GOAL writers debate whether Messi should consider leaving MLS, and if a move for De Paul would help keep him in Miami

These are interesting times in Miami. The Herons crashed out of the Club World Cup in unspectacular fashion, beaten convincingly by a far superior PSG side. But they have since rebounded in style, smashing Montreal on the back of a Lionel Messi masterclass.

There's other intriguing stuff, too. Miami have been heavily linked with Atletico Madrid midfielder, Rodrigo De Paul. On his day, the Argentine is among the best in the world in his position. He is a stalwart of his national team and a favorite of Diego Simeone's.

But he would also cost a reported $17 million, and require some serious roster reconfiguration. Miami would almost certainly need a designated player spot to allow for his signature – something they do not currently have. And although it has been reported that there is mutual interest in the move, for technical reasons, it might require, for example, the retirement of Sergio Busquets – something that doesn't seem imminent.

Still, this is Miami, and MLS has repeatedly found ways for them to assemble Messi's old teammates. What's another bit of financial wizardry?

This all comes at a time, though, with the MLS Cup favorites staring at the existential question of of Messi's future. There has been speculation of a possible move abroad, and while Miami insist that an agreement on a new contract is down to its final stage, the uncertainty will have both the club and MLS somewhat on edge.

GOAL US writers break down all things Messi and Miami in the latest edition of… The Rondo.

AFPIs the best move for Messi to stay in Miami?

Tom Hindle: Unquestionably. Those across the pond might not admit it, but MLS is a good level of competition for the Argentine, while it certainly allows him the flexibility to manage his legs a little. Let's be honest: he's got about 18 months of football left. America is the best place to play them out.

Jacob Schneider: Anywhere at a high level is a good spot for Messi, to be frank. At Miami, though, he is surrounded by friends and family and in a situation that is built around him to succeed. Heading into 2026, it’s hard to think of a better place for him.

Ryan Tolmich: Absolutely, and there isn't really an argument otherwise. At this point in his career, Messi can still go with the very best of them, but it's unlikely he can go with the consistency required to play at the highest levels of European soccer. In Miami, he can live a comfortable life, play with his friends and, if all goes to plan, still win things. What else could he want in these final few years?

Alex Labidou: He's reported to be a part-owner of Inter Miami and has a stake in the league's Apple TV deal. While the finer details have not been disclosed, the obvious answer should be of course, he should stay. All of the rumors seem like nothing more than a way to extract the absolute best offer and roster composition to keep Messi happy in MLS. Can anybody really see Messi embracing a move to the Middle East? At least compared to his situation at Miami, which is essentially South America north? No.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesAre there any opportunities that should tempt Messi?

TH: Realistically? Nah. America presents a perfect balance of competition and lifestyle. Don't overthink it. Butyou could understand the temptation should a Barca offer actually come. Nostalgia is a powerful thing, and Messi has repeatedly admitted he never wanted to leave the club. He would probably still be there if the Blaugrana hadn't messed up their finances five years ago.

JS: If Barca asked him to come back, he’d drop everything – who wouldn’t? – but moves to the Middle East likely will not tempt him. It’s not a playing level that Messi would be interested in. As for a move to a club in his native Argentina, he has confidently said it’s not the time yet.

RT: The only tempting offers, realistically, would be Newell's or Barcelona. Financially and logistically, Newell's will likely never make sense. A Barcelona homecoming, meanwhile, would be unimaginably risky. How many great movies have we seen dinged by lackluster sequels? Let the past stay in the past, and go back only for what should be the greatest testimonial ever put together.

AL: The only two offers that would make sense from a sentimental point of view, not a footballing one, are Barcelona or Newell's Old Boys. Yet, as seen plenty of times over the past three years, Barcelona can barely afford to keep the players they have on their roster – they couldn't find a way to register Spain star Nico Williams. Is Messi going to play there for free? Obviously not, and Newell's aren't in a great sporting or financial position right now either. It's Inter Miami or the Middle East.

Getty Images SportAre Argentina still better with him?

TH: Yes, but that window is closing. There is still magic in those boots, yet it's fair to wonder where he might be in a year. That left foot won't disappear, but can his legs manage a 48-team World Cup in the middle of the summer? Tough to say. This Argentina team have probably peaked. Is now the time to think about the next era?

