By failing to lift the trophy against Gamba Osaka, Ronaldo’s drought officially stretches to five years, having last won a club tournament back in 2021, when he claimed the Coppa Italia with Juventus. In that match, the Vecchia Signora defeated Atalanta 2-1, marking what remains Ronaldo’s last official club honor to date.

However, the Portuguese star still has a chance to snap this negative streak before the season ends. Ronaldo could secure his first official title with Al Nassr on May 21, when they face Damac on the final matchday of the Saudi Pro League. A victory in that match, or a draw/defeat for Al Hilal in their respective fixture, would crown Al Nassr as league champions and bring an end to Cristiano’s long wait.

Drought with Al Nassr

The recent defeat against Gamba Osaka highlights an unusual trend in the Portuguese forward’s career, as he accumulates several final losses with Al Nassr. Ronaldo has now suffered defeat in four finals since his arrival in Saudi Arabia, finishing as runner-up in the King’s Cup (2023-24), the Saudi Super Cup (2024-25 and 2025-26), and the recent AFC Champions League Two.

The only trophy Ronaldo has celebrated with Al Nassr is the Arab Club Champions Cup, where he led his team to victory with a brace against Al Hilal. However, the tournament is not officially recognized by FIFA or the AFC, meaning it does not count toward Cristiano’s official history books.

A different story with Portugal

Despite his struggles at the club level, Cristiano’s success with his national team tells a completely different story, having already led Portugal to three major international titles.

They first claimed the UEFA Euro 2016 by defeating France in the final, followed by triumphs in the UEFA Nations League in both 2019 and 2025, defeating the Netherlands and Spain, respectively.

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Cristiano will look to guide his country to their first-ever world title, which would also be the first one in his legendary personal record.

Shortly after Al Nassr’s defeat, the Turkish defender posted an image on his X (formerly Twitter) account posing alongside the Saudi Super Cup and the two AFC Champions League Elite trophies that Al Ahli won in the 2024-25 season and the current campaign.

Al Ahli had previously claimed the Saudi Super Cup by defeating Al Nassr on penalties after a 2-2 draw, a match in which Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring. Furthermore, Al Ahli successfully defended their AFC Champions League Elite title this season after securing a 1-0 victory over FC Machida Zelvia in the final.

Past tensions between Demiral and Al Nassr

Demiral’s post is widely understood to be directed at the Al Nassr faithful, following recent tensions involving the Turkish defender at Alawwal Park, where Al Ahli suffered a 2-0 defeat. At the end of that match, Demiral mockingly flashed his AFC Champions League Elite winner’s medal at the Al Nassr fans.

Third-placed Al Ahli, alongside second-placed Al Hilal, were among Al Nassr’s main challengers in the Saudi Pro League title race. However, after that 2-0 defeat, the league leaders extended their advantage, turning the title race into a straight shootout between the top two teams in the table.

Ronaldo still has a chance for a title this season

Despite suffering a devastating defeat that left Al Nassr empty-handed on the continental stage, Cristiano Ronaldo still has a chance to win his first official title with the Saudi club.

On May 21, they will face Damac in their final league match of the season, where a victory would crown them the new champions of the Saudi Pro League. Even a draw or a defeat could still secure them the title, provided Al Hilal fail to win their match against Al Fayha.

Having started the match with tremendous intensity, it seemed only a matter of time before Al Nassr would break the deadlock. However, the hosts failed to capitalize on a string of excellent chances—a wasteful display that Gamba Osaka ruthlessly punished.

With 15 minutes remaining in the first half, the Japanese side made its first dangerous venture forward count, as Deniz Hummet unleashed a brilliant strike to score what would prove to be the match-winner.

The second half was entirely one-way traffic, with Al Nassr throwing everything forward in search of an equalizer while Gamba Osaka sat deep and absorbed the pressure. Anchored by a masterful performance from goalkeeper Rui Araki, the visitors thwarted every attack, denying the hosts an epic comeback and leaving Cristiano Ronaldo waiting to lift his first official trophy in Al Nassr colors.

According to information from A Bola, the Portuguese manager believes this is the ideal moment to step aside and move away from Saudi soccer following his respective stints with Al Hilal and Al Nassr.

After closing his chapter in Saudi Arabia, Jesus has reportedly already scheduled a meeting with Fenerbahce executives in Lisbon for late May to evaluate a proposal from the Turkish club. The same report indicates that the Turkish giants are planning a massive financial package for the manager, which would represent the highest salary of his coaching career.

The Portugal National Team on the horizon

Should the Fenerbahce move fail to materialize, managing the Portugal National Team remains a highly enticing option for Jorge Jesus. According to reports from ESPN, the tactician is well aware that he is a strong candidate to succeed Roberto Martinez, who is expected to vacate the position following the 2026 World Cup.

With the imminent departure of Jose Mourinho from Benfica and intense rumors linking him to a new tenure at Real Madrid, Jesus would have a clear path to becoming the new head coach of Portugal, keeping his dream alive of leading the national team at the 2030 World Cup.

A final dance for Jesus?

If Jesus does depart Al Nassr at the end of the season, he still has two massive finals left to contest. The first comes on Saturday, May 16, when they face Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final, presenting an opportunity to become the first Saudi club to lift this trophy.

While they could also be crowned Saudi Pro League champions that very same Saturday if Al Hilal fail to defeat Neom, they may alternatively have to face a title-deciding season finale against Damac on May 21.

In that scenario, Al Nassr must win the match to secure the league title; a draw, coupled with an Al Hilal victory over Al Fayha on the final matchday, would snatch the championship right out of Ronaldo’s hands.

While Sinner is now the new owner of the record for the longest winning streak in Masters 1000 events with 33 triumphs, he still has a long way to go to claim the absolute record on the ATP Tour.

Djokovic currently holds the record for the longest winning streak in ATP Tour history (since 1990), having achieved 43 consecutive victories between 2010 and 2011. It remains a difficult milestone for Sinner to overtake, though the Italian recently surpassed Andre Agassi on the all-time list to claim seventh place with his 28 victories.

The top eight list

Should the World No. 1 extend his current streak, he could soon bypass Pete Sampras, who sits just one win ahead of him. However, reaching the absolute summit of the leaderboard will be a monumental challenge for the Italian.

Top 8 longest winning streaks (since 1990):

Sinner going for Career Golden Masters

Following his victory over Medvedev, Sinner is now preparing to face Casper Ruud in the grand final in Rome. In addition to the opportunity to become the first Italian to win the tournament since Adriano Panatta lifted the title in 1976, the World No. 1 could also complete his Career Golden Masters—winning all nine Masters 1000 tournaments at least once.

The only player in tennis history to achieve this feat is Novak Djokovic, who remarkably did so on two separate occasions. He first completed the sweep in 2018 at the Cincinnati Masters, before repeating the achievement at the same tournament in 2020.

According to Saudi outlet Al-Riyadiyah, manager Jorge Jesus decided to leave Brozovic out of the call-up as the team’s omitted foreign player. Conversely, the report indicates that both Coman and Angelo Gabriel, who were previously injury doubts, have been called up by the coach.

In addition to Brozovic, Abdullah Al-Khaibari was not called up as he continues to recover from a muscle injury sustained during practice prior to the dramatic 1-1 draw against Al Hilal. However, Jesus will be able to count on Abdulelah Al Amri, who featured in the last Saudi Pro League match but remained a doubt for Saturday’s final due to fatigue.

Al Nassr set to make history

It could be a historic day for Al Nassr. Beyond the chance for Ronaldo to secure his first official trophy since joining the club, they could become the first Saudi Arabia team to win the AFC Champions League Two.

The occasion could be even more remarkable as Al Nassr have the potential to secure two titles on the same day. If Al Hilal fail to defeat Neom in league play, Ronaldo’s side would be crowned the new Saudi Pro League champions, as they could then add the AFC title to their haul by defeating Gamba Osaka later that evening.

Alternative lineup to face Gamba Osaka?

Despite the magnitude of the match, reports from Saudi Arabia suggest Cristiano Ronaldo might not start for Al Nassr against Gamba Osaka. The manager is reportedly considering an alternative lineup to manage player fatigue ahead of the season finale against Damac.

In this scenario, Jesus reportedly plans to start Abdullah Al-Hamdan, who serves as Ronaldo’s natural replacement on the pitch. The report also identified usual substitutes Hayder Abdulkareem, Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Ali Al-Hassan, Saad Al-Nasser, and Sultan Al-Ghannam as potential starters for the final.

While Cristiano scored 86 goals in 89 appearances across his first two campaigns at Real Madrid, Mbappe has recorded 85 goals in 101 appearances for the Spanish giants.

The Frenchman still has two matches remaining to equal or overtake the legendary striker’s mark. Although the league title has already been claimed by Barcelona, Real Madrid still face matches against Sevilla and Athletic Club to close out the season.

A tumultuous end to the season for Real Madrid

Real Madrid will finish the season without silverware, marking the second consecutive year the club has failed to win a major trophy. The supporters made their frustration clear by whistling Mbappe when he came on as a substitute in the 2-0 victory against Real Oviedo.

