There are 52 referees from across the globe in North America for this summer’s tournament, determined to come away from the competition with their reputations enhanced, dreams fulfilled and, perhaps most crucially, their bank balances significantly boosted.

Refereeing is no volunteer gig, with the world’s leading officials being paid handsomely for overseeing matches at the elite level. While paychecks still pale in comparison to those pocketed by the players they are officiating, there remains plenty of money on offer to the best referees in the business.

Here’s a breakdown of how much officials will make for appearing at the 2026 World Cup.

How Much Do World Cup Referees Earn?

The Times have revealed that referees at this summer’s tournament can earn up to $100,000 and will even be paid sizable bonuses for officiating matches in the latter stages of the competition. Obviously, the maximum amount on offer will be earned by the as-yet-unknown official who takes charge of the final.

That marks a significant pay rise from the 2014 World Cup, during which referees earned approximately half of what’s offer in this year.

The majority of referees at the 2026 World Cup hail from UEFA, although last season’s Champions League final referee Daniel Siebert of Germany has been curiously overlooked. Just under 29% are European.

Meanwhile, there are nine referees from Concacaf, with Tori Penso and Ismail Elfath both from the United States. César Arturo Ramos and Katia Itzel García come from Mexico, while Drew Fischer is the only Canadian referee in use.

Referee Salaries in Premier League, MLS, La Liga

The World Cup provides a bumper pay day for officials from across the world given the amount they can pocket over such a short period of time.

In the Premier League, for example, referees earn between $227,000 and $240,000 during a single campaign, but that’s across an entire nine months, as opposed to just five weeks for the World Cup. Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver are the Premier League representatives at the tournament, alongside Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Jarred Gillett.

As of 2024, data provided by The Athletic, La Liga referees are paid a fixed annual salary of approximately $157,000, but also receive roughly an added $5,375 per match and another $29,000 for their image rights.

Back in March 2024, The Athletic revealed that Major League Soccer referees are paid on a sliding scale based on experience following an agreement reached between the Professional Soccer Referees Association and the league itself.

MLS officials take home a salary ranging from around $89,000 at its lowest for those serving a probationary period to approximately $176,000 for referees with experience of overseeing in excess of 300 matches.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as How World Cup Referee Salaries Compare to Premier League, MLS, La Liga.

Lewandowski left Barcelona as a free agent this spring after four seasons in which he scored 120 goals across all competitions. Prior to that, he had highly successful stints with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, the latter of which he represented for eight seasons. Throughout his entire career, the 37-year-old has scored 629 goals and tallied 159 assists in 869 games across all competitions.

“It feels amazing,” manager Gregg Berhalter said on the Up & Adams Show. “We want to build a world-class organization, and you need world-class players to do that.”

Berhalter added, in the club’s official statement: “His arrival reinforces our ambition to compete for trophies and raises the standards for the Club to heights worthy of this city. We cannot wait to get to work with him and have Chicago see first-hand why he is among the most revered sporting icons in the world.”

The Fire intend to debut the striker on July 16 against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Soldier Field, the first match back from the summer international break. Lewandowski’s capabilities will immediately be put to the test, as the Whitecaps—starring Berhalter’s own son, Sebastian—rank first in the Western Conference with just one loss all season.

The Fire Finally Secure Their Superstar

Inter Miami have Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul. The Whitecaps have Thomas Müller, Lewandowski’s former Bayern Munich teammate.

LAFC have Son Heung Min, and now Orlando City have Antoine Griezmann, who was spotted kicking around the team’s facilities just this week.

The Fire have been big fish hunting, trying to join the bandwagon of signing soccer legends for a while. It took several failed attempts, losing out to both Brazilian superstar Neymar and Müller last year, but the club finally caught one.

Berhalter has been experimenting with a two-striker system and believes Lewandowski will slide into it seamlessly, playing alongside current star forward Hugo Cuypers and wreaking havoc for opponents.

“That’s something we are looking forward to seeing,” Berhalter said. “If you’re an opposing defense and you have to go against Robert Lewandowski and Hugo Cuypers, you’re probably going to be in for a long day.”

More than anything, though, Berhalter is excited about Lewandowski’s track record of winning. He has hoisted 32 trophies in his career, including 10 Bundesliga crowns, three La Liga titles, one FIFA Club World Cup and one UEFA Champions League title.

“Everywhere he’s gone, he’s scored goals, but more importantly, everywhere he’s gone, he’s won.”

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Robert Lewandowski Becomes Latest Soccer Legend in MLS—Official.

With 44 players across the 48 teams, the league has had a presence like never before. While some major stars, like Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, are firmly in the tournament’s limelight, other key contributors have been left in the shadows.  

For example. Sebastian Berhalter. Despite limited minutes, the U.S. men’s national team and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder has impressed. After scoring his first World Cup goal and providing an assist in a rotated USMNT squad that fell 3–2 to Türkiye, he could be bound for more minutes too. 

Unlike many in the second-string of U.S. players that got their opportunity in the dead rubber group stage finale, Berhalter’s showing turned heads and could put him in a position to play a key role in the single-elimination matches moving forward—potentially against some of the world’s best teams. 

Here, Sports Illustrated takes a look at why manager Mauricio Pochettino may want to rely on Berhalter more, starting in the round of 32 clash against Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Berhalter’s “Pitbull-ish” Tenacity

No player was more present against Türkiye than Berhalter. The 25-year-old created a game-high five chances and led the match with 89 touches, many of which came in the influential edge just outside of the final third. At the same time, his eight recoveries and five defensive contributions were in the top three of all players in either category in the match. 

With Vancouver, Berhalter has established himself as one of the most energetic midfielders in MLS. While his one-on-one defending may not stand out, his speed and fitness allow him to get back into position, while his spatial awareness lets him read even the most deceptive of players. 

Against Türkiye, he played in the central midfield as he does for Vancouver, allowing him to control the middle channel and dish passes out to wider options to spark attacks. That positioning, compared to the wide midfield role he played off the bench against Paraguay and Australia, allows him to influence the match, with an engine that doesn’t wear out. 

“He can play two games in a row. He’s a monster,” Pochettino said of Berhalter after an impressive showing against Senegal in a pre-World Cup friendly. “He’s a monster, in the way of how professional he is. I think he deserved to be in the [World Cup] roster, and today, [I’m] happy too with his performance.”

Added star defender Chris Richards after the Türkiye match: “[He’s] Pit bull-ish. I’d say, he’s definitely a guy who likes getting stuck in. He's a guy who we also look to for mentality. He's one of those guys, and he topped it off with a goal.”

Those qualities were evident against Türkiye and could put him in a position to play difficult minutes against a gritty Bosnia side.

Berhalter’s Deliveries and Long Shots

Auston Trusty isn’t known to be a goalscorer, yet when Berhalter delivered a corner kick right to his feet at the back post, Trusty got to celebrate his first international goal. Berhalter, apart from being an energetic engine in the midfield, is exceptional from set pieces. 

With the Whitecaps, he takes nearly every free kick and set piece and offers impressive delivery, whether as an out-swinging or in-swinging option. That delivery first showed itself on the international stage when he set up Chris Richards to score at last summer’s 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup but has percolated in glimpses in his minutes at this World Cup. 

Combine his ability to deliver a potent dead ball with his precision on passes from open play—he completed 56 passes against Türkiye—and he becomes an indispensable piece of the puzzle. He also has tremendous long-range shooting ability, having scored his goal against Türkiye from outside the box, as well as four of his six goals in MLS this season. 

“The ball just popped out, and I knew if I just stayed calm and just made a swinging motion, that I had a chance. I practice those a lot,” Berhalter told reporters of his goal after the Türkiye match. “Seeing that go in was awesome, and my first thought was to get the ball back, and let's go again.”

Where Would Berhalter Play?

After coming in as a substitute for Christian Pulisic in a winger role to play 45 minutes against Paraguay, and after he saw just 16 minutes against Australia, there isn’t a clear path to where or when Berhalter could become more involved. 

His abilities are likely best used in the center of the park, and if he were to earn a start, it would likely mean dropping Malik Tillman, and letting Berhalter line up alongside Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie in the midfield. That will certainly be an option,  but it might take a quiet performance from Tillman to spark that shift. 

Pochettino has clearly become a Berhalter fan over the past year, and it is all but guaranteed that the son of former USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter will get minutes in the knockout rounds. The question remains, though, whether he gets enough to impress big Europeans clubs and earn a move beyond Vancouver, as his contract is set to expire at the end of the 2026 MLS campaign. 

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as ‘Pitbull’—Why Sebastian Berhalter Could Play a Bigger Role for the USMNT .

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Polish attacker will be officially unveiled by the club in the coming days, making the move to the U.S. top flight after an illustrious career in Europe. 

The 37-year-old missed the 2026 World Cup with Poland after the country crashed out in the final rounds of UEFA World Cup qualifying, and has instead had most of the summer to rest and recover, last playing in a friendly on June 3 against Nigeria. 

Led by an ambitious effort from owner Joe Mansueto, the Chicago Fire have been in heavy pursuit of a star player for an extended period of time. In 2025, the club held talks with Brazilian superstar Neymar, but were unable to secure his signature, and the team had also made advances towards Germany’s Thomas Müller, who went on to sign with Vancouver Whitecaps. 

🚨💣 EXCLUSIVE: Robert Lewandowski to Chicago Fire, HERE WE GO! 🇺🇸

The Polish striker has agreed to join Chicago Fire after visiting the club and city two weeks ago.

Lewandowski will sign early next week, ready for new chapter in MLS.

Big move. 🔥🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/JEKnCYyqRm

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 28, 2026

Lewandowski recently made a visit to the Fire’s training facility, while he also courted offers from the Saudi Pro League and other teams in Europe. After scoring 19 goals and adding two assists last season with Barcelona, he is eligible to sign with any team as a free agent. 

“We’re trying to recruit world-class players,” Fire director of football and manager Gregg Berhalter told the Up & Adams podcast in early June.

“We think [Lewandowski would] be a great signing not only for the Chicago Fire, but for the league, to have a player of that caliber. We see him right up there with [Lionel] Messi in terms of ability, and it’d be great for the city of Chicago.”

Lewandowski Adds More MLS Star Power 

Lewandowski has long been a target of MLS clubs. Through his time with Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, as well as his tenure at Barcelona and early years with Polish sides Lech Poznan and Znicz Pruszkow, he has racked up 629 goals and 159 assists in 869 professional appearances. 

Internationally, he has hit the back of the net 88 times for Poland in 167 international caps. 

Now in MLS, he will join the likes of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, Vancouver’s Müller, LAFC’s Hugo Lloris and Son Heung-min, San Jose Earthquakes’ Timo Werner and several other big stars. As a mid-summer addition, he’ll also enter the league at the same time as Antoine Griezmann, who is set to join Orlando City after the World Cup.

How Lewandowski Fits the Fire

While he may be in the twilight of his career, Lewandowski still changes the outlook of the Chicago Fire. In recent months, Berhalter has experimented with a two-striker system, which could fit both Lewandowski and current star forward, Hugo Cuypers. 

On the wings, Jonathan Bamba and Philip Zinckernagel continue to be key pieces of the current setup, while South African star center back Mbekezeli Mbokazi has solidified the defensive spine, in front of USMNT third-string goalkeeper and Fire star Chris Brady.

"He has every opportunity to become a great star in America,” Berhalter told Mateusz Skwierawski. “This country is ready for him. He has had a brilliant career, and this could be the next challenge in his incredible career.”

In talks with Lewandowski, Chicago not only made a contract offer for the next two to three years but also explained the project's details. "We talked about his position and how he could help the team win the championship,” Berhalter added. “I think the most important thing is that we showed him what we can offer him in Chicago.”

The earliest Lewandowski could make his MLS debut would be on July 16 against Müller’s Whitecaps, where he could start to help Chicago build even more success from their current third-place position in the Eastern Conference.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

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• Neymar Shuts Down MLS Club But Could Still Make U.S. Move—Report

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Robert Lewandowski ‘Set to Join’ MLS, Could Debut Against Former Teammate.

The Brazilian veteran has pulled out of negotiations with the Ohio club, frustrated by how drawn-out the process had become despite initially positive conversations, per reports from The Athletic on Thursday.

According to the report, Cincinnati never made a formal offer to Neymar’s camp, but the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star wanted to join the team if financial terms were agreed upon. Sporting director Chris Albright and president Jeff Berding had met with Neymar and the star’s father in the spring before he pulled out of negotiations. 

The dream of Neymar in MLS isn’t over, though. While he is signed with Brazilian side Santos through the end of the year, the report suggests he could be open to another MLS team, should the situation and financial terms prove right. 

He has six goals and four assists so far this season across 1,265 minutes with Santos; however, the 34-year-old has dealt with numerous injuries as his health has dwindled in recent years. After missing the first two matches of Brazil’s World Cup campaign with a calf injury, he made his tournament debut in the third game, hitting the pitch in a 3–0 win over Scotland to help clinch a spot in the knockout stages. 

FC Cincinnati Strike Out Again

Missing out on Neymar marks the second time in as many summers that FC Cincinnati has fallen short of a marquee signing. Last summer, the club held the MLS discovery rights to German legend Thomas Müller and reportedly attempted to sign him, but fell short before Müller eventually signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps. 

The failure to secure Neymar was on largely different terms. Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer (79) seemed ready for the move but became frustrated with the process, compared to Müller’s outright decline of the Ohio club. 

It doesn’t end Cincinnati’s hopes of a star signing, though. Having been in contention for two of the greatest players of the generation, the club is clearly big fish hunting and will hope to add to their firepower, currently headlined by Brazilian midfielder Evander and star striker Kévin Denkey. 

Cincinnati are back in MLS action on July 22 against Vancouver and Müller, but will play a friendly against EFL Championship side Burnley on July 10.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

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• Robert Lewandowski Becomes Latest Soccer Legend in MLS—Official
• ‘Pitbull’—Why Sebastian Berhalter Could Play a Bigger Role for the USMNT
• Robert Lewandowski ‘Set to Join’ MLS, Could Debut Against Former Teammate

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Neymar Shuts Down MLS Club But Could Still Make U.S. Move—Report .

Pulisic has reached a potential crossroad in his career, aged 27 and about to enter the final year of his contract with AC Milan. The Serie A giant does hold a 12-month option to extend through 2028, but that contract situation is an open door for teams to inquire about the forward’s availability.

News of interest from NYCFC has been reported by The Athletic.

For now, Milan’s position is that the American is not for sale. The club has been through significant changes in recent months, firing manager Massimiliano Allegri and the three most senior executives following a disappointing end to the 2025–26 Serie A season.

Pulisic, like many in the team, got stuck on a cold streak, and he didn’t score at all in red and black in 2026. Milan was leapfrogged by Como on the final day and missed qualifying for the Champions League. But hiring former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim signals a new era that the club seemingly expects Pulisic to part of. The player himself is “solely focused” on the World Cup and it appears hasn’t yet given much consideration to what his club future will look like.

The Greatest Ever American Player in MLS?

Although Pulisic briefly lived in England as a child and later had a trial with Chelsea, his landing point in Europe at the age of 15 was Germany. He signed with Borussia Dortmund a few months after his 16th birthday and was 17 when he played in the Bundesliga for the first time.

It meant bypassing MLS or any other senior soccer in America completely.

Tempting him to the league now, in his prime—whether to join NYCFC or another team—would be an enormous coup given his status as the face of the national team.

Given that club soccer is still very much dominated by Europe, the best American players don’t usually play in MLS, certainly not at the peak of their career.

Tim Howard was 24 when he left and 37 when he returned. Clint Dempsey moved overseas at age 24 and returned home at 30, spending his prime in England. It’s a similar story with plenty of others based in Europe in the current USMNT: Tyler Adams, Ricardo Pepi, Brenden Aaronson, etc.

Some like, Chris Richards, Weston McKennie, Giovanni Reyna and Pulisic, didn’t even make it to MLS before earning a pro contract in Europe instead.

Pulisic has the potential to change the way MLS is viewed by even American players, and potentially to rival Landon Donovan as the greatest American in the league’s history. No longer does it have to be a stepping stone to bigger things. It could become the destination.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as USMNT Star Christian Pulisic Heading to Major League Soccer Would Be a Game Changer.

Mbappé is currently at the World Cup with France, where he has scored four goals in two games to sit alongside Erling Haaland and just one behind the ageless Lionel Messi, and could finish the tournament as the highest goalscorer in the competition’s history, should he manage to outscore Messi by two or more.

Regarded as the best striker in the world alongside Kane, Mbappé has plenty still to achieve at current employers Real Madrid—but he didn’t shut down talk of a possible move to the U.S. at some point in the future when questioned by reporters.

“Will I come here before the end of my career? Maybe, I do not know,” Mbappé said. “David asks me if I want to come to the United States. We will see. It is a country I like, it is a pleasure to be here. The United States has a different culture from ours. I have always liked this culture where ambition has no limits, where people are not afraid to say what they can and want to do. It does not work everywhere.”

Messi’s Brilliance, MLS Calendar Shift

With MLS switching to a winter-based calendar to align with the rest of the world’s top leagues, the financial might of the league’s richest owners could be on show more than ever—and U.S. sports executives will push to sign stars like Mbappe, even before the twilight years of their careers.

Although Lionel Messi’s MLS tenure didn’t begin until he was 36, his success in the league and now at the World Cup is undoubtedly helping the case for MLS and the world’s biggest stars. 

Even with an impressive World Cup past, Messi’s goal rate has never been better in the biggest tournament, and comes amid an MLS campaign that has seen him score 12 goals and contribute eight assists in 14 games. Last season, he helped Inter Miami win MLS Cup while also earning his second straight MLS MVP award for 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 games. 

While the 27-year-old Mbappe is tied to Real Madrid through 2029, an MLS move could come earlier than expected. With the calendar flip and the league’s rising profile, there should be an expectation of MLS teams pushing for Mbappe’s next contract—and some clubs, backed by European teams or NFL franchises, will be able to battle financially with the world’s most lucrative offers.

The sticking point will, undoubtedly, be Mbappé’s desire to continue competing against the best. MLS play is rapidly improving but there’s still a sizable jump between what’s on offer at Real Madrid, who compete in the Champions League against the cream of Europe every year, and where the league is at now.

Where Would Mbappe Fit in MLS?

Picking the perfect spot soccer-wise for Mbappe at this point is a fool’s errand, considering how much teams will change in the coming seasons and how clubs can deal with the new calendar, as well as the restructuring of salary systems that may come with the change. 

But, it’s not too early to hypothetically pick out the teams that would most likely be in the mix.

Inter Miami, co-owned by led Beckham, will be looking for a new headline superstar after Messi’s contract ends in 2028, and could offer Mbappé a similar deal—with revenue-sharing from broadcasting and countless other benefits beyond his playing salary. Yet, they might have to compete with a few other MLS teams. 

Already enjoying the American culture in New York-New Jersey at this World Cup, New York City FC could be in the mix, given their financial power through City Football Group and the possibility of having a superstar at what will still be a new Etihad Park in Queens. At the same time, LAFC and the LA Galaxy will be able to offer the lavish lifestyle of Southern California. 

A wild card team in the mix, though, could be CF Montréal. A decade ago, the then Montréal Impact signed Didier Drogba and Alessandro Nesta, but have since dropped off in their marquee signings. With the calendar switch, MLS commissioner Don Garber is pushing the team and local governments to complete renovations to the 1976 Olympic Stadium, which would provide a climate-controlled indoor environment in one of the league’s coldest markets. 

If Montréal can complete the Olympic Stadium, there could be an enticing factor to bringing a French superstar with African roots to the multicultural, French-speaking and diehard sporting market that is Montréal. 

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as ‘David Asks Me’—Kylian Mbappe Hints at Future MLS Move, Reveals Beckham Talks.

Fabrizio Romano states the Herons already have a deal in place to sign the experienced midfield anchor. The veteran Brazilian will join Miami as a free agent having starred for United just last season.

Many pleaded for him to stay at Old Trafford, given his impeccable form for the Red Devils throughout 2025–26. Fans even serenaded him, “One more year, one more year, Casemiro!” Nevertheless, a verbal agreement between all parties has been reached for the 34-year-old midfielder to join Lionel Messi in South Florida.

Casemiro is already in the U.S., having started in each of Brazil’s first two matches of the 2026 World Cup, and it seems all that’s left to do is to put pen to paper. According to Romano’s information, all that’s left is for Casemiro to put pen to paper before Miami announce him as their new signing, yet several major questions remain.

Will Casemiro Join Inter Miami As a Designated Player?

Inter Miami currently have all three of their Designated Player (DP) roster spots occupied, meaning Casemiro isn’t expected to join the team as a DP. Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and winter signing Germán Berterame are Miami’s current DP’s.

Casemiro would have to join the club on a significantly reduced salary compared to what he earned during his time for United and Real Madrid. Unless, of course, one of Miami’s DP's leave the club this summer. Although unlikely, Berterame’s vastly underwhelming start to his MLS career could put him on the outs.

If all three top-earners remain, then Miami will have to get creative to fit Casemiro in their wage-bill and the player will likely have to make some sacrifices. It’s not uncharted territory for Miami, though. When De Paul joined last summer, the club also didn’t have a DP spot open. They had to initially sign him on loan to fit him into the roster. It will take exploring similar uncharacteristic avenues to land Casemiro this time around.

Furthermore, LA Galaxy own Casemiro’s Discovery Rights—the priority among MLS clubs to negotiate with the player. Miami will have to give compensation to the Galaxy for Casemiro’s rights, yet this is common practice in MLS. When Marco Reus joined LA Galaxy two years ago, they bought his rights from Charlotte FC.

The complications involving Miami landing Casemiro made the transfer seem impossible for a while. However, the player's desire to join the club, along with the Herons’ willingness to explore alternative routes appear to be making the dream close to reality.

What Jersey Number Will Casemiro Use At Inter Miami?

If Casemiro does indeed join Miami, he will have the choice of the three numbers most attached to him during his illustrious career.

Casemiro used No. 14 during the bulk of his enormously successful Real Madrid career. Since he returned to the club from his loan at FC Porto, the Brazilian donned No. 14 from 2015 until his exit in 2018, winning four Champions Leagues in that span. That number has been vacant at Miami since the departure of Fafà Picault.

During his four-season stint at Old Trafford, Casemiro wore the No. 18 on his back. Jordi Alba wore that number during his Miami career, but it has remained vacant since his retirement a a season ago.

Casemiro has exclusively worn the No. 5 for Brazil since 2016, spanning three World Cups (2018, 2022, 2026). It’s a number heavily linked to his position as the midfield anchor and one that was left vacant at Miami by the man he’d arrive to replace, Sergio Busquets.

What Next for Manchester United and Their Midfield?

Casemiro’s departure not only boosts Miami’s ranks, it leaves a sizable hole in United’s midfield. Nine goals in 34 Premier League appearances show how important he was as the Red Devils secured their place in next season’s Champions League, with his threat from set pieces unparalleled.

Kobbie Mainoo also benefitted hugely from playing alongside Casemiro, regaining his confidence after being frozen out by former manager Ruben Amorim while also learning some important game management tools from the veteran.

United look set to spend big on a new central midfielder, with a number of players linked. Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali and West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes are two are dominating gossip columns, while there’s also been links to Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson, though the latter appears likely to join United’s neighborhood rivals City in a deal worth in excess of $133 million (£100 million).

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Casemiro’s Potential Shirt Numbers at Inter Miami.

As for any event, there’s no assurance of true impact or legacy, and in 2026, amid rising living costs, political division and a World Cup with unprecedented affordability barriers, the tournament's long-term impact remains uncertain.

It’s a far different story from the last World Cup in North America, when the United States welcomed the world in 1994. That event led to the creation of Major League Soccer, which was founded in 1993 and launched in 1996, as FIFA required a feasible, top-flight domestic league for a nation to host the tournament. 

31 years later, MLS stands as a bona fide top-10 league in the world. It has 30 teams, World Cup winners—headlined by Argentinian legend Lionel Messi—and franchise values ranging from $400 million to over $1 billion for some teams. In many ways, it’s been a smashing success. Can the 2026 World Cup offer a similar legacy of growth to the U.S. top flight?

⏪ 1994 ⏪ pic.twitter.com/O0MK2R8Kkk

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 30, 2026

“The next decade will redefine what’s possible for MLS and North American soccer,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in his State of the League address in December. “As the world turns towards North America, the 2026 World Cup will soon serve as rocket fuel for our entire ecosystem, and it will do so for MLS.”

But, as much as Garber pumped the excitement, he didn’t offer much insight into what that might entail. Has MLS truly put itself in a position to experience a World Cup bump, or will the potential explosion simply impact the World Cup’s popularity in the U.S. and possibly the popularity of European soccer, while leaving MLS behind?

MLS’s Apple TV Deal Improves

In its first domestic World Cup season, MLS leadership made a massive shift in the approach to its Apple TV broadcast deal, signed back in 2022. After three seasons with most live matches behind an extra paywall of “MLS Season Pass on Apple TV,” MLS and Apple dropped the extra cost, offering the MLS product to all Apple TV subscribers. 

While MLS Season Pass figures remain private, Apple TV reportedly has more than 45 million subscribers worldwide, all of whom now have access to every minute of MLS action on the same platform as Formula 1 in the U.S.

In May, MLS touted that the new structure was working, citing that the league had averaged “7.9 million live match viewers per week across streaming and linear platforms through the first three months of the 2026 season, an increase of 62% year-over-year.”

Critically, that also came with an average viewer age of 39.6 years, the youngest among the major North American men's sports leagues. This summer, many of those fans will get a chance to watch over 100 MLS players represent their national teams at the World Cup, with an MLS player lifting the trophy as a realistic possibility. 

Still Outside of Major TV Channels 

Given the recent accessibility of MLS, fans could flock to the league, but it’s not as easy as it may seem.

For many, there is still friction with streaming, and public discourse remains largely driven by what is shown on major networks such as ESPN, FOX Sports and TNT, all of which treat MLS as largely an afterthought. Despite FOX showing several games, MLS rarely features in extra content, and the primary ESPN channels don’t offer the league a spotlight. CBS showcases domestic soccer with the U.S. Open Cup, USL and CBS Sports Golazo Network, but doesn’t have MLS rights.

Thus, the league that could stand to benefit most from soccer’s increased U.S. interest is the already-popular English Premier League, given its accessibility on NBC Sports and prominent media presence.

What Causes a World Cup Bump? 

Despite the year-over-year improvements, it’s still clear that MLS needs to cash in on some type of bump from this World Cup, given the rare opportunity of the tournament happening on home soil. 

While only eight USMNT players play in the league, most came through its developmental pathway. There are nine active MLS players on the co-hosting Canada, a nation where soccer—in particular, MLS—trails in public interest behind ice hockey and many of the major American leagues. 

