WHO: Valencia vs Barcelona
WHAT: La Liga
WHEN: 10:15 AM ET / 7:15 AM PT • Sunday, September 6, 2026
WHERE: Fubo
STREAM: WATCH NOW

Match Overview

Reigning La Liga champions Barcelona travel to the Mestalla to face a Valencia side already in crisis mode just four games into the new season. For Barcelona, this match represents a chance to continue their flawless start and extend their dominance atop the league table. Hansi Flick’s squad has been firing on all cylinders, showcasing the attacking prowess that secured them the title last season.

For Valencia, the stakes are entirely different and far more urgent. With only one point from their first three matches and a growing injury list, the pressure is mounting on manager Carlos Corberán. A clash against the champions is the last thing a struggling team needs, but a surprise result could be the catalyst to turn their season around before they get dragged into an early relegation battle.

Tactical Analysis & Match Context

The two clubs enter this fixture on completely opposite trajectories. Barcelona has picked up where they left off, securing three convincing wins while scoring 12 goals. Their title defense is off to a perfect start, built on an aggressive, high-pressing system that suffocates opponents. Their 11.6 xG in just three games demonstrates that their goal-scoring flurry is no accident, but a product of systematic dominance.

In stark contrast, Valencia has stumbled out of the gate, mirroring the poor start that plagued their 2025/26 campaign. They have scored just one goal and their defense has already shown signs of weakness, conceding three times to newly-promoted Deportivo La Coruña. Tactically, Valencia’s attempt to press high could be disastrous. While they rank high in winning possession in the opponent’s half, that aggressive approach risks leaving them fatally exposed to the blistering pace of Barcelona’s forwards like Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, who has thrived in a false nine role.

The motivations for each side are crystal clear. Barcelona aims to solidify its position as the team to beat, and a comprehensive victory on the road would send another strong message to the rest of the league. For Valencia, this is about survival and restoring confidence. They need to find a way to be defensively compact while still posing a threat, a difficult balance to strike against a team of Barcelona’s caliber, especially with a squad decimated by injuries.

Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends

Historically, this fixture has been heavily dominated by Barcelona. Across 232 official meetings, the Catalan giants have secured 115 victories compared to Valencia’s 60, with 57 matches ending in a draw. This long-term trend underscores the scale of the challenge facing the home side.

However, recent history offers a more complex picture. Valencia’s 3-1 victory in their last meeting at the Mestalla broke a 12-game winless streak against Barcelona. While that win came on the final day of last season after Barcelona had already clinched the title, it will provide a sliver of hope. Before that, Barcelona’s dominance was clear, highlighted by a crushing 6-0 win earlier in the same season.

Statistically, this matchup often produces fireworks. The last five encounters have seen both teams find the net on three occasions. More notably, games between these two sides have averaged a staggering 5.2 goals, suggesting a high probability of an open, attacking affair. Barcelona has covered a -1.5 goal handicap in three of their last four victories over Valencia, indicating a tendency for them to win comfortably when they are on form.

Squad News & Projected Lineups

Both managers are contending with key absences, but Valencia’s injury crisis is far more severe and will heavily influence their approach to this game.

Valencia is navigating a disastrous injury situation, with a long list of key players sidelined. Forward Sadiq Umar is out until November, and he is joined on the treatment table by Pablo Maffeo, José Copete, Guido Rodríguez, Diego López, and Sergi Canós, among others. This severely limits Carlos Corberán’s options and forces him into a more defensive and pragmatic setup.

Barcelona is also without crucial midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Gavi, but their squad depth allows for more flexibility. New signing Gabriel Jesus is available for selection but is expected to start on the bench. Raphinha’s sensational form, with five goals in three games, means he will almost certainly continue to lead the line as a dynamic false nine.

Valencia Projected XI (5-3-1):
Dimitrievski; Rioja, Martínez, Diakhaby, Tárrega, Vázquez; Pepelu, Ugrinic, Sato; Guerra; Duro.
With so many players out, expect Valencia to deploy a conservative 5-3-1 formation designed to frustrate Barcelona. The focus will be on defensive solidity, with three center-backs and a packed midfield aiming to deny space. Javi Guerra will play a key role in linking the midfield to lone striker Hugo Duro, who will be tasked with holding up the ball and relieving pressure.

Barcelona Projected XI (4-2-3-1):
García; Espart, Cubarsí, Christensen, Koundé; Pedri, Bernal; Gordon, Olmo, Yamal; Raphinha.
Hansi Flick is unlikely to deviate from the 4-2-3-1 system that has brought so much success. The attack will flow through the in-form Raphinha, with the prodigious Lamine Yamal and creative force Dani Olmo providing support from the wings and central areas. Pedri’s control in midfield will be essential to dictating the tempo and breaking down Valencia’s low block.

More details on how to watch

You can watch the Valencia vs Barcelona live stream exclusively on Fubo. The service is available on a wide range of devices, including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and gaming consoles, as well as on web browsers and mobile apps for iOS and Android.

A subscription to Fubo not only gives you access to every La Liga match but also includes coverage of other top European competitions. You can watch the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, and major cup tournaments all in one place.

The service is available for a monthly fee of $64.99, offering an incredible value for soccer fans who want comprehensive access to global soccer. There are no long-term contracts, so you can cancel at any time.

Beyond soccer, your subscription also includes a deep library of movies, TV shows, and original programming, making it a complete entertainment package for the whole family.

For a full schedule of all upcoming La Liga matches on US TV and streaming, check out our La Liga TV schedule page.

SEE MORE > Complete La Liga TV schedule

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 NordVPN’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.

Al-Nassr’s latest setback came in a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Al-Ittihad, with George Ilenikhena scoring twice before Angelo pulled one back for the visitors. Despite dominating large portions of the second half, Ronaldo’s side could not find a second goal, with goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic producing a standout performance to preserve the result.

Al-Ittihad started the match at a furious pace and needed only four minutes to take the lead. Ilenikhena reacted quickest after Steven Bergwijn’s effort was parried onto the post, heading the loose ball into the bottom corner.

The young striker doubled his tally in the 22nd minute after Houssem Aouar split the Al-Nassr defence with a perfectly weighted pass. Ilenikhena kept his composure before finishing clinically, giving Al-Ittihad a two-goal advantage and putting the visitors under immediate pressure. The defeat leaves Ronaldo’s team on 12 points from five league matches, while Al-Ittihad climbed to 11 and remains unbeaten.

Ronaldo suffers first league loss with Saudi defending champions

For Ronaldo, the defeat marks his first Saudi Pro League loss of the campaign after Al-Nassr had won its opening four matches. The Portuguese superstar had opportunities but could not find the goal that would have rescued his side from a damaging night.

The result also benefits Al-Hilal, which now sits three points ahead of Al-Nassr at the top of the standings. Al-Ittihad’s victory means the gap between the two sides has been reduced to only one point, adding another layer of intrigue to the title race.

How many MLS losses does Messi have?

The comparison with Messi produces an interesting answer because Inter Miami has suffered four MLS regular-season defeats during the 2026 campaign, but Messi has featured in only two of those losses. In his 19 league appearances this season, the Argentine has recorded an impressive 11 wins, six draws and two defeats.

Messi’s two losses came during Inter Miami’s difficult August run. He was on the field for a 4-1 defeat away to Nashville on August 16 and a 2-1 home loss to Toronto on August 23, giving him only two MLS defeats while playing this season.

The Herons’ wider record is considerably less impressive, with the club also losing to Los Angeles FC in February and enduring further defeats during the Leagues Cup. The latter included losses to Monterrey and Club Leon, although those results came outside the MLS regular season.

Al-Nassr fought back after falling two goals behind in Jeddah, with Angelo pulling one back before the visitors piled on the pressure. Despite creating several chances late in the match, however, Al-Ittihad held on to claim a major victory and move within one point of Al-Nassr in the table.

Al-Ittihad made a flying start, with George Ilenikhena opening the scoring after only four minutes. Steven Bergwijn’s effort was saved by Nawaf Al-Aqidi and came back off the post, allowing Ilenikhena to react quickest and head the rebound into the bottom corner.

The young striker doubled his tally in the 22nd minute after Houssem Aouar found him with a clever ball behind the Al-Nassr defence. Ilenikhena kept his composure before producing a superb left-footed finish, giving the hosts a 2-0 advantage and putting Al-Nassr in serious trouble.

The visitors eventually found a route back into the contest through Angelo. Cristiano Ronaldo helped create the opening with a brilliant first-touch lob into the area, which released Felix before the ball eventually fell to Angelo, who fired home to make it 2-1 before half-time.

Al-Nassr suffers first defeat despite strong push for equalizer

Al-Nassr emerged from the interval with much greater intensity and began creating opportunities around the Al-Ittihad penalty area. Ronaldo tested Predrag Rajkovic with a left-footed effort, while Felix also threatened from a difficult angle.

Rajkovic quickly became the difference between the two teams, making five saves in the second half alone as Al-Nassr searched desperately for an equaliser. His biggest intervention came late in the match when Felix played Sadio Mane through, only for the Serbian goalkeeper to produce another outstanding stop.

The result represents a significant blow for Postecoglou, whose team had won each of its opening four league matches. Al-Nassr remains second on 12 points, while Al-Hilal has moved three points clear at the top, with Al-Ittihad now sitting fourth on 11 points. The defeat also means Ronaldo finished the match without adding to his league tally.

The reason why Joao Felix will miss Abha clash

The latest headache concerns Felix, who will miss Al-Nassr’s next Saudi Pro League match against Abha on Wednesday, September 9. The reason is connected to an incident late in the defeat to Al-Ittihad, when the Portuguese attacker was booked for a challenge on Richard Rios.

That yellow card was his fourth caution of the season, triggering an automatic one-match suspension under the Saudi Pro League’s competition regulations. His absence leaves Postecoglou without one of the team’s most productive attacking players at a particularly important moment.

Felix has made an excellent start to life in Saudi Arabia, scoring against Al-Fateh and Al-Riyadh while providing two assists against Al-Ettifaq. He has now contributed two goals and two assists in the league, but his disciplinary record will force him to watch the Abha match from the sidelines.

The suspension was not the only frustration for Felix following the defeat. The forward appeared visibly angry with the officiating and declined to give reporters a full interview after the final whistle. Instead, the Portugal international delivered a cryptic message while walking past the media. “I won’t speak to you, because if I do, I’ll expose this league,” he said.

Pulisic’s immediate focus is on returning to action, with Sunday’s meeting against Juventus potentially offering his first opportunity to make an impact. However, behind the scenes, Milan is preparing for an important conversation that could shape the next stage of the player’s career at San Siro.

The 27-year-old has been included in the squad for Milan’s opening two Serie A matches against Torino and Venezia, but he has yet to play a single minute. His absence comes after a difficult summer in which he was forced to deal with a bone oedema at the junction between the tibia and fibula in his right leg.

The injury ruled him out of pre-season and forced him to train separately when he returned to Italy on August 2. Although the physical problem has now been resolved, Pulisic is still working his way back to full match fitness after only around a week of team training.

Ruben Amorim made it clear that the American’s current situation is primarily about managing his return rather than questioning his quality. “He has great talent. I simply have to manage my players’ workloads, and I understand that at this moment we need to win and to put more tempo into every match,” Amorim recently told reporters.

New attacking hierarchy at Milan

Pulisic is expected to be on the bench against Juventus, with a second-half appearance considered the most likely scenario. A starting place is currently out of reach, particularly with Alphadjo Cisse and Ruben Loftus-Cheek ahead of him in terms of physical condition.

Milan is eager to have Pulisic back because his attacking production remains extremely important. With Rafael Leao now gone, Pulisic is the club’s leading player for combined goals and assists, making his return particularly significant as Amorim searches for a new attacking hierarchy.

The competition for places has changed considerably, with Milan possessing a mixture of experience, youth, physicality and creativity in the attacking midfield positions. Adrien Rabiot, Cisse, Loftus-Cheek, Diego Moreira and Alexis Saelemaekers all offer different qualities, meaning Pulisic cannot simply expect to walk straight back into the starting XI.

The American also endured a complicated summer away from the pitch, with Premier League side Tottenham and MLS side New York City FC reportedly attempting to bring him back to their respective leagues. Milan refused to open the door, however, highlighting how important Pulisic remains to Gerry Cardinale’s sporting and commercial project.

Pulisic’s Milan renewal talks get key date

That importance will now be tested in the boardroom, with a key meeting between Cardinale and Pulisic’s representatives scheduled for the middle of next week. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport and Calciomercato.com, the meeting will involve Pulisic’s entourage, including his father and agent.

The timing is significant because the winger’s current contract expires in 2027, while Milan has an option that can extend the agreement until 2028. The club is expected to exercise that option, but discussions will also focus on a much longer deal that could keep the American at Milan until 2031.

The financial side of the negotiations could prove more complicated. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Pulisic’s representatives are seeking to double his salary from $4.6 million net per season to $9.2 million net. However, a compromise between the two sides remains possible.

Milan reportedly wants more evidence on the pitch before committing to the biggest financial terms. That makes Pulisic’s return particularly important, because the coming weeks could determine whether the club views him as an essential long-term leader or simply an important player whose future requires further discussion.

Milan has won both of its opening league matches, beating Torino 2-1 away before overcoming Venezia 2-0 at San Siro. Juventus has also collected six points from its first two games, setting up an early-season showdown between two sides that have yet to drop a point.

For Pulisic, the fixture represents another opportunity to contribute to Milan’s strong beginning under their new coach. The American is among the attacking options available to Amorim, although he is expected to begin the match on the bench as he continues working his way back to full match fitness.

The team also has several other attacking options, including Goncalo Ramos, Diego Moreira and Omari Hutchinson. The depth available to Amorim could prove crucial in Turin, particularly against a Juventus side that has also started the season with maximum points.

There is also unfinished business for Pulisic at the Allianz Stadium. The American missed a penalty in the corresponding fixture last season, while Rafael Leao also squandered a one-on-one opportunity as the Red and Blacks failed to take advantage of their chances.

Milan’s perfect start comes with history within reach

The significance of Sunday’s match becomes clearer when Milan’s opening two results are placed alongside the club’s history. A victory in Turin would give Amorim three wins from his first three Serie A matches in charge, something that has been achieved remarkably rarely by Milan coaches.

Only three managers have previously managed such a start. Mario Sperone did it in 1952, Giuseppe Viani followed in 1956, and Luigi Bonizzoni became the most recent coach to accomplish it in 1958.

Amorim can now become the first Milan coach in 68 years to match that extraordinary opening. The fact that Ancelotti, Sacchi and Capello all failed to achieve it makes the opportunity even more striking.

Even Milan legends could not manage it

Sacchi lost his second league match after taking charge, while Capello won his opening two before drawing his third match, coincidentally against Juventus. Ancelotti’s first Serie A game as Milan coach ended in a 0-0 draw against Piacenza in 2001.

Bonizzoni’s achievement in 1958 was particularly memorable because Milan went on to enjoy an outstanding campaign. The club lost only twice that season and ultimately won the Scudetto, adding another layer of history to a record that has remained untouched for nearly seven decades.

Viani had also enjoyed a strong start two years earlier, winning his first three matches before Milan eventually went on to claim the Serie A title. Amorim therefore has the opportunity to join a very small group of managers whose early success became part of the club’s history.

The Argentine captain comes into the match in red-hot form, having scored four goals in Miami’s 7-1 rout of Montreal last time out, and there is no indication he will be eased out of the XI despite the ongoing coaching transition.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with Miami looking to build on its emphatic result over Montreal and Hoyos aiming to hand off a side in good form once Gonzalez is finally cleared to take over.

Meanwhile, Atlanta will try to use Gerardo Martino’s insider knowledge of the Miami roster to slow down a Messi-led attack that has been in devastating form of late.

Inter Miami confirmed lineup

Miami will line up in a 4-3-3. Hoyos will have to make do without Sergio Reguilon, Gonzalo Lujan, Micael, Mateo Silvetti, Santiago Morales and Tadeo Allende, all ruled out through injury, leaving the club with six absences to account for heading into kickoff.

Inter Miami confirmed starting XI: Dayne St. Clair; Ian Fray, Casemiro, Maximiliano Falcon, Fricio Caicedo; Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, German Berterame, Luis Suarez.

Atlanta United confirmed lineup

Atlanta United will set up in a 4-2-3-1 for what marks the official MLS debut of Breel Embolo, who joins the starting lineup for the first time since completing his $18 million move from Stade Rennais, one of the biggest transfers in league history.

Atlanta United confirmed starting XI: Lucas Hoyos; Tomas Jacob, Paulo Diaz, Junior Alonso, Elias Baez; Cooper Sanchez, Will Reilly; Aleksei Miranchuk, Tristan Muyumba, Miguel Almiron; Breel Embolo.

The Portuguese forward, who played the full match alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in attack, appeared visibly frustrated for much of the second half, particularly after picking up a yellow card for a challenge on Al Ittihad midfielder Richard Rios that he clearly felt was harsh.

That frustration spilled over once the final whistle blew. “I won’t speak to you, because if I do, I’ll expose this league,” Felix said while rushing past reporters without stopping for further comment.

Whether Felix’s remarks were aimed specifically at the referee’s performance in Friday’s match or at broader officiating issues within the Saudi Pro League remains unclear, since he declined to explain himself any further before leaving the stadium.

Joao Felix set to miss Al Nassr’s next match

Felix’s yellow card against Rios was his fourth of the season, which under Article 12 of the Saudi Pro League’s competition regulations, triggers an automatic one-match suspension for accumulating four bookings across different matches.

That means the Portuguese forward will be unavailable for Al Nassr‘s next league fixture against Abha on September 9, leaving Postecoglou to reshuffle his attacking options as the club looks to respond to its first loss of the campaign.

Felix leaves the pitch frustrated with the officiating

Video circulating after the match, shared by Al Nassr Tribune, showed Felix and Samu Costa clearly unhappy with referee Khaled Al-Turais’ performance as they made their way off the pitch, still airing their frustrations well after the final whistle had blown.

The footage adds further context to Felix’s cryptic comments in the mixed zone, suggesting his complaint extended beyond his own yellow card to the officiating as a whole throughout the match.

George Ilenikhena did the damage for the hosts, scoring a brace inside the opening 22 minutes, the first a header in the fourth minute and the second a composed left-footed finish after being played through by Houssem Aouar.

Angelo pulled one back for the visitors just two minutes later, finishing from inside the box, but Al Nassr could not find an equalizer despite pushing hard in the second half and through six minutes of stoppage time.

Ronaldo was unable to add to his tally in the defeat, despite a handful of half-chances throughout the match. It was the first time all season Al Nassr had failed to win, snapping a run that had them sitting second in the table with 12 points from four matches heading into the fixture.

Ivan Toney takes the lead in scoring charts

While Ronaldo and Al Nassr stumbled, Ivan Toney continued his outstanding start to the campaign for Al Ahli, scoring twice from the penalty spot in a commanding 5-0 win over Al Riyadh.

The Englishman opened the scoring in the 16th minute after Saad Balobaid was fouled in the box, then completed his brace in the 61st minute following a second penalty award, with Al Ahli’s foreign contingent doing most of the damage alongside additional goals from Edward Sperfsyan, Francisco Trincao and Naif Khaled Rashid Masoud.

Toney’s brace now makes him the outright leader of the Saudi Pro League’s scoring charts, with 6 goals through five matches for Al Ahli. He sits well clear of the chasing pack, which includes Sergej Milinkovic-Savic of Al Hilal on 4 goals, while a large group, among them Ruben Neves, Alexandre Lacazette and Angelo, sit on 3.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo remains further back in the chasing pack with 2 goals for the season, having gone scoreless again on Friday and now sitting four goals adrift of Toney at the top of the table, a stark contrast to the pace he set in previous campaigns atop Saudi Arabia’s scoring charts.

Yet even with the feat now behind him, the Norwegian striker still finds himself chasing a record that belongs to Lionel Messi, who remains the fastest player in the modern era to hit that same tally.

Haaland got there with a header, converting a cross from Antoine Semenyo in a 1-0 victory that also moved City closer to the top of the table. The goal came in his 368th appearance across four different clubs, according to OptaJoe, three fewer than Messi’s 365, the number the Argentine needed during his time at Barcelona to become the fastest to 300 club goals in the sport’s history.

Messi’s mark has stood since 2013, when he scored his 300th and 301st goals for Barcelona in a win over Granada, a tally built entirely at a single club rather than across multiple spells like Haaland’s.

Cristiano Ronaldo, by comparison, needed 499 appearances split between Sporting CP, Manchester United and Real Madrid to reach the same figure, making him the slowest of the trio to the milestone.

Haaland eyes Aguero’s Man City scoring record

Haaland’s tally for Manchester City alone, 165 goals in 202 appearances, already places him second on the club’s all-time scoring list, behind only Sergio Aguero, who finished his decade at the Etihad with 260 goals in 390 games.

At his current scoring rate, Haaland is on pace to surpass that mark within the next few seasons, a milestone that would make him City’s outright leading scorer in the club’s history.

He has already claimed other Aguero-held records along the way, including the club’s all-time Champions League scoring mark, which he broke by reaching 49 goals in the competition, two more than the Argentine managed during his time at the club.

Match Overview

Inter Miami enter the match as clear favorites following a crushing 7–1 victory over CF Montréal, in which Lionel Messi scored four goals.

Atlanta United currently have 21 points in the 2026 MLS season, sitting well outside the playoff picture with only half the tally Inter Miami have accumulated so far.

According to Saudi Pro League insider Sami Al Qadi, Brozovic is among the options Al Ahli is weighing as it looks to strengthen its midfield ahead of the deadline, a stunning turn for a player who spent three seasons alongside Ronaldo at Al Nassr.

Brozovic actually left Al Nassr as a free agent back in July, closing out a spell that began in 2023 when he arrived from Inter Milan for an initial fee of around €18 million. His departure came after a reported approach from crosstown rival Al Hilal, who at one point offered him a salary said to double what he was earning at Al Nassr, though that move never materialized either.

Now, with the Saudi transfer window still open, Brozovic remains without a club, and Al Ahli’s interest suggests he could stay in the kingdom rather than seek a return to Europe. A move to Al Ahli would immediately set up a reunion with Ronaldo on the opposite side of the pitch whenever the two Saudi giants meet in league play.

Al Nassr’s own transfer window has been a struggle

While Brozovic looks for his next club, his former side has had a summer to forget in the market. Al Nassr brought in just a single new face all window, midfielder Samu Costa, signed from Real Mallorca for a reported fee of around $25.6 million, and that deal alone reportedly used up the club’s entire recruitment budget for the period.

The club was only able to complete even the Costa transfer after securing its Financial Compliance Certificate from the league, a requirement that had held up registrations while Al Nassr worked through its outstanding financial obligations under the PIF’s oversight.

According to journalists Nawaf Oga and Haitam El Imani, Al Nassr have now effectively withdrawn from the transfer market altogether, with no further incoming signings expected before the window shuts.

A move to bring in a foreign replacement for winger Wesley, who was loaned out to Cruzeiro, has been called off entirely, with the target player’s agents informed that talks were permanently halted, leaving manager Ange Postecoglou to work with the squad he already has for the rest of the campaign.

At 16, Ronaldo Jr. is entering an important stage of his development, where regular youth soccer and competitive experience are becoming increasingly valuable. His performances are naturally watched more closely than those of most academy players because of his famous father, but the teenager is gradually building a soccer identity of his own.

The latest footage, shared by nfcwely on X (formerly Twitter), comes from what appears to be an Al-Nassr youth team match and shows Ronaldo Jr. wearing the club’s No. 10 shirt.

The video captures the teenager leaping to meet a cross and powering a header beyond the goalkeeper, giving him his first goal of the new season. His movement toward the ball, timing, and ability to generate power immediately stood out.

The finish quickly became the main talking point among supporters, particularly because it brought back memories of his father’s trademark aerial goals.

‘Air Ronaldo Jr’ nickname takes off

The reaction from Al-Nassr supporters was overwhelmingly positive, with fans praising the teenager’s finish and even giving him the nickname “Air Ronaldo Jr.” The nickname is an obvious reference to Cristiano Ronaldo’s extraordinary leap and heading ability, which has produced countless memorable goals throughout his career.

Seeing similar characteristics from his son was always likely to generate comparisons, particularly when the goal itself came from a spectacular jump and header. A separate highlight reel provided a broader look at Ronaldo Jr.’s involvement during the match.

The nearly three-minute video features aerial and ground footage from the youth game, showing Ronaldo Jr. involved in attacking moves, making runs, receiving the ball, and contributing to his team’s build-up play. The footage is fan-produced rather than a complete tactical recording, but it still provides an interesting glimpse into his development.

Following his father’s footsteps

Ronaldo Jr. has spent much of his journey under an enormous spotlight because of his surname. He is now developing within Al-Nassr’s academy system, where the focus will be on giving him the experience and soccer education required to progress through the ranks.

The presence of Cristiano Ronaldo at the senior club naturally makes the situation even more intriguing. Every goal or impressive performance from his son is inevitably compared with the qualities that made the five-time Ballon d’Or winner one of the sport’s greatest players.

However, Ronaldo Jr. still has plenty of time to develop his own style and strengths. At 16, consistency, technical ability, tactical understanding and physical development are far more important than trying to reproduce everything his father achieved.

Al-Qadsiah and Al-Kholood have reportedly reached a final agreement for Al-Aliwa, with the transfer expected to be completed during the current summer window. Earlier reports had also linked the 22-year-old with Al-Diriyah, while Al-Qadsiah had already emerged as another option for the winger.

Saudi newspapers Asharq Al-Awsat and Riadat Thamania reported that the two clubs had reached an agreement, while Al-Midan also reported that Al-Qadsiah was working to strengthen its attacking options with the Saudi youngster.

Al-Aliwa is capable of playing as a forward or on the wing and has developed significantly since leaving Al-Nassr. His progress at Al-Kholood has now attracted the attention of one of the ambitious clubs near the top of the Saudi soccer pyramid.

