World Cup News

Argentina ganador de la Zona Sur y Brasil ganador de la Zona Norte del 2025, se enfrentarán en Brasil para definir al campeón sudamericano. La Final se disputará en las categorías Sub20 y Mayor a dos partidos cada una, el 11 y 12 de abril. La CONMEBOL Liga Evolución Futsal 2025 tendrá su Final este sábado 11 y domingo 12 de abril en el estadio Jaraguá de la ciudad de Jaraguá do Sul del Estado de Santa Catarina - Brasil, donde las selecciones de Argentina y Brasil se enfrentarán por el título continental en las categorías Sub20 y Mayor. En la Final se disputarán cuatro partidos en total entre la Albiceleste y la Canarinha, dos por cada categoría, Sub20 y Mayor, en el que se quedará con el título la selección que acumule la mayor cantidad de puntos en una tabla sumatoria final entre las dos categorías. La selección argentina se clasificó para la Final al ganar la CONMEBOL Liga Evolución Futsal Zona Sur 2025 en el mes de octubre en Asunción - Paraguay , mientras que Brasil consiguió su cupo al conquistar la Zona Norte, jugada en Venezuela, en noviembre del 2025. – Ranking Mundial – Brasil y Argentina, dos potencias sudamericanas del futsal, ocupan actualmente posiciones destacadas en el ranking mundial. Brasil se encuentra en la primera posición, reafirmando su dominio histórico y Argentina alcanzó la cuarta posición en el ranking. Este liderazgo regional demuestra la fortaleza del futsal sudamericano en la escena internacional. – Calendario de Partidos – – Dónde ver – Todos los enfrentamientos por la Final de la CONMEBOL Liga Evolución Futsal 2025 podrán verse en vivo a través del canal de YouTube de la CONMEBOL. – ¿Qué es la CONMEBOL Liga de Evolución? – La CONMEBOL Liga Evolución es el torneo que se disputa en el marco del Programa CONMEBOL Evolución y se realiza en dos zonas, Norte y Sur, con cinco selecciones cada una, en dos disciplinas y en dos categorías, Fútbol Playa y Futsal; Sub20 y Mayores, respectivamente. Los ganadores de las zonas, posteriormente, se enfrentan en una final a doble partido entre ambas categorías para conocer al campeón continental. – Evolución es CONMEBOL – La Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol, a través de su Dirección de Desarrollo, en la constante búsqueda de promocionar al fútbol en todas sus categorías, creó la CONMEBOL Evolución en las divisiones de Futsal y Fútbol Playa. Estos torneos no reemplazan a la CONMEBOL Copa América de estas modalidades, sino que se suman a las ya creadas, como una forma promover las diferentes modalidades del fútbol. La CONMEBOL, de esta manera, busca alentar a los jóvenes talentos que necesitan de estos torneos profesionales para desarrollar al máximo su capacidad y demostrar su potencial. CONMEBOL.com

Carlo Ancelotti’s son and assistant with the Brazil national team delivered an encouraging message for Neymar ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With a little over two months to go before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brazil still face a major question mark regarding Neymar’s potential inclusion in the squad. Now, Carlo Ancelotti’s son and assistant has delivered an encouraging message for the forward. “Of course, he is the top scorer of the national team and he has a chance,” Davide Ancelotti said during a recent interview with BBC Sport. “He has time to do his best and try to get into the list.” These comments make it clear that Neymar is still in the coach’s plans, but his inclusion will depend on his performances at club level over the coming months, as well as his physical consistency. Davide also spoke about the timeline for finalizing the squad that will travel to North America. “The final list will be out on May 18,” said Carlo Ancelotti’s son, revealing that the roster will be announced even before FIFA’s official May 30 deadline. “At the end, it is a decision of the manager that he will take and he has time to take it.” Neymar’s last appearance for Brazil came in October 2023. How many games does Neymar have left before the World Cup? Since there will be no more FIFA international breaks before May 18, Neymar’s chances of making the World Cup squad will depend entirely on his club performances. In that sense, Santos will compete in three different tournaments over the next two months, giving the forward plenty of opportunities to impress. On one hand, the club will continue its Brazilian Serie A campaign. The league has already completed 10 rounds, with Santos sitting 15th in the standings on just 10 points. Before the World Cup break, they will play eight more league matches. In addition, the club will also look to progress in the Copa do Brasil, where they will face Coritiba in the fifth round in a two-legged tie scheduled for April 22 and May 13. Meanwhile, Santos are also competing in the Copa Sudamericana, where they opened their campaign with a 1–0 defeat against Deportivo Cuenca of Ecuador. They still have five group-stage matches remaining. In total, that brings the count to 15 matches before the World Cup, during which Neymar will look to prove himself to Ancelotti. Neymar’s importance for Brazil It is not a minor detail that Davide Ancelotti highlighted Neymar’s status as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer. Carlo Ancelotti’s son made it clear that they are fully aware of the forward’s historical importance at international level, and that experience could prove decisive in key moments. Neymar has scored 79 goals in 129 appearances for Brazil from his debut in 2010 through his most recent match in 2023. That puts him at the top of the national team’s scoring chart, ahead of none other than Pele, who scored 77. The top five is completed by Ronaldo Nazario (62), Romario (55), and Zico (48).