For there to be a true World Cup bump for MLS, there needs to be a deep run by both the USMNT and Canada. Nothing would supercharge interest more than seeing the co-hosts take the sporting spotlight.

In Mexico, where soccer leads the sporting culture, it's different. Yet for U.S. and Canadian soccer, there remains an imposter syndrome, which, despite recent growth and development, has yet to break the mold of a niche interest.

Once soccer itself breaks out, so too can MLS. The league has set itself up well, given Inter Miami’s required mention any time Lionel Messi or Rodrigo De Paul touch the ball, and the fact that there will be four marquee rivalry matches in the days between the World Cup semifinals and final. 

Yet, Garber seemed to change his tone in a recent interview with Sports Business Journal, bullish on the future, but couching expectations on what a potential World Cup bump could offer.

“The World Cup gives us something to rally around and a great moment of truth, which will break through lots of different things going on in our country,” he said. “But MLS would’ve continued to grow without the World Cup and will continue to grow after the World Cup. We will continue our focus on player development, investing in facilities, growing a fanbase, ensuring that our teams are embedded in their community and that players view us as a league of choice.”

The Post-Messi World and Schedule Shift

For all the efforts MLS is putting in and the uncontrollable factors affecting both the USMNT and Canada’s success, it’s hard to measure what a World Cup bump would truly be—is it increased viewership, highlight show presence, or even just everyday conversations?

At this point, many of those talks turn back to Messi and his tremendous tenure with Inter Miami, which has seen him garner unparalleled interest en route to winning back-to-back MLS MVPs and leading his Herons to MLS Cup, Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield titles. Yet he won’t last forever, turning 39 before he returns from the tournament. 

The challenge for MLS will be to ensure that the World Cup serves as a bridge to its post-Messi future, something that will be aided by the post-tournament shift to a more traditional, winter-based schedule.

Right now, MLS already has momentum. The question is whether the 2026 World Cup can transform that into lasting popularity, creating a legacy for the domestic game beyond the month-long soccer party.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

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• Robert Lewandowski ‘Set to Join’ MLS, Could Debut Against Former Teammate
• Neymar Shuts Down MLS Club But Could Still Make U.S. Move—Report

This article was originally published on www.si.com as What MLS Needs From the 2026 World Cup to Ensure Post-Messi Prominence.

Lewandowski, who turns 38 in August, departs Barcelona this summer after 120 goals in 193 games for the La Liga champions, consolidating his legacy as one of the game’s best-ever strikers after glittering spells with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund earlier in his career.

As first revealed by Men in Red, Lewandowski is visiting Chicago as he considers making a move to the Fire. The Major League Soccer outfit are working on a deal which focuses on Chicago’s significant Polish population, which is believed to be the highest in the world outside of Poland.

ESPN add that Chicago is “closing in” on an agreement with Lewandowski but, crucially, a deal is “not done.” The Athletic note that the veteran striker has not yet indicated a preference for his next club, with offers believed to be on the table from both Europe and Saudi Arabia as well.

“We think [Lewandowski would] be a great signing not only for the Chicago Fire, but for the league, to have a player of that caliber,” Chicago coach Gregg Berhalter told Up & Adams. “We see him right up there with [Lionel] Messi in terms of ability, and it’d be great for the city of Chicago.”

Chicago Fire Chasing Blockbuster Signing of Leon Goretzka

An ambitious summer of recruitment has seen Chicago also throw its hat in the ring for departing Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, a one-time teammate of Lewandowski in Germany.

Goretzka only turned 31 in February and is believed to have attracted a number of high-level offers from across Europe, undoubtedly making a switch to MLS complicated at this point in his career.

“Maybe it’s my last chance to go abroad,” Goretzka admitted in March. “I really want to play competitive football again. We’ll see what opportunities arise. I’m completely relaxed about it. I’m just going to let things unfold.”

The veteran midfielder played alongside Lewandowski as Bayern lifted the 2019–20 Champions League trophy and leaves the club this summer after eight stunning years, in which he won no fewer than seven Bundesliga titles.

How Could Chicago Fire Sign Both Lewandowski and Goretzka?

There is a fundamental issue with the Fire’s pursuit of both players, whose financial demands would almost certainty necessitate the use of Designated Player spots on the roster.

Out of three possible DP spots, Chicago has already used two on Jonathan Bamba and Hugo Cuypers. There is an obvious place left for Lewandowski or Goretzka, but not both.

If Chicago did manage to sign both players, one would have to agree to forgo a DP spot initially. It has become increasingly common in MLS for clubs to find workarounds to the limited DP allocations as teams do what they can to build competitive rosters.

Recent examples of this include Rodrigo De Paul’s move to Inter Miami in 2025, which saw his contract backloaded to take up a DP spot six months after his arrival. Inter Miami and the Los Angeles Galaxy are both reported to have done something similar in recent offers for departing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro.

Any such agreement would spark obvious concerns about the long-term future of either Bamba or Cuypers.

Cuypers, 29, is in the final six months of his contract and plays in the same position as Lewandowski, although he does currently lead the scoring charts in MLS with 13 goals in 11 games. Bamba, meanwhile, has endured a mixed 18 months in Chicago but is still only halfway through his contract.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Robert Lewandowski Travels for MLS Transfer Talks As Part of ‘Blockbuster Double Swoop’.

Four years ago, Gregg led the USMNT to the World Cup on the other side of the world in Qatar. His son, Sebastian, had just joined the Vancouver Whitecaps at the time and was struggling to get minutes as a youngster in a promising team. 

So as Gregg took the Stars and Stripes to a round of 16 loss to the Netherlands and became wrapped up in a controversy with young starlet Gio Reyna, his time with the national team appeared to be coming to an end. 

After a firing and re-hiring situation in 2023, only to be followed by an embarrassing group stage exit in the U.S.-hosted 2024 Copa América, the final whistle finally blew on his time on the touchline. 

Through it all, Sebastian’s rise continued in Canada—and once Gregg left the national team role, replaced by Mauricio Pochettino, it opened a clear path for Sebastian’s involvement in the road to the 2026 World Cup. 

Two weeks ago, Sebastian, who already has six goals and seven assists in the 2026 MLS season, learned he would represent the United States at this summer’s showpiece event after leading Vancouver to the 2025 MLS Cup final. Gregg, now the manager of the Chicago Fire, will get to be a dad, not a coach, when his son makes his World Cup debut. 

“The World Cup is one of the rare moments when the entire world stops and watches,” Gregg said to his son in a letter, part of FIFA’s Letters that Unite campaign. “It’s a beautiful stage, but it’s also a privilege, one that most people will never know. Enjoy every second of it. Take in the anthem. Take in the pressure. Take in the joy of competing alongside your teammates and representing something bigger than yourself.

“Moments like this change your life forever ... But no matter what happens on the field, I hope you will always remember this: I am proud of you because of who you are, not because of what you accomplish. You’ve stayed humble through all of it. You’ve stayed grounded. You’ve stayed kind and you’ve become an incredible young man. You earned this. I love you.“

Sebastian Berhalter’s Emotional Reaction

Sebastian opened the letter as part of the FIFA campaign, brought to tears by the note and reflecting on the journey he’d been on. 

“I swear I told myself that I wouldn’t cry. I swear. It means everything,” he said. “To hear your dad say he’s proud of you—it means a lot. I’ve worked hard for this moment and to see that ... I think he’s always been real with me. I’ve always been delusional about things. I’ve always been almost crazy at some points, believing that I should be on something that I’m not.”

At one point earlier in his career, Sebastian had suggested that he should be in the team as was told a stern “no” from his father, who outlined the requirements of a national team player. Since then, his rise has been remarkable as he plays his way through the final year of his current deal with Vancouver. 

Sebastian Berhalter brought to tears while reading a letter from his dad — former USMNT head coach and player, Gregg Berhalter, ahead of the 2026 World Cup 🥺❤️ pic.twitter.com/3D39FlosMY

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) June 10, 2026

Now, as his future stands relatively unclear, the least the father-son duo know is that it’s bright. Having been born in London, Sebastian has a U.K. passport, opening up the option to play in England easily, or to stay in MLS. 

For this summer though, it’s all about the World Cup. Sebastian will get his chances under Pochettino and will have the opportunity to impress millions, starting with Friday’s clash against Paraguay in Los Angeles. 

“It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed about,” Sebastian added. “When I started dreaming, those were my first dreams—to play for my country and to do it on home soil is even better.”

READ THE LATEST USMNT NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Ex-USMNT Boss Gregg Berhalter Sends Emotional Message to Son Before World Cup Debut.

With 16 more nations competing at the tournament than ever before and FIFA expanding roster sizes from 23 to 26 before the previous iteration in Qatar, more than 1,200 players could play for their countries this summer.

There are debutants and veterans, minnows and superstars. It’s this assortment that makes the World Cup so special, with so many who once rendered participation on the grandest stage a pipe dream readying themselves for the remarkable reality.

At club level, especially in Europe, the system is set up to perpetuate the prominence and dominance of the continent’s aristocracy. The sport’s wealth has gradually been concentrated into Europe’s leading divisions, with players flocking to clubs that can offer their families early retirements.

Thus, it should come as no surprise as to where many of the players competing at the upcoming World Cup play their club soccer.

10 Leagues With Most Players at 2026 World Cup

The Premier League has evolved into a monetary juggernaut, with staggering broadcast deals and emphasis on commercial growth seeing the English top flight steer clear of its competitors. An imbalance has been facilitated, however, manifesting in UEFA’s three club competitions in recent years.

Each of the finals boasted an English representative at the end of the 2025–26 season, and almost half of the division will be competing on the continent next season.

With newly promoted clubs able to prise stars away from the rest of Europe’s top leagues, it should come as no surprise that the universal Premier League will have 154 players at the 2026 World Cup. The Championship is the ninth-most represented with 37 players, and the English pyramid in total has 200 players, including New Zealand‘s Tommy Smith, who played in the sixth-tier with Braintree Town last season.

With 19, Manchester City have the most players flying out to North America, while Conference League winners Crystal Palace (12) have more representatives than Real Madrid. For the first time ever, a Spanish World Cup roster doesn’t feature a single Madrid player.

Largely thanks to the big three clubs, La Liga has the fourth-most players (74). The Bundesliga ranks second with 94 players, aided by Austria’s first World Cup qualification this century. The league’s behemoth, Bayern Munich, had 18 players heading to the tournament before Lennart Karl picked up an injury. Harry Kane may be a strong campaign away from winning the Ballon d’Or.

Ligue 1 (78) and Serie A (66) also occupy the top five, with the latter hindered by Italy’s failure to qualify again.

Saudi Arabia’s recent spurt in soccer interest and the money they’ve thrown around to tempt talent to the Gulf region means the Saudi Pro League is the best-represented league outside of Europe. Still, the majority of those heading to the World Cup ply their trade domestically. All but one member of the Saudi roster competes in the Saudi Pro League, with its most dominant team historically, Al Hilal, boasting 11 representatives.

Seventeen of the 45 Major League Soccer (MLS) players heading to the World Cup play for one of the three hosts, and some may be surprised that the division will have the eighth-most players at the tournament. The league’s salary cap and Designated Player Rule perhaps haven’t aided the general quality, but have allowed for more star talent to arrive across the 30 franchises.

Türkiye’s first qualification since 2002, when it was a semifinalist, means the Turkish Süper Lig will have 42 players at this summer’s tournament (seventh-most), even if the country’s most impressive starlets, like Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız and Can Uzun, have taken their talents away from the homeland.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as The Leagues With the Most Players at 2026 World Cup.

Inter Miami superstar Messi, who will be 39 by the time the game comes around, cracks his third All-Star roster since joining MLS in 2023, but there remains doubt around whether or not he will play, given he skipped the league’s marquee event last season. Son, meanwhile, features for the first time, after joining LAFC last summer. 

Alongside them will be two World Cup-bound USMNT stars, including captain and Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter. Should they, Messi or any other player opt to miss the event, they will be suspended for their club’s next MLS match. 

Led by Dean Smith, the manager of Charlotte FC, the MLS All-Stars will face off against the best from Liga MX in a skills-based competition on July 28, ahead of the annual showcase game on July 29, both taking place at Bank of America Stadium. 

MLS All-Stars—How It Works

The league’s brightest stars. ⭐

Meet the First XI for the MLS All-Star Game pres. by @chime pic.twitter.com/DaefafwnkC

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 5, 2026

The final squad will feature 26 players, with only the first eleven unveiled this week. Already, though, the roster features five players set to play at the 2026 World Cup, with Messi headlining Argentina’s title defense, Son with South Korea, Berhalter and Ream with the USMNT and Mbekezeli Mbokazi with South Africa. 

For the MLS side, the entire roster is selected from a mix of fan votes, 13 coach picks from Smith and two picks from MLS commissioner Don Garber. After several weeks of voting, Chicago Fire center back Mbokazi led the line and is set to become the second South African player to be named to an MLS All Star squad, while Son matches the achievement for South Korean stars.

Of the 11 fan-voted selections, five were previously MLS All-Stars, with each of Berhalter, Messi, Hany Mukhtar, and Andy Najar representing the league in 2025, while Tim Ream earned a call to the 2011 MLS All-Star Game, which pitted the selection against Manchester United.  

2026 marks the fifth time in the last six seasons that the event will use the MLS vs. Liga MX structure, after previously hosting matchups between the Eastern and Western Conferences as well as against highly touted European teams, including Arsenal, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the past.

Last season, the MLS All-Stars prevailed 3–1 over Liga MX in Austin and won the skills challenge, after losing both events in 2024.

MLS All-Stars—First Selections

Goalkeepers

• Brian Schwake (Nashville SC)

Defenders

• Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United)
• Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)
• Tim Ream (Charlotte FC) 
• Andy Najar (Nashville SC)

Midfielders

• Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps) 
• Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake)
• Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)

Forwards

• Hugo Cuypers (Chicago Fire)
• Son Heung-Min (LAFC)
• Leo Messi (Inter Miami)

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as 2026 MLS All-Star Game: First Picks Revealed as Messi, Son, USMNT Stars Headline .

Premier League

Pep Guardiola has turned down David Beckham’s proposal to take over Inter Miami and be reunited with Lionel Messi. The outgoing Manchester City boss instead looking forward to a break from the managerial grind. (Source: The Mirror)

Liverpool’s priority target to replace Mohamed Salah, Yan Diomande, has snubbed the manager-less Reds to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer. (Source: Foot Mercato)

There has been a “gentle enquiry” from Chelsea into the future of Ibrahima Konaté following confirmation of his Liverpool exit. Real Madrid, however, currently looks like his most likely destination. (Source: The Athletic)

The prospect of Julián Alvarez remaining at Atlético Madrid next season is described as “almost impossible.” Arsenal, Barcelona and PSG will be on high alert. (Source: Gastón Edul)

Following an initial $116.3 million (£86.5 million, €100 million) bid from Barcelona, Arsenal are willing to splash $174.5 million (£129.7 million, €150 million) on Alvarez. (Source: Fichajes)

Amid strong interest from Arsenal, Bournemouth’s prodigious forward Junior Kroupi has chosen PSG as his preferred destination next summer. The Cherries, however, are demanding $116.3 million (£86.5 million, €100 million). (Source: Foot Mercato)

There is also talk that Arsenal are considering an alternative approach for PSG forward Bradley Barcola. A lump sum of $93.1 million (£69.2 million, €80 million) is being lined up for the France international. (Source: Fichajes)

Manchester City are willing to splash €90 million) on Real Madrid’s all-action midfielder Federico Valverde. (Source: El Chiringuito)

As his Liverpool career whittles away, Federico Chiesa has been tipped for a move to Champions League qualifiers, Como. (Source: Calciomercato)

Andoni Iraola’s first transfer demand for Liverpool is expected to be a reunion with Dean Huijsen. The Reds are lining up a $81.4 million (£60.5 million €70 million) offer for Iraola’s former Bournemouth center back. (Source: Fichajes)

Lewis Hall of Newcastle United is considered a target of genuine interest for Manchester United. However, it would take $67.3 million (£50 million) to prise the left back away from St. James’ Park. (Source: The Athletic)

Arsenal, Aston Villa, Leeds United have all been credited with interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s young gem Kerim Alajbegović. A potential star of the upcoming World Cup is already on his way back to Bayer Leverkusen, but the Bundesliga outfit could look to cash in on a very saleable asset. (Source: Daily Mail)

In response to mounting interest, Chelsea have deemed academy graduate Josh Acheampong to be “untouchable,” an exclusive status shared by Cole Palmer, João Pedro and Moisés Caicedo. (Source: BBC Sport)

Conversations, however tentative, have been opened between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City regarding a permanent deal for Savinho. (Source: Globo)

La Liga

Tottenham’s Pedro Porro and Iván Fresneda of Sporting CP are being considered as right back options for Real Madrid in a scary new world without Dani Carvajal. (Source: Fabrizio Romano)

The shortlist for Real Madrid doesn’t end there. Denzel Dumfries, a pillar of Inter Milan’s modern success from his train tracks up and down the right wing, is another ambitious target for Madrid. (Source: Gianluca Di Marzio)

Dumfries has also been linked with Liverpool. However, the departure of Slot has altered the club’s stance. (Source: Fabrizio Romano)

Real Madrid’s scarcely-spotted forward Brahim Díaz has inspired admiring glances from Serie A giants Juventus. (Source: Gianluca Di Marzio)

Should Alvarez leave Atlético Madrid as expected, Diego Simeone’s side would be inclined to reinvest those riches into Victor Osimhen. Manchester United have also been tipped to make a move for the Galatasaray striker who is valued at $87.3 million (£64.9 million, €75 million) (Source: AS)

Not content with Osimhen, Atlético Madrid have made enquiries into the outgoing PSG duo of Lee Kang-in and Gonçalo Ramos. (Source: Fabrizio Romano)

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Transfer Rumors: Messi Snubbed by Guardiola; Arsenal’s $175 Million Alvarez Bid.

The U.S.’s top flight, with three Canada-based clubs as well, will have 44 active players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, the most in league history and up from then-record 36 active players at the 2022 Qatar edition, proving the league as a burgeoning hub for elite soccer’s stars. Those 44 players represent 21 of the league’s clubs and 17 countries.

The upcoming tournament, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada, will see 103 total players that have spent time in MLS, also showcasing the league as a successful developmental pathway.

The U.S. men’s national team alone has eight MLS players on its roster, including probable starting goalkeeper Matt Freese of New York City FC and veteran captain Tim Ream of Charlotte FC. Canada’s national team also includes eight MLS players, including Inter Miami star goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. Most famously, though, Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul of Inter Miami, will pursue their title defense for Argentina.

With soccer under a special spotlight in the U.S. this summer, MLS has a tremendous opportunity to promote its league, as several World Cup matches will be played in MLS home stadiums, including Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to Atlanta United; Lumen Field, home to the Seattle Sounders; and BC Place, home to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Plus, with many active players competing on the global stage, that will only further promote the growing league.

Healthy Competition Between MLS Teammates

Vancouver Whitecaps star midfielder Sebastian Berhalter has taken MLS by storm this season to seal his World Cup fate. The 25-year-old, son to current Chicago Fire manager and former USMNT World Cup manager Gregg Berhalter, has recorded six goals and seven assists in 14 league games thus far and will make his World Cup debut for the USMNT this month.

After largely anticipated to be a substitute off the bench for the likes of superstars Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman, Berhalter may be in the midst of earning himself a starting position. He started in the USMNT’s latest friendly, a 3–2 victory over Senegal on Sunday, logging 76 minutes, the most of any player in Stars and Stripes, while showcasing his lethal box-to-box movements.

Should he take the pitch in the U.S.’s opening match against Group D foe Paraguay on June 12, he may come head-to-head with fellow Vancouver midfielder, Andrés Cubas, one of three MLS players representing Paraguay. Atlanta United’s Matías Galarza and Miguel Almirón will also compete for the South American side.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Sets Historic Record Ahead of 2026 World Cup.

However, the paradox of choice suggests that an abundance of options actually requires more effort to choose. More roster slots have rendered decisions all the more difficult, with supporters inevitably left unsatisfied by those selected and focusing more on the players left out.

Some managers have deeper talent pools to pick from than others, and those aiming to inspire the pre-tournament favorites to glory this summer have been forced to overlook several high-profile figures.

Injuries and qualifying woes mean a long list of absent stars from the 2026 World Cup has already been crafted, and here are the most notable roster omissions.

1. Cole Palmer (England)

The candid Thomas Tuchel didn’t mince his words when explaining why Cole Palmer failed to make his 26-man World Cup roster.

The Chelsea playmaker, supposedly underused by Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024, endured a rough season with the Blues, largely because of a nagging groin issue.

“He [Palmer] was not as decisive or as influential as he was in the last seasons, throughout the whole season,” Tuchel said after England’s roster was announced. “Second of all, he was not very influential with us.”

The maverick creator has scored twice in 14 caps for the Three Lions, and has appeared just three times for the national team since Tuchel took charge. While many expected Palmer to make the German’s roster, England’s manager has prepared for a World Cup without the 24-year-old.

2. Phil Foden (England)

The writing was on the wall for Phil Foden in March, when Tuchel was publicly critical of his performances for the national team. While the German praised Foden’s efforts in training, he also said the playmaker “struggles to show it on the pitch.”

Foden has long been regarded by English pundits as “too talented” to leave at home, but the Manchester City star proved to be a tactical issue for Southgate, especially once Jude Bellingham became undroppable. Shoehorning Foden into the starting lineup came at the detriment of balance, especially at Euro 2024.

Tuchel has opted to avoid controversy by not picking Foden at all, and his decision was made easier by the 26-year-old’s awfully quiet 2026.

3. Harry Maguire (England)

A figurehead of the previous regime, Harry Maguire looked poised to compete at his third World Cup after enjoying a resurgent campaign with Manchester United.

Maguire was selected by Tuchel for England’s March friendlies, and did little in the aftermath to convince the Three Lions that he wasn’t worthy of being selected.

However, Maguire was instead left “shocked and gutted” by England’s confirmed roster, as Tuchel went down a different route. John Stones has been trusted despite his injury woes, while young Jarell Quansah is a surprise inclusion. Marc Guéhi will most likely be partnered by Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa.

While never the most athletic, Maguire is an excellent box defender with plenty of major tournament experience. His threat from set-pieces will be missed, too.

4. Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)

Southgate succumbed to media and fan pressure in Germany two summers ago by using Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield. It didn’t work.

The experiment was quickly shelved, with Kobbie Mainoo partnering Declan Rice throughout the knockout stages. Still, Trent did at least provide the winning moment in England’s quarterfinal victory over Switzerland on penalties.

He’s featured just once since Tuchel took the reins, with the German generally avoiding England’s right back wildcard. Alexander-Arnold didn’t have a particularly great season with Real Madrid, but he boasts a passing range that few of his contemporaries can match.

The former Liverpool star would’ve been a luxury pick, and Tuchel clearly didn’t believe he was worth the potential hassle.

5. Eduardo Camavinga (France)

When Eduardo Camavinga was turning Champions League knockout ties on their head off the bench in 2021–22, it looked like Real Madrid had acquired Europe‘s next dominant midfield force.

Camavinga, who burst onto the senior stage at the tender age of 16, has had his moments with Los Blancos. Injuries and a lack of focus have, however, prevented the Frenchman from developing into something special.

Instead, he’s become somewhat of a nuisance in the Spanish capital. Camavinga’s omission from France’s World Cup roster must serve as a wake-up call, because his career is starting to drift.

It’s not like he’s been edged out by an array of world beaters. Adrien Rabiot and a 35-year-old N’Golo Kanté were picked by Didier Deschamps.

6. Jeremie Frimpong (Netherlands)

Arne Slot didn’t quite know what Jeremie Frimpong was, and Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has also had similar issues discerning how to maximize the former Bayer Leverkusen wingback.

Frimpong also dealt with multiple injuries during a disappointing first season with Liverpool, and those were cited by Koeman as key in his decision to overlook him.

“It is the pattern of this season that he has been injured regularly. Against Ecuador, he came on as a substitute and was taken off again very quickly.

“That is a physical issue, but I also chose someone else as right winger—[Crysencio] Summerville. That comes as no surprise to me, because I wanted to select him back in March.

“I like those kinds of players, players who are reliable in their game. He can also play very well on the right side, but he is particularly good in his work ethic.”

Frimpong needs to work out exactly what he is. Otherwise, he’ll be chasing around managers who play a back three for the rest of his career.

7. Dean Huijsen (Spain)

After starring for a season at Bournemouth and earning a dream move to Real Madrid, Dean Huijsen must’ve rendered a place at the 2026 World Cup as borderline inevitable.

He worked his way into Luis de la Fuente‘s thinking after Spain’s successful Euro 2024 campaign and has earned seven caps since the start of 2025. Huijsen was also named in Spain’s roster for their March friendlies.

However, the young, nonchalant defender was overlooked in favor of alternative center back options, with Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí unsurprisingly picked and Atlético Madrid’s Marc Pubill getting the nod after an excellent season. Huijsen was merely indifferent in the Spanish capital, and it cost him.

8. Mateus Fernandes (Portugal)

West Ham United’s plight had little to do with Mateus Fernandes, who shone in the middle of the park for the Hammers after joining from Southampton last summer.

Fernandes glimmered on the south coast and took greater responsibility in the East End, even if the Hammers were pitiful for much of 2025–26.

A dynamic and aggressive midfield operator with a lovely weight of pass, Fernandes’s rise was recognized by Roberto Martínez in March, but the former Everton and Wigan Athletic manager opted against including the 21-year-old on his World Cup roster.

Fernandes will soon complete a big-money move to likely remain in the Premier League.

9. Franco Mastantuono (Argentina)

Like Huijsen, Franco Mastantuono must’ve considered soccer‘s grandest stage when he joined Real Madrid from River Plate a year ago.

The left-footed maestro arrived at Madrid having made his national team debut the week before, with Lionel Scaloni seemingly fast-tracking Mastantuono into his long-term plans.

However, his debut season with Los Blancos returned just three goals and a red card. Mastantuono merely played a secondary role for Argentina in qualifying and only just made their preliminary squad for their March friendlies.

The 18-year-old’s time will hopefully arrive, but he’ll have to wait another four years, at least, for his first taste of the World Cup.

10. Paulo Dybala (Argentina)

While Mastantuono has been regarded as a potential Lionel Messi heir, Paulo Dybala struggled to operate in tandem with Argentina’s leading man during his glorious apex.

’La Joya’ recorded 40 caps for the Albiceleste from 2015–24, but scored just four times. He appeared at the previous two World Cups, keeping his cool from 12 yards in the penalty shootout that decided the 2022 final against a Kylian Mbappé-inspired France.

Dybala hasn’t appeared for the national team since 2024, with his career drifting out of the limelight. Still, he proved on the final day of the 2025–26 season with Roma that the supreme quality of his Juventus heyday remains.

11. João Pedro (Brazil)

Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to leave João Pedro out of Brazil’s World Cup roster was regarded as egregious by many.

