Livingston defeated Queen's Park 0-5 in the Challenge Cup. The fixture is part of the Final stage in the 2024 season. The match was played at Falkirk Stadium in Falkirk. C. Scott officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Queen's Park vs Livingston meeting in Challenge Cup 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 Queen's Park and Livingston. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Challenge CupRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Livingston defeated Queen's Park 0-5 in the Challenge Cup. The fixture is part of the Final stage in the 2024 season. The match was played at Falkirk Stadium in Falkirk. C. Scott officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Queen's Park vs Livingston meeting in Challenge Cup 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 Queen's Park and Livingston. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Challenge Cup
Kyle Walker's first season at Burnley resulted in relegation, but he is determined to get the Clarets back up at the first attempt. The post ‘I won’t be anyone’s meme’ – Walker determined to be taken seriously in Championship promotion push appeared first on SoccerNews.
INTERVIEW BY WILL PICKWORTH: Back then, the full-back was yet to win any of his 96 England caps and was worlds away from becoming one of the most decorated players of his generation.
Nuno Espirito Santo is building a new team at West Ham (Picture: Getty Images) West Ham are are putting together their squad for the upcoming Championship season and are looking at some recognisable names. The Hammers were relegated from the top flight last season but have stuck with manager Nuno Espirito Santo, after finishing the campaign on 39 points. There have been some significant departures, with Mateus Fernandes going to Spurs for £85 million, Crysencio Summerville heading to Al Hilal for £55m and Freddie Potts joining Club Brugge in a £10.2m deal. Callum Wilson also departed on a free transfer and gets another crack at the Premier League by joining Brentford. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Experienced defender Joel Veltman has arrived from Brighton on a free transfer, while Venezuela international loan signing Keiber Lamadrid has made his move permanent. Espirito Santo will need more numbers, though, and West Ham are making moves for Troy Parrott and Reiss Nelson. Former Tottenham striker Parrott has been excelling at AZ since moving there permanently in 2024, scoring 30 goals in 59 Eredivisie games and 51 in 97 appearances across all competitions. Troy Parrott has been a big hit at AZ (Picture: Getty Images) He has been linked with a string of European clubs this summer, including Porto, but West Ham are hopeful of securing a deal and have made a bid of around £15m, according to the Daily Mail. The 24-year-old has hinted that he is in no rush to return to England, having enjoyed his time with AZ so far. ‘Before I went to the Netherlands, I was completely focused on England,’ he told De Telegraaf. ‘I dreamed of the Premier League. ‘But once in the Netherlands, I discovered that the football world is a lot bigger than England.’ Reiss Nelson has featured for Arsenal in pre-season (Picture: Getty Images) Nelson is also on the Hammers’ radar as he appears to be surplus to requirements at Arsenal. The 26-year-old came through the Gunners academy and has made 90 first team appearances, but has played just once for Arsenal in the last two seasons. He spent the majority of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Fulham and last season on loan at Brentford. The winger is back at his parent club and has featured in pre-season, but is unlikely to get much chance to shine in the first team in the coming campaign. West Ham are reportedly exploring a deal, but Fulham and Benfica are also credited with interest. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Man Utd seem to have beaten Arsenal to the signing of highly-rated young midfielder (Photo: Getty) Manchester United are in talks to sign one of the most exciting young players in the EFL ahead of rivals Arsenal, according to reports. Following the arrival of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, Michael Carrick is looking to add another midfielder to his squad ahead of the start of the season. While plenty of big names have been linked to Old Trafford, the club are also snapping up young prospects, with BBC Sport reporting they are working on a deal to sign teenager Louis Page from Leicester City. Page only turned 18 last month, but has already made 21 senior appearances for the Foxes, most recently in the Carabao Cup win over Northampton Town on Saturday. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. The England youth international enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, but was powerless to prevent the former Premier League champions from being relegated to League One. At season’s end, he was named Championship Apprentice of the Year and his impressive performances and high ceiling have clearly caught the eye, with Arsenal and Aston Villa showing a big interest in the box-to-box midfielder. But it appears United are winning the race for his signature, with Page said to be keen on moving to Manchester. Louis Page only made his senior debut last season but already has plenty of admirers (Photo: Getty) If so, it would be the second time this summer that Arsenal have missed out on signing a highly-rated teenager from Leicester after Jeremy Monga joined Manchester City for an initial £10million. Last September, then Leicester manager Marti Cifuentes showered praise on both Monga and Page, highlighting the youngsters’ fearlessness. He said: ‘They are playing because they are good. Of course we need to help them to develop their qualities, because there’s a lot of quality with those guys. Jaydan Kamason has impressed Man Utd during pre-season (Photo: Getty) ‘They will play better some days than others because we know as a young player sometimes there are ups and downs. But I’m most pleased that they show personality. ‘They want the ball, they are not afraid. They play with the freedom I like them to play with.’ While United look to sign one teenager they must make a decision whether to sell another, as the Daily Mail report there is much interest in their academy graduate Jaydan Kamason. Southampton are keen to sign the 19-year-old on a permanent deal, while the right-back has also attracted interest from Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers, Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday. However, those at Carrington rate Kamason very highly, especially after impressing in the first-team during pre-season and it seems he will likely stay at United for at least the first-half of the season. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
In an unseasonable black bomber jacket, with heavy duty company beside him, David Sullivan took his seat. Against the advice of the stadium’s operators, unbowed by serious allegations placed against his name and the weight of public opinion, West Ham’s major shareholder, the former co-chair, sat with arms crossed, always conspicuous by his presence.By beating Portsmouth in relative comfort, West Ham, the club where Sullivan’s name is no longer above the door, had secured a heartening Carabao Cup passage to the second round. There, they will be reunited with their former Premier League peers. The serious Championship business begins next Sunday at Burnley. Whether Sullivan travels north for that remains to be seen. It cannot be ruled out. Continue reading...
Chris Cadden described his move to Aberdeen as the "perfect fit", admitting: "I was ready for a new challenge." The right-back arrived at Pittodrie on a two-year deal at the end of last month after five years at Hibernian and made his Dons debut in last weekend's Scottish Premiership win over Hearts. Cadden played 166 times for Hibs and was asked if it was a wrench to leave Easter Road.
The power battle over Vanessa Gold’s shares and the David Sullivan Panorama allegations are overshadowing the start of the season in the ChampionshipThere have been 10 summers of West Ham’s London Stadium tenancy and a number of winters of discontent. As the Hammers kick off the new season on Saturday, a Carabao Cup first-round fixture with Portsmouth is a stark reminder of reduced circumstances, further confirmation of last season’s relegation from the Premier League. The summer has been as bleak as any of those winters, with a number of factors colliding to deepen the gloom of relegation.Certain clubs, including West Ham back in 2011-12 when promotion was achieved at first time of asking under Sam Allardyce, have used the Championship to take a beat, to refresh and replenish. Can this be the case at West Ham 2026? The Hammers are short-odds favourites for promotion but behind the scenes it has been a summer of turbulence, particularly in the boardroom, where a power struggle is being fought. Continue reading...
