CSKA Moscow vs FC Rostov in Premier League. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 18 stage in the 2026 season. Kickoff is scheduled for 2027-02-27T16:00:00Z. The match will be played at VEB Arena in Moscow. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for CSKA Moscow and FC Rostov. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Premier LeagueRecorded meetings: 15 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
CSKA Moscow vs FC Rostov in Premier League. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 18 stage in the 2026 season. Kickoff is scheduled for 2027-02-27T16:00:00Z. The match will be played at VEB Arena in Moscow. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for CSKA Moscow and FC Rostov. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Premier LeagueRecorded meetings: 15 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Ronaldo Araujo's loan to Liverpool was confirmed on Monday, and he revealed that Luis Suarez told him what to expect on Merseyside. The post Araujo told to enjoy Anfield loan spell by Liverpool legend Suarez appeared first on SoccerNews.
Cristiano Ronaldo could see the successful Al Ahli manager, Matthias Jaissle, leave the Saudi club for the Premier League. Cristiano Ronaldo could soon see one of his toughest domestic rivals lose the manager behind its recent continental dominance, with Al Ahli boss Matthias Jaissle closing in on a move to Newcastle United. According to Fabrizio Romano, Jaissle is “the top candidate and in advanced talks to become Newcastle’s new head coach,” with the Italian journalist adding that “he’s the number one candidate to replace Eddie Howe“. The move comes after Howe informed Newcastle of his desire to step away from the game for a break following five years in charge. Newcastle and Al Ahli share the same ownership structure, both being majority-owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which has made the transition between the two clubs notably smooth from an administrative standpoint. Jaissle’s departure would mark the end of a hugely successful spell in Saudi Arabia. The 38-year-old German, once tipped as the “new Julian Nagelsmann,” led Al Ahli to back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles, becoming the only manager in history to win the competition in consecutive seasons. He Led. We Conquered ☝️#AlAhli | #ACLElite | #LetsGoWithAlAhli pic.twitter.com/nr27AYMxh2— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) April 25, 2026 Ronaldo facing Jaissle’s Al Ahli For Ronaldo and Al Nassr, Jaissle’s Al Ahli represented one of the club’s most competitive rivals in the Saudi Pro League, where, since Jaissle’s arrival in the summer of 2023, the sides have met seven times. Al Nassr has won four of those meetings, drawn one, and lost one in normal time, with an additional penalty-shootout defeat in the 2025 Saudi Super Cup final after a 2-2 draw. Across those seven encounters, Ronaldo managed to score five goals, with his most recent coming in the 2-0 win on April 29, 2026. Arne Slot emerges as a candidate for Al Ahli With Jaissle’s departure looking increasingly likely, Al Ahli have reportedly identified Arne Slot as a primary target to take over. The Dutch coach has been out of work since leaving Liverpool in May, a spell of just over two years at Anfield that included a Premier League title in 2025. Complicating matters, Slot is simultaneously being linked with the vacant Netherlands national team job, according to Fabrizio Romano. Slot emerged as the leading candidate to replace Ronald Koeman after the Dutch federation began searching for a successor following the Oranje’s disappointing Round of 32 exit to Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.
With Duran heading back to European soccer, speculation has intensified over who could partner Ronaldo next as the club prepares for the new campaign. Cristiano Ronaldo is still waiting to see who will arrive to strengthen Al-Nassr after Jhon Duran completed a season-long loan move to Benfica, but the Saudi club faces an obstacle that has slowed its plans. With Duran heading back to European soccer, speculation has intensified over who could partner Ronaldo next as the club prepares for the new campaign. The Colombia national team striker leaves after a turbulent spell in Saudi Arabia that included multiple loan moves before his latest switch to Portugal. While Al-Nassr wants to reshape its squad under Ange Postecoglou, developments behind the scenes have complicated the club’s search for reinforcements. Benfica officially signed the 22-year-old on a season-long loan, with the agreement including a reported $34 million purchase option if certain conditions are met. The move gives Duran another opportunity to establish himself in European soccer after brief spells with Fenerbahçe and Zenit St. Petersburg. Duran expressed his excitement during his presentation in Lisbon. “It is a dream to be here. Benfica is the biggest club in Portugal. I want to help the team, score goals, win titles and repay the confidence the club has shown in me,” he said. 🎙️ As primeiras palavras de Jhon Durán de vermelho e branco! pic.twitter.com/wwriuy9oiq— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) July 20, 2026 The transfer marks the seventh club of the player’s professional career, a remarkable journey for a player who is still only 22. Since making his senior debut with Envigado in 2019, he has represented clubs in Colombia, the United States, England, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Russia and now Portugal. The issue delaying Al-Nassr’s transfer plans As Duran departs, Al-Nassr has yet to announce a direct replacement, and reports suggest there is a significant reason behind the inactivity. According to multiple reports, including Saudi outlet Al-Riyadiyah, Al-Nassr is having a serious cash flow problem since club income is less than outstanding obligations. The situation has affected transfer planning, delayed recruitment, and reportedly forced the club to slow negotiations despite identifying several transfer targets. The financial situation has also reportedly contributed to restrictions on transfer spending, leaving the club unable to complete deals until budgets receive executive approval. Even relatively modest transfers have reportedly stalled during the current window. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr lifts the Saudi Pro League Trophy Ronaldo waits for attacking reinforcements With Duran now in Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the focal point of Al-Nassr’s attack heading into the 2026-27 season. The Portuguese captain is expected to lead the frontline once again while the club continues searching for additional attacking quality. Several high-profile names have been linked with Al-Nassr over recent months. Reports have mentioned Premier League stars, such as Mohamed Salah, Bruno Fernandes, and Gabriel Martinelli, although none of those moves has progressed into a completed transfer. Some reports also suggest the club could prioritize signing another winger rather than replacing Duran with a traditional center-forward. That strategy would still leave Ronaldo as the primary goalscoring reference in the squad.
