On Friday, Atletico posted on its official X account that it wanted to congratulate Real Madrid for “continuing to make history” by proving that “100% of the global medical community was wrong”.

The message was also accompanied by hashtags such as #MiracleRecovery and #Grade3Sprain, a clear reference to the usual timeline for that kind of injury, which typically keeps players out for two to three months. Valverde, however, returned to training with the group and was included in the squad list just 17 days after the medical report.

Valverde was hurt in the derby on September 20, which Atletico won 2-1 at the Metropolitano, after a hard challenge from Kang-in Lee in the first half. The midfielder finished the game, but the worry only set in once the final whistle blew and swelling appeared around his ankle. Two days later, on September 22, the club confirmed a third-degree sprain, with his recovery listed as “pending evolution.”

Real Madrid kept his return under wraps until it announced the squad for the Villarreal match, and Jose Mourinho made clear on Friday that nothing is decided yet. The coach called Valverde “the doubt” and said the club would define on Saturday how to handle him, so it remains unclear whether the midfielder will start or return from the bench.

Madrid’s clubs can’t afford to lose sight of Barcelona

The sarcasm comes with real stakes in the LaLiga table. Barcelona is perfect so far, with seven wins from seven matches and 21 points, which gives it a comfortable cushion at the top. Atletico Madrid sits second on 16 points, level with Real Betis, while Real Madrid is fourth on 15 after five wins and two defeats.

That gap explains why both sides need to win this weekend. Real Madrid hosts Villarreal on Saturday, October 10, while Atlético travels to face Alavés on the same day, and Barcelona is also in action against Getafe.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 23rd minute at Al-Awwal Park, pouncing on a rebound in front of an empty net after goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah could only parry Kingsley Coman’s powerful strike. Samu Costa made it 2-0 in the 35th minute, heading home a corner delivered by Joao Felix, while Coman wrapped up the win in the 77th minute.

The match carried extra weight for Ronaldo after the turmoil of recent days, where he left the Portugal camp following his fallout with coach Jorge Jesus. The home fans made their feelings clear before kick-off, chanting his name and raising a banner in his honor, and he repaid them with the opening goal.

The result also keeps Al Nassr in the title race. The win took them to 19 points, level with leaders Al Qadsiah but behind on goal difference. However, Al Hilal or Al Ittihad could overtake both with a win in their clash on Saturday, October 10.

Golden Boot still out of reach

The scoring table shows how much ground Ronaldo still has to make up. Ivan Toney leads the Saudi Pro League with 11 goals in eight appearances, well ahead of the rest. Francisco Trincão, Mateo Retegui and Alexandre Lacazette follow with five each.

A little further down, Ronaldo is listed with four goals in seven appearances, leaving him well behind the leader of the table. The Portuguese star is not the only player in the Saudi Pro League with four goals, which makes the race for the Golden Boot tighter and more intense.

Al Qadsiah’s Julián Quiñones, Al Ittihad’s George Ilenikhena, Steven Bergwijn and Youssef En-Nesyri, and Al Hilal’s Sergej Milinković-Savić are all level with him, so the race behind Toney is crowded. At 41, Ronaldo would need a big run of goals to close the gap, and Toney has set a pace that is hard to match.

“He is not the only candidate in the running but this is the name to keep under consideration,” Romano explained. The update comes just days after Messi said goodbye to the national team on October 6 with a goal and two assists in a farewell match against Benin, ending a 17-year run with the shirt that began in March 2009.

The 21-year-old Como midfielder had already been linked to the number in recent weeks. In early September, ESPN Argentina insider Federico Bueno reported that Lionel Scaloni had designated Paz as Messi’s heir, but only if the coach renews his contract, which is expected to be negotiated in the coming months.

Paz wore the No. 18 in his first senior caps with Argentina. At Como he has worn the No. 10, contributing 13 goals and seven assists last season as the club qualified for the Champions League for the first time.

The young attacking midfielder is the leader of the Italian side, and he shares some similarities with Messi: he plays in a comparable position on the pitch and is also left-footed. That gives him a clear edge in the race to become the next wearer of Argentina’s iconic No. 10 shirt.

Dibu Martínez adds fuel to the Paz speculation

Before Messi’s farewell, Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez had already joined the debate. The Chelsea goalkeeper commented “new number 10?” on a photo of his Argentina teammate posted on Paz’s official Instagram account. The comment came days after the 4-0 win over Bolivia, in which Paz scored one of Argentina’s goals.

Whether it was a real hint or just Martínez sharing his own wish remains unclear, but it quickly drew attention. Still, Dibu’s comment doesn’t settle the matter, as other names like Alexis Mac Allister, Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández have all been mentioned as alternatives, and Scaloni has not said who will get the shirt.

Alvarez was one of the most talked-about names during the 2026 summer transfer window, with Barcelona emerging as his preferred destination amid growing speculation about his future at Atletico Madrid. However, the Rojiblancos refused to negotiate his departure to a direct La Liga rival, insisting that the World Cup winner remained central to Diego Simeone’s plans.

Reports indicated that Barcelona explored a potential deal, with one reported offer reaching €100 million ($112m), but Atletico maintained a firm stance and pointed to the striker’s €500 million ($560m) release clause. His contract runs until June 2030, giving the Madrid club considerable control over any future transfer negotiations.

The dispute became increasingly public in August, when the club’s chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin criticized the people surrounding the forward. “There have been people responsible for misleading and confusing him,” Gil Marin said in comments to Movistar Plus+, reflecting the club’s frustration with how the transfer saga unfolded.

Major change behind the scenes

The failed move has now reportedly led Alvarez to make a decisive change to his professional circle. According to Atletico-focused journalist Ruben Uria and reports carried by Spanish media outlets such as TyC Sports, Alvarez has ended his nearly decade-long relationship with agent Fernando Hidalgo, who had represented him from his early career at River Plate through his moves to Manchester City and Atletico Madrid.

The decision reportedly stems from the striker’s disappointment with how his future was handled during the summer. After months of speculation and tension, the Argentine is understood to be seeking a fresh start with a new representative who can help bring greater stability to his career.

The split is also reportedly viewed positively by Atletico, where concerns had emerged about the influence of the player’s entourage during the transfer dispute. However, changing agents does not automatically mean that Alvarez is preparing to leave the club, and no new transfer agreement has been announced.

Who could represent Alvarez next and what would it mean for his future?

Attention has now shifted to the search for Alvarez’s next agent. According to Diario AS, his father, Gustavo Alvarez, has been involved in discussions with several agencies, with former Argentina international Javier Pastore emerging as a potential candidate.

Pastore’s agency, The Elegant Game, has been linked with the opportunity to represent the striker, although no official appointment has been confirmed. The agency is also associated with other prominent footballers, including Enzo Fernandez, making it a possible option for a player whose career could attract further attention from Europe’s leading clubs.

For Alvarez, the priority will be finding a representative who can manage his contractual affairs and future negotiations while allowing him to concentrate on football. His next choice could prove important if interest from Barcelona or other major clubs returns in a future transfer window.

Barcelona was not the only club linked with the striker during the summer. Arsenal reportedly considered a move worth more than $112 million. However, the Argentine was understood to favor Barcelona, leaving the Premier League side unable to make progress.

The Spanish veteran is a free agent after his contract with Real Madrid expired at the end of last season, allowing him to negotiate with clubs outside the usual transfer-window restrictions. Getafe emerged as a potential destination for the veteran defender, who has reportedly been willing to accept a substantial pay cut to continue playing in Spain.

However, passing medical tests has not been enough to complete the move. According to Diario AS, La Liga has raised concerns about the proposed salary in Carvajal’s contract, prompting the league to refer the agreement to its Verification Committee for an independent assessment.

The committee is responsible for determining whether a player’s declared salary reflects an appropriate valuation under the league’s financial-control regulations. Reports indicate that the experts assessed Carvajal’s value at a higher figure than Getafe had intended to register, leaving the club facing a financial obstacle before the deal can proceed.

Why La Liga is questioning the contract

La Liga‘s Verification Committee examines exceptional contracts when the agreed financial terms raise questions. Its assessment involves three independent experts specializing in areas including sports law and economics, who consider whether the salary reflects the player’s circumstances and the club’s financial position.

“We resort to it when something catches our attention,” La Liga officials explained to Diario AS, acknowledging that these reviews are relatively uncommon. The evaluation can consider a player’s age, fitness, injury record, contract length, recent achievements, appearances, transfer-market conditions and the financial circumstances of the club involved.

Crucially, there is no single objective formula that automatically determines a player’s salary, according to the league’s explanation. The committee makes its decision using established criteria, and its assessment is reportedly binding under the financial-control rules adopted by La Liga clubs.

The Spanish league has, thus, vetoed Carvajal’s planned move to Getafe because league financial standards forbid a player from receiving a wage decrease of more than 50% from his prior contract. The 34-year-old defender apparently agreed to take a big wage reduction, but La Liga questioned whether his offered salary was feasible.

That leaves Getafe with several possible routes to finding the necessary financial space. The club could reduce salary or structural costs, increase revenue through sponsorship agreements, or explore financial guarantees that would allow it to accommodate the proposed registration.

The connection to Messi’s painful Barcelona exit

The situation inevitably brings back memories of August 2021, when Lionel Messi was forced to leave Barcelona despite wanting to remain at the club. After spending 21 years with the Catalan side, the Argentine superstar discovered that the Blaugrana could not register his new contract because of La Liga’s financial restrictions.

Messi had reportedly agreed to a 50% salary reduction as Barcelona attempted to make a new five-year agreement possible. However, the club’s financial problems, enormous debt and restrictions on its wage bill meant the deal could not be registered under the league’s rules.

At his emotional farewell press conference on August 8, 2021, Messi explained how hard he had tried to stay. “I did everything possible to stay. The club and Joan Laporta couldn’t do it because of La Liga rules. I offered to reduce my salary by 50%, and they didn’t ask for anything else.”

Barca subsequently confirmed his departure on August 5, with Messi joining Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent days later. His exit remains one of the clearest examples of how La Liga’s financial framework can influence a player’s future, even when the player and club are prepared to reach an agreement.

Carvajal’s circumstances are different: Messi’s contract could not be registered amid Barcelona’s wider financial crisis, while Carvajal’s proposed Getafe agreement is reportedly being scrutinized over the salary valuation itself. Nevertheless, both situations demonstrate the influence of financial controls on player registration.

Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp after being an unused substitute during the 2-1 victory over Norway, having previously started the 1-0 win against Wales. The decision ended an extraordinary run of approximately 18 years without being left unused on the bench in a competitive Portugal match, adding another chapter to the controversy surrounding his international future.

The 41-year-old superstar has now returned to action as Al-Nassr hosted Diriyah at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on Friday, October 9, 2026, in Matchday 8 of the Saudi Pro League. The fixture marked his first competitive appearance since the Portugal controversy and gave him a chance to redirect the attention toward his performances for the Saudi club.

Al-Nassr entered the match sitting third in the league standings with 16 points from seven games, having recorded five wins, one draw and one defeat. The club had scored 16 goals and conceded seven, keeping it firmly in the early title race behind Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad.

Diriyah, meanwhile, arrived in eighth place with 11 points, following an encouraging start to its first Saudi Pro League campaign. The two clubs had already met in the King’s Cup in August, when the Knight of Najd secured a 4-1 victory.

Ronaldo scores again as the race to 1,000 continues

Ronaldo entered the match having scored 979 official goals in 1,336 senior appearances for club and country. At 41 years old, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner continues to produce at an extraordinary level, with his pursuit of 1,000 goals becoming one of the biggest individual storylines in soccer.

The Portuguese made his return count by scoring against Diriyah, taking his remarkable career tally to 980 goals. The latest strike moved him another step closer to a milestone that has become one of the defining storylines of the final stage of his playing career.

That leaves the veteran forward needing 20 more goals to reach 1,000 official career goals. His previous strike against Abha in September had brought him to 979, meaning the Diriyah goal added another milestone to his extraordinary record across club and international soccer.

The achievement also provided a timely reminder of Ronaldo’s continued importance to Al-Nassr. Despite the noise surrounding his Portugal departure, the forward remains a central figure in the club’s attacking plans under coach Ange Postecoglou.

The next step toward soccer history

Ronaldo’s goal against Diriyah has brought him to 980 career goals, leaving him 20 short of the 1,000 mark. At 41, he continues to chase a target that would represent one of the most extraordinary individual achievements in the history of the sport.

For now, Al-Nassr will hope his scoring form helps the club maintain pressure on the teams above it in the league standings. The Portugal controversy may continue away from the pitch, but Ronaldo has delivered another reminder that his pursuit of soccer history remains very much alive.

With the Matchday 8 Saudi Pro League game between Al Nassr and Al Diriyah tied at 0-0, Kingsley Coman unleashed a powerful shot that the goalkeeper saved, and Ronaldo pounced on the rebound to score the first goal of the match.

With this strike, Cristiano now has 980 career goals and is just 20 away from becoming the first player in soccer history to reach the 1,000-goal mark. It is his fourth goal of the season, all of them scored in the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo’s goal comes at a good moment for the forward, who returned to club action after a turbulent week with Portugal that ended with him leaving the national team camp.

Back on the pitch with Al Nassr, he answered with a goal that moves him closer to the 1,000-goal milestone and gives him a boost of confidence after a difficult spell away from the club.

Al Nassr fighting for the top spots

If Al Nassr hold on to their partial lead, the three points would take them from 16 to 19 and put them level with Al Qadsiah at the top of the Saudi Pro League table. Al Qadsiah reached that mark earlier on Friday with a 5-0 win over Al Khaleej, so goal difference would decide who sits first.

A win would also put Al Nassr one point ahead of Al Hilal, who have 18 and have yet to play their Round 8 match, and two ahead of Al Ittihad, who have 17 and will face each other in the Clásico later in the round. For a team that came into the match third after a difficult run of results, it would be an important step toward getting their season back on track.

The claim comes after a difficult stretch for Postecoglou, who joined in July on a two-year contract to replace Jorge Jesus. The Australian guided Al Nassr to five straight wins in all competitions and was named the Saudi Pro League’s Manager of the Month for August, a start that made him an early success story in Riyadh.

The team was unable to sustain that form, however, losing 2-1 to Al Ittihad and drawing 1-1 with Al Khaleej before suffering a 4-0 defeat to Al Ain in the AFC Champions League Elite, the heaviest loss Ronaldo has experienced since arriving in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

Amid this difficult stretch for Al Nassr, the idea has emerged that Martínez could take over the team, where he has been linked to the club before. Reports earlier this year said the Spanish coach was in talks to take charge of Al Nassr after the World Cup, although Postecoglou ultimately ended up being the one chosen for the job.

For now, Al Nassr sit third in the Saudi Pro League with 16 points, two behind leaders Al Hilal, and Postecoglou will be on the touchline on Friday when the team host Al Diriyah.

Saudi Arabia shut the door on Martínez

Al Nassr might not be the only Saudi job Martínez has been linked to since leaving Portugal. Reports in recent weeks claimed the Spanish coach had already reached an agreement to take over the Saudi national team, a story that appeared to threaten the position of Georgios Donis, but the federation quickly stepped in to put an end to the speculation.

“The manager is continuing with the national team, and no decision has been taken regarding a change in the coaching staff,” the Saudi Arabian Football Federation said in an official statement, while urging media outlets to verify information through official channels.

Donis had good reasons to feel under pressure. The Greek coach took charge in late April, replacing Hervé Renard on a contract that runs through July 2027, and his first big test did not go well, as Saudi Arabia drew with Uruguay and Cape Verde and lost 4-0 to Spain, finishing last in their World Cup group and failing to advance for the sixth straight tournament.

But the mood around him has changed since Tuesday, when Saudi Arabia beat the UAE 2-0 in Jeddah to win the Gulf Cup for the fourth time in their history, ending a drought of more than two decades. That title appears to have secured Donis’s position, at least for now, and he will be expected to build on that momentum ahead of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Al Nassr confirmed lineup

Diriyah confirmed lineup

Saudi journalist Khaled Al-Rasheed has stressed that the ownership situation is different from what some reports have suggested. The distinction matters as Saudi Arabia explores new investment opportunities for its leading soccer clubs.

Al-Nassr is currently 100% owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), according to the clarification attributed to Al-Rasheed. The claim directly contradicts suggestions circulating in September that Ronaldo had already secured a 20% stake in the club.

PIF initially acquired a 75% stake in Al-Nassr in 2023 as part of Saudi Arabia’s Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project under Vision 2030. The remaining 25% was held by a nonprofit foundation linked to the Ministry of Sport before reportedly transferring to PIF in August 2026, giving the sovereign wealth fund complete ownership.

The Portuguese veteran joined the club  in early 2023 and later extended his contract into 2027, becoming one of the central figures in Saudi soccer’s international expansion. However, he has not been confirmed as a shareholder in Al-Nassr’s current ownership structure.

The reported 20% opportunity behind the rumours

The speculation appears to have intensified after reports emerged in September 2026 that a consortium was discussing the possibility of acquiring a stake in Al-Nassr. According to reports attributed to A Bola and Asharq Bloomberg, the proposed group could include RedBird Capital Partners, former Al-Nassr president Ibrahim Al-Muhaidib and Saudi Media Company chairman Mohammed Al-Khuraiji.

Ronaldo was reportedly linked to the discussions, with claims that a clause in his playing contract could give him priority rights to acquire up to 20% of the club if it becomes available to private investors. However, the reported clause and consortium discussions have not resulted in a publicly confirmed transaction.

The proposed investment group was reportedly considering a combined commitment of around $500 million, with individual investors potentially contributing at least $100 million. Negotiations were said to be ongoing, but neither PIF nor the other parties had announced a completed deal in the supplied reports.

Why Ronaldo’s reported stake needs clarification

The key distinction is between having a potential contractual opportunity to purchase shares and actually owning them. A reported right to acquire equity in the future does not establish present-day ownership, and the available information does not confirm that Ronaldo has exercised such a right.

The confusion highlights the difficulty of separating confirmed developments from speculation as Saudi Pro League soccer moves toward greater private investment. PIF’s involvement has helped transform the league by attracting international stars and funding ambitious recruitment projects, while privatization initiatives could introduce new investors and commercial partners.

For Al-Nassr, a future ownership change could bring additional capital and a different business structure. But until the relevant parties confirm an agreement, the club’s ownership remains with PIF.

Although the 41-year-old superstar has not been confirmed as an Al-Nassr shareholder, he has reportedly pursued other opportunities in soccer investment. The supplied reports state that he holds a 25% stake in Spanish club UD Almería through his CR7 Sports Investments vehicle, giving him an existing connection to club ownership outside Saudi Arabia.

The dispute erupted during Portugal’s Nations League campaign after Ronaldo was left on the bench against Norway despite warming up for around 30 minutes. The 41-year-old subsequently left camp ahead of the Denmark fixture, claiming Jesus had broken his word and failed to honor agreements made before the match.

Speaking on the Charla Podcast, Romario described Ronaldo as “a very objective guy” and argued that the captain had legitimate reasons to feel disrespected. Although the Brazilian admitted he had a positive relationship with Jesus during the Portuguese coach’s time at Flamengo, he insisted that personal familiarity would not influence his judgment.

“I like Jorge Jesus. I had a relationship with him when he coached Flamengo. I met him five or six times, and he was always a great person,” Romario explained. Nevertheless, the former Barcelona and Valencia forward said Ronaldo’s account of events deserved to be taken seriously, particularly if the coach had failed to keep his promises.

“Brother, when someone doesn’t keep their word, the agreement isn’t worth much. A handshake is worth more than anything,” he said, adding that Ronaldo would be justified if the events unfolded as he described them.

Why Romario believes Ronaldo felt humiliated

Ronaldo’s frustration reportedly intensified after he was overlooked against Norway despite spending approximately half an hour warming up on the sidelines. Portugal won the match 2-1, but the captain’s lack of involvement became a major talking point and contributed to the breakdown in his relationship with Jesus.

Romario argued that the forward had already suffered enough embarrassment to justify refusing to put himself in that position again. “They say he left the national team. Of course. He already went through a humiliation once. Why was he going to go through a second?” the Brazilian asked. The disagreement allegedly extended beyond team selection to a conversation about the coach’s media duties.

According to Romario, Ronaldo believed Jesus had agreed to address certain points during a press conference but failed to do so, leaving the captain feeling exposed: “They had agreed on some things for him to say in the press conference, and he said absolutely nothing. According to Ronaldo, he was arrogant and left Cristiano exposed.”

The one mistake Romario says Ronaldo made

Despite fully supporting Ronaldo’s decision to leave, Romario believes the Portuguese captain could have made his feelings clearer before walking away. He criticized Ronaldo for leaving without directly confronting Jesus and telling the coach exactly what he thought of him.

“I would have done the same. I would have just told him to f**k off first, but I would have left for sure,” the 60-year-old said during the interview. He delivered an even blunter verdict on the incident, adding: “I think that was Cristiano’s mistake: leaving without telling the guy to go to h*ll.”

Romario’s comments reflect his belief that a direct confrontation would have been preferable to leaving the dispute unresolved. He maintains that if Jesus failed to honor an agreement, the Portuguese veteran was entitled to stand up for himself rather than accept what he perceived as disrespect.

According to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha, Jesus could face an investigation if a formal disciplinary complaint is filed. As of October 9, 2026, no complaint had reportedly been lodged, and no formal proceedings or sanctions against the coach had been confirmed.

The conflict erupted during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League campaign after Ronaldo was left on the bench against Norway despite warming up for approximately 30 minutes. The Selecao won 2-1, but the 41-year-old captain was reportedly frustrated because Jesus had told him he would play around half an hour.

Ronaldo later claimed the coach had broken his word and that a second disagreement over how the incident would be explained publicly contributed to his decision to leave camp ahead of the Denmark match. The episode was particularly striking because Jesus had previously coached the five-time Ballon d’Or winner at Al-Nassr, where the pair worked together before the Portuguese manager took charge of the national team.

The allegation that could put Jesus under scrutiny

The report from Correio da Manha centres on alleged inappropriate conduct by Jesus towards Ronaldo during the national team’s training camp. The possibility of disciplinary action has emerged as the dispute has become increasingly public, although the reported allegations should not be treated as established findings.

According to the Portuguese outlet, a formal complaint would be necessary before a disciplinary process could begin. With no complaint or investigation confirmed in the information provided, Jesus faces the possibility of scrutiny rather than an established disciplinary case.

On Tuesday, October 6, the 41-year-old ace published a detailed statement explaining why he left the squad. He accused Jesus of breaking his word twice and described hearing “expressions and an aggressiveness” that he felt he did not deserve during their interactions.

The Al-Nassr forward also apologized to his teammates and supporters for leaving camp, accepting responsibility for his decision and acknowledging that the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) could punish him. At the same time, he made clear that he has not retired from international soccer and remains available for Portugal after serving any sanction, provided he is fit to play.

Ronaldo likely to face consequences as well

While Jesus could face disciplinary scrutiny if a complaint is submitted, Ronaldo’s own departure from camp could also carry consequences. Reports have suggested that the forward could face a suspension ranging from one to six months, alongside a possible fine, under federation rules concerning leaving national-team duties without justification.

Ronaldo has already said he accepts that his actions must be assessed and punished if necessary. His willingness to remain available for selection suggests that he hopes the dispute will not bring his international career to an abrupt end.

The Brazilian winger will sit out the LaLiga match against Getafe on Saturday and the Champions League trip to Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday, with the German coach opting for a cautious approach as the forward recovers from a thigh problem.

Speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference, Flick explained that the situation does not appear to be serious, but that the club cannot afford to take risks. “It is not a major injury, but it is something that must be taken into account because he had many injuries,” the coach explained. Flick also noted that the tests showed something, but not a significant injury, recalling that Raphinha suffered three problems in the same area last season.

The injury occurred while Raphinha was on international duty with Brazil. He scored a penalty in the 4-2 win over Australia on September 29, but was substituted at halftime because of muscle discomfort, which led him to leave the national team’s camp and miss the 4-0 win over India.

The Brazilian Football Confederation said that medical examinations revealed a small muscle edema in the posterior region of his right thigh, and tests ruled out a muscle tear.

The absence is a significant one for Barcelona, since Raphinha has been in outstanding form this season, scoring 14 goals in his first eight appearances across all competitions as the club won its first seven LaLiga matches.

Gabriel Jesus set to replace Raphinha

With Raphinha unavailable, Gabriel Jesus will take his place in the starting lineup against Getafe. It would be the first start for the Brazilian striker since he joined Barcelona from Arsenal this summer, as he has so far appeared in four matches, all off the bench.

