Match story
- Chelsea created the clearer chances on xG (1.90 vs 1.79, Δ 0.11).
- Chelsea fired more attempts (19 vs 9 shots).
- Real Madrid was more accurate in front of goal (67% on target vs 32%).
- Chelsea held more of the ball (54% possession).
Real Madrid defeated Chelsea 0-2 in UEFA Champions League. The fixture is part of the Quarter-finals stage in the 2022 season. The match was played at Stamford Bridge in London. D. Orsato officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Chelsea vs Real Madrid meeting in UEFA Champions League with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Chelsea and Real Madrid. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
UEFA Champions LeagueRecorded meetings: 6 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Real Madrid defeated Chelsea 0-2 in UEFA Champions League. The fixture is part of the Quarter-finals stage in the 2022 season. The match was played at Stamford Bridge in London. D. Orsato officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Chelsea vs Real Madrid meeting in UEFA Champions League with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Chelsea and Real Madrid. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
UEFA Champions LeagueRecorded meetings: 6 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
The Dutch midfielder’s rapid departure from Manchester City has raised plenty of eyebrows, but behind the headline transfer lies another development that could prove especially significant for the Italian club. Christian Pulisic and his Milan teammates have suddenly found themselves linked to a remarkable financial story after Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders followed Cristiano Ronaldo into the Saudi Pro League. The Dutch midfielder’s rapid departure from Manchester City has raised plenty of eyebrows, but behind the headline transfer lies another development that could prove especially significant for the Italian club. Reijnders has completed his move from Manchester City to Al-Qadsiah, with the Saudi club agreeing to pay $71 million for the Netherlands international. The 28-year-old has signed a five-year contract and will now work under former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers alongside Italy striker Mateo Retegui. Al-Qadsiah announced the signing with a video introducing their new midfielder as “A Dutch artist who will paint his masterpieces on our pitches.” Reijnders also offered his own memorable message after arriving, saying: “I’m a Dutch artist; I’m a Qadsiah man.” The transfer brings an unexpectedly quick end to Reijnders’ time at Manchester City. The midfielder joined from Milan in 2025 and made around 50 appearances in his only season, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists across competitions. Tijjani Reijnders has joined Al Qadsiah on a permanent deal, subject to international clearance.All the best, @T_Reijnders 🩵 pic.twitter.com/A11q2S0Vce— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 19, 2026 The clause that changes everything for Milan While Manchester City will receive a substantial fee from Al-Qadsiah, the transfer has an even more interesting consequence for the Rossoneri. A clause inserted into Reijnders’ original move to England means Milan is entitled to the full value of his performance-related bonuses if City sells him within the first year. Milan had sold Reijnders to City for an initial fee of around $64 million, with another $16 million available through bonuses. Those incentives were originally connected to achievements such as appearances, team success and individual accolades, but the special resale provision means the Italian club can collect the entire bonus package following his immediate departure. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mate Tijjani Reijnders That takes City’s total payment to Milan to almost $82 million, despite Reijnders failing to trigger all of those performance-based targets during his season in England. It represents an extraordinary piece of business for Milan, which originally signed the midfielder from AZ Alkmaar for roughly $15 million in 2023. Milan turn Reijnders into $65m profit The numbers make the financial impact particularly striking. The Red and Blacks’ overall profit from Reijnders’ sale now rises to approximately $65 million, highlighting how effectively the club managed the midfielder’s transfer despite losing him after only two seasons at San Siro. The Dutchman had become one of Milan’s most important players after joining from AZ. His ability to carry the ball, progress possession and contribute in the final third made him one of Serie A‘s most sought-after midfielders, eventually convincing City to make a major investment in him. His move to the Saudi Pro League means Christian Pulisic’s squad has effectively turned that investment into a huge financial return. The Rossoneri will receive considerably more from the overall deal than the original guaranteed transfer fee suggested, thanks to the clause negotiated when Reijnders moved to Manchester. 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️#AlQadsiah | #TijjaniQadsawi pic.twitter.com/xdkcmcgRVc— AlQadsiah Saudi Club (@AlQadsiahEN) August 19, 2026 What the move means for Christian Pulisic and Milan For Milan, the biggest takeaway is financial rather than sporting. The club has lost a player who became an i
