With his sights set on playing in the FIFA World Cup 2026 with Brazil, Neymar is awaiting clarity on his future with Santos.

As he reaches the final stages of recovery from his latest injury, Neymar has made it clear that his top priority is to regain full fitness and form in order to earn a spot on Brazil’s roster for the FIFA World Cup 2026. In that context, his future with Santos will play a crucial role in determining how the forward prepares for next summer’s tournament.

After agreeing to return to the club at the beginning of 2025, Ney’s contract is set to expire in December of this year. While speculation about his next move has become a top story in the Brazilian press, Santos president has made his position clear.

“The tendency is for Neymar to stay,” said Marcelo Teixeira in a conversation with reporters after Santos’ draw with Botafogo over the weekend. The club president added that he maintains “constant communication” with the player’s father and agent, but also acknowledged, “We have not yet talked about a renewal.”

Teixeira clarified that the link between Neymar and the club has reasons to continue at least until next summer. “The project is not for six months,” he explained. “It has always been focused on the World Cup — for Santos and for Brazil.”

However, far from guaranteeing a renewal for the 33-year-old forward, the Santos president noted that key issues will still need to be discussed. “We will evaluate, review the financial aspects, and assess the player’s technical condition,” said Teixeira.

Santos in a delicate situation

While the media and fans around the world are eager to know what will happen with Neymar after December — with some even imagining a move to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami — the current reality at Santos allows little room for distraction.

The club is in a precarious position in Serie A: they currently sit 16th in the standings with 32 points from 29 matches, just one point clear of the relegation zone. Ahead of them lie only nine more games to determine their fate.

Given this situation, Marcelo Teixeira made it clear that discussions about Neymar’s renewal are, for now, secondary. “We’ll evaluate that in due time,” said the president. “Santos is focused on the competition. Every match is a final.”

Neymar focused on the 2026 World Cup

With the urgent need to secure victories and avoid relegation, Santos are eagerly awaiting Neymar’s return to the field. He last played on September 14, before a hamstring injury sidelined him. The forward’s recovery has now lasted a month and a half, and he is expected to return in November to help the team through the decisive stretch of the season.

Beyond that short-term goal, Neymar also needs to regain consistency at Santos — both in staying healthy and in maintaining his level of play. He knows that only under those conditions will he be able to earn a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the World Cup.

Inter Miami have agreed to extend the contract of a player who will continue to be Lionel Messi’s teammate in Major League Soccer.

While competing in the Eastern Conference Playoffs of Major League Soccer, Inter Miami are also focused on building their roster for the coming years. Just days after announcing Lionel Messi’s new deal, the club confirmed a contract extension for another key player.

“Inter Miami CF announced today it has signed midfielder Yannick Bright to a contract extension,” the Herons said in a statement published on their official website on Tuesday. The Florida side explained that the new deal will run for three years, through the end of the 2028 campaign, with an option for one additional season.

It is a key decision not only for the present of the Italian midfielder, who has been frequently used by Javier Mascherano throughout this year, but also for the future. With Sergio Busquets having announced his retirement, Inter Miami will need players to fill that area of the field, and Bright’s continuity will be a relief when considering the team’s priorities for the next transfer window.

The current campaign is Yannick’s second since joining Miami. Throughout 2025, he appeared in 39 matches across MLS, the Concacaf Champions Cup, and the Leagues Cup. However, during the FIFA Club World Cup, he was left out of the squad due to a muscle injury.

Un nuovo capitolo 📖💗

Yannick Bright continues his journey in South Florida ✍️ More info here: https://t.co/guIZGwyv51 pic.twitter.com/W1Yixhh4s0

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 28, 2025

Of the 39 matches he played this year, Bright started in 21, highlighting his importance to the team during a demanding season with many competitions on multiple fronts. In most of his appearances, he partnered with Busquets in midfield, and his role grew especially after the departure of Federico Redondo to Elche.

Inter Miami are building their roster for 2026

In recent weeks, two of Inter Miami’s superstars have announced that they will retire from professional soccer at the end of this season. Sergio Busquets was the first to share the news, followed by Jordi Alba, who had signed a contract extension just a few months earlier.

As a counterbalance, the club’s management has taken steps to secure the future of several key players. The most notable case, of course, is that of Lionel Messi, who announced last week that he had signed a new contract. Joining him were Noah Allen and David Ruiz.

Among the players whose contracts expire at the end of this season are other regular starters such as Tadeo Allende, Marcelo Weigandt, and Ian Fray. Luis Suarez is in the same situation, and there is significant attention on whether he will follow Messi’s path or make a decision similar to those of Busquets and Alba.

Finally, there are four players whose contracts are also set to expire on December 31, 2025, but under different circumstances. Rodrigo De Paul, Baltasar Rodriguez, Rocco Rios Novo, and Allen Obando are currently on loan, though Inter Miami hold the option to make their moves permanent.

The Herons’ most immediate goal

Aside from the ongoing negotiations to renew contracts for next year’s roster, Inter Miami have much more immediate objectives. Their current focus is on advancing to the next round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs—something they failed to achieve last season despite winning the Supporters’ Shield.

In the opening match of the first round, the Herons defeated Nashville SC 2-0, taking a crucial step toward the Eastern semifinals. To secure qualification, they will need another victory, this time on the road, next Saturday. If they fail to do so, a third and decisive game will be played at Chase Stadium to determine which team advances.

Barcelona reportedly made an important decision with Lamine Yamal following the controversy involving Real Madrid.

Barcelona’s defeat in El Clasico against Real Madrid last Sunday was not only a setback in the battle for the top of the La Liga standings but also appears to have had repercussions in other areas of the Catalan side. Lamine Yamal found himself under the spotlight — not only for his poor performance but also for the controversy surrounding him.

Yamal was scheduled to attend a commercial event on Tuesday to promote the launch of the OPPO Find X9 Series. However, “Barcelona decided at the last minute that another public appearance by the culer player was not the best idea,” reported Sport. “The Catalan club advised its player not to attend the launch event, and he accepted.”

This decision marks a clear shift in Barcelona’s media approach toward Lamine. Until now, he had been granted considerable freedom to make public appearances — for example, alongside popular streamers. It was during one of those appearances that Yamal made controversial remarks about Real Madrid, comparing them to Kings League’s Porcinos FC and stating, “They steal and complain.”

Comments like that, along with the constant attention to Yamal’s personal life, have kept him under continuous public scrutiny — a situation that has worsened due to his disappointing recent performances. Sport adds that the young winger is “aware that his outspoken moments have caused a controversy (perhaps exaggerated) that did not help the team ahead of the clash at Santiago Bernabeu.”

The massive conflict that erupted after the final whistle in El Clasico underscored that tension. In that moment, Yamal found himself at the center of the storm, engaging in heated exchanges with Real Madrid stars such as Vinicius Junior, Daniel Carvajal, and Thibaut Courtois.

The toughest season yet for Yamal

During the 2024–25 campaign, Lamine Yamal delivered an outstanding performance, recording 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 matches across La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, and UEFA Champions League. His contributions were crucial as Barcelona captured three titles and reached the European semifinals, while the Spanish winger finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting behind Ousmane Dembele.

Just a few months later, however, the picture looks very different. Yamal has missed a significant portion of this season due to injury, and that absence has clearly affected Barcelona’s form. The club sits well off the top spot in La Liga and continues to show inconsistency in the Champions League.

Lamine Yamal has been sidelined for nearly 40% of Barcelona’s matches this season. Before his groin issues began, he had already contributed to five goals in just three games. Since then, he has played five matches, scoring once and adding two assists.

What’s next for Barcelona?

After the loss to Real Madrid, the good news for Barcelona is that they now have a full week of rest before their next challenge. That break could allow them to recover some of their many injured players, including Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, and Raphinha.

On Sunday, they will face Elche in La Liga — a good opportunity to close the five-point gap with Real Madrid in the standings. After that, attention will shift back to the Champions League, where they will visit Club Brugge on Wednesday, November 5.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr will face Karim Benzema’s Al Ittihad in the King Cup of Champions.

This Tuesday, Al Nassr will face their first major test of the 2025–26 season. In the Round of 16 of the King Cup of Champions, they’ll take on one of Saudi Arabia’s strongest teams, Al Ittihad. This single-elimination clash will draw special attention as it features two global superstars — Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

CR7 and his teammates have enjoyed an almost perfect start to the 2025–26 campaign. After the disappointment of losing the Saudi Super Cup final to Al Ahli, they’ve bounced back with a string of victories in both the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League Two, allowing them to sit atop the standings in both competitions.

However, the King Cup of Champions could present their first true challenge of the year. After defeating Jeddah in the opening round, they now face Al Ittihad — a dangerous opponent — in a knockout match that will send one of the two clubs home. Benzema’s side advanced to this stage after overcoming Al Wehda.

Recent history favors Al Nassr, though. The teams have already met this season in the Saudi Pro League, where Al Nassr earned a convincing 2–0 victory that put them at the top of the table and led to the dismissal of then-Al Ittihad coach Laurent Blanc.

Confirmed Al Nassr lineup

In recent weeks, head coach Jorge Jesus has carefully managed the workload of his key players to prevent injuries and focus on what he considers the team’s most important competitions. That’s why, although Ronaldo has featured in every Saudi Pro League match, he hasn’t played a single minute in the AFC Champions League Two.

This Tuesday, however, the situation will be different. Given the high stakes of a knockout match — and against such a strong rival as Al Ittihad — the coach will field his strongest possible lineup in the King Cup of Champions.

Al Nassr’s confirmed lineup: Bento; Nawaf Boushal, Mohamed Simakan, Inigo Martinez, Ayman Yahya; Abdul Al-Khaibari, Angelo Gabriel; Kingsley Coman, Joao Felix, Sadio Mane; Cristiano Ronaldo.

Confirmed Al Ittihad lineup

While Al Nassr have been fully focused on the Saudi Pro League, Al Ittihad are juggling several competitions. They aim to defend their domestic crown while also pursuing the AFC Champions League Elite title — a key goal to secure qualification for both the Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Within that context, Sergio Conceicao knows he cannot afford a loss against Al Nassr in the King Cup of Champions, so he will send out his best available squad. The confirmed XI: Predrag Rajkovic; Ahmed Al-Julaydan, Danilo Pereira, Saad Al-Mousa, Mario Mitaj; Roger Fernandes, Houssem Aouar, N’Golo Kante, Fabinho; Moussa Diaby, Karim Benzema.

After scoring his 950th goal, Cristiano Ronaldo left an inspiring message.

On Saturday, Al Nassr defeated Al Hazm 2-0, maintaining their position as leaders of the Saudi Pro League 2025-26 with a perfect record. The standout moment of the day was Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal, which sealed the victory and also allowed him to reach an incredible milestone.

CR7 became the first player in the history of soccer to score 950 official goals over the course of his professional career, counting those scored at the club level (with Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al Nassr) as well as those for the Portugal national team at the international level.

After the match, Ronaldo shared a message on his official social media accounts, both Instagram and X, reflecting on the victory and his personal milestone. “Happy to help the team win and to hit 950 goals!” he began, before clearly laying out his future ambitions: “Always hungry for more!”