“The idea is for Gabriel Jesus to start. He has improved a lot, he has adapted, he understands our style of play and he is very strong inside the box. He has trained very well these three weeks and he is ready,” the German coach explained.

Despite playing just 41 minutes in total, Jesus has already scored two goals, one against Racing Santander and another against Feyenoord in the Champions League, which came only seven minutes after he stepped on the pitch.

The four players who have signed new deals are Abdulrahman Al-Anzi, Yousef Al-Tahan, Fawaz Al-Mashhour and Abdulrahman Sufyani, a player that Al Hilal reportedly tried to sign on two occasions.

This is the second renewal for Sufyani, who was rewarded for his strong performances with Al Nassr‘s U-21 side in last season’s Saudi Elite League. Al Nassr had previously renewed the young player in December 2025 on a three-year deal, according to Saudi media, a move that also came amid reports of interest from their rival.

Alongside the renewals, the club announced the signing of Tunisian Yassine Salam from Al Ettifaq to strengthen its youth categories, as well as goalkeeper Abdulhadi Al-Alwan, who joins on loan from Al Fateh until the end of the current season.

Al-Alwan is already part of the first-team picture, as Ange Postecoglou has called him up for Friday’s Saudi Pro League match against Al Diriyah to cover for injuries in goal.

Youth side struggles in the U-21 league

The reinforcements arrive at a difficult time for Al Nassr’s U-21 team, who have been struggling since the beginning of the season. The club sit 14th in the Saudi U-21 Elite League with six points from two wins and two defeats, which puts them at risk of missing out on the quarterfinals at the end of the campaign.

The announcements also come as the club’s financial restrictions have reportedly been lifted, according to reports on Thursday, although there has been no official confirmation. If that is the case, Al Nassr could now look to go after free agents in the market, something that was not possible while the restrictions were in place.

Ultimately, the renewals and new signings show that Al Nassr are trying to build for the long term, protecting their most promising young players while adding reinforcements to a youth side that needs to improve.

With Sufyani and the rest of the group now secured, the club will be hoping that investment in its academy starts to pay off, both in the U-21 league standings and in producing players who can eventually make the jump to Ronaldo’s first team.

According to Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah, Simakan took part in the full team training session on Thursday, the day before the match, and has entered Postecoglou’s plans.

His recovery could have been a real problem for the coach, since the doubts about his fitness threatened to leave Al Nassr short in defense, but the Frenchman’s return gives the team a key piece at a moment when it needs stability at the back.

The match against Al Diriyah, scheduled for 2 p.m. ET, comes at an important point for Al Nassr in the standings. The club sits third in the Saudi Pro League with 16 points, two behind leaders Al Hilal and one behind Al Ittihad, who occupy second place with 17.

Postecoglou’s side is also coming off a 4-0 loss to Al Ain in its last outing, so a solid defensive performance against a newly promoted side would help them turn the page. The game also marks Ronaldo’s return to club action following a turbulent international break with Portugal, which ended with the forward leaving the national team camp.

Several other absences force changes for Al Nassr

Simakan’s return comes with some bad news for Postecoglou, as Abdulelah Al-Amri has been left out of the squad due to fatigue after winning the Gulf Cup with Saudi Arabia, while Abdulrahman Ghareeb has also been excluded because he is not physically ready to play, according to Arriyadiyah.

The club will also be short in goal, so Postecoglou has called up young goalkeeper Abdulhadi Al-Alwan to cover for the injuries to Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Raghad Al-Najjar and Mubarak Al-Buainain.

Nawaf Boushal, Abdullah Al-Khaibari and Abdullah Al-Hamdan, who also won the Gulf Cup with Saudi Arabia, arrived at the club’s headquarters alongside Al-Amri, though the report does not specify their status for the match.

Milan has started the league campaign strongly under Amorim, collecting three wins and two draws from its opening five Serie A matches. The victory over Lecce before the break was particularly encouraging, with Pulisic, Diego Moreira and Adrien Rabiot all finding the net in a convincing 3-0 win.

The Rossoneri now return to action on Sunday, October 11, against Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium. The match begins an extremely demanding month in which the Rossoneri are expected to play for 21 points across just 28 days, making squad rotation increasingly important.

Amorim has already shown that he wants his side to evolve tactically, and this weekend could provide another example. The Portuguese coach is reportedly considering a more attacking setup while still trying to maintain enough defensive balance to deal with Sassuolo’s counter-attacking threat.

Injuries could force Milan into tactical change

Milan will be without Alexis Saelemaekers, while Pervis Estupinan remains a fitness doubt after missing time with injury. Both players have been important options, leaving Amorim with decisions to make on the flanks. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the circumstances could lead Amorim to field “his most attacking side ever”.

The coach has generally avoided using two pure attacking wingers from the start, but the current selection problems could encourage him to take a different approach. The Neroverdi should provide a stern test for any tactical experiment. The hosts have already shown they can cause problems for stronger opponents, including a victory over Juventus.

Will Pulisic play against Sassuolo and what role?

Amid the tactical uncertainty, Christian Pulisic is expected to start behind Goncalo Ramos if Amorim switches to a 4-2-3-1 formation. The American would operate as the central attacking midfielder, with Ramos leading the line and another attacking player occupying the wide left position.

That would represent a slight change from the alternative 3-4-2-1 system, in which Pulisic has also been projected to start alongside another attacking midfielder behind Ramos. Either way, the supplied lineup reports agree on one important point: the American remains one of the key attacking pieces in the coach’s plans.

A possible 4-2-3-1 would feature Mike Maignan in goal, with Mario Gila and Strahinja Pavlovic involved in the defensive line and Davide Bartesaghi potentially replacing Estupinan. Samuel Chukwueze, Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot would provide the midfield structure, while Pulisic would sit behind Ramos.

The 28-year-old forward could also benefit from the form of the players around him. Goncalo Ramos returned from international duty with three goals in four appearances for Portugal, while Alphadjo Cisse also scored for Italy Under-21.

Ronaldo walked out of camp after being left on the bench during Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway on September 27, 2026, claiming there had been a breach of trust over promises concerning his playing time. He later apologized to his teammates and supporters while insisting that he remains available for the Selecao after serving any punishment.

The FPF is reportedly working behind the scenes to find a way for Ronaldo to return, with French newspaper L’Equipe reporting that officials want the forward to receive a proper farewell appearance rather than allowing his international career to end amid a dispute with Jesus.

There is also a sporting reason for that desire, given Ronaldo’s extraordinary record with Portugal. He remains the country’s all-time leading international goalscorer with 146 goals in 234 appearances, while his career has included Euro 2016, the 2022 World Cup and more than two decades at the highest level.

However, the federation’s concerns appear to extend well beyond what Ronaldo can contribute on the pitch. His global profile has become deeply connected to the commercial identity of Portuguese soccer, creating a financial dimension to the current crisis.

Ronaldo’s commercial value is enormous

Portuguese marketing experts have warned that Ronaldo remains one of the most valuable assets associated with the national team. Daniel Sa, executive director of the Portuguese Institute of Marketing Administration (IPAM), described him as “the Portuguese brand most known in the world and in history.”

Although the exact percentage that is attributable to Ronaldo is unknown, FPF’s revenue is believed to be over €120 million ($134.5m) each year. Marketing consultant Carlos Coelho went even further, describing Ronaldo’s potential absence as a “loss of immense value” and arguing that the forward is the biggest asset Portuguese soccer has ever possessed.

The scale of Ronaldo’s personal brand helps explain those comments. IPAM has valued Ronaldo’s personal brand at €850 million ($853m), while research surrounding the 2026 World Cup offered another extraordinary indication of his reach.

The staggering figure behind Ronaldo’s value

During the 2026 World Cup, 29 Ronaldo social-media posts generated an estimated $107 million in audience value, according to the research cited in the source material. Portugal’s national team accounts, by comparison, generated an estimated $79 million from 565 posts.

Those figures do not mean the FPF would automatically lose $107 million if Ronaldo stopped representing Portugal. They measure estimated audience value rather than direct revenue, but the gap demonstrates how much global attention Ronaldo can generate almost by himself.

The contrast is particularly important for a federation that relies on sponsorship, television, licensing and merchandise revenue. The FPF reported more than $153 million in revenue for 2024-25, while its following-season budget allocated approximately $23.5 million to the senior national team from advertising, television and licensing.

According to Argentina’s Infobae, Tevez has already received the green light from Juan Román Riquelme to use Boca Juniors’ stadium once all of this season’s competitions are over. No date has been set yet, but the outlet reports that Sunday, December 20 looks like the most viable option, which will be the last official match in Argentina this year.

The proposed date would also fit the schedules of both stars. The MLS Cup final is set for Friday, December 18, so Messi, who just retired from international soccer, would only have Inter Miami commitments to attend to, while Ronaldo’s participation with Al Nassr is expected to end on December 14.

The idea would be to put them in the same team, reportedly a rest-of-the-world side facing the Boca squad that won the 2003 Intercontinental Cup under Carlos Bianchi. Tevez shared the Argentina dressing room with Messi and played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United between 2007 and 2009, and this could be the first time the two legends share the same team.

Expected guest list features Boca legends and international stars

According to Infobae, the guest list is expected to be as extensive as the event itself. From Boca Juniors, the names mentioned include club icons Martín Palermo, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, along with Riquelme himself. Leandro Paredes, Boca’s current captain, may also receive a special invitation even though they never played together.

Among his former Argentina teammates, reports highlight Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín and Ángel Di María, although the rest of the invitations are still to be defined. Tevez is also close to international stars he has met throughout his career, such as Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and Giorgio Chiellini, and none of these appearances has been confirmed yet.

Ultimately, the biggest attraction of Tevez’s farewell will be the possibility of seeing Messi and Ronaldo on the same side after nearly two decades of rivalry that defined an era of soccer. Neither player has confirmed his attendance publicly, and the date and final details are still to be announced, but with both reportedly agreeing to take part and their schedules lining up for late December, the dream of watching them share a pitch as teammates for the first time is closer than ever.

The episode has already produced a disciplinary case and a public explanation from Ronaldo, who apologized for his actions while insisting that he remains available to represent Portugal. Now, his mother has offered her own perspective on how the situation has affected the family and how she believes her son’s extraordinary contribution should be viewed.

Dolores Aveiro admitted that Ronaldo’s departure from the Portugal camp was extremely difficult for her to process. Speaking to TV 7 Dias, she described the episode as a shock and revealed that she became emotional after learning that her son had left the squad.

“I feel sad, and that’s natural. It was a shock. My son could have left through the front door, but he left through the back door. But it’s okay; God will take care of everything. I cried a little. Sometimes crying is good to help us release what we’re feeling. We have to get through this phase.”

She also revealed that she called Ronaldo shortly after he left the camp. According to Dolores, her son tried to reassure her that he would eventually explain his side of the story, while she encouraged him to remain calm during the difficult period.

Dolores Aveiro delivers her strongest message

The most striking part of Dolores’ comments was her defense of Ronaldo’s place in Portuguese football history. She believes her son has given enormous amounts to the national team and feels that his contribution has not received the recognition she believes it deserves.

“Cristiano has given so much to Portugal, and he will always be there. He has always been Portugal’s hero, but they don’t give him the recognition he deserves. They don’t appreciate Cristiano the way they should. This is the Portuguese we have.”

The comments add another emotional layer to a dispute that has already become one of the biggest stories surrounding the national team. Dolores’ words suggest that, from the Ronaldo family’s perspective, the issue extends beyond one disagreement over playing time and touches on how the captain’s legacy is being treated.

Ronaldo’s legacy now part of the debate

The disagreement with Jesus has inevitably shifted attention toward the final stage of Ronaldo’s Portugal career. At 41, he remains the national team’s all-time leading scorer and one of the defining figures in its history, while his international career already includes the 2016 European Championship and more than two decades of service.

For Dolores, that history should carry considerable weight when Ronaldo’s treatment is discussed. Her emotional intervention reflects the frustration within the player’s family, while Borges’ comments show that even those outside the immediate dispute continue to view Ronaldo’s legacy as something far bigger than one difficult international window.

Whether Ronaldo and Jesus can repair their relationship remains uncertain. For now, though, Ronaldo has left the door open to Portugal, his mother has made clear how strongly she feels about his treatment, and the debate over how one of the country’s greatest-ever players should be remembered has only intensified.

The allegation was made by Carlos Padrao, a former goalkeeper and close associate of Jesus, during an appearance on SIC Notícias’ Jogo Aberto. According to Padrao, Tiago Craveiro, a strategic consultant for Ronaldo’s company CR7 SA, contacted someone within Jesus’ circle as the disagreement intensified.

The controversy started during Portugal‘s UEFA Nations League campaign in September. Ronaldo had reportedly agreed to a plan regarding his playing time, but he was left on the bench against Norway on September 27 despite being told he would feature for around 30 minutes.

The 41-year-old warmed up during the second half but was never introduced as the Selecao won 2-1. Ronaldo subsequently accused Jesus of breaking his word and later explained that the dispute was about trust rather than a demand to play every match.

Ronaldo then left Portugal’s training camp before the next fixture and released a lengthy statement explaining his decision. He claimed that Jesus had broken two separate agreements, including a later understanding about how the coach would publicly explain the situation.

Ronaldo’s entourage allegedly issued stark ultimatum

That dispute has now produced an even more serious allegation. Padrao claims that Craveiro threatened that Jesus would be dismissed unless he publicly apologized to Ronaldo, with the alleged demand being delivered through someone close to the coach rather than directly to Jesus.

According to Padrao, Ronaldo’s camp even attempted to prepare a specific script for the Portugal coach to read at the beginning of a press conference. “They tried to create a script for Jorge Jesus to apologize to Cristiano Ronaldo,” Padrao told SIC Notícias.

The experienced boss reportedly refused to follow the script or issue the requested formal apology. Instead, he acknowledged that his handling of Ronaldo’s warm-up against Norway had been a mistake while maintaining a distinction between admitting an error and apologizing.

“Admitting a mistake is one thing, apologizing is another,” Padrao said, describing Jesus’ position. He also claimed that the coach is deeply saddened by the entire episode and remains affected by the deterioration of his relationship with Ronaldo.

Jesus previously had strong relationship with Ronaldo

The situation is particularly striking because Jesus and Ronaldo had recently worked together at Al-Nassr. The pair won the Saudi Pro League title together, and their relationship appeared to be strong before Jesus was appointed Portugal coach following the 2026 World Cup.

Padrao has suggested that Jesus believed he could manage Ronaldo’s playing time precisely because of their previous relationship. The coach had also reportedly played a role in persuading Ronaldo to continue his international career after Portugal’s World Cup elimination by Spain.

That history makes the current disagreement more complicated. According to Padrao, Jesus never intended to create a confrontation with Ronaldo, and his friend believes the coach remains deeply disappointed that their relationship has reached this point.

According to the latest update, Vinicius is now valued at €130 million, which is €10 million less than his previous valuation and a drop of €70 million from the €200 million he reached in October 2024, shortly after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League.

The reduction comes as the 26-year-old struggles to find his best level for both club and country. For Real Madrid, he has scored just one goal in eight matches this season, to go with three assists in 652 minutes, and the criticism intensified after the 2-1 derby defeat to Atlético Madrid, when Yan Diomandé replaced him before the hour mark and made an immediate impact.

With Brazil, the picture has not been much brighter: he converted a late penalty in the 4-2 win over Australia, but the performance was far from a standout one, and a week earlier he had a forgettable hour in the 1-1 draw in Townsville before being substituted.

Even so, Vinicius continues to have the full backing of the people who coach him. Carlo Ancelotti said after the win over Australia that “Vini Jr. deserves my patience” and that, even when he is not at his best, “he can still make the difference“. José Mourinho has also kept him in the starting lineup at Madrid despite the criticism, and the club recently reinforced its confidence in the forward by extending his contract until 2032, only two months ago.

From €200 million to €130 million in two years

Vinícius’ valuation reached its peak at €200 million in October 2024, after a season in which he helped Real Madrid win the Champions League. His value has been falling gradually since mid-2025, and this is the lowest figure attached to his name since November 2022, when he stood at €120 million just before the World Cup in Qatar, although at that time his price was on the rise rather than in decline.

Vinícius’ poor run could also open the door for other attacking options at Real Madrid. Yan Diomandé’s valuation jumped from €90 million to €120 million, the biggest increase in LaLiga, while Arda Güler reached €100 million for the first time, and both are in a position to take advantage if the Brazilian’s struggles continue.

Argentina defeated Benin 3–0 in a fixture that concluded with Lionel Messi scoring his final goal for the national team. Benin fought hard despite it being a friendly, but ultimately understood that the match also served as a tribute to the legendary forward.

Nevertheless, the Benin players were expecting a different post-match experience. They attempted to reach out to Lionel Messi after the final whistle, but according to their head coach, they were not received warmly.

“My players tried everything, but nothing worked,” Benin coach Gernot Rohr told RMC Sport. “The Argentinians didn’t give our players anything, not even a photo with Messi. We wanted to exchange shirts, but we didn’t get any. They wouldn’t even allow us to enter their player corridor. Security was turning everyone away. Players were coming with their shirts hoping to swap them with Argentina players.”

A night for the books

While the Benin players may not have received the treatment they expected, the truth is that they will forever be remembered as the final opponents to face Messi in an Argentina shirt.

Messi provided two assists and scored the final goal of the night. The Argentine Football Association even agreed to wear a special jersey designed by Adidas in which Messi’s personal logo replaced the traditional brand logo.

Following the match, a musical performance and drone spectacle capped off the evening, with Lionel Messi sharing an emotional farewell message with Argentine fans and his teammates, thanking them for fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a World Champion with his country.

It is not the end for Messi yet

Lionel Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami through December 2028 and intends to fulfill every moment of it. There are still more trophies for him to pursue as he aims to cement an even greater legacy with the Herons.

Many soccer fans continue to hope for a return to Barcelona. While a potential loan move is often discussed, it remains highly unlikely today and may only ever materialize as a ceremonial stint at the end of his career to close it out where he became a legend.

The 41-year-old left the squad after a dispute with Jorge Jesus over his expected playing time and the handling of their conversations. Ronaldo later apologized to his teammates, supporters and the Portuguese public while accepting that his actions should have consequences.

According to lawyer Goncalo Almeida, consulted by Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the disciplinary process is effectively unavoidable under Article 160 of the Portuguese Football Federation’s Disciplinary Code. The regulation states that a player who leaves national-team duties without justification can receive a suspension of between one and six months, alongside a fine for professional players.

“I don’t see any way he can’t be sanctioned,” Almeida said, explaining that Ronaldo is already subject to an automatic precautionary suspension because he abandoned the camp.

The lawyer, who also works as a FIFA Football Court referee, explained that the federation’s disciplinary council can begin proceedings without a formal complaint because the facts surrounding Ronaldo’s departure are already public.

The key date for Ronaldo’s disciplinary hearing

The disciplinary process could move very quickly, with reports from Portuguese newspaper Record indicating that the federation’s Disciplinary Committee is due to meet on Friday, October 9, 2026, to determine the sanction.

That timing could be important because the period Ronaldo has already spent under the automatic suspension is expected to count toward any eventual punishment. A rapid decision would therefore give the federation a clearer picture of whether the forward could be available for Portugal‘s next international window.

Almeida believes the case could move at exceptional speed. “Then there are proceedings that the Federation’s Disciplinary Council will begin, and Cristiano will be notified, in respect of the principle of due legal process, to give his opinion, and after that we will take a decision which I believe will be very swift.”

Ronaldo’s admission could halve the punishment

One of the biggest developments in Ronaldo’s favor is his decision to openly acknowledge what happened. Article 244 of the FPF regulations allows sanctions to be reduced when a player makes a complete and unconditional admission of the facts.

Almeida believes Ronaldo’s statement meets that threshold, meaning both the minimum and maximum punishment could potentially be cut in half. In the best-case scenario, a one-month suspension would become 15 days, while the associated €510 ($572) fine could fall to €255 ($268).

“Therefore, if the Disciplinary Council acknowledges this, the sanctions will be reduced by half, and in the best-case scenario for the national team captain, the minimum sanction of one month and 510 euros would become a suspension of 15 days and a fine of 255 euros,” Almeida explained.

Ronaldo accepts that he must be punished

Ronaldo has made little attempt to avoid responsibility for leaving the camp. In his statement, he acknowledged that his position as Portugal captain could even be considered an aggravating factor and said he was prepared to accept the consequences.

“The consequence of this act of mine must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation. I understand that the punishment should have no mitigating factors. I am not just any player; I am team captain, and that constitutes an aggravating factor.”

At the same time, Almeida pointed to several factors that could work in Ronaldo’s favor, including his lack of a recent disciplinary record and his more than 20 years of service to Portugal. The regulations allow previous conduct, contributions to soccer, and sporting merit to be considered when determining mitigating circumstances.

The situation escalated after Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp following a disagreement with Jesus over his expected role against Norway. Although the 41-year-old apologized for his actions, he also publicly explained his frustration with what he described as broken commitments from the coach.

The dispute reportedly centered on the veteran’s playing time and communication between the captain and Jesus. The 41-year-old superstar claimed he had been told he would receive around 30 minutes against Norway, only to remain on the bench despite warming up extensively.

The situation became even more complicated after Ronaldo alleged that a subsequent agreement over how the experienced coach would explain the decision publicly was also not respected. He ultimately left the camp before Portugal‘s next match and later issued a lengthy statement explaining his decision.

Ronaldo made clear that he has no intention of permanently turning his back on the national team. He apologized to his teammates and Portuguese supporters while accepting that his actions should have consequences, writing: “The rules are the same for everyone.”

Portugal’s federation wants reconciliation

Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proenca appears determined to prevent the dispute from becoming a permanent break. According to Portuguese outlet Record, Proenca has told associates that he believes Ronaldo and Jesus can still reconcile privately, with the captain’s apology and acknowledgment of his own conduct viewed as positive steps.

The federation is particularly encouraged by Ronaldo’s desire to return once any disciplinary matter has been resolved. Proenca reportedly believes that keeping communication open could allow the player and coach to put the disagreement behind them without damaging Portugal’s preparations for the next stage of the Nations League.

Ronaldo could return in 2027

The key date emerging from the federation’s efforts is March 2027, when the Selecao is scheduled to contest the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals and potentially the finals depending on the competition’s format and results.

That is the window Proenca reportedly wants Ronaldo available for if the dispute can be settled and any suspension served. The federation’s objective is to clear the way for Ronaldo’s return in March, rather than allowing the disagreement to drag into a lengthy absence.

The timing would also give both sides several months to repair their relationship away from the intensity of an international camp. Ronaldo could then return with Portugal preparing for the decisive stages of the Nations League.

Suspension could complicate the plan

Before Ronaldo can return, however, the disciplinary process must be resolved. Leaving national-team duty without authorization can reportedly result in a one-to-six-month suspension, although Ronaldo’s admission of responsibility could work in his favor.

Reports indicate that his acknowledgment of the seriousness of his actions could potentially reduce a sanction. A maximum six-month suspension could reportedly be cut to three months, while a minimum one-month punishment could fall to 15 days under the applicable regulations, although no formal sanction has yet been confirmed.

Ronaldo himself has already accepted that punishment may be necessary. In his statement, he said his conduct “must be assessed and punished,” while emphasizing that he remains available to Portugal after serving any sanction.

Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs through the end of the 2028 MLS season, but the club’s leadership do not want that date to mark the end of the relationship. Jorge Mas, the team’s managing owner and CEO, considers that the project built around Messi requires an investment of between $70 million and $80 million per year, taking into account all the elements linked to the player.

Xavier Asensi, the club’s president of business operations, has also revealed that Inter Miami already contemplate the scenario after Messi’s retirement and the chance that he can become part of the club’s ownership group once he stops playing professionally. BBC Sport reported that his agreement already includes a pathway to receive a minority stake in the team after his playing career ends, and that Messi prefers the idea of owning a club to coaching one.

Even so, nothing has been signed yet: there is no confirmed agreement to extend Messi’s contract through 2030, a date that for now should be understood as a long-term horizon and not as a closed renewal. For the moment, Messi’s immediate focus will be on the field, with Inter Miami set to host DC United on Saturday, October 10, at Nu Stadium in the MLS regular season.

