievement that already includes a 2018 final and a 2022 bronze medal.

The decision revealed

While the introduction to this saga has been filled with uncertainty, the internal mood at Milan is increasingly optimistic. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, everyone at the club is pushing for Modric’s renewal, and a one-year extension is becoming more likely.

The Rossoneri’s hierarchy, Allegri, the technical staff, and even senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic have reportedly urged the midfielder to clarify his intentions soon. Ibrahimovic, as reported, held direct talks and requested a timely decision to allow proper planning for next season.

Importantly, the extension clause already exists, but Milan has made it clear that it will only be activated if Modric personally wishes to continue. The respect shown toward him reflects his stature not just as a player, but as a symbol.

On the pitch, Milan is fighting for Champions League qualification — a competition Modric knows intimately, having won it six times during his glittering career in Spain. Securing a return to Europe’s top table could serve as a powerful incentive in his final deliberations.

Kylian Mbappé may miss more matches for Real Madrid with a knee injury, according to Álvaro Arbeloa.

The playoff with Benfica, which finished with a pair of victories, took Real Madrid to the round of 16 in the Champions League. They were able to defeat the Portuguese club even though they couldn’t have Kylian Mbappé in Álvaro Arbeloa’s lineup.

Real Madrid have not shown their best level this season but have remained competitive. However, Mbappé’s numbers make him the team’s standout player. With 38 goals in 33 matches, he is clearly their most dangerous attacking threat.

That is why his injury status raises concern after he missed Wednesday’s match with a knee issue. Arbeloa admitted he could be sidelined for some time: “I spoke with him, and we consulted with the medical team. We believed it was best for him to stop and recover 100%, so he can return in top form and confidence without discomfort for what’s ahead.”

Arbeloa also provided a cautious update on Mbappé’s return: “When discomfort prevents you from playing, if we want to call it an injury we can call it an injury, but it seems to be, and I hope it is, not a serious injury, a minor issue, and he can return in a few days or weeks. We have a diagnosis, but I’m not the one to disclose such data about the players’ health.”

Real Madrid with many players in doubt

Mbappé was clearly the most important absence from Friday’s training session. Another notable name was Jude Bellingham, who is still recovering from a muscle injury that should keep him out for a few more weeks.

Raúl Asensio was also not with the group after a collision during the second leg against Benfica that led the manager to substitute him immediately as a precaution.

Three more players were not part of regular training. Dani Ceballos, Dean Huijsen and Militao trained indoors with limited activity as they continue working their way back from injuries.

Real Madrid’s main challenge

Up next, Real Madrid face Getafe on Monday as they continue chasing Barcelona in La Liga. Sitting one point behind leaves little margin for rotation. The main concern now is in defense, where only Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba are fully available.

With Celta coming after Getafe, the manager may adjust his approach in Vigo, especially with a demanding Champions League tie against Manchester City scheduled for March 11 in the first leg.

The American is still considered essential, and Allegri is counting on one particular quality the winger offers.

Christian Pulisic remains one of the most discussed figures at Milan, even as 2026 has brought an unexpected dip in form. The American winger continues to command the trust of Massimiliano Allegri, and within the corridors of Milanello, there is still a firm belief that he represents both the present and the future of the club. The American is still considered essential, and Allegri is counting on one particular quality the winger offers.

For much of his time in Italy, Pulisic has been portrayed as a Renaissance story. After an uneven spell in England, he rediscovered confidence, consistency, and influence in Serie A. His first campaign at San Siro felt like a rebirth. However, recent weeks have introduced doubt.

Since the summer, the American star has battled ankle pain, a hamstring injury, and bursitis. Though he has scored eight league goals, rhythm and synergy with his attacking partner, Rafal Leao, have not fully materialized.

The 27-year-old winger carried much of the attacking burden in the first half of the campaign. However, he has not scored in 2026, and missed opportunities, notably against Parma and Fiorentina, have amplified scrutiny.

Allegri relies on key Pulisic quality

Despite the dip in form, Pulisic remains a vital asset, particularly beyond San Siro. As reported by Opta in its preview of Sunday’s match between Cremonese and Milan, Christian Pulisic is second in Serie A for away goals this season, with six, level with Bologna’s Santiago Castro. The Rossoneri’s forward has never scored more away from home in a single Italian campaign. He also reached six in 2024-25.

Across Europe’s top five leagues, he has surpassed that tally only once: during the 2019-20 season with Chelsea, when he netted seven away goals, as relayed by Milannews.it. Even more striking is the correlation between his goals and results. Whenever Pulisic scores away from home this season, his side wins. The pattern is emphatic:

• Lecce 0-2 Milan
• Udinese 0-3 Milan, with Pulisic scoring twice.
• Inter 0-1 Milan
• Torino 2-3 Milan, another brace from the American

These are not marginal fixtures. They include derbies and pressure-laden encounters. In hostile environments, Pulisic has repeatedly delivered. For Allegri, this is not a trivial statistic — it is a strategic weapon. Away form often defines title challenges and European qualification battles. The American’s ability to strike decisively on the road provides Milan with a competitive edge few in the squad replicate.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Carboni is ruled out for the World Cup

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

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

Second confirmed Argentina absence for the World Cup

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Medical update 📌@Aspetar

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

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

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

The Finalissima in doubt for Ruiz

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

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

Spain facing multiple challenges ahead of the Finalissima

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

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

The Portuguese superstar, still active at the highest level, has expanded his influence beyond the pitch and is now linked with a romantic return to Spanish soccer.

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again placed himself at the center of the soccer conversation. The Portuguese superstar, still active at the highest level, has expanded his influence beyond the pitch and is now linked with a romantic return to Spanish soccer. For a player who continues to defy age at 41, Ronaldo’s latest move signals ambition that stretches far beyond goals and trophies. The forward, currently representing Al-Nassr, has taken a decisive step into club ownership, and Spanish soccer is watching closely.

In a significant development, Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25% stake in Almeria, the Spanish Segunda Division club. The investment was made through CR7 Sports Investments, part of his broader business portfolio. In an official statement, the club confirmed: “Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired 25% of the shares of UD Almeria through CR7 Sports Investments, a subsidiary of CR7 SA, this being an important step in the continued expansion of both the club and the investment portfolio of the Portuguese businessman.”

The Portugal international himself described the move as “a long-held ambition of mine to contribute to soccer, beyond the pitch,” adding that “UD Almeria is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth.”

The club, now owned by Saudi businessman Mohamed Al-Khereiji following a takeover from Turki Al-Sheikh, currently sits third in the Segunda Division, just two points behind leader Racing Santander and firmly in the promotion race. The dream of a return to La Liga remains alive.

Almeria coach’s invitation: ‘It would be extraordinary’

While the investment alone sparked excitement, it was the words of head coach Rubi that ignited speculation. Speaking openly about Ronaldo’s involvement, Rubi said: “We are very happy. Obviously, we welcome him. I think it’s excellent news because someone like him, with his one hundred percent knowledge of sport and soccer, can help a club like ours.”

But it was his follow-up remark that truly fueled headlines: “It would be extraordinary and wonderful if he could play here, but that’s a question for him. This is his club and, if he wanted to continue playing, whoever the coach is, he would be received with open arms. I have no doubt about that.” The message was clear — the door, from a sporting perspective, is wide open.

Is it possible for Ronaldo to co-own Almeria and still play for the team?