Adding to the tension are dressing room issues. Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni were reportedly involved in a fight during training. Although Valverde later denied being hit by Tchouameni, Real Madrid decided to fine both players €500,000 following the incident.

Mbappe and Arbeloa’s contradictions

Coming off the bench to replace Gonzalo Garcia against Real Oviedo likely did not sit well with Mbappe. The forward told reporters after the match that he is currently the fourth option in attack for the manager, behind Vinicius Jr., Garcia, and Franco Mastantuono, adding that the coach’s decision must be respected.

However, during his press conference, Arbeloa offered a different perspective, indicating that he never told Mbappe he was the team’s fourth-choice forward. “I wish I had four forwards; I don’t know what to tell you because I don’t have four forwards, nor have I ever said such a thing to him. He must have misunderstood; I don’t know what to tell you, but I never told him he is the fourth-choice striker,” Arbeloa stated.

“I talk to Leo a lot about the World Cup and the excitement we have. For the past two or three months, we’ve been preparing for it with a training plan that goes beyond what we do at the club,” De Paul revealed in an interview with Lo del Pollo

Furthermore, De Paul indicated that they are undergoing a grueling double-shift physical training program designed to ensure they arrive in peak condition. “We are both pushing ourselves physically to arrive in the best possible shape; we set a double-shift routine for ourselves and we have our own trainer—we’re putting in the work and doing well. It’s separate work from the club with the World Cup in mind,” the Argentine midfielder added.

The Argentine captain previously noted that his participation in North America would depend on how he feels physically day by day. However, his inclusion in Argentina’s 2026 World Cup preliminary roster, combined with De Paul’s revelation, suggests there is a high probability he will defend the title he won in 2022.

De Paul signed with Inter Miami because of Messi

When De Paul’s departure from Atletico Madrid was imminent, rumors linked him to various teams across several leagues, including within Europe. The midfielder noted that despite all the offers, the opportunity to play alongside Messi was one he could not pass up.

“There were a lot of clubs and places, but there is one thing that surpasses all of that, and that is playing next to the greatest of all time (Messi),” De Paul stated. “Anyone would want to live that opportunity; I couldn’t let a situation like that pass, especially being his friend”.

Messi chasing his sixth World Cup appearance

Should Messi confirm his presence in the tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, he will become the only player in history to have competed in six editions of the World Cup.

However, he may not be alone in this record. His long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, is also expected to make his sixth appearance for Portugal, while there is also a possibility that Guillermo Ochoa could join them. According to reports from Mexico, his presence in North America is almost a certainty.

With his 6-2, 6-4 victory over Rublev, Sinner became only the second player to reach the semifinals at the first five Masters 1000 events of a season, a feat Nadal achieved in 2010 and 2011.

Sinner is now preparing to face Daniil Medvedev on Friday, May 15, as he hunts for a spot in the grand final, where he could potentially face Luciano Darderi or Casper Ruud. The World No. 1 is in pursuit of his first title in Rome, aiming to become the second Italian player to win the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

Sinner chasing Djokovic’s Career Golden Masters record

The World No. 1 is currently displaying an incredible level of play, having not lost a match since February 19, when he fell to Jakub Mensik in the Qatar Open final. Now, Sinner is moving closer to lifting his first Rome Masters title, which would allow him to continue setting new benchmarks.

If the Italian is crowned champion, he would become the first player to win six Masters 1000 titles in a row since the format began in 1990. Furthermore, with a victory, Sinner would achieve the Career Golden Masters—winning all nine Masters 1000 tournaments at least once—becoming only the second player in history to accomplish this feat after Djokovic (2018, 2020).

Sinner doesn’t play for the records

Following the victory over Rublev, the Italian noted in his press conference that he does not play to break records, but simply to write his own history.

“I don’t play for records,” Sinner said, according to the ATP website. “I play for my own story. At the same time, it means a lot to me. But tomorrow is another day, a different opponent, different conditions… Emotionally, it takes a lot playing here at home. But at the same time, I definitely try to do my best. It was a good day today”.

The fans’ frustration reportedly stems from his recent off-field controversy. While the French striker was sidelined and recovering from injury, he took a leisure trip to Italy with his girlfriend.

This decision was heavily condemned by Real Madrid supporters, who even launched an online petition to gather signatures demanding that the club part ways with the French forward.

Mbappe unfazed by the boos

Far from showing anger over the reception from the fans, the French striker pointed out that receiving this type of treatment from supporters is normal when the team isn’t winning and must be accepted.

“Boos from the fans? It’s normal. You have to accept it; when you don’t win, it’s normal,” Mbappé said, according to Fabrizio Romano. “It happens at Real Madrid and at any club in the world”.

Mbappe’s difficult moment

Mbappe’s recent weeks have been far from easy. In addition to facing harsh criticism over off-field issues, the forward has become a primary target for fans frustrated by Real Madrid’s lack of major silverware for a second consecutive season.

At the international level, he is also facing scrutiny from his own supporters. Despite the fact that Mbappe headlines France’s 2026 World Cup roster, many French fans believe the Real Madrid star should start on the bench in Didier Deschamps’ side.

According to a poll conducted by the prestigious French outlet L’Équipe, many fans believe Mbappe should be a substitute behind the trio of Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Desire Doue, who are entering the tournament in much better form with their respective clubs.

“More than 93,000 internet users have selected their own lineup for the World Cup. In attack, Ousmane Dembele is widely acclaimed (98.10%). Michael Olise received 97.46% of the votes, closely followed by Desire Doue (97.08%). It is only after this trio that captain Kylian Mbappe appears,” the newspaper shared on its social media platforms.

While Messi has reached 24 braces with Inter Miami, Cristiano Ronaldo has recorded 19 since his arrival at Al Nassr in late 2022. The last time the Portuguese star scored a double was in a 5-2 victory against Al Najma on April 3, 2026.

Despite trailing Messi in the number of braces scored for their new teams, Cristiano leads the way in hat tricks. While the Argentine has only managed to score two during his time in the United States, Ronaldo has already scored three goals in a single match on six occasions.

MLS denied Messi a hat trick vs Cincinnati

Messi delivered an incredible performance at TQL Stadium, scoring his team’s first two goals and providing the assist to Mateo Silvetti for the temporary 3-3 equalizer. However, the Argentine could have walked away with a hat trick to make it 5-3, but MLS ultimately ruled it an own goal by goalkeeper Roman Celentano.

Despite the league’s decision, social media footage shows that from a different angle, the ball did not appear to strike Celentano’s back, suggesting the goal should have been correctly credited to Messi.

How the race to 1,000 goals stands

With Messi’s latest brace against Cincinnati, he narrowed the gap slightly from Cristiano. Though the Portuguese star remains the frontrunner to become the first player in history to reach the 1,000-goal milestone.

Leo now has 909 goals in 1,153 matches throughout his career, while Cristiano has scored 971 goals in 1,321 appearances. This leaves the Portuguese forward just 29 goals away from a mark that, only a few years ago, seemed impossible to reach.

The list represents a significant overhaul compared to the previous World Cup. Several stalwarts have retired from international duty, including Antoine Griezmann, Hugo Lloris, and Olivier Giroud, while Steve Mandanda and Raphael Varane have retired from professional soccer altogether.

The remaining nine players from the previous squad were left out due to tactical decisions by Deschamps. The manager opted to omit Alphonse Areola, Axel Disasi, Benjamin Pavard, Jordan Veretout, Matteo Guendouzi, Youssouf Fofana, Eduardo Camavinga, Kingsley Coman, and Randal Kolo Muani.

Without a doubt, the Real Madrid midfielder’s absence is one of the most notable. Deschamps explained that the decision to snub Camavinga was because he “is coming off a difficult season where he lacked consistency due to a string of injuries”.

France’s final roster

While many nations are currently submitting preliminary 55-man lists, Deschamps decided to move directly to the final 26-player squad that will travel to North America.

Led by Mbappe, here is the official France roster for the 2026 World Cup:

Goalkeepers

• Mike Maignan | AC Milan
• Brice Samba | RC Lens
• Robin Risser | Strasbourg

Defenders

• Jules Kounde | FC Barcelona
• Malo Gusto | Chelsea
• Maxence Lacroix | Crystal Palace
• William Saliba | Arsenal
• Dayot Upamecano | Bayern Munich
• Ibrahima Konate | Liverpool
• Lucas Hernandez | PSG
• Theo Hernandez | Al-Hilal
• Lucas Digne | Aston Villa

Midfielders

• Aurelien Tchouameni | Real Madrid
• N’Golo Kante | Fenerbahçe
• Adrien Rabiot | AC Milan
• Manu Kone | AS Roma
• Warren Zaïre-Emery | PSG

Forwards

• Rayan Cherki | Manchester City
• Desire Doue | PSG
• Bradley Barcola | PSG
• Maghnes Akliouche | AS Monaco
• Ousmane Dembele | PSG
• Michael Olise | Bayern Munich
• Kylian Mbappe | PSG
• Marcus Thuram | Inter Milan
• Jean-Philippe Mateta | Crystal Palace

According to Saudi outlet Al-Riyadiyah, Jesus has prepared several players to start this Saturday, May 16, against Gamba Osaka, including Abdullah Al-Hamdan. The Saudi forward is the player who most frequently replaces Ronaldo on the pitch.