Presenter Olivia Buzaglo has spoken out after Jean-Philippe Mateta was seen with his arm around her during a post-match interview. The Crystal Palace striker caused a stir on social media when he w…

In football, success is often measured in trophies and results — but by the time those arrive, the real work has already been done. Long before dominance becomes visible, it is constructed through structure, repetition, and identity. What appears as success is often just the final outcome of a system that has been built over… The post Built Before Success: How Football Identity Shapes Long-Term Performance first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Nike have admitted they are aware of a glaring problem with their World Cup kits including the new England strip.

The permanent Manchester United job is Michael Carrick’s to lose. That’s according to talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook, who believes the Red Devils interim head…

Andy Robertson has been tipped for a return to the Scottish Premiership this summer with current champions Celtic. Liverpool announced on Thursday that the full-back will leave the club at the end …

Ireland are set to face Poland in their bid to qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.Kathleen McNamee is joined by Scarlett Herron to look at what Ireland should expect from the Polish side and where Carla Ward's side might find some weaknesses. The COYGIG Pod with Cadbury, a proud sponsor of the Republic of Ireland football teams.

Nike has acknowledged its World Cup kits contain a design defect, admitting the shirts do not meet their expectations. Last month, the global sportswear brand released its collection of national te…

Bruno Guimaraes is set to miss Newcastle United's clash with Crystal Palace after illness delayed his recovery from his latest injury.

Martyn, Mike and Rob settle down to revisit one of the great weekends in World Cup history. France and Brazil produce a classic and a goal that would be lionised if the result had been different, the hosts suffer a fate that many will over the years: defeat to West Germany on penalties, the surprise package carry on and England v Argentina provides enough for an entire series. France v Brazil - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ6pRNMS4KE Mexico v West Germany - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI46dXRrj9E England v Argentina - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3382Hx8pag Spain v Belgium - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQRWxyRm_og If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fluminense host Flamengo on Matchday 11 of the 2026 Brasileirao. Fans in the United States can catch every moment with complete kickoff details and broadcast options provided for both television and streaming services. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Fluminense vs Flamengo on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Fluminense vs Flamengo WHAT Brasileirão WHEN 5:30 PM ET / 2:30 PM PT • Satuday, April 11, 2026 WHERE Fanatiz and Premiere STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview A pivotal battle in Brazil’s title race takes center stage this weekend as Fluminense, sitting third on 20 points, looks to chip away at their gap to league leaders Palmeiras, while Flamengo aim to tighten the standings from just behind. Currently fourth with 17 points and holding a game in hand, Flamengo have a prime opportunity to make up ground, but will need to deliver in one of the country’s fiercest rivalries. With both clubs firmly entrenched in the championship chase, this clash brings major implications at the top. More details about watching the game on Fanatiz With Fanatiz, you can watch Fluminense vs Flamengo and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast. In addition, standard Fanatiz plans include access to beIN SPORTS – the network with the rights to Ligue 1, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, the Turkish SüperLig, African club and international competitions, and more. It also has GolTV, the hard-to-find channel that airs the Portuguese Primeira Liga, Ecuadorian Serie A, Peruvian Liga 1, and Uruguayan Primera. The service also has Spanish language coverage of the Argentine Primera and Brasileirão leagues, as well as Colombian and Honduran leagues. The Fanatiz app is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. 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. Useful links Courtesy of World Soccer Talk, download a complimentary copy of The Ultimate Soccer TV And Streaming Guide, which features details on where to watch all of the leagues from around the world on US TV and streaming. To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).

Major League Soccer side FC Cincinnati is in the race to sign Brazilian football icon Neymar from his current side, Santos FC, according to ESPN.

Claudio Gugnali, former assistant coach of Argentina, spoke with Lionel Messi and expressed confidence that he will play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The uncertainty surrounding Lionel Messi’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is getting closer to being resolved. All signs appear to point toward a positive outcome—something also sensed by former Argentina assistant Claudio Gugnali. “For me, Messi will be at the World Cup, there’s no doubt. I felt it, and I saw him in great shape on the field,” Gugnali said in a recent interview with Radio Gol, following the friendlies Argentina played against Mauritania and Zambia in Buenos Aires during the March FIFA break. Gugnali served as assistant to head coach Alejandro Sabella between 2011 and 2014, when the national team reached the World Cup final in Brazil, where they lost 1-0 to Germany. Those years allowed him to build a close relationship with Messi, who was, of course, a key part of that squad. With the forward’s visit to Buenos Aires during the international break, Gugnali had the opportunity to meet with him at the Argentine Football Association training facility and have a private conversation. “We talked about family and his time in Miami; he told me he’s very happy, not like in Paris, where he suffered,” Claudio revealed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Claudio Gugnali (@claudiogugnali) Finally, Gugnali made it clear that he has no doubts about Lionel Messi’s commitment to the Argentina national team and how much every international tournament means to him. “I saw him cry in Brazil and in Qatar; he truly cries for the national team,” the coach said, referring to the Copa America 2021 and World Cup 2022 titles. What will determine whether Messi plays in the 2026 World Cup? During the celebrations after winning the title in Qatar, Lionel Messi said that it had been his last World Cup, adding that he wanted to “keep playing a little longer with Argentina as world champion.” That timeline, however, has gradually extended to include the entire South American qualifiers for 2026, as well as Copa America 2024. With the tournament in North America approaching, the forward has yet to make an official decision about his participation, as he nears his 39th birthday and remains uncertain whether his physical condition will meet the demands of the most intense competition in soccer. “I’ll take it day by day, being honest and trying to be realistic and feel good,” he said in late 2025 in an interview with ESPN. Messi has also expressed optimism that the MLS calendar could work in his favor: “Having a preseason in the middle, I think that changes everything for me… European players arrive at the end with so many matches on their legs. For us, it comes at a different point in the season.” When does Messi have to make a decision? Lionel Messi’s uncertainty cannot last much longer, as FIFA imposes strict deadlines for each national team to finalize its squad. In just over a month, on May 11, coaches of the 48 participating countries must submit a preliminary list of up to 55 players. The final deadline is May 30, when that list must be cut down to the official 26-man roster.

