Vizela · World Cup - Qualification CONCACAF · Attacker · #23 · France · 26 yrs
CRAIG HOPE: Ripping off the sticking plaster. That is how insiders have described the decision to sell Guimaraes, Tonali and Gordon. With hindsight, the strategy makes sense.
A message supposedly connected to the Portuguese superstar has begun circulating online, creating fresh intrigue around the final chapter of Messi's international story and the relationship between two players who defined an era. Lionel Messi‘s decision to end his Argentina career has sent another wave of emotion through world soccer, while Cristiano Ronaldo has unexpectedly become part of the conversation. A message supposedly connected to the Portuguese superstar has begun circulating online, creating fresh intrigue around the final chapter of Messi’s international story and the relationship between two players who defined an era. Messi’s farewell was always going to generate an enormous reaction. After more than two decades with Argentina, the 39-year-old leaves behind a legacy packed with records, major trophies and memories that transformed the national team’s fortunes. The Argentine superstar retired from international soccer on August 31, 2026, ending a 21-year journey with the national team. He departs as their all-time leader for appearances and goals, with 207 caps and 125 goals to his name. His career also delivered the trophies that once seemed impossible to win. Argentina lifted the 2021 Copa America, 2022 Finalissima, 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America, with Messi eventually becoming the central figure in one of the greatest periods in the national team’s history. His final appearance came in the 2026 World Cup final, where Argentina suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain. Despite that disappointment, the 39-year-old’s international career had already secured a place among the most decorated chapters in the history of the sport. Supposed message from Ronaldo changes the story Almost immediately after Messi’s farewell, social media users began sharing what appeared to be an emotional message from Ronaldo. The alleged tribute referred to their more than 15-year rivalry, claiming that the two stars had pushed each other to unprecedented levels while developing genuine respect away from the competition. The supposed message contained particularly touching words about Messi’s influence. “The rivalry was real… but so was the respect,” the message allegedly read, before adding, “You inspired millions. You inspired me too.” It reportedly ended with another emotional line: “Rest now, brother. You earned it. Cristiano.” 🚨📲 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Cristiano Ronaldo shares a beautiful message for Lionel Messi on IG after retiring from international football:Leo,We shared the pitch for more than 15 years.We fought. We competed. We pushed each other to places no one else could.The rivalry was real… but so… https://t.co/lT2jyrAGot pic.twitter.com/IYj24SWXUb— UTDDanny (@UTDDannybg) August 31, 2026 Given the history between the pair, the message was almost perfectly designed to go viral. Messi and Ronaldo spent more than a decade competing for the biggest individual awards and trophies, while their battles between Barcelona and Real Madrid became some of the most memorable encounters soccer has ever produced. The truth behind the viral Ronaldo tribute However, there is a major problem with the story: Cristiano Ronaldo did not send the heartfelt retirement message attributed to him. After thorough fact-checking of Ronaldo’s official social-media activity and contemporary reporting, the screenshot and accompanying text are fabricated, with no credible evidence showing that Ronaldo posted or commented those words following Messi’s retirement. Ronaldo’s actual activity around the time of Messi’s announcement was considerably different. The Portuguese forward shared training-related content accompanied by the caption “Keep pushing,” rather than publishing the lengthy tribute that spread across social media. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal shakes hands with Lionel Messi of Argentina The absence of the message from the Portuguese’s official channels is significant, particularly because a statement of that magnitude would almost certainly have attracted coverage f
Al Nassr and Al Taawoun meet in Matchday 4 of the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season. Here are all the details on how to watch this match live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Al Nassr vs Al Taawoun on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Al Nassr vs Al Taawoun WHAT Saudi Pro League WHEN 2:00pm ET / 11:00am PT • Friday, August 28, 2026 WHERE Fubo STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Al Nassr are off to a strong start in the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season. Through their first three matches, Cristiano Ronaldo’s team has secured three victories, scoring 10 goals while conceding just two. Al Taawoun have not enjoyed the same fortune to open the season. With two draws and a loss so far, they are looking to secure their first victory when they face the reigning SPL champions. More details on how to watch With Fubo, you can watch Al Nassr vs Al Taawoun and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast. Now with Fubo, you can stream USA Network, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, beIN SPORTS XTRA, NBC, CNBC, USA, FOX, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Universo and Galavision. Plus Fubo, the legal streaming service, also streams Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, NWSL, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more. The Fubo app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhones, Android phones, Amazon Fire TV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense TVs, iOS devices, LG TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TVs and Xbox One. If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Fubo soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service. How to watch anywhere with VPN If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer. Free resources available to you Courtesy of World Soccer Talk, download a complimentary copy of The Ultimate Soccer TV And Streaming Guide, which features details on where to watch all of the leagues from around the world on US TV and streaming. To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
Seattle Sounders are without a win in MLS since May, and they are hoping new signing Dejan Joveljic can turn their fortunes around. The post Joveljic promises goals and wins for Seattle after trade from Sporting KC appeared first on SoccerNews.
Karim Benzema's future at Al Hilal hangs in the balance, as the French forward reportedly refuses to join the club's AFC Champions League Elite-only squad. Karim Benzema‘s future at Al Hilal remains unresolved, despite the forward shutting down rumors about a Saudi Pro League departure. Now, it seems the situation has taken a turn, with the Frenchman reportedly refusing to be registered solely in the club’s AFC Champions League Elite squad, a move that would keep him out of the league picture entirely. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al Hilal had floated the idea of registering Benzema only for the club’s Asian commitments, a designation that would allow him to play in the AFC Champions League Elite, the King’s Cup, and the Saudi Super Cup, but not in the Saudi Pro League itself. Benzema has reportedly rejected that arrangement, unwilling to be sidelined from domestic competition. The report adds that negotiations over his long-term future at the club remain ongoing, with Al Hilal not seeking to terminate his contract unilaterally. Any potential departure would need to be reached by mutual agreement, leaving Benzema with a narrow set of options: stay at Al Hilal under the Asian-only role, negotiate an exit to another Saudi club, or leave the kingdom altogether. That last option, however, comes with a steep financial cost, which helps explain Benzema’s resistance to simply walking away. A separate promotional contract tied to his role in promoting Saudi soccer, unrelated to his Al Hilal deal, would be cancelled immediately if he left the country to play elsewhere, a factor reportedly weighing heavily on his decision-making. Karim Benzema of Al Hilal. The financial breakdown behind Benzema’s Al Hilal contract situation Per the report, the figures circulating on social media about a potential Benzema exit package are completely inaccurate. His direct contract with Al Hilal is worth $25 million annually and runs through June 30, 2027, with roughly $20.8 million remaining from September onward. Separately, Al Hilal would not be responsible for a second contract Benzema holds, one connected to the Saudi soccer recruitment programme rather than the club itself, worth $23 million per year through 2030. Its remaining value from September is estimated at $88.2 million, and it reportedly includes a clause voiding the deal entirely if Benzema plays for a club outside Saudi Arabia while it remains active. With those numbers in play, Benzema’s decision looks less like a straightforward soccer call and more like a financial balancing act, one that could ultimately determine whether he stays in Middle East, moves across the Saudi Pro League, or walks away from a fortune to leave the kingdom entirely.
When Thierno Barry joined Everton last summer, he arrived at a club building for a brighter future. In the years before his arrival, the Toffees had gone through a succession of managers, all of whom had faced relegation battles. Everton had also been hit with a points deduction for breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
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