Al-Nassr’s connection to the transfer

The most interesting part of the reported agreement for Ronaldo’s club comes from Al-Nassr’s involvement in Al-Aliwa’s previous transfer. The winger came through the Al-Nassr academy and was promoted to the senior team during the 2023-24 season, making 10 league appearances and scoring two goals.

After a loan spell at Al-Ettifaq, Al-Nassr permanently sold Al-Aliwa to Al-Kholood in August 2025 for a reported 500,000 Saudi riyals (around $133,000). Crucially, the deal included a 25% sell-on clause, meaning Al-Nassr would be entitled to a quarter of any future transfer fee.

That clause is now set to become important. If Al-Aliwa’s move to Al-Qadsiah is officially completed, Ronaldo’s side will receive 25% of the transfer fee, although the final amount has not yet been confirmed.

The potential financial boost revealed

Some social media reports have speculated that the transfer fee could be around 20 million Saudi riyals ($5.3 million), although no official confirmation has been made. If that valuation were accurate, Al-Nassr’s 25% share would amount to about 5 million Saudi riyals ($1.3 million), turning a relatively modest original sale into a sizeable financial return.

That figure should be treated cautiously until the clubs announce the transfer fee. Still, the sell-on agreement gives Al-Nassr a clear financial incentive to follow Al-Aliwa’s next move closely.

The fixture brings together two of Saudi Arabia’s biggest clubs at the Alinma Stadium in Jeddah. With Al-Nassr sitting near the top after four wins and Al-Ittihad looking to disrupt that momentum, the latest team news could have a major impact on the contest.

Al-Nassr has won all four of its Saudi Pro League matches this season, scoring 12 goals and conceding only three. Ange Postecoglou’s side opened with a 3-0 victory over Al-Fateh, followed it with a 4-0 win against Al-Riyadh, and then showed its resilience by coming from two goals behind to defeat Al-Ettifaq 3-2.

On the other hand, Al-Ittihad has collected eight points from its opening four games, remaining unbeaten despite dropping points in two matches. The team began with a draw against Al-Kholood, defeated Al-Qadsiah and Al-Hazem, then drew with Al-Fateh.

Jens Wissing’s side has been more impressive defensively than in front of goal. Al-Ittihad has scored only five times, despite creating 16 big chances, and has missed 13 of those opportunities.

Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing today?

The big question heading into the match is Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability and his place in Postecoglou’s plans. Ronaldo has been confirmed to start for Al-Nassr, with the Portuguese superstar leading the attack alongside Joao Felix.

Ronaldo has already scored twice in the team’s first four league matches. His first goal came as a substitute against Al-Riyadh on August 21, while his second was particularly significant, with his 978th career goal proving decisive in the 2-1 victory over Al-Taawoun on August 28.

His record against Al-Ittihad also makes him a player the hosts will have to watch closely. The 41-year-old superstar has scored six goals in his last six appearances against Al-Ittihad, including four in his last three away appearances in the fixture.

Al-Ittihad vs Al-Nassr: Confirmed lineups

Al-Ittihad confirmed XI (4-4-2): Rajkovic; Danilo, Kadesh, Faris, Al-Julaydan; Lopy, Mukhtar, Aouar, Ahmed; Bergwijn, Ilenikhena.

Al-Nassr confirmed XI (4-3-3): Al-Aqidi; Alnajdi, Al-Amri, Simakan, Boushal; Costa, Angelo, Felix; Coman; Mane, Ronaldo.

According to ESPN’s Emiliano Raddi, the tribute game organized by Boca Juniors has already generated buzz well beyond Argentina, since the two players have never shared a pitch as teammates despite being era-defining rivals throughout their careers.

Nothing has been confirmed yet regarding the attendance of either Ronaldo or Messi, and it also remains unclear whether the two would line up on the same side or face off as opponents once again if they do take part.

Still, the mere possibility of seeing them share a field together, for the first time as teammates or in any capacity outside their usual rivalry, is an enticing prospect for football fans around the world.

Tevez’s connection with both legends

The connection to both Ronaldo and Messi comes from Tevez‘s own career path. He played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United, forming a lethal attacking partnership under Sir Alex Ferguson, and later shared the field with Messi for years as a member of the Argentina national team.

Tevez remains close with both players to this day, which means there is a real chance that both superstars could make the trip to Buenos Aires for the occasion, though neither has publicly confirmed his attendance.

The last time Messi and Ronaldo shared a pitch

The two have not faced each other since January 19, 2023, when Ronaldo lined up for a Saudi all-star team against Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain in a star-studded exhibition match in Riyadh, which PSG won 5-4.

Remarkably, the pair have never once played on the same side in a professional or exhibition setting despite crossing paths for nearly two decades. Even a renewed matchup as rivals didn’t materialize this year at the 2026 World Cup, as Ronaldo’s Portugal was kept on the opposite side of the bracket from Messi’s Argentina, which fell to Spain in the final.

Match Overview

Al Nassr enter the match as favorites, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s side having won all four of their league fixtures this campaign as they look to keep their winning streak alive.

As for Al Ittihad, they currently sit sixth with eight points. While they have been far from their best form in recent seasons, a victory over Al Nassr could provide a massive boost to their campaign.

The Argentine forward missed the previous match against Sevilla due to an illness that kept him out of training, and Simeone made clear this week that a full return to the XI so soon would be premature despite the player working his way back into full fitness.

“He’s training very well. Tomorrow he’ll be called up, he’ll be part of the group traveling to play in Bilbao, and we expect the best from him,” Simeone said, confirming Alvarez’s inclusion in the travel squad while stopping short of naming him among the starters.

The comments suggest Atletico‘s staff wants to manage his workload carefully rather than throw him straight back into a demanding away fixture against an Athletic side that has historically been a tough outing at San Mames.

Alvarez’s rocky summer

Alvarez’s situation has been further complicated by a turbulent summer transfer saga. The forward pushed for a move to Barcelona during the window, an operation that ultimately fell through, and he also turned down interest from Arsenal, leaving him to continue under Simeone at Madrid for at least the remainder of the season.

His attempt to leave did not sit well with the club’s fanbase, who made their frustration known during his final home appearances before the window closed. The episode left him at odds with a fanbase that once fully embraced him, adding an extra layer of tension to his path back into the starting lineup.

With the market now closed and his future settled for the time being, Atletico’s coaching staff is focused on gradually restoring Alvarez to full sharpness, hoping his impact off the bench against Athletic can mark the first step toward reclaiming a regular starting role in the weeks ahead.

The trio’s absence adds to an already stretched defensive group, forcing interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos to dig into his squad depth to fill the gaps. Hoyos remains in charge of the team on a provisional basis while incoming coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez completes the work-permit process required to officially take over.

Reguilon, signed as a marquee arrival to shore up the left flank, and Lujan, who had recently broken into the starting lineup, both picked up their injuries during Miami’s game against Toronto, while Micael has already been sidelined for a longer stretch.

The timing is far from ideal for Miami, who are chasing points late in the season with the playoff picture still taking shape. Losing three defenders at once strips Hoyos of several established options just as the club looks to close out the year on solid footing, even with Messi still available to lead the attack.

Atlanta United, for their part, arrive at the match looking to make the most of a shorthanded Miami side, with the hosts under pressure to convert this stretch of games into meaningful points before the regular season winds down.

Abadia emerges as an option at left-back

With Reguilon out, Cesar Abadia is being considered as one of the options to fill in at left-back. The 20-year-old is a product of Inter Miami’s own academy, having signed as a Homegrown Player after coming through the club’s youth setup, and made his first-team debut earlier this year during a short-term loan spell from Inter Miami II.

Abadia has made just a handful of senior appearances so far, but his emergence as a fill-in option reflects how thin Miami’s fullback options have become, and a start against Atlanta would mark one of the biggest opportunities of his young career.

Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles guessed correctly and saved Mbappe’s effort in the 90+3rd minute, sealing a 1-0 win built on Troy Parrott’s 81st-minute header, after Real Madrid also had a Carlos Espi equalizer ruled out by VAR in the 87th minute.

It’s the latest in a growing list of missed spot kicks for the Frenchman since joining Real Madrid, following earlier misses against Liverpool and Athletic Club during the 2024-25 season, another against Barcelona in last season’s first Clasico, and one more in a matchday loss to Real Sociedad, though he converted the rebound on that occasion.

The struggles from the spot inevitably invite comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo, the club’s all-time top scorer and long regarded as one of the most reliable penalty takers in the sport. Across nine seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu, Ronaldo missed 13 penalties, roughly matching Mbappe’s current tally in a fraction of the time and attempts.

The difference lies largely in volume: Ronaldo scored around 79 penalties during his Real Madrid tenure, meaning his misses came against a much larger sample size than Mbappe has faced so far. Mbappe, for his part, has already converted 19 penalties since joining the club in 2024, according to Transfermarkt.

Mbappe joins Ronaldo on unwanted list of penalty misses

Mbappe is now the fifth player in Real Madrid’s history to miss a penalty in the closing minutes of a LaLiga match with the score tied or the team trailing by a single goal, joining Cristiano Ronaldo on a list first compiled by MisterChip on X (formerly Twitter).

The Portuguese forward’s miss came in 2006 against Valencia, when he stepped up late in the match with the score level and failed to convert, a moment that until now stood as the most recent entry on the list before Saturday’s game against Betis. The rest of the group is completed by Alfredo Di Stéfano, who missed twice, along with Paul Breitner and Raul.

The Ivorian arrived from Leipzig as Real Madrid’s most expensive signing in history, with a guaranteed $145 million fee that could increase further through bonuses. Yet after the opening four La Liga matches, Diomande has been given only limited opportunities, prompting questions about why Mourinho has been reluctant to throw him straight into the starting lineup.

According to Transfermarkt and Diario AS, Diomande played 25 minutes against Espanyol, six against Real Sociedad and 26 against Malaga, giving him just 57 minutes across Madrid‘s opening three league matches.

Following Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Real Betis on Friday, his overall tally had risen to only 83 minutes in the first four games. For a player carrying such a massive transfer fee, those numbers might appear surprising, but Mourinho has repeatedly stressed that the teenager’s development should be handled patiently.

Diomande is only 19 and has made an extraordinary rise over the past two years. After previously playing for Leganes B, he established himself at Leipzig and featured in 33 of 34 Bundesliga matches last season, starting 28 and producing 12 goals and eight assists.

Mourinho explains his cautious approach

Mourinho addressed Diomande’s situation after the victory over Málaga, making it clear that the transfer fee will not dictate how quickly the youngster is introduced: “He must take it step by step. He is working hard and well, he is open and humble, wants to learn, listens to his teammates, and will develop.”

The Portuguese coach also acknowledged the enormous price attached to the youngster while insisting that it should not change his thinking. “I cannot look at the amount of €120 or €130 million… How much did we pay? I need to look at a player coming from a high-level season at RB Leipzig,” Mourinho said, via Diario AS.

Why Mourinho does not want another Mastantuono situation

The reason behind Mourinho’s patience is now clearer: the Real Madrid manager wants to avoid repeating what happened with Franco Mastantuono by exposing another young signing to excessive pressure too quickly.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Mourinho is deliberately protecting Diomande from the expectations surrounding his record-breaking transfer. Diario AS has likewise reported that the coach is taking everything step by step, allowing the teenager to adapt before pushing him toward a regular starting role.

The approach also gives Mourinho a way to maintain balance within his squad. Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz impressed during pre-season and have earned their opportunities, meaning immediately displacing established players for a $145million arrival could create unnecessary pressure both on Diomande and inside the dressing room.

The major disadvantage facing Al-Nassr is financial, with the club operating under restrictions imposed by the Saudi Pro League‘s Financial Monitoring Committee. The restrictions are reportedly linked to debts exceeding 800 million Saudi riyals, or around $213 million, stemming from previous spending commitments.

According to multiple Saudi outlets, the Public Investment Fund, which owns Al-Nassr, has tightened financial controls around the club. The executive management must therefore demonstrate that sufficient funds are available through revenue or other sources before making further significant additions to the squad.

That has made the current transfer window particularly difficult for a team with title ambitions. Al-Nassr has been largely prevented from registering new players, leaving Ronaldo’s side unable to match the recruitment pace of its biggest competitors.

Samu Costa is the major exception

There has been one significant exception to the restrictions. Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa joined Al-Nassr from Real Mallorca in early August for a reported fee of around $25.6 million, but further business has proved considerably more complicated.

Even retaining existing players has presented challenges. Saudi winger Abdulrahman Ghareeb’s expired contract has reportedly been caught up in the same financial and registration issues, with potential player departures among the factors that could create additional room for Al-Nassr.

Rivals continue to strengthen with European stars

The biggest concern for Al-Nassr is the growing gap in recruitment activity. While the club featuring Ronaldo has struggled to make significant additions, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad have continued strengthening their squads with established names from European soccer, adding further quality to an already star-studded Saudi Pro League.

That recruitment strategy has transformed the league in recent seasons, with Saudi clubs increasingly competing for players who have spent years performing at the highest level in Europe. The ability of Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad to keep adding elite talent could become particularly significant as Al-Nassr attempts to defend its title.

Al-Ahli has been especially aggressive in building a squad around its international stars, combining major overseas arrivals, such as Francisco Trincao and Eduard Spertsyan, with an increasingly competitive domestic core. Al-Hilal, meanwhile, continues to possess one of the strongest squads in the country, consisting of new arriving trio Gabriel Martinelli, Crysencio Summerville, and Ollie Watkins. What’s more, Al-Ittihad remains another major force in the transfer market, after bringing in Jan-Carlo Simic, Dion Lopy, and Richard Rios.

The contrast is particularly frustrating for supporters because Al-Nassr is coming off a title-winning campaign and has Ronaldo as the centerpiece of its project. With rivals adding experienced European talent, concerns have naturally emerged over whether the current squad possesses enough depth to remain competitive throughout another demanding season.

“Inter Miami CF announces it has reached an agreement with Cristian Alberto ‘Kily’ Gonzalez to become the new head coach of the First Team. Gonzalez will officially take up his duties once he receives the corresponding work permits,” the club said in an official statement.

Gonzalez inherits a job that has quietly become one of the toughest in MLS to hold onto, regardless of who’s on the roster. Since the franchise’s founding, no coach has managed to stay in charge for 100 official matches.

The Argentine coach could make his debut as soon as Saturday against Atlanta United, taking charge of a team currently sitting second in the Eastern Conference with 42 points, 10 behind leader Nashville SC.

After that match, Miami is scheduled to face Chicago Fire and Nashville before a high-stakes Campeones Cup final against Cruz Azul on September 18. The month will close out with a pair of MLS fixtures, visiting San Diego on September 21 and Columbus Crew on September 28, giving Gonzalez an immediate run of matches to make his mark and attempt to become the first coach since 2020 to break Miami’s coaching curse.

Every Inter Miami head coach and how long they lasted

Inter Miami has now had seven different head coaches since entering MLS in 2020, and not one has reached the 100-match mark. Diego Alonso was the club’s inaugural coach, lasting 24 games, followed by interim Javier Morales with just 7. Phil Neville holds the club record with 90 matches between 2021 and 2023, the closest anyone has come to triple digits.

Since Messi’s arrival, Gerardo “Tata” Martino and Javier Mascherano each coached exactly 67 matches despite delivering the club’s first trophies, while Guillermo Hoyos managed 18 games on an interim basis before making way for Gonzalez.

More than half of those coaches had Messi on their roster during a period of significant growth for the franchise, underscoring just how demanding the job has been regardless of the talent on hand.

The former Tottenham star has never hidden his admiration for Ronaldo, whom he has regarded as an idol since his younger years. Yet when asked to compare two players who defined an era of soccer, Son admitted there is something about their careers that he simply cannot overlook.

The Messi-Ronaldo argument dominated soccer for more than a decade, particularly during their extraordinary spells at Barcelona and Real Madrid. Their individual statistics, trophies, and records created a rivalry that became one of the defining storylines of modern soccer.

For many fans, Messi’s 2022 World Cup triumph strengthened his case, giving him the major international trophy that had previously been missing from his résumé. His record eight Ballon d’Or awards, compared with Ronaldo’s five, have also become another significant talking point in the debate.

Ronaldo’s longevity, goalscoring record and success across different leagues provide an equally powerful argument for his supporters. Even the Korean star, one of Ronaldo’s admirers, recognizes that the debate is ultimately too close to dismiss either player.

Son remains huge Ronaldo admirer

Son’s preference for Ronaldo is deeply personal, with the Portuguese superstar having influenced the South Korean’s approach to soccer from an early age. Ronaldo’s explosiveness, finishing, athleticism, and dedication made a lasting impression on Son, who has repeatedly spoken about trying to emulate his idol.

That admiration has survived throughout Son’s career, including his time at Tottenham and now his move to Los Angeles FC. He even had the opportunity to face Ronaldo at the 2022 World Cup, when South Korea met Portugal in the group stage.

Speaking during an appearance on The Late Run show, Son explained just how highly he still regards the five-time Ballon d’Or winner: “I mean, look, those two is not comparable, you know, for me. First of all, both make a huge impact for football. The people, I think those two are making football really special. I mean, but I always said Cristiano Ronaldo because he’s my idol, still.”

The one thing Son cannot ignore

Son then highlighted the quality that continues to impress him about Ronaldo, even at this stage of the Portuguese star’s career: “He’s 41, whatever, how old he is, he look like a 20 [year-old] and he show how much love of soccer, the passion, but yeah, I can’t change this things, you know, like Lionel Messi. Wow.”

That was where Son’s answer took an interesting turn. Despite Ronaldo being his personal idol, Son conceded that Messi’s overall career makes it extremely difficult to deny the Argentine’s claim to being the greatest player ever.

“Probably I would say he’s the GOAT. I can’t, I can’t disagree with this. He’s probably the best player, but my eyes, my point of view, I always want to play like him, like Cristiano Ronaldo, you know”, he added.

The LAFC forward’s answer ultimately came down to the difference between personal inspiration and his assessment of greatness. “So that’s the reason that I will pick him [Ronaldo]. But look, those two it’s not comparable, you know. So both amazing. Both are GOATs.”

The LAFC star therefore remains firmly attached to Ronaldo as his personal choice, while simultaneously acknowledging that Messi has an incredibly strong case for the overall GOAT crown.

The situation is particularly intriguing because Ronaldo’s relationship with Al-Nassr extends beyond his role as a player. His influence at the club could eventually take a different form, but whether that remains possible may depend on how the club handles its increasingly complicated circumstances.

Al-Nassr has spent much of 2026 dealing with financial restrictions that have affected almost every area of its operations. Reports have claimed that the club’s debts have exceeded around $213 million, prompting tighter oversight and restrictions on spending.

The consequences have already been visible in the transfer market and within the squad. Al-Nassr has faced difficulties registering players and renewing contracts, while reports have also indicated that 18 youth players had their renewals blocked, forcing the club to rely on exceptionally young players to fill its squad.

Senior players have also been caught up in the uncertainty. The contract situations involving Abdulrahman Ghareeb and goalkeeper Raghed Al-Najjar have demonstrated that the financial restrictions are affecting more than potential new signings.

The major issue threatening Ronaldo’s future

For Ronaldo, the issue carries additional significance because his relationship with Al-Nassr is believed to extend beyond what happens on the pitch. The 41-year-old joined the Saudi club in late 2022 and has since become the face of both Al-Nassr and the wider project.

The biggest concern is the continued financial oversight itself. According to former Al-Nassr legal department manager and sports law specialist Saad Al-Subaie, if things don’t change soon, Ronaldo’s future with the club may be in jeopardy for next season. Saad Al-Subaie warned: “If this situation continues, then it is almost certain that Cristiano’s continuation beyond the end of this season will be in doubt.”

That warning creates a remarkable possibility. The Portuguese’s future may depend less on his performances or desire to continue playing and more on whether Al-Nassr can resolve the financial restrictions surrounding the club.

Problem that could affect his next role

The uncertainty could also extend beyond Ronaldo’s playing career. If his future involvement with Al-Nassr includes an administrative or ownership role, continued restructuring or changes to the club’s financial structure could affect how much influence he is able to maintain.

The club is already operating under greater financial supervision, with authorities looking at ways to improve revenues, reduce costs, and create a more sustainable model. Any major restructuring could therefore have consequences for Ronaldo’s position, particularly if the club’s ownership or leadership structure changes.

At the same time, there is no indication that Ronaldo is currently preparing to walk away. His focus remains on competing at the highest level and reaching his extraordinary scoring target, while Al-Nassr continues to count on him as its biggest sporting and commercial figure.

Real Madrid enters the match looking to maintain its perfect start to the 2026-27 campaign. Mourinho’s side had collected nine points from its opening three games, scoring 10 goals while conceding only twice, but the trip to Betis represented a considerably tougher test.

Betis has traditionally made life difficult for Madrid at home, having avoided defeat in each of the previous four meetings between the sides in Seville. Los Blancos’ last away victory over the Analusians came in August 2021, meaning Mourinho had a significant unwanted streak to end.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side also arrived with something to prove after suffering a surprising 5-2 defeat against Levante. Before that setback, Betis had opened the season with consecutive 1-0 victories over Real Sociedad and Valencia and remained one of the stronger teams outside La Liga’s traditional giants.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, had built considerable momentum. After narrowly beating Espanyol 2-1 away from home, it defeated Real Sociedad 4-1 before putting four past newly promoted Malaga.

Why Bernardo Silva is not starting against Betis

The Madrid manager had plenty of selection decisions to make, particularly with the Champions League opener against Inter approaching next week. In fact, the expected lineup had suggested Bernardo Silva could feature from the start, but the final team sheet delivered a different outcome.

However, the reason is primarily tactical, with Mourinho choosing Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde as his midfield pairing for the trip to La Cartuja. Arda Guler starts on the right side of the attacking unit, while Bellingham continues in his familiar advanced role behind Mbappe.

Silva therefore begins the match on the bench, despite being one of Madrid’s most experienced midfield options. The decision represents another example of Mourinho rotating his new signing as he continues to establish the right balance in his midfield.

The Portuguese midfielder joined Real Madrid from Manchester City on a free transfer in June 2026, signing a contract through 2028. His versatility means Mourinho can deploy him as a deeper midfielder, No. 8, No. 10 or in wider positions, giving the coach plenty of options even when Silva does not start.

Silva still has major role to play

Silva’s position in the squad should not be viewed as a sign that Mourinho has lost faith in him. The 32-year-old arrived after nine seasons at Manchester City, bringing enormous experience and a winning mentality to a Madrid team undergoing significant changes.

Mourinho has already shown that he is willing to rotate his midfield options rather than rely on the same XI every week. With La Liga and the Champions League beginning to overlap, keeping players fresh could become increasingly important.

That makes Silva an especially valuable option from the bench. His technical quality and ability to operate in multiple positions give Mourinho a player capable of changing the rhythm of a match, particularly if Betis manages to make Madrid uncomfortable.

While official confirmation is still pending, the plan is for all three friendlies to be played in Argentina during the FIFA window running from September 20 to October 6, giving fans a chance to reconnect with the team after the World Cup final loss to Spain.

The matches are expected to be held in Buenos Aires, likely at El Monumental, along with stops in Rosario and either Cordoba or Santiago del Estero. The AFA is also reportedly hoping to convince Messi to attend at least one of the matches, whether as a player in a farewell game or as a special guest.

Argentina also won’t be able to call on several players and staff members currently serving FIFA suspensions stemming from incidents after the World Cup final against Spain: Leandro Paredes faces the longest ban at 10 matches, followed by Nahuel Molina (7), assistant coach Roberto Ayala (3), and Thiago Almada (1).

While FIFA had approved a request allowing those sanctions to be served in friendlies rather than exclusively in official competitions, that relief comes with a catch — if the matches are played on Argentine soil, FIFA reportedly wouldn’t classify them as Class A friendlies, meaning none of those serving bans would be able to start clearing their suspensions, or even complete them, through these games.

Scaloni’s future remains uncertain

Beyond the matches themselves, the window arrives amid growing uncertainty over Scaloni’s own future. Asked whether the World Cup final carried the feel of a farewell despite his wish to continue, the coach didn’t rule out an exit.

“I have a contract until December and after that I’ll probably step away, contrary to what you’d think. I still have to talk with the president about it. This job is a dream, but it demands a lot of time, there’s a lot to do. We’ll see, I’ll be here until December,” Scaloni said, putting his continuation beyond the end of the year seriously in doubt.

AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia pushed back on that uncertainty in an interview with TyC Sports, making clear the federation has no interest in looking beyond its current coach. “I don’t have a Plan B. My Plan A, my Plan B and my Plan C is Scaloni,” Tapia said. Whether that support is enough to convince Scaloni to extend his stay should become clear by the end of the year, once his contract officially expires.

Martino, who led Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters’ Shield before stepping away last year, didn’t hold back when discussing the challenge of trying to contain his old captain.

“Really, he’s the one who has the decision, not us — we’re the ones who are going to play against him. It’s always been that way. I don’t know, we just saw it, 39 years old at a World Cup, and everything that happened in a match went through him,” Martino said.

The reference wasn’t lost on anyone following Messi’s summer: at 39, he delivered arguably his best statistical World Cup, scoring eight goals as Argentina reached the final before falling to Spain.

“No team is capable of neutralizing him for 92, 93, 95 minutes of a match. So there’s always a moment where he’s going to be decisive. Sometimes there are many moments in a match, sometimes, like the match against England, it’s just one moment and it’s over, there’s no turning back,” Martino continued.

“And this is the same thing. I told the players: if we control the game for 89 minutes, it’s possible we still lose it,” the Argentine coach added. The comments set the stage for Saturday’s matchup, as Atlanta look to spring an upset against a Miami side currently sitting second in the Eastern Conference.

Martino and Messi’s shared history across three teams

Martino first coached Messi at Barcelona during the 2013-14 season, guiding the club to a 40-11-8 record across 59 matches and lifting the Spanish Super Cup, though Barcelona fell short in both LaLiga and the Copa del Rey that year.