The situation has taken an intriguing turn in recent days, with discussions between two league rivals potentially opening the door to a move that could reshape both squads. Cristiano Ronaldo could soon have another experienced name alongside him at Al-Nassr, with Nahitan Nandez emerging as a surprise target in a developing Saudi Pro League transfer story. The situation has taken an intriguing turn in recent days, with discussions between two league rivals potentially opening the door to a move that could reshape both squads. Nandez has been linked with Al-Nassr throughout the transfer window, although earlier attempts to bring the Uruguayan to Riyadh failed to produce an agreement. Now, fresh reports suggest the midfielder’s situation at Al-Qadsiah has changed considerably, giving Al-Nassr renewed hope of completing a deal. According to reports from Thmanyah, Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah are discussing a potential player swap involving Nandez. The proposal would see the 30-year-old move to the Riyadh outfit, with an unnamed player potentially heading in the opposite direction. The idea is still at the discussion stage, meaning there is no official agreement between the two clubs. However, the possibility of a swap could provide an alternative solution after the Saudi champion previously saw its approach for the Uruguay international rejected. Nandez joined Al-Qadsiah from Cagliari in July 2024 on a free transfer and signed a contract running until June 2027. His versatility has made him an attractive option, as he can operate in central midfield, on the right side or at right-back while offering considerable energy and defensive discipline. Nandez’s stance could change the picture The biggest development surrounding the potential transfer concerns Nandez’s own position on a move to Al-Nassr. According to 365Scores Arabic, the midfielder is open to joining the Riyadh side and has given his preliminary approval. That stance could give Ange Postecoglou’s side an important advantage if negotiations with Al-Qadsiah progress. The player’s willingness removes one potential obstacle, although the clubs still need to settle the financial and structural details of any transfer or swap. Al-Nassr had previously made an enquiry for Nandez earlier in August, only for Al-Qadsiah to reject the approach. The Saudi club was reportedly offered German midfielder Julian Weigl instead, but that proposal did not lead to a breakthrough. Nahitan Nandez of Al Qadsiah in action Why Nandez makes sense for Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr For Al-Nassr, Nandez would offer something different from a conventional midfield signing. His ability to cover several positions–central midfielder, right-back, attacking midfielder or winger–combined with his experience in Saudi Arabia and European soccer, could give the squad greater tactical flexibility. The midfielder spent five seasons in Serie A with Cagliari before moving to the Saudi Pro League, meaning he already understands the demands of the competition. His high-energy style and defensive work could also complement a squad built around attacking stars such as Ronaldo. Al-Nassr is continuing to compete for major domestic and continental honors, making squad depth increasingly important. Adding a player who can switch between midfield and defence could give the club another useful option during a demanding campaign.
While Goncalo Ramos acknowledges Cristiano Ronaldo's greatness, he believes the retirement of the Portuguese legend is imminent. Following a challenging 2026 FIFA World Cup with Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at a potential retirement in the near future. His international teammate Goncalo Ramos is well aware of the legacy Ronaldo will leave behind, while acknowledging that every athlete’s career comes with a time limit. Earlier this week, Ronaldo revealed his timeline, stating that the current campaign will likely be his last as a professional soccer player. His announcement generated a strong reaction across the squad. Goncalo Ramos, who shares a locker room with Ronaldo for the national team, emphasized that while CR7 is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in history, age affects every competitor. “It’s hard to believe that Cristiano will end his career,” Ramos said on press conference. “It’s been such a long time, and I think everyone has tied their soccer memories to his presence. “Personally, I don’t know soccer without Cristiano, so it would be very strange. But I think it’s something everyone expects, because age doesn’t lie. We all know that he will retire one day, and after what he said, perhaps that will be next season.” The 2026 World Cup was decisive for Cristiano Ronaldo Before the 2026 World Cup began, Portugal were viewed as serious title contenders. Alongside a star-studded squad, Ronaldo’s presence inspired his teammates to pursue the trophy. However, Portugal fell short of expectations. Despite reaching the Round of 16, their overall performances were inconsistent, and Ronaldo struggled to sustain a peak level of play throughout the tournament. Intense scrutiny weighed on the squad before they were ultimately eliminated by Spain. After the final whistle, an emotional Ronaldo was visibly distraught, recognizing that his final World Cup match had come to an end. The 1,000-goal milestone remains in sight Cristiano Ronaldo currently sits on 976 official career goals, leaving him just 24 goals away from reaching the historic 1,000-goal mark. That milestone stands as his primary remaining objective. If this proves to be Ronaldo’s final season, scoring 24 goals is well within reach given his typical output. However, should he fall slightly short by season’s end, he may extend his career just long enough to secure the historic benchmark.
