During FC Barcelona’s recent victory against Real Betis, Fermín López suffered a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot. After successfully undergoing surgery, he confirmed that he will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Spain, while also sharing an emotional message. Fermín López has become as one of the best players at FC Barcelona, becoming a crucial piece for Hansi Flick. With that in mind, the Spanish midfielder appeared to have secured his place in the 2026 World Cup with Spain, but a serious injury ultimately forced him to undergo surgery. Following the procedure, the 23-year-old star officially confirmed his absence from the anticipated tournament, while also sharing an emotional message on social media. According to FC Barcelona, Fermín López suffered a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot, forcing the Spanish midfielder to undergo surgery. While the club decided not to disclose an official recovery timetable, MARCA reported that the 23-year-old star is expected to face between six and eight weeks on the sidelines. After confirming that the operation was successful, Fermín officially revealed that he will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Spain. “The surgery went very well, and I’m already looking forward to coming back stronger, both physically and mentally. Life and soccer can be cruel when you least expect it or deserve it, but you have to accept that it’s all part of the journey. This is a very difficult time for me and yet another challenge in my career that I will overcome—have no doubt about that. Now it’s time to support the national team and my teammates from home,” reveals Fermin Lopez, via Instagram. Without Fermín López available on the pitch, Luis de la Fuente loses one of the most complete players in the world. Not only has the Barcelona midfielder become as one of the top scorers in LaLiga, but he has also become a crucial defensive presence. Even so, the Blaugranas are expected to have Fermín fully fit for the 2026-27 season, with him projected to return completely recovered and once again emerge as the central figure of the midfield. Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida por Fermín López Marín (@fermin) Fermin’s World Cup absence opens the door for Gavi in Spain Spain arrive as one of the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup. Not only do they possess a highly balanced roster, but they also rely on world-class difference makers such as Lamine Yamal and Pedri. While the absence of Fermín López represents a major blow for the national team, Luis de la Fuente could now reopen the door for Gavi’s return, with the Barcelona midfielder potentially emerging as an ideal complement for Spain’s midfield structure. Before suffering his serious injury, Gavi had emerged as an ideal complement in Spain’s midfield. Not only he provides strong defensive support, but his outstanding vision and intensity also helps elevate the team’s attacking play. While the 21-year-old star is not especially known for his goalscoring numbers, Luis de la Fuente has consistently valued his versatility. Even so, Álex Baena, Dani Olmo, and even Pablo Fornals could also emerge as important attacking options.
Less than a month before the break for the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi received a squad blow with Inter Miami confirming Tadeo Allende's surgery in a latest injury update. Lionel Messi remains the undeniable centerpiece of an Inter Miami side that has struggled to recapture its dominant form from the 2025 season. In yet another setback for the Argentine maestro, the Herons confirmed in a recent injury update that forward Tadeo Allende has undergone knee surgery, delivering another blow to the squad’s depth. Inter Miami released an official statement regarding Allende’s status on Sunday ahead of their clash with the Portland Timbers: “Forward Tadeo Allende has successfully undergone an arthroscopy on his right knee to address the discomfort he had been experiencing in recent weeks.“ The forward had already missed the team’s last two MLS matches against FC Cincinnati and Toronto FC before traveling to Spain to evaluate his options. “The procedure was carried out in Barcelona by Dr. Cugat and his team at Instituto Cugat, in coordination with the Club’s medical staff,” the statement added. After finishing as the team’s second-highest goalscorer behind Messi last season, Allende earned a permanent $5 million transfer from Celta Vigo. However, the attacker arrived in South Florida without a proper preseason under his belt, and persistent fitness issues have plagued his on-field production ever since. Tadeo Allende #21 of Inter Miami CF controls the ball. Through the early stretch of the 2026 campaign, Allende has appeared in 11 matches for Inter Miami but has logged 90 minutes just four times, failing to record a single goal or assist. Compared to his breakout impact last year, his absence strips Inter Miami of a crucial weapon in their attacking rotation. When will Tadeo Allende return? Inter Miami officials have been cautious regarding Allende’s long-term outlook, opting not to disclose the exact nature of the structural issue inside his right knee. “In the coming days, the player will begin the corresponding recovery process. His progress will determine the timeline for his return to the pitch,” the club concluded. While no official timetable has been established, the reality of an arthroscopic procedure leaves a wide range of possibilities for his recovery. If the surgery was a minor cleanup, Messi could have his strike partner back when the MLS season resumes in late July following the 2026 World Cup break, though Allende is already ruled out for next week’s game against the Philadelphia Union. The worst-case scenario would be if the arthroscopy required a meniscus stitch or major cartilage repair. While that remains unlikely, such a procedure would effectively sideline him for the remainder of the year and push his return to the 2027 season. In the meantime, Messi will have to make do without an attacker whose direct runs made him one of his favorite targets last season.
Following a disappointing season, Real Madrid have decided to pursue the appointment of José Mourinho as their new head coach. To this end, the front office reportedly already knows the deadline of his release clause at SL Benfica, meaning the Portuguese coach would define his future soon. Real Madrid have endured a season to forget, accumulating two consecutive trophyless campaigns. Following this, José Mourinho is reportedly being chosen as the ideal candidate to become the team’s head coach. With only a few matches left before the end of the 2025–26 season, Los Blancos are supposedly already aware of the deadline to activate Mourinho’s release clause at SL Benfica, establishing a clear timeline for his arrival. According to Marco Ruiz, via Diario AS, Los Blancos have decided to pursue the appointment of José Mourinho as their new manager, with Álvaro Arbeloa expected to leave at the end of the season. If president Florentino Pérez officially calls elections and no other candidate steps forward, he would remain in charge on May 24, 2026. As a result, he could activate the Portuguese coach’s release clause from SL Benfica, which will reportedly remain valid until May 26, 2026. As a fan favorite at Real Madrid and one of the best coaches of this era, Mourinho would arrive to take control of the sporting project. In addition, the Portuguese manager would be key in taking charge of the dressing room, putting an end to all controversies. Alongside this, the veteran coach would face the difficult task of restoring stability to the team, which has been suffering significantly in midfield. Mourinho reportedly set three conditions for a return to Real Madrid Unlike in previous years, Los Blancos now appear to require a structural improvement of the squad and a new coach capable of reversing the team’s poor situation. For this, the arrival of José Mourinho emerges as the key to the sporting project, as his experience and extensive trophy record back his impact. However, the Portuguese coach has reportedly set three requirements for Real Madrid to accept his return after several years. Alvaro Arbeloa, Head Coach of Real Madrid, speaks to Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica. As reported by Diario AS, Mourinho would only agree to return to Real Madrid under three conditions: 1. He wants to have influence over transfers and club decisions. 2. The veteran wants his opinion on positions to reinforce to be prioritized over the “chosen ones,” something that was already the case during his spell with Luka Modrić, Mesut Özil, and Sami Khedira. 3. José wants his managerial hierarchy to be respected, with the club backing him over the players. With these requirements, José Mourinho is not seeking to be the sole decision-maker at Los Blancos, but rather to have his opinions heard and backed, something that reportedly did not happen with Xabi Alonso and several previous coaches. In addition, this would help him secure profiles that he truly believes can fit his playing system, avoiding wasted spending on players who are “direct bets from the board.”