While the romantic image of Ronaldo returning to Spanish soccer sparks imagination, the regulatory reality is more complicated. Under Spanish law, specifically regulations overseen by the National Sports Council and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), an active player cannot hold ownership interests in a Spanish club while competing domestically.

The measure, introduced in February 2025 and often referred to as the “Anti-Pique Law,” was designed to protect competitive integrity and avoid conflicts of interest. In simple terms, as long as Ronaldo retains his 25 percent ownership stake, he would be barred from registering as a player in Spain. The rule emerged following controversy involving Gerard Pique and commercial negotiations during his playing career.

Spanish authorities tightened governance standards to ensure transparency and fairness in competition. Therefore, unless Ronaldo were to divest or place his shares in a legally approved structure that removes direct influence, a playing comeback in Spain would not be permitted. For now, such a scenario appears unlikely. Ronaldo remains under contract with Al-Nassr until 2027.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Neymar addresses recent criticism

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

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

What’s next for Neymar?

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

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

The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League knockout bracket has delivered exactly what European soccer fans crave: heavyweight clashes, rising stars on collision courses, and a clear path to Budapest.

The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League knockout bracket has delivered exactly what European soccer fans crave: heavyweight clashes, rising stars on collision courses, and a clear path to Budapest. With Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior set to face Erling Haaland, and with Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembele, and Harry Kane all discovering their respective fates, the draw has shaped a blockbuster spring across the continent. Each club now knows the road it must travel, and it is anything but simple.

The ceremony, staged in Nyon by UEFA, confirmed the Round of 16 matchups and revealed the full bracket through to the final in Budapest. What emerged was a mix of historic rivalries, modern classics, and tantalizing potential semi-final showdowns.

The standout tie sees Real Madrid face Manchester City in a clash that has defined recent Champions League history. This encounter ensures that Mbappe and Vinicius will go head-to-head with Haaland, renewing a rivalry that has shaped the modern European narrative.

The numbers underline the rivalry’s intensity: the two clubs have shared wins and draws evenly in recent years, producing razor-thin margins in decisive moments.

Yamal, Dembele, and Kane learn their fate

Now to the lingering question surrounding some of Europe’s most exciting attacking names. Lamine Yamal and Barcelona will face Newcastle. The matchup rekindles memories of early 2000s encounters between the Spanish and English clubs. For the Blaugrana, the bracket appears manageable, though potential later clashes with Arsenal or Atletico Madrid loom large.

Ousmane Dembele’s Paris Saint-Germain must navigate Chelsea, a rematch of their recent Club World Cup final meeting, a game the English club won convincingly. This tie promises intensity and tactical nuance.

On the other hand, Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich faces Atalanta, a dangerous and dynamic Italian side capable of unsettling Europe’s elite. Should Bayern progress, a potential quarter-final against either Real Madrid or Manchester City awaits, a daunting prospect.

Quarter-final and semi-final outlook

The bracket ensures that the winner of Real Madrid vs Manchester City could meet Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. Beyond that, a potential semi-final against PSG or Liverpool looms.

On the opposite side, Barcelona’s path could eventually bring a showdown with Atletico Madrid or Arsenal, raising the possibility of a fiercely contested all-Spanish or Anglo-Spanish semi-final.

The first legs of the Round of 16 are scheduled for March 10–11, with return fixtures the following week. From there, the route to the final, set for May 30 in Budapest, is now clearly mapped.

With his knee injury resurfacing at Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe is reportedly causing concern within the France national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe has become one of the players to watch ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where the striker, already considered one of the leading contenders with France, will have the chance to chase multiple records. However, his recent knee injury at Real Madrid is reportedly beginning to raise concern among Les Bleus ahead of the tournament.

The 2025-26 season began with Mbappe in outstanding scoring form, making him the top scorer in both the UEFA Champions League and La Liga. But his run was interrupted by a knee injury suffered December 7 against Celta Vigo, an issue that has resurfaced in recent days.

According to L’Equipe, the France national team now fears Mbappe could reach the World Cup dealing with what was described as “unprecedented” knee discomfort. While Real Madrid had previously labeled the problem a sprain, his absence from the key Champions League match against Benfica reignited concerns that the injury could be more serious than initially thought.

After suffering a setback in training the day before the Benfica clash, Mbappe decided, alongside head coach Alvaro Arbeloa and the medical staff, to sit out the match. Reports from the French outlet added that he had been playing “on one leg” for the Spanish side over the past six weeks, particularly struggling when accelerating.

To address the issue, Mbappe is set to undergo an accelerated treatment program aimed at avoiding a more serious injury or the need for surgery. Either scenario, with the World Cup less than four months away, could sideline the striker not only for a large portion of the season but also for the tournament itself.

France have been drawn into Group I for the World Cup and face a challenging path that includes Norway national team led by Erling Haaland and Senegal national team captained by Sadio Mane, the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champion. The group will be completed by a nation from the intercontinental playoff between Bolivia, Iraq, or Suriname, making Mbappe’s fitness crucial if France want to avoid any early surprises.

Real Madrid still unsure of the severity of Mbappe’s injury

With surgery currently ruled out, Real Madrid’s plan is to manage Mbappe carefully to prevent a more serious setback. However, that approach leaves the club uncertain about when he will be able to return.

Even before the Benfica match, Arbeloa addressed Mbappe’s condition in an interview with Movistar+: “We can call it an injury, but I hope it’s not very serious and that he can return in a few days or weeks. We’re very clear about what’s wrong with him, and we want him to recover.“

No official recovery timeline, or detailed medical statement, has been released by Madrid. Still, the striker is expected to miss at least the La Liga matches against Getafe CF (March 2) and Celta Vigo (March 7) as the club monitors his progress day by day.

With the lineups confirmed, Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul won't be starting for Inter Miami in their friendly against Independiente del Valle.

Inter Miami are set to face Independiente del Valle on Thursday in a postponed preseason friendly in Puerto Rico, a match that generated major anticipation among fans on the island. However, eyebrows were raised when Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul were nowhere to be seen in the Herons’ starting lineup.

Messi and De Paul won’t start against Independiente del Valle due to a technical decision. Inter Miami’s head coach opted for heavy rotation for the friendly in Puerto Rico, leaving both Argentina stars on the bench.

The decision was also made with consideration for how close the friendly is within the team’s tight schedule. Inter Miami played their MLS opener against LAFC on Saturday, leaving only four days of rest before today’s friendly, in addition to the travel demands of the trip to Puerto Rico.

The team will also have its next MLS game away next Sunday, March 1, against Orlando City in the Florida derby, meaning just 72 hours between today’s friendly and their next match. In this situation, and with Messi still not at his best after recovering from a muscle strain, Mascherano has decided to keep the star on the bench for now.

Rodrigo De Paul llegando al estadio 🏟️ 🇵🇷 pic.twitter.com/vZtOgClRk1

— movimientodepaul7 (@movimentdepaul7) February 26, 2026

Still, Puerto Rican fans are eager to see Messi on the pitch, who’s likely to jump in for the second half. Even when arriving to the stadium, the Inter Miami star had a warm reception from local fans, showcasing how important it is his presence in the game.

Huge squad rotation in Inter Miami

Compared to the starting lineup in the MLS debut against LAFC, head coach Mascherano has made 9 substitutions, with only Ian Fray and Yannick Bright as the ones who survived the cut for Thursday’s friendly. During the pre-match press conference early today, the Argentine boss addressed his plan of rotating the squad to give minutes to players who have seen limited action so far.

