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Is Mourinho returning to Real Madrid?

Reports have revealed that a final agreement has been reached between veteran Portuguese coach José Mourinho and Real Madrid to take over as head coach of the first football team.Álvaro Arbeloa had taken charge of Real Madrid after the dismissal of Xabi Alonso in January, following a Spanish Super Cup defeat and several internal dressing-room conflicts.Real Madrid ended the season without any trophy for the second consecutive year, after losing the Spanish Super Cup final and being eliminated from the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, and the La Liga title race.There had been multiple reports confirming Mourinho’s return to coach Real Madrid starting next season, replacing Arbeloa.According to well-known sports journalist Fabrizio Romano on X, Real Madrid received full approval from Mourinho since last week.He added: “The deal is expected to be completed very soon between both parties. Mourinho had no doubts whatsoever and raised no issues during the initial discussions about the next steps after taking charge of the team.”The transfer market expert concluded: “Mourinho is very excited about a second chapter with Real Madrid after having previously managed the team between 2010 and 2013.”Spanish newspaper AS also reported that everything has been agreed between Real Madrid and José Mourinho, with only the signing of the contract remaining.It noted that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Mourinho is set to return to Real Madrid until June 2028.

16-05-2026 13:59

Is Mourinho returning to Real Madrid?

Reports have revealed that a final agreement has been reached between veteran Portuguese coach José Mourinho and Real Madrid to take over as head coach of the first football team.Álvaro Arbeloa had taken charge of Real Madrid after the dismissal of Xabi Alonso in January, following a Spanish Super Cup defeat and several internal dressing-room conflicts.Real Madrid ended the season without any trophy for the second consecutive year, after losing the Spanish Super Cup final and being eliminated from the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, and the La Liga title race.There had been multiple reports confirming Mourinho’s return to coach Real Madrid starting next season, replacing Arbeloa.According to well-known sports journalist Fabrizio Romano on X, Real Madrid received full approval from Mourinho since last week.He added: “The deal is expected to be completed very soon between both parties. Mourinho had no doubts whatsoever and raised no issues during the initial discussions about the next steps after taking charge of the team.”The transfer market expert concluded: “Mourinho is very excited about a second chapter with Real Madrid after having previously managed the team between 2010 and 2013.”Spanish newspaper AS also reported that everything has been agreed between Real Madrid and José Mourinho, with only the signing of the contract remaining.It noted that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Mourinho is set to return to Real Madrid until June 2028.