With those four words, the Portuguese forward showed he is far from satisfied with what he has accomplished so far. At 40 years old, he still has the drive to work daily toward the goals he has yet to achieve in his professional career, both individually and collectively.

Happy to help the team win and to hit 950 goals! 🙏🏽⚽️ Always hungry for more! 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/2DxNA0XVTp

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) October 25, 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo nears 1,000-goal milestone

On a personal level, it has long been clear that Cristiano Ronaldo’s main goal is to become the first player in the history of soccer to reach four digits in official goals. He is already the top scorer in the history of the sport, but a staggering number like 1,000 would only further cement his legacy.

During the 2024-25 season, CR7 played 50 matches — 41 with Al Nassr and 9 with Portugal. Across those games, he scored 43 goals — 35 at the club level and 8 internationally. Those numbers, impressive for any player in the world, and especially for a 40-year-old, give an indication of how long it might take him to reach 1,000.

So far in the current campaign, Ronaldo has played 8 matches for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and Saudi Super Cup, while he has 4 appearances with Portugal. In those 12 matches, Cristiano scored 12 goals. That one-goal-per-game average is even higher than last season’s, suggesting he could reach his goal in the medium term.

The Ronaldo vs Messi rivalry

For more than 15 years, Cristiano Ronaldo has continued competing week after week to stay ahead of Lionel Messi in career numbers. While CR7 scored his 950th goal on Saturday with Al Nassr, a few hours earlier Leo had also found the net with Inter Miami.

The Argentine forward scored a brace for the Herons in their 3-1 win against Nashville SC in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs of Major League Soccer. With that performance, Messi reached 891 goals in his professional career, including both club and Argentina national team goals. That puts him just 59 behind Ronaldo, despite being a year and a half younger.

The heated ending to the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona resulted in several players from both sides being sanctioned by the referee.

Sunday’s El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium was a spectacle for several reasons. For 90 minutes, Real Madrid and Barcelona delivered a thrilling contest filled with goals and dangerous chances. And once it was over, clashes, arguments, and on-field altercations added even more drama to the story.

Goals from Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Fermin Lopez, along with the VAR decisions — including multiple disallowed goals for Los Blancos — and Wojciech Szczesny’s penalty save were among the highlights of a match between the two strongest sides in La Liga.

However, the post-match incidents stole the spotlight. After going mostly unnoticed throughout the game, Lamine Yamal found himself at the center of heated altercations involving Dani Carvajal, Thibaut Courtois, and Vinicius Junior.

In that context, referee Cesar Soto Grado and his assistants paid close attention as they tried to determine which players were responsible for inappropriate behavior during the chaos — a process later reflected in the official match report, which confirmed disciplinary action for several stars.

What does the referee’s report say?

The final report reveals that Soto Grado issued eight yellow cards and two red cards in El Clasico. Interestingly, only three of those bookings came during actual gameplay: the two yellow cards (and subsequent red) shown to Pedri, plus a yellow card for Fermin Lopez after shoving an opponent.

One player from each team was booked for incidents that occurred after being substituted. That includes Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, both cautioned “for confronting an opponent without using insults or threats from the bench.”

Additionally, three more players were booked for their behavior after the final whistle — two from Los Blancos (Eder Militao and Rodrygo) and one from Los Blaugranas (Ferran Torres) — for the same reason as Balde and Vinicius.

Who was sent off for Real Madrid after the match against Barcelona?

Among all the players involved in the post-match incidents, one faced the harshest consequence: Andriy Lunin. The Real Madrid backup goalkeeper was shown a red card, as reflected in the official report shared by Marca.

Referee Cesar Soto Grado justified Lunin’s dismissal as follows: “For leaving his technical area and approaching the opposing bench with an aggressive attitude, having to be restrained by his own teammates.” Although Real Madrid are expected to appeal the decision in the coming days, Lunin is likely to face a significant suspension following his red card.

Barcelona lost El Clasico to Real Madrid, and after the final whistle, Lamine Yamal was involved in heated exchanges with several opposing players, including Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, and Vinicius.

Real Madrid secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, extending their lead in the La Liga standings. After the final whistle, players from both teams were involved in tense confrontations on the pitch, with Lamine Yamal at the center of the incidents.

The young Spanish winger had been in the spotlight in the days leading up to El Clasico due to controversial comments he made about Real Madrid, comparing them to Porcinos FC from the Kings League by saying, “they steal and complain.”

On the pitch, however, Yamal did not live up to expectations, with a poor performance that failed to help Barcelona avoid a 2-1 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu. Still, it appeared that the Real Madrid players hadn’t forgotten his words.

The final minutes of the match were dramatic, with Barcelona desperately attacking in search of an equalizer and Real Madrid defending their lead. In that context, Pedri received a red card for a second yellow in stoppage time, adding further fuel to the fire.

Carvajal to Lamine Yamal after the game: "You talk too much. Speak now." 😭😭
pic.twitter.com/r6uFV8Lhpk

— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) October 26, 2025

Incidents in El Clasico

Once referee Cesar Soto Grado blew the final whistle after 9 minutes of added time, the Real Madrid players naturally gathered on the field to embrace and celebrate, while the Barcelona players slowly made their way toward the locker room.

However, along the way, tensions flared and led to a massive confrontation. TV cameras, as well as fan footage from the stands, captured these moments of heightened tension, with players from both teams involved in the dispute.

Which Real Madrid players did Lamine Yamal argue with?

As expected, Lamine Yamal was at the center of the controversy. A video shared on X (formerly Twitter) shows the exact moment when Dani Carvajal gestures toward Yamal, seemingly telling him that he talks too much—clearly referring to the controversial remarks Yamal made about Real Madrid a few days prior.

The footage then shows players from both teams converging in a heated altercation in the middle of the field, with Yamal being pulled away by his teammate Marc Casado.

After exchanging gestures and insults with Thibaut Courtois, Yamal then has another confrontation with Vinicius Junior, with Real Madrid staff stepping in to prevent the Brazilian forward from approaching the Barcelona player on his way to the locker room.

Wojciech Szczesny denied Kylian Mbappe on a crucial penalty to keep Barcelona in the match against Real Madrid.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are delivering a thrilling La Liga encounter. Los Blancos went into halftime leading 2-1, and early in the second half, they had a chance to extend their advantage with a penalty from Kylian Mbappe. However, Wojciech Szczesny came up big and stopped the shot.

In the first half, Real Madrid showed clear superiority over their rivals, controlling possession for much of the match and creating numerous scoring opportunities. VAR played a key role early on, denying Xabi Alonso’s side both a penalty and a goal from the French striker.

However, Mbappe had his revenge in the 22nd minute, receiving a brilliant assist from Jude Bellingham and finishing with a powerful shot. Madrid’s dominance continued in the following minutes, with another goal from Kylian ruled out for offside. Surprisingly, Barcelona found an equalizer through Fermin Lopez, who was set up inside the box and finished calmly.

Barcelona’s joy was short-lived. Just five minutes later, with halftime approaching, Vinicius Jr. delivered a cross from the left that found Bellingham, who restored Real Madrid’s lead with a composed finish.

SZCZENSY SAVES MBAPPE'S PEN AFTER ERIC GARCIA'S HANDBALL!

WHAT A SAVE 😧 pic.twitter.com/knF6dRGVs5

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 26, 2025

Mbappe misses a penalty

The second half unfolded in much the same way. Real Madrid continued to dominate and create chances until the 52nd minute, when VAR called Cesar Soto Grado to review a possible handball by Eric Garcia. The referee awarded a penalty to Los Blancos.

Kylian Mbappe stepped up to take it, sending a powerful, curling shot. However, Wojciech Szczesny guessed correctly, stretching out his right arm to intercept the ball and deny the French striker his second goal of the night.

Szczesny has a history of stopping penalties from top stars

That Wojciech Szczesny was able to deny Kylian Mbappe with such an impressive strike is no coincidence. The Polish goalkeeper has extensive experience in this aspect of the game and, over the years, has saved penalties from a wide range of top-level players.

Throughout his career, Szczesny has faced penalty kicks 96 times during regulation, stopping 21 while conceding 75. This gives him a save rate of 21.8%, a remarkably high figure that highlights his talent in these high-pressure situations. There’s no doubt that the penalty save against Mbappe will rank among the standout moments of Szczesny’s career.

In the same category is the penalty he stopped from Lionel Messi during the Argentina vs. Poland match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Other stars Szczesny has denied from the spot include Neymar, Victor Osimhen, and Gonzalo Higuain.

Real Madrid fans have been especially hostile toward Barcelona star Lamine Yamal during El Clasico.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are playing the first Clasico of the 2025–26 La Liga season, one of the biggest matchups in world soccer. Millions of viewers around the globe are tuned in to every moment, but one detail stands out: Real Madrid supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium are booing Lamine Yamal every time he touches the ball.

It’s normal for fans to show displeasure toward rival players—especially in a clash between two clubs with such a deep historical rivalry. However, the hostility from the home crowd in this Clasico is particularly sharp toward the young Spanish winger. And there’s a reason for that.

In the days leading up to the match, Yamal sparked controversy with a comment about Los Blancos. During a Kings League broadcast with Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos and former soccer star Gerard Pique, Lamine was asked if Ibai’s team, Porcinos FC, reminded him of Real Madrid. “Yes, of course… They steal and complain,” he replied, catching everyone off guard.

The remark—apparently made in a joking tone, given Yamal’s smile and the casual context—didn’t sit well with Real Madrid fans and reportedly also upset some of the club’s players. In fact, reports suggest that Dani Carvajal, his teammate on the Spain national team, plans to speak with Lamine after the match to clear the air.

Yamal shares a new message on social media

Amid the controversy, Lamine Yamal posted a motivational message on his social media accounts just hours before the match. First, he shared a video about the challenges faced by players who grow up in difficult environments—and how that background drives them to overcome massive moments like El Clasico.

“The player who comes from the neighborhood doesn’t compete for fame. He competes for the future. He doesn’t play for the spotlight; he plays to never go back,” reads one of the quotes from the video. “The real pressure isn’t in the stadium—it’s in the eyes of those who never stopped believing.”

Moments later, the Spanish winger posted a photo of himself playing at the Santiago Bernabeu wearing Barcelona’s jersey, with several Real Madrid fans in the background staring at him with obvious disapproval. The image was taken during Barcelona’s last visit to the Bernabeu—a match that ended in a 4–0 victory, with Lamine scoring one of the goals.

Barcelona face Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, but head coach Hansi Flick is not on the bench as usual.

Real Madrid and Barcelona face off in one of the most important matches of the European soccer season. They’re meeting in the first Clasico of the 2025–26 campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, but one detail stands out: Hansi Flick is not on the bench alongside the substitutes and the Blaugrana staff.

Flick has been banned from entering the field or sitting on the bench as he normally does, after receiving a one-match suspension for being sent off during Barcelona’s previous game against Girona on Matchday 10 of La Liga.