“The match gives us the opportunity to give minutes to guys who perhaps haven’t seen as much action, both during the preseason and in our last league match. We’re going to try to get everyone on the pitch,” he stated. “We need to get minutes for the entire squad, while also being careful since we have a very important match against Orlando in just 72 hours,” he added.

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

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

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

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

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

Álvaro Arbeloa left a spicy comment about Real Madrid's next rival in the Champions League drawing.

Real Madrid confirmed their place in the Champions League round of 16 with a victory over Benfica on Wednesday in Madrid. In the press conference following the win, Álvaro Arbeloa had something to say.

The new format of the competition doesn’t establish a full draw from the beginning. There’s a draw after the playoff round to establish matches between two possibilities for each of the main eight teams from the league phase.

For Real Madrid, Manchester City or Sporting will be the rivals. Arbeloa made a comment that may not be well received by UEFA officials: “People have gotten used to a City-Real Madrid. I’m sure we get that again. It doesn’t matter to us, it’s going to be hard anyway knowing the rematch isn’t at home. Let’s see what the hot draw ball says.” This implies the draw could once again pair them with Manchester City in a highly anticipated matchup.

Thibaut Courtois agrees with Arbeloa

The main person in the team for the hardest moments has been Thibaut Courtois. His presence covers some mistakes from the Real Madrid defense, giving his teammates confidence.

With his usual calmness on the field, he repeated the prediction that Arbeloa had as to who they are going to see in the next round. Unlike his manager, the goalkeeper’s answer was a simple “yes, we are seeing them.”

Courtois also referred to the possibility of playing against the Portuguese club Sporting: “It’s been a long time since I played them. It’s a nice stadium. It’s a hard rival, but we have history with City too, it’s the dream match for the lottery.”

The Champions League draw

The rivals for all remaining teams will be decided by a draw. This will take place on Friday, 27 February at 6:00 AM EST. Looking further ahead, the potential rivals that Real Madrid could get in the quarterfinals are Atalanta, Arsenal or Bayern Munich. From that side of the draw in the semifinals, one potential challenge could be PSG.

After scoring his first goal in 2026 with Santos since his return from injury, Neymar paid a tribute to his teammate in the national team Vinicius Junior.

Neymar raised concerns last year after suffering a knee injury that could have affected his form just months before the World Cup with Brazil. Now the star forward has finally returned to the scoresheet in 2026 with Santos, celebrating with a tribute to teammate Vinicius Junior following recent events in the UEFA Champions League.

On Thursday, Santos hosted a 2026 league matchup against Vasco da Gama at Vila Belmiro, looking to bounce back after one draw and two losses in their first three games. Head coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda included Neymar in the starting lineup, marking his second straight start, and the star delivered.

In the 25th minute, Santos launched a quick counterattack through midfield, and drifting in from the left, Moisés slipped a pass into space for Neymar to strike first time and score the opener. It was Neymar’s first goal of 2026 and his first since scoring against Juventude on December 3 in Matchday 37 of last season’s Brasileirão.

But Neymar was far from finished. After Vasco scored the equalizer in the 43rd minute, the superstar forward took center stage once again. Capitalizing on a defensive mistake that left him one-on-one with Leo Jardim, Neymar coolly chipped the keeper in the 61st minute, completing his brace and securing Santos’ first victory of the Brasileirao campaign.

Neymar missed Santos’ first 10 matches after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to address a meniscus issue late last year. With his stated priority being full fitness for the World Cup, the goal represents another step toward convincing Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti to include him in the squad.

Neymar and a tribute to Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior made headlines last week after alleging he was racially abused by Gianluca Prestianni during the first leg against Benfica. The incident sparked widespread debate across the soccer world, with the Portuguese club denying the accusations and multiple figures weighing in publicly.

One notable voice who had not commented publicly was Neymar, one of Vinicius’ closest friends on the national team. Instead, the Santos forward chose to show support in his own way.

While celebrating his goal, Neymar first made a “silence” gesture toward the stands where some fans were booing him, then ran to the corner flag and recreated the same dance celebration Vinicius used in the Champions League match.

As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup accelerates, speculation has intensified over whether the Selecao’s all-time leading scorer will return to the international stage this March.

Carlo Ancelotti and Neymar once again find their names intertwined at a decisive crossroads for the Brazil national team. As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup accelerates, speculation has intensified over whether the Selecao’s all-time leading scorer will return to the international stage this March.

For the Brazilian public, Neymar remains the emotional centerpiece of the national team. For Ancelotti, however, sentiment does not outweigh structure. The Italian coach is shaping a squad not just for friendlies, but for a global tournament where physical condition, tactical clarity, and squad balance will determine everything.

Brazil is scheduled to travel to the United States for two high-profile friendlies against France and Croatia. The matches, set for Boston and Orlando, represent the final experimental window before the definitive World Cup list is finalized.

According to ESPN Brasil, Neymar was never part of the original blueprint for these fixtures. The early elimination of Santos from the Campeonato Paulista — a disappointing result against Novorizontino — did not alter that stance. Instead, it reinforced an already cautious roadmap.

In the middle of the mounting speculation, the key decision has emerged: Carlo Ancelotti is not planning to call Neymar up for the March friendlies. This is not a rejection; it’s a postponement. The coaching staff views March not as a ceremonial return for the No. 10, but as a laboratory for unresolved tactical questions.

Calculated delay, not closed door?

Ancelotti’s technical team believes they already understand what Neymar offers. Integration is not the issue; fitness is. Reports from ESPN Brasil indicate that the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) continues to monitor Neymar’s progress closely following his long injury layoff.

The expectation had been for the forward to regain rhythm gradually at club level before re-entering international contention. The Italian manager has maintained a transparent condition for any recall: elite physical readiness. The ultimate evaluation will not occur in March; it will come in May.

That month has been set internally as the decisive checkpoint. By then, Ancelotti will determine whether Neymar is physically and technically prepared to compete at the level required for the World Cup. If he is, the door remains wide open. If not, he risks missing what would be his fourth World Cup appearance after 2014, 2018, and 2022. In essence, March belongs to assessment; May belongs to Neymar.

Tactical priorities beyond the star

While public discourse remains fixed on Neymar, Ancelotti’s focus extends elsewhere. The staff is addressing structural uncertainties within the squad. Key questions remain in multiple departments: both full-back positions, depth behind central defenders Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes, cover for Bruno Guimaraes in midfield, and the overall attacking balance.

The March friendlies are designed to clarify these doubts. The coaching commission believes this window is better used to evaluate fringe profiles rather than reintegrate a player whose qualities are already well established. Neymar’s soccer identity is not under debate. His physical durability is.

As one internal assessment suggests, there is no urgency to “see how he fits.” The only variable is whether he can sustain the physical demands of modern international soccer.

As renewal talks simmer and interest from the Premier League grows louder, the Rossoneri face a delicate balancing act.

Christian Pulisic remains central to the present and future of Milan, yet uncertainty now surrounds his trajectory at the San Siro. As renewal talks simmer and interest from the Premier League grows louder, the Rossoneri face a delicate balancing act.

For much of his time in Italy, Pulisic has been viewed as a renaissance figure, rediscovering his confidence and consistency after an uneven spell in England. However, recent weeks have introduced doubt. Injuries, missed chances, and stalled contract discussions have shifted the narrative. The club believes in him. The coach trusts him. Yet results have complicated everything.

According to Corriere dello Sport, renewal discussions are underway as Pulisic approaches a crucial stage in his contract cycle. His current deal runs until 2027, and Milan retains contractual strength. However, the American is said to be evaluating his options carefully.

