Unlike Saka, who is dealing with an achilles issue, the decision to bench Rashford appears to be tactical. Despite making an impression at Barcelona last season, the Manchester United product isn’t a regular starter on the English national team. Follow England vs Croatia live with us for minute-by-minute coverage and updates!

Even though Saka’s absence could’ve opened the door for Rashford, Thomas Tuchel opted to start Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon as wingers to support star striker Harry Kane.

England’s depth for the 2026 World Cup

The English roster for th 2026 World Cup is stacked, and Tuchel even dared to leave some notable names off the list. For instance, Cole Palmer won’t be playing for England at the World Cup.

England have enough depth even with big names out, as Phil Foden isn’t on the World Cup squad either. The bench against Croatia includes Rashford, Saka, and Eberechi Eze, who is also a substitue due to a tactical decision.

England’s lineup to face Croatia: Jordan Pickford; Reece James, John Stones, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice; Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane.

Luka Modric starts for Croatia

Croatia, on the other hand, will be led by veteran midfielder Luka Modric while another seasoned player like Mateo Kovacic will be waiting for an opportunity on the bench.

Croatia’s lineup: Dominik Livakovic; Josip Sutalo, Luka Vuskovic, Josko Gvardiol; Josip Stanisic, Luka Modric, Mario Pasalic, Ivan Perisic; Petar Sucic, Martin Baturina; Petar Musa.

Saka isn’t starting for England against Croatia today because he’s reportedly dealing with an achilles issue. Earlier in the week, Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports reported that the ongoing injury prevents the Arsenal star from starting and finishing games. Arsenal teammate Eberechi Eze isn’t starting either.

With this in mind, English fans can still hope to watch Saka step in at some point in the second half. It will probably depend on the result, as a win, tie or loss against Croatia will have different implications for England.

Saka replaced by Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke

With Saka on the bench, Thomas Tuchel is leaning on an Arsenal teammate of the star winger, starting Noni Madueke for the Three Lions’ 2026 World Cup debut. Tuchel could’ve given the chance to Marcus Rashford, but the Manchester United product will watch kickoff of England vs Croatia on the bench alongside Saka.

England’s starting lineup against Croatia: Jordan Pickford; Reece James, John Stones, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice; Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane.

Mateo Kovacic not starting for Croatia

Croatia’s starting eleven also shows there will be a notable absentee, with Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic starting on the bench.

Croatia’s lineup: Dominik Livakovic; Josip Sutalo, Luka Vuskovic, Josko Gvardiol; Josip Stanisic, Luka Modric, Mario Pasalic, Ivan Perisic; Petar Sucic, Martin Baturina; Petar Musa.

Following Monday’s training session, Jenny Taft of FOX Sports reported that Pochettino provided a positive update on Pulisic.

“Mauricio Pochettino came over to tell us he is good, so a good sign for Christian Pulisic ahead of their match against Australia on Friday,” Taft said, adding that Pulisic had a modified training and did individual work.

Pulisic’s halftime exit in USA’s 2026 World Cup debut raised concern

Pulisic stole the show in the first half of the USA’s 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles, helping the team go to the break with a 3-0 lead. However, “Captain America” was nowhere to be seen in the second half.

Pochettino brought some relief by explaining that Pulisic was subbed off as a precautionary measure, pointing to a knock he suffered right before halftime.

USMNT fans breathed an even bigger collective sigh of relief when Pulisic himself provided an update, letting everyone know that it wasn’t something serious.

In fact, the former Chelsea star dared to address his availability for USA vs. Australia. Even though he couldn’t guarantee it 100%, Pulisic suggested that he’d be ready for the USA’s second group stage match.

USA’s next game will be crucial for Group D standings

The USMNT is leading Group D with 3 points and a +3 goal differential thanks to its comprehensive victory over Paraguay, followed by Australia, who upset Turkiye 2-0 on Sunday. The USA and Australia clash on Friday, June 19, at 3:00 PM (ET) at Seattle Stadium.

While Yamal’s World Cup debut at 18 shares similarities with Messi, who made his first World Cup appearance at the same age by coming off the bench as well, the Argentine star did help his country win. Ronaldo also won in his debut.

Yamal didn’t start for Spain against Cape Verde as he arrived in the World Cup recovering from injury, but his entry in the second half, replacing Gavi after 71 minutes, proved too late. Despite having 23 shots (eight on target) and 74% possession, Spain had to settle with a bittersweet draw in their 2026 World Cup debut.

Messi’s World Cup debut

Messi entered the 2006 World Cup group stage game against Serbia and Montenegro on June 16 after 75 minutes, contributing one goal and an assist in Argentina’s 6-0 victory. Yamal couldn’t break the deadlock for Spain.

Ronaldo’s first World Cup game

Ronaldo, on the other hand, was 21 in his first World Cup game, starting for Portugal against Angola in the group stage of the 2006 tournament on June 11. CR7 couldn’t score, picked up a yellow card, and was subbed off after 60 minutes as Portugal won 1-0.

Messi, Ronaldo make World Cup history in 2026

Flash-forward to 2026, Messi and Ronaldo stand as two of the three players with most World Cup participations (six), sharing the record with veteran Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa, who was also called up six times.

Messi arrives in the 2026 edition with 13 goals in 26 World Cup games. While it took him a while, he ultimately led Argentina to the promised land with a sensational performance at Qatar 2022.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, boasts eight goals in 22 World Cup matches as he heads into the 2026 tournament chasing an elusive title. In his first participation in 2006, Ronaldo helped Portugal finish fourth. That remains Cristiano and Portugal’s best World Cup result to date.

According to journalist and author Romain Molina, the Tunisian soccer federation is parting ways with the manager following the disastrous debut against Sweden, who beat Tunisia 5-1 on Sunday. Journalist and transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano later confirmed that Lamouchi is officially out.

This makes the 54-year-old the first coach to be fired at the 2026 World Cup, with his dismissal coming immediately after the debut. It also marks the end of Lamouchi’s tenure after just five months and five games at the helm, a period in which Tunisia celebrated only one victory, with one draw and three losses.

Reported tension behind Lamouchi’s firing

Word on the street is that there’s more than meets the eye behind Lamouchi’s firing, as the loss to Sweden was reportedly just the final straw amid rumors of internal tension within Tunisia.

Tunisian radio station Mosaique FM reports that Tunisian delegation leaders called for an emergency meeting to discuss the manager’s future, while a witness revealed seeing a fight between Lamouchi’s son and a fan.

Not the first time Tunisia fire a coach at a World Cup

Tunisia had already fired a manager during a World Cup once, having removed Henryk Kasperczak from the coaching position in 1998. The difference is that, on that occasion, they did so after two games instead of one.

A 2-0 loss to England followed by a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Colombia sealed Kasperczak’s fate, but the team still returned home in the group stage after a 1-1 tie against Romania with Ali Selmi at the helm.

What’s next for Tunisia at the 2026 World Cup

Bottom of Group F with no points and a -4 goal differential, the 45th ranked nation on the FIFA ranking faces a steep hill to climb to reach the knockout phase. Tunisia’s next game will be on Sunday, June 21 (12 AM ET) against Japan (2nd with one point), before closing out the group stage against the Netherlands (3rd with one point) on June 25 (7 PM ET).

Tunisia’s new coach at 2026 World Cup

Lamouchi’s replacement has yet to be revealed, but Mondher Kebaier is expected to take over on an interim basis. The local 56-year-old already coached the national team from 2019–2022. Tunisia have a big decision to make.

India isn’t playing at the 2026 World Cup because it failed to qualify for the competition via the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers.

The Blue Tigers couldn’t make it past the second round, finishing third in Group A behind Qatar (who ultimately made it to the World Cup with a bunch of naturalized players) and Kuwait.

A 2-1 loss to Qatar on June 12, 2024, officially eliminated India from 2026 World Cup contention. Qatar, on the other hand, went on to qualify for the competition as the No. 56 ranked team on the FIFA ranking.

Has India ever played at a FIFA World Cup?

India has never played at a FIFA World Cup. The closest the country came to being represented in soccer’s biggest tournament came in 1950, when it secured automatic qualification after all the other teams in its AFC qualifying group withdrew.

However, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) ultimately followed its fellow Asian teams’ decision and withrew as well. In the end, the 1950 World Cup in Brazil was played with no Asian teams.

The 9 AFC teams at the 2026 World Cup

With India failing to make the cut, the nine AFC representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are Australia, Iraq, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan.

China isn’t playing at the 2026 World Cup because it failed to secure a berth via the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers. The Asian nation finished bottom of its group in the third round, ending its hopes for an automatic World Cup place or a ticket to the fourth round of the qualifiers.

A 1-0 loss to Indonesia in Jakarta on June 6, 2025, officially eliminated China from 2026 World Cup contention, forcing the nation to wait for at least another four years to return to the global scene.

Which AFC teams are playing at the 2026 World Cup?

With China missing out on a 2026 World Cup berth, nine teams made it to the tournament via the AFC qualifying process:

• Australia
• Iran
• Japan
• Jordan
• South Korea
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Uzbekistan
• Iraq

How many World Cups has China played?

China boasts only one appearance in FIFA World Cup history, having played in the 2002 edition hosted by South Korea/Japan. China finished bottom of Group C with losses against Brazil, Turkiye, and Costa Rica with no goals scored and nine goals conceded.

Coach Ronald Koeman has opted to bench Depay in favor of an attacking trio composed by Cody Gakpo, Donyell Malen, and Crysencio Summerville.

This will force the 32-year-old to wait for an opportunity to come off the bench later in the game. Follow our live blog of Netherlands vs. Japan for minute-by-minute updates to see if Depay enters the game!

Depay’s activity with Netherlands prior to 2026 World Cup

Even though we’re talking about one of the faces of the Netherlands national team, Depay hasn’t seen much international action in 2026. A hamstring injury ruled him out of the March friendlies, and he played only 45′ minutes in the pre-World Cup window.

Depay came off the bench for the second half of the Netherlands’ 1-0 loss to Algeria and was an unused substitute during the 2-1 win over Uzbekistan before the 2026 World Cup debut against Japan.

Depay’s international stats and World Cup history

Still, we’re talking about an icon for the Dutch side. Depay arrives at the 2026 World Cup with 109 international caps under his belt, boasting 55 goals and 36 assists for the Netherlands.

This will be Depay’s third World Cup participation, having already represented his country in 2014 and 2022. In 2018, he watched the tournament from home as Netherlands failed to qualify for the competition.

With three goals and one assist in nine World Cup games, Depay hopes to improve his stats in 2026, even if he’s not starting in the debut against Japan.

“Thank you, my God… thank you for giving me the chance to experience this once again,” Neymar wrote on Instagram hours before kickoff at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

Despite the injury preventing him from playing for Brazil against Morocco in East Rutherford on Matchday 1, Neymar is still thankful for the opportunity to play at another FIFA World Cup in his career.

Neymar’s unexpected 2026 World Cup call-up

Neymar’s gratitude makes sense, considering that his 2026 World Cup presence looked unlikely before a last-minute change of heart by Carlo Ancelotti. Despite dealing with physical setbacks over the last few months, Carletto ultimately opted to include Neymar on his roster, even though it meant leaving Joao Pedro out.

Neymar hasn’t played for Brazil since October 2023, when he sustained a serious knee injury that kept him on the sidelines for months — and pretty much affected his career since then.

Ancelotti constantly snubbed Neymar in his call-ups, which is why many feared that Ney wouldn’t make the World Cup squad either. The former Barcelona star made the cut though, and even with an injury affecting him at the start of the tournament, his potential return later in the group stage creates expectations in Brazil.

Neymar’s World Cup history

2026 marks the fourth World Cup appearance in Neymar’s career, as the winger had previously represented the Selecao in 2014, 2018, and 2022. His first appearance was cut short by a devastating back injury before Brazil suffered a blowout 7-1 loss to Germany in the semifinals.

2018 saw Ney help Brazil reach the quarterfinals, where they lost to Belgium. In 2022, the team once again failed to get past the quarterfinals as Croatia pulled off an upset on penalties.

Neymar arrives in the 2026 edition with eight goals and four assists in 13 World Cup games. Will he improve this stats and help Brazil reach the promised land this year? Only time will tell us.

One of the eight 2026 World Cup matches to be played in New York, Brazil and Morocco will be the first teams to test this venue, which will also be home to the grand final on July 19.

With an 82,500 capacity, the New York New Jersey Stadium will host four more group stage games before a round of 32 and a round of 16 fixture. Needless to say, both nations certainly hope this won’t be their last game in NY.

Soccer returns to the New York New Jersey Stadium

Usually known as MetLife Stadium, the arena is temporarily changing its name to comply with FIFA rules throughout the tournament, just like every other venue hosting 2026 World Cup games. A stadium used to host NFL games from the New York Giants and New York Jets, it will now take center stage in world soccer.

This place has already become quite familiar for the soccer community though, having hosted several Copa America Centenario games in 2016 — including Chile’s penalty shootout win over Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the final — as well as FIFA Club World Cup matches in 2025, capping off with Chelsea’s 3-0 win over PSG in the decider.

Group C schedule

Shortly after Brazil and Morocco play in East Rutherford, Group C action will continue when Haiti and Scotland square off at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough.

On June 19, Brazil will play Haiti in Philadelphia while Morocco face Scotland in Boston. June 24 will bring the group stage finale with Haiti and Morocco meeting in Atlanta while Brazil and Scotland lock horns in Miami.

The Bay area will then be home to Group J and Group D matches, with Austria, Jordan, Paraguay, Algeria, Turkiye, and Australia all visiting the iconic stadium in California.

With an estimated 69,391 capacity according to FIFA, the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium will be home to the first 2026 World Cup game that doesn’t involve a host nation.

The reason behind the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium name

While usually known as Levi’s Stadium and home to the emblematic NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers, the venue is temporarily being renamed to comply with FIFA rules like every other stadium hosting 2026 World Cup matches. The soccer governing body requires all stadiums to remove references to sponsors that aren’t official FIFA partners.

Group B schedule

With the Qatar and Switzerland game in San Francisco a day after Canada’s debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, Group B will continue in different cities.

On June 18, Switzerland will play Bosnia and Herzegovina at Los Angeles Stadium while Canada take on Qatar at BC Place Vancouver. The group stage finale on June 24 will once again see Canada play in Vancouver (this time against Switzerland), whereas Seattle Stadium will be home to Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar.

Even though the San Lorenzo de Almagro sensation didn’t start most of the World Cup Qualifying games for La Albirroja, his sudden evolution at the club level put him on the map for the World Cup.

A position once held by the likes of Jose Luis Chilavert and Justo Villar, the goalkeeper job in Paraguay could have a new owner in Gill, if he lives up to the expectations in his country.

How old is Orlando Gill?

Born on June 11, 2000, Gill is 26 years old at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Paraguayan city where he was born, San Lorenzo, proved that name wouldn’t be a coincidence in his life and career.