He then took the reins of the Argentina national team in 2014, leading Messi and company to a 19-7-3 record over two years, reaching back-to-back Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016, both of which ended in defeat to Chile.

Their most successful stretch together came at Inter Miami, where Messi’s arrival in 2023 produced an immediate impact under Martino, scoring 11 goals in his first nine matches for the club.

Martino went on to guide Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield before departing the club last year, closing out a partnership with Messi that spanned more than a decade across three different teams.

WHO: Real Betis vs Real Madrid
WHAT: La Liga
WHEN: 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT • Friday, September 4, 2026
WHERE: Fubo
STREAM: WATCH NOW 

Match Overview

Real Betis enters this high-stakes clash desperate to make a statement and erase the memory of a shocking 5-2 defeat to Levante. After starting the season with two disciplined 1-0 victories, the loss exposed defensive vulnerabilities that the club hoped were a thing of the past. Facing the league leaders is a monumental challenge, but Betis can draw confidence from their formidable home record against Los Blancos, having avoided defeat in their last four encounters in Seville.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid arrives in Seville with a perfect record, sitting atop the La Liga table after three commanding wins to open the Jose Mourinho era. Los Blancos have been a juggernaut, scoring an impressive 10 goals and looking every bit the part of a title favorite. This away fixture represents their sternest test yet, and maintaining their flawless start is crucial to solidifying their championship credentials early in the season.

Tactical Analysis & Match Context

The 2026/27 season has started with contrasting fortunes for these two clubs. Real Madrid has established immediate dominance, showcasing an offensive firepower that has overwhelmed their opponents and positioned them as the team to beat. In contrast, Real Betis has shown flashes of brilliance with two clean-sheet victories, but their heavy defeat last week raises questions about their consistency and ability to compete with the league’s elite.

This match projects to be an aggressive, high-tempo affair defined by transitions. Real Madrid’s devastating attack, led by Kylian Mbappé, will look to exploit any space left by a Betis side that is known for playing on the front foot at home. The key battle will be in the midfield, where Madrid’s control and quick distribution will test Betis’s defensive structure and their ability to counter-press effectively.

The motivations are crystal clear for both squads. For Real Madrid, anything less than three points would be a disruption to their title charge and perfect start under Mourinho. For Real Betis, this is a golden opportunity to prove their European ambitions are legitimate, secure a massive statement victory, and instantly rebound from their embarrassing loss to Levante.

Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends

Historically, Real Madrid has held a significant advantage in this fixture, claiming 78 victories in 143 all-time meetings, compared to just 32 wins for Real Betis. This long-term dominance underscores the challenge facing the home side, even with their recent positive results in Seville.

However, recent history tells a more competitive story. Across the last five matchups, the results are nearly even, with Real Madrid winning two, Real Betis one, and two matches ending in a draw. Crucially, Betis are undefeated in their last four home games against Los Blancos, though three of those ended in draws, including a hard-fought 1-1 stalemate in their last meeting in April 2026.

From a statistical perspective, goals have been a consistent feature. Both teams have found the net in three of the last five encounters. Last season, an impressive 68% of Betis’s La Liga matches saw both teams score, the third-highest rate in the division, signaling their tendency for open, attacking games.

Squad News & Projected Lineups

Both managers will be forced to navigate significant injury lists, but each side is still expected to field a powerful starting eleven for this crucial La Liga showdown.

Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini is contending with a number of key absences, including Giovani Lo Celso, Aitor Ruibal, and Gonzalo Petit. These injuries particularly impact the team’s midfield depth and attacking options, forcing others to step up in a must-win home fixture.

Real Madrid is also heavily impacted by injuries, with stalwarts like Éder Militão, Rodrygo, and Aurélien Tchouaméni all sidelined. Despite the long list of absentees, José Mourinho has more than enough world-class talent to compensate, with players like Eduardo Camavinga proving crucial in filling key roles.

Real Betis Projected XI (4-2-3-1):

Vallés; Bellerín, Bartra, Natan, García; Roca, Bernal; Antony, Isco, Riquelme; Parrott

Betis is expected to line up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. The creative burden will fall on Isco, playing against his former club, to unlock Madrid’s defense and supply chances for striker Troy Parrott. The width provided by Antony and Riquelme will be essential in trying to stretch the game and create one-on-one opportunities.

Real Madrid Projected XI (4-2-3-1):

Courtois; Trent, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Camavinga; Díaz, Bellingham, Vinícius; Mbappé

Mourinho will likely deploy a dynamic 4-2-3-1, built to maximize offensive output. Kylian Mbappé will spearhead the attack, with a fluid and dangerous trio of Brahim Díaz, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Jr. operating behind him. This lineup is designed for relentless pressure, quick transitions, and clinical finishing.

More details on how to watch

The Real Betis vs Real Madrid match is exclusively available on Fubo in the United States.

You can watch the game on a variety of devices, including your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV, and other compatible smart TVs.

In addition to this La Liga clash, a subscription to Fubo gives you access to other top European competitions like Bundesliga and Premier League, as well as programming from networks.

The service is available for a monthly fee of $64.99, offering a comprehensive package for soccer fans.

Beyond soccer, your subscription also includes a wide range of other entertainment, including blockbuster movies, popular TV series, and other live sporting events.

SEE MORE: For a complete schedule of upcoming games, visit our La Liga 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.

With Robert Lewandowski departing for the Chicago Fire as a free agent, Ferran Torres was initially positioned to serve as Barcelona’s primary focal point for the 2026-27 season, but with his contract expiring in 2027, a resolution regarding his long-term future became necessary. In an interview, Torres noted that “Barca have to show that they want me” to initiate contract extension talks, ultimately choosing a departure.

During a Media Day organized by PSG, Ferran Torres addressed reporters to share details on how his transfer unfolded: “The contacts with PSG began even before the World Cup. They called us and we talked. Then I had already made up my mind because I wanted to play for a club like PSG. It is a step forward in my career that I am super proud of because I am joining the European champion.”

Torres delivered an instant impact for PSG during his club debut against Stade Rennais after entering as a halftime substitute. Replacing Ousmane Dembele with PSG trailing 2-0, the Spaniard netted a second-half brace to secure a 2-2 draw, becoming just the third player in franchise history to score twice on his club debut alongside Patrick Mboma in 1994 and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2012.

He also expanded on his deep relationship with manager Luis Enrique, who previously coached him with Spain. “I have always said that Luis Enrique was like a father to me ever since I arrived at the Spanish National Team. He has always believed in me. He believed in me so that I would sign for PSG. He has always given me a lot of confidence, and I hope to repay it this season,” he added.

Having featured across the frontline as a central attacker and wide winger at Barcelona and Manchester City, Torres offers tactical flexibility for Luis Enrique’s system. Following the departures of Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos, the Spaniard has integrated seamlessly into Paris Saint-Germain’s dynamic attacking setup.

Ferran Torres to meet Barcelona again in the Champions League

As if scripted by fate, the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League league phase draw paired Paris Saint-Germain against Barcelona. Having chosen a move to the French capital over remaining in Catalonia, Torres now prepares to face his former teammates just months after his exit.

When asked about the upcoming fixture, the 26-year-old was straightforward regarding the emotion surrounding the matchup: “The match against Barcelona will be special. They were my teammates for four and a half years. It’s going to be an exciting match for me and for the team. PSG-Barcelona matches are always special. We will try to win, but we’ll see.“

The marquee clash between PSG and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, with Torres aiming to help the club maintain its European dominance. “PSG is right now the best team in Europe. They’ve won the last two Champions Leagues. And that puts more pressure on our rivals. We have to improve. We’ll try to win the Champions League for the third consecutive year,” he concluded.

During the 2026 World Cup, Julian Alvarez dropped a massive bombshell by making clear his intent to leave Atletico Madrid in order to “fulfill his career dream” of joining Barcelona. His public statement prompted CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin to issue a strict directive barring any negotiations with the Catalan club for the Argentine forward.

An alternative exit route surfaced with Arsenal expressing interest, but Alvarez’s reluctance to return to England combined with his singular focus on Barcelona brought discussions to a complete standstill. Despite getting booed by Atletico supporters ahead of the deadline, the board’s refusal to negotiate with Barcelona prevented the move from going through, though the pursuit is far from over.

According to Spanish insider David Bernabeu on Sport TV, Barcelona “are going to go all out” to secure Alvarez during the winter transfer window opening on January 1. The situation inside Camp Nou offices has intensified to the point that “it has become a personal matter,” the journalist reported.

After the Alvarez deal fell through alongside the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Barcelona settled on a €10 million ($11.6 million USD) deadline-day deal for Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus. However, with the Brazilian limited to 13 goals across 54 appearances over his past two seasons, the club’s search for an elite long-term focal point like Alvarez remains fully active.

Julian Alvarez receives advice from Atletico Madrid legend

Having publicly declared his desire to leave, Alvarez’s relationship with the fanbase has grown hostile, as evidenced by his recent reception at the Metropolitano. During Atletico’s home opener against Villarreal, the Argentine was jeered by supporters whenever featured on the stadium screens, though he has received backing from a prominent club icon.

Posting a video on his X account, Paulo Futre sent an open message to Alvarez, offering counsel on how to rebuild his standing with the Colchoneros: “Forgiveness isn’t with words, it’s with goals. And I have no doubt that you are going to give everything and sweat the jersey down to the last drop for this crest. Come on Atleti Julian! Let’s go, champion!“

After arriving at Atletico in 1987 following a Champions League title with FC Porto, Futre spent eight seasons in the Spanish capital, totaling 209 appearances, 51 goals, and four assists while lifting two Copa del Rey trophies. His legacy extends beyond raw statistics, headlined by a memorable performance against Real Madrid in the 1992 Copa del Rey final and his famous rejection of a transfer to Los Blancos out of loyalty to Atletico.

On Thursday, August 27, Inter Miami announced in an official club statement that an agreement was reached to appoint Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez as the club’s new first-team head coach. While contract duration details remain undisclosed, the former Argentina international will assume his duties on the touchline once work authorization is finalized.

A former international teammate, Gonzalez joins an exclusive fraternity of figures who shared the pitch with Messi before guiding him from the dugout. He joins a list that was first established by Lionel Scaloni taking over the Argentina national team, followed by Javier Mascherano during his recent managerial stint with Inter Miami.

The most prominent name on the list is Mascherano, who ranks fifth all-time in matches played alongside Messi with 414 shared appearances. The defender and forward partnered extensively for Argentina’s senior team, claimed Olympic gold together at the 2008 Beijing Games, and anchored FC Barcelona’s dominant era before reuniting when Mascherano assumed Inter Miami’s head coaching position in 2025.

Scaloni initiated this trend when he took charge of the Argentina national team in 2018, eventual helping Messi capture his first major international trophies with the Albiceleste. Prior to his managerial tenure, Scaloni shared the pitch with Messi during the forward’s infamously brief 2005 international debut against Hungary, a 2006 friendly against Angola, and their final match together against Mexico at the 2006 World Cup.

Finally, Kily Gonzalez shared the field with Messi while representing Argentina during 2005 World Cup qualifying, featuring alongside the young prodigy in a 2-0 win over Peru and a 1-0 loss to Uruguay, which marked Gonzalez’s final international match. While former teammates like Pablo Aimar, Walter Samuel, and Roberto Ayala have coached Messi as assistants in Argentina, the list of head coaches remains exclusive to Scaloni, Mascherano, and now Gonzalez.

Messi’s performance being coached by former teammates

Playing for managers who were once peers on the field highlights Messi’s remarkable career longevity, while creating a unique dynamic in the locker room. Nevertheless, the Argentine forward has consistently produced staggering individual output under former teammates, establishing high expectations for Gonzalez’s tenure in Miami.

Under Scaloni’s stewardship with Argentina, Messi featured in 79 international matches, generating 60 goals and 26 assists. Beyond the individual numbers, that partnership yielded historic silver, with Messi finally capturing his maiden major international trophies, including the 2021 Copa America, 2022 Finalissima, 2022 FIFA World Cup, and 2024 Copa America.

Mascherano assumed management of Inter Miami ahead of the 2025 campaign following Gerardo Martino’s departure, concluding his stint in April 2026. Across 57 matches under Mascherano’s direction, Messi delivered 51 goals and 25 assists for the Herons, a stretch highlighted by the franchise capturing its first MLS Cup in late 2025.

The 22-year-old, who rose through Inter Miami’s academy to the first team in 2023, saw his playing time shrink dramatically this season, appearing in just 11 of a possible 28 matches with only three starts and no goals or assists to his name.

That marks a steep drop from his earlier seasons in Miami, where he contributed a goal in six appearances during the club’s 2023 Leagues Cup triumph and added a goal and two assists across 28 games during the 2024 Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign.

Ruiz’s momentum was also disrupted by injury, as a hamstring problem kept him out of Inter Miami’s run to the 2025 MLS Cup title, a trophy he watched Lionel Messi and his teammates lift without him. With his opportunities limited again this year, the midfielder ultimately decided a move away from Miami was the best path to reviving his career.

Asked by Bolavip about his goals heading into this new chapter, Ruiz didn’t hold back. “Yeah, I’m looking to come, add my little grain of rice, being able to come and work hard and fight for a position,” he said. “And yeah, I just come with the mentality to win and make it to the playoffs”.

He now joins a young Red Bulls squad currently sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference, hoping regular minutes under Michael Bradley can put his career back on track.

Noah Allen also departs Inter Miami

Ruiz wasn’t the only academy product to leave Inter Miami around the transfer deadline. Defender Noah Allen, the club’s all-time appearance leader with 133 outings across all competitions, was sold to Eastern Conference rival Chicago Fire.

The 22-year-old had been with the organization since 2019, working his way up from the academy to become a fixture in Miami’s backline, and won both the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters’ Shield during his time with the club.

The comments echo the stance he took last season, when he openly campaigned for Ousmane Dembele to win the award after PSG claimed their first-ever Champions League title, and come off the back of the club retaining that trophy this year. “I don’t care who wins the Ballon d’Or. But, in my opinion, it has to be a PSG player,” Luis Enrique said.

He pointed to several players within his squad as deserving candidates, citing their achievements over the past year. “We have players who have won the Champions League. We have Fabian Ruiz, who won the World Cup… Ousmane Dembele, who won the Ballon d’Or last season,” he continued, before adding: “That’s my opinion. But I’m not interested in individual awards, the most important thing is the collective”.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or will be awarded on October 26 at The London Palladium, with this year’s ceremony evaluating performances between July 2025 and July 19, 2026, a window that includes the World Cup final.

Who are the favorites to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or

Unlike previous years, there’s no clear frontrunner, with at least eight players in serious contention: Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Michael Olise, Dembele himself, and Lionel Messi.

Rodri enters as a strong candidate after winning the World Cup with Spain and being named the tournament’s best player, while Kane dominated domestically with Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga and finishing as its top scorer with 36 goals in 31 games, despite falling short in the Champions League and World Cup semifinals.

Messi, meanwhile, also remains in the conversation after a standout World Cup at 39 years old, scoring eight goals in what statistically became his best tournament, and could become the first player to reach nine Ballon d’Or trophies if he wins it again.

The financial oversight issue isn’t new — Al Nassr have spent much of the summer working to secure approval from Saudi authorities just to reinforce the squad.

But Al-Sabaie’s comments suggest the situation carries broader implications than just transfer activity, extending to how the club manages its existing commitments, including Ronaldo’s own contract and equity stake.

Under restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Al Nassr have been barred from registering new signings until they can demonstrate sufficient funds through sponsorships or other revenue streams.

The Saudi Pro League’s Financial Control Committee has already refused to approve contract renewals for 18 youth players, while renewals for first-team figures like Abdulrahman Ghareeb and goalkeeper Raghed Al-Najjar have also reportedly faced delays.

Ronaldo’s ownership stake in the club

Ronaldo’s situation adds another layer to the club’s financial complexity. Beyond his playing contract, which runs through 2027, the Portuguese forward holds an ownership stake of around 15% to 20% in Al Nassr following a deal struck alongside his last contract extension in June 2025.

With the PIF reportedly exploring the sale of a majority stake in the club to new investors as part of the broader restructuring, how that process plays out could shape not just Ronaldo’s future on the pitch, but his role in the club’s ownership structure going forward.

On Thursday, September 3, Inter Miami announced that defender Noah Allen completed a transfer to the Chicago Fire. The transaction was structured as a loan deal through the remainder of 2026, featuring a mandatory purchase option that will automatically trigger at the conclusion of the season to make the transfer permanent.

As reported by Michelle Kaufman of the Miami Herald, the mandatory buy clause is set at approximately $3 million, meaning that entire sum will be reimbursed as allowable General Allocation Money (GAM) for Inter Miami‘s roster construction starting in the 2027 season.

Speaking to Inter Miami’s official media channels, the homegrown defender reflected on his tenure with the club and his experience sharing the pitch with Messi. “I’m thankful to have been a part of Inter Miami and its history, and to have seen the Club grow into what it is today. I’m certainly grateful to play with the best player in the world, and players alongside him with a great history,” he stated.

After making his first-team debut in 2022, Allen featured prominently across the rosters that captured all of Inter Miami’s major hardware, including the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, and the 2025 MLS Cup. Over his time in South Florida, Allen tallied three goals and seven assists across 133 appearances in all competitions, establishing the franchise record for most games played in an Inter Miami shirt.

Messi won’t catch up to Allen until 2027

Lionel Messi has firmly established himself as the most influential figure in Inter Miami history, holding the club’s all-time records for both goals (98) and assists (54). However, the forward has yet to break into the top three on the club’s all-time appearances leaderboard.

Currently, Messi sits in fifth place with 111 appearances for the Herons, trailing Robert Taylor and Sergio Busquets (116 matches each), Drake Callender (118 matches), and Allen, who broke the all-time record back in April with 133 appearances. Even with none of those top four players remaining active on Inter Miami’s roster, the Argentine icon cannot reach the summit in 2026.

Including the upcoming Campeones Cup clash against Cruz Azul and the remaining slate of the 2026 MLS regular season, Inter Miami have 13 matches scheduled. Should the Herons advance all the way to the MLS Cup Final (including a three-game round in the first round of the playoffs) they would add a maximum of six additional fixtures. Even if Messi features in every single minute of all 19 potential remaining matches, he would reach 130 appearances, leaving him three shy of Allen’s 133-match benchmark and pushing his record chase into the 2027 season.

“Congratulations, eh… Excellent s— job,” Neymar wrote sarcastically in an Instagram story aimed at the club’s field caretaker. “Yesterday was the worst pitch Vila has ever had, full of holes because they did the decompaction the day before the match. Unbelievable!” he added.

“Besides playing against our opponent, we also played against the field… and on top of that we have to push harder just to start and stop while running because the ground is uneven, it’s not for nothing that three players felt discomfort in the first half,” he wrote in a follow-up story.

The discomfort came after Neymar received the ball with Agustin Giay closing him down and attempted a shot from outside the box with his left foot. Moments later he began grabbing at his right thigh and signaled to the bench in the 43rd minute.

He finished out the first half before Cuca opted to bring on Rony in his place at the break, as Santos were unable to overturn the 3-0 deficit from the first leg, leaving them eliminated in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals.

Cuca addresses Neymar’s possible return

Medical tests were conducted Thursday to determine the extent of the injury, though Santos had yet to confirm an official diagnosis. Head coach Cuca acknowledged it’s unlikely Neymar will be available for the club’s next Brasileirao fixture. “It’s not a situation we want, he’s probably out. We’re going to have to manage without him,” the coach said.

Santos will visit Internacional on Sunday, September 6, before returning to continue their Copa Sudamericana campaign against Atletico Mineiro in the first leg of the quarterfinals on Wednesday, September 8, with Neymar’s availability for either match still to be determined pending further evaluation.

Jackman has been a boyhood supporter of Norwich City, rooted in his family connection with his mother originally hailing from the East Anglian city. Having attended matches at Carrow Road over the years, the actor revealed he was previously offered an investment opportunity in the club back in 2010, a proposal he turned down at the time and ultimately came to regret.

Now, a fresh opportunity has emerged, and when asked in an interview with talkSPORT whether minority stakeholders offered him a chance to invest in Norwich City, Jackman was transparent about his intentions: “I’m very, very interested, and talking about it right now.“

He praised the transformative work accomplished by Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham, while firmly reiterating his loyalty to the Norfolk side. “Good on Ryan, you do your thing, I’m all about the Canaries,” he added.

Jackman concluded with a bold double-promotion prediction, forecasting that both clubs will earn a place in the Premier League for the following season: “I went to Carrow Road a couple of times, and I love the Canaries, and this is the year we’re going to get promoted. My prediction is Norwich and Wrexham are getting promoted this year.“

Reynolds and Jackman face-to-face in the EFL Championship?

Reynolds and McElhenney spearheaded the trend of A-list celebrity ownership in English football after acquiring Wrexham, engineering a fairy-tale rise from the fifth-tier National League in 2021 to the EFL Championship. Norwich City, by contrast, boast an extensive history in the Premier League, but with Jackman potentially coming aboard, the two Hollywood stars could face off as club directors this season.

The initial fixture between Norwich City and Wrexham is scheduled for December 5 at Carrow Road, with the return leg set for March 16, 2027, at the Racecourse Ground. The two sides met last season, splitting the season series with each club claiming a road victory (2-1 for Norwich in North Wales and 3-2 for Wrexham in Norfolk).

Norwich City’s ownership structure

Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones previously served as the iconic public faces of Norwich City after taking majority control 29 years ago in November 1996. However, the club’s corporate hierarchy recently underwent a major restructuring, initiated when American billionaire Mark Attanasio began building his investment portfolio in the club in 2022.

In early 2025, Norwich City issued a formal statement confirming that Norfolk Holdings had assumed 85 percent majority control of the club, with Attanasio leading the board of directors. Consequently, Smith and Wynn Jones retained a combined 10 percent equity stake, with remaining shares distributed among minority investors.

While Jackman revealed his intent to join Norwich City’s investment group, the exact size of his equity stake and degree of operational involvement remain unconfirmed. Although he acknowledged holding preliminary discussions with Smith, the former club chairman now controls only a 10 percent share, with details regarding any equity sale yet to be finalized.

This highly anticipated duel will pit Ronaldo’s remarkable longevity against the explosive power of Haaland. Throughout his illustrious career, the Portuguese forward has showcased his talents at every major European destination he joined. Meanwhile, the Norwegian striker has bullied defenders across the continent with his incredible physical strength and ruthless finishing.

The long wait for this monumental encounter will finally end on Sunday, September 27, 2026. The match will take place at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, where the home squad will host the Portuguese roster in a crucial Nations League fixture. A subsequent return meeting is already scheduled for October 4 in Porto, giving fans another chance to witness the spectacle.

The Portuguese maestro and the Norwegian sensation have each carved out remarkable careers on the club and international stages. The former has spent years at the pinnacle of European soccer with clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr, while the latter’s meteoric rise has seen him shine at Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City. Despite their prominence, they have surprisingly never played against each other in a competitive fixture.

Their paths have also not crossed on the international stage. Portugal and Norway have met multiple times, but these encounters occurred before Haaland established himself as a senior international star in 2019. This absence of face-to-face competition is even more notable considering how often their names are compared due to their goalscoring prowess and attacking brilliance.

Have Messi and Haaland ever crossed paths?

With the spotlight shining on this unprecedented European clash, observers naturally wonder about the Argentine legend’s history with the Norwegian powerhouse. In fact, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland have also never played against each other in an official match. Their paths completely bypassed one another during their respective domestic and continental campaigns.

During the height of his European career, the Argentine maestro was securing trophies with his beloved Spanish employers, Barcelona. At the same time, the young Norwegian phenom was busy making a name for himself in Germany and England. The draw for the UEFA Champions League never paired their respective squads together on the pitch.

The situation at the international level mirrors their missed connections in domestic leagues. The South American champions Argentina simply never scheduled any friendly or competitive fixtures against the Scandinavian squad during their overlapping active years. As a result, a direct head-to-head battle between these global icons remained entirely elusive.

Furthermore, any hope of an international clash between the Argentine and the Norwegian was recently extinguished. Messi recently announced his retirement from international action, ending an illustrious La Albiceleste career with a record 207 caps and 125 goals. His achievements include winning the 2022 World Cup, but now the possibility of future encounters with Haaland in international tournaments is gone.

Could they still meet in the future?

Since Messi now plays for Inter Miami in MLS and Haaland remains at Manchester City, their chances of meeting in European club competitions are slim. The two teams are in different hemispheres and different continents, making traditional fixtures unlikely. However, despite the permanent closure of their international window, a tiny glimmer of hope still exists for a club-level encounter.

The most realistic pathway for a future showdown would be the FIFA Club World Cup. If Inter Miami qualifies as a continental champion and Manchester City qualifies through UEFA, they could face off in the tournament, providing a rare competitive encounter. Club friendly matches are another possibility, especially during pre-season tours when European clubs often travel to the U.S. for exhibitions.

Days after the market closed, Jose Mourinho was asked about the situation during his press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s clash with Real Betis, and the veteran coach chose to weigh in with his own perspective on how it should play out.

“No one knows him better than Simeone, no one knows the club better than Simeone, and I don’t think I have anything at all to say about this situation,” Mourinho said, deferring to Atletico boss Diego Simeone on how to handle the matter internally.

Rather than commenting on Atletico‘s handling of the saga, he pivoted to a broader principle he says he applies to any player in Alvarez’s position. “What I normally say is that when a player isn’t happy, once September 1st arrives, you have to be satisfied or you don’t play until January 1st,” Mourinho continued.

The Portuguese coach believes Julian Alvarez will remain an important piece for Atletico Madrid, at least until the next transfer window opens in January. “That’s why my sense is that, from yesterday onward, and at least until December 31st, he’ll be an important player for his club,” he concluded.

Alvarez remains at Atletico Madrid after the transfer saga dominated headlines throughout the closing days of the window, with the club now expected to count on him as an attacking option at least through the winter market, when his situation could once again come under scrutiny.