JS: Of course. He is the body and soul of that team, the heart and passion of all things Albiceleste. Lionel Scaloni still builds his system around Messi, and his teammates know that he is the key to the national team.

RT: Absolutely. Even if his actual soccer skills disappear, and they haven't, the mentality that he inspires in the national team cannot be understated. Argentina follow him like soldiers off to battle, and it's because of that mentality that they continue to win. Argentina aren't the most talented team in the world by any stretch, but they are the most mentally strong, and it's Messi's leadership that inspires that strength.

AL: Yes, Argentina are uniquely built to capitalize on his strengths and have elite defensive midfielders such as De Paul to cover up his weaknesses. Not sure if they are the favorites heading into 2026, but as seen at the Club World Cup with Miami against Porto, it only takes one moment for Messi to knock a team out.

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(C)Getty ImagesWhat's the right time for Messi to retire?

TH: It feels unbelievably silly to tell any of these lads when to go. But for the narrative arc? After the 2026 World Cup – or at the end of that MLS season. However, declines are rapid in football. Can Messi still be effective in 12 months time? Probably, but you wouldn't begrudge him for walking away at the end of this season. Leave the football before the football leaves you.

JS: It would not be a surprise if he retires in 2028 – getting one last Copa America with Argentina in the books. However, a send off after the 2026 World Cup, internationally, would be a beautiful one.

RT: Whenever the hell he wants. He has earned the right to go out on his own terms, whatever those may be. Does he want to retire on a high and leave the world wanting more? Does he want to go until the wheels fall off and he uses every bit of soccer left in his body? Entirely up to him! Few players know when to call it quits at the right time but, when it comes to Messi, the right time is whenever he says so. The world will enjoy watching him play until that moment comes.

AL: If Messi retires from international football and stays in Miami, he could reasonably dominate in MLS for at least three more years. Even if he continues to lose a step, his technical ability, as shown against Montreal last week, is unlike any seen in the league before. If he is seriously considering a return to Europe, that timeline gets halved. European club soccer is all about pressing high and being part of a cohesive unit and Messi doesn't have the legs for that anymore.

Claims against ex-chairman Faragher also upheld in 38-page report from Katharine Newton KC

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Dec-2023

A series of historic allegations of racist abuse at Essex County Cricket Club have been upheld by an independent report, including that one player was found to have been nicknamed “Bomber” due to his South Asian heritage, and another taunted with bananas for being Black.The allegations formed part of an independent investigation led by Katharine Newton KC, which was commissioned in November 2021 in the wake of the resignation of the then-chairman John Faragher, who had been accused of using the racist phrase “n****r in the woodpile” during a board meeting in 2017. This charge was also upheld by the report, with Essex having been fined £50,000 by the ECB earlier this year after admitting two charges relating to that meeting.The findings have been detailed in a 38-page report, released by Essex on Friday, which upholds the complaints of three former players as well as those made against Faragher, and lists 15 recommendations for the club to identify and, where necessary, rectify its past actions.Related

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Although no players were named in the report, the allegations referenced within it were made by Jahid Ahmed, Maurice Chambers and Zoheb Sharif, all of whom have since left the club. Their complaints related to a period from the mid-1990s to 2013, with the report concluding that the club culture was one in which ethnic, racial and religious comments were regarded as “banter”.”Those at the receiving end of this treatment were too scared to speak up for fear of damaging their prospects of selection and progression,” the report concluded.Jahid, who was the first British-born cricketer of Bangladeshi heritage to play county cricket, and Zoheb were both found to have been taunted with the slur “curry-muncher”. Both men also suffered religious discrimination due to their Muslim faith, including during a mandatory team get-together in a local pub during the holy month of Ramadan. One of the players was explicitly asked “would you bomb us?”, in the wake of the discovery of two car-bombs in central London.Meanwhile the report found that Chambers, a Jamaica-born fast bowler who grew up in east London, was targeted by an unnamed player who, as a trialist at the club, repeatedly offered him bananas in a manner which was “unequivocally racist”, including one occasion on which he threw a banana down the stairs at their shared accommodation and told him to “go fetch it you f***ing monkey”.Newton also noted that although many of the instances documented were of historic racism, such behaviour was not confined to the past – with one witness reporting comments involving “stereotypical assumptions about relatives being Uber drivers or corner shop owners” in recent years.Anu Mohindru KC, the club chair, said: “Essex County Cricket Club welcomes the publishing of the independent report and it is an important step in trying to rectify the past mistakes, but most importantly creating a brighter future for everyone associated with our Club.”It is evident from Ms Newton’s findings that there have been some fundamental errors in the past, which don’t reflect the Essex of today. Significant progress has been made across the Club to build a workplace that values and respects every individual, regardless of their background, identity, and beliefs. This extends to the fantastic community work being carried out across the region and we understand our responsibility to our local communities as the county club who represents them.”I have personally met with the victims to apologise on behalf of the Club and explain the work carried out by the Board in producing the report. Following recommendations from the independent committee, the Club is now dealing with the process concerning any individuals where sanctions may be imposed. The Club will handle these promptly but with fairness to the individuals involved.”I wish to thank every individual who was part of the investigation and commend those who spoke out against discrimination. We would also like to thank Katharine Newton KC who has worked meticulously throughout the process.”Recommendations from the report include the introduction of compulsory EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion) training for everyone enjoyed or engaged by Essex, an anonymous reporting facility, an inclusive recruitment process, and monitoring first-team playing opportunities to ensure they are “fair, merit-based and free from bias”.