The manager’s decision stems from a desire to manage player fatigue ahead of the Saudi Pro League title decider against Damac. The report also identified usual substitutes Hayder Abdulkareem, Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Ali Al-Hassan, Saad Al-Nasser, and Sultan Al-Ghannam as potential starters for the final.

Jorge Jesus calls up U-21 players

Amid an injury crisis where Al Nassr will be without Marcelo Brozovic, Kingsley Coman, Abdulelah Al Amri, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Angelo Gabriel, and Abdullah Al Khaibari, the Portuguese coach has reportedly called up several players from the club’s U-21 squad.

According to Al-Riyadiyah, Abdulmalik Al-Jaber, Awad Aman, Saad Haqawi, and Sami Al-Najai joined Thursday’s training session ahead of Saturday’s final against Gamba Osaka.

Furthermore, following the recent injury to backup goalkeeper Al-Aqidi, Jorge Jesus has also called up young keeper Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi to serve as Bento’s deputy.

Al Nassr with two finals ahead

In addition to the AFC Champions League Two final, Al Nassr face a massive season finale that will decide the Saudi Pro League title. Ronaldo and company take on Damac in the final matchday of the league, where a victory would crown them the new champions.

Paradoxically, Al Nassr could win two trophies on the same day. If Al Hilal fail to secure a victory against Neom on Saturday, May 16, Cristiano and company would become Saudi Pro League champions before their own kickoff, and could add an international title later that day by defeating Gamba Osaka.

According to Saudi outlet Al-Riyadiyah, Al Nassr’s team doctor, Carlos Miguel, ruled out Brozovic and Abdulelah Al Amri for the final against Gamba Osaka.

The three players reportedly suffered muscle injuries during Al Nassr’s dramatic 1-1 draw against Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. According to the report, the players are expected to undergo an urgent rehabilitation program to be fully recovered for the season finale against Damac.

Many changes for the final

Amid an injury crisis at a vital point in the season—where they have the chance to win two trophies—Jorge Jesus will reportedly make several changes to face Gamba Osaka in the AFC final.

In addition to the aforementioned injuries, Angelo Gabriel and Abdullah Al Khaibari are also expected to miss Saturday’s final against the Japanese side. Both midfielders are dealing with hamstring injuries and are aiming to return for the final matchday of the Saudi Pro League.

A double title chance on the same day

Al Nassr find themselves with an incredible opportunity rarely seen in soccer: they could be crowned champions of the AFC Champions League Two and the Saudi Pro League on the same day.

This is because if Al Hilal fail to secure a victory against Neom on Saturday, May 16, Al Nassr will be the new Saudi Pro League champions. They could also become international champions if they defeat Gamba Osaka later that day.

After a very difficult start to the game, Messi broke the deadlock with a stroke of luck, as the ball deflected off him following a defender’s clearance and found the back of the net to give Inter Miami the opening goal.

Just when it seemed Miami would head into the break with the lead, Kevin Denkey scored a penalty to level the game before halftime. Right at the start of the second half, Pavel Bucha gave the hosts the lead, only for Messi to equalize the score five minutes later.

With the score level, Evander scored a stunning goal to turn the game around, sending TQL Stadium into a frenzy. However, in a quick burst, Mateo Silvetti and German Berterame restored the draw and then the lead for Inter Miami. Just before stoppage time, the Herons made it five with a goal that seemed to mean a hat-trick for Messi, but according to the MLS’ website, it ultimately counted as an own goal by Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano.

At a packed Etihad Stadium, the fans got exactly what they wanted: a dominant performance that leaves City just two points behind Arsenal with only two matches remaining in the season.

Despite the City victory, the Gunners still control their own destiny. Arsenal remain in a strong position to claim their 14th Premier League title, but the margin for error has vanished. They could claim the title in the next round against Burnley with a victory, but only if the Citizens fail to defeat Bournemouth in their respective match.

Arsenal’s path to glory

Arsenal are agonizingly close to lifting the Premier League trophy for the first time since the “Invincibles” 2003–04 season. Beyond domestic glory, Mikel Arteta’s side is also chasing a historic double, as it prepares to face PSG in the Champions League Final at the Puskas Arena.

Arsenal’s remaining schedule:

• Burnley (Home) – May 18
• Crystal Palace (Away) – May 24
• PSG (Champions League) – May 30

Manchester City’s pursuit of the repeat

For Manchester City, Pep Guardiola’s men are exactly where they want to be: lurking just behind the leaders and waiting for a slip-up. While they need Arsenal to drop points in their final two games, City’s focus remain split across two fronts. Before their next league match, they will travel to Wembley to face Chelsea in the FA Cup Final.

Manchester City’s remaining schedule:

• Chelsea (FA Cup Final) – May 16
• Bournemouth (Away) – May 19
• Aston Villa (Home) – May 24

The top of the Premier League standings

Guardiola has opted to keep the Norwegian striker on the bench to manage his fitness ahead of the high-stakes FA Cup Final against Chelsea, set to take place this Saturday, May 16, at Wembley Stadium.

It is undoubtedly a bold gamble by Guardiola. With Haaland leading the Premier League scoring charts with 26 goals, his absence leaves a significant void in the attack for a must-win game. The Spanish manager has turned to Egyptian international Omar Marmoush to lead the line as the central attacking reference.

Guardiola makes more changes against Crystal Palace

The decision to rest star players extends beyond just Erling Haaland. Pep Guardiola has also opted to bench Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku, both of whom have been mainstays in Manchester City’s starting XI this season.

Compared to their previous outing—a dominant 3-0 victory over Brentford—Guardiola has made a total of six changes. In addition to the attacking rotations, Nathan Ake, Tijjani Reijnders, and Nico O’Reilly have also been moved to the bench.

To fill the gaps, the Spanish manager has turned to a mix of defensive solidity and creative flair, handing starts to Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Phil Foden and Savinho.

City fighting to stay in the hunt

This matchup is a pivotal moment for Manchester City and the ultimate destination of the Premier League trophy. Eyes in North London will be glued to this game, as today’s result could set the stage for Arsenal to be crowned the new champions.

The math is simple but high-stakes: if Manchester City fail to secure a victory against Crystal Palace, Arsenal could clinch their 14th Premier League title with a win in their next match on Monday, May 18, when they host Burnley at the Emirates Stadium.

As a result, Al Nassr must now wait until the final matchday against Damac, where they will need a victory to secure the throne. However, alarm bells are ringing as Marcelo Brozovic left the pitch against Al Hilal showing clear signs of pain and could miss the end of the season if the injury proves serious.

Not only could he miss the clash with Damac scheduled for May 21, but he might also be sidelined for the grand final of the AFC Champions League Two on Saturday, May 16, against Japan’s Gamba Osaka.

Interestingly, Al Nassr could win two different titles on the same day; if Al Hilal fail to beat Neom that same Saturday, Ronaldo would be crowned Saudi Pro League champion and could potentially secure the international trophy as well.

Jorge Jesus confirms Brozovic’s injury

While there is no official diagnosis yet, the Al Nassr midfielder was substituted in the 72nd minute for Nader Al Sharari. Manager Jorge Jesus confirmed in the post-match press conference that the change was forced by the Croatian’s physical condition.

“After Brozovic’s injury, I brought on Nader, but after those substitutions the team became more defensive-minded,” the Portuguese coach remarked, discussing the team’s tactical shift following Brozovic’s exit.

Al Nassr await key players

A potential layoff for Brozovic would compound the problems for Jorge Jesus, who is already missing midfielders Angelo and Abdullah Al Khaibari, both of whom sat out the derby against Al Hilal.

The Brazilian has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury suffered during the defeat to Al Qadsiah. He is being evaluated day-to-day, and his presence in the final matches against Gamba Osaka and Damac remains unconfirmed.

The Saudi midfielder suffered a sudden hamstring injury during Al Nassr’s training session last Sunday. This kept him out of the Al Hilal match, and he finds himself in the same day-by-day situation as Angelo regarding a possible return.

Following the match, the Al Nassr captain didn’t hesitate to share a message of hope, indicating that they are only one step away from the long-awaited title. “The dream is close. Heads up, we have one more step to take! Thank you all for the amazing support tonight!” Ronaldo posted on his social media.

The equalizer arrived in agonizing fashion during the final seconds of the game. After a long throw-in from an Al Hilal player intended as a cross, Bento came out to claim the ball but accidentally fumbled it into the back of his own net. The blunder left Ronaldo looking dejected on the bench as the victory slipped away.

Two games, two finals for Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo was quite literally seconds away from his first title in Saudi Arabia. However, the Portuguese forward now has the chance to lift two trophies in the final two matches of the season.

If Al Nassr defeat Damac in the final round of the Saudi Pro League, they will be crowned champions. But before that, they could become champions of the AFC Champions League Two when they face Japan’s Gamba Osaka on Saturday, May 16th.

