Lionel Messi has found a quiet way to back Rodrigo De Paul, who has been criticized for years and was left out of Argentina’s squad for the first window without his captain.

Although the coach insists he does not feel responsible for the decision, his latest comments suggest that their discussions and recent disagreement may have brought an already inevitable moment closer.

The Portuguese superstar is reportedly considering bringing his time in Saudi Arabia to an end, although the club hierarchy is determined to keep him in Riyadh.

The superstar forward announced his retirement on November 5, 2026, closing a 23-year chapter that included historic trophies, individual achievements and one personal ambition that remained unfinished.

The appointment of a new leader marks a major change for the squad, although Jesus has made it clear that his decision follows an established principle rather than personal preference.

José Mourinho, who coached Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, says the forward’s career is not over despite his Portugal retirement, and that those who know him are aware he still has goals.

While the 41-year-old has officially closed the door on representing his country, Jesus has now explained how he would have approached the situation had Ronaldo chosen to continue his international career.

The forward was expected to feature for Al-Nassr on Friday, November 6, as the club prepared to visit Al-Hazem in the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League, only for the fixture to disappear from the schedule.

A day after Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from the Portugal national team, Jorge Jesus faced the question that hung over the Portuguese camp: would he have done anything differently? The head coach answered in his first press conference since the announcement, held on Friday at the Cidade do Futebol, where he also revealed his […]

Cristiano Ronaldo’s farewell from Portugal leaves behind two numbers that no active player is close to challenging.

Houston Dynamo midfielder Hector Herrera imagines a scenario that would excite MLS fans: Cristiano Ronaldo sharing the league with Lionel Messi.

With Lionel Messi gone, Argentina’s most iconic number has no owner for now, and head coach Lionel Scaloni has reportedly decided that no one will wear it in the next FIFA window.

Al Nassr reacted to Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement from Portugal with a message that looks well beyond the goodbye.

After 23 years of carrying Portugal’s shirt, Cristiano Ronaldo has decided it is time to step away from the national team. The 41-year-old announced his retirement on Thursday, closing one of the most decorated international careers in football history. But the news does not mean the end of the road for the forward, who still […]

As Ruben Amorim prepares his team for a crucial UEFA Europa League meeting with Ferencvaros, the Portuguese coach has opted for a different approach to his starting lineup.