Martina Alcheva

The story sounds almost unbelievable in modern elite soccer: a world-class striker, signed to score goals, allegedly being asked to think twice about finding the net. Yet for Robert Lewandowski, the question has lingered ever since whispers emerged about a mysterious clause tied to his move from Bavaria to Catalonia.

The debate is no longer just about whether Messi can play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — it is about whether the stage itself is being shaped with him in mind.

Erling Haaland is surging with ruthless efficiency, Lamine Yamal continues his meteoric rise, and — in a twist few expected — Lionel Messi has re-entered the debate entirely.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to redefine what longevity looks like at the elite level. At 40, with records long since shattered and expectations permanently sky-high, the Portuguese icon once again found a way to dominate the headlines. As Cristiano Ronaldo powered Al-Nassr further clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League, the goals told one story — but the message that followed hinted at something deeper.

Beyond goals, assists, and table positions, another indicator has quietly underlined just how influential Pulisic has been so far this season—one that places him even ahead of Modric.

With Cristiano Ronaldo at the center of every conversation, fans are asking the same question ahead of kickoff at Al-Awwal Park: Will the league’s biggest star take the field?

The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has always extended beyond goals, trophies, and records.

Recent history has already shown what happens when timing, communication, and confidence fall out of sync. This time, the message from inside Casa Milan is clear: they cannot afford to get it wrong again.

The Santos star has delivered a message that blends ambition with accountability, a declaration aimed squarely at the national team coach and millions of supporters watching closely.

Christian Pulisic trails Luka Modric in one key Milan stat this season, and remarkably, the Croatian icon also surpasses the teenage sensation Yamal in the same category.

The debate over who sits at the very top of world soccer has defined an entire generation. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, or Lamine Yamal—each name represents a different era, a different idea of greatness.

As the soccer world looks ahead to 2026, questions continue to swirl around Lionel Messi and whether the sport’s most decorated modern icon will once again step onto the game’s biggest stage.

While other top names like Luka Modric or Santiago Gimenez still command respect and headlines, Pulisic has carved out a level of consistency and influence that no one else in the squad has matched.

The debate over soccer’s greatest qualities usually invites abstract answers, but when Gareth Bale was asked to construct his version of the perfect player, the result was anything but theoretical.

With Fikayo Tomori re-established at the heart of the defence and England now under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, the defender has laid out a clear vision for how he plans to force his way back into international contention.