Karim Benzema is seto for a major squad boost with Al Hilal reportedly agree for a $91 million fee for West Ham United to sign Crysencio Summerville. Preparations are officially underway for the 2026-27 season, and with the World Cup in the rearview mirror, Karim Benzema is eager to wrestle Saudi Arabian soccer dominance away from Cristiano Ronaldo. In what serves as a massive boost for the French striker, Al Hilal has reportedly agreed to a $91 million deal to acquire Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United. As reported by journalist and transfer insider Ben Jacobs, Al Hilal and West Ham reached an agreement on a total package worth €80 million ($91 million). The Saudi powerhouse initially approached the 24-year-old winger back in May, but after Summerville spent the early summer exploring options across Europe, he is now set to put pen to paper on a long-term contract in Riyadh. Summerville also drew significant interest from AS Roma during the primary window. According to Jacobs, the Italian club was preparing a €46 million offer for the forward, but despite his €35 million valuation on Transfermarkt, Al Hilal’s overwhelming bid proved too lucrative for both West Ham and the player to turn down. A move away from East London was all but guaranteed for Summerville after West Ham suffered a catastrophic relegation from the Premier League to the EFL Championship. While several top-flight English clubs expressed interest in keeping him in the UK, none were willing to match the aggressive financial package put forward by the Saudi side. Crysencio Summerville #24 of the Netherlands celebrating. Despite a turbulent 2025-26 campaign with the Hammers, Summerville emerged as one of the brightest lights for the Netherlands during their World Cup run. In four appearances before the Dutch fell in the Round of 32, the dynamic winger tallied two goals and two assists in his debut tournament on the international stage. Summerville gives Benzema a elite partner in attack Al Hilal has consistently featured near the top of Saudi soccer, but the 2025-26 campaign proved frustrating: even after landing Benzema during the winter transfer window, the club walked away with only the King Cup. Heading into 2026-27, Summerville’s arrival could be the exact piece needed to tip the scales back in their favor. Benzema is locked in as the starting center forward, having already featured in a recent preseason friendly against Austrian side Sturm Graz II, with Brazilian star Malcom anchoring the right wing. Because Summerville did his finest work on that same right flank in London, head coach Simone Inzaghi will need to tweak his standard 4-3-3 tactical setup or shift one of his high-priced wingers over to the left side.
After being questioned over their aggresive playing style, Spain champion Pedro Porro defended Argentina's 2026 World Cup campaign: "They deserved to be in the final" Argentina‘s high-octane playing style became one of the defining talking points of the 2026 World Cup, where occasional tactical directness was superseded by a fierce, hyper-aggressive edge. Following Spain‘s 1-0 extra-time triumph in the final, Spanish defender Pedro Porro came to the Albiceleste‘s defense, candidly arguing that “they deserved to be in the final“. When pressed by Mundo Deportivo regarding Argentina’s physical approach, Porro offered a balanced perspective: “Everyone thinks that Argentina is a competitive team. I believe that’s just their way of playing, and I have no reason to counter that. At the end of the day, they have been a great national team throughout the entire World Cup and demonstrated it by coming back in matches.“ Indeed, Argentina sat near the bottom of the tournament’s fair-play rankings. The Albiceleste averaged 14.1 fouls per match, seventh-most in the field, and racked up 14 yellow cards, the highest total by any team at the 2026 World Cup. By comparison, champion Spain picked up just six cautions over their entire seven-match run. Yet, Argentina’s physical edge was matched by undeniable firepower. They finished as the tournament’s third-highest scoring team with 19 goals (behind only France and England at 20) and made history in the Round of 16 by becoming the first team to erase a two-goal knockout deficit within regulation time in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Egypt. Pedro Porro #12 of Spain kisses the World Cup Winner’s Trophy. The Spanish right-back concluded his postgame remarks by praising the opposition at MetLife Stadium. “I believe they also deserved to be in the final, and to be honest, it was a very beautiful final. Luckily, it went our way. I’d also like to congratulate them on the great work they’ve done throughout the whole World Cup,” Porro stated. Porro caps off a breakout World Cup campaign Porro’s international breakout provided a dramatic contrast to a grueling 2025–26 club campaign with Tottenham Hotspur, where the defender logged heavy minutes during a tense Premier League season. Initially arriving in North America as a rotation option, the former Manchester City player seized his opportunity and anchored himself as one of the elite right-backs of the tournament. After rotation appearances against Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde, and Uruguay in the group stage, Porro took over the starting spot for manager Luis de la Fuente during the knockout phase. Scoring in the Round of 32 against Austria and adding another strike against France in the semifinal, he cemented his reputation as a dominant, two-way force along the flank for the world champions.