Alvarez wants to be a starter again

Alvarez put in a double training session at Atletico Madrid’s Ciudad Deportiva to work his way back to full physical sharpness after the collapse of his move to Barcelona.

The former Manchester City striker stayed on for extra hours alongside Argentina national teammate Cristian Romero and fellow defender Marc Pubill. Alvarez had been left out of Atletico’s 3-1 win over Sevilla amid the back-and-forth over his exit, but has now shifted his focus back to the season ahead.

Diego Simeone has already confirmed that Alvarez will be included in the squad for Saturday’s match against Athletic Club at San Mames, though he’s expected to feature off the bench as he builds up his fitness. From here, the Argentine will need to win back the trust of Atletico’s fanbase through his performances and effort on the pitch, much as he did when he first arrived at the club.

The 61-year-old arrived at Al-Nassr in July on a two-year contract after Jorge Jesus departed for the Portugal national team. Since then, the Australian has embraced the challenge of working in a rapidly developing league, while also finding himself at the center of Ronaldo’s pursuit of another remarkable career milestone.

Postecoglou has built a fascinating managerial career, working across Australia, Japan, Scotland and England before taking charge of Al-Nassr. His European experience included spells with Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, with his time at Tottenham ending shortly after he guided the club to the 2025 Europa League title.

His arrival in the Middle East therefore naturally raised questions about why he would choose to leave the European soccer environment. For Postecoglou, though, the decision was never simply about comparing one league with another. Instead, one particular opportunity made the Al-Nassr project especially difficult to resist.

Why Ronaldo played major role in his decision

Postecoglou revealed that the chance to become part of Cristiano Ronaldo’s story was one of the attractions of moving to Riyadh. The manager views his career partly through the relationships he has built with extraordinary players, and Ronaldo represents perhaps the biggest name on that list.

Speaking on The Howie Games podcast, Postecoglou said: “When I reflect on my career, what stands out for me is that I’ve been unbelievably blessed in being part of other people’s journeys.” He recalled working with legendary figures throughout his career, including Ferenc Puskás, Australian icon Tim Cahill and Son Heung-min.

Postecoglou explained: “So, there’s no doubt, Cristiano Ronaldo’s here, you kind of go, I can become a small part of his story as well.” The Australian stressed that his motivation was not selfish. He added: “Not that they’ll tell my story alongside it, but I can tell that story, and that was a part of it as well.”

Will Postecoglou regret decision?

The manager also pushed back against the idea that joining the Saudi Pro League represented a backward step. Rather than judging the competition by its location or perceived prestige, Postecoglou said he focused on whether the project offered genuine opportunities.

Postecoglou said: “People say ‘it’s not in Europe, it’s not a higher profile league’ but I’ve always railed against people who are snobbish about certain leagues and everything.” He added: “I wasn’t going to turn around and say that’s a backwards step for me. I never see things that way.”

Instead, the Australian asked whether he could make an impact and whether the challenge would excite him. He continued: “It ticked those boxes for me because it’s a league that’s obviously invested a lot of money, there’s some top managers here, some top players here. The chance to be a part of that was significant.”

Al-Nassr had been expected to remain active after making changes to its squad and bringing in a new manager. However, financial oversight has increasingly complicated the club’s plans, with even potential incoming deals becoming difficult to complete.

The biggest issue concerns the club’s attempt to find a foreign replacement for Brazilian winger Wesley, who was loaned to Cruzeiro. Negotiations had been ongoing, but the financial situation surrounding Al-Nassr has now forced the club to reconsider whether another addition is possible.

According to Saudi journalist Nawaf Oga, the agents of the foreign player targeted as Wesley’s replacement were informed that negotiations had been permanently halted. The report also indicates that financial oversight affecting the club is expected to continue for several months.

That situation leaves Al-Nassr with very little room to maneuver. The club’s recent arrival of Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa for $25.6 million had suggested that more activity could follow, but the financial restrictions have ultimately proved difficult to overcome.

Abdulrahman Ghareeb remains caught in the middle

One of the most complicated situations involves Abdulrahman Ghareeb, whose future has already been the subject of considerable uncertainty. Although Al-Nassr has agreed to renew the Saudi winger’s contract, his registration still depends on the club creating enough financial space.

That process is connected to midfielder Ali Al-Hassan’s potential move to Al Fateh. However, Al Fateh must first complete the sale of Saeed Baatiah to Al Ahli, creating a chain of transactions that needs to fall into place before Al-Nassr can complete Ghareeb’s registration.

The situation demonstrates just how restrictive the current financial controls have become. A player who has already agreed a renewal can still be left waiting because the club needs another transfer to create the necessary financial space.

Al-Nassr makes its final transfer-market decision

The major development is that Al-Nassr is now set to end its summer transfer activity, with no more incoming signings expected during this window. Reports from journalists Nawaf Oga and Haitam El Imani indicate that the club has effectively finished its recruitment for the summer.

The only potential exception concerns Ghareeb. If Al-Nassr completes the sale of Ali Al-Hassan and receives the transfer fee while also freeing enough money to cover his salary, Ghareeb’s registration could finally be approved.

That means the club’s transfer plans are effectively finished even though one important piece of administrative business remains unresolved. The foreign player targeted to replace Wesley will not arrive, leaving Postecoglou to work with the squad already assembled.

The decision represents a significant challenge for the Australian manager, who arrived at Al-Nassr after Jorge Jesus’ departure and has been tasked with building a competitive side around Ronaldo. The Australian manager will now have to rely heavily on the existing squad rather than expecting further reinforcements.

The return would carry extra meaning given what happened the last time Milan visited Juventus. Pulisic has unfinished business in Turin, but Amorim is taking a cautious approach to his comeback, creating an intriguing situation for the American.

Pulisic has endured a difficult 2026, with injuries repeatedly interrupting his momentum. His latest setback came at the World Cup, where bone edema in the area connecting the tibia and fibula of his right leg disrupted his preseason preparations and left him playing catch-up.

The winger also has a particularly painful memory of Juventus‘ home stadium. On October 5, 2025, Pulisic missed a penalty in a 0-0 draw, another frustrating moment in a period when injuries prevented him from consistently showing his best form for Milan. Now, almost a year later, the American is looking for redemption.

MilanNews reports that Pulisic is determined to return to the Allianz Stadium and make a positive impact after failing to score for the Rossoneri during 2026. The weekend could therefore represent an opportunity to begin putting several difficult months behind him.

What did Amorim say about Pulisic’s playing time?

Pulisic has already been named among the substitutes twice this season without seeing a single minute of action. That has raised questions about when Amorim will finally feel comfortable enough to put one of his most talented players back onto the pitch. The Milan manager explained after the victory over Venezia that Pulisic remains extremely important, but his workload must be carefully controlled.

Amorim told reporters: “He has great talent. I simply have to manage my players’ workloads and at this moment we need to win. So it is difficult for Pulisic to find space, but he remains a hugely important player for us.”

That approach is unlikely to change against Juventus, even with the 27-year-old forward eager to make his return. Amorim’s priority is to avoid rushing the American back and risking another setback, particularly given how demanding his system is physically.

Will Pulisic play against Juventus?

That brings us to the twist surrounding Pulisic’s potential comeback. He is expected to start on the bench against Juventus rather than return directly to the starting lineup, with Amorim likely to introduce him for a limited spell if the match situation allows.

There is no guarantee that Pulisic will play, either, because much will depend on how the game develops. His absence from the starting XI reflects his current fitness level rather than a lack of confidence from Amorim, who still views him as an important technical asset. As reported by MilanNews, Pulisic is expected to be given his first minutes of the season from the bench, provided the circumstances of the match allow it.

That could actually be the ideal route back. A controlled appearance would allow Pulisic to rebuild his rhythm without immediately being asked to handle a full match, while also giving him the chance to rediscover the confidence that made him such an important part of Milan’s attack.

In a statement published on his Instagram account on Thursday, September 3, Llorente confirmed that he is stepping away from the senior national team. The decision caught observers off guard, given his status as a key member of the World Cup-winning squad and the expectation that he could remain an integral contributor for years to come.

The Atletico Madrid midfielder turned right back also revealed that his retirement was decided well before the tournament kicked off in North America. “Regardless of whether I had gone to the World Cup or not, or whether we had won or not, I had already made this decision,” Llorente wrote.

Llorente made his senior debut for Spain on November 11, 2020, coming off the bench for 18 minutes in an international friendly against the Netherlands. Over the subsequent six years, he compiled 27 total caps while transitioning seamlessly between central midfield and right back, recording four assists without finding the back of the net for La Roja.

The versatile Spaniard featured during the group stage of the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League campaign, but missed the final four due to a muscle injury as Spain went on to claim the title. He was also left off the final roster for UEFA Euro 2024 by manager Luis de la Fuente, missing out on another major trophy during that cycle.

His crowning international moment arrived this summer as Spain captured the 2026 World Cup trophy. Llorente opened the tournament as De la Fuente’s starting right back, playing all 90 minutes in group stage victories over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, before Pedro Porro claimed the starting spot, leaving Llorente to make a brief six-minute cameo in the semifinal victory over France.

Marcos Llorente’s farewell letter

“After spending a lot of time thinking it over, I have decided to close my chapter with the National Team. I am aware that I am still young and that, perhaps, if I kept doing things right, I would still have years left to continue playing in this shirt.

I know that many of you will not understand it and, surely, I wouldn’t have understood it from the outside either. But it is a personal decision, deeply considered and, above all, deeply felt. Regardless of whether I had gone to the World Cup or not, or whether we had won or not, I had already made this decision.

I can only be infinitely grateful to all the people I have crossed paths with over these years who have made it possible for my family and me to experience unique and unforgettable moments.

I take with me everything we experienced, but above all, these last 52 days. With a wonderful group that fought until the end to put Spain at the very top. And they did just that. It has been a matter of great pride to represent my country and be part of this history.

Thank you for everything. A warm embrace to everyone.“

Postecoglou has made an encouraging start in Riyadh, guiding Al-Nassr through an unbeaten opening to the 2026-27 campaign. His early results were rewarded with the Saudi Pro League Manager of the Month award for August, while the club continues to pursue major domestic and continental ambitions.

Al-Nassr is looking to defend its Saudi title while also chasing the elusive AFC Champions League crown. The 41-year-old superstar remains central to those ambitions, particularly as the club attempts to translate its strong domestic form into success on the continental stage.

For Postecoglou, having a player of Ronaldo’s stature could appear to present an enormous managerial challenge. The Portuguese forward has won almost everything available during his career, commands huge attention worldwide and is still pursuing extraordinary personal targets well into his 40s.

Yet Postecoglou does not appear concerned about managing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. In fact, his experience with elite players has led him to reach almost the opposite conclusion.

Why Postecoglou says Ronaldo is easier to manage

Speaking about managing elite players, Ange Postecoglou said on the LiSTNR podcast The Howie Games: “I’ve been lucky enough to be around some great players, and they all share the same characteristics, irrespective of the kind of personality.” He continued: “They’re all hugely motivated; they’re all very focused.”

That mentality, according to Postecoglou, can actually make the manager’s job simpler because truly exceptional players understand the work required to remain at the top. The Al-Nassr boss explained the distinction by recalling advice from a previous coach: “Sometimes people don’t realize it’s a lot easier dealing with the great players rather than the ones who think they’re great.”

That comment provides the clearest explanation for his glowing assessment of Ronaldo. The biggest stars may have enormous personalities, but genuine greatness comes with the discipline and work ethic needed to support it. Postecoglou sees those qualities in Ronaldo, even at this stage of his career. Rather than needing constant motivation from his manager, the Portuguese forward arrives with his own targets and an apparently relentless desire to achieve them.

Postecoglou added: “Because the great ones, they put in the hard work. They’re motivated. They do the right things.” For a coach, having that attitude inside the squad can be invaluable, particularly when trying to establish demanding standards across an entire team. The manager also highlighted the psychological benefit of working alongside such a player. He said: “And as a coach, as a manager, you go, ‘I want a piece of that.’”

What is driving Ronaldo amid 1,000-goal target?

Ronaldo’s motivation is currently being fueled by another milestone that would add yet another extraordinary chapter to his career. The Al-Nassr forward is closing in on 1,000 official career goals, a landmark that would make him the first player to reach the figure.

Postecoglou said: “You get that sense: [Ronaldo’s] still very motivated, he’s still got some very clear goals, he’s close to scoring 1,000 goals, which is going to be unbelievable.”

That pursuit helps explain why Postecoglou is so comfortable working with Ronaldo. The forward’s desire to keep improving and scoring means the manager is dealing with a player who already possesses the internal drive that coaches spend years trying to instill in others.

The Croatian midfielder has watched Ronaldo’s evolution from close range, sharing some of the greatest moments in Real Madrid’s history with him. Now, with the Portuguese superstar approaching a number that has seemed almost unthinkable for generations of players, Modric has offered a fascinating prediction about how long his former teammate could continue.

Modric and Ronaldo spent six seasons together at Real Madrid between 2012 and 2018, forming part of a team that dominated European soccer. The pair won four Champions League titles together, alongside numerous domestic and international honors, before eventually taking separate paths.

That shared history gives Modric a unique perspective on Ronaldo’s mentality. While many players begin to slow down as they enter their late 30s and early 40s, Ronaldo has continued to score and compete at an extraordinary level. Speaking to Diario AS, Modric said: “Cristiano is incredible; he’s a phenomenon, a monster, and I have no doubt that he’s going to reach that number.”

The midfielder was responding to a question about whether he simply expected Ronaldo to reach 1,000 official career goals, a milestone that would make him the first player to achieve it. Ronaldo was reportedly just 22 goals away from the landmark at the time of the interview.

Why Modric would not be surprised if Ronaldo continues to play

Modric’s confidence goes beyond Ronaldo reaching 1,000 goals. The Croatian explained that the Portuguese star’s mentality and natural ability to find the net make it difficult to place a normal limit on his career. Modric told Diario AS: “I don’t know how much longer he’ll want to keep playing, but he’s going to keep scoring goals even if he wants to continue until he’s 50.”

He pointed specifically to Ronaldo’s character, confidence, and relentless desire to compete. Modric added: “His gift for scoring goals is incredible, and above all, his character, his faith, and his self-confidence; it’s something incredible.”

That combination is what makes Modric’s prediction feel less like exaggeration and more like an assessment from someone who knows Ronaldo extremely well. At 41, Ronaldo is still chasing goals with the same competitive edge that defined his prime years.

Friendship built at Real Madrid

The relationship between the two veterans goes beyond what happened on the pitch. Modric has previously spoken warmly about Ronaldo’s personality away from soccer, while Ronaldo has repeatedly shown his admiration for the Croatian midfielder.

Together, they played a major role in one of Real Madrid’s most successful eras. Their four Champions League triumphs included the unprecedented European dominance of the mid-2010s, with Ronaldo leading the scoring charts and Modric controlling games from midfield.

Their careers eventually moved in different directions, but neither player has followed the conventional retirement timeline. Modric remains with Milan, while Ronaldo continues his career with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

For now, the immediate target remains the 1,000-goal mark. With only 22 goals reportedly separating Ronaldo from history, Modric has little doubt that his former teammate will eventually get there.

“Talking about Messi is complicated. There’s not much more to say. And there are no words that can describe his quality as a player. He arrived at this World Cup at 38 or 39 years old and delivered what we all saw. He’s one of those players you’re going to miss,” Mourinho said.

Amid the backdrop of Messi’s retirement from international duty, Mourinho noted that he will now have to watch some of Inter Miami’s MLS games in order to make the most of the Argentine’s remaining years as a professional.

“We’ll have to watch some MLS games, which isn’t something I enjoy much, to make the most of these final years. He’s one of those players who, like I said in a previous press conference, you always miss. And he’s one of the greats of our generation,” he added.

Messi announced his retirement from the Albiceleste on August 31, closing the book on a 21-year international career that included the 2026 World Cup runner-up finish, the 2022 World Cup title, and a string of Copa America triumphs.

With Mourinho now among those admitting he’ll tune into Major League Soccer just to keep watching him, the tribute adds to the wave of recognition Messi has received from rivals and peers across the sport since stepping away from the national team.

How many times Messi and Mourinho faced each other

Beyond Thursday’s comments, Mourinho and Messi built one of the most storied rivalries in modern football from the touchline and the pitch, facing off 25 times across Mourinho’s spells at Real Madrid, Chelsea and Inter Milan. Messi’s teams came out ahead overall, winning 9 of those meetings compared to 7 for Mourinho, with the rest ending level.

The bulk of the rivalry played out during Mourinho’s three years at Real Madrid, where the two met 17 times with Messi present in every single one, with Mourinho winning 5, losing 6 and drawing 6.

Their paths also crossed 4 times while Mourinho managed Inter Milan, and another 4 times during his Chelsea tenure, giving Messi the frequent battles that Mourinho has since credited with pushing him to evolve as a coach.

Al Nassr and Al Hilal currently sit atop the SPL table after winning all four of their opening fixtures, setting the stage for another head-to-head battle for the domestic crown. The first league derby between the two rivals was originally scheduled for Friday, December 11, with Al Nassr hosting at Al Awwal Park, but league organizers are preparing a major relocation.

According to reporting from Saudi outlet Arriyadiyah, the Saudi Pro League is moving to relocate the capital derby between Al Nassr and Al Hilal to King Fahd Sports City Stadium. While the match remains in Riyadh, the venue change removes the contest from Al Nassr’s primary home ground.

The initiative behind the move serves as an “operational test” for the facility ahead of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. With the continental tournament hosted across Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5, 2027, King Fahd Sports City Stadium is scheduled to host four matches, including the tournament final.

King Fahd Stadium, a favorable venue for Al Hilal

While the venue change has not yet been officially finalized by the league, the Saudi Pro League is expected to contact Al Nassr to coordinate logistics while maintaining the club’s administrative home-team privileges. However, King Fahd Sports City Stadium represents a favorable venue not for the nominal hosts, but for visiting rivals Al Hilal.

Since Ronaldo arrived in Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr and Al Hilal have met twice at King Fahd Sports City Stadium, with Al Hilal serving as the home team on both occasions. Their first encounter on Matchday 25 of the 2022-23 SPL season resulted in a 2-0 victory for Al Hilal, followed by a commanding 3-0 win for Al Hilal on Matchday 15 of the 2023-24 campaign.

Al Nassr could lose a key home advantage

King Fahd Sports City Stadium is reopening in late 2026 following a venue expansion that increases capacity from 58,398 to 70,200 seats, leaving Al Nassr to negotiate ticketing terms to ensure maximum home supporter allocation. Nevertheless, departing Al Awwal Park strips the squad of a distinct home-field edge based on recent domestic form.

During the 2025-26 SPL season, where Ronaldo secured his first major silverware in Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr finished as the top home team in the league. Across 17 home fixtures at Al Awwal Park, the Riyadh side compiled 15 wins, one draw, and just one defeat to gather 46 points, surpassing Al Ahli’s 45-point home mark and establishing Al Awwal Park as a fortress for Ronaldo and company.

Following four standout seasons at Tottenham Hotspur where he consolidated his status among Europe’s elite orchestrators, Modric joined Real Madrid in 2012 for a €35 million ($40.6 million USD) fee. Initially, the transfer drew skepticism from critics due to the Croatian’s lower public profile, but as he locked down a starting role, he evolved into a club legend, a trajectory he insists would have been impossible without Mourinho’s intervention.

In an interview with Diario Marca, when asked who supporters should credit for his arrival at Real Madrid, Modric singled out the Portuguese manager’s persistence: “The club in general, but I think Mourinho was the most important factor in my arrival, because he did everything, everything in his power so that I would be the signing of that summer.“

Modric elaborated on the manager’s pivotal role in pushing the deal over the finish line. “Madrid brought in (Michael) Essien on loan and only me as a signing. The negotiation with Tottenham was not easy. It was hard and long. And if Mourinho had not been so insistent, maybe Madrid would have withdrawn from the negotiation. But he was insistent and he wanted me. That is why I think he was the most important,” he added.

Modric also acknowledged the role of club president Florentino Perez and expressed deep affection for him, while maintaining that “Mourinho was the first, and I will always be grateful for that treatment, for that affection from day one.” At the time, Mourinho was entering his third season at the helm of Real Madrid having already secured three trophies.

However, the 2012-13 campaign proved to be Mourinho’s final year in Madrid after ending without a major trophy and falling in the UEFA Champions League semifinals, leaving Modric wishing for more time under his guidance. “The only pity was that I didn’t play under him for more than a year. But well, that’s life. I learned a lot in that year with him, but I would have liked to play for him for a longer time,” the Croatian midfielder noted.

Modric to return to Madrid

Currently under contract through June 2027 with AC Milan, Modric laughed off the idea of a playing return to Real Madrid under Mourinho’s current tenure, noting that “it’s too late now.” However, he made clear that he intends to settle in the Spanish capital after his playing days, with an eventual executive or administrative role at Real Madrid topping his list of desires.

When asked about returning to the club after hanging up his boots, Modric openly shared his ambitions: “I hope so. I would like to. To be honest, I don’t need to hide it. Madrid is my home and of course one day I would like to return. But we will see how and in what role, if that happens.“

The veteran midfielder emphasized that if he eventually returns, he wants to make a meaningful impact rather than relying on his legacy, adopting a mindset to “work not in Real Madrid, but for Real Madrid.” He echoed Mourinho’s philosophy that any future role should focus on making the club even bigger.

Regarding his long-term personal plans, Modric remains committed to returning to Spain, even if his exact post-career path remains undecided. “My intention is to return to Madrid and live there, but then you know how things go. You can never say anything with certainty. But hopefully, hopefully it happens,” he concluded.

With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres exiting the club, Barcelona pushed hard to acquire Julian Alvarez, but Atletico Madrid’s refusal to sell the striker to a direct league rival forced the Blaugrana to pivot. Prior to finalizing a deal for Gabriel Jesus, reports indicated Barcelona explored an approach for another star Argentine international in Martinez.

Speaking to Sky Italy at the Gran Gala del Calcio, Martinez addressed those reports directly, confirming interest from Spain: “When these offers and these calls arrive, it is always a pleasure, because you work to stay at the top. The rumors were true, but my mind is very clear: I wanted to stay here with my teammates and with these magnificent fans. I would stay forever and, as long as they want me, I will stay here.“

Inter Milan signed Martinez from Racing Club in 2018, and over eight seasons in Serie A, he has established himself among the elite central strikers in world football while becoming the third-highest goalscorer in club history with 175 goals in 378 matches. Carrying a market valuation of €85 million ($98.6 million USD), Martinez would have required a financial commitment similar to Barcelona’s proposal for Alvarez, but the forward opted to remain in Italy.

The Argentine striker elaborated on his deep connection to the Nerazzurri. “But in this job, we already know how it goes: when you are no longer useful, they kick you out. Inter is everything to me: pride, happiness, and the desire to keep moving forward. I have chosen to stay here once again, I want to do great things at Inter,” he added.

“I never imagined reaching this point in my career with Inter, achieving all my goals. This motivates me to keep pushing forward; it is my mentality. I try to give my all in every training session. In football, you never know what is going to happen, but today I have a contract and I am happy. I decided to stay because I feel good and I want to do great things at Inter,” the Argentine concluded.

Barcelona maintain positive financial margin ahead of winter window

While Barcelona faced strict salary cap constraints and registration hurdles in recent years under Financial Fair Play regulations, their summer roster retooling leaves them positioned with room to maneuver ahead of the winter transfer window.

Starting the summer window with €65 million ($75.4 million USD) in flexibility, Barcelona allocated €132.5 million ($153.7 million USD) toward incoming transfers, headlined by a €70 million plus €10 million in add-ons deal for Anthony Gordon and €60 million for Rodri. However, wage reductions from departing players like Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Robert Lewandowski, alongside loan moves, generated €133.8 million in net savings, providing sporting director Deco with an estimated €65 million to €70 million in financial margin for potential midseason additions.

Match Overview

Club America are enjoying a strong run in both Liga MX and the Leagues Cup. The Azulcremas sit atop the domestic league table, leading many to consider them firm favorites in this contest.

As for Monterrey, they currently sit 9th in Liga MX, which is why a victory over Club América in the Leagues Cup could boost their confidence and help them regain form in their domestic campaign.

The idea behind the push is straightforward for those calling for it — leaving the number forever associated with Messi, who wore it for two decades and leaves as the national team’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. Doing so would also tie the number permanently to Diego Maradona, the other legendary figure most responsible for turning it into far more than just a shirt number.

Regardless of how much support the idea gathers, it runs into a hard regulatory wall. FIFA rules require official squad lists for tournaments like the World Cup and Copa America to use consecutive numbering from 1 to 26, with a number assigned to every single player named to the roster. That means the No. 10 cannot simply be left unused in official competition, no matter how symbolic the gesture would be.

The rule leaves Argentina with limited options — the number could theoretically go unused in a friendly, but in any official tournament, someone on the 26-man list would have to wear it.

The Maradona precedent

This isn’t the first time this exact request has come up. Argentina previously attempted to retire the No. 10 ahead of the 2002 World Cup as a tribute to Maradona, whose career had already cemented the number’s legendary status in the country. FIFA rejected the request outright, citing the same consecutive-numbering requirement that stands in the way today.

As a result, the number continued to be worn by subsequent generations of Argentine players in the years that followed, eventually passing to Messi himself. With that same regulation still in place, any renewed push to retire the No. 10 in his honor would face the identical outcome once again.

Who could wear the No. 10 next?

Beyond the retirement debate, the more immediate question is who actually inherits the No. 10 shirt when Argentina takes the field again. According to reports, Nico Paz is projected as a candidate, given that the Como playmaker operates in a similar position to Messi and wears the same number in his club. The concern, however, is whether the 22-year-old can handle the weight of that number so early in his international career.

For that reason, some believe it might be better suited to a proven World Cup winner rather than a newcomer, with names like Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez floated as alternatives who already have the pedigree and experience to carry that symbolic responsibility for the Albiceleste going forward.

