According to ESPN Argentina’s Martin Arevalo, ‘Cuti’ Romero is facing a five-to-eight-week recovery period. With the World Cup kickoff just 58 days away, the defender appears likely to return in time to help Argentina defend their title on the world stage.

His availability will, of course, hinge on the success of his rehabilitation. While early indications suggest the injury is straightforward to treat, his return to match fitness will depend entirely on how the knee responds to increased workloads over the coming month.

The primary hurdle remains his lack of competitive rhythm; Tottenham’s season concludes on May 24, while Romero will still be in the thick of his recovery. This absence of match minutes could complicate his integration into the squad for the early stages of the tournament.

Argentina’s injury concerns mount

Romero’s setback adds to a growing list of concerns for Argentina, joining Lautaro Martinez on the training table and raising alarms in Buenos Aires. Despite these high-profile scares, the core of the expected roster remains healthy and active as the summer approaches.

Both players are still projected to feature in the North American-hosted tournament this June. Their presence is vital for manager Lionel Scaloni as Argentina look to navigate a Group Stage featuring Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.

Final preparations before the title defense

Following a string of friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia, Argentina have finalized their remaining warm-up schedule. These final tests will serve as the prelude to their Group Stage debut against Algeria on June 16.

With the countdown officially on, Argentina are gearing up for their return to North American soil. The Albiceleste are aiming for a significantly deeper run than their 1994 appearance in the U.S., where they were famously bounced in the Round of 16.

[Watch Corinthians vs Palmeiras live in the USA on Fanatiz]

One of Brazil’s fiercest rivalries headlines the Brasileirao slate this week as the Derby Paulista returns with contrasting storylines on both sides. Corinthians enter riding the high of a winning Copa Libertadores debut, aiming to build momentum domestically and climb clear of the relegation picture.

But they’ll be tested immediately by a Palmeiras squad that, despite a 1-1 draw in their continental opener, sits atop the league table and is determined to tighten its grip on first place while piling pressure on its bitter rival in this high-stakes showdown.

When will the Corinthians vs Palmeiras match be played?

Corinthians play against Palmeiras in a Matchday 11 clash of the Brasileirao 2026 this Sunday, April 12. The match is set to kick off at 5:30 PM (ET).

Corinthians vs Palmeiras: Time by State in the USA

ET: 5:30 PM
CT: 4:30 PM
MT: 3:30 PM
PT: 2:30 PM

How to watch Corinthians vs Palmeiras in the USA

This Brasileirao 2025 game between Corinthians and Palmeiras will be broadcast live in the USA on Fanatiz. Other options: Premiere.

[Watch Club America vs Cruz Azul online in the US on Paramount+]

One of the marquee matchups on the Liga MX slate this weekend delivers another chapter of the “Clasico Joven.” Cruz Azul remain firmly in the race for the top spot, sitting four points behind league-leading Chivas and knowing a victory would significantly tighten the standings.

Club America, meanwhile, find themselves in a more precarious position with 18 points, hovering around the playoff cutoff line—making this clash critical as a defeat could push them outside the top eight, adding urgency to an already high-stakes rivalry showdown.

When will the Club America vs Cruz Azul match be played?

Club America receive Cruz Azul in the Matchday 14 of the Liga MX Clausura 2026 this Saturday, April 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 PM (ET).

Club America vs Cruz Azul: Time by State in the USA

ET: 11:00 PM
CT: 10:00 PM
MT: 9:00 PM
PT: 8:00 PM

How to watch Club America vs Cruz Azul in the USA

This Liga MX clash between Club America and Cruz Azul will be available for viewers in the USA on Paramount+. Other options: CBS Sports Golazo Network, Univision, TUDN, Amazon Prime Video and ViX.

After falling behind early to a 15th-minute strike by Jorge Ruvalcaba, Inter Miami found an equalizer just one minute before halftime thanks to a well-taken goal by Mateo Silvetti.

The hosts struck again early in the second half, with German Berterame netting his first official goal for Inter Miami. At that moment, it appeared the Herons were well on their way to a historic first win at their new grounds.

However, with only 13 minutes remaining on the clock, Julian Hall orchestrated a brilliant play to set up Adri Mehmeti for a tap-in, spoiling the party for Inter Miami and ensuring the points were shared at Nu Stadium.

