Al Nassr could boast a line up featuring several of the world's top talent next season - if Cristiano Ronaldo's team gets their way this summer

Guillermo Ochoa shares with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo the chance to become the first player to appear in six World Cups, but he could be left out of Mexico’s roster. With just 50 days to go until the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, countless storylines are emerging around the tournament. One of them centers on the real possibility that a player could feature in six editions of the competition for the first time, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo leading the way. Guillermo Ochoa could reach that mark as well, but his place with Mexico is far from guaranteed. After being out of favor for nearly a year under coach Javier Aguirre, Ochoa returned during the March international break, when he served as the third-choice goalkeeper in matches against Portugal and Belgium, behind Raul Rangel and Carlos Acevedo. However, another player appears to be pushing for that spot. “Xolos de Tijuana goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez could be one of the ‘new faces’ on the national team list ahead of the World Cup,” Record reported this week. “‘El Vasco’ has always had him in mind,” the report added, referring to Aguirre’s plans. “Javier has held talks with Antonio,” a member of Mexico’s staff told Record, while stopping short of confirming that the Xolos goalkeeper has secured a place in the 26-man roster. “Antonio is a goalkeeper with strong numbers and the level to be here, but Javier has the final say.” Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre. Rangel and Acevedo are Mexico’s top goalkeepers With less than two months until Mexico open their 2026 World Cup campaign against South Africa, it appears clear that Raul Rangel will be the national team’s starting goalkeeper. The Chivas player has started seven of the team’s last eight matches, while continuing to deliver solid performances at club level. Santos Laguna captain Carlos Acevedo is the second option, having remained a consistent call-up in recent months. That leaves just one spot available for a goalkeeper in the 26-man roster set to compete this summer in North America. The battle for Mexico’s third goalkeeper spot In the race for Mexico’s third goalkeeper role, Ochoa holds the advantage of vast international experience, having appeared in five consecutive World Cups since Germany 2006. On the other hand, his career is nearing its final stage, and he no longer holds the same club-level prominence he once did—currently playing for AEL Limassol in Cyprus. Antonio Rodriguez’s case is the opposite. He is enjoying an outstanding run with Tijuana, playing a key role for the club in Liga MX. However, his international experience is minimal: he has made just two appearances for Mexico, the most recent in December 2023. Messi, Ronaldo, and Ochoa chase sixth World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi appear on track to feature in the 2026 World Cup with Portugal and Argentina, respectively. That would allow them to become the first players in history to compete in six editions of the tournament. Germany 2006 was their first appearance, followed by South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022. Guillermo Ochoa followed that same path with Mexico, but the goalkeeper’s outlook is far less certain heading into North America 2026.

Due to Cancelo's injury occurring 50 days before the 2026 World Cup, and Barcelona's heavy reliance on his recent form under Hansi Flick, the incident has caused worry on both the club and national levels. Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portugal national team are on alert after Joao Cancelo picked up a knee injury for Barcelona, with the World Cup now just around the corner and uncertainty surrounding the defender’s condition. Due to Cancelo’s injury occurring 50 days before the 2026 World Cup, and Barcelona’s heavy reliance on his recent form under Hansi Flick, the incident has caused worry on both the club and national levels. The injury occurred during Barcelona’s La Liga match against Celta Vigo, where the club was forced into an early defensive change. What initially looked like a minor knock quickly turned into a worrying situation for a player who had been one of the team’s most consistent performers. Joao Cancelo started the match on the left side of Barcelona’s defence, continuing his regular role in Hansi Flick’s system. However, just minutes into the game, he went down after a challenge and immediately showed signs of discomfort in his knee. Medical staff rushed onto the pitch to assess him, but it was clear he could not continue. Alejandro Balde was brought on as a replacement as the Blaugrana was forced into an early reshuffle. It looks like joao cancelo has done his knee right there!!! It looks serious he can’t continue playing 😳 pic.twitter.com/xjxI5PTRRY — LIVE GOALS (@FTLiveGoals) April 22, 2026 Growing concern for Portugal ahead of World Cup The timing of the injury has raised broader concern beyond Barcelona, especially in Portugal, where Cancelo remains a key figure alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. With the World Cup approaching, any potential long-term absence would be a significant setback. Early indications suggest the injury involves his right knee, though the severity is still unknown. Reports confirm that Cancelo was able to walk off the pitch, offering some hope that the damage may not be serious. Still, uncertainty remains, and that alone is enough to worry both club and national team staff. The 31-year-old was able to leave the field unassisted following his substitution, but the severity of the injury is yet unknown. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal interacts with teammate Joao Cancelo Medical tests to determine extent of injury amid Portugal’s injury woes According to Diario AS, Barcelona has already scheduled further medical examinations to determine the exact nature of the injury and how long he may be sidelined. The club is waiting for clarity before making any official conclusions. Cancelo has been in strong form since returning to the Camp Nou, contributing consistently in both defensive stability and attacking support. His absence, even if temporary, would force Flick to rely more heavily on Alejandro Balde in key fixtures. This latest setback adds to Portugal’s growing list of concerns ahead of the World Cup, with other key players, including Vitinha and Nuno Mendes, already dealing with fitness issues. His partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo at international level has been central to the Selecao’s recent campaigns, making his fitness a priority for the national setup.

Barcelona 1-0 Celta Vigo Barcelona have restored their nine-point lead at the top of La Liga, having seen off a brave challenge from Celta Vigo at the Spotify Camp Nou. The Catalans were keen for a fast start on home soil, and they almost took the lead inside 15 seconds when Ferran Torres did well […] The post Injuries overshadow narrow Barcelona victory over Celta Vigo appeared first on Football España.

