&lt;p&gt;Jerry Jones and the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-cowboys&quot;&gt;Dallas Cowboys&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; have officially placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on George Pickens ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Now, the major challenge for the team’s ownership will be reaching an agreement with the wide receiver so he signs a long-term contract before the July 15 deadline.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;That move guarantees that the Cowboys retain Pickens’ rights and that the star cannot test free agency in the coming weeks. In addition, they are automatically obligated to pay him close to $28 million for the upcoming season as one of the top five players at the position. By the way, under this tag, Pickens can listen to offers, but Dallas will have the opportunity to match them. If that does not happen, the Cowboys would receive two first-round picks as compensation if the player leaves.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;However, the announcement will not sit well in Pickens’ camp. The player is expecting a multi-year deal with a lot of guaranteed money. After proving with the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/pittsburgh-steelers&quot;&gt;Pittsburgh Steelers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; and Dallas that he is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, George will not want to earn less than names like Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, or CeeDee Lamb.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Will George Pickens sign a contract extension with Cowboys?&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;For now, George Pickens is not close to signing a contract extension at all with the Cowboys and, after the franchise tag is officially in place, the wide receiver is most likely to skip all offseason activities with the team as a form of protest if he is not given a major contract.&lt;/p&gt;


        

        


&lt;h2&gt;How much money does George Pickens want from Cowboys?&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;George Pickens will likely begin negotiations using CeeDee Lamb as a benchmark. His teammate signed a four-year, $136 million contract in 2024. It will be very difficult for him to accept anything less than that.&lt;/p&gt;


        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/nfl/jerry-jones-cowboys-confirm-new-coach-for-2026-to-replace-matt-eberflus-as-defensive-coordinator&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;


&lt;p&gt;Furthermore, in a very important detail, Pickens’ agent also has Micah Parsons as a top client. We cannot forget that David Mulugheta had an extremely complicated negotiation with Jerry Jones that ended with the defensive star being traded to the Packers. In the wide receiver’s case, he will not back down either.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Money benchmark for George Pickens&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;For all practical purposes, Pickens and Mulugheta will take into account that Justin Jefferson earns $35 million annually and that Ja’Marr Chase reset the market with $40 million per season. Based on that, and considering the massive salary cap problems the Cowboys are dealing with, it appears it will be another controversial and lengthy offseason for Jones with one of his stars.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;If Jerry wants to keep one of the best offenses in the NFL intact with &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dak-prescott&quot;&gt;Dak Prescott&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;, Lamb, and Pickens, he will have to find a way to give the former Steelers player a contract extension.&lt;/p&gt;

Jerry Jones and Cowboys officially announce final decision on George Pickens during 2026 NFL Combine

Jerry Jones and Cowboys are in trouble with Dak Prescott’s key teammate contract for 2026

Jerry Jones confirms final decision on George Pickens’ future with Cowboys and new contract for 2026

Jerry Jones and Cowboys officially announce final decision on George Pickens during 2026 NFL Combine - Bolavip US

miniaturas

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Carnell Tate&lt;/strong&gt; is ready to produce in the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/nfl&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noreferrer noopener&quot;&gt;NFL&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;. As he prepares for the draft after impressing for &lt;strong&gt;Ohio State&lt;/strong&gt; in the NCAA, the wide receiver is just ready to roll and he made sure all teams know that.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Tate knows he has all the tools to be an NFL superstar. Speaking to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, the Ohio State product said, “&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Everything. The catching, the route running, the blocking. I got&amp;nbsp;the mindset&amp;nbsp;that I’m the best wide receiver in the draft class&lt;/strong&gt;. I got the route running, I’m able to manipulate DB&lt;/em&gt;,&lt;em&gt; I got the catching, I can catch over DBs. I’ve got the field awareness on the sidelines, a couple of sideline grabs. I also showed up in the blocking game, blocking D-ends, corners. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Whatever you need, I got it&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/strong&gt;”&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;And to be fair, it’s hard to argue with Tate. He was a showstopper at &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ohio-state&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noreferrer noopener&quot;&gt;Ohio State&lt;/a&gt; and he is electric on the field. &lt;strong&gt;Tate has all the tools to become an absolute star for whatever team that drafts him.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Ohio State is effectively WR University&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;The amount of top-notch wideouts that Ohio State has produced in the last few years is just absurd. Tate has all the tools to be the next one on that elite list. &lt;strong&gt;He caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns for the Buckeyes in 2025.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;wp-block-embed__wrapper&quot;&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;ck-twitter&quot;&gt;&lt;blockquote class=&quot;twitter-tweet&quot; data-width=&quot;500&quot; data-dnt=&quot;true&quot;&gt;&lt;p lang=&quot;en&quot; dir=&quot;ltr&quot;&gt;What an adjustment by Ohio State WR Carnell Tate to make the touchdown catch.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The Buckeyes, if it holds, are making a STATEMENT in their opener against No. 1 Texas. &lt;a href=&quot;https://t.co/63yHfGGn22&quot;&gt;pic.twitter.com/63yHfGGn22&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) &lt;a href=&quot;https://twitter.com/AryePulliNFL/status/1961861989463917011?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&quot;&gt;August 30, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;script async=&quot;&quot; src=&quot;https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js&quot; charset=&quot;utf-8&quot;&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave, Emeka Egbuka, Terry McLaurin, Garrett Wilson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are all thriving in the NFL after delivering the goods for the Buckeyes. At this point, &lt;strong&gt;any first-round WR coming from Ohio State deserves the benefit of the doubt.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;


        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/nfl/steelers-could-pick-surprising-player-in-the-2026-nfl-draft-pending-aaron-rodgers-retirement-decision&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;


&lt;h2&gt;Carnell Tate wasn’t even the best Ohio State receiver last season&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Carnell Tate is a star in the making, but he wasn’t even the most productive receiver on the Ohio State roster. &lt;strong&gt;Jeremiah Smith was even better, leading the Big Ten in receptions (87) and receiving yards (1,243).&lt;/strong&gt; That left Tate as WR2 of the team, which is just insane to think about.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;However, &lt;strong&gt;Smith is&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;strong&gt;stil not eligible to go to the NFL&lt;/strong&gt;, he needs to play one more season at the collegiate level. Smith just ended up sixth in the Heisman voting. However, next year, Smith will be undoubtedly one of the best wideouts available.&lt;/p&gt;

Ohio State’s Carnell Tate sends clear message to NFL teams about who the best WR in the 2026 Draft is

Ohio State's Carnell Tate sends clear message to NFL teams about who the best WR in the 2026 Draft is - Bolavip US

&lt;p&gt;The &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/las-vegas-raiders&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noreferrer noopener&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Las Vegas&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Raiders&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;will pick &lt;strong&gt;Fernando Mendoza&lt;/strong&gt; with the first overall selection in the &lt;strong&gt;2026 NFL Draft&lt;/strong&gt;. At least that’s what every single soul in the football world expects, and it seems like the quarterback expects it too, as he is already sending messages to &lt;strong&gt;Tom Brady&lt;/strong&gt; on public display.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/nfl/fernando-mendoza-gives-stern-warning-to-raiders-anything-can-happen&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noreferrer noopener&quot;&gt;While Mendoza did sent a warning to the Raiders&lt;/a&gt;, he also met with the organization and everything went “&lt;em&gt;fantastic&lt;/em&gt;.” Tom Brady owns quite a few shares of the Las Vegas Raiders, and he was very involved in picking Klint Kubiak as the new head coach, and &lt;strong&gt;is likely to be involved with the pick and developing Mendoza during his first year in the &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/nfl&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noreferrer noopener&quot;&gt;NFL&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Mendoza spoke about having Brady as a mentor. “&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Yeah, I mean, who hasn’t admired &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/tom-brady&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noreferrer noopener&quot;&gt;Tom Brady&lt;/a&gt;? More Super Bowl rings than anybody. So, that opportunity would be fantastic&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;.” Mendoza then added,&lt;em&gt; “Tom Brady, I believe, is the best quarterback of all time by a wide margin. And to be able to have the opportunity to be mentored by him, it would mean so much. &lt;strong&gt;Especially to learn, and I’m all about learning, so Day 1, I’ve got to learn a lot.&lt;/strong&gt;“&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Tom Brady is very interested in Mendoza developing greatly&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;When Brady acquired ownership on the Raiders, he didn’t envision his team going 3-14. Why? Because Brady is a winner, a fierce competitor, a guy who hates losing more than he loves winning. Hence, &lt;strong&gt;it’s in his best interest to help &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fernando-mendoza&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noreferrer noopener&quot;&gt;Mendoza&lt;/a&gt; develop into a great quarterback that can take the Raiders into prominence&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-image size-full&quot;&gt;&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;img loading=&quot;lazy&quot; width=&quot;1920&quot; height=&quot;1080&quot; src=&quot;https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/09130530/tom-brady-1920x1080.webp&quot; alt=&quot;Tom Brady&quot; class=&quot;wp-image-542446&quot;&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;Tom Brady, co-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;p&gt;After all, Brady overcame all the odds to become the best quarterback of all time. Now, can he become a great mentor? In the end, &lt;strong&gt;if Mendoza eventually guides the Raiders to the promise land, Brady will land a huge chunk of the credit too&lt;/strong&gt;, and it will add another Super Bowl to his seven won as a player.&lt;/p&gt;