Fresh off their World Cup run, several key Argentina national team players are on the move during the 2026 summer transfer window, with Cristian Romero, Thiago Almada, and Facundo Medina all reportedly closing in on new deals. Argentina made waves during the 2026 World Cup by storming all the way to the final before suffering a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Spain. Now, key members of that runner-up squad are generating significant buzz across the summer transfer window, with Cristian Romero, Thiago Almada, and Facundo Medina all nearing high-profile moves. One of the defining sagas of the summer window centers on Cristian Romero, the Tottenham Hotspur captain who made his desire to depart North London clear at the end of the club season. Coming off a standout campaign in the World Cup that earned him a nomination for defender of the tournament, the star center back is now closing in on his next destination. As reported by transfer insider Nicolo Schira and ESPN Argentina‘s Esteban Edul, Romero has agreed to personal terms with Atletico Madrid. While Inter Milan pursued his signature, valuation hurdles stalled talks, allowing Los Colchoneros to strike an agreement on a €6 million annual salary through 2030 with a club option for 2031. Final club-to-club negotiations with Tottenham are expected to wrap up between €40 million and €45 million. Meanwhile, transfer reporter Cesar Luis Merlo reported that Thiago Almada will leave Atlwtico Madrid to sign with Argentine power River Plate. The versatile forward, who opened the World Cup as a starter before seeing his minutes drop as the tournament progressed, will sign a three-and-a-half-year contract in a €20 million deal for 100% of his rights, with Atletico retaining a €40 million buyback clause. (L-R) Palacios, Tagliafico, Romero and Almada of Argentina during a training session. (Rodrigo Valle/Getty Images) Finally, French outlet L’Equipe revealed that Bayer Leverkusen reached a verbal agreement with Marseille to acquire Facundo Medina for €23 million plus €2 million in add-ons on a five-year deal. Naturally a central defender, Medina filled in capably at left back following Nicolas Tagliafico’s injury, cementing his status as one of the most reliable anchors along La Albiceleste’s back line. More Argentine stars featured in transfer speculation While Argentina’s collective output fell just short of repeating its 2022 championship triumph, the squad’s individual stars continue to command massive interest across Europe. Although Emiliano Martinez’s rumored move to Juventus has officially fallen through, several other marquee names remain linked to potential departures. The headline story involves Julian Alvarez, with Barcelona making a push to acquire the star striker, who has publicly signaled his intent to leave Atletico Madrid. Barcelona sporting director Deco traveled to Madrid this week to meet with Alvarez’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, as the Catalan club prepares its final proposal, even while Atlético continues to demand his full €500 million release clause. Elsewhere, reporter Fabrizio Romano indicates that English side Ipswich Town and Bundesliga club RB Leipzig are actively pursuing midfielder Exequiel Palacios, with negotiations ongoing. Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo reports that AS Roma is pushing to sign Nicolas Gonzalez, who returned to Juventus after a loan stint with Atletico Madrid; Juventus values the winger at €30 million, while Roma’s initial valuation sits closer to €20 million. Two additional transactions are also entering the final stages. Right back Nahuel Molina is finalizing the remaining details of his move to Roma, while teenage prodigy Franco Mastantuono, who has already worn Argentina’s iconic No. 10 shirt, is set to join Fiorentina on loan from Real Madrid, with only final contract signatures remaining before the deal becomes official.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suarez, and Karim Benzema enter a new season chasing history as one of soccer's greatest individual battles continues to unfold across the world. Cristiano Ronaldo is heading into another season with Al-Nassr, knowing that history is within touching distance. At the same time, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suarez, and Karim Benzema remain among the legendary forwards chasing the very same milestone, ensuring that one of soccer’s greatest individual races will continue across multiple leagues this year. The battle has become one of the defining stories of modern soccer, with several of the game’s most decorated strikers continuing to deliver goals well into the later stages of their careers. While their paths have taken them to different clubs and competitions, they all remain connected by the possibility of achieving a feat no player has ever managed before. The mystery surrounding Ronaldo’s next campaign centers on a chance to become the first player in official soccer history to reach 1,000 career goals. The Portuguese superstar currently sits on 976 official goals, leaving him just 24 strikes away from the unprecedented milestone. That target suddenly appears realistic considering Ronaldo’s remarkable consistency throughout his career. Even at 41 years old, he continues to score regularly for Al-Nassr and remains one of the Saudi Pro League‘s biggest attractions heading into the new season. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates with the Saudi Pro League Trophy. Reaching four digits would add another extraordinary achievement to a career already filled with records. Ronaldo has collected five UEFA Champions League titles, the UEFA Euro 2016 trophy, multiple domestic league championships in England, Spain and Italy, and remains international soccer’s all-time leading goalscorer for Portugal. Messi remains Ronaldo’s closest challenger Although Ronaldo leads the race, Lionel Messi continues to apply pressure from Inter Miami. The Argentine icon currently owns 921 official career goals, meaning he requires 79 more to join the exclusive four-digit club. Messi’s season is already underway in Major League Soccer, giving him additional opportunities to reduce Ronaldo’s advantage before Al-Nassr begins its Saudi Pro League campaign on August 15. Every appearance gives the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner another chance to edge closer to the historic landmark. His résumé remains unmatched in many areas of the game, featuring eight Ballon d’Or awards, four Champions League crowns, ten La Liga titles, two Copa América triumphs, and two FIFA World Cup victories. Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF lifts the Champion’s trophy after winning the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Final Lewandowski continues remarkable scoring form Robert Lewandowski also remains firmly in the conversation despite sitting further behind the two long-time rivals. The Polish striker has reached 728 official career goals and recently enjoyed an impressive start to life with Charlotte, scoring twice in his MLS debut. The veteran forward has built his reputation through relentless consistency rather than spectacular moments alone. His scoring record across Germany, Spain, and now North America demonstrates why he remains one of soccer’s greatest finishers. Lewandowski’s honors include ten Bundesliga titles, one Champions League trophy, multiple European Golden Shoes, two La Liga championships, and two FIFA Best Men’s Player awards. Suarez still finding the net Luis Suarez may be approaching the closing stages of his career, but the Uruguayan striker continues to prove he remains a dangerous finisher. He currently owns 600 official career goals after recently adding another for Inter Miami. Playing alongside Messi once again has allowed Suarez to continue contributing at the highest level in North America. While the 1,000-goal target appears far more distant for him, his longevity continues to impress. His career in
Tony Pulis believes Cardiff City is a massive club that would grace the Premier League, but warns they will need to step up a level as they return to the Championship after a season in League One. The experienced former Premier League manager - whose lengthy career included spells in charge at Stoke City, Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough - was impressed by the Bluebirds as they won promotion in their first season under boss Brian Barry-Murphy. "Obviously Cardiff had a fantastic season last year and they get promoted back up to the Championship," Newport-born Pulis told Radio Wales Breakfast.
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Kyle Walker's first season at Burnley resulted in relegation, but he is determined to get the Clarets back up at the first attempt. The post ‘I won’t be anyone’s meme’ – Walker determined to be taken seriously in Championship promotion push appeared first on SoccerNews.
INTERVIEW BY WILL PICKWORTH: Back then, the full-back was yet to win any of his 96 England caps and was worlds away from becoming one of the most decorated players of his generation.
Nuno Espirito Santo is building a new team at West Ham (Picture: Getty Images) West Ham are are putting together their squad for the upcoming Championship season and are looking at some recognisable names. The Hammers were relegated from the top flight last season but have stuck with manager Nuno Espirito Santo, after finishing the campaign on 39 points. There have been some significant departures, with Mateus Fernandes going to Spurs for £85 million, Crysencio Summerville heading to Al Hilal for £55m and Freddie Potts joining Club Brugge in a £10.2m deal. Callum Wilson also departed on a free transfer and gets another crack at the Premier League by joining Brentford. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Experienced defender Joel Veltman has arrived from Brighton on a free transfer, while Venezuela international loan signing Keiber Lamadrid has made his move permanent. Espirito Santo will need more numbers, though, and West Ham are making moves for Troy Parrott and Reiss Nelson. Former Tottenham striker Parrott has been excelling at AZ since moving there permanently in 2024, scoring 30 goals in 59 Eredivisie games and 51 in 97 appearances across all competitions. Troy Parrott has been a big hit at AZ (Picture: Getty Images) He has been linked with a string of European clubs this summer, including Porto, but West Ham are hopeful of securing a deal and have made a bid of around £15m, according to the Daily Mail. The 24-year-old has hinted that he is in no rush to return to England, having enjoyed his time with AZ so far. ‘Before I went to the Netherlands, I was completely focused on England,’ he told De Telegraaf. ‘I dreamed of the Premier League. ‘But once in the Netherlands, I discovered that the football world is a lot bigger than England.’ Reiss Nelson has featured for Arsenal in pre-season (Picture: Getty Images) Nelson is also on the Hammers’ radar as he appears to be surplus to requirements at Arsenal. The 26-year-old came through the Gunners academy and has made 90 first team appearances, but has played just once for Arsenal in the last two seasons. He spent the majority of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Fulham and last season on loan at Brentford. The winger is back at his parent club and has featured in pre-season, but is unlikely to get much chance to shine in the first team in the coming campaign. West Ham are reportedly exploring a deal, but Fulham and Benfica are also credited with interest. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Man Utd seem to have beaten Arsenal to the signing of highly-rated young midfielder (Photo: Getty) Manchester United are in talks to sign one of the most exciting young players in the EFL ahead of rivals Arsenal, according to reports. Following the arrival of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, Michael Carrick is looking to add another midfielder to his squad ahead of the start of the season. While plenty of big names have been linked to Old Trafford, the club are also snapping up young prospects, with BBC Sport reporting they are working on a deal to sign teenager Louis Page from Leicester City. Page only turned 18 last month, but has already made 21 senior appearances for the Foxes, most recently in the Carabao Cup win over Northampton Town on Saturday. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. The England youth international enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, but was powerless to prevent the former Premier League champions from being relegated to League One. At season’s end, he was named Championship Apprentice of the Year and his impressive performances and high ceiling have clearly caught the eye, with Arsenal and Aston Villa showing a big interest in the box-to-box midfielder. But it appears United are winning the race for his signature, with Page said to be keen on moving to Manchester. Louis Page only made his senior debut last season but already has plenty of admirers (Photo: Getty) If so, it would be the second time this summer that Arsenal have missed out on signing a highly-rated teenager from Leicester after Jeremy Monga joined Manchester City for an initial £10million. Last September, then Leicester manager Marti Cifuentes showered praise on both Monga and Page, highlighting the youngsters’ fearlessness. He said: ‘They are playing because they are good. Of course we need to help them to develop their qualities, because there’s a lot of quality with those guys. Jaydan Kamason has impressed Man Utd during pre-season (Photo: Getty) ‘They will play better some days than others because we know as a young player sometimes there are ups and downs. But I’m most pleased that they show personality. ‘They want the ball, they are not afraid. They play with the freedom I like them to play with.’ While United look to sign one teenager they must make a decision whether to sell another, as the Daily Mail report there is much interest in their academy graduate Jaydan Kamason. Southampton are keen to sign the 19-year-old on a permanent deal, while the right-back has also attracted interest from Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers, Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday. However, those at Carrington rate Kamason very highly, especially after impressing in the first-team during pre-season and it seems he will likely stay at United for at least the first-half of the season. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
In an unseasonable black bomber jacket, with heavy duty company beside him, David Sullivan took his seat. Against the advice of the stadium’s operators, unbowed by serious allegations placed against his name and the weight of public opinion, West Ham’s major shareholder, the former co-chair, sat with arms crossed, always conspicuous by his presence.By beating Portsmouth in relative comfort, West Ham, the club where Sullivan’s name is no longer above the door, had secured a heartening Carabao Cup passage to the second round. There, they will be reunited with their former Premier League peers. The serious Championship business begins next Sunday at Burnley. Whether Sullivan travels north for that remains to be seen. It cannot be ruled out. Continue reading...
Chris Cadden described his move to Aberdeen as the "perfect fit", admitting: "I was ready for a new challenge." The right-back arrived at Pittodrie on a two-year deal at the end of last month after five years at Hibernian and made his Dons debut in last weekend's Scottish Premiership win over Hearts. Cadden played 166 times for Hibs and was asked if it was a wrench to leave Easter Road.
