During a recent interview on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, Pochettino reflected on the current state of Tottenham Hotspur—a club he managed from 2014 to 2019—and admitted his desire to return. “One day, yes, because I really like England,” he said.

“I think my profile – my human profile and my coaching profile – match very well with the Premier League,” added the 54-year-old Argentine, who has spent more than half of his managerial career in England.

At Tottenham, Pochettino enjoyed his most successful spell, leading the team to a runner-up finish in the EFL Cup in 2015 and, most notably, to the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League final, where they lost to Liverpool. During those five and a half years, he also helped elevate players such as Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Christian Eriksen, and Son Heung-min to stardom.

Before that, Poch managed Southampton, where results were less consistent but his style of play helped propel him into the European elite. His most recent Premier League experience came with Chelsea, whom he led during the 2023-24 season, posting a 50.98% win rate.

Pochettino laments Tottenham’s current struggles

After spending more than five years at Tottenham, Mauricio Pochettino has a strong connection with the club. With Spurs now going through a difficult period and facing a serious risk of relegation to the Championship, the coach shared his thoughts.

“It’s really sad because I know how the people are suffering there, inside the club and also the fans. It’s difficult to accept,” he explained. “I really love Tottenham. It’s going to be a part of my life, an important part of my life as a coach, my personal life too.”

The challenge ahead for Pochettino

Beyond his future ambitions of returning to the Premier League, Mauricio Pochettino faces what may be the biggest challenge of his career. This summer, he will manage at a World Cup for the first time, and he will do so as head coach of the tournament’s main host nation.

The USMNT’s goal this year is to improve on previous World Cup performances. After reaching the quarterfinals in South Korea–Japan 2002, they have not advanced beyond the Round of 16, and have also endured setbacks such as a group-stage exit in Brazil 2014 and failure to qualify for Russia 2018.

The USMNT will open their 2026 World Cup campaign on June 12 against Paraguay in Matchday 1 of Group D at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. One week later, they will face Australia in Seattle before returning to California on June 25 to take on Turkey.

De La Fuente spoke during a medical symposium at the CEMTRO clinic in Madrid this week. “Will Lamine be there?” was one of the questions posed to the coach regarding the availability of the Barcelona winger for Spain’s World Cup squad.

“In a call-up, we consider every scenario—whether you’re winning, losing, or if the opponent goes down to 10 men,” De La Fuente said, according to Marca. “There are players who can give you 20 minutes, and that has enormous value. Some players may not be able to give you 50 or 60 minutes, but they can deliver 20 very good ones—and that can make the difference.”

In that sense, the coach avoided addressing Yamal’s specific case but made it clear that his presence could still be crucial even if he is not at full fitness at the start of the World Cup. “Our priority is to arrive at the decisive stage with the best possible team,” he explained.

De La Fuente has experience managing these situations

In nearly four years as Spain coach, Luis De La Fuente has faced situations that forced him to make difficult decisions, and that experience is now shaping his approach ahead of North America 2026.

To explain his thinking regarding players who may not be at 100 percent for the World Cup, the coach cited an example from Euro 2024, where Spain were crowned champions. “Olmo arrived injured—we were close to leaving him out—but he went on to be decisive at the Euro. There are players who can come in less than fully fit and still make a difference in the knockout stages. Olmo was decisive from the quarterfinals onward,” De La Fuente said, referring to Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo.

Based on those comments, it can be inferred that Lamine Yamal’s place at the World Cup could be secure even if he does not fully recover before the tournament begins. Spain’s group-stage path includes matches against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay, but the coach’s priority appears to be the knockout rounds that follow.

De La Fuente points to the schedule

In the same conversation, Luis De La Fuente shared his views on the growing number of injuries among elite players. “The pace is so intense, with matches every three or four days, that injuries are inevitable,” said the Spain coach. “It’s one thing to recover, and another to return to peak performance. The biggest risk when a player comes back is suffering another injury.”

“Soccer is the most important sport,” said Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., vice president of the International Olympic Committee, this week at La Liga headquarters in Madrid, according to Diario AS. “We want the senior men’s competition to more closely resemble the World Cup.”

In many disciplines such as basketball, volleyball, handball, and field hockey, the Olympics represent the most important international tournament, even above each sport’s respective world championships. That is not the case with soccer, and the IOC’s goal is to make the competition more appealing.

At present, the key difference between Olympic soccer and the World Cup is the availability of top players. FIFA reserves the presence of the sport’s biggest stars for its own tournament, while the Olympics imposes an under-23 age limit, with only three overage players allowed per squad.

By removing that age limit, the Olympics could significantly raise the level of competition by featuring each country’s top players. However, such a move would require an agreement between the IOC and FIFA. “Both organizations have their own objectives, but I believe we will make meaningful progress toward achieving them,” Samaranch said.

Club release obligations, another obstacle for the Olympics

Beyond the age restriction, Olympic soccer faces another major challenge in becoming more competitive: clubs are not required to release players. In official FIFA competitions, clubs must allow players to join their respective national teams. These are the so-called international breaks, during which World Cups, qualifiers, friendlies, and continental tournaments such as the UEFA Euro, Copa America, and Concacaf Gold Cup are played.

Outside of those FIFA windows, clubs are not obligated to release players for international duty. That is the case with the Olympics, where participation often depends on the player’s insistence and the club’s approval.

IOC proposal faces resistance

Initial reactions from figures within FIFA’s hierarchy have not been favorable toward the idea of removing the age restriction in Olympic soccer. “It would further overload the calendar, reduce club revenues, and affect players’ rest,” said Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, according to Diario AS, regarding the possibility of elevating the Olympics. “It is fine as it is—it should not be like a World Cup.”

“People close to Santi are fearing a catastrophe for the Milan striker,” journalist Carlos Ponce de Leon of Mexican outlet Diario Record said this week. “They fear he could miss out on a second consecutive World Cup.”

This report has surfaced this week for a specific reason. On Tuesday, Javier Aguirre confirmed a preliminary list of 12 Liga MX players who will begin training next week with a view toward the World Cup. While the list is not binding—and therefore does not guarantee a spot on the final roster—it offers a clear indication of the coach’s plans.

Among those 12 players are two center forwards. One is Armando Gonzalez of Chivas, who was expected to be included, as reports suggest he is competing for a spot with Inter Miami’s German Berterame. The surprise, however, was the inclusion of another player with a similar profile: Guillermo Martinez.

The 30-year-old forward has impressed recently with Pumas UNAM, where he has recorded five goals in 15 matches in the Liga MX Clausura tournament. Martinez has already been called up by Javier Aguirre twice this year: he played 24 minutes against Iceland in February and was an unused substitute during the March FIFA international window against Portugal and Belgium.

Santiago Gimenez needs to regain full fitness

Under normal circumstances, Santiago Gimenez’s place at the World Cup would not be threatened by Guillermo Martinez’s performances at Pumas. However, the recent track record of the AC Milan striker is far from encouraging.

Gimenez has scored just one goal in the 2025-26 season and has made only 14 appearances across Serie A and the Coppa Italia. An ankle injury suffered in November required surgery and kept him sidelined for nearly five months, until his return in mid-March.

Since then, the Mexican striker has logged just 67 minutes across three Serie A matches with AC Milan—against Torino, Napoli, and Hellas Verona— all coming off the bench, while also remaining an unused substitute on three other occasions.

Gimenez has yet to debut at the World Cup

Despite being one of Mexico’s most promising players in recent years, Santiago Gimenez has yet to appear at a World Cup. He was left out of the squad for Qatar 2022 by then-head coach Gerardo Martino, who opted for other forwards such as Raul Jimenez, Henry Martin, and Rogelio Funes Mori.

In the years following that tournament, Gimenez established himself as a regular call-up under successive managers, including Diego Cocca, Jaime Lozano, and Javier Aguirre. However, his recent injury issues have once again pushed him out of contention, with his last appearance for Mexico coming in October 2025 against Ecuador.

After the final whistle, as he prepared to give an on-field interview to Thmanyah Sports, Ronaldo was mocked by an opposing supporter, who brought up Al Ahli’s back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles—the most recent coming last Saturday after a win over Machida Zelvia of Japan in the final.

“Five Champions I have. I have five. Five,” Cristiano responded to the fan, smiling and holding up five fingers on his right hand, all in front of TV cameras that captured the exchange from start to finish.

The Portuguese forward was, of course, referring to the success he achieved throughout his career, particularly during his years in Europe. He first won the UEFA Champions League in 2008 with Manchester United, followed by an impressive run with Real Madrid, where he lifted the trophy in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

How has Ronaldo fared at continental level with Al Nassr?

After those glory years in Europe, Cristiano Ronaldo embarked on a new chapter in Saudi Arabia in January 2023. Since joining Al Nassr, however, he has yet to win an official title, a drought that could end this season in the Saudi Pro League.

Over the past three and a half years, CR7 has also competed at the continental level, where success has so far eluded him. His first appearance came in the 2023-24 AFC Champions League Elite, where Al Nassr were eliminated in the quarterfinals. A year later, they were knocked out in the semifinals by Kawasaki Frontale of Japan.

Cristiano Ronaldo looks to extend his dominance to Asia

This season, Al Nassr did not even qualify for the top continental competition and instead had to settle for the AFC Champions League Two, the equivalent of the UEFA Europa League. There, they have advanced steadily to the final, where they will face Gamba Osaka on May 17. That could mark Ronaldo’s first continental title since 2018.

“The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami CF forward Luis Suarez for violating the league’s policy regarding simulation/embellishment in the 72nd minute of Miami’s match against the New England Revolution on April 25,” MLS said in a statement published on its official website.

The incident took place during Inter Miami’s most recent match, a 1-1 draw against the Revs at Nu Stadium on Matchday 10 of the MLS season. Suarez was in the starting lineup and played the full 90 minutes.

In the second half, with the score at 1-0 in favor of the visitors, the forward attempted to deceive referee Rubiel Vazquez in hopes of earning a penalty to level the match, but was unsuccessful. However, minutes later, German Berterame scored to secure a point for Inter Miami at home.

Suarez was not the only player penalized. “The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined D.C. United midfielder Matti Peltola for violating the league’s policy regarding simulation/embellishment in the 30th minute of D.C.’s match against Orlando City on April 25,” the statement added.

Suarez has played a limited role this season

The sanction issued to Luis Suarez is purely financial, meaning he remains eligible for Saturday’s match against Orlando City. It will be up to head coach Guillermo Hoyos to decide whether to keep the Uruguayan forward in the starting lineup or return him to the bench.

So far in the 2026 season, Suarez has made seven appearances for Inter Miami. One came in the Concacaf Champions Cup against Nashville SC, while the other six were in MLS, where he has scored two goals.

However, the 39-year-old striker has played a secondary role for most of the year. He has started just two of those seven matches—a 0-0 draw against Charlotte FC when Javier Mascherano was still the coach, and last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against New England Revolution. He has also remained on the bench without featuring in four matches.

Other Inter Miami players sanctioned

Luis Suarez joins a list of Inter Miami players who have been sanctioned by MLS in recent weeks. Facundo Mura was also fined for simulation during the Herons’ win over Real Salt Lake in a similar incident, while Yannick Bright received an additional one-match suspension following his red card against Colorado Rapids for racist remarks.