        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/nfl/fernando-mendoza-received-huge-compliment-from-raiders-hc-klint-kubiak-ahead-of-2026-nfl-draft&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;


&lt;h2&gt;Mendoza will face tough competition on the AFC West&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;If Mendoza ends up being a Raider, he will play in one of the most difficult divisions in football&lt;/strong&gt;. So, he will have an uphill battle from the get-go. The &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kansas-city-chiefs&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noreferrer noopener&quot;&gt;Chiefs&lt;/a&gt; have a good defense under Steve Spagnuolo, the Chargers and the Broncos were both in the top 6 of best total defenses last year, and Mendoza would have to play all these teams twice a year. All three are very well coached teams as well.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;As for QB competition, &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/patrick-mahomes&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noreferrer noopener&quot;&gt;Patrick Mahomes&lt;/a&gt; is already one of the top five best quarterbacks of all time. Justin Herbert is an elite talent and arguably top five right now in the NFL. Lastly, Bo Nix just guided his team to an AFC Championship Game appearance. &lt;strong&gt;Mendoza will have to face giant after giant if he wants to succeed with the Raiders&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

Fernando Mendoza opens up on Tom Brady amid rumors of Raiders picking the Heisman winner

Fernando Mendoza opens up on Tom Brady amid rumors of Raiders picking the Heisman winner - Bolavip US

&lt;p&gt;The &lt;strong&gt;2026 NFL Draft&lt;/strong&gt; is rapidly approaching and the first round is one of those nights were teams might shock the world with their decisions. The &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/las-vegas-raiders&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noreferrer noopener&quot;&gt;Las Vegas Raiders&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; hold the first pick, and quarterback &lt;strong&gt;Fernando Mendoza&lt;/strong&gt; is poised to be the first name called by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, but that didn’t stop the Heisman winner from sending a message to the team.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/nfl/fernando-mendoza-received-huge-compliment-from-raiders-hc-klint-kubiak-ahead-of-2026-nfl-draft&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noreferrer noopener&quot;&gt;New Raiders head coach, Klint Kubiak, has spoken wonders about Fernando Mendoza&lt;/a&gt;. Still, Mendoza is clear that nothing is done yet. Speaking on Friday at the Scouting Combine, he said, “&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;I have no job. This is my job interview right now&lt;/strong&gt;, and like everyone says, this is the most important job interview of your life. So, right now, I’m just doing everything to hopefully get employed April 23.&lt;/em&gt;”&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;As for the warning, well, &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fernando-mendoza&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noreferrer noopener&quot;&gt;Mendoza&lt;/a&gt; said &lt;em&gt;“I have not been selected yet, and &lt;strong&gt;whatever team drafts me, I’m extremely grateful&lt;/strong&gt;. Like I said, whether it’s the No. 1 pick or whether it’s the last pick in the draft, I’d be blessed and honored to be drafted by any team. I’m going to give them by all. The possibility — I mean, &lt;strong&gt;we see how the &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/nfl&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noreferrer noopener&quot;&gt;NFL&lt;/a&gt; turns around so much. The margins are so small&lt;/strong&gt;.”&lt;/em&gt; He is basically leaving the door open to any franchise.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Mendoza already met with the Raiders though&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;At the combine, Mendoza met with representatives of the Raiders organization. “&lt;em&gt;I was lucky to have a formal interview with the Las Vegas Raiders. It was a fantastic interview. Went over some of my previous plays, drew up some plays on the board. I thought it was a great meeting.&lt;strong&gt; I know they have the No. 1 pick, but anything can happen in the draft&lt;/strong&gt;, but I’m just excited for the opportunity, and whatever team drafts me I’m going to give everything I’ve got to them.&lt;/em&gt;”&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;wp-block-embed__wrapper&quot;&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;ck-twitter&quot;&gt;&lt;blockquote class=&quot;twitter-tweet&quot; data-width=&quot;500&quot; data-dnt=&quot;true&quot;&gt;&lt;p lang=&quot;en&quot; dir=&quot;ltr&quot;&gt;INCREDIBLE story from Fernando Mendoza on his 4th Down TD run:&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;We were hoping they were in 2 Tampa Drop 8&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;but they didn&apos;t come out in that&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;half the field went zone, half the field went man&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;well if it’s man I&apos;m supposed to throw it, if it&apos;s zone I&apos;m supposed to run it&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I&apos;m… &lt;a href=&quot;https://t.co/k2ner8TR9H&quot;&gt;pic.twitter.com/k2ner8TR9H&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) &lt;a href=&quot;https://twitter.com/SharpFootball/status/2013485552314552417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&quot;&gt;January 20, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;script async=&quot;&quot; src=&quot;https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js&quot; charset=&quot;utf-8&quot;&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Mendoza has been highly praised for his accuracy and discipline. Also, &lt;strong&gt;he is a guy who is willing to put his life on the line if that helps the team&lt;/strong&gt;. He is the definition of a natural born leader, and the Raiders desperately need something like that to turn the tide.&lt;/p&gt;


        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/nfl/raiders-let-geno-smith-know-their-plans-on-qb1-amid-fernando-mendozas-draft-rumors&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;


&lt;h2&gt;Mendoza also sent a subtle mention to Raiders co-owner Tom Brady&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/tom-brady&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noreferrer noopener&quot;&gt;Tom Brady&lt;/a&gt; famously became the best NFL player of all time after being the 199th pick in the draft. &lt;strong&gt;Mendoza seems to remember that very vividly&lt;/strong&gt;, as he sent a subtle message to the now co-owner of the Raiders.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;“&lt;em&gt;There are so many great players in this class,” Mendoza said. “We saw the Ohio State guys run yesterday. There are plenty of Indiana guys who are great in the draft as well. I’m just honored to be a part of the group. There will be no hard feelings… &lt;strong&gt;I’m just trying to be the best me possible. Whatever drafts me, I’m grateful, whether it’s the No. 1 pick or the 199th pick&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;” The 199th pick refers, of course, to Tom Brady, who has publicly stated his admiration for Mendoza.&lt;/p&gt;

Fernando Mendoza gives stern warning to Raiders: ‘Anything can happen’

Fernando Mendoza gives stern warning to Raiders: 'Anything can happen' - Bolavip US

destacadas

&lt;p&gt;Todd Monken has followed the same line as general manager Andrew Berry. The Browns are not going to guarantee &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/shedeur-sanders&quot;&gt;Shedeur Sanders&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; the job as starting quarterback heading into the 2026 season.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;“I don’t why it wouldn’t be an open competition. I don’t mean that harshly, but, I don’t think there’s enough on film over the last couple years one way or the other to say, boy, we have our starter at quarterback yet, whether internally or externally.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Sanders was optimistic because he kept the QB1 job over Dillon Gabriel in the final weeks of last season. However, with a new head coach, everything starts from scratch for the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cleveland-browns&quot;&gt;Cleveland Browns&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Who will be Browns starting QB in 2026?&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;It is still unknown who will be the starting quarterback for the Browns in 2026. General manager Andrew Berry and head coach Todd Monken have been very cautious when speaking about the matter, pointing out that, for now, the only thing they can confirm is that there will be an open competition among the players currently on the roster and any possible QB who may arrive in free agency.&lt;/p&gt;


        

        


