Gorodeya defeated Slavia Mozyr 1-0 in Premier League. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 8 stage in the 2019 season. The full-time result capped a Gorodeya vs Slavia Mozyr meeting in Premier 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 Gorodeya and Slavia Mozyr. 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: 6 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Gorodeya defeated Slavia Mozyr 1-0 in Premier League. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 8 stage in the 2019 season. The full-time result capped a Gorodeya vs Slavia Mozyr meeting in Premier 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 Gorodeya and Slavia Mozyr. 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: 6 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Chelsea have been hit with a suspended two-transfer window ban and a fine by the FA for breaches made under former owner Roman Abramovich and it has now been confirmed that they were initially facing a points deduction
Club escape suspended six-point deduction on appealOwners admitted secret payments by previous regimeChelsea have been fined £10m by the FA and served with a suspended transfer ban for multiple violations of transfer rules during the Roman Abramovich era.The sanction reflects a similar punishment handed to the Blues by the Premier League earlier this year after the club were found to have used unlicensed agents and sought to obscure the nature of their transfer dealings between 2009 and 2022. Deals involving Chelsea legends Samuel Eto’o, Eden Hazard and Willian were among those found to have breached the rules. The commission originally handed down a stronger sanction that would have given Chelsea a suspended six-point deduction, but it was overturned after an appeal by the club. Continue reading...
Ahead of the 2026-27 season, Al Hilal are already looking to strengthen the squad to compete for every title. However, Karim Benzema could lose a teammate, as Darwin Núñez is reportedly close to leaving on loan to Portugal. After failing to win the Saudi Pro League title last season, Al Hilal have already decided to strengthen their roster, signing Crysencio Summerville for the wing. However, they remain open to bringing in more players, looking to reinforce Karim Benzema in attack. To do so, the Saudi side is preparing key departures, opening up foreign-player slots. With this in mind, Darwin Núñez is reportedly close to leaving on loan to Portugal. According to Arriyadiyah, a well-known Saudi media outlet, Darwin Núñez is very close to leaving Al Hilal on loan, heading to the Portuguese league. Both FC Porto and Benfica are closely monitoring his arrival, with negotiations already underway. Despite having played in LaLiga and the Premier League, the Uruguayan striker produced his best version in the Primeira Liga, so a return there would be key. With Benzema’s arrival, Darwin was left out of Al Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad, leaving him available only for the AFC Champions League Elite. With the veteran Frenchman and Marcos Leonardo, the Uruguayan striker appears to have no place in the team, making his departure almost mandatory. With this, Núñez seems set to end his spell in the Saudi Pro League without playing a single minute alongside Karim. Darwin Núñez has gone from being one of the best strikers in the Premier League to becoming a marginal player in the Saudi Pro League. In the 24 matches he has played, he has scored only nine goals and provided five assists, disappointing many. Because of this, a return to the Primeira Liga would be key to rediscovering his best form, as he is only 27 years old and is looking to relaunch his professional career. Darwin Nunez of Al Hilal controls the ball during the Saudi Pro League match. Jader Duran’s arrival to Benfica could shut door to Darwin Núñez Recognizing Darwin Núñez as a great talent, SL Benfica are looking to bring the Uruguayan striker back for the 2026-27 season. Head coach Marco Silva faced him on numerous occasions in the Premier League and could look to relaunch his career. However, the 27-year-old striker will not have an easy path to earning a place, as they have just signed Jhon Jader Durán on loan, which would leave him out of the rotation. Head coach Marco Silva not only has Durán, but also Vangelis Pavlidis, Franjo Ivanović, and Anísio Cabral. Therefore, Darwin Núñez would be the fifth option or adapt to the left wing. In his spell at Benfica, the Uruguayan striker scored 48 goals and provided 16 assists in 85 games, but he is not coming in his best version and needs continuity. With this in mind, FC Porto seem to be his best option to have continuity.
Set to face Argentina in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals, Johan Manzambi will be one of the main absences for Switzerland national team. Switzerland faces Argentina at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, July 12th, with a semifinal spot on the line. However, heading into one of the toughest challenges of their 2026 World Cup run, La Nati will be without one of their standout performers. Manzambi has been ruled out of the quarterfinal against Argentina due to a knee injury. The Swiss midfielder picked up the problem during a training session that kept him out of the Colombia match, and he has been unable to recover in time to face the Albiceleste, with head coach Murat Yakin leaving him off the substitution bench entirely. Yakin addressed the situation at Friday’s press conference, acknowledging the efforts made to get him ready: “We tried everything that we could to get him back, unfortunately, he’s unable to perform tomorrow.” He issued an update on the player’s status, and how the team is affected over his absence. “Johan Manzambi is in a lot of pain. It was a shock to all of us. This momentum was on his side, and there is so much joy when he plays football,” Yakin concluded. Manzambi Johan #9 of Switzerland stretches during a training session. In his absence, Switzerland will line up with Dan Ndoye and Fabian Rieder on the flanks, while Djibril Sow steps into the attacking midfield role Manzambi would have occupied behind striker Breel Embolo. Manzambi, Switzerland’s breakout star of the 2026 World Cup Manzambi began the World Cup on the bench but quickly forced his way into Yakin’s plans with a series of eye-catching performances. He scored a brace in the 4-1 group stage win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, then added a goal and an assist in the 2-1 victory over Canada, contributing to both goals. He carried that form into the Round of 32, providing the assist for Breel Embolo’s opener in a 2-0 win over Algeria. The knee injury brought his remarkable run to a halt, ruling him out of both the Colombia quarterfinal qualifier and now the match against Argentina. His performances have already had a tangible impact on his career, however. According to The Athletic, Newcastle United and Freiburg have reached an agreement for the midfielder to join the Premier League side in a deal worth in the region of £50 million ($67 million).