It's that time of the year again - the transfer window is now open until September 1 and it's sure to be a busy period as clubs look to make big signings ahead of the new season.
According to reports, Cristiano Ronaldo's debut this season with Al Nassr might not happen on Saturday in the Saudi Pro League clash against Al Riyadh. Cristiano Ronaldo‘s wait to make his 2026-27 debut is set to drag on a little longer. According to Saudi outlet Al Riyadiyah, the Al Nassr captain continued his individual rehabilitation program on Wednesday without taking part in group training, still working his way back from a pelvic muscle injury that he suffered last week. Per the report, Ronaldo felt pain in the area during a group training session last week, but experienced no discomfort in Wednesday’s session, opting instead to stick to his rehabilitation routine alongside specific fitness work as part of his return-to-play plan. The club’s medical staff is expected to evaluate him again during Thursday’s session, with his final availability for the upcoming match against Al Riyadh on Friday to be determined based on the results of those medical and physical tests. The 41-year-old has already missed Al Nassr‘s first two competitive matches of the season, against Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League and Al Diriyah in the King’s Cup, where his side picked up two wins to start the campaign on the right foot. From the Cup, back to our league journey 💛 pic.twitter.com/HY8rvPO6Es— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 19, 2026 Why Ronaldo missed Al Nassr’s season debut Ronaldo’s absence from Al Nassr’s opening fixtures actually does tie back to fitness, just not the pelvic injury that’s now in question. The forward spent the club’s entire preseason on vacation following the 2026 World Cup, a break during which he married long-time partner Georgina Rodríguez in Portugal, missing the team’s overseas training camp in Lisbon entirely. With no preseason work under his belt, Ange Postecoglou chose not to rush him into a squad that had trained together for weeks, resting him for Al Nassr’s first two games of the season. He rejoined training just two days before the Saudi Pro League opener, and now, his debut hinges on whether he’s cleared to face Al Riyadh on Saturday. Ronaldo’s chase for 1,000 career goals continues this season Beyond the immediate injury concerns, this season also carries historic weight for Ronaldo, who sits on 976 official career goals for club and country, just 24 short of becoming the first player in history to reach 1,000 official goals.
Inter Miami take on the Philadelphia Union in the 2026 MLS, where they won't be able to count on Rodrigo De Paul for this match. Rodrigo De Paul will be a notable absence when Inter Miami travel to face the Philadelphia Union for the 2026 MLS season. The Argentine midfielder has racked up enough yellow cards over the course of the campaign to trigger an automatic one-match ban under MLS’s accumulation rules, ruling him out of the starting lineup for this game. The suspension comes at an inconvenient time for Guillermo Hoyos, who will need to reshuffle his midfield. De Paul has been a near-constant fixture in Miami’s XI since arriving, and his absence leaves a gap both defensively and offensively. This isn’t the first time De Paul has sat out an MLS match this year. Earlier in the campaign, he was also left out against the Chicago Fire and CF Montreal as part of a managed workload following Argentina’s exhausting World Cup run. In those games, the Herons managed to win both matches without Lionel Messi as well. With De Paul sidelined, Miami will likely lean on Casemiro as the midfield engine, while Messi remains the team focal point. The absence is a one-match issue rather than a long-term concern, and De Paul will be back once the suspension is served. Looking ahead, together 🫡⚽️ pic.twitter.com/92PgwDQ76P— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 19, 2026 Inter Miami looking to snap a three-game losing skid Beyond the De Paul suspension, this match carries extra weight for Inter Miami, who arrive in Philadelphia in the middle of their worst stretch of the season. The Herons have lost three straight games, two Leagues Cup matches that ended Miami’s tournament campaign, followed by a 4-1 collapse against Nashville SC in which Messi missed his third consecutive penalty. Despite the skid, Miami still sit second in the MLS standings at 39 points from 19 games, and a result against Philadelphia would go a long way toward steadying the ship before the stretch run.