&lt;h2&gt;Will Browns cut Shedeur Sanders?&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;No. The Browns will not cut Shedeur Sanders and will keep him on the roster to determine whether he has the potential to be their starting quarterback in 2026. The competition will be with Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel, and any player who is signed in free agency.&lt;/p&gt;


        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/nfl/shedeur-sanders-coach-officially-decides-to-part-ways-with-browns-and-could-be-out-for-2026-season&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

Browns are not ready to name Shedeur Sanders starting QB for 2026

Browns send clear message to Shedeur Sanders about QB job for 2026

Shedeur Sanders gets warning from Browns ahead of 2026 NFL season and free agency

Browns are not ready to name Shedeur Sanders starting QB for 2026 - Bolavip US

&lt;p&gt;The &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-mets&quot;&gt;New York Mets&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; added a major piece to their pitching staff, and &lt;strong&gt;Freddy Peralta&lt;/strong&gt; made it clear he is fully embracing the opportunity. Shortly after the move became official, the veteran right-hander shared an emotional message about beginning this new chapter in New York.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Peralta did not hide his excitement about joining a contender &lt;/strong&gt;with high expectations entering the 2026 season. The 29-year-old understands both the spotlight and the opportunity that come with pitching in a major market.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“&lt;em&gt;I’m thrilled to be here! Honestly, it’s emotional and I’m happy to join the Mets organization.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; I’m excited to see what this season has in store. We got a squad, and some nasty pitchers. I can’t wait!”&lt;/em&gt; Peralta said, via Master Flip on X.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Coming off a career year&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Peralta arrives in New York after delivering the best season of his career with the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/milwaukee-brewers&quot;&gt;Milwaukee Brewers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;. Following the departure of &lt;strong&gt;Corbin Burnes&lt;/strong&gt;, he stepped into the ace role and responded with elite production.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-image size-full&quot;&gt;&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;img loading=&quot;lazy&quot; width=&quot;1920&quot; height=&quot;1080&quot; src=&quot;https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/27124854/freddy-peralta-mets-1-1920x1080.webp&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; class=&quot;wp-image-587951&quot;&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;&amp;nbsp;Freddy Peralta #51 of the New York Mets looks on during spring training workouts. Rich Storry/Getty Images&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Last season, Peralta posted a &lt;strong&gt;2.70 ERA with 204 strikeouts and a 1.075 WHIP across 176 2/3 innings.&lt;/strong&gt; He provided consistency at the top of the rotation and proved he could handle added responsibility.&lt;/p&gt;


        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/mlb/ny-mets-jorge-polanco-makes-candid-admission-about-transition-to-first-base&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;


&lt;h2&gt;Motivation ahead of free agency&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;With free agency approaching after the 2026 season,&lt;strong&gt; Peralta has added incentive to perform at a high level.&lt;/strong&gt; A strong campaign in New York could significantly impact his long-term future.&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_poll&quot; id=&quot;69a1dbe7d1eb01dac3090f55&quot; data-title=&quot;How impactful will Freddy Peralta be for the Mets this season?&quot; data-options=&quot;4&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

        

        

NY Mets’ Freddy Peralta sends clear message on fresh start in New York

NY Yankees add 12-year veteran outfielder to bolster right-handed hitting

Rex Sox legend David Ortiz shares candid reaction to the strength of modern MLB players

NY Mets' Freddy Peralta sends clear message on fresh start in New York - Bolavip US

&lt;p&gt;The &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/toronto-blue-jays&quot;&gt;Toronto Blue Jays&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; are shaping their 2026 payroll around both established stars and rising commitments, with numbers that could put them near the upper tier of &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/mlb&quot;&gt;MLB&lt;/a&gt; spending. Their financial picture is anything but static…&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Long-term deals for players like &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/vladimir-guerrero-jr&quot;&gt;Vladimir Guerrero Jr.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; and &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dylan-cease&quot;&gt;Dylan Cease&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; anchor the ledger, while arbitration-eligible roster members contribute a rising salary base that quietly pushes total obligations higher.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;At the same time, luxury tax thresholds loom on the horizon. Whether the Blue Jays ease back under the CBT line or push into higher tiers will depend on how this mix of contracts and payroll decisions plays out as the season approaches.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;How much is the Toronto Blue Jays payroll in 2026?&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;The Toronto Blue Jays are projected to carry one of the heftiest payrolls in Major League Baseball for the 2026 season, with estimates placing &lt;strong&gt;their total well above $300 million for salary and luxury tax purposes&lt;/strong&gt;, as Spotrac reported.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-image size-full&quot;&gt;&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;img loading=&quot;lazy&quot; width=&quot;1920&quot; height=&quot;1080&quot; src=&quot;https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/27115056/Ernie-Clement-1920x1080.webp&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; class=&quot;wp-image-587923&quot;&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;Ernie Clement of the Blue Jays hits a triple during a spring training game in 2026 (Source: Mark Taylor/Getty Images)&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;p&gt;A large portion of that figure stems from the massive, long-term contract of &lt;strong&gt;Vladimir Guerrero Jr.&lt;/strong&gt;, whose &lt;strong&gt;14-year, $500 million extension&lt;/strong&gt; begins in 2026 with an &lt;strong&gt;annual salary over $35 million&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Alongside his deal, other high-value players such as &lt;strong&gt;Dylan Cease&lt;/strong&gt;,&lt;strong&gt; &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-gausman&quot;&gt;Kevin Gausman&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;and&lt;strong&gt; &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/george-springer&quot;&gt;George Springer&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; command multi-million dollar salaries, anchoring the payroll even before arbitration raises are tallied.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Arbitration-eligible contributors and mid-tier veteran contracts&lt;/strong&gt; add further layers to the financial picture. MLB teams generally include these figures when calculating competitive balance tax obligations, meaning their total payroll could trigger significant luxury tax implications.&lt;/p&gt;

Toronto Blue Jays payroll 2026: Salary breakdown and luxury tax outlook

Toronto Blue Jays payroll 2026: Salary breakdown and luxury tax outlook - Bolavip US

&lt;p&gt;The &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-angels&quot;&gt;Los Angeles Angels&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; are heading into 2026 with a payroll picture that looks very different from recent seasons, shaped by major contract realignments and a notable drop in total spending. &lt;strong&gt;After years of high payrolls, their numbers have shifted&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Long-term deals still dominate the ledger — from &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mike-trout&quot;&gt;Mike Trout&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;’s massive contract to &lt;strong&gt;Yusei Kikuchi&lt;/strong&gt; and &lt;strong&gt;Jorge Soler&lt;/strong&gt;’s guaranteed salaries — but the overall estimate sits well below previous levels and well under &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/mlb&quot;&gt;MLB&lt;/a&gt;’s luxury tax thresholds&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Meanwhile, moves such as restructuring &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/anthony-rendon&quot;&gt;Anthony Rendon&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;’s contract and trimming veteran salaries have cut payroll figures drastically. Those decisions could influence not just spending flexibility but the club’s competitive identity.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;How much is the Angels payroll in 2026?&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Los Angeles enter 2026 with a payroll picture that looks noticeably different from recent years, driven by a combination of long-term deals and a strategic pullback in spending. Based on Spotrac-aligned estimates, &lt;strong&gt;the Angels’ total payroll sits in $153 million&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-image size-full&quot;&gt;&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;img loading=&quot;lazy&quot; width=&quot;1920&quot; height=&quot;1080&quot; src=&quot;https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/27110848/Sam-Bachman-1920x1080.webp&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; class=&quot;wp-image-587889&quot;&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;Sam Bachman of the Angels warms up during a spring training game in 2026 (Source: Mike Christy/Getty Images)&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Highest-paid Los Angeles Angels player in 2026&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;At the top of the ledger remains &lt;strong&gt;Mike Trout&lt;/strong&gt;, whose contract continues to carry one of the largest annual salaries on the roster, with an &lt;strong&gt;AAV north of $35 million&lt;/strong&gt;. Even amid roster turnover, his deal remains the financial centerpiece of the organization’s books.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Beyond him, &lt;strong&gt;several mid-tier veteran contracts and multi-year agreements shape the 2026 structure&lt;/strong&gt;. Commitments to established contributors ensure that a significant percentage of payroll is already locked in before arbitration figures are finalized.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Arbitration-eligible players&lt;/strong&gt; also play a meaningful role in the Angels’ financial outlook. Rising salaries for controllable talent add incremental increases that, while smaller individually, collectively influence the club’s competitive balance tax calculation.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Luxury tax outlook: Are the Angels over the CBT threshold?&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;From a luxury tax standpoint, &lt;strong&gt;Los Angeles projects to sit well below the CBT threshold&lt;/strong&gt;, giving the front office theoretical flexibility. Whether that space translates into in-season additions or remains unused will likely depend on where the team stands in the AL West standings by midyear.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Ultimately, the Angels’ 2026 payroll tells the story of a franchise walking a financial tightrope — no longer among MLB’s biggest spenders, but not operating at the bottom either. The structure suggests optionality, though how aggressively that flexibility is deployed could define the season.&lt;/p&gt;