16-05-2026 13:59

Messi And Ronaldo Get Ready For Sixth And Final FIFA World Cup

Lionel Messi’s career seemed complete after he led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup, but the motivation to keep playing is still there for him and his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the duo prepare to make history at this year’s tournament in North America.This will be the last dance for Messi and Ronaldo, who will become the first players to appear in six different World Cups, 20 years on from their fresh-faced debuts at the finals.They have since become icons far beyond the football pitch, two of the most recognisable people on the planet as they head into middle age and contemplate retirement.Messi appeared to suggest that there would not be much point in carrying on after he skippered Argentina to victory in Qatar.“Obviously I wanted to finish my career with this. I can’t ask for any more,” he said after dragging Lionel Scaloni’s side to victory over France on penalties in that World Cup final in Doha.“My career is coming to an end because these are my final years. What more could there be after this?”Plenty more, it turns out.Messi was in the middle of an underwhelming spell at Paris Saint-Germain then, and six months later he departed for Major League Soccer.There he is excelling with Inter Miami, with whom he won the MLS Cup last year.He might no longer be playing at the very highest level every week, but he remains crucial for Argentina.The Barcelona legend captained his country to victory at the Copa America in the US in 2024, and was the top scorer in South American World Cup qualifying.“I love playing football, and I’m going to do it until I can’t any more,” he said recently.At one stage there were some doubts as to whether he would play at another World Cup, a tournament he first graced in 2006, when aged 18 he scored in a 6-0 demolition of Serbia and Montenegro in Gelsenkirchen.“I will do everything to make sure he is there,” insisted Scaloni, with Messi now just two games away from reaching 200 caps.He is set to add to his record of 26 appearances in World Cup matches, including their run to the 2014 final in Brazil.Messi has 13 World Cup goals, meaning Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 is within striking distance, especially as Argentina’s group opponents do not appear the toughest.They will begin against Algeria and Austria before tackling Jordan in Dallas, three days after Messi’s 39th birthday.He has a couple of years on Ronaldo, but the 41-year-old Portuguese talisman was determined to carry his international career on in the hope of landing the ultimate prize.Ronaldo was a teenager when he lost the Euro 2004 final with Portugal on home soil, but he made up for that by captaining them to victory at Euro 2016.Yet the World Cup has proven harder, at least after Portugal got to the 2006 semi-finals.Portugal have won only one World Cup knockout match since, when they hammered Switzerland 6-1 in 2022 with Ronaldo dropped to the bench.Roberto Martinez became coach after that and restored Ronaldo as the first-choice striker, which he remains despite not scoring at Euro 2024 when Portugal lost in the last eight.He is the most-capped men’s player of all time with 226 international appearances, and the former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar is now set to win the Saudi title with Al Nassr.Ronaldo confirmed recently this would be his last World Cup, insisting: “I’m going to be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment.”Portugal, who go into a group with Colombia, Uzbekistan and DR Congo, are genuine contenders to win it even if there are doubts as to whether Ronaldo is holding back a talented squad.Personally, Ronaldo will be seeking to add to his eight World Cup goals, and finally get a first in the knockout stages.“He is more than just a football player, but for the national team that is all he is,” said Martinez in an interview with Portuguese broadcaster RTP.“He is the captain and he shows exemplary commitment to his country. He is incredible.”Lifting the World Cup at 41 would be quite the way for Ronaldo to finish -- and if both Portugal and Argentina top their groups, he and Messi would be on course to meet in the quarter-finals in Kansas City on July 11.

16-05-2026 11:54

Madonna, Shakira, BTS to Headline First World Cup Final Half-Time Show

Madonna, Shakira and K-pop megastars BTS will headline a Super Bowl-style half-time show at the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, FIFA said Thursday.Coldplay's Chris Martin is curating the show, which is a first for a football World Cup final but has raised concerns about how long half-time will be.The biggest-ever World Cup, with 48 teams, kicks off on June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced in March last year that there would be "the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final".He did not say at the time who would be performing or how long the show would last."This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world," he said on Instagram.The move mirrors the show held during the final of the 2024 Copa America in Miami, when Colombian star Shakira performed at half-time at the Hard Rock Stadium.There was also a half-time show at last year's FIFA Club World Cup final, also at MetLife Stadium, which stretched the break in excess of the regulation 15 minutes.Infantino added that FIFA also planned to "take over" New York's Times Square on the final weekend of the World Cup.The half-time extravaganza will support FIFA's Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100 million for children worldwide during the World Cup.Shakira last week teased the new official song for the World Cup, releasing a brief video of the track filmed at Brazil's iconic Maracana Stadium.The singer -- who also created the 2010 World Cup anthem "Waka Waka" -- announced the song, titled "Dai Dai" in a post on her Instagram account.In the 67-second video, Shakira appears on the pitch at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, where she performed in a free concert at the city's Copacabana Beach before two million people.Holding the "Trionda", the official match ball of the 2026 World Cup, Shakira performed excerpts of the song in English, joined by dancers dressed in the colors of teams including the United States and Colombia.The song was produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy and is set for official release on Thursday. The clip, also shared by the FIFA World Cup account, ends with the message: "We're ready!"Shakira has a long association with the World Cup, performing at the 2006 and 2014 World Cup finals in addition to producing "Waka Waka" for the 2010 tournament.

