Ronaldo was absent for Al Nassr‘s first two matches of the 2026-27 campaign, having missed preseason training entirely due to an extended break away from the squad. That absence pushed back his season debut and left Ange Postecoglou managing his return carefully rather than throwing him straight into the starting lineup.

The Portuguese forward finally got on the pitch during Al Nassr’s 4-0 win over Al Riyadh, coming on in the 62nd minute and playing only the final half hour of the match. It took him just 21 minutes to make an impact, latching onto a low cross from Ayman Yahya to scoring his 977th career goal, his first Saudi Pro League strike of the season.

Even with that goal, Ronaldo remains well off the pace in the Golden Boot standings. Moussa Dembele and Ivan Toney currently lead the race with three goals apiece, while Ronaldo sits on just one after playing a fraction of the minutes available to him so far.

The 41-year-old finished third in the Golden Boot race last season, with Julian Quinones claiming the title, and this slow start, driven largely by his delayed pre-season, makes an early return to the top of the standings look unlikely for now.

Golden Boot standings after Saudi Pro League Matchday 2

Ronaldo’s tally still doesn’t reflect his goal against Al Riyadh in the latest available data, meaning he remains outside the top of the standings for now, but here is how the race looks:

• Moussa Dembele (Al-Ettifaq) — 3 goals
• Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli) — 3 goals
• Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal) — 2 goals
• Alexandre Lacazette (Neom SC) — 2 goals
• Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Taawoun) — 2 goals
• Angelo (Al-Nassr) — 2 goals
• Joao Felix (Al-Nassr) — 2 goals
• Karim Benzema (Al-Hilal) — 1 goal
• Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr) — 1 goal

Al Nassr’s next test comes on the road against Al Ettifaq

Al Nassr will look to build on their 4-0 win over Al Riyadh when they travel to face Al Ettifaq on Tuesday. Ronaldo is expected to get his first start of the season in that match, a significant step up in workload after his 28-minute cameo. How Postecoglou manages his minutes will be closely watched, with the captain still building up to a full 90 as Al Nassr look to keep pace at the top of the table.

The exchange stemmed from comments Gil Marin made to EFE, in which he insisted Atletico Madrid have no intention of letting Alvarez leave. “We have to understand that Julian has not had the best advisers around him regarding his professional career in recent months,” the Atletico Madrid CEO said, a remark widely read as a direct dig at the forward’s entourage.

Alvarez’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, responded within hours on Instagram, without naming Gil Marin directly. “Never ask a liar why he lied. To explain it, he would have to lie again,” Hidalgo wrote, a pointed rebuttal that has only intensified the public rift between the two sides.

The spat comes against the backdrop of months of speculation over Alvarez’s future. The forward is under contract with Atletico Madrid until 2030 and carries a €500 million release clause, and while Arsenal recently emerged as a suitor, Alvarez himself reportedly turned down a move to the Premier League club, reportedly still holding out hope for a transfer to Barcelona.

Julian Alvarez set for his LaLiga season debut

Amid the ongoing tension with the club, Julian Alvarez is expected to make his 2026-27 LaLiga debut when Atletico Madrid host Villarreal on August 23. The Argentine was left out of the squad entirely for the Matchday 1 win over Malaga, with Simeone citing his fitness level after a demanding run with Argentina at the 2026 World Cup.

Simeone confirmed in a Saturday press conference that Alvarez would be included in the squad to face Villarreal. “Yes, he will enter tomorrow’s call-up, he’s better in his preparation. We will try to manage the difficult match tomorrow against a great rival“.

The confirmation puts an end, at least for now, to speculation over whether the ongoing tension with Gil Marin’s camp would affect Alvarez’s playing time.

Per the outlet, Semedo and Al Nassr would have already agreed on personal terms for the move. Fenerbahçe, meanwhile, would have requested permission for the Portuguese right-back to feature in one more match before the transfer is finalized. “If nothing goes wrong after that match, Semedo will be an Al Nassr player,” the source reported.

That match in question is Fenerbahçe’s Champions League playoff return leg against Lyon, scheduled for August 26 in France. The two sides drew 1-1 in the first leg in Istanbul on August 18.

Semedo’s potential exit would also come amid Fenerbahçe’s need to manage their foreign player quota for the new season, a situation that has been reported by Turkish outlets in recent weeks.

If the move were to go through, it would reunite Semedo with Ronaldo under the same club roof for the first time, adding another familiar face to Al Nassr’s dressing room, where Samu Costa also joined during this transfer window.

Other Saudi clubs also linked to Semedo

Al Nassr wouldn’t have been the only Saudi Pro League side keeping tabs on Semedo. Al Ahli were reported to be preparing a direct offer worth between €6 and 7 million to trigger his departure from Fenerbahçe, according to journalist Ekrem Konur.

Separately, Turkish outlets reported interest from Al Shabab, who were also mentioned as a possible destination amid Fenerbahçe’s need to free up space in their foreign player quota. None of those reported approaches, however, would have advanced as far as the personal terms Semedo is now said to have reached with Al Nassr.