The victory also allowed the club to write a new chapter in its history. By defeating Al Akhdoud, Al Nassr secured their 14th consecutive win in the Saudi Pro League, marking the best winning streak in the club’s league history.

The result brings Ronaldo one step closer to lifting his first official trophy since arriving in Saudi Arabia in early 2023. Jorge Jesus’ men currently lead the standings with 70 points, holding a five-point advantage over second-place Al Hilal with just six matches remaining in the season.

A challenging final stretch for Al Nassr

While Al Nassr control their own destiny, the path to the title remains treacherous. To remain in the win column and secure the championship, they will have to navigate a gauntlet of the league’s top-tier teams in their final fixtures.

After hosting seventh-place Al Ettifaq in Riyadh next week, the degree of difficulty spikes significantly. Al Nassr are scheduled to face a trio of giants: Al Ahli (3rd), Al Qadisiyah (4th), and a potential title-deciding showdown against Al Hilal (2nd).

Ronaldo chases third consecutive Golden Boot

In addition to the team trophy, Cristiano is keeping a close eye on the Golden Boot race. The Portuguese superstar is currently hunting for his third consecutive scoring title in Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo currently sits third in the rankings with 24 goals this season. He trails Julian Quiñones of Al Qadisiyah, who has 26, and league leader Ivan Toney of Al Ahli, who currently sits at the top with 27 goals. With a difficult schedule ahead, Ronaldo will need a clinical finish to the season to overtake his rivals.

In an interview with L’Equipe published on Saturday, the Brazil manager admitted he understands why fans are clamoring for the Santos star, noting that Neymar has been working hard at the club level to earn a spot on the final roster.

“He is currently being evaluated by the Brazilian Football Confederation and by me. He still has two months to prove he has the qualities necessary to play in the World Cup,” Ancelotti said. “After his knee injury, he has come back strong. He is scoring goals. He needs to stay on this path and improve his physical fitness. He is on the right track“.

Neymar’s numbers this season

Since recovering from his ACL injury, Neymar has returned to action in impressive fashion. So far this season, the Santos icon has appeared in six matches across all competitions, recording three goals and three assists.

Despite the limited sample size, Neymar has consistently demonstrated his dual-threat ability as both a playmaker and a goalscorer, proving to Ancelotti that he is capable of reaching the elite level required for a place on the Brazilian national team’s flight to North America.

The push for one last World Cup

Since taking over the helm of the Seleção, Ancelotti has yet to feature Neymar, making it clear that the player’s limitations were purely physical rather than tactical. However, the former Barcelona and PSG star remains fully focused on the goal of competing in his final World Cup.

“I’m upset and sad that I wasn’t called up. But the focus remains—day after day, training after training, game after game,” Neymar said during a Kings League presentation in São Paulo. “We’re going to achieve our goal. There is still the final squad selection to come”.

The path back for Brazil’s all-time leading scorer will not be easy, as Ancelotti has spent recent windows integrating a new wave of talent. While established stars like Vinicius Jr., Raphinha, and Matheus Cunha are locks for the squad, younger players like Endrick, Joao Pedro, Luiz Henrique, Igor Thiago, and Gabriel Martinelli have all turned in strong performances, intensifying the competition for the final attacking spots.

[Watch Santos vs Atletico Mineiro live in the USA on Fanatiz]

Santos enter this Matchday 10 showdown under pressure after a 3-1 loss to Flamengo left them on 10 points, just two above the relegation line, making this a crucial spot for Neymar’s squad to respond.

On the other hand will be Atletico Mineiro, who come in with momentum after a solid 2-1 win over Athletico Paranaense pushed them to 14 points and into mid-table, with eyes on climbing higher.

When will the Santos vs Atletico Mineiro match be played?

Santos will play against Atletico Mineiro in a Matchday 11 clash of the Brasileirao 2026 this Saturday, April 11. The match is set to kick off at 8:00 PM (ET).

Santos vs Atletico Mineiro: Time by State in the USA

ET: 8:00 PM
CT: 7:00 PM
MT: 6:00 PM
PT: 5:00 PM

How to watch Santos vs Atletico Mineiro in the USA

This Brasileirao 2025 game between Santos and Atletico Mineiro will be broadcast live in the USA on Fanatiz. Other options: Premiere.