With Neymar being linked to FC Cincinnati, questions arise over how much the MLS side would have to invest to bring in the Santos star. Neymar is back in the headlines, with reports surfacing that FC Cincinnati have expressed interest in signing the Brazilian legend. While the news is still in its early stages, questions are emerging about what it would take financially for the MLS club to pry him away from Santos. According to The Athletic‘s Tom Bogert and Paul Tenorio, FC Cincinnati have initiated contact with Neymar’s entourage to explore the possibility of a move. While direct talks with the player himself have yet to take place, negotiations remain at a preliminary stage, with the financial terms of any potential deal yet to be discussed. The same reporters revealed that internal discussions within the Cincinnati organization are still ongoing as the club weighs whether to push forward with a pursuit. The initial inquiries were made to get a first read on what it would take to make the deal happen. The timing of a potential move is seen as opportune given the current circumstances surrounding both Santos and Neymar’s contract situation. His deal with the Peixe runs through December 2026, meaning he could sign a pre-contract agreement with any club as early as June, while Santos have struggled to find their footing near the top of the Brazilian first division, falling well short of expectations since Neymar’s return last year. Neymar Junior of Santos. The potential move fits into a broader MLS strategy of attracting global stars, a push that has already brought Thomas Muller, Son Heung-min and most recently Antoine Griezmann to North America. For FC Cincinnati specifically, the path is complicated by the fact that all three Designated Player slots are currently occupied by Evander, Kevin Denkey and Teenage Hadebe, meaning at least one would need to be moved on to make room for Neymar. Neymar’s reported contract demands at Santos Beyond clearing a DP slot, the financial investment required to land one of the most marketable players in modern soccer history would be substantial. While Cincinnati would not owe Santos a transfer fee given the expiration of his contract, agreeing to terms with Neymar himself is an entirely different mountain to climb. A May 2025 report from UOL Esporte revealed that the deal brokered between Santos and Neymar’s father, who also serves as his agent, guarantees the player a monthly income of R$21 million, roughly $3.8 million, combining salary and image rights. His official labor documents list a gross salary of R$4.14 million, approximately $750,000 USD, but that figure is only the tip of the iceberg. According to the same report, Neymar is entitled to at least $15 million in marketing projects and image rights, one of the key commercial pillars that MLS and FC Cincinnati would be eager to capitalize on. On top of that, Santos is required to pass on 75% of the value of any sponsorships sold through the arrangement, keeping just 25% for the club. Neymar of Santos warming up prior to the game. All of the above, part of his initial six-month deal with Santos, was supplemented by private flights, luxury hotel accommodations for him and his inner circle, and business class travel for the entire NR Sports staff. His current contract, set to expire in December 2026, has not been made public, but FC Cincinnati are unlikely to find Neymar’s financial expectations easy to meet. That said, the commercial upside of landing one of soccer’s biggest names could still make the equation worthwhile for the club.

In a sudden change of plans, the two rivals of Lionel Messi's Argentina prior to the 2026 World Cup have been reportedly revealed. Lionel Messi is in the final stages of his preparation ahead of Argentina‘s campaign at the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico. With just two friendlies remaining before the tournament begins, the Inter Miami star is now dealing with a change of opponent. As announced by AFA, Argentina will face Honduras and Iceland in the two friendlies scheduled for the June international window ahead of the World Cup. The match against Honduras is set for June 6, while the clash against the Icelandic side follows on June 9, leaving Messi and company just one week to regroup before their tournament opener against Algeria on the 16th. The Honduras fixture had long been floated as a possibility, even during the March window when Argentina ultimately faced Mauritania and Zambia. The Iceland match, however, came as a surprise to fans, not because of the opponent itself, but because Serbia had been widely expected to fill the European slot on the schedule. In his press conference on March 26 ahead of the Mauritania game, head coach Lionel Scaloni had spoken with confidence about the June plans: “Regarding the June matches, it is my understanding that one of them will be against Serbia. That is my understanding; we requested it, thanks to the fact that (Claudio) Arzeno is on Serbia’s coaching staff, and we were able to speak with him. If the match can be played, I believe one of our opponents will be Serbia.“ Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring against Zambia. A recent L’Équipe report noted that Argentina’s upcoming opponents carry a combined average ranking of 85th in the FIFA standings, reigniting the debate around the quality of the Albiceleste’s warm-up schedule. While none of the three sides have qualified for the upcoming World Cup, Argentina, ranked third in the latest update, will face Honduras, ranked 66th, and Iceland, ranked 75th, with the originally planned Serbia, ranked 39th, now out of the picture. Messi set for iconic college football venues While the caliber of the opposition may not generate much excitement, the settings certainly will. Messi and his Argentina teammates are set to play in front of massive crowds at two storied college football stadiums ahead of their World Cup title defense. The game against Honduras on June 6 will be held at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, home of the Texas A&M Aggies and one of the largest stadiums in the country with a capacity of 102,733. The venue last hosted a high-profile soccer occasion when Brazil defeated Mexico 3-2 in a friendly that drew an attendance of 85,249, according to ESPN. The clash against Iceland will then take place at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, home of the Auburn Tigers and another iconic Southeastern Conference venue. With a capacity of 87,451 and the game set to be played on a grass surface, it will mark the first time in the stadium’s 87-year history that a soccer match has been played on its field.