How Messi turned Inter Miami into MLS’s most valuable club

Since Lionel Messi arrived in July 2023, Inter Miami have gone from a young franchise with promise to the league’s biggest commercial force. The club was valued at around $600 million before his signing, and Forbes now puts that figure at $1.35 billion, making Inter Miami the most valuable team in MLS ahead of LAFC.

The growth has come with trophies as well: the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and the 2025 MLS Cup, a 3-1 win over Vancouver in which Messi provided an assist.

That growth explains why Inter Miami want to keep him for as long as possible. Keeping Messi reportedly costs the club between $70 and $80 million a year, according to Mas, but the commercial return has so far outweighed that investment. With much of the club’s recent value tied to his presence, Inter Miami are reportedly working on a long-term plan that would keep him involved beyond his playing career, including a potential path to a shareholder role.

Luka Modric faced Lionel Messi numerous times in LaLiga while representing Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively. Now, the Croatian maestro has paid his respects to the forward following his farewell from international soccer.

“Messi is a unique player. What can I say about him? It’s a pity that he’s retiring, but it’s his decision and we have to respect it,” Modric said, per Fabrizio Romano. “He has done something incredible with the national team, he won the World Cup that he wanted and he’s one of the best players in the world. Watching Messi was a great pleasure. But playing against him both for the national team and at Real Madrid caused me a lot of pain!”

The end of an era in soccer

With Messi’s international retirement, it is clear that the iconic stars who defined a golden era of soccer are approaching the final chapter of their careers, including Modric himself.

Although the Croatian has not yet formally announced his retirement, at 41 years old, supporters recognize that the end of his illustrious career is drawing near at both club and international levels. He is currently under contract with AC Milan, though his minutes have been managed due to his age.

Both Messi and Modric were cornerstone figures in a golden age of LaLiga defined by the fierce dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona. Today, most of the teammates and rivals who shared locker rooms with them have either retired or entered the final stages of their playing days.

With Cristiano Ronaldo facing uncertainty in Portugal and potential retirement looming on the horizon, the legendary figures who defined an era of soccer are set to hang up their boots soon, clearing the way for new

Messi officially brought his international career to an end after Argentina‘s 3-0 victory over Benin at the Estadio Monumental on October 6, 2026. The 39-year-old played the full 90 minutes in his 208th appearance, assisting Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz before scoring from the penalty spot for his 126th international goal.

A day later, on Wednesday, Messi reflected on the decision in an emotional social media post. “Yesterday was my last match, and I already miss wearing the sky blue and white. I know I’m making the right decision.”

The farewell marked the conclusion of a 21-year international journey that began in 2005. Messi thanked his family, friends, teammates, coaches and staff, while also expressing gratitude to the clubs that allowed him to prioritize Argentina throughout his career.

What did Messi say about Maradona?

Messi’s path with Argentina was far from straightforward. Despite becoming the world’s dominant player with Barcelona, he endured years of criticism at international level as supporters compared him with Maradona and questioned whether he could reproduce his club success with the national team.

The relationship between the two icons was always deeper than the comparisons made between them. Maradona coached Messi at the 2010 World Cup, publicly defended him against criticism and repeatedly recognized the extraordinary talent of the player who would eventually follow his path as Argentina’s No. 10.

That connection took on an even greater meaning in Messi’s farewell message. Reflecting on the role Maradona played in Argentina’s soccer history, the 39-year-old forward wrote: “I don’t want to forget Diego, who put our country where it deserved to be. I know he helped us when he was here with us and also from heaven, every step of the way.”

The words offered a fitting final link between Argentina’s two greatest icons. Maradona led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup, while Messi completed his own journey by lifting the trophy in 2022, creating a connection between two generations that had spent decades being compared.

Two legends and two sides of Argentina

Maradona and Messi represented Argentina in very different ways. Maradona was fiery, rebellious, and unpredictable, embodying the raw passion associated with Argentine soccer, while Messi’s personality has generally been quieter, more disciplined, and private.

For years, that contrast worked against Messi in the eyes of some supporters. His upbringing in Rosario before moving to Barcelona at 13 and his reserved personality made him seem different from the traditional Argentine soccer hero, but his performances eventually transformed that perception.

Messi’s international numbers now underline the scale of his achievement. He finished with 207 Argentina appearances, 125 goals and more than 60 assists, while Maradona recorded 91 caps and 34 goals. Messi also leaves with four major senior international trophies: the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 World Cup.

Transfermarkt’s figures underline how dramatically international management has changed. National teams are increasingly prepared to offer salaries comparable to major club jobs, with federations securing famous coaches on long-term contracts as they chase World Cup success.

Ancelotti is the clear leader, earning a reported €10 million ($11.7 million) per year with Brazil. His contract runs through 2030, giving the five-time Champions League-winning coach a long-term project with one of soccer’s most demanding national teams.

Jurgen Klopp is second with Germany on €7 million ($8.2 million) annually, leaving him €3 million behind Ancelotti. Mauricio Pochettino follows in third with the United States on €6.8 million ($8 million), while Thomas Tuchel earns €6 million ($7 million) with England.

The numbers show just how much federations are willing to spend on proven managers. Ancelotti’s reputation, Klopp’s success with Liverpool and Pochettino’s growing role within the United States setup have all translated into substantial international contracts.

The top 10 reveals a fascinating financial divide

Spain’s Luis de la Fuente occupies fifth place on €5 million ($5.9 million) per year, with his contract running until 2032. Portugal’s Jorge Jesus and Roberto Mancini of Italy are next on €4 million ($4.7 million) each.

Zinedine Zidane is eighth on €3.6 million ($4.2 million) with France, followed by Xavi with the Netherlands on €3 million ($3.5 million). That leaves one of international soccer’s most successful recent coaches surprisingly close to the bottom of the top 10.

Scaloni’s ranking surprises

Lionel Scaloni is ranked 10th on €2.3 million ($2.7 million) per year with Argentina, according to the Transfermarkt figures. His reported salary is less than a quarter of Ancelotti’s and significantly below the earnings of several coaches whose teams have achieved less in recent international tournaments.

The contrast becomes particularly striking when Scaloni’s trophy cabinet is considered. Argentina has won the 2021 Copa America, 2022 Finalissima, 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America under his leadership, while the national team also reached the 2026 World Cup final.

Scaloni initially took charge in 2018 with limited senior managerial experience, so his original contract reflected his status at the time. His extraordinary success subsequently changed his reputation, but the reported salary has apparently failed to catch up with his transformation into one of international soccer’s most decorated coaches.

Scaloni could be due a major salary increase

The biggest question surrounding the ranking is whether the 48-year-old boss’ current contract reflects his actual value. A coach who has delivered four major senior trophies and reached another World Cup final, earning €2.3 million ($2.7 million), looks like an outlier, particularly when compared with managers earning several million more.

Scaloni’s contract is reportedly due to expire at the end of 2026, making his future an important issue for Argentina. If the AFA renews his deal, his extraordinary record could support a significant increase.

According to Al Nassr insider Abdulaziz Al-Asimi, the club’s medical staff are working to get French defender Mohamed Simakan ready for the match. His availability will reportedly be determined during training on the day of the game, which means Postecoglou will not know until Friday whether he can count on him.

Al Nassr’s training sessions are now at full strength after the players who were away on international duty returned to the squad. Postecoglou, who had spent two weeks preparing without his national team players, can now work with the complete group ahead of Friday’s match.

The coach also used his pre-match news conference on Wednesday, October 7, to give a positive update on Ronaldo, who returns to his club after a turbulent week with Portugal, saying that the forward is fully fit and ready to play.

Al Nassr arrive at the match after a heavy 4-0 defeat to Al Ain in the AFC Champions League Elite on September 15, and they will look to return to winning ways in the league, where they sit third in the table with 16 points, two behind leaders Al Hilal and one behind second-placed Al Ittihad.

Cristiano Ronaldo chases the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot

Ronaldo returns to the league with some ground to make up in the scoring charts. The 41-year-old has scored three goals in the Saudi Pro League this season, against Al Riyadh, Al Taawoun, and Abha, a tally that leaves him tied for ninth place with 14 other players.

He is seven goals behind the leader, Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney, who has 10 in seven games, and also trails Neom’s Alexandre Lacazette, who has five, as well as six players who have four each, among them Al Ittihad’s George Ilenikhena, Steven Bergwijn, and Youssef En-Nesyri.

With his last goal, against Abha on September 9, he reached 979 for his career, which leaves him 21 short of the 1,000-goal milestone, and with Al Nassr’s busy schedule ahead he will have plenty of opportunities to close the distance on Toney and the rest of the leaders.

Speaking at the post-match news conference, Scaloni first addressed how Argentina will replace its captain. “The only way to compensate is with a team. Everyone has to contribute,” he said, adding that the team no longer has a player who opens a match with a flash of genius, but can do many things together, even if Messi is irreplaceable.

Then he turned to his own situation, giving a very positive hint about his future with the national team. “If all goes well, I will continue as coach,” Scaloni explained before adding that “Messi’s legacy is the biggest example we can take.”

Scaloni’s contract expires in December 2026, and although he casted doubt on his future after the World Cup, he has since opened direct negotiations with AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia to extend his deal through the next World Cup.

The talks are advanced and could be settled in the coming weeks, with the reported plan being for him to stay until the end of 2030, a deal that would allow him to coach his third World Cup, after Qatar 2022 and North America 2026.

What’s next for Argentina

Argentina’s next matches will come in the November FIFA window, which runs from November 9 to 17, with a maximum of two games per team, marking the first time the national team plays without Messi in the squad.

The AFA has not yet announced opponents or venues, although one latent possibility is the long-delayed tour of Asia, which was originally planned for this window but was postponed so Messi’s farewell could take place in Argentina.

The road to the 2030 World Cup looks different for Argentina than for most teams. As one of the three countries that will host centenary games, together with Uruguay and Paraguay, Argentina has an automatic berth in the tournament, which means the team will not have to go through the usual qualifying process.

CONMEBOL has not yet announced how it will decide the rest of its entrants, since it is still waiting to learn whether FIFA will accept its proposal to expand the World Cup to 64 teams, so the format of the South American qualifiers remains unclear.

Against that backdrop, the latest FIFA ranking was released on Wednesday, October 7, and it shows how both national teams stand after the international break.

Spain stayed at the top with 2,011.57 points after a strong run in the UEFA Nations League. Argentina held steady in second place with 1,972.80 after winning all three of their friendly matches, followed by France with 1,958.86 and England with 1,925.59. It is the first ranking update since the World Cup, and it follows the window that ran from late September into early October.

The biggest movement inside the top 10 came from Portugal. Despite the turmoil around Ronaldo, who left the national team’s camp after the team’s first two matches of the window, Portugal rose from seventh to fifth, with 1,807.69 points, moving ahead of Brazil, now sixth with 1,806.51, and Morocco, seventh with 1,805.34.

FIFA ranking: Full top 10

Belgium, the Netherlands, and Mexico complete the top 10, with no changes in their positions. The next official FIFA ranking will be published on November 18, after Portugal’s final two group games in the Nations League, against Denmark on November 14 and Wales later that month.

The latest ranking leaves Argentina in a strong position as it begins a new chapter without Messi, still second in the world and behind only Spain. Portugal, for its part, climbs to fifth in the middle of the most turbulent week of Ronaldo’s international career, though the margin over Brazil and Morocco is slim enough that a few results in November could reshuffle that part of the table.

Ronaldo has since broken his silence in a lengthy statement, insisting that Jesus broke his word twice and explaining why he ultimately decided to leave the camp. The experienced veteran has also made clear that he does not consider his Portugal career over, even though he expects to face disciplinary action for his decision to walk out.

The dispute began during Portugal‘s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway on September 27. Ronaldo had previously agreed with Jesus that he would manage his workload and sit out the Norway and Denmark matches, but the coach later told him he might play around 30 minutes against Norway.

Ronaldo accepted the change and warmed up from halftime, only to remain on the bench until the final whistle. For Ronaldo, that was the first breach of trust, although he stressed that his frustration was not simply about failing to get onto the pitch. “To my absolute surprise, the coach asked me whether I was ready to play 30 minutes [against Norway]”, he said on social media.

The 41-year-old said he had accepted the request despite it falling outside his planned recovery schedule. After spending the second half warming up without being introduced, he felt that Jesus had failed to honor their agreement. “Everyone knows what happened next. I warmed up from halftime, watched the minutes go by, and was not called upon. The coach had broken his word to me.”

The eight-point agreement became the heart of the dispute

The situation became even more complicated after the Norway match. Ronaldo says he subsequently met Jesus, with Al-Nassr sporting director Simao Coutinho also involved, and that they agreed on a way to publicly close the controversy before Portugal’s next match against Denmark.

According to the superstar himself, an eight-point document was prepared and approved, covering the original workload plan and clarifying that he had accepted Jesus’ decisions. The document also reportedly included an admission from Jesus that using Ronaldo to warm up without eventually bringing him onto the pitch had been a mistake.

Among the proposed points was a statement that Jesus had personally created the plan, that Ronaldo had accepted it and that the captain had remained “exemplary, loyal and professional.” It also reportedly stated that Jesus still wanted Ronaldo involved with the national team: “It was the second time he had broken his word to me.”

Ronaldo’s claim was that the document was supposed to give both sides a way to move forward without turning their disagreement into a public confrontation. Instead, he felt that Jesus’ subsequent press conference bore little resemblance to what they had discussed privately.

New Jorge Jesus video adds another layer

This is where the newly circulating footage has changed the conversation. A video shared by Portuguese outlet Record appears to show Jorge Jesus handling notes or a phone containing material that is being presented as the agreed eight-point script ahead of his Denmark press conference.

The footage comes from Portuguese television and has been circulated with claims that it shows Jesus receiving or possessing the document Ronaldo described in his statement. If the material can be independently authenticated as the same document Ronaldo says was agreed, it would provide important visual support for his account of what happened behind the scenes.

However, the footage alone does not establish every detail of the agreement. It can potentially show that Jesus had access to notes, but it does not independently prove that he was obligated to read every point exactly as written or that both sides understood the document in precisely the same way.

Ronaldo says Jesus went against their private agreement

That distinction is important because Ronaldo’s main complaint was about what happened after the private meeting. He said Jesus’ tone and comments during the press conference were completely different from the approach they had supposedly agreed upon.

“The news conference was what everyone knows: his attitude had nothing to do with our meeting. I heard expressions and an aggressiveness that I believe I did not deserve, an attitude of ‘I want, I can, and I command’ that he had not shown me, not even remotely, in private the day before.”

Ronaldo therefore viewed the press conference as the second broken promise, prompting him to leave the Portugal camp before the Denmark match. Jesus has offered a different account of the dispute and previously denied that there was such an agreement, while still leaving the door open for Ronaldo’s return.

Ronaldo left the camp in Copenhagen shortly before Portugal faced Denmark after a growing dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus. He later released a detailed statement explaining his decision, apologized to his teammates and supporters, and accepted that disciplinary action could follow.

The controversy developed after Ronaldo was left out of Portugal‘s starting lineup for the Denmark match. The decision followed an earlier disagreement over his involvement against Norway, when Ronaldo said he had been told he could play around 30 minutes before warming up for the second half without eventually entering the game.

The 41-year-old veteran subsequently accused Jesus of breaking his word on two occasions. He claimed the pair had also agreed on how the situation would be explained publicly, but said the coach’s subsequent press conference failed to match what had been agreed privately.

The dispute eventually resulted in Ronaldo leaving the national team camp before the Denmark match. Portugal went on to beat Denmark 4-2 without him, while Ronaldo later confirmed that he remained available for the national team once any punishment had been served.

What could determine his next appearance

The legal consequences are now becoming clearer. According to sports lawyer Goncalo Almeida, Ronaldo is automatically suspended from representing Portugal because of his departure from the camp, under the legal interpretation of Article 160 of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF)’s disciplinary regulations. The provision carries a potential suspension of between one and six months, accompanied by a fine ranging from €510 to €1,020 ($570 to $1142) for a professional player.

The disciplinary process can be opened even without a formal complaint because the incident is already publicly known. However, the eventual punishment may be considerably shorter than the maximum range suggests. Almeida has identified several factors that could work in Ronaldo’s favor.

The factors that could reduce Ronaldo’s punishment

The most important factor could be Ronaldo’s decision to openly admit that he left the camp and apologize for doing so. Almeida believes that this could allow the minimum punishment to be reduced by half. “The most important factors that could work in Cristiano Ronaldo’s favour are his full admission of leaving the camp and his apology, his clean disciplinary record, and his long-standing service to the Portuguese national team”, Almeida told A Bola.

Under the best-case scenario outlined by the lawyer, a one-month minimum suspension could potentially be reduced to just 15 days, accompanied by a fine of approximately €255 ($285). The automatic suspension Ronaldo is already serving would also count toward the eventual punishment.

That creates a potentially important opening for the veteran forward. If the disciplinary process is completed quickly and the time already served is included, Ronaldo could theoretically be available for Portugal during the November international break.

Why Ronaldo’s captaincy works against him

There is also a factor that could make the punishment more severe. Ronaldo’s status as Portugal’s captain is considered an aggravating circumstance, meaning the federation could take a stricter view of his decision to leave the camp.

At the same time, he has no previous disciplinary record, while his more than two decades of service to Portugal could be considered mitigating circumstances. Almeida believes those elements will form an important part of the disciplinary assessment.

Ronaldo has also accepted responsibility for the incident. In his statement, he apologized to his teammates and Portuguese supporters and acknowledged that his position as captain made his actions more serious.

On Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo shared an explosive statement in which he accused Jorge Jesus of failing to keep several promises regarding his playing time and role with Portugal in the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League.

Jorge Jesus has since responded with a clear message, but with the situation becoming a heated topic across European football, several players have spoken out—with Luka Modric offering a firm verdict on the treatment the Portuguese icon is currently receiving.

“Cristiano is the greatest player in the history of Portugal, and he deserves another farewell and another ending with the national team,” Modric said, per Fabrizio Romano. “It’s sad to see this happening to Cristiano in his own country.”

“Still, I think they will find a solution, because Cris deserves, whether he retires or decides not to continue with the national team, to have a great farewell that reflects what he deserves. So, I don’t know exactly what happened, but I hope the situation gets resolved.”

A series of unfortunate events

Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s abrupt departure from the national team camp, rumors and speculation have emerged regarding his international future, with even a ceremonial farewell match proposed so fans could see their captain one last time with the squad.

With Jorge Jesus not fully addressing Cristiano Ronaldo’s detailed allegations, tension within the Portugal national team continues to build. While the coach previously maintained that the striker remains eligible for selection, Ronaldo’s recent words may alter that dynamic.

The next international break begins on November 9. Cristiano Ronaldo could potentially face a federation suspension by then for walking out of camp, though any disciplinary outcome will ultimately depend on the decision reached by the Portuguese Football Federation and FIFA.

“Leo, so many years defending your country and a story that will remain forever. All my respect for what you have achieved with Argentina. A hug,” Ronaldo wrote. The comment quickly caught fire on social media, reaching 10,000 likes in under 10 minutes and drawing thousands of replies.

Messi, 39, retired from Argentina on Tuesday, October 6, with a 3-0 win over Benin at a packed Monumental, where he scored a goal and provided two assists. He leaves the national team as a World Cup champion and as its all-time leading scorer, top assist provider, and most-capped player.

Ronaldo’s message arrives in the middle of his own turbulent international window with Portugal, after he walked out of the national team’s camp. However, the forward later clarified that he is not retiring from international soccer and promised “one or more farewell matches.”

Messi’s full message after his retirement

“Yesterday was my last match and I already miss wearing the sky blue and white. I know I’m making the right decision. It was an incredible journey, full of joys and also some sadness, but I’m clear that every step I took was worth it.

And there were many things I was left to say. It is impossible for me to express everything I feel in a few words or in a post. This journey would have been impossible without my family, who were always by my side and supported me, especially in the hard times, when I needed it most.

My friends, all the teammates and coaches I had, along with their staff, were also essential. I don’t want to forget Diego, who put our country where it deserved to be and who, as I always say, I know helped us by being here with us and also from heaven, at every step we took.

Thank you to the clubs I played for, for always respecting my feelings and allowing me to dedicate myself to my country whenever it was time to put on the national team shirt. And, of course, thank God: without his guidance and will, we wouldn’t even be dreaming of having come this far.

I am grateful. I love you all very much, I’m going to miss you, and I will always thank you for having been by our side, by my side”.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is fresh, fit and ready to play, which is good for us,” the Australian said. Ronaldo returns to his club after leaving Portugal’s camp in Denmark last week following a disagreement with Jorge Jesus over his involvement in the Nations League match against Norway.

Postecoglou was also asked for his take on the dispute and chose not to get involved. The Al Nassr coach spent four years in charge of Australia’s national team, and he used that experience to explain his decision.

“I was a national team coach for four years, and I didn’t like it when other coaches spoke about me,” he said. He added that Ronaldo has given his full effort at the club and that his morale is very high.

Al Nassr will play Al Diriyah on Friday, October 9, at Al Awwal Park in Matchday 8 of the Saudi Pro League. The reigning champions are third in the table with 16 points, two behind leaders Al Hilal and one behind second-placed Al Ittihad.

Ronaldo’s turbulent international break

Cristiano’s problems began in Jorge Jesus’s first match as Portugal coach, a 1-0 win over Wales on Thursday, September 24. The forward had an uneventful night, with no standout moments, and was replaced in the second half. Three days later, on Sunday, September 27, Ronaldo did not play at all in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway, with his replacement, Gonçalo Ramos, among the protagonists.

Jesus said he had told Ronaldo before kickoff that he would not start but might bring him on late. The captain warmed up for 20 to 30 minutes without getting on, and he headed straight to the locker room after the final whistle instead of celebrating with his teammates.

The situation escalated on Wednesday, September 30, on the eve of the match against Denmark in Copenhagen. Jesus told his news conference that Ronaldo would not start that game either. Soon after, the captain left the team’s training camp.

The federation confirmed his departure and said preparations would continue with the remaining 24 players. It was the first time in his 23 years with Portugal that Ronaldo had walked out of a camp. Portugal won 4-2 in Denmark on Thursday, October 1, then beat Norway 2-1 at home on Sunday, October 4.

After that second win, Jesus explained what had happened with the forward during the international window and said that Ronaldo would be in the next squad if he wants to be. Finally, on Tuesday, October 6, Ronaldo broke his silence with an extensive statement of nearly 2,000 words, saying that Jesus had broken his word twice.

The first time, he said, came against Norway: the plan had been to rest him, but on the day of the game the coach promised him 30 minutes, and he spent the second half warming up and never got on. The second time, he said, was a news conference that bore no resemblance to what they had agreed privately the day before.

Even so, Ronaldo accepted his share of the blame. He apologized to his teammates and asked the federation to punish him without leniency, also making clear he is not done with Portugal and promising “one or more farewell matches”. For now, the next chapter belongs to the federation, which has yet to decide on any sanction, and to the pitch: Ronaldo is back with Al Nassr this Friday, and Portugal return to action on November 14.

The dispute began during the October UEFA Nations League window and quickly became one of the biggest stories surrounding Portugal. Ronaldo eventually broke his silence with a detailed statement explaining his version of events, while Jesus initially chose to keep his response brief and focus on the team.

The disagreement centered on an understanding over Ronaldo’s workload during the international window. Ronaldo said he and the experienced manager had agreed on a plan designed to protect his fitness, with the forward expected to feature in the opening and final matches while being managed during the away fixtures. The situation changed before Portugal faced Norway.

Ronaldo said an assistant told him that Jesus wanted to discuss whether he could play around 30 minutes, and despite the original plan, he agreed to the possibility after confirming he was fit. The 41-year-old superstar then warmed up throughout the second half but was never introduced. He later described the moment as a serious breach of trust, writing, “The coach had broken his word to me.”

The disagreement became even deeper

Ronaldo said the pair later held a lengthy meeting alongside Al-Nassr sporting director Simao Coutinho, during which they attempted to settle the dispute privately. According to Ronaldo, they agreed that Jesus would explain the situation publicly and acknowledge that warming him up without eventually using him had been a mistake.

An eight-point document was reportedly prepared and approved by Ronaldo, outlining the understanding reached between the two sides. Among the points were that Jesus had proposed the original workload plan, Ronaldo had never demanded playing time, and the coach wanted him to remain an important part of the national team.

Ronaldo claimed Jesus even asked for a hug and promised to explain the situation during his press conference. However, the veteran felt the coach’s subsequent comments were completely different from what had been agreed privately, which he regarded as a second broken promise.