In a recent report, journalist Graeme Bailey claimed that Manchester City are still showing interest in Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto. It has been mentioned that the Mancunian club have launched a fres...
Newcastle United have lost several key figures this summer, and Matthias Jaissle said more incomings are needed at St. James' Park. The post Newcastle squad needs ‘adjustments’ in transfer window, says Jaissle appeared first on SoccerNews.
Manchester City are in the midst of attempting to bolster their midfield. With Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders having left the club, City are looking at midfielders with Lille midfielder A...
Cristiano Ronaldo has never had it this low. The Al Nassr forward, now 41 and reportedly closing in on the final stretch of his professional career, has been handed an overall rating of 84 in EA Sports FC 27, his weakest base card since FIFA 04, the very game that introduced him to the franchise […] Cristiano Ronaldo has never had it this low. The Al Nassr forward, now 41 and reportedly closing in on the final stretch of his professional career, has been handed an overall rating of 84 in EA Sports FC 27, his weakest base card since FIFA 04, the very game that introduced him to the franchise as a raw 19-year-old winger at Manchester United. It’s a stark departure from the version of Ronaldo that dominated the series for the better part of two decades. Between FIFA 17 and FIFA 19, he sat at a career-high 94 overall, a level matched by only a handful of players in the game’s history. Even as his output tailed off in his mid-to-late 30s, EA Sports kept him in elite territory well into his time at Al Nassr, refusing to nerf him below 84 until this year’s edition. The decline has been gradual but steady. His rating dropped a single point across FC 25 and FC 26 (85 in both), then fell again this year to 84, continuing a slide that began in earnest once he left Europe for the Saudi Pro League in early 2023. The Saudi Pro League’s best. But who deserves the top spot?The Top 27 rated @SPL players in #FC27 are here. Now, let the debate begin.Pre-order today: https://t.co/HCrRKgAJWR pic.twitter.com/ZXy3Tlp8iM— EA SPORTS FC (@EASPORTSFC) August 19, 2026 FIFA 23 marked the first real inflection point, when EA slashed his card from an initial 90 down to 87 mid-cycle following the Al Nassr transfer, a rating cut that set the tone for everything since. Despite the drop, Ronaldo’s 84 overall still ranks as the highest base cards ever assigned to a 41-year-old in the franchise’s history. Whether EA Sports FC 27 ends up being his final appearance in the series remains to be seen, but for now, the numbers tell the story of a decline two decades in the making. Cristiano no longer the Saudi Pro League’s top-rated player For the first time since arriving in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t the highest-rated player at the Saudi Pro League. According to the latest EA Sports FC 27 ratings, Ruben Neves now tops the league pecking order with an 85 overall, edging out Ronaldo’s 84. Even so, Ronaldo remains comfortably the highest-rated player at Al Nassr. His 84 overall sits well clear of the club’s next-best cards, João Felix (83), Iñigo Martinez (83), and Kingsley Coman (83), all a full point behind their captain. Ronaldo’s overall rating through every FIFA/EA Sports FC edition EditionOverall RatingFIFA 0480FIFA 0588FIFA 0691FIFA 0787FIFA 0891FIFA 0991FIFA 1089FIFA 1189FIFA 1292FIFA 1392FIFA 1492FIFA 1592FIFA 1693FIFA 1794FIFA 1894FIFA 1994FIFA 2093FIFA 2192FIFA 2291FIFA 2387EA Sports FC 2486EA Sports FC 2585EA Sports FC 2685EA Sports FC 2784
Arsenal is fresh off a wildly successful 2025-26 season which culminated with the club winning its 14th championship. It was the Gunners’ first Premier League title in 22 years. Can they do the same in 2026-27? Well, oddsmakers seem to think so as they have listed the Gunners as 6/4 favourites, which is clear of […] The post Arsenal Are Still the Favourites, But This Summer’s Spending Could Close the Gap appeared first on CaughtOffside.