The Brazilian has only featured sparingly for the national team since making his debut in 2023, and while Chelsea endured a pretty wretched season, Pedro didn’t allow his standards to slip. He was named the Blues’ Player of the Year, scoring 20 goals.

It seemed as if he was a shoo-in not merely to be included on Ancelotti’s roster, but to be Brazil’s starting center forward.

The Italian admitted that Pedro ”probably deserved” to be included, but went down a different route. Neymar is back for his ’last dance,’ and Brentford’s Igor Thiago will get the chance to impress in North America.

12. Luis Suárez (Uruguay)

There will be a Luis Suárez competing at the 2026 World Cup, but he’ll be donning the vibrant colors of Colombia after a productive season with Sporting CP.

Uruguay’s older and more revered iteration had hoped to work his way into Marcelo Biesa‘s plans, having scored six times in 11 MLS games for Inter Miami this year.

However, Bielsa resisted the temptation of welcoming back Uruguay’s record goalscorer for this summer’s tournament. Suárez last played for his country in 2024.

13. Tanner Tessmann (USMNT)

Mauricio Pochettino certainly ruffled a few feathers with his USMNT roster selection, with the return of Giovanni Reyna among the most notable surprises.

Poch has been hindered by injuries heading into the tournament, and the Argentine was forced into a big call regarding Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann.


The 24-year-old has been regarded as a shoo-in for the World Cup, especially after Johnny Cardoso sprained his ankle, but Tessman suffered a muscle strain at the start of May and missed the end of Lyon’s 2025–26 season.

While the midfielder had been expected to recover in time for the start of the tournament, Poch hasn’t taken any chances.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as The 13 Most Shocking Omissions from 2026 World Cup Rosters.

While a No. 10 is typically the creative playmaker, a No. 6 anchors the midfield and a No. 11 brings pace out wide, the No. 9 is usually the team’s primary scorer—the player tasked with finishing moves and delivering the goals that win games.

There’s always some overlap, but more often than not, a player wearing the No. 9 shirt is a classic striker: a clinical finisher who thrives in and around the penalty area.

Here, Sports Illustrated ranks the greatest No. 9s in soccer history, focusing on players who wore the jersey for the majority of their careers.

20. Silvio Piola

Italy’s first true soccer superstar, Silvio Piola remains Serie A’s all-time top scorer with 274 goals, a record that has stood since his retirement in 1954. He achieved this feat across spells with Pro Vercelli, Lazio and Novara, finishing as the leading scorer for each of those clubs.

Piola also made his mark on the international stage, scoring twice in the 1938 World Cup final to help Italy defeat Hungary 4–2.

Fittingly, his legacy is honored in Italy with two stadiums named after him—the Stadio Silvio Piola in Novara and another of the same name in Vercelli.

19. Samuel Eto’o

Samuel Eto’o holds a unique place in soccer history as the only player to win back-to-back European trebles with two different clubs in consecutive seasons—lifting La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League with Barcelona in 2008–09, before repeating the feat by winning Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League again with Inter Milan the very next year.

He is also the all-time leading scorer in Africa Cup of Nations history and a two-time winner of the tournament with Cameroon.

Blisteringly quick, technically gifted and comfortable with either foot, Eto’o scored 421 goals during his career—more than enough to secure his status among the game’s all-time great No. 9s.

18. Erling Haaland

Since bursting onto the scene with RB Salzburg in 2019, Erling Haaland has scored at a truly absurd rate—already surpassing 350 goals for club and country, including prolific spells with Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City.

Records have fallen wherever he’s gone. Still in the early stages of his career, the Norwegian goal machine already holds the Premier League single-season scoring record with 36 goals in 2022–23, and is the fastest and youngest player to reach 40 Champions League goals.

If his current trajectory continues, his final goal tally—and trophy haul—will be staggering, and his place on this list will only rise.

17. Harry Kane

Tottenham Hotspur’s all-time leading scorer, Harry Kane’s ability in front of goal was never in doubt—but questions lingered over whether he could replicate that success at a true European powerhouse prior to his 2023 move to Bayern Munich.

He’s since answered those doubts in emphatic fashion, scoring over 40 goals in each of his first three seasons in Germany—including a remarkable 61-goal campaign in 2025–26.

A striker who needs only the slightest opening to find the net—whether with his right foot, left foot or head—Kane combines ruthless finishing with elite playmaking ability, making him one of the most complete forwards of his generation.

16. Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer remains the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer with 260 goals—a record that still looks untouchable today.

He may not have always been the most graceful striker, but he was relentlessly effective: powerful, quick, perfectly positioned and armed with a thunderous right foot that could almost rip the net apart.

15. Jean-Pierre Papin

Before Paris Saint-Germain’s rise to dominance in French soccer, it was Marseille who ruled the late 1980s and early ’90s—and Jean-Pierre Papin was their talisman. His 184 goals for the club powered them to four consecutive Ligue 1 (then Division 1) titles.

Renowned for his sharp movement, explosive pace and devastating volleys, Papin also enjoyed success with AC Milan and Bayern Munich during a glittering career that saw him score over 400 goals.

14. Uwe Seeler

A true one-club icon, Uwe Seeler spent virtually his entire career with boyhood side Hamburger SV—aside from a brief one-match cameo with Cork Celtic—scoring an incredible 496 goals to cement his place as the club’s all-time leading scorer.

He was just as reliable on the international stage, netting 43 goals in 72 appearances for West Germany and making history as the first player ever to score in four separate World Cups.

13. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimović scored goals everywhere he went—573 in total for clubs including Ajax, AC Milan, Barcelona, PSG, Juventus, Inter, Manchester United, LA Galaxy as well as for Sweden—but it wasn’t just the volume that set him apart. It was the outrageous manner in which he did it.

From acrobatic kung-fu strikes to perfectly executed scissor kicks, thunderous volleys and dazzling solo runs, Ibrahimović built a highlight reel few could rival. His unpredictability, supreme confidence and towering presence made him a constant nightmare for defenders.

12. Gabriel Batistuta

Gabriel Batistuta’s trophy haul—featuring just one Serie A title, a Coppa Italia, two Copas América and a handful of lesser honors—hardly does justice to his true quality.

With 56 goals in 78 appearances for Argentina, he remains his nation’s second all-time top scorer behind only Lionel Messi, while the majority of his 299 club goals came during a legendary spell with Fiorentina. Remarkably loyal, he stayed with the Italian side for nearly a decade, even following their relegation to Serie B, despite strong interest from Europe’s elite clubs.

Renowned for his positional intelligence and a thunderous right foot, “Batigol” blended elegance with sheer power in a way few strikers ever have.

11. Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema led the line for a dominant Real Madrid side that captured four La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies during his 14-year spell at the club from 2009–23. In that time, he racked up an incredible 354 goals—surpassed only by Cristiano Ronaldo in the club’s history.

Gifted with exceptional technique, vision and the ability to link play, Benzema was far more than just a finisher—he also ranks among Madrid’s all-time assist leaders.

His all-around brilliance was finally rewarded with a Ballon d’Or in 2022.

10. Robert Lewandowski

Since the turn of the century, only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have scored more goals than Robert Lewandowski, who has racked up over 740 (and counting) for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Poland.

A ruthlessly efficient finisher who needs barely half a chance, Lewandowski was at his most devastating with Bayern, scoring an astonishing 375 goals in just 344 appearances as he helped the club win everything available, including eight Bundesliga titles and the Champions League.

He is also the most unfortunate player never to win a Ballon d’Or, having been the overwhelming favorite in 2020 after a 55-goal season—only for the award to be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

9. Hugo Sanchez

When discussing Real Madrid’s greatest forwards, names like Karim Benzema, Raúl, Ferenc Puskás, Alfredo Di Stéfano—and even Cristiano Ronaldo—are often the first to come to mind. Hugo Sánchez, however, firmly belongs in that conversation, even if he’s sometimes overlooked.

Widely regarded as Mexico’s greatest ever player, Sánchez scored 208 goals in 282 appearances for Real Madrid from 1985–92, playing a key role in the club’s run of five consecutive La Liga titles, along with several other major honors.

A prolific scorer wherever he went—including spells with Atlético Madrid, Rayo Vallecano and Pumas UNAM—he finished his career with an impressive 513 goals.

8. Paolo Rossi

Paolo Rossi was something of a hybrid No. 9—while he often wore the shirt and knew exactly where the goal was, his game blended the intelligence and subtle playmaking of a No. 10 with the quick feet and movement of a wide attacker.

The 1982 Ballon d’Or winner had a career that, much like his playing style, was brief but brilliant—disrupted by injuries and a match-fixing scandal.

But his performances at the 1982 World Cup remain the defining chapter. Rossi scored six goals, including a famous hat-trick against Brazil, a brace in the semifinal against Poland, and the opening goal in the final against West Germany, as Italy lifted the trophy. A tournament run for the ages.

7. George Weah

George Weah remains the only African player in history to win the Ballon d’Or, claiming the award in 1995 during a spell that saw him represent both Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan.

With PSG, he helped guide the club to the Champions League semifinals while finishing as top scorer with eight goals, before moving to Italy and continuing his dominance at the San Siro.

While not a traditional out-and-out poacher like others on this list, Weah was instead a powerful, unstoppable force—capable of driving through entire defences as if they weren’t there and producing match-winning moments out of nowhere, with a level of individual brilliance few, if any, others possessed at the time.

6. Gunnar Nordahl

The legendary Gunnar Nordahl scored exactly 500 goals during his career, including 221 for AC Milan—a club record that still stands today. His five Capocannoniere (Serie A top scorer) awards also remain unmatched.

A powerful, physically dominant striker with superb positioning and clinical finishing, Nordahl also helped Sweden win gold at the 1948 Summer Olympics, where he finished as joint top scorer.

5. Luis Suarez

Whether in the Netherlands with Ajax, England with Liverpool, Spain with Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, Brazil with Grêmio, or the United States with Inter Miami—goals have followed Luis Suárez wherever he’s gone.

The Uruguayan striker—powerful, relentless, never afraid to attempt the extraordinary and fiercely (if sometimes overly) competitive—has scored more than 600 goals for club and country throughout his illustrious career.

A remarkable 121 of those came during just three incredible seasons at Barcelona between 2014–15 and 2016–17, where he formed the focal point of arguably the most lethal attacking trio in soccer history alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr.

4. Marco van Basten

Had his career not been cut short at just 28 by injury, it’s fascinating to imagine what Marco van Basten might have achieved.

Even so, by the time of his early retirement, he had already accomplished more—and scored more—than most forwards could ever dream of: 307 goals, three Ballon d’Or awards, four Serie A titles, two European Cups and the 1988 European Championship.

His iconic tight-angled volley for the Netherlands against the Soviet Union in the final of the latter remains one of the greatest goals in soccer history, and the perfect encapsulation of his technical brilliance and finishing ability.

3. Gerd Muller

Gerd Müller scored an incredible 565 goals in just 607 games for Bayern Munich between 1965 and 1979. Remarkably, 66 of those came in a single season (1972–73), a record that still stands at the club today.

“Der Bomber” also netted 68 goals in 62 appearances for West Germany, including the decisive strike in the 1974 World Cup final.

Few strikers in history have been as lethal inside the box as the German icon, who was the ultimate fox in the box—possessing a goalscoring instinct that simply can’t be taught.

2. Alfredo Di Stefano

When Real Madrid won an unprecedented five consecutive European Cups from 1956–1960, Alfredo Di Stéfano was the driving force behind every triumph. He scored five, seven, 10, six and eight goals across those campaigns respectively, finding the net in every final and even recording a hat-trick in the last.

That level of dominance remains almost unmatched in soccer history—and quite possibly always will be—which more than justifies his place among the greatest No. 9s the game has ever seen.

1. Ronaldo Nazario

Ronaldo Nazário was nicknamed “R9” for a reason. He was the very definition of a No. 9—and quite simply the greatest to ever wear the shirt.

Although injuries ultimately curtailed his career, in his prime there was nothing and nobody who could stop the Brazilian. He made a career out of taking on defenders, rounding goalkeepers and relentlessly finding the back of the net—something the two-time World Cup winner did over 400 times for club and country.

He had it all: blistering pace, raw strength, outrageous skill, explosive power, and that unmistakable touch of star quality that you simply couldn’t define.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked.

Uruguay’s manager pulled veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera out of retirement, naming the 39-year-old to his fifth World Cup (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022), a Uruguayan record, after previously hanging up his sky blue and white gloves in 2024 after 133 caps and a 2011 Copa América win.

Although Bielsa flipped through the history books and called up Muslera, the same cannot be said for Luis Suárez. The 39-year-old striker, who also retired from international soccer in 2024, did not earn a re-call, leaving Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer (69 goals in 143 appearances) as the most notable omission.

Uruguay is ranked No. 17 globally as of Sunday and is anticipated to make a strong run, despite one steep obstacle in group play: Spain. Uruguay drew Group H, battling the European giants as well as Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.

Uruguay 2026 World Cup Squad Confirmed: Full List of Players

Goalkeepers

• Sergio Rochet (Internacional)
• Fernando Muslera (Estudiantes)
• Santiago Mele (Monterrey)

Defenders

• Guillermo Varela (Flamengo)
• Ronald Araújo (Barcelona)
• José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid)
• Santiago Bueno (Wolves)
• Sebastián Cáceres (Club America)
• Mathías Olivera (Napoli)
• Joaquín Piquerez (Palmeiras)
• Matías Viña (River Plate)

Midfielders

• Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United)
• Emiliano Martínez (Palmeiras)
• Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur)
• Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
• Agustín Canobbio (Fluminese)
• Juan Manuel Sanabria (Real Salt Lake)
• Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Fluminese)
• Nicolás de la Cruz (Flamengo)
• Rodrigo Zalazar (Braga)
• Facundo Pellistri (Panathinaikos)
• Maximiliano Araújo (Sporting CP)
• Brian Rodríguez (Club America)

Forwards

• Rodrigo Aguirre (Tigres)
• Federico Viñas (Real Oviedo)
• Darwin Núñez (Al Hilal)

Luis Suarez Left Out After Recent Pleas

Suárez was not called up by La Celeste, meaning he will miss the World Cup for the first time since 2010, when he made his tournament debut in South Africa.

Although the Inter Miami striker announced his retirement from international duty back in September 2024—marked by an emotionally-charged farewell ceremony in his honor—the Uruguayan legend has recently made it clear that it was door he regretted closing.

He made multiple hints in recent months that indicated his desire to represent his nation again on the sport’s grandest stage, an opportunity that would have seen him stand beside Muslera on the Uruguayan podium for the most tournament appearances (five). It would have also likely seen him break the record for the most individual World Cup match appearances, as Suárez is currently tied for second in Uruguay’s history books with 16, just one away from Edinson Cavani’s record of 17.

“I wanted to be called up,” the star said in early May.

“Obviously, being Uruguayan, I would never turn down the national team,” he added. “I stepped aside back then because I felt I needed to make way for the younger generation ... As I’ve said before, I would never say no to the national team if they needed me—especially with a World Cup just around the corner.”

Suárez earning a late nod, although certainly a stretch given his long absence, seemed possible. He currently has a full bill of health and is experiencing an impressive club resurgence, re-entering Inter Miami’s starting lineup as a key asset. He has six goals and four assists in just seven starts this season, proving himself indispensable despite initially being overshadowed by $15 million transfer of Germán Berterame at the start of the season. However, Bielsa proved capable of looking past him.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored.

A unified Argentina team rallied around the all-time great in Qatar to ensure he captured the crown that his career deserves. Messi produced one of the finest individual World Cup campaigns in 2022, inspiring La Albiceleste to their first global conquest since Diego Maradona dominated in Mexico 36 years before.

But the international retirement some suspected after enjoying his crowning glory never arrived. Still performing at a freakishly high level despite approaching 40, it then seemed inevitable that Messi would target history in North America this summer.

And not merely because he’ll be competing at his sixth World Cup. Argentina is aiming to become only the third nation in the tournament’s 96-year history to defend its title.

Every Nation to Win Consecutive Men’s World Cups

Lionel Messi’s Argentina Chasing Brazil’s World Cup History

Doubts remained right up until Lionel Scaloni named his final 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup whether Messi would be included, especially after he suffered an apparent hamstring injury in Inter Miami’s final MLS outing before the mid-season break.

While Argentina has shown signs of evolution in the absence of their delightful No. 10 over the past 12 months, Scaloni was never going to leave Messi out if he made himself available.

The 38-year-old is one of 17 players in Scaloni’s roster who were also present in Qatar, with the savvy national team manager opting for continuity. Messi will play a leading role for the holders, who are aiming to become the first team in 64 years to retain the World Cup.

Only eight nations have ever gotten their hands on the trophy since the tournament‘s 1930 inception, yet Brazil, in 1962, is the most recent to win back-to-back World Cups. Vittorio Pozzo’s Italy also won twice in succession in 1934 and 1938.

Argentina has come close once before, with Maradona’s uninspiring holders reaching the final in 1990 before being edged out by the superior West Germany in a drab contest decided by Andreas Brehme’s penalty. 1994 champions Brazil were cast aside in the showpiece event by France four years later—a final overshadowed by the prematch drama surrounding superstar Ronaldo.

Les Blues won the World Cup for a second time in 2018, and, off the back of a Kylian Mbappé hat-trick, took the 2022 final to penalties. Regarded as one of soccer‘s greatest games, Argentina held its nerve from 12 yards to thrust Messi’s legacy into an impenetrable realm.

Excluding France in Qatar, the holders have generally struggled at World Cups in the 21st century. At four of the six tournaments, they’ve failed to make it out of the group.

Messi Fighting Champions’ Curse

How Brazil Retained the World Cup in 1962

A teenage Pelé helped Brazil vanquish the demons of the defeat to Uruguay on home soil when he scored six times in the knockout stage to help the Seleção win the World Cup for the first time in 1958.

When Brazil made the short trip across South America to defend its crown four years later, soccer had changed. The free-scoring bliss of the 1950s was long gone, with the sport now dominated by more cynical approaches that emphasised opponent nullification by any means.

Brazil wasn’t all that different from the team that triumphed in Sweden, although a key tactical switch fought against stagnation. The aggressive 4-2-4 that dominated four years earlier became more of a lopsided 4-3-3, supplying greater defensive stability.

A groin injury meant Pelé wasn’t counted upon, with the idiosyncratic Garrincha instead coming to the fore. The winger was believed to have been inspired by the arrival of his partner, the glamorous singer Elza Soares, midway through the tournament. Garrincha put a slow start to the World Cup behind him and took the mantle from the stricken Pelé.

Brazil won their group unbeaten before overcoming England 3–1 in the quarterfinals thanks to a Garrincha brace. Hosts Chile sought to kick the dazzling winger out of the semifinals, eventually forcing Garrincha to deliver an uncompromising knee that resulted in his dismissal. Before that, though, he’d struck twice in a 4–2 Brazilian victory. The star man’s red card was subsequently rescinded by Peruvian referee Arturo Yamasaki, meaning he was available for the final against Czechoslovakia.

The Czechs were no more than gritty and functional. Brazil may not have been as swashbuckling as the Swedish sojourn, but the reigning champion nonetheless had too much in the final. Brazil fought back from a goal down to win comfortably, 3–1. Vavà became the first player in World Cup history to score in two finals.

The Seleção’s superiority over the rest of the world remained distinct until their disastrous campaign of 1966, although few were enamored with the overall quality of the tournament. There were glimpses from Garrincha, but the glorious individualism of the 1950s was beginning to wane.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up.

Multiple factors are considered in the ranking, including revenue generated for the 2024–25 season (or 2025 campaign in MLS), operating income, stadium economics and debts, each value rounded to the nearest $1 million.

Unsurprisingly, European behemoths dominate the rankings, but clubs in the United States are growing as genuine competitors.

Here is a breakdown of the world’s most valuable soccer sides in 2026.

30–21

Over a third of the clubs within the top 30 are English. Even the Premier League’s middle class are capable of financially overpowering the majority of teams across the planet. Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham and Everton rank from 27th to 25th in that order, falling just short of a $1 billion valuation.

Despite Napoli being crowned Serie A champions in 2024–25, it’s Roma who are the fourth-most valuable side in Italy. The capital giants place 24th, marginally behind Benfica—the only club from Portugal to make the cut.

Stuttgart in 28th continue to flourish as their on-field resurgence converts to hugely improved revenue streams. They are now officially Germany’s third-most valuable club.

MLS sides Austin FC and Seattle Sounders just creep into the list after value increases from 2024, but, unlike Atlanta United and New York City FC, they fail to reach the $1 billion valuation mark.

20–11

Californian giants LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC sneak into the top 20, the latter’s value of $1.32 billion only slightly less than Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF—the most valuable MLS franchise on the market. All three have seen their value increase from the previous rankings.

Aston Villa have overseen an incredible 56% growth over the past year as Unai Emery continues to work wonders. Champions League qualification played a massive part in their financial progression, making them England’s most valuable club outside of the traditional ‘Big Six’. They lead Newcastle United, who are perched in 19th.

Despite a higher revenue than their arch rivals, 2024–25 Champions League finalists Inter still trail AC Milan, who are valued at $500 million more than their neighbors. Both clubs are still overshadowed by Juventus, however, whose value sits at an impressive $2.4 billion despite on-pitch struggles.

Borussia Dortmund continue their tradition of being second in Germany, their value paling in comparison to that of Der Klassiker rivals Bayern Munich. Atlético Madrid, one of only three Spanish clubs, find themselves in a similar situation, trailing adversaries Real Madrid by billions.

10–1

Atléti only narrowly miss out on their place in the top 10 at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, but there is quite the jump from Spurs to their city rivals Chelsea. The Blues are $1.2 billion more valuable, although that’s the exact sum they find themselves behind recently crowned Premier League champions Arsenal.

The Gunners could well surpass Manchester City, as they did in the 2025–26 Premier League, in next year’s list. The Cityzens are only $100 million ahead of Arsenal, although they find themselves playing catch-up to Liverpool and Manchester United.

England’s most successful clubs are both valued at over $6 billion, putting them ahead of reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain and German behemoths Bayern Munich. The Red Devils are valued at $1 billion more than Liverpool and will benefit from Champions League revenue next season.

Spain’s top two once again headline the rankings, with Real Madrid enjoying their fifth successive year at the summit. Their $9.5 billion valuation is marked by an incredible $1.27 billion made in revenue across 2024–25, which is a record total for any sports team measured by Forbes (without adjusting for inflation). Unlike on the field, Barcelona find themselves behind their Clásico adversaries.

READ THE LATEST SOCCER NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

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• Cristiano Ronaldo Sets Incredible World Cup Record vs. Croatia in Round of 32
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• Why Croatia’s Late Equalizer vs. Portugal Didn’t Count—2026 World Cup
• Portugal Player Ratings vs. Croatia: Ronaldo Plays Villain and Hero in Sensational Clash

This article was originally published on www.si.com as The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked.

Messi was forced to leave the insane MLS match against Philadelphia Union in the 79th minute, with the score tied at 4–4. Miami’s initial medical report then revealed “muscle fatigue in the left hamstring” to set alarm bells ringing so close to the 2026 World Cup.

Even closing in on his 38th birthday, Messi is still central to Argentina’s hopes of becoming the first team in more than 60 years to successfully retain the men’s World Cup. It would also be a blow to the tournament as a whole not to have one of the all-time greats at full health.

Scaloni doesn’t appear that worried, but more tests are required. He and his staff were watching the Miami match from their base in Argentina, immediately aware there was a potential problem when Messi left the field in the moment that he did.

“We were watching the match at the training ground. We realized he asked to be substituted, that he wasn’t well,” the 2022 World Cup-winning manager told DSports.

“The first reports are not that bad. Logically, we would prefer that nothing had happened to him. Now, we have to wait and see how he progresses. Above all, they’re going to run tests on him, I imagine, and see if it’s as they say.

“We would have liked him to arrive [in camp] without any kind of problems, but that is not the case with him and with most of the players who have had problems. They are not fully recovered. Our goal is to try to recover them and have them arrive in the best possible condition.”

All-Time World Cup Record Beckons for Messi

Even if Messi could not play early-round matches, his selection for Argentina seems virtually guaranteed—for all that he has done for the national team in 21 years and the impact he might still have later in the tournament’s knockout rounds.

Scaloni is yet to publicly name Argentina’s roster but that announcement is imminent.

History is within reach for Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. This is going to be his sixth World Cup, which is a record for the men’s tournament that he will jointly break with Cristiano Ronaldo, who has already been named in Portugal’s squad for a sixth time. Each played their first World Cup in 2006, when Ronaldo was 21 and Messi was turning 19.

But in terms of individual World Cup matches, a new record could be Messi’s alone by July. He has already played more World Cup matches than anyone in men’s soccer, making his 26th appearance in the 2022 final against France. But the overall World Cup record belongs to USWNT legend Kristine Lilly, who played 30 times at the women’s tournament from 1991–2007.

Four appearances for Messi in 2026 equals it, and five breaks it. In total, Argentina could play up to eight times if La Albiceleste reach the final or third-place playoff.

READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

• Switzerland vs. Algeria—World Cup: Live Score and Match Stats
• Cristiano Ronaldo Sets Incredible World Cup Record vs. Croatia in Round of 32
• Argentina vs. Cabo Verde—World Cup: Preview, Predictions and Lineups
• Why Croatia’s Late Equalizer vs. Portugal Didn’t Count—2026 World Cup
• Portugal Player Ratings vs. Croatia: Ronaldo Plays Villain and Hero in Sensational Clash

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms.

Lewandowski said his goodbyes to Barcelona at the end of a successful 2025–26 season for the Blaugrana, who retained their La Liga title at a canter.

The Polish striker, 37, is deep into the twilight of his career and saw his influence diminish in Catalonia after scoring 42 times across all competitions last season. He notched almost 1,000 fewer minutes in La Liga this season, as Ferran Torres was often preferred. Lewandowski found the back of the net just 19 times—his worst goalscoring campaign since the 2010–11 season.

Still, the veteran departs with an impressive Barça legacy, scoring 120 goals in 193 appearances and lifting La Liga three times.

Chicago Fire Publicly Confirm Robert Lewandowski Interest

It was decided rather late in the 2025–26 season that Lewandowski would depart Barcelona following the expiration of his contract in June. The move leaves Barça sorely needing a center forward as they go in search of a third-consecutive Spanish top flight crown, but his exit does take a mammoth salary off their wage book.

Not yet thinking about retirement, Lewandowski is set to move away from the spotlight of Europe and opt for a novel experience, potentially via MLS. The Chicago Fire have been heavily linked with a move for the all-time great striker, and Berhalter, the former USMNT head coach, has made their desire to sign Lewandowski abundantly clear.

“I can speak freely because he is no longer a Barcelona player, and he is someone we want to sign,” Berhalter asserted in statements collected by Polish media outlets (via MARCA).