After being substituted in the 59th minute of last Saturday’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace, Salah sparked concern, with fears even emerging that his season with the Reds—and therefore his tenure at the club—could be over.

“Liverpool FC can confirm Mohamed Salah is expected to be available to play again before the end of this season,” the English side said on Wednesday in a statement published on their official social media accounts. The news was well received by fans, who quickly flooded the post with likes and comments.

This will allow the Egyptian winger to properly bring his time with the Reds to a close. His departure at the end of the 2025–26 campaign has already been confirmed, making each remaining match all the more significant.

When will Salah return?

While Liverpool did not provide a specific recovery timeline, the expectation that he will return before the end of the season is telling. There is only one month left in the English campaign, during which the Reds will play four Premier League matches.

The next one comes this Sunday against Manchester United, in a crucial clash in the race to qualify for the next UEFA Champions League. After that, Liverpool will face Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford. The final match is scheduled for May 24, meaning Salah’s return is expected before that date.

Egypt set to have Salah fully fit

Liverpool are not the only ones with reason to be encouraged by the positive medical update. Salah’s expected return before the end of the club season means he should arrive at the World Cup in peak condition and with match fitness.

After club competitions wrap up in the final days of May, head coach Hossam Hassan will have to finalize the 26-man squad by June 1. From there, the national team will travel to North America for final preparations ahead of the tournament.

On June 6, Egypt are scheduled to play a friendly against Brazil in Cleveland, which will serve as their final major test before the start of the World Cup. Their opening match is set for June 15 against Belgium in Group G, followed by games against New Zealand and Iran.

For 76 minutes, the match had been tight and difficult for both sides. Each team’s defensive structure neutralized the attacking talent on the field, and clear scoring chances were few and far between.

Ronaldo had a golden opportunity in the first half, when a through ball put him one-on-one with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. However, as he tried to get past the opponent, the forward lost his angle and ended up delivering an off-target cross.

In the second half, CR7 got his chance and made it count, scoring the opener with a well-placed header following a corner kick taken by Joao Felix. The goal gave Al Nassr the composure to control the tempo in the closing stages, with the pressure now shifting onto the visitors.

With that scenario unfolding, Jorge Jesus’ side showed their quality and sealed the result in the final stretch of the match. Following a corner kick, Kingsley Coman collected the ball inside the box and scored the second goal with a powerful right-footed strike.

Al Nassr are closing in on the title

With Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Al Ahli, Al Nassr took a major step in their pursuit of the Saudi Pro League title. They now sit top of the standings with 79 points, eight ahead of Al Hilal, who have a game in hand.

That means that, even in the worst-case scenario, the gap between the two sides would be five points. With only four matches remaining in the season, Al Nassr’s chances of securing the title are extremely high. Still, they cannot afford to relax, as one of those final four fixtures will be against Al Hilal, where that advantage will be directly on the line.

Ronaldo closes in on 1,000 goals

The goal against Al Ahli brought Cristiano Ronaldo even closer to the 1,000-goal milestone in his professional career. He now has 970, leaving him just 30 goals short of a mark no other player has ever reached in the history of soccer.

Additionally, in the Saudi Pro League scoring chart, the Portuguese forward remains firmly in the race despite having missed a month of action due to a muscle injury. With 25 goals, Ronaldo currently sits third, two behind Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney and three behind the leader, Al Qadsiah’s Julian Quinones.

“Ney, are you thinking about the World Cup?” a reporter asked the forward during the post-match press conference following Santos’ 1-1 draw against San Lorenzo in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. “Of course. Every Brazilian player thinks about that. I hope I can be there,” Neymar replied.

Moments later, another journalist asked whether a potential reunion with Lionel Messi was also part of his plans. “Yes, of course,” Ney answered, going a step further by linking that possibility to a potential meeting at the World Cup: “Also, a final between Brazil and Argentina would be spectacular.”

For now, the Santos forward knows that to achieve his goal of returning to the Brazil national team, he must first deliver convincing performances at club level to catch coach Carlo Ancelotti’s attention.

In that regard, the past few weeks have been positive. Neymar played the full 90 minutes against San Lorenzo in the Copa Sudamericana and has now done so in five consecutive matches across all competitions. He only missed last Saturday’s clash against Bahia in the Brazilian Serie A, but that was not due to physical issues—it was a decision by coach Cuca to prioritize this week’s match in Buenos Aires.

An Argentina-Brazil World Cup final would be unprecedented

Despite being two of the strongest national teams in the world, with eight titles between them, Argentina and Brazil have never met in a World Cup final. In fact, they have not faced each other at any stage of the tournament in 36 years.

The last time the two South American giants met at a World Cup was in the Round of 16 at Italy 1990, when Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from Claudio Caniggia. That result helped them advance all the way to the final, where they lost 1-0 to West Germany.

Overall, Argentina and Brazil have faced each other four times in the FIFA tournament. Two of those matches were Brazilian victories (2-1 in 1974 and 3-1 in 1982), along with a 0-0 draw in 1978 and Argentina’s win in 1990.

Messi vs Neymar at international level

The friendship between Lionel Messi and Neymar, forged during their years together at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, has not prevented them from facing off multiple times at international level. Messi holds the edge, with three wins and two losses.

The most significant meeting between the two came in the 2021 Copa America final, when Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 thanks to a goal from Angel Di Maria, ending a 28-year trophy drought. Messi also recorded wins in 2010 and 2012, while Neymar came out on top in a 2014 friendly and a 2016 World Cup qualifier.

After being named in the starting lineup and playing 84 minutes before being replaced by Lucas Hernandez, Mendes became the youngest Portuguese player to reach 50 Champions League appearances.

The Portuguese left-back hit that mark at 23 years and 313 days, comfortably surpassing Ronaldo. The forward had reached that total during the 2008-09 season, when he was still playing for Manchester United, at 24 years and 83 days, and held the record for more than 17 years.

Mendes’ numbers come exclusively from his time with Paris Saint-Germain. Before joining the French side, he spent three seasons with Sporting CP, where he did not make a Champions League appearance. Since 2021, however, the defender has become a key player for PSG, something reflected in his seven goals and four assists in 50 matches in European competition.

Portuguese players with the most Champions League appearances

What makes Nuno Mendes’ achievement even more impressive is how it compares to other Portuguese stars from recent decades. At under 24, the PSG left-back is already approaching numbers that other icons took years to build.

At the moment, Mendes is just 14 matches away from breaking into the top 10 Portuguese players with the most appearances in Champions League history. That spot is currently held by Jose Bosingwa, who made 64 appearances with Boavista, Porto and Chelsea, as well as Vitor Baia, who played for Porto and Barcelona.

Top 10 Portuguese players by Champions League appearances:

1- Cristiano Ronaldo (183)

2- Pepe (120)

3- Luis Figo (103)

4- Bernardo Silva (101)

5- Ricardo Carvalho (86)

6- Deco (75)

7- Joao Moutinho (66)

8- Ruben Dias (65)

9- Vitor Baia (64)

10- Jose Bosingwa (64)

It is worth noting that this ranking only includes players who have featured in the competition since it adopted the UEFA Champions League format in the 1991-92 season. Before that, during its time as the European Cup, other Portuguese players also made their mark. The most notable case is Eusebio, who recorded 59 goals in 78 matches and won the title with Benfica in 1962.

“Julian has taken a very important step: he has told Atletico that he wants to leave for Barcelona,” reporter Jose Alvarez said Monday on El Chiringuito de Jugones, one of Spain’s most prominent sports TV shows.

That decision from the 26-year-old has reportedly triggered a series of talks between the parties aimed at completing a move this summer. “There have already been contacts through intermediaries to discuss figures and contract terms,” the reporter added, referring to the usual negotiations over salary and personal conditions.

However, Alvarez’s desire alone will not be enough. He remains under contract with Atletico Madrid through June 30, 2030, with a release clause of €500 million (approximately $585 million). Barcelona are highly unlikely to meet that figure, meaning negotiations between the clubs will be required to reach a reasonable transfer fee.

Simeone addresses Julian Alvarez rumors

As Barcelona’s interest grows, other clubs are also reportedly monitoring Alvarez. Arsenal are said to be interested in pursuing him this summer and bringing him back to the Premier League after his successful spell with Manchester City between 2022 and 2024.

Diego Simeone was asked about the speculation during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference ahead of Atletico Madrid’s UEFA Champions League clash with Arsenal. “I’m not in his head. It’s normal that a player like Julian is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona,” the Argentine coach said. “It’s normal. He’s very good.”

Barcelona have a Plan B for Alvarez

While Alvarez appears to be Barcelona’s top target—and he himself seems open to the move—the deal could still collapse if no agreement is reached with Atletico Madrid. With that in mind, the Blaugrana are reportedly evaluating alternative options.

According to Cadena SER, Barcelona view Joao Pedro as an attractive option if Alvarez cannot be signed. The forward has been one of Chelsea’s standout performers this season, recording 19 goals and nine assists across all competitions, while also appearing on track to be included in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad with Brazil for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The forward played just 34 minutes last weekend in the Gunners’ win over Newcastle United in the Premier League before an injury forced him to be substituted for Viktor Gyokeres.

While Mikel Arteta initially said “it didn’t look too big,” it became clear in the following days that the issue would prevent Havertz from featuring in the crucial match in Madrid. “Kai is out,” the Arsenal manager confirmed during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference.

The good news for Arsenal is that another key attacking player—who also picked up a knock and was forced off early against Newcastle—has recovered. “Ebs is ready to go,” Arteta said about Eberechi Eze.

Havertz seeking full fitness

While Havertz’s latest issue is not considered serious beyond missing the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid, it highlights a broader concern ahead of the World Cup: his struggles to maintain physical consistency.

This season, the German forward has spent more time sidelined than fully fit. A knee injury in August 2025 kept him out for 26 matches across all competitions. Upon returning in January, he alternated between matchday squads and appearances off the bench.

Those issues were compounded by a muscle injury in February that ruled him out for four more matches. The latest setback adds to that list and helps explain why Havertz has managed just 20 appearances for Arsenal this season, recording five goals and four assists.

Germany need Havertz

Arsenal’s concerns over Havertz are also shared by Germany. They have already suffered a major attacking blow with Serge Gnabry ruled out of the World Cup due to injury, while Jamal Musiala is still working his way back to full form after a lengthy absence.

In that context, a fully fit Havertz could be a key solution for head coach Julian Nagelsmann, who has had limited access to the forward between 2025 and 2026. Havertz featured only twice during that span, both coming during the March international break in friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana.

With this result, PSG and Bayern matched the all-time record for most goals in a Champions League semifinal match. The only previous instance came 66 years ago, when Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Rangers FC 6-3 in the second leg of the 1959–60 European Cup semifinals.

That clash between the German and Scottish sides also holds the record for the highest-scoring semifinal tie in the competition’s history. In the first leg, Eintracht Frankfurt had won 6-1, bringing the total to 16 goals across the series. That means PSG and Bayern Munich would need seven goals in the second leg at the Allianz Arena next week to match that mark.

Since the competition was rebranded as the UEFA Champions League in the 1991–92 season, there had never been a semifinal matchup with this many goals. The closest examples were Liverpool FC’s 5-2 win over AS Roma in 2018 and Inter Milan’s 4-3 victory over FC Barcelona in 2025.

