With Rodri determined to depart Manchester City, Real Madrid originally pushed hardest to pull off the high-profile transfer. The player’s agent, Pablo Barquero, confirmed as much, stating that “Real Madrid made an irresistible offer to Rodri after the World Cup,“ though the star midfielder ultimately decided to head to Catalonia instead.

According to The Athletic, Barcelona ultimately reached a full agreement with Manchester City for a guaranteed base fee of 60 million euros ($68.8M USD). However, performance-based add-ons and trophy incentives included in the deal could see the total valuation rise up to 76.5 million euros ($87.8M USD).

Rodri was officially unveiled as a Barcelona player on Tuesday, August 18, putting pen to paper on a four-year contract running through June 2030. Although Mourinho and club president Florentino Perez actively pursued the player, the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball winner and 2025 Ballon d’Or recipient chose the Blaugrana over their archrivals.

Mourinho on why Real Madrid ‘didn’t need Rodri’

Following the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, Real Madrid have struggled to identify a central midfielder capable of dictating tempo and controlling matches. Rodri appeared to profile as the exact missing piece, but Mourinho shut down claims that the squad suffered from an operational void in the engine room.

In an interview with Spanish television program El Chiringuito, the Portuguese manager offered a blunt assessment of his roster needs: “We are not lacking players. I’m not saying there won’t be any more signings because the market is open, but if you ask me directly if it’s closed for me… yes. It is closed. I really like the squad.“

When pressed specifically on Rodri’s decision to turn down Real Madrid, Mourinho dismissed the notion of lingering regret. “I am not lacking Rodri,” he stated, highlighting his confidence in player development. “A player who is an X today can become a completely different player tomorrow,” he added, before detailing the inner workings of the club’s pursuit.

However, during direct conversations with the player, reservations began to surface for the veteran manager: “I spoke to him a couple of times and Real Madrid made him a very good offer. I think there is a very good relationship with City. Without negotiating with City, the club made contact with Rodri; they made him a major offer. Rodri had doubts, he hesitated… and Rodri’s doubts created doubts for me.“

Mourinho concluded by explaining why Real Madrid were comfortable walking away from the deal despite Rodri’s undisputed world-class ability. “He is an extraordinary player and was very respectful with us, nothing negative to say, but Real Madrid is of a dimension that cannot have players who second-guess themselves; you make contact… and the player asks you: When do I have to go? That’s somewhat the concept, but he was very respectful with us; I wish him well… not too well, obviously… but I wish him well,” Mourinho concluded.

Throughout preseason action, Mourinho has deployed his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation featuring a double pivot sitting behind the attacking line. Federico Valverde and Bernardo Silva logged the heaviest minutes as a midfield tandem during the summer schedule, though with the La Liga opener fast approaching and Aurelien Tchouameni standing as the lone holding specialist, Real Madrid’s midfield dynamic remains a central talking point.

During a media conference hosted by LALIGA and ESPN, Carles Puyol was asked by Martin O’Donnell of Bolavip about Mourinho’s arrival at Real Madrid and its potential impact on Barcelona.

“Well, we’re talking about a great manager,” Puyol told Bolavip about Mourinho’s arrival to Real Madrid and how can he turn things around for the club. “I met him at Barcelona when I was young and coming through the academy, and when I made it to the first team, we could already see that he knew a lot about football.

“Then he went to other clubs, built a good résumé, and eventually arrived at Real Madrid, where Real Madrid had a very good team. We were going through a very strong period, and I remember a great rivalry and many individual battles. The Barça-Madrid rivalry is huge, but in those years, on top of that, it was Guardiola against Mourinho, Messi against Cristiano, and two great, great teams.

“So we’ll see how he does now. I still think Barcelona have a very good team and will be able to have a good season, but it’s clear that one of their biggest rivals is Real Madrid, and with Mourinho they could be even stronger.”

Steve McManaman puts extra pressure on Mourinho

Former Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman also participated in the conference. The Englishman, who made over 150 appearances for Los Blancos, weighed in on Mourinho’s return, highlighting the immediate pressure on the coach and squad to deliver trophies.  

“He needs to win,” McManaman responded to Bolavip about the expectations on Mourinho. “It’s simple as that. He needs to beat Barcelona, he needs to win the league. I don’t necessarily think he needs to win the Champions League, but he needs to finish above Barcelona.

“He’s been brought in because the last two years have been disappointing. So he needs just to get the best out of the players, but more importantly, it’s to finish above Barcelona. He has to do it instantly. Real Madrid can’t go three years without winning anything. So Jose has to hit the ground running and he has to be successful straight away. That’s what he’s been brought in for.”

McManaman emphasized the high expectations associated with managing Real Madrid, recognized as one of the most demanding seats in world soccer. However, key summer acquisitions—including record signing Yan Diomandé—have fueled belief that Mourinho’s second tenure can meet those expectations.

After missing out on the tournament last season due to a third-place finish in 2024-25, Al Nassr are back in Asia’s flagship club competition. While they competed in the AFC Champions League Two last term, where they finished as runners-up, capturing the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title punched their ticket straight to the top tier.

The draw for the expanded 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite took place on Tuesday, August 18, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Al Nassr’s path was detailed alongside three other Saudi Arabian representatives in the competition: Al Hilal, Al Qadsiah, and reigning back-to-back champions Al Ahli.

This campaign marks the first edition featuring 32 clubs across the Asian continent. The AFC adopted a single-league format similar to the UEFA Champions League for the opening phase, with every participating club playing eight matches against eight different opponents while competing in a unified standings table.

Once the eight-match league phase concludes, the top eight teams in the overall standings will advance to a two-legged round of 16 set for March 1 to 17, 2027. From the quarterfinals onward, the tournament transitions to a centralized knockout stage hosted in Saudi Arabia between April 23 and May 1, 2027.

Following Tuesday’s King’s Cup victory against Al Diriyah, Al Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou addressed the continental draw: “I watched the AFC Champions League draw, but we had a difficult match. If we hadn’t done what was required, we would have been knocked out of the King’s Cup. From tomorrow, we’ll start planning for the AFC Champions League, but my priority right now is the match against Al Riyadh (on Friday).”

When is Al Nassr’s debut in the AFC Champions League?

Since joining Al Nassr in December 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo has competed in two AFC Champions League campaigns, suffering a quarterfinal exit against Al Ain in 2022-23 and a semifinal heartbreak against Kawasaki Frontale in 2024-25. The 2026-27 tournament marks his third run leading the Saudi club, with attention now focused on their opener.

Al Nassr will kick off Matchday 1 of the AFC Champions League Elite against UAE side Al Ain FC on Tuesday, September 15, at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. The Saudi club hold a 2-3 all-time record against Al Ain, giving Ronaldo and company an early chance to level the head-to-head series.

Al Nassr’s complete AFC Champions League Elite schedule

With four home fixtures at Al Awwal Park and four away trips, Ronaldo’s full schedule for the AFC Champions League Elite league stage breaks down as follows:

• Matchday 1: Al Ain FC (UAE) vs. Al Nassr — Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
• Matchday 2: Al Nassr vs. PFC Neftchi (UZB) — Monday, October 12, 2026.
• Matchday 3: Al Nassr vs. Al Wasl FC (UAE) — Monday, October 26, 2026.
• Matchday 4: Pakhtakor (UZB) vs. Al Nassr — Monday, November 2, 2026.
• Matchday 5:Al Nassr vs. Al Sadd SC (QAT) — Tuesday, November 24, 2026.
• Matchday 6: Al Gharafa SC (QAT) vs. Al Nassr — Tuesday, December 8, 2026.
• Matchday 7: Al Nassr vs. Al Shamal SC (QAT) — Monday, February 8, 2027.
• Matchday 8: Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) vs. Al Nassr — Monday, February 15, 2027.

Jorge Messi died on August 8 at a hospital in Rosario, Argentina, aged 68. His death came as a devastating blow to his son, who had long described Jorge as his father, friend and representative, making his return to soccer an especially difficult one.

Messi returned to competitive action on Wednesday, August 12, in the Leagues Cup, coming off the bench against Leon in the second half. The Herons captain received a standing ovation from supporters, marking an emotional return after stepping away following his father’s passing.

The 39-year-old was subsequently named in the starting lineup against Nashville, although Inter Miami suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat. missed a penalty in the game but still contributed an assist for Telasco Segovia, showing flashes of the creativity that has made the pitch such an important place for him.

Hoyos explains Messi’s emotional progress

Now, Hoyos has provided the clearest indication yet that Messi is gradually finding some emotional balance. “He looks good, expressing himself on the pitch, a place he knows to perfection, and at peace,” the Inter Miami coach told reporter Franco Panizo on Tuesday, via ESPN.

The choice of words from Hoyos is particularly significant because Messi’s return was never expected to mean that the grieving process had suddenly ended. The coach has instead allowed his captain the space to deal with the loss while continuing to provide an environment in which soccer can offer some comfort.

Messi had previously shared an emotional tribute to his father, acknowledging the enormous void left behind. His return to the field therefore represented more than simply another appearance for Inter Miami, especially given how quickly he resumed his professional responsibilities.

Casemiro, who praised Messi after the Leon match, also highlighted the unusual level of commitment the Argentine had shown despite his personal circumstances. “He sets a great example. After all, he is surely going through a very difficult time, but the commitment he has shown, not just to the players but to the club, has been incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life,” the midfielder said.

Inter Miami faces difficult stretch

While Messi’s personal recovery remains the priority, Inter Miami is dealing with its own problems on the field. The club has lost three consecutive matches and was eliminated from the Leagues Cup, increasing the pressure heading into another demanding MLS fixture.

The schedule has also become a concern for Hoyos, particularly with Inter Miami playing its sixth competitive match of August against Philadelphia Union. The coach believes the short recovery periods, travel and difficult weather conditions are placing excessive demands on his squad.

“I think players are often exploited. They are pushed too hard because recovery times are frequently inadequate, whether due to travel, match schedules for the heat,” Hoyos said. He pointed specifically to the conditions facing his players, adding, “It’s almost madness how players give of themselves; their determination is truly praiseworthy, but this is an issue that needs addressing to improve the quality of the sport.”

On Monday, ahead of Bayern Munich’s preseason friendly against FC Heidenheim the following day, Kane addressed reporters regarding his performance over the past year: “Again, extremely proud to have put in the season I did last year. I think the Ballon d’Or is as big as it gets from an individual point of view. I know I had a great season last season, but as always, like I said already, the focus is on this new season.“

Kane’s campaign with Bayern proved to be one of the most prolific goalscoring runs in modern European soccer history. Despite coming up short in the UEFA Champions League, the English captain bagged 61 goals in 51 appearances for the Bavarian giants, including 36 in the Bundesliga to claim the 2025-26 European Golden Shoe, the second of his career.

The striker, who also led England to a third-place finish at the 2026 World Cup, took a measured approach when asked about his chances of securing the sport’s highest individual honor. “The Ballon d’Or is not in my hands. I’ve done what I can do in terms of putting in the performances. It’s now down to votes and other people and the media. Stuff I can’t control. We’ll see what happens.“

While maintaining that team goals remain his priority, Kane acknowledged the significance of potentially capturing the award: “Obviously, it’d be amazing if it was to happen, but ultimately it’s still two or three months away before that’s decided. It’s not something that’s on the front of my mind right now.“

The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or will take place on Monday, October 26, at The London Palladium in London, marking the first time the prestigious ceremony will be hosted outside of France. With the event set in his home country, Kane will aim to become the fifth English player to win the award, and the first since Michael Owen in 2001.

Messi’s single-season goalscoring record remains untouched

The 2025-26 campaign presented Kane with an ideal platform to cement his legacy among the game’s legendary center forwards, starring for a dominant Bayern side and leading the line for England. He swept all domestic silverware in Germany by winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and DFL-Supercup, but ultimately fell just short of eclipsing Messi’s all-time single-season mark.

Combining his output for Bayern Munich and England across all competitions, including UEFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2026 World Cup, Kane finished with 73 goals in 2025-26, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s 69-goal mark from 2011-12 to move into second place all-time. His final tally was capped in the World Cup round of 16 against Mexico, as he went goalless in subsequent fixtures against Norway, Argentina, and France in the third-place match.

As a result, Lionel Messi’s mythical record of 82 goals in 69 total appearances during the 2011-12 season remains intact for another year. Wearing the Barcelona shirt that year, Messi scored 73 club goals across all competitions while adding nine goals in nine appearances for Argentina, setting a benchmark that remains unmatched in modern soccer history.

Chelsea had set Friday, August 14 as the cutoff for City to submit a concrete proposal for Fernandez, a deadline that came and went with no bid on the table. Despite that, talks between the two sides never fully cooled off behind the scenes.

“At Manchester City they’re still talking about Enzo Fernandez. Even today, from what I know, there were conversations at the club about his situation. On the player’s side, his agent, Javier Pastore, has kept up daily conversations lately, even after the deadline set by Chelsea,” Romano said. The insider added that it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Manchester City make another move and try to open negotiations for Fernandez.

Head coach Enzo Maresca, who managed the Argentine midfielder during his own time at Chelsea, confirmed in his latest press conference that City are still active in the market and have yet to land Rodri’s long-term successor, leaving the door open for a fresh approach even with the initial deadline already missed.

Maresca’s cautious stance on Enzo Fernandez

Even with Romano’s report suggesting City are still working behind the scenes, Maresca has been careful not to fuel the speculation publicly. Asked about a possible reunion with his former Chelsea midfielder days before Romano’s update, the Italian coach kept his answer deliberately vague, sticking to the same line he’s used from the start of the transfer saga.

“At this moment, I have to give the same answer as day one: he’s a player from another club and I don’t think it’s right to talk about other players. At the same time, I don’t think it’s right for other clubs to do this with ours,” Maresca said, choosing to protect Chelsea’s position publicly even as his own club continues exploring a move behind closed doors.

City closing in on Ayyoub Bouaddi transfer agreement

City’s midfield rebuild extends beyond just the Enzo Fernandez situation. The club has reportedly reached personal terms with Lille’s 18-year-old Moroccan international Ayyoub Bouaddi on a contract running through June 2031, with the two clubs now finalizing the last details of a transfer fee in the region of €90-100 million.

City are pushing to bring Bouaddi to the Premier League immediately, though Lille have expressed a preference to keep him on loan for the 2026-27 season as part of any agreement, which is the last detail that needs to be settled for the midfielder to officially become a Manchester City player.

Ronaldo has already returned to training after receiving an extended break following Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign and his wedding to Georgina Rodríguez. The 41-year-old missed the opening Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Fateh and Tuesday’s King’s Cup clash with Al-Diriyah, but his absence has allowed Postecoglou to assess his squad without its biggest star.

Al-Nassr began the new campaign impressively, beating Al-Fateh 3-0 before overcoming Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the King’s Cup. Joao Felix played a starring role against Al-Diriyah, scoring twice, while Mohamed Simakan and Abdullah Al-Hamdan also found the net.

Ronaldo was present around the team despite being unavailable for selection. Before the opening league game, he was filmed encouraging his teammates with a passionate message, telling them, “Passion… play, play, play, play, play. First game is always the difficult one.”

Postecoglou has also been careful to avoid rushing his captain back into competitive action. Ronaldo’s return from his post-World Cup break has been accompanied by a special fitness plan designed to build his match sharpness, with the coaching staff focused on making sure he begins the season in the best possible condition.

Postecoglou reveals major Ronaldo update

After the King’s Cup victory over Al-Diriyah, Postecoglou offered the clearest indication yet that Ronaldo’s return is moving in the right direction. “Ronaldo is working very hard. He had the World Cup, and he’s important to us. He was busier than any other player, and it’s crucial that he starts the season ready,” the Australian said.

The Al-Nassr manager added that the Portuguese superstar has already completed a training session and suggested supporters will see him back with the squad soon. “He’s had a training session, and I’m happy. Day by day, you’ll see him soon,” Postecoglou explained, determined to give his captain enough time to regain full match fitness after a demanding summer.

Will Al-Nassr change its system for Ronaldo?

One of the most interesting parts of Postecoglou’s update concerned how Ronaldo will fit into the team’s tactical approach once he returns. Despite the Portuguese forward’s enormous influence, the coach insists that Al-Nassr’s strategy will remain largely unchanged when its captain comes back.

“I don’t think we’ll change our strategy with Ronaldo’s return. When he joins the team, we’ll have more room for improvement,” the Australian manager said. That suggests that he believes Ronaldo can be integrated into the structure already taking shape rather than forcing the team to completely reorganize itself around him.

That could be encouraging for the veteran forward, especially after Al-Nassr produced two convincing victories without him. The early performances from Felix, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, and Al-Hamdan have given Postecoglou additional attacking options while Ronaldo works his way back.

The 27-year-old has yet to make his competitive debut under Amorim, having missed much of preseason while recovering from the bone bruise and microfracture suffered during the United States’ World Cup defeat to Belgium. Yet rather than questioning Pulisic’s place in the squad, Amorim has repeatedly emphasized his belief in the forward and hinted at a role designed around his strengths.

Pulisic’s versatility has always been one of his biggest assets. He has played on both wings, operated centrally and even featured as a false nine, but the Portuguese boss appears to have identified a specific position where he believes the American can be particularly dangerous.

Speaking during Milan‘s preseason preparations, Amorim explained that he already knows how he wants to use the USMNT star. “I have a clear idea of where I want him [Pulisic] to play. Especially with the right foot on the left side, it is the perfect position for him. He can play the other side also, inside too and not on the line,” Amorim said.

That points toward Pulisic playing as the left-sided No. 10 in Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system, operating behind the striker rather than staying permanently on the touchline. The position would allow him to cut inside onto his stronger right foot, combine with the wing-back and attack spaces between defenders.

Pulisic has already played in similar role

The idea may actually feel familiar to Pulisic after his experience with the United States at the 2026 World Cup. Although officially listed as a winger, he frequently started from the left before moving into central areas, while the left-back provided width on the outside.

That setup gave Pulisic freedom to receive the ball in dangerous positions and attack defenders from different angles. His best performance of the tournament came during the opening half against Paraguay, when he helped create two goals and completed four dribbles despite playing only 45 minutes.

Amorim’s system could therefore give Pulisic a similar platform at club level. The major difference is that he will have more freedom to operate centrally from the beginning rather than constantly being asked to function as a traditional winger.

Amorim remains firmly behind the American

The tactical plan comes at an important moment for Pulisic, who endured a frustrating second half of the previous campaign. After scoring 15 goals in his first Milan season and 17 in his second, his total dropped to 10 in 2025-26, while he failed to score for the club after December.

His World Cup campaign then ended in disappointment, with injuries restricting him before a second injury against Belgium forced him out of the tournament. Despite the criticism that followed, Amorim has made it clear that he does not believe Pulisic’s best days are behind him.

“Pulisic is a really talented player,” Amorim said. “I know the strengths of Pulisic. I believe in him; he will be supported in our club.” The Milan manager added, “We believe a lot in him, have a clear plan to use all the qualities that he has, so I can say to you that Pulisic is really important for us.”

Pulisic has spent the past several weeks working away from the main group after suffering a serious setback during the 2026 World Cup. Now, with the new campaign only days away, there is growing optimism that he could have a role to play sooner than initially expected.

Pulisic suffered a bone bruise and microfracture to the right tibia and fibula during the United States’ World Cup round-of-16 defeat to Belgium. The injury occurred following a strange collision, and although he attempted to continue playing, he eventually had to leave the match.

After the game, Pulisic explained what happened in his own words, saying, “I twisted my ankle and my knee in one play.” The injury forced him into a lengthy rehabilitation plan and ruled him out of Milan‘s entire preseason schedule.

The 27-year-old had continued his recovery at Milanello while the rest of the squad travelled for preseason commitments in Australia and Indonesia. His return to the training complex also allowed him to begin working toward a comeback under new head coach Ruben Amorim.

Pulisic returns to group training

The biggest development arrived on Tuesday, August 18, when Pulisic completed the opening portion of Milan’s team training session with his teammates. MilanNews reported that the American was able to participate in part of the session, marking a significant milestone 41 days after suffering the injury. That development immediately raised the possibility of Pulisic being involved when Milan travels to face Torino on Sunday.

While his return to full fitness is still being managed carefully, the forward is now much closer to competitive action than he was only a few weeks ago. Earlier reports had suggested that the American was targeting a return toward the end of August, with the Torino fixture viewed as an ambitious target.

Could Pulisic feature against Torino?

The latest developments suggest Pulisic now has a realistic chance of being included in Milan’s squad for the Serie A opener against Il Toro on Sunday, August 23. His partial return to team training is an encouraging sign, although the club will have to determine whether he is physically ready for competitive minutes. Even if he makes the squad, however, a starting role is considered highly unlikely after such a long period without competitive soccer.

The priority will be avoiding another setback after such a long rehabilitation process. Even a short appearance from the bench would represent meaningful progress for Pulisic and give Amorim another attacking option as the Rossoneri begin the new Serie A campaign.

For now, the expectation is that Pulisic will continue his personalized work alongside his gradual integration with the squad. His return is getting closer, and the Torino match could provide the first opportunity for Milan fans to see their American star back in action.

According to the player, Gil Marin had assured him he could leave this summer if he finished last season professionally, and Barcelona want him to hold his club’s leadership to that word directly rather than let the situation drag on through intermediaries.

That meeting between Alvarez and Gil Marin, however, keeps getting pushed back, leaving the operation stuck in limbo just as LaLiga’s season gets underway, and Diego Simeone ruled out Alvarez for Atletico Madrid’s opener vs Malaga.

Barcelona feel the moment has arrived to either open real negotiations for a transfer or shut the door on the pursuit entirely, especially with the club needing a resolution before the market closes.

Behind the scenes, the saga has also stirred tension within Atletico‘s locker room. According to Spanish radio program El Larguero, Alvarez told his teammates directly that he “made mistakes in how he handled things and in the way he expressed himself” regarding his public comments during the World Cup about wanting to leave.

Barcelona’s backup options if the deal collapses

If Alvarez can’t force his way out of Atletico Madrid, Barcelona already have alternatives lined up rather than being caught empty-handed. Names circulating in recent days include Lautaro Martinez along with Mikel Oyarzabal and Sporting CP forward Luis Suarez.

The most recent addition to that list is Viktor Gyokeres, with reports indicating Barcelona could move quickly on the Arsenal striker if their primary target falls through.

This last move could end up benefiting both Barcelona and Arsenal, since TEAMtalk reported the Gunners haven’t backed off their pursuit of Julian Alvarez, and a potential Gyokeres departure to Spain could clear the way for the Argentine to land at the Emirates Stadium instead.