Compared with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose careers have become synonymous with winning, Mbappe now faces growing questions about whether this difficult spell is merely a temporary setback or the beginning of a larger challenge. Kylian Mbappe‘s latest season has ended without a major trophy for either club or country, placing the Real Madrid and France superstar in unfamiliar territory. Compared with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose careers have become synonymous with winning, Mbappe now faces growing questions about whether this difficult spell is merely a temporary setback or the beginning of a larger challenge. The France national team also finishes the campaign without silverware after the dissappointing 2026 World Cup exit, adding to the disappointment after Real Madrid fell short in every major competition. Individual brilliance has never been in doubt, but soccer’s biggest prizes have once again slipped away from one of the game’s brightest stars. Mbappe arrived at Real Madrid in summer 2024 carrying enormous expectations after years of success with Paris Saint-Germain. Although he has continued to score at an elite level, his first two seasons in Spain have both ended without a major collective trophy, despite winning consecutive Pichichi awards and scoring 86 goals in his first 103 appearances for Los Blancos. The French forward also misses out on this year’s Ballon d’Or race after Madrid failed to capture La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, the Copa del Rey, or the Spanish Super Cup, while France also ends the international campaign empty-handed. Kylian Mbappe #10 of France. However, Mbappe has now completed exactly two senior trophyless seasons, both coming consecutively during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 campaigns. Before joining Madrid, he had collected 18 major trophies, including the 2018 World Cup and multiple Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain. How many trophyless seasons has Lionel Messi endured? Mbappe’s current drought inevitably invites comparisons with the two players who have defined modern soccer for nearly two decades. Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final. Even though Lionel Messi built one of the most decorated careers in soccer history, he also endured periods when Barcelona failed to lift silverware. The Argentine completed three trophyless seasons during his senior career: 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2019-20. His longest barren spell lasted two consecutive campaigns before everything changed under Pep Guardiola. SeasonClubTrophies Won2007-08Barcelona02019-20Barcelona0 Following those difficult years, Messi spearheaded Barcelona’s historic 2008-09 sextuple, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Champions League, the Spanish Super Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. Years later, after the disappointment of 2019-20, he inspired Argentina to win the 2021 Copa America before finally lifting the 2022 World Cup. CategoryRecordSenior Career Seasons20+Trophyless Seasons2Trophyless RateOnly 2 seasons without silverwareLongest Trophy Drought2019-20 seasonFirst Trophyless Season2007-08 (Barcelona) How many trophyless seasons has Cristiano Ronaldo endured? Cristiano Ronaldo also discovered that sustained success is never guaranteed, regardless of individual excellence. The Portuguese legend experienced multiple trophyless campaigns, beginning with his early Manchester United years before later enduring difficult seasons during his return to Old Trafford and the start of his Saudi Arabian adventure. Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal applauds fans His setbacks, however, were followed by equally remarkable rebounds. After his first barren season, Ronaldo became the centerpiece of Manchester United’s dominant era, helping the club win three consecutive Premier League titles, the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League, and his first Ballon d’Or. SeasonClubTrophies Won2004-05Manchester United02009-10Real Madrid02021-22Manchester United02022-23
Despite coming off an incredible season, Casemiro decided to leave Manchester United, forcing the club to make drastic changes in midfield. As a result, the Red Devils have already secured his replacement, signing Andrey Santos for $67 million. Even though Casemiro is coming off an impressive season, he decided not to renew his contract with Manchester United, leaving as free agent. The veteran midfielder has not yet signed with any club, but the Red Devils have moved to strengthen their midfield. Despite the 2026 World Cup still being underway, the Red Devils have announced the signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea for $67 million. Manchester United have announced the signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea. Regarded as one of the game’s brightest prospects, he has been offered a contract until 2031, along with a unilateral option for an additional year. While the Red Devils did not disclose the financial details, Fabrizio Romano revealed that the deal was completed for $67 million, along with a 10% sell-on clause in favor of the Blues. During the 2025-26 season, Andrey did not become an undisputed starter for Chelsea, but he still played a significant role. Across 43 appearances, he scored three goals and provided four assists. With Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo ahead of him, the Brazilian was destined for a secondary role. As a result, his move to the Red Devils appears to be the ideal opportunity to establish himself in European soccer. Unlike at Chelsea, Andrey Santos will find the ideal opportunity at Manchester United to play an important role. With Casemiro gone and Manuel Ugarte expected to leave soon, the young Brazilian appears to be arriving as a regular midfield option, serving as the team’s stopper. At just 22 years old, he has the perfect opportunity to establish among the Premier League elite under head coach Michael Carrick. Dreams do come true.@04Andrey is proof of that 🔏 pic.twitter.com/2ZiSP7y9ai— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 13, 2026 Andrey Santos hails Michael Carrick as the ‘perfect’ coach Throughout his tenure at Chelsea, Andrey Santos never had a head coach who fully committed to his talent. As a result, his move to Manchester United appears to be the perfect opportunity, as head coach Michael Carrick considers him a key part of both the club’s present and future. During his official presentation, the 22-year-old midfielder decided to praise Carrick, making it clear that he is the perfect coach for his professional career. “Everything about Manchester United is special. It is an incredible feeling to join a club that some of my biggest idols have represented. As a midfielder, I am really excited to have the opportunity to learn from Michael Carrick, he is the perfect coach to help me take the next step in my career and push to achieve my dreams,” reveals Andrey Santos, via Manchester United website. With only Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount in midfield, Andrey is expected to play a very important role during the 2026-27 season. Carrick has consistently shown a strong commitment to developing young talent, something that will be key to the Brazilian’s growth. Unlike other young foreign players, he has already played in the Premier League with two clubs, so he understands how to play in the league and that will be crucial to his adaptation.
Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland will face off at the World Cup on Saturday, as England take on Norway in a huge quarter-final clash. The post Bellingham and Haaland could replicate Messi-Ronaldo rivalry, predicts Konsa appeared first on SoccerNews.
Chelsea's newest signing Geovany Quenda hopes to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo by leaving Sporting's academy for the challenge and exposure of the Premier League. Quenda's path to the top was far from conventional. "We saw him as an under-10 player playing against us for Benfica," former youth coach Roque told BBC Sport.
New Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa is best known in England for his impressive two-year spell at Liverpool as a player before returning to Real Madrid for a seven-year stint and ending his career with a season at West Ham. Chelsea's new manager Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa played together for seven consecutive years at club level and even longer with the national team - and now they will face each other in rival dugouts in their Premier League opener at Craven Cottage on Monday, 24 August. Jose Mourinho signed the pair from Liverpool in the same summer both Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka joined Real to help them compete with a dominant Barcelona side managed by Pep Guardiola.
Former Tottenham manager signs two-year contractAl-Nassr won the Saudi Pro League last seasonAnge Postecoglou has been appointed as the new head coach of the Saudi Pro League champions, Al-Nassr, on a two-year deal as the Australian attempts to revive his career after two bruising stints in the Premier League.“A new chapter. Mr Ange Postecoglou appointed as head coach of the Al-Nassr first team. The contract spans two seasons,” the club said in a statement. “We wish him and his staff every success in their journey.” Continue reading...
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 4pm EDT/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Third-place table | Player guide | And email ScottPre-match postbag. “Writing from Ecuador, I can say people are understandably disappointed with how the World Cup has gone so far. After finishing second in qualifying, there was a feeling that this group could achieve something, but we were ignoring the unequal distribution of talent in the team: in the back, you have Pacho, who has won two Champions League titles, and Hincapie, who won the Bundesliga and the Premier League, and in the middle, you have Moises Caicedo. Up front, we still have 36-year-old Enner Valencia, who couldn’t really do it at Everton 10 years ago. There’s an exciting generation of Ecuadorian strikers, including the 16-year-old twins currently at Arsenal, but they’re not yet ready. The country was hoping Germany would field their second string of players for this match; turns out they didn’t. On another note, many attribute Ecuador’s success in qualifying to Quito’s altitude, but this overlooks the fact that most of Ecuador’s players come from abroad, so they also have to adjust to the altitude. Also, under the current coach, Ecuador started playing home games in Guayaquil, which is at sea level” – Matthew Carpenter-Arevalo“As well as some underdogs have performed this World Cup there hasn’t really been a big upset victory. Maybe today will be the day for that and if it happens, there would be no better occasion than Ecuador in front of a crowd which is likely to be majority Ecuadorean due to the huge population living in New York and surrounding region” – John in New York Continue reading...
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal is taken by surprise with Yoane Wissa scoring a late first-half equalizer for DR Congo. Heavy favorites Portugal and a resilient DR Congo squad clashed Wednesday afternoon at NRG Stadium for a highly anticipated Matchday 1 Group K showdown at the 2026 World Cup. After the Selecao grabbed a rapid, early breakthrough, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates were stunned deep into first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wissa soared above the defense to bury a dramatic, late equalizer. As expected, Portugal controlled possession early and created multiple chances against a deep Congo defense. The opening goal came in the sixth minute when Pedro Neto delivered a cross to the penalty spot, allowing Joao Neves to arrive from deep and head it in, holding a 1-0 lead until the equalizer came. The historic moment unfolded during a clever short-corner routine, with Arthur Masuaku drifting inside from the right flank to orchestrate the attack. Whipping a pinpoint, dangerous cross into the heart of the 18-yard box, Masuaku picked out Wissa, who completely shook off his marker, Tomas Araujo, and rose unopposed to shoulder the hopes of his nation and smash home a thumping header. DR CONGO HAS ITS FIRST-EVER FIFA WORLD CUP GOAL! 🇨🇩 pic.twitter.com/FSopuazQ08— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 17, 2026 The goal sparked massive celebrations at the Houston Stadium, marking the first World Cup goal in the history of the DR Congo national team. Although the nation competed in the 1974 tournament under its previous name, Zaire, this strike stands as a historical first for the country in the modern era. The DR Congo fans in Houston are GOING CRAZY 🇨🇩They are tied with Portugal at halftime pic.twitter.com/cERqvvsfaJ— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 17, 2026 During that 1974 appearance, Zaire suffered three consecutive group-stage losses without scoring a single goal. The team fell 2-0 to Scotland, 9-0 to Yugoslavia, and 3-0 to Brazil while conceding 14 goals. Wissa representing the Premier League Following several strong seasons at Brentford, Newcastle United signed Wissa for €57.70 million, though he only scored three goals during his debut season with the club. Despite that club form, his equalizer for the Leopards secures his place in international football history. According to OptaJoe, Wissa is the first player from a Premier League club to score a nation’s first-ever World Cup goal since 2006. The last player to do so was Everton’s Tim Cahill, who scored Australia’s first tournament goal 20 years ago.