Los Angeles Angels payroll in 2026: Team salary, contracts and luxury tax situation

Los Angeles Angels payroll in 2026: Team salary, contracts and luxury tax situation - Bolavip US

&lt;p&gt;Few franchises manage the balance between contention and cost control quite like the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/houston-astros&quot;&gt;Houston Astros&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;. As 2026 approaches, their payroll structure offers early clues about whether another October push is truly within reach.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Long-term commitments, expiring deals and arbitration raises are quietly reshaping the books. The numbers suggest careful calibration rather than reckless spending, a strategy built to extend a competitive window without slamming it shut.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;How that financial blueprint translates to on-field depth remains the looming question. In a division that refuses to ease up, the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/mlb&quot;&gt;MLB&lt;/a&gt; team’s 2026 payroll&lt;/strong&gt; may reveal more about its championship ambitions than any offseason headline.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;How much is the Houston Astros payroll in 2026?&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;For the 2026 season&lt;strong&gt;, the Houston Astros project a luxury tax payroll of about $228 million&lt;/strong&gt;, placing them comfortably in the upper tier of MLB salary spenders but still behind some perennial big-market spenders like the Dodgers and Yankees.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;That total, based on Spotrac data, reflects both guaranteed contracts and arbitration-eligible salaries across the 40-man roster. Anchoring the franchise’s payroll are high-value deals for cornerstone players.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-image size-full&quot;&gt;&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;img loading=&quot;lazy&quot; width=&quot;1920&quot; height=&quot;1080&quot; src=&quot;https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/27105339/Peter-Lambert-1920x1080.webp&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; class=&quot;wp-image-587869&quot;&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;Peter Lambert #38 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch in 2026 (Source: Rich Storry/Getty Images)&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jose-altuve&quot;&gt;Jose Altuve&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; leads the club at $33 million, followed by &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/carlos-correa&quot;&gt;Carlos Correa&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; and &lt;strong&gt;Yordan Alvarez&lt;/strong&gt; with salaries in the $26–33 million range, while other established veterans like &lt;strong&gt;Cristian Javier&lt;/strong&gt; and &lt;strong&gt;Christian Walker&lt;/strong&gt; also command significant paychecks.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Beyond the stars, a group of arbitration players — including &lt;strong&gt;Jeremy Peña&lt;/strong&gt;,&lt;strong&gt; Hunter Brown&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Yainer Diaz&lt;/strong&gt; and others — adds depth but also financial commitments that push the total higher.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;With most arbitration figures now set and additional contract moves like the three-year deal for pitcher &lt;strong&gt;Tatsuya Imai&lt;/strong&gt; factoring into the mix, the Astros’ 2026 payroll underscores a deliberate blend of elite talent and roster flexibility.&lt;/p&gt;

Astros payroll 2026: Houston’s financial plan for another title run

Astros payroll 2026: Houston’s financial plan for another title run - Bolavip US

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/boston-red-sox&quot;&gt;Boston Red Sox&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; legend &lt;strong&gt;David Ortiz&lt;/strong&gt; recently shared a candid and humorous perspective on the size and athleticism of today’s &lt;strong&gt;MLB&lt;/strong&gt; players. During a spring training appearance on MLB Network Radio, &lt;strong&gt;the Hall of Famer praised the physical profiles of the modern game&lt;/strong&gt; while reflecting on how much the sport has changed since his era.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/david-ortiz&quot;&gt;Ortiz&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;a three-time World Series champion&lt;/strong&gt; with the Red Sox and 2022&lt;strong&gt; Hall of Fame&lt;/strong&gt; inductee, noted that today’s players are more imposing and athletic than in the past. He explained that during his playing days, there were fewer towering, muscular athletes, whereas now it seems like every player is well-built and explosive.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;“&lt;strong&gt;These guys’ bodies nowadays, it’s very impressive. I mean, in our days, you could count the tall guys on one hand&lt;/strong&gt;. It wasn’t many tall guys, very well built. Nowadays, everybody’s very well built. The athleticism you see from these guys now is very impressive,”&lt;/em&gt; Ortiz said, per MLB Network Radio.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Ortiz’s funny take on young players&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;During the segment, host Eduardo Perez asked Ortiz whether the 2026 generation of &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/mlb&quot;&gt;MLB&lt;/a&gt; players ever makes him feel &lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“short”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt; by comparison. Ortiz laughed before delivering a line that quickly went viral with baseball fans.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;wp-block-embed__wrapper&quot;&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;ck-twitter&quot;&gt;&lt;blockquote class=&quot;twitter-tweet&quot; data-width=&quot;500&quot; data-dnt=&quot;true&quot;&gt;&lt;p lang=&quot;en&quot; dir=&quot;ltr&quot;&gt;Are modern baseball players making Big Papi feel SMALL?🤣 &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The Hall of Famer breaks down how impressed he is with the athleticism of players at Spring Training:&lt;a href=&quot;https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedSox?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&quot;&gt;#RedSox&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://twitter.com/RedSox?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&quot;&gt;@RedSox&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;🔗 &lt;a href=&quot;https://t.co/WG5zyiVTKm&quot;&gt;https://t.co/WG5zyiVTKm&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href=&quot;https://t.co/Mc5YidQ33a&quot;&gt;pic.twitter.com/Mc5YidQ33a&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) &lt;a href=&quot;https://twitter.com/MLBNetworkRadio/status/2027141769196929302?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&quot;&gt;February 26, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;script async=&quot;&quot; src=&quot;https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js&quot; charset=&quot;utf-8&quot;&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;“Hahaha, kinda, sometimes yes. &lt;strong&gt;We’ve got this kid right here, 19 years old, he’s 6-foot-7, I think 270, nothing but muscle. I went to say hi to him &lt;/strong&gt;— you know how we hug and everything — I thought I was hugging a refrigerator,”&lt;/em&gt; Ortiz said.&lt;/p&gt;


        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/mlb/ny-mets-jorge-polanco-makes-candid-admission-about-transition-to-first-base&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;


&lt;h2&gt;The evolution of MLB athletes&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ortiz’s comments reflect broader changes in Major League Baseball.&lt;/strong&gt; Players today are bigger, stronger, and more athletic than ever, with advanced year-round conditioning programs that were rare in previous decades. &lt;/p&gt;


&lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_poll&quot; id=&quot;69a1afb3d1eb01dac3090f52&quot; data-title=&quot;Do you think today’s MLB players are bigger and more athletic than in Ortiz’s era?&quot; data-options=&quot;3&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;


&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ortiz’s playful admission&lt;/strong&gt; offers fans a unique glimpse into the contrast between the game of his era and the sport today, celebrating the continued growth and evolution of baseball.&lt;/p&gt;


        

        

Aaron Judge sends clear message to NY Yankees front office about the next Bronx ace

NY Yankees ace Gerrit Cole provides key update on injury ahead of opening day

Rex Sox legend David Ortiz shares candid reaction to the strength of modern MLB players - Bolavip US

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Porto&lt;/strong&gt; welcome &lt;strong&gt;Arouca&lt;/strong&gt; to the &lt;strong&gt;Estadio do Dragao&lt;/strong&gt; for Matchday 24 of the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/primeira-liga&quot;&gt;Primeira Liga&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;, a clash featuring two teams at opposite ends of the competitive spectrum. While the home side currently sits alone at the top of the table, the visitors find themselves entrenched in the middle of the standings, well adrift of the title race.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/porto&quot;&gt;Porto&lt;/a&gt; enter the afternoon as heavy favorites. The Dragons lead the championship with &lt;strong&gt;62 points&lt;/strong&gt; and are riding a wave of momentum following &lt;strong&gt;two consecutive&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;strong&gt;league victories&lt;/strong&gt;. Additionally, their continental ambitions remain high as they prepare for a UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie against Stuttgart.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Though &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/arouca&quot;&gt;Arouca&lt;/a&gt; have shown improvement by &lt;strong&gt;winning three of their last four matches&lt;/strong&gt;, a sluggish start to the campaign has left them with significant ground to make up in the race for European qualification. Nevertheless, they will look to pull off a major upset against the league leaders and carry three valuable points back home.&lt;/p&gt;

Porto and Arouca clash in Primeira Liga Matchday 24

<p>Welcome to our Primeira Liga liveblog, where Porto host Arouca in Matchday 24. The Dragons aim to secure a victory that allows them to maintain a meaningful gap at the top of the table, while the visitors are looking for three vital points to distance themselves from the relegation scrap.</p>
<p>Stay with us for all the action and minute-by-minute updates of this exciting game!</p>

Kickoff time

<p>Porto vs Arouca will get underway at the Estadio do Dragao at <strong>1:45 PM (ET).</strong></p>

Porto lineup confirmed!