Al-Nassr have reportedly open contract negotiations with an important piece in the team to stay alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Al-Nassr are probably enjoying their best spell as a team since Cristiano Ronaldo arrived, with their current position at the top of the league and having just reached the AFC Champions League Two final. A very important part of their success has come from Iñigo Martínez’s arrival. Martínez was a huge addition last year when he joined the team after leaving Barcelona on a free transfer. He only signed for one year, so his contract is about to expire, which means any team can negotiate with him. The good news for Ronaldo is that Martínez may stay for a while longer. According to AS, the club has already begun contract talks, with a renewal as their main goal. What makes this even more likely is that the player has reportedly adapted very well to life in Saudi Arabia. Keeping the experienced leader in the team could be essential to winning more trophies. Martínez’s season with Al-Nassr Al-Nassr are closest to a title in the Saudi Pro League. With one more match played than Al-Hilal, they currently have an eight-point lead. Martínez has been a huge addition to the team, having played 27 of 29 matches in the competition. He has also scored three goals. Al-Nassr look ready to win the league this year (Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) Their run in the Kings Cup was not as good, with the team losing in their second match, but Martínez proved his reliability by being available for both matches despite the club having more important goals for the year. Martínez has also been a stable presence in defense during their AFC Champions League Two campaign. On their way to the final against Gamba Osaka, the 34-year-old has taken part in seven of the 10 matches the club has played, and they have not lost yet. Martínez’s career summary Martínez had played for only three clubs before arriving in Saudi Arabia last year, but they were three clubs with strong support. The defender played 238 matches for Real Sociedad from 2011 to 2018. He then moved to Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao, where he played 177 matches from 2018 to 2023. His final spell was at Barcelona, where he made 71 appearances in two years to round out a successful career.

The 41-year-old Portuguese star could win his first title with the team he joined in 2022. Leer

Manchester City faced off against Burnley at Turf Moor earlier tonight as they hoped to secure a positive result on the road in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s men made a bright start to the game and scored the opening goal in the fifth minute thanks to Erling Haaland’s composed finish. The Mancunian outfit controlled […] The post Haaland Gets 8, Silva With 7.5 | Manchester City Players Rated In Important Win Vs Burnley appeared first on The 4th Official - A view from the sideline.

Manchester City 1 (Erling Haaland 5′) Burnley 0 Here are the City player ratings and match report as Manchester City beat Burnley 1-0 to move to the top of the Premier League table. A fifth minute goal from Erling Haaland was enough for City to pick up all three points and confirm Burnley’s relegation to […] The post Manchester City 1 Burnley 0: City player ratings as Pep Guardiola’s side go top of the Premier League appeared first on Esteemed Kompany.

In a recent report, Fichajes claimed that Liverpool have identified AC Milan winger Rafael Leao as a target. It has been mentioned that the Reds are eyeing a move to bring the Portuguese wide player to Merseyside this summer. Leao’s Impressive Form In Serie A Leao has enjoyed a good run of form at the […] The post Liverpool Identify This AC Milan Winger As A Target: What Will He Add To Slot’s Side? appeared first on The 4th Official - A view from the sideline.

The result marks a major milestone for the Saudi outfit, with Ronaldo and his teammates pushing deep into a competition they are now just one step away from winning. Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been at the center of a defining night for Al-Nassr, as the club powered past Qatar’s Al-Ahli with a 5-1 victory to reach the AFC Champions League Two final for the first time. The result marks a major milestone for the Saudi outfit, with Ronaldo and his teammates pushing deep into a competition they are now just one step away from winning. The match began with immediate drama, as Al-Ahli threatened to seize control in the opening minutes. A penalty offered them a golden opportunity, but goalkeeper Bento produced a crucial save to deny Julian Draxler and keep the score level. Moments later, however, Al-Ahli found their breakthrough through Sekou Yansane, briefly silencing the home side. That lead lasted only minutes, as Kingsley Coman responded with a close-range finish to restore balance and ignite the comeback. From that point on, Al-Nassr began to dictate the rhythm with authority. Angelo Gabriel turned provider and scorer, first setting up Coman before calmly finishing himself to give the club the lead midway through the first half. The pressure never eased, and just before halftime, Coman struck again to extend the advantage. By the break, Jorge Jesus’ players had transformed a shaky start into a commanding 3-1 lead, leaving little doubt about the direction of the contest. The second half followed a familiar pattern, with Al-Nassr controlling possession and creating chances at will. Final secured 🏆 See you in Riyadh 👋 pic.twitter.com/IGjgIejZx3 — AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) April 22, 2026 Coman completed his hat-trick in the 64th minute, finishing calmly after another incisive pass from Angelo. Late in the game, Abdullah Al-Hamdan added a fifth goal to complete a dominant 5-1 victory, underlining the gap between the two sides. The record revealed Only after the dust settled did the full significance of the result become clear. According to ESPN, Al-Nassr has become the first Saudi club to qualify for the AFC Champions League Two final, marking a historic milestone in the competition. This achievement places the club in uncharted territory, elevating its continental standing and reinforcing its rapid evolution into a genuine force in Asian soccer. The victory now sets up a final clash against Gamba Osaka, with the trophy within touching distance. For a team still chasing its first major title since Ronaldo’s arrival, the opportunity carries enormous significance. Ronaldo’s influence beyond goals While Ronaldo did not find the net, his presence remained central to the team’s attacking flow. The veteran forward stretched the defense, linked play effectively, and created openings that allowed teammates to thrive in dangerous areas. MY LEFT BACK!!🐐🐐🐐🐐 pic.twitter.com/9jsuVpdLiV — The Nassr Tribune™️ (@AlNassrTribune) April 22, 2026 His leadership was visible in moments of transition, urging the team forward and maintaining intensity. Even without scoring, his influence helped sustain the relentless attacking pressure that defined the performance.