Steve Crossman is joined by Guillem Balague and Davide Ancelotti on this special episode of the Euro Leagues! Davide discusses his upbringing as the son of Carlo Ancelotti, how his father has influenced him as a coach and as a person, and how he motivates his own players through storytelling. Davide also reflects on his first-ever head coach role at Botafogo, before his assistant at the Brazilian club, Andy Mangan, joins the pod! The pair reflect on meeting in Newport, Wales, whilst completing their UEFA badges, and how Andy was asked to join Real Madrid from Stockport back in 2024. And of course, with Davide being Brazil's assistant manager under Carlo Ancelotti at this summer's World Cup, the team look ahead to the tournament, and discuss which players could surprise people in North America. Timecodes: 02:38 Davide's involvement with Brazil at the World Cup 12:21 Could Neymar go to the World Cup, & which players might surprise people? 16:12 Davide's assistant at Botafogo, Andy Mangan, discusses meeting Davide in Wales 32:23 What Davide learnt from his first head coach role at Botafogo? 36:47 Why the potential move to Rangers collapsed 40:52 Davide on creating his own identity whilst being Carlo's son 53:10 How films, books & nature are used to inspire players 59:25 Could Davide manage in the United Kingdom? Live / BBC Sounds commentaries: Sat 1500 Brentford v Everton in PL, Sat 1500 Burnley v Brighton in PL (Sports Extra), Sat 1730 Liverpool v Fulham in PL, Sun 1400 Sunderland v Tottenham in PL, Sun 1400 Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa in PL (Sports Extra), Sun 1400 Crystal Palace v Newcastle United in PL (Sports Extra 2), Sun 1630 Chelsea v Manchester City in PL.

Gareth Barry thinks Manchester United will come to regret their decision to let Casemiro leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS and use code CLNS and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! We are close to the World Cup, so what will the USMNT roster look like? Caring and Cures → https://www.caringandcures.com Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/TacticalManagerTV Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/tacticalmanagertv Twitter → https://twitter.com/ManagerTactical TikTok→ https://www.tiktok.com/@tacticalmanagertv?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Brazil Channel→ @chapeuFootball Merch store → https://www.tacticalmanagertv.com/ Discord link: https://discord.gg/8crvqsqWRU FuboTV Link for Free Trial: https://www.fubo.tv/welcome?irad=343747&irmp=2871982 Our Live Streaming Studio Browser platform preference: https://streamyard.com?fpr=tactical10 Music By Danae Subscribe to his Channel : @listentodanae Intro music by Music By Skymike Subscribe to his Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt2p67RGk8XSquT1OvOfoZg Sources: https://www.transfermarkt.com https://www.mlssoccer.com/ https://www.espn.com/ https://www.fotmob.com/ #USMNT #TacticalManagerTV

Martin O’Neill has hit back at talkSPORT presenter Ally McCoist following the Scot’s comments about Celtic ‘running the league’. Former Rangers star McCoist is keen for the …

Gabby Agbonlahor has given a damning assessment of Liverpool’s current predicament after their latest defeat. The Reds were beaten 2-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in France on Wednesday night. Arn…

Laura Woods and Liverpool icons Steven Gerrard and Steve McManaman were left a little red-faced by Mohamed Salah on Wednesday night. The Reds fell to a 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg …

Kasey Keller's ssessment has stirred attention as he looks beyond Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, focusing instead on a different set of contenders for the tournament. The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is already filled with debate, and one of the most striking opinions comes from former USMNT goalkeeper Kasey Keller. His assessment has stirred attention as he looks beyond Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, focusing instead on a different set of contenders for the tournament. While both legends remain central to global soccer conversations, Keller believes the spotlight is shifting toward other nations. The American’s outlook is clear and direct when discussing the leading candidates for the trophy. He also expressed doubts about the traditional powerhouses led by Messi and Ronaldo, suggesting that their respective teams may struggle to match the intensity and depth of younger squads. His perspective reflects both experience and a cautious reading of current international form. “Can Ronaldo win the World Cup this summer? I don’t see Portugal winning the World Cup. I think they’re good. I look at a few teams. We look at the squad France has; if they get it together, then watch out. Obviously, Spain is very strong. I really like England’s squad-they have to be one of the favorites,” Keller said, via Tribal Football. Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates scoring with Nico Williams. “I don’t see Argentina being able to repeat their success. With no expectations, can Brazil step up when they haven’t necessarily been playing well?” he added. “I personally look at Spain, France, and England. I just hope that with all this hype, it doesn’t become too much. We know English fans get a little excited when they start to have a bit of success,” he added. Why Argentina and Portugal are questioned Keller’s skepticism extends to the reigning champions and one of soccer’s most consistent contenders. He believes Argentina may struggle to defend its title, despite recent success and a strong squad identity. At the same time, Portugal faces similar doubts, with the 56-year-old openly questioning its ability to go all the way. The 2026 World Cup presents a unique contrast between experience and emerging talent. Messi, at 38, and Ronaldo, at 41, represent the last generation of global icons still competing at the highest level. Lionel Messi of Argentina shakes hands with Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal Keller’s analysis suggests that while experience matters, the physical demands of the tournament may favor younger, more dynamic teams. This shift is a key factor in his prediction, as nations like France, England, and Spain continue to evolve. Emerging powers ready to challenge? The teams Keller highlights are not only talented but also structured for sustained success. Kylian Mbappe’s France, with its depth and balance, remains a constant threat, while England, led by Harry Kane, continues to build one of its strongest squads in recent years. Spain, too, is evolving with a new generation of players who blend technical ability with tactical intelligence, starring Lamine Yamal. Keller’s confidence in these teams reflects their consistency in international competitions and their ability to perform under pressure.

Real Madrid and Brazil legend Marcelo chose Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo. Marcelo is well qualified to speak about many of the biggest soccer stars of this century. He was teammates with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid and with Neymar on the Brazil national team, but he picked Lionel Messi—whom he faced numerous times while playing against Barcelona. During a recent conversation on Romario’s YouTube channel, Marcelo was asked which player was the toughest to face, specifically between Ronaldo and Messi. The former left back did not hesitate: “Messi. He was, and is, extraordinary.” Marcelo then explained the reasoning behind his choice of the Argentine forward. “He understands everything very well. Every position on the field,” the 37-year-old said. “When the ball is coming to him, he already knows where to go and what to do… Messi is incredible, very difficult.” The matchups between Marcelo and Messi During his years with Real Madrid and Brazil, Marcelo faced Lionel Messi on numerous occasions. In fact, Messi is the opponent he faced most often in his professional career: 33 matches, with the defender winning 10, drawing seven, and losing the remaining 16. Marcelo playing for Real Madrid. This matchup was especially demanding for Marcelo given their positions on the field. Messi typically starts his runs on the right side before cutting diagonally toward the center, which often puts him up against opposing left backs—who, if left-footed, must defend him using their weaker right foot. That was exactly the situation the Brazilian defender found himself in during his battles with Messi, and it clearly left a lasting impression. “I’m still looking for him to this day, damn it,” Marcelo joked, recalling the moments when Messi would dribble past him. Marcelo also praises Cristiano Ronaldo In the same conversation, Romario asked Marcelo who the best teammate of his career was. “Cristiano. I played with Gaucho (Ronaldinho), with Roberto Carlos, with Ronaldo (Nazario), with many players. But Cristiano surprised me with his consistency. If he scored 30 goals one year, the next he scored 40,” the former left back said. He then added that Cristiano Ronaldo is the most professional player he has ever seen: “He is. It’s unbelievable. And it’s not just about arriving earlier or leaving later. No, he’s professional in everything—every aspect shows dedication. Sleep, training, recovery, the game—everything.”

In an interview with Brazilian icon Romário, Marcelo was put to the test, and his response has sparked a lot of discussion. Leer

Set to face Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, Raphinha will be a major absence for FC Barcelona. Barcelona host Atletico Madrid in a high-stakes first leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie at Spotify Camp Nou. While fans will be hoping to see every available star on the pitch, Raphinha‘s absence from the squad has raised questions ahead of the match. Raphinha will not feature against Atletico Madrid due to injury. The winger suffered a tear in the biceps femoris of his right leg while representing Brazil in their friendly against France during the March international break on the 26th, and has been sidelined ever since. The timing could hardly be worse for both the player and the club, with Raphinha expected to be out for a minimum of five weeks. Under that recovery timeline, the Brazilian will miss both legs of the Atletico Madrid tie as well as Barcelona’s next four La Liga fixtures. According to Mundo Deportivo, head coach Hansi Flick is targeting El Clásico on Sunday, May 10, as the date Raphinha could return to action. Should Barcelona maintain their winning form up to that point, a victory over Real Madrid could clinch the 2025-26 La Liga title with three games to spare, making it a significant moment for the winger to make his comeback. Raphinha got injured playing for Brazil FIFA to reimburse Barcelona Currently sitting atop the La Liga table with 76 points and still alive in the Champions League, Raphinha’s injury has prompted Barcelona to direct their frustration toward FIFA. As reported by Diario Sport, the governing body will be compensating the club for the duration of his absence. Re-elected president Joan Laporta aired his grievances with Món Esport over the situation: “In some way, we should demand that FIFA create an international calendar that takes into account the competitions of the most important clubs. It’s true that when one of your best players gets injured in a friendly match between France and Brazil in the United States, it is very frustrating. The problem is the congested fixture list, especially at this point in the season when we are playing for everything. It is exasperating!” Under FIFA’s established compensation framework, clubs receive a daily payment of 20,548 euros, applicable for a maximum of 365 days and capped at 7.5 million euros per player. With Raphinha projected to miss approximately five weeks, reports indicate Barcelona stand to receive around 143,836 euros in reimbursement.