The 29-year-old winger has previously rejected interest from domestic rivals and made his preference to stay in Riyadh clear. Now, Al-Nassr must resolve a situation involving multiple moving pieces before it can finally secure Ghareeb’s future, adding another layer of intrigue to an already difficult summer for the club.

Ghareeb’s previous contract expired at the end of last season, but Al-Nassr had already reached an agreement with the 29-year-old over a new three-year deal. The extension was reportedly worth around $8 million, or approximately $2.6 million per season, yet the club was unable to immediately register the new contract because of its financial situation.

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, the Saudi Pro League’s financial control committee rejected Al-Nassr’s request to register Ghareeb’s contract. A subsequent request was also rejected, even after the club received approval to sign Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa from Mallorca.

That has left the Saudi international in an unusual position. He has agreed to stay, but without registration before the summer transfer window closes, he could technically leave Al-Nassr as a free agent.

Two transfers hold the key

The situation has now taken another turn, with reports indicating that Ghareeb’s renewal has been approved but remains conditional on two linked transfers. According to Nawaf STATS on X (formerly Twitter), the first requirement is for Al Ahli to complete the signing of Saeed Baatiah. The second is for Al Fateh to complete the signing of Ali Al Hassan as part of the wider agreement.

Only when both moves are completed will Ghareeb’s renewal be fully finalized. The chain of transfers is essentially designed to create the financial room Al-Nassr needs to complete the registration.

The arrangement underlines how complicated the club’s financial situation has become. Al-Nassr is relying on one transfer to help facilitate another, with Ghareeb’s future ultimately tied to the completion of deals involving Baatiah and Al Hassan.

Baatiah move could unlock the situation

The first part of the chain has reportedly progressed, with Baatiah’s move to Al Ahli described as completed in recent updates. Asharq Al-Awsat reported on the development, potentially bringing Al-Nassr one step closer to resolving Ghareeb’s situation. The next piece is Al Hassan’s transfer to Al Fateh.

Once that move is completed, the conditions surrounding Ghareeb’s renewal should finally be satisfied, allowing Al-Nassr to officially register the winger. For the club, getting the deal over the line would be significant. The 29-year-old winger remains a valuable member of the squad and has already demonstrated his importance during major continental competition.

Ghareeb joined Al-Nassr from Al Ahli in 2022 and has remained a regular contributor since arriving in Riyadh. His situation became particularly notable last winter when both Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad showed interest, but the winger ultimately chose to remain with Al-Nassr.

He was also one of the club’s standout performers during the previous AFC Champions League Two campaign. Ghareeb helped the club reach the final, although Al-Nassr ultimately suffered a narrow defeat to Japan’s Gamba Osaka.

The shift comes after earlier plans for a proposed friendly against China collapsed. Chinese organizers had reportedly insisted on guarantees regarding Messi’s participation, and once he confirmed his retirement, negotiations between the two parties fell apart entirely.

With the China fixture scrapped, Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Rosario have emerged as the leading candidates to host the two or three friendlies under consideration, with El Monumental and La Bombonera among the primary venues being weighed for the capital, alongside a third match expected in an interior province.

The matches will carry extra significance as the first competitive action for Lionel Scaloni’s side since the squad’s runner-up finish at the 2026 World Cup, and the first without Messi in the squad following his August 31 retirement announcement.

Other possible absences alongside Messi

The window also arrives amid broader uncertainty over the future of several veterans from Argentina‘s golden generation. Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez hinted at a possible exit after the World Cup final, writing on social media that “there’s still a lot to reflect on, and to see how things move forward and whether it’s time to step aside”.

Leandro Paredes similarly left the door open to a departure, saying “it’s going to be difficult to continue,” while Nicolas Tagliafico has already confirmed the World Cup was his final tournament with the national team.

With Messi, Tagliafico and possibly other key figures no longer part of the setup, the upcoming friendlies are shaping up as the clearest signal yet of the transition Scaloni’s squad is entering.

That is about to change, with a meeting between two generations of elite goalscorers now looming on the international calendar. Ronaldo’s extraordinary longevity will go up against Haaland’s explosive rise, creating one of the most intriguing individual battles the Nations League could offer.

Remarkably, the two aces have avoided each other for so long. Ronaldo has spent much of his career competing at the highest level with clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr, while Haaland’s rise has taken him through Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City.

Their paths have also failed to cross internationally. Portugal and Norway have met several times over the years, but their previous encounters came before Haaland established himself as a senior international star, with Norway’s striker making his senior debut in 2019.

Even at club level, there has been no opportunity for the pair to face each other in a competitive fixture in which both were involved. That makes their upcoming international meeting particularly unusual, considering how frequently their names have been compared as some of soccer’s most dangerous finishers.

The long-awaited date is finally here

The wait will end on Sunday, September 27, 2026, when Portugal travel to Oslo to face Norway at Ullevaal Stadion in the Nations League. The fixture is scheduled for Sunday, with the two countries drawn together in League A, Group 4, alongside Denmark and Wales.

A return meeting is scheduled for October 4 in Porto, giving the two national teams another opportunity to settle the group contest. However, it is the first match to attract most attention because it could finally deliver the long-awaited Ronaldo-Haaland showdown.

Ronaldo’s experience vs Haaland’s power

The contrast between the two forwards makes the matchup even more fascinating. Ronaldo remains one of the most prolific international goalscorers in soccer history, while Haaland has developed into one of the most feared center-forwards of the modern era.

Ronaldo’s game has evolved throughout his career, but his movement, finishing and ability to produce decisive moments remain central to Portugal’s attack. Haaland, meanwhile, combines extraordinary physical strength with pace and ruthless finishing, making him a constant threat whenever Norway reaches the final third.

Their careers therefore represent two very different stories. Ronaldo has built his legacy through remarkable longevity and sustained excellence, while Haaland is still establishing his place among the game’s elite.

Milan has plenty to look forward to after opening the Serie A season with two victories over Torino and Venezia. The club also enters the Europa League among the teams capable of going deep in the competition, with a squad strengthened significantly during the summer transfer window.

The draw has given the Rossoneri an interesting route through the league phase. Benfica, Olympiacos, Ferencvaros, Salzburg, Sunderland, Bournemouth, Ararat-Armenia and Levski Sofia are the eight opponents awaiting Amorim’s side.

Ruben Amorim’s side will begin at home against Benfica on September 16 before travelling to Salzburg in October. The Rossoneri will then face Bournemouth away, Ferencvaros at San Siro, Olympiacos in Greece, Sunderland at home and finish the league phase with trips to Levski Sofia and a home meeting with Ararat-Armenia.

The competition could represent Milan’s clearest route to European silverware. The club has not won a continental trophy since 2007, while the reduced presence of some of Europe’s strongest sides makes the Europa League an especially attractive opportunity.

Pulisic’s incredible European streak continues

Amid Milan’s European ambitions, Pulisic has quietly reached another remarkable career milestone. The American is set to be involved in either the Champions League or Europa League during every season of his professional career in Europe, as confirmed by Opta and UEFA’s data.

The upcoming Europa League campaign will extend Pulisic’s streak to 11 consecutive seasons of appearances in UEFA’s elite European competitions. His run began with Borussia Dortmund before continuing through Chelsea and Milan, making the achievement even more impressive considering how young he was when he first broke into European soccer.

Pulisic made his Europa League debut for Dortmund against Porto on February 18, 2016. He later experienced the Champions League at Chelsea, famously winning the competition in 2021, before continuing his European journey with Milan.

His almost certain inclusion in Amorim’s Europa League squad means that extraordinary run is set to continue. According to MilanNews, Pulisic is listed as No. 11 among Milan’s attackers, alongside Goncalo Ramos, Cisse and Omari Hutchinson.

Milan’s squad offers Pulisic another European stage

The UEFA list contains 22 players on List A, with several younger players eligible through List B. Christian Pulisic is joined by established names including Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, giving Milan a blend of experience and youth.

The club will also rely on younger players such as Francesco Camarda, Davide Bartesaghi and Vladimirov, who can feature through the separate List B regulations. That balance could become important as the team manages Serie A, the Europa League and the Coppa Italia.

For Pulisic, however, the story is already remarkable. From Dortmund to Chelsea and now Milan, the 11-season European streak is another reminder of the consistency the USMNT star has maintained throughout his career.

Every fixture will pause at the 10-minute mark of the first half for a full minute of applause, honoring Messi’s more than two-decade career with the Albiceleste. Stadiums equipped with big screens will also play an institutional video chronicling his time with the national team before kickoff.

“It is decreed that in the next matchday of all categories of all men’s and women’s disciplines (11-a-side, Futsal, and Beach Soccer), the match will be stopped at the tenth (10th) minute of the first half and one (1) minute of applause will be given in recognition of Lionel Messi’s career with the Argentina national team,” the official bulletin, published under Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia’s leadership, read.

Messi’s international career spanned 21 years since his 2005 debut, during which he made 207 appearances, scored 125 goals and provided 68 assists for Argentina. Over that span, he lifted the 2022 World Cup, the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal, and the 2005 U-20 World Cup.

Fans push to retire the No. 10, but face a regulatory hurdle

The wave of tributes also reignited a request that has circulated among Argentina supporters since Messi’s announcement: retiring the No. 10 jersey permanently in his honor, so no player ever wears it for the national team again.

The idea would leave the number forever associated with both Messi and Diego Maradona, the two players most responsible fThe request runs into the same obstacle that blocked it once before.

FIFA regulations require official squad lists for tournaments like the World Cup and Copa America to use consecutive numbering from 1 to 26, with a number assigned to every player on the roster, meaning the No. 10 cannot simply be shelved.or turning it into more than just a shirt number.

Argentina already tried this exact move ahead of the 2002 World Cup to honor Maradona, but FIFA rejected the request on those same regulatory grounds, and the number continued to be worn by subsequent generations of players.

Watkins could hardly have asked for a better introduction to his new surroundings. The 30-year-old came off the bench at half-time and scored on his Al-Hilal debut in a 3-0 victory over Al-Ahli, heading home Sultan Mandash’s cross at the back post in the 86th minute. The result also maintained the Blue Waves’ perfect start to the domestic campaign. Simone Inzaghi’s side has collected 12 points from its opening four matches.

Meanwhile, Watkins immediately gave supporters a glimpse of what he could bring to a squad packed with established European talent. His move to Saudi Arabia brought an end to an impressive six-year spell at Aston Villa. He left the club having scored 108 goals in 278 appearances, including 91 Premier League goals, making him Villa’s all-time leading scorer in the competition.

The England international also joined a star-studded Al-Hilal squad featuring Crysencio Summerville, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Theo Hernandez and Yassine Bounou. The club is set to add Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli in the coming days, underlining the level of ambition surrounding the Saudi side.

Watkins explained that his decision to join was heavily influenced by what he had seen from Al-Hilal. “I knew straight away [to join Al-Hilal when the offer came]. I watched the Club World Cup and I saw how well they performed. I always see who’s at the top of the league and they’re always up there,” he said.

The verdict that echoes Ronaldo

It was after the match against Al-Ahli that Watkins offered his assessment of the competition, and his comments were striking given his Premier League background. Rather than describing the Saudi Pro League as a step down, the former Aston Villa striker said its standard was comparable to England’s top flight.

“The level I saw here today was honestly of Premier League quality,” the Englishman told reporters. “The match was very strong physically and demanding, and the quality was extremely high.”

Watkins admitted that the intensity surprised him after arriving in Riyadh. “I didn’t expect it to be like that when I first came onto the pitch. I checked out the pitch before the game. The atmosphere was amazing. The fans were calling my name. Amazing start.”

His assessment closely resembles comments previously made by Cristiano Ronaldo, who has repeatedly defended the quality of the Saudi league since moving to Al-Nassr. In 2024, Ronaldo argued that the competition was already stronger than Ligue 1 and predicted that it would eventually become one of the world’s leading leagues.

Watkins joins growing chorus

The former Villa striker is also not the first Premier League player to make such a claim after moving to Saudi Arabia. Ivan Toney, who plays for Al-Ahli, previously offered a similarly bullish assessment of the competition.

“For me, the Saudi Pro League is on a par with the Premier League,” Toney said. “If Al-Ahli were in the Premier League, we’d give it a good go and we’d be close to the top four. It is a quality league and people should not turn their noses up.”

For Ronaldo, Watkins’ verdict provides another high-profile voice backing up a position he has maintained for years. The growing influx of established European players has also made direct comparisons increasingly interesting, particularly when those players arrive with extensive Premier League experience.

Match Overview

The duel between Toluca and Club Leon promises to be intense, with both teams carrying strong momentum in both Liga MX and the 2026 Leagues Cup.

Toluca currently sit in second place in Liga MX, while Leon hold seventh position. However, the Panzas Verdes have put in stronger performances during the Leagues Cup, making this matchup entirely unpredictable.

AS Monaco were in need of a financial injection driven by regulatory compliance, with Balogun positioned as one of the club’s prized assets slated for a departure that would have represented a near-record fee for a USMNT player. However, Everton nearly pulled the plug on the transaction after flags were raised during Balogun’s initial medical testing.

Even after Everton cleared the move and granted a green light despite the medical reports, Balogun himself ultimately decided against signing with the Toffees. On Wednesday, Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro called a press conference to address the failed transfers of the USMNT star and Lamine Camara to Chelsea, alongside the unsuccessful pursuit of Mexican midfielder Erik Lira.

The Brazilian executive opened by detailing the club’s delicate financial standing: “We needed to generate money, pushed by the regulations. We had two topics in mind. We made clear that our priority was to keep Lamine at the club. We were open to the transfer for Balogun.“

Balogun still has Monaco’s doors opened

With Balogun’s deal nearly finalized, there was no necessity for Camara to leave, but the striker’s sudden reversal altered Monaco’s entire deadline-day strategy. “Balogun’s position was, ‘I don’t feel comfortable because of how the situation was handled. I don’t feel comfortable with Everton’s medical department raising questions about my long-term outlook or health. I have no medical issues, so I’m not comfortable committing to a long-term deal here.’ That is how our window concluded,” Scuro added.

With the deadline passing for major European leagues on September 1, Balogun can no longer complete a transfer to another club within Europe’s top five leagues. However, with Monaco still seeking capital and several international transfer windows remaining open, an immediate exit has not been ruled out.

Awaiting Balogun’s return to France from England, Scuro revealed that negotiations remain active: “We still have other markets open, which we are having discussions in different players including Balo. Let’s see what can still happen until Thursday, because we still have markets that have the financial capacity to do something and this is what happened and this is where we are today.“

Currently, the Turkish Super Lig and Saudi Pro League transfer windows remain open, an option for Balogun as reported by ESPN. While specific suitors have not yet been named publicly, matching the €50 million ($58 million USD) valuation agreed upon with Everton remains within the financial scope of clubs in both leagues.

Balogun could make history in the SPL

Cristiano Ronaldo has served as the catalyst for the growth of the Saudi Pro League since his arrival in late 2022, helping attract subsequent stars like former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and World Cup champion N’Golo Kante. A potential move for Balogun, however, would represent a distinct landmark for the league’s recruitment strategy.

To date, no active USMNT international has made the move to the Saudi Pro League, meaning Balogun would become the first American player to join the competition. Signing an established core player from the U.S. national team fresh off a breakout performance at the 2026 World Cup would mark a significant statement for the league.

Milan invested heavily during the summer transfer window, bringing in Goncalo Ramos, Mario Gila, Diego Moreira, Omari Hutchinson and promising youngster Sankhoun Diawara, while also securing young striker Andrej Kostic before sending him on loan. The Rossoneri strengthened several areas of the pitch, spending significant sums to back Ruben Amorim’s project ahead of a campaign that includes Serie A, the Europa League and the Coppa Italia.

Few expected Tomori to remain at San Siro after a summer in which he was repeatedly linked with Fulham, Newcastle, Aston Villa and other Premier League clubs. The defender even travelled to London on deadline day, but talks with Fulham collapsed, opening the door to a remarkable turnaround.

According to multiple Italian reports, such as La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sky Italia, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Amorim personally called the 28-year-old to inform him that he would be reintegrated into the squad. Tomori, who has consistently rejected offers in recent years, was pleased with the decision, having always preferred to continue his journey at the San Siro.

The former Chelsea defender remains one of the last survivors of Milan’s 2021-22 Scudetto-winning team. His loyalty to the club, combined with injuries and transfer complications, ultimately convinced the Rossoneri hierarchy to bring him back into the fold.

The key concern emerges in the middle of the story

Despite making several additions, Milan finished the transfer window without signing another experienced central defender. Defence remains the area where many supporters believe the squad is still short, especially with a demanding season ahead.

The club explored options such as Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio, Tiago Gabriel of Lecce, and Morato of Nottingham Forest, but none convinced the management enough to complete a deal. Fabrizio Romano eventually suggested that owner Gerry Cardinale, Amorim and the recruitment team agreed that no available player would significantly improve the department.

“We have young defenders who need to play; we won’t solve everything in the first transfer window of my Milan life. Perhaps you’ll be surprised by some players. Everyone wants everything immediately now, but I’m old school; I have patience,” Amorim explained.

Milan place trust in youth and experience

The Portuguese coach believes Milan already has enough options to rotate. Mario Gila, Koni De Winter, Strahinja Pavlovic, Matteo Gabbia, Tomori, Diawara and teenage prospect Vladimirov are expected to share responsibilities throughout the season. Diawara, who arrived from Troyes, is viewed as one of the club’s most promising talents.

Vladimirov, born in 2008, is another player highly rated by Amorim, although neither has extensive senior experience. That strategy comes with risks. Injuries to key players such as Gabbia have already highlighted how thin the depth can become, particularly with European football returning to San Siro.

According to Argentine transfer market expert Cesar Luis Merlo, the 22-year-old Allen will leave Inter Miami and join Eastern Conference rival Chicago Fire for a fee of $3 million. The move comes as Chicago bolster their backline ahead of a playoff push, also bringing in Norwegian international Andreas Hanche-Olsen from Mainz 05 in the same window.

Currently third in the Eastern Conference with 37 points, Chicago are on track for a second-straight Audi MLS Cup Playoffs appearance and are counting on Allen’s championship experience to help them make a deep postseason run.

Ruiz, a Honduran international, is heading to New York Red Bulls on loan for the remainder of the 2026 season with an option to buy. The midfielder skipped training with Inter Miami on Tuesday and traveled to New York to begin working immediately under head coach Michael Bradley.

The departures raise questions about Inter Miami’s depth just as the club manages injury issues and defensive shortcomings elsewhere on the roster. Despite a standout performance from Messi, who scored four goals in a blowout 7-1 win over CF Montreal, the Herons will now have to navigate the remainder of the season without two players who had featured prominently in their squad rotation this year.

Allen and Ruiz’s numbers at Inter Miami

Allen leaves Inter Miami as a product of the club’s own academy, having made his first-team debut in 2022 after coming through the Inter Miami CF II pathway. Across his four seasons with the first team, the defender tallied 133 appearances in all competitions — 98 of them in MLS — contributing 2 goals and 8 assists, while helping the club win the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield.

Allen also holds the distinction of being Inter Miami’s all-time appearance leader, having surpassed goalkeeper Drake Callender’s previous record of 118 games earlier this year.

Ruiz, who also progressed through Inter Miami’s system before making his senior debut in 2022, made 82 appearances for the first team across all competitions, 61 of them in MLS, scoring 4 goals and adding 3 assists. The Honduran midfielder was also part of the squad that won two titles before his loan move to the Red Bulls.

With the secondary transfer window closing Wednesday, September 2, Inter Miami have remained active in the market. The Herons previously announced the addition of winger Riquelme Fillipi from Palmeiras, and the South Florida club is now finalizing another key South American addition to its central rotation.

According to transfer insider Cesar Luis Merlo, Inter Miami have completed an agreement to sign Galarza from Argentine side River Plate. The deal is structured as a year-long loan through June 2027, incorporating a conditional mandatory purchase clause tied to performance metrics.

Per Merlo’s reporting, the purchase clause triggers if Galarza features in 66 percent or more of Inter Miami‘s official matches during the loan spell. Activating the option would require the MLS side to pay a $3 million fee for 50 percent of the Paraguayan midfielder’s rights, with River Plate retaining the remaining share.

The move addresses midfield depth following the departure of David Ruiz to Red Bull New York, which the club announced earlier in the day. Red Bull New York acquired Ruiz on loan through the remainder of the 2026 MLS season with a purchase option, with Inter Miami receiving $75,000 in 2027 General Allocation Money (GAM) in return.

The transfer sets up Galarza’s first opportunity to play alongside Messi, despite both features across MLS and CONMEBOL competition previously. During a brief loan stint with Atlanta United earlier in 2026, Galarza never crossed paths with Messi on the field, and he remained an unused substitute during Paraguay’s World Cup qualifying fixtures against Argentina in 2023 and 2024.

Galarza’s standout World Cup campaign

Galarza previously fell out of favor at River Plate due to inconsistent form, leading to an initial loan move to Atlanta United in early 2026. However, the midfielder re-established his profile with a standout campaign for Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup.

After sitting out Paraguay’s opening match against the USMNT, manager Gustavo Alfaro inserted Galarza into the starting XI for Matchday 2, where he scored the game-winning goal in the second minute against Turkey. He followed that performance by winning six tackles in a scoreless draw against Australia, helping Paraguay advance out of Group D.

Galarza delivered another key moment in the Round of 32, assisting Julio Enciso’s opener in a 1-1 draw against Germany before converting his attempt in the subsequent penalty shootout victory. Though Paraguay’s tournament run ended with a 1-0 defeat to France in the Round of 16, Galarza emerged from the competition as one of the national team’s top individual performers.

The 2026 World Cup cycle has reshaped the international calendar, with FIFA implementing an extended autumn window that allows national teams to schedule up to four matches between late September and early October. Under contract through December 2026, Scaloni remains at the helm to oversee Argentina‘s transition period into the new international cycle.

According to reporting from ESPN Argentina insider Federico Bueno, Scaloni will formally present his 26-man roster to the Argentine Football Association (AFA) this Sunday. While Scaloni has managed individual matches without Messi in the past, this submission represents the first official squad selection where the Inter Miami star is permanently unavailable.

Argentina’s tour in China collapses

Initial plans called for Argentina to travel to Asia for a high-profile tour featuring a friendly against China‘s national team, but negotiations stalled after Chinese organizers insisted on guarantees regarding Messi’s participation. Following the legendary forward’s official departure from international duty, discussions between the parties completely dissolved.

Journalistic reports indicate that Argentina will instead play their upcoming slate of friendlies on home soil, though official opponents have not yet been formally confirmed by the federation. While the expanded FIFA window allows for up to four fixtures, the AFA currently has three matches finalized on the calendar.

Two of the host venues are set for the capital city of Buenos Aires, with River Plate’s El Monumental and Boca Juniors’ La Bombonera serving as primary sites. The third match is expected to be hosted in an interior province, with a potential fourth fixture slated for the same regional venue.

Which 2026 World Cup finalists will be missing?

The AFA executive board and Scaloni are yet to meet to determine whether the manager will sign an extension through the next cycle or step aside. In the interim, Scaloni must establish the core of a revamped roster moving toward the 2030 tournament, with several marquee figures from the 2026 World Cup final squad set to be absent.

The most prominent omission is naturally Messi, whose announcement on Monday ended a legendary 20-year career with the senior national team. Another crucial leadership void comes in central defense following Nicolas Otamendi‘s decision to step away from international play, which he confirmed prior to the summer tournament.

Midfielder Leandro Paredes also cast doubt on his international future, acknowledging that “it’s going to be difficult to continue“ following Messi’s departure. Questions also surround Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who moved to Major League Soccer to team up with Messi ahead of the World Cup, as the physical demands of another cycle leave his status uncertain heading toward 2030, when he will be 36 years old.

“No, I don’t understand it. In the end, we all have our dreams. I think Julian was also clear about that. He fought for his dreams, but in the end there were also other external situations you can’t control,” Olmo said, adding that the club has already moved past the matter. “As I said before, life goes on. This doesn’t stop anything. We personally have a great year ahead of us, for sure”.

Alvarez‘s proposed move to Barcelona collapsed after Atletico refused to sanction a sale, prompting the Catalan club to pivot late in the window and sign Gabriel Jesus instead.

Despite months of speculation surrounding his future, the Argentine forward remains an Atletico player and is set to continue at the club at least through the January transfer window.

The saga sparked visible tension among sections of Atletico’s fanbase, with supporters publicly airing their frustration over the club’s handling of the situation. Still, Olmo’s comments suggest the episode hasn’t disrupted the mood inside Barcelona‘s dressing room as the squad turns its attention to the new season.

Olmo praises Alvarez despite failed move

Olmo also praised the Argentine forward directly, calling him one of the best in his position in the world despite the transfer falling through. “Julian is a great player, a great No. 9, without a doubt one of the best in the world. That’s football — some things happen, and others don’t. Life continues,” he said.

The midfielder also pointed to Barcelona’s business elsewhere this summer as reason for optimism regardless of the missed opportunity. “The club has done a magnificent job and has reinforced the squad in spectacular fashion,” he added.

Barcelona set their sights on the Champions League

Olmo’s comments echoed those made a day earlier by teammate Lamine Yamal, who had already set the tone for Barcelona’s ambitions this season by pointing to the UEFA Champions League as a priority target.

He backed that stance, highlighting the club’s recent domestic dominance and desire to translate that success onto the European stage. “Our goal is to win everything, like we always have. We’ve had two years of a lot of success domestically, and now we also want it at the European level,” he said, acknowledging that rivals have also strengthened significantly but insisting Barcelona’s squad has enough depth to compete at full throttle.

“I always dreamed to be in a club as big as Manchester City,” Fernandez said, via Fabrizio Romano. “This is a dream move for me. I’m really happy“. The comments were widely read as a subtle dig at his former club Chelsea, given the implication that City carries a stature Chelsea does not.

The transfer, worth a Premier League record-equalling £125 million (€140m), ends months of speculation over Fernandez’s future and closes the book on his three-and-a-half-year spell at Chelsea.