Interestingly, there is a possibility that Ronaldo could win both titles on the same day. Since Al Hilal are forced to win both of their remaining league matches to stay in the race, a failure to defeat Neom on Saturday, May 16th, would officially make Al Nassr the Saudi Pro League champions—potentially on the very same day they compete for the AFC Champions League Two crown.

Ronaldo’s SPL Golden Boot aspirations fade

Ronaldo was on track to win his third consecutive Saudi Pro League Golden Boot, but those chances have now become highly improbable. After failing to find the net against Al Hilal while Ivan Toney scored in Al Ahli’s victory, the gap in the individual title race has widened significantly.

Ronaldo currently has 26 goals to his name, and with only one match remaining, he must somehow overtake Julian Quiñones (29 goals) and Toney, who leads the standings with 30 goals.

After a high-intensity start, Al Nassr finally broke the deadlock in the first half. Mohamed Simakan pounced on a pinpoint corner from Marcelo Brozovic, firing the ball home to give the hosts the lead.

Al Nassr looked increasingly comfortable throughout the second half, appearing superior in almost every department. However, just as Ronaldo’s title celebrations seemed ready to begin, disaster struck. In the dying moments, Bento misjudged an incoming cross and accidentally turned the ball into his own net, gifting Al Hilal an equalizer and a lifeline in the championship race.

Now, Cristiano Ronaldo must wait until the final matchday, where a victory against Damac would secure his first title in Saudi Arabia. He must be careful, however, as another draw would give Al Hilal the opportunity to snatch the championship from their grasp as the Saudi Pro League standings are heating up, and the title race is more alive than ever.

Following a dominant campaign, Al Nassr enter the final stretch of the season as the sole leader with 82 points. With only two games remaining on their schedule, Ronaldo’s side holds a five-point cushion over Al Hilal. However, the challengers hold a crucial game in hand, making today’s result the ultimate factor in the title race. Follow Al Nassr vs Al Hilal with us for live updates!

The math is simple: a victory today would see Al Nassr crowned champions before the season even concludes. Conversely, a defeat would open the door for Al Hilal to close the gap, potentially overtaking them to snatch the title in the final days of the campaign. Make sure to check the lineups and how to watch the game to ensure you don’t miss a single moment of this crucial matchup!

What happens if Al Nassr win vs Al Hilal?

If Al Nassr defeat Al Hilal today, the title race is over. They would be crowned Saudi Pro League champions with one matchday to spare, as Al Nassr would reach 85 points, making it impossible for Al Hilal—with 77 points and two games in hand—to catch them. This would mark Cristiano Ronaldo’s first official title in Saudi Arabia, rendering their final match against Damac a victory lap.

What happens if Al Nassr and Al Hilal tie?

If the match ends in a draw, Al Nassr will head into the final matchday against Damac with 83 points and the title still on the line, as Al Hilal would stay in second place with 78 points. A victory in that season finale would guarantee Ronaldo his first official trophy with the club.

However, if they were to draw their final match as well, the door would swing wide open for Al Hilal. Should Al Hilal win their two remaining games, they would finish level on points with Al Nassr but would claim the Saudi Pro League title based on the head-to-head tiebreaker across the season series.

What happens if Al Nassr lose to Al Hilal?

A defeat would be the absolute worst-case scenario for Al Nassr, as the title race would no longer be in their hands. A loss would see Al Nassr stay with 82 points as Al Hilal would narrow the gap to just two points with a game in hand.

Should they win their final two matches, they would leapfrog Ronaldo and company to steal the title, regardless of Al Nassr’s result in their season finale against Damac.

The top of the Saudi Pro League table ahead of Al Nassr vs Al Hilal

“We will definitely participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the hosts must take our concerns into account,” the Iranian Federation stated on its official website. “We will compete without any retreat from our beliefs, culture, and convictions”.

The federation’s hesitation stemmed from two specific incidents: recent comments from Donald Trump regarding the safety of the Iranian delegation on U.S. soil, and a recent episode at the Toronto airport where Canadian authorities denied entry to Iranian officials traveling for the FIFA Congress in Vancouver.

Iran’s three demands for the 2026 World Cup

To guarantee their presence at the tournament, Iran have demanded that FIFA oversee the fulfillment of three specific requirements:

• Guaranteed visas: Following the incident in Canada, Iran demand that their entire delegation be granted entry visas to the United States without opposition.
• Comprehensive security: In light of political tensions, the federation requires a total security guarantee for the delegation, covering airports, hotels, transit, and training facilities.
• Sovereign respect: Iran have requested absolute respect for their national anthem and flag throughout their stay, particularly during match protocols.

Group stage schedule and logistics

Iran have been drawn into Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. Their group stage matches are currently scheduled to take place in Los Angeles and Seattle.

Amid the diplomatic tension, Mexico emerged as a primary ally, even offering to host Iran’s three group-stage matches on Mexican soil to avoid potential conflict. However, FIFA has denied this request, maintaining that the matches will proceed as originally scheduled in the United States.

By securing the win over Ofner in the Round of 64, Sinner has officially matched Federer’s mark of 29 consecutive victories in Masters 1000 events. He will have the opportunity to surpass the Swiss legend on Monday, May 11, when he faces the winner of the match between Alexei Popyrin and Jakub Mensik.

Currently, Novak Djokovic holds the absolute historical record for the longest Masters winning streak, having secured 31 consecutive wins in 2011 and another 30 between 2014 and 2015. If Sinner reaches the semifinals in Rome, he could potentially stand alone at the top of that list.

Sinner aims for the Career Golden Masters

The Italian is on the verge of rewriting tennis history in the Eternal City. Beyond the winning streak, Sinner is chasing a milestone that would see him join the most elite company in the sport’s history. Should he claim the trophy this week, Sinner would achieve the Career Golden Masters—winning all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments at least once.

To date, Djokovic is the only player to have achieved this feat, doing so twice. The 24-time Grand Slam champion first completed the set in 2018 at Cincinnati and repeated the achievement at the same venue in 2020.

Ending a national drought

Sinner also carries the hopes of the home crowd as he looks to make Italian history. If he captures the title, he will become the first Italian man to win in Rome since Adriano Panatta in 1976, ending a half-century wait for a homegrown champion at the Foro Italico.

With his output against Toronto FC, Messi reached 100 direct goal contributions in the MLS regular season. In doing so, he shattered Giovinco’s record to become the fastest player in league history to achieve this impressive feat.

The Italian originally set the mark in 2018, reaching 100 goal contributions in 95 matches. Messi, however, completely redefined the timeline, hitting the century mark in just 65 regular-season appearances.

Messi overtakes league legends

The Argentine superstar now sits atop a prestigious list of MLS icons. Rounding out the top three alongside Messi and Giovinco is LA Galaxy legend Robbie Keane, who reached 100 goal contributions in 96 games.

Just behind them is former LAFC talisman Carlos Vela, who hit the milestone in 98 matches. Completing the top five are Josef Martinez and Denis Bouanga, both of whom required 106 matches to reach the century mark.

A growing list of records

This latest milestone adds to an ever-growing list of accolades for Messi in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami. Since his arrival, he has become the first player to record multiple goals in four consecutive games and the first to exceed 35 goal contributions in back-to-back seasons.

Furthermore, Messi made history by becoming the first player to win the MLS MVP award in two consecutive seasons (2024 and 2025). Even as he continues his tenure in the league, the Argentine captain remains the standard-bearer for excellence, proving he is still capable of playing at an elite level.

The match began as a cagey, hard-fought affair, but Rodrigo De Paul broke the deadlock just minutes before halftime. After his initial free-kick attempt struck the wall, the Argentine midfielder pounced on the rebound and fired home to give the visitors the lead.

Toronto FC pushed for an equalizer early in the second half, but Inter Miami looked far sharper than they had in the opening period. Luis Suarez doubled the lead, finishing a clinical sequence to provide the Herons with some breathing room.

With momentum firmly on their side, Sergio Reguilon and Messi put the game out of reach, scoring back-to-back goals within a two-minute span to silence the home crowd. As a consolation for the hosts, Emilio Aristizabal managed to cut the deficit with a brace late in the game, ensuring Toronto didn’t leave the pitch empty-handed.

Coming off a massive 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad, Sevilla have climbed to 37 points, narrowly escaping the bottom three. However, the margin for error is razor-thin: they sit just one point ahead of both Levante (36) and Alaves (36), who currently occupy the 18th and 19th spots.

While Barcelona are coasting toward another title at the top, the relegation scrap involves eight teams, with Espanyol sitting just two points above Sevilla at 39 points at the 13th spot.

What happens if Sevilla win vs Espanyol?

A victory at home would propel Sevilla to 40 points. This would not only keep them clear of the relegation zone but could potentially see them climb as high as 12th place, depending on other results. Crucially, it would allow them to leapfrog Espanyol in the standings, dragging their rivals deeper into the survival struggle with only three matches remaining.

What happens if Sevilla and Espanyol tie?