How tall is Orlando Gill?

Gill is 6 ft 6 in tall (1.98 m). His height is the first thing that stands out whenever he takes the field, and is also one of the reasons he plays goalkeeper. As a kid, Gill played forward or midfielder, but once he put on the gloves, he never left the position between the sticks.

Where does Orlando Gill play and what’s his contract?

Orlando Gill has been at Argentine side San Lorenzo de Almagro since January 2024, and according to Transfermarkt, his contract expires in December 2027.

Before taking his talents to Argentina, Gill made his first steps at his hometown team of the same name of his current club, San Lorenzo.

Orlando Gill’s journey towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Gill was called up to the Paraguayan 2026 World Cup roster after earning six caps for his country, playing in five friendlies and one World Cup Qualifier. The goalkeeper made his international debut on September 9, 2025, starting in a 1-0 friendly win over Peru.

The team coached by Hugo Broos still has two games left in the group stage to try and redeem itself from this tough debut. On June 18, South Africa will face Czechia in Atlanta.

The group stage finale will be on June 24, when they take on South Korea in Guadalupe. Since even the eight best third-placed teams advance from the group stage, South Africa can still make their way to the World Cup round of 16.

South Africa down two players after 2026 World Cup debut

Even though they are still in contention for a knockout stage spot, South Africa will have to face Matchday 2 without two players who started against Mexico.

Because a red card at a World Cup means at least a one-game suspension, both Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane will miss the Czechia fixture after being sent off against Mexico.

They weren’t the only ones to see the red card in the opener though, as Cesar Montes left Mexico down to 10 men for a total of three red cards in the 2026 World Cup opening match.

Group A standings after Mexico’s win

With this result, Mexico are leading the Group A standings with three points while South Africa will have to wait for the result between South Korea and Czechia to see where in which spot they finish Matchday 1.

Argentina made the announcement on social media Thursday, following days of speculation after a muscle injury ruled Leonardo Balerdi out of the tournament.

At 29, Senesi will be playing at a FIFA World Cup for the first time in his career, having failed to make the cut in Qatar 2022. Following a great Premier League season at Bournemouth, the San Lorenzo de Almagro product agreed to join Tottenham as a free agent before getting this call-up.

Senesi rejected Italy to play for Argentina

This will certainly feel like a full-circle moment for Senesi after giving up the chance to play for Italy. Back in 2022, the Azzurra tried to recruit the defender before the Finalissima against Argentina.

But Senesi had also received an invitation to the Argentine national team camp. And even though he knew the chances of making the World Cup squad in Argentina were slim, the center-back rejected Italy to maintain any hope of playing for his home country.

Senesi was on Argentina’s side in the Finalissima, which La Albiceleste won 3-0 against Italy, but didn’t log minutes. He eventually watched Qatar 2022 from home, but four years later, his decision to remain eligible for Argentina is paying off.

Senesi’s experience with Argentina

Senesi boasts just three caps with Argentina, all three of them in friendlies. His international debut came in June 2022, when he played 28 minutes of a 5-0 friendly win over Estonia.

More than three years later, Senesi made his first start during a 1-0 friendly victory over Venezuela in October 2025. His latest appearance came in March 2026, when he played the full 90 minutes of a 2-1 friendly win over Mauritania. It wasn’t a great night for the defender, who was booked in the second half, but it still didn’t prevent him from joining Messi and company for the 2026 World Cup.

Marcos Senesi’s journey towards the 2026 World Cup

The Concordia, Entre Rios native started his career at the San Lorenzo academy, the same place where Qatar 2022 champion and former Atletico Madrid star Angel Correa made his first steps before rising to stardom.

Senesi made his pro debut in 2016 and by 2018, he had already established himself as a starter. Dutch giants Feyenoord forked out €7 million to sign him in 2019, and 116 appearances later, Bournemouth spent €15m to bring him to the Premier League.

With six goals and 10 assists in 128 games, Senesi proved his worth in England and not only caught Tottenham‘s eye but also made a strong case to receive greater consideration from Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni. Now, he’ll try to help Messi repeat as world champion.

On May 13, Guatemala’s soccer federation (Federacion de Futbol de Guatemala) released a statement explaining that the Austria friendly had to be called off because FIFA didn’t approve the fixture.

“The Guatemala national team is preparing to play several high-level international friendly matches in U.S. territory during the FIFA match window of June 2026. As part of the match schedule, a game against the Austria National Team had been programmed for June 10. However, the FFG has received a notification stating that FIFA does not endorse the staging of said match,” the statement read.

Guatemala’s June friendlies without the Austria game

Without FIFA’s approval to play a third game in the June international window, Guatemala had to settle with the two friendlies they were authorized to play in the United States.

On June 4, Luis Fernando Tena’s men suffered a 3-1 loss to Czechia at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. Three days later, Guatemala were handed a 3-0 defeat by Ecuador at Scotts Miracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio.

Even though the results weren’t great, these games allowed Los Chapines to test themselves against strong teams set to compete at the 2026 World Cup, unlike Guatemala.

Thefore, a third match against another World Cup opponent like Austria would’ve further helped Tena’s team, which is aiming to grow with the 2030 World Cup Qualifying cycle in sight.

Austria’s June activity before the 2026 World Cup

Without the Guatemala fixture, Austria seized the pre-World Cup international window to face Tunisia, who are also playing in the 2026 event. It was a 1-0 win for the European side, which is now ready to compete in Group J against defending world champions Argentina, Algeria, and Jordan.

Nigeria’s lineup against Portugal, instead, will feature other names who hope to contribute for the next World Cup Qualifying cycle: Maduka Okoye; Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi; Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Tochukwu Nnadi, Christian Akpan; Moses Simon, Akor Adams. Follow Portugal vs Nigeria live with us for updates and minute-by-minute coverage!

On the bench, the following players will hope to impress coach Eric Chelle: Francis Uzoho, Arthur Okonkwo; Abdullahi Bewene, Zaidu Sanusi, Emmanuel Fernandez; Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika; Philip Otele, Terem Moffi, Paul Onuachu.

Osimhen, Lookman have yet to play at a World Cup on the senior level

Once again, Osimhen is missing the World Cup as Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 edition. At 27, the Galatasaray star has yet to play at the senior global tournament, having made an impression as a youngster in the 2015 U-17 World Cup played in Chile.

Lookman, only a year older than Osimhen, is also waiting for his first senior World Cup appearance. Perhaps the 2030 edition sees the duo redeem themselves and put the country back on the map as Nigeria‘s last World Cup appearance to date came in 2018, when they suffered a group stage exit.

Ronaldo starts ahead of sixth World Cup appearance

Ronaldo, on the other hand, is preparing to play in his sixth World Cup as he chases an unprecedented record. If he scores in the 2026 edition, CR7 will become the first player in tournament history to score in six different World Cups.

The fact that he’s already making a sixth appearance is also setting a record, one he’s sharing with Lionel Messi and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. But the Portuguese needs just one goal to secure an exclusive record of his own.

A 10-year NFL veteran, Ismail played for the Ravens from 1999 to 2001 and started all four playoff games during Baltimore’s first title run, including the 34-7 win over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV ― recording a 44-yard catch that set up a field goal from 47 yards out to extend the Ravens’ lead to 10-0 before halftime.

“The Missile” enjoyed the most productive years of his NFL career in Baltimore, recording 191 catches for 2,819 yards and 18 touchdowns in 47 appearances (44 starts). Now an analyst covering his former team, Ismail speaks with Bolavip about the Ravens‘ moves ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

Ismail analyzes the Ravens’ 2025 season

Bolavip: Before we get into the upcoming season, I would like to know your thoughts about last year. What do you think went wrong for the Ravens?

Qadry Ismail: Boy, where do I begin? I think the year started off with extremely high expectations. A lot of the pundits in the media were saying that the Ravens were built to win a Super Bowl. They drafted some really good quality players. They had a ton of guys returning and basically they went into the year with the idea of “this is a Super Bowl or bust” proposition. At the owners’ meeting, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti was like, “Hey, Super Bowl or bust, let’s go. I’m ready.”

Whereas, I think John Harbaugh, who was in his 18th season as the Ravens head coach, he kind of tempered it a little bit. And I think that tempering mindset, in my opinion, when you’re talking about a highly competitive, win-at-all-cost type of league and situations that you present yourself and you present your players with for him to temper it… I think it kind of set the tone for what would transpire once the regular season started.

And so regular season starts and I think the offense looks good, strong, and sound, but there was some chinks in the armor of the offense. Lamar Jackson clearly being the star player that he is, he was amazing and did some amazing things, but I could see where when it was crunch time and time for them to be at their best, his offensive line failed him.

And because of that failure, the Buffalo Bills got the better of the team. The defense that no longer had Mike Macdonald as their defensive coordinator, they just didn’t look the part. And I think the dysfunction on the defensive side of the football, coupled with the fact that you had an offensive line that just couldn’t get into a strong solid rhythm against an upper tier defense, it just led to a 1-5 start. And that 1-5 start led into a year where Lamar Jackson was in and out of the lineup because of injuries.

I think the way in which their general manager Eric DeCosta did his free agency with certain players, primarily Jaire Alexander, from a cornerback aspect of things who you thought he was going to be really a strong piece to the puzzle for the defense, that didn’t work out.

Cooper Rush, who was Lamar Jackson’s backup, that turned into a very poor move and decision. Tyler Huntley comes in and really sparks the team to a couple victories before Lamar Jackson does get back into the fold.

But the failure for John Harbaugh and his staff, offensively and defensively, to, number one, say the elephant in the room: You just don’t have the right combination at offensive guard on both sides of the ball. You then defensively you can’t make your decision on what you really want to be as a defense. They had a major injury in (Nnamdi) Madubuike with his cervical spine injury and not really sure whether or not he was even going to play again.

I think all of that amounted to an opportunity to still go to the playoffs in Pittsburgh and you miss a 44-yard field goal because you didn’t have pretty much the right management of game play. And what I mean by that is, that shouldn’t have been a 44 yarder. It should not have been over on the, I believe it was the left hash, and I think that they were supposed to kick it on the right hash.

You pretty much put the season in the hands of a, I don’t know how much he was making, $800,000 kicker compared to a 36 and 60 some odd million dollar Hall of Fame running back and quarterback.

I think that there was an abject failure on the coaching and yeah, I think it led to the dismissal of John Harbaugh. Steve Bisciotti was very clear that he didn’t want to have another disappointing year and that empty feeling and so he decided to make a change and now you have Jesse Minter. Hope springs eternal, “The King is dead. Long live the King.”

All right, here we go, Jesse Minter! He’s touted as being a guy who understands defense, but more importantly, he understands relationships, building those relationships and making sure guys understand their expectations. As a team and as an individual, as a unit and as an individual, as a collective group and as an individual.

So whether you’re receiving group, an offensive line group, D-line group, defensive back group, linebacker group, you guys are a collective of individuals that need to understand one another. Whether you’re a unit, defensive side of the ball, offensive side of the ball, special teams side of the ball, you got to understand your assignments and your roles. So collectively, that forms that team and hopefully Jesse Minter can get it done.

John Harbaugh’s firing and eventual move to New York

BV: And how did you feel when John Harbaugh was fired and immediately found a new home on the New York Giants?

Ismail: I think when you have a resume like John Harbaugh, a Super Bowl winning coach, a coach that has sustained excellence in the playoffs ― up until last season, really had a good strong track record of being competitive, and his teams typically are well prepared and all that ― you’re going to gain and garner the interest of other teams.

And obviously with the Giants, their failures to get a head coach to sustain their level of excellence when it comes to their organization and when it comes to how they like to do things, I think it was a no-brainer for them to figure out that John Harbaugh would be a good fit for them.

I think for the Ravens and my personal opinion and feelings, yeah, he was a good dude and I think that there’s nothing that I can say that he did bad to me or anything personal or anything along those lines. But I think that at some point in time, your message gets stale. And as the message gets stale, you’ve got to reinvent yourself. He did it, but I think that in his reinvention he missed the mark, and it showed up in so many ways, in season as well as in the offseason.

The expectations on Jesse Minter and the new coaching staff

BV: Like you said, he spent many years at the helm and before him there was Brian (Billick), who also spent a very long time at the helm of the Ravens. How confident are you in Jesse Minter now to have another long tenure as head coach?

Ismail: Well, Martin, the times that I’ve spent with him, it seems like he’s got it all together. And again, when I say all together, sure, he’s had his growing pains, his ability to kind of go through the fire, and that refiner’s fire, you get some impurities that come to the top, it gets wiped away and then you have a better person, better product.

I think for Jesse right now, it looks like, yeah, he’s able to navigate, if you will, some of the things that are going to be coming his way. And his staff, it looks like his staff is a really cool staff that he put together.

But I would say he’s like a new battleship. You know, when an admiral commissions a battleship and now it’s no longer on a dock and they send it into the water and there’s the buoyancy of it all and it’s like, “All right, that’s great.” Then the captain of the ship is in charge of it.

You got your first mate and you got all your officers and you got your different people who are in charge of the different things of running the ship. That’s great. But you’re not seaworthy until you really put yourself under the test. And whether it be some sort of conflict that you have to deal with or if it’s some sort of issue at sea with regards to weather, regardless, you’re not seaworthy yet until you’ve gone through those experiences and really tested it.

So right now, yeah, the honeymoon is great. I could say a whole bunch of great things about Jesse Minter, but until he goes into Pittsburgh and experiences that, or plays against Cincinnati and experiences that. The NFC South is the main core of their schedule that they’re going to be playing.

And so with that, okay, how are you going to do when you’re playing against those guys? What does it look like when you’re playing on prime time? What’s going to happen when you have your first critical decision to make and all those things with both him as well as his offensive coordinator and Declan Doyle. We’ll see.

BV: Apart from Harbaugh’s exit and Jesse Minter’s arrival, the Ravens now have Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator and Keary Colbert as the new wide receivers’ coach. How do you think these changes will affect Lamar Jackson this year?

Ismail: I’m curious to see how the Ben Johnson-Sean Payton molding will bring Declan into the conversation of working with Lamar Jackson. And what I saw last year with Caleb Williams and the way the Chicago Bears formulated their offense, it looked great, and he made some incredible plays. I loved the mixture of run and pass. I loved all of it. Declan had a huge hand in preparing the offense throughout the week. It was Ben who called the plays, but now Declan gets an opportunity to be the guy.

And so with the experiences of two strongminded offensive people in Sean Payton and in Ben Johnson in the back of his mind, I think that he’s going to serve the next iteration of the Lamar Jackson era really well.

And then yeah, his assistant coaches on his staff, the Keary Colberts of the world, I know they have their responsibilities of articulating his vision to, in this particular case, the receiving core. They’ve got a really good receiving core led by Zay Flowers.

Again, if you’re looking at Chicago’s offense, if I’m a receiver, I’m drooling, because I’m like, “All right. We’re gonna have some plays that are going to be pushing the ball down the football field.” We’ll have some quick game, but I like how we can run some routes and get an opportunity to make some big plays.