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The Dutch midfielder’s rapid departure from Manchester City has raised plenty of eyebrows, but behind the headline transfer lies another development that could prove especially significant for the Italian club. Christian Pulisic and his Milan teammates have suddenly found themselves linked to a remarkable financial story after Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders followed Cristiano Ronaldo into the Saudi Pro League. The Dutch midfielder’s rapid departure from Manchester City has raised plenty of eyebrows, but behind the headline transfer lies another development that could prove especially significant for the Italian club. Reijnders has completed his move from Manchester City to Al-Qadsiah, with the Saudi club agreeing to pay $71 million for the Netherlands international. The 28-year-old has signed a five-year contract and will now work under former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers alongside Italy striker Mateo Retegui. Al-Qadsiah announced the signing with a video introducing their new midfielder as “A Dutch artist who will paint his masterpieces on our pitches.” Reijnders also offered his own memorable message after arriving, saying: “I’m a Dutch artist; I’m a Qadsiah man.” The transfer brings an unexpectedly quick end to Reijnders’ time at Manchester City. The midfielder joined from Milan in 2025 and made around 50 appearances in his only season, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists across competitions. Tijjani Reijnders has joined Al Qadsiah on a permanent deal, subject to international clearance.All the best, @T_Reijnders 🩵 pic.twitter.com/A11q2S0Vce— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 19, 2026 The clause that changes everything for Milan While Manchester City will receive a substantial fee from Al-Qadsiah, the transfer has an even more interesting consequence for the Rossoneri. A clause inserted into Reijnders’ original move to England means Milan is entitled to the full value of his performance-related bonuses if City sells him within the first year. Milan had sold Reijnders to City for an initial fee of around $64 million, with another $16 million available through bonuses. Those incentives were originally connected to achievements such as appearances, team success and individual accolades, but the special resale provision means the Italian club can collect the entire bonus package following his immediate departure. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mate Tijjani Reijnders That takes City’s total payment to Milan to almost $82 million, despite Reijnders failing to trigger all of those performance-based targets during his season in England. It represents an extraordinary piece of business for Milan, which originally signed the midfielder from AZ Alkmaar for roughly $15 million in 2023. Milan turn Reijnders into $65m profit The numbers make the financial impact particularly striking. The Red and Blacks’ overall profit from Reijnders’ sale now rises to approximately $65 million, highlighting how effectively the club managed the midfielder’s transfer despite losing him after only two seasons at San Siro. The Dutchman had become one of Milan’s most important players after joining from AZ. His ability to carry the ball, progress possession and contribute in the final third made him one of Serie A‘s most sought-after midfielders, eventually convincing City to make a major investment in him. His move to the Saudi Pro League means Christian Pulisic’s squad has effectively turned that investment into a huge financial return. The Rossoneri will receive considerably more from the overall deal than the original guaranteed transfer fee suggested, thanks to the clause negotiated when Reijnders moved to Manchester. 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️#AlQadsiah | #TijjaniQadsawi pic.twitter.com/xdkcmcgRVc— AlQadsiah Saudi Club (@AlQadsiahEN) August 19, 2026 What the move means for Christian Pulisic and Milan For Milan, the biggest takeaway is financial rather than sporting. The club has lost a player who became an i
The situation has taken an intriguing turn in recent days, with discussions between two league rivals potentially opening the door to a move that could reshape both squads. Cristiano Ronaldo could soon have another experienced name alongside him at Al-Nassr, with Nahitan Nandez emerging as a surprise target in a developing Saudi Pro League transfer story. The situation has taken an intriguing turn in recent days, with discussions between two league rivals potentially opening the door to a move that could reshape both squads. Nandez has been linked with Al-Nassr throughout the transfer window, although earlier attempts to bring the Uruguayan to Riyadh failed to produce an agreement. Now, fresh reports suggest the midfielder’s situation at Al-Qadsiah has changed considerably, giving Al-Nassr renewed hope of completing a deal. According to reports