Although Arsenal ultimately suffered heartbreak in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, the German forward achieved a remarkable milestone that places him among a select group of players in the competition’s history. Kai Havertz’s name now sits alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic after another memorable night on European soccer’s biggest stage. Although Arsenal ultimately suffered heartbreak in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, the German forward achieved a remarkable milestone that places him among a select group of players in the competition’s history. The final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena ended in disappointment for Arsenal as PSG successfully defended its European crown after prevailing in a dramatic penalty shootout. Yet despite the defeat, Havertz emerged with a personal achievement that underlined his reputation as one of soccer’s most reliable performers in high-pressure matches. Arsenal made the perfect start to the final when the German international opened the scoring after just six minutes, silencing the defending champion’s supporters and giving the Premier League winner an early advantage. The 26-year-old forward capitalized on a loose ball inside the penalty area and finished confidently from a tight angle. It was another example of his ability to rise to the occasion when the stakes are at their highest. For much of the match, Arsenal executed Mikel Arteta’s game plan impressively. However, the game shifted midway through the second half. EEEEEEES INCREIBLE como Havertz hizo ese gol… pic.twitter.com/puqZDLVQu2— 𝓙𝓸𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓷 ²¹ (@jwma242) May 30, 2026 A challenge from Cristhian Mosquera on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia resulted in a penalty, allowing Ousmane Dembele to level the score from the spot and bring the French side back into the contest. Neither side could find a winner during the remainder of normal time or throughout extra time. As a result, Europe’s biggest trophy would be decided by penalties. PSG holds its nerve in shootout drama The tension was immense as both teams stepped up from 12 yards. PSG gained an early psychological advantage when the shootout was held in front of its own supporters after winning the coin toss. The contest remained finely balanced before Lucas Beraldo converted an important penalty for the Parisians. Moments later, Gabriel blasted his effort over the crossbar, handing the French champion the decisive advantage. PSG eventually secured a 4-3 shootout victory, retaining the Champions League title and becoming one of the few clubs ever to win back-to-back European crowns. For Arsenal, the defeat was crushing. The club had hoped to complete a historic season after winning the Premier League title, but the dream of lifting a first Champions League trophy slipped away most cruelly. The exclusive club Havertz has joined Despite the disappointment, Havertz’s goal carried historic significance. By scoring for Arsenal in the final, Havertz joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic in an exclusive Champions League club. The achievement places the German among some of the competition’s most distinguished performers. The record is remarkable because it highlights a player’s ability to deliver on the biggest stage while representing different clubs across separate eras of their career. Havertz has now scored in Champions League finals for both Chelsea and Arsenal. His first came in 2021 when he netted the winning goal against Manchester City to secure Chelsea’s European triumph. His latest strike against PSG means he has become only the third player ever to score in a Champions League final for two different clubs. The complete list now reads: RankPlayerClubs Scored for in UEFA Champions League Finals1.Kai HavertzChelsea (2021), Arsenal (2026)2.Cristiano RonaldoManchester United (2008), Real Madrid (2014, 2017)3.Mario MandzukicBayern Munich (2013), Juventus (2017)
With the final roster released on Thursday, Emiliano Buendia and Marcos Senesi are two of the biggest omissions from Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad. Lionel Scaloni has officially submitted his final 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup, locking in the squad that will travel to North America to defend Argentina’s global crown. While a few surprise names managed to punch their tickets, Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi emerged as two of the most glaring omissions from La Albiceleste. With the definitive Argentina roster drop on Thursday evening, several high-profile players found themselves on the outside looking in, but none sparked more debate than Buendia and Senesi given their standout campaigns in the English Premier League. Emiliano Buendia concluded a spectacular 2025-26 season on the highest possible note, netting a crucial goal in the UEFA Europa League final to lift Aston Villa to a 3-0 triumph over SC Freiburg. Racking up 11 goals and nine assists across 54 appearances, the playmaker was an indispensable starter for a Villa side that secured a fourth-place Premier League finish alongside international teammate Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez, though only the star goalkeeper ultimately made Scaloni’s cut. Concurrently, Marcos Senesi regularly wore the captain’s armband for a historic Bournemouth squad that surged to a sixth-place Premier League finish, securing European qualification for the first time in club history. Named the Cherries’ Player of the Season, the rock-solid central defender anchored the backline while chipping in five assists over 39 appearances, making his exclusion from the World Cup roster a bitter pill to swallow. #SelecciónMayor Con toda la fuerza de los argentinos 💪🏻🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/84Lh03BgxH— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) May 28, 2026 Potential reasons for Buendia and Senesi ommissions With rising stars Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni reportedly set to be excluded, Emiliano Buendia was widely projected to be the one to provide creative depth from the right flank. However, despite his trophy-laden campaign with Aston Villa, a chronic lack of playing time under Scaloni for the national team ultimately doomed his chances of booking a ticket to North America. Since logging a brief 10-minute cameo in his international debut against Colombia in 2022, Buendia has only registered 20 additional minutes for his country, coming in a friendly against Angola. Due to that lack of integration, Scaloni elected to rely on options with more tactical familiarity; furthermore, Como’s breakout star Nico Paz secured a spot on the plane as a primary creative understudy to Lionel Messi, effectively closing the door on Buendia. In Senesi’s case, the competition for the central defensive position proved too formidable to crack. With veteran Nicolas Otamendi and Tottenham’s Cristian Romero locked in as the starting center-back pairing, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez was a guarantee as the primary left-footed cover, while Facundo Medina’s ability to slide outside and deputize at left-back gave him a tactical versatility that ultimately pushed him ahead of Senesi in the pecking order. Full list of 29 players excluded From the initial 55-player provisional player pool, head coach Lionel Scaloni chopped down the roster by 29 names to solidify his final squad for the upcoming World Cup across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The full list of players who failed to make the definitive tournament cut includes the following: Walter BenitezFacundo CambesesSantiago BeltranAgustin GiayNicolas CapaldoKevin Mac AllisterLucas Martinez QuartaMarcos SenesiGerman PezzellaLautaro Di LolloZaid RomeroMarcos AcuñaGabriel RojasMaximo PerroneGuido RodriguezAníbal MorenoMilton DelgadoAlan VarelaEzequiel FernandezNicolas DominguezEmiliano BuendiaFranco MastantuonoTomas ArandaAlejandro GarnachoMatias SouleClaudio EcheverriGianluca PrestianniSantiago CastroMateo Pellegrino