A draw would leave Sevilla with 38 points. While this would keep them momentarily safe from the bottom three, it leaves the door wide open for their rivals. Specifically, should Alaves defeat Elche, a Sevilla draw would see them slide back into the red zone in 18th position due to the points swing.

What happens if Sevilla lose to Espanyol?

A loss represents the worst-case scenario for the Andalusian side. Not only would Espanyol pull away to safety, but Sevilla would be left vulnerable to nearly every other team in the bottom half.

If Alaves secure even a point against Elche in this scenario, Sevilla would finish the matchday in the relegation zone, facing an uphill battle to maintain their top-flight status during the final three fixtures of the season.

The bottom of the LaLiga table ahead of Sevilla vs Espanyol

Following formal appeals by the Argentine Football Association (AFA), FIFA accepted the request for amnesty and implemented a regulatory amendment. This change ensures Otamendi is at the disposal of manager Lionel Scaloni for the clash against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City.

Otamendi is not the only player benefiting from this ruling. FIFA also granted amnesty to Ecuador’s Moises Caicedo for their opener against Ivory Coast on June 14, as well as Qatar’s Tarek Salman for their debut against Switzerland on June 13.

The regulatory amendment clearing Otamendi

To facilitate the eligibility of players entering the World Cup with pending suspensions, the FIFA Council Bureau approved an amendment to Article 10.2 of the competition regulations regarding disciplinary carry-overs.

The updated regulation now states: “Yellow cards and pending suspensions of one or two matches resulting from cautions in different matches of the preliminary phase, red cards for a second caution, or direct red cards for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity or serious foul play shall not be carried over to the final competition”.

Otamendi prepares for final international chapter

The 38-year-old defender confirmed in mid-2025 that the 2026 World Cup would be his final appearance for the national team. He recently received a standing ovation during Argentina‘s final domestic friendly in Buenos Aires, a 5-0 victory over Zambia, where Lionel Messi stepped aside to let Otamendi score a penalty as a farewell gesture.

This tournament marks the fourth World Cup for Otamendi, who debuted under Diego Maradona at South Africa 2010. After missing the 2014 squad, he returned for Russia 2018 and played a pivotal role in the Qatar 2022 championship run.

“We know there are teams arriving in better form, but this Argentina side is going to compete and give its all,” Messi stated during an interview with Joaquin Alvarez on Lo del Pollo. “France are looking very good again, with many high-level players. Spain, Brazil—who are always candidates—Germany, England, and Portugal, who also have a very competitive squad”.

Both Messi and Ronaldo are set to make history in the 2026 World Cup as the only players to participate in six different editions of the tournament. Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa could potentially join them in this feat, though his participation this year has yet to be officially confirmed.

The final chapter of a historic rivalry

Barring any future surprises at the club level, the 2026 World Cup looms as the final chapter of the historic rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo, which has defined the sport for two decades.

During the interview, Messi reflected on their long-standing competition, describing it as a “beautiful” sporting battle built on mutual respect. “What happened was a beautiful sporting rivalry. It’s a natural thing in the world of soccer,” Messi remarked. “Our relationship was always good and respectful, and everything that happened was purely athletic. There was nothing personal. We didn’t see each other often except at matches or award ceremonies, and we were always on good terms”.

When could Messi and Ronaldo Clash in the 2026 WC?

With both teams serving as top seeds in their respective groups, there are two primary scenarios for Messi and Ronaldo to face off once more on the world’s biggest stage.

The earliest possibility would see both teams finishing second in their groups, which could trigger a potential showdown in the Round of 16. However, this is considered the least likely outcome, given that both squads are favorites to finish as group leaders.

The more probable path involves both Argentina and Portugal winning their groups. In this scenario, provided they both advance through their initial knockout matches, the two legends would be on a collision course for a massive quarterfinal clash.

Following the loss to the 20-year-old Prizmic, Djokovic snapped a streak of 18 consecutive victories in his opening matches at the Rome Masters 1000. On the other side of the net, Prizmic secured his second-ever win over a Top 10 opponent, adding to his previous upset of Ben Shelton at the Madrid Masters.

Djokovic appeared dominant at the start, cruising through the first set while dropping only two games. However, physical issues became apparent in the second set, visibly hampering his movement across the clay. Prizmic seized the opportunity, shifting to an aggressive style of play and capitalizing on every opening to claim the second set and the eventual decider.

Djokovic won’t play before Roland Garros

During his post-match press conference, the Serb confirmed that he does not intend to play any further tournaments before the French Open. This means he will arrive at the year’s second Grand Slam with only one competitive match played on clay.

“No. This year, no,” said Djokovic when asked if he would enter another event before Roland Garros. “I’ll just go to Paris straight”. The decision is a notable departure from his schedule over the last two seasons, during which he competed in the Geneva Open as a warm-up for Paris.

Djokovic says Rome preparation was ‘not ideal’

While the physical struggles during the second set were evident, Djokovic admitted that his buildup to the Italian Masters was compromised by lingering health concerns.

“I don’t recall the last time I had in the last couple years a preparation where I didn’t have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into the tournament. There’s always something,” Djokovic told reporters during his press conference. “It’s kind of a new reality that I have to deal with. Yeah, it is frustrating. At the same time, it’s my decision to still perform in that kind of state and conditions. It is what it is”.

With his recent strike against Al Shabab, Cristiano Ronaldo completed the rare feat of scoring against every single team in the league within a single season. According to Transfermarkt, he is the only player in the history of the Saudi Pro League to achieve this.

Despite his age, the forward continues to prove he is among the world’s elite. By reaching the 100-goal mark, Ronaldo officially became the first player ever to score 100 goals in three different leagues, having previously reached the century mark in LaLiga and the Premier League.

Ronaldo is one step from Saudi glory

Al Nassr are now in a prime position to secure the Saudi Pro League title, which would mark Cristiano Ronaldo’s first major trophy in Saudi Arabia. However, the path to glory is a difficult one: they must defeat second-place Al Hilal to be crowned champions.

Jorge Jesus’ men currently lead the table with 82 points, followed closely by Al Hilal with 77 points. The crucial showdown on May 12 will be the deciding factor; an Al Nassr victory would give them an 8-point lead with only six points left to play for, mathematically securing the title.

In addition to the domestic hunt, Al Nassr have the opportunity to secure continental silverware. Ronaldo’s squad will face Japan’s Gamba Osaka on May 16 in the AFC Champions League Two final, with the chance to become the first Saudi Arabian team to lift this specific trophy.

A third SPL Golden Boot slips away

Despite a prolific season in which he scored 26 goals in 28 matches, it is unlikely that Ronaldo will secure his third consecutive Golden Boot. With only two matches remaining, the Portuguese captain has a massive gap to close. To claim the award, he would need to overtake Al Qadsiyah’s Julian Quiñones (29 goals) and Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney, who currently leads the race with 30 goals.

In an official statement, the club clarified that the internal investigation has reached its conclusion: “…Both players have made themselves available to Real Madrid to accept the sanction that the club deems appropriate. Under these circumstances, Real Madrid have resolved to impose a financial penalty of five hundred thousand euros on each player, thus concluding the corresponding internal procedures”.

The club further noted that the midfielders appeared before the case investigator today to express their deep regret for the incident. The pair issued formal apologies to each other, their teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans, signaling a desire to move past the tension as a critical stretch of the season approaches.

Valverde denies physical altercation with Tchouameni

Following Real Madrid’s confirmation that Federico Valverde will miss El Clásico against Barcelona due to cranioencephalic trauma, the Uruguayan midfielder took to social media to clarify the incident involving his teammate.

Via his Instagram account, Valverde denied any physical altercation with his teammate, though he did confirm they were involved in a heated argument. “Today we had another disagreement…Tchouameni never hit me, I didn’t hit him either. Still, I reckon it’s easier for many to believe we threw hands at each other, but that didn’t happen,” Valverde wrote.

According to the midfielder’s account, he accidentally struck his forehead against a table during the discussion with the Frenchman, which required him to be hospitalized. The club later announced that Valverde must rest for 10 to 14 days, ruling him out of the match against Barcelona and the subsequent fixture against Real Oviedo.

A turbulent week in Madrid

This incident adds to a week from hell for manager Alvaro Arbeloa. Between the ongoing backlash over Kylian Mbappe’s recent vacation to Italy and this latest physical confrontation, Real Madrid face a massive leadership test.

With a second consecutive season without a major trophy looming, the €500,000 fines represent one of the heaviest financial penalties ever imposed by the club on its own players, underscoring the severity of the breach in discipline.

While the Portuguese star has recorded 100 goals in 105 Saudi Pro League matches, Messi has tallied 58 goals in 63 Major League Soccer appearances for Inter Miami.

By reaching this milestone in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has set an unprecedented record as the only player in history to score 100 or more goals in three different domestic leagues, having previously achieved the feat in LaLiga and the Premier League.

Breaking down Ronaldo’s 100 SPL goals

In his debut 2022–23 campaign, Ronaldo appeared in only 16 matches after joining mid-season. Even in that limited window, he managed 14 goals, offering a glimpse of the prolific scoring to come.