“I want to finish the sentence I started at the last press conference, where I said I respected the fans. That’s absolute, it’s always been that way, but obviously I don’t support insults or abuse. Let that be clear. Any word right now, when people are waiting for that kind of division, can generate conflict and uncertainty,” Simeone said during a press conference.

The controversy traces back to Atletico’s LaLiga opener against Malaga, when Alvarez wasn’t included in the squad, due to not being fully fit physically, and didn’t attend the match to support his teammates.

A section of supporters responded with chants directed at the absent forward during the 2-0 win, and Simeone’s initial response, saying only that he respected the fans, was widely interpreted as siding with them rather than defending his player.

Before wrapping up, Simeone confirmed Alvarez will be included in the squad for Sunday’s match against Villarreal. “Yes, he’s going to be in the squad. He’s in better shape physically,” the coach said, setting up what could be Alvarez’s first minutes since the World Cup amid all the surrounding controversy.

Simeone reaffirms Atletico’s stance on Alvarez’s future

The Argentine coach also reaffirmed the club’s stance on Alvarez’s future, aligning himself with comments made by club official Miguel Ángel Gil Marín. “The uncertainties aren’t there. Miguel Ángel spoke clearly. For me, he’s an extremely important player for us to reach our sporting objectives. We’re going to be with him, we’re going to take care of him from a sporting standpoint. Why? Because he’s our player. As long as he’s at Atletico, I’m going to take care of him,” he added.

The comments leave little doubt that, at least publicly, Atletico‘s hierarchy is presenting a united front on Alvarez’s situation, coach and club officials alike insisting he remains central to their plans regardless of how the transfer saga with Barcelona has played out.

Miami sit second in the Eastern Conference with 39 points, while Toronto are down in 11th with 21 points. Despite the gap in the standings, head coach Guillermo Hoyos won’t have a fully healthy squad to work with, dealing with the absences of Mateo Silvetti, Micael and Tadeo Allende, along with Yannick Bright, who remains suspended following his red card in the Philadelphia Union match.

Toronto arrive with their own injury and suspension concerns, missing Jonathan Osorio, Deandre Kerr, Lazar Stefanovic, Nelson Palacio, Nicksoen Gomis, Markus Cimermancic, Matheus Pereira, and defender Walker Zimmerman, who is suspended as well.

With Messi expected to lead the line alongside Luis Suarez, who has scored 10 goals of his own this season, Inter Miami go in as heavy favorites to snap their slide, though Toronto have shown they’re capable of frustrating stronger opponents this year.

Inter Miami’s projected lineup

With Bright suspended, Hoyos is expected to lean on his available midfield options to fill the void, keeping Messi and Suarez up top as the focal points of the attack. The Inter Miami boss also gets a boost up front with the return of Germán Berterame, back available after nearly a month in the concussion protocol following a hard collision during the win over Montreal.

Inter Miami’s projected starting XI: Ríos Novo; Reguilón, Luján, Fray, Mura; Casemiro, Segovia, De Paul; Messi, Suárez.

Toronto FC’s projected lineup

Without Zimmerman available at the back, Toronto will need to rely on their remaining central defensive options to try to contain Miami’s attack, while Sallói carries the bulk of the attacking responsibility up top.

Toronto FC’s projected starting XI: Gavran; Gilman, Kuscevic, Laryea; Dorsch, Cimermancic; Sallói, Mihailovic, Corbeanu; Sargent.

“Estamos contigo Poch, estamos atrás de ti. Tienes nuestro apoyo (We’re with you, Poch; we’ve got your back. You have our support),” Altidore began saying, before switching to English.

“I love Pochettino, I’m a big fan. You know, obviously I have history, we played against each other back a long time ago and then to see him really welcome what it is to be the coach of the US Men’s National Team, the culture, and to do the work, right? It’s not easy… I think it was a job well done… I’m excited to have Poch. I hope he stays for as long as possible,” the former striker said.

When the conversation turned to the national team’s showing at the World Cup, where the USMNT were eliminated in the Round of 16 after a 4-1 loss to Belgium despite winning their group for the first time since 2010, Altidore was more critical, describing the tournament’s outcome in blunt terms.

“Yeah, it was difficult, you know. And I use the word ‘fracaso’ (failure). It was a ‘fracaso’ to me, not because the players had a bad tournament, the players had a great tournament. But in the manner we lost that game, when I’m sure the players know that they are capable of much more, it was a bit of a shame, right?” he explained.

Altidore calls for growth to start from the youth level

Rather than placing blame solely on the senior team, Altidore pointed to the need for broader structural growth within US Soccer, arguing that sustained success has to be built from the youth ranks up.

“You can’t just win a World Cup overnight, right? It has to start from the youth,” he said, calling on the federation to prioritize consistent performances at Under-17, Under-20, and Olympic level as a foundation for the senior team’s long-term development.

For Altidore, that long-term view matters more than any single tournament result. Building consistent success at the youth level, he argued, is what will ultimately determine whether the USMNT can compete with the world’s best by the time the 2030 World Cup arrives, regardless of who’s leading the program along the way.

According to journalist José Armando, Messi received only an economic sanction as a result of the review, closing the book on a situation that had cast doubt over his availability for the upcoming fixture.