The power battle over Vanessa Gold’s shares and the David Sullivan Panorama allegations are overshadowing the start of the season in the ChampionshipThere have been 10 summers of West Ham’s London Stadium tenancy and a number of winters of discontent. As the Hammers kick off the new season on Saturday, a Carabao Cup first-round fixture with Portsmouth is a stark reminder of reduced circumstances, further confirmation of last season’s relegation from the Premier League. The summer has been as bleak as any of those winters, with a number of factors colliding to deepen the gloom of relegation.Certain clubs, including West Ham back in 2011-12 when promotion was achieved at first time of asking under Sam Allardyce, have used the Championship to take a beat, to refresh and replenish. Can this be the case at West Ham 2026? The Hammers are short-odds favourites for promotion but behind the scenes it has been a summer of turbulence, particularly in the boardroom, where a power struggle is being fought. Continue reading...
Fresh off their World Cup run, several key Argentina national team players are on the move during the 2026 summer transfer window, with Cristian Romero, Thiago Almada, and Facundo Medina all reportedly closing in on new deals. Argentina made waves during the 2026 World Cup by storming all the way to the final before suffering a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Spain. Now, key members of that runner-up squad are generating significant buzz across the summer transfer window, with Cristian Romero, Thiago Almada, and Facundo Medina all nearing high-profile moves. One of the defining sagas of the summer window centers on Cristian Romero, the Tottenham Hotspur captain who made his desire to depart North London clear at the end of the club season. Coming off a standout campaign in the World Cup that earned him a nomination for defender of the tournament, the star center back is now closing in on his next destination. As reported by transfer insider Nicolo Schira and ESPN Argentina‘s Esteban Edul, Romero has agreed to personal terms with Atletico Madrid. While Inter Milan pursued his signature, valuation hurdles stalled talks, allowing Los Colchoneros to strike an agreement on a €6 million annual salary through 2030 with a club option for 2031. Final club-to-club negotiations with Tottenham are expected to wrap up between €40 million and €45 million. Meanwhile, transfer reporter Cesar Luis Merlo reported that Thiago Almada will leave Atlwtico Madrid to sign with Argentine power River Plate. The versatile forward, who opened the World Cup as a starter before seeing his minutes drop as the tournament progressed, will sign a three-and-a-half-year contract in a €20 million deal for 100% of his rights, with Atletico retaining a €40 million buyback clause. (L-R) Palacios, Tagliafico, Romero and Almada of Argentina during a training session. (Rodrigo Valle/Getty Images) Finally, French outlet L’Equipe revealed that Bayer Leverkusen reached a verbal agreement with Marseille to acquire Facundo Medina for €23 million plus €2 million in add-ons on a five-year deal. Naturally a central defender, Medina filled in capably at left back following Nicolas Tagliafico’s injury, cementing his status as one of the most reliable anchors along La Albiceleste’s back line. More Argentine stars featured in transfer speculation While Argentina’s collective output fell just short of repeating its 2022 championship triumph, the squad’s individual stars continue to command massive interest across Europe. Although Emiliano Martinez’s rumored move to Juventus has officially fallen through, several other marquee names remain linked to potential departures. The headline story involves Julian Alvarez, with Barcelona making a push to acquire the star striker, who has publicly signaled his intent to leave Atletico Madrid. Barcelona sporting director Deco traveled to Madrid this week to meet with Alvarez’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, as the Catalan club prepares its final proposal, even while Atlético continues to demand his full €500 million release clause. Elsewhere, reporter Fabrizio Romano indicates that English side Ipswich Town and Bundesliga club RB Leipzig are actively pursuing midfielder Exequiel Palacios, with negotiations ongoing. Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo reports that AS Roma is pushing to sign Nicolas Gonzalez, who returned to Juventus after a loan stint with Atletico Madrid; Juventus values the winger at €30 million, while Roma’s initial valuation sits closer to €20 million. Two additional transactions are also entering the final stages. Right back Nahuel Molina is finalizing the remaining details of his move to Roma, while teenage prodigy Franco Mastantuono, who has already worn Argentina’s iconic No. 10 shirt, is set to join Fiorentina on loan from Real Madrid, with only final contract signatures remaining before the deal becomes official.