PSG and Bayern Munich threaten historic Barcelona record

The unforgettable spectacle between PSG and Bayern Munich not only secured their place in Champions League semifinal history, but also brought them closer to a long-standing record currently held by Barcelona.

According to stats expert Mister Chip on X, both teams are nearing the record for most goals scored in a single edition of the competition. Barcelona currently top that list, having scored 45 goals during the 1999–2000 season.

With five goals on Tuesday, PSG now sit second on that list with 43, matching the totals posted by Bayern Munich in 2019–20 and Barcelona in 2024–25. The top five is rounded out by this current Bayern side, who have scored 42 goals in this edition of the Champions League.

These figures are clearly influenced by the tournament’s current format, introduced last season, which features more matches than before and allows teams to boost their scoring totals. Even so, with the second leg still to come—and a final awaiting one of the two sides—it appears highly likely that Barcelona’s record will be broken this year.

“I’ve been talking to Luka and wished him a successful surgery and a quality and speedy recovery,” the Croatia head coach said this week, just hours after news of the midfielder’s injury broke, according to BBC Sport.

Dalic struck an optimistic tone regarding Modric’s recovery timeline: “I am convinced that he will do everything to be ready for the World Cup, and we’ll provide full support. I am confident that the recovery will go according to plan and that Luka, as team captain, will lead us at another major competition this summer.”

Modric underwent surgery on Monday at La Madonnina Clinic in Milan, performed by Dr. Luca Autelitano’s team, with successful results. The midfielder now faces a recovery process estimated at six to eight weeks.

Modric’s timeline ahead of the 2026 World Cup

With confirmation that he will miss AC Milan’s final four matches of the 2025-26 Serie A season, Luka Modric’s recovery from cheekbone surgery is now fully focused on the Croatia national team.

By the time Dalic announces the final 26-man roster traveling to North America at the end of May, the midfielder will have completed roughly one month of recovery, providing a much clearer picture of his availability.

At that point, in a worst-case scenario, Modric would be around halfway through his recovery timeline. In a more optimistic scenario, he could already be nearing a return to training—an important factor considering that, at 40 years old, he cannot afford to spend too much time away from regular sessions.

Croatia’s road to the World Cup

Once the 26-man squad is finalized, Croatia are set to travel to North America in early June to prepare for the tournament. They will first play two final warm-up matches: against Belgium on June 2, and five days later against Slovenia.

Croatia will open their 2026 World Cup campaign against England on June 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in what is expected to be their toughest group-stage match. They will then face Panama on June 23 and Ghana on June 27.

This Tuesday, the Mexican Football Federation shared via its official social media accounts a list of players chosen by head coach Javier Aguirre to begin training ahead of the World Cup. May 6 has been set as the reporting date for this group, which will begin an intense five-and-a-half-week preparation period.

“On this list are 12 players from Liga MX clubs who are being considered for inclusion in the final roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” the statement explained. “This list does not include the group of players based abroad, as they will be integrated into the final squad that will be submitted to FIFA on June 1.”

This means Liga MX clubs have agreed to release their players so that Aguirre can begin training a month earlier than what FIFA regulations require. As expected, clubs from other countries are not obligated to do the same, meaning the coach will, for now, have to work only with players competing in the domestic league.

In addition, those 12 players with a chance to make the World Cup are not the only ones called up by Aguirre. “There are eight players being monitored for the next World Cup cycle to strengthen the training group ahead of the preparation matches before the World Cup,” the statement added.

Mexico’s 12-player call-up list

While the list announced by Mexico this Tuesday is not binding—meaning not all players included will necessarily be part of the final 26-man World Cup roster—it offers a clear indication of Aguirre’s plans for the national team.

Below is the full list of players called up:

• Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Chivas), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna)
• Defenders: Israel Reyes (America), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca)
• Midfielders: Luis Romo (Chivas), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Brian Gutierrez (Chivas), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas)
• Forwards: Alexis Vega (Toluca), Guillermo Martinez (Pumas) and Armando Gonzalez (Chivas)

They are joined by eight young players being considered for the future of the national team: Oscar Garcia (Leon), Luis Rey (Puebla), Eduardo Aguila (San Luis), Jesus Gomez (Tijuana), Denzell Garcia (Juarez), Iker Fimbres (Monterrey), Jairo Torres (Juarez), and Kevin Castaneda (Tijuana).

Mexican stars playing abroad

While Aguirre’s preliminary list includes several standouts from Liga MX, a significant portion of Mexico’s top players are currently based abroad. Some of the players expected to be part of the final 26-man World Cup roster include Raul Jimenez (Fulham), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan), Johan Vasquez (Genoa), Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid), Julian Quinones (Al-Qadsiah) and Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow).

“On the field, we’re all rivals, and if we have to, we’re going to go hard at him,” Jhohan Romaña said when asked about facing Ney next Tuesday, in an interview with ESPN. “We’ll prepare over the next few days. Hopefully we can rise to the occasion and come away with the win.”

From the Colombian defender’s comments, it’s clear that Neymar could be in for a physically demanding match in the Copa Sudamericana. This type of continental competition is often characterized by tough defensive play and lenient refereeing, which can work against a player of Santos’ star’s profile.

“Neymar is an extra factor, but for us the most important thing is getting the three points, which would give us a significant advantage,” said Matias Reali, another San Lorenzo player. “Of course, he’s a global star and you might ask him for a photo, but first we have to win the match.”

Santos prioritize the clash against San Lorenzo

While Santos are also competing in the Copa do Brasil and the Brazilian Serie A, their priority right now is the Copa Sudamericana. They have not started well in the competition, with one loss and one draw in their first two matches. That leaves them at the bottom of the group and in serious danger of elimination.

Given that context, Tuesday’s match is so important for the club that they decided to rest Neymar in Saturday’s league game against Bahia, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Head coach Cuca chose to go without his best player in a match that was also important, with Santos dangerously close to the relegation zone, in order to ensure he is fully fit for Tuesday.

Neymar returns to Argentina

At club level, Neymar has played in Argentina only once. It came during his first spell at Santos, when they lost 1-0 to Velez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires in the 2012 Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. In the second leg of that tie, the Brazilian side won by the same scoreline and then advanced on penalties.

The other seven times Ney has played in Argentina have been with the Brazil national team. Four came during the 2011 Copa America held in the country, where Brazil were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Paraguay. Two others were friendlies in 2011 and 2012, while the most recent was in 2015, during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

“Wrapping up all this last World Cup with Cristiano winning it would be something amazing,” said Fernandes during a recent appearance on The Wayne Rooney Show, as shared by BBC.

The Manchester United midfielder then emphasized that, beyond the significance of the World Cup title itself, the achievement would also serve as recognition for Ronaldo’s career. “I really hope we can make it happen, not just for Portugal, but for everything Cristiano gave to football and the world,” Bruno said.

Wayne Rooney was, of course, part of that conversation and knows Ronaldo well from their years together at Manchester United. “I would love to see you and Cristiano win the World Cup. Go and enjoy it. Have fun. And I hope you do well,” said the England legend.

How has Bruno Fernandes performed in the World Cup?

Bruno Fernandes may be approaching his final World Cup. By 2030, he will be close to turning 36, making it uncertain whether he will still be able to compete at the highest level by then.

For that reason, the midfielder is placing significant importance on this tournament. So far, Fernandes has been part of Portugal’s squad at Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. In his first World Cup, he played a limited role: he started just one match and did not feature in the team’s Round of 16 elimination against Uruguay.

In Qatar 2022, however, Bruno had already established himself as a European soccer star and played a much more prominent role. The Manchester United player started four of the five matches, including the quarterfinal loss to Morocco.

Cristiano Ronaldo has one last chance

Despite being 10 years older than Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself in a similar situation regarding what the upcoming World Cup represents. At 41, it is clear that North America 2026 will be CR7’s final opportunity to win the most important title in soccer.

So far, Ronaldo’s best performance in the FIFA tournament came in his first appearance, at Germany 2006, when he reached the semifinals with Portugal before losing to France. In the following four editions, they never managed to get past the quarterfinals, and on one occasion (Brazil 2014), they were even eliminated in the group stage.

The Spurs secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton on Saturday, giving them a boost in their fight to avoid relegation in the Premier League. However, it was not all good news for the London club.

Simons was forced off in the 63rd minute and replaced by Lucas Bergvall after suffering an issue with his right knee that prevented him from continuing. The Dutch midfielder’s visible discomfort, along with Roberto De Zerbi’s comments after the match, do not bode well regarding the nature of the injury.

“I would like to know more about Xavi though because you know the knee, it’s always different to the muscles… We go to see in the next few days,” said the Italian coach when asked about Simons’ situation.

“Unfortunately, no one saw this coming. Xavi was fit and fully motivated before the game, ready to give everything to help the team win,” De Zerbi added. “He will be treated immediately by our medical team and we are confident he will come back even stronger. We all wish him a full and speedy recovery.”

Xavi Simons’ World Cup hopes in serious danger

While still awaiting official confirmation from Tottenham, early reports suggested a possible ACL injury for Xavi Simons. If that diagnosis is confirmed, both his club season and the 2026 World Cup would effectively be over.

That would represent a major blow not only for the player, but also for Netherlands. Simons has been a regular call-up under Ronald Koeman throughout the build-up to North America 2026, and he featured in both national team matches during the March international break against Norway and Ecuador.

Tottenham aim to avoid relegation

Beyond concerns over Xavi Simons’ fitness, Tottenham have reasons to celebrate this weekend. The win over Wolverhampton snapped a three-match winless streak in the Premier League and put them back in the fight for survival in the top flight.

With four matches remaining in the season, the Spurs currently sit in the relegation zone in 18th place with 34 points. However, West Ham United are only two points ahead, with 12 still available. Tottenham’s remaining fixtures are against Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton.

Since the unexpected resignation of Javier Mascherano, the Herons have won both matches they have played under interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos. They secured road wins over Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake, which allowed them to climb the Eastern Conference standings, where they now sit in second place, one point behind Nashville SC.

This Saturday, Inter Miami face a double challenge. On one hand, they will go up against a team that has also enjoyed a strong start to the season, with five wins in eight matches, placing them third in the standings, just three points behind the Herons.

In addition to that sporting challenge against a competitive opponent, Messi’s team will also be looking to secure their first win at their new home. Since the opening of Nu Stadium, they have played two matches there — against Austin FC and New York Red Bulls — and drew both.

Confirmed Inter Miami lineup

For Saturday’s match, head coach Guillermo Hoyos will once again be without Yannick Bright, who has been handed an additional one-match suspension by MLS for violating the league’s Non-Discrimination Policy following his red card against Colorado Rapids last week.

With that in mind, Inter Miami’s confirmed lineup is: Dayne St. Clair; Facundo Mura, Gonzalo Lujan, Maximiliano Falcon, Micael, Noah Allen; David Ruiz, Rodrigo De Paul; Lionel Messi; Luis Suarez, German Berterame.

Confirmed New England Revolution lineup

Marko Mitrovic’s side are unbeaten in their last five matches and have won four of them, a run that has lifted them to third place in the Eastern Conference standings. However, they now face a tough test against the reigning MLS champions at Nu Stadium.