While the Rossoneri reportedly do not intend to sell, hesitation over an extension has created a sense of limbo. The decision is not purely financial; it is described as sporting, strategic, and personal. Abroad, Premier League sides are monitoring developments closely, with parallels drawn to the path once taken by Mohamed Salah: leaving England, flourishing in Italy, and returning stronger.

Allegri’s tactical dilemma

Manager Massimiliano Allegri remains a firm admirer of Pulisic, La Gazzetta dello Sport claims. The coach sees him as a tactical cornerstone: versatile, intelligent, and capable of unlocking tight defenses. Yet numbers show Milan’s attack has lacked consistency.

In 26 Serie A matches, Milan has scored 41 goals, the same as Como, fewer than Juventus, and 21 fewer than Inter. Pulisic and Rafael Leao were earmarked as the primary attacking duo. On paper, the combination promised pace, unpredictability, and creativity. In reality, injuries have disrupted continuity.

Since the summer, the American has battled ankle pain, a hamstring injury, and bursitis, while the Portuguese winger has struggled with a lingering groin issue. The pair have started together in only a handful of matches. In 377 shared league minutes, they have scored just once each. Though both sit on eight league goals, chemistry has not flourished.

The plan to revive Pulisic

Behind the scenes, the Rossoneri intend to activate their option to extend Pulisic’s contract by an additional year, securing leverage while negotiations continue. More importantly, Allegri’s immediate focus is physical and tactical recovery, the report adds.

The American carried the attack during the first half of the campaign. However, he has not scored in 2026, and recent performances have reflected the physical toll of repeated injuries. Against Parma, missed opportunities reignited concern.

Allegri’s approach is twofold: restore Pulisic’s physical sharpness through tailored recovery management and recalibrate his tactical role to maximize efficiency rather than overload responsibility. Rather than forcing him into central striker duties, a role neither he nor Leao naturally embody, Milan is exploring structural adjustments that provide a true No.9 presence to shoulder the scoring burden.

Since the post-Ibrahimovic era, the absence of a dominant central striker has lingered. Olivier Giroud contributed, but not at the level of Lautaro Martinez or Victor Osimhen in recent Serie A seasons. Christopher Nkunku and Niclas Fullkrug have rotated without cementing authority. In short, Milan believe Pulisic thrives best with balance around him, not isolation.

After a hefty debut in the 2026 MLS season, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas made things clear over potential new signings to boost the squad around Lionel Messi.

Inter Miami began its 2026 MLS title defense on the wrong foot after LAFC handed it a resounding 3-0 defeat in Los Angeles. Following the disappointing start, co-owner Jorge Mas addressed the possibility of additional signings to strengthen the roster around Lionel Messi.

After spending more than $40 million in transfer fees (per Transfermarkt), Inter Miami also acquired an international roster slot for the 2026 season from New England Revolution, raising expectations about another incoming player. The lopsided loss against a team featuring Son Heung‑min suggested the Herons are still far from settled, fueling speculation about a potential move.

Jorge Mas attended an event hosted by FIFA to open a museum in Miami on Wednesday, and in comments relayed by José Armando, the Inter Miami executive was asked about further additions: “The transfer market is open and some things are being considered. I’m not anticipating any more signings.”

Mas then highlighted several notable arrivals. “I think (German) Berterame is a great signing for the club, and obviously the return of Tadeo (Allende). His visa was delayed, but I think we’ll see him at 100% within the next two weeks. Mateo Silvetti; we expect very good things this year from David Ayala and Yannick (Bright),” he added.

After several departures from last season, Inter Miami needed an aggressive winter window, and Mas believes it was nearly flawless: “We entered the winter window with a goal. I’d tell you we were pursuing seven players, and of those seven we were able to acquire six.“

In addition to the names mentioned, Inter Miami also finalized deals for Rocco Ríos Novo, Dayne St. Clair, Facundo Mura, Luis Barraza, Micael dos Santos, Sergio Reguilón, and Dániel Pintér from Inter Miami II. Even without formally closing the door on more moves, the club appears set to rely on this group for at least the early portion of the 2026 campaign.

Jorge Mas going all-in for 2026 season

Winning MLS Cup had been a primary objective for Inter Miami’s ownership since Messi’s arrival, and after lifting the trophy in 2025, the focus has shifted toward international success, specifically the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Despite heavy investment ahead of 2026, the 3-0 loss served as a wake-up call that the team has yet to rediscover the form it showed late last season.

Still, Mas expressed full confidence in the squad’s potential. “We’re very happy with the club’s roster. We aspire not only to win the league, but the Supporters’ Shield, Leagues Cup, Champions (Cup), and MLS Cup. We’re very satisfied,” the club co-owner stated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rodrygo could be useful for Liverpool

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

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

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

How much are Rodrygo and Szoboszlai worth?

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

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

Hansi Flick referred to the repercussion of everything that happens with Barcelona, like substituting Lamine Yamal out.

A significant milestone awaits Hansi Flick as he approaches his 100th match in charge of Barcelona. Ahead of that mark, he spoke with the club’s media and addressed the impact of his decisions, including substituting Lamine Yamal during matches.

After managing Bayern Munich, Flick says the spotlight at Barcelona is on another level. According to him, everything that happens at the club, whether it is something a player says, something the manager says, or a tactical decision during a match, quickly becomes a major topic.

Flick said: “Everything that happens here, what a player or the manager says, or what we do generates noise outside. Everybody focuses on Barcelona. If I substitute Yamal, everyone is watching him. We know it. That’s how things are.”

Flick’s keys to make a comeback against Atletico Madrid

Barcelona face a demanding stretch. Saturday’s La Liga match against Villarreal is crucial in a tight race where every point could make the difference. At the same time, there is another major challenge coming on Tuesday.

After a disastrous first leg in the Copa del Rey semifinal, when Atletico Madrid were four goals ahead at halftime, the task of overturning the result will not be easy. Flick, however, believes his players can respond, especially with the support of the fans.

Flick said: “It’s difficult but not impossible. We must believe we are capable of coming back. We must give everything or even more in those 90 minutes. We must fight for the team, the club and the fans. We must have them on our side. Since we returned to Camp Nou we haven’t lost a match. We must come out with a positive attitude to produce a comeback.”

The importance of playstyle

At Barcelona, winning is not the only priority. The way the team plays and how results are achieved matter deeply to those around the club. Flick understands that expectation, even when results are disappointing.

He said: “You don’t just have to win. It’s how you do it. Last season when we lost to Inter in the Champions League semifinals, we were all disappointed. But we were very proud of what we had done in those matches.”

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

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

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

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

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

Who are the top scorers in Champions League knockout stages?

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

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

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

Vinicius climbs the all-time Champions League scoring list

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

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

Martinique U20 play against Nicaragua U20 on Matchday 2 of the 2026 CONCACAF U20 Championship group stage. Fans in the United States can catch every minute of the action, with full kickoff times and broadcast information available for both TV and streaming options.

Match Overview

Nicaragua U20 and Martinique U20 meet in a pivotal CONCACAF U20 Championship showdown, with both sides eager to use the tournament as a springboard for their national programs. While neither entered as a favorite, the stakes remain high—Martinique is chasing its best performance yet.

Meanwhile, Nicaragua is looking to build on recent momentum and showcase its rising talent on a major regional stage. With future stars ready to seize their moment, this matchup could deliver plenty of intensity and promise—don’t miss it.