<p>Porto's starting XI: <strong>Diogo Costa; Alberto, Bednarek, Kiwior, Zadu; Rosario, Froholdt, Gabri Veiga; Pepe, Pietuszewski, Gul.</strong></p>
<p></p><div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="pt" dir="ltr">⚽ 𝕆 ℕ𝕆𝕊𝕊𝕆 𝟙𝟙 𝕀ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕀𝔸𝕃 ⚽<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCPFCA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCPFCA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeguimosJuntos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeguimosJuntos</a> <a href="https://t.co/oy8D0S6Dyg">pic.twitter.com/oy8D0S6Dyg</a></p>— FC Porto (@FCPorto) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCPorto/status/2027436351193243739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2026</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><p></p>

Porto vs Arouca LIVE: Lineups and kickoff time of the 2025-26 Primeira Liga Matchday 24

Porto vs Arouca LIVE: Lineups and kickoff time of the 2025-26 Primeira Liga Matchday 24 - Bolavip US

&lt;p&gt;Following a tough &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/lafc-vs-inter-miami-live-lionel-messi-starts-cup-title-defense-in-2026-mls-debut&quot;&gt;3-0 loss to LAFC&lt;/a&gt; in their 2026 MLS season opener, &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/independiente-del-valle-vs-inter-miami-live-lionel-messi-visits-puerto-rico-after-2026-mls-debut-loss&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Inter Miami&lt;/strong&gt; secured a 2-1 friendly victory over Independiente del Valle&lt;/a&gt; in Puerto Rico. &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi&quot;&gt;Lionel Messi&lt;/a&gt; provided the winning margin with a clinical strike from the &lt;strong&gt;penalty spot&lt;/strong&gt;. As the Argentine icon opens his penalty account for the new year, fans are once again looking at the numbers produced by his long-time rival, &lt;strong&gt;Cristiano Ronaldo&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/video-lionel-messi-scores-from-penalty-for-inter-miami-vs-independiente-del-valle-in-friendly&quot;&gt;Messi’s penalty goal vs Independiente del Valle&lt;/a&gt; in Bayamon was his second overall in 2026, having previously scored in a 2-1 preseason win against Atletico Nacional. To date, the penalty in Puerto Rico is his only goal from the spot this calendar year. &lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;In contrast, &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo&quot;&gt;Cristiano Ronaldo&lt;/a&gt; has already tallied &lt;strong&gt;six goals for Al Nassr&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;strong&gt;in 2026&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;two&lt;/strong&gt; of which were penalties. Ronaldo’s first came in a 2-1 loss to Al Qadsiah, followed by another in a 5-0 rout of Al Najma.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;However, the volume of games played provides necessary context. While Messi has appeared in just &lt;strong&gt;five&lt;/strong&gt; matches (four friendlies and one MLS fixture), Ronaldo has already featured in &lt;strong&gt;ten&lt;/strong&gt; matches—all within the Saudi Pro League—since the turn of the year.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-image size-full&quot;&gt;&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;img loading=&quot;lazy&quot; width=&quot;1920&quot; height=&quot;1080&quot; src=&quot;https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/27111554/cristiano-ronaldo-al-nassr-1-1920x1080.webp&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; class=&quot;wp-image-587901&quot;&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;Cristiano Ronaldo scores from penalty spot vs Al Najma. (Getty Images)&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;p&gt;When looking at career-long efficiency from the spot, the Portuguese international holds the advantage. Ronaldo has converted &lt;strong&gt;182 penalties&lt;/strong&gt; out of &lt;strong&gt;217 attempts&lt;/strong&gt;, while Messi has recorded &lt;strong&gt;112 goals&lt;/strong&gt; from &lt;strong&gt;144 attempts&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;How does the race to 1,000 goals stand?&lt;/h2&gt;


        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/soccer/not-real-madrid-cristiano-ronaldo-becomes-co-owner-of-another-spanish-club&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;


&lt;p&gt;Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the all-time leading scorer in soccer history, with Lionel Messi following in second place. While the gap between the two icons remains relatively narrow, all signs suggest the Portuguese international will be the first to reach the historic 1,000-goal milestone.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Following his penalty goal against Independiente del Valle, Messi has reached &lt;strong&gt;898 career goals&lt;/strong&gt;. Meanwhile, &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/video-cristiano-ronaldo-scores-965th-career-goal-for-al-nassr-vs-al-najma-in-2025-26-saudi-pro-league&quot;&gt;Ronaldo recently netted his 965th career goal&lt;/a&gt; for Al Nassr in a dominant performance against Al Najma. &lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Sitting just &lt;strong&gt;35 goals&lt;/strong&gt; away from the four-digit mark and with his scoring touch firmly intact—having scored &lt;strong&gt;four goals&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;strong&gt;in his last three matches&lt;/strong&gt;—it is highly probable that the Al Nassr captain will become the first player to reach 1,000 goals this season.&lt;/p&gt;

Lionel Messi Records First Penalty of 2026 as Scoring Race With Cristiano Ronaldo Continues

Lionel Messi scores first penalty of 2026: How many has Cristiano Ronaldo scored this year?

Lionel Messi scores first penalty of 2026: How many has Cristiano Ronaldo scored this year? - Bolavip US

&lt;p&gt;The &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/champions-league&quot;&gt;UEFA Champions League&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; has entered its &lt;strong&gt;Round of 16&lt;/strong&gt;, and attention is turning to the possible matchups between Europe’s biggest clubs. &lt;strong&gt;Real Madrid&lt;/strong&gt; and &lt;strong&gt;Barcelona&lt;/strong&gt; remain among the elite teams still in contention, and fans are already speculating about whether these two giants could face each other in the 2025‑26 tournament.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/barcelona&quot;&gt;Barcelona&lt;/a&gt; finished fifth in the league phase&lt;/strong&gt;, which allowed them to qualify directly for the Round of 16. Their position secured a place in the draw, keeping them in the mix as one of the top contenders moving forward.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/real-madrid&quot;&gt;Real Madrid&lt;/a&gt;, meanwhile, did not finish among the top eight and had to go through the knockout playoff against &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/benfica&quot;&gt;Benfica&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; to reach this stage. &lt;strong&gt;They won the first leg 1‑0 and sealed the tie with a 2‑1 victory in the second leg&lt;/strong&gt;, earning their spot in the next round and continuing their pursuit of Champions League glory.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;When could Real Madrid and Barcelona meet in the Champions League?&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Following today’s draw, &lt;strong&gt;Real Madrid&lt;/strong&gt; will face &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/manchester-city&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Manchester City&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; in the Round of 16, while &lt;strong&gt;Barcelona&lt;/strong&gt; has been paired with &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/newcastle&quot;&gt;Newcastle&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;. Real Madrid has been assigned to the &lt;strong&gt;silver&lt;/strong&gt; side of the draw, while Barcelona landed on the &lt;strong&gt;blue&lt;/strong&gt; side. &lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-image size-full&quot;&gt;&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;img loading=&quot;lazy&quot; width=&quot;1920&quot; height=&quot;1080&quot; src=&quot;https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/27045556/UCL-1920x1080.webp&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; class=&quot;wp-image-587805&quot;&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;A detailed view of the UEFA Champions League Trophy on June 01, 2024. David Ramos/Getty Images&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Based on that positioning, the earliest &lt;strong&gt;the two Spanish rivals could meet would be in the final&lt;/strong&gt;, provided both teams advance through their respective ties. As always in the Champions League knockout stage, the path is set through to the final. That means&lt;strong&gt; any potential Clasico showdown will depend entirely on both clubs &lt;/strong&gt;taking care of business in the rounds ahead.&lt;/p&gt;