from Thmanyah, Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah are discussing a potential player swap involving Nandez. The proposal would see the 30-year-old move to the Riyadh outfit, with an unnamed player potentially heading in the opposite direction. The idea is still at the discussion stage, meaning there is no official agreement between the two clubs. However, the possibility of a swap could provide an alternative solution after the Saudi champion previously saw its approach for the Uruguay international rejected. Nandez joined Al-Qadsiah from Cagliari in July 2024 on a free transfer and signed a contract running until June 2027. His versatility has made him an attractive option, as he can operate in central midfield, on the right side or at right-back while offering considerable energy and defensive discipline. Nandez’s stance could change the picture The biggest development surrounding the potential transfer concerns Nandez’s own position on a move to Al-Nassr. According to 365Scores Arabic, the midfielder is open to joining the Riyadh side and has given his preliminary approval. That stance could give Ange Postecoglou’s side an important advantage if negotiations with Al-Qadsiah progress. The player’s willingness removes one potential obstacle, although the clubs still need to settle the financial and structural details of any transfer or swap. Al-Nassr had previously made an enquiry for Nandez earlier in August, only for Al-Qadsiah to reject the approach. The Saudi club was reportedly offered German midfielder Julian Weigl instead, but that proposal did not lead to a breakthrough. Nahitan Nandez of Al Qadsiah in action Why Nandez makes sense for Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr For Al-Nassr, Nandez would offer something different from a conventional midfield signing. His ability to cover several positions–central midfielder, right-back, attacking midfielder or winger–combined with his experience in Saudi Arabia and European soccer, could give the squad greater tactical flexibility. The midfielder spent five seasons in Serie A with Cagliari before moving to the Saudi Pro League, meaning he already understands the demands of the competition. His high-energy style and defensive work could also complement a squad built around attacking stars such as Ronaldo. Al-Nassr is continuing to compete for major domestic and continental honors, making squad depth increasingly important. Adding a player who can switch between midfield and defence could give the club another useful option during a demanding campaign.
While Goncalo Ramos acknowledges Cristiano Ronaldo's greatness, he believes the retirement of the Portuguese legend is imminent. Following a challenging 2026 FIFA World Cup with Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at a potential retirement in the near future. His international teammate Goncalo Ramos is well aware of the legacy Ronaldo will leave behind, while acknowledging that every athlete’s career comes with a time limit. Earlier this week, Ronaldo revealed his timeline, stating that the current campaign will likely be his last as a professional soccer player. His announcement generated a strong reaction across the squad. Goncalo Ramos, who shares a locker room with Ronaldo for the national team, emphasized that while CR7 is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in history, age affects every competitor. “It’s hard to believe that Cristiano will end his career,” Ramos said on press conference. “It’s been such a long time, and I think everyone has tied their soccer memories to his presence. “Personally, I don’t know soccer without Cristiano, so it would be very strange. But I think it’s something everyone expects, because age doesn’t lie. We all know that he will retire one day, and after what he said, perhaps that will be next season.” The 2026 World Cup was decisive for Cristiano Ronaldo Before the 2026 World Cup began, Portugal were viewed as serious title contenders. Alongside a star-studded squad, Ronaldo’s presence inspired his teammates to pursue the trophy. However, Portugal fell short of expectations. Despite reaching the Round of 16, their overall performances were inconsistent, and Ronaldo struggled to sustain a peak level of play throughout the tournament. Intense scrutiny weighed on the squad before they were ultimately eliminated by Spain. After the final whistle, an emotional Ronaldo was visibly distraught, recognizing that his final World Cup match had come to an end. The 1,000-goal milestone remains in sight Cristiano Ronaldo currently sits on 976 official career goals, leaving him just 24 goals away from reaching the historic 1,000-goal mark. That milestone stands as his primary remaining objective. If this proves to be Ronaldo’s final season, scoring 24 goals is well within reach given his typical output. However, should he fall slightly short by season’s end, he may extend his career just long enough to secure the historic benchmark.