Santos traveled to face Vasco on Sunday, August 16, in a critical match to climb out of the relegation zone. Tensions flared early when the teams lined up for pre-game greetings, as Thiago Mendes was captured on camera refusing to shake Neymar’s hand, leaving the forward’s hand hanging before Neymar smirked and proceeded to greet the match officials.

Behind goals from Gabriel Barbosa, Willian Arao, and Luan Peres, Santos secured a vital 3-0 victory in the Campeonato Brasileiro, but post-match discussions remained centered on the pre-game friction between the two captains.

Speaking in the mixed zone at the Estadio Sao Januario, Neymar was asked directly about the snub and pulled no punches: “To be honest, I don’t care much about that guy. To me, he is a nobody. In 2020, he broke my ankle, which I think he did on purpose. And I didn’t let it go: we had a little fight in our last match against each other, which I think is normal in a football match.”

Reflecting on their history across European and Brazilian soccer, Neymar continued his critique. “I wasn’t even thinking much about him in today’s match because I don’t care. He refused to shake my hand, which I see as very disrespectful. The most important thing is that we still won against them and he can keep crying. Everyone knows Neymar Jr., but nobody even knew Thiago Mendes’s name until today,” he concluded.

The viral moment drew widespread attention across social media, with Santos’ official Instagram account adding fuel to the fire by posting a video referencing the snub. Neymar commented on the post with a laughing-crying emoji, adding the caption: “Pride comes before a fall.“

Neymar and Mendes’ history of friction

Despite both hailing from Brazil, the rivalry between Neymar and Thiago Mendes dates back to their time playing in Europe, specifically in France. During a Ligue 1 clash between PSG and Olympique Lyonnais in 2020, Mendes committed a heavy tackle on Neymar that resulted in a severe ankle injury, forcing the superstar off the pitch in tears.

Medical reports later confirmed Neymar suffered a severe left ankle sprain, though initial fears had pointed to a fracture. The two players crossed paths again in February 2026 during a 2-1 victory for Santos, where they engaged in a heated mid-pitch argument that ended with Mendes aiming a headbutt at the Santos captain.

Following that February incident, Neymar addressed Mendes’ conduct during his post-match press conference: “He is always the one starting problems, he always tries to act tough, he is always like that. With all due respect, he is an idiot. He broke me once at PSG and he made me a promise today. Let’s see if he has the manhood to break me again.“

The Spanish midfielder was asked whether Barcelona should pursue Julian Alvarez, the Argentine forward he played alongside for two seasons at Manchester City. The Argentine forward wasn’t called up for Atletico Madrid’s LaLiga opener, amid an increasingly tense relationship between both parties.

Rodri didn’t shy away from praising his former teammate, though he was careful about how far he took it. “I’m quite cautious when it comes to players who don’t belong to the club. He’s an Atletico Madrid player, I respect Atletico Madrid, but it’s clear that Julian is a fantastic footballer, and he could bring what he is to any team in the world, one of the best forwards,” he said.

He then pulled back from suggesting Barcelona were actively working on a deal, keeping the door open without confirming anything concrete. “That’s all I can say. I’m happy with the players we have, and Deco and the board are always thinking about improving the squad,” Rodri added, echoing the same cautious tone the club has generally kept around the Alvarez situation in public.

The situation between Barcelona and Alvarez

Barcelona have wanted Alvarez for a while now, and the interest hasn’t cooled despite the lack of a breakthrough. The Argentine himself appears open to the move, having already made clear his desire to join, but Atletico Madrid have remained firm, insisting they won’t let him leave for anything less than his €500 million release clause.

That figure has effectively frozen any real progress on the transfer, with neither side budging from their respective positions. Barcelona, for their part, haven’t backed off the pursuit either, continuing to monitor the situation closely, as they believe the player’s own willingness to join could still be enough to break the deadlock.

Still, Barcelona are aware it won’t be easy to pry the Argentine away from Atletico Madrid, which is why reports indicate the club is also weighing other options at forward, like Sporting’s Luis Suarez, in case a deal for Alvarez ultimately doesn’t materialize.

Bayern Munich were playing their final tune-up match before the start of the official season against Heidenheim at the Voith-Arena on Tuesday, August 18. Having seemingly cleared health protocols following an earlier incident against RB Leipzig, Musiala was named to the substitute bench and cleared for match action.

After coming on as a substitute in the 61st minute, Musiala went down to the turf just minutes after entering the pitch and was subsequently forced off in the 69th minute. Unlike the previous scare, he was able to walk off under his own power this time, offering a small sign of relief to the team’s medical staff and worried supporters.

The recurrence has nevertheless created significant concern within the club, coming just four days after his previous on-field collapse. That initial incident occurred during a Telekom Cup match against RB Leipzig, where subsequent medical evaluations attributed the episode primarily to physical exhaustion.

On Monday, two days after the scare against Leipzig and following an individualized training session, Musiala was notably absent from Bayern’s official team presentation at the Campus. Bayern Munich have yet to issue an updated medical statement, leaving Musiala’s status for the upcoming season opener undisclosed.

Jamal Musiala issues medical update

While Bayern have not spoken about the episode officially, Musiala issued a direct update on his Instagram account shortly after the match. In an extended message, he sought to bring calm to the situation by stating that he is doing well, while also explaining the neurological diagnosis behind his last two episodes:

“First and foremost, I am doing well!” Musiala’s statement began. “I am especially grateful for all your messages and support! I understand that many of you are worried. Today, I want to put your minds at ease and explain a little more: I have been diagnosed with brief, temporary but easily treatable episodes of absence, which are caused by a neurological dysfunction. These can lead to the episodes that have occurred recently, such as against Leipzig and now in Heidenheim.

“I know that they may seem scary at first glance, but for me, they are currently part of my everyday life,” he continued. “I am receiving the best possible medical treatment for this and am very optimistic. FC Bayern and my private circle are always by my side and supporting me on this journey.

“The important thing is that there is no further health risk. In close consultation and regular communication with the experts, it was my personal wish to face this challenge and, with the approval of the neurological specialists, continue to focus on what helps me most in my recovery: simply living my everyday life and continuing to pursue my passion of playing football. I have taken responsibility for that decision. Overall, I have a very good feeling and believe I am on the right path.

“What helps me most on this journey is to continue chasing victories and titles with my team and your great support. I hope you can understand me better now. At the same time, I ask for your understanding that I would like to keep this matter within the circle of my closest confidants, the club, and the experts. Thank you very much,” Musiala concluded.

What is Musiala’s condition?

Musiala revealed that he has been diagnosed with “brief, temporary episodes of absence caused by a neurological dysfunction,” leading to his sudden collapses and momentary lapses in awareness. According to a fact sheet published by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) regarding epilepsy and seizures, generalized seizures result from abnormal neuronal activity that rapidly emerges on both sides of the brain.

While severe generalized seizures can trigger a sudden loss of consciousness, falls, or massive muscle contractions, Musiala appears to be dealing with a milder variant. In the case of absence seizures, the NINDS notes that the condition “may cause the person to appear to be staring into space, with or without slight twitching of the muscles.“

Ronaldo has already returned to training, but Al-Nassr has decided to ease him back into competitive football rather than immediately throw him into the opening fixtures. A special fitness program has now been designed to prepare the 41-year-old for his comeback, with his workload being closely monitored by the club’s fitness staff.

The Portuguese forward spent an extended period away from Al-Nassr following Portugal’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup. He subsequently returned to the Saudi club last week after enjoying time away from soccer, including his holiday with Georgina Rodriguez.

Although Ronaldo missed the club’s preseason preparations in Lisbon, reports indicate that he maintained a good level of physical condition during his break. That has allowed Al-Nassr’s coaching staff to focus primarily on restoring his match sharpness rather than starting his conditioning work from scratch.

Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah reported that Ronaldo has been placed on a special fitness plan designed by Al-Nassr’s fitness coach to raise his physical levels ahead of his return.

Special 90-minute session forms part of comeback plan

The latest update came as Ronaldo was scheduled to complete a 90-minute fitness session on Tuesday at Al-Nassr’s training center in Riyadh. The session is part of a tailored program intended to prepare him for competitive action in the coming weeks. Al-Riyadiyah reported that the club’s fitness coach had prepared a special program for the Portuguese star to build his fitness ahead of the upcoming matches.

The session comes after Ronaldo missed Al-Nassr’s opening Saudi Pro League match against Al-Fateh, which the club won 3-0. He was also expected to sit out Tuesday’s King’s Cup Round of 32 clash against Al-Diriyah, with the coaching staff continuing to prioritize his gradual return.

The exact return date is finally taking shape

With the Al-Diriyah match effectively serving as another game Ronaldo will miss, attention now turns to Al-Nassr’s next league fixture. Ronaldo is now expected to return against Al-Riyadh on Friday, August 21, assuming he completes the fitness plan without any setbacks.

That would give the veteran forward several more days to work on his conditioning before being reintroduced to competitive play. The timing also makes sense for Al-Nassr, which has little reason to rush its biggest star this early in a long campaign.

Reports from Al-Riyadiyah also suggest Ronaldo has lost little of his sharpness during his time away from the club, providing further encouragement that his return could arrive sooner rather than later. The special fitness plan is therefore less about rebuilding his physical condition completely and more about making sure he is ready to handle the intensity of a competitive match.

Asked about life after football, Ronaldo made clear he already has a plan in place, and that padel will be a central part of it. “I have my future all mapped out… Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one. And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned, what we’ve earned,” he said.

None of it means Ronaldo is walking away just yet. He missed Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Fateh on August 15 and also sat out their King’s Cup debut against Al-Diriyah, as he continues working his way back into match fitness after his wedding with Georgina Rodriguez.

He’s expected to return for Al Nassr’s Matchday 2 clash with Al Riyadh on August 21, as the club looks to defend their title and secure back-to-back championships for the first time in more than 11 years.

On an individual level, he remains just 24 goals shy of becoming the first player in history to reach 1,000 career goals, giving this potential farewell season no shortage of storylines regardless of how it ends.

Ronaldo’s own padel club in Lisbon

Ronaldo is far from the only elite athlete drawn to the sport, but few have invested in it quite like he has. In 2024, he acquired 100% of the shares in the Lisboa Racket Club, a premier complex in the Alvalade neighborhood featuring eight tennis courts, seven padel courts and five squash courts, making him the outright owner of one of Lisbon’s top racket-sports venues.

Ronaldo isn’t the only star who plays padel

Several other big football names have shown a taste for the sport too. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have also been spotted playing padel together in Miami, squaring off in a friendly match that went viral after Suarez lost a bet tied to it.

Vinicius Junior has had a padel court installed at his own home, where he regularly plays with several Real Madrid teammates, and former Dutch international Arjen Robben has gone as far as competing in padel professionally since hanging up his boots.

After the starting XI was announced, it was confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will sit out Al Nassr’s match against Al Diriyah. The Portuguese star did not feature in his team’s debut for the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season either.

Head coach Ange Postecoglou has decided to give the 41-year-old rest to regain match fitness following the 2026 World Cup and his recent wedding.

Al-Nassr’s confirmed lineup

While it is a Round of 32 cup match, Postecoglou deployed a strong starting XI similar to the squad featured in Matchday 1 of the 2026–27 SPL season against Al Fateh.

Al Nassr confirmed XI (4-3-3): Bento; Salem, Simakan, Alamri, Boushal; Coman, Costa, Angelo; Mane, Felix, Hamdan.

Al Diriyah’s confirmed lineup

As for Al Diriyah, the start of the season did not go as planned following a home defeat against Al Ahli Saudi. The club is aiming to get back on track in the King Cup of Champions.

Al Diriyah confirmed XI (4-2-3-1): Vasilj; Al Faraj, Djimsiti, Mbemba, Al Obaid; Gueye, Al Malki; Diandy, Rodriguez, N’Koudou, Laborde.

The change is especially striking because the Saudi Pro League built much of its global reputation through enormous investments in internationally renowned players. Ronaldo remains the face of that transformation, while Benzema continues to rank among the competition’s highest-paid stars, yet the latest figures suggest the era of unchecked wage growth is beginning to cool.

According to estimates from salary data provider Capology, cited by Saudi newspaper Al-Eqtisadiah, the Saudi Pro League‘s fixed player wage bill has fallen by around 13% for the 2026-27 season.

Base salaries are now estimated at approximately $1.11 billion, compared with roughly $1.28 billion last season. When bonuses and other estimated incentives are included, the total wage package stands at around $1.38 billion, down from approximately $1.58 billion previously.

That represents a substantial reduction for a competition that has spent the past few years aggressively recruiting some of football’s biggest names. The decline reflects a combination of expensive contracts leaving the books and new financial controls designed to encourage more sustainable spending.

Ronaldo remains the league’s highest-paid star

Despite the overall reduction, Ronaldo remains comfortably at the top of the salary rankings. Capology estimates that the Al-Nassr captain earns approximately $241 million in fixed annual salary, equivalent to roughly $4.6 million per week before bonuses are taken into account.

Benzema follows in second place, with an estimated fixed salary of around $142 million per year. Sadio Mane ranks third at approximately $46 million, while Kalidou Koulibaly is next at around $40 million, with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Ivan Toney both estimated at roughly $30 million.

These figures are particularly significant because they highlight how much the league’s financial structure still revolves around elite talent. However, the gap between the biggest contracts and the broader spending environment could become more controlled as clubs adapt to the new regulations.

New spending rules change the landscape

The reduction in wages is closely connected to stricter financial regulations introduced for the new season. Clubs are now limited to spending no more than 75% of their revenue on first-team costs, down from the previous 80% threshold.

The remaining portion is intended to support areas such as youth development, infrastructure and other long-term projects. The aim is to ensure that clubs can continue competing at a high level without allowing wage commitments to grow beyond what their revenues can reasonably support.

The Saudi Pro League’s aggressive recruitment strategy succeeded in raising its profile around the world. Ronaldo’s arrival at Al-Nassr in 2023 helped trigger a wave of major transfers, with other clubs subsequently attracting players such as Benzema, Mane and Neymar.

“From a sporting standpoint, we look after the person, the player — we hope he gets into the condition we need so he can keep protecting the name he’s built, the player he is, and everything he’s given us. So we understand that he’s not in condition to be part of this game,” Simeone said in his pre-match press conference, adding that he hopes Alvarez can improve his condition over the next four days.

The decision comes amid swirling speculation over Alvarez’s future at the club, with reports linking the World Cup winner to a possible exit. Simeone addressed the situation directly, pointing to club ownership’s firm stance on the matter.

“Miguel Angel Gil Marin is the owner of the club and categorically spoke in the manner he did and there is nothing more to discuss,” the Argentine coach said, reaffirming that Atletico Madrid consider Alvarez’s €500 million release clause the only way out.

Simeone’s comments leave the door open for Alvarez’s return in the coming days, but for now his immediate future — both on the pitch and at the club — remains a talking point heading into the new season.

Simeone weighs in on Alvarez’s standing with supporters

Alvarez’s situation has stirred debate among Atletico Madrid’s fan base after the forward publicly declared during the 2026 World Cup that he wanted to leave the club.

Following Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria in June, Alvarez told reporters, “I spoke with people at the club, with those I had to speak with and the best thing for everyone is a transfer and I want to fulfil my dream,” making clear his desire to move on despite the club’s resistance to selling him.

That backdrop set up a pointed question for Simeone in Tuesday’s press conference: whether Alvarez owes the fans an apology over the transfer noise surrounding him.

“People will think what they have to think. I’m very respectful of everyone’s opinion, whether it’s the case of Diego Costa, Griezmann, or now Julian. I’m very respectful of what everyone might think,” the coach said, drawing a parallel to past situations involving other Atletico players.

Last year, following his retirement announcement after an Inter Miami match against the New England Revolution in October, Busquets was asked in the mixed zone whether he had plans to step into management. “I think in the future, yes, but for now I prefer to take a sabbatical year,” he said at the time, and with a few months of rest under his belt, the Spanish legend has made his move.

On Monday, August 17, Busquets was officially named the new assistant coach at Barca Atletic. He will join the staff of current head coach Juliano Belletti while working to complete his UEFA coaching licenses to earn his senior head coaching badges.

Barca Atletic serve not as La Masia’s youth academy, which handles underage player development, but as FC Barcelona’s official “B team.” The reserve side currently compete in Spain’s Fourth Division, the Segunda Federacion, aiming to climb back after previously residing in the second tier.

Lionel Messi‘s presence played a decisive role in convincing Busquets to make Inter Miami the second club of his 15-year career in 2023 following a legendary tenure in Barcelona colors. This return to the Catalan giants, now on the touchline rather than the pitch, marks the midfielder’s homecoming to the Blaugrana after just three years away.

Busquets served as the tactical engine everywhere he played throughout a career spanning Barcelona, the Spain national team, and Inter Miami, collecting an astounding 37 trophies along the way. Bringing an elite tactical mind and unmatched reading of the game, he will now assist Belletti’s technical staff in developing the club’s next generation.

Another Messi teammate from Barcelona transitions to coaching

Beyond its success on the pitch, Barcelona have long operated as an incubator that revolutionized modern soccer tactics, with Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola standing as its most influential figures. That culture has inspired dozens of former Barcelona players to step into management, particularly those who shared the pitch alongside Lionel Messi.

Alongside Busquets, a long list of former teammates who shared the Barcelona locker room with Messi have gone on to join technical staffs or take head coaching roles across the globe:

• Xavi Hernandez.
• Thierry Henry
• Cesc Fabregas
• Rafael Marquez
• Juliano Belletti
• Thiago Motta
• Giovanni van Bronckhorst
• Sylvinho
• Mark van Bommel
• Víctor Valdes
• Gabriel Milito
• Javier Mascherano
• Arda Turan
• Thiago Alcantara
• Yaya Toure
• Henrik Larsson
• Eidur Gudjohnsen

Born in Enugu, Okocha featured prominently in Nigeria‘s greatest football triumphs, including the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations title and the 1996 Olympic gold medal, while carving out an unforgettable career in Europe. Highlighted by his tenure at Paris Saint-Germain and his surprise free-agent move to Bolton Wanderers, the Nigerian built a lasting legacy as one of the most gifted dribblers in soccer history.

Speaking with John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy on The Obi One Podcast on YouTube, Okocha was asked by the former Chelsea midfielder to settle the debate between the two legends, and he offered an emphatic response: “Messi, Messi. Ronaldo is a special player, but he is for me a goal scorer. He can score 10 million goals. He is a goal scorer. It’s like (Erling) Haaland. Haaland is a goal scorer.“

The Nigerian icon expanded on his view by highlighting the underlying artistic quality that sways the balance toward the Argentine. “But Messi, Messi is on another planet. Messi is an art. Messi was born to play football. He’ll get ill if he doesn’t play football. He’s a genius. I mean, you have to give it to him,” he said.

Okocha also praised the remarkable consistency achieved by both icons throughout their careers, noting that while Cristiano Ronaldo’s success stems from relentless work ethic because “he’s not the most gifted player,” Messi operates on pure instinct. “But when it comes to natural gifted player, someone that is born to play football, someone that plays with ease, that doens’t force anything, like it’s his playground, is Messi,” the legend added.

One ‘maverick’ placed just above Okocha

In an era defined by classic playmakers like Rui Costa, Juan Roman Riquelme, Dennis Bergkamp, and Paul Scholes, Jay-Jay Okocha stood out as an exceptionally skilled midfielder who dismantled defenders with body feints, step-overs, and sudden bursts of acceleration. His flair and creativity earned him lasting status as an icon of individual artistry, a level of reverence few players ever achieve.

When asked whether any fellow maverick possessed superior skill to his own, Okocha passed over a distinguished list of names including Gheorghe Hagi, Guti, Roberto Baggio, Nwankwo Kanu, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Zinedine Zidane. However, he singled out one former teammate above everyone else.

Okocha acknowledged that Brazilian legend Ronaldinho stands as the lone player superior to him in raw dribbling ability and ball mastery. “Maybe because I had the privilege to play with him, to really see his talent and appreciate it,” Okocha stated.

Al Nassr opened their 2026-27 Saudi Pro League campaign on Saturday with a commanding performance, hosting Al Fateh at Alawwal Park. Powered by goals from Angelo, Joao Felix, and Samu Costa, the home side cruised to a 3-0 victory without Ronaldo, who is reportedly set to miss another match as he works his way back into match fitness.

According to a report from Saudi outlet Al Arriyadiyah, Ronaldo will not be included in Al Nassr’s squad to take on Al Diriyah in their King’s Cup debut. The round-of-32 fixture in Saudi Arabia’s premier domestic cup tournament is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18.

After meeting with his teammates and new coaching staff during pre-season in Portugal, Ronaldo rejoined Al Nassr for full team training last Thursday following his extended post-World Cup break. With only a handful of training sessions under his belt, manager Ange Postecoglou and his technical staff decided to rest the forward to avoid risking an early-season injury setback due to a lack of match conditioning.

As revealed by Al Arriyadiyah, Ronaldo is not the only high-profile player who will sit out the cup match. Al Nassr’s list of absentees also features goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi, fullback Saad Al-Nasser, and striker Mohammed Maran.

In the goalkeeper’s case, Al-Aqidi missed the league opener with a shoulder contusion, and despite returning to health, Postecoglou opted to leave him out of the squad for the cup tie. Meanwhile, Al-Nasser suffered ankle and calf injuries that forced an early first-half substitution on Saturday, and Maran picked up a hamstring strain during his appearance in the season opener.

When will Ronaldo debut in the 2026-27 season?

Ronaldo’s last official appearance came on July 6, when he played all 90 minutes in Portugal’s round-of-16 exit at the 2026 World Cup. He has not played in a competitive match or preseason friendly since, though his return to action appears imminent.

The Portuguese legend is expected to make his season debut in Al Nassr’s upcoming Saudi Pro League fixture. Following Tuesday’s King’s Cup match, the squad will travel to face Al Riyadh on Friday, August 21, at Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz Stadium, where Ronaldo is slated to make his first appearance of the 2026-27 campaign.

Benzema departed Real Madrid in 2023 shortly after winning the Ballon d’Or, joining Al Ittihad where he eventually captured the Saudi Pro League title. However, contractual friction led the French forward to leave Al Ittihad and complete a blockbuster transfer to Al Hilal in February 2026 on one of the most lucrative deals in modern sports.

Tension has been mounting ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, with Spanish outlet Diario AS reporting that Benzema is no longer viewed as central to manager Simone Inzaghi’s tactical plans. Under these circumstances, the club’s leadership favors brokering an exit, creating a delicate stalemate between the player and decision-makers.