That ultimately led to Ronaldo leaving the Portugal camp before the Denmark match. He later apologized to his teammates and the Portuguese public, accepted that his status as captain made the incident more serious and said he was prepared to accept any punishment imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation.

Reported peace agreement changes the picture

The situation took an unexpected turn when Portuguese newspaper Record reported that a peace agreement had been reached between Ronaldo and Jesus following joint diplomatic efforts. According to the report, people close to Jesus already knew Ronaldo’s statement was coming and had seen its contents before it was published. Record reported that Jesus’ inner circle considered the letter acceptable and that the coach was aware of its contents as efforts continued behind the scenes.

The report does not necessarily mean every disagreement between the two sides has disappeared, but it represents a significant change from the tense situation that followed Ronaldo’s departure. The fact that discussions continued privately suggests both sides were interested in preventing the dispute from damaging Portugal’s preparations.

Jesus has also indicated that he does not want the public dispute to continue dominating attention. After reading Ronaldo’s statement, the Portugal coach said he was going to the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) to work and concentrate on the team. “I have nothing more to say”, the manager said.

That response was considerably more restrained than the confrontation that had developed around the Norway match. Jesus appears determined to close the public chapter and shift the focus back toward Portugal, while Ronaldo has made it clear that his international career is not over.

The 39-year-old has already become involved in several projects off the pitch, suggesting where his ambitions lie. While retirement remains some distance away, his growing business portfolio and involvement with clubs suggest that his next chapter could look very different from the one many soccer legends choose.

Messi has reportedly considered several ways of remaining involved in soccer after retirement, including working as a sporting director or adviser. However, when asked whether he would rather become a coach or an owner, the Argentine made his preference clear.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner favors club ownership over coaching, as per BBC Sport, largely because he does not want the relentless pressure that comes with managing a team every week. He would rather influence a club’s direction from a broader position while remaining closely involved in important decisions.

 “The business world is something that interests me. I would like to keep learning because I don’t know anything and I am still at the start of the road”, he recently said at the America Business Forum. That approach fits with the projects Messi has already begun building. Rather than waiting until retirement to enter soccer ownership, he is gradually developing a portfolio that includes clubs in Spain and Uruguay.

Messi is already building his soccer empire

The clearest example is Cornella, a fifth-tier club based near Barcelona that Messi acquired in April. The project is designed around youth development, with the club serving as a potential pathway for young players to develop within a structured soccer environment.

Messi has also become involved with Eldense, which competes in Spain’s second division. The club announced him as its new owner, subject to approval from Spain’s Higher Sports Council, with Eldense expected to become the leading project in Messi’s soccer operation.

The immediate priority at Eldense is relatively simple: avoid relegation and establish a stable foundation. Former Villarreal coach Javi Calleja has been appointed to lead the team, while the Argentine veteran relies on people he trusts to manage the club until he can dedicate more time to the project.

His influence was already noticeable after Eldense defeated Real Oviedo 4-1, when Messi posted “Aupa Deportivo” on Instagram. The commercial impact has also been significant, with around a dozen companies reportedly showing interest in sponsoring the club shortly after his arrival.

Inter Miami could become part of Messi’s future

BBC Sport adds that Messi’s ownership ambitions are also directly connected to Inter Miami, where he remains under contract through the end of the 2028 MLS season. His agreement includes a pathway for him to receive a minority stake in the club after his playing career ends, meaning his relationship with Miami could continue long after he stops taking the field.

That possibility gives Inter Miami a unique opportunity to retain one of the biggest figures in soccer history. Messi is therefore preparing for a future in which he can influence the club from the ownership side rather than immediately moving into management.

A return to Newell’s Old Boys remains an appealing idea for supporters because of Messi’s childhood connection with the Rosario club. However, the possibility has reportedly never been formally discussed, and people close to him do not expect it to become part of his post-playing plans.

“I read the statement and now, like I do every day, I’m going to the Federation headquarters to work, to think about the Portuguese national team,” Jesus explained. “I have nothing more to say”.

It was not the coach’s first reaction. When he was first asked about the statement, Jesus said he had not read it yet because he was watching Portugal’s Under-21 match, and that he would have time to read it later. Hours later, after reading it, he opted for a much more restrained tone, which suggests he wants to close the debate publicly while the squad prepares for what comes next.

In his statement, Ronaldo said that Jesus had broken his word by telling him he would play around 30 minutes against Norway, a match in which he warmed up from halftime but never came on.

🗣️ Jorge Jesus já leu comunicado de Ronaldo: «Vou para a Federação trabalhar, pensar na equipa» https://t.co/aqN7Uem67k

— Record (@Record_Portugal) October 7, 2026

The 41-year-old apologized to his teammates for leaving the camp, said he would accept any sanction and ruled out retiring from the national team while promising “one or more farewell matches”.

When could Ronaldo return to Portugal?

The earliest realistic return for Ronaldo would be November. Portugal, which has already qualified for the next round of the Nations League with 12 points from four games, returns to action on November 14 against Denmark, and closes its group stage against Wales on November 17.

Jesus said after the win over Norway that Ronaldo would be called up for the next squad if he is playing for Al Nassr and wants to return, adding that the decision is up to the player. Ronaldo, for his part, said he will be available once he serves whatever suspension is imposed on him.

That suspension is the main question mark. According to ESPN and A Bola, Portuguese Football Federation rules say an unauthorized departure from national team activities can bring a suspension of one to six months and a fine of 500 to 1,000 euros.

Ronaldo said he accepts the consequences of leaving the camp and asked the Federation not to reduce his punishment, but no sanction has been announced, so it is not yet clear whether he could be available in November. In the meantime, he returns to club action with Al Nassr on Friday, October 9, against Al-Diriyah in the Saudi Pro League.

Following a foul on Agustín Giay inside the box, the referee awarded a penalty to Argentina, and the packed crowd at the Estadio Monumental instantly knew who would step up to take it.

Lionel Messi immediately grabbed the ball, placed it on the penalty spot, and calmly slotted his shot home to score Argentina’s third goal of the night and his 126th overall with the national team.

A much-needed goal

On the night Lionel Messi said goodbye to the Argentina national team, everyone inside the Estadio Monumental was eagerly awaiting a goal from their captain.

Even though it ultimately arrived from a penalty kick, Lionel Messi attempted to score in various ways throughout the entire match, whether shooting from outside the box or making clever runs behind defenders to push the ball past the goalkeeper.

Messi had already been directly involved in the night’s first two goals, assisting both Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz for their respective strikes. However, scoring a goal of his own was deeply desired both by him and by the passionate crowd packed into River Plate’s iconic stadium.

Is Lionel Messi completely retiring from international soccer?

Yes, Lionel Messi will no longer play for Argentina. He reached this final decision after the 2026 World Cup final defeat against Spain, having already conquered every major trophy with the national team.

Lionel Messi remains an active professional player for Inter Miami, which technically keeps him eligible for future national team call-ups. However, this departure feels vastly different from his brief 2016 retirement attempt, making the end of his international career all but definitive.

The anthem was performed by singer Fabio Santana, a Islas Malvinas (Falkland Islands) veteran, and Messi sang along with his children and a crowd that was moved to tears as well.

It was the last time he heard it as a player for the national team, and the emotion overflowed when the final verses were reaching their end. Earlier in the day, Messi had already been seen wiping away tears on the way to the stadium.

Messi is playing his 208th and final match for Argentina after 21 years with the national team, in which he scored 125 goals, won the 2022 World Cup, the 2022 Finalissima and the Copa América twice, and became the most-capped player in its history.

الاسطورة يذرف الدموع 💔💔💔 https://t.co/eg7OOfmRcD

— Messi World (@M10GOAT) October 6, 2026

The next question: who inherits the No. 10?

Messi’s farewell also opens one of the most symbolic debates in Argentine soccer: who will wear the No. 10 after him. Coach Lionel Scaloni has said the shirt will not be handed to anyone right away, and that it will stay reserved until after the match against Benin.

According to TyC Sports, Nicolás Paz and Franco Mastantuono are the main candidates. Other names being discussed include Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Thiago Almada, while ESPN Argentina’s Federico Bueno reports that the team has an internal plan for Paz to inherit it if Scaloni renews his contract, which expires on December 31.

Retiring the number, as AFA president Claudio Tapia once promised, is not an option in official tournaments. FIFA requires World Cup and Copa América squads to use consecutive numbers from 1 to 26, so Argentina cannot leave the No. 10 empty, a rule that already blocked an attempt to retire Diego Maradona’s shirt before the 2002 World Cup.

Messi announced his international retirement on August 31, 2026, following Argentina’s run to the World Cup final. Before officially closing the chapter, however, the 39-year-old will have one final opportunity to wear the famous blue and white shirt when La Albiceleste faces Benin on Tuesday.

The Benin friendly is designed as a celebration of Messi’s extraordinary contribution to Argentina rather than another competitive test. The match will be his final appearance for the national team, although his soccer career itself is continuing with Inter Miami, where he remains under contract through December 2028.

Messi’s farewell comes after more than two decades with Argentina. He initially joined the senior team in 2005, endured years of criticism and disappointment, and eventually transformed his international legacy during one of the most successful periods in the national team’s history.

His journey also included a dramatic false ending. After losing the 2016 Copa America final to Chile, Messi announced his retirement from international soccer, saying, “The end has come for me and our team.” He reversed that decision only weeks later, beginning another decade with the national team that would ultimately change everything.

The years of frustration before glory

Messi spent much of his early international career living under the enormous shadow of Maradona. Argentina lost the 2007, 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals and the 2014 World Cup final, leaving Messi repeatedly questioned despite becoming one of the greatest players in soccer history.

The breakthrough finally arrived with the 2021 Copa America, Argentina’s first major senior trophy since 1993. A year later, Messi completed the defining achievement of his career by leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, scoring seven goals and playing a starring role in the dramatic final against France.

That success removed the biggest argument used against Messi in comparisons with Maradona. After years of being told he could never match the 1986 World Cup winner, Messi finally lifted the trophy that had defined Maradona’s place in Argentine soccer.

Messi’s numbers compared with Maradona

The statistical comparison now shows just how extraordinary Messi’s longevity and production have been. Messi finished his Argentina career with 207 appearances, 125 goals and 57 assists, while Maradona recorded 91 caps, 34 goals and 26 assists for the national team.

The difference is particularly striking in terms of appearances and goals. Messi played more than twice as many international matches as Maradona and scored 91 more goals, while also producing more than twice as many assists.

Trophies provide another important part of the comparison. Messi won four major senior international titles with Argentina (the 2021 Copa America, 2022 Finalissima, 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America), while Maradona’s defining senior triumph was the 1986 World Cup.

Their World Cup legacies tell another story

Maradona’s influence at the World Cup remains extraordinary. He played in four tournaments between 1982 and 1994, with his 1986 campaign becoming one of the most celebrated individual performances in World Cup history, producing five goals and five assists as Argentina lifted the trophy.

Messi’s World Cup journey has lasted even longer. He appeared at six World Cups, more than any other player, and eventually won the competition in 2022 after previously reaching the final in 2014.

His tournament records continued to grow during his final years. Messi finished with 34 World Cup appearances, a record number, while his 33 goal involvements are also the most in the competition’s history. He also became the first player to start three World Cup finals, doing so in 2014, 2022, and 2026.

The Monumental will provide the backdrop for the final chapter of Messi’s 21-year international career, with the Argentina captain expected to make his 208th senior appearance. The match will also give supporters one last opportunity to see him wearing the famous blue and white shirt on home soil. Messi has already confirmed that his time with the Albiceleste is coming to an end after more than two decades of unforgettable moments.

“The saddest day of our lives has arrived. I leave in peace. I gave everything. This jersey was my dream, my pride, and my life. Thank you for loving me so much, I’m going to miss you,” the superstar said in his farewell message. He later summed up the emotion of the occasion with a simple message on Instagram: “Thank you Argentina.”

There is an especially fitting element to the choice of venue. Messi has played 28 times for Argentina at the Monumental without losing, recording 22 victories and six draws while scoring 19 goals. His first goal at the stadium came against Uruguay in a 2008 World Cup qualifier, while he has also recorded memorable hat-tricks against Bolivia in 2021 and 2024.

The farewell therefore comes at a stadium where Messi has enjoyed some of the most important moments of his international career. Messi leaves Argentina as the country’s all-time leading scorer with 125 goals and record appearance holder. He has also won six international titles across senior, Olympic and youth soccer, including the 2022 World Cup, two Copa América titles and the 2022 Finalissima.

Argentina has planned full night of entertainment

The AFA has made it clear that the Benin match will be treated as a major national celebration rather than a standard friendly. The entertainment begins several hours before kickoff and continues through halftime and after the final whistle.

The official program features a mixture of cumbia, cuarteto and Argentine folk music, reflecting the musical culture that has become closely associated with the Argentina dressing room during the Scaloni era. The organizers are also preparing a visual tribute involving drones, lights and fireworks.

The choice of performers has generated plenty of discussion among supporters. Some fans see the popular lineup as a perfect reflection of the team’s culture, while others would have preferred a more traditional or rock-oriented soundtrack for Messi’s farewell.

Full Messi farewell lineup and timings revealed

The pre-match show begins at 17:30 local time, with Un Poco de Ruido and a live band opening the celebration. Sebastián Mendoza follows at 17:40, before Román El Original performs at 17:50 and Amar Azul takes the stage at 18:00. The program continues with Santi Cairo at 18:10 and Q’ Lokura at 18:20. Un Poco de Ruido returns for animation at 18:40, while Damas Gratis is scheduled to perform at 19:00.

At 20:00, Fabio Santana will perform the Argentine national anthem before the focus turns to Messi and Argentina’s final match against Benin. The national team is expected to enter the game with a large portion of the players who helped deliver the 2022 World Cup.

The entertainment does not stop at halftime. Gaspar Benegas, guitarist for Los Fundamentalistas del Aire Acondicionado, will perform during the interval before the post-match celebration begins.

After the final whistle, a drone and fireworks show is scheduled for 22:03, followed by Soledad Pastorutti, known as La Sole, at 22:10. Ulises Bueno is due to perform his show Trampa at 22:15, with a final surprise act scheduled for approximately 22:30.

His departure leaves much more than a gap in attack: Messi has worn the captain’s armband since 2011, through the Copa América titles, the Finalissima, and the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, so Argentina needs a new leader to take it from here.

That leader is Cristian “Cuti” Romero. Coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed in late September that the 28-year-old Atlético Madrid defender will inherit the armband once Messi plays his last match, ending the speculation over who would take on one of the most demanding roles in world soccer.

Scaloni explained the choice with a simple argument: Romero was already Argentina’s third captain, behind Messi and Nicolás Otamendi, who also retired from international duty after the World Cup.

“Cuti is the right one,” he said. The coach also named Emiliano Martínez, Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martínez as players who can wear the armband when needed, a sign that the leadership group is being rebuilt around the core of the 2022 champions.

Romero was not new to the role. He had captained Argentina three times before the announcement: in a 1-0 win over Chile in 2025 World Cup qualifying, in a friendly against Venezuela that October, and in a 2-1 win over Mauritania before the 2026 World Cup. His first match as the official captain came against Bolivia in Cordoba, his hometown, where Argentina won 4-0 and Romero scored the third goal with a header.

The defender who became a leader

Romero said that coming back to the stadium where he began his career with Belgrano ten years ago, now wearing the armband, was something he never imagined, and that he feels ready for the responsibility.

He has made 59 appearances for Argentina and scored five goals, all with his head, which makes him a constant threat from set pieces. He was part of the teams that won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América.

After starting his career at Belgrano, Romero moved to Italy, where he played for Genoa and Atalanta. In 2021 he joined Tottenham, where he established himself as a leader of the team, and this season he moved to Atlético Madrid for a reported 40 million euros, at the explicit request of Diego Simeone.

On Tuesday, Messi will play his last match as Argentina’s captain, and he is set to formally hand the armband to Romero in front of almost 90,000 fans at the Monumental. Romero has said no one will replace Messi, but that the team has to move forward and take Argentina back to the top, with the first chapter of the post-Messi era already under way.

Lionel Messi will feature in Argentina’s starting lineup against Benin. As this is his farewell match from international duty, the captain should play from start to finish.

It is expected that Messi will feature for the entire game. However, coach Lionel Scaloni could substitute him near the end of the match to allow him to receive a standing ovation from the more than 85,000 fans expected at the Estadio Monumental.

Argentina’s confirmed lineup to face Benin

Argentina will field a powerful starting XI, as this match will forever be remembered as Lionel Messi’s final lineup with the national team.

Argentina confirmed starting XI: Dibu Martínez; Agustín Giay, Cristian Romero, Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Lionel Messi.

Benin’s confirmed lineup to face Argentina

As for Benin, the African side is widely regarded as the underdog in this match, with many of their players praising Lionel Messi and acknowledging that this game is a tribute to one of soccer’s biggest icons.

Benin confirmed starting XI: Marcel Dandjinou, Tamimou Ouorou, Yohan Roche, Mohamed Tijani, Liam Omore, Sessi D’Almeida, Hassane Imourane, Yamirou Ouorou, Rodolfo Aloko, Junior Olaitan, Aiyegun Tosin.

Heading into it, he has 207 caps, 125 goals and 68 assists, making him the most-capped player and the all-time leading scorer in the history of the national team.

Messi made his senior debut on August 17, 2005, in a friendly against Hungary in Budapest, where, incredibly, he was sent off less than a minute after coming on as a substitute. Seven months later, on March 1, 2006, he scored his first goal for Argentina against Croatia, and he kept scoring for the next two decades.

His 125 goals came in 54 friendlies, 36 South American World Cup qualifiers, 21 World Cup matches and 14 Copa América games, an average of 0.60 per game. He passed Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina’s top scorer during the 2016 Copa América Centenario, and his total is now more than twice Batistuta’s 56. Only Cristiano Ronaldo, with 146 for Portugal, has scored more international goals.

Six World Cups and a record book of his own

Messi’s six World Cups, from Germany 2006 to this summer’s tournament in North America, produced some of the biggest numbers the competition has seen. He holds the records for matches played (34), wins (23) and assists (12), and his 21 goals rank second all-time, behind only Kylian Mbappé’s 22.

He is also the only player to win the Golden Ball twice, in 2014 and 2022, and in Qatar he became the first to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final of the same World Cup. Even in his last tournament, at 39, he scored eight goals with four assists and became the oldest Argentine to score at a World Cup.

His mark at the Copa América is just as unusual, with 39 matches across seven editions, the most in the history of the tournament, and 14 goals, which leave him tied for fifth on the all-time scoring list. In South American qualifying, his 36 goals in 72 matches are the most ever scored in that competition.

The wait that ended at the Maracana

For years, the one thing missing from Messi’s résumé was a senior title with Argentina. He lost finals at the Copa América in 2007, 2015 and 2016, and at the 2014 World Cup. After the 2016 loss to Chile, he briefly retired, saying the national team was not for him after losing two consecutive finals. However, he returned that same year to keep fighting with Argentina and try to win a title.

The drought ended in 2021, when Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 at the Maracana to win the Copa América, its first senior title in 28 years. From there, the trophies came one after another: the 2022 Finalissima with a 3-0 win over Italy at Wembley, the World Cup in Qatar after a 3-3 draw and a penalty shootout win over France in which he scored twice, and the 2024 Copa América with a 1-0 extra-time win over Colombia.

Counting the 2005 Under-20 World Cup, where he won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot, and the 2008 Olympic gold medal, he won six titles in an Argentina shirt.

One last night at the Monumental

Messi has worn the captain’s armband since 2011, and on Tuesday he will wear it for the last time. The match against Benin, which sold out in under two hours, will be his 208th and final appearance for the national team, a farewell his teammates and the country have been preparing for weeks.

Kane scored in the 40th minute, collecting a lofted cross from Morgan Rogers and finishing low into the bottom left corner to make it 2-0 before halftime. England had taken the lead through a Vladimír Coufal own goal in the 25th minute, which came after a cross from Kane himself.

As if that weren’t enough for the captain, he added another goal after the break to make it 3-0 at Wembley, reaching 91 for England. He had already made history before halftime, when he extended his team’s lead.

Only seven players have scored 90 goals for their national teams: Ali Daei, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Sunil Chhetri, Romelu Lukaku, Robert Lewandowski and now Kane.

Ronaldo leads the list with 146 goals for Portugal, Messi, who plays his farewell match for Argentina tonight, follows in second place with 125, while Daei rounds out the podium with 108 goals.

A historic night for Kane

The goals were not the only milestone for Kane at Wembley. The England captain made his 125th appearance for the Three Lions, matching goalkeeper Peter Shilton’s all-time record for the men’s national team. Shilton’s mark had stood since 1990.

Kane had already passed Wayne Rooney during the 2026 World Cup as England’s most-capped outfield player, and he is also the team’s all-time leading scorer. He is set to break Shilton’s record next month, when England face Croatia in Matchday 5 of the Nations League.

These marks add to a historic England career for Kane, who is the Three Lions’ all-time leading scorer, 38 goals ahead of second-placed Wayne Rooney. He also holds the national team’s World Cup scoring record with 14 goals, four more than Gary Lineker, and has scored seven times at the European Championship, a tally he shares with Alan Shearer.

The 39-year-old will wear the famous blue and white shirt for the final time when Argentina faces Benin in Buenos Aires. The match is expected to be an emotional celebration for a player who has represented his country since making his senior debut in 2005. Messi has already confirmed that his international career is coming to an end, leaving the Monumental as the setting for his final chapter.

“The moment has arrived. I leave in peace, I gave it my all. This shirt was my dream, my pride, and my life,” Messi said in a message shared by Adidas Football. He also thanked the supporters who followed him through the difficult years as well as the unforgettable successes. “Thank you for loving me so much. I will always carry you with me,” the 39-year-old added.

From painful defeats to era of dominance

Messi’s Argentina career did not begin with the success that eventually defined it. When he made his debut, Argentina had not won a senior international trophy since the 1993 Copa America, while Messi himself would experience several heartbreaking defeats before finally changing the story.

Argentina lost the 2007 Copa America final, the 2014 World Cup final and the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals. After the 2016 defeat to Chile, Messi even announced his international retirement before reversing his decision weeks later.

The breakthrough finally arrived in 2021, when Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 at the Maracanã to win the Copa America. That victory opened the door to the most successful period of Messi’s international career and removed the biggest criticism that had followed him for years.

How many titles did Messi win with Argentina?

Messi won six titles representing Argentina across senior, youth, and Olympic competitions. Four of those came with the senior national team, while the other two arrived earlier in his career. His six titles are the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, 2008 Olympic gold medal, 2021 Copa America, 2022 Finalissima, 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2024 Copa America.

The first came at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where Messi scored six goals and won both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball. Three years later, he was part of the Argentina squad that won Olympic gold in Beijing after defeating Nigeria in the final.

His senior breakthrough came in 2021, when Argentina ended a 28-year wait for a major senior trophy by beating Brazil in the Copa America final. Messi then added the 2022 Finalissima, before reaching the pinnacle of his international career later that year.

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Argentina defeated France in a dramatic final that ended 3-3 after extra time before winning on penalties. Messi scored twice, converted his penalty in the shootout, and finally lifted the trophy that had eluded him for so long.

His final senior title arrived at the 2024 Copa America, when Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 after extra time. Lautaro Martínez scored the decisive goal, allowing Messi and Argentina to celebrate another continental championship.

Ronaldo says the story began after the 2026 World Cup, when he had already prepared a letter outlining his intention to leave international soccer. However, FPF president Pedro Proença asked him to reconsider and also sought his opinion on potential candidates to replace the previous coach. The veteran says he backed Jesus, whom he had worked with at Al-Nassr, and was genuinely pleased when the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) appointed him.

“I told the President of the Federation that, in my opinion, it would be the right choice,” Ronaldo said in a statement posted on social media. The relationship initially appeared to be strong. Ronaldo says Jesus told him that he was fundamental to his project and presented him with a plan for managing his minutes during international windows.

According to Ronaldo, Jesus initially proposed that he would play the first and final matches of the international window, while making three or four substitutions per game to manage his physical condition. The coach also suggested that Ronaldo could remain in Portugal rather than travel for the away matches against Norway and Denmark.

Ronaldo immediately rejected that idea because he believed it would send the wrong message while he remained captain. “The privilege of staying in Portugal would not be a good example,” he said, adding that Jesus eventually agreed with his position. The 41-year-old then started Portugal‘s opening match against Wales and accepted being substituted without complaint. He even handed the captain’s armband to Bruno Fernandes, believing everything remained on track.