The lack of playoff success with Lamar Jackson

BV: And why do you think Lamar and the Ravens couldn’t succeed in the playoffs yet? What do you think they need to get over the hump once and for all?

Ismail: I think the elephant in the room… There has to be an unwillingness to waver off of what you do best. And I think in the playoffs, whatever the reason, coaching as well as execution, they seem to waver off of what they do best. And teams in the playoffs, they try to take away your strength.

Teams that win in the playoffs, literally, they’re the ones dictating their strength to you. Period. End of discussion. “Oh, you’re going to try to take this away. That’s great. Well, here we go. We’re about to show you why you cannot.”

And I think that’s something that the Ravens, in the Lamar Jackson era, have done at times. They have Tennessee at home, they don’t play well, Tennessee beats them. They go to Tennessee, they whoop up on Tennessee. Buffalo seems to be in an enigma, where you think that they’re going to play extremely well, but they make these critical mistakes and then in the end they don’t execute to win the game.

But they got there because why? They got past the divisional round or the wild card round by whooping up on the Pittsburgh Steelers. You’re a number one seed going up against the Kansas City Chiefs at home. You have an opportunity to just be you. You got a defense that is incredible. You got the number one ranked offense, number one ranked defense, and for the first time in history, the team that failed to get to the Super Bowl, let alone even winning it, you now have to hang that hat on you.

And so with Jesse Minter’s new offense, new defense, new way of doing things, yeah, I think he has to have a resolve that says “whatever we are, we’re going to be that when we get into the playoffs and we’re going to impose our will on the other team.“

Expectations for 2026

BV: The AFC has been very challenging for the Ravens all these years. How far do you think the Ravens will go this year considering all the changes in the conference?

Ismail: The AFC, yes, had been ruled by Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. I think the shift overall, globally in the league, has been an interesting one where you’re seeing a kind of tipping back towards the defense. And Mike Macdonald is certainly one of the teams that you would say is ahead of the class. Obviously, what the Philadelphia Eagles did the year prior and whooping up on the Andy Reid-led Kansas City Chiefs certainly made the blueprint be evident.

I think bigger picture-wise, when you look at all those teams, whether it be the Broncos, whether it be the Patriots, whether it be, even the Bills to a certain degree, the Texans, they all have a defensive front that if you don’t run the football or if you don’t control the line of scrimmage with your upfront five and the pass protection ability of it and be accurate with the football, you’re going to have a long day. That’s just how it is.

And so I think for Jesse Minter, he’s going to implement some of those philosophies that we see across the AFC and across the NFC. I think that’s going to be great for this defense and I believe they’re going to give the offense an opportunity to have short fields. As opposed to always having to, you know, relinquish the ball and now you’ve got to go 70-80 yards. I think this team will be opportunistic. I think this team will be giving the Ravens offense a lot of short fields which is going to be advantageous to the team as a whole.

BV: Rushing was very important the year you won the Super Bowl. How important do you think that Derrick Henry will be, or that at least he should be this year for the Ravens?

Ismail: I think the running game and what Derrick Henry presents is just incredible. Top-notch. Unbelievable. And I say it because of this: Anytime you’re an offensive line and you’re having trouble when the wind blows and you’re trying to block air and you’re missing, that’s a problem. Let that sink in a little bit.

So I think this year with Declan Doyle, I think what he has is Dwayne Ledford, their offensive line coach, and I think Eric DeCosta by drafting Vega Ioane as a right guard, bringing in John Simpson as the left guard, still up for debate what it’s going to look like at center, but for running game purposes, if I am Derrick Henry, I’m like, “All right, bet. Here we go. We’re going to do some things.”

Now, they don’t have the traditional pullback any longer. They have let Pancake Pat Ricard go and they’re going to bring in a multi-look uh tight end group. But besides that, I think that yeah, it’s imperative that they run the football, run it effectively, and I think that they will.

The Lamar Jackson – Michael Jordan analogy

BV: And what do you think of Lamar running with the ball? Do you think that he should do it less, just to protect himself, or do you like when he suddenly scrambles and gains yards on his own?

Ismail: He’s the greatest dual-threat quarterback to ever play the game. So, why would I want to take a strength away from the greatest to ever do it? Did Michael Jordan set the tone early in his career by dominating at the rim? Yes. Did he change up from a longevity aspect of things and do his fadeaway jumper? Yes. Did he come back to dominating at the rim when he needed to? Absolutely.

My point in that analogy is this: Lamar Jackson early in his career did what he needed to do for his strength and for what the team needed. He has certainly evolved into the player that he is today. And I think the next phase of his game is to be like Jordan in that fadeaway jumper. What does that look like? Because you also need to have that dominant go to the rim style of play, too. That’s where I think I’m excited to see what it’ll look like in Declan Doyle’s offense.

BV: Would you have liked to play with Lamar?

Ismail: God, yes! Absolutely. In my career, I played with Warren Moon, Hall of Fame quarterback who in my mind I don’t ever remember him throwing a bad ball ever. I played the latter part of my career with Peyton Manning and that was an awesome thing as well from a pure, just let’s take advantage of the defense, period. Now, well, let’s go to the line of scrimmage and let’s have the entire playbook at our disposal and we’ll change the play so the defense can’t hone in on us. Those two quarterbacks were just incredible, incredible, incredible.

Now, if I were playing with Lamar, my goodness. I would absolutely love it. I think it would be amazing. I think the early iteration of Lamar where he was more leaning towards running the football rather than throwing it, I probably would pass on that.

But the Lamar Jackson that has, I don’t know how many perfect passer rating games he has, but I know he’s like, if not number one or at least top two of all time, I want to be a part of that. That guy who, man, he slings it, and he will find you.

I want to be a part of that guy and yeah, I want it where teams are so nervous that he’s going to run that you’re in man-to-man situations and let’s eat! As a receiver, you should be drooling because you know all you need to do is make one guy miss to have a big play on your hands.

Ismail’s experience playing with great QBs

BV: You recently mentioned Peyton Manning, you also overlapped with Brian Johnson and even Dan Marino during your stint with the Dolphins. What was your experience with them, and who was the one who impressed you the most?

Ismail: Hall of Fame wise, Warren Moon, I had a good amount of success with. Dan Marino, I wasn’t nowhere near in the conversation of playing on the team with him, he and my good friend OJ McDuffie had a really awesome connection. I mean, that was his guy and OJ was on point with it.

Dan was just incredible arm talent. I mean, say what you want about today’s quarterbacks, but Dan was doing it back in the day where you had to take some vicious hits as well as your receivers weren’t just running free wide open across the middle, because you had guys that were able to take your head off, and it was just a different game back then, but he thrived in it. So that to me says an awful lot.

I loved playing with Peyton. You can put yourself in a position where if it’s cover two and you got a man route, I mean, it’s easy to change it, but not many quarterbacks have the IQ to change it. Payton had the IQ to change it at a moment’s notice. So, I loved that about him. And it was just fun playing with him. Again, like I said with Warren, you just never had a bad ball and he was just fun. That was amazing, playing with him.

But you’re going to think, this is where my success was with two quarterbacks. One was Elvis Grbac and the other was Tony Banks. And both of those guys, while not Hall of Famers, like it felt great to have the moniker of being their go-to receiver, to being the number one threat and that playmaker for those guys. That to me was amazing. So yeah, I would say in my time, those people really stood out to me.

Analyzing the current game

BV: You recently mentioned some changes in regard to today’s quarterbacks. How much do you think the game has changed from your era to today? Not only at quarterback, but also at wide receiver.

Ismail: Quarterback, I mean, well, the rules are now where you just have so much more protection. You know, it used to be like a badge of honor to go across the middle, and you just get hit by the safety, and you kind of get up and brush yourself off, and your body is like, “Oh my goodness, I just got lit up. But I’m not going to let him know that.” And you just sit there and you try to be tough and you just got hit. Now you can go across the middle and you’re not going to get laid out and leveled like you did back in the day.

So yeah, I think the game has certainly changed. The press coverage, man-to-man coverage, the way it used to be compared to now, the defense will be defensive holding or defensive pass and interference. Although they have strengthened the pass interference as well, nowadays, oh man, I feel like this era of football resonates with me more than my era of football. I respect it.

I respect those guys, the numbers that they put up, you know, the Marvin Harrisons, the Chris Carters, the Jerry Rices, the Randy Mosses, the Isaac Bruces of the world. I mean, I’m naming some dudes right there. You know, those were my vintage of guys. And man, the numbers they put up were just incredible. The Michael Irvins of the world, they were ballers and just tough, tough, tough receivers, great route runners, smart players. For me, I felt like I would have played so much better and more aggressive in this style of football, in this era.

BV: And who are your favorite wide receivers today?

Ismail: I would say Jaxon Smith-Njigba just jumps off the page at me. I mean, he kind of has that old school style to him, you know? He just reminds me of some of those route runners that I just mentioned. He has a flair for the dramatic. He can just make catches, you know, kind of Larry Fitzgerald back in the day made catches for the Arizona Cardinals. You know, Jaxon Smith kind of looks like that guy who can do that.

I like Zay Flowers here at the Ravens. I think he’s a dynamic playmaking kind of a guy. The guys that came before this current group were the Julio Jones of the world, the Odell Beckham Jrs, the Andre Johnsons, the Reggie Waynes. I mean those dudes, I appreciate their game too. Those some big boy receivers that commanded the presence on the field, commanded the attention of the defense.

I think a guy who had a brief moment of fun in the sun if you will was AJ Brown for the Philadelphia Eagles. I appreciate his game. I kind of like DeVonta Smith, Smitty, as they like to call him up in Philadelphia. To me, the way he plays, with his stature and size, but his toughness and his just his smart football IQ and his ability to make catches. Like goodness, I really appreciate his game as well.

So yeah, there are some guys there that came before this era and then this current group of dudes, the Mike Evans of the world, the big, tall receiver that just year in and year out just shows up. I’m curious to see what he’s going to do with the 49ers, but he continually shows up. I like this group of receivers and what they bring to the table.

Ismail’s memories from Super Bowl XXXV

BV: What do you remember about Super Bowl 35? What did it mean to you, and how much did it forge your bond with the Ravens?

Ismail: That entire year was interesting. Interesting in this regard: it was one of the greatest years of my career, but it was the most challenging of my career.

I had the best teammates ever assembled on a team and it was led by Rod Woodson, Shannon Sharpe, and Ray Lewis. We had a mixed bag of just funny, eclectic, crazy dudes from the Tony Siragusa, the Sam Adams, offensively, Shannon Sharpe, we had just like a weird mix of dudes and it worked, and we had a coaching staff that just blended all of us together.

I think it was challenging for me as an individual because I came off of my first 1,000-yard receiving year. I was ready to do it again. We had to change at quarterback. Trent was a guy who was just going to manage the game. He wasn’t going to do anything outside of the game that was going to put the team in harm’s way, which is what we needed. Once Jamal Lewis got going, it was like, “yo, here’s our formula. Here’s what we’re going to do.”

But selfishly, I had a high grade two MCL sprain that really set me back as far as just my play, the ability for me to be a speedster and make big plays. While I did make plays, while I was the team’s leading receiver and all those things, my numbers weren’t where I wanted them to be and just my play overall, like I knew that, “man, I’m not at 100 because of this knee injury.” And I knew it, and it was frustrating, and it was tough, and it was hard, like recovery and everything. That year challenged me so much mentally. Yeah, it was the hardest year ever.

Yet there was something to say about going each and every game and just winning, and winning, and winning, and winning, and winning. And getting into the playoffs and winning, and winning, and winning, and hoisting up the AFC Championship Trophy out in Oakland and you’re looking around like, “Wait a minute. What’s next?” Oh, oh, we’re going to Tampa. We’re going down and we’re gonna be playing against the New York Giants. “Oh, wait a minute. They’re going to the Super Bowl?” Like I thought we were gonna play the Minnesota Vikings.

The jersey behind me is the jersey that I wore in the Super Bowl with the grass stains on it and all that. And I got the Wheaties box over here. You ain’t getting a Wheaties box as a runner up. You only get a Wheaties box if you win. So to be on it, to be a part of it, it was amazing. And yeah, got the hardware to show it. So fun, fun, fun, awesome group of men to win a championship with.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH QADRY ISMAIL ON BOLAVIP US:

According to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, the Giants were unaware that Dart would make this appearance, and consider this situation as a “misstep” by the second-year quarterback.

“This was a misstep by Dart, in the eyes of the Giants,” Schwartz wrote. “This was not a Giants pep rally. There was no need for him to interject anything about his team. This was not the Giants Town Hall held a few days earlier, where talk of ‘kicking the Cowboys’ (expletive)’ was embraced, even by Harbaugh. There is a time and place for everything.“

The report claims that while Dart neither sought nor needed the Giants’ approval after receiving an invitation from Trump’s camp, the team would have advised him of two things: “1) be aware of the ramifications and 2) remember you are representing yourself and not the Giants.“

Jaxson Dart’s appearance made noise

Taking the stage at Rockland Community College in the New York metropolitan area, Dart greeted the crowd with “Big Blue Nation” and “Go Big Blue” references before presenting Trump as the “45th and 47th President of the United States,” with the President later referring to the 23-year-old as a “future Hall of Famer.”

Abdul Carter’s reaction on X immediately went viral, though teammates then made an effort to reduce the tension. Jermaine Eluemunor addressed Carter’s response to Dart, suggesting that the Giants’ locker room is “fine.”

Things cooled down even more when Carter himself downplayed the situation, revealing he and Dart are on good terms.

Not an ideal situation for the Giants in a year where they hope to make a statement in the NFC East, but with so many months to go before Week 1, perhaps all of this will be water under the bridge by September.

Bolavip got to ask Martino about the possibility of a reunion in Atlanta following his team’s 2-0 loss to Columbus Crew on Sunday.

“The truth is that I have a lot of affection for the group we worked with in Atlanta during 2017-18. Probably every player from that era who’s still active is something to watch, to pay attention to,” Martino responded to Bolavip during his postgame media availability.

“We haven’t sat down with the front office yet to know in which situation we find ourselves in. It’s a position where we already have Emmanuel Latte Lath as DP, we have other strikers in Cayman (Togashi) and Sergio Santos, and I also use Aleksei Miranchuk as striker,” added Martino, who left the door open for Martinez despite Atlanta’s current situation.

“Therefore, it’s a position that is already crowded with players, and today I shouldn’t have a positive answer. But well, I won’t rule it out because Josef is a natural-born goalscorer. He’s a player I know well and he’s active in an important league like the Mexican league.“

Josef Martinez reportedly hitting free agency

Earlier in the week, Felipe Cardenas of The Athletic reported that the Venezuelan striker has mutually parted ways with Liga MX side Club Tijuana, adding that Martinez would welcome a return to MLS.

Martinez, who turned 33 on May 19, has recorded only one goal in 9 appearances (one start) since moving to Mexico in January. That may explain why he could become a free agent during the upcoming World Cup break.