Ivan Toney is hell-bent on stopping Cristiano Ronaldo from making further Saudi Pro League history, and the English striker has sent a strong warning message to the Portuguese superstar.

Ivan Toney is hell-bent on stopping Cristiano Ronaldo from making further Saudi Pro League history, and the English striker has sent a strong warning message to the Portuguese superstar. As Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli push for supremacy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney are locked in a fierce duel for the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot, with the title race intensifying alongside their personal contest.

Ronaldo entered the 2025-26 campaign aiming to cement his dominance after already winning the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons. Toney, however, has emerged as a relentless challenger, threatening not only the Portuguese’s individual ambitions but also the balance of power at the top of the table.

The stakes are historic. Should Ronaldo finish as top scorer once again, he would become the first European player in Saudi Pro League history to win three consecutive Golden Boot awards. His numbers underline why such a feat seemed inevitable. In 2023-24, Ronaldo scored 35 goals in 31 matches. He followed that with 25 goals last season, and he currently sits on 21 goals from 21 games in the ongoing campaign. Even at 41, his output remains extraordinary.

Yet the margin for error has narrowed. A brief absence earlier in the season, reportedly linked to frustrations over transfer dealings, saw Al-Nassr’s captain miss two fixtures. In a race this tight, those missed matches could prove decisive.

Despite that, Ronaldo responded emphatically, scoring in key victories including a dominant 5-0 win over Al-Najma, where he converted from the penalty spot and even unveiled a new celebration, temporarily shelving his iconic “Siu.” Al-Nassr currently sits top of the table with 58 points, just two ahead of Al-Ahli on 56, as the 34-game season enters its decisive stretch.

What did Ivan Toney say?

If Ronaldo is chasing immortality, Ivan Toney is chasing belief, and he is brimming with it. The England international, speaking to talkSPORT, delivered a confident message that now echoes across the league: “Every time I step onto the pitch, I feel like I’m going to score, I’ve got that confidence at the moment,” Toney said.

He added: “But that’s always good, having a striker in a team that feels like it’s going to score goals and can score goals. And obviously, it’s helping at the moment, considering where we are in the table, so it’s good.”

Toney currently leads the scoring charts with 23 goals, two more than Ronaldo. His only blemish this season was a rare penalty miss, his first since April 2023, which could have pushed him even further ahead.

The 29-year-old’s form has been electric. He has scored three hat-tricks in his last seven matches, including a standout performance against Al-Najma. His sharp finishing, aerial strength, and clinical penalty-taking have transformed Al-Ahli into a genuine title contender.

Pressure mounts in three-horse race

The duel is not isolated. Julian Quinones of Al-Qadsiah remains close behind in the scoring standings, while Brendan Rodgers’ side sits on 53 points, capable of influencing the title outcome. Still, the spotlight remains firmly on Ronaldo and Toney.

Ronaldo brings unmatched longevity. Since turning 30, he has scored more than 500 career goals, surpassing his tally from his younger years, a statistic almost unheard of in modern football. He is also chasing the mythical 1,000 career goal milestone, sitting just 36 away.

Toney, meanwhile, sees the Saudi Pro League as both a proving ground and a pathway back to international prominence, with ambitions of representing England at the 2026 World Cup.

A fascinating comparison has resurfaced: Ronaldo vs. Mbappe in their first 90 games for the club, and the numbers reveal a striking truth.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe have both worn the white shirt of Real Madrid with the weight of history on their shoulders. One arrived as the most expensive player the game had ever seen; the other stepped into the Spanish capital as a global icon expected to define a new era. Now, as debates rage across social media and fan forums, a fascinating comparison has resurfaced: Ronaldo vs. Mbappe in their first 90 games for the club, and the numbers reveal a striking truth.

At first glance, Mbappe’s start feels electric, almost untouchable. Yet beneath the surface, the statistical benchmark set by Ronaldo more than a decade ago still stands firm. The mystery lies not in whether Mbappe has been brilliant — he has — but in just how high Ronaldo set the bar during his own opening chapter in Madrid.

After years of speculation, near-transfers, and dramatic twists, the France captain finally made his long-awaited move to the Spanish capital. The spotlight was immediate and intense. The Santiago Bernabeu expected fireworks, and the French superstar delivered.

In his first 90 appearances, Mbappe has produced 82 goals and 10 assists, totaling 92 direct goal contributions. For a player adjusting to a new league, new tactical demands, and the unique pressure of Madrid’s shirt, that return is nothing short of extraordinary.

His acceleration has shredded defensive lines. His intelligent movement between defenders has created chaos. Whether curling shots into the far corner or blasting them past stranded goalkeepers, the 27-year-old has ignited the Bernabeu with moments of brilliance. Few debuts in Madrid’s history have felt this explosive, and yet, comparison is unavoidable.

The Ronaldo benchmark revealed

Here is where the debate intensifies. When Cristiano Ronaldo arrived in 2009, he carried the expectations of a record-breaking transfer and the burden of dethroning Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. The rivalry with Lionel Messi was at fever pitch. Every match felt like a referendum on greatness.

And Ronaldo responded with numbers that still feel surreal. In his first 90 games for Real Madrid, Ronaldo registered 86 goals and 24 assists, a staggering 110 goal contributions. Even more remarkably, he achieved this while scoring just 13 penalties, compared to Mbappe’s 19 in the same span. The contrast sharpens when laid bare:

Mbappe (first 90 games)

• 82 goals
• 10 assists
• 92 goal contributions
• 19 penalties scored

Ronaldo (first 90 games)

• 86 goals
• 24 assists
• 110 goal contributions
• 13 penalties scored

The difference in assists is particularly eye-catching. Ronaldo was not merely a finisher; he was a creator, a transition engine, an aerial threat, and a long-range marksman rolled into one. His influence stretched far beyond the penalty area. While penalties are part of the game and require composure, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s lower tally from the spot underscores just how devastating he was from open play.

Frenkie de Jong scared everybody in Barcelona's latest training session.

Barcelona was ready to enter the most important part of the season with their best team. With the midfield not having the ideal setup because of several injuries, they now appear forced to prepare for the match against Villarreal in La Liga without Frenkie de Jong.

The Dutch midfielder could not finish Thursday morning’s training session with the rest of the squad, according to Marca. His problem was initially reported as a muscle issue in his thigh. It was later confirmed to be a strain in the distal hamstring of the right leg that will sideline him for five to six weeks.

This comes at a very bad time for manager Hansi Flick, who will be without him for key matches. His absence for Saturday against Villarreal and for the Copa del Rey semifinal on Tuesday against Atletico Madrid has already been confirmed, and his availability for the Champions League Round of 16 also appears highly doubtful.

Barcelona’s midfield situation

Injuries never come at a good time for players. However, a team can often cope if injuries are staggered rather than clustered. The good news for Barcelona may be seeing more minutes from a young midfield duo who could see the field soon.

❗️Medical report

First-team player Frenkie de Jong sustained an injury to the distal biceps of his right leg during this morning’s training session.

Medical tests have confirmed that the expected recovery period will be approximately five to six weeks. pic.twitter.com/2irBhMoAG2

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 26, 2026

Pedri may be the ideal player to step in if Frenkie is sidelined for a while. The Spanish midfielder, who missed about a month with an injury, returned last Sunday for roughly 30 minutes and could begin to get more minutes as he regains fitness.

The other player fans have missed is Gavi, who has been out for most of the season after an arthroscopy to repair a meniscus. He has rejoined partial training since last week and, even if he needs a few more matches to return to full strength, he would be a valuable addition when available.