The incident stemmed from Inter Miami‘s 2-2 draw with the Philadelphia Union, when Messi appeared to make contact with Sullivan’s head during a heated second-half confrontation.

While a one-match ban had been floated as a possibility under league rules, the committee ultimately determined a fine was the appropriate outcome, consistent with how MLS has handled similar hands-to-the-head incidents involving Messi in the past. The amount of the fine has not been disclosed.

With the disciplinary matter now resolved, Messi is set to lead Inter Miami into Saturday’s clash against Toronto FC as the team looks to snap its recent slide and get back on track in the MLS standings.

MLS also rules on the Cavan Sullivan and Ian Fray incident

The Disciplinary Committee’s review didn’t stop at Messi. The MLS also rescinded the red card shown to Cavan Sullivan for his role in the stoppage-time scuffle with Yannick Bright, while Ian Fray was hit with an economic fine for his part in sparking the confrontation.

Bright, however, still holds his red card, and his potential suspension remains unresolved. Based on precedent, the punishment for physical altercations of this kind has typically landed between two and three matches: Sergio Busquets received a two-game ban for punching Obed Vargas in the face at the 2025 Leagues Cup final. MLS is expected to announce Bright’s sanction in the coming hours.

Asked directly about reports linking the Argentine captain to Barcelona, Chivu didn’t shy away from the topic. “Lautaro is our captain and we keep him with us. I think he will stay here for very long time,” he said, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Inter boss acknowledged that speculation around his captain was inevitable given his stature in the squad, noting that Martinez represents “what we were and what we want to be in the future“.

Still, when pressed further on whether he could guarantee Martinez’s future beyond the current window, Chivu opted not to make any promises. “Then the transfer market is bastard… so I’m not gonna reply. For sure we want Lautaro to stay here,” he added, striking a more cautious tone about a situation that remains out of his hands.

For now, Martinez is set to captain Inter Milan in their Serie A opener on Saturday against Monza, where they’ll look to begin their title defense in the best way possible.

Lautaro Martinez is Barcelona’s Plan B

The rumors have picked up steam after Barcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez hit a wall at Atletico Madrid, reportedly pushing the Catalan club to view Martinez as an alternative.

Reports out of Spain suggest personal terms have already been discussed and that Martinez himself would be open to the move, though Inter’s stance remains that the 28-year-old, under contract until 2029, isn’t for sale.

Price remains the biggest obstacle standing in the way of any agreement. Arsenal have reportedly tabled an opening bid of £103 million plus £4 million in add-ons, but Atletico are said to be holding out for around £129 million, a gap that leaves the two clubs far from an agreement despite the direct talks.

Even if the financial terms are eventually bridged, Alvarez’s own stance complicates matters further. The forward has yet to open the door to a move to England, having made clear that Barcelona remains his only real preference amid the ongoing transfer saga.

However, talks with Barcelona appear to have hit a dead end, after Atletico Madrid rejected their offer for the player, making clear he wouldn’t be sold.

Atletico’s stance seems to be that they won’t sell the forward to a direct rival, having also rejected an offer from Real Madrid for Alvarez. That leaves Diego Simeone’s team potentially selling the Argentine to England instead, though his departure wouldn’t come cheap for Arsenal.

Atletico Madrid fans make their frustration with Alvarez clear

The tension between Alvarez and a section of Atletico’s fanbase escalated further on Friday morning, when banners appeared outside the club’s training facility in Majadahonda. One read simply “Julián out“, while another played on traffic sign imagery to read “19 forbidden“, a reference to Alvarez’s shirt number.

It’s the latest sign that the relationship between the forward and Atletico’s supporters has deteriorated significantly, following chants directed at him during LaLiga opener against Malaga.

“Given the notifications received, and in defense of the rights of the Association and its players, the AFA Legal Department will, in due time and form, request from FIFA the grounds for the rulings that are subject to review, in order to file appeals with the Appeal Committee of world football’s governing body, with the possibility of resorting to the CAS as a last instance remaining open in the future,” the official statement read.

The federation’s priority is reducing the individual suspensions handed to Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala, with the stated goal of ensuring each of them misses as few matches as possible heading into Argentina‘s upcoming fixtures.

Given the length of Paredes’ (ten games) and Molina’s (seven games) bans in particular, any reduction would carry real weight for Lionel Scaloni as he plans his squad for the next international window.

Should the initial appeal fail to produce results, AFA has made clear it won’t rule out escalating the case to the CAS as a final resort, a path the federation has only taken once before in recent memory, back in 2022, over a suspended match against Brazil. For now, the process is just beginning, and no timeline has been given for when FIFA‘s Appeal Committee might rule on the federation’s request.

A full breakdown of FIFA’s fines against Argentina

Between the fines tied to fan conduct and the individual suspensions handed to Paredes, Molina, Almada, and Ayala, FIFA’s ruling against Argentina covers a wide range of incidents from across the tournament.

Team sanctions:

• $10,000 fine for the display of the Falklands flag.
• $20,000 fine for inappropriate spectator conduct.
• $100,000 fine (plus an additional $100,000 suspended) over racist and discriminatory chants from fans.
• 50% stadium capacity restriction for Argentina’s next home match, with a second such restriction suspended for one year.
• $91,000 fine for objects thrown onto the pitch, match delays, and security protocol failures.

