World Cup News

Vinicius Junior surpassed a Lionel Messi assist record in the UEFA Champions League during Real Madrid’s loss to Bayern Munich, although Cristiano Ronaldo still leads the all-time list. Real Madrid were eliminated from the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League after falling to Bayern Munich on Wednesday in Germany. However, the match allowed Vinicius Junior to surpass a Lionel Messi mark and move closer to Cristiano Ronaldo. Vini produced a brilliant play and assisted Kylian Mbappe on Real Madrid’s third goal in the closing minutes of the first half, which temporarily put the Spanish side level in the tie. With that contribution, the Brazilian winger reached 13 assists in the knockout stages of the European competition. In doing so, Vinicius moved past Lionel Messi for second place in the all-time rankings in that category. The Argentine forward had recorded 12 assists in Champions League knockout matches during his time with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. Cristiano Ronaldo remains at the top of the list, having recorded a total of 15 assists in the tournament’s knockout stages across his spells with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus. No other player has come close to those numbers, but Vinicius, at just 25 years old, needs only three more to claim the all-time record. IT'S MBAPPE'S TURN! 😱 OH MY GOODNESS, WHAT A MATCH! #UCL pic.twitter.com/g0RYwP92aF — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) April 15, 2026 Vinicius also draws level with Neymar That assist to Mbappe at the Allianz Arena also helped Vinicius climb the all-time Champions League assist rankings, including both the knockout rounds and the group stage. Vini is now tied with Neymar for fourth place on the list with 33 assists, and he has strong prospects of closing in on the top spots in the near future. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, as expected, are also in the top three, with the Portuguese star leading the way. However, there is another somewhat unexpected name included: Angel Di Maria, who played alongside both legends at Real Madrid and PSG, respectively. All-time Champions League assist leaders: 1- Cristiano Ronaldo (42) 2- Angel Di Maria (41) 3- Lionel Messi (40) 4- Neymar (33) 4- Vinicius (33) 6- Kevin De Bruyne (31) 6- Ryan Giggs (31) 8- Xavi Hernandez (30) 8- Thomas Muller (30) 10- Karim Benzema (29) 10- Andres Iniesta (29)

The Argentina and Inter Miami forward has bought Cornella, who play in the same city as his former club Barcelona.

UE Cornella have announced that Lionel Messi has become the club’s new owner. Lionel Messi continues to take steps toward remaining involved in soccer once his professional playing career comes to an end. His latest move in that direction is the acquisition of a fifth-division club in Spain, Unio Esportiva Cornella, the third club he is involved in. “The Argentine footballer and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Leo Messi, has finalized the acquisition of UE Cornella,” the club announced in a statement published Thursday on their official website. “With this operation, Messi strengthens his close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalunya.” UE Cornella are a club founded in 1951 and based in the autonomous community of Catalunya, around 50 miles from Barcelona. They currently compete in the Tercera RFEF (Spain’s fifth division) and sit third in Group V, five points behind leaders Manresa. “The arrival of Leo Messi opens a new chapter in the club’s history, with the aim of driving its sporting and institutional growth, strengthening its structure, and continuing to invest in talent. The project includes a long-term vision, with a strategic plan that combines ambition, sustainability, and local identity,” the statement added. Lionel Messi of Inter Miami How many clubs is Lionel Messi involved in? While continuing his professional career — since 2023 with Inter Miami — Lionel Messi has also begun exploring a role that was previously unfamiliar to him: club ownership and management. On more than one occasion, he has said this side of soccer appeals to him more than coaching, as he looks ahead to life after retirement. Last year, he joined his friend and teammate Luis Suarez in a project of this kind in Uruguay, becoming co-founders and co-owners of Deportivo LSM. The club debuted in the country’s fourth division and, in its first season — 2025 — earned promotion, beginning what looks like a promising path forward. In addition, the Messi family also founded a club in Argentina: Leones de Rosario FC, based in Leo’s hometown. The project began in 2015 with a focus on developing young talent, but this year took its first professional step by joining Primera C, Argentina’s fourth division. Messi and Ronaldo follow similar paths The news of Lionel Messi’s acquisition of UE Cornella comes just months after Cristiano Ronaldo made a similar move. The 41-year-old forward has owned a 25% stake in Almeria since February of this year, another club competing in the lower tiers of Spanish soccer. Almeria, unlike UE Cornella, are a more established club with greater tradition: they have spent a total of seven seasons in La Liga, most recently in 2024. Messi’s new club, meanwhile, have yet to play in Spain’s top division.