[Watch Inter Miami vs New York RB in the USA on Apple TV]

Inter Miami head into this matchup aiming to rebound from a frustrating draw against Austin FC, a result that leaves them fourth in the standings with 11 points but still just two behind league leaders Nashville SC, keeping Lionel Messi and company firmly in the early-season race.

Awaiting them is a dangerous New York Red Bulls side sitting seventh with 10 points and eager to climb the table, making this clash a pivotal opportunity for both teams as they look to gain momentum and close the gap at the top.

When will the Inter Miami vs New York RB match be played?

Inter Miami will play against New York RB this Saturday, April 11, in a 2026 MLS regular season game, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 PM (ET).

Inter Miami vs New York RB: Time by State in the USA

ET: 7:30 PM
CT: 6:30 PM
MT: 5:30 PM
PT: 4:30 PM

How to watch Inter Miami vs New York RB in the USA

Tune Apple TV to catch the 2026 MLS regular season showdown between Inter Miami and New York RB live in the USA.

After a dominant start to the match characterized by high pressure, Kingsley Coman found Ronaldo, who burst into the box with speed and unleashed a powerful, low-driven shot that left the goalkeeper with no chance.

The goal is a significant one for both Ronaldo and Al Nassr. Should they secure the win today, they would move five points clear of Al Hilal, their closest title rivals, with six games remaining.

Ronaldo nearing historic Saudi Pro League record

With his recent goal against Al Akhdoud, Cristiano Ronaldo now has 98 goals in 101 matches since debuting in the Saudi Pro League. The Portuguese star is now just two goals away from equaling the historic record held by Abderrazak Hamdallah as the fastest player to reach 100 goals in the history of the Saudi league.

Closing the gap in the Golden Boot race

Cristiano is not backing down from the Golden Boot race, remaining steadfast in his pursuit of a third consecutive scoring title in the Saudi Pro League. Although this goal keeps him in third place on the table with 24 goals, he is closing in on Julian Quiñones of Al Qadisiyah, who has 26, and Ivan Toney of Al Ahli, who currently leads the league with 27 goals.

[Watch Fluminense vs Flamengo live in the USA on Fanatiz]

One of Brazil’s marquee rivalries headlines the weekend slate as Flamengo clashes with Fluminense in a high-stakes showdown with major implications near the top of the table. Flamengo enter sitting fourth with 17 points and a game in hand, aiming to capitalize on that advantage and close the gap on the leaders.

Meanwhile Fluminense, currently third with 20 points, has its sights set on trimming the five-point deficit to first-place Palmeiras. With both sides firmly in the title hunt, this derby carries added weight and all the ingredients of a must-watch battle.

When will the Fluminense vs Flamengo match be played?

Fluminense will face Flamengo in a Matchday 11 clash of the Brasileirao 2026 this Saturday, April 11. The match is set to kick off at 5:30 PM (ET).

Fluminense vs Flamengo: Time by State in the USA

ET: 5:30 PM
CT: 4:30 PM
MT: 3:30 PM
PT: 2:30 PM

How to watch Fluminense vs Flamengo in the USA

This Brasileirao 2025 game between Fluminense and Flamengo will be broadcast live in the USA on Fanatiz. Other options: Premiere.

The Polish striker has been one of Barcelona’s most consistent performers this campaign, starting 12 matches while registering 12 goals and one assist. His presence in the final third has been constant, reflected in his 55 total shots, 26 on target, and frequent involvement in high-risk attacking positions.

Despite those numbers, head coach Hansi Flick has opted to leave Lewandowski on the bench for this fixture, suggesting a tactical or rotational decision rather than a disciplinary issue or confirmed injury. Barcelona will also be without Raphinha, who is unavailable for this game.

Barcelona confirmed lineup vs Espanyol

Barcelona’s starting XI shows a blend of youth and defensive solidity, with several key attacking options still present despite Lewandowski’s absence: Joan Garcia; Balde, R. Araujo, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín; Gavi, Pedri, Fermin; Ferran, Lamine Yamal, Eric.

Espanyol confirmed lineup vs Barcelona

Espanyol lines up with a balanced mix of defensive structure and attacking mobility: Dmitrovic; El Hilali, F. Calero, Cabrera, C. Romero; Pol Lozano, Urko, Edu Expósito; Dolan, Ngonge, Kike G.

Barcelona enter the match as LaLiga leaders with 76 points, holding a six-point advantage over second-place Real Madrid, adding further intrigue to a lineup decision that leaves out one of their top scorers.