        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/soccer/video-neymar-scores-his-first-goal-of-2026-after-injury-comeback-for-santos-vs-vasco-da-gama&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;


&lt;h2&gt;Round of 16 matchups (2025-26 UEFA Champions League)&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Paris Saint-Germain&lt;/strong&gt; vs. &lt;strong&gt;Chelsea&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Galatasaray &lt;/strong&gt;vs. &lt;strong&gt;Liverpool&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Real Madrid &lt;/strong&gt;vs. &lt;strong&gt;Manchester City&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Atalanta &lt;/strong&gt;vs. &lt;strong&gt;Bayern Munich&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Newcastle&lt;/strong&gt; vs. &lt;strong&gt;Barcelona&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Atleti&lt;/strong&gt; vs. &lt;strong&gt;Tottenham&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bodø/Glimt&lt;/strong&gt; vs. &lt;strong&gt;Sporting CP&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bayer Leverkusen &lt;/strong&gt;vs. &lt;strong&gt;Arsenal&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;


&lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_poll&quot; id=&quot;69a16c8dd1eb01dac3090f4e&quot; data-title=&quot;Who takes the win if Real Madrid and Barcelona clash in the 2025‑26 Champions League?&quot; data-options=&quot;3&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

        

        

2025-26 UEFA Champions League Draw Sets Possible Real Madrid-Barcelona Clash

UCL bracket set after draw: When can Real Madrid and Barcelona meet in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League?

Kylian Mbappe injured for 2026 World Cup? France reportedly concerned about Real Madrid star’s status

Lionel Messi makes a surprising confession about crucial penalty he missed during 2018 World Cup

UCL bracket set after draw: When can Real Madrid and Barcelona meet in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League? - Bolavip US

When can Real Madrid and Barcelona meet in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League?

&lt;p&gt;Questions around the knockout stage format have resurfaced as the 2025-26 season of the &lt;strong&gt;UEFA &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/champions-league&quot;&gt;Champions League&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; moves toward the round of 16, where the draw rules often shape the tournament’s biggest storylines.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Under the current competition structure, the &lt;strong&gt;path to the last 16&lt;/strong&gt; depends on league-phase positioning and seeding, with regulations designed to balance fairness and variety in matchups.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;As &lt;strong&gt;domestic rivals potentially cross paths on Europe’s grandest stage&lt;/strong&gt;, attention turns to the official draw procedures and competition handbook, where the fine print can determine whether familiar opponents meet again.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Can same-country teams meet in the Champions League round of 16?&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;When the &lt;strong&gt;2025-26 UEFA Champions League&lt;/strong&gt; reaches its knockout phase, one of the most watched aspects of the draw is whether familiar rivals from the same nation could meet in the round of 16.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Under the competition rules for this season’s format, there is no country protection once the bracket is set, meaning &lt;strong&gt;clubs from the same national association can indeed be drawn against each other&lt;/strong&gt; at this stage.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-image size-full&quot;&gt;&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;img loading=&quot;lazy&quot; width=&quot;1920&quot; height=&quot;1080&quot; src=&quot;https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/26103736/2025-26-UEFA-Champions-League-1920x1080.webp&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; class=&quot;wp-image-587236&quot;&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;A detailed view of the UEFA Champions League logo on the Adidas Match Ball (Source: Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;p&gt;This change aligns with &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/uefa&quot;&gt;UEFA&lt;/a&gt;’s updated structure&lt;/strong&gt;, where the league phase determines seeding and matchups are paired purely by draw positions rather than avoiding national ties.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;As a result, powerhouse leagues with multiple qualifiers — such as the &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/premier-league&quot;&gt;Premier League&lt;/a&gt;, La Liga or the &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/bundesliga&quot;&gt;Bundesliga&lt;/a&gt; — could see English, Spanish or German teams face off much earlier than in previous campaigns.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Beyond national associations, &lt;strong&gt;the draw also allows repeat fixtures from the league phase to be renewed in the last 16&lt;/strong&gt;, setting the stage for rematches. That means a pair of clubs could meet again on the European stage soon after their domestic and league-phase battles.&lt;/p&gt;

Same-Country Clubs Eligible to Meet in 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Draw

Can teams from the same country face off in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League round of 16?

Can teams from the same country face off in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League round of 16? - Bolavip US

&lt;p&gt;Inter Miami are currently facing Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico, and &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi&quot;&gt;Lionel Messi&lt;/a&gt; has made his presence felt at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium. After entering as a second-half substitute, the Argentine legend converted a clinical penalty to hand the reigning MLS champions a 2-1 lead.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Following the rescheduling of the match—originally slated for Friday, February 13, but postponed due to a hamstring injury sustained by Messi—spectators finally witnessed the moment they had been waiting for. &lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/why-was-the-independiente-del-valle-vs-inter-miami-friendly-delayed&quot;&gt;Despite the initial delay to the tour schedule&lt;/a&gt;, the capacity crowd at Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel saw the Argentine superstar find the back of the net to give Inter Miami the lead.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;The opportunity arose after a penalty was awarded for a handball by Gustavo Cortez inside the box. As is custom, the Argentina captain stepped up to take the kick, striking the ball with a precision that left the goalkeeper with no chance. &lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;wp-block-embed__wrapper&quot;&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;ck-twitter&quot;&gt;&lt;blockquote class=&quot;twitter-tweet&quot; data-width=&quot;500&quot; data-dnt=&quot;true&quot;&gt;&lt;p lang=&quot;ar&quot; dir=&quot;rtl&quot;&gt;الأسطورة يسجل 🐐 &lt;a href=&quot;https://t.co/QEW8aDedgH&quot;&gt;pic.twitter.com/QEW8aDedgH&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;— Messi World (@M10GOAT) &lt;a href=&quot;https://twitter.com/M10GOAT/status/2027209927685509375?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&quot;&gt;February 27, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;script async=&quot;&quot; src=&quot;https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js&quot; charset=&quot;utf-8&quot;&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Messi maintains pursuit of 1,000-goal milestone&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Following his clinical penalty in Puerto Rico, Messi continues his steady climb toward one of soccer’s most elusive records. Now sitting at &lt;strong&gt;898&lt;/strong&gt; official career goals, the &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/inter-miami&quot;&gt;Inter Miami&lt;/a&gt; captain remains focused on the quadruple-digit mark. However, his long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, currently leads the race to become the first player in history to reach the historic milestone.&lt;/p&gt;


        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/soccer/messi-thinks-about-the-team-a-little-more-than-ronaldo-arsenal-legend-alan-smith-compares-both-stars-ahead-of-2026-world-cup&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;


&lt;p&gt;The Al Nassr forward has already tallied &lt;strong&gt;965&lt;/strong&gt; career goals. What once seemed impossible now appears increasingly inevitable, as the Portuguese international needs only 35 more goals to reach the 1,000-goal mark. &lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;While Ronaldo maintains a significant lead in total volume, Messi’s scoring rate since joining Major League Soccer suggests he is not ready to conceded the race just yet.&lt;/p&gt;

Video: Lionel Messi scores from penalty for Inter Miami vs Independiente del Valle in friendly

Video: Lionel Messi scores from penalty for Inter Miami vs Independiente del Valle in friendly - Bolavip US

SOCCER

&lt;p&gt;Sidney Crosby’s recent injury at the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/winter-olympics&quot;&gt;2026 Winter Olympics&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; has once again sparked debate about whether the NHL should continue allowing its players to participate in the Games. The veteran suffered a lower-body injury while representing &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/canada&quot;&gt;Canada&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;, forcing him to miss the gold medal game and raising concerns in Pittsburgh about the potential long-term impact on the Penguins’ season. For many executives and fans, the risk-reward balance of Olympic participation is now under the microscope.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;However, Crosby believes stars should keep going. &lt;em&gt;“It’s the Olympics. It’s an amazing experience just as an athlete, not just a hockey player. I think if you want to look at it just from the hockey perspective, I think it’s incredible. Just the product on the ice, I think the way that fans see the games and just how competitive it is. How it brings everyone together, I think it’s pretty amazing.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Ultimately, Crosby’s stance highlights the emotional and cultural value of Olympic competition for elite players. While teams may worry about injuries and the strain of a condensed NHL calendar, stars like &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/sidney-crosby&quot;&gt;Sidney Crosby&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; see international play as a defining part of their careers. Team Canada was a reflection of that, with names like &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/connor-mcdavid&quot;&gt;Connor McDavid&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;, Nathan MacKinnon, or Mitch Marner in the roster.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;NHL and a tough decision for the Olympics&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;The NHL’s involvement in the Olympics has long sparked debate among teams, executives and fans. While the global stage offers unmatched exposure for the sport, it also interrupts the league calendar and places added physical demands on stars. As of now, NHL players are set to participate in the 2030 Winter Olympics.&lt;/p&gt;