During Al Hilal‘s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Faisaly on Friday, August 14, Benzema opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 19th minute. However, with the match hanging in the balance at 3-2 in the second half, Inzaghi opted to substitute the French striker in the 70th minute for Mohamed Kader Meite, a move that clearly frustrated the veteran forward.

Benzema voiced his frustration while walking off the pitch, confronting one of Inzaghi’s assistant coaches on the touchline. The fallout was immediate, as Benzema was subsequently dropped to the bench for the following King’s Cup fixture against Al Raed, logging just 25 minutes as a 65th-minute substitute.

While relations between the manager and star player remain frayed, Diario AS reports that Benzema’s camp has maintained he has no intention of walking away from Al Hilal during the summer 2026 transfer window, intending to honor his contract through June 2027.

Benzema’s departure conditions rise

On Forbes’ 2026 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, Benzema ranked eighth overall with $104 million in total earnings ($100M salary, $4M endorsements), making him the third-highest-paid soccer player behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. That massive compensation package remains the primary obstacle to a departure, unless Al Hilal agree to pay out the final year of his deal.

According to Saudi outlet Al Arriyadiyah, Al Hilal terminating Benzema’s contract hinges directly on securing a replacement striker. With Malcom and Joao Cancelo linked with exits and Darwin Nunez out of Inzaghi’s plans, Al Hilal face a foreign-player roster crunch while searching for an elite center forward suited to Inzaghi’s system.

Reports out of Saudi Arabia have linked Al Hilal to Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins as potential replacements to lead the front line. However, no formal bids have materialized for either target.

Al Hilal remain active in their pursuit of a marquee striker to lead the squad for the upcoming campaign, effectively phasing Benzema out of their medium-to-long-term plans. Yet until a definitive resolution is reached, the 38-year-old forward remains the second highest-paid player in Saudi Arabia behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

While the signing is yet to be made official by the club, Rodri has already arrived for his medical tests with Barcelona. The midfielder expressed his excitement to join the squad and fight for every trophy this season.  

“It’s a dream for me to be here,” Rodri told media at the Barcelona airport. “I am looking forward to working with my teammates and giving my best to win it all. We will go for the Champions League and for every title.”

Barcelona have an elite roster to fight for the UCL

A sixth UEFA Champions League title continues to elude Barcelona, but a standout summer transfer window makes many believe this could finally be the year for the Blaugrana to lift the trophy.

Joao Cancelo, Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, and Rodri are among the high-profile additions brought in this summer. While securing a natural center-forward remains a priority, the attack features immense depth across the front line.

Rodri’s arrival is set to reshape Barcelona’s starting XI. Fresh off winning the Golden Ball at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the midfielder anchors what many view as one of Europe’s premier central units.  

What number will Rodri wear at Barcelona?

According to Fabrizio Romano, Rodri requested the No. 16 jersey. Young midfielder Fermin Lopez agreed to vacate the shirt, taking over the No. 7 jersey previously worn by Ferran Torres prior to his move to PSG.  

The tournament opened on Saturday, August 15, with Deportivo Alaves hosting Getafe in a 3-0 victory for the home side. Throughout the weekend, only four of the 10 scheduled Matchday 1 fixtures were played, with games involving Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid postponed for a specific logistical reason.

La Liga reached an official agreement with clubs that had players participating in the late stages of the 2026 World Cup to delay their domestic debuts. Teams with rostered players who reached the World Cup semifinals or beyond were granted additional mandatory rest and recovery time before starting their league schedules.

Across the two semifinal matchups, seven Spanish clubs were represented: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Club, Real Sociedad, Real Betis, and Celta Vigo. Those clubs worked alongside the Spanish Footballers Association (AFE) and La Liga to reschedule their opening league fixtures to accommodate the extended break.

The only eligible club that chose not to request a special postponement was Celta Vigo, whose striker Borja Iglesias made Spain’s squad but logged just two minutes against Portugal in the round of 16. However, a fungal outbreak ruined the pitch at Celta’s stadium, ultimately forcing the league to reschedule their opening match against Osasuna anyway.

Having an extra week before making their official debuts did not mean total rest for the clubs. Over the weekend, Barcelona played a friendly against FC Basel (a 5-2 win), Real Madrid faced Schalke 04 (a 3-0 win), and Atletico took on Olympique Marseille on Friday (a 2-1 win) to maintain match fitness ahead of the season.

When are Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid debuting in La Liga?

The first of the trio to make their official debut will be Atletico Madrid. The Colchoneros host Malaga at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday, August 19, meaning their overall scheduling and match preparation will experience minimal disruption compared to the rest of the league.

As for Barcelona and Real Madrid, both clubs will make their 2026-27 La Liga debuts during Matchday 2 rather than Matchday 1. The Blaugrana travel to face Elche on Sunday, August 23, while Los Blancos head to Catalonia to take on Espanyol on Saturday, August 22.

The two powerhouse clubs will then make up their postponed Matchday 1 fixtures during midweek action. Real Madrid face Real Sociedad on Wednesday, August 26, while Barcelona host Athletic Club on Thursday, August 27.

EA Sports unveiled the list of the top 27 highest-rated men’s players on Monday, with Messi earning a prominent spot. Notably, he stands as the only Argentine representative and the sole player outside of Europe’s top five leagues (England, Spain, Germany, France, and Italy) to crack the exclusive rankings.

Tied with star players like Vinicius Junior, Bruno Fernandes, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Messi garners an 89 overall card in EA FC 27. The Inter Miami star boasts attributes including 76 pace, 87 shooting, 89 passing, 90 dribbling, 33 defending, and 63 physicality.

Compared to his rating in last year’s title, his pace dropped by two points while his shooting jumped by two points and his passing rose by four. His dribbling held firm at 90, his defense remained at 33, and his physical attribute took a one-point hit. This marks his second-highest base rating since joining Inter Miami, trailing only his 90-rated card in EA FC 24, and serves as the first 89-rated base card of his career.

One of the most notable adjustments on his new card is his default primary position, now officially listed as a Central Attacking Midfielder (CAM). Throughout previous editions, his base item was predominantly classified as a Right Winger (RW) or occasionally a Center Forward (CF), making EA FC 27 the first game to assign him a CAM base position.

Cristiano Ronaldo misses out on the Top 27 entirely

Cristiano Ronaldo’s ratings have steadily drifted away from the game’s top tier since his move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, beginning with an 86 overall gold card in EA FC 24. In last year’s EA FC 26, the Portuguese forward dropped to an 85 overall rating.

For the new release, EA Sports revealed the Top 27 base cards spanning overall ratings from 91 down to 88. However, for another consecutive year, Ronaldo failed to secure a spot among the video game’s top-rated talent.

Top 27 rated cards compared to previous edition

With the Men’s Top 27 official, here is the full ranking and how each player rated in EA FC 26:

1. Kylian Mbappe — 91 rated (EA FC26: 91)
2. Erling Haaland — 91 rated (EA FC26: 90)
3. Rodri — 90 rated (EA FC26: 90)
4. Ousmane Dembele — 90 rated (EA FC26: 90)
5. Vitinha — 90 rated (EA FC26: 89)
6. Harry Kane — 90 rated (EA FC26: 89)
7. Michael Olise — 90 rated (EA FC26: 86)
8. Pedri — 90 rated (EA FC26: 89)
9. Lamine Yamal — 90 rated (EA FC26: 89)
10. Thibaut Courtois — 90 rated (EA FC26: 89)
11. Jude Bellingham — 90 rated (EA FC26: 90)
12. Gabriel Magalhaes — 89 rated (EA FC26: 88)
13. Gianluigi Donnarumma — 89 rated (EA FC26: 89)
14. Bruno Fernandes — 89 rated (EA FC26: 87)
15. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — 89 rated (EA FC26: 87)
16. Nuno Mendes — 89 rated (EA FC26: 86)
17. Willian Pacho — 89 rated (EA FC26: 86)
18. Lionel Messi — 89 rated (EA FC26: 86)
19. Vinicius Junior — 89 rated (EA FC26: 89)
20. Jan Oblak — 88 rated (EA FC26: 88)
21. Declan Rice — 88 rated (EA FC26: 87)
22. William Saliba — 88 rated (EA FC26: 87)
23. Virgil van Dijk — 88 rated (EA FC26: 90)
24. Achraf Hakimi — 88 rated (EA FC26: 89)
25. Joao Neves — 88 rated (EA FC26: 85)
26. Joshua Kimmich — 88 rated (EA FC26: 89)
27. Luis Diaz — 88 rated (EA FC26: 85)

With Rodri’s signing, Barcelona’s starting lineup is set to undergo significant tactical adjustments. Joao Cancelo can operate on both flanks, providing Hansi Flick with elite versatility on either side of the defense.

Cancelo requested that Al Hilal terminate his contract early, paving the way for his return to Barcelona. The Portuguese defender was determined to rejoin the Spanish side and expressed his delight about embarking on his second stint with the Blaugrana.

“We have a top team this season! I am finally where I wanted to be,” Cancelo said at his arrival to Barcelona. “I spent already one week training hard to be ready for Barca.”

Barcelona still await a striker

While the additions of Rodri, Joao Cancelo, Karim Adeyemi, and Anthony Gordon significantly bolster the squad, Barcelona currently lack a recognized natural central striker for the upcoming campaign.

Julian Alvarez remains the primary target, but Atletico Madrid are reluctant to entertain offers. Sporting CP’s Luis Suarez remains another candidate, though his release clause presents a major hurdle as options narrow.

Following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Barcelona continue to seek a suitable replacement. Hansi Flick could deploy Anthony Gordon down the middle, though the Englishman’s best performances have consistently come from the left wing.

As of today, the club are set to kick off their LaLiga campaign without a natural number nine. However, the front office are working endlessly to secure a center-forward and prevent Hansi Flick from needing to experiment with makeshift options.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s next game with Al Nassr is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, when they visit Al Diriyah for the Round of 32 in the 2026-27 King’s Cup at Al Awwal Park. However, the Portuguese star’s presence remains to be a major question as he has recently returned to the training sessions alongside his teammates.

The icon’s 2026-27 international campaign with Portugal following the 2026 World Cup is set to begin on Thursday, September 24, when they host Wales for Matchday 1 of the of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League. The forward’s last World Cup game came on July 6th, where Spain beat the Selecao in the Round of 16 with a narrow 1-0 win.

In the 2025-26 season, the Portuguese icon scored 30 goals and provided 4 assists in 37 games for Al Nassr, while netting 5 goals in 5 UEFA World Cup qualifiers and 3 in the 2026 World Cup for Portugal, with his personal account in 976 career goals.

Ronaldo faced long break due to FIFA schedule

After his stunning bicycle-kick goal against Al Khaleej, Cristiano Ronaldo was rested for Al Nassr’s midweek AFC Champions League Two match. But from that point forward, the Portuguese star endured a 24-day gap without competitive action, a result of the upcoming FIFA competition schedule.

From December 1 through 18, Qatar hosted the second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup, with the final between Morocco and Jordan played at Lusail Stadium, the same venue as the 2022 World Cup final.

With several Saudi Pro League players involved, including stars of the Saudi Arabian national team, clubs, including Al Nassr, were unable to meet domestic player requirements, forcing the SPL into a temporary pause during the tournament.

Lionel Messi’s next match with Inter Miami is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, when the Herons visit Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park for the 2026 MLS. The Argentine star heads to the game after missing a penalty in the 4-1 defeat against Nashville SC.

As for his next game with Argentina, there is no game scheduled yet, but the next matchups will be in the upcoming extended international break in September-October. Still, his continuity at the helm of the Albiceleste remains a question since he hasn’t spoken after the 2026 World Cup final over his future.

During the World Cup, Messi featured in all eight matches for Argentina scoring eigth goals to cement his legacy as the second all-time top scorer in the torunament with 21 career World Cup goals. As for the 2026 MLS campaign, Messi has featured in 16 official matches so far across all competitions for Inter Miami, scoring 13 goals with 7 assist registered thus far.

Lionel Messi and the task of defending the World Cup title

The year 2026 will be especially significant for Messi, not only because of Inter Miami’s ambitions but also because he’ll head into the 2026 World Cup aiming to defend the title. The triumph in Qatar in 2022 marked one of the defining peaks of his career, and now in North America he’ll enter another tournament wearing the champions’ badge for the first time.

Drawn into Group J, Argentina will open its campaign against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium. The second match will be against Austria on Monday the 22nd in Arlington at AT&T Stadium, before closing the group stage against Jordan on Saturday the 27th, also in Texas.

The Argentina FA has announced that the national team will base itself in Kansas City during the tournament, though training facilities have yet to be confirmed. Expected to be his final World Cup appearance, Messi will have a chance to add to his record haul with a squad coached by Lionel Scaloni that remains one of the strongest in international soccer after winning the last World Cup and back-to-back Copa América titles.

In an interview with Vogue magazine released on Sunday, Ronaldo offered a direct update regarding his playing future: “This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy. I have my future all mapped out. I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard. Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one.“

The legendary forward also noted that he wants to “have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel,” and enjoy the rewards of his legendary career. In the meantime, this final lap presents one last opportunity to expand his trophy collection before he decides to officially hang up his boots.

Ronaldo to hunt Al Nassr success

After ending their trophy drought last season, Al Nassr are set to make another major push for the Saudi Pro League title. Ronaldo captured the crown under former manager Jorge Jesus, marking Al Nassr’s first league championship since 2019, and with new manager Ange Postecoglou now in charge, the domestic title stands as one of the premier targets on the calendar leading up to the final matchday on May 29, 2027.

Another trophy Al Nassr will be chasing is the King’s Cup, Saudi Arabia’s premier domestic cup tournament. Ronaldo’s side will face Al Draih in the round of 32 on Tuesday, August 18, and while his participation remains unconfirmed, fans hope the Portuguese icon returns to the pitch to help secure passage to the next round ahead of the May 2027 final.

Thanks to their strong domestic performance last season, Al Nassr have also qualified for the 2026-27 Saudi Super Cup, with the semifinals and final scheduled to take place from November 30 to December 4, 2026. Ronaldo’s club will compete alongside Al Ahli, Al Qadsiah, and Al Kholood for the title, a tournament Ronaldo has featured in four times previously, suffering two semifinal eliminations and two final defeats.

Finally, Al Nassr’s ultimate crowning objective for the 2026-27 campaign is the AFC Champions League Elite, Asia’s premier club competition. Ronaldo’s side missed out on the top continental tournament last year, but after finishing atop the SPL table, winning an inaugural Asian continental title remains the defining goal for Al Nassr, whose best historical finish was a runner-up performance in 1996.

Ronaldo and the chance for one more title with Portugal

Despite producing generations of legendary talent like Eusebio, Luis Figo, Rui Costa, and Pauleta, Portugal captured their first senior international trophies during the Cristiano Ronaldo era, raising their overall count to three. While Ronaldo would miss the 2028 European Championship in the UK and Ireland if he retires at the end of the season, he still has an opportunity to lift one final trophy with the Selecao.

Following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, Portugal are set to compete in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League. Drawn into Group A in League A, the Selecao will play three home and three away matches against Denmark, Norway, and Wales.

During an extended international window spanning late September and early October, Portugal will host Wales on September 24 before traveling to face Norway on September 27 and Denmark on October 1, culminating in a home rematch against Norway on October 4. The group stage will conclude in November, with Portugal hosting Denmark on November 14 and visiting Wales on November 17.

A top-two finish in the group will secure Portugal a spot in the quarterfinals in March 2027, with the Final Four semifinals scheduled for June 9 and the final on June 13. Having already won the Nations League in 2019 and 2025, Ronaldo will aim to defend the title in what could be his final tournament appearance for Portugal.

After Andy Najar put Nashville ahead in the 17th minute off an accurate cross from Elias Saad, Inter Miami pressed aggressively for an immediate equalizer. Following a lofted pass over the defense from Casemiro, Luis Suarez controlled the ball, cut back onto his left foot, and was brought down in the box by Jeisson Palacios after a mistimed tackle in the 22nd minute.

Messi stepped up to the spot, using a stutter-step approach to try and freeze Brian Schwake. Though the goalkeeper committed early and dived to his right, Schwake managed to stick out his legs and make the save. Sergio Reguilon pounced on the rebound and slotted it into the back of the net, but the goal was quickly disallowed due to encroaching into the penalty area.

Failing to convert from the spot against Nashville extends Messi’s current slide to three straight misses from 12 yards out. Saturday’s failure was also his second missed penalty in an Inter Miami shirt, with the first occurring back in September 2025 during a 3-0 regular-season defeat against Charlotte FC.

The penalty miss against Nashville highlights a rare dip in execution for the Argentine legend when facing opposing goalkeepers from the spot. During the 2026 World Cup with Argentina, he dragged a penalty wide in a group-stage match against Austria, and had another attempt saved by Mostafa Shobeir in a round of 16 clash against Egypt, bringing his total to three straight failures.

Despite the recent slump, Messi remains one of the premier dead-ball technicians in modern soccer history. Across 149 career penalty attempts for club and country, the forward has converted 114 times while missing 35, maintaining a respectable 76.5% conversion rate.

When did Messi last miss three consecutive penalties?

As the captain and primary penalty taker for both Inter Miami and Argentina, Messi naturally carries the responsibility whenever a spot kick is awarded. While this three-match slump is an unusual sight, it is not the first time he has endured a cold stretch from the spot.

The only other time Lionel Messi missed three consecutive penalties was back in 2014 while playing for FC Barcelona and Argentina. That run began in an April 2014 match against Real Betis, where Antonio Adan saved a late attempt in the 86th minute. His next miss came that September in a 5-0 win over Levante UD when he fired completely wide, followed by an October friendly with Argentina where Brazil goalkeeper Jefferson stopped his 40th-minute effort.

Messi ultimately snapped that 2014 drought in November during an international friendly against Croatia at Boleyn Ground, converting from the spot to secure a 2-1 victory. Inter Miami return to action next Wednesday against the Philadelphia Union, where Messi will look to end his current drought or risk setting an unprecedented personal low.

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Manchester City have agreed to a package worth up to 76.5 million euros ($87.8M USD) for Rodri to complete his move to Barcelona. The Spanish midfielder, who was entering the final year of his contract with the Sky Blues, will sign a long-term deal keeping him at the Catalan club through June 2030.

The deal consists of a guaranteed base fee of 60 million euros ($65.8M USD), with the remaining 16.5 million euros structured in performance-based add-ons. The Athletic reports that 11 million euros of those incentives are considered easily achievable, giving Manchester City full confidence in recouping at least 71.5 million euros from the transaction.

Barcelona have held a long-standing interest in Rodri and accelerated negotiations once the midfielder made it clear he preferred a move to the Camp Nou over competing interest from Real Madrid. After being left out of Manchester City’s squad for the FA Community Shield against Arsenal, travel arrangements and medical examinations are now being finalized to officially complete the transfer.

How does Rodri fit in Barcelona?

Barcelona have previously struggled to establish a firm identity during brief coaching tenures under Quique Setien and Ronald Koeman, though Xavi Hernandez brought initial structural stability. However, since Hansi Flick took charge and Lamine Yamal emerged as a generational superstar, the Blaugrana have re-established themselves as one of Europe’s most formidable attacking forces.

Bringing tactical principles refined during his time at Bayern Munich and the Germany national team, Flick introduced a far more direct, vertical playing style while preserving Barcelona’s traditional possession-based roots. However, that high-octane verticality often proved to be a double-edged sword, leaving the back line vulnerable whenever an opponent bypassed the team’s high press.

This dynamic produced several chaotic, high-scoring affairs, including a 7-2 win over Newcastle United, a 3-3 draw against Club Brugge, a 5-4 thriller over Benfica, and a wild 7-6 aggregate semifinals series against Inter Milan in 2024-25. While thrilling for neutral observers, those frantic games revealed a lingering tactical imbalance despite Barcelona remaining committed to their press and high defensive line.

That aggressive approach, while effective domestically, exposed vulnerabilities in Flick’s pursuit of European silverware. By adding Rodri to the midfield engine room, the German manager gains a elite defensive anchor capable of dictating tempo rather than forcing rapid transitions, providing vital structural balance through his world-class distribution and defensive positioning.

Projected lineup for Barcelona with Rodri’s arrival

With Rodri’s arrival, Barcelona’s starting defensive unit is expected to remain largely intact. Joan Garcia will start in goal, flanked by Jules Kounde at right back, Alejandro Balde at left back, and the tandem of Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin operating at center back.

In midfield, Rodri and Pedri are projected to form a double pivot, albeit with distinctly complementary responsibilities. Operating as the deep-lying playmaker, Rodri will drop between the center backs to anchor the build-up phase, unlocking Pedri to advance into a traditional No. 8 role where he can dribble and feed line-breaking passes to the front line.

With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres no longer in the squad and a deal for Julian Alvarez still far from completion, Barcelona currently lack a recognized central striker. Based on their recent friendly against FC Basel, Flick could deploy Lamine Yamal on the right wing and new signing Anthony Gordon on the left, with Dani Olmo in the No. 10 role and Raphinha operating as a false nine.

Ousmane Dembele will start on the bench against Lens as part of a tactical and fitness decision by manager Luis Enrique. Since the French winger was among the final group of players to report back to pre-season training following the 2026 World Cup, the Spanish manager opted to limit his workload and manage his minutes to avoid unnecessary injury risks early in the campaign.

Instead, Maghnes Akliouche gets the start in Dembele’s place in the attack. The former AS Monaco winger will occupy the central position, while Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue will be operating down the left and right flank respectively, much like PSG’s lineup was in Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup victory.

Meanwhile, Joao Neves was left out of the squad list entirely for the Trophee des Champions clash. In this instance, Luis Enrique chose to give the Portuguese midfielder a complete rest following his 75-minute workload in the UEFA Super Cup, though the player is not dealing with any structural or serious injury.

With Vitinha serving as the central anchor in midfield, the Portuguese international will be flanked by Warren Zaire-Emery and Brazilian Lucas Beraldo. Fabian Ruiz, who featured in the 2026 World Cup final for Spain, will begin the match on the substitute bench awaiting his opportunity.

Confirmed lineups for PSG and RC Lens

PSG’s confirmed lineup (4-3-3): Matvey Safonovl Achraf hakimi, Ilya Zabarnyi, William Pacho, Lucas Digne; Warren Zaire-Emery, Lucas Beraldo, Vitinha; Desire Doue, Maghnes Akliouche, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Head coach: Luis Enrique.