In that match, the score was tied 1–1 when the fourth official showed the electronic board indicating four minutes of added time. The German coach felt that wasn’t enough and protested to the officials, prompting referee Jesus Gil Manzano to send him off after showing a second yellow card.

Ironically, that extra time proved enough for Barcelona, who sealed the victory with a goal from Ronald Araujo in the 93rd minute. Moments after the goal, TV cameras caught Flick making gestures that some interpreted as a provocation toward the officials.

What did Flick say about his expulsion?

After that game against Girona, Hansi Flick was asked about the circumstances that led to his dismissal. “My reaction wasn’t directed at the referee. And I don’t know why he showed me the second card,” the head coach said. “I don’t do anything against anyone and I won’t. I accept the referee’s decision. It wasn’t against him. I applauded to get the team to react.”

Flick later admitted that he tried to clear up the situation after the match, but wasn’t successful. “I tried to talk to the referee, but I couldn’t. He went his way, and I couldn’t,” Hansi explained. “I accept the referee’s decisions; he makes the calls. What I did had nothing to do with him. If he doesn’t want to talk to me, that doesn’t make me sad; I accept it.”

In the days following Flick’s suspension, Barcelona attempted to overturn the decision through official administrative channels, arguing that the referee had misinterpreted the coach’s gestures and that they weren’t directed at the officials. However, that appeal was rejected at every level, and the suspension was upheld.

Who is replacing Flick on Barcelona’s bench?

The suspension didn’t prevent Hansi Flick from working with the squad during the week, but he was unable to hold his usual pre-match press conference. Instead, Flick’s top assistant, Marcus Sorg, took charge of speaking to the media on Saturday and is taking his place on the bench for today’s game.

“You always miss Hansi when he’s not around because he’s an important part of the team, but we all know what we have to do,” Sorg told reporters during the press conference. He also admitted it’s “an honor” to lead Barcelona in El Clasico vs. Real Madrid and said he’s “very proud to be there.”

Still shining in the elite of world soccer at 40, Cristiano Ronaldo spoke about a key tool.

Cristiano Ronaldo has had a professional career spanning more than two decades, and even now, approaching his 41st birthday, he remains one of the most outstanding players in the world. Recently, he discussed his remarkable longevity and revealed a crucial factor behind it.

“Sleep is the most important tool that I have,” Ronaldo began in a video posted on Instagram by Whoop this week. In it, the Portuguese forward emphasized the importance of rest as an essential factor for staying healthy. “It is the most important thing that we have probably in terms of health-span.”

Next, Cristiano detailed specific aspects of his personal care. “To be consistent with the time that I go to bed and that I wake up. I mean, like example, I go to bed around 11-12 and I wake up around 8.30,” he said. “It is my routine.”

It’s clear that to remain in the elite of world soccer for 23 years, talent alone isn’t enough. In addition to his natural abilities, Ronaldo has added an enormous amount of discipline, which includes not only intense physical and ball training but also special attention to rest and nutrition.

How much longer will Cristiano Ronaldo play?

Right now, Cristiano Ronaldo seems to have three major goals in mind. The first is individual: reaching 1,000 goals in his professional career, a milestone he is just 51 goals away from. The other two are team goals: winning the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr and competing in the FIFA World Cup 2026 with Portugal.

To achieve this, it’s clear that CR7 will need to continue playing at least through next summer. By then, he will have completed the season in Saudi Arabia—where Al Nassr have a strong chance to compete for the title based on their current performance—while also having the opportunity to play in his sixth World Cup.

The 1,000-goal milestone, however, appears further on the horizon. Based on the scoring pace he has maintained in recent years, Ronaldo will likely need to play at least one more season to reach that mark. By then, he will have turned 42, making his personal care routine critical to staying in peak physical condition.

Ronaldo talks about retirement

In recent years, Cristiano Ronaldo has often been asked about his potential retirement, a topic that becomes more relevant with the age of the forward. However, he has always been clear that he has no set timeline for ending his career and remains focused on taking on new challenges.

“I want to keep playing for a few more years — not many, I have to be honest. I’m still producing good things, helping my club and Portugal. So… why stop now?” Ronaldo said a few weeks ago. “When I retire, I’ll do so satisfied, knowing I gave everything.”

Xabi Alonso is reportedly interested in a Serie A player and could be willing to let go of any Real Madrid star — except Kylian Mbappe — to bring him in.

Real Madrid have long been known for assembling some of the best players in world soccer. That’s clear once again with a squad full of stars like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior. Now, a standout from Serie A appears to be on Xabi Alonso’s radar.

“Xabi Alonso wants Yildiz at Real Madrid,” said Giovanni Branchini in a recent interview with Tuttomercato. The renowned agent, who once represented Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo Nazario, was referring to Kenan Yildiz, the forward who has been shining for Juventus.

The coach’s reported interest in the young Turkish player is said to be so strong that he would even consider parting ways with several Real Madrid stars to secure him. “Xabi is willing to let anyone go to get him,” explained Branchini, before adding one important clarification: “Except Mbappe.”

The performances of Kylian Mbappe since joining Real Madrid, and especially this season, make that exception understandable. The French forward has scored 15 goals in 12 matches during the 2025–26 campaign, across La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. In fact, he leads the scoring charts in both competitions.

Those numbers — combined with Los Blancos’ clear strategy of building their attack around Mbappe’s strengths — have cemented him as the team’s biggest star. It’s an even greater achievement considering the caliber of players Kylian has surpassed to claim that spotlight, including Vinicius and Bellingham.

How much is Kenan Yildiz worth?

At just 20 years old, Yildiz has already built a reputation as one of Serie A’s most promising young talents. Since making his professional debut with Juventus in 2023, the forward has scored 18 goals in 94 appearances and is already a key member of the Turkish national team as they aim to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“Juventus are currently asking for €100 million,” said Giovanni Branchini in the same interview with Tuttomercato. That figure is striking — even higher than the €75 million valuation listed by specialist site Transfermarkt — and would make Yildiz one of the most expensive signings in Real Madrid’s history.

What has Xabi Alonso said about Yildiz?

All this speculation surrounding Kenan Yildiz’s potential move to Real Madrid stems from reports of Xabi Alonso’s growing admiration for the player and his desire to bring him in the near future. Interestingly, the Spanish head coach has spoken publicly about the young Turkish star before.

This past week, Real Madrid faced Juventus in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, and during the pre-match press conference, Alonso discussed his opponents. “They have very good players and Yildiz is one of them,” the coach said, according to Marca. “His development has been fantastic. I know him from our time together at Bayern, and seeing his progress makes me very happy.”

Amid uncertainty surrounding his future with Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes has admitted that he spoke with Cristiano Ronaldo about a possible move to the Saudi Pro League.

For years, Bruno Fernandes has been one of Manchester United’s biggest stars and one of the Premier League’s standout performers. However, like many other elite players, he has received offers from clubs in the Saudi Pro League. Now, he has confirmed that he discussed the possibility with Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I had conversations with Al Hilal, everyone is aware of that,” Fernandes admitted this week during a press conference shared by Sky Sports. “From Europe I had some people talking to me but we never got into the place where we would have offers on the table or not.”

The 31-year-old midfielder went on to explain the steps he took when considering the offer from Saudi Arabia. “I spoke with Cristiano about the situation, Saudi and everything,” revealed Bruno, who has been Ronaldo’s teammate on the Portugal national team since 2017 and played alongside him at Manchester United for a season and a half.

“Cristiano told me his opinion on what I should do. It was important for me obviously, with all the experience he has and everything, it was important for me to hear what he thought,” added Fernandes, who ultimately decided to reject the proposal and remain in England.

Why Bruno Fernandes stayed at Manchester United

Reports indicate that those talks with Al Hilal included an eye-catching salary offer worth around £700,000 per week — roughly $45 million per year. That would have been nearly triple what Bruno Fernandes currently earns at Manchester United.

But the massive sums on the table weren’t enough to sway the Portuguese midfielder, who explained why he chose to stay in the Premier League. “I wasn’t eager to move to Saudi because I wanted to stay at the club,” he revealed.

“As I’ve always said, I feel good here, I want to achieve my dreams still,” Fernandes added. “Every season I come back, I always have the belief that we can achieve something. Everyone knows my aim is to win the Premier League and the Champions League.”

What’s next for Fernandes?

Turning down Al Hilal last summer doesn’t mean Fernandes has ruled out leaving Manchester United in the future. He admitted he could consider other options later on — but under one important condition. “My agent knows how I work, so if he wants to talk to me it will be after the World Cup because until then, I won’t speak to anyone.”

Finally, when asked about reports suggesting his departure from Manchester United is already set for the end of the 2025–26 season, Bruno was clear: “I’ve seen a lot of news, I’ve seen people talking that I had an agreement to go already next season. If the club has done that agreement, it wasn’t made with me.”

Al Nassr defeated Al Hazm 2-0 in the Saudi Pro League, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring one of the goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo found the net on Saturday in Al Nassr’s 2-0 win over Al Hazm in the Saudi Pro League, a result that keeps them at the top of the standings. Joao Felix scored the other goal of the match.

The start of the 2025–26 season has been extremely positive for Al Nassr. After the disappointment of losing the Saudi Super Cup to Al Ahli, they bounced back both mentally and on the field, stringing together an impressive series of victories across all competitions.

While in the AFC Champions League Two they have won all three of their matches — even without Ronaldo playing in any of them — in the Saudi Pro League they lead the standings with a perfect record, having won all six games. They now hold a three-point advantage over Al Taawoun, who sit in second place.

This Saturday, Jorge Jesus’ side faced an opponent that looked easy on paper but proved to be far from it once the match began. Al Hazm are among the weakest teams this season, yet they managed to make life difficult for Al Nassr throughout the game.

Cristiano’s 950th career goal.pic.twitter.com/CISdUB3vsw

— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) October 25, 2025

Even so, individual quality made the difference. In the 24th minute, Ayman Yahya delivered a cross from the left that Joao Felix met with a header to open the scoring. It was the ninth goal of the season for the young Portuguese forward, who remains the league’s top scorer.

Cristiano Ronaldo nets his 950th career goal

With the lead in hand, Al Nassr controlled possession comfortably, though they struggled to create as many scoring chances as usual. In fact, Ronaldo hadn’t had a single opportunity to score until his strike in the closing moments.

In the 87th minute, with Al Hazm pushing forward in search of an equalizer, Wesley found space down the right flank, drove into the box, and cut the ball back for Ronaldo, who finished with a delicate shot to make it 2–0.

Beyond securing Al Nassr’s victory and strengthening their position atop the Saudi Pro League, the goal carried special meaning for the Portuguese forward: it marked Cristiano Ronaldo’s 950th career goal, counting both club and international competitions with Portugal. At 40 years old, CR7 is now closing in on becoming the first player ever to reach 1,000 official goals.

What’s next for Ronaldo?

After the victory over Al Hazm, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates will have three days of rest before a crucial matchup: on Tuesday, they will face Al Ittihad in the Round of 16 of the King Cup of Champions.