Led by the legendary Lionel Messi, Argentina have officially unveiled their star-studded 2026 World Cup roster, including Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez Lionel Messi is officially locked in to anchor his historic, career-defining final World Cup campaign. In a highly anticipated announcement, manager Lionel Scaloni finalized Argentina’s 26-man roster for the tournament in North America, with established global superstars Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez headlining a loaded squad. While international media outlets widely expected Scaloni to withhold the roster drop until Friday, May 29, the Argentine master tactician caught the soccer world by surprise, by releasing the official list a day early on Thursday published across the Argentine Football Association’s (AFA) social media channels. The tournament marks a monumental milestone for the Inter Miami captain. By stepping onto the pitch in North America, Messi will officially establish an unprecedented all-time record by competing in his sixth career World Cup—a legendary longevity milestone he is slated to share with his longtime eternal rival, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. In a bold move to refresh the squad, Scaloni made the difficult decision to leave out several key figures who helped lift the trophy in Qatar four years ago. Aside from the mandatory absences of legendary winger Angel Di Maria and veteran goalkeeper Franco Armani—both of whom retired from international soccer—and the injured fullback Juan Foyth, the coaching staff opted to cut six active world champions from the traveling roster. #SelecciónMayor Con toda la fuerza de los argentinos 💪🏻🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/84Lh03BgxH— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) May 28, 2026 Due to tactical decisions and recent form, Marcos Acuña, German Pezzella, Alejandro Gomez, Guido Rodriguez, Angel Correa, and Paulo Dybala have all been left off the flight to North America, missing out on the chance to defend their global crown. Perhaps the most shocking omissions from Scaloni’s final squad list came from the English Premier League. Both Emiliano Buendia and Marcos Senesi were left out of the final roster, as they were widely projected to lock in their spots on the plane to North America following stellar individual campaigns. Official 2026 Argentina World Cup roster Goalkeepers Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille)Juan Musso (Atlético de Madrid) Defenders Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate)Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid)Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United)Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica)Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille)Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)Facundo Medina (Olympique de Marseille)Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique de Lyon) Midfielders Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors)Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami)Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis)Valentín Barco (Racing Club de Strasbourg) Forwards Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)Nico Paz (Como 1907)Thiago Almada (Atlético de Madrid)Nicolás González (Atlético de Madrid)Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid)Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)José Manuel López (Palmeiras)Julián Álvarez (Atlético de Madrid) Roster newcomers The tournament will mark a massive milestone for a hungry group of tournament debutants. Scaloni has integrated fresh blood into the squad, giving eight players their very first career World Cup call-ups: Juan Musso, Leonardo Balerdi, Facundo Medina, Valentin Barco, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Gonzalez, Nico Paz and Jose Lopez.
Javier Aguirre said he has already finalized Mexico’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico will open the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they face South Africa in the tournament’s opening match on June 11 at Estadio Azteca. With that challenge in mind, head coach Javier Aguirre said he already has a clear picture of the squad selection. “Yes, I have them. I have the 26. They’ve gone through filters,” Aguirre said during a recent interview on the El Posscass de Compass podcast, hosted by former Mexican players Cuauhtemoc Blanco, German Villa, and Isaac Terrazas. Expanding on what those “filters” meant, the head coach explained that over the last few months he has gone through a careful evaluation process to better understand not only the players’ soccer abilities, but also their mental toughness: “I took them to Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Panama, places where we are not the home team… and they have shown personality.” However, despite appearing confident in his choices, Aguirre predicted controversy surrounding the 26 selected players once the names are publicly announced. “Ever since I was a kid, every roster is missing Juan and has too much Pedro, and you’re never going to make everyone happy,” he said. Alexis Vega of Mexico. Mexican stars join the national team Since May 6, Javier Aguirre has been working in his home country alongside a group of players selected from Mexican clubs. That has given him plenty of time to evaluate them, as well as a considerable advantage over most other national teams, many of which only recently began preparations for the World Cup. Now that most leagues around the world have completed their official seasons, the group has started welcoming Mexico’s biggest stars, many of whom compete in European leagues such as the Premier League and La Liga. In recent days, the national team has shared social media updates on the arrival of those players, including Raul Jimenez, Cesar Huerta, Santiago Gimenez, Obed Vargas, Johan Vasquez, Alvaro Fidalgo, and Julian Quinones. Mexico have heavily prepared for the World Cup While most national teams participating in the World Cup have played only two matches in 2026 — those corresponding to the March FIFA break — Mexico have scheduled numerous friendlies to give the team competitive rhythm and allow Aguirre to draw conclusions. In January, Mexico faced Panama and Bolivia, while in February they played against Iceland. During the March international break, they were tested against European opponents such as Portugal and Belgium, while their most recent match came against Ghana last Saturday. They still have two more friendlies remaining: against Australia on May 30 and Serbia on June 4.