Martino, Atlanta have great memories of Josef Martinez

The Venezuelan’s connection with Martino and Atlanta may matter more than his recent numbers. Martinez played an instrumental role in the team’s 2018 MLS Cup win under Tata, winning both MLS MVP and Golden Boot with 35 goals in 38 games.

Martinez left an indelible mark in Atlanta, ending a five-year stint in 2022 with 111 goals in 158 appearances. He stayed in MLS, playing for Inter Miami (2023), CF Montreal (2024), and San Jose Earthquakes (2025) before trying his luck in Liga MX, but none of those teams saw him at his best like Atlanta did. Now it could be a good moment for one last dance.

“I think it’s no secret that we’ve been in communication with Robert,” Berhalter responded to Bolavip during his media availability after Chicago’s 2-0 road win over CF Montreal on Saturday.

“We think he’s a fantastic player. We think that they would be a great, a top pairing in this league. So you never know. I think there’s a lot still to be done, but we admire Robert, and we think he’s a fantastic player, one of the best strikers ever.“

Lewandowski confirms Barcelona exit

On Saturday, Lewandowski confirmed through a lengthy message on social media that he’s leaving Barcelona this summer.

“After four years full of challenges and hard work, it’s time to move on. I leave with the feeling that the mission is complete. 4 seasons, 3 championships. I will never forget the love I received from the fans from my very first days. Catalonia is my place on earth,” Lewandowski wrote.

“Thank you to everyone I met along the way during these beautiful four years. A special thank you to President Laporta for giving me the chance to live the most incredible chapter of my career. Barça is back where it belongs. Visca el Barça. Visca Catalunya.”

Set to turn 38 in August, Lewandowski will not play in the FIFA World Cup this summer as Poland failed to qualify for the tournament. But after more than a decade at the highest level of European soccer (Borussia Dortmund from 2010-14, Bayern Munich 2014-22, Barcelona 2022-26), he looks ready to start a new chapter elsewhere.

Chicago had been mentioned as a potential suitor for Lewy once his deal expired, and Berhalter had no problem in confirming that the interest is real.

Cuypers in excellent form for Chicago

The team is already in a great situation with Cuypers in amazing form, as the Belgian striker extended his scoring streak to 10 games by netting Chicago’s second goal in Montreal on Saturday.

Cuypers, 29, is currently leading MLS with 13 goals, boasting two more than Inter Miami star Lionel Messi and FC Dallas’ Petar Musa. Needless to say, an attacking duo of Cuypers-Lewandowski would give a massive boost to Chicago’s aspirations.

“Well, I’m sure he’s getting a lot of advice from his father (former USMNT manager Bob Bradley), and he’s got some great pedigree,” Berhalter said during his Thursday media availability.

“He probably doesn’t need my advice, but, you know, coaching is a journey, and he’s a smart guy, and for him, it’s just a continual journey to keep learning and keep improving.

“And if you could do that as a human being, as a coach, I think you’ll position yourself well. But it’s been fun watching him, really the first of this generation to get an opportunity to be a head coach in MLS, and it’s really nice to see,” Berhalter added.

When Bradley impressed Berhalter on the USMNT

Bradley was only 18 when he met Berhalter for the first time. Just a month before the 2006 World Cup, Bradley was invited to the USMNT training camp as the senior roster prepared for the big tournament in Germany.

Eventually, Berhalter went on to coach the US national team and in 2018-2019 overlapped with Bradley, who captained the Stars and Stripes in 48 of his 151 international caps.

“I remember the 2006 World Cup, he was joining the team to train with us before we left for Germany, and I sat next to him at one dinner and I remember just talking to him and hearing from him and, at that time, he was wise beyond his years,” Berhalter said in 2023 when Bradley announced his retirement from soccer.

Bradley still taking first steps as a coach

After hanging up his boots, Bradley served as an assistant to his father Bob at Stabæk Fotbal. His first head coaching came with the New York Red Bulls II, leading them to their first-ever MLS Next Pro championship in 2025.

That earned him a promotion to the MLS team after a tough year in which it missed the playoffs. The NYRB are still a work in progress under Bradley, sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference with 12 points in 11 games.

Berhalter, on the other hand, is looking to build on Chicago’s playoff run from last year as his side sits fourth in the East with 17 points in 10 games. This, in addition to his experience on the managerial role, makes Berhalter’s advice useful for a young coach like Bradley, who’s navigating a challenging start in MLS.

“As a coach, you’re a product of all your experiences in the game,” Bradley responded to Bolavip when asked about Berhalter’s influence in his coaching career, with Berhalter showing happiness to see Bradley coaching in MLS.

“And those are experiences as a player, as a fan, as a coach. You try to take everything that you’ve seen, everything that you’ve been a part of, everything that you’ve heard, and put it all together in a way that is true to yourself and reflective of you and the environment that you want to create, and the football that you want your team to play.“

Horvath notes big differences between Bradley, Berhalter

Before having him as a coach on the US national team in 2018-2019, Bradley spent time with Berhalter as a teammate when the USMNT roster prepared for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Horvath also played under Berhalter for the Stars and Stripes, helping the country win the 2021 Concacaf Nations League by replacing Zack Steffen in the final against Mexico.

When asked by Bolavip about differences and similarities between Berhalter and Bradley, Horvath claimed their playing styles are completely different, though they have one thing in common when it comes to leading a group.

“I wouldn’t say too much, coaching national team and club are two different things,” Horvath said. “Michael’s within the Red Bull program. Everything’s ultra-aggressive, everything’s on the front foot, whereas with Gregg, we were all so aggressive, but at times, we were a bit more in block and pick and choose when to press and whatnot.

“For me, they’re two completely different coaches, completely different styles. But with all that being said, (they) still (get to) the same point to bring a group together, to be a family and a brotherhood.”

Bradley on Berhalter’s experience

Bradley also mentioned the differences between coaching a club and a national team, but he still took note of Berhalter’s work during their time together.

“Obviously, the national team is never a consistent day-to-day basis, but over the course of probably a year and a half or two years, I was in camps and games with him, and certainly, the way that he sees the game, the way that he set up training sessions, the tone that he has with the group, his way of leading. You take little bits of all that, and you try to use it in a way that then can help you,” Bradley added.

What’s for sure is that both coaches are in very different moments in their careers. While Bradley is just getting started on a New York team that has plenty of work to do, Berhalter is already in his second year in Chicago, bringing all his experience to a team that looks more mature and ready to make a playoff push in the 2026 MLS season.

On Monday, the Chiefs announced a number of roster moves, including waiving Haener, who spent only a few months in Kansas City after signing a reserve/future contract in February.

Haener was released alongside DE Ethan Hurkett and DT Zacch Pickens as the Chiefs made room for free agents WR Xavier Loyd, DB Marlen Sewell, and T Kahlil Benson.

Jake Haener’s brief NFL experience

Haener, 27, spent three years with the New Orleans Saints (2023-2025) after being selected with the 127th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

In eight appearances with the Saints (one start), Haener completed 18 of 39 passes for 226 yards for a touchdown and an interception. He also had 11 scrambles for 22 yards and got sacked six times.

Chiefs QB room has enough depth behind Mahomes

When Haener joined the Chiefs, the team was heading into the offseason with Chris Oladokun as its only healthy QB under contract. Mahomes, facing a long rehab after underdoing knee surgery to repair ACL and LCL injuries, had the team wondering how to navigate these months until his recovery.

But the Chiefs QB situation got clearer with free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. Kansas City first signed Justin Fields, who has a big fan in Reid, and then went on to draft LSU product Garrett Nussmeier, who’s willing to sit back and learn from Reid and Mahomes.

The Chiefs now have enough options in the QB room, which GM Brett Veach considers the best in the NFL. And with Reid recently suggesting Mahomes is on track to be at OTAs (Organized Team Activities) later this month, Haener was no longer needed.

“I would give Julian the advice to follow his heart,” Bradley replied to Bolavip during his Tuesday media availability ahead of Wednesday’s derby against New York City FC in the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup round of 16.

Hall, born and raised in the US, also has Polish citizenship through his mother, who met with Poland‘s soccer federation president Cezary Kulesza this week.

Bradley not putting pressure on Hall to choose the USMNT over Poland

Despite being an icon of the US national team with 151 caps, Bradley understands that Hall’s decision will be personal, which is why he’s encouraging his player to decide what he feels best.

“For any football player who has the possibility to play for two countries, I personally can’t imagine what goes into a decision like that. I was only able to play for one national team, and so that is not something that I have experience with,” Bradley added.

“But for me, when it comes to any big decisions in life, you think about things, and you reflect, and then ultimately you make a decision based on your heart, and based on where you want to go and what you want out of your life and what you want out of that decision. And when you make the decision, then you go for it and you don’t look back.“

Poland FA president meets with Hall’s mother in New York

Kulesza’s post on X revealing the meeting with Hall’s mother made noise on social media, hinting at Poland’s interest in recruiting Hall before he suits up for the Stars and Stripes.

“I met in New York with Julian Zakrzewski Hall’s mom, Ms. Agnieszka. It’s impressive how she supports her son on his soccer journey. We were of the same opinion – that the surname Zakrzewski looks beautiful on a white-and-red jersey,” Kulesza wrote.

Julian Hall’s excellent start to 2026 puts him on Poland’s radar again

Hall has been in great form for New York early in 2026, boasting six goals and two assists in just 10 MLS appearances. All of this with his mother’s birth name, Zakrzewski, on the back of his shirt.

This fact, combined with Kulesza’s recent meeting, could worry USMNT fans about Poland’s chances to recruit Hall.

That said, the forward already had the possibility to represent Poland at the youth international level, yet he only played for the US. Only time will tell what flag he ends up representing for the rest of his career.

Selected 32nd overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2009 NFL Draft, Hood’s life as a pro got off to an eventful start. After making a name for himself as a defensive tackle at Missouri — making the First-team All-Big 12 in 2008 — the Amarillo, Texas native immediately had to switch to defensive end in Mike Tomlin‘s system.

Joining the Steelers paid off though, as Hood enjoyed a trip to Super Bowl XLV in his second year as a pro. Aaron Rodgers‘ Green Bay Packers ended up standing in Pittsburgh’s way, a result that still hurts but doesn’t make Hood lose sight of the bigger picture.

In an exclusive interview with Bolavip, Ziggy reflects on his NFL journey, which began with a fruitful five-year stint in the Steel City (2009-2013), followed by stops with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2014-15) and Chicago Bears (2015). His career also included a tenure in Washington (2016-18), where he overlapped with Kirk Cousins, before finishing with the Miami Dolphins (2018) and the New Orleans Saints (2019).

Ziggy Hood on being drafted by Tomlin, Steelers

Bolavip: You once said that you were surprised by being picked in the first round. How did you take that decision? Did it give you confidence or did it put more pressure on you?

Ziggy Hood: You know what, coming from a small town here in Amarillo, Texas, not too many guys have, you know, transcended in the next level from college, it has only been a select few. And having that opportunity to even make it to the league was a blessing itself.

With the draft, it was up and down with different picks that they were telling me, so when the teams pass you up, you think you’re going to drop. (It was) just a surprise you know, the Steelers with the 32nd pick chose me. I felt like I wasn’t worthy but hey, thank God I got the blessing and it was a history wrap from there.

Bolavip: What was it like to play under Mike Tomlin?

Hood: He was a great coach, great organization. I have nothing bad to say about anybody, really, any organization because they gave me the opportunity to play. And so, I could never bring myself to badmouth anybody because, like I said, with with the opportunity to play, it’s my choice and my decision to do whatever I need to do to prolong my career.

So, you know, thank God for the blessings and everything that they gave me. They got me to play the game I love, that I played all the way from little league, middle school, high school, college, and then my dream to play professional.

Bolavip: You had to switch from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense. What was it like? How did you feel about that?

Hood: Really, you had to rewire yourself on how you need to do certain things. Luckily, I had a group of older vets to teach me and to learn from them. I think that was the best thing to do.

And these guys were, you know, 35, 36 years old. They were on the verge of retiring, even though they could have played three or four more years. I had the blessing, I had the opportunity to learn from these older guys and to see how it’s done when it’s done correctly.

The culture set by Big Ben and Tomlin in Pittsburgh

Bolavip: And even though he wasn’t a player in your position, you had a leader like Ben Roethlisberger. What was it like to have him as the quarterback and leader of the franchise?

Hood: Well, he already knew how to win because they had just recently won a Super Bowl the year before me against the Cardinals. They won again, I think several years beforehand. So, they already had the recipe of winning.

So I came into a great organization. And I came into a great culture that understood winning and what it takes to win. It started with practice and making sure you do everything as perfect as you can. Even when you fall short, you’re still good enough.

Bolavip: Were you surprised to see Tomlin leave Pittsburgh after all these years?

Hood: No, I wasn’t. The man has been over there what, over 20 years or something like that? And then to have a run and to have another, you know, not a losing season. That’s a blessing opportunity. He’s going to go down as one of the greatest coaches in the NFL for being with that organization.

And I’m pretty sure he likes the time off right now. He gets to spend time with his family, do the things he normally couldn’t around this time because they either be preparing for the draft, getting ready for OTAs (Organized Team Activities) and training camp. So, I’m pretty sure he’s going to take a year off and then he’s going to start getting the itch to coach back again.

Losing Super Bowl XLV to Aaron Rodgers’ Packers

Bolavip: What do you remember about that season where you played Super Bowl XLV?

Hood: You know what? Everybody was on point, everybody was clicking and it seems like every time things were go were about to go bad, it took a turn for the good to have an opportunity to play in the Super Bowl.

Unfortunately, we didn’t win, but not too many guys can say they did that. And you know, if (there’s) one thing I could redo, it’s that particular game, because it’d be a different type of world to have a ring and in a different kind of class to have that opportunity to play and win again.

Bolavip: It was a very close game and against a very good team, against Aaron Rodgers. What was it like to face this type of quarterback in that game?

Hood: The guy was athletic and he was smart, we caught him at the young age of Aaron Rodgers. If we would have caught him at the very crafty, little bit older vet, it definitely would have been a harder game to play.

But just to go against somebody of his caliber, and then he was able to play for them towards the end of his career, that shows that guys like him can make these jumps and bring a team to win at any opportunity he plays at.

The toughest quarterbacks to play against

Bolavip: And who was for you the toughest quarterback to play against in the NFL?

Hood: I got to give it to Tom Brady. The man delivered the ball so fast, trying to get back there to him was difficult. Because he knew he where he wanted to go with the ball and how to get there. So when the ball was delivered in less than a second, that’s what it was.

When you have opportunity to sack him, you better take advantage, because it’s those type of opportunities don’t come, you know, a dime a dozen. You have to be be ready and be able to try to capitalize whenever you have it.

Bolavip: And do you remember a tough quarterback in college?

Hood: Either Sam Bradford or Colt McCoy, because they had one of the best two offensive linemen in front of them. And so those guys played a long career as well. Not only that, they came from a winning program as well.