It's that time of the year again - the transfer window is now open until September 1 and it's sure to be a busy period as clubs look to make big signings ahead of the new season.
According to reports, Cristiano Ronaldo's debut this season with Al Nassr might not happen on Saturday in the Saudi Pro League clash against Al Riyadh. Cristiano Ronaldo‘s wait to make his 2026-27 debut is set to drag on a little longer. According to Saudi outlet Al Riyadiyah, the Al Nassr captain continued his individual rehabilitation program on Wednesday without taking part in group training, still working his way back from a pelvic muscle injury that he suffered last week. Per the report, Ronaldo felt pain in the area during a group training session last week, but experienced no discomfort in Wednesday’s session, opting instead to stick to his rehabilitation routine alongside specific fitness work as part of his return-to-play plan. The club’s medical staff is expected to evaluate him again during Thursday’s session, with his final availability for the upcoming match against Al Riyadh on Friday to be determined based on the results of those medical and physical tests. The 41-year-old has already missed Al Nassr‘s first two competitive matches of the season, against Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League and Al Diriyah in the King’s Cup, where his side picked up two wins to start the campaign on the right foot. From the Cup, back to our league journey 💛 pic.twitter.com/HY8rvPO6Es— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 19, 2026 Why Ronaldo missed Al Nassr’s season debut Ronaldo’s absence from Al Nassr’s opening fixtures actually does tie back to fitness, just not the pelvic injury that’s now in question. The forward spent the club’s entire preseason on vacation following the 2026 World Cup, a break during which he married long-time partner Georgina Rodríguez in Portugal, missing the team’s overseas training camp in Lisbon entirely. With no preseason work under his belt, Ange Postecoglou chose not to rush him into a squad that had trained together for weeks, resting him for Al Nassr’s first two games of the season. He rejoined training just two days before the Saudi Pro League opener, and now, his debut hinges on whether he’s cleared to face Al Riyadh on Saturday. Ronaldo’s chase for 1,000 career goals continues this season Beyond the immediate injury concerns, this season also carries historic weight for Ronaldo, who sits on 976 official career goals for club and country, just 24 short of becoming the first player in history to reach 1,000 official goals.
Inter Miami take on the Philadelphia Union in the 2026 MLS, where they won't be able to count on Rodrigo De Paul for this match. Rodrigo De Paul will be a notable absence when Inter Miami travel to face the Philadelphia Union for the 2026 MLS season. The Argentine midfielder has racked up enough yellow cards over the course of the campaign to trigger an automatic one-match ban under MLS’s accumulation rules, ruling him out of the starting lineup for this game. The suspension comes at an inconvenient time for Guillermo Hoyos, who will need to reshuffle his midfield. De Paul has been a near-constant fixture in Miami’s XI since arriving, and his absence leaves a gap both defensively and offensively. This isn’t the first time De Paul has sat out an MLS match this year. Earlier in the campaign, he was also left out against the Chicago Fire and CF Montreal as part of a managed workload following Argentina’s exhausting World Cup run. In those games, the Herons managed to win both matches without Lionel Messi as well. With De Paul sidelined, Miami will likely lean on Casemiro as the midfield engine, while Messi remains the team focal point. The absence is a one-match issue rather than a long-term concern, and De Paul will be back once the suspension is served. Looking ahead, together 🫡⚽️ pic.twitter.com/92PgwDQ76P— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 19, 2026 Inter Miami looking to snap a three-game losing skid Beyond the De Paul suspension, this match carries extra weight for Inter Miami, who arrive in Philadelphia in the middle of their worst stretch of the season. The Herons have lost three straight games, two Leagues Cup matches that ended Miami’s tournament campaign, followed by a 4-1 collapse against Nashville SC in which Messi missed his third consecutive penalty. Despite the skid, Miami still sit second in the MLS standings at 39 points from 19 games, and a result against Philadelphia would go a long way toward steadying the ship before the stretch run.