France winger Michael Olise picked Portugal’s best player — and it was not Cristiano Ronaldo. Just days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo already has his place secured in the 26-player roster selected by head coach Roberto Martinez. However, France star Michael Olise believes another player is currently the biggest star of the Portugal national team. During an interview with FCBayernESports shared on Instagram, Olise took part in a game that involved naming the best player from six different national teams. When it came to Portugal, the winger made a surprising choice by not selecting Ronaldo. “Let me say… Bruno,” Olise replied, referring to Fernandes. It is a logical choice considering the attacking midfielder’s outstanding season with Manchester United, where he established himself as the Premier League’s top performer. Still, the answer also reflects how time is gradually moving CR7 away from the dominant role he held with Portugal for nearly two decades. North America 2026 will almost certainly be Ronaldo’s final major international tournament, as it is difficult to imagine him continuing much longer with the national team, let alone reaching UEFA Euro 2028. In that inevitable generational transition, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha and Ruben Dias appear set to become the new leaders of the squad. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Managing Barça (@managingbarca) Olise’s other selections In addition to naming Bruno Fernandes over Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal, Michael Olise also selected the best players from several other countries. For Germany, the decision was easy, as he chose his Bayern Munich teammate Joshua Kimmich. The same happened with England: “Harry” was his response, referring to Kane. Lamine Yamal was chosen by Olise as Spain’s standout player, while Lionel Messi earned that recognition for Argentina, as expected. Interestingly, when asked about Brazil, the French winger hesitated before admitting: “I don’t know.” Olise prepares for his first World Cup With 22 goals and 31 assists in 52 matches for Bayern Munich across all competitions this season, Michael Olise arrives at his first major international tournament in outstanding form. He made his debut for France less than two years ago, shortly following UEFA Euro 2024, having decided against representing England internationally. Since then, his performances have earned him an increasingly important role under Didier Deschamps. At this point, it appears clear that France’s attacking trio at the World Cup will feature him alongside Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe.
Amid a disappointing season, Antonio Rüdiger emerged as one of the undisputed leaders in Real Madrid’s defensive line. Following his consistent performances, the club have reportedly secured a contract renewal for the 33-year-old defender, reinforcing his role as a key figure. Even though Real Madrid have not enjoyed their best season, Antonio Rüdiger has emerged as one of the team’s most important players. Despite dealing with injuries at the start of the campaign, the German defender has managed to establish himself as an essential presence in the back line through his consistency and leadership. Following his strong performances, Los Blancos have reportedly reached an agreement to renew the 33-year-old’s contract. According to Fabrizio Romano, via X, formerly Twitter, Antonio Rüdiger and Real Madrid have reached an agreement over a contract renewal. As a result, the German defender would remain at the club until 2027, reinforcing his importance under José Mourinho due to his experience and consistency. After playing 2,190 minutes during the season, he appears set to once again play a key role in the defensive transition alongside Éder Militão and Dean Huijsen. With Éder Militão struggling through defensive inconsistencies and Dean Huijsen yet to fully establish, the continuity of Rüdiger appears to be a smart decision for Real Madrid. However, he is coming off a season heavily affected by injuries, meaning he could enter a more structured rotation. As a natural dressing-room leader, Antonio could also prove essential during the managerial transition, especially if major tactical changes are introduced. Antonio Rüdiger reportedly had opportunities to continue his career before reaching an agreement with Real Madrid. According to Nicolò Schira, Juventus pursued the German defender as a free agent due to him strong relationship with Luciano Spalletti. Alongside them, two Premier League clubs and one Saudi Pro League side were also said to be monitoring his situation. However, Real Madrid’s renewal proposal changed everything. Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match. Real Madrid may still need to sign a world-class defender Real Madrid struggled significantly at the defensive level, with several of their defenders suffering major injuries. In addition, David Alaba has officially departed the club, while Raúl Asencio could leave either on loan or through a permanent transfer. With Éder Militão continuing to battle injury concerns and showing vulnerability to long absences, Los Blancos may need to sign a reliable center-back capable of providing quality depth throughout the season. While Aurélien Tchouaméni and Joan Martínez could provide additional cover at center-back, Real Madrid still appear determined to strengthen the defensive department. According to José Félix Díaz via Diario AS, José Mourinho has requested four reinforcements for the summer of 2026: one center-back, one full-back, and two midfielders — one defensive and one creative. Nevertheless, midfield additions could reportedly become the club’s immediate priority.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has discovered a new lease of life in Yorkshire while Adrien Truffert made a big impressionConsidering the cost of signing elite Premier League strikers, Calvert-Lewin deserves a spot because he cost absolutely nothing. Plenty played a part in other clubs deciding the centre-forward was not for them after leaving Everton; his injury and goalscoring record left plenty to be desired but everyone knew what was available, if a club could get him fit. Still only 29, Calvert-Lewin wanted a change of scenery and has proved plenty wrong by missing only three Premier League games all season and producing the goals that have gone a long way to keeping his side in the Premier League – scoring seven in six games at the end of 2025 – and earning a first England call in five years along the way. “For me, he is one of the best English strikers in this league,” Daniel Farke said. “Harry Kane is playing in Germany for Bayern Munich, but in the Premier League, he is definitely one of the best English strikers and he will be a key player for us going forward.” Continue reading...