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Ronaldo Araujo's loan to Liverpool was confirmed on Monday, and he revealed that Luis Suarez told him what to expect on Merseyside. The post Araujo told to enjoy Anfield loan spell by Liverpool legend Suarez appeared first on SoccerNews.
Cristiano Ronaldo could see the successful Al Ahli manager, Matthias Jaissle, leave the Saudi club for the Premier League. Cristiano Ronaldo could soon see one of his toughest domestic rivals lose the manager behind its recent continental dominance, with Al Ahli boss Matthias Jaissle closing in on a move to Newcastle United. According to Fabrizio Romano, Jaissle is “the top candidate and in advanced talks to become Newcastle’s new head coach,” with the Italian journalist adding that “he’s the number one candidate to replace Eddie Howe“. The move comes after Howe informed Newcastle of his desire to step away from the game for a break following five years in charge. Newcastle and Al Ahli share the same ownership structure, both being majority-owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which has made the transition between the two clubs notably smooth from an administrative standpoint. Jaissle’s departure would mark the end of a hugely successful spell in Saudi Arabia. The 38-year-old German, once tipped as the “new Julian Nagelsmann,” led Al Ahli to back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles, becoming the only manager in history to win the competition in consecutive seasons. He Led. We Conquered ☝️#AlAhli | #ACLElite | #LetsGoWithAlAhli pic.twitter.com/nr27AYMxh2— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) April 25, 2026 Ronaldo facing Jaissle’s Al Ahli For Ronaldo and Al Nassr, Jaissle’s Al Ahli represented one of the club’s most competitive rivals in the Saudi Pro League, where, since Jaissle’s arrival in the summer of 2023, the sides have met seven times. Al Nassr has won four of those meetings, drawn one, and lost one in normal time, with an additional penalty-shootout defeat in the 2025 Saudi Super Cup final after a 2-2 draw. Across those seven encounters, Ronaldo managed to score five goals, with his most recent coming in the 2-0 win on April 29, 2026. Arne Slot emerges as a candidate for Al Ahli With Jaissle’s departure looking increasingly likely, Al Ahli have reportedly identified Arne Slot as a primary target to take over. The Dutch coach has been out of work since leaving Liverpool in May, a spell of just over two years at Anfield that included a Premier League title in 2025. Complicating matters, Slot is simultaneously being linked with the vacant Netherlands national team job, according to Fabrizio Romano. Slot emerged as the leading candidate to replace Ronald Koeman after the Dutch federation began searching for a successor following the Oranje’s disappointing Round of 32 exit to Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.
With Duran heading back to European soccer, speculation has intensified over who could partner Ronaldo next as the club prepares for the new campaign. Cristiano Ronaldo is still waiting to see who will arrive to strengthen Al-Nassr after Jhon Duran completed a season-long loan move to Benfica, but the Saudi club faces an obstacle that has slowed its plans. With Duran heading back to European soccer, speculation has intensified over who could partner Ronaldo next as the club prepares for the new campaign. The Colombia national team striker leaves after a turbulent spell in Saudi Arabia that included multiple loan moves before his latest switch to Portugal. While Al-Nassr wants to reshape its squad under Ange Postecoglou, developments behind the scenes have complicated the club’s search for reinforcements. Benfica officially signed the 22-year-old on a season-long loan, with the agreement including a reported $34 million purchase option if certain conditions are met. The move gives Duran another opportunity to establish himself in European soccer after brief spells with Fenerbahçe and Zenit St. Petersburg. Duran expressed his excitement during his presentation in Lisbon. “It is a dream to be here. Benfica is the biggest club in Portugal. I want to help the team, score goals, win titles and repay the confidence the club has shown in me,” he said. 🎙️ As primeiras palavras de Jhon Durán de vermelho e branco! pic.twitter.com/wwriuy9oiq— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) July 20, 2026 The transfer marks the seventh club of the player’s professional career, a remarkable journey for a player who is still only 22. Since making his senior debut with Envigado in 2019, he has represented clubs in Colombia, the United States, England, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Russia and now Portugal. The issue delaying Al-Nassr’s transfer plans As Duran departs, Al-Nassr has yet to announce a direct replacement, and reports suggest there is a significant reason behind the inactivity. According to multiple reports, including Saudi outlet Al-Riyadiyah, Al-Nassr is having a serious cash flow problem since club income is less than outstanding obligations. The situation has affected transfer planning, delayed recruitment, and reportedly forced the club to slow negotiations despite identifying several transfer targets. The financial situation has also reportedly contributed to restrictions on transfer spending, leaving the club unable to complete deals until budgets receive executive approval. Even relatively modest transfers have reportedly stalled during the current window. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr lifts the Saudi Pro League Trophy Ronaldo waits for attacking reinforcements With Duran now in Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the focal point of Al-Nassr’s attack heading into the 2026-27 season. The Portuguese captain is expected to lead the frontline once again while the club continues searching for additional attacking quality. Several high-profile names have been linked with Al-Nassr over recent months. Reports have mentioned Premier League stars, such as Mohamed Salah, Bruno Fernandes, and Gabriel Martinelli, although none of those moves has progressed into a completed transfer. Some reports also suggest the club could prioritize signing another winger rather than replacing Duran with a traditional center-forward. That strategy would still leave Ronaldo as the primary goalscoring reference in the squad.