The Norway match changed everything

The decisive moment came before Portugal’s match against Norway. Ronaldo says an assistant approached him at lunchtime and told him that Jesus wanted to speak, with the coach unexpectedly asking whether he was fit enough to play 30 minutes.

Although that request fell outside his original recovery plan, Ronaldo agreed. “I warmed up from half-time, watched the minutes go by, and was not called. The coach had broken his word to me,” Ronaldo wrote.

Portugal won the match, but Ronaldo says he was frustrated and did not greet the supporters afterward. He later apologized for that decision, accepting responsibility and acknowledging that fans had traveled specifically hoping to see him play.

Ronaldo says second promise was broken

A meeting between Ronaldo, Jesus and Al-Nassr sporting director Simão Coutinho followed the incident. Ronaldo says they agreed that Jesus would explain during his next press conference that Ronaldo had never demanded playing time, that the original plan had been proposed by the coach and that using him to warm up without bringing him on had been a mistake.

Ronaldo claims the press conference then unfolded very differently. “The posture had nothing to do with our meeting; I heard expressions and an aggressiveness that I do not believe I deserved,” he said, describing it as the second time Jesus had broken his word.

The dispute ultimately convinced Ronaldo that remaining with the squad would damage the group. He left the camp before the Denmark match, triggering widespread speculation that his international career could already be over.

Ronaldo confirms he will continue with Portugal

Despite the dramatic fallout, Ronaldo has now made his position clear. He does not intend to retire from Portugal, although he expects to serve whatever suspension the Portuguese Football Federation imposes for leaving the camp. “I can promise all my fans, naturally and especially all Portuguese people, that we will have one or more farewell matches; there will be time for that,” he added.

More importantly, he stressed that his priority remains competing for his country. “If I am physically well, playing for my club, with goals I hope, after serving the suspension that may be applied to me, I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team.”

That statement effectively closes the door on immediate retirement speculation while leaving the relationship with Jesus far less certain.

Ronaldo accepts punishment for leaving camp

Ronaldo has also taken responsibility for his decision to walk away from the squad. He apologized to his teammates and supporters and acknowledged that his status as captain means his actions carry additional responsibility.

“The responsibility is exclusively mine. I apologise to the Portuguese people once again,” Ronaldo said, while also insisting that he has never interfered with a coach’s technical or tactical decisions during his nearly 25-year international career.

He also rejected the idea that his next appearance for Portugal should automatically be treated as a farewell. Ronaldo says that when he thinks about the national team, his first thought is competition, and he wants to return to help Portugal win.

“Those who love soccer have enjoyed you over all these years… Today is your last game with the shirt of your national team, of your country, and I hope you enjoy every second and that all of today’s tributes make you happy. It’s not just Argentina that thanks you, the world thanks you for everything you did for soccer. Thank you for making me love soccer even more, it was an honor to have played against you and even more so to make history by your side. THANK YOU Leo Messi,” Neymar wrote on social media.

Messi will say goodbye to the Albiceleste on Tuesday night against Benin at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, in a friendly arranged as his farewell. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET, and the match sold out in under two hours after tickets went on sale.

Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on August 31, weeks after Argentina lost the World Cup final 1-0 to Spain. He won’t be the only one saying goodbye: defender Nicolás Otamendi, who also retired from international duty after the tournament in North America, will get his own farewell too.

Messi leaves with 207 appearances, 125 goals and 68 assists, making him Argentina’s most-capped player and its all-time leading scorer. He played in six World Cups, holding the record for appearances (34), and his 21 goals rank second all-time behind Kylian Mbappé’s 22.

He also won the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and he played 39 matches at the Copa América, the most in the history of the tournament.

Neymar and Messi: A close friendship that outgrew the pitch

Neymar’s tribute on Messi’s farewell day is no surprise, given how close the two have been for more than a decade. Messi is someone special to the Brazilian, and their bond was built on years as teammates, titles won together and, as shown on the international stage, a rivalry that never got in the way of the friendship.

They first shared a dressing room at Barcelona after Neymar arrived in 2013 and stayed until he left for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. Alongside Luis Suárez, they formed the “MSN” trio, which won the treble in 2014-15 (La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League). Over 451 games, the trio scored 363 goals and won seven trophies, forming one of the deadliest attacking trios in soccer history.

After four years at different clubs, the pair reunited at PSG in 2021, when Messi joined Neymar and Kylian Mbappé in Paris. Together they won Ligue 1 twice and the Trophée des Champions in 2022, although the Champions League they were brought in to win never came, and both left the club in 2023.

Despite their great friendship off the pitch, on the international stage they were rivals, facing each other in one of South America’s most heated fixtures, Argentina vs. Brazil.

Messi and Neymar faced each other five times with their national teams, with the Argentine winning three to the Brazilian’s two. Most of those meetings were friendlies or World Cup qualifiers, but the most important was the 2021 Copa América final at the Maracanã Stadium, which Argentina won 1-0, giving Messi his first senior title. After the final whistle in Rio, Neymar embraced Messi on the pitch in a moment that went viral, and the two were later seen chatting in the tunnel.

The gesture showed that, despite the rivalry, Neymar was happy to see his friend win his first title with Argentina. Five years later, that bond is still on display, as the Brazilian thanks Messi on the day he plays his last game in an Argentina shirt.

Match Overview

USMNT vs Canada record

All upcoming 2026 international friendly game games

More details on how to watch

You can watch the USA vs Canada live stream on Fubo. The platform is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and gaming consoles, as well as web browsers on your computer.

In addition to this international friendly, a subscription to Fubo gives you access to a host of other top soccer competitions. You can watch leagues such as LaLiga and enjoy comprehensive coverage of global soccer.

The service is available for $14.99 per month, offering great value for soccer fans who want to follow multiple leagues and tournaments throughout the year.

Beyond soccer, the platform also features a deep library of movies, TV shows, and other live sports, making it a complete entertainment package for the whole family.

For a full schedule of upcoming matches, check out our International Friendlies TV schedule page.

Summary

• USMNT will face Canada on Tuesday, October 6, for the 2026 international friendly game.
• Fubo, Telemundo will carry the USMNT vs Canada game in the United States.
• Canada lead the head-to-head with 3 wins in 5 meetings.

WHO: Argentina vs Benin
WHAT: 2026 International friendly
WHEN: 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT • Tuesday, October 6, 2026
WHERE: ViX

Match Overview

The world tunes in for a historic moment as Lionel Messi, an icon of the sport, plays his final match for Argentina. This international friendly is more than just a game; it’s a coronation and a farewell ceremony for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. La Albiceleste enters this match on a formidable run, having dominated African opposition since late 2025, and their only recent blemish is a hard-fought extra-time loss to Spain in the World Cup final. The atmosphere in Buenos Aires will be electric as the nation prepares to honor its greatest-ever player.

For Benin, the challenge is monumental. Ranked 93rd in the world, they step into the role of opposition for this momentous occasion. While they have been resilient recently, losing just one of their last five matches, they face a colossal gap in quality against the world champions. The stakes for Argentina are purely emotional—to provide a spectacular send-off for a legend. For Benin, it’s an opportunity to test themselves against the best and play a part in football history, even if the odds are overwhelmingly stacked against them.

Tactical Analysis & Match Context

Argentina comes into this match in scintillating form, having secured dominant friendly victories over Bolivia (4-0) and Burkina Faso’s U-23 side (7-0). These games have served as a perfect warm-up, allowing manager Lionel Scaloni to showcase his team’s offensive firepower while building momentum. The focus is twofold: celebrating Messi’s unparalleled career and integrating the next generation of talent that will carry the torch forward. This match represents the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another for the South American giants.

Benin’s journey has been one of resilience and near misses, having narrowly been edged out of World Cup qualification on goal difference. Their tactical approach against a powerhouse like Argentina will undoubtedly be pragmatic and defensive. Expect them to deploy a low block, absorb pressure, and look for rare opportunities on the counter-attack. The tactical battle will be waged entirely in Benin’s half, with Argentina expected to dominate possession and relentlessly probe for openings. The key for Argentina will be breaking down a packed defense, a task made easier by their world-class attacking talent.

The primary motivation for every player in an Argentina shirt will be to ensure Lionel Messi’s final international appearance is a memorable one, filled with goals and celebration. For Benin, the objective is to deliver a disciplined and respectable performance on a global stage. However, their preparations have been marred by controversy, including complaints about travel arrangements and accommodations, which could impact their mental and physical readiness for such a demanding fixture.

Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends

This international friendly marks the first-ever meeting between Argentina and Benin. With no historical data to draw from, the context of this matchup is defined entirely by the current form and status of the two nations. The clash at the Estadio Monumental is designed as a tribute to Lionel Messi, and the opposition was chosen to ensure a celebratory atmosphere.

While there is no direct history, Argentina’s recent record against African teams provides a clear indication of what to expect. Since November 2025, they have won all eight of their matches against African opponents, boasting an incredible aggregate score of 29-4. This trend of dominance underscores the significant gap in quality and resources between the two sides.

Statistically, Argentina is an offensive juggernaut. They have averaged 2.76 goals per game over their last 17 matches. In the three games during 2026 where their odds were overwhelmingly short (priced below 1.10), they scored a staggering 16 goals combined. With the entire team focused on creating chances for Messi in his farewell, expect Argentina to generate a high volume of shots and scoring opportunities.

Squad News & Projected Lineups

Argentina enters the match with a nearly full-strength squad, poised to deliver a fitting tribute, though they will be missing a few key players. Benin arrives with a complete roster, ready to face the daunting task ahead despite a challenging journey to South America.

Manager Lionel Scaloni will have to make do without the injured trio of Giovani Lo Celso, Thiago Almada, and Nicolás Tagliafico. However, their absences open the door for rising stars like Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid’s Nico Paz to feature, signaling a bright future for the national team. The focus, however, remains squarely on building the attack around Messi for his final bow.

Benin’s preparations have been far from ideal, with reports of player fatigue and dissatisfaction over travel logistics. Despite these off-field issues, coach Gernot Rohr has his full complement of players available. They are expected to field their strongest possible lineup in an attempt to contain the relentless Argentine attack and maintain defensive solidity.

Argentina Projected XI (4-4-2): E. Martínez; Giay, Romero, Martínez, Medina; Prestianni, Fernández, Mac Allister, Paz; Messi, Álvarez.

This attacking formation is designed to maximize possession and create constant pressure. With Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister controlling the midfield, the forwards—spearheaded by the legendary Messi and the tireless Julián Álvarez—will have ample service to dismantle Benin’s defense.

Benin Projected XI (4-2-3-1): Dandjinou; Azongnitode, Roche, Tijani, C. Ouorou; Imourane, D’Almeida; Aloko, Olaïtan, S. Ouorou; Tosin.

This setup indicates a clear defensive strategy. A double pivot of Sessi D’Almeida and Imourane will be tasked with shielding the backline, while the team will look to stay compact and frustrate Argentina’s creative players. Their success will depend on their discipline and ability to withstand waves of attacks.

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.

The Arsenal winger’s absence from the XI comes just three days after he scored twice in England’s historic 7-0 rout of Croatia, and no injury concerns have been reported for him.

Instead, the decision appears to be one of rotation, with Tuchel having said that his starting side would be “a mix” of players who started and those who came off the bench against Croatia.

In Saka‘s place, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze join captain Harry Kane in England’s attacking trio, while Jude Bellingham retains his spot at the starting XI in midfield alongside Elliot Anderson and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

England enters the match second in Group A3 of League A behind Spain, having won its last two games without conceding a goal, and will look to close out this international window on the best possible note. Kane, meanwhile, is set to equal Peter Shilton’s all-time record of 125 England caps with his appearance against the Czechs.

Confirmed lineup for England

Tuchel’s confirmed XI features several changes from the side that thrashed Croatia, with Bukayo Saka among the players rested after his brace on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham, who scored in that win, retains his place in midfield alongside Elliot Anderson and Myles Lewis-Skelly, while Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze support Harry Kane up front. Trent Alexander-Arnold takes the right-back spot, with Alex Scott and Ezri Konsa both unavailable through injury.

England confirmed starting XI: Jordan Pickford; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Marc Guéhi, Lewis Hall; Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Morgan Rogers, Harry Kane (C), Eberechi Eze.

Match Overview

Mexico vs Chile record

All upcoming 2026 international friendly game games

Summary

• Mexico will face Chile on Tuesday, October 6, for the 2026 international friendly game.
• TUDN USA will carry the Mexico vs Chile game in the United States.
• Chile lead the head-to-head with 2 wins in 5 meetings.

The difficult beginning came after Pulisic returned from the 2026 World Cup carrying a lower-leg injury that disrupted his preseason preparations. Although he was fit enough to make the matchday squad, Amorim opted against using him in Milan’s opening three league games, leaving the forward without a single competitive minute.

Pulisic was an unused substitute as the Rossoneri opened the campaign with victories over Torino and Venezia before drawing with Juventus. The situation was frustrating for the American, particularly after a difficult 2026 in which his form had dipped and a lengthy goal drought had pushed him further down the pecking order.

Amorim was aware of the frustration and viewed it as a positive sign rather than a problem. “He was upset because he wanted to play, and I love that,” the coach said earlier. The message was clear: Pulisic’s desire for minutes would have to be matched by performances that made his selection impossible to ignore.

His return began with a cameo against Lazio, where he entered at halftime and immediately provided an assist during Milan’s comeback from 2-0 down to draw 2-2. He then appeared as a substitute in the Europa League defeat to Benfica before finally receiving the opportunity he had been waiting for.

The Lecce start changed everything

That chance arrived against Lecce on September 20, when Amorim named Pulisic in the starting lineup for the first time this season. The American needed only 14 minutes to make his manager’s decision look like the right one.

Strahinja Pavlovic found Pulisic with a long diagonal ball, and the forward controlled it before cutting inside and finishing with his left foot past the Lecce shot-stopper. The goal was Pulisic’s first for Milan since December 2025 and his first of the 2026-27 campaign, helping set the tone for a convincing 3-0 victory.

The goal also ended a frustrating personal drought that had stretched across much of 2026. Pulisic looked sharper and more confident throughout the match, while his involvement in the build-up to Milan’s second goal offered another indication that his influence can extend beyond simply finding the net.

Milan boss reveals rotation stance

The bigger story behind Pulisic’s return is Amorim’s selection philosophy. The Milan manager has told his squad that he is focused on selecting the strongest possible XI to win matches rather than distributing playing time simply to keep everyone involved.

“I’m not here to give everyone minutes. I don’t know what will happen with rotations. I’m not thinking about giving everyone space. I’m thinking about always putting out the best XI to win”, Amorim said, according to SportMediaset. That approach explains why the 28-year-old winger could spend three consecutive Serie A matches on the bench despite being one of the club’s most recognizable attacking players.

For Pulisic, that philosophy can actually become an advantage if he continues performing. His first goal of the season gave Amorim a strong reason to keep him involved, while his earlier assist against Lazio showed that he can make an impact even when introduced from the bench.

The Lecce performance does not guarantee him an automatic starting position, but it puts him in a much stronger position than he occupied at the beginning of the season. With the Red and Blacks balancing Serie A and Europa League commitments, there should be plenty of opportunities for the American to establish himself as a regular again.

Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp on September 30 after being left on the bench against Norway and learning that he would not start against Denmark. He subsequently returned to Saudi Arabia, where Al-Nassr has confirmed his return to club training ahead of its next Saudi Pro League fixture. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has attempted to calm the situation, with president Pedro Proenca making clear that Ronaldo remains welcome with the national team.

Proenca also described the dispute as something that can be resolved internally rather than a permanent break. “We are talking about the greatest player of all time, a player who has given more than two decades to Portuguese football,” Proenca said. “He will always be part of this squad if he is technically fit to play. Cristiano knows this. He knows that is the sentiment. What happened was a misunderstanding that needs to be resolved internally.”

Jesus has taken a similar public position despite the disagreement that led to Ronaldo leaving camp. The Portugal manager insists that Ronaldo remains eligible for the next call-up if he wants to return and is playing regularly for the Saudi champion. “I don’t know what Cris will decide,” the experienced boss said after the Selecao’s victory over Norway.

“To me, there was never an issue. There are non-negotiable principles for a coach, but since there were no issues regarding my authority, for me, if Cris wants to return, he will be eligible for the next call-up, as long as he is playing for Al Nassr. It’s up to him”, he added.

Ronaldo’s frustration runs deeper

Ronaldo, however, has yet to accept that version of events publicly. After leaving the camp, he said he would eventually explain what happened, suggesting that the circumstances behind his departure were more complicated than the Portuguese camp’s public statements indicated.

“When the time comes, I will tell the people of Portugal the full truth regarding the reasons behind my departure from the national team—a side I have always served with total dedication,” Ronaldo said in a statement on social media. “For now, I want to wish the very best of luck to Portugal and all my teammates.”

The tension began after Ronaldo was left as an unused substitute during the team’s 2-1 victory over Norway, despite having been sent out to warm up during the match. It was a remarkable moment in his international career and was followed by his absence from subsequent training sessions before he left the squad.

The reported condition finally emerges

The biggest twist has now come from Portugal, where journalist Rui Santos of CNN Portugal has reported that Ronaldo does not intend to return to the national team while Jorge Jesus remains in charge. If accurate, that would transform the dispute from a temporary disagreement over playing time into a much more serious confrontation over the manager’s position.

“He reportedly made it clear that he will not return to the national team as long as Jorge Jesus is in charge,” Santos said, according to Foot Mercato. “The fundamental point is that he believes these statements are not innocent. He no longer trusts the coach and points out his contradictions.”

Santos claims Ronaldo was particularly unhappy with Jesus publicly insisting that he had nothing to apologize for while simultaneously saying that the forward could return whenever he wanted. That apparent contradiction is reportedly at the heart of Ronaldo’s frustration, with the player believed to feel that the coach’s comments damaged his trust in the relationship.

While the Ronaldo controversy continues, Portugal has managed to produce impressive results without its captain. Jesus has won his first four matches in charge, including victories over Norway and Denmark, with the latter producing a historic 4-2 away win.

Following Portugal’s 2–1 victory over Norway on Matchday 4, coach Jorge Jesus stated that he would be open to welcoming Cristiano Ronaldo back to the national team, but emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with the player.

Now, Ronaldo appears to have settled his future. According to CNN Portugal commentator Rui Santos, the forward has decided not to return to A Seleção as long as Jorge Jesus remains head coach.

The final decision rests with the Portuguese Federation

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) now faces a major internal conflict. While Cristiano Ronaldo is indisputably the ultimate legend of the national team, the squad is experiencing strong momentum and results under Jorge Jesus’s leadership.

The federation also faces a heavy financial impact without Ronaldo in the team. Consequently, a difficult dilemma emerges: whether to prioritize commercial revenue by accommodating the icon in his final years or to safeguard the team’s sporting trajectory under Jesus’s guidance.

Although reconciliation between player and manager remains theoretically possible, rebuilding their relationship appears exceedingly complex. If these reports hold true, even a ceremonial farewell match for Cristiano Ronaldo could be off the table entirely.

Following the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi announced that his time with Argentina had come to an end. The final defeat against Spain solidified his decision to step away from the national team.

Nevertheless, his announcement applied solely to the Argentina national team. Lionel Messi will not retire from soccer entirely, as he intends to fulfill his signed contract with Inter Miami, which runs through December 2028.

Will Lionel Messi retire after his Inter Miami run?

Lionel Messi’s current contract extension with Inter Miami runs through December 2028. By that time, he will be 41 years old, and his long-term future remains uncertain.

With his international retirement confirmed, it appears unlikely that Messi will play far beyond 2028. Barcelona supporters hold onto hope for an emotional return, though any homecoming would likely have to occur prior to the conclusion of his Inter Miami deal via a short-term loan.

While Messi could theoretically continue playing past 2028 or sign a short stint with Barcelona to retire at the club where he became a legend, his immediate focus remains centered on his ongoing tenure in Major League Soccer.

Could Lionel Messi still return to Argentina after his retirement?

Yes. As long as he remains an active professional player, Lionel Messi remains eligible to represent the Argentina national team should he reconsider his decision and receive a call-up from the coaching staff.

In 2016, Messi famously announced his initial retirement from international duty before reversing the decision after further reflection—ultimately returning to lead La Albiceleste to historic world and continental glory.

Match Overview

Croatia vs Spain record

2026-27 UEFA Nations League group standings

All upcoming 2026-27 UEFA Nations League games

Summary

• Croatia will face Spain on Tuesday, October 6, for the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League.
• Fubo, ViX will carry the Croatia vs Spain game in the United States.
• Spain lead the head-to-head with 6 wins in 10 meetings.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni has acknowledged that he has not yet made a decision regarding who will inherit the No. 10 shirt after Messi, though he is well aware that the choice will have to be made soon.

Under FIFA regulations, all national teams must assign sequential squad numbers (1–23 or 1–26) for official matches. Because Argentina cannot permanently retire the No. 10 jersey, Scaloni opted to “freeze” it for the friendlies Messi missed during this international window.

Who could inherit Lionel Messi’s No. 10 jersey in Argentina?

The primary frontrunners to carry the legacy forward are Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono, though the shirt will forever remain intrinsically linked to both Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

Nico Paz is a 22-year-old attacking midfielder who has captured the soccer world’s attention. While he has received glowing praise from his international teammates, there remains a long path ahead for him to prove he deserves to wear such a historic number.

As for Franco Mastantuono, he was signed by Real Madrid as a generational prospect. Following initial struggles to meet lofty expectations, he was sent on loan to Fiorentina, where a solid campaign has re-established him as the elite young talent that originally put him on Los Blancos’ radar.

During France’s 1–0 victory over Turkiye on foreign soil, Mbappe suffered a hyperextension of his left knee shortly after scoring the winning goal. He was substituted immediately following the incident.

Following medical evaluation, the French Football Federation confirmed he would return to Spain to recover and prepare for Real Madrid’s upcoming fixtures, ruling him out for the remainder of this international break.

Who will replace Kylian Mbappe against Belgium?

In their previous outing against Italy, head coach Zinedine Zidane deployed Desire Doue on the wing and moved Ousmane Dembele into a central attacking role, with Michael Olise completing the front line.

While Mbappe offers unmatched power and dynamic scoring, the attacking trident of Olise, Dembele, and Doue remains a formidable threat for any opponent. Against Belgium, France require a victory to secure top spot in Group A1.

Fortunately, Mbappe’s injury is not believed to be severe. Having already returned to Madrid, the forward is expected to be fit in time for Real Madrid’s La Liga clash against Villarreal on October 10.

Following Portugal‘s 2–1 victory over Norway on Matchday 4 of the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League, coach Jorge Jesus directly addressed the central talking point surrounding the national team: Cristiano Ronaldo’s abrupt exit from the squad.

“Everything is still open,” Jesus said in press conference about the potential return of the striker. “Cristiano is the one who decides his future; it doesn’t depend on me. What happened was simply a misunderstanding, and in my opinion, it will be very easy to resolve.”

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal teammates want him back

Following Ronaldo’s sudden exit, several of his Portuguese teammates addressed his departure. While some revealed they were advised not to dwell on the topic, the overarching sentiment within the dressing room is a clear desire to see him return.

After the win against Norway, Nuno Mendes noted that, like any other player, Ronaldo would be welcomed back with open arms if he chooses to return, though he reiterated that the choice ultimately belongs to the forward.

Joao Cancelo was also asked about the situation, emphasizing that Ronaldo remains an icon and captain of the Portugal national team, while hinting that the squad does not believe his international career is finished just yet.

Cristiano Ronaldo may want more than just a farewell match

Ronaldo’s relentless competitive nature is well known throughout football. He originally set out to pursue another Nations League title, but given the recent turmoil, many observers believe a single ceremonial farewell match will mark his final appearance for Portugal.

However, a ceremonial send-off may not satisfy the veteran icon. Driven by his desire to lift another trophy with Portugal, a mere farewell appearance might not be enough for him to close out his international career.

Reports from Forbes indicate that approximately 30% to 35% of the FPF’s overall income is directly tied to Ronaldo’s commercial presence, encompassing major corporate sponsorships, global merchandising, and international broadcasting appeal.

With his departure and prospective retirement from international duty, domestic outlets such as Record project that the overall financial hit could reach up to 50% across long-term commercial streams.

A vital truce needed for Portugal

The public perception surrounding the national team has taken a sharp turn. Allowing the country’s most decorated figure to walk away midway through a UEFA Nations League campaign has been widely interpreted by supporters as a lack of respect for his legendary legacy.