The move also cements Fernandez’s place among the sport’s biggest earners in transfer volume. Having generated €310.25 million across his three paid transfers — from River Plate to Benfica for €44.25 million, then to Chelsea for €121 million, and now to City for €145 million — the midfielder has passed Cristiano Ronaldo’s €247 million career total to sit third on the all-time list, trailing only Romelu Lukaku (€375.9 million) and record-holder Neymar, whose €400 million tally remains well out of reach.

Fernandez opens up on an emotional decision

Fernandez went further in his first interview with the club, opening up about what the move means to him beyond football. Speaking just hours after putting pen to paper, the 25-year-old reflected on the weight of the transfer for himself and those closest to him.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity. It’s a very emotional moment for me and my family, to take this step at 25 years old, in a football career that I always dreamed of,” he said.

The midfielder also revealed how quickly he made up his mind once City’s interest became concrete, despite the magnitude of leaving a club he’d called home for three and a half years.

According to Fernandez, there was no hesitation once the approach came in. “From the first day they believed in me and called me to say they wanted me to join the club, I didn’t hesitate for a second,” he said.

He rounded out his comments by pointing to City’s recent dominance under Pep Guardiola as a driving factor behind the move, framing the challenge as a natural next step in his career. “It’s a club that has won a lot in recent years. It’s a club that is making history in football and, for me, it’s a huge challenge,” Fernandez added.

Talks between the two clubs have advanced quickly in recent days, with paperwork already exchanged and the player having taken an important step toward completing the move. Fillipi has signed the necessary documents, leaving administrative formalities and his move to the United States as the main remaining hurdles.

According to Globo.com, Palmeiras and Inter Miami have been working toward finalizing the agreement after negotiations progressed during the final stages of the transfer window. The Brazilian teenager is expected to sign a four-year contract, provided the remaining MLS procedures are completed.

Fillipi still needs to obtain a visa before he can travel to the United States, with his representatives estimating that the process could take around 10 days. MLS administrative clearance is also required before the transfer can officially be completed and the youngster can begin his new chapter in Miami.

The winger has spent the last few years developing at Palmeiras after joining the club at Under-15 level in 2021. Although he has struggled to establish himself as a regular senior player under Abel Ferreira, his performances in the youth ranks have made him one of the more interesting prospects in the club’s system.

The twist: The structure of the transfer

The most interesting element of the agreement is the structure of the transfer, Globo.com reports. Inter Miami will reportedly acquire 60% of Fillipi’s economic rights for between $5.5 million and $6 million, while Palmeiras will retain the remaining 40%.

That arrangement gives Palmeiras a continued financial interest in the teenager’s future, particularly if Fillipi develops rapidly and eventually attracts another major transfer. For Inter Miami, meanwhile, the deal represents a significant investment in a player who could provide both attacking quality and future resale value.

Fillipi’s arrival would fit Inter Miami’s growing interest in young South American talent. The club has built a squad around established stars, but adding a 19-year-old prospect provides another route toward strengthening the team for the longer term.

Promising record at youth level

Fillipi’s biggest credentials come from his time with Palmeiras’ Under-20 side. He scored 23 goals and supplied four assists in 42 appearances during his standout 2025 campaign, demonstrating the attacking instincts that convinced Inter Miami to make a substantial investment.

His senior experience, however, remains relatively limited. Fillipi made two first-team appearances in 2025 and featured nine times in 2026, while continuing to move between Ferreira’s senior squad and the Under-20 team.

He has managed two goals and one assist in 12 senior and youth appearances during 2026, but his limited role with the first team meant that Palmeiras became increasingly open to a departure when interest arrived.

As reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic on Tuesday, August 1, Manchester City and Chelsea reached an agreement for the transfer of Enzo Fernandez for £125 million (€145 million / $169 million USD). The move elevates Fernandez into a tie for the fourth-most expensive individual transfer in soccer history alongside Alexander Isak following his move from Newcastle United to Liverpool.

Despite Chelsea’s previous £120 million valuation window expiring earlier in the summer, head coach Enzo Maresca, who maintains a strong relationship with the midfielder, pushed aggressively to finalize the deal. Manchester City accelerated negotiations to lock down the signing, formally introducing him across their social channels on Tuesday night.

Manchester City will become Fernandez’s fifth professional club, though only three of his moves required transfer payments. A product of the River Plate academy, Benfica acquired the midfielder for €44.25 million in July 2022 before Chelsea paid €121 million to bring him to England in January 2023. Manchester City’s latest outlay of €145 million pushes his cumulative transfer volume to €310.25 million ($360.6 million USD).

Enzo Fernandez surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo’s mark

Cristiano Ronaldo once held the title of the most expensive transfer in soccer history following his landmark 2009 move from Manchester United to Real Madrid. While Neymar eventually claimed that record, Fernandez’s latest move allows the 25-year-old playmaker to pass the Portuguese legend in career transfer volume.

Rising through Sporting CP’s youth system, Manchester United signed Ronaldo for €19 million in 2003 before Real Madrid shattered the global transfer record by paying €94 million in 2009. Juventus made a blockbuster €117 million move to acquire him in 2018, and Manchester United paid €17 million to secure his return in 2021.

Ronaldo’s subsequent move to Al Nassr in December 2022 occurred as a free agent following his contract termination with Manchester United, meaning no transfer fee was exchanged. Across five paid transfers, Ronaldo generated €247 million ($286.5 million USD) in fees, a mark now passed by Fernandez following his arrival at Etihad Stadium.

Neymar remains firmly in the top spot

Neymar‘s 2017 move from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain set the record for the highest transfer fee ever paid for a soccer player when the French club activated his €222 million ($257.5 million USD) buyout clause. That figure remains untouched at the top of the single-transfer leaderboard and is unlikely to be challenged in the immediate future. Combined with his other moves, the Brazilian icon stands comfortably clear atop the career transfer volume rankings.

After breaking through at Santos, Barcelona acquired Neymar for €88 million in 2013, followed by his €222 million move to PSG and a subsequent €90 million transfer to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Although his 2025 return to Santos was completed on a free transfer, Neymar has generated €400 million ($464 million USD) in cumulative transfer fees throughout his career.

Second place on the all-time career list belongs to Romelu Lukaku, who has accumulated €375.92 million ($436.1 million USD) across 10 career transfers, headlined by Chelsea’s €113 million acquisition from Inter Milan in 2021. The Belgian forward is followed by Fernandez’s €310.25 million tally, with Ronaldo holding fourth at €247 million.

Top 5 players with the most money moved in transfer fees

The 2026 World Cup marked the end of an era for the Albiceleste roster, with Nicolas Otamendi and Messi, the final remaining holdovers from the 2014 World Cup squad in Brazil, officially stepping away. Another pressing question centers on who will steer the national team project toward the 2030 World Cup, given that Scaloni’s existing deal runs through December 2026.

The upcoming autumn international window approaches with national teams scheduled to play up to 4 games across late September and October. November will bring another FIFA window, which could represent Scaloni’s final matches in charge unless an extension is finalized, though his succession plan for the No. 10 shirt is already set.

According to reporting from ESPN Argentina insider Federico Bueno, Scaloni has chosen midfielder Nico Paz to take over the No. 10 jersey for the national team. It will mark the first time the playmaker wears the number for the senior team, having donned No. 18 since his initial call-up.

Following Messi’s announcement, several established stars were pitched as candidates for the shirt, including consolidated starters Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister. However, Scaloni’s long-term bet for the post-Messi era rests on Paz taking the mantle if the manager signs his contract renewal.

Across 11 appearances with Argentina, including two at the 2026 World Cup, Paz wore No. 18 for the national team, mirroring Messi’s initial shirt assignment between 2004 and 2008. The 21-year-old already possesses experience wearing the No. 10 at the club level, having taken the shirt at Como 1907 starting in 2025-26, registering 13 goals and seven assists across 42 matches while powering the Italian side to UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time in club history.

Messi passes the baton after 17 years

Back on March 28, 2009, during Diego Maradona’s managerial debut, Lionel Messi wore Argentina’s No. 10 jersey for the first time, holding exclusive ownership of the shirt whenever available from that moment forward. After 17 years carrying the mantle, the longest stretch by any player in national team history, the Inter Miami star now passes the baton to the next generation.

Messi stands as the all-time leader in matches played as Argentina’s No. 10 with 172 appearances, more than doubling Diego Maradona‘s second-place tally of 85. The top five is rounded out by Ariel Ortega (59 games), Juan Roman Riquelme (29 games), and Marcelo Gallardo (15 caps).

No current player on Argentina squad has worn No. 10

Throughout Messi’s 17-year tenure, only 17 other players ever wore the No. 10 shirt during his rare absences, with Sergio Aguero donning it the most across just seven matches. Out of respect for Messi, the shirt was left unassigned in 28 separate matches, leaving no active player on the current roster with experience wearing it.

Looking at the 25-man roster Scaloni assembled for the 2026 World Cup, not a single player other than Messi has ever worn the shirt for the senior team. The last player outside of Messi to wear it was Franco Mastantuono, but following a dip in form before his loan move to Fiorentina, the midfielder was left off the tournament squad.

On Saturday, Nashville delivered a statement 4-0 victory over FC Cincinnati at Geodis Park to extend their lead at the top of the league table. Sam Surridge opened the scoring in the 43rd minute before Hany Mukhtar (53′), Bryan Acosta (89′), and Ahmed Qasem (96′) added second-half strikes to secure all three points, lifting the club to 52 points through 22 matches.

The Vancouver Whitecaps currently serve as Nashville’s closest pursuers with 43 points through 21 matches, meaning the side led by Thomas Muller hold a game in hand to narrow the gap. One point behind Vancouver sit Messi’s Inter Miami, who recently weathered a severe slump during a five-match winless slide that ended over the weekend with a 7-1 rout of CF Montreal.

Nashville’s chances to make history remain alive

Positioned firmly at the top of the 2026 MLS standings, Nashville SC still have 12 regular-season matches remaining, leaving 36 maximum points on the table. While running the table represents an optimistic scenario, their current form and four-match winning streak in league play make a historic finish increasingly plausible.

Inter Miami set the high-water mark for the most points in a single MLS regular season during their 2024 Supporters’ Shield campaign, accumulating 74 points. In Messi’s first full season in North America, he guided the Herons to the title with an extraordinary 22-4-8 record.

To match that mark, Nashville would need to secure 22 points out of the final 36 available, while 23 points would give them sole possession of the all-time single-season scoring record. While mathematically both Vancouver and Inter Miami could still challenge for the Supporters’ Shield, they would need near-flawless runs through Matchday 34 to overtake the pace-setters.

Nashville could also set a defensive record

Beyond their push for the 2026 Supporters’ Shield, Nashville boast the stingiest defense in Major League Soccer, conceding just 17 goals. By comparison, the second-place Whitecaps have allowed 18 goals, while third-place Inter Miami have surrendered a concerning 41 goals. Goalkeeper Brian Schwake has played a central role in that defensive rigidity, earning a spot on the MLS Team of the Matchday 23 as the club pursues historical benchmarks.

The current record for the fewest goals conceded in a full MLS regular season belongs to Real Salt Lake, who allowed just 20 goals during the 2010 campaign. While that record was set during a 30-match schedule, conceding three or fewer goals over their final 12 fixtures would solidify Nashville as one of the most elite defensive units in modern MLS history.

Barcelona hijacked Real Madrid’s pursuit of Rodri. While the Blaugrana already possessed a star-studded midfield, the addition of the former Manchester City anchor significantly reinforces their core.

With manager Hansi Flick boasting an abundance of midfield options, the front office decided to trim the squad. Among those affected is Marc Casado, who has been sent on loan to Deportivo La Coruna for the 2026–27 season.

Barcelona aim to keep Marc Casado close

Sending Marc Casado on loan makes strategic sense for Barcelona right now. Rodri is set to be the undisputed starter once he finds his rhythm, leaving little expected playing time for the La Masia prospect this season.

However, loaning him to another Spanish club is a clear indication that Barcelona want Casado to gain regular playing time and return with valuable LaLiga experience in 2027 to fight for a place on the roster.

Although the loan agreement includes an option-to-buy clause, many analysts believe Casado could still figure into Hansi Flick’s long-term midfield plans, especially with key veterans like Rodri and Frenkie de Jong both past the age of 29.

The stat resurfaced this week as clubs and fans across Argentine football paid tribute to Messi following his retirement announcement from the national team, with River among those honoring his legacy.

Across 28 appearances at the Monumental, spanning two decades of World Cup qualifiers and friendlies, Messi finished with 22 wins and six draws, never once suffering a defeat on that ground. He also found the net 19 times in that stretch, further cementing the Monumental as one of the most fruitful stages of his international career.

The gesture reflected the broader wave of tributes that followed Messi’s retirement letter, in which he described the decision as one that “hurt and still hurts the soul,” while thanking teammates, coaches and fans for two decades of shared history with the Albiceleste.

Every Messi match with Argentina at the Monumental

Messi’s trophy haul with Argentina

Messi’s international career with Argentina was defined not just by numbers, but by six major titles across youth and senior level. He won the U-20 World Cup in 2005 and Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing Games with Argentina’s youth sides, laying the foundation for what was to come with the senior national team.

As an adult, he added four more to that tally: the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and the 2024 Copa America. Those six trophies, combined with his unbeaten record at the Monumental, round out a legacy that stands as the most decorated in Argentine football history.

On Monday, Barcelona hosted Rayo Vallecano on Matchday 3 of the 2026-27 La Liga campaign at Spotify Camp Nou, securing a convincing 5-2 victory behind the teenager’s display. Delivering a thunderous strike in the 21st minute followed by a clinical finish in the 90th minute, Yamal completed a brace for the hosts, bringing his career total to 51 goals in a Barcelona shirt.

At 19 years and 49 days old, Lamine Yamal stands as the youngest player to reach the 50-goal milestone for FC Barcelona, accomplishing the feat in 154 official appearances. Highlighting his influence across European football, he also became the youngest player to record 50 first-team goals across Europe’s top five leagues, spanning La Liga, the Premier League, the Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1.

This landmark achievement sees Yamal eclipse Lionel Messi’s pace to 50 goals for Barcelona. The Argentine legend reached 50 goals for the club at 21 years and 120 days old, though Messi accomplished the milestone in fewer matches, needing just 118 official appearances.

The historical record, however, was previously held by iconic forward Josep Escola. The Spaniard set the club benchmark back in 1935, hitting the 50-goal mark for FC Barcelona at 20 years and 356 days old, a record that stood for nearly a century before Yamal’s arrival.

Lamine Yamal’s goal breakdown

Equipped with elite dynamic dribbling, Yamal’s primary responsibility at FC Barcelona extends far beyond pure goalscoring, focusing heavily on playmaking duties where he actually boasts more career assists than goals (52 assists to 51 goals) across 154 matches. Nevertheless, over recent seasons, his finishing production has increased exponentially.

After making a single appearance in 2022-23, his initial goals arrived during the 2023-24 campaign, concluding with seven goals as a 16-year-old. He established himself as a central star during the 2024-25 season with 18 goals, before exploding in 2025-26 with a career-high 24 goals for the Blaugrana. Now, with two goals already under his belt in 2026-27, Yamal remains positioned to push his ceiling even higher.

• 2022-23: 0 goals in 1 game
• 2023-24: 7 goals in 50 games
• 2024-25: 18 goals in 55 games
• 2025-26: 24 goals in 45 games
• 2026-27: 2 goals in 3 games

Lamine Yamal’s road to Messi’s 100th goal record

Having established the mark as the youngest player to reach 50 goals at Barcelona, the next major milestone on the horizon is the century mark. Unlike the 50-goal record, the benchmark for the youngest player to 100 goals for Barcelona is held directly by Lionel Messi.

Messi broke the previous standard set by Mariano Martin, who reached 100 goals at 24 years and 3 months old, by a significant margin. Accelerating his goalscoring pace to become the dominant player in world football, the Argentine reached 100 goals for Barcelona in his 188th official match at just 22 years and 206 days old. With a runway of nearly three years to match that age, Yamal remains well-positioned to challenge that record as well.

Unlike the captaincy, which typically falls to the most senior or respected figure in the dressing room and now looks set to go to Cristian Romero, the No. 10 carries a different kind of weight in Argentine football, tied directly to the legacies of Diego Maradona and now Messi himself. Whoever wears it next won’t just be filling a number on the roster, they’ll be stepping into a symbol that carries decades of history and expectation.

Several established figures within the current squad could realistically be handed the shirt. Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister both carry significant weight in the dressing room and have been core pieces of this Argentina cycle, while Thiago Almada has continued to develop into an increasingly important creative option for Scaloni.

Nico Paz, still just breaking into the senior squad, rounds out the list as a longer-term bet given his familiarity with the number at club level with Como. There’s also the possibility that Scaloni opts to hold off entirely, letting the number sit without a clear owner for a stretch while the new-look Argentina finds its footing in the post-Messi era.

Who wore the 10 when Messi wasn’t there

The most direct precedent dates back to September 2025, when Franco Mastantuono wore the No. 10 shirt in Argentina’s World Cup qualifier defeat to Ecuador, with Messi left out of that squad entirely.

Going back more than a decade, several others have worn the No. 10 for Argentina whenever Messi wasn’t available:

“Everton medical staff believe he’s not 100% fit,” Romano reported, citing information from journalist Fabrice Hawkins. The concerns raised by Everton’s medical team threaten to derail a deal that had appeared close to being finalized just days before the transfer window’s closure.

Monaco and Balogun’s camp, however, have pushed back against Everton‘s assessment, insisting the striker is fully fit and ready to play, with no issues on their end. The disagreement leaves the transfer in a state of uncertainty as both sides try to reach a resolution before time runs out.

The deal, believed to be worth around €45 million in a fixed fee with a further €5 million in potential add-ons, would have reunited Balogun with the Premier League after his spell at Monaco, where he arrived following his departure from Arsenal.

With the transfer deadline fast approaching, Everton and Monaco now face a race against the clock to either resolve the medical dispute or see the move collapse entirely.

Everton need a center-forward as soon as possible

Everton’s situation up front only raises the stakes on resolving the medical dispute quickly. The club sold Beto to Fiorentina in a permanent deal worth around £17 million as the transfer window winds down, leaving Thierno Barry as their only center-forward.

With that in mind, Everton have already reached out to Manchester United to inquire about Joshua Zirkzee as a contingency plan should the Balogun deal ultimately fall through, according to Romano.

The decision on any potential move rests with United, who have already turned down approaches from Italian clubs over the past 48 hours. Everton are also said to be in direct contact with Zirkzee’s camp, per journalist Alan Myers, as they explore every available option before the transfer window closes.

After netting a brace against Rayo Vallecano, Yamal attended the Spanish Footballers Association (AFE) awards gala at Florida Park in Madrid. There, his peers voted him La Liga Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season, marking the second consecutive campaign in which the teenage star claimed the honor.

Speaking to reporters at the event, Yamal was asked about the collapsed Alvarez pursuit and whether he would have welcomed the World Cup winner to Camp Nou: “Well, I think right now we’re doing very well. You can see it. We aren’t lacking goals. Obviously Julian is a great player, but I’m very happy with the squad we have.“

The early statistical returns support Yamal’s confidence, as Barcelona lead La Liga in scoring despite navigating the opening fixtures without a traditional starting No. 9. Following a 5-0 victory over Elche, a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao, and a 5-2 result against Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona have racked up 12 goals to outpace Real Madrid’s tally of 10.

Head coach Hansi Flick has deployed Raphinha in a fluid central role rather than a fixed target man, partnering him with Anthony Gordon on the left flank and Yamal on the right. When asked whether Barcelona or Real Madrid boast the superior front three, Yamal offered a direct response: “That’s not our competition, we want to win everything,” the 19-year-old stated.

Lamine Yamal changes position on Alvarez

While Alvarez remained on Barcelona’s radar for months, transfer speculation intensified during the 2026 World Cup when the forward publicly expressed a desire to “fulfill his dream,” signaling an intent to leave Atletico Madrid. At the time, Yamal spoke openly about the prospect of teaming up with the Argentine.

“Right now I’m not thinking about it much, but I hope so, because he is a great player. If he comes, we will welcome him with open arms because he will be coming to the best club in the world, to the best fanbase in the world, and to the best city in the world for me,” Yamal told Cadena SER during the initial speculation.

Barcelona’s attack composition

Barcelona navigated significant frontline turnover after parting ways with several focal points from last season’s roster, including Robert Lewandowski (who joined Chicago Fire as a free agent), Ferran Torres (transferred to PSG in a €55 million / $63.8 million USD deal), and Marcus Rashford (who returned to Manchester United following his loan spell). In response, manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco orchestrated an aggressive retooling of the attack.

Barcelona secured high-profile moves for Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund for a reported €29 million ($33.6 million USD) fee, adding versatile wide attackers capable of playing across the line. As the deadline approached and Atletico held firm on Alvarez, Barcelona secured Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus in a €10 million ($11.6 million USD) deal to provide a proven central option.

What will happen to Julian Alvarez?

Julian Alvarez pushed for an exit from Atletico Madrid, attracting inquiries from top European sides including PSG and Arsenal, but the forward prioritized a move to Barcelona while dismissing a return to England. With the window shutting without an agreement, Alvarez will remain with Atletico, who have already reinforced their frontline.

The Colchoneros officially announced the acquisition of Canadian international Jonathan David from Juventus on a season-long loan for 2026-27. Featuring a €25 million ($29 million USD) purchase option, David joins Alexander Sorloth and Alvarez in Diego Simeone’s forward rotation, though long-term questions remain regarding the Argentine’s future.

Alvarez will remain at Atletico Madrid for the immediate future, but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano suggests he maintains a desire to join FC Barcelona down the line. Having been left out of the starting lineup in two of Atletico’s opening matches amid friction with the fanbase, his role under Simeone will be closely monitored as the season unfolds.

The milestone arrived during Barcelona’s meeting with Rayo Vallecano, where Yamal once again showed why expectations around him have become so enormous. With the defending La Liga champions chasing another victory, the 19-year-old produced a moment of individual brilliance that immediately sent his name into the history books.

Hansi Flick’s players fell behind early when Sergio Camello opened the scoring for Rayo, but Raphinha quickly restored parity. Just two minutes after the Brazilian’s equalizer, Yamal took center stage.

With Barcelona’s build-up initially looking crowded around the edge of the penalty area, one touch from Yamal created the space he needed. The winger cut inside onto his left foot before firing an unstoppable effort into the near top corner, giving the home side a 2-1 lead.

The finish was spectacular, but its significance went far beyond the scoreline. Yamal had reached 50 goals for the Blaugrana at only 19 years and 49 days old, breaking a long-standing club record previously held by one of Barcelona’s greatest legends.

Yamal breaks Messi’s Barcelona record

For years, Lionel Messi represented the benchmark for young Barcelona players, but Yamal has now moved ahead of the Argentine when it comes to reaching 50 goals for the Catalan club. Messi did not reach the milestone until he was 21 years and 120 days old, meaning Yamal has achieved it almost two years earlier.

The teenager has also moved beyond several other Barcelona icons. Josep Escola reached 50 goals at 20 years and 356 days, while Neymar did so at 23 and Ronaldo at 26, underlining just how extraordinary Yamal’s early production has been.

But the record becomes even more impressive when the comparison expands beyond Barcelona. Yamal is now the youngest player in the history of Europe’s top five leagues to score 50 goals, surpassing both Mbappe and Haaland.

Mbappe and Haaland are left behind

Mbappe had previously established himself as one of the most prolific teenagers in European soccer, reaching 50 goals at 19 years and 241 days. Haaland, meanwhile, reached the same mark at 20 years and 196 days, but neither could match the speed of Yamal’s rise.

Barcelona’s official account highlighted the significance of the achievement after the game: “Lamine Yamal has become the youngest player in the history of Europe’s top five leagues to reach 50 goals, surpassing the figures of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.”

Yamal’s numbers at the same age make the comparison even more striking. At 19 years and around 50 days, the Spaniard has accumulated 58 goals and 56 assists, compared with Mbappe’s 31 goals and 21 assists and Haaland’s 21 goals and six assists at the same stage. Reaching 50 goals might have been enough for most players to celebrate, but Yamal had more to give.

He scored again late in the match to complete his brace and take his Barcelona tally to 51 goals, helping his side secure an emphatic 5-2 victory. Raphinha also scored twice as Barcelona maintained its perfect start to the 2026-27 La Liga campaign. The result moved the defending champion to the top of the table with three victories from three matches.

The resolution comes after Atletico dug in and refused to negotiate with Barcelona, while Alvarez himself also rejected the idea of a return to the Premier League with Arsenal wanting the striker.

As a result, Diego Simeone will continue to count on the Argentine for the first half of the season, with Alvarez already back training alongside his teammates as he looks to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup, after a limited start to the campaign that included just a handful of minutes in the draw with Villarreal.

Beyond fighting for his place on the pitch, Alvarez will also need to navigate a strained relationship with a section of the fanbase, who booed him during his last appearance and unveiled banners at the Metropolitano calling for his exit.

Looking ahead to the next transfer window, Atletico have set their asking price for the forward at €150 million, with the added condition that they won’t sell him to a direct rival like Barcelona.

Barcelona’s move for Gabriel Jesus

With Alvarez off the table, Barcelona moved quickly elsewhere, agreeing a deal with Arsenal for Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Catalan club will pay around €10 million to sign the former Manchester City striker, who is expected to travel to Spain in the coming hours to undergo a medical and finalize his contract.

For Arsenal, the pursuit of Alvarez ultimately came up empty, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements before the transfer window closes. Barcelona, meanwhile, wasted no time pivoting to Gabriel Jesus once it became clear Alvarez wasn’t walking through the door, wrapping up their own search for a new No. 9 just as their rivals for his signature moved on.

With Julian Alvarez staying at Atletico Madrid, Barcelona were forced to explore other options in the transfer market for a center forward. Over in the Premier League, Arsenal were willing to part ways with Gabriel Jesus, making Barcelona an ideal destination for the striker.

