Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he must accept a reduced role for the Portugal national team if he is to continue his record-breaking international journey. 

Following the appointment of Jorge Jesus as the new Seleccao boss, former Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira has suggested that the legendary forward will no longer be an undisputed starter.

Jesus takes the reins of the Seleção

The appointment of Jesus as the new head coach of Portugal marks a significant shift for the national team as they look to move on from a disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign.

Former Benfica president Vieira, who worked closely with Jesus during his time at the Estadio da Luz, believes the 72-year-old is the right man to lead the country forward.

Speaking to Antena 1, Vieira expressed his confidence in the appointment, stating: “I know him profoundly well. He is a super professional. I’m not the only one saying it, mainly the players who worked with him, everyone says he is. And I think it’s a right choice. Having a Portuguese coach again is very important. The last one we had was Fernando Santos, now we have Jorge and I think he has all the capacity to do a job that makes us all happy.”

Managing The Ronaldo Transition

One of the most pressing issues for the new manager is how to handle the twilight years of Ronaldo, who has faced increasing scrutiny over his starting spot. 

Vieira suggested that for the 233-cap veteran to remain part of the setup, he must come to terms with the fact that he will not feature in every match.

Regarding the management of the Al-Nassr superstar, who worked with Jesus in the Saudi Pro League last season, Vieira commented: “I think he knows how to manage that situation and will know how to manage it. He has a great relationship with Ronaldo, for sure. And Ronaldo also knows that the end is already being looked at. He will have to decide and, sometimes, maybe he will play, other times he will not play, and so on.”

Ronaldo’s Legendary International Legacy

Regardless of whether his role is reduced, Ronaldo’s impact on the Portuguese national team remains unparalleled in the history of the sport. His goal-scoring records and cap count set a benchmark that may never be surpassed by a European player.

While there have been reports of retirement dates being set, Jesus seems intent on ensuring the transition is handled with the respect befitting a national hero.

Jesus himself has recently addressed the speculation about a squad overhaul, ensuring that he will maintain some continuity. Jesus stated: “People might think that the new manager is going to come in and change a lot of players. That won’t happen. I’m not stupid. On top of that, I don’t have enough time to bring in several players who weren’t called up this time.”

The Strategy For Success

Vieira’s endorsement of Jesus is rooted in the manager’s tactical discipline and his “game by game” philosophy, which served him well during trophy-laden spells across various clubs.

In analyzing the approach, Vieira remarked: “We have to win games, one by one. In fact, it’s his policy to win game by game: the next game is the most important, the next is the most important and that’s how you get there. Now, expectations, we all have expectations that we’re going to win, but we have to agree that the others also play football.”

Real Madrid has reportedly reached an agreement with RB Leipzig to sign winger Yan Diomande for a transfer fee exceeding 100 million euros.

The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international will travel to Madrid this week to undergo medical evaluations and complete a contract running through June 2031, per Fabrizio Romano.

Diomande recorded 12 goals and eight assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances for RB Leipzig which earned him the league’s Rookie of the Season award before representing Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup. 

Diomande started all four matches for the Ivory Coast at the World Cup this summer, recording an assist against Curaçao in the group stage. He helped his country reach the round of 32, where Ivory Coast was eliminated by Norway. He is expected to be a player to watch at the 2030 World Cup.

The move comes amid a broader overhaul at Real Madrid under manager José Mourinho, who began his second stint as manager of the club earlier this summer. 

Diomande joins Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté, and Bernardo Silva among the additions brought in to reshape the squad after a forgettable season that ended in scandal last year.

Moving to Real Madrid concludes a transfer chase for Diomande, who had also drawn interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool earlier in the summer window.

As FIFA investigates Argentina’s conduct after the World Cup final, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has described the incidents as “intolerable and unacceptable.”

FIFA asked one of its disciplinary prosecutors Monday to report back on testy on-field confrontations after Spain’s 1-0 win in extra time Sunday to dethrone the defending champion.

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes physically tangled with Spain players Eric Garcia and Gavi, and Spain captain Rodri was hit in the stomach as he ran past Argentina defender Nahuel Molina.