Following Ronaldo’s exit, the federation has faced intense backlash from fans, prompting widespread protests across social media as well as public demonstrations throughout Portugal.

A formal reconciliation could help A Seleção restore its standing with supporters, though achieving peace will be no small feat. With Ronaldo reportedly on poor terms with head coach Jorge Jesus, a significant compromise would be required from both sides for the forward to put on the national shirt again, even for a ceremonial send-off.

An essential farewell match for Ronaldo

Financial implications aside, organizing a farewell match for Cristiano Ronaldo should be beyond debate. Every major international trophy in Portugal’s football history—including the 2016 European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles—was achieved with the legendary forward leading the side.

While Ronaldo technically remains eligible to feature in the remainder of the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League, his strained relationship with Jorge Jesus suggests his international career may ultimately culminate in a single, dedicated farewell appearance in the months ahead.

At the start of the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League campaign, Cristiano Ronaldo departed the Portuguese squad following a reported disagreement with Jorge Jesus over the manager’s decision to leave him out of the starting lineup.

Now, according to L’Équipe, the Portuguese federation is planning a farewell match for Cristiano Ronaldo, allowing him to properly say goodbye to the fans and step away from international football with the honor his career deserves.

Would Jorge Jesus accept Cristiano Ronaldo’s return?

Following Ronaldo’s departure, many supporters anticipated severe consequences for Jorge Jesus, with some speculating he might be dismissed. However, the manager continues to deliver positive results on the pitch, making a coaching change highly unlikely.

According to A Bola, Jorge Jesus is open to having Ronaldo return to the squad for a proper farewell match. The manager has publicly praised the striker on multiple occasions, framing the situation as a miscommunication rather than a personal rift.

Nevertheless, questions linger over whether Ronaldo would agree to return with Jorge Jesus at the helm. Their relationship remains visibly strained, and the legendary forward may resist playing under the manager following their recent friction.

All eyes set on the 1,000th goal mark

With Ronaldo potentially returning only for a ceremonial farewell fixture, the end of his playing career draws near. The forward had previously indicated that the current season with Al Nassr could be his last in professional soccer.

While lifting the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League trophy was initially his primary objective this season, his focus now shifts toward reaching 1,000 official career goals—a historic milestone no player in football history has ever achieved.

WHO: USMNT vs Mexico
WHAT: International friendly
WHEN: 10:00PM ET / 7:00PM PT • Saturday, October 3, 2026
WHERE: Fubo, Peacock, Telemundo, HBO Max, TNT USA
STREAM: WATCH NOW

Match Overview

A sold-out crowd at State Farm Stadium sets the stage for the latest chapter in North America’s fiercest derby as the United States host Mexico in Glendale, Arizona. Under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT come into tonight’s clash momentum-rich after securing back-to-back victories over Peru and Chile, seeking to refine their tactical identity and assert control on home soil.

Mexico, meanwhile, step onto desert turf hungry for a statement win to kickstart their autumn schedule. Managed by Rafael Marquez, El Tri are utilizing this international camp to integrate emerging talent, test tactical flexibilities, and reclaim regional dominance against their primary CONCACAF rivals.

USMNT vs Mexico record

Across 79 all-time meetings in all competitions, Mexico hold the head-to-head advantage over the United States with 38 wins to the USMNT’s 24, alongside 17 draws. The storied rivalry spans decades of intense battles across FIFA World Cup qualification, CONCACAF Gold Cup finals, and high-stakes international friendlies.

In recent times, fixtures between the two sides have been closely contested. The USMNT enjoyed a dominant seven-match unbeaten run in the series from 2021 through 2024—including a 2-0 victory in the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League final—before El Tri claimed a 2-1 win in the 2025 Gold Cup final. With both programs continuing to develop key personnel, this matchup adds another compelling chapter to North America’s flagship international derby.

More details on how to watch

You can watch the USA vs Mexico live stream on Fubo. The platform is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and gaming consoles, as well as web browsers on your computer.

In addition to this international friendly, a subscription to Fubo gives you access to a host of other top soccer competitions. You can watch leagues such as LaLiga and enjoy comprehensive coverage of global soccer.

The service is available for $14.99 per month, offering great value for soccer fans who want to follow multiple leagues and tournaments throughout the year.

Beyond soccer, the platform also features a deep library of movies, TV shows, and other live sports, making it a complete entertainment package for the whole family.

For a full schedule of upcoming matches, check out our International Friendlies TV schedule page.

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.

Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each scored twice, with Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and substitute Morgan Rogers also finding the net as Thomas Tuchel’s side ran riot in Rijeka, picking up their second win of the campaign in emphatic fashion.

The result sets an unwanted historical mark for Croatia, becoming the first team to lose by seven goals at home after having previously reached a World Cup final. The worst previous home losses by a World Cup winner or runner-up had been Brazil’s 1-7 defeat to Germany in 2014 and Hungary’s 1-7 loss to Yugoslavia in 1997.

Hungary’s other heaviest defeats of that margin, against West Germany in 1941 and the Netherlands in 2013, both came away from home, meaning Croatia’s loss stands alone as the first of its kind on home soil.

It’s also by a wide margin the heaviest defeat in Croatia’s own history, surpassing a 6-0 loss to Spain in September 2018, which had come less than two months after Croatia’s run to the World Cup final in Russia.

Kane’s remarkable consistency

Kane’s brace against Croatia was yet another entry in what has become one of the most consistent scoring records in English soccer history, extending a run of form that has carried into this season as well.

According to Opta, Kane became the first player to score 10 or more goals for England in three separate calendar years, netting 10 in 2026, 16 in 2021 and 12 in 2019.

The feat comes off the back of a historic 2025-26 season in which Kane scored 72 goals between Bayern Munich and England, the second-highest single-season tally ever recorded behind only Lionel Messi’s 82 in 2011-12, and ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s own best campaign of 69.

With numbers like that piling up year after year, Kane has firmly entrenched himself as one of the strongest Ballon d’Or candidates heading into this year’s conversation, a recognition that has eluded him throughout his career despite his staggering production.

Speaking to reporters, Fernandes revealed he had spoken with Ronaldo directly and said he intended to repeat publicly what he told him privately: that regardless of how the situation unfolds, Ronaldo remains an irreplaceable figure for the national team and the country as a whole.

“Cris will never stop being the greatest symbol of our national team, the greatest symbol of our football and, probably, no, certainly, the greatest symbol of our country because of everything he has done, not only in Portugal but around the world,” he explained.

Fernandes, who has taken over the captain’s armband in Ronaldo’s absence, pushed back against the idea that the squad has been affected by the controversy, insisting the players remain focused and removed from the noise surrounding their former captain.

He closed by urging fans not to pick sides. “The country should not divide itself, that people should not take sides, and that we should experience all of this as one,” Fernandes said. “Cris is and will always be the greatest icon of our national team, our football and also world football. He deserves the respect of all Portuguese people, regardless of who likes him more or likes him less“.

Fernandes insists the squad is unaffected

Beyond his comments on Ronaldo’s standing within the national team, Fernandes also pushed back against the idea that the controversy has seeped into the squad’s day-to-day atmosphere, insisting the players have largely tuned out the noise surrounding their former captain.

“We are completely outside the matter. We are aware of what you are saying and what we are seeing,” Fernandes said. “Honestly, we spend a lot of time in the players’ room playing cards rather than watching television, so we are very removed from all the controversy surrounding this matter“. He added that he believes “every household should resolve its affairs behind closed doors,” and that he’s confident the situation will eventually be resolved “for both sides.”

Fernandes’ comments come as Portugal tries to move past the saga on the pitch, having won both matches since Ronaldo was left out of the starting XI — against Norway, when he remained an unused substitute, and then against Denmark, by which point he had already left the squad entirely.

With the captain’s armband now his to keep for the foreseeable future, Fernandes finds himself in the position of both leading the team through a turbulent stretch and managing the public narrative around his predecessor, a dynamic that looks set to continue at least until Jesus addresses the situation in full after Sunday’s match against Norway.

Messi is expected to make his final appearance for Argentina against Benin on October 6 at the Estadio Monumental. For Romero, however, the emotional significance of the farewell goes far beyond soccer, particularly because the 39-year-old played a personal role in making him Argentina’s new captain.

Romero revealed that Messi personally chose him to become Argentina’s captain, making the responsibility even more meaningful for the defender. The decision comes as Messi brings an extraordinary 21-year international career toward its conclusion. “He chose me as the national team captain, and for me that’s a huge responsibility. The fact that this decision was made by him together with the coach is something wonderful,” Romero told TyC Sports.

The defender also reflected on how much he learned from Messi during their years together with Argentina. Romero admitted that expressing his affection has never been easy for him, something he now wishes he had handled differently.

“I really loved him, and then I got the chance to join the national team and start sharing many moments with him. Thanks to football, a very good friendship developed between us, and now it’s hard for me,” the Atletico Madrid defender said.

Romero reveals Messi’s quality he admires most

The most revealing part of Romero’s tribute, however, came when he described the way Messi behaved around his teammates. According to the Argentina defender, Messi never allowed his status to separate him from the rest of the squad, even after becoming the central figure in the national team.

“The truth is, we already miss him during this international break. Obviously, it had to happen someday, but I never thought his absence would be felt this much,” the 28-year-old added. He then recalled how Messi reacted after Argentina’s famous victory over England, pointing toward his teammates while the stadium applauded him.

“He never put himself above others. I always get emotional when I rewatch the video after our win over England, when the whole stadium applauds him and he points to the team,” Romero added. “Those kinds of details were always part of who he is. That’s why, for me, he’s the greatest footballer of all time, and also a brilliant person.”

The emphasis on Messi never putting himself above his teammates has inevitably attracted attention because of the current situation surrounding Ronaldo. The Portugal captain recently left his national team camp after a disagreement involving his role under Jorge Jesus, while debate has intensified over how the 41-year-old is being treated by his teammates and coaching staff.

The comments appear to carry a Ronaldo undertone

Romero did not mention Ronaldo by name during his tribute to Messi. Nevertheless, the contrast between Messi’s selfless leadership and the current controversy surrounding Ronaldo has made the comments look like an apparent indirect dig at the Al-Nassr forward.

Ronaldo’s situation with Portugal has become increasingly complicated after he was left on the bench for the 2-1 victory over Norway and subsequently learned that Goncalo Ramos was expected to start against Denmark. He then left the Portugal camp, adding further uncertainty to his international future.

The comparison became even more noticeable after the 41-year-old veteran reportedly liked a social media post criticizing the way the Selecao’s players treat him compared with how Argentina treats Messi. That background gives Romero’s description of Messi’s humility an additional layer, although Romero himself did not directly identify Ronaldo or explicitly frame his comments as criticism of him.

Ronaldo left Portugal’s camp on September 30 after learning he would not start against Denmark, following an unused substitute appearance in the 2-1 victory over Norway. The 41-year-old subsequently confirmed that he had spoken with Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proenca and said “the truth” about his departure would eventually emerge.

Whatever happened behind the scenes, the Selecao’s players made sure the controversy did not dominate the match. Jesus’s side produced four goals in Copenhagen, maintaining its perfect start to the UEFA Nations League and showing that it still possesses considerable attacking depth without its all-time leading scorer.

Joao Cancelo opened the scoring in the 13th minute after a clever combination involving Goncalo Ramos. Denmark responded through Mikkel Damsgaard, but Ramos restored Portugal’s advantage only two minutes later after Bruno Fernandes created the opportunity.

Rasmus Hojlund brought Denmark level again early in the second half, even celebrating with Ronaldo’s famous “Siu” gesture. Portugal responded through Vitinha in the 67th minute before Joao Felix completed the victory three minutes from time.

Portugal breaks record that had stood since 1992

The significance of the result goes far beyond the three points. According to Opta, Portugal’s four-goal haul was the first time since the FIFA World Rankings were introduced in December 1992 that the national team had scored at least four goals away from home against an opponent ranked inside the world’s top 25.

Denmark entered the match ranked 21st in the FIFA rankings, meaning Portugal had achieved something it had never previously managed during the modern ranking era. The national team also recorded 10 shots on target, its highest total in an away UEFA Nations League match, while matching its highest-ever away goal tally in the competition.

“Portugal’s 4-2 victory over Denmark is the first since the introduction of FIFA rankings (December 1992) in which the National Team scores 4+ goals away from home against a Top 25 ranked team,” Opta Joao reported.

That makes the victory particularly striking given the circumstances surrounding the team. Portugal entered the match less than 24 hours after Ronaldo had left camp, yet responded by producing one of its most impressive away performances of the modern era.

Ronaldo’s absence remains the biggest question

Portugal now has nine points from three Nations League matches, giving Jesus a perfect start to his tenure and putting the national team in a strong position in the group. Yet the Copenhagen performance has also created an uncomfortable question: how will Ronaldo fit into this team if and when he returns?

The forward remains Portugal’s record goalscorer and one of the most influential figures in its history. However, Ramos has demonstrated that Portugal can produce a high-level attacking performance without him, while Jesus has made clear that reputation alone will not determine his selections.

The development was confirmed by Burkina Faso insider Romain Molina, who had previously reported that several first-team players planned to skip the trip to Buenos Aires in protest.

He later revealed that only one member of Burkina Faso’s senior squad ultimately boarded the flight, with the rest opting to stay behind in Africa after yet another delay to their charter flight proved to be the final straw.

According to Molina, Burkina Faso’s federation called up its U-23 squad, whose match against Mali had been canceled, in order to avoid an outright no-show. “The flight from Casablanca had to depart late and will only arrive around 15:30 local time in Buenos Aires to play at 21:00. Shameful from start to finish,” Molina wrote on X.

The switch leaves Argentina facing an even greater mismatch than expected, with Burkina Faso missing key figures such as Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen), Arsène Kouassi (Lorient), Nasser Djiga (Wolverhampton) and Lassina Traoré (Shakhtar) for a friendly that was meant to showcase the senior national team.

Logistics company breaks silence on the situation

Eurodata Sport, the company responsible for organizing Burkina Faso’s travel logistics, released a statement from its founder, Jairo Pachón, addressing the situation. The statement emphasized that the only real issue was the cancellation of the original flight due to a technical fault with the aircraft, clearing both federations of blame.

The company also confirmed Romain Molina’s earlier reporting that several senior players had refused to travel. “Representatives from the Burkina Faso Football Federation and the government held several meetings with these players to ask them to reconsider their position and honor the commitment made with the AFA. However, despite these efforts, the players who had expressed their refusal maintained their decision,” the statement read.

La Roja opened the campaign with a 3-2 win over England at Wembley before thrashing Croatia 4-1 three days later, moving to six points and the top of Group 3 of League A.

The reigning world and European champions have now won nine straight games in all competitions and remain unbeaten over 90 minutes since a friendly against Colombia back in March 2024.

Czech Republic, meanwhile, sit bottom of the group without a point, having lost 2-1 to Croatia in their opener before falling 2-0 at home to England. Santi Denia’s side are already under pressure heading into this one, and they’ve never beaten Spain in seven previous meetings, with La Roja winning five of those and the most recent encounter, in June 2022, ending in a 2-0 Spain victory.

Yamal has been nothing short of unstoppable this international window, with three goals and an assist in Spain’s first two matches, and he’s set to lead the line again as De la Fuente looks to extend his side’s dominant run.

Confirmed lineup for Spain

De la Fuente is expected to shuffle his side from the one that routed Croatia, with Aymeric Laporte poised to return to defense and Rodri and Dani Olmo both back in midfield.

Spain confirmed starting XI: David Raya; Iván Fresneda, Robin Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte, Fran García; Pedri, Rodri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Roberto Fernández.

Confirmed lineup for Czech Republic

Denia’s confirmed XI brought a few changes from the projection, with Antonín Kinský starting in goal ahead of Matěj Kovář and Robin Hranáč left out of the back line entirely.

Czech Republic confirmed starting XI: Antonín Kinský; Michal Sáček, Štěpán Chaloupek, Ladislav Krejčí, Jiří Sláma; Lukáš Ambros, Roman Macek, Alex Král; Matej Radosta, Ondřej Lingr, Adam Hložek.

Felix‘s resurgence has been one of the biggest stories of Al-Nassr’s recent campaign. After struggling to establish himself during spells with Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Milan, the forward has finally found the consistency and freedom that once made him one of Europe’s most highly rated young players.

Felix finished the 2025-26 season with 26 goals and 19 assists in 47 appearances, playing a major role in Al-Nassr‘s title-winning campaign. His form has continued into the new season, with reports crediting him with four goals and three assists in his first seven or eight appearances.

His improvement has also translated to the international stage. Felix has scored in each of Portugal’s first three matches during the current international period, while his move into a more central second-striker role has allowed him to influence matches more consistently. “Playing as a second striker suits me; it’s not like playing on the left wing or out wide,” the player explained recently.

The forward has previously stressed how important playing in his natural position has been to his resurgence. “I know my worth, and I play in my natural position. It’s in this position that I distinguished myself at Benfica, and I have my confidence primarily when I play there.” Source: João Félix.

His next career decision could surprise Al-Nassr

The twist is that Felix’s excellent form in Saudi Arabia may have made a return to Europe more realistic. The 26-year-old has openly discussed his desire to play in European competitions again, particularly the UEFA Champions League, once his time in the Saudi Pro League comes to an end, as per Matteo Moretto.

Felix has made clear that he is happy with his life at Al-Nassr, but he also wants another opportunity to compete against Europe’s elite. “I’m very happy at Al Nassr. This will be my second year,” he told Diaro AS, before explaining that he is already thinking about what comes next.

“I’ll be 27 at the end of the season. I’m planning to return to Europe, though perhaps not immediately. I don’t know if it will be at the end of this season or the end of next, but I’m eager to return to Europe, to play in the Champions League again, and to compete there again.”

He added: “It’s always different. Playing in Europe, playing in the Champions League, playing against the best teams in the world gives you extra motivation, and obviously, that’s what I’m thinking about.”

Which club is the reported dream destination?

That desire to return to Europe comes with a particularly familiar destination attached to it. According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Felix’s biggest priority is a return to Barcelona, where he spent the 2023-24 season on loan from Atletico Madrid.

The Portuguese forward made 44 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists during that spell. Although Barcelona did not make the move permanent, the player has continued to speak warmly about his time at Camp Nou and has never hidden the fact that representing the club was a childhood ambition.

“Good ones, very good ones. In the end, we didn’t win anything, but simply playing for Barcelona made me very happy,” he told Diario AS. “I’m very happy to have worn the Barca shirt. It was a childhood dream for me, my father and my brother. It was an honor.”

Sport even adds that agent Jorge Mendes has already communicated Felix’s desire to return to Barcelona, potentially on a free transfer when his Al-Nassr contract expires on June 30, 2027. The player is reportedly prepared to consider a lower salary to make a return to Spain more achievable.

Rice pulled out of the squad before the window even began, following Arsenal’s Premier League defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, as he continues managing both a hamstring issue and a long-standing lower back problem that dates back to his heavy workload during the World Cup.

England captain Harry Kane said Rice had “been struggling for a while” with the issue, suggesting the midfielder needed time to recover before returning to both club and country duty.

With Rice unavailable, Elliot Anderson and Alex Scott look set to continue carrying the midfield load, with Tuchel expected to field a strong lineup against Croatia given the Czech Republic is viewed as the softer fixture to come on Tuesday.

England dealing with a lengthy injury list

Rice wasn’t the only notable absence from Tuchel’s squad for this window, with Tino Livramento, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Marcus Rashford also left out before the Spain match that opened the break.

England has since also lost Nico O’Reilly to injury after he was withdrawn following last weekend’s 3-2 loss to Spain, with the FA confirming the 21-year-old returned to Manchester City for further tests and won’t be available for either the Croatia match or next Tuesday’s rematch with the Czech Republic at Wembley.

With O’Reilly out and no replacement called up, Newcastle’s Lewis Hall is in line for another start at left-back, having made just his second international appearance in Prague earlier this week.

The crisis began during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League campaign and quickly moved beyond a disagreement over team selection. With Ronaldo having left the national team camp and Jesus standing by his decisions, the FPF is now attempting to create a path toward reconciliation.

The tension intensified after Ronaldo was left as an unused substitute during Portugal‘s 2-1 victory over Norway on September 27. The 41-year-old warmed up during the match but was never introduced, ending an extraordinary run in which he had appeared whenever available for the Selecao in competitive play since 2008.

Jesus insisted the decision was tactical and related to the way the match developed. The coach had previously explained that he was managing Ronaldo’s workload and had planned to use him, but eventually decided that the game required different characteristics.

The situation became even more complicated before the Denmark match. Jesus confirmed that Ronaldo was again not expected to start, while the forward subsequently decided to leave the national team camp following further discussions with Proenca.

Proenca steps into the middle of the dispute

The FPF president has since taken on a central role in trying to repair the relationship. Proenca has reportedly held discussions with both Ronaldo and Jesus and is pushing for further mediation, with the federation keen to avoid an abrupt ending to Ronaldo’s international career. According to reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola, Jesus has now accepted the possibility of another meeting with Ronaldo as part of the FPF’s efforts.

The willingness to meet represents an important opening, although the central disagreements remain unresolved. Ronaldo has remained largely silent since leaving the camp, while Jesus has continued to defend his authority as Portugal’s coach.

Ronaldo’s sudden departure creates wider problem

The conflict might have remained a sporting dispute if it had stayed inside the dressing room, but reports suggest that the fallout has now attracted attention from influential figures outside soccer. Another Portuguese outlet, Record, reports that Proenca is facing pressure from political figures, business leaders and financial interests to resolve the situation.

The same report raised an even bigger concern, suggesting that the dispute “could even shake” the organization of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. That should be treated as a reported concern rather than evidence that Portugal’s hosting position has actually been placed in jeopardy.

Portugal is scheduled to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Morocco, and there is no indication in the supplied reports that FIFA has formally threatened to remove Portugal as a host.

Why 2030 World Cup has entered the conversation

The reason the issue has attracted such attention is the scale of the event Portugal is preparing to host. A prolonged public dispute involving the country’s most recognizable player, the national team coach and the federation president could create reputational and commercial concerns, particularly if the conflict continues into the buildup to 2030.

The 41-year-old veteran remains one of the defining figures in Portuguese soccer history, while Jesus is responsible for preparing the national team for its next competitive cycle. Proenca therefore faces the difficult task of balancing the coach’s authority with the federation’s relationship with a player who has represented Portugal for more than two decades.

Portugal has already shown that it can perform without Ronaldo, defeating Denmark 4-2 after he left the camp. The result demonstrated that the national team can continue competing, but it did little to settle the underlying disagreement between its biggest star and its coach.

Messi is expected to make his farewell appearance for Argentina against Benin on October 6 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. After more than two decades with the national team, the 39-year-old leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that includes the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has reportedly considered retiring the No. 10 as a permanent tribute to Messi. However, FIFA regulations governing major international tournaments make that impossible when La Albiceleste competes at events such as the World Cup and Copa America.

Tournament squads must use consecutive shirt numbers from 1 to 26, meaning Argentina cannot simply remove No. 10 from its squad numbering. Someone will eventually have to wear the shirt when the national team enters another major tournament.

Argentina has already experienced this situation before. Ahead of the 2002 World Cup, the AFA attempted to retire No. 10 in honor of Diego Maradona, but FIFA rejected the request, and Argentina ultimately had to assign the number to Ariel Ortega.

Messi’s No. 10 can still be protected in one situation

There is, however, a significant distinction between competitive tournaments and friendly matches. Argentina has greater flexibility with squad numbering in unofficial friendlies, creating a potential workaround that could allow the No. 10 to remain unused, as FourFourTwo suggests.

That means Lionel Scaloni‘s team could theoretically leave the famous shirt number vacant during friendly windows rather than immediately giving it to another player. The approach would allow the national team to preserve the symbolic connection to Messi whenever FIFA’s tournament regulations are not dictating its squad numbers.

The workaround would therefore have limitations. The No. 10 could remain untouched for certain friendlies, but Argentina would still have to assign it to a player when competing at the World Cup, Copa America or another tournament governed by FIFA’s squad-number requirements.

What did Scaloni say about the decision?

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has already indicated that he does not intend to rush into choosing Messi’s successor. The No. 10 has been left without a new owner during the team’s current farewell period. “We are not obliged to assign it for the upcoming matches, so we will give it to no one until after Leo’s farewell match. We just have not yet decided who,” he said.