14-05-2026 11:03

FIFA chief wishes Iran ‘the very best’ ahead of the FIFA World Cup

Gianni Infantino has wished the Iranian football team “the very best” for the upcoming World Cup in North America.“I wish 🇮🇷 IR Iran the very best as they embark on their fourth successive FIFA World Cup campaign,” Infantino wrote in a social media post.Iran will play their first match against New Zealand on June 15 in California, US.Iran’s Football Federation earlier asked FIFA to relocate its fixtures to Mexico over security concerns amid the war. However, FIFA rejected the plea, stating that logistics could not be changed this close to the tournament.

10-05-2026 13:34

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Messi And Ronaldo Get Ready For Sixth And Final FIFA World Cup

Lionel Messi’s career seemed complete after he led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup, but the motivation to keep playing is still there for him and his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the duo prepare to make history at this year’s tournament in North America.This will be the last dance for Messi and Ronaldo, who will become the first players to appear in six different World Cups, 20 years on from their fresh-faced debuts at the finals.They have since become icons far beyond the football pitch, two of the most recognisable people on the planet as they head into middle age and contemplate retirement.Messi appeared to suggest that there would not be much point in carrying on after he skippered Argentina to victory in Qatar.“Obviously I wanted to finish my career with this. I can’t ask for any more,” he said after dragging Lionel Scaloni’s side to victory over France on penalties in that World Cup final in Doha.“My career is coming to an end because these are my final years. What more could there be after this?”Plenty more, it turns out.Messi was in the middle of an underwhelming spell at Paris Saint-Germain then, and six months later he departed for Major League Soccer.There he is excelling with Inter Miami, with whom he won the MLS Cup last year.He might no longer be playing at the very highest level every week, but he remains crucial for Argentina.The Barcelona legend captained his country to victory at the Copa America in the US in 2024, and was the top scorer in South American World Cup qualifying.“I love playing football, and I’m going to do it until I can’t any more,” he said recently.At one stage there were some doubts as to whether he would play at another World Cup, a tournament he first graced in 2006, when aged 18 he scored in a 6-0 demolition of Serbia and Montenegro in Gelsenkirchen.“I will do everything to make sure he is there,” insisted Scaloni, with Messi now just two games away from reaching 200 caps.He is set to add to his record of 26 appearances in World Cup matches, including their run to the 2014 final in Brazil.Messi has 13 World Cup goals, meaning Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 is within striking distance, especially as Argentina’s group opponents do not appear the toughest.They will begin against Algeria and Austria before tackling Jordan in Dallas, three days after Messi’s 39th birthday.He has a couple of years on Ronaldo, but the 41-year-old Portuguese talisman was determined to carry his international career on in the hope of landing the ultimate prize.Ronaldo was a teenager when he lost the Euro 2004 final with Portugal on home soil, but he made up for that by captaining them to victory at Euro 2016.Yet the World Cup has proven harder, at least after Portugal got to the 2006 semi-finals.Portugal have won only one World Cup knockout match since, when they hammered Switzerland 6-1 in 2022 with Ronaldo dropped to the bench.Roberto Martinez became coach after that and restored Ronaldo as the first-choice striker, which he remains despite not scoring at Euro 2024 when Portugal lost in the last eight.He is the most-capped men’s player of all time with 226 international appearances, and the former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar is now set to win the Saudi title with Al Nassr.Ronaldo confirmed recently this would be his last World Cup, insisting: “I’m going to be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment.”Portugal, who go into a group with Colombia, Uzbekistan and DR Congo, are genuine contenders to win it even if there are doubts as to whether Ronaldo is holding back a talented squad.Personally, Ronaldo will be seeking to add to his eight World Cup goals, and finally get a first in the knockout stages.“He is more than just a football player, but for the national team that is all he is,” said Martinez in an interview with Portuguese broadcaster RTP.“He is the captain and he shows exemplary commitment to his country. He is incredible.”Lifting the World Cup at 41 would be quite the way for Ronaldo to finish -- and if both Portugal and Argentina top their groups, he and Messi would be on course to meet in the quarter-finals in Kansas City on July 11.