The performance of Manuel Neuer with Bayern Munich against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League has sparked debate in Germany over whether he should be part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals was built, in part, on Manuel Neuer’s performance. That put the veteran goalkeeper back in the spotlight, fueling debate over whether he should return to the Germany national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “This version of Neuer is world-class; he belongs in the national team,” said legend Lothar Matthaus after the match, according to Marca. He also sent a message to the Germany head coach: “I hope Nagelsmann watched the match. I would love to see Neuer in this kind of form at the World Cup… but I also know that won’t happen. Nagelsmann won’t open that door.” That push comes nearly two years after Neuer’s retirement from international soccer. He chose to close that chapter of his career following Germany’s elimination from UEFA Euro 2024 in the quarterfinals against Spain. In that way, the goalkeeper said goodbye to Germany after 15 years, having first been called up in 2009. During that span, he played in four World Cups and four European Championships, and won the sport’s biggest prize at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final. In total, he made 124 international appearances and recorded 54 clean sheets. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. “The best players have to go to the World Cup, and Manu is by far the best goalkeeper in the world,” said former star Benedikt Howedes, who was Neuer’s teammate at the 2014 World Cup. Even a current Germany and Bayern Munich player, Aleksandar Pavlovic, shared his view: “I would never say no to Manu, no matter his age. He is still an exceptional goalkeeper.” What did Neuer say about a possible return to Germany? Those calls for Manuel Neuer’s return to the Germany national team generated enough speculation that the 40-year-old goalkeeper addressed the topic himself after the match against Real Madrid in the Champions League. “Everything has already been said about it,” Neuer replied when asked about a potential appearance at the 2026 World Cup. Instead, he chose to focus on his club objectives: “What matters now is finishing the rest of the season with Bayern. I’m enjoying my time with the team, at the club, with the coaching staff. It’s true that I’m 40 years old, but I’m still here.” How have Germany replaced Neuer? Since Manuel Neuer’s international retirement, Julian Nagelsmann has been forced to test different options in goal for Germany. Over the past two years, the coach has used three different goalkeepers in official matches and friendlies. The most-used has been Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann, with a total of 11 appearances. Behind him is Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has managed just four matches due to injury issues during his time with Barcelona, which have also kept him sidelined at Girona. The third goalkeeper selected by Nagelsmann is Stuttgart’s Alexander Nubel, who has featured in three matches.

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! While Arsenal were busy Arsenaling their way to a worthy but dull Bigger Cup quarter-final first leg win at Sporting on Tuesday, the players of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich released the collective handbrake and performed many high-speed donuts, wheel spins and Rockfords as a pleasing counterpoint to the careful mirror-signal-manoeuvring on display at Lisbon’s Estádio José Alvalade. Like a couple of stolen supercars racing each other around a shopping mall in The Fast and the Furious: Bicester Village, these two European heavyweights massively committed to the bit, not unlike a daily football email bogged down in a laboured motoring metaphor. “When I see the chances we had, that has to give us confidence that we can score more goals,” whooped Vincent Kompany following a hi-octane Bernabéu white-knuckle ride from which his team emerged deserving winners, even if it was their 40-year-old goalkeeper who took home the gong for player of the match. A doff of the Romanian cap to the great Mircea Lucescu. As a player, he captained his national team against World Cup holders England and eventual World Cup winners Brazil at the tournament in 1970, after which Pelé wanted to exchange shirts with him. And, as a manager, apart from all his domestic success, he was the first manager to get Romania to qualify for the Euros in 1984 and nearly led a poor Romania team to the World Cup in 2026, a couple of weeks ago, while very sick. What a football man, what a tremendous football man …” – Noble Francis. Interesting to see the report about Nike’s new Geopolitics World Cup kits bunching up ridiculously at the shoulder seams. You never got problems like that back in my day, principally because, on the massively oversized kits of the 90s, the shoulder seam was positioned halfway down the arm. The tendency of these kits to make even professional athletes look like Sunday pub league players is exemplified by the photo of Blackburn’s relegated 1999 team in today’s edition of The Knowledge – an effect amplified by the fact one of them seems to have been playing in tracksuit bottoms, and another in sliders” – Phil Taverner. After being emotionally blackmailed into running the LLHM by my friend and broadcasting colleague Max Rushden, I began training in late October. Having done little or no exercise beyond nimbly climbing on and off bar stools for almost 30 years, I was heroically unfit and literally couldn’t jog 100 metres without stopping to catch my breath. Reader – I had bitten off more than I could chew. At the start line I will be 53 years old and I remain overweight despite all my training. I still drink too much and have resigned myself to the fact that I won’t win the race, but I plan to enjoy a unique day. If you’d like to add to the already huge sum raised, every little helps. It would be absolutely magic to hit the £60,000 mark before race day. With that in mind, please give anything you can, safe in the knowledge that I’ll be enduring a world of pain to try to alleviate that of that experienced by so many wonderful and brave kids.” Donate here.