On Tuesday, Gabriel Jesus spoke to the media regarding his move to the club. The Brazilian expressed his excitement about joining Barcelona, while acknowledging that it will be a challenge to break into an already dominant starting lineup.

“I haven’t come here to improve the team because they’re f***ing great,” Jesus said during his press conference. “(Laughs) Sorry, they’re really great—I’ve just come here to help.”

Gabriel Jesus aims to regain top form at FC Barcelona

Recent seasons have been challenging for Gabriel Jesus. Struggling with injuries and inconsistent form, the Brazilian has found it difficult to replicate the level of performance he displayed at Manchester City that initially prompted Arsenal to sign him.

However, things could take a turn for the better in Barcelona. While he understands that a starting spot is far from guaranteed, Barcelona’s demanding schedule should offer him plenty of rotational minutes without the intense pressure that comes with being an undisputed starter.

Currently, Raphinha has been operating as a false nine, with Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon occasionally rotating through the central attack. Gabriel Jesus now gives manager Hansi Flick a natural option off the bench—a player who knows the position intimately and can afford Raphinha much-needed rest during a long campaign.

Pulisic has been working his way back from an injury suffered during the United States’ 2026 World Cup campaign. The problem was described as bone edema at the tibiofibular joint of his right leg, which kept him sidelined before he returned to team training in August.

Although the injury itself has now been resolved, his match fitness remains a concern. Pulisic spent the entire 2-0 victory over Venezia on the bench, with Milan choosing to manage his workload rather than rush him back into competitive action.

Milan manager Ruben Amorim explained the decision after the Venezia victory. “He possesses immense talent. I simply have to manage my players’ workloads, and at this moment, we need to win. Therefore, it’s challenging for Pulisic to find playing time, but he remains an incredibly important player for us.”

The comments underline Pulisic’s importance to Milan despite his lack of involvement so far this season. The American remains viewed as a first-team regular, but the club appears determined to make sure his return is gradual rather than risking another setback.

Pulisic’s expected timeline for Juventus

The next major opportunity comes against Juventus in Turin, but Pulisic is not expected to start Sunday’s clash. The expectation is that he could finally receive some minutes from the bench, potentially featuring during the second half as he continues to rebuild his sharpness.

Corriere dello Sport reports that Pulisic would be closely monitored during Milan’s training week. The 27-year-old is eager to make his official return and will be assessed throughout the week before Amorim decides how much responsibility he can handle.

That makes Juventus a particularly interesting destination for his comeback. Pulisic missed a penalty in the Rossoneri’s away meeting with Juventus last season, and the American will have an opportunity to put that difficult moment behind him if he gets onto the pitch this time.

Why Milan is desperate to have him back

Pulisic’s importance has increased following Rafael Leao’s departure, with the American now possessing the highest combined goals and assists tally among Milan’s current attacking options. His ability to operate from either flank also gives Amorim valuable flexibility when deciding how to structure the attack.

The competition behind the striker remains fierce, with Adrien Rabiot, Alphadjo Cisse, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Alexis Saelemaekers, Diego Moreira and Omari Hutchinson all capable of occupying attacking roles. However, Pulisic’s previous production means he is expected to push strongly for a starting position once he reaches full fitness.

Milan have begun the season positively with victories over Torino and Venezia, while Juventus have also won their opening two matches against Frosinone and Parma without conceding. The meeting in Turin therefore represents an early heavyweight test, even if Pulisic’s role is likely to remain limited.

Al-Nassr has won each of their opening three league matches and currently has maximum points as they look to build on their title-winning campaign. However, the club’s ability to make further moves in the transfer market is being closely monitored, creating an unusual situation for one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest teams.

According to Saudi outlet Thamanya, Al-Nassr remains under active financial supervision from the Financial Control Committee, with the restrictions linked to the club’s significant financial obligations. Reports have claimed that the club’s debts have reached more than $213 million.

The situation means the club cannot approach new contracts and renewals as freely as other clubs. The club has reportedly completed limited transfer business this summer, with Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa among the additions, while other negotiations have faced greater scrutiny.

The financial restrictions have also reportedly affected contract renewals involving both senior players and academy prospects. That has left the club’s management having to carefully balance its desire to strengthen the squad with the requirements imposed by the authorities.

The rule that could have serious consequences

This is where the situation becomes particularly serious for Ronaldo’s club. Thamanya adds that Al-Nassr might be subject to a three-point punishment or perhaps relegation to the First Division this season if it signs a new contract without first gaining clearance from the Financial Control Committee.

Saudi legal experts and reports have highlighted the potential consequences of bypassing the financial-control process. The restrictions can apply to player and coaching contracts above certain financial thresholds, meaning approval must be secured before the club commits to deals that fall under the regulations.

The possibility of relegation would obviously represent an extraordinary punishment for a club competing for the Saudi Pro League title. Al-Nassr’s perfect start could be dramatically affected if the club were to lose points, while relegation would completely transform the team’s season.

Why the restrictions matter now

The timing creates an additional complication because the Saudi transfer window remains open until October 12, 2026. That gives Al-Nassr more time to strengthen its squad, but every potential agreement must be handled carefully while the financial supervision remains in place.

The club has reportedly explored solutions aimed at improving its financial position, including increasing commercial revenue and restructuring its obligations. Until the Financial Control Committee’s requirements are satisfied, however, the pressure surrounding every new contract will remain.

The restrictions also come as Al-Nassr attempt to maintain a squad capable of competing on several fronts. With Ronaldo leading the attack and the club targeting further domestic success, losing the ability to freely operate in the market could become a significant sporting disadvantage.

The Boca Juniors captain was asked directly about his own future with the Albiceleste in the wake of Messi‘s retirement announcement, and he stopped short of confirming he would continue.

“It’s going to be difficult to continue, for everything I said back then, for the suspension too, for Leo’s decision. I think that with him no longer there, it’s going to be difficult for everything to keep working the same way. So it will probably be a very difficult decision,” Paredes said. The midfielder is also currently serving part of a 10-match FIFA suspension stemming from the incidents in the World Cup final against Spain.

Paredes also opened up on how the team first learned of Messi’s decision, revealing the captain had discussed the possibility privately during the final days of the World Cup.

“He had been honest with us there, when we were in the final days of the World Cup, that the final was probably going to be his last match. We obviously knew, but we weren’t prepared for that,” Paredes continued, adding that Messi’s legacy would endure regardless of what comes next for the rest of the squad.

Paredes on the standard Messi’s generation leaves behind

Paredes further explained that the bar set by this generation of players makes it hard to imagine matching those same standards going forward, especially without Messi in the squad.

“The bar is very high. We left the bar very high, and continuing to compete that way, continuing to achieve important things, is going to be difficult,” Paredes explained. “In this process, we managed to form an incredible group of players and people, and in that group we had our leader, who was Leo. He’s not there anymore, so it’s going to be very difficult. I’ll talk with the coach, we’ll see what decision to make, but it’s going to be difficult“.

Whether Paredes ultimately decides to stay or step away, his comments reflect the broader uncertainty now surrounding Argentina’s squad as it heads into a new cycle without Messi.

With Scaloni still weighing his own future and several veterans reportedly reconsidering their international careers, the Albiceleste’s next chapter looks set to bring plenty of change in the months ahead.

As reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic, Manchester City and Chelsea have reached an agreement for the transfer of Enzo Fernandez for a fee of £125 million (€145 million / $169 million USD). Personal terms are fully locked in, with Fernandez undergoing his medical examinations to finalize the deal on transfer deadline day.

Fernandez will sign a five-year contract running through June 2031, positioning him as a central building block in Manchester City’s midfield reconfiguration. The Argentine’s relationship with head coach Enzo Maresca proved to be a decisive factor in pushing the deal over the finish line, even after Chelsea’s previous £120 million valuation window expired earlier in the summer.

The £125 million price tag also establishes Fernandez as the most expensive Argentine player in history, eclipsing his own benchmark. Back in January 2023, Chelsea triggered his €120 million release clause to acquire him from Benfica, and just three years later, the Blues have managed to turn a substantial profit on the 25-year-old playmaker.

Enzo Fernandez to stand as fourth-most expensive soccer signing

Consolidated as one of the elite central midfielders in global soccer at just 25 years old, Fernandez commanded a valuation that prompted Manchester City to commit $169 million to seal his signature. While the fee vaulting him up the historic leaderboard is staggering, it still sits behind the single most expensive transfer in soccer history.

Neymar maintains the top spot as the most expensive player of all time after Paris Saint-Germain activated his €222 million ($257.5 million USD) buyout clause to sign him from FC Barcelona in 2017. A year later, Kylian Mbappe completed his marquee move from AS Monaco to PSG for €180 million ($208.8 million USD), initially structured as a loan to comply with Financial Fair Play parameters.

Occupying third place ahead of Fernandez is Ousmane Dembele‘s 2017 move from Borussia Dortmund to FC Barcelona. The Blaugrana agreed to an initial fee of €105 million plus up to €40 million in add-ons, bringing the total potential package to €148 million ($171.7 million USD) for the French winger.

Fernandez sits right behind them, with the reported €145 million ($169 million USD) Manchester City are paying Chelsea matching Alexander Isak’s €145 million move from Newcastle United to Liverpool, while simultaneously equaling the British transfer record, as confirmed by journalist Ben Jacobs.

Top 10 most expensive soccer transfers

Factoring in Enzo Fernandez’s pending transfer to Manchester City, the list of the top 10 most expensive moves in soccer history stands as follows:

Messi’s farewell was always going to generate an enormous reaction. After more than two decades with Argentina, the 39-year-old leaves behind a legacy packed with records, major trophies and memories that transformed the national team’s fortunes.

The Argentine superstar retired from international soccer on August 31, 2026, ending a 21-year journey with the national team. He departs as their all-time leader for appearances and goals, with 207 caps and 125 goals to his name.

His career also delivered the trophies that once seemed impossible to win. Argentina lifted the 2021 Copa America, 2022 Finalissima, 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America, with Messi eventually becoming the central figure in one of the greatest periods in the national team’s history.

His final appearance came in the 2026 World Cup final, where Argentina suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain. Despite that disappointment, the 39-year-old’s international career had already secured a place among the most decorated chapters in the history of the sport.

Supposed message from Ronaldo changes the story

Almost immediately after Messi’s farewell, social media users began sharing what appeared to be an emotional message from Ronaldo. The alleged tribute referred to their more than 15-year rivalry, claiming that the two stars had pushed each other to unprecedented levels while developing genuine respect away from the competition.

The supposed message contained particularly touching words about Messi’s influence. “The rivalry was real… but so was the respect,” the message allegedly read, before adding, “You inspired millions. You inspired me too.” It reportedly ended with another emotional line: “Rest now, brother. You earned it. Cristiano.”

Given the history between the pair, the message was almost perfectly designed to go viral. Messi and Ronaldo spent more than a decade competing for the biggest individual awards and trophies, while their battles between Barcelona and Real Madrid became some of the most memorable encounters soccer has ever produced.

The truth behind the viral Ronaldo tribute

However, there is a major problem with the story: Cristiano Ronaldo did not send the heartfelt retirement message attributed to him. After thorough fact-checking of Ronaldo’s official social-media activity and contemporary reporting, the screenshot and accompanying text are fabricated, with no credible evidence showing that Ronaldo posted or commented those words following Messi’s retirement.

Ronaldo’s actual activity around the time of Messi’s announcement was considerably different. The Portuguese forward shared training-related content accompanied by the caption “Keep pushing,” rather than publishing the lengthy tribute that spread across social media.

The absence of the message from the Portuguese’s official channels is significant, particularly because a statement of that magnitude would almost certainly have attracted coverage from major soccer publications. No credible report verified the alleged Instagram comment, while the supposed screenshot provided no reliable evidence that it originated from Ronaldo’s account.

The national team has enjoyed an extraordinary period of success under Lionel Scaloni, and the question now is who can carry that winning mentality into the next chapter. His international career lasted 21 years, during which he became Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and appearance maker while finally delivering the major trophies that had eluded him for so long.

Argentina won the 2021 and 2024 Copa America, as well as the 2022 World Cup, turning a previously frustrating international career into one of the greatest success stories in soccer history. His final chapter came at the 2026 World Cup, after which the 39-year-old decided that the time had come to step aside.

With Messi leaving and Nicolas Otamendi also no longer occupying his previous leadership role, Argentina suddenly needed a new central figure to wear the armband. Several candidates could have filled the position. Emiliano Martinez brings enormous personality and has repeatedly delivered in major matches, while Rodrigo De Paul has been one of the most vocal members of the squad during the Messi era.

Lautaro Martinez also has leadership credentials after becoming captain at club level, while Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez represent younger options who could eventually become central figures for Argentina. Enzo, in particular, offers an intriguing long-term possibility because of his age, experience and previous captaincy responsibilities while at Chelsea.

Argentina finds its new leader: Who will succeed Messi’s armband?

However, one player has emerged ahead of the rest. According to various Argentina news outlets, including TVC News, Cristian Romero has been handed the Argentina captaincy following Messi’s retirement, marking the beginning of a new leadership era for the world champions.

The 28-year-old defender had already been part of the nation’s leadership group, previously serving behind Messi and Otamendi in the captaincy hierarchy. He has also worn the armband when senior figures were unavailable, giving him experience of the responsibility before receiving the permanent role.

Romero’s personality makes the decision particularly understandable. The Atletico Madrid defender is one of the strongest voices in the Argentina dressing room, while his aggressive style and constant communication have made him a natural emotional leader within Scaloni’s side.

His importance to Argentina has grown considerably since establishing himself as a defensive cornerstone. He played a key role in the team’s 2021 Copa America triumph, the 2022 World Cup victory and the 2024 continental success, before again emerging as an important figure during the 2026 World Cup.

Messi’s words make Romero’s promotion even more significant

Romero’s appointment also carries an important personal connection to Messi. The former captain has previously praised his younger teammate’s contribution to Argentina’s defensive strength, describing his impact as “extraordinary.”

That endorsement adds another layer to the transition. Romero is effectively taking over the leadership of a team that Messi helped transform from perennial underachiever into one of international soccer’s dominant forces.

The defender also paid tribute to Messi following his retirement, making it clear how much the former captain meant to him and the rest of the squad. Romero wrote on social media: “What madness that this day has finally come, dear Leo.”

He continued with an emotional reflection on the years they shared together, thanking Messi for his leadership and the legacy he leaves behind: “Thank you for leading in the most beautiful way possible, never putting yourself above anyone, always with that humility and that special way of carrying our badge and defending it with all your heart.”

The restrictions have already complicated contract renewals and squad management, but the latest development has brought the academy into the spotlight. With 18 youth players affected by the decision, Al-Nassr has been forced to find an extraordinary solution to maintain sufficient squad numbers.

The Saudi Pro League Financial Control Committee has refused to approve the renewal of contracts for 18 youth players, according to Arab News. Eight of those players reportedly had mandatory renewal clauses, making the decision particularly significant for an academy that serves as an important pathway toward the senior team.

The problem stems from Al-Nassr’s wider financial difficulties, with the club’s debts reportedly exceeding SAR 800 million ($213 million). The financial pressure has resulted in tighter oversight of the club’s operations, with restrictions affecting registrations, renewals and other squad-related decisions.

Al-Nassr forced into extreme solution

The impact has now become impossible to ignore. Al-Nassr has reportedly been forced to field players as young as 16 to fill squad numbers, demonstrating just how deeply the financial restrictions have reached.

For a club competing at the highest level of Saudi soccer and featuring Ronaldo, the situation is extraordinary. Young players who would ordinarily be given more time to develop can now find themselves pushed into competitive environments earlier than expected because the club cannot freely renew contracts within its youth structure.

The decision also shows that the financial oversight is not limited to Ronaldo’s first-team squad. The committee’s control extends across the club, meaning even academy operations remain affected while Al-Nassr works to resolve its outstanding financial obligations.

How did Al-Nassr reach this point?

The club’s financial problems have been building after several seasons of aggressive spending. Heavy investment in international players, substantial wage commitments and expensive squad-building projects contributed to liabilities reportedly surpassing SAR 800 million.

The Public Investment Fund has responded by introducing stronger financial supervision at the club. Measures have included restricting certain executive spending powers, bringing in independent financial and legal advisers, and demanding greater attention to revenue generation and cost control.

The Saudi Pro League has also introduced broader financial regulations for the 2026-27 season. Clubs are limited to allocating no more than 75% of their revenues toward the first team, with the remaining resources intended to support youth development, infrastructure and other areas of the organization.

The academy issue comes after Al-Nassr experienced difficulties with senior squad contracts as well. Reports have indicated that renewals involving Abdulrahman Ghareeb and goalkeeper Raghed Al-Najjar have faced delays or rejection while the financial oversight remains in place.

The idea centers on the September 21-October 6 FIFA window, during which Argentina is expected to schedule as many as three or four friendlies. Reports have floated El Monumental as a candidate venue for what would be Messi’s true farewell appearance on home soil, following his emotional letter announcing the decision.

Antico was careful to frame the plan as still just an idea at this stage, stressing that the Argentine Football Association would first need to confirm whether Messi himself is even open to the concept before any organization could begin.

Nothing has been finalized regarding a rival, date, or venue, and the tribute match remains contingent on discussions between the federation and Messi that have yet to take place.

If the plan does come together, it would give Argentine fans the chance to say a formal goodbye to their captain in a way the World Cup final defeat to Spain did not allow. For now, though, the farewell match remains speculative, with the AFA expected to provide more clarity as the September FIFA window approaches.

Who takes over the captaincy?

With Messi’s international career over, the next question becomes who inherits the armband. Cristian Romero looks like the leading candidate, having already worn the captain’s band on a handful of occasions when Messi wasn’t available, and he’s regarded as a natural leader in the dressing room alongside his role at Atletico Madrid.

Still, he’s not the only name in the conversation, with Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez and Enzo Fernandez also mentioned as possible successors given their standing and experience within the squad.

Complicating the picture further, Nicolas Otamendi, who typically wore the armband whenever Messi wasn’t in the starting lineup, had already announced his own retirement from the national team right after the World Cup, leaving Argentina without its usual next-in-line option as it enters a new era.

Speaking to Radio Marca, De la Fuente was asked whether joining Barcelona would benefit Rodri since he already shares a locker room with several national team colleagues: “It will be easier for him to adapt, but Rodrigo is the Messi of Spanish football, so he will adapt well to any team, in any circumstance. He is the best in the world in his position.”

Though operating in fundamentally different tactical roles, the game-changing presence of both Rodri and Messi makes them indispensable anchors for their respective sides. That elite influence was on full display throughout the 2026 World Cup, where both stars elevated Spain and Argentina, culminating in Rodri taking home the Golden Ball as the tournament’s top player.

De la Fuente also advocated for more elite Spanish talent to return home to La Liga. “What I celebrate is that these great footballers are in La Liga, because it makes the League greater, because it makes the best players in the world, who are our footballers, the Spaniards, compete here in Spanish clubs. I would welcome it if many who are still abroad could return here to demonstrate the capacity, talent, and great footballing class they possess,” he candidly stated.

Out of the starting XI that featured in the World Cup final against Argentina, seven players spent last season in La Liga, while Rodri (Manchester City), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), and Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain) were playing abroad. With Rodri and Cucurella now securing moves back to Spain, De la Fuente views the shift as a powerful statement on the strength of La Liga and the national team ecosystem.

De la Fuente on Messi’s retirement

On Monday, Messi caught the sports world off guard by announcing his stepping down from international duty with Argentina, bringing a historic era to a close. With his absence confirmed for the upcoming September-October international window, the World Cup final against Spain stands as his final competitive appearance in an Albiceleste jersey.

When asked for his thoughts on the decision, De la Fuente made clear that while Messi’s international tenure has concluded, his overall impact on the game remains timeless: “I, out of admiration, knowledge, and gratitude from someone who, like me, loves football, to a footballing figure who is a legend. Normally when time passes and someone retires, one is more capable of valuing what someone has achieved, but that won’t happen with Messi.“

While noting Messi’s exhaustive record book, De la Fuente emphasized that Messi will ultimately leave soccer on his own terms rather than fading from it. “He will still continue in active football, he has left the national team, but he is still going to add to his resume, and when he finally leaves football—which he will leave when he wants—football will not leave him, and then we will realize the footballing dimension of a football player whose numbers it will be very difficult for anyone to surpass,” the Spain boss concluded.

Seeking to snap a five-match winless slide, Inter Miami hosted CF Montreal on Saturday at Nu Stadium in a 7-1 rout orchestrated by a dominant Messi. The Argentine star opened his account by converting a direct free kick in the 40th minute to make it 2-1 before adding open-play strikes in the 52nd and 83rd minutes. He also set up Luis Suarez in the 80th minute for Miami’s fourth goal and capped his four-goal masterclass with a sublime set-piece strike in stoppage time.

With his historic performance, becoming the first player in Inter Miami franchise history to score four goals in a single match, Messi was named MLS Player of the Matchday for the 15th time in his career. He also returned to the MLS Team of the Matchday for the first time since Matchday 14, joined by midfield partner Casemiro, who recorded his first goal for the Herons.

The honor marks Messi’s third Player of the Matchday award of the 2026 campaign. He previously earned the award on Matchday 2 following a two-goal performance against Orlando City and again on Matchday 8 after bagging a brace against the Colorado Rapids.

Messi leaves Jeff Cunningham in his wake

Since arriving at Inter Miami, Lionel Messi has rewritten the MLS record book at an unprecedented pace, routinely collecting Player of the Matchday accolades. His latest honor broke a tie with Columbus Crew legend Jeff Cunningham, whose 14 career Player of the Matchday awards now rank third all-time.

Now, only Landon Donovan stands ahead of Messi, with the USMNT and MLS legend holding the all-time record of 19 Player of the Matchday honors. With 12 regular-season matches remaining for Inter Miami in 2026 and Messi trailing by just four awards, catching Donovan remains a distinct possibility as the Argentine continues his peak form coming off the 2026 World Cup.

Messi’s history with the MLS Player of the Matchday award

Lionel Messi made an immediate impact upon joining Inter Miami in mid-2023, guiding the club to the Leagues Cup title, the first trophy in the franchise’s history. However, minor physical setbacks and a lack of a full preseason limited his statistical dominance during his inaugural MLS regular-season stretch.

That dynamic shifted completely in 2024 when Messi etched his name into the league’s history books, leading Inter Miami to the single-season points record while collecting six Player of the Matchday honors. Although the club fell short in the postseason, he took home the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award.

In 2025, Messi elevated his production even further, claiming the MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals, capturing the MLS Cup, earning his second consecutive MVP award, and matching his mark of six Player of the Matchday honors. Through the middle of the 2026 campaign, he leads the golden boot race with 18 goals and has already picked up three weekly awards.

A transfer domino effect in Italy ultimately pushed Balogun closer to a Premier League return. With Como 1907 targeting Moise Kean, Fiorentina turned their attention toward Portuguese striker Beto, who was spotted in Florence undergoing medical evaluations after Everton accepted a €17 million ($19.7 million USD) permanent transfer offer, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.

In addition to Beto’s exit, Everton are set to finalize another major departure in attacker Iliman Ndiaye. As reported by Ben Jacobs, Manchester City agreed on a £60 million plus £5 million in add-ons ($81.2 million plus $6.8 million USD, totaling $88 million USD) deal with Everton for the Senegalese international, generating a massive cash windfall that enables the Toffees to pursue Balogun to revamp their frontline.

According to Fabrizio Romano, AS Monaco have accepted Everton’s proposal to sign Folarin Balogun on a permanent transfer. The agreement is structured as a total package worth €50 million ($58 million USD), comprising €45 million guaranteed plus €5 million in potential add-ons, alongside a future sell-on clause.

The transfer insider revealed that Balogun has already agreed to personal terms with Everton, lining up a four-year contract through June 2030 with a club option for an additional season. The USMNT striker is scheduled to travel on Tuesday to undergo medical testing and formally complete the move.

Pulisic remains at the top

At $58 million USD for the total package, Balogun eclipses his own personal transfer benchmark set when Monaco agreed to pay Arsenal €30 million plus €10 million in add-ons ($46.4 million USD total) back in 2023. However, the fee still falls short of taking the top spot from Christian Pulisic.

Pulisic remains the most expensive player in USMNT history following his landmark €64 million ($74.2 million USD) move to Chelsea. Back in January 2019, the London club paid the transfer fee to Borussia Dortmund before loaning him back to the Bundesliga side for six months prior to his summer arrival in England.

Most expensive USMNT players in history

Factoring in Balogun’s pending transfer to Everton, the most expensive transfers involving USMNT players rank as follows:

Both Messi and Ronaldo dominated the global stage for over two decades at both the club level and as iconic international captains for Argentina and Portugal, becoming the all-time leading scorers for their respective countries. The Argentine made his debut for the Albiceleste in 2005 before concluding his international career in 2026, while Ronaldo debuted in 2003 and remains active, torturing defenses across the international calendar.

Heading into his final World Cup campaign having scored against 41 different national teams, Messi expanded his victim list with Argentina by adding a brace against Austria, a set-piece strike against Jordan, and goals against Cape Verde and Egypt.

With an international break approaching in September and October, Messi had an opportunity to push his tally even higher, but his decision to step down closes his ledger permanently. In total, Lionel Messi scored 125 international goals for Argentina against 45 different national teams worldwide, with Bolivia serving as his most frequent target with 11 goals.

To put that accomplishment into context, FIFA currently recognizes 211 member associations worldwide, a figure exceeding total membership in the United Nations (193). Under that standard, Messi scored against nearly a quarter of FIFA’s total global membership, specifically finding the net against 21 percent of all affiliated nations.

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record outright

With 233 caps for Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo stands as the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s international football history with 146 goals for Selecao. Competing continuously across European Qualifiers, UEFA European Championships, Nations League fixtures, and World Cups allowed the Portuguese forward to accumulate an even wider array of national opponents.