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
Chelsea have been hit with a suspended two-transfer window ban and a fine by the FA for breaches made under former owner Roman Abramovich and it has now been confirmed that they were initially facing a points deduction
Club escape suspended six-point deduction on appealOwners admitted secret payments by previous regimeChelsea have been fined £10m by the FA and served with a suspended transfer ban for multiple violations of transfer rules during the Roman Abramovich era.The sanction reflects a similar punishment handed to the Blues by the Premier League earlier this year after the club were found to have used unlicensed agents and sought to obscure the nature of their transfer dealings between 2009 and 2022. Deals involving Chelsea legends Samuel Eto’o, Eden Hazard and Willian were among those found to have breached the rules. The commission originally handed down a stronger sanction that would have given Chelsea a suspended six-point deduction, but it was overturned after an appeal by the club. Continue reading...
Ahead of the 2026-27 season, Al Hilal are already looking to strengthen the squad to compete for every title. However, Karim Benzema could lose a teammate, as Darwin Núñez is reportedly close to leaving on loan to Portugal. After failing to win the Saudi Pro League title last season, Al Hilal have already decided to strengthen their roster, signing Crysencio Summerville for the wing. However, they remain open to bringing in more players, looking to reinforce Karim Benzema in attack. To do so, the Saudi side is preparing key departures, opening up foreign-player slots. With this in mind, Darwin Núñez is reportedly close to leaving on loan to Portugal. According to Arriyadiyah, a well-known Saudi media outlet, Darwin Núñez is very close to leaving Al Hilal on loan, heading to the Portuguese league. Both FC Porto and Benfica are closely monitoring his arrival, with negotiations already underway. Despite having played in LaLiga and the Premier League, the Uruguayan striker produced his best version in the Primeira Liga, so a return there would be key. With Benzema’s arrival, Darwin was left out of Al Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad, leaving him available only for the AFC Champions League Elite. With the veteran Frenchman and Marcos Leonardo, the Uruguayan striker appears to have no place in the team, making his departure almost mandatory. With this, Núñez seems set to end his spell in the Saudi Pro League without playing a single minute alongside Karim. Darwin Núñez has gone from being one of the best strikers in the Premier League to becoming a marginal player in the Saudi Pro League. In the 24 matches he has played, he has scored only nine goals and provided five assists, disappointing many. Because of this, a return to the Primeira Liga would be key to rediscovering his best form, as he is only 27 years old and is looking to relaunch his professional career. Darwin Nunez of Al Hilal controls the ball during the Saudi Pro League match. Jader Duran’s arrival to Benfica could shut door to Darwin Núñez Recognizing Darwin Núñez as a great talent, SL Benfica are looking to bring the Uruguayan striker back for the 2026-27 season. Head coach Marco Silva faced him on numerous occasions in the Premier League and could look to relaunch his career. However, the 27-year-old striker will not have an easy path to earning a place, as they have just signed Jhon Jader Durán on loan, which would leave him out of the rotation. Head coach Marco Silva not only has Durán, but also Vangelis Pavlidis, Franjo Ivanović, and Anísio Cabral. Therefore, Darwin Núñez would be the fifth option or adapt to the left wing. In his spell at Benfica, the Uruguayan striker scored 48 goals and provided 16 assists in 85 games, but he is not coming in his best version and needs continuity. With this in mind, FC Porto seem to be his best option to have continuity.
Set to face Argentina in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals, Johan Manzambi will be one of the main absences for Switzerland national team. Switzerland faces Argentina at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, July 12th, with a semifinal spot on the line. However, heading into one of the toughest challenges of their 2026 World Cup run, La Nati will be without one of their standout performers. Manzambi has been ruled out of the quarterfinal against Argentina due to a knee injury. The Swiss midfielder picked up the problem during a training session that kept him out of the Colombia match, and he has been unable to recover in time to face the Albiceleste, with head coach Murat Yakin leaving him off the substitution bench entirely. Yakin addressed the situation at Friday’s press conference, acknowledging the efforts made to get him ready: “We tried everything that we could to get him back, unfortunately, he’s unable to perform tomorrow.” He issued an update on the player’s status, and how the team is affected over his absence. “Johan Manzambi is in a lot of pain. It was a shock to all of us. This momentum was on his side, and there is so much joy when he plays football,” Yakin concluded. Manzambi Johan #9 of Switzerland stretches during a training session. In his absence, Switzerland will line up with Dan Ndoye and Fabian Rieder on the flanks, while Djibril Sow steps into the attacking midfield role Manzambi would have occupied behind striker Breel Embolo. Manzambi, Switzerland’s breakout star of the 2026 World Cup Manzambi began the World Cup on the bench but quickly forced his way into Yakin’s plans with a series of eye-catching performances. He scored a brace in the 4-1 group stage win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, then added a goal and an assist in the 2-1 victory over Canada, contributing to both goals. He carried that form into the Round of 32, providing the assist for Breel Embolo’s opener in a 2-0 win over Algeria. The knee injury brought his remarkable run to a halt, ruling him out of both the Colombia quarterfinal qualifier and now the match against Argentina. His performances have already had a tangible impact on his career, however. According to The Athletic, Newcastle United and Freiburg have reached an agreement for the midfielder to join the Premier League side in a deal worth in the region of £50 million ($67 million).