Barcelona’s hard challenges ahead

The Champions League round of 16 may be the toughest immediate test, with the opponent being Chelsea or Newcastle. Locally, though, the obstacles are just as difficult and rotation to rest players may not be realistic.

Villarreal represent a genuine threat as the third-place team in La Liga. With only a one-point margin, a draw is not an acceptable result. The Copa del Rey semifinal against Atletico Madrid is another steep challenge after the first-leg 4-0 defeat that Barcelona will need to erase next week.

Inter Miami and Independiente del Valle are clashing in a postponed friendly in Puerto Rico, with huge expectations from local fans to see Lionel Messi in action.

Inter Miami have traveled to Puerto Rico to face Independiente del Valle on Thursday, February 26, at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium. With the 2026 Major League Soccer season already underway, fans are eager to see Lionel Messi making his first appearance on the island.

The Herons enter the match after suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat in their MLS opener against LAFC, beginning their title-defense campaign on the wrong foot. Independiente del Valle, meanwhile, have also had their schedule interrupted. The Ecuadorian first division kicked off last weekend, with El Negriazul coming off a 2–0 win over Guayaquil City in their opener.

The game was originally scheduled for Friday, February 13, as part of the Champions Tour before the MLS season began. However, Messi’s hamstring injury against Barcelona SC in Guayaquil disrupted those plans, forcing both clubs to find a new date, with Feb. 26 ultimately selected.

Is Lionel Messi playing?

After the postponement, Lionel Messi will be starting the game against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico on the subs bench. Following Thursday’s training session, which was open to fans, head coach Mascherano decided to leave the Argentina star out of the starting lineup.

In his pre-match press conference, head coach Javier Mascherano explained that his plan is to rotate minutes, especially for players who have seen limited action so far: “The match gives us the opportunity to give minutes to guys who perhaps haven’t seen as much action, both during the preseason and in our last league match.“

The Argentine manager also has one eye on the upcoming MLS fixture against Orlando City on March 1. “We’re going to try to get everyone on the pitch. We need to get minutes for the entire squad, while also being careful since we have a very important match against Orlando in just 72 hours,” he stated.

“Regardless of the loss the other day, for those of us who have been here at Inter Miami for a while, the next game is always the most important—and it’s always the one you have to win,” Mascherano concluded, emphasizing that the mentality remains unchanged despite the uneven start.

Confirmed lineups for Inter Miami and Independiente del Valle

Inter Miami’s confirmed lineup (4-4-2): Rocco Rios Novo; Facundo Mura, Ian Fray, Gonzalo Luján, Ezequiel Abadia-Reda; David Ruiz, Yannick Bright, Alexander Shaw, Santiago Morales; Luis Suárez, Daniel Pinter.
Head coach: Javier Mascherano.

Independiente del Valle’s confirmed lineup (4-3-3): Guido Villar; Juan Viacava, Daykol Romero, Mateo Carabajal, Layan Loor; Matias Perello, Jordy Alcivar, Patrik Mercado, Júnior Sornoza; Djorkaeff Reasco, Emerson Pata.
Head coach: Joaquín Papa.

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

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

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

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

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

The next challenges for Argentina and Spain

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

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

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

The March FIFA break will be crucial

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

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

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

Al Hilal star Ruben Neves has reportedly inspired Cristiano Ronaldo's new 'basketball' celebration after his jab to Al Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic “Siu” celebration became a global phenomenon that spread beyond soccer into other sports. Recently, however, the Portuguese forward unveiled a completely different celebration that resembled a basketball slam dunk, a gesture that was reportedly inspired after Al Hilal star Ruben Neves appeared to take a jab at Al Nassr.

With Al Nassr traveling to face Al Najma on Wednesday, Ronaldo had a prime opportunity to add to his goal tally against the team sitting at the bottom of the Saudi Pro League standings. He did just that in the 7th minute, stepping up to take a penalty that he blasted into the top corner for the opener.

After scoring the game’s first goal, Ronaldo ran toward the corner to celebrate, but instead of performing his trademark “Siu,” he opted for something new. Looking toward the sideline, he mimicked a basketball-style slam dunk motion with his right hand.

Al Nassr went on to cruise past Al Najma with a dominant 5-0 victory, though Ronaldo didn’t score again. Still, much of the postgame attention centered on what might have inspired the celebration change, with local reports suggesting Neves may have played a role.

What did Ruben Neves say?

Tensions have been rising recently between Ronaldo and Al Hilal, beginning with their league meeting on January 12, when the forward appeared to gesture toward a camera implying Al Nassr had been robbed in that match. Controversy resurfaced again when Ronaldo reportedly opposed Karim Benzema’s potential move from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal, adding another chapter to the rivalry.

Now the standings have shifted, with Al Nassr sitting first in the SPL and Al Hilal dropping to third after two straight draws. Following a 1-1 result against Al Taawoun on Tuesday, Neves spoke candidly about the league’s competitiveness:

“I think we need to value this league because it’s one of the leagues in the world where four teams are fighting for the title. We’re almost in March and there are four teams fighting for the title. It’s been very competitive, but we need everyone to be in the same level, because what we see in some games and what we see in others is completely different,” the Portuguese midfielder stated.

He then added another pointed remark, without naming a specific club, suggesting that some teams have recently benefited from officiating decisions. “We want all to play the same games. I’ve seen players playing almost basketball and volleyball inside the box, where the referees go to the screen and still don’t give the penalty,” he stated in a post-match interview.

Local reports interpreted Neves’ comments as a reference to Al Nassr, who played the following day. Shortly after hearing the remarks from his Portugal national team teammate, Ronaldo appeared to respond subtly with the basketball-style celebration, widely seen as a playful nod to Neves’ quote.

As Al-Nassr surges to the top of the Saudi Pro League and Al-Hilal attempts to keep pace, the rivalry between the two former Real Madrid icons has taken on a new dimension, as the balance of power may be shifting at a decisive moment in the season.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema are once again locked in a title battle in Saudi Arabia, but this time with different clubs. As Al-Nassr surges to the top of the Saudi Pro League and Al-Hilal attempts to keep pace, the rivalry between the two former Real Madrid icons has taken on a new dimension, as the balance of power may be shifting at a decisive moment in the season.

Ronaldo’s form has been electric, while Benzema had only just begun to impose himself in blue. Now, circumstances off the pitch threaten to influence the race as much as performances on it. After brief internal friction and reports of dressing-room tension, including a short-lived team boycott, Ronaldo responded in the only way he knows how: with goals.

The Portuguese forward returned to score in three consecutive matches, including a penalty in a commanding 5-0 victory over Al-Najma that sent Al-Nassr back to the summit. The league leader now sits on 58 points from 23 games, with just one defeat all season, holding a narrow advantage over its closest challengers.

Ronaldo’s latest strike marked his 21st goal of the campaign, bringing him to 95 league goals in Saudi Arabia, just five shy of joining an exclusive group of only four players to reach 100 in the competition. Across his legendary career, Ronaldo now stands on 965 total goals, leaving him 35 away from the historic 1,000 mark. His relentless output has reinforced Al-Nassr’s belief that silverware is within reach.

What did Al-Hilal say about Benzema’s injury?

In contrast, Al-Hilal has been dealt a setback at the worst possible time. The club released an official statement confirming that Benzema suffered an adductor injury in training. As the Blue Waves stated, “Karim Benzema will be out for a period ranging from 10 to 15 days due to a groin injury.”