Guillermo Hoyos spoke for the first time as Inter Miami head coach and addressed his relationship with Lionel Messi. This week, Inter Miami were shaken by Javier Mascherano’s surprising decision to step down, citing personal reasons. Guillermo Hoyos was appointed on an interim basis to replace him and has now opened up about his connection with Lionel Messi. “Being on the field with the greatest player in history is extraordinary,” Hoyos said in his first press conference as head coach of the Herons, as shared by reporter Jose Armando on his official X account. Regarding the nature of his relationship with Messi, the coach was clear: “There’s a friendship we’ve built over the years, like with many other players in different countries… Friendship is non-negotiable.” However, Hoyos made it clear that this bond of trust also comes with boundaries. “That doesn’t mean we’re around him every day. You have to respect everything — his privacy, for example — be prudent, and quietly continue building this approach,” Guillermo said. “All of this is new.” Head Coach Guillermo Hoyos of Inter Miami CF talks to his players during a training session. How did Messi and Hoyos meet? Lionel Messi and Guillermo Hoyos first crossed paths when the forward was still a teenager and had just arrived at Barcelona. At the time, Guillermo was working within the club’s academy and quickly took on a role in helping his compatriot adjust to a new country and club. “He helped me a lot from the moment I arrived at Barca. He was always there for me… He taught me things and helped me get to where I am,” Messi said previously about Hoyos’ role in his development at Barcelona, according to Ole. More than 20 years later, the two reunited at Inter Miami in different roles: Messi as the team’s superstar and Hoyos as sporting director. However, Mascherano’s sudden departure forced the club to turn to him to fill the vacancy, at least on an interim basis. Hoyos highlights Inter Miami’s structure In the same press conference, Guillermo Hoyos addressed his current situation after moving from sporting director to interim head coach. “I’m at the club’s service, and that’s why I’m in this position today. A couple of days ago, I was in a different role,” he said. “I’m here to help in any way the club needs.” Finally, Hoyos expressed strong optimism about Inter Miami’s potential. “It’s one of the 10 best clubs in the world, not just in MLS,” the coach said. “Because it has a structure. And especially with the stadium they’ve inaugurated, which is something extraordinary. It’s a club with tremendous potential.”

VID Music Group last month filed claims of fraud and breach of contract against Messi and the Argentine Football Association.

Italian teams have shone in European competition in recent years. Current Serie A league leaders...