RC Lens’s confirmed lineup (3-4-2-1): Robin Risser; Kyllian Antonio, Ismaelo Ganiou, Maik Nawrocki; Saud Abdulhamid, Michael Cuisance, Yassine Titraoui, Matthieu Udoi; Florian Thauvin, Franjo Ivanovic; Abdallah Sima.
Head coach: Dino Toppmoller.

As reported by The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, Juventus have submitted a formal bid for “Dibu” Martinez worth 7 million euros up front plus 3 million euros in team performance incentives ($7.7M + $3.3M USD). The total package approaches the guaranteed 10 million euro fee ($11M USD) Aston Villa have been seeking to let the Argentine international depart.

Juventus initially registered interest in the 33-year-old shot-stopper before the 2026 World Cup, but negotiations stalled in early August when the Italian side deemed Villa’s 10 million euro asking price too steep. However, talks have reignited two weeks later, with personal terms between Martinez and the Serie A club not expected to pose any obstacle.

With Martinez edging toward the exit, Aston Villa shifted their primary focus to completing a deal for Zion Suzuki. The Japanese goalkeeper was in advanced negotiations with PSG before talks with Parma broke down, clearing the path for Aston Villa to swoop in.

According to The Athletic, Aston Villa and Parma reached a full agreement on Sunday for Suzuki’s transfer. The 23-year-old goalkeeper, who delivered a standout performance at the 2026 World Cup, is set to join the Premier League club for an initial fee of 30 million euros plus 5 million in add-ons ($33M + $5.5M USD), signing a five-year deal through 2031.

Why did Suzuki’s deal with PSG collapse?

At just 23 years old, Suzuki emerged as a key reason Parma avoided relegation from Serie A before carrying that form to the 2026 World Cup with Japan. His international displays caught the eye of top European clubs, with PSG aggressively pursuing his signature to the point of nearly finalizing a transfer.

Following their UEFA Super Cup victory, PSG were actively working to close multiple summer deals, including Ferran Torres, Mika Godts, and Suzuki. However, on Saturday, a chartered plane sent to Parma returned empty after the French champions abruptly decided to pull out of the deal.

According to L’Equipe, Suzuki’s agency presented last-minute demands, including a 5 million euro commission fee, a contractual guarantee that he would become the team’s starting goalkeeper by 2027, and an option for an exclusive loan move to a Champions League club. While PSG agreed to certain terms, they balked at submitting to the agents’ escalating pressure, causing the entire transaction to implode despite a prior club-to-club agreement with Parma.

Following a challenging 2026 FIFA World Cup with Portugal, Ronaldo clarified that he would not participate in the 2030 tournament as an active player, reaffirming that 2026 marked his final international competition.  

Speaking to Vogue, Ronaldo stated that the 2026–27 season with Al-Nassr will likely mark the conclusion of his career. “This is probably my last year of football. I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” he revealed.  

Cristiano Ronaldo aims to finish career on a high note

After a 2026 World Cup in which Portugal fell short in the knockout stage, Ronaldo is focused on solidifying his achievements with Al-Nassr. He aims to secure silverware in Saudi Arabia while pursuing the historic 1,000 career goals milestone.

During the 2030 World Cup, Ronaldo will be 45 years old. While his physical fitness remains exceptional, he recognized that competing at the international level requires immense physical sacrifice, leading him to plan his retirement at the conclusion of his current club campaign.

The match referee tasked with officiating the 2026 Community Shield is Samuel Barrott. The 33-year-old official has made a rapid rise through the English ranks, taking charge of Premier League fixtures since 2024 and joining the official FIFA refereeing list in 2025.

The 2026 Community Shield will mark the third major final of Barrott’s career. The English referee previously officiated the 2023-24 EFL League One Playoff Final between Bolton Wanderers and Oxford United (a 2-0 Oxford victory), and most recently handled the UEFA U19 EURO Final between Spain and Germany (a 2-0 win for Spain).

Barrott will lead the crew on the pitch alongside assistant referees Craig Taylor and Blake Antrobus, with Farai Hallam serving as the fourth official on the touchline. The Community Shield final will feature full VAR implementation, led by lead VAR official James Bell and assistant VAR Tim Wood.

Complete list of match officials

• Referee: Sam Barrott
• 1st assistant: Craig Taylor
• 2nd assistant Blake Antrobus
• 4th Official: Farai Hallam
• Reserve Assistant Referee: Alistair Nelson
• VAR: James Bell
• AVAR: Tim Wood

Barrott’s record with Arsenal and Manchester City

Sam Barrott made his Premier League officiating debut back in October 2023 during a fixture between Fulham and Sheffield United at Craven Cottage that ended in a 3-1 win for the host side. Since then, he has overseen several high-profile matches involving both Man City and Arsenal across top-flight English soccer and domestic cup competitions.

When overseeing the Citizens, Barrott has officiated six matches, including four in the Premier League, one in the Carabao Cup, and one in the FA Cup. His most recent Man City fixture was an FA Cup round of 16 clash against Newcastle United, which ended in a 3-1 victory for Pep Guardiola’s side. In those six matches under Barrott, Man City hold a 4-2 record while outscoring opponents 16-6.

Arsenal hold an even stronger mark under Barrott’s whistle, boasting nine wins and just one defeat across 10 matches. However, that single loss came in a major fixture, the 2025-26 FA Cup quarterfinal, where second-tier Southampton eliminated the Gunners 2-1. His most recent Arsenal match was a Premier League tilt that ended in a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United.

This year’s edition will be played at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, marking the first time the fixture has been staged there in 20 years. The 74,500-capacity venue steps in as host for a match that has called Wembley home in all but a handful of editions since 2007.

The two sides arrive with plenty of history in this competition. Arsenal have won all three of their previous meetings against City in the Community Shield — in 1934, 2014 and most recently in 2023, when the Gunners prevailed 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Manchester City, meanwhile, head into the match under new manager Enzo Maresca, who officially took over this summer as the club begins life after Pep Guardiola.

Both squads are expected to field a mix of first-team regulars and players easing back in following extended World Cup breaks, as they look to kick off the new season with silverware already on the line.

Why the match isn’t being played at Wembley

The Community Shield has been held at Wembley every year since 2007, with only a couple of exceptions, but this year’s edition had to find a new home.

According to organizers, Wembley Stadium is unavailable due to a pre-scheduled run of concerts by The Weeknd, forcing the FA to relocate the match to Principality Stadium in Cardiff — the same venue that hosted the fixture the last time it left Wembley two decades ago.

Arsenal qualified as reigning Premier League champions after their title-winning campaign last season, while City earned their place by winning the FA Cup in May, beating Chelsea at Wembley for their eighth FA Cup title in club history.

Recent history slightly favors City in this particular fixture, with two wins in the last five head-to-head meetings between the sides. Arsenal, however, hold the more recent edge in the Community Shield specifically, having won the last time these two clubs met in this exact competition back in 2023, on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Both sides arrive with contrasting preseason form. Arsenal posted a mixed 2-2-1 record in their warm-up matches, including defeats to Real Betis and Borussia Dortmund, though they did beat Girona 4-1. City, meanwhile, looked sharper in their own preparation, beating Atlético Madrid 3-1 in their final tune-up, with Omar Marmoush scoring twice in that win.

What happens if Manchester City beat Arsenal

A win would hand Maresca a trophy in his very first match at the helm, giving City an ideal start to the new era and a psychological edge heading into the Premier League season opener. It would also snap Arsenal’s recent run of success in this exact fixture, avenging their 2023 Community Shield defeat to the Gunners.

What happens if Manchester City and Arsenal draw

The Community Shield doesn’t allow for extra time. Any match still level after 90 minutes goes straight to a penalty shootout to determine the winner, with both teams still credited with a draw on the official record despite one side lifting the trophy.

What happens if Manchester City lose to Arsenal

A loss would see Arsenal successfully defend the Community Shield and continue their recent dominance over City in this fixture, while also handing Maresca a defeat in his first game in charge — an inauspicious start to his tenure, even if the Community Shield itself carries more symbolic weight than competitive significance heading into the new season.

In English soccer, Wembley Stadium stands as the country’s ultimate cathedral, serving as the home pitch for both the men’s and women’s national teams while hosting the biggest domestic fixtures on the calendar. From lower-division promotion playoff finals to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup showpieces, Wembley has also consistently hosted the Community Shield in recent years.

The fixture brings together the reigning Premier League champions and FA Cup winners from the previous campaign to battle in England’s equivalent of a super cup. Situated in London, Wembley typically provides an ideal neutral venue for traveling supporters, though 2026 will mark a rare departure from that setup.

The 2026 Community Shield will not take place at Wembley Stadium because Canadian pop superstar The Weeknd is scheduled to perform his “After Hours til Dawn” tour at the venue on the exact same day. With the stadium booked and configured for a massive concert, hosting both events simultaneously was impossible, forcing the FA to relocate the match.

Where is the 2026 FA Community Shield being held?

Forced away from Wembley, the 2026 Community Shield will actually take place outside of England, heading west into Wales. The clash between Arsenal and Manchester City will instead be hosted at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, a venue capable of holding 74,500 fans.

This marks only the third time since 2007 that the Community Shield has moved away from London, and the first time it returns to Wales since 2006. Between 2001 and 2006, while the original Wembley Stadium was being demolished and rebuilt, the fixture was held at Principality Stadium for six consecutive years, making this a 20-year anniversary return to the Welsh capital.

Other venues have also held the Community Shield

First established in 1908 as the Charity Shield, the competition did not make Wembley its permanent host venue until 1974. In the decades prior, historic grounds such as Stamford Bridge, Highbury, White Hart Lane, Old Trafford, Maine Road, The Den, Molineux, and Filbert Street all played host to the annual season opener.

Since the new Wembley Stadium opened its gates in 2007, only three editions of the Community Shield have been moved elsewhere. Villa Park hosted the 2012 match while Wembley served as a venue for the London Olympics, Leicester City’s King Power Stadium hosted in 2022 due to the UEFA Women’s Euro final, and now Cardiff steps in for 2026 due to concert scheduling.

Speaking after the match, Costa reflected on the win and made a point of including Ronaldo in his praise, despite the Portuguese superstar not featuring in the squad. “A good start. We worked hard and deserved the three points. I dedicate the victory to my family, my teammates, and Cristiano Ronaldo,” Costa said.

Ronaldo’s absence from the matchday squad was a deliberate call by new head coach Ange Postecoglou, who only recently took charge at Al Nassr. Ronaldo had rejoined training just two days before the match, having spent recent weeks away from the squad following his marriage to Georgina Rodriguez.

With Ronaldo sidelined for the opener, it was Angelo, Costa and Felix who stepped up to deliver the win, giving Postecoglou an encouraging start to his tenure in Riyadh. All eyes will now turn to when Ronaldo is expected to make his own season debut for the club.

Ronaldo eyeing return for matchday 2

It was to be expected that Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn’t feature at the start of Al Nassr‘s 2026-27 Saudi Pro League campaign, having missed every training session with the squad and sat out the entire preseason.

According to reports out of Saudi Arabia, the captain is also expected to miss Al Nassr’s King Champions Cup opener against Diriyah Club on August 18, with his return now targeted for matchday 2 of the Saudi Pro League against Al Riyadh on August 21.

The 35-year-old right-back’s comments came just weeks after England’s heartbreaking 2026 World Cup semifinal exit to Argentina, a result that once again put Messi’s brilliance on full display against one of the tournament’s toughest defenses.

For Trippier, the challenge of marking Messi is unlike anything else in the game. The Argentine’s ability to seemingly disappear from a match for long stretches before suddenly deciding it in the blink of an eye is what makes him so uniquely difficult to contain.

“He can walk for 60 minutes but then score a hat-trick. That’s his magic,” Trippier told The Guardian, summing up the unpredictable threat Messi poses even when he appears disengaged from the run of play.

Trippier credits Simeone’s approach

Trippier also drew on his extensive experience facing Messi during his time at Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone, crediting his former manager’s tactical setups for helping neutralize the Argentine on multiple occasions.

“I’ve been in that situation many times with Simeone; I could name 30 matches where he’s done it and we’ve come through. That’s typical Simeone. He’s a master of tricks and winning matches. We were against one of the best players in history who can change everything in two seconds,” he said about the Argentine coach.

Trippier’s rivalry with Messi

Trippier’s history with Messi spans two different stages of his career. He first faced the Argentine while at Tottenham, starting in Spurs’ 2-4 Champions League defeat to Barcelona at Wembley in October 2018 — a night Messi capped with a brace — before the two sides met again in the reverse fixture in Barcelona.

Trippier’s battles with Messi continued after his move to Atletico Madrid, where he faced him repeatedly in LaLiga under Simeone, meetings he says numbered into the dozens.

The Argentine World Cup winner remains one of several names on Juventus‘ shortlist, alongside Ederson and Guglielmo Vicario, as the club weighs its options between the posts.

While Juventus keep monitoring the situation, Aston Villa are already working on a plan to replace Martinez if he were to leave. After a proposed move for Zion Suzuki to Paris Saint-Germain collapsed, Villa moved quickly and opened formal talks with Parma over the Japan international goalkeeper.

According to Romano, Aston Villa are prepared to match the package PSG had previously offered for Suzuki — a deal worth around €35 million plus a long-term contract — as talks between the two clubs continue.

Nothing is close to being finalized on either front, but the pieces are starting to move: Juventus keeping tabs on Martinez, and Villa lining up a possible successor in Suzuki, could set the stage for a busy few weeks in the goalkeeper market.

Martinez out from Aston Villa’s previous games

Amid swirling speculation over a potential exit, the Argentine goalkeeper has yet to feature for Aston Villa since returning to the squad, fueling further questions about his long-term future at the club.

Martinez was absent for Villa’s 2-1 defeat to PSG in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup on August 12, and was also left out of the matchday squad for the pre-season friendly against Borussia Mönchengladbach, which Villa also lost 2-1. Marco Bizot started in goal in both matches.

However, according to manager Unai Emery, the decision to leave Martinez out has nothing to do with other matters — it’s purely about rest. The goalkeeper wrapped up his 2026 World Cup campaign with Argentina on July 19, and the Spanish coach has since granted him an extended break.

Heading into the week, head coach Guillermo Hoyos had declined to confirm Messi’s availability, citing the emotional toll following the passing of Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, and stressing that any return would need to happen gradually.

With Messi now projected in the starting XI, it appears he’s ready to take on a bigger role again as the club navigates one of its most important stretches of the season.

The stakes are significant for both sides. Nashville currently sit atop the Eastern Conference in the Supporters’ Shield race, with Miami chasing close behind, making this one of the most important regular-season matchups left on the calendar for both clubs.

Kickoff is set for 07:30 p.m. ET at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee, with both sides fielding strong lineups as they push for positioning down the stretch of the regular season.

Inter Miami’s projected lineup

With Messi back in the fold after his cameo against León, Hoyos is expected to reshuffle his attack around the captain once again, while continuing to manage his overall workload following the recent loss of his father.

Inter Miami’s projected starting XI: Ríos Novo; Fray, Caicedo, Micael, Allen; Bright, Casemiro, De Paul, Segovia; Messi, Suárez.

Nashville SC’s projected lineup

Nashville, meanwhile, will look to protect their spot atop the Eastern Conference standings, fielding a lineup built around the attacking partnership of Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge that has carried them for much of the season.

Nashville SC’s projected starting XI: Schwake; Najar, Woledzi, Palacios, Lovitz; Acosta, Tagseth, Mohammed; Espinoza, Mukhtar, Surridge.

Match Overview

Cristiano Ronaldo debuts in the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season following a demanding summer with Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Al Nassr will try to defend their title, but the Saudi Pro League has proven to be fiercely competitive and every point counts—which is why a victory against Al Fateh is vital to start the campaign with confidence.  

Speaking ahead of City’s friendly clash with Atlético Madrid, the Italian coach said: “He is a player from another club and I don’t think it’s correct to talk about other players“.

Pressed further on whether City would get a deal done before Chelsea‘s deadline on Friday, Maresca offered little reassurance: “Not today to be honest, I don’t think we’re going to do something today.”

According to Fabrizio Romano, that caution proved well-founded. Chelsea did not receive any official bid for Fernández before their own deadline passed, and the club has since informed the player’s camp that the £120 million verbal exit clause is now off the table. Chelsea are said to consider Fernández no longer available at that figure and remain happy to continue with him as part of their squad.

The update marks a significant shift in the saga. What looked like a live pursuit just days earlier, with City maintaining regular dialogue with Fernández’s representatives, now appears to have stalled at the finish line, with Chelsea moving to shut the door on any deal at the previously agreed price.

Maresca also addresses Rodri’s situation

Maresca was also asked about Rodri’s ongoing transfer saga with Barcelona, offering a similarly guarded response. “I’ve just seen Rodri now in the building, I gave him a big hug. He looks good. So, we’ll see what happens,” he said, stopping short of confirming whether the Spanish midfielder remains part of his plans going forward.

According to The Independent, City have grown “baffled and frustrated” by Barcelona’s approach to the negotiation, with the Catalan club’s £60 million bid falling well short of City’s own £70 million valuation of the World Cup winner.

That gap appears to be narrowing, though. According to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are set to submit a third bid for Rodri, this time proposing a fee roughly halfway between €60 million and City’s €80 million valuation. Both Barcelona and Rodri’s camp are reportedly confident an agreement can still be reached with City, with talks now described as underway.

Messi featured for the second half of Miami’s Leagues Cup elimination loss to Club León earlier in the week, just days after returning from Rosario following the passing of his father, Jorge Messi.

Asked about Messi’s situation, Hoyos said: “I think Leo’s situation needs to keep developing little by little because there’s a lot of pain there. This isn’t something that happens from one day to the next. So I think silence, calm and peace are what’s best, and for him to find his own moments“.

He continued, offering a personal reflection on Messi beyond the football side of things: “We have to support him always within that silence, which for me is an ally so he can come out of this. But he truly is a wonderful human being with a wonderful family. I want to make that very clear, because people like that aren’t common in this world”.

With the club continuing to give Messi space to process his grief, Hoyos made clear that the final call ultimately belongs to the player himself rather than the coaching staff, framing his own role as one of support rather than pressure as Miami waits to see whether their captain feels ready to return to the starting lineup.

Inter Miami’s next matches

Beyond Saturday’s clash with Nashville, Miami‘s schedule doesn’t slow down. The club travels to face Philadelphia Union on August 19, before returning home to host Toronto FC on August 22 and CF Montréal on August 29, all crucial fixtures as Miami continues its push in both the MLS table and the Supporters’ Shield race.

September brings even more on the calendar, starting with a home date against Atlanta United on September 5, followed by the highly anticipated Campeones Cup clash against Cruz Azul on September 16 — giving Messi and company a packed stretch of games to navigate as the club balances his gradual return with a schedule that offers little room to slow down.

The situation with Álvarez remains complicated. Atlético have set his release clause at €500 million and have shown no willingness to negotiate below that figure, even as tension continues to build between the player and manager Diego Simeone over his desire to leave. With that deal still far from resolved, Barcelona are said to be exploring alternatives to avoid being left without reinforcements up front.

Suárez, a 28-year-old Colombian forward, joined Sporting from Almería in the summer of 2025 and carries a considerably more modest release clause of €80 million — a price Barcelona view as fair for a player coming off one of the most productive seasons of any striker in Europe.

For now, Álvarez remains Barcelona’s clear priority, particularly with Robert Lewandowski’s departure to MLS and Ferran Torres’ move to PSG both freeing up space up front. But with Suárez now on their radar as insurance, Barcelona appear determined not to let their attacking plans hinge entirely on Atlético’s willingness to negotiate.

Adding another layer to the situation, Arsenal have also refused to step away from the race for Álvarez, positioning themselves through sporting director Andrea Berta — a former Atlético executive — to move quickly if Barcelona’s pursuit ultimately collapses.

Suárez’s standout season in Portugal

Suárez’s rise has been built on an extraordinary debut campaign in Portugal. He finished the 2025-26 season with 38 goals in all competitions, including 28 in the league alone, claiming the Primeira Liga’s Golden Boot and a spot on the league’s Team of the Season.

That form carried him into Colombia’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, though his tournament didn’t mirror his club success. Suárez went scoreless throughout the entire tournament, as Colombia advanced all the way to the Round of 16 before falling to Switzerland on penalties.

The three still in play are the Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular-season record across MLS; the MLS Cup, the league’s postseason championship; and the Campeones Cup, a one-off match against Liga MX’s top club.

Miami currently sits second in the Eastern Conference, keeping their Supporters’ Shield hopes alive, while the MLS Cup remains the clearest path to reclaiming the trophy they won a year ago.

The Campeones Cup, meanwhile, is already locked in. As the defending MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami automatically qualify for the matchup regardless of how the rest of their season plays out, and they’re set to host Cruz Azul on September 16 in Miami for a shot at continental bragging rights.

The Leagues Cup blow marks the second cup competition Miami have exited early this year, following their Concacaf Champions Cup elimination back in March at the hands of Nashville on away goals.

Messi’s trophy haul with Inter Miami so far

Since arriving in Miami, Messi has already added three trophies to his collection with the club. It started with the 2023 Leagues Cup, his first piece of silverware in MLS, followed by the 2024 Supporters’ Shield as Inter Miami claimed the league’s best regular-season record.

Last year brought the biggest prize yet: the 2025 MLS Cup, a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in which Messi didn’t score but set up both of Miami’s second-half goals.

That MLS Cup triumph was a landmark moment beyond the club itself — it stood as Messi’s world-record 47th trophy across club and country, extending his stake as the most decorated player in the history of the sport. With three more titles still up for grabs this season, Messi has a real chance to add to that number before 2026 is through.

After arriving at PSG from AS Roma in July 2013, Marquinhos joined the club at the dawn of their era of domestic dominance. Now serving as team captain at 32 years old, the Brazilian center back has secured two UEFA Champions League titles and two UEFA Super Cup trophies following Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

By lifting the European trophy, Marquinhos raised his career total to 44 professional titles. The defender won the 2012 Copa Libertadores with Corinthians, along with the South American U-17 Championship, the 2019 Copa America, and an Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Games with the Brazil national team, while earning the rest of his silverware in the French capital.

With his total at PSG climbing to 40, Marquinhos has now won more trophies with a single club than any other player in history. The Super Cup victory allowed him to break the previous record held by legend Hossam Ashour, who won 39 titles with Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly.