His first full season (2023–24) was truly historic; he scored an incredible 35 goals in 30 games, winning his first Golden Boot in Saudi Arabia. In doing so, he broke the single-season scoring record previously held by Abderrazak Hamdallah (34 goals).

Ronaldo secured his second consecutive Golden Boot in the 2024–25 season with 25 goals in 30 matches. In the current 2025–26 campaign, the captain reached the 100-goal career milestone in the Saudi Pro League after netting his 25th goal in 28 games. With two matches remaining in the season, that number is likely to rise further.

Messi’s goal tracker in MLS

Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami late in the 2023 season, appearing in only six MLS matches and scoring his lone league goal during his debut against the New York Red Bulls.

His first full season in 2024 was hampered by injuries, limiting him to 19 appearances. Nevertheless, he was highly efficient, scoring 20 goals and earning his first MLS MVP award.

Messi’s most dominant stretch came in 2025, when he led Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup title. He was the league’s standout performer, winning the MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals in 25 games and securing his second consecutive MVP trophy. The Argentine legend is currently on pace for another successful individual campaign in 2026, having already scored eight goals in 10 matches.

Cristiano scored the third goal for Al Nassr in their 4-2 win against Al Shabab, reaching the century mark in the Saudi Pro League in just 105 appearances. This milestone marks the third time he has dominated a top-flight division after previously setting historic numbers in Spain and England.

His first century came during his legendary stint with Real Madrid, where he remains the club’s all-time leading scorer with 451 total goals, including 311 in La Liga across 292 matches.

He reached the 100-goal mark for a second time in the Premier League with Manchester United, tallying 101 goals in 236 games over two separate tenures. Ronaldo nearly extended this record to a fourth league during his time with Juventus, though he finished his Serie A career just shy of the milestone with 81 goals in 98 matches.

How does Messi compare?

Regarding Messi, the Argentine icon remains far from achieving this impressive feat even across two different clubs. The vast majority of his goals came during his legendary tenure at Barcelona, where he spent nearly his entire career and netted 474 goals in La Liga over 520 matches, cementing his status as the all-time leading scorer for both the competition and the club with 672 total goals.

During his stint with PSG, the Argentine was unable to replicate the prolific scoring he displayed during his golden era in Barcelona. Having spent only two seasons in France, Messi recorded just 22 goals in 58 Ligue 1 appearances.

He is currently attempting to write his next chapter in the United States, where he serves as the all-time leading scorer for Inter Miami with 86 goals, 58 of which were scored in Major League Soccer across 63 matches.

While he is still short of the 100-goal milestone, his remarkable scoring rate of 0.92 goals per game in MLS suggests the Argentine legend is well on his way to reaching that objective.

Against this backdrop, Real Madrid supporters have launched a viral campaign across social media and online platforms, gathering signatures to petition for the Frenchman’s departure. Yet, the backlash isn’t solely due to the team’s lack of hardware over the last two years.

The final straw for many fans was an off-field incident. After sustaining an injury during a 1-1 draw against Real Betis, Mbappe missed the club’s 2-0 victory over Espanyol. During this recovery period, fans were outraged to see photos of the striker on a leisure trip to Italy with his girlfriend, Ester Exposito.

While the club authorized the time off, the optics were disastrous. Supporters have loudly questioned Mbappe’s commitment and leadership, criticizing his decision to vacation while the team faces a sensitive and defining stretch of the season.

The ‘Mbappe Out’ campaign

Disgruntled Real Madrid supporters have launched a massive online campaign calling for the club to move on from Mbappe. The initiative’s impact was immediate, gathering over 2 million signatures within hours.

“Madridistas, make your voice heard. If you believe change is needed, don’t stay silent — sign this petition and stand for what you think is best for the club’s future,” the petition read.

The petition currently boasts over 37 million signatures, though it is worth noting that the campaign allows users to join the protest with a single click. This ease of access suggests that not all signatures necessarily originate from verified Real Madrid supporters.

Mbappe’s incredible campaign amidst the controversy

The most striking aspect of this situation is that Mbappe has proven to be one of the team’s most vital assets through his individual performances, even if collective success hasn’t followed.

So far this season, the French forward has netted 41 goals in 41 matches across all competitions. These figures actually outpace his production from last season, where he scored more total goals (44) but required significantly more appearances (54) to reach that mark.

The Al Nassr captain was instrumental in the victory, netting a goal to seal the result and reach the historic 100-goal milestone in the Saudi Pro League. However, it was Joao Felix who stole the headlines with a brilliant hat trick, leading the charge and ensuring the club walked away with all three points.

With this result, Al Nassr extend their lead at the top of the table to 82 points, currently five points clear of Al Hilal (who hold a game in hand). With only two matches remaining in the season, the upcoming fixture serves as a literal final; a victory for Ronaldo’s side would make it mathematically impossible for Al Hilal to catch them, officially ending the title race.

Ronaldo eyes a historic multi-trophy campaign

This season is shaping up to be one for the record books for the Portuguese superstar. Beyond being on the verge of his first domestic league title in Riyadh, Al Nassr are also just one match away from international glory.

Jorge Jesus’ men have reached the final of the AFC Champions League Two, where they are scheduled to face Japan’s Gamba Osaka on Saturday, May 16. Should they emerge victorious, Al Nassr would become the first Saudi Arabian club in history to win this specific continental trophy.

While Ronaldo previously led the team to the Arab Club Champions Cup—scoring a brace in a 2-1 win over Al Hilal—that trophy is not officially recognized by FIFA or the AFC. This month offers him the chance to fill his cabinet with official silverware.

A century of goals in Saudi Arabia

Beyond the team’s success, the match against Al Shabab marked yet another landmark in Ronaldo’s legendary career. By finding the back of the net, he officially reached 100 goals in the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo now sets his sights on becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer. While he still trails Omar Al Somah (161 goals), the 41-year-old’s current form—28 goals in 34 games this season—suggests that no record is safe from the most prolific scorer in the history of the game.

With nearly three minutes remaining in the game, the forward went for a dunk and was seen limping after the landing. Shortly after Mikal Bridges converted a jump shot on the following possession, Anunoby signaled to the bench for a substitution and did not return to the court.

Anunoby’s injury has been diagnosed as a right hamstring strain, and he will be day-to-day for the remainder of the series. Facing this setback, Bridges was clear about the team’s approach without their versatile forward. “We’ll see what it is, but next man up. That’s really it,” Bridges said, via SNY’s Knicks Videos.

A major blow to the rotation

Anunoby has been one of the Knicks’ most productive players throughout this postseason. During the opening series against the Atlanta Hawks, he was a cornerstone of the offense, averaging 21.5 points and 8.7 rebounds, highlighted by 29-point performances in both Game 3 and the clinching Game 6.

Against the 76ers, Anunoby posted 18 points in Game 1 and had already notched 24 points and five rebounds in Game 2 before the injury. Beyond the scoring, the forward is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. His elite defensive presence would be a significant loss for the Knicks, especially if Joel Embiid returns to full strength for Game 3.

Who steps up?

Replacing Anunoby will be no small feat. He is currently the Knicks’ second-leading scorer this postseason at 21.4 points per game and provides the defensive versatility that New York’s system relies on.

Miles McBride is the leading candidate to see increased minutes in his absence. However, McBride acknowledged that filling Anunoby’s shoes is a collective effort rather than a one-man job. “He’s one of the best two-way players in the league, so it’s tough to replace that, but you don’t replace him with one guy,” McBride said after the Game 2 win, per Ian Begley of SNY. “Everyone is going to have to step up”.

Currently, Ronaldo’s side leads the league with 79 points, but it is being pursued relentlessly by Karim Benzema’s Al Hilal, who sit just behind with 77 points. Al Ahli occupy third place with 72 points, effectively narrowing the title fight to a showdown between the two former Real Madrid icons.

With only three matches remaining in the season, Al Nassr have no room for error. Today presents a golden opportunity to collect points against 13th-placed Al Shabab before the schedule leads them to a massive, potential title-deciding head-to-head battle against Al Hilal in the next matchday.

What happens if Al Nassr win vs Al Shabab?

If Al Nassr secure a victory at King Fahd Stadium, they would reach 82 points. This would put the club in a position to clinch the championship in the very next round with a win over Al Hilal at Alawwal Park.

What happens if Al Nassr and Al Shabab draw?

A draw against Al Shabab would leave Cristiano Ronaldo and company with 80 points. This would set the stage for a winner-takes-all finale against Al Hilal, where Karim Benzema’s side could pull even on points if it manages to defeat Al Nassr in its head-to-head matchup.

What happens if Al Nassr lose vs Al Shabab?

A loss would be the nightmare scenario for Al Nassr. Not only would it allow Al Hilal the chance to leapfrog them in the standings next week, but it would also give Al Ahli a mathematical lifeline to rejoin the title race.

In this case, the Matchday 34 clash against Al Hilal becomes do-or-die. Simone Inzaghi’s men would enter that contest with a game in hand, meaning a victory over Al Nassr would put the fate of the Saudi Pro League title entirely in Al Hilal’s hands.