Lionel Messi is at the center of a $7M breach of contract lawsuit against the Argentina FA following the star's absence from last year's friendly against Venezuela in the U.S. Lionel Messi finds himself at the center of a new controversy surrounding the Argentina Football Association (AFA), this time involving a high-stakes legal dispute over the October international window. After the Inter Miami star failed to appear in a friendly against Venezuela, the AFA is now reportedly facing a $7 million lawsuit for breach of contract regarding matches scheduled on U.S. soil. The dispute stems from an agreement with VID, a Miami-based events company, which allegedly paid $7 million in August for the exclusive rights to Argentina’s October friendlies. The world champions were originally slated to face Venezuela on October 10 and Puerto Rico on October 14. However, the international break clashed with a pivotal stretch of the MLS season. With Inter Miami chasing the 2025 Supporters’ Shield, a match against Atlanta United was rescheduled for October 11. Despite being officially “ruled out due to injury” for the national team’s clash with Venezuela, Messi started for the Herons against Atlanta just one day later, netting a brace and adding an assist in a dominant performance. While Messi eventually joined the national team to play the full 90 minutes in a 6-0 rout of Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium, the damage was already done. His absence from the Venezuela fixture, where he was spotted watching from a VIP suite with his family, reportedly led to disastrous financial consequences for VID, triggering the multi-million dollar legal action. Lionel Messi of Argentina and his family attend the International Friendly against Venezuela. AFA and the infringements of the original deal According to local reports, the AFA and Messi are facing 10 different charges in the suit. A key stipulation in the contract, as reported by The Athletic, required Messi to play at least 30 minutes in both matches unless sidelined by a legitimate injury or illness, citing his massive commercial draw as the primary value of the deal. The lack of star power for the Venezuela game resulted in a box-office catastrophe. Hard Rock Stadium saw a dismal turnout of approximately 15,000 fans, representing just 23% of the venue’s total capacity. Furthermore, the relocation of the Puerto Rico match from Chicago to Miami reportedly dealt another financial blow to VID. The company claims it lost over $1.3 million in promotion and logistics costs for the original Chicago venue. Following the move to Chase Stadium, the promoters allege the AFA breached its contract by failing to refund a portion of the upfront payments as agreed upon. In an attempt to salvage the partnership, reports suggest the AFA initially promised future U.S. matchups in June 2026 to compensate for the losses. However, those promises appear to have fallen through, and a third-party agent involved in the negotiations has also been accused of fraud. The current counts against the AFA include negligent misrepresentation and multiple breaches of the $7 million contract. While the total damages sought by VID have not been fully disclosed, the company maintains that the fallout from the October window resulted in millions of dollars in lost revenue.

Barcelona legend Lionel Messi has perhaps hinted at a return to living in Spain down the line, with the purchase of a 5th division Spanish club close to Barcelona. The Inter Miami and Argentina star is yet to call time on his playing career, but has admitted that he is in the twilight of his […] The post Lionel Messi purchases Spanish club close to Barcelona appeared first on Football España.

Barcelona great Lionel Messi has bought Spanish fifth-division team Cornellà, the club announced on Thursday.

Argentina World Cup winner Lionel Messi becomes the new owner of Catalan club Cornella.

Lionel Messi is now the owner of a club in Barcelona, the city where he made his name

Messi will have full control of the club, based just five miles from Camp Nou, as he looks to life after football.

The fifth-tier side play their games next to Espanyol's RCDE Stadium in Barcelona

April 16 - Lionel Messi has acquired Spanish fifth-tier team UE Cornella, the Catalonia-based club announced on Thursday.

Lionel Messi buys fifth-division Spanish club Cornellà espn.in

Lionel Messi has been announced as the new owner of Spanish club UE Cornella. The Argentinian football icon, widely regarded as the greatest player ever, has completed his acquisition of a side loc…

Lionel Messi has strengthened his ties with Catalonia by buying UE Cornella

David Beckham's influence is seemingly rubbing off on Lionel Messi, as the Inter Miami star sets himself up for life after football by buying a club of his own

Messi said it without saying it. Leer

LIONEL MESSI has bought his own football club as he prepares for life after football. The iconic Argentine is contracted to MLS outfit Inter Miami until 2028. Messi, 38, is making steps to keep himself in football after he leaves the American club. The Barcelona legend has invested in Spanish lower league side UE Cornella....

Il campione argentino investe in una società di calcio.

Messi, 38, did not play in Argentina's October friendly against Venezuela.

GARY LINEKER has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo "doesn't like him very much" and unfollowed him on Instagram because he said Lionel Messi was a better player. The former Match of the Day host has regularly weighed in on the GOAT debate between the two superstars. And he has always given World Cup winner Messi his backing,...

Ai Mondiali disputati in Qatar, il capitano dell'Argentina ha superato le aspettative per immortalare la sua eredità nell'unico modo che gli mancava.

Vid Music Group filed the lawsuit for fraud and breach of contract against Messi and the Argentine Football Association in Miami-Dade circuit court last month, according to court records

A Miami-based event promoter has filed a $7 million lawsuit against Lionel Messi and the Argentine Football Association, alleging fraud and breach of contract after the star sat out an exhibition match last October.