Marquinhos’ trophy breakdown

Including the South American U-17 Championship with Brazil, Marquinhos’ trophy cabinet breaks down as follows:

• Ligue 1: 11
• Trophee des Champions / French Super Cup: 10
• Coupe de France: 8
• Coupe de la Ligue: 6
• UEFA Champions League: 2
• UEFA Super Cup: 2
• FIFA Intercontinental Cup: 1
• Copa Libertadores: 1
• Copa America: 1
• Olympic Games: 1
• South American U-17 Championship: 1

How far is Messi from Marquinhos?

Marquinhos has already locked down the number two spot on the all-time list, passing countryman Dani Alves, who retired with 42 career titles. Unlike the former right back, Lionel Messi remains active, but his ultimate record is facing a real threat of being matched or even broken in the near future.

At present, Lionel Messi leads all players with 48 official career titles. The Argentine star reached that milestone by capturing 35 trophies with FC Barcelona, three with PSG, three with Inter Miami, and seven with the Argentina national team, including his 2008 Olympic gold medal and the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup title.

With Inter Miami eliminated from both the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Leagues Cup, Messi can contend for a maximum of two trophies in 2026: the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup. Marquinhos, meanwhile, can narrow the gap as early as this weekend, when PSG face RC Lens in the 2026 Trophee des Champions.

According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Reijnders has agreed to join Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah after the two clubs reached a full agreement on the transfer fee. The midfielder did not participate in Thursday’s training session and is now expected to receive clearance to fly to Saudi Arabia for medical tests.

Reijnders joined Man City last summer after being named the 2024-25 Serie A Midfielder of the Year with AC Milan, commanding a 55 million euro ($60.5M USD) fee. After struggling to replicate that top form in England, the club are now set to receive 61 million euros ($67.1M USD) from Al Qadsiah, netting a 6 million euro profit after just one season.

At that reported fee, Reijnders is set to become the fifth most expensive signing in Saudi Pro League history. He will leapfrog the 60 million euros Al Ittihad paid Aston Villa for French winger Moussa Diaby in 2024, falling just short of breaking into the top three.

Top 5 most expensive SPL signings

According to Transfermarkt, and taking into account the completion of Reijnders’ deal, the top 5 most expensive signings of the Saudi Pro League are the following:

Reijnders’ exit clears path for Enzo Fernandez

Pep Guardiola’s departure as manager has triggered a domino effect across the squad, particularly in midfield with Bernardo Silva heading to Real Madrid, Rodri in ongoing talks with FC Barcelona, and now Reijnders moving on. In Reijnders’ case, his sale will help fund Man City’s primary summer target, Enzo Fernandez.

Argentine transfer insider Cesar Luis Merlo reports that Manchester City have submitted a 120 million euro ($132M USD) offer to Chelsea for Fernandez. However, that figure remains below the price tag set by the London club.

According to The Athletic and Ben Jacobs, Chelsea have set a deadline of 5:00 p.m. local time on Friday (12:00 p.m. ET) for Manchester City to meet their valuation, insisting on a minimum of 120 million pounds ($162M USD) for the Argentina international. If the Manchester club fail to match that number before the deadline, Fernandez will remain at Stamford Bridge for at least another season.

The Sky Blues have already wrapped up a 135 million euro ($148.5M USD) deal for Elliot Anderson, while 18-year-old young talent Ayyoub Bouaddi is positioned as Rodri’s long-term successor in a move reported by David Ornstein to be worth around 100 million euros ($110M USD). With two holding midfielders securing the engine room, Fernandez would provide the late-arriving box threat and final-third magic City currently lack, and his strong working relationship with manager Enzo Maresca could prove decisive in closing the deal.

Last season, Jorge Jesus was appointed by Al Nassr to snap a multi-year silverware drought, ultimately guiding the club to a Saudi Pro League title. With Jesus now taking charge of the Portugal national team, Postecoglou was brought in as his replacement, tasked with maintaining that championship momentum.

Speaking at Thursday’s press conference at the Dar Al Nassr training complex, Postecoglou was asked about the road ahead following a demanding preseason in which Al Nassr posted a 1-3 record: “When we spoke about the challenges, we were aware that there were different circumstances and challenges, but whatever the circumstances, we have to deal with them and prepare well.“

While he stopped short of guaranteeing trophies, the new Al Nassr boss made no secret of his ambition for his debut campaign in Saudi Arabia. “Of course, I do not promise anything, and I have always achieved something in my first season,” he said. “The matter is simply that wherever I go, I love to achieve success,” he added.

Unlike last season, Al Nassr will be competing in the AFC Champions League Elite, Asia’s premier continental tournament, alongside their domestic duties in the Saudi Pro League, the King’s Cup, and the Saudi Super Cup. Ronaldo’s side missed out on the top competition last year, finishing as runners-up in the AFC Champions League Two, but punched their ticket back to the elite tier by winning the SPL title.

Postecoglou and his second-season pedigree

Under contract through June 2028, Postecoglou’s tenure with the Saudi club extends beyond Ronaldo’s current deal, which runs through June 2027. However, much of the Australian manager’s famed track record has come during his second years in charge, a pattern he readily acknowledges.

During his time at Tottenham Hotspur, he famously declared, “I always win things in my second year. Nothing has changed. I don’t say things unless I believe them,” a claim that has consistently held up. That history of second-year triumphs spans stops at South Melbourne, Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F. Marinos, Celtic, and Tottenham, where he ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought by winning the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League.

Postecoglou also became the first manager from his country to take charge of a Saudi Pro League side, a milestone he proudly highlighted. “I am proud of where I am working now. I am an Australian born in Greece, and I have become the first Australian coach in Saudi Arabia, just as I was in England and Japan,” he said during the press conference.

Rather than wait to see how things unfold, Chelsea have already begun scouting potential replacements. According to Team Talk’s Graeme Bailey, two names have emerged as the club’s primary targets: Alex Scott of Bournemouth, a 22-year-old who has already seen previous approaches rejected by his club, and Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace, another 22-year-old who has impressed enough to draw interest from multiple top sides.

Scott in particular has been a recurring target for Chelsea across recent transfer windows, with Bournemouth also having turned down interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United for the midfielder.

Wharton, meanwhile, would represent a similarly significant investment, with both moves expected to require substantial fees regardless of which player Chelsea ultimately pursues.

For now, everything hinges on what happens with Fernandez. Should Manchester City meet Chelsea’s valuation before Friday’s deadline, the west London club appears ready to move quickly on one of its two identified targets to fill the void in midfield.

Where things stand with Rodri

Much of City’s urgency around Fernandez traces back to their own ongoing situation with Rodri. Barcelona have been negotiating to sign the Spanish midfielder, with City having rejected an initial offer before Barcelona reportedly returned with an improved proposal in the region of €65-70 million.

Nothing is finalized yet, but reports suggest Rodri would prefer a move to Barcelona over any other option, and City have only shown real interest in bringing in Fernandez as insurance if the Spaniard midfielder does eventually leave.

City have already made moves in midfield

According to Fabrizio Romano, Ayyoub Bouaddi is set to become a new City player once the move is formally announced, while Tijjani Reijnders’ transfer to Al-Qadsiah is reportedly close to being finalized — signaling City are already reshaping their midfield regardless of how the Fernandez and Rodri situations ultimately play out.

PSG‘s run began with their 2025 triumph, a penalty shootout win over Tottenham after a 2-2 draw, and now continues with this year’s success against Villa to complete the double. It’s a remarkable stretch for a club that has rapidly built one of the most dominant runs in recent European soccer under manager Luis Enrique.

Real Madrid were the last club to manage the feat, winning in both 2016 and 2017 during the height of their Champions League dynasty under Zinédine Zidane. Before that, the only other team to achieve back-to-back Super Cup titles was AC Milan, who won in both 1989 and 1990.

Notably, that puts PSG ahead of clubs like Ajax, who won the competition in 1972 and 1974 but never managed consecutive titles, since the tournament wasn’t held in 1973.

PSG’s dominance over English clubs in Europe

PSG’s back-to-back Super Cup triumphs are part of a broader trend: the French club has won all eight knockout ties and finals they’ve played against English opposition in UEFA competitions over the past two seasons.

That run includes Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16 (2025), Aston Villa in the quarterfinals (2025), Arsenal in the semifinals (2025), and Tottenham in the Super Cup (2025), followed by Chelsea in the round of 16 (2026), Liverpool again in the quarterfinals (2026), Arsenal again in the final (2026), and now Aston Villa once more in this year’s Super Cup.

It’s worth noting, however, that this perfect record is specific to UEFA competitions. PSG’s run doesn’t extend to the FIFA Club World Cup, where Chelsea beat them 3-0 in the July 2025 final.

After starting Wednesday’s match against Club Leon, Micael was forced to exit in the 33rd minute after twisting his ankle and being unable to continue. Though he managed to walk off the pitch under his own power, Fricio Caicedo came on as his replacement at center back in a match that ultimately ended in a 3-2 victory for the Mexican side, leaving Inter Miami eliminated from the Leagues Cup in the round of 16.

The day after the elimination, Inter Miami released a statement addressing Micael’s condition. “Micael underwent an MRI today, which confirmed that he has a sprained right ankle sustained during last night’s Leagues Cup match against Club Leon,” part of the official update read.

While confirming the injury, the Florida side did not disclose the severity or provide a firm recovery timeline. Instead, Inter Miami noted that Micael will begin a period of rest and treatment, adding that “his progress will dictate his gradual return to team training.“

Asked about the Brazilian’s injury during his post-match press conference, manager Guillermo Hoyos spoke candidly about what losing him would mean for the squad: “Micael has a significant sprain, and we will see what is determined during the medical examination. But it is a significant sprain, and for us, it would also be a significant loss. He is very important.“

How long will Micael be out?

Much like Messi’s importance in the attack, Micael has established himself as the anchor of the defense, featuring in every single match for Inter Miami this season except for a MLS Matchday 4 clash against Charlotte FC back in March when he was rested, totalling 22 games. Now, his target return date will depend entirely on the severity of the sprain.

A Grade 3 sprain, which involves a complete ligament tear and carries a two-to-three-month recovery period, seems unlikely given that Micael walked off the field unaided. If he suffered a Grade 1 sprain (micro-tears) or a Grade 2 sprain (partial tearing), his recovery timeline will likely range anywhere from one to six weeks.

Who will replace Micael?

Micael has cemented his status as a cornerstone of the defense while also providing a dangerous aerial threat, evidenced by his recent goal off a Messi corner kick against Atletico San Luis. Now, Hoyos faces the task of replacing a player who has arguably been Inter Miami’s most consistent defender this season.

In terms of stylistic fit, recent signing Fricio Caicedo is the most natural replacement. Compared to options like Ian Fray, Gonzalo Lujan, or a returning Maximiliano Falcon, the Ecuadorian defender offers a 6-foot-4 frame and a left-footed profile that make him the ideal candidate to preserve the team’s build-up play from the left side of defense.

Match Overview

Cruz Azul and Chicago Fire FC have the opportunity to advance to the knockout stage of the 2026 Leagues Cup, and all they have to do is win and score as many goals as possible to avoid depending on outside results.

Both clubs have reached Matchday 3 with two victories. Standings across Phase One remain extremely tight, with several teams sitting on six points—which is why Cruz Azul and Chicago Fire need a victory with a strong goal differential to guarantee a top-four spot and advance.

According to reporting from TEAMtalk, the Gunners continue to monitor the situation closely rather than pursuing him outright while Barcelona remain the player’s preferred destination. Much of Arsenal’s positioning comes down to their sporting director, Andrea Berta, a former Atlético Madrid executive who remains in close contact with Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín.

That relationship gives Arsenal a direct line into how the Álvarez situation is developing internally at Atlético, and the club is prepared to step in and meet Atlético’s demands quickly should Barcelona’s efforts stall.

Barcelona have already tested the waters with a €100 million offer, which Atlético rejected outright. That rejection came before a meeting between Álvarez and manager Diego Simeone, in which the Argentine reportedly sought his coach’s support in pushing the move through — support Simeone declined to give, stating the decision belongs entirely to the club’s leadership.

Despite that resistance, Álvarez has made his intentions clear internally, beginning preseason training on August 10 while continuing to request a transfer. With Atlético standing firm and Barcelona yet to meet their valuation, Arsenal’s patient approach could position them well if the player’s preferred move never materializes.

Barcelona’s long pursuit, and how Ferran Torres’ exit could help

Barcelona’s interest in Álvarez isn’t new — the club has tracked him for months as a potential heir to Robert Lewandowski up front, with president Joan Laporta long viewed as a driving force behind the pursuit.

Atlético, however, have held firm throughout, setting his release clause at €500 million and rejecting Barcelona’s opening offers as nowhere close to what they’d consider.

What has shifted recently is Barcelona’s financial picture. With Ferran Torres now closing in on a move to PSG worth €50 million, Barcelona would free up both a squad spot and fresh funds in attack — resources that could be redirected toward improving their offer for Álvarez and finally giving their long-standing pursuit real financial weight behind it.

Match Overview

Club America wrap up their 2026 Leagues Cup Phase One campaign against Austin FC. The Mexican side still have a strong chance of advancing, and their fate remains entirely in their own hands.

A victory for either club virtually guarantees a spot in the knockout stage. However, Club America will aim to secure three points with a decisive goal differential to guarantee a top ranking without depending on outside tiebreakers.

On Thursday, August 13, Gerry Cardinale, RedBird Capital Partners founder and owner of AC Milan, returned to the city following his previous visit in late July. There, the Italian-American businessman met with Amorim to finalize squad needs and strategic moves for the final two weeks of the transfer window.

According to Sky Sports Italia, Fikayo Tomori, Youssouf Fofana, and Christopher Nkunku have all been made available for sale by AC Milan. The decision came directly after the meeting between the manager and the team owner, where Amorim designated the trio as expendable for his upcoming campaign.

Tomori and Fofana both started in Amorim’s first two preseason matches against Celtic and Inter Milan. However, in the final friendly against Chelsea, both the Englishman and the Frenchman were left on the bench as unused substitutes, foreshadowing their likely exit from the Rossoneri.

On the other hand, Nkunku came off the bench in the second half against both Inter and Chelsea. Given Amorim’s preference for a system with dual number 10s, the 28-year-old Frenchman was expected to play a central role, but his future now appears to lie elsewhere.

Tomori’s situation requires the most immediate attention since his contract runs through June 2027, forcing the club to find a buyer before risking a free-agent exit. After investing 35 million euros ($38.5M USD) for the defender in 2021, 26 million euros ($28.6M USD) for Fofana in 2024, and 37 million euros ($40.7M USD) for Nkunku in 2025, AC Milan are hoping to recoup roughly 98 million euros ($107.8M USD) for the three players.

Leao’s future has a direct impact on Nkunku staying

In central defense, AC Milan are well-stocked, and with Amorim deploying only two central midfielders, a high-profile departure like Fofana was bound to happen. However, Nkunku’s fate appears to be tied directly to the future of Rafael Leao.

Following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, Leao made clear his desire to seek a new challenge, opening the door for an exit from AC Milan. Two months and a World Cup have passed since, but no definitive progress toward a transfer has materialized.

While reports linked Leao to Turkish clubs, the forward has no interest in moving to that region. With AC Milan setting a 50 million euro price tag, no suitable offers have been brought to the board. Amorim started Leao in the recent friendly against Chelsea and plans to keep him in his core setup alongside Christian Pulisic in the dual 10 role, effectively leaving Nkunku as the odd man out.

The deal is worth a guaranteed €50 million, with Barcelona and PSG now exchanging documents to finalize the move within the next 24 hours. Torres will not train with Barcelona in the interim, a clear sign the transfer is considered all but done on both ends.

His departure leaves an opening in Barcelona’s forward line, one the club could look to fill with Julian Alvarez. The Argentine has been strongly linked with a move to Camp Nou for months, and Torres’ exit could accelerate those plans.

With Alvarez as their main target, Barcelona are looking to reshape their attack for the new season, having already added Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, and Jesse Bisiwu.

Julian Alvarez’s situation at Atlético Madrid

Alvarez’s future at Atletico Madrid has become an increasingly tense storyline. The club has set his release clause at €500 million, with CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin insisting there’s no scenario in which he leaves for less, despite Álvarez’s contract running through June 2030.

Atletico have flatly rejected the idea of a sale, rejecting offers from Barcelona and Real Madrid, framing him as a non-negotiable piece of the squad heading into the new season.

Things came to a head this week. After returning from preseason medical evaluations, Alvarez reportedly told the club not to count on him going forward, prioritizing a move to Barcelona above all else.

Simeone, for his part, maintained that the decision rests with club executives — though Alvarez’s camp reportedly views the coach as the one person with enough influence to push the front office toward approving a deal.

Whether that influence materializes remains to be seen, but with Ferran Torres’ exit freeing up both space and resources in Barcelona’s attack, the pieces around Alvarez’s potential move are shifting in a way that could eventually put pressure on Atletico’s hardline stance.

That means Ronaldo will sit out the club’s first two matches of the new season: the league opener against Al Fateh, and the King Cup Round of 32 clash with Al Diriyah just days later.

Both absences trace back to the same reason — his recent wedding to Georgina Rodríguez in Portugal, which prompted manager Ange Postecoglou to grant him extended leave.

Ronaldo hadn’t taken part in a single Al Nassr training session until today, meaning he now needs time on the training pitch to build up match fitness before he can be considered for selection.

For now, Postecoglou will have to navigate the opening rounds of the season without his star forward, leaning on the rest of the squad to get points on the board before Ronaldo is expected to slot back into the starting lineup for the trip to face Al Riyadh later this month.

Ronaldo’s chase for 1,000 career goals

Beyond the return-to-fitness storyline, this season carries extra significance for Ronaldo as he closes in on one of football’s most extraordinary milestones. At 41 years old, the forward sits on 976 career goals — 830 for club and 146 for Portugal — meaning he needs just 24 more to become the first player in history to reach 1,000 official goals.

The timeline suggests it’s well within reach. Ronaldo scored 28 goals across all competitions for Al Nassr last season, and if he maintains anything close to that rate once he’s back up to speed, the 1,000-goal mark could realistically fall before the 2026-27 campaign is over.

As first reported by talkSPORT‘s Ben Jacobs, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and European Club Association Chairman (and Paris Saint-Germain President) Nasser Al Khelaifi held a high-stakes meeting in Salzburg, Austria, on the eve of the UEFA Super Cup to address the mounting crisis.

With the event taking place in the city, Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe also joined the discussions. European leadership is intent on forcing Infantino to resign or withdraw his candidacy ahead of FIFA’s upcoming election in March following the controversy surrounding the FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative.

If Infantino is ousted, the immediate focus will shift to who UEFA endorses as the next FIFA candidate. Potential frontrunners include CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa. While Al Khelaifi’s name was also raised, he publicly stated after the match that he remains “very happy” in his current role at PSG.

A UEFA boycott may no longer be necessary

When Infantino initially unveiled the FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, UEFA strongly opposed the measure, threatening a complete boycott of all upcoming FIFA tournaments. That stance was set to take effect as early as the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland (Sept. 5-27), but such drastic action may no longer be required to force Infantino out.

According to talkSPORT, Ceferin is prepared to spearhead a vote of no confidence if Infantino refuses to go quietly. That motion could swiftly remove the sitting FIFA president, triggering an expedited electoral process.

To introduce a vote of no confidence, 20% of FIFA’s member associations (43 votes) must officially request the motion, a threshold UEFA could easily trigger on its own with its 55 member nations. Once an Extraordinary Congress is convened, Article 30(9) dictates that any vote not explicitly defined in the statutes (which includes a no-confidence vote) requires a simple majority. With 211 total member associations, just 106 votes would formally remove Infantino from office.

UEFA Floats a Rotating FIFA Presidency

Beyond removing Infantino, European officials are advocating for a fundamental structural overhaul of FIFA’s executive office. As reported by Jacobs, the proposal favors a decentralized governance structure that replaces the traditional, single-leader presidency with a rotating office. The system could also feature a designated chairman alongside a committee of vice-chairs to provide stronger checks and balances, creating an administrative model similar to a modern civil service framework.

Leon manager Javier Gandolfi didn’t hold back when asked about facing Messi under those circumstances. “For people to understand what Leo Messi is, I think it was proven today. I think words fall short. He’s a competitive animal, a player who, in my opinion, is the best in history. He’s the best in history on the field, and then with things we see from a distance,” he said during postgame press conference.

Messi entered off the bench at the start of the second half with Miami leading 1-0, but Leon rallied behind a brace from Daniel Arcila and a goal from Juan Domínguez to complete the comeback, with Dániel Pintér and Yannick Bright scoring for Miami.

The result sent Leon through to the knockout stage after winning all three of their group matches, while Miami’s Leagues Cup campaign ended with just one win in three outings.

Even in a moment of personal grief, Messi’s decision to suit up resonated well beyond his own locker room, drawing praise from teammates and opponents alike for a display of commitment that few in the sport could match.

Miami’s locker room rallies around Messi

Inside Inter Miami‘s own squad, the reaction to Messi’s return was just as emotional. Casemiro called it an example for everyone around him: “He’s an example, because in the end he’s surely going through a very tough time… I had never seen anything like that in my life,” he said, adding that “the commitment he has to us and the commitment he has to the club is something to applaud”.

Bright echoed that sentiment from his own perspective, admitting he didn’t expect to see Messi in the squad at all. “It’s incredible. I wasn’t expecting it and it shows how much he cares,” he said, before pledging to give “150%” for his captain going forward — a fitting response from a group that, despite the early exit, made clear where its focus truly was on the night.

On Wednesday, Miami hosted Club Leon needing a decisive win to climb into the top four of the standings, holding just three points following a 4-2 victory over Atletico San Luis and a tight 2-1 loss to CF Monterrey. Ultimately, the Mexican side proved superior at Nu Stadium, handing the Herons a devastating home defeat to end their campaign.

Miami drew first blood when 19-year-old Daniel Pinter netted the opening goal in the 42nd minute. Club Leon pulled level through Daniel Arcila in the 50th minute, but Yannick Bright restored the host side’s lead just three minutes later. However, the visitors completed an impressive second-half comeback, as Juan Dominguez leveled in the 61st minute before Arcila completed his brace in the 83rd minute to seal a 3-2 victory.

The primary highlight of the night for Inter Miami was the unexpected return of Messi following his brief leave of absence. Included among the substitutes, the Argentine superstar entered the match at halftime in place of Pinter, drawing a thunderous standing ovation from the crowd at Nu Stadium.