That decision gives Argentina additional time to determine who should eventually inherit one of the most famous shirts in international soccer. Nico Paz has emerged as a leading candidate, with ESPN Argentina reporter Federico Bueno previously reporting that Paz could take the number if Scaloni extends his contract.

The 22-year-old rising star is an attacking midfielder who previously came through Real Madrid before joining Como permanently. He has already made 11 appearances for the national team and scored once, although other players such as Thiago Almada, Franco Mastantuono and Alexis Mac Allister have also been mentioned as possible future No. 10s.

Pochettino confirmed the decision Friday ahead of the United States’ friendly against Mexico, following Tim Ream‘s retirement from international soccer. The move gives the national team a permanent captain for the new cycle while leaving Pulisic in a different leadership role.

Pulisic has already been a USMNT captain. U.S. Soccer records him as captain in the 2023 Nations League final and the 2024 Nations League final, and he also wore the armband during the 2024 Copa America. However, before the 2026 World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino chose Tim Ream as his captain instead of Pulisic.

Ream subsequently retired from international soccer after the tournament. With the experienced defender gone, the Rossoneri ace had another potential opening for the permanent role. Nonetheless, Pochettino has now chosen another player instead for the new cycle, one who has previously captained the national team at the 2022 World Cup.

Pochettino turns to a familiar leader

Tyler Adams has been named the new United States captain, returning to a position he previously held during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Bournemouth midfielder succeeds Ream, who captained the USA through the 2026 World Cup before announcing his international retirement.

Pochettino explained that Adams had earned the responsibility through his performances, character, and relationship with the coaching staff. “He’s a perfect role model for everyone in the way that he can translate the philosophy, the culture, and represent this amazing country,” Pochettino said, via ESPN.

The manager also highlighted the relationship he has developed with Adams during his time in charge. “We’ve had a very good relationship the last two years, and I think he knows what I expect,” Pochettino said, adding that Adams is the player and person capable of leading the next period.

Where does this leave Pulisic?

The decision creates an interesting situation for Pulisic, who has previously worn the captain’s armband for the United States. Gregg Berhalter appointed Pulisic as captain during the 2024 Copa America, and the forward has remained one of the national team’s most recognizable leaders.

However, Pochettino has now chosen Adams as the permanent captain for the new cycle. Pulisic’s absence from the September-October camp means he cannot immediately challenge that decision, although he remains a key player when available.

Thus, the setback isn’t that the 28-year-old winger has been removed as a leader altogether. He has been passed over for the official, full-time captaincy for the second consecutive World Cup cycle, despite previously wearing the armband himself.

The situation also does not completely eliminate the possibility of Pulisic wearing the armband in individual matches. If Adams is unavailable or is substituted, another player would have to take over as captain, potentially giving Pulisic opportunities to lead the team on the field.

At 38 years and 42 days old, Lewandowski surpassed the previous mark set by Ronaldo, who was 34 years and 120 days old when he scored a hat-trick for Portugal against Switzerland in the 2019 Nations League semifinal.

Lewandowski struck in the 24th, 47th and 86th minutes as Poland cruised past Romania, taking his international tally to 92 goals and marking the seventh hat-trick of his career with the national team. The performance also moved him into sole possession of sixth place on the all-time list of international goal-scorers.

The milestone came during Lewandowski’s 170th appearance for Poland, a record for the most caps in the nation’s history, underscoring the remarkable longevity that has kept the 38-year-old striker among Europe’s most dangerous forwards well into the twilight of his career.

Lewandowski’s place among Europe’s greats

Friday’s performance wasn’t just about the age record — it also pushed Lewandowski further up two of international football’s most exclusive lists. His 92 international goals now rank him third among all-time European scorers for their national teams, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo’s 147 for Portugal and Romelu Lukaku’s 94 for Belgium, with the Fenerbahce forward having also scored today.

Lewandowski’s seventh career hat-trick for Poland also ties him with Hungary’s Sándor Kocsis, leaving just four European players ahead of him on that list: Ronaldo (10 for Portugal), Sweden’s Sven Rydell (9), Germany’s Gerd Müller (8) and Denmark’s Poul Nielsen (8).

At 38 years old and still adding to both lists, Lewandowski shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to close the gap on some of the biggest names in European soccer history with every international window that passes.

“Messi or Cristiano? I’ve been asked this question so many times, way too many times,” Muller said in a recent appearance as a guest on Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson’s podcast, The Late Run Show. “I think for the first ten years of my career, I was with Cristiano. But when I look at the whole picture, Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer, even though he’s now become a huge winner after what he achieved in 2022, what he did in the World Cup, and what he’s doing now too“.

Muller went on to explain that his admiration for Messi goes beyond trophies and numbers. “But even before that, I think the joy of watching him play football, and it’s not just a show, nor something that lasts for one year and then ends. It’s lasted, I don’t know, nearly two decades; numbers, joy, and that’s why I say, Lionel Messi is the greatest,” he added.

It’s not the first time Muller has walked back his earlier stance on Ronaldo. The German previously admitted that for the first decade of his career, he would have sided with the Portuguese star in the GOAT conversation, but that over time his pick shifted toward the Argentine after being won over by the class of his style of play.

The numbers behind Muller’s rivalry with Messi

Muller’s history against Messi’s Barcelona is nothing short of outstanding. The German forward tallied eight goals and contributed two assists in 10 clashes with the Spanish powerhouse, winning seven of those meetings to just three for Messi. He also faced Messi twice more during the Argentine’s stint at PSG, picking up back-to-back wins in the round of 16 of the 2023 Champions League.

On the international stage, Muller twice shattered Messi’s World Cup ambitions. The first blow came in the 2010 quarterfinals, when Germany dismantled Argentina 4-0. Four years later, on Brazilian soil, Muller played an influential role in the 2014 World Cup final as Germany edged Argentina 1-0, denying Messi what could have been his maiden world title.

A different story against Ronaldo

Muller’s numbers tell a different story when it comes to Ronaldo. The two faced off eight times in the Champions League between 2012 and 2018, during Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid knockout clashes, with Ronaldo scoring nine goals across those meetings to Muller’s zero.

Real Madrid eliminated Bayern in three of their four ties during that stretch — in the 2014 and 2017 quarterfinals and the 2018 semifinals — with Bayern’s lone win coming via penalties back in 2012.

The delegation was supposed to depart for Argentina on September 30, but the flight was canceled and the squad has remained stuck in Morocco since, with no solution in sight as of Friday.

According to reports from journalist Romain Molina, Burkina Faso’s players are reluctant to make the trip given how tight the timeline has become, with a flight from Morocco to Buenos Aires typically taking between 16 and 24 hours.

The friendly is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, leaving an increasingly narrow window to resolve the situation before it would need to be called off entirely. It’s worth noting this is not Lionel Messi’s farewell match — that one is still set for Tuesday, October 6, against Benin, also in Buenos Aires.

Burkina Faso’s football federation released a statement Friday acknowledging the situation and the obstacles still standing in the way of a resolution.

Burkina Faso’s federation statement

“The Burkinabe Football Federation wishes to inform the national public, supporters of the ‘Etalons’ and its partners about the situation currently facing the Burkinabe delegation in Morocco, as part of the trip to Buenos Aires for the international friendly match between Argentina and Burkina Faso, scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 00:00 GMT.

The senior national team’s travel was disrupted after the charter company canceled, without prior notice, the flight originally scheduled for September 30. That cancellation forced a reorganization of the delegation’s travel itinerary.

Since the incident occurred, the Ministry of Sports, the Federation and the Embassy have mobilized to find, as quickly as possible, a solution that would allow the delegation to continue its journey to Buenos Aires. Several options have been explored to reschedule the departure, but certain constraints — particularly related to travel time — have generated reluctance among the players”.

Pulisic missed the beginning of the campaign after suffering a lower-leg injury during the World Cup, then remained in Italy rather than joining the United States for its September-October friendlies. His return has nevertheless been encouraging, with an assist against Lazio followed by his first goal of 2026 in the 3-0 victory over Lecce.

The start of the season was frustrating for the American ace, who spent Milan‘s first three Serie A matches on the bench while continuing his recovery. He eventually entered at halftime against Lazio and helped the Rossoneri overturn a two-goal deficit before producing another important contribution against Lecce.

The goal against Lecce ended a 266-day Serie A scoring drought and offered Pulisic a much-needed confidence boost after his injury problems. It also came at an important moment for Milan, which remains unbeaten domestically under Amorim despite losing its Europa League opener against Benfica.

“I feel very good, especially after scoring. It was a good goal actually. My legs after the injury are starting to work again, I’m getting back into shape,” Pulisic said after the game. The American has also been encouraged by the way Amorim has approached his first season in charge. Milan currently sits fifth in Serie A with 11 points, only two points behind leader Roma after five matches.

Amorim’s system is making an impression

Pulisic has spoken positively about the tactical demands introduced by Amorim, who replaced Massimiliano Allegri during the summer. The midfielder believes the new manager has given Milan a clear structure while still allowing attacking players enough freedom to express themselves.

“We are learning his system, how he wants to play. I am very positive about him. Our most recent match was one of the best, so we want to build on that,” Pulisic said at the ‘Meet and greet’ event at the Milan Store San Siro on Thursday.

He also explained how Amorim wants his players to occupy particular positions and make specific movements when Milan has possession. “He wants us to find certain positions, especially when we have the ball, and to make specific movements. Obviously, we are also given some freedom in attack, but there are principles and positions to keep to,” the forward added.

That relationship appears to have developed quickly despite Pulisic initially struggling to get onto the pitch. Amorim had previously described the American as being “pissed off” about his lack of playing time, but Pulisic offered a more relaxed explanation.

Pulisic sends Amorim clear message about his role

Pulisic laughed when asked about Amorim’s description and explained that his frustration was largely connected to his desire to return from injury and compete. His response also revealed exactly what he wants from the next stage of his comeback.

“It was a bit strange for me at the beginning of the season, it’s clear that I always wanted to play, but it’s not like I was pissed off at him,” Pulisic said. “It’s true that I was coming back from injury. But now I feel good, and I hope to be able to play a bit more.”

The message was simple: Pulisic feels ready for a bigger role now that his body is recovering and his sharpness is returning. He also made clear that he is comfortable with his current shirt number, joking that he had not considered taking the vacant No. 10 and was “very happy with the 11.”

The comments come at a time when Pulisic is also dealing with an unusual international situation. The United States left him out of its September-October 2026 friendly squad, with Mauricio Pochettino using the post-World Cup period to evaluate younger players and build toward the next cycle.

Pulisic missed the beginning of the campaign while recovering from the injury suffered during the World Cup, leaving him to work his way back into Amorim‘s plans. After returning with an assist against Lazio and scoring against Lecce, the 28-year-old is beginning to look increasingly comfortable in the Rossoneri’s new system.

The start of the season has been unusual for Pulisic, who had to watch the club’s first three Serie A matches from the bench before finally getting his opportunity. His first appearance came against Lazio, where he helped Milan fight back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 by setting up Diego Moreira.

One week later, Pulisic ended his long wait for a goal by scoring in Milan’s 3-0 victory over Lecce, marking his first Serie A goal in 266 days. The strike was an important moment after a difficult period that had followed his injury with the United States. “It was a big relief for me for sure to just get a goal. It’s been a while for Milan, so it felt really nice,” Pulisic said.

The American also used the international break to remain at Milanello rather than join the United States national team. The decision was made to allow him to continue his personalized training program and build his fitness after the bone bruise and microfractures to his tibia and fibula suffered against Belgium at the World Cup.

Pulisic reveals what he wants next

The biggest development came when Pulisic was asked directly about his future at Milan. His answer provided the clearest indication yet of where he stands as the club prepares for negotiations.

“I am very happy at Milan. The club is giving me everything, it helps me a great deal. I am concentrating on playing, but we’ll talk about it, I hope soon,” Pulisic said at the ‘Meet and greet’ event at the Milan Store San Siro on Thursday. “I feel really happy at Milan and want to continue here.”

On another occasion, he similarly acknowledged that discussions are already taking place while making clear that his priority remains soccer. “I’m very happy at Milan right now and for the near future as well. So, yeah, I’m not thinking about the contract renewal but I am very happy here, I want to stay at Milan,” he added.

Those comments give Milan a significant boost as it considers how to structure the next stage of Pulisic’s contract. The player has publicly expressed his desire to remain at San Siro, even though the details of a new agreement have yet to be finalized.

Milan preparing huge long-term offer

Pulisic’s current contract is scheduled to expire in June 2027, although Milan holds an option to extend it for another season. Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that the club’s ownership wants to go further, with a potential agreement that could keep the American at San Siro until 2031.

Previous negotiations reportedly stalled around $5.6 million net per season, but Pulisic’s position may have changed as he approaches the final stages of his existing contract. Milan will therefore have to balance his importance to the team with the financial demands of a long-term agreement.

The club also sees Pulisic as strategically valuable because of his enormous profile in the United States. His importance therefore extends beyond his performances, although his recent return to form under Amorim has strengthened the footballing case for keeping him.

Les Bleus will again be without captain Kylian Mbappe, still recovering from the knee injury he suffered while scoring the winner against Türkiye on Matchday 1. It also marks a milestone of sorts for Zinedine Zidane, who takes charge of his first home game since replacing Didier Deschamps.

Italy arrives full of confidence after a 4-1 statement win over Türkiye in its last outing, with Roberto Mancini’s rebuilt Azzurri looking for back-to-back victories on the road.

With four competitive matches packed into 11 days this window, both managers are expected to rotate parts of their sides, but neither can afford to take the result lightly with group positioning on the line.

Confirmed lineup for France

With Mbappe and Ibrahima Konate both sidelined, Zidane will recall several key names who were rested or came off the bench against Belgium, including Ousmane Dembele, who will wear the captain’s armband.

France confirmed starting XI: Mike Maignan; Pierre Kalulu, Dayot Upamecano, Jérémy Jacquet, Adrien Truffert; Rayan Cherki, Lucas Da Cunha, Adrien Rabiot; Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue.

Confirmed lineup for Italy

Mancini’s lineup brought a few surprises compared to the Türkiye win, with Nicolo Barella and Gianluca Mancini left out in favor of Davide Frattesi and Giorgio Scalvini, while Moise Kean gets the nod up top alongside both Esposito brothers in an attacking trio.

Italy confirmed starting XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Michael Kayode, Giorgio Scalvini, Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori; Davide Frattesi, Sandro Tonali, Nicolo Fagioli; Sebastiano Esposito, Pio Esposito, Moise Kean.

Messi has spent years as one of the most recognizable players in the world, while Yamal has emerged as one of the game’s most exciting young stars. Now, a reported plan involving both players could create a symbolic link between the Argentine legend and the teenager who is rapidly becoming one of soccer’s biggest commercial names.

Messi’s relationship with Adidas stretches back years, with the 39-year-old featuring in countless campaigns and receiving numerous signature boot editions and special releases. However, with the legendary forward entering the latter stages of his career, his place at the center of the brand’s soccer strategy could soon begin to change.

According to Footy Headlines, 2027 could potentially be one of the final years in which Messi receives a dedicated signature boot from Adidas. The report comes as the Argentine’s international career has already reached its conclusion, while speculation has also surrounded how much longer he intends to continue playing at club level.

That makes the timing particularly significant for Adidas. Messi has been one of the company’s defining soccer ambassadors for almost two decades, meaning any transition away from his signature range would represent the end of a remarkable era for the brand.

Yamal is rapidly becoming Adidas’ next major star

While Messi’s career is moving toward its final chapter, Yamal’s trajectory is heading in the opposite direction. The Barcelona teenager has already established himself as one of the most recognizable young players in world soccer and has become an increasingly important figure in Adidas’ plans.

Yamal has already received multiple personalized editions of the Adidas F50 speed boot, reflecting the company’s growing investment in his profile. His explosive style and attacking ability have made him a natural fit for the F50, while his popularity has given Adidas an opportunity to build a long-term relationship with one of soccer’s biggest emerging stars.

For the Blaugrana, the connection carries an obvious sense of history. Messi became the defining figure of the club’s modern golden era after emerging from La Masia, while Yamal has followed the same academy pathway and is now attempting to establish himself as one of the faces of Barcelona’s future.

The reported ‘Passing of the Torch’ project

This is where the reported 2027 plan becomes particularly intriguing. Footy Headlines claims that Adidas is preparing a special Messi x Yamal collection, with the project designed around the idea of a generational “passing of the torch.”

The concept would bring together Messi, arguably the most important soccer figure in Adidas’ modern history, and Yamal, the young star increasingly positioned to lead the company’s next generation. Conceptual imagery associated with the report shows the pair together with a glowing torch, reinforcing the idea of one era handing responsibility to another.

Footy Headlines described the initiative as a way to connect “the greatest player in Adidas history with the sport’s brightest young talent.” The exact products, release date, and wider campaign details have yet to be revealed, but the reported Messi x Yamal collection would provide the centerpiece of the project.

Why the Barcelona connection makes it even bigger

The proposed collaboration would carry an additional layer of meaning because of the players’ connection to Barcelona. Messi spent the majority of his legendary career at Camp Nou and became synonymous with the club, while Yamal has emerged from La Masia as one of the most important young players in its current generation.

The contrast between their careers would make the campaign particularly powerful. Messi would represent the legacy of Barcelona’s previous golden era, while Yamal would symbolize the beginning of a new chapter, giving Adidas a natural storyline for a global campaign.

The two players have also already appeared together in Adidas marketing, including promotional work surrounding the 2026 World Cup, meaning a dedicated 2027 collaboration would build on an existing relationship rather than introduce the pair for the first time.

The reported plan also points toward a much bigger long-term strategy for Adidas. With Messi potentially approaching the end of his signature-boot era, Yamal is being positioned as a natural successor and could eventually become the brand’s primary global soccer ambassador.

Mbappe is sidelined after sustaining a knee injury against Türkiye on Matchday 1, picked up in the very moment he scored the game-winning goal. He left the France camp shortly after to begin his recovery, and his timeline has kept him out since, further thinning out Zinedine Zidane’s options for the match.

The game carries extra significance for Zidane, as it marks his first game in charge of France at the Stade de France since taking over as head coach. With Mbappe out, he’s expected to lean on Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki to carry the attacking load, with Ousmane Dembele wearing the captain’s armband in Mbappe’s absence.

Up front, Esteban Lepaul is expected to get the nod once again in Mbappe’s absence, just as he did in the win over Belgium. The Rennes forward, who finished as Ligue 1’s top scorer last season with 21 goals, made his France debut against Türkiye before starting against Belgium, and Zidane looks set to turn to him again to lead the line against Italy.

France enters the match atop Group A1 and could all but clinch a spot in the knockout stage with a win, while Italy arrives in good form after a 4-1 statement win over Türkiye in its last outing.

Mbappe isn’t the only one sidelined

Zidane’s injury concerns don’t end with his captain. Defender Ibrahima Konate is also unavailable for the match against Italy, leaving France to navigate Matchday 3 with a notably shorthanded backline.

Konate’s withdrawal came before the window even began, after he suffered a minor sprain to his right knee in training, ruling him out of all three of France’s matches this international break, against Türkiye, Belgium and now Italy. He returned immediately to Real Madrid for treatment, with Manchester United’s Leny Yoro earning a call-up in his place and his first senior France cap as a result.

Ronaldo had left camp after being told he would remain on the bench against Denmark, leaving Ramos to step into the role previously occupied by Portugal’s record goalscorer. The Milan forward responded with a goal, an assist and another highly influential performance as Portugal ran out 4-2 winners in Copenhagen.

Ramos immediately looked dangerous in Copenhagen, hitting the post before playing a decisive role in the Selecao’s opening goal. He combined with Joao Cancelo in the 13th minute before putting Portugal back in front just two minutes after Mikkel Damsgaard had equalized. Bruno Fernandes found Ramos with a clever pass, and the striker calmly finished to make it 2-1 in the 25th minute.

After Rasmus Hojlund brought Denmark level again early in the second half, Vitinha and Joao Felix completed the scoring to give the visitors their third straight Nations League victory. Ramos finished with one goal, one assist, six shots, three key passes and one effort that hit the woodwork.

Ramos finally addresses the Ronaldo situation

The attention eventually turned back to the man whose absence had dominated the previous days. Ramos was asked whether Ronaldo’s departure and the surrounding controversy had created additional pressure on the players, and his answer offered a clear indication of how the squad viewed the situation. “This situation didn’t affect us. External issues do not influence the importance of today’s game. We want to win every match, and that’s what we did,” Ramos told RTP.

The striker also pointed toward the influence of Jesus and the clarity he believes the new coach has brought to Portugal. “The coach has helped us a lot. We have clear ideas, we know exactly where our teammates are, in attack and defense. I like playing like this,” the Milan striker added.

Remarkable record without Ronaldo

Ramos’ latest international goal also added another interesting statistic to the Ronaldo discussion. According to Stats du Foot, 12 of Ramos’ 13 Portugal goals have come in matches in which Ronaldo was not on the pitch, suggesting that the younger striker has repeatedly found the net when given responsibility without the veteran alongside him.

The Denmark goal also took Ramos beyond 100 goals in professional football, adding to his totals for Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain, Milan and Portugal. His club tally includes 45 goals for PSG, 41 for Benfica and one for Milan, while his latest international strike took his Portugal total to 13.

Even more striking is Portugal’s record whenever Ramos scores. The national team has won all 10 matches in which the striker has found the net, giving him a perfect winning record in those games.

Jorge Jesus again defended his approach to squad selection while refusing to allow the Ronaldo situation to overshadow the result. “There are players with status. That much is crystal clear. But I’ll say it again: the rules are the same for everyone,” he said after the game.

The Chelsea goalkeeper commented “new number 10?” on a photo of teammate Nico Paz, sparking speculation over whether the Como playmaker is being lined up to inherit Messi’s shirt once the Albiceleste begins its new cycle toward the 2030 World Cup. Whether it was a genuine hint or simply Martinez sharing his own wish remains unclear, but the comment quickly caught attention given the timing.

Paz has emerged as one of the leading candidates for the number, both for his style of play and his growing influence in Lionel Scaloni’s setup. He delivered a standout performance, goal included, in Argentina‘s recent 4-0 rout of Bolivia, further strengthening his case as one of the players tasked with absorbing some of Messi’s creative responsibilities going forward.

Argentina has two matches left on this international break to build toward that transition, facing Burkina Faso on Saturday, October 3, before Messi’s emotional send-off against Benin on Tuesday, October 6, both at the Estadio Monumental.

Who else could wear the No. 10?

Beyond Paz, there’s been no shortage of names floated for the job. Some believe the shirt would be better suited to a proven World Cup winner than a 22-year-old still building his international résumé, with Alexis Mac Allister, Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández mentioned as alternatives who already carry the experience and pedigree to handle that symbolic weight.

Others have pointed to Franco Mastantuono, who, after turning heads with a sensational start to his professional career, was sold to Real Madrid and positioned himself as a potential successor to Messi for Argentina.

However, he hasn’t been able to replicate that early form in the Spanish capital and now finds himself on loan at Fiorentina, but he was still called up by Scaloni to play in the friendlies during this international window.

Mastantuono, however, is actually the last player besides Messi to wear the No. 10 for Argentina, doing so during a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador when the Argentine captain was unavailable. He wasn’t even the original choice that day — Thiago Almada was set to wear it before a muscle injury ruled him out, opening the door for Mastantuono to take it instead.

The 41-year-old has already played a part in Portugal’s 2026-27 Nations League campaign, meaning his involvement did not end the moment he walked away from the team. With the nation continuing its push for another title, one technical detail in UEFA’s regulations has suddenly become particularly relevant to Ronaldo.

Ronaldo featured in Portugal’s opening Nations League match against Wales on September 24, starting the game and playing around 60 minutes in a 1-0 victory. His goal was ruled out by VAR, but his appearance officially made him part of the Selecao’s campaign before the situation with Jorge Jesus escalated.

He was then left as an unused substitute during Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway, before tensions surrounding his role intensified. Ronaldo eventually left the national-team camp after discussions involving Jesus and Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proenca, later promising to explain his reasons for leaving.

The Selecao subsequently continued without its captain and produced a 4-2 victory over Denmark, strengthening its position in the Nations League group. Ronaldo’s future with the national team remains uncertain, but his previous appearance has already created an interesting possibility if Portugal goes all the way.

The UEFA rule that could benefit Ronaldo

The key detail comes from Article 10 of the UEFA Nations League regulations. The rule states that the winning team receives 50 gold medals, with the runner-up receiving 50 silver medals and the third-placed team receiving 50 bronze medals.