        

        


&lt;p&gt;For players like Sidney Crosby, the conversation often comes down to risk versus reward. &lt;em&gt;“Obviously, injuries are part of the game and they come with that, especially at that level with the speed, the intensity and the physicality of the games, but, I think it’s great that guys have the opportunity to go and showcase.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;That balance is at the heart of the dilemma: the Olympic stage elevates the sport, but it also exposes athletes to injuries. Ultimately, the decision reflects a broader vision for the game’s growth. Allowing NHL players to compete in 2030 ensures that fans will once again witness the world’s best facing off under one banner, even if it comes with undeniable challenges.&lt;/p&gt;


        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/nhl/connor-mcdavid-mitch-marner-and-team-canada-get-warning-from-jon-cooper-after-sidney-crosbys-injury-vs-czechia-in-2026-winter-olympics-hockey&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

Sidney Crosby sends clear message to NHL about allowing players to participate in Winter Olympics after injury

Sidney Crosby sends clear message about Radko Gudas after Pittsburgh Penguins confirm Team Canada legend is out with injury after 2026 Winter Olympics

Sidney Crosby sends message to Connor McDavid, Mitch Marner, Nathan MacKinnon and Team Canada after tough decision in 2026 Winter Olympics

Sidney Crosby sends clear message to NHL about allowing players to participate in Winter Olympics after injury - Bolavip US

Sidney Crosby's message about NHL players in the Olympics

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jt-miller&quot;&gt;J.T. Miller&lt;/a&gt;,&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Mike Sullivan&lt;/strong&gt;, and &lt;strong&gt;Vincent Trocheck&lt;/strong&gt; had the time of their lives during the 2026 Winter Olympics. However, they are no longer on Team USA, and the &lt;strong&gt;New York Rangers&lt;/strong&gt;’ status quo is nowhere near as joyful and celebratory.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;In case the long faces around Madison Square Garden don’t tell the story, a glance at the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/nhl&quot;&gt;NHL&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; standings should remind Miller and &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mike-sullivan&quot;&gt;Sullivan&lt;/a&gt; of how dramatic things were before leaving for Milan. It’s time to turn the page, or at least give it a try. If New York won’t even give it a shot, its leaders should simply stay in the Fashion Capital of the World.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;As Miller, Sullivan, and Trocheck got a taste of perhaps the most meaningful and rewarding hardware any NHL player could ever claim, they now hope to bring winds of change back to the building in the Big Apple. &lt;strong&gt;The mood has now shifted&lt;/strong&gt;. For Miller and company, it is all about the &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-rangers&quot;&gt;Rangers&lt;/a&gt; back home in New York City. Shortly after &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/ny-rangers-hc-mike-sullivan-issues-bold-reminder-for-j-t-miller-rest-of-the-team-as-nhl-resumes&quot;&gt;Sullivan issued a bold reminder for Miller and the Rangers&lt;/a&gt;, the captain returned the favor with a comment of his own.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;“It’s why it was so special, and something we’re going to remember forever and have that to share, but &lt;strong&gt;we’re back to Rangers hockey now. Party’s over&lt;/strong&gt;, it’s time to focus, and we need to play some good hockey down the stretch,” &lt;/em&gt;Miller admitted to reporters, via&lt;em&gt; @SNYRangers&lt;/em&gt; on X.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-image size-full&quot;&gt;&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;img loading=&quot;lazy&quot; width=&quot;1920&quot; height=&quot;1080&quot; src=&quot;https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/25130508/mike-sullivan-1-1-1920x1080.webp&quot; alt=&quot;Mike Sullivan returns to NY Rangers after Olympics&quot; class=&quot;wp-image-586584&quot;&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;Mike Sullivan at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy.&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Miller and Rangers have struggled at home&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;As demoralizing as the Broadway Blueshirts have been at home, the organization must still &lt;strong&gt;find a way to sell tickets at Madison Square Garden&lt;/strong&gt;. Miller’s statement may serve as hope for the fanbase in New York. Otherwise, fans would have little reason to attend games.&lt;/p&gt;


        

        

        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/nhl/ny-rangers-learn-mike-sullivans-plans-for-the-future-after-clear-message-from-hc&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;


&lt;p&gt;Given the way the season has unfolded in New York, home fans already know what they are signing up for when they arrive at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza in Midtown. Before the Olympic break, &lt;strong&gt;the Rangers were 6–15–4 at home&lt;/strong&gt;. Needless to say, that was—and remains—the worst home record in the Eastern Conference. It’s been the common theme all season long, &lt;strong&gt;what the Rangers do poorly, the Vancouver Canucks take to another level&lt;/strong&gt;. Thus, only the Canucks (6–17–5) have a worse home mark.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;As the season resumes, Sullivan and the Rangers know the &lt;strong&gt;Stanley Cup Playoffs are out of reach&lt;/strong&gt;, but at the very least, they hope to offer their fan base something more than a gut-wrenching spectacle at Madison Square Garden.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Rangers could set new records for worst home mark&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;They say home is where the heart is. For Miller and the Rangers, however, &lt;strong&gt;home is where most of their embarrassment has unfolded&lt;/strong&gt; during the 2025–26 NHL season. Coming out of the Olympic break, New York has 16 home games remaining. The Rangers must truly flip the script, or they risk posting one of the worst home records in franchise history.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-image size-full&quot;&gt;&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;img loading=&quot;lazy&quot; width=&quot;1920&quot; height=&quot;1080&quot; src=&quot;https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/26184204/jt-miller-1-1920x1080.webp&quot; alt=&quot;J.T. Miller arrives for a game&quot; class=&quot;wp-image-587686&quot;&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;J.T. Miller at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;p&gt;According to &lt;em&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://records.nhl.com/nyr/overview/season-by-season-record&quot;&gt;NHL.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;, the worst home mark in franchise history came during the 1943–44 season, when the Blueshirts won just four games on home ice. However, that was during a shortened 50-game schedule. In an 82-game campaign, the low &lt;strong&gt;was set in 2003–04&lt;/strong&gt;, when the team &lt;strong&gt;won only 11 games&lt;/strong&gt; at Madison Square Garden. &lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;The last time New York recorded fewer than 10 home wins in a season was in 1964–65, with eight victories in 35 home games. Numbers do not lie: Sullivan, Miller, and the Rangers are walking a tightrope, with &lt;strong&gt;all signs pointing toward a franchise record of the wrong kind&lt;/strong&gt; in 2025–26.&lt;/p&gt;


&lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_poll&quot; id=&quot;69a0ddb5d1eb01dac3090f45&quot; data-title=&quot;Should Mike Sullivan Return as the Rangers’ Head Coach in 2026–27?&quot; data-options=&quot;3&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

J.T. Miller's message to Mike Sullivan after winning gold paints clear picture for NY Rangers

Artemi Panarin makes sincere confession on facing Mike Sullivan, NY Rangers after trade to Kings

NY Rangers actively shopping former first-round pick amid Vincent Trocheck speculation

NY Rangers captain and Olympic gold medalist J.T. Miller sends clear message to Mike Sullivan, rest of the team - Bolavip US

J.T. Miller sends clear message to Mike Sullivan, NY Rangers

NY Rangers captain and Olympic gold medalist J.T. Miller sends clear message to Mike Sullivan, rest of the team