16-05-2026 11:54

Is Mourinho returning to Real Madrid?

Reports have revealed that a final agreement has been reached between veteran Portuguese coach José Mourinho and Real Madrid to take over as head coach of the first football team.Álvaro Arbeloa had taken charge of Real Madrid after the dismissal of Xabi Alonso in January, following a Spanish Super Cup defeat and several internal dressing-room conflicts.Real Madrid ended the season without any trophy for the second consecutive year, after losing the Spanish Super Cup final and being eliminated from the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, and the La Liga title race.There had been multiple reports confirming Mourinho’s return to coach Real Madrid starting next season, replacing Arbeloa.According to well-known sports journalist Fabrizio Romano on X, Real Madrid received full approval from Mourinho since last week.He added: “The deal is expected to be completed very soon between both parties. Mourinho had no doubts whatsoever and raised no issues during the initial discussions about the next steps after taking charge of the team.”The transfer market expert concluded: “Mourinho is very excited about a second chapter with Real Madrid after having previously managed the team between 2010 and 2013.”Spanish newspaper AS also reported that everything has been agreed between Real Madrid and José Mourinho, with only the signing of the contract remaining.It noted that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Mourinho is set to return to Real Madrid until June 2028.

16-05-2026 13:59

FIFA chief wishes Iran ‘the very best’ ahead of the FIFA World Cup

Gianni Infantino has wished the Iranian football team “the very best” for the upcoming World Cup in North America.“I wish 🇮🇷 IR Iran the very best as they embark on their fourth successive FIFA World Cup campaign,” Infantino wrote in a social media post.Iran will play their first match against New Zealand on June 15 in California, US.Iran’s Football Federation earlier asked FIFA to relocate its fixtures to Mexico over security concerns amid the war. However, FIFA rejected the plea, stating that logistics could not be changed this close to the tournament.

10-05-2026 13:34

After Two Surgeries and Four Rounds of Chemotherapy, Sébastien Haller Makes His Dorussia Dortmund Debut

Ben Church wrote this article in CNN:Sébastien Haller savored the “amazing” opportunity to play his first game for Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday after testicular cancer sidelined the striker for six months.The 28-year-old underwent two surgeries and four rounds of chemotherapy after receiving his diagnosis in July having just signed for his new club.He eventually made his debut in the second half of Dortmund’s 5-1 win against Fortuna Düsseldorf in Tuesday’s friendly match.“It was an amazing moment on the pitch. I received lots of applause and a lot of messages. I spoke with my teammates and the opposition,” he told reporters.“I finally wore the BVB shirt for the first time after six months. I was really delighted to play because I couldn’t do so immediately after my transfer.”The German Bundesliga returns later this month after the winter break, with teams now preparing for the restart.Dortmund, which plays Augsburg in its first match back on January 22, currently sits sixth in the table and Haller is relishing the chance to finally help his team.“Playing is a much better feeling than training and running through the woods. I’ve missed this feeling,” Haller added.“I would like to stay fit until the end of the season and play as many minutes as I can. Perhaps, I might even get some more minutes in the next friendly.”‘Very special moment’The Ivory Coast international scored 47 goals in 66 games for his former club Ajax during an 18 month spell, 11 of which came in the Champions League.He signed for Dortmund on July 6 but had begun to feel unwell during a preseason training camp in Switzerland later that month.Head coach Edin Terzic said that, after Haller’s difficult year, he was proud to see the striker finally wear the Dortmund shirt.“It was a very special moment for Seb and his family, but for us too,” Terzic told reporters.“It was the first time that he was wearing a Borussia Dortmund shirt rather than a training top. We’re proud that he has taken this path and that we could experience this today.”Haller’s American teammate Gio Reyna has hopes that Haller’s return can help inspire the team to improve performances after the restart.“Sébastien’s comeback was amazing. We’re delighted that he’s back,” Reyna told reporters.“He’s such a good guy; he works hard. You immediately see his quality on pitch. He brings something new to our game.”

14-01-2023 15:17

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