Talks between the MLS franchise and Lewandowski‘s entourage reportedly started in December, but have ratcheted up in recent weeks as it became clear that the striker wouldn’t be spending another year with Barça.

“We have spoken with Robert Lewandowski and with the people who represent him. I am convinced that a player of his level has other offers on the table, but our communication has been frequent and very positive,” Berhalter added.

Robert Lewandowski Signing Would Be Major Win for Chicago Fire

Fitness setbacks and niggles meant Flick had to carefully manage Lewandowski this season. At 37, he’s not the striker he once was, but his sharpness in front of goal hasn’t ceased.

Last term, the Pole went stride for stride with Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Pichichi Trophy, scoring 27 times. Reduced minutes brought that haul down to 14 this time around.

He could’ve remained in Catalonia but has instead opted for new pastures. Lewandowski may well be preparing himself for the reduced rigors of MLS, having admitted earlier this month that he would be interested in “an option in a lower league,” and there’s no hiding just how big a win the 37-year-old would be for the Chicago Fire.

Berhalter said the addition of Lewandowski would be "extraordinary" for the league, as well as the city of Chicago, which boasts a huge Polish diaspora.

“We have a top-level offensive team, but bringing in a footballer of his experience, leadership, and goalscoring ability can only make us stronger,” Fire’s head coach said.

The franchise has reached the MLS Cup playoffs only once since 2017, but has enjoyed a strong start to their 2026 campaign. Chicago are third in the Eastern Conference at the mid-season break, and they could be bolstered by one of the greatest goal scorers in soccer history when they return to action.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as 'We Want To Sign Him'—MLS Team Makes Robert Lewandowski Intentions Clear.

This weekend’s Matchday 15 slate of MLS saw some teams allow World Cup-bound players to sit out, while others fielded top-choice lineups with hopes of heading into the extended international break with a win and good vibes around the club. 

From outstanding showdowns on the West Coast to Lionel Messi’s concerning exit in a record-smashing 6–4 Inter Miami victory over the Philadelphia Union, the final pre-World Cup weekend of MLS didn’t disappoint. 

Here, Sports Illustrated dives into the weekly MLS Power Rankings, with the league set to resume with a six-game Matchday 16 slate on July 16, between the World Cup semifinals and the July 19 final. 

MLS Power Rankings Matchday 15: Clubs 30–11

30. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 30)
29. Atlanta United (Previous: 29)
28. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 27)
27. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 26)
26. St. Louis CITY SC (Previous: 28)
25. Austin FC (Previous: 24)
24. Orlando City (Previous: 21)
23. CF Montréal (Previous: 25)
22. D.C. United (Previous: 23)
21. Toronto FC (Previous: 22)
20. Portland Timbers (Previous: 20)
19. San Diego FC (Previous: 17)
18. Columbus Crew (Previous: 19)
17. Red Bull New York (Previous: 18)
16. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 16)
15. LA Galaxy (Previous: 15)
14. Minnesota United (Previous: 14)
13. New York City FC (Previous: 11)
12. Charlotte FC (Previous: 13)
11. New England Revolution (Previous: 10)

10. FC Dallas (Previous: 12)

While some teams are limping into the World Cup break, things couldn’t be going any better for FC Dallas. This weekend saw the Toros grab a 2–1 win over the Colorado Rapids, bringing them to four wins in their last five and up to fourth in the Western Conference. 

Even without talisman and World Cup-bound Croatian international Petar Musa, they found a way to nab a pair of goals through Logan Farrington’s sixth of the season and Santiago Moreno, both of whom made no mistakes from the penalty spot. Outside of the top-tier attack, Jonathan Sirois has found some form between the sticks, giving manager Eric Quill a true battle between the Canadian and Michael Collodi. 

9. FC Cincinnati (Previous: 11)

Talk about heading into the World Cup with a bang. FC Cincinnati took full advantage of a dismal Orlando City defense, putting up six goals in a 6–2 win, now having scored at least three goals in four of their last five matches. 

After starting the season at a lower level of production than his usual self, Evander has found his form in the past several weeks. In the Orlando beatdown, he posted an outstanding two goals and three assists, while also stringing together 10 key passes. That has him at nine goals and six assists this season, trailing only Messi in total goal contributions.  

Cincinnati returns to MLS action in July against Western Conference leaders, Vancouver Whitecaps, in what looks to be a thrilling matchup.

8. Real Salt Lake (Previous: 7)

Zavier Gozo sets up Zach Booth for his first Salt Lake goal! 👊

📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/0hr43uDfub pic.twitter.com/MpGjNvOXGR

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 23, 2026

The biggest news for Real Salt Lake came pre-match on Saturday, when reports revealed that star midfielder Diego Luna and outstanding teenager Zavier Gozo would not make the U.S. men’s national team squad for the upcoming World Cup. 

Gozo played as if he took that to heart, ramping up his energy down the right flank even more so and setting up Zach Booth for the 22-year-old right wingback’s first MLS goal in the 22nd minute.

While Luna wasn’t in the matchday squad, the Claret and Cobalt allowed a 93rd-minute equalizer; they shouldn’t worry too much. It’s three wins and four games undefeated in their last five, with two players bound to show some vigor for the rest of the season.

7. Chicago Fire (Previous: 8)

It wasn’t the start to Saturday’s match that the Chicago Fire would’ve wanted, allowing Toronto FC’s Josh Sargent to rip through the backline before firing a blistering shot past goalkeeper Chris Brady. Yet, Gregg Berhalter’s men can take solace in their bounce-back and came out victorious, while also celebrating Brady’s reported nomination to the USMNT’s World Cup squad. 

It marked the end of Hugo Cuypers’s immense 10-game win streak, but seeing Robin Lod and Andrew Gutman step up with goals should give the Fire some confidence as well, knowing they are far from a one-man show.

6. Seattle Sounders (Previous: 5)

The Seattle Sounders had a massive opportunity to prove themselves as a Supporters’ Shield and Western Conference contender over the past two weeks. Instead, they failed to score a goal and lost 2–0 to the LA Galaxy and 1–0 to LAFC. 

Is it time to worry? Maybe a little. As much as late-summer surges practically define Brian Schmetzer’s era at Seattle’s helm, they won’t be on the pitch again until July and let a vital six points slip. At the same time, the midfield duo of Cristian Roldan and Hasanni Dotson is showing cracks, while 19-year-old Snyder Brunell can’t yet be relied upon every week.

5. LAFC (Previous: 6)

It wasn’t glorious, but LAFC are back in the win column for the first time in four games, as they snapped a three-game losing skid with a 1–0 victory over Seattle Sounders on Sunday night. Tim Tillman hit the back of the net in the 86th minute, finishing off a chance from Tyler Boyd. 

The win puts the Black and Gold fifth in the Western Conference but offers little respite from a rather underwhelming first few months under manager Marc Dos Santos, a longtime assistant to Steve Cherundolo. 

Now, the future is in question. How secure is Marc Dos Santos’s role? How will the team forge ahead without Stephen Eustáquio in midfield, given his plans to return to FC Porto after the World Cup? And how about Son Heung-min, who took seven shots but hasn’t scored in 13 MLS matches this season? Lots to be answered in LA.

4. Inter Miami (Previous: 4)

6-4 thriller! One of the craziest MLS games of all time! 🤯

▪️ Highest scoring first half ever (4-4)
▪️ Second most goals in a game (10)
▪️ Hat tricks from Milan Iloski and Luis Suarez pic.twitter.com/iit666kFao

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 25, 2026

Absolute chaos. Many teams that welcome Inter Miami to town have described the experience as a “circus,” with the fanfare and spotlight that comes with Lionel Messi and the star-studded Herons. That circus, albeit in a different way, has already firmly established itself at Nu Stadium. 

First, it was three straight winless showings at the new ground. Last week, it was a silent protest from the supporters, and this week, it was a 6–4 win over the Philadelphia Union, which was 4–4 at halftime, marking the first time eight goals had been scored in an opening frame in MLS history. 

Miami, at their best, can score—and they’re very good at it, thanks to Messi. Yet, they are extremely volatile defensively. There have been improvements with the center back pairing of Gonzalo Luján and Micael, in place of Maxi Falcón, but the amount of shots and chances given up isn’t that of a championship-style team. In no world should Dayne St. Clair allow four goals and still have a “goals prevented” of +0.98, indicating a net positive performance despite the four goals allowed. 

Sunday’s showing was one of Luis Suárez’s best in MLS, scoring a hat-trick and a wonderfully taken chested volley, while Germán Berterame may have played himself onto Mexico’s World Cup squad with a brace. Yet, as much as Miami are faulty, they can win, and that has them second in the Eastern Conference and fourth in MLS.

3. San Jose Earthquakes (Previous: 3)

That's ✌️ for Preston Judd in less than 15 minutes 😱 pic.twitter.com/ZKZsSHxjQa

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 24, 2026

The San Jose Earthquakes continued their heavy schedule this week and started with continued disappointment, falling to the Colorado Rapids in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, their third straight loss across all competitions. This weekend though, saw them return to form, securing a 3–1 road win against the Portland Timbers to stay tied on points atop the Western Conference with Vancouver. 

With a brace, Preston Judd brought himself to 11 goals on the season, and the 26-year-old, who previously boasted an MLS career high of seven goals in the 2025 season, finds himself firmly in the MLS Golden Boot race, one goal behind Messi and Musa for second and two goals behind Chicago’s Cuypers for the lead. 

Under the tutelage of Bruce Arena, the Earthquakes have been the defining story of the first half of the 2026 season. With likely no players heading to the World Cup, they’ll have some time to get healthy and practice before the summer and fall stretch towards the MLS Cup playoffs.

2. Nashville SC (Previous: 1)

Three wins in a row, nine games undefeated and just a single loss in their 14 regular-season games so far—it’s been an incredible year for Nashville SC, buoyed even further by the fact they’ve weathered significant injury absences without Sam Surridge, Edvard Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek in recent weeks. 

This week saw Nashville pick up all three points against New York City FC, with Cristian Espinoza picking up his eighth assist of the season and getting goals from center backs Maxwell Woledzi and Jeisson Palacios from corners, even though they struggled to break down NYCFC’s defensive setup. Surridge also returned to MLS action and should be fully fit come the summer.

1. Vancouver Whietcaps (Previous: 2)

Blackmon ➡️ Müller ➡️ White to give @WhitecapsFC the lead!

📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/ueTxxvTrbR pic.twitter.com/oZkqqyK7TQ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 24, 2026

Vancouver Whitecaps had a relatively easy start to the season, considering the heavy home schedule before handing over BC Place to FIFA for seven World Cup matches, including two knockout games this summer. It means that Vancouver has spent the last five matches on the road and has managed to pick up eight of a possible 15 points, an extremely tough feat in MLS. 

This weekend’s 4–2 win over San Diego FC also marked one of their best performances of the season in an attacking sense. Thomas Müller was excellent in linking plays through midfield, Brian White’s deft finishing touch returned to its best form and Bruno Caicedo continued to impress, with the 21-year-old scoring his second goal, bringing him to four goal contributions in just 301 minutes. 

Already enjoying a standout attacking showing, the Whitecaps managed to put in a strong enough defensive effort, despite backup goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer filling in for the suspended first-choice Yohei Takaoka and without Andrés Cubas, widely considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the league. 

For a team dealing with a heavy road schedule and with rumors of relocation, finding this level of success on the pitch has been exceptional, and they will now get to see likely Cubas and Sebastian Berhalter at the World Cup with Paraguay and the USMNT, respectively. 

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Power Rankings: Muller’s Whitecaps Dominate, Miami Wins Chaotic Pre-World Cup Finale and More After Matchday 15.

Inter Miami’s talisman, who grabbed two assists in a wild 6–4 victory over the Philadelphia Union, was forced out of the game with 17 minutes remaining, grabbing at his leg and heading to the sidelines.

While nothing suggested Messi’s injury was particularly serious, it was the timing that left fans worried. Argentina get their World Cup campaign underway against Algeria on June 17 and just seven weeks separate the date of the injury and the World Cup final on July 19.

Here’s the latest on Messi’s injury scare.

What Injury Does Lionel Messi Have?

Messi was seen grabbing at the back of his thigh before his substitution, indicating a potential hamstring injury. He was quickly sent for tests and Miami have since confirmed a problem with Messi’s left hamstring.

At the time of Messi’s exit, the two teams were tied at 4–4, so the sight of the team’s superstar forward heading to the bench when they still needed a goal led to obvious concerns about the severity of the injury.

The well-connected Gastón Edul was first to report that Messi’s withdrawal was more of a precaution, rather than a response to an injury blow. Crucially, the post states Messi “has no muscle injury.”

Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos was equally keen to calm the tensions.

“As far as I know, we don’t have a report on that yet, but he really was fatigued,” Hoyos told the media. “Yes, it was fatigue.

“He was tired, the field was heavy, and rather than doubt, you always say not to take the risk.”

The club’s update clarified Messi’s injury as “muscle fatigue,” rather that a strain or a tear.

Will Lionel Messi Play at the 2026 World Cup?

We’re still awaiting confirmation of Argentina’s final World Cup roster, and we have not even had formal confirmation from Messi that he will actually go to this tournament, having previously insisted he would wait and see how his body feels before making a final decision.

That being said, all the signs suggest Messi will make Argentina’s final roster, and his decision to exit the Philadelphia game to preserve his fitness would point to a desire to remain healthy for this summer’s tournament.

The focus then turns to whether Messi will be fit enough to play. Hamstring injuries can vary wildly in terms of recovery timelines, which are dictated by the severity of the issue itself. A minor sprain can heal in a couple of days and a major tear can take the best part of six months.

It would appear as though Messi is right at the bottom end of that spectrum, with his hamstring soreness unlikely to require much time on the sidelines.

That will come as good news for fans as they await Messi’s appearance at the World Cup this summer. Argentina has just over three weeks to prepare for its first game and, as it stands, there are no reasons to believe Messi will not be fit enough to feature.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi Injury: Progress, Potential Return Date After World Cup Scare.

The match got off to a blistering start, with Philadelphia’s Milan Iloski beating Miami’s Dayne St. Clair in the fourth minute, taking advantage of a defensive breakdown. Minutes later, St. Clair surrendered a misjudged penalty, and Miami found themselves behind 2–0 by the 10th minute.

The struggles wouldn’t last long. Lionel Messi began to charge forward and lead Miami’s attack, first setting up Germán Berterame for a tap-in goal, his first of two in the victory. Luis Suárez netted a hat-trick as well, highlighted by an acrobatic finish, as he chested the ball to himself off Ian Fray’s cross, before smashing a shot past Union backstop Andre Blake. Rodrigo De Paul scored late, sealing the victory on a counterattack for the 6–4 win.

OMG what a goal by Luis Suárez 😱 pic.twitter.com/F3wckQuchB

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 24, 2026

The 4–4 first half marked the first time that eight goals had been scored in the opening period of an MLS match, with the final 10 combined goals falling just short of the match record, which sits at 11combined in a single game.

Yet, the major storyline coming out of the night was Messi’s missing presence later on. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner abruptly left the match with discomfort in his leg in the 73rd minute, clutching his hamstring. He quickly walked towards the locker room for medical treatment, throwing doubt into his availability for the 2026 World Cup in less than 20 days.

Here, Sports Illustrated breaks down the match, grading every Inter Miami player who saw the pitch in the victory.

Inter Miami Report Card vs. Philadelphia Union (4-3-3)

GK: Dayne St. Clair—C-:  The Canadian had troubles early in the match, but finished the night with seven saves and was arguably the best defensive player for Inter Miami, keeping the team in the match.

RB: Ian Fray—B: Ian Fray continued to take on significant minutes with Inter Miami and was dynamic down the wing, leading to his assist on Suárez’s acrobatic finish on the 3–2 goal.

CB: Gonzalo Luján—C-: Luján continued to grow into his defensive responsibilities with Inter Miami, but struggled to keep up with 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan and the other Philadelphia attackers.

CB: Micael—F: The Brazilian center back had one of his worst games in an Inter Miami kit, struggling to keep up with Iloski, while other attackers simply side-stepped past him.

LB: Sergio Reguilón—D: Sergio Reguilón’s presence with Inter Miami has been underwhelming, and Sunday was no different. On a night where attacking potential was wide open, he failed to make any significant contribution.

RM: Rodrigo De Paul—A: Rodrigo De Paul has been putting in double-workout days with Lionel Messi in preparation for the World Cup and looks as fit as ever. Having recently celebrated his 32nd birthday, the Argentine veteran is in stellar form and scored the eventual winning goal.

CM: Yannick Bright—B: The most consistent Miami player of 2026, Bright jumped into the attack throughout Sunday, but failed to provide any real threat. However, his nine defensive contributions were vital to bringing some semblance of control to the chaos.

LM: Telasco Segovia—D: Telasco Segovia had a performance to forget, struggling to make any attacking inroads and being beaten several times by Iloski and Sullivan.

RW: Lionel Messi—B: In a 10-goal game, it’s shocking to see Messi left out of the goalscoring. Yet, that’s exactly what happened on Sunday, even though he picked up a pair of assists before leaving the match with an injury.

ST: Germán Berterame—B+: Germán Berterame is still in the mix for the Mexico World Cup roster and a brace, as much as Messi did most of the work, to get him to seven MLS goals this season gives him a strong chance of cracking the squad.

LW: Luis Suárez—A++++!!!!: The Uruguay legend was outstanding! A brilliant finish on his second goal to control it with his chest before smashing a half-volley into the goal. His movements and positioning in the box were also stellar, completely turning the clock back to the best moments of his career.

SUB: David Ayala (67’ for Segovia)—C+: Ayala made sure he did not throw Miami off their game in the final 23 minutes.

SUB: Facundo Mura (67’ for Reguilón)—C: Mura made a confident 26 passes after entering the match in the 68th minute and silenced the wing, which Reguilón had struggled to shut down.

SUB: Mateo Silvetti (73’ for Messi)—A+: Stepping in as an Argentine for Messi is far from easy, but Silvetti did so with flying colors. He played a key role in the winning goal and insurance marker, picking up an official assist on De Paul's counterattacking 6–4 goal.

Subs not used: Rocco Ríos Novo (GK), Maxi Falcón, Noah Allen, Alex Shaw, David Ruíz

One Thing We Can’t Ignore: The Messi Injury

Nearly every league in the world played games this weekend. There is no blame on MLS for doing so, even as it is expected to send a record-number of players to the World Cup on home soil this summer.

For interim manager Guillermo Hoyos, though, there is some concern. Yes, Miami wants to win every game, and yes, Messi probably wants to play every minute he can—yet, this was also a game against the worst team in the league and one that Miami could, technically, afford to lose. It’s what ensures Messi saw the pitch that makes it so perplexing. Why risk a player like that in a game like this? Miami could probably have played other players and still secured three points—and if they fell short, well, then they can look to the rest of the season in the hunt for a top seed in the MLS Cup playoffs.

Messi and his teammates are ultra-competitive. That’s why they’ve hit the levels that they have in their careers. Still, he is 38 years old with an intrepid injury history—how was that not more of a concern? At this point, it’s water under the bridge, with Argentina and soccer fans from across the world holding their collective breath.

What’s Next For Inter Miami?

The World Cup! Several of Inter Miami’s stars are likely World Cup-bound, with goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair potentially serving as co-host Canada’s starting goalkeeper, with that roster set to be unveiled on Friday. Other World Cup stars include Argentina’s Messi and De Paul as well as Mexico's Berterame.

Inter Miami will resume MLS action on July 22 against the Chicago Fire.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Grading Inter Miami’s Record-Smashing Win Over Philadelphia Amid Messi Injury .

Messi appeared to call towards Miami’s bench and signal his need for a substitution, grabbing the back of his leg after taking a free-kick. He quickly made his way off the field before storming down the players’ tunnel and into the locker rooms at Miami’s new Nu Stadium.

While there has been no official update on his status, there will undoubtedly be concern for the 38-year-old, who sustained the injury just 18 days before the World Cup. After the match, he and Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul were expected to join Argentina’s pre-tournament training camp in Kansas City on June 1, having already taken on additional workouts to prepare for the tournament, alongside their usual Inter Miami regimen. 

Messi is headed straight to the locker room after getting subbed out in the 73rd minute pic.twitter.com/BIpKA4M3TW

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 25, 2026

Messi, who will turn 39 midway through the tournament, has not yet verbally committed to the World Cup. He was waiting until the last second to “see if [he] really can be 100%,” and Sunday’s injury may have thrown a wrench into that plan. If so, his last World Cup match would be the title-winning moment over France in Qatar four years ago. 

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has yet to announce the World Cup 26-man roster, reportedly scheduled to be released sometime between May 28 and May 30. All nations’ squads must be announced by June 2, meaning Scaloni will have his team by the time Argentina faces Honduras and Iceland in pre-tournament friendlies on June 6 and June 9. La Albiceleste open World Cup play against Algeria on June 16. 

Messi’s Tournament Injury History

Messi’s World Cup presence is not yet in doubt, with Inter Miami’s staff and trainers yet to confirm his status or provide an official medical report.

Inter Miami interim manager Guillermo Hoyos stated post-match that he believes Messi’s condition is actually fatigue, a result of the heavy pitch due to the rainy weather conditions. Other reports suggest that the substitution was precautionary because Messi felt his muscle tighten up.

Messi suffered a severe right ankle injury in the last major international tournament, the 2024 Copa América, and was limited to 66 minutes in the final as Argentina prevailed over Colombia to win the title. As a team, Argentina would still remain a contender without Messi, but would lack one of the world’s greatest playmakers and goal scorers. The world would miss out on seeing the legend in a sixth and (almost certainly) final World Cup.

Up until this point of the season, Messi has maintained full health and has been exceptional in his play, giving zero indication of slowing down despite being in the twilight of his career. The back-to-back MLS MVP is the favorite to win the 2026 award, with 13 goals and seven assists in 16 games across all competitions.

This story will be updated.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi Suffers Worrying Injury 18 Days From World Cup.

A select few, however, go far beyond that, taking home truly staggering sums that are enough to make your eyes water.

So, just how much are the world’s biggest stars actually earning?

Fortunately, Forbes releases an annual list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, including soccer’s top earners.

Here are the seven highest-paid players in world soccer (from May 1, 2025 to May 1, 2026), including how much they make and where the bulk of their fortunes come from.

How Do Soccer Players’ Earnings Compare to Other Sports?

Soccer is one of the most lucrative sports on the planet, but it is far from alone. Many stars from other sports also earn similarly astronomical sums.

According to Forbes’ list of the world’s 50 highest-paid athletes, seven are soccer players.

That is two fewer than the number of NFL players on the list—and significantly fewer than basketball, which boasts 19 athletes in the top 50, more than any other sport.

Tennis players, Formula 1 drivers, baseball stars, golfers and boxers also feature heavily among the world’s highest earners, with elite athletes across multiple sports commanding staggering salaries and endorsement deals.

That said, two of the top three highest-paid athletes in the world are soccer players—both of whom will be very familiar names.

Highest Paid Athletes Who Aren’t Soccer Players

*Figures are from May 1, 2025 to May 1, 2026.

Highest Paid Soccer Players—Ranked

7. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Total Earnings: $55 million

An all-time Premier League great, Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah is the first soccer player entry in the top 50.

He earned $55 million, with around $35 million coming from wages and bonuses at Liverpool. The remaining $20 million came from endorsement deals with brands such as adidas, Pepsi and Vodafone.

With a potential move to Saudi Arabia on the horizon, his position on this list could rise significantly in the coming years.

6. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Total Earnings: $60 million

Most of Vinicius Junior’s earnings came from his contract at Real Madrid, worth around $40 million in wages and bonuses. The rest came from sponsorship deals with brands including Gatorade, Luxottica Group, Marriott International, Nike, Pepsi, Unilever and Visa.

5. Erling Haaland (Man City)

Total Earnings: $80 million

Erling Haaland is the fifth-highest-paid soccer player in the world and the top earner in the Premier League.

He earned $80 million, with around $60 million coming from his Manchester City contract.

The remainder came from endorsement deals with brands including Beats by Dre, Breitling, Dolce & Gabbana, Electronic Arts, Marriott International, Midea, Nike, Supercell, Unilever and Visa.

4. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

Total Earnings: $95 million

Kylian Mbappé stands out as the top earner in Europe.

Around $70 million came from his contract at Real Madrid, with the remaining $25 million generated through endorsement deals with brands including Dior, Electronic Arts, Hublot, Nike, Oakley and Sorare.

3. Karim Benzema (Al Hilal)

Total Earnings: $104 million

A surprise entry at number three, veteran striker Karim Benzema broke nine digits.

Around $100 million came from his contract with Al Hilal, while the remainder was thanks to endorsement deals, mostly through his partnership with adidas.

2. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

Total Earnings: $140 million

Coming in second, Lionel Messi is the third-highest-paid athlete across all sports.

The World Cup winner’s income was split roughly evenly between his contract with Inter Miami and his off-field earnings. Messi’s endorsement portfolio includes long-standing deals with adidas, PepsiCo, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Apple, Beats by Dre, Epic Games, Hard Rock Cafe, Lowe’s, Mastercard and Panini.

He also owns a clothing line, beverage brand and hotel chain.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

Total Earnings: $300 million

Cristiano Ronaldo is not only the highest-paid soccer player in the world, but also the highest-paid athlete on the planet.

He earned a staggering $300 million, more than double Messi and around $130 million more than his closest rival, boxer Canelo Álvarez.

Around $65 million came from endorsements with brands including Binance, Herbalife, Lego, Nike, Therabody, Whoop and his personal investment portfolio.

The remaining $235 million came from his contract with Al Nassr, whom he helped lead to the Saudi Pro League title.

That equates to roughly $5.77 million per week, $822,000 per day, $34,000 per hour, $566 per minute and around $9–10 per second.

Highest Paid Soccer Players 2026

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as The Seven Highest Paid Soccer Players in the World—Ranked.

Manchester United’s defensive totem has enjoyed a career renaissance at Old Trafford this season. After tumbling towards mockery during the dark days of the 2023–24 campaign, Casemiro has embarked upon a remarkable individual rejuvenation, returning to the heights which helped him win five Champions League titles with Real Madrid.

The 34-year-old’s form has been so impressive United’s fans and several players have openly appealed for “one more year” of his services. Those pleas have fallen on deaf ears as Casemiro sails towards free agency and, as reports have repeatedly trailed, a move to MLS. Now there has been some premature (and unplanned) confirmation that his landing spot will be Miami.

During a conversation with assembled reporters, Miami forward Segovia reiterated his desire to play in Europe at some point in his career after sharing training sessions with some of the best to ever feature on the continent. Lionel Messi’s teammate now has a new star to count upon. “I know Casemiro is coming—he’s a great player,” Segovia let slip, as captured by Olé.