I had an opportunity to play against those teams, originally in the Big 12 before they moved to a different conference. So, like I said, that was a great time at Missouri.

The importance of defensive players in football

Bolavip: Going back to your position, do you think that defensive players and especially defensive tackles or defensive ends are underrated? Either by fans or media, or even coaches.

Hood: There’s a bunch of guys that are underrated. I follow a lot of guys on Instagram or I look at a lot of different guys on clips of pass rushing and I’m sitting there like, ‘Man, these guys are moving.’ I wish I had that type of wiggle back then. It’d be a different ball game.

But what I’m seeing now, how fast the game moves, these guys are very special to watch. I love watching the football games. I like watching my position because I’m seeing how they’re moving and what they see out there. I’m like, ‘Man, that’s pretty neat that he was able to do that.‘

Bolavip: Which players do you like to see or do you believe are the best today in your position?

Hood: I know (Jeffery) Simmons from Tennessee. I didn’t realize how big and built he is until you actually look at him. I wish Aaron Donald would have stayed several more years because that guy was wreaking havoc every time.

(Danielle) Hunter with Houston because he’s unorthodox and I love how he gets off on the ball and does these weird combinations, with moves and stuff. It’s just like, man, it gets me excited to see somebody like that. I love seeing other guys shine and get the opportunity to extend their careers.

Spending time with Kirk Cousins and other teams after Pittsburgh stint

Bolavip: There are still many players of your era, maybe in other positions, who continue to play. You overlapped with Kirk Cousins in Washington. He’s now joining the Raiders. How do you see him this year, and what do you remember of him as a teammate?

Hood: He’s a great man to follow. I never had a bad note from him. He was a great leader when I played at Washington. So I’m pretty sure he’s going to do great things in Vegas. He gives it everything he’s got.

Not only that, he’s a great family-based type of man. That’s the guy who I love to follow. He’s the family-based type of man, because he’s playing more for than just for money. He’s playing for his kids. He’s playing for his wife. So that’s a great opportunity to stand behind him.

Bolavip: What difference did you see between the Steelers and the teams that you went on to play for afterwards?

Hood: It’s the front office. A lot of different organizations are ran a lot different. Like I said, I could never be on the phone and badmouth any organization because I’m saying they gave me an opportunity. But different levels come where the top has blueprint. ‘This is how we win.’ And it stems down all the way down to the players. Even the custodian staff knows what time it is.

“The Steelers was a top-notch organization because they knew how to run.”

It all starts up in the front office. How they draft, how they organize the schedule, what type of personnel or people that they bring in, who do they surround the players with, and for them to put the players in a great position to be successful.

The Steelers was a top-notch organization because they knew how to run. I had a great time at Washington regardless, I got close to a lot of guys, I got close to a lot of the men on the coaching staff and in the training room as well. So, I had a great time. Either place I went to.

The advice for young players

Bolavip: As a former first-rounder, what advice would you give to any prospect who’s entering this year’s draft class?

Hood: Doesn’t matter what opportunity, what round, what pick you go, utilize it and capitalize. And so the biggest thing I try to stress the players is let your ability take over. Don’t put yourself in a cookie cutter, routine, to where it got you playing like a robot. Go out there, enjoy the moment because when it’s done, it’s done. And there’s going to be days where you reminisce.

And so when you’re a lot older like me being at age 39, I go around telling the high school kids who I coach and I have the opportunity to share some of my experiences: I had opportunities to play with future Hall of Famers, Hall of Famers, and guys that bring business every single day. And this is the blueprint, how you got to get there in order to achieve that. But the minute you stop being you, that’s when everything will change and go downhill.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH ZIGGY HOOD ON BOLAVIP US:

Rosenior was in charge of Chelsea for only 23 matches, with 11 wins, two draws, and 10 losses across all competitions. His departure comes after a disappointing losing streak, with the London side losing its last five matches with no goals scored.

Before the club’s official announcement, football.london reported Chelsea would have to pay Rosenior around £24M (€28M) to fire him, since he was under contract until 2032. However, journalist Fabrizio Romano claims Rosenior’s firing won’t be that expensive.

“Chelsea had included a break clause into Liam Rosenior contract and will not pay out full salary for next years, fee to be lower,” Romano wrote on X.

Rosenior’s short-lived stint with Chelsea

Rosenior, 41, was hired in January as the club had recently parted ways with Enzo Maresca. In only his second game at the helm, Chelsea lost to Arsenal in the first leg of the EFL Cup semifinals, eventually getting knocked out with another loss in the second leg.

While his Premier League tenure started well with a streak of games avoiding defeat, Chelsea were humiliated by PSG in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League round of 16, losing 8-2 on aggregate.

But the Blues’ recent Premier League form simply sealed Rosenior’s fate: a 1-0 loss to Newcastle was followed by consecutive 3-0 defeats to Everton and Manchester City, respectively, with a 1-0 loss to Manchester United preceding another 3-0 defeat to Brighton, which turned out to be his last game in charge.

What’s next for Chelsea

Chelsea find themselves 7th in the 2025-26 Premier League standings after 34 games with 48 points, seven shy of Liverpool – who hold the last Champions League spot with a game in hand.

On Sunday, the Blues face an opportunity to bounce back with an FA Cup semifinal clash against Leeds United. These will be Chelsea’s next Premier League fixtures:

• vs Nottingham Forest (home) – May 4
• vs Liverpool (away) – May 9
• vs Tottenham (home) – TBD
• vs Sunderland (away) – May 24

“As we often say in soccer, ‘everything has already been invented.’ There are certain coaches who have their own playbook, their style of play, their way of tranining, and of handling the day-to-day, which I believe is the most important thing,” Falcon said.

“But you also gain experience over time and realize that these things can happen. A player sometimes has a four-year deal and a certain level of stability, but for a coach it’s different. Sometimes, because of losses or other factors, they end up leaving a club after three our four games. It’s not nice, but as players we have no choice but to get used to it and try to reset our mindset quickly.“

Falcon optimistic about Inter Miami’s future

Shortly after Mascherano‘s exit, The Herons started the Hoyos era on the right foot, with Falcon playing the full 90 minutes as a Messi brace led Inter Miami to a 3-2 road win over Colorado Rapids.

“The other day it was a very tough match, in which they probably didn’t feel sorry for us at all,” Falcon added. “They were just thinking about winning the game, regarldess of how we got there. I think it’s about that, to change the mindset quickly.

“The coaching staff is there to give you tools and show you the opponents’ weaknesses, and then, obviously, we have to execute it on the field. So, to start with a win after three days of practice with the new coaching staff, I think it’s always positive to win. There always are things to fix, of course, but we’re training for that every day, and I believe we’re on the right track.“

Frustrating streak before Mascherano’s exit

With the 2025 MLS Cup win still fresh in the memory, a club statement explained Mascherano left Miami due to personal reasons, in a move that came weeks after the team suffered an early Concacaf Champions Cup exit at the hands of Nashville SC.

Additionally, the Herons failed to win their first two games at their new arena, with a draw against Austin FC at the Nu Stadium opener being followed by another tie against the New York Red Bulls.

But as Falcon suggested, Messi and Inter Miami are still in a good position, being second in the Eastern Conference standings with 15 points, four shy of Nashville after eight games.

In the end, Pep Guardiola‘s team gained the upper hand, reducing the gap with Mikel Arteta‘s side in the Premier League standings.

Thanks to their 2-1 win, Manchester City (67) are now just three points shy of leaders Arsenal (70) with a game in hand, which means the Citizens can tie the Gunners on points if they win their pending league fixture.

Here’s how things stand in the 2025-26 Premier League after today’s game:

Arsenal’s schedule: What’s next for them in the Premier League?

While Arsenal are also alive in the UEFA Champions League (they will face Atletico Madrid in the semifinals), the Gunners have five games left in the 2025-26 Premier League season:

• Newcastle (home) – April 25
• Fulham (home) – May 2
• West Ham (away) – May 10
• Burnley (home) – TBD
• Crystal Palace (away) – May 24

Manchester City’s remaining Premier League fixtures

Unlike Arsenal, Manchester City are no longer in UEFA Champions League contention but they do have the chance to lift the FA Cup, facing Southampton (who knocked Arsenal out) in the semifinals.

In Premier League action, Pep Guardiola’s men have six fixtures left this term, one more than Arsenal:

• Burnley (away) – April 22
• Everton (away) – May 4
• Brentford (home) – May 9
• Bournemouth (away) – TBD
• Crystal Palace (home) – TBD
• Aston Villa (home) – May 24

Mamardashvili left the field in a stretcher after colliding with Robertson during Beto’s goal, which tied the game for the Toffees. Until then, the Reds were leading 1-0 thanks to Mohamed Salah’s first-half goal.

The game changed in the blink of an eye for Arne Slot, who had no option but to hand Woodman his Premier League debut as Mamardashvili appeared to suffer a serious injury.

However, the game had a positive ending for Liverpool, who won 2-1 thanks to a late Virgil van Dijk header. On top of that, Arne Slot later revealed Mamardashvili’s injury won’t be long term.

Arne Slot provides update on Mamardashvili

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Slot revealed that, while Mamardashvili had a “big wound,” the goalkeeper shouldn’t be out for a long time.

“He has gone off to hospital. It looked to me, and that’s also what they told me, that he had a big wound – an open wound. That’s of course not going to be a long-term injury. Let’s see if he is available for next week,” Slot said, as quoted by Liverpool’s official website.

More about Liverpool GK Freddie Woodman

At 29, Woodman could find himself as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper to finish the 2025-26 Premier League campaign. Of course, it will depend on the extent of Mamardashvili’s injury.

It would be a surprising turn of events for Woodman, who spent much of the season as the third-string goalie at Anfield after years bouncing around different clubs in the UK.

Having made his first steps at the Crystal Palace academy, Woodman went on to make his first pro appearances for Newcastle. Even though he was under contract with the Magpies from 2014 to 2022, he spent most of those years away from Newcastle on loan.

That included stops with Hartlepool United, Crawley Town, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, Swansea City, and Bournemouth. From 2022 to 2025, Woodman made 127 appearances for Preston North End. At the end of his contract, he made his way to Liverpool.

Alisson’s injury

Alisson has been out for Liverpool since March 18, when he played the full 90 minutes of the 4-0 win over Galatasaray in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg.

The Brazilian goalkeeper has dealt with hamstring issues throughout the campaign, and a new setback before the March international break saw him return to the sidelines.

What’s next for Liverpool?

Even though Liverpool are out of the Premier League and Champions League title race, they still have something to play for as they’re looking to book a place in next season’s UCL.

If Mamardashvili and Alisson remain out, Woodman would get to start in high-profile showdowns, including the derby against Manchester United, as well as crucial games against Chelsea and Aston Villa in the battle for a Champions League spot.

Here’s a look at Liverpool’s remaining fixtures in the 2025-26 Premier League season:

• Crystal Palace (home) – April 25
• Manchester United (away) – May 3
• Chelsea (home) – May 9
• Aston Villa (away) – TBD
• Brentford (home) – May 24

Pep Guardiola’s men head into this massive clash in high spirits, having avoided defeat in their last nine Premier League games. Manchester City haven’t lost in league play since their derby defeat to Manchester United in January.

Mikel Arteta’s side, on the other hand, arrives on Matchday 33 with pressure on its shoulders and a point to prove. Last time out, Arsenal were shocked by Bournemouth at home, which boosted the Citizens‘ confidence. Additionally, Man City beat Arsenal in the EFL Cup final in March. Will the Gunners redeem themselves today?

What happens if Arsenal beat Manchester City today?

If Arsenal beat Manchester City today, they will reach 73 points and provisionally extend their lead over the Sky Blues to nine points. Guardiola’s team would remain second in the Premier League table with 64 points, but with a game in hand.

What happens if Arsenal and Manchester City tie today?

A tie between Arsenal and Manchester City would leave the Premier League title race wide open, as the Gunners would remain six points clear of the Citizens but with one more game played.

What happens if Arsenal lose to Manchester City today?

If Arsenal lose to Manchester City today, Guardiola‘s men would reduce the gap with the London club to only three points and with a game in hand. This would leave the Sky Blues in a strong position, as they would tie the Gunners in points if they win their pending league fixture.

A defeat would be the worst possible scenario for Arteta‘s side today, as it could see its title hopes seriously in danger after leading the standings for much of the 2025-26 campaign.

While Yamal has already played in three UEFA Champions League seasons without winning the title, Barcelona won it in Messi’s second season with the first team.

That 2006 triumph sparks debate though, since Messi didn’t play in the final. The first Champions League trophy Barcelona lifted with the Argentine star on the field came in 2009, during Messi’s fifth season with the senior squad.

Yamal’s Champions League results with Barcelona so far

Yamal’s first UEFA Champions League season ended with a quarterfinal exit against Paris Saint-Germain. Firmly established as a starter in his second campaign with the first team, Yamal and Barcelona went a bit further in the 2024-25 season but still fell short of the decider, losing to Inter Milan in the semifinals.

With the number 10 on his back, the Spanish sensation hoped to lead Barca to the promised land once and for all, but Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid held on to their aggregate lead to upset the Cules again in 2026.

Messi’s first Champions League results before first final win

On the other hand, Messi saw Barcelona fall in the round of 16 during his first season as a pro. The team won the title the following year, with the Argentine missing the final against Arsenal due to a hamstring injury.

Following a lackluster 2006-07 campaign where Barca lost in the round of 16, Messi and company reached the semifinals but lost to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United, who ended up lifting the trophy in 2008.

Then Pep Guardiola arrived and Barcelona went on to redeem themselves against the Red Devils, with Messi scoring the game-winning header in the 2009 UCL final.

The 8x Ballon d’Or winner went on to win two more Champions League titles with Barcelona, helping the club beat Manchester United again in 2011 before a big win over Juventus in 2015. That remains the last UCL success to date for Barcelona, who hope Yamal eventually leads the Blaugrana back to the top.

Messi’s age in first UCL final win proves Yamal has time

Even though the recent loss hurts, the future is still bright for Barcelona as long as they have Yamal. At only 18, the Spanish gem looks destined for big things in the beautiful game.

Messi was 21 years old in the first Champions League final he played in and won with Barcelona. Therefore, there’s no reason to panic. Yamal is still young, and it could be just a matter of time before he and Barca get over the hump.

“Yeah, his impact has been huge,” Bradley said when asked by Bolavip about Mascherano’s impact in MLS during his short time in the league.

“Obviously, he did an incredible job with Miami, he was able to lead them to their first MLS Cup. I think that part is there for everybody to see, and nobody can ever take that away from him.“

Bradley wishes Mascherano ‘all the best’

Bradley’s comments came during a media session ahead of New York’s US Open Cup fixture against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (Wednesday at 7:30 PM ET). Shortly before Bradley addressed the press, Inter Miami announced Mascherano will be replaced by Guillermo Hoyos, at least on an interim basis.