علق جيمي كاراجر قائد ليفربول السابق حول إذا كان يجب على النادي إنفاق مبالغ طائلة للتعاقد مع صفقة هجومية مثيرة هذا الصيف.

ويقترب ليفربول من إنفاق 300 مليون جنيه إسترليني هذا الصيف على ضم لاعبين مثل فلوريان فيرتز وهوجو إيكيتيكي وميلوس كيركيز وجيريمي فريمبونج.

اقرأ أيضاً.. كلوب يقود مفاوضات لايبزيج لضم لاعب ليفربول

وتعاقد ليفربول مع أرمين بيتشي وفريدي وودمان ليلتحقا بحارس فالنسيا السابق جورجيو مامارداشفيلي الذي انضم إلى صفوف الريدز.

ويرتبط ليفربول بالتعاقد مع السويدي ألكسندر إيزاك الذي يقدره نيوكاسل بـ150 مليون جنيه إسترليني، ومع ذلك يرى كاراجر أن ليفربول يجب أن يتوقف ولا يواصل سعيه لضم اللاعب.

وقال كاراجر في تصريحات نقلها “بي إن سبورت”: “ستكون صفقة رائعة لكن من وجهة نظري كأحد مشجعي ليفربول، لا أريد أن ينفق النادي 150 مليون جنيه إسترليني على إيزاك”.

وأضاف: “ربما كنت أتخيل أنه كان الهدف الأول لليفربول، لكن هناك أمر ما في شراء ليفربول لمهاجم مثل إيكيتيكي مقابل 80 مليون إسترليني ليكون بديلًا”.

وواصل: “هناك أمر ما لا يعجبني، عندما أنظر لإيزاك من الواضح أنه غضب وانزعج بمجرد تعاقد آرسنال وليفربول مع مهاجم”.

واختتم: “من وجهة نظره ووجهة نظر وكيل أعماله، ألم يخبرا نيوكاسل قبل أشهر برغبتهما في الرحيل؟ يبدو الأمر مربكاً بعض الشيء”.

Xabi Alonso insists Real Madrid’s rebuild will take time following his team's 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup on Wednesday.

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• Madrid thumped 4-0 by PSG in CWC semi-final
• Alonso says rebuild is two-year project
• Squad depth and balance remain key concerns

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Alonso stressed that Madrid remains a “two-year project” after the club fell to a 4-0 crushing defeat against PSG in the Club World Cup semi-final. With Dean Huijsen suspended and Trent Alexander-Arnold injured, Alonso opted for a different defensive system than the one used earlier in the tournament. PSG capitalised early, scoring twice within the opening 10 minutes, and maintained control throughout as Madrid struggled to gain a foothold.

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  WHAT XABI ALONSO SAID

  Speaking to after the match, Alonso gave a frank assessment of his side’s performance, calling for patience as his tenure gets underway. He said: “The start of the match was very important. We had a good opponent, and it got really tough after the 10th minute. PSG is playing well. It's a two-year project, and we've only been here a short time. We have to work, calmly, but it obviously hurts.”