Individual sanctions:

• Leandro Paredes: 10-match suspension and $90,000 fine
• Nahuel Molina: 7-match suspension and $90,000 fine
• Thiago Almada: 1-match suspension and $30,000 fine
• Roberto Ayala: 3-match bench suspension and $30,000 fine

The penalties cover discriminatory chants and gestures from Argentine fans across matches against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, England, and Spain, the display of the Falklands flag, and objects thrown onto the pitch during the Switzerland and England matches that delayed kickoff.

As part of the sanction, Argentina must play their next two home matches with stadium capacity capped at 50%, and $100,000 of the fine must be directed toward an anti-discrimination program. A portion of the penalty, one match and $100,000, was suspended on probation.

Individual suspensions handed out for World Cup final brawl

Separately, FIFA also handed down individual sanctions tied to the chaotic scenes that broke out after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the World Cup final on July 19.

Leandro Paredes received the harshest punishment, a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine, for grabbing Eric Garcia by the neck during the post-match brawl. Nahuel Molina was banned for seven matches and fined $90,000 after clashing with Rodri, while Thiago Almada received a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine.

Assistant coach Roberto Ayala was also sanctioned, banned from the bench for three matches and fined $30,000 after punching Dani Olmo during the fracas. On Spain’s side, Gavi received a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine as well.

The AFA has confirmed it will formally request the grounds for FIFA’s ruling in order to pursue an appeal through the governing body’s Appeal Committee, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport remaining available as a final recourse should that process not resolve in Argentina’s favor.

The rumors gained traction after reports from Diario AS and Sky Sports indicated Benzema was negotiating a possible contract termination with the club, with the 38-year-old reportedly out of manager Simone Inzaghi’s plans.

Tension appeared to boil over when Benzema showed visible frustration at being substituted during the Saudi Pro League opener win over Al Faisaly, despite having scored in the match. However, Inzaghi later played down any rift, saying he understood his striker’s desire to play every minute given his own playing career.

The uncertainty around Benzema’s situation had also fueled a far more sensational storyline, with reports floating Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami as a possible destination. However, with Benzema now publicly committing to stay, that scenario appears to be off the table.

Ollie Watkins turns down Saudi Arabia

With Benzema’s future uncertain, Al Hilal had reportedly identified Ollie Watkins as his potential replacement, but that pursuit has also stalled, at least from Aston Villa’s side. The Saudi club had submitted an official €45 million bid for the striker, according to Fabrizio Romano, and Watkins himself was reportedly open to making the switch.

Villa, however, held firm, rejecting multiple approaches and instead moving to tie their striker down further, offering him a lucrative new contract to fend off the interest and keep one of Unai Emery’s most important players at Villa Park heading into another Champions League campaign.

With Benzema now publicly committing to stay, that search for a replacement striker no longer appears necessary, at least for the time being. His comments effectively take Watkins off Al Hilal’s radar and close the book on one of the more talked-about storylines of the Saudi transfer window.

He returned to individual training earlier this week, and while there’s no guarantee he starts, Ronaldo has been included in Ange Postecoglou’s 21-man squad list for the trip to face Al Riyadh, opening the door for him to feature in some capacity even if it’s not from the opening whistle.

Ahead of the match, Al Riyadh coach Mauricio Dulac had nothing but praise for the possibility of facing him. “When we talk about Ronaldo, we are talking about a legend, someone who has made history in football and in the world of football. If Cristiano plays against us, it will be a pleasure for everyone,” Dulac said during a press conference.

Al Nassr head into the match on a two-match winning run, having opened the Saudi Pro League with a 3-0 win over Al Fateh and cruising 4-1 past Al Diriyah in the King’s Cup. For Al Riyadh, who dropped their season opener 4-2 to Al Ettifaq, the match carries extra weight as they’ll need to win to get their campaign back on track.

Dulac struck an optimistic tone about the challenge ahead. “They are a very good team with an extremely strong squad and many stars. But I think that is also very good for us, because when we play against good players and very strong teams, we raise our own level as well,” the Brazilian coach added.

Postecoglou won’t have his full squad available

While Ronaldo’s potential return would give Postecoglou a major boost, it comes as Al Nassr also deals with six absences for the Al Riyadh match. The missing players are Saad Al Nasser, Samu Costa, Mohamed Simakan, Mohamed Maran, Raghed Al Najjar, and Abdulrahman Ghareeb.

Per Arriyadiyah, the absences of Costa and Simakan in particular are tied to squad management rather than injury, with Postecoglou opting to rest the Portugal midfielder and France defender due to fatigue after a congested start to the season.

Asked about Alvarez, Romero didn’t hesitate to back his compatriot. “I see Julian doing very well. I arrived five days ago and he’s the same as always, a guy eager to keep scoring goals and entertaining people,” he said, adding that his teammate remains “very locked in,” a focus that Romero said makes him happy given everything going on around him.