“Obviously without being there, on the inside of things, it’s impossible to know, it’s impossible to understand the situation,” Bradley added. “You know, in the last little bit, I saw things about personal reasons, and so obviously, again, without being on the inside, you never know exactly what the situation is.

“As a colleague, I wish him all the best for his future, and I know that with his qualities as a coach, with his experience in football, with his personality, he’s gonna continue to do great things in the game, and so I wish him all the best.“

Bradley revealed having one of Mascherano’s jerseys

Bradley had already shown his respect for Mascherano during the weekend. During his postgame press conference after Saturday’s 2-2 draw in Miami, the New York Red Bulls HC remembered the day he exchanged jerseys with the Argentine legend after an international game.

“I have a huge amount of respect for Javier, I always did as a player and now as a coach. He won’t remember this, but one of the proudest moments in my career was after a game with Argentina, he sent somebody into the locker room because he wanted to exchange jerseys with me. So I have one of his Argentina jerseys at home,” Bradley revealed.

“I was a never a guy who went out of my way to trade jerseys but when somebody like Javier Mascherano went out of his way to ask for mine, then you can be sure that I’ve kept his.

“He was an incredible player, had a huge career at some top, top clubs, and now as a young coach has done a really good job, obviously, led Miami to the MLS Cup last year. For me, the experience of coaching against other really good managers is exciting.“

Mascherano’s praise for Bradley

Before shocking the MLS community on Tuesday, Mascherano also heaped praise on Bradley during Saturday’s pre-game interview with Apple TV.

“I faced him in international games many times, he was a very good player and a very important player for the USA,” Mascherano said of Bradley before facing the New York Red Bulls, in what turned out to be his last game at the helm of Inter Miami.

“He did really well last season, winning the MLS Next Pro championship. This season you can see his ideas about football, and for me, he will be a really successful coach in this league.”

“Yeah, I’ve always said one of the guys I worked with closely in my youth was someone I always worked to be similar to is Damian Las,” Brady said of his former teammate at the Chicago Fire academy.

“To me, he embodied the hard work it takes to be a goalkeeper at the professional level, and he really pushed the limit with speed, power, those type of attributes in the position. So, for me, it’s always been him, and I’ve been lucky I’ve been able to work closely with him.

“On a bigger stage, the world scale, guys that have been around. (Manuel) Neuer, (Thibaut) Courtois, Alisson, these guys. They’ve got a lot of very clean ways they play the position, and that’s stuff we look at every week.

“That’s stuff we discuss, if it’s someone who made a big save or a nice play, we talk about these things. In that way, we would look up to any of those guys.“

Brady’s great form ahead of 2026 World Cup

Brady is enjoying a fantastic moment early in his career. A strong start to the 2026 MLS season saw him make the USMNT roster in March, and even though Brady didn’t log minutes, his presence proves he’s on Mauricio Pochettino’s radar with only a few months to go the World Cup.

The Naperville native picked up right where he left off in his return to club action, posting his third clean sheet of the year to help the Fire beat Nashville 1-0. It was a statement win by Chicago, considering the Eastern Conference leaders were unbeaten before that game.

Brady’s four-save performance earned him a place on the MLS Team of the Matchday for the second time in the campaign, making the Best XI both times.

At 22, the future looks bright for the Fire sensation. It makes sense he tries to take note of what Neuer does at Bayern, Courtois at Madrid, or Alisson at Liverpool. With his current form, Brady is probably inspiring future goalkeepers as well.

“They don’t get distracted at all,” Bradley told Bolavip during a media session on Thursday. “We have a really good group. Training has been excellent all week. Like we have all season long, we continue to talk about the idea that we play one game at a time.

“You play the team that’s in front of you, and you get ready, you do everything you can all week to prepare and to be ready, when that whistle blows, to spill your heart and soul into that game and that 90 minutes. And when that’s done, then we get ready to do it again.“

Inter Miami chasing first win at Nu Stadium

Saturday will be only the second-ever game to be held at Nu Stadium, a venue Inter Miami heavily invested in to play near Miami International Airport after years of making Fort Lauderdale their temporary home.

A Messi header saw Inter Miami share a 2-2 draw against Austin FC in the Nu Stadium opener, so the Herons are still chasing their first-ever win at their new home.

Bradley says NY Red Bulls are excited and ready

Bradley had nothing but praise for Inter Miami, calling them “a very good team with a lot of very good players,” while describing Messi as “the best player of all time,” praising how the Argentine star can play in different positions in Javier Mascherano’s scheme.

However, the NY Red Bulls head coach let everyone know that neither the new stadium nor the opponents’ strength will prevent his team from concentrating on winning the game.

“As I said, we are excited. The new stadium in Miami looks incredible. Anytime as a player you get to play against good teams, good players, that’s what it’s all about. You want to play in the biggest games. As a group, we are really excited, and I know that we’ll be ready when the game starts,” Bradley added.

Dylan Nealis excited to return to Miami

An interesting storyline ahead of Saturday’s game has to do with defender Dylan Nealis, who also addressed the press on Thursday.

The 27-year-old will be facing the team that drafted him third overall in 2020. Curiously, Nealis’ professional debut came against his current team during an Inter Miami 1-4 loss to the New York Red Bulls.

“Yeah, it was quite long ago,” Nealis told Bolavip. “I mean, I haven’t really changed much as a player, at least I don’t think so, but maybe just a bit more mature. I was changing, I was playing different positions at that time. Just excited, that’s the club I started at, so happy to get back down there.”

This game will have implications in the top spots of the 2026 MLS Eastern Conference regular season standings. Inter Miami arrive in fourth place with 11 points, with New York just one point shy in seventh place.

36 years separated the title Ruggeri celebrated in Mexico from the trophy Messi lifted at Qatar 2022, which gave Argentina their third World Cup star. Now, Messi and company will be looking to go back to back — something Ruggeri almost did in 1990, when Argentina lost to Germany in a controversial final.

The legendary defender, who had 97 international caps, went on to win two Copa America titles (1991, 1993) and a FIFA Confederations Cup in 1992 before retiring from international soccer.

His club career included stints with iconic Argentine teams such as Boca Juniors, River Plate, and San Lorenzo; and most notably, a Real Madrid tenure from 1989-90. Ruggeri also took his talents to Liga MX, playing for Club America from 1992-1993.

Decades later, following an eight-year managerial career and firmly established as a TV analyst and commentator in Argentina, Ruggeri sits down with Bolavip to discuss a wide number of topics.

Ruggeri’s World Cup experience and expectations for 2026

Bolavip: What do World Cup years mean to you? Especially since the 1986 title.

Oscar Ruggeri: Well, special. Special. I walked in here and you guys were around. You didn’t notice, but I didn’t even look at you. I looked at this right here (the World Cup). It’s something… You say “Look at the Cup,” the most beautiful one of all.

When a World Cup starts, with so many teams competing, and (Carlos) Bilardo telling us “look, if we’re not there until the last day it’s a failure,” meaning we had to play the final, and in the final you walk out onto the pitch and the Cup is right there inside, and we couldn’t look at it. We couldn’t touch it, we couldn’t do anything until the match was over.

But World Cup years give me adrenaline, joy… You know, like we start all over again, like we’re just kids. When we head over there, now that we’re going to travel in June, right? When I’m traveling, it’s like I imagine I’m going to play it again. It’s incredible. This is incredible, what these guys are going through right now as well, and with the chance of being serious candidates to repeat, in my opinion.

BV: You recently mentioned that many teams participate. This year, in fact, the World Cup expands to 48 teams. How many changes have you seen in the World Cup from the one you won onwards? Especially in recent years.

Ruggeri: Well, lots of changes in soccer terms, right? For example, we didn’t have VAR, there was nothing. They’d raise the flag, the linesman raised it and it was offside. And if they called you offside, the play was over. That changed a lot. … It also became a huge business, right?

But look, we go around and around and around in terms of number of teams, but it’s always the same ones in the finals, it’s always the same — Argentina, France, Spain, Germany, England, Brazil — it never changes. That’s the reality.

BV: And what does it take to win a World Cup? Many teams participate, only a few manage to win it.

Ruggeri: You need to have a different kind of player, a genius, like the one we have (with Lionel Messi), like the one we had (with Diego Maradona). But that it’s not enough, right? Let me explain. Why isn’t it enough? It’s not enough, because if you don’t have a great team behind those geniuses, who in those tight matches do something different and break the deadlock and you keep going… It just doesn’t work.

“It’s always the same teams in the World Cup finals — Argentina, France, Spain, Germany, England, Brazil — it never changes.”

Because look — Maradona played in four World Cups I think, Messi five (2026 would be his sixth). And we won only two World Cups combined with these two geniuses. So that means the team has a huge responsibility. The team has a great setup, so that these geniuses can function freely.

Argentina’s chances of repeating World Cup title

BV: How do you see the Argentine national team this year? You were just saying you believe they can repeat?

Ruggeri: Yes, yes, I think so. I see them doing well. Do you know what I like? That it’s not just the exact same players from four years ago. There have been replacements and those replacements have played really well.

Honestly, they did it really well in the matches, like Thiago (Almada), like several players, right? And it makes me happy because it means there’s a new generation. Cholo’s son (Giuliano Simeone), who’s doing really well. I still believe that (Angel) Di Maria, in my opinion, they’ll convince him and he’ll end up going to the World Cup.

BV: This year Lionel Messi has the chance to go for back-to-back World Cups. You and Diego came very close to achieving it in 1990. What was it like? How do you experience…

Ruggeri: Well, no, we didn’t “come close,” no… they scammed us. Because it wasn’t a penalty, imagine with the VAR. But you see how quickly I say if we’d had VAR, that German penalty wouldn’t have been given and I don’t know how it would have ended. And if we’d had (Claudio) Cannigia, with everyone fit, I think it would have been a different game.

But then they tell me “What about Diego’s handball?”, right? But what about the goal he scored after that, dribbling past everyone? That’s just how it is.

BV: And from your experience, how do you prepare for a World Cup like that? A World Cup where you go looking to repeat the title, not win it for the first time. It will happen to Messi now.

Ruggeri: Well, it’s like that weight was lifted from them, so now they know what it’s like. And they already know what the final stages are like, everything that’s at stake. In every match you have to get up well because you have to be on point so as not to give any advantage away, because you’re going to face the best, and the best don’t forgive you.

Ruggeri’s 2026 World Cup favorites besides Argentina

BV: Who are the best for you? Who are the other contenders?

Ruggeri: For me, Spain, France, and England — I see very good players in them, I’m not sure about them as a unit — but I’ll still put them in. The Germans. We get frustrated, but somehow, they might not show much early on, and then you see them among the top four. And I think Brazil will improve.

BV: And what do you think about the Finalissima that was canceled against Spain? Do yo think it would have been a good test for Argentina?

Ruggeri: Yes, absolutely. It would have been a good test because they were two of the contenders that the world was going to watch to see what would happen. That Spain team with a midfield that holds the ball a lot and so do we. It would have been beautiful, it would have been great.

“The difference between South American and European soccer? Look, take out all the South American players from European soccer and see what the teams do…”

BV: And one of the things that’s always put to the test at World Cups is South American soccer versus European soccer. How do you see that difference?

Ruggeri: Yes, it’s very simple. Look, take out all the South American players from European soccer and see what the teams do, and bring all the South Americans back. All the Argentines playing over there, bring them to our championship and see if people don’t start watching this league.

And that’s the reality of South American soccer, because Brazilians, Uruguayans, Paraguayans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Bolivians — there’s everything. I think that makes it even richer.

“I think Brazil will improve. When we go there, and Brazil play, you look with respect for the history”

BV: You recently mentioned Brazil. Do you think they can pull off an upset at the World Cup, despite their situation in the qualifiers?

Ruggeri: I don’t know what you’d call upset, to improve?

BV: To improve.

Ruggeri: I think they’ll improve, yes. Then I’m not sure if they will pull off the big upset. But it’s Brazil. When we go there, and Brazil play, you look with respect for the history. History marks what I said at the beginning. You know, those national teams with a lot of history, they throw all of that to you on the pitch.

Messi at 2026 World Cup

BV: Talking about Lionel Messi, we talked about him before for a bit, how do you see him heading into this World Cup?

Ruggeri: Great, great. This might be his last World Cup. He’ll prepare in the best possible way, I have no doubt about that. And he’ll try to do what he did in the last World Cup, to be the the captain, the leader, to carry the group forward, right? It’s another chance he has to lift the Cup.

They’ve already lived it, and being fortunate that, when the World Cups end, they can go in with the family, they can take photos. I saw them at the last World Cup taking photos with their kids, with the Cup right there inside. We couldn’t see each other because we got swarmed and we couldn’t take a photo.

“Messi moving to the US? Possibly that was also a family decision”

BV: In that sense, do you think it’s something that has improved at World Cups?

Ruggeri: Yes, absolutely. Yes, they’ve improved it a lot. I think that’s a sign of respect for those who’ve become world champions, for their families who’ve suffered so much, who’ve had such a hard time. That, honestly, you have to congratulate everyone, FIFA, everyone.

BV: Getting back to Messi, after he won the Qatar World Cup, he decided to play in the United States. What do you think of him spending the last years of his career in that league?

Ruggeri: More than playing in the US, possibly that was also a family decision, right? To step back a little from what Barcelona was, because it makes sense that he can’t go out, he can’t go out that much in the US either because they already know him, everyone knows him…

BV: And in France he didn’t have a great time.

Ruggeri: In France he didn’t have a great time, but, in the United States I see him walking around the supermarket. You can see he walks around more freely, they don’t mob him, you know? I think that’s possibly what he’s looking for.

Comparisons between Messi and Maradona, Ronaldo, Yamal

BV: What do you think about the comparisons that have always been made with Maradona?

Ruggeri: I don’t think we should make them, because they’re both Argentine, because they’re both geniuses. Comparing geniuses is hard, right? Now, if you ask me personally, I played 11 years with Maradona. I can’t be objective. Ask the guys who played with Messi and they’ll say Messi. But that’s normal and understandable.

Now, we, the people, in the streets, people on television, on the shows, we shouldn’t, we shouldn’t pit them against each other, we shouldn’t compare them, because here we, unfortunately, are living in this world of divisions.

“If another genius comes along after Messi and Maradona, then it means God lives here with us.”

So we put it as “no, Maradona, is like this, and Messi like this” and we immediately take sides, why? If they’re both Argentine, both captains of the Argentine national team who became world champions, let’s make the most of both of them, right?

I mean, look, when Diego was leaving, in those last championships we played, the US World Cup, I thought, “oof, now we need another one like him” and another one came along. If then another comes, it means God lives here with us and is giving us a huge hand.

“Ronaldo is a star, a very good player, but he’s not a genius like Messi.”

BV: And Messi not only suffered, so to speak, the comparisons with Maradona on a historical level, but also current comparisons like with Cristiano Ronaldo. What do you think about it?