In a recent report, journalist Graeme Bailey claimed that Manchester City are still showing interest in Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto. It has been mentioned that the Mancunian club have launched a fres...
Newcastle United have lost several key figures this summer, and Matthias Jaissle said more incomings are needed at St. James' Park. The post Newcastle squad needs ‘adjustments’ in transfer window, says Jaissle appeared first on SoccerNews.
Manchester City are in the midst of attempting to bolster their midfield. With Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders having left the club, City are looking at midfielders with Lille midfielder A...
Cristiano Ronaldo has never had it this low. The Al Nassr forward, now 41 and reportedly closing in on the final stretch of his professional career, has been handed an overall rating of 84 in EA Sports FC 27, his weakest base card since FIFA 04, the very game that introduced him to the franchise […] Cristiano Ronaldo has never had it this low. The Al Nassr forward, now 41 and reportedly closing in on the final stretch of his professional career, has been handed an overall rating of 84 in EA Sports FC 27, his weakest base card since FIFA 04, the very game that introduced him to the franchise as a raw 19-year-old winger at Manchester United. It’s a stark departure from the version of Ronaldo that dominated the series for the better part of two decades. Between FIFA 17 and FIFA 19, he sat at a career-high 94 overall, a level matched by only a handful of players in the game’s history. Even as his output tailed off in his mid-to-late 30s, EA Sports kept him in elite territory well into his time at Al Nassr, refusing to nerf him below 84 until this year’s edition. The decline has been gradual but steady. His rating dropped a single point across FC 25 and FC 26 (85 in both), then fell again this year to 84, continuing a slide that began in earnest once he left Europe for the Saudi Pro League in early 2023. The Saudi Pro League’s best. But who deserves the top spot?The Top 27 rated @SPL players in #FC27 are here. Now, let the debate begin.Pre-order today: https://t.co/HCrRKgAJWR pic.twitter.com/ZXy3Tlp8iM— EA SPORTS FC (@EASPORTSFC) August 19, 2026 FIFA 23 marked the first real inflection point, when EA slashed his card from an initial 90 down to 87 mid-cycle following the Al Nassr transfer, a rating cut that set the tone for everything since. Despite the drop, Ronaldo’s 84 overall still ranks as the highest base cards ever assigned to a 41-year-old in the franchise’s history. Whether EA Sports FC 27 ends up being his final appearance in the series remains to be seen, but for now, the numbers tell the story of a decline two decades in the making. Cristiano no longer the Saudi Pro League’s top-rated player For the first time since arriving in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t the highest-rated player at the Saudi Pro League. According to the latest EA Sports FC 27 ratings, Ruben Neves now tops the league pecking order with an 85 overall, edging out Ronaldo’s 84. Even so, Ronaldo remains comfortably the highest-rated player at Al Nassr. His 84 overall sits well clear of the club’s next-best cards, João Felix (83), Iñigo Martinez (83), and Kingsley Coman (83), all a full point behind their captain. Ronaldo’s overall rating through every FIFA/EA Sports FC edition EditionOverall RatingFIFA 0480FIFA 0588FIFA 0691FIFA 0787FIFA 0891FIFA 0991FIFA 1089FIFA 1189FIFA 1292FIFA 1392FIFA 1492FIFA 1592FIFA 1693FIFA 1794FIFA 1894FIFA 1994FIFA 2093FIFA 2192FIFA 2291FIFA 2387EA Sports FC 2486EA Sports FC 2585EA Sports FC 2685EA Sports FC 2784
Arsenal is fresh off a wildly successful 2025-26 season which culminated with the club winning its 14th championship. It was the Gunners’ first Premier League title in 22 years. Can they do the same in 2026-27? Well, oddsmakers seem to think so as they have listed the Gunners as 6/4 favourites, which is clear of […] The post Arsenal Are Still the Favourites, But This Summer’s Spending Could Close the Gap appeared first on CaughtOffside.
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