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mike-sullivan&quot;&gt;Mike Sullivan&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; and the &lt;strong&gt;New York Rangers&lt;/strong&gt; are determined to turn the tide after a disheartening first half to the &lt;strong&gt;NHL&lt;/strong&gt; season. Coming off the Olympic break, there is not really much room for the Rangers to keep sinking. The only way should be up.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;The &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-rangers&quot;&gt;Rangers&lt;/a&gt; are set to be one of the &lt;strong&gt;main sellers going into the NHL trade deadline&lt;/strong&gt;. Pretty much everyone could be made available by the Blueshirts, as Sullivan and company acknowledge it’s time to start from scratch. Or as GM Chris Drury has put it time and again: retool.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;On that note, reports suggest the &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/nhl/ny-rangers-actively-shopping-former-first-round-pick-amid-vincent-trocheck-speculation&quot;&gt;Rangers are actively shopping a former first-round selection&lt;/a&gt; in defenseman &lt;strong&gt;Braden Schneider&lt;/strong&gt;. It’s clear New York is focusing on the future rather than the 2025-26 &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/nhl&quot;&gt;NHL&lt;/a&gt; season. Still, Sullivan made it clear that the Rangers aren’t tanking nor throwing in the towel.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Sullivan’s answer&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;“&lt;strong&gt;It’s a little bit of both&lt;/strong&gt;,” &lt;/em&gt;Sullivan answered a question on whether he will prioritize winning games or developing prospects, via Vince Mercogliano of&lt;em&gt; The Athletic. “&lt;strong&gt;We’re going to try to win&lt;/strong&gt;. We’re going to try to compete. We’re going to try to hold the group accountable to a certain standard.&lt;/em&gt;“&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-image size-full&quot;&gt;&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;img loading=&quot;lazy&quot; width=&quot;1920&quot; height=&quot;1080&quot; src=&quot;https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/22131936/mike-sullivan-3-1920x1080.webp&quot; alt=&quot;Mike Sullivan gives instructions&quot; class=&quot;wp-image-584990&quot;&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;Mike Sullivan of Team United States at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;“&lt;strong&gt;And at the same time&lt;/strong&gt;, we’re going to do our best to gain a better &lt;strong&gt;understanding of what we have&lt;/strong&gt; and potentially to help us to make the right decisions about where we want to go moving forward. It’s not like a lot of the young players that we have haven’t been granted an opportunity to make a mark, so to speak. &lt;strong&gt;So we’ll continue to do that&lt;/strong&gt;.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;


        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/nhl/ny-rangers-hc-mike-sullivan-issues-bold-reminder-for-j-t-miller-rest-of-the-team-as-nhl-resumes&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;


&lt;p&gt;Sullivan’s message is not surprising. The first-year head coach in New York City will not openly admit that the Rangers are angling to strengthen their draft position. Moreover, the players do not care about that—they want to win, and suggesting otherwise &lt;strong&gt;would send all the wrong messages&lt;/strong&gt; throughout the locker room. &lt;/p&gt;


&lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_poll&quot; id=&quot;69a0ce79d1eb01dac3090f41&quot; data-title=&quot;Who will finish in last place in the East?&quot; data-options=&quot;4&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

NY Rangers learn Mike Sullivan’s plans for the future after clear message from HC

NY Rangers learn Mike Sullivan's plans for the future after clear message from HC - Bolavip US

NY Rangers learn Mike Sullivan's plans for the future

&lt;p&gt;Sidney Crosby has already begun his rehabilitation with the Penguins after the injury he suffered at the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/winter-olympics&quot;&gt;2026 Winter Olympics&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;. The legend was unable to help teammates such as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Mitch Marner, and Brad Marchand in the gold medal game.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;After that overtime loss against Team USA, rumors have intensified about what appears to be an inevitable retirement for Crosby from international competition. The star is 38 years old, so a changing of the guard seems imminent.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;For that reason, many fans and experts are wondering why &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/sidney-crosby&quot;&gt;Sidney Crosby&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; did not play a few minutes if, as the veteran himself has said, he was very close to having an opportunity to take the ice. Despite that, the captain put Canada’s best interest above his own intentions, as he believed he could not contribute the way he should.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Sidney Crosby and retirement decision after the Olympics&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;With retirement from international competitions knocking on the door, Sidney Crosby was asked whether the thought of no longer playing for Canada has crossed his mind and if this Olympic tournament in Italy could have been the last of his career.&lt;/p&gt;


        

        


&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;“Yeah, I try not to think that far ahead. My mind was just on trying to play. You can’t let that creep into your head. I think, you know, when you’re trying to overcome something that’s challenging, I think the worst thing you can do is think about worst case scenarios. So, I was just trying to be positive and tried to focus on playing and find a way to overcome that. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. It’s still a long ways away, but that wasn’t really something I tried to think about too much.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;It seems highly unlikely that Crosby will be able to play in the 2030 Olympics, so it appears that the torch would be passed to Connor McDavid as captain to lead a new generation of stars.&lt;/p&gt;


        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/nhl/sidney-crosby-sends-clear-message-about-radko-gudas-after-pittsburgh-penguins-confirm-team-canada-legend-is-out-with-injury-after-2026-winter-olympics&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

Sidney Crosby confirms if retirement from Team Canada is an option after playing 2026 Winter Olympics alongside Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon

Auston Matthews delivers message after 2026 Winter Olympics win over Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Mitch Marner and Canada without Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby confirms if retirement from Team Canada is an option after playing 2026 Winter Olympics alongside Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon - Bolavip US

Sidney Crosby talks about retirement from Team Canada

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/brady-tkachuk&quot;&gt;Brady Tkachuk&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; has had enough of the loud buzz on social media. With a straightforward comment, the &lt;strong&gt;Ottawa Senators’ captain&lt;/strong&gt; set the record straight regarding an alleged remark about &lt;strong&gt;Canada&lt;/strong&gt; during the postgame celebrations with &lt;strong&gt;Team USA&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Tkachuk’s statement comes shortly after a loud outcry erupted around the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/nhl&quot;&gt;NHL&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;. Among the various issues that raised fans’ eyebrows was a player saying, &lt;em&gt;“Close the northern border,” &lt;/em&gt;during &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/team-usa&quot;&gt;Team USA&lt;/a&gt;’s postgame phone call with President Donald Trump. &lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;“I’ve been seeing stuff that people think it’s me. But if you watch the video, &lt;strong&gt;it’s not my voice and something that I never say&lt;/strong&gt;,” &lt;/em&gt;Tkachuk said, via &lt;em&gt;ESPN’s &lt;/em&gt;Greg Wyshynski. &lt;em&gt;“I don’t know how that took a storm on its own when I give everything I have here. It’s crazy when things go on social media, how fast they go. &lt;strong&gt;I would never say anything like that&lt;/strong&gt;.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;h2&gt;Tkachuk denies making such a statement&lt;/h2&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Many believe the wrongdoing should be named, but not the wrongdoer. In this case, however, that line of thinking carried little weight, as fans were eager to know who was behind the comment. &lt;strong&gt;That is when social media did the rest&lt;/strong&gt;, and misinformation spread, with many users blaming Tkachuk for the candid four-word message that sent shockwaves across the continent. &lt;/p&gt;



&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-image size-full&quot;&gt;&lt;figure class=&quot;image&quot;&gt;&lt;img loading=&quot;lazy&quot; width=&quot;1920&quot; height=&quot;1080&quot; src=&quot;https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/26160712/brady-tkachuk-1-1920x1080.webp&quot; alt=&quot;Brady Tkachuk #7 of the Ottawa Senators &quot; class=&quot;wp-image-587555&quot;&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;&lt;figcaption&gt;Brady Tkachuk at Madison Square Garden&lt;/figcaption&gt;&lt;/figure&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Now, Tkachuk has decided to nip the issue in the bud and deny the claims, as he returns to &lt;a href=&quot;https://bolavip.com/en/topic/canada&quot;&gt;Canada&lt;/a&gt; to &lt;strong&gt;captain the nation’s capital NHL organization&lt;/strong&gt;, the Senators.&lt;/p&gt;


        &lt;div class=&quot;wp_fsn_relatedlinks&quot; id=&quot;BUS#/nhl/connor-mcdavid-catches-comment-from-matthew-tkachuk-with-sidney-crosby-comparison&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;


&lt;p&gt;While the 2025–26 NHL season has resumed after the Olympic break, many fans are still processing everything that followed Team USA’s crowning in Italy. On that note, &lt;strong&gt;there has been no shortage of drama&lt;/strong&gt;—something Tkachuk would like to put to rest. The Senators’ campaign has been dramatic enough, and his patience has run thin. That much became clear as he addressed the controversy surrounding Team USA’s celebrations.&lt;/p&gt;

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