“It cannot be allowed,” De la Fuente told Spanish public broadcaster TVE on Thursday, adding he did not see the incidents at the time while “celebrating with other people.”

“In any case, I find it intolerable and unacceptable from players of that caliber, whom I had been praising in the days before and who have a magnificent coach,” the Spain coach said.

FIFA has given no details of the remit for its investigator, or if witness statements could be sought from Spain players and staff.

Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala apologized Wednesday for his confrontation with Dani Olmo, which he described as a shove and not a punch.

Coach Praises Spain’s Restraint

De la Fuente praised his players in the TVE interview for how they handled the situation at MetLife Stadium.

“I want to highlight our behavior in the face of that kind of aggression and provocation,” the coach said. “Our players always kept their composure and behaved like true professionals.”

The Spain squad stood in a guard of honor for Argentina players walking to the podium to get their medals from U.S. President Donald Trump. Minutes later, when Rodri lifted the trophy, most of the Argentina squad turned their backs on the ceremonial moment.

Unclear Timetable For FIFA Action

FIFA disciplinary rules allow a special prosecutor to “request the opening of disciplinary proceedings and propose that disciplinary measures be imposed on member associations, clubs and individuals.”

FIFA gave no timetable for any cases, and it is unclear when any potential bans for Argentina players would apply as the team does not have competitive games scheduled in the coming months.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has appointed former Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel as the new head coach of the Red Devils. The 49-year-old Dutchman steps into the role following Rudi Garcia’s departure after the World Cup, bringing in former Chelsea and Liverpool winger Boudewijn Zenden as part of his technical team.

Van Bommel Takes Belgium Job

Van Bommel has been officially appointed as the new head coach of the Belgium national team on a two-year contract running through to Euro 2028. Confirming the appointment on their official website, the Belgian FA stated: “The Royal Belgian Football Association is pleased to announce that Mark van Bommel (49 years old) will become the new head coach of the Red Devils from 15 August 2026.”

The former Bayern captain replaces Garcia, who parted ways with the federation after the Red Devils were eliminated in the World Cup quarter-finals. To bolster his coaching setup, Van Bommel has brought in three experienced assistants, including former Chelsea and Liverpool winger Zenden.

Duo Excited For Venture

RBFA sports director Vincent Mannaert warmly welcomed the arrival of the tactician and his backroom staff, stating: “I am very pleased that Mark van Bommel and his assistants have accepted our challenge.

“They are hungry and ambitious, and I am convinced that, thanks to their international experience as coach and player, they will be able to perfectly help our Red Devils to continue growing, achieve results, and fully utilise their potential on an individual and collective level.”

Meanwhile, Van Bommel expressed his pride at being entrusted with the Belgian national job, saying: “It is a great honour to become the national coach of Belgium. I would like to thank the Royal Belgian Football Association for the trust they have placed in me.

“Belgium has outstanding players and enormous potential. Together with my technical staff, we want to build a team that is disciplined, ambitious, and brave enough to compete with the very best.

“Success is never guaranteed, but hard work, honesty, and dedication are. We will give everything to help this team improve every day and make the Belgian people proud. I look forward to meeting the players, the staff, and the supporters and starting this new chapter together.”

Antwerp Success Highlights Credentials

The Dutchman’s appointment underscores Belgium’s ambition to remain competitive at the highest level of international football following Garcia’s tenure, which yielded 12 wins from 20 matches. Van Bommel boasts an impressive track record in club management, most notably making history by leading Royal Antwerp to a domestic league and cup double in the 2022-23 season. His vast experience as an elite player with PSV, Barcelona, Bayern and AC Milan is viewed as a vital asset to lead Belgium’s next generation.

Nations League Fixture Awaits

Van Bommel will officially assume his duties next month before guiding the team through their upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign. The former Wolfsburg manager is tasked with swiftly establishing a disciplined and competitive structure to maximise the squad’s depth. His first stern test comes in an away fixture on September 25 against an Italy side recently turned down by Pep Guardiola.

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Will Lionel Messi play in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game?