New England Revolution’s confirmed lineup is: Matt Turner; Ilay Feingold, Ethan Kohler, Mamadou Fofana, Will Sands; Alhassan Yusuf, Brooklyn Raines, Peyton Miller, Carles Gil, Griffin Yow; Dor Turgeman.

This Saturday, Hansi Flick’s side secured their ninth consecutive victory in the Spanish league with a 2-0 win over Getafe, thanks to goals from Fermin Lopez and Marcus Rashford. The result allowed them to extend their lead even further over Real Madrid, who had drawn 1-1 against Real Betis on Friday.

Barcelona now sit at the top of the La Liga standings with 85 points, 11 more than Real Madrid. It is a gap that is nearly impossible to overcome, with only five matches remaining in the season — meaning 15 points still up for grabs.

Under this scenario, Barcelona could be crowned Spanish champions as soon as May 3. A day earlier, they will visit Osasuna and, if they secure a win, they would hold a 14-point lead over Real Madrid. Los Blancos would then have no option but to defeat Espanyol on Sunday or they would no longer be able to catch their rivals.

A Barcelona title celebration in El Clasico is possible

If Barcelona do not manage to secure the La Liga title next weekend, the decision could be delayed by another week. That would coincide with El Clasico on Matchday 35, set to be played at Camp Nou on Sunday, May 10.

In that scenario, Barcelona would take the field knowing that a win over Real Madrid would crown them La Liga champions for the 2025-26 season. In other words, not only would they claim the title, but they could also celebrate it against their biggest rivals, adding an extra layer of significance.

Who has won more La Liga titles?

With this season’s trophy nearly secured, Barcelona are closing in on their 29th La Liga title, dating back to their first in 1929. That would keep them in second place on the all-time list, well ahead of third-place Atletico Madrid, who have 11.

However, the top spot remains firmly in Real Madrid’s hands. They are the most successful club in La Liga history with 36 titles since 1932, with the most recent coming in 2024. They also hold the record for most consecutive titles, having won five in a row on two occasions (between 1961 and 1967, and again between 1986 and 1990).

That said, recent trends have favored Barcelona. Since the start of the century, they have won half of all La Liga titles (13, including this year’s likely triumph). That run has helped them close the gap on Real Madrid, who have won nine league titles since 2000.

Haaland will be on the bench, waiting for his opportunity to come on in the second half if the team needs him. His usual spot at center forward this Saturday will be filled by Omar Marmoush, the other striker the Citizens have on their roster.

The starting lineup to face Southampton also does not include key players such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marc Guehi, Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Jeremy Doku. Instead, stars like John Stones, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki are in the lineup.

The XI Pep Guardiola selected in pursuit of a place in the FA Cup final is: James Trafford; Matheus Nunes, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Rayan Ait-Nouri; Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic; Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden; Omar Marmoush.

Southampton are looking to pull off an upset

While Manchester City are clear favorites to secure a spot in the FA Cup final, Southampton will give everything to pull off an upset and take that place in the showdown for the trophy from the Citizens.

The Saints are currently competing in the Championship, the second tier of English soccer, where they have been performing well. They sit in fifth place in the standings, just four points behind second-place Ipswich Town.

To face Manchester City, coach Tonda Eckert selected the following XI: Daniel Peretz; Welington, Nathan Wood, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, James Bree; Caspar Jander, Cameron Bragg, Leo Scienza, Finn Azaz, Tom Fellows; Ross Stewart.

“I hope he goes because I think he can be very helpful,” Ronaldinho said about Ney in a recent interview with Globo Esporte. “Personally, I’m his friend, and I think he is one of the greatest talents in world soccer.”

However, the former Barcelona and AC Milan star, who retired in 2015, made it clear that he trusts Carlo Ancelotti’s judgment when it comes to selecting Brazil’s roster: “It’s the coach’s decision, and we have to respect it… We don’t know what the coach is thinking. He has his own plans.”

Despite Neymar’s absence—at least for now—from Ancelotti’s plans, Ronaldinho expressed optimism about the direction of the national team in the months leading up to the World Cup. “I see Brazil doing very well. They have great players, and we wish them a good preparation so they arrive in top form. As a fan, their number one supporter, I’ll be there cheering them on,” said the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner.

Neymar and Ronaldinho were teammates and rivals

Despite belonging to different generations, Ronaldinho and Neymar were briefly teammates with the Brazil national team. Ney made his international debut in August 2010 and, just three months later, played alongside Ronaldinho in a friendly against Argentina. In the following years, they shared the field several more times, totaling 10 matches together, with six wins, two draws, and two losses.

At the same time, the two stars also faced each other at club level. In 2011 and 2012, they went head-to-head in the Brazilian Serie A with Santos and Flamengo. The most memorable of those matches was the first, a 5-4 Flamengo victory fueled by a Ronaldinho hat trick and two goals from Ney.

Ronaldinho has the authority to speak

Ronaldinho’s opinion carries weight given his legacy as a player. The attacking midfielder was one of the biggest stars in world soccer in the early 2000s and left his mark both at club level with Barcelona and internationally with Brazil.

With the national team, Dinho achieved major success, winning the 1999 Copa America, the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan, and the 2005 Confederations Cup. He also earned a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The Major League Soccer side appeared, until a few weeks ago, to be the leading contender to land the 37-year-old striker if talks with Barcelona failed. However, that possibility now seems less likely.

“The Chicago Fire’s pursuit of Barcelona and Poland int’l forward Robert Lewandowski has cooled,” MLS insider Tom Bogert wrote on his official X account, also citing The New York Times reporter Paul Tenorio.

What stands out most about this report is the reason behind the shift. It is not a rejection from Lewandowski that has seemingly reduced the chances of a move to the United States, but rather a change in approach from Chicago Fire. “Club’s priorities have shifted at least for the moment,” Bogert added.

Lewandowski’s current situation

Robert Lewandowski is under contract with Barcelona through June 30, 2026, meaning through the end of the current season. The club have six La Liga matches remaining, which could be the Polish striker’s final appearances there as they push to secure the title.

While a contract extension has been a recurring topic in recent months, there have been no official updates on progress in negotiations. Reports have indicated that Barcelona’s plan is to offer him a one-year extension with a significant salary reduction, alongside a less prominent role under coach Hansi Flick.

Italy could be Lewandowski’s next destination

As speculation continues over Lewandowski’s future at Barcelona, reports have also pointed to interest from two Italian giants looking to reestablish themselves at the top of Serie A: Juventus and AC Milan.

Lewandowski was recently asked about the possibility of continuing his career in Italian soccer during a charity livestream. “You know what? We will talk soon,” the Polish forward said, offering little detail about his future but making it clear a decision may not be far off.

“It’s hard to find a player like him, but this league has already recovered from players like Cruyff, Pele,” Mondelo said during a conversation with international media, as reported by Marca. “I’m sure MLS will find new stars to play here.”

For now, Messi’s presence in MLS is secured through December 2028, following the contract extension Inter Miami signed with him late last year. That means the Argentine forward will have this season and at least two more full campaigns in the United States. By then, he will be 41 years old.

Regarding MLS’s plans for the coming years, Mondelo was clear. “We want to be one of the great leagues worldwide in a few years’ time, but the first thing is to be the best in our Concacaf region, and there we have an ‘older brother’ in Liga MX, with which we want to compete on equal terms,” said the MLS Director of Competition.

Griezmann is one of MLS’s new stars

When Mondelo speaks about finding new stars to eventually fill the void left by Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann can easily be considered part of that group. The French forward has already agreed to join Orlando City this summer, becoming a marquee addition for MLS.

“Antoine was going to come to Orlando in March, but he asked us to stay until the summer at Atletico for the Copa and the Champions League,” Mondelo revealed. The MLS executive also addressed the proximity between Miami and Orlando but dismissed speculation about a potential rivalry between Griezmann and Messi.

“His signing for Orlando has nothing to do with creating a ‘derby’ against Messi’s Inter Miami,” Mondelo said. “It was the club that had been looking for Griezmann for some time, and both sides are happy with the deal.”

The balance between legends and rising stars in MLS

For decades, MLS’s primary strategy for growth was signing aging European soccer legends to generate excitement among fans in the United States while also drawing international attention to boost viewership.

That approach brought icons such as David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It continues today with signings like Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min, Thomas Muller, and Antoine Griezmann. However, in recent years, the league has begun shifting its focus toward younger players—often with less global recognition but greater potential to improve overall competitiveness in a more sustainable way.

That shift was evident at Qatar 2022, when MLS had its first active player become a World Cup champion: Thiago Almada with Argentina, who was playing for Atlanta United at the time. By balancing both strategies, MLS aims to continue its growth and establish itself as the leading force in Concacaf.

“Neymar has a plan with Santos to improve both physically and technically before Ancelotti names the 26-man squad, expected on May 18,” Mundo Deportivo reported on Friday. “The idea is to carefully manage Neymar’s minutes from now on and monitor his workload to avoid any risk of injury.”

The 34-year-old forward has found a level of consistency on the pitch in recent weeks that he had not achieved in years. He played four consecutive full matches between April 11 and April 22, across the Brazilian Serie A, Copa do Brasil, and Copa Sudamericana, contributing one goal.

However, to avoid any setback that could sideline him for an extended period, Neymar will be rested and will not play in Saturday’s match against Bahia, as confirmed by Santos coach Cuca. The plan is to prioritize the Copa Sudamericana clash against San Lorenzo, set for Tuesday in Buenos Aires, where Neymar is expected to be part of the squad.

Neymar has strong support

While Santos are focused on delivering results across all competitions, they have also taken on the responsibility of helping Neymar return to the Brazil national team and compete in what would be his fourth World Cup. And they are not alone in that effort.

“The star enjoys the admiration of CBF president Samir Xaud, who is a Neymar fan and whose inner circle also supports the idea of the former Barcelona player being at the World Cup,” Mundo Deportivo added. The same applies within the national team: “The locker room is also behind the star, as players like Joao Pedro and Casemiro have publicly expressed.”

Brazil’s timeline ahead of the World Cup

Although the 2026 World Cup will officially kick off on June 11 with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, Brazil’s preparation timeline is even tighter. FIFA has set May 11 as the first key deadline, when each national team must submit a preliminary list of between 35 and 55 players. By May 30 at the latest, the final 26-man roster must be announced.

However, Brazil appear to be planning to make that final decision earlier. Mundo Deportivo reports that Carlo Ancelotti will confirm the final squad on May 18, leaving Neymar with less than a month to convince the coach that he deserves a place at North America 2026.

“I hope so—God willing,” Hoyos said during Friday’s press conference when asked if he envisions Messi being part of Argentina’s 26-man roster in North America. “The way he plays is pure magic, and it never really fades.”

The coach was then asked whether he believes Messi’s physical condition is good enough to handle the demands of the world’s most competitive soccer tournament, as that remains the main source of doubt surrounding his potential participation. “That magic never fades,” Hoyos repeated with a smile.

The question is a fair one, considering that since taking over from Javier Mascherano last week, Hoyos now has the chance to see Messi on a daily basis in Inter Miami training sessions. That close contact gives him a unique perspective to assess not only Messi’s performances but also his physical condition.