Guillermo Hoyos said his long friendship with Lionel Messi will not stop him working the Argentine superstar hard in training, as he was unveiled as the new coach of MLS side Inter Miami on Wednesday. Hoyos, previously Miami’s sporting director, replaces Javier Mascherano, who departed the club for “personal reasons” Tuesday just four months after […] The post Longtime Messi friend Hoyos unveiled as Inter Miami coach appeared first on Soccer America.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has taken the extraordinary step of consulting the country's president, Lula, over whether Neymar should be included in the squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Despite being eliminated by Bayern Munich, Kylian Mbappe eclipsed Lionel Messi’s personal best but fell short of matching Cristiano Ronaldo's record for goals in a single UEFA Champions League season. Kylian Mbappe‘s 2025-26 UEFA Champions League campaign came to a crashing halt Wednesday following Real Madrid’s 6-4 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich in the quarterfinal second leg. While the Frenchman managed to surpass Lionel Messi’s personal best, he ultimately fell short of matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s gold standard for goals in a single UCL season. Despite being sidelined for three matches, Mbappe enjoyed a prolific run in European play, netting a staggering 13 goals in just seven games during the league phase. Those historic numbers immediately put the Frenchman on a trajectory to shatter every existing record had Real Madrid managed a deeper run toward the final. His availability in the knockout stages was limited, featuring only in the first leg of the playoff round against Benfica and the second leg of the Round of 16 against Manchester City after missing time with a knee sprain. After going scoreless in those earlier rounds, Mbappe regained his form in the quarterfinals against Bayern Munich, scoring once in each leg of the series. His 42nd-minute strike at the Allianz Arena, assisted by Vinicius Junior, brought his tournament total to 15 goals. Although he shattered his previous personal bests of eight goals in the 2020-21 and 2023-24 campaigns, the premature exit effectively clipped Mbappe’s wings in his pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo’s ultimate milestone. Messi left in the rearview When it comes to pure finishing, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi remain the competition’s historical benchmarks. However, Mbappe’s 2025-26 output has already eclipsed the greatest single-season effort produced by the Argentine and Barcelona legend. By finding the net 15 times in 11 appearances, Mbappe surpassed Messi’s career-high for a single Champions League campaign. Messi’s most productive season came in 2011-12, when he scored 14 goals before Barcelona was eliminated by Chelsea in the semifinal stage. Remarkably, Mbappe now joins an elite club alongside Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski, who both reached the 15-goal mark in a single season. Benzema achieved the feat in 12 matches during the 2021-22 campaign, while Lewandowski hit the number in just 10 games in 2019-20; notably, Mbappe is the first to do so under the competition’s revamped format. Cristiano Ronaldo’s record remains safe While Mbappe was on a torrid pace, the quarterfinal exit preserves both of the high-water marks set by Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese icon still holds the record for the most goals in a single Champions League edition, having scored 17 times in 11 games during the 2013-14 season. Furthermore, Ronaldo also maintains the second-best mark in history, a 16-goal barrage across 12 games in 2015-16. Mbappe’s mid-season fitness issues, which saw him sidelined for three matches, proved to be missed opportunities to catch Ronaldo, whose records will remain untouched for at least one more year.