Having missed the previous fixture against Monterrey following the passing of his father, during which he traveled to Argentina, Messi completed a rapid turnaround back to Florida after spending private time with his family. Arriving in Miami on Wednesday morning, the team captain shocked fans by appearing on the official matchday roster before taking the field.

Despite playing only the second 45 minutes, Messi immediately impacted the match’s tempo against Club Leon. While unable to find the back of the net or record an assist, the forward created consistent danger, firing five shots (three on target), completing two successful dribbles, and delivering four key passes to advance the attack.

Worst Leagues Cup campaign for Inter Miami in Messi era

Since Messi arrived at Inter Miami in July 2023, the Leagues Cup had served as a primary stage for the club’s domestic dominance. During their inaugural tournament run in 2023, the team swept through the bracket to lift the trophy, fueled by an extraordinary performance from Messi, who tallied 10 goals in seven matches.

In the 2024 edition, the Herons were unable to defend their crown, falling in the Round of 16 against the Columbus Crew during a tournament Messi missed entirely while recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the 2024 Copa America final. In 2025, despite managing lingering injuries to feature in four matches (two goals, two assists), Messi helped lead the Herons back to the final before falling 3-0 to the Seattle Sounders.

The 2026 campaign produced a far different outcome. Following an opening 4-2 victory over Atletico San Luis and back-to-back losses to Monterrey and Club Leon, Inter Miami were officially eliminated in the opening phase. Finishing 15th in the tournament standings with three points, seven goals scored, and seven conceded, the exit marks the worst Leagues Cup campaign in franchise history.

While strikers Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane delivered prolific goalscoring totals over the campaign, the 2025-26 season carried extra prestige with the combination of the UEFA Champions League and the 2026 World Cup. Within that context and evaluating the sheer weight of silverware, Ruiz stands out as the singular figure who anchored both the European champions and the World Cup winners.

When asked about potential Ballon d’Or candidates during a UEFA Super Cup press conference, Vitinha stated his case clearly: “There are many good players who can win the Ballon d’Or this year. For me, I think it would be normal to have a PSG player like (Kvicha) Kvaratskhelia after his great season in the Champions League, Ousmane Dembele, who has had an excellent campaign, or Fabian, who has won everything.”

While acknowledging other prominent international candidates, the Portuguese midfielder maintained his primary focus on his club teammates. “For me, it should go to one of those three players. But there are many players like Kane or Mbappe who also deserve it. However, I would vote for a Paris Saint-Germain player for the Ballon d’Or,” Vitinha affirmed.

Those sentiments were echoed by manager Luis Enrique during a training session featured on PSG’s official media channels, where he was captured listing Ruiz’s accomplishments: “Fabian Ruiz has won the World Cup, the Euros two years ago, back-to-back Champions Leagues, the Nations League…” When a team member remarked, “All that is missing is the Ballon d’Or,” the manager responded with an emphatic nod.

Following a 2-1 victory against Aston Villa, Fabian Ruiz and PSG secured back-to-back UEFA Super Cup titles, becoming only the third team in history to achieve the feat alongside AC Milan (1989–90) and Real Madrid (2016–17). Having reported back to squad training on Monday after his World Cup campaign, Ruiz entered as a second-half substitute against the Villans and remains poised to serve as an indispensable fixture for Luis Enrique in the upcoming season.

Fabian Ruiz evaluates his Ballon d’Or credentials

After dominating domestic competition in France, PSG went on to capture their second consecutive Champions League title. Ruiz then cemented a starting spot for Spain over FC Barcelona star Pedri, guiding La Roja to their second World Cup title. The 2026-27 campaign opened in familiar fashion, with the Spaniard lifting yet another European trophy.

Speaking to Spanish outlet Marca, Ruiz reflected on his trophy-laden run: “The truth is that this past year, this last season, has been incredible, and what better way to start another one than by winning another title. Honestly, I’m very fortunate to be able to win so many trophies, and we have to keep working to keep winning more.”

Addressing the growing public discourse surrounding his candidacy, the midfielder welcomed the recognition. “The truth is people tell me that a lot. For me, it’s a source of pride that they talk about me being on the list,” Ruiz stated. “In terms of titles, I don’t think I’m lacking, and honestly, it’s an honor to be there. Hopefully I can win it—why not?” he concluded.

Fabian Ruiz: The tactical engine for club and country

Far beyond a conventional midfielder, Ruiz serves as a tactical engine for Luis Enrique’s tactical system, offering fluidity, space coverage, and versatility as a central builder, wide operator, or deep pivot. Furthermore, he has acted as a lucky charm for PSG, winning all four cup finals he has featured in with the club: the 2023-24 Coupe de France, the 2024-25 and 2025-26 UEFA Champions Leagues, and the 2026 UEFA Super Cup.

His impact for the Spanish national team is equally remarkable, highlighted by a historic 50-match unbeaten run with La Roja. Since making his senior international debut in 2019, Spain have avoided defeat in every match featuring Ruiz (35 wins, 15 draws), making him an indispensable piece during title victories at the 2024 UEFA Nations League, Euro 2024, and the 2026 World Cup.

Last Saturday, the soccer world was saddened by news of the passing of Jorge Messi, father of Lionel Messi. The star forward traveled to Rosario, Argentina, to bid farewell to his father and spend time with his family.

On Tuesday, Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos revealed that there was no exact timeline for Messi’s return. His comments indicate the captain may not be available to face Club Leon, though he will be, but as a substitute.

Inter Miami’s confirmed lineup to face Club Leon

With Lionel Messi starting from the bench, Inter Miami repeated a similar starting lineup from the match against CF Monterrey, where the Argentine superstar was unavailable.

Inter Miami confirmed XI (4-3-3): Rios Novo; Fray, Lujan, Silva, Allen; Bright, Casemiro, De Paul; Delinois, Pinter, Segovia.

Club Leon’s confirmed lineup to face Inter Miami

Club Leon secured a key victory against Orlando City on Matchday 2. That win keeps their hopes of advancing alive, with a victory against Inter Miami virtually securing a spot in the knockout stage without needing other results.

Club Leon confirmed XI (4-3-3): Garcia; Vegas, Guevara, Romana, Moreno; Rodriguez, Beltran, Echeverria; Santos, Arcila, Cortizo.

Ruiz begins the match on the substitute bench against Aston Villa due to a tactical decision by head coach Luis Enrique. The Spanish international recently reported back to training following an extended post-World Cup vacation, leaving him with limited conditioning ahead of the seasonal opener.

The midfielder served as an indispensable contributor for Luis Enrique across the last two campaigns, helping PSG capture back-to-back Champions League titles. Despite suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for 16 matches between January and April during the 2025-26 season, Ruiz recovered in time for the stretch run, logging 34 appearances, two goals, and five assists across all competitions.

Ruiz started four matches during the 2026 World Cup under Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, earning a starting role over Pedri in the final. While Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez also featured in that final for Argentina on July 19, Ruiz returned to team activities on a delayed schedule, prompting Luis Enrique to ease him back into competition from the bench.

With Fabian Ruiz far from his ideal form, Luis Enrique has opted to deploy an alternative midfield in the UEFA Super Cup final. Vitinha and Joao Neves will be starting, but Warren Zaire-Emery, who was also present for France in the 2026 World Cup roster, will be the third midfield who’ll be covering the Spaniard.

With the win, Luis Enrique now has six European club titles to his name, moving him level with Alex Ferguson and Giovanni Trapattoni for third on the all-time list of most European titles won by a manager.

Only Carlo Ancelotti, with 10, and Pep Guardiola, with seven, stand above that trio in the historic ranking, which also includes Bob Paisley, José Mourinho, Zinédine Zidane and Unai Emery with five apiece.

Between his time at Barcelona and now PSG, Luis Enrique has built a legacy defined not just by the volume of trophies, but by his consistency on the biggest stage — a distinction that places him firmly among the most successful managers the European game has ever produced.

Luis Enrique’s perfect record in European finals

What makes Luis Enrique’s case stand out even further is his perfect record in continental finals. The Spanish coach has now reached six European finals across his career and won every single one of them, a run that surpasses Zinédine Zidane’s own flawless mark of five finals and five titles.

Between two different clubs and more than a decade apart, Enrique has never once lost on the biggest stage Europe has to offer. His six European finals, all won:

• Champions League 2015 (Barcelona) — beat Juventus 3-1
• UEFA Super Cup 2015 (Barcelona) — beat Sevilla 5-4 (after extra time)
• Champions League 2025 (PSG) — beat Inter Milan 5-0
• UEFA Super Cup 2025 (PSG) — beat Tottenham 2-2 (won on penalties)
• Champions League 2026 (PSG) — beat Arsenal 1-1 (won 4-3 on penalties)
• UEFA Super Cup 2026 (PSG) — beat Aston Villa 2-1

Adding to the difficulty, Lionel Messi remains unlikely to be available for the match. The Argentine has not rejoined the squad since the passing of his father, Jorge Messi, last week, and Inter Miami have yet to give a firm timeline for when he might return to action.

Miami currently sit on three points after splitting their first two matches, having lost 1-2 to Monterrey in their last outing. Leon, meanwhile, arrive unbeaten through Phase One, having won both of their matches so far and looking like one of the group’s stronger sides heading into Matchday 3.

What happens if Inter Miami beat Club Leon

A regulation win would put Miami on six points, but it needs to come by at least two goals to meaningfully help their goal-difference tiebreaker in a crowded standings picture.

Beyond the scoreline itself, Miami would then need at least three of the following four results to fall their way: San Luis avoiding a blowout loss to Orlando City if they lose at all; Monterrey winning or drawing away at Nashville; Toluca beating FC Dallas; and Querétaro either beating LAFC outright or winning on penalties after a draw.

Even then, Miami wouldn’t be fully safe. Qualification would likely come down to Thursday’s remaining fixtures, where goal-difference swings from those late results could still decide who claims the final spots among MLS clubs.

What happens if Inter Miami draw with Club Leon

Leagues Cup group matches don’t end in draws — any game tied after 90 minutes goes straight to penalties, with the shootout winner earning two points and the loser earning one.

Only a full three points from a regulation win checks the box Miami need. A shootout result of either kind would leave Miami short of the points and goal-difference cushion required, effectively ending their hopes regardless of how the other results around the group fall.

What happens if Inter Miami lose to Club Leon

A loss in regulation would eliminate Miami from Leagues Cup contention outright, regardless of what happens in the other matches across the group. With León already unbeaten through two matches, anything short of a win Wednesday brings Messi’s side to the brink of an early exit from the tournament.

Match Overview

Inter Miami face this Matchday 3 fixture in the 2026 Leagues Cup needing a win. However, a simple victory will not be enough, as the Herons need to boost their goal differential to secure a top-four spot and advance to the knockout rounds.

As for Club Leon, a win is also vital to avoid relying on outside results to qualify. They currently have six points, but several competing clubs are tied with them and aiming for a perfect nine-point sweep in Phase One.

The reasoning ties back to his fitness. Dembélé returned late to training after an extended run with France at the World Cup, which ended in a fourth-place finish, and PSG have been cautious about rushing him back into a starting role.

The club reportedly built out a specialized physical and technical program specifically for players coming back from international duty on staggered schedules, and Dembélé’s recovery simply hasn’t lined up with the rest of the group in time for this match.

That’s not for a lack of desire on his part. Reports indicate Dembélé is determined to feature in the final and has been pushing to be involved, even moving up his return to training to try to be ready in time. Ultimately, though, the decision was left in Luis Enrique’s hands, and the Spanish coach opted for caution over risk.

PSG’s other returning internationals in similar limbo

Dembélé isn’t alone in that situation. PSG have several returning internationals — including Bradley Barcola, Fabián Ruiz and Lucas Hernández — dealing with similar staggered reintegration timelines, forcing Luis Enrique to balance fielding his strongest possible XI against the risk of pushing tired bodies too soon at the very start of the season.

Barcola’s case comes with an added layer, having been ill for a few days and unable to complete all of his training sessions, all while managing transfer speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool.

Fabián Ruiz and Lucas Hernández, meanwhile, only rejoined the squad in training two days before the match, leaving Luis Enrique with limited time to assess whether either is ready to feature.

Both clubs earned their place in Salzburg as continental champions. PSG lifted the Champions League after beating Arsenal on penalties in the final, while Aston Villa claimed the Europa League with a 3-0 win over SC Freiburg.

Fitness will play a major role in how both managers set up. PSG entered the match with several key names — including Achraf Hakimi, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, Fabián Ruiz, Lucas Hernández and Warren Zaïre-Emery — all listed as doubtful, yet some of them will play either from the start or from the Bench.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, will be without Leon Bailey, Chrislain Manzambi and André Onana entirely, while Emiliano Martínez, Ezri Konsa, and Ollie Watkins are all ruled out, as they are resting after their World Cup campaigns.

PSG confirmed lineup

With so many first-choice options unavailable, Luis Enrique is expected to lean on a mix of squad depth and academy talent behind a settled backline.

The confirmed XI (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Akliouche, Doue, Kvaratskhelia.

Aston Villa confirmed lineup

With Martínez out for the game, Marco Bizot will start between the posts, while Brian Madjo will take the attack in place of Watkins.

The projected XI (4-3-3): Bizot; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes, Hemmings; Buendia, McGinn, and Madjo.

On Monday, Alvarez reported to Atletico Madrid alongside several teammates to undergo routine pre-campaign medical evaluations. By Wednesday, it was time for the striker to return to training, roughly two months after publicly declaring during the World Cup that “the best decision was to seek an exit” from the club.

With Alvarez remaining fixated on joining FC Barcelona, the Colchoneros have refused to budge, as board members and CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin reiterate that the forward will remain an Atletico Madrid player for the 2026–27 campaign under a contract that runs through June 2030.

On Monday, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported that Alvarez informed the club “not to count on him” moving forward, as his sole priority is finalizing a transfer to Barcelona. He was initially unable to speak directly with executive leadership or Simeone while the manager was away in Ibiza, but a eventual sit-down took place Wednesday, leaving the player dissatisfied with the outcome.

Alvarez and Simeone hold tense, unresolved sit-down

Upon returning to team facilities on Wednesday, Alvarez and Simeone held a meeting prior to the scheduled training session. According to Argentina transfer insider Cesar Luis Merlo, the forward reiterated his desire to sign with Barcelona during the 2026 summer transfer window.

Frame-by-frame, Alvarez explained to his manager that joining Barcelona would allow him to “fulfill a dream,” emphasizing that the Catalan club’s tactical style aligns best with his skill set. However, Simeone echoed his previous stance, stating that any transfer decision rests entirely with executive leadership, while reaffirming his own commitment to helping the striker develop at Atletico.

Last week during a press conference in Seoul, Simeone was asked about Alvarez’s future and offered a firm response: “The situation is very clear, the club made a decision that Miguel Angel explained very well. We’re very happy with Julian, and from a sporting standpoint we’ll help him keep growing.“

Alvarez’s inner circle, including agents Fernando Hidalgo and Sergio Diaz, who are actively seeking transfer avenues, were reportedly left deeply frustrated by the conversation. According to Merlo, Alvarez’s camp view Simeone as an influential figure who possesses the leverage to push front-office executives into approving a deal, rather than serving merely as a tactical advisor.

Emiliano Martinez is sitting out the clash against PSG because he remains on extended vacation. The goalkeeper concluded his campaign at the 2026 World Cup with Argentina on July 19, prompting head coach Unai Emery to grant him four full weeks of rest before rejoining squad activities.

The same policy was extended to England international duo Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins. The defender and striker wrapped up their World Cup participation in the third-place match against France on July 18, ruling them out for the seasonal opener as well.

When asked about the missing stars, Emery offered a direct explanation regarding why the trio were left out of the traveling squad against PSG: “Konsa, Watkins and Emiliano Martinez are not here because they finished their season on 19 July and I gave them four weeks to rest. It is completely necessary.“

While framing PSG as favorites for the Super Cup, Emery noted that having those key starters available would have boosted Aston Villa’s chances. “They are not here tomorrow. Of course, if they were here, maybe we could have more chances. But at the same time, I think PSG are going to be in the same situation as us,” the coach added.

Martinez boasts nearly immaculate record in cup finals

Aston Villa and PSG previously met during the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, splitting the series with one win each while the French club advanced 5-4 on aggregate. While the matchup serves as a tiebreaker in their head-to-head history, missing Martinez, a keeper known for his big-game pedigree, represents a substantial blow for the English side.

Over his career across both club football and international duty with Argentina, Martinez has featured in eight cup finals, compiling an impressive 7-1 record. His first major trophies arrived in 2020 while playing for Arsenal, where he won both the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield.

He followed that with an iconic international run with Argentina, winning the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America. His seventh career victory came during the 2026 Europa League final with Aston Villa, before his streak ended in a 2026 World Cup final defeat against Spain.

Speaking at Villa’s pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Emery explained the decision directly: “They are not here – Konsa, Watkins and Martínez because they finished their season on 19th July and I gave them four weeks to rest, it’s completely necessary. They are not here tomorrow”.

The trio are missing not because of injury, but because they were given time off after extending their seasons deep into the 2026 World Cup. Both Watkins and Konsa went as far as the third-place match with England, while Martínez played all the way to the final, where Argentina fell to Spain.

The Villa boss acknowledged the absences will be felt on the pitch, but pointed out that PSG face a similar situation with their own World Cup contingent. “Of course, if they were here, maybe we could have more chances. But, at the same time, I think PSG are going to be in the same situation like us,” Emery said.

Emery turns to the group that trained through preseason

Beyond the rest-related absences, Aston Villa also has a handful of players sidelined through actual injury. Leon Bailey is out with a muscular issue, while Chrislain Manzambi and André Onana are both dealing with knee problems.

With so many absences, the Spaniard coach plans to rely on the group that’s been training together over the past month, including several younger players who have featured throughout preseason.

“Tomorrow we are preparing this game with the players we started, even some young players, four weeks ago. And tomorrow I expect to compete and try to face them with our capacity and our possibilities as well to beat them,” he added.

PSG earned their place in the final after winning the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League over Arsenal. Following a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes, the Parisian club secured a 5-4 victory in the penalty shootout to capture back-to-back Champions League titles, the second in franchise history.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa secured their spot in the Super Cup by defeating SC Freiburg to win the UEFA Europa League. The Villans posted a dominant 3-0 victory at Tupras Stadium, allowing manager Unai Emery to lift his fifth Europa League trophy across six final appearances.

PSG and Aston Villa have met twice before, making the Super Cup their third all-time clash. Their initial encounters came during the 2024-25 Champions League quarterfinals, where PSG took the first leg 3-1 before Villa won the second leg 3-2, allowing the French champions to advance 5-4 on aggregate.

What happens if PSG win against Aston Villa?

A victory for PSG against Aston Villa on Wednesday would crown the French club as UEFA Super Cup champions for the second consecutive year. Because the competition is a single-leg match since the 1998 edition, the Villans would not have an opportunity to overturn the result in a second leg.

Additionally, Paris Saint-Germain would become only the third club in history to capture back-to-back UEFA Super Cup titles. AC Milan became the first team to accomplish the feat by winning in 1989 and 1990, while Real Madrid joined the list by sweeping the 2016 and 2017 editions.

A win would also elevate Luis Enrique into a tie for the third-most UEFA Super Cup titles among managers, adding to his 2015 triumph with Barcelona and last year’s victory with PSG. Reaching three Super Cup titles would put the Spanish manager one behind Pep Guardiola for second place and two behind all-time leader Carlo Ancelotti, who holds five.

What happens if PSG draw against Aston Villa?

If PSG and Aston Villa remain tied at the end of 90 minutes of regulation, the winner will be decided directly via a penalty shootout. Under current UEFA Super Cup regulations, extra time will not be played.

As a result, the match will consist of two 45-minute halves plus stoppage time, with a penalty shootout serving as the immediate tiebreaker if neither club holds an advantage at the final whistle.

What happens if PSG lose against Aston Villa?

If PSG fall to Aston Villa, the English side will lift the UEFA Super Cup for the second time in franchise history, joining their 1982 triumph. Meanwhile, it would mark PSG’s first loss in a Super Cup final, bringing their all-time record in the event to 1-1.

Furthermore, a victory would deliver Unai Emery his first career UEFA Super Cup trophy. Although his five Europa League titles previously earned him five Super Cup appearances, four ended in defeats to reigning Champions League winners, leaving the Spanish manager searching for his breakthrough against PSG.

“Dad, I still can’t believe that you’ve gone. I don’t fall, or rather, I don’t want to fall. It’s very hard for me to imagine that I’m not going to see you anymore, that we’re not going to talk anymore. I know you were suffering and that it’s for the best, but you left too soon. We still had a lot left to enjoy together,” Messi wrote in the opening lines of his tribute.

In the comments, Cristiano Ronaldo posted a supportive message for the Argentine star: “Huge hug to you and your loved ones in this difficult moment, Leo. Stay strong.“

Lionel Messi played the 2026 World Cup for his father

Throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi was noticeably emotional whenever he scored or won a match with Argentina. In his farewell letter to his late father, Jorge Messi, the captain confirmed that his feelings were tied directly to his father’s deteriorating health in Rosario.

“You kept asking me so much to play this last World Cup, and just days before it started was when you got the worst. It was the first time you weren’t going to be at a tournament, but Mom told me you’d get better and be well enough to travel. I told you we were going to make it to the final so you could come,” Messi wrote.

“Every time a match ended, I waited for and missed your text. That was when I realized how bad things really were. Even so, I couldn’t stop thinking about going as far as possible, just to buy time so you could watch a match. We made it to the final and you couldn’t be there. I wanted to win it to bring it to you and show you a new one. I couldn’t; my legs just had nothing left to give. This time I tried to push through what my body could handle, but I couldn’t. I was never able to feel right.”

Is Lionel Messi retiring?

In the tribute, Messi revealed that his primary motivation for competing in the tournament was to give his father one final joy by attempting to bring home another trophy. He also admitted that he pushed his body past its physical limits during the competition, noting that his legs simply could not give any more.

While Messi has not formally announced his retirement, he confessed to having “serious doubts” about continuing his playing career following this personal tragedy.

The Inter Miami forward shared an emotional letter dedicated to his father four days after his passing, offering the clearest look yet at how deeply the loss has affected him.

In the letter, Messi wrote: “I only played soccer, and now I have quite a few doubts that I will continue to do so for a long time to come.” He went on to add: “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, I don’t know how to continue,” laying bare just how central his father’s presence had been to both his life and his career.

While Messi’s words stopped short of confirming an outright retirement, the tone of the letter has fueled speculation over how much longer he intends to keep playing.