Romero‘s comments came just a day after Diego Simeone was asked about the same chants and gave a far more guarded response, saying only that he respects the club’s fans without addressing Alvarez’s situation directly.

Club president Enrique Cerezo struck a similarly supportive tone to Romero’s, insisting Alvarez was never for sale and predicting he’ll win the fanbase back within a couple of matches.

With Alvarez back in individual training and expected to be available for Atletico’s next match against Villarreal on Sunday, Romero’s public show of support adds another voice pushing back against the tension between the forward and a section of the fanbase, even as the club insists the Barcelona saga is now firmly behind them.

Cuti Romero on his own arrival at Atletico Madrid

Beyond addressing Alvarez’s situation, Romero also opened up about what led him to Atletico Madrid in the first place. The 27-year-old joins after five seasons at Tottenham Hotspur, a spell in which he became a key figure for the club, eventually earning the captaincy and winning the 2024-25 Europa League, before Atletico agreed a €40 million deal with Spurs that ties him to the club through 2031.

He’ll wear the number 21 shirt for his debut season under Simeone. “I’m very happy to join this huge club, and I know I’m coming in with the same mentality as always: trying to leave my name written into the history of this beautiful club,” he said, echoing the same ambition that defined his time in England.

The 46-year-old arrived at Forlì Airport from Milan, greeting fans with his trademark “shaka” gesture, the same city where he spent two and a half seasons at AC Milan earlier in his career.

According to beIN Sports, the move is primarily tied to commercial and brand-development goals for the club, which was acquired in 2024 by Italian businessman Ignazio Cipriani as part of a project that also includes partnerships with Nike and Black Duck. Still, Ravenna has confirmed that Ronaldinho is expected to play in at least one official match during the season, though no debut date has been set yet.

The signing was first announced back in June with a presentation event in Miami, where Ronaldinho made his intentions clear: “Football has always been joy for me and I’m excited to bring that spirit to Ravenna. Let the magic begin!” Now, with his arrival in Italy, that long-anticipated return is finally taking shape.

Ronaldinho’s last professional match and career recap

Ronaldinho’s last official appearance as a professional came in 2015 with Fluminense, the Brazilian club where he closed out his playing days after scoring his final professional goal against Gremio on August 23 of that year. Though he never officially played again, his retirement wasn’t formally confirmed until January 2018, when his agent announced it nearly three years later.

Across his career, Ronaldinho built one of the most iconic résumés in the sport’s history, starting out at Gremio in his native Brazil (1998-2001) before moving to Europe with Paris Saint-Germain (2001-2003).

His most successful spell came at FC Barcelona (2003-2008), where he reached the best form of his entire career, winning two LaLiga titles and the 2006 Champions League while collecting the Ballon d’Or in 2005.

He then joined AC Milan (2008-2011), winning a Serie A title, before returning to Brazil for spells with Flamengo (2011-2012) and Atletico Mineiro (2012-2014), followed by a brief stint in Mexico with Queretaro (2014-2015) and finally Fluminense (2015), where his professional career came to a close.

The Argentine forward, whose future at the club has been thrown into doubt amid persistent links to Barcelona, didn’t feature in the match as he continues working toward full match fitness, and a section of Atletico supporters didn’t hold back their frustration with him, with chants targeting the striker ringing out from the stands.

Asked directly about the chants after the match, Diego Simeone chose not to come to his player’s defense. “I respect our fans very much,” the Argentine coach responded shortly during the press conference, declining to elaborate further or address Alvarez’s situation at the club.

The brief, pointed response did little to calm the situation. Rather than distancing himself from the supporters’ behavior or backing his forward publicly, Simeone’s answer was widely read as tacit approval of the fans’ anger, deepening the sense that the relationship between Alvarez and the Atletico faithful may have reached a breaking point.

Alvarez appears set to stay at Atletico this season

Despite the tension and noise surrounding him, Julian Alvarez appears increasingly likely to remain at Atletico Madrid through the rest of the transfer window.

The Argentine was back on the training pitch on Thursday as part of his individual fitness program, and Diego Simeone could hand him a place in the squad for the club’s next match, against Villarreal on Sunday, August 23.

Adding to the sense that his Barcelona move may no longer be on the table, reports indicate the Catalan club have shifted their attention toward Lautaro Martinez as a fallback striker option, a move that would effectively close the door on any imminent deal for Alvarez.

After leading 2-1, Neil Pierre equalized in the 58th minute, with tensions on the pitch already starting to rise. Right after the equalizer, Messi had an exchange with Quinn Sullivan in which he appeared to swing a slap that caught him on the neck.

According to journalist José Armando of Deporte Total USA, the committee is expected to hand down a financial penalty, though league rules technically allow for a match suspension as well.

Should Messi be suspended, he would miss Inter Miami’s next fixture against Toronto FC on Saturday, a game the Herons can ill afford to be without their captain for given their recent form.

A heated game finish

Tensions on the pitch kept escalating until the final whistle. Deep into stoppage time, a scuffle broke out after Miami defender Ian Fray made contact with Philadelphia’s Quinn Sullivan, who shoved back in response.