Kylian Mbappe is closing in on the numbers posted by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the UEFA Champions League. Kylian Mbappe’s scoring run during the 2025-26 season with Real Madrid has put him in the conversation with the all-time greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The French forward scored this Wednesday against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League and now sits sixth on the all-time scoring list with 70 goals. What stands out most about the French forward is how quickly he has climbed the rankings: Mbappe reached that mark at just 27 years and 116 days, surpassing the career totals of other legends such as Thomas Muller, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. That milestone puts Mbappe in direct competition with the two defining stars of this century, Messi and Ronaldo. They remain the top scorers in Champions League history, but Kylian is on track to seriously challenge their records. At the same age Mbappe is now, neither Messi nor Ronaldo had reached 70 goals in the competition. At 27 years and 116 days, the Argentine forward had scored 68 Champions League goals, while the Portuguese star had just 38. IT'S MBAPPE'S TURN! 😱 OH MY GOODNESS, WHAT A MATCH! #UCL pic.twitter.com/g0RYwP92aF — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) April 15, 2026 In terms of efficiency, Lionel Messi holds the edge. By the time he reached 68 goals, the then-Barcelona player had done so in 88 matches, averaging 0.77 goals per game. Mbappe follows with an average of 0.71, with 70 goals in 98 matches. Cristiano Ronaldo, at that same age, had scored 38 goals in 80 matches, for an average of 0.47. All-time Champions League top scorers: 1- Cristiano Ronaldo – 140 goals 2- Lionel Messi – 129 goals 3- Robert Lewandowski – 109 goals 4- Karim Benzema – 90 goals 5- Raul Gonzalez – 71 goals 6- Kylian Mbappe – 70 goals 7- Thomas Muller – 57 goals 8- Erling Haaland – 57 goals 9- Ruud van Nistelrooy – 57 goals 10- Harry Kane – 51 goals Mbappe makes history in Europe Despite Real Madrid’s elimination against Bayern Munich, Kylian Mbappe still has plenty of reasons to be satisfied with his performances. He is, and very likely will remain, the top scorer in this edition of the UEFA Champions League with 15 goals in 11 matches. Only three players had previously reached that total in a single edition of the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo holds the all-time record, having done it three times, including the single-season mark of 17 goals. Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema have each reached 15 once. However, this Wednesday the French forward achieved something that not even Ronaldo or Messi managed during their peak years in Europe. Mbappe became the only player in Champions League history to score 10 away goals in a single season — and he did it without even reaching the semifinals of the tournament, underlining his remarkable performance this campaign.

New Inter Miami CF interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos insists he's grateful to be working alongside Lionel Messi on the field once again, but emphasized that he'll continue to proceed with respect.

World Cup winner and Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi is reportedly being sued by a promoter in Florida over alleged 'fraud and breach of contract'

David Beckham's MLS franchise needs a new head coach after Mascherano resigned on Tuesday amid a stuttering start to the 2026 season, just four months after winning the MLS Cup.

Inter Miami's Guillermo Hoyos 'grateful' to coach Lionel Messi again espn.in

Javier Mascherano quitting as Inter Miami manager illustrates how hard it's becoming to keep an aging Lionel Messi happy within a team in transition.

LIONEL MESSI is being sued for FRAUD by a Florida promoter, reports suggest. VID, a Miami-based company that specialises in putting on sports and music events, are suing Messi and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) for an alleged breach of contract. According to TMZ, the firm claims they lost out on millions of dollars due...

According to TMZ , VID - a Miami-based company that specializes in putting on sports and music events - has filed a lawsuit against both Messi and the Argentina Football Association.