Messi’s World Cup heartbreak, and the emotional promise behind it

Messi’s account carries even more weight given how his tournament actually went. At 39 years old, he delivered arguably the finest World Cup of his career, scoring eight goals and adding four assists across six appearances. In the letter, he revealed the promise that fueled him through it all: “I told you we’d reach the final so you could travel”.

That hope never came true. Jorge’s health worsened just before the tournament began, and as the messages Messi waited for after every game grew scarcer, he understood how serious the situation had become.

Argentina did reach the final but were beaten 1-0 in extra time by Spain, where Messi admitted to battling physical problems in a match in which he looked exhausted. “I wanted to win it to bring it to you and show you a new one. I couldn’t — my legs had nothing left,” he wrote.

Even with his career now hanging in the balance, Messi closed the letter the way he opened it — not as a player, but as a son. He signed off promising his father would remain present in his life beyond the game, especially in raising his own children, a quiet reminder that whatever comes next for his career, this chapter was never really about soccer at all.

The appointment carries extra weight given what Artan went through just months earlier. He was denied entry into the United States at Miami International Airport ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with U.S. authorities citing security concerns. The incident forced him out of officiating at the tournament and sparked outrage back home.

Reflecting on the experience, Artan told UEFA: “A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something, and then can’t do it, it’s very challenging“. On his Super Cup appointment, he added: “I was lucky, but I have worked very hard to be here and I’m really proud“.

Artan’s refereeing record

Artan has built one of the most decorated résumés among African officials in recent years. He became the first Somali referee to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024, a milestone for a country with limited footballing infrastructure, and was subsequently recognized as Africa’s leading referee for his performances that season.

His CV also includes the 2025 CAF Champions League final, one of the most prestigious club fixtures on the continent, before FIFA selected him for the 2026 World Cup — an appointment that never materialized due to his U.S. entry denial. Wednesday’s Super Cup final now stands as the biggest match of his career to date, and his first ever in Europe.

The full officiating team for PSG vs Aston Villa

Artan will be assisted on the touchline by Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed of Djibouti as first assistant referee and Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe of Kenya as second assistant, while Slovenia’s Rade Obrenovič takes charge as the fourth official.

In the VAR booth, Marco Di Bello of Italy will serve as the Video Assistant Referee, with Guillermo Cuadra Fernández of Spain assisting him as AVAR — rounding out a team that, like Artan himself, reflects just how far UEFA has widened its pool of match officials for its showpiece fixtures.

On Tuesday, August 12, Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez publicly confirmed their marriage following an extended summer vacation following the conclusion of Portugal’s 2026 World Cup run. Taking to social media, the couple published a joint post showcasing matching gold bands with a brief caption that read, “I do.“

According to People, the civil ceremony embraced an intimate setting rather than a lavish public spectacle. Reports indicate the wedding took place in Cascais, an upscale coastal town west of Lisbon, Portugal, with attendance limited exclusively to the couple’s five children: Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., Eva Maria, Mateo, Alana Martina, and Bella Esmeralda.

The marriage took place exactly one year after Ronaldo proposed to the model on August 11, 2025. “Yes, I do. In this life and in all my lives,” Rodriguez wrote at the time while displaying her oval-cut diamond engagement ring, valued at roughly €6 million (around $7.8 million USD), which also appeared in the background of their official wedding announcement.

Ronaldo set to miss first two Al Nassr fixtures

Following Portugal’s World Cup elimination on July 6, Ronaldo did not join his Al Nassr teammates for their preseason preparations. While Al Nassr completed their overseas training camp in Portugal before returning to Riyadh, the club captain did not attend a single session, with the competitive season commencing in less than a week.

According to a report from Al Riyadhiah, team sources confirmed that Ronaldo will sit out Al Nassr’s first two competitive fixtures of the 2026-27 campaign across two separate competitions.

Having been granted an extended leave of absence following international duty at the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo was absent from the club’s summer training program. The forward utilized the additional rest period to complete his marriage to Rodriguez in Portugal before traveling to Saudi Arabia to resume club activities.

Lacking full match fitness for the opening fixtures, Ronaldo will first miss Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Fateh on Saturday, August 15, as the club begin their title defense. Al Nassr will then play their second fixture on Tuesday, August 18, facing Al Diriyah in the Round of 32 of the King’s Cup.

Based on those reports, Ronaldo is targeted to make his seasonal debut on Matchday 2 of the Saudi Pro League against Al Riyadh on Friday, August 21. Until his return, new head coach Ange Postecoglou will need to adjust his attacking options to fill the central No. 9 role.

On Tuesday, August 11, Wrexham announced the signing of Patterson, who penned a long-term contract running through June 2030. The English goalkeeper was an integral figure in Sunderland’s recent promotion to the Premier League, logging 169 career appearances for the club.

After starting 45 matches across the EFL Championship and promotion playoffs to help Sunderland reach the top flight, Patterson served as the secondary option during the 2025-26 season behind Robin Roefs. Unable to secure regular playing time in the Premier League, he spent the second half of the campaign on a six-month loan with Millwall.

A product of Sunderland’s youth academy, Patterson featured 169 times for the Black Cats, allowing 189 goals while recording 51 clean sheets. Carrying two career promotions on his resume, including one to the Premier League, he is expected to take over as the primary starter to guide Wrexham toward their first top-flight appearance.

Patterson becomes Wrexham’s record transfer acquisition

Since Reynolds and McElhenney officially completed their takeover in February 2021, their objective has centered on building a sustainable business while elevating Wrexham back into the professional leagues. While maintaining fiscal discipline in transfer spending, the Red Dragons have gradually expanded their budget, particularly heading into their second consecutive season in the EFL Championship.

In an official club statement, Wrexham announced Patterson’s arrival “for an undisclosed fee.” However, according to transfer reporter Ben Jacobs, the fee agreed upon with Sunderland is £8 million (around $10.4 million USD), setting a new franchise record for the Welsh club.

The transfer surpasses the previous record established during the 2025-26 season with the acquisition of Nathan Broadhead, when Wrexham paid £7.5 million (around $9.75 million USD) to acquire him from Ipswich Town. Ben Sheaf sits third on the club’s all-time transfer list following his £6.4 million move from Coventry City.

Since Messi arrived at Inter Miami in 2023, critics questioned his physical conditioning and competitive edge playing outside the European spotlight. However, the forward defied expectations by delivering a standout performance at 39 years old following his preparation in MLS.

Speaking to reporters during his introductory press conference, Lozano was asked by Bolavip‘s Martin O’Donnell about a potential return to the Mexico squad after witnessing Messi’s longevity: “Well, Lionel Messi is a great player. He was named the world’s best many times, so I think that with him it’s a whole different story. I admire and respect him a lot.”

The forward made his intentions clear that earning a spot back with El Tri remains a primary goal at his new club. “Of course, as long as I continue playing, I will be available for Mexico. If they believe it’s the best for the national team for me to be there supporting and helping the team, of course I will be there. I will never say no (to Mexico). But well, this is a process,” Lozano added.

Lack of match fitness cost Lozano a World Cup roster spot

While injuries proved to be an obstacle in recent years, Lozano earned a recall to the Mexico national team in late 2025 while featuring for San Diego FC. However, internal friction with former head coach Mikey Varas and club executives left the forward sidelined, training individually throughout 2026 without making a single competitive appearance.

Lozano’s last appearance for San Diego FC came during the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, and going months without game action led head coach Javier Aguirre to exclude him from Mexico’s 2026 World Cup roster. Now settled with the Galaxy, Lozano expects regular playing time to revive his international candidacy.

“Now that I’ll have the opportunity to play, I believe that they’ll see what I can do, how I find myself, and that way they’ll decide if it’s good having me on the national team or not. I will work a lot to be there, I love to be with the national team, I’m passionate about it, but only time will tell,” he added, noting that final squad selection rests with team management.

Extended fall window presents immediate opportunity for El Tri comeback

Lozano joined the LA Galaxy as a Designated Player on loan through December 2026, with an option to make the transfer permanent. During that stretch, he will have an immediate platform to prove his form to Mexico’s new manager, legendary defender Rafael Marquez.

El Tri‘s upcoming fixture list and Marquez’s touchline debut will take place during an expanded international window between September and October. Playing across a four-game tour in the United States, Mexico are scheduled to face Colombia (Sept. 26), Peru (Sept. 29), the USMNT (Oct. 3), and Chile (Oct. 6).

Amid a demanding schedule with minimal recovery time between matches, the autumn fixtures offer a natural environment for Lozano to regain match sharpness and rejoin the national team setup. His last appearance for El Tri came in November 2025 during a friendly against Uruguay, where he played the opening 45 minutes before exiting with an injury.

Melo made the claim on his television show, FMTV, saying: “I got in touch with a friend, and that friend told me that Neymar is going to leave Santos to play for Inter Miami starting in January“. No official talks have been confirmed by either party, but the report has quickly gained traction given the timing of Neymar’s contract situation.

Neymar’s current deal with Santos runs through December 31, 2026. Should he choose not to renew, he would become a free agent, opening the door for Inter Miami to sign him without having to negotiate a transfer fee — a scenario that would significantly simplify any potential move.

A reunion would revive the legendary “MSN” trio Neymar formed with Messi and Suarez at Barcelona between 2014 and 2017, one of the most prolific attacking lines the sport has seen.

Together, the three combined for 363 goals and 173 assists across three seasons, including 131 combined goals in the 2015-16 campaign alone, with Messi and Neymar linking up for 56 direct goal combinations across 161 matches played together.

Would Neymar actually fit under MLS’s salary cap rules?

The league allows clubs operating under the three–Designated Player model — which Miami uses — to carry up to three DPs, players whose salaries can exceed the league’s maximum salary budget charge of $803,125 for 2026. Inter Miami currently appears to have all three of those slots filled, with Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and German Berterame all holding Designated Player status.

If Miami wanted to bring in Neymar, the club would likely need to move one of its current Designated Players first — meaning any reunion, at least for now, depends on more than just Neymar’s willingness to sign.

Why a TAM deal wouldn’t work for Neymar

Could Inter Miami replicate the same trick they used with Suarez and bring in Neymar without touching a Designated Player slot? Unlikely. Each MLS club receives a Targeted Allocation Money pool of $2.125 million for the 2026 season, money designed to buy down the cap charges of upper-tier starters — not to disguise a global superstar’s salary as a non-DP contract.

Suarez’s deal was only workable because his compensation could be structured to fit within that pool; a contract commensurate with Neymar’s market value would fall far outside those limits. That gap is precisely why the Designated Player mechanism exists in the first place: to let clubs sign players whose salaries have no ceiling.

While Maresca has publicly stated that he expects Rodri to report back when Manchester City resume training, the midfielder’s long-term future appears to lie outside of England. After choosing Barcelona over Real Madrid, the Catalan club now need to strike an agreement with the Premier League champions on a fee expected to land near €55 million (around $60 million USD), with a player potentially included to finalize the deal.

Final details regarding Rodri’s departure remain unresolved, and the player is scheduled to report to training on Friday, just two days prior to the Community Shield clash against Arsenal. Nevertheless, his likelihood of leaving remains far higher than his chances of staying, and a departure would force Manchester City into the market to reinforce their central midfield.

Maresca pursuing reunion with Enzo Fernandez

According to Argentina insider Gaston Edul, Manchester City’s interest in Enzo Fernandez is “100% concrete” rather than exploratory. The driving force behind the potential move is Maresca, who previously managed the Argentine midfielder at Chelsea and wants to integrate him into Manchester City’s system.

Edul noted that Fernandez’s status at Chelsea remains fluid, with his immediate future expected to be resolved in the coming days. Under the current circumstances, reports suggest the Argentine favors a move to the Etihad Stadium over remaining at Stamford Bridge for another campaign.

Chelsea’s asking price for Fernandez is set at £120 million (around $156 million USD), a slight increase over the £107 million fee paid to Benfica to acquire him in January 2023. However, according to talkSPORT and transfer expert Ben Jacobs, that valuation could be negotiable as Chelsea are prepared to sell, though timing will prove critical with less than a month remaining in the transfer window and the Premier League season launching in two weeks.

Throughout their initial preseason fixtures, particularly during their summer tour in Seoul, South Korea, Manchester City deployed Mateo Kovacic and Tijjani Reijnders in a double pivot, with Nico Gonzalez providing depth. Losing Rodri would create a significant void in central midfield, making the acquisition of Fernandez a logical move to restore balance and provide a proven international replacement.

Relationship with Maresca a decisive factor for Fernandez

Chelsea’s defining characteristic in recent years has been instability on the touchline, with Fernandez playing under eight different managers since joining the club in January 2023. However, during that chaotic period, the Argentine midfielder established his strong rapport with Maresca.

During his tenure at Stamford Bridge beginning in July 2024, the Italian manager led Chelsea to titles in the 2024-25 UEFA Conference League and the revamped 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. However, following a string of poor domestic results and friction with club executives, Maresca resigned in December 2025 after less than 18 months in charge.

Following his departure, Fernandez published a heartfelt message on social media dedicated to his former manager. “Mister, thank you for everything we shared and experienced during this stage. I learned a lot and truly value every piece of advice and each experience… We won two titles together that I will never forget. Much success to all of you, and hopefully our paths will cross again in the future.” While current Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso expects Fernandez in his squad, a chance to reunite with Maresca could prove to be the deciding factor in pushing the move through.

The U.S. president made his position clear in a post on Truth Social, defending Infantino’s leadership amid the growing revolt from some of football’s most powerful governing bodies.

In his post, Trump wrote: “FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino. He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!”

The backing comes in the middle of a crisis triggered by Infantino’s now-scrapped FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which would have sold private investors a 20% stake in the World Cup’s commercial rights for a reported $4.2 billion.

The proposal sparked accusations that Infantino was attempting to privatize a central pillar of the sport, and although FIFA has since abandoned the plan and admitted it mishandled the rollout, the fallout has only deepened divisions within soccer governing structure.

UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF jointly released a letter in response, stating that “trust” had been “broken through deception” and calling for new leadership at FIFA that serves football rather than commands it.

Argentina, Mexico and Africa’s CAF rally behind embattled Infantino

Not everyone within soccer governing bodies has turned against Infantino. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) issued a letter backing him directly, pointing to FIFA’s work over the past decade as having “centred on the development of soccer worldwide and institutional strength based on a clear, stable, and transparent governance model”.

Mexico’s federation broke ranks with its own regional confederation, CONCACAF, to back Infantino as well, saying it “supports President Infantino’s leadership in continuing to promote the development of football through institutional strengthening”.

That backing was reinforced by the African Football Confederation (CAF), which unanimously endorsed Infantino across its 54 member nations — a significant show of support led by CAF president Patrice Motsepe, long considered a close ally of the FIFA chief.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of the Leagues Cup clash against Club Leon, Hoyos referred to the forward’s situation. “Berterame is recovered, we’re waiting on the timelines the federation determines, but we have a few more days,” the coach explained.

Berterame’s injury occurred on July 25 during Inter Miami’s MLS win over CF Montreal, when he collided with defender Efrain Morales while contesting a cross. The Mexican international was knocked unconscious and had to be stretchered off before being taken to a hospital. He missed roughly two weeks of action before returning to training with the club on August 7.

According to Hoyos, Berterame has now been cleared physically, but his official return to play still hinges on the federation’s own concussion protocol timeline rather than the club’s internal medical staff.

Unlike Lionel Messi‘s uncertain return date, which remains open-ended, Berterame’s case appears to be nearing its final stretch, with Hoyos suggesting the forward could be available again within days rather than weeks.

MLS’s concussion protocol: How the league handles head injuries

MLS activates a strict set of procedures whenever a player takes a blow to the head during a match. The league runs a Medical Spotter Program, in which trained medical staff monitor live video feeds throughout every game specifically looking for signs of a possible head injury.

If a Spotter identifies what the league classifies as a “Mandatory Observable Sign,” they immediately flag the incident to the Venue Medical Director, who is then required to review the footage before conducting an on-field assessment.

Crucially, a player cannot return to the match until the Venue Medical Director has both reviewed the available video and cleared them through that on-field evaluation.

From there, MLS relies on the HEADCHECK platform — described as the digital backbone of the league’s concussion policy — to track symptom checklists and monitor the player’s return-to-sport progress in the days and weeks that follow, which is the process Berterame has been working through since his collision with Montreal.

According to Argentine news outlet Todo Noticias, Messi is expected to arrive back in the United States on Wednesday. The forward will depart his hometown of Rosario in Santa Fe, Argentina, with his flight scheduled to take off at 10:30 p.m. local time.

The expectation is for Messi to arrive by Wednesday afternoon to gradually resume activities with Inter Miami. However, with the Leagues Cup matchup against Club Leon scheduled for that same night at 9:30 p.m. ET, his availability for the match remains in serious doubt.

When asked about a potential return ahead of the fixture against the Mexican side, Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos stated that he had “nothing” regarding the star’s exact timeline.

A return to South Florida alongside his family does not necessarily mean Messi will immediately rejoin squad activities. According to reports from Argentina, Inter Miami executives are granting their team captain full autonomy to manage his personal timeline before returning to the pitch.

Timeline of Messi’s time in Argentina

After receiving word of his father’s passing, Messi departed Fort Lauderdale on a private jet Saturday, August 8, landing at Islas Malvinas Airport in Fisherton before traveling directly to reunite with his brothers and close relatives. The Messi family gathered at El Prado private cemetery in Perez, a city adjacent to Rosario, to pay their final respects to Jorge Messi.

On Sunday afternoon, Messi left the memorial grounds to return to his residence in the gated community of Kentucky in Funes. Over the past several days, he has spent private time surrounded by his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, their sons, and extended family.

What lies ahead for Inter Miami?

On the pitch, Inter Miami find themselves on the brink of elimination from the 2026 Leagues Cup while navigating a severe roster crunch along the frontline. Their crucial group stage match against Club Leon is set for Wednesday, August 12, and while the club are skating on thin ice in international play, the coming weeks will prove equally critical.

On Saturday, the Herons travel to GEODIS Park to square off against Nashville SC in a high-stakes clash for the top spot in the 2026 Supporters’ Shield standings. Nashville currently lead the Supporters’ Shield race with 40 points, while Inter Miami sit close behind in second place with 38 points. Following that marquee fixture, Inter Miami will remain on the road to take on the Philadelphia Union next Wednesday.

When the reporter followed up, asking specifically whether he had any information on a possible return date, Hoyos kept his answer short and direct: “Nothing,” he said, offering no further details or timeline for when Messi might be back with the squad.

Messi has been away from the team since the passing of his father, Jorge Messi, last Friday, missing Inter Miami‘s Leagues Cup loss to Monterrey as he traveled to Argentina to be with his family. His absence has left a significant void both emotionally and on the field for a Miami side now fighting to keep its tournament hopes alive.

That fight continues Wednesday, August 12, when Inter Miami host Club Leon at Nu Stadium in what could already be a dead rubber. Miami risk being mathematically eliminated from the Leagues Cup as early as Tuesday, August 11, one day before that match, depending on results elsewhere in the MLS table — meaning they could take the field against Leon already out of contention for the knockout rounds.

When could Messi return?

If Messi doesn’t make it back for the Leon match, attention turns to Inter Miami’s next fixtures on the calendar: an MLS clash with Nashville SC on August 15, or the August 19 meeting with Philadelphia Union.

Miami’s own tournament situation could end up shaping that decision as much as anything else. Should the club already be eliminated from the Leagues Cup by the time they face Leon, there would be little competitive reason to rush Messi back for a match with nothing riding on it.

The Leagues Cup situation would potentially push his return even further out, toward Nashville or Philadelphia, once there’s an actual result on the line.

Messi did not feature in that defeat, sitting out following the passing of his father, Jorge Messi, a day earlier. His absence left Inter Miami without their captain and top scorer as they dropped their second match of the tournament, a result that now puts their qualification hopes in serious jeopardy.

Miami sit on three points through two matches, having opened with a 4-2 win over Atletico San Luis before falling to Monterrey. That leaves them well behind the pace in the MLS table, where six clubs — Austin FC, Charlotte, Chicago Fire, Cincinnati, Columbus Crew and Dallas — already have six points apiece, with LAFC on five and Real Salt Lake on four.

Miami could be mathematically eliminated as early as Tuesday, August 11, one day before their scheduled clash with Club Leon on Wednesday, August 12 at Nu Stadium in Miami.

That elimination scenario would require Charlotte, Cincinnati and Columbus to all draw their matches — even if they go on to lose in penalty shootouts — while Real Salt Lake defeat Juarez, a combination that would leave Miami unable to climb into the MLS table’s top four regardless of how they perform against Leon.

How Leagues Cup qualification works

The tournament is built around two separate 18-team standings tables, one for MLS clubs and one for Liga MX clubs, with only the top four finishers in each table advancing to the knockout rounds.

Points are awarded on a tiered scale: a win in regulation is worth three points, while any match that finishes level after 90 minutes goes straight to penalties, with the shootout winner collecting two points and the loser one.

That system means goal difference and overall points accumulated across all three group-stage matches ultimately decide who advances, rather than head-to-head results within a smaller pool of teams — which is exactly why results from other MLS clubs on Miami’s off day could end their tournament before they even step onto the field against Leon.

The UEFA Super Cup is the annual single-leg showcase pitting the reigning winners of Europe’s top two club competitions: the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. First contested in 1973, the event has endured for over five decades, with Champions League victors holding a 30-20 historical edge over Europa League winners.

Paris Saint-Germain enter as the Champions League representative after defeating Arsenal in the final, seeking to claim back-to-back Super Cup titles. On the other side, Aston Villa qualified as the Europa League champion after securing a decisive 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg in its final.

When and where are PSG and Aston Villa facing each other?

Following joint approval by European football governing bodies, the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa takes place on Wednesday, August 12, at 3:00 p.m. ET. With both Ligue 1 and the Premier League yet to start their domestic campaigns, this clash serves as the official 2026-27 opener for both clubs.

The host venue is the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria. Opened in March 2003, the stadium hosted three group-stage fixtures during UEFA EURO 2008 and serves as the regular home of FC Red Bull Salzburg, an Austrian power with extensive European tournament experience.

What is the UEFA Super Cup prize money?

Following its Champions League triumph, PSG generated over €100 million across the entire tournament, while Aston Villa earned around €21.5 million during its successful Europa League run. However, as a standalone single-match exhibition, the Super Cup distributes a localized prize pool.

Mirroring the distribution model of previous seasons, the 2026 UEFA Super Cup awards a base appearance fee of €4 million to both participating clubs. The club that lifts the trophy in Salzburg will claim an additional €1 million winner’s bonus.