How many games does Messi have left before the World Cup?

While the 2026 FIFA World Cup will officially kick off with the match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, club competitions around the world will conclude well before then to give players time to rest and join their respective national teams.

MLS is no exception. The league will pause its schedule in the final days of May, meaning Inter Miami do not have many matches left before the break. At most, Lionel Messi could play six more games with the Herons before the World Cup.

The next of those comes this Saturday against New England Revolution at Nu Stadium, while the last in that stretch will be on Sunday, May 24 against Philadelphia Union on Matchday 15 of MLS, also at home.

Messi’s decision cannot be delayed much longer

With the World Cup approaching, timelines are tight, meaning Lionel Messi will soon have to decide whether he will play in the tournament with Argentina. In just three weeks, on May 11, all participating national teams must submit a preliminary list of between 35 and 55 players to FIFA.

According to La Nacion, a prestigious Argentine newspaper, Messi will be included in that group, which would mark the first official step linking the forward to the 2026 World Cup. Then, by the end of May at the latest, Lionel Scaloni will have to trim that list down to the final 26-man squad.

“He felt something after the foul, but it didn’t seem serious, and he decided to take responsibility. It got worse, but you have to be aware of the signs,” Flick explained, revealing that Yamal’s discomfort occurred before taking the penalty, not afterward as initially believed.

At the same time, the Barcelona coach acknowledged that had Yamal come off immediately after feeling discomfort, the injury might have been less severe: “He had never had a muscle injury before, and it’s part of the learning curve. It’s another experience for him—understanding the signals your body gives you.”

Throughout his career, Yamal has had a few spells on the sidelines due to physical issues. In addition to minor knocks, the main problem he dealt with this season was pubalgia, which kept him out for several weeks. However, he had never previously suffered a muscle tear, making this a new challenge that will require patience during his recovery process.

Flick confident Yamal will be fit for the World Cup

Once Lamine Yamal’s injury was confirmed—and with concerns over a potentially lengthy recovery—there was widespread worry in Spain about his availability for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Medical test results brought positive news in that regard, reassuring the winger that he is expected to be fully fit by mid-June.

“He’s very focused. He’s motivated. He’ll be ready for the World Cup and will come back stronger,” Hansi Flick said in the same press conference on Friday. “This injury affects him, but his reaction is normal. Now the focus is on the recovery process, and that’s what he wants. I hope he has a fantastic World Cup.”

Barcelona’s other injuries

While Yamal’s absence is the most significant for Barcelona right now, there are other players in the squad currently sidelined with injuries, and their returns are eagerly anticipated ahead of the decisive stretch of the La Liga season.

One of them is Raphinha, who has not played since the March international break, when he was injured while on duty with Brazil against France. The other is Marc Bernal, who suffered an ankle sprain against Atletico Madrid a few weeks ago.

“When they’re ready and training with the team, they’ll be available. But for now, they haven’t joined full training, and neither is available for tomorrow,” Flick explained, ruling them out for Saturday’s La Liga clash against Getafe. “I think next week—although we have to take it day by day—we’ll have better news.”

“It’s a different kind of match. There’s no time to rest. Neymar will not play on Saturday so he can be in better condition for Argentina, which is a decisive game for us,” Cuca said during the press conference following Wednesday’s 0-0 draw against Coritiba in the Copa do Brasil.

As the coach explained, the decision to leave Neymar out of the squad for Saturday’s match against Bahia is not related to an injury or a tactical call, but rather to prioritize his physical condition ahead of Santos’ biggest current objective.

Just three days after facing Bahia in the Brazilian Serie A, they will travel to Buenos Aires to take on San Lorenzo on Matchday 3 of the Copa Sudamericana. There, Santos will be almost forced to get a positive result if they want to keep their chances of advancing to the knockout stages alive.

After losing to Deportivo Cuenca in Ecuador and drawing at home against Recoleta FC of Paraguay, Neymar’s team sit at the bottom of Group D standings. They now face a tough challenge, as they will visit the Argentine side, which currently leads the group with four points.

Santos compete on three fronts

The urgency to secure a good result in the Copa Sudamericana is Santos’ main priority right now, but it is not the only front they must handle. In the Brazilian league, their situation is far from ideal, as they sit 15th in the standings with just three wins in 12 matches, only one point above the relegation zone.

They are also competing in the Copa do Brasil. In that competition, they drew 0-0 at home against Coritiba this Wednesday in the first leg of the fifth round. They still have time to focus on the decisive return leg, which will be played on May 13.

Neymar needs playing time to convince Ancelotti

Cuca’s decision to rest Neymar in order to prioritize the Copa Sudamericana match against San Lorenzo makes sense from Santos’ perspective, but it may not be ideal for the forward. He needs to play as many matches as possible to prove he is in good physical and competitive form, and thus improve his chances of earning a spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad for Brazil.

Considering that competitions in Brazil will pause at the end of May ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Santos have just 11 matches remaining across all competitions. With his absence confirmed for Saturday’s game against Bahia, Neymar will have, at best, 10 more matches to convince Ancelotti before the final squad decision is made.

The Italian midfielder was sent off in the closing minutes of last Saturday’s match against Colorado Rapids and, as a result, was unavailable for Wednesday’s game against Real Salt Lake. However, that suspension will now extend to Saturday’s matchup against New England Revolution at Nu Stadium.

“Major League Soccer has suspended Inter Miami CF midfielder Yannick Bright for violating the league’s Non-Discrimination Policy,” the league announced in a statement published on its official website Thursday.

In addition to the on-field consequences, the penalty for the 24-year-old’s misconduct includes off-field measures. “Bright is participating in, and must complete, a restorative practice program,” the statement added.

“In making decisions under this Policy, MLS considers many factors, including the player’s immediate acceptance of responsibility for harm caused by the misconduct, eagerness to begin a process to repair it, and cooperation with the league’s review,” MLS explained regarding the disciplinary process applied to Bright.

Problems for Inter Miami

Thursday’s 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake at America First Field carried added significance for Inter Miami given the challenges they faced in assembling the lineup—particularly in midfield. Head coach Guillermo Hoyos was short on options for several reasons.

Yannick Bright was serving his suspension from the red card against Colorado Rapids, while the other defensive midfielder on the roster, David Ayala, was unavailable due to injury. That forced Hoyos to improvise, deploying Rodrigo De Paul in that role alongside Telasco Segovia, while reinforcing the defensive structure by adding a third center back and using Facundo Mura and Noah Allen as wing backs.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s match against New England Revolution, Bright is confirmed to be unavailable, while Ayala’s status remains uncertain as he continues his recovery. Sergio Reguilon is also among the absentees after missing the last two matches through injury.

However, time is running short, and that decision cannot be delayed much longer. By May 11, all participating federations must submit a preliminary list to FIFA with the players under consideration for the tournament. That means Lionel Scaloni will have to make a decision soon.

“The coach will include Messi in the list of 55 players that will serve as the starting point for the final 26-man squad, which must be submitted to FIFA before May 30,” journalist Leandro Contento of La Nacion, one of Argentina’s most prestigious outlets, reported on Thursday.

So far, the Inter Miami forward has remained cautious about his chances of playing in what would be his sixth World Cup. The reason lies in doubts about whether he can meet the physical demands of the tournament, as he will be turning 39 by then.

While his inclusion in Argentina’s preliminary squad would not necessarily confirm his presence at North America 2026, it would represent another step toward that outcome. It would mark the first official decision linking Messi to the national team in relation to the upcoming World Cup.

What is the purpose of the World Cup preliminary squad?

In recent years, FIFA has established two key deadlines for national teams participating in the World Cup. The first requires teams to submit a preliminary list of players under consideration for the tournament, while a later deadline is used to finalize the official roster.

In principle, once the final 26-man squad is set, any changes due to injuries or exceptional circumstances can be made with FIFA’s approval. In those cases, replacements must come from the players included in the preliminary list.

That initial list, however, is less restrictive than the final roster. In fact, coaches are not required to name the maximum of 55 players—they can submit a smaller group, as long as it includes at least 35.

That is exactly what Lionel Scaloni did ahead of Qatar 2022. He put together a 48-player list that included injured players—such as Giovani Lo Celso—as well as young prospects with little chance of making the final squad, like Nicolas Paz and Alejandro Garnacho. When Nicolas Gonzalez and Joaquin Correa had to be replaced due to injury at the last minute, their replacements—Angel Correa and Thiago Almada—were already part of the preliminary list.

The Instagram account Score90 compared Mourinho’s previous spell at Real Madrid (between 2010 and 2013) with a potential second tenure starting this summer. The post featured images of Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil from that era alongside current stars Mbappe and Arda Guler, highlighting similarities in profile and playing style.

“These are things I don’t even bother to evaluate, and they don’t bother me or matter to me,” Arbeloa said in Thursday’s press conference when asked about the French forward’s social media activity. “He can ‘like’ Mourinho, Julia Roberts, or whoever he wants. I don’t give it any importance.”

The coach also addressed the potential risk to his job following the team’s recent poor results. “My goal is for Real Madrid to win every time they play—not to focus on my position,” Arbeloa said. “These six remaining matches are vital for us. We have to make a huge effort, and I’ve told the players to think only about Madrid.”

Arbeloa weighs in on injuries ahead of the World Cup

The main news surrounding Real Madrid in recent hours involves the season-ending injuries to Arda Guler and Eder Militao. Both players have been ruled out for the final six La Liga matches due to muscle issues, with their recovery timelines aimed at being fully fit for the World Cup.

When asked whether he believes the rest of the squad might hold back in upcoming matches to avoid injuries that could jeopardize their participation in the tournament set to begin in June, the coach was clear.

“I wouldn’t understand a player holding back because of the World Cup,” said Alvaro Arbeloa, who was part of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning squad in South Africa. “We are Real Madrid players. Our responsibility is to fight in these six matches.”

“This injury keeps me off the field at the moment I most wanted to be there, and it hurts more than I can explain,” Yamal began writing on his official Instagram account. “It hurts not being able to fight alongside my teammates, not being able to help when the team needs me. But I believe in them and I know they will give everything in every match.”

The 18-year-old player then said he will closely follow Barcelona’s path in the final stretch of the season, as they look to secure the La Liga title: “I will be there, even if it’s from the outside, supporting, encouraging, and pushing like one more of them.”

Finally, Lamine delivered an optimistic message regarding his recovery and pointed to his next objective at club level. “This is not the end, it’s just a pause. I will come back stronger, more motivated than ever, and next season will be better,” he said. “Thank you for the messages and Visca el Barca.”

Barcelona will face the decisive stretch of the season without Yamal

When Lamine Yamal speaks about “the moment I most wanted to be there,” he says it because these are the weeks when Barcelona will play the decisive matches in their push to win the La Liga title, in addition to, of course, the upcoming Clasico against Real Madrid.

Right now, the Catalan side lead the league standings with a considerable advantage over their rivals: they hold a nine-point lead over Los Blancos with six matches remaining, meaning 18 points still up for grabs. And considering that both teams will meet on Matchday 35 at Camp Nou, the outcome of the season is just around the corner.

On the other hand, that sizable lead in the standings also provides Barcelona with a level of comfort. They can afford to be without Lamine Yamal, their best player, and still not seriously jeopardize their chances of lifting the La Liga trophy.