The 38-year-old forward underwent thorough medical examinations before the diagnosis was confirmed. His absence rules him out of crucial fixtures, including the Saudi Pro League clashes against Al-Shabab and Al-Najma, and the first leg of the AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 against Al-Sadd, as per Foot Africa.

The timing is critical. Simone Inzaghi’s side has slipped to third place in the standings, three points behind Al-Nassr, after consecutive draws against Al-Ittihad and Al-Taawoun. Momentum, once firmly in its grasp, has begun to fade.

What this means for Ronaldo and Al-Nassr

Before the injury, Benzema had made an immediate impact following his winter move, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist against Al-Okhdood. However, he remained scoreless in subsequent appearances as the club’s form dipped.

For Ronaldo and Al-Nassr, the situation represents a clear opportunity. While Benzema works toward recovery, Ronaldo continues his relentless march toward both personal and collective milestones. The Saudi Pro League has become the latest stage for two former Real Madrid teammates to duel for supremacy. This time, however, it is not about Champions League nights in Europe — it is about dominance in a rapidly evolving soccer landscape.

Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius in redefining what it means to be a modern soccer superstar.

Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius in redefining what it means to be a modern soccer superstar. No longer confined to the pitch, the Portuguese icon has stepped further into the business of the game, adding his name to a growing list of active players investing in clubs while still competing at the highest level.

Due to integrity restrictions, players are often unable to buy teams inside their own domestic systems. However, many have discovered methods to invest either abroad or via permitted organizations. In recent years, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius have all entered the ownership arena in different capacities. Now, Ronaldo has joined that elite circle.

The movement is unmistakable. Mbappe became the majority investor in Caen in 2024, reportedly committing around $24 million after his move to Spain ensured no conflict with French competition rules. Messi and Luis Suarez launched Deportivo LSM in Uruguay in 2025. Vinicius, Luka Modric, Thibaut Courtois, and N’Golo Kante have also expanded their influence through minority stakes in various clubs.

Ronaldo, however, has taken a particularly symbolic step: investing in a Spanish club he once tormented during his Real Madrid prime. Between 2009 and 2015, he faced the side seven times in La Liga, scoring seven goals and providing five assists, remaining unbeaten with six wins and one draw.

Ronaldo joins elite list

According to ESPN and confirmed by Brunswick Group, Ronaldo has purchased a 25 percent ownership stake in Almeria, currently competing in Spain’s second division. The deal was executed through his company, CR7 Sports Investments, though financial details were not disclosed.

In an official statement, Ronaldo explained his motivation: “It has been a long-time ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch. UD Almeria is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth.” He added, “I have long had the ambition to contribute to soccer 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.”

The move represents a long-term investment for the 41-year-old, who continues to play for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and has recently extended his contract until June 2027.

Saudi connections and strategic timing

Almeria has been under Saudi ownership since 2019. Former owner Turki Alalshikh sold the club to a Saudi-backed consortium led by Mohamed Al-Khereiji in 2025. Ronaldo’s strong ties to Saudi Arabia, where he earns a reported $236 million per year, appear to have facilitated the deal.

Al Khereiji welcomed Ronaldo’s involvement enthusiastically: “We are very pleased that Cristiano has chosen our club to invest in. He is considered the best on the pitch.” He continued: “He knows the Spanish leagues very well and understands the potential of what we are building here, both in terms of the team and the academy.”

Almeria currently sits third in Segunda Division, two points behind leaders Racing Santander, as it pushes for promotion after relegation from La Liga in 2023-24.

Flamengo host Lanus for the decisive second leg of the CONMEBOL Recopa Sudamericana. Below, you’ll find complete information on kickoff times, along with full TV coverage and streaming options available in the United States.

Match Overview

With a trip to Brazil deciding the series, the pressure ramps up as Lanus looks to protect a narrow advantage against one of South America’s toughest home teams. The Argentine side did its job in the opener, grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 victory on its own turf, but that slim margin leaves little room for error heading into hostile territory.

Flamengo, powered by a dominant 2025 season and eager to keep that surge rolling into 2026, has built a reputation as one of CONMEBOL’s most imposing hosts, meaning Lanus will need a disciplined, nearly flawless effort to pull off the upset and punch its ticket forward—don’t miss what promises to be a high-stakes showdown in Brazil.

Now at Inter Miami, Lionel Messi shared his honest opinion on the growth of the MLS and the USMNT, comparing it with the Liga MX and Mexico.

Mexico’s soccer culture and international pedigree have historically surpassed that of the United States in North America’s regional rivalry, but the gap appears closer than ever. Now witnessing that evolution firsthand with Inter Miami CF, Lionel Messi offered his candid assessment of the growth of Major League Soccer and the USMNT compared to Mexico national team and Liga MX.

With Inter Miami competing internationally, Messi has faced not only MLS-based U.S. internationals but also Liga MX standouts. While Mexican dominance remains evident, he believes the margin has narrowed. Speaking on YouTube channel Miro de Atrás with Nahuel Guzmán and Gonzalo Iglesias, the Tigres UANL goalkeeper noted the shrinking gap, prompting Messi to weigh in:

“Well, I think part of that is also what’s happened at the national team level, right? Because I think the United States and Mexico are very even right now. The U.S. national team has done a great job in recent World Cups too, and I think MLS clubs have grown a lot. When Mexican teams come here to play, it’s tough for them,” Messi stated.

The Argentine also pointed to a key contrast between playing environments in Mexico and the U.S., emphasizing factors behind Mexican clubs’ continued edge, especially in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. “Also, when MLS teams go to Mexico, it’s an advantage for Mexican sides playing at home. In some places you have altitude, stadiums filled with 60,000 or 70,000 people, and whether you like it or not, that plays a role. Home-field advantage is strong — that’s why Mexican teams have usually won the Champions Cup,” he added.

To contextualize his point, since the competition’s launch in 1962, Mexican clubs have won 40 titles and finished runner-up 20 times. U.S. sides, meanwhile, have claimed the trophy just three times, with five runner-up finishes. Since 2022, each final has featured an MLS club against a Liga MX side, but only once did the MLS representative prevail, Seattle Sounders FC.

MLS growth also a positive sign for Mexico, says Messi

Last season, both leagues attracted major names: MLS drew stars like Son Heung‑min and Thomas Müller, while Liga MX welcomed Sergio Ramos, James Rodríguez, and Keylor Navas. Still, the Liga MX arrivals have largely struggled to match the impact of those who joined MLS.

Even so, Messi believes MLS’s rise could ultimately benefit Mexican soccer: “I think MLS’s growth is worth highlighting, and I think it’s good for Mexico too, right? Because it puts them on alert. I don’t think it should be seen negatively, but rather positively — competing against MLS helps them keep improving, keep competing, and try to surpass them again and stay on top. In a way, it should help, not bother them.“

Historically, Mexico has asserted regional dominance through the CONCACAF Gold Cup, with a record 13 titles. Yet over the last 13 editions (since 2002), Mexico has won seven while the USMNT has captured the other six, now being in a situation where both national teams are sharing that domination.

“I think the same thing happens with the national teams, right? The rivalry has always been United States vs. Mexico. The last one was won by Mexico, but before that the United States had won — they’re right there. I don’t know, I think everything has become much more competitive and balanced overall,” Messi concluded.

With only two open dates, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal has officially confirmed the first pre-2026 World Cup friendly.

Cristiano Ronaldo will have his final chance to win the World Cup in 2026 when the tournament in North America kicks off on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico. As preparations ramp up for that golden opportunity, Portugal have officially confirmed their first friendly ahead of the competition.