That will be followed by a Saudi Pro League clash against Al Feiha, another AFC Champions League Two game against Goa, and finally a league match against Neom before the November international break, when Portugal will look to secure their spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Real Madrid have struggled in recent years against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

This Sunday, Real Madrid will host Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the 2025–26 season, a matchup that captures the attention of millions of fans around the world. Recent history at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium seems to give Los Blaugranas a clear edge.

Although Real Madrid were historically the dominant force in Spanish soccer, Barcelona have done enough this century to flip that trend and change the balance of power. A golden generation led by Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, and Andres Iniesta helped the Catalan side establish an upper hand over the past few decades.

That dominance is also reflected in the numbers from the last 10 Clasicos played at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium — eight in La Liga and two in the Copa del Rey. In that span, Barcelona hold a clear advantage with six wins and four losses. They’ve scored 20 goals, while Real Madrid have managed only half as many — 10.

The last 10 Real Madrid vs. Barcelona matches at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium:

• La Liga 2017–18: Real Madrid 0–3 Barcelona
• Copa del Rey 2018–19: Real Madrid 0–3 Barcelona
• La Liga 2018–19: Real Madrid 0–1 Barcelona
• La Liga 2019–20: Real Madrid 2–0 Barcelona
• La Liga 2020–21: Real Madrid 2–1 Barcelona
• La Liga 2021–22: Real Madrid 0–4 Barcelona
• La Liga 2022–23: Real Madrid 3–1 Barcelona
• Copa del Rey 2022–23: Real Madrid 0–1 Barcelona
• La Liga 2023–24: Real Madrid 3–2 Barcelona
• La Liga 2024–25: Real Madrid 0–4 Barcelona

What is the overall head-to-head record between Real Madrid and Barcelona?

El Clasico has a history that stretches back more than a century. The first meeting between Real Madrid and Barcelona took place on May 13, 1902, and ended in a 3–1 victory for the Catalan side. Since then, 123 years have passed, and the rivalry has remained remarkably balanced.

Los Blancos and Los Blaugranas have faced each other 261 times in official competitions, most of them in domestic tournaments — La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, Copa de la Liga, and Copa Coronacion — and only eight in European contests.

In total, Real Madrid hold a narrow edge with 105 wins compared to Barcelona’s 104, while 52 matches have ended in draws. The capital club also lead slightly in total goals scored, 440 to 435.

Barcelona look to extend their positive run

During last season, Barcelona’s superiority over Real Madrid was particularly evident. They won all four meetings across three different competitions — and two of those victories came with trophies attached for the Catalan side.

In La Liga, Los Blaugranas earned two impressive wins: 4–0 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and 4–3 at the Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys in Montjuic. They followed that with a 5–2 triumph in the Supercopa de España final and a 3–2 extra-time victory in the Copa del Rey final.

Al Nassr face Al Hazm in the Saudi Pro League, with Cristiano Ronaldo once again at the center of attention.

Al Nassr have enjoyed an almost perfect start to the 2025–26 season. They currently sit atop the Saudi Pro League standings with a flawless record, and this Saturday they will look to extend their winning streak when they take on Al Hazm, with all eyes on Cristiano Ronaldo.

CR7 wasn’t even part of the squad that traveled to India earlier this week for Wednesday’s AFC Champions League Two matchup against Goa, where the team secured a crucial 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Angelo Gabriel and Haroune Camara.

Head coach Jorge Jesus explained that his priority at this stage of the season is to manage Ronaldo’s workload, avoiding long and tiring trips so the star forward can stay focused on the Saudi Pro League — Al Nassr’s main objective this year.

In the three campaigns Cristiano has spent in Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr have been unable to capture the league title, which went twice to Al Ittihad and once to Al Hilal. However, under Jesus, the team has started this season strongly and looks well-positioned to finally break that streak.

At the moment, Al Nassr lead the standings with 15 points, having won all five of their matches. Al Taawoun have the same total but have played one more game. A victory this Saturday against Al Hazm would allow Al Nassr to take sole possession of first place.

Confirmed lineup for Al Nassr

On Wednesday against Goa in the AFC Champions League Two, Jorge Jesus fielded a largely rotated lineup that featured only a few regular stars such as Inigo Martinez and Bento. That allowed most of the usual starters to rest — Joao Felix, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Simakan came on in the second half, while Kingsley Coman didn’t play a single minute and Cristiano Ronaldo stayed back in Riyadh.

Based on that, Al Nassr are able to field a strong team this Saturday against Al Hazm. The confirmed XI: Nawaf Al Aqidi; Nawaf Al Boushal, Mohamed Simakan, Inigo Martinez, Ayman Yahya; Abdullah Al Khaibari, Angelo; Kingsley Coman, Joao Felix, Sadio Mane; Cristiano Ronaldo.

Confirmed lineup for Al Hazm

Unlike Al Nassr, Al Hazm have had an inconsistent start to the Saudi Pro League, with just one win, two draws, and two losses, leaving them in 13th place with five points. The confirmed lineup for Saturday: Bruno Varela; Ahmed Al Nakhli, Sultan Tanker, Abdulrahman Al Dakheel, Al-Shanqiti, Abdulaziz Al Harbi; Loreintz Rosier; Fabio Martins, Basil Alsayyali, Sayoud; Omar Al Soma.

Lionel Messi scored a header for Inter Miami against Nashville SC — a type of goal Cristiano Ronaldo has long been known for mastering.

On Friday, Inter Miami took a key step toward advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals of Major League Soccer. The team secured a convincing 3–1 victory over Nashville SC at Chase Stadium, with Lionel Messi scoring twice, including one from a header. It’s an area of the game in which Cristiano Ronaldo has also made his mark throughout his career.

In the 19th minute of the first half, Messi exchanged passes with Luis Suarez, who waited for Leo to make his run into the box before sending in a precise cross that allowed the Argentine forward to head home the opener. It was the 29th header goal of Messi’s professional career.

Two of those goals came with Argentina, while the remaining 27 were scored at the club level — most of them, unsurprisingly, with Barcelona. Over his 17 seasons with the Catalan side, Messi scored 24 headers. The first came against Real Zaragoza in 2006, and the last against Celta in 2021. But without a doubt, the most iconic was in the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League final against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United.

During his two years with Paris Saint-Germain, Messi scored 32 goals — none of them headers. Since joining Inter Miami, he has now scored three with his head: one against Orlando City in 2024, one against Atlanta United in the 2024 playoffs, and one this Friday against Nashville SC, also in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

How many header goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored?

Across his 23-year professional career, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more goals than any other player in soccer history. And headers have played a huge part in that record: the Portuguese forward has netted 152 goals with his head, combining his club and international career.

Ronaldo’s first header goal came with Sporting CP — the only one of that type he scored for the Portuguese club — against Moreirense in 2002. He then joined Manchester United, where he played in two stints between 2003 and 2009, and again from 2021 to 2022. In England, CR7 scored 23 header goals.

It was at Real Madrid, however, where the Portuguese star truly excelled in that department, scoring 70 headers, including two against Barcelona. With Juventus, he added 16 more in just three seasons, and since joining Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia in 2023, he has already scored 12. The remaining 28 came with the Portugal national team.

Messi vs. Ronaldo: Header goal comparison

Given the physical and stylistic differences between the two players, it’s logical that Cristiano Ronaldo holds a significant edge over Lionel Messi when it comes to goals scored with headers. While the Argentine forward has 29, CR7 stands at 152. Moreover, Cristiano has scored six braces (two headers in the same match) in his career, while Messi has never done so.

That advantage becomes even clearer when looking at the proportion of header goals relative to their total career tallies. For Ronaldo, headers represent 16.02% of his goals (152 out of 949), while for Messi, they account for just 3.25% (29 out of 891).

Lionel Messi scored two goals for Inter Miami in the first round of the Major League Soccer playoffs against Nashville SC.

Inter Miami and Nashville SC kicked off their Eastern Conference playoff journey on Friday night in Major League Soccer, with Lionel Messi scoring twice in a 3–1 win at Chase Stadium.

After the traumatic experience of the 2024 season — when the Herons finished first in the regular season but were then eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs by Atlanta United — Inter Miami know they must approach these matchups with maximum focus.

However, in the opening minutes, they showed some defensive lapses that could have proved costly. Noah Allen lost possession dangerously to Jacob Shaffelburg, who broke away toward Rocco Rios Novo’s goal, but his shot lacked precision, allowing the goalkeeper to make a comfortable save.

In that context, Inter Miami found the opener before they had fully settled into the match. In the 19th minute, Lionel Messi received the ball in the attacking half with enough space to drive toward the box. There, he passed it to Luis Suarez, who took his time to wait for Messi to reach a good scoring position, then delivered a perfect assist that allowed the Argentine forward to head home the first goal of the night.

Messi magic in Game One! 💥

What a start for @InterMiamiCF. // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/6ugOORVHGT

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 25, 2025

Inter Miami could have extended their lead before halftime

Messi’s goal seemed to completely change the flow of the match, as from that moment on, Javier Mascherano’s team took control, dominating possession and preventing their opponents from finding any rhythm. Coincidentally, Nashville struggled to create dangerous chances or even win the ball back from the hosts.

In that scenario, the Herons could have extended their lead with a couple of clear opportunities. First through Ian Fray, whose shot narrowly missed. Then near the end of the first half, Suarez had a chance after a corner kick, forcing a strong save from goalkeeper Joe Willis.

The Herons’ dominance from the first half carried over after the break and was finally reflected on the scoreboard in the 61st minute, when Ian Fray sent in a cross from the right that found Tadeo Allende unmarked inside the box. The Argentine winger met the ball with a header and made it 2–0.

Messi scores again

With a two-goal lead, Inter Miami focused on controlling the match and avoiding any scares, running down the clock to secure the win. In stoppage time, Messi took advantage of a mistake by goalkeeper Joe Willis, pouncing on the loose ball inside the box and calmly finishing to make it 3–0. A few minutes later, Hany Mukhtar scored for Nashville with a free kick.

Easy as you like for Leo.

A postseason brace for Messi in Game One! // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/h58M9JNhTf

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 25, 2025

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal made strong comments about Real Madrid, and now it appears that Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal will take action.

Just days before El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga, tensions have unexpectedly risen due to controversial comments from Lamine Yamal containing harsh accusations against Los Blancos. In this context, Dani Carvajal reportedly made a decision on how to respond.

On Thursday, during an appearance on the Kings League broadcast with Ibai Llanos and Gerard Pique, Yamal spoke strongly when asked if Llanos’ team, Porcinos FC, reminded him of Real Madrid. “Yes, of course… They steal and complain,” said the young winger with a smile.

These words sparked outrage among Los Blancos fans, journalists, and even players, with some considering concrete measures to address what they see as a disrespectful remark unworthy of a player of Lamine Yamal’s status.

“From the club, there is an intention to speak with the Barcelona player,” reported Mundo Deportivo this Friday. “It will be Real Madrid captain Daniel Carvajal who does so once the match concludes next Sunday at Santiago Bernabeu.”

If these reports are confirmed, it will be interesting to see how Real Madrid players interact with Yamal during El Clasico, as there will have been no discussions beforehand, making their first face-to-face encounter on the pitch under the scrutiny of millions of fans worldwide.