Quinn’s brother, Cavan Sullivan, stepped in to defend him, and as the confrontation escalated, Yannick Bright got involved to back up his teammates and ended up tangling with Cavan.

Both Cavan Sullivan and Bright were sent off in the fracas, while Quinn Sullivan picked up a yellow card for his role in sparking it. With the Disciplinary Committee’s ruling still pending, all eyes now turn to whether Messi will be cleared in time to face Toronto, or whether the incident will cost Inter Miami their captain at a pivotal point in the MLS regular season.

Inter Miami’s Supporters’ Shield hopes take a hit

The draw also complicates Inter Miami’s pursuit of the Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the club with the best regular-season record. The Herons now trail Nashville SC, who lead the standings by five points, and the gap only grows more concerning after a stretch that’s produced three straight losses and now a draw.

Miami’s schedule doesn’t get any easier from here, with Toronto FC up next on Saturday, followed by CF Montréal on August 29, Atlanta United on September 5, Chicago Fire on September 9, and a rematch with Nashville itself on September 12, a stretch that could either close the gap at the top or push the Shield further out of reach.

Per the report, Ronaldo felt pain in the area during a group training session last week, but experienced no discomfort in Wednesday’s session, opting instead to stick to his rehabilitation routine alongside specific fitness work as part of his return-to-play plan.

The club’s medical staff is expected to evaluate him again during Thursday’s session, with his final availability for the upcoming match against Al Riyadh on Friday to be determined based on the results of those medical and physical tests.

The 41-year-old has already missed Al Nassr‘s first two competitive matches of the season, against Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League and Al Diriyah in the King’s Cup, where his side picked up two wins to start the campaign on the right foot.

Why Ronaldo missed Al Nassr’s season debut

Ronaldo’s absence from Al Nassr’s opening fixtures actually does tie back to fitness, just not the pelvic injury that’s now in question. The forward spent the club’s entire preseason on vacation following the 2026 World Cup, a break during which he married long-time partner Georgina Rodríguez in Portugal, missing the team’s overseas training camp in Lisbon entirely.

With no preseason work under his belt, Ange Postecoglou chose not to rush him into a squad that had trained together for weeks, resting him for Al Nassr’s first two games of the season. He rejoined training just two days before the Saudi Pro League opener, and now, his debut hinges on whether he’s cleared to face Al Riyadh on Saturday.

Ronaldo’s chase for 1,000 career goals continues this season

Beyond the immediate injury concerns, this season also carries historic weight for Ronaldo, who sits on 976 official career goals for club and country, just 24 short of becoming the first player in history to reach 1,000 official goals.

The suspension comes at an inconvenient time for Guillermo Hoyos, who will need to reshuffle his midfield. De Paul has been a near-constant fixture in Miami’s XI since arriving, and his absence leaves a gap both defensively and offensively.

This isn’t the first time De Paul has sat out an MLS match this year. Earlier in the campaign, he was also left out against the Chicago Fire and CF Montreal as part of a managed workload following Argentina’s exhausting World Cup run. In those games, the Herons managed to win both matches without Lionel Messi as well.

With De Paul sidelined, Miami will likely lean on Casemiro as the midfield engine, while Messi remains the team focal point. The absence is a one-match issue rather than a long-term concern, and De Paul will be back once the suspension is served.

Inter Miami looking to snap a three-game losing skid

Beyond the De Paul suspension, this match carries extra weight for Inter Miami, who arrive in Philadelphia in the middle of their worst stretch of the season. The Herons have lost three straight games, two Leagues Cup matches that ended Miami’s tournament campaign, followed by a 4-1 collapse against Nashville SC in which Messi missed his third consecutive penalty.

Despite the skid, Miami still sit second in the MLS standings at 39 points from 19 games, and a result against Philadelphia would go a long way toward steadying the ship before the stretch run.

It’s a stark departure from the version of Ronaldo that dominated the series for the better part of two decades. Between FIFA 17 and FIFA 19, he sat at a career-high 94 overall, a level matched by only a handful of players in the game’s history.

Even as his output tailed off in his mid-to-late 30s, EA Sports kept him in elite territory well into his time at Al Nassr, refusing to nerf him below 84 until this year’s edition.

The decline has been gradual but steady. His rating dropped a single point across FC 25 and FC 26 (85 in both), then fell again this year to 84, continuing a slide that began in earnest once he left Europe for the Saudi Pro League in early 2023.

FIFA 23 marked the first real inflection point, when EA slashed his card from an initial 90 down to 87 mid-cycle following the Al Nassr transfer, a rating cut that set the tone for everything since.

Despite the drop, Ronaldo’s 84 overall still ranks as the highest base cards ever assigned to a 41-year-old in the franchise’s history. Whether EA Sports FC 27 ends up being his final appearance in the series remains to be seen, but for now, the numbers tell the story of a decline two decades in the making.

Cristiano no longer the Saudi Pro League’s top-rated player

For the first time since arriving in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t the highest-rated player at the Saudi Pro League. According to the latest EA Sports FC 27 ratings, Ruben Neves now tops the league pecking order with an 85 overall, edging out Ronaldo’s 84.