In a half-hearted attempt to backpedal, the 23-year-old added: “If he does come, he’s more than welcome; he’ll bring a lot to the team, and I think he’s going to give us so much.”

Segovia’s revelation is not entirely out of the blue. Recent reports have described Miami as on the cusp of securing Casemiro’s official agreement after outmaneuvering MLS rivals LA Galaxy, who are thought to have seen multiple contract offers rebuffed by the in-demand Brazilian. However, the accidental confirmation can now allow fans to picture Casemiro in a pink shirt with more certainty.

When Could Casemiro Makes His Inter Miami Debut?

Like all MLS clubs, Inter Miami will take a break during the World Cup. After Sunday’s clash with Philadephia Union at Nu Stadium, the Herons won’t be back in action until July 22 when Chicago Fire come to town.

Should Casemiro’s Brazil make it all the way to the World Cup final on July 19, it’s unlikely he will be called upon for that visit from the Fire. The ageing midfielder has been granted a reprieve for United’s final game of the Premier League to best prepare for the upcoming tournament, which is expected to be his last for Brazil, and will need ample time to recover after playing a full European club season which began back in August.

United have been subjected to an unusually uncluttered schedule thanks to their past failings. A lack of any continental competition coupled by a pair of early cup exits ensured that the Red Devils would sometimes go three weeks between fixtures. However, at this advanced stage of his career, Casemiro’s physical preparation cannot be rushed, especially considering his potential importance to Inter Miami.

Following the retirement of Sergio Busquets, the reigning MLS Cup champions have proven to be desperately leaky. Miami have conceded a division-high eight goals from fast breaks in just 14 league games this year. Casemiro’s first objective will be to shore up that soft center.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as ‘I Know’—Casemiro’s Next Club After Man Utd Accidentally Confirmed by New Teammate.

While many leagues won’t resume until after a country lifts the World Cup trophy in New Jersey on July 19, MLS will return to play a little earlier, with six games scheduled between the semifinals and finals with hopes of capturing soccer’s heightened fandom.

First, though, MLS sides must forge through Matchday 15, earning a final result before they head for the couch for a restful break or to soccer’s greatest stage.

Here’s what Sports Illustrated predicts for the 15th matchday of MLS in 2026.

St. Louis CITY SC vs. Austin FC

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 2:45 p.m. ET / 11:40 a.m. PT

St. Louis CITY SC have not had the perfect MLS season with just three wins to this point, but have their eyes on a trophy after advancing to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals midweek, knocking out the Houston Dynamo on penalties. While that’s no doubt a focus, riding that new momentum to claim points against Austin FC at home could put them in a solid position to stay on the edge of playoff contention in the fall.

Austin FC, meanwhile, hit the road after parting ways with manager Nico Estévez and sporting director Rodolfo Borrell, with veteran manager Davy Arnaud tipped as the interim voice. With new leadership on the way, it’s the start of a new era for Los Verdes.

Prediction: St. Louis CITY SC 2–0 Austin FC

Minnesota United vs. Real Salt Lake

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT

Two of the borderline contending teams in the Western Conference go head-to-head this weekend, with Minnesota United already beginning their post-James Rodríguez era, looking for a result against a Real Salt Lake unit that hopes to see both Zavier Gozo and Diego Luna representing the USMNT at the World Cup.

Will either of the midfielders stand out in the final push for the squad, set to be unveiled on Tuesday?

Prediction: Minnesota United 1–4 Real Salt Lake

Charlotte FC vs. New England Revolution

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Wilfried Zaha missed out on the 2026 World Cup and will no doubt be frustrated about that reality as he takes to the pitch for the final game of the spring with Charlotte FC, looking to secure a victory alongside Pep Biel and Idan Toklomati.

On the other side, the Revolution looks for better road form after a stupendous start to the season at home, with goalkeeper Matt Turner set to put on one more performance before the USMNT World Cup squad unveiling.

Prediction: Charlotte FC 1–1 New England Revolution

FC Cincinnati vs. Orlando City

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Orlando City are riding a high coming into this weekend, after thrashing Atlanta United 4–1 midweek to advance to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals. While they can taste victory in that competition, finding any ground in MLS play remains a challenge.

This weekend will be a big one for Marco Pašalić and Maxime Crépeau, both looking to find form ahead of representing their respective nations, Croatia and Canada, at the World Cup. FC Cincinnati, meanwhile, hopes to allow fewer than two goals for the first time in three games.

Prediction: FC Cincinnati 3–4 Orlando City

D.C. United vs. CF Montréal

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

CF Montréal has been a surprising team this season. While the managerial era of Marco Donadel ended early, they have had a boost under interim boss Philippe Eullaffroy and now sit on four wins after 13 games heading into this weekend. Prince Owusu, Matty Longstaff and Daniel Ríos have been good, but can they find a win on the road against an in-form Louis Munteanu and D.C. United?

Prediction: D.C. United 2–2 CF Montréal

Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

The injury bug has been a tough blow for Toronto FC, missing both Djordje Mihailovic and Josh Sargent in a group of 12 players that were sidelined in last week’s loss to Charlotte FC.

The World Cup break couldn’t come at a better time for the Reds, but they will hope to secure a send-off road win this weekend against a stingy Chicago Fire side, headlined by Hugo Cuypers’s 10-game goal streak.

Prediction: Chicago Fire 3–1 Toronto FC

Sporting Kansas City vs. Red Bull New York

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Sporting Kansas City and the Philadelphia Union are battling for the possibility of having the worst MLS season in MLS history in 2026, but a win for SKC this weekend against Red Bull New York would help them push further from that possibility.

Dejan Joveljić remains largely the lone hope for SKC, as they look to ride home advantage against Julian Hall, Adri Mahmeti and a youthful, but inconsistent Red Bull New York.

Prediction: Sporting Kansas City 1–3 Red Bull New York

Nashville SC vs. New York City FC

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Former USMNT interim manager B.J. Callaghan has his Nashville SC side playing with immense commitment to style and form, regardless of which players are available. Still likely without Sam Surridge, Edvard Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek this weekend, hopes rely on far more than just the recent standout play from Hany Mukhtar and Cristian Espinoza.

Taking on USMNT World Cup hopeful Matt Freese and a Maxi Moralez-less New York City FC this weekend shouldn’t be any cause for concern.

Prediction: Nashville SC 3–0 New York City FC

Colorado Rapids vs. FC Dallas

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

FC Dallas is the most viral team in MLS right now, thanks to Sam Sarver’s antics, having scored three goals in his last four games, all after the 80th minute, including last week’s beer-chugging celebration in a 3–2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

This weekend sees Dallas back on the road, looking to take down a Colorado Rapids side that beat the Earthquakes 2–0 in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals earlier in the week, setting up a semifinal clash against St. Louis.

Prediction: Colorado Rapids 2–2 FC Dallas

Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

The season started off so well for the San Jose Earthquakes, but injuries to key players have seen Bruce Arena’s team fall on hard times. They’ve given up two goals in the final five minutes for back-to-back MLS losses and were eliminated in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals against Colorado this week.

Hitting the road against an in-form Kristoffer Velde, James Pantemis and the Portland Timbers won’t be easy, but a win is critical to keep pace in the Supporters’ Shield race.

Prediction: Portland Timbers 1–2 San Jose Earthquakes

San Diego FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

The Vancouver Whitecaps sit atop the Western Conference table and will look to find their way back atop the Supporters’ Shield standings this weekend, but face a tough task in a visit to San Diego FC. The Canadian side will be without key World Cup-bound midfielder Andrés Cubas due to yellow card accumulation and starting goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka due to a red card in last week’s 1–0 loss to the Houston Dynamo.

While San Diego doesn’t present the same challenge they did in 2025, they should be favored to pick up all three points at home, led by Marcus Ingvartsen’s 11 goals.

Prediction: San Diego FC 2–1 Vancouver Whitecaps

LA Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

The LA Galaxy are the definition of inconsistent. Through the last 10 games, they have not had the same result (win, loss or draw) back-to-back, meaning this week probably won’t see them capture a second-straight victory after beating Seattle Sounders last weekend.

Nevertheless, Marco Reus is in form and they will hope to ride the power of the home crowd against the Houston Dynamo, also enjoying a standout spell after beating the Whitecaps last week.

Prediction: LA Galaxy 1–1 Houston Dynamo

Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United

• Date: Sunday, May 24
• Time: 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT

Columbus Crew enters a new era under the interim lead of Laurent Courtois this weekend, after the club parted ways with manager Henrik Rydström after just 14 games on Monday. While injuries have beset some of the club’s key players, there is hope that a new coach bump could bring the team back to the edge of MLS Cup playoff contention.

This weekend, they’re at home against an Atlanta United side that fell 4–1 to Orlando City in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals midweek.

Prediction: Columbus Crew 1–1 Atlanta United

Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union

• Date: Sunday, May 24
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT

Inter Miami picked up a critical first win at Nu Stadium last weekend with a 2–0 victory over the Portland Timbers, but played in front of a silent crowd for most of the night due to a fan protest, with supporters frustrated with the team’s lack of appreciation for the fans. This week, instead of on-pitch focus, has been dominated by stories of club leadership meeting with supporters and by the clash between Inter Miami fans and those who only follow Lionel Messi and the stars across the roster.

With links to Manchester United’s Casemiro heating up and the pressure of keeping several players healthy for the World Cup, it’s clear this weekend’s match does not headline the list of priorities. Still, the World Cup-bound talents will want to head to the tournament in strong form, and it won’t take much against a Philadelphia Union side on pace for the worst season in MLS history.

Prediction: Inter Miami 5–0 Philadelphia Union

LAFC vs. Seattle Sounders

• Date: Sunday, May 25
• Time: 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT

The schedule makers saved the biggest match of the weekend for last, with LAFC hosting the Seattle Sounders as both teams look to make up ground in the race for the top of the Western Conference and Supporters’ Shield.

Yet, neither side is in particularly good form, with the Sounders boasting one win from the last four games and LAFC struggling with fixture congestion, now with a single win in their last eight MLS contests.

Prediction: LAFC 2–2 Seattle Sounders

MLS Predictions: Matchday 15

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Predictions: Matchday 15 As Final Send-Off Before 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Last summer’s transfer window involved reckless spending—primarily by Premier League sides—and an abundance of blockbuster switches, and nothing different is expected this year despite international soccer dominating the discourse.

Clubs from across the world will frantically search for transformative additions ahead of the 2026–27 campaign, with Europe’s heavyweights projected to flex their financial muscles yet again.

But when will clubs be able to begin their business? Here’s everything you need to know about this summer’s transfer window.

When Does the Summer Transfer Window Open?

Transfer windows across Europe’s major divisions will open at different times, with the Premier League kicking off earlier than its competitors. Clubs in England’s top flight can begin their recruitment on Monday, June 15.

Serie A is next to open the shutters on June 29, closely followed by La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, who will begin trading on July 1.

The Saudi Pro League opens a little later on July 22, while Major League Soccer’s mid-season market is open from July 13.

Clubs will be able to come to agreements with players before their country’s transfer window officially opens, but signings can’t be confirmed until the opening date arrives.

Free agents are able to move at any point.

When Does the Summer Transfer Window Close?

Despite opening a fortnight earlier than other divisions, the Premier League will still close at a similar time to the rest of Europe’s top five leagues.

Business must be completed by August 31 in the Premier League and the Bundesliga, while La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 shut their doors the day afterward. The MLS summer window closes on September 2.

After those dates have passed, clubs will be forced to wait until the winter transfer window to make any more signings.

Transfer Window Dates By League

Which Players Will Make Transfers This Summer?

Some colossal names will inevitably make transfers this summer, regardless of their World Cup involvement. High-profile free agents such as Mohamed Salah, Robert Lewandowski and Bernardo Silva will all join new clubs, while enormous transfer fees will be splashed on talent across the world.

Argentinian duo Enzo Fernández and Julián Alvarez are two of the superstars reportedly seeking moves, while massive sums will be required to sign emerging talents such as Yan Diomande, Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton.

Expect Premier League sides to be the biggest spenders after splashing billions last summer, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich boasting the power to match the riches of England’s behemoths.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as When Does the 2026 Summer Transfer Window Open?.

Once Casemiro confirmed that he would not extend his Manchester United contract, despite widespread outcry for “one more year,” a long list of suitors quickly formed. Despite continuing to impress in the Premier League and ahead of a summer in which he will anchor Brazil’s midfield at the World Cup, the 34-year-old appears content to leave the European elite.

Offers from the Saudi Pro League have been forthcoming, but it appears as though Casemiro is intrigued by a move to MLS. LA Galaxy acted quickest, securing the Discovery Rights for the five-time Champions League winner. This uniquely MLS procedure entitles clubs to the right of first refusal and was designed to prevent rival teams from competing against one another for the same player.

Inter Miami appear to have ignored that convention and are in advanced discussions with Casemiro, according to The Athletic.

While this is not in the spirit of laws, the Herons wouldn’t be the first club to snag a player on a rivals’ Discovery List. Financial compensation is typically deployed to smooth over this wrinkle, but no agreement has yet been reached in the case of Casemiro.

The report confidently declares that the Brazil international “wants” to play for Miami and “a deal is expected to be reached.” However, it has not been a straightforward process to get there.

Casemiro Rejects ‘Multiple’ Contract Offers

Casemiro's resurgence is a testament to his character.@LyesBouzidi10 can't speak highly enough of the Man United midfielder. pic.twitter.com/h2z9SBxZCo

— Sports Illustrated FC (@SI_FootballClub) February 7, 2026

LA Galaxy did not let their Discovery Rights pass idly by. The West Coast franchise are thought to have conducted “numerous conversations” with Casemiro and his camp, putting “multiple” offers on the table only to have each rebuffed.

No agreement has yet been struck with Miami, but hopes are high that an arrangement can be found. Unlike the Galaxy—or any club on the continent—the Herons boast the allure of playing alongside a player of Messi’s caliber.

Casemiro, as a Brazilian former Real Madrid star, has spent his entire career competing directly against the Argentine Barcelona icon. As Casemiro has admitted himself, he would welcome the chance to play alongside Messi for once.

Casemiro’s Salary Complication

Moving to MLS comes at a cost—or rather, a lack of one. As Miami have already filled up their three Designated Player slots (Messi is joined by Rodrigo De Paul and Germán Berterame as the club’s top earners), Casemiro would be restricted to a contract of less than $2 million until the end of 2026. For context, United’s highest-paid player is currently thought to collect around $20 million each year.

However, if there is any club that can find a workaround, it’s Inter Miami. The side co-owned by David Beckham have structured delayed deals with the likes of De Paul and Jordi Alba in the past which have come with DP status at a later stage of their careers on South Beach.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Casemiro Closes on Man Utd Exit Which ‘Runs Afoul’ of MLS Transfer Rules.

The concept of halting time for injuries or unforeseen stoppages is familiar across multiple U.S. sports, such as NFL or NBA matches. However, soccer has traditionally been governed by a continuous clock monitored by the referee, with any added time for delays tacked onto the end of each half by the fourth official.

That hasn’t always been the case. The first three years of MLS’s existence (1996–99) saw the implementation of a countdown clock. Each half began at 45:00 on the stadium clock and would be stopped for in-game delays before ending on zero, bringing everything to an immediate halt.

The league ultimately reverted to international regulations at the end of the 20th century but, in an attempt to combat the modern rise of time-wasting, meetings have taken place about a return.

Ali Curtis, MLS’s executive vice-president of sporting development, released a statement to The Guardian which revealed that there have already been “preliminary conversations with IFAB around future areas of innovation, including concepts such as a stopped clock, increased transparency around timekeeping, and other measures designed to improve consistency and fan understanding.”

Vice-president of competition for MLS, Paul Grafer, added: “We’re open to trials around the world, and working with IFAB.”

Why Would MLS Want to Bring Back the Stopped Clock?

Grafer explained that the stopped clock would be a way to “address gamesmanship and match manipulation” which currently isn’t being tackled by the current “stopgap procedures“ that have been introduced in recent years.

There has been a surge in concerns over time-wasting in recent years. There was an active drive ahead of the 2023–24 season to counteract the amount of minutes whittled away by adding much larger chunks of stoppage time to the end of each half. “I am convinced time wasting will be reduced when players know it is meaningless to waste time because that time is compensated,” legendary former official and current chair of FIFA’s referees committee, Pierluigi Collina, declared at the time.

It hasn’t quite panned out that way. There was an initial increase in the amount of time the ball was in play during the 2023–24 season but the trend has been downward over the subsequent two seasons. The stain of time-wasting is one which has been thrown at Arsenal, for example, during their Premier League title-winning campaign.

“These discussions [with IFAB] are exploratory,” Curtis added. “But they reflect a broader commitment across the global game to examine how the sport can continue to modernize while preserving what makes soccer unique.”

Why Did MLS Get Rid of the Stopped Clock?

A countdown clock was not the only innovation MLS brought in when the league was formed in 1996. There were extra substitutions for goalkeepers, the wage limit was $192,500 and, most famously, regular season matches which ended in a tie were decided by 35-yard penalty shootouts.

Don Garber’s appointment as MLS Commissioner in August 1999 almost immediately coincided with a swift curtail to these novelties. The countdown clock (and penalty shootouts) were even removed before the end of the 1999 season, with European convention implemented for the MLS Cup in November.

“Our core audience has spoken,” Garber explained. “And we have listened.”

Will the Stopped Clock Come Back?

MLS have successfully lobbied for several advancements in recent years, most notably standing out as a pioneering voice for VAR (video assistant referees). However, expectations are that this change will be one step too far. The Guardian cited sources from within IFAB, soccer’s lawmakers, who flagged concerns over the “sacrosanct” nature of a 90-minute match.

More compelling, however, may be concerns from broadcasters about the unpredictable length of games. Given the influence that TV sponsorship has over the sport at the elite level, this stance is one to consider.

There is thought to be “very little support” for the proposal at this point in time.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Discuss Bringing Back NFL-Style Rules From 1990s.

Since the last Sports Illustrated Power Rankings after Matchday 12—just seven days ago—MLS has seen the following happen.

• Columbus Crew fired newly hired manager Henrik Rydström after 14 games, the third team to fire a coach this season.
• Austin FC fired manager Nico Estévez and sporting director Rodo Borell after three wins in 14 games.
• Sam Sarver celebrated by shotgunning a beer after scoring a late winning goal.
• The previously Supporters’ Shield-leading San Jose Earthquakes lost twice, allowing final goals after the 87th minute twice.
• Matchday 13 saw 58 goals scored across 14 games for the most on a single night of MLS.
• Lionel Messi scored four goals in two games, as Inter Miami dealt with a massive fan protest.
• Thomas Müller returned from illness.
  

And I’m sure we’re still missing something. To say it’s been a wild week would be an understatement. Now, there is just one game remaining for each team before the 2026 World Cup, as each side looks to enter the break in the best form possible before reconvening in July. 

Here, Sports Illustrated takes a look at the week that was and where things stand after Matchday 14.

MLS Power Rankings Matchday 14: Clubs 30–11

30. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 29)
29. Atlanta United (Previous: 27)
28. St. Louis CITY SC (Previous: 28)
27. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 30)
26. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 26)
25. CF Montréal (Previous: 24)
24. Austin FC (Previous: 20)
23. D.C. United (Previous: 23)
22. Toronto FC (Previous: 22)
21. Orlando City (Previous: 25)
20. Portland Timbers (Previous: 21)
19. Columbus Crew (Previous: 19)
18. Red Bull New York (Previous: 19)
17. San Diego FC (Previous: 16)
16. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 17)
15. LA Galaxy (Previous: 14)
14. Minnesota United (Previous: 12)
13. Charlotte FC (Previous: 13)
12. FC Dallas (Previous: 15)
11. FC Cincinnati (Previous: 7)

10. New York City FC📈 (Previous: 11)

New York City FC move up in this week’s power rankings after defeating Charlotte FC midweek and playing to a 1–1 draw against Hudson River Derby foes, Red Bull New York, on the weekend. However, it’s anything but good vibes for the blue side of New York right now. 

The draw itself offered little to define either team, but featured a heartbreaking moment for NYCFC fans after Maxi Moralez went down in midfield right before halftime with a non-contact injury. It took several minutes before he was stretchered off the pitch, potentially sidelining him for an extended period of time—and at 39 years old, potentially ending his career, after scoring a goal and adding six assists this season. 

If NYCFC have to move forward without Moralez, things get very challenging. They have already missed Costa Rican striker Alonso Martínez this season, and without the veteran Argentine, there is simply too much reliance on Nicolás Fernández to achieve significant success.

9. New England Revolution📈 (Previous: 10)

The New England Revolution are a very good team this season.

Wednesday’s performance against Nashville SC, however, was anything but. That 3–0 loss highlighted the massive gap that remains between the Revs and a bona fide MLS Cup contender. Yet, they are still at the top of the tier just below that, proving their worth in a 2–1 win over Minnesota United on Saturday, headlined by five saves from USMNT World Cup hopeful Matt Turner, and the offensive cast of usual leading characters, Carles Gil and Luca Langoni—both of whom hit the back of the net. 

Gil, in particular, has been in tremendous form. There’s an argument that he has been the best player in MLS outside of Messi through the past half decade, and against Minnesota, he showed every element of that. He had four dribbles and created three chances, while also scoring from the penalty spot. 

The Revs have seven wins in eight home games this season and will now hit the road for one more match before the World Cup break, taking on Charlotte FC with hopes of surpassing Inter Miami for second in the Eastern Conference.

8. Chicago Fire📈 (Previous: 9)

Hugo Cuypers scores for the 10th consecutive game! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/IPtsR55P0u

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 16, 2026

Entering the two-match week off the back of a three-game losing skid, the Chicago Fire did plenty of good to improve their ranking, beating CF Montréal 2–0 on the weekend after a 3–1 win over D.C. United midweek. Both results came on the road as well, a notoriously tough task to do in MLS play. 

Manager Gregg Berhalter used two formations this week, starting with a 4-2-3-1 against D.C. and then reverting to an experimental 4-4-2 against Montréal. While he has moved away from the 4-3-3 he began the season with, it hasn’t held back star striker Hugo Cuypers, who scored in both matches and extended his goal streak to 10 consecutive games. 

The Fire should have a relatively straightforward task against Toronto FC next week, potentially setting them up to head into the World Cup break on a three-game winning run.

7. Real Salt Lake📈 (Previous: 8)

Zavier Gozo scores his fourth goal in four games!@realsaltlake are level! pic.twitter.com/LS3PiobTxJ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 17, 2026

What more can Real Salt Lake ask for right now? USMNT World Cup hopeful Diego Luna is in form, and Zavier Gozo, the 19-year-old starlet, who has also become a World Cup hopeful, is playing as if he is one of the league’s top players at the moment. Everything is going great, and this week saw a 3–1 win over the Houston Dynamo and a 2–1 win over the Colorado Rapids. 

Luna’s minutes are being managed as the World Cup approaches, as he played just the second half in the win over Houston and didn’t see the pitch on Saturday. Gozo, however, has become the leader, scoring a brace against the Dynamo and adding a goal against the Rapids. 

As those two stand out, fullback DeAndre Yedlin has also hit his stride, assisting on Gozo’s opening goal against the Dynamo. Could the club want to see more from Juanma Salabria and Victor Olatunji? For sure, but the current status, with Gozo and Luna leading the way, has them in a good spot heading into next week’s clash against Minnesota United. 

6. LAFC📉 (Previous: 5)

LAFC are falling fast. First-year manager, but longtime assistant coach, Marc Dos Santos began his tenure in the top role by rolling out a first-choice lineup for each game, regardless of MLS or Concacaf Champions Cup play. While that approach brought a run to the Champions Cup semifinals and some early-season MLS success, it has caught up with the group in terms of fatigue and suspensions. 

The 2–1 loss against St. Louis CITY midweek was a disaster, with Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga failing to gel in a 4-3-3, alongside Tyler Boyd in the attack. The Black and Gold followed it up with a positive performance against Nashville SC on Sunday, but became the latest victim of Hany Mukhtar’s incredible Nashville career, as the German scored a hat-trick, including two free-kicks. 

LAFC are still an MLS Cup contender, but the lack of production from both Son and Bouanga has to be concerning, and they desperately need a win against the Seattle Sounders to build any confidence heading into the break.

5. Seattle Sounders📉 (Previous: 4)

The weather is getting warmer, and the Seattle Sounders are getting better. Like clockwork, almost every MLS season over the past decade, the Sounders hit their stride midway through the campaign, then become a red-hot team through the summer and potentially into the MLS Cup playoffs. 

If there’s any team that should be concerned about the switch to a fall-to-spring calendar, it’s them—but that’s besides the point. 

The Sounders picked up an impressive 3–2 win over the Supporters’ Shield-leading San Jose Earthquakes midweek, with Osaze De Rosario netting an 89th-minute winning goal, after Albert Rusnák and Jesús Fereirra scored earlier on. 

On the weekend, they looked tired—a shock considering the run of home games since May 2—as they fell 2–0 to the LA Galaxy, marking the end of their 22-game unbeaten run in MLS play at home. 

Next week sees a massive clash against LAFC, where the Sounders will try to create space between themselves and the Black and Gold, potentially putting themselves in a position to chase the Supporters’ Shield after the World Cup.

4. Inter Miami📈 (Previous: 6)

Messi assists, Berterame finishes. Wow. What a run. 😎 pic.twitter.com/RGsxFTcVS9

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 17, 2026

Lionel Messi did it again. The 38-year-old Argentine stunned this week, scoring three goals and two assists to lead Inter Miami to a 5–3 road win over FC Cincinnati and a 2–0 win over the Portland Timbers for their first victory at the new Nu Stadium. In Messi’s last four games, he has five goals and six assists—simply exceptional. 

While the team is still reliant on Messi, there were other positives this week. Maxi Falcón’s absence from the lineup continued, allowing Gonzalo Luján and Micael to claim a clean-sheet win in front of goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair against the Timbers, and Germán Berterame might have his scoring boots, with goals in both matches, albeit largely in part to Messi’s brilliance. 

The wins have the Herons second in the Eastern Conference and fourth in the Supporters’ Shield, giving them plenty of form heading into the final pre-World Cup Matchday, where they will hope to beat the last-place Philadelphia Union and potentially push to the top of MLS heading into the summer. 

Off the pitch, things are less than great. Fans remained silent until the 85th minute against Portland, protesting the players’ treatment of supporters, which eventually prompted Messi and Rodrigo De Paul to acknowledge the fans mid-game, before others—not including the Argentines—went to celebrate with the crowd post-match.  

3. San Jose Earthquakes📉 (Previous: 2)

The San Jose Earthquakes had two of the most in-form players in MLS this season with Niko Tsakiris and Timo Werner. Now that both are sidelined with injuries, manager Bruce Arena’s men are missing a clear difference maker, and that was evident in this week’s last-gasp losses to Seattle and FC Dallas. 