Although Arsenal ultimately suffered heartbreak in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, the German forward achieved a remarkable milestone that places him among a select group of players in the competition’s history. Kai Havertz’s name now sits alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic after another memorable night on European soccer’s biggest stage. Although Arsenal ultimately suffered heartbreak in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, the German forward achieved a remarkable milestone that places him among a select group of players in the competition’s history. The final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena ended in disappointment for Arsenal as PSG successfully defended its European crown after prevailing in a dramatic penalty shootout. Yet despite the defeat, Havertz emerged with a personal achievement that underlined his reputation as one of soccer’s most reliable performers in high-pressure matches. Arsenal made the perfect start to the final when the German international opened the scoring after just six minutes, silencing the defending champion’s supporters and giving the Premier League winner an early advantage. The 26-year-old forward capitalized on a loose ball inside the penalty area and finished confidently from a tight angle. It was another example of his ability to rise to the occasion when the stakes are at their highest. For much of the match, Arsenal executed Mikel Arteta’s game plan impressively. However, the game shifted midway through the second half. EEEEEEES INCREIBLE como Havertz hizo ese gol… pic.twitter.com/puqZDLVQu2— 𝓙𝓸𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓷 ²¹ (@jwma242) May 30, 2026 A challenge from Cristhian Mosquera on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia resulted in a penalty, allowing Ousmane Dembele to level the score from the spot and bring the French side back into the contest. Neither side could find a winner during the remainder of normal time or throughout extra time. As a result, Europe’s biggest trophy would be decided by penalties. PSG holds its nerve in shootout drama The tension was immense as both teams stepped up from 12 yards. PSG gained an early psychological advantage when the shootout was held in front of its own supporters after winning the coin toss. The contest remained finely balanced before Lucas Beraldo converted an important penalty for the Parisians. Moments later, Gabriel blasted his effort over the crossbar, handing the French champion the decisive advantage. PSG eventually secured a 4-3 shootout victory, retaining the Champions League title and becoming one of the few clubs ever to win back-to-back European crowns. For Arsenal, the defeat was crushing. The club had hoped to complete a historic season after winning the Premier League title, but the dream of lifting a first Champions League trophy slipped away most cruelly. The exclusive club Havertz has joined Despite the disappointment, Havertz’s goal carried historic significance. By scoring for Arsenal in the final, Havertz joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic in an exclusive Champions League club. The achievement places the German among some of the competition’s most distinguished performers. The record is remarkable because it highlights a player’s ability to deliver on the biggest stage while representing different clubs across separate eras of their career. Havertz has now scored in Champions League finals for both Chelsea and Arsenal. His first came in 2021 when he netted the winning goal against Manchester City to secure Chelsea’s European triumph. His latest strike against PSG means he has become only the third player ever to score in a Champions League final for two different clubs. The complete list now reads: RankPlayerClubs Scored for in UEFA Champions League Finals1.Kai HavertzChelsea (2021), Arsenal (2026)2.Cristiano RonaldoManchester United (2008), Real Madrid (2014, 2017)3.Mario MandzukicBayern Munich (2013), Juventus (2017)
With the final roster released on Thursday, Emiliano Buendia and Marcos Senesi are two of the biggest omissions from Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad. Lionel Scaloni has officially submitted his final 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup, locking in the squad that will travel to North America to defend Argentina’s global crown. While a few surprise names managed to punch their tickets, Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi emerged as two of the most glaring omissions from La Albiceleste. With the definitive Argentina roster drop on Thursday evening, several high-profile players found themselves on the outside looking in, but none sparked more debate than Buendia and Senesi given their standout campaigns in the English Premier League. Emiliano Buendia concluded a spectacular 2025-26 season on the highest possible note, netting a crucial goal in the UEFA Europa League final to lift Aston Villa to a 3-0 triumph over SC Freiburg. Racking up 11 goals and nine assists across 54 appearances, the playmaker was an indispensable starter for a Villa side that secured a fourth-place Premier League finish alongside international teammate Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez, though only the star goalkeeper ultimately made Scaloni’s cut. Concurrently, Marcos Senesi regularly wore the captain’s armband for a historic Bournemouth squad that surged to a sixth-place Premier League finish, securing European qualification for the first time in club history. Named the Cherries’ Player of the Season, the rock-solid central defender anchored the backline while chipping in five assists over 39 appearances, making his exclusion from the World Cup roster a bitter pill to swallow. #SelecciónMayor Con toda la fuerza de los argentinos 💪🏻🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/84Lh03BgxH— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) May 28, 2026 Potential reasons for Buendia and Senesi ommissions With rising stars Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni reportedly set to be excluded, Emiliano Buendia was widely projected to be the one to provide creative depth from the right flank. However, despite his trophy-laden campaign with Aston Villa, a chronic lack of playing time under Scaloni for the national team ultimately doomed his chances of booking a ticket to North America. Since logging a brief 10-minute cameo in his international debut against Colombia in 2022, Buendia has only registered 20 additional minutes for his country, coming in a friendly against Angola. Due to that lack of integration, Scaloni elected to rely on options with more tactical familiarity; furthermore, Como’s breakout star Nico Paz secured a spot on the plane as a primary creative understudy to Lionel Messi, effectively closing the door on Buendia. In Senesi’s case, the competition for the central defensive position proved too formidable to crack. With veteran Nicolas Otamendi and Tottenham’s Cristian Romero locked in as the starting center-back pairing, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez was a guarantee as the primary left-footed cover, while Facundo Medina’s ability to slide outside and deputize at left-back gave him a tactical versatility that ultimately pushed him ahead of Senesi in the pecking order. Full list of 29 players excluded From the initial 55-player provisional player pool, head coach Lionel Scaloni chopped down the roster by 29 names to solidify his final squad for the upcoming World Cup across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The full list of players who failed to make the definitive tournament cut includes the following: Walter BenitezFacundo CambesesSantiago BeltranAgustin GiayNicolas CapaldoKevin Mac AllisterLucas Martinez QuartaMarcos SenesiGerman PezzellaLautaro Di LolloZaid RomeroMarcos AcuñaGabriel RojasMaximo PerroneGuido RodriguezAníbal MorenoMilton DelgadoAlan VarelaEzequiel FernandezNicolas DominguezEmiliano BuendiaFranco MastantuonoTomas ArandaAlejandro GarnachoMatias SouleClaudio EcheverriGianluca PrestianniSantiago CastroMateo Pellegrino