Problems for the Spain national team?

The supposed anger of Real Madrid players toward Lamine Yamal is not limited to a rivalry between colleagues competing in the same league who occasionally face off on the pitch. This conflict also extends to the national team, given that these stars share a roster internationally.

“At Madrid, they understand that these words from the Barcelona player put at risk the great harmony that exists in the Spain national team,” added Mundo Deportivo. Indeed, Yamal has been an important piece for Spain for the past few years, alongside other Barcelona players like Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, and Ferran Torres. There, they are teammates with Carvajal, who returned this year to Luis de la Fuente’s squad after suffering a serious injury in 2024.

How has Lamine Yamal fared vs Real Madrid?

This Sunday at Santiago Bernabeu will be Lamine Yamal’s eighth match against Real Madrid in his professional career. The previous seven encounters came in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España, with Barcelona winning four and losing three. In those matches, the winger scored three goals and provided two assists.

As the playoffs of Major League Soccer kick off with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi received a message from a league legend.

This Friday, Inter Miami will begin their participation in the Eastern Conference playoffs of Major League Soccer, facing Nashville SC at Chase Stadium. An MLS icon spoke about what Lionel Messi should do at this stage.

Bradley Wright-Phillips recently gave an interview to Apple TV, where he was asked about the challenges facing the Herons on their path to the MLS Cup, a title the team has never won in its history. In that interview, the former English player set the bar high for Messi and his teammates: “You can’t assemble The Avengers and not win the MLS Cup.”

This is, of course, a reference to Marvel. The main superheroes in the franchise, like Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, and Thor, come together to form The Avengers — essentially a dream team. In that comparison, Wright-Phillips puts the Inter Miami squad this year on the same level, with stars like Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Rodrigo De Paul.

With a squad of that quality, expectations are high for them to make a deep playoff run, unlike last year when they led the regular season but exited the postseason early after losing to Atlanta United.

“I understand it’s very difficult to win it, and their time over here will still be filled with success,” Wright-Phillips immediately acknowledged, “but as far as not winning a cup, we’re going to judge that.”

Who is Bradley Wright-Phillips?

The message for Inter Miami and Lionel Messi carries weight considering who it comes from. Bradley Wright-Phillips was a standout English player who shined for years in Major League Soccer, earning fans’ respect through his performances and results.

The former striker began his professional career at Manchester City, where he played two seasons before moving to other English teams such as Southampton and Brentford. The biggest step in his career came in 2013 when he joined MLS to play for New York Red Bulls. There, he found his place, scoring 126 goals in 240 matches over seven seasons, before briefly playing for Los Angeles FC and Columbus Crew.

Wright-Phillips was the league’s top scorer twice, in 2014 and 2016, and was also selected as an MLS All-Star and to the Best XI on two occasions. Collectively, he won four titles: three Supporters’ Shields and one Campeones Cup.

Messi has an unfinished challenge in MLS

No one can deny that Lionel Messi’s time in MLS has already been outstanding. He has generated global attention that the league has never seen, and on the field, he has dazzled with goals, assists, and dribbles, being this year the top scorer and top assister, with serious chances to win league MVP for the second year in a row.

However, at the collective level, it’s clear Messi has one unfinished business: leading Inter Miami to the MLS title. While he has already won the Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield, the most important trophy still eludes him. In that sense, Wright-Phillips makes a valid point: at the end of the day, it will be judged whether he won the cup or not.

This Friday, the playoffs of Major League Soccer will begin, featuring a format unlike most tournaments around the world.

Major League Soccer has been one of the fastest-growing leagues in recent decades. The arrival of top-tier players has helped elevate soccer in the United States, and that’s reflected in the league’s competitiveness today. This Friday, the playoffs will kick off, showcasing a format that differs from what’s used in most other countries.

Unlike in Europe, for example, MLS combines a regular season — where every team plays each other and accumulates points in the standings — with a postseason knockout phase. Philadelphia Union finished at the top of the standings in the regular season, and in most leagues, that would be enough to secure the title. However, in MLS, it only earns them the Supporters’ Shield trophy and a more favorable matchup to open the postseason.

Once the regular season ends, teams face off in direct elimination rounds until there’s one representative from each conference. Those two teams will then meet in the MLS Cup final on December 6. However, that’s not the only unique aspect of this system — even the knockout stages operate very differently from other elimination tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League.

How does the first round of the MLS playoffs work?

After the regular season concluded, the first step was determining the Wild Card winners, which turned out to be Chicago Fire in the East and Portland in the West. They now face a tough challenge against the top teams from the regular season in each conference: Philadelphia Union and San Diego FC, respectively.

In those matchups — as well as the rest of the first-round pairings — the format features either two or three games. The first match is played at the home of the higher-seeded team, and a few days later, the second leg is played at the other team’s stadium. Each game must have a winner. If the score is tied after 90 minutes, the match goes directly to penalty kicks. A shootout win counts the same as a win in regulation.

If one team wins both games, it advances directly to the conference semifinals, eliminating its opponent. But if each side wins one match, a decisive third game will be played — again at the home of the higher seed — to determine who moves on. That match will also go to penalties if it ends in a draw after regulation.

The MLS playoffs format from the semifinals onward

Once the opening round is complete, the format changes significantly. From the conference semifinals onward, each matchup is decided by a single game hosted by the higher-seeded team from the regular season.

The winner moves on to the next round. But if the match is tied after 90 minutes, it won’t go straight to penalties. Instead, two 15-minute extra-time periods will be played. If the score remains level after extra time, then a penalty shootout will determine the winner. The same rules apply to the conference finals and the MLS Cup final.

MLS playoffs kick off this Friday

Inter Miami and Nashville SC will have the honor of opening the 2025 MLS playoffs when they meet Friday night at Chase Stadium. With Lionel Messi in the spotlight, thousands of fans around the world will be tuning in to see what happens.

Here are the first-round matchups for the 2025 MLS playoffs:

Eastern Conference:

• Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC
• Cincinnati FC vs. Columbus Crew
• Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire
• Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC

Western Conference:

• San Diego FC vs. Portland
• Minnesota United vs. Seattle Sounders
• Los Angeles FC vs. Austin FC
• Vancouver Whitecaps vs. FC Dallas

Franco Mastantuono has a chance to play in his first El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, and he could surpass a record held by his Argentina teammate Lionel Messi.

This Sunday, the first Clasico of the 2025–26 season will take place at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The matchup between Real Madrid and Barcelona offers no shortage of storylines — from the battle for the top spot in La Liga standings to the much-anticipated showdown between Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe. However, Franco Mastantuono and Lionel Messi, teammates on the Argentina national team, will also be in the spotlight.

Mastantuono has quickly established himself at Real Madrid since arriving from River Plate this summer, coinciding with his 18th birthday. Despite his young age, he’s managed to compete for a place in the starting lineup alongside superstars like Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo Goes.

So far, the young Argentine has become such a valuable option for Xabi Alonso that the head coach has used him in 11 of Real Madrid’s 12 matches this season across La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. In eight of those appearances, the winger started.

With such a crucial match ahead against Barcelona, Franco has a strong chance to feature — whether from the opening whistle or coming off the bench. If he does play, Mastantuono will surpass Messi in the ranking of the youngest players ever to appear in a Real Madrid vs. Barcelona clash.

The youngest players to appear in El Clasico

In October 2023, Lamine Yamal came on as a substitute for Joao Cancelo and became the youngest player ever to appear in a Barcelona–Real Madrid match, at just 16 years and 108 days old. That record broke an 82-year mark held by Vicenç Martinez, who had played at 16 years and 280 days.

In that ranking, Ansu Fati sits third, having debuted in El Clasico at 17 years and 48 days. Further down the list is the first Real Madrid player to appear — none other than Raul Gonzalez, who faced Barcelona for the first time in 1995 at 17 years and 198 days.

Mastantuono chasing Messi’s mark

Lionel Messi also appears on the list of the youngest players to feature in a Clasico between Spain’s two giants. On November 19, 2005, he played his first Clasico against Real Madrid in a memorable 3–0 victory for Los Blaugranas, with two goals from Ronaldinho and one from Samuel Eto’o. That day, Messi started at 18 years and 148 days old before being replaced by Andres Iniesta in the second half.

Franco Mastantuono has progressed even faster than his Argentina teammate. If he steps onto the pitch for even a moment this Sunday, he will move past Messi in the all-time ranking. The former River Plate winger will be just 18 years and 65 days old at the time of the match.

The FIFA World Cup 2030 will be held primarily across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, but the venue for the final match has yet to be determined.

While the next major event on the calendar is the FIFA World Cup 2026, set to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada next summer, much of the attention is already shifting toward the 2030 edition — another multi-nation tournament. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will host the majority of matches, though the location of the final remains unclear.

Reports suggest there are currently three possible scenarios for the championship match. Two of them are in Spain, at the country’s most iconic stadiums: Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and Barcelona’s Camp Nou. However, Morocco has expressed a strong desire to stage the final in Casablanca.

The president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation gave a firm response when asked about the issue. “I think it would be impossible to explain that Spain is not the host of the World Cup final,” said Rafael Louzan during a talk at the Nueva Economia Forum, according to Marca.

“Spain has 55% of the organizational weight. It’s only natural that Spain should host the final,” Louzan continued, outlining his main argument. “There will be a five-billion-euro impact on GDP and 2.5 billion euros invested in stadium renovations… those of us involved in soccer need to stay united.”

A historic World Cup in 2030

Just as the World Cup 2026 will make history as the first tournament featuring 48 teams — and the first hosted by three different nations — the 2030 edition could take things even further. Regarding the format, there are proposals to expand participation to 64 teams, though that idea has sparked heated debate.

One thing is certain: the World Cup 2030 will be the largest in history in terms of geographic reach. To commemorate the centennial of the first-ever World Cup, several matches will take place in South America, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay selected as host nations.

The majority of games will then move to the three main host countries: Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. This setup brings two unprecedented milestones — it will be the first World Cup hosted by six different countries and the first ever played across three continents: South America, Europe, and Africa.

Potential venues for the World Cup 2030

During his appearance at the Nueva Economia Forum, Royal Spanish Football Federation president Rafael Louzan also discussed the selection process for the 2030 venues, emphasizing that “the final decision will rest with FIFA.”

Still, speculation continues to swirl around the cities and stadiums most likely to host tournament matches. In South America, Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Estadio Centenario in Montevideo (which hosted the entire 1930 World Cup), and Estadio Osvaldo Dominguez Dibb in Asunción appear to be the top candidates.

In Morocco, six cities are in contention to host games — Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat, and Tangier. In Casablanca, the construction of the Hassan II Stadium, with a projected capacity of 115,000 spectators, positions it as Spain’s main rival for the right to stage the final.

In Portugal, the spotlight will fall on three storied grounds: Estadio da Luz (Benfica) and Estadio Jose Alvalade (Sporting CP) in Lisbon, and Estadio do Dragao in Porto, each representing one of the nation’s soccer powerhouses.