After finishing atop Group F in the UEFA World Cup qualifiers and securing a spot in the tournament, Portugal cleared its schedule to organize additional friendlies as part of the team’s preparations. With the March international window already filled with matches against United States and Mexico, only two open dates remained in May and June before the start of the World Cup.

As announced by the Portuguese Football Federation on Wednesday, the Seleção will face Chile on June 6, just days before the tournament begins. According to the federation, the match is “part of its training camp” and will focus on preparing the squad for the competition in North America.

It will be the first meeting between Portugal and Chile since their clash at the FIFA Confederations Cup. On that occasion, the reigning champions of the Copa América and the UEFA European Championship met in the semifinals, playing to a scoreless draw before Chile advanced 3-0 on penalties.

While Chile failed to qualify for the World Cup, finishing last in CONMEBOL qualifying, the match should still serve as a valuable test for Portugal’s preparations. With a historical record of two wins and two draws against La Roja, Ronaldo and company will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten mark in the fixture.

Only one friendly remaining to be confirmed

Despite confirming the opponent and date, Portugal has not yet announced the venue for the friendly against Chile. Still, all indications point to the match being staged in Europe, allowing the squad to play both warm-ups before departing for North America for the World Cup.

In its announcement, the federation added that “the team coached by Roberto Martínez will also play a second warm-up match scheduled for June 10 in Leiria.” That suggests the national team is likely to hold both pre-World Cup friendlies on home soil.

LA Galaxy square off with Sporting San Miguelito in the return leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup first round. Here’s all the essential information, including the date, venue, kickoff time, and how to watch or live stream the action across the United States.

Match Overview

After a stunning stalemate in the first leg, Los Angeles Galaxy return home knowing the job is far from finished against Sporting San Miguelito. The MLS side entered the series as clear favorites despite inconsistent form, but couldn’t turn that edge into a road win, leaving the tie wide open heading into the decisive match in Southern California.

While the Galaxy still hold the advantage on their own field, Sporting proved it can compete and will believe an upset is within reach with a disciplined performance. With advancement on the line, this is shaping up to be a can’t-miss showdown.

After Al Nassr’s record-breaking 5-0 win in the SPL, Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a three-word message to his teammates.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues making headlines even after turning 41, moving closer to the elusive 1,000-goal milestone, a feat never achieved in soccer history. As Al Nassr set a club record in the Saudi Pro League with a 5-0 victory over Al Najma, the Portuguese icon shared a three-word message for teammates and supporters.

On Wednesday, February 25, Al Nassr traveled to face Al Najma, who entered the match bottom of the SPL table with just eight points. Heavy favorites from kickoff, the visitors asserted control early when Cristiano Ronaldo converted a seventh-minute penalty for his 965th career goal.

Kingsley Coman (31st minute), Inigo Martinez (42′, 80′), and Sadio Mane (52′) also found the net to seal a dominant 5-0 result. With the three points from Unaizah, Al Nassr moved to the top of the league standings with 58 points from 23 matches, two clear of Al Ahli.

After the win, Ronaldo took to social media to post a brief message: “Keep it going!” With a nine-match league winning streak, Al Nassr next travel to face Al Feiha on Saturday the 28th, where the veteran striker will look to extend his scoring run to six straight games.

Al Nassr break club defensive record

After a strong start to 2026, Al Nassr have found rhythm on both ends of the field, pairing Ronaldo-led attacking production with disciplined defending. Most recently, the club matched its record for most consecutive clean sheets in Saudi Pro League play.

The 5-0 win over Al Najma pushed that streak to seven straight league shutouts, the longest in club history. The previous mark was six, recorded between October 2014 and February 2015.

Asked about the run of defensive form, head coach Jorge Jesus praised his squad’s execution. “My team has implemented the defensive ideas we’ve worked on since the beginning of the season. Now the players are applying them with great discipline, and that’s due to their strong commitment,” the Portuguese said in the post-match press conference.

That solidity has extended across competitions: counting both SPL and continental matches, Al Nassr are now on a nine-game clean-sheet streak. The last goal they conceded came in a 2-1 win over Damac on January 21, meaning the run has lasted more than a month.

LAFC manager Marc Dos Santos explained why Son Heung-min left the Concacaf Champions Cup match early.

Son Heung-min’s tenure with LAFC has just begun. This is his first full year with the team after arriving in August 2025 from Tottenham. The production so far has been good, so the early exit in the victory over Real España in the Concacaf Champions Cup left some doubts that manager Marc Dos Santos explained.

The series was finished before it even started for how the first leg went. A 6-1 victory in Honduras made this match a mere obligation in Los Angeles to see what club came through to the competition’s next round. Tuesday’s 1-0 win gave only the concern of Son leaving the field at halftime.

Dos Santos gave a very calming description of why he made the substitution: “We originally planned to use Son and Denis Bouanga for only 45 minutes. The two players did not have a perfect preseason. Regaining their match rhythm was the most important thing. We had already informed them that they would only play the first half.”

LAFC secure Bouanga’s future

The victory in the Concacaf Champions Cup with the tranquility from Don Santos’ words weren’t the only good news for LAFC fans. The club has also secured they are keeping their top striker for many years to come.

Their decision was an easy one as they described: “LAFC has re-signed forward Bouanga to a contract extension as a Designated Player through 2028, with an option through the 2029-30 season.”

For the French striker his move to LAFC has been a great one that boosts a league title with many individual accolades. His numbers of 105 goals in 155 matches put him already in the legend status for the club.

LAFC’s next matches

LAFC opened the season with a 3-0 victory against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. This puts them as a clear candidate for the trophy albeit in a long calendar. What comes next are matches with Houston Dynamo on Saturday, FC Dallas a week later and St. Louis on March 14.

Joan Laporta wasn't pleased with the CTA admitting the referee's mistake that led to a Barcelona loss to Girona in La Liga.

Barcelona has been subject to some refereeing mistakes in recent matches. The error that sparked the most controversy was the one that led to the loss to Girona, which gave Real Madrid the momentary lead in La Liga standings. Joan Laporta posted his thoughts on the recent resolution.

A previous complaint concerned an offside flagged on Pau Cubarsí in the 4-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Atletico Madrid. That incident sparked outrage at the club. This week the CTA of the RFEF, the Spanish federation’s technical committee of referees, sided with Barcelona.

Laporta said: “The pressure on Jules Koundé was obvious. Nobody’s going to give us the lost point back. It was clear. Admitting the mistake is a step, but they are not giving the point back. We have mixed feelings. Let’s hope this does not get repeated.”

CTA’s full explanation

The controversial play was decisive in Barcelona’s defeat to Girona. With the match tied 1-1, Girona scored with just five minutes remaining. In the action, Claudio Echeverri stepped on Koundé in the lead up to the goal.

The CTA stated: “Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct clarifies that a reckless stamp constitutes a foul and a caution. Contesting the ball does not exempt a player from committing an offence. If a player steps on an opponent using excessive force, it must be sanctioned.”

Their resolution was that it was a foul: “The Girona forward removes the defender from the defensive action, and the infringement should therefore be punished with a foul and a yellow card. VAR should intervene, as this involves a clear and obvious error, and advise the referee to change the decision.”

Barcelona’s answer

Barcelona regained ground over the weekend to put the point margin back in their favor. That may have tempered the club’s response, but they posted a short message on social media: “Owning a mistake is a big step. Avoiding it is the next.”