Karim Benzema is seto for a major squad boost with Al Hilal reportedly agree for a $91 million fee for West Ham United to sign Crysencio Summerville. Preparations are officially underway for the 2026-27 season, and with the World Cup in the rearview mirror, Karim Benzema is eager to wrestle Saudi Arabian soccer dominance away from Cristiano Ronaldo. In what serves as a massive boost for the French striker, Al Hilal has reportedly agreed to a $91 million deal to acquire Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United. As reported by journalist and transfer insider Ben Jacobs, Al Hilal and West Ham reached an agreement on a total package worth €80 million ($91 million). The Saudi powerhouse initially approached the 24-year-old winger back in May, but after Summerville spent the early summer exploring options across Europe, he is now set to put pen to paper on a long-term contract in Riyadh. Summerville also drew significant interest from AS Roma during the primary window. According to Jacobs, the Italian club was preparing a €46 million offer for the forward, but despite his €35 million valuation on Transfermarkt, Al Hilal’s overwhelming bid proved too lucrative for both West Ham and the player to turn down. A move away from East London was all but guaranteed for Summerville after West Ham suffered a catastrophic relegation from the Premier League to the EFL Championship. While several top-flight English clubs expressed interest in keeping him in the UK, none were willing to match the aggressive financial package put forward by the Saudi side. Crysencio Summerville #24 of the Netherlands celebrating. Despite a turbulent 2025-26 campaign with the Hammers, Summerville emerged as one of the brightest lights for the Netherlands during their World Cup run. In four appearances before the Dutch fell in the Round of 32, the dynamic winger tallied two goals and two assists in his debut tournament on the international stage. Summerville gives Benzema a elite partner in attack Al Hilal has consistently featured near the top of Saudi soccer, but the 2025-26 campaign proved frustrating: even after landing Benzema during the winter transfer window, the club walked away with only the King Cup. Heading into 2026-27, Summerville’s arrival could be the exact piece needed to tip the scales back in their favor. Benzema is locked in as the starting center forward, having already featured in a recent preseason friendly against Austrian side Sturm Graz II, with Brazilian star Malcom anchoring the right wing. Because Summerville did his finest work on that same right flank in London, head coach Simone Inzaghi will need to tweak his standard 4-3-3 tactical setup or shift one of his high-priced wingers over to the left side.
After being questioned over their aggresive playing style, Spain champion Pedro Porro defended Argentina's 2026 World Cup campaign: "They deserved to be in the final" Argentina‘s high-octane playing style became one of the defining talking points of the 2026 World Cup, where occasional tactical directness was superseded by a fierce, hyper-aggressive edge. Following Spain‘s 1-0 extra-time triumph in the final, Spanish defender Pedro Porro came to the Albiceleste‘s defense, candidly arguing that “they deserved to be in the final“. When pressed by Mundo Deportivo regarding Argentina’s physical approach, Porro offered a balanced perspective: “Everyone thinks that Argentina is a competitive team. I believe that’s just their way of playing, and I have no reason to counter that. At the end of the day, they have been a great national team throughout the entire World Cup and demonstrated it by coming back in matches.“ Indeed, Argentina sat near the bottom of the tournament’s fair-play rankings. The Albiceleste averaged 14.1 fouls per match, seventh-most in the field, and racked up 14 yellow cards, the highest total by any team at the 2026 World Cup. By comparison, champion Spain picked up just six cautions over their entire seven-match run. Yet, Argentina’s physical edge was matched by undeniable firepower. They finished as the tournament’s third-highest scoring team with 19 goals (behind only France and England at 20) and made history in the Round of 16 by becoming the first team to erase a two-goal knockout deficit within regulation time in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Egypt. Pedro Porro #12 of Spain kisses the World Cup Winner’s Trophy. The Spanish right-back concluded his postgame remarks by praising the opposition at MetLife Stadium. “I believe they also deserved to be in the final, and to be honest, it was a very beautiful final. Luckily, it went our way. I’d also like to congratulate them on the great work they’ve done throughout the whole World Cup,” Porro stated. Porro caps off a breakout World Cup campaign Porro’s international breakout provided a dramatic contrast to a grueling 2025–26 club campaign with Tottenham Hotspur, where the defender logged heavy minutes during a tense Premier League season. Initially arriving in North America as a rotation option, the former Manchester City player seized his opportunity and anchored himself as one of the elite right-backs of the tournament. After rotation appearances against Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde, and Uruguay in the group stage, Porro took over the starting spot for manager Luis de la Fuente during the knockout phase. Scoring in the Round of 32 against Austria and adding another strike against France in the semifinal, he cemented his reputation as a dominant, two-way force along the flank for the world champions.