On Wednesday, a match in which Arena came close to receiving a red card amid his late-game frustrations, the Earthquakes conceded in the 89th minute, losing 3–2 to the Sounders. Then on Saturday, it was the 93rd minute against FC Dallas, before Sam Sarver made himself an MLS legend with his goal celebration for the Toros. 

The issues aren’t incredibly dire for the Earthquakes yet, but this week was six critical points lost, bringing them to four games without a win, after draws against Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps. Luckily, the World Cup break will give the team a chance to get back to a healthier state.

2. Vancouver Whitecaps📉 (Previous: 1)

BERHALTER AGAIN ✌️

Vancouver retakes the lead. pic.twitter.com/5VwjQJOGjP

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 14, 2026

Sebastian Berhalter can’t do much more to make the USMNT at this point, and Wednesday night’s 3–2 Vancouver Whitecaps win over FC Dallas, in which he scored a brace with two goals from outside the box, showed just how critical he could be to a World Cup effort this summer. 

The 24-year-old midfielder has been tenacious throughout the past two seasons. His long-range shooting abilities and set-piece distribution also continue to stand out, while his defending skillsets alongside Andrés Cubas make Vancouver’s defensive midfield a league-leading force. 

While the Whitecaps came away with all three points against Dallas and saw Thomas Müller return to the team after illness kept him out for the two previous matches, it wasn’t the same story against the Houston Dynamo on the weekend. 

In Houston, they fell 1–0 after Guilherme scored in the 96th minute, ensuring the Dynamo secured all three points after playing with an advantage from the 64th minute, following Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka’s red card for DOGSO (denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity) after taking a player down outside of the box. 

The Whitecaps remain atop the Western Conference and a point back of Nashville for the Supporters’ Shield, but will be missing their first-choice backstop in next week’s final pre-World Cup clash against 2025 Western Conference final foes, San Diego FC.

1. Nashville SC📈 (Previous: 3)

Take a bow, Hany Mukhtar. The German superstar netted a hat-trick in Saturday’s 3–2 win over LAFC, including two free kicks, which made him the eighth player in MLS history with multiple direct free kicks goals in the same game since it began being tracked in 2003.

While the performance against a conference rival like LAFC will stand out, the 3–0 demolition against New England midweek also marked a vital step into contender status, with Bryan Acosta stepping up with a brace and Warren Madrigal hitting the back of the net.

The wins launched the Coyotes to the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings, making them the first team to 30 points in 2026 while also showing their depth amid the continued absences of star striker Sam Surridge, key midfielder Patrick Yazbek and Edvard Tagseth. 

At the same time, 24-year-old backstop Bryan Schwake made two saves against New England and seven against LAFC and could be in the USMNT goalkeeper conversation in the next World Cup cycle, as soon as this fall. 

Next week, Nashville takes on an injury-riddled NYCFC, giving them a chance to extend their lead atop the league heading into the World Cup.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Power Rankings: Nashville SC Dominate, Multiple Managers Fired and More After Matchday 14.

The 34-year-old, who made his first-team debut for Los Blancos back in 2013–14, had been widely expected to leave, despite being made club captain last summer.

Caravjal’s final season at Real Madrid has been a disappointing one. Having suffered further fitness issues after returning from an ACL injury, the veteran right back has faced increased competition for game time from Trent Alexander-Arnold and has made just 22 appearances in all competitions during a trophyless 2025–26. In La Liga this term, he has made just nine starts.

Regardless of how things ended on the pitch, Carvajal walks away from Madrid as a true modern great.

Madrid Hails a Legend

Earlier this season, manager Álvaro Arbeloa said of Carvajal: “[He] might be the most important academy product in the history of the club.”

The son of a policeman worked his way up from the academy to make 450 appearances for Los Blancos and lift 27 trophies, including six Champions Leagues—no player in soccer history has more.

In 2024, Carvajal was named fourth in the Ballon d’Or rankings, as well as making The Best FIFA Men’s 11, after scoring in the Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund.

Upon announcing Carvajal’s summer departure, club president Florentino Pérez told the club’s official website: “Dani Carvajal is a legend and a symbol of Real Madrid and its youth academy. His image alongside our beloved and unforgettable Alfredo Di Stéfano laying the foundation stone of Real Madrid City will forever remain in the hearts of all Madridistas and in the history of our club. Carvajal has always exemplified the values ​​of Real Madrid. This is and always will be his home.”

The Bernabéu will pay tribute to one its icons on Saturday as Carvajal plays his final game for the club in Madrid’s last fixture of the 2025–26 season against Athletic Club.

Where Could Carvajal Go Next?

As the end of the season closes in, Carvajal will soon become a free agent and an attractive pick-up for someone this summer.

While his next move is unknown, the defender has previously given a hint as where his future lies.

Speaking to The Athletic back in 2024, he revealed: “When I decide not to be at Real Madrid, I’m not going to play in Europe and the alternatives are much reduced.”

Where, then, might Carvajal end up?

1. Major League Soccer

When asked in the same interview with The Athletic if MLS appealed to him, Carvajal replied, “It’s a possibility.”

A switch to join Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez at Inter Miami might be unlikely, but there are plenty of clubs who would be only too happy to offer a contract to a bonafide world star with the ability to impart a winning mentality.

The Los Angeles clubs, Galaxy and LAFC, have proved attractive destinations for Spanish-speaking stars over the years.

2. Saudi Pro League

The obvious option. Carvajal, even at 34 and past his very best, offers the kind of clout the Saudi Pro League desperately desires.

However, The Athletic reports that a possible move to Saudi Arabia may be “difficult” at the moment, due to the ongoing geo-political situation in the region.

Al Nassr would offer the familiar faces of Cristiano Ronaldo and ex-Barcelona defender Iñigo Martínez.

3. Qatar Stars League

Like Saudi Arabia, Qatar might be a tricky move for Carvajal right now due to the current climate, even if a move appealed.

Interestingly, Carvajal’s brother-in-law and former Real Madrid teammate, Joselu, is set to leave Stars League club Al Gharafa this summer having spent two years in the country.

Significant players currently registered in Qatar’s top division include Aleksandar Mitrović, Marco Verratti and Roberto Firmino. The league also features a sizeable Spanish community that includes Luis Alberto, Rodrigo and Pablo Sarabia.

4. Liga MX

If Carvajal were forced to look further afield due to the situation in the Middle East, Mexico could offer options for his services.

Ex-teammates Sergio Ramos and James Rodríguez have both spent time in Liga MX with Monterrey and León in recent seasons.

There is also a historic connection between Madrid legends and Mexico with Míchel, Bernd Schuster and Emilio Butragueño among those to spend time in the country.

5. Süper Lig

Strictly speaking, this would go against Carvajal’s previous declaration that he is not going to remain in Europe when he leaves Madrid. However, Türkiye would offer Carvajal an alternative away from Europe’s big five, while still providing a lucrative payday to cap his career.

Marco Asensio is the only major Spanish player currently plying his trade in the Süper Lig, turning out for 2025–26 runners-up Fenerbahçe

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Five Potential Destinations for Dani Carvajal After Real Madrid Exit Confirmed.

With supporters’ groups frustrated by recent results and a lack of recognition from the club since the stadium move from Fort Lauderdale to Miami, many stayed silent for the majority of the match, not standing or waving flags except to celebrate when a goal was scored, with Portland’s Timbers Army evidently louder and more audible through the international broadcast.

On the pitch, the Herons gave their fans many reasons to cheer. Chief among them was another outstanding performance from Lionel Messi, who scored the opening goal after a chance-creating move from Telasco Segovia. Messi later completed a skillful dribble to assist Germán Berterame’s 2–0 goal to end halftime up a pair of goals.

The win marked Miami’s first at home since opening the new stadium early last month, having previously played to two losses and two draws in the first four games at the downtown Miami venue. At the same time, it brought them six points of a possible six from this week, after beating FC Cincinnati 5–3 in midweek action.

Here, Sports Illustrated breaks down the match, grading every Inter Miami player who saw the pitch in the victory.

Inter Miami Report Card vs. Portland Timbers (4-3-3)

GK: Dayne St. Clair—A:  The Canadian kept his second clean sheet of the season and first at home with Miami, making four saves while also acting as the initial piece in offensive transition.

RB: Ian Fray—C: Ian Fray has dealt with plenty of injuries through his career and had to leave the match at halftime with discomfort.

CB: Gonzalo Luján—B-: Maintaining his starting role over Maxi Falcón, Luján played a key role in shutting down Kevin Kelsy and ensuring many of Portland’s attacks came from outside the penalty area.

CB: Micael—B-: The Brazilian center back is still developing a partnership with his left back, Sergio Regulión, but impressed in neutralizing many of of the Timbers attackers.

LB: Sergio Reguilón—D: Signed as a replacement for Jordi Alba, the former Premier League and La Liga fullback has not stood out as of yet. While he scored his first goal in last week’s win over Toronto FC, he was unable to muster impressive transition moments against Portland.

RM: Rodrigo De Paul—B: Rodrigo De Paul has made every effort to make the Argentina World Cup squad, and Sunday saw him impress once again, creating a game-high five chances while helping to shut down both Antony and Kristoffer Velde.

CM: Yannick Bright—A: By far Miami’s most consistent player not named Lionel Messi, Bright dominated the midfield battle against Portland DP, David da Costa, through his 82 minutes.

LM: Telasco Segovia—B+: Dynamic and elusive down the left flank, the Venezuela international set up Lionel Messi for the opening goal and finished the night credited with three shots.

RW: Lionel Messi—A+: What else is there to say? The 38-year-old scored a perfect finish and then stunned with a skillful dribble for an assist. The 2022 World Cup winner is up to 12 goals and five assists in 13 games this season and is already a runaway favorite to win his third straight MLS MVP award.

ST: Germán Berterame—B+: Germán Berterame still struggled to finish throughout the night, but found the back of the net off of Messi’s brilliance, bringing him to five goals and two assists on the season.

LW: Luis Suárez—D-: The Uruguay legend has had some standout moments in 2026, but looked off the pace for the second game in a row, lasting only an uneventful 66 minutes.

SUB: Facundo Mura (46’ for Fray)—C+: Mura stepped in and was active down the right flank, while also ensuring the Herons saw out the clean sheet.

SUB: Dániel Pintér (66’ for Suárez)—C: The 18-year-old has slowly been tasked with more minutes under first Javier Mascherano and now Guillermo Hoyos. He had two shots and put in a committed effort defensively.

SUB: David Ayala (82’ for Bright)—C: Taking on his former team, Ayala was uneventful in his minutes, making up for his mistake against Toronto last week.

SUB: Preston Plambeck (83’ for Berterame)—C: The 20-year-old academy product helped Miami see out the clean sheet in the final minutes.

Subs not used: Rocco Ríos Novo (GK), Maxi Falcón, Noah Allen, Alex Shaw, David Ruíz

One Thing We Can’t Ignore: The Fan Protest

The silence was clear in the first 85 minutes of Sunday’s match, with Inter Miami’s supporters groups, which make up “La Familia,” staying silent for the majority of the game. 

Fans explained to local press that they had been frustrated by the lack of home results since opening the stadium, and by the players for not clearly showing their thanks to the supporters’ groups after the matches. 

Noah Allen, a Miami homegrown and often the player facing the post-game press, was the only one to wave to supporters after the last home match against Orlando City, when Miami surrendered a 3–1 lead and lost 4–3. 

🚨The fans were singing: “Players respect your fans and acknowledge your people. And now both Messi and De Paul with gestures towards the fans. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/a2MCu8LePP

— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) May 18, 2026

On Sunday, Messi made it clear that he understood the issue, saluting supporters in the 88th minute, prompting a roar from the crowd. Later on, De Paul went up to fans as Messi waited for a corner kick, embracing several and making clear gestures of appreciation.

After the game, several players, including Bright, stayed to sign autographs before leaving the pitch, but that group did not involve Messi, De Paul or Suárez, prompting boos from the supporters.

While the previous results left a sour taste for many of the players and fans, Sunday’s win was critically important. It marked the penultimate home game before the World Cup and helped re-establish trust with supporters. For some, the Inter Miami experience centers on Messi’s status. Still, for many, the club’s history from 2020 is its primary importance, and ensuring a connection to those fans is vital for the team’s future outlook in a post-Messi existence. 

What’s Next For Inter Miami?

Inter Miami will have one more match before players go their separate ways for the 2026 World Cup, taking on the Philadelphia Union next Sunday, looking to continue their rise up the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings. Miami’s first game after the World Cup will be July 22 at home against the Chicago Fire.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Grading Inter Miami’s First Home Victory Amid Eerie Fan Protests.

While Mexico’s stadiums are undergoing only branding changes for the tournament, several U.S. and Canadian venues have been forced into significant makeovers, headlined by the playing surface that the world’s best players will grace. 

In the U.S., seven stadiums have had to install real grass in place of the usual artificial turf surface used by NFL teams, while Vancouver’s BC Place has undergone a similar shift from the playing surface used by the city’s soccer club. 

For some venues, like Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Seattle’s Lumen Field, the grass has been in for months. However, others have spent the last several weeks adding the surface, battling challenges that come with stadiums never designed to host living, real grass.

And unlike the recent 2024 Copa América or 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the grass has to be rooted, not simply laid over the previous surface. 

Every stadium must meet a long list of FIFA regulations for its surface, including an automatic irrigation system, sufficient drainage, built-in vacuum and vents to keep the grass and soil aerated, and artificial grow lights to keep the grass healthy. Some stadiums, including Vancouver’s, are also using snow-making machines as high-powered sprinklers.

Field installations had to be completed before FIFA took over venue control of most stadiums on May 14, when the international organization began placing branding around venues, removing commercial advertising and art, and shuttering local businesses within their area of control. 

Why This Grass Is Special

Each local organizing committee was responsible for arranging the grass and ensuring it fit FIFA’s standards. The varying climates across the 16 cities led to differing grass mixes, each suited to its climate. 

Nine stadiums use a mix of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, while six use Bermuda grass, choosing the best mix for the climate. Only Toronto’s BMO Field, which operates with a usual natural grass surface, uses pure Kentucky bluegrass. 

Grass is usually grown on native soil, and its roots are cut when harvested for sod. However, that would not have worked for the World Cup, as roots may not have been able to be established. As such, farms opted to grow sod on plastic sheets, with sand as a base to ensure durability. 

For some stadiums, like BC Place, grass was grown locally. The Bos farm in nearby Abbotsford spent months curating the grass before installing it in recent weeks. 

Meanwhile, Joe Wilkins III’s farm outside Denver grew the grass for Dallas, Atlanta and Houston, and the MetLife Stadium pitch, which will host the World Cup final, was grown in North Carolina. 

Not every stadium receives direct sunlight, and it is unclear whether the retractable roofs will be open for the tournament, as inconsistent sunlight can negatively affect the grass. 

To make the grass more durable to withstand matches and the timeline, plastic fibers are woven into the grass, creating a hybrid system with roots wrapped around these green fibers. The process also allows the plastic fibers to help boost the color of the pitches, which could suffer in the summer heat. 

The Pitches Have Risen

A closer look at the World Cup grass at BC Place from pitch level.

The grass is several feet higher than the turf, so the front row of fans is literally pitch level.

Turf starts about five feet from the end line and there are snowblowers to act as sprinklers. pic.twitter.com/05AIcZGcZV

— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) May 12, 2026

Fans making their way into the stadiums may not notice it at first, but the fields will be closer to the crowds than before. In the multi-layered effort to lay the grass, the pitch sits between 18 inches and two-feet higher than the artificial turf below. 

“The last [MLS] game happened on April 25, and [this started] immediately after that game,” BC Place general manager Chris May told Sports Illustrated. “The hard floor was laid down, the [plastic] concert floor was laid down, some protective material was laid down, and then the dirt started getting brought in. That grass pitch sits about 18 inches above the turf, so that’s still all under there.”

Great turn out for @SISPitches #FieldTechLive today at MetLife Stadium! Nice to see SIS Grass stitching into Tahoma 31 ahead of the FIFA World Cup games. pic.twitter.com/wcYCy45Qmk

— Geoffrey Rinehart (@gjrinehart) May 13, 2026

Staff across the co-hosting cities put in considerable effort to make the grass as strong as possible, and it is now overseen by FIFA’s senior pitch manager, David Graham, who oversees the grass at all 16 tournament venues.

“This pitch will be in longer than the duration of last year’s [Club World Cup] tournament before we kick a ball,” Graham told reporters at MetLife Stadium. “We didn’t receive the venue until two weeks before the first ball was kicked in 2025 for the Club World Cup. Here, it’s a completely different build. It’s a completely different scenario.”

The pitches have just a few weeks to get into top condition now, with the first NFL stadium match being the USMNT vs. Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium, usually known as SoFi Stadium on June 12.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as What It Takes for NFL Stadiums to Have World Cup-Ready Natural Grass.

For the third time in four games, the 23-year-old U.S. forward made an immediate impact off the bench, scoring a goal, this time securing all three points with a 3–2 road win against the San Jose Earthquakes, a team that entered the night sitting tied at the top of the Western Conference. 

For the celebration, Sarver first grabbed his teammates and sat on the advertising boards, tilting back and plugging their noses to imitate a scuba diver’s entry into the water. As he got up, he embraced a beer shower from San Jose fans, before picking up a can, puncturing it with his thumb and downing it in front of the camera, drenching himself in the beverage. 

SAM SARVER IS BOX OFFICE!

A potential game-winner and a plethora of celebrations to match. 🍻 pic.twitter.com/LHchMZDzGL

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 17, 2026

“My coach at Indiana, Todd Yeagley, told me about a player from way before I got there that used to do that scuba celebration, and he yelled at him for it because he didn’t want him to get hurt. And I was like, ‘It’d be funny if we did that,’” Sarver said postmatch. “After we did that, they were throwing some beers on the field, so I decided to chug one.”

The 2025 MLS Next Pro player of the year now has three goals in 183 MLS minutes this season, and is proving a valuable presence off the bench for Dallas, which rose to fifth in the Western Conference.

Not the First to Do It

While celebratory beverages in the locker room are commonplace and cups have rained down on players from opposing fans before, rarely does it ever make its way into the game. Yet, Sarver isn’t the first to take in a cold one mid-match. Nor is he the first to do the scuba celebration.

In 1979, Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder and Scotland international Willie Johnston took a swig from a supporter, before swinging in a perfect corner kick to score in a 2–1 win against the same San Jose Earthquakes, albeit in the league that came before MLS’s launch in 1996. 

“I remember I went to take the corner, and this wee boy shouted,” Johnston told AFTN in 2014. “He was a Scotch boy, and he said, ‘Do you want a drink, Willie?’. I said, “Oh yeah, I’d love a drink and I took it, and it was warm, and I went ooof, and I gave it back to him. Then I took the corner, and Peter Daniel scored, and that was it.

“But I wasn’t thinking. They were all shouting for me to take the corner, but I was taking the bottle of beer first. It was warm [outside], but the beer was warmer! I didn’t realize it was going to be like that.”

Meanwhile, Roger Levesque famously did the scuba celebration with the Seattle Sounders against the Portland Timbers in 2009. As for the beer? Clancy Loranger of the Vancouver Province Newspaper referred to the moment as the “San Jose Sip”—nobody is yet to brew a nickname for Sarver’s latest celebration.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as ‘I Decided’—U.S. Soccer Player Explains Beer Celebration After Late MLS Winner.

On Saturday, the Revolution downed Minnesota United 2–1 for their seventh win in eight home games this season, furthering a dominant run and surpassing their impressive start to the 2021 campaign, which set an MLS regular season points record and earned the Supporters’ Shield. 

Turner was the Revolution’s backstop then, a year before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and after a brief spell in Europe, is one of the key pieces now as he looks towards his second World Cup, this time on home soil. 

Turner’s fans from the New England Rebellion supporters’ group made sure to show their appreciation at the team’s final home match before FIFA takes over Gillette Stadium, which will host six World Cup matches. 

Unfurling a grand tifo featuring Turner’s face and a call-out to USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino, it read “Poch, take note. There’s only one Matt Turner” and came as a surprise to the 2021 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, who returned to the club in the summer of 2025. 

Number 3️⃣0️⃣ on the roster, number 1️⃣ in our hearts#NEvMIN pic.twitter.com/pkHR5qTaP8

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 17, 2026

“No, I definitely didn’t know it was happening, but it was emotional,” Turner said postmatch, having bounced back from a horrendous performance against Nashville SC midweek.

“Coming back here in general, just for my career, to come back and to be here, knowing I was going to put myself in a good position to give the [USMNT] coaches something to think about, being on the roster, playing, whatever it is.

“For the fans to join me in that journey and show their support, especially after having a tough night on Wednesday night, it was emotional, and it was really nice, and also validating that I’m on the right path.”

Turner Faces Competition For World Cup Starting Spot 

While Turner is one of the few players likely locked into the USMNT’s 26-man roster, which will be unveiled May 26, and has enjoyed immense success with the Revolution, he is in a battle for the starting role. 

After serving as the top choice between the sticks leading into the 2022 World Cup and in the years afterwards, he surrendered that status with a disappointing group stage exit at the 2024 Copa América and further underwhelming performances in the 2025 Concacaf Nations League finals against Mexico and Canada. 

In his place, New York City FC’s Matt Freese took steps forward and started each USMNT game between March 2025’s Nations League finals and the recent 2026 March friendly against Belgium, where Turner made five saves on 10 shots. 

The two are likely to battle through the pre-World Cup friendlies against Germany and Senegal, as well as in training sessions, with Turner hoping to prove that his better form in MLS can translate to the sport’s greatest stage. 

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Mauricio Pochettino Sent Clear USMNT World Cup Selection Message by MLS Fans.

After a busy, record-breaking midweek slate that saw 58 goals for the highest scoring matchday in league history, this weekend’s round of action promises to bring some thrilling contests as well.

Headlined by the first regular season Hudson River Derby of 2026 and a race atop the Western Conference, the two days of games provide some must-watch soccer, with 12 matches on Saturday and three on Sunday.

Here’s what Sports Illustrated predicts for the 14th matchday of MLS in 2026.

CF Montréal vs. Chicago Fire

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT

CF Montréal weren’t supposed to contend for the MLS Cup playoffs in 2026, but with just two games to go until the World Cup break, they’re right in the mix. Led by Prince Owusu’s six goals and some positive play from Matty Longstaff, they have three wins, a draw and a loss in their last five.

At home this weekend, they try to take advantage of a recently loose Chicago Fire backline, while looking to neutralize the threat of Hugo Cuypers, who has scored in nine straight games.

Prediction: CF Montréal 2–2 Chicago Fire

Charlotte FC vs. Toronto FC

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

After a nine-game homestand, Toronto FC are back on the road for the final two weeks ahead of the World Cup, as BMO Field becomes Toronto Stadium while it prepares to host six tournament games this summer.

The Reds are coming off a dismal week, losing to Inter Miami and to CPL side Atlético Ottawa, dropping them out of the Canadian Championship. This week, they remain heavily injured and likely without Josh Sargent, as they hope to break down Charlotte FC, who will lean on a frustrated Wilfried Zaha, after he missed out on the Côte d’Ivoire World Cup squad.

Prediction: Charlotte 1–1 Toronto FC

D.C. United vs. St. Louis CITY SC

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

D.C. United had a nice spell of two wins and a draw before a midweek loss to Chicago Fire, but will hope to turn things around quickly when they host struggling Western Conference side, St. Louis CITY SC.

Romanian striker Louis Munteanu has four goals this season and is in form, giving D.C. another attacking focus in addition to Tai Baribo heading into this weekend.

Prediction: D.C. United 2–0 St. Louis CITY SC

New England Revolution vs. Minnesota United

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

The New England Revolution are off to a record start on home turf at Gillette Stadium. They won the first six home games before losing 3–0 to Nashville SC on Wednesday and will look to re-establish their fortress form against Minnesota United this weekend.

While Luca Langoni and Carles Gil lead the attack for the Revs, goalkeeper Matt Turner and his backline won’t have to worry about Minnesota’s James Rodríguez, who has now left the club for Colombia’s World Cup training camp and is not expected to return after the tournament.

Prediction: New Englnd Revolution 3–1 Minnesota United

Red Bull New York vs. New York City FC

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

The first MLS Hudson River Derby of the season takes center stage on the Saturday schedule with both teams tied on 18 points in the middle of the Eastern Conference. Red Bull New York were the better team midweek, with Julian Hall becoming the youngest player in MLS history to score a hat trick.

Yet NYCFC are in strong form as well, with back-to-back wins over Columbus Crew and Charlotte FC. They also hold the leg up after winning the U.S. Open Cup battle between the Tri-State sides 3–1 on April 29.

Prediction: Red Bull New York 3–2 New York City FC

Orlando City vs. Atlanta United

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

For two teams at the bottom end of the Eastern Conference, there’s a surprising amount of potentially World Cup-bound talent between Orlando City and Atlanta United. For Orlando, Maxime Crépeau (Canada), Marco Pašalić (Croatia), and Braian Ojeda (Paraguay) are expected to be at the tournament. At the same time, Atlanta’s Paraguayan duo of Miguel Almirón and Matías Galarza could also join them. 

If you’re a World Cup fan, especially a Paraguayan one, tune into this game. Otherwise? It’s probably a relative stalemate between two sides that haven’t quite hit their stride this season. 

Prediction: Orlando City 1–1 Atlanta United

Philadelphia Union vs. Columbus Crew

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Just a year ago, the Philadelphia Union vs. Columbus Crew matchup would have been must-watch TV between two potential Eastern Conference contenders. Now, it’s a battle for positioning in the middle of the table, with valuable points in the playoff race up for grabs.

The Union are likely already out of playoff contention after one win in 13 games, but can some World Cup-bound players, like Haiti’s Danley Jean Jacques, begin to find some form?

Prediction: Philadelphia Union 1–1 Columbus Crew

Austin FC vs. Sporting Kansas City

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Sporting Kansas City might just be what the doctor ordered for Austin FC. After falling 5–0 to San Diego FC on Wednesday, Los Verdes need a big bounce back, so who better to play than a team that has won just twice this season?

SKC are coming off a win against the LA Galaxy midweek, but do not have many threats outside of Dejan Joveljić, who said, “Can we play them every week?” when asked about the Galaxy—the only side his team has beaten this season. 

Prediction: Austin FC 1–0 Sporting Kansas City

Houston Dynamo vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

The Vancouver Whitecaps got back into the win column midweek with a stupendous brace from USMNT World Cup hopeful, Sebastian Berhalter and the return of Thomas Müller from illness in a 3–2 win over FC Dallas.

This weekend, they continue the Texas vibes, heading to Houston, where Berhalter will look to ball out against 2025 Gold Cup teammate Jack McGlynn, who is looking for a last-gasp effort at the USMNT World Cup squad.