Crucially, the regulations do not establish a minimum number of minutes, appearances, or matches that a player must complete to receive a medal. UEFA provides the medals to the winning association, leaving the distribution of those medals to the national federation.

That means Ronaldo’s departure from the Portugal camp does not automatically rule him out of receiving a winner’s medal. Since he already appeared in the competition against Wales, Portugal could award him one of its 50 gold medals if the national team eventually wins the tournament.

How Ronaldo could still add another Nations League medal

The possibility is particularly interesting because Ronaldo has already played a major role in Portugal’s recent Nations League success. He helped Portugal win the 2019 edition and was also part of the squad that lifted the trophy in 2025, making another triumph in 2027 potentially another chapter in his remarkable international career.

However, receiving the medal is not guaranteed. The regulation establishes the number of medals available but does not explicitly state that every player who has appeared during the campaign must receive one, meaning the Portuguese Football Federation would ultimately determine how the medals are distributed.

For Ronaldo, that distinction matters because his current relationship with Portugal is extremely uncertain. His departure came after a dispute involving Jesus, and there is still no confirmation that he will return for future international fixtures.

Portugal would still have a long way to go before any medal becomes relevant, with the Nations League finals scheduled for June 2027. Ronaldo’s possible involvement in the latter stages is therefore a separate question from whether he could receive recognition for being part of the campaign.

Ronaldo has not announced his retirement from international soccer, and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) does not appear willing to simply accept that his career could end in the middle of a dispute. Behind the scenes, officials are now preparing an attempt to calm the situation and give both sides an opportunity to repair their relationship.

The dispute intensified after Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway, when Ronaldo remained an unused substitute despite warming up during the match. The forward left without joining his teammates in acknowledging the traveling supporters, and reports of tension between him and Jesus quickly intensified.

Jesus later admitted that Ronaldo would understandably have been disappointed after spending a long period warming up without playing. The coach insisted, however, that there had been no major incident and that the decision was based on his authority as Portugal’s manager.

“There was no incident whatsoever,” Jesus said. “Any player – and I was a player myself – when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don’t get on, no-one is happy about that. The experienced boss had also made it clear that Ronaldo’s status would not determine his decisions. “If I need him to play, he’ll play. If not, he won’t,” the coach said.

Portugal makes major move to repair the relationship

The situation escalated further after discussions involving Ronaldo, Jesus and FPF president Pedro Proenca. According to reports, an attempt was made to resolve the disagreement privately, but the veteran ultimately decided to leave Portugal’s training camp before the match against Denmark. Portugal then moved on without its record goalscorer and produced a 4-2 victory over Denmark, with Jesus emphasizing that the squad remained united despite the controversy.

The biggest development now comes from the FPF itself. According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the federation plans to arrange a meeting between Ronaldo and Jesus next week, with Ronaldo’s agreement, in an attempt to restore communication and bring the two sides closer together.

Marca reports that the federation wants the relationship to return to a “cordial and healthy” footing and hopes the meeting can prevent Ronaldo’s Portugal career from ending because of the current dispute. Jesus reportedly supports the idea. CMTV reports that Jesus is open to meeting Ronaldo, while Proenca is working to arrange the conversation between the coach and captain.

Why the FPF does not want Ronaldo’s career to end abruptly

The federation’s intervention reflects the enormous significance of Ronaldo’s career with Portugal. He is the national team’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player, while helping Portugal win Euro 2016 and two UEFA Nations League titles. Portuguese outlet A Bola also adds that the FPF has rejected the idea of Ronaldo’s international career ending suddenly, definitively or in a divisive manner.

The federation instead wants to find common ground between Ronaldo and Jesus and give the 41-year-old a more appropriate conclusion to a Portugal career that has lasted almost two decades. That does not necessarily mean Ronaldo will return immediately. The planned discussions could lead to another call-up, a carefully managed farewell, or simply a more peaceful separation between the player and the national team.

After scoring a 53rd-minute equalizer to make it 2–2, Hojlund performed Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature “Siu” celebration near the corner flag. Following the final whistle, television cameras captured a tense interaction when Portugal manager Jorge Jesus approached Hojlund on the pitch. Instead of exchanging a traditional handshake, the forward placed his hand on Jesus’s chest and brushed him aside with a stern expression.

While Hojlund has not issued an official statement regarding the exchange, fans and media outlets have widely viewed both his celebration and post-match reaction as a gesture of solidarity with Ronaldo, whom Hojlund has frequently cited as his childhood idol.

The ripple effect of Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit

Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, Portugal announced that Rafael Leao will inherit the iconic No. 7 jersey for the national team. The winger has embraced the mantle, fully aware of the immense legacy and expectation the number carries.

“It’s been special for me to wear the No. 7 shirt because Cristiano is my idol since I was a child,” Leao said. “My kids were also born on the 7th so I am so happy. I tried my best to respect this number, this shirt. I am happy with the win.”

While the No. 7 will forever be linked to Cristiano Ronaldo, A Seleção are already shifting their focus toward the future, recognizing that a transition was inevitable regardless of how his international tenure ended.

“Betrayal is a dish best served cold, and what goes around comes around. The only way is the way forward,” Aveiro wrote on her Instagram account, openly alleging that her brother had been deceived in the lead-up to his departure.

The post comes amid reports of a broken promise between Ronaldo and head coach Jorge Jesus ahead of the Norway match. According to multiple accounts, Jesus told Ronaldo he would be brought on as a substitute and had him warm up for roughly 30 minutes on the touchline, only to leave him unused until the final whistle.

That frustration came to a head this week when Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp entirely, confirming his exit on social media without yet detailing his full reasoning. With Jesus set to address the saga after Sunday’s match against Norway, Aveiro’s comments add another public voice backing her brother’s side of the story in the meantime.

Portugal thriving without Cristiano Ronaldo in this Nations League

Whatever is happening behind the scenes, it hasn’t shown up in the results. Ronaldo started the opener against Wales but had little impact, seeing a goal ruled out for offside and otherwise going largely unnoticed before being substituted in the 1-0 win.

He then missed the Norway match entirely, with Gonçalo Ramos stepping in and scoring the winner, and was absent again for Thursday’s game against Denmark, which Portugal won 4-2 as Ramos found the net for a second straight match.

Three games, three wins, and zero goals or standout moments from the player long considered the heart of this team — a run that has only added to the uncertainty hanging over Ronaldo’s immediate future.

He won’t be available for Sunday’s match against Norway either, and with Portugal still having commitments against Denmark and Wales in November to close out the group phase, it remains unclear whether he’ll wear the Portugal shirt again at all in 2026.

The Manchester United forward escaped the attention of Rúben Dias before chipping the ball over Diogo Costa in the 55th minute, leveling the match at 2-2 at Parken Stadium.

Hojlund wheeled away and launched straight into Ronaldo’s signature jump-and-spin celebration, a gesture he’s used before to pay homage to the player he grew up idolizing.

The timing made the moment impossible to ignore, coming just a day after Ronaldo’s own dramatic exit from Portugal’s training camp amid his reported rift with Jorge Jesus.

Portugal didn’t miss Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal didn’t miss a beat without Cristiano Ronaldo, beating Denmark 4-2 at Parken Stadium to extend its perfect start to the 2026-27 Nations League, with Gonçalo Ramos once again stepping up in his captain’s absence.

Ramos put Portugal back in front in the 25th minute, finishing low with his left foot after a through ball from Bruno Fernandes. João Cancelo had opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Mikkel Damsgaard leveled for Denmark at 1-1.

The match stayed open after Rasmus Hojlund escaped Rúben Dias to equalize again at 2-2 in the 53rd minute, breaking out a Ronaldo-style celebration of his own in the process.

Portugal responded in the second half, with Vitinha heading home in the 67th minute and João Félix adding a fourth with a powerful strike in the 87th to seal the win.

The result keeps Jorge Jesus’s side top of Group A4 with a perfect record through three matches, offering an early answer to the question of how Portugal would cope without Ronaldo both on the pitch and amid the turmoil surrounding his camp exit this week.

Vítor Pinto, subdirector of Portuguese sports daily Record, said publicly that Ronaldo’s frustration with the Portuguese Football Federation runs deeper than the senior team coach’s decisions, pointing instead to the situation involving his eldest son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.

According to Pinto, the fact that the 15-year-old was left off Portugal‘s U-17 call-up list was reportedly the final straw for Ronaldo, who did not hide his disappointment over the federation’s decision.

The claim lands in the middle of an already turbulent week for Portugal, with Ronaldo having walked out of the squad’s training base in Copenhagen just days before the trip to face Denmark, a decision reportedly tied to his reduced role under Jesus. The forward has yet to spell out his reasoning beyond saying the full story would come out in due course.

Neither Ronaldo nor the Portuguese federation have directly addressed the claims regarding Cristiano Jr.’s U-17 snub, and it remains unclear how much weight, if any, that decision carried in Ronaldo’s choice to leave camp. For now, the report adds fuel to a controversy that has already cost Portugal hundreds of thousands of social media followers and left the captain’s international future in doubt.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s uncertain Portugal future

With Ronaldo absent for the trip to Denmark, Portugal’s remaining Nations League commitments in 2026 come on October 4 against Norway, November 14 against Denmark, and November 17 against Wales.

Jesus has said he’ll address the situation in full after Sunday’s match against Norway, telling reporters this week that he won’t “hide or run away” from the topic but wants to get through the rest of the window first.

Whether Ronaldo returns for any of the remaining matchdays is still unknown, and so is whether he’ll feature for Portugal again at all — if he doesn’t take the field in any of the three remaining matches, his last appearance for the national team would end up being the 1-0 win over Wales on matchday 1, back on September 24.

Ahead of their Matchday 3 fixture against Denmark in the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League, Jorge Jesus informed reporters that he would fully clear the air regarding Ronaldo’s exit following the conclusion of the international break.

“I will explain everything after the last game. I have many years in soccer and I know that I did nothing that should have caused things to go differently,” Jesus aid on Thursday. “After the Norway game, we will talk about this subject. I will not hide or run away from it. Nobody can take away what Cristiano represents. He’s an icon and that’s not in question.”

Jorge Jesus faces severe backlash

On Wednesday, Cristiano Ronaldo made the decision to leave the national team camp following a contentious press conference held by Jorge Jesus. According to reports, the forward took issue with the manager’s decision to bench him for the match against Denmark.

Shortly after news of his walkout broke, Ronaldo took to social media to announce that he would soon share his side of the story. The move has placed intense pressure on Jorge Jesus, with a significant portion of the fanbase criticizing his handling of the iconic captain.

Rumors continue to circulate suggesting that Ronaldo may opt out of returning to international duty altogether. While Jorge Jesus has delivered positive results on the pitch, his management of CR7 has alienated supporters, leaving the head coach facing widespread scrutiny.

Roster adjustments in Ronaldo’s absence

Following Ronaldo’s confirmed departure, Portugal was forced to make immediate structural adjustments within the squad. His iconic shirt number was handed to Rafael Leão, who stepped into the starting lineup against Denmark.

As for the leadership role, Jorge Jesus officially handed the captain’s armband to Bruno Fernandes. Having previously served as vice-captain behind Ronaldo on numerous occasions, the midfielder now permanently assumes the mantle as A Seleção’s primary captain.

Portugal‘s official Instagram account lost more than 500,000 followers in less than 24 hours after news broke of Ronaldo leaving camp amid his reported rift with Jorge Jesus. The exodus was immediate and visible, with comments flooding the account from supporters making clear exactly who they had been following all along.

The backlash hasn’t fallen entirely on the federation or Jesus, however. A poll conducted by Portuguese outlet A Bola found that 78.2% of respondents placed the blame for the saga on Ronaldo rather than his coach, suggesting that even as his departure costs Portugal followers online, plenty of fans see the 41-year-old as the one who walked away.

For now, Ronaldo’s immediate future with the national team remains entirely unclear. It’s unknown whether he returns for Portugal’s remaining fixture in this window against Norway on October 4, or whether he waits until the November window against Denmark and Wales to make his reappearance.

There’s also no telling whether he has, in fact, played his last match for the national team altogether, leaving the federation, Jesus and fans alike to wait for the clarity the forward promised to provide in his own time.

Bruno Fernandes set to wear the armband in Ronaldo’s absence

With Cristiano Ronaldo out of the squad entirely for the trip to Denmark, the captain’s armband will fall to Bruno Fernandes, who has already stepped into that role for Portugal during previous Ronaldo absences, including a recent friendly against Mexico previous to the 2026 World Cup.

Fernandes is back in line for a start after being rested for the Norway match to manage a knock, and leading the side out in Copenhagen would mark another step in his growing status as Jesus’ on-pitch leader.

Ronaldo announced his exit in an Instagram post, saying that following Jesus’ press conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença, he had decided to leave the camp, adding that he would “in due course” tell the Portuguese people the truth behind his departure.

The tension traces back to the win over Norway, when Ronaldo reportedly expected to start before Jesus turned to Gonçalo Ramos instead, who repaid the decision with the winning goal.

Ronaldo did not train with the group afterward, working apart in the gym before confirming he had left camp entirely, while Jesus has denied any real conflict, insisting he remains the one who makes the decisions.

With Ronaldo out of the squad picture for Denmark, Jesus is expected to stick largely with the group that beat Norway, while Rafael Leão looks set to inherit the captain’s number 7 shirt in his absence.

Confirmed lineup for Denmark

Brian Riemer will lean on home advantage with a settled back line and the experience of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in midfield, while the Höjlund-Isaksen pairing looks to punish a Portugal side still adjusting to the fallout from Ronaldo’s exit.

Denmark confirmed starting XI: Mads Hermansen; Rasmus Kristensen, Joachim Andersen, Oliver Provstgaard, Joakim Mæhle; Morten Hjulmand, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg; Adam Daghim, Mikkel Damsgaard, Mohamed Daramy; Rasmus Højlund.

Confirmed lineup for Portugal

Jesus will keep Diogo Costa in goal behind a back four of Nuno Mendes, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga and João Cancelo, with João Neves and Vitinha holding midfield and Gonçalo Ramos leading the line again after his winner against Norway.

Portugal confirmed starting XI: Diogo Costa; Nuno Mendes, Renato Veiga, Rúben Dias, João Cancelo; Rúben Neves, Vitinha; Rafael Leão, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto; Gonçalo Ramos.

On Wednesday, Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus held a controversial press conference during which he revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo would not feature against Denmark on Thursday.

His comments had an immediate impact on the captain, as hours later, Cristiano Ronaldo decided to leave the national team in the middle of the international window following differences with the manager.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo return to the Portugal National Team?

After reports confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo had departed the Portugal squad, speculation intensified regarding his potential retirement from international soccer.

According to reports, Ronaldo is weighing the decision not to return to the national team following friction with Jorge Jesus and members of the country’s soccer federation.

If this decision is finalized, it would mean Cristiano Ronaldo’s final appearance for Portugal came against Wales on Matchday 1 of the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League—a match that ended in a 2–1 victory for A Seleção.

Messi is scheduled to return to Argentina after the national team’s first two friendlies of the international window. With Bolivia and Burkina Faso coming before his farewell against Benin, Scaloni initially appeared to have a clear plan for when his captain would rejoin the squad.

Argentina’s first two matches will offer Scaloni an early look at the team without the player who has been its defining figure for more than a decade. The national team outclassed Bolivia 4-0 on Wednesday evening before meeting Burkina Faso, with the 39-year-old superstar initially expected to remain away from the squad during those fixtures. The transition is significant because Messi leaves behind an extraordinary international record.

He finishes his Argentina career as the country’s all-time leading scorer with 125 goals and the most-capped player, with 207 appearances before his farewell match. Scaloni knows replacing that production and influence cannot be solved by simply inserting another player into Messi’s position.

Instead, the coach is preparing to experiment with different combinations and allow a younger generation to begin taking greater responsibility. “We’ll find a way to play differently,” Scaloni said before the Bolivia clash. “That’s what these matches are for — to experiment. That said, our core style still revolves around controlling the ball. From there, we’ll see how we adapt.

Scaloni reveals the unexpected possibility

Messi’s farewell schedule appeared straightforward until Scaloni was asked when the superstar would join the squad. The coach explained that the plan was for Messi to arrive on Sunday, after Argentina’s match against Burkina Faso, but then revealed that the schedule could change if Messi wanted to return earlier. “For sure, Messi is expected to join the camp on Sunday after the game against Burkina Faso,” he said. “If he wants to play on October 3 too, no problem.”

That means Messi could potentially make a surprise appearance against Burkina Faso on October 3, giving him the chance to play two matches during his final international window rather than only the farewell against Benin. Scaloni’s comments make clear that the decision would ultimately be Messi’s, with the coach happy to accommodate him if he chooses to arrive earlier.

The timing also makes the possibility realistic from a club perspective. Messi’s final Inter Miami appearance before the international window came on September 27, while his next scheduled club match is not until October 10, leaving a potential opening for him to feature for Argentina before the Benin farewell.

Messi’s final farewell remains against Benin

Even if Messi chooses to play against Burkina Faso, the emotional centerpiece of the international window will remain his farewell against Benin. The match is scheduled for October 6 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, where Messi will make his final appearance for Argentina.

The farewell will bring an extraordinary international career to a close. Messi has won two Copa America titles and the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, finally ending years of frustration over his international legacy. His final World Cup also provided another reminder of his importance. Messi scored eight goals in eight matches during the tournament, while his overall World Cup record stands at 21 goals.

“What Leo has done is impressive, and we saw it up close. Just like Diego left, now it’s Leo’s moment. We have to pass on the message he left us to the kids coming through,” Martinez told TyC Sports following the win.

He continued reflecting on what Messi’s departure means for the squad. “These are feelings that are hard to explain. He guided us for a long time, he’s left a huge legacy in this country, in the world of football. Leo is irreplaceable. We’ll try to help the ones who are just starting out,” Martinez said.

Speaking separately with Telefe, Martinez acknowledged the challenge ahead for Argentina without its captain. “A change is coming, a process. Each of us has to take on the responsibility. I don’t think there will ever be another one like him, because he’s unique, because he was and will be the best player of all time,” he said.

Cristian Romero on what Messi has meant to him

Cristian “Cuti” Romero, now Argentina’s captain following Messi’s exit, also reflected on the farewell, drawing on a close relationship built over years sharing the national team together.

“I was able to share a lot with him, he’s a great person. He has a humility that very few players have, and considering everything he’s won, that’s what makes him stand out. He’s always been an incredible person to me,” Romero said.

The Atletico Madrid defender went further, describing Messi as someone who helped shape his own path with Argentina. “He helped me a lot to adapt. He’s always helped the younger guys settle in the best way, and I built a relationship with him from there. He’s been my idol since I was very young, I watched him suffer with the national team, saw him win everything at the club level, and then got to share so many things with him. He’s truly the greatest of all time,” the defender concluded.

Romero’s words carry extra weight now that he’s the one tasked with leading Argentina into its next chapter. It figures to be a rebuilding stretch for the national team, one that got off to a strong start with a 4-0 rout of Bolivia, with Romero himself getting on the scoresheet alongside goals from Lautaro Martinez, Nico Paz and Jose Manuel Lopez.

Argentina is beginning its first international window without Messi available for its opening matches against Bolivia and Burkina Faso. Rather than rushing into a decision that could define the start of a new era, Scaloni has chosen to give himself and the team more time.

The biggest challenge facing Argentina is replacing the influence Messi had both with the ball and within the dressing room. Scaloni knows there will be no direct replacement for a player who finished his international career as the country’s record goalscorer, so he plans to use the upcoming matches to experiment. “We’ll find a way to play differently,” the coach said.

“That’s what these matches are for — to experiment. That said, our core style still revolves around controlling the ball. From there, we’ll see how we adapt.” That approach was already visible in the victory against Bolivia, with Scaloni starting Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez together in attack. Nicolas Paz also assumed the creative responsibilities that would previously have fallen heavily on Messi.

The decision over Messi’s iconic No. 10

The most symbolic part of Argentina’s transition, however, concerns the shirt Messi wore throughout his remarkable international career. Scaloni has confirmed that Argentina will leave the No. 10 shirt unassigned until after Messi’s farewell match against Benin on October 6.

“We aren’t obligated to assign it for these matches, so we won’t give it to anyone until Leo’s farewell game,” Scaloni told ESPN. “The idea is for someone to eventually take it on, given how special it is to wear. We just haven’t decided who yet.“

The decision means no player would wear Argentina’s famous No. 10 in the matches against Bolivia, and it will also remain unused against Burkina Faso. Messi will then return for his final appearance at the Estadio Monumental, giving the number one last moment of association with its legendary owner before a successor is chosen.

Who could eventually inherit the shirt?

There is already speculation over several possible candidates, although Scaloni has made clear that no final decision has been reached. Nicolas Paz and Franco Mastantuono have been mentioned among the leading possibilities, while Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada and Alexis Mac Allister also represent potential options.

The shirt carries an extraordinary history, having previously been worn by Diego Maradona and Mario Kempes, before becoming inseparable from Messi during the most successful period in Argentina’s modern history. Scaloni therefore appears determined to avoid simply handing it to a player for the sake of filling a squad number.

Messi’s departure makes the decision even more significant because of what he achieved while wearing it. He leaves Argentina as the country’s all-time leading scorer with 125 goals, including 21 at the World Cup, after appearing at six World Cups and scoring eight goals in his final tournament.

The 39-year-old superstar announced his international retirement following La Albiceleste’s World Cup final defeat to Spain in July, bringing an extraordinary chapter to a close. His final appearance will come against Benin on October 6, when he is expected to make his 208th senior appearance for Argentina. Until then, the No. 10 will remain untouched, creating a clear dividing line between Messi’s era and whatever comes next.

Ronaldo has worn the number for Portugal since 2008, turning it into one of the most recognizable shirt numbers in international soccer. Now, with the 41-year-old absent, the Selecao has been forced to make an unusual adjustment ahead of its meeting with Denmark.

The change is directly connected to UEFA’s squad-number regulations. For Nations League matches, the national team must submit a squad with consecutive shirt numbers from 1 to 23, meaning an empty No. 7 cannot simply remain untouched when Ronaldo is no longer part of the matchday squad.

That rule has previously forced Portugal to hand Ronaldo’s number to another player when he was injured, suspended or rested. Goncalo Guedes, Carlos Forbs and Bruma are among the players who have worn No. 7 during Ronaldo’s previous absences.

The latest change comes under very different circumstances, however. The 41-year-old superstar left the Selecao’s training camp after the controversy surrounding his unused substitute appearance in the 2-1 win over Norway, with the forward later saying he would explain the reasons behind his departure at a later date.

Who will get Ronaldo’s iconic shirt?

The player stepping into the famous number is Rafael Leao, who normally wears No. 17 for Portugal. The Portuguese winger, who plays for Galatasaray, has now been assigned No. 7, while Fabio Silva takes over No. 17 to keep Portugal’s squad numbering sequence intact, as confirmed by Portuguese national public service RTP.

For Leao, the change represents a major symbolic moment given the history attached to the number. Ronaldo transformed No. 7 into part of his identity with Portugal, making the sight of another player wearing it particularly striking as the national team prepares for life without its record goalscorer.

Leao has made 50 appearances for Portugal and scored six goals since making his senior debut in 2021. He has also represented the national team at two World Cups and Euro 2024, but wearing No. 7 against Denmark will inevitably invite comparisons with the player who made the shirt globally synonymous with Portugal.

There is a catch to the No. 7 switch

The biggest detail surrounding the change is that Leao’s new No. 7 assignment is for the Denmark match, rather than confirmation that Ronaldo has permanently lost the number.

RTP reports that Leao moves from No. 17 to No. 7 for the fixture, while Fabio Silva takes his old number. At the same time, UEFA‘s official database temporarily lists both Ronaldo and Leao as No. 7, highlighting that the change is linked to the current matchday squad rather than necessarily representing a permanent reassignment.

That distinction is important because Ronaldo’s long-term international future remains unresolved. The 41-year-old has left the camp, and reports have raised questions over whether he could retire from Portugal, but Ronaldo himself has not officially announced the end of his international career.

Ronaldo’s Portugal future remains uncertain

Ronaldo’s departure followed a turbulent few days under Jesus. The forward was left on the bench throughout Portugal’s victory over Norway despite warming up for an extended period, and he subsequently missed team training before leaving the camp.

Jesus had previously explained that his decisions were based on what he believed was best for the team, while Ronaldo later announced that he would reveal his reasons for leaving in the future. The situation has therefore left Portugal facing Denmark without its captain and all-time leading scorer.