The World Cup is Yamal’s main objective

With a return to Barcelona ruled out before the end of the season, Lamine Yamal now has his sights set on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In that sense, confirmation of the severity of the winger’s injury came as a relief, as it does not appear to put his availability for Spain’s opening matches in North America at risk.

“From the Federation, they have reassured Lamine Yamal, who has the World Cup as one of his dreams for this season,” Sport reported this Thursday, noting that the winger’s place in the 26-man squad Spain are set to submit after May 31 is not in doubt.

“The intention of Luis de la Fuente’s staff is to call him up, as the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada will be long, running through July 19, and Spain do not make their debut until June 15 against Cape Verde,” Sport added. “By then, he is expected to be fully fit.”

Until the 82nd minute, the Herons had been unable to break the deadlock and, in fact, looked closer to conceding than scoring. The hosts had several chances on the counterattack, and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair played a key role with multiple saves.

In that context, the opener arrived through De Paul. The Argentine midfielder received a short pass from Telasco Segovia off a corner kick and had enough time to set himself before unleashing a stunning right-footed strike that flew into the top-left corner past goalkeeper Rafael Cabral, who had no chance to stop it.

That goal put Inter Miami ahead in a match that had not been easy for them, and one that gave little indication of such an outcome. But from that moment on, the game shifted, and everything changed.

Luis Suarez scores another stunning goal

After De Paul’s goal, Real Salt Lake barely had time to regroup before conceding again. Just over a minute after play resumed, Suarez made it 2-0. The Uruguayan forward had come on as a substitute for Tadeo Allende and had been on the field for only eight minutes when he received a pass from German Berterame inside the box and fired a powerful left-footed shot into the back of the net.

Inter Miami move closer to top of Eastern Conference

Wednesday’s win over Real Salt Lake marked Inter Miami’s second victory since Guillermo Hoyos took over as head coach following Javier Mascherano’s resignation. Those back-to-back positive results in just a few days have helped the team climb the standings.

The Herons now sit second in the Eastern Conference with 18 points, just one behind leaders Nashville SC and three ahead of New England Revolution. However, both teams still have to play their Matchday 9 fixtures, meaning those gaps could change in the coming days.

“Can Bruno Fernandes do more than he does now at United? Do you think Bruno, if he’s in another team, he’s not a top three Ballon d’Or player?” Pogba asked during a recent appearance on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the podcast hosted by the Premier League icon.

“For me, you put him in City and he’s in the top three for the Ballon d’Or—Bruno Fernandes—with the stats this season, the way he plays and everything,” the French midfielder added, highlighting Bruno’s performances during the current campaign with Manchester United.

However, Pogba acknowledged that individual brilliance alone is not enough to secure the game’s top individual honors, such as the Ballon d’Or and The Best FIFA award: “When you don’t win… we don’t think about it. This is life, this is football.”

Bruno Fernandes’ performances this season

Bruno Fernandes has been a key player in Manchester United’s progress this season following the arrival of Michael Carrick as interim coach. The midfielder has taken on a more advanced role during this stretch compared to his position under previous manager Ruben Amorim.

That shift has been reflected in his numbers. Fernandes has made 32 appearances for the Red Devils this season—31 as a starter—across the Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup. He has recorded 8 goals and 19 assists, averaging 0.84 goal contributions per match.

With Bruno as the team’s main creative force, Manchester United have climbed the table and now sit third in the Premier League standings, closing in on qualification for the 2026–27 UEFA Champions League.

However, that has not translated into silverware, continuing a trend that has defined much of Fernandes’ time at the club. Since arriving at United in January 2020, the Portuguese playmaker has won just two trophies: the 2022–23 EFL Cup and the 2023–24 FA Cup.

Ballon d’Or recognition has eluded Bruno Fernandes

Despite being one of Manchester United’s standout players for more than six years, Bruno Fernandes has largely been overlooked in Ballon d’Or voting. As Pogba pointed out, the lack of team success may be a major factor.

So far, Fernandes has appeared only once on the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist. That came in 2021, when he finished tied for 21st place alongside Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.

After being out of favor for nearly a year under coach Javier Aguirre, Ochoa returned during the March international break, when he served as the third-choice goalkeeper in matches against Portugal and Belgium, behind Raul Rangel and Carlos Acevedo. However, another player appears to be pushing for that spot.

“Xolos de Tijuana goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez could be one of the ‘new faces’ on the national team list ahead of the World Cup,” Record reported this week. “‘El Vasco’ has always had him in mind,” the report added, referring to Aguirre’s plans.

“Javier has held talks with Antonio,” a member of Mexico’s staff told Record, while stopping short of confirming that the Xolos goalkeeper has secured a place in the 26-man roster. “Antonio is a goalkeeper with strong numbers and the level to be here, but Javier has the final say.”

Rangel and Acevedo are Mexico’s top goalkeepers

With less than two months until Mexico open their 2026 World Cup campaign against South Africa, it appears clear that Raul Rangel will be the national team’s starting goalkeeper. The Chivas player has started seven of the team’s last eight matches, while continuing to deliver solid performances at club level.

Santos Laguna captain Carlos Acevedo is the second option, having remained a consistent call-up in recent months. That leaves just one spot available for a goalkeeper in the 26-man roster set to compete this summer in North America.

The battle for Mexico’s third goalkeeper spot

In the race for Mexico’s third goalkeeper role, Ochoa holds the advantage of vast international experience, having appeared in five consecutive World Cups since Germany 2006. On the other hand, his career is nearing its final stage, and he no longer holds the same club-level prominence he once did—currently playing for AEL Limassol in Cyprus.

Antonio Rodriguez’s case is the opposite. He is enjoying an outstanding run with Tijuana, playing a key role for the club in Liga MX. However, his international experience is minimal: he has made just two appearances for Mexico, the most recent in December 2023.

Messi, Ronaldo, and Ochoa chase sixth World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi appear on track to feature in the 2026 World Cup with Portugal and Argentina, respectively. That would allow them to become the first players in history to compete in six editions of the tournament.

Germany 2006 was their first appearance, followed by South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022. Guillermo Ochoa followed that same path with Mexico, but the goalkeeper’s outlook is far less certain heading into North America 2026.

“Robert, behave like a man,” Tomaszewski said about Lewandowski in a recent interview with Super Express. “You’re not just anyone. You’re the most famous Pole in history, and you allow yourself to be treated like this?”

The former Poland goalkeeper’s comments refer to Lewandowski’s limited playing time in recent matches, often reduced to a secondary role behind Ferran Torres and forced to wait for opportunities off the bench.

This season, Lewandowski has recorded 17 goals and 3 assists across La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. Of the 40 matches he has played, 22 have been as a starter, while in the remaining 18 he has come off the bench. On four occasions, he remained an unused substitute.

Tomaszewski believes the situation calls for a decisive move from the striker: “If Robert leaves now, Barcelona can do whatever they want and win the Spanish league. I’m convinced that wherever Robert plays—whether in MLS or at another club—he will be valued as he deserves.”

Flick, Laporta, and Deco under fire

In the same interview, Jan Tomaszewski also took aim at Hansi Flick. “The German gentleman is responsible for what happened in the tie against Atletico Madrid, and he has shown he has little in common with elite soccer,” said the former player, who was named Best Goalkeeper at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, where Poland finished third.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco were also criticized. “I suggest to Mr. Laporta and Mr. Deco that they nominate the German for the Nobel Prize for having ruined such a team,” Tomaszewski added.

Lewandowski’s future in doubt

Once his contract with Barcelona expires on June 30, Robert Lewandowski will become a free agent. That would give him the opportunity to choose his next destination, whether in Spain or abroad.

Barcelona are reportedly willing to offer him a one-year extension, with a reduced salary in line with his more limited role. Other options are also emerging, including interest from Chicago Fire in MLS, AC Milan in Serie A, and rumors of a potential move to the Saudi Pro League.

Inter Miami are coming off a valuable win over Colorado Rapids last Saturday, thanks to a Messi brace, which helped them bounce back following the abrupt resignation of coach Javier Mascherano and the appointment of his — at least for now — interim replacement, Guillermo Hoyos.

With that result, the Herons now sit second in the Eastern Conference standings with 15 points, four behind leaders Nashville SC. Their opponents on Wednesday have performed even better so far, collecting 16 points despite having played one fewer match.

However, the stronger competitiveness of Western Conference teams at the start of the 2026 MLS season means Real Salt Lake are not yet among the top spots in the standings. They currently sit fifth, five points behind leaders Vancouver Whitecaps and San Jose Earthquakes.

Confirmed lineup for Real Salt Lake

The Claret and Cobalt have lost just once this season — a 1-0 defeat to Vancouver in the opener — and have since put together a six-match unbeaten run, with five wins and one draw. That form leads coach Pablo Mastroeni to stick with most of his lineup.

Real Salt Lake’s confirmed XI: Rafael Cabral; Zavler Gozo, DeAndre Yedlin, Justen Glad, Lukas Engel, Alexandros Katranis; Noel Caliskan, Stijn Spierings; Diego Luna, Sergi Solans, Morgan Guilavogui.

Confirmed lineup for Inter Miami

While the Herons are coming off a win over Colorado Rapids, their recent performances have not been entirely convincing. That, combined with several absences due to injuries and suspensions, forced Guillermo Hoyos to field a significantly different lineup.

Inter Miami’s confirmed XI: Dayne St. Clair; Facundo Mura, Gonzalo Lujan, Maximiliano Falcon, Micael, Noah Allen; Rodrigo De Paul; Tadeo Allende, Lionel Messi, Telasco Segovia; German Berterame.

After a message posted by Neymar on social media addressing criticism he received for making a gesture interpreted as provoking fans, Ze Elias did not hold back in his assessment of the Santos forward. “He acts like a child, you know? A 16-year-old kid, 15 or 16, who doesn’t have the capacity or understanding to know what he is,” the former midfielder said.

“If he knew and understood what he is and what he represents, he wouldn’t behave like that. And he’s always the victim—people are always picking on him, he’s always right and everyone else is wrong, the whole world is wrong,” Ze Elias added during an appearance on ESPN Brasil.

This incident came just days after Neymar had a heated exchange with some Santos fans who confronted him over the team’s poor results in the Brazilian Serie A. “I’m giving absolutely everything out here and you don’t respect that,” the forward said, before mocking the physical appearance of one of the fans involved in the argument.

Ze Elias believes Neymar should not play in the World Cup

Ze Elias’ comments were not limited to Neymar’s off-field behavior and controversies. He also took time to analyze the forward’s performances with Santos and explain why he believes it would not be a good decision to include him in Brazil’s World Cup squad.

“I no longer think about Neymar in the Brazil national team, because we have to analyze what Carlo Ancelotti is asking from the team,” the former player said. “We have to be objective, beyond emotions. In this Brazil team, Neymar would stand in midfield asking for the ball. When he does that, who does it hurt? The national team.”

Ze Elias then addressed Neymar’s current version as a player. “If the ball doesn’t move quickly today, you can’t impose yourself on opponents. Today you need speed and intensity—qualities Neymar had in the past and no longer has,” the pundit explained. “His talent is unquestionable, that can’t be taught, but we have to be realistic. Now he shows flashes of brilliance—but not for the national team.”