Led by the legendary Lionel Messi, Argentina have officially unveiled their star-studded 2026 World Cup roster, including Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez Lionel Messi is officially locked in to anchor his historic, career-defining final World Cup campaign. In a highly anticipated announcement, manager Lionel Scaloni finalized Argentina’s 26-man roster for the tournament in North America, with established global superstars Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez headlining a loaded squad. While international media outlets widely expected Scaloni to withhold the roster drop until Friday, May 29, the Argentine master tactician caught the soccer world by surprise, by releasing the official list a day early on Thursday published across the Argentine Football Association’s (AFA) social media channels. The tournament marks a monumental milestone for the Inter Miami captain. By stepping onto the pitch in North America, Messi will officially establish an unprecedented all-time record by competing in his sixth career World Cup—a legendary longevity milestone he is slated to share with his longtime eternal rival, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. In a bold move to refresh the squad, Scaloni made the difficult decision to leave out several key figures who helped lift the trophy in Qatar four years ago. Aside from the mandatory absences of legendary winger Angel Di Maria and veteran goalkeeper Franco Armani—both of whom retired from international soccer—and the injured fullback Juan Foyth, the coaching staff opted to cut six active world champions from the traveling roster. #SelecciónMayor Con toda la fuerza de los argentinos 💪🏻🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/84Lh03BgxH— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) May 28, 2026 Due to tactical decisions and recent form, Marcos Acuña, German Pezzella, Alejandro Gomez, Guido Rodriguez, Angel Correa, and Paulo Dybala have all been left off the flight to North America, missing out on the chance to defend their global crown. Perhaps the most shocking omissions from Scaloni’s final squad list came from the English Premier League. Both Emiliano Buendia and Marcos Senesi were left out of the final roster, as they were widely projected to lock in their spots on the plane to North America following stellar individual campaigns. Official 2026 Argentina World Cup roster Goalkeepers Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille)Juan Musso (Atlético de Madrid) Defenders Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate)Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid)Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United)Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica)Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille)Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)Facundo Medina (Olympique de Marseille)Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique de Lyon) Midfielders Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors)Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami)Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis)Valentín Barco (Racing Club de Strasbourg) Forwards Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)Nico Paz (Como 1907)Thiago Almada (Atlético de Madrid)Nicolás González (Atlético de Madrid)Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid)Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)José Manuel López (Palmeiras)Julián Álvarez (Atlético de Madrid) Roster newcomers The tournament will mark a massive milestone for a hungry group of tournament debutants. Scaloni has integrated fresh blood into the squad, giving eight players their very first career World Cup call-ups: Juan Musso, Leonardo Balerdi, Facundo Medina, Valentin Barco, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Gonzalez, Nico Paz and Jose Lopez.
Javier Aguirre said he has already finalized Mexico’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico will open the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they face South Africa in the tournament’s opening match on June 11 at Estadio Azteca. With that challenge in mind, head coach Javier Aguirre said he already has a clear picture of the squad selection. “Yes, I have them. I have the 26. They’ve gone through filters,” Aguirre said during a recent interview on the El Posscass de Compass podcast, hosted by former Mexican players Cuauhtemoc Blanco, German Villa, and Isaac Terrazas. Expanding on what those “filters” meant, the head coach explained that over the last few months he has gone through a careful evaluation process to better understand not only the players’ soccer abilities, but also their mental toughness: “I took them to Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Panama, places where we are not the home team… and they have shown personality.” However, despite appearing confident in his choices, Aguirre predicted controversy surrounding the 26 selected players once the names are publicly announced. “Ever since I was a kid, every roster is missing Juan and has too much Pedro, and you’re never going to make everyone happy,” he said. Alexis Vega of Mexico. Mexican stars join the national team Since May 6, Javier Aguirre has been working in his home country alongside a group of players selected from Mexican clubs. That has given him plenty of time to evaluate them, as well as a considerable advantage over most other national teams, many of which only recently began preparations for the World Cup. Now that most leagues around the world have completed their official seasons, the group has started welcoming Mexico’s biggest stars, many of whom compete in European leagues such as the Premier League and La Liga. In recent days, the national team has shared social media updates on the arrival of those players, including Raul Jimenez, Cesar Huerta, Santiago Gimenez, Obed Vargas, Johan Vasquez, Alvaro Fidalgo, and Julian Quinones. Mexico have heavily prepared for the World Cup While most national teams participating in the World Cup have played only two matches in 2026 — those corresponding to the March FIFA break — Mexico have scheduled numerous friendlies to give the team competitive rhythm and allow Aguirre to draw conclusions. In January, Mexico faced Panama and Bolivia, while in February they played against Iceland. During the March international break, they were tested against European opponents such as Portugal and Belgium, while their most recent match came against Ghana last Saturday. They still have two more friendlies remaining: against Australia on May 30 and Serbia on June 4.