  Reflecting on the failed tactical switch and the pressure of falling behind early, he admitted the plan backfired: “The two goals put a lot more pressure on you. They force you to keep up. You know you can't get off balance. They're at a good level, we saw that today. We have a lot to learn from today.”

  Alonso also underlined the value of the defeat as a learning experience, while noting the lack of training time since taking over: “Today's results are good for us, showing us how much we still have to improve. PSG is doing things well, and we still have things to do. We're in a competitive environment, practically without training. Now we need a break, but we'll be back in four weeks.”

  Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream now

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Despite boasting talents like Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, they registered just two shots on target against the Champions League winners. The loss not only ends their Club World Cup hopes but also casts doubt over the depth and balance of the squad. Still, Alonso framed the defeat as part of a longer project and not a crisis. Madrid’s demolition at New Jersey marked one of their heaviest losses in an international tournament in over a decade.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  Alonso and his squad now head into a brief break before the new season begins. They have requested their opening La Liga game be postponed to let the players rest, but they may be forced to play the game as originally scheduled.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza will miss the second and third T20Is against Ireland after picking up a two-match ban following a code-of-conduct breach in the first match of the series on Thursday.Raza, who was Player of the Match for his all-round display (65, and 3 for 28) in a one-wicket win in Harare, was involved in an altercation with two Ireland players during the 14th over of Zimbabwe’s chase. The incident followed a tight single off the bowling of Josh Little, which involved Raza having to run around the bowler in his follow-through.Raza had a heated exchange with Little and Curtis Campher, “charging towards” the duo – according to a Zimbabwe Cricket press release – while “pointing his bat and breaking away from the umpire who had tried to calm the situation”.Raza received two demerit points for the offence, which took his total to four in the last 24 months, leading to his two-match ban. He was also fined 50% of his match fee. Campher and Little picked up one demerit point each, their first in the last 24 months, and were fined 15% of their match fees.Sean Williams will stand in as Zimbabwe captain for the remaining two matches of the T20I series, on Saturday and Sunday.

MatériaMais Notícias

Foram anos incríveis enquanto esteve presente em alguns dos principais momentos da história do Ituano. Após 171 jogos realizados, 15 gols marcados e seis assistências concedidas, Léo Santos não possui mais vínculo com o Galo e terá novo destino na próxima temporada. Aos 28 anos, ele projeta os próximos desafios.

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Campeão do Torneio do Interior em 2022 e peça importante em acessos conquistados recentemente pela equipe de Itu, o zagueiro faz questão de agradecer o clube que o revelou para o futebol.

– Sou grato por tudo que construí aqui desde a base, tanto na minha formação de homem quanto de atleta, e muito feliz por todos os títulos que conquistei aqui – disse antes de completar sobre a trajetória construída no Galo:

– Aqui no ituano fecho meu ciclo e com o dever cumprido, pois dei sempre o meu máximo. Agora é aproveitar as férias e deixar nas mãos do meu representante para ver o que Deus vai preparar para mim. Tenho certeza de que também vou dar o meu máximo e ir em busca de objetivos maiores com o meu novo clube – contou.

Já despertando atenção de times paulistas e do Nordeste, Léo Santos também ressalta como pretende encarar os próximos desafios da carreira.

– Eu sou um atleta que sempre se cuidou. Conto com pessoas que me ajudam a cuidar da minha parte física e da minha alimentação. Claro que agora o corpo precisa de um descanso, mas depois é foco total para que 2023 seja um ano abençoado e de conquistas onde eu estiver – concluiu o jogador, que também possui passagens por Ponte Preta, Criciúma e Cruzeiro.

Former England youth team roommates Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala have been unveiled as the cover stars of EA FC 26.

Bayern and Real stars to grace coverIbrahimovic confirmed as Icon Edition cover starEA FC 26 out later this yearFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Musiala and Bellingham, who roomed together in the England youth ranks before Musiala switched allegiance to Germany, have been unveiled as the joint-cover stars of EA FC 26 ahead of the release of the game later this year. While the release date has not yet been confirmed, the cover athletes now have; Zlatan Ibrahimovic graces the Icon edition. The inclusion of Musiala means that Bayern Munich have returned to EA's licencing stable, having previously been on the books with Konami and eFootball.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

As a result of Bayern's return, fans will once again be able to play matches in the iconic Allianz Arena. The image released shows Bellingham and Musiala emerging from a tunnel, flanked by cheering fans on both sides, although the Bayern star is currently out with a broken leg sustained in the Club World Cup, and faces a lengthy lay-off. Nevertheless, he has explained his delight at being trusted to front one of the most successful video games on the market.