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suarez, and Karim Benzema enter a new season chasing history as one of soccer's greatest individual battles continues to unfold across the world. Cristiano Ronaldo is heading into another season with Al-Nassr, knowing that history is within touching distance. At the same time, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suarez, and Karim Benzema remain among the legendary forwards chasing the very same milestone, ensuring that one of soccer’s greatest individual races will continue across multiple leagues this year. The battle has become one of the defining stories of modern soccer, with several of the game’s most decorated strikers continuing to deliver goals well into the later stages of their careers. While their paths have taken them to different clubs and competitions, they all remain connected by the possibility of achieving a feat no player has ever managed before. The mystery surrounding Ronaldo’s next campaign centers on a chance to become the first player in official soccer history to reach 1,000 career goals. The Portuguese superstar currently sits on 976 official goals, leaving him just 24 strikes away from the unprecedented milestone. That target suddenly appears realistic considering Ronaldo’s remarkable consistency throughout his career. Even at 41 years old, he continues to score regularly for Al-Nassr and remains one of the Saudi Pro League‘s biggest attractions heading into the new season. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates with the Saudi Pro League Trophy. Reaching four digits would add another extraordinary achievement to a career already filled with records. Ronaldo has collected five UEFA Champions League titles, the UEFA Euro 2016 trophy, multiple domestic league championships in England, Spain and Italy, and remains international soccer’s all-time leading goalscorer for Portugal. Messi remains Ronaldo’s closest challenger Although Ronaldo leads the race, Lionel Messi continues to apply pressure from Inter Miami. The Argentine icon currently owns 921 official career goals, meaning he requires 79 more to join the exclusive four-digit club. Messi’s season is already underway in Major League Soccer, giving him additional opportunities to reduce Ronaldo’s advantage before Al-Nassr begins its Saudi Pro League campaign on August 15. Every appearance gives the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner another chance to edge closer to the historic landmark. His résumé remains unmatched in many areas of the game, featuring eight Ballon d’Or awards, four Champions League crowns, ten La Liga titles, two Copa América triumphs, and two FIFA World Cup victories. Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF lifts the Champion’s trophy after winning the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Final Lewandowski continues remarkable scoring form Robert Lewandowski also remains firmly in the conversation despite sitting further behind the two long-time rivals. The Polish striker has reached 728 official career goals and recently enjoyed an impressive start to life with Charlotte, scoring twice in his MLS debut. The veteran forward has built his reputation through relentless consistency rather than spectacular moments alone. His scoring record across Germany, Spain, and now North America demonstrates why he remains one of soccer’s greatest finishers. Lewandowski’s honors include ten Bundesliga titles, one Champions League trophy, multiple European Golden Shoes, two La Liga championships, and two FIFA Best Men’s Player awards. Suarez still finding the net Luis Suarez may be approaching the closing stages of his career, but the Uruguayan striker continues to prove he remains a dangerous finisher. He currently owns 600 official career goals after recently adding another for Inter Miami. Playing alongside Messi once again has allowed Suarez to continue contributing at the highest level in North America. While the 1,000-goal target appears far more distant for him, his longevity continues to impress. His career in
Tony Pulis believes Cardiff City is a massive club that would grace the Premier League, but warns they will need to step up a level as they return to the Championship after a season in League One. The experienced former Premier League manager - whose lengthy career included spells in charge at Stoke City, Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough - was impressed by the Bluebirds as they won promotion in their first season under boss Brian Barry-Murphy. "Obviously Cardiff had a fantastic season last year and they get promoted back up to the Championship," Newport-born Pulis told Radio Wales Breakfast.
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