In total, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored against 49 different national teams, holding a four-nation lead over Lionel Messi. His most recent addition to the list came against Uzbekistan at the World Cup where he netted twice, while Luxembourg remains Ronaldo’s most frequent victim with 11 goals.

List of nations Lionel Messi scored against

• Albania
• Algeria
• Angola
• Australia
• Austria
• Bolivia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brazil
• Canada
• Cape Verde
• Chile
• Colombia
• Croatia
• Curacao
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• Estonia
• France
• Germany
• Guatemala
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Hong Kong
• Iceland
• Iran
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• Nicaragua
• Nigeria
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Portugal
• Saudi Arabia
• Serbia and Montenegro
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Switzerland
• United Arab Emirates
• United States
• Uruguay
• Venezuela
• Zambia

List of nations Cristiano Ronaldo scored against

• Andorra
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Belgium
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Cameroon
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• Estonia
• Faroe Islands
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Ghana
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Iran
• Israel
• Kazakhstan
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Morocco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Northern Ireland
• North Korea
• Panama
• Poland
• Qatar
• Republic of Ireland
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Scotland
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Ukraine
• Uzbekistan
• Wales

On Monday, August 31, Lionel Messi formally announced his retirement from the Argentina national team via an Instagram statement, delivering a decision that caught fans worldwide off guard. Drafting the letter two days following the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, the forward revealed that the passing of his father weighed heavily on his choice to step away.

While Maradona carried Argentina to the summit of global soccer while capturing the imagination of millions, Messi emerged as his heir apparent just a few years after Maradona’s playing days ended. Though the two aligned as manager and player at the 2010 World Cup, their statistical profiles across their international careers present striking contrasts.

Maradona and Messi stats for Argentina

Debuting in 1977 and stepping down 17 years later in 1994, Diego Maradona earned 91 caps for the Argentina national team, recording 34 goals and 26 assists. In contrast, Lionel Messi’s international tenure spanned nearly 21 full years from 2005 to 2026, amassing 207 appearances while tallying 125 goals and 57 assists.

While trailing Messi in raw goals and assists, Maradona captured the heart of the nation with his transcendent run at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, considered by many the finest individual performance in tournament history. He immortalized his name during a legendary quarterfinal performance against England, scoring both the “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century.“

Hardware comparisons remain a central pillar of the debate, with Maradona claiming two major international trophies to Messi’s four. Maradona lifted the 1986 World Cup and added the 1930 Artemio Franchi Cup in 1993, though a doping suspension kept him out of Argentina’s winning 1991 and 1993 Copa America squads.

Conversely, Lionel Messi collected four major senior titles with the Albiceleste, capturing the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America. Both icons also claimed a FIFA U-20 World Cup title early in their careers (Maradona in 1979, Messi in 2005), while the Inter Miami star added a 2008 Olympic gold medal to his portfolio.

Maradona and Messi’s career in the World Cup

The World Cup served as the ultimate stage where both Argentine legends cemented their standing among the sport’s greatest figures. Leading the Albiceleste across two distinct eras, their impact on the tournament proved incalculable in both cases.

Diego Maradona featured in four World Cups between 1982 and 1994, debuting at Spain 1982 where Argentina exited in the second group stage. At Mexico 1986, he produced a legendary tournament performance with five goals and five assists, followed by a gutted run to the 1990 final in Italy despite playing through injury, before a drug test failure cut short his final appearance at USA 1994.

Lionel Messi appeared in six World Cup tournaments, the most by any player in Argentine history. His journey began at Germany 2006 with one goal, followed by South Africa 2010 with Diego Maradona in the dugout, which marked the only World Cup campaign of his career in which he failed to find the back of the net.

Brazil 2014 brought heartbreak as Messi scored four goals and added an assist before falling to Germany in the final. After a brief Round of 16 exit at Russia 2018, Messi led Argentina to glory at Qatar 2022 with seven goals and three assists, before delivering eight goals and four assists at the 2026 World Cup in North America, which ended in a final defeat to Spain.

On Monday, Messi shocked the football world by confirming his retirement from the Argentina national team. He made the decision two days after Argentina’s 2026 World Cup final loss, with the recent passing of his father sealing his choice.

At 39 years old, Messi steps away after reaching the pinnacle of international success with Argentina. Now, attention turns to how much longer Cristiano Ronaldo will continue playing for Portugal in what marks the closing chapter of a legendary era in football.

Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: International career numbers

Lionel Messi made his senior debut for Argentina on August 17, 2005, at the age of 18. Throughout his international career, he earned 207 caps and scored 125 goals for La Albiceleste.

By comparison, Cristiano Ronaldo made his senior debut for Portugal on August 20, 2003. He has since compiled 233 appearances and scored 146 goals for his country.

While Ronaldo leads in appearances and goals, Messi holds the advantage in playmaking. The Argentine superstar registered 68 assists for his country, compared to Ronaldo’s 45.

In terms of silverware, Messi also holds the edge over Ronaldo. The Argentine forward claimed four senior trophies with his country, whereas Ronaldo has won three with Portugal. Messi also won two youth international titles with Argentina early in his career.

Modern soccer cannot be understood without Lionel Messi‘s immense contributions. The legendary forward has won virtually every trophy available, and his accomplishments with Argentina will forever be cherished by La Albiceleste’s faithful.

Across all levels, Lionel Messi won six titles while wearing Argentina’s colors. Although success with the senior team arrived late in his career, he ultimately secured the championships he had dreamed of his entire life.

Lionel Messi’s titles with Argentina

Lionel Messi’s international career was marked by both triumph and heartbreak. At 18, he won the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup with La Albiceleste, starting his international journey on the right foot.

In 2008, Messi led Argentina to an Olympic Gold Medal in Beijing. Winning two major youth honors early on convinced many that senior success would follow immediately, but fate had other plans.

Despite relentless effort, Messi endured years of near-misses with the senior national team. It wasn’t until 2021 that he finally lifted his first senior trophy as Argentina’s captain, defeating Brazil to win the Copa America.

A year later, Messi guided Argentina to two pivotal titles: the Finalissima against Italy and the FIFA World Cup. The World Cup triumph stood as his crowning achievement, defeating powerhouse France in a thrilling final decided by a penalty shootout.

In 2024, Messi and Argentina were crowned Copa America champions once more, defeating Colombia to reaffirm their status as the dominant force in CONMEBOL.

The 2026 World Cup marked the end of Messi’s international journey

In his official retirement announcement, Messi confirmed that he made the decision following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

It remains unknown whether a victory would have persuaded Messi to continue playing for Argentina, leaving fans with one of the greatest “what ifs” in football history.

Messi made his senior debut for Argentina on August 17, 2005, in an international friendly against Hungary, where he was infamously shown a red card within 60 seconds of entering the pitch. From that turbulent start, he embarked on an unprecedented international run, spanning 20 years representing Argentina while scoring in 19 consecutive calendar years for the national team, the only Argentine to ever do so.

Over that two-decade career, Lionel Messi became the most capped player in Argentina national team history with 207 appearances while holding the all-time wins record with 134. He stands far clear at the top of the country’s scoring chart with 125 goals, shattering Gabriel Batistuta’s former record of 55, while also serving as the Albiceleste’s all-time assists leader with 65, leaving Angel Di Maria (29) and Diego Maradona (26) well behind.

Embodying the role of team captain, Messi wore the captain’s armband in a record 133 international matches. He also stands as the nation’s leader in direct free-kick goals with 11 and holds the record for the most international hat-tricks for Argentina, delivering a three-goal performance on 10 separate occasions.

A legacy written in the World Cup with Argentina

Standing as one of the few players to feature in six World Cup tournaments, Messi is the only Argentine player to take the pitch across six different editions. He holds the record for the most overall appearances in World Cup history with 34 matches, while leading all Argentine players with 21 goals in the competition, trailing only Kylian Mbappe on the global set piece board.

Through those tournament matches, he accumulated 23 total victories, the highest mark in tournament history, while remaining the only player to win two FIFA Golden Ball awards as the tournament’s top player (2014 and 2022). He also tied Guillermo Stabile’s 1930 single-tournament national record by scoring eight goals in North America, capping off his World Cup legacy.

A legacy between goals and titles in South America

Messi’s international goal tally breaks down into 54 goals scored in friendly matches, 36 in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, 21 in World Cup matches, and 14 in the Copa America. His 36 goals in South American qualifying make him the top all-time scorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying history for both Argentina and the continent as a whole.

Adding to his youth titles at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Messi stands atop the national team trophy standings at the senior level. Having captured the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America, Messi shares the record for the most senior major trophies in team history alongside Angel Di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi, and Rodrigo De Paul.

Among his most dominant single-game outings was a 5-0 victory over Estonia in 2022, where he scored all five of Argentina’s goals. That performance tied him with Juan Andres Marvezzi (1941) and Jose Manuel Moreno (1942) for the most goals scored by an individual player in a single match in Albiceleste history.

WHO: Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano
WHAT: La Liga
WHEN: 3:30 PM ET / 12:30 PM PT • Monday, August 31, 2026
WHERE: Fubo
STREAM: WATCH NOW

Match Overview

Reigning La Liga champions Barcelona are on a mission to secure a third consecutive title, and their start to the season has been nothing short of terrifying for their rivals. With two wins from two, seven goals scored, and none conceded, Hansi Flick’s side looks unstoppable. Their home ground, the Camp Nou, has become a fortress where they have amassed an incredible 20 consecutive league victories, a record-breaking run that underscores their domestic dominance.

Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, travels to Catalonia facing a monumental challenge. With just one point from their opening two matches, they are already feeling the pressure under new manager Benat San José. Surviving the onslaught at Camp Nou will require a flawless performance, as they look to disrupt the champions’ rhythm and steal a result against all odds. For Rayo, this match is less about points and more about making a statement of resilience.

Tactical Analysis & Match Context

The contrast in early-season form could not be starker. Barcelona has seamlessly integrated new signings like Anthony Gordon and Rodri into their fluid system, continuing the high-octane attacking football that saw them lead La Liga in xG last season. They have stormed out of the gates, demonstrating both offensive firepower and defensive solidity, a combination that makes them formidable opponents for any team in Europe.

Rayo Vallecano, adapting to a new managerial philosophy, will likely adopt a pragmatic, defensive-first approach. Their best hope is to cede possession, stay compact, and frustrate Barcelona’s creative players. However, a defense that hasn’t kept a clean sheet in eight matches will be severely tested by an attack that averages nearly three goals per game during its home winning streak. The key battle will be in the midfield, where Rayo must find a way to break up play and launch effective counter-attacks.

For Barcelona, the motivation is clear: maintain their perfect record and build an early gap at the top of the table, especially with rivals like Real Madrid expected to mount a stronger challenge this year. For Rayo Vallecano, this is an opportunity to test their mettle against the best. A disciplined performance, even in defeat, could provide a crucial foundation for the rest of their season as they aim to climb the table and avoid a relegation battle.

Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends

Historically, this fixture has been overwhelmingly one-sided. In 49 meetings between the clubs, Barcelona has claimed victory 31 times, compared to just seven wins for Rayo Vallecano. The Catalan giants have thoroughly dominated the rivalry, particularly at home, making this one of the most predictable matchups in the La Liga calendar.

Recent history reinforces this trend. Barcelona is unbeaten in the last six encounters, securing four wins and two draws. Last season, the teams drew 1-1 at Rayo’s ground before Barcelona secured a tight 1-0 victory at the Camp Nou. This pattern of tight, low-scoring wins for Barça has become a common theme in their recent meetings.

A critical trend for this match is Rayo Vallecano’s complete inability to find the net at Camp Nou. They have failed to score a single goal in their last four visits, a damning statistic that highlights the defensive stranglehold Barcelona holds over them at home. Furthermore, with an average of just 2.0 total goals in their last five head-to-head clashes, the data suggests another controlled, dominant performance from the hosts is likely.

Squad News & Projected Lineups

Both managers are contending with significant injuries that will impact their team selections for this crucial La Liga fixture.

Barcelona’s midfield depth is being tested early in the season, with key players Frenkie de Jong and Gavi sidelined, alongside Roony Bardghji. Their absence forces Hansi Flick to rely on Alejandro Bernal to partner with Pedri, placing a significant creative burden on the young duo to unlock Rayo’s defense.

Rayo Vallecano’s task is made even more difficult by a lengthy injury list. Goalkeeper Augusto Batalla, defenders Luiz Felipe and Marash Kumbulla, and key attacker Isi Palazon are all unavailable. These absences weaken the squad’s spine and limit the tactical options for manager Benat San José as he prepares for the toughest away trip of the season.

Barcelona Projected XI (4-2-3-1):
J. García; E. García, Cubarsí, Martín, Espart; Pedri, Bernal; Yamal, Fermín, Adeyemi; Raphinha.
With established midfielders out, the in-form Fermin Lopez, who has already scored three goals this season, will be crucial in the number 10 role. The attacking trio of Yamal, Adeyemi, and Raphinha provides immense pace and technical skill, designed to overwhelm Rayo’s backline from the opening whistle.

Rayo Vallecano Projected XI (4-2-3-1):
Cárdenas; Rațiu, Fernández, Lejeune, Vertrouwd; Valentín, López; De Frutos, Nteka, García; Camello.
Rayo will likely set up in a deep, compact block to absorb pressure. Their strategy will revolve around defensive solidity and quick transitions, with Sergio Camello acting as the lone forward to hold up play and exploit any space left behind Barcelona’s advancing full-backs.

More details on how to watch

You can watch the Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano live stream exclusively on Fubo. The platform is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and mobile devices running iOS or Android, as well as web browsers.

In addition to La Liga, a subscription to Fubo gives you access to a massive portfolio of world-class soccer, including the UEFA Champions League, Serie A, and many more top European competitions. It is the premier destination for soccer fans in the United States.

A monthly subscription costs just $64.99, offering unparalleled value for the sheer volume of live sports available. The platform also provides on-demand replays, highlights, and expert analysis shows.

Beyond soccer, your subscription includes access to a deep library of movies and TV shows, making it a complete entertainment package for the whole family. From blockbuster films to original series, there is always something new to discover.

See more of our La Liga TV schedule for games like this.

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 NordVPN’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.

After publicly expressing his desire to depart Milan following seven seasons at the San Siro, Leao struggled to attract offers matching the club’s initial 50 million euro valuation. Although his representatives pitched the winger to Aston Villa, Galatasaray pushed hardest to secure his signature, establishing themselves as his preferred destination.

Following the official announcement, Galatasaray revealed across their social channels that they reached an agreement with AC Milan on a €38 million ($44.1 million USD) transfer fee. While falling short of Milan’s original €50 million ($58 million USD) threshold, the Rossoneri secured a 20 percent sell-on clause for any future transfer involving the Portuguese international.

In addition to the transfer fee paid to Milan, Galatasaray outlined the terms of the contract signed by the 27-year-old forward. Under a four-year agreement running through 2030, Leao will earn a guaranteed net salary of €10 million ($11.6 million USD) per season.

While Galatasaray may not have offered the most prestigious sporting platform in Europe, the move represented a massive financial upgrade for Leao. According to cap tracking site Capology, the Portuguese forward earned €6.41 million ($7.4 million USD) gross annually at Milan, whereas his new deal in Istanbul elevates his pre-tax compensation to roughly €12.5 million ($14.5 million USD) per year, nearly doubling his previous wage.

Why are Rafael Leao’s fee and salary disclosed?

Unlike most European football clubs that keep transfer fees and player salaries confidential, Galatasaray operate under a completely transparent financial structure. This level of disclosure stems directly from the club’s corporate governance obligations as a publicly traded sports organization in Turkiye.

Galatasaray Sportif A.S. operates as a publicly listed company on Borsa Istanbul, Turkiye’s primary stock exchange. Borsa Istanbul unifies the Turkish equities market, precious metals exchanges, and derivatives markets under a single corporate regulatory framework.

Under capital markets regulations, Galatasaray are legally mandated to submit precise financial terms for major acquisitions and player compensation packages. These figures are officially reported to the Public Disclosure Platform (Kamuyu Aydinlatma Platformu, or KAP), Turkiye’s central electronic portal used to disseminate legally required financial statements, corporate actions, and material news to investors and the public.

Amorim secures Leao’s replacement from the Premier League

While transfer negotiations were ongoing, Leao participated in portions of AC Milan’s preseason under Ruben Amorim, functioning as one of the twin attacking midfielders in the manager’s tactical system. With Leao now departed, the former Manchester United boss has turned to the Premier League to reinforce his attack.

According to Fabrizio Romano, AC Milan have reached a verbal agreement to sign winger Omari Hutchinson on loan from Nottingham Forest. The Italian side will cover the player’s full salary for the duration of the 2026-27 campaign, with only official paperwork remaining to complete the move.

A product of the Arsenal and Chelsea youth academies, Hutchinson joined Ipswich Town on a permanent €23.5 million ($27.3 million USD) transfer in 2024-25, scoring his maiden Premier League goal against Amorim’s Manchester United in a 1-1 draw. After Forest acquired him for €43.4 million ($50.3 million USD) last summer, the English side could not guarantee the 22-year-old regular minutes, creating an opportunity for Amorim to land a player who impressed him as an opponent.

Having already missed significant time during the 2026 campaign, criticism intensified after he was omitted entirely from the matchday squad for last Wednesday’s opening leg against Palmeiras. While concerns over the artificial turf at Allianz Parque were cited for his absence, a humbling 3-0 loss drew intense scrutiny toward Neymar and his non-participation in one of the club’s most critical fixtures of the season.

After returning to spark a 1-0 derby victory over Corinthians, Neymar addressed the narrative head-on during an interview with Brazilian network Premiere: “They said I came to play against small teams, and it was never like that. Quite the contrary. I’ve always liked big games, because that’s where you see who the best players are. My entire career has been like that, and it’s not for nothing that, if I’m not mistaken, I’m the 3rd or 4th top scorer in finals.“

Neymar’s self-assessment holds up under scrutiny, as he currently ranks fourth all-time in career goals scored in finals with 21. He trails only an elite tier of legendary figures, sitting behind Lionel Messi at the top with 35, Pele with 31, and Cristiano Ronaldo holding third with 25 goals in cup finals.

The Santos playmaker then offered clarity regarding how his omission from the first leg against Palmeiras actually unfolded. “Unfortunately, lately, I ended up getting hurt. Against Palmeiras I was available, I even had adapted boots. It was a boot with shorter studs, for turf, I asked Puma to make them. But it was a decision by the coaching staff (to leave him out of the game). If the game had ended 0-0 or 1-1, everyone would be calling Cuca ‘Master Cuca‘,” he noted regarding Santos’ manager.

Through the 2026 season following his recovery from major knee surgery, Neymar has produced eight goals and eight assists across 23 appearances, operating as the central catalyst for Santos’ attack. However, a combination of workload management, suspensions, and minor physical setbacks has forced him to miss 14 matches for Peixe, fueling the narrative surrounding his availability.

Neymar looking to ‘have fun’ in second leg against Palmeiras

Bouncing back from his night off against Palmeiras, Neymar rejoined the starting lineup for the derby against Corinthians, creating four key chances, completing two dribbles, and drawing three fouls in a gritty 1-0 win to keep Santos climbing away from the bottom four. Now holding a four-point cushion over 17th-place Vasco Da Gama in the relegation zone, attention shifts squarely back to the Copa do Brasil.

On Wednesday, September 2, Santos host Palmeiras at Vila Belmiro tasked with overturning a steep three-goal aggregate deficit, though Neymar remains optimistic about their chances: “I didn’t expect a 3-0, but that’s football… there are comebacks, there are games where the extraordinary happens. Who knows, maybe it can happen on Wednesday… We’re going to play to have fun.“

The Santos icon concluded by placing the competitive pressure squarely on their cross-state rivals heading into the return leg. “The game is 0-0 for us, and for me is just another game for me to have fun. The responsibility belongs to the second best team in the country, which is Palmeiras,” Neymar added.

Inter Miami had been mired in one of their most difficult stretches of the season, dropping four matches and drawing once over a five-game slide that featured an early exit from the Leagues Cup and lost ground in the 2026 Supporters’ Shield race. However, as he has done since arriving in South Florida, Messi provided the spark to jumpstart the Herons.

Although Casemiro opened the scoring with a 20th-minute header, Fabian Herbers quickly answered with an equalizer to create early tension at Nu Stadium. Starting with a set-piece strike in the 40th minute, Messi took complete control of the match, adding goals in the 52nd, 83rd, and 90+6 minutes while setting up Luis Suarez in the 80th to seal a 7-1 rout for the hosts over Montreal.

Speaking to Apple TV post-match, Casemiro reflected on the team’s bounce-back effort and pivoted immediately to Messi’s brilliance: “We played well, we put in a good match. This is what having Messi on your team is all about. You have to enjoy these moments, because he is a person… a player who makes history.”

Messi set a franchise benchmark on the night, becoming the first player in Inter Miami history to score four goals in a single match. “What we saw today, we have to enjoy it. Keep supporting him and keep competing with him, because he is still the best and he proved it in the World Cup. We have to enjoy being with him because with him we are much stronger,” Casemiro concluded.

Inter Miami experienced an emotional slump following the passing of Messi’s father in early August, during which the forward’s production temporarily dipped below his standard form. Casemiro’s public show of support highlights a unified locker room rallying around their captain as they pursue hardware in the final stretch of 2026.

Messi continues to rewrite the MLS record book

Netting two of his four goals directly from free kicks elevated Messi into a tie for second place on soccer’s all-time set-piece scoring list, adding another milestone to his legendary career. At the same time, the performance established yet another landmark within Major League Soccer.

By scoring four goals on Saturday, Lionel Messi became the fastest player in MLS history to record 20 multi-goal games, reaching the milestone in just 72 matches. The Argentine surpassed the previous standard held by former teammate Josef Martinez, who reached 20 multi-goal games in 100 matches, while outpacing iconic figures like Robbie Keane (124), Bradley Wright-Phillips (149), and Landon Donovan (178).

After a slow start to the season caused by lingering knee pain, Allende opted to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in Barcelona back in May. However, the exact severity of the procedure and a firm timetable for the former Celta Vigo attacker’s return were never disclosed by the club.

A recent roster update has raised further concern, as Inter Miami formally adjusted Allende’s status on the club’s official website to “Season-Ending Injury.” Having last featured on May 2 against Orlando City, the winger is expected to remain out of action until 2027.

Inter Miami sign Brazilian talent Riquelme Fillipi

According to South American transfer insider Cesar Luis Merlo, Inter Miami have reached an agreement to sign 19-year-old winger Riquelme Fillipi from Brazilian side Palmeiras. The deal involves a $4.2 million transfer fee for 60 percent of the player’s rights, with an option to purchase an additional 30 percent for $2 million.

Fillipi is expected to fit into Inter Miami’s long-term roster blueprint, reportedly agreeing to a four-year contract through 2030. Joining fellow Brazilian countryman Micael in South Florida, the prospect will travel to Fort Lauderdale to undergo medical evaluations and finalize the contract.

The winger made his senior professional debut last year with Palmeiras, appearing in 11 first-team matches alongside 80 appearances for their U-20 side, where he registered 30 goals and four assists. With the move, Inter Miami add a dynamic flank attacker capable of operating on either wing, bringing pace and 1v1 threat to a squad in need of wide depth on that department, with only Messi being the X factor.

How Allende’s injury impacts the Fillipi acquisition

An early exit in the Leagues Cup, where Inter Miami played without Luis Suarez, German Berterame, Allende, Mateo Silvetti, and Messi at various points, exposed a severe lack of attacking depth during squad rotation. With Allende’s injury proving more significant than initially hoped, club management moved to finalize Fillipi’s signing, utilizing roster flexibility created by Allende’s status.

Under the 2026 MLS Roster Rules & Regulations, if a player suffers a season-ending injury, a club may place that player on the Season-Ending Injury List to receive immediate roster relief and replace him on the senior squad. MLS rules allow teams to acquire one such replacement player per season, a mechanism Inter Miami are triggering in Allende’s case for the remainder of the 2026 campaign.

Regarding Fillipi’s contract structure, international roster slotting will not pose an issue. Allende occupied an international roster slot on his permanent deal, and MLS regulations state that a replacement player replacing a Senior Roster slot may also occupy an international slot, clearing a path for the Brazilian youth international.

Fillipi’s budget charge must be equal to or less than Allende’s, and the replacement must be designated upon roster registration before the official MLS Roster Freeze date on October 9, 2026. Because the injury occurred well before the deadline, Inter Miami are operating well within the league calendar to complete Fillipi’s registration.

In recent days, Atletico Madrid insisted that while Julian Alvarez could be available for transfer, Barcelona were excluded from the list of potential suitors. The Blaugrana wanted the Argentine striker, but the Colchoneros felt Barcelona’s approach was improper.

Following the rejection, Barcelona were not expected to sign a center forward. However, they found an affordable solution in London, as Arsenal were willing to let Gabriel Jesus move to the Spanish side.

Barcelona reach agreement with Arsenal for Gabriel Jesus

With Alvarez off the table, Barcelona sought a low-cost option for the striker position. Offering a $10 million package, they convinced Arsenal to let Gabriel Jesus join their campaign for the 2026–27 season.

While the move secures Barcelona a seasoned center forward, Jesus is not intended to be a direct starter. He has struggled for form in recent seasons, prompting Arsenal to bring in Viktor Gyokeres to replace him.

Nevertheless, Jesus adds valuable depth to the squad. Karim Adeyemi, Anthony Gordon, and Raphinha have all rotated through the center-forward role, though it is not their natural position. With Jesus, manager Hansi Flick can rotate his frontline and rely on a player who naturally understands the position.

Barcelona maintain interest in Julian Alvarez

According to reports, Barcelona are well aware of how difficult it will be to convince Atletico Madrid to part with Julian Alvarez. However, hope remains alive for the Catalans.

Reports suggest that Barcelona plan to revisit Alvarez’s situation during the winter transfer window. If the striker has a slow start to the season, the Colchoneros may decide to move on from him while he is still valued at over $100 million.