Ruggeri: Nothing. It wouldn’t even cross my mind to discuss the subject, because there’s a huge difference between the genius we have and the other one, who is a great player. Messi is a genius and Ronaldo is a star. He’s truly a star, a very good player, but he’s not a genius like Messi.

BV: And how do you see Lamine Yamal, who’s also starting to draw comparisons? Especially in Spain.

Ruggeri: Yes, well, he’s a kid who’s just starting out, he’s just beginning. He’s playing well, he needs to come down to earth a bit. He needs to take it a little easy because, I heard him, some statements, saying he was going to be better than Messi. That he was going to win more Ballons d’Or. Why? Do it, once you’ve achieved it, then we’ll say what we see. Right now, he’s not even close to him.

Active Argentine stars

BV: In your position, the Argentine national team today has a key player like Cristian Romero. You played at Real Madrid, do you image him potentially joining that kind of club?

Ruggeri: Yes, for sure. If I were Florentino Pérez — I’d go after him, no doubt about it. He’s a fantastic player, a serious player for the position, who formed a great partnership with (Nicolas) Otamendi. Incredible, right? Because you know, we always talk about the attacking side, the ones who decide things, who create plays, who score the goals, everything. But we don’t talk about the defense, right? We talk, but not that much.

But we also had a defense and a goalkeeper… The goalkeeper (Emiliano Martinez) was incredible. Against France, that save with his foot… I was up there, we were done. If it was (Kylian) Mbappe, we were done, but that’s what it means to have a keeper like that. We have two or three great center-backs and we’re in good shape. I think we are doing pretty well, pretty good.

That’s why I dare say we are contenders again, because this team never stopped playing well, right? People asked me about us, we didn’t play like this team after the World Cup. We didn’t play so well like this team, the way these guys play, they play in a certain way, how they manage the ball. Honestly, it’s a pleasure watching them.

BV: Do you think the performances at clubs is completely separate from how they perform for the national team?

Ruggeri: Yes, absolutely, don’t even doubt it. Remember when it was hard for Argentina to win, to become champions, they were incredible at their clubs and everyone would say “no, but they shine at the club they come to the national team and we don’t win.” I don’t know if you remember.

“We didn’t play like this Argentina team after the World Cup. We didn’t play this well”

At the beginning they said “Messi shines at Barcelona, scores goals left and right. He wins titles, he wins everything, but when he comes to Argentina and nothing”, he even quit the national team. Even Di Maria cried and Di Maria never dropped his guard.

But that’s in the past now. When they get together with the national team, you see freshness, you can see they’re happy, that they’re thrilled to get back together. That’s what I see from the outside. No, I’m not there. I don’t see them personally, but that’s the image they give.

BV: The World Cup could rocket many players’ careers to new heights. It already happened with Enzo Fernandez at the Qatar World Cup…

Ruggeri: Enzo is amazing.

BV: … making the move from Benfica to Chelsea, and now there’s a lot of talk about his future at Chelsea, that he could take yet another step.

Ruggeri: Yes, for sure. How that kid has grown, so calmly, so mature. Captain in England! It’s not easy to wear the captain’s armband, these players we have… That guy is a man, you know? He plays in a simple, clean way.

We have a midfield, we don’t talk about the midfield enough, we have a great midfield too, right? They manage the ball brilliantly, no rush. They play with calm. If it’s not on, they go back. Start again. We are well balanced.

“Julian Alvarez has no ceiling.”

BV: Another player also involved in transfer rumors because of his great level is Julian Alvarez, who is at Atletico Madrid with Simeone…

Ruggeri: I love Julian.

BV: There’s talk that Barcelona want him, or that he could go back to the Premier League, where he already played with Manchester City. What do you think? Should he stay with Simeone?

Ruggeri: I’d like him to stay with “Cholo” (Simeone), because “Cholo” knows him, he knows what the kid is like, the kid has no ceiling and can play anywhere. That’s for sure.

Those are the kind of strikers that as a defender I’d dread facing because you can’t pin him down. He shows up on the right, on the left. You can’t track him like those classic number nines, like (Erling) Haaland who plant themselves there. He’s a goal scorer, but Julian comes from deep. He strikes the ball very well. Did you see his goals?

BV: Yes, he also takes free kicks.

Ruggeri: He takes free kicks. Though I think if there’s a free kick, I don’t think he’ll be getting near the ball with the captain (Messi) around. I think he’ll tell him “go out of there for the rebound,” but it’s another option we have, of course.

BV: Argentina also have Lautaro Martinez, it’s like they have the luck of having top strikers.

Ruggeri: And the strikers who’ve come through now! I honestly didn’t know them. This coaching staff handles even those things very well. Nobody slips past them. When there’s someone who is doing things right, they go watch him and bring him in.

Lionel Scaloni’s job with Argentina

BV: Do you think that has been Lionel Scaloni‘s greatest strength in his process, identifying players? Because he rebuilt the squad after Russia 2018.

Ruggeri: Yes, yes. Because Scaloni came from nowhere when nobody believed in him and he did everything right. He has a coaching staff that knows soccer. They all played for the national team. With a very low profile.

Because look, if I ask you, tell me what (Roberto) Ayala’s voice sounds like, you don’t know. Same for (Walter) Samuel, you don’t know how he talks, he says nothing, (Pablo) Aimar even less. I mean, look at the three I’m naming. Three elite national team players with a very low profile, they’re doing a very good job.

“Scaloni came from nowhere when nobody believed in him”

BV: Yes, there’s a joint effort with Diego Placente (Argentina U20 manager) and the youth teams.

Ruggeri: Everyone, everyone, of course, Placente watches them, he must tell them “Look, there’s a kid like this, who moves this way.” They must work in a similar way. It’s very good, everything is very well put together. We’re in good shape.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH OSCAR RUGGERI ON BOLAVIP US:

While the Giants rank 27 among NFL teams in cap space this year, the Chiefs are only one place above the New York franchise. The Big Blue have roughly $6.4 million available, whereas Kansas City has $6.7 million.

Ari Meirov notes that only five teams have fewer cap space than the Giants and Chiefs in 2026. They are followed by the Jaguars, Vikings, Panthers, Dolphins, and Bears, with Chicago barely being compliant with $245K in cap space.

The Giants and Chiefs’ best free agent signings so far

This situation limits both the Giants and Chiefs’ maneuvering for future free agent signings, but it’s safe to say that they have already taken care of their priority needs in the open market.

New York made instrumental moves on both sides of the ball. In defense, the team made a much-needed addition at linebacker with the arrival of Tremaine Edmunds. In offense, the Giants added veteran presence at WR by signing Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III. On top of that, the Giants signed Isaiah Likely, believing he will thrive with QB Jaxson Dart.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, made a splash to upgrade their RB room with Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III. And while that was Kansas City’s most notable move, the front office also made necessary defensive signings with safety Alohi Gilman and DT Khyiris Tonga joining the team.

Giants, Chiefs will get to pick early in 2026 NFL Draft

Both the Giants and Chiefs could use an upgrade or depth at other positions, and while their cap space may not give them much wiggle room, these teams will get to pick early in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Giants’ draft picks include an interesting No. 5 selection, which will allow them to get one of the best prospects from this year’s class. Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ draft picks start with a promising No. 9 selection. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love appears to be a prospect both teams would like to get in the first round, though the Tennessee Titans may get him first at No. 4.

“Thomas is a great person, a great player, and beyond that, he is always looking to improve and contribute to the team,” Laborda said when asked about Muller by Bolavip during a media session in Spanish.

After 17 fruitful seasons with Bayern Munich and holding an impressive resume with the German national team, including a World Cup win in 2014, Muller made an immediate impact in Vancouver by helping the Whitecaps reach the MLS Cup final last year.

“He also spends a lot of time sitting down to talk with us individually, trying to help us improve and grow, and I think that adds a lot to his personality as well,” Laborda added on his teammate.

This year, Muller boasts two goals in five MLS matches as the Whitecaps aim to redeem themselves from last year’s loss to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the decider.

Laborda looks up to Godin, Lugano

Laborda remains a key contributor for the Whitecaps in their quest for the title, with a goal and two assists in four appearances so far. When asked about his role models, the Uruguayan named iconic names from his country.

“In defense there are many; I can mention, for example, back when he played, (Diego) Godin, (Diego) Lugano himself, all the historic players of the (Uruguay) national team,” Laborda said.

Bruno Caicedo looking to make a name for himself in MLS

Behind an established player like Laborda and a veteran star like Muller, there are rising players working to earn their place. One of them is Ecuadorian winger Bruno Caicedo, who joined Vancouver in January from Barcelona SC.

Even though he’s still adjusting to the league, Caicedo has already been impressed by some players in the league, with LAFC sensation Denis Bouanga catching his eye.

“Bouanga, honestly, he is very good,” said Caicedo when Bolavip asked him about the MLS players he looks up to.

Caicedo also mentioned watching fellow countryman Allen Obando during his time with Messi’s Inter Miami in 2025: “But aside from that, I admire everyone equally: there’s Leo (Messi), Son, Thomas (Muller)—they’re players who have won everything.“

Pelissero went on to break down Cousins‘ income for playing the 2026 NFL season, detailing how the money splits between the Falcons and the Raiders:

• While the Falcons pay $8.7 million in 2026, the Raiders pay the $1.3 minimum base salary.
• Raiders hand Cousins a $10 million fully guaranteed roster bonus on the third day of the league year next March that is not subject to offsets.
• Raiders hold a two-year, $80 million option for 2027-28.
• The deal includes two void years in 2029-30 for cap purposes.

“On paper, it’s a three-year, $81.3M deal (or five for $172M with the void years). In reality, it’s one-year, $20 million for Kirk Cousins, who now will have played under fully guaranteed contracts for 11 consecutive seasons,” Pelissero wrote.

Cousins might enter 2026 season as Raiders QB1

Not only does this contract show how Cousins continues to get paid even at 37, it also proves how important the Raiders seem to consider him for the upcoming season.

Las Vegas is expected to use the first overall pick to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza later this month, but the money Cousins will make suggests the veteran QB will enter the year as the starter.

This would avoid tossing the rookie into the fire so soon, allowing Mendoza to watch and learn while an experienced quarterback like Cousins leads the Raiders’ transition.

The Chiefs have been mentioned as a potential destination for OBJ by John Breech of CBS Sports, a possibility that wouldn’t be far-fetched considering that Kansas City could benefit from a veteran addition to its WR room.

That’s one of the reasons Hill has been linked with a return to the Chiefs, where he shined from 2016 to 2021 before leaving for the Miami Dolphins — a trade that made noise at first but eventually aged poorly for both Cheetah and the Fins.

Tyreek Hill’s availability leads to Chiefs speculation

Hill, 32, remains a free agent after being released by the Dolphins in February, a move that allowed Miami to free up nearly $23 million in cap space as the wideout carried a $51.1 million cap hit in 2026.

His track record of success with Patrick Mahomes back in the day makes his free agent status an intriguing opportunity for Reid and the Chiefs, who enjoyed productive All-Pro and Pro Bowl seasons from the wide receiver during his time in Kansas City, highlighted by a Super Bowl LIV win.

That said, Hill’s health might be a serious concern as he underwent major surgery in 2025 for a dislocated left knee and multiple torn ligaments, including his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

That injury, in addition to his declining production with the Dolphins over the last few years, could make Reid and the Chiefs hesitate about bringing Hill back.

“The team could look to reunite with Tyreek Hill, but if Reid doesn’t want to go that route, then the Chiefs should definitely look at Beckham,” wrote Breech.

Chiefs could use a veteran like Hill or OBJ despite decline

Beckham Jr. might create similar concerns though, as he didn’t even play in 2025. OBJ’s career hasn’t been the same after the torn ACL sustained during Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams, with lackluster stops in Baltimore and Miami after his time in LA.

Set to turn 34 in November, Beckham Jr. may no longer provide the spark he once did in the NFL. But for a team like the Giants or Chiefs, his experience could still be useful in a WR room that lacks a true veteran. Reid recently lost one in Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who joined the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.

With this in mind, Hill and Beckham Jr. could be names to watch if the Chiefs feel like adding experience to the WR depth chart.

Back in March, Raanan first reported that the Giants attempted to trade for a veteran LB without revealing his name. “Giants definitely did try to trade for a linebacker, I heard,” Raanan said on his YouTube channel.

“And the story I heard was that said linebacker didn’t really want to go, and the trade kind of broke apart. It’s a guy that’s getting towards the end of his career, and it just didn’t work out.”

With the NFL Owners Meetings taking place this week, Raanan made an appearance on the Breaking Big Blue podcast to reveal that the linebacker in question was Tranquill.

“The linebacker that the Giants actually were going to trade for, from the Kansas City Chiefs — it seemed to be before the start of free agency — Drue Tranquill,” Raanan said. “He ended up staying in Kansas City, taking a pay cut to stay. Seems to be something he wanted to do. He didn’t want to leave there.”

Drue Tranquill comfortable with Reid, Chiefs

Tranquill, who turns 31 in August, has agreed to a restructured deal in order to continue playing under Reid. This year, he’s accepting a reduction in his base salary from $6 million to $3.5 million just to remain with the Chiefs.

After spending his first four NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, Tranquill found in Kansas City a successful culture that allowed him to win a Super Bowl in his very first season at Arrowhead.

He was rewarded immediately after that championship with a three-year, $19.00 million contract that included $12.50 million guaranteed upon signing and a signing bonus of $4.50 million.

Since their Super Bowl LVIII win, the Chiefs have lost many defensive contributors who went on to land bigger deals elsewhere. Tranquill, however, seems happy to stay with the organization as it aims to get back to the top after a frustrating 2025 season, in which the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

NY Giants’ moves after Tranquill’s decision to stay in KC

The Giants, also looking for a strong resurgence in 2026, switched their attention to Tremaine Edmunds after failing to persuade Tranquill and also brought back Micah McFadden to boost their LB room.

New York had a tough but necessary decision to make at the position before that, having parted with team captain Bobby Okereke. The move allowed the Giants to free up $9 million in cap space as the linebacker was set to count $14.4 million against the cap in the final year of the four-year, $40 million deal he signed in 2023.

“I’ve asked Gennaro Gattuso to stay and continue,” Italian Federation president Gabriele Gravina said after Italy’s heartbreaking loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina, via Fabrizio Romano on X.

The coach also addressed the media after the game but didn’t talk about his future. Instead, Gattuso only lamented Italy’s World Cup exit, claiming the entire team was ‘hurt’ by the result.

When does Gennaro Gattuso’s Italy contract expire?

When Italy hired Gattuso as head coach in June 2025, The Guardian reported that he was signing a one-year contract, culminating in a potential 2026 World Cup participation.

With Italy once again watching the tournament from home, it remains to be seen whether Gattuso will remain on the touchline. The Italian Federation may have the intention to run things back, but will the coach be interested in doing so after this failure?

Gennaro Gattuso’s bold promise resurfaces as Italy misses 2026 World Cup

In October 2025, Gattuso went as far as promising that he would flee Italy if the national team missed the World Cup with him at the helm.

