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Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso reportedly asked the club recently to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, but they’re backing Mike Penders. According to Simon Phillips, the Blues seem prepared to gamble on the goalkeeper position, despite another below-par performance from Robert Sanchez in the win over Fulham on Monday night. Sanchez has long looked highly […] The post Xabi Alonso asked Chelsea to sign PL star for problem position but Blues have someone else in mind… appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Chelsea are reportedly considering a late move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez as Xabi Alonso looks to strengthen one of the most uncertain positions in his squad. Robert Sanchez started Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Fulham and the Blues eventually secured a 3-2 victory, but his performance again raised questions about whether he should […] The post After Morgan Rogers: Chelsea line up move for another Aston Villa star appeared first on CaughtOffside.
With the FIFA elections approaching, Argentina icons Javier "Pupi" Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso, and Javier Pastore offered Gianni Infantino their support in a public letter. Gianni Infantino‘s grip on the FIFA presidency has been severely shaken since the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup amid mounting controversy surrounding a proposed private equity deal. With several European federations rescinding their backing, three prominent Argentine figures, Javier “Pupi” Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso, and Javier Pastore, have offered Infantino a high-profile show of support ahead of the upcoming FIFA presidential election. The proposal to establish a subsidiary entity known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to manage media and commercial rights for premier FIFA competitions, while selling an equity stake to private investors, drew immediate pushback from member associations. Numerous governing bodies, led by UEFA members such as England and Ireland, have already withdrawn their support for Infantino while publicly calling for structural leadership reform at FIFA. Facing an increasingly hostile political environment marked by high-level executive departures, including the dismissal of FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, Infantino received some crucial breathing room from prominent alumni. Via their respective Instagram accounts, Zanetti, Cambiasso, and Pastore posted a unified statement endorsing the sitting FIFA president: “Over the last decade, we have witnessed the commitment of FIFA and President Infantino to ensuring player representation in the football world, something that previously did not exist. Current and former players have had a voice and an active role in our sport through their participation in committees, projects, and working groups. Our opinions are heard, and many initiatives that benefit football are taking shape thanks to our contributions, ideas, plans, and active participation.“ Javier Zanetti’s endorsement letter to Gianni Infantino. (@javierzanetti) “We have seen firsthand how football can transform lives, improve societies, and increase opportunities for everyone globally; we are committed to continuing to bring this hope to people. We will continue to support the remarkable evolution that has characterized our sport over the past decade, so that it can continue to reach and benefit people in every country where football is played around the world,” read the statement published by Zanetti. Zanetti, currently serving as vice president of Inter Milan, also holds the position of vice president on the FIFA Social Responsibility Committee for the 2025-29 term, while Cambiasso serves on the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG). Pastore remains the only member of the trio without an official FIFA appointment, operating through his agency, The Elegant Game, which represents high-profile talent such as Enzo Fernandez. Javier Zanetti of FIFA Legends blue team lifts the trophy alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (Carl Recine/Getty Images) Legends divided over Infantino’s leadership Zanetti, Cambiasso, and Pastore were prominent figures throughout the 2026 World Cup in North America, featuring regularly in luxury suites as official guests for Argentina games. Their public endorsement of Infantino stands in sharp contrast to another open letter endorsed by an opposing group of legendary players who joined national federations in voicing discontent with FIFA’s current direction. Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre served as a central voice in that pushback, issuing a critical statement regarding FIFA’s executive governance on X on Monday: “For too long we’ve seen major decisions taken without players being consulted or considered, and without any regard for the fans who sustain the sport. Change is necessary. Power has blurred the current leadership’s ability to distinguish between its own interests and what is best for football. Enough is enough,” part of the statement read. Enough is Enough ! pic.twi
Cristiano Ronaldo remains steady in his pursuit of becoming the first player to reach 1,000 career goals. Cristiano Ronaldo continues his march toward one of soccer’s most extraordinary milestones, sitting on 977 official senior career goals and just 23 short of becoming the first player in the sport’s history to reach 1,000. The Al Nassr captain has built that tally across more than two decades at the top level, moving from Sporting CP through Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now the Saudi Pro League, all while remaining the Portugal national team’s all-time leading scorer. At 41 years old, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing his pursuit, continuing to feature regularly for both club and country as he chases down the number. The forward has also hinted this could be one of his final seasons as a professional, having said retirement could come within “one or two years” after already confirming the 2026 World Cup was his last major tournament with Portugal. Reaching 1,000 would place Ronaldo in territory no other player has ever occupied at the recognized senior level, cementing a scoring record that already stands as one of the most dominant in the sport’s history. Whether he gets there remains a matter of matches and minutes rather than doubt, given the pace he has sustained deep into his career. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr. (Getty Images) Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals by club and country Ronaldo’s goal-scoring journey began at Sporting CP, where he broke into professional soccer before earning a move to the Premier League with Manchester United in 2003. It was there that his career truly took off, and after a brief return to Old Trafford decades later, he departed as one of the club’s most prolific forwards across two separate spells. His time at Real Madrid, however, remains the defining chapter of his career, a nine-year stretch in which he redefined the club’s scoring records and established himself as one of the greatest forwards the sport has seen. From there, Ronaldo added another major chapter at Juventus before making the move to the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr in January 2023, a switch that has done little to slow down his scoring output. Altogether, his goals break down as follows: ClubGoalsReal Madrid450Portugal national team146Manchester United145Al Nassr130Juventus101Sporting CP5
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