Even so, Ronaldo remains comfortably the highest-rated player at Al Nassr. His 84 overall sits well clear of the club’s next-best cards, João Felix (83), Iñigo Martinez (83), and Kingsley Coman (83), all a full point behind their captain.

Ronaldo’s overall rating through every FIFA/EA Sports FC edition

According to Jijantes‘ Gerard Romero, Lautaro is now the name Barcelona are putting all their effort behind. “Lautaro Martinez is the name Hansi Flick and Barca are working to close. It’s a very difficult operation, agreed, but it’s priority number one. There was Julian, Lautaro and the rest of the options,” Romero reported.

The Argentine forward’s camp appears open to the idea. Romero added that a recent meeting between Deco and Lautaro’s agent in Madrid was meant to lay the groundwork and gauge real interest. “Lautaro opened the door to Barca, and now Lautaro is the top option. We’ll see how these next 10 days play out, but Lautaro is out in front to be the striker Barca are looking for,” he added.

Any deal will still require serious negotiation with Inter, since Lautaro has a contract through June 2029 with no release clause, and his transfer value is estimated at around €85 million by Transfermarkt.

Barcelona will need to reach an agreement with the Italian club before Europe’s transfer window closes on September 1, all while having already wrapped up the signings of Karim Adeyemi, Anthony Gordon, Jesse Bisiwu and Rodri earlier this summer.

Julian Alvarez looks set to stay at Atletico Madrid

Despite Barcelona’s shifting focus, one thing seems increasingly clear: Julian Alvarez isn’t going anywhere this summer. Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo reaffirmed the club’s stance while speaking to the media, insisting the forward was never for sale.

“I already said from the start that he wasn’t being sold, that he was our player and an important piece of our team. As an important piece, we want him, we like having him with us, and I think he’s going to have a magnificent season,” Cerezo said.

He also brushed off the tension from Alvarez’s public request to leave, adding, “I don’t know if he’ll apologize, but Julian is an excellent person, and I’m sure he’ll win the fans back over within two matches“.

Diego Simeone still left Alvarez out of the squad for the LaLiga opener against Malaga, a decision tied both to his late return from vacation and the standoff over his proposed exit, but with Cerezo’s comments making Atletico’s position unmistakably clear, all signs now point to Alvarez staying put for at least one more season.

The backlash stems from a wave of conspiracy theories that spread in Argentina in the weeks following the loss, some of them tied to a leaked video showing Lionel Messi delivering an unusually calm pre-match speech in the locker room, in which he told his teammates to “forget about everything”.

That clip was seized on by some to suggest the players had mentally checked out before kickoff, and it wasn’t long before speculation grew into open accusations, with some in Argentina even floating the idea that the squad had deliberately “given away” the final.

Tapia didn’t hold back in responding to those claims, noting that a month had passed without a single apology from anyone who spread the theories. “None of them apologized. None of them came out and said, ‘We were wrong’,” he wrote, adding that while making a mistake is human, lying and fueling a false narrative for days before quietly disappearing once it’s debunked is not.

He was especially forceful in defending the players themselves, arguing that once someone accuses the national team of being traitors, there’s no walking it back.

Claudio Tapia’s full statement

“A month has passed. A month since that final. A month since the lie, the operation, and a miserable campaign to paint this national team as having given up. And the most striking thing is that, after a month, none of them apologized. None of them came out and said, ‘We were wrong.’ None of them had the honesty, the dignity, or simply the guts to take responsibility.

Because making a mistake can happen. What can’t happen is lying, building a false story, feeding a suspicion for days, and then, when time proves it was all smoke, hiding and acting like nothing ever happened.

While our players left everything on the field, some outside were doing exactly the opposite: sowing hatred, dividing, tarnishing, and trying to destroy the image of a national team that earned the respect of millions. To all of them: take responsibility.

Staying quiet isn’t enough. Waiting for time to pass isn’t enough. Changing the subject and acting like you never said anything isn’t enough.And even if you now want to avoid the comments, the complaints, or the criticism from people over all the lies you told, you won’t be able to erase what you did. Because words have consequences, and accusations leave marks.

You don’t come back from calling the national team’s players traitors. You don’t come back from putting those who defended this jersey under suspicion. You don’t come back from accusing them of giving up. And you certainly don’t come back from doing it without a single piece of proof, only to choose silence once the lie is exposed.

You demanded explanations when you didn’t have a shred of proof. You pointed fingers at players who were giving their lives for this. You fed a lie and passed it off as truth. Now it’s your turn to explain yourselves. Because greatness also means owning up to a mistake. And when you accuse, lie, and publicly hurt people who gave everything for this jersey, apologizing isn’t a favor. It’s an obligation.

And there’s something else: how do you go back home after doing all this? How do you look your kids in the eye and talk to them about honesty, respect, dignity? How do you teach them that there are values worth defending, when you had the chance to do exactly that and chose to lie, point fingers, and hide instead?

Values aren’t negotiable. A month has passed and we still haven’t heard an apology. Meanwhile, the players, the coaching staff, and everyone who worked alongside them keep walking with their heads held high.

Because they know what they did that day. They know how much they left on that field. And they know that when the final whistle blew, they didn’t owe anyone anything.