The top of the Saudi Pro League table ahead of Al Nassr vs Al Shabab

Argentine transfer insider Cesar Luis Merlo reported on the radio program Vorterix that talks are “very advanced” for Otamendi to join River Plate on an 18-month deal, following the tournament in North America.

However, Benfica won’t let him go easily. The Portuguese club is expected to do everything possible to extend his stay beyond June 30. Despite his age, Otamendi has evolved into a vital leader for the Eagles, and the front office has no intention of simply letting him walk away.

Mourinho on Otamendi’s future

Benfica manager Jose Mourinho—who has yet to define his own future for next season amid rumors of a return to Real Madrid—admitted that Otamendi has earned the right to choose his own path.

“I think it depends only on him,” Mourinho said during a press conference on Friday, April 24. “There are people who have the right to choose their future based on everything they have built in the game. Otamendi is one of them. He played his final game for the national team on Argentine soil by his own choice, he will retire from international play after the World Cup by his own choice, and it will be his decision to play for River Plate or stay at Benfica“.

A growing trend of returning stars

If Otamendi eventually makes the move to River Plate, he’ll be joining a growing list of Messi’s international teammates who have traded European glory for a return to the roots where their careers began.

The trend kicked off with Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuña. Following their 2022 World Cup triumph, both defenders opted to leave Sevilla in 2024 to bolster River Plate’s backline. That same year, German Pezzella followed suit, making the jump from Real Betis to reunite with Montiel and Acuña in Buenos Aires.

In 2025, the legendary Angel Di Maria added his name to the list. The winger moved on from Benfica to return to his boyhood club, Rosario Central, turning down lucrative offers from across the globe to play in front of his home crowd once again.

Most recently, Leandro Paredes made headlines by leaving AS Roma to rejoin Boca Juniors, where he currently serves as the club’s captain and undisputed leader. Heavy rumors are swirling that Paulo Dybala could reunite with Paredes after the 2026 World Cup—but this time in Argentina rather than Europe.

The visitors essentially put the tie on ice just two minutes after the opening whistle. Ousmane Dembele delivered an early blow, slotting home a clinical finish following a sensational run and assist from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Holding a commanding 6-4 aggregate lead, PSG looked comfortable throughout the remainder of the match, while Bayern Munich struggled under the mounting pressure of needing a massive comeback to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Despite a defensive masterclass from Luis Enrique’s men, Bayern managed to find an equalizer in the dying moments. Harry Kane found the back of the net with just one minute remaining, but it was too little, too late to threaten the aggregate score. PSG now move on to defend their title against Arsenal on May 30 in Budapest, where they will aim to deny the Gunners their first-ever Champions League trophy.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the six-match ban imposed by UEFA on SL Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni to have worldwide effect,” a FIFA spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday, according to The Athletic.

Of the six games mandated by the ban, Prestianni has already served one provisionally during Benfica’s Champions League clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. Furthermore, three of the remaining five games are “subject to a two-year probationary period” starting from the date of the official ruling.

This leaves two matches of immediate suspension that Prestianni would likely have to serve during the 2026 World Cup group stage, in case of being called up by Scaloni.

Which games could Prestianni miss?

If Scaloni includes Prestianni in the final squad, the forward would be ineligible for Argentina‘s first two matches against Algeria and Austria. The Benfica star would only become available for selection in the final group stage fixture against Jordan, and would remain eligible for the knockout rounds should the defending champions advance.

FIFA’s decision could significantly impact Scaloni’s squad selection, as he now knows he will be without the forward for the opening two matches. Consequently, the manager may be forced to choose between calling up a replacement who is available from the start or sticking with Prestianni and accepting his absence during the early stages of the tournament.

Prestianni reportedly files appeal with FIFA

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) initially explored whether Prestianni could serve a game of the suspension during the upcoming friendly against Honduras on June 6 in the United States. However, FIFA’s ruling dictates that the ban applies only to official competitive matches.

Reports indicate that Prestianni and his legal team have already filed an appeal with the FIFA Committee, seeking an injunction that would put the suspension on hold and allow him to be fully available for the World Cup.

If the World No. 1 lifts the trophy at the Rome Open, he will achieve the Career Golden Masters—winning all nine Masters 1000 tournaments at least once—joining Djokovic as the only players in history to accomplish the feat.

The key distinction remains that the Serbian legend has done it twice. The 24-time Grand Slam champion first completed the set in 2018 at the Cincinnati Masters, before repeating the achievement at the same tournament in 2020.

Djokovic’s unmatchable Masters record

When it comes to the Masters 1000 circuit, Djokovic stands alone. The Serb has dominated these events, holding the record for the most titles with 40 trophies, a benchmark that currently seems untouchable.

Following the Serbian in the record books are Rafael Nadal (36 titles), Roger Federer (28 titles), Andre Agassi (17 titles), and Andy Murray (14 titles). While the Italian currently has nine Masters trophies in his cabinet, he has the unique chance to match a specific record that no one besides Djokovic has been able to touch.

Sinner breaks Djokovic and Nadal’s streak

In his pursuit of the Career Golden Masters, Sinner has already snatched a record from the hands of both Djokovic and Nadal. With his victory at the Madrid Open, the Italian became the first player in history to win five consecutive Masters 1000 tournaments.

The previous record held by both legends was four consecutive titles. However, a dominant run through Paris (2025), Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, and now Madrid has allowed Sinner to set a new standard on the ATP Tour.

Arteta has now become only the fourth Spanish manager to lead a non-Spanish club to a Champions League final. He joins a legendary trio that includes Rafa Benitez (Liverpool), Guardiola (Manchester City), and Luis Enrique (PSG).

This victory marks a monumental moment for Arsenal, granting them passage to just the second Champions League final in club history. The Gunners will face either Bayern Munich or PSG at Budapest’s Puskas Aréna on May 30.

Chasing European glory

Arsenal head to Budapest with a historic opportunity. If they lift the trophy, they will be crowned unbeaten Champions League winners, becoming only the 12th club in history to win the competition without suffering a single defeat.

Arteta’s squad has been nearly flawless throughout the campaign, boasting a record of 11 wins and 3 draws. Its defensive discipline has been the backbone of this run, conceding only six goals in the tournament while racking up nine clean sheets.

A season for the record books

By reaching the final, Arsenal have equaled their all-time record for wins in a single season with 41 victories, matching the historic mark set during the 1970/71 campaign, according to statistics from Squawka.

The Gunners are currently in a unique position to complete a historic double: winning their first-ever Champions League title while securing their 14th Premier League crown. Arsenal currently hold a five-point lead over Manchester City (who have a game in hand) with only nine points left to play for in the domestic season.

The match began as a tactical carbon copy of the first leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, with Arsenal dominating possession but struggling to convert their control into genuine scoring threats against a disciplined Spanish defense.

However, just as the match seemed destined to go into halftime scoreless, the breakthrough arrived. Leandro Trossard unleashed a powerful strike that forced a parry from Jan Oblak, and Bukayo Saka pounced on the rebound to slot home the game’s only goal.

Atletico threw everything at the Gunners in the second half in search of an equalizer, but Arsenal’s backline remained impenetrable. With their ticket to their second Champions League final in their history officially punched, the Gunners now await the winner of Wednesday’s clash between Bayern Munich and PSG at the Allianz Arena.

“League sources say Tom Thibodeau is also very interested in a comeback,” Sam Amick reported for The Athletic. The 68-year-old was let go from his post with the New York Knicks last summer and is reportedly searching for the right fit to resume his coaching career.

While Thibs appears eager to head back to the United Center, the Bulls’ front office has been quiet regarding a potential reunion. Chicago hired Bryson Graham away from the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, and it remains to be seen if he and the Reinsdorf family are interested in bringing the former Knicks coach back into the fold.

Thibodeau’s tenure with the Bulls

The 68-year-old coach is certainly no stranger to the Bulls, as the franchise served as the site of his first head coaching opportunity. After building an elite resume as an assistant with the Spurs, 76ers, Knicks, Rockets, and the Celtics, Thibodeau officially took the reins in Chicago in 2010.

In his debut season at the helm, Thibodeau proved to be a perfect fit for the roster, leading the Bulls to a dominant 62-20 record and earning NBA Coach of the Year honors. During that memorable postseason run, Chicago pushed all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals before ultimately falling in five games to LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Throughout his five-season tenure in Chicago, Thibodeau maintained a perfect streak of playoff appearances, with that 2011 conference finals trip marking his deepest run with the team. The storied partnership between the coach and the franchise eventually came to an end following the 2014-15 season after a 4-2 series loss to the Cavaliers in the conference semifinals.

Competition for Thibs’ Services

The Bulls aren’t the only team looking for a veteran voice. The Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, and New Orleans Pelicans are all currently in the market for a new head coach and could draw interest from the former Knicks leader.

Given his track record, it is highly likely we see Thibodeau back on the sidelines next season. Historically, after his exits from Chicago, Minnesota, and New York, he has taken exactly one season off before returning to the bench. With 2026 marking that comeback window, the Thibs era appears ready for its next chapter.