England and three other footballing nations are set for a historic swap. The Three Lions, along with Brazil, Germany and Italy are getting ready to trade Panini for Fanatics when it comes to exclus…

CARLO ANCELOTTI is eyeing a World Cup trophy with Brazil this summer - but win or lose, the legendary boss will have a dog by his side named after a former Brazil international. The tactician named his pooch after former Chelsea striker Alexandre Pato after the pair built a strong relationship when they worked together...

ROMARIO has been dumped by his girlfriend after being accused of cheating with her friend. The Brazilian legend, 60, was dating dentistry student Tiffany Barcelos who is 35 years his junior. Romario is alleged to have cheated on Tiffany with her friend Barbara Cavalcanti. The claimed betrayal has been described as a “double” blow, as...

We’re at the business end of the football season now. Titles are on the line as the pressure kicks in. It’s time for heroes to step up and be counted with Premier League, Champions Leag…

Topps, owned by Fanatics, will take over licenses for England, Brazil, Germany and Italy, ending long-term deals with Panini.

Celtic have confirmed that fan group, the Green Brigade, have had their suspensions lifted with immediate effect. The group, who were initially banned by the club due to ‘violent and threaten…

World Cup 2026 Leer

Italy legend Dino Baggio shared his opinion on why Diego Maradona is considered even better than Lionel Messi. Approaching the end of his professional career, Lionel Messi is regarded by many as the greatest player of all time. However, in that debate, other heavyweights come into play, such as Diego Maradona, whom Italy icon Dino Baggio considered the number one. During an interview with Diario AS, the former Juventus and Parma midfielder was asked about his view of modern soccer, particularly Serie A, comparing it with the 1980s and 1990s. Baggio acknowledged that it was more difficult to play in Italy back then: “Perhaps Messi could have had problems here in his day.” That led the conversation toward the differences in soccer over the years. Dino based his opinion on the fact that a few decades ago referees were more lenient when it came to physical contact, resulting in a harsher sport for talented players. “Today, fouls are called before contact, practically,” Baggio noted, before highlighting who he considered the best player in the world during those years. “Maradona, in modern times, would score a thousand goals per season. You can’t imagine what they would hit him with when he was at Napoli,” said the 1994 FIFA World Cup finalist. Dino Baggio playing for Italy vs England in a World Cup qualifier in 1997. Immediately, Dino Baggio compared the two Argentine superstars and pointed out the difference between them: “Messi, back then, would have been equally brilliant, but completely, absolutely crushed. That’s why I say Diego was the greatest. The God of world soccer.” Comparisons between Messi and Maradona Dino Baggio is not the first to highlight the contrast between the leniency of the past and the extreme caution of modern soccer. This is usually one of the arguments used to place stars from previous decades, like Diego Maradona, Pele, or Alfredo Di Stefano, above modern geniuses like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Some statistics support this view. FIFA shared an analysis on its official website a few years ago regarding the number of fouls committed in each edition of the World Cup (with records starting in Chile 1962) and the players who were most frequently fouled. There is an indisputable leader in the rankings. Diego Maradona is the player who received the most fouls in World Cup history, totaling 152 across his four tournaments (1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994). He doubles the second player on the list, Lionel Messi, who was fouled 75 times across his five tournaments from 2006 onwards. Further down are Brazil’s Jairzinho (64), Neymar (60), and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (58). The most astonishing fact is that Maradona ranks first, second, and third for the most fouls received in a single World Cup. In Mexico 1986, he was fouled 53 times; in Italy 1990, 50 times; and in Spain 1982, 36 times. Only in fourth place does another player appear—curiously also Argentine—Ariel Ortega, with 33 fouls in France 1998.

Santos boss Cuca revealed Neymar is “raring to go” after undergoing a knee procedure during the international break. Neymar was left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the March break, dampening his chances of featuring at this summer’s World Cup. Neymar is Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals and has represented the Selecao […] The post Neymar ´raring to go´ after knee procedure, says Santos boss Cuca appeared first on Soccer News.

The 2026 World Cup ticket prices have been insanely high but there is also many different situations and messes around that that must be addressed. Today we brought along @TravelFutbolFan to dive into the World Cup tickets situation. Caring and Cures → https://www.caringandcures.com Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/TacticalManagerTV Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/tacticalmanagertv Twitter → https://twitter.com/ManagerTactical TikTok→ https://www.tiktok.com/@tacticalmanagertv?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Brazil Channel→ @chapeuFootball Merch store → https://www.tacticalmanagertv.com/ Discord link: https://discord.gg/8crvqsqWRU FuboTV Link for Free Trial: https://www.fubo.tv/welcome?irad=343747&irmp=2871982 Our Live Streaming Studio Browser platform preference: https://streamyard.com?fpr=tactical10 Music By Danae Subscribe to his Channel : @listentodanae Intro music by Music By Skymike Subscribe to his Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt2p67RGk8XSquT1OvOfoZg Sources: https://www.transfermarkt.com https://www.mlssoccer.com/ https://www.espn.com/ https://www.fotmob.com/ #USMNT #TacticalManagerTV

The idol of the Canarinha and Santos underwent regenerative knee surgery. Leer

Who is the leading contender?

Chelsea hero Willian says his 'family members' were concerned about his decision to leave Stamford Bridge and join London rivals Arsenal.