Who is Ze Elias?

Ze Elias’ remarks are backed by his career as a player. He began with Corinthians in 1993 and later had an extensive spell in Europe, playing for clubs such as Bayer Leverkusen, Inter Milan and Genoa, among others.

In addition, the former midfielder represented Brazil in two major tournaments: the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where he won a bronze medal, and the 1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup, in which Brazil reached the final but fell to Mexico.

Kylian Mbappe had given Los Blancos the lead in the 30th minute of the first half after an assist from Arda Guler, and just five minutes into the second half, Vini doubled the advantage with a precise right-footed strike from outside the box that left goalkeeper Antonio Sivera with no chance.

However, it wasn’t the quality of the goal that caught everyone’s attention. Instead of celebrating, as he usually does, Vinicius stood on the pitch and raised his hands in a clear gesture of apology toward the stands at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, followed by another motion with his palm raised.

This was clearly the Brazilian winger’s way of showing fans how much the defeat in Germany—one that knocked Real Madrid out of their main objective of the season—affected him, leaving the club very likely without silverware in the 2025-26 campaign.

Real Madrid are far behind Barcelona in La Liga

After losing the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona and being eliminated by second-division side Albacete in the Copa del Rey Round of 16, Real Madrid had focused all their efforts on the UEFA Champions League. With that objective now gone, they remain alive only in La Liga, although their chances of winning the title are slim.

With Tuesday’s win over Alaves, Alvaro Arbeloa’s side sit second in the standings, six points behind Barcelona, who have a game in hand. If the Blaugrana beat Celta Vigo on Wednesday, they will restore a nine-point lead with just 15 points left to play for.

When was the last time Real Madrid failed to win a trophy in a season?

The current numbers leave Real Madrid facing an undesirable scenario: they are likely to finish the season without winning a single trophy. The last time that happened was in the 2020-21 campaign, which led to Zinedine Zidane’s departure as head coach and the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti the following year.

In this case, the analysis is even harsher when factoring in the previous season. During 2024-25, Real Madrid won two trophies—the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup—but both were single-match competitions against lower-level opponents, which they qualified for based on success in the prior campaign. This means Real Madrid are set to go two consecutive years without winning major titles.

“I never noticed any tension,” Falcon said during a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the Herons’ match against Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer, as shared by journalist Jose Armando on his official X account.

On the contrary, the Uruguayan defender backed Mascherano’s tenure, highlighting the team’s accomplishments in 2025 under his leadership. “Last year we competed in everything… We did a good job with Javier and represented Inter Miami very well,” Maximiliano said.

Falcon also admitted he was saddened by the sudden departure of Mascherano and his staff in the middle of the season. “When not only Javi leaves, but the entire coaching staff, it’s not something you like,” the 28-year-old said. Still, he quickly shifted focus to what lies ahead: “We have to take charge quickly because soccer doesn’t wait.”

Falcon evaluates the first days under coach Hoyos

To fill the void left by Javier Mascherano’s resignation, Inter Miami’s executives decided to appoint Guillermo Hoyos as manager, after he had been serving as the club’s sporting director. Pending official confirmation, it remains unclear whether Hoyos’ tenure will be temporary or if he will see out the season.

When asked by Bolavip US about the differences between the former and current coach, the defender said the approach remains the same. “As we often say in soccer, ‘everything has already been invented.’ There are certain coaches who have their own playbook, their style of play, their way of training, and of handling the day-to-day, which I believe is the most important thing,” explained Falcon, comparing Mascherano with Hoyos.

Regarding Hoyos’ coaching style, the Uruguayan player added: “We have to get used to his way of working. He demands intensity and winning individual duels. It’s only been a few days of training—intensity is the key word.”

Inter Miami’s last two coaches had similar exits

It is only natural that there is constant speculation surrounding Lionel Messi, given his status as a global superstar. In the case of Javier Mascherano’s resignation, those rumors were fueled by an interesting coincidence.

Inter Miami’s last two head coaches stepped down citing similar reasons. “Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano announced today his decision to step down as the Club’s head coach for personal reasons,” read the statement released by the Herons last Tuesday.

This mirrors the message the club shared just over a year earlier regarding the previous manager’s departure: “Inter Miami CF head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino announced today that he will depart the Club due to personal reasons.” In both cases, the coaches left after achieving historic success with the club.

“The team’s in a good place. People should be excited and hopefully ready to cheer us on,” the forward said in a recent interview with Reuters. “I know the energy in the stadiums is going to be great. We want to take as much of that as we can, take that motivation and push to make the American people proud.”

The USMNT will compete in Group D. They will open their campaign on June 12 at SoFi Stadium against Paraguay, before traveling to Seattle a week later to face Australia. Their group-stage run will conclude on June 25, back in California, against Turkey.

Pulisic later expanded on why he believes American fans should be excited about the USMNT, attributing it not only to their role as hosts but also to the team’s quality. In fact, when asked whether this is the best U.S. team he has been part of, the forward responded: “I think you could say so.”

Regarding the strengths of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, Pulisic was clear. “Looking at the guys playing at the highest levels and doing extremely well at their clubs, and I think for sure you have a really, really strong squad and depth as well,” said the AC Milan star.

The USMNT’s growth in recent years

It is no coincidence that Pulisic pointed to his own form and that of his teammates as key factors behind this USMNT potentially being stronger than in previous years. The vast majority of players currently in the squad—and likely to be part of Pochettino’s final 26-man roster—are playing in Europe.

This trend of increasing European-based players and fewer from Major League Soccer has been growing with each World Cup. After the league’s creation in 1996, the USMNT brought 16 MLS players out of 22 to France 1998.

That number has steadily declined over the years. This is not necessarily due to a drop in MLS quality—which has become increasingly competitive—but rather because top American players are in higher demand across the global soccer market.

In fact, in Pochettino’s most recent USMNT squad for the March FIFA international break, only nine of the 27 called-up players currently play in MLS. This includes all four goalkeepers, meaning the number of domestic-league players seeing time on the field is even lower. The remaining 18 players are all based in Europe.

Pulisic motivated by the World Cup

After the USMNT’s absence from 2018 World Cup in Russia, Pulisic played his first FIFA tournament at Qatar 2022, where he started all four matches before the team’s elimination in the Round of 16 against the Netherlands. Now, he will have another opportunity—and he understands what it means.

“A World Cup is enough motivation in itself and having it in the U.S., having my family and close friends there, there’s just nothing more you can ask for,” Pulisic told Reuters. “Representing the U.S. and being able to wear that crest, I don’t take it lightly.”

“His contract is signed and about 80% of his coaching staff is already set,” said Duilio Davino, sporting director of the Mexico national team, regarding Marquez’s arrival in a recent interview with Fox Sports.

This means Mexico will undergo a coaching change after the World Cup, regardless of the result they achieve during the tournament. That plan has been in place since Aguirre’s hiring, as he took over in July 2024 following the disappointing Copa America campaign, replacing Jaime Lozano, who had stepped in as interim manager after Diego Cocca’s early departure.

The announced end of Aguirre’s tenure, however, does not suggest a lack of confidence in the team’s outlook. “Javier has plenty of time, he has built a strong relationship with the players and knows how to manage them. We will compete, no doubt,” Davino said. “We want the fans to feel connected to the team—that’s what I want most—and to go as far as possible.”

The sporting director also expressed satisfaction with Mexico’s performances in March friendlies against Portugal and Belgium, which ended in draws. However, he urged caution when setting expectations ahead of the World Cup: “When we lost to Colombia (0-4 in October 2025), we weren’t a disaster, and now we’re not semifinalists just because of these matches.”

Rafa Marquez has the credentials to manage Mexico

The appointment of Rafael Marquez as Mexico’s next head coach has drawn little opposition. He brings qualities that make him a logical candidate for the role: he was a legendary player, with five World Cup appearances for the national team, starred at FC Barcelona, and currently serves as Javier Aguirre’s assistant.

“Off the field, Rafa has a strong personality, and today as an assistant coach he’s the same as he was as a player. He transforms in the locker room—he comes out of the shower and he’s the Rafa he’s always been,” Davino said in the same interview.

The sporting director also acknowledged that another Mexico legend could join Marquez’s staff: Andres Guardado. The 39-year-old former midfielder retired in 2025 with Club Leon and could be part of this new chapter. “Andres is an option. I’d like him to say it himself, but he could be a very good option,” Davino admitted.

“For me, Vinicius has a lot of quality, but he is still far from Neymar, Messi, Cristiano,” the 41-year-old former defender said in a recent interview shared on YouTube via Mario Suarez’s official account.

Miranda acknowledged Vini’s strengths. “Soccer has changed a lot. It has a lot of physicality and Vinicius has the technical part and the physical part,” he explained. “But he is not like Messi and Neymar. He lacks something. I don’t know if it is charisma with people.”

Approaching his 25th birthday, Vinicius has established himself as one of the top players in the world and one of Real Madrid’s leaders on the pitch. In fact, he has been instrumental in the club’s recent success in the UEFA Champions League, where he has also posted impressive goal and assist numbers.

However, that has not yet been enough to generate a broad consensus regarding his status as a true superstar. He has also yet to win the Ballon d’Or. In that sense, his struggles to replicate his club form with Brazil may be a decisive factor in that evaluation.

Miranda weighs in on racism in soccer

Vinicius has been in the spotlight in recent years not only for his performances on the field, but also for controversies involving alleged racist incidents he has faced. The clash with Gianluca Prestianni during the series between Real Madrid and Benfica was the latest of those episodes.

Asked about the issue, Miranda was candid. “Here in Spain and in Europe, not anywhere, I have not experienced racism,” the former center back said. “I had my head only to play soccer.”

He then explained how he blocked out outside noise to stay focused on the game. “What people said to me was only a distraction to take the focus away from the game,” he added. “When you’re going to play a game, if you let the fans take the focus away from the game, it changes the way you play a little, it takes away your concentration a little.”

Who is Miranda?

Retired since 2022, Miranda was a top-level player for more than a decade. He enjoyed his best years at Atletico Madrid, where he won five titles, including the 2012-13 La Liga title, and later at Inter Milan, where he played until 2019.

At the international level, Miranda was part of the Brazil national team for a decade, from 2009 to 2019. During that span, he won the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2019 Copa America. He was also part of the squad that competed at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where he started five matches and helped the team reach the quarterfinals before being eliminated by Belgium.

“I truly believe he is one of the greatest teenage sensations soccer has ever seen,” Neymar said about Yamal in a recent interview with Ziggo Sport. “There was Messi, there was me… but what this kid is doing at 18 years old is simply unreal.”

The Brazilian star echoed what has become clear when analyzing Yamal’s performances: his rapid rise to the top of world soccer. In three months, he will turn 19 and is already one of the best players on the planet, achieving that status much earlier than most of this century’s legends.

In fact, at that age Neymar was just beginning to stand out with Santos and was not selected for 2010 FIFA World Cup with the Brazil national team. Messi, meanwhile, was not yet a key figure for Argentina or Barcelona at that stage.

Yamal a Ballon d’Or favorite, according to Neymar

In the same interview, Neymar also addressed Barcelona’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League this week against Atletico Madrid, particularly focusing on what it meant for Lamine Yamal. “I felt for him when they were eliminated from the UCL. He gave everything and even sparked the comeback,” said the Santos forward. “But that’s soccer—anything can happen.”