WHAT MUSIALA SAID

Musiala told The Athletic: “Growing up, I’d see my idols on the cover. It seemed impossible to think that one day I’d be in their position.

“I’d play the game with my friends, my dad and my sister. These players — Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo — were untouchable in my eyes. I’d watch their skills, then go out to the garden or the park, dribbling through cones, seeing what I could learn from them. So this is a big moment for me, a dream come true.”

Bellingham added to : “From those early days playing together, to now being on the biggest stage, it’s been an incredible journey. Being on the FC cover last year was a massive achievement, and to be alongside Jamal this year — that’s something I’ll never take for granted.”

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Julien Lanfrey, athlete marketing director at EA SPORTS, has wished Musiala well in his recovery from injury, with the Bayern star expected to be out for at least a few months. “Jamal is an incredibly talented player and has a huge future ahead of him, which is just one of the many reasons he was chosen to feature on our cover,” Lanfrey told . “We’re excited to see him back on the pitch as soon as possible and wish him a full and speedy recovery.”

Crystal Palace supporters have erupted in anger following UEFA’s contentious decision to remove the club from next season’s Europa League. The ruling, announced on Friday, sparked outrage as Palace, who qualified by winning the FA Cup, were downgraded to the UEFA Europa Conference League instead. This comes in the wake of Lyon’s reinstatement in Ligue 1 after initially facing relegation due to financial issues.

• Palace kicked out of the UEL
• UEFA's ownership rules point to a conflict of interest
• Palace fans hit the streets in protest

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  At the heart of the controversy lies Palace co-owner John Textor. His investment firm, Eagles Football Holdings Ltd, holds a controlling interest in both the South London club and French side Olympique Lyonnais. Under UEFA statutes, clubs with shared ownership structures are not permitted to participate in the same European competition. While Textor is reportedly in the process of offloading his shares to comply with these rules, the governing body maintained its stance, ruling that Palace’s spot in the Europa League would violate these ownership restrictions.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish did not mince words when reacting to the ruling. He condemned UEFA’s action as “a bad day for football” and labelled the decision a “terrible injustice” to the club and its supporters. The Palace board, alongside its fanbase, believes the punishment is unwarranted and undermines the integrity of on-field success. Despite the club’s efforts to resolve the ownership overlap in time, UEFA’s strict interpretation left no room for reconsideration.

• PALACE FANS COME OUT IN NUMBERS

  In a show of defiance, the Holmesdale Fanatics, Crystal Palace’s most vocal supporter group, organised a protest on Tuesday. Fans gathered at the clock tower in Norwood and marched to Selhurst Park in solidarity against the decision. A powerful banner reading “UEFA: Morally bankrupt. Revoke the ruling now.” was unveiled as part of the demonstration. The group denounced the governing body for prioritising bureaucracy over sporting merit and for ignoring the emotional and financial investment fans make in their clubs.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  As a direct consequence of Palace’s exclusion, Nottingham Forest have been promoted from the UEFA Europa Conference League to the Europa League. The latest UEFA competition listings now include Forest and Aston Villa as England’s representatives in the second-tier tournament.

The defeat in the Melbourne derby is a big blow to Stars’ hopes of qualifying for the finals

AAP13-Jan-2024

Aaron Finch enjoyed a winning farewell despite a third-ball duck, as his Melbourne Renegades side dealt a massive blow to local rivals Melbourne Stars’ BBL finals hopes.A total of 41,205 people at Marvel Stadium witnessed an anti-climactic finale with the bat from former Australia captain Finch, who came charging down the pitch and skied an easy catch to his old mate Glenn Maxwell at mid-off. Maxwell didn’t celebrate as Finch walked off to great acclaim, raising his bat to acknowledge the ovation from the crowd.Finch, Renegades’ all-time leading scorer, had his team jersey number retired before the game. And Renegades at least gave him the proper send-off. Chasing Stars’ 137 for 8 on a tricky pitch offering assistance to spinners and quicks, they achieved their target with six wickets and 16 balls to spare.