L'eredità di Pep Guardiola sulla panchina del Manchester City, se il catalano decidesse di lasciare i Citizens a fine stagione, sarebbe una delle più pesanti da raccogliere nella storia del calcio. Guardiola, al City dal 2016, ha infatti plasmato a sua immagine e somiglianza una squadra e un club che, seppure avessero iniziato a vincere con Roberto Mancini e Manuel Pellegrini, fino al 2016 vivevano in una dimensione completamente diversa rispetto a quella dell'ultimo, forse irripetibile, decennio. Ancor più che al Barcellona, dove Guardiola aveva innestato il suo enorme lavoro sulla filosofia di Johan Cruyff, e aveva avuto a disposizione Lionel Messi e tanti altri fenomeni, al Manchester City Pep ha costruito l'immagine del club, ne ha creato il valore e il modo di giocare e di intendere il calcio. E naturalmente ha vinto, tantissimo: 5 Premier, 2 FA Cup, 3 Community Shield, 5 Coppe di Lega, 1 Champions, 1 Mondiale per club e 1 Supercoppa europea. E ovviamente lo ha fatto potendo contare anche, oltre che sul suo talento e le sue capacità, su investimenti poderosi da parte della proprietà del club (oltre 2 miliardi di euro). MARESCA Guardiola ha un contratto in essere fino al 30 giugno del 2027, ma i rumors rispetto a un addio anticipato, al termine di questa stagione, sono in aumento. E i nomi dei potenziali successori, di chi potrebbe raccoglierla questa pesantissima eredità, iniziano a circolare. Il primo nome di questa short list è quello di Enzo Maresca, che al Manchester City ha già allenato nelle giovanili (2020-21) ed è stato collaboratore tecnico di Guardiola nella stagione 2022-23. Dopo l'esperienza al City, Maresca è volato al Chelsea, vincendo il primo Mondiale per club della storia, prima di essere esonerato. Il classe 1980 campano conosce già l'ambiente ed è cresciuto e ha studiato alla scuola di Guardiola, un plus che lo mette automaticamente in cima alla lista dei candidati, anche grazie al fatto di essere, in questo momento, senza squadra. I TRE SPAGNOLI Oltre all'italiano Maresca, tra i candidati a prendere il posto di Guardiola ci sono tre spagnoli: Cesc Fabregas, classe 1987, l'artefice del progetto Como, passato in pochi anni dalla Serie B alla lotta per un posto in Champions League, grazie agli investimenti della proprietà indonesiana e a un progetto tecnico riconoscibile. Il secondo spagnolo è Andoni Iraola, classe 1982, ex difensore e attuale allenatore del Bournemouth, undicesimo in classifica in Premier League e fautore di un calcio corale e propositivo, sulla falsariga dell'idea di Guardiola. E infine c'è il classe 1980 Xavi Hernández, senza squadra dopo l'esperienza al Barcellona dal 2021 al 2024: Xavi, che è stato un elemento cardine del Barça di Guardiola, ha lo svantaggio di essere un po' passato di moda, dopo la fine dell'esperienza blaugrana, ma è anche l'unico, fra i tre spagnoli, ad avere comunque già maturato un vissuto, sia vincente (1 Liga e 1 Supercoppa di Spagna) che perdente sulla panchina di un top club. Questi quattro allenatori sono quelli più chiacchierati in questo momento, ma niente esclude che nel roster dei candidati possano entrare anche altri nomi. Sempre che Guardiola, poi, non decida invece di rilanciare ancora…

Is Cristiano Ronaldo the greatest player to ever grace the Premier League? How did he transform his game from a flashy, unpredictable winger into one of football’s most lethal number nines? And to what extent did his iconic rivalry with Lionel Messi drive him to reach unprecedented heights? Gary, Alan & Micah look back at Cristiano Ronaldo’s short but unforgettable Premier League career. From his early days as a skinny winger, to becoming a relentless, goal-per-game machine across Europe, and one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football Join The Players Lounge for FREE for access to our FPL, tips from Fantasy Football Hub, AI-powered team ratings and our private Slack community. Sign up today at: therestisfootball.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ✅ Subscribe Here: https://www.youtube.com/@therestisfootball?sub_confirmation=1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🎙️ Listen To The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/therestisfootball ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🗞️ Sign Up To The Newsletter Here: https://mailchi.mp/therestisfootball/trif ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 📱 Follow Us On Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRestIsFootball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therestisfootball/ Snapchat: https://story.snapchat.com/p/8c729650-9d54-407d-8c62-c658546eee44 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@restisfootball Twitter: https://twitter.com/RestIsFootball ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is Cristiano Ronaldo the greatest player to ever grace the Premier League? How did he transform his game from a flashy, unpredictable winger into one of football’s most lethal number nines? And to what extent did his iconic rivalry with Lionel Messi drive him to reach unprecedented heights? Gary, Alan & Micah look back at Cristiano Ronaldo’s short but unforgettable Premier League career. From his early days as a skinny winger, to becoming a relentless, goal-per-game machine across Europe, and one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football. One platform. Full customer context. Real growth. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Javier Mascherano has left his role as head coach of Inter Miami, bringing an abrupt end to his tenure despite guiding the club to MLS Cup success last season. The Major League Soccer club confirmed the Argentine’s departure on Tuesday, with the decision marking one of the most surprising managerial changes of the early 2026 […]