Prediction: Houston Dynamo 2–2 Vancouver Whitecaps

Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 9:15 p.m. ET / 6:15 p.m. PT

The LA Galaxy have a Sporting Kansas City problem. SKC have beaten just one team this year, and it’s happened twice, with the Galaxy falling to the worst team in MLS on both occasions, including on Wednesday night.

Luckily, they’re taking on the Seattle Sounders this weekend, holding hopes that Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec can keep up some strong attacking form against an elite Western Conference team, which knocked off San Jose midweek.

Prediction: Seattle Sounders 3–1 LA Galaxy

Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

Has Zavier Gozo done enough to play himself onto the USMNT as an 18-year-old? After a brace in Wednesday’s win over the Dynamo, the dynamic youngster is up to five goals and four assists this season. He’s leading his Claret and Cobalt into this Saturday’s clash against the Colorado Rapids, where he likely has a better chance at the national team for the World Cup than opponents Paxten Aaronson and Zack Steffen, who at one point looked like locks for the roster. 

Prediction: Real Salt Lake 4–1 Colorado Rapids

San Diego FC vs. FC Cincinnati

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

San Diego FC got exactly what they needed: a big win. After struggling as a sophomore team and dealing with the sidelined, expensive situation surrounding Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, the group finally found an offensive explosion, beating Austin FC 5–0 at home.

With the feeling of scoring still fresh, they’ll hope to continue that this weekend as they face a testing FC Cincinnati side, which has seen immense play from Evander since the Brazilian took over the captaincy.

Prediction: San Diego FC 3–3 FC Cincinnati

San Jose Earthquakes vs. FC Dallas

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

The San Jose Earthquakes fell for just the second time in 2026 on Wednesday, losing 3–2 in the final minutes to the Seattle Sounders in front of over 28,000 at Lumen Field. The loss and Vancouver’s win saw the Earthquakes fall off the Supporters’ Shield lead, and they will hope to find their way back into the mix this weekend against FC Dallas, the team Vancouver beat midweek. 

Yet, manager Bruce Arena’s side will forge ahead without Niko Tsakiris, who is out for several months, as well as Timo Werner while he continues to work his way back from injury.

Prediction: San Jose Earthquakes 2–1 FC Dallas

Inter Miami vs. Portland Timbers

• Date: Sunday, May 17
• Time: 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT

Inter Miami are back in form. Guillermo Hoyos, the interim manager, has figured it out. 

After dropping Maxi Falcón from the starting center back pairing, Inter Miami has had far fewer defensive lapses, allowing Lionel Messi even more space to provide the spectacular in attack. The 38-year-old Argentine scored a brace in the 5–3 win over FC Cincinnati midweek, bringing him to 11 goals and five assists on the season. There’s no reason that should slow down this weekend either, taking on a struggling Portland Timbers, who are led by former Miami manager Phil Neville.

Prediction: Inter Miami 5–1 Portland Timbers

Nashville SC vs. LAFC

• Date: Sunday, May 17
• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT

Nashville SC and LAFC meet each other at the perfect time. After enduring deep runs into the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup, the two sides have struggled with fatigue, injuries and adjustments, as they find their rhythm back in regular-season MLS competition.

LAFC lean on Denis Bouanga, given Son Heung-min’s underwhelming form in 2026, while Nashville turn to Hany Mukhtar and Cristian Espinoza, as well as Warren Madrigal and Bryan Acosta, with talismanic striker Sam Surridge unavailable. It’s two similar sides at this point, with Sunday providing an opportunity for both. 

Prediction:  Nashville SC 2–2 LAFC

MLS Predictions: Matchday 14

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Predictions: Hudson River Derby Headlines Matchday 14 .

The U.S. is set to announce its official 2026 FIFA World Cup roster on May 26 in New York City, the team’s first-ever live World Cup roster reveal. That squad will take on Senegal and Germany in friendlies at the end of the month for last-minute tune ups, before traveling west to Los Angeles to open World Cup play in Group D against Paraguay on June 12.

Pochettino and his staff have already pinpointed who they believe will give the U.S. the best shot at global glory, with USMNT first assistant coach Jesús Pérez stating on Monday that “the provisional roster has been decided already.” Nevertheless, players in contention are still doing everything they can in the remaining days to make a lasting impression.

Here’s our stock up, stock down analysis for the USMNT this week.

USMNT Stock Up

Sebastian Berhalter

Vancouver Whitecaps star midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, although dominant in MLS play all season long, is technically still on the fringes of Pochettino’s core squad. His hunger for a spot at the World Cup, though, has been voracious, and it would now come as a surprise if Pochettino doesn’t tag him.

Over the weekend, Berhalter scored a late, skillful trivela to earn a critical 1–1 draw against the MLS-leading San Jose Earthquakes, proving himself as not only the cornerstone of Vancouver’s transition right now, but also their attack style.

“He has a great belief, and he’s also very optimistic in his play,” Vancouver manager Jesper Sørensen said of Berhalter and his World Cup chances. “That’s why he ended up in situations where he can also be decisive and score goals, like that run he took in for the goal was not necessarily a run you often take from a No. 6 position.”

The 25-year-old added a brace on Wednesday night, both goals perfectly placed from distance, to secure a 3–2 comeback win over FC Dallas on the road and bring him to six goals and seven assists on the season. He is far and away the biggest goal contributor for the Canadian side.

His likelihood of making Pochettino’s roster also increased after Atlético Madrid midfielder Johnny Cardoso was ruled out for the U.S. on Monday (more on that later).

BERHALTER BRACE FOR THE WHITECAPS ON WEDNESDAY! ⚽️⚽️pic.twitter.com/JQKmCUcEEN

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) May 14, 2026

Diego Luna

The pressure was on for Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna over the weekend, as Pérez came on a scouting mission to watch the World Cup hopeful in his match against FC Dallas. Although Dallas left Toyota Stadium with a 3–1 win, Luna did enough to impress the first assistant, leading the Claret and Cobalt’s build-up all night and notching a 84th minute banger to get them on the board.

The 22-year-old now has four goals and two assists across nine appearances in league play, an impactful spell despite missing out on the early part of the 2026 season—and the USMNT’s March international window—due to a knee injury.

“We know him well, and he obviously needed rhythm, minutes and to get some confidence,” Pérez told MLS 360 this week. “I think he’s doing well. His team is doing well. Hopefully he can continue doing that.

“Obviously, it is Mauricio’s final decision to pick the roster, but everyone knows that [Luna’s] been part of our main group.”

Luna has 18 caps with the USMNT, including appearances in 2024 Concacaf Nations League play and the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.

USMNT Stock Down

Johnny Cardoso

Atlético Madrid ruled midfielder Johnny Cardoso out of the rest of the La Liga season and the World Cup on Monday, announcing that the USMNT hopeful will undergo surgery after suffering a high-grade ankle sprain last week in training, sidelining the 24-year-old indefinitely.

This is a devastating blow for both the U.S. and Atlético Madrid, the latter of whom he was integral for in their deep run in the Champions League. He recently appeared in the second leg of the semifinals, logging over 30 minutes in the heartbreaking 1–0 loss to Arsenal, which eliminated them from the European competition 2–1 on aggregate.

Cardoso stood out as the USMNT player to go the furthest in Champions League play this season. He has 23 caps at the senior level since his debut in 2020, yet no goals or assists, suffering multiple injury setbacks in that time span. He most recently played 45 minutes in the 5–2 March loss to Belgium, before suffering a separate injury—leg discomfort—and returning to Spain for further treatment, missing the following friendly against Portugal. 

With Cardoso crossed off the list, Berhalter and Seattle Sounders’ Cristian Roldan are the most likely replacements as depth options in the central midfield. Roldan would bring 45 caps of international experience to the fold, along with lessons learned from being part of the 2022 World Cup squad. 

Matt Turner

The mighty Matt Turner has fallen. The USMNT’s starting goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup was making a compelling bid for a repeat, looking to overtake Matt Freese, who is currently the most probable starter this summer; however, all of that fell apart this week.

The 31-year-old made a total of 28 saves last month across April’s five matches, which were critically important for the New England Revolution’s rise up the standings, as they now sit third in the Eastern Conference. April was highlighted by Turner’s impressive nine-save outing against Inter Miami to hold Argentinian legend Lionel Messi at bay and secure a 1–1 draw.

He has since cooled off this month and took a turn for the worst on Wednesday night in the Revolution’s 3–0 loss to Nashville SC, in which Turner made just a single save. He had a horrific mishap in the 40th minute, whiffing a pass to his center back that resulted in an easy goal for Nashville’s Warren Madrigal. It was the type of error that might make Pochettino forget Turner’s recent brilliance, proving his unreliability with the ball at his feet, something the global powerhouses at the World Cup would certainly capitalize on this summer.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as USMNT Stock Up, Stock Down: Berhalter’s Offensive Surge, Turner’s Horrific Fumble.

While already enjoying several accolades through their young careers, the two teenagers made history on Wednesday. 

For the 16-year-old Sullivan, who is bound for Manchester City once he turns 18, it marked his first MLS goal, making him the eighth-youngest player to score in an MLS regular-season match. Despite a lack of minutes this season, the youngster entered the game and instantly changed the match for the Philadelphia Union. 

Entering in the 44th minute ahead of the halftime break, Sullivan was energetic throughout his performance, finding the net in the 75th minute of play, beating Orlando City’s backstop and Canada’s likely World Cup starting goalkeeper, Maxime Crépeau, after making a perfect pass and run to the penalty spot for a first-touch finish. 

Cavan Sullivan scores his first MLS goal! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ldrM5SILKy

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 14, 2026

While his performance stood out, as he created five chances and had two shots in addition to his goal, it wasn’t enough for the Union to scrape out a result, falling 4–3 to Orlando.

Thriving in those minutes could prove a pivotal point for Sullivan, though. Previously, he had scored three goals and two assists in Concacaf Champions Cup action, but had struggled to gain consistent playing time under manager Bradley Carnell—with Wednesday’s performance potentially shifting that trend, as the Union continues to struggle for results. 

Youngest Players to Score in MLS History

Julian Hall’s Record Hat-Trick

As much as Sullivan has taken on plenty of attention with an agreement to join the blue side of Manchester, he hasn’t been the top young star in MLS in 2026—that’s Julian Hall. 

The 18-year-old, who in the earliest stages of his professional career was unable to play into the evening due to New Jersey labor laws for minors, stunned in Red Bull New York’s 3–2 win over the Columbus Crew, with a first-half hat-trick. 

A Polish-American dual national, the output brought Hall’s total to 12 goals and 3 assists in 15 games across all competitions this season. In MLS, he’s up to nine goals as well, tied for third in the Golden Boot race, led by Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi’s 11, after the Argentine netted a brace in the Herons’ 5–3 win over FC Cincinnati. 

🚨 JULIAN HALL HAT-TRICK 🚨

He's now the youngest player in MLS history to score a hat-trick!

History for the 18-year-old!! pic.twitter.com/GULV66EGrh

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 14, 2026

His hat-trick made him the youngest player at 18 years and 50 days to score an MLS hat-trick, eclipsing U.S. men’s national team striker Ricardo Pepi’s record, which previously sat at 18 years and 196 days. 

However, hopes of him making his way to the USMNT could be less than assured. Hall, who wears his mother’s name, Zakrzewski, on the back of his kit, has been actively recruited by Poland, with Polish Football Federation president Cezary Kulesza meeting with Hall’s mother in New York in April to discuss his potential future with the Polish national team. 

Neither youngster is likely to be at the upcoming World Cup, given the competitive nature of the USMNT and Poland’s failure to qualify, but both could be key pieces to their MLS sides moving forward, while offering impressive potential to the future of U.S. Soccer, perhaps featuring in the next World Cup cycle in the lead-up to the 2030 tournament. 

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Premier League-Bound Cavan Sullivan, Julian Hall Stun in Historic MLS Showings .

The game in Cincinnati, Ohio was anticipated to be action-packed and goal-filled, bringing together the two highest-scoring teams in the Eastern Conference. It certainly did not disappoint, featuring a hat trick for Lionel Messi—the third hat trick of his MLS career, which brings his total career goals to a whopping 910.

The Argentinian legend opened the inevitable scoring frenzy. He charged the box and punished a mistake from flustered Cincinnati center back Matt Miazga, blasting the ball past goalkeeper Roman Celentano in the 24th minute. The first half was relatively quiet thereafter, until Cincinnati star striker Kévin Denkey nailed in a penalty kick in the 41st minute.

The match quickly became a dramatic back-and-forth battle in the second half, though, seeing the hosts return from the break firing on all cylinders to take a 2–1 lead, before Messi took personal offense and bit back to equalize eight minutes later.

Cincinnati’s star player Evander sent the crowd into an eruption of cheers with his perfect-picture upper-90 finish from outside of the box, which gave the hosts the lead yet again in the 64th minute, 3–2. Fans in blue and orange surely thought they would leave home happy, but Inter Miami added three more thereafter to prove them wrong, including a Germán Berterame volley off of a wild collision between Cincinnati’s goalkeeper and center back and Messi’s third of the night in the 89th minute.

Here is Sports Illustrated’s breakdown of the match, featuring report card grades for each Inter Miami player who saw the pitch. 

Inter Miami Report Card vs. FC Cincinnati (4-3-3)

GK: Dayne St. Clair—D-: The Canadian impressively got a full palm on Kévin Denkey’s penalty kick before it went in, but Cincinnati completely overpowered him in the second half.

RB: Ian Fray—B: Back from injury, after missing the Toronto match at the weekend. Did well to get up the right flank and into the attack, allowing Messi to slide centrally into dangerous positions.

CB: Gonzalo Luján—C-: Replacing Maxi Falcón once again in an effort to shore up the defensive outlook, he proved to be a much more stable, consistent option in the Herons’ backline. Gave up the penalty kick, though, after tugging on the jersey of star striker Denkey.

CB: Micael—C-: The Brazilian center back struggled in his communication with Reguilón, with the duo often overwhelmed by the creativity of Denkey and Evander or simply not stepping to them early enough.

LB: Sergio Reguilón—D: Made just his third start in league play this season after plagued with a series of knocks earlier in the season. Looked a bit out of sorts, especially in the early minutes while trying to contain Denkey, but soon settled in. Left Bucha unmarked on the back-post though, leading to Cincinnati’s second goal.

RM: Rodrigo De Paul—B: Rodrigo De Paul’s efforts to make the Argentina World Cup squad continued on Wednesday. The 31-year-old looked agile and explosive. He frequently got into the attack, despite his typical defensive positioning.

CM: Yannick Bright—C: Continuing to take on a more central role in the 4-3-3 as De Paul shifts to the right. He looked overwhelmed by Evander’s offensive prowess at times.

LM: Telasco Segovia—A: Dynamic through the middle and everywhere on the pitch. He combined well with Bright and De Paul and made up for Suárez’s lack of mobility on the left flank.

RW: Lionel Messi—A+: Third straight match with at least three goal contributions. Third hat trick of his MLS career.

ST: Germán Berterame—C: Germán Berterame was largely ineffective in this match. Often forgot he was even there, until he capitalized on Cincinnati’s fateful collision.

LW: Luis Suárez—D: Looked largely immobile, but had a few bursts of speedy brilliance. They were to no avail, though.

SUB: Facundo Mura (65’ for Reguilón)—C: Provided much needed relief from Reguilón.

SUB: Mateo Silvetti (76’ for Suárez)—A+: Returned from a hamstring injury. Needed just three minutes to prove how much Inter Miami missed him.

Subs not used: Rocco Ríos Novo (GK), Maxi Falcón, Cesar Abadia-Reda, David Ruiz, David Ayala, Preston Plambeck, Dániel Pintér.

One Thing We Can’t Ignore

Although Inter Miami ultimately secured the win, Wednesday marked the third consecutive game in which they let their guard down after an early lead, seemingly an unfortunate habit they are developing, and one that makes their lives much harder than they need to be.

The habit was first—and most brutally—on display in Inter Miami’s humiliating 4–3 loss to Orlando City on May 2. The South Florida side led 3–0 by the 33rd minute, but were soon completely overtaken by the usually-underperforming Central Florida side, after consecutive moments of complacency and carelessness.

Although Inter Miami did secure a 4–2 win against Toronto FC in their following outing over the weekend, that match was likewise plagued by late carelessness. They had a dominant 4–0 lead up until the 82nd minute, but once again lost focus, allowing the Canadian side to nail two in the final eight minutes of the game.

The squad in pink will need to hone in on the mental side of their game and tighten up on defense if they have any desire of winning back-to-back MLS Cup titles this fall.

What’s Next For Inter Miami?

Inter Miami head back to South Florida for the last two games before the 2026 FIFA World Cup international break. Still desperately seeking their first win at Nu Stadium since the permanent home base opened in early April, they first welcome the Portland Timbers on Sunday, followed by another shot at home victory against the Philadelphia Union the following week.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Grading Inter Miami’s Theatrical Win Over FC Cincinnati As Messi Records Hat Trick.

While the 2022 World Cup saw 35 MLS players selected across 12 countries—a record representation for the league—the 2026 tournament will see far greater participation. Not only has the World Cup grown, but the league has too, with two more teams than in 2022. 

The U.S. men’s national team and Canada men’s national team are most likely to feature the heaviest contingent of MLS talent, but plenty of other nations will as well. At the same time, nearly every club has a chance of being represented on the world stage. 

Here, Sports Illustrated takes a look at each MLS club, picking out one player from their roster who is the most likely to go to the World Cup next month.

Atlanta United FC — Miguel Almirón (Paraguay)

The Paraguayan veteran could very well be on the pitch against the USMNT in the World Cup opener, set to add to his 79 international caps, previously highlighted by 13 Copa América appearances. While he has lost a step since his starring days with Newcastle United, he stands as an Atlanta United legend and an invaluable piece to a country returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2010.

Likelihood: 9/10

Austin FC — Facundo Torres (Uruguay)

Previously a regular presence on Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay, Torres came under intense fire from the Uruguayan public when he returned to MLS this season with Austin FC. He was an unused sub in recent March friendlies against England and Algeria, but should crack the World Cup squad, at least as a depth player.

Likelihood: 7/10

CF Montréal — Prince Owusu (Ghana)

Prince Owusu has gotten off to a stellar start in MLS this season, with six goals and five assists in his first 11 games of the season. While the physical striker has not been a regular for Ghana, he has made two international appearances and only recently made his debut in the November 2025 window. Few other players on CF Montréal stand a chance of making a World Cup squad.

Likelihood: 5/10

Charlotte FC — Tim Ream (USMNT)

Veteran center back Tim Ream stands as the most likely call-up to the World Cup on Charlotte FC’s roster, and the 38-year-old could start for the USMNT in the first matchup against Paraguay. With 80 USMNT caps, he is one of the most experienced players currently in the U.S. player pool.

Likelihood: 9/10

Chicago Fire FC — Mbekezeli Mbokazi (South Africa)

Mbekezeli Mbokazi is one of the most highly touted young defenders in the world and is expected to star at the World Cup with South Africa, having become a regular defensive stalwart for the Chicago Fire this season. While his move to MLS was heavily judged back home, he has helped establish the Fire as one of the finest defensive sides in MLS.

Likelihood: 8/10

Colorado Rapids — Lucas Herrington (Australia)

There aren’t many teenagers who crack World Cup squads, with tournaments often favoring veteran players, but Colorado Rapids center back Lucas Herrington stands a chance of playing for the Socceroos this summer at just 18 years old. He became the youngest player to debut for Australia in over 40 years in March and started each of the first 11 games for the Rapids this season.

Likelihood: 8/10

Columbus Crew — Steven Moreira (Cabo Verde)

The Columbus Crew will likely have a few players at the World Cup, but none will take on as much national spotlight as Steven Moreira, one of the top players for African minnows, Cabo Verde. The World Cup debutants and the second-smallest nation at the tournament have few top-tier players, with the veteran MLS right back standing out. He has 17 caps and is expected to start.

Likelihood: 9/10

D.C. United — Kye Rowles (Australia)

Kye Rowles is a potential starter for Australia at the World Cup this summer, with 25 international caps and having played for the Socceroos at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. One of the top defenders to come out of the Australian A-League, Rowles has significantly solidified D.C. United in their improvements at the back this season.

Likelihood: 9/10

FC Cincinnati — Miles Robinson (USMNT)

Miles Robinson is the highest-paid center back in MLS and is likely to start for the USMNT this summer, having played a key role in nearly every system in Pochettino’s managerial tenure. While he will battle for time with Tim Ream and others, his tactical versatility should allow him to play plenty of minutes, building on his 2022 World Cup experience.

Likelihood: 8/10

FC Dallas — Petar Musa (Croatia)

Petar Musa could be leading the line for some of the best midfielders in the world this summer, standing out as the best Croatian forward across world soccer. He has been a consistent international presence in his 10 recent caps and has been one of the most productive offensive players in MLS over the past two seasons. Standing at 6’3” and with a knack for goalscoring, he’ll hope to give Luka Modrić one last World Cup to remember.

Likelihood: 8/10

Houston Dynamo FC — Jack McGlynn (USMNT)

The UEFA World Cup playoffs weren’t friendly to the Houston Dynamo’s hopes of having a player at the World Cup, with star winger Mateusz Bogusz falling short of qualifying for the tournament with Poland. Instead, U.S. midfielder Jack McGlynn holds an outside shot of making the USMNT after impressing at the 2025 Gold Cup and scoring against Group D opponents, Türkiye, in a pre-Gold Cup friendly.

Likelihood: 3/10

Inter Miami CF — Dayne St. Clair (Canada)

You were expecting Lionel Messi in this spot, weren’t you? The Argentine legend has not committed to playing in the World Cup with La Albiceleste this summer, potentially favoring his final World Cup moment being the title-winning day in Qatar. Instead, we’ve gone with a lock for the tournament in Canadian backstop and Inter Miami starting goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who is in contention to start for the co-hosts after splitting games with Orlando City’s Maxime Crépeau since manager Jesse Marsch took over in 2024.

Likelihood: 9.5/10

LA Galaxy — Joseph Paintsil (Ghana)

Joseph Paintsil has not been a regular for Ghana throughout his career, but with 15 caps and recent strong form with the LA Galaxy, he stands a chance of cracking the roster. He recently found the back of the net against Vancouver Whitecaps, bringing him to two goals and two assists in seven games, potentially making him an attractive depth option for manager Carlos Queiroz.

Likelihood: 5/10

Los Angeles FC — Son Heung-min (South Korea)

The most significant South Korean superstar and one of the greatest Asian players in soccer history, Son Heung-min, is bound for his fourth World Cup after helping LAFC to the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals. While he has struggled to score in 2026, his creativity continues to stand out, and the now 33-year-old will remain a key piece of his nation's hopes at the tournament.

Likelihood: 9.5/10

Minnesota United FC — James Rodríguez (Colombia)

James Rodríguez hasn’t enjoyed the most successful spell with Minnesota United, but the target has always been to be in top form for the World Cup, set to be his third time at the tournament, which sparked his stardom in 2014. While he has struggled for minutes in MLS and doesn’t quite have the same edge he did in his younger years, he remains a key leadership piece on Colombia’s squad, even at 34 years old. 

Likelihood: 10/10

Nashville SC — Woobens Pacius (Haiti)

Nashville SC’s best players come from nations with immense soccer talent: Hany Mukhtar from Germany, Cristian Espinoza from Argentina and Sam Surridge from England. As such, the most likely World Cup player in the group is forward Woobens Pacius, who grew up in Canada and developed through the Canadian system, but represents Haiti through his parents. The former Canadian Premier League star has earned regular callups to Haiti since switching his allegiance from Canada, but has made only one official appearance.

Likelihood: 8/10

New England Revolution — Matt Turner (USMNT)

Matt Turner is set to head to his second World Cup with the USMNT and could be the starter for the host nation, having enjoyed an impressive season with the New England Revolution so far. The 31-year-old fell out of favor with Pochettino and his staff, but the recent form and a strong showing in a March friendly against Belgium could see him afforded the starting honors once again, as he had at the 2022 World Cup.

Likelihood: 9/10

New York City FC — Matt Freese (USMNT)

Matt Freese is bound for the World Cup with the host USMNT, having been the starting backstop for the majority of Pochettino’s time leading the program. After taking the starting role at the 2025 Gold Cup, Freese started all but one match for the USMNT through to March of this year. While he has taken a slight dip in form with New York City FC this season and has allowed Turner to re-enter the starter’s conversation, the 27-year-old remains the most likely man between the sticks for the opener against Paraguay.

Likelihood: 9/10

Red Bull New York — Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (Canada)

Red Bull New York could have no World Cup players on the roster, or potentially two, with both Swedish veteran attacker Emil Forsberg and Canadian full-back Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty in contention for their respective nations. We’ve gone with Marshall-Rutty as the most likely, as the 21-year-old left back already boasts over 120 MLS appearances at such a young age and could shore up the defensive aspect of Canada’s left flank, with superstar and captain Alphonso Davies now in doubt for the tournament.

Likelihood: 6/10

Orlando City — Maxime Crépeau (Canada)

Orlando City have been anything but outstanding defensively this season, but will see their goalkeeper head to the World Cup as Maxime Crépeau approaches his first tournament, after missing out on Canada’s first World Cup in 36 years in 2022 due to a now-legendary broken leg in LAFC’s 2022 MLS Cup win over the Philadelphia Union. With 30 Canada caps and a penchant for the big save, Crépeau stands a chance to start the most important games in his nation’s soccer history, having already started through the 2024 Copa América.

Likelihood: 9/10

Philadelphia Union — Danley Jean Jacques (Haiti)

One of the top players for Haiti, Philadelphia Union midfielder Danley Jean Jacques, will be a starring center piece for his nation this summer, leading them back to the World Cup for the first time since 1974. The controlling and defensive midfielder has represented his nation 29 times and played a regular role on the Union’s Supporters’ Shield-winning squad of 2025—and has continued to play regularly, even as the team’s form has dipped significantly in 2026. 

Likelihood: 9/10

Portland Timbers — Finn Surman (New Zealand)

The Portland Timbers will see center back Finn Surman heading to the World Cup with New Zealand, who were one of the first teams to qualify for the competition back in March of 2025. The 22-year-old has started regularly for the Timbers over the past two seasons, including every match in 2025, becoming one of the few New Zealanders playing in a top-10 league worldwide. On the most recent March squad, he was one of just 10 players playing outside Australia or New Zealand. 

Likelihood: 9/10

Real Salt Lake — Diego Luna (USMNT)

Diego Luna missed out on the March camp for the USMNT due to injury, but has been one of the greatest benefactors of Pochettino’s era, earning plenty of trust through 2025, highlighted by his role in the 2025 Gold Cup. Since returning from injury, the diminutive and skillful midfielder has been stellar with Real Salt Lake, scoring three goals and three assists in his first seven games, while showcasing elusive dribbling skills few other players in the U.S. pool possess. While he’s not a lock, the 22-year-old stands a good chance of making the team.