“I’ll take credit if I manage to achieve the goal, otherwise I’ll go and live far away from Italy,” Gattuso said in October 2025. “I’m already a bit far away [living in Marbella, Spain], I’ll go even farther. The consequence is that, I’m aware of it.”

Gattuso’s comments came after a 3-0 win over Israel. Back then, Italy were riding on a four-game winning streak and had secured a spot in the UEFA 2026 World Cup Qualifying playoffs.

Eventually, Italy fell short again, becoming the first World Cup-winning nation to miss three consecutive editions of the tournament.

Gattuso’s legacy in Italy

This is obviously a huge stain in Gattuso’s managerial career, though it doesn’t erase what he accomplished as a player with the national team. After all, he played a key role in Italy’s 2006 World Cup win.

That may explain why, even after an extremely disappointing result, the Italian Federation wants to give the Azzurri legend another chance.

Haris Tabakovic forced extra time with an equalizer in the second half, and eventually, penalties sealed Italy’s fate. For the third time in a row, the Italians will watch the World Cup from home.

Having already missed the 2018 and 2022 events, Italy are now the first World Cup-winning country to miss three consecutive editions of the tournament.

This heartbreaking result only increases the crisis of one of the most storied nations in soccer history, as we’re talking about a team that won four World Cups — only one less than Brazil, who hold the record for most triumphs.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 2026 World Cup schedule

With Bosnia and Herzegovina taking down Italy for a 2026 World Cup berth, Group B is set and so is its schedule. Bosnia and Herzegovina will make their debut against co-host Canada on June 12 at 3:00 PM ET at BMO Field in Toronto.

Six days later, they will travel to the West Coast to play Switzerland at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Kickoff for that game on June 18 is also set at 3:00 PM ET.

The group stage finale will see Bosnia and Herzegovina taking on Qatar at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 24 at 3:00 PM ET.

The Czech Republic will face Denmark on Tuesday, March 31, with a ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 on the line. The winner of this tie will join Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa, and Korea Republic. The loser, on the other hand, will return home empty-handed.

In the event of a draw in regular time, the match will proceed to extra time. If the draw persists in overtime (two periods of 15 minutes each), the winner will be decided on penalties.

How many World Cups have Ireland played so far and when was their last appearance?

Ireland have made it to three World Cups so far, advancing from the group stage every time. Their last appearance came in 2002, with the Boys in Green being knocked out by Spain in the round of 16 after a dramatic 1-1 draw that led to a 3-2 shootout win for La Roja.

Ireland came from another round of 16 elimination in USA 1994, when the Netherlands beat them 2-0 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

What’s Ireland’s best result at a World Cup?

Ireland’s first World Cup appearance in 1990 saw them reach the quarterfinals, which remains their best result to date. That year, it all ended with a 1-0 loss to hosts Italy, who lost to eventual runners-up Argentina in the following round.

“I just love their plan for me, honestly. Before I signed, I had a conversation with the entire staff, the defense, and coach (Dan) Quinn. They illustrated a plan for me that I feel like is going to get me back exactly where I was at two seasons ago, the success that I had,” Omenihu said during his introductory press conference with the Commanders.

When Omenihu talks about the level he showed two seasons ago, he refers to his first year with Reid and the Chiefs. Not even a six-game suspension to start the campaign prevented him from a career-best season.

Omenihu’s impactful 2023 season with Reid, Chiefs

In 2023, Omenihu recorded a career-high 7.0 sacks and 28 combined tackles with 11 quarterback hits, playing a key role in the campaign that led to Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVIII win.

A torn ACL in the 2024 AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens prevented Omenihu from playing Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, but his contribution throughout the season was still instrumental.

His return from injured reserve came in November, and even though the Chiefs suffered a blowout loss in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, the team brought him back on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million for 2025.

Omenihu no longer believes Chiefs are the best situation for him

Last season saw the Chiefs miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014, and their poor 6-11 record proved that Reid and company would have plenty of work to do this offseason in order to bounce back.

Omenihu, however, shows that he no longer sees Arrowhead as the best place for him. Set to turn 29 in August, he’s moving to Washington for less money than he made in 2025, having agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with the Commanders.

“I don’t think it’s far-fetched or far-gone at all,” Omenihu said about the Commanders helping him rediscover his 2023 form with the Chiefs. “I feel great body-wise. I just think the plan that they have for me is just really going to expose my strengths and put me in positions to rush, put me in positions to play the run at a high level. And I love that.”

Of course, these kinds of decisions are always personal and other players might still believe in the game plan proposed by Reid in Kansas City. Even so, Omenihu’s explanation could be something the Chiefs want to take into account.

Shortly after the hosts put themselves in front at Yankee Stadium, the Argentine star fired home a long-range free kick, with a bit of help as the shot was deflected by an opponent.

This is Messi’s fourth goal in as many games in the 2026 MLS season, in his return to league action after missing the goalless draw against Charlotte FC on Matchday 4.

Messi extends scoring count after reaching 1,000 career goals

The free-kick goal in New York comes only a few days after Messi reached 1,000 in his career, with the former Barcelona star achieving the milestone during Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup exit.

Messi scored his 1,000th career goal early against Nashville SC, though it wasn’t enough for Inter Miami as Cristian Espinoza’s equalizer proved the difference for the visitors due to the away goals rule.

Messi gets closer to free-kick goals record

Still, Nashville SC head coach B.J. Callaghan labeled Messi as ‘the best’ after the game. Only a few days later, the Argentine delivered another goal to continue chasing yet another record in his illustrious career.

With his equalizer at Yankee Stadium, Messi reached 71 career free-kick goals. He’s now only seven shy of the all-time record, held by Marcelino Carioca with 78.

Earlier in the season, Pep Guardiola decided the Carabao Cup would be James Trafford’s opportunity to get playing time, and the coach is now keeping him in the lineup for the final against Arsenal, which you can follow live with us.

The same reason Donnarumma isn’t starting today applies to Raya, as Mikel Arteta is keeping Kepa Arrizabalaga between the posts as the Spaniard started in all EFL Cup games for Arsenal this season.

“He fully deserves it. He’s been phenomenal when he’s played. He’s played the whole competition and we fully trust him,” Arteta said of Kepa ahead of the EFL Cup final.

James Trafford’s contribution to Man City’s EFL Cup run

While Donnarumma has been the starter for Manchester City in Premier League and Champions League matches this season, Trafford has been the Citizens‘ keeper in this campaign’s EFL Cup.

Trafford kept a clean sheet in the third round 2-0 win over Huddersfield before starting in the 3-1 victory over Swansea in the fourth round, eventually helping his side beat Brentford 2-0 in the quarterfinals.

The semifinals saw Trafford record another shutout for a 2-0 first leg win over Newcastle, and even though he conceded one goal in the return leg, Manchester City got the job done with a 3-1 victory for a 5-1 aggregate difference. Now, Trafford is being rewarded with a start at Wembley.

Kepa’s influence in Arsenal’s road to Wembley

Kepa has also been instrumental in Arsenal’s road to Wembley this season. The former Chelsea goalkeeper started in the third and fourth round 2-0 wins over Port Vale and Brighton, respectively, but his most notable contribution came in the quarterfinals.

When it looked like Maxence Lacroix’s own goal after 80′ would see Arsenal through, a last-gasp equalizer by Marc Guehi forced extra time against Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium. The game went to penalties, and a dramatic shootout saw Kepa step up with a clutch save against Lacroix for an 8-7 shootout win and a place in the semifinals.

Kepa then started in the series against his former team, which saw Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-2 in the first leg before a 1-0 win at home punched their ticket to Wembley.

Both Kepa and Trafford earned the chance to start in the big game today, with Donnarumma and Raya supporting on the bench, while being ready to come on if needed as there’s a big prize at stake at the 2026 EFL Cup final.

“I think this is an important window for the respective national teams all across the world as they prepare in the final window for the World Cup,” Berhalter replied to Bolavip during his pre-match press conference ahead of the MLS clash against the Philadelphia Union.

“We have (Mbekezeli) Mbokazi going with South Africa. We have Joel (Waterman) with Canada and Chris Brady with the United States. We’ll have other youth levels and potentially others at the senior level,” Berhalter added.

“For the group, for those players, we’re proud of them. I think it’s a culmination of hard work over a long period of time to get the call-ups.“

Gregg Berhalter says it’s ‘amazing’ to be supporting Sebastian

Apart from addressing the call-ups for Chicago Fire players, Berhalter addressed his son, Sebastian, being selected to represent the USA.

“For Sebastian, you know, on an individual level as a parent, it’s amazing to be supporting him all this time, and have him start the season so well, and then get called into camp. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but hopefully he continues to perform well,” he added.

This marks the fourth time Sebastian Berhalter gets called up to the USMNT, having made his debut in 2025. It was a sensational year for the midfielder, who helped the USA reach the Concacaf Gold Cup final with two assists in five starts before scoring his first international goal during a statement 5-1 win over Uruguay in November.

Berhalter, who already boasts nine caps with the USMNT, has been in excellent form for the Vancouver Whitecaps. Voted player of the year in 2025, he picked up right where he left off by leading the team in goal contributions (three goals, four assists) in 2026.

The USMNT’s March fixtures

Sebastian Berhalter will now meet with Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady in Atlanta as both report to the USMNT, hoping to challenge for a World Cup spot.

The United States will face two top-10 FIFA-ranked European opponents at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, first hosting Belgium on Saturday, March 28 before taking on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal on Tuesday, March 31.

“Yeah, Phonzy’s obviously the captain of our team. He’s an integral part of what we’re trying to do, and it’s so unfortunate with all of his injury history and what he’s gone through in the past couple weeks, and especially with his knee,” Waterman lamented when asked by Bolavip about Davies’ absence.

“We just want him fully back and fully healthy and fully prepared for the summer. So we just hope he’s getting the best care he can, obviously, in Germany, and making sure he comes back healthy, and that’s the number one thing,” Waterman added during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Chicago Fire‘s MLS fixture against the Philadelphia Union, which will be his last club game prior to the international break.

“And then, you know, obviously what he can provide is massive for our team and the success we’re gonna have during the World Cup, so we’re wishing him all the best, and we’re excited to have him back soon.“

Why is Alphonso Davies not playing for Canada in March?

Davies, 25, is out with a hamstring injury sustained during Bayern Munich’s first leg win over Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League round of 16. The star left back had to be subbed off after an apparent non-contact injury 70 minutes into the clash, leaving the field in tears as his teammates consoled him.

Davies had returned to action for Bayern in December following an ACL tear suffered in March 2025 during his last appearance for Canada. Les Rouges were expecting a long-awaited return in the upcoming window, which is why his recent setback was a huge blow.

Canada’s support for Davies

However, Waterman and his teammates will be waiting for Davies to recover in time for the 2026 World Cup. Before Waterman addressed the media on Thursday, Canada head coach Jesse Marsch shared a similar sentiment.

“He’s obviously down and frustrated a little bit, but he said this little injury, compared to even the one he experienced a month ago is much less severity”, Marsch said , via TSN Sports. “He’ll probably be 2, 3 weeks before he’s back again. He’s not going to be with us for March, which is okay. We’ll leave him there in Munich and make sure he gets himself fully fit and fully back to 100%, but I’m confident he will do that.”

Canada’s March schedule

Without Davies, Canada will play two international friendlies in Toronto, first hosting Iceland on Saturday, March 28, before they welcome Tunisia to BMO Field on Tuesday, March 31.

Waterman, meanwhile, will be chasing his 16th and 17th caps for Canada, having already represented the country in multiple friendlies and Concacaf Nations League fixtures. He was also a member of the 2022 World Cup, 2024 Copa America, and 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup rosters.

“It’s… you know, 900 goals is… Congratulations to him. He’s the best,” Callaghan said of Messi in response to Bolavip during his postgame press conference.

“When you play great teams and you play great players, the good thing is it brings out the best in yourself and the best in your team. And I thought that’s what we did tonight. You were able to see some of the best qualities that we were able to have,” Callaghan added.

“What we’re focused on is earning our way into the next round. We knew it was going to take tonight, and just, we’re a really proud group that was able to do that.”

Nashville upset Inter Miami after Messi’s 900th career goal

Nashville upset Inter Miami in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 on away goals, having snatched a 1-1 draw in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday. A week earlier, the first leg between Miami and Nashville at Geodis Park finished goalless.

It took an effort from Callaghan’s men, who started the return leg trailing 1-0 early in the game. Only seven minutes into the affair, Messi found the net to reach 900 goals in his career.

However, the Herons failed to increase their lead throughout the game, keeping Nashville well alive in the series. Eventually, it proved costly for Javier Mascherano’s team, as Cristian Espinoza made things level against Inter Miami with only 16 minutes remaining.

The equalizer was enough for Nashville to go through, breaking Inter Miami’s hearts in a night that looked promising but extended Messi’s continental club title drought.

“There were a lot of teams, (and) I had eight opportunities to go to different teams. Kansas City was one of them,” Pacheco said during his introductory press conference in Detroit.

“Once they made that move (signing Kenneth Walker III), I knew that I had to open up the door to go somewhere else. This (Lions) was the first place I thought of.”

Pacheco’s experience with Chiefs before Lions move

The Chiefs handed a big contract to Walker, who hit free agency after winning Super Bowl MVP with the Seattle Seahawks. After that, Pacheco signed a one-year, $1.81 million fully guaranteed deal to join the Lions.

Pacheco is coming off a lackluster season with the Chiefs, recording just 462 yards while averaging 35 rushing yards per game and 3.9 per carry in 2025. However, his past performances make him an interesting fit for Detroit.

In 2023, Pacheco racked up 935 rushing yards for seven touchdowns, improving his numbers from a promising rookie year in 2022 (830 rushing yards for five touchdowns).

Pacheco boosts Lions RB room

A key contributor to two Super Bowl wins in Kansas City, Pacheco is bringing championship experience to a Lions team that needed depth in the RB room after trading David Montgomery to the Houston Texans.

He’ll be the second running back on the depth chart behind Jahmyr Gibbs, a player Pacheco is looking forward to playing with.

“Jahmyr is a hell of a player,” Pacheco said. “Hats off to him and the guys who have been putting in work here for a couple years now.

“Me looking from the outside in, it’s a hell of a group, and whatever I can do to contribute to the team is going to happen. Whether that’s punting the ball, whatever it’s at, no matter where I’m at on the field, cheering the guys on, bringing excitement to the team, bringing leadership, accountability.”

Pacheco felt it was time to leave Kansas City

Pacheco could’ve stayed in Kansas City, but with Walker arriving to take the RB1 role, he may have faced bigger competition with Brashard Smith entering his second year in the league. Besides, the Chiefs can still bring back Kareem Hunt.

Perhaps a change of scenery is what he needed at this point in his young career. Detroit wants to get over the hump, and Pacheco could play a role in helping Dan Campbell lead the Lions to a long-awaited Super Bowl.