Those who left their soul out there have nothing to explain. Those who lied, do.”

The timing matters for Miami, who are coming off a lopsided 4-1 defeat to Nashville SC on August 15 that dropped them further behind the Eastern Conference leaders, though they still sit second in the standings.

Messi had a chance to pull Miami level at 1-1 from the penalty spot in that match, but saw his effort saved, missing his third straight spot kick, a stretch that also includes penalties missed for Argentina against Austria and Egypt at this summer’s World Cup. It’s the first time since 2014 he’s failed to convert three consecutive penalties.

Philadelphia, by contrast, arrive in strong form. The Union have won their last two matches, most recently a 3-2 victory over New York City FC that moved them up to 13th in the Eastern Conference, and they’ll be eager to extend that run against one of the league’s marquee sides.

Inter Miami confirmed lineup

For this match, coach Guillermo Hoyos will be without a few key names. Rodrigo De Paul won’t be available due to yellow card accumulation, while German Berterame hasn’t received clearance from MLS and remains a confirmed absence under concussion protocol.

Inter Miami confirmed starting XI: St. Clair; Fray, Falcon, Lujan, Reguilon; Bright, Casemiro, Segovia; Messi, Suarez, Pinter.

Philadelphia Union confirmed lineup

Philadelphia arrive with a clean bill of health for this one, with no injuries or suspensions reported on their side. That means head coach Bradley Carnell has his full squad available, as the Union look to carry their two-match winning streak into the clash with Miami.

Philadelphia Union confirmed starting XI: Blake; Harriel, Pierre, Westfield, Wagner; Sullivan, Bueno, Vassilev, Danley; Iloski, Damiani.

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

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

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

Maresca’s cautious stance on Enzo Fernandez

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

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

City closing in on Ayyoub Bouaddi transfer agreement

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

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

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

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

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

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

Barcelona’s backup options if the deal collapses

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

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

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

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

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

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

The situation between Barcelona and Alvarez

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ronaldo’s own padel club in Lisbon

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

Ronaldo isn’t the only star who plays padel

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

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

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

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

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

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

Simeone weighs in on Alvarez’s standing with supporters

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why the match isn’t being played at Wembley

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

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

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

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

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

What happens if Manchester City beat Arsenal

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

What happens if Manchester City and Arsenal draw

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

What happens if Manchester City lose to Arsenal

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

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

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

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

Ronaldo eyeing return for matchday 2

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

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

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

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

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

Trippier credits Simeone’s approach

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

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

Trippier’s rivalry with Messi

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

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

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

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

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

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

Martinez out from Aston Villa’s previous games

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inter Miami’s projected lineup

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

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

Nashville SC’s projected lineup

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

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

Cristiano Ronaldo won’t play in Al Nassr’s opener against Al Fateh, according to Al Riyadiah. The Portuguese forward remains sidelined following his recent wedding to Georgina Rodríguez, having missed the club’s entire preseason, including their training camp in Lisbon, and only returning to individual training earlier this week.

The Portuguese star is expected to make his season debut on August 21 against Al Riyadh, meaning he’ll also sit out the club’s King Cup opener against Al Diriyah before that.

For Saturday’s Matchday 1 clash, Postecoglou will have to open the campaign without his captain, leaning on the rest of a squad already stacked with attacking talent. The match kicks off at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, with both sides looking to start the new season on the front foot.

Al Nassr’s projected lineup

For his official debut with Al Nassr, Postecoglou is expected to start recent signing Samu Costa in midfield, while Abdullah Al-Hamdan would replace Ronaldo up front.

Projected XI to face Al Fateh: Bento; Al-Nasser, Simakan, Martínez, Al-Najdi; Samu Costa, Abdulkareem, Mané, Félix, Coman; Al-Hamdan.

Al Fateh’s projected lineup

Al Fateh are expected to set up in a 3-5-2, with Al Enezi starting in goal behind a back three of Saadane, Darsi and Boateng. The midfield five is projected to feature Batna, Youssef, Harrison, Al Sahihi and Haraslin, supporting a front two of Machado and Al Masoud.

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

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

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

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

Maresca also addresses Rodri’s situation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inter Miami’s next matches

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

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

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

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

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

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

Suárez’s standout season in Portugal

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

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

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

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

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

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

Messi’s trophy haul with Inter Miami so far

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where things stand with Rodri

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

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

City have already made moves in midfield

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

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

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

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

PSG’s dominance over English clubs in Europe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Julian Alvarez’s situation at Atlético Madrid

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ronaldo’s chase for 1,000 career goals

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

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

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

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

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

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

Miami’s locker room rallies around Messi

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

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

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

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

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

Luis Enrique’s perfect record in European finals

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

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

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

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

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

What happens if Inter Miami beat Club Leon

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

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

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

What happens if Inter Miami draw with Club Leon

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

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

What happens if Inter Miami lose to Club Leon

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

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

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

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

PSG’s other returning internationals in similar limbo

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

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

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

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

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

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

Emery turns to the group that trained through preseason

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

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

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

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

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

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

PSG confirmed lineup

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

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

Aston Villa confirmed lineup

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

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