Likelihood: 7/10

San Diego FC — Aníbal Godoy (Panama)

Aníbal Godoy played for Panama at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and will likely return to the tournament this summer, now a 36-year-old veteran who still has plenty left to give. While San Diego FC has struggled in 2026 after an outstanding 2025, Godoy has been a key player throughout and is a machine in the team’s midfield transition. Boasting over 250 MLS appearances since making his 2015 debut, he will build on his 159 international caps this summer, taking on the UEFA giants of Croatia and England in the group stage, as well as Ghana.

Likelihood: 9/10

San Jose Earthquakes — Timo Werner (Germany)

The San Jose Earthquakes have been stellar this season, but are unlikely to have any players at the World Cup. Before Niko Tsakiris’ recent injury, which manager Bruce Arena says will “keep him out a while,” he stood as the best chance for the USMNT, having scored two goals and seven assists this season. Now, there are no players on the team who stand even an outside shot, unless Germany makes a shock turn to Timo Werner, who has four goals and three assists in seven games.

Likelihood: 0.25/10

Seattle Sounders FC — Cristian Roldan (USMNT)

Cristian Roldan is one of the most divisive players in the USMNT sphere when it comes to his potential inclusion on the World Cup roster. At 30 years old, with World Cup experience and a calmness on the ball, he likely stands a strong chance of making it. While he may not play at all, his presence and leadership have been vital to Pochettino’s tenure, and he could be one of the final names on the roster for this summer.

Likelihood: 7/10

Sporting Kansas City — Zorhan Bassong (Canada)

Sporting Kansas City is amid what could be a historically bad MLS campaign, leaving few options for a World Cup squad. The most likely to make the tournament would be Zorhan Bassong, the fullback who boasts seven caps with Canada and is seen as a third option at right or left back, a potential position of concern for the co-hosts due to injuries. 

Likelihood: 5/10

St. Louis CITY SC — Lukas MacNaughton (Canada)

St. Louis CITY SC has struggled this season and has no likely World Cup players. However, Canadian center-back Lukas MacNaughton could work his way into Marsch’s squad if several injuries strike the Canadian pool, despite not representing the senior squad since 2022. 

Likelihood: 1/10

Toronto FC — Derrick Etienne Jr. (Haiti)

Derrick Etienne Jr. has been a consistent player for Haiti’s national team over the past year and has amassed 49 caps since his senior international debut in 2016, scoring eight goals. While he is not likely to be a starter, his two-goal contributions and consistent minutes with Toronto FC this season should put him on the squad, with the potential to showcase himself against the global titans that are Brazil and Morocco, as well as against Scotland in both nations' return to the World Cup for the first time in the new millennium.

Likelihood: 9/10

Vancouver Whitecaps FC — Andrés Cubas (Paraguay)

Andrés Cubas is arguably one of the most important players on his team in MLS, playing a commanding defensive midfield role with Vancouver Whitecaps, while holding a similar responsibility in Paraguay’s setup heading into the World Cup. A tough-tackling central presence, he has shut down Lionel Messi for both club and country on several occasions and could be the key to his nation in a challenging group against the USMNT, Türkiye and Australia. 

Likelihood: 9/10

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as The Most Likely Player From Every MLS Team to Play in the World Cup.

What may have been a surprise, though, was the giant pay raise Messi received, not because he doesn’t deserve it, but rather, because of the sheer total: $25 million base salary with a $28.3 million guaranteed compensation. Despite being in the twilight of his career, the 38-year-old led Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup last winter, setting a historic postseason record for goal contributions with 15 total, six goals and nine assists. He also became the first player to win back-to-back MLS MVP awards. The lavish salary makes sense.

Inter Miami don’t just dole out the cash for Messi, though. They pay a pretty penny for fellow Argentinian superstar Rodrigo De Paul too, although his wage feels like petty cash compared to what Messi gets. De Paul earns a $7.5 base salary with $9.6 million guaranteed compensation this season, the third most of anyone in the league. With two of the league’s top three earners, the Herons were bound to be the club with the most expensive payroll, paying a whopping $54.6 million in guaranteed compensation, nearly half of which goes to one of the greatest players of all time.

LAFC come in at second, yet they are over $20 million in spending behind Inter Miami. The Western Conference side spends one-third of its grand bill of $32.7 million in guaranteed compensation on South Korean star forward Son Heung-min, who has the second-largest salary in MLS, sandwiched between Messi and De Paul with a base salary $10.3 million and $11.1 million in guaranteed compensation.

Inter Miami and LAFC are by far the two biggest spenders, but it seems to be worth the investment. The Herons have had great success since Messi’s arrival, winning the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters’ Shield ahead of the league title last season, and LAFC have dominated the Western Conference in past few years, with deep postseason runs and even winning the MLS Cup in 2022.

Sporting Kansas City and the Philadelphia Union both have the least expensive payrolls this season at $12.4 million and $11. 7 million in guaranteed compensation respectively, perhaps one of several reasons both currently sit at the bottoms of their conferences.

The Top 10 Most Expensive Payrolls in MLS

Guaranteed compensation includes a player’s base salary and all signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the term of the player’s contract, including option years, per MLSPA.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as The 10 MLS Clubs With the Most Expensive Payrolls—Inter Miami Reign Supreme.

The salaries, released Tuesday, are the first of two annual releases by the MLSPA and are current as of April 16, 2026. The average guaranteed compensation for the league’s players is $688,816.

Messi signed a three-year contract extension with the Herons through the 2028 season last October, right before leading the club to its first MLS Cup title. His base salary of $25 million, including guaranteed compensation of $28.3 million, this season marks a drastic increase from the $12 million base and guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million he earned last year, per the MLS Players Association salary guide from October.

While the 38-year-old Argentinian superstar’s salary makes him by far the U.S. top flight’s highest-paid player, he actually takes home significantly more cash. Inter Miami actually pay him $70 to $80 million annually, according to club owner Jorge Mas, making the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion the second-highest paid player in the world, behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s estimated $230 on-field salary with Al Nassr.

In addition to his salary, Messi earns money through an MLS-related deal with adidas and receives a cut of revenue sharing from Apple TV, among other business ventures, all of which brought his annual earnings to around $135 million in 2025, a number that has likely increased this season, with the salary pay raise and plethora of 2026 FIFA World Cup endorsements.

Way behind Messi, LAFC’s Son Heung-min is the second highest-paid player in MLS with a base salary of of $10.3 million and guaranteed compensation of $11.1 million. Miami’s Rodrigo De Paul sits in third with a base salary of $7.5 million and guaranteed compensation of $9.6 million.

Here’s a look at the top 10 salaries in MLS in 2026, which include players for nine different clubs.

Top 10 Player Salaries in MLS as of April 16, 2026

Guaranteed compensation includes a player’s base salary and all signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the term of the player’s contract, including option years, per MLSPA.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Top 10 MLS Salaries in 2026: Lionel Messi Earns Giant Pay Raise.

After an extensive two-month trial, Fernández signed with USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive FC, the second-tier club announced Tuesday. He will play striker both on the pitch and on-screen.

“Cristo is a great addition to our roster, adding another attacking threat to our forward line,” Locomotive manager Junior Gonzalez said. “His passion for the game and leadership qualities for our locker room allow us to continue growing the positive culture we strive for as a club.”

The 35-year-old has trained with the El Paso side since early March and even featured in their preseason match against New Mexico United, clocking 30 minutes. He also tried out for Chicago Fire II, scoring a goal for the MLS Next Pro team in a preseason friendly.

Soccer Player to Actor to Soccer-Playing Actor to Actor Playing Soccer

Fernández began his soccer career at the youth level with Tecos FC in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he was born, working his way up to the second division of the now-extinct Liga MX side, in pursuit of a professional career. A knee injury, however, set his course anew. He briefly joined Puerto Rico’s Guayama FC, before pivoting to acting, moving to the United Kingdom to pursue his master’s degree.

The actor featured in several indie films before receiving the ultimate opportunity to blend both of his passions in Ted Lasso, where he played Rojas, an enthusiastic striker for fictional Premier League side AFC Richmond.

“Since I was little, the first thing I did as soon I started walking was play soccer, like many of us in Mexico,” Fernández told Grupo Formula in 2021. “But then I wanted to get rid of soccer entirely because it was something that hurt me [after he gave up on trying to become a professional].

“It’s something I pursued and things didn’t go as I wanted. But regardless of how much I tried, soccer returned to me [through Ted Lasso] and here we are, that’s life, right?”

Now, soccer returns to Fernández in an even more tangible way. El Paso Locomotive, who sit fourth of 12 in the Western Conference standings, return to action on May 27 for the group stage of the USL Cup, facing AV Alta FC, and return to league play on May 30, battling Lexington SC.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Ted Lasso Star Signs Professional Soccer Contract With U.S. Club.

“I don’t know who said that,” the 34-year-old told Apple TV after posting his first two MLS assists in Minnesota United’s 2–2 draw with Austin FC on Sunday. “I think it was in Colombia to get views, to get likes. But I think they should inform themselves a bit more about all these things. The only person who will know how long I want to play is me.”

“I’m going to say with plenty of time in advance [when I intend to retire], but right now I think I have a few more years. All those things they’re saying are false. I think it’s bad for the whole country, for fans because they believe things that aren’t true, and for me, of course. I’ve never said that.”

Another James Rodriguez assist! This time it's Joaquín Pereyra who puts it in the back of the net! pic.twitter.com/4vGuwS3Hy6

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 11, 2026

The 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner signed a short-term contract through June with Minnesota ahead of the 2026 MLS season and had gotten off to a slow start in the U.S.’s top flight, playing just 104 minutes across four matches, before making a 32-minute appearance against Austin on Sunday. 

Taking on Los Verdes, James turned back the clock and showed some of the thrilling qualities that stunned fans through much of the past two decades. First, it was a perfectly-weighted cross for Anthony Markanich’s finish, before a slicing pass to Joaquín Pereyra to help the Loons claim a point. 

After the match, James not only shut down the retirement rumors on Apple TV, but also said he is set to join Los Cafeteros for a pre-World Cup camp on May 17, making Wednesday’s match against the Colorado Rapids likely his final competitive minutes before the tournament. 

Will James Return to Minnesota?

James may have pushed aside retirement, but it looks increasingly unlikely that he will return to Minnesota. His current short-term deal runs through June 30, and according to reports, he and the club have decided not to exercise the option to extend it through the remainder of the season. 

As for what comes next for the veteran star? It remains unclear. However, the focus is solely on Colombia’s World Cup run and his return to a tournament that launched him into the global spotlight 12 years ago.

Colombia will face Costa Rica in Bogotá on May 29 in a World Cup send-off match, before taking on Jordan in a friendly in San Diego on June 7. Los Cafeteros open their group stage schedule on June 17 against Uzbekistan in Mexico City, before facing DR Congo and Portugal in Miami to wrap up Group K action. 

“Next week, I’ll be with them,” James said. “Obviously, I want to think about what’s coming up. I’m at a certain age, and I have to think about everything that is coming, which I think will be good. Day to day, I train well. I take good care of my body, and if they give me 30, 40 minutes or the whole match, I have to be ready.”

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as World Cup Golden Boot Winner James Rodriguez Speaks Out on Retirement Rumors.

Lewandowski played the final 13 minutes in Barcelona’s 2–0 win over Real Madrid that made them La Liga champions. Following the game, the veteran striker spoke to Polish outlet Eleven Sports, and made some telling revelations about his future.

“There might be an option to go to an inferior league,” Lewandowski said, potentially referring to MLS, via SPORT. “I’m almost 38, but I feel good physically, so I’m considering it. I have to consider the possibility that it might be time to play more freely and enjoy life. Maybe that option arises, and I’m not ruling it out.

“What will I do come the fall? I don’t know. I just found out that I have 51 days left on my contract, so I still have time. I’ll listen to a few more offers and then make a decision.”

Chicago Fire Confirm Robert Lewandowski Interest

Lewandowski’s words come only a few days after Chicago Fire sporting director, Gregg Broughton, gave an interview with talkSPORT, confirming the longstanding interest the club and MLS in general have in the legendary Pole.

“Robert [Lewandowski] is a player that the MLS as a league is interested in,” Broughton said. “Don’t forget that the players within the MLS, and this is something unique about the league, is the players are owned by the league rather than the clubs themselves.

“So, we’ve put our interest forward in terms of trying to bring a player of that caliber to Chicago Fire. Again, Robert is still a Barcelona player and it wouldn’t be the right thing for me to do to talk about a player who’s under contract at another club.”

Some reports already have speculated that Chicago are aiming to lure Lewandowski with a salary that makes him one of the highest earners in MLS. Elsewhere, AC Milan and other Serie A teams have also been linked with the soon-to-be 38-year-old.

Barcelona are also interested in keeping Lewandowski but with a significantly reduced salary and role, something the striker has reportedly been unwilling to accept.

One thing that’s out of the question, though, is Lewandowski calling it quits after this season.

Lewandowski Dismisses Retirement Amid Uncertain Future

In his interview with Eleven Sports, Lewandowski also dismissed the possibility of retirement.

Fellow Pole, Wojciech Szczęsny, sarcastically said recently that Lewandowski should retire and then study potential offers, alluding to his own temporary retirement before signing with Barcelona as a free agent in Sept. 2024.

When asked about that possibility, Lewandowski shut down any retirement talk.

“You know how Wojciech [Szczęsny] is,” Lewandowski said. “It’s not like I wake up and something hurts. I appreciate where I am, and I’m enjoying it. We’ll see what comes next, but what’s clear is that I’m going to continue playing.”

With that settled, where Lewandowski plays next season will continue to be a hot topic of discussion in the coming weeks.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Robert Lewandowski Drops Huge MLS Hint, Reveals Stance on Retirement.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami bounced back from last week’s humiliating upset to Florida rivals Orlando City with a 4–2 win over Toronto FC, which marked the first match with over 43,000 fans at the newly-expanded BMO Field, which will host six World Cup games in Toronto this summer. 

Meanwhile, over in the Western Conference, the top of the table clash between the San Jose Earthquakes and Vancouver Whitecaps ended in a 1–1 draw to cap off Saturday night, before the Houston Dynamo thrashed LAFC 4–1 in Sunday Night Soccer—just after James Rodríguez posted his first MLS assists in Minnesota United’s 2–2 draw with Austin FC. 

With a thrilling weekend of Matchday 12 action in the books and ahead of a double gameweek for most squads, here’s how teams stack up in Sports Illustrated’s latest MLS Power Rankings, including some massive shifts.

MLS Power Rankings Matchday 12: Clubs 30–11

30. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 30)
29. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 29)
28. St. Louis CITY SC (Previous: 27)
27. Atlanta United (Previous: 26)
26. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 25)
25. Orlando City (Previous: 24)
24. CF Montréal (Previous: 28)
23. D.C. United (Previous: 24)
22. Toronto FC (Previous: 19)
21. Portland Timbers (Previous: 23)
20. Austin FC (Previous: 18)
19. Red Bull New York (Previous: 17)
18. Columbus Crew (Previous: 15)
17. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 20)
16. San Diego FC (Previous; 13)
15. FC Dallas (Previous: 16)
14. LA Galaxy (Previous: 14)
13. Charlotte FC (Previous: 13)
12. Minnesota United (Previous: 10)
11. New York City FC (Previous: 12)

10. New England Revolution 🆙 (Previous: 21)

We’ve given the New England Revolution one of the most significant bumps this week, as it is truly remarkable the consistency this team has shown over the last while. Under new manager Marko Mitrović, it has consistently felt as though we were waiting for things to revert to mid-table. Still, it’s 11 games into the regular season, and the Revs find themselves sitting pretty, with the best home start in club history at 6-0-0. Might they be an MLS Cup contender, even?

While they weren’t dominant in a 2–1 victory over the struggling Philadelphia Union this weekend, the performance still showed some of their best elements. Carles Gil added his fourth of the season for the 87th-minute winning strike, after setting up Luca Langoni earlier in the match. Between the sticks, potential USMNT World Cup starter Matt Turner made one save, good enough for his side to win. 

The Revolution are not a possession-dominant team; they’re not doing it in the prettiest of styles, and they certainly aren’t scoring at an elite clip—15th in the league. However, they’re still delivering elite results and an uplifting spell after finishing 11th and 14th in the Eastern Conference the past two seasons. 

9. Chicago Fire 📉 (Previous: 7)

For everything that has gone right for the Chicago Fire this season, things have started to revert to a more mid-table level. This weekend’s 3–1 loss to Red Bull New York was an example of that, with Gregg Berhalter’s men giving RBNY its first win in six games. 

This week saw the Fire shift to a 4-2-3-1 out of possession and 4-4-2 on the ball, rather than the 4-3-3 that they have played in for most of 2026. With this shift, Hugo Cuypers had to adjust to playing with a strike partner and often crossed his runs with Maren Haile-Selassie, staying off the scoresheet until the 88th minute. 

It’s three losses in a row now for the Fire, and they will look to return to winning ways against D.C United midweek, hoping to turn a corner ahead of the World Cup break.   

8. Real Salt Lake 🤝 (Previous: 8)

It wasn’t a week that Real Salt Lake will be too fond of, dropping a 3–1 result to FC Dallas in a game that could prove pivotal in the second tier of teams in the Western Conference. 

Yet, it was a clash of tactical approaches and identities that eventually spelled RSL’s demise in this one. FC Dallas absorbed pressure and allowed a Diego Luna-led RSL buildup to maintain 73% possession, while also drawing the visitors into a high defensive line. That opened up space for FC Dallas to exploit, none more so than on Sam Sarver’s exceptional 3–1 goal in second-half stoppage time, where he ran the entire length of the field. 

For Luna, his World Cup hopes were likely lofted by the performance, creating three chances and scoring. Still, the Claret and Cobalt will hope their identity finds a winning way against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday. 

7. FC Cincinnati 📉 (Previous: 6)

Superb Evander chip 😱

Cincinnati leads 2-0! pic.twitter.com/rzBrWGprah

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 10, 2026

A game where Kévin Denkey and Evander both scored? It was a fun, rare occurrence for FC Cincinnati, despite the 2–2 draw on the road against Charlotte FC, who saw elevated performances from Pep Biel and Idan Toklomati. 

Evander’s goal, as seen above, should contend for one of the best goals of the season, and the Brazilian midfielder continued his strong spell of productive form, now with six goals in his last five matches. Denkey, meanwhile, has scored five in his last four appearances, his best spell yet since joining the Ohio club ahead of the 2025 campaign. 

The Gary Lions are up to sixth in the Eastern Conference now, hitting their stride and will fancy their in-form attack against Inter Miami’s faulty defense in midweek action.

6. Inter Miami 🆙 (Previous: 9)

Bravo, Guillermo Hoyos. After several missteps from defender Maxi Falcón, the interim manager opted to drop the center back from the starting lineup this weekend, leading to a more coherent backline in a 4–2 win against Toronto FC—a result that, if it weren’t for David Ayala’s miskick, should have been even more convincing.

With the improvements around him and continued strong form from Rodrigo De Paul, Lionel Messi continued to hold up his end, scoring a goal and providing two assists to break the record for the fastest player to reach 100 goal contributions in MLS regular-season history. 

There are still plenty of issues with Miami, and Germán Berterame struggled mightily once again, missing gaping goals twice in the performance, but with strong play from Messi, De Paul and Luis Suárez, the Herons have floated to second in the Eastern Conference ahead of the midweek clash against FC Cincinnati.

5. LAFC 📉 (Previous: 4)

LAFC had a challenging week, crashing out of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals in the second leg against Liga MX’s Deportivo Toluca, before quickly regrouping only to fall 4–1 to the Houston Dynamo in front of home fans. 

While the Black and Gold were victims of Jack McGlynn’s potent left-foot strikes and desire to make a last-gasp run towards the USMNT World Cup squad, they also showed gaps in midfield. Houston simply had no issues playing through the midfield triangle of Stephen Eustàquio, Mark Delgado and Son Heung-min, leaving space for Guillherme, Lawrence Enalli and McGlynn to exploit. 

As a team, should LAFC worry? Probably not, given they were coming off a gruelling Concacaf run and were without the suspended Denis Bouanga. Yet, productivity is becoming a concern for Son, who now has no goals and seven assists in nine MLS matches this season. 

After a week they’ll want to forget, it becomes critical to find a win against St. Louis CITY SC on Wednesday, before a testing game against Nashville SC on Saturday. 

4. Seattle Sounders 🤝 (Previous: 4)

The Seattle Sounders are a weird team right now. They dropped points to Sporting Kansas City, a side that lost 6–0 to the Portland Timbers this weekend, and then drew with San Diego FC on home turf. 

This week’s draw wasn’t for lack of chances, creating 2.53 xG and putting 26 shots towards San Diego’s goal in the 1–1 finish, but rather the continued search for an outright and potent goalscorer, since each of Jordan Morris, Albert Rusnák and Jesús Ferreira has yet to show they can truly take a game over this season. 

Could that answer be Danny Musovski? The North Macedonian international scored 18 goals in 2025 and netted his first of the season after coming in to play in a two-striker setup for 27 minutes with Morris in this match. Don’t be surprised if that’s an approach manager Brian Schmetzer pursues. 

At the back, there’s nothing to worry about. The defense has conceded a league-best six goals in 10 games, and sitting fourth in the Western Conference, they have two games in hand on teams around them. Two draws to San Diego and Sporting Kansas City aren’t great, but it’s far from time to worry about the Sounders right now.

3. Nashville SC 🤝 (Previous: 3)

Nashville SC is going to have a tough spell. Not only did they fall short of beating Liga MX’s Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals this week, but they also saw Patrick Yazbek and Edvard Tagseth suffer significant injuries, taking out two of their best players this season. 

Andy Najar remains one of the most exciting fullbacks in MLS and showed that with his assist in this weekend’s 2–2 draw with D.C. United, and the brace off the bench from Warren Madrigal was also a standout moment of the weekend. Although, without Sam Surridge in the lineup, the Nashville attack misses a finishing touch, and Hany Mukhtar doesn’t quite work as a central attacker.

This week doesn’t get any easier for Nashville. First, it’s a midweek visit to the Revolution, who are unbeaten at home, before hosting LAFC and Denis Bouanga’s return from suspension on the weekend. Good luck!

2. San Jose Earthquakes 🤝 (Previous: 2)

Preston Judd is the breakout player of 2026. The 26-year-old scored just four minutes into this week’s eventual 1–1 draw at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps, netting his eighth goal of the season in just 12 games, eclipsing his previous career-high of seven from last season.

While Judd’s fourth-minute goal stood out, it was an admirable performance considering the Earthquakes’ two best chance creators, Timo Werner and Niko Tsakiris, were sidelined with injuries. Still, they didn’t have many outstanding spells of possession or attacking opportunities in this one, and they didn't hold momentum at any stage of the game beyond the first seven minutes. 

Daniel Munie and Reid Roberts had another stellar showing at center back, and the late effort to keep the ball out of high-xG areas stood out, allowing the Earthquakes to grab a point on a night when they were second-best. 

After back-to-back draws, the Supporters’ Shield leaders look to return to winning ways against Seattle and FC Dallas this week. 

1. Vancouver Whitecaps 🤝 (Previous: 1)

When the Vancouver Whitecaps hit the road for eight straight games due to FIFA taking over operations at BC Place, it was fair to guess that they might slide from form. Two weeks in, it’s two 1–1 draws to the LA Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes, respectable results without German superstar Thomas Müller in the lineup due to illness. 

Saturday’s draw was far better than last week's, though. Making his first start, 21-year-old winger Bruno Caicedo was a consistent threat down the left wing, and 20-year-old left back Tate Johnson bolted forward throughout the performance, while making six tackles. Andrés Cubas also continued to prove his prowess as the best defensive midfielder in MLS. 

Sebastian Berhalter, looking to make a final impression in the hunt for a spot on the USMNT’s World Cup squad, scored a skillful trivela for the 1–1 goal, bringing him to four goals and seven assists. He is the cornerstone of Vancouver's transition right now and should be on the World Cup squad as he continues to evolve in the role. 

“He has a great belief, and he’s also very optimistic in his play,” Vancouver manager Jesper Sørensen said of Berhalter. “That’s why he ended up in situations where he can also be decisive and score goals, like that run he took in for the goal was not necessarily a run you often take from a No. 6 position.”

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Power Rankings: New England Shines at Home, Inter Miami’s Resurgence and More From Matchday 12.

Barça were able to clinch the title by beating Clásico rivals Real Madrid at Camp Nou, extending their winning run in the top flight to 11 games. A sensational Marcus Rashford free kick set the hosts on their way against a Madrid team merely focussed on not brawling one another, then Ferran Torres rounded off a flowing team move to double Barça’s lead in the first half.

Dani Olmo’s flick, which presented Torres with a glorious opening, was Messi-esque, and the Argentine was doubtless tuned in to Sunday’s ongoings in Catalonia after dazzling in Inter Miami‘s 4–2 victory over Toronto FC the previous day.

The reigning MLS Cup holders sit third in the Eastern Conference, having won half of their first 12 games. Messi, meanwhile, has 12 goal contributions in 11 outings, including nine goals. He remains in fine form heading into his sixth World Cup, which he hasn’t fully committed to yet.

Lionel Messi’s Social Media Response to Barcelona’s La Liga Triumph

Woeful financial mismanagement forced Messi out of Barcelona after 21 blissful years in 2021. The Argentine certainly didn’t want to leave Catalonia, but there was no bad blood. It’s a city he adores, and a club that helped him blossom into an all-time great.

Thus, Messi still relishes the Blaugrana’s triumphs. After his former club sealed the La Liga title on a rather novel occasion as their fiercest competitive rivals were the defeated opposition, the 38-year-old posted an image of Flick’s squad on his Instagram story with the words: “Campeones!!! Visca el Barça!!!”

For those who haven’t yet dabbled with Catalan on Duolingo, that translates into: “Champions!!! Long live Barça!!!”

How Many Trophies Have Barcelona Won Since Lionel Messi Left?

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner claimed a whopping 34 major honors with Barcelona, including 10 La Liga titles. Messi’s Barça retained their crown on multiple occasions, and the Argentine left in 2021 having helped the Blaugrana conquer the continent four times.

Champions League glory has continued to elude Barça since Messi‘s exit, with Flick’s side following last season’s cruel semifinal exit with a disappointed quarterfinal elimination at the hands of domestic rivals Atlético Madrid.

Still, that wasn‘t enough to dampen the mood in Catalonia on Sunday night. This was their third La Liga title celebration in a post-Messi world, having won their first with the Argentine‘s former teammate, Xavi Hernández, in 2023. Barcelona also have a Copa del Rey to their name and three Spanish Super Cups.

Flick, who has said this job will be his last in soccer management, won’t be satisfied until Barça are recognized as Europe‘s finest again. His team are close.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi Offers Four-Word Response to Barcelona’s La Liga Title Triumph.