France winger Michael Olise picked Portugal’s best player — and it was not Cristiano Ronaldo. Just days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo already has his place secured in the 26-player roster selected by head coach Roberto Martinez. However, France star Michael Olise believes another player is currently the biggest star of the Portugal national team. During an interview with FCBayernESports shared on Instagram, Olise took part in a game that involved naming the best player from six different national teams. When it came to Portugal, the winger made a surprising choice by not selecting Ronaldo. “Let me say… Bruno,” Olise replied, referring to Fernandes. It is a logical choice considering the attacking midfielder’s outstanding season with Manchester United, where he established himself as the Premier League’s top performer. Still, the answer also reflects how time is gradually moving CR7 away from the dominant role he held with Portugal for nearly two decades. North America 2026 will almost certainly be Ronaldo’s final major international tournament, as it is difficult to imagine him continuing much longer with the national team, let alone reaching UEFA Euro 2028. In that inevitable generational transition, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha and Ruben Dias appear set to become the new leaders of the squad. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Managing Barça (@managingbarca) Olise’s other selections In addition to naming Bruno Fernandes over Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal, Michael Olise also selected the best players from several other countries. For Germany, the decision was easy, as he chose his Bayern Munich teammate Joshua Kimmich. The same happened with England: “Harry” was his response, referring to Kane. Lamine Yamal was chosen by Olise as Spain’s standout player, while Lionel Messi earned that recognition for Argentina, as expected. Interestingly, when asked about Brazil, the French winger hesitated before admitting: “I don’t know.” Olise prepares for his first World Cup With 22 goals and 31 assists in 52 matches for Bayern Munich across all competitions this season, Michael Olise arrives at his first major international tournament in outstanding form. He made his debut for France less than two years ago, shortly following UEFA Euro 2024, having decided against representing England internationally. Since then, his performances have earned him an increasingly important role under Didier Deschamps. At this point, it appears clear that France’s attacking trio at the World Cup will feature him alongside Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe.
Amid a disappointing season, Antonio Rüdiger emerged as one of the undisputed leaders in Real Madrid’s defensive line. Following his consistent performances, the club have reportedly secured a contract renewal for the 33-year-old defender, reinforcing his role as a key figure. Even though Real Madrid have not enjoyed their best season, Antonio Rüdiger has emerged as one of the team’s most important players. Despite dealing with injuries at the start of the campaign, the German defender has managed to establish himself as an essential presence in the back line through his consistency and leadership. Following his strong performances, Los Blancos have reportedly reached an agreement to renew the 33-year-old’s contract. According to Fabrizio Romano, via X, formerly Twitter, Antonio Rüdiger and Real Madrid have reached an agreement over a contract renewal. As a result, the German defender would remain at the club until 2027, reinforcing his importance under José Mourinho due to his experience and consistency. After playing 2,190 minutes during the season, he appears set to once again play a key role in the defensive transition alongside Éder Militão and Dean Huijsen. With Éder Militão struggling through defensive inconsistencies and Dean Huijsen yet to fully establish, the continuity of Rüdiger appears to be a smart decision for Real Madrid. However, he is coming off a season heavily affected by injuries, meaning he could enter a more structured rotation. As a natural dressing-room leader, Antonio could also prove essential during the managerial transition, especially if major tactical changes are introduced. Antonio Rüdiger reportedly had opportunities to continue his career before reaching an agreement with Real Madrid. According to Nicolò Schira, Juventus pursued the German defender as a free agent due to him strong relationship with Luciano Spalletti. Alongside them, two Premier League clubs and one Saudi Pro League side were also said to be monitoring his situation. However, Real Madrid’s renewal proposal changed everything. Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match. Real Madrid may still need to sign a world-class defender Real Madrid struggled significantly at the defensive level, with several of their defenders suffering major injuries. In addition, David Alaba has officially departed the club, while Raúl Asencio could leave either on loan or through a permanent transfer. With Éder Militão continuing to battle injury concerns and showing vulnerability to long absences, Los Blancos may need to sign a reliable center-back capable of providing quality depth throughout the season. While Aurélien Tchouaméni and Joan Martínez could provide additional cover at center-back, Real Madrid still appear determined to strengthen the defensive department. According to José Félix Díaz via Diario AS, José Mourinho has requested four reinforcements for the summer of 2026: one center-back, one full-back, and two midfielders — one defensive and one creative. Nevertheless, midfield additions could reportedly become the club’s immediate priority.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has discovered a new lease of life in Yorkshire while Adrien Truffert made a big impressionConsidering the cost of signing elite Premier League strikers, Calvert-Lewin deserves a spot because he cost absolutely nothing. Plenty played a part in other clubs deciding the centre-forward was not for them after leaving Everton; his injury and goalscoring record left plenty to be desired but everyone knew what was available, if a club could get him fit. Still only 29, Calvert-Lewin wanted a change of scenery and has proved plenty wrong by missing only three Premier League games all season and producing the goals that have gone a long way to keeping his side in the Premier League – scoring seven in six games at the end of 2025 – and earning a first England call in five years along the way. “For me, he is one of the best English strikers in this league,” Daniel Farke said. “Harry Kane is playing in Germany for Bayern Munich, but in the Premier League, he is definitely one of the best English strikers and he will be a key player for us going forward.” Continue reading...
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