The match opened with early dominance from the home side. After goals from Ian Fray (4′) and Telasco Segovia (25′) put Miami ahead 2-0, the team capitalized on the momentum to hunt for a third.

The moment of the match arrived in the 33rd minute. After receiving a crisp pass from Luis Suarez, Messi skillfully maneuvered past an Orlando City defender with a signature feint before firing a powerful, clinical shot into the corner, leaving goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau with no chance. This goal marks Messi’s 8th of the season in just 10 MLS games, further solidifying his MVP-caliber form.

Inter Miami looking for first Nu Stadium victory

Inter Miami are putting together a standout MLS campaign so far, currently sitting in second place with 22 points—just one point behind the leaders, Nashville. Despite their strong form across the league, the Herons have yet to secure a single victory in their new home, an almost unbelievable statistic.

To date, Inter Miami have only managed three draws at Nu Stadium. Their debut at the venue ended in a 2-2 stalemate against Austin FC, which was followed by another 2-2 draw against the NY Red Bulls.

Most recently, they shared the points in a 1-1 tie with the New England Revolution, making tonight’s Florida Derby a crucial opportunity to finally turn their new house into a home.

A landmark night for Messi

Adding to the gravity of tonight’s match, Lionel Messi is making his 100th official appearance for Inter Miami. Under the guidance of coach Guillermo Hoyos, who stepped in following Javier Mascherano’s resignation in March, Miami is desperate to break the home draw curse, and Messi is leading the team to that objective.

The current record stands at four consecutive Masters 1000 trophies, a feat Sinner currently shares with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The Serbian legend achieved this on three separate occasions, while the Spaniard reached the mark in 2013.

The World No. 1 joined this elite company by sweeping the first three Masters 1000 tournaments of this season, following a win in the final one of 2025. His current streak includes titles in Paris (2025), Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte-Carlo (2026).

Sinner nearing Career Golden Masters

Should he lift the trophy in Madrid, Sinner will also move one step closer to becoming just the second player in history to complete the Career Golden Masters—winning all nine Masters 1000 tournaments at least once.

If he defeats Zverev, the Italian would only need a victory at the Rome Masters to join Djokovic as the only players to achieve this feat. The Serbian legend first completed the set in 2018 and incredibly repeated the achievement in 2022.

Sinner’s dominance in the ATP Rankings

The World No. 1 is also in a prime position to extend his lead over Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP Rankings. Entering Madrid with no points to defend, Sinner knew he could only gain ground with zero risk of losing points.

By reaching the final, he has already secured 650 points, which could rise to 1,000 with a victory on Sunday. Furthermore, with Alcaraz sidelined for the upcoming Rome Masters and Roland Garros due to injury, Sinner is poised to vastly increase the numerical cushion between himself and his Spanish rival.

The pressure now shifts entirely to Real Madrid, who cannot afford to drop points in their Sunday clash against Espanyol. If Los Blancos lose or draw tomorrow, Barcelona will officially secure their 29th league title, effectively ending the race before the two giants meet at the Camp Nou.

Hansi Flick’s men earned the three points in a match that appeared destined for a stalemate. Despite standout performances from both goalkeepers keeping the score level for much of the night, Robert Lewandowski broke the deadlock in the 81st minute with a powerful header. Ferran Torres then sealed the result five minutes later, ensuring Barcelona left Pamplona with a vital result.

Madrid could give Barcleona guard of honor in Camp Nou

If Real Madrid fail to beat Espanyol, Barcelona will officially clinch the LaLiga title with four matches left in the season. Should this happen, Los Blancos would face the traditional—and often controversial—prospect of giving a “pasillo” (guard of honor) to the newly crowned champions at the Camp Nou.

This rare display of sportsmanship between the two giants has occurred before, most notably in 1991 when Real Madrid honored a Barcelona side that had secured the title early. However, the Blaugrana have also found themselves on the other side of the tradition, performing the guard of honor for Real Madrid in both 1988 and 2008.

With the title now potentially decided before the next El Clásico, all eyes are on Real Madrid’s upcoming result to see if they will be forced into this iconic, yet tension-filled, ritual.

Real Madrid going for a second year straight without trophies

Real Madrid face the grim prospect of a second consecutive trophy-less season as the 2025-26 campaign nears its end. Closing the gap in LaLiga has become a nearly impossible task for Los Blancos, who seem destined to watch their arch-rivals celebrate for another year.

The season has been a series of disappointments for the capital club. Madrid missed out on silverware early in the year after a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final. Their struggles continued in the Copa del Rey, where they suffered a stunning Round of 16 exit at the hands of Albacete.

The Celtics superstar sparked major concern during Game 6 at the Wells Fargo Center when he exited with four minutes remaining in the third quarter and headed straight to the locker room. While he eventually returned to the bench, he spent the remainder of the game on a stationary bike as the Celtics fell 106-93.

It will be a devastating blow for the Celtics, who squandered a prime opportunity to close out the series after holding a commanding 3-1 lead. Now, without Tatum, they must find a way to clinch their ticket to the next round in front of the home crowd at TD Garden.

Mazzulla downplayed Tatum’s fitness issue

Seeing Tatum head directly to the locker room undoubtedly sparked a sense of dread among Celtics fans. However, Mazzulla made it a point to clarify after the game that the superstar was not injured and that there was no cause for alarm.

“He went in the back, just got stretched, got some treatment,” Mazzulla told reporters during his press conference, per Bobby Manning of Celtics on CLNS, effectively ruling out any significant injury. “That was about it”.

76ers dealing with concerns on the injury report

Philadelphia also enters the decisive Game 7 with its own concerns on the injury report. Both Joel Embiid and Paul George are listed as probable for the matchup, though both stars are expected to be in the lineup tonight at TD Garden.

The silver lining for the 76ers is that Tyrese Maxey is officially available to play after previously appearing on the injury report. Maxey has been essential to Nick Nurse’s scheme, scoring 20+ points in every game of the series against the Celtics thus far.

A dominant first-half performance saw Mikel Arteta’s side cruise to a 3-0 lead behind a brace from Viktor Gyokeres and a strike from Bukayo Saka. With the victory, Arsenal moves to 76 points, establishing a six-point cushion over Manchester City at the top of the table.

Crucially, Pep Guardiola’s men still hold two games in hand, meaning the title is still technically in their control. However, this clinical performance by the Gunners ramps up the pressure on City ahead of their Monday clash with Everton, where anything less than three points could prove disastrous in their pursuit of the leaders.

What’s next for Arsenal?

While Arsenal currently sit atop the table, they cannot afford a slip-up. Beyond domestic duties, Mikel Arteta’s men are balancing a deep European run. They are set to face Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Arsenal’s remaining schedule:

• Atletico Madrid (Champions League) – May 5
• West Ham (Away) – May 10
• Burnley (Home) – TBD
• Crystal Palace (Away) – May 24

Manchester City’s road ahead

Manchester City find theirself in a familiar position, chasing from behind with matches to spare. While they are no longer in the Champions League, their schedule is packed with high-stakes fixtures, including a massive FA Cup Final against Chelsea.

City’s remaining schedule:

• Everton (Away) – May 4
• Brentford (Home) – May 9
• Crystal Palace (Home) – May 13
• Chelsea (FA Cup Final) – May 16
• Bournemouth (Away) – May 19
• Aston Villa (Home) – May 24

Hansi Flick’s squad currently holds a commanding lead at the top of the table as the league’s sole frontrunners with 85 points. This puts them 11 points clear of second-place Real Madrid, who currently sit at 74 points.

The outlook is incredibly bright for Barcelona; the club has the chance to clinch its 29th league title shortly after this match, provided results fall in their favor during Real Madrid’s upcoming fixture.

What happens if Barcelona win vs Osasuna?

A victory in Pamplona would propel Barcelona to 88 points, extending their lead to 14 points ahead of Real Madrid’s match against Espanyol tomorrow. If Madrid fails to win that game, Barcelona will officially be crowned LaLiga champions.

Even if Madrid wins, Barcelona would remain 11 points ahead with only 12 points left to play for, needing just one more win to seal their 29th league title.

What happens if Barcelona and Osasuna tie?

A draw would bring Barcelona to 86 points. In this scenario, the champagne stays on ice regardless of Real Madrid’s result tomorrow. However, it sets the stage for a cinematic finish: if Madrid drops points against Espanyol, Barcelona could clinch the title with a win or a draw in El Clásico at the Camp Nou next weekend.

What happens if Barcelona lose to Osasuna?

A loss for Barcelona against Osasuna wouldn’t derail their championship plans, though it could delay the celebration. A Real Madrid victory would shrink the gap to eight points, but if the Blaugrana can defeat Los Blancos in the upcoming El Clásico, they would officially be crowned LaLiga champions for the second consecutive year.

The title fight would only be extended further if Real Madrid manage to secure at least a draw at the Camp Nou. However, given Barcelona’s current form and substantial lead, the pressure remains squarely on the shoulders of the Madrid side to keep its slim hopes alive.