Compared with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose careers have become synonymous with winning, Mbappe now faces growing questions about whether this difficult spell is merely a temporary setback or the beginning of a larger challenge. Kylian Mbappe‘s latest season has ended without a major trophy for either club or country, placing the Real Madrid and France superstar in unfamiliar territory. Compared with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose careers have become synonymous with winning, Mbappe now faces growing questions about whether this difficult spell is merely a temporary setback or the beginning of a larger challenge. The France national team also finishes the campaign without silverware after the dissappointing 2026 World Cup exit, adding to the disappointment after Real Madrid fell short in every major competition. Individual brilliance has never been in doubt, but soccer’s biggest prizes have once again slipped away from one of the game’s brightest stars. Mbappe arrived at Real Madrid in summer 2024 carrying enormous expectations after years of success with Paris Saint-Germain. Although he has continued to score at an elite level, his first two seasons in Spain have both ended without a major collective trophy, despite winning consecutive Pichichi awards and scoring 86 goals in his first 103 appearances for Los Blancos. The French forward also misses out on this year’s Ballon d’Or race after Madrid failed to capture La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, the Copa del Rey, or the Spanish Super Cup, while France also ends the international campaign empty-handed. Kylian Mbappe #10 of France. However, Mbappe has now completed exactly two senior trophyless seasons, both coming consecutively during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 campaigns. Before joining Madrid, he had collected 18 major trophies, including the 2018 World Cup and multiple Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain. How many trophyless seasons has Lionel Messi endured? Mbappe’s current drought inevitably invites comparisons with the two players who have defined modern soccer for nearly two decades. Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final. Even though Lionel Messi built one of the most decorated careers in soccer history, he also endured periods when Barcelona failed to lift silverware. The Argentine completed three trophyless seasons during his senior career: 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2019-20. His longest barren spell lasted two consecutive campaigns before everything changed under Pep Guardiola. SeasonClubTrophies Won2007-08Barcelona02019-20Barcelona0 Following those difficult years, Messi spearheaded Barcelona’s historic 2008-09 sextuple, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Champions League, the Spanish Super Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. Years later, after the disappointment of 2019-20, he inspired Argentina to win the 2021 Copa America before finally lifting the 2022 World Cup. CategoryRecordSenior Career Seasons20+Trophyless Seasons2Trophyless RateOnly 2 seasons without silverwareLongest Trophy Drought2019-20 seasonFirst Trophyless Season2007-08 (Barcelona) How many trophyless seasons has Cristiano Ronaldo endured? Cristiano Ronaldo also discovered that sustained success is never guaranteed, regardless of individual excellence. The Portuguese legend experienced multiple trophyless campaigns, beginning with his early Manchester United years before later enduring difficult seasons during his return to Old Trafford and the start of his Saudi Arabian adventure. Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal applauds fans His setbacks, however, were followed by equally remarkable rebounds. After his first barren season, Ronaldo became the centerpiece of Manchester United’s dominant era, helping the club win three consecutive Premier League titles, the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League, and his first Ballon d’Or. SeasonClubTrophies Won2004-05Manchester United02009-10Real Madrid02021-22Manchester United02022-23
Despite coming off an incredible season, Casemiro decided to leave Manchester United, forcing the club to make drastic changes in midfield. As a result, the Red Devils have already secured his replacement, signing Andrey Santos for $67 million. Even though Casemiro is coming off an impressive season, he decided not to renew his contract with Manchester United, leaving as free agent. The veteran midfielder has not yet signed with any club, but the Red Devils have moved to strengthen their midfield. Despite the 2026 World Cup still being underway, the Red Devils have announced the signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea for $67 million. Manchester United have announced the signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea. Regarded as one of the game’s brightest prospects, he has been offered a contract until 2031, along with a unilateral option for an additional year. While the Red Devils did not disclose the financial details, Fabrizio Romano revealed that the deal was completed for $67 million, along with a 10% sell-on clause in favor of the Blues. During the 2025-26 season, Andrey did not become an undisputed starter for Chelsea, but he still played a significant role. Across 43 appearances, he scored three goals and provided four assists. With Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo ahead of him, the Brazilian was destined for a secondary role. As a result, his move to the Red Devils appears to be the ideal opportunity to establish himself in European soccer. Unlike at Chelsea, Andrey Santos will find the ideal opportunity at Manchester United to play an important role. With Casemiro gone and Manuel Ugarte expected to leave soon, the young Brazilian appears to be arriving as a regular midfield option, serving as the team’s stopper. At just 22 years old, he has the perfect opportunity to establish among the Premier League elite under head coach Michael Carrick. Dreams do come true.@04Andrey is proof of that 🔏 pic.twitter.com/2ZiSP7y9ai— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 13, 2026 Andrey Santos hails Michael Carrick as the ‘perfect’ coach Throughout his tenure at Chelsea, Andrey Santos never had a head coach who fully committed to his talent. As a result, his move to Manchester United appears to be the perfect opportunity, as head coach Michael Carrick considers him a key part of both the club’s present and future. During his official presentation, the 22-year-old midfielder decided to praise Carrick, making it clear that he is the perfect coach for his professional career. “Everything about Manchester United is special. It is an incredible feeling to join a club that some of my biggest idols have represented. As a midfielder, I am really excited to have the opportunity to learn from Michael Carrick, he is the perfect coach to help me take the next step in my career and push to achieve my dreams,” reveals Andrey Santos, via Manchester United website. With only Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount in midfield, Andrey is expected to play a very important role during the 2026-27 season. Carrick has consistently shown a strong commitment to developing young talent, something that will be key to the Brazilian’s growth. Unlike other young foreign players, he has already played in the Premier League with two clubs, so he understands how to play in the league and that will be crucial to his adaptation.
Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland will face off at the World Cup on Saturday, as England take on Norway in a huge quarter-final clash. The post Bellingham and Haaland could replicate Messi-Ronaldo rivalry, predicts Konsa appeared first on SoccerNews.
Chelsea's newest signing Geovany Quenda hopes to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo by leaving Sporting's academy for the challenge and exposure of the Premier League. Quenda's path to the top was far from conventional. "We saw him as an under-10 player playing against us for Benfica," former youth coach Roque told BBC Sport.
New Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa is best known in England for his impressive two-year spell at Liverpool as a player before returning to Real Madrid for a seven-year stint and ending his career with a season at West Ham. Chelsea's new manager Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa played together for seven consecutive years at club level and even longer with the national team - and now they will face each other in rival dugouts in their Premier League opener at Craven Cottage on Monday, 24 August. Jose Mourinho signed the pair from Liverpool in the same summer both Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka joined Real to help them compete with a dominant Barcelona side managed by Pep Guardiola.
Former Tottenham manager signs two-year contractAl-Nassr won the Saudi Pro League last seasonAnge Postecoglou has been appointed as the new head coach of the Saudi Pro League champions, Al-Nassr, on a two-year deal as the Australian attempts to revive his career after two bruising stints in the Premier League.“A new chapter. Mr Ange Postecoglou appointed as head coach of the Al-Nassr first team. The contract spans two seasons,” the club said in a statement. “We wish him and his staff every success in their journey.” Continue reading...
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 4pm EDT/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Third-place table | Player guide | And email ScottPre-match postbag. “Writing from Ecuador, I can say people are understandably disappointed with how the World Cup has gone so far. After finishing second in qualifying, there was a feeling that this group could achieve something, but we were ignoring the unequal distribution of talent in the team: in the back, you have Pacho, who has won two Champions League titles, and Hincapie, who won the Bundesliga and the Premier League, and in the middle, you have Moises Caicedo. Up front, we still have 36-year-old Enner Valencia, who couldn’t really do it at Everton 10 years ago. There’s an exciting generation of Ecuadorian strikers, including the 16-year-old twins currently at Arsenal, but they’re not yet ready. The country was hoping Germany would field their second string of players for this match; turns out they didn’t. On another note, many attribute Ecuador’s success in qualifying to Quito’s altitude, but this overlooks the fact that most of Ecuador’s players come from abroad, so they also have to adjust to the altitude. Also, under the current coach, Ecuador started playing home games in Guayaquil, which is at sea level” – Matthew Carpenter-Arevalo“As well as some underdogs have performed this World Cup there hasn’t really been a big upset victory. Maybe today will be the day for that and if it happens, there would be no better occasion than Ecuador in front of a crowd which is likely to be majority Ecuadorean due to the huge population living in New York and surrounding region” – John in New York Continue reading...
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal is taken by surprise with Yoane Wissa scoring a late first-half equalizer for DR Congo. Heavy favorites Portugal and a resilient DR Congo squad clashed Wednesday afternoon at NRG Stadium for a highly anticipated Matchday 1 Group K showdown at the 2026 World Cup. After the Selecao grabbed a rapid, early breakthrough, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates were stunned deep into first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wissa soared above the defense to bury a dramatic, late equalizer. As expected, Portugal controlled possession early and created multiple chances against a deep Congo defense. The opening goal came in the sixth minute when Pedro Neto delivered a cross to the penalty spot, allowing Joao Neves to arrive from deep and head it in, holding a 1-0 lead until the equalizer came. The historic moment unfolded during a clever short-corner routine, with Arthur Masuaku drifting inside from the right flank to orchestrate the attack. Whipping a pinpoint, dangerous cross into the heart of the 18-yard box, Masuaku picked out Wissa, who completely shook off his marker, Tomas Araujo, and rose unopposed to shoulder the hopes of his nation and smash home a thumping header. DR CONGO HAS ITS FIRST-EVER FIFA WORLD CUP GOAL! 🇨🇩 pic.twitter.com/FSopuazQ08— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 17, 2026 The goal sparked massive celebrations at the Houston Stadium, marking the first World Cup goal in the history of the DR Congo national team. Although the nation competed in the 1974 tournament under its previous name, Zaire, this strike stands as a historical first for the country in the modern era. The DR Congo fans in Houston are GOING CRAZY 🇨🇩They are tied with Portugal at halftime pic.twitter.com/cERqvvsfaJ— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 17, 2026 During that 1974 appearance, Zaire suffered three consecutive group-stage losses without scoring a single goal. The team fell 2-0 to Scotland, 9-0 to Yugoslavia, and 3-0 to Brazil while conceding 14 goals. Wissa representing the Premier League Following several strong seasons at Brentford, Newcastle United signed Wissa for €57.70 million, though he only scored three goals during his debut season with the club. Despite that club form, his equalizer for the Leopards secures his place in international football history. According to OptaJoe, Wissa is the first player from a Premier League club to score a nation’s first-ever World Cup goal since 2006. The last player to do so was Everton’s Tim Cahill, who scored Australia’s first tournament goal 20 years ago.
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