Cristian Romero was injured over the weekend and will probably join the World Cup squad as a last-minute addition Leer

A glimpse into the next generation already making noise at Inter Miami Leer

Lamine Yamal continues to draw global attention as he delivers another historic UEFA Champions League performance for Barcelona. At the same time, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo remain the reference points for greatness in Europe’s elite competition. Lamine Yamal continues to draw global attention as he delivers another historic UEFA Champions League performance for Barcelona. At the same time, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo remain the reference points for greatness in Europe’s elite competition. In a tense knockout clash against Atletico Madrid, Yamal’s influence once again stood out in a match that swung between control and chaos. The teenager’s rise is now being measured not just in moments, but in records that place him ahead of soccer’s most iconic figures. At the same time, the discussion around Messi and Ronaldo has resurfaced, with their early Champions League milestones offering context for just how unusual Yamal’s trajectory has become. The second leg at the Metropolitano began with intensity, as Barcelona tried to overturn a first-leg deficit against Atletico Madrid. Early pressure brought immediate danger, with Yamal creating the first real opening inside the opening minute, forcing an early save from Jan Oblak’s replacement. The breakthrough arrived quickly when the Spaniard finished a flowing move after a defensive error, putting the club ahead on the night. It was the teen star who calmly finished through the goalkeeper’s legs to silence the stadium. YAMAL WHAT A GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/Hprk6Rf3VN — caramel_guy (@Tiffany_FongAOC) April 14, 2026 Lamine Yamal breaks unprecedented Champions League record Amid the tension, Lamine Yamal reached a historic milestone by becoming the youngest player ever to record 20 Champions League goal contributions (11 goals and nine assists). According to Squawka, he achieved this at just 18 years and 275 days old, a record that places him in a category no other teenager has reached. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CBS Sports Golazo (@cbssportsgolazo) Even more striking is the context: he achieved this milestone in just 32 matches and before turning 19, a feat that places him in uncharted territory. He also became the youngest player to reach 10+ goal contributions in a single Champions League campaign. Even in a high-pressure knockout tie, his involvement remained decisive, as seen in his assist and attacking influence throughout the match. Lamine Yamal is the youngest ever player to be directly involved in 10+ goals in a single Champions League campaign. 18 years and 275 days old. 👑 pic.twitter.com/IqhwL8Zzd5 — Squawka (@Squawka) April 14, 2026 When Messi reached the milestone For Lionel Messi, the journey to similar numbers came later in his development at Barcelona. He reached 20 Champions League goals at 22 years and 266 days old, requiring around 40 appearances to hit that mark. At that stage, the Argentine was still transitioning into a central attacking role, gradually evolving into the defining figure of his era. Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona looks on during the La Liga Santander match. When Cristiano Ronaldo reached the milestone Cristiano Ronaldo’s progression in Europe followed a different path, taking longer in his early years at Manchester United before exploding at Real Madrid. He reached 20 Champions League goals at 24 years old, doing so in 56 matches. Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United celebrates after scoring Like Messi, Ronaldo’s early Champions League years were about adaptation and growth before his peak scoring phase arrived. His transformation into a record-breaking forward came later, after refining his role as a consistent goalscorer. That places the Barcelona teenager roughly three to five years ahead of two of the greatest players in Champions League history.

Javier Mascherano announced on Tuesday that he was leaving his role as head coach of Inter Miami, the MLS club spearheaded on the field by his compatriot Lionel Messi. The 41-year-old Argentinian, who guided Miami to the club’s first MLS Cup title, said his surprise departure was due to “personal reasons”. “I want to let […] The post Mascherano departs MLS club Inter Miami appeared first on Soccer America.

Javier Mascherano is out as Inter Miami’s coach, a stunning move that comes only four months after leading Lionel Messi’s club to the MLS Cup title, Guillermo Hoyos will coach in the interim.