The Inter Miami superstar has yet to officially return to the club following his 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with Argentina, which ended with a 1-0 loss to Spain in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Messi was named to the MLS All-Star roster for a third straight season, but will the 39-year-old make an appearance? Here is everything we know about Messi’s status for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday at Bank of America Stadium:

Will Messi Play In The MLS All-Star Game?

No, Messi will not play in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game. Major League Soccer on Saturday named four replacements for Wednesday’s All-Star Game and removed Messi from the roster, along with his Inter Miami and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul. The Chicago Fire’s Hugo Cuypers (transfer) and Mbekezeli Mbokazi (injury) were also removed.

Will Messi Be Suspended?

No, Messi will not be suspended for missing this year’s All-Star Game. While Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba were suspended for making the last-minute decision to not participate in the MLS All-Star Game last season, both Messi and De Paul’s absences will be excused because they just returned from the World Cup.

Has Messi Ever Played In The MLS All-Star Game?

No. Despite being named to the last three MLS All-Star rosters, Messi has never participated in the league’s All-Star Weekend. Messi missed the 2024 All-Star Game with an ankle injury he sustained in the 2024 Copa América, and he chose not to play in the 2025 All-Star Game.

Arsenal have emerged as shock contenders to land Real Madrid superstar Vinícius Júnior as his contract stand-off at the Santiago Bernabéu continues.

The Premier League champions are reportedly monitoring the situation closely as they look to add world-class quality to their attacking ranks.

Gunners Eye Sensational Swoop

According to The Athletic, Arsenal are exploring a stunning move to sign the Real Madrid winger if the 26-year-old Brazilian star fails to agree a new contract in the Spanish capital, having become one of the most feared attackers in world football during his eight seasons with Los Blancos, but with his future now plunged into uncertainty as he enters the final 12 months of his current deal while the Gunners, buoyed by their recent Premier League success, search for marquee signings to solidify their place at the top of the European game.

While the interest is still considered to be at an early stage, the idea has reportedly received approval at all levels within the North London club. There have been no formal club-to-club talks yet, but Arsenal are positioned to strike if Real Madrid decide to cash in on their prized asset rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.

Contract Deadlock In Madrid

Entering the final 12 months of his contract after eight seasons in Madrid, Vinicius remains locked in contract negotiations with no resolution in sight. This impasse leaves Real Madrid in a tricky situation, reluctant to risk losing their prized forward on a free transfer — particularly with a hefty loyalty bonus coming due next season. According to OK Diario, the stalemate centres on the Brazilian’s demand for a €20 million net annual salary, a figure Los Blancos are hesitant to offer to protect their tight wage structure.

Even as Real Madrid endured a recent trophy drought, Vinicius has remained a standout performer since arriving from Flamengo in 2018. The forward netted 22 goals across all competitions during a 2025-26 campaign that saw Los Blancos finish second in La Liga – eight points behind Barcelona – for a second consecutive season without silverware. He carried that impressive form to the international stage this summer, scoring four goals in five appearances for Brazil before Carlo Ancelotti’s side was knocked out by Norway in the World Cup round of 16.

Building On Premier League Success

Arsenal’s interest in Vinicius Jr comes at a time when the club is looking to build on its recent success. Having finally secured the Premier League trophy, Arteta is keen to ensure his squad does not stagnate. The addition of a player with the pedigree of Vinicius, who has made 375 total appearances for Real Madrid while registering 128 goals and 100 assists, would provide the Gunners with an elite edge that few clubs in the world can match. His experience in high-pressure matches and the Champions League is exactly what the Arsenal hierarchy craves.

During his time at the Bernabeu, Vinicius has built an enviable trophy cabinet with Real Madrid. His impressive haul includes three La Liga titles, two Champions League trophies, and a Copa del Rey triumph, among numerous other domestic and international honors.

A Potential Game-Changer In London

If the move were to materialise, Vinicius Jr would join a growing Brazilian contingent at the Emirates, potentially linking up with the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli. A marquee signing of his stature would be a crucial statement for Arsenal, who have yet to bring in major names in the current transfer window — a stark contrast to their rivals, with Manchester United securing Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, Manchester City signing Elliot Anderson, Tottenham bringing in Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, and Chelsea acquiring Morgan Rogers.