Bolivia y Venezuela empataron, mientras que Brasil superó a Perú. El 7 de abril arranca la tercera fecha, en Ypané. La CONMEBOL Sub17 2026 disputó la última jornada de Fecha 2, correspondiente al Grupo B, en el estadio Ameliano de la ciudad de Villeta – Paraguay. En el primer encuentro Bolivia y Venezuela igualaron 2-2, y en el cierre, Brasil ganó 4-1 a Perú. Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de CONMEBOLtorneos (@conmeboltorneos) Próxima jornada – 7 de abril – Fecha 3 | Grupo A: Ecuador vs. Uruguay – Estadio Carfem, Ypané. Colombia vs. Chile – Estadio Carfem, Ypané. Las entradas pueden ser adquiridas AQUÍ. – Bolivia 2-2 Venezuela – Grupo B – Bolivia y Venezuela igualaron en un partido cambiante disputado en el estadio Ameliano de Villeta. La Vinotinto se adelantó en el primer tiempo con los goles de Santiago Sánchez (18’) y Román Lozada (43’), pero la Verde reaccionó en el complemento. Nabil Nacif descontó a los 60’ y, cuando el partido se cerraba, Jhassir Guerra marcó el empate en tiempo de adición (90+1’), sellando el 2-2 final. En la Fecha 3, Bolivia recibirá a Perú y Venezuela a Argentina. https://youtu.be/dm2hTOFLQOU?si=GfvdkTHBgZ_EoOgN – Números del partido – Esta es la primera vez que Bolivia logra evitar la derrota ante Venezuela en CONMEBOL Sub17, tras cuatro encuentros jugados. Los tres anteriores fueron triunfos Vinotinto, dos de estos sin recibir goles. El gol de Jhassir Guerra (Bolivia) para determinar el empate en este partido fue el más tardío para la Verde en CONMEBOL Sub17 (90:32) desde el que anotó Braian Mamani ante Perú en 2023 (91:36). Venezuela tuvo menos posesión que Bolivia en este partido (47% a 53%), sin embargo, la Vinotinto superó a la Verde en remates totales (22 a 12), remates al arco (11 a 5) y goles esperados (2.5xG a 0.7xG). – Perú 1-4 Brasil – Grupo B – Brasil se impuso ante Perú en el cierre de la Fecha 2 – Grupo B – de la CONMEBOL Sub17. En el estadio Ameliano de Villeta, la selección peruana abrió el marcador con Sandro Cometivos a los 19’, pero la reacción brasileña no tardó en llegar. Un autogol de Sean Gormley (35’) marcó el inicio de la remontada, y apenas un minuto después Riquelme Henrique (36’) dio vuelta el resultado. En el complemento, João Bezerra (51’) y Eduardo Pape (59’) ampliaron la diferencia para sellar el 4-1 final. Próximamente Perú se enfrentará a Bolivia y Brasil tendrá fecha libre. https://youtu.be/Gz5Sgzii_bQ?si=Vo_yFt1YLzK0JYrl – Números del partido – Brasil extiende su invicto en la CONMEBOL Sub17 a 17 partidos (13V 4E) y no pierde desde 2019. Durante esa racha, los únicos encuentros en los que anotó cuatro o más goles fueron precisamente los dos de 2026: 5-0 vs Bolivia y 4-1 vs Perú. João Bezerra anotó y asistió en la victoria de Brasil ante Perú, algo que ningún otro futbolista brasileño consiguió en un partido de la última edición (2025) de la CONMEBOL Sub17. Además, el delantero registró 10 intervenciones en el área rival, la máxima cantidad para un futbolista de Brasil en un encuentro de la competición en los registros de Opta (desde 2023), igualado con Ruan Pablo ante Chile en 2025. Fernando Lasanta (Perú) es el primer arquero en otorgar una asistencia en la CONMEBOL Sub17 2026. En la edición 2025, dos porteros registraron un pase gol: Jorman Mendoza con Colombia ante Venezuela y Miguel Peralta con Ecuador ante Uruguay. – Dónde ver – Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de CONMEBOLtorneos (@conmeboltorneos) CONMEBOL.com / OPTA

Brazil-born players represent the largest contingent of players born outside of the USA and Canada on 2026 MLS rosters. The 78 nations, across six continents, represented in MLS squads is significantly greater than other top-tier U.S. men’s pro leagues. MLS is also the youngest league. 🌎 Countries represented: MLS (78), NBA (50), NFL (28), NHL […] The post MLS players hail from 78 countries appeared first on Soccer America.

The Gunners have been sweating over several injuries.

Real Madrid and Brazil star Endrick named Sir Bobby Charlton as one of his idols after scoring his first senior international goal

VINICIUS JUNIOR is planning to stay at Real Madrid "for a long time" having threatened to quit earlier this season. The Brazil international, 25, had Premier League clubs on alert in October when, after falling out with ex-manager Xabi Alonso, the winger indicated he might leave the Bernabeu. Fresh talks over a new deal are...

Good news for the Gunners!

Gabriel Martinelli looks set to avoid punishment despite being accused of displaying 'total disrespect' after shoving referee Sam Barrott

The young Brazilian tennis star has spoken out in favor of the Santos FC star's participation in soccer's premier tournament. Leer

Former Chelsea and Brazil star Oscar has had to end his career prematurely after announcing the news in an emotional statement