Finally, Spain is expected to feature around eight host cities for the World Cup 2030. Two of them may have multiple venues: Madrid, with Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and Metropolitano Stadium (Atletico Madrid), and Barcelona, with Camp Nou and Estadi Cornella-El Prat (Espanyol). The other cities include La Coruña, Bilbao, Las Palmas, San Sebastian, Seville, and Zaragoza.

Barcelona will play the first Clasico of the season against Real Madrid, and Marcus Rashford spoke about Lionel Messi as one of his main sources of inspiration.

Real Madrid and Barcelona will face off on Sunday in the most important match so far of the 2025–26 La Liga season. At stake, among other things, will be the top spot in the standings — but also the pride of both teams. For Marcus Rashford, it will be the first Clasico of his career, and he admitted that Lionel Messi inspires him as he prepares for the match.

During a recent interview with Barcelona’s official YouTube channel, Rashford was asked about how meaningful Sunday’s game is for him. “It’s my first Clasico and I’m looking forward to it because it’s maybe the biggest game there is,” he said. “It’s the most watched game in the world.”

Expanding on that thought, Marcus explained that matches like this are great opportunities to learn, both on and off the field. “It’s just that big of a game that is important, if you want to learn from the best players, especially how to be so good in the most pressured moments, you have to study these games,” the English forward said.

When asked about his very first memory of a Barcelona vs Real Madrid clash, Rashford paused for a moment and recalled a historic match. “I remember, for example, Messi’s hat trick in his early days in El Clasico,” he said.

The game Rashford referred to took place on March 10, 2007, in La Liga at Camp Nou. It was arguably Messi’s first truly stellar performance with Barcelona. Until that day, he had never scored against Real Madrid, but he found the net three times in a 3–3 draw, marking the beginning of a glorious run that would only grow stronger in the years to come.

Messi’s record against Real Madrid

That hat trick in 2007 marked the start of an extraordinary streak for the Argentine forward. From that moment until his departure from Barcelona in 2021, Messi scored a total of 26 goals against Real Madrid — making him the all-time top scorer in El Clasico history.

Messi struck another hat trick against Real Madrid in 2014, in a 4–3 victory at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. In addition to those two unforgettable performances, Leo scored braces on five other occasions. His last goal against Los Blancos came in 2018, in a 2–2 draw.

Real Madrid is also the team Messi has faced the most in his professional career. With Barcelona, he played them 45 times across domestic and international competitions, recording 19 wins, 11 draws, and 15 losses. Later, with Paris Saint-Germain, he met them twice more, earning one win and one defeat.

Rashford knows what Barcelona must do against Real Madrid

In the same interview, Marcus Rashford shared his thoughts on what Sunday’s Clasico at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium will be like. “I expect the atmosphere to be really good,” he said. “These games are fantastic to watch. And it’s great because you don’t have to be a Barcelona or Real Madrid fan to enjoy this game. It’s a special game.”

When discussing the mindset Barcelona should have going into the match against Real Madrid, the English forward was clear. “We have to keep continuing and keep pushing to be the best version of us,” he said. “For our team it’s also important to control the game as much as possible. We’ll do what we always do and try to win.”

Just days before El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga, a key player for the Catalan side is facing an unexpected issue.

Barcelona will face their first major challenge of the 2025-26 La Liga season this Sunday when they visit Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, aiming for a win that could help them reclaim the top spot in the standings. However, the availability of a key player is in doubt.

According to Marca, Frenkie De Jong was unable to join training on Thursday with his teammates due to a physical discomfort. The Dutch midfielder was present at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training complex but was given special permission to return home and rest.

This unexpected situation has raised alarms at Barcelona, as with only three days remaining before the match against Real Madrid, it’s unclear if De Jong will be able to play. “His presence against Los Blancos will depend on his progress over the coming hours,” Marca reported.

Without a doubt, De Jong’s potential absence would be a huge problem for Hansi Flick. In fact, the head coach was so eager to have De Jong available for Sunday’s match that he rested him during Tuesday’s game against Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League, keeping him on the bench and playing him only for the last 30 minutes.

The importance of De Jong for Barcelona

During his early seasons in La Liga, Frenkie De Jong faced harsh criticism. Expectations were high for him to deliver performances exceeding what he showed on the field, and above all, to demonstrate the leadership and impact on the game that he had during his years at Ajax.

After Sergio Busquets left in 2023, the Dutch player fully assumed that role and became the midfield cornerstone for Barcelona. Since then, the criticism has quieted and no one questions his performance anymore, as he has become a key player for Hansi Flick.

This is evident in his numbers this season. De Jong has played in 10 of Barcelona’s 12 matches so far, starting in 8 and coming off the bench in 2. He has also captained the team in 4 matches when Ronald Araujo was not in the starting lineup.

Barcelona’s injury concerns

Frenkie De Jong’s unexpected physical issue adds to a long list of players currently not at full fitness for Barcelona. The first is Robert Lewandowski, who will miss the match against Real Madrid due to a muscle injury suffered during the October international break with Poland.

Adding to Lewandowski’s absence are other players who will also miss the first Clasico of the season: Marc Andre Ter Stegen, Joan Garcia, Gavi, and Dani Olmo are all ruled out. The good news is that Ferran Torres, who was on the bench Tuesday against Olympiacos, and Raphinha, who has trained with the team this week, could both return on Sunday.

Inter Miami CF revealed Lionel Messi’s final decision regarding the future of his professional career.

The future of Lionel Messi had been the subject of constant speculation in recent months, as his contract with Inter Miami was set to expire at the end of the 2025 season. In that context, the club finally made a long-awaited announcement on Thursday through a video shared on social media, confirming the signing of a new deal with the Argentine star.

The Herons have developed a clear dependence on Messi over the past few years, both on and off the field. Leo arrived in the summer of 2023 and forever changed the club’s history, turning it into one of the most powerful teams in Major League Soccer and one of the most popular in the world.

That’s why the uncertainty surrounding the future of the 38-year-old forward had become such an important issue for them. Two very different scenarios were on the horizon, depending on whether Messi agreed to extend his contract beyond the end of the current season.

Those doubts were cleared up on Thursday when Inter Miami shared a video on social media showing Messi signing a contract. As the camera pulls back, it reveals him sitting at a desk in the middle of Miami Freedom Park, the stadium currently under construction.

HE’S HOME. pic.twitter.com/AUMJJYR5pF

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 23, 2025

During the one-minute video, no words are spoken by Messi; instead, a slogan repeats: “Freedom 10 Dream.” The post also includes another phrase to accompany the video: “He’s home,” referring to Messi being at what will be Inter Miami’s new stadium.

When will Inter Miami’s new stadium open?

The expectation is that the 2025 season will be Inter Miami’s last playing at Chase Stadium. Construction at Miami Freedom Park is progressing rapidly, with the most important part of the work nearly complete, as the stands’ structure is almost finished. Remaining tasks include installing the seats, finalizing the locker rooms, and, of course, preparing the playing field.

Given this timeline, it’s likely that the Herons will be ready to debut in the 2026 MLS season playing in their new home — and that will be with Lionel Messi on the team.

“My anticipation is that we’ll see the team’s captain and number 10, Lionel Messi, in the new stadium,” said Jorge Mas, Inter Miami’s owner, in April. He didn’t stop there, also expressing a strong desire for Messi’s future: “We want Messi to finish his career here.”

Will Messi retire at Inter Miami?

Inter Miami’s brief announcement didn’t specify the length of Lionel Messi’s new contract. It will be at least one year, meaning the forward will be with the Herons during the FIFA World Cup 2026 and will stay through the end of the MLS season. By then, Leo will be 39 years old and obviously approaching the final stages of his professional career.

However, it’s unclear how much longer he intends to keep playing. If he extends his career further, he will eventually have to choose between staying in Miami for good or seeking a new destination — with the Argentine league being an unresolved chapter he himself has acknowledged.

A former teammate of Lionel Messi on Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2022–winning squad is set to return to soccer after serving a lengthy suspension for doping.

On December 18, 2022, Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout to capture the FIFA World Cup title. Lionel Messi was the inspirational leader of that historic team, but one of his fellow champions later faced a major setback after being handed a doping ban, which has now officially come to an end.

Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez appeared in two matches during Argentina’s 2022 World Cup campaign. He started in the group stage opener against Saudi Arabia — a shocking 2–1 defeat — and again in the round of 16 against Australia, a 2–1 win for the South Americans.

That match turned out to be Gomez’s last appearance for Argentina. He didn’t feature in the quarterfinals, semifinals, or final, and was surprisingly left out of head coach Lionel Scaloni’s call-ups for the celebratory friendlies played in Argentina in March 2023.

Speculation about his absence took an unexpected turn in mid-2023, when Gomez was found guilty of using a banned substance in 2022, during his time with Sevilla. The Argentine midfielder received a two-year suspension and managed to play just two matches for Monza in Serie A before the ban took effect.

The return of Papu Gomez

On October 20, the two-year suspension for Alejandro Gomez officially expired, allowing him to return to professional soccer. Now 37 years old, he is far removed from the elite level that saw him shine at the World Cup and play key roles for top clubs in La Liga and Serie A.

His comeback, however, will take place at a more modest European club: Calcio Padova. The Italian side competes in Serie B, Italy’s second division, and currently sit 11th in the standings with three wins, two draws, and three losses through eight matches.

Calcio Padova played their last game on Sunday, October 19 — the final day of Gomez’s suspension. Their next match will be Sunday, October 26, at home against Juve Stabia, and Papu Gomez is expected to be part of the squad. His debut is likely to generate major excitement for the club, given the rare presence of a reigning World Cup champion in Serie B.

Papu Gomez’s record with Argentina

Few players in history can match the honors Alejandro Gomez achieved with Argentina. He is a two-time world champion, a Copa America winner, and a Finalissima champion. His first title came at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, where he played alongside future stars like Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero, and Ever Banega.

However, it would take many years for Gomez to earn a place with the senior national team. As a creative midfielder or winger, he faced fierce competition for playing time, often overshadowed by superstars like Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria.

Gomez made his senior debut for Argentina in 2017 at the age of 29 but only became a regular under Lionel Scaloni starting in 2020. From that point forward, he was heavily involved in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup and secured his roster spot after Giovani Lo Celso was ruled out due to injury.

In total, Gomez made 17 appearances for Argentina between 2017 and 2022, scoring three goals and providing four assists. He won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima against Italy, and, of course, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Barcelona, helped by stars like Lamine Yamal, have claimed the No. 2 spot in a ranking of youth academies worldwide. Real Madrid also hold a notable position.

For years, Barcelona have stood out largely thanks to the talent developed in their youth academy. Today, their most prominent example is Lamine Yamal, who at just 18 years old has already become one of the best players in the world. In a recent ranking, the Catalan side secured second place — ahead of Real Madrid.

The International Centre for Sports Studies (known as CIES for its initials in French) recently published the results of its annual analysis on the performance of players developed in youth academies around the world, which forms the basis for this ranking.

Several factors were considered in compiling the list, with key criteria including the number of academy graduates from each club, the competitiveness of the leagues those players currently participate in, and their level of involvement during the most recent season.