Despite that setback, Neymar believes Lamine Yamal will continue his rise to the top of world soccer, with plenty of success ahead, including in the Champions League. “His time is coming. I hope he wins it next year,” Ney said. “And why not the Ballon d’Or as well? He’s special—one of those players I’ll always be rooting for.”

Yamal has already come close to the Ballon d’Or

Neymar naming an 18-year-old as a Ballon d’Or favorite may seem premature, but recent performances support that claim. Lamine Yamal has been so impressive that, despite his age, he already came close to winning the award last year.

At the 2025 ceremony, France Football awarded the prestigious prize to Ousmane Dembele for his performances with Paris Saint-Germain. However, Yamal finished close behind, placing second in the voting after shining for Barcelona and Spain.

Asked about Messi’s performance during the postgame press conference, Hoyos was clear: “Messi is the best player. The best coach in the world is on the pitch. We have the best player in history who changes the course of matches and a team that gave everything football-wise. We have the magic that God gave to our number 10.”

In that sense, Hoyos not only highlighted Messi’s performance and importance in the win over Colorado Rapids, but also downplayed his own influence on the team’s success. He took over on an interim basis following Javier Mascherano’s sudden resignation earlier this week and delivered a victory in his first match in charge in MLS.

“This result means a continuity of what was being done,” Hoyos said. “The team is the MLS champion, it is a solid team, it competes with great clubs, but it is very important to play in front of so many people.”

Messi has ruled out becoming a coach

Guillermo Hoyos’ comments about Lionel Messi’s role as a coach should obviously be interpreted symbolically. The forward continues to make his impact on the field, guiding his teammates with his talent and experience and, in doing so, making the manager’s job easier.

However, Messi has made it clear that he has no intention of pursuing a coaching career once he retires. In fact, he has said that, among the potential roles he could take on after his playing days, that is the least likely.

“As a coach, I honestly don’t see myself in that role,” Messi admitted in an interview earlier this year with Argentine streaming channel LuzuTV. “I like the idea of being a sporting director, but if I have to choose one, I prefer being an owner.”

Potential future coaches for Inter Miami

While Guillermo Hoyos’ debut as Inter Miami manager was a success with the 3-2 win over Colorado Rapids in MLS, it seems unlikely that his interim stint will turn into a permanent role.

In fact, in the days following Javier Mascherano’s resignation, several names have been linked to the Herons. Spanish outlet Marca reports that Xavi Hernandez is the leading candidate, given his close relationship with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Another former Barcelona manager of Messi’s, Ernesto Valverde, has also been mentioned after recently announcing he will leave Athletic Club at the end of the current La Liga season. Other reports include Argentine managers such as Matias Almeyda, Marcelo Gallardo, Hernan Crespo, and Martin Palermo.

“FC Bayern will be without Serge Gnabry for an extended period. The attacker has suffered a torn adductor in his right thigh,” the club announced in a post on its official X account. “Wishing you a speedy recovery, Serge!”

While Bayern Munich did not provide a specific recovery timeline, reports from Sky Sports and reporter Fabrizio Romano indicate an expected absence of around three months. If confirmed, that would make his participation in the World Cup virtually impossible.

At the same time, it would also bring an early end to Gnabry’s club season, ruling him out of the decisive stretch with Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and UEFA Champions League. They secured the first of those titles this Sunday, while also reaching the semifinals of the other two competitions.

Hard blow for Germany

Serge Gnabry’s injury represents a major setback for Germany. The forward has been an integral part of the national team in recent years, starting every match in the World Cup qualifiers as well as the two friendlies they played during the March FIFA international break.

Gnabry has typically operated as a second striker for Germany, playing in a central attacking role behind the center forward—most often Nick Woltemade. At times, the Bayern Munich player has also competed for a spot out wide as a winger.

Without Serge Gnabry, head coach Julian Nagelsmann will now need to find alternatives to fill that void. In recent months, players such as Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz, and Leroy Sane have also featured in that role. Additionally, Jamal Musiala is expected to return, having not played at the international level since March 2025.

Nagelsmann reacts to Gnabry injury

Hours after Gnabry’s injury was confirmed, Julian Nagelsmann addressed the situation publicly. “This is very bitter news, especially at this stage of the season, with such big and important games coming up,” the coach said in a media statement shared by SID.

“We were in touch last night, and I told him that everyone in the national team is behind him as well. We will all support him as best we can so that he can get back on the pitch as quickly as possible,” Nagelsmann added. “Get well soon, Serge!”

The English winger has been ruled out of the clash against Manchester City because of ongoing Achilles tendon issues that have bothered him for several weeks. In fact, Saka has missed Arsenal’s last four matches across all competitions due to this injury, as well as the FIFA March international break with the England national team.

Without one of their key stars, the team have looked weakened in recent matches. The Gunners have dropped points in the Premier League, where they once held a clear lead in the standings, and now Manchester City could close the gap significantly with a win at Etihad Stadium.

Heading into the match, Arsenal are top of the English league with 70 points, six more than the Citizens. However, Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand against Crystal Palace, meaning that gap could be reduced to just three points. That would allow Manchester City to potentially draw level with Arsenal if they secure a victory on Sunday.

Confirmed lineup for Manchester City

Unlike Arsenal, Manchester City come into this match in good form, having moved past their UEFA Champions League elimination and now focused on competing in both the Premier League and FA Cup.

Pep Guardiola has selected the following XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, Abdukodir Khusanov, Matheus Nunes; Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo; Erling Haaland.

Confirmed lineup for Arsenal

Mikel Arteta knows that much of Arsenal’s success this Premier League season will depend on what happens at Etihad Stadium. As a result, he is fielding the strongest possible lineup, without immediate concern for the upcoming Champions League semifinals.

Arsenal’s confirmed lineup is: David Raya; Piero Hincapie, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera; Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze; Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke.

The Portuguese forward needed just 11 minutes to open the scoring. The play began with a through ball from Kingsley Coman down the right that set up Nawaf Boushal. The right-back reached the end line and sent a precise cutback that found CR7 unmarked inside the box.

With the composure that reflects his experience and quality, Cristiano Ronaldo finished with a smooth right-footed shot that left goalkeeper Mohamed Ali with no chance to react. With that goal, Al Nassr gained the confidence to push forward and take control of the match.

In the minutes that followed, they showed clear superiority over Al Wasl, who struggled to find a way to contain the pace and dynamism of Kingsley Coman, Joao Felix, and Sadio Mane. With the attacking firepower of their stars, Al Nassr found openings to extend their lead and bring a sense of control to the tie.

Al Nassr extend their lead over Al Wasl

In the 24th minute of the first half, Al Nassr scored their second goal from a corner kick taken by Joao Felix. The Portuguese forward delivered a precise ball that found the head of Inigo Martinez, who made no mistake inside the box to double the lead.

The same formula worked again for Jorge Jesus’ side to make it 3-0. Just two minutes after Martinez’s goal, Joao Felix delivered another cross that was this time met by Abdulelah Al Amri. The defender headed home with precision to extend the advantage to three goals, effectively sealing the tie and securing a place in the AFC Champions League Two semifinals.

Cristiano Ronaldo delivered as expected

After scoring the opening goal of the match—and missing a clear chance to add another early in the second half—Cristiano Ronaldo left the field in the 65th minute.

Head coach Jorge Jesus opted to bring on Abdullah Al Hamdan in his place for the final half hour, giving his star forward some rest with the result and qualification already well in hand.

Cristiano Ronaldo will now have three days to recover before his next challenge. The AFC Champions League Two semifinals are set for Wednesday, April 22, where a well-rested CR7 will be key.

“The new agreement would not only extend his stay, but also include a major salary increase. The Parisian club are willing to make Luis Enrique one of the highest-paid coaches in the world,” reported Sport this week.

Reports indicate that PSG are willing to nearly double the Spanish coach’s salary. He currently earns around €11 million gross per year, while the new deal could see that figure rise to €20 million—approximately $23.6 million annually.

That potential raise highlights Luis Enrique’s importance to PSG, who under his leadership have won 11 titles in two and a half years, while also aiming to repeat that success in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League this season.

Where would Luis Enrique rank among the highest-paid coaches in the world?

If reports of negotiations between PSG and Luis Enrique materialize and he agrees to a new deal worth around $23.6 million gross per year, the coach would climb to fourth place in the global rankings.

At present, he sits in a respectable seventh position. However, his current salary of roughly $13 million per year places him well behind the top earners. The highest-paid coach in the world right now is Diego Simeone, who earns around $35 million per year at Atletico Madrid.

Next is Al Hilal’s Simone Inzaghi, who left Inter Milan last year to take up a lucrative deal worth approximately $34.3 million in the Saudi Pro League. Rounding out the top three is Pep Guardiola, who earns about $28 million at Manchester City.

The current ranking of the highest-paid coaches in the world:

1- Diego Simeone – Atletico Madrid – $35 million

2- Simone Inzaghi – Al Hilal – $34.3 million

3- Pep Guardiola – Manchester City – $28 million

4- Mikel Arteta – Arsenal – $21.1 million

5- David Moyes – Everton – $16.9 million

6- Jorge Jesus – Al Nassr – $14.1 million

7- Luis Enrique – PSG – $13 million

8- Matthias Jaissle – Al Ahli – $13 million

9- Carlo Ancelotti – Brazil – $11.3 million

10- Unai Emery – Aston Villa – $11.2 million

“I always find it quite amusing when the public asks me whether I’m in contact with Manu. Yes, I am,” Nagelsmann admitted during a recent interview with MagentaTV. However, the coach then clarified the nature of his communication with the veteran goalkeeper.

“We call each other occasionally, we text occasionally. He is capable of using WhatsApp, as am I,” Julian explained. “We also sometimes talk about other topics beyond football. We have a very good relationship.”

Nagelsmann and Neuer share a close relationship, having worked together for several years. The coach was in charge of Bayern Munich between 2021 and 2023, during which time the goalkeeper remained active and played a key role in the Bundesliga title in 2021 as well as the German Super Cup triumphs in 2021 and 2022.

In addition, when Nagelsmann was appointed Germany head coach, Neuer was still part of the squad and played under him at Euro 2024. Following that tournament, the goalkeeper decided to end his international career, and Nagelsmann does not believe that decision will change: “Manu has retired of his own free will. He has repeated that several times now. So I don’t think it makes much sense to keep discussing it constantly.”

The race to be Germany’s goalkeeper at the World Cup

Speculation about a possible return for Manuel Neuer is not only linked to his performances with Bayern Munich, but also to the lack of a clear standout option to fill that role for the Germany national team.

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen appeared to be the natural successor, but a difficult run of injuries in recent times has hurt his chances. In fact, the Girona goalkeeper is currently in the final stages of recovery from a hamstring injury and hopes to return in time for the closing stretch of the La Liga season, which could give him a chance to compete for a World Cup spot.

For now, however, that race has a clear frontrunner. Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann has started seven of Germany’s last eight matches, including the entirety of their World Cup qualifying campaign. That places him as the leading candidate, with Stuttgart’s Alexander Nubel serving as the main alternative.