Who will referee the UEFA Super Cup?

Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa. Coordinates through a joint refereeing development partnership between UEFA and CAF, Artan becomes the first African match official in history to lead the head crew in a UEFA Super Cup final.

Artan generated global headlines in recent months after entry issues prevented him from officiating at the 2026 World Cup in the United States. In response, UEFA chose to recognize the referee’s elite credentials by entrusting him with one of the most prominent single-match finals on the European calendar.

Originally serving as Uruguay‘s Under-20 head coach, Forlan will step in as interim manager through March 2027, ahead of the Uruguayan Football Association’s upcoming presidential elections. The opening follows Marcelo Bielsa’s resignation after Uruguay’s group-stage elimination from the World Cup, a tournament where the Argentine manager notably excluded Suarez from his squad.

However, during his introductory press conference, Forlán made it clear that Suárez remains in his thoughts: “I have enormous affection for Luis and a lot of confidence in him. If he is eligible for selection—he is Uruguayan—so being able to have a player like Luis with that experience… He has goals in him and keeps showing it every weekend he plays, why not? That will be seen further down the line. Nobody is going to debate who Luis is.”

Suarez and Forlan famously headlined Uruguay’s memorable 2010 World Cup run to the semifinals, highlighted by Forlan’s Golden Ball performance and Suárez’s iconic goal-line handball against Ghana. The attacking duo also shared the pitch at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and led Uruguay to victory in the 2011 Copa América in Argentina, securing the country’s most recent major international trophy.

Suarez previously made his ceremonial farewell appearance for Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in September 2024. However, prior to the World Cup, the veteran forward left room for a potential return, stating, “I would never say no to the national team.” Ultimately, Bielsa opted to leave the Inter Miami striker off his roster for the tournament in North America.

When reporters reminded Forlan of Suarez’s willingness to return, the new interim coach reiterated his open-door policy for his longtime teammate. “Honestly, I didn’t know he had said that, but if he did, he is more than welcome,” he affirmed.

Suarez’s strong form could fuel international comeback

Suarez has reignited his form with Inter Miami after regaining a featured role under head coach Guillermo Hoyos. The 39-year-old forward has made 15 appearances across all competitions in 2026, delivering 10 goals and two assists while demonstrating impressive efficiency in front of the net compared to Uruguay’s current attacking options.

During the World Cup, Bielsa’s forward line struggled to generate offense, relying on Darwin Nuñez, Federico Viñas, and Rodrigo Aguirre, none of whom scored any of Uruguay’s three tournament goals. As a result, a potential Suarez return would be fueled not only by his strong club form, but also by Uruguay’s lingering need for proven goalscoring depth up front.

According to Chilean outlet El Deportivo of La Tercera, CF Montreal has finalized the signing of Sanchez, with only an official team announcement remaining. The veteran forward arrives in MLS as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with La Liga side Sevilla.

Sevilla reportedly pursued a one-year extension to retain Sanchez, but the former Arsenal star elected to end his 18-year European career to embrace the new project in Canada. The Chile icon will fill CF Montreal’s second Designated Player roster slot alongside Spanish midfielder Ivan Jaime in a two-year deal until 2028.

While the club has yet to issue a formal press release, final contract details are being wrapped up ahead of an official unveiling. On Monday, CF Montreal teased the arrival on social media, describing the acquisition as “one of the biggest names” in franchise history, while managing director Luca Saputo confirmed in a video clip that Sanchez will wear his signature No. 10 jersey.

When could Messi and Sanchez face each other again?

Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez were once dynamic attacking partners at FC Barcelona, sharing the locker room for three seasons between 2011 and 2014 before the Chilean forward departed for Arsenal. Since then, the two South American icons have clashed on numerous occasions in European competition and on the international stage, with a potential Major League Soccer matchup now on the horizon.

The next scheduled meeting between Inter Miami and CF Montreal is set for Saturday, August 29, at Nu Stadium for the 2026 MLS. However, with Messi currently on leave in Argentina following the death of his father and Sanchez lacking match fitness after missing preseason training, fans may have to wait until next season to see the two star forwards square off on a North American pitch.

Lionel Messi dominates the H2H against Alexis Sanchez

While they built a formidable partnership in Barcelona, both legends have frequently found themselves on opposite sides of the pitch, competing in high-stakes club fixtures and intense South American rivalries. When examining the historical head-to-head record, Messi’s statistical dominance over Sanchez becomes immediately clear.

Across 16 all-time meetings, Messi and Sanchez have faced off nine times in international matches between Argentina and Chile, alongside seven European club encounters. On the international stage, Messi has compiled six victories while three matches ended in draws, though two of those draws led to penalty shootout victories for Chile in the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals.

In European club competitions, the two met seven times, with Messi’s Barcelona emerging victorious against Sanchez during his stints at Arsenal, Manchester United, and Inter Milan. Messi claimed six wins in those seven matchups, with Sánchez’s sole victory coming during the 2022-23 Coupe de France, when Olympique Marseille earned a 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain.

On Sunday, August 9, Santos hosted Athletico Paranaense at the Vila Belmiro, suffering a costly 2-0 defeat that dropped the club to 17th in the standings, pushing them into the final relegation spot. Neymar missed the clash against third-place Athletico while serving a mandatory one-match ban for yellow card accumulation, marking his second yellow-card suspension of the 2026 campaign.

Following the setback, Santos head coach Cuca addressed the situation publicly, stating he intends to sit down with his superstar. “We are going to talk to Neymar. He is important and cannot miss crucial matches like today’s (Sunday). Our finishing power would certainly have been of higher quality,” Cuca noted during his postmatch press conference.

Santos currently sit 17th in the Table, tied at 22 points with 18th-place Vasco da Gama and 19th-place Remo. Despite the dangerous position, safety remains within reach, as O Peixe sits just one point behind Internacional and Mirassol, who hover above the line with 23 points.

Compounding the pressure on Santos is the heavy workload of balancing domestic league struggles with the Copa Sudamericana. O Peixe will host Ecuadorian side Macara on Thursday before facing a high-stakes relegation battle against Vasco da Gama on Sunday, August 16, when Neymar is expected to return following his suspension.

Discipline issues overshadowing Neymar’s 2026 campaign

Last season, Neymar played the role of club savior, sparking a heroic late-season push to pull Santos out of the drop zone and earn Copa Sudamericana qualification while playing through a knee injury. Throughout the 2026 season, however, physical health has taken a backseat to discipline and on-field temperament.

Across 19 appearances for Santos this season, Neymar has already accumulated nine yellow cards. That total surpasses his entire 2025 mark, when he received eight bookings in 28 matches, including a second-yellow ejection against Botafogo in Brasileirao play.

In addition to missing Sunday’s match, Neymar previously served a card-accumulation suspension against Flamengo on Matchday 10 and now enters the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals one booking away from another ban following yellow cards against Coritiba and Remo. While Neymar remains the club’s second-leading scorer with eight goals and five assists in 2026, his frequent yellow cards are fueling Santos’ growing relegation fears.

Since making a public statement during the World Cup expressing his desire to leave Atletico Madrid, zero progress has been made toward a transfer, as the club maintains a firm stance that he remains part of its 2026-27 plans. Now, with the mandatory reporting date arriving, Alvarez has returned to Madrid with no deal in sight.

On Monday, August 10, Alvarez reported to the High Performance Sports Medicine Center in Madrid to undergo routine medical testing ahead of the new campaign. He arrived alongside Spanish World Cup champions Marcos Llorente and Alex Baena following their extended summer breaks.

With the squad returning from its preseason tour in Seoul, South Korea, players will receive two days of rest before training resumes on Wednesday, when Alvarez is expected to rejoin his teammates on the pitch. Heading into Friday’s final exhibition match against Marseille, the Argentine was treated as a full participant in Diego Simeone’s squad.

Alvarez frustrated by canceled meeting with Atletico executives

Atletico executives have reiterated that Alvarez remains an integral part of the team and will not be sold unless a club triggers his €500 million (roughly $578 million USD) release clause. With the striker holding a completely opposing view, a sit-down between both sides was expected upon his return.

According to Barcelona insider Gerard Romero of Jijantes FC, Alvarez and the board previously agreed during a phone call to meet on August 10 to discuss his future. However, the meeting never materialized, leaving the former Manchester City forward deeply frustrated by the club’s failure to honor its word.

Following his medical exams in Madrid, Romero reported that Alvarez met with his agency team, Fernando Hidalgo and Sergio Diaz. The session lasted over two hours as they mapped out their strategy for the coming days, with one clear goal in mind.

Romero, Argentina insider Gaston Edul, and Spanish outlets including Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo all align on the same conclusion: Julian Alvarez wants an immediate move to FC Barcelona during the 2026 summer transfer window. The next step will be forcing a direct meeting with Atlético Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin so the striker can directly express his position.

To this point, Alvarez has not indicated any intent to stage a holdout or breach his contractual duties. For now, the Argentine star is pursuing a diplomatic resolution to secure his exit, but with time running out in the transfer window, Atletico’s unyielding stance, and Barcelona’s urgent need for a marquee striker, the coming week will prove decisive for his future.

On Sunday, August 9, Diriyah FC announced that an agreement was finalized with Al Nassr to play their home fixtures at Al Awwal Park throughout the 2026-27 campaign, including games across the different competitions, and not only the Saudi Pro League.

Diriyah FC confirmed the partnership with an official statement: “A light has been shining for us for a long time… For a glory that stems from ‘the beginning,’ not just from recently. Al Awwal (Park) approved ‘our home’ to host Diriyah FC’s matches in the 26/27 Roshn League.”

After securing promotion through the playoffs in May against Al Ula, Diriyah FC became the third club promoted to the Saudi Pro League for the 2026-27 season alongside Abha and Al Faisaly. During its previous campaign in the Saudi First Division, the club played home matches at SGH Arena, home of Riyadh-based Al Shabab, before securing a new home for its top-flight return.

As a result, both Saudi Pro League clashes between Al Nassr and Diriyah FC, scheduled for September 17, 2026, and April 8, 2027, will take place at Al-Awwal Park. Furthermore, Ronaldo and Al Nassr will face their new venue partners in the King’s Cup Round of 32 on Aug. 18.

Al Nassr forced to share stadium due to ongoing financial constraints

Despite standing as one of Saudi Arabia’s flagship franchises, Al Nassr are navigating severe financial constraints, to the point that defensive midfielder Samu Costa remains the club’s sole summer acquisition. The stadium-sharing arrangement with Diriyah FC was orchestrated to generate crucial auxiliary revenue for a front office currently restricted from adding talent until existing transfer debts are settled.

According to Al Nassr insider Ali Alabdallh, allowing Diriyah FC to host matches at Al Awwal Park will inject a substantial sum into the club’s treasury, providing a vital financial boost as the organization works to resolve its balance sheet issues.

Published on August 10, 2026, Concacaf, the AFC, and UEFA authored an “Open Letter to the Football Family.” In it, they questioned FIFA’s current leadership and highlighted how recent commercial plans presented by Gianni Infantino have damaged the sport.

According to the letter, a “fundamental breach of trust” has been created between FIFA and the regional governing bodies. This rift developed following Infantino’s proposal to sell commercial stakes in major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup.

Gianni Infantino under severe scrutiny

Throughout the letter, the three governing bodies explain why they felt deceived by FIFA regarding these commercial schemes. According to the statement, FIFA presented the plan on a compressed timeline to limit scrutiny and prevent member associations from properly reviewing the terms.

The federations rejected Infantino’s plan. While the FIFA president proposed an internal review of the situation, Concacaf, the AFC, and UEFA rejected that offer, asserting that an independent third-party investigation is necessary.  

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, Concacaf President Victor Montagliani, and AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa all co-signed the letter. “There is silence where there should be accountability, distance where there should be openness,” the statement concludes.

While there is no direct call for Infantino’s immediate resignation, the statement significantly intensifies pressure and fuels rumors of a potential leadership change at FIFA.

Reports suggest that Montagliani is interested in running for the presidency if an election to replace Infantino materializes. The regional confederations are clearly dissatisfied with administrative decisions, ensuring that tension remains high at FIFA headquarters in Zurich.

The Herons initially kicked off their campaign on the right foot with a 4-2 victory over Atletico San Luis. However, ahead of their Matchday 2 clash against Rayados, Messi received the heartbreaking news of his father’s passing and was granted compassionate leave to fly to Argentina. The loss deeply affected the squad, which held a moment of silence prior to Saturday’s kickoff.

With Messi in South America and Luis Suarez, German Berterame, Mateo Silvetti, and Tadeo Allende all sidelined, Miami’s attacking depth was severely depleted. Young prospect Daniel Pinter shared frontline duties with Lovens Delinois, the Haitian forward called up from Inter Miami II to make his senior debut.

Rodrigo De Paul put the Herons ahead with a brilliant long-range strike in the 32nd minute, removing his match shirt to reveal Messi’s jersey underneath in a poignant tribute to his close friend and teammate. However, Hugo Cuypers netted the equalizer in the 47th minute, and Diego Rossi delivered a crushing blow with the game-winner in the 90th minute, leaving Inter Miami empty-handed at Nu Stadium.

Now, only one group stage match remains, set for Wednesday, August 12, at Nu Stadium against a formidable Club Leon side that won both of its opening fixtures against Nashville SC (1-0) and Orlando City (2-1). Facing a must-win situation with a depleted frontline, Inter Miami risk missing the knockout phase for the first time since Messi’s landmark arrival in South Florida.

What do Inter Miami need to avoid early elimination?

Under the expanded Leagues Cup format introduced for the 2025 tournament, only the top four clubs from the MLS table and top four from Liga MX advance to the quarterfinals. Cross-league matchups are determined by table standing, but to secure one of those coveted qualification spots, Inter Miami no longer control their own destiny.

Inter Miami currently occupy 11th place in the MLS Leagues Cup standings with three points, five goals scored, and four conceded, trailing ten clubs in the table. The top six sides, Charlotte FC, Austin FC, FC Cincinnati, Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, and FC Dallas, have swept their first two matches with a goal differential of at least +2 (+5 for leaders Charlotte and Austin), meaning Miami needs multiple top teams to lose badly while the Herons secure a blowout win over Leon.

Seventh-place LAFC sit on five points with a +1 goal differential, meaning Miami needs the Black and Gold to drop points or lose a potential penalty shootout following a draw. Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake occupy eighth with four points, while Portland Timbers (9th) and Nashville SC (10th) remain tied with Miami on three points, making the Herons’ path to qualification mathematically possible, but statistically improbable.

Simeone has maintained a clear public stance, aligning with club leadership’s decision to retain Alvarez as a foundational piece for Atletico’s 2026-27 campaign. Following his participation in the 2026 World Cup, where he reiterated his intent to seek an exit to pursue a new challenge, Alvarez will return from vacation on Monday, August10, when the pivotal sit-down will take place.

According to TyC Sports journalist and Argentina insider Gaston Edul, Julian Alvarez and Simeone will meet face-to-face on Monday to directly address the player’s future. However, the positions held by both parties remain firmly entrenched.

Per Edul, after consulting those in the striker’s inner circle, Alvarez considers his tenure at Atletico to be complete and no longer wishes to remain with the club. Conversely, Atletico executives maintain an unyielding position, refusing to negotiate a departure unless an interested club triggers his €500 million (roughly $578 million USD) release clause.

Simeone will attempt to persuade Alvarez to remain at the Metropolitano and commit to the club’s long-term vision. On the other hand, the forward aims to de-escalate tensions, which grew uncomfortable for him following the media reaction generated by the club’s public social media responses during the World Cup.

With triggering the full release clause ruled out by all suitors, Barcelona‘s reported strategy is to present a formal offer worth €120 million (roughly $138 million USD), which would represent the highest proposal submitted for the Argentine star. Whether Atletico considers the bid will depend heavily on the outcome of the discussions between player and coach, mirroring the process when Alvarez met with Pep Guardiola to facilitate his exit from Manchester City.

Barcelona remains preferred destination despite Arsenal and PSG interest

Alvarez has drawn interest not only from Barcelona, his preferred destination, but also from Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, two clubs capable of financing a transfer of this magnitude. Nevertheless, the Blaugrana remains the top choice for the Argentine international.

According to Edul, even though Arsenal and PSG have submitted formal inquiries, moving outside of Spain remains a secondary option for the player. Alvarez chose to depart Manchester primarily for family reasons, making a return to England, more specific to London, an undesirable outcome for his personal situation.

Last week, Rodri’s representative disclosed that the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball winner elected to join Barcelona despite receiving an ‘unrefusable’ offer from Real Madrid. Now, the remaining hurdle is for the Catalan club to reach a financial compromise that satisfies Manchester City’s valuation before his contract enters its final year.

Following Manchester City‘s 3-1 preseason victory over Atletico Madrid in Seoul, South Korea, manager Enzo Maresca was asked whether he expects Rodri to rejoin the squad ahead of the upcoming campaign: “Yes, as of right now, he will report in Manchester on Wednesday. There are no further updates to report.”

Since anchoring Spain’s midfield during their World Cup title run ending on July 19, Rodri has not rejoined squad activities. As the team prepared to depart Asia for Manchester, Maresca later clarified the player’s reporting timeline. “On the 14th, he will be back,” the Italian manager confirmed.

The Citizens kick off their competitive season in high-stakes fashion, facing Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday, August 16, in Cardiff, Wales. Joining his teammates just two days prior to kickoff, Rodri is unlikely to feature against the Gunners as he holds out hope of finalizing his move to Barcelona.

Where negotiations stand between Barcelona and Manchester City

While Real Madrid pursued Rodri following the World Cup, the opportunity to return to Spain with Barcelona proved to be the decisive factor for the former Atletico Madrid star. Personal terms between the player and Barcelona are fully finalized, leaving the two clubs to negotiate a final transfer fee.

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Manchester City initially sought a fee between €70 million and €80 million, though talks have gravitated toward a package worth roughly €55 million (around $60 million USD) plus performance-based add-ons. Structuring the deal could potentially involve a Barcelona player moving in the opposite direction to push negotiations into the final stretch.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick hopes to integrate Rodri into squad training next week alongside returning World Cup stars Lamine Yamal and Pedri, who report back on Wednesday. The immediate priority will be preparing for the La Liga opener in two weeks, with Rodri expected to slide directly into the starting lineup.

Match Overview

Providence Park hosts the Matchday 2 clash between Club America and Portland Timbers. Both teams won their Phase One openers; the Mexican side defeated San Diego FC 3-1, while the MLS franchise topped Club Puebla 5-2.

Club America currently leads Liga MX with seven points, while Portland sits in 8th position in MLS Western Conference standings in pursuit of a playoff spot—with both clubs aiming to secure another victory to bolster their chances of advancing to the Leagues Cup knockout round.

In his former role as Italy‘s sporting director, Maldini was tasked by federation president Giovanni Malago with spearheading the search for a new head coach. While Carlo Ancelotti reaffirmed his commitment to Brazil, Guardiola, who had recently departed Manchester City, emerged as a viable candidate, leading to promising initial discussions.

In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Maldini reflected on how negotiations with Guardiola unfolded: “He is the manager who most embodies technical, attacking play. Through a few mutual friends, he had expressed an interest in managing a national team. We went to visit him in Barcelona, had lunch together, and talked for an entire day. He was very tempted. He came very close to accepting. He even started writing line-ups down on paper.“

Maldini and technical advisor Leonardo traveled to Barcelona for face-to-face talks with Guardiola, who had recently stepped down after a decade at Manchester City. Although reports suggested Guardiola demanded a €20 million annual salary (roughly $22 million USD), Maldini clarified that money was never a barrier. “Financial terms were never an obstacle. Pep made it clear: give me one euro less than the previous manager, and I am satisfied,” Maldini revealed.

When asked about the deciding factor behind Guardiola’s refusal, Maldini was candid: “Out of fatigue. Guardiola is coming off ten grueling years in the Premier League. He had back surgery. He wants to rest. But it was a very serious discussion; we went over the rosters, from the under-17s on up… So we went with Andrea. Malago knew everything; we kept him informed step by step.“

Since making his top-flight managerial debut with FC Barcelona in 2008, Guardiola took a single sabbatical year between 2012 and 2013 before taking over at Bayern Munich, followed by a ten-year reign at Manchester City from 2016 to 2026. While managing a national team remained a career goal, the Spaniard ultimately decided the timing was not right to take the helm of the Azzurri.

Maldini’s brief tenure and sudden resignation

An institutional crisis following Italy’s third consecutive missed World Cup prompted Malago to appoint Maldini as sporting director. However, after assuming the role on July 11, Maldini resigned just 16 days later on July 27 after the federation president blocked the hiring of Andrea Pirlo over alleged ties between the former midfielder and a Russian betting firm.

When asked whether those reported ties influenced the decision to override Pirlo’s appointment, Maldini defended his choice while addressing the controversy: “That definitely played a role. We didn’t know about it. The media did its job. But legally speaking, there was nothing that could have prevented Andrea from becoming the National Team head coach.“

Maldini emphasized that no legal impediments existed to block Pirlo’s appointment, arguing the situation was sensationalized beyond proportion. However, the disagreement prompted Malago to unilaterally alter the administrative structure, leading to an ultimatum that the AC Milan legend found unacceptable.

“He (Malago) called me and Leonardo to say: ‘In my view, we can no longer hire Pirlo. From today on, I decide the manager. From today, the rules change: I choose the head coach, and you endorse it.’ But if I have a role, if I have a responsibility, and I intend to exercise it, that is an unacceptable proposition. We took 24 hours and submitted our resignations, on a contract that had not even started yet,” said Maldini, whose agreement was set to begin on August 1st.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, PSG and Parma are set to seal a deal where Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki would join the French side for around $40 million (€35 million).

However, Suzuki’s role with PSG is yet to be determined. It will all depend on Lucas Chevalier, who has rotated starts with Matvey Safonov. Chevalier is rumored to leave, and if he does, Suzuki would fight for the starting role against the Russian keeper.

A ripple effect at PSG

Chevalier, 24, is currently followed by Juventus. The Italian side see it as a top priority to bring in a new goalkeeper—specifically a young yet experienced shot-stopper who has already played in a top European league.

If Chevalier stays, the alternative move involves Zion Suzuki. PSG reached an agreement for Parma’s goalkeeper to give Juventus options where the French club still secure a strategic advantage.

Under this scenario, Suzuki could remain in Italy to play for Juventus on loan from PSG. The Ligue 1 side still have to determine whether Chevalier stays to fight for the starting spot or if Suzuki is the better option to compete with Safonov.