Barcelona ranked second on the list, with a total of 76 players developed by La Masia currently playing professionally across the globe. That includes, of course, the current stars on Hansi Flick’s squad, as well as many others who have moved on from the club.

Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Alejandro Balde, and Pau Cubarsi are some of the clearest examples of how Barcelona’s academy continues to supply top talent to the first team. But there are also former players who now shine elsewhere, like Ansu Fati at AS Monaco and Marc Guiu at Chelsea.

The world’s top youth academies, ranked

According to the CIES study, Benfica topped the global youth academy rankings for the second consecutive year. The Portuguese giants have produced 93 players who are still active professionals worldwide. Unlike Barcelona, Benfica are known for selling their academy talent to more competitive leagues, often at a young age — as was the case with Joao Felix.

Behind Barcelona, the top three is rounded out by River Plate. The Argentine powerhouse is one of three clubs from the South American country in the top 10, along with Boca Juniors (5th) and Velez Sarsfield (10th). Other clubs on the list include Ajax (4th), Sporting CP (6th), Dinamo Zagreb (7th), Defensor SC (8th), and Real Madrid (9th).

Barcelona’s edge over Real Madrid

Barcelona’s advantage over Real Madrid in the youth academy rankings not only reflects the current state of affairs but also highlights a long-term trend that has become increasingly evident in recent decades. Los Blaugranas have consistently prioritized their academy talent, while Los Blancos haven’t done so to the same extent.

For Real Madrid players, breaking into the first team as academy graduates is often more difficult. Many are sent to other clubs to gain experience, and only if they succeed might they return. One potential example is Nico Paz, whose impressive performances with Como 1907 in Serie A have sparked talk of a possible return to Madrid.

In contrast, Barcelona made a long-term commitment years ago to build their squad around homegrown players. In fact, the club’s success this century has been built on that foundation — with iconic academy graduates like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Victor Valdes, Gerard Pique, and Sergio Busquets leading the way.

Inter Miami are monitoring the status of Lionel Messi ahead of their Major League Soccer playoffs opener vs. Nashville SC.

Less than a week after wrapping up their 2025 Major League Soccer regular season, Inter Miami will begin their journey through the Eastern Conference playoffs with a matchup against Nashville SC. In that context, all eyes are on the physical condition of Lionel Messi.

The Argentine forward was absent from Tuesday’s training session, raising concern among fans given the short turnaround before the next match. Reporter Jose Armando later shared on his X account that Leo’s absence was due to minor back discomfort that required special treatment.

Just one day later, the Herons received major news, as Messi was back on the training pitch Wednesday, working alongside the rest of the squad — easing doubts about his availability for the clash vs. Nashville SC.

Inter Miami even highlighted his return with a social media post featuring two photos of Messi training in full club gear, both with the ball at his feet, and a brief but optimistic caption: “Back and ready. Full steam ahead.”

Back and ready. Full steam ahead 🚂 pic.twitter.com/DmBFyKoAhD

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 22, 2025

What’s next in MLS?

On Wednesday, the first two decisive matches in the chase for the MLS Cup will take place. Chicago Fire and Orlando City will face off for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, while the same is on the line in the West as Portland take on Real Salt Lake.

Once those matchups are decided, the playoffs in both conferences will officially begin. Inter Miami will kick things off in the opener, hosting Nashville SC on Friday night (8 PM ET) at Chase Stadium. All opening-round matches will be played between Friday and the following Wednesday, with second-leg games beginning next Saturday.

Messi receives another MLS honor

Amid the uncertainty surrounding his physical condition, Lionel Messi received another accolade from MLS this week. The 38-year-old forward was named October Player of the Month following his dominant performances in the final stretch of the regular season, recording 5 goals and 5 assists in just 3 matches.

It’s the third time Messi has won the award in 2025, having also claimed it in July and May. Additionally, the Argentine forward finished as the league’s top scorer (29 goals) and tied for most assists (19, alongside San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer).

Looking ahead, Messi still has a shot at two more individual honors. His goal against CF Montreal in July was selected as one of the 16 finalists for Goal of the Year. And, of course, he remains a leading contender for the league’s top individual award: MLS MVP.

Barcelona are preparing to face Real Madrid in La Liga, and Raphinha is a key talking point.

On Sunday, October 26, Real Madrid and Barcelona will meet in the first Clasico of the 2025–26 season. Given the magnitude of the matchup, Los Blaugranas are hoping to have most of their stars available — and right now, Raphinha’s status is one of the most closely watched storylines.

The Brazilian winger suffered a right hamstring injury nearly a month ago during Barcelona’s September 25 match against Real Oviedo on Matchday 6 of La Liga. The injury sidelined him for the following six games, including two in the UEFA Champions League, and also kept him out of action for Brazil during the last international break.

Now, just days before the clash with Real Madrid, there’s positive news for Los Blaugranas. According to reports from Sport and Marca, Raphinha trained alongside his teammates on Wednesday and reportedly left a strong impression on the coaching staff — increasing his chances of featuring in Sunday’s El Clasico.

Initially, his recovery timeline was set at three weeks, which pointed to a mid-October return. However, that timeline was extended slightly to ensure the player made a full recovery — especially considering the importance of the upcoming match against Real Madrid.

Raphinha. Soon. pic.twitter.com/ALQRtF5VbB

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 22, 2025

Barcelona hint at Raphinha’s return

As news of Raphinha’s progress lifts fan hopes ahead of the showdown with Real Madrid, Barcelona themselves have dropped subtle hints. On Wednesday, the club’s official X account posted a photo of the Brazilian winger with a short caption: “Raphinha. Soon.”

While that doesn’t confirm his availability for El Clasico, it’s certainly a positive sign that his recovery is on track and that his return to the squad — after nearly a month out — is imminent.

“We hope he’s fit for El Clasico, that’s the plan. Sometimes there are setbacks in the recovery process, but things are going well,” Hansi Flick said a few days ago when asked about Raphinha’s status. And it looks like everything is going according to plan.

Barcelona’s injury concerns ahead of Real Madrid match

Barcelona have had to deal with several injuries in recent weeks, raising questions about the lineup Hansi Flick will be able to field at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid. It’s already confirmed that Robert Lewandowski will miss the match due to an injury sustained during the FIFA break with Poland.

Ferran Torres, who has also just recovered from injury and did not play a single minute against Olympiacos on Tuesday, could step in at center forward. However, Marcus Rashford is the more likely option to lead the line — even if it’s not his preferred position. If Rashford does start up top, it could open the door for Raphinha to slot in as the left winger, with Lamine Yamal on the opposite flank.

The finalists for the African Player of the Year have been announced, with a Major League Soccer star set to challenge Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi for the prestigious honor.

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to look back and reflect on the year’s top performances. Recently, Ousmane Dembele won the Ballon d’Or, and the awards recognizing the best players and teams from Africa are just around the corner. Among the finalists, a Major League Soccer standout will go up against Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah.

On Wednesday, CAF revealed the lists of finalists for the 2025 awards through its official social media channels. Unsurprisingly, the most anticipated category is African Player of the Year, which includes 10 nominees.

Mohamed Salah headlines the list thanks to his outstanding performances with Liverpool during the 2024-25 season, in which the Reds won the Premier League title. The Egyptian winger scored 29 goals in that campaign, finishing as the league’s top scorer ahead of stars like Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.

The other leading contender is Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan right-back played a key role for Paris Saint-Germain in their historic 2024-25 season, during which Luis Enrique guided the team to titles in the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France.

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 (𝗠𝗲𝗻) – 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝘀#CAFAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/z4VOFZERxM

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) October 22, 2025

Salah and Hakimi were so dominant during the 2024-25 season that both finished in the top ten of the Ballon d’Or rankings awarded by France Football last month. The Liverpool winger placed fourth, behind only Dembele, Lamine Yamal, and Vitinha, while the PSG defender came in sixth.

A star from MLS among the finalists for African Player of the Year

Joining Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi are eight other players hoping to take home the prestigious award. Most of them also play in Europe: Napoli’s Frank Anguissa, Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy, Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen, Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye, and Tottenham’s Pape Sarr.

However, three players have earned their place despite not playing in one of the world’s top leagues. Oussama Lamlioui, a forward for RS Berkane in Morocco, and Fiston Mayele, also a forward, who plays for Pyramids FC in Egypt, are the only finalists still playing in African domestic leagues.

The final name on the list comes from MLS: Denis Bouanga. The 30-year-old forward, born in France but representing Gabon, has had an outstanding 2025 campaign with Los Angeles FC, earning him a nomination for African Player of the Year. He recorded 30 goals and 9 assists across all competitions in 2025 and finished second in the MLS scoring chart, just behind Lionel Messi.

Who has won the African Player of the Year?

CAF introduced the African Player of the Year award in 1992, and since then, it has annually honored the continent’s most outstanding stars. The first winner was Abedi Pele, a Ghanaian midfielder who starred for Olympique Marseille at the time. In the years that followed, legends such as George Weah and Nwankwo Kanu claimed the prize.

Samuel Eto’o and Yaya Toure share the record for most wins, with four each, while other global icons like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Didier Drogba have each won it twice. The most recent recipient is Ademola Lookman, who had a standout year with Atalanta in 2024.

A former Argentina and Barcelona player has weighed in on the possibility of Lionel Messi playing in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The countdown is on for the FIFA World Cup 2026, set to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With just eight months to go, many national teams have already secured their spots—including Argentina. However, Lionel Messi has yet to make an official decision about whether he’ll participate, and now a former Barcelona teammate has offered his take.

In a recent interview with El Grafico, Javier Saviola was asked if he believes Messi will be available for the upcoming World Cup. “I always try to imagine myself in his shoes,” the 43-year-old former player began. “I don’t think even Leo knows yet.”

However, Saviola quickly made his own position clear. “I think he will go to the World Cup; I’m more than sure of that,” he said. “He’s playing, and it’s obvious he wants to build confidence and get minutes so he’s in top shape for the World Cup. I see him motivated, involved, and enjoying himself.”

The former forward added that Messi deserves a proper send-off with the national team. “I feel like we’re close to the end of a wonderful story,” he said. “I hope he gets the kind of ending worthy of everything he’s given us. After winning the World Cup, after making all of us happy—not just Argentines, but the entire soccer world that wanted to see Leo win it.”

Finally, Saviola reflected on the legacy Messi has created for Argentine soccer over the last two decades. “For us as a country, especially, after Diego (Maradona) we thought we’d never see another player like him—and then Leo came along,” he said. “We’ll have to see who comes next.”

Who is Javier Saviola?

Few players are as qualified as Javier Saviola to speak on this topic. He was a major figure in Argentine soccer for over 15 years, first rising to stardom at River Plate before FC Barcelona paid around $40 million to sign him.

At the Catalan club, Saviola scored 70 goals in 168 matches, though he never fully secured a starring role. He went on to play for clubs including Real Madrid, AS Monaco, Sevilla, Benfica, and Malaga before retiring at River Plate in 2015.

During his prime years, Saviola was also a regular fixture with the Argentina national team. He played alongside Lionel Messi for several years, most notably at the 2006 World Cup in Germany—Messi’s first and Saviola’s only. That same year, they were also teammates at Barcelona until Saviola’s departure in mid-2007.

Will Messi play in the 2026 World Cup?

Despite still being a key figure for Argentina with just over six months until the World Cup, Lionel Messi has maintained a degree of uncertainty about his participation. “Given my age, the logical thing would be not to make it. But I’m hopeful, motivated, and as always, I take it day by day, match by match,” he said in September.

That’s a fair assessment, considering Messi will turn 39 during the tournament—a rare age for an outfield player, especially in a competitive national team like Argentina. But Messi is no ordinary case, and with the tournament drawing closer, the chances of seeing him in the 2026 World Cup appear to be growing stronger.

Vinicius Junior is once again in the spotlight, and his Real Madrid teammate Thibaut Courtois came to his defense with a blunt statement.

For years, Vinicius Junior has been under constant scrutiny from the media, fans, and even his fellow players. His on-field performances have often been overshadowed by controversies, earning him the animosity of many. Now, his Real Madrid teammate Thibaut Courtois has spoken out on the matter.

“Many have mocked him—he arrived as a kid,” Courtois said, according to AS, during Tuesday’s press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League match against Juventus. “He’s been improving.”

The comments came in response to the latest controversy surrounding Vinicius. On Sunday, during Real Madrid’s 1–0 win over Getafe, he came off the bench in the second half and delivered a standout performance, playing a key role in the red cards shown to Alex Sancris and Allan Nyom.

“That’s why everyone hates you,” was the remark Getafe defender Juan Iglesias reportedly directed at Vini during the match, after a foul drawn by the Brazilian winger. “When there’s no respect, things like this happen,” Iglesias said after the game, referring to the heightened tensions directed at Vinicius.

But on Tuesday, Thibaut Courtois struck a very different tone, firmly backing his Real Madrid teammate. “The other day, he wasn’t provoking anyone, but they were trying to get under his skin,” the Belgian goalkeeper said. “His performance was really good… He just has to stay focused on his game.”

Courtois compares Vinicius to two past stars

In the same press conference, Thibaut Courtois was asked whether Vinicius’s frequent involvement in controversies had more to do with a tendency to get into those situations on purpose—as a way of boosting his performance.

Courtois disagreed with that take and defended his teammate. “It’s not always easy when the whole stadium is against you, when players are constantly fouling you… They try to take you out of the game,” said Thibaut.

“I think he’s learned to live with it and even to frustrate his opponents, and I’m okay with that,” the Real Madrid goalkeeper added, before drawing a comparison with two of his former teammates. “It’s what Diego Costa did when I was at Atletico Madrid, or what (Eden) Hazard did at Chelsea.”

Vinicius struggling to secure his place at Real Madrid

After being Real Madrid’s top star in recent years—especially following Karim Benzema’s departure to Al Ittihad in 2023—Vinicius now faces a new challenge. Since the arrival of Xabi Alonso as head coach, the spotlight has shifted to Kylian Mbappe, who has quickly become the team’s undisputed leader through his goals and performances.

This new reality has placed Vinicius in an uncomfortable position. Real Madrid’s play is no longer centered around him, nor is he the go-to attacking option when the team needs a spark. So much so, the Brazilian winger no longer has a guaranteed spot in the starting lineup and now finds himself competing with Rodrygo and Franco Mastantuono.

La Liga has announced the cancellation of the match that was set to be played between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami.

For months, European soccer had been stirred by the plan to host an official La Liga match outside Spanish territory for the first time. The United States was the chosen destination, with Hard Rock Stadium in Miami selected as the venue for Barcelona vs. Villarreal. But that idea has now been scrapped.

La Liga confirmed the decision on Tuesday through an official statement published on its website. “Following conversations with the promoter of the Official LALIGA Match in Miami, the decision has been made to cancel the organization of the event due to the uncertainty that has arisen in Spain over the past few weeks,” the statement began.

This move comes largely in response to strong opposition from several Spanish clubs, as well as from many of the players competing in the league. In fact, over the weekend, protests took place during La Liga matches, with players refusing to play during the opening seconds of each game.

“La Liga deeply regrets that this project, which represented a historic and unparalleled opportunity for the international expansion of Spanish soccer, will not be able to move forward,” the statement released Tuesday continued. “Holding an official match outside our borders would have been a decisive step in the global growth of the competition.”

The message also emphasized the broader impact this cancellation will have on Spanish soccer. “Renouncing such opportunities hinders the generation of new income, limits clubs’ capacity to invest and compete, and reduces the international projection of the entire Spanish soccer ecosystem,” La Liga said.

Real Madrid, the leading opponents

In recent weeks, several voices across Spain expressed their opposition to La Liga’s decision to stage the match between Barcelona and Villarreal in another country. Real Madrid emerged as the most vocal opponents, with several players even speaking out publicly.

“I think it’s a clear distortion of the competition that means not all La Liga teams are competing under the same conditions,” said Dani Carvajal this week, according to Marca. “I believe it’s essential that we, the players, the clubs, and the league itself, be fair. We have to stand for what’s right, and I don’t think this is it.”

Last-minute cancellation from La Liga

Despite the backlash surrounding the match, La Liga officials had remained firm in their plans to take the game to Miami in recent weeks. Even Joan Laporta, president of Barcelona, had responded to the controversy earlier on Tuesday by saying, “Real Madrid can say what they want—we’re going to Miami.”

In fact, La Liga’s official social media channels continued to promote the match in the United States as recently as Monday. However, it’s clear that widespread discontent among Spanish clubs and players—along with the strong opposition from Real Madrid, one of the country’s most powerful teams—forced a sudden reversal.

When and where will Barcelona vs. Villarreal be played?

The match between Villarreal and Barcelona is part of Matchday 17 of La Liga and, along with the other nine games of that round, is scheduled to take place during the weekend of December 20–21. The original plan was for both teams to face off at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday, December 20, but that will no longer happen.

Now, it’s a matter of waiting for official updates from La Liga regarding the rescheduling of the match. However, with the U.S. venue off the table, all signs point to Villarreal and Barcelona playing at the originally designated location: Estadi de la Ceramica.

Al Nassr will face Goa on Wednesday in the AFC Champions League Two, and head coach Jorge Jesus spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo.

Al Nassr are currently the undisputed leaders in the Saudi Pro League, having won all five of their matches so far. Within that context, the team is now shifting its focus to the AFC Champions League Two, where they will face Goa this Wednesday in India. Head coach Jorge Jesus addressed Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability for that match.

“For matches outside Saudi Arabia, we decided to rest Ronaldo,” Jesus announced during a press conference this week, according to Goal. “We have to make choices and we’ve decided to leave him in Riyadh to prepare for the upcoming matches… We need to preserve his fitness.”

The Portuguese coach justified his decision by pointing to the need to rest Cristiano, who, at 40 years old, remains a key player for both his club and the Portugal national team. But he also mentioned another factor—the attention the forward draws wherever he goes.

“Everyone admires Ronaldo, he has a massive fanbase… We know that in Iraq, India many people want to see him and take pictures with him,” Jorge Jesus acknowledged at the same press conference. The coach made it clear that he understands this decision will be met with disappointment from fans, but his priority is doing what’s best for the team.

Ronaldo still absent from AFC Champions League Two

Jorge Jesus’ reasoning—that avoiding international travel and intense fan interactions helps manage Ronaldo’s workload—makes sense, but it doesn’t fully explain all of the coach’s decisions this season.

Al Nassr failed last season to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite, Asia’s top-tier club tournament, and had to settle for the second-tier competition instead—roughly equivalent to the UEFA Europa League. Given that context, the club’s primary focus this season is on the Saudi Pro League rather than continental play.

That’s reflected in how Cristiano Ronaldo’s minutes have been distributed during the 2025–26 campaign. While he has played all five full matches in the Saudi league, he hasn’t been included in the squad for any AFC Champions League Two games.

He didn’t travel to Iraq for the game against Al-Zawraa SC, he won’t make the trip to India to face Goa, and he also didn’t play at home against Istiqlol. This seems to indicate a clear strategy for CR7 to concentrate his efforts on the Saudi Pro League and, at least for now, stay out of the Champions League Two action.

What’s next for Cristiano Ronaldo?

After a 5–1 win over Al Fateh last Saturday, Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Wednesday’s clash against Goa in the AFC Champions League II and enjoy a full week of rest before Al Nassr’s next fixture—an away match against Al Hazm on Saturday.

However, after that Saudi Pro League match, Jorge Jesus’ team will face a tougher test in a different competition: on Tuesday, October 28, Al Nassr will play their second match in the King Cup of Champions. They opened the tournament with a 4–0 win over Jeddah, but now face a Round of 16 clash against Al Ittihad.

As he prepares to compete in the Major League Soccer playoffs with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi is in the running for a major honor.

Last Saturday, Inter Miami wrapped up their 2025 Major League Soccer regular season with a dominant 5–2 win over Nashville SC. Now they’re gearing up for their Eastern Conference playoff debut—facing that same opponent—while Lionel Messi is competing for a prestigious award.

This week, MLS unveiled the list of finalists for the 2025 Goal of the Year award, and Messi made the cut thanks to the goal he scored for the Herons on July 5 against CF Montreal at Stade Saputo.

That day, the clock showed 61 minutes and Inter Miami were up 3–1 when the Argentine forward received the ball in the opposing half after a pass from Luis Suarez. With no defenders immediately in his path, Leo began carrying the ball forward. As Montreal defenders closed in, he slipped past them with his trademark unpredictable dribbling. After beating four players, he finished the move with a precise shot.

That brilliant solo effort, which gave the Herons their fourth goal in Canada, remains etched in fans’ memories. It stands out among the 29 goals Lionel scored during the regular season—a performance that also earned him the league’s top scorer award.

Major League BANGERS 🚀

🗳️ Who gets your vote for the @ATT Goal of the Year?: https://t.co/jVF8moLd8K pic.twitter.com/iN6oNrHw73

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2025

Notably, this is the first time Messi has been nominated for this award in his three seasons in the United States. In his first year, he joined late in the campaign and played just six MLS matches, scoring once. In his second season, Leo netted 20 goals in 19 games, but none were selected as finalists for the award.

How is MLS Goal of the Year chosen?

Unlike other MLS awards that are decided by experts, players, or coaches, the Goal of the Year is chosen exclusively by fans. Voting opened on Monday and will remain open through Friday, October 24.

The league revealed the 16-goal shortlist for the 2025 honor via social media posts. In addition to Messi, other MLS stars featured include Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min, FC Cincinnati’s Evander, and San Diego FC’s Hirving Lozano. Also nominated is Messi’s Inter Miami teammate Baltasar Rodriguez, for his goal against New York City FC in August.

Who has won MLS Goal of the Year?

The Goal of the Year award was introduced by MLS in 1996, with the inaugural winner being San Jose Clash’s Eric Wynalda. In the nearly 30 years since, the list of winners has included stars like Landon Donovan, Obafemi Martins, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Josef Martinez—culminating with the most recent